#had a nasty cold that took me out and i'm finally feeling like myself again

[llondonfog]

twst (horror) tober — day 7 (shock)

➤ Day 7: Shock | “You look like a deer caught in the headlights.”

"What have you done?" Lilia-shi all but croaks, and Idia automatically cringes away from his side, hands smoothing uselessly down the front of the Styx uniform. The fabric ripples beneath his fingers, long and cool and dark— like a burial shroud, and he might have laughed at the irony if he did not fear for his life in the next instant.

The fae remains torn in a limbo of horror and a wretched, burning kind of yearning that Idia knows all too intimately, hovering in front of the glass separating the observation deck from the room just beyond with a wild expression upon his face as if he can't quite decide whether to tear through the dividing panel with his bare claws or turn them onto Idia himself.

A near hysteric part of his mind dares to be indignant at the whole situation— he'd rather not be sheared limb from limb after months of labor followed by the agonizing ordeal of discovering Lilia-shi's new whereabouts, an imposing task that had meant engaging with the imposing might of the Draconia family. Luckily, he had Ortho handle that particular bit— his brother seemed to carry such an odd affection for the brash straight-forwardness of the freshman guard.

So really, this reaction is not what he had entirely envisioned in his mind upon the grand reveal, and it takes several attempts to weakly clear his throat, nearly cowering in place as those broken crimson eyes pin him down with a madness verging on the edge of a precipice.

Had it only been a semester ago when those eyes were bright with laughter, sparkling with wicked mischief?

He understands, and he wishes Lilia-shi would pause and remember that before he does anything rash— he understands the cost of death and the price to remain among the living.

"He— he was your s-son," Idia stutters, and hadn't that been a shock, just one more blow to a reeling school as they had watched Lilia-shi clutch at that still body, so small and fragile looking as it lay crumpled in his arms, and scream.

He wishes Lilia-shi would remember that he can taste that scream on the back of his tongue too.

"You . . . you l-loved him." His fingers clench together, and instead of fabric, he can feel grooved metal slide between them. "And—"

And Lilia-shi had been, quite frankly, his only friend. Not that they had known it for most of their time gaming together, but he had come to care for the faceless "Muscle Red" in a way he hadn't since Ortho. It was senseless, foolish, illogical— and this was the result of caving to such emotions.

The fae lets out a low, inhuman sound that could have been easily mistaken for the monstrous creatures caged in the levels below, and Idia's knees tremble as he watches Lilia-shi's eyes slide away from him and stare with a devastated intensity through the glass where a boy lies as if asleep on a simple cot on the other side. A boy with silver hair made from the finest synthetic fibers that shimmer beneath the cold lighting, smooth silicone features free of imperfections and nearly pillowy to touch, sculpted limbs and digits accurate to the smallest degree of precision. A boy, one of the finest of Idia's technomantic creations, waiting for his father to wake him up and take him home.

"Lilia-shi, w-where are you going— Lilia-shi!"

[themultifandomgal]

Kelly Severide- Finally

Kelly and I have been married for 3 years now. We met because of my brother Matt joining firehouse 51, then Kelly and I dated for many years before he proposed. Our wedding was a beautiful day and filled with so much love.

After a couple of years of marriage we decided that it would be time for us to start a family. Unfortunately this took a lot longer than expected. We even went to the doctors to find out if there was anything wrong. They just said that for some men and woman it can take longer and to come back in a year if we are still yet to conceive or if we struggle to carry full term.

Of course seeing negative after negative pregnancy test it really effects you mentally. So we stopped taking pregnancy tests so regular. We will only take one if I think I could be pregnant.

I wake up feeling off like I've drank to much. Headache and nausea. Rolling over I place my hand on Kelly's side of the bed, but I'm greeted by the bed being cold. That's when I remember that Kelly had to head off to work early this morning. I groan sitting up, my head spinning as I do, I swallow dryly feeling so ill. Slowly I crawl out of bed and go into the bathroom to get myself ready for the day. Thankfully I work from home so I don't have to go out anywhere.

I'm typing on my laptop when I have to quickly run to the bathroom to throw up. Which weirdly makes me feel immediately better. I clean my teeth getting rid of the nasty taste in my mouth and go back to my work.

I spend the next few hours working, but when my day of work ends I'm absolutely exhausted so decide to take a nap before Kelly comes back home.

This goes on for the next few days which does make me wonder if I could be pregnant. So while Kelly is at work I route around in one of the draws for some pregnancy tests that I bought months ago. When I find them I pee on the sticks and leave them on the back of the toilet before going back to work.

I forget about the tests for a couple of hours before I have to go to pee again. I pick them up not thinking that it will be positive, but when I see the little plus sign on all of the tests I am shocked. This is the first time I've ever gotten a positive pregnancy test, but still not wanting to get Kelly to excited I want to make sure that this is true. So that day I ring up my doctors and book an appointment for the next day. However I'm going to have to sneak out because Kelly is off.

The following day I wake up in Kelly's arms making me smile. I turn around to face him and brush some hair out of his face making him sigh and pull me closer

"Morning" he says in his gruff morning voice

"Morning" I reply placing a kiss on his lips "what have you got planned for today?" I ask

"I'm staying home and cuddling you all day. I've missed you" I giggle at his reply

"I've missed you to, but I've go a couple of jobs to do this morning"

"Like?"

"Well I have to go to the bank, then pop to the grocery store"

"I'll come with you"

"No" I say way to quickly causing Kelly to frown "I just mean it's going to be boring and you've been working really heard the past few days. Why don't you sleep in" Kelly frowns not buying what I'm selling

"What's going on?"

"Ok you caught me. I am actually getting you a surprise but I'm not telling you what it is so you'll have to wait"

"Ok? Why?"

"Will you stop asking me questions. Go back to sleep I won't be to long" I place a kiss on Kelly's lips before getting up and getting dressed.

So I'm pregnant! I run to the store and buy a gift bag, some dippers, wipes and baby bottles. I then head back home with all of the 'gifts' in the bag and head into the house

"I'm home!" I call out and Kelly is quick to greet me with a smile. He wraps me up in his arms causing me to giggle at his affection "go sit down for your surprise" he eagerly leaves my side and sits down on the couch still with a wide grin on his face "ok close your eyes" I say and he does. I place the bag on his lap and tell him to open. He puts his hand in and the first thing he pulls out are the packets of wipes

"Baby wipes? You trying to tell me to wipe my ass or something?"

"No. Keep going" next he pulls out the baby bottles. He frowns taking out the box of diapers. He looks at me still frowning, but a look of realisation crosses his face as I keep smiling at him

"Are you...? Are we...?"

"Yes. I'm pregnant" Kelly is up in an instant and spins me around then kisses all over my face

"I love you so much!"

"I love you to Kel"

"I'm going to be a dad"

"Yes you are. We're finally getting what we wanted"

[goldenempyrean]

Fic idea - natasha always stifles because thats what she was conditioned to do in the red room. Wanda or R is always trying to get to her stop but maybe one day she gets sick and is too tired to stifle anymore. I love ur writing btw ❤️

Let Them Out

〚 Notes - I thought this req was really cute so hopefully you like this!! :D My reqs are still open too! 〛

〚 Pairing - Natasha Romanoff x Reader 〛

〚 Summary - Nat's got some bad habits. You help her to break one. 〛

〚 Wordcount - 940 〛

〘 Check Out My Masterlist! 〙

╚════════ ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ ════════╝

Natasha had some bad habits. Leaving her clothes on the floor, using up the last of your shampoo and biting her nails were just a few. The worst one in your mind however was when she stifled her sneezes. 

The first time Nat had sneezed, you almost completely missed it. The two of you were spooning in bed one lazy morning when she suddenly tensed up and her head bobbed forward a little. Daresay if you’d had been a little bit more sleep you would’ve missed the whole thing altogether. But when she repeated the action again only a minute later you couldn’t stop yourself from asking about it. 

“Natty?” 

“Hmm?” She responded groggily. 

“Are you okay?” You asked casually, slipping your hard round her waist and pressing your forehead into the back of her neck. 

She was still half-asleep herself and she yawned widely as she turned over to face you, “Yeah, I’m fine, why?” 

“Well, you just went like all tight?” You explained, what you had saw to the best of your abilities, looking curiously into those big emerald eyes of hers, “Y’know? When you bopped your head down?” 

“Sorry I was sneezing,” Natasha let out a sheepish laugh, “I do that sometimes, y’know being a human being and all.” 

You smiled at her response and snuggled closer to her, thinking it was just a harmless quirk. But as time went on, you noticed that she would always stifle her sneezes, even in public or around friends. It seemed like a small thing, but it bothered you for some reason. All that pressure couldn’t be good for her. But no matter how much you mentioned it to her, she couldn’t seem to break the habit. 

That was until she got sick. You had both been on a mission in a particularly cold and damp environment and despite your best efforts, Natasha had come down with a nasty cold. 

That evening, you were sitting on the couch together watching a movie when you heard a stifled sneeze from her. You turned to her with a worried look, "Natty, you should really let it out. It's not good for you to hold it in like that." 

Natasha looked up at you with tired eyes and shook her head, "I'm fine, it's just a habit and I wouldn’t want to be gross, I’m already a walking germ factory.” She said, motioning to herself with her hand. 

You couldn't help but feel frustrated at her response. "Natasha, you're sick. I wouldn’t care if even you accidently sneezed all over me, I just want you to take care of yourself." 

She sighed and looked away, "I'm sorry, I just don't like people seeing me vulnerable, I guess. Plus, I think I’m just used to be being in the background and not drawing attention to myself." 

You could understand that feeling, but you knew that she needed to take care of herself properly if she wanted to get better. You took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I know it's hard, but I'm here for you. You don't have to hide anything from me." 

It was later that night when your advice had seemingly broken through. You were knelt by the edge of the bath, carefully washing her hair as the redhead soaked herself in the warm, comforting water of the bath when she suddenly pulled away, turning her head away as she finally let out 3 unstifled sneezes. 

"H-hiisshhoo! Hh’iiishiew! Hh-Hh’iiishoo!” 

You smiled at her, proud of her for finally allowing herself to let go. "Bless you sweetie. See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" You said, kissing the top of her head. 

Natasha chuckled weakly, "No, I guess it wasn't." 

From then on, she didn't try to stifle her sneezes anymore. She would let them out without any hesitation, and you could tell it was a relief for her. It was a small victory, but it was a start towards breaking down the walls she had put up around herself. 

As Natasha's cold began to clear up, you noticed something else that was different about her. She seemed more open and vulnerable, willing to show you more of her true self. You didn't know if it was the sickness or if your talk had made a difference, but you were grateful nonetheless. 

You wrapped your arms around her as she sat on the edge of the bed, wiping the last of the cold sweat from her forehead. "You know, I kinda like seeing you vulnerable," you said, smiling down at her. 

Natasha smiled back, her eyes crinkling at the corners, "Yeah? Why's that?" 

"Because it means you trust me enough to let your guard down," you replied, leaning down to kiss her softly. 

Natasha leaned into the kiss, her hand coming up to cup your cheek, "I do trust you," she said softly. "More than anyone else." 

You pulled back to look at her, a warm feeling spreading in your chest. "I trust you too, Natty," you said, before leaning in to kiss her again. 

"Thank you," she said, giving you a grateful smile when you pulled back from her lips. 

"You don't have to thank me," you replied, "I'll always be here for you." 

Natasha leaned in and kissed you gently, "I know," she whispered, "And I'll always be grateful for that." 

And as for her bad habit of stifling her sneezes, well, that was a thing of the past. She had finally learned to let it all out, even if it meant being a little gross or vulnerable. And you loved her all the more for it. 

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[occasionallyprosie]

"The Past Returns"

Legend, Sky, and Time are separated from the rest of the group. Normally this would be fine, they were perfectly capable to take care of themselves. The problem came when someone from Legend's past noticed their presence and was quick to capitalize on it and their standing injuries.

Febuwhump 2024 | Prompt 20: Truth Serum

Event Masterlist

Read on AO3 Warnings: graphic violence

----

They'd been captured. Or at least, a third of them had.

They had been dropped, separated from the group, into a somewhat familiar era? Legend hadn't really been sure, it felt like his but something was off, it was lighter than his to start with, as if Ganon's influence had finally begun to fade.

A battle came and Sky had taken a pretty nasty hit, a gash in his side. Time ended up carrying him after they bound the injury and Legend was meant to be protection due to Sky being down and Time having his hands full. They trusted him, and he didn't even know what happened. One minute he'd been fine, then pain pricked his neck and he was out cold.

He only just came to, dazed and his head throbbing.

"Link? Veteran?"

He grimaced and shook his head, trying to clear the haze. "Old man? What..."

"You were drugged, it's alright," Time said. "We've been taken captive by unknowns."

A cell came into vision and finally Legend met Time's eyes.

"It'll be fine," Time assured, looking resolute. "The others will find us if we don’t break out ourselves. There is nothing to fear. The Chosen isn't even injured enough to bleed out."

Legend sighed softly, he honestly appreciated the assurances but he didn't appreciate the unrealisticness of it. He shook his head again to finish clear the effects of the drug that apparently knocked him out. "Right. Well, I don’t intend to just sit and wait--"

"Well, well, well," drawled a hauntingly familiar voice. Legend's blood ran cold, any lingering effects were gone as fear sparked clarity. "Seems I've caught myself a little bunny."

No. No, no, no. No no no no--

Legend stared in horror, he could feel the blood drain from his face as Agahnim stood before him.

"No--I-I killed you," he breathed. "I killed you!"

Agahnim chuckled. "Even without Ganon granting me a part of his consciousness and power, I am still the most powerful mage in all of Hyrule. Of course I had failsafes... though they took longer to work than I intended--no matter!"

"You know him, Veteran?" Time interrupted.

"I'll kill you again," Legend declared, completely ignoring Time as he tried to shove the bubbling fear down. "I'm not a child anymore. I'm far stronger and you clearly haven't changed a bit. I'll win again."

Agahnim drew closer and Legend couldn't keep himself from trying to maintain any distance he could, pressing himself as far back into the wall as he could. He wished he had his bracelet so he could merge with it.

Agahnim grabbed his face.

"Leave him be!" Time ordered.

"Silence." Agahnim snapped his hand toward Time and Legend feared the older hero was dead, some spell cast to permanently silence the hero. He glanced and saw Time was only gagged. A bit of relief hit him alongside confusion.

"Let them go," Legend demanded with as much of a steady voice as he could. Agahnim still held his face in his hand, nails digging into his cheeks and jaw. He couldn't even snap at him. "They're nothing. No use to you."

"Oh, but they are." The deceitful mage had a wicked gleam in his eyes. "They can be used against you... likewise, I can use you against them."

Time made some frantic noise.

"Touch them and I'll do so much worse than kill you," Legend threatened, barely keeping his voice from wavering.

"Threats don’t mean much coming from a little bunny," he taunted. His malice-filled eyes landed on Sky. "I have questions for you, Link, questions I know you have the answers to. You'll tell me everything."

"No."

"Ah, it wasn't a question."

Sky, who hadn't yet came back to being lucid from whatever knocked him out, screamed when an electrical blast of magic flew from Agahnim's outstretched hand and hit him.

Legend flinched back, inhaling quickly and letting it out in an instant. Time tried to lunge at Agahnim from where he was chained but didn't get far. Sky trembled and his body spazzed from the electricity. Legend remembered that attack vividly.

Oh goddesses, no. He knew too much, he couldn't let Agahnim find out anything, but Sky was... he was lucid now, heaving and twitching, glaring burning daggers at Agahnim.

"You... Do it again," Sky growled, "I dare you. See what happened to the last guy that electrocuted me."

Agahnim laughed. "Your friend seems to enjoy pain, Link." He looked back at Legend. "Do you enjoy to watch it?"

"Chosen don’t," Legend breathed. "Don’t push him--"

"I can take it," Sky promised and Legend almost wanted to believe him. Sky's slowly clearing eyes flicked between Legend and Agahnim, then to Time, and back between the first two.

"Hmm, we'll see."

Agahnim flicked his hand again and Sky screamed, the blast hitting him again and he writhed, pulling and pushing against his chains. Legend bit back a cry of his own, a demand for him to stop. Time fought hard, but he was still stuck, still gagged, still silenced and restrained from intervening.

"So what will it be, Link?" Agahnim looked down at him. "Tell me where you hid the Triforce... or I electrocute your friends."

Biting his tongue, he shook his head.

Sky panted and Agahnim sent off another blast. But Sky didn't receive it, Time did.

"NO!" Sky snarled, fighting against his bonds, definitely disturbing the wound in his side. Time writhed and borderline screamed in his gag. When the initial effects faded, he still twitched and spasmed.

Legend didn't know what to do. He was panicking. Agahnim was right there, torturing Sky and Time. But he wanted the location of the Triforce and Legend couldn't give him that.

"Stop it! They can't tell you anything!" Legend begged, pulling on his chains, feeling blood slide down his arms from the sharp metal breaking skin.

"Ah but that bleeding heart of yours will," Agahnim said. "I'll give you one last chance to tell me willingly."

"Don’t you say a thing, veteran," Sky snarled, glaring burning daggers at Agahnim. Time made some similar noise, raising his twitching head to send his own glare at Agahnim.

Legend shut his mouth.

Agahnim had a glint in his eyes, far too excited of a glint. Another magic orb formed in his hand and threw it at Legend.

He flinched back, but no pain came, just a rush of magic filling his head with cotton.

"What is your name?" Agahnim drawled, his voice echoing in Legend's head.

Legend felt words bubble up his throat and tried to catch them. Despite it, they fell out. "Link."

"Your full name."

He held back any words, beginning to panic as he realized that he didn't want to tell him anything. The cotton in his mind pulled out answers and placed them on his tongue to be spoken, but unlike before, he didn't spill them.

Agahnim hummed. "So it requires an interrogative, how interesting."

"What did you do?" Sky growled.

"What is your full name?" Agahnim asked, beady gold eyes meeting Legend's own amethyst ones.

"Link Hyrule." The answer was forced off his tongue that time and Legend properly panicked. He couldn't draw any other words from his mouth, that cotton in his head blocked it off. He wanted to scream, to tell Sky he couldn't stop it. He had to do something. He couldn't tell Agahnim the location of the Triforce, he wouldn't risk the world like that.

"Hyrule?" Agahnim sounded surprised. "Oh--so you're the prince that escaped. That witch did say that bloodline would be my downfall."

Legend bit his tongue as he looked frantically at Sky and Time, both looked more than just a little livid. Were they upset with him? That he never revealed his ancestry? It was dangerous information but they were a team and they wouldn't be the first who got upset that he kept secrets from them.

"LET HIM GO YOU BASTARD!" Sky roared, electricity crackled off him as he fought his chains to no avail. "I'LL KILL YOU!"

Agahnim just laughed, a sound that haunted Legend's earliest nightmares. He flinched, biting down on his tongue and tasting blood.

An idea struck him.

"Tell me, little prince," Agahnim drawled slowly. He drew out his words, taunting Legend and the older two heroes with them.

Sky was still snarling, he acted like a rapid beast filled with righteous anger. Electrical currents crackled off him, charring the chains that bound him.

Legend was too aware he wouldn't be fast enough. Time's chains banged loudly and his gagged noises were drowned out by Sky's yells.

Agahnim paid them little attention, grabbing Legend's hair and dragging him up. He could see the grin in his eyes, the excitement and bloodlust. Honestly, the bloodlust in Sky's eyes was far stronger than the bloodlust in Agahnim's, but Agahnim was the one with mobility and freedom.

His chains weren't so tight as to keep him from moving his hands, they were short enough he couldn't quite lunge at Agahnim even in close vicinity, it would just push him away. But they were long enough he could grab the hand in his hair, he could reach his head.

Agahnim began to ask that dreaded question with a sickening glee.

"Where is--" as he spoke, before the question could fully be given and force Legend to provide an answer, Legend took a slightly drastic measure.

Transformative magics were hard to limit, especially ones driven into one's blood and soul. As such, most transformative magics required certain mediums, complicated spells, the only exception was illusion-based 'transformations'. Either way, mediums didn't need to be magic, just a requirement that could be fulfilled, then dependent on the source of the transformation, it could still work with magic nulling chains as long as the area itself wasn't magic nulling.

Legend had no illusion-based transformation, but he did have a transformation that was written into his very bones that only required him to be in contact with water to activate, it was a curse originally that he managed to rewrite just enough that the slightest bit of water wouldn't force it. As proven by Agahnim, the area was not sealed of magic. Magic seals didn't limit by person, not those kinds of seals.

He didn't need the full transformation anyway, just the claws.

With gills forming on the side of his ribs, fins replacing his ears, and scales tracing his cheekbones  and upper jaw, Legend's nails became sharp claws. Where one latched into Agahnim's arm, the other reached for his throat before the transformation finished over his legs.

Agahnim screamed in pain and pulled back, easily getting out of reach.

"YOU--"

"Six other adventures, Agahnim," Legend rasped, voice dry and painful to use with gills. Standing with a tail was nearly impossible, but using one arm to hold his body somewhat up thanks to the chains to provide his other hand some looseness was possible. "I got more tricks up my sleeves than you have spells."

"It doesn't matter," Agahnim scoffed. "I don’t need to be near you to ask a question."

Legend grinned. "Ah, but I need vocal cords to answer."

Three sets of eyes widened in horror, Time yelled behind his gag, Sky begged Legend to stop, while Agahnim finally threw that question out.

"Where is--"

Legend tore out his own throat, claws sinking deeply just below his Adam's apple and sliced it open.

"--the Triforce?!--NO!"

Agahnim roared, but Legend was choking on blood. Something grabbed his hand and ripped it away, his body giving out and his head hitting the wall harshly. A bright light filled his vision and ozone muffled the scent of iron.

The spell remained strong and Legend let the words fall from his lips, but with it fell blood and without any vocal cords nor really air, not a sound escaped with them.

Agahnim would never know where the Triforce of Power and Wisdom were kept. Legend was the only person alive who knew where it was, and it only had a place in Hyrule at all and not the Sacred Realm because he had the Triforce of Courage and couldn't return it until he died, thus was the duty of a hero who wielded it.

He felt dizzy, the cotton grew thicker, maybe a syrup mixed with it in his mind. He knew blood loss was a danger here, he tried to avoid his veins but claws were not that precise. At least it wasn't suffocation, his gills--though made for underwater--did well enough to keep his lungs filled as he forced the blood out his mouth and injury.

Something exploded, he was dimly aware.

He raised his head and could see Sky, chains melted but the shackles still on his wrists, standing over the burnt corpse of Agahnim. Time was trying to reach Legend, but he didn't have the apparent inhuman strength that Sky did. How did he burn Agahnim? How did he melt steel chains?

"Vet, hey," Sky appeared in front of him and he blinked hazily when he realized he did. How did he move so fast? Was he that out of it? "Look at me. How are you even alive?"

Legend grinned, teeth stained by blood that he promptly coughed up. He needed a potion, something to stave off the bleeding. The blood was filling his lungs but thankfully oxygen was in blood and the main entry of oxygen was from his gills. The blood loss to his brain would be bad very quickly though.

"Whoa, stay with me. I'm going to break the Old Man free and we're going to get you out of here."

He supposed he managed to avoid at least one of his veins, since his brain was still working. He was still breathing, thanks to his gills and wow, he accidentally thought this through a lot better than he originally thought. He hadn't taken into account of his gills preserving his ability to breathe. Then again, he also didn't expect Sky to escape.

He expected to bleed out until Agahnim tried to save him so he could get the information he wanted. It might've worked, might have not, but it would've kept the Triforce safe and with him dead it would've been put back in the Sacred Realm where it belonged. Without Courage to make them accessible, no one would be able to steal Power, Zelda wouldn't need to retrieve Wisdom, it would be safe until Ganon somehow came back in Hyrule's era.

A twinkling sound reached his cotton filled ears and then water surrounded him.

He could feel his gills flutter, inhaling the water quickly; diluting and filtering out the blood from his lungs. He blinked slowly, feeling the telling magic of a fairy fade.

His eyes adjusted and he was in some fairly deep pool of some kind, rocky and likely an underwater pool or spring. He didn't move for a long moment, his boys exhausted from the blood loss, but eventually he mustered the energy to move.

He swam back to the surface and popped his head out, ear fins flicking as the cotton cleared from his ears but not yet his mind. The spell was still in effect, probably a time limit rather than concentration based.

"You’re okay!" Sky sat back, clearly relieved and not as covered with electrical burns as Legend would've expected.

He tried to hum, see if it vibrated, anything, made a noise, but nothing came.

"What the hell?" Time demanded, and the fact that he cursed so blatantly was extremely telling of how freaked out he was. "Why did you do that?!"

Time's question echoed in Legend's mind like a reverberating gong. He felt the explanation hit his tongue and fall out soundlessly when he opened his mouth. Then he shrugged. He pulled himself out of the water and let the transformation deactivate.

He signed a willing explanation. "Had to keep it safe."

Time looked stricken and yet again his voice echoed painfully through Legend's mind. "You can't speak?"

"Magic is not good at exact healing like that, it can, but fairies usually don't care to be that precise and focus on saving the life and not much else. Potions would have done better, but not an option here."

It was too late anyways, he wouldn't have been able to drink a potion and since the magic already set in, he wouldn't be able to drink one now to fix it. Potions follow the body's natural healing but can take it far beyond natural capabilities, magical healing was, at minimum, more of a mending but a shattered jar couldn't be mended back to how it once was.

"I'm sorry," Sky said. "I should've been faster. I was too slow--"

Legend snapped his fingers and it startled both older heroes. He gave them a smile.

"Don’t care. I did it myself. I chose it and I don't mind."

He had been selectively mute throughout his first four adventures, it was Ravio, being more of an adult, and being taken seriously that were the reasons he stepped into willing speech, but ultimately he spent the better part of his life in silence.

"As it was, it was either this or giving him the location of the Triforce." Time scowled but Sky made an understanding expression. "It's my job to protect it."

"I get it... I'm still sorry I didn't act faster."

"Chosen you melted chains with some lightning magic none of us knew you had," Time said in a slightly harsh, slightly deadpan tone.

Sky winced. "I didn't know either... Actually, Vet, he called you prince?"

"Z is my older sister," he signed. "Not a prince though, raised on a ranch and still live rural."

"But doesn't that... doesn't that make you my descendant?"

And Time's, Legend mentally added, his father's side being the Lon's after all. He didn't mention that, just nodding before he stood up.

"We should go find our stuff."

If Agahnim survived this... Legend was going to retrieve the Triforce himself just to kill the guy permanently.

He also really wanted the stupid truth spell to wear off, it was annoying trying to speak even when he knew full well that not a word would be heard.

[nancypullen]

Merry Everything and a Happy Whatever

Well, I cam back from Florida with just a couple of days to prepare for the onslaught of Christmas and promptly got sick. The virus that my sister had, some respiratory thing, definitely not a common cold, took me out at the knees. I slogged through the grocery store with my long list (I wore a mask!) and hauled home enough to feed an army. Everyone arrived on the 22nd and I made a dinner of pork carnitas, tortillas, and all the toppings. Rice and beans rounded out the meal and the whole gang was satisfied. The next night was a rotini and meatball bake, extra cheesy. And so it went. I was Typhoid Mary in the kitchen, coughing up a lung, and you'd think spreading disease. Would you believe that not a single person caught it? I'm just now feeling human again and no one else is even sniffling. I have to admit that the Christmas dinner was not my best. I kept forgetting to set timers. The turkey was dry (and I pride myself on juicy roasted birds!), the sweet potato casserole was not quite set, and I left the rolls in too long. I felt like a failure, but everyone ate and no one died.

Christmas was merry, Santa was sure good to all of us - especially a certain little girl. My boys spoil me absolutely rotten, to the point of making me feel guilty. I always cry and act like a doofus because I still see those sweet little boys of mine, and I want them to save their money for themselves. I should be proud that they're both doing so well and are so kind, but I just feel guilt. I'm not worthy! I'm sure a psychologist could have a field day with my thoughts. Anywayyyy, even though I was sick as a dog, it was wonderful to have everyone together. I felt like apologizing for not being more fun. I hate it that Matt flew all the way home and we didn't even play our usual rounds of Song Quiz or go on an adventure. In summary, Christmas was wonderful because my family is wonderful. The Edgewater parents had to go back to work, so we kept Little Miss for a three extra days since she's out of school. She helped me take all of the decorations off the tree (I knew she was dying to get her hands on those ornaments) and we collected all of the Santas, deer, and holiday knick-knacks from around the house. Between the two of us we got Christmas packed away and everything tidied up. Turns out child labor is beneficial. We took her to see Migration and she giggled all the way through. She dressed herself for the movie and I didn't fight it. Better to be overdressed than underdressed, right?

We handed her over yesterday afternoon and I came home and told Mickey that I was takin' to the bed. I don't think I moved for twelve hours. I didn't do much today either. I need to rest up for our big New Year's Eve festivities.

Yeah, I can't say that with a straight face. We have NO plans. I wouldn't go if we did. I don't even have a dinner planned for us. Usually Matt gets to stay through New Year's Eve and I do a buffet of appetizers. We may be eating tuna sandwiches on paper plates. Sounds like I've given up, doesn't it? Lawdy, I'm just tiiired.

Anywho, I survived and thankfully the family seems to have missed my contagious stage. I'd feel really awful if they'd all taken this nasty virus home. Glad it ended with me, good riddance to it. I'm thinking about what my word for 2024 will be and I'm just not sure. Last year I chose the word flourish. I chose it because I was so unhappy here, couldn't seem to make a friend, etc. I was determined to take control and make this my home. I should have chosen a different word. I tried, good grief how I tried. I'm an Army brat, I'm not shy about meeting people or being in new places. I've taken classes, gone to functions, reached out to others, even gone out a couple of times with some local ladies. Apparently I'm still undesirable. I did apply for and finally get a job at the library, so maybe that will help. If nothing else I'll make a little money while the local population rejects me.

Might as well make the best of it. Maybe my word for the new year will be acceptance. It is what it is. I'd rather my word be winner, as in lottery. Did you see that Powerball jackpot? Whew! I'd be outta' here so fast. With that kind of cash I could still see Little Miss every week. Fancy Grancy could jet in for gymnastics practice and dinner. Crossing all my fingers. I'll save one for Denton though.

Maybe that's the cold meds talking. Or not. I've whined my way through this blog post, so I'll end this little pity party. Just wanted to get you all caught up before we hang a new calendar. I'll think about my word for 2024 and get back to you. Anyone else choosing one? I've seen folks opting for simplify, balance, courage, gratitude...in what direction are you hoping to steer your next 365 days? We've passed the winter solstice and we're gaining sunlight every day, let's walk into the sunshine and choose happiness this year. I've always found happiness in small things - a pretty sunset, bird song, little green shoots in the spring. Tomorrow I'm going to get a whole bunch of tulip bulbs (a gift!!) in the ground. I'm planting hope. There's always hope, right? Alright, I'm off to soak in a bubble bath and read the latest Lisa Jewell book. I was on a library waitlist for months and so far it's been worth it. I downloaded it on my new Christmas KIndle. The Pullen men hate it that I'll use the same technology for a decade (my old Kindle worked fine, just didn't hold a charge like it used to). There you have it. It's over. Ladies, we decorated, shopped, wrapped, cooked, and spread joy like chicken pox. The lull between Christmas and the new year celebrations is a welcome relief. Rest if you can, recharge. You've earned it. Sending out loads of love tonight. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[auxiliarydetective]

Yoooooooo can you write something with Face being hurt / not able to function in any sort of way (you choose) and Kit having to take care of him? Idk if thats the type of stuff you write so if its not feel free to not write this!!

Your wish is my command! I'm not really in an A-Team brainrot right now, but I hope this still turned out good enough.

Face drifted back into the waking world only very slowly. His head was thumping with pain and, to make it even worse, he had no idea where it came from. Same could be said for the pain in his ankle.

“You’re finally awake!”

Kit’s familiar voice made Face open his eyes. He found himself lying in the back of the van, his head cushioned by Kit’s jacket. Kit herself was leaning against one of the seats, watching him with furrowed brows.

“Do you remember anything?” she asked. Her tone was awfully cold, even for her.

“I, uh… No”, Face stammered. He slowly sat up, fighting the dizziness.

“Well, long story short”, Kit sighed, “you and I got into some trouble with some very friendly henchmen. Not the best place for a battle and you were too stupid to defend yourself, so you got pushed off a ledge. Knocked you out cold. I had to carry you back to the van all by myself. - You’re heavy, you know that?”

“I’m not, you just like to complain.”

Kit scoffed at this. She pulled a water bottle from a bag and almost shoved it in his face.

“Drink some water. If you’re drinking you’ve gotta be quiet.”

Face took the bottle and did as he was told. He knew that Kit knew he was right. She liked to complain, it was her main hobby, besides making snarky comments. For a while, Face really was quiet.

“Where are the others?” he finally asked.

“Getting the job done”, Kit said curtly. “They went to chase that Mr Miller out of town.”

“But you didn’t go?” Face remarked with a knowing smile. “You love delivering justice and you stayed here?”

“Hannibal’s orders. Someone had to stay with you.”

“Hannibal’s orders, sure, sure… I think you stayed willingly.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you care about me, kitten.”

Immediately, Kit’s cheeks flushed red. “Don’t call me that!” she blurted out. “I should’ve just left you there.”

“You couldn’t do that.”

“Shut up. Drink some more water and be quiet.”

Face grinned triumphantly. He liked teasing Kit like this. It was a dangerous game sometimes, but a very fun game. Kit sighed heavily. She moved away from the seats and sat down on the floor next to Face.

“Does anything else hurt?” she asked. “Looked like a nasty fall.”

“Yeah, actually”, Face admitted. “My ankle.”

“Which side?”

“Right.”

Swiftly, Kit crawled to Face’s foot and lifted it into her lap. Then, she started untying his shoe and carefully slid it off. This made Face whimper quietly. What was in Kit’s eyes now was genuine worry. She had been able to hide it before, but now it was very clear.

“That bad?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

No accusing him of whining, nothing. Kit pulled off Face’s sock and grimaced. His ankle had turned a nasty combination of green, purple and blue.

“We’re going to see a doctor”, Kit declared.

She gently put his foot back on the floor and headed for the driver’s seat.

“Wait, hang on”, Face cut in, “are you seriously trying to steal B.A.’s van right now?”

“I’m not stealing it, I’m borrowing it.”

“Yeah, but it’s B.A.’s van. He doesn’t let anyone else drive it for a million dollars. If you drive this thing, you’re dead. - Besides, Kit: You can’t drive.”

“I can drive!” Kit protested. “I just don’t have a license.”

“If you don’t have a license, you can’t drive.”

“What are you, the police?”

“No, but if the police catch you driving B.A.’s van without a license… Let’s just say B.A. won’t be very happy.”

Kit let out an annoyed sigh and got off the driver’s seat again. “Fine”, she scoffed. “He took the keys with him anyway.”

After a few seconds of staring at Face’s foot, Kit pulled out the van’s first aid kit. She settled back into having his foot in her lap.

“Tell me where it hurts”, she said, then started pressing her fingers in various places across his foot.

He didn’t need to say anything after all. Wincing when she found the correct spot turned out to be enough. In silence, Kit applied an ointment to the spot, then wrapped the entire foot in a bandage.

“There. That should be enough until the others get back and we can get you to a doctor.”

Face smiled. “Thanks, Kit.”

“Don’t mention it.”

For a while, they just sat in silence, awkwardly staring at each other because Kit hadn’t moved from keeping Face’s foot in her lap. Probably for elevation purposes.

“Do you have any stories to tell?” Face finally asked.

“Stories?” Kit echoed. “What kind of stories?”

“Well, y’know, you’ve been with a travelling circus for a while. There’s got to be some interesting things that happened, right?”

A good thirty seconds went by with Kit sitting there staring into nothingness. But then, a smirk crossed her lips. Face loved that smirk. It wasn’t the mean smirk she sometimes had but the genuinely happy one.

“Well”, Kit started, “there was this one time we were in Nevada. We had just finished setting up our wagons and wanted to get started on the tent when…”

[otome--fantasy]

Of Demons and Dragons

Ikemen Sengoku Imagine: Being able to turn into a dragon.

Ch.9

Warnings: Swearing

Your day started earlier than you would have liked, not that you knew how early seeing as you had no way to tell time other than how high up the sun was. You tried hiding from the filtered sunlight under your blanket, but even with your body completely relaxed, you couldn't seem to fall back to sleep. Your biological clock was telling you it was time to get up, but you'd be damned if you didn't fight it...till your stomach growled.

You groaned in an irritated manner before angrily throwing your blanket off and literally rolling out of your mat. The floor felt nice and cold against your bare skin and you let out a sigh, perhaps if you laid on the wood floor long enough you would drift back to sleep.

The silence was interrupted by another growl from your digestive tract. You huffed and propped your head up with one hand, impatient tapping the your fingers on the hard floor as you thought about what you would eat today. Ieyasu seemed to have forgotten about your medicine since you and Nobunaga departed from the castle to the hot springs, and you had yet to hear that vial substance come up again. Of course it could just be that he deemed you healthy enough to not need it anymore, Ieyasu didn't seem like the forgetful type.

"Milady, are you up?" You recognized Kinu's voice followed by a gentle knock on your door, like she didn't want to wake you if your were still sleeping.

"I'm up, Kinu. Feel free to come in," you didn't move from your laying position on the floor, but you did turn you head to look at your maid when she slid the doors open and stepped in.

"Oh, Milday!" She covered her mouth, "You fell out of your mat," before covering her eyes, "And you're naked!"

You shrugged. Not like it really mattered. It wasn't a long way down from the too of the mat to the floor, just a couple inches, maybe three- tops. "I didn't fall," you groggily corrected her, "I rolled out of bed to try and get myself up, but that was all the energy I had left."

Kinu rushed to your side, "Milady you should have waited!" She took your sarcasm seriously, "I heard you were injured at the hot spring, you should be taking it easy."

"I'm fine Kinu."

"Princess, I don't doubt your strength, but a wound as nasty as what I'd heard shouldn't be taken lightly!"

"Kinu, I'm fine, really."

"Oh! I should go fetch Ieyasu-" she was rambling now.

"Kinu!"

She finally stopped talking and looked towards you, "I'm fine, you can check the wound yourself," you sat up and gave her your back. The maid stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she searched your skin with skepticism, "Milady, it was isn't nice to play tricks!"

You laughed at her expense, "But I'm not playing a trick on you Kinu, my wound has healed, that's why its gone."

"Ah!" She saw a thin line of pink skin on your lower back, "is that where you were hurt, Milady?"

You raised your head to look and see what she was talking about. It was hard to see but you saw she was pointing in the general area of where you remember being stabbed, "Yes."

She gasped covering her mouth again, "That's remarkable, Princess!"

"Yes," you turned around to face her again, and she tried her best to keep her eyes on yours, "But it's not normal for people to recover from such a wound so quickly, people may suspect something if they see its gone."

Kinu's eyes widened like she realized something, "Right! So we need to keep it a secret!" However her tone made a 180 when she realized something, "Wait! But Lord Ieyasu will probably want to check on you soon!" She gasped and covered her mouth, "How will we hide it from him?!"

"Okay first," you couldn't help but laugh slightly, "You're gonna' have calm down."

Kinu nodded obediently, "Right!"

"And next, I'm going to have to see if I can convince him to let me care for my wound myself again..." you remembered a couple days ago, when you were suffering from having withdrawn from the world, "Which will be tough, given what happened last time."

"Milady," Kinu smiled at you gently, "Why dont we just play it by ear?" She rikted her head slightly to the side, "For now we need to get you something to eat."

You returned her smile and nodded, "Yes," before staggering to your feet and moving towards the door.

"Milady!"

You whipped around to look at your maid just before you reached the door, "Yes?"

"Clothes!"

You looked down at your bare body and huffed, before walking over to your closet to rifle through your many kimonos. You picked one quickly before dressing yourself and storming once more towards your door, "To the kitchen!"

Kinu trailed after you, "Princess perhaps I should get you your food?!"

"Nonsense, Kinu, I'm not helpless."

"I didn't mean it that way, Milady," She quickened her pace to step in front of you, "What I ment is perhaps you should take it easy? People might see you up and about and...spry?"

With a sigh, you gave in, "Fine, but I want to at least come with you."

Kinu smiled and nodded, "Of course, Princess. Follow me!" This was also an excellent opportunity for you to learn where the kitchen was located.

You followed Kinu down the hall and around the numerous twists and turns the castle seemed to have till the two of you ended up in the kitchen. The smell of food cooking immediately hit your nose, and you were never more aware of how much you were starving than now. The kitchen itself was a sight to behold - cooks and chefs running around and cooking various thinks in their pots, pans, and large bowls. You flinched back when a large fire flared in the corner, but the servants seemed to have it under control. You looked around, at a loss for words. You hadn't noticed Kinu leave your side.

You panicked for a moment, and frantically turned around in your spot to try and locate her, and you nearly jumped out of your skin when she called your name from behind you. You whipped around to look at her, and she swiftly stepped back so you wouldn't knock the tray of food out of her hands, "Milady, are you okay?"

You sighed in relief, "Yes, sorry, just thought I lost you for a moment."

Kinu shot you a sympathetic smile and nodded, "Shall we head to the garden, Milady?"

You silently nodded in reply and the both of you exited the kitchen before making your way to the garden, where you sat in the grass surrounded by flowers, as Kinu passed you the tray and spread out a blanket before laying out all the food in front of the both of you. You took in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air. It was perfect weather outside, not too hot, not too cold, and there was a gentle breeze to help cool you off as you both sat in the sun.

The two of you grabbed a bowl and began eating, enjoying nature and the sounds she provided to fill the silence, till Kinu spoke up, "So what does your kind often eat, Milady?"

You perked up slightly, raising a brow to look at her through the corner of your eyes before you let out a small fit of giggles, "A lot more than this."

Kinu looked at you, slightly wide-eyed and she opened her mouth to say something, but a familiar voice cut her off-

"Well if you ever feel the need to grab a midnight snack, keep an eye out for our castles resident mother hen."

The two of you whipped your heads around to look, only to come face to face with none other than Mitsuhide and his wicked grin. You audibly snarled at him, "What do you want?"

Kinu was a bit taken aback at your display of...abilities? She would have covered her mouth in shock if she didn't have a bowl in her hands.

"Now is that any way to greet the man who just got the others off your trail?" He leaned in closer to your face, as if daring you to do something.

"What?"

He chuckled, moving to stand up straight again when he knew you weren't going to try anything, "I just got out of war council. The others are starting to suspect you." He glared down at you, hoping you would head his warning, "You need to lay low with your dragon antics."

Kinu seemed stunned, however you met his glare with one of your own and didnt break eye contact till the maid next to you spoke up, "Milady?" Kinu could practically feel the tension between the two of you and it made her shake slightly, "I though you said you hadn't told any of them?"

"I didn't," you spoke lowly, "He found out on his own."

The maid shrunk back, if she could disappear I to the ground, she would. For a moment she feared you might turn I to a dragon and rip him to shreds but you didn't.

"Thanks," you nearly spat at the white haired kitsune, "Qhat do you want in return?" You turned you back to him and took a bite to eat, chewing it, and swallowing before opening your mouth to speak again, "I assume I am now indebted to you?"

The sentence made another sly smirk creep on to Mitsuhide's face, "Why, Ryū," he spoke sarcastically, "I hadn't ment that at all, but since you offered so nicely!"

You grit your teeth and growled, shooting a glare at him with your vibrant dragon eyes.

"I'll be sure to collect my debt when the time arises- oh," he moved to walk away but stopped and turned back to the two of you, "Nobunaga ordered you stay at Ieyasu's estate while you heal so he can keep a close eye on you and make sure you weren't poisoned."

"Well that's going to be a problem."

"Oh?" He snickered, "and why is that?"

"There's nothing to keep an eye on, the wound is gone."

"It's true!" Kinu piped up, "I checked on it myself this morning- well I guess technically I didn't mean to look," she was rambling now, "I walked in, and Milday was laying down on the floor naked-"

"Oh she was?" Mitsuhide's interest had peaked.

"Mhm," she nodded, "And I was worried she was feeling ill because she was all sweaty, she looked like a mess, and her cheeks were flushed-"

You quickly put your bowl down and covered her mouth, not sure how far she had been planning to go with her explanation, but she had definitely said enough. Mitsuhide watched your actions and snickered before leaning over you, "Is that true, Ryū? Were you feeling ill? Or perhaps maybe she found you in such a state for a more sinful reason?"

How he was able to read you so well you had no idea, but his questions brought a blush to your cheeks when you remembered last nights...unfortunate events, "It's none of your business!"

"Really?" Mitsuhide extended a hand and gently cupped the side of your face, the gesture made you inhale sharply and a shiver went up your spine. "Your face is getting warm, Ryū," his voice was deep and husky, and it only made things worse. You weren't prepared for the purr that rumbled from your chest, but the sound made both your eyes widen for different reasons - his for having come to a rather interesting conclusion, and yours out of embarrassment.

He hummed, "Tell me," either forgetting poor Kinu was still here or didn't care, "How long has in been since you've been tamed."

You let out a shakey breath at his implications.

"Perhaps that's why you're always so sharp tongued? Or maybe you've never-"

"I am in no way innocent, I can assure you that," you were now taking this as a challenge, and your pride made you have the tendency to not back down. Kinu was eating her rice like she was watching an interesting TV show play out - not that she would have known what a TV was.

You fought the urge to have a go at Mitsuhide right here in the middle of the garden- with Kinu still present. You were still very much riled up from last nights dreams. You glanced towards your maid, having almost forgotten she was there, and shoved Mitsuhide away.

"Another time then," he smirked before walking away.

Once he was out of sight you let out a relieved sigh, "You mention this to no one, Kinu."

"Of course, Milady," she held an impish smile, much like a child who knew a secret no one else did, and she wouldn't be completely wrong. You were going to get back at him - some how, some way.

The two of you quickly finished your meal, Kinu leaving your side to take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen while you stayed in the garden to wait for her.

"Princess," the sound of another familiar voice caught your attention - the voice of someone you currently weren't speaking to.

Hideyoshi sighed when you didn't turn to look at him and he walked closer to you, "Princess."

"I am not speaking to you, so whatever you have to say, you had better say it to Kinu and have her relay the message," you crossed your arms stubbornly.

Hideyoshi frowned, he guessed he deserved that, but at the same time he felt you couldn't claim him. After your first night here, when you broke down infront of him, he had begun to thought that maybe you were trust worthy. Especially when you opened up to him about wanting to go home. For a brief moment he saw a scared little girl who was a victim of circumstance, but as it became more and more evident that you were hiding something, he began to feel manipulated.

"Look," he came around to kneel beside you, "I get that you're angry."

"Oh I'm more than angry," you swiftly turned around to look at him and shoved a finger in his face, "I'm pissed! You know I thought you were a hard ass at first, but after everything you did for me I actually started to think that you might be one of the nice ones. But after what you said yesterday, I take it all back!" You turned around again so you wouldn't have to look at him, "Fuck you, go to hell Hideyoshi!"

Hideyoshi looked genuinely hurt by your words. His brows furrowed, his mouth was slightly agape in shock, and he took a step back as of you had struck him physically. He regained his composure as quickly as he could before clearing his throat to speak, "I came to inform you that Lord Nobunaga has requested you stay with Ieyasu while you heal-"

"Don't bother, Mitsuhide already told me."

"He did?" Hideyoshi paused and blinked, that would explain why he ran into him on the way here, "Well, I'm here to escort you there."

"Yes and I refuse to go, or at the very least, I refuse to go with you." You definitely weren't going to make this easy for him, you heard him sigh in frustration, "Princess."

"Don't call me that!" You turned around and growled at him, "I'm not a princess! I understand you all wanting to keep up appearances in public, but we all know I'm no princess! Make up, cards, jewelry, as nice as I think those things are- it isn't me!" You sighed in an effort to calm yourself, "Besides if I were truly a princess you all would have more trust in me than what you actually do," but before you knew it, you got heated again, "So why dont you let me go?! Why do you keep me here?!"

You hadn't realized you were now walking towards Hideyoshi, and he was stepping back, finding himself unable to speak as he stared into a pair of colorful vibrant eyes with slitted pupils- a stark contrast to what they normally were. The once gentle breeze was now a steady gust of wind, and Hideyoshi no long just thought you were hiding something.

"Kick me out, set me free, turn me loose on the streets- why keep me locked away if you obviously don't want me here?!"

"Princess," he breathed, "Your eyes." As he studied them more, he noticed the glassy look in them. You looked like you, for the second time infront of him, were on the verge of tears from all your spent up anger, frustration, and deep seeded sadness - especially when you recoiled back and held a look of confusion on your face.

You looked around, noticing that you had once again let your emotions get the best of you. You backed away from Hideyoshi, and he attempted to reach out for you, but you bolted so quickly he didnt have the chance to grab you. You could hear him calling your name as you ran out of the garden, and you weren't sure if he chased after you, but you were sure you had easily lost him. Where would you go? What would you do? Skip town? Everything was a blur as you ran off the castle grounds and into the town, you were so distracted you bumped, shoved, and ducked through the crowds of people till you were met with a second set of larger gates. As you approached them you held your hands out and gates flew open - slamming back on to the walls they were attached to, and you kept on running.

It wasn't safe.

You had to go.

Too many people know.

You hadn't intended for anyone to know, not even Sasuke.

Why did you always have to let your emotions get the best of you? That night you saved Nobunaga and the same night when you had Sasuke cornered, each and everytime you hadn't thought about your actions, you just did.

You hadnt noticed that as you were running it began to rain till you stopped in the middle of a field. Your running slowed to a stop and you frantically looked around, not quite sure where you would go. It felt like your head was spinning, you replayed what had just happened with Hideyoshi in you mind over and over, and it brought tears to your eyes. A small sob wracked your body and you fell onto your knees with a crash of thunder.

Fuck that place.

Fuck those people.

You don't need them.

"It's not safe to tto go walking alone outside the town walls. Though I suppose any woman who hangs around that fool Nobunaga wouldn't realize it." A voice you didnt recognize.

"Go away," you hissed, "I'm not in the mood for bullshit," you turned around to look at the stranger and saw a large man wielding a katana slowly making his way towards you.

"Don't scream," he chuckled, "Or do. No one will be able to hear you in the rain."

You growled, glaring at the man with a dark look in your eyes. There was another crash of thunder. Your body language seemed to tense, you weren't sure how you would handle this situation- well you had a few violent ideas, but you refused to act upon them. You mustn't take your anger out on a random bystander.

"You're coming with me," he pointed at you, "And if you don't like it, blame Nobunaga."

"I fail to see how this is the fault of a man who isn't even here right now," you slowly stood to your feet so the man wouldn't perceive you as a threat, "We all make our own decisions in life, no one can truly force us to do something we don't want to."

"Well you don't have a choice."

You stared down the tip of his sword and glared at him. You normally were against taking your anger out on other who had nothing to do with why you were so upset, but for this man, you might just make an exception.

"Don't touch the woman," a chilling voice cut through the sound of rain, and you looked over the mans shoulder to see one of the last people you expected to come looking for you- Ieyasu.

"Hm?" The man whipped around, "That's-!" The man tensed when he saw the blond haired warlord, he scrambled to fix the scarf around his face, before turning back to face you and grabbing you wrist, "We're going. Come quietly."

"Fuck off!" You tried to give an easy tug, more of a warning really.

"Quit struggling!" He tried to yank you along.

"No!" You yanked your hand back harshly, causing your would-be kidnapper to fall to the ground.

"Insolent wench!" He spat mud out from his mouth, "I wont let Nobunaga's concubine get the better of me!"

"Concubine?!" There was obvious rage in your voice, you were fully prepared to tear this man apart, "How dare you!"

"There's no denying it," he stumbled to his feet, finding it slightly difficult to regain his footing in the mud, "You can't fool me!"

He raised his sword in the air to strike you, and you prepared to defend yourself, but when the strange man brought his sword down, Ieyasu leapt infront of you - sword drawn as he parried the attack, "I told you not to touch her."

"Ieyasu?" You were more than just a little suprised. He was also one of the last people you expected to defend you.

"Damn you!" The man yelled out as he staggered back.

You glared at both men from where you stood, "What are you doing here," your voice was firm, obviously having already worked through the shock.

"Bringing you back," he spoke as if it was obvious, "Lord Nobunaga tasked me with the job of watching you while you heal- from that point on, you became my responsibility. Like it or not, your life is in my hands."

You huffed stubbornly.

"If you don't want to die, I suggest you stay right where you are," he was so demanding, you almost didn't recognize him as the one who normally sat quietly during war councils.

"Fine," you could have handled this on your own, but you supposed this was for the best. The more people who knew about you the worse off you would be.

"I dont know what you're hoping to accomplish here," Ieyasu's emerald eyes narrowed and he turned his attention back to the stranger ahead of him, "But you can't have the woman."

The rogue ronin didn't seem to be backing down.

"If you leave immediately, I'll forget about this."

"Well aren't we full of our selves," the stranger taunted, causing a low growl to rumble from your throat, but it was drowned out by a crash of thunder. Raising his sword once more, the man charged toward Ieyasu. However, Ieyasu didnt seem phased, he stood his ground and readied his sword, before swinging it across the blade of your attacker - breaking it in half and causing the man to stumble back.

"We're going back to the castle now." Ieyasu turned to look at you briefly, "Keep up, or I'll leave you behind," before he began to walk away back towards Azuchi.

You rolled your eyes again, and followed him. As your mood lightened, so did the rain and by the time you were both back behind the towns walls, the rain had completely stopped. The both of you were soaked, and even though Ieyasu disnt show it, you were sure he was probably chilled to the bone.

To help or not to help?

He did save you. Even though you didn't need saving.

With a sigh, you hiked up your body temperature and went to stand next to the blond.

AUTHORS NOTE:

It's been a while since I posted something. I just want to let you all know that these last few posts are just me cleaning out my drafts.... I've been inactive for a very long time, but I held on to everything hoping I would regain the muses I once had for these stories. Unfortunately, I haven't, and I don't think I ever will. This story was based off of a Roleplay a couple friends and I had going....or rather, the remainder of it was supposed to be based off our role-play. However, almost a year ago, a member of our friend group passed away, and we have not touched our servers since. I dont think we ever will again. I haven't even picked up ikesen, ikerev, or ikevamp since. There are just too many memories.... This blog will officially fall inactive till further notice. Though, I will keep it up so my stories will always be here for you all to read if you wish. I'm not going to promise I'll come back to it as I don't like making promises I can't keep. Sorry for the long wait and disappointing results, but I really did have fun writing stories for you all while the inspiration lasted. Hágoónee'! (Goodbye)

[creweemmaeec11]

My Demonic Lullaby

A hero x demon snippet partly inspired by both @the-modern-typewriter and @amethystpath-writes hero and demon snippets. This idea actually predates my sleep paralysis snippet, but I never got around to writing it till their snippets got me back on the hero x demon train 😂 Next part to follow soon hopefully!

Insomnia really sucked, Ellory decided. He was already *exhausted* from the fight with one of the cities top villains earlier that day. He was aching all over, his head was throbbing, it was already 3am and yet he *still* couldn't fall asleep.

The hero rolled over onto his back with a groan, both from annoyance and the pain of moving. His ribs ached, still, open cuts stung. His hands came up to rub his face and eyes.

"What I wouldn't give to be able to sleep like a normal person," Ellory mumbled under his breath.

He closed his eyes, flipped his pillow for the * fourth* time that night, and thunked his head back down to the bed.

"Seriously," he muttered to the empty air, "what is it going to cost for me to sleep?"

Ellory had asked the question more to himself, as if asking his brain what he had to do to finally get the rest he so desperately craved.

He wasn't expecting an *actual* answer.

"Need some help?" a low and smooth voice asked from what sounded like the corner of the room.

Ellory tried to snap his head in the direction of the voice, only to be unimpressed by the fact he couldn't move.

"*Oh you have GOT to be kidding me*" Ellory mentally groaned, "*I ask to sleep and what do I get? Sleep paralysis, and even a disembodied voice hallucination to go with it!*"

Suddenly the voice chuckled, "Not quite,"

Now, the hero wasn't new to sleep paralysis. He didn't get it often, but every now and then it would creep its way in. This was the first time it had ever happened *before* going to sleep though. It was also the first time he'd ever hallucinated.

Ellory knew that there were others who had crazy hallucinations, even knew one hero who said they got them almost every night. (Even though they gave Ellory a weird look when they said they'd been getting better recently) Luckily for him though, prior to tonight, the worst he'd ever seen was a shadow or two.

His eyes turned, glancing over as best he could to the corner of his room. Despite the darkness, he could see some vaguely human-shaped swirling shadow. The only way he could make it out at all was because it was somehow even *darker* than the shadows around it.

Luckily, the shadow was just kind of standing there, and despite what his other hero friend had said, it didn't look very scary...

The hero mentally sighed again, letting his eyes slip closed. He was *so* tired. Why couldn't he just sleep?!

"That would probably be the insomnia," the voice stated sarcastically.

"*Thank you captain obvious,*" the hero mentally retorted, before stopping, "*great, now I am literally having a conversation with myself. Maybe villain DID hit me in the head too hard today,"*

The disembodied voice snickered again. Though highly amused, it wasn't mocking or unkind.

"No, you're head is fine. But you never answered my question," the shadow-thing said, its vague shape shifting over, more into Ellory's sight.

Whatever hallucination his brain had come up with didn't seem to be going away any time soon.

"*And that was?*" the hero replied. He had nothing better to do than to just amuse... well, himself; he supposed.

"Would you like some help sleeping?"

"*I would LIKE to be asleep already! And real sleeping, not this nonsense,*"

"I can help," the voice offered, seemingly as the shape took a step forward.

"*Oh I'm sure you can*" the hero replied sarcastically, "*If so, then why aren't you?*"

"You need to say yes for us to make a deal,"

Whatever hallucination Ellorys brain had decided to come up with, it certainly picked... an interesting voice. There wasn't anything wrong with the voice itself, in fact, it was quite pleasant to listen to. It sounded slightly masculine, low and gentle, yet not raspy in the slightest, like whatever this illusion was had never had a sore throat in their life. The weird thing, was it sounded confident and in control, but *wasn't*. The hero had been around villains enough to detect when a false bravado was just that; fake.

Especially with nothing else to do but listen, Ellory was able to easily pick up on the slight hesitations, the shaky undertones, and even the way the tones shifted, despite his sleep-deprived state.

Why would his brain come up with such a random yet weirdly detailed hallucination?

Maybe he *had* hit his head more than once.

"*A deal?*" the hero groaned again, "*Just sleep already!*"

"I can ensure you get a good night's rest every night, if you'd like...just tell me; do I have your permission to help you sleep?"

"*Yes! Please!*" Ellory internally cried. He was arguing - no, *begging* - his own hallucination. That's what tonight has devolved to.

"Very well then," the disembodied voice hummed. The last thing the hero remembered was opening his eyes to see the shadow move closer before things went black.

The next thing Ellory knew, he awoke the next morning, feeling shockingly well-rested.

What a weird dream he'd had last night.

The hero moved to get up, before remembering he was injured and braced for the wave of pain... only for nothing to come.

He looked down, lifting up his shirt to examine his abdomen and... what the hell?

What had previously been a sprawling mess of deep slashes, purplish-black bruises and swelling was now nothing more than a few scrapes, small cuts and the occasional tender spot.

Ellory skimmed his fingers across the surface of his skin, baffled.

Had it just looked worse in the dark? That made no sense.

Regardless, he wasn't about to complain, and he didn't have time to dwell on it. Being a hero meant busy days.

Unfortunately, as the week progressed, the strange occurrences only escalated.

While walking down the stairs the following day, Ellory tripped, nearly going head over heels, before something seemed to suddenly catch him, turning him in the air and standing him upright again.

It had happened so fast. Maybe his reaction times were better than he'd thought? Regardless, Ellory just brushed it off.

But then the following day, one of the cities villains threw a knife at him. He would have reacted to it too slowly if the knife hadn't suddenly stopped in the air mere millimetres in front of him before dropping to the ground with a clatter.

Now he was officially a little weirded out.

But the events just kept happening.

Doors were opening in front of him, only to close when he walked through. He'd knocked a glass of water off the counter, only to look down and see it had landed perfectly, not a drop spilt. His mail from the apartment mailboxes had appeared on his kitchen table when he didn't remember going to get it. Lights were flicking on and off when he'd enter or leave a room. One night he'd even realized he felt a bit chilly, only to hear the heater turn on seconds later.

One night, he fell asleep on the couch, only to wake up with a blanket over him he *swore* wasn't there when he fell asleep.

And yet, the hero had also been getting a great rest every night, drifting off almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

It wasn't until today, however, that Ellory really began to panic.

The hero had been on the rooftop of an office building, with a villain *on top* of him. (These events had really throw Ellory off his game)

This specific villain, however, wasn't particularly nasty, and Ellory had successfully reasoned with them before, and so despite the knife to their throat, they weren't quite panicked yet.

Said knife was still being held a couple inches away from their throat, more of a warning to stay down than an actual threat of "I'm one word away from slitting your windpipe open,"

"You, are becoming an increasing pain in the ass,"

The hero gave a small smile, "trust me, the feeling is mutual, but you know I can't let you do this,-"

He was cut off by the villain thrusting the knife much closer, "I wasn't aware you-"

Suddenly, without warning, the villain was launched back into the air, catapulted off him. Ellory watched them skid across the roof where they landed a couple meters away.

Whatever the villain saw when they looked back up made the colour drain from their face. They immediately pushed themselves up to their feet, staggered back a few steps, eyes wide, before they turned tail and fled.

The hero was frozen.

*What the hell?!*

Ellory looked down at his shaking hands.

*What the hell just happened?!*

Quickly, the hero got to his feet and took off home, completely panicked. He ran as fast as he could, as if something was chasing on his heels, breathing down his neck. It felt like his own shadow wanted to catch him.

*Something was wrong* *Something was really wrong*

As soon as he made it into his apartment, Ellory ran into his bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror.

He looked normal, though slightly red, which was just the consequence of being so out of breath. He was panting, breathing heavily and shaking. His hair was also a mess, a combination of both the frantic running and previous fight.

He could hear the frantic drumming of his heart in his ears.

Ellory took a deep breath, trying to ground himself. Grip tightening on the counter's edge.

Bending down into the sink, he splashed his face with cold water.

He was patting his face dry with a towel when a voice behind him startled him.

"I'm sorry...."

Ellory's head shot up. In the mirror, he could see a dark shadowy figure in the corner of the bathroom behind him.

The hero immediately whirled around, but was greeted by nothing more than an empty bathroom. His eyes wandered around warily, but not a thing seemed out of place.

Great, was he hallucinating now too?

He sighed, relaxing from the scare before turning back to the mirror and-

Ellory froze.

There in the mirror, in the same spot as before, was the shadowy figure.

He glanced back and forth between the mirror and back corner, but the dark humanoid shape was only visible in the reflection.

There was a few moments of silence as the hero simply stared, brain reeling, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

The shape was in constant motion, shadows swirling gently, like a foggy aura surrounding a much darker silhouette. The constant movement made it near impossible for the eye to focus on any one part of it, as if trying to see the individual particles in a stream of smoke.

The silhouette inside the aura was a bit more defined, at least around the head and shoulders. Apart from the clearly humanoid shape, the darker mass had no other identifiable features; except for its eyes, which were like two white voids, with a slightly darker pupil in the center.

Said eyes met Ellory's momentarily, before being cast downwards almost sheepishly.

That's when it clicked. The sheepish posture. This was the same shadowy figure from nearly a week ago.

He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He couldn't think of anything to say.

The figure seemed to take the action to mean he'd had enough time to process.

"I'm sorry for scaring you," they apologized, sounding genuine.

The hero blinked.

*This was really happening*

"What..." the hero managed, barely getting the words out of his mouth. His brain had stalled.

"I was only trying to help," the shadow went on to explain sheepishly.

Something in the hero's stomach seemed to drop, "What... what are you?" He asked nervously.

"I think you know what I am," the demon replied quietly.

Ellory swallowed.

"Why can I only see you in the mirror now when I could see you fine last time?" He asked as if that was the most pressing question at the moment. Perhaps it was the only question he could handle the answer to right now.

"You may want to change your definition of 'fine', you were experiencing sleep paralysis last time,"

Finally, Ellory's brain seemed to catch up, "Why are you here again?"

The shadow in the corner seemed to still slightly, "I'm here because we made a deal,"

Deal...? They didn't make any... wait-

"You tricked me?!"

"Hey!" The demon snapped indignantly, posture suddenly defensive, "Not entirely! I've kept up my end of the deal! You haven't had any trouble sleeping this week have you‽"

Well, no... but...

The hero couldn't help but swallow nervously again, "so then what's *my* end of the deal?"

The shadow's posture instantly deflated again, "just let me hang around, basically..."

Hang around what? His house? Surely not because the demon had been there when he was fighting the villain so clearly-

"You possessed me!?" Ellory realized, eyes widening.

"No!" They replied, sounding almost horrified at the idea, "possession would be taking over control entirely! I'm just... taking up residence in the back corner?"

"What!?"

"Please don't send me back!" The demon pleaded. Their voice was suddenly so *desperate* sounding. The hero could even see the desperation in their white eyes. "I'll do whatever you want I promise! I'll go back into hiding and won't do anything! You won't even know I'm here I swear! I-"

The shadow was full-on rambling now, sounding more and more desperate with every word.

It was probably absurd that his heroic instincts flared, but he couldn't help it! This... being(?) really sounded like they were in trouble. Like they were genuinely scared.

"Hey, hey, it's okay-" Ellory interrupted, holding his hands up and taking a step forward. His heart sank when the figure flinched back, sinking in on itself and pinning its eyes closed as if bracing for something.

When nothing happened after a moment, the demon risked opening their eyes again. Still, they never said anything, just sheepishly stood in the corner as if waiting for a verdict, looking like they wanted nothing more than to hide in their own shadow.

Ellory took a deep breath, surveying the situation. The creature in front of him certainly didn't seem dangerous... and he hadn't tried to hurt the hero at all. Being able to sleep without any problems was also a nice bonus...

"so your... not... going to hurt me or anything?"

The shadow shook its head almost frantically.

"Ok..." Ellory took another deep breath, "As long as you don't hurt me, and don't do anything unless I tell you to, you can stay, okay?"

The demon in the corner immediately perked up, eyes brightening, "r-really?!"

The hero nodded.

"Thank you!" The shadow cheered, and Ellory would swear he could almost see a smile, "Thank you so much! You won't regret it I promise!"

And then just like that, there was a poof of smoke and the demon's reflection vanished, leaving a confused hero that still had a million questions alone in the bathroom.

MASTER TAGLIST:

@llamaly @why-am-i-on-this-website-anyway @larinzz @sharraus @asrasmysoulmate @kaiwewi @akawrites000 @sunflower1000 @aroacewitchyacademic @aquarellesirene @lbelle0527 @trappedgoose-in-a-writblr-room @freefallingup13 @enemies-to-idiots-to-lovers @homosexual-having-tea @friiday-thirteenth @chocomarsgalaxy @ravenshadow17 @daydreamed-snippets @stankyt0es @jinx1365 @rainy-knights-of-villany @fromtheo-withlove @maybe-a-cat42 @the-sky-writes @watercolorfreckles @noirewaves @digitalart-tw @itsleighlove @chibicelloking @distractedlydistracted @kitsunesakii @daedae127 @wish1bone1 @avery1s @vampart @ilikebooksbuttheresnousernames @defectivehero

[artofsamothrace]

Childhood's End (a Kazeki drabble)

Summary: Serge and Gilbert are slowly learning to live happily together. Then, past comes crashing down on them when they were least expecting it, bearing unexpected new anxieties.

Based on the Happy Ending AU by @kimkymury Whoever read their Christmas Poem is in for a surprise 😉

(Battour Residence, July 22nd, 1887)

The sweet summer breeze was was gentle on a young couple walking the old dirt path from the lake through the meadows.

Having spent their morning swimming and enjoying the outside, Serge and Gilbert were retreating to the mansion for the afternoon to wait for the heat to subside, talking and laughing as they walked, barefoot, sporting their striped bathing suits and sun hats.

Summertime has been doing both of them good. Gilbert, normally pale and cold, looked sun-kissed and was all jokes, Serge all the more happy with that.

Sandrine was let to roam free around them, chasing bugs and running around in circles happily. At almost two years of age now, she was quite the bundle of energy to keep up with.

This was their third summer together at the Battour estate and the two young men have mostly became acclimated to being free to do whatever they pleased and enjoy each other's company without any worries.

As they approached the open gate to the mansion, they were surprised to find a carriage waiting outside.

"Were you expecting someone?" Gilbert asked.

"No, I wasn't. Strange."

Cautiously, they walked into the mansion's front yard, and indeed, there was a person sitting on a bench facing away from them, as if waiting.

"Hello?" Serge called out. Startled, the man grabbed his cane and stood up to face the two.

Serge's heart sunk to his stomach with a nasty thump.

Auguste Beau.

Back like a persisting nightmare now, after the damage of his smothering influence has finally, finally started to feel like a thing of the past. Was his being really so devoid of any conscience to show his face here, before the person whose life he tried to ruin so deliberately?

He quickly strolled to the couple, smiling as if reuniting with old friends. Serge took a protective position on instinct, giving Gilbert a quick glance as he felt him squeeze his hand harder.

"Bonjour, my young friends! Lovely weather we're having!" Beau sang, bowing his head slightly. Now the boys could see that he looked exactly as they remembered him all those years ago, save for a few small wrinkles that have began gathering around his eyes and mouth. Even more shocking, however, was that they were now almost as tall as him.

"I'm sorry, did I choose the wrong time?" The older man asked, eyeing the couple up and down, seemingly ignoring their disturbed expressions.

"What are you doing here?" Serge asked, trying to stay calm, though he couldn't help but to pierce the man with his eyes.

"Why, all I wanted was to see my nephew. It isn't too much to ask, my lord, is it?"

"So now I'm his nephew again..." Serge heard Gilbert whisper through his teeth behind him. Sandrine, sensing her owner's discomfort, started growling lowly, so Gilbert bent down and stroked her neck to ground her.

"How did you find us? What made you think you would be welcome here?"

"Quite easy, really. As soon as I heard of the supposed Lord Battour out and about, I knew he might have some answers." He ignored the second question, "But really, I thought we've lost you forever, Gilbert!"

"Gilbert is a grown man now, you can leave him alone!"

"Oh? May the grown man speak to me for little bit then?"

"He has to do no such-!"

"Serge." Gilbert quietly gestured for Serge to take over Sandrine before standing upright to look the older man in the eye. The dog was now growling louder, so Serge had to gently take her by the collar.

"Well, what is it? What could an old geezer like myself do for you?"

"It's good to see you haven't changed indeed. You know, things have been going quite well back in Marceille. The literature scene is as busy and productive as ever, but I'm sure we could find you a decent publisher. You have been practicing, have you?"

"Hmpf. Why, this sounds delightful."

"Oh?"

"But, here's the problem. I'd very much rather stick my pecker in an ant hill!"

"... But enough about work, my friend." Beau pretended not to listen. "Back at the mansion, you've now got two little cousins who would absolutely love to meet you. Their names are Edmond and Camille and they're turning five soon."

Once again, Serge couldn't contain himself. "Cousins? Did you marry Angeline after all??"

Auguste put on a pious face. "Oh, goodness, no. She was far too young for me, it would never have worked out." No way this distinguished gentleman could ever harm a child, right?

Gilbert was losing patience he didn't have much of when it came to Auguste. "Are you finished now, Beau?"

"... Gilbert, your strong personality never ceases to amaze me, but that is no way to treat a well-meaning relative. All I'm trying to say is that you're always welcome back home."

"For what? So I could keep your little poetry salon entertained while you take your sweet, sweet time *bonding* with Little Me 2 and 1?"

"I must say, for a grown man, you are tiring me out with your childish attitude."

"You are tiring me out with your bullshit!!"

Seeping with rage, the blonde grabbed the taller man by the collar and pulled down slightly, so he was looking him dead in the eye mere inches from his face. Beau, in shock, didn't even think to fight back fast enough.

"Gilbert!"

"Eat lead and die." With a hissing whisper, Gilbert spat in his tormentor's face, expressing years worth of hate and disgust, before pushing him away.

Backing away a couple steps, Auguste stared at the younger men with a mix of disbelief, horror and anger as he snatched a handkerchief from his breast pocket to dab at the moisture on his cheek. A few deep shaky breaths later, he managed to calm down.

"...I see. There seem to be nothing for me to do here after all." Back to his cold and condescending self the boys were familiar with. "If mooching off of your *friend* is what you have decided to do, who am I to stop you?"

"My dog's about to mooch off of your-!"

"Gilbert, no, stop." This time Serge silently gestured for his lover to take Sandrine by the collar, who was now growling and staring right at their unwanted visitor.

Stepping forward, he spoke firmly "You are not welcome here. Leave, now."

Auguste grimaced, unamused.

"...Then leave I shall, my lord. I wish you and your family well. Goodbye." With a small bow of his head, he stormed off through the gate to the carriage, sparing the two one final look of distaste before disappearing.

The couple was left to their own devices once again.

"Gil..."

"Let's go home."

Back in their room, the two changed into their daily clothes and Gilbert collapsed onto the bed, covering his face with his hands.

Serge sat down next to his lover, waiting for a sign from him.

"Gilbert, I...."

"..."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through this."

Gilbert didn't answer. He was shaking slightly. Serge wrapped his arm around him carefully.

"But know this, I won't let anything hurt you again. Not him, not anyone. Not again. I promise."

"Serge..."

"And don't you worry about mooching! You're not mooching! You know that I'm...!"

"Serge! I'm not worried about myself!" The young man almost cried. He turned to face the other boy.

"...huh?"

"That bastard... He.. He made more kids! He made more kids while he was looking for me! My... My siblings...! Just what... What is he going to do to them??! "

Gilbert's voice was shaking and his eyes turning red and puffy. Serge wrapped both his arms around him and rubbed his shoulders, trying to ground him.

"Gilbert, he could have been bluffing..."

"No, Serge. He was bound to. He was already at an awkward age to be single years ago. Now he's finally done the deed and is trying to taunt me with it!"

Serge stayed silent. He had no room to argue here.

"What am I to do, Serge?? Just... The mere thought of him having his way with anyone else.. Trying to turn them into miserable fucks like himself while telling them that this is, in fact, love...! I'm going to be sick..."

"Gilbert..."

"I can't let this happen! They're my siblings too! I let him get away with what he did, but I can't let him do it again!... I... I...!"

The young man stopped, having almost choked on his spit. He was one hair short of a full panic attack. His lover held his hands, guiding him to breathe deep. Calming down a little, Gilbert suddenly cupped Serge's cheeks and ushered him to lay down on the bed face to face with him.

"...Serge. Beau has to die." He whispered against his face.

"...What?"

"Simply as that. God knows only death will stop that monster..." He was now smiling slightly in a pained, frightening way.

"Gilbert, you can't say it so simply..."

"Please, don't tell me you think he has changed!"

"I don't. But if you got caught..."

"Nothing will happen if it went quietly. His woman would get over it and my siblings would be safe. I don't know how or where, but it must be done if it's the last thing I do. Beau. Must. Die."

Serge stilled. The idea of risking everything they fought so hard for, all of their sacrifices going up in smoke for a bloody retribution scared him. His mind screaming to put his foot down, to convince Gilbert to deal with this in a civil manner.

"We'll figure it out, Gil. We will, I promise. Let's just give it some thought.."

"Each day he spends in the same house as them, I... I..." Gilbert's voice was breaking.

"Shhh, it's okay. You can cry if you want. I'm here for you. We'll find a way together."

Serge moved, letting the blonde rest his head on his chest, and wrapped his arms tightly around him.

"I love you."

"... Love you too....."

For the first time in months, Gilbert sobbed and howled into Serge's chest as he held and shushed him like a baby.

For years now they've been too busy picking up the pieces of their lives to even consider bringing Auguste Beau to justice. It felt unattainable, he felt far too clever and powerful for them, so they were simply relieved to have escaped his influence for good, or so they thought.

They've grown a lot in the past years. Grown despite impossible odds, all so that if anyone else tried calling their life wrong or dirty, they'd be ready. Will they let that go up in smoke too?

The young nobleman held his distressed lover tighter, and closed his eyes. One thing was certain. He will protect him and everything dear to him, no matter the cost.

There will be no more ruined childhoods.

****

Notes:

Thank you for reading. In all honesty, I've no idea how to continue this scene I came up with. So if anyone is interested in growing this plot further, feel free to hit me up.

[oh-no-my-hand-slipped]

A new prompt for you! (Finally :3)

I'm picturing multiple couples or a family group (4+ adults) who share a cottage together in the middle of nowhere, living off the land. Winter is coming, bringing with it its chill winds and early dustings of snow. The people are hard at work every day, chopping wood and putting aside the last of the food for winter.

It's the worst possible time to get sick, yet someone does, coming down with a miserable, streaming cold and high fever. What do they do about it? How do the others respond?

Could have definite cottage core elements, or fantasy (since you're so good at writing that!) or contagion if you choose. Can't wait to see the results :)

It’s been so long since I’ve written a real, honest to god fic, so this will be my debut back into snzfucker favor!

Okay, okay, who to include in this house of contagion?

We need a soft healer boi that takes care of everyone before themselves, of course. A very strong, stoic, hardworking warrior with muscles of steel - but the same can’t be said for his immune system. A hyper comic relief (like if Scout from TF2 was in a fantasy setting) that insists he isn’t sick, but can’t keep back his sneezes long enough to prove his point. And, of course, a tall, thin scholar whose cold heart is only melted by his fever.

Adventurers packing it in for the winter and preparing for journeying in the spring, now only at most a few yards from each other and having shot immune systems from the exhausting work. Illness doesn’t have to travel far to infect…

Oh, this is gonna be good.

***********************

“Look look look! Otto, you’re not gonna believe this!”

Barlow skidded to a halt, almost tripping over his own two feet before regaining his balance. Otto chuckled.

“Alright, alright, que pasa? What is so exciting?”

Barlow fumbled with his cloak before pulling a shiny coin out of one of the pockets.

“I got this off a path when I was pickin’ berries! Must’ve been a merchant or something…”

Barlow’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Or maybe a warrior! Ooh, or a knight! Definitely somebody with a cape.”

He flung the back of his cloak behind him and stood tall, crossing his arms with a self-satisfied grin. However, Barlow couldn’t keep the pose long - the frigid air made him close the thin burlap around himself again, shivering. Otto knitted their brow.

“You’re wearing your summer cloak,” they said, looking Barlow up and down. “You must be freezing, chiquito!”

Barlow waved his hand, as if batting away Otto’s concern.

“Don’t worry about it, doc. It’s gonna take more than a little wind to get me down.”

As if to prove a point, he spread out his arms and spun around, laughing at the many leaves he kicked up.

Otto would usually be charmed by the sprite’s antics, but their concern soon outweighed their amusement.

“Just make sure to change into your winter clothes soon, okay? I would hate for you to get sick.”

Barlow stopped spinning, coughing a bit as he caught his breath with chilly autumn air. His hot breath clouded around his face like smoke.

“Okay, okay,” he panted, “I’ll grab it when I go by the cottage. Forgot my basket anyway. See you around, doc.”

With a quick salute, Barlow ran off, cloak billowing behind him, still clenching the coin in a tight fist. Otto shook their head and sighed. They knew that Barlow just didn’t want them to worry - but that only made them worry more. The healer in them couldn’t help but notice red-tipped fingers, congested voices, and pallid complexions. Besides, with a harsh winter underway, a cold could very quickly rear its ugly head, turning into bronchitis, pneumonia, and even infect a person’s magic…

Otto took a deep breath. Their thoughts had run away with them - and now, more than ever, it was important to stay focused.

The doctor gathered up their scrolls, pulled their coat close, and started back to the cottage.

Perhaps a little tea would calm their nerves.

***************

“it’CHEW! CHEW!”

“Salud.”

“Ugh…thanks, doc. Snf!”

Otto looked up from his knitting to see Barlow rubbing his long, pointy ears with a pained look on his face.

“Do your ears hurt?”

Barlow put his hands in his lap. “No! Just, uh, a little itchy.”

Severin, who had been reading on the sofa across from Otto, hid a smirk behind the yellowed pages.

“Someone must be talking about you,” he drawled smugly. “Considering the way you conduct yourself, I’m not surprised.”

Instead of snapping back, Barlow still scratched at his ears. Severin slit his eyes and continued to read. He almost seemed disappointed.

“Could be thragweed,” Godric rumbled from a large wooden stool, rubbing his beard in thought, “but they usually shrivel up by the first frost. Didja see any three-leaved plants while you were out foragin’?”

Barlow shrugged, wincing as he rubbed harder. “Um…maybe?”

Otto frowned. “Be careful. You’ll hurt yourself if you keep scratching like that.”

“S-sorry, I…huh-hold on…”

Barlow buried himself in his cloak, with only his mop of red hair showing.

“hit’SHEW! Huh…it’TCHEW!”

The sprite continued to let out sneeze after sneeze, his wrinkled, pink nose only showing when he needed to come up for air. Otto got up from their chair, and they were soon holding him by the shoulders to keep him from knocking himself over.

Barlow finally finished, snuffling into his sleeve. He looked up at Otto with bleary eyes.

“Sorry, doc, I don’d dow whad’s gotten into be…”

Otto hushed him with a gentle pat, using their free hand to feel Barlow’s forehead. They clucked their tongue.

“Oh, mijo, you have a fever...”

Barlow’s breath caught, and he coughed into his shoulder. “Nah, I…I’b okay, Otto, really. I’ll be…snrk…fide in the morning. Just gotta sleep it off…”

Otto smiled gently. “Well, you’re right about one thing. A good night’s sleep is exactly what you need. And maybe a little salve for your poor ears…”

Their hand still on Barlow’s shoulder, Otto guided the sprite to his bedroom, mumbled protests and miserable sneezes trailing behind them.

***************

Barlow’s fever never grew very high - his burning ears and nose, however, kept him up for most of the night. By the time morning came, he was too exhausted to even feign health. Otto had to put him back to bed, which was only met with pitiful murmurings.

“‘M fide, doc, I…hetch’CHIIIEW!”

“Pobrecito! You sound even worse than yesterday…”

“C’mon, Otto, I…”

“I don’t want to see you out of bed today, okay, cariño? You need to rest.”

“Nngh…”

Otto and Severin split the foraging work, since their respective jobs were mostly planning and budgeting the winter ahead of them. Godric promised to keep a good eye on the patient, but that didn’t lessen the doctor’s worry any.

“I wonder how Barlow’s doing,” Otto murmured, probably for the umpteenth time since they’d begun their work.

Severin scrutinized his severely pricked thumb. “Children always carry around such nasty things. It’s a wonder he hasn’t caught the plague instead of a simple cold.”

Otto froze mid-pick, and Severin hurried to correct himself.

“Peace, my friend. It is just a cold, after all.

He grimaced.

“One I dearly hope he keeps to himself.”

They both continued to fill their baskets with berries, wiping the frost off their shiny, black skins. However, Otto’s mind continued to race.

I shouldn’t have left him. Godric only knows so much. What happens if his fever spikes? I’m a healer, I’m not supposed to leave the sick behind. Should I go back? I should go back. No, I promised Barlow I’d get his foraging done. But I can’t keep a promise if he’s dead. What if he’s already dead? What if Godric’s on his way right now to tell me? What if I’m already too late? How will we bury him, the ground is too hard. Otto, your friend has died and all you can think about is how to bury him. You must be the most selfish -

“Otto.”

Otto snapped back to reality to see Severin giving him a fierce side-eye.

“It’s only a cold.”

Otto took a deep breath. “Right. Gracias. I…I lost myself, didn’t I?”

The afternoon went by in a quiet fervor, both of them trying to fill their baskets before the sun went down. With Otto’s quick fingers and Severin’s thin ones, it was an easy job, and the managed to get back before it got too dark.

Otto wasn’t two steps through the door before they were at Godric’s heels, wringing their hands and stammering through the worries that had built up through the day.

“Are you sure…how…did he…should I…?”

The warrior just chuckled and put a gigantic, calloused hand on the their head.

“He’s on tha’ mend, doc, on the mend. Sneezin’ his head off, sure, but gettin’ better.”

As if on cue, two loud sneezes interrupted them from one of the bedrooms, followed by a mumbled curse and a few wet sniffles. Godric shook his head.

“Been like that all day, poor tyke. When he wasn’ dozin’ off, tha’ is.”

Severin took a few scrolls out of his dragon-scale satchel.

“I understand you have a more…pressing engagement. Why don’t I take the calculations tonight?”

But Otto was already on their way to Barlow’s bedside, medicine bag in tow. Severin only lifted his eyebrows and turned on his heel, setting up the many notes he had taken and a few quills on the oaken table.

“Besides,” he murmured to himself, “I don’t want to get near whatever affliction that sprite’s come down with.”

*************

Barlow was scratching at his drooping ears, which were now covered in a red, peeling rash. Otto gently pushed his hands back under the quilt.

“I know it itches, but you need to try not to scratch.”

The healer took a small glass container out of their bag, dipping two fingers into the greenish-gray ointment inside. They began to apply the salve to Barlow’s ears, taking care not to put on too much.

“Tell me when you need a break,” Otto said.

Barlow nodded, eyes squeezed shut. After a few minutes, his nostrils started to twitch, and he held up a hand.

“G-gudda…huh…!”

He jerked forward into his knees.

“hit’CHEW! hhhit’SHEW! Uh…hut’SHIEW!”

Barlow snuffled into the quilt, and Otto handed him a tissue.

“Salud.”

“Ugh…sorry, doc…”

Otto put the cork back into the glass bottle and set it on the bedside table.

“It’s alright - most sprites have the same reflex.”

“No, I beant…for…”

Barlow bit his lip, his ears drooping even lower.

“For geddin’ sick.”

Otto put a hand on the sprite’s back.

“Oh, mijo…”

“I-I didn’d mean to,” Barlow whimpered. “I…I should’ve god by coat like you told be to…and dow w-we’re - hic - gudda starve…”

Otto hushed him, pulling Barlow into an embrace and rocking him slowly back and forth.

“We will be fine, mijo,” they whispered, their voice soothing Barlow into a sniffle. “We will forage until you are better, and not a day before. That is what friends do. They protect each other, they take care of each other, and they love each other like family. And that is how I love you. Like my family.”

Barlow hiccuped, trying to speak through his tears.

“Shhh, mijo…it’s okay…”

Otto wrapped the quilt tighter around Barlow and laid him down, pushing hair damp with both tears and sweat out of his face. The sobs quieted, then dissolved into shaky breaths. Before Otto even made it through the doorway, they could hear small, congested snores coming from the pile of blankets.

*****************

Scritch scritch scritch…scriiiitch…

Harried quill scratching filled the air as Otto entered the living room, putting on their tweed coat and wool gloves. They stretched out their arms.

“Buenos días!”

Godric lifted his coffee mug as a greeting, his famous half-smile dancing over his lips.

“Well, aren’tcha bright as tha’ north star this mornin’!”

Otto beamed. Barlow had slept soundly through the night, and he was still fast asleep when they had checked on him. Not a sniffle or a sneeze came from that room.

“Severin, I was thinking we could pick up acorns today,” Otto thought aloud, buttoning their coat. “There is a beautiful place in the forest…”

Silence. The quill scratching only grew more manic. Otto glanced up.

Severin was hunched over the table, writing madly on several open scrolls, only pausing to move a few beads on his abacus. Otto went back to getting ready. Sometimes it took a while for Severin to answer if he was engrossed in his calculations. He would respond when he got to a stopping point.

After about fifteen minutes of fidgeting with their scarf, though, Otto tried again.

“From what I’ve seen, we should be ready for winter in a week, maybe less. All that’s left is the dried vegetables and a few more logs for firewood.”

Again, there was no answer. But now that Otto was a little closer, they could see why.

Severin’s eyes were inflamed and painful, as were his gaunt cheeks. His long, usually well-preened hair was matted against his forehead, with stray hairs sticking up this way and that. Thin shoulder blades came together with each labored breath. Long fingers shivered around a red quill, leaving stray marks on the parchment.

“Mi sombro,” Otto breathed.

The shadowling blinked, raising his head stiffly. Pools of sweat, shaken loose by the movement, streaked down their face.

“I…couldn’t sleep,” Severin croaked. “Have I…have I been awake…?”

Godric looked up from his mug, finally noticing the sorcerer’s state. “Stars above, lad! Ya look like hell frozen over!”

The shadowling stared straight ahead, his breath coming in ragged strains.

“Could someone…please put out the fireplace…?”

Otto clucked their tongue, putting their hands on either side of Severin’s neck. His dark eyes fluttered shut, as if with great relief.

“Mm…”

“Ay, tu cabeza,” Otto cooed, putting their hand on Severin’s forehead. “You’re burning up.”

Severin finally looked down at the doctor. His tense gaze was now dazed, vulnerable - even afraid.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he said again, hoarsely.

Otto rubbed their thumb on Severin’s feverish cheek. “I know, cariño. I know.”

***************

It took a lot more doing to get Severin to bed than it did Barlow. Not only did he insist he was perfectly well, only warm from the unlit fireplace, but that he had seen terrifying visions outside the window.

“Their eyes, doctor…they stared into my very essence…a…a beast of some kind…we’ll be killed…”

“Shhh, my love. It’s only a nightmare from your fever. You will feel better soon.”

In the end, the only way Otto could leave the cottage was by taking a small talisman Severin had in his cloak. They weren’t superstitious, but Otto wanted to do anything they could to put the sick sorcerer at ease.

Now with one less healthy person in the group, Otto rushed to get the last of the supplies for the cold winter ahead. The first snowflakes were beginning to fall, which made finding acorns that much more difficult. Before the sun reached its peak, the ground was completely covered in a thin layer of snow. But, for once, Otto’s anxiety was an advantage.

They plowed through every task as if their life depended on it. Another of their friends falling ill had kicked their healer instinct into high gear; whenever they were fatigued or sore, all it took was a few words of the healing oath to get them going again.

“From the monsters of the cave, of the sea, of the heart,” they whispered while peeling wild wolf onions, “I shall protect and provide for those who cannot.”

As morning turned to afternoon, the light flurry of the morning became a bitter gale that howled through the trees like a hungry animal. The world was silent except for the frigid wind - all the creatures of the forest knew well enough that the winter ahead would not be kind to them.

But Otto knew nothing of this.

And so they marched forward.

It was quite past dark when Otto returned to the cottage. Much to their delight, a fire was flickering in the fireplace, and a wonderful, familiar smell lingered in the air - a mixture of tender meat and spices.

As Otto had hoped, there was a pot of stew left over the flames. The broth still bubbled with warmth, and the chicken and vegetables gave off a heavenly steam. Their stomach suddenly felt very hollow.

They hadn’t eaten all day, had they?

With raw fingers, the doctor tried their best to use the ladle, which was as big as their entire arm and weighed twice as much. Gripping the handle with both hands, they brought the brew to their lips, taking care not to burn their tongue.

A beautiful, soothing flavor poured down Otto’s throat. They leaned their head back and closed their eyes, making sure to drink up every last tasty morsel. It was a long time before the ladle was empty again.

Once they were finished, the healer felt a heaviness collect around their eyes. Finally, at long last, they could rest. The cottage was fast asleep - and now it was time for Otto to follow suit.

Sleep came upon Otto too quickly for them to retire to their own bed. Like a hound after a successful hunt, they crawled onto the sofa and curled into a ball, dead to the world before their head hit the soft cushions.

*******************

Otto wasn’t sure how long they slept. They remembered bits and pieces of dreams, of words, or memories - but mostly a comforting darkness that lulled them into a deep drowse.

When they finally awoke, the first thing they saw was the flitting of the fire. The flame had all but burned itself out during the night. Otto rolled over, stretching and sighing with satisfaction. That was the best they had slept in several days.

They indulged themselves in a large yawn and shifted off the sofa, cringing from cold stone against their bare feet.

The cottage was still silent with sleep - not a thing stirred but the creaks and groans of the wooden beams. A frigid wind had picked up outside, and bits of snow swirled in the air.

How cold Godric must be this morning, Otto thought as they padded towards the hallway. The warrior was always up and working by first light - quite before anyone else was awake - but came back inside to drink some hot coffee and see how the preparations were going. Godric made a strong cup of coffee. One could smell it and be ready for a new day; that’s usually all most could stand without sputtering.

Today, however, there was no earthy aroma of it brewing. All Otto could smell was a hint of the stew they had eaten the night before - the husk of a beautiful, delicious dream.

The doctor peeked his head into Barlow’s room. The sprite was laying on his stomach, eyes closed and breath soft. Though they had been feeling better for the past day or so, Barlow’s nose frequently ran away with him, and was still very pink and sensitive. His upright ear twitched ever so slightly, but there was no sign of him stirring any time soon.

Severin, on the other hand, had fared much worse. Despite the many wet rags coating almost every inch of his febrile body, his breathing was still heavy and labored, and his eyes darted under closed eyelids. Bite marks covered cracking lips. Otto made sure they made little noise as they tiptoed from the doorway. Severin needed all the rest he could get.

Otto turned from his patients, a familiar heaviness weighing upon their heart. Such misery in what was supposed to be a warm season of reaping and feasting.

Perhaps it came back with them from market, or from the many travelers that take the nearby road into town. With how hard everyone had been working, and how many nights were left unslept…

Otto massaged the bridge of their nose, dashing from one possibility to the next, feeling more and more ashamed by how little they prepared, how stupid they must have been, how utterly selfish! They had been so busy with preparations that they had barely noticed that their journeymates were wasting away!

They could have done something. This was all their fault, wasn’t it? How could they be a healer if they couldn’t even keep the ones they loved safe?

Otto was roused from their guilt by the sound of harsh coughing. They peeked their head into the past two rooms, fearing that one of them had been awakened by their footsteps. However, both of them were still out cold. Or out warm, in Severin’s case.

No, the coughing wasn’t coming from their rooms, Otto realized. It was coming from the third bedroom - the one that they and Godric shared.

The door creaked open as Otto shuffled inside, already knowing the worst was yet to come.

“Doc? Is tha’ you?”

Godric was sitting up in bed, quilt wrapped around him, his chest heaving with another hacking fit. His cheeks were flushed with effort and fever. Otto went to his bedside, their heart dropping into their stomach.

“Real nice ‘a this cold to leave the healer last, eh?” the warrior joked before laying back down with a quiet groan.

Otto pushed the hair off Godric’s neck and felt his lymph nodes, which were not only hot, but terribly swollen.

“I can chop those few pieces ‘a wood, an’ then I’ll-”

“You are not getting out of this bed,” Otto said sternly. Then, with a kinder tone, “I know you want to finish your work, but you are very sick. You shouldn’t be out in the snow.”

“But how-”

“I will take care of it, cariño. Just rest.”

Godric opened his mouth to say something else, but just coughed and covered himself up with his quilt.

“Take care of yerself, doc,” he said before Otto went to check on the others. “There isn’t anythin’ I can’t do after I’m back on m’feet.”

***************

Between taking care of three sick creatures and the final preparations, Otto ran themselves ragged over the next few days. None of their friends were particularly hard to take care of - especially after Severin’s fever broke - but the heaviness of their heart continued to weigh upon them.

With no other options, they threw themselves into work.

If they chopped enough wood for an extra week, they chopped enough wood for two extra weeks. The larder was more than full. Their fingers and hands and back and everything else was sore, but they couldn’t stop for long without feeling their guilt gnaw away at them.

One frigid morning, Otto had taken to the axe, splitting wood and putting them in the shed to keep them dry. They had run out of pre-cut trunks a long time ago, so they started cutting sticks in half for kindling. Out of the corner of their eye, mid-swing, they saw a figure marching through the snow - lifting their foot high before stomping it down again with a crunch.

After a few minutes, Otto could finally see a pair of long ears fluttering in the cold wind.

“Barlow!”

The sprite grinned as he approached Otto, holding up a steaming container of something in his mittened hands.

“I got soup!” he called out, trying to move faster in the deep snow. “Godric felt a lot better today, so he wanted to try somethin’ new. It’s real good! Even Severin ate a whole bowl of it, so you know it’s gotta be great.”

Barlow sat next to the chopping block, and patted a mound of snow next to him. Otto sat down, wincing as their sore muscles twinged.

“Godric says we’re all packed up for winter,” Barlow continued as he handed Otto the food. “And we’ll even have stuff to eat in the spring, too.”

Otto didn’t answer, but tucked into the soup, not even blowing it off before putting the spoon in their mouth. Barlow thought for a little bit, then spoke again.

“Doc, Godric told me that we got more than enough food and wood to last through the winter. If you wanna come inside, we’ve got a checker game goin’…”

Otto didn’t respond, but they had started to shiver from the cold. Barlow took of his coat and draped it around Otto’s shoulders.

“C’mon, let’s get back. Everybody’s waitin’ for us.”

Barlow took Otto by the hand and pulled them up, then led them back towards the cottage. Otto trailed behind like a quivering lamb, both exhausted and numb. They couldn’t think of much else than putting one foot in front of the other.

When the pair finally got back to the cottage, a warm, cozy scene awaited them. Severin was on the couch, doing needlepoint with half-open eyes and content look on his face. Godric was above the stove, stirring a pot and putting one seasoning or another into it. The fire was blazing in a lovely orange hue that painted the scene with a beautiful glow.

While Barlow went right inside and was greeted by the others, Otto stood in the doorway, weary eyes closed, soaking up the light and warmth as much as they could.

“Doctor?”

Severin was up now, his quiet wisdom regained. Before Otto could answer, the sorcerer started to remove their soaked outer layers with quick fingers.

“If Barlow didn’t bring you here,” Severin said, “you would have worked yourself to a frozen skeleton.”

Otto suddenly jerked his head to the side.

“het’TCH! TCH! TCH’UH!”

“Many blessings, doctor.”

Severin smiled and tilted his head.

“Many, many blessings.”

Otto sniffled, rubbing their nose with stiff fingers.

“Nngh…gracias. Just a little…heh…htch’CHU!”

“Aye, I don’ like tha’ sound of that,” Godric rumbled from the kitchen, turning his head to see the sickly healer.

Otto waved their hand. “Just a li-hih-ttle sdiffle…”

“One that is long overdue, I think,” Severin said, putting the last of their wet things away.

Otto was ushered in front of the fire, still at the mercy of his nose. With each sneeze came a chorus of blessings and, if need be, another handkerchief.

“That’s a real nasty cold, huh?” Barlow commented after a particularly forceful fit. “Even I didn’t sneeze that much.”

As the day came to a close, the group all gathered on the couch, listening to the wind howling outside and treating themselves to Godric’s famous roast and sweet apple tea. Otto didn’t eat very much, but the hot tea soothed their sore throat.

“Tank you for taking such good care of be,” Otto snuffled.

Godric chuckled. “Ya care so much about us, doc. It only makes sense that we’s care an awful lot about you, ‘specially when ya aren’t feelin’ well.”

“And after you tended so well to us, may I add,” Severin said, leaning his head back.

“Yeah!” Barlow agreed, not exactly as good with words as the others, but still just as thankful.

Otto, overcome, buried their face in Godric’s side and began to cry, letting out everything that they had felt in the past few days. They wanted to stop, they wanted to explain, but it was lost in desperate sobs and hiccuping. Godric held them closer to him while the others offered quiet support until the doctor quieted.

“There ya go,” Godric said, putting a large hand on Otto’s head. “It’s gonna be alright.”

Filled with comfort and warm food, Otto quickly dozed off, and the others weren’t far behind. The only sounds were the falling of fresh snow, the crackling of the fireplace, and the snores of deep, contented sleep.

And, as winter finally settled into Harbinger Woods, they all settled down for their long winter’s rest.

******************

Not only do I want to dedicate this to @perfectpaperbluebirds , who gave me the prompt, but also @sneezytomatosquish , who has been feeling emotionally and physically under the weather lately. That may have changed by the time this fic is finished, but I shall gift it to you anyway. You are one of my favorite creators, but I want to create something for you for a change. You deserve it.

Get well soon!

[mythicamagic]

Heatwave: a Tododeku fanfic

Summary: Todoroki's quirk comes in very handy during a heatwave. If Izuku could just calm down enough to reap the benefits, that would be great. Tododeku

Rating: T

Words: 1,700

Read here or on Ao3

AN: First time writing for this pairing, I hope you like it! I might add another chapter to this, not sure yet.

Heatwave

Izuku Midoriya wasn't exactly the type to curse a blazing orb in the sky for inflicting Japan with a particularly nasty heatwave. He left that sort of thing to Kacchan.

However, pair intensive training with a punishing system of high atmospheric pressure baking the concrete beneath his shoes and heating his already screaming skin from the overuse of his quirk- and Izuku found himself dangerously close to hurling a complaint at the sun.

He stumbled out into harsh glaring sunlight, thankful his training session was finally over for the day. His clothes plastered to his form, skin thrumming. He patted himself down, panting.

"You're not helping," he mumbled to his trembling legs. If his limbs could co-operate, that would be great. At least he hadn't suffered any broken bones.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Izuku gingerly carried himself across the courtyard to a water fountain- taking grateful gulps.

Without thinking too much about his surroundings, Izuku leaned away and collapsed onto the nearest available bench beneath the shade of a tree. He boldly sprawled onto the wood, letting it cushion his back- hinting at his state of exhaustion. Izuku never liked to take up too much unnecessary space.

The second soft curling hair met something sturdy beneath his head- he probably should've jolted away.

Oh...wow.

But a cool- frosty sensation bit into the back of his neck, heavenly upon heated, abused flesh. A faint gasp escaped him, swallowing a relieved groan.

He only knew one person at UA who could elicit such a cold temperature.

Tilting his head back, Izuku squeaked.

Todoroki didn't look up from his book, seemingly immersed in it. Faint flecks of snow and frost coated his right side, likely in use to keep him cool.

And I'm mooching off it!

"A-ah! I'm so sorry, Todoroki!" whipping his head up so fast his vision spun, Izuku shifted slightly to face him on the bench. "I didn't realise you were there- and not in a bad way! I don't mean to say that you don't have a presence- because you do! You're very striking and cool and-"

"You can lay back down again if you want to, it's not a big deal."

Panicked words caught in Izuku's throat mid-ramble.

Green eyes blinked, sliding downwards. Lay back down? But his head had been cushioned by Todoroki's thigh. Practically in his lap.

Todoroki appeared unruffled, tearing a calm, languid gaze from his book. His expression remained unreadable. "It's hot."

"Huh?"

"The weather."

"Oh! Yes, it sure is!" Izuku winced, loathing the squeak in his voice. Oh to have a quirk that could allow the ground to swallow him up.

Todoroki blinked slowly like a contented cat, tilting his head. "So...I don't mind sharing my quirk…" he elaborated, gesturing with one hand to his right, frosty side.

Izuku gazed at the layer of white clinging to Todoroki's leg, hip and arm. His heart warmed, stomach doing a somersault. "You'd really do that? But I'm… well, I'm kind of gross and sweaty from all the training," he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I wouldn't have offered if I thought you were gross, Midoriya."

He stilled, caught off guard by the statement. Todoroki had a way of being incredibly direct, but it never really bothered him. Especially at times like these. Todoroki was incredibly kind, more so than he'd likely admit.

Due to the sun melting his nerves, Izuku accepted the offer readily with a hearty 'thank you!' Laying down again, he fought not to slump with relief and exhaustion the second his nape and damp hair met the solid, cold muscle of Todoroki's thigh.

Heterochromia eyes watched him briefly, before sliding back to his open book and continuing to read.

Screaming internally, Izuku fiddled with his hands, settling with lacing them upon his stomach. The silence roared loudly.

This doesn't have to be weird. He's just a friend. Friends do this kind of thing all the time, right?

Well, none of his friends. Todoroki was usually quite reserved with physical affection, Iida expressed himself through verbal concern or encouragement, and Uraraka did similarly since she worried about activating her quirk with the use of her hands. When she patted him on the back it was with a well placed palm.

But he'd observed Kaminari, Kirishima and Ashido, and they were aggressively touchy-feely in comparison, slinging their arms around their friends and lounging against each other.

Izuku tried not to take this rare moment for granted. He needed to talk about something. Anything!

"Ah- that's Hero's Journey volume 9!" he exclaimed, tilting his head back to sneak a peek at the cover of the book. "How are you enjoying it?"

Todoroki lifted a shoulder, "it's alright. I figure volume 10 will wind down with covering Hero retirement since this one is about marriage and kids. It's a little naïve in places though."

Sobering, Izuku instinctively switched gears, forgetting his embarrassment and nodding seriously. "I get what you mean. It doesn't go into nearly enough detail about what having a family can be like for Pro Heroes. Most of the top Heroes in the rankings either don't have kids or are estranged from them."

"Yeah...but I was referring more to the part where it speculated about pairing existing heroes together and imagining what quirk their children would have. It skipped over Quirk Marriages like they were nothing."

Reading the heaviness in Todoroki's voice, dark brows pulled together. Izuku tilted his head, injecting conviction into his tone. "When we make it as heroes, we can talk more about it. Shed light on the issue."

Mismatched eyes flicked down, meeting his. They warmed just a little, the corner of Todoroki's mouth tilting up at the corner.

"You almost sound a little heated there," he teased.

"Aha," Izuku scratched a freckled cheek, "was that weird? I'm not personally affected by it so it's probably none of my business- but I know it's important to you. I get riled up on your behalf."

"Don't overthink it- I'm glad when you do. Reminds me of when you screamed at me during the Sports Festival."

"H-hey, I didn't scream..."

"It was definitely a scream."

"A loud yell, maybe."

Todoroki gave a small noise that sent Izuku reeling, toes curling at the sound. Holy shit- that that been a chuckle?

"Anyway, I won't be having kids unless I adopt," the Half-Cold Half-Hot user muttered, circling back to the real conversation. "So this volume probably doesn't apply to me much."

"Really? I can imagine Endeavor not liking that," Izuku hummed, sharing a mischievous smile with him. "But then, you've never set out to do anything for his specific approval. You're living your life, with your quirk."

Something cool and smooth met his forehead like a soft icepack. It took a moment for him to realise that it was Todoroki's palm settling over his bangs. Izuku went completely still, speechless.

"You still looked warm, I thought this would help," Todoroki glanced away, holding his book with one hand. Was it just Izuku's imagination or did his unscarred cheek look slightly red? It was hard to tell from the angle without craning his head back even more upon Todoroki's lap and he was currently working on trying not to hyperventilate.

Hand. On head. Touching!

He positively combusted when a thumb started to stroke his damp brow currently marred with sweat, rubbing gently at the bridge of his nose. Izuku's freckled cheeks blazed red.

"You're doing that thing again where you get worry lines here," Todoroki muttered, continuing to move the pad of his thumb for emphasis. It felt so gentle. His skin sighed at the touch.

"I-I was just...hoping this wasn't inconveniencing you or anything…" Izuku lied, voice thin. Oh no. Those darn jitters and confusing feelings were acting up again, sending a migration of butterflies up from his stomach into his throat.

For a while, it had been hard to pinpoint that he got flustered around Uraraka because she was a girl- a pretty girl- and one that paid attention to him, but it didn't go much deeper than that in terms of romance.

Todoroki was different. When Izuku thought about him, he admired his strength and values- how far he'd come in owning his successes and slowly breaking free from the shackles of the past- but such thoughts were accompanied with a weird yearning.

Todoroki was one of a kind. Beautiful when he flourished. Izuku admired him as a fellow student and rookie hero. But then the jitters came, followed by sweaty palms and a deep yearning. A yearning for what, Izuku hadn't been able to fathom. He just felt like brushing the hair out of Shouto's eyes or leaning against him or-

- or kissing the exposed skin of his neck. That would be nice.

Swallowing thickly, his heart stuttered when that thumb paused.

Dark grey/turquoise eyes shifted back to him. Todoroki remained unreadable, sometimes able to be a calm sheen of ice- others an explosive force of passion and anger. "Like I kind-of said before, I wouldn't do this if you were inconveniencing me. I just wanted to do it."

You...wanted to touch me?

"Besides," he continued in a quieter tone, "you're the one who encouraged me to act like this. Embracing all aspects of myself and being more upfront with stuff."

Izuku felt the need to say something despite the dryness of his tongue. "I'm glad," he exhaled slowly, feeling as if he were talking robotically- heart going a million miles an hour. "Because it's nice. I uh, I really like it."

That's an understatement of the century.

Todoroki didn't say anything more, but his thumb resumed stroking the worry lines on Izuku's brow, smoothing them out. Izuku blinked, smiling a little. Lulled into a relaxed state, dark-green lashes drifted half-closed. They then shut completely, tension leaking out of his overworked body. Warm breaths evened out.

Unbeknownst to him, Todoroki set down his book and reclined slightly against the bench, gazing at Izuku's sleeping face before looking at high branches. He tilted his head back, appreciating the refreshing summer breeze and basking in the dappled sunlight that played over his face and the freckles of his long-time crush.

[theglitterypages]

Title: Sweetheart Part 2

Pairings: Armin x fem! reader

Part One

Warnings: None

Word Count: 2000+

••••••

“Fix your postures!” you commanded, your hands are on your back as you walk in front of the Cadets. Levi stood behind you with a smirk on his face, he's been a little gentle with the Cadets these days but now that you're back to kick ass with him this would be so fun.

“Kirstein! Straighten up your back!”

Jean immediately obeyed while Connie was staring at you with wide eyes, this was not how they remembered you few days ago, you were soft spoken then, all sweet and all smiles but now they are seeing the tigress that Levi was talking about.

Levi was even more gentle in handling them because Levi rarely shouts yet his words carries heavy emotions but you, you can do both.

“She's the sister of the commander that's why she has the guts but I bet she's all cry and whine if she faced a Titan.”

You have a good sense of hearing and you heard what the Cadet has said about you, it wasn't the first time that someone underestimated you because of your gender and because you're Erwin's sister, it's one of the stereotypes, you don't actually mind but what you heard next took every single strand of patience inside you.

“Bet she's a good screamer in bed.”

Levi balled his hand into a fist, he may call you brat and have endless argumentd with you but he treats you like a sister and hearing the Cadets say those filthy words to you makes his blood boil but then when he saw how you tilted your head in both sides and how your eyes went blank he already knew that you can handle it yourself, you're not a simple girl after all so he let you do what you want.

Your eyes wandered around the Cadets, you were hurt by those comments, you hated being looked down just because they think you had it easy because of your brother when in fact you almost die a lot of times in the past and those wounds from Titan attacks heals in time but those words that serves as daggers stabbing your heart won't.

After a minute of searching you found the pair that you heard, the two men were standing beside Armin Arlert, it would've been a great view if the assholes weren't standing beside him, Armin Arlert's face screams peace, those blue eyes are calming.

“I bet she's been sleeping with the Captain.”

That was the last straw, Armin immediately threw hard punches towards the two guys who are both taller, and probably a couple of years older than him, he had enough of their dirty mouths, he knew that he's not suppose to do that but he couldn't stand them talking shits about you like that, his knuckles got red because of the impact and when he looked down at the two fellow Cadets, both their nose were broken as they lay flat on the ground.

Levi was shocked to see Armin straight up punch his fellow Cadets but he secretly smiled, he knew that the kid is promising. Everybody just need a little push to unleash their demons, seems like Armin Arlert has been unleashed just now.

Eren and Mikasa immediately went beside Armin to put a hand on his shoulders trying to calm him down silently, the blonde teen was heavily breathing, “I was taught by my grandfather to treat women right, you don't talk dirty shits about them like that, respect a woman the way you respect your Mother.” Armin growled through gritted teeth, he's surprised of the damage that he had done to the two men, those broken and bleeding nose gives him some sort of satisfaction but as he tore his blue eyes away from the two, he met your eyes.

You were frozen on your position, you were planning to do punch them first but Armin's action made you stop, you see the blonde guy as a soft one, the type of person who wouldn't even dare hurt a fly but here he is proving that he knows how to throw a good punch, when your gaze met, the anger on his eyes vanished, his face softened as his cheeks turned bright red including both of his ears.

With a small smile you made your way towards them, Connie, Jean and Sasha were standing behind Armin now too, checking up on him, you've deduced that he's like the baby in the group, suits him, he does look like a baby.

You looked down at the Cadets lying on the floor and grabbed their collars so you could lift them off the ground.

Everybody gasped at your action but no one dared to interfere. “I would love to have you two on our squad next expedition but we're the one leading the whole team which means...we're the first one to encounter titans and if we're unfortunate we'll be the first ones to get eaten too. I'll show you how I cry in front of the Titans then.” you let go both of their collars and let them land butt first on the ground.

You turned to Armin and smiled at him genuinely, “I appreciate your efforts for breaking their nose for me, Cadet. Thank you.” you smiled as you pat his head, Armin looked up at you with a smile, his cheeks flaming red, “It's natural human decency, M-Ma'am. No need to thank me.” you smiled at him and pursed your lips before walking away so you could go back to the center of the scouts.

“Captain Levi would take over now.”

Levi stood beside you and the Scouts saluted at him, “Take care of some written reports for me, brat.” he ordered and you nodded as a response as you walked away from the training grounds but before you could even went further, you heard grunts and gasps behind you.

You saw how the sole of Levi's boots collided with the face of the Cadets, you winced and bit your lower lip as you see how Levi kicked them hard.

“I'll make sure you two would learn how to respect your superiors now and women in general.”

You started to feel bad because you're damn sure their jaws would be dislocated because of Levi's signature kick but you remembered that they're assholes and they deserved it so you proceeded to go on and take care of the written reports instead of watching their ass get beaten.

°°°°

It was already dark when you've decided to take a walk to try and breathe some fresh air, you looked up at the dark sky, the moon was shining brightly.

Your eyes settled on the mysterious moon, you've always been fascinated of the moon, when you were a kid you often cry to tell Erwin that the moon is a creep because it keeps on following you, your brother would always hold back his laughter and would assure you that he'll protect you from the moon.

A part of you wishes that you two should've stayed as kids then, your brother has been seeking to find out the truth and as he gets closer to that truth, you're slowly losing him. You immediately wiped a tear away, you should just be happy for your brother and make sure he'll be safe, that would be enough.

You lifted your arms towards the sky as if reaching the moon, it is beautiful yet awfully frightening but the stars cast out those fears, as the stars shine brightly in the night sky you felt at ease and you smiled to yourself before putting your hands back to your pocket. It's getting colder now.

The cold wind embraced your whole and you shivered strands of your hair escaped from your messy hair bun. When the cold was too much for you to handle, wearing thin clothes is not a wise decision so you've decided to go back inside just to hear a hissing nearby, if you're right the hissing comes from the tree nearby.

Out of curiosity you slowly made your way towards the tree, you just silently prayed that it's not Cadets that are making out outside because you've witness a pair making out behind trees before and you wouldn't want it to happen again.

But as you got closer to the tree you confirmed that it wasn't a couple doing something nasty outside, it is an angel silently sitting down.

“Aren't you suppose to be sleeping by this time now?”

Armin's eyes widened as his head snapped on your direction, his mouth gaped open as while his brows raised in surprise. "I c-can't sleep Ma'am.” he stammered and looked away from you, not that he doesn't want to see you, it's just that the thin material that you're wearing is revealing your cleavage. He had to gulp and remind himself that it's not appropriate to look at women like that.

“Mind if I sit down beside you? I couldn't sleep either.”

“I-I don't really mind.”

When your arms accidentally brushed, Armin wanted to flinch but he didn't because he wouldn't want to offend you and when you looked at him you can still see how red his cheeks were even if it's dark. “Thank you for what you did, earlier. I don't really mind such comments anymore, it wasn't the first time and it probably wouldn't be my last either.” you chuckled bitterly, you've worked hard to be a skilled fighter so you could prove to everyone that you're not a woman living as your brother's shadows.

But sometimes life is fucked up, actually most of the time it is fucked up.

“You should inform Commander Erwin about it. I mean they're crossing the line, they're talking as if they know you.”

“How about you, do you know me?”

“It feels like...I do.” he silently whispered as he looked down on his hands, you followed his gaze and your mout gaped open when you saw that there's a bandage covering his knuckles. “By the walls, Armin...w-what happened? You shouldn't have done it, I could've taken care of them myself.” you grabbed his hand and examined it, not that you can see through those bandages but you just feel like doing so.

Armin could've taken away his hands from you but he didn't, feeling your soft skin against his is comforting, he's forgotten that he shed a tear when Mikasa put those bandages around his knuckles, he didn't break any bone but it's red and sore, he's not really cut out for scenarios like that but it was worth it because he was able to defend you at some way, in the little way that he could.

“It's just sore. I'm not really good at punching, you know. I used to get beaten up as a kid, they'll steal my food and Eren and Mikasa would come to rescue me but now, I finally...I finally get to do something for someone.”

“Why didn't you fight back before?”

“Because I can't and I'm not as brave. You know, when I came face to face with a Titan, I—I was frozen. Eren got eaten and it was fortunate that he's alive.”

You didn't notice that you stared caressing his knuckles as you listened but it seems ljke he doesn't notice too so you let it be, “But look at you now, I've heard from Erwin that you're a smart one. You've figured out who is the female titan right?” Armin looked at you and his blue eyes widened in shock as he saw how close you two were.

He knew that in one wrong move he can finally know how would it feel to have your lips press against his, if he'll move his head forward maybe he can feel how soft those lips are.

But he stayed back, he respects you. He's attracted to you but he knows his boundaries, his grandfather told him to grow up as a gentleman and all that and he thinks of Mikasa, if Mikasa would be treated so inappropriate by a man he wouldn't like that, he wouldn't like that to happen to his sister.

That's why he would behave himself around you and he'll choose to be contented of just staring at you, it's more than enough.

“W-Well it was a gamble and I was already late...it was—”

You kissed his cheek to shut him up. The poor guy looked at you as his whole face reddened, both his ears flaming up.

“W-Why d-did you do that?” he whispered as he looked away.

“I just want to. Can you promise me one thing?” you asked as you leaned away, Armin looked at you with curiosity before he opened his mouth to respond, “It depends, make me promise something that I can fulfill.” he told you. When he promised someone, he'll always make sure that he can fulfill because he hates it when promises are broken and he wouldn't want to break any promise to anyone, especially to you.

“Each one of us has our own expertise, I want you to focus on yours and if you find yourself in a fucked up situation, don't hesitate to go to me, call out my name or somethin', I have your back now, Armin.”

“Then call out my name too if you need me.” Armin told you bravely, he doesn't have any idea why he felt this way but the moment he saw you after bumping into you, he already know that he's attracted, he told Eren about it, Eren teased him and he's not amused, not that he hates it but he's afraid that you'll hear.

He often watch you from afar, most of the times you are found with the Captain, probably why some thinks the two of you are in a relationship but as you sat beside him under the moonlight, his heart was filled of hope.

“Good night then, sweetheart.” you whispered as you gently press your lips on his cheeks again, as usual, he was frozen and you stood up to walk away so you could go back inside already.

Armin followed you with his gaze as a sweet smile made its way across his lips, his eyes sparking with glee.

“Good night, sweetheart.” he whispered.

[fruitcoops]

Remus gets injured in a game. I have literally read everything you have written but i'm not sure if you have wrote one like this. If you have, ANOTHER PLZZ

Hello anon! I wove this together with a couple different prompts, listed below:

1. Coops argument

2. Prompt 21: “You need to eat something”

3. Remus gets in a fight with Snape

4. Protective Sirius

5. Coops going home grumpy after losing a game (see link)

Sweater Weather credit goes to @lumosinlove! TW for fights, blood, bruises, arguments, and someone getting called a wh*re

Snape’s cheek gave easily beneath Remus’ fist, which was a tad bit surprising. He wrapped his other hand in the neckline of his jersey, yanking him back in to land another punch to the side of his head—that would leave a nasty bruise in the morning. Stars sparkled in his vision as Snape got a lucky shot in and he doubled down, ignoring the thin line of pain that trickled down his chin.

“Break it up, boys, that’s enough!” The referee’s whistle blew as he and another pried Remus’ hands off Snape’s jersey; someone took him by the shoulders and pushed him away from the fight. Pots.

“Say it again!” Remus shouted at Snape as the refs and their teammates continued pulling them apart. “Say it again and I’ll knock your fucking teeth in!”

James’ hold on him faltered for a second as another person skated over and tried to join the melee. “Cap, no!”

“Move, Pots.”

“Loops won the fight, it’s done. Let’s just keep playing.” James shoved both their chests hard enough to send them back a few inches, but Remus’ blood boiled as he ground his mouthguard between his teeth. He glanced up at the clock—3:16 left in the third, Snakes up by two. Their win was almost guaranteed and Snape was still pulling this bullshit.

He skated quickly over to the bench and mumbled his thanks to Hestia as she pressed some gauze to his lip and ice to his cheek. “Lupin, you’re in for the rest of the game,” Coach Weasley said, tapping him on the arm with his playboard. “Anything broken?”

“No, Coach.”

“Then get your ass back out on the ice and score some points. We need some speed.”

He could feel the fury rolling off Sirius as they wove through the Snakes’ defense, shooting again and again to no avail. Frustration built up in every nerve—he was worried about the win, of course, but mostly he was pissed. Pissed at Snape, pissed at James for pushing him, and pissed at Sirius for butting into the fight.

Remus scored a final goal just as the buzzer sounded. Hissing filled the stadium, even though it was a home game. Snape smirked at him as he skated past and the only thing keeping him from dragging him right back in by his greasy hair was the possible suspension.

The shower was cold, because of course the fucking shower was cold. Remus shoved his stuff in his duffel and waited outside the locker room, silently fist bumping the guys as they left. God, he hated losing games. It was inevitable, but it always felt shitty.

“How’s the lip?” Sirius asked when he finally came out, bag slung over his shoulder.

“Fine. What the fuck was that?”

“What was what?”

“You butted into my fight. Nobody asked you to.”

Sirius’ eyebrows rose. “Re, he called you—”

“Yeah, I know what he called me,” Remus snapped, practically slamming the door to the parking lot closed. “I was there.”

The only reason you’re on this team is because you’re the captain’s whore, Snape had sneered. He bit the inside of his cheek as his anger flared at the memory. “I was just trying to help,” Sirius grumbled.

“Well, you didn’t. You proved his fucking point.”

“I didn’t prove shit!” Sirius scoffed as they got in the car. Immediately, Remus felt claustrophobic.

“I had it handled, Sirius!”

“You’re still bleeding!”

Remus ran his tongue along his lip—sure enough, the salty tang of blood filled his mouth. He swore under his breath and held his sleeve to his lip; his cheekbone throbbed and he knew it would be swollen in mere hours.

“Here.”

“I don’t need that.”

“You’d rather stain your sleeve than accept a tissue from me?”

“It’s a black sweatshirt, it’s fine.” Sirius muttered something. “Care to share with the class?”

Sirius sighed as he turned off the freeway. “I said it was your idea to keep these here in the first place. I don’t know why you’re being all pissy with me. We’ve lost games before.”

“I’m pissed because you don’t think I can handle myself in a fight.”

Sirius took his eyes off the road for a half second in shock. “Excuse me? Why do you think that?”

“I just told you!” Remus said, exasperated. “Snape was being a dick, so I punched him. I didn’t need your hero complex to swoop in and save the day.”

“Re, I didn’t even get a hand on him. Pots—”

“Oh, I’m pissed at him as well,” Remus snorted, staring out the passenger window at the blurry lights against the dark. “If someone calls me a whore, I’d rather get the message across that they can’t do it again.”

“Would you rather have gotten a penalty?”

“Yes.”

“That is unbelievably selfish.”

Remus laughed without humor. “Y’know, it’s really funny that you’ve never had this conversation with Logan, the king of the penalty box. Is it because he’s not a delicate flower like me?”

“Wh—” Sirius clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, Remus. I have never seen you as a—a delicate flower. For your information, I have chewed Logan out on multiple occasions.”

Remus gritted his teeth and trained his gaze firmly out the window. He heard Sirius sigh next to him and it took every ounce of willpower to keep his composure. The next ten minutes were dead silent and deeply uncomfortable, which was a rarity with them; even after losses, they would talk through the errors or try to lighten the mood.

Both of them closed their doors a little harder than necessary when they got to the house and Hattie trotted over hesitantly when they came inside. “Hey, Hatters,” Remus murmured, crouching down to her level and holding a hand out. She licked his cheek and let him bury his face in her thick fur—Sirius scratched her ears as he walked past. “Did you have a good time while we were out? Huh, baby girl?” He looked up and saw the tail end of Sirius’ eye roll. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Sirius, it doesn’t work. I’m giving the dog a hug because I’m still pissed at you.”

“There is literally no good reason for you to be pissed at me!” Sirius finally said, tossing his keys into the bowl by the door. “Holy shit, Re, I don’t even think you’re mad at me!”

“Oh, yeah? Then who am I mad at, oh great and wise captain?” Remus practically spat, shouldering past him into the kitchen and wrenching a cabinet open. “Please enlighten me.”

“I wish I knew!”

Remus slammed the bread down on the counter and glared at him. “Then maybe you should shut the fuck up if you don’t have anything to support your claim.”

“Acting like this is a goddamn debate club isn’t helping. Your lip is bleeding again.”

“Fuck.” Remus ripped a paper towel off the roll and dampened it, holding it to his lip with a wince. Sirius opened the freezer and dug around for a moment with another paper towel. “I don’t remember you getting hit.”

“This is for you, you stubborn fucker,” Sirius said as he walked over and pressed it gently to the side of Remus’ face. “Better?”

“…a bit.”

The tension on Sirius’ face began to fade; he just looked concerned as he pulled the ice away and checked the bruise. “Your eye might swell.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you actually want to talk now, or should we yell a little more?”

Remus sighed and felt his anger abate. He was beyond exhausted, and still upset, but having Sirius nearby was like balm on a burn. “I don’t know.”

“I’m going to make some sandwiches. Hold this.” Sirius tapped the ice towel and moved to the abandoned loaf, grabbing some peanut butter and jelly as he went.

“I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat something.”

“I’m fine.”

Sirius glanced over his shoulder and gave him a look. “I know you, Re. You’re not going to feel better unless you get some food, and neither will I.”

“I hate it when you’re reasonable.”

“No, you don’t.”

Remus’ lack of response was enough of an answer. The pain stretched to his forehead and he grimaced, prodding his lip cautiously. Sirius whistled for Hattie and spread the leftover peanut butter from the knife onto a clean spoon, holding it down for her to lick. A smile tugged the corner of Remus’ mouth. “Cute.”

“I can be cute on occasion.”

“You’re always cute.” There was a beat of quiet. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. I’m sorry for yelling.”

“Not for interrupting the fight?”

“Nope.”

“That’s fair.” Something tickled at the back of Remus’ throat. “I fucking hate Snape.”

“Me, too.”

“Surprisingly enough, it feels pretty shitty to be called a whore. Who would’ve thought?”

Sirius turned and faced him, sleeves rolled to his elbows. His eyes were soft. “You know that’s not true, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Remus. What he said wasn’t true. You have nothing to prove to anyone on the team, least of all to me. You earned that spot on the roster fair and square, and Snape’s just freaked out because there’s another player who could grind him into the dust without breaking a sweat.” He stepped closer and leaned on the counter next to Remus, leaving a few inches between them. “I don’t think you’re a whore, if that means anything.”

Remus laughed softly. “Of all the people out there, I think you’re the only one who could reliably make that assumption.”

Sirius didn’t smile. “You’re my best friend and also my fiancé. The sex is a great bonus, but my favorite part of being with you is just being with you.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Remus muttered, though the sharp edges began to smooth in his gut. He closed the distance between them and laid his head on Sirius’ shoulder. “Love you.”

“I love you, too. Can I take a look at your lip?”

“Sure.” Remus peeled the towel away and Sirius bent slightly, poking the area around it. “Ouch.”

“That’ll probably take a week or so to heal. He got you good.”

Remus pouted. “No kisses for a week?”

Sirius did laugh that time, bright and sunny enough that Remus nearly made his lip bleed again with the answering smile. “I said nothing about no kisses.” Warm lips trailed from his unbruised cheekbone to the edge of his mouth, leaving tiny tingles in their wake.

“I really am sorry about what I said. You were right, I wasn’t angry with you, and I had no right to go off like that.”

Sirius shrugged. “It happens.”

“It shouldn’t.”

“Then let’s agree to talk first, bite heads off later, okay?” He held his pinky out and Remus linked it with his own, kissing it quickly.

“Deal. Are the sandwiches done? I’m starving.”

Wordlessly, Sirius handed him a sandwich and hopped up to sit on the counter, scooting over to make room for Remus to join him. They ate quietly, swinging their legs as the calmness of the kitchen crept back in once more.

[tsuki-sennin]

C'mon! Ra-Ra-Rabbit! C'mon! Ra-Ra-Rabbit! C'mon! Ra-Ra-Rabbit!

Buddy Up! Laughing, Crying, Analyzing, Ending! Kamen Rider! Revi! Vice! Revice Final Episode!

The end is nigh for Kamen Rider Revice! And I'd like to take this time to say "thank you". Seriously, I hope that my liveblogging, as scattered, unfocused, and disjointed as it may have been, helped liven up your day, even a little bit. This is all for fun, obviously, but Kamen Rider Revice has been there for me all throughout this year, and as flawed as it might be, writing about it has been both very fun and a great anchor to keep myself grounded; and knowing that even a few people were interested in what I had to say about this show is honestly incredibly humbling.

If you happen to be interested in creative content from me, please check out @tsuki-sennin-creations, my personal creative blog that I got started a few weeks ago. There's not much there yet and it's hardly, but I've got plenty of projects in the works that I hope you'll be interested. Some of them Kamen Rider related, some of them not, but I hope they'll be of interest to you.

Alright, I've put it off long enough! Say it with me now... Spoilers, I guess~!

-Ah right, Ikki's about to forget about Vice.

-...and again, I sure hope that the chaos Vice caused was staged because if not, Ikki's reputation might go down the drain.

-AND SAKURA'S STILL HOLDING THE KETCHUP BOTTLE GIRL WYD

-Ooooooh, Cross Counter Kick!

-"It wasn't make believe" :(

-LOVE-CHAN

-FUCK

-It's okay Lovekov. We all done fucked up.

-:(

-NO DON'T LIVEDEVIL ME

-ARE WE STILL FIGHTING

-Refreshing. Like a long hot bath after a cold day.

-Going all out for Round 2!

-Ohhh, that brief glimpse of them untransformed was super cool.

-Awwww... bath time.

-New song, huh?

-Going back into Ikki by means of terminating the contract.

-Man...

-What a real nasty demon.

-Bon-kun :)

-Everybody's here :)

-This feels like less of an all-out brawl and more of one last day of playtime before a friend moves away. ...it's actually kinda moving in a weird way.

-"Kick his ass, Vice!" Love-chan craves blood.

-Gotta let go of some things eventually, huh?

-Awwww, Genome changing :)

-Ooooooh, fightin' dirty with Remixes, huh?

-OH GODDAMMIT

-You bastards had to sneak it in there, huh? Motherfuckers! Was that the plan all along!? To lure me into a false sense of security and crop-dust me?

-Man...

-We're truly going through them all, huh?

-Oh hey, Ptera Remix.

-We didn't even get to the midseason forms :(

-Man...

-Not goodbye.

-I am you... you are me...

-"I'm gonna remember you... whatever it takes..." :(

-Sayonara... Vice... :(

-Man...

-The fam :)

-There they be.

-Man...

-Been a few months, huh?

-Vice Duck?

-"Revolting?!"

-Blue Bird! With Dai-chan!

-Awww :)

-Trying all over again.

-Hana-chan... Tamaki-san... Even Hiromicchi!

-Kagerou :)

-We deed it.

-Smile :)

-Awwwww, Lovechan :)

-Hello, Hikaru-kun!

-You seem like you're doing pretty good for yourself.

-Gotta study.

-Dr. Sakura Igarashi.

-Muteki da!

-Ahhhh, Mama!

-"Haaaaaaaaaaaaa, get fuuuuuuuucked!"

-Makoto Hatsushiba, stuck in jail.

-"So, want some 'help', huh George?"

-Let's go, George.

-He took his cool rock back :)

-Ayyyyyy, Ikki doin' soccer again!

-Oh hey, it's Kimura.

-Epic.

-That's what every Kamen Rider longs for, huh? No longer being needed, but able to live a normal and happy life with friends and family even beyond the reach of those hardships.

-Oh, who dat?

-Kazuyoshi Miura, currently the oldest known professional soccer player in the world at the age of 55.

-That's pretty neat, actually.

-Wanna go pro, huh Ikki?

-:)

-We're boiling up!

-Still the same old Ikki, huh buddy?

-Ohhhh, he Vice talkin'!

-That was pretty good, Maeda.

-Nearly a whole year has gone by since I started liveblogging Revice.

-Now we need only wait a week or so before we start with Geats.

-Hip hip hooray

-Oh? What that?

-"Mine."

-Oh, there he is! Esu Ukiyo.

-"This random treasure chest outside your family's bathhouse is a Gamer Zone, you little scrublord."

-Ah, so we're not getting a last episode Vistamp.

-"See you soon. >:)"

-...rather refreshing, actually.

-How would I rank the Reiwa era shows so far?

-Hmmm... well, Zero-One was consistently great aside from some stumbles in the middle and near the end that left me only wanting more for certain characters, Saber started on the wrong foot but improved drastically with themes I personally really got behind, then

-Well then… now that Kamen Rider Revice is over, I think I'm gonna spend the day unwinding, pondering... maybe I'll get around to the next episode of Delicious Party Precure today if I'm feeling up to it.

[ethanharli]

Requested: 😘 i want to request, Reader is Eggsy ex-boyfriend (I guess) because Eggsy suddenly dissapear (coz his job being a spy) and no contact at all. One day reader see wounded Eggsy chased by some guy(VILLAIN) and reader help him to hide. And maybe some couple argument then room become heated and they can't help to touch each other lmao. Maybe some rough or kink to reminisce their relationship? Well anything is fine 😙

Pairing(s): Gary 'Eggsy' Unwin x Top Male Reader.

Warning(s): Slight Angst (but mostly fluff), Slight Arguing, Nfsw/Smutt, Kinda rough, Definitely biting, Couch sex, Begging.

A/n- I have never seen Kingsman and I have no idea if it takes place in a city (cause that's what I did and I realized it right when I finished it). And I'm sorry if this is bad :"(

___________________________________

Pushing my hands deeper into the pockets of my jacket I looked at the night sky, letting out a long drawn out breath, just to watch it blow away in the cold air. I always made it a habit to go on cool night walks, but they always feel lonelier then they used to, mostly cause I used to go on these walks with my ex-lover. It's been about two, maybe three years since he disappeared, just up and left with no way to get in contact with him, and I've slowly made peace with the fact I might not ever get to see him again, so all I can do is hope that where ever he is, he's okay. Taking a deep breath I headed down the sidewalk, trying to avoid the people that walked by, but out the corner of my eye I spotted two people running on the other side of the street, and I couldn't help but feel like one of them seemed familiar.

Looking down the side walk and back towards were I saw them, I didn't know what to do, on one hand I wanted to see what was going on but on the other I just wanted to head home. "Fuck it" After a moment of thinking it over I quickly crossed the street, making my way down the path they had ran, cursing once again when I found a gate blocking my way. Ripping off my jacket I let it fall to the ground before gripping onto the gate and swiftly pushing myself over it, hitting the ground on the other side with a soft thud. A small huff slipped past my lips as I saw only two paths, both left and right, most noise and footsteps coming from the left so I headed towards the right, "If I'm quick enough I might be able to get there before them."

Picking up the pace I quickly darted around the corners, using my security guard training as a way to keep a steady breath and cut corners. Finally making it to a clearing I saw the street was bustling with people, so taking a deep breath I headed to the other side of the alley, seeing the two quickly heading this way. So pressing my back to the other side of the wall I hid from their vision, quickly grabbing the arm of the one being chased as he came out of the alley and pulling him to the side. "What the-" I didn't let him continue as I dragged him into the crowd, watching as the other person let out a frustrated huff, scanning around on last time before walking away.

"[Y/n]?" I instantly turned at the call of my name, about to question how they knew it until my eyes meet a familiar blue pair. "Eggsy.." My breath caught in my throat as I looked at him, his brown hair obviously slick with gel but slowly starting to fall in front of his face, lips slightly parted as he panted for breath, but his eyes had me captivated, as they always did and I didn't know how to feel, torn between hugging him or yelling at him. Yet, once I heard a soft hiss slip past his lips as he gripped his side I pushed my feelings away and gently rested my hand on his shoulder, guiding him through the crowd, "Let's get you patched up." We didn't speak much on the way towards my apartment, he mostly sent awkward glances my way but I was to stuck in my own head to really care.

So when we arrived I made sure to check around making sure we weren't followed before I got him inside and settled him on a chair in the living room. "Take your shirt off, I need to look at the wound" I spoke bluntly, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that it's him, that he's here, after three long, painful years of nothing, he's finally here. Shaking my head I pulled out a first aid kit from the top cupboard, making sure to take a seat in front of the injured male, while trying to make sure my eyes didn't wander over his bare torso. Yet I immediately spotted the medium sized bruise on his side, it was a nasty shade of dark purple and I could tell it'll last for a long while, so, I went to work.

Five minutes, it took five minutes of him staring at me and gently pressing a heated pad to his side for him to finally say something. "You're still here? You always talked about moving, you worked hard so you could" His tone was soft and steady, but hesitant and I can't really blame him for that. Fidgeting every so often under my touch, trying to relax against the chair as I tapped my foot against the wooden floor, "Yeah well, that was before my boyfriend just up and disappeared out of no where." I didn't mean for the words to come out so harsh, but I couldn't deny the anger that slowly bubbled up within me. All the pent up anger and frustration over the years that I tried so hard to forget about, coming crashing back in one big tidal wave.

"[Y/n], I'm sorry I-"

"You're sorry?"

My eyes narrowed as I glared at him, trying my best to keep my anger under wraps as I grit my teeth together, "You left! Do you know how hard it was to know I went to sleep with you in my arms, thinking everything was alright, that we were alright, only to wake up with you gone." My body tensed at the memory of that night, remembering how we laughed and kissed, like there wasn't a thing wrong in the world and it was just us two. Going to bed with him in my arms, and telling each other 'I love you,' only to wake up alone, with all his stuff gone as well, "[Y/n] I had no choice." Something in me seemed to snap as I quickly stood from my seat, the hand that kept the warm pack on his side tensing slightly, as I leaned over him, not caring about the close proximity when I rested my hand on the back of the chair, trapping him between it and myself.

"No choice? You could've told me you were leaving! I spent three years- three long agonizing years thinking you left cause you didn't want to be with me anymore! And if that were the case then why not just fucking tell me?!" I couldn't stop the sudden rise of my voice, glaring into his blue eyes as I brought myself closer to him, making sure to keep eye contact even if we were only a few inches apart. Letting out a heavy breath I ignored the heat rising in his cheeks as I pressed forward, "I spent countless nights looking for you! Wondering where the hell you could've gone, and wondering if you were alright, cause I was scared shitless!" Tears slowly gathered in my eyes as I looked at him, feeling my heart ache in my chest, not feeling the way his hands rested on my arms.

"I was told to give up, I was told to accept the reality that you were probably dead, but I couldn't- I couldn't because I lo-!" My eyes widened when he pulled me down into a desperate kiss that I couldn't help but sink into, letting my eyes flutter shut as I brought my hand to the back of his head, running my fingers through the soft brown strands as our lips slid together perfectly, and I couldn't help but remember those countless nights we shared before as I dragged my tongue along his lower lip, shyly brushing our tongues together when he finally granted me access. However my hands traveled beneath his thighs, making sure not to touch his bruise as I hoisted him up and moved us towards the couch, pressing his bare back against the couch cushions before I peeled off my shirt and threw it to the side. I practically drank in the sight of him, a rosey red blush coated his cheeks and dusted lightly over his shoulders, his chest rising and falling as he panted softly, "Absolutely stunning, every god damn inch of you."

His blush only seemed to deepen from my words, while our noses bumped together slightly as he quickly pulled me back down into a feverish kiss, my hands trailing over his torso, rolling my thumbs over his nipples, forcing a high pitched whimper past his throat that had my cock throbbing from the sound of it. "Good to know you're still sensitive here" A sly smirk was brought to my face as I leaned towards his neck, dragging my tongue up his heated skin before I chuckled softly and bit down, "Ngh!" His pleasured grunts and roll of his hips against my own encouraged me to continue, making sure to litter his neck and shoulders with multiple love bites, as my thumbs continued to toy with his perky buds. "F-Fuck, [Y/n] please.." Sitting up I adjusted myself between his legs, drawing my tongue over my upper lip as I looked down at him, "C'mon baby, you know what to do" He narrowed his eyes at me in slight irritation but he knew as well I did that he enjoys it. So propping himself up against the armrest he looked me in the eyes as he unbuckled his pants, "Please [Y/n].. I need you, I need to feel you," He panted softly, beginning to slide out of his jeans and boxers, "Please, fill me up."

The mere sight of him nearly had me choking, and I hadn't realized just how much I missed the feeling of him beneath me, the feeling of him pressed against me. In a quick motion I brought my fingers to my lips, coating them in my saliva before moving them between his legs and positioning my middle finger at his entrance, "You ready sweetheart?" Watching him nod I let out a drawn breath before slowly pressing my finger inside him, watching him squirm a bit and I couldn't help but notice how tight he is.

"Let me kn-"

"Move."

His breathy moan caught me a bit off guard, but I was happy to comply and started to thrust my finger at an even pace, letting my lips continue to explore the unmarked places of his neck before sliding in another finger, "Ngh, Fuck" His moans only spurred me on and I couldn't help but notice how uncomfortably tight my pants have gotten. "Please just- just put it in [Y/n] please!" With a low chuckle I nodded my head, pulling my fingers out of him so that I could take off my own jeans and boxer briefs, then position my tip at his entrance, slowly pushing inside of him and shuddering at the feeling of his tight walls around me. "Fuck! Y-You can move" Letting out a soft pant I slowly rocked my hips, letting us both adjust until I quickened my pace, searching for a certain spot I had memorized years ago.

His nails dug in and raked down my back, letting out a broken shuddering moan that let me know I had found it, "There! Shit-" He groaned out as I made sure to hit that spot, raising my hand to gently wipe away the tears that gathered in his eyes before capturing his lips with my own, feeling his hips jerk when my other hand made it's way to his throbbing cock, causing my core to sting when he moaned into my ear, "I-Im gonna cum" He hissed softly, now rocking his hips with my own. "Go ahead sweetheart, cum for me" I spoke huskily, running my thumb over his tip while hitting his prostate dead on. Causing his body to shudder and tense beneath me, cumming into my hand as I speeded up my thrusts, hearing his breath hitch in his throat, "In or out?" I asked through clenched teeth, feeling him wrap his legs tightly around my waist, "In."

So with a quick thrust I came inside him, letting out hard batted pants that mixed with his own, and I couldn't help but lay on his chest, cuddling into him like I had done many times in the past, loving the feeling of his fingers running through my hair, I was tired, we both were, but I was scared to fall asleep, "Eggsy.." I spoke softly, looking up into his eyes as he smiled back at me, "Yes?"

"Please be here when I wake up.."

"I will, I promise."

And to my surprise, he was.

[yn-dere]

La sorcière • Y!K.TH

Synopsis: The goddess Ashtoreth seemed to have found her worshipper.

Ship/s: Photographer!Taehyung x Antagonist/seductress!Reader

Warning/s: Angst, Yandere/Dark themes, Manipulation, Mentions of killing, Bored and mean reader.

(Note: this takes place in the late 19th century)

'It is not the quality of the desired object that gives us pleasure, but rather the energy of our appetites'

~ Charles Baudelaire, The end of Don Juan

A dejected summer, that's what it was. The suffocating air that leaves you sweltering in your corset but I am anything but, naked on my cold feet with a cigar between those gentil fingers, sluggishly looking out from my apartment window into the florid affluent streets which were once quite and reserved. The sounds of playful squabbling, the occasional delightful squeals of children, the ecstatic laughter of women did nothing to soothe that covetous feeling throbbing at the pit of my stomach. Nor did the family of stars splattered all across the dark night sky with the dazzling moon nowhere to be seen. They seemed to be mocking me with every sparkle, impersonating my woe by disappearing this second only to come back and laugh at my face. Oh well. It hurts my chest as I exhale out the smog; I forgot that I even took a drag. Not even smoke can replace that void in my lungs now.

This moment is slightly pleasant though, accompanied by the crisp breeze that blows in through the drapes, strong enough to make my locks flutter and trigger my cigar to litter on the window railing (that I'm not bothering to clean anytime soon) but not enough to take the glum away with it. The only thing that found me pleasant enough to return. And... the troubled men that found home in my cosy and welcoming bed. Neither of them were guaranteed.

Thinking about men, I glance back into the dark room to spot the man I chose for the night. Blissfully sound asleep between my covers, with a small but radiant smile adorning his regal face. He really emulated the beautiful night sky, the baby constellation spreading across his portrait in the form of les grains de beauté. The way the light reflected off of his unblemished face puts la lune to shame, almost looking as if it is it's own light source. His beauty truly was bewitching and I would've felt envious of it if I didn't know any better.

If I didn't own an enormous dressing mirror in the corner which kept reflecting the street lights back onto my eyes; it was adorned with pink crystals, fresh roses and myrtles, white feathers and burnt out incense that left behind a soft but strong scent. It truly looked like an altar for venus herself, towering over me to have me take a look at the highly sexual, supremely confident, alluring female that offers endless pleasure and a bit of... danger. At least, that's what people men see. And I agree with it. I know the expression does sound like something that would come out of Narcissus' mouth as he stares into his reflection but can you really blame me?

It's the huge impact left on me by years and years of society misjudging me as just another pretty face in the crowd. No matter how hard I worked on something, it would always be de-emphasized. All the blood, sweat and tears only to be wasted because individuals couldn't see the nimble brain past the pleasant portrait. I wanted to stand out, and I did at times but.. not in the way I wanted to. But soon enough, I began to convince myself that maybe this isn't so bad at all, and wearily...

... I accepted it.

I accepted my place in the stupid community as one of those women, a blood sucking succubus is just how they saw me to be exact. Mind you, I've never stood sturdy in any of my subjects until I slowly started to abuse my power and it made me feel competent and sure enough I felt powerful enough to destroy families, to get someone to chase me so feverishly that they lose control but I guess I was never that valuable to keep nor was I important enough for someone to actually care about me. The only difference between your pompous narrator here and a poor mistress is that I don't have a fickle of hope nor do I really care enough about a particular visitor to be left heartbroken.

It still kills me to feel impotent at the end of the day (or the start of the day, when they leave me with nothing). I feel like THE FOOL, a frail dog chasing a car....

....But as the lonely sun finally decides to set to rest and the family of stars gets more discernable with every shimmer against the dark and misty horizon; I, once again find myself repeating history as if my life's a record on the phonograph. But as one get sick of listening to the same song over and over again, there's a momentary pause... and then an appalling revelation; it's seems as though you've been singing the most important part of the song, the chorus, wrong.

And suddenly I can grasp it all..

.

.

.

You see, lust is what makes one take a glance at you. Temptation is what makes them throw caution in the air, when they know they shouldn't. But is it really enough to keep the attention on you? Is the beauty really enough for the sirens who beckon sailors to their destruction? If that was the case, wouldn't mermaids be able to do the same? Love is-

"...h-hey?"

That deep voice...

Then suddenly, lean icy fingers grabbed my arm and pulled me back into reality just when I started inching through the darkness in my mind.

Oh God. How did I not see him wake up? Especially with the mess he made in an effort to get up from the bed? One of the pillows accompanied with the sheets are on the floor... those velvet covers are really hard to wash. I will never forgive him for that.

But my irritation soon turned into embarrassment when I pondered over how crazy I must have looked, naked while just staring into my mirror with a cigar in hand. Or what was left of it, the soft ash on my fingers, my bare breasts and one of my thighs.

"Is everything a-alright?" He questioned. I looked down to his palm which was still holding my arm with a firm grip. He followed my gaze, his eyes widening slighting as he quickly let it go. "I m-mean, you were kind of dazed off or something. I thought..." he muttered after clearing his throat in a futile attempt at ceasing the stuttering. "Yeah.. I was just thinking about something" I replied as I looked up at his eyes and his orbs that were just suffering with nervousness and uncertainty were now swimming in curiosity. I couldn't help but let a giggle get past my lips. He hummed in response as his brows furrowed. "about.. this." I uttered, feigning a bashful look. His brows furrowed even further, creating small lines on his otherwise smooth forehead. "What do you mean by "this" ?" He seems to have forgotten his tense stance and the risqué side of me wanted to bring it back so I tried. "Our liaison, everything we did and...." if it weren't for the pin drop silence in the room, I would've never heard his breath hitching as he waited for me to continue. "Us." I finished with a whisper...

... After what seemed like an eternity of waiting for him to answer, my patience wore thin so I couldn't help but gently poke his chest. It surely did broke the trance he was in and the cute timid man was back. "Uh- I- uhm" he stuttered, looking at everything but my presence. I slowly started to feel the disappointment building up in the bottom of my stomach. Why do I when I didn't even expected anything else? If this is the only way it can go for me, why not have a little fun? I couldn't help but let out a smirk which I covered in a second, hoping he didn't see it. "I might be quite racy at times but I don't just do this with anyone. I thought I told you in the tavern that if you are to leave, leave already..." as soon as I finished bluffing the sadness in my voice, I casted my eyes downwards at his feet as I anticipated the same white lies but they never came. I awaited the "I will never leave you", "you're the best thing that ever happened" or my personal favorite one " I have a wife and kids that I love very dearly" but he didn't say anything. And just as I was about to look up, the smooth dark honey voice cut me off.

"And I thought I told you that I didn't want to follow you back home for whatever fleshly pleasures you had to offer.." the hint of disappointment was evident. This was a new one to add in the book, eh? "But because my precious cameras are all in vain without your figure and your lively soul.. like an empty canvas to an artist with no references or muse." My ears couldn't help but perk up as he continued, " Sure, they might not be too good at capturing the enigma that is you as the films only render in shades of grey which evidently fails to recognize the different shades of your blush and the undertones, but this is all that I have..."

It's his time to wait as I, for the first time, didn't know what to say. He opened his lips once again "I would be lying if I said I didn't gravely fell in love the second I took my first glance at you months ago. Love at first sight was never my thing but you cleared all my doubts about the idea". I wanted to mock him and tell him about how lust in first sight is a thing, not love but I rather chose to humor him. "That's what they all said..." I slowly look up at his face, looking at each and every feature carefully leaving out his mors than intense eyes. "Who are "they"?" He asked with a slight fury in his voice and the sharp edge of the words spoken almost gashed my already tainted soul. I wish I didn't faked the courage and take a glance into his orbs since I saw the immense anger and hatred through his narrowed eyes as he scrutinized my very existence. I withered uncomfortably under his glare, already regretting opening my mouth without thinking.

"You seriously didn't just compare me to those men, did you? After everything I've done? After I got rid of those hideous women that had nothing else to do but spread nasty rumours about you because the same husbands that couldn't get it up for them were lusting after you? Because they couldn't hold their husbands accountable so they were threatened by you?" He took a sharp but shaky breath before continuing, "Or after I got rid of those men who bonded over their heinous fantasies about violating you?..." I cover my mouth, I feel like throwing up. Not because I don't want to/can't believe it but because this is alot of information to take in in a few minutes. I heard him sigh and his voice suddenly changed from being gruff to soft in a second as he saw my terrified look, "you see these hands, sweetheart?" He said in a slightly coaxing voice as he laid his large hand on top of mine, "They were only used to clicking pictures of everything beautiful and developing them but now, they're stained with shed blood of anyone who dared to lay a finger on you.... You made me this way. You made me so empathetically challenged. You did this."

Me? Me...

I did this. I made him this way.

"How could you have been so blind?"

How could I have been so blind?

Maybe I didn't give myself enough credit.

And as he continued to stare into my frame with such adoration that it reminded me of what I was thinking about before he startled me by waking up...

As I was saying previously, lust is what makes one take a glance at you. Temptation is what makes them throw caution in the air, when they know they shouldn't but it's still not enough to keep the attention on you. Love is. It is the greatest weapon of all. It's the most exceptional power that you can have over someone. Making them do what they never thought they ever would do, act in ways they might've mocked previous to meeting you, taking up any space in their mind that was left for rationality and instead plaguing it with sweet obsession. Not even fear dares to compete with love when it comes to power. If anything, they go hand in hand. It truly turns a mermaid to a siren.

Wow. It's not the family of stars that I envied, who would want to look like some aliens just jizzed all over the sky? I was made to be la lune, who with all her blemishes littering her skin still stood unfazed as her admirers wrote poems about her beauty. It's not the homely women that I envied, I have always been quite sophisticated but I just wanted to belong somewhere.

I wanted power over someone or something.

And the thought of me making this man do the most vile acts of crime that humanity cannot even begin to visualize in their brains flared up the familiar feeling of ascendency and competency but this time? It was about to stay. Why? Because he is to stay.

I softly smiled at that thought and slowly held my small hands up to his face to caress his cheeks. The shyness got to him as he squeezed his eyes shut to relish in the contact without having to look at my amused face. I could feel him slowly shaking under finger tips, his face was warm unlike the rest of his body. The effect that my small gesture had on him is unlike anything I've ever seen or experienced. This isn't vulgar, this is sensual. And sure, what I feel might not be love but it has one thing in common with it. It's a drug. A high we're both on, and not even my cigar, my only companion for so long can compete with it.

Let's see how long this lasts before I drain all life out of him... or maybe, this is forever but I doubt. Then again, he- wait a minute... what's his name, again? This is going to suck. As I was saying, he does like to surprise me so let's hope for the best.

"Okay, let's just forget we met like this... hello, my name's y/n", I reached out for his hand to shake with a small smile on my face. He erupted into giggles as he took my hand, "Nice to meet you y/n, this is taehyung." Taehyung. Oh taehyung. And suddenly the cheerful atmosphere turned into something sinister as I pulled him in.

"Taehyung, I am like a raging flame.. don't be a moth and get too close or I might destroy you" I whispered in my raspy voice, the smirk that played in my rouge lips being incredibly devilish along with that red unnatural glint in my eye.

"I want to be destroyed."