#he misses the vex commune

[linkito]

hello. my eye is still twitching but GOD the most recent rambles and rp bits that ange posted made my heart ACHE for scar. he's being so completely and totally overlooked here by multiple other hermits (like his own pain and trauma don't matter) and uuughhhghhghhghhg. anyway poking you to talk more about scar's thoughts and feelings throughout that all IF you would so like (so i can sob and weep and cry and continue to distract myself from work)

Oh gosh, it's bad honestly.

Because Scar knows where his heart is at, he knows he'd never do anything purposely cruel to Grian. But he can't speak for Grian's intentions. The Hermits are concerned that Grian is seeking out self-destruction with their antics and well... Scar just doesn't know.

The safest option for him is to simply wait it out. They put a pause to the rougher side of things, and honestly, that's fine! Scar could continue their relationship like this and he would still be happy. But...is it really their decision? Or are they letting other people think for them? People who don't know their experiences. People who don't know what it means, why they do these things in the first place.

But Scar feels like he has to keep these thoughts to himself. It feels impossible to remove his own desires from the equation if he speaks up, and he wants this to ultimately be Grian's choice.

(But keeping quiet means letting the Hermits have all the influence.)

He also feels like he's being held to a higher standard than is fair because of his seemingly violent nature. He has to appear more put-together and tame when he's around the Hermits. He has to hold back the claws, the teeth, the growling, and even his wings because they simply serve as reminders of his battered and ghastly nature.

And isn't it a little ironic to be hiding wings again? Somewhere where they're supposed to be safe to be themselves?

Grian's trauma results in him being withdrawn and skittish. People see that and pity him, which is a whole mess of its own, of course, but... Scar's trauma resulted in him growing defensive and on edge, ready to fight when normally he'd flee. ...It's harder to empathize with.

The Hermits don't realize what it is the two of them had to do to survive. All they see are sharp edges that they think need to be sanded down.

When the sleepover comes around, Scar practices a simple mantra: soft little kitten paws. Keep his claws retracted. Be gentle and charismatic-- all the aspects of the old Scar that the Hermits want him to be. He wears a dress shirt and a cozy-looking sweater vest. He gets a fresh haircut and combs it back. He uses his cane both because he's anxious and needs the crutch, but also because he hopes it makes him appear more harmless.

... and yet things still go wrong.

have a doodle for reading this far </3

[nyaagolor]

I like to think that the WAA is super haunted because the ghost lawyers got bored and want smth to do

[thoughtsfromlayla]

26 Ways of Taking You: E for Edging

Summary: Hell hath no pettiness like a woman ignored.

Notes: ~4k words of pure POR-, Dream in this fic can be summed up as "the light is on but no one is home", reader gives big bratty energy and I love that for her honestly (same)

Warnings: NSFW 18+, Sub!Dream, orgasm denial, edging (duh), unprotected intercourse, p in v, handjob, blowjob, riding, takin' it from da back

⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠄･ ⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄⠂⋆ ･ ⠄

Main Masterlist | Series Masterlist

D for Doggy ⇆ F for Face Sitting

How busy could a monarch possibly be? 

You sit on the plush couch, quietly seething like the crackling fireplace that accompanies you. It should be your husband who should be accompanying you instead. The book you were supposedly reading has long since become words on a page, the letters merging together and tangling within themselves. You dejectedly shut the book with a bang as you realize you’ve been rereading the same line with no progress for the past hour. 

You understand that Morpheus’ duties are never ending, as endless as his name, but would it really kill him to spend a few hours a day with you? With a sigh, you toss the book onto the ottoman and stand, your bones groaning as they finally move after hours of staying still. A bath wouldn’t sound half bad right now. 

Another sigh of relief leaves you as you enter the bathhouse. The large communal bath of natural spring waters was completely empty. You still take a quick glimpse around before stripping yourself before submerging into the hot water, the sudden change in temperature making your nipples perk. The temperature burns you for a moment, but you soon become acclimated to it. You completely submerge yourself, the natural hum of The Dreaming deafens as you do, and with all of your pent up frustrations, you scream into the water, watching as the air leaves your lips in large, aggressive bubbles that swim to the surface. 

“Anyway,” You say to yourself when you resurface, already feeling much better. 

You move to the side, grabbing at a bar of soap, and begin to lavish it across your skin, feeling the soothing effect glide over your skin. The water was doing wonders on your muscles and the hum that leaves your lips was that of satisfaction. 

“There you are,” Morpheus’ voice echoes in the empty room. 

You turn slowly as you look at him, your body fully submerged in the water, except for anything above your nose. You stay quiet, too vexed with him to say anything of note. Instead, you turn away and continue washing your body. 

“Are you that angry with me?” He continues and you hear the faint rustling of him removing his clothes and him walking into the bath soon after. The still water sloshes around his waist as he continues his path towards you and you soon feel his cooler limbs wrap around your body. 

“Have you missed me?” He murmurs into your neck as he rests his head there. The comfort of your skin against his revitalizes his tired body. 

The grip you had on the soap turns bone-crushing at his question. Have you missed me? You repeat his question in your head in a mocking tone. He surely needs to be punished for leaving you alone for so long. A plan is quick and easy to form in your head and a sly smile crawls on your lips. 

You turn in his arms, the same smile on your lips as you look up at him. 

“Dearly,” You answer back and press your lips to his. The heat of the bathhouse increases the heat that grows at your core. “Let me show you how much, my love.”

The suds of the soap drips down your hand as you continue to lather the bar with your one hand. The other hand is placed commanded on his shoulder to prevent him from running away, as if he would ever do so from your touch. A smile appears on his face as well as your sudsy hand trails down his chest and closer to his nether regions. 

It is of no surprise to you when you already feel his half erection greeting you beneath the waters. Your slippery fingers grasp around the shaft and a broken gasp leaves Dream’s mouth. You meticulously move your hands along his cock as you wickedly watch as he throws his head back in pleasure. His Adam’s apple bobs with each beautiful sound that comes out of his throat and you don’t restrain yourself from wrapping your lips around the protruding piece.

Slowly, your hand increases in pace, gripping his cock tighter as you do so, the water and soap assisting you as your fingers glide across the skin. His moans and groans soon turn breathless and he’s simply breathing hard and desperate against your hand. The sounds echoed across the walls of the bathhouse. 

His hands shoot out of the water as he grabs the back of your neck, looking deeply into your eyes as your hand continues its ministrations. His eyebrows crease as his dick jumps in your hand, mouth open in a silent plea as his orgasm comes closer to its peak. A whisper of your name like a prayer falls from his lips and both of you know he won’t last long. Morpheus closes his eyes in anticipation as his muscles tense below his skin. 

His eyes snap open as your fingers leave him, pushing yourself back away from his body and he’s left standing on wobbly legs. The water ripples from his trembling and close orgasmed body. 

“What-”

“Would you look at the time? I should go to bed now. Good night, Morpheus,” You cut him off with a firm hand. 

His eyes follow you as you walk out of the bath. Eyes lingering on the roundness of your ass cheeks as they pop out further as you climb up the stairs. His feet stay planted in the bath as you wrap yourself in a towel. He stays still even as you leave the room without a second glance at you. He could finish himself off, but he knows it wouldn’t be as good as your hands.

The next day, you catch Morpheus and yourself by surprise as you see him standing along the aisles of the library. Embarrassment floods your system as you vividly remember what transpired the other day. Never had you defied him so easily… and felt so happy to do so.

You peek over the bookshelf you were half hiding behind. Morpheus had an off-glazed look in his eyes. His finger was resting on the spine of a book and he kept it there for a while. If you squint you don’t think he was even breathing. You walk up to him, his gaze still not noticing you. A tap on his shoulder was enough to garner his attention, and he seemed to snap out of his zombie-like state after seeing you. 

“Are you all right, my dear?” You ask in truth. His distracted demeanor is a cause for concern. 

Almost immediately his eyes harden and a frown grows on his face. 

“You,” He growls down at you. “You left me wanting last night, denying me such a thing like that is cruel.”

You huff at his accusation. If denying one orgasm is cruel, what does he call leaving you alone for days on end then? 

“Want me to make it up to you?” You reply coyly and with a smile. Your fingers go to the lapels of his jacket and smooth over them. 

A quizzical brow raises itself at your compromise but his will dejects with a sigh. “How would you do that, dearest?”

“Well, I could…” You trail off as your fingers down his chest, just like the night before. You feel the sturdiness of the chest and how his heartbeat thrums beneath your fingers. He’s so real for the physical manifestation of a concept. “I could do something better than last night?” 

He hums as your fingers ghost over the hem of his jeans, feeling his happy trail and the depth of the lines that lead itself to his cock. You cup at his growing hardness through the rough material and his hands once again go to you, holding you gently on your waist. 

His eyes hold yours as you sink to your knees before him, a smile still evidently on your face. You don’t bother looking away when your fingers pop the button, nor when you pull at the zipper, his breath growing heavier at each tick of the metal. Your fingers tickle gently over the length of him behind the thin cloth of his underwear. 

His hand grabs at the root of your hair as his hips impatiently bucks into your face. With a flat tongue, you press the wet appendage over the tip of him, wetting the cloth underneath as you trace around his frenulum. The smell of his manhood invades your senses as you do so and your eyes roll to the back of your head at his soft moan. 

A little pull is all you need for his cock to spring out of its confinement, hot and heavy and leaking with excited precum. You feel its warmth as your soft lips kiss his tip, taking your hands around his base. You lick at the precum carefully then and his grip strengthens in your hair. 

“You said it would be better. Enough teasing,” He commands and you feel your lips tug into a barely containable smile. 

Without debate you wrap your lips around his tip, suckling at the supple skin. The bookshelf he leans against rattles as his head slams into the wooden material. You take down another inch while your hand continues to work his base. Saliva drips through your lips, creating a trail down a vein as you continue to suckle. 

A guttural groan tells you to go deeper, and you do until you feel him hitting the back of your throat. Your eyes begin to tear slightly at the large intrusion, but you push through for your master plan. You hollow out your throat, taking him down the tight cavern, and relish in the feeling of his thighs flexing under your fingers. 

Your nails dig into his thigh muscles as you bob your head back and forth on his weeping cock, the filthy mixture of saliva and pre-cum rests deliciously on your tongue. Morpheus has started to curse from above you at the warm fit. The Dreaming around you begins to hum louder as you pull back on his cock, sucking as hard as you could with him in your mouth. 

His dick jumps in your mouth, his telltale sign that he is close to his orgasm. That and your name falling from his lips once again. His hand has yet to leave your hair as his hips try to take over by bucking themselves into your mouth each time you try to pull back. His thigh muscles spasm each second that passes and just as he’s about to see the stars, you remove your lips with a satisfying pop. 

Cold air wraps around his cock instead of your warm mouth and he does his best to stop the whine that almost escapes his lips. Morpheus’ breath is ragged above you and his frown returns as he glares down at you. You looked perfect like this to him, on your knees, cheeks flushed, hair messy, and eyes watery. The only thing wrong with the picture was your satisfied grin that spread across your face and that very obvious fact that your mouth isn’t being put to use satisfying him. 

“What do you-”

“Oh my, I think I hear Lucienne coming. I should go, goodbye, Morpheus!” You cheerfully lie as you stand and briskly walk away. 

Lucienne was, of course, nowhere to be seen in the library. Both of them knew she was out gathering the consensus for the new year. Morpheus groans as he presses his palms into his eyes. You were going to be the death of him, even without trying. He’s starting to finally think that you were up to something, that devious smile of yours still flashes across his mind when he closes his eyes. He carefully puts his softening cock back into his pants as he absentmindedly thinks to himself. He doesn’t even remember why he was in the library to begin with. 

Morpheus’ thoughts trail with him throughout the day and even the Dreaming residents notice the forlorn face that he wore. It was said that while he was attending to his duties and upholding the Dreaming, it was almost barely viable. His attitude turned sour and only answered Matthew’s questions with a simple grunt or resounding “no” (not much of a change there if you were to ask the bird). Lucienne was less than amused but unable to find you to help fix this issue, she kept quiet and hoped it would pass quickly with time. 

That night, you were back on that couch, the fireplace was going again and the book you were reading was back in your hands. You’re freshly washed and enjoying the soft fabric of your summer’s nightgown as your feet tangle with the soft furs of the rug. This time, you did manage to read a few chapters but after a while, your thoughts went to the faces Morpheus made each time you denied his orgasm and a chuckle shakes through you. Surely this will teach him to never leave you alone for more than a couple days at a time. 

The Dreaming this and The Dreaming that, well, next time he will remember that you too are a part of his world if he should ever want to feel the sweet release of his orgasm again. You’re sure the last two days have been Hell for him, but it was all worth it. That desperate look on his face was like sweet victory trickling down your throat, smooth and refreshing. 

The door to your shared room opens with a bang causing you to drop your book in surprise. You look at Morpheus with wide eyes as you’re completely caught off by his sudden intrusion. Words fail you as he swiftly makes his way to you, standing in front of you with his lips tugging downwards. A scoff leaves you as you realize he’s pouting at you. 

“What ever is the matter, sweet Morpheus?” You tease in an almost condescending, sickly sweet voice. 

“You’re punishing me.” It wasn’t a question. He states it loud and clear. It had taken him all day to decipher your actions. The thought had been chasing him for the past two days, but he was always faster than it, jittering from denied orgasms and responsibilities to accomplish. 

“No!” You gasp with exaggeration. “We were simply interrupted!” 

Morpheus stays silent at your blatant lie, if anything you basically smacked him with a sign that read “yes, obviously, you numb-nut of a lover.” He doesn’t bother to move either, his eyes betraying his pseudo-domineering stance at the moment. 

“Well, good conversation then,” You mutter to yourself as you pick up your book again. You turn to the page you left off on and begin to read again. 

Morpheus’ gaze burned two holes into the top of your head as you read. Not before long, another surprised noise leaves you as he plucks the book from your hands and throws it off into some unknown corner of the room. 

“Lucienne is going to murder you for treating her books like that,” You comment with a cross of your arms. 

“She’ll survive,” He growls down at you. He’s met with your brow raising in turn, in which he finally pieces the last piece together. “Are you acting out because I’ve been neglecting you?”

Dang, he really hit the nail in the head with that one. You turn your head to the side, arms still crossed as you respond. 

“Well, I certainly got your attention this time.”

“I’d say,” He muses. He sits down by your feet, the white fur of the rug in stark contrast to his outfit. The fireplace softens his sharpness with its warm glow as you look at him from above. 

You think the conversation was over then, it seemed like the two of you came to a conclusion. Getting up from the couch, you try to walk over to the corner the book was lying in, but are stopped almost immediately as he holds onto your wrist. 

“How can I make it up to you, my love?” He asks and the pout almost makes it to his lips again. And, well, how can you say no to a face like that? 

You join him on the rug, hands cupping at his face. He leans into your touch, the moment endearing as you look at him. 

“Did we learn anything?” You ask.

“Yes.”

“Lay down for me, darling. And let’s get rid of the clothes,” You hum. 

The change is instantaneous as he lays down per your request. The furs caress against your shins as you move to straddle him, picking up the helms of your nightgown in the process. Your arousal starts to drip out of you at the sight before you. Reducing a King to nothing but a needy lover was a sight for fond eyes. It’s the thought of knowing that he could easily overpower you if he so wanted, but relinquishing all his power just so you may touch him? Delicious. 

Your pussy lips slide across the length of him as you get comfortable sitting on his lap. Morpheus’ hands easily find themselves, once again on your waist. How he wished you would strip for him as well, but he doesn’t voice his want in case you decided against touching him tonight. 

Leaning over, you go to kiss him, feeling his soft lips against yours and even you can’t deny your body when it grinds down over his cock. A satisfied hum emits from your throat as his hands wander over the curve of your ass and you leave his lips to give him bruising kisses along his pale skin. You are a painter and he is a canvas where you will show the world how much you loved him. Red blooms across the soft skin, his grip on you tightening. 

His hips thrust upwards with a moan, to which you defiantly sit down harder on him to prevent him from moving anymore. Your name falls from his lips in a hushed whisper, barely audible over the crackling fire. It sends a tug into your core, to hear it in such reverence. With heavy breath, you lean back and watch as his lips try to chase you. 

Morpheus stops himself short when he sees you raising slightly, hand moving between the two of you and firmly grabbing at his cock. You guide himself under you, teasing him a bit more by sliding his tip across the length of your slit. His mouth opens in protest, but before words can come out, you sink yourself onto him. 

Harmonious groans tangled with each other at the feeling. The familiar stretch of him leaves you panting above him. Your warmth was incomparable to your hands or mouth and Morpheus’ nails left small crevices in your thighs. The slight pain grounds you from drifting off into a complete world of pleasure. It takes a few moments for you to start moving your hips, the size of him taking a few moments to adjust to. The first drag of his cock in you leaves you shaking already. It had been too long since you had last felt the touch of his skin against yours. 

With your hands bracing themselves on his chest, you begin your bounces, keeping a rhythm that you like. Morpheus is like putty beneath your fingers, grasping at any part of you that he could in his throes of pleasure. His hair is beyond tussled, his lips dry and parted as noises accompany the slap of your thighs against his. 

Each bounce makes his tip kiss against your cervix, your walls fluttering around him in a vice like grip at how well you took him. It was familiar but exciting each time you took him again and again. The smell of sex accompanies the smell of burning wood on the floor as your thighs shake in exhaustion. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” You whine out as you realize your rhythm starts to slow down. 

You settle to grind on him instead, loving the way the new maneuver has his tip rubbing against the spongy spot in you. You gasp with your head thrown back as you’re about to reach your peak. 

Morpheus stares at you in awe, sweat highlights your skin in the lowlight and your breasts bounce with each grind you push down onto him. Your hands brace themselves on his thighs as you feel your orgasm impeding slowly into your system. Just a few more like this and you would be done for and Morpheus would soon follow. 

Another mischievous idea pops into your head through the haze of pleasure. With the remainder of your strength, you rise, letting his cock slip out of you. Morpheus whines this time, unable to hold it back as his hands grip your waist trying to pull you back onto him, to let you ride him into oblivion. 

You feel his heat as you hover over his cock, panting into his neck. You may have denied your own orgasm, but seeing his teary and begging eyes was exactly what you wanted. His chest heaves with annoyance as a familiar frown makes its way onto his face. 

“What do you think you are doing? I am going to kill you,” He accuses beneath you. The insult leaves his mouth but both of you know he would never follow through with it. 

“I think… ha…” You’re still panting, cardio has never been your strong suit. “I think I’m too tired. I should turn in for the night, my love.” 

“Surely you are joking,” He laughs void of any actual amusement. 

“No, no, I’m just sooo tired. Yeah.” You fake a yawn as you unstraddle his waist. 

His eyes trail you as you stand on wobbly legs, using the couch as a crutch as a halfway point to your shared bed. 

“Absolutely not,” He comments as his hand brings you down again having you kneeling before the couch.

He’s quick to appear behind you, running his fingers down your spine to rest on your hip. The sensation leaves you weak and limp, bracing on the seat of the couch and resting your head on your arms. A kiss to the center of your shoulder blades is the only warning he gives before he inserts himself into you again. 

Morpheus doesn’t wait as he picks up a brutal pace, each thrust he gives you communicating his frustrations. The legs of the furniture scratch the floor beneath it as it rocks with your body. You’re left, once again, panting in pleasure at the drag of his cock within your walls. 

His grip on your hip is enough to bruise, to remind you of your passionate night the day after. His other hand snakes in front of your neck, pushing your face upwards, scattering your broken moans into the air. 

The orgasm you denied yourself comes back with full force, your eyes shutting as you feel it searing through you. With help from Morpheus, as he thrusts forward into you, your lower lips clamp down onto him, releasing your cum over the front of his highs in a satisfying orgasm. Your back bows forward at the release and you’re left panting into the cushions. 

“Let me cum,” He weakly commands as he feels your slick coating him.

“Please, yes! Cum,” You moan, riding through your orgasm as he continues pumping into you. 

He bites down on your shoulder, his groan muffled between your skin as he climaxes into you. His cock twitches in you as he cum releases into the deepest part of your being. You feel as if your mind is full of cobwebs as he stays in you, keeping you full until his erection turns soft. 

The softness of your shared bed barely registers in your mind as he moves the two of you over. The blanket is placed over your naked bodies and he pulls you close. His lips press into your temple as he chants mantras of his devotion to you as you fall asleep in his arms a satisfied smile on his face. 

This time, Morpheus has learned his lesson as he stares adoringly at your peaceful face. How could he ever forget something like that?

D for Doggy ⇆ F for Face Sitting

Main Masterlist || Series Masterlist

Time to get back to that angst fic, but we can enjoy this as like... a palate cleanser or something

I'm now on Ao3! The fics are very slowly getting added when I have the energy to. I never knew how in-depth the tagging system went and I get tired looking at it...

♡ Yours, Layla

[sillyteecup]

That Dam attitude

Jey Uso × black!reader

Warnings:

18+

Strong language

Suggestive content

Violence, I guess? (don't thump your partners with ores)

Translation: Thixo=God

~A.N: This is me, entering the Bloodline community with a little love for Jey (I need Triple H to stop playing with him and give him a title opportunity) while working on that little Roman AU. Hope you like it. Enjoy. ❤️

30 minutes. That's how long Josh had been sitting on the other side of their shared kayak pouting like a 5 year old. Arms folded, lips pressed, eyebrows furrowed-the whole package. All because he much rather would've stayed back at their booked villa fucking instead of actually adding some adventure to their vacation.

And Siya, was frankly tired of it. "Not you still sitting over there pouting and shit," she commented with an annoyed look on her face.

Looking equally vexed, he replied, "Not you got us in the middle of the fucking ocean at 8 am on vacation," to which Siya rolled her eyes.

"First of all, dumbass it's a dam. Second of all, I did not come all the way out here to fuck, sleep, eat and repeat, I came out here to have fun and relax," she said. The fact that they were in Cape Town where there was so much to see and do (for Josh anyway since Siya had been there plenty of times as a child) and all he wanted to do was move like a damn Neanderthal amazed her. Fucking men.

"Oh, and praytell Siya, which part of any of this is fun or relaxing?" he asked incredulously, gesturing at the kayak. "And I want you to think very carefully about your answer because if you tell me some bullshit about connecting with nature, I will flip this bitch over and we gon' swim back to the dock," he warned.

At this, Siya's eyes narrowed. There was no way this man was serious. "So you, Joshua Fatu, mean to tell me that you would trade in all of this natural beauty and peace for sex? Is that what you're saying to me right now?" They were on a kayak on the Waterfront dam with a perfect view of the Table mountain and the overall serene vibe of one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. And this man wanted to trade that in for some pussy? Bomb pussy, that is but semantics.

He smirked. "Ey ma, let's just say I'd prefer to be knee-deep different type of natural beauty, know what I'm sayin'?" he said, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Usually she'd find this funny and fold like a pretzel, but this time around her pussy was sore from all the work he'd been putting in since they landed 2 days prior, she was already running out of thongs since he kept tearing them off her (with the promise to buy her ne ones of course) and frankly, she was starting to miss being able to walk without holding onto something for support. As a matter of fact, part of her had actually considered having him admitted into a rehab because his addiction to her cooch was on its way to paralyzing her from the waist down.

"You need help. Professional help," she snarked, pointing her acrylic decorated nail at him, making him chuckle.

"Girl you better stop acting like you don't like creaming on this shit," he laughed, right as an older white couple rowed by. They looked aghast, as though they'd heard his comment, which mortified Siya.

"Joshua!" she scolded before apologizing profusely to the other couple, who continued clutching their pearls while they did their best to get as far away as possible from the younger pair. She shot Josh a deadpan look, one he responded to with an innocent shrug.

"Look babygirl, ain't my fault white folk can't mind their business," he said defensively.

Siya lifted her ore and gently thumped him on the head with it, making him hiss. "No, but your big ass mouth yelling our business for the whole fucking continent to hear is your fault. No home training, I swear," she complained as she continued to row.

Still rubbing his head and trying to row with one hand, he frowned. "Oh but when you're the one hollering at the top of your lungs for me to fuck you like a little slut while doin' tricks on the dick, might I add, it's all good?" Josh retorted, to the horror of another older couple rowing by.

"Thixo," Siya heard the older woman gasp. She sent the lady an apologetic smile and let out a string of "sorries" in Xhosa, before turning to glare at Josh again.

"The fuck all these old people doing out here so early anyway?" he exclaimed, albeit, quietly. "This is a sign if you ask me."

Siya was seething. "Fuck, you," she hissed with a deadly glare to match.

"Tuh, I wish you would," Josh replied, earning another, this time less gentle, thump to the side of his head. He raised his eyebrows, challenging his girlfriend to do it again. "Girl, you better stop playing with me, 'else it won't be no discussion."

Another thump.

"Siya," he warned, mildly irritated.

Usually she would stop but this time she was annoyed by his prior antics. "Joshua," she mocked him, moving to deal another thumped, only for him to grab her ore.

His face was set in stone. He definitely wasn't playing anymore. "Stop it," he commanded.

Siya however, was not moved in the slightest. "Or what?" she challenged.

He leaned closer to her, careful not to tip the kayak over as no one was rowing at the moment. "Keep fucking around and you gon' find out real soon," he growled.

Siya kissed her teeth defiantly. "You ain't gon' do shit."

Josh chuckled darkly as he sat back up straight. This girl was clearly dead set on testing his patience and she was gonna reap what she sowed. She didn't know it yet, (or maybe she did) but as soon as they got back to that villa he was gonna put her back in her place and fix that damn attitude.

[traumxrei-archive]

【 take me home (don’t wanna be alone anymore) 】

summary: Yuu was standing and alive, a logical part of him said. Screw being fucking logical, Leona thought spitefully, they had almost died. (or, the leonayuu mafia au where yuu almost dies and leona isn’t equipped for how that makes him feel)

word count: 1.5k | warning: suggestive content

author’s note: leonayuu except they’re both bad with feelings + in the mafia, so the only way they know how to communicate is to hurt each other. hope you enjoy ^^

[ or read on ao3 ]

It was a greeting devoid of words. Leona's eyes met theirs and his hand slipped under their shirt in an attempt to deny it. To deny the fact that Yuu had gotten injured. Yet all that Leona could feel was the expanse of bandages covering their body.

His hand mapped the wrappings, from their ribs to waist to their lower back. They winced at his grip though they kept their mouth shut while the anger burned, scalded, and tore at him.

"Off," Leona demanded, and there was a short intake of breath before their shirt was being thrown onto their bed. It was worse now that he could actually see everything.

"What the fuck," He muttered as he traced over another bandage on their arm and shoulder that he had missed.

It was...maddening. Absolutely maddening how he saw red when it came to them; when it came to the bandages scattered across their skin. Yuu was standing and alive, a logical part of him said. Screw being fucking logical, Leona thought spitefully, they had almost died.

He was sure that they were dying to speak, their sweet words of reassurance ready at the back of their throat. But before the words could escape, Leona got there first. His hand wrapped around Yuu's neck, squeezing with promise as his other hand pushed them back toward the bed. They went easily, the movements practiced though they shouldn't be. Because it was the first time he had done this, the first time that they had—

Leona forced his gaze into theirs, finding a quiet trust there. He shouldn't have felt so reassured. Bad habits always die hard, he thought as his thumb pushed Yuu's chin to the side, exposing their mercifully unmarked— unhurt— neck. His teeth itched to sink into their skin, to force them to submit, and promise that they wouldn't do something so reckless, to never disappear from his—

Yuu's throat bobbed, and raw compulsion shot through Leona like a bullet.

He caved, his lips dragging against their neck. Leona had no mind to be gentle. Not when he was seeking reassurance in the most cowardly way possible. Their heartbeat thudding under his mouth, the feel of it spiking when his teeth bit a little too hard; a little too close to tearing skin. It was all proof that they were alive. Here. Right under him. 

Cowardly, how cowardly. The crownless king who had so much but couldn't truly ever possess the one thing he wanted more than anything. Because the only way to possess a person was to cut off their wings, they were...they were Yuu.

Wonderfully vexing Yuu, whom Leona would follow to his foolish death.

"Ah–" It was the smallest sound, just a half formed thing that had barely escaped by chance, yet he greedily devoured the syllable from their lips, his fingers tangling in their hair. His other hand traced over the bandages again, the one that mapped the expanse of their side, to the one at their arm, and finally to their neck, where he knew bruises would soon bloom.

Leona pulled away, the kiss ending as abruptly as it started. The only trace that neither wanted it to end was the way their bodies were still pressed together; hovering too close to feign ignorance.

He wiped at his mouth, "Were you trying to die without my permission?" It wasn't the right thing to say. Leona knew it wasn't, but they had been playing this twisted game for so long. Ever since that day he met them in that decrepit alleyway, the day they promised to follow him with blood staining their smile. He did not know how to treat Yuu with softness, for everything they did made him burn.

"Leona," There was a half smile on those lips; this time devoid of blood. "It was an ambush. I only did what I did to keep everyone alive." Liar, Leona bit back his words. He heard that they had been targeting Yuu. And he knew it was all to get to him.

"If I didn't want you alive, I wouldn't have taken you as one of my people," Leona was surprised at how calmly his voice sounded as he spoke, even if his fingers were digging deeper into the mattress. "If I had tired of you, then maybe—"

"Leona," His brow twitched, and Yuu's hand finally brushed his hair. Did his expression betray him? "I'm sorry it escalated so far." His lips twisted into a scowl. Leona's mind couldn't help but conjure the memory yet again. 

The sirens were blaring as he pulled up to the building. It was reported to be a fire, but he knew an ambush laid in wait. Leona rushed in, gun in hand as he fought his way into the office. There were too many scattered bodies for him to see straight beyond the smoke.

And Yuu was missing. The person that had tripped the fire alarm, recklessly locking themselves in the building with the attackers.

Leona broke down the door to his office. He found it ransacked, desk full of bullet holes. There was....blood everywhere. On his chair, his papers, the couches. It was like someone wanted to make sure that everything was as bloody as it could be.

The inside of the safe was the only hiding space left to check. A numbing fear hit Leona as he entered the code. You'd think that there was no way someone could survive after losing that much blood. But against all odds, Yuu had their gun trained on the door as he entered.

Yuu had seen him.

Their eyes flickered with recognition, as their lips mouthed what was he knew was his name. And it was like their will to hold on had vanished. Their eyes slipped shut, body growing limp and already cold before he could reach them—

A warm hand touched his cheek, and he looked at them again, "If I was ever gonna die, I'll die after you die."  Something in Leona calmed considerably at the sentence. It was a platitude, plain and simple, but he couldn't shake the deep satisfied relief he felt to hear it, even if they were lying.

Leona's eyes dropped to the bandages, and again the scent of blood seemed to cloud his nose. A hand tugged at his collar and Leona was jerked closer.

Now they were frowning, "Stop it." Stop replaying it in your mind. They knew him too well for him to hide any longer.

And then they kissed him.

I'm alive, look at me, they commanded, kissing him with such bruising intensity it halted Leona's thoughts.

Stop looking at me like I'm gone, they seemed to demand, their teeth biting at his bottom lip with purpose.

They hammered the words into him, and Leona felt almost breathless at the feeling. It consumed him, until all his anger faded and all he could think about was them, their presence in front of him commanding the same gravity that the sun wielded. And Leona was nothing but a slave to their orbit, as they were to his.

There was a tremble in their hand as they held his face, a gentleness unbefitting of the aggressiveness they displayed. If he was a coward, then it seemed that they were two of a kind. Leona knew it then, as his hand brushed away a stray tear from their cheek. (Did there exist a person who was immune to the fear of death? Leona sure had never met one.)

They parted, languidly this time, and Leona lowered his head. Their hand brushed over his hair before they spoke, "My wound hurts." Leona instantly shifted his weight, lying by their side instead. "It's not your fault, dummy lion." He grunted, keeping his eyes closed as they nestled closer. They held firm onto his hands, as if they knew that they itched to run over the bandages again.

"Welcome back, Leona," Yuu murmured, the nostalgic greeting burrowing deep into his heart, finding softness where he didn't know it was capable of festering. It was late, late by the weeks it had taken for Yuu to recover and wake up, and the weeks still it took for him to track down the people who had dared to order such an operation against his right hand.

"I'm back," Leona answered, and it felt right. It was a promise, between two people whose lies would probably bite them back someday. It was was an open secret that Leona would give his life if it meant that Yuu was safe. And he was sure that Yuu would do the same, no matter how much he insisted that they shouldn’t.

But that was who they were.

Two cowards, who couldn't allow themselves the weakness of love. Two liars, guns pointed at the most vulnerable parts of each other. But for now, they were just Leona and Yuu. And they were finally home.

supplementary brainrot bc this au has been plaguing me for days:

leona’s the boss and yuu’s the right hand (and ruggie’s the left hand >:D)

the gang started off as leona, yuu, ruggie, and jack, and grew into an actual criminal organization as they grew together

in this au, leona’s family aren’t in the picture bc leona ran away from home as a teen

the reason why leona’s so protective over yuu is because they grew up together

(they met as teenagers, and after fighting n saving each other a few times, yuu does the completely normal thing of offering leona their undying loyalty, and leona responds by doing completely normal thing of telling them that they’re now 'his person’.)

+ obviously he’s madly in love with them, he just has the emotional intelligence of a grapefruit (and so does yuu. rip relationship.)

they’re both bad at admitting their feelings; leona was worried and it translated as anger, and yuu was afraid of dying, but it translated as nonchalance,,,,,they’re just little freaks (lovingly)

also songs i listened to while writing: take me home by ateez; new cydonia by starcadian; easy love by sf9; gunners in the rain by mili

thank you for reading ! if you enjoyed, check out other fics on my masterlist or ao3 <3

[give-grian-rights]

Hermitcraft - Basic History of Teams!

Alright. Buckle in.

Only a few days from now, and Hermitcraft 10 will begin! If you're new, I hope this helps!

Hermitcraft has existed for over ELEVEN YEARS now! While very few have been here for every single season, with the exception of our lovely Tumblr Resident, and official Tumblr Sexy Man Joe Hills, and our derp Xisumavoid.

You are under NO obligation to watch every season. There are probably few, if any, active users in this community who have. It's just not possible to watch it all. You don't need to watch the previous seasons to enjoy our community space! While there are a lot of back-references, for MOST people, it doesn't extend to lore and actions any older than season 6.

Most of the Hermits are associated with specific other members, despite ALL OF THEM taking turns collaborating, interacting, and sometimes building whole new dynamics and factions in the process. Some of the team-ups that you'll see referred to in fandom-spaces and the occasional one-off mention from our creators, include:

(Season 5) NHO, New Hermit Order - Docm77, Ethoslab, Bdoubleo100, and VintageBeef. Living in a jungle while having "fights" with others. Attempts to tax those who enter their jungle, had traps around it, and criticized the then-popular AFK Fishing Farms. Bdoubleo100, or Bdubs, especially enjoyed stealing from these. (Season 5-6) Convex, or ConCorp - GoodTimesWithScar and Cubfan135. One group I am the least familiar with unfortunately. They built a brand around the Vexes, with their business having pretty extreme low-morals that includes pollution and war profiteering.

(Season 6) ArciTects - Very close to be naming "BuildStone", it was proposed by and founded by Grian to Mumbo, later giving an invite to Iskall85. The purpose of this alliance was for builders to help redstoners, and redstoner to help builders. It accumulated in the ATTEMPT of founding the "greatest shop in the history of Hermitcraft", Sahara. It was, hilariously, a very large failure. Grian miraculously managed to entirely ruin the system with a single baked potato. No, I don't know how.

(Season 6) G-Team & Team STAR (Superior Tactical Alliance for Retaliation) - The Hermitcraft Civil War, consisted of a long list of minor conflicts in which various members of Hermitcraft blamed other people for pranks they committed, eventually spiraling into the confusion that was The Civil War! G-Team: Grian, TangoTek, Iskall85, Joe Hills, ZombieCleo, StressMonster101, and iJevin. Team STAR: Docm77, WelsKnight, FalseSymmetry, ImpulseSV Xisuma, RenDog

Mumbo Jumbo acted as a mole in Team Star, for the G-Team. He created this commercial for Team STAR. Team STAR made a very iconic diss track, which was soon remixed. It is a...Very iconic piece of Hermitcraft fandom. The result was Joe Hill's Response, in his short video also remixed by the same creator. Albeit missing the additions of the totally real voices of the other G-Team members

(Season 6) Area 77 & The Hippies - (I didn't finish Hippies POV and i didn't watch anything of Doc or Scar's POV of this unfortunately) Area 77 was founded by (unsurprisingly) Docm77, and GoodTimesWithScar, where they were doing experiments and studying abonomalies. SOmehow, this lead into Grian, once again, turning against them and forming The Hippies with the help of Ren, with Impulse soon joining. The conflict primarily consisted of them griefing Area 77 with flowers.

(Season 7) Boomers Demolition - Early game business formed by TangoTek, Bdoubleo100, and ImpulseSV which consistedo f almost exclusively non-duped TnT demolition, and was very fun!!

(Season 7) The Mycellium Resistance/HEP (Hermitcraft Environmental Protection) Hermicraft 7 saw Grian introduce the Hermitcraft Mayoral Election, created with the idea of putting Mumbo in as a puppet-government. If I had a nickel for every time Grian tried to start a puppet government (at this point) I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice. Grian and Mumbo lost. In it's place was GoodTimesWIthScar. As Mayor, they had further control over the shopping district. Scar's promise was to replace the shopping district's Mycellium with grass. Despite very happily admitting that grass looked better, Grian, in a moment of nostalgia, decided to replace some Mycellium. Scar proceeded by putting caution tape around the area. This spiraled into The Turf War

Mycellium Resistance: Grian (Mother Spore), ImpulseSV, RenDog, XBCrafted, iJevin, Ethoslab, StressMonster101, Docm77, and Mumbo Jumbo HEP/Mayor Scar: Scar, Bdoubleo100, Keralis, Xisumavoid, TangoTek, Cubfan135, FalseSymmetry, Mumbo Jumbo, who joined due to them having the better vault. Etho had intended on being a double-agent, selling information to Scar. His information, however, was useless on purpose and decided to pledge full loyalty to The Resistance.

(Season 8) Boatem Hole - Grian, Mumbo Jumbo, GoodTimesWithScar, ImpulseSV and PearlescentMoon more or less stumbled and tripped into forming a group after innocently stacking boats and crafting tables and crystals on a pole, dubbed Boatem Poll. They then proceeded to create a hole down to bedrock, and eventually into the void, called the Boatem Hole. It was a large plains biome which was turned into varying mountain terraforming and the like from all of them and was connected in some small ways.

(Season 8) The Big Eyed Crew - Bdoubleo100, Keralis, and TangoTek. Tango did not, in fact, have big eyes and instead wore sunglasses to compensate. They had a town and shopping area and was occasionally dragged into pranks by the Boatem Crew.

(Season 8) Octogon/Goatem - Docm77 and RenDog! Main rivals with Boatem (thus the Goatem - pole of goats) had a mega business, game-breaking creations, and jaw-dropping spidery teal-and-deepslate creations. Weird Science!

(Season 9) Soup Crew - ImpulseSV, PearlescentMoon, GeminiTay. Made the CRAZIEST combo-base where all their different themes blended into a cohesive build

(Season 9) Buttercups - Grian, MumboJumbo, and GoodTimesWithScar. What's up, Buttercup? They formed after an incient where Scar and Grian blew up a massive, complex tunnel bomber in Doc's base. They could not understand how to repair it, and left a few diamond blocks before conflict started. They dragged Mumbo in, and had a robot fight with...

(Season 9) The Perimeter - Docm77 and RenDog. Doc's base, known as The Perimeter, teamed with Ren to attack the Buttercups using walking redstone creations to do a robot fight. Due to an issue with one of the server's plugins, they all re-logged, breaking one of the bots and ending with Buttercup's bot to do more harm to itself than the Perimeter's, but ultimately the destruction did prevent Doc and Ren from getting any further. Ren and Doc then launched flying TnT dupers, which looked like butterflies, towards all of the Buttercups' bases and camp. They stopped them both, with one butterfly destroying The Perimeter's own bot even further.

I am so sure that I'm missing some, but I am losing my mind with all this trying to remember them all!! I hope this could give people an idea of who they might enjoy watching!

[beawake]

Random thoughts and immediate impressions of the first three episodes of tlovm3, an incoherent list

Pock o'pea wooden house at Gilmore's wannabe and taste of taldor'ei chalice thing

Did I mention the Gilmore wannabe? His distaste, amazing

Gilmore's displeasure at being dragged into Vox Machina's schemes, and still going along with it

My boy just wants to be home and run his shop, not babysit adventurers

Speaking about gilmore, Vex offering to flirt with the guards, gilmore saying he already tried

Gilmore, I'll hold them off, immediately gets caught. Yeah your adventuring days are behind you with running from highly efficient guards

Scanlan drinking courage

They are all so bad at communicating help!

Soo Draconia? Draconia.. *fingers guns* I forgot if they were there for real but they were there in spirit for sure

Percy looked so young in that scene, you would so often forget he's like 18 or 19 but not then

Kiki: but we kissed. When vax was saying they couldn't be together. It was so innocent and it hurt so much. Communicate dammit. And then cutting to Percy and Vex having sex nextdoor

They kept in Percy going for a talk and Vex opening the door naked!

Aah Cassandra and Percy as siblings, and Percy being so smitten

Kiki feeling so alone and unsupported

Scanlan ruining his relationship with his daughter even more cause he worries for his friends and then feeling unappreciated the cracks are there

The misunderstanding with Pike and Scanlan, oh that hurt, both trying to do their best but Pike not knowing how to fix it

Grog with the kids, being a detective, finding Percy

Percy giving himself up not feeling like he lied because he feels so responsible for all the dead the guns cause

Vex "I care for you so this can only be a fling or you'll get hurt"

Keyleth "so the joy of today is not worth the pain of tomorrow?"

J'mon Sa Ord is so fucking hot I want that character design

Allura and Kima 10/10 no notes these lesbians continue to slay

The banter, the one liners

The songs!!! Matt/Drenzel singing about the Ruby of the Sea

Scanlan singing about the Spice

Matt NPC do you spice? Does your daughter spice?

Scanlans vulnerability that he barely shows to his friends

It is so good, only a little disappointed about missing the cat/tiger demon going after Vax as Gilmore

Oh and I can't forget about Gilmores flirting with Vax

I just really love Gilmore

And how they are giving the NPC's bigger roles

Oh and Percy not knowing orthax's name, buddy? How?

Curious to see where that goes with Ripley, who is very cool

And the intro reminds me so much of anime intros and I love it, it is amazing

Things my friend noticed

J'mon Sa Ord and the creepily too big hands and feet, like trying for human and just missing the mark

Zerxus!!! Are we gonna see him all demon??? I am not ready

I might come up with more but first thoughts and excitements are here and good and there were a lot of changes but I don't mind any of them at the moment, I just trust that they love this as much as us and will go where needed

[theweightofthecaravel]

Defiance & Duty - J.T.K. (one shot)

Warnings : swearing, threats of violence, intimacy.

“I shall always remain by your side, my Lady.”

A rebellious princess meets a disciplinary knight. It is a recipe for disaster, is it not?

“Tsk, tsk.”

This was a familiar phrase between the two of you. Your knight, Sir Jacob, was personally assigned to guard you. Ever since you were caught sneaking out of the castle to see the village boys that you had taken a liking to, the King has been very restrictive with your freedoms. Your reputation of the ‘rebellious princess’ had become a kingdom-wide phenomenon. But you grew to embrace it, for it was very fitting, no matter how unflattering it may seem to the others in your community that your family ruled over.

Your guard, Sir Jacob, was one of the most respected warriors in the entire kingdom. With his long brunette hair, always half up, half down, a chiseled jawline, and the most beautiful brown eyes, he was irresistible in the eyes of the women in the kingdom. However, he never tended to bat an eye at any woman besides you. He was your guard, and you were his top priority.

He has had many titles before being a knight. He was a commanding figure in your army, a trainer for the younger generation of soldiers, and at one point, a pirate. Nonetheless, your father admired him greatly as a fighter. He seemed perfect for the job, which was very unfortunate for you.

It had happened once again. After sundown, you managed to evade your guard and escape the palace grounds. But not for long.

When the news reached the castle that you went missing again, Sir Jacob relentlessly tracked you down. He left the palace in the dead of night, and he found you precisely where he had predicted you would be.

You were in the forest with the village boy, your tongues intertwining in an overdramatic and sickening fashion, partially because you sensed the knight’s presence. You pulled away from the common man, gasping for air.

“Your Majesty,” Jacob stated aloud, interrupting the ‘romantic’ moment. But when you did not seem to hear him the first time, he repeated himself, only much louder this time. “Your. Majesty.”

The boy jumped, but you remained perfectly still, as you had anticipated the one man audience of your guardian. You roll your eyes at Jacob, groaning loudly.

“What?” you asked, reluctantly untangling yourself from the nameless man.

Sir Jacob glared at you, his stare filled with disappointment and frustration. He placed his hands on his hips, raising his eyebrows at you. He then aims the same look at the young lover the princess had taken.

“Beat it, kid,” Jacob commanded.

The stranger boy scoffed at him, puffing out his chest in an effort to enhance his belittled masculinity. He clenched his fists and raised them, preparing for a possible confrontation with the knight.

“Yeah?” the man asked. “Right. What are you gonna do if I refuse to leave her side? She clearly does not want you here. Get lost, jackass, before I have to put you in your goddamn place with her as the only witness.”

With that, Sir Jacob grabbed the hilt of his sword, and withdrew it from his side. He held it it to the princess’s lover, placing it in the center of his chest, the perfect place to impale him straight through. He lightly pierced the skin where his weapon lied against him, threatening to cut further inside him.

“Look me in the eyes when I’m talking to you, commoner. Believe me when I say that I shall cut you down to size if you do not leave this instant. You have a choice here. Either leave her Majesty alone, or you better decide what your last words ever spoken shall be.”

The man laughed, putting his hands up in mock surrender.

“Oh no!” he jokingly cried out. “Whatever shall I do? I am at your mercy, sire! Spare me!”

The common one cackled, clearly amused with his lack of maturity. Jacob, however, did not find this as funny as he obviously did.

“Leave at once, you frothy, earth-vexing common scum. Or shall I slit that slimy little throat of yours in front of your beloved lady?”

With that, the common man stood up, nearly shaking in his trousers. With the touch of the blade, he sobered his attitude faster than the speed of sound, as if it was a lightning quick reflex. He looked down at the forest floor, fidgeting with his trembling hands.

“S-s-sorry, sir,” he stuttered. “It…it will n-never happen again…sir…”

The village boy scurried off, barely giving you another look, terrified of being further scrutinized by your guard. With that, Jacob did his best to hide a smirk of satisfaction. He bit his lip, looking you in the eyes. He pointed the sword at you.

“Look,” he started, using the blade to lift your chin up to meet his gaze. “We are both tired of the speech that I give you every time I catch you with that runt. So let us cut to the chase, okay, highness? You are a wreck. A lying, irresponsible, immature wreck. You better get your act together if you ever want a chance of being Queen someday. If you keep behaving in such a manner, his Majesty will have you tossed into the dungeons without a second thought. Understood?”

You frowned at him, exhausted of hearing the spiel about your future. It was something you had been hearing all of your life, and the older you got, the more annoying the topic became.

“I know,” you muttered, crossing your arms. You pushed his sword down, back by his side. You stood up, and looked down at the ground. “I know. You need not remind me of my impending fate.”

Sir Jacob rolled his eyes at you, and put his sword back at his side. He grabbed your arm harshly, dragging you to his side. He huffed under his breath, clenching his jaw as he tried to control his temper.

“It is a bloody miracle that I have not slaughtered that slobbish common boy yet. Come on, your Highness. Your father is going to be very furious. You better pray that he is asleep by the time we get back to the palace grounds, but nothing will save you from his morning wrath after I report to him.”

You looked up at him, anger filling your body. You took your arm back, walking alongside him. You had just about enough of his attitude towards you lately, similarly to how he felt with you.

“You ruin everything,” you muttered, sounding like a child who did not get their way. “I cannot have freedom, I cannot have a lover who is not some pompous prince, and worst of all, I am stuck having to deal with your overprotective ass. Don’t you have anything better to do with your spare time? Like kissing my father’s bottom?”

Jacob laughed coldly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his trousers to resist the strong urge of possibly strangling her.

“See, that is your issue. You have everything you could ever want at your fingertips. Power over thousands of people, a massive palace filled with loyal servants, and a knight who has tried his best to keep you out of trouble. You take it all for granted. You are the most spoiled, selfish brat I have ever come across, and believe me, you are not the first noblewoman I have looked after.”

You walked ahead of him, heading back to the castle. You crossed your arms, dramatically huffing to make a point to your guard. So much for a “knight in shining armor”. Everything that man did pissed you off to your core. You thought that having a guard would make you feel safe and important. But no. You were treated as if you were a newborn baby who could not be let out of his sight for more than a millisecond.

As you two arrive at the palace gate, the standing guards allowed the both of you inside. You remained ahead of Sir Jacob, as you had nothing kind to say to him, and everything you wished to say, you had said to before to him.

He followed you up to your chambers, standing a few feet away from you to give you your space. He kept his eyes on you, but you kept your gaze ahead, away from his presence entirely.

You enter through the doorway, and he closed it behind the two of you. He leaned against the wall, a look of frustration strewn across his face. His eyebrows knit tightly together as he examines your ashamed form standing before him.

“You know, this could have been way easier if you had just listened to me for once. But no! The ‘rebellious princess’ has to have the thickest skull out of anyone in the entire kingdom! My Lady, would it kill you to start thinking with your head instead of your ass?”

You quickly get changed into your nightgown while he is lecturing you. You usually tuned him out, but for some reason, you could not ignore him so easily tonight.

“You will never understand,” you say. “You have no idea what it is like to live in my shoes. I feel pity for anyone who does.”

Jacob pauses at that, his brows unfurrowing.

“What do you mean?” he inquired. “To be in love? Come on, don’t tell me it’s about that village boy. He was a goddamn coward!”

“Not him!” you shout out in a desperate attempt to interrupt him. “I do not like the man in the slightest fashion! Do you know why I feel the need to sneak out so much? To let strangers have their way with me? Because I hate being babysat, Jacob! I am sick of it! Don’t you get it? Being under constant surveillance is maddening! All I long for is a normal life!

“I have hated being trained to be perfect since I was a young girl. They have tried to groom me to be the best possible Queen-to-be I could possibly be. It is too much!”

Tears start to fill your eyes, much to your opposition. You turn away from the knight, quickly wiping them away and swallowing the lump in your throat.

“Please…” you beg, looking out your window. “Do not tell my father what happened tonight. I…I cannot deal with another one of his disappointed lectures. Save us all the trouble, and…in the morning, I shall request a new guard. You will not have to deal with me anymore…and you can…do whatever it is you wish.”

Jacob’s mouth drops slightly. He quickly regains his composure, and clenches his fists at his sides.

“You will not do such a thing,” he declares, attempting to keep his temper in check. “You are going to sit your ass on that bed and listen to me. Now.”

Without hesitation, you position yourself on the bed, placing your hands in your lap. You look up to him, gesturing for him to continue. He walks over to you.

“Look,” he says. “I know it is not easy to have all the attention on you. But you understand why people expect so much from you, yes? You are your father’s only daughter. You are the rightful heir. The people of your kingdom still see you as a reckless child, and that needs to change. Don’t you agree?”

You slowly nod, obliging to his statements. You fully understood what your coming future was filled with, but it was not something that you desired, and everyone knew it. However, no one could understand why.

Jacob noticed the remorseful look on your face. He put his hand on your shoulder and sat down next to you on your bed. He starts to massage where his hand was placed, slowly yet deliberately.

“Hey,” he whispered into your ear in a gentler tone. “Look at me, princess.”

You hesitantly look up to meet the gaze of your guardian. For once, his gaze is not scrutinizing, or disappointing. More the first time, it is rather kind. He feigns a weak smile, something you rarely get to see. You can see his dimples more clearly than ever, which you did not have the slightest idea that they were ever there.

“You are not replacing me, you hear? You may be a massive pain in my ass, but I would not have it any other way, your Majesty.”

Jacob reaches for your hand, reluctantly taking it in his own. He raises it to his lips, planting a soft, lingering kiss against the back of it. As he starts to put your hand back down, your face contorts into a look of surprise. The kiss was not unenjoyable, not appalling, but rather nice.

“You kissed my hand…” you chuckle, still recovering from the initial shock. You pulled away slightly, not sure how to react to this unexpected display of affection. “Who are you? What happened to the man who called me a spoiled brat a few moments ago?”

Jacob lets out a small laugh under his breath, still holding your hand. He makes eye contact with you, giving a more genuine smile to you.

“Maybe…I do not think you are not the most…pretentious person…”

You laugh, leaning closer to him. He really did not think of you in such a negative light? That seemed false, too far fetched to be the truth. As he continues to maintain eye contact, you feel the previous intensity fading away with every passing second.

“Why are you not screaming at me right now?” you ask, trying to hold in giggles. “I snuck out, I went against not only your orders, but the King’s as well, and I yelled at you in the pit of an emotional explosion. Somehow, after all of that, you do not hate every fiber of my being?”

Jacob shakes his head, finally standing up from the bed. His hand slowly slips from its previous grip. But he does not go far. He stands in front of you. He slowly removes his dagger from his weapons belt. He places it under your chin, tilting it up to bring the heavy eye contact back to life. The cold metal making contact with your skin sends a shiver down your spine.

“Listen carefully, princess. I could never hate you. Sure, I hate the decisions you make, I hate your taste in men, I hate that you do not look at me the way you look at those common boys you were messing around with in the village.”

You freeze at that. What did he mean? You did not exactly like the common men, you had simply messed around with them for the sole purpose of needing a measly distraction, and for the purpose of causing a certain someone to feel immense jealousy.

“I do not…I…I do not like any of those men. I only…I only did what I did…because I wanted…I wanted to get your attention…”

Jacob looks at you, his eyes widening a bit. He did not expect such a response from you. He had always thought that you were acting out for the sole purpose of pissing him off, making a statement. But instead, it was all to capture his interest.

“However do you mean, my lady?” he asks you. “You…why would you desire for my attention? I thought you had taken a strong disliking to me.”

You sit up straighter, playing with the multitude of golden rings, all differing from each other, on your fingers. You let out a soft sigh.

“I am not entirely sure. Perhaps it is the feeling of the chase, the relentless pursuit in which you find me. There is an unspoken thrill in the thick of it all…even if I do have to bear the burden of hearing your lectures afterwards. It is rather embarrassing to admit, but…I really enjoy it when you come and find me. It…it almost feels like someone cares enough to find me.

“Every other guard my father has assigned to me in the past, they lacked character. They lacked a backbone. But then, he chose you. You are as stubborn as me, if not more. You always track me down, when the others would simply give up. ‘She shall come back’, they would say. ‘She always comes back’.

“But not you. Even if it is for the tenth time that week, you still manage to find me. You are the most determined person I know, some days it drives me absolutely mad. But I cannot deny that it is rather admirable.”

Sir Jacob chuckles at that, putting his dagger back at his side. You had never seen him smile so much within a small interval of time like this. It was a strange, but not unpleasant sight. He shakes his head slightly at you.

“I had no idea you could be kind, princess. You have not made any snarky remarks these past few moments, my my, that must be a bloody new record!”

You both exchange laughs. You had to agree. It was the first time you had not hit him back with a snotty comment. It was refreshing, more than anything.

“Yeah,” you say, grinning. “I suppose it is.”

You two sit in silence for a brief passing moment, enjoying each others company. For once, you were not at war, but instead at peace.

“I suppose I better let you get some rest,” Jacob tells you, lightly patting your leg “It is rather late, and I can imagine how exhausted you truly are. Do you need anything before I depart, my Lady?”

You meet his eyes again, smiling once more. You stand up from your bed, reaching out to intertwine his hands in yours. You look down as you hold them, rubbing your thumbs on the back of his.

“There is one thing I wish from you, and I only ask of it if you would desire to do it too.”

Jacob perks up at that statement, curious at to what you wish to ask for from him. He raises his eyebrows, silently letting you know that he was ready to hear out your request. You smile at that, giving his hands a light squeeze.

“It…is rather embarrassing…but would you…embrace me for a moment? It has been so long since I have had a proper hug.”

Jacob’s grin grows into a large smile, and he nods politely. Without another word, he wraps his arms around you, clinging to you tightly. You melt into the feeling of being secure, safe and sound at last. You bury your face into his shoulder, taking in his musky scent. He places his hands in your hair, massaging your scalp gently in an attempt to further comfort you.

“Thank you,” you mutter under your breath. “I know I have not been very kind to you lately. I am sorry.”

“It is okay,” he replies. “I know you must be under a lot of pressure. But you are not alone in that, yes? I shall always remain by your side, my Lady.”

Your face lights up at that, and you hold him tighter. You run your hand up and down his back, slowly and deliberately. He lets out a contended sigh, reluctant to release you.

“I am sorry,” he whispers, pulling back slightly so that he could reignite the previous eye contact with you. “But I must go now, princess.”

You can feel his breath on your face as he said farewell to you, and your eyes cannot help but fall on to his lips. He seems to follow your gaze, realizing what you were ogling at. His smile fades, as he loses control of himself. He gazes down at your own, his breath starting to become more ragged and labored.

“My…” he hoarsely whispers. “My Lady…”

“Yes?”

No other words are spoken. His hands move down to your waist, enclosing his arms around you. He leans his face down, inching closer to yours. Your noses touch, but neither of you openly react. Your heart nearly leaps out of your chest, it’s normal rate skyrocketing.

Time stops. Your lips are mere inches apart. You know that if your father ever found out, he would have both of your heads. But you could not care in this moment. It is just you, and him, your knight in shining armor.

Suddenly, a knock comes from the door, causing Jacob to halt in his movements.

“Sir Jacob?” a voice calls from the other side of the chambers door. “Are you in there? King Arthur has requested to see you at once.”

Jacob stifles out a soft groan, pulling away from you.

“Yes,” he frustratedly replies. “I am coming. Give me a moment.”

With that, Jacob turns back to face you, his smile momentarily returning. He lifts your hand to his lips and plants a soft kiss.

“Until next time, my princess.”

A rosy blush spreads across your cheeks as he makes contact with your skin once again. You nod.

“That means tomorrow, when I sneak out again?” you joke.

He laughs, shaking his head.

“No more sneaking out. After all, there are no handsome knights like me out in that village, are there? Get some rest, love. I shall see you tomorrow, and hopefully not in the village. If you promise me that, I will not tell your father that I found you out with that boy tonight.”

You nod, letting your hands fall to each others sides. You curtsy to him as a sign of respect, and he bows to you.

“Goodnight, my Lady.”

“Goodnight, good sir.”

With that, he turns to the door. But he hesitates for a moment. He turns back to you, a confident look in his eyes. Within a second, he puts his hands on your hips, pulls you back against his chest, and plants a rough kiss to your lips.

After a few seconds, he pulls away, smirking down at you. He cups your cheek as he notices the look of shock strewn across your face, which was not a common look for you.

“Tsk tsk, darling. Did you really think I would leave you hanging like that?”

[lunarthecorvus]

Alternate Universe - Regency Six Of Crows fanfiction recommendations

part of Lunar's soc fanficiton rec series

-------------------------------✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧----------------------------------

p.s. a few fics haven't been updated in a while but I'm recommending them because they are all still beautiful stories and worth the read

when existence or when hope is gone by @19burstraat

Wordcount: 27,573 Chapters: 1/1

Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Nina Zenik, Matthias Helvar, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Jan Van Eck, Alys Van Eck, Inej Ghafa's Mother, Inej Ghafa's Father

Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Alternate Universe - Historical, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Napoleonic Wars, Jordie's dead again sorry poppet. Matthias isn't though!, Minor Matthias Helvar/Nina Zenik, Minor Jesper Fahey/Wylan Van Eck, Love Letters, maybe kaz should be a regency gent full time. they all wear gloves and are all repressed, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Written In the style of Jane Austen, (sort of), (I tried), kanej-typical intense pining

Author's summary/notes: “And have you made this entire call without once vexing or offending poor Miss Ghafa?” Captain Rietveld looked coolly at him. Inej bent her head over her sewing to hide her smiling, since she was not sure she would not laugh outright. She had not thought that Wylan would deliberately provoke the Captain, but perhaps his deference to his father did not reach anyone else. “I am sure that is not for me to decide,” said the Captain, “But I own I have been perfectly well behaved.” “Does he lie, Miss Ghafa?” “No— he has been quite tolerable company,” said Inej. “If not quite a perfect gentleman.” “You wound me, Miss Ghafa.” “I suspect I do not, Captain.” (A SOC Jane Austen/Regency AU) My summary/notes: This fic is so cute, I loved seeing the Inej and Nina's friendship in regency au, it was so sweet. Reading kanej interact with Austen coded manners was just so fun and fit them so well. If you love Jane Austen and Inej you will love this fic. The other crows relationships are in this fic and its so adorable.

A Hair's Breadth by QHQ

Wordcount: 60,833 Chapters: 46/? (hasn't been updated in a year and half)

Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey, Nina Zenik, Matthias Helvar, Wylan Van Eck, Anika, Rotty, Alby Rollins, Pekka Rollins

Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, regency au, Slow Burn, Marriage of Convenience, blend of the grishaverse and regency england, Basically, Touch Aversion, Past Sexual Abuse, Everyone Has Issues, Haphephobia, Minor Sexual Content, Canon-Typical Violence, Lack of Communication, Fake Marriage, Fake/Pretend Relationship, everyone is a badass

Author's summary/notes: Kaz Brekker has torn Pekka Rollins down. Brick by brick - just like he'd promised. Having wiggled himself into a position to inherit all of Rollins' estate, he finds himself at court, playing the same old tricks on fatter pigeons. Inej Ghafa is desperate. Lady Nina is to be married soon, and when that happens she will be returned to Tante Heleen and the Menagerie. Her only hope is to convince the newest noble at court - the dangerous Lord Brekker - to buy out her indenture. Needless to say: nothing goes as planned for either of them. My summary/notes: I have to warn you that this fic incomplete but its definitely still worth the read. QHQ is such a good Kanej writer I recommend their other fics. This fic has a good chunk of angst as its a marriage of convience.. but there are so sweet moments. They wrotes Inej's worries and experience of what its like to be a woman in regency era fit, and stayed honest to her character.

in another life by drisana

Wordcount: 55,009 Chapters: 9/20 (hasn't been updated in a year)

Characters: Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Nina Zenik, Jesper Fahey, Tante Heleen, Inej Ghafa's Mother, Inej Ghafa's Father, Kaz Brekker's Father, Kaz Brekker's Mother, Zoya Nazyalensky, Nikolai Lanstov, Genya Safin

Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Arranged Marriage, Marriage of Convenience, Married kanej learning to love each other, kaz arranges a marriage, so inej can work for the dregs, Marriage, Wedding, Scandal, Grishaverse racism, Abandonment, Major Character Injury, Separation, Reunions, Threats, Ravka being broke as usual, Complicated Relationships, Unreliable Narrator, so many creative liberties taken sorry i havent read soc in ages

Author's summary/notes: "What did you think of the Suli girl, then, oh Saint of great virtue?” Inej hears a match strike, then a drag of a cigarette before Brekker answers, “As lovely as she is smart. And smart enough to be utterly terrified of me.” Jesper wiggles his eyebrows, “Lovely enough to tempt you?” Brekker hesitates, and Inej sees Nina grin, a hand over her mouth and the other one gripping Inej like a lifeline. He leans back against the tree, dark hair disrupting his handsome features, and lets out a long exhale, “Yes.” My summary/notes: Stays true to Inej's canon background so be prepared for flashbacks, we do get to see her heal and grow. I'm not sure how much to say without spoiling but we have Kanej taking down *horrible* people together. A lot of Nina and Jesper appearances, especially Nina's friendship with Inej and Jesper's friendship with Kaz, we love them <3.

A Gentleman in Possession of a Good Fortune...Has No Need for a Wife by aplaceforallmyshipstoanchor @a-true-janian-reply

Wordcount: 29,892 Chapters: 8/12 (hasn't been updated in a few months)

Characters: Inej Ghafa, Kaz Brekker, Nina Zenik, Zoya Nazyalensky, Matthias Helvar, Jesper Fahey, Wylan Van Eck, Original Characters, Per Haskell, Pekka Rollins (mentioned), The Ghafas

Tags: Uneasy Allies, Marriage of Convenience, Heists, friends - Freeform, romantic content, But first a lot of buildup because we know these two, Alternate Universe - Regency, Regency-lite, Shenangians, Societal rules, Violence, Multi Chapter, What if the Crows were in Regency England and yet still got up to crime, More tags to follow, Panic Attacks

Author's summary/notes: The Ghafas travel to London to strengthen Mr. Ghafa's ties with English trade. Per Haskell's business is known as a well-established , if old fashioned, institution and enters into business with Mr. Ghafa. His apprentice Mr. Brekker, an austere young man, is secretly running the business and encounters the Ghafas at a ball. When Inej overhears vital information about an attack on Haskell's warehouse from a local gang she goes to Mr. Brekker for help. When Mr. Brekker needs her help again, the two orchestrate a courtship as a cover for their increasingly dangerous adventures. How far will the charade go? And how many times will Mr. Brekker try to convince himself their partnership is merely an investment for the future? My summary/notes: I adored reading Kanej develop in this fic, we get to see them grow from strangers to friends to...... and Mama + Papa Ghafa are in this fic, I love them so much. It was so interesting reading the way they adapted canon to fit and it works really well. One thing I loved was Inej being vigilante and being the Wraith in regency era. The writing is incredible

[99tech99]

A/N: I went to Yosemite, Zion, Bryce National Parks (US) recently and the trees were unlike ANYTHING I had ever experienced. I thought it would be sweet for reader to experience nature for the first time. These pictures are from my phone (unedited). The first is from the foot of El Capitan in Yosemite, the second is from the Emerald Pools trail in Zion, and the last is in the ascent to Thor’s Hammer in Bryce. The last one is a touch distorted because I had to use pano because the trees were literally too tall to fit in the frame.

WARNINGS: none?? well i guess sort of low key suggestive at the end.

1.5k words under cut

“What are those I wonder?” You and Director Krennic were in his chauffeured speeder winding through the skylanes of Coruscant. You pointed at the huge, illuminated holoboard you were passing.

“The trees?” he asked.

You rolled your eyes impatiently. “No, no. There!” The display changed. “Oh, you missed it. There was an advert for Star Tours, a trip to some moon. It was showing these huge brown cylindrical towers with tubes sticking out, all covered in green.”

“I saw it. You mean the trees?” he asked again with a quizzical frown.

“No! I know what trees are, Orson,” you said impatiently. “They’re…” you raised a hand above your head, then spread your arms wide, trying to pantomime “tree.”

“Alright.” He was smiling at you, clearly trying not to laugh. Whenever the two of you disagreed, he treated you like a precocious toddler. It vexed you to no end.

You gave up trying to explain. “I know what trees are,” you grumbled. “Never mind.” You crossed your arms and settled back into the seat of the speeder. Krennic was still smirking annoyingly at you. You ignored him and privately deciding that they must be some sort of communication towers. But why in the galaxy a moon would need such an abundance of comms towers or why anyone would want to visit them was a mystery to you.

***

“I win, you know,” Krennic announced a few weeks later, entering the drawing room of his apartment. You looked up from his couch where you were curled up reading the latest batch of ISB files on your datapad.

“Oh, I’m sure you think you do,” you replied with a wry smile. “What have you won?”

“Your birthday. I have just arranged the most perfect present for you. It took quite some doing. I’ve rather outdone myself, in fact, which is saying something.”

You groaned and set your datapad aside. “Ugh, every year I tell you that I do not want or need anything for my birthday. It’s not even for another month!”

“And yet, I am always compelled to do something deplorably extravagant.” He sat down on the end of the couch and pulled your legs across his lap. “Besides, I would think you would look forward to your birthday. With each passing year, it becomes slightly less inappropriate for you to be involved with me.”

You laughed and tossed a pillow at him. “Only if you plan to quit aging, old man.”

With a scandalized expression, he tossed the pillow back at you. You dodged it. “If anything about our relationship ever becomes appropriate, I may have to leave out of sheer boredom,” you teased.

“Noted,” he said, drawing you in for a kiss. “In that case, I will very inappropriately ask you to dinner, then very inappropriately invite you to stay with me tonight, so we can very inappropriately leave first thing tomorrow.”

“Simply scandalous,” you agreed, “but I can rarely refuse you.

“Where are we going?” you asked, knowing full well he would never tell you.

“Now, now, my dear,” said Krennic standing up and pulling you to your feet. “There’s no fun in spoiling a surprise.”

***

He took the element of the surprise of your present extremely seriously. He wouldn’t even allow you to pack, saying he had taken care of everything already. Indeed, when you got to the landing pad of his private shuttle the next morning, you saw your luggage already waiting. Krennic refused to give the pilot the coordinates of your destination aloud, transmitting them directly to the navicomputer instead. And when the ship was just about to drop out of hyperspace, he produced a blindfold.

“Really, Orson? That’s not a bit extreme?” you questioned.

“Not at all,” he replied. He stood behind you, but instead of securing the silk around over your eyes, he fastened a delicate silver chain around your neck. You glanced down. An irregularly-shaped shard of bright green crystal dangled from the chain against your chest. You knew at once what it must be, but you couldn’t believe Krennic would be so bold as to abscond a piece for you. But there was nothing else in the galaxy it could be. It was Kyber.

“Is this…?” you asked.

“Happy birthday my love.” He kissed your cheek and tied the silk band around your head.

In a moment you felt the gentle lurch as the ship fell out of hyperspace and began its decent to the planet’s surface.

The pilot made a smooth landing. When the shuttle ramp lowered, you strained your ears for a clue of where you might be. You heard the faintest but most melodious chimes.

Krennic took you by the hand and led you down the ramp. The ground beneath your feet felt soft yet stable beneath your boots. Krennic paused and you stopped too. The most wonderful scent filled your nostrils. You had never smelled anything like it in your life. It was sharp and sweet and spice-like, all at the same time. You stood, inhaling deeply, savoring the freshness of the air. All at once, you realized the sound you had not heard chimes, but birds.

“Do you know where we are?” Krennic asked.

You shook your head.

Krennic removed your blindfold. You blinked in the brilliant sunlight. It took your eyes a moment to adjust to the brightness. Then you gasped.

You were surrounded by dozens and dozens and hundreds of the structures you had seen on the holoboard all those weeks ago. Only they weren’t artificial towers. They really, truly were…

“Trees!” you whispered. You let go of Krennic’s hand and took a step toward the nearest one. You became aware of your heart pounding in your chest. Stretching trembling fingers toward the tree, you paused, then gently pressed your whole palm into the trunk. The cracked, rough bark felt like nothing else you had ever touched. You swore you could feel the life of the tree, pulsing through it, coursing into you.

Craning your neck, you tried to look through the branches to the very top. Peeking through the needle-like leaves was the bluest sky you had ever seen. Looking down, you marveled at the dappled sunlight dancing on the needle-strewn earth. The breeze tousled your hair as you wandered, trancelike, from one tree to the next.

These couldn’t be real, they just couldn’t. You could not comprehend how anything so massive and beautiful and strong could spontaneously exist in nature, independent of any human intervention. It was simply sacred. You stood still, your face tilted toward the sun in a clearing as though wanting to become one with the forest.

Krennic, however, was paying no attention to the trees or birds or sky. His eyes never left your face, and in his estimation, you had never appeared more radiant. He took a step toward you, accidentally snapping a twig.

You jumped. You had all but forgotten he was there.

“Do you like your gift?” he asked.

“Orson Callan Krennic!” you accused.

“Now how can I possibly be in trouble?” he protested, taking your hands in his.

“Only you…” you shook your head in mock annoyance.

“Mm, yes, only I am capable of many things my dear. I’m afraid you’re going to have to narrow that down.”

“Only you could devise a scenario wherein you are able to magnanimously bestow this grand gesture of a present to me, with the hidden motivation of proving yourself correct.”

Smiling mischievously, Krennic kissed your hands. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” His expression grew serious. “I would give you the galaxy if it were mine to confer. As things stand, this will have to suffice.”

You kissed him hard. “Thank you Orson. This trip was perfect. Can we please stay a while longer?”

Krennic tilted his head and gave you a sly smile. “The trip is not your present.”

Your hand touched your necklace.

“No…This,” he gestured, spreading his arms wide, “is your present.”

“The…forest?” you asked, confused.

“The whole moon,” he clarified.

It took a moment for what he was saying to sink in. Your eyes grew huge. “The whole—You bought me—Can you even do that??” you asked weakly.

“Can one in general buy a moon? No. But as you said last night, darling, I’m a difficult man to refuse.

“The forest moon of Endor. Doesn’t currently have its own name, but you can obviously call it whatever you like.” He continued on about the mass of the moon and length of day and the planet it orbited and other specs, but you weren’t comprehending.

An entire moon? He would give you the galaxy? Your head was swimming. In a dreamlike daze you kissed him again.

“It’s too much,” you said.

“It is, isn’t it?” he concurred, immensely pleased with your reaction.

You smiled flirtatiously. “I’ll need to thank you properly, won’t I?”

You could feel him getting hard already. “Yes, I think you better,” he agreed. “More than once?” he added hopefully.

You laughed. “Yes, love. All night.”

Back to the Master List!

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[vex-bittys]

Hi, miss Vex. I took your matchup machine quiz(?) and got a Chain bitty.

May I adopt a miniature Chain that's good with babies and toddlers?

(Sorry this took so long!)

*Edgar the Hootle, nursery caretaker and shop third-in-command, has had his fair share of nursery helpers. Most of them have been Papythons who later became Nurse Papythons in the Infirmary. His most recent nursery assistant is a Chain. The Chain has a knack for communicating with the little ones, and not even Edgar can soothe a grumpy hatchling as quickly.

*Today, the Chain is finally old enough to leave the nursery and be adopted, and Edgar is sad to see him go. He can't ask the Chain to stay though; Chains are always happiest when they find that special someone to SOUL bond with. Edgar just hopes that his helper finds a good home.

*The Chain is busy setting up a nest in the shop, and Edgar is gathering some little momentos for him when you come into the shop. He overhears your request to Miss Vex, and he knows you will be a perfect match for the young Chain. Without bothering to explain, he picks the Chain up by the armpits and carries him over to you.

* "i think this might be the Chain you're looking for," he tries to tell you, wiggling the former hatchling enticingly in front of you. Neither you nor the Chain are listening though because you're too busy staring eye to eyelight with each other while your SOULs pulse in perfect time. With a knowing smile, Vex pulls out an adoption form for you to sign once your bond has settled.

[fountainpenguin]

"I wanna hold you, baby, 'cuz I'm gonna miss you like crazy even if I'm halfway around the world~!" (x)

One and a Half Birds

💙 Read on AO3

🧡 Complete! - 15/15 chapters - 113k words

💚 More Pixels Imperfect fics

A server hub story about Mumbo proposing the soul-eating dynamic to Grian before they roleplay it... and Grian fretting over what might happen when he reveals his soul is purple, not blue like everyone else's in this world.

Newbie pictures, creeper biology, hungry phantom hybrids, Watcher Grian drama, and Minecraft surgery await in this hurt/comfort story of friendship and communication.

ft. platonic Buttercups (Grian, Mumbo, Scar) with flirty Ahasbands (Martyn/Mumbo) working out their post-Last Life relationship on the side. Super pleased with how it came out. Enjoy!

(First 1,000 words below the cut)

One and a Half Birds

Baby Pictures

💙  🧡  💚

The thing about Grian is that he has a tendency to buck his head, throwing it back any time he explodes in laughter. It's better than the feel of his jagged fingernails curling tight against your arm and only slightly easier to duck than his flapping wings. Mumbo leans sideways, clutching his drink near his chest, as Grian does exactly what he always does: which is, of course, all three. "Pfffft! Oh, Scaaar! Wow… I never- I never knew you were such a little nerd back in your newbie days! What is up with your hair? Is that white dye?"

Careful, Grian… I really, really don't want to spill this all over your lovely couch. Grian's actually got a nice flat for someone who rarely lingers here while in Between. Mumbo cups one hand around his wooden cup, catching a droplet before it can splatter on a throw pillow.

"Hey, hey," Scar protests, leaning forward. Grian and Mumbo are on the couch, but Scar is standing with one hand inside his jacket pocket. Grian's still got a finger jabbing at the screenshot in the scrapbook. It probably looks upside-down to Scar. That fits.

The sheepish boy in the picture (who's dangling upside-down himself from an oak branch) is grinning at his own reflection in the pond below. He's a whole lot younger than the Scar standing in front of them now. If you squint, you can see the places he hadn't quite grown into his own skin. The blue wings flapping at his shoulders are smaller, but much brighter in color. Definitely an allay hybrid in a way the vex standing before them isn't.

"You look like Victor Frankenstein."

"That was 700 years ago! Don't be picking on a man's looks. Little Scar can't even defend himself!"

"Little Scar can't do nuttin' to me. I'll talk about his silly hair all I like."

Scar surges forward, scooping Grian behind the back and under the legs. Grian's wings snap out. He hardly has time to yelp before Scar flips him backwards off the couch. Mumbo's brows shoot into his hair. Grian scrabbles with his fingertips, howling and gasping, and Scar springs knee-first on the cushions to grab his wrists. Their pixels slam together, spurting sparks, and Grian (knees already on the ground) tilts back his head. Scar draws in close, breathing slow, until his mouth is practically brushing Grian's ear.

"Long… live… the king."

With that, he shoves Grian to the floor with a thud. Grian doesn't get up, but lies there like a fish, crumpled in his own jumper. Mumbo chuckles.

"Never a dull moment with you two, huh? … You wanna see my newbie pictures?"

That does get Grian off the floor. Scar drops down on the cushion beside him and Grian pops up from behind the couch, arms folded on the back of it. Mumbo flips through the pages in his own book, looking for one in particular he's not even sure he still has. He's only a couple in when Grian slams down his hand, crowing laughter.

"You're younger than me, Mumbo! Why do you look like an old man?"

It's true. He sort of does, doesn't he? Wrinkled forehead, dark and squinty eyes… He's even wearing a bowtie in most of these, though back then he hadn't picked out the three-piece suit he often wears in public now. Mostly white button-ups. Occasionally his full wandering trader robes. Mumbo got his start much younger than Scar did, though he's not sure he can say the same for Grian.

He squints, running his thumb down the corner of one screenshot in particular. Unlike Scar's pictures from his first singleplayer, most of his were taken in the Between dimension. Huh. His home village of Little Sun has changed quite a lot, actually, from what it used to be… but the spawn temple with its little teal and turquoise banners is still the same.

And yet… I still have Double-U and Buzz. His llamas have stayed beside him all his off-server life. Their white wool still flourishes, accented with familiar pale brown spots like chunks of cookie dough in vanilla ice cream. The spots shift around between their respawns, but the long lashes and affectionate headbutts are always the same. Speaking of the girls, he should send False a whisper to confirm she actually did check on them tonight. He doesn't doubt her… His comm just hasn't pinged with an incoming message yet.

"You look like Etho," Scar observes, indicating the red scarf wrapped around his mouth in one screenshot on the next page.

"Sorry- I just can't get over how old and tired you look, Mumbo… I doubt you'd even made it to the Far Lands back then, but this fella already looks like he's seen too much."

"Oh, go on, then!" Mumbo claps the book shut. "Let's see your newbie screenshots."

All the energy whirls out of Grian chest in that moment. "My what?"

"Yeah! Let's do that!" Scar throws an arm around him, double punching Grian in the shoulder so hard, he flashes red. "C'mon, G! Get the book! You know, I half believe you spawned into existence without ever being a newbie account. I've literally never heard you talk about your spawn temple."

"Um-"

Mumbo concurs with a lift of his drink, like making a toast. "Look, you can't talk smack and then leave us hanging, bud. That just ain't bro!" (Is he saying that right? The whole 'dragon bro' bit was always a mite difficult to wrap his head around).

"… Right. Uh, let me just…" Grian pushes away from the couch, sliding his hands into his pockets. Mumbo watches his tongue press against the inside of his cheek. "Right, okay… Let me just ask Two where he last put it…"

Mumbo and Scar let him go, both craning their heads to follow Grian along the corridor with their eyes anyway. Two, BadTime, and Drone are all in Two's room frosting cookies and making party plans. Mumbo watches Grian twist the doorknob, then returns his attention to the book of screenshots in his lap. You know, there are some really nice ones in here. His only regret may be not taking more while he had the chance.

I like to think I grew up nice, actually… And then, Why aren't WE having a party in pajamas? Don't get him wrong, because he loves his suspenders and Scar likes his jacket (and Grian is, well, Grian), but…

"Scar? We're missing out, bud."

"S'cuse me?"

"No pajamas."

"Oh… Next time!"

[Full story on AO3 - Link at top]

[poetthewriter]

🔮Carnelian Trinkets🗝️

Vex!Scar x Reader

thank you to my 🪶feather anon for requesting this I'm sorry I accidentally deleted you're request but from what a remember you said you wanted a vex!Scar x reader where scar likes to give reader trinkets and little gifts because of his vex side! please enjoy and feel free to leave tips (p.s im not so proud of this story but I hope at least you guy like it<3)

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬&𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬🌱🧄🌿

Scar had decided to go on a little adventure as he liked to call it but in Y/ns case it meant being left alone for a few days, it not like Y/n couldn't be by their self or that they constantly needed to be with Scar but tonight Y/n will be all alone with no date for the party.

A small gathering happens every so often in Hermitcraft where all the hermits get together and have a nice evening with drinks and treats for all, even though there's so many members as well as a few guests coming from their empires it feels right to give everyone a little thank you gift. pulling out tiny little boxes Y/n walks out of their house and into the mines, after hours and hours of mining and polishing a scatter of crystals lay on a table, from ruby to agate there is a set of handpicked personalized crystals for every guest.

Gold or silver, crown, necklace, bracelet, or ring, smooth or pointy. hundreds of decisions lay in front of Y/n but at the end of the day around 40 sets of jewelry are set in boxes to be given to the person there for.

Amber ear cuffs for Impulse, aquamarine and pink coral tiara for Queen Lizzie of the Ocean empire, golden peridot anklets for the one and only fae girl Gem, and a jasper pendent like amulet for the prince of the lost empire Joey.

The only thing that catches Y/ns eye is a carnelian ring with a engraving inside saying " I Love You, Dear " a little bit of disappointment hits them as they remember Scars absents but all they do is close the box and throw it in the basket.

________

The stars shine brightly around Scar as he walks down the paths of the Ender capital, people pass scar left and right from Endermen hybrids to Nether hybrids hes surrounded, some people stare at him and his vex features uncomfortably as others pass and don't bat an eye.

Markets and stalls are set up everywhere going from one to another nothings right, some potions and magical seeds end up in scars inventory but there's something hes looking for that he just cant figure out what it is until a small sparky shine catches his eye.

A flow of magic wisps through the air pulling scar in all he wanted was something personal to give Y/n so all he can do is hope this light can lead him to the perfect thing, slowly he steps over to the shine and a small chest of colorful crystals, rare buttons, and mini empty bottles sits Infront of him his eyes light up and his wings flutter at the big and small trinkets to give his partner.

walking back to the portal to the over world, end flowers, and little pieces of shiny metal litter the ground, more and more bobbles clutter into scar bag and cut his hand and he picks up sharp pieces. reaching into a different pocket for a bandage Scar communicator tumbles out of his bag a bright yellow message takes up the whole screen leaving his face shocked.

"GATHERING AT NINE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!"

---

Y/n stands there looking in the mirror at their fancy attire, their shoes click as they walk across their house grabbing the big basket full of little gift boxes, a load knock echos through their house slowly but surely Y/n walks the open the door but when they get their someone is already their waiting for them.

"SCAR!"

Y/n runs up the him, he pulls them into a soft hug slowly lowering to the ground.

"oh my god.. I am so sorry, I totally forgot about the party tonight I never meant to do that Y/n, I missed you so so much"

a small kiss opens Scars eyes Y/n just sits there with a goofy smile on their face as they tug on his arm standing up, Y/n yanks Scar to the table they rummage through the big weaved basket and pull out one box slowly opening it they hide it in there hands and slowly slide it on to scars ring finger, he looks at it for a few moments before Y/n asks him a question.

"Do you like it!" they say swinging side to side in excitement, Scar looks up at them and lifts them up with a huge smile on his face, giddy as heck he pulls Y/n in to a seat.

"I LOVE IT!! LOOK LOOK I HAVE STUFF FOR YOU AS WELL, I HOPE YOU LIKE IT" Scar pulls out the big box of little knobs and treats, if he was a dog his big golden retriever tail would be shaking faster then lightning and all Y/n could do is match his energy the trinkets doesn’t matter anymore as much as Y/n loved their partners little gift they were just exited to be with him.

Walking to the party scar runs off like a little child to grab sparkly nicknacks and give them back to Y/n and they just swing their basket excitedly like little red riding hood.

The vex boy rests at his lovers side as they enter the party with everyone. The night was long but the energy never died gifts were given, hugs were shared and the night ended of with cuddles in their warm comfy bed.

[robiin-draws]

Have a fantasy AU!

It’s got a lot of stories from a lot of hermits. Grian and Pearl are the ones I have most figured out There’s the Celestial Kingdom, the Fairy Kingdom, the Hybrid Union, and the Ordinary Empire

Celestial Kingdom: Led by King Solis and Queen Midnight, this kingdom is based around celestial bodies. Everyone living there has wings, whether moth or bird. The current heir is Pearl Celestial.

Fairy Kingdom: Led by Queen Lizzie and King Joel, the Fairy Kingdom consists of fairies, allays, vexes, and other mythical creature hybrids. King Joel is actually a human, which is rare, and many are angry about it.

Hybrid Union: These people are led by a council of five, and are all hybrids. Any hybrid is accepted into the union.

Ordinary Empire: Normal humans are the only people that live in this empire. All leaders are elected.

Pearl: She's a luna moth hybrid, and is Princess of the Celestial empire, the only heir. The one who was supposed to take the throne, her brother Grian, went missing a year ago. She’s now forced by her parents to be perfect, and hates it. Whenever she can, she visits the Underground Acceptance Club, where everyone is welcome. She has a lot of friends there, Gem, Tango, Etho, Scott, and many others. All she needs to do is make sure her parents don’t find out. 5"11, 22 years old

Grian: He's a sun conure hybrid (it's a type of parakeet). Pressured to be the next ruler of his kingdom, Grian wasn’t very happy. His only friend was a royal advisor named Mumbo, who had an interest in machinery. He met a commoner in the Fairy Kingdom while on a diplomacy mission named Scar, and ended up becoming friends. They often communicated via letter. Mumbo noticed Grian was stressed out with the pressure, so suggested they go meet Scar and possibly run away, all three of them, considering Scar wasn’t happy with his home life either. So they did, settling undercover in the Hybrid Union, and they were marked missing from their home regions. 5"9, 24 years old (Scar is 6 months older and Mumbo is six months older than Scar)

Mumbo: He's a cecropia moth hybrid. Mumbo was trained from a young age to be an advisor and counselor for the prince and princess of the Celestial Kingdom. He had a particular interest in machinery, and wasn't too happy with the fact he would have to deal with royals. All the officials he'd met so far had been snobby. That changed when he met the two he was supposed to advise. Though he was a year older than Prince Grian, they became fast friends. He liked Pearl too, of course, but Grian was a better friend for him. He still didn't like being in the palace though, he liked fancy things, but this was too fancy. Now that Mumbo is with Scar and Grian, away from their kingdoms, he feels a lot better. Mumbo is 6"11 (Tall as heck, basically)

Scar: He's an elf/vex hybrid. He grew up as a commoner in the Fairy Kingdom, and baked cookies for a living. No one really bought those cookies, so his parents would always get mad and tell him to 'find a better job' and such. But he liked making cookies, so that's what he did. He'd never liked his parents much, they were kind of mean, but not exactly horrible people. It was pure chance that he ran into Prince Grian and his advisor Mumbo from the Celestial Kingdom, but he insists it was fate. After the initial meeting, they continued to talk via letters. One day, Mumbo proposed the idea to all run off together, and Scar gladly accepted. All three of them ended up in the Hybrid Union, and have a farming job. He's 25 years old, but only turned 25 recently, and is 6"5

Tango: He's a blaze hybrid. Tango was brought up in the Hybrid Union, taught in school to not trust humans. His parents, however, taught him everyone should be accepted. Generally, Tango had a very good home life and still does. He had only a few friends, Zed the sheep hybrid and Jimmy the canary hybrid being his closest ones. When he was seventeen, he discovered his parents had started an underground club for everyone, hybrids and humans. Here, he met Skizz, an angel from the Celestial Kingdom, and Impulse, a human. Now that he's 23, he works as a mechanic for a system of mail that the Hybrid Union wants to use, accompanied by Etho. He's 6"1.

Joel: He's human, but has antennae. No one knows why. He gets super protective when someone mentions the fact that he's a human and is king of the Fairy Kingdom, or that Lizzie made a bad choice. For his own pride, but also Lizzie's. They met at a diplomacy meeting, Joel being the son of a noble at said meeting, and Lizzie being a princess. They fell in love pretty quick, and ended up getting married. Lots of people think Joel is bad or stupid for marrying a fairy, as it's generally looked down upon to marry someone not of your kind. He's 29, Lizzie's the same age, and he's 5"10

Xisuma: He's not classified as a fantastical creature, or a celestial creature, or just a normal hybrid, because he's a voidwalker. Those are so rare that they are practically non-existent, but he and his brother are both one. His brother preferred a loner life, but Xisuma didn't want that. He joined the Ordinary Empire with a mask that had a purple visor, hoping it would hide the fact that he wasn't human and had purple eyes. When he got kicked out eventually because he was discovered, he went to the Hybrid Union. Somehow, he ended up in the council, but he doesn't really know how he got there. He acts like a dad, is 42, and is 6"8.

Other notes: Gem (deer centaur) is a botanist for the Fairy Kingdom, Etho (arctic fox) is an architect and a mechanic, Wels (bright wave moth) is a knight in the ranks of the Celestial Kingdom, Stress is a healer in the Ordinary Empire, Impulse comes from a family of commoners and is an inventor, Zed is a scientist, Skizz is an actor, Scott (elf) is an artist, Jimmy is just Jimmy and works where he can lol

As for some of the ships, we've got Mumscarian, Ranchers, and Gempearl :D

May add more?

[thefirstknife]

What do you think about the season of the dawn mostly our guardians gravesite do you think it will come to fruition? I think it would be cool if they just killed us and had us come back someway. But I wanna know what you think.

I think about that very often. I think about Season of Dawn very often in general.

For those that weren't there, Season of Dawn had a community event that allowed us to explore the Corridors of Time. It was one of the most complex things that ever happened, only lasted for two weeks, and the solution to the whole puzzle led to a room called the Timelost Vault where we could see our own grave and hear Saint-14 saying an eulogy.

One of the most fascinating places we've ever seen tbh. The whole Corridors of Time were incredible to me, but that final room that took the whole community working night and day to find was something else.

We still to this day don't know what it truly means. In the eulogy, Saint says that we've died and that there was some sort of "final confrontation" and that he left a weapon we used there, shattered. And he also says that if we come back and aren't truly dead ("you've performed miracles before"), that we can take it.

Is this a prediction of the future? Is it some alternate timeline? We have no idea. The nature of the Corridors of Time is such that we just can't know. And of course, this was referenced in Season of the Splicer in one of the Expunge missions where Quria talks to us through our HUD:

The area in Expunge where this happens is very reminiscent of the Corridors of Time, the only are that doesn't have colour:

Corridors of Time:

But Quria was a Taken Vex mind so Quria saying this also doesn't help us. It could still be talking about an alternate timeline and not necessarily a prediction of the future. I think that as an alternate timeline, sure; it's absolutely possible there's a timeline where we died in any of the numerous battles for the system.

As a prediction for our own timeline... Hard to say. The Vex can't simulate paracausality, though the Corridors of Time aren't something the Vex made; they are just able to visit it and use it to move through timelines. So can the stuff we see in the Corridors of Time be a real prediction of our current timeline? It's definitely possible, but not something we can either prove or disprove for sure. I personally think it's most likely not a prediction, but it's definitely something to think about. Corridors of Time in general, as well as any timeline shenanigans, the Vex, the Sundial and the rest of the stuff that happened in Dawn.

I can see a scenario that mimics what Saint implies in the eulogy; that we "died" but that we're secretly still out there somewhere and can return. A story like that could make the grave and the eulogy true, but not have any impact on the playability of the game. But how likely that is? Unclear. I think that this ominous setting of our grave is a really cool setpiece that basically constantly looms as a possible threat in the background and we can never tell if and when that might come to pass.

One of the best setpieces in the game for me, but one that was unfortunately only there for 2 weeks. This definitely gave it an extra air of mystery and intrigue, but also it was highly inaccessible from the time when FOMO was much worse than it could ever be now. Even if you played this season, you could've easily missed this event. I almost did, as I was away on a vacation for a week when this happened and only got back for the few days after it was solved to run through it. This short availability definitely made the whole event feel much more ominous than perhaps intended so it's really unclear what this meant exactly and how relevant it still is and whether or not it was a meaningful prediction or just the consequence of being thrown into exploring millions of timelines. If anything, I would really enjoy seeing a reference to it in some way!

[walkingstackofbooks]

DS9 5x06 Trials and Tribble-ations thoughts (I’m re-watching, so beware spoilers for future episodes!) [12 Sept ‘23]

My housemates asked me if I was okay when I found out this was the next episode because I yelled so excitedly XD

[HAH - just had a good fit of the giggles looking at the script, and seeing that the investigations people are "Dulmur and Lucsly" - I'd totally missed the anagrams there that without the spellings!]

Darvinis a very good spy, I would totally believe he was human.

Julian and Miles reassuring Worf how he smells XD

"Find someone else. I have my own ways of torturing Worf" XD

The light TOS theme playing as the Enterprise appears. Perfect. My love for this is so strong.

I love how much disdain the temporal investigators have for James T Kirk. 🤣

"I'm a doctor, not a historian." Ohhh the love they have for old Trek <3

Why is Dax in red, though?

I love everything about this episode... Aside from Julian's hair 😅

"Isn't that a medical tricorder?" "Yes, yes it is. I'm a doctor." Well that wasn't actually why he was confused, Julian XD

Julian is so bad at lying, I can't, I love him.

I forgot that Worf would hate tribbles. Incredible, I love it.

And Odo is so amused by this. 😆 "This? A mortal enemy of the Klingon Empire?" Amazing.

"Sisko to Defiant..." but his badge isn't a communicator! XD I am so fond of him, look at his lil 'silly me' laugh as he gets the flip communicator out.

"But if we went we might run into Koloth." "Exactly." Sisko knows you too well, Dax.

"Watley. That was my great-grandmother's name..." I'd forgotten how funny Julian was about this XD

"Not him. Spock." "Let's go!" Again, Sisko knows the trouble Jadzia could cause too well XD

Julian and Miles' outrage at Odo having sat at the bar for three hours 🤣 they are such a fun duo to watch

"Those are Klingons?" Hehehe. Everyone turning to look at Worf

Good move panning to Worf twitching at the insult to the Enterprise!

The three of them standing up and Odo groaning "What are you doing?" xD

Julian fighting and then going "owww", what is he like? 😆

"I lied to Captain Kirk." You sure did, Miles!

How did Jadzia do that calculation?!!

"He had the hands of a surgeon." Sisko is so done XD

Kirk's "This is my chicken sandwich and coffee . I want these things off the ship. I don't care if it takes every man we've got, I want them off the ship." always gets to me. He sounds more than simply vexed, and with his Tarsus backstory it just makes me Feel.

I love the implication with these shots that Sisko and Dax are throwing the stray tribbles out if the storage unit onto Kirk.

The tribble exploding is hilarious. Sorry, tribble.

"And that's when you returned to the present?" "Well... not exactly." Awww I love this bit. Sisko is so lovely.

"However I don't think there was any harm done. Probably would have done the same thing myself." The other agent looks so shocked and disappointed in his colleague XD

Hehehe I do not remember that ending with Quark's being full of tribbles!

Excellent, very, very excellent. I love this episode with my whole heart, guys.