#he was a normal master for me I think I’ve found the solution | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

nightmarerodent · 8 months ago

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i have a hc that kung jin has glasses but normal wears contacts and the kombat kids don’t know. can you do them realizing jin actually needs glasses after he loses his contacts so he has to wear his frames?

(i’m literally projecting none of my friends know i have glasses)

You are in luck because I headcanon that Takeda actually started needing glasses after Reptile shot him with acid and got really insecure about it so let’s play with both.

“You’re over thinking this,” Jin said for what felt like the hundredth time in the last hour, “I may not be able to read minds, but even I can hear you spiraling in that pretty little head of yours.”

“I’m being realistic. What use am I in a fight if I can’t see?” Takeda continued complaining.

The shinobi had been holding himself up in his room for the last few days sulking, mourning the loss of his once perfect vision. After Reptile gave him an eye full of acid in Outworld, his vision had begun to blur. Luckily Jacqui was right there with an eyewash solution that prevented any serious permanent damage. His vision would hopefully return to normal with time, but for now glasses were needed to get around.

“Well, your dad-”

“Don’t finish that sentence,” Takeda snapped, cutting the Shaolin off. It would seem the topic of Kenshi had gone back to being a sore subject.

“Alright, alright,” Jin put his hands up in surrender before taking a seat next to his friend at the foot of the bed, “Just pointing out the obvious.”

“He has Sento. It’s different.” Takeda insisted.

“Didn’t you fight him off blind though? With just your hearing and telepathy?”

“Not the point…” Takeda sighed dejectedly, “I’ve trained my whole life for this, it’s the only thing I know how to do, and now because of some stupid mistake I… I feel like a liability now.”

Jin remained quiet after that confession. It was true. Takeda has only ever been trained as a warrior. He couldn’t be reassigned like the girls or become a sage like himself if injury prevented him from doing his job effectively. The Chujin would be rendered useless and fifteen years of training would be washed down the drain. His friend was way over thinking this, Jin knew, and Grandmaster Hasashi would mold a position within the Shirai Ryu to fit his favorite student regardless, but the idea that he was now something to be pitied was a daunting feeling Kung Jin was all too familiar with.

That’s when the idea struck Jin. A genius play he knew his friend would appreciate. He’d just have to convince the shadow warrior to come out of his hide hole and rejoin the rest of them for training tomorrow.

“Your contacts should be here in a few weeks though, right?” He asked casually.

“Yeah, I guess,” Takeda mumbled, “I’m benched from any sparring until then though.”

“I still think you should show up though. I mean, did you catch how Jacqui was looking at you yesterday? It’s like she wanted to take everything off you but the glasses.” Jin snickered.

“Yeah, well- Wait, really?” Takeda’s cheeks turned slightly red with blush.

This was so easy. He’s a genius. The great Kung Jin’s masterful deception strikes again. He’s so clever it’s almost unfair.

“Absolutely, and since you do owe me a favor, I’m thinking about using this to my advantage. Have you distract her tomorrow so I can hopefully pull out a win.” Takeda opened his mouth to say something but Jin swiftly cut him off, “You don’t need to do anything. Just be your normal, sexy self, yeah?”

“You want to use me as a psychological weapon against my girlfriend?” Takeda did not sound impressed.

“Absolutely. You game?” Jin gave him his best award winning smile.

Takeda just rolled his eyes.

Still, Takeda found himself walking into the training room the next morning, geared up a ready, even though he knew the General would have him sit out so he doesn’t brake the only thing giving him clear sight. Cassie, Jacqui, and Mr. Cage were already there and chatting amongst themselves. Jin, always fashionably late, was nowhere to be seen. Jacqui was naturally the first to spot him, her face immediately brightening.

“Hey you,” she walked up to him, not at all hiding her wandering eyes or even attempting to conceal the less than PG thoughts that briefly flashed through her mind, “I was worried I wouldn’t be seeing you today.”

“Jin convinced me sulking in the dark wasn’t doing me any good.” He confessed.

“Good,” she gave him a quick peck on the lips before dropping her voice to a whisper, “Because if it were up to me, we’d both still be in there.”

Takeda found himself burning up at that confession, and he probably would have said something if General Blade didn’t decide to walk through the training room doors at that moment. Instead Jacqui pulled away with a wink and Takeda was left standing there dumbly and reeling. He recovered quickly however once Sonya’s booming voice brought them all to attention.

She reminded Takeda that though she appreciates his enthusiasm to train today, he was barred from doing so until further notice. He bit his tongue and said nothing. Then she demanded to know where Kung Jin was.

“Here Ma’am! Right here!” Jin’s voice rang out as he rushed in, “Sorry, got caught up with something.”

Someone probably would have told him off for being late again if everyone wasn’t so caught off guard by his appearance. Right there, standing before them and a bit out of breath, was a Kung Jin wearing glasses. Fucking glasses. Takeda did even know he needed them. They’ve known each other for how long? And he’s never once realized?

“Jin, what the hell?” Sonya demanded.

“Lost my contacts. Can’t find them anywhere. It’s going to be a few weeks until I can get some replacements. Sorry.” Jin explained.

General Blade rolled her eyes and all but dismissed him, not wanting to deal with the Shaolin’s antics any more than she already had to, and directed Cass and Jacqui to square up and prepare for their sparring match instead. Not before Cassie could snap a quick pic of the boys in matching specs first though.

Johnny patted Jin on the shoulder before making his leave. His ex may not be amused by Kung Jin, but Johnny could clear as day see this was Jin’s attempt at making sure his friend wasn’t feeling left out and he appreciated the young man’s efforts.

With a smug smile, Jin took a seat next to Takeda and upon notice that his friend’s eyes haven’t left his face since his dramatic entrance, snickered to himself.

“You’re staring Bug Boy. Got something to say?” He smirked.

Takeda floundered, “I uh… I just- I didn’t know you had glasses. How long have you uh, when did-”

“-I start needing them?” Jin finished for him, “I’ve always had them. Nearsighted since I was a kid. I just usually have my contacts. I guess that’s why you’ve never noticed.”

Takeda just assessed him for a moment before cracking a small smile, “And this is your big reveal? Stumbling in late, pretending you’ve lost your contacts?”

Jin mocked offense, “Excuse you! I did lose my contacts, thank you very much. Spent all morning tearing my room apart looking for them.”

“So this isn’t you trying to make me feel better?”

“Absolutely not. Couldn’t give two shits about you.”

Takeda actually laughed at that and playfully punched him in the shoulder, “Shut your dramatic ass up. I hate you.”

Both were left smiling for the rest of the day.

#I did not intend of this to come out so long #turned into a whole ass fic #mortal kombat #mkx #mk10 #kombat kids #takeda takahashi #kung jin #glasses reveal

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ashboy-3 · 2 years ago

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Forming Bonds

Written for Danny May 2023 Day 21 Prompt: Shattered Fandom: Danny Phantom Characters: Danny, Clockwork, Frostbite, minor OC Words: 1069 Summary: Danny has been King for over fifty years now and it's starting to get a little boring being in the castle all by himself. When a situation with a ghost comes Danny has just the solution

“Having fun?” Clockwork asked floating into the throne room.

“It’s been a boring few days,” Danny sighed as he flipped himself upside down. “Anything that I can do oh great master of time?” Danny asked, a cocky smile on his face.

“I have something that could use your attention,” Clockwork offered as he handed Danny the file.

“So what is it?” Danny asked, flipping through the papers, never reading.

“You’ve been king for over fifty years and you still don’t read the reports,” Clockwork shook his head.

“Not my fault. I read the super important things, but this is something that you could easily tell me,” Danny shrugged.

“A child ghost was found causing trouble in one of the further realms. Died recently, but no one was there to care for him and his core has started to shatter. Think you can fix the core or at least bring him back here for Frostbite to fix?” Clockwork asked.

“I’ve never fixed a shattered core before,” Danny thought as he looked at his ring. The voices of the ring and crown in his head are normal at this point.

“It’s not an easy task, but if we can’t fix the core we will have to give him a final death. I know it’s not a happy thought, but it’s like a sick dog. We could keep the child alive but he will be in misery. A shattered core is one of the most painful things a ghost, especially one that hasn’t been dead long and can go through,” Danny was thinking it over as Clockwork explained.

“I’ll be back in about let’s say twenty minutes?” Danny smirked as he disappeared with a snap of his fingers.

“Ever since he learned that trick he uses it every time he can,” Clockwork rolled his eyes, but waited nonetheless as Danny appeared again holding a small shaking ghost child.

“He’s not doing too well, doesn’t remember who he was when he was alive and the core is causing extreme pain. I don’t know if I can fix it. The crown and ring aren’t helping. We might have to go to frostbite with this one,” Danny looked down.

“I already have frostbite on standby,” Clockwork led the king toward a room set up with Frostbite and his doctors.

Danny easily handed the child over to the yetis as Clockwork talked to him.

“Do you know why his core started to shatter?” Danny asked.

“I suppose your lessons haven’t covered this yet, but when a new ghost is formed, especially that of a child, they need a parent ghost. Someone to help teach them how to feed from the pure ectoplasm and get rid of the extra energy within them. If they have too much energy and don’t know how to use it this can cause the core to start to shatter.”

“Why wasn’t my core ever shattered?” Danny asked.

“We found you in time. Cores are strange things that we still do not have full information on. We know they have to be developed but a core shattering all depends on the ghost and the will of the ghost. You still went into the zone and Amity had plenty of wild ectoplasm in the human realm. You used your powers often so you fed and got rid of the extra energy often. Then you were found by your allies such as Frostbite and myself. We took you in and gave you lessons. Helped you develop your core to its full potential. Even unlocking its element,” Danny looked up in surprise.

“You mean my ice core?”

“Well, not every ghost has an elemental core. Those have to be unlocked by a powerful ghost,” Clockwork informed him, laughing at Danny’s amazed face. “Nothing to do now, but wait,” the ghost floated away leaving Danny to wait.

“Well great one, the child is fine. We were able to repair the core. The child will need a parent ghost. Once the child is awake and feeling better I’ll bring him to Dora’s kingdom. They're always accepting of new ghosts,” Frostbite said, looking towards the door.

“Could I be the ghost parent?” Danny asked.

“Are you sure great one? I know in your human years you’ve been considered of age for a great while now, but in ghost years you just barely ended your teenage years?” Frostbite asked, shocked at the words that came out of Danny’s mouth.

“I’m sure. I don’t mind. Plus it might make my life more exciting. I’ll have yours and Clockworks help if I need anything,” Danny said, gently opening the door to look inside. The shaking child that Danny had rescued just a day ago was now sleeping calmly.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Danny smiled at the yeti.

“Then I’ll leave you with his care package. The child will be thankful my king,” Frostbite smiled.

It was two days later when the ghost child woke up.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Danny asked.

“I was in so much pain. I was tired and hungry and just in pain. Am I better now?” the small ghost asked.

“Yep! I found you and we were able to fix your core. To make sure it doesn’t happen again I was wondering if you wanted to stay here with me?” Danny asked gesturing to the room.

“What about my family? I don’t fully remember them. I was sick and I remember my mommy telling me that I was going to go away for a long time. Later that night it was dark,” the small ghost asked quietly.

“We had a feeling that you wouldn’t remember. Well, you were really sick and died. An older ghost wasn’t able to find you in time to take care of you so your core ended up shattering. I’m willing to be your parent ghost,” Danny informed the child.

“So I don’t have to leave?”

“You can stay here as long as you want,” Danny assured him,

“I would like that very much Mr. Danny sir,” the ghost said politely.

“Don’t call me sir,” Danny laughed as the ghost blushed.

“I’m sorry!”

“Don’t apologize. I don’t like formal titles. You can call me really anything you like. Most just call me Danny. What’s your name?”

“Lyle,” the small ghost said.

“Well, Lyle let me be the first to welcome you to Phantom’s keep,” Danny smiled as the ghost hugged him and thanked him.

#dannymay2023 #dannnymay #danny fenton #danny phantom #ghost king danny #ghost king au #clockwork #frostbite

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bitsandbobsofwriting · 4 years ago

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Kilgharrah: “Kill that child, Merlin.”

Merlin (like a normal person): “No?? What the fuck???”

And with that, everything changed.

Part 2 Part 3(final part)

“You must let the boy die.”

Kilgharrah’s voice echoed incessantly through Merlin’s head for days after the Druid boy’s appearance, and subsequent disappearance.

Merlin had, of course, ignored the scaly old bastard, and hadn’t once questioned if he’d done the right thing by hiding Mordred away in his tiny bedroom.

If the boy truly had such a terrible destiny, then the best thing for Merlin to do was to keep him close, if not to steer him away from his fate, then to at least be able to see it coming if it was indeed inevitable.

Currently, Morgana was the only one aware that Mordred was still here (other than Gaius of course, who was somehow disapproving and proud at the same time). As far as everyone else was concerned, Arthur and Uther included, the boy was never found, and must have slipped out of the city somehow (going by the extra patrols in the woods, as opposed to the castle and town).

The Warlock was nervous about anyone knowing at first, but when Morgana had tearfully thanked him for saving Mordred, and proceeded to sneak in spare blankets, food, and money for clothes, Merlin was glad for the co-conspirator.

The boy was currently curled up in the corner of Merlin’s room, a pile of blankets and pillows organised like a bird’s nest around him, wearing a soft shirt and sleeping the night away.

Merlin watched him from his bed, realising with growing horror just how protective of Mordred he had already become. He was so young. How could Merlin even consider punishing a child for some stupid destiny he didn’t even know about?

He had to think of a solution quickly. He couldn’t risk sending him away, not even to the Druids, they were as much slaves to the so-called prophecies as Kilgharrah was, and Merlin had once been (”Gods. Sounds like I’ve been dealing with destiny for years. It’s been like six months. I’m too young for this shit.”). But equally... what could he do with him??

Thankfully, no one had really gotten a good look at the boy, so hopefully with a change of clothes and a haircut, he wouldn’t be recognised, at least not if Merlin came up with a convincing enough story.

To be honest... the cover story worried him far more than the prospect of someone recognising him. Uther hadn’t recognised Nimueh, the woman who had been his court sorceress for years... the man was apparently not very observant.

In the end, it was a throwaway comment by Morgana a few days later, about a week after the Druid boy had “escaped” that gave Merlin a very stupid idea. So stupid, that it might just work.

Morgana had once again snuck away from the main castle to sit with Merlin and Mordred in the servant’s room.

Gaius had said nothing as she’d entered the Physician’s chambers, enough food for four hidden away in the picnic basket she carried, just raised his eyebrow slightly, and thanked The Lady for the food offering that was definitely-not-a-bribe.

She gave him a quick wink, and the old physician rolled his eyes fondly as he set an overturned bucket in front of the door; if anyone came in, they would come in loudly.

Mordred was happy to see her, and Merlin hid a fond smile at the boy’s quiet giggles. He still didn’t speak much, so it was a relief to see him finding joy in something, even if it was clandestine visits from Uther’s ward.

She ruffled his hair slightly, resisting the urge to pull the touch averse boy into a tight hug, and set the basket on the bed. Merlin sat against the pillows, and Morgana sat down opposite him, the basket in between them as Mordred clambered up to sit just in front of Merlin.

Morgana and Merlin talked quietly as they ate, Mordred staying silent as the adults (or...as adult as they could get. Like Merlin kept thinking to himself, he was too young for this shit at sixteen, and Morgana was only two years older than him) avoided the elephant in the room.

The elephant being that they couldn’t keep this up forever. Arthur had a habit of bursting in whenever he so pleased, and it was a miracle he hadn’t done so already. Plus, it would be cruel to expect Mordred to stay cooped up in here for much longer. He was a child, he deserved to play outside and explore and do all the other things he couldn’t do in Merlin’s bedroom.

Once they finished eating, Mordred moved to his makeshift bed in the corner, tightly clutching a book that Morgana had bought him, and furrowing his brows in concentration as he read.

Morgana stared at him with a soft smile, and Merlin sighed, once again worrying about his new ward’s future.

Morgana tilts her head, as if a sudden thought had occurred to her, and looks slowly between Merlin and Mordred as the servant raises a questioning eyebrow at her.

“You know Merlin, the two of you look remarkably similar.”

Mordred is engrossed in his book, and doesn’t react at all to Morgana’s quiet comment, but Merlin’s eyebrow goes even higher as he huffs out a laugh:

“You think? I don’t see it.”

Morgana looks at him with a deadpan expression:

“Merlin, you don’t have a mirror in here. I’m fairly certain you have no concept of what you look like.-”

Merlin looks indignantly offended for all of two seconds before he sighs and nods, she’s right to be fair. He’s tall-ish, with pale skin, and he thinks he has brown hair. That’s about all he knows.

Morgana chuckles as she once again looks at Mordred:

“You both have very dark hair, bright blue eyes, pale skin. You know...-”

She looks back at him with a thoughtful frown on her face:

“-if someone told me you were brothers... I’d believe it.”

Merlin raises an eyebrow:

“Really?”

She nods decisively:

“Yeah. I mean, the more I think about it, the more I look between you, yes. You could definitely be related.”

Merlin nods his head slowly, thinking. He takes in a deep breath and tilts his head slightly:

“It could work. I haven’t really talked to anyone about my family so... we could say that... he came to live with me? Because life here is... good?”

Morgana snorts slightly, rolling her eyes before looking back at him seriously:

“You’d have to be more convincing than that. You could say that the harvest was poor in your village? That Mordred was better off coming to stay with his big brother in the big city?”

Merlin nods at her words, grimacing slightly as he mutters:

“If we’re running with the whole... brother thing, I need to write a letter to my mum, just in case. Gods she’s going to laugh so much.”

Morgana laughs at him quietly, but the noise finally catches Mordred’s attention and he looks up in confusion. Merlin moves the basket to the floor, and gestures to the boy to come over.

He walks over wordlessly, climbing up to kneel between them, biting his lip nervously.

“Is it time for me to leave, Emrys?” echoes through Merlin’s head, and he gives the boy a comforting smile, shaking his head slightly, before saying out loud:

“You’re staying with me, Mordred-”

The boy smiles slightly as he stares at Merlin in reverence, and Morgana quickly hides her questioning gaze. She could see that there was more between them than simple protectiveness over a child, and thankfulness for being saved, but she kept her thoughts to herself as Merlin continued:

“-but we can’t keep you hidden in here forever, so we’re going to tell people that you’re my younger brother, come to live with me. Is that alright?”

Mordred nods his head vigorously, and Merlin chuckles slightly as the boy’s grin grew:

“Ok. We’ll get you a haircut and tell Gaius the plan. Probably wait a few more days for things to settle down further, and then see how it goes, ok?”

Mordred nods once more, smile not leaving his face. Morgana bites her lip to stop herself from laughing at Merlin’s shocked face when the boy threw himself into the servant’s arms for a tight hug.

Merlin spends the next few days teaching Mordred all about Ealdor and his mother and Will, so that the boy could have at least a little knowledge on what was supposedly his home and family.

The next time Morgana came to visit, she brought a comb and a sharp pair of scissors, as well as a few more changes of clothes that looked less... Druid. By the time she left that evening, Mordred had much shorter hair, and a wide grin on his face at the prospect of finally being able to go outside (he was Druid after all, he needed trees and fresh air).

The letter had been sent home, and Merlin was expecting a reply any day now. The only thing left to worry about was how to hide Mordred’s Druid marking. It would be easy to cover with clothes, but Uther’s increasing paranoia meant that it would be best if they could find a more permanent solution.

Gaius suggested some sort of glamour spell fairly quickly, but Merlin was unwilling to cast one on the boy until he’d mastered it.

And THAT meant showing up to serve Arthur with ink all over his hands that he had tried and failed to cover.

Merlin had also realised with dawning horror, that he would have to tell Morgana the truth. She knew about the marking, and she was smart, there was no way that hiding it wasn’t something that had occurred to her. She would bring it up eventually, and how could Merlin explain without having to... explain??

Morgana was already risking her favour with the King, and frankly, her life, by protecting a Druid... she would do the same for Merlin, right? But Mordred hadn’t actually done any magic... BUT she’d always spoken against executions... BUT Merlin had lied and hidden it from her, his friend...

Hmm...

In the end, he’d decided he would just have to suck it up, and tell her. Fuck whatever that dragon said. After Kilgharrah’s last round of... advice, Merlin had been ignoring his calls. If there was an emergency, the cryptic bastard would tell him, and until then he could just sulk in that cave on his own.

That two weeks was also enough for Uther to become convinced that the mysterious Druid boy really was long gone, and to just forget about it. He was pissed of course, but talking about it and extending the search just highlighted that a child, barely eleven summers, had managed to evade all of his forces and that... did not cast him in a good light.

It took Merlin about two weeks to fully master the spell, which was longer than the three of them were hoping, but he was adamant that he perfect it before he cast it on Mordred, and Gaius was incredibly impressed at his ward’s determination.

Morgana was of course confused about why they kept pushing it back, she thought they were only going to wait a few days before they started introducing Mordred, but she trusted Merlin and saw no harm in waiting a little longer.

When Morgana arrived that evening, she could tell that Merlin was... anxious. They’d agreed on a specific day to make introductions but it wasn’t until the end of this week, it didn’t make any sense for Merlin to suddenly be nervous about it.

Mordred wasn’t quite as good at hiding his emotions, and didn’t even giggle like he normally did when Morgana came over, just stared at his “brother” anxiously.

Morgana rolled her eyes and huffed as she shut the door:

“Alright, Merlin. What is it? Spit it out.”

Merlin opened his mouth, about to come out with an excuse, before he snapped it shut again and took a deep breath.

It worried him, how easy, how automatic it was for him to lie, but that was a worry for another time.

Mordred reached up and took his hand, squeezing it, and Merlin looked down at him with a weak smile before sitting on the bed and gesturing that Morgana join him.

She looked at him worriedly, but settles where he gestures, and doesn’t acknowledge the way Mordred sits defensively between them.

The boy looks back at Merlin:

“Are you sure, Emrys?”

Merlin gives him another smile, and squeezes his shoulder slightly as he raises an eyebrow:

“I’m sure. And you need to get used to calling me Merlin at some point.”

Mordred pouts slightly, and Merlin ruffles his hair as he laughs, before looking back up at Morgana’s questioning stare.

He takes another deep breath, before slowly speaking:

“I... we’ve found a way to properly hide Mordred’s marking.”

Morgana looks taken aback, but relieved:

“Oh. Is that all? That’s good isn’t it? I have to admit, it was worrying me.”

Merlin gulps:

“Yeah it... it is good... it’s just, it involves... magic.”

Morgana raises her eyebrow, and nods slowly, as if it were obvious:

“I figured it would be. It’s not like it would be easy or reliable to cover it with make-up every morning, or hide it with clothes.-”

It’s Merlin’s turn to look taken aback now, and Mordred fixes her with an unreadable expression. Morgana continues:

“-The problem, lies in finding someone willing to do whatever spell it is. Someone we could trust wouldn’t share the secret, no matter what.”

Merlin grimaces slightly, more gulping, and taking yet another deep breath:

“We already have someone. Me.”

Morgana gasps slightly, and she’s vaguely aware of the brothers in front of her tensing up, but all she can focus on is the gold of Merlin’s irises.

The gold fades, and Merlin clears his throat, breaking her out of her stupor. She reaches over and punches Merlin harshly on the arm before getting up and beginning to pace, speechless.

Merlin and Mordred panic at first, but when she makes no moves towards the door in her pacing, they relax. That only lasts for a moment or two however, before she looks back to Merlin, furious:

“Are you thick Merlin? Why on earth would you learn magic in Camelot of all places?? Do you have a death wish!?”

Merlin laughs slightly, cheeks turning pink as he rubs the back of his neck:

“Actually uh... I was born with magic; I’ve always had it. My mother sent me here because she thought I would learn to control it better.”

Morgana looks incredulous as she continues to rant:

“What? With the fear of execution hanging over your head?! That’s not control, that’s terror.”

Merlin shrugs:

“It works though. My magic is mostly instinctual, the threat of torture by pyre sure as hell stops me from losing control when I’m angry or scared or whatever...”

Morgana huffs, crossing her arms and fixing him with a glare. Both Merlin and Mordred cower slightly as they are reminded of angry and disproving mothers; as if they were about to be scolded for getting their clothes dirty, or ruining their dinner with too many snacks.

She just stares at him for a minute, before she sags slightly, and begins chuckling at the boys’ fearful faces:

“You are ridiculous. But it’s far too late to persuade you to leave now. Does Arthur know?”

Merlin’s face morphs into a mournful frown, as he looks to the floor and mumbles:

“No. I wish I could tell him but... with Uther...”

Morgana sighs, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder:

“Uther won’t be here forever. We’ll just have to keep Arthur from turning into too much of a prat before he becomes King.-”

Merlin laughs at that, and looks up to give the woman a grateful smile. She returns his smile before continuing:

“-So, you can do the spell?”

Merlin winces slightly and gestures for Mordred to pull the collar of his shirt down, to reveal a blank patch of skin:

“I’ve actually already done it. It’ll stay there permanently until I take it off. Though we should keep checking, just in case.”

Morgana looks surprised, and smiles:

“What’s the problem then?-”

She rolls her eyes when Merlin looks at her incredulously:

“-Oh, come on Merlin. I’m not going to turn you in, you’re safe with me. You both are, and you always will be.”

The servant jumps up to give her a tight hug, which she quickly returns as Mordred nervously joins in. Morgana smiles to herself, and squeezes her boys tighter.

She may love Uther and Arthur, and she knew they loved her back, in their own way, but this? This was family.

The time finally came for Merlin to introduce his baby brother. Hunith had supposedly dropped him off late last night and left immediately, having to get back home quickly.

Morgana had gone to gather Gwen and Arthur whilst Merlin and Mordred waited in their room (it was definitely their room now, instead of just Merlin’s).

It was early in the morning, and to say that Arthur was grumpy at being woken by Morgana instead of Merlin, was an understatement.

But he eventually caved, and dressed himself as he grumbled, allowing Morgana to drag him to meet Gwen (who was equally confused) before the three of them made their way to the Physician’s chambers.

Gaius was suspiciously absent, and Morgana knocked on Merlin’s door, before slowly opening it and walking in, Arthur and Gwen following her quickly.

Gwen was surprised at the sight of Merlin stood behind a child, hands protectively on his shoulders, but smiled and gave Mordred a soft wave in greeting.

Arthur however, froze, and stared at the boy with a shocked expression.

Morgana moved to stand next to Mordred, and took one of his hands as Merlin began to speak:

“Gwen, Arthur, I want you to meet my baby brother, Mordred. He’s come to live with me.”

Gwen waved again, and bent over to Mordred’s height:

“Hi Mordred, I’m Guinevere, but all my friends call me Gwen. I didn’t know that Merlin had a brother, but it’s lovely to meet you.”

Mordred gave her a small smile, and Merlin suppressed a chuckle as-

“I like her, Em- Merlin.”

-echoed through his head.

Arthur’s gaze moved away from Mordred finally, up to Merlin.

Merlin stared back at him blankly, but Arthur saw the way his jaw clenched as he moved a protective hand down, to pull Mordred closer to him.

The Prince let out a deep sigh, growling slightly as Gwen looked at him in confusion, and Morgana and Merlin stared at him challengingly.

He shook his head as his shoulders sagged, and he rubbed at his eyes with the palms of his hands before looking back to Mordred with a strained smile:

“It’s nice to meet you, Mordred. My name’s Arthur.”

With that, Morgana smirks slightly, and Merlin relaxes. Gwen just rolls her eyes:

“Sorry about him Mordred, he doesn’t spend much time around people your age.”

Mordred gives her another smile, and Merlin glances to Gwen, before looking down at Mordred:

“Why don’t you go with Morgana and Gwen to see the city a little? Me and Arthur need to talk, I’ll catch up with you later, ok?��

Mordred turns around quickly, and grabs Merlin’s hand tightly:

“You promise??”

Gwen holds in an “awww” and Morgana hides her smile. Mordred rarely talks aloud (she’d been told of the mental link), but she’s glad to see he was feeling at least a little more comfortable.

Merlin crouches down, and pulls the boy into a tight hug, stroking his hair slightly as he stares straight at Arthur:

“I promise. I’ll never leave you for long Mordred.”

Arthur gulps at Merlin’s hard stare, but gives him an almost imperceptible nod, which Merlin returns as he stands up. Mordred gives him one more look as he takes one of Morgana’s hands, and one of Gwen’s, and follows them out of the room.

Morgana shuts the door quietly, and Arthur sighs again before looking at Merlin:

“What are you thinking Merlin?? You just thought I wouldn’t notice?”

Merlin crosses his arms, his glare still hard:

“No, I knew you would notice, I just had faith that you’re a better man than your father.”

Arthur is still deep in his “my father can do no wrong” faze, and takes great offense at that, taking a threatening step forward and growling:

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Merlin just huffs and raises an eyebrow slightly:

“I had assumed that you were not the type of man to have a child executed, just for existing.-”

Merlin copies Arthur’s step forward, raising his chin and continuing, his voice low and dangerous:

“-Did I assume correctly? Because there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect that kid, Arthur. Nothing.”

Arthur stares at him incredulously, only managing to hold Merlin’s surprisingly confident stare for a few moments, before nodding and stepping back:

“Of course. He’s a child, Merlin, I won’t see him hurt, if I can help it.”

Merlin nods slowly, not looking away from Arthur as he softly says:

“I’ll hold you to that.-”

He walks around The Prince, opening the door and stepping halfway through before looking over his shoulder, and quietly saying to a confused Arthur:

“-If you truly believed that all magic is evil, and always corrupted, no matter what, then you wouldn’t care that he’s a child; you’d want him dead anyway. So perhaps think about your... prejudices, a little more deeply, maybe you’ll discover you are different to Uther in other ways as well.”

Before Arthur can even really process what Merlin said, the servant is shutting the door behind him, and rushing off to find his new brother.

OK SO!!!

I really LOVED writing this, there will definitely be more parts, I just figured I should end it here before I got carried away

This series is finished!! (Links at the top <3 )

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marauderundercover · 3 years ago

Text

Taking Chances Chapter Five: Paris Revealed (Stories/Memories)

AO3

Marinette flinches back as the room erupts in shouting. The younger boy, who was definitely younger than her and yet almost (if not definitely) taller than her, was fiercely glaring while he screamed at Mr. Wayne in….was that Arabic? The man that walked in with him was waving around the knife in his hand while Dick yelled at Mr. Wayne, his face filled with confusion instead of fury. Glancing around for a way out, Marinette makes eye contact with Alfred who nods behind him. Sneaking away from the group of angry men, Marinette follows Alfred into the kitchen and instantly feels at home. And much calmer.

“I’m sorry.” She mumbles, breathing deeply to avoid spiraling again. Alfred simply hands her a cookie before turning around and putting water in a kettle.

“There is no need to apologize, Miss Marinette. It seems Master Bruce has forgotten all sense today and is instead insistent on acting like a fool. It was wrong of him to announce you like that, without preparing you or the boys beforehand. I do hope that his atrocious display of proper manners doesn’t make you want to leave.” Alfred says, and Marinette’s eyebrows shoot upwards. Was he? Was Alfred actually blaming this situation on Mr. Wayne? Was it Mr. Wayne’s fault? Did he not actually hate her? Did he just make a mistake?

“I- what?” Marinette says, unsure of herself.

“You, my dear, are not at fault. Your father didn’t tell any of his sons that you were coming to the manor today, or that you existed in general. And judging by your face, you weren’t prepared for the boys to be here either.” Alfred clarifies.

“Oh. No, I wasn’t. Mr. Wayne just said that he wanted to get to know me, and he knew I wanted to get to know him. I- my birth mother passed away. But my Maman knew her, so I can find out from her how I’m similar to Bridgette. But neither of my parents knew Mr. Wayne, and I just wanted to know if I was like him, I guess. I didn’t even know who he was until two days ago.” Marinette admits.

“As in you found out Bruce Wayne was your birth father two days ago or-” Alfred trails off, waiting for her to clarify.

“Oh no. I found out the name of my birth father awhile ago. It’s just- I really don’t pay attention to celebrities. The only ones I really know are designers. So I didn’t put two and two together, and I didn’t even know about Bruce Wayne and Wayne Enterprises until a few days ago. My friend Adrien made me google him and that’s when I found out about...the boys.” She says, stopping herself from saying her brothers as she was still unsure if Mr. Wayne actually wanted her like he wanted the others.

“Well I’m certain that things will start to calm down shortly. In the meantime, would you care for some tea?” Alfred asks, holding up the kettle. Marinette nods gratefully, trying hard to stop her inner spiral from drowning her.

---

“What do you mean daughter?” Damian snarls, finally switching to English. Bruce blinks at the boy before sighing.

“I mean, you have a biological sister.” He says, tired and wishing he had been able to convince Marinette to go somewhere else. Not that he didn’t want her to meet her siblings. But it definitely wasn’t the laid back first meeting that he wanted.

“You mean half-sister.” Damian spits out, crossing his arms and sticking his nose into the air.

“Shut up, Demon Spawn. She’s our sister, get over it. Where’d the kid come from? Her mom drop her off?” Jason asks, obviously trying to actually understand the situation.

“No. I first met her at the Museum and had my suspicions. She’s in Gotham on a class trip, and before you ask, yes. We had a DNA test done and yes, I am her father.” Bruce says, frowning when he sees Dick’s hurt expression morph into one of excitement.

“Wait, wait, wait! Was she the girl who was sassing the Joker?” He asks quietly, practically buzzing with excitement. When Bruce nods, Dick cheers and runs from the room. Okay then.

“Wait, she met the Joker?” Jason asks, his expression turning dark. Bruce watches his son’s face morph into one of disgust when he puts it together. “She’s the French kid he had at gunpoint, isn’t she?”

“Yes. Which is one of the reasons why we both thought the manor would be a more appropriate meeting place rather than somewhere public.” Bruce says, sighing as Damian once again starts screaming. This was not what he had planned.

---

After just a few minutes with Alfred, Marinette already felt calmer. Calm enough to giggle at another story about something that one of the boys- one of her brothers- did. Calm enough to let her guard down. And mess up.

“If you wanna see something ridiculous, you should look up the 26th time Monsieur Ramier was akumatized into Monsieur Pigeon. He made all the buildings turn into bird cages and all the food turned into bird seed. Luckily it didn’t last long, but seeing the Mayor of Paris stuck inside a giant bird cage was kind of hilarious.” Marinette rambles, giggling at the memory. It was definitely a needed akuma, situated right between two super destructive akumas. Monsieur Pigeon was, while a nuisance, always a breath of fresh air. His akumatized form was brought on by his fierce protectiveness of the pigeons, which luckily never led to death for civilians.

“Pardon me, Miss Marinette, but could I ask what you mean by ‘akumatized’?” Alfred asks, his posture suddenly stiff. Marinette’s eyes widen as she realizes what she just did. She told someone outside of Paris about the situation happening in Paris. Well crap. Normal Parisians didn’t know about the media block that she had set up with the help of the Mayor and Max. But after her calls to the Justice League were ignored, and she realized how disastrous it would be for a member of the League to be akumatized, the media block was the best choice. Time to act clueless.

“Akumatized, as in, a person is possessed by an akuma? Surely you’ve heard of it. It’s been happening in Paris for almost two years.” She says, hoping he doesn’t ask to see any evidence. This isn’t good, this is awful, this-

“And what is an akuma?” Alfred asks. Okay, this isn’t too bad.

“It’s an evil butterfly sent out by the villain, Hawkmoth.” Marinette says, giving out more information than she’s really comfortable with. Okay, time to change the subject, no more questions about heroes or villains or-

“Marinette!” A new voice calls, sliding into the kitchen, almost immediately falling over.

“Master Dick, have you forgotten about your ban on the kitchen?” Alfred asks, his lips quirking up in amusement.

“Awww, Alfred, I just wanted to talk to Marinette. I feel bad for all of us overwhelming her back there.” Dick says with a pout that somehow doesn’t look ridiculous on him. Despite obviously being at least ten years older than her.

“Don’t feel bad. It was just...a lot all at once.” Marinette says with a small smile.

“So I have to ask, are you the one who sassed the Joker at the Museum the other day?” He asks, a wide grin on his face as he sits on one of the stools. Marinette’s eyes widen and she blinks. How?

“Oh, uh, yeah, I guess. It wasn’t a big deal though. He thought I was a Wayne- well, I guess he figured it out before I did- but I think he just wanted to scare my class.” She says, waving her hand to brush off the topic. She really didn’t want to talk about the Joker. Because she was sure it would turn into-

“I apologize for asking, but have you been caught up in the villain attacks in Paris before?” Alfred asks, Marinette instantly panicking. Sure, she’d been caught up in almost every single akuma battle as Ladybug. But there were a few on record where she was targeted as Marinette, and even a few battles that she assisted as Marinette. And then there was Kwami Buster…

“Well, a few. But basically everyone in Paris has dealt with it at some point. That’s just what happens when there’s an attack so often, you know? And my school seems to be a hotspot but that makes sense because teenagers are full of negative emotions and-” Marinette cuts off her rambling, cursing herself on the inside. Great job, Mari. Now they’re going to be worried or they’re going to think you’re a freak or-

“What do you mean negative emotions? Why would that matter?” Dick asks, his previous cheerful smile replaced with a look that clearly meant business.

“That’s how the villain chooses his targets. Negative emotion. If someone is having a bad enough day, he can take control of them and give them powers and basically destroy the city trying to get to Ladybug and Chat Noir, who are our heroes. I only know what’s been posted on official sites like the Ladyblog or miraculousparis.org.” Marinette says, smiling apologetically and hoping that this conversation can be over.

“Have you ever been akumatized?” Dick asks, tension suddenly filling the room.

“No, thankfully. I’ve found ways to manage my negative emotions so that they can’t take me over. I don’t blame anyone who has been akumatized, it’s hard not to be. But, I also don’t think I’d be able to forgive myself if I was akumatized.” Because then her family would be a target. Because Hawkmoth would know her identity. And if Hawkmoth’s insistence on her being akumatized was anything to go on, she’d be a devastating akuma. And if Ladybug wasn’t fighting in the battle….would the cure even work?

“That is a lot of pressure, Miss Marinette.” Alfred says softly after a moment of tense silence. Marinette grins brightly.

“I can handle it, don’t worry!” She says, hoping no one can tell how hard it actually is. How hard it is constantly being strong. Never truly feeling a negative emotion.

---

Bruce winces at the faux cheerfulness in his daughter’s voice. He had only found out about the Paris situation a few days ago, but he was determined to fix it. Find a solution. Do something to help the city and by extension, his daughter. She’d be going back there soon. Back to a city that was being held hostage by an emotional terrorist. Bruce would fix this. He had to.

Tag list: @maribat-bdbwm @vixen-uchiha @stainedglassm @liquid-luck-00 @jayjayspixiepop @jjmjjktth @mizzy-pop @trippingovermyfeet @queenz-z @thepaceperson @iloontjeboontje @waiting247 @laurcad123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @ritacrow-blog @deathssilentapproach-blog @kittenmywaythrulife @imarivers8 @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks

#maribat bruce wayne #maribat #maribat marinette dupain cheng #maribat adrien agreste #maribat adrienette #maribat bio dad bruce #maribat bio dad! bruce wayne month 2021 #maribat bio dad au #maribat batfam #maribat dick grayson #maribat jason todd #maribat damian wayne #mbdbwm2021 #day five stories/memories #ao3fic

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tomoyajpeg · 3 years ago

Text

A Friend, A Detour, A Way Home - Part Two

Tsukasa: (Onee-sama... ah, there she is.)

Onee—

Tori: Ah, it’s Anzu! Heeeey, Anzu~ ♪

You didn’t think you were gonna see me here, huh? You must be sooo happy, right? Ehehe♪

Tsukasa: (Th-that’s unfair...! Tori-kun may have gotten to her first, but the one Onee-sama made a promise with is me!)

Tetora: Ahaha. Tori’s always kind of a clingy little squirrel around Angeo, huh?

Tsukasa: Indeed. No matter how much time passes, it seems like he will always be a spoiled child.

Midori: ...Suou-kun, aren’t you walking kinda fast, all of a sudden?

Tsukasa: Y-you’re just imagining things.

Thank you for your hard work, Onee-sama. I look forward to working with you today.

...You were surprised because I arrived with such a large amount of people, I see. You have my deepest apologies for startling you.

Though we have a photoshoot scheduled for today, may I suggest that we partake in their assistance and take photographs of us all playing at the “arcade” after school?

Fufu. I’m honored by your compliments. "We'll be able to take some good "high school student"-like photos there," you say?

...So this is, indeed, the way high school students spend their time.

No, it’s nothing. Well, then, let us proceed, Onee-sama.

Time: 30 minutes later...

Tsukasa: So, this is the "arcade?"

Tsukasa: I see. Just as I’ve been told, there are indeed a great variety of Games here.

I would also like to try playing one. Harukawa-kun, may I ask you to inform me of the etiquette needed for an arcade?

Sora: Etiquette? The rules are different depending on what game it is, but first, you should put money in the game machine you want to play on~

Tsukasa: I understand. To start out, I shall try that on this nearby Game machine.

...Hm? I cannot locate the Card slot.

Shinobu: Yes, you can’t use a credit card. Usually, games like these take something like a 100-yen coin.

Tsukasa: I-is that so? I tend to make most of my payments by Card, so I instinctively...

I do carry some physical currency on me, just in case, but I don’t seem to have any 100-yen coins...

What is it, Onee-sama? ...Hm. I see, if I use that currency exchange machine over there, I will be able to acquire a 100-yen coin.

I’ll go do that, so please do whatever you’d like, everyone.

Midori: So it’s a free period, then. Okay, then maybe I’ll go check out that crane game...

When we went by, I saw that there were mascot character plushies... ♪

Tetora: I’m gonna take on that arm-wrestling machine!

Today, I’m gonna see if I can beat the unshakable record of that legendary player, “ADNS”~!

Sora: Sora will play that candy-catching game over there! Sora’s going to get a present for Shisho~

Shinobu: I will be challenging a rhythm game! I’ll aim for the position of Bongo Master... ☆

Tori: Oh, can I come along too? That game looks super embarrassing to play all by yourself, so I've never tried.

Time: After a little while...

Tsukasa: (...Everyone looks like they’re having fun.)

(But, I...)

.......

.......? Ah, Onee-sama.

Why am I not playing anything? Um...

...To be honest, I’m not sure what I should do. Even though you asked me to take pictures of myself when I am acting as a “high school student”—

In the end, I was unable to find a solution by myself. The academy is simply a place for learning, and I don’t really have friends who spend time with me after school.

Seeing that I was troubled, Harukawa-kun reached out to me. I was only able to get this far riding on the coattails of everyone’s suggestions.

While being swept along, I found myself here. I was unable to conduct myself like a normal high school student.

...Why are you beckoning me this way? “There’s somewhere I want to take you to,” you say?

Of course. I shall accompany you anywhere you wish, Onee-sama.

Location: A different floor of the arcade...

Tsukasa: This is...? There are quite a few of these large, box-like machines lined up in a row.

“Pur*kura”... I see. One can take pictures of themself using a Camera~, and then print them out. [1]

! This poster says “No Boys Allowed”! I must make my exit quickly, then...

Why have you stopped me? ...That only applies to unaccompanied males?

...As long as one is with a girl, then it is fine, I see. Certainly, that is indeed written on the poster as well... I apologize for jumping to an incorrect conclusion so hastily.

First, insert the money... Do you decide on what kind of photograph to take while outside of the machine?

Portrait mode, Filter effects...? I don’t quite understand these options...

...Alright, I’ve done it. Next, let us enter and take our photographs. After you, Onee-sama.

Oh, there are words displayed on the screen... “Follow the instructions for a perfect picture! ☆”

Fufu. As an Idol, photographs are my forte. I will respond perfectly, no matter what Pose I am given.

Say “meow meow” and imitate a cat...? This is the first time I have been assigned such a thing, u-um...

Meow, meow... ♪

Ugh. That ended up coming out quite awkwardly.

P-please do not laugh at me... Ah, the next instruction is here.

Please watch me! The next pose I make will be absolutely perfect!

Time: A few minutes later...

Tsukasa: ...Ohh. Not only can you change the background, but you can also enlarge your eyes and make your eyelashes longer, it seems.

So this is called a “touch-up.” ...Come to think of it, Narukami-senpai has said something like that before. ☆ [2]

I recall her smiling happily while looking in the dressing room mirror, saying “Touch-up successful!”

At the time, I had wondered why her "touch" was "up", but now I understand... Unexpectedly, I was able to resolve the questions I had.

Now, all that’s left is to wait for the pictures to be completed... oh, are they already finished?

So this is my first “Pur*kura”... ♪

Fufu. I followed Onee-sama’s recommendation and added a filter, but it’s fascinating how it almost looks as if I am someone else entirely.

Is this how I appeared, taking these photographs? “You may have been taking cues from someone else, but you looked like you were having fun, like a high schooler,” you say...

I’m certain that is because Onee-sama was by my side.

For the Suou family, for work, for publicity... My photographs are usually for the sake of someone else.

Even the photographs that I take myself are all of scenery, or animals. I rarely take pictures of myself.

That’s why I’m truly happy to have been able to take a picture with you like this.

Thank you very much, Onee-sama... ♪

—That’s right, isn’t it. This is a place where one does not have to act formally, and can play around without a care in the world.

Just like how Onee-sama invited me to take a “Pur*kura” together, I should spend time with everyone without feeling hesitant.

Therefore... your hand, please, Onee-sama.

Fufu. You, too, are a high school student. That’s the appropriate age to play together with your friends at an “arcade,” is it not?

Let us seal away all the troublesome matters of everyday life, and enjoy ourselves for now.

Purikura, short for "print club," is a photo booth machine where you add filters and can draw on the photos after you've taken them. Once you're done, the machine prints the photos out as stickers.

In JP, he calls it “盛る,” slang for making yourself look cuter than usual, specifically by applying things like heavy makeup or photo filters.

#enstars #suou tsukasa

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krizaland · 4 years ago

Note

Yandere Zim X Male Reader? There isn't many out there, and I sort of had a song in mind if you would like to listen: Rory by Foxing.

You got it, friend!

Be warned: There are themes of unrequited love, wasps and a graphic depiction of wasp stings ahead!

Here's the song that was used btw

From the moment he met you, Zim found himself captivated by you.

From your gentle eyes to your kind soul, Zim found you utterly fascinating.

You were nothing like any of the other humans! You weren’t ugly, and you didn’t even stink!

You may have been friends with Dib but that didn’t stop you from sticking up for him whenever Dib tried to expose him!

At first, Zim decided to use you as a good source of information as well as a way to keep up appearances without drawing too much attention to himself.

However, the more time he spent with you, Zim started to feel…strange to say the least.

His PAK would spark around you and his squeedilyspooch felt like it was tied up in knots!

“Computer! What are these HORRIBLE feelings inside of me?! What has that Y/N-human done to Zim?!” Zim demanded as he pointed to the ceiling.

“WELL….UM…”

“C’mon spit it out already!”

“WELL IT SEEMS THAT YOU HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE…”

Zim’s jaw hit the ground.

“WHAT?! ME?! IN LOVE?! WITH A HUMAN?! IMPOSSIBLE! Preform a full body bioscan!”

Zim’s computer sighed as a few mechanical tentacles wrapped around Zim.

“SCANNING…SCANNING….”

After a few minutes, the tentacles retracted,

“BIOSCAN COMPLETE. NO ILLNESSES DETECTED.”

“N-No! No! This can’t be! No invader can even experience love! Especially not for the enemy! What am I going to do?! ARGH! Computer! Create an antidote for my love illness!” Zim commanded as he tugged on his antennas.

“UM THERE REALLY ISN’T A CURE…”

“LIES!! Surely there has to be some way to get rid of these HORRIBLE FEELINGS!” Zim wailed dramatically.

“WELL…THERE IS ONE WAY TO GET RID OF THEM..”

“What are you waiting for! Tell me! Tell me the solution!!” Zim demanded as his voice quivered a bit.

“THE ONLY WAY YO GET RID OF YOUR FEELINGS IS TO ASK Y/N OUT..” The computer lied

“WHAT?! YOU WANT ZIM TO DATE THE ENEMY?! ARE YOU INSANE?!”

“Nyeh!”

Zim’s tirade was interrupted by Minimoose.

“Stay out of this, Minimoose! This doesn’t concern you!”

“Nyeh!”

“Aww! It’s sweet that you care about your master but don’t worry, Zim will be fine!”

“Nyeh!”

“Eh?! Ask Y/N out on a date to keep up appearances?! Never! didn’t I already make it clear that was a bad idea?! There’s no way I’d possibly show that kind of weakness to the enemy. But what if…”

Zim hummed for a moment as he stroked his chin.

“I’ve got it! I’ll ask Y/N out on a date to keep up appearances! Yes…I’ll simply use these feelings as a way to appear more normal so I can continue my mission!”

Minimoose was a bit annoyed but happily encouraged his master

“Nyeh!”

“I think you’re cool too, Minimoose! Now then, how to woo Y/N…Maybe one of those love note thingys.” Zim muttered to himself as he begin typing away at his keyboard.

After a few minutes of typing, Zim cracked a wicked smile.

“Excellent! With this loove note there’s no way Y/N could possibly resist my proposal!”

Zim burst into maniacal laughter as he printed the note.

“Now all thats left to do is deliver it!”

“OOOH!! OHHH!!! CAN I BRING THE NOTE TO RACECAR?!!” GIR squealed as he reached for the note.

“No GIR! I’m not going to risk this note getting damaged because of you!” Zim snapped as he snatched away the note.

GIR did like that answer.

He let out a loud shriek and threw himself to the ground.

He begun to kick and cry as loud as his voice chip would let him.

“ENOUGH! You may deliver the note to Y/N!” Zim grumbled as he held out the note.

“YAY!!!!!!!”

And with that, GIR grabbed the note with his mouth and flew off with it.

“Ugh, I better make sure GIR doesn’t ruin all of my hard work.” Zim huffed as he threw on his disguise and followed after GIR.

It wasn’t long before GIR managed to find you.

You were sitting on a bench in the park next to Dib, who seemed nervous about something.

“Dib? Are you ok? You’re acting kinda…twitchy”

“Twitchy? I’m not twitchy! Heh! It’s just um…the air! Yeah the air is really cold today!” Dib lied as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Dib it’s almost June. It’s like 88 degrees out here. What’s really going on?” You pressed as you gave Dib a sympathetic look.

Dib looked down at his feet and took in a deep breath.

“Ok, I’ll tell you but you have to promise you won’t be grossed out by me.”

“Dib, you’re my best friend! Not even hunting the most disgusting cryptid can make me grossed out by you!” You reassured with a chuckle.

Dib took in another deep breath as he turned to face you

“Y/N, I know we’ve been friends for like a really long time now and….well….”

“Well what?”

Dib swallowed thickly as he tugged at his shirt collar

“I think I might want to be more than friends!”

Dib’s words flew out a mile a minute before he clamped a hand over his mouth.

“Wait?! Are you serious?!” Your eyes lit up a bit.

“Gah! I knew this was a bad idea! Just forget I said anything!” Dib whimpered as he buried his face in his hands.

“No no! I’m actually really happy you told me that, Dib! Because…I want to be more than friends too!” You reassured as you put a hand on his shoulder.

Dib looked up at you and blinked in shock.

“Wait? Really?”

“Yes really! I’ve actually been wanting to ask you out for a while but I wasn’t sure if you felt the same.” You admitted sheepishly as you rubbed the back of your head.

“What?! You had feelings for me this whole time?! And you didn’t even- You know what? Who cares? All that matters is that we both feel the same about each other! Right?” Dib still seemed a bit skeptical.

“Exactly! That’s the spirit!” You cheered as you threw your arms in the air, smacking poor GIR out of the sky.

THUMP!

SPLOOSH!

GIR fell face first into a puddle, soaking Zim’s love note.

However it wouldn’t have mattered whether or not the love note was in tact. For Zim had witness the entire exchange between you and Dib and was devastated.

He let out a pained chuckle as he grabbed the soggy note from GIR’s mouth.

Zim was about to confront Dib when-

BONK!

THUMP!

Zim had walked right into s tree, causing a wasp nest to fall right on his head.

Zim let out a blood curdling scream as the wasps begun to attack him from all directions!

Soon he began to run amok, with more wasps trailing behind him!

It wasn’t long before Zim managed to make it back to his base.

Two robotic arms came down from the ceiling,

POP!

They pulled the wasp nest off of Zim’s head and chucked it out into the front yard.

Zim let out a pained groan as his grotesquely swollen face throbbed with wasp venom and glowing green pus.

The robotic arms carefully peeled off Zim’s disguise and another arm carried him down to his lab.

After a refreshing chemical shower, Zim’s face had returned to normal!

However, while his face had healed, his feelings were still in shambles.

He picked up the note and went back up to the kitchen.

Zim sunk to his knees as he shakily held the soggy note in his hands.

“I wrote you a letter, asked my robot to send it but it took to the sea before you could’ve read it…”

Zim’s grip tightened on the note as a few tears trickled down his cheeks.

“Retreated to snow capped waters of the unknown. Extracted my soul straight from my body! but glowing and red…And I swear that sweat would envelop your arms if you broke down and held it!”

“I swear I’m a good man-“ -Zim took in a heavy breath- “-I swear I’m a good man…”

Zim sniffled a bit,

“So why don’t you love me back?”

He looked down at the note in his hands.

“So why don’t you love me back?”

Zim let out a deep growl as he chucked the soggy note into the window.

“Instead of twisting up words you just say there in silence! In wind burnt homes sighing rays from a sunset!”

Zim rose to his feet and stormed towards the window.

As he peeled the soggy note off the window, he couldn’t help but notice that the wasp nest was still in the front yard.

“And all I could hear was the sound of the wasp nest, my head made a home for the hum of the insects!”

Zim took another glance down at the soggy note he had peeled off the window.

“But my hands shake and shudder at the mention of half written reasons we’ll only be friends!”

Zim’s fist curled around the note and punched the window.

“I swear I’m a good man…. I swear I’m a good man…”

Zim squeezed his eyes shut and let out a sob

“So why don’t you love me back?”

His hand slid down the window.

“So why don’t you love me back?!”

Zim threw the soggy note to the ground and stomped on it

“So why don’t you love me back?!”

He threw his head to the ceiling and shrieked

“So why don’t you love me back?!”

He clutched the sides of his head and wailed his plea once again,

“So why don’t you love me back?!”

Zim melted back down to his knees.

“So why don’t you love me back….”

A louder sob racked his body as Zim felt his world crash down around him.

How humiliating.

He was Irk’s finest invader! How could he be so wounded by one pitiful human?!

No, pitiful wasn’t the right word to describe you. In truth, Zim felt that handsome was a better fit.

Despite how devastated he was, Zim still couldn’t stop wanting you.

The need for your love sparked a fire deep within him.

The fire burned violently throughout Zim’s body! Pulling him out of his depression and making him more confident than ever!

Zim wanted you for some much more than appearances!

He wanted you to be his and his alone!

By taking you away from him, Dib had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

Zim let out a thunderous maniacal laugh as he raised his hands to the ceiling!

He put his disguise back on, grabbed a blaster, and hopped into his Voot.

“Prepare yourself, foolish Dib-monkey! I am coming to reclaim what’s rightfully mine! You shall rue the day you took Y/N away from Zim!”

#invader zim #invader zim x male!reader #invader zim x reader #dib x reader

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ladyartemesia · 5 years ago

Note

Fic recs for taehyung? I love your stuff btw I’ve read them all uwu

As a beacon of extra-ness in an already extra world, I am entirely incapable of just recommending fics like a normal blog. No. I’ve got to wax on like a bloomin connoisseur. I have compiled some (but not all) of my favorite works in several different categories and sorted them accordingly. This crazy list is so long I had to add a “keep reading”... but I simply couldn’t bear to leave any of these off the list. They are all so good!

Fics have been divided into 8 categories. Some are under the cut.

▨ FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS and FRIENDS TO LOVERS ▨ ▨ ARRANGED MARRIAGE ▨ ▨ FANTASY ▨ ▨ ANGST WITH A HAPPY ENDING ▨ ▨ HYBRID and ABO (alpha/omega) ▨ ▨ MULTIPLE PARTNERS ▨ ▨ NEIGHBORS AND ROOMMATES ▨ ▨ TABOO THEMES and DARK FIC (Sex Work/Power Imbalance/Very Unsafe Sex) ▨ ▨

▨ FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS and FRIENDS TO LOVERS ▨

Insomnia by @hobiwonder

This is one of those fics I read and literally could not stop thinking about. It is wildly hot and honestly hilarious. Poor reader cannot sleep and the beautiful bro she’s tutoring offers a rather unconventional solution.

(Ego) Hoe Chronicles: KTH by @suga-kookiemonster

Listen. If you find a niche fan blog devoted entirely to Ego Tae... I’m not gonna say it’s mine. But it’s probably mine. I once told suga-kookiemonster that I would literally read a story about Ego Tae going grocery shopping on a Wednesday night and I stand by that. In this lurid romp, the reader falls into the clutches of everyone’s favorite bohemian sex lord and he rails her into another dimension.

Falling, Falling, Gone by @johobi

Pining (mutual or otherwise) is not really my thing, but I would straight up read Jo’s laundry list if she posted it. As usual I was blown away by how everything she does seems somehow better than any other version of it. This reader is really unique as well, and her relationship with the wildly popular soccer star Tae comes to a sexy and hilarious head at a sort of bachelor auction. With sharp dialogue, delightful subtext, and fantastic side characters, you really shouldn’t miss it. It’s pretty much perfect.

A Friendly Favor by @baeseoul

This is the classic “teach me some sex for another woman” trope and it is done so well. Sweet best friend Tae is looking to benefit from your experience, but his is not the only world about to be thouroughly rocked.

Officer Kim and the Criminal Crush by @ddaengyoonmin

This is one of the best twists on childhood friends to lovers I have ever seen. Tae grows up to become a cop and reader grows up to be a societal menace. I won’t spoil it, but it’s the perfect blend of nostalgia, tenderness, and smut. This fic technically doesn’t have a name so I had to give it one to link it. It’s part of an AMAZING series Zoe did that I also highly recommend.

Out of the Blue by @jimlingss

This is one of those stories that blooms throughout the narrative until you are left with this gorgeous flower at the end. I loved the journey of these two characters. It was real and it perfectly captures the experience of finding your soulmate in the person you least expect.

Sin Pijama by @brilliantlybasicb

This fic is a switch culture fic. It is wild wicked hot and this Tae is unreal. I love the way he lets the reader think she is in control just long enough. It is a wild romp with an adorable sequel and honestly you should read it.

Girls Like You by @jjiminah

I was in jjiminah’s asks IMMEDIATELY about this fic because I had FEELINGS. The reader begins wordlessly teasing and tempting Tae on their morning bus ride every day until he is literally losing his mind. Everything that follows is fire. Jjiminah has hinted she will wrote more for these two and I NEED IT.

Sighs and Sonnets by @btsaudge

This fic is beautiful. Like it’s basically art. This is a bad boy who is bad for you. But he has the soul of a poet and the stroke game of a renaissance master. Bittersweet and seductive, this fic is a full experience.

The Text by @taetaesbaebaepsae

Tae is your friend with benefits but it looks like feeling may have been caught by one or more parties. When you attempt to soothe your aching heart with another pretty boy, Tae decides to stake his claim. This was very sexy. The whole fic was sexy.

▨ ARRANGED MARRIAGE ▨

Monster by @neonlights92

Monster and all of its companion series about each of the boys is one of those fics that I reread constantly and also just think about constantly. This is one of the best mafia AUs out there and it’s characters are vivid and unforgettable. Tae’s stubborn resistance to his lovely new wife in contrast with her quiet, clever strength really brings this story to life. A word of warning. The masterlist links are a bit messed up. To read part two you must click on part three. And to read part three must click on part four. The link to part four is at the bottom of part three (or you can just search it on her site. It is definitely all there though).

Dichotomy by @kpopfanfictrash

There is a reason the incomparable Shanna is on this list three times. She is truly incomparable. This is childhood friends-to enemies-to spouses and it is wonderful. I adore this Tae. He is sharp and vulnerable and occasionally heavy handed, but truly a gem. This fic also features one of the best angry sex scenes I’ve ever run my eyeballs across.

▨ FANTASY ▨

Chism by @kpopfanfictrash

The world-building in this story is genuinely awe inspiring. You could write series upon series within this vivid universe. The god of Winter is missing and Summer’s heat burns unchecked for many years. The reader is a warrior with a unique ability tasked with guarding a very interesting prisoner. This story is so good. I mean it is really bloomin incredible. It’s hard to say what I liked best about it, because it was stellar across the board.

Obsidian by @kpopfanfictrash

In the pantheon of delicious Tae incarnations, Obsidian Taehyung is essentially unrivaled as a grey witch who moonlights as a sexy rock star. His extremely erotic clash with a white witch detective plays out as the two of them track down a sinister killer (with the help of some truly memorable side characters).

Out of this World by @ddaengyoonmin

This one is really unique. Tae is a merman scientist on the water planet of Neptune and when the reader and her misguided crew crash into his sea, he takes it upon himself to improve inter-species relations. This fic features excellent world building alongside several twists and surprises. Clever scientist Tae is downright irresistible.

▨ ANGST WITH A HAPPY ENDING ▨

Picking Flowers by @jamaisjoons

So this story is a journey - truly a beautiful one and it’s a gorgeous addition to the hanahaki genre. There is real pain and I cried real tears, but gosh it was so sexy and so worth it. I was surprised by how truly immersed I ended up in this piece. I lost track of everything else. The end is insanely satisfying, but the journey is really what makes this fic unmissable.

Until Yesterday by @jimlingss

This fic destroyed me slowly then slowly put me together again piece by piece. When I say I went through it - I WENT THROUGH IT. The story is loosely based on the movie “The Vow” and it is just fantastic. Beautiful and tender till the last word.

The Foolish Muse by @bibbykins

This is the story of someone who is deeply in love, but knows they deserve better. It is a sexy and evocative work with allusions to mythology that fit seamlessly into the narrative. I think my favorite part is Tae discovering how much the reader meant to him and what choices ultimately lead them to a really delicious conclusion.

Back to You by @ladyartemesia

The last time I did a fic rec list, it got like 700 notes. Ya girl is not makin the same mistake again. I spent hours on this list. My work is comin along for the ride. Kim Taehyung is the love of your life, until one day he disappears without a trace.

Vacancy by @ppersonna

This one is the only idol AU on the list and I normally don’t read those, but Lindy’s work is too good to miss in any setting. I am thrilled I took a look because what I found was a glimpse into a beautiful relationship that weathers and eventually overcomes the challenges of loving in the limelight. There is a LOT of emotional depth and symbolism which really elevates everything about this lovely story. The reader’s internal struggles in the face of her lover’s fame are extremely well done.

▨ HYBRID and ABO ▨ (alpha/omega)

Eye of the Tiger by @opaljm

I am beyond hype about this story which is (very) loosely inspired by Zootopia and features a cocky tiger Taehyung and a fiesty prey hybrid he needs to fake date in order to keep panther Jimin from murdering him. (Tiger Tae got a tad too frisky around Jimin’s mate and now things are dangerously awkward.) This story is already so freakin good. I cannot wait for the rest.

Silver and Blue by @taetaewonderland

What happens when you get on the wrong side of the right werewolf? Very sexy - very crazy times. Chronologically this is the first of the Silver and Blue series which follows barely civilized were-Tae through his courtship and eventually his relationship with the spunky reader. Holla to all my impreg kink homies. This is the fic for you.

Heat Run by @ladyartemesia

As I said before, the last time I did a fic rec list, it got like 700 notes. Ya girl is not makin the same mistake twice. I spent hours on this list. My work is comin along for the ride. Alpha lawyer V is a man of many secrets, but his well ordered reality spirals wildly out of control when he crosses paths with a fiery omega set on saving the world from his wicked ways.

Beautiful Stranger by @interludemoonchild

This was a wild ride from start to finish. Taehyung is a tiger hybrid shifter who escapes from the circus to be close to a veterinary student he bonded with. There is a lot of interesting twists and surprises in this one. I was definitely screaming at the end.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by @jingabitch

A very young wolf hybrid Taehyung adopts you as his pet human when you are just a kid. After Tae leaves to serve in the military he returns to an adult version of his sweet little princess and chaos ensues. Mind the tags for this one folks. It’s excellent, but there are very triggering themes throughout.

▨ MULTIPLE PARTNERS ▨

Level of Restraint by @lemonjoonah

This is not strictly a Tae fic in that he is only one of three major players in this twisted masterpiece. Lemon is the undisputed queen of the surprise twist and this one is truly brilliant. People dropped this fic in the discord calling it the best fan fiction they had ever read and I am not here to argue with them at all. Fair warning, every word - every inch of this fic is sexy and it’s delicious brand of titillation is wrapped around your psyche good and tight by the end.

Four by @luxekook

The quadruplets next door are fueling your very lurid fantasies. It turns out they have some fantasies of their own... You will need water if you read this fic. This is the original patented Kim Taehyung Horny Hive Mind 4D Experience™

▨ NEIGHBORS AND ROOMMATES ▨

The Heat Wave Series by @curly-bangtan

The original story (chapter 1) in this series is definitely famous, but I don’t know how many people have read all 9 chapters and if you haven’t, you are really missing the incredible journey of two very horny idiots stumbling recklessly towards real and amazing love. Everything is set off when the air conditioner breaks and a pair of wild roommates shed their inhibitions along with their clothes.

Flicker by @chimoona

So this fic started out with adorable neighbor dynamics and ended with erotic rope tying. Baby I was ABOUT IT. This was so bloomin hot and also like sweet and tender. Really a sexy and sentimental treasure.

Not Your Typical Flower Shop Story by @jungtaeyoongles

This story goes from “aww” to “WHAT THE-” real quick. Fast paced plot and twist after twist turn the whole flower shop au upside down and then inside out. I can’t say more because spoilers but like - WOW.

▨ TABOO THEMES and DARK FIC ▨ (Sex Work/Power Imbalance/Very Unsafe Sex)

Extracurricular by @ppersonna

One of my favorite professor-student AUs. The reader writes her gorgeous professor a borderline erotic analysis of several major works of art and he feels compelled to discuss it with her privately. Lindy really outdid herself on this one. It is scorchin. Professor Tae is actually really sweet and somehow that just makes the whole thing hotter.

Akrasia by @nitaescence

This is insanely hot. Emphasis on the insane because it’s basically a super erotic romp where you have sex with a man you don’t know (Taehyung) on a crowded public bus. I literally felt my blood pressure going up the longer I read. Whew.

The Client by @jungkookiebus

This one hit me right in the feels. Taehyung is a sweet and lonely man who has a standing Wednesday appointment with an upscale sex worker. As the story progresses, feelings become involved on both sides. When I say I am checking her page thrice daily for part three... This is so engrossing. And this Tae. I just want to hold him.

Daffodil Dreams by @sombreboy

Tread carefully ladies and gents. This story is excellent, but it is easily the darkest fic on the list and, if you choose to read it, please read the trigger warnings carefully. The reader is a psychologist called in to analyze a very dangerous criminal. As their sessions progress, however, several boundaries are crossed.

Obey by @jjkfire

Taehyung is the most feared and ruthless member of the local mafia and you are the world’s most inept escort. You needed a job, but had no real interest in sex work and you’ve managed to fly under the radar as a glorified waitress until Kim Taehyung himself walks into your agency and decides that you’re the only girl he wants. Oh my gosh I loved this story so much. It was downright amazing and there is a surprise at the end that makes everything even sweeter.

#kim taehyung #bts #kim taehyung smut #kim taehyung x reader #kim taehung fanfiction #viola recommends #fic recs #I CANNOT BELIEVE TUMBLR FORMATTED MY POST SO MY BANNER IS HIDDEN I WANT TO LITERALLY CRY #TUMBLR we are FIGHTING oh my gosh

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acrosstimeandspace · 3 years ago

Text

Chocolate for a Heart

haha, finally finished my iliad man piece,, enjoy!

Not much piqued Hector’s curiosity these days. Being at Chaldea gave him a wonderful chance to relax. But, to be quite honest, Fairy’s behavior as of the past few weeks was doing just enough to make him curious.

Fairy Godmother, ever the romantic, was preparing for Valentines, that was clear. They’d book the kitchen for their own chocolate experimentations and would mumble about things here and there while jotting things down in a little book, saying they had to get this “just right”. See that was normal for this time of year. Often, they’d make chocolates for others as a symbol of friendship or to aid those less culinarily skilled.

What wasn’t usual was their sudden shy behavior around him. Every time the two would bump into one another Fairy’d suddenly turn red, stutter out a sentence, and turn tail. He worried at first he’d done something to put them off, before Medea had informed him that they were just someone who was easily flustered. But then it happened again. And again. And again.

And now Hector was starting to worry if Fairy hated him. The feeling put an ache in his heart he was familiar: the anxiety of fucking up something with the person you loved.

He poked around a tiny bit, tried to see if anyone knew what had happened between them. Medea wouldn’t say a thing, unsurprisingly. The others who’d been preparing chocolate also wouldn’t say anything. And his final hope, their Master, only shook their head. “Sorry, I’m not at liberty to say anything!”

That definitely meant something was happening. What, was Fairy trying to set him up with someone? He wouldn’t support that. As much as he’d claim it to being too old, the truth was closer to liking the resident matchmaker. Not like he’d pursue them, like those feelings would be reciprocated.

Being a direct man, his solution was to go to the source of his woes, the Fairy Godmother themself. He sought them out, turning down the twisting hallways of Chaldea in search of them, following the guidance of staff and other Servants.

Finally, near a stretch of hallway near one of the common rooms he found them, glancing around for something.

“Fairy?” He called out gently, in hopes of not scaring them.

That didn’t work at all, the small fae instead jumped several feet up into the air at the sound of his voice, quickly moving to hide something behind their back. “H-Hector! I, um.”

They glanced around nervously, Hector catching on that they were trying to flee. Before they could even think about flying away, he caged them to the wall between his arms. He hated to do this, but he needed answers. Though it did please him a bit to see them flush a bright pink at his actions, a squeak passing through their lips.

“What are you doing?!”

“Keeping you from running.”

“I-I wasn’t!” They pouted at that, he chuckled at their expression.

“Really then? What about the other times? Weren’t you running then?”

“Uhm, well, I…”

Hector raised his brow, leaned in a little bit closer. “What was that? Sorry, this old man’s hearing isn’t doing quite well. Could you say that again.”

His face was met with a box, a light “thump” covered by Fairy’s cry, “I made this for you! Ah, oh no, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to hit you! Are you okay?!”

Their free hand flitted about as they lowered the box, which Hector could clearly see was heart shaped now. It was cute, nestled a nice fuzzy feeling in his heart that he hadn’t felt in a long time.

“You made me chocolate?”

“Yes! It’s because, well, I like you!”

He smiled at that, “You like me?”

They nodded. “I do! I’ve had a crush on you for a while now, and Medea thought it’d be good to do something for Valentines. Seeing that it’s, you know, the day of love and all.”

Hector’s brain froze, then crashed. He flushed after finally processing Fairy’s words. “A crush?”

“Yes, these chocolates are my confession.” They said as boldly as they could muster, the look on their face made Hector's heart flutter.

Gently, he took the box from their hand, placing one hand over theirs just to see them flustered again at his actions. A little teasing was good for them, if not for his own entertainment.

“If you’ll have my heart, I’ll gladly take these chocolates.” He whispered, hoping to tease a bit more.

Instead. He got a dazzling smile, one filled with love that stirred his heart and set a fluttering feeling spread across his chest. “I’ll gladly have your heart, you already have mine.”

That final, cheesy line was the final blow to his heart, his face heating up as he pulled them into his chest as an attempt to try and remain cool headed. That didn’t help much as they reciprocated, wrapping their arms around him, rubbing small patterns onto his shoulders that only caused his heart to speed up. He was sure they could feel it too, with how close they were.

“You should say that type of thing properly, you know.” He grumbled as he pulled away enough to look them in the eye.

They smiled, shoulders relaxing. “So, you’d like me to say I love you?”

Ah, another shot to his heart. Fairy was really trying to kill him. “Yes, so I can say I love you too.”

Their face morphed into shock, then glee, another dazzling smile directed at him. “Hector, I love you,” they said softly.

“I love you too, my fairy.” Then, Hector gently kissed them, accepting his Valentine.

#love letters #my heart; my hearth; my home #here is iliad man *flops onto the floor* i love him. i love hector

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ramblings-of-a-mad-cat · 4 years ago

Note

I've never met ANYONE who actually likes the Chibnall era. Would you seriously say that it's objectively good?

Brace yourself for unpopular (albeit positive) opinions.

Objectively? I don't know, I tend to feel like media is very much subjective and down to opinion. But on the whole...yeah. I'm gonna say yeah. I think the Chibnall era thus far is every bit as good as the Moffat Era and Davies Era were. It actually blows my mind to see the fandom come together and almost universally agree that the show has gone downhill. It's part of the reason why I kind of stepped away from the Doctor Who fandom because there's something very demoralizing about re-watching clips from Season 12 and seeing literally every comment just talk about how the show is ruined. And if I re-watch old clips, very often I come across comments that talk about how the show "used to" be good, and should have ended with Twelve, etc. I know a little reluctance toward the new Doctor can be part of the transition process, but normally the fans are over it by now.

Things haven't really changed.

I've been re-watching Twelve's era, and found a new appreciation for him. But I re-watched Thirteen's era right beforehand, and you know what? It holds up. Season 11 is remarkably strong. I can't think of a single "bad" episode in that season. It focuses on the characters, and thus it doesn't have nearly as strong ambitions, compared to one of the Moffat seasons, which were clever but often convoluted. They couldn't always stick the landing. (Looking at you, Season 6) But every has it's good parts and it's bad. The same man who wrote The Wedding of River Song and betrayed the entire season's storyline in the process...also wrote The Doctor Falls, which is probably my favorite final episode of any season ever. The Chibnall Era is the same way. The Tsuranga Conundrum isn't really a bad episode, it's just kind of forgettable, apart from the Pting. But then it is immediately followed up by Demons of the Punjab, which is an exceptional story in every way. I want the Thijurians to return for Thirteen's regeneration, I'm saying it.

My point being that even if there are episodes you can't stand in the new era, is that really exclusive to Chibnall? All the way back in Season 1, they had The Long Game, which I remember disliking, but it was sandwiched between Dalek and Father's Day, which are in my opinion, the two best episodes of that season. A lot of people don't like Orphan 55, for example. But it's followed up by Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror. Does anyone really dislike that episode? You're valid if you do, but I think it's really good. Ask me about any episode in the Chibnall Era, and I'll find something to like about it. (Except maybe Arachnids in the UK...and that one's not even bad, just kind of weak.) Because like I said, there is good and bad in every season...and I do think that the fandom has overblown how "bad" the Chibnall Era is...though that may be in part because I think this era is generally good? Incredible companions, solid episodes, a great Doctor, and hey...this era actually made the Daleks scary again. That is impressive. Even most of the hated episodes, like Orphan 55 as I mentioned...I enjoy them.

I stand by that. I think this era is great. If anything, I don't like that they reduced how many episodes we get, because some of these stories, like The Witchfinders and It Takes You Away especially Fugitive of The Judoon, are just begging to be two-parters. Spyfall is the only real two-parter we've had, in my opinion (Ascension of the Cybermen and The Timeless Children feel like two separate stories to me) and the episode was much stronger for having the extra time. If I have one genuine criticism with the Chibnall Era as a whole, it is the stark contrast between Seasons 11 and 12. I love Season 11, I thought it was beautiful. I like it far more than most people. I also truly enjoyed Season 12. But they are worlds apart, with Season 11 feeling so standalone and Season 12 picking up with a big storyline that really hadn't been hinted at all in the previous outing. The tone is also different, with The Doctor and "the fam" having a distance between them that seems to have developed offscreen in between seasons. It was as though Chibnall wanted to give everyone a breather from big overarching plots after the Moffat Era, but then after one season he decided "break's over" because he wanted to tell his story. And that's okay! It is. But it's jarring. Anyway, let's talk about Chibnall's storyline. You know where this is going.

"That" episode.

I meant what I said before. There isn't a single episode that I actively hate as much as say, Listen. Now let's get very controversial, because I know what y'all are thinking. "Not even The Timeless Children?" And I'll just get this out of the way right now: I don't think The Timeless Children, or it's twist, ruins Doctor Who. I don't think it gets anywhere close. I mentioned before that I was demoralized reading the comments on a clip of Doctor Who...to no one's surprise, it was this episode. Now, I may just be biased...after all, I didn't even hate Hell Bent. But while I have my criticisms of Season 12, The Doctor's revised backstory accounts for exactly none of them. You want to know what really bothers me? That we had a seven season buildup to Gallifrey's rescue, a nine season buildup to it's return...only for the show to do nothing with it, and then just destroy it again a couple of seasons later. As someone who loved The Day of The Doctor, I'm mad about that. Among other reasons, destroying Gallifrey is the kind of card you can really only play once.

So no, I don't think The Timeless Children is perfect. The Doctor had a seven season character arc culminating in them learning the lesson that using The Moment would be wrong, and that it was never okay to do something like that. To hear her even consider using The Death Particle, that "Or, a solution" line in response to Ryan appropriately reacting in horror? Yeah, that upset me. I don't like that Gallifrey is gone again, and even if The Doctor wasn't the one to do it, she almost did, and she left someone else to do it in her stead. That bothers me more than The Timeless Child ever could. That being said...the Timeless Child doesn't bother me. Seriously, it blows my mind that people act like this twist ruins Doctor Who. It...really doesn't, guys.

It does not insult the legacy of William Hartnell. He is still The First Doctor. It's not like there isn't a precedent for secret incarnations from The Doctor's past. We didn't start calling Christopher Eccleston The Tenth Doctor after we found out about John Hurt. Nothing can change The First Doctor's status or take it away, nor do I think Chibnall is trying. He is doing what I've actually wanted Doctor Who to do for a while. Give us a story about The Doctor's childhood. (Listen doesn't count, I don't care, that was all kinds of bad.) Let me ask you, what does this really change? I've seen people complain about the revision of The Doctor's history...but there's a precedent for that too. We could play bingo with how many times Clara fundamentally altered or influenced the show's history. She is the reason he started traveling, the reason he chose his Tardis, and the reason he saved Gallifrey. Why doesn't that bother people, if this does?

I also understand it if people dislike this change because they feel as though it makes The Doctor a kind of chosen one, compared to them having just been an average person who wanted to make a difference. I get that. However, this is down to interpretation, and there are so many ways to interpret The Doctor. Some people love it when The Doctor goes dark, other people cannot stand it and view it as out of character. Some people love it when The Doctor is heroic and badass, when they save the day...others would prefer that they take the backseat, teaching the humans how to save the day themselves. "The man who makes people better." And which interpretation you get, where it falls on the spectrum...it will vary from writer to writer. Moffat loved to make everything about The Doctor, and Davies frequently compared him to an angel or a god. This is not the first time that the show has portrayed The Doctor as a godlike being. It's not even close to the first time. And honestly? I don't think this makes The Doctor special or supernatural. I think it makes them a victim, nothing more. A victim of child abuse.

People also disliked this episode for removing the mystery behind The Doctor...but I fail to see how it did that? There are so. Many. Questions. That this finale opens up. Where did The Doctor come from? How and why did they get to our universe? What exactly is The Division? What went down between them and The Doctor? Where is Tecteun? (No, she's not Rassilon...) As the Masters asks, "What did they do to you, Doctor? How many lives have you had?" Amid all of the comments that made me sad, I did see a great one about how the original creator of Doctor Who actually didn't like it when they introduced the Timelords, because she felt that it boxed the show in and removed the mystery behind The Doctor, and how "She would have loved this episode." I agree with that. (Still salty that they destroyed Gallifrey though...) You know, I am genuinely interested in this story and where it's going to go, especially with the sixtieth anniversary approaching. But it depresses me that they might scale it back now, after how much the fandom has risen up against it. Not that I'm saying the fans shouldn't be happy, but...it's clear that a story is trying to be told here, and I think it should have that chance.

To each their own, of course. But I will never understand why this era is so hated.

#Doctor Who #Dr. Who #The Doctor #The Thirteenth Doctor #Chris Chibnall #Chibnall Era #Doctor Who Season 12 #Doctor Who Season 11 #Long post #Boy did this get long #Ramblings #The Timeless Children #The Timeless Child

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obwjam · 4 years ago

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Ooo how about - 2. “It’s like you’re trying to get hurt at this point.” - maybe with obi wan? xx

“It’s like you’re trying to get hurt at this point.”

oh yes anon this is the STUFF. local sassy man is exhausted, sources say

from this post

———————————————————————-

“It’s like you’re trying to get hurt at this point.”

“Obi-Wan...” you sighed, looking down at your legs dangling in the air. You weren’t too fond of being grabbed, so Obi-Wan’s solution was to use the Force when you fell — and you fell often. “Do you have to do this every time?”

Obi-Wan didn’t even look up from the book he was reading. “Yes.”

“Please,” you rolled your eyes. “I was totally gonna make that jump!”

“It certainly didn’t look like it.”

“You always say that!” you protested, now crossing your arms as you jerked your body to face your Jedi friend. The light of the Coruscant sunset was bathing you in a pink and orange glow. “And you weren’t even looking this time!”

“Even you’d have to admit your track record is less than stellar,” Obi-Wan ignored your comment and smirked, hand barely outstretched as he kept you hovering a few feet from the ground. “Wasn’t it just last week that you tried to swing from the bookcase to the table and ended up on the ground instead?”

You huffed a breath. “That was a miscalculation.”

“And how many more miscalculations until you seriously injure yourself?”

“Come on, you know as well as I do that borrowers don’t get hurt as easily as humans.”

Obi-Wan finally looked up from his book. His expression wasn’t irked like you thought it might be — it was concerned. “(Y/n). That isn’t an excuse to do dangerous things.”

You shut your eyes as Obi-Wan stood up from his chair and kneeled down in front of you, pulling you from midair into his open palm. In all the time you had known Obi-Wan, you still could barely look up at him. The sheer size difference was something you figured you’d never get used to.

You refused to look up at Obi-Wan as he took a seat.

“Your stunts get more and more wild by the day,” he said quietly. “Is something the matter?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” you grumbled. “Why would something be wrong?”

“You know I can tell when you’re lying,” Obi-Wan chuckled. “You’re not the first one to try getting one’s attention by acting out.”

You grimaced as you wrung your hands together.

“It’s not easy, you know. Being around you all the time.”

Obi-Wan tilted his head, trying to get a read on your expression. “(Y/n), what are you talking about?”

“You know! You’re—you’re this great, powerful Jedi master, who—who can move things with his mind and do incredible things. You think just because I’m small that I’m helpless and can’t do anything!”

“Missions are far too dangerous for you, and you know that!” Obi-Wan said sternly, rolling his eyes. It was another one of these conversations. He didn’t even notice your flinch when he raised his voice.

“But I could help!” you cried, standing up and balling your fists at your side. “I could—I could be a spy, or—or I could crawl into places you normally wouldn’t be able to reach!”

“(Y/n), people die on these missions! All the time! The clones who are bred for battle don’t often make it back. I can’t let you take that risk!”

“You don’t let me do anything! Sure, I’ve gotten hurt before, but you get hurt too! Everybody does!”

Obi-Wan groaned. This had to have been the fifth time this week you begged him to take you on a mission. He wasn’t in the mood to keep rehashing his decision, and guilt-tripping wasn’t going to work. “It’s different for you and you know it.”

“Oh really? How come? Because I’m so small, I can’t be trusted? Because I’m just a pathetic little thing you took pity on?!”

It was like all the air disappeared from the room in an instant. Obi-Wan gasped softly while you covered your mouth, utterly horrified that you has let that slip. In an instant, he had gone from annoyed to embarrassed. In the months that had passed since Obi-Wan found you, he had mostly kept you confined to his quarters. He had left you alone when he went on missions, but he figured that was for the best — the fewer giants you had to encounter, the better. He failed to consider the possibility that sheltering you would just make you more afraid.

“(Y/n),” he started, lifting his hands up to his eye level. He could barely see the makings of a tear track on your cheek. “Is that really how you feel?”

You crossed your arms and turned your head down, giving it a small shake.

“No? Then why would you say that?”

Your stomach felt like there was a lead weight resting inside. “People say things.”

“What people? Other Jedi?” Obi-Wan had to suppress the rage that was bubbling up.

“I dunno!” your quavering voice shouted in defense. It was times like these that you hated being confined to his hand. “I just... I hear it sometimes, okay? When you’re not around.”

“It’s not Anakin, is it?”

“No, not him,” you scoffed. “Though he does seem to look at me like some sort of helpless pet.”

Obi-Wan shook his head. “He needs to learn some manners.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Sometimes it just feels like you’d be better off without me here.”

Obi-Wan almost screamed. If he ever found out who was saying those things to you...

“(Y/n), what are you trying to say?”

You finally looked up at Obi-Wan and felt a pang of guilt at his hurt expression. You didn’t think he would be so... offended by your words.

“I’m just... I don’t understand why you keep me around. I just get in your way, don’t I? You’re always worrying about me, even when I don’t need to be worried about. I’ve fallen from treetops to the forest floor. This is the safest place I’ve ever been — you —you won’t even show me around the temple! — but you still feel the need to—”

“—to protect you?” Obi-Wan finished. Embarrassed, you nodded.

“Yeah. To protect me. When I never even leave this room. I can’t be the only person you ever saved from danger. You... you have far more important things to do than save me when I fall.”

Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a moment as he steadied his breathing. It was never lost on him how small and vulnerable you were compared to the environment around you. Even in the safety of his hands, his curled fingers loomed overhead. How could he not worry when even he was an inherent danger to you? You were his responsibility now — just as Anakin and Ahsoka are. When he rescued you from your old planet, you were injured and afraid. The temporary shelter he promised had turned into a permanent solution because he enjoyed having you around. You were a friend.

“It seems I have failed to properly convey my feelings,” Obi-Wan said softly, almost sounding disappointed in himself. You looked at him, confused.

“You matter to me a great deal. I wouldn’t have let you stay if you didn’t. You’re a wonderful companion and an even greater friend. You’re right, you’re not the first person I’ve saved from this horrible war. It’s... not often that Jedi get the opportunity to let themselves care so deeply for someone. I want to protect you because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let you get hurt.”

You gawked up at him, almost not believing what you were hearing.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, or think any lesser of you.” You could have sworn Obi-Wan’a cheeks flushed red for a moment. “Quite the opposite, actually.”

“You... you really mean that?” you blushed, gently resting your hands on his thumb. His hand didn’t seem so imposing anymore.

Obi-Wan didn’t even hesitate. “Yes, I do.”

“It’s just... I dunno,” you frowned. “You travel all across the galaxy. You meet so many amazing and powerful people. Why me? Why do you care about me so much?”

Obi-Wan stroked his beard for a moment. He had never thought about it concretely, but it didn’t take long for the words to come to him.

“Well, for starters, you’re far more observant than I am. And quite good at understanding people and their feelings.” He smiled to himself. “And I must admit, you are very agile. If you were my height, you certainly would have no problem holding your own.”

You rubbed your eyes, foolishly hoping you could conceal how red your face was. No such luck.

“Look, I know I can’t do everything I wish I can. Or act like I can. But I spent my entire life living by myself in a forest. I got by just fine until the war came. I’m—I’m not used to just sitting around all day doing nothing. I... I can help. I want to help! I owe it to you. You saved me, and I should be doing more to show my thanks. Nothing crazy, or-or anything, but maybe I could—”

“Tenacious.”

“What?”

“You’re tenacious, too. I like that about you. It reminds me of...” he trailed off. He didn’t need to say for you to know. “You don’t like to accept the circumstances given to you. You’d rather be the one setting the terms.”

You shrugged. “I guess so.”

“Perhaps I am a bit overbearing at times. But it’s because I care, not because I don’t think you’re capable. But even I can admit when I’m in the wrong.”

You sniffed a laugh. “Can’t imagine that happens all too often.”

Obi-Wan smiled. “No, not really.”

There was a comfortable silence as Obi-Wan thought over what he was about to say. He could only imagine how you felt — ripped away from your home, forced to sit inside all day as you recover from everything you saw and went through. Nobody in their right mind would want to return to the war after being rescued from it, but Obi-Wan supposed he underestimated how you were just his kind of crazy.

“How did you like being in space when I brought you to Coruscant?”

You cocked your head. “Um, I liked it just fine. I was kinda scared, but I thought it went well for my first time on a ship. Why?”

“Well, as you know I’m due to leave for a relief mission to Corvo tomorrow. I don’t suppose you’d like to join me?”

Your eyes lit up. “Really? Yes! I mean—yeah, if—if you’re offering, I’d really — I’d love to.”

Obi-Wan laughed. “Good. The people of Corvo are allies of the Republic, and very kind. If you’re to make Coruscant your new home, it might be nice for you to meet the Corvoian Prime Minister.”

It took a great deal of discipline to contain your excitement, and Obi-Wan knew it. You leaned into his thumb in sort of a makeshift hug, and he flexed his fingers to reciprocate the action as best he could. For a few minutes, neither of you said anything. The moment didn’t need any words.

“Obi-Wan?” you said finally.

“Hmm?”

“How come you changed your mind so quickly?”

He shrugged. “I know when I make a mistake. And I like to fix it as soon as possible so people don’t realize it happened.”

You laughed. “How very humble of you.”

“Oh, you know me.”

“Yeah,” you said, resting your head on his thumb as Obi-Wan leaned back. The sun had just about set and the hundreds of brilliant lights were beginning to pop up along the horizon. You would never get tired of its beauty.

“I do.”

#wow this got REALLY sappy #fiercely protective obi-wan >>>>#he thinks he knows best but sometimes he’s wrong!#only sometimes tho #me just projecting my desire to be obi-wan’s friend #his funky little friend #obwrites #star wars g/t

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ibijau · 4 years ago

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Price of Wishes / on AO3

Nie Huaisang tries to find a solution to his newest problem

The unexpected words ring loud into the room, shaking Nie Huaisang to his core. He gapes at Lan Xichen, eyes round and mouth open in shock, hardly able to breathe. The god looks down at the book, seeming mildly embarrassed, while Nie Huaisang manages to get himself under control.

"You can't read this particular style of characters?" he asks, all too hopeful. If that’s the problem, then with a little practice...

"I can't read at all," Lan Xichen announces, ruining Nie Huaisang’s fragile hope. "It didn't exist when I was alive. By the time it came up, I had started to decline as a god, and I was too busy surviving. Besides, I'd figured it was just a passing fad."

"You… just how old are you?" Nie Huaisang gasps, feeling nearly dizzy.

If Lan Xichen is so old that writing didn't exist when he'd been mortal… then he had to be born centuries ago, or even a dozen centuries, or more. His head spins trying to understand that length of time. Nie Huaisang’s own sect was founded only a few centuries ago, there are records of it. Even Gusu Lan and Qishan Wen, by far the oldest of the major sect, and older than most sects in general, are much younger than the invention of writing.

“I’m not quite sure my age,” Lan Xichen admits, frowning slightly as he tries to remember. “Keeping track of that hasn’t been a priority. I�� I’m sorry. Is it really so inconvenient that I can’t read?”

Nie Huaisang wants to cry, and bursts out laughing instead, his voice high and hysterical. He brings his knees against his chest, trying to ground himself, while Lan Xichen watches him with ever growing concern.

“Inconvenient doesn’t even begin to cover it!” Nie Huaisang squeaks, desperately hugging his legs. “Gusu Lan is a sect of scholars! You’d be expected not just to know how to read, but to be exceptionally well-read, to know all the classics, to have a deep understanding of poetry…"

Nie Huaisang pauses, nearly breathless with horror. He didn't think to put these things on his list. His mind was so full of his stupid crush on Lan Wangji, it seemed so obvious it didn't need to be detailed, and now this is biting him in the ass.

Again.

"This is an absolute disaster," Nie Huaisang hisses. "We're going to be caught, and I’ll be in so much trouble, and then da-ge will hear about it and he’ll be furious, and he won’t keep your altar, and then what will happen to you? You’re nice, I don’t want you to die! But I also…" he gasps in horror. "Oh no, Lan Qiren is going to kill me if he figures out that I’ve…”

“I won’t let anyone harm you,” Lan Xichen earnestly interjects, setting aside the book to put his hands on Nie Huaisang’s shoulders, trying to comfort him. “I will protect you. What happened is my fault more than yours, I’m the one who misunderstood what you wanted.”

Nie Huaisang, whose laughter has turned into weak tears, pitiful nods. It says a lot about Lan Qiren and the terror he inspires that Nie Huaisang feels even a god might not be enough to protect him from the venerable teacher's wrath.

Then, realising something, he gasps.

“My list! How did you understand it if you can’t read?”

Lan Xichen’s hands move away. Instantly Nie Huaisang misses their weight on his shoulder, the slight warmth of them. It really had comforted him to be touched like that.

“I’m not sure how that was possible,” Lan Xichen says after taking a moment to consider this. “I don’t think I read it exactly. But you offered that list to me, and so I understood it, if that makes sense?”

Nie Huaisang’s tears stop, and he quickly wipes the lingering wetness from his face.

“Then maybe…”

Just as quickly as he fell into despair, Nie Huaisang's brain starts racing. There's got to be a solution. Already he can think of one… no, three things to test that could solve their problem. If this one doesn't work, then that one. Or maybe they could…

He stands up again, and goes through his qiankun pouch once more until he finds some blank paper and his ink. While a puzzled Lan Xichen watches, Nie Huaisang paints a quick portrait of the god, one that he would normally be ashamed to ever show anyone, but which is enough for his purpose. Then it’s just a matter of setting a piece of fabric on the nightstand, putting a candle there, installing this picture of the god, and making a first offering out of some candies Nie Huaisang has on him.

It’s not the best of altars, and any other god would surely be deeply offended by this, but surely Lan Xichen won’t mind.

“You really don’t need to pray to me right now,” Lan Xichen mumbles as he comes to stand besides him, sounding mortified.

“I do,” Nie Huaisang retorts, rushing to grab the discarded book of Lan rules and placing it on his improvised altar. “My lord, accept this humble offering,” he says in the most formal tone he’s capable of, putting the book on that improvised altar.

Nie Huaisang bows down before his little altar, then waits a moment before turning to look at Lan Xichen who appears more puzzled than ever.

“It didn’t work,” the god sighs. “Whatever you were trying to do, it didn’t work. I’m sorry.”

Nie Huaisang shrugs. “It’s fine, I didn’t really expect that to work,” he admits, going through his pouch again.

He's still panicking, but it's a productive sort of panic now so it's fine. Fear just makes him think faster, which is what they need right now. They only have three weeks to prepare, every instant counts.

“I’ll just try something else, until something does work. And I have a plan if nothing works, as well," Nie Huaisang explains with a grimace, "but it’ll involve more actual lying than I’d prefer, so it’s a last resort.”

Grabbing the book again, he opens it at random and copies the rule there onto a piece of paper. He tries to be more careful with this than he was with the portrait, trying to make the character nice and neat in spite of his trembling hands. Before the ink is even dry, he presents that new offering onto the altar, bowing before it and praying silently to Lan Xichen.

“Oh!” Lan Xichen gasps. “Have a strong will and anything can be achieved. Is that right?”

“It is!” Nie Huaisang exclaims with a grin. “And if you look at the paper, does it change something?”

Lan Xichen comes close to the altar, and picks the quickly scribbled piece of paper. There is a slight frown on his face as he inspects it, but he eventually nods.

“Now when I look at those characters, I can recognise them,” he admits, before sitting down to pick up the book and observe it as well. “Have a… strong… oh, the way you wrote that one is really different, so it’s harder to recognise. Then… anything… can be… yes, I think I can recognise them, once you’ve offered them to me. So I suppose if you were to offer me every character there is…”

“I’ll have to,” Nie Huaisang sighs, the initial joy of his discovery crushed as he realises the enormity of the task ahead of him.

That’s a few thousands characters to share, and Nie Huaisang knows he’s nowhere near as cultivated and well-read as a young master of Gusu Lan would be. He’ll have to do more tests, see how much his own understanding of characters is necessary if they are to be transmitted to Lan Xichen. And that won't solve the problem of all the books Lan Xichen should have read, books Nie Huaisang definitely doesn't have on hand right now.

“This is a nightmare. I don’t know if I can…” Nie Huaisang takes a deep breath, fighting a sob. “I don’t think I can. But we’re going to try anyway.”

He sighs again, and looks at Lan Xichen who seems so truly sorry that Nie Huaisang can’t even be angry at him. It's annoying, because it means he can only be angry at himself.

“And you’re also going to try to learn the normal way as well,” Nie Huaisang announces. “I’m going to find you a book to teach children, so you can study while we travel. It’s… we’re going to make this work." He hesitates, and looks up at the god. "We are, right?”

Lan Xichen doesn’t answer right away, as if seriously considering their chance of success. For some reason, and in spite of his anxiety, Nie Huaisang likes that better than if the god had immediately agreed. It makes it more meaningful when Lan Xichen finally nods.

“We will do our best,” Lan Xichen says. “I will learn all I can, and... If you believe in me, I know I can convince others that I am what you wish me to be. I will work hard to ensure I do not bring trouble for you.”

Nie Huaisang smiles weakly. He trusts Lan Xichen to try his best, which surprises him, considering they haven’t known each other very long. Nie Huaisang doesn’t think of himself as particularly trusting. Aside from his brother, his cousin Nie Zonghui, and Lan Wangji, he just can’t think of anyone in his life worth trusting. Those three, and now Lan Xichen too, never mind they have just now started being honest with each other.

Even though it is already late, Nie Huaisang decides to copy a few more rules for Lan Xichen to learn, this time starting from page one. No matter how many times he’s been forced to copy those stupid rules before, it’s the first time he’s paying so much attention to every word of them. He is careful to use his most legible style of writing, so Lan Xichen can learn the words properly, so he can recognise them more easily if he encounters them in another style. Lan Qiren would probably approve of his efforts, which would be funny if the situation weren’t so strange.

Nie Huaisang only manages to copy a dozen rules that night before he gets too tired to write properly. When he figures he won’t manage more than that, he places his sheets of paper in front of his improvised altar and offers them to Lan Xichen. The god recites the rules one by one, flawlessly, and even manages to read part of the next ones, since it touches on similar concepts. It is incredibly encouraging, Nie Huaisang decides, though with only three weeks ahead of them, they might still lack time to do everything.

It's fine. He has an idea for that, as long as they can get Lan Xichen to a certain level of familiarity with Gusu Lan's way. Nie Huaisang wants to start explaining that, but his god stops him.

“You must rest,” Lan Xichen advises, giving Nie Huaisang a critical look. “It has been a rather intense evening for you. Let’s go to bed, and see in the morning how to proceed next.”

Nie Huaisang nods sleepily. He should feel his modesty take offence at the idea of undressing in front of a near stranger, but he’s too exhausted to care. Anyway, Lan Xichen is so old he doesn’t really count, and also they might get married someday, and then it’ll be normal to undress like this, so Nie Huaisang doesn’t see why he should make a big deal of it.

That logic makes sense in his exhausted mind, but it can only go so far. Nie Huaisang, once in his under clothes, looks around to decide which bed to pick, only to realise with horror that there’s only a single bed in this room.

“I thought this was a room for two?” he gasps, feeling a little faint.

Lan Xichen, slowly divesting himself from the many, many layers he has to wear to pass as a Gusu Lan disciple, nods distractedly.

“It is a big bed, Nie gongzi,” Lan Xichen says. “we could fit three or four in there.”

It might be exhaustion, or it might be embarrassment, but Nie Huaisang feels a little faint. Sleeping in the same room as someone else was already big, but this is huge. The last time he’s slept in the same bed as someone else was…

It hasn’t happened since those first few months after his father’s death, when he had nightmares and couldn’t stand to be alone, terrified that his rageful father would return during the night and do something terrible. So it's been years, and at least Nie Huaisang was young back then, which excused the impropriety.

Maybe if Lan Xichen showed any trace of unease, Nie Huaisang would try to protest. But the god treats this situation as if it’s perfectly normal, and maybe it is for him. Maybe in the olden days, people just slept like that. Nie Huaisang thinks it’s something poor people do, but of course he wouldn’t really know. He is too tired to try to explain why it’s odd, anyway. If Lan Xichen thinks this is fine, then it’s probably fine. Gods are supposed to know what’s right and what’s wrong, don’t they?

If Lan Xichen doesn’t mind, Nie Huaisang will try not to mind either.

Before things can get a chance to get awkward, Nie Huaisang climbs in bed and curls up under the blanket, as close as possible to the edge of the mattress so there will be plenty of space between the two of them, for propriety. He then closes his eyes tightly, desperately trying not to notice when Lan Xichen comes to lay down next to him.

He fails in that endeavour.

Lan Xichen doesn’t lay particularly close to him, the way lovers do in certain books that Nie Huaisang isn’t supposed to own, but he isn’t particularly careful to keep distance between them either, as if this doesn’t mean anything to him.

Perhaps it doesn’t.

Nie Huaisang can’t help but curl a little tighter when he thinks just how much of a stranger the man in bed with him is. All Nie Huaisang knows for sure about Lan Xichen is the fact he had been lying to everybody, and would have lied to him as well if he could have gotten away with it.

Or would he? Lan Xichen said he wants them to be friends, that he doesn’t like feeling Nie Huaisang’s fear of him. Was that the truth, or another lie to fit with what the list demanded?

Maybe Nie Huaisang doesn't know anything at all about this god he’s going to help deceive everyone.

What he does know, then, is that he wants to trust Lan Xichen, even if it goes against all good sense. Lan Xichen hasn’t done anything to hurt him so far, has he? On the contrary, he has been kind, he allowed him to take refuge in his temple, granted him a wish so huge that Nie Huaisang hadn’t ever thought to actually ask for it, and now he’s trying his best to make Nie Huaisang comfortable and…

It’s not that Nie Huaisang has much to complain about. He knows he’s lucky, that he’s never lacked for anything, that his brother loves him, in his own manner. The Nie elders don’t like him too much, and he’s not close to any disciples, but he has a friend in Wangji, and he has his birds, so he’s not lonely, not really.

Not exactly.

He’s not lonely, but nobody has ever acted like being at his side was worth making an effort. Wangji just doesn't have anyone else, his brother can't go against blood, his birds are kept in cages. Nobody had much of a choice. Not until he met this odd god, who is ready to go to incredible extremes just to be around him.

A mean little voice in the back of Nie Huaisang’s head tells him that it’s just because Lan Xichen is so desperate for believers he’d latch onto anyone at all, that Lan Xichen is forced like all the others, but… but it’s still nice to have been the one who entered that temple, who made those offerings, who prayed to that abandoned altar, and thus became worthy of those efforts. At least, he hopes he’s worth it. He hopes Lan Xichen won’t regret choosing him. He hopes…

“You need to sleep,” Lan Xichen orders, shuffling closer, close enough to almost touch Nie Huaisang. “Is there a problem? Is the bed not comfortable? Are you cold?”

Nie Huaisang curls so tight on himself that his chin pokes the space between his knees. Briefly, a sill thought crosses his mind. If he says he’s cold, what will Lan Xichen do? Hug him for warmth like people do in stories? The idea makes him shivers, and he quickly shakes his head, because he’s terrified Lan Xichen would really do something like that, because it’s ridiculous how much he wants a hug right now. It’s been an awful, intense evening, and he’d give anything for a hug, but he’s sure he’d die of embarrassment if Lan Xichen were to hold him.

“If you’re nervous about this situation, we can always think of another way to deal with this,” Lan Xichen offers. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow if you like, but for now…”

Lan Xichen puts a hand on Nie Huaisang’s shoulder, seeking to offer comfort, or to calm him perhaps, but Nie Huaisang flinches so violently that he nearly falls off the bed.

The offending hand is immediately removed, and Nie Huaisang can feel the god’s eyes on him. He braces himself for questions, or accusations, or anything at all really. But Lan Xichen just sighs sadly, and moves away, closer to the other edge of the bed, and that’s the end of it.

Nie Huaisang curses himself. Of course even when something good happens, when someone tries to be nice to him, he has to ruin it.

Sighing as well, Nie Huaisang tries his best to fall asleep, while cursing himself for making things so awkward when clearly Lan Xichen is just being friendly. What else but friendly could he be, anyway? Even if he modelled himself after Nie Huaisang’s list, it’d be stupid to ever expect him to fall in love or anything. After all, Nie Huaisang knows he isn’t a very likeable person, or else his brother wouldn’t always be angry at him, and he wouldn’t have needed to invent a version of Lan Wangji that doesn't just tolerates him.

Likeable people don’t need a deal with a god to find someone to marry them.

And with that thought in mind, Nie Huaisang finally manages to drift to sleep.

When he wakes up in the morning, the other half of the bed is empty, and Nie Huaisang finds that he has been carefully tucked under the blanket. It must have happened recently, because he knows he moves a lot in his sleep, something his brother has complained about at length those few times they shared a bed.

Nie Huaisang knows he should get up, get dressed and grab some breakfast so they can continue their journey toward Gusu. He should do that, but instead he stays in bed as long as he can, enjoying the warmth of that blanket so meticulously wrapped around him, and pretends it means something even when he knows it doesn’t.

#xisang #nie huaisang #lan xichen #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jau writes #xisang wishes au #I've had a rough week so nhs gets to have high anxiety and a small breakdown #as a treat

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olivia-anderson-fanfic · 4 years ago

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A Miraculous TikTok Account

Part 11

First

Rena was running out of time.

(To make TikToks. She wasn’t dying for anything except content.)

She’d figured that she would do Q&A type things, it was close enough to the content she’d used to make but far enough away that no one would suspect anything about her identity. It was perfect!

But the other heroes were… let’s say ‘less than eager’ to divulge much information to her. Especially not when they were being filmed.

Ladybug had pulled her aside one day to explain why.

“Rena…” She reached out and gently rested a hand on her shoulder.

Rena knew what that meant, she’d gotten it enough back when she was just a civilian. For just a second, she was thrown back to the first time one of her family members had died, to the way she had promised that she wouldn’t come back until she had her sister safely in her arms...

But she knew that it couldn’t be like that. Ladybug didn’t know who she was just like Rena didn’t know her identity. It was nothing that serious.

“We can’t give much information to the public. Hawkmoth could be watching.”

A fair point. It hurt, though.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “So we don’t show him our weaknesses, it’s not that hard.”

“We have to assume any information could be used against us.”

Rena frowned. “By that logic we can’t upload any content…?”

“We can’t upload any content of substance, no. Messing around in a store is fine. Videos of animals are fine. Anything beyond that is… potentially problematic.”

The idea of style over substance was foreign to the hero. Her whole brand used to be substance over style, done with a phone camera but close enough to fights for people to actually get a glimpse of the heroes in action. What was she supposed to do?

“What’s your niche, then?” Said Rena, hoping to get an idea.

“I was going to do some videos on mental and physical wellness.”

Yeah, no. That was a very ‘Ladybug’ thing to do, Rena probably couldn’t encroach on that in any way. But… what else was there?

Ladybug opened her mouth like she was about to say something, and then she shook her head and disappeared to her room.

Rena watched her leave in silence, and then fell back on the couch. She rested her hands over her eyes, something that was very uncomfortable due to the weird fabric of the mask on her face, and tried to think.

Ladybug had been fair. They already had enough of a gap between the information Hawkmoth had versus the amount they did, they shouldn’t make that worse… but then what was the point of them doing social media accounts?

And, she mused, why hadn’t Ladybug just told Master Fu her concerns?

Something wasn’t adding up, but she didn’t exactly know what.

The reporter in her was itching to find out. She didn’t want to invade Ladybug’s privacy, especially not when the other already seemed wary enough around her, but it was hard to just let go…

So, what could she do?

She grumbled as she went to Carapace’s room, not even bothering to knock as she walked in. It wouldn’t matter if she did, her miraculous made it so that most people’s eyes and ears slid right over her unless she actively worked to get them to notice her.

He was in his hero costume, though that wasn’t surprising considering he’d gotten back from patrols only a few minutes ago.

Carapace jumped a little in surprise when she came to a stop by his desk and looked up from where he was booting up his computer.

“Salut?” He said slowly.

“Salut! I need help.”

He raised his eyebrows a little and then shrugged. With a tiny wave of his hand, a second chair made of a bunch of different plates appeared behind her.

She took a seat and crossed her legs. “Everyone talks to you, right?”

“I guess…?”

“So do you know what everyone’s doing for their TikTok accounts?”

“I’m going to get footage of us acting friendly, Chat is filming animals he sees on patrols, Ladybug is ‘promoting mental and physical wellness’, and Chloe…” He sucked in a breath. “I don’t know what Chloe’s doing, but she started laughing maniacally when I asked so I’m not eager to find out.”

Rena pouted a little bit. Great, so everyone’s taken all the good and easy ideas. What else was there?

“I don’t know what to do with my account. Ladybug says I can’t do interviews and stuff because Hawkmoth could use stuff against us.”

Carapace briefly looked confused, and then understanding crossed his face. “Well, I can tell you that no one here would disagree with that.”

“I know, I know, it makes sense,” she sulked, resting her head on her hand. “But then what do I do?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Being the ‘smart one’ is kind of your thing.”

She frowned at that, but brushed past it. “I don’t really care about my image, it’s not that important to me --.”

“It should be.”

Her gaze shot up to see his expression was uncharacteristically serious.

He seemed to realize this, too, because he cleared his throat and brought a smile to his face again.

“I know you’re new, so let me give you some advice: keep your life as a hero and a civilian as far apart as you possibly can. Since we’re everyone’s therapists and all, it’s kind of depressing when you start thinking about everything the civvies tell you when you’re off the job.”

Carapace reached out slowly, giving her time to draw back, and rested a hand on top of her head.

“So, lean into your image. Lean into it so hard you become a parody of yourself. It’s better for everyone that way. Trust me.”

She reached up and pulled his hand off, frowning deeply. “If you think that then why did you agree to live with us? Why are you taking videos of us all being friends?”

“Well, I live with everyone because it was a good solution for some concerns I had about college… not that we really had a choice. Master Fu wasn’t going to give it up.” He leaned back in his chair and stretched. “And I’m taking videos of everyone because it’ll help when we need to do our whole therapy thing. People talk more when they feel close to you.”

Rena stared at him in shock. That was… surprisingly cold and calculated for the supposed ‘nice’ hero. Then again, by his own admission, he didn’t even see himself as that nice of a person.

Were all the other heroes like that? Lying about their personalities for the sake of the public or their mental health? And, if they were, were they keeping up the act while there too or did they consider living in the house their new ‘civilian’ life?

She pushed herself to her feet abruptly, startling Carapace a second time. She crossed her arms.

“I’ve got an idea for what to do. Thanks.”

“Huh? But I didn’t --?”

She was already gone.

Despite the temptation to disobey that she was pretty sure wasn’t entirely her fault, Rena had gone to Ladybug a few days later with a proposal:

“I still want to be an informant to the people.” She saw Ladybug begin to protest, so she rushed to finish the rest of her sentence: “Obviously, I won’t be giving them anything of substance, but it could help to make them feel closer to us as heroes.”

Ladybug couldn’t turn down the reasoning. It was what Carapace had listed as his own.

And, to her delight, Ladybug seemed to agree because she clicked her tongue and nodded.

“Fine. What’re you planning to do?”

“Simple stuff. A house tour -- making sure to blur and hide anything that could give Hawkmoth our location -- and then after that keep them updated on the news.”

There was a silence as she considered this. Then her head tipped to the side. “What do you mean by ‘news’?”

“Nothing major. Have you ever seen a drama channel on YouTube? Stuff like that.”

“... fine, but you should run your videos by everyone involved before uploading.”

Rena nodded her understanding.

She started with the house tour. If she was going to do this, she needed to gain their trust. A few normal videos, and then she’d start trying to slip the public information about the heroes’ true personalities.

Rena didn’t want to expose them to Hawkmoth, and especially didn’t want to expose their families, so she really was going to try to respect most of their privacy. For this reason, she did tell them all when she was going to do the house tour so they could hide anything that could be used to figure out their identities.

She started with the shared rooms like the kitchen and living room, but she brushed past all of that quickly since she knew that wasn’t what they’d be interested in.

Her room was first. It was the same size as every other bedroom in the house, but it felt tiny and cramped. There was a dresser, a desk, a bed, three different bookshelves, an end table… well, let’s just say that she’d brought more stuff than necessary. The room wasn’t exactly neat, it seemed that it would buckle under the weight of Rena’s knickknacks if she wasn’t careful, but it wasn’t necessarily dirty either; everything had its place.

She decided to put the more boring rooms in the middle for the good old watchtime. Ladybug’s room was fine but her personality was a bit dull when it came to this kind of thing, and Carapace’s personality was fine but his room was boring, so...

She was off to Ladybug’s room. She climbed up to the attic and finally figured out exactly what Ladybug had been working on since they’d moved in. Apparently she was trying to make an indoor jungle gym using the support beams on the ceiling. It actually looked like a pretty good workout, though maybe a little unsafe. Beyond that, the room was rather full. Random pieces of furniture (mostly chairs) were strewn about, loaded with a precarious amount of fabrics.

She found Ladybug hunched over a sketchbook on her bed, swaddled in blankets despite the fact that the attic was actually pretty warm.

She looked up at her and blinked. “Oh. Now? Okay.” She escaped her blanket prison with minimal struggling and then gave a short tour of her room.

Rena pointed to a divider on the other side of the room. “What’s behind there?”

Ladybug looked over and a blush spread across her face. “I don’t have a closet, so that’s where I put the secret identity stuff for now. Don’t go back there.”

For some reason, Rena thought she was being lied to. However, she couldn’t just go back there when Ladybug had just said that it would reveal her identity, so she just nodded and said: “Gotcha. Thanks for the tour.”

She moved on to Carapace’s room next. She pushed the door to his room open and sent a smile and a wave. All his textbooks were safely stashed out of sight and he’d cleaned up the normal mess of old snacks for the video, which somehow made his room feel even emptier than usual.

“Here we have a wild Carapace in his natural habitat. Though, why this is what he chose as his natural habitat is beyond me.”

He laughed good-naturedly. “I don’t need much.”

“I can see that.”

He smiled. “Ridiculous! Utterly Ridiculous!” He said, doing his best impression of Chloe.

Rena cleared her throat, and then did a perfect impression of her voice.

Carapace’s eyes widened. “Chloe?”

She tried not to laugh, and instead nodded and continued her impression: “Yes. I’m secretly Chloe. Rena asked me to take her place for this because she was tired.”

He didn’t seem sure whether or not to take this as a joke, and she gleefully left the room.

She moved on to Chloe’s room. It was… somehow both bright and dark in there and this threw Rena off more than she’d like to admit. While most people would take Rena for the hoarder (and they’d probably be right to), Chloe also seemed to have some hoarding problems; the walls were taken up with different luxury items from jewelry to handbags; the floor was littered with different plants at seemingly random intervals.

Chloe looked up from where she was tending to some plants with the help of a few bees (wait, was there an actual BEEHIVE in there?).

“I like your… bees…?”

Chloe snickered. “Thanks. They don’t like you, though, so I’d suggest you leave.”

Rena was a little offended that the bees didn’t like her, but she didn’t need to be told twice.

She headed to Chat’s room next.

When she opened the door she had thought that he wasn’t there. The lights were off outside of a TV which, upon closer inspection, she realized someone was playing a video game. Huh. She turned on the light.

Once she was actually able to see, she was taken aback by how dirty it was. Clothes littered the ground; the bed looked like it hadn’t been made since they moved in; there was a grand piano but it was currently being used as a trash can for old snack bags.

“Did you forget that I was doing a house tour today?”

“Nope,” said Chat from somewhere in the filth.

“Oh… okay…”

The video cut.

~~~

Taglist

@nathleigh @mialuvscats @sassakitty @th1s-1s-my-aesthet1c @blueslushgueen @woe-is-me0

#a miraculous tiktok account #rena rouge #alya cesaire #ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #carapace #nino lahiffe #queen bee #chloe bourgeois #chat noir #adrien agreste #miraculous team #miraculous fic #ml fic #chloenette #chlonette #adrino

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emperor-of-blood · 3 years ago

Text

I want to take a slight detour form my normal character classpecting to talk about something that’s always sort of bugged me: Knight and Page pairing.

The fandom sometimes pairs them based on a passive/active relationship and I’ve voiced my lack of satisfaction with the active/passive business before. But here I want to talk about two better pairings for Knights:

Knight and Witch & Knight and Prince

The Knight and Witch pairing may seem odd at first glance but hear me out. At least by my definitions, Knights exploit [aspect]/protect with [aspect] and Witches manipulate [aspect]. I’ve explained these before so I’ll gloss over why I think that for now. The comparison between manipulating your aspect vs exploiting it is... kind of blurry if you think about it. They both can be summed up as manipulating the aspect so it sort of calls into question the definitions I use, but there’s still distinct differences.

Just look at Jade and Dave: One of the obstacles Dave encounters is Caledfwlch. It’s a legendary sword in the stone, something vital to his session. But he can’t pull it out. So instead he breaks it and rewinds Time for it back to when it was whole. This solves a bunch of his problems at once: needs a strong weapon, needs this weapon, he gets a, practically speaking, unbreakable weapon, and he doesn’t need to derail John from the important shit he has going on to pull it. And this is all done with a minor, but clever use of his powers. It’s nowhere near the scale we see Jade use her powers, shrinking entire planets, moving the ship at near-light speed, etc. Most of Dave’s journey went something like this, where he really worked his ass off to get the most out of what he had. Dave sprite spent months grinding the same enemies to farm grist. He really worked for all he got, found clever solutions, and made things work.

Jade on the other hand, just kind of plays the game and just gets her powers. Not to diminish her importance or the work she did, but her powers came very naturally to her through just playing the game, rather than fucking with shit to squeeze out every last drop that she could. But at the end of the day, both master and manipulate their aspects, just in very different ways.

How might a Witch of Time approach the Caledfwlch situation instead? Maybe by just being able to pull it in the first place or not needing the sword at all and finding another solution with their mastery over Time. With more obviously powerful Time powers maybe they just don’t need the sword. Maybe they just pull some Time stop Dio knife storm bullshit and that cuts the mustard until they manipulate a ‘real’ hero like John over to pull the sword out when it’s actually needed. Or how would a Knight of Space approach a comparable Caledfwlch situation? Same three problems: Needs a strong weapon, needs this specific weapon, and doesn’t spend too many resources on this (+ squeezing out any bonuses they can get from this). Maybe they could recreate the sword from alchemy? It has a code after all so they either just figure out what they have to combine to reach that or maybe they just ghost image the thing and make a fake version. Or maybe they realize why the sword is important in the first place and pull out the actually important bit. Like, is it the actual sword itself? Ehhh kinda, more it’s the magic cue ball inside it really. Which is why Jade has Dave combine the Cue Ball with the Broken Royal Deringer. They needed a strong weapon capable of harming Lord English, something they could only do by using a weapon related to him. Could the Knight of Space just make Doc Scratch’s magic cue ball and combine it with another weapon? Maybe they give it to another member of their party more suited to fighting Lord English and, now that they have the cue ball, they give that to another party member to help them out. Or hell maybe they make a bunch of weapons capable of hurting the big man, so even if they specifically have to deliver the final blow cuz of fate bullshit, the other party members can still actually participate. Imagine if during the fight John had a cue ball hammer that Lord English couldn’t eat? Or if Rose had cue ball - Quills of Echidna? That’s also only limiting the alchemy to weapons, maybe a cue ball, I dunno, belt or some shit comes out useful? It’s not like it has to only give Lord English-harming powers or omniscient clairvoyance, whose to say what sort of whacky things come out of some experimental alchemy with it?

Now Prince vs Knight, because I haven’t rambled enough apparently. Specifically, I want to talk about them as foils. So Princes destroys [aspect]/destroy using [aspect]. Again there’s the manipulation thing going on here where destroying with the aspect is a specific kind of manipulation, but I more want to focus on the second part of the Knight class: protect with [aspect]. I’ll keep this part shorter and skip the lengthy speculation. There’s also the whole ‘Lack of [aspect]’ both classes have going on. For Knights it’s in their session but for Princes it’s in themselves. Not much Time in Dave’s session while Dirk is heartless. Funnily enough, we do actually get to see the Prince/Knight pair in these two. And they really are very similar while also acting as great foils to one another.

Idk that’s about it. Stream of consciousness over.

#homestuck #sburb #knight #knight class #prince #prince class #witch class #classpect #classpect pairs #witch/knight #prince/knight #witch #classpect analysis #homestuck analysis #homestuck classpect

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aliasimagines · 5 years ago

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Helloo could if you’re not busy can I request batboys with a batsis who has a full head of white hair. Then one day she finally opens up about it, that she was a lab rat for the Al Ghouls who would kill her and place her in the Lazarus pit over and over again. How would they react?? Bonus if Bruce is added to the mix. I want to feel pain :))

World cont: 1544

Warnings: mention of death (reader's death🤷🏻‍♀️), saaadnessss

A/N:Hello, sorry it took a bit longer for me to write this one. Hope you like it anyway!

It was one of those rare occasions when Dick managed to get most of you to the manor. It was a ’family slumber party’ as he called it. You watch all kinds of movies, play board games, sleep on the couch or in pillow forts, and of course..there is no patrolling for that night.

You liked these nights. You found it comforting to be around family and even if there were minot fights, it was a great time.

You rushed uo the stairs to the manors door witg your bag hanging loosely on your shoulder. You went to grab the handle but the door opened before you could so anything.

„Alfred! Hi!” you jumped inside, quickly hugging him.

„Welcome Miss Y/N!”

„It smells delicious in here! What are you making?”

„Oh I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit for it as Master Jason is helping me in the kitchen. We are making vegetarian lasagne as Master Damian requested it. Would you like to join us?”

You smiled and nodded.

„Yes, I’ll be there in a minute, I’m just putting down my bag. Is Dick here, yet?”

„Oh yes. Master Dick is in the living room. I assume he ia still lecturing your younger brothers.”

Yiu chuckled, Tim and Damian were probably fighting again. That sounds like them. Hah. You went to greet them in the living room with a smile but than you heard them shouting. Ah, yes, definitely fighting.

„ I told you Drake! It is my turn on choosing activities for tonight. And we are playing monopoly.”

„And I have told you, demon, that it is my turn and we are playing scotland yard!” Tim noticed you walking slowly towards them and turned to you in a flash. „Y/N! Tell them it is my turn!”

„Oh no! You’re so not dragging me into this.” you said with raised hands. Instead yiu walked over to the oldest brother and hugged him. „Hi Dickie”

„Hi, little wing.”he hugged you back before shouting” I have a solution! I will choose the game so there won’t be any issue. „

„Wow you started a war. „ you slowly backed away as you saw both Damian and Tim raise a few pillows.” It was nice knowing you Tim, Dick. Go get them Dami!”

And with that you were on your way to the kitchen. After putting on an apron and greeting Jason you helped him and Alfred with the food. You also made cookies and some other snacks. Once everything was done, or in the oven Jason and you decided to look of the others haven’t killed each other. Entering the living room you saw all three of them sitting on the couch, Dick sitting between Tim and Damian. Dick was flipping through the channels when he saw you.

„Is the food ready??”

„Nah, but it will be shortly.” Jason siad while getting comfy in an armchair. He gestured to the bigger, black leather armchair.

„The old man?”

„Still working in the cave.” said Tim slightly annoyed. „But he should be here soon”

„That’s what he said an hour ago... Whatever. Are we gonna play or what?”

„Yes! Finally! Thanks Jaybird! Uhm... Let’s get started with some slumber plarty games, shall we?”

You groaned, glaring at both Jason and Dick.

„Yeah, thanks Jaybird.” he only flashed you a smirk.

„Let’s play truth or dare!”

„Dick, I already told you, it’s not fun to play these games with your siblings.” you said rolling your eye. Tim nodded in agreement, Damian still stared at the tv with disgust written all over his face.

„Okay I’ll start!” said Dick, practically beaming with excitement.

„I dare you to shut up?” asked Tim hopefully. Dick raised his shoulders in a „What can I do?” way and covered his mouth but gestured at Damian that now it’s his turn ask Tim. Never have you seen any other 13 year old glaring like that.

„Sure, Drake why are you such a moron?”

„Geez, no. You’re not starting thia again. Damian ask me a question instead, please.”

„Tt.” he pushed his tongue against his teeth before turning his attention from Tim, to you.”Fine. I’ve been meaning to ask. Why the white hair? I mean you had it for... What? A year now? I stil don’t get it.”

To say that you weren’t expecting that was an understatement. Your thoughts traveled back to the reasons why your hair looked like it did. Your head was filled with your own screams, images of torture and than everything going green. You felt cold and you shivered all of the sudden.

„Oh, she obviously dyed it this way so she would match my little streak here. Because I’m her favorite brother.” Jason smiled and looked at you. But his smile quickly disappeared as he saw how pale you were. You sank down on the chair which you were standing next to.

„I.. I didn’t dye it.” you said barley louder then a whisper. Jay raised an eyebrow at you.

„Than why is it white, sis?” looking around you saw that all your brothers were starting at you now with more and more concern on their faces.

„I.. Whatever. It’s not important. Let’s just move on with the game and-„

„Y/N.” it waa Dick. His voice gentle but full of worry.

„I... My hair is white...because of the..”you swallowed trying not to break down. You never told them. Not because you didn’t trust them with it or anything but because you didn’t want them to be concerned or get some ideas about having revenge. Besides... Dying several times was not that easy to talk about. „because of the lazarus pit.”

Their shocked expressions ment you have some explaining to do.

„Remember that secret mission I went on a year ago? The one that lasted for a few months? Well...there were no mission. I wanted to get out of town for a few days, maybe a week with my friends but I never actually got to my friend’s weekend house because I was kidnapped. They kept me in the dark, I was tortured and eventually... I died. I remember how cold it was, how dark and lonely... And than everything was green. I was floating, then drowning. I felt my eyes burning as well as my throat. I felt my whole body burning in fact. And... „ you felt someone grasping your hand but you just guessed it was Jason because your vision became blurry from the tears that were threatening to fall out.” And it wasn’t the last time. I actually lost count after the 16th occasion... It happened over and over again – and I – They used me as a lab rat. Killing me, torturing me and then throwing me into that damn green fluid.” you said a sob escaping your lips.

„ Why haven’t you spoke about this?” it took you a few moments to realize whose voice it was, because the blood rushing in your ear made it much harder. But the voice was coming from behind you, so it wasn’t the boys, they all sat in front of you, besides Jason who sat next to you. It was Bruce. He came up from the cave. Trying to wipe your tears you turned around. You couldn’t read his face, not that it was anything unusual.

„I didn’t think it was necessary. I could handle it on my own.”

„Y/N that’s the stupidest thing I have ever heard. We are a family. You don’t need to handle anything your own. That’s why we are here for you. I... I know it’s not- We are not a normal family. I know. And I sorry but tge fact that we dress in armored suits from night to night doesn’t mean we can’t talk to each other. Even if it seems the opposite I will always have time for all of you.” he pulled you up gently into a hug. You cried, but you weren’t the only one. You felt a tear dropping on your head, meaning Bruce was crying too. You soon felt all the others join in for the hug.

„ I’m sorry I didn’t tell you... „you heard yourself saying after a good few minutes.” I love you all so much. And... Thank you dad. „

Bruce only noded, not being able to say anything but it was fine. It was a comfortable silence. You felt loved. You all looked up aa Damain got up.

„ Where are going?” asked Tim.

„To get revenge.”

„No.” Jason shook his head. He looked like a beaten puppy. He knew what you were going through and how hard it was to say those things out loud.

„You sure not saying that this should go unnoticed?”

„No. I agree with you. But not now, Damian. She needs us. You included. Don’t leave now.” Damian was taking back from his brothers calm tone but came back down. You were let go from the embrace and saw your father weakly smiling at Jason.

„Can we... Sit down and have the rest of the family night, please?”

Everyone sat back down, somehow all of you managed to fit on the couch, and wrapped yourself in comfortable blankets and cuddled for the rest of the night.

#angst #batfam angst #batfamily imagine #batfamily #Batfamily x reader #basis reader #batfam x batsis #batman imagine #jason todd imagines #dick grayson imagine #damian wayne imagine #tim drake imagine #alfred pennyworth imagine #alias imagines #request

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osakaso5 · 4 years ago

Text

La Danse Macabre

Episode 33

Chapter Index

33-1: Reminiscing (1)

Kabane: Ha!!!

[Whoosh]

[Clang]

Vida: .......! Not bad..!

Kabane: Go, you three!

Libel: We need to run, Arme!

Arme: Y-yes!

Vida: You're not going anywhere!

[Clang]

Kabane: You should be paying attention to me...

Vida: Tsk!!! Don't you get in MY WAY!

[Thud]

Kabane: Ugh..!

Vida: Who do you think you are, pest!?

[Thud]

Arme: KABANE!

Libel: Don't turn back! Just run!

Arme: Libel! He's bleeding so much! H-he's going to die!

Libel: ...He'll be fine.

Qual: ......?

Vida: Libel! Don't think you and that kid will get away from me that eas--!

[Whoosh]

Vida: Gah..!?

Kabane: I told you to pay attention, did I not?

Vida: What..!?

Vida: How can you still move..!? Just die already..!

Kabane: Heh... If only it were that simple.

Kabane: Unfortunately, your current opponent isn't someone who'll go down easily.

- - - -

Qual: I don't know who or what that man was, but... Are you certain he'll be alright?

Qual: He seemed like a skilled enough fighter, but I doubt even he could survive fighting Vida by himself.

Arme: ...We might as well have killed him ourselves...

Libel: He'll be fine.

Arme: How..?

Libel: He isn't going to die... He'll be fine...

Arme: .......?

Libel: There's no way he'll lose...

- - - -

Kuon: Sorry. All this must be a lot to take in.

Kuon: Kabane bears no ill will. He just wants to help...

Libel: Nerve, the Ark, the Celestial..! It's making my head spin!

Libel: Who are you people!? How do you know all this!?

Kuon: .......

Kuon: Actually...

Kuon: I was once a Celestial myself, a very long time ago.

Libel: ......!?

Libel: What do you mean..?

Kuon: It's quite simple, really. I was a Celestial long before Arme's time.

Libel: .......

Kuon: Your disbelief is understandable, but believe me when I say that I've lived for over 1000 years.

Kuon: As have Kabane and Konoe.

Libel: ......!

Konoe: Well, there you have it. We're your seniors by a whole millenium.

Libel: That... can't be true...

Konoe: Ah. Yeah, you'd think. Fine, we'll show you.

Konoe: Let me borrow your blade for a bit.

Libel: ......?

Konoe: Here I... go!

Libel: ......!? Wait!

Konoe: Oof, that smarts.

Kuon: .......

Libel: What are you doing, Konoe..!? You cut yourself...

Konoe: Look. There's something I want you to see.

Libel: ...The wound is disappearing.

Konoe: Yep, it is.

Kuon: We don't die.

Kuon: ...Or can't, rather.

Libel: ......!

33-2: Reminiscing (2)

Kuon: Allow us to reminisce for a moment, won't you?

Kuon: Over 1000 years ago, I was a Celestial. Much like Arme, I was raised as a magical weapon in Nerve.

Kuon: It was a time before the church and the floating sky...

Kuon: My savior was the king of an enemy nation, Kabane.

Libel: ......!

Kuon: Yes, we were so very much like you and Arme.

Libel: That's...

Konoe: Kabane once ruled a country called Goto. It was a militaristic nation, and the only one that could truly fight Nerve.

Konoe: And, since there's no point in hiding it now, I was his right hand man!

Libel: You were originally Kabane's subject..?

Konoe: We found out about Kuon while capturing Nerve's base.

Konoe: Kabane always was a righteous man to the core, you see.

Konoe: When he found out that they were using a child as a weapon, why, he flew into a rage.

Konoe: So, he ignored all the dangers to himself, and took Kuon away from Nerve.

Kuon: He was much like you... When he knew of my fate, he was determined to free me from it.

Kuon: He tried to rid me of my curse. I trusted him, so I did everything I could to help.

Kuon: My curse was eating away at his and Konoe's bodies. I wanted to find a solution quickly.

Konoe: The entire country of Goto was researching day and night.

Kuon: Eventually, our work paid off, and we found a way to undo the curse.

Libel: Undo it..!? So it's possible..!?

Kuon: It is. It is...

Libel: ......?

Kuon: But the method was incomplete.

Konoe: If you forcibly remove the Celestial's curse, you'll suffer grave side effects. We had no idea at the time.

Kuon: The Celestial's curse accelerates death. And, at the same time, it was linked to my own lifespan in some way...

Libel: Your own lifespan?

Kuon: In other words, to remove the curse was to remove my mortality.

Libel: ...Don't tell me...

Kuon: In losing the curse, I lost death itself. To make matters worse, even those around me were affected.

Konoe: It was so extreme, it's almost funny...

Libel: It can't be...

Kuon: Kabane, I, and even Konoe, who happened to be near us. All of us became unable to die.

Libel: ......!?

Konoe: And I was just a bystander, too! Though I suppose I don't mind, seeing as it was a result of following my master.

Libel: ...W-what about your war with Nerve?

Konoe: ........

Kuon: The moment I was freed from the curse, a new Celestial appeared.

Kuon: Only an infant, at the time.

Libel: !?

Kuon: Perhaps the curse can only be inherited by one with no sense of self.

Konoe: You've heard that the curse intensifies due to stress and the like, right?

Konoe: Nerve took that infant and abandoned it on the streets of Goto.

Konoe: Its cries annihilated our country in a single night.

Libel: ........

Libel: That's... How could anyone do such a thing..?

Kuon: It's awfully cruel, isn't it..?

Konoe: We left with what few survivors there were, and built a home here in the Underground.

Libel: ...And you've lived here for at least the past 1000 years.

Kuon: Yes, we have.

Libel: So this is why Kabane told me not to get involved with the Celestial...

Kuon: Haha. He must regret saving me...

Konoe: No, Kuon. He--

Kuon: It's alright, Konoe.

Kuon: When my curse was dispelled and our death was taken from us, he said he didn't regret doing what he did.

Kuon: Those words were a small form of salvation to me at the time.

Kuon: Still, it's painful to live for as long as we have...

Konoe: I... I can't say I disagree.

Konoe: A century in, all our former comrades were dead...

Libel: ...I can't even imagine how that must've felt like.

Kuon: Kabane regretted everything. Saving me... Even having the courage and morals to help me in the first place...

Kuon: He's very kind, so I'm sure he was trying very hard not to hate or rage at me.

Kuon: Before I knew it, he was avoiding me entirely.

Libel: .......

Konoe: Kuon has been enduring his guilt over what happened ever since. He thinks Kabane was mistaken to help him.

Konoe: That if only he didn't help Kuon... Kabane could've lived and died like a normal man.

Kuon: .......

Konoe: It was very hard, watching the two of them...

Libel: So all this time... you've...

Kuon: Kabane doesn't want you to make the same mistake... Which is why he's trying to stop you.

Kuon: He feels something familiar in you. But, I...

Kuon: While I may have lived an overwhelmingly long time, I've never once wished that I hadn't been saved.

Kuon: I'd rather live forever and do no harm than bring death with my very existence.

Kuon: I've never forgotten my gratitude for Kabane.

Libel: ...You don't find it hard? Being unable to die... ever.

Kuon: Hard?

Kuon: Of course not. I'm... I was saved.

Libel: ........

Kuon: I'm not... allowed to feel that way.

- - - -

Qual: Libel?

Libel: We should hurry. We can't let Kabane's help go to waste.

To be continued...

#idolish7 #la danse macabre #translation #event story

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