#he's always reassuring her that she can do this and that they have her back but doesn't pressure her into anything

[alexanderlightweight]

Hi, happy Wednesday 🩵

I like the idea that Alec consistently gets a bunch of death threats/attempted poisonings/etc to the point that he treats it as just another tedious part of his job. I'd love to see Magnus coming to realize this and reacting to it. Thanks!

hi happy Wednesday!!!!

i also really like this idea and while it didn't go quite how I planned I am really enjoying it in a different slightly darker and less humorous way than originally intended and I hope you like it too! <3

lumine

-

rotted at the core

Magnus is ashamed to say that he’s not sure just how many attempts he misses. It’s months into their relationship that he starts to catch on, when Alexander pauses on their way out of the Institute, sniffing the steaming cup he’d brought with him out of his office.

“Izzy make it?” Magnus guesses, knowing that while a variety of shadowhunters deliver drinks to Alec’s office like clockwork, his sister sometimes tries to surprise him.

“No, despite her disasters in the kitchen, Izzy knows her poisons.  She wouldn’t put it in my food and she’d notice if someone else had before she handled it.”

Alec says it so nonchalantly but Magnus’ ears feel as though they are ringing, gongs in his head as he preserves the cup and its contents from where Alexander was about to pour it out.

“Darling it’s evidence.” Perhaps he’s not explaining correctly, or maybe Alexander is just as in shock as he is as Alec chuckles.  To have his love poisoned in Alexander’s own Institute is beyond infuriating and shocking since as far as Magnus knows, there are no visitors.  

“Magnus, I don’t need evidence. I just need to weed out the rest of the spies.” Alexander shakes his head, reaching out to take Magnus’ hand and give his knuckles a reassuring kiss.

“What?”

“Evidence won’t do me any good right now. They’ll just get recycled back into the Idris pool of hunters and end up nurse a grudge against me. Instead, I’ll make sure to return the favor granted.”

“Who, darling?” Magnus has a feeling he knows, however he wants to hear it in truth, from his beloved.

“It’s a little game that the Clave likes to play with me.  One day, they’ll run out of fodder, or I'll run out of patience.” Alexander’s smile is so soft, his eyes just as adoring as always but with a determined glint.  A determination to survive, Magnus realizes.  Against the very organization that he serves and who in truth, gives him orders.

“So you see, the evidence isn’t needed, Magnus.” Alexander’s hand reaches to pluck the cup from the magic enveloping it and finishes pouring it out before burning the paper cup with a rune. “Because before they can make a new attempt, they’ll be dead on a mission. My Institute’s statistics can take a few hits.  Now and again.”

Magnus swallows, bile and rage an unpleasant flavor yet he manages all the same.  

The amount of assassins it would take to shake the life expectancy statistics of Alec’s Institute, it’s far too high a number.

“I was thinking breakfast for dinner,” Magnus smiles just as sweetly as he slyly plots. Champagne is perfect at getting Alexander to spill the secrets he thinks so obvious to the world around him.

Or the secrets he hides in order to mistakenly protect Magnus. Distract a tired Alexander with some berries and a flute of champagne and he’d be tipsy and in two bottles and basket of fruit within half an hour.  

Magnus would sober him up and finish feeding him after he figured out what exactly Alec was hiding from him.

There was no life in which Magnus would allow a threat to his beloved to go unknown and unpunished. 

-

i was going to have a long, sort of mock humor about murder attempts but i realized that would only work in this eldritch delight and at some point Magnus would get jealous of all these people trying to murder his man because Alec comes home like 'someone tried to kill me in an interesting way' and it would be like that's his man to lovingly and adoringly threaten, no one elses.

mostly just because in any other universe Magnus would never let himself live it down if he missed more than one semi-obvious attempt on alec's life in front of him. and he doesn't need that in his life. so it's more or less that Magnus will look back and see a picture to a puzzle he didn't know he was working on until the box the puzzle came in got thrown at his head. most attempts happen in the institute or on patrol and Magnus isn't there to see them and Alec only mentions them offhandedly.

magnus is like: do we need couples therapy? communication is key to relationships alexander. THAT MEANS YOU TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE THE TARGET OF ASSASSINATION IN YOUR WORKPLACE AND HOME

alec *literally is just so used to the clave's fuckery that he forgot to share*: ... next time I will?

magnus-next time? did he just say next time?: okay well you're living with me now so that's a temporary problem solved. don't give me that look, I can't trust you with your own life at this point what do you expect from me? *muttering to himself* next time. as if i'm going to allow there to be a 'next time'.

[pieandflannel]

౨ৎ ₊˚⊹ talking to the moon 🌔

₊⊹ ʚ ₊⊹｡ ⋆ ˚ ⋆ ｡˚ ₊⊹｡ ₊⊹ ୨♡୧ ⊹₊ ｡⊹₊ ⋆ ˚｡ ⋆ ˚ ⋆ ｡⊹₊ ɞ ⊹₊

pairing: dean winchester x gn!reader

summary: you never really got over deans death.

cw: heavy angst, death, grief, denial. brief reference to events in s15.

word count: 684

julia yaps: i literally cried while writing this… </3 (proof)

inspo: talking to the moon by bruno mars + s15 ep20

────────── ୨ৎ ──────────

you knew the risks of this job. you and the boys always have. any day can be your last, every hunter knew it and accepted that fate, but now?— you are taking baby out for another ride onto an empty field where you regularly go, you park it and walk out, the door creaking like always, something dean never really cared to take care of when it came to baby. but that’s what gave her personality.

you sit on the hood of the impala looking up at the darkening sky, dean’s last words to you repeating themselves inside your head. “when you look up at the night sky and see the first star appear, that’ll be me saying i love you, so look out for it, okay sweetheart?”

you take off the jacket you’re wearing, dean’s favourite green jacket, and lay it beside you on the hood. you gently stroke the canvas material, a button finding it’s way under your fingertips. tears forming in your eyes as you remember how much dean loved to wear that jacket. You didn’t even have the courage to wash it.

the feeling of longing ripping you apart from the inside out. no matter how long ago it happened, it will never feel real. denial haunts you every single day ever since dean passed away.

as you wipe away your tears you notice the first star up in the sky, “hi dean” you spoke softly with a small sad smile, not being able to hold your tears in. soft sobs coming from your petite being.

rarely has there been a night where you didn’t talk to the moon and stars, desperately hoping that they pass on your messages to heavens mailroom.

“i miss you so much… we all do, especially sammy.. he misses his older brother” you say, your voice croaky from the tears. you wipe your eyes with your sleeve, it’s being stained with your tears after so many nights of crying.

“miracle literally has to have one of your flannels in his doggy bed in order to sleep properly..” you spoke up to the sky, but deep down you were praying that dean was listening.

“i even gave baby a bath today..” you share, your hand gently patting her, imagining dean proudly smiling at the news. “i couldn’t collect myself to clean the inside just yet… but at least she’s shiny on the outside now” tears welling up in your eyes as you talk with a pained smile.

“i hope you know how much i love you… and that there is not a single day where i don’t think about you” you take a deep breath, trying to stop yourself from sobbing. the frosty air burning your nostrils. but the cold weather doesn’t stop you from talking to dean before sleep. it became a ritual, a habit of yours. you couldn’t go to sleep unless you did so.

you sit in silence for a good while, just appreciating the stars shining. star gazing used to be your and deans go to date. he would drive the impala onto this exact field, park it and the two of you would simply gaze up into the night sky, cuddle up into each other and exchange some stories or memories of yours. whether it was a funny one or traumatic, it didn’t matter because you had each other.

this was also the place where dean confessed his feelings for you years ago, so this spot holds a very special place in your heart.

the faint sounds of your sniffles echo through the grass, you take a deep breath before speaking up again, “i should get going.. but i’ll be back tomorrow” you reassure, grabbing the jacket and putting it on before sliding down the car.

you wave up into the sky, and at that exact moment a shooting star flies across the sky. you gasp softly deciding to take that as a sign, you were well aware that others thought of you as a bit delusional, but you didn’t care, you needed to believe. faith is what kept you somewhat sane.

“goodnight dean, sleep well”

disclaimer: grief can be a very very difficult thing to deal with, i myself go through it every day for the past couple of years, it never really goes away, so if you ever need someone to talk to or for someone to simply hear you out, feel free to message/contact me! you are never alone and you always have me! <333

thank you so much for reading! feedback and reblogs are always deeply appreciated <3

tags: @jensino @emeraldcrs @soldiersgirl @jensenacklesballsack @missus-ackles @littlesoulshine @deanswifeyy @slut4jackles @h8aaz @figisonline @figthoughts @angelicjackles @losers-clvb @lyarr24 @cowboysandcigarettes @blossomingorchids @bluemerakis @rositaslabyrinth @deanspookiebear @tinas111 @bejeweledinterludes @heartrendercastiel

♡ comment to be added/removed!

© pieandflannel – do not plagiarise or repost any of my work!

© reserved for photo/gif owners!

[kxsagi]

Can i request reo with a reader who really dislikes spending so much money because she grew up in poverty and when reo spoils her she feels bad wondering how she'd repay him but reo reassures her he does it cuz he loves her

“𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬”

a/n: all my readers are deserving of being spoiled 🙂‍↕️

(art credits go to coa6186496501 on X)

reo’s arm is casually draped over your shoulders as the two of you walk through the luxurious shopping district. you’re still getting used to this – a place where glass storefronts gleam with designer logos and sales associates practically float over to you, all honeyed smiles and soft bows. it feels too surreal, too out of reach. but then again, so is the boy beside you. 

“what do you think?” reo asks, holding up a delicate necklace with a tiny diamond at the center. it sparkles under the warm lighting, almost as dazzling as the expectant look in his eyes. 

you glance at the price tag. and immediately, your stomach tightens. way too much. probably more than what your family spent on groceries in a month growing up. you quickly look away, forcing a smile. “it’s pretty,” you mumble, praying he doesn’t read the discomfort in your voice. 

but of course, he does. he always does. 

reo’s gaze softens, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly in that way they do when he’s studying you like he’s trying to read between the lines. but instead of pressing you, he gently sets the necklace back down. he interlaces his fingers with yours and tugs you along. 

“c’mon, let’s keep looking.” 

you exhale in relief, but it doesn’t last long. fifteen minutes later, he’s slipping a velvet box into your hands, a pair of earrings you accidentally lingered on for too long. and when you start to protest, his voice is light, playful. “they’re cute, right? you deserve ‘em.” 

your throat constricts. you feel the familiar wave of guilt crash over you. you love him, you do. but being with him, a man who could probably buy a yacht on impulse, makes you feel so… unworthy. like you can’t possibly give him enough in return. 

the weight of it makes you quietly pull your hand away from his. and when you speak, your voice comes out smaller than you intend. “reo… you don’t have to keep spending money on me like this.” 

he frowns slightly, confused by the sudden shift. “i know i don’t. but i want to.” 

you shake your head. you can’t meet his eyes. “but i… i can’t pay you back for all of this,” you admit softly, your voice barely above a whisper. it’s humiliating. you hate how shaky you sound, how vulnerable it makes you feel. “i don’t want you to think i’m taking advantage of you.” 

the silence that follows makes your heart sink. you finally look up, bracing yourself for disappointment or maybe even frustration. but instead, you’re met with nothing but tenderness. 

reo’s expression softens immediately. he cups your face with both hands, thumbs brushing your cheeks as if you were something fragile. his voice drops, quiet but firm. “hey… love, look at me.” 

your eyes flicker to his. 

“you’re not taking advantage of me. not even close.” he smiles faintly, but there’s a certain seriousness behind it. “i buy you things because i want to. not because i expect you to repay me. not because i think you owe me. but because i love you. and seeing you happy? that’s worth more than anything i could ever buy.” 

your chest tightens. your lip trembles slightly before you can bite it down. you feel so silly, so silly for doubting him, but you can’t help the years of scarcity clinging to your skin like a bad habit. 

reo notices. he presses his forehead against yours, voice barely above a murmur now. “you don’t have to give me anything back, okay? just let me spoil you. let me love you. that’s more than enough.” 

and just like that, the dam breaks. you melt into him, burying your face into his chest. his arms are around you in seconds, warm and steady, holding you like he never intends to let go. 

“i love you,” you whisper into the fabric of his sweater, your voice cracking slightly from the lump in your throat. 

he presses a soft kiss to the crown of your head, tightening his hold on you. “i love you more,” he murmurs. “and you can’t put a price on that.” 

© 𝐤𝐱𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢

[its-me-your-bicon]

Stray Love - Joaquín Torres x Reader.

Summary: Joaquín brings home a little someone as an act of kindness.

Word count: 1244.

No pronouns used for reader.

Warnings: Pet names in Spanish, I guess?

Author’s notes: I love him <3 not my best work, but the idea was too cute not to write.

Joaquín was late.

Not to the degree of having to call authorities or watch the news in order to see where the hell he was, but late nonetheless.

You weren’t mad about it, but ever since he’s become the Falcon, you’re not sure he fully understands the degree of your worries whenever he gets held back without being able to write you about it.

Weirdly, you hear the ringing of your doorbell, not expecting any visitors and knowing Joaquín has a key to the shared apartment.

You expected the worst.

Looking through the peephole, though… You see the face of your boyfriend poured in the rain from outside, apparently holding something with both arms.

“Joaquín, what the h—?”

Once the door was open, you could see your boyfriend carrying a stray dog with both arms and just as wet as him. Its coat is mid-length and honey-colored, although darkened by the water.

“I know what this looks like…” Joaquín started, “But I couldn’t just leave her in the rain! Sorry I’m late, but she wouldn’t stop running from me, no matter what I did!”

Joaquín always had a soft spot for the little guys in the streets, so it’s not the first time he has brought an animal to your shared apartment, even though it definitely wasn’t allowed by the building. You don’t have it in you to discourage him from it, though it could damage your reputation and contract with the owner.

“Just come in…” you tell him after a sigh.

He smiles that gorgeous smile of his and kisses you on your cheek as he enters your shared home, “I love you so much, you know that, right?”

“Yeah, yeah…” you smile a little at the sight of Joaquín putting the little girl down and coaxing her with a towel before addressing his own state. They both must be freezing…

“Let’s give her a warm bath, mi amor… you’re already wet, so it’ll be easier.” You joke and wink at him as he looks up to you.

He does as he’s told, and you both try to get your new guest to follow into the tub by giving her treats along the way. You don’t have any dogs of your own, but you keep treats inside for this exact situation (and to sometimes interact with the dogs in the nearby park).

Once she’s partially fed with treats, she gets in the tub with a little help from Joaquín and some reassurance from the both of you.

You assess from top to bottom to see if she has any injuries that need immediate attention, but you find none, so you proceed with the warm water. Occasionally spraying Joaquín with the shower hose.

“Hey!” He protests when it becomes obvious you’re doing it on purpose, “So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?” He says as he gets shampoo on your shirt as revenge.

You two just laugh the situation away and keep washing the dog until she’s done for drying.

“I’ll do it, Joaquín. Just get in the shower and change your clothes.” You needed a change yourself, but he’s in dire need considering how he initially entered.

He agrees and gets to it, just as you bring a towel and a few more treats to handle her easier into it.

She’s a kind dog, and you can tell friendly too, but she's just scared. You leave her to food and water by herself to give her some space, just as Joaquín gets out of the washroom in a towel and goes to your shared room for clothes.

“What do you think of the name “Delta”?” He asks, a little muffled by being in different rooms, but you hear him clear enough.

“Joaquín, no.” You tell him as you walk to the bedroom “You know it gets more difficult to let them go once they get a name…”

“But baby! She totally deserves a name. Don’t you sweet girl?” As if on cue, ‘Delta’ barks twice at Joaquín. “See?” He says totally pleased with the outcome. You roll your eyes.

“Come on, Angel.” He gets close to you and puts his hands on your shoulders “I’ll get her a family soon enough. I always do.”

That he does. Delta is not the first, nor will she be the last, stray to pass through that door, but somehow Joaquín always finds someone who can take care of them in one way or another. Both your jobs don’t allow you much time to be home, thus it's not ideal.

Even so, Delta ended up six more days with you. Joaquín would get her in and out through the back door and hack the building’s cameras to play the same image of an empty corridor every time he went for a morning run with her.

As you suspected, Delta was a sweet girl who warmed up to the two of you fairly quickly, but goodbyes were in store as Joaquín got in touch with one of many host families he has collected over the years.

“Joaquín, are you crying?” You ask in bed with him the day before you have to give her up. He was lying down with Delta on his chest as he hugged her.

“I’m not!” He laughs with clearly wet eyes “I’ll just miss her, y’know?”

“I know, baby… Me too” You give both of them a kiss on the forehead. Delta gets closer to Joaquín’s neck at the action with a displeased expression, perhaps jealous of the attention you give to your boyfriend. Both you and Joaquín laugh at the action.

It’s not a secret that animals usually get closer to Joaquín while living under your roof. You accepted it long ago. He just has that kind of energy about him.

“Girl! That’s my boyfriend, you hear me?” You give her a scratch on the head, hard enough for some of her hair to lie disheveled.

Joaquín grabs your hand before you retrieve it completely.

“Thanks, mi vida… For sticking around for all this craziness.” He gives a shy smile as he says so.

“It’s not crazy to care for others, Joaquín… That’s your biggest strength, and I adore you for it.” You give his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.

Needless to say, goodbyes the next day were bittersweet. But after having taken care of her, checking up everything was alright at the vet, and given her sweet nature, you had no doubt she would find her forever home soon enough.

Joaquín insisted on receiving updates from her temporary hosts, and after much reassurance from them, you finally get to return hand in hand to your own home.

“I’m proud of you, baby bird. You handled this one very well.” You give him a congratulatory kiss on the side of his lips.

“Yeah, yeah… You won’t tell Sam about the crying part, will you?” He wears his best pleading face as he says so. You two stop walking at that.

“Maybe… What’s in it for me in exchange for my silence?” You ask as you wrap your arms around his neck to emphasize your request.

“I can think of a few things…” He gives your waist a squeeze with his hands as he reaches for a kiss.

Life may be unpredictable and chaotic for all creatures on earth, but having people like Joaquín on your life gives you hope for the future. Suit or no suit, he tries his best to never give up on others.

[grapejuice32]

can you write a kookreader x Rafe fic of him bringing her around Barry on the cut on the way to a date. Just to finish up a deal? She's worried that she's on the cut but Rafe just being Rafe tells her to stay in the truck :) Thank you sm!

masterlist here Rafe x kook!reader

word count: 883 a/n: tysm for the request <3

You were huffing and puffing the whole drive, why did he have to do it now? “Rafe, why can’t you just do it tomorrow. We’re gonna be late.” You whined for what was probably the 100th time. 

He just sighed, rolling his eyes slighty, “Baby, I told you. Gotta be today, aight?”

“Well then why did you leave it to the last minute. We’re gonna be late.” You repeated chastising him.

“It’s fine, okay. Just gonna be a few minutes tops.” He tried to reassure you as he pulled up to Barry’s.

“I don’t wanna be here, Rafe. It’s so dirty, and I’ve done my makeup and its gonna get all ruined.” You continued to complain, and not only that, but it didn’t feel or look very safe here, and it stank of weed. He didn’t answer you and instead got out of the truck and rounded it to your side. You rolled open the window, feeling too stubborn to even open the car door. He just chuckled lightly at your behaviour, not having expected anything less from you. 

“How ‘bout y’just stay in the truck, yeah?” 

“But what if someone comes to get me while you’re inside.” You countered, having hundreds of scenarios running through your mind about what could go wrong being here. 

“They won’t, baby. ‘s perfectly safe.” You raised an eyebrow at that, completely unconvinced. “Besides, if anyone tried anythin’ I’d fuckin’ kill them.”

“Okay,” you sighed, an obvious pout on your lips.

“Okay,” he echoed before leaning through the open window to press a kiss to your cheek. You watched as he began to walk over to the front door, which swung open, Barry stepping out and waving at you antagonisingly. 

Rafe briefly looked over his shoulder and shouted, “I love you!” You could tell he meant it, and it was sweet, but it had also drawn over the eyes of the druggies that lounged in the garden of dying grass. True to his word, he did only stay inside for a couple of minutes and when he began to walk back over to you, it looked like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, and for that you were grateful. 

“Hey baby, thank you for waiting.” His tone seemed lighter than it had done before as he got into the truck, you just shrugged, not wanting to admit that waiting wasn’t as bad as you thought it’d be. He knew of course, he could tell by the way you pushed your tongue into your cheek as you shrugged. So instead of saying anything he just chuckled and leant over to press a kiss to your cheek. “C’mon, we’ll go f’dinner now, yeah? I’ll get you ice cream as a thank you.”

“You always get me ice cream.” You pointed, taking your lip between your teeth as he placed a hand on the back of your headrest, turning to look behind him while he reversed. You shifted in your seat, trying to subtly clench your thighs together, the sight of him reversing doing wonders to you. You didn’t see the way his lips turned up into a smirk, it wasn’t necessary for him to reverse like that, he just did it cause he wanted to get a rise out of you. 

Dinner was really nice, but what was even better was the way Rafe’s bare chest was now pressed against yours, his hips hitting yours as he thrusted into you deeply. Your legs were wrapped around his waist, one of his hands was intertwined with yours, the other was between your legs, rubbing tight circles on your clit that matched the pace of his thrusts. 

You’d been reduced to nothing but soft whines and breathy whines, your manicured nails digging into his back. Rafe’s forehead was pressed against yours, his breath mingling with yours as you both breathed through your open mouths. “Feels so good,” you whined, your eyes squeezed shut as you grew close to finishing. 

“I know, baby. I know.” He agreed, his movements beginning to falter as your walls clenched around him. “Been so good f’me all day. Even waited in the truck all by yourself on the cut, hm?” You just nodded along, mumbling something unintelligible. “Oh, you’re so fuckin’ beautiful.” He whispered, “my girl, hm?”

You nodded once again, a loud moan leaving you as your hips bucked up into his, your back arching, “Please.”

“Please? Y’close?” He asked, knowing damn well you were, he could feel how close you were. 

“Yeah,” you whined, toes curling.

“Yeah?” He asked, following it with one more hard thrust that threw you over the edge. 

“Oh fuck,” you cried, your head thrown back into the feathery pillows.

“I know, I know. Shit, ‘s so good.” His hips stuttered as he finished, giving you a few more fort thrusts to ride out the high. When you finally regained a sense of your surroundings, still trying to catch your breath, he had pulled out of you and was gently cleaning you up with a damp cloth as he pressed kisses to your thighs. “Feelin’ okay?” He asked quietly as he continued to clean you up, apologising as you winced slightly as his ring brushed against your swollen clit. 

“Still wasn’t worth going to the cut for.”

[81pastrys]

can i ask for a waiting game part two where it turns out she was and she miscarriages and shes heartbroken and shes like to her mum do i have to tell carlo?

Waiting Game

Part 2 / 3

Summary— Lila goes to the doctor and find out she was pregnant but miscarried

Warnings— miscarriage ; teen pregnancy

A/N— another part after this 🙂‍↕️

Dad Lando List

Part 1 ; Part 3

Divider @bernardsbendystraws

Lando had a race and so did Carlo, leaving Lila and her mum in Monaco. Her mum insisted they go to a gynecologist to get her on birth control, as a secure backup.

They went through the casualties of getting in and her getting checked out. Lila was nervous, her first appointment because of a pregnancy scare. Her mum left the room with the doctor while she undressed and got into the flimsy gown.

They returned back in and Lila was sitting nervously in the exam table. The doctor explained everything as she did the exam, Lila a bit uncomfortable. “You said you had a pregnancy scare?” The doctor asked.

“Yes ma’am, about a week ago but the test was negative.” Lila explained. The doctor looked to Lila’s mum and back to Lila. “Whatever it is she can know.” Lila knew too much about confidentiality. The doctor continued to poke and prod while explaining.

“It seems you were pregnant, but miscarried.” The doctor said. Lila stayed silent, tears clouding her vision. Her mum walking to her side and holding her hand while she cried.

The doctor explained courses of action and they looked them over. Lila was shaken up by the entire thing. She hadn’t exactly miscarried yet, but the embryo was not responsive. The best way was to wait until she had a mock period.

“Do I tell Carlo? What about dad?” She asked her mum in the way out. Her mum had held her hand the entire way out. They sat in the car and Lila couldn’t help but cry again.

“It’s okay Lila, this isn’t your fault.” Her mum confirmed for her. “The doctor said it just wasn’t a strong enough conception, which you weren’t trying for a baby so that’s probably why.” The doctor had confirmed if they weren’t actively trying to have a baby, the conception could be faulty or incomplete which can cause miscarriages.

“I have to tell Carlo.” Lila said through her tears. She thought he should know since he would’ve been the father. She sent the text and freaked out when he read the message but no response. He called her and she answered, the tears flowing harder now.

“How are you feeling, cariño?” His voice was soft, soothing, and calming to her ears. She explained everything while her mum drove them home. “Hey, hey, let’s not get too overworked.” He soothed. “It’ll be okay, I’m not mad or upset with you.” He said.

“You have to race, and I shouldn’t have told you right away I’m sorry.” She sniffled as Carlo assured her it was the right thing and that they’ll get through it together.

“Let me put a ring on your finger, and then we can try to for a baby.” Carlo said, making her laugh. He always knew how to make her laugh even in times like this. “How does that sound?” He was smiling on the other end.

“I can wait for that, I love you.” She said, calmed down by her boyfriend’s antics and reassurance.

Lila and Carlo need their own series atp

@il0vereadingstuff @angelluv16 @pandabiiissh @kallanfiona @chertik-007vvv @itznotsophia

[mullermilkshake]

Abusing his position.

Part 1 <- -> Part 2

Shoko isn't in her office today.

Doctor!Suguru Geto x Fem!Reader DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT,Non-con,Dubious consent,Sexual assault,Vaginal fingering,Medical examination,Praise,Smear test,Abuse of power

<<< For more Suguru content, click this link to go back to the Masterlist! >>>

Doctor Suguru Geto was the only resident in Tech hospital that you couldn’t stand. 

Eerily charming and overconfident were trademarks of a complete asshole. And Suguru Geto was just that. A massive and entitled asshole. 

Out of all the nurses and glamorous staff in white coats, donning the halls in their ridiculous stilettos in their respective departments, Dr Geto seemed to have you in his sights though you had made it clear you were not interested. 

You’d managed to avoid him for most of the week, pottering about the nurses station, cleaning and organising paperwork to pass the hours until the end of your shift. 

By the end of the week, you found yourself sitting in a waiting room for an appointment you almost forgot about. Smear tests were necessary but god, did you hate them. Uncomfortably hoisted up on the table, knees hopelessly pulled apart and clutched in your hands looking like a tied up boar in a paper gown, naked from the waist down.

And there you were waiting for it, to get it over with so you could leave for the day, leave for your second job at the bar. Dr Ieiri was a physician you always requested, aloof as well but in a way she did not come across as cocky but rather humble and dedicated to her job. 

Your name was called after only ten minutes of checking in at the front desk, much quicker than usual. 

The heavy wooden fire door was closed, 'Dr Shoko Ieiri' embossed on the brass plate on the outside to match the dated door handle and dented beige flooring inside when you stepped inside.

“Oh, there you are.” The oozy sweetness of that tone nearly turned you around to leave the room. 

It didn’t help that Dr Geto was also a Gynaecologist too. 

“I’m sorry, I must have the wrong room.” You turned, naturally correcting the mistake and moved to leave his presence.

He stood up in your periphery which stopped you. “Not at all, Shoko called out sick so I’m taking her appointments today.” 

Was it worth the three month wait for another appointment? Yes, it was. Definitely worth the wait. “I can book another appointment, I usually only have Dr Ieiri, I actually requested her.” 

Something made you stop where you were, hand firmly wrapped around the door’s handle so you might just pull it from the wood and your head leant against the frame. It was the rustling of paper from the desk. “I can see you’re overdue for your smear already, since you’re here, may as well get it over with, right?” 

He had a point, but with so many moments between you, close and suggestive though there were so many other beautiful women he could have subtly harassed, it was difficult to settle your stomach. 

“I guess…” Why were you even entertaining the idea for this man to look at you in a vulnerable state?

“I’ll be gentle.”

It was supposed to be reassuring and to outsiders you supposed they would have seen it that way, a caring doctor calming his patient. It was darker than that, far more pressured in a way to keep you from leaving.

Get it over with. But the three month wait was so worth it to be out of this room immediately. Three months was a long time and you wouldn’t find another convenient time to make an appointment point so perfect between both jobs. 

“Okay…” Turning back you skulked to the chair opposite the desk littered with papers. 

You couldn’t push yourself to look at him but you could feel his eyes on you, hot with his grin he always wore. It almost felt deliberate, a plan to place you here with the doctor away though you knew it was just pure coincidence. 

“Right, I’ll get straight to the point and get you out of here in no time.” Papers shuffled, his pen clicked between his fingers to fill the silence.

Why did his breathing sound so deafening? He appeared to be trying to hide it like he was flustered but he wasn’t. You guessed you were far too hyper focused on how uncomfortable you were that you hadn’t realised he’d already asked you a question. 

He called you again, using your first name. “Are you sexually active?” 

You weren’t, but something compelled you to lie. “Yes.” Perhaps it was a ploy to make him understand that you were seeing someone, or a secret and invisible boundary you erected to show him not to mess with you.

It would also prevent him from gaining more ammunition to ask you out again.

His face said differently behind the mask he had put up himself. “And have you had any concerns surrounding sexual health in the last six months?” 

Is he testing me? 

Was he suggesting your imaginary partner had an infection or something? If you had a partner, like really chose one, he would be respectful and kind, nothing like Dr Geto and certainly not crude enough to suggest something like that. 

A concern? Nothing of the sort. 

Was he even writing anything down? you could only see a few scribbles on the page. “Has your partner been tested?” 

“Yes.” Another blatant lie. “But is that necessary? I’ll get a test screening with my smear anyway.” 

He sat back triumphant. “Of course it’s necessary, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t. Some infections can give false positives and abnormalities after a smear.” 

It was suspicious and naturally you were cautious not to take anything at face value with the Doctor, a scheming man with rumours going around not two months ago, sleeping with a new nurse in the on-call room who he’d been chasing for weeks. 

They were empty and unassuming of course, the nurse blatantly denying all allegations and point blank refusing to work with him. Completely unbothered though, that was the concerning part and that was what made you second guess his intentions. 

He stood and adjusted his tie. “Okay then. I’m going to grab a few forms from the front desk for you to fill out. I’ll give you privacy to remove your bottom half and get in the stirrups.” 

“Right… stirrups?” The door had closed before you could protest. You had never used any stirrups with Doctor Ieiri for as long as you could remember. Maybe other doctors were different? 

You removed your clothes as fast as you could in time before he came back, not caring about anything now and get the unpleasantness over with. 

But where was the gown you wore? There was nothing, but nothing usual either. It was just as Doctor Ieiri left it, biology posters and her certificate adorning the walls and a poor plant that hadn’t been watered in weeks sat shrivelled up in the back window of the office. But no gowns anywhere.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!  

It was too late, the door opened and you darted behind the curtain past the examination table where the stirrups were very much there when you didn’t remember the table having them before. 

“There aren't any gowns in here.” 

“Huh? Oh… there was a delivery issue and all the remaining gowns have been distributed to the other departments, apparently Gynaecology isn’t a priority.” It was evident he was on the other side of the room, most probably by the desk.

“I think I should wait for Dr Ieiri, I should really wear a gown-“

“Nonsense.” It came right from behind the curtain. He was closer than you realised. “You’re halfway there, best just to get it over with.” 

You remembered the first time of many that he had asked you out. Drinks, dinner, a trip to the theatre and even a comedy club. Every time you had said no, the following routine occurred. 

The first phase was Ignoring after you’d inevitably turn him down, even though you only spoke in a professional capacity. A sudden interest a week later and suggestive situations where the two of you were alone in a room together, that could last up to a few weeks and then the last phase, he would ask again. 

You were currently in the second phase. 

Before you knew it, you were climbing on the exam table, sticking either foot in the stirrups. In that moment you finally caught yourself and frantically searched for something to cover you. 

The only thing being a large sheet of blue tissue used to line the bed. Just in time as Dr Geto pulled the curtain aside. 

Eyeing him like a hawk as he approached felt like self preservation. He noticed the tissue immediately, his eyes flickered from you to between your legs and back to you. 

“This won’t take a moment.” His smile, so signature it gave you a toothache.

He plopped down on the rolling stool by your feet and fiddled with something to which you assumed was the tools necessary to carry out the small and unbearable task. 

The bottle of lubricant wheezed and hand on your knee. Bare skin.

Does he not have gloves on?  

“Uh… Dr Geto?” 

“Hm?” 

“Why aren’t you wearing gloves-“ You took a sharp inhale when he pushed his fingers inside you.

“Ask any Doctor and they’ll tell you, bare skin is much more sanitary than latex gloves. Just relax, it’s only an initial pelvic exam.” 

“I wasn’t due a pelvic exam, just a smear.” You propped yourself up on your elbows to see him, his hand subtlety squeezed your knee, you noticed. 

“Just relax, I’m only feeling for any abnormalities.” 

You laid back down and made the exam bed shake a little. Abnormalities. Yes they existed, but he had turned his hand palm facing up, it seemed more like he was doing something else. 

It was so awkward, the silence and getting fingered by a man you’d turned down multiple times. It sounded like one terrible porno. 

“You’re very tight for someone who’s sexually active.”  

What? It was something under his breath but you heard it clear as day. Sarcasm. “Dr Geto, that is not appropriate.”

He chuckled like honey. “That slipped out, I apologise. But it is scientifically proven, you know? Those who are sexually active lose muscle mass.”

“Right…”

That ‘scientifically proved bullshit.’ was just that. Bullshit. You weren’t a doctor and even you knew that, yet he called your bluff, he knew but he wasn’t going to outright say it. There was a part of him that probably doubted his assumption and he couldn't just say it and risk being seen as an idiot. That was your own protection. 

“Almost done. You’re doing great.” 

His hand moved to pull out but pushed his fingers inside you again which made you flinch. His other hand had stayed put on your knee the entire time but moved away, skin stinging from his touch since you fought the urge to pull away ever since the beginning of the exam which seemed to take forever. 

It happened inside you, his fingers moved in a way you were familiar with but hadn’t experienced for a while. Your body told you to enjoy it, that tugging from between your legs as his fingers pulled away and back again. 

Something wasn’t right.

Is he doing what I think? Before you could investigate and look, he removed them and continued with the test. The usual as expected. Tugging, stinging and uncomfortable plastic. 

Doctor Geto finally stood and neatened himself up, taking the tissue that covered you and used it to wipe his fingers. “You should rethink that date, maybe we could go out next weekend?” 

He was speaking so casually, you there half naked glaring up at him, so vulnerable and exposed to his burning stare.

Like your hands would cover you up adequately. It didn’t stop you from trying. “Dr Geto, please respect my boundaries. I don’t even know why you keep asking me.” 

“Well I was going to leave it, but we know each other much better now, don’t we?” He winked, fucking winked and left you to dress whilst he sat down at the desk. 

“No thank you.” You pulled the curtain across to block his view harder than you had meant to. 

He’d gotten under your skin and his disembodied chuckle past the curtain confirmed that he knew it too. When would your usual doctor return? You shouldn’t really have been going to this hospital in the first place, but Dr Ieiri was adamant she was the best. 

And she was, but that three month wait definitely would have been worth it. 

You dressed quickly and came out, heading for the door. Dr Geto stopped you on the spot, he stood by the door, cockily leaning against the wall.

“Please just think about it, I really think you’d like me when you got to know me better.” 

He was really full of himself, that’s what you thought of him, parading around the departments because every person with two brain cells could see he was attractive. It wasn’t enough for you, not when deep down you know there was dark and twisted shit happening underneath the surface. 

There was one instance where his true colours came to light you had observed from a distance, so subtle you would have missed it if you blinked. You didn't want to ever see it fully.

“See you around Doctor Geto.” Not another word. You left and went about your day, that uncomfortable silence running through your head as you tried your best to contemplate what had just transpired. 

Dr Ieiri called two days later to reschedule your appointment with an apology of the delay and lack of information as to why she wasn’t in. 

She had gone to dinner and had some sort of food poisoning. The person she dined with was Doctor Suguru Geto.

And there was no record of your test even being noted down. No sample was ever given. And no investigation was ever conducted. 

And after that day, Doctor Geto was relentless in his attempts to convince you on a date. 

So you relented eventually in the hopes he’d leave you alone after that. Boy, were you wrong.

The man never gave up.

DISCLAIMER - Crossposted from my AO3 - I do not own any of the characters or anything from the anime. This is a work of fan fiction and is absolutely not representative of the views or intentions of the original creator(s).

Also please don’t post any of my work without permission thank you!

[12amintoronto]

𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ... omar marmoush x reader 📰🤎

"some things just make sense... and one of those is you and i." - hayley williams

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wc: 2.4k

synopsis: while embarking on your career as a journalist, you are arranged to interview omar marmoush - the boy who was your first love years ago, now a rising football star. even after years apart, feelings still lingering about, you know... and he knows... this is what's meant to be.

contents: fluff, sfw, female journalist reader, other journalist oc who is your bff, flirting, reunited with the first boyfriend you ever had awww, omar's charm is out of this world!!

notes: this is 2 requests turned 1 fic 🩵🩵 this was so adorable to write i hope you guys like 🥹 tagged: @football-lovergirl

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you were an absolute natural at your job, but there was a particular element about your next mission that had you feeling all sorts.

you paced about your room, phone in hand, the night before you were about to be faced with one of the people who was the main reason for one of the sweetest times in your life.

"y/n... this is huge! just breathe... compose yourself..." your fellow journalist friend, diana, reassured to you over the facetime call that you shared with her.

years ago as you attended university in germany as you'd been accepted into the journalism program you'd had your eyes on for a good bit...

had university also brought to you plans aside from schoolwork, but for a taste of love which you had first been fed when you were doing fieldwork alongside wolfsburg ii.

there at that football club, was an egyptian boy that you'd caught glances from as you sat on the sidelines jotting in your memo book. the glances started out as from time... to frequent... to a calibre where coach would have to snap at omar to stay focused during training, which you found increasingly cute.

it turned into something sweet. the hearts and arrows with "omar + y/n" written faintly in the margins of your memo book became a reality.

it was with that boy from wolfsburg ii you shared your first kiss with... your first date with... a myriad of joyful and emotional moments as one would have with their first love.

but after nearly a year, home called you back... and the demand of omar's football career began to grow. "maybe this was just to see what love's like," you thought to yourself the first few nights after being away from him. you both went on about your respective lives—it wasn't a bad breakup like you'd seen your friends go through... which you were so grateful for, and are.

and now, you were going to see him again—as you'd been blessed the opportunity to interview that same 18 year old egyptian boy... now a 26 year old man. omar marmoush... who now plays for one of the biggest clubs in all of european football, manchester city.

"hellooo? you still there y/n?" diana's voice sounded over the phone.

you snapped out of the reverie, shaking your head. "yeah—i was just thinking...

...yeah. i'm... i'll be ready. this will go nicely."

"oh i'm sure it will. i was there with you when you got word that you'd be interviewing him. you were all blushy~" diana teased.

"oh stop~" you said, the sarcasm quite evident.

you didn't want the teasing to stop. the thoughts of possibilities between you and your first ever love years after it had been.

it had been once. and you sat in wonder, in bouts for those years after deciding to live your respective lives on one's own to keep up with the demands of academia and football. "could we try again?" was a question that had never gone away.

you always managed to brush it off because you were focused on your grind in academics as was he in football... seemingly.

"this is going to be such a beautiful reunion, y/n." diana continued. "i can already hear omar and his voice going on about how 'you're all grown up.'"

you sat on the edge of the bed and sighed contentedly as she said that... smiling as you looking out to the skyline from your room, the city lights contrasting the near black sky calming. it radiated hope in a way.

diana chimed again. "i'm rooting for you, babes. get some sleep for tomorrow's interview, okay? i'll pick you up."

you smiled. classic diana, bearing burdens of her loved ones.

"love you, di," you sighed.

"love you, babes. see ya~"

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that next evening after an ecstatic city win, it was time you had come face to face with that boy, now the all-grown-up international who had scored a hattrick in a span of just fourteen minutes versus newcastle. you were in awe yourself as you watched from the box way up with diana - who shook you gently by the shoulders from time - "oooh, someone's gonna be all prideful when he's coming off the pitch."

it was like that, in a way. omar - cocky, yet still so humble about it. walking with gratitude as he carried the match ball underneath one arm as he went to hug his teammates and staff postmatch.

it was the same "proud of myself" sort of smirk that you could always remember him giving when he'd achieved just about anything.

but his entire expression faded into something softer as he was coming through the tunnel and into the very area where you stood, mic in hand in front of that backdrop that all postgame interviews occur in front of.

"it's... her." omar whispered to himself, quiet enough he could barely even hear himself over the clamour surrounding as he approached you, even his walk becoming humbler.

it was a sweet greeting omar gave you... the kind kiss on each cheek that one would greet a loved one from family with, and you could both tell from each other's tender smiles shared that there was so much you guys wanted to talk about and catch up on that had little to nothing to do with the match that had just wrapped up.

though you both stood on business - as you stood in front of that backdrop, mic in hand... you readied yourself to speak for the masses on that camera, as did he. you skimmed your interview questions just once more in your mind before all had gone live.

and there was diana off-camera working the rest of the medias, right in front of you and omar. giggling... making a heart with her hand that she could hold up to her eye to keep you two within the frame of the shape her hands curved into.

you tensed and felt your cheeks tinge with heat and blush. in your peripheral vision, you could see omar. noticing your colleague's teasing. he smiled to himself and looked down... giving a silent chuckle.

and then he looked at you, his gaze still soft. giving a kind and gentle nod - one that let you know he was ready to speak. ready for the cameras to get rolling.

you were done for - it was for certain you couldn't live down the remnants of your subtle, rarely-surfacing, yet steadfast crush on your first ever boyfriend, omar marmoush.

──────────────────────

"gosh, the whole world must think i'm a fool. i must be so rosy right now." you thought to yourself in your head after that hell of an interview.

well, it had gone nicely, looking at it from an outsider's perspective. you asked all the right questions, and omar gave all the right answers, singing his praises to all the positive forces that he knew accoladed to this brilliant hattrick in his professional career. his confidence mixed with humility was moving...

...and your elegance was unmatched. not like you were sure of it at first due to how many feelings you have been feeling inside and still are, but as soon as the cameras cut after that one exceptional take of an interview, diana came to you, with the most excited grin on her face, nudging you teasingly...

"you did beautifully, girl. gonna go take care of some more media stuff around... text me when you're ready to head back home. i got you." diana reassured, hugging you quickly though affectionately before she scurried off, giving an exaggerated wink to you.

you found it hard to believe her... for as you were interviewing omar, you were unable to read your own demeanor. for the heart hands she was giving and the pouts she gave you whenever omar shot that charming smile right your way... you weren't so sure you were that composed during the interview.

"agh- sorry about my friend! she's... just being silly. i love her though..." you sighed. omar stepped closer to you, facing you, the smile on his face bigger and sweeter than ever.

"awh, she just cares about you..." omar started.

"...wow. y/n. it's really you. is it?"

"i am thinking the same thing you are, omar..." you sighed.

your eyes met omar's... like... for good, this time. not locked into an interview... but just naturally sharing eye contact. it made you feel warm inside. those dark brown eyes that shone when he was thinking of or looking at something... or more so someone he loves was bringing back memories of teenage you. teenage you two.

he held that awestruck gaze upon you for a second longer, but it broke just as you were about to speak.

"whewwww!! marmoushhh..." city's famous striker none other than erling haaland, chimed in as he walked past, in the direction of the club dressing room, accompanied by winger savinho who whistled at the sight of you two. "shooters shoot, marmoush..!"

and both you and omar were left with your lips parted, in quite a bit of disbelief...

...could that mean there's something you don't know? something you don't know about omar's feelings... could they be there..?

the way he sighed softly, almost adorable - no, very adorable... let you know something.

"ahhhh... sorry. well... i guess it may make you feel better than you aren't the only one being teased by the ones you work with~" omar said, clearly a little more humbled.

"but wow..." he continued.

"you...

...you've blossomed, y/n."

"omarrr... look at you! from second division wolfsburg... to here. man city. you're a star."

he laughed softly, giving you that up-down look that made you blush even more than you already were.

"it's been so long." you sighed.

"it has... i just- wow..." he murmured, in such disbelief.

you could notice a twinkle in his eyes. not like he even had to mention it... because to omar... you are beautiful. he couldn't believe it. you, his first girlfriend... now interviewing him as he's a player for one of the most well known first tier clubs in all of the lands. he still saw the same sweet girl who was always jotting her fieldnotes at his training sessions...

...only now was he graced the moment in time to take in you now.

not just a... but the beautiful young woman doing journalism, who he only has fond memories of from when you two hung out while living life in germany.

you were taken by surprise as you felt a touch at your hand... his large fingers delicately clasping your hand into his hold. his look was full of sincerity.

"we have so much to catch each other up on, y/n." omar confessed. "just... let me know the day that works best for you."

were the sparks really flying again?

the familiar butterflies flitting about in your stomach gave you that inner feeling of deja vu. you'd been here before. not physically here relative to the etihad... but you'd been here, given this feeling by omar from something he's said that made your heart skip a beat.

"i'd... really like that, omar." you agreed, not even needing to think twice about it. "i'm not on the same number that i was while in germany years back, of course... but i've got you~"

you unclasped your purse that was slung over your shoulder, and reached and felt just what you were looking for. you always kept just a few of your business cards on hand... though just as you looked up with the card in hand... omar's hands were busy.

his match ball on the ground, him slipping out of his postmatch jacket... hands tugging at his jersey which he slipped with ease over his head, off of his body. his eyes caught onto your business card as he was about to hand his matchworn jersey to you. your gazes met one another's again, eliciting a giggle from both of you.

"hehe, for me?" you blushed, eyes darting between omar's charming expression and his match jersey in hand, outstretched for you to take... which you did. and he smiled, as he used that same hand that once help his jersey out to you to take the business card gently from your fingers, in between his own... examining it with a smile before his eyes met yours again.

"all for you, dear. and thank you for this~" omar said, holding onto your business card with your contact inscribed in it as if it was something precious...

...for it was. a reminder that the first girl he'd ever fallen in love with had come this far in life. and all that he felt for you was beginning to resurface just like that... as it was for you... and boy, at this point was it difficult for both you and omar to hide.

"y/n... it's so lovely to see you again, you know that?"

"it is, omar. life's so cool like that, eh? we're just, i don't know... here! face to face, after all this time." you agreed with a smile.

his smile was so charming that the feeling of having to look away before you turned completely beet red had come over you for the first time in a long time.

"yes y/n... and after all this time, we're going to be seeing so much more of each other...

...i promise you."

as if anyone around could actually see it, but you were certain that your heart was warmed like nothing else in the world had ever done to you after omar avowed that to you.

he still looked at you like you were the only girl that was to ever exist. right there, post interview at the etihad, one day after seven years of not having seen each other.

this moment let you know, as you and omar kept up that innocent gaze for one another...

...nothing's changed.

that subtle, rarely-surfacing, yet steadfast crush that you brushed off as silly was not so silly anymore... for it was not only a certainty you had about him... but him, for you.

after all this time... he's still into you... as are you.

[cherubcameron]

Igual Que Un Angel

Chapter Thirteen

Synopsis: Sofia is pregnant, and the last thing she needs is for Rafe to find out. It’s her dirty secret, it’s not like he’s barging down her door to speak to her. He looks as if he’s done with her for good. Will outside forces, force Sofia to confront the situation at hand. Or will she be able to keep this secret up? Not like, her belly isn’t growing everyday or anything.

Author’s note: heyyyy… sorry it’s taking me long. I hate endings. Like bad. And this has been so fun and watching the way you guys have been interacting with this series. It truly means so much. But sorry for the short chapter 😁

MASTERLIST

Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14

A Few Days Later

Sofia watched the hair from the front of her face as she blew it away. It danced lightly to the side. Her mind elsewhere as she sat on the passenger seat of Rafe’s car. This felt so weird, not having her baby in her stomach anymore. It was an attachment she didn’t realize she had until it was gone. Like a part of her was missing. She’d always had that connection. All she had to do was lay a hand on her stomach. Or sing and speak to Aurora. Then she’ll feel a kick.

Now her baby’s fate was determined by an incubator and doctors. She hadn’t realized how fast she’d been tapping her foot, when Rafe puts a reassuring hand on her thigh.

“Everything is going to be okay, Sof.” She squeezes the hand that he has on her thigh. She tucks her bottom lip into her mouth. Her eyes shifting to the road then back towards his hand once more.

“It’s just, it’s—”

Sofia cuts herself off, she doesn’t speak. Rafe doesn’t attempt to break the silence. She looks out towards the road, as it flies by.

“I’m just scared, we’ll lose her. Before we really got her.”

“Her being in an incubator isn’t always a bad thing. I looked it up.” Rafe eyes are on the outstretched road, his hands skillfully moving the steering wheel. His cheeks give him away, they’re red like cherries.

“You looked it up?”

“Yeah, my girl was worried.” Sofia’s eyes soften, Rafe stares back at her with the same expression. His lips forming into a soft smile.

“I know it doesn’t mean anything bad. It’s just the idea of her being away for so long. And then having carried her for nine months. I feel so empty without her.”

Rafe smacks his hand to his chest, in feign offense. “Oh and I’m chopped liver, huh?”

Sofia lips let out a soft chuckle. “You know that’s different. She lived inside of me, she was there and now it’s like…”

Rafe shakes his head, his eyes on the road. But briefly looking towards Sofia. His hand rubbing her thigh.

“We’ll see her. And before you know it, she’ll be home with us. With her family.” Sofia kisses his cheek.

“She’s all ready to go, we’ll just need you to sign the release papers.” The doctor says, “She’s all good. We just wanted to make sure everything was okay before she went home.”

Sofia nods vehemently, Rafe grasps her hand under the table. Sofia felt relief taking over her body, knowing that everything was going to be okay. That she was going to see her daughter soon.

“I’ll be right back, let me go get those for you.” The doctor gets up from the table, walking out the door to retrieve the release paper. Rafe lets out a shaky breath of relief. His hand that’s in Sofias tightens.

“See, nothing to worry about.” He smiles at her, her lips forming to give him one back.

“Our baby girl is finally coming home.”

Two weeks later

Lupita had gone home. It felt strange; her presence was a constant and now that she was gone. Sofia felt almost empty. Almost.

“Can I see them? The sonograms I mean.” Rafe asks, as he lays in the bed next to her. The baby lays in the crib asleep.

“The sonograms?”

“I never got to see them.” He says softly, his fingers trace her skin. His eyes don’t meet hers but she sees the red tinged on his cheeks.

“I have them in a box, I’ll be right back.” Sofia pushes herself off of the bed. She goes into their closet. She immediately spots the blue denim gingham box. The little clasps being a red pendant heart to open it. Inside, is everything she has from the pregnancy. Even the newer stuff, like Aurora’s appointment booklet.

She spots the sonograms, she picks them up gently. Staring at them, reminiscing on how Aurora had once been in her stomach. It was still such a weird feeling. Her hand still going to her stomach to feel her kick. She’d read on a mommy blogger site that, that was normal.

Sofia patted back into the room, extending her hand to Rafe, the one that holds the sonograms. Letting him take them into his hands. His breath hitched. He looks at them, then towards their sleepy Aurora.

“I wish I was there for this.” His finger traces the image. Sofia smiles weakly, a part of her feeling guilty for not letting him experience it. But before she can utter a word—

“Don’t apologize. I understand why you didn’t tell me. You were afraid.” His hand that doesn’t hold the pictures, grabs for her. He circles it around her waist.

“I’m still sorry.” He places his head on your stomach.

“Don’t be, she’s with us now. We’re here together. I just wanted to see what it must have been like for you…”

He eyes the sonograms once more, his fingers holding them gently. Almost afraid he’ll destroy the image. He hands them back to her. She places them into the night stand.

“Our Aurora.”

He kisses Sofias stomach, before fully embracing her.

“I love you Sof.”

“I love you too Rafe.”

He brings her back onto the bed, letting her lay her body on top of his. Her weight on top of his, it feels like this was how it always was meant to be. Remembering when she hadn’t been this close, brings a chill down his spine. He holds her closer, kissing the top of her head. His eyes briefly moving to look at their sleepy baby.

He feels like he’s right where he needs to be.

She feels like she finally found her home. Here with him. With Aurora. He’d always been someone so special to him. Now with Aurora. It’s like all the puzzle pieces had been completed. She looks up at him, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek.

“I love you so much Rafe.” She says, his eyes soften. Her lips quirk up, her heart clenching.

“How’d I get so lucky?” Their lips meet, pecking at first. Before deepening, her hands cupping his face. His arms around her waist, bringing her closer.

She pulls away first, her eyes on his. “How’d I get so lucky.” She repeats the sentiment.

Wheezie coos at Aurora, her hand reaching for the little babies finger. Sarah smiles as she holds little Jay in her arms. He’s a couple of months old now, Sarah holds him against her hip.

“She’s so pretty. She looks just like Sofia.” Aurora lets out a tiny noise as she reaches out for Wheezie. She grunts as she tries to grab for her hair. Wheezie laughs, moving her hair out of her face.

“Oh, I’ll move away if I were you. Babies have iron-clad fist.” Sarah comments.

Sofia sleeps in the next room, Rafe had wanted to give her some time to rest. She’d been so occupied with the baby. He wanted to relief some of that stress for her.

“She’s so cute.” Wheezie continues to coo. “Unlike you.” She turns to Rafe who rolls his eyes.

“Is everyone in this family suddenly turning into comedians?” He says sarcastically. He drinks a glass of water.

Wheezie lets out a giggle, Sarah is busy with little Jay to add any other commentary. But a little smirk lays on her lips.

“So…”

“So?” Rafe brows raise.

“I heard you’re planning to propose to Sofia.”

“Again.” Sarah chimes in.

“Again. Yes.” Rafe says, he looks towards Aurora. She moves her arms around, her little hands in fists. The only thing she has of him are his eyes. And his hair. But everything else, is Sofia. He feels his heart leap of the thought of her. No matter how much time has passed, even if in little increments. His heart will always sing a tune for Sofia.

“No one tell her anything, it’s supposed to be a secret.”

“But you already proposed?” Wheezie says, her confusion written on her face.

“Doesn’t mean the second time can’t be equally as special.”

Sarah and Wheezie smirk at each other. Reminding him of old times, when it’d been just them three. His heart clenches he realizes slowly. He’s not doing this to fulfill his father’s wishes anymore. Slowly all of this became less about that and actually being reunited with his family.

“Hey.” Sofia’s sleepy voice trails into the room. Interrupting his thought. She rubs at her eyes. A yawn escaping her lips. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”

“Don’t be sorry. We were just admiring little Rory.” Sarah says, peering down at Aurora. Who gurgles at her, her little hands shaking as she tries to reach out for her.

Sofia walks over, smiling down at her baby. Bringing her into her arms. “Hey Rory.” She coos at her baby. Wheezie’s attention being taken away by little Jay. His hand reaching for her.

Sofia holds her baby against her chest. She coos, Rafe can’t help but stare. “You hungry?” Sofia asks, staring down at her baby.

Their baby.

He smiles at the two of them. Surrounded by his family, he finally feels like he’s at home. He looks towards Sarah and Wheezie, who are deep into a conversation with each other.

Later that night, Rafe can’t seem to sleep. He notices that Aurora is awake too. He picks her up into his arms. Sofia asleep on their bed.

“Hey Rory.” He coos softly at her, trying to not be too loud. Not wanting to wake Sofia. She was exhausted as it was. He didn’t want to disturb her sleep. “Daddy’s here.”

Aurora coos, her little hand reaching to touch his face. Shes still too young, so he holds her against his elbow. He hadn’t said it to Sofia yet. But he was a bit fearful of holding her. Afraid of hurting her.

But it seems like maybe he was stressing for no reason. This felt like second nature. He grins down at her, he kisses the top of her head softly.

“Come on, let’s go to the living room. Leave your mommy to sleep, yeah?”

He knows she can’t answer him. He pads away towards the door, taking one last look at Sofia. Making sure she’s asleep before leaving the room. He sits on one of the couches on the living room. Holding his baby close.

“Can’t sleep either huh?” He rocks her back and forth in his arms. Her little eyes staring up at him. Reflecting back his own. She was such a calm baby, she truly was Sofias daughter in that way. He sits there as he rocks her.

Staring down at his little angel. His heart feeling like it was growing a few sizes. He laughs to himself at the thought. Realizing he must be a little more tired than he realized.

“Let’s put you to sleep first.” He notices her eyes closing slowly. As he continues to rock her back and forth. Until finally she’s fast asleep in his arms. Her little hands now laying against her stomach. He gets up from the couch, heading back into his shared room with Sofia.

He places Aurora gently back down on the crib. Shes still fast asleep, then pads back over to Sofia. Laying his body right next to hers, his head on her shoulder, his arm resting against her side. His eyes closing. Finally, going to sleep.

[toasttt11]

west coast

December 29, 2024

Luke softly shook Gemma’s shoulder as the plane was almost landed in LA around four in the morning.

Gemma fell asleep immediately before the plane even took off and hasn’t move once since her head hit Luke’s shoulder, Luke slept most of the flight waking up and looking down ever so often checking on Gemma.

Luke wiped her face a couple of times because her stitches are still bleeding. Nico and Jack both got up a couple times to check on Gemma to make sure she is okay.

Gemma grimaced immediately as she started waking up, her head and entire face was throbbing, even more than it was when she went to sleep.

“Here.” Luke handed her more pain medication knowing she can take more after the six hour flight.

Gemma quickly took the medication wincing as she did. Her whole face just hurt even more now and she clenched her teeth.

Brett looked across the row a seeing Gemma’s discomfort and leaned over speaking softly to her, “It’s worse isn’t it.” He has had many high stitches and stitches on his face before maybe not as bad Gemma has right now but it’s always worst after the first sleep.

Gemma slowly nodded focusing on him rather than her pain.

“It won’t help now but tomorrow when you can put ice on it, it will feel better.” Brett told her knowing there isn’t that is gonna help right now.

The plane landed and Luke helped Gemma off the plane and to the bus.

Gemma kept letting out small hisses as the bus drove them to the hotel, she texted Macklin who wasn’t awake yet before turning her phone off as they got it the hotel.

Nico got Luke and Gemma’s key handing it to Luke, “You got her?” Nico asked Luke giving Gemma another worried look.

“I got her.” Luke reassured and guided Gemma to them room.

Gemma fell right into bed cuddling her stuff animal and immediately fell asleep.

Luke closed all the blinds and fell asleep.

Gemma mostly slept the whole day getting up twice for room service but she didn’t leave the room only talking with Luke and face timing Macklin. She was in too much pain to be around anyone else right now.

December 30, 2024

Gemma looked in the mirror in the morning and her jaw dropped, her whole left eye was black and blue and she could see all of her stitches, she hasn’t seen her face yet after the high stick.

Gemma took a shower allowed to wash her face now and got to wash her hair a lot better and get the remaining dry blood completely off.

The boys were at practice but she got a maintenance day because of her injury.

Gemma threw on a pair of floral linen pants and a simple white cropped long sleeve and she was slipping on her pink shoes just as Luke opened the door and Jack was with him.

“Gigi!” Jack quickly walked over to her and hugged her gently and pulled back scanning her face noticing her dark her eye has gotten, “Are you feeling better?” Jack knew she had a hard day yesterday.

“Getting use to it.” Gemma shrugged softly.

“Okay to see Z?” Jack checked and Gemma softly nodded. Jack beamed and they started walking out do the room, Gemma grabbed her purse and they headed down to the lobby.

Trevor beamed seeing the three walking down and his smile dimmed a bit seeing how bad Gemma’s face was, “Little G!” Trevor pulled her into an excited but gentle hug.

“Hi Z.” Gemma giggled slightly and hugged him back, she winced as she giggled.

“That’s a good black eye.” Trevor winced and patted her shoulder softly.

Gemma just smiled as much as she can at his words because she wouldn’t expect anything else from Trevor.

Gemma immediately winced when she stepped outside for the first time since she got injuried and Jack immediately was handing her a pair of sunglasses, he had grabbed a pair having a feeling she was gonna need them.

Gemma mumbled a thank you putting them on and letting out a sigh of relief.

Gemma got into Trevor’s car with Luke and Jack and Trevor started his little tour of his city.

Gemma may have been in pain but she had a fun afternoon with Trevor and she had a fun time getting to see more of his city as she hasn’t been in LA/Orange County area much.

December 31, 2024

Gemma was sitting on a barstool in a bar in LA after the game against the Ducks and while they lost, the Devils were still all out for New Year’s eve.

This is Gemma’s first New Year since meeting Macklin that they aren’t together. She had face time him and Will when it was New Years for him but he was asleep by now as she is three hours behind him.

Luke plopped back down in the seat next to her with a plate of soft pretzels and pushed them closer to her making Gemma smile and pick up a pretzel.

Gemma and Luke shared a small laugh seeing Jack and Trevor both very drunk and singing together it was even funnier as Nico was near them just shaking his head.

The countdown happened and it was officially 2025.

“Happy new year’s Emmie.” Luke gently kissed her cheek smiling softly at her.

“Happy new year’s Lukey.” Gemma softly spoke back.

Jack came over to two of his favorite people tossing an arm over both of them and kissing both of their cheeks being careful of Gemma’s injury.

They didn’t see Nico taking a photo of them before he came over kissing Gemma’s cheek too.

Gemma might not be able to be with Macklin but her Devils aren’t a bad second choice.

January 3, 2025

“Oh Gemma are you coming?” Nico asked her as a bunch of them were walking out of the rink after a practice in San Jose.

A bunch of the team was going out to dinner with Tyler Toffoli wanting to catch up with an old teammate and they all wanted Gemma to come.

“Sorry i’m seeing some family.” Gemma apologized, she could only see who she was seeing today and she missed them.

Gemma saw a familiar car waiting for her in the parking lot and she waved bye to the boys and she walked to the car getting in.

“Ow i’m sure Mack is worrying over that.” Aiden said as he winced at her stitches and very black eye as she got into the car.

“Hello to you too A.” Gemma fondly rolled her eyes.

“Sorry Gem.” Aiden sheepishly smiled and pulled her into a hug, “Hi my favorite future sister in law.” He gave her a mischievous smile.

“I’m your only future sister in law right now.” Gemma looked amused and Aiden just shrugged.

Gemma couldn’t come to San Jose and not see the Celebrini’s, luckily she gets to see Aiden too as he is still on break.

Aiden and Gemma just chatted as Aiden drove them back to the Celebrini house. The second he parked the car in the driveway Charlie and Rj were rushing out of the house.

“Gemma!” Charlie and Rj both yelled in excitement as they rushed right to her.

“Hi Char, Hi R.” Gemma laughed softly hugging the two.

“Is your face okay?” Rj peeked up at her looking worried.

“It’s okay just healing.” Gemma softly reassured both of them and kept her arms wrapped around their shoulders as they walked into the house.

“Gemma darling!” Robyn beamed setting down the two in the kitchen and quickly walking over hugging Gemma.

“Oh darling.” Robyn frowned softly at Gemma’s face.

Rick walked over and pulled Gemma in a firm hug and clapped her shoulder softly.

“Come sit. Foods almost ready.” Robyn made Gemma go sit down in her seat at the Celebrini table as Robyn finished up dinner.

Gemma listened to Charlie and Rj both ramble to her for most of the dinner, Robyn and Rick asking her some questions but not much as she just saw everyone for the holidays.

Gemma was happy to spend time with all of them as the Celebrini’s are family to her and she’s comfortable to spend time with them without Macklin.

Gemma stole a few more of Macklin’s hoodies out of his room before Aiden drove her back to the hotel.

January 5, 2025

Gemma was curled up on a couch in a one of the TV rooms in the hotel in Seattle. More than half for the Devils were in the room all sitting around the couches, chairs and some on the floor as they were all watching the WJC gold medal game.

Gemma watched as the clock was getting closer of the third period ending and the game was tied up.

Gemma frowned slightly, a part of her really hated not playing in the tournament with some of her best friends but she was also happy to be playing with the Devils.

Luke reached over gently grabbing her hand recognizing the look in her eyes, he understood completely what she was feeling because he felt the same last year.

Gemma watched as Zeev pass the puck up and Teddy scored, she smiled happy for her friends as they just won the gold medal even if she wished she could have been there.

Gemma clapped softly with the other US Devils as USA just got a gold medal. She smiled softly seeing the beaming smiles on the team’s face but especially Ryan and Gabe and her BC boys she missed them.

January 7, 2025

Gemma yawned as she leaned against the elevator, she just back to New Jersey early this morning after flying out of Seattle right after the game.

She didn’t want to make Macklin get out of bed this early so Jack and Luke happily dropped her off.

Gemma unlocked the front door and took her jacket and shoes off tossing the keys on the table, she let out a tired sighs and just dropped her bags on the floor, she would deal with them later.

She looked at the hallway hearing footsteps seeing a sleepy Macklin walking towards her, she felt her shoulders start to loosen seeing him and they both rushed to each other hugging tightly.

“I missed you.” Gemma softly whispered blinking back happy and sad tears, it’s always hard to be apart from Macklin.

“You’re okay.” Macklin breathed out his hands shaking softly as he held her again in his arms, he hasn’t been able to stop worrying over her since he saw her drop on the ice.

“I’m okay amore.” Gemma softly mumbled back pressing a kiss to Macklin’s neck.

Macklin reluctantly pulled back but he wanted to see her face, he cupped her face softly and looked at her face. Her stitches were still there but seemed to be closing well but the black eye was still very bad.

“Oh my sweet girl.” Macklin whispered looking sad, he hated knowing she was in so much pain and he couldn’t be there for her. He’s seen with a few stitches and bruises but he’s never seen her injured before and this is the worst he’s ever seen her hurt.

Macklin pressed the gentlest kiss under her eye and on her eye.

Gemma melted into Macklin, “Cuddles?”

“Of course.” Macklin pressed a soft kiss to her forehead both of them just so happy to be back together again.

[mask-of-prime]

VG: Mystery of the Outlands - PART 2

Previous | Next (Next Month)

That afternoon, Vitani and Jasiri stood in the mouth of the lion-shaped den as they looked at the paintings that were scattered all around the unusual rock formation. Paintings that Jasiri could’ve sworn weren’t there the last time she had patrolled the area. At least, no pictures this clean. They spent hours making out what the paintings could possibly symbolize. The next group of pictures Jasiri set her eyes on had sparked curiosity.

“What is that?” the hyena tilted her head.

Vitani looked too. What the two saw was many paintings of groups of animals facing off against each other within what resembled the inside of the den. Next to that was paintings of faces of various animals, columns that each had two different types of animals, with one animal in every row with their face crossed off. 

There was a pattern; some of the rows were the same animals that were pitted against each other in the other paintings of them facing off inside of the den, as if there were winners and losers of battles taking place within. At the top of the battle pictures were dark lions with red eyes, each sporting unique scratches across their faces, as if they’d spectated these battles.

“Jasiri, I have a feeling this place might have been some kind of arena.” 

Vitani looked out to the open, circular space within the den.

“And those lions, they look a lot like the ancient ones who sported the Mark of Evil.” she continued, making a gesture over her eye with a claw.

“You mean… this Mark of Evil?” Jasiri asked, pointing to a black and yellow symbol.

“Exactly.” Vitani said, astonished, “That’s the symbol I saw in the Lion Guard Lair.”

“Who’s that?” Jasiri pointed to a nearby painting, “It almost looks like Kion with a full mane.”

The image showed a red-maned lion roaring atop a jagged, steep crevasse, one that was definitely nowhere near the Pridelands or its neighboring territories. Light blue animals, representing their spirits in the clouds, floated above the roaring lion.

“That would have to be Askari. First ever Leader of the Lion Guard.” the lioness sat beside the hyena, “Must be when he discovered the Roar at the Tree of Life. Like how Kion learned all those fancy moves before coming back home.”

Jasiri remembered the day Kion’s Roar changed. He learned to balance it, using what was needed to carefully move what other animals couldn’t move, and to make it across canyons and crevasses no way any other animal could. She’d left for the Tree of Life in the first place to warn Kion of the rising threat of Zira’s pride, and today, she sat next to the daughter of her enemy, naturally bonding with her.

Vitani continued to look at the painting of Askari with the lions in the clouds, her gaze becoming more and more longing, and regretful.

“But… I’m not like Kion, or Askari, or any of the other leaders. I’ve never been able to hear the Great Lions of the Past.”

“Really?”

“It’s weird. I figure it’s because I’m not related to them, or something. Sometimes, it makes me feel like I don’t even deserve the Roar, or to lead the Guard.”

“Of course you deserve the role.” Jasiri reassured, “You broke the mold, becoming the first non-royal leader.”

“I suppose…” Vitani’s voice trailed off slightly, remembering something, “Even though I can’t hear the Lions of the Past, and I don’t really use the Roar, much, I learned a couple of things on my own, too. Things I’ve never seen even Kion do.” 

“Really? Like what?”

“Can you keep a secret? Kinda don’t want this getting out to any animals who want in on this ability.”

“Of course.”

“Well… one day, at the Elephant Graveyard, I roared so hard that I’d managed to summon the spirit of my brother in fire. Just… not sure how…” Vitani turned, “You remember Nuka, right?”

“Hard to forget the time he kept trying to kick me out of the Watering Hole.”

“Heh, yeah. He would always try so hard for everyone. It’s what got him in the end…”

Jasiri could see Vitani’s gaze deepen. She would offer supportive words, but she could see that Vitani wasn’t one to want to hear it.

Though Nuka’s spirit was awakened, it didn’t take back that fateful day, and the unfair twisting of what actually happened on top of the pain of losing him.

“Anyway…” the lioness cleared her throat, “Over time, we learned to bind our spirits together, and I was soon able to control fire with my Roar.”

“Does that… hurt?”

“Oh, yeah. Feels awful after a while. Can’t use it too much.”

“Guess that’s the Great Lions telling you to keep your power in moderation.” the hyena chuckled with a toothy grin.

Vitani softly chuckled, “Yeah. Uh, maybe, I guess.”

“Even if you can’t hear them, Vitani, they still look out for you. They do that for us all. Whether they’re your ancestors or not.”

Unexpectedly, Vitani’s heart swelled a bit. She could see why Jasiri and Kiara bonded so well. Both had a knack for seeing beyond one’s surface. Cut from the same cloth, the two of them.

The lioness considered bringing up another ability she discovered. She knew the Roar she made towards that cloud caused a monsoon that had apparently affected the Outlands as much as the Pridelands, but it was something else that she could’ve sworn happened as a result. She’d remembered her encounter with what she could’ve sworn was her mother’s spirit, but she’d never seen it, since. It felt too crazy to bring up.

Vitani idly glanced up at other faded paintings, “Wish I could tell Kion about it. What it all might mean. What he doesn’t yet know the Roar can do…”

_________

Kiara stopped at the edge of the Pridelands, just before the river that bordered the neighboring Outlands.

Zira’s spirit within the future Queen remembered this river, looking beyond it as she continued her plan: She wanted to see just how far her living, earth-dwelling disguise could get her without any suspicion. She would feign a visit to the land of her and Kion’s little hyena friend… What was her name? 

“Kiara!” called a male voice. 

Zira knew that voice all too well. Barely hiding her annoyed scowl, she made Kiara’s head turn to the noise. 

It was Kovu, her living son. The one that turned on her.

“Kiara, where are you going?”

“The Outlands.”

“But, your parent –”

“I’m a grown lioness. Can’t a Future Queen visit her friend?”

Kiara’s tone was uncharacteristic, and oddly familiar to Kovu. The exact inflection sounded like something that followed his brother Nuka saying something stupid.

“Look, I’d be happy to escort you, if it’s possible.” he said awkwardly, feeling himself getting figuratively smaller.

“I’ll be fine, Kovu. If they ask, tell them I’m not far.”

She stepped forward to continue her trek, but not before stealing one last bitter scowl. 

“Weeeiird…” Kovu drawled to himself, out of earshot of his fiancee.

Kovu didn’t know what he did, but the look she gave him felt personal. He didn’t understand Kiara’s new attitude. He had to wonder if it was a lioness thing…

_________

Later, at Udaka Caverns…

“...And here we have ancient lions performing some kind of ritual with these snakes. These lions gave themselves marks over their eyes, a lot like the one your leader gave me.” Kiume smirked, “Guess her little overreaction had some kinda spiritual meaning in the end, heh…”

Shabaha and Tazama seemed intrigued enough, but Kasi and Imara seemed less than impressed, just about having it with Kiume’s know-nothing-know-it-all narration regarding these paintings scattered across the walls.

“Had no idea any of this was here…” Tazama muttered, “Never seen this in any of my reconnaissance missions.”

Kiume scoffed, “You seriously haven’t been to this part of the Outlands? You guys grew up in the Outlands, right?”

“Not us, personally. No.” Tazama answered, “Zira never really let anyone go beyond the Termite Mounds. Vitani might have, though…”

“Yeah,” Shabaha added, “she was with Zira when the pride tried to take over some watering hole the hyenas were taking up. The four of us didn’t show up until a little after.”

“Ever since that plan failed, she didn’t want us to blow the pride’s cover. Had to lie low until Kovu was ready.” said Kasi, allowing herself to add onto the conversation.

“Ready for what?” asked the maneless lion, almost in a scoffing manner.

“To take his place as King of the Pridelands.” Imara bluntly added. She’d hesitated to chime in for much of the time, uncomfortable with sharing so much with a lion who’d just been broken out of prison. 

“Not in the way you think, though…” Shabaha clarified, “We all tried to overthrow Simba and his family. Kiiiinda like you tried to. Funny how things just come full circle, huh?”

The rest of the Guard frowned, not ready for Shabaha to skip so far ahead and say something borderline controversial. However, they still faulted their own selves for even starting to tell Kiume anything.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” the male nodded, “Guess we have a bit in common, the lot of us.”

The Guard collectively sucked in air through their teeth, feeling unfavorably compared with their most recent sworn enemy.

“What I mean is that… I wanna get better. Like you guys.”

“Yeah, right.” Shabaha rolled her eyes.

“No, really. After getting to know you guys, I haven’t really felt the need to put up so many walls.” the male nodded to himself, “I wanna do what I can to make up with the Royal Family.

“That had better be the reason you’re doing all this,” Imara grunted, “and you’re sure you’re taking us to the right place?”

“Absolutely.” his voice echoed a bit. “I know this part of the Outlands very well. Guiding you all through the Outlands is my way of showing gratitude, which is the first step to making up for my actions towards the rest of the pride.”

The Guard exchanged looks, unable to make out what exactly they found baffling about what Kiume had just said. It’s like he’d made up his own rules of how to be good right on the spot. Their already low confidence in him guiding them through Udaka Caverns was declining. The looks they’d given each other were a silent agreement to stay wary of the male lion.

Pretty soon, all the lions found themselves making an abrupt halt, with the maneless lion gesturing left to a dark, twisted cave. They followed him through the confusing maze. Pretty soon, the light at the end was illuminated by natural blue light, and the orange glow of lava.

“Our next stop.” Kiume smiled. “We’re close to Vitani, I bet.”

The Guard looked deep into the cave that Kiume pointed to with his head. They all promptly exchanged looks of awe at what was inside.

What stood before them was bizarre, to say the least. A large formation had stuck out among the thousands of stalactites and stalagmites that spiked the entrance. Three large lumps of an unknown substance were the centerpiece of the cave.

The maneless lion puffed out his chest, “Passers-by call this section of Udaka Caverns, ‘The Cave of Eternal Roars’.” 

“Yeah, that sounds like a good place to be.” Shabaha quipped.

Kasi scoffed, “What animal is passing by here?”

“Maybe bats?” the Keenest of Sight guessed, “Usiku’s colony lives in these Caverns. But… I don’t think I’ve heard him mention it.”

Imara hunched slightly to whisper in Tazama’s ear, “I think Kiume just came up with it to be cool. I wouldn’t be too sure about everything he’s saying.”

Kiume cocked an eyebrow, overhearing the Strongest. His expression became blank and disinterested. He watched as the Lion Guard inched closer to the three large lumps.

Kasi tilted her head, “Y’know, these look a lot like the Termite Mounds we had at our old home.”

“Mm-hmm.” Kiume hummed, less than enthused.

“Can’t be,” Tazama inspected, “couldn’t survive being housed with constant lavaflow.”

“Would have to be igneous rock, then.” Imara said, gently taking a claw to the cave walls she figured were the same substance, “Would explain the perforated surface.”

“If it sticks to my tongue, then it’s definitely igneous rock.” Shabaha piped.

“You just want to lick just about every new thing you see, huh?” Kasi muttered.

Kiume chuckled, mostly under his breath. The ladies were funny, and he was admittedly remorseful to not see that before. 

He ducked as he turned for another cave, scouting for the next turn. Unnoticed by the Guard, he disappeared into the pitch blackness.

Once Shabaha was closer, she began to notice more and more details. This thing definitely had a mouth, and eyes, and what looked like a large mane.

“Hey, these look a lot like lions!”

The rest of the Guard got closer, too.

Imara squinted, “These formations can’t be natural. It’s too uncanny.”

“Yeah…” Kasi rubbed her shoulder nervously, “uncanny…”

“Could they be sculptures?” Imara wondered.

“Like, sculpted by a Royal Mjuzi? Guess one of the Mjuzis from the past got sick of the whole painting tradition.” Kasi quipped.

Mjuzi… Tazama remembered that Kiume had been showing them paintings all throughout the caverns. Her eyes focused on the walls for any paintings that could explain what they were seeing.

“Hiyo Kali!” she exclaimed, “I think this is our answer!”

Kasi and Imara turned their attention to the Keenest of Sight. She stood at a rather faded painting on an adjacent wall to the cave entrance. It showed a red-maned lion roaring towards a volcano with animals running away from it. Next to that were three dark brown lions with red eyes falling into a crevasse.

“Is that Askari?” Kasi’s brows furrowed.

“Who are those guys?” Imara asked.

“I wish I knew. If I’m not mistaken, that yellow splotch up there would be the Mark of Evil, but I’m not sure…” said the Keenest of Sight.

Hearing the Bravest chuckle behind her, Imara glanced back at Shabaha. 

“Hey, don’t lick that.”

“I wasn’t!” Shabaha put her tongue away, “I was just gonna give him a boop. Boop!”

Shabaha promptly poked the largest lion figure on the nose. Just then, the delicate surface began to crack. Pretty soon, a good chunk of it had crumbled away, revealing the very recognizable skull of a lion. As the natural casting of the lion’s fossils broke away, the well-preserved bones began to fall to the ground.

“OOOOKAY –” Shabaha yelped before leaping back, horrified.

The rest of the Lion Guard had also begun to freak out. 

“Hell, no!” Imara bellowed.

“What the –?” Kasi looked back at the wall and saw a third painting.

The three lions were pictured surrounded by a radiant shape, one that looked much like the mouth of the cave they were at. Above the three lions was what looked like an illustration of orange liquid flowing over them.

“Lava…” Tazama figured.

“Kiume, are these the Evil Lions of the Past?” Kasi turned to where she last saw him, “Kiume…?”

Just then, a large boulder dropped into the lavabank in front of them. They leapt back before droplets could hit them. They all looked up at the source.

“They are, indeed.” said a male voice.

Above them stood Kiume, who sat just outside the natural skylight that illuminated the cave. His paw rested on another boulder.

“Though, ‘evil’ is a little extreme of a word for those lions. They were just doing their jobs as lions, but… you and all the Lion Guards that came during and after Askari’s time didn’t like the order of things. So, Askari murdered them in the most gruesome way possible. Like what’s happening to you. Funny how things just come full circle, huh?”

Shabaha scowled as her own words were thrown back at her, but no one scowled with as much sheer fury as Imara had.

“I knew it!” the Strongest roared. 

“Kiume! What have you done?!” Kasi yelled upwards.

“I’ve done the Pridelands justice!” he roared, “I’m taking it over, with or without my boys! And I’m not worried about your little Leader, even if she did find you, she’ll be too devastated and powerless without you to go after me.”

“Look out!” shouted Tazama.

The other boulder made its way down. This time, closing off the cave entrance. The lionesses all noticed the pool’s levels beginning to rise. Their eyes traced the flow back to fresh magma that poured from holes in the walls, in which said walls were now perforated from the violent vibrations of the boulder’s impact. They backed away from the lavabank to the coolest part of the stone surface they stood on.

Looking up, they saw the maneless lion push the largest boulder above ground to close off the skylight.

They were completely trapped.

Kiume rose above the surface in hopes of seeing Pride Rock, only to instead find the forepaws of a lioness standing at the edge he used as leverage. Glancing up, he realized he had a rather unexpected guest.

“Kiara,” he smirked, “What a surprise to see you out here. With no escorts, for once, I might add. Quite the achievement. Out here, all alone, defenseless. It’s perfect. Simba will have to trade his leadership to me if I got you as a bargaining chip.”

“We’re truly alone?” Kiara glanced around to make sure, “Perfect, indeed.”

Just as Kiume went to grab Kiara’s shoulder, something felt odd. He felt a pulling sensation in his paw. He looked up at Kiara to see what was going on, only to see her eyes glowing a ghastly cyan.

He heard the Princess make a cackle unlike any laugh she’d ever made just before grabbing his muzzle.

Pretty soon, the rest of his body felt weaker, and like it had been emptying. Rapidly.

The maneless lion tried to scream, but his mouth was covered with a clamped paw.

Pretty soon, his attempts to scream were replaced with a dry groan.

A loud thud echoed across the empty valley.

Vitani and Jasiri finally walked out of the arena. Muttering amongst themselves the revelations they had about their newly-made discoveries of the Outlands’ history.

Despite the two each spending their earliest years growing up in the land, neither knew that it was once a functioning society with its own system. A rather corrupt one, but Jasiri had learned that she had not been the only animal to have become the Outlands’ official leader.

“Jasiri! Jasiri!!” a voice yelled.

“Janja!” the Prime Minister responded, “What’s going on?!”

“Some kinda jailbreak is what’s goin’ on.” he said, “Kiume’s been freed!”

“What?!” Jasiri threw her head back.

“Yeah, and we was attacked by her Lion Guard!” he glared at Vitani. The rest of the clan growled at the lioness.

“What?” Vitani was appalled, “They would never do that…”

“Vitani…” Jasiri turned to her new friend, “I thought you were starting to trust us…”

“I…” the Fiercest tried to speak.

“I think they’re the ones who broke Kiume out of his cell, too!” Janja snorted.

“Could they have followed him?” Jasiri wondered.

“Followed him?” Vitani balked, “Are they out of their minds?!”

Suddenly, the Fiercest could hear voices from inside the caverns she and the hyenas stood just outside of. The voices were shouting, struggling, and arguing, all in a way only Vitani would recognize.

She booked it. Whether the hyenas were to follow along or not, it didn’t matter to her. She didn’t care what they thought of her, anymore. She just needed to find her friends.

Pretty soon, by Jasiri’s lead, the hyenas did follow suit. All except one.

The Prime Minister noticed Janja wasn’t running with her. She slowed down and looked back.

"You were right, Jasiri. We are all the same. The same, no-good, evil hyenas. That's all everyone thinks we are..."

“Janja…” Jasiri sighed, “It was a misunderstanding. It… It has to be.”

“They’d rather follow a bad lion than let a hyena even breathe in their direction! If anyone’s ‘misunderstanding’, it’s me with whatever’s goin’ on, here.”

“I’ve been with Vitani long enough to get a good read on what kind of lion she is, and what I see is someone who wants to change, along with her friends. Like a certain hyena I know.” 

“Whuh? Who?”

She rolled her eyes, still loving Janja’s clueless side.

“I’ll be with you the whole time.”

“Hnnggh, alright...” he groaned, cracking the slightest smile.

_________

In the cave, the Guard continued tirelessly to look for an escape to no avail. Imara tried to push the large boulder on the ground away, Kasi tried to climb out with her nimble skills, and all even tried to assemble steps with the hope of escaping through the ceiling, but the effort to remove the boulder above them would prove to be dangerous, if not null due to its impossible heaviness. Nothing would make the lava stop rising.

They all stopped in their tracks to look at each other for the longest time, finding themselves sobbing. They approached each other, nuzzling and embracing tightly, not knowing what else to do.

They all started to recall their days as cubs. Meeting each other on the way to the paradise animals called the ‘Pridelands’, bantering and playing as they aged following the recommended path from the Namib Desert to the Serengeti. Just before they could reach the land, however, Zira intercepted them in the Outlands as they’d passed by, and told them her twisted narrative she’d dedicated years to crafting. 

Growing up, the four believed Zira was the rightful Queen consort, Kovu was Scar’s heir as King, and Vitani, Kovu’s protector and enforcer – whom the Guard took a particular interest in as their friend and leader for most of their lives – were wrongfully ousted from their kingdom, and needed as much help as possible from the army of Outsiders that grew over time, including them and their unique strengths.

Then they found their place in the Pridelands, once lost and without purpose until Vitani showed them the way. That day, they formed their own Lion Guard, a Lion Guard who was now about to perish looking for their leader and best friend…

“...Guys?” said a familiar voice behind a wall.

Their hearts dropped as they turned to the wall they heard the voice from. Could it be…?

“Vitani!” Shabaha shouted.

“Guys!” Vitani shouted back, “Shabaha! Is that you?!”

“Yeah!” the Bravest cackled in shock and disbelief.

“Vitani?” the rest of the Guard each said, astonished.

“I can move this wall with my Roar.”

“No,” Kasi said from the wall, “you can’t. Lava will pour out!”

“The only way out is up.” Imara added, “There’s a boulder on top of the cave. You gotta wedge it out.”

“Got it. Hold on!” Vitani turned to the hyenas, “Everyone, follow me. You don’t want to be caught up in a lava wave.”

The hyenas followed Vitani out of Udaka Caverns, racing to the top.

“...’Everyone?’” Kasi asked the rest of the Guard.

Just then, a rumble could be heard from the cave. Vitani used the Roar to carefully lift the large boulder that acted as a lid. Janja and his hyenas instinctually ducked and held unto the ground for dear life, remembering their fair share of being Roared at. The Fiercest peeked down below, horrified at the peril her friends were in.

The Guard stared back up at Vitani, noticing she was surrounded by hyenas.

“Oh, I see.” the Fastest muttered.

“I don’t think I know how to lift animals like Kion can, yet.” the Fiercest said to Jasiri with growing panic.

As Vitani and Jasiri tried to devise a plan, Janja stared into the cave below as it rapidly filled with lava. Scowling at the Guard for their unfair treatment of hyenas. Every swipe and kick he received from them came back to him as he looked them all in the eyes.

He’d remembered the day he trapped Jasiri and two very young cubs from her clan in a large geyser. He’d been completely under Scar’s control around that time, believing he needed to eliminate any force that had a hold on him that wasn’t Scar. He would either confess his feelings to Jasiri and join her side, or she would never be an obstacle in his life again.

But… he was a good hyena, now, and knew that he would have deeply regretted seeing what would have come with winning his fight with Jasiri that day, if it wouldn’t have rendered him into a cold and heartless killer. 

He resented the actions of Vitani’s Lion Guard that occurred earlier today, but he was not about to let another animal suffer the terror of impending death by molten lava. He reached down and held out a paw for any of the four lionesses to grab.

“Come on boys! Let’s help ‘em up!” he grunted.

The ragtag team of male hyenas followed his order. Groups of two or three hyenas each made an effort to pull the lionesses to safety.

Vitani stared wide-eyed at the hyenas, impressed. “That’ll work.”

She and Jasiri promptly helped the rest carry the Guard out.

Once above ground, all of the lionesses pressed against each other in relief. Happy to see each other again. The affectionate gesture was very uncharacteristic and rare, but very much needed.

“I don’t see Kiume with you.” Vitani looked around.

“No,” Kasi said, “he’s the one who trapped us down there.”

“The bastard!” Vitani hissed, “Could be anywhere, by now.”

Suddenly, they all heard a rumble below. The section of the cavern began to close in on itself. They all leapt out of the way before the ground gave way.

Udaka Caverns permanently changed that day. Half of its ceiling was gone, with its debris dropping into the lava below, cutting off its flow.

Lucky for them, for what was also underground was very unexpected. In another section that could be seen overhead were Rafiki and Makini, who sat by a painting on the wall. The conversations that the two mandrills nonchalantly had while not noticing the commotion around them had finally been disrupted.

Both parties stared awkwardly for a long time, still reeling from the near-death experience. Soon, the two mandrills released themselves from the embrace they made to shield each other from debris.

“Lion Guard! No way!” Makini beamed, “Come look at these paintings! We wanted to tell you about them all day!”

“Umm… One second.” Vitani quickly turned to her Lion Guard and the hyenas, “Kiume… He’s on the loose.”

“Don’t sweat it, Vitani.” Janja said, “We’ll take it from here!”

“Please, Janja, at least let my Guard and I repay your clan by helping you.”

“Nah, you go on.” he insisted, “Sounds pretty important if Rafiki’s callin’ you. Come on, boys!”

The hyenas bolted out of the cavern, ready to pursue the runaway convict.

Unbeknownst to them, they’d dashed past Kiara, who had been hiding under the shade of a rocky protrusion. As they left her sight for Insika Canyon, she slid out from her hiding place, heading towards somewhere to listen in on the Lion Guard.

“Did… you two make all the paintings we’ve been looking at all day?” Vitani asked.

“Us?” Makini chuckled, “Oh, no. We’re restoring them!”

“Yes.” said Rafiki, “We are restoring them to how they looked before they were weathered by generations of the Outlands’ elements. The paintings you see in the Outlands were all originally made by past Mjuzis. Most were made by the Mjuzi of Askari’s day, except for the ones on this wall.”

The Lion Guard and Jasiri all turned to the series of images. There were many small paintings of a particular lion in different stages of his life, showing significant events: One was of a much younger him in a hunched and saddened position, the other with him receiving bite from a cobra, and one with him turned away from Pride Rock. What stood out the most, however, was a large effigy of him sitting under the Mark of Evil symbol, holding a bluish-black cobra, and looming over an emphasized depiction of a cub with a familiar head stripe.

“When Makini showed me a painting Vitani had made of her visions last night, I recognized the lion with a red mane and a Mark of Evil over his right eye. 

“Recently, I felt a spiritual connection draw me towards the Outlands, and I had found these paintings as a result. I found myself dearly missing my mentor – the one who created the paintings of this lion, here. She called him: Nyoka… 

“Nyoka was a despicable lion who had been banished before Mufasa and Scar were ever born, as he gave into the venom that controlled his mind, much like the evil lions from Askari’s time. He resided right here, in this very part of the Outlands, where my mentor would see sightings of him while she studied older paintings in her free time.

“He is the lion responsible for giving Scar his very own Mark of Evil.”

“What…?” a few members of the Guard muttered.

Watching them from above, Zira’s spirit, still taking over Kiara, was also shocked.

‘What?’ she thought, ‘But, Scar told me his father gave it to him! That mandrill couldn’t possibly be telling the truth!’

“Hold on,” Shabaha interjected, “who’s that cub under him? It looks like Zira.”

“Correct.” Rafiki confirmed, “Nyoka is Zira’s father.”

Vitani’s jaw dropped. Her grandfather… She saw her grandfather in her vision of the past…

Mother never spoke of him, and yet Vitani got to see him for herself. The old mandrill then continued.

“After receiving his Mark of Evil, Zira’s father tried to finish what his ancestors started. His first step was to contact them, but my mentor would not let him have her Staff. He instead entrusted his daughter to help him form a new plan…”

Vitani began to feel numb, Rafiki’s voice becoming incoherent muffling. She stepped closer to the wall, and began to mindlessly run a paw down it, realizing the family resemblance, which became clearer and clearer.

Her mother’s prejudice towards hyenas, her supremacist teachings, and her love for Scar and desire to rule the Pridelands all made sense, now. 

“I’m… a descendant of the Evil Lions of the Past…”

The Lion Guard, Jasiri, and Makini all gasped, having not thought of it that way before, now that Vitani had put it that way.

The Fiercest growled, “That’s why I can’t hear the Great Lions of the Past, because I descend from the other side of the conflict with Askari – the wrong side! I can never escape my destiny.”

“Vitani,” Jasiri placed a paw on Vitani’s shoulder, “you are so much more than your ancestors. You gave hyenas a chance on your own. And before you say anything about it – Yes, you have the Roar for a reason. You saved your friends with it. You’ve saved many animals with it. You’re a hero of the Pridelands and the Outlands.”

Vitani eased her tense body, “I guess so. Thank you, Jasiri. You’ve been nothing but supportive today, and… I appreciate it.”

‘So… my own daughter thinks I’m evil…’ Zira thought, ‘And here we have that little hyena softening her up and reinforcing why I’m the bad guy. Vitani wants to see ‘evil’? I’ll show her ‘evil’... I’ll show them ALL!’

She quickly disguised her fury with a cold, calculative attitude, carefully slinking away from the open ceiling of the caverns, slipping into the shadows, unseen by any creature of the Outlands as she made her return to Pride Rock.

_________

Later That Evening…

After hours of sharing stories and showing each other the paintings that were scattered across the Arena to Udaka Caverns, the Lion Guard, Jasiri, and two mandrills ascended to the ground. They were heading home, prepared to share their newfound knowledge of the Outlands’ history. History that changed the way they viewed the land, forever. A place filled with centuries-old mysteries of the desolation of the land, and the morbid deaths that had taken place, giving the place a reputation as a curse-riddled wasteland.

They were now in Insika Canyons, which had a thick fog uncharacteristic of the region. They looked around, all mutually unsettled by their surroundings.

“Do you think the hyenas found Kiume, yet?” Kasi wondered.

“Yeah,” Imara agreed, “you’d think we might’ve heard something –”

Just then, the entire group heard a garbled noise nearby. The fog cleared a bit, revealing something that lay on the ground. Vitani, who’d approached first, was horrified at what she saw.

It was her old enemy, for sure. But he’d been almost half the size he was, horribly gaunt with a severely cracked nose and lips. He looked like he had the life sucked out of him with how dehydrated he looked.

“Kiume…?” the Firecest said, stopped in her tracks, “What happened to you? Who did this?”

The maneless lion slowly turned his head, spending nearly all of his energy making the slightest move.

“The P-Princess… Sh-She…” he groaned dryly.

“She what?” Vitani was urgent, “Is she okay?”

He tried to speak once more, but could only manage a few squeaks before his head abruptly dropped back to the ground, his face fixed in a permanent expression.

Vitani stepped back a bit, looking back at everyone standing behind her.

Kiume was dead.

“The Princess?” Kasi balked, “What did Kiara have to do with this?”

“Even in death he’s blaming lionesses for his problems…” Shabaha shook her head.

Vitani wanted to silence Shabaha’s remark, but felt herself starting to see the lack of logic. No way the King and Queen would have let Kiara get this far out here.

“Still, we have to go.” the Fiercest turned back to the lion’s corpse, “What are we gonna do about – ?”

“Don’t worry, Vitani.” Jasiri sighed with a heavy heart and head, “The Outlanders will take care of it. You should just worry about heading home.”

“Thank you, Jasiri.” Vitani gave a nod, “For everything…”

The Guard, Rafiki, and Makini watched as vultures circled above where Kiume stood. The rest of the hyenas gathered by Jasiri, discussing the issue. The group hurried the direction of Pride Rock.

_________

By nightfall, the King and Queen were told everything; the Outlands’ literal unearthed history, and of Kiume’s sudden, unexplained death, and what was to be done about the latter.

Kiara had already been checked on by the Guard. She had appeared to be peacefully sleeping, making the Guard deem it unlikely that she had interacted at all with Kiume, today.

Vitani listened to Rafiki, Simba, and Nala discuss amongst themselves from outside Pride Rock. She sat at the edge, disturbed by the day’s events.

Vitani felt an ache in her chest. Aside from Kiume’s disturbing death, her mind kept repeating the revelations she’d had about her family today.

The Mark of Evil was the cause of a chain of events: From her deranged ancestors to her grandfather, who, outside of Scar, made her mother the way she was, and all of that being why she involved her children in a needless war between prides and species. It seemed that every generation of her family was cursed by the actions of her ancestors, and that she and her brothers had been shaped up to carry on that legacy.

And poor Nuka… she now knew why his spirit was made of fire. The Great Lions spoke to him, but, he never joined them. She wondered if Nuka would ever belong anywhere.

The old mandrill, having finished his conversation with Simba and Nala, hobbled out of Pride Rock, noticing the Leader of the Lion Guard in deep thought. He sat beside her.

“Rafiki…” the lioness turned to him, “is there a way I could put an end to this family curse? Being unable to talk to the Great Lions, your brother being a fire spirit like Scar and other Evil Lions. I wanted to have a purpose as a Pridelander, and I thought I found it, but I really don’t know what I’m doing.”

The mention of Nuka’s spirit had reminded the mandrill of something.

He held out his hands, “Sometimes, sacrifices must be made in order to do good…”

One year ago, at the Elephant Graveyard…

The old mandrill sat on a high ledge as he watched the Leader of the Lion Guard pant heavily – her claws gripping the ground tightly with rage and heartache. In order to keep up with her, the mandrill had swiftly and diligently bounded after her, but with an alternate path to keep from being noticed.

He could hear Vitani’s cries for her older brother, among her grievances regarding everything else that had gone wrong and out of her control. His brows furrowed just before he closed his eyes.

It was time…

Rafiki gripped his Bakora Staff tightly one last time, gently pressing his forehead to it affectionately, silently thanking it for its many years of a very special and one-of-a-kind connection to the Lions of the Past. Even the memories of its more mundane uses, and the instantly recognizable rattling of its gourds had tugged at his heart.

With a careful and quiet hand, he dropped the sacred tool into a large geyser. The Staff caught fire as it sank into the molten liquid inside.

The now former Mjuzi leapt off the ledge and out of Vitani’s sight, just before she unleashed the powerful Roar that sent every geyser around her gushing with glowing steam, which would end up being the final step to summoning her brother, who to this day had manifested in flames upon being summoned.

Although he could no longer connect to the Lions of the Past any longer, Rafiki still remained spiritual.

“When I saw you in need of spiritual guidance, I had to help you summon the one relative I knew that you knew.” he said.

“Well, it just figures that Nuka is made of fire.” Vitani scoffed, “He’s also a descendant of Askari’s enemies.”

“Nuka is in limbo.” Rafiki corrected her, “He is pulled between two forces. He takes on the form of what he’s been summoned in, and he hears the voices of not only the Great Lions, but, if he’s not careful, he could hear the Evil Lions, too. But, he has you keeping him on the right path.”

“He needs to be freed from that tug...” Vitani muttered. She stiffened, suddenly getting an idea.

She realized what she must do: She must stop the cycle with a sacrifice of her very own. She was ready to relinquish her Fire Roar, and to free Nuka’s spirit with forgiveness from herself and Kovu, like Kion with Scar’s spirit. 

She could see that she was holding onto Nuka for far too long, and that keeping his spirit tied down where there was nonstop rain was making him suffer. 

She would head to bed with countless thoughts of enlightenment racing in her head, preparing for tomorrow morning when she would catch Kovu and finally show him what she had been hiding from the Royal family all this time.

To Be Continued…

_________

Author's Notes:

The petrified Evil Lions of the Past and the Cave of Eternal Roars is based on the plaster castings of the citizens of Pompeii, as well as the terracotta army found in Emperor Qin's underground tomb, respectively paralleling the result of a volcanic disaster as well as serving the purpose of freezing the feared army of a powerful emperor in time. I've always been fascinated by both historical sites due to their perfect preservation, and the rollercoaster of implications and historical context that can clearly be told by looking at them.

Udaka Caverns is what I call the location that the Lions Over All musical number took place in TLG. "Udaka" is Zulu for "lava"/"mud"/"muck").

Insika Canyon is what I call the region of Janja's clan's old home. I noticed their home was comprised of pillar-like earth structures, which are called hoodoos. "Insika" is Zulu for "pillar".

Zira's confusion over Scar's origin story is a jab at multiple sources, be it Disney, licensed by Disney, or long-established fanon, which all tell incredibly different storie on how he got his scar.

In older drafts of Mystery of the Outlands, the original plot was to be that Vitani and the Guard would be called to the Outlands by Janja and Jasiri, who need help finding Wema and Tunu, who at some point trap the Lion Guard in the cave as they still feel residual distrust for lions. Once I started thinking about bringing Kiume back into VG, I started running out of room and interest for the Wema and Tunu plot. I also thought it was just a little extreme for Wema and Tunu to be like that. I instead relegated their appearances in the form of a cameo.

Artist Notes:

Kiume's ear tufts in the first thumbnail are deliberately curved inwards to resemble devil horns, showing his true nature.

The composition of the cave painting of Nyoka (AKA Strange Lion), Zira, and the Evil Lions of the Past is kind of my twisted take on icon wall paintings found in churches. Figured the parodied art form would be fitting for someone with a divine complex like Nyoka.

The last image in Rafiki's flashback sequence is mostly comprised of reused assets from the file I used for Episode 5: The Summoning, not only to make drawing a lot easier, but to illustrate just when the flashback takes place. I had backgrounds and props that I'd already painted almost three years ago. I had to reinstall GIMP on my new laptop just to get access to my XCF files and move the images to Photoshop (what I use now).

The amount of illustrations/chapter thumbnails made within a short time are a new record: Only 8 days to create all of them, completed on March 24th. The main cause for delay was the writing and trying to make sense of the story with as much detail as possible with the hope of preventing any possible plotholes.

[kneecapsbelong2me]

Kate Bishop x Reader HCs: your OG Avenger parents find out you’re dating Kate

Pairings: Kate Bishop x Reader (romantic); Thor, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers and/x Bucky Barnes, Tony Stark x Pepper Potts, Clint Barton x Linda Barton, and Natasha Romanoff x Maria Hill x Reader (familial) (No pronouns used)

Content Warnings: Kate being in a medically induced coma (Natasha’s HC only)

———————————————————————

Thor

Thor talks with you about your romantic life

It’s not an awkward thing, it’s just how your relationship has always been

You don’t talk about your courtships often, but if you don’t mention anyone to him for a couple months, he’ll ask about it

So as soon as Kate gives you her blessing, you tell your dad

You’re having your weekly dinner together when you tell him.

“Father, I’m dating someone new.”

“Wonderful!” Thor claps a hand on your back. “Woman? Man? Somewhere in between?”

“A woman. Kate Bishop.”

Your dad smiles. “The little hawk! Good, I like her. Bring her to dinner sometime so we can get more closely acquainted. I can tell her stories of your childhood.”

“Father!” Your protest falls on deaf ears as he keeps talking

“Yes, she will know all about how mighty you were, even as a little one. I can even show her the pictures—“

“Dad!”

Bruce Banner

Bruce knows you’re hiding something from him

But you don’t appear to be in any danger, so he doesn’t bring it up with you

You’ll tell him whatever it is when you’re ready

You know your dad knows that you’re hiding something

You also know he doesn’t know what you’re hiding

He’s never been the best at talking about feelings—his or yours

Especially romantic ones

When he gave you “the talk” he was more embarrassed about it than you, even though he kept reassuring you that everything your body felt and did was normal

He couldn’t make eye contact with you for a week after that

But his awkwardness isn’t the reason you haven’t told him your secret

You just don’t want to say anything until you’re sure your relationship is at least a semi-long-term thing

“Hey, dad?”

“Hm?” Bruce looks up from tinkering on his latest project

“I have to tell you something,” you fidget a little

“Sure,” he gestures to a free stool, “is everything okay?”

You suck in a deep breath. “Everything is great, actually. I, uh,”

Your dad looks at you expectantly. His calm demeanor is simultaneously soothing and nerve-wracking

“So, I’ve been seeing someone. A girl, specifically. One you know, actually. And we’re officially together - as in, she’s my girlfriend - so I thought I should tell you…and yeah,” you finish your rambling, breathless and with warm cheeks

“That’s great,” he smiles, “do I get to know which girl?”

Oh. In your rush to tell him, you’d completely neglected to mention the fact that you’re dating

“Kate Bishop.”

“Oh. Wow,” your dad’s face has gone from happy to surprised, and you feel your anxiety start to creep up again. He sees the look on your face and immediately stammers, “no no no, I’m happy for you, kid. I just didn’t realize she was your type. I mean, I didn’t really have any idea about what your type was before this, and I’m glad Kate is…I’m glad she makes you happy. She does make you happy, right?”

You definitely got your rambling from your dad. You smile, “she makes me really happy.”

“Well good,” Bruce wrings his hands together, “you deserve to be happy. And if she ever stops making you happy you tell me, okay?”

“Okay, dad.” It’s cute when he gets protective over you.

“I love you,” he stands and wraps an arm around you

“I love you too.”

Steve Rogers (and/x Bucky Barnes)

You and your dad have a tradition of watching movies together whenever you both have a free Friday night

Usually, your Uncle Bucky joins you, and when your dad is on a mission you occasionally watch with your uncle instead

But there are times when all three of you are busy, so you’re pretty sure you’re safe when you cancel occasionally to hang out with “friends”

AKA your girlfriend, Kate Bishop

(But sometimes your friends too)

It’s a Friday night, and Steve and Bucky are both on missions

You miss them, you don’t have anything else to do, and it’s been a while since your last movie night

So you decide to have Kate over instead

You end up with Kate cuddled into your side with your arm wrapped around her, both of you yawning even though you’re only halfway through the movie

Kate kisses your cheek lazily, “what if I just…” she begins lowering herself onto your lap, “close my eyes for a second? Not to sleep, just to rest.”

You laugh and card your fingers through her hair. She sighs contentedly, and soon you’re both dozing on the couch

Before you know it, someone is gently shaking your shoulder

“Whuh?” You startle awake and see Bucky staring down at you. Kate shifts, still asleep

“Hey kid.” He ruffles your hair

All the drowsiness instantly leaves your body as excitement takes over. Your dad and uncle weren’t supposed to be home for another few days

“Uncle Bucky!”

This finally wakes Kate, who rubs her eyes blearily, “Babe, wha—?” She stops mid-question when her eyes land on Bucky, “I-I mean…Bucky! Hi! Wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Nice save, Bishop,” Bucky smirks

Kate sits up and buries her face in the crook of your neck, groaning softly. “Sorry, babe”

You and Bucky stare at each other, daring the other to break the silence as you rub slow circles on Kate’s back

“So,” Bucky finally breaks, more for your benefit than anything else, “you and Bishop?”

This makes your face heat up. “Don’t tell dad. Please?” You beg. You’ve never brought anyone home before, and this is not the introduction you want

“Don’t tell me what?” Your dad picks that moment to walk in. Kate leans back from you to an approximately platonic distance

The look your uncle gives you says he’s not going to tell your dad, but you probably should

“I, uh, so the thing is—“

“We’re dating,” Kate blurts out, unable to resist Steve’s Captain America stare

Your dad looks at you, dumbfounded. “Oh,” he finally gets out

“Dad?”

“Well, I, for one, am happy for you two,” Bucky claps a hand on your shoulder

“As long as Hawkeye Junior doesn’t break your heart,” Steve levels Kate with an intense look and the latter aggressively shakes her head. He smiles, “and she has good taste in movies.”

relief floods you, even though Kate is a stuttering mess

“Yes, sir. I promise I have excellent taste in movies, Captain Rogers, sir.”

“Good,” Steve moves to sit on the couch and wraps an arm around you, the other beckoning to Bucky. “So, what are we watching?”

Tony Stark and Pepper Potts

Growing up, you’d see Kate at various functions

Your families ran in similar circles

You didn’t really get to know each other until high school, when you went to the same boarding school

The two of you quickly became best friends, but it took years for the two of you to realize your feelings weren’t just friendly

You agree not to tell your parents about your relationship because you don’t want things to get messy

But Kate is still your unofficial, official date to your dad’s annual New Year’s Eve party

At 11:59, the two of you sneak away from the party to your dad’s office and step out on the balcony as the countdown to midnight begins

You kiss her exactly at midnight, and you might…get carried away

You’re so wrapped up in each other that you don’t notice your dad and your step-mom open the door behind you

“Kid!” Tony is shocked to see you like this. “and Miss Bishop. What a surprise.” He doesn’t sound surprised at all to see Kate here

You and Kate jump back from each other at the intrusion, and your cheeks begin to heat up

“Dad! Mo—Pepper! What are you doing here?”

Your dad raises his eyebrows, “what am I doing? In my office?”

You have enough self-respect left to look decently sheepish. You’re waiting for Tony to chew you out when Pepper turns to him and smirks

“You owe me 50 bucks.”

Tony groans. “Thanks a lot, kid.”

“Wait, you were betting on me and Kate? How did you even know I liked her?”

Pepper turns her smirk to you, “we raised you, honey. We know you better than you think.”

“We’ll leave you two alone now,” Tony opens the door. “Just make sure to use protection,” he calls as he steps inside, Pepper following close behind

You bury your face in Kate’s chest and groan, “Daaaaad, gross!”

“Well, that went better than expected.” Kate’s shaking, and it’s not immediately obvious if it’s from fear or laughter.

You get your answer when you pull back and find her eyes gleaming. She kisses you again, a little more passionately

“Now, where were we?”

Clint and Linda Barton

You originally met Kate at a college archery tournament, and the two of you became fast friends, and then something more

She practically worships your dad, but you don’t tell her who he is to you

You use your mom’s maiden name in public for safety reasons, and you want Kate to like you for you, not because of your dad

After talking and going on dates for months, you finally asked Kate to be your girlfriend during Thanksgiving

It’s too soon to meet each other’s families, so you don’t invite her over for Christmas

So imagine your surprise when your dad walks in after being delayed in the city with your girlfriend and a golden retriever in tow

You stare, slack-jawed, unable to hide your surprise, Kate’s face a mirror of your own

“…and this is my eldest—“

Your name tumbles from Kate’s lips before she can stop herself

“You two know each other?” The look your mom is giving you tells you the gears are already turning in her mind. You haven’t told her you have a girlfriend, but she’s always known you so well

Kate’s eyes go wide in panic, “we know each other from archery!” She looks at you accusingly, and you know you’re in trouble, “I didn’t know Hawkeye was your dad.”

“How well do you know each other?” your dad is making weird eye contact with your mom, a clear sign they’re having a silent conversation. Your parents turn to look at you

Lila rolls her eyes. She’s the only person in your family who knows about you and Kate. Little sister privileges. “Guys, just ask the question you actually want to.”

“Is Kate your girlfriend?” Nate asks, saving your parents the trouble. Damn, the kid’s perceptive

You pick him up and look at Kate, silently asking if she’s okay with this. She nods. You turn to Nate and say, “She is, bud.”

“Well, I guess you two shouldn’t stay in the same room,” Clint says, “and Kate and I are going to go out into the woods and have a talk about what’s going to happen if she hurts you.”

“Dad, I’m an adult. I’m old enough to share a room with my girlfriend responsibly.” You don’t even try to argue with him about giving Kate the shovel talk. He’s done it to every partner his kids have brought home

“Bring the poor girl back in one piece, Clint,” your mom winks at Kate, who smiles nervously. Laura’s gaze hardens

“I want to have a chat with her as well.”

Natasha Romanoff and Maria Hill

Your moms are extremely protective of you

This extends to your personal life

They run thorough background checks on all of your friends and their families

You know they will be even worse if you bring someone home

They’ve interrogated hundreds of people, and they know all about psychological torture

So…yeah, you haven’t told them you’re dating Kate Bishop

It’s hard keeping it from them, especially because they’re spies and you and Kate are both Avengers

But you’ve been incredibly careful

Whenever you’re in public, the two of you are just a pair of platonic bffs

But then Kate gets hurt on a mission

As soon as she’s brought to the Compound you’re by her side and you refuse to leave

They keep her sedated, but you still talk to her

“Hey, Katie.” You hold her hand and talk about anything and everything

Your moms walk in when you’re talking to her

“—and for our anniversary I was thinking we should recreate our first date,”

“Hi baby,” Natasha’s words startle you out of your rambling

“Mama! How much of that did you hear?”

“Enough to know you’ve been hiding your relationship from us,” Maria crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow

You gulp. “I wasn’t hiding it from you, I just didn’t say anything.”

Maria sighs. “We’ll talk about this later. How’s she doing?” She asks, gesturing towards Kate

“Stable. Her vitals are strong, and she’s starting to wake up on her own”

Maria puts a hand on your shoulder and looks directly into your eyes. “And how are you doing, kiddo?”

“I’m scared, Mom. I’m trying to be brave for her but it’s hard.”

“Oh, baby.” Your moms wrap you in a hug.

“We know how hard it is to see someone you care about like this,” Natasha says. Maria nods,

“We’re here for you, whatever you need.”

“Are you mad that I never told you about me and Kate?” You ask in a small voice

Natasha shakes her head. “Baby, no. We’re not mad. We feel bad you didn’t feel comfortable telling us sooner.”

“But we do want to talk to Kate once she feels better.”

“Mooooom, please don’t threaten my girlfriend.”

“We won’t threaten her, we’re just going to make sure she has good intentions and let her know what will happen if she breaks your heart.”

“Mama!”

[oros-ash3s]

⋆˚࿔ Kokoa and Kau’i Kalawaia ｡𖦹°‧

‧₊ ᵎᵎ 🍒 ⋅ ˚✮

Introductory || Kokoa and Kau’i are two of the more important main characters inside The Chrysalis, and are introduced in the fifth arc, titled “The Alliance of Magicae”. Just like the title says, they are apart of the Alliance of Magicae, and are actually the leaders of it after their uncles passing. They soon become very important figures inside Wren, Atlas, and Alastair’s life, introducing them to a whole different world that the three couldn’t have even tried to imagine.

Basics ₊˚⊹ ᰔ

Kokoa ||

★ He/him

★ 19 years old

★ Magicus

★ Aromantic + pansexual, though he usually likes to say he’s “undefined by labels”

★ Hawaiian

──★ ˙🍓 ̟ !!

Kau’i ||

★ She/her

★ 19 years old

★ Magicus

★ Lesbian

★ Hawaiian

Fun facts ₊˚⊹ ᰔ

The two are twin siblings, though Kau’i was born about eight minutes prior to Kokoa. Everyone always assumes that Kokoa is older than her though, something that annoys the hell out of her.

A song that fits the two of them very well is Balloon by Tyler the Creator.

Kokoa is 6’4” while Kau’i is only 5’6”, something he mocks her for mercilessly.

Atlas had a big FAT crush on both of them for a while. (They were his awakening no joke.)

They’re in a band called “Motion in Space”. It was a four-person band before two of the members left, but Kokoa and Kau’i kept it going. Atlas joins the band later on, when he is around 19.

Kokoa is in a homoerotic relationship with his best friend.

The two are quite literally inseparable. You can’t find one without the other, one of them always close by.

Kau’i was a scene kid, if you couldn’t tell. The “phase” never fully wore off.

Kokoa is scared of dying.

‧₊ ᵎᵎ 🍒 ⋅ ˚✮

“So…” The boy leans down, now face-to-face with Wren. His eyes are dark, glinting mischievously, and with Atlas out of commission, their gun out of reach, they can’t help but feel intimidated by his presence. So close, too close. “Are you guys with Eden?”

Wren levels their jaw at him, brows furrowed in a thin line. “What’s it to you?”

The snark comes off instantaneously, pure instinct at this point. Even in near-death situations when keeping their big mouth shut would do them some much-needed good, they can’t help it. Avoiding the question, spitting back the first thing that pops in their head — that always seems to be the answer. Even if it lands them in more trouble than not.

The boy snorts. “Is that a no?”

Wren huffs, scowling. From the smirk tugging at his lips, they can tell he knew the answer from before he opened his mouth. This was simply a test, to see what they would say.

“No, I’m not with that fuckin’ crazy-ass organization.” They grunt, eyes narrowed. With the boy so close, Atlas and Alastair held hostage, they don’t attempt to reach for their gun. They can’t let the two of them get hurt. Atlas’ words of wisdom repeat in their head, ordering them to think first, take action second.

Make a plan.

“No?” The boy smiles, standing straight. He moves towards Atlas, frozen in his spot. His eyes are focused straight ahead, hand gripping the gun so tight his knuckles have gone white. His finger is just seconds away from the trigger. A mere moment faster, and he would’ve had them. “Because your friend over here is definitely an Eden soldier.”

He pushes the gun down, forcing Atlas’ arm to aim at the ground instead. The Eden symbol tattooed on his hand is now clearer than ever, flashing up for the both of them to see. The boy glances over his shoulder at Wren, curious, as if to see their reaction.

Wren’s frown deepens. “He’s not.” They snap. They hate this interrogation, hate their helplessness. They’ve become too dependent on Atlas. Without his calm reassurances and level-headedness in their ear, they feel lost again. And the boy isn’t helping, standing so casually, smiling as if they’re old-time friends.

What is he playing at?

“He sure fights like one.” The boy muses. “Almost put a bullet through my sister’s head, the little rascal.”

“I said he’s not.” Wren takes an unsteady step back. They just need to stall. Stall the boy, figure out what he’s here for. Figure out if these two are dangerous or not, and how to get out of here, if so.

The boy hums, examining Atlas’ face. It’s pulled tight, eyes squinting just barely, an expression of pure concentration. A look Wren has seen too many times to count, a look Atlas always gets when they’re in trouble. Only this time, he isn’t conscious enough to protect them.

“Who— who are you?” They blurt, eyes beginning to glow. They don’t like this one bit. They need to get out of here. Fast. “What the hell do you want?”

“The name’s Kokoa,” the boy answers calmly, turning to face them again. “And I have a proposition for you.”

taglist \\ @ohagiwrites @cepheusgalaxy @vesanal @aalinaaaaaa @write-with-will @sunflowerrosy @toads-and-gremlins @whump-till-ya-jump @sugaredparchment @lunaeuphternal @bioniclechronicles @thisisalljokersfault @blackboxwarrior-mkultra @yourpenpaldee @hansenesque @nrivanwrites @corinneglass @fizzydreamz @carb0n-m0n0xide @silly-scroimblo-skrunkl @ieppiq @fangedcinnamonroll @sockfleecy @seastarblue @mapplesand @cacophonyofwords @the-one-the-fool @shadow-of-tea-and-tea @nightmaricwriter @aalek-d @arality @citrush117 @melzinhaartist @strangerthingsartir @icantthinkofablognameatm @inky-anathemata @shadow-of-tea-and-tea @robinshandhurts @ieppiq @ifmasonbasonwasawriter @steh-lar-uh-nuhs @blackboxwarrior-mkultra @lancedoncrimsonwings @sharkblizzardblogs

[castiwls]

you're losing me

Paring; dean, sam & sister!reader

Prompt; 'I can't find a pulse. My heart won't start anymore'

Requested; anon

Notes; taylor prompts are back as well as short & sweet and eternal sunshine !!!

Tw; mentions of blood and potential death (not in depth but still just beware if these are iffy topics for you)

Masterlist | Taylor Swift masterlist

In a way, you always knew it would end this way - bloody and most likely alone. Vampires had always by far been your least favorite thing. Ever since you were a child, the idea alone that they were real, of all things, left you shaking under the covers of some dingy motel while Dean tried to reassure you that they would never hurt you. He’d never let them.

Yet, Dean had lied. Not on purpose, never on purpose. It had been a mistake, a mishap. You should have been safe in the car, playing lookout. The vampires had no reason to know you were there, your brothers had done most of the hard work while you had simply interviewed and researched.

Yet somehow you’d found yourself face to face with one of them. It had growled something about you being “revenge for killing my sister.” Before the thing had lunged. Even with all your years of training you’d not been able to get it off you before it had made the first swing.

Maybe if it had been quick, you would have been more okay with it, but the vamp hadn’t even killed you, it had just left a wound deep enough you’d bleed out before your brothers realised.

Except that Sam had noticed the missing vampire. He’d noticed the moment they’d got them ‘all’.

“One’s missing.” He’d counted again. Four. There had been five, he was sure. “Dean, there were five. I remember seeing five after the girl had been killed.”

Dean frowned. “Well, maybe you miscounted-”

A scream echoed through the quiet barn. Both brothers felt their blood run cold. “It can’t be-” Sam shook his head, looking to his brother with horror, but Dean was already gone, yelling your name as he ran faster than he’d known he could.

His lungs burned when the car finally came into view, the vampire nowhere to be seen. He yelled for you again, his frustration only growing at the lack of reply until he saw it. The smallest flash of red.

Blood.

“No. No. No. No.” The blood seemed to rush to his head as his world spun for a minute. Not you. Not his sister. 

He barely registered Sam’s own panicked yells as he appeared, rounding the car. His world almost stopped spinning for a moment. “Dean, her pulse, I-i can’t find it.”

“We need to get to a hospital. Now.”

---------

“Dean, can you please sit down? Pacing isn’t gonna make things speed up.”

It had only been an hour since you’d been taken to surgery. “It's low, but she could live.” The doctor had mumbled before disappearing through the doors. Could live. You could live, or they could lose you.

“Dean, please!” Sam finally picked his head up, looking at his brother with thinly veiled frustration. “How do you expect me to sit down when she's in…in their!” Dean snapped, gesturing to the doors. 

He finally sat down, pressing a hand to his head. He took a breath and tried to push down the rage he could feel bubbling at the surface. You were hurt because of him, because he hadn’t done his job properly and made sure you were out of the way.

“She hated vamps, Sammy.” He murmured, his fist pushed to his chin. “She hated’em, and I made her come. I made her come-”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yeah! Well, it sure feels like it!”

“Dean-”

“Winchester?” The doctor's voice had Dean shooting from his chair; whatever his brother was saying fell on deaf ears. 

“She’s damn lucky. We stabilised her, but she's weak, very weak.”

It was barely a minute later when your room door burst open, and Sam and Dean were crowding your bed. You swore for a moment Dean was on the verge of tears as he ran a hand over your head, Sam’s hand squeezing your own as you offered them a weak smile.

“I’m never going on a vampire hunt again….I mean it.”

They were both quiet for a moment, almost as if trying to take in the fact that you were actually okay before falling into quiet laughter at your comment. “Never again. I’m never letting you anywhere near a nest again.” Dean murmured, finally feeling his lungs fill with air for the first time since he’d seen the blood.

Maybe for once, god was on your side. For once the world wasn’t trying to fuck the Winchesters over.

[yanderes-galore]

How about this concept: romantic yandere demon!Tanjiro in an AU where he was turned into demon instead of Nezuko. Would he be different than regular yandere Tanjiro somehow?

Original Tanjiro Concept Here.

Yandere! Role-Swap! Tanjiro Kamado Concept

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Manipulation, Overprotective behavior, Possessive behavior, Stalking, Violence, Blood, Murder implied, Clingy behavior, Kidnapping, Forced relationship.

Honestly, he probably isn't much different personality-wise... at first.

The biggest difference is, of course, his new demon physiology.

The biggest differences between this Tanjiro and his usual self is probably possessive behavior and him being more meek.

Essentially, he's less subtle and still pretty protective.

I would even argue he's more feral as a demon.

Yet Nezuko, like canon Tanjiro would, keeps him under control for the most part.

Something that could be done with his personality is make him act like canon Nezuko at times.

He has the usual bamboo muzzle and is a relatively quiet demon.

He has the powers canon Nezuko would, including the size changing and the burning blood.

When you first met Nezuko and Tanjiro, she said he was only ever affectionate with her since she was the only person he saw most of the time.

Usually Tanjiro is kept in a barrel or box on Nezuko's back, so you mostly see the demon during the night.

Your first proper encounter with him was probably when you were assigned with Nezuko on a demon slaying mission... Only for you both to wind up injured or overworked.

This leads to Tanjiro stepping in, defending you both.

At first you felt threatened by the appearance of a new demon... but Nezuko reassured you he's on your side.

Now, let's talk about the most important part of this concept, behavior.

Tanjiro often comes out of his box to greet you at night.

Whenever you have time to rest and are getting ready to lay down or sit... Tanjiro crawls out to greet you.

Admittedly, once you're used to him, Tanjiro is actually kinda cute at first.

He's probably just as if not more affectionate than his canon self.

In a way you can compare him to an animal, since he crawls up to you and bumps into you for affection.

Tanjiro no doubt wants to sit in his obsession's lap, keeping his form small as he cuddles into you.

That or he takes your hand to pat his head, looking up at you with eyes that are eerily close to lovestruck.

Nezuko muses about the fact that he doesn't usually do this with people, which you originally take as a compliment.

You're unaware that Tanjiro sees you as precious... that dreams of scenarios where you're both together as he rests in the day.

Tanjiro is clingy towards those he likes.

He loves to wrap himself around you to get your attention, making happy sounds once you greet and hold him.

The joke of him having a crush on you is no doubt tossed around... but you never take it too seriously.

You see Tanjiro as harmless due to his muzzle.

Although he definitely has the stored power to break it.

He doesn't though, instead he clings to you with a sound akin to a purr or growl.

Then when he's unable to touch you, he watches you from a distance.

Nezuko has even caught him hovering over you as you rest, as though a demon could snatch you up at any moment.

Unfortunately... Tanjiro isn't always cute.

He can be intimidating... a realization you learn during the Red Light District mission.

You realize the true danger Tanjiro holds as a demon when fighting an Upper Moon.

He grows in size, grows a horn, and snaps the bamboo muzzle like a twig.

It's moments where Tanjiro tries to protect you in general that you realize something horrifying.

Tanjiro usually means well when he uses his more feral side.

Unfortunately, you fear him more than anything.

During missions where Tanjiro is allowed to help, he often towers over you with animalistic eyes.

Demon Tanjiro acts like a guard dog with his beloved in battle.

You see him at his worst when he fights other demons... it's so different from his usual cute self.

Then when it's all over... and the demon is slain by Nezuko and your cohorts... He's right by your side.

You tend to hide your fear as even in this state, his gaze becomes oddly soft around you.

For the most part, Tanjiro just seems to be overly protective and affectionate.

He gives you soft smiles, even through his muzzle, and often cuddles into you.

Yet after you see the carnage he can cause...

After you see him covered in blood, screaming like an animal as he kicks, scratches, and bites at other demons...

It's natural that you grow cautious around him.

Your fears don't lessen once his possessive behavior starts to corrupt his protective tendencies.

You notice it when Tanjiro starts growling at Zenitsu or Inosuke.

You know he's naturally aggressive towards demons due to his want to protect those he cares about.

But... You aren't sure what to think when he growls at your friends.

He's usually soothed when you hold him or pat his head.

However, you can tell this is a sign for worse things to come.

Another thing that could be different from canon Tanjiro... is while he's still manipulative, he may go rogue and steal his obsession away.

If he feels too threatened or doesn't trust anyone around you... Imagine Tanjiro stealing you while you rest.

He probably tries to fight such instincts for the sake of Nezuko.

Yet, unfortunately, the demon may not be able to hold back for long.

Imagine waking up one night in an abandoned building.

The only other person there is Tanjiro, quietly either watching you sleep or trying to bury himself against you for comfort.

Your heart beats faster when you notice he no longer has his muzzle on.

He doesn't appear hostile when you first wake up, just looking at you as though you're the most attractive being he's seen.

He loves you, but it's obvious he isn't sure how to express that.

Instead... He resorts to his more possessive instincts.

As said before, Tanjiro is tame if you just stay in this unfamiliar place with him...

Yet... if you try to leave?

Before you make it out of the room, Tanjiro tackles you.

He's careful not to harm you, yet he's in his larger form as he drags you away from the exit.

He growls at you... and you can tell that's a warning.

Despite his feral behavior and sharp fangs, I actually can't see Tanjiro biting you.

Even if he wanted to mark you, he resorts to kissing your skin rather than biting you.

He doesn't want to accidentally taste your blood.

There's a good chance after these kidnapping attempts that Nezuko will come find you.

Yet until this, you often end up locked in Tanjiro's arms.

He's nuzzling and kissing you, murmuring quietly as he looks you in the eyes.

It's like the look a lover would give... but... it scares you.

While you know Nezuko will find you and resolve the issue...

You begin to worry if Tanjiro will try harder to keep you hidden for longer...

Maybe someday you won't be found... Forever meant to stay beside Tanjiro to satiate the demon's delusions.

[supernatural-hunter1]

This is how I imagine my version, of reader if she was at 'Whole cake island' with Sanji?

( I'm going to base the female reader off of the reader i'm using for my "Hunter On The Crew" series.) (BTW i just started whole cake island, so I'm just gonna write all of the parts with Sanji in it, so it's a slow working progress 😆)

Sanji x female reader.

Warning! ⚠️ slight mention of blood,

Summary: imagine Sanji going to whole cake island, but he's not alone? he's got you by his side.

Your group have been captured by one of the members of big mom's pirates. But you later find out about an invitation to Sanji's own wedding and the daughter of big mom? (Big shock to the rest of your group) after Sanji gave Nami a little note he mentioned about taking you with him to whole cake island.

Sometime later after you and Sanji on one of big mom's ships you were leaning against a wall, put their arms crossed while Sanji what's leaning against the railing with the cigarette in his hand. Just then one of big mom's members approaches. Informing Sanji that you've almost arriving at the island soon Sanji rolled his eyes before taking another huff of his cigarette.

The man pulls out a picture of big Mom's daughter, who is supposed to be his betrothed. You also caught a glimpse of the picture. you let out a huff before turning your head in discussed. You muttered an insult about the picture? That made the guy turn his head in your direction. "Remind me again. Why did you insist on bringing her with you?" he asks Sanji? But Sanji dismissed the question.

Sometime after you reached your destination after handing off caesar to Big mom's members, you were now heading to Vinsmoke Castle but on the way there you reached over and took his hand then gave it a light squeeze "you know you don't have to do this alone, right? I'm here with you. No matter what happens?" You whispered.

He squeezed your hand in return before looking back at you, "Thanks y/n i appreciate. it a lot. Once i end things here, then we can go back our own happy lives again, But right now i need to do this on my own." He said before giving you a light kiss on the side of your head you lightly nod with the reassuring smile. "Okay, just call my name if you need me." You said, you then snap your fingers and disappeared.

As Sanji entered the hallways of the castle, a wave of bad memories started to flow in his mind. Along the way, he ran in to one of his rude brothers then after kicking him in the face (because he deserved it😅) he walks away again, once he walked in to one of the rooms he was visited by his sister, then later the next day he was in a fight against his cruel father.

During the fight wild, the sister was watching from a balcony she noticed something in the corner of her eye? She turned her head and a saw someone on another balcony just a few blocks from where she is, the person was wearing a dark cloak, holding a crossbow and aiming where the fight was? She moved back her gaze at the fight and realized where the person was train to aim it was at their father.

But when she turned back to the other balcony you were gone, She blinks in confusion? Later on once you and Sanji were alone you were examining the cuffs on his wrist trying to figure out how to get them off him without the cuffs, going off?

"I wonder if I can take a pair of pliers and we can cut them off you. Do you think that would work?" You said. Sanji let out a sigh and shook his head, "Give it up y/n it's pointless. now i have no choice but to go along with the wedding." He said you could hear a bit of sadness in his tone, but you're determined to help him whatever way you could.

You gently cupped his face in both your hands, and he leans into your touch. "Sanji baby, look at me. You said that you only wanted to come here to end things once and for all, we've been through so much together, and we've always been there for each other through thick and thin, so no matter what happens, we are gonna make it out of here together one way or another? And I will be with you in every step of the way."

Sanji smils reaches his hands to yours and give them a tight squeeze of reassurance. "You got a point, but the plans have changed, so what do you suggest we do now?" He, asked you take a step back to pace back and forth thinking about another strategy, and then it hits you then you tell him about your plan?

When Sanji and his sister arrive for dinner, his brothers mentioned. About how they thought about him, being dead? Sanji rests both his arms on the table. "Do you really want to know?" He said coldly, just then they heard a knock at the door? "Little pig, little pig, let's me in?" A voice said? Then, the doors to the room open. And you entered the room, now everyone's attention is on you as you approached.

"Glad you could make it. i was starting to get worried?" Sanji smirked. "Sorry I was late, i got hungry and decided to grab a snack." You replied, snapping your fingers and a chair made of bones appear, and take your seat next to Sanji. Setting the a bag beside you, "i was unaware that we had an unexpected guest with us, who are you?" Judge said.

"The names y/n and that's all you need to know." You answered. The brother with the blue hair glances down at your bag, with blood soaking from the bottom of it? " What is that?" he asked, you glanced down at the bag and then glanced up at him as a wicked grin curled up on your face, "Oh this, don't worry. It's just the rest of my dinner." He replied.

As you reach down in your bag. And pulled out your own cutlery (plate, forks, knife. Wineglass) then? You took out what looks like to be a human's heart. And squeezed it above the wine glass and began to start drinking it. the blue hair, and the green hair brothers both stumbling backward from their seats in horror. While Sanji on the other hand, is unfazed already aware of your abilities long ago, even their father looked a bit scared?

When they asked who you really were, both you and Sanji looked at each other for a second, and then he nodded. "Well, to answer your question before about how he survived this long is simp, really." You started, "let's just say he offered me a deal. And i accepted it, then he signed a contract, and now his soul belongs to me. He even wrote his name in blood" you said, as he made the piece of paper appear.

"Let me see that?" Judge said, you used your ability to make the paper float towards him. And he reads the contract. "It's unbreakable, by the way. The contract I mean. So he is stuck with me until his time is up and his soul is mine." You giggled wickedly.

"Oh, and remember what you said about your soldiers would gladley risk their own lives for you. Yeah, about that this bag that I have is filled with at least two members of your soldiers and I also offed a few of them, when we first got here and a few this morning too. Hope you didn't mind?" You added. Later on after dinner you found out that they are going to use Sanji's weakness against him. by killing Zeff the man who raised Sanji you growled and try to threaten him if he ever dared to try?

After the two of you left the room. You quickly went to aid the female chef that was brutally beaten by one of Sanji's cruel brothers, and then you were being laid to a basement that turned out to be a top secret lab. Inside were pods. Filled with clones of the soldiers. "Oh, My, Gosh... this is creepier than the book (movie) 'invasion of the body snatchers', or even worse 'star wars the clone wars'?" You said. As you hide behind Sanji,