#her raging unrelenting heart
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queercontrarian · 4 months ago
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"Apparently, an iron will is all it takes to keep a glamour from digging in"
"I got to the wall. I couldn't find a way through."
"It wasn't right."
"I realized he wouldn't have gone with me to save you from Prythian."
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i finally drew human nesta - about time tbh
also thank you @secret-third-thing for providing me with the quotes
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jadenvargen · 9 months ago
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free online james baldwin stories, essays, videos, and other resources
**edit
James baldwin online archive with his articles and photo archives.
---NOVELS---
Giovanni's room"When David meets the sensual Giovanni in a bohemian bar, he is swept into a passionate love affair. But his girlfriend's return to Paris destroys everything. Unable to admit to the truth, David pretends the liaison never happened - while Giovanni's life descends into tragedy. This book introduces love's fascinating possibilities and extremities."
Go Tell It On The Mountain"(...)Baldwin's first major work, a semi-autobiographical novel that has established itself as an American classic. With lyrical precision, psychological directness, resonating symbolic power, and a rage that is at once unrelenting and compassionate, Baldwin chronicles a fourteen-year-old boy's discovery of the terms of his identity as the stepson of the minister of a storefront Pentecostal church in Harlem one Saturday in March of 1935. Baldwin's rendering of his protagonist's spiritual, sexual, and moral struggle of self-invention opened new possibilities in the American language and in the way Americans understand themselves."
+bonus: film adaptation on youtube. (if you’re a giancarlo esposito fan, you’ll be delighted to see him in an early preacher role)
Another Country and Going to Meet the Man Another country: "James Baldwin's masterly story of desire, hatred and violence opens with the unforgettable character of Rufus Scott, a scavenging Harlem jazz musician adrift in New York. Self-destructive, bad and brilliant, he draws us into a Bohemian underworld pulsing with heat, music and sex, where desperate and dangerous characters betray, love and test each other to the limit." Going to meet the Man: " collection of eight short stories by American writer James Baldwin. The book, dedicated "for Beauford Delaney", covers many topics related to anti-Black racism in American society, as well as African-American–Jewish relations, childhood, the creative process, criminal justice, drug addiction, family relationships, jazz, lynching, sexuality, and white supremacy."
Just Above My Head"Here, in a monumental saga of love and rage, Baldwin goes back to Harlem, to the church of his groundbreaking novel Go Tell It on the Mountain, to the homosexual passion of Giovanni's Room, and to the political fire that enflames his nonfiction work. Here, too, the story of gospel singer Arthur Hall and his family becomes both a journey into another country of the soul and senses--and a living contemporary history of black struggle in this land."
If Beale Street Could Talk"Told through the eyes of Tish, a nineteen-year-old girl, in love with Fonny, a young sculptor who is the father of her child, Baldwin's story mixes the sweet and the sad. Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions-affection, despair, and hope. In a love story that evokes the blues, where passion and sadness are inevitably intertwined, Baldwin has created two characters so alive and profoundly realized that they are unforgettably ingrained in the American psyche."
also has a film adaptation by moonlight's barry jenkins
Tell Me How Long the Train's been gone At the height of his theatrical career, the actor Leo Proudhammer is nearly felled by a heart attack. As he hovers between life and death, Baldwin shows the choices that have made him enviably famous and terrifyingly vulnerable. For between Leo's childhood on the streets of Harlem and his arrival into the intoxicating world of the theater lies a wilderness of desire and loss, shame and rage. An adored older brother vanishes into prison. There are love affairs with a white woman and a younger black man, each of whom will make irresistible claims on Leo's loyalty. 
---ESSAYS---
Baldwin essay collection. Including most famously: notes of a native son, nobody knows my name, the fire next time, no name in the street, the devil finds work- baldwin on film
--DOCUMENTARIES--
Take this hammer, a tour of san Francisco.
Meeting the man
--DEBATES:--
Debate with Malcolm x, 1963 ( on integration, the nation of islam, and other topics. )
Debate with William Buckley, 1965. ( historic debate in america. )
Heavily moderated debate with Malcolm x, Charles Eric Lincoln, and Samuel Schyle 1961. (Primarily Malcolm X's debate on behalf of the nation of islam, with Baldwin giving occassional inputs.)
----
apart from themes obvious in the book's descriptions, a general heads up for themes of incest and sexual assault throughout his works.
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prael · 1 month ago
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Chemistry
Jenna Ortega x male reader smut [Commissioned fic]
Masterlist word count: 9,196 Kofi(donations/commissions)
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"You know that's not my thing, right? Why even bring this to me?" You throw the papers down on her desk and they spill over the wooden surface.
"Did you even look it over?" She sighs, holding out her hands for you to take them back, "This could help you break out of the R-rated mould you've found yourself in."
"Look it over? You know this isn't my genre."
She rubs her forehead as though she's stressed, "Look, we all have to make concessions, right? It's a few months of filming and a lot of money."
"It's fucking romance," you dismiss.
She raises her voice in response, "It's your fucking career."
"What's that supposed to mean?" You push back, and she's taking a glass from the shelf behind her desk and emptying the whiskey within it in one practised motion. She's keeping her cool and taking a moment to simmer down by cleaning up the papers. The silence tells you as much as her words could. She's trying to help you like she always has.
She says, "You know what it means. You're no George Clooney. You're no Vince Vaughn. One trick ponies are rare. You gotta work on your range."
You stay quiet, clenching your jaw because you can't argue. This is what she does: tells you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear. She's tough love and always has been. Took you under her wing and at times carried you to where you are today, so who are you to question her judgement?
"Did you ever stop to think 'why'?" She asks before taking a drink. "Why would I bring you a part that I know you're going to hate?"
You cross your arms, remaining silent as you stare at her. She smirks before answering her own question.
"Because I know who they're eyeing for the leading actress. Jenna Ortega. You know she's all the rage these days. Netflix deals and music videos. She's fuckin' viral and she's fuckin' money. Her name is gold so I want you on her fuckin' hip." She takes another sip, watching you absorb the information she's feeding you with an unrelenting stare.
She always gets like this, all the foul-mouthed excitement is enough to convince you that she really believes what she's saying.
"Alright. Got a pen?"
-
Pre-production is... well, it's different. It all feels a little foreign to you, right from the off with the script reading, because it's obviously such a different vibe than anything you're accustomed to. It's all so light and breezy and a little comical. You don't do comical.
There's no deep-seated angst, or hatred festering below the surface of your character, rather he's kind, loving, funny, a little bit of a klutz. It's a long stretch from the characters you usually play—murderers, drug dealers, car thieves. Now the viewers are supposed to like you?
Most days on set aren't that far outside of your comfort zone though—you don't think. You go through the motions like you always do, take direction and talk to the production crew, and keep it cordial and civil with the cast, especially with Jenna. Up until now, your characters have had a few brief scenes. It's all coffee shops and public parks, pretty places with lots of wide shots and lingering looks in the script, and you aren't sure how comfortable you are with it.
"Camera two," The director calls and you and Jenna take up position.
You grab her hand, and her smaller fingers curl around yours instinctively, holding on tight. She smiles at you and says softly, "Just like we talked about, okay?"
You nod and rub your thumb over hers to ease her nerves. There was this awkwardness for the first few days that has gradually eased away, the two of you talking more often. Not work stuff, which might have been smart. Just small talk. About food and places you've visited, TV, and bands, it kept things light and amicable.
"Quiet on the set."
Silence falls, and your heart rate speeds up. Your breathing is a little laboured as you wait.
It's the first time you're supposed to kiss her and somehow it doesn't feel like just acting, not really. Acting for you is fighting with some rogue cop or soldier, all stunted rage and brute force. Or you're stalking someone through the dark streets at night, the cold metal of the gun in your hand biting at your skin while you focus on nothing but landing a kill shot. There was never anyone looking at you the way Jenna is right now.
She's biting at her bottom lip, hazel eyes peering through impossibly long lashes to stare at you. You've been told this scene is important because it's a bit of a catalyst for the rest of the movie. She's looking at you, you're looking at her, and then when they call 'action' it's supposed to be one of those moments where fireworks erupt and the earth moves. That's what they want; a connection.
"Action."
Jenna bites her lip and brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, glancing up at you nervously. She's so much more practised than you, so much more effortless with putting on her act. All you have to do is smile and lean down to meet her lips. That's all there is to it, as the director says: just like that, perfect. But you want him to call cut. To say it's too staged, or the lighting is bad, or that the location isn't right.
No such luck.
You move slowly like she needs to be savoured. Of course, you've been coached, there's stage direction in your head in addition to her hand on your forearm.
Your lips brush hers tentatively, once, twice, and you tilt your head a little further to bring her closer. Close, but still not quite... until she breaks character and giggles into your mouth.
"I don't think you're supposed to be laughing," you joke, and there's an eruption of frustration from the other side of the cameras at a ruined take. You aren't bothered though, and neither is Jenna by the looks of it. She's half hiding her face against your chest and grinning like an idiot.
"I'm sorry," she says weakly, pulling away. "It's so hot in here."
She fans herself and starts pacing, while the director calls out, "What the hell was that?"
You wave a hand, "Sorry, my bad." You try to take the blame. "Can I get five minutes?"
The director sighs and gives in with a shrug. "Five minutes!"
"Really, you don't have to—"
"It's fine," you explain quickly, before turning to the line producer who just happens to be passing, "Hey, can someone cool her down? Maybe some water?"
"I'm fine," she tries to argue.
"You're flustered," you tease.
"You were doing this thing with your eyes. I don't know how to explain it. It was kind of intense, I had to laugh," she laughs again, and it's an easy, airy sound, the kind that soothes, and you decide that you like hearing it.
"I was? Damn," you sigh, running a hand through your hair.
"I know this isn't usually you're thing, I'm guessing it's your first kiss on camera? Just relax. It'll be nice," she shrugs, clearly far more sure of herself than you.
-
You're deep into the filming now. You think you're selling it, this whole relationship thing, making it seem natural as well as making the people around you believe that the chemistry is there. The weirdest thing of all is that you really enjoyed kissing her. Or, at the very least, you haven't minded it thus far. You don't know if that's the right feeling to have, there's no guidebook for this—not that you've read.
Off the set, she's nice, she's friendly and eager to get to know you. Maybe it's weird that she's trying too hard, maybe she just wants to work as seamlessly as possible. Regardless, it seems to be helping, because now, when it's your turn for coverage, you're more than happy to lean in and capture her lips. She's gotten bolder and so have you, to the point where she runs her fingers through your hair and kisses you back, so when 'cut' finally comes and the mood is broken, it takes a few moments to reorient yourself to the real world.
It's easy, you decide.
Now, the two of you have been joking about today for a while. She's been running this rhetoric of how excited she is for the car scene.
You remember your first read of the script and how this part had you almost cancelling the gig. So, sitting here in the backseat, with cameras fitted all around you and Jenna in your lap, is just a reminder of the monumental shift from where you were then to where you are now.
"Just ignore them," Jenna instructs and kisses you lightly. "Do whatever feels natural." She's echoing the words of the director, though from her they're much more relaxing to hear. You kiss her, her body languid and warm, pressed flush against yours. The touches you feared come so naturally now as you put a hand on her waist and trace her ribs, dragging her shirt up a little bit more with each pull.
There's something rather enticing, you must admit, about putting hands on her slender waist, even if it's under the watchful eye and strict instructions of the camera. Especially when her tongue does that thing where it flickers past her lips and finds your own. Fuck, she's good at this. There's no other word for it.
There has to be a call for a 'cut' coming soon, right? It was supposed to be a brief make-out, so says the script, but they don't seem too interested in stopping either of you anytime soon. You've heard that it's normal, to feel aroused while filming, but it certainly doesn't feel right. The fear is seeping in the longer this goes on; fear that Jenna will feel exactly what you're scared she'll feel.
But those short jean shorts she's wearing while sitting atop your lap, hips flush with yours, tend to elicit some automatic reaction, whether you want it to or not.
"Alright, cut! Great work everyone. Break for fifteen!" The director yells, the tension snapping immediately as Jenna rolls away, giggling.
She says something to you, you don't catch what as you blink in her direction, but she's already climbing out of the car, bending forward ever so slightly to give you a tantalising show of her ass before shutting the door behind her.
A few minutes later you've made your way to the drinks trailer for some much-needed water, that's when there's a tap on your shoulder and the unmistakable strawberry scent that accompanies Jenna hits your nose.
"You look a little shocked, is everything okay?" She has this wry smile on her face that turns your stomach a little bit.
"Yeah, I'm fine," you respond stiffly, cracking open the water bottle and taking a long drink. You nod towards her and state, "Good work out there."
"I should say the same to you," She's closer than before, the tip of her shoe bumping against yours as you stand with the picnic table at your back. "You're a natural. And the boner? Nice touch," she mocks.
She's far too cavalier for your liking right now, and more than a little brazen.
"Don't look so freaked out. No one is going to say anything. It happens all the time, don't worry."
"Do you just have a thing for humiliating me, Ortega?" It's a thing the two of you have been doing for a few days, the fake sternness and the use of surnames, like you're pretending to be angry with each other.
"What if I do? Are you going to go file a complaint?" She sings, tracing her finger down the centre of your chest.
"Watch it, Ortega," you respond half-heartedly, and she steps a little closer.
"How about you keep the boners to a minimum from now on though. It's distracting." The smirk on her face grows only more devious before she winks and then turns away, vanishing into the crowd and leaving you alone and in need of a very cold shower.
-
On-screen chemistry is the single most important thing in a film like this. If you don't make the watchers believe that the two of you are madly in love, then it's all pointless. You're getting good at this, playing this game, this new facet to your role. You think about the warmth of Jenna's kiss and her fingers curled around the nape of your neck; the feel of her in your arms.
Each take gets harder to finish. Make no mistake, it's not that the kisses are a problem, in fact, they're actually a little too easy.
You're both laid in a bed, under the covers, you're on your back and Jenna is half-draped over you. Her hair is a purposeful mess and there's lipstick on your neck. The implication is clear, the two lead characters hooked up for the first time, and you're simmering in the morning after, caught by your character's phone ringing beside you on the side table.
Jenna is quiet, watching the sheets twitch every time you move. You can tell that she's thinking by the furrow in her brow and the way she bites on her lip. The cameras are rolling and you need to answer the phone. There's no one on the phone, of course, that gets added in post. For the purpose of the scene, it's your ex-girlfriend who can't quite let you go.
"Why do you keep calling me?" You look weary like your heart is about to give up. The line is silent, but you know the script. "I don't care if you're upset with me, it's over. It's done. There's nothing left to say."
Jenna props herself up on one elbow, facing you with her dark eyes, her tousled hair falling over her shoulder. She is, in a word, mesmerising, and it feels wrong to turn your face away from her, even to add more angst for the camera.
"I'm hanging up," you continue, staring back at her.
Jenna pushes her hand under the sheets and balls it into a fist. She hovers it right over your crotch. Her character is supposed to jack you off while you're on the phone until you manage to hang up. That's what's supposed to happen.
You fake a gasp as her hand begins to move. When she bites down on her lip in response, it's the hottest expression you've ever seen. You swallow hard and your cock gives an honest twitch that feels as though it catches her attention for a fraction of a second. Her eyes widen and flick to the source of the movement, her jaw clenches and it brings you an almost unwanted satisfaction.
Each fake stroke presses down onto the growing ridge of your hardening cock, but neither of you breaks character or even dares to break eye contact. You keep up with your lines, and the strain in your voice is all too real, "I don't care how torn up you are about this, me and you are finished."
The ache in your muscles builds heat prickling under your skin, setting you on fire. You tighten your jaw in response as a means to control yourself. Only for Jenna to do the unthinkable. She lowers her hand and glides it down the length of your hard cock before wrapping her hand around it.
What's she doing?
She grips tightly, and even though there is a pair of underwear separating the two of you, it's still her. For the first time in the duration of this shoot, you drop out of character completely, staring at her in utter disbelief. What are you supposed to do in this situation? You can't just say something, it's going to get you both in trouble.
She strokes you beneath the bedsheets in tandem with the scene, so no one else has a chance of knowing. So, you keep talking, murmuring some fake dialogue and struggling with every word.
"It's—mmh," you turn your head, squeezing your eyes closed and steeling yourself. This is madness, utter madness. The throb of your cock only worsens the longer her hand keeps sliding, stimulating. It's a hellish limbo. "It's not fair for you to harass me like this, delete my number will you?"
This is the point where the ex-girlfriend realises something is wrong. In the script, she's figured it all out. She recognises the whimpers in your voice, and you're supposed to deny it. But Jenna won't stop touching you, pushing down harder, applying more pressure and using the full length of your erection as her playground.
Your breathing is heavy and strained. You try to clear your throat subtly, "No, no I'm not with someone right now." You glance at Jenna who grips tighter and smiles devilishly. "You have no idea what you're talking about. If you think, for even a second—"
You try your best to focus on your performance, but with the physical distraction, all your carefully practised lines start to fall apart, coming out jumbled. Jenna is rubbing harder, stroking faster, and her hand feels so good around your cock.
This is the point where your ex shouts, and you finally hang up the phone and drop it onto the floor, kissing Jenna fervently.
"Cut!" The director calls. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Suddenly, the two of you are apart. A rush of cold air floods the space between you. Reality checks in again, reminding you that this was not in the script.
"You good?" Jenna asks, and you nod back. She looks proud of herself, the cheeky little smirk that crosses her features is all too telling. A reminder of just how insufferable she can be.
"What was that?" You lean closer and whisper, trying to make sure that the rest of the cast and crew can't hear you.
"That was acting." She responds confidently.
The director interrupts by calling your name and saying, "Alright, next scene. Going to need you under the covers. Prepare the phone call."
Now it's this whole role reversal, Jenna's character gets her own phone call from her own ex. That's the concept at play here. Meanwhile, you're down between her legs. The script says to 'mimic oral sex' which sounds... so much easier than it actually is.
Aiming to ignore the whole ordeal, or at least your conversation and what it could mean, you duck down beneath the sheets to prepare. She's lifting them up and watching you get into position. She's spreading her legs, while a team of assistants adjust the sheets over you to dress up the shot.
Looking up at Jenna under the sheets, through the darkness and at the apex of her thighs, this feels so wrong. She's... pretty. No. You stop the thoughts in their tracks. This isn't a time to indulge. You're filming a movie, playing a role. In reality, this is your job. There's a script, there's a purpose.
Still, the whole situation just feels so strange.
"Action," the director yells.
As per the script, Jenna drops the sheet as the phone rings. Now it's just you and everything below her chest, trapped under a blanket. Your hands are barely hovering near her thighs, and revenge is on your mind. If she can toy with you, you can toy with her.
So you hold her spread legs, grip them firmly just as you hear her answer the call, "If you want to grovel, then go ahead and grovel. Just remember the last time." Jenna's voice is perfect for her character, and just as it's always been, full of attitude and feisty. She's passionate, especially when it comes to putting her acting on display.
Alright, 'mimic oral sex'... first it's kissing. Lightly placed, right at the top of her thigh, little pecks to tease and taunt. You feel the slight tremble beneath your fingertips as she attempts to carry on the faux conversation. They said you shouldn't touch her. They said she shouldn't touch you.
But you feel the heat coming from her. You're mere inches away, and sure, there's the cotton thin fabric of her underwear blocking the way, but even still you catch the barest hint of her scent—sweet and musky. You grip her thighs more intensely and press your lips against the fabric.
"It was one kiss," Jenna continues, and her voice betrays her now. A subtle tremor that undermines how put together she had seemed moments before. It's enough to have you smirking.
You roll your tongue over the shape of her through the fabric, testing your limits. There's only so much you can get away with, but you'll push it. Push it as far as you can, this is the bed she made.
Jenna rolls her hips towards you, and, of course, the cameras can't see this, all they can see is her on the bed holding the sheets and pretending to talk to her ex.
"It didn't mean anything..." She tries again and fails, a breathy moan forcing its way out and revealing the growing pleasure, the need growing in her voice. She has to place her free hand over her mouth as you continue to taste her, your tongue working over her panties with no hesitation, all rhythm and no breaks.
You continue, running the flat of your tongue over her, flattening the damp fabric against her cunt, and you feel her throbbing. It's undeniable, the way she tenses under your grip and shifts ever so slightly, each slight movement an obvious clue towards her struggling with maintaining her composure.
It's not difficult to hear the change in her voice. The shake and strain of each breath only grow worse the more your tongue curls against her panties. Sure, you haven't yet come into contact with bare skin, but simply knowing just how enraptured she is by the teasing, is enough.
You can't help the slight chuckle that follows, and why would you? This whole performance is starting to become very personal, and when you squeeze her thighs, and apply pressure until it's enough to bruise, you can hear the soft mewl as she fights her way through a rather passionate phone call.
"Why don't you just fuck off?" She hangs up the phone and throws it to the side. In a moment, the same hands are wrapping around your head and dragging you close. As if there was any space left to separate you. "Oh god yes!" she moans out—it's all the script. The scene is supposed to continue until there's a fade to black. No one needs to know that the moan is real.
At the very least, she tries to contain herself. Though her hips swaying, and bucking rhythmically against your face say something very different. And the heat radiating from her core is undeniable. The cotton of her underwear sticks to her so heavily, clinging to the slight folds and wrinkles. Enough to get a good idea about what's going on behind it. That there is indeed a welcoming, quivering cunt that might benefit from an enthusiastic tongue.
Jenna's groans take on a noticeable tempo. "Don't stop, don't you dare stop. Fuck. Yes!" Her words are spilling out messily. For a moment, her responsibilities seem to vanish. She's abandoned her character and resorted to feeling your tongue against her pussy with such ferocity that, were it not for your hands pinning her down, she might have suffocated you in that tantalising heat.
As the cameras continue to roll, with filming still going on above the sheets, the pace only grows hastier.
You're aware of your heart rate spiking, the sudden realisation, the knowledge that someone might be onto the two of you, that you've crossed the imaginary line that exists between the bedroom scene. With the flicker of your tongue, that line gets a little more blurred.
And Jenna seems to be in no hurry to stop either. What was supposed to be just acting becomes a carnal need. Her hips wriggle frantically against your gyrating mouth.
"Cut!" Comes the much-needed command, and you rip away from beneath the sheet.
Jenna's chest heaves, her thighs tremble and her toned stomach tenses. You struggle, forcing back the burning desire to claim her, devour her, kiss her senseless.
It's just acting.
-
Filming goes late into the night, as it so often does. Jenna has a series of scenes with the supporting cast, and you're only there to support them. Still, you make sure to keep watch from the sidelines. She's beautiful when she acts, all passion and fire. That's another reason you're so drawn to her. Everything is so easy for her, flawless. Talented little minx.
Hours after sunset, you stop by her trailer to check in, like you so often do.
You knock, and seconds later she peeks out of the door, saying, "What? What did I do now? Oh, it's you." The harsh greeting melts away into relief, and you grin at the reaction.
"Damn, maybe I'll go then." You make a gesture to turn away, and Jenna grabs your wrist and pulls you inside with all her strength.
"Are you stupid?"
"Me? No, the very definition of sanity." You laugh and follow her further inside. It's bigger than your own, with a seating area and everything. Not that you can focus on the surrounding amenities. Because her black, lace thong is the only thing she's wearing, and, for a second, it leaves you speechless. It's impossible not to stare at the way her round little butt perks out behind her.
Jenna asks, "Like what you see?"
"What happened to your clothes?"
"My clothes are fine, I'm in my trailer aren't I? Nothing strange about relaxing like this." She says as she saunters off, the golden curves of her back highlighted by the single lamp she has lit in the corner. She stands in her kitchenette, bare back to you, pouring herself a glass of red. Her thong contrasts starkly with the honey colour of her skin. She stretches an arm back, and half glances over her shoulder.
"I can feel you staring, you know?" Jenna says, pausing for a moment while the cogs turn in your brain. After a while, there's no point in resisting. So, you close the distance between you, stand behind her, and embrace her thin waist.
"Am I bothering you?" you question, pressing closer.
"Only a little," she leans back into the touch. "But that doesn't mean stop."
An unseen force guides you. Perhaps it's those thoughts that came to mind when you were holding her, on set. What would happen if you just got to know her better?
Your mouth feels so dry from the nerves, but you drag a hand up the length of her waist, over her taut stomach, before cupping her breast. Jenna closes her eyes and hums in response, and when your palm rubs against her bare nipple, her mouth falls open.
You sink to her ear and bite it gently while catching her nipple between two fingers, which elicits a sharp gasp from her lips. You pull her firmly against your chest, and her back presses to your shirt. Fingertips brush her belly, stroking from hipbone to ribcage.
"I figured we had a little unfinished business. Remember?" You kiss her earlobe and grin, fully aware she can't see the expression.
"It did seem to me like you were quite close to being finished," she teases. Your fingers curl and squeeze the swell of her breast, earning a groan. "Tell me. How was my performance?"
"Could use some work," you mumble, kissing the side of her neck. Jenna's breath shudders when your teeth drag against her throat. She sets the glass down, freeing her hand to rest on your forearm. Holding, or perhaps holding on, you can't tell. Either way, it's an invitation to keep going.
"You think so? Looked to me like it was the best performance you had ever seen—ahem—felt."
You chuckle in her ear. All the while, her breathing becomes a little heavier. She even reaches a hand back, curling fingers in your hair to make sure your mouth remains on her. It sends an alarm bell ringing in the back of your head, a warning, a red flag, a stop sign. But what if you don't?
"I'm not like my character," she whispers. "She's all romance, nice dates and lovey-dovey shit."
"No?" you whisper.
"No," she says sternly. She twists under your grasp to face you. Your hand lands on her hip, and before she's looking up at you with her lips parted, she murmurs, "But I do enjoy being eaten out."
This time, Jenna pulls you down into the kiss. The sweet pout of her lips draws you in. She tastes sharp, like the wine, but her mouth is warm and inviting. You take her bottom lip between your teeth, and she moans, her painted nails scraping through your hair. You feel her hands fumbling, then the thud as your pants fall.
"Fuck me," she breathes the command when your palm finds the swell of her breast again. She's pushing you back, guiding you across the room, pinning you onto the arm of her couch. She lifts her knees and presses it between your legs. She pins you there and continues to kiss you, harder, rougher.
She grabs the collar of your shirt, and then the buttons begin popping. The air brushes your chest making you even more aware of the insanity unfolding in her trailer. As she unravels the rest of the shirt, Jenna pulls back, standing up with a cocky smile on her face.
There's not a chance to speak, or even comprehend, for that matter. She puts her palm on your bare chest and forces you back. You crash into the cushions, and the next thing you know, Jenna swings a knee over your head.
In an instant, she's hooking her thong to the side, then taking a handful of your hair and sitting on your face. Your hands move automatically, gripping her thighs, pressing thumbs into the soft, ample flesh. Your tongue brushes across her pussy, and the feeling of your tongue flicking across her makes Jenna let out a beautiful, quivering moan.
Her scent intoxicates. It's divine.
With strong hands, she leads your movements, grinding forward against your mouth. Daring, unashamed, desperate. She's just as much an animal as she is a woman, and that realisation makes your body tense. You part her tender folds with your tongue and taste the warmth of her nectar, causing Jenna to keen.
Her cheeks grind against your lips as she quivers atop you. Her sighs alternate between delighted huffs and breathless moans. As long as you're licking, the sounds keep coming. If anything, they grow stronger and more desperate. She won't hold back, and it makes your head spin, your focus becoming a singular, dizzy blur.
Her juices coat your mouth, slicking your chin and running down your throat. She tightens her grip on your scalp as if trying to punish you. But really, her actions only draw you closer. The taste of her makes you drunk, and not the kind that comes with a hangover in the morning, no. But the kind that makes the rest of the world and its expectations dissolve, leaving just the two of you in the remaining silence.
Jenna's pussy is a beautiful thing, you realise. Swollen and dripping, deliciously wet. It's a tempting treat just begging to be toyed with. You tongue her clit, rolling it back and forth. When you get just the right spot, a tremor passes through Jenna's frame, a hard squeeze of your scalp, as though it had been scalding her.
"Fuck, so good," Jenna groans. "Keep going. Just like that."
More noises pour out of her and splash into your ears, exciting you in a way you've never been before. And the little shimmies she gives you aren't unpleasant, or unwelcome, far from it. Those subtle dances send waves through you and make the motions of your mouth automatic. Your tongue can't get enough. Neither can your hands. You bring them higher, taking her firm ass, sinking fingertips into her plush, round cheeks and pulling her onto your face.
The movement makes her laugh. "Look at you, so excited. Hungry, are we?" You stroke your tongue up the length of her glistening wet cunt, and Jenna twitches on top of you. Her delight returns, a cry of joy and want. "Go on, eat it. Eat that fucking pussy."
The muscles in her abdomen tighten. Sore and taught, every part of her shivers and shakes, twitching and fluttering with your movements. She cries out in ecstasy, as driven mad by your tongue as you are by her taste.
Her thighs clamp around your head. You can feel her begin to writhe, twisting left and right as the pleasure rages through her. She can't control her hips, keeping them glued to your mouth and twitching violently.
Jenna cums, and her juices flow into your mouth. You drink the reward of your handiwork, as her words become hazy murmurs. An erratic pattern of curses and blasphemous platitudes. As if singing all her highest praises.
When she stands, her legs wobble with the aftershocks of an orgasm, but her posture says there are still things she wants, things only you can give her.
It takes seconds. Jenna's thong is on the floor and then she's pulling at your waistband, tugging them down until she has your cock free. Her nails scratch along the length of your length and her palm settles around it.
"Fuck, you're so hard."
Jenna strokes your shaft and gives it a playful squeeze. You watch the heat shimmer and roll around in her eyes as she sizes you up, and the way your cock gives a stubborn and needy twitch. She seems to like that, too.
When her eyes go lidded and she lowers her head down, opening her mouth and slipping her tongue across the head, you almost can't comprehend how good it feels. Your spine tightens, everything goes rigid, and you're left without a shred of control over your voice. That seems to matter not at all to Jenna.
"Hold on," she slips the head of your cock between her lips, just barely, and smiles around it as she smears your precum across her tongue. Before she looks up, meeting your eye, and then forces her head down further, wrapping her warm, wet mouth around as much of you as she can manage. You both gasp as her tongue sweeps along the underside, and you see her cheeks puff out for a moment, then relax once she settles into a rhythm.
It feels amazing, un-fucking-real. Jenna is bobbing her head up and down. Blissful moans leave her with every pass, and the lust-fogged look she gives you should be illegal. Wet sucking and slurping fill the trailer, drowned out by her hums of adoration. Each one sends vibrations shuddering through your cock.
You thread your fingers in her hair. It's a token act, your control as she moves means nothing. In a blink, she's sucking the length of you down to the very base. She struggles a little when you hit the back of her throat, but pushes through, going again and again, deeper and harder each time. Tears threaten in the corners of her eyes. Still, she won't stop.
"Jenna," your voice is thick and strained. "I'm going to—"
A few more passes of her hungry, slippery mouth have you finally toppling over the edge. If she has any intention of pulling away, the temptation or aversion isn't potent enough for her to react. She kisses and slurps, bobbing feverishly, drinking your spurts of cum and caressing your length with her soft, swollen lips.
Jenna stays with you in her mouth, breathing heavily, the look of satisfaction on her face intense and perverse. She takes her time to gently nurse the last pulses from your erection until you're twitching and overstimulated. Only then, and after a minute longer, does she finally concede and pops her mouth off your cock.
The emptiness it creates feels too much like a loss, and yet, all you can do is stare at her, heart hammering and unable to feel anything past the aftermath.
Jenna perches herself on the coffee table, her legs pressed together and angled to the side, letting her hair fall over her bare shoulders. With one hand, she cleans her mouth and smiles at you.
"I guess this puts a line through unfinished business, huh?" She laughs a little. "Long day tomorrow, best get some sleep."
Then just like that, you're half-dressed, watching her slip off to the tiny bathroom to clean up. A few minutes later the trailer door swings shut, clicking behind you.
Outside, the night air is cool and bitter. It snatches the warmth away from the memory of her touch.
-
They're saying it's going to be a success. Critics have reviewed the project already, including early screenings, and private showings. The reception is very positive. That's great, you know it is, and everything is piling up and coming to a close now. All that's left is one last night, the premiere itself, the main event. This will determine the fate of the film, whether it's a runaway hit, a fantastic start to awards season, or a straight-to-streaming disaster.
"Been a while," the voice behind you says and you turn to see Jenna at your shoulder. She looks exquisite, elegant, and alluring in her gown.
"Understatement." You take the time to look her over again. It was only a couple of months ago you saw her naked and had her on your face. It feels so distant, and almost like a dream. Maybe it is, given how quickly she went cold afterwards.
"Red carpets aren't really my favourite thing. It's... all overrated, isn't it?" She sighs.
"Yeah, you told me."
"I did?"
"At the party, on the last day of shooting. You said, and I quote, 'I hate red carpets, everyone is so fake.'"
She rolls her eyes and laughs. "I must have been drunk."
"You were very drunk," you confirm. "Remember? And you were doing that thing with your foot."
Jenna tenses. "I did, didn't I?"
It was a few hours into the party, and most everyone was way too drunk to even make sense. You found yourself sitting down, trying to stop your head from spinning the way it was. Then she came and sat across from you. Apparently, she'd been drinking more than usual, given the wide-eyed look she had when she'd approached.
"You're handsome," she told you and flashed a drunken smile.
"You're drunk enough to say that to anyone."
"You're smart," she leaned closer, and even in the darkness of the room, you were mesmerised by the way her tanned skin contrasted with the tight, white dress. "You're talented. I'm glad they cast you." She runs her foot from your ankle, along the inside of your leg.
Her toes met your knee. You think you stopped breathing as she traced circles on your inner thigh. You looked up at her face, and she was smiling, a devilish one that said she knew exactly what she was doing.
"You smell so good. Like coffee and mint. It's infuriating." Her shoe slid higher, pressing against the crotch of your pants, and she frowned. "No reaction. Maybe you're shy? Oh, wait."
She pulled her foot back and then bent to the side to reach down under the table. After a few seconds and a few confused expressions, as she fiddled with something out of sight, her shoe fell to the floor. Jenna slid the sole of her bare foot between your legs.
"That's better, right?"
She sat up straight and clicked her tongue. You couldn't believe it. Barefoot, hair down, smouldering gaze and curling her toes against your crotch. It was a lot for you at the time. She smirked, shifting again and sipping a glass of champagne before putting it to the side.
"So, how has it been? This whole romance thing?" She stepped closer with her toes and her heel pressed over your cock, digging in slightly.
"I hated the idea of it. Didn't want any part of it. But being here with everyone has made me change my mind. I've done well."
She started to rub the underside of her foot faster, creating an overwhelming amount of friction. And her smug, smiling face wasn't helping your cause at all. Then she leaned closer, so her chest was bunched up and exposed. She teased the top of your cock with her toes and rested her chin in her hand.
"I think you just have to accept it. Learn to enjoy it. It helps that everyone was so nice to work with."
"Was I?" she asks with a flirtatious lilt, pressing her toes harder against your stiffening cock. "Was I particularly nice to you?"
You choke out a laugh. "You don't need me to tell you that you're nice to look at. But you don't need me to tell you you're more than a pretty face either."
"Do me a favour, undo your trousers."
Now? Really?
"Seriously? Here?" You're sure your voice was shaking.
"Now or never."
The pressure in your loins was undeniable, and you went to work unzipping and undoing buttons. Discreetly you pried them open and pulled down your underwear. Your cock sprung free, and you sighed in relief.
She rested a hand on your arm. It was surprisingly comforting. Then she pressed her foot down to angle your cock against her instep, slipping her soft, warm skin up and down your shaft, barely rocking it back and forth.
"That's better." She smiled sweetly, teasing the head with her toes. "You were nervous." She circled the tip of your cock with her big toe. "That first day of filming, you were so worried about messing up."
"Well, yeah. New role, new movie, no way of knowing."
"Hindsight is always 20:20, but you worry too much. Don't spend so much time thinking about what can go wrong, focus more on the things that can go right."
"Like this?"
"Like this," she grinned as she spoke. Her foot pressed harder and moved faster, stroking you up and down and you did everything you could to keep a straight face as people walked by. Each with an innocent conversation, unaware of what was going on beneath the table. "Besides, you did alright."
Alright. Not great. Not good. Alright.
It's about as much of a compliment on your work that Jenna has ever given you verbally, though you wondered if the foot on your cock is indicative of anything.
"Thank you. I, uh, appreciate the feedback."
"We make a good team." Her eyes narrowed as she focused on getting you off and her top lip stiffened. "Solving problems. Improvising scenes." Her foot kicked up a gear, in a blur, up and down, faster and faster.
"Jenna, I'm—"
"Great on-screen chemistry. Great off-scene chemistry." She pushed you right over the edge with her sole on the underside of your cock. The look on her face said it all. A smile so wide as she felt you twitch against her, throbbing, shaking, and pouring cum right over her skin. "Though you are rather easy to manipulate, aren't you?"
She shot you a wink as she cleaned her foot with a tissue. "See you around."
That image has been burned into your head for a long time since then, though you work to shake it out of there while walking the red carpet. It's all camera flashes and the chore of being paraded in front of them. You follow her lead, and she meets the press with the very embodiment of what they'd want—grace, charisma, flair and passion.
You answer a few basic questions that can't reveal anything interesting or new. Something about keeping the magic, and hopefully breaking it when you win a bunch of awards. Wouldn't that be nice?
"Where do you think this opportunity takes you after the film is released?" one interviewer asks.
"Obviously, any opportunity to work with other amazing talents is an honour. I don't know when, if, or what the offer will be, but I'm certainly happy to be working again."
"And if you had the opportunity to work with Miss Ortega again?" It's a question that she overhears, and she throws you a look over her shoulder.
You try not to stammer. "Of course, if I was fortunate enough, I'd take it. She's... unparalleled."
-
This has never been your favourite part, it might even be the worst. Sitting through your own premiere, watching your own work, it's like a long, self-aware nightmare. It's a natural reaction, but that's little consolation, particularly when you know what scene is coming next. It's some over-complicated form of torture to watch yourself get a handjob on the big screen. Everyone's watching. Including Jenna, sitting next to you.
This is the cavalcade of self-humiliation.
To your surprise, Jenna reaches over to slip her fingers between your own. It's the gentle and comforting squeeze that's accompanied by a sly smirk from her when you glance in her direction. Her eyelids lower and an undeniable tension builds between the two of you. She leans in to whisper to you.
"About last time..."
You smirk. "Am I supposed to know what you're talking about?"
"The ending was abrupt, don't you think?" Her teeth catch on her lip, and those sinful eyes narrow.
"A little."
"Follow me."
Jenna stands up without waiting for an answer. Being in the back corner of the screening makes it fairly easy to slip out after her. When you reach the corridor leading to the bathrooms, Jenna looks you over and smirks.
"Tell me," she laughs out the words as she brushes a few strands of hair out of her face and pins you against the wall, "How often do you think about that night in my trailer?" She pushes up onto her tip-toes, wraps an arm around the back of your neck and pulls your ear to her lips. "Don't lie to me, I know you've thought about it."
Her tone is a familiar temptation, and you've missed it. The sensual inflexion in her voice winds its way through every bone and tendon until it's there, inside and immersing you in the raw carnality that Jenna makes you feel. "All the time."
"Me too." She pulls on your wrist, leading you again and heading for the bathroom. You let her, and she pulls you into a cubicle with her, closing and locking the door behind you. "And how many times have you got off imagining it, picturing it." Her hands stroke along the front of your trousers, and the button pops open in her fingers. You don't even get to reply before she says, "Yeah, me too."
There's something perverse about hearing her say that. Something lewd in the way she smiles at you and peels down your trousers and underwear and instantly slumps to her knees. There's no teasing, no showmanship, nothing but blunt hunger, naked and fierce.
"You're beautiful," you whisper, and her eyes dart up, and her lips pause just as she's about to take you. Her hot breath spilling over the tip of your cock.
"Shut the fuck up," she laughs. Her gaze narrows. She sinks her wet, warm mouth down onto your length, swallowing it bit by bit. When the head touches the back of her throat, she giggles as her eyes water.
A moan involuntarily slips out. Your hips buck forward. Jenna's tongue is like velvet, rolling around the tip of your cock, then enveloping your shaft. You can't help the thrusting. It's automatic, primal, a natural response to being encased in her intoxicating mouth.
Jenna looks up at you, cheeks hollowed, eyes wide with anticipation. She pops her mouth off your swollen cock with a wet noise, and immediately, her fist closes around it, jerking you. She smiles. "Wanna do it?"
"That's how you're going to ask?" You scoff, leaning against the cubicle wall, a slight grin pulling at your mouth. "Is the art of seduction really that dead?"
"Well, forgive me if I don't quote poetry at you and cover myself in rose petals," she says as she climbs back to her feet and places her hand on your shoulders. She guides you to take a seat as she jokes, "Poetry bores the shit out of me."
It's almost too fast when her slim hands lift her dress up to her waist. She watches your face, her teeth pin her lip as she reaches down to hook her panties to the side. She slips a finger inside her already dripping pussy. You throb, hard as a rock, when her hand withdraws and she's reaching up and pressing the gleaming digit against your mouth.
You taste her wetness, licking your tongue against it. "Fuck," you growl, the urge to have her, devour her, ravage her takes you.
"You want it?" Jenna sways her hips and bites her lip. Her tight little body was made for sinning, it's plain and simple. You can't resist touching her, teasing your hands up the back of her thighs and around the ample curve of her ass, then pulling her onto your lap.
"Want it," you breathe the words against her lips. Her hand settles around the base of your cock and drags it across her slick pussy. She sighs into your mouth when your thumbs dig into her hips. That's an invitation to slide inside her.
Then you fill her. Her lips seal onto yours, her eyes flutter closed, and a sweet, deep, hungry sound of satisfaction leaves her. It's a sudden rush, everything about this situation, here and now, is a euphoric madness.
She looks incredible above you, her round, firm tits straining against the dress fabric, beads of sweat at the hollow of her collar and the heat in her eyes. Perched on top of you, Jenna rolls her hips forward, grinding against your lap, coiling that hot, wet flesh around your cock.
"God, your cock feels so fucking good," she gasps as she rides you, the way she moves her hips, the wild shifts and squeezes of her tight cunt around you bring the knot in your stomach already. You buck up into her and a ragged cry tears from Jenna's throat.
You seize her hair and kiss her, swallow her cries and moans, her gasps and whimpers, drink every little sound she makes and lose yourself in the rocking grind of her hips. You're both animalistic now. Her with her bouncing, grinding and needy fucking. You with your digging fingertips and the pounding of your crotch against her. It's filthy, it's unhinged.
"This might be the last time we—"
"Shut up," you interrupt.
"Last time we do this."
"Shut the fuck up," your hands dig into her waist, pulling her down and plunging your cock deep.
"Tell me," she says breathlessly, slamming her hips to meet your thrusts. "If we end this right here, is that good enough?"
"Fuck no," you hiss the words. You reach up to pull down her dress, prying her perky, bare breasts free and enveloping one in your mouth. Your tongue traces the nipple and you draw it in deeper. Jenna slows to a firm grind, holding your cock tight inside her before she snaps forward, locking her arms behind your head. You feel the shudder inside her, feel her clenching on you.
It's a deep, powerful moan, straight to your ears, as she cums. Pulling back and grabbing your face in her palms, forcing you to look right into her eyes. The blissful, fucked-senseless expression on her face is priceless, so is the dizzying, tightening feel of her cunt. Jenna collapses, huffing and panting, while you still hunger for more.
You pick her up and slam her against the cubicle door. It rocks under the impact. She giggles and takes a handful of your hair.
"Go on, fuck me. Like it's the only time you're ever going to get the chance."
So, you do. What more could you ever do? Is there anything more rational than drilling Jenna Ortega against a door in a movie theatre bathroom?
"Good, yeah," she wraps her legs around your waist and curls fingers in your hair. "You're getting there." She tilts her head and you claim the side of her throat, biting her neck. "If I tell you that you can cum inside, will you fuck me harder? Is that it?"
You groan into her neck, grip tightens, and you draw her body right to yours.
"If I tell you how badly I want to feel you cum, that it's driving me crazy, would that make it better?" She tightens her thighs around your waist and huffs out the words as though the effort is too much. "Go on. Do it."
The door rattles on its hinges, but you hardly even notice. Everything is her. Her body, her eyes, her voice, her. Your fingers lock around her waist, hold her tight while you pound her. The sweat-slick strands of her hair hang across her forehead, her skin glistens, and you're mesmerised by how good she looks while you fuck her.
You sink your teeth into her shoulder as you fill her. You lose control, twitching, and buried to the hilt, a groan into her skin as you twitch inside her. Cum spurts, your body shakes, her sex pulsates and clenches. She milks everything, and the next thing you know, you're falling back onto the seat, her collapsed on top of you and heaving. Gentle movements of her hips keep the sensations alive until you have nothing left to give her.
Overstimulation sets in quickly, her fingers slowly entwine with yours as you sag back against the seat, trembling and spent. The pair of you stay there, sweat-drenched, messy and grinning, sharing the tangle of soft noises in the silence.
"So, that was..."
"Pretty fucking good," she cuts you off. She rests her head against your shoulder, her hands settle on your arms, caressing you.
"That's what I would have said," you tell her, as you run your hand over her thigh and palm her ass.
"Damn. We might as well get married and drive off into the sunset." She laughs, and you chuckle with her.
"Or maybe we could just do this again sometime?" you ask with a slight grin.
She considers it. Pouting her lips and twitching them side to side. Her expression takes on a knowing edge, something mischievous as she looks you over and replies. "I'll see you around, maybe."
Now that...
That's just cruel.
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avocado-writing · 9 months ago
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Companions reacting to Tav telling them they love them right in the middle(or after) a fight?? Like Tav is just so in awe of seeing em in action<3
oh! So sweet! Absolutely, here you go anon - writing as if you’ve seen them do something magnificent in battle & are so overcome with love that you have no choice but to blurt it out! (some stuff under a cut for being a bit NSFW LMAO) plus mentions of blood & violence
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Astarion
stabs someone attacking you from out of the darkness with such efficiency they’re dead before they hit the ground
you’re blown away by the bloodlust and fury in his eyes - how DARE someone try to hurt you?
”I love you,” you choke out, wide-eyed and trembling from fear and emotion.
he’s shocked, but reaches over to give you a quick and bloody kiss before stabbing someone approaching behind you and urging you to get back to the fight
tells you later it was very silly to be distracting yourselves like that… but he does appreciate it nonetheless 😌
Wyll
we’ve seen the way he’s introduced in game, we know he’s a fan of some showmanship
you see him deal with three opponents at once, Eldritch Blasts in one hand and rapier in the other, and shout that you love him almost instinctively
when he finishes seeing them off he leaps across the battlefield, spins you, and gives you a fiery kiss before darting back up to block another sword
you feel like you’ve had the air stolen from your lungs but quickly manage to recalibrate yourself - you have a fight to win!
you can’t help stealing glances at his fine form for the rest of the battle though 😏
Gale
we know canonically he gets turned on from watching you fight.
you yell out that you love him after seeing him sling the coolest Fireball? he’s putty in your hands afterwards.
so desperate, kissing you, begging for your hands to be all over him
“you are so wonderful, my heart… to see you in battle… it set every inch of me aflame…”
gets you into a routine of quickies after battle bc the two of you are fired up. neither of you mind delaying your adventure to fuck rough and fast. the rest of the party… could do without that.
Karlach
is busy raging and does NOT hear you lol
roars in response but that could just be a normal battle roar when it comes to her tbf
she finds you afterwards though, a little sheepish, and is like “oh erm did you say you loved me mid-battle?”
”yes! you looked so cool cleaving that dude in half karlach, I was a bit swept up…”
her face goes bright(er) red and she actually giggles before pulling you into a kiss
“things like that make this all worthwhile, solider. I love you too.”
Shadowheart
you’re dying. she floods you with a cure wounds so powerful it starts your heart again and also cures, like, an unrelated ache in your hip too, lol
you look up at her, bathed in the blood of battle, and she is like an angel sent from the heavens
“I love you” you manage to croak out from cracked lips
“I know,” she says, utterly unfazed, and then pushes you to your feet to keep on fighting
does give you a sweet smooch after battle though, to let you know she appreciated it 😌
Lae’zel
“tsk’va! there is a time and a place for this!”
she swings her sword and cuts a man’s head clean off, showering you both in a rain of warm blood, and you’re enchanted with her.
has to fight people off from wounding you because you’re so distracted oops
afterwards tells you that you cannot afford to be so absent-minded in battle… but does hold you close and rest her forehead to yours, allowing a moment of connected closeness between you ❤️
Halsin
you confess it when you see him bear out and start ripping people into pieces.
he is just… incredible. all raw power and brilliance.
you shout your love over to him and the bear roars before taking the head off of a zombie in one bite
always fights nearby you anyway, but will make an effort to get closer so he can hear your words of affection better!
plods over to you in wildshape afterwards and nuzzles into you, huffing happily when you bury your hands in his fur and give him a scratch 💕
Minthara
her blade is full of the might of her god, and she is going to use it to sunder her opponents.
you’re dazzled, in utter awe when she kills a fiend with a single blow from her sword
you can’t help the words falling from your lips.
she lifts her shield to block a blow from falling on you, and in its shade she gives you a kiss and says one word:
”good.”
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syoddeye · 7 days ago
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on the same frequency (but a different channel) as ai!john nabbing himself a body, i'm thinking of trapped!demon!soap tricking a villager with a bleeding heart into helping him acquire a body. pretending that he's some kind of drowned spirit unable to move on after death, held back by unseen forces.
there is a way, an old way, but i cannae do it without ye.
he lies through his teeth. sings her praises when she fetches another ritual component offering. sweet talks when she ferries what's needed into the cove where he died is imprisoned. he teaches her the words that will help guide him into the next life the body of a blue-eyed wanderer.
in truth, he's had his eye on her for ages. he couldn't believe it when she first appeared at the lake's edge. a beauty full of life. of potential. a vision to a wretch like him, formless and sapped of his power. forced to watch the world turn. watch her live without him.
his obsession grows unchecked into a ravenous hunger. quickening each time he sees her. to say he covets her is an understatement.
how lovely she sings, dutifully scrubbing her clothes alongside the other women. how kindly she thanks each fish that lands in the nets and traps. how soft her skin feels when she bathes after dark, secreting away to the very stretch of shore she stands on now.
she stands at the ready, body quaking with both fear and resolve. determined to help free the poor soul trapped in the deep, mottled gray water. ignorant of the binding threads she snips with every word she utters. completely unaware she's unraveling a ward meant to hold for eternity. a single, trembling torch lights the beach, the lake beyond its reach like a sheet soaked in spilled ink. so brave, his human. so naive.
he'll teach her to know better once he takes his fill.
beneath the churning water, john presses against the glass of the water, his disembodied rage coiling tighter with each passing second, desperate to breach and taste the air, his hunger a raw and unrelenting force. his longing for a body a zealous ache. it's been so long. eons. only a few moments more. then, he'll have hands.
arms. legs. eyes. a mouth and a tongue. more.
the burly, broad-shouldered corpse that landed in his waters is a pale imitation of his old form, but he'll make do. he knew he kept it for a reason. he'll start anew with her as his first disciple.
he's certain she won't complain, once he calms her down.
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iris-qt · 6 months ago
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𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚒𝚘
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🫧 ᴛʜᴇᴏᴅᴏʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴛ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ
🫧 ʙɢ ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄ: ᴄʟɪᴄᴋ!
🫧 ꜰʟᴜꜰꜰ
🫧 ᴀ/ɴ: ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰɪᴄ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴏɴ ᴍʏ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴏɴᴇ. ɪ ᴀᴅᴏʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɢᴜʏꜱ’ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴅᴏɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴀꜰʀᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴏɴᴇ!
🫧 ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ: ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴜɴᴡɪɴᴅɪɴɢ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀʟʟ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴛʀᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ɢᴏʀɢᴇᴏᴜꜱ ᴠᴀᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ɪɴ ɪᴛᴀʟʏ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇɴ’ᴛ ᴀᴡᴀʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ’ᴅ ʀᴜɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇxɪꜱᴛᴇɴᴄᴇ: ᴛʜᴇᴏᴅᴏʀᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴛ
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Azure blue skies and endless summer breeze tails you through the rolling green countryside of San Gimignano, Italy. This was true, pure bliss. A flow of relaxation that you haven’t felt since…Merlin knows when. The stress of endless exams and finals, everlasting prefect duties, and bickering with your horrid nemesis really left a mark; as represented by your unrelenting dark circles and deep forehead lines.
But at least all of that was giving way to the Italian atmosphere and it left behind a happy girl that would donate a kidney to spend her entire summer here. Unfortunately you were only visiting for a week before school began once more; your final year. This brought a sense of dread to your heart as you would miss the enchanting castle. Your second home.
You pushed that aside as you zoomed through the countryside of this ravishing country on your cute little teal Vespa. Truth be told you’d never driven a muggle vehicle before, but there’s always a first time for everything.
And so your lack of experience with muggle vehicles was the cause of you not being aware that gas has to be filled. You thought the meter getting closer to 0 represented the dissipation of your happy mood as you were, per usual, plaguing yourself with paranoid and pessimistic thoughts. The sudden shuddering of the Vespa made you lose balance and you began veering off track, you and your precious vehicle zooming down a hill with the sheer force of gravity. You screamed for dear life, and, at last, landed in a shallow pond with an enormous splash.
You bobbed up, gasping for air, and scrambled out of the lake quite ungracefully, summer outfit ruined and soaking wet. And suddenly, you heard a scarily familiar, devilish chuckle that just so happened to find your tragic predicament amusing: your mood as drenched as your clothes.
As you slowly glanced up trembling, not knowing if your shaking was from the water, shock, pure rage, or all three, you made direct eye contact with a certain boy musing at your tragedy. His eyes were overflowing with humor as he was leaning against a tree, his tanned legs crossed over each other. He seemed to be reading a book which he put down as he had found something better worth his attention. He gracefully stands up, a complete contrast from how you scrambled out of the pond, much to your annoyance.
“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven, angioletto mio?” He smirks.
“Nott,” you scoffed. “Small world…or cruel fate,” you stand there, dripping wet, arms spread out like a martyr.
Of course you knew the insufferable Theodore Nott was Italian and often visited family here, but you didn’t think you’d be subjected to his presence in such a big country, especially in the less populated countryside. It was truly just cruel fate that brought this spawn of satan before your eyes.
“I didn’t know you were that desperate to see me,” Theodore cocks his head to the side, quite enjoying this arrangement. “Risking your life on a muggle vehicle zooming to my town.”
You roll your eyes, and if you were in a cartoon universe, trust that there would be steam coming out of your ears.
“Trust me Nott. I had no intention to run into a walking headache on my vacation.”
The insufferable git kept smiling, moving closer now, standing right in front of you so you could smell the usual dizzying scent of sandalwood and pine. Summer edition Theo had a hint of citrus mingled in with his intoxicatingly annoying scent.
“I already got you soaking wet, now you just have to get naked,” he laughed with the most disgustingly smug look on his face that you almost slapped off.
“Are you done?” You glared at him, ready to storm off and free yourself from the torment of his presence.
He shrugged, looking you over.
“Need help drying off?”
“I need help out of this conversation.”
“Oh stop, y/n, you can do better than that,” he grinned
You sigh very well aware you had no other option. You hold out your arms and shut your eyes waiting for his casting of the Hot Air Charm. Since you had resolved to live the simple muggle life for this vacation, your wand was locked in a vault at your hotel room.
Theo laughs, “Are you waiting for a kiss, principessa?”
You open your eyes, confused. “No, I’m waiting for you to dry me off like you said, idiot.”
He laughs again shrugging and says, “I don’t carry my wand around my domain, there’s no need.”
“Then, pray do tell me, Nott, what was your plan in helping me?”
He gives you the most shit-eating grin and grabs your hand, scaring you a bit, then begins pulling you up another grassy, verdant hill: one that isn’t hiding a body of water behind it. You have the urge to resist, but just give in. The drop from your adrenaline-rush you’d been maintaining for the past 3 days had collapsed, causing you to come down with an attitude of resolve. He dragged you up the hill, your wet sandals making squelching sounds, each one demeaning you more and more. You hated this shift in power where the perfect git was overshadowing you. You hated it. You hated him. I think.
“So why were you in the countryside? Other than wanting to see me so badly, of course.” He looks behind him and shoots his watercolor poison into your soul as he makes that unblinking eye contact. Another thing on the meter-long list of things you despise about him.
“I was in a self-deprecating mood and decided to ruin my record streak of relaxation by finding you,” you deadpanned as you rolled your eyes for extra affect.
“Y/N relaxing? You must be lying.”
He chuckled a bit as you two stopped at the top of the vast hill, looking down to a meadow of wildflowers. They glowed like colorful jewels in the blinding, comforting summer sun.
“What’re you gonna do, push me off?” You smirked, half wishing he’d do so. Maybe this was all a nightmare. A beautiful, lush, tinged with the familiar scent of Theo nightmare.
What you didn’t expect, however, was him saying:
“Precisely.”
And with a surprisingly gentle tug, he pulled you down on the top of the hill, pushed you back in a laying position before you could protest, and quite literally pushed you down the hill. You screamed as you, for the second time that day, gave all free will up to gravity, rolling down the hill at a crazy speed. You knew Nott was your unproclaimed but painfully obvious nemesis but you never thought he’d attempt murder. You finally stopped and lay there, sprawled on your back, heaving from the rush. It was kind of…fun?
Theo rolled down right next to you, laughing, as he sat upright. There was grass in his curly, brunette hair that you couldn’t help but reach out to pluck. He looked away quite shyly. Did your eyes deceive you, or did he just blush? You must have heat stroke. Good thing you had your wet clothes to keep you cool: they were significantly drier now.
You stand up and Theo starts laughing in a way you’ve never heard him laugh before. It was almost…endearing?
You put your hands on your hips teasingly and ask, “What? Do I have something on my face?”
He chuckles affectionately. “Mio angioletto, you have something…everywhere.” He bursts into laughter again. “Beware grass woman rising from the Italian hills,” he gasps through his fits of laughter.
You couldn’t help but smile so wide; his happiness was almost as contagious as his teasing.
You look down and realize the grass was sticking all over your outfit, covering you in verdant greeness. There was an itching sensation bubbling to your skin, but you ignored it. You couldn’t help but join in with his laughter as you could imagine you looked like green Chewbacca.
“Is this your sick way of tar and feathering me, Nott?”
He recovers from his laughter and stands up with you, peeling a wet blade of grass from your cheek.
“Alas, you have uncovered my motives,” he teases, grinning.
“Well, your actual motives didn’t work. I’m still sopping wet.” You wringe out the side of your shirt for dramatic affect as it produces a downpour of water.
“There’s more to my motives, mio angioletto. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.” He grasps your hand again with a beautiful look on his glowing face and pulls you up to do it all over again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
Until the sun is caressing the distant hills, getting ready for its nightly departure. The sky is painted shades of teal and purple; still bright but just so. The breeze is still gentle, and so is Theo’s hold on your hand, as he guides you back to his tree by the wretched pond.
Don’t ask yourself what you and him were at the moment. Don’t ask yourself how years of rivalry and pranks. Of stress related to the both of your never-relenting efforts to beat the other. Don’t ask how that all faded away, as you sat in the setting sun.
Unfortunately, it isn’t in your nature to just ignore logic. And Theo knew it. So he distanced himself from you in light of the passing moment of rolling down flower dotted hills, letting go of your hand. It was as if an igniting flame in your heart had been stifled. He sat across from you by the tree. A silence falling between you two.
The slight itching you had felt earlier had been slowly increasing, and as the fun fell away, it began grabbing your attention. The feeling was in your throat now…something wasn’t right. And that’s when you remembered something that Theo’s warm presence had melted away from your mind. As if your brain had tricked itself to forget about this important fact to permit you and Theo’s fun. You were allergic to wildflowers. If exposed to them for a long time? Horribly allergic.
You started coughing and then choking, pointing to your neck to alert Theo to the problem. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening…he had noticed your uncharacteristically red skin, but he had dismissed it by thinking it was the sun’s doing. How could he overlook this?
Your choking grew louder as you fell onto the grass, Theo scrambled around crazily not knowing what to do in his initial panic.
But then he remembered
He pulled out his wand and cast a healing spell which would diminish every affect of an allergic reaction. You started being able to breathe again and your throat cleared, along with your skin returning to its original color and texture. You were gasping in shock, slightly embarrassed that you had been in such pathetic situations in front of Theodore twice today. You were both holding each others’ arms and breathing deeply. You recovered slightly, attempting to lighten the tense mood.
“Well, if your true motive was to kill me, Nott, I’d say you almost succeeded.” You let out a weak, unconvincing laugh.
“I..I am so sorry, y/n, I genuinely didn’t know..” he looked crestfallen. More shaken than you in fact. Wait a minute…
“Hold on,” you raised an eyebrow, your shock of almost dying completely gone and replaced with a new shock. “I thought you said you didn’t have your wand?”
Theo’s eyes widened sheepishly and he grinned, looking as guilty as ever.
“Ok listen before you throw a fit-“
“I don’t throw fits, I diplomatically argue.”
“Before you throw a tantrum, let me explain.” Theo runs his fingers through his hair looking nervous, and, for the first time, failing to make eye contact.
“I just…I knew you’d leave if I just dried you off. You only stayed because you needed help and, well…” he sighs.
“Well?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about you all summer, y/n. I lay awake all night and I day dream all day. I swear I even saw you in the stars..” he gives a nervous, strained laugh.
“You never leave my thoughts, but I was sure it was just because I had to prove myself. To beat you. But you didn’t even leave my brain after school ended. You haunt me every day. When I saw you I thought I was hallucinating, like, genuinely.” He runs his hand through his hair, looking the most vulnerable he’s ever looked.
You look at him, eyes blazing with emotions you had denied yourself. Emotions that fought to be seen but you always pushed them back. You couldn’t fight back anymore. What were you even fighting against? God, you had some serious issues.
“And so you lied to make me stay?”
Theo nodded, looking to the side, up at the darkening sky.
“Maybe it was the universe that brought me here, because what are the fucking odds?”
You both laughed at that, eyes shining despite the escaping light around you.
“Theo, in my last 3 days I’ve been in your beautiful home country, I’ve visited so many places. The Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Uffizi Galleries. So many amazing places, and I’ve experienced the most inspiring ordeals. But today was, by far, my favorite day.”
Theo regains his composure after hearing that, playfully judging her with his shoulder .
“Because of me, hm?”
You roll your eyes, looking away.
“Say it, principessa..” he prompted, gently holding your face and focusing it towards him.
You dramatically sigh and admit, “Yes, Theodore Nott. Because of you.”
He smiled the most breathtaking smile. If only you could capture a picture of it, but unfortunately your camera went down with the Vespa. You lay your head on his shoulder and squeeze your eyes shut, so that his bright smile could be engraved into your mind. Definitely a core memory.
After many moments of comfortable silence, Theo perks up.
“Oh! By the way, dolcezza, I realized I said the pickup line wrong when you struggled out of the swamp.”
You rolled your eyes at his impertinence and said, “First of all, it’s a pond, Theo. And second of all I did NOT struggle. I emerged like Aphrodite in a shell.”
“Ok my little swamp monster,” he annoyingly nuzzled his nose into your hair as you fought to hold back a giggle.
“Okok let me say the line.”
“Go ahead, Theo.”
“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”
You cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Because you have the face of un angelo.”
He grinned his shit-eating grin as you pretended to retch at the line. Jumping up with the fireflies around you, you tagged Theo, reigniting that competitive streak you both so closely shared. You both laughed like maniacs as you raced up the hill again, fireflies dancing around you in a waltz.
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idkyetxoxo · 1 month ago
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Aegon Targaryen - To Pay the Price
Summary - As the kingdom unravels in chaos, the queen is forced to pay the price that pushes Aegon, her husband, to the brink of fury. She finds comfort only in his arms, where his protective embrace is the last refuge from the storm threatening to tear their world apart.
Pairing - Aegon Targaryen x reader
Warnings - Violence (kinda?)
Word count - 2348
Masterlist for Aegon • House of the Dragon General Masterlist.
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"Aegon, I must leave now," I murmured softly, my fingers gently threading through his hair. He stood between my legs, his head nestled against my chest, and a quiet laugh escaped his lips, vibrating through me.
"Why must you always leave me?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of playful sorrow as he pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. 
Without waiting for an answer, he reached for another strawberry, placing it between my lips with a tender smile.
"I'm leaving to pray for you," I explained, watching his expression shift from amusement to reluctant acceptance. He sighed, a soft exhale that warmed my skin.
I leaned in, pressing my lips to his in a lingering kiss. The sweetness of the strawberry danced between us as our tongues intertwined, each of us unwilling to relinquish control.
"Now," I whispered, pulling back despite the pull between us. 
His pout was unmistakable, a boyish charm that never failed to make me smile. 
Before I could slip away, he leaned in once more, his tongue teasing the bottom of my lips in a final, playful act of defiance. I couldn't help but laugh, gently pushing him away, savoring the mix of sweetness and the taste of him that still lingered.
The walk into the sept was solitary, the echo of our laughter fading into the shadows of the corridors. As I entered the sacred space, the air grew heavy with burning candles and the quiet hum of prayers whispered by unseen lips. 
Alone in the dim light, I lit a candle and sank to my knees. The cool stone pressed against my skin. Closing my eyes, I clasped my hands together, willing the weight of the world to lift.
I prayed fervently to the Seven, seeking guidance and strength, my whispered words rising like smoke to the heavens.
It felt as if only moments had passed when the stillness was shattered. A member of the Kingsguard burst into the sept, his armor clinking as he rushed toward me.
"Your Grace, we must leave now!" he urged, his voice thick with seriousness as he helped me to my feet. I blinked in confusion, trying to make sense of the sudden chaos.
"What is happening, Ser Arryk?" I asked, my voice trembling as he gripped my shoulders, steering me toward the exit with a swiftness that sent a shiver down my spine.
Before he could answer, the noise outside reached us, a cacophony of angry voices that grew louder with each step. As we emerged from the sept, the sight that greeted me was overwhelming. 
A mob had formed, their faces twisted in rage, shouting words that cut through the air like knives. My heart raced as I realized the fury was directed at me.
My eyes widened in shock as the insults came from every direction, venomous and unrelenting. 
A shout rang out from above, drawing my gaze just in time to see something flying toward me. There was no time to react. The foul stench of animal guts assaulted my senses as they splattered across my face, knocking me to the ground.
I gasped, struggling to wipe away the filth, when a hand reached out from the crowd, a young man trying to help me up. Before I could even register the kindness in his gesture, there was a flash of steel. 
A shriek of pure agony split the air as the gleaming blade of a Kingsguard severed the young man's hand with a brutal, unrelenting arc. 
"No!" I screamed, horror seizing my body as blood sprayed across my face. 
The man's agonized cries mixed with the frenzied shouts of the crowd. The world spun around me, a blur of chaos and violence as the Kingsguard began cutting through the people, their swords flashing mercilessly.
"Sheathe your swords!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the roar of the mob but they did not listen. 
"Sheathe them!" I screamed again, but the bloodlust had taken hold, and the scene descended further into madness.
In the midst of the carnage, I was pushed back against a wall, the weight of the crowd pressing in from all sides. Hands clawed at me, tearing at my clothes, my skin, my sanity. 
Chaos erupted in a heartbeat. One moment, I was standing, and the next, I was on the ground, the world spinning around me in a blur of screams and steel.
Panic surged through me, and with a desperate burst of strength, I broke free, stumbling through the chaos.
I ran, my heart pounding in my chest, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I fought to escape the madness. The screams of the dying and the injured echoed in my ears, a symphony of horror that would haunt me forever. 
The weight of my crown felt like a noose tightening around my neck. Was this the price of the throne?
All I could do was keep running, praying that somewhere in the chaos, I might find safety before it was too late.
My legs trembled beneath me, each step a desperate attempt to escape the chaos that threatened to swallow me whole. The mob's roars echoed in my ears, a monstrous wave of hatred and fury crashing down behind me. 
I didn't dare look back. Every breath burned in my chest, and my vision blurred with a mix of fear and exhaustion, but I pushed on, driven by a primal need to survive.
The narrow streets twisted and turned, the familiar paths of the Red Keep now a labyrinth of shadows and danger. 
Finally, I stumbled into an alley, dark and cramped, with walls that seemed to close in on me. For a brief moment, I thought I might have found a reprieve. The noise of the mob faded, replaced by the heavy thud of my heartbeat in my ears. 
I leaned against the cold stone, trying to catch my breath, my hands trembling as I wiped away the remnants of blood and filth from my face.
The moment of peace was short-lived.
A woman's voice, sharp and filled with fury, cut through the darkness.
"You!" she screamed, her tone dripping with accusation. "You're the reason my son lost his hand!"
The words struck me like a blow. I turned, my breath catching in my throat as I faced her. She was slightly older, her face lined with grief and rage, and her eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made me shrink back.
A flash of memory seared through my mind. The man in the crowd, the young man who had reached out to help me up. His hand severed in a swift, brutal motion by one of my guards. 
Blood splattering across my face, his scream echoing in my ears.
"No..." I whispered, trembling as the memory overwhelmed me. "It wasn't... I told them to sheathe their swords... I didn't want this..."
The woman's face twisted with grief, her tears cutting through the dirt on her cheeks. "You think that matters? My boy is maimed because of you! You stood there while they butchered him!"
Her words pierced me, each one a dagger to my heart. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. The memory of that moment played over and over in my mind, the horror, the blood, the helplessness I had felt.
"I tried to stop them," I finally choked out, my voice breaking. "I never wanted this... I never wanted anyone to get hurt..."
She wasn't listening. Her eyes were filled with a hatred so deep it terrified me.
"Your words mean nothing," she spat, stepping closer. "You'll pay for what you've done."
I could feel my body trembling uncontrollably, the fear and guilt choking me. I wanted to run, to disappear, but there was nowhere to go, nowhere to hide from the consequences of what had happened.
She advanced on me, her face twisted with rage, and I knew in that moment that there would be no mercy, no escape from the wrath that I had unwittingly unleashed. 
My knees threatened to give way beneath me as I backed further against the wall, desperate for someone, anyone, to save me from the nightmare that had become my reality.
Just as my hope began to crumble, a familiar voice rang out from the mouth of the alley.
"Step back at once!"
Ser Arryk appeared, his sword already drawn, gleaming in the dim light as he stormed toward us. His presence was a beacon of hope and the woman faltered, her bravado wavering in the face of the armoured knight.
"Are you all right, Your Grace?" he asked, his voice steady but tinged with concern as he reached my side. I nodded, though I could barely find my voice to respond. 
The relief of seeing him was overwhelming.
Without another word, he sheathed his sword and took my arm, guiding me out of the alley with a protective grip. The tension in his posture remained, his eyes scanning the shadows for any other threats as we hurried through the narrow streets. 
The noise of the mob was distant now, but the urgency in his movements made it clear that we were not yet out of danger.
We reached the carriage, its doors open and waiting, and he quickly helped me inside. I collapsed onto the seat, my body trembling from the adrenaline and fear that still coursed through my veins. 
As the door closed behind me, I finally allowed myself to breathe, the safety of the enclosed space a small comfort amidst the turmoil that had nearly claimed me.
Ser Arryk climbed in after me, signaling to move quickly. The carriage lurched forward, speeding away from the chaos that had erupted in the heart of the city.
I stared down at my hands, still shaking, my mind replaying the horrors I had just witnessed. It felt surreal, like a nightmare from which I had barely woken.
Every jolt of the carriage seemed to send a fresh wave of anxiety through me, but I forced myself to stay calm, to breathe deeply and focus on the fact that I was safe, for now.
Ser Arryk sat across from me, his eyes sharp and alert, scanning the surroundings. His presence was reassuring, but beneath that reassurance was a simmering fear, a dread that the mob's fury might not be so easily left behind.
As we approached the keep, the sound of raised voices met my ears. My heart leaped into my throat, but these voices were not the angry shouts of a mob. They were filled with authority, commands being barked out, guards being directed. 
The carriage came to a halt, and Ser Arryk was out of the door before it had fully stopped, his hand already on his sword hilt as he assessed the situation.
I stepped out into the courtyard, my legs still shaky from the ordeal. The sight that greeted me was one of controlled chaos. Guards rushed about, organizing defences, ensuring the gates were secure and in the middle of it all stood Aegon, his face a mask of rage and fear.
"How has the queen been attacked?!" he bellowed, his voice carrying across the courtyard, silencing the guards around him. 
His eyes were wild, searching the crowd until they landed on me. "My queen..."
Before I could speak, before I could even fully register the sight of him, I found myself running to him. The distance between us seemed to close in an instant, and I was in his arms, his grip strong and fierce as he pulled me against his chest. 
The tension in his body was palpable, the fury in his voice barely contained as he held me close.
He pressed his lips to my hair, his breath hot against my scalp as he murmured, "How could they let this happen? How could they touch you, my love?"
I could feel his heart pounding against mine, the intensity of his emotions nearly overwhelming. 
For a moment, I could only cling to him, my hands fisting in the fabric of his clothes as I tried to steady myself. The warmth of his embrace, the solidness of his body, was a balm to the terror that still coursed through me.
"I'm alright," I whispered, my voice shaky as I tried to reassure him, though I wasn't entirely sure whom I was trying to comfort more him or myself. "Ser Arryk... he found me. I'm here. I'm safe."
He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his expression softening slightly as he cupped my face in his hands. 
"You should never have been in danger in the first place," he said, his voice low but laced with anger. "I won't let anyone touch you again. I swear it."
There was a fierceness in his eyes that both comforted and scared me. This was a side of Aegon I had seen before, but never directed with such intensity, such protective fury. 
I leaned into his touch, letting the warmth of his hands chase away the lingering chill.
"I know," I whispered, resting my forehead against his. "I know you won't."
His thumb brushed over my cheek, wiping away a smudge of dirt, as if trying to erase the remnants of what had happened. His gaze softened further, filled now with a deep, unspoken worry that mirrored my own fears. 
He was trying to be strong for me, but I could see the cracks in his armour, the terror of almost losing me.
"We need to get you inside," he said finally, his voice regaining its command. "You're safe now, but I won't risk anything else happening."
He kept his arm wrapped around me as he guided me toward the entrance of the keep, his grip never loosening.
As we stepped into the safety of the Red Keep, I felt Aegon's arm tighten around me, his fingers digging into my side as if to anchor me to him. I leaned into his embrace, letting his presence ground me, trying to push the day's horrors from my mind.
His arm around me felt like a shield against the world's cruelties, and in his embrace, I found a refuge where the chaos outside seemed to fade into nothingness.
A/n - Next time pray for a little extra crowd control.
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vroom--vrooming · 3 months ago
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Homelander x Reader
Homelander was told that you were gone, dead, never to return to him again. He just didn't know how big of a lie it was
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Homelander stepped through the ruined doors of the lab, his presence an overwhelming force in the desolate space. The facility was a tomb of memories, the walls steeped in the screams of his childhood. This was where they had forged him in fire and agony, a place of sterile white rooms, needles, and cold, unforgiving hands. And it was here, too, where he had lost the only person who had ever mattered to him.
The floors were slick with blood, the bodies of scientists and doctors strewn about like broken dolls. He had hunted them down with methodical cruelty, each one meeting a brutal end under his unrelenting fury. They deserved worse, far worse, for what they had done—not just to him, but to her.
She had been everything to him back then. The girl with eyes that reflected the same pain, the same fear. Her ability to mimic the powers of others had fascinated the scientists, turning her into a living experiment, just like him. Together, they had endured the tortures, finding strength in each other’s presence. She had been his anchor, his one source of light in that pit of darkness.
But then, one day, she was gone. They told him she was dead, and something inside him snapped. That was the day he stopped being the boy with a name and became Homelander, the unfeeling weapon Vought wanted.
Now, all these years later, he was back. The lab was eerily quiet, the only sounds the faint hum of machines still running despite the carnage. He was ready to leave this place behind, to burn it to the ground and let it be consumed by the flames of his vengeance. But then, he heard it—a heartbeat.
Homelander froze, his super hearing honing in on the faint, rhythmic sound. It was coming from deep within the facility, far below the main level, where the most secret and secure rooms lay hidden. His heart pounded in his chest as he followed the sound, a flicker of something strange and unwanted stirring in the pit of his stomach—hope.
He reached a metal door, thick and fortified, sealed with a lock designed to keep out even the most determined intruder. With a single thought, he tore the door from its hinges, the steel groaning in protest before crashing to the ground. He stepped inside, his breath catching in his throat at what he saw.
There, on a medical bed in the center of the small, sterile room, lay the girl he had thought lost forever.
She was still, her body connected to an array of medical equipment. Tubes ran from her veins to machines that hummed with a sickening familiarity, and her skin was pale, almost translucent under the harsh lights. But she was alive—he could hear her heartbeat, weak but steady, echoing in the small space.
Homelander’s chest tightened, a mixture of rage and grief crashing over him like a tidal wave. They had lied to him. They had kept her alive, hidden away, draining her of whatever they thought she could give them. And he had been too blind, too consumed by his own darkness, to see the truth.
He moved to her side, his hands trembling as he reached out to touch her face. Her skin was cool beneath his fingertips, soft and fragile, and for a moment, he feared she might shatter under his touch. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek, tracing the delicate line of her jaw.
She was still as beautiful as he remembered, but there was something different now—an emptiness in her that hadn’t been there before. She looked like a ghost, a shell of the vibrant, resilient girl he had known. And it was all because of them, the people he had just slaughtered, the people who had kept her in this hell.
A tear slipped down his cheek, an unwelcome sign of the emotions he had buried for so long. He wiped it away quickly, his expression hardening. There was no time for weakness now. He had to get her out of here, had to save her, even if he didn’t know if she could be saved.
Homelander began disconnecting the tubes and wires from her body, his movements slow and careful. Each piece of equipment that fell away felt like a chain being broken, a step closer to freeing her from this nightmare. He lifted her into his arms, holding her close to his chest, her head resting against his shoulder.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “I’ve got you.”
He walked out of the lab, carrying her as if she were the most precious thing in the world, his grip firm but gentle. The night air was cold against his skin as he emerged into the open, but he barely noticed it. All he could focus on was her—the girl who had once been his only source of light in the darkness.
He flew to Vought Tower, faster than he had ever flown before, the world a blur around him. He couldn’t lose her again. He wouldn’t.
When he arrived, he stormed into the medical wing, barking orders at the staff to get the best doctors, the best equipment. The scientists scurried like frightened mice, too afraid of the wrath that radiated off him to question anything. They worked quickly, setting her up in a private room, hooking her up to machines that would monitor her vitals, but Homelander never left her side.
He watched as they worked, his eyes never leaving her face. He didn’t trust them, didn’t trust anyone with her life except himself. But he knew he couldn’t save her alone. Not this time.
As the night wore on, he sat by her bedside, his hand gently holding hers. He could feel the warmth returning to her skin, hear her heartbeat growing stronger, but she still hadn’t woken up. He prayed, silently and desperately, to whatever gods might listen, that she would open her eyes, that she would come back to him.
For hours, he stayed there, refusing to leave even when the doctors assured him she was stable. He couldn’t leave her, not again. The sight of her lying there, so still and fragile, filled him with a fear he hadn’t felt in years. The fear of losing her all over again.
As dawn broke, casting a soft light through the window, he finally allowed himself to hope. Her breathing was steady, her heartbeat strong, and though she was still unconscious, he could see the signs of life returning to her.
“You’re going to be okay,” he whispered, his voice filled with a determination that had carried him through countless battles. “I’ll make sure of it.”
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, the first real sign of tenderness he had shown anyone in years. As he pulled back, he saw a flicker of movement in her eyes, a twitch of her fingers, and his heart leaped in his chest.
“Come back to me,” he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “Please.”
And for the first time since he had found her, he allowed himself to believe that maybe, just maybe, she would.
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dolcettamagica · 8 months ago
Text
𐙚˙⋆.˚ 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞
gangleader!sukuna x reader, modern au
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tags: possessive & obsessive sukuna, choking, lowkey stalking translations: piccola - little one/baby notes: listen to "salvatore" by lana del rey wc: 1.7k
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In the dimly lit underbelly of the city, where shadows whispered secrets and alleys told tales of violence, there existed a figure feared and revered in equal measure: Sukuna Ryomen, the enigmatic leader of the most dangerous gang. His name struck terror into the hearts of those who dared oppose him, while his charisma drew countless souls into his fold.
Sukuna was a man who commanded respect without uttering a word. His mere presence exuded power, his icy gaze capable of silencing even the boldest of adversaries. With a network spanning the city's underworld, he held dominion over illicit trades, clandestine operations, and the very pulse of criminal activity.
Yet, amidst the chaos and the conquests, there was one enigma that eluded Sukuna’s grasp: a woman whose allure ignited a fire within him. You, a mysterious beauty with a spirit as untamed as the flames dancing in the night. You moved with a grace that defied the chaos around you, a silent tempest in the midst of the storm.
From the moment Sukuna laid eyes on you, he knew you were unlike any other. You were not bound by the rules of his world, nor swayed by the promises of power and wealth. Instead, you remained an enigmatic force, unyielding and unattainable.
Driven by an insatiable desire, Sukuna sought to possess you, to unravel the mysteries that shrouded your existence. He offered you riches beyond measure, a throne by his side where you could rule the underworld together. Yet, each offer was met with a gentle refusal, as you remained steadfast in your independence.
Frustration festered within Sukuna's heart, a tempest of emotions that threatened to consume him whole. He was a man accustomed to getting what he desired, yet you remained beyond his reach, a tantalizing mirage in the desert of his ambitions.
Despite his best efforts to suppress the yearning that gnawed at his soul, Sukuna found himself inexorably drawn to you, like a moth to the flame. He watched from the shadows as you moved through the city, a silent guardian cloaked in mystery.
In the depths of the night, when the city slumbered and dreams took flight, Sukuna found himself haunted by visions of your captivating gaze. You were the one anomaly in his meticulously crafted world, the one puzzle he could not solve.
And so, amidst the chaos and the conquests, Sukuna Ryomen, a formidable leader, found himself ensnared by the one thing he could not possess: the heart of a woman who danced beyond his reach, a forbidden desire that burned brighter than any flame in the darkness.
In the depths of his lavish office, Sukuna sat with unwavering determination, his gaze fixed on the phone before him. His frustration simmered beneath the surface, a molten rage that threatened to erupt at any moment. With a swift motion, he seized the device, his fingers dancing across the screen with a commanding presence.
"Where are you, piccola?" he typed, each word a declaration of his unwavering dominance. "You cannot hide from me forever. I will find you, and when I do, you will answer to me."
There was no room for hesitation in Sukuna's messages, no trace of the desperation that had once plagued him. Instead, his words dripped with authority, each message a demand for her submission.
"Do not test my patience" he continued, his tone brooking no defiance. "You belong to me, and you will come to me willingly. There is no escape from my grasp."
With each message sent, Sukuna's resolve hardened, his determination driving him forward with unrelenting force. He would not be denied what was rightfully his, not by anyone, especially not by a woman who dared to defy him.
"Tell me where you are," he commanded, "I will not ask again."
But still, there was no response, no sign of surrender. Anger flared within Sukuna's chest, a wildfire of fury that threatened to consume him whole.
"If you think you can hide from me, you are sorely mistaken," his words a warning laced with venom. "I will tear this world apart to find you, and when I do, you will regret ever crossing me, piccola."
With a final message sent, Sukuna leaned back in his chair, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. He would not rest until you were in his grasp, until you bowed before him in submission. For in Sukuna Ryomen's world, there was no room for defiance, only dominance and control. And he would have it all, no matter the cost.
As Sukuna's fingers hovered over the screen, poised to send yet another commanding message, the door to his office swung open with a forceful creak. In strode one of his most trusted lieutenants, a figure cloaked in shadows and whispers, bearing news that ignited a spark of hope within Sukuna’s hardened heart.
"Boss," the subordinate – Toji – began, his voice low and deferential, "we've received word. She... she's in Miami."
The words hung heavy in the air, a tantalizing promise of victory amidst the tumultuous storm of Sukuna's emotions. Without a moment's hesitation, he rose from his seat, his movements swift and decisive.
"Prepare the jet," he commanded, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "We leave immediately."
There was a sense of urgency in Sukuna’s tone, a hunger that burned brighter with each passing second. Miami beckoned like a siren's call, its neon-lit – ruby, blue and green, neon too – streets promising the chance to reclaim what was rightfully his.
As his subordinates scrambled to fulfill his orders, Sukuna's mind raced with thoughts of the woman who had eluded him for far too long. He could almost taste the sweet victory that lay within his grasp, the moment when you would finally bend to his will.
With a steely resolve and a heart set ablaze with determination, Sukuna embarked on his journey to Miami, a man possessed by a singular purpose: to capture the one who dared to defy him and to assert his dominance once and for all.
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting its golden rays upon the pristine sands of the Miami beach. Among the throngs of sun-seekers, Sukuna strode with purpose, his eyes scanning the shoreline with a predatory intensity. And there, amidst the azure waves and the gentle sway of palm trees, he spotted you.
You laid upon the sand, a vision of beauty that stole the breath from Sukuna's lungs. Clad in a bikini that left little to the imagination, you exuded an aura of confidence that only served to fuel his desire. Your bronzed skin glowed beneath the sun's warm embrace, your tousled hair cascading like silk upon the sand.
With measured steps, Sukuna approached, his gaze never wavering from the woman who had haunted his every thought. He stood before you now, a towering figure clad in shadows and sinew, his presence commanding the attention of all who dared to gaze upon him.
"Piccola," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down your spine. "You cannot hide from me forever."
There was a flicker of defiance in your eyes, a spark that ignited the flames of desire within Sukuna's chest. But he would not be deterred, not by your beauty nor by your resolve. He had come too far, fought too hard, to let you slip through his fingers once again.
"You belong to me," he declared, his words laced with a possessiveness that bordered on obsession. "And now, you will come with me."
But you remained unmoved, your gaze steady as you met his with a defiance that stirred something primal within him. You were a challenge, a tantalizing puzzle that begged to be solved, and Sukuna was more than willing to rise to the occasion.
“I was working on my tan, boss.”
"Working on your tan," he repeated, his voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within him. "In Miami, of all places."
There was a subtle tension in the air, a silent battle of wills as you and Sukuna locked gazes. Your defiance sparked a flicker of admiration within him, even as it fueled the flames of his frustration.
"Indeed," you replied, your tone cool and composed. "Is there a problem with that?"
Sukuna's jaw clenched, a silent testament to the storm of emotions swirling beneath his stoic facade. He had come too far, searched too long, to be met with such casual indifference.
"No problem," he finally replied, his voice a low growl. "But I must insist that you accompany me. We have unfinished business, you and I."
Your lips curved into a sardonic smile, a glimmer of amusement dancing in your eyes. "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific, boss. I have many businesses, all of them quite finished."
Sukuna's patience wore thin, his frustration bubbling to the surface like molten lava. He had pursued you across oceans and continents, faced down countless adversaries in his quest to claim you as his own. And yet, she remained as elusive as ever, a tantalizing enigma that refused to be solved.
"Enough games, piccola," he snapped, his tone cutting through the air like a knife. "You cannot hide from me forever. Sooner or later, you will bend to my will."
The tension crackled between you like electricity as Sukuna's hand shot out, seizing you by the throat with a force that bordered on violence. His grip was firm, unyielding, a silent declaration of dominance that sent a shiver down your spine.
For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still as you stood locked in a primal embrace, your gazes locked in a fierce battle of wills. But beneath the surface, a different kind of energy simmered—a raw, unbridled desire that pulsed between you like a current of electricity.
Your breath came in ragged gasps as Sukuna's grip tightened, his fingers leaving imprints on your skin like branding marks. And yet, there was no fear in your eyes, only a smoldering heat that mirrored his own.
With a low growl, Sukuna leaned in close, his lips brushing against your ear with a tantalizing promise. "You cannot resist me, piccola," he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "You were made for me, and you know it."
A shudder ran through your body as you felt the heat of Sukunas breath against your skin, your pulse racing with a heady mixture of fear and excitement. You knew that you were as drawn to him as he was to you—a dangerous truth that sent a thrill coursing through your veins.
“You will always belong to me.”
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ponyosmom35 · 3 days ago
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ghost
simon ghost riley x reader
synopsis: simon goes after reader
Link to master list:https://www.tumblr.com/ponyosmom35/733401347573088256/simon-ghost-riley?source=share
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The air inside the warehouse was thick with tension, the sound of heavy boots echoing against the concrete floor. The team had already split into two groups: Price and Simon at the front, their weapons at the ready, and Gaz and Soap taking the rear entrance. Every step felt like it could be their last. The dim lighting barely illuminated their surroundings, but they knew their objective.
Get her out. Alive.
Simon's heart pounded in his chest as he and Price moved forward through the narrow corridors. Every shadow, every movement, set his nerves on edge. He was close now—so close. He could feel it. She was in here, somewhere, and he wasn't going to let anything stop him from finding her.
Price, who had been his mentor and leader for years, was silently moving beside him, eyes scanning the area. They were a well-oiled machine, a team that trusted each other implicitly. But Simon couldn't help the pit of dread that had settled in his stomach. If anything happened to her... 
They turned the corner and came face-to-face with their first group of enemies. Without hesitation, they opened fire, their shots precise and deadly. The men didn't even have time to react before they were dropped, bodies hitting the floor with sickening thuds. 
Price signaled to Simon, and they moved forward, clearing the room in swift, ruthless movements. Simon's focus was razor-sharp as he scanned for more threats, his mind on one thing only: her.
Meanwhile, Gaz and Soap were at the back, clearing the hallway of enemies with brutal efficiency. Soap's massive form was a blur of force as he stormed through the rear entrance, taking out men one after the other. His size and strength were unmatched, each punch landing like a freight train. Gaz, moving with more calculated precision, was quick to cover his teammate, dropping anyone who dared to challenge them.
The team moved through the warehouse, fighting their way through ten armed men in total. There was no mercy. No hesitation. They all knew what was at stake.
And then, Simon heard her. The unmistakable sound of a woman's scream, echoing through the warehouse, sending a jolt of panic through his chest. Without a second thought, he sprinted toward the source, his weapon gripped tightly in his hand. He turned the corner and there she was.
She was slumped against the wall, blood dripping from her body, her hands bound behind her. Her face was bruised and battered, but her eyes—despite the fear and pain—were still defiant. 
The sight of her like this made something inside Simon snap. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the man in front of her—the one who had been torturing her. The man was laughing, a twisted grin on his face, but Simon wasn't listening anymore. All he saw was red. He rushed forward, his vision narrowing, and before the man had time to react, Simon had him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. The sound of his skull cracking against the concrete echoed through the room, but Simon didn't stop. He punched him again and again, brutal and unrelenting, until the man's body went limp.
It wasn't enough. Simon wasn't done. He picked the man up again, slamming his head against the ground in a final, violent motion. The man's face was unrecognizable, blood pooling around his head. Simon's hands were covered in it, his knuckles raw and bloodied. He stood over him, chest heaving, rage consuming him.
Price grabbed Simon by the shoulder and pulled him back, snapping him out of his frenzy. "Ghost, you need to focus." Price's voice was firm, but there was a hint of concern in it. "We don't have time for this. She needs you."
Simon stood there for a moment, his breathing ragged, eyes locked on the man he had just killed. The weight of the violence was sinking in, but she was alive. She was still here, and she needed him.
With one last, shaky breath, Simon turned and rushed to her side, kneeling beside her. Her pulse was weak, but it was there. She was alive. Simon's hands shook as he gently cradled her face, brushing her hair out of her eyes. His fingers moved to her neck, pressing lightly, feeling the faint beat of her pulse. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her skin, a silent promise to never let anything happen to her again.
"baby, I've got you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He could feel the heat of the blood on his hands, the reality of her injuries setting in, but he wasn't about to lose her—not again.
He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her carefully, her limp body heavy in his arms. Every step felt like an eternity, but he finally got her to the truck. The door slammed shut behind him, and he gently placed her on the seat, leaning over her to apply pressure to her deep stomach wound. He wasn't sure if he was applying enough force, but he had to. She couldn't lose any more blood.
The others piled into the vehicle, the urgency of their mission clear in their movements, but Simon's focus never wavered. He ripped off his mask, his face a picture of exhaustion, panic, and guilt. His hands were trembling as he continued to hold her, his heart beating loudly in his chest. 
His fingers brushed her face, wiping away the blood from her cheek, and then he held her close, cradling her in his arms as he desperately tried to keep her alive. His breath hitched as he felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him.
The team moved quickly, discussing their next steps, but all Simon could hear was the sound of her shallow breathing, and the pounding of his own heart in his ears. Every minute felt like an eternity. 
As they drove toward the safehouse, Simon's thoughts were consumed with her—wondering how long it would take for her to wake up, if she would even survive this, and whether he had failed her. But he couldn't afford to think about that now. There was no room for doubt. He had to stay strong for her.
Finally, when they arrived, Simon was still cradling her body in his arms, refusing to let anyone take her from him. Price helped Simon carefully lay her down on the table inside the safehouse. They worked quickly, patching up her wounds, but Simon never left her side.
When they finished, he wrapped her up in gauze, careful not to expose her injuries to the others. His eyes were constantly on her, monitoring her breathing, watching for any sign that she was slipping away.
Hours passed. Simon remained by her side, not once letting go of her hand. She was alive. She was still alive.
Eventually, he walked downstairs to meet the others, but even then, his mind was still on her. He didn't want to talk about Makarov. He didn't want to think about their next mission. All he could think about was her—and how he was going to keep her safe, no matter the cost.
Price met him at the door, his expression serious. "You ready to move, Simon?"
Simon's gaze hardened as he looked back toward the room where she rested. "I'm ready," he said, his voice hoarse but resolute. "But I'm not leaving her again. Not until this is over."
And with that, they began to strategize their next move, knowing that they would have to take down Makarov once and for all to ensure her safety.
But for Simon, the fight was just beginning.
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mt-oe · 5 months ago
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I love ur workkkk 🥺🥺 … my heart melted
Can I request a mizu x reader in which reader was upset with mizu , and mizu trying to make reader feel happy with her ( I know I worded it poorly 😭😔. English is not my first language 😔). this can be sfw or nsfw. u write the spiciest nsfw stuff 😉
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Hey dear!
Thank you so much for requesting! I'm so sorry if this was WAY overdue. I'll try to make up for it by writing as best as I can <3
Also, please don't think too much about how you worded it. Trying to communicate your ideas, regardless of how you worded it, is already enough.
On an unrelated note, I am temporarily closing my inbox so I can catch up on requests. I wouldn't want to rush since that might compromise the quality of the fics. I deeply appreciate the messages and comments and would really like to answer them but I'm still too shy ;; I promise I'm really trying. Please don't get mad or disappointed in me. Thank you for understanding!
Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Mwa mwa :*
warning/s: not proofread, she/her for mizu, implied afab reader
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Mizu has done a lot of things before. Her sword has known the blood of many, cut through numerous organs, and had seen death like it was the next door neighbor. The fights she had fought were more ferocious than what most warriors could stomach. With a will of steel and the mind of a tactician, a capable swordsman she truly was. But...
How the hell was she going to get through this one?
Cerulean orbs narrowed as she watched you, or more precisely, your back. Her gaze roaming from the tips of your hair to the way your back slumped. Your huffs and whispered grumbles were the only sound that could be heard from the room.
She could feel her palms sweating and her fingers running cold. Not a single coherent thought formed in her brain from how unnerving the situation was. For the first time in her life, she was faced with an opponent she did not know how to defeat.
And this opponent was strong. Not even the swing of her sword or the strength of her hands could quell the wrath and sheer rage of this enemy. Mizu knew she had to plan her next move well or this could cost her everything.
And this opponent...was her wife's anger.
Yes, the ronin who quite literally bit someone's nose, survived a fall from several stories high, burned down Edo, was utterly helpless under her lover's wrath.
"I said I was sorry. What else do I have to do?" she asked, placing a hand on your shoulder, trying to pull you to face her. A groan of frustration boiled at her throat as you shrugged her hand off harshly. "I said I was sorry. What else do I have to do?" you mocked her, imitating her low voice before sticking your tongue. "Go figure it out yourself! Hmph!"
This was so stupid, she thought. But despite the words in her head, she was utterly lost.
All this drama just because she missed a kabuki show that you wanted to watch?
Sure, you had told her ahead of time. Sure, you already planned it out. Sure, you were already at the venue. But it was just a goddamn stage play, what were you so upset about? There would be another show next week with the same story anyway, and if you were so excited to watch, you could have watched it without her.
So what was the big deal about it?
She rolled her eyes before standing up, looking at you in resignation. "Fine, sulk," she grumbled in response, to which you stuck your tongue out. She rolled her eyes once again before strapping her sword to her waist. "Talk when you're no longer acting like a brat." And with those words, she left, slamming the door and causing it to bounce open slightly.
Upon hearing her footsteps fading, you immediately let out a loud sigh. You turned to look at the spot where your lover had previously sat on with a sense of hurt. "But I wanted to go on a date..." you whispered to yourself, throat tightening.
This was one of those moments where you really just had to say, 'it is what it is', and pretend to not get hurt.
You knew Mizu wasn't the most romantic person on the planet. Hell, it was even a surprise that she asked you out. However, there were times when you wished you could open her head and shove some cheesy romance novels, because how the fuck did she not get that you were asking her out on a date?
Urgh.
"What am I even expecting?" you asked yourself out loud, bringing the tickets you had bought for both of you. Tickets that were wasted just because she thought training and buying supplies were more important than spending 4 hours watching a play in a theater with her wife. "Maybe next time I'll just watch her train."
You love her. Of course you did. And you knew she loves you too, but sometimes her inability to understand or express romance made you question it.
Slowly and painfully, you tore up the tickets and fed it to the candle flame, watching as it turned to ashes. Welp. There goes your idea of a romantic evening. "And I planned it for so long too," you sighed as you brought your knees to your chest.
Unbeknown to you, your wife had secretly sneaked back, sitting beside the small door crack she had intentionally made earlier. A small frown on her face as she realized how much she fucked up.
You were right.
You did plan it for a long time. She could see your eyes widen every time the two of you passed by the theatre whenever you went out for supplies, filled with excitement that she couldn't understand then. And you already told her early, so it wasn't like it was out of the schedule or out of the way. Most of all, you were already at the venue.
You were waiting for this for such a long time.
You were waiting for her for such a long time.
And she wasted your efforts. She somehow thought that what you were so eager for was something she could trade for a few hours of extra training.
Guilt welled up in her as she continued to listen to your sighs, peeking inside the room every now and then to make sure you were okay. Her heart clenched in an odd, unfamiliar, yet extremely uncomfortable way at the sight of your frown.
Damnit. Mizu knew she messed up big time. However, even if she felt absolutely terrible, she also knew she couldn't just come back in and reveal that she had just watched you go through five stages of grief in less than an hour or else you'd feel like you forced her to apologize. But how could she make up for this?
As she was deep in thought, thinking of ways on how she could apologize, she suddenly heard the soft padding sound of your feet on the tatami mat as you stood up. "I guess I'll take a nap. Maybe I'll feel better when I wake up," she heard you sigh for the umpteenth time.
Her eyes watched you stretch before pulling the futon out of the closet and set it up. Your hands carefully undid the pins stuck to your hair before laying down, pulling the covers over you, the frown you wore never dissipating.
She could feel her conscience weighing down on her, telling her what a dense idiot she was. The feeling hitting her like a ton of bricks as she watched you slowly fall asleep with a heavy heart.
No, she wasn't going to let your day go on like this. If she fucked up, she's fixing it up.
Slowly and carefully, she got up and sneaked away, leaving the inn and going to the market. No matter how unexperienced or how unknowledgeable she was with how to comfort a person, Mizu was going to try her best.
-
Hours passed and the short nap you had planned turned into one of the longest one you've had yet. It wasn't a pleasant one, but it wasn't the worst either. Your eyes slowly fluttered open before squinting at the faint glow of the candle. The world felt slightly heavy and tilted as your head spu—wait? The candle?
"Oh shit," you whispered, shooting up and looking around in panic, head still spinning from grogginess. Oh no, you forgot to blow out the candle before your nap and accidentally kept it burning. Mizu was going to pissed at you, especially since it was the last one.
But wait—
Shouldn't it have burnt out already?
You brought the back of your hand to your eyes, rubbing away the sleep and grogginess to have a better look around. However, upon looking up, surprise took over your senses.
The room was...decorated?
Or at least there was an attempt.
At a distance from the foot of your futon sat your lover with a wooden crate in front of her. A bit of relief washed over your body as you realized that she had taken care of the candle for you, but still, you were heavily confused. "Mizu...what's going on?" you asked, yawning a bit.
She looked at you with the same emotionless stare she had before sighing. Her hands slowly turned the crate around so the opening was facing you. It was decorated too, and even if it was poorly recreated, you could recognize the setting. It was very similar to the kabuki theater you wanted to go to.
From her back, she brought out two dolls. One wearing a kimono in a color similar to what you were wearing, and one male doll that looked like a samurai. A heavy exhale could be heard coming from her as the embarrassment started kicking in. Was she really going to do this? Yes, yes she was.
Clearing her throat, she moved the dolls to the makeshift stage as she began her narration. "Once upon a time, in a small village, stayed a ronin and her wife." She glances momentarily at you before looking down again, a faint dust of blush on her cheeks. "Her very beautiful wife," she clarified.
Your eyes widened with a mix of delight and surprise. The grogginess from your sleep wore off at the sweetness of your lover's effort. You couldn't believe it. It was a stage play. A stage play about the two of you.
Her hands moved the dolls on stage, making them hold hands as she narrated the events in the story. "But one day, the ronin, being very foolish, decided to go up in the mountains and train instead of accompanying her wife," she said, dolls moving to match her words.
"And her wife..." she continued, moving your doll to look like it was sulking, "...got very upset." Blue eyes looked at you once again to check if you were still watching. You could tell that she was being very sincere about this.
"Not knowing what to do, the ronin went out to think and realized that she was indeed wrong and had been inconsiderate, that her wife was really just trying to bond and spend time in merriment."
She slowly set the dolls down and readjusted, sitting up straight before bowing her head slightly. "And so, the ronin apologized," she said with all seriousness. "I'm sorry, love. I knew you wanted to go out for so long. I should have appreciated your efforts more. I have no excuses."
Silence embraced the room after, completely amplifying the pounding of her heart as she awaited your response. Jitters ran through her body from nervousness. Mizu didn't dare look up, not until you gave her a response.
Seconds felt like minutes as she waited. An unexplainable kind of anxiety holding over her. What if you didn't like the little show she put? What if she just made your anger worse? Her thoughts were scattering by the millisecond. She wanted nothing more than for you to forgive her.
Her heart stopped as she saw your hands reach for the dolls, looking over them before making your doll face her doll.
"And the wife accepted the apology," you giggled, bending your dolls head slightly so it would kiss the representing her. Before she could speak, she felt your lips on her cheek. The sweet sound of your laughter soon followed, making her blush.
You lifted the dolls up to eye level and looked at them fondly. "You really went out and beyond, didn't you?" you laughed, wiggling them around in some form of cuteness aggression. She lifted her head and smiled softly. "I didn't know what to do," she admitted, finding your fondness for the dolls adorable. "And I really wanted to go back to my wife."
"You could have just said sorry, dummy. But.." your voice trailed off, eyes looking back at your wife's, leaning closer to her. "This made me unbelievably happy," you admitted. "Thank you, love."
Your wife's smile widened as you leaned in and kissed her softly. Her hands instinctively pulling you closer. Love and affection radiated from her as both of you pulled away, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Her breath hitched as you opened your mouth, anticipation building up regarding what you were going to say.
"But next time you do that, you're sleeping without a futon."
"Yes ma'am"
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moonselune · 5 months ago
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aaahhh hello! i don’t know if you’ve already written something like this but what about tav being taken by orin instead of one of the companions? could you do this for the bg3 girls? i know you've written lots of angst lately but you do it so well 🥺  
my talent for angst is a blessing and a curse but I cannot lie I loved doing this request call me a masochist xxx
─── ・ 。゚☆: .☽ . :☆゚. ───
Karlach:
The moment Karlach realized you were missing, a cold dread settled in her gut, quickly replaced by an inferno of rage. Orin. The name alone made her blood boil. She stormed through the camp, her eyes wild, her fists clenched tight enough for her palms to bleed.
"Where is she?" she roared, her voice echoing through the trees. The other companions tried to calm her, but it was like trying to contain a wildfire. Halsin and Minsc had to pin her down to keep her from charging recklessly into the city.
"Let me go!" she screamed, struggling against their hold. "I have to save her!"
"We will," Halsin said, his voice strained as he held onto her. "But not like this. We need a plan."
Hours later, they stormed Orin’s hideout, moving with grim determination. Karlach led the charge, her eyes blazing with fury. She tore through Orin’s minions with relentless force, her every move driven by the thought of you in danger. Finally, they reached the altar room, and there you were, bound and helpless.
"Get away from her!" Karlach bellowed, her voice cracking with emotion. She charged at Orin, who smirked and prepared to meet her.
The battle was fierce, but Karlach fought like a woman possessed. With a final, powerful strike, she brought Orin down, her rage giving her strength beyond measure. As soon as Orin fell, Karlach was at your side, cutting through your bindings with trembling hands.
"You're okay, you're okay," she whispered, tears streaming down her face as she pulled you into her arms. "I thought I lost you."
You tried to lighten the mood, managing a weak smile. "Hey, I'm fine. You know I can't get rid of you that easily."
But Karlach couldn’t stop crying, her body shaking with sobs as she held you close. "Don't ever scare me like that again," she murmured, refusing to let you go.
─── ・ 。゚☆: .☽ . :☆゚. ───
Minthara:
Minthara maintained a facade of calm and calculation when she discovered you had been kidnapped by Orin. Her movements were methodical, every decision precise. She issued orders, gathered intel, and planned meticulously. Despite this outward calm, she didn’t eat, and she didn’t sleep. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of you, and her heart ached with a worry she refused to show.
As she led the mission to rescue you, her focus was unshakeable. When the final confrontation with Orin came, Minthara’s eyes were cold and resolute. The battle was fierce, each strike a manifestation of her pent-up fury and desperation.
"You should have known better than to touch what is mine," Minthara hissed, her voice deadly calm.
Orin sneered, but Minthara’s onslaught left her no room for arrogance. Minthara’s strikes were brutal and unrelenting, driven by a determination to end this threat once and for all. She decimated Orin, leaving her broken and defeated on the ground.
Finally, Minthara turned to you, bound to the altar. Her hands shook as she cut your restraints, and she pulled you into her arms, clutching you tightly.
"Do you have any idea how much you scared me?" she whispered, her voice breaking for the first time.
You could feel her trembling, her grip almost painful in its intensity. "I'm sorry," you murmured, your voice filled with relief. "I didn’t mean to."
Minthara pulled back slightly, her eyes blazing. "You could have died," she scolded, her voice harsh with emotion. "You cannot be so reckless."
You couldn’t help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation hitting you. "I’ll try not to," you replied, your laughter mingling with tears. "But it's good to know you care."
Minthara’s stern expression didn’t soften. "This is not a joke," she insisted, but her voice wavered.
Before she could launch into another lecture, you silenced her with a kiss. She stiffened for a moment, then melted into the embrace, her arms wrapping around you even tighter.
"Thank you for coming for me," you whispered against her lips.
Minthara didn’t respond with words, just held you close, her relief and love evident in every touch.
─── ・ 。゚☆: .☽ . :☆゚. ───
Lae'zel:
Lae'zel's rage was a palpable thing when she learned you had been kidnapped by Orin. Her eyes blazed with fury, and her every movement was a testament to her determination. If her companions would not aid her in the rescue, she resolved to do it herself.
"We waste time!" she snapped, glaring at anyone who dared to suggest a more cautious approach. "I will not leave them in that monster's hands!"
When she finally located Orin's hideout, Lae'zel charged in with a ferocity that left the others in awe. She fought like a woman possessed, her every strike fueled by a burning need to rescue you. The enemies fell before her like wheat before a scythe, her rage making her unstoppable.
The closer she got to you, the more frantic her attacks became. When she finally reached the altar where you were bound, she barely spared a glance for Orin, her focus entirely on you. But Orin stood in her way, and Lae'zel’s eyes narrowed with deadly intent.
"You will regret this, Orin," she hissed, her voice a low growl.
The battle was intense, Orin's taunts only fueling Lae'zel's rage. She fought with an almost reckless abandon, her strikes powerful and relentless. It was a close call, but Lae'zel’s determination saw her through. She defeated Orin, leaving her bleeding and broken.
Without hesitation, she rushed to your side, cutting your bonds with swift, precise movements. She pulled you into her arms, her grip tight and possessive. "You are safe now," she murmured, her voice shaking with a mix of relief and residual anger. "I have you."
You looked up at her, your eyes filled with gratitude. "I knew you'd come for me."
Lae'zel’s grip tightened, her eyes fierce. "Of course. I would tear the world apart to get you back."
Despite the intensity of the situation, you managed a small smile. "And you nearly did."
Lae'zel’s expression softened, just a fraction. "I will always come for you," she said, her voice a promise. She refused to let you go, even as the danger passed, her fierce protectiveness a testament to her love.
─── ・ 。゚☆: .☽ . :☆゚. ───
Shadowheart:
Shadowheart tried to pretend everything was fine when she discovered you had been kidnapped by Orin. She maintained a stoic expression, her voice calm as she made plans with the others. But beneath the surface, her heart raced with fear and anger.
The journey to rescue you was a blur of tension and suppressed emotion. Shadowheart led the charge with a grim determination, her mind focused on getting you back safely. When they finally reached the location where you were held, Shadowheart’s calm facade began to crack.
She fought with a fierce precision, her every move driven by a desperate need to reach you. When she finally saw you, bound to the altar, something inside her snapped. She rushed to your side, cutting your restraints with shaking hands.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her efforts to stay calm.
"I'm fine," you reassured her, your voice soothing. "Thanks to you."
Shadowheart’s composure broke. Tears filled her eyes as she pulled you into her arms. "You idiot," she sobbed, her voice choked with emotion. "Why did you let them take you? Why didn’t you fight harder?"
You held her close, feeling her tears soak into your shoulder. "I’m sorry," you murmured, your heart aching at the sight of her distress. "I didn’t mean to worry you."
Shadowheart pulled back, her eyes red and puffy. "You scared me so much," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I’d lost you."
You gently wiped her tears away, your touch tender. "I'm here now," you said softly. "And I’m not going anywhere."
Shadowheart clung to you, her relief palpable. "I love you," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can’t lose you."
You kissed her forehead, holding her close. "I love you too," you replied, your voice filled with emotion. "And I’m not going anywhere. Not ever."
Shadowheart buried her face in your shoulder, her body shaking with sobs. You held her tightly, offering her the comfort and reassurance she needed, grateful to be back in her arms.
─── ・ 。゚☆: .☽ . :☆゚. ───
I can't lie when I come to write this little note I am always cackling because I have just reviewed what I have written and thinking what I am about unleash on the world - Seluney xoxo
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g1rlr0b1n · 7 months ago
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Yet another commission by the amazingly talented @ookamihanta!!! Go check out their page to see more art!!! Their commissions are still open so go check that out as well!!! I highly recommend them!!! 🦉
Into the Owl's Nest (Preview)
Damian's eyes snapped open and he jolted up in bed, gasping for air as if he had been drowning. His skin was clammy and his heart raced in his chest. As his senses returned, the cold, musty scent of damp stone and earth filled his nostrils. He strained to see in the darkness, but could only make out the faint outline of a room surrounding him. The distant sound of rushing water echoed through the space, causing a shiver to run down his spine. With a sinking feeling in his gut, Damian realized that he must be deep underground, and he realized where he must be. This was the Owl’s Nest.
The faint clicking of heels echoed on the stone ground, growing closer with each step. He strained his eyes against the darkness as he searched for an escape. Too late. The door creaked open and a woman glided in, her form encased in a skin-tight nylon suit, feathers adorned the top of her cape. Her blonde hair was pulled back tightly, emphasizing her fierce features, while a mask obscured her eyes. Damian maintained a stoic expression as she spoke, her words dripping with disdain, "so, you must be Talia's brat," she spat. Her eyes roamed over his form, obscured by the mask she wore. The coldness in her voice matched the chill in the air, sending shivers down his spine. Her eyes narrowed behind the intricate mask, scanning him from head to toe with a mixture of curiosity and contempt. The silence between them was thick with tension but Damian maintained his composure.
When he did not speak she continued, “your father wishes to see you.” Damian's muscles tensed at the mention of his father but he remained still, not daring to give her any satisfaction. Not even when she glided across the room, her movements fluid like a predator stalking its prey did he move to get up from the bed. With a swift motion, she pulled him up by his arm, her long nails digging into his flesh. He gritted his teeth against the pain, knowing better than to show weakness. She dragged him along, her grip unrelenting, until they reached a large open space. A wall was lined with computers and equipment, and there, behind the glow of computer screens, sat a man clad in all back. The Owlman.
The man slowly turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "I hope you don't mind," he began in a smooth, almost mocking tone, "your mother and I decided it would be best if I took custody of you." Damian felt a surge of anger rise up in the pit of his stomach, a rage that was only met by the man's cruel smile.
"You killed my mother," Damian growled through gritted teeth, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
“I suppose that’s true,” he shrugged carelessly, “it pained me to do so, I loved her-”
"Obsession is not love," Damian spat out bitterly, his control slipping as memories from last night flooded back. "That's not love...and when you couldn't have her..." His voice trailed off, trembling, as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. Damian had loved his mother more than anything, and this man had taken her away from him without a second thought.
The man's eyes hardened and for a moment, Damian could see the darkness lurking behind them, "let it be a lesson to you then," he sneered. "You may share my blood, but if I have no use for you, you can join her."
Damian was smart enough to know when someone was bluffing, and this man was not, he was well aware that this man would snuff him out the moment he stepped out of line. Refusing to show any weakness, Damian stood tall and pushed aside his emotions. "What use do you have for me then, father?" he asked, maintaining a calm and collected façade despite the turmoil within.
His features twisted into a smirk, “I’m glad you asked,” he stood from his chair to tower over the boy, “As you may or may not be aware, Ultraman was our esteemed leader until his most recent and unfortunate demise. His twisted obsession with his other selves was finally his downfall. Ironic.” The glint of joy in his eyes betrayed his words. “There are a few would be successors but of course I have my preference.” 
Owlman paused as if waiting for Damian to ask a question but Damian knew there was only an answer he sought. And Damian was nothing, if not adaptable. “Naturally, it should be you, father," he replied smoothly. He’d play along for now, he’d tell the crazed man whatever assurances he needed to hear. Afterall, he was somewhere underground surrounded by enemies, and if he hoped for any chance of survival, he’d have to be smart about it.
“Smart boy,” he scoffed, then continued, “Ultraman leaves behind his wife and son, Lois has already begun pushing for Jor-El to claim his father’s seat but he is just a child. Barely 19. He needs…” he paused again as if searching for the right words, “a friend more than a title.”
Damian raised an eyebrow in question, “you wish me to befriend him?”
“Sure…and who knows what may happen once you two become close.” Owlman shrugged, a wicked smirk spread across his features, contorting them into a menacing expression.
Damian racked his brain for meaning. Did his father want him close to Jor-El to distract him, to manipulate him, or to kill him? Did his father even care as long as he could take power? Finally, Damian broke the silence with a slow, measured voice. “I can only assume you have some means for me to arrange a meeting with him?”
“Of course,” he motioned toward the blonde woman who had been lurking in the corner. “Beth, please ensure that Damian is presentable for this evening's introduction to the rest of the Syndicate. Make him look…enticing.”
Damian suddenly became aware of another possibility.
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slut4evanpeters · 23 days ago
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Haunted
james patrick march x reader
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song i recommend listening to: dead to me by melanie martinez
warnings: isolation, cheating, toxic relationships, emotional distress, murder, violence, intent to kill, obsession, psychological trauma, angst, haunting
word count: 2.1k
notes: oh my god i need james so bad (also writes a fic about killing him) BUT ANYWAY. hes so baddie. everyone seems to be on the james brainrot and so am i so here ya go!
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The rain was unrelenting that night, a downpour that blurred the city outside the towering windows of the Hotel Cortez. The air inside the suite was damp and heavy, clinging to your skin as if the walls themselves were aware of what you had learned. In the glow of the low lights, your gaze fell to the delicate silver bracelet around your wrist. The one he’d given you on your wedding night. You remembered his hands fastening it around you, a token of his love, he’d said. A lie. Like so much else.
Now, the image of her haunted you. The Countess. Ger otherworldly beauty, her crimson lips and ice-cold eyes. She had him now, stolen what had once belonged to you, and he had let her.
You turned at the sound of the door creaking open, his figure filling the doorway. James Patrick March, dressed to perfection as always, his tailored suit fitting like a second skin. He stepped in casually, his gaze finding you with slight amusement.
“My dearest,” he drawled, his voice smooth as dark silk. “You look positively… haunted.”
He knew. He knew, and he was reveling in it. Rage twisted within you, but you forced yourself to speak, each word measured. “Tell me, James…how long have you been with her?”
He sighed, stepping into the room with his hands folded behind his back, a picture of unbothered elegance. “My dear, whatever do you mean?”
“Don’t pretend with me,” you said sharply, fists clenching as you felt the weight of his betrayal pressing against your chest. “I found her scarf. I know it was hers, I could still smell her perfume on it. So, tell me…did you ever love me? Or was I just another acquisition, another project for you to mold to your liking?”
James’s smirk remained, though something darker sparked in his eyes. “Love, my dear? Is that what you seek from a man like me? Love is a fickle, fleeting thing. You should know better.”
You took a step toward him, anger drowning out the pain that had been clawing at your heart. “You made promises to me. You said I was yours, that we’d build this empire together. And yet, you lie to my face with that smirk, knowing you’ve betrayed me.”
His eyes narrowed, the smirk faltering for the briefest moment. “Do you think I am without loyalty, then? Is that what you believe?”
You scoffed, unable to hold back the bitterness that had been festering within you. “You are a man without morals, without loyalty to anyone but yourself. I have been loyal to you in every way. Devoted, loving, but it’s never enough for you, is it?”
James’s expression darkened. “Enough, my Darling,” he said, voice laced with a dangerous edge. “You think you know me, but you don’t. You’ve merely seen what I allow you to see. I am a man of…diverse needs, shall we say.”
Your heart shattered as you realized there was no regret in his eyes, no flicker of remorse for what he had done. “So I was nothing but another game to you,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “Just another thrill.”
James tilted his head, his smirk returning, infuriatingly smug. “Games, thrills, they are all part of life’s delicious banquet, my darling. And you. You are an essential course.”
Tears stung your eyes, but you refused to let them fall, not in front of him. “You are the very definition of a monster, James Patrick March.”
He chuckled, taking another step toward you, his voice a low, mocking murmur. “Perhaps, but that is why you married me, is it not? You, of all people, should appreciate the…darker appetites.”
You couldn’t bear it anymore. Every word, every cold, calculated sentence sent another wave of bitterness flooding through you. He was right. He had twisted you. Had woven his influence into the very fabric of your being until you could no longer imagine a life free from his shadow.
That was when the idea struck you.
It was the only way you’d ever be free from him, the only way to silence his laughter and those whispered promises that meant nothing. If he would haunt you forever, then you’d ensure that he did so from beyond the grave.
It was late, past midnight, when you met him again in the lavish suite, the room bathed in the flickering glow of firelight. The rain outside was still unceasing, a relentless rhythm that matched the pulsing of your heartbeat.
James was pouring himself a glass of bourbon, entirely oblivious to the weight of your gaze upon him. “Care for a drink, my darling?” he asked without looking up, his voice carrying that familiar trace of arrogance.
You approached him slowly, hands shaking as you concealed the small pistol within the folds of your dress. “No, thank you,” you replied, voice tight. “I’ve come for something else.”
He turned, his brow arching in mild interest as he took a sip of his drink. “Oh? And what might that be?”
The moment hung between you, and for a second, you felt the pang of doubt. But then his smirk returned, and you were reminded of all those empty promises, those lies that had bound you to him. You raised the pistol, your hand steady.
James’s eyes flickered with surprise, and he let out a low chuckle. “Is this a game, my darling? Are you playing the femme fatale?”
Your voice was barely above a whisper. “No, James. I am ending you.”
A flicker of something crossed his face—amusement, perhaps, mixed with disbelief. “You think you can be free of me?” he asked, his tone dripping with contempt. “That killing me would make you rid of my presence?”
But you were done listening, done letting him weave his darkness into your life. You pulled the trigger.
The shot rang out, echoing through the room as James’s body jerked, blood staining his crisp white shirt. His hand reached up, touching the wound, his expression shifting from disbelief to something almost…admiring. He staggered, collapsing against the wall before finally crumpling to the floor, his eyes still locked on you.
You watched, heart pounding as he breathed his last, the life draining from his gaze.
The rain was unyielding, its steady beat drumming against the windows as you stood over James’s lifeless body. The stillness of the room pressed in on you, and for the first time, there was a dreadful quiet that settled around you, almost mocking you. You’d finally done it, freed yourself from him. Or so you thought.
You took a trembling breath, your gaze locked on the man you had once loved, the man who had twisted your heart until it bled. His face, even in death, wore that maddening smirk. Cold dread crept over you, but you pushed it down, telling yourself that this was over. With him gone, you’d be free, finally able to move on.
Yet, the moment you left the suite, you could feel an unsettling weight in the air, an almost tangible sense of wrongness that clung to you. You shook it off, convincing yourself that it was merely the residue of a nightmarish decision. After all, how could a man like James be vanquished so easily?
Days passed, and the world outside the Cortez seemed brighter, the air lighter, everything seemed as though it were trying to convince you of your freedom. But you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was lurking, watching, waiting. In the late hours of the night, when the hotel grew silent, you’d catch yourself holding your breath, listening for sounds that weren’t there.
It began subtly, almost as though your own mind were playing tricks on you. First, it was the scent of his cologne, smoky, rich, unmistakably him. You’d smell it faintly in the halls, just a wisp that vanished as quickly as it came, and you’d shake it off as a phantom memory.
But then, his scent began to linger.
It would seep through your room late at night, filling the air, curling around you like a shroud. It was suffocating, stirring memories that you had tried to bury. His hand on your wrist, his laughter echoing in your mind. You’d wake in a cold sweat, the smell clinging to your sheets, fading only in the first light of dawn.
You told yourself it was guilt, remnants of his presence in your mind. But then, you began to hear his voice.
At first, it was nothing but a whisper, almost too faint to catch, so quiet you could dismiss it as the settling of the old hotel walls or a draft sweeping through the corridors. But the whispers grew louder, words twisting and forming from the darkness.
“Darling…”
The first time you heard it clearly, you froze, your breath caught in your chest as the single word echoed in the quiet of your suite. You searched the empty room, but it was only you, alone, your reflection staring back from the darkened window. “James?” you whispered, barely daring to breathe, your voice trembling. But there was no answer. Just the silence pressing down on you, thick and oppressive.
But the whispers didn’t stop. Each night, they grew clearer, his voice brushing against your ear like a cold breeze. “Did you think you could escape me?” it would murmur, soft and venomous, curling around you, poisoning every thought. “You are mine, my love. You always will be.”
The nights stretched on, and sleep became an elusive dream as his whispers seeped into your mind, filling the silence, never stopping. You’d catch yourself looking over your shoulder, waiting for him to appear from the shadows, certain that he was lurking just out of sight, watching with those cold, predatory eyes.
Then came the sightings.
It started with glimpses. Fleeting shadows in the corner of your eye, just a flicker that vanished before you could focus. But they began to linger, and you could see his silhouette in the mirrors, watching you from the shadows. His face would stare back at you in the reflection, his eyes filled with a dark amusement as if mocking your attempts to escape him. The first time you saw him fully, you screamed, spinning around to find the room empty. But every time you looked back at the mirror, there he was, his smirk taunting you.
“Did you truly think I’d leave so easily?” his voice echoed, seeming to seep from the walls themselves, surrounding you in every corner. “You’re a fool, my love. Death means nothing to a man like me.”
One night, the haunting reached a crescendo. You awoke to the sound of footsteps pacing around your bed, slow, deliberate. Your heart thundered as you lay frozen, listening to the familiar rhythm, a sound you’d known for years. You squeezed your eyes shut, willing it to be a nightmare. But the footsteps drew closer, and then you felt it. A cold hand brushing against your cheek, lingering just long enough to send an icy shiver down your spine.
Your eyes snapped open, and there he was, looming over you, his face pale and hollow, eyes glinting with that same cruel delight. His smile widened as he leaned closer, his breath chilling against your skin. “You thought you could kill me,” he whispered, his voice a cruel, mocking lullaby. “But I am a part of you, my darling. I will haunt you until the end of your days.”
You scrambled out of bed, backing away as he advanced, his form dissipating into shadows yet his presence filling every inch of the room. His laughter echoed around you, a dark, sinister melody that seemed to resonate within your very bones.
From that night on, he became your shadow, his voice filling your mind, his image lurking in every mirror, every dark corner. You’d hear him humming as you walked through the halls, feel his gaze prickling the back of your neck whenever you were alone. You could no longer escape him. He was there, always there, haunting you, reminding you of the darkness he’d woven into your soul.
And in the quietest hours of the night, as the hotel lay silent, you would sometimes feel his hand trace down your arm, his cold fingers pressing against your wrist, a cruel mockery of the warmth he had once feigned. You’d hear his voice in your ear, soft and possessive.
“You can’t run from me, my love. We are bound. Forever.”
And with every passing day, you felt yourself slipping further, dragged down into the darkness he had left behind, bound to him in death as you had been in life, his haunting presence being a constant reminder that there truly is no escape.
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oceandolores · 13 days ago
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𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 | chapter 21
dbf!joel miller x female reader
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"If we died tonight, I'd die yours,"
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summary: joel found you
warnings: 18+ only, Minors DNI, AU, No outbreak. (TW) mentions of substance abuse/alcohol use disorder, adult content, religion abuse, violence, blood gore, mentions of death, sexual abuse, sexual content, domestic violences, pedophilia, cannibalism, human trafficking, dad's best friend!Joel, HUGE age gap (i will not specify her exact age, but she's legal and Joel is 49), daddy issues, mentions of toxic family dynamic, Joel is widowed, Ellie is 16, angst, smut A LOT, forbidden relationship, soft and protective Joel, innocent and pure reader. your last name is Gibson. any other details will be explain throughout the story. inspired by the album Preacher's daughter by Ethel Cain and also mix with lana del rey vibes.
CHAPTER 21
masterlist!
previous | chapter 20
next | ending
The cold seeped into your bones, icy and unyielding against the concrete floor, and you could feel every bruise, every cut, every ache in your body.
The pain was an unrelenting, throbbing reminder of everything you’d endured, but that wasn’t the worst part. What tore at you now was the horror of seeing Emma, your best friend, taken from this world in a way you wouldn’t have believed possible had you not witnessed it with your own eyes.
Her life, her laughter, her warmth—gone. Because of you.
A sob caught in your throat as the weight of it crushed you. Emma hadn’t deserved this; she had a whole life stretched out before her, full of hope and love.
She had just started it, a new chapter, a new promise. And now, because she’d tried to save you, it had ended in unimaginable horror. The images wouldn’t leave you, wouldn’t stop replaying in your mind.
Jim—God, he was probably gone too. Gone, because of you.
Desperation clawed at your chest, leaving you empty and hollow. You could feel yourself slipping, hope draining out of you like a slow bleed, and something bitter was taking its place.
A deep, aching question clawed at the edges of your mind, one you’d never dared ask before, but one that refused to stay silent any longer: 
Why would God let this happen to you?
You’d loved Him, stayed faithful, tried to be everything you were taught you should be. And yet, here you were, in the darkest pit, left to rot. 
Why?
Tears blurred your vision, and somewhere between the sobs and the silence, you felt something break inside you.
You stopped praying, stopped hoping for anything good. The words, the comfort, the promises—all of it felt hollow.
You were empty now, just a shell of everything you once believed.
The door creaked open, and in he came—Negan, his footsteps echoing like the toll of a death knell. He looked at you, pity mingling with something else in his gaze, a twisted satisfaction.
A smirk tugged at his lips, and he shook his head, his voice dripping with mocking sympathy.
“Aw, look at you,” he cooed.
“See, doll, I didn’t want it to come to this. But you had to go and make things difficult. If you’d just listened to me—if you’d been my good girl—none of this would’ve happened.”
The rage bubbled up, scalding and raw. You looked at him, every ounce of hatred burning in your eyes. “What did you do to her?” The words barely made it past the tightness in your throat, but they were laced with venom.
You could feel it, the sickening truth—whatever he’d done, it was something worse than you could imagine.
Negan chuckled, an unholy sound that made your skin crawl. “Don’t you worry about her,” he said, a dark glint in his eye.
“I took real good care of her.” The words lingered, taunting, but before you could say anything more, he pulled a medical kit from his bag, the glint of a syringe catching your eye.
Panic shot through you, and you scrambled backward, heart pounding. “Don’t… don’t touch me!"
Negan’s eyes softened, his tone suddenly too gentle, too calm. “Relax, princess,” he murmured, reaching for your arm. “I just need you to play along for a bit.”
But you jerked back, thrashing against his grip. “Don’t fucking touch me!” Your voice cracked, fueled by the horror churning in your chest, the feeling of his hand on your skin like a brand.
The gentle smile on his face vanished, replaced by a cold, dangerous stare. His grip tightened, bruising, and in one swift motion, he struck you across the face, the impact leaving stars in your vision.
“Listen to me, you stupid little bitch,” he hissed, his voice low and deadly. “I’m done asking nicely. You’re going to be a good girl and do as I say, or you’re going to wish you had.”
You barely registered the sting of the needle as he plunged it into your arm. The world began to blur, darkness creeping in from the edges, and you fought it, clawing for consciousness, desperate not to give him the satisfaction of seeing you crumble.
But the drug took hold fast, dragging you down, down, until the world was nothing but darkness.
***
The address Negan gave led Joel to an unassuming neighborhood, quiet and tucked away, where homes lined the street like silent sentries.
Everything here was normal, almost obscenely so, and the ordinariness of it all set his nerves on edge. How could something so terrible be hiding behind these closed doors?
How could neighbors go about their days, clueless to the horror lurking so close? He took a long, deep breath, steeling himself, fingers grazing over the cold metal of his pistol holstered by his side.
He wasn’t a fool; he knew this was a trap. But nothing—nothing—would stop him from stepping into it if it meant the chance to see you alive again.
Before he entered, Joel slipped his phone from his pocket, sending his location to Tommy, leaving the device outside on a rock by the front gate.
He couldn’t afford distractions; whatever came next would be a fight to the end.
As he made his way up the steps, he felt it in his bones, that tether connecting him to you, stretched thin but unbroken. He knew you were here, somewhere behind these walls, waiting, needing him.
His heart ached at the thought of what you’d endured. It wasn’t right—none of this was right. 
Inside, the air was thick with rot and rust, the scent of decay seeping into Joel’s lungs as he moved through the shadowed house.
Every step felt like a descent deeper into hell, each room echoing with the silent horror Negan had constructed within these walls.
The quiet was suffocating, pressing against his senses as he advanced with tense, deliberate steps, the weight of his weapon a cold comfort against his side.
The metallic smell of blood seemed to seep through the walls, thickening the air like rot as Joel moved down the dim corridor, his gaze fixed on the heavy big metal door at the end.
Blood was smeared across its surface, a dark, cruel stain, like the mark of some unholy ritual. He forced himself to breathe through the nausea rising in his throat, steadying himself with a muttered plea.
Please, God, let her be alive.
With a rough, trembling hand, he pushed open the door, entering a space so silent and hollow it felt like stepping into a tomb. The walls were metallic and gray, shimmering faintly under the dim, flickering light.
A hulking freezer stood in the corner, and around it lay instruments of terror—chainsaws, rusted wrenches, and knives coated in dried blood.
This was no ordinary room; it was a pit of nightmares.
He barely took three steps before his gaze froze on the horror ahead—a headless body hung from a butcher’s hook.
With a dress dangling from her shoulders, hair matted against blood-smeared fabric. For a sickening moment, his heart stopped, every nerve screaming as he tried to push down the dread that it was you.
But it wasn’t.
He knew you. The shape of your body, the softness of your shoulders, the line of your arms. Relief coursed through him, but only for a split second.
Desperately, he moved toward the freezer, steeling himself for whatever horror he might find. Inside, jars lined the shelves—heads frozen in twisted, agonized expressions.
Women. Girls to be exact. They don't look older than 20.
His stomach churned violently, but he couldn’t look away. And there, in a fresh jar, he saw Emma’s familiar face, her eyes closed forever in a peaceful, sickening slumber.
His chest tightened as the desperate, icy panic surged within him. He’s taken them all.
As he backed away, his gaze landed on a large object draped in thick canvas, its edges sagging like a dark secret. Swallowing, he approached, slowly pulling back the cover, revealing a small dog cage, lined with soiled fabric and stained in red.
It's you.
He could barely breathe as he took in the sight, disbelief warring with hope. Inside, you lay motionless, your body crumpled and cold, pale in the dim light, bruises shadowing your face and arms.
Every inch of you looked fragile, lifeless. Joel’s heart shattered, the pain so raw it made him stagger.
"No... no," he whispered, stumbling forward. "No.” His voice cracked, shattering the silence.
He dropped to his knees, frantically reaching through the bars, hands trembling as he fumbled with the lock.
It wouldn’t budge, metal biting into his hands as he yanked, pulled, and beat at it in fury until finally, with a final, desperate heave, it gave way.
He pulled your body in his arms, a wave of coldness seeping through his skin as he held you close, brushing a shaking hand against your cheek, as if he could will the warmth back into you.
“Baby…I’m here.” His voice was barely a whisper, as fragile as he’d ever been, a man torn open.
He pressed his ear to your chest, desperate for any sign of life, but your skin was cold, your pulse faint to nonexistent, the quiet threatening to consume him.
"I'm here now… open your eyes, babygirl," he whispered, voice raw and trembling, searching for any flicker, any faint sign of life.
He leaned close, brushing his thumb over your bruised skin, trying to will you back to him. "Doll… please… open your eyes. I'm here."
His own heartbeat thundered in his ears, his body trembling with the weight of the moment, and yet—somewhere, deep in his bones—he felt you.
You couldn’t be gone. Not you. This couldn’t be happening.
Desperation clawed at him as he murmured again, “I’m here… please, please… doll…” The sound of his voice, broken and laced with grief, shattered in the silence.
He clutched you tighter, pressing you to his chest, a hollow ache blooming in the very marrow of him. "Please… don't do this to me, baby…"
"Don't do this to me..."
For the first time in years, Joel prayed.
He’d long forgotten how to ask for mercy, how to whisper words into the void and hope something beyond him might listen.
But here, in this moment, he found himself clinging to the last, fragile remnants of belief, calling out to a God he’d long turned away from, begging—pleading—that you be spared.
His lips moved in a silent prayer, the words barely more than a broken murmur, all his hope wrapped into each fractured plea. Please… don’t take her. Don’t let her go.
His world collapsed into this single, unbearable moment. Everything—the pain, the emptiness, the years he’d spent buried in his own grief—shrank down to this: holding you, willing you to stay.
A part of him whispered that you were gone, that he’d come too late. It sliced through him, the pain cold and merciless, tearing at him from the inside.
But he couldn’t accept it. He wouldn’t. He held you tighter, as if he could pull you back to life with sheer, desperate force.
"Come on, babygirl," he whispered, his voice a soft plea, thick with tears. "You promised me… remember? You promised."
His tears fell onto your skin, mingling with the blood that marred your face, his grief seeping into every inch of you. He bent his head, pressing his lips against your forehead, his tears hot and relentless.
Every memory, every moment with you flashed through his mind, a lifetime of love condensed into seconds. The laughter you’d shared, the softness in your eyes when you’d look at him—all of it now hung in the balance, slipping through his fingers like smoke.
Joel's grip tightened, his arms wrapped around you like he could shield you, even now, from everything dark and vile in this world. "Please, come back to me," he choked out, his voice barely more than a breath, the words pulled from the deepest part of him. 
Come back.
His chest ached, his heart beating against a wall of sorrow so thick it was suffocating. And still, he held you, as though love alone could tether your soul back to him, could fill the silence that had swallowed you whole.
Suddenly, the silence between you shattered as you gasped awake, air flooding into your lungs in a desperate, rattling breath.
Joel’s heart jolted with such force he almost pulled back, but instead, he held you tighter, his relief an overwhelming wave crashing over him.
You thrashed weakly in his arms, vision blurred, disoriented and terrified, your voice breaking in panicked cries. "No! No! Don’t touch me!"
"Hey, hey… it’s me. It’s me," he murmured softly, his hands gentle on your shoulders as he tried to calm you.
His voice was thick, a rough whisper, barely holding back the tears of relief as he drew you closer, feeling the steady warmth of your breath against his chest.
"Joel?" He felt you relax, and slowly, as if afraid you’d disappear if he let go, Joel wrapped his arms tighter around you, silently thanking whatever force was left in this world for bringing you back to him.
"Thank you...Thank you God," he whispered to God, to bring you back.
Your blurred vision cleared, and as your gaze fell on his face, the tears came, spilling over in a torrent of relief, of exhaustion, of love.
You clung to him, like a child, letting out every fear, every longing, until the weight of his presence seemed to ground you, to make you feel safe again.
“I thought… I thought I’d never see you again,” you whispered, your voice trembling, breaking.
He pulled you close, pressing his lips to the side of your head, his words soft and steady. "I got you. You’re safe now… I’m here now." His heart clenched as he felt you collapse against him, trusting him to carry the weight of this moment.
The horror of everything he’d witnessed, everything he’d feared, lingered on the edges of his mind, but with you here in his arms, he could finally breathe.
He then kissed you, you kissed him back.
The warmth of Joel's embrace, that kiss—long, desperate, everything unspoken between you poured into it—all of it felt like salvation, like drowning in relief only to be pulled into air and held there, safe.
Your lips pressed together in a fierce, shared need to feel every ache, every moment of fear, longing, and love—the kiss deepening as if it could carry every bit of pain you’d endured and let it dissolve in his arms.
For a moment, it was just the two of you against the horror, the emptiness that had swallowed you whole.
Here, with him, you are finally feel alive again.
But then, the moment split open. A shadow loomed behind him, and a chill ran down your spine, the dread slithering into your heart before you even turned.
You pulled back, eyes wide, breath catching as you saw Negan standing there, his mouth twisted in a cruel, dark smirk.
In his hands was that familiar bat, glinting under the dim light, raised with lethal intent.
"NO, JOEL—" you managed, your voice breaking as terror surged through you, but it was already too late.
The bat crashed down with a sickening, brutal force, and Joel’s body crumpled beneath the blow.
“Joel!” Your scream tore through the silence, raw and desperate. His form lay motionless, blood slowly trickling from the wound on his head, staining his face as his eyes fell shut.
The sight shattered you.
Negan grabbed you, yanking you away with unyielding strength. You kicked, you clawed, but it was no use. “NO! Don’t do anything to him! Please, don’t hurt him, don’t—” But your pleas fell on deaf ears.
He threw you back into the cold, unforgiving cage, the door slamming shut with a merciless clang.
"NEGAN, NO!" You pounded against the bars, fists slamming as you screamed. He only watched, amused, as though your desperation was an orchestra he enjoyed conducting.
Across the room, Negan dragged Joel’s limp body to a chair, binding his hands and legs with thick, rough ropes. He worked meticulously, each knot tight, his gaze never leaving Joel's battered face.
Blood dripped from the wound on Joel’s head, trailing slowly down his neck, and you felt a crushing helplessness as you watched him, your voice cracking as you screamed.
“Joel! Joel, please… wake up…”
You clawed at the bars until your nails split, your hands bloody, but the steel held fast.
The reality of the moment sank into your bones like ice, each second stretching with dread. "NEGAN, PLEASE!" you begged, your voice breaking, but he only turned toward you with a mocking, cold look.
"That’s the last time he’ll get to touch you," Negan sneered, disgust twisting in his voice as he gestured back at the spot where you’d kissed Joel, where you’d clung to him like he was your last hope. “Disgusting.”
***
Joel’s world flickered back to life in fragments, his mind swimming as he fought the waves of blackness pressing against him.
His head throbbed with a searing pain, and his vision blurred as he forced his eyes open, seeing only flashes of movement and shapes at first.
Then, bit by bit, his sight cleared, and he could see you through the haze, slumped against the bars of a cage, tears streaming down your face as you called his name, desperate and broken.
His heart twisted at the sight, fear tearing through him as he tried to reach for you, only to feel the bite of ropes cutting into his wrists and ankles.
He was bound to the chair, unable to move. Panic settled into his chest, sharp and unforgiving. “Doll…” he managed, his voice hoarse and shaky as he struggled against the restraints, the blood from his wound still warm, trickling down his neck.
Negan’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and cruel, like the edge of a blade scraping against bone. "Well, look who’s finally awake,"he jeered, stepping into Joel’s view, his eyes gleaming with a sick, twisted pleasure.
Every word that left Negan’s lips felt like an assault, each syllable laced with venom.
The sight of him, standing there so casually, was enough to stir something inside Joel that was deeper than fury—it was primal, raw, a burning hatred that ignited within him.
Every muscle in his body screamed to break free, to get to you, to tear Negan apart. He pulled at the ropes, feeling them bite into his skin, but they held fast, as immovable as the horror that had unfolded.
"I'm going to kill you," Joel growled, the words thick with rage and the promise of retribution. The air around him seemed to crackle with violence, his every word a threat, his every breath heavy with hatred.
Negan’s laugh was low and cruel, a sound that made the hairs on the back of your neck rise. Without warning, he drove his fist into Joel's stomach, and the sound of it—the sickening thud—echoed in the room, a sharp crack of pain that sent a wave of terror through you.
“No!” you screamed, your heart pounding in your chest, your hands reaching helplessly through the bars, as if you could stop the onslaught with your mere presence.
Negan wiped the blood from his knuckles and smiled. "You think you can save her, huh? Think you can play hero, Miller?" he mocked, his voice dripping with scorn.
"C’mon, you can’t be that stupid. You really think I’d kill her? Please… she’s way too much fun to kill." He sneered, another brutal punch landing on Joel’s face, snapping his head to the side with a sickening crack.
Joel’s eyes were darkened with pain, his mouth now filled with blood, but the fire in him didn’t waver. "I’m gonna fucking kill you," Joel spat, the blood dribbling from his lips, his voice hoarse with fury.
Negan tilted his head, studying Joel with a twisted grin. "Tough guy, huh?" he said, mocking the very idea of Joel’s strength. "Well, let’s see how tough you are when you can’t do a damn thing about it."
Joel’s heart was thundering in his chest, the pulse of his veins matching the brutal rhythm of the punches he endured.
But his spirit didn’t falter; it only burned brighter with every insult, with every blow that landed on his battered body.
Negan circled him, like a predator sizing up its prey, leaning in close, his voice thick with venom as he whispered into Joel’s ear. "What were you thinking, huh? That you could just walk in here and stop me?" He chuckled, shaking his head, his voice dripping with mocking pity.
"We were fine without you. Hell, we were thriving without you." His eyes flicked over to you in the cage, a dark glimmer in them. "She was happy, you know. Didn’t need you to be in her head. But here you are, playing the white knight, trying to save the girl you don’t even fucking deserve."
Negan's voice was like poison, dripping from his lips with a slow, deliberate cruelty, each word laced with venom meant to tear Joel down, to twist the knife deeper.
He knew the weight of Joel's guilt, the shadows of his past, and now, he was going to use it against him.
"You think you deserve her?" Negan’s tone was mocking, cruel, his eyes glinting with a sadistic pleasure. "You? You think you can be her hero, Miller? You’ve known her since she was a little girl, right? Since she was three? And now you’re fucking her?" His voice rose with each word, the venom thickening, as if he could make Joel choke on the very idea.
"Disgusting."
Joel’s stomach twisted, bile rising in his throat. He couldn’t respond—not yet. Not when Negan was playing with fire, fanning the flames of his mind, trying to ignite a spark of doubt in his heart.
Joel remained silent, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt, his gaze burning holes into the floor beneath him.
Negan was trying to gaslight him, make him feel like the monster, make him believe the lies about his relationship with you.
Negan leaned in, his breath hot against Joel's ear, like a shadow whispering sweet poison into his soul. "You really think you’re a hero, huh?" He chuckled darkly.
"You think you’re saving her? You’re just like them, Miller. Just like Ben. Just like that goddamn pedophile you killed. And don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it—taking matters into your own hands, playing God, playing judge, jury, and executioner. You’re the same fucking monster they were. You’re just too stupid to see it."
The words sent a cold shiver through Joel’s veins, like ice water splashing against his skin.
The ghosts of his past clawed at him, the blood-stained memories that had been haunting him for years now bubbling up to the surface. He had killed Ben and Jamie. Killed them to protect her. 
"You killed them because you want her to be all yours. Not because you want to protect her,"
Joel’s jaw clenched, but his mind started to churn with the doubt Negan planted, each word a tiny crack in the wall Joel had built around himself.
He had been justifying everything, hadn’t he? His actions… the things he did for you. It was all for you, wasn’t it? To protect you.
But Negan was playing with fire, and his words were like gasoline—burning through the edges of Joel’s sanity, forcing him to look at the truth through a new, ugly lens.
“God,” Negan’s voice dropped to a low murmur, almost conversational, “I watched her for a long time. Long before you even fucking noticed her.”
He stepped closer, his breath sour, smelling of something rotten, something foul. “The first time I met her father… I was going to repent. I was going to change. Hell, Naomi told me to visit Reverend Gibson, to clean up my act, to find some peace. I was gonna find salvation. All those other girls—bored me. But then… I saw her."
"She was in that white sundress, innocent, pure. I thought—" He let out a dark laugh, shaking his head. “I thought God wanted me to have her, Miller. Maybe she was my redemption. To have a pure, sweet, innocent soul to redeem my sins."
"But then you showed up. Like a fucking rat you have to showed up for God's sake!"
Joel felt his breath catch, like he was drowning in the weight of Negan’s words, each one pressing down on him, pushing him deeper into a pit of guilt and self-loathing.
Negan’s laughter was sickening. It clawed at Joel’s chest, and the air felt thick, choking. “You… you played the fucking hero, huh? You couldn’t leave well enough alone."
Negan walking circled him, "You thought you could save her from her misery just because her father disciplined her. So what, Joel? Girls need to be fucking taught!"
"I agree with her father on that one. She was a brat! and oh she still is!"
The silence was deafening after those words. They hung in the air like smoke, choking the life out of Joel, filling him with a slow, creeping dread.
His mind spun, the thought of you, so innocent, so pure, now tangled in his web. Negan was poisoning everything, every memory of you, twisting it into something ugly, something perverse.
Negan didn’t stop, his words like chains tightening around Joel’s neck, dragging him deeper into the muck. "You led her to you, Joel. Don’t even try to pretend you didn’t."
"You acted like you could protect her. But you can’t even protect yourself from your own past, can you? You’re so goddamn broken, so messed up. And now you’re just taking advantage of her. 
Joel’s heart pounded in his chest, a storm of guilt crashing over him like a tidal wave. Was he—had he really led you here? Was he really just as bad as Negan said?
Negan’s voice dropped to a mocking whisper, dragging the words through Joel's mind like claws on glass. “She was your daughter’s friend, Joel. Ellie’s friend.” He leaned in closer, his breath hot against Joel’s ear.
“Don’t you feel disgusted? You’ve fucked your daughter’s friend. That’s how far you’ve fallen.”
Joel’s head swam, the weight of the words crashing over him, drowning him in a sea of doubt and self-loathing.
His grip tightened on the ropes, his knuckles white, but there was something else now—a spark of something dark, something cold in his chest.
"What do you think Jane would say, huh?" with the mention of his late wife, Joel's body tighten up.
"You think she’d be proud of you, molesting Evelyn’s daughter? Evelyn, Jane’s best friend. You’re disgusting, Joel. All of this? It’s on you."
Negan continued, his voice a low, mocking growl, pushing Joel to the edge. “You’re no better than any of us. Look at you, Miller."
"You took advantage of her. She was just a little girl who needed someone to teach her. And you? You saw an opportunity, didn’t you?”
"You are pathetic," Negan's word hit like a snake's fangs, stung through Joel's heart.
Joel clenched his fists harder, his body trembling with rage, fear, and a deep sense of self-loathing. His throat burned as he fought to keep the tears back, to keep from choking on the agony of his own thoughts. The floodgates were closing, but they were trembling, about to burst.
What has he done?
Joel’s thoughts were a maelstrom now. He couldn’t focus. His mind was torn between the images of you—so sweet, so innocent—and the cruel words that Negan kept throwing at him, one after another.
But then, through the haze of doubt, through the suffocating weight of Negan’s venom, Joel heard your voice.
“No!” You screamed, your voice breaking through the madness, a raw, desperate plea.
“Joel, don’t listen to him!” The words trembled on your lips, an echo of everything you needed to say, everything you wanted Joel to hear.
"Don't listen to him!" you screamed again, your breath ragged, your throat burning from the effort. The sound of Negan’s poison lingered in the air like smoke, heavy and thick, but you couldn’t let it smother the truth.
You needed him to hear you. He needed to hear you.
"Joel, look at me!" you pleaded, your hands gripping the bars of the cage so tightly your fingers turned white.
Every word Negan had said felt like a bullet to your heart, but you couldn’t—you wouldn’t—let Joel fall into the same trap. He was better than this. 
He is better than them.
"You’re not like them, Joel. You never were!" The words spilled from your mouth, raw and desperate, desperate to break through the fog that was clouding his mind.
You needed him to see the truth—the truth that was you and him, the life you shared, the love you both fought for in the darkest corners.
"You love me. In your own way, but you love me, Joel! You saved me! You gave me a life I never thought I deserved." Your voice cracked with the weight of everything you were feeling, the deep well of emotion that surged between you both.
"Joel, I love you."
"I love you, Joel. and you love me, you are my savior, you saved me."
"Look at me! Look at me, Joel! Don't let him under your skin, please,"
Negan, on the other side of this fragile moment, stood grinning, eyes glinting with amusement, as if watching a puppet fight its strings.
He saw Joel waver, saw the flicker of doubt and fear, and he thrived on it. His smile was nothing short of wicked, enjoying the chaos he had stirred.
He had set his trap, and now he watched, savoring the confusion that was slowly chipping away at Joel’s resolve.
You could see Joel, fighting against the chaos in his own mind, the weight of Negan’s twisted words pulling at him like a chain.
His eyes flickered, lost, haunted, caught between his past and the present, between the lies and the truth. But then—then—he looked at you.
For a moment, it was like time stopped. The world held its breath, and all that existed was you and him.
His gaze locked on yours, and in that instant, you saw everything—the raw, unspoken love, the pain, the guilt, the shame, but also the fight.
The fight to break free, the fight to protect you, the fight to keep you safe.
"Joel," you whispered, your voice soft but steady now, as if you were trying to calm the storm that raged inside him.
"You are so much better than this. You’re not like them, Joel. You’re not a monster. You are the best father Ellie and Sarah could ever want, Joel. They will be proud of you, she would have. The best man I have ever wanted, you're my protecter, the love of my life, you are my soul, Joel."
But as you cried out to him, Negan’s smile twisted into a sneer, his patience running thin. "Enough with your fucking mouth!" he growled, turning to you with fury, his hands reaching for the cage, yanking the door open with a violence that made you flinch.
"Shut up already."
Before you could react, Negan was on you, his hand slapping across your face with a sickening force, sending your head whipping to the side.
The sound of the slap echoed in the room, louder than your scream. The sting spread like fire across your cheek, your eyes filling with tears that blurred your vision.
For a moment, the world spun—his presence, his cruelty, all of it was too much to bear.
With that, Joel—Joel is awake.
In that instant, the haze lifted from his eyes. The fury, the protectiveness, everything that made Joel Joel came rushing back.
His muscles strained against the ropes, his eyes flashing with an intensity that would have burned holes in the walls if he could.
He was no longer the broken man Negan had manipulated, no longer the victim of his words.
He was the man who had fought for you, the man who had saved you.
"You son of a bitch!" Joel roared, the raw anger in his voice like a clap of thunder. His body surged forward, every instinct screaming to protect you, to break free from his restraints.
"Don't you fucking touch her!" He screamed, his hands were shaking with rage, but that was the only thing that kept him grounded—the unrelenting need to destroy the man who had dared to lay a finger on you.
The rope binding Joel's wrists strained as he twisted, trying to force the knot loose, his mind ablaze with fury. Every word Negan spoke chipped away at his restraint, his heart hammering with hatred.
The sight of you in Negan's hold—his arm around your neck, the gleaming knife pressed to your throat—made Joel’s blood boil.
But he knew he had to keep his wits; one wrong move, and you’d be lost.
Negan grinned, tightening his grip around your neck. His voice was dripping with mockery as he taunted, "What’s the matter, honey? Scared now?" He leaned closer, his sneer twisted with sadistic pleasure.
"Oh, Joel, why’d you have to ruin everything? If it wasn’t for you, she and I—" he paused, savoring each word, "we’d have lived happily ever after."
Joel’s hands shook as he worked against the restraints, his heart pounding. Negan’s twisted words were knives slicing into him, each one crueler than the last.
"She’s delicious, Joel," Negan sneered, his voice sickly sweet as he ran his tongue along his teeth. "The way she tastes... can’t get enough of her." He licked his lips exaggeratedly, taunting Joel, mocking him with every vile syllable.
"You should’ve known," Negan laughed, pressing the blade closer to your skin, just enough to draw a thin trickle of blood.
"Stop it, Negan, please," you whimpered, tears spilling from your eyes, the despair twisting in your voice.
Negan only tightened his hold, his voice low and cruel. "What’s the matter, honey? You were enjoying it too, right?" The words crushed you, and you turned your face away, unable to look at Joel, a sense of shame sinking into your soul.
Joel's fingers scraped against the ropes with renewed desperation, his fury almost blinding.
Negan’s voice slithered through the silence, every word laced with cruelty. "You know," he continued, "I thought of sharing her around with the others. She made me good money, after all. She knows how to entertain… they paid well. Maybe you’d want a turn, too, Joel. She’s… profitable." He laughed, a dark, rasping sound that reverberated in the room, tightening the coil of hatred in Joel’s chest.
"I’m gonna kill you," Joel growled through gritted teeth, his voice a low, venomous promise.
"Ah, ah," Negan teased, pressing the blade harder against your skin, making you wince. "I’m not finished yet."
Negan’s voice softened, a calculated cruelty in every word as he continued. "But I started thinking... she can’t stay young forever. Thought maybe… it’d be a shame not to pass on those… charming qualities of hers."
"And wouldn’t you know it, Joel, she was carrying a piece of me inside her. That's right, My child!"
"She didn’t agree, of course… but a little force never hurt, right?"
Joel’s heart froze at Negan’s taunts, every word tearing open old wounds he’d buried deep.
Each sentence was a twisted knife, slashing at the walls Joel had built to keep the pain, guilt, and memories at bay. Negan’s voice was venomous, slithering around the broken dreams Joel had long since given up on.
He felt the darkness creeping back—the part of him that, years ago, had once loved fiercely, only to lose everything in one brutal instant.
But pregnant? His mind reeled, the word pounding in his skull like a drum. The image of you, scared and vulnerable, carrying his child—his child—pierced through the numbness in his heart.
He could barely breathe, the thought of you enduring such horror while he was oblivious igniting a fury so primal, so fierce, it nearly drowned him.
Rage tangled with a crushing sense of failure. He wanted to rip Negan apart with his bare hands, make him pay for every ounce of pain he’d inflicted.
Negan’s twisted laughter cut through his thoughts. “Yeah, she wanted a family, Joel,” he sneered, lips curling in a malicious grin.
“She had this fucking unrealistic idea, delusional bitch. You. Her. Playing house. Kids. The whole perfect life fantasy. But she knew, didn’t she?” Negan’s gaze pierced Joel, mocking him with each word.
“You were scared of it, scared of screwing it up like you did the last time. I mean, how could she not know? You’ve got ‘haunted’ written all over you. Lost control, didn't you? When you killed your own family,” Negan laughed, as if savoring each jab.
Inside, Joel’s heart twisted. He remembered the night like yesterday. Now he was left with nothing but ashes and guilt that hollowed him out from the inside.
Every part of him was screaming to shut Negan up, to wipe that smug look off his face. But it was true, wasn’t it? Deep down, he was scared—scared of losing again, scared of failing you the way he’d failed before.
But you, you were different. Despite everything, you stayed.
Despite the darkness he carried, the broken parts he tried to hide, you’d somehow found something worth holding onto.
That fierce loyalty of yours was like a light in the pitch-black cave of his heart, something so pure it almost hurt to look at.
You were stupid, he told himself, but the truth was you were braver than he ever could be.
You had this impossible, relentless hope—the dream of a life together, a family, even though he’d told himself it could never be.
You had loved him, flaws and all, even when he couldn’t love himself. And now, the thought of what Negan had done, the way he’d shattered that hope, drove him to the edge.
"But this stupid bitch killed my baby before they could feel their daddy's voice,"
Negan's words echoed in the dim room, each one twisting deeper into Joel's heart. The pain surged through him like wildfire. You'd done the unimaginable for him, sacrificing more than he could comprehend, and now here you were, your hope and loyalty used against you like weapons.
It was more than he could take—Negan was tearing away the last pieces of himself, bit by bit. Joel's fists clenched tight, knuckles white, straining against the binds holding him back, desperate to shut Negan up, to take back what had been lost.
Negan’s voice grew sharper, each taunt slicing like a blade. "You see, Joel? this bitch is loyal and fucking crazy, she killed her own child for you! just to make a new baby for you!"
"She killed her own kid—for you. All that love, all that loyalty, wasted on you."
"But it’s over, you hear me? You and her? Done. I’ll make sure she forgets you. And when I’m finished with you, there’ll be nothing left."
The world narrowed to this single moment. Negan, too consumed with his taunts to notice, didn’t see you move.
In a swift, silent motion, you grabbed a jagged tool from the ground behind him, the weight of it heavy in your hand. You swung it, heart pounding, and plunged it into Negan's chest with everything you had.
Negan gasped, staggering back, his eyes flashing with fury and shock. In an instant, he retaliated, plunging his knife into your side.
The pain ripped through you, a white-hot flash as you felt the blade sink in, stealing the air from your lungs.
"Joel..."
Time slowed, the world narrowing to the throbbing ache and the look on Joel's face—his eyes wide, pure horror carved into every line, as he screamed for you, voice raw and desperate. 
"NO!"
Your name fell from his lips, a broken prayer, just as you stumbled back, collapsing onto the cold ground. Negan kicked you aside with brutal force, your body sliding across the floor as you fought to keep your vision steady.
You could barely hear Joel’s cries over the rushing in your ears, his desperate shout, the anguish that filled every word, but you felt his presence as if he were right there, holding you.
The sound of wood splintering filled the room as Joel threw his weight against the chair, shattering the binds that held him. In one furious motion, he was on his feet, lunging at Negan with a force that seemed to shake the air.
They collided in a storm of fists and fury, each punch landing like thunder. Blood smeared the floor, echoing the carnage that seethed within Joel’s heart, his fists fueled by a rage that seemed boundless.
Every blow was a release, a reckoning for the agony and fear Negan had unleashed.
Through your blurred vision, you saw them—Joel, relentless and unyielding, his fists raining down on Negan, every punch charged with a love he’d never put into words, a love you could feel, pulsing through every beat of your wounded heart.
The scene before you felt like a twisted nightmare, each moment a struggle to stay present, to push through the pain as blood seeped from your wounds.
You clutched your side, feeling the warmth slip between your fingers as you pressed down, refusing to give in. You had to stay awake. You had to stay with him.
Joel was still fighting, his fists relentless, fueled by desperation and a love that spoke louder than words. But Negan’s laugh rang out, mocking, dark.
“Tough guy, Miller? Is that all you got?” Negan’s face was bruised, bloodied, but he still smirked through it, as if even this pain was just another game to him.
"Bring it on!" Negan said. Joel didn’t let up, his fists a storm of anger, of love, of every unspoken promise he’d made. He was protecting you with everything he had.
But in a flash, Negan’s hand found his bat, and with a brutal swing, he sent Joel flying backward, his head colliding with the floor.
As Joel’s head slammed against the cold ground, a sickening thud reverberated through the room, a sound that echoed in the hollow of your chest.
But Negan loomed over him now, his eyes alight with a sadistic joy. “My turn,” he sneered, swinging the bat down again and again, each blow ringing out, a sickening thud that filled the room.
"NO!"
Joel tried to stand, tried to fight, but he was slowing, his strength waning. Blood pooled around him, and when he looked up at you, his eyes were glazed, his face pale.
Blood ran from his temple in a dark, winding river, and you could see the light beginning to fade in his eyes, the haze of consciousness slipping further with each ragged breath.
His gaze found yours, as he tried to smile, to offer you one last reassurance. You felt a surge of panic rise in you, raw and consuming, as you screamed, “NO! STOP IT!" you saw Negan bash his bat to Joel over and over again.
But Negan laughed, a deep, sinister sound that filled every corner of the room. “Look at you, Miller,” he sneered, swinging the bat down again, the force of it making Joel’s body jerk, each strike ripping pieces from your soul.
“You really thought you could win?”
Your vision blurred as hot tears slipped down your cheeks. The pain in your side was blinding, your own blood pooling beneath you, but nothing compared to the sight of Joel—your Joel—bruised, broken, and bleeding, his life slipping away with each heartbeat.
“Wake up, Joel,” you whispered, a plea laced with desperation, but your voice cracked as you saw him begin to fade.
"WAKE UP!" you screamed, “Please, Joel. Wake up!” You tried to rise, but agony shot through you, your body weakening under the weight of your injuries.
All you could do was lie there, helpless, watching as the man you loved was torn apart before your eyes.
Negan paused, his cruel smile widening as he noticed Joel’s lips moving, a faint whisper escaping.
“What’s that, tough guy? what did you say? oh my God! tough son of a bitch! look! he tried to speak to you!” He laughed looking at you as Negan point to Joel laying in the ground blood all over him, mocking, stepping back just enough to give Joel room to speak.
Joel’s head lifted, his bloodied face turned to you, his voice broken but determined.
“C-close… your eyes, doll…” His words were barely audible, each syllable a struggle, blood trickling from his mouth as he tried to form the words.
He lifted a hand, reaching out to you, trembling, his fingers stretching to bridge the aching space between you.
You shake your head crying, "No...Joel...", The world closed in around you, the weight of your love for him too heavy, too fierce, to bear the thought of letting go.
Tears blurred your vision, and you choked back a sob, heart shattering as you whispered back, “You can’t… I can’t lose you.”
"J-just, c-close your eyes, you're gonna be okay," he said again, blood now coming out from his mouth again.
Your chest heaved, your vision blurred with tears. No, you thought, this can’t be it.
The man who’d become everything to you—the man who’d fought against his own darkness just to hold onto yours—was fading. You couldn’t lose him. You wouldn’t lose him.
Then, as if by divine intervention, your gaze fell to the floor.
It's your gun. Your bible and your gun you hadn't see in a long time.
The gun and the Bible Frank had given you, lying just within reach beneath the table. A fire rekindled within you.
A fury as deep and fierce as your love for Joel, you need to save him. This man would fight to his last breath for you, and you'd do the same for him.
Then you began to crawl, inch by painful inch, toward the weapon. Negan, too caught up in his victory, hadn’t noticed, his laughter grating on your raw nerves.
“Oh, don’t worry, Joel,” Negan sneered, leaning over him with twisted delight. “I’m gonna take real good care of your girl here. Good night.”
But before he could swing, before he could deliver that final, sickening blow, you rose to your knees, aimed the gun, and pulled the trigger.
BANG.
The sound shattered the silence. Negan froze, the shock evident in his wide, stunned eyes as he stumbled, blood blooming across his chest. You fired again.
You didn’t stop. Y
He looked at you, eyes narrowing, but you held your ground, staring into him with a steady, unyielding gaze.
Again and again and again, you pressed the trigger, feeling your breath hitch with each pull, each impact sinking deeper, as if each shot was tearing away the chains he had wrapped around you.
You are screaming as the fury poured from you, pouring all the agony into each pull of the trigger, trying to emptying every last round into him, watching him fall, watching his face twist in horror as his strength faded.
Finally, the gun clicked, empty, but you weren’t finished. Dropping the weapon, you stepped forward, picking up his bat.
The weight felt righteous in your hands. Standing over him, you paused, staring down into his eyes, watching the realization settle—he knew he’d lost.
Negan’s bloodied mouth twisted into a smile, his laughter hoarse and fading. “Look at you,” he rasped, his voice broken, taunting to the very end. “All grown up now.”
Those were his last words.
You raised it high and swung the bat with everything you had, unleashing everything he’d taken from you, every wound he had caused, every hope he’d tried to crush.
The sound of cracking bone echoing in the room, a raw, primal scream tearing from your throat as you brought it down again and again and the bone shattered beneath you.
The world faded, reduced to the rhythmic, furious release of pain, until nothing was left but silence, his broken body beneath you.
You dropped the bat, chest heaving, the weight of it all crashing down on you.
And then you heard it—Joel’s voice, barely a whisper, calling your name, grounding you, reminding you of who you were beyond the fury.
You turned toward him, your body swaying with the weight of pain and exhaustion. Every step you took felt heavier than the last, as if the ground itself wanted to hold you back, to stop you from reaching him.
But you pushed forward, collapsing beside him, your trembling hands finding his blood-streaked face, brushing against his stubbled cheek with a gentleness that defied the violence you’d just endured.
"Joel… hang on," you whispered, but the words barely escaped your lips, thick with tears.
His head lolled against you, his brown eyes finding yours, and the blood pooled in his hair shimmered like some tragic halo.
You could feel the strength slipping from his body, a slow ebbing tide that pulled him further away with every heartbeat.
"Look at me, doll," he murmured, his voice a threadbare whisper, his hand lifting with a tremor to brush your cheek, his thumb sweeping away the tears that blurred your vision.
"You’re… you’re gonna be okay."
You shook your head, gathering him closer, your blood mingling with his as you pressed his head to your lap, cradling him as though you could shelter him from the world that had dealt you both such cruelty.
"No, we’re gonna be okay," you insisted, your voice breaking under the weight of it, a plea wrapped in promise.
"Don’t leave me… please, Joel. I can’t do this without you."
You could see the struggle in his eyes, the quiet resignation in his bruised face as he tried to smile, each line etched into his skin telling stories of a life spent fighting—and now, his final fight slipping through his grasp.
He lifted a hand, pressing against the wound on your side even as his own blood stained your fingers. Every breath was shallow, every word a strain.
He leaned his forehead to yours, his breath warm against your skin, his eyes barely focusing but still on you, clinging to this moment, to you.
"I’m sorry, babygirl," he whispered, as if the words themselves could bind you together just a little longer.
“No. Don’t… don’t do this to me, Joel,” you begged, pressing your hand harder to his wound too, as if the pressure alone could stop the flow of time, of everything that was slipping away.
You cupped his face, tears falling onto his skin, mingling with the blood that soaked you both. "We’re gonna be okay. We have to be."
But even as you spoke, darkness edged into your vision too, the room narrowing to the beat of your shared breaths, slow and unsteady.
His fingers held yours, entwined in a desperate grip that softened as his strength faded, his pulse a faint echo in your hand. “I love you,” he whispered.
The words raw and cracked, filling the hollow spaces between you, the ache and loss that could never be spoken. “I’ll always be with you.”
The world blurred, the pain and fear blending into a strange calm as you traced your fingers over his face, memorizing every line, every scar.
"I love you so much, Joel," you whispered, voice barely a breath, pressing your lips to his forehead, grounding yourself in the warmth of him, the man who had become your salvation, your strength.
He looked at you, his gaze softening, his hand falling to rest against your cheek one last time. "I found you,” he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the darkness began to claim him.
In the distance, a sound broke the silence—a wail of sirens, voices muffled and faint, calling yours and Joel's name.
You heard your own name echoed, felt the vibration of the world rushing toward you, but it felt so far away, unreachable.
“Joel?” you whispered, weak and fading, your vision blurring as exhaustion pulled you under. Joel didn’t respond, his head resting still against your lap, his breathing shallow, slipping away from you.
Your name rang out again, closer now, a voice that you knew—a voice that felt like home.
"Tommy," you managed, a faint smile softening your lips as your gaze lifted, catching sight of his familiar face before the darkness claimed you.
“He found us.”
And then, like the soft closing of a book, everything faded into black.
HANG ON PEOPLE, WE STILL GOT ONE MORE FINAL CHAPTER!
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k-nayee · 1 month ago
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CHAPTER 1. Ἀφροδίτη
❝From the sea we came. To the sea we shall return❞
Tamed M.List
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ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˏ⸉ˋ‿̩͙‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙.·͙*̩̩͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩̥͙ ✩ *̩̩̥͙˚̩̥̩̥*̩̩͙‧͙ .‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ‿̩̥̩‿̩̩̥͙̽‿̩͙ˊ⸊ˎ
The storm had raged through the night, shaking the shores of Driftmark with unrelenting force.
Skies had been painted black and the winds howled as if the sea itself were crying out.
While lightning split the heavens with deafening cracks of thunder, waves crashed violently against the rocks as if trying to tear the island from its roots.
With the passing storm came the morning sun. The sea, once wild and unforgiving, lay still—too still.
Rhaenys Targaryen stood on the shore for a moment. She took in the view of sunlight breaking through the clouds, letting the salty winds calmly brush over her.
It wasn't until the impatient steamed snort of Meleys did the Princess break out of her trance. Adjusting her leather riding gear with a sigh, she mounts the Dragon.
The Red Queen stretch her wings wide, casting a long shadow over the ground before launching into the air.
A daily routine of theirs, their ritual—a morning flight to clear Rhaenys' mind and stretch Meleys' wings after a long night of rest.
The air was thick with the scent of salt and rain and the island was damp from the storm's wrath.
They soared high above the coast, the wind whipping through Rhaenys' hair as she held the reins loosely, trusting Meleys to guide them.
Usually they flew a familiar route: circling Driftmark before venturing out over the sea where the horizon became a thin line, the shore a mere speck in the distance.
But today something felt off. There was an unease in the air that Rhaenys couldn't quite shake.
Meleys' flight was smooth at first, her powerful wings cutting through the remnants of the storm clouds.
But as they neared the point where Rhaenys would typically turn back, the Dragon did not obey. Rhaenys furrowed her brow, pulling on the reins gently.
"Meleys enough," she firmly but calmy called. It was a command the Dragon had always followed without question.
Meleys ignored her.
The Dragon's massive body continued forward, wings beating steadily as if drawn to something far out at sea.
Rhaenys felt her heart beginning to race, a flicker of worry igniting in her chest. She tightened her grip on the reins as her voice rose with a note of warning.
"Meleys turn back!" she demanded.
Still the Red Queen flew on, her head tilted slightly downward, her keen eyes focused on something in the distance.
Rhaenys leaned forward as her pulse quickened with a growing sense of unease. She rarely had to assert her authority over Meleys and this defiance was troubling.
The princess's voice rang out again, sharper this time.
"Meleys! Turn back!"
Finally, with a low rumbling growl that vibrated through Rhaenys' entire body, Meleys abruptly halted mid-flight.
Rhaenys lurch forward in her saddle. Quickly gathering her bearings, irritation flared up in the Targaryen Princess chest.
She opens her mouth ready to scold the Dragon for the insubordination when something catches her eye.
Seagulls. Dozens of them hovering around in a chaotic flurry.
Their sharp cries pierced the air, unnerving as they circled and landed on something floating in the water.
Squinting, Rhaenys leaned over to peer down at the source of their strange behavior. Through the ripples and foam of the sea, something brown and unnatural stood out against the waves.
"Meleys lower us down," she commanded, voice quieter now. This time the Dragon obeyed, descending smoothly toward the floating object.
As they neared the surface of the water, the seagulls scattered, taking to the skies once more and revealing the mystery.
Rhaenys narrowed her eyes. "What in the Gods' names..." she muttered under her breath.
A basket?
It was brown and tattered, half tangled in a bed of seaweed and foam. The sea gently rocked it back and forth as if cradling it.
She glanced around for any sign of a wreckage or debris that could explain where the basket had come from, but the horizon was barren.
Nothing but the basket. Adrift in the vast open sea. 
Rhaenys' mind raced, wondering where it could have come from—what it could hold.
She glance back at the distant speck of Driftmark on the horizon. She couldn't retrieve it herself. The distance was too great and the basket too far into the water.
Her decision was swift.
"I'm afraid I cannot reach it old girl," she murmured, patting Meleys' neck. "We'll send Lord Husband for this."
With a firm nudge of her heel and sharp command, Meleys was urged upward. The Dragon flapped her mighty wings and the two took off, racing back toward Driftmark.
As they flew, the seagulls returned to the basket below, their cries filling the air once more as if reclaiming their mysterious vigil.
The wind whipped against Rhaenys' face, but her thoughts were elsewhere—her mind unable to shake the image of the basket bobbing alone in the endless sea.
Whatever lay within, it was something meant to be found.
*・:*:★༓★:*:・*
Corlys Velaryon stood at the helm of his smaller ship. His grip on the wheel was steady, though his mind turned over the odd request Rhaenys had made earlier. 
He wasn't sure why they were searching for a basket—only that Rhaenys had come back from her flight with an urgency that left no room for questioning.
"Lord Corlys," one of the crewmen finally spoke. "Beg pardon, but where are we bound?"
It was rare for Lord Corlys to take such a small crew out with no explanation, and the crewman's curiosity was palpable.
Corlys grunted, his eyes scanning the skies ahead. He knew his men were expecting answers but he didn't have one to give.
"As if I know," He muttered. His tone was dry, the kind of humor that had always made his men both nervous and amused. "Follow Lady Rhaenys—she's the one with wings."
He gestured to the skies far ahead where the unmistakable silhouette of Meleys could be seen soaring through the clouds.
Red enormous wings beat rhythmically as she flew low, gliding gracefully over the water as if guiding them.
The crew obeyed without further question and set course to follow the Dragon.
Corlys cast one last look at the endless expanse of the sea before turning to the task at hand.
If Rhaenys had insisted he venture out into the open water, there was a reason, and he trusted her instincts without question.
Even if he couldn't help but wonder what in the Seven Hells she'd seen in that basket to require him personally to retrieve it.
Minutes passed in relative silence, save for the flapping of the sails and the soft murmurs among the crew.
Suddenly, Meleys begin to slow. The Dragon hovered in place for a moment before letting out a low roar as her wings steadily beat above the water.
Corlys squint into the distance, following the area the Dragon stopped at until he finally saw it—a small object bobbing on the surface.
It was almost insignificant in the vastness of the ocean, but there it was, right where Rhaenys said it would be.
"Set the sail," The Sea Snake ordered sharply. The crewmen responded instantly, slowing the ship to a stop.
He gestures for a rowboat to be lowered into the water, watching as it was quickly prepared before motioning a nearby cabin boy to board.
"Row out and fetch it," he commanded. The boy, no older than thirteen, looked up at Corlys with wide eyes before scrambling into the boat.
His hands shook slightly as he grasped the oars and gave a determined nod, not wanting to show his nerves in front of his lord.
As the lanky kid slowly made his way to the floating basket, the crew watched with bated breaths. He reached the spot quickly, his movements hesitant as he drew closer to the basket.
Shoving the seagulls aside with a quick swipe of his hand, he leaned over the side, cautiously reaching toward the tangle of seaweed and wicker.
Corlys watched with a set jaw, arms crossed over his chest. There was something unsettling about the whole affair.
The longer he stared at it the more his skin prickled with a strange sensation. He didn't like not knowing.
He glanced up one more time at Meleys who circled above as if she too were watching over the scene.
Finally managing to grab hold of the basket, the boy grips the edge and pull it into the rowboat.
 Corlys noted the tension in the boy's movements as he peeked inside. He didn't move after that, frozen in place.
The Lord of the Tides' patience wears thin. "Boy!"
The cabin boy jerked at the bark of his voice, nearly dropping the oars as he fumbled to cover the basket back up.
His face was pale as he began to row back to the ship with hurried strokes, his eyes wide and darting, but he said nothing.
Bumping against the side of the ship, the crewmen quickly hauls it aboard eagerly.
The lad climbs out the rowboat, basket clutched tightly in his hands. Several of the men stepped forward in attempt to get a glimpse of what lay inside.
The boy didn't answer any of their questions, his face still frozen in a look of shock. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came.
Corlys stepped forward, his expression sharp. "Well?"
The boy, still seeming to be in his flabbergasted trance, straightened up before simply turning the basket around and peeling the soaked cloth that covered it.
For a moment Corlys saw nothing but a bundle of fabri—
Golden eyes.
Wide golden eyes were staring right back at him.
Corlys blinked. You blink back.
"...A baby?"
════════════════*・:*:★༓★:*:・*═════════════════.
Rhaenys sat on the edge of their bed, the room dimly lit by the candles on the walls.
Her arms cradled the small, swaddled form of the child they had found—a child she couldn't tear her eyes from.
Behind her Corlys paced the length of the chamber. His footsteps echoed on the stone floor as he tried to make sense of it all.
He had seen many strange things in his life, conquered treacherous seas, and faced storms that could swallow ships whole—but this?
This defied reason.
"Found at sea...a child—an infant in the aftermath of a storm that tore apart ships hundred times her size," Corlys muttered. His thoughts circled endlessly as he continued pacing.
"We've faced storms like that before Rhaenys. Men—seasoned sailors, men who have lived their whole lives at sea—they don't survive it. And yet she did. This babe did. She survived."
Rhaenys didn't respond. He stopped his pacing and turned to look.
His wife's gaze was still fixed on you, lips pressed into a thin line as her fingers brushed tenderly against your tiny cheek.
You blinked up at her with wide golden eyes, your little body still as though the world around you did not exist.
"Rhaenys," Corlys tried again, his voice breaking through her reverie. "Are you even hearing me?"
"She's beautiful isn't she?" Rhaenys said softly, finally tearing her gaze from you to look up at Corlys.
Her voice was calm, almost wistful—as if none of the strangeness of the situation fazed her.
Corlys couldn't help but smile despite himself. There was something familiar in the way she held you, something that stirred memories of years long gone.
"You're already taken with her," he teased gently with a shake of his head. "Just like you were when Laenor and Laena were babes."
"How could I not?" Rhaenys murmured, voice thick with emotion as her shinning eyes looked back down to study you. "Laenor is soon to get married and become Lord of Driftmark, and Laena...soon she'll be married as well..."
Her voice faltered, expression darkening at the thought of it. The Lord didn't miss the shift in her mood but said nothing.
He knew well enough not to stoke the flames when it came to her feelings about their daughter's betrothal.
Violet gaze quickly returning to you, the tension leaves. Her voice is firm as she turn back to her husband. "There must be a reason we found her Corlys. The storm...it should have claimed her. But it didn't. She survived. Even Meleys ignored my commands, she wouldn't stop until she was found."
Corlys' gaze softened as he watched the two of you. He hadn't felt the same pull immediately—his mind too clouded with the impossibility of it all.
But now, seeing how Rhaenys looked at you, he felt it.
"A babe from the sea," Corlys mused, almost to himself. Rhaenys smiled, a wistful almost serene look crossing her face as she gazed down at you.
Corlys reached out and gently placed his hand on Rhaenys' arm. "We shall raise her as our own. She was meant for us." His voice was firm, words final.
This child—you—was now theirs.
*・:*:★༓★:*:・*
In the throne room King Viserys sat slumped on the Iron Throne.
His body showed slow signs of decay, his health deteriorating for months from the burden of ruling, wearing on him in more ways than one.
Young Queen Alicent sat beside him.
She was perched gracefully in the smaller chair, her expression distant and melancholy, eyes barely focused as she watched young Aegon playing with a wooden horse at her feet.
A small council of lords had gathered, discussing the damage from the previous night's storm.
"Reports indicate considerable damage to the southern lands Your Grace," one of the lords spoke. "Fields destroyed, homes flooded, and many men lost at sea. It will take time to restore the lands and account for the losses."
Viserys was about to speak when the heavy doors of the throne room opened with a sudden bang.
A breathless messenger boy stumble into the room, his eyes wide with panic. He flushed and quickly dropped to his knees once realizing the error of his interruption.
"F-forgive me Your Grace," he stammered. "But...but the Red Queen—Princess Rhaenys' Dragon—has been spotted arriving to the Dragonpit."
The room fell into hushed whispers of confusion and curiosity amongst the gathered lords. Even Alicent raised her head with interest within her eyes.
Rhaenys was not expected in King's Landing.
Before anyone could question the boy further the doors opened once more, revealing Rhaenys Targaryen herself standing tall and proud at the entrance.
Head held high, she made her way down the pathway toward the Iron Throne, her eyes fixed on Viserys.
The usual sea green and silver Velaryon colors she wore were unmistakable, but it was the white garb secured around her chest that seemed to glow vividly in the candlelight.
Long black hair—streaked with a growing silver by the day—cascaded down her shoulders, partially obscuring what she carried.
She did not offer a full bow to Viserys, instead a light bow of her head in greeting before straightening.
Her expression was unreadable, but the sharpness in her gaze suggested she had no time for pleasantries.
"Your Grace," Her voice clear was she stood before the throne. "I request an audience with you."
Lilac eyes flicker briefly to where Alicent and Otto Hightower stood. "Preferably private. What I have to discuss is of the utmost importance."
The tension in the room thickened. Otto's lips twitched, thinly veiled suspicion in his features.
Sensing the seriousness in his cousin's gaze and tone, Viserys raise a hand before the Hand of the King could interject. 
"Very well," he rasps, leaving no room for objection. "The council is dismissed for now."
Turning to the Hightower, Viserys added, "See that the lords are provided lodgings. We can speak of their concerns in more detail tomorrow."
Otto's smile was tight as he cast a lingering glance at Rhaenys before nodding.
"As you wish Your Grace," he replied, though his displeasure was clear. With a stiff bow he turned to usher the lords out.
Alicent rose gracefully from her chair, smoothing the fabric of her gown with practiced ease. "I shall attend to Aemond and Helaena," she murmured softly. "They are due for their naps."
She took Aegon's hand, ignoring the child's tugging at her hand as he whine and protest to wanting to stay, but Alicent led him out.
When the doors closed and room emptied, the silence hung heavily between them.
Viserys shifted slightly on his throne. "Now cousin," his brow raised. "What is it that could not wait?"
Without a word, Rhaenys stepped forward. Her hand came up to pull her long semi-black hair over her shoulder, a deliberate movement to reveal more of the cloth tied to her.
"Meleys disobeyed me yesterday," she began, "Corlys and I...we discovered something."
Her hand reach behind her to untie the cloth that was wrapped around her chest. 
She made it look effortless—the way she loosened the knots with one hand, supporting the weight of the small bundle behind her with the other. 
The cloth fell away in soft folds as she brought the lump forward to rest against her chest.
Viserys watched, his curiosity deepening as he leaned forward slightly.
Rhaenys adjusted the weight one more time before gently unwrapping the cloth to reveal your small, sleeping face.
The King of the Realm blinked in shock, stunned by the sight of the child in her arms.
He looked up at Rhaenys whose expression remained serious, her eyes watching him closely. 
 "A...child?"
Gently, Rhaenys stepped forward, her arms still cradling you as she drew nearer to the throne.
"We found her at sea Viserys," she said softly, words almost reverent. "The storm should have claimed her and yet she survived. I ask for your favor..."
Seeing her offer to him, his arms hesitantly extend out to allow Rhaenys to carefully place you into his hands.
"...Corlys and I—we wish to adopt her. To name her as our own."
Viserys stared down at you in disbelief. You felt impossibly small in his arms, your chubby face peaceful in sleep.
He hadn't held a newborn in years—not even his own children with Alicent.
His focus had always been on maintaining peace in the realm, on ensuring Rhaenyra's succession.
But now, as he gazed at your sleeping face, a strange warmth flooded through him.
He hadn't expected to feel this—this odd stirring of affection for a child that was not his own. His breath caught as you stirred in your sleep, tiny fingers flexing in the air.
"By the Gods..." Viserys whispered, unable to tear his sight away from you.
Almost as if hearing him, your eyes fluttered open. Golden irises, wide and curious, blinked up at him.
Viserys was taken aback. He stared down at you in silence, the rich hue of your eyes catching the light.
Then as if sensing his surprise, you let out a soft coo, your little mouth curling into a soft gummy smile.
Viserys chuckled softly. He glanced up at Rhaenys, who was watching you with a tender love-filled gaze.
"You and Corlys...you wish to name her as your own, yes?" Viserys asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Rhaenys nodded immediately, her eyes misting. "Yes Your Grace. We believe she was meant for us. She survived the impossible. Even Meleys sought her out. I...I can't help but feel that she was meant to find us."
The King continued to watch you as she spoke, his heart softening with each passing moment. He knew what she was asking. He knew what it meant.
And for Rhaenys, for his cousin, whom he had long felt should have been queen...he couldn't deny her this.
"A-and I understand the weight of such a request, but —"
"I'll do it," Viserys interrupted softly.
Rhaenys' breath caught. "...What?"
He huffs lightly before glancing back down at you, his fingers brushing against your small hand.
When your tiny fingers wrapped around one of his, he felt a strange sense of calm. "I'll legitimize her."
Tears welled in Rhaenys' eyes, a rare show of emotion from the normally stoic princess. "I...I don't know what to say Viserys. I—"
"I demand a trail!" The door to the throne room burst open with a loud clatter as Corlys Velaryon stumbled inside, his steps unsteady and clothes slightly disheveled.
A light sheen of sweat is visible on his brow and he looked a little worse for wear. Nearby servants hurry after him in attempt to help keep him steady, but the Velaryon Lord waves them off.
It wasn't until he decided to take a breather did he realize there was only two people in there, his eyes darting between the two Targaryens who were now staring at him in amusement.
Corlys straightens his tunic. His usually composed demeanor returned slowly as he tries to recover from his disheveled entrance.
"I..." He glanced at Rhaenys and then at you still in Viserys' arms. "I came to voice...s-support the legitimization...?" His words were a little breathless but the intention was clear.
Humor danced in Viserys eyes as he gently passed you back to Rhaenys. "It seems you have taken to the skies as well, and here I was told you get airsick."
He grimace, stepping closer to wrap an arm around Rhaenys as she cradled you in her arms. His gaze softened as he looked down at you.
"For her," he muttered, casting a fond look at you, "it's worth it."
Viserys chuckled again. "Well there is no need. It's settled. I've already given my blessing."
Corlys blinked in surprise before his expression broke into a rare genuine smile. He glanced down at Rhaenys, tightening his hold around her as pride swelled in his chest.
The Fifth King of the Targaryen Dynasty of Westeros smiled watching the three of you, his voice warm as he spoke the words that sealed your fate.
"____ Velaryon, First of Her Name."
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