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herstoryheaven · 7 months ago

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Charles Leclerc x Reader: A Fur-Ever Family

Prompt: You and Charles decide to adopt a pet together. The process of choosing, bringing home, and caring for your new furry friend brings out your nurturing sides and adds a new dimension to your relationship.

Reader: Gender Neutral

Word count: 846

Average reading time: 3 min 5 sec

Category: Fluff

Warnings: None

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Disclaimer: All events portrayed in my stories are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental. Any actions or behaviours portrayed by the characters may differ from reality and cannot be connected to any actual person. This work is purely fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only.

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Charles and Y/N strolled hand in hand through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, their steps in sync, their hearts light with joy. Today was a special day for them; they were about to adopt their first pet together, a long-haired cream Dachshund they had already decided to name Leo.

“Are you excited, mon amour?” Charles asked, his voice soft and filled with affection. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Y/N, the love of his life.

“More than you can imagine.” Y/N replied, squeezing his hand. “I’ve always wanted to have a dog, and now we’re doing this together. It feels perfect.”

Charles stopped walking for a moment, pulling Y/N close. He cupped her face gently in his hands, gazing into her eyes. “You make everything perfect,” he whispered before leaning in for a tender kiss. The romantic moment was briefly interrupted by a group of children running past, laughing and playing, reminding them of the lively world around them.

The couple arrived at the pet adoption center, their excitement bubbling over as they entered. The sound of playful barks and meows filled the air, and they were greeted by a friendly staff member who led them to the area where Leo was waiting.

As soon as they saw Leo, it was love at first sight. The little Dachshund wagged his tail furiously, his big brown eyes filled with curiosity and excitement. Charles knelt down and extended a hand towards Leo, who immediately trotted over and sniffed it before giving it a friendly lick.

“Look at him, Y/N,” Charles said, his voice full of awe. “He’s perfect.”

Y/N knelt beside Charles and gently petted Leo’s soft fur. “He really is. I can’t believe he’s ours.”

The adoption process was quick, and soon they were on their way home with Leo happily settled in Y/N’s arms. Charles kept his arm around your waist, occasionally glancing over at you and Leo, his heart swelling with happiness at the sight of his beloved and their new furry friend.

Once home, they set about making Leo comfortable. They had prepared a cozy bed, bought toys, and filled bowls with food and water. Leo explored his new surroundings with curiosity, his little tail never stopping its wagging.

“He’s going to be so spoiled,” Charles said with a chuckle as he watched Y/N play with Leo, her laughter filling the room.

“He deserves it,” Y/N replied, smiling up at Charles. “We’re going to give him the best life.”

Over the next few days, Leo settled into their home and hearts. Charles and Y/N found themselves falling into a routine, each day filled with moments of joy and laughter brought on by Leo’s playful antics. They took turns feeding him, taking him for walks along the beach, and cuddling with him on the couch in the evenings.

One evening, as they sat on the couch with Leo nestled between them, Charles took Y/N’s hand in his. “Y/N, adopting Leo with you has made me realize something,” he said, his voice serious but filled with love. “I want to build a life with you, filled with moments like this. You, me, and Leo, forever.”

Tears filled Y/N’s eyes as she looked at Charles. “I want that too, Charles. More than anything.”

Charles leaned in and kissed Y/N, a promise of a beautiful future together. As their lips met, Leo barked happily and wriggled his way between them, pushing his little snout in an attempt to join the affection.

“Leo! You little rascal.” Charles laughed, gently pushing Leo back.

“He just wants to be part of the moment.” Y/N giggled, holding Leo close.

Charles pretended to pout. “He’s stealing my kisses now.” he teased.

“Guess you’ll have to share.” Y/N replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Charles leaned in for another kiss, but Leo jumped up, licking Y/N’s cheek instead. Y/N laughed and Charles couldn’t help but join in. “Alright, alright, you win, Leo.” Charles said, playfully rubbing the pup’s head.

Later that evening, Charles and Y/N found themselves in a playful tug-of-war with Leo. Charles would reach for a toy, only for Leo to clamp down on it and tug with surprising strength. Y/N watched, laughing, as Charles pretended to struggle.

“You’re no match for Leo, Charles.” Y/N teased.

“Oh, is that so?” Charles grinned, then lunged playfully at Y/N, tickling her sides. Y/N squealed, trying to wriggle away while holding Leo, who was now excitedly nipping at Charles’s fingers.

“Hey, hey! Not fair.” Charles laughed, pulling his hand back and shaking it. “Leo, you little biter!”

Y/N was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. “He’s defending me! Good boy, Leo!”

Charles pouted dramatically, but the twinkle in his eyes betrayed his amusement. “You’ve both ganged up on me. What am I to do?”

Y/N leaned in, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. “You love us both too much to mind.” she whispered.

Charles wrapped his arms around Y/N and Leo, pulling them both close. “You’re right about that, mon amour.” he murmured, his lips brushing against Y/N’s forehead.

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dat-town · 2 months ago

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lowkey the one you need

Characters: Myung Jaehyun & female reader

Setting & genre: college au, friends to lovers

Summary: Your friendship of three years with Jaehyun has been shifting lately but you can’t quite explain why. Until you do.

Warnings: mentions of pushy guys, alcohol consumption and cliche games at college parties, jealousy

Words: 1.9k

Author’s note: happy bday to our beloved puppy leader! (no matter what he says there’s nothing wolfish about him... 99% of the time); title from nice guy English version,�� header pic of Jaehyun from mint

@restlessmaknae thanks again for bringing these boys into my life! without them my writing stats for this year would have been quite poor but now look at me, bday stories for all of them? who would have thought?

The weight of Myungjae’s arm around your shoulders was familiar. Welcomed even. Warm and comforting, a feeling you could sink into on movie nights, it was nothing new.

And yet, there was something different this time. Something like butterfly wings scratching the surface, a tickling feeling, heart racing.

“Is there a problem, babe?” The boy spoke up, casual as he drew out the endearment as if he called you that every other day but his usually bubbly and bright voice was serious and stern, something threatening hanging between the syllables. He shot a dubious glance at the guy in front of you before finding your eyes, his gaze softening as soon as it settled on you. You smiled, relieved, grateful, but somehow nervous because you felt exposed and vulnerable as if looking at you too long would have exposed too many secrets. Secrets you weren’t ready to uncover.

“It’s okay. I was just telling Hyuntae that I’m not interested,” you said as nonchalantly as you could, not wanting to make a scene.

With his side pressed against yours you could feel the way Jaehyun’s body tensed at your answer, his hand sliding from your shoulder to your arm, pulling you closer gently. The movement was simple yet it was halfway between protective and possessive. You weren’t sure how much of it was acting, just him being a good friend trying to scare off a pushy guy who seemingly didn’t understand no. It wouldn’t have been the first time. But this time around it made your heart flutter.

Something was definitely different this time. Something like the taste of cherry coke on your tongue and the smoke in your lungs that made you cough. Getting fresh air was never about clear night breeze at college parties after all. Still, you had rather inhaled the nicotine of strangers’ cigarettes on the crammed balcony than to watch Jaehyun kiss Younha in that stupid game of Truth or Dare. It tasted more bitter, the tang of jealousy, so you excused yourself and that was how you got yourself here, between your best friend and a guy who thought it was lame that you weren’t drinking.

“Uh huh and which part of that is hard to understand?” Jaehyun tilted his head at Hyuntae who scoffed in response.

“Chill, dude, I just offered to get her a drink,” he rolled his eyes, mumbling something nasty under his nose before disappearing back in the crowd of the living room, leaving the two of you and the smokers out on the balcony.

Your shoulders visibly relaxed but Jaehyun didn’t let go even then. The hand he had over your bare arm traced feather light patterns over the skin, soothing and caring. You could barely suppress a shiver and not from the cold.

“Are you okay? Do you wanna leave?” He looked at you in concern, his big brown puppy eyes warming your soul.

“What about Younha?” You muttered, thinking back on the last of what you saw of him, sitting in a circle among Intak and the others, the empty glass of beer landing on him.

“What would be with her?” Jaehyun frowned, looking genuinely confused and you weren’t about to spell it out for him, that it looked like the girl wanted a lot more from him than a chaste kiss in front of others as a dare. So you opted for phrasing it nicer.

“She seems to like you,” you shrugged like you didn’t care, like the sight of her heart eyes didn’t stab your heart with thousand thorns.

“She doesn’t even know me,” The boy dismissed your inquiry like it didn’t matter and it was terrible how triumphant you felt over something insignificant like that. But Jaehyun didn’t let you dwell on it too much, instead he grabbed your hand with his always warmer ones and pulled you towards the door. “Let’s go before you catch a cold.”

You didn’t argue, just said bye to your friends and let Jaehyun steer you out of the apartment, covering your shoulders with his denim jacket. It smelled like spring and sandalwood, like a safe place, but you resisted the urge to pull it tighter around yourself. You started walking three blocks down towards your place side by side and it somehow sent you off on the memory lane, wondering where it all began and where it changed.

You had been friends with Jaehyun pretty much since the first day of college. At least since your first Economics class where he happened to sit next to you in the lecture hall and asked whether you thought the professor looked like a dinosaur from Jurassic Park too. It had been history since. He was the fastest friend you ever made but it was impossible not to get swept up by the force that was Myung Jaehyun. His energy was unmatchable and he never failed to make your smile or at least feel comforted when you were down. Without him your dreaded college years would have been far less colorful and fun while he acted like you were the miracle in his life with homemade meals you brought him because you knew he tended to skip breakfast and for ‘putting up with his loud and clingy ass’ (his words) as if that was such a sacrifice. Really, you wouldn’t have had it any other way.

You got close quickly, never running out of topics, going to concerts and to the movies together, becoming each other’s support system. It was all good and platonic. You didn’t remember thinking of him as anything but a good friend, until lately it started to change. You couldn’t tell when though. Was it when he went on that date with that redhead from his Finance seminar? Or when he fell asleep on your shoulder during your Disney marathon and you noticed just how cute his squishy cheeks were? Or when you saw him help a kindergartener find his mom in the mall?

For the longest time it didn’t make sense and you felt bad because what kind of friend were you to be envious of his more exciting love life? Not that his dates led anywhere and he blamed it on not feeling the spark with any of the girls he went out with. So it was even more unreasonable and you started to wonder whether it was all in your head, just because college was ending soon and you already missed him and all the times you had together before becoming responsible and busy adults.

“And then Sohee was like… Hey, are you listening?” A soft nudge against your arm and you ducked your head, feeling embarrassed getting caught.

“Sorry, I’m a bit in my head tonight,” you mumbled and you wished you could blame it on the alcohol even though you didn’t have any. Jaehyun wasn’t angry at all though, not with the way his mouth pulled up into a smile and you could tell he wanted to cheer you up, probably because he felt guilty over dragging you to another party you weren’t exactly fancy of.

“Aww what’s on your pretty mind?” He cooed and patted your head gently, waking up those sleeping, traitorous butterflies in your stomach. But that was the thing, Jaehyun was like that with everybody: overly kind, touchy and affectionate.

“Nothing,” you shrugged, avoiding his eyes and biting into your lip. “Just… Ah, nothing.”

You gave up with a sigh, like a coward. After all, how could you tell him anything of what was going through your head without ruining your friendship?

“You’re so cute,” Myungjae commented with a boyish grin and poked your cheek to stop you from pouting before resuming his story about getting lost in one of the Han river parks with Sohee the other day.

Listening to him telling stories was always fun, so now that you focused on him, the rest of the walk went by quickly and you didn’t even feel the cold of night breeze until the warmth of his jacket washed through you as you stepped inside the building. You tapped your door card against the sensor and in your haste, you managed to stumble over the mess of shoes left in the tiny doorway courtesy of your roommate. You would have probably fallen very unlady-like if Jaehyun wasn’t there to steady you with a gentle hand on your waist.

“You good?” He asked, concerned and politely quiet, not sure if your roommate was back already or still out on this Friday night.

“Yeah, thanks,” you mumbled, turning towards him, fighting a shiver as his hand slid off you. Like this you noticed just how close he stood, his worried eyes boring into yours and his breath fanning over your cheek. Only then did you get a sniff of the soju in his breath which made you furrow your brows.

“Did you drink?” You blurted out, giving way to your confusion because usually he opted for beer instead of harder liquor since he was a lightweight.

“Ah, you know, the game,” he muttered with a shrug as if it should have explained it all.

It took you a moment however to put two and two together, to understand what it meant, that he had rather drown a shot than to kiss Younha like he was dared to. It shouldn’t have made you feel as relieved as it did, just how his closeness shouldn’t have accelerated your heartbeat so terribly but still enveloped in his denim piece, you suddenly felt hot.

“So you didn’t…” you trailed off, your gaze unconsciously falling to his lips before tearing them away.

“I didn’t,” he confirmed in a whisper without you having to finish the sentence, like he could read your mind. For the sake of your sanity, you wished he couldn’t.

The two of you stood there unmoving by the door for too long, so the motion sensor-based light flickered above and suddenly darkness washed over you. In the dimly lit hallway you could only make out Jaehyun’s lines and the moonlight reflecting in his doe eyes, then he moved so suddenly you could barely process what was happening before his plush lips landed on the corner of yours, chaste and sweet, so quick that it was over before you had a chance to close your eyes.

“Shit, sorry,” Jaehyun blurted out, voice panicky, immediately pulling away, his movement frantic enough to switch on the light again. “You are just so pretty and…”

“Do it again,” you cut his apology off in a breathless voice which left Jaehyun bewildered.

“Huh?”

This time, it was you who leaned in but the boy met you halfway. The kiss tasted like cherry coke and plum-flavored soju, like summer days full of laughter and the warmest hugs on autumn nights. Then his fingers were on your jaw, gently probing and you found yourself gripping at his plaid shirt, sighing against his sweet mouth when the back of your head hit the wall.

“Gosh, I like you so much,” he murmured against your lips with a smile which you couldn’t help but reciprocate. It wasn’t enough for Jaehyun though, not with the way he nuzzled into your neck, pressing his cold nose to your jawline when you didn’t reply. “Yah, say it back. Don’t leave me hanging.”

His dramatic whining made you chuckle and you realized that you liked it all: his closeness, his puppy eyes on you, his pout, his comfort, even him being so quick to pretend to be boyfriend to scare away random dudes at parties.

“I like you too,” you told him, heart fluttering in your chest at the way Jaehyun looked at you. Maybe things changing between you wasn’t that bad after all.

#boynextdoor fluff #boynextdoor x reader #bnd x reader #myung jaehyun fluff #myung jaehyun x reader #bnd fluff #stories

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coralinnii · 2 years ago

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I love the villain scorned by the world feat: Azul genre: drama note: continuation of reincarnated into a new world as the bad guy AU Azul ver, not gender specific reader, no pronouns used, use of non-canon characters (Neveah), 1.4k word count

I know people wanted to see more of the female and male lead’s downfall but Azul’s story has so much potential for drama that I just can’t skip it. This is more of an interaction between villain/ess!reader and the female lead and things are getting interesting. There’s more to the story

Is it funny that the more I write Azul’s villain/ess!reader, the more they’re starting to be like how I think Jade would act…just sassier

You became the talk of the kingdom for quite some time and you weren’t surprised. You had your engagement annulled and disowned from your family but you managed to disgrace your former fiancé the prince and his lover with their affair. Instead of a fallen noble, you became a surviving noble who became a victim of unfaithful love. All according to your plan.

Free from your downfall, you find yourself living in comfort in your own house close to Azul. The royal family and your own parents have requested your attendance but you declined their letters, playing your victim card to the fullest.

“Oh no, how could I possibly return back to the palace where I had my heart broken?” “My family disowned me. The least I could do is respect their wishes” Good riddance to that stifling environment.

You did notice that you never once received a letter from the young prince, the male lead though you would scoff and burn it if he did anyway. You figured that he was too prideful to address the affair with you. He wasn’t regretful for his actions nor was he regretful he got caught. The original series seriously had a bad cast.

Though it could also be that since the disgraceful act the male lead was sentenced to house arrest to “reflect on his actions”. From your sources, he’s just been angry all this time, especially when he hasn’t been able to meet with his beloved.

Speaking of which, the female lead has been busy through all this fiasco. Crying and spinning the tale of how she was a helpless victim in this mess as well, saying how she was clueless throughout everything since being so new to the noble society.

Please, Jade has better acting skills than she does. You supposed you could commend her for her guts.

Like how she was gutsy enough to visit you in your own home.

“I’m so glad you’re willing to meet with me” Neveah smiled but you didn’t return the smile, choosing to sip your tea.

“You should be glad, considering I probably would have ignored you” you replied indifferently. “It just so happens that I wanted to ask you a few questions”

“Oh? What kind of questions?~” That exaggerated childlike tone of hers really rubbed you the wrong way.

Fighting through your irritation, you questioned her “I’ve heard that you’ve been attempting to meet with Azul for the past few days. Curious since you two aren’t even acquaintances”

“But, we are! Me and Azul are really close~”

“That’s not what Azul says, and you will address him as Count Ashengrotto” you rebuked her claim, a little snippier than you wished but your patience is not unlimited and the ditzy lady is truly testing you.

Azul mentioned his troubles to you when you asked about the visible stress on his face. Apparently he has unfortunately been bumping into the female lead at his businesses and she has been trying to interact with him, even offering to have tea with her…in his own restaurant.

“Tricking her would be akin to taking candy from a child, but even a child is more worthwhile than speaking with her” Azul sighed in aggravation with his brows furrowed. You kept a sympathetic expression but you felt a sense of joy over the silvernette’s words. There’s nothing wrong in secretly taking glee in your crush sharing your disdain over the same irritance, right?

“Perhaps you should take a short rest, Azul” you suggested, “This stress will do you no good and you can’t afford to make mistakes due to your clouded mind”

Azul sighed but nodded “you may have a point”

“Would you like to rest on my lap? I wouldn’t mind after all”

“You-!”

Refocusing your attention away from your memories, you sharpened your gaze at your uninvited guest. “Considering Azul is someone dear to me, I worry about your intentions in approaching him”

Then, the situation took an interesting turn.

The young lady in front of you, undeterred from your stare, smiled brightly which some could compare to something angelic…to some. But her words did not match her innocent appearance.

“Are you worried that I would approach Azul the way you did?”

You didn’t break your expression but you must admit you were close to. Is she insinuating…

“Isn’t it weird that the famously lovesick fiancé of the prince suddenly changed?” Neveah questioned, putting on a confused pout on her lips. “No explanations, like a whole new person. The story has changed”

Oh, how interesting.

“So you’re interested in me” you finally smiled back “What can I say, I realized one day this was not my love story so I decided to change my ways”

“Is that so?~”

“Yes. But back to the topic,” you took control back of the conversation “You haven’t explained your reason for approaching the count?”

Whatever calculating look you thought you saw in the female lead disappeared as she smiled even brighter than before, fully committing to her innocent appearance.

“I just felt so bad in interfering with your engagement that I’ve been avoiding the prince in respect for you, not even replying to his letters. Then maybe you can reinstate your engagement with your beloved”

My beloved? You truly had difficulty not outright laughing out loud over that idea. But it was an interesting tidbit the female lead gave, knowing that the prince has been sending her letters meant that those two are still in contact. Just because she said she doesn’t reply, she could still be reading them.

“I’ve been trying really hard to forget the prince so I’ve been visiting the Monstro Lounge to get away” she continued her story, managing a tear from her eyes. “And I’ve been seeing the count there so I thought we could be friends”

So this is how she’s been fooling the masses. You’re willing to admit that she’s definitely a better actress than you initially give her with her sweet words and unassuming “innocence”. But you knew the story she conveniently left out.

Breaking the engagement between the royal family and your (ex)family of duke status, the male lead has been in hot water ever since as his reputation has affected him to the point that his right to the throne is in jeopardy. Azul on the other hand has been making a name for himself and his value in the kingdom is very attractive to many pursuers.

“How shamelessly greedy of you, Ms. Protagonist” you smirked at the female lead who continues to put on a sweet facade, you commend her ambitions at least. She really wants her happy ending.

But you’re done with this conversation already. You got your answers and have no interest in keeping company with this eyesore for any longer.

“That’s all I need to hear, I believe it’s time for you to leave” With that, you waved to your guards who were standing by to escort the lady to the door.

“Wait, then will you take the prince back? And convince the families to restore the engagement” Neveah quickly asked you before she was ushered. Ah, so that’s why she came to see you. You never did bother to ask…or care.

“Firstly, I don’t have the habit of picking up trash I already tossed out” you calmly stood up from your seat, smoothing down your clothes of creases, and gave a smile towards the female lead before speaking again “Secondly, I’m simply respecting what you said to me. Do you remember? You couldn’t stop from loving who you want”

You watched Neveah stutter and stumble, trying to find the right words but you weren’t interested anymore so you proceeded to leave the room first with some parting words before your guards walk the female lead out of your home.

“I’m letting you love the prince like you said you wanted, and I’ll love who I want, and I intend to fight”

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst x reader #disney twisted wonderland #twst scenarios #villainess au #twst imagines #twisted wonderland scenarios #twisted wonderland imagines #azul ashengrotto #azul x reader #twisted wonderland x reader

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thebadboyfanclub · 2 years ago

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Look At Me, Princess (Harwin x Reader)

This was a really nice spin off since I wanted to write about Rhaenyras aunt and someone that Rhaenyra could have a close bond with also having Harwin as your love interest is always a plus

There’s one person princess (y/n) Targaryen loved more than her family and children and that was her dearest niece, Rhaenyra Targaryen who looked up to her aunt ever since she was a toddler, Rhaenyra had formed a bond with the youngest sister of Viserys like no other, mayhaps because (y/n) was only 10 when the princess was born so (y/n) plus understand the struggles she was going through better than anyone since they were still fresh in her mind.

No matter the reason Rhaenyra felt most comfortable in the presence of “the people's princess”, (y/n) was an interesting character, it seemed like she had the best features of both of her brothers, she was fair and optimistic like Viserys but also adventurous and outspoken like Daemon, both of her brothers spoiled her rotten, no harm would come to her if they had something to do with it, it only took for a simple mist of tears to well up in her eyes for Viserys to fill her hands with gifts and Daemon to roll heads.

“You look beautiful Rhaenyra”

“Thank you, I was going to say the same for you, I see you have not held back on the jewelry”

“It is my name-day, the tourney is held in my job honor, and as my dear brother says “it is an opportunity to gather an established suitor” so, in my opinion, it is just enough, besides, I was never known for my subtle taste”

Rhaenyra giggled at the answer of her aunt, (y/n) was one of the most luxurious women Rhaenyra has ever laid eyes upon, ever since she could remember her aunt was dressed in the finest of dresses with the most intricate patterns, and her neck was decorated by rubies and pearls as were her earlobes, she would bathe in goat milk and rub rose oil on her to keep her skin looking youthful.

Her dress was in Targaryen red with golden details sewn all over it, Rhaenyra wondered how long did it take to create this dress to be worn by the most beautiful woman in the seven kingdoms who remained unmarried, Viserys had begged her to marry but she refused any man that asked for her hand, all of them wanted to lay with a Targaryen, the sense of power excited them none would even spare her a look of it wasn’t for her name.

“I must thank the knights that decided to partake in this tourney held by my beloved brother and your king for my name day, I am honored to feel such warmth from you on this special day, I shall keep this brief since I believe no one came to listen to me but to watch the men in action, let the games begin”

Everyone clapped as (y/n) sat back down and winked at her niece who was smiling brightly, poor little thing had yet to adapt after the second wedding of her father, and to her best friend at that, Rhaenyra leaned on (y/n) more than ever and (y/n) was right there to offer a shoulder and an ear, she knew the pain of living without a mother very well.

“I ask the favor from the woman of the hour, princess (y/n) Targaryen, the heart of the realm”

(Y/n) had done her best to keep the peace within the small folk, but the starving masses had torn her heart open, she talked her brother's ear off to offering food and water in the flea bottom and paid for the orphanage to be fixed and in proper condition, that is where “the heart of the realm” name came from.

(Y/n) rose from her seat with a flower crown in hand and stopped in front of the stand, she leaned enough for the flower crown to slide down the spear of the strongest man the Seven Kingdoms could offer, Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong who waited patiently for the princess that was smiling as bright as the sun.

“I wish you good fortune and thank you for the kind words Ser Harwin”

“You honor me, princess”

He replied before he commanded his horse to the other side, (y/n) was supposed to walk away as well and sit back in her seat, surprisingly she remained still, her eyes following the Commander of the city watch until he charged at his opponent who to no one’s surprise loss against the knight dressed in blue armor.

(Y/n) smiled and clapped for him only for Ser Harwin to bow his head in gratitude, after that, she went back to sit next to Rhaenyra, the young niece had a playful smirk on her lips.

“Ser Harwin is a very handsome young man”

“Indeed he is”

“And Strong, who else would be better suited for a dragon?”

“You are rushing my dear, where is the fun in marrying Ser Harwin just because he asked for my favor? Things like this shine better with time”

“Princess (y/n) Targaryen with her brother Prince Daemon Targaryen”

(Y/n) and Daemon walked into the room side by side, no one knew where to focus, to the luxurious princess or the rogue prince who made his first appearance after his wedding was recently dissolved.

(Y/n) was the one to inform her brother about the feast, she was aware of the feelings Rhaenyra had developed for her older brother so she thought it would be a good gift to her niece.

“Congratulations my sweet Nyra, may the mother bless this wedlock with a plethora of children”

(Y/n) spoke before she got up the steps and hugged her niece, the kiss she placed on Rhaenyra's forehead reminded Daemon and Viserys of their mother Alyssa, even though (y/n) had never met her she would still mirror their late mother in so many aspects of her life.

“Thank you, aunt, mayhaps you are next”

“That is a possibility your father would adore”

“I wish for you to have a husband by your side is that so bad?”

“No brother I was just jesting, let us enjoy this night”

(Y/n) took her appointed seat next to her brother Daemon who sulked in his chair and stared daggers into anyone he laid eyes upon, (y/n) wondered what life would be like if she was Daemon or Viserys, she loved them both and would give her life for them but she had to recognize the privilege of being born a male, a prince at that, one had a target on his back for killing his wife and the other sacrificed his love for a babe that did not survive and is now married to a much younger lady.

Would she suffer the fate of Aemma as well? Or mayhaps marry someone she is not interested in out of duty like her niece? Her thoughts were interrupted by a young man dressed with the sigil of a lion bowed before her.

“Princess, my name is Gregory Lannister, brother of Jason Lannister”

“Pleasure to meet you, my lord, to what do I owe this introduction?”

“I was hoping you would accompany me for a dance”

“The princess will-“

“Be delighted, thank you, my lord”

She interrupted her brother who was ready to attack the young man. It was time for (y/n) to face the music, she is not getting any younger and as a princess, there was not much that she could do but marry, she had managed to slip through the cracks for so long though she could not always run away from it.

The Lannister lord seemed delighted and offered his hand for her to take, his touch was soft and gentle, he guided her to the middle of the crowd, and with a curtsy, they followed the music for the custom dance.

“How does it feel to see your niece be wed?”

“It is a wonderful day for my lovely Rhaenyra, lord Laenor will be a great king Consort for her”

“He is an honorable choice that is true, is that what marriage is for you as well”

“Wedlock is an oath given to the gods, to trust and to hold, it is a sacred act that I hope I will experience myself”

“I am certain you had your chance with multiple suitors would I be overstepping if I asked why have you chosen to stay a maiden?”

“As mentioned I believe marriage is sacred, call me insane for wanting to find a man that I enjoy being around and not just a man that appears to be a match for the realm”

As the two of them grew into a discussion (y/n) did not have the mind to notice a man that gawked at her like a hawk, Ser Harwin Strong had followed her with his gaze and had yet to pull away from her, his hands turned into fists as he saw the man’s eyes shifted down from her face and to her cleavage.

Gregory cared nothing for (y/n) nor her personality, it was all a mediocre act to get his hands at the pot of gold which was befitting behavior of a Lannister Lord.

“You are letting your true self show son”

“I am just guarding the princess”

“You can fool anyone but not me”

Harwin did not respond to his father, he had nothing to say that could prove to his father that he did not have a soft spot for the lady that was spinning around and her dress taking most of the space on the floor, she was perfect to him, a woman that anyone would be lucky to have so he couldn’t help but wonder why was she dancing with a man that was beneath her? He wasn’t clever nor strong nor did he have anything that could help his courting with her besides the Lannister sigil.

No one could have guessed what was coming next, a blood-curling scream went through everyone’s eardrums as the crowd became one mesh, in a blink of an eye Harwin lost sight of the princess, baffled he started shoving people out of the way in hopes to see her, knights were throwing commands as the people screamed and ran for their lives.

(Y/n) attempted to move out of the circle only to be met with someone’s back which caused her to fall back and hit her head on a piece of wooden furniture, the impact on her head was enough to bring her into a sense of lightheadedness, Gregory lifted her by her waist and pretty much carried her outside until they were secluded to a more private and dim lighted area, (y/n) blinked profusely to clear her foggy eyesight but to no avail, her legs felt weak as she had to support herself from Gregory.

“I can’t breathe”

She felt Gregory’s hands go up to the strings of her corset, she was about to thank him for loosening the tight piece of clothing until the corset started to become loose as to expose herself, thankfully she was quick enough to bring her hands up to her chest and keep it there, her mind tried to find an excuse as to Gregory being in shock and not knowing exactly what he was doing.

“My dress”

“It is alright (y/n) we are alone”

“No, my dress is untied”

“I’ll be quick”

(Y/n) finally met his eyes, the eyes that she could not recognize, dark and almost demonic, her hands were occupied with keeping her corset in place to shove him away as she was starting to get squeamish, her stomach turning as she fussed to get away from her.

All she felt was his weight leaving her but she did not count that he was keeping her up, (y/n) slid down and curled into a ball from fear of what was to come, it was at this point that she saw a man towering over Gregory and punching him repeatedly, a part of her felt relieved for the immediate justice of Gregory’s attempt to harm her, her other part trembled about whom it was and who could have seen them.

“Princess”

A voice as soft as silk reached her ears, Harwin strong had knelt to take a good look at her, make sure she was unharmed, he had run out to look for her only to find her in distress whilst the Lannister bastard wanted to defile her, (y/n) flinched when Harwin reached for her and although it hurt him he understood that she probably does not wish to be touched.

“Listen to me princess, in any minute people will start to pass by and if they find you like this they will not ask questions, they will just start whispering, we must take you away to your chambers, can you walk”

“I don’t think so”

“Can I lift you?”

“Please”

“Alyssa be careful”

Harwin heard (y/n) call for their eldest daughter as he entered the hall with a letter in his hand, the scene was heavenly in front of him, his beloved princess sitting on the couch with a fan in her hand to cool herself, her swollen belly was protruding from her dress, it was almost time for her to start her labor for their fourth child, their two older children, Alyssa and Alamea running around in mischievous nature chasing one another around and the third Arran was only two years old was sitting down next to his mother playing with his toys.

All of them had inherited their father's hair, dark brown curls, only little details telling of their Targaryen ancestors, Alyssa had her grandmother's eyes, Alamea had a few strings of blonde hair and little Arran had lavender hues, (y/n) never complained, she enjoyed the fact that she could see her lovely knight in their children.

“How are you feeling my dear?”

“I’m burning up but that’s nothing new”

Harwin sat next to her, contemplating how to go about this, his hand found her belly to caress it lovingly, the last thing he needed was to cause any complications with the news that he must share with her, he had done his best to shield his family from the outside world, brought them to harrenhal to maintain a peaceful life away from the menaces that lurked at court, his offspring should never be taint by the monstrosities that found a home in the red keep.

“A raven came from Dragonstone”

He simply informed as he passed the piece of paper to her, (y/n) who was clueless as to what it said grabbed it with excitement, wanting to read news of her family.

“My beloved aunt,

I write to you with great grief to announce to you that my father, your brother, Viserys has passed.

Unfortunately, this letter is not just to inform you over the kings passing, it is to ask for you and your family to come to my aid as I go against my brother Aegon who has usurped me and was crowned in front of the masses, claiming that he is the rightful heir due to his gender.

Please, I beg you for your love and guidance, in return I offer you the position of being the hand of the queen and your husband to be the commander of the queens guard, I need you by my side as you have always been the light of hope at my darkest of moments.

Love,

Rhae Rhae”

Tears welled up in her eyes as her hands trembled over what she was reading, her eldest brother was gone and before his body grew cold the Hightowers declared war on her Rhaenyra, Harwin took the princess in his arms as the tears escaped and sobs took over her body, he hated seeing her like this, he had done his best to keep her happy and now the pain of losing one of the few members of her immediate family engulfed her to such a degree that he saw just her younger self clinging on to her brother for dear life.

Even though (y/n) had created a family of her own, Viserys was someone she adored, her kindhearted brother, (y/n) dug her nails on top of Harwin back out of desperation as he was the one that she could always snatch upon and feel some level of safety, the man that always stood in front of her and took all the pain just so she can be out of harm's way, now that meant that he endured her nails piercing through his skin in an attempt to bring her some type of comfort.

“I must go to her”

“You cannot travel my love, what of our children?”

“You are right I suppose, I am sorry”

“Magdalena take the children elsewhere”

“I want to stay with momma”

Alyssa complained, (y/n) was in shambles and she had every right to be but Harwin wanted to spare them from witnessing such a tragic scene of their mother being miserable.

Once the children were out of sight (y/n) wiped away her tears and her eyes bounced from one thing to another since they refused to focus because her mind was scattered with thoughts that came all at once, a headache was surely soon to follow.

“Look at me, princess”

Harwin's voice was low and endearing, he pulled her out of her delirium the minute her eyes found his deep blue hues, oh those bewitching eyes that held a tremendous amount of admiration for his lady wife, his princess, Harwin took one deep breath through his nose and then out the mouth, (y/n) followed as Harwin wanted to slow down her heart and breathing, soothe her enough so they can plan together.

“Harrenhall shall declare for Rhaenyra, once I give birth we will ride for dragonstone”

“Alyssa is young she cannot go through a war”

“We can take them to Lys, we have friends there”

“If you become the queens' hand and I go as a commander it means we risk our lives”

“I cannot leave her”

“Harrenhall will declare for Rhaenyra, we will send an army to her and bend the knee to her, I give you my word for that, bullet us enjoy a few days of peace until we decide.”

“Fine but I will send a raven to her”

“I love you, princess”

“I love you more, Ser Harwin break bones”

Harwin leaned to place a gentle kiss on his wife's lips, he feared for what would come next, if she dies there was no reason for him to keep on living, but if he refused her she would end up despising him or try to run away, he had no choice but to bargain with her.

The next morrow Rhaenyra received a raven from Harrenhall, she put everything to a halt in order to read what her aunt was writing, she knew she was asking for too much and the princess that was days away from starting her labours had every right to refuse her or remain cordial.

“My Rhae Rhae,

I grieve for my brother, I will forever hold the moments I had with him near my heart, and with utmost love, I also know he is probably cursing at his son from the other side over this treacherous crime.

I also of you to understand that I wish to stay at Harrenhall until I give birth, in a few morrows time my children will go to Lys for sanctuary, I want them away from any type of war.

My husband and I will be by your side, as we only recognize the firstborn daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen as the true heir to the iron throne.

My flesh and blood, my strong niece, you will have your throne and crown.

I love you

(Y/n)”

Requests are open!

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ponderingmoonlight · 1 year ago

Note

Saw that you love the sister of jjk character trope & i live it as well and have been reading all your fics bc of this and how well you write🖤

i also had some ideas for that trope: gojos little sister X megumi (kinda like childhood friends to lovers, maybe the sister is not as cocky as gojo but rather warm/friendly bc gojo always protected her from the harsh jujutsu world) - idk if this made sense lol

Hi dear, thank you so much for reaching out with that precious request of yours 🤍 I really enjoyed writing this for you, please let me know what you think!

Gojo's little sister kissing her childhood crush Megumi for the first time at Shibuya

Pairing: Gojo's little sister x Megumi

Word Count: 1,8k

Synopsis: Even though your brother told you over and over to stay away from Shibuya, you are on your way to save him when you fall into the open arms of Megumi. Is this the right time to finally confess your feelings to your childhood crush?

Warnings: a little angst, friends to lovers, this is the comfort I needed with my boy Megumi

Tags: @arehzhera @ploylulla @tzubaki @beatrexworld @kenstarsworld @dazaisdick @hellkaiserinphoenix @lauv4chuuya @shadowfoxey @starlightanyaaa @sindela @kayleegomez @sunshine7queen @magalimachete @mokoartpost @gatitam @idontknow1123 @creative1writings @sanicsmut @mynahx3 @wifenanami @hellkaiserinphoenix

„Megumi“, you breathe out, your trembling arms wrapping themselves around the boy in front of you as if your life’s depending on in.

You never thought something like this would happen. Shibuya going up in flames, people around you dying like flies, all that blood and…

Your big brother getting sealed. When you received the news in form of Yuji shouting it into the whole city, your blood froze. Satoru Gojo, the strongest of them all. Satoru Gojo, the man who protected you from every harm this world has to offer. Satoru Gojo, your beloved big brother.

Sealed.

How did this happen? How were they even able to catch him? You swallow hard. That doesn’t matter right now. What had priority been finding Megumi and figuring everything out together.

“(y/n), thank god you’re alright.”

Your smell calms his tingling nerves down in an instant, making the world around him seem just fine for a split second. You are here, you are unharmed, you are alive. God, how much he thought of you over these last hours, how much he begged into the darkness that you’ll be in good company with Toge. And now you’re here, standing right in front oh him, hugging him like never before.

“I’m scared”, you admit, eyes threadfully glossy in the dim city lights.

Megumi’s heart breaks in an instant. He hates seeing you like this, he always did.

“But that’s not fair!”, you cried out, tears already running down your puffy cheek.

Satoru sent you and Megumi to school together. It just made sense, given you were the same age with Megumi being a few days older than you.

“What are you gonna do about it,h uh? Send your big brother like you always do?”, the boy in front of you annoyed you, holding your lunch so high up in the air that you had no chance of grabbing it yourself.

“Leave her alone”, Megumi insisted from behind, staring at the much taller boy with so much despite in his gaze that all his friends walked aside.

“Or what, loser? Both of you go cry about it?”

With a swift motion, Megumi was able to sweep him off his feet, landing butt first onto the harsh ground. He grabbed your lunchbox in an instant, pulling you away from the scene with no hesitation.

“Just call for me when they bug you again.”

“T-thank y-you”, you stuttered, eyes fixated on the gorgeous boy in front of you.

You were never a cry baby, but when you cried, there was always a reason behind your tears – just like now. You are extraordinary strong while also being soft and gentle. Despite the fact that you are the sister of none other than Satoru Gojo, you are as warm as the sun, tender in every way. And since he first laid his eyes on you, Megumi knew it was his responsibility to keep his attention exclusively on you.

“I know it’s been rough, but we have to keep going. Your brother would hate seeing you like this.”

“My brother should have killed them when he had the chance to. Looks like it’s on us now, Megumi”, you reply, wiping away the stain of tears with the back of your hand.

“How are you? Did you get injured, is that a bruise on your forehead?”

When your fingers gently start to caress his wounded skin, it seems like you’ve started a firework within him. You were never more than childhood friends. Damn, Megumi knows you longer than anyone else apart from his sister. But within the last couple of years, he began to notice the striking glimmer in your eyes, how your hair waved so whimsical in the wind, the way your laugh lights up his heart. It became painfully obvious that it wasn’t a friendship for him anymore. No, he longed for your touch every time he saw you, he began to imagine how it might feel to press his lips against yours, he couldn’t help but wonder if you’d want him too.

But he never mentioned a single thing. What if you freak out? Or worse, what if you laugh at him, never talk to him again? No way. If there’s a support in his life, it is you. And he wouldn’t risk any of the precious moments you have only because he can’t get a hold of his stupid feelings.

“Hey, did you hear me? Maybe you should see Shoko…”

“Oh, no! N-no need f-for that…”, Megumi mutters uncomfortably, scratching the back of his head like he always does when his mind drifts away and he wasn’t paying attention.

“Where are the others?”

“Itadori is on his way to your brother as well as the rest. You and Toge…?”

“Yes, we evacuated all humans from this area. Whatever happens here will harm no soul”, you assure him with a kind smile.

It was always your priority to make others feel save. Megumi always admired you for your protective instinct when it comes to non-jujutsu sorcerers or animals. Yes, it seems like you love every living being on this planet.

Despite curses.

“Let’s get going, shall we? Satoru needs to be freed if we want this fight to end”, you suddenly rip him out of his daydreaming.

“Alone?”, he questions, running after you like a lost puppy before getting a hold of your arm.

“We need to try. He is my big brother, Megumi. It is my responsibility to save him. After all, he always did everything he could to save me”, you explain briefly.

God, how much Megumi hates to admit that you are right, that he’d do the same thing if he’d walk in your shoes. But this is about your safety. And after facing two special grades and that ridiculously strong guy, he can’t risk to let you walk in there with only him by your side.

“(y/n), I know you want to free him, but we are grade 2 sorcerers. To even have a chance, we need to team up with the others. Also, I felt Sukuna’s presence and I’m sure you did too. You’d risk your life, I’m sure he wouldn’t want you to die because of him.”

Megumi’s urgent gaze seems to pierce right through you, his touch sending shivers down your spine. God, how much you hate that he’s right, that Satoru would kill you twice if you get only injured in the process of trying to save him.

“I want you to stay out of Shibuya, (y/n)”, he instructed you before leaving Jujutsu High, voice as serious as never before.

“But I can help! I’m a grade 2 sorcerer and Megumi-“

“(y/n)”, he interrupted you immediately, grabbing your face so urgently that you just have to stare at his exposed bright blue orbs.

“I would never forgive myself if you get hurt there and Megumi definitely feels the same way. Something big is happening at Shibuya, something I can’t put my finger on. You are too good to be dragged into this, though. Stay here and wait until I return, okay? Love ya.”

And with one last small kiss on your forehead, he was gone, leaving to get sealed right here at Shibuya. What are you supposed to do? You aren’t dumb, whoever was possible to trap your big brother must be damned strong. But you can just stay behind and do nothing, right? Isn’t it your job to at least try?

You can’t put your thought to an end. Faster than you are able to react, Megumi grabs your body and pulls you close to his chest. Just in time. Just before a huge shock wave washes over both of you and sweeps you off your feet.

It’s hard to breathe. For a moment, you just lay there with that sudden weight lying on your body, trying to process what’s happening.

“(y/n), are you alight?”

His angelic voice. His oh so sweet voice you long for every single day, the voice that haunts you in your dreams, the voice you love despite never saying it out loud.

“Megumi”, you breathe out.

Your eyes flutter open, heart stopping for a second. Oh god, is that Megumi laying on top of you?

“Did you get hurt? We need to get going, it seems like there’s a fight going on”, he explains briefly.

You let out your breath, staring at him through glossy eyes. Megumi Fushiguro is laying on top of you. Megumi Fushiguro, the boy you learned to love years ago, has his body pressed against yours. Your heart pounds hard against your ribcage, gaze completely captivated by the suddenly so inviting sight of his lips. How often you wondered how it must feel to kiss him.

But what if he doesn’t feel the same way? He might see you more as his sister than something else. No wonder, you basically grew up together since being 6.

“(y/n)?”

The way your eyes are set on his lips simply drives him insane. Why are you looking at him like that, what has gotten into you? Are you maybe…No. He shakes his head slightly. There is absolutely no chance you think about kissing him too, there is no way your face draws towards his, there is no way-

You kiss him. Despite everything you’ve been through together, despite he never thought about you actually liking him back, you press your lips softly against his while closing your eyes. Instinctively, his lids get heavy while his hands gently cup your cheeks. Oh god, how delicious you taste, how good your body feels against his. How many nights did he imagine you laying in his arms like that? Megumi lost count long ago. But oh, the reality feels so much better. Despite the growing heat around you both, despite the countless explosions over your heads, all he can think about is the way you feel.

“I know we’re just friends but…I want you to be more than that. I wanted you to be more than that for so long”, you hush against his lips.

You look just like a dream underneath him with that slight blush heating up your cheeks and the way you look at him all flustered. Did this really just happen, did you really just kiss him all of the sudden at Shibuya?

“Me too”, he replies automatically.

“I’ve loved you for a long time, (y/n).”

Maybe it was good to not listen to your big brother this time. Maybe everything will turn out alright with Megumi holding your hand and death tingling your back.

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bhaal-battle-beer-bard · 6 months ago

Text

Astarion x Tav

📜🪶📜🪶💙🎻🫧🌹🌸🌹🫧🎻💙🪶📜🪶📜

request: for @aristenfromwarsaw

Fangtastic days of our lives

➹summary: a comforting day/evening in the life of Astarion and his love Aristen after post-game settling down, takes an unexpected turn as Astarion while enjoying his new found life and love, sees something of interest…

➹pairing: Spawn Astarion x F!Tav (Aristen by @aristenfromwarsaw)

➹content/tags: fluff, comfort, romance, smuty flirting, fun, slice of life, little tiny bit of angst and guilt

➹word count: 5,036 ➹ao3

➹cameos: @evander-jane Devana Lysander @alpydk Ragnar @goromimii @pinkberrytea (by order)

➹a/n: another belated birthday present for @aristenfromwarsaw Thank you very much for all the great photoshoots you always did for me, just like that. Such things really fill my heart with joy. I hope you like it. Thank you for trusting me with your Tav Aristen. I take writing other OCs really serious, because an OC is very personal thing and it is way harder to get them in character. I used the infos/backstory you gave me once about Aristen for the best I could.

📜🪶📜🪶💙🎻🫧🌹🌸🌹🫧🎻💙🪶📜🪶📜

Fangtastic days of our lives

Teak, mahogany, oakwood, dried tobacco with the hidden essence of vanilla. From somewhere the sweetness of honey and roasted nutmeg.

These were impressions of antique wood, boiling kettles, clanging beer mugs and laughing voices that filled the Elfsong tavern.

It was like a honey-colored, subterranean, starless sea.

A sea of people, scents, voices and music.

A sea of life that would envelop the coming evening when the sun would have completely disappeared, making way for the aurora again after the starry night.

Astarion was acutely aware of his surroundings. Perception meant survival.

But not today…not anymore.

He could simply explore and enjoy his surroundings while he waited for his beloved:

Aristen the storm sorceress and former daughter of Bhaal. She was able to walk in the sun and as a vampire spawn he had to wait until the sun had made the rays that were fatal to him disappear.

That didn't matter to Astarion. He was used to the night.

But he never wanted to go back to that cold, lonely life.

The Sorceress, along with the other companions, had freed him from slavery once and for all. But it was she alone who had given him back the vision of his eyes, of his entire senses. Astarion could sit in the tavern and just be, taking in the surroundings of life.

No more looking for victims. No more fear. Never again.

The Elfsong Tavern was full of life and he was part of it.

So after hundreds of years, Astarion could finally taste life again. See it. Hearing it with his pointy ears and feeling and smelling it warmly with the scent of pumpkin, butterscotch and spicy beer.

A quite pretty bard with white freckly tattoos on her face and braided crimson hair beneath her Tiefling horns played the lyre on the Elfsong stage. Astarion noticed dagger-shaped earrings on her pointed ears. The Avernus fire of her origins blazed in her blue eyes as she sang:

“Empty kisses, shallow words,

Fiery passion only hurts

When the sorrow takes an oblivion hint

Will you cure and begone with the wind…”

Astarion continued to look around while the sadly whispering voice reached his elf ears.

“I hope someone sings a song like that for me too. Such expressions of love really manage to make me weak,” sighed a tall black-haired woman, whose face bore at least as many tales of adventure as freckles.

"Me too. But I really hope that the ballad has a happy ending,” replied a long-haired beauty at her table. The human woman's wavy, light hair framed a gentle face with captivating blue eyes.

“Oh you heard that? Oh no! ", the adventuress, ashamed, put her hands on her head with her side-braided hair and covered cringing with embarrassment one of the green eyes. "I should stop talking loudly to myself."

The other woman laughed a little and her wavy hair swayed on the shoulders of the long, light dress with floral embroidery: “It’s all good. I won’t tell anyone else.”

She winked briefly.

“But tell me…” she took her hands away from her face with the little different eyes, “…you’re not from Baldur’s Gate either, right? You also speak with a different accent than me.”

"Correct. I come from the East..."

“What did she say? Sêlune guide me?”

Astarion was distracted by an almost desperate voice that sounded at least as concentrated and angry as it was beer-soaked.

He saw a barbarian sitting at the next table, holding his beer mug almost too tightly.

The raised dark blonde hair did not distract from the piercings and black war paint, which Lae'zel would certainly have approved of.

“Okay, can I memorize this Sêlune prayer or not?” he muttered to himself and downed the beer in one gulp.

Astarion had seen him before and that evening he had stared at Shadowheart the whole time. Was the barbarian building up – or drinking up - the courage to speak to Shadowheart next time?

The vampire was distracted from the barbarian when a pale woman walked past his table accompanied by a brown-haired man. He noticed them because they both had scars on their faces. But no, that wasn't it at all. Something else drew his attention to them...they smelled somehow, almost reeked of...swamp? No magic.

That same hidden scent of feymagic that came from the black haired adventuress with the freckles.

The woman's pale face was friendly, almost cheerful. She enjoyed the music and the sad ballad. Did she know the feelings and sad love that the Tiefling woman sang about?

Astarion was all the more struck by the face of the dark-clothed man with the scarred hands who accompanied her: he was rigid and joyless and his eyes had an almost malicious shimmer. He didn't seem to suit her. He walked rigidly like an aristocrat or a trained soldier, or was he rigid because of the blade - that was clearly visible to the Rogue - that he wore under his clothes?

The man's gaze fell on the bard's dagger earrings. But not only the brown-haired human looked at the earrings, but also a white-skinned, tall elf who walked behind him. Astarion didn't know what was more noticeable: his large deadly sword, the long white hair, the black tattoos on his face, or...or the earrings in the shape of a dagger that hung from his ears.

He nodded almost imperceptibly to the bard and she returned his nod briefly.

Frowning, Astarion averted his gaze and looked around the taproom.

Many of the guests listened attentively to the ballad. Couples in love held each other tightly and some wiped a tear from their face.

“…in the dark of the night I see your tears

Rubies glisten full of pain

Rage and misery

Don’t get lost in brandy, bergamot and rosemary”

The ballad finished gently and the bard stood up.

"Thanks! And now for the bard duet!”

With a wave of her hand, she invited her partner onto the stage.

Wild white hair adorned the scarred drow face. It looked like survival for Astarion.

She could be young and old at the same time, that's how it was always with the elves. Young pretty faces and centuries behind them. Sorrow, suffering, joy. Everything was possible.

The narrow waist with the subsequent curved hips and thighs with short pants was adorned with a weapon belt with a sword and a flute.

The skilled hand whirled out a shiny silver flute and the duo began to play:

„Two bards do the trick, because bards do it better

Drow or Tiefling, it doesn’t matter

Shiny white hair, or wagging tail

Their persuasion will never fail“

They quickly changed the melancholic mood and the silver flute had a captivating sound, as if it were a homage to a goddess.

“One plays the flute, the other smashes lutes

Buy us a drink and we’ll tell you who is who“

A Tiefling whose rosé colored hair matched her white pink frilly clothing cheered enthusiastically to the tavern song.

Astarion heard her applaud with a giggling laugh. Cute little laughs with a sweet smile upon her light face.

It was that kind of sweet laugh that told the vampire how innocent, unspoiled, kind and naive the person was.

Yes, the delicate Tiefling woman was a sweet, innocent thing, Astarion could tell that with just a sideways glance of his red eyes. The sweet and naive kind of girl that immediately fell for him. Who he easily ensnared and seduced for Cazador. Or was she one of the people he would have avoided because they were so naive...innocent, undeserving of it? He would probably have avoided her if possible because such a sweet, lovely person didn't deserve to fall victim to the vampires.

Astarion closed his eyes briefly and grimaced at the emerging memories that he immediately wanted to repress.

Thanks to his beloved Aristen, he no longer had to do this.

He was free.

Cazador dead.

All of Baldur's Gate saved, saved from the Empire of the Netherbrain and the Mind Flayers.

Yes, thanks to the blonde adventuress whose fate was forever intertwined with his and all her other companions, he had escaped his fate as a slave. Their courage and their determination, with the help of the other fighters, allowed him to defeat Cazador.

But not only that, the storm sorceress had also given him love and patience. And the confidence to be better than Cazador. He didn't need blood-soaked, soul-eating power to be safe, to be worth anything.

Astarion would never have to hurt innocent people against his will again.

All thanks to her.

And yet Aristen did not consider herself to be good, nor to be lovable.

She loathed herself for her actions as a born Bhaalspawn, which she only dimly remembered. No one could hate her more than she hates herself.

And perhaps it was even worse for her, imagining every day what atrocities she had committed in the name of the God of Murder instead of knowing for sure.

She didn't see herself as a lovable hero, a savior. Astarion wished so much that she could see herself through his eyes just once. Then she would finally forgive herself.

The problem was that the sarcastic vampire had never said that to her and perhaps never would. There would always be something gnawing inside him, at his battered heart, that would prevent him from casually revealing his innermost, deepest feelings. What if he did lose her to someone else one day? If it would not be an arrow or observer to steal her from him? How could he then pretend that his vain heart had not been destroyed for all eternity?

Darkness crossed Astarion's face at all the thoughts and he shook his head with his white curls to drive them away.

Once again he let his gaze wander over the audience, while his pointy elven ears only casually listened to the singing of the bards. It was only thanks to his beloved Aristen that he was able to recognize the diversity of the guests gathered. To be recognized again.

It had once been a faceless mass. At some point, after all the years of slavery under Cazador, the people in the taverns had become nothing more than a uniform mush to him. Victims, cattle like sheep, to his master. Criminals who hurt him and whom he hurt in return and they became victims of the vampire lord.

Dark, blank faces.

Without eyes, without soul. Just like Astarion himself had felt.

But after Aristen came into his life - with the craziest tentacle adventure of his life - everything had gradually changed.

First he recognized her blue eyes, then her face. The smile of her lips plagued by guilt and bloody ghosts of the past. The same smile as his own.

Then he saw all the faces, the people, their stories and lives again.

He saw the colors. The differences and the similarities. He heard the voices, the laughter, the music. He noticed the scents and smells again. Astarion saw joy and life again.

A scent that stood out from the rest of the tavern's smells suddenly tickled Astarion's nose.

Orchid drifted discreetly from the front door.

A slightly tickling shiver ran over the tips of his elf ears, while Astarion was already peering towards the door with large, round eyes.

Like the true epiphany she was, a blonde woman made her way through the elven song. Her appearance truly stood out from the rest of the tavern's audience:

Her delicately pinned hair and a ladylike, sweeping blue dress made her truly look like a lady of name and rank.

Astarion smiled as he looked at Aristen's appearance.

She always made an effort to look chic and beautiful, no matter what the circumstances. Like a true lady who belonged in a ballroom and not a tavern.

A ballroom, not a bhaalroom.

But Aristen loved all facets of life and also sat in the meadow under a tree in the forest with her fancy dress on.

If Astarion had his way, then very soon she would be pressed into the grass beneath him with the dress rumpled.

He chuckled dirtyly to himself as he couldn't help but think of that thought. And before he even thought about the first visit to his grave together, he shook his head and pushed it all away from his white curls.

"Darling..." Astarion stood up after Aristen made her way to him, having spotted him with a smile beaming with joy, "...you give me all sorts of ideas as always."

“What do you mean?” the high elf asked in surprise and blinked in confusion because she couldn’t follow him.

“Nevermind little love,” Astarion grinned mischievously and briefly kissed her delicate hand in greeting. He gently stroked Aristen's hand again as he slowly lowered it.

“The sun has already set enough for you to go out, Astarion,” his lover informed him. She would pick him up when it was safe for him outside.

"I've already run errands from a few merchants," Aristen spoke as the two left the tavern.

"Nice. Then we can now buy the rest together. Have you got everything so far?” asked Astarion.

The blonde nodded as they stepped outside.

Astarion sucked the air outside the elfsong into his lungs. Had breathing changed since he became a vampire? After all, he was undead.

Astarion didn't know. He couldn't remember, it had been too long.

In addition, the past no longer counted - smiling, he glanced furtively at Aristen who was carrying the basket with the purchases - only the present and the future counted.

“Yes, I did the grocery shopping that wasn’t of interest to you,” the blonde laughed and winked knowingly. “There was wonderful blossom honey, I couldn't resist,” enthused the sorceress, rolling her eyes heavenly at the thought of it and licking her lips in anticipation of the taste of the honey.

“Then I can taste it from your lips and tongue,” Astarion whispered seductively.

"What?"

“Oh, nothing…” the pale elf just grinned again.

His pointed ears were suddenly tickled by the brush of her lips as she leaned in very close to him.

“I heard you very well, my dear,” she whispered to him, her blue eyes sparkling meaningfully at him after she leaned back and gave him a knowing smile.

The vampire laughed. It was a serious laugh. It went from its sonorous, seductive, dirty murmur to a deep rumble before dying out in a high-pitched spike.

“I saw such a beautiful pair of earrings in the window at the Glitter Gala,” sighed Aristen languidly after she continued the story.

“So why didn’t you buy it, darling?”

Aristen shook her head: “Because it’s not necessary. I prefer to save our money for important things. After all, magical artifacts are expensive and the most important thing is that we find something that makes you immune to the sun.”

Yes, that was the ambition and current mission of Aristen and Astarion: to find a way for the vampire spawn to walk in the sun again.

Their friends also kept their ears and eyes open.

Gale read every book that might contain useful information.

Shadowheart, as well as Lae'zel on her travels through the astral planes, always sent them messages when they heard about mysterious artifacts.

And Halsin and Jaheira also reached out to all their acquaintances from near and far.

"If you hadn't used so much of our gold to rebuild the city and help its people, then you could afford any jewelry you wanted," Astarion nudged her with his shoulder and winked knowingly. The slightly accusatory tone was just an act.

“You know I wanted to try to somehow make amends for my actions when I was under Bhaal's control. This will never work, I know that. I can't bring back the people I killed. But I can at least try to help those left behind. It's too little. It’s no consolation…but at least it’s something.”

There was sadness in the blonde's voice. The look in her blue eyes was sincere before they slid slightly to the ground.

Astarion didn't like that, so he decided to cover up the whole thing: "I don't know what you're doing with this penance and compensation anyway."

He casually folded his arms behind his head and sounded as indifferent as he could.

“But…” he grinned playfully at the blonde Sorceress, “we could visit The Counting House again with Minsc. Then we have enough money to play benefactors and buy jewelry and beautiful clothes.”

Aristen raised an eyebrow with an amused grin: "You want to volunteer to do something with Minsc, really?"

“Now that you mention it…argh…better not. You may find him amusing, but he's always bursting in to chatter about his hamster at the most inopportune times. The guard almost caught me picking the lock of the Tabernacle when he suddenly stood loudly behind me, screaming my name and his hug almost broke every bone in my body.”

“What did you want at the Stormshore Tabernacle outside of opening hours?” Aristen asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, nothing!” Astarion quickly dismissed the topic. Too fast.

“What’s next on the list for today?”

“We really have to go to the Devil's Fee. It has finally opened since the devastating battle against the Netherbrain and the reprocessing. If there are special artifacts or information about them anywhere, it’s there!”

Astarion nodded eagerly and the two elves walked quickly through the streets of Baldur's Gate.

"Oh no! No no no!” Helsik shouted from afar as her eyes saw Aristen.

The Sorceress blinked in confusion at the violent reaction and she looked around to see if anyone else was behind her, as the shopkeeper thought she might be.

“Not you!”

"I? But…"

“Nothing but!” Helsik cut her off. “After last time, I already told you that it was too hot to be seen with you and that the store was off limits for now. After the fuss you caused with your little friend and the black-haired fuzzy head.”

Astarion grinned briefly. He knew exactly who the saleswoman was talking about. After all, they had learned of Bhaal's daughter's past and how she had been involved in the Grand Design.

“I have new business partners, so I don’t need loud attention, after all, hell operates quietly.”

“We don’t want to cause any problems, I swear!”

The vampire let his eyes wander over the lavish and devilishly mysterious display while Aristen soothed Helsik.

“We just want to buy an artifact or information. Nothing improper, nothing complicated, nothing dangerous. Just good old Mammon.”

“Child, you will never have as much gold as I want from you so that I can burn my fingers again because of you.”

"Are you sure? I'll pay any price...whether it's gold or otherwise. We're just looking for a way to break the vampire curse of being vulnerable to the sun. Please."

Helsik laughed briefly, compassionately, not maliciously: “Deary, at the Devil’s Fee we don’t break curses, it’s more about the other way. That should be clear to you from the name.”

“My Love…” Astarion slowly tore his eyes away from the display cases and stood next to Aristen again, “…let me talk to her. I think I can convince them better with less…emotional involvement based on old stories.”

“Are you sure?” Aristen asked, unconvinced.

“Of course, baby…” he was already pushed the Sorceress toward the exit, “…you go do the other errands in the meantime and leave this to me.”

Aristen left the devilish business and made her way to the large square of the lower city wall. She visited the arms dealers and her thoughts continued to dwell on the fact that if even devils couldn't find a way to free Astarion from his curse, who would?

She would never give up hope. Anyway, Helsik was probably right: if it was about help, then hell wouldn't be a good negotiating partner.

Maybe they should trust in nature, magic and clerics. The gods may not have heard Astarion then, but perhaps they could now request divine intervention?

The vampire could walk in the light of the Moon Maiden, perhaps Dame Aylin and Shadowheart could ask even more of Sêlune. Maybe she could expand her moonlight.

Perhaps…

“STOP IMMEDIATELY!”

Aristen was snapped out of her thoughts and the blacksmith who was stationed across from Sorcerous Sundries just handed her back Astarion's freshly sharpened dagger.

“COME BACK IMMEDIATELY!”

From the direction of the Devil's fee came rumbling, loud voices and, above all, lightning and sparks.

“Stop the criminal scum!” shouted a city guard. “Subject, let him stand still!”

“Where for?”

“That way!”

“Or rather there?”

“I thought I saw something in that direction…”

“Then I here, you there,” the steel armored guards rumbled.

The clatter of steel armor slowly faded from the blonde Sorceress's ears, but a perfume that differed from her own scent of orchid and rose reached her nose.

Aristen smelled cherries, musk, palmarosa, black pepper and…

“Does this belong to you, little mouse?”

…sulfur.

Raphael's slightly tanned complexion stood before her. His brown hair was done to perfection with meticulous work, as were his clothes. Large, sparkling brown eyes regarded her, both sublime and mischievous.

The devil in human disguise had the white-haired vampire in tow, holding him by the collar like a naughty schoolboy.

"Raphael..."

“So you still know my name. Ah…very good. Tell the wizard of yours that too. Hopefully he’s still looking for my crown?”

Aristen nodded: “We defeat the brain. The crown will then be at your disposal. That’s how it was settled.”

“Excuse me…” the vampire groused

The devil released Astarion, who grumbled and moved his shoulders.

“Stealing from a shop that has connections straight to hell, very very naughty.”

As was his style, Raphael moved his hands theatrically while his voice whispered mellifluously. The reprimand was more than just played as amusing.

“Anyway, you were there in vain. There is nothing to buy there that could solve the vampire's little “problem”. Otherwise they would all be walking around here freely in the sunlight. Or not?”

The devil made a sweeping gesture and looked around ostentatiously before laughing.

“I'll talk to Helsik and smooth things over, after all you don't sleep well in unmade beds like in clover. But tell your wizard that it is my crown. When he finds it, he has agreed to hand it over to me immediately. Not to Mystra and he certainly shouldn’t get the foolish idea of using it himself.”

“He is not my wizard,” Aristen clarified briefly, “Gale belongs to no one but himself. Mystra also has nothing to command him.”

“Does he see it that way too? Or does he like to be walked on a leash? He always just does what others tell him. After all, his own decisions are the stupidest I've ever seen...and I've literally seen it all."

“You mean as stupid as wanting to rule the crown of Karsus?”

“Haha…careful, little mouse,” laughed Raphael. “Just make sure I get the crown as quickly as possible.”

“When Gale finds it, you get the crown. That was the deal. We stick to that. But you'll have to be patient. It wasn't intended that the crown and the stones would be lost again, but it was hard to prevent it when the Netherbrain fell into the sea during the fight."

“I'm surprised you're so relaxed about this. You can't put me on a leash as easily as you can put the vampire spawn on a leash. Or was it rather the other way around and you Astarion put the former Bhaalspawn on a docile short leash?”

Mischief sparkled in the brown eyes of the human-shaped Cambion. There was a subtle, biting, malicious provocation in his words, which he spoke with a sonorous purr, as always.

Astarion's face contorted a little and the vampire barely suppressed a roll of his ruby-colored eyes. For a moment he seemed like a disgruntled cat.

"I think I liked you better when you just rhymed all the time," Astarion replied sassy.

Raphael laughed briefly, unimpressed: “Whatever. Less dawdling and making long fingers, but more diving for the crown,” reprimanded the devil with a raised eyebrow.

The devil wrinkled his nose slightly at the vampire spawn before turning back to Aristen and giving her his full attention.

“By the way, greetings from your fiery friend Karlach and her rapier-wielding colleague Wyll Ravengard.”

“Why are you ordering greetings from Karlach and Wyll? Have you met them?”

“Well, those two made themselves quite a name all around Avernus,” Raphael smiled in his smug way, “furthermore, I greatly welcome their actions against Zariel’s forces.”

He made one of his swinging hand movements with his manicured fingers: “I would like to invite you all to my House of Hope to linger, relax and chat. So you can catch up. You know, the Crown of Karsus is the key that grants you access. And until that happens…fare thee well, little mouse. I hope I will see you soon, knocking on the door of my house.”

As was his style, Raphael bowed expansively and his scent of leather, cedar, lily, rose, oud, vanilla and sandalwood disappeared into a swirl of sparks and sulphur.

“He hasn’t forgotten his flair for great performances. I don't know whether I should admire it or whether he's starting to get on my nerves with it," Astarion sighed briefly before straightening his shoulders and straightening his doublet with a quick tug.

"Anyways..." the vampire turned to another topic, "...I think it would be a good idea if we get out of the immediate area while the city guards are wandering around here."

The elf touched Aristen's elbow to encourage her to leave.

“What did you want to take from the store anyway, in the first place?” Aristen wanted to know from Astarion, curious and skeptical.

“Well…” he started to press and scratched the back of his white curls, “…I saw something…”

"And what was so terribly interesting that you would risk to be arrested by the Flaming Fist?"

“Well...it reminded me of you...and...I thought you should have it. But Helsik is really a cutthroat bitch with exorbitant prices.”

Aristen smiled good-naturedly: “Oh Astarion…”

“However…here…”

The vampire held out a white silk scarf to the storm sorceress.

Aristen's eyes widened. You could see from the shimmer and the way the fabric fell that it wasn't just silk that was woven there. It was definitely the weave itself and more that was at work there. Depending on how it fell and how you moved it, a golden blue shimmered.

“The scarf reminded me of the one you told me about. You know, the scarf with your name on it that you were found wearing as a baby in the Bhaal Temple. It’s one of the few memories you have left.”

The vampire took out a borealis blue thread from his pocket and began to embroider “Aristen” into the scarf.

“I wanted you to have something that you could never lose, that could never be destroyed, that had your name on it. Because if something ever happened again that made you forget...that made you forget yourself, at least you would always have your name with you. Then you know that you are Aristen. Not the daughter of the murder god. Not the chosen one of Bhaal. No Bhaalspawn. Just you. You are Aristen.”

The vampire began to embroider an “&” sign into the scarf.

“And well…” Astarion began to shuffle uncomfortably again and focused entirely on his work so that he didn’t have to look his lover in the eyes, “…if you ever forget something again, then you’ll know that we belong together. I don't want you to ever forget me. And so you also always carry my name with you.”

The vampire finished his work and the white scarf now embroidered with new memories read: "Aristen & Astarion"

“There is nothing in the world that would ever make me forget you, Astarion,” the high elf spoke softly.

She closed the distance between the two of them and kissed Astarion. The elf slowly closed his eyes as their lips met. His cool, hers warm. He felt her breathing life into him as they kissed.

"Thank you so much," the blonde said after they pulled away from each other, "you can't imagine how much this means to me. I love you, Astarion."

Aristen held the silky, white and blue scarf in her hands, stroked the pale elf's blue embroidery and smiled. "I think this used to be the color of your eyes too."

She smiled softly, as soft as the silky fabric of the scarf felt on her soft hands. Hands too soft for the crimes they had probably committed earlier in the name of Bhaal. In a previous life.

Aristen raised her eyes, which were also blue, and caught Astarion by surprise. Speechless.

That rarely happened.

Very rarely did the vampire find himself without words.

“Ah, I…” he took a breath to say something, but he lacked a suitable response, so he could only hold his breath, taken aback.

The gentle look in his lover's eyes and her words had triggered something in Astarion that he still couldn't handle: affection, sincere love.

Towards him and in his own heart.

The white-haired vampire exhaled and smiled just as gently at his beloved Aristen.

He reached out his cool hand to her and placed it against her rosy cheek. The blonde nestled herself a little in the vampire's hand and her gaze lingered lovingly in Astarion's now ruby-colored eyes.

“You never stop surprising me,” his whispering voice sounded sincere and just as genuine was the smile he continued to give her.

It was a smile that acknowledged how happy he was, partly surprised, partly just realizing that he wasn't really surprised anymore. And perhaps that was what surprised Astarion the most.

It was a day like any other.

A day like any other.

One day in the rest of their life.

Their life together.

And it was beautiful.

And he would never want it any other way.

📜🪶📜🪶💙🎻🫧🌹🌸🌹🫧🎻💙🪶📜🪶📜

➹a/n: i just gave my own Tav Saulus a little cameo guest appearance 😉 in the style of AU I also inserted aristenfromwarsaws other OC Devana, like a little, what are all the other tavs doing when not being the main character

the great Tavs of my lovely mutuals also did a tiny cameo:

Nala Hartwick of @evander-jane

Thomas Rosewood and Nana of @alpydk

Lovely Vierith of @goromimii jamming with my Saulus, best bardic duo

Mavka of @pinkberrytea

I hope I did the slice of life good justice and you all could taste, feel, smell, hear the life through all the description of scents, etc.

#is anyone else hungry after the description of the tavern? 🥵#can someone please tell me how to tap with long nails on y keyboard?! please!#i decided to let my nails grow a few month ago and it seems i have not written very much since than #i always tap the UP/hold button when tapping the str/up putton for the quoting marks that make me hold my fingers otherwise now and it hurt #and when I say long I do not mean very long only a little bit longer than manly short #and when a lovely writer can finally tell me and give me advices and layouts to bring my ff on tumblr in form that would be very nice #fun fact:it is crazy to play the game in your nat language and than have to google what da fuck is the store called in english?no clue #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate #bhaal battle beer bard #astarion #me #mine #bg3 tav #astarion ancunin #astarion x tav #astarion x aristen #Tav: Aristen #Aristen: aristenfromwarsaw #aristenfromwarsaw #judasiskariot #my writing #writing #fanfiction #ff #fanfic #my fanfiction #bg3 fanfiction #astarion x f!tav

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clare-875 · 3 months ago

Text

Until The End (Levi x Reader)- Chapter 27

[Your Embrace]

_____ A/N: Posted on Wattpad (@CLARE_875) but also decided to post here :)

Summary: "You can push me away, but I will still fight by you, and I will still follow you… until the end."

The ever-so-stoic Levi Ackerman has only ever known the terrors that living in a cruel world could bring. This all changed one fateful day when he encountered [y/n]; a girl renowned for her looks and abnormal speed. As they escape the confines of the Underground together, they soon discover that freedom doesn't come easy in a world full of Titans. As they rise through the ranks, [y/n] becomes known as "Humanity's Angel", a beacon of hope to humanity as she melts the walls Levi had built around his heart. However, she has her secrets too, and a dark past that might just threaten to pull them apart.

The storyline and characters of Attack on Titan do NOT belong to me, but all to Hajime Isayama; however, I do own this story, and all that occurs disparate to that storyline.

[Series Masterlist] [Chapter Twenty-Six] <--> [Chapter Twenty-Eight] _____

The silence is thick, air palpable as Levi looks down to see you there, on the boat. It is you right? Not another hallucination? Not another fucked up dream? Really you? Levi can do nothing but stare silently as though in a trance, eyes not once leaving yours.

Yelena calls to the Anti-Marleyan volunteers around her telling them to bring the Marleyan soldiers off the ship to the shore. Hange finally reacts turning to Levi, who still hasn't recovered from his shock. "Levi..." They mutter but stop in surprise as they look to see that tears have filled Levi's eyes. A sight they had never seen before. You break eye contact first, following Yelena and the others off the ship, as the other Scouts in the area also notice your presence and bound over to you. Levi finally breaks free from his reverie as he turns to Hange who looks at him silently. "Oi... Hange... you see her too right... that's... [y/n]?" Hange nods, as they see a lone tear slip down his cheek.

You approach the shore, Yelena calling for the Volunteers to follow her as they walk to a distance, but you turn as yells and sobs fill the air.

"Captain [y/n]!!"

"You're okay!!"

"We thought you died!!"

"We thought we'd never see you again!!"

"We're so sorry!!"

You feel your heart warm at the sight of the Scouts running towards you as Jean, Connie and Sasha go to embrace you, immediately crying their hearts out. Armin and even Mikasa stand in front of you tears in their eyes as they look to you in complete and utter relief. You let out an emotional laugh, your own tears flowing down your cheeks as you look to your squad. Your Squad, here with you. "What, you guys miss me or something," you smile as they continue to shout out in their relief and apologies. You frown half-heartedly as Jean speaks of his apologies the most, "I-I'm so sorry Captain!" He yells out. "I-It was my fault that day... if I had just told you to kill Reiner in the first place-" You cut him off swiftly as you pat his head gently. "What are you saying? Of course, it's not your fault," You say in a soft but authoritative tone. "We all let our guard down that day, I don't blame you, or anybody."

They continue to sob until they tire themselves out. Eren joins you as well after a moment, transforming out of his Titan, also exclaiming in relief. You look at him in surprise, he had grown so much since you left, they all had. But you saw something different in Eren's eyes. It was like he knew something you all didn't. You give them all a hug and continue to comfort them as they finally accept that you are in fact, still alive and that their beloved Captain has come home. They only reluctantly pull away when they hear the fast pace of footsteps approach you. Your eyes widen as you see Hange's leaping form approach you. "[y/n]~!!!" They crash into you, causing the both of you to topple into the sand. The Scouts around you start to smile and laugh at the sight of you struggling with a sobbing Hange.

"[y/n]!!" They continue to yell, tears streaming down their face. "I knew you were alive!! I knew you weren't dead!!" They continue to ramble on and on about how they knew you would survive, how they had believed in you and missed you all this time. Your tears continue to pour as you grip onto them tightly. You had missed Hange. When you finally pull away, however, you are met with a sight you had waited to see for so long. The man you had waited a year for. Levi. Hange slowly stands up, relief finally sufficing their system, as you also stand up on the sandy shore.

Hange looks between you and Levi, seeing you both staring silently at each other. They have a knowing look on their features as they call to the squad, who look curiously at the suddenly tense atmosphere. Hange takes the squad members away from the shore back to their makeshift campsite, as they get ready to meet with Yelena and the rest of the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers. But you could scarcely care. There is silence in the air as the rowdy voices of your squad members fade into the distance. It's so silent you can hear the lull of the waves hitting the shore and retreating into the ocean. It was just you and him now alone on the shoreline, and suddenly you felt a wave of nerves fill you. It had been a year, what would he say to you? Would he be angry? Would he be happy? Would he even want you back?

Tears prick your eyes as you divert your gaze from the man in front of you who still is rooted on the spot, frozen before you. His eyes look to you blankly and yet full of such deep emotion all at the same time. "Levi..." You mutter, voice cracking slightly as you look at the sand in front of you. "I-I'm sorry. I wanted to come back to you earlier, I swear I did! But... it was all too much, and I had to wait a year and I'm sorry but... but I missed you so much and-" Your rambles fill the air nonstop as you try to apologise and yet express the sorrow you felt in his absence for what felt like a lifetime. Levi watches you silently struggle, tears pouring down your face, but your voice is muffled to him as he looks at you. His angel returned to him.

"Levi, I'm so sorr-"

You're cut off by a warm pair of lips on your own. Your eyes flutter closed as he moves against you softly before the kiss becomes more passionate; more heated. The both of your hearts thrum to life at the other's touch, something you both had so missed, something you both had been torturously deprived of. His trembling hands move to your waist as he pulls you impossibly closer. Your hands move from your side, moving up his torso before grasping gently yet so desperately at his raven locks, holding onto him like it was the last thing you'd ever do. The kiss is warm and the kiss is wet, as both of your tears mingle down your cheeks, lost in your joy and your sorrow. You pull away gasping for breath as he does the same, tears still streaming down your face, the both of you still in the other's embrace.

"Y-you're alive," Levi stutters looking into your eyes before pulling you against his body and welcoming your familiar fragrance. You nod against his chest as you hold onto him, arms tight against his torso. You stay there for a long moment before pulling away, Levi quickly grasping onto one of your hands as though he couldn't bear to be out of your hold for longer than a second. He uses the other hand to caress your face, gently pushing away a strand of your hair before his sharp grey eyes scan your features in relief. "Did they hurt you?" He asks, his voice barely a whisper above the wind, but you shake your head trying to ease the worry that caused a crease between his brows. "I'm okay." You say, wiping his tears with your free hand. You frown slightly at his slightly paler completion even in the dim light of the moon, how he looks so much more exhausted than usual, how his face seems more hollow somehow.

"Have you been looking after yourself, Levi?" You pout softly looking at him as he averts his gaze before looking back to you. You see the turmoil in his eyes reflect your own as he observes how you also seem more tired than usual, smaller than usual too. You lean into his touch but your eyes don't leave the other. Levi avoids your question but instead says something that tells you all you need to know about the unrest he went through without you by his side. The despair he so desperately tried and failed to hide among prying eyes was presented before you. "I love you," he mutters under his breath, only for you to hear. Your heart hammers against your chest at his proclamation. "Never leave me alone, again." More tears fall onto your face as he catches them on his fingertips before pulling you in for a brief, gentle kiss. When you pull away you smile up at him, a real genuine smile, it had been so long since you felt the bliss.

Levi looks at you, awe betraying his eyes as your angelic features upturn into the sight he had longed for. "I love you too, Levi," you say caressing his face. "And I'm not leaving you, not ever again." You watch as solace takes over the pain that Levi had endured for so long. His own lips upturn into a gentle smile; your favourite scene in the world. The both of you could stay there holding the other's hand, embracing the other's warmth and looking into the other's eyes for millennia. But, unfortunately, reality catches up to you, as the voice of Hange rings through from a distance, "Hey, love-birds, I'm sorry but we're going to have to start the interrogation soon! [y/n], they're also asking for you, said you knew what this was all about!"

Hange's voice causes Levi to turn to them, annoyance now clouding his face. But you simply laugh at the familiar sight, before replying to Hange putting your free hand in the air. "We'll be right there Hange!" You yell before you turn to Levi, squeezing his hand gently. You let out a giggle as you smile up at his obvious bitterness. "What?" You say, but the sight of you, laughing and smiling and present with him, almost instantly melts his features. He shakes his head before tugging your hand with his own pulling the both of you across the shore and to the makeshift campsite the Scouts have readied by the ocean. Only this time, when others look at the both of you inquisitively, Levi doesn't let go of your hand in his.

.....

You sit next to Levi who sits next to Hange, while Yelena and another Anti-Marleyan Volunteer, Onyankopon, sits opposite the table in front of you. The four of you observe as Hange looks at the pistol you presented them, and the multiple bullets stored within it. "Ah, I see! That's how it shoots a bunch!" Hange exclaims in awe as they look at the weapon. "That's standard issue in Marley," Yelena speaks up from in front of them, holding a cup of tea in her hand. "The Marley army has 20,000 soldiers per division. With 50 divisions, that's 1,000,000 soldiers. There's also the navy with three fleets each comprised of 21 battleships. They've made tremendous progress in new weapons and aerial warfare as well." There is a deep silence before Hange speaks up from next to Levi. "Aerial...?"

"In other words, vehicles allowing one to attack the enemy from the sky," Onyankopon speaks up as he looks to Hange. At his words, Hange stood up in shock. "Huh?! From the sky?!" Levi maintains the irritated look on his face unliking the way Hange makes them look weak and unintelligible next to those in Marley. "If Marley had such capabilities this whole time, why haven't they attacked in over a year?" You nod at Hange’s words before speaking up, looking at the cup of tea in front of you and swirling it periodically in small motions. "There are two main reasons," you say, as everyone's eyes now turn to you. "One being the Pure Titans released here. Even with the latest weapons they would hinder a land assault. They were used as a tool to confine us Eldians within the walls, but in turn, they've also protected us from invasion."

You look up to see Levi's eyes sharp in the glowing lights as he meets your gaze, there was such irony of the situation you have found yourselves in. "Though dawn is coming soon, and that's when the Titans are active," Yelena says from across the table. "But if we're way out here, sipping tea outside the walls..." You turn to Levi and Hange in shock finishing Yelena's sentence. "You must've killed all the Titans roaming around." There is a tense silence in the air as Yelena stares intently at the two Scouts in front of her. "Is that true?" Levi interrupts quickly, uncertainty in his eyes. "And what if it is? You gonna report that to Marley?" But he is met with a look of astonishment and admiration as Yelena replies. "No, it blows away my expectations."

"And what's the second reason?" Hange asks turning back to you. You reply instantly meeting their curious gaze. "Currently, Marley is at war with multiple nations. They can't be bothered with Paradis. You defeated the Warrior unit, the pride of Marley, and captured two of their main weapons, the Colossal and Female Titans. Marley's many enemies took notice and were quick to unite and declare war." Hange then turns back to Yelena and Onyankopon, understanding the intent behind your words. "If you guys are secret agents who infiltrated Marley, I'm guessing you came from conquered nations?" The two look at Hange, a grim expression on their faces. "Oh, I'm right?! If you're going up against Marley, I bet you've got big backers!"

Yelena puts down her cup of tea, it clinking against the saucer on the table. "We're not secret agents or anything of the sort," she says eyes screwed onto the details of the table in front of her, and Onyankopon looks at her, the same look on his face. "We were powerless. Marley took our homes and forced us to be soldiers. We were close to losing hope of ever striking back... Until we met him. A Titan that people of the world feared, calling it a devil. But I saw something completely different..." Yelena's face now morphs into one of insatiable awe. "A god. One that gave hope to the powerless." Her face returns to one that is neutral, but the gleam in her eyes remains. "Under Zeke Jaeger's command, we shot our superiors and returned your Captain to you. We're the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers. Our goal: to free the Eldian people."

Hange turns to you shock brimming their eyes but you don't meet their gaze. "Does that mean [y/n]... you... you're working with Zeke as well?" You tense as you release your hold on your tea. You were afraid this would happen. "Hange..." Levi threatens darkly as he looks at your troubled face. "You saw it too Levi... [y/n], you're related to him, aren't you, you're a Fritz," Hange says neutral voice echoing through the silent air. You don't meet their burning stare as you speak up after a moment. "That's right..." you say, voice soft as you feel the suddenly tense atmosphere. "I am related to him, my father is a Fritz, I'm descended from royal blood and Zeke is technically my cousin." You let out a sigh. "But I never said I was working with him. I only needed his help to return here in exchange for a favour."

You turn hesitantly to meet the faces of Levi and Hange who look at you curiously but at least not in distrust. "He left me with his demands, in exchange for the help he wants to provide us. He has a plan, though he wouldn't even tell me what it was. He wants the founding Titan, Eren, he needs him for his plan to take place because the Founding Titan needs to be in contact with a Titan of royal blood. I'm not saying I trust him completely, but I think there's credit in what he's saying. There was a moment, the instant when Eren was temporarily able to use the Founding Titan's powers because he was in contact with me... someone of royal blood and a [l/n], who turns out to be a family, the product of Titan experiments." You meet Levi's unsettled gaze at the proclamation, along with a face of realisation.

"As I said, I don't know what his plan is, but I am sure there is truth in what he's saying, that having The Founding Titan and a Titan of royal blood is necessary, along with the technological support the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers have provided. The Marleyan soldiers and government are preoccupied right now, but we don't know for how long, and their numbers and weapons strongly outweigh those available to us right now." You now turn to Hange who seems in deep contemplation. "Even if you decide to refuse to cooperate with the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers, more ships are headed this way, we will need their support to hinder their attacks... you won't be able to just kill them. And... the only alternate option other than Zeke's secret plan, is the Rumbling. An attack whereby the Titans in our walls trample the Earth, killing and flattening everything on it."

.....

Dawn slowly starts to break on Paradis by the time all is sorted. The Marleyan soldiers that were on board the ships were restrained and to be sent back within the walls and into the cells. The Anti-Marleyan Volunteers were monitored but not restrained, as they provided Hange with valuable information. The wireless radios on board the retained ship would be useful in deterring and capturing other ships that may be sent here from Marley. Hange had also come up with a report of the information and Zeke's demands that would be presented to Dhalius Zachery, Queen Historia and the three military regiments later on. For the time being, the Scouts that were up all night were permitted a few hours of rest and you were now being tugged along by Levi who dragged you to his tent in the distance, ignoring the prying eyes of Scouts that looked to the both of you.

When you enter, the both of you walk over to the bed in the corner of the large tent. You sit down with a deep sigh while Levi silently takes off your boots, you smile at the sight, caressing his raven locks as he looks up to you. "I missed you," you whisper as his face turns soft in your presence. He rids of his own boots and joins you on the bed, pulling you down next to him so the both of you are now lying down looking at the other. He grasps one of your hands in his own, the other pushing strands of [h/c] hair behind your ear. He simply gazes at your features lost in the beauty and the reality that you were there in front of him; that you returned. "I did too," he says as you look at him questioningly breaking free from your own thoughts. "I missed you."

You squeeze his hand gently and softly smile, moving closer to the man who lies next to you, leaning your head against his chest as he embraces you. You listen to the soothing sound of his heartbeat against your ear. You feel the warmth and safety of being back in his arms and his presence. The exhaustion of being away from each other for so many months builds up, but sleep easily takes over you in the familiarity of his form. In the many months that you two had been together before you were taken away, it was also the same. The both of you found that sleep came easier in the other's presence; it held your dreams at bay and kept insomnia from Levi. You feel your eyes flutter shut as you let out a sigh of contentment, snuggling into his warmth.

Levi looks down at you for a long moment, watching as your eyes close and your breaths steady. He sees the peace that surrounds your face as he holds you in his arms. Levi feels emotions cloud his eyes before he puts a soft kiss on the top of your head, feeling sleep also catch up to him in the relief that you are with him once more. The both of you finally get the rest you so desperately need. The inner sorrow and turmoil that existed in the past year apart, slowly dissipated with the knowledge that the other was safe and unharmed, as you both have a peaceful, dreamless sleep. _____

[Chapter Twenty-Six] <--> [Chapter Twenty-Eight]

Tags: @batboygirlie

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mrs-snape5984 · 8 months ago

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“How can you miss someone, you've never met? 'Cause I need you now, but I don't know you yet…”

“But can you find me soon because I'm in my head? Yeah, I need you now, but I don't know you yet…” (“IDK You Yet” by Alexander 23)

Being devoted to a fictional character for about 21 years can be challenging from time to time. Sure, it’s called “having a comfort character” for reasons, and I can’t deny, that my long lasting love for Severus Snape has given me the much needed comfort and consolation all over those years. He was by my side, whenever I felt the urge to escape from my traumatic reality…and fuck…there was way too much in my life, which made me flee to Severus. Don’t worry, I won’t mention all these experiences in this text (I’ve already done this in one of my other pathetically whiny posts).

But there’s another issue, that comes with the adoration for a fictional character…something torturous, heart-wrenching and devastatingly painful: It’s the piteous longing for someone, who will never be mine in real life….a goddamn feeling, which is eating me alive! Of course, I’m still coping with my current situation of being doomed to a life in darkness (fuck you, ME/CFS!!!!!) by writing my own ridiculously self-inserting fan fictions about Sevy and Jules…only for myself…solely to soothe my troubled heart. Furthermore, the many artists of Snapedom might know me as someone, who’s requesting immensely personal artworks for my blog…always using them to emphasise my journal entries here.

But there are times, when this isn’t enough anymore! I’m surrounded by Severus in my dark room… one could say, that I’m living in my private Snape-and-Wizarding-World-in-general-Museum. 😅 Everything here feels like my very own comfort blanket, which I’m pulling tighter around my trembling body to create a sensation of warmth and safety. And yet… yeah… and yet, I’m fucking lonely! Lying in darkness and solitude all day makes this cruel longing for Severus become agonising and almost unbearable. I’m bawling my eyes out for someone, who will never be able to hear my heart crying out for him. And to be honest: In my age, this is a sentiment, which I’m absolutely ashamed of!

For the past 21 years, I’ve known this miserable emotion only in this exact context. But now, something happened, which made the confines of my heart and the walls, I’ve built around myself, shatter into pieces…leaving me vulnerable and emotionally churned up like never before. Becoming close and trusting friends with someone, who’s living so far away from me - separated by the ocean - turns out to be blessing and curse at once.

Suddenly, I feel confronted by the same emotions, which my pining for Severus provokes in my heart…a yearning for a deeper connection - regardless of the relationship’s nature between us friends. And just like in the song, which I’ve mentioned above this text, I’m asking myself: “How can you miss someone, you’ve never met?”

Fortunately, I’m able to reach out to my friend in these occasions. I don’t have to weep over my fan fictions or my art collection…no, I can just grab my phone and annoy the fuck out of my beloved confidant. And I think, this is beautiful! 🥹

For this heartwarming piece of art, I’ve commissioned my friend @alinearthp once again. I asked her to draw Severus and my undeniably self-inserted OC Jules as young adults…going out to grab some butter beer in “The Three Broomsticks”. Whenever my longing for Severus becomes too strong, I’m trying to imagine him doing something casual like that with me…and now I’m doing the same with my long-distance-friend. For this reason, I’d like to dedicate this loving post to him. @preciousthelmadonna, you’re in my heart and in my thoughts every single day, since I got to meet you on tumblr. Despite those 6095 kilometres, which separate us from each other, it seems as if you’re right beside me, whenever we’re talking about everything and nothing at once. I’m beyond grateful for our connection, my love. Thank you for being you.

Oh, and @alinearthp, you made me smile with this cute drawing of Sevy and Jules! Thank you for your understanding of my ideas and for each of your lovely and kind messages! Feel hugged, my dear!

🖤Severus & Julia🖤

🖤Sevy & Jules🖤

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kurigohan0909 · 2 months ago

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putting yoon hye-jin and hong du-sik in a blender, and miraculously, out comes haikaveh

author's notes for my heart is an old house, where i attempt to remix Hometown Cha-cha-cha into a haikaveh AU because i like to combine my obsessions. this time it comes with beach vibes and professional-personal quarter-life crises.

on one hand, yoon hye-jin. clever, fiercely hard-working and incredibly ambitious. her mother passed away when she was a kid and she never recovered from the hurt, and could never come to terms with her father's remarriage either. high income, high spending, high financial anxiety. overly concerned with how people think of her. touchy and quick to take offence, but also intensely guards her own emotions. individualistic, introverted and self-reliant to a fault. pragmatic and rational. usually disliked or avoided by people because of her aloof exterior. refuses to go the extra mile for anybody else's sake, but will nevertheless stand up for her principles at any cost (see: quitting her job because her boss asked her to overcharge an elderly patient). city girl, out of touch with reality. socially elite and aware of it. the "pride" half. likes very few people, but once she loves you, she'll do anything for you. sharp words and acts of service. caring to the point of being overbearing. often lacks sensitivity. unquestioningly loyal. an egoist made out of isolation who longs to love someone unconditionally despite not thinking herself capable of it. her arc is about making space in her heart for people and things beyond herself.

on the other hand, hong du-sik. naturally brilliant, laid-back, and living 'below his potential'. orphaned young and brought up by a grandfather who died when he was a teenager. low income, high savings, frugal but comfortable lifestyle. couldn't care less how people think of him. easygoing and thick-skinned, but also highly opinionated. values community; depends on others and lets others depend on him. philosophical and spontaneous. beloved by all on account of his affable demeanour. quick to help everyone around him, even at his own inconvenience; but he does have strong boundaries that he won't cross regardless of the stakes (see: refusing to look after the neighbourhood kids' hamster because of his own undisclosed hangups). village boy, feet firmly planted on the ground. has lived at both ends of the social class spectrum and scorns the entire concept. the "prejudice" half. friends with everyone, but a cautious and closed-off lover. has believed himself responsible for his loved ones' deaths for years. struggles to connect on an emotional level. an altruist made of guilt who longs to be loved unconditionally despite believing he doesn't deserve it. his arc is about making space for himself in a heart too full of other people and things.

have i mentioned how much i love the supporting cast of HTCCC? if you want the sarcastic mom friend/pedantic law enforcer side ship (cynonari) then mi-seon and eun-cheol are right there. I don’t see any parallels in any of the other side characters, but the large-ensemble feeling of small-town life is definitely something i want to harness in this fic.

one day, i'll get around to finishing it. maybe next year. until then, i'll be rewatching the drama "for inspiration", and falling in love with gongjin all over again each time.

#haikaveh #hometown cha cha cha #author commentary #yapping about fic instead of writing it

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caffeineandtwinkies · 4 months ago

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Hey, Hank?

What would you say or do if someone had thoughts of self hatred or had a depressive episode?

I'm sorry. I just have a lot on my mind.

((OOC: Disclaimer for sensitive subject matter to say that, as always, this will be answered in character. All opinions will be 'his' and not always mine :) <3 )) My dear, first I hasten to offer my utmost apologies for delaying in responding to your question. There are times when a man (or a mutant) must first reflect upon the inquiry made and if they are qualified to respond in an academic way. I am not that as such, though upon further consideration I thought perhaps I am qualified to give comfort. You've come upon a topic that resonates deeply with me, you see. Though this is not about me-- it is about you. As such, I would like to offer my sincerest sympathy and of course, myself as an empathetic ear. My ears, like most of me, are particularly large. They're excellent for, as they say, 'lending an ear'. This reminds me of a quote from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: “He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget, that until the day God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words, ‘Wait and Hope.’"

#xmen rp #hank mccoy #henry mccoy #xmen fandom

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petalouda85 · 11 months ago

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Forever (in my Mind)

Fandom: Blades of Light and Shadow 2

Pairings: Tyril x f!human!MC (Kassandra)

Word count: 3.1k

Concept: the follow-up to Promise. TW: character death

Tags: @liviusofpella, @megas-choices, @starlight-starfury, @dutifullynuttywitch, @thosehallowedhalls, @choicesficwriterscreations

AO3 link: x

A/N: this was… an emotional rollercoaster. The amount of times I cried is unreal; this was harder and more heartbreaking to write than Promise despite an arguably happier ending. I swear, this is going to be the last sad fic I’ll write in a while. The song in this fic: “Forever (in my Mind)” by Malinda. Another song that played a large role in this fic: “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” from Hamilton.

When Tyril had asked for a doctor, Adrina knew the time had come.

The last year had been a slow and steady decline for him; he began the year standing upright but was soon reliant on a cane, his movement still getting slower by the day despite his restrained use of the Light. A few days ago, he’d retreated to his chambers and asked to be left alone so he could rest, abandoning his gilded cane for the comfort of his bed. But after days of rest, his energy never returned. He’d stubbornly denied requests for a doctor but after some pleading and no improvement, he’d finally asked for one.

The doctor had come quickly and shut the door behind him, leaving Adrina to pace in the hall, her daughter keeping her company. No words were exchanged between the two. They knew the end was near, but Adrina’s heart sank at the mere thought that her beloved brother was nearing that end.

After a long and painful wait, the door opened, and she immediately ran to the doctor as he exited the room. He simply looked at her and shook his head.

“There’s nothing more I can do. Best we can do is make him comfortable.” Her face broke only for a moment before she regained her composure, Lady Starfury speaking as she addressed the doctor.

“Thank you.” The elf bowed and left, Adrina and her daughter rushing into the room.

Her brother had always been a driven man. Serious and driven. Nothing could stop him the moment he set his mind to something. Every setback, once mourned, only served to spur him onward, a hunter slowly and steadily pursuing prey.

She had only ever seen him stagnate once, after the battle against the Ash Empress. But his grief, his promise had pushed him forward. Always forward.

Life threw much at him, but he continued, visiting libraries, traveling to the far reaches of Morella and beyond, coming back to Undermount with stories and scars. During his short intermittent stays in Undermount, he could often be found in his study, writing feverishly into thick book after thick book, writing like he was running out of time.

He kept going, even when everything he cared for began to disappear. His friends had been gone for a long time. Imtura went first, the sea reclaiming its warrior. Mal followed not long after; the shadow desired to claim him once more but he breathed his last in the light. Nia had held on for much longer, her work never done, but she too eventually returned to the Light. And Kade read his last book a decade later.

Tyril had kept going through it all, his unrelenting drive pushing him forward. Spurred by his grief, his promise or perhaps a death wish, Adrina did not know but now, 200 years later, he lay fragile in bed, a face and body worn down by quests and time.

Slowly, she approached the bed, sitting down in the chair that had been placed next to it as her daughter remained by the door, too overcome with emotion to approach. The siblings didn’t say anything to each other for some time, the atmosphere heavy enough to choke down all words. Slowly, Tyril reached for the side table and grabbed a thick piece of folded paper, sealed with wax.

“My will. It has instructions and my final wishes.” He said softly, holding the paper out. Slowly, Adrina took it, holding it tightly in her hand. “I’ve ensured that the funds for the orphanage will continue. Can you make sure they’re used properly? I do not wish the children to suffer because of greed. I want them to have a good life, even when I’m gone.” She nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek.

“I’ll make sure of it. They’ll want for nothing.” Briefly, he managed to smile, before letting out a long, exhausted breath, the silence permeating the room.

“200 years…” he muttered after some time, “it’s not enough. There’s so much I could still do.” He took a shallow breath, a tear escaping his eye. “But I’m so tired, Adrina.” Another tear rolled down her cheek and she reached for his hand; it felt cold in hers.

“Then sleep, Tyril.” She managed a weak smile despite the tears in her eyes. “You’ve pushed for so long, done so much. You kept your promise. It’s okay to rest now.”

“But you, Amara…”

“We’ll be fine.” Adrina beckoned her daughter closer, the young elf struggling to hold back her tears.

“Uncle.” He smiled lightly at her voice.

“Amara.” The young elf approached, settling herself next to her mother, the old elf turning to look at her. He simply stared at her before whispering, “the chest.” He pointed towards a small chest that stood unassumingly at the foot of the bed. Amara nodded and brought it closer. “Open it.” She did and pulled out one of several thick, leather-bound books, tied shut.

Carefully, she untied the leather laces and opened the thick tome, opening to a page showcasing a masterfully illustrated image of Tyril and his friends at the Ancestral Masquerade, facing Duchess Xenia, the page next to it filled with words. As the book fell fully open, magic beamed in the brush strokes and the image began to move slightly, bringing the painting further to life. “My adventures… my friends’ adventures, it’s all written in these books. Kade and I… we wanted the truth preserved somewhere before we were relegated to the myths we once chased. He helped me compile much of it and I kept going when he couldn’t anymore.” Adrina couldn’t help but stare at the pages in awe.

“This is incredible. We’ll keep them safe, brother.” She assured. Amara tried to shut the book, but Tyril stopped her. He stared at the image, a bittersweet tear running down his cheek. He continued staring, running his fingers tenderly over the painted images of his friends. When he eventually pulled his hand away, Amara shut the book and placed it back into the safe confines of the chest.

They fell silent, the seconds ticking by slowly, Adrina’s keen eyes watching her brother as he continued to fade, his eyes partially shut, wishing to sleep but a part of him still stubbornly hanging on.

She could hear him mumbling but it was hard to make out what he was saying. She leaned closer, her heart twisting when she heard that it was a name.

“Kassandra.” He muttered breathlessly. A tear rolled down her cheek, as she recalled something he told her a few years back, in one of the few conversations he ever mentioned her.

You want to know the horrible truth? I barely remember what she looked like. She was the only one I ever wanted. She was taken from me, and 200 years of living couldn’t fill the hole she left behind.

“Kassandra.” He muttered again. Adrina leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“Go be with her, brother.” She whispered, her voice shaking. “Go fill the hole in your heart. We’ll be alright.” Briefly, she spied a smile on his face before a weak puff of air escaped his lips, his chest going still and his hand loosening under hers.

—

When Tyril opened his eyes, he was no longer in his bed. Rather, he stood next it. It was a strange sensation to see his own aged body still lying in it, his sister and niece weeping over it. He looked and examined his ghostly hands, finding them to be in a state of youth again. Examining his hair had similar results - gone were the grays and whites, the strands returned to their youthful black.

Carefully, he moved around the bed and tried to place his hand on Amara’s shoulder, only for it to go through her, his niece not reacting to his attempted touch. He felt a stab in his chest, but he shed no tears as it confirmed what he knew to be true.

He was dead.

He took a moment to mourn with them, though they mourned different things. As he knelt with his sister and niece, he tried to recall the final moments. His recollection had been hazy, his vision and mind unclear as he teetered between the realm of the living and the dead.

If he’d recalled correctly, a specter had come to him only moments before the darkness came. He focused on that vague memory, trying to push past the fog.

It had begun as a mysterious shape, no rhyme or reason in his failing eyes. It had eventually morphed into something, the shape becoming less and less transparent the longer it hovered above him. It had smiled at him as the shape became even clearer.

A woman. Human, dark skinned, dark braided hair, and brown eyes.

He had whispered her name and she had kissed his forehead.

Find me on the mountain.

“Mountain.” He whispered, looking above him, piercing his gaze beyond the limits of the ceiling.

He headed for the door, stopping in the frame to glance once more at his family. A tear rolled out as he looked; how he would miss them.

He wandered down the hallway in his ghostly form, servants unintentionally passing through him, whispering the news of his death among themselves; no doubt the rest of Undermount would know within the hour.

He continued to wander the halls, struck by a desire to see every nook and cranny of the vast estate before he would eventually say goodbye to it. He wandered through the library, the kitchen, the dining hall, even the servants’ quarters, trying to memorize every detail. Eventually, he found himself in the wide expanse of the ballroom, the curtains drawn but the magical orbs floating above providing just enough light to prevent total darkness in the room.

Many an evening he had spent here, helping his sister host masquerades. He’d been glad for the masks, if only to hide how much he didn’t want to be there. He mingled and chatted as expected but rarely danced, his sister and niece being the only dance partners he could bear to have; it was impossible to dance with the one he truly wished to.

The thought of her brought back the memory of the specter and the words she had whispered before the end.

“Find me on the mountain.” He whispered to himself once more, his sight falling onto a staircase, it hidden away in the far reaches of the room and partially hidden in the shadows. He knew it led up to the outside. He made his way to them, freezing when he heard a sound in the stairwell. It echoed yet it was beautiful, a gentle voice singing words he was too far away to understand. There was a pang of emotion when he listened more carefully, stepping further into the stairwell. The words he still couldn’t make out, even with his keen elven senses, but for a moment, the voice sounded familiar, dredging up painful memories of a time long ago.

In a burst, he began running up the stairs, two steps at a time, the words of the song becoming clearer as he climbed higher and higher, forcing tears down.

Like the moon, you pull me closer

Bathe my body in your lavender skies

Like a sound, you slip away

Leave a shadow of a day gone by

And I’ll love you forever in my mind.

And I’ll love you until the day I die.

He burst out of the stairwell onto the mountainside, quickly looking at his surroundings, trying to deduce the direction of the voice. The echoes of the words were carried in the breeze, guiding him in the right direction. He ran in pursuit but came to an abrupt stop when he noticed a ghostly figure ahead, standing near the edge of a sheer drop off the mountain, facing the sun. Her back was turned to him, but his stomach twisted in knots when he recognized her, disbelief and doubt overwhelming him.

And I’ll love you forever in my mind.

And I’ll love you until the day I die.

She sang softly, the wind carrying the melody of her voice to him. Slowly, she turned to face him.

It was her.

Tyril stood still as a statue, staring, emotion choking him. He couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. He tried to take a step forward, but his legs collapsed under him, his tears finally breaking past the dam of his own control. In seconds, he felt a touch and soon he was enveloped in an embrace, the touch of her hands a sensation he had forgotten long ago. He grasped onto her tightly, burying his face in her neck, weeping louder when he breathed in her scent, another thing he’d forgotten.

“You’re here.” Tyril said softly, his voice shaking. He felt her tighten her grip on him.

“I never left.” Kassandra responded, her voice shaking too. They held onto each other tightly, neither wishing to let go. Eventually, Tyril pulled away, desperate to see her face.

She looked exactly as he remembered. Still as beautiful and radiant as the day she was taken from him. He reached up to cup her face, his hand faltering for a moment. He choked back a sob when his hands didn’t go through her and immediately planted kiss after kiss on her lips, the taste so sweet but salty too. He kept planting more kisses, as if intent to give her every kiss he’d wished to give her over the last two centuries.

Far too soon, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.

“I missed you. So much. You have no idea…” The words were lost in his throat, drowned by another sob. “I kept my promise.”

“And you have no idea how thankful I am that you did.” She pulled back and cupped his face in her hands, brushing away his tears. “A man like you, wasting his life on tears, unable to dig himself out of the pits of grief, surviving but not living. What a tragedy that would’ve been.” Gently, he took her hands and held them tenderly, staring at them as more tears appeared. He lifted them and placed a kiss on each of her hands.

“It was not easy.” He admitted, his voice trembling. “Living a life with a fractured heart wears down even the most resolute of men. 200 years and somehow, I feel as though I’ve not done enough to live by my promise and your wish.” She smiled at him through her own tears and squeezed his hands.

“You did everything I asked and so much more. You’ve lived not only by my wish but by the wishes of our friends. Mal was so grateful for what you’ve done for the orphanage.”

“Mal? The others? They’re here?” He looked around them, seeing only the wide empty breadth of the mountainside.

“They’re in Elhalas.” Anger suddenly bubbled in him, already thinking of a few choice words for the gods.

“Did they deny you entry?” She quickly shook her head.

“I refused to enter Elhalas without you. I told the gods to go screw themselves and came back here, to wait for you.”

“You waited for me?” He asked in a small voice.

“I’d wait an eternity for you.” She leaned forward and gave him another kiss. “It hurt to wait so long, just watching and unable to touch you or help you. Years of the sweetest words you couldn’t hear. But the wait is over now. Now, we have an eternity.” Gently, she pulled away and rose to her feet, taking a few steps. She looked over the expanse of the mountainside, taking in the details. After a moment, she turned around and walked back to him, holding out her hand. “You ready?”

With a soft smile, he reached out and took her hand. Once standing, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

“Yes.” She lifted her hand and moved it in a familiar motion, a portal of ethereal light appearing before them. “Show off.” Kassandra chuckled and moved through the portal, pulling him through too.

In an instance, the mountain had disappeared. Instead, before them, was an open field, wide and expansive, the otherworldly beauty nearly causing a tear to roll down his cheek. A glistening city stood in the distance, the structures and the stones they were made of unlike anything he’d ever seen, even in the hall of visions in Undermount. It put the vast beauty of Valen to shame. A gentle wind blew around them, the air carrying with it a potent and divine energy.

“Welcome to Elhalas.”

“It’s beautiful.” He looked over the area once more, finding it hard to take in all the magnificence. His gaze fell to a hill in the distance, a single, stunning oak tree resting at the top. The leaves and branches swayed gently with the breeze when he noticed some figures sitting and standing around the trunk, the shade and the distance hiding their identities.

He could see four figures. Three seemed to be of similar stature, two seated by the trunk and the third leaning against it. The fourth was seated on the grass nearby. The leaning figure moved away from the trunk and moved to the one sitting in the grass; within in a moment, the standing figure dashed around the trunk, the sitting figure jumping up to give chase, revealing a much larger stature. As they came around the trunk, the hulking figure grabbed and tripped their assailant, Tyril seeing rather than hearing the laughter of the others as they tumbled to the grass, a wrestling match ensuing. He continued to watch them, his stomach churning with a whirlwind of emotions he found difficult to decipher.

Kassandra squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile.

“Come on.” He let her gently pull him along, moving closer towards the hill. As they began to walk up, the figures became so much clearer, and he choked back a gasp.

Kade and Nia sitting by the tree, Kade playing a gentle tune on his lute as Nia tapped her hand and seemed to hum along to the song. Nearby, their typical childish wrestling match over, were Imtura and Mal, also listening to the songs played.

Nia saw him first.

The priestess stood up as they made eye contact, the others following her gaze and standing up too as he and Kassandra reached the top of the hill. All stood frozen for some time, only staring as countless emotions and thoughts swirled between them all. Then, with a sob, Nia ran to him and embraced him tightly, Tyril’s own tears flowing once more as he embraced her back. Quickly, more arms embraced him, and more sniffles joined.

“Took your damn time.” Imtura scolded, making the elf and the others chuckle. He embraced his friends tighter, feeling the last heavy weights that lingered in his heart finally lift, leaving behind a sense of peace.

“My apologies. I had a promise to keep.”

#tyril starfury #tyril x mc #adrina starfury #tyril x kassandra #my writing #blades of light and shadow #blades of light and shadow 2 #bolas 2 #playchoices

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grubus · 4 months ago

Note

i've been following syonr for quite some time now (read: caught up and religiously check updates on mondays) and i actually don't remember if i ever left a comment or just repeated the words in my head enough times i forgot to say them. which is a shame, because you deserve many many warm words for the world you created.

the way you pace the story is SOO good. every arc has delicious hurt/comfort, just enough tension to make you sit on the edge of your seat and the characters???? can we just talk about how your characterization is THE characterization in this fandom? every single character is fleshed out and has a role, they! are! written! with! LOVE! and i love them with all my heart.

i think you were the one who made mu qingfang my comfort character. i really liked him, but you just planted him straight into my soul. he's my pookie now. the best man. should be in every fic for real. you can guess how much i loved when sy lived with him and i adore every scene with him. just thinking about it fill me with warmth. also i generally headcanon mqf as aroace, but here??? yes, he and wqw are a perfect match. no one does it like them ❣️

i have this weird thing where i can't fully imagine what i'm reading and it's like i don't see stuff in my head but more like i sense it? feel it? sometimes i read a fic and it's beautifully written, but i feel uncomfortable just because it feels tight and grimy even if the story itself is light.

but syonr feels spacious, like i can breath fully and what i imagine matches with what is actually happening in the scene. i might be anxious out of my mind but i still enjoy every bit of it. the places you describe fit perfectly into the story. that is to say, my favourite/comfort scenes are bright and sunny :D

i'm not gonna lie i enjoy sy whump. this guy can be in so many Situations and i'm here for it.

and i ADORE bingyuan. they are so sweet and cute and SAFE for each other. it's really interesting how their opinion on sqq changed bc they have each other. sy needing security and validation and binghe's cold disdain.

there actually should be like 10 hours video essay on every syonr character ii i- cant they are wonderful.

nyy my beloved treasured girl. you asked "who's going to make her shine?" and didn't wait for an answer. and shine she does!!!!!!! 🌟

wqw is a charming man, if he was an anime character i imagine him having a huuuuuge fanbase. he's just silly and hot like that.

off the top of my head lady jia's arc was the first one that made me go OH MY FUCKINGGGG GODDDD I'M SCARED AND IT'S ALSO SO COOL AND EXPLAINS SO MUCH AND AND AUGGGHJJHGGHJHJH!!! i just remember this anxiety so well it was great

the demon invasion is one of the arcs i've reread a few times. it's just... perfect. one might even say... you COOKED! i love it.

anyway. thank you for sharing with us your amazing story. it doesn't matter how much time you take to write an update or if you decide you don't wan't to write it anymore, because it already exists in our hearts. ...sometimes i want fics to never ever end at all, even if they are simply left unfinished.

and thank you for brightening my days : ) every new chapter make me squeak and do a happy little dance.

i wish you well 🌼💓

anon. I am crying a lil bit, thank you.

I almost didn't reply to this simply because I wanted to keep it safe in my inbox. I've since taken a screenshot onto my phone and also onto my pc. I've. Saved this comment in a few different places.

I just

;A;

ok ok imma. imma pull myself together and give every word the attention it deserves. *sniffles* I'm not the best at replying to comments in general, because I don't know how to accurately relay how much they mean to me. but. let's do this.

I'm so, so happy to hear all this.

syonr is definitely a love project at this point, for myself and aimed at svsss and also just storytelling in general. As someone who used to only write oneshots or shortfics, it's so fun to really, truly linger and dwell in this story as I explore it. It's freeing in a way that writing hasn't been for me in many years. And I'm so, so happy you think so too. Describing it as "spacious" is a compliment I didn't know I needed, and I love it.

MQF has been fun to explore, because he's a soft but firm character. The one in charge of keeping his sect siblings in some kind of good health- which is of course very difficult because cultivators are insane and they become more nuts the more powerful they are- and then I have had a fun time having him just. Being around SY as SY struggled with basically everything. I've also been delighted to figure out how to write WQW, as he barely says anything in canon, and I'm so happy you also agree he's a hottie. RIP to SY, but I will highfive MQF for getting the hottest man in his generation as his boyfriend. It is very funny to me that they're probably the healthiest relationship in syonr of all time, even as they keep giving SY jumpscares of the gay kind.

I also enjoy SY whump. This, uh, this might be obvious, considering what he has gone through so far. *looks at him* I planned the demon invasion for so long. Fucking up his hands was The Plan all along. Fucking up his self-esteem and confidence was also it. WHUMP!!!

But of course, angst and whump can only truly hit if you line it with fluff. BingYuan is fun to explore in this setting. I like having them be same age and all that comes with it. So much can change in a story if you just swap some things around! They're soft and gooey and idiots <3

When I first decided to let NYY play a bigger part in the story, I was nervous. Canon barely gives her anything, fanon goes in two very different directions with her and neither felt right. She's spoiled and sheltered, but always well-meaning, and I wanted very much to explore writing her in all her oblivious glory while also letting her be Pure Distilled Teenage Girl trying to figure herself out. I'm always, always so happy when people tell me they love her in syonr. It's very rewarding. Not letting her be part of the story was just not possible, either! I'm just glad people appreciate her so much.

Lady Jia... hehehehe :D she always seems to strike a nerve, as intended. And it was so much fun reading the comments for that arc, everyone trying to figure out wtf was happening! Very proud of it to this day.

Part of the thing I love writing in syonr is, indeed, relationships. I mean the entire fic is kind of a love letter to it, both bad and good. It's part of why there's different povs. SQQ's pov and SY's pov are both extremely unreliable when it comes to others, as are anyone else's. I don't think there's a single character in svsss that I dislike, which is also why it's so fun to figure out how other characters think about each other. YQY and SQQ has completely different views of SY, and we all know Binghe's pov is 99% Loving On SY.

I just. You truly made my day today, thank you so much. syonr is one of those stories I'm having fun exploring, a story I look forward to finishing but I'm in no hurry to do so. And also, I suspect, a story I will struggle to not write oneshots for once it's over. (or even before that. I do have plans for a MQF/WQW fic set in it...)

Thank you again, anon. I adore you <3

#syonr ask #*sobs into hands* AHHH MADE ME SO HAPPY #spent like two hours trying to figure out how to respond #im a mess thank u

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hazbinhoteloc-ninlil · 10 months ago

Text

Asking about Adam;

//A.N: This was originally going to be an RP, but due to burnout, paired with a desire to move the story along I have decided to progress the plot of Ninlil’s end Via a canon Story. Please know I will be doing my best to represent @theholyone-hh as close to his character as I can. However, I will never do as well as the original Mod who runs him so if he seems a bit OOC, I do apologize. //

TW: depressive episode, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety and yearning. Clumsy attempts at comfort, maybe some bad decisions. Some realizations Because of the topics discussed this will be a 16+ fic. If you’re feeling these types of emotions please go seek out proper help.

This isn’t going to be super long, but it is gonna be a longer story, strap in folks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoy my story below the cut;

Ninlil had slowly been going mad, between the time that had been spent in her cage combined with her heartbreak of being left behind while others moved on, she had fallen into a depression.

Even now she laid in her bed, staring at the ceiling well into the day, yet to eat, yet to clean herself - not that such a thing was truly needed in heaven, though it still showed a lack of her own self care - and yet say hello to her keeper Host.

The winged woman started to question if what she had done was worth it… not even her sacrifice and subsequent soul selling, before that… when she was alive. Were her actions worth it?

She was always the care taker, always the protector. And yes, those she watched over never asked her to do so, she had done it because she loved them and didn’t know how else to show it…

The things she had done, the blood she had spilled, the lives she had prematurely ended for the sake of preserving her beloved…

Was it for nothing? Did she waste her time… did she waste her life?

Her breathing turned harsh as tears ran down her cheeks. A whine lodged in her throat that she simply refused to let out…

Had she truly being abandoned by those whom she sacrificed Everything for? Was she selfish for wanting them to care a bit more and not move on so fast?

But… she wanted them to move on, she wanted them to be happy, she wanted them to find peace… why did it hurt now that they were actually doing it thanks to her sacrifice…

Was she a bad person for hoping they’d still try to save her even though she knew that it was futile and if they dared to try it could result in them getting hurt? Or worse, their very souls being destroyed?

No… no, she couldn’t be selfish… she had given up too much to waste on such self-serving wishes…

But then why did it still hurt so much?

Her breathing turned harsh as she gripped the angelic fabric over her chest, the erratic and rhythmic beating of her heart a brand against her palm. Just like the warm golden hearts gripped in her hand with the fabric were a constant reminder of what exactly she had done.

She had died for love… twice…

Did that make her honorable… or a fool?

Her other hand covered her mouth as a sob forced it’s way out and she curled up into herself, laying on her side as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror…

Her eyes weren’t hers anymore…

They were His.

Haha! Pathetic!… I’m pathetic! She thought to herself with bitterness as she tried desperately to hold back her tears.

She didn’t hear the door click open as God stepped in.

“Birdy?”

His voice came out hesitantly.

“What is wrong? What ails you?”

Now,

God was very very old, God was wise and God saw all…

But, still, he was ill-equipped at dealing with emotions. Having been alone for as long as he has, his emotional maturity is stunted, and he didn’t know exactly what humans required.

They were little things to him. God looking at humans, as humans might a smaller creature, like song birds or squirrels or even ants at times.

True, his Birdy has taught him many a valuable lesson. She has taught him about how humans utilize Free Will differently, how humans had feelings and needed to be treated like people, how children make mistakes, how pride is a powerful thing, that 10,000 years is a long time…

She was patient and a good teacher, his sweet little Birdy, a child herself compared to his vast and endless existence, but still wise and gentle.

He liked her. It’s why he kept her.

Perhaps, in his mind, he was aware that he should release her from his sculptors cabin and allow her to Roam and Experience the heavens he had created to house the mortal souls… souls like her…

But he enjoyed her company too much.

And she never asked him to leave.

So why bring it up?

Still though, as he let himself into her private room, he still thought himself ill-equipped to deal with… whatever this was.

Part of him wanted to just leave the room, but something stopped him.

“Birdy… talk to me child. Why do you weep?”

He sat on the foot of the bed, his massive height making it creak, but it held under his weight because he willed it to.

“Did you hurt yourself?”

He awkwardly - but gently - patted her back in a sorry gesture of comfort.

But for Ninlil, it was enough to know he was trying, and it made her sob harder. Not in pain, but that someone cared, and it was the very person she had sold her soul to so that he’d stop hurting the people she had been growing to love… that she did love.

It’d be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad.

She cried for 30 more minutes before the sobs finally ceased and she just breathed manually and with steady concentration to force her body and her mind to calm itself. Still curled in on herself in a vain attempt at self-comfort.

During her sobs, her head had ended up on Gods lap, his hand - still awkward- petting her hair.

“What brought this on my Birdy? What has happened?”

God asked softly, seeing that Ninlil had finally calmed.

There was a tense beat of silence before Ninlil spoke, her voice raspy and thick from her sobs.

“…. Have I been good? Did I make the right call? Was my sacrifice not in vain?”

It was God’s turn to be silent. Mulling over her words and wondering if there was a correct answer. He settled on the truth.

“You, have surpassed all expectations I had for you… You have restored my faith in humanity and for your sacrifices and good deeds, I deemed it fit to restore your divinity. You’ve been a bit more than, Good.”

He paused as he thought over his next words.

“As for the outcome of your sacrifices… I suppose it depends on what you deem as a success… Lucifer has moved on with his damned bride. They seem to have re-found their happiness, the First Man and the Second Woman are moving on and finding their peace as well. Though Adam still needs to undergo his final two remaining punishments.”

His hand jerked as Ninlil flinched beneath him, having not expected that movement from her. He expected her next words even less, though, at this point he supposed he should’ve seen it coming. She was a loyal woman after all.

The dedication she had to the original duo and the Morningstar was indeed admirable.

“Is there anyway you can leave it at the nightmares he’s already had? Maybe as payment for the tail feathers you took?” Her voice pleading.

“Pet.”

He growled, his voice low and full of warning.

“Your feathers were taken as punishment for placing your soul and my Power in danger by allowing yourself contact with a damned soul before your divinity was properly settled…”

He eyes her until she shrunk beneath his gaze, surrendering to his presence.

“And you know the deal, 3 nightmares, and then freedom. You will not sacrifice more of yourself for him. As you’ve already mentioned so many times; We are all over 10,000 years old. He can handle himself.”

He ran a hand through her hair again as if to push his order into her head, both in comfort and a mocking reminder he saw her as just that… a pet.

“Yes sir…” she conceded, knowing there was nothing she could do. Not against him. Not when he owned her soul. She felt her desire to argue his words and plead her case for her beloveds die in her chest before it was even a proper thought. His hold on her complete.

“Good girl.”

He carefully pat her head again. Praising her and rewarding her obedience.

Indeed she was a good child. He had chosen well.

“Now. What can I do to make you feel better and forget about all this, sad nonsense?”

He waved a hand frivolously at the word, as if her depression was a minor inconvenience.

To him… perhaps it was…

Ninlil sighed as she sat up and began to comb her fingers through her hair, attempting to regain her composure and her appearance.

“I need to wash, I probably look a mess… afterwards… I’d like to rest in the sun for a bit if that’s okay with you Sir.”

She looked up at him, and she wondered if she looked as pathetic as she felt. Emotionally drained, physically exhausted, eyes red and puffy, skin pale from crying.

Though if she did, God made no mention of it. Instead, he simply nodded.

“I shall allow this, I will meet you outside, do hurry.”

Ninlil nodded as she felt obedience wrap around her, urging her to hurry and obey. The side effect of her deal.

Still she took care in her task, allowing herself to be a bit pampered after her earlier violent purge of emotions.

Still though; She was outside, laying in the sun-warmed grass in under 20 minutes, God beside her, joining her. Enjoying the basking rays of golden warmth.

———————————

There they stayed for hours. Sunbathing as though it could wash the darkness within her mind away.

Though, there were certain thoughts that still plagued her. Her mind still running.

She wanted to check on Adam, she wanted to check on Lucifer and check on Eve… she wished they were the ones beside her right now, enjoying the sunshine rays. And comforting her after her cries…

But alas, God wouldn’t permit that…

Her mind still wondered, thinking to other people she missed.

Her brother… Though, god was lenient enough to grant the siblings some free time together.

Yes, seeing Conner again after seven years had brought more happiness into her life than she could remember. She felt as though her heart was gonna burst. God allowed Conner over, and allowed her to leave with him… so long as she was back before sundown.

How she had missed him…

It had given her endless relief when she had learned that her long deceased grandparents had been the ones to take Conner in. He was still with family. And even better,

He was slowly growing. He would eventually have the chance to be an adult. He wouldn’t be a child forever.

She had wept with joy upon learning that.

Her thoughts wondered agin,

To another man she loved…

To a human she had loved…

Adam…

No not That Adam…

Her Adam, the human Adam, the brilliant doctor who was full of light and life.

The man she had ended her human life to protect…

The man she had condemned herself to hell for.

Her first love…

“Sir?” She found herself speaking up.

God lazily rolled his head to look at her, having been enjoying the sun’s rays.

“Hmm?”

“May-“ She hesitated, suddenly nervous.

“Well? Spit it out Birdy.”

God rolled his eyes impatiently as he adjusted so he was lying on his back. Still enjoying the sun.

Ninlil took a deep breath and asked. “May I see someone on earth?”

God froze. Before he narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“Who?”

“There was a man I left behind a little over five years ago. I loved him very much…. He’s the reason I willingly damned myself to hell. I would like to check on him. See if he’s doing okay.” Ninlil would speak a little too quickly, needing to force herself to make sure her words were slow.

God thought about it for a bit before he sighed.

“I… suppose I can grant you this. You have been good lately and I suppose you deserve a reward.”

He raised a hand and with a crackle of pure divine energy, summoned a viewing sphere that glowed even in the bright daylight.

“Well, what was the mortal’s name?”

Ninlil but her lip. “Adam…”

God froze and slowly turned to look at Ninlil and Ninlil was quick to raise her hands in defense.

“Not that Adam! This Adam was a surgeon! A very talented one! They are NOT the same man! They just happen to share the same name I promise!”

God still started at her just long enough for Ninlil’s heart to drop before he sighed and shook his head.

“Oh child, what am I gonna do with you….”

He asked her. Before he turned his body to properly face her. The glowing sphere of divine light between them. And his face very serious.

“Do you love this man?”

The question gave Ninlil a pause…

She hadn’t thought about that in a while. And even a month ago the answer would been easy.

Yes, everything she had done was for him.

The deals, the murders, the monsterzation of herself, the burial of her peace, the always going, the never resting… EVERYTHING… was for him…

Even a month ago, his face alone was the picture in her mind when she thought of the word ‘Love’…

But now, so much has happened.

Now, three other faces flashed in her mind when she thought of that word… two in the forefront…

Lucifer… and Adam…

The former angel who she died for as she had her human beloved, the former angel who made her laugh, the former angel who carried her with a shocking strength when she was too weak to move on her own…

And the First Man. Adam. The man who held her safe as she took her last breath once again, the man who begged her to stay with him even as she bled out. Who held her safe when she wept through the anniversary of her brother’s death, who made her smile and laugh again, who made her feel important and baked with her. Who reminded her what is was to feel strong, yet cared for.

She did still love her Beloved… but she didn’t just love him alone anymore… she… didn’t know how to feel…

“I… don’t know….” She found herself saying, unable to help but feel like she was betraying her beloved in that moment. Tears welling up in her eyes again.

“Birdy, i would make another Deal with you. Because seeing you hurting does not please me.”

Ninlil gulped. “What would the deal be sir?”

“If whatever you see, causes you pain, and pushes you deeper into your sadness. I will remove this mortal from your memories so that you won’t hurt from them ever again…

But, if you are pleased with what you see, than I will ensure his safety for the rest of his mortal life…. If he’s as good as you say, He will know no hardships and can focus his energy on helping others.”

He holds out a hand.

“Deal?”

Ninlil started at his hand as her thoughts raced, her eyes wide and flowing with tears that left mini rivers down her cheeks as her head struggled to wrap itself around God’s words.

He would be safe… forever safe, free from any harm that may befall him. Just as she had sacrificed everything in hopes of accomplishing…

Or,

He would be forgotten, the reason for everything she had sacrificed, the reason she had gone to hell in the first place. The reason she had suffered as she had suffered and made the choices that had shaped her as a woman… simply… gone…

Was it worth it…

Was she that curious….

‘Yes’ She decided. ‘Yes she was, she needed to know that she hadn’t died in vain… she needed to see him…”

She placed her hand in his much larger grip and squeezed.

“Deal.”

The constraints of the deal wrapped around her like chains, and she felt a twinge of fear for a bad outcome. Suddenly aware that she was currently unable to lie to the ancient being before Her.

As the deal settled, the glowing sphere began to glow impossibly brighter. And images began to dance in the shadows before becoming clear.

She saw her beloved… the human Adam…

He was smiling, talking to a patient and giving what looked like a good diagnosis. The patient, who had been holding the hand of their spouse while listening to Adam’s words burst into tears and held their loved one in a tight embrace before enthusiastically shaking Adam’s hand and offering a load of sincere, tear-filled thank you’s.

Then Adam had gone through the rest of his day, conducting surgeries, talking to patients, and reassuring an old man who didn’t have enough money for his wife’s broken wrist that if he instead paid with some fresh venison, consider the price waived.

He was always like that. Ninlil remembered, So generous and kind, becoming a doctor not for the money, but for the pure joy of making others feel better.

That desire to help people no matter what is what had attracted Ninlil to him in the first place… how she would have done anything to protect that smile.

He was good… so good.

Perhaps it shouldn’t have come as a shock that when he ended the day, he went to his truck, and once he had slid in, and fished in his pocket and pulled out a ring…

Ninlil froze, not even daring to breathe.

She watched unblinkingly as he carefully slid that ring onto a very specific finger…

She sat in silence as she watched him drive home listening to the music she had long associated with him…

And she moved not even a muscle as she watched him eventually pull into a driveway, into a garage, only to step out and walk into his house.

And into the arms of a woman wearing a matching ring…

A breath left Ninlil lungs as she still continued to stare at the seeing sphere.

He had gotten married, he had moved on…

Of course he had, she reminded herself. It’s been over five years…

She watched as the couple chatted and laughed, sitting down to eat dinner before cleaning up together and dancing in the living room…

It was a picture of a perfect romance… homely, domestic and innocent…

It was everything Ninlil has never had… and everything she had wanted…

Everything she secretly wished to still eventually have one day.

When they settled in the couch to watch some movie, Ninlil found herself reaching to touch the sphere, murmuring to herself. Her eyes still fixed in the screen as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.

“He got married… he’s safe, he’s happy, he moved on… I…” She smiled, letting out a shuddering breath. “I didn’t die for nothing….”

She watched them for a few more minutes, fixated on their smiles and laughter… zoned in on their true happiness.

But when they decided to share a kiss and retreat to their bedroom, God shut down the sphere.

“Are you satisfied with what you saw my Birdy?”

Ninlil nodded, her eyes still on where the sphere was.

“I am…” Her voice broke, but not with anguish. With relief.

God nodded and carefully picked Ninlil up. The winged woman letting him. Abruptly becoming aware that the sun had set while she was focused on the visions within the sphere.

God took her inside and sat her on the crafting table before taking his own seat and grabbing a chunk of clay.

“True to my promise, I will make sure that mortal remains safe.”

He said as he shaped the clay in his hands into a great golden eagle. Molding the clay with the knowledge and skill of a master. The eagle as detailed as the actually thing before he gave it a spark and breathed life into it, making it become the actual thing and sending it to earth.

“He shall never know another day of hardship, not so long as he remains pure intentioned.”

“Thank you sir.” Ninlil responded, bowing her head in obedience. “You don’t realize how much I appreciate your generosity.”

He waved off her words with a huff. But was happy she was no longer crying as she had been before. Those sounds weren’t pleasant to him.

He kept his Birdy by his side, where they talked and learned from each other well into the night before he eventually retired into his room, and Ninlil was close behind to do the same.

As she laid in her bed, she stared at the ceiling and thought about what she had seen today.

Adam was safe, happy, and moved on… her chest hurt a bit at the thought, but more overwhelmingly, she was genuinely happy her beloved still wasn’t mourning a dead woman.

5 years… 5 years was long enough to mourn. He deserved this happiness.

Her mind filled with a sense of peace as she gave her blessing.

“May your cup always be full, your heart happy, your mind peaceful, and your wallet forever filled with prosperity, I loved you Adam…” she whispered as she stared at the ceiling in the privacy of her room. “But you’re no longer mine…My heart releases you. I wish you all the best of love and luck my former beloved”

She sighed and closed her eyes as other faces filled her mind…

How she missed them… how she wanted to be back in their arms…

In her mind, in her room, in the depth of the night. Ninlil began to formulate a plan. The last semblance of her whole, un-splintered mind grasping onto this hope. Given a purpose once more, she rattled against the chains of complacency, the Watchdog opening her eyes again.

She had to get back to them…

The only thing left to figure out was How?

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Authors note; THIS TOOK ME TWO DAYS! But it’s not proofread, please forgive any spelling errors! I hope you enjoyed!

Tagging list:

@hunters-trashblog @sinner-master-adam @chaoticmoron @rayhandle @first--woman @theholyone-hh @green-static @stampy-offical @lolmerfolk @god-the-lord

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