#his appearance alone can just give away his lineage

[pitgritted]

thinking   about   sett's   appearance   usually   appearing   more   noxian   than   ionian   most   times   .   heavily   taking   after   his   father   ,   &   a   noxian   soldier's   attributes   :   brick   jaw   ,   broader   shoulders   ,   that   wrinkle   of   his   nose   around   the   crest   of   his   brow   ,   the   unrelenting   barrel   for   a   fight   .   the   darker   pigment   around   the   ball   &   lids   of   his   eyes   .

[aventurineswife]

In the quiet, galactic space of the Astral Express’s observation room, you find Dan Heng standing alone, his form ethereal and strong, back turned to you. In his Vidyadhara form, he appears almost otherworldly—a being of dragon heritage with sharp features, midnight-black hair that fades to teal, and curled horns casting shadows on the walls. His clothes, a blend of warrior regalia and quiet elegance, reflect both his heritage and his inner conflict.

You hesitate at the doorway, admiring the serene yet guarded figure before you. He knows you’re there—Dan Heng is never unaware—but he says nothing, his gaze fixed on the stars beyond the glass. In the silence, the space between you feels almost sacred, as if speaking would shatter it.

Taking a deep breath, you step forward, daring to approach him. “Dan Heng?” you say softly.

He glances at you, eyes a striking, vivid green that glow faintly in the dim light. For a moment, his gaze flickers with emotion—something raw, buried deep within. But he holds it back, as he always does, his face returning to the composed expression you know so well. “You should be resting.” he murmurs, though there’s no admonishment in his tone.

You can’t help but give a small smile. “I couldn’t sleep. And… it seemed like you could use the company.”

For a moment, he says nothing, but his silence is answer enough. Slowly, he nods, turning his face back to the galaxy. Encouraged, you come closer, standing beside him as the two of you gaze out into the void. His presence is calming, yet electric; you can feel the restrained power within him, the weight of his lineage and the memories he hides.

“You don’t talk about it much.” you say quietly, unsure if he’ll answer.

He tenses slightly, but doesn’t move away. “There isn’t much to tell.” he replies, though you sense the reluctance in his words.

“Even if it’s just with me?” you ask, heart pounding as you reach out to him, your fingers brushing against his hand.

For a moment, he remains still, as if deciding whether to let you closer. But then, slowly, he turns to face you fully, his hand slipping into yours. His eyes are intense, searching your face for something, perhaps reassurance or understanding. It’s as though he’s teetering on the edge of something—vulnerability, maybe, or trust.

“Being here, with you…” he murmurs, voice low and filled with an emotion he can’t quite conceal, “makes me wonder if there’s a part of myself that I could share, that isn’t… tainted by the past.”

His words stir something deep inside you, a mixture of empathy and a need to bridge the chasm he keeps between himself and everyone else. You reach up, your fingers lightly tracing his cheek, his skin warm beneath your touch. “You’re not defined by what’s happened. You’re allowed to want more. To want someone.”

Dan Heng’s eyes search yours, his breathing shallow as he lets your words sink in. Then, his hand lifts, his fingers ghosting over yours as he draws you closer. His forehead rests against yours, a sigh slipping past his lips, as if he’s finally allowing himself to let down his guard.

The moment stretches, filled with a quiet tension. Then, his lips meet yours, soft at first, cautious. But as you press closer, a new urgency fills the air, the kiss deepening as he lets go of his restraint, just for you. His hand slides up to cradle the back of your neck, his fingers gentle yet firm, drawing you in as his lips part, inviting you further.

It’s then that you feel it—a faint, unfamiliar sensation against your tongue. You realize it’s his split Vidyadhara tongue, a delicate, serpent-like touch that’s both unfamiliar and thrilling. A shiver races down your spine as he explores, his breaths growing unsteady. The unique feel of his split tongue intertwining with yours is mesmerizing, an intimate act that seems to bare the quiet vulnerability he keeps hidden from everyone.

Dan Heng’s hands settle at your waist, his hold tightening as he pulls you flush against him. Each movement is tender, filled with a longing he rarely lets himself indulge. His lips trace yours, slow and deliberate, as though memorizing the shape, the feel of you. His breath mingles with yours, each exhale carrying the unspoken desire he’s kept buried.

For a moment, he breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against yours once more. His vivid green eyes meet yours, softened by an emotion that words can’t quite capture.

“You make me feel…” he murmurs, voice barely audible. He trails off, as though he can’t bring himself to finish, but his expression says enough. In his gaze, you see it all—years of solitude, of battles fought and regrets carried, all melting into the gentle warmth he shares with you now.

His lips find yours again, this time with a sense of urgency, an unspoken promise. His split tongue brushes against yours once more, sending a thrill through your senses as he pulls you closer, his hands sliding down your back, grounding you against him.

In that moment, the walls he’s built around himself crumble just a little more. Dan Heng, the stoic guardian, allows himself to be vulnerable, to be human, if only with you. And as he holds you, lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment, you realize just how deeply he feels for you, even if he may never find the words to say it.

[bigfan-fanfic]

Iphicles (Part 3) -

Part 1 Part 2

Dionysus has always been an admirer of mortals.

Humans, despite generally lacking the power of shapeshifting, are so malleable compared to the gods - they can be whatever they wish, while gods are trapped into their own great power.

"Oh, boy, you have no idea what power you have sworn yourself to - what great events you meddle in." Mr. D groans.

The centaur -Chiron - groans alike. "It is not unheard of for the gods to choose a mortal champion. It is not our place to question their decisions."

"Hardly. I shall question as I please, Chiron."

You look at them. "I'm not here to meddle or disrupt. I'm here to protect my brother. What happened last night?"

"Your family were attacked by the Minotaur. And your mother, I believe was taken as... a bargaining chip of sorts. By the Lord of Death."

"I am a mortal. I have no godly ancestor or heroic lineage. That might make me weak. But it makes me strong, too - I am not beholden to the Olympians. I don't believe in your supremacy or omnipotence. You are dangerous, but I am not trapped by the patterns that confine you. I do not fear your Death."

Chiron looks nervous. Dionysus grins. "Well said! I await your imminent demise, but well said."

It is decided that you will stay in the Big House- being a mortal of no lineage, it seems taboo to place you in a cabin. And for a while longer, your little brother remains in the dark about his lineage.

But you walk to the ocean, late at night. "Yuri. Please."

And Poseidon appears to you - there are no taboos or favoritism worries with mortal champions. Often mortals fall beneath the notice of gods.

"Where is my mother?"

"She is with my brother. Hades will not release her."

"Unless?"

Poseidon frowns. "This is not your quest alone. This belongs to Percy."

"She's my mother too."

"I-"

You look at him. "Yuri, please. We're not involved in this."

"Percy must find and return Zeus' master bolt. A son of Poseidon calming our... feud."

"Really? Nature is going crazy, and my mother is being held hostage, my brother is in danger, because you and your brothers are having a pissing contest?" You growl, the rage of the sea cresting within you. Poseidon lays a hand on your chest, and the world seems to calm.

"So you think Hades stole the bolt?"

Poseidon looks at you. "It is not my place to accuse without evidence."

"But if he already has the master bolt, why would he need my mother as a bargaining chip?"

"I do not pretend to know my brothers' minds."

You sigh. "You gods are really starting to get on my nerves."

"Mind your insolence. Few of my relations are as forgiving as I."

You hold your tongue, harsh words leaping unbidden to your lips - channeling your aggression into combat training only works so well, and there is an ocean's worth of fury in you.

"Ease, my champion. I will give you foes to fight soon enough. Stay the course and protect your brother."

He claims Percy after a few more days - you haven't seen the kid often as you want, because camp is a tight ship and full of activities. Though you have been sparring with Luke, who's surprised at your prowess.

Percy looks at you, when it comes time to choose his two companions for a quest.

"I would. But... you're mortal. You cant heal with ambrosia. And if something happens... I can't lose you too, bro."

And you watch your brother walk away.

It hurts, it really does, but - come on, that's your little brother. Did he really think you'd just stay at camp?

You walk towards the beach, and walking out from the seafoam to meet you is a pure-white horse, abalone woven into its mane. It bows to you, and you remember that Poseidon is the Lord of Horses.

You see the blue saddle on the creature, already marked with a trident, and you sling yourself over it - grateful that horseback training had been somewhat covered during your brief time at camp.

The horse gallops over the water with ease, and you hold on tight, hoping against hope it knows where Percy is...

[yeowangies]

Ambition

❧

PAIRING: Vegeta/F!Reader RATING: Explicit CONTENTS: Planet Vegeta AU, Saiyan Reader, Explicit Sexual Content. WARNINGS: DUBCON, Anal Sex. WORDCOUNT: 1675

Summary:

You weren’t royalty, but you still got recognition, and that was as powerful as you could get. You couldn’t have more unless you joined the royal family, and that meant marriage. To Prince Vegeta.

Notes:

For kinktober! I had this idea in mind for a while, I'm glad to be using this for this event 😈 @vegeta-bananabluish enjoy it, honey!

Day 6: Dubcon

Being one of the strongest Saiyan women was a benefit you wanted to exploit to the best of your ability. You had participated in every public battle, every tournament, and every battle royale there ever was, made yourself from the bottom, until your own name had been made. You weren’t royalty, but you still got recognition, and that was as powerful as you could get. 

But you wanted more, more strength, more power, more everything. Your ambition was insatiable.

That was it, however. You couldn’t have more unless you joined the royal family, and that meant marriage. To Prince Vegeta. 

While it didn’t thrill you to think about such a thing, King Vegeta, on the other hand, saw you as the best suitable partner for his son. Obviously, the lineage had to be only with the strongest warriors, and you were one of them. Which was the reason why you were currently at the palace, standing in front of the prince, with his father by your side. 

“Your offspring would be incredibly powerful.” The king’s voice resonated loudly in the room as he casually looked at you like he had caught the most precious gem in the universe. 

You tried to contain your expression, but your grimace must have been obvious, especially because the prince kept his eyes on you. 

The conversation was one of the most awkward ones for you, but King Vegeta seemed mostly interested in trying to convince the both of you that your union would be the most beneficial (for the Kingdom or whatever). You didn’t necessarily disagree; if you both were the most powerful Saiyans, your children should be just as strong, or even more. 

But if the snorts and glares the prince was giving you was any indication, he seemed as thrilled about the idea as you were. 

“You seem too feeble to be as strong as my father says you are.” The prince commented casually once the king had left to leave you both alone to ‘get to know each other’.

“I could say the same thing about you.” You arched an eyebrow, scanning him quickly. 

Prince Vegeta was actually fierce when it came to power levels, but his appearance didn’t give it away. He was just about your height, short for a Saiyan man. 

“Aren’t you rude?” Vegeta snorted, and you caught the twitch in his eye, but he otherwise seemed unbothered. 

“Just the right amount.”

“Why does the king even want me to mix with you?”

“This isn’t that great for me either, I know you have a lot of whores you can fuck instead of me.” You rolled your eyes, averting your gaze to the wall on your right.

“Watch your tongue.” Vegeta’s tone was hard, but you paid it no mind. “If you must know, I don’t have whores. I don’t invest my time in such a frivolous and pointless activity.”

“Ah, that explains it.” You sneered, smirking.

“Excuse me?”

“Rumor has it that you’re kind of a prude, and you just confirmed it to me.”

“Not just rude, but also nosy. You have some guts to say all that to my face.”

“Well, it does look like you need it.”

“Need what, exactly?” Vegeta practically growled, and you had to contain your laugh. 

“You know, a good lay.”

“And you’re suggesting you’re the best at it?”

“I wasn’t, but I have nothing to lose.” You shrugged your shoulders, smiling cheekily. “After all, it might be frivolous and pointless, but it can be so much fun.”

“I can think of doing something else that could be more fun, which involves me beating you to the ground.” Vegeta grinned, showing off his teeth. 

Your excitement was bubbling inside, making the tail wrapped around your waist bristle. Now you were talking. 

“You think you can beat me?” You taunted him with a smirk, staring directly into his eyes. “I think I trained more than you have in your lifetime, my prince.”

“Prove it, then,” Vegeta replied with a cocky grin on his face. 

You were confident in your abilities, but the fight that ensued on the training grounds moments later had caught you off guard. Vegeta was strong, incredibly so, and you had been positive you could be a match for him when it came to one on one combat, but not only did he outclass you, but he was literally beating you to the ground, like he said he would. 

And you were pissed. Which only made you much more sloppy. 

Vegeta had you pressed face first into the ground, with a hand on your head and pinning one of your wrists to the dirt. You were both covered in bruises and cuts by then, but the humiliation you felt for being so clearly overpowered hurt more. 

Squirming underneath him, you unsuccessfully tried to free yourself from his hold, earning a scornful laugh in return. 

“Didn’t you say you had trained more than I had? Is this the fruit of your efforts?”

You growled, angry at him and yourself, using the little strength you had to free yourself, but it was pointless.

“This wasn’t nearly as fun as I expected it to be.” Vegeta mocked you, and even when you couldn’t see him, you knew there was a shit-eating smirk on his face. “Maybe you were actually right before. Fucking you would be have been fun.”

Your mind froze when his words reached your ears, in disbelief of what you had actually heard. 

There wasn’t much time to think when Vegeta pinned your arm behind your back, making it easier for him to keep his hold on you as he shifted, reaching for the hem of your pants with his free hand. 

“Get off me!” You groaned, attempting to move your legs to kick him off.

Vegeta had completely subdued you, and you could barely even move as he crouched down, pressing his knees on your legs. You gasped loudly when he pulled down your pants and underwear in one move, but it was even worse when you felt his eyes fixed on your behind, simply staring for what felt like ages. 

You hated it to admit it, but as much as you despised losing, this situation was turning you on more than you would have ever expected. But you hoped to God it wasn’t noticeable, and that by some miracle, his sense of smell was failing him too. 

His glove was off in an instant, and you flinched when his hot fingers glided over the skin between your legs, dipping in just a little inside your folds. 

So much for hoping it wasn’t obvious how aroused you were; the wet sound from his touch was obscene. 

“What a lewd little creature, this wet from being thrown to the ground?” Vegeta teased you, and you didn’t have it in you to even reply. Why even deny it?

He slid three fingers in at once, and you practically jumped, taken aback by the sudden fullness. You tried to keep as quiet as you could, biting your lips so as not to moan, or worse, whimper. He was clearly toying with you, his touch was vague, soft, slipping in and out absentmindedly. 

“Are you actually going to do something?” You finally asked, once you felt your clit throb with want after being ignored the whole time. 

“Shut up, I’ll do what I want, when I want to.”

You grumbled resentfully, until you felt his fingers slip out and up, making you gasp and jump when his digits pressed against your asshole. 

“Wh-What are you doing?!” You growled, attempting to fight him off once more. 

“I’m going to fuck you here, stay still unless you want this to actually hurt.” Vegeta said, voice low with lust and dominance. 

“No! I don’t-I don’t want that!” You protested, still squirming to get rid of him, but knowing it was pointless. 

“Who said this was about what you wanted?” He sneered, tightening the grip he held on your wrist, making you wince. “You’re not in any position to demand shit.”

Resisting all you could with the little strength you had left, you flinched when you felt one of his fingers slid inside your rear entrance. 

Vegeta was actually doing that. In the training grounds of all places. 

It was one of the most humiliating things you had to endure, and you hoped to God no one would actually walk in and see what he was doing to you. What hurt the most was how aroused you were at being in such a helpless position. Even after he got three fingers in, you couldn’t help but be dripping wet, and he must have known. 

You couldn’t help the moan that slipped out when Vegeta finally pushed his cock in, making him laugh hoarsely once he was pressed flush to your ass. 

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want this? Your body is saying otherwise.”

Once he started pounding into you, the noises coming from your lips were inevitable. Gasps, whimpers and moans spilled out incessantly. You didn’t want to admit that you were enjoying the way his hips snapped against yours; even when he let go of your arm, you didn’t even dare to try and get away like you had before, completely submitting to him instead, digging your hands into the dirt to get some kind of hold as your body was dragged with each harsh thrust. 

When Vegeta grabbed your tail, tugging at it hard as means to keep you in place while he rammed into you, you were too far gone to even care, lifting your butt as best as you could to offer yourself more to him, like a cat in heat. It didn’t really hurt when he held your appendage, but it left you even much more sensitive to his ministrations. 

Any shame you could have felt was forgotten as he kept pummeling you into the ground, and his dark chuckle mixed in with your whimpers as you quickly sneaked a hand under your body to touch yourself. 

[hel-phoenyx]

20) A heated argument

Kaizarz belongs to @corneille-but-not-the-author, Meili to @azeler and Domhildr to @soupedepates

Childhood trauma incoming

They're fighting again.

My parents love each other. I think. They're always hugging and kissing and sometimes they take some time away from the capital, away from us, only the two of them. That's probably what love is. Wanting to be all alone with the other.

Is that what love is ?

But today they're fighting. And I know the reason why. It's me. It's always me. yesterday it was because of my sword. Today it's because I'm the only one integrated to the court. Because Kriss doesn't even go to the castle and I spend half my time in there.

Mom thinks that's unfair both of their children won't get the same chances.

Dad think it's stupid to display all my ascendance.

I don't know what I should believe. Who I should side for.

Kriss ran away a long time ago. She doesn't like them fighting, either. I think she's gonna see Gustav. She told me explicitely to not follow her.

But I don't know where else to go.

i'm not expected at the castle. But the graveyard is empty. I don't know where the others are. Probably working. I'm lucky I don't have to. I should be happy I don't have to.

But today I'm all alone.

I can still hear the voices.

"This is preposterous, Harald ! They're both my children, even if Tyrfing has the powers of your side of the family ! They all should be treated with the same reverence !"

"Karan, I told you a million times, this is not the point ! You'll only need one word too much for Matilda to kill you, and this time mom is not here to stop her ! You can't just go there and flaunt that both Tyrfing and Kriss are descendants of royal lineage !"

"I don't care about that ! I just want them to have the same chances !"

"Ironic from the woman that is trying to build a weapon ! Don't you dare think I don't know what you had in mind when you gave him Dainsleif ! He is not Hrogni, neither is he Odin !"

I don't understand anything. What do they want me to do ? i don't know. Was I born only for their sake ? Is this what love means ?

I don't wanna feel this kind of love.

I have to go. I have to be needed somewhere. Anywhere else. I wanna be needed for who I am, not who I could be, or who were my parents. But they're not here. I'm alone.

I'm not expected at the castle. Yet, when I appear, Kaizarz's face lit up. He's with Meili and Domi today, the whole gang's here. They don't have to work. Meili may be a Karibarn-in-training, he still has some time for us. They're all young, except him. It feels so different.

I can't show them I'm shaking. I need to be needed.

"Hey..."

"Hey, Tyr ! Didn't think I'd see you today," chirps Domi with a smile on her tiny face.

I give her back the smile.

Can't show them I'm on the verge of tears.

"Yeah, things got a bit heated at home..."

"Are you okay ?"

Kaizarz looks so worried. But I can't. I can't show them how cold I feel.

"Yeah, it's fine... Can we like, not talk about it ?"

I see on Kaizarz's and Domi's face they look unconvinced, still worried. But Meili nods sagely, and extends his hand.

"Sure. We were about to play a game of jacks, you're in ? We needed a fourth."

I smile a little more.

I am needed.

I am surrounded.

They put their hands on my shoulders and bring me to the playground and I think, for myself

I hope this is what love feels like.

[doubleddenden]

I think I'm going to make little posts regarding town, character, and world building ideas for my fan region, Sorigul. Mind you im nowhere near close to the point of makimg maps or anything, but itll be nice to reference if and when i ever do.

Long text and no pictures below

The first town, for instance:

Hay Town- this and a couple other towns will be based a bit on where I spent a bit of my childhood, with Hay Town representing the smallest farm town angle.

It's what you think of when you think of a rural southern town- farms, trees, a small school for all ages to attend (irl these are common here, from kindergarten to senior year- in this case we can slightly adopt the Paldea method and expand a little further), a post office, some convenient stores, a gas station, a small diner, a creek, a train station, a few churches (we'll narrow it down to 1, but its quite common to see 1 every couple of miles), a cemetery, power lines, and some nosy and abrasive but otherwise cooperative and somewhat friendly neighbors.

Oh, and curiously, home of both the first gym you face, and the LAST gym you face, but more on that later.

Nothing really happens here usually- in fact, most tend to move from here to a bigger city for better job opportunities, or simply to get away from the sticks and hicks. In fact, you'll have a hard time finding a signal here, so some even leave just for that alone. This is such a nobody town that it's barely on the map- in fact, it doesn't even get MARKED as a town on the map until certain story events happen rather quickly.

This is one of those towns where everyone knows each other, so expect to be tattled on if old lady Jean sees you and your friends ditching class to go hang out at a pond. At the same time, it's an excellent place to hide from the outside world, since nobody has heard anything about this town on the outside. A few high profile members of regional society even relocated here, just to find peace from the hustle and bustle.

Speaking of friends, you'd have a small circle of good friends- you're in your senior year of school, meaning you and your friends will soon graduate and move on with your lives. You are more or less a neutral person- not a loser, but not exactly popular either. You blend in and get by, which some would argue is a nice position to take in school, while others would scold you for not trying putting yourself out there more. You have friends, you have enemies, a normal and average student- your grades depend on a small test you'd take that doesn't really affect much other than some dialog choices. Of course, your appearance and gender are up go you ideally- surprisingly nobody gives a shit about that stuff here in this fictionalized southern town, but they are pretty judgy of the fact that you're all but mute for the most part (standard Pokemon Protagonist syndrome, nothing new) and some might judge you for not wanting to inherit your father's farm.

But enough about that, your friends need SOME introduction.

To begin with, your very best friend you have known since you were babies is a guy named Dray- son of the 8th gym leader and former champion of the region, Clark. Despite coming from such a heritage... Dray is timid, shaky, and not really sure of himself. He's the bottom of the food chain here, spending a good chunk of his life being bullied or beaten up for his lineage. He does fine enough in academics, and of course excels in Battle studies and type matchups, but most still think he won't amount to much due to his anxiety and failure in practical battling exams. Still, he's your best friend for a reason. He considers you like a sibling, and always acts himself around you- that is, a bit of a jokester, kind hearted, a bit cowardly to ghosts and bullies but still brave where it counts, and someone you can count on to have your back in a fight or in your farm chores, where he's also worked most of his life with you. He has big dreams, dreams you and he both wished upon shooting stars to fulfill when you were little: that someday you'll both become the strongest trainers in the world, and show everyone that you're not just class nobodies.

Hannah, another friend, is a quiet, shy, reserved girl who also faced bullying for her pedigree- that being that her older sister is the CURRENT champion. Compared to your other friends, she only moved here a couple years ago to escape the paparazzi and targeted harassment from her peers- but your group still adopted her and look after her. She's rather gentle with Pokemon, preferring not to battle at all and considering opening a Pokemon Nursery someday- she has such a way with Pokemon that even aggressive sorts such as Tauros become soft and docile with just a touch. She also works on your farm with you and Dray, and you've had wonderful summers together with the Farm Pokemon. She is a target if bullying, but somehow Dray finds courage to stand up for her despite being scared- perhaps because he understands her situation. Although others wouldn't dare say it, Hannah thinks that Dray is one of the coolest guys ever, and that you have such a way with Pokemon that she thinks her sister will have fierce competition.

Your other friends will depend on the genders you didn't pick:

Tobias- the boy character- is an expert on Pokemon breeding and an overall cheery guy that believes in hard work- kinda has golden retriever energy, and is the mom friend. He's not much for battling, but he's a natural at understanding their diets, habits, egg groups, and even grooming habits. He's also a farm kid, but works on his uncle's farm across town. He's surprisingly popular among girl students, but is painfully oblivious to any all advances- but he does have eyes for one person (either you or Ruth).

Ruth- the girl character- is an expert Pokemon Rider. She's a tomboy that has already seen years of competition from riding Rapidash, Tauros, even Dodrio in a rodeo setting, and has even wrestled with Miltank and Grumpig. She's a cheery and upbeat person, and probably the most responsible of the friends in your group. She's also more than happy to explore the outdoors and is an excellent Pokemon tracker and berry expert. She's slightly better than Dray in practical battle studies, but not as good as you. Guys across the school think of her as one of the prettiest girls on campus, but she's kinda clueless and has tunnel vision for one person (it's either you or Tobias).

Brett- aka the non binary option- is perhaps the smartest person on campus and has most pokedex entries memorized by heart. They already have a position lined up as a research assistant to the town professor as soon as they graduate, and even has their own pokedex made for the local domestic pokemon and wildlife, although... they're not exactly the most elegant with Pokemon. Pokemon they study might often attack them, as they tend to forgo basic safety precautions to study them up close and personal- they're not actually all that bothered by it, noting that PLENTY of regional professors have gained their best research data from surviving a Thunderbolt or five. They're friendly to you and your friend group, but not quite able to hold back on slight criticisms that they notice. They also are a bit absent of social awareness, avoiding the vitriol and bullying of the school by simply just not understanding when someone is threatening or insulting them, and even has some afraid to bother because Brett will just expose and read their insecurities for filth for all to hear, and once made a bully cry by accident.

Ideally, you'd have a few different skin tone and even fashion options so that each character feels more unique, and you could assign a design to yourself and the other three characters. The rest would appear as students on campus.

The last of your friends is a rather atypical friend and another strange citizen- Professor Tiffany Poincienna, a once transfer student from the nearby tropical region (based on the Bahamas) that excelled in her studies so much that she actually graduated from school and college in her teens, and lives her life in Hay Town as one of the regional professors- this region has 3, and she's the newest and not as experienced, but still earnest in her work. Her field of study is actually that of the recent Armor phenomenon spotted in this region- and by recent, I mean less than a year ago did they surface in the Sorigul region after the mysterious appearance of strange temples across the land. She was simply sent here as a part of her training to document and observe how domesticated pokemon behave differently from wild ones, but her studies shifted when temples rose from the earth in nearby routes, all of which had a set of peculiar chips that affected certain Pokemon. She is committed to learning the mysteries of Armor Evolution and the purposes of these temples, but she is a bit unsure of herself due to her lack of experience. As a friend though, she's a friendly, albeit clumsy girl your age you've known since you were 10. She's aware of any and all gossip in the town (she claims it's for information purposes, but she is quite nosy), and teases you and the others for any romantic feelings you might have for someone- lovingly, of course. To that end, ever since she became a professor around the age of 16, you and your friends have served as her unofficial assistants.

Then of course, every school needs a bully or few.

Towards the beginning of the game, you'd have the option to choose the gender of said bully that would become a rival- the guise is that they're twins late for turning in their graduation papers and it would REALLY help Tiff if you'd help sort this out.

Liz- the girl- is a loud mouth that wants everyone around her to know how much better she is than them. Plenty would agree that she'd be the prettiest girl in school if she simply shut her trap. She doesn't care for formalities or social graces, and almost ran away from home to start her own Pokemon journey before legally able. She's the bully that even town bullies are afraid of, and most steer clear of her or face her kicks. She's more than taken her few swings at Dray and even attempted to harm Hanna, but strangely enough can't seem to bring herself to hurt you. She's a HEAVY tsundere when questioned about it. Strangely enough, she treats her pokemon like babies and refuses to let them lift a paw to help her traverse unless absolutely necessary, preferring to threaten a human to help her or simply doing it herself.

Lyle- the boy- is crude, rude, and has an attitude. During one of your first encounters with him, he told Dray to- ahem, "cease existing," putting it mildly. He prefers quiet, but do not mistake this for friendly or shy behavior- he's been known to beat the shit out of people for looking at him wrong. He's a talented battler and absolutely knows it, and anyone he beats he bullies for lunch money. He even has some teachers scared, only continuing to go to school because he got caught by the law for trying to run away from home. If he deems you weak, he will target you in school, out of school, and only stops when you're home- as seen with Dray and Hannah. Strangely, he either ignores you or purposely avoids eye contact with specifically you- if pressed, he'll shove you and storm off, but has never actually thrown a punch at you. He's rather lazy and would prefer his Pokemon do the traveling for him, and has even threatened to steal Pokemon from actual trainers, but he does treat them well and reward them for hard work.

Whichever one you don't choose has already run away from home to start a career as a trainer. Both are tough cookies who seem to have a soft spot for you, getting flustered rather easily if you beat them in battle. Their mother is the definition of trailer trash, and their father is absent and unknown.

However, speaking of fathers, let's talk about yours- Johnny, a farmer and former PokeRodeo champion. He's very sentimental and isn't quite ready to see you leave home- the Sorigul Region has a tricky government that raised the age requirement to be a trainer to 18 at minimum for various political reasons, but your Dad still sees you as his little buddy he'd take riding on his Mudsdale or tractor form Revavroom, his baby he taught to befriend and groom pokemon from a young age, his fishing buddy, his cooking assistant, and the light of his life after your mother ran off with a farm hand ten years ago. He's a bit judgemental and wary of those from other regions, and he's very wary of letting you leave home to go on some grand adventures to huge cities across the world. But, he does love you very much and has trouble saying no to you or your friends- unless it involves the temples or staying out after dark without telling him, THEN he puts his foot down. He's content with living a quiet life on his farm with the Pokemon he went on a journey with in his youth, and is glad to help show newer youths the joys of farm life- but even HE understands that you have your own life to live and will leave the nest someday, and to that end, he even prepared some Pokemon for you and your friends to take with you. These WOULD have been your first Pokemon, were it not have been for an incident in which you obtained your TRUE starters. He wanted to give you regional Johto starters, since he remembered you had a poster of them on your wall as a kid and found a reputable breeder for them.

More at a later date

[luckyluan]

The Princes, Con't.

MARCH 5, 2024 - 09:18PM 

***ISLE ESPER***

“You want me to do what?!” Cyrus bellowed.  

He sat across from the still figure that was his mother. Her movements were imperceptible as she shooed away her staff with a nimble lifting of her ringed fingers. Her platinum blonde hair was pinned to her head in shining curls and braided the glistening gold metal of her crown. The crown itself was a marvel with its many ornate gildings and brightly shining gems. Six large diamonds, three on top and three on the bottom, glittered around a massive carnelian gem carved to resemble the sun and its rays. The crown was also peppered with peridots and citrines and amethyst which caught the light of the tall room and sent a blinding glare into Cyrus’ face. He covered his eyes. 

“You’re so dramatic.” His mother mused. 

“Mom, you just asked me to go to Earth and blend in?” He started. “When have we ever done either of those?” 

“Now.” She offered lazily. 

“Why now? Give me a reason.” He shot back. 

“I’ll give you three: I am your mother. I am Queen. and because I say so. I think that covers everything.” 

Cyrus rolled his eyes. He jammed his fingers between the buttonholes of his overcoat and scratched at his chest. A nervous habit he picked up before his first appearance as heir to the Throne Carnelian. 

“I despise when you scratch at yourself like that.” Queen Cyra quipped. 

“I’m scratching because I'm nervous.” he spat. “Not everyone can have your chilling disposition of regality, my queen.” 

Cyrus stuck his mother’s title on the end with as much venom as he could muster, and it worked. Queen Cyra slowly curled her fingers around the claw shaped arm rests of her high backed, lion-shaped chair and stood to her feet without making a sound. Her dark orange pantsuit shimmered in the late afternoon sun as she laced her narrow fingers together. 

“I think you need discipline, Cyrus. I think you need more structure—a firmer hand to guide you through this...time in your life. Besides, a little distance would not hurt you at all. What with all your chosen distractions.”  

Queen Cyra drifted to the open window and stared determinedly at the sprawling city that was Isle Esper—their shared home. Cyrus, behind her, tightened his grip on his belt. 

“So, this is about Hoku.” He challenged. “You want me to go away so I can’t see him anymore.” 

“’Anymore’ is such a definitive phrase, Sunspot. I like...”’for the time being’ or...’indefinitely.’” 

“By my honor as a Carnelian, Mother, if you make me do this, I will never forgive you and you can kiss your lineage goodbye.” 

“Idle threats from an inconsequential player.” Cyra mused. 

“Inconsequential player?!” Cyrus shouted. “I’m your only son. I’m the only heir to Castle Carnelian.” 

“That appears to be true...but I have not changed my mind. You leave tomorrow.” 

Cyrus’ face was wet. He dashed the tears from his cheeks with a pass of his hand and bit down his lip.  

“Mom would never do this to me.” Cyrus said. “She would never seek to take me away from Esper let alone the love of my life!” 

“You do not know if you love him for you do not know how to love.” Cyra quipped. 

“I would love to hear you say that in front of your wife.” Cyrus spat. 

“Nevertheless,” Queen Cyra turned to him. “I am, too, your mother...the one who carried you. I will be obeyed.” 

“I need to see him. I need to say goodbye to him.”  

Cyrus turned on his heel and marched for the dark double doors. He heard his mother’s voice as he clenched his fist around the polished brass doorknob. 

“You’ll find that quite impossible, Sunspot. I’ve ordered the guards and the staff to see that you remain inside Castle Carlnelian until first light. At which time, you will depart Isle Esper for the Earth. Good day, Cyrus.” 

[translations-dark-matter]

Living as an Extra in an Omegaverse novel

Chapter 50

It was when Ha Jin-seong was half-lying on his chair, gazing at the ceiling. The noise from outside grew louder, and then the door swung open.

"If you barge in so recklessly, sir..."

"I said I had something to say."

"Still, you should follow the proper procedures."

Ha Min-hyuk let the secretary's words flow through one ear. Right now, the most important thing was to see Ha Jin-seong.

"Leave us."

Ha Jin-seong took charge of the situation. He gestured for the secretary to leave and pointed to a chair for the visibly excited Ha Min-hyuk.

"You seem to have a lot to say. Go ahead."

"Why did you do that?"

Neither Ha Jin-seong nor Ha Min-hyuk cared about treating each other according to their respective positions within the company. Right now, they were more interested in having a more engaging conversation.

"Last time, you came as an observer, so what about this time? Why did Hyung go as the representative for the bid?"

"I haven't heard that 'Hyung' sound for a long time."

Ha Jin-seong playfully responded to Ha Min-hyuk's words. Normally, just seeing Ha Min-hyuk would irritate him, but now he felt like laughter was bubbling up uncontrollably.

I should have done this from the beginning. Ha Min-hyuk was going wild in a much more satisfying way than openly ignoring and tormenting him.

Ha Jin-seong forced a smile and looked at his stepbrother.

"What's so great about having brothers? Give me this project."

"...What?"

"If it's about results, I'll give you something even bigger. So hand this over to me."

Ha Jin-seong hadn't interfered with this project. Through Ha Jin-woong, he had assigned other tasks to the people he had gathered. And he even went as far as to be affectionate towards Ha Min-hyuk, so it seemed like his younger brother had become sentimental overnight, but that wasn't the case.

"I've met someone important through that, someone I should meet often."

Ha Jin-seong gently adjusted his tone, lifting Ha Min-hyuk's spirits. Ha Min-hyuk couldn't say a word in the face of Ha Jin-seong's newfound tenderness, which he hadn't seen in him just a few days ago.

Shouldn't I be uncomfortable from the moment I came here? And on top of sending the secretary away, he keeps laughing. Instead of the disdainful gaze that used to suspect my lineage and look down on me, now he's filled with joy.

Seeing Ha Jin-seong's drastically changed smiling face, Ha Min-hyuk wiped his arm against his forehead. He felt a shiver run down his spine, which he suppressed, but suddenly he remembered the reason why Ha Jin-seong was behaving like this.

"No way."

Ha Min-hyuk looked at Ha Jin-seong with an anxious expression.

"That's right. I have an interest."

In that instant, the face of a certain person appeared in his mind.

"He's someone who wouldn't even flinch at being scouted, so I wanted to observe him up close. I'll give him enough reason to be chased away."

Ha Jin-seong spoke in the same tender tone he used with his younger brother, Ha Jin-woong.

"So, be accommodating. Since we're the brothers who will lead this company in the future, it's something I can give to this older brother, right?"

He even treated Ha Min-hyuk like a younger brother.

This was suspicious to the point where it wouldn't be surprising if it was meant to put Ha Min-hyuk at ease and then strike him unexpectedly.

"Don't look at me like that. This time, I'm being very generous and accepting you."

Still unable to dispel Ha Min-hyuk's suspicions, Ha Jin-seong pondered on what to do. Then suddenly, he noticed an invitation card placed to the side.

"Let's go there together."

***

Shin Tae-oh temporarily postponed his meeting with Seongha Interior. It was a bit disappointing that one appointment had gotten messed up, and there was no guarantee of the next one.

So Se-hyeon came alone to the Seongha Interior office. Just as he arrived, Secretary Han Jeong-hwa, who had been waiting, called the CEO.

"CEO Park Ha-seong is here."

A man as tall as Shin Tae-oh, with a sturdy physique, came out. To be honest, at first glance, he seemed more inclined towards sports than artistic sensibilities. In particular, his double eyelids left quite an impression.

"I'm Ahn Se-hyeon."

"Please come this way."

As Se-hyeon followed Park Ha-seong's guidance and entered, he couldn't take his eyes off his back. No, he could only see his back. It was so broad that it covered everything else.

He was someone who gave me a strong first impression, something I had never experienced before while comparing to the original work.

Park Ha-seong was a person who wasn't even mentioned by name in the original work. I've seen many people so far. Among them were well-known figures like Ha Min-hyuk and Yoo Jin-ha, but there were also many people like Park Ha-seong who were not famous.

So why did I think of the original work when looking at Park Ha-seong? It was because of his presence.

"Even with such a strong presence, he doesn't even have a single line in the actual work."

That was fascinating, which made me stare at Park Ha-seong even more intently.

"I was curious about why SR Construction sought me out in the first place."

As Park Ha-seong spoke, Se-hyeon's gaze lightly scanned the surroundings and returned. Curious about why they sought her out... It wouldn't be completely unfounded.

There were quite a few business cards from various construction companies around her at the moment.

"The CEO has taken notice of your artistic results."

Regardless of how Park Ha-seong appeared, Se-hyeon could only honestly respond.

"However, I couldn't keep my promise to the CEO," Park Ha-seong said, looking somewhat apologetic. He readily admitted his mistake, and observing him at that moment, Se-hyeon couldn't help but feel a slight concern about his innocence and whether he was suited for business.

If he presents himself like this...

"How would someone like me be able to influence him?"

"I believe there will be another opportunity for you. The CEO was deeply impressed by the recent yacht interior you designed."

"How did he come to see it? That's correct."

Seeing Park Ha-seong reflecting on his words, Se-hyeon realized that it was a wise decision to gather information before coming. By establishing this connection now, she could arrange a meeting when Shin Tae-oh visits next time. That's precisely the role of a secretary—to preemptively smooth out any tasks or requests that the superior desires.

With the sudden occurrence of the Consortium event, Se-hyeon felt the need to prepare a wider range of options in advance.

"While I was considering if there was anything else, I happened to come across this opportunity."

"That's exactly what our CEO is looking for. He wants to move away from uniform houses and seek individuality."

Se-hyeon enthusiastically played along and lifted Park Ha-seong's spirits.

"After hearing you say that, I really want to meet him in person. By the way, I recently took charge of a project, would you like to take a look?"

Se-hyeon nodded, showing her interest.

"I put a lot of effort into the place we chose to host the party this time. The goal was to create a feeling that hasn't been seen before while not drastically altering the existing structure."

Park Ha-seong showed Se-hyeon the photos on his tablet.

"It's certainly different from ordinary parties."

"Yes, we divided the space and decorated each section with a unique concept."

Se-hyeon carefully examined each photo and listened attentively to Park Ha-seong's explanations. After all, this is the venue for the upcoming party, and I'm the one who designed it like this.

"I've seen it well. Here's my business card."

Having met the CEO and handed over her business card, Se-hyeon stood up from her seat.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Yes."

"But it seems like we only exchanged greetings?"

"Ah..."

Se-hyeon understood the reason behind Park Ha-seong's confusion and kindly explained further.

"I came here just to exchange greetings. If there is anything to discuss, it would be conveyed by the CEO's instructions."

She felt regretful that she had come without even seeing his face before.

"Then, I'll see you again."

As Se-hyeon turned around, she had a satisfied expression on her face.

When Tae-nyang mentions Seong-ha, I should connect them right away.

***

Upon returning to the office, Se-hyeon walked with heavy steps upon hearing that Lee Jin-ho was looking for her.

"It's suspicious."

"Should I not go?"

For a moment, he had the impulse to pretend he didn't notice and pass by, but he quickly dismissed the thought. He had to go since he was calling him from above.

"Come on in."

He approached cautiously, wary of Lee Jin-ho's warm greeting. Lee Jin-ho had always been kind to him. But when he approached with that smile, he knew there was something more.

"I won't be able to take on any additional tasks this week."

Being Shin Tae-oh's personal secretary already kept him busy enough. On top of that, he had other tasks to handle, so he felt uneasy when Lee Jin-ho approached him with a smile.

"Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it."

Just as he suspected, Lee Jin-ho wanted to assign him some work.

"What is it?"

Even if he didn't want to, he quickly gave up because it seemed like he had to take it on anyway.

"Here's an invitation."

Lee Jin-ho handed it over with a knowing smile, as if he expected Se-hyeon to accept it. Se-hyeon took the invitation and quickly scanned its contents. He understood that it was a sudden event.

"Ah!"

As soon as he saw where it came from, he nodded immediately.

A charity party.

"You can attend with the CEO."

"Ah... It's not the Chief, but me?"

"I wish it were me, but the CEO hasn't been in a good mood lately."

Se-hyeon subtly nodded. Shin Tae-oh's mood hadn't been great lately, to begin with.

He couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but he knew when it started.

"When he handed over the gift to Yoo Jin-ha."

After that, a weekend had passed, and Shin Tae-oh remained the same.

"Let's start with this."

Se-hyeon waved the invitation to shift the conversation to Shin Tae-oh.

It was a VIP-exclusive private party, and not only Shin Tae-oh but also Ha Min-hyuk and Ha Jin-seong would be attending.

"What happened during that time?"

Throughout the party, Ha Jin-seong immediately approached Yoo Jin-ha and clashed with Ha Min-hyuk, with Shin Tae-oh getting involved as well. It was literally a grand spectacle.

"I'll go and attend."

If it's such a spectacle, it's only natural to attend.

Prev / Next

[lovelylostminds]

She knew her words were something he didn’t want to hear- words she shouldn’t have said. However her stomach turned upside down when he used her given name “I know..” for a moment she held his gaze before looking away.

How could she tell him? How could she say that she’s been pregnant for six weeks now?

Charlotte licked her dry lips and let her hands trail up his forearms, keeping him close as her anxiety began to eat her insides. Gods, they were always so careful- she took her medication daily, how could she gotten pregnant like this?

Her heart dropped when he pulled away and placed distance between them, and her mind slip, she let her hand come up to the flat of her stomach, their child growing at this moment. It was dangerous to bring a child into their world, even more so when they are at the top of their world.

Her hand move up to her lips as she looked away to avoid suspicion, she was going to keep their child a secret- just like her father did, no one knew about her. “You’re my greatest love, you know? I know I shouldn’t have fallen for you and yet I did, you make feel alive.” She says softly. She can disappear, work from afar and let her right hand man to do her bidding- he was with her father and now with her, she trusted him.

Her heart thundered against her chest as she walked towards him, she reached for his face and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, deeply, passionately, her last kiss to him- he couldn’t give her the connection she began to want, but at least she would still have a piece of him everywhere she goes. “I love you.” She whispered against his lips “I don’t regret feeling that for you, I don’t regret every moment spent with you Rick.” She let her forehead press against his chin gently “But I want more.. I didn’t think I would want it but growing old with you, having family with you sounds like the perfect life. My father did it…” she shakes her head as she pulls back, taking steps to put distance between them. “Don’t be alarmed if you see me around. I need time- because I know this will-“ her voice cracked a bit “Be good Rick, don’t do anything reckless..” It’s the hardest thing to do- to look away from him to walk away even when everything in her body is telling her to go back to him, but she the life she’s growing means so much- their love.

She is quick to leave his estate, quick to go back to her home and to have a meeting to her trusted men. They needed to know, needed their discretion. Alex was to stay in the United States and take point in Stirling while she took Jason and his men to Rome for a business meeting, to have ties with the Italian Stirling again- her uncle. In truth she was hiding while she progressed with her pregnancy, keeping the secret away from Rick. He didn’t want a connection and she didn’t know how he would react when he learned about it and perhaps it would be better once their child was born, no one knew her ‘relationship’ with Blue. Her men swore to keep it a secret, in truth they were happy that the Stirling lineage would go on, her father would have been pleased.. she was going to do this alone and that was okay with that.

“He’s been… asking around. Not direct but he is looking.” Alex spoke into the phone “It started once it became 5 months since your leave.” Charlotte sighed softly, the once flat stomach now swollen with her child growing. “Just keep it quiet, say that I’m on business but don’t mention where, I don’t want him to find me.” She tells Alex “Great job at the meetings, I’ll call you soon.” She says before ending the call. Meeting her uncle went well, the Stirlings in Italy is different- perhaps a bit more flashy than the States but they still have a similarity. Her thoughts where cut when her phone rang and an unfamiliar number appeared- she shouldn’t have answered but when she did, she didn’t expect to hear his voice. “Sherry..”

❛  i want you . body and soul . i want it all .  ❜ - for Blue

Soft words and soft skin from here @lovelylostminds

Such need. Such responsibility. All hidden behind her sweet and honest confession of wanting to belong to him. And didn’t he want the same? Of course he did. Every part of him, every last inch of his body yearned to be with her and stay by her side but Rick was too aware of the fact that the world constantly exploded around him. Everything was a threat. A relationship would be a threat. Love was a threat. And going through all of it again and loosing Charlotte? That was something he simply couldn’t bear.

“I… know.” he whispered with a weakened voice and a broken smile while his hand lifted up to hers resting on his cheek. His eyes were still closed, chin lowered cause he simply couldn’t look into her precious eyes that were so full of loyalty. How could she even want this with him? Couldn’t she see the destruction he carried on his shoulders? The blood on his hands? “Charlotte.” He was using her name on purpose cause when they were serious, when they talked as woman and man who had a very strong affection for the other he couldn’t address her in the way he had to in public.

“I know you want this.” Eyes opened finally but the former soft smile changed into a serious expression before he grabbed her face with both hands to make her listen carefully. “And I’m sure that you know I would say yes to this in a heartbeat. I would, if this would be just me. Just Rick. But I’m not.” Neither was she just Charlotte. A sigh rolled from his lips before his hands let go and he stepped backwards to get some space between them. “This is nothing I can promise you. You knew it from the start. We either have each other like we do now or we don’t have each other at all. I cannot do it. It would be reckless. It would be not fair to you. Nor to my people. You can either accept it or you gotta walk away and not return. This is all I can give you. I’m sorry.”

[much-obliged-timothy]

Devil May Cry: Unexpected Ties Part 2

Apparently I’m turning this into my new stress relief project?? So thanks for the reaction to the first part! I’ll plan to keep adding parts to this AU :)  You can find part 1 here! 

*

Dante watched Nero carefully the next day.

The boy did not appear to tell anyone about his new, mysterious playmate. He did, however, keep looking around as if hoping Dante would show up again. 

But for all his loneliness, he seemed cared for. Dante peered through the windows of the home he seemed to live in, and the couple that appeared to have taken on the role of his guardians treated him no different than they treated the other two children in the home.

Still, Nero spoke the least throughout their dinner. When the couple came in to put the children down for bed, Nero had already tucked himself in and was pretending to sleep. Dante was unsurprised when the boy spent the majority of the night tossing and turning, finally giving up on sleep and sitting by the window, using the light of the full moon to read a book while the other two children slept.

Dante had watched him until he fell asleep, cheek resting against the window and book dropping into his lap. Maybe he’d been given a house, but it clearly didn’t feel like a home to him.

In the morning, the couple took the children for another service, dressed in their robes. The little girl seemed determined to force Nero into conversation.

Dante slipped into the service, hiding himself at the back of the crowd. The girl had to constantly remind Nero to pay attention and follow the ritual actions the others enacted automatically. 

Dante nearly smiled. Not very devoted to his lineage, that boy.  

He followed Nero throughout his, admittedly boring, day. The kid was mostly towed around by adults, taken to services or classes. Other children avoided Nero, as if sensing he was different. He pretended he wasn’t bothered by it, but he got the same tight-lipped, frustrated expression as his father from time to time. 

The only one who offered to play with him was the little girl. Dante learned her name was Kyrie, and that she brushed aside Nero’s mean remarks with the ease of a pro.

“Let me practice my new song,” the girl said now as the two walked back from class together. The older boy, Kyrie’s brother, from what Dante had gathered, usually walked with them. But he’d been taken for some kind of training, so the two children were walking home alone this time.

“Nah. I wish you could hit a note as well as you hit me,” Nero said, scowling when she smacked him in the shoulder.

“They want me to join the chorus!” she said.

“One more reason for me not to go to those dumb services,” Nero said, then cut his gaze to the side in a way that prefaced he was about to temporarily drop the jerk act. “Guess you worked hard for it, though. Gotta work harder to hit a note.”

She was beaming proudly at him despite his fumbled congratulations, evidently able to ignore his delivery and take just the meaning to heart. “Next week is my first performance with them. You’ll pay attention?”

“Do I gotta choice?” Nero said, but his lips were twitching towards a smile. “Uh-huh, sure, I’ll pay attention. But just the first time.”

She slung her arm around his shoulders and gave him a bright smile. “I’ll get all the words right. You’ll see.”

Nero gave up and smiled back. His genuine smile transformed his whole face, making him look so much softer. “I know you will.”

She stopped at the end of the street, hugging him tightly before pulling away. “I’m gonna go practice. I just wanted to make sure you got back safe. I’ll see ya at dinner, Nero!”

She waved and jogged off. Nero seemed surprised at her words, looking between her and the house. Alone, he smiled.

But then he looked back at the house and the smile slowly faded. Rather than walk towards it, he turned and walked down a side street.

He dug something out of his bag. Dante had to shift on the roof to make out headphones and a CD player.

Nero put the headphones on and settled himself on a crate, leaning back against the wall as he listened to music. He looked back towards the house, his eyes watering. But he wiped the tears away hastily with the sleeve of his robe, a stubborn expression crossing over his face until he’d successfully fought back the tears.

Dante climbed down to the street and pretended to be passing by. He saw Nero spot him, eyes widening, shifting just enough that his foot knocked into the crate.

Dante turned at the sound, feigning surprise. Nero pulled his headphones down, hanging them around his neck.

“Ah, damn. My dignity is still bruised. I was hoping to avoid you while it recovered,” Dante said.

“I don’t have the ball,” Nero said, looking helplessly at his bare hands.

“Well, I was heading to find dinner.” Dante moved forward and sat in front of the crate. “Know any good places?”

“Around here?” Nero made a face. 

Dante sighed dramatically. “Dammit.”

“Um-” Nero snapped his mouth shut. Dante gestured at him to say whatever was on his mind. “It’s just- you shouldn’t- I guess adults can swear, though.” He jerked his thumb in the vague direction of the house. “My friend’s mom doesn’t like it if we say swears.”

“What about your mom?” Dante asked casually.

He’d been well aware he was purposefully prying, but he still wanted to kick himself for the heartbreaking expression the question put on Nero’s face.

“Don’t have a mom,” he mumbled. “I live with my friend’s family.”

“No parents?” Dante asked, softer this time.

Nero shook his head. “No. I…don’t know why they didn’t want me.”

His voice was small when he said it. He sounded close to tears again.

But then he cleared his throat before Dante could speak. “It doesn’t matter. The Order takes care of its own.”

“How good of them,” Dante said. He smiled up at Nero, letting some of the sorrow he felt over the loss of his parents into the expression. “I don’t have parents, either. I think I turned out alright. I think you will, too.”

Nero’s head jerked up at that. He searched Dante’s eyes, as if expecting Dante to laugh in his face for daring to believe such a statement. 

Dante shifted next to the crate, his head next to Nero’s shoulder. “Cool music. Turn it up?”

Nero nodded and turned the music up so they could both hear it. Nero pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging them.

“I thought you were gonna go get dinner,” he said.

“If there are no good pizza joints around here, it can wait. I’ll take good music over bad food,” Dante said. 

Nero held his CD player out. “You can pick the next song. But I only have one CD with me right now.”

Dante took the player. “Better bring more next time. This is catchy as hell, but I like variety. You bring the music, I’ll bring the pizza?”

Nero’s eyes lit up at the assurance of a next time. “Uh-huh. I’ll bring my best CDs!”

Dante held up a fist. Nero stared at it in confusion.

“Make a fist,” Dante instructed.

Nero made a fist. Dante took his wrist and brought it forward so that their fists smacked together.

Don’t worry, Vergil. I’ll make sure your son learns the important things in life, like a fist-bump and the importance of good pizza, Dante thought, grinning at Nero.

The two sat in comfortable silence, just listening to Nero’s music together. Dante was already making plans for their next encounter, surprised at how desperate he was to put that genuine smile back on Nero’s face.

[reinerispretty]

almost kings. atla fantasy!AU. (mako x f!reader)

hi everyone!! here is my new baby. it’s a oneshot so pls enjoy :)

SUMMARY: (y/n’s) not quite ready to take on the responsibility of ruling an entire kingdom. perhaps two brothers will be her saving grace. 

(Y/N) opened her mouth to argue, but closed it. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. She couldn’t just shove the kingdom into the hands of random people. She had to make sure they were worthy somehow.

“You never think things through,” Korra sighed, and (Y/N) scoffed.

“As if you’re any better!” She snatched the paper back from Korra. “I’m going into town to find them regardless. I just have to see.”

Korra pursed her lips, then nodded. “Fine, but I’m coming with you.”

“Absolutely not, you’ll ruin everything.”

“You wound me, Princess. Someone has to make sure these ruffians don’t kidnap you and I'm the only one I trust.”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. There would be no arguing with Korra. She was as stubborn as a mule. “Shouldn’t that say something about your ability to train your men?”

“It says nothing about my ability, and everything about the fact that they are men.”

The castle felt the weight of the king’s passing in every crook, cranny, and crevice. The lanterns had lost their luster. The air felt heavier. Every member of the royal palace from top to bottom had become more solemn in the days after. But still, life continued as best as it could. There was a kingdom to run, after all. 

It had been two months since the funeral service and the princess still remained in black, shrouding her face from view with a veil. The mourning process normally lasted a month at most, but to the public, Princess (Y/N) was taking her father’s death the hardest. She was rarely seen outside the castle walls anymore, nor did she explore the palace as she used to. “Poor girl,” they would whisper, over their cups of tea and mugs of beer. “Losing her father and her mother. Wonder if she’ll ever be ready to serve the kingdom.” 

Her mother had died from a plague that had ransacked the city. (Y/N) had only been six. Now, at the age of twenty-one, she had lost her father to a stupid battle in a senseless war. She was all alone. 

Contrary to what the people might think, she did not spend her time locked in her room, sobbing into her pillow. Instead, she read every book that accounted the history of her family lineage. As soon as her mourning period was over, (Y/N) would be expected to take the throne. She would be the queen of her kingdom, ruling from the highest mountaintops in the east to the shining seas in the west, but (Y/N) could think of nothing more she wanted less than the crown. 

It was her duty. She always knew it would be, but part of her had hoped that somewhere along the line her father would birth a male heir and take the responsibility off of her shoulders. (Y/N) did not believe herself fit to lead troops into battle, nor to discuss diplomatic matters with visiting dukes and duchesses. She could barely get through one ball without wanting to chuck her heel at some handsy prince’s head. So, she read. Somewhere along the line, there had to be someone else who could take the position from her. Someone who would be a great fit for king. 

She finally found her answer late one night, as her eyes were so tired that they had difficulty focusing on the page. There, in a depiction of their family tree, to the left of (Y/N’s) king and great lineage, was a chance. Mako and Bolin, the handwritten letters read. Two brothers who were just about her age, from a line that would have indisputable claim to the throne if (Y/N) rejected it. 

She jumped up from her bed, body thrumming with a newfound energy. She threw open her bedroom door, startling the sleeping guards that stood outside of it. With a bright smile on her face, she said, “Have my carriage ready by morning. We’re going into town!” She shut the door before either could question her. 

(Y/N) exchanged her mourning clothes for her regular ones, choosing a cloth periwinkle dress with an ivory cloak on top, clasped with a broach that was the insignia of her family. Handmaidens pulled her hair back into a ponytail as Y/N informed them that she would be skipping breakfast. She was much too eager to get to town. 

“The Captain of the Royal Guard is here to see you, your highness,” announced the guard at the door. (Y/N) batted the handmaidens away from her head, walking over to the door to open it herself. Captain Korra stood before her, wearing leather pants and a white tunic, with her sword sheathed at her side. 

“It's nice to see you smile again,” Korra said as a greeting. “But what’s got you so overjoyed?” she strode into (Y/N’s) room nonchalantly, no doubt bristling some of the more traditional handmaidens. (Y/N) dismissed them quickly. She and Korra had been friends since they were children. She was instrumental in making her father see Korra’s value as a knight. But although it was Korra's dream to go off and fight for the sake of their kingdom, (Y/N) had been selfishly unwilling to let her go. She could not imagine losing korra as well. 

“I have a plan,” (Y/N) said excitedly, gathering some of the things she would need today. She tore out the page from the book that depicted Mako and Bolin’s claim to the throne, shoving it into the very bottom of her satchel for safe keeping. 

“A plan for what?” (Y/N’s) eyes glanced around the room. Quietly, she began to tell Korra her secret.

“I don’t want to rule the kingdom, so I’m finding someone who will.” 

Korra choked on her own spit. “You’re not being serious, are you?” 

“I'm afraid I'm deadly serious.”

“B-but you’re the princess. No one else can rule but you!” 

“That’s where you’re wrong. Where father was wrong, where everyone was! I’ve been doing research, and there are two boys: Mako and Bolin.” She pulled out the piece of paper to show Korra, who scrutinized it heavily. “They’re the only ones who can take my place if I secede the throne. Which I will.” 

“And if they’re dead?” Korra questioned. “Or they’re horrible people who will hoard all the wealth for themselves and leave the innocent peasants with nothing?” 

(Y/N) opened her mouth to argue, but closed it. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. She couldn’t just shove the kingdom into the hands of random people. She had to make sure they were worthy somehow. 

“You never think things through,” Korra sighed, and (Y/N) scoffed. 

“As if you’re any better!” She snatched the paper back from Korra. “I’m going into town to find them regardless. I just have to see.” 

Korra pursed her lips, then nodded. “Fine, but I’m coming with you.” 

“Absolutely not, you���ll ruin everything.” 

“You wound me, Princess. Someone has to make sure these ruffians don’t kidnap you and I'm the only one I trust.” 

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. There would be no arguing with Korra. She was as stubborn as a mule. “Shouldn’t that say something about your ability to train your men?” 

“It says nothing about my ability, and everything about the fact that they are men.” 

The carriage ride to the town was short, lengthened only by the throngs of people that gathered outside to gape at her presence. They shouted blessings as she passed by, some throwing flowers and others hurling curses. It was another aspect of being royalty that (Y/N) loathed. the attention was too much sometimes, and while she didn’t expect everyone in the kingdom to be fond of her family, she had difficulty not taking their words to heart. 

She ordered the driver to stop inside the town square. He parked their carriage in front of the fountain and people already started to flock towards them out of curiosity. (Y/N) made a move to step out, but Korra grabbed her by the arm and shook her head. Korra stepped out first, looking both beautiful and formidable as she ordered the people to make way for the princess. 

After a few moments, (Y/N) inhaled a deep breath, and stepped out into the bright sun. It was the first time she had been outside the castle walls in over two months. The sunlight seeped into her bones, warMing every part of her being. She squinted her eyes as they adjusted.

“Your majesty!” The people gasped, bowing and curtsying. (Y/N) smiled gratefully at them. 

“It’s so lovely to see all of you,” (Y/N) told them, and she had meant it. There were a few familiar faces among the crowd and she waved at them, calling out their names to show that she remembered. That she cared. 

Korra stood by her side, pulling her through the crowd. “I hope you’ve come up with a cover for why you’re in town. I don’t think the people will be very excited to hear that you’re giving up the crown.” 

“Some might,” (y/n) noted, and Korra narrowed her eyes. “We’ll say that I’m…buying you a new sword.” 

“I don’t need a new sword.” 

“A dagger, then? Everyone loves a dagger.” She grabbed Korra by the hand and pulled her forward. (Y/N) had visited the town many times since she was little. Her mother had loved to read to the children in the town square, a tradition that had unfortunately fallen out of practice after the queen’s demise. (Y/N) had always meant to pick it back up again, but there was something stopping her. 

She led Korra to the blacksmith, reasoning that if there was anyone who knew everyone in town, it would be them. They stepped through the door, a little bell tingling at their arrival, and were instantly hit with a blast of heat. 

The blacksmith stepped through a curtain from the back, lifting their mask and revealing a beautiful girl with soft green eyes and an even softer smile. She looked far too mild to be a blacksmith, but if (Y/N) had learned anything from being friends with Korra, it was that one should never underestimate someone based on their appearance. 

“Your Majesty,” The blacksmith said as she curtsied, removing her heavy gloves. “It’s an honor to have you in my shop. What brings you here?” 

“My Captain of the Royal Guard is looking for a new dagger,” (Y/N) said, glancing up at Korra. The girl’s bright blue eyes were trained on the blacksmith and hadn’t left since they entered the shop. She looked stunned, her face just a shade pinker. “Isn’t that right, Korra?” 

At the sound of her name, Korra snapped back to reality. “Right! Yes. dagger for captain. I’m the captain. Hi, I'm korra.” (Y/N) had to physically stop herself from wincing at her friend’s rambling.

“Nice to meet you,” the blacksmith said. “I’m Asami. What kind of dagger are you in the market for?” 

(Y/N) knew absolutely nothing about weapons, so she looked at Korra, who seemed to be scrambling her brain for words. “Uh, sharp?” Korra offered. 

Asami furrowed her brows and nodded. “Something sharp, then.” 

“Maybe bronze?” (Y/N) questioned. “It will match the rest of your armor wonderfully.” 

“I think I have a bronze dagger in the back, actually,” Asami said, and with another curtsy, she left them. 

(Y/N) smacked Korra’s arm. “What is wrong with you!” she hissed. 

Korra looked from where Asami had just been standing to (Y/N). “Did you see her? She’s the most beautiful human being I’ve ever seen!” 

“You’re acting so suspicious right now.” 

“I am not.” 

“Yes, you are!” Asami entered the room again, and both (Y/N) and Korra paused their argument to smile at her. 

“One bronze dagger,” she said, leaning over the counter to show it to them. It was truly a beautiful work of art, with a tip so sharp it would certainly be deadly. The handle was worked into the intricate design of dragons breathing fire. 

“You made this?” Korra questioned, her voice full of wonder. “It’s beautiful.” Her eyes locked with Asami’s and (Y/N) noticed both girls blush. 

“I did, thank you. My father taught me everything i know.” 

“You’re the best blacksmith I’ve ever met,” (Y/N) agreed. If the circumstances were different, she might invite Asami to become court blacksmith. But she would hate to invite the girl to the castle only to abandon her. “Do you like it, Korra?”

“Yeah, I like her,” Korra said, but her eyes were still trained on Asami. “The dagger,” she tried to recover. 

“We’ll take it.” Asami smiled gratefully, pulling out her record book to record the sale. “I actually have a question for you, Asami, if you don’t mind humoring me.” 

“Anything for you, your highness,” Asami replied brightly. 

“Is there anyone in town by the names Mako or Bolin?” 

Asami thought for a moment as she took the satchel of gold from (Y/N). 

“I think...oh! the baker’s boys. The baker down the street has two apprentices, I think those are their names.” 

(Y/N) grinned wildly, turning to Korra. Bingo. 

As they left the blacksmith, Korra couldn’t stop turning the dagger over and over in her hands. She hadn’t thanked (Y/N) for her purchase, but she didn’t need to. Their friendship went beyond those kinds of formalities. 

“Shall I up your pay so you can come back to town and visit the pretty blacksmith?” (Y/N) smirked. Korra had rarely had a crush throughout their lives. There was another knight she had once admired, but (Y/N) hadn’t been sure if Korra had wanted to kiss him or beat him in a fight. Or both. 

“I certainly wouldn’t complain,” Korra snorted. 

“I think she liked you too.” 

“You’re making fun of me and it’s not nice.” 

“I’m being serious! You were too dumbfounded to notice. It was like,” (Y/N) made explosion noises with her mouth and gestures with her hands. “Instant sparks.” 

Korra remained silent for a few moments as they walked. “Asami is a pretty name, isn’t it?” 

(Y/N) smiled as she pushed through the door to the bakery. “Absolutely.” 

The smell of baked goods sent their mouths watering. Both girls had skipped breakfast, meaning their stomachs were rumbling excessively. They looked at the display cases, where an assortment of all kinds of goodies were laid out before them. 

“Welcome to Bender Bakery!” said a cheerful voice at the counter. It was a boy, but his back was turned to them. “Care for a free sample?” He turned around and smiled, carrying a tray of mini croissants, but it clattered to the floor as soon as he laid eyes on them. “Oh!” he exclaimed, his green eyes wide. “Your majesty! I’m so sorry, I— should I bow? Should I pick these up? Pema’s going to absolutely throttle me.” 

“It’s alright!” (Y/N) felt horrible for surprising the boy. “How about I pay you for those? And for two raspberry tarts?” 

“Four,” Korra said, her voice low and her arms crossed as she eyed the boy. (Y/N) watched him gulp. 

With a sigh, (Y/N) pulled out more coins. “Four raspberry tarts, please?” 

His gaze returned to the princess and he smiled widely, the dazzle reaching his emerald green eyes. Although he was covered in a mess of flour, he was beautiful, with full cheeks and a rounded nose. His stature was broad, and (Y/N) tried to imagine a crown atop his curly black hair. 

“I’m (Y/N),” she said as he swept the mini croissants up. “What is your name?” 

He looked up at her, a faint blush on his cheeks. “I’m Bolin! Nice to meet you, your highness.” (Y/N) smiled widely. She had done it.

“Likewise. This is my Captain of the Royal Guard, Korra.” Korra said nothing, despite (Y/N’s) elbow digging into her side. “Tell me, Bolin, do you have a brother?” 

Bolin’s thick eyebrows drew together curiously. “Yes, yeah I do. Mako. He’s probably out back.” 

“Could you bring him here, please?” Bolin nodded and darted out of the room. 

“What’s your plan?” Korra questioned as soon as he left. “You still have to make sure they’re not going to be insane.” 

“I don’t think they will. I got a good feeling from Bolin.” 

“Feelings don’t make kings.” (Y/N) tsked, rolling her eyes at Korra.

“Must you always be so negative?” 

“I’m not negative, I’m realistic. A trait that you would do well to have.” 

A loud clatter out front startled them, and the two girls turned around to see the two boys darting down the street, knocking over whatever was in their path. 

(Y/N) and Korra had been friends for so long that it seemed like they shared one mind. Both ran out the door, their polished leather boots stomping against the muddied ground. Unlike the boys, they wove through the crowd of people. If anyone recognized that it was the princess running past them, they gave no indication. Stranger things had happened in their little town. 

“I’m going to cut them off!” (Y/N) shouted to Korra. She skidded to a stop. The boys were headed toward an alleyway that (Y/N) knew well. If she let them get to the end, they would disappear into the sewers and she’d lose them forever. 

She set her foot into the bricks that protruded from the building and started to climb. She had spent many years scaling the side of the castle when it all felt like too much. Lifting herself onto the roof of the building, she darted across and jumped down into the alley, her skirts billowing up into the air as she landed on her feet. 

Bolin let out a surprised shout at (Y/N’s) arrival, just as her ankles were reverberating with the shock of the drop. Past the two boys, Korra stood at the end of the alley, her fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of her sword. 

“Why did you run?” (Y/N) demanded, chest heaving from exerting herself. Both boys turned to her now, and (Y/N) laid eyes on the taller one, who must be Mako. Where Bolin was more broad, Mako was slender, his features sharper. His eyes locked on (Y/N’s), his brows furrowing in a mixture of anger and confusion, while (Y/N) felt a gasp escape her lips. His eyes were a brilliant shade of gold, a color that was rare for her people. 

“Well,” Bolin started, trying to catch his own breath. “When you come in with your captain of the royal guard, it kind of feels like you’re here to arrest us.” 

“Why would I arrest you?” 

“(Y/N), they’re criminals,” Korra snapped, and (Y/N) felt her face heat up from embarrassment. 

“You would be too if you lived in a town like this,” Mako said, his glare fixating on Korra. She unsheathed her sword. 

“Wait!” (Y/N) exclaimed. “Wait, what do you mean?” 

“Of course you wouldn’t know. You’re up there in your castle chugging wine and bathing in gold,” Mako snarled.

“Think of the queen bathing often?” Korra pressed, both of her hands on the hilt of her sword now. 

(Y/N) let out an exasperated sigh. This was not how today was supposed to go. she clenched her fists at her side. She was used to things going perfectly, things going her way. She should give up on these two. 

But Mako’s words were sticking to her uncomfortably, like her dresses did after she applied lotion. Were the people in her town really suffering? Why didn’t she know? Why wasn’t anyone telling her? 

“I didn’t come to arrest you,” The last bit of diplomacy had left (Y/N). She did not feel regal. She was tired and impatient. “I came to talk to you.” 

“What would you want with us?” Bolin asked, his figure noticeably relaxing. 

(Y/N) glanced past them, past Korra and into the street. People’s eyes were glancing inside the alley. There was too much attention here. “It’s...a lot to explain. Come back to the palace with us. I’ll tell you everything there.” 

“As your prisoners?” (Y/N) was growing tired of Mako’s attitude. 

“As guests! by the lion turtle, you’d think you two would’ve gotten that through your thick heads by now. I don’t want to have you arrested regardless of the crimes you’ve committed.” 

“She might not, but I do.” 

“Korra!” (Y/N’s) eyes flashed with anger, and her friend deflated, sheathing her sword. (Y/N) inhaled a deep sigh and closed her eyes. “Come back to the palace with me. I’ll explain everything once we’re there.” 

Mako and Bolin looked at each other, weighing their options. 

“Alright,” Bolin agreed, seeming a lot more excited than his brother. “Alright, we’ll go with you.” 

The carriage was far more cramped with the four of them inside. (Y/N) and Korra sat with their shoulders pressed together. Korra held her sword between her knees, her blue eyes flitting between both brothers. While Bolin looked out the window with wonder, Mako sat slumped, his arms crossed and his eyes downcast. 

“Are you hungry?” (Y/N) asked no one in particular. “I can have the kitchens make something. What’s your favorite?” 

“Do you have rabbit soup?” Bolin asked, but he continued before (Y/N) could answer. “I heard you had a labyrinth in your garden, is that true? Do you have horses? Is the crown you wear really heavy?” 

“Yes, yes, yes, and yes, but your neck gets used to it.” She smiled pleasantly. “You should see my father’s crown, though. That thing is a monstrosity.” 

Korra tensed at (Y/N’s) side. It was the first time she had mentioned her father to anyone else after his passing. (Y/N) was sure that Korra expected her to fall apart, but she had spent the past two months piecing herself back together. 

They walked through the front doors of the palace and a servant immediately took (Y/N’s) cloak and Korra’s jacket. They stared awkwardly at the two boys behind them. (Y/N) dismissed them quickly. 

“Would you like to freshen up a bit before we talk?” Bolin opened his mouth to say something, but Mako cut him off.

“we came here to talk.” 

(Y/N’s) smile dropped from her face. “Alright then. Follow me.” 

She led them to her study, which previously belonged to her father. A giant painting of him, her mother, and a young (Y/N) was hung over the roaring fireplace. (Y/N) leaned against the desk as Korra shut the door behind them, leaning herself against the hardwood to prevent any escape attempts. 

“I know it’s not every day the princess drops on you unannounced,” (Y/N) said. Her nerves shaky, she kept moving her fingers. “But after my father’s death, I spent a lot of time researching my family’s lineage.” She pulled the piece of paper from her bag and unfolded it. She double checked to make sure their names were still there, as if they would magically disappear on her. “You both are from a distant royal branch, completely unrelated to my own.” 

She handed the piece of paper to them, and both boys pored over the paper with their brows drawn together. Mako looked up at her. “So what does this mean?” 

“We’re royalty?” Bolin asked. 

“Yes. Next in line to the throne, actually. After myself.” 

“Oh god,” Bolin paled. “Did you bring us here to kill us so we wouldn’t challenge your claim to the throne?” 

“Does everyone in the kingdom think I’m a monster?” She held up a hand to silence Mako before he could respond. “No, I didn’t bring you here to kill you. I brought you to the palace to...give you both the life that is rightfully yours. Somewhere, many generations ago, your connection to the royal family was severed. I want to restore it.” 

“Why would you want that?” Mako asked, and it was the first thing he said that had no trace of anger. 

“I want to help,” (Y/N) admitted. “I came to town because I wanted to help you two, and then you mentioned that if we lived there, we would be criminals as well. If my people are suffering, I want to do everything in my power to fix it.” 

The brothers still looked wary, so she continued. “You could both stay at the palace, if you wanted. Wherever you worked would be compensated for your absence. You can live here and you’ll be treated well. I’ll let you have most anything you want, within reason.” She stared at them both hopefully. “Of course, if you don’t want that, I understand. A carriage will bring you back to town.” 

She locked eyes with Korra. If this went poorly, it could be the downfall of the kingdom. but (Y/N) needed to risk it. 

“Alright,” Mako said. He seemed to be the one that made the decisions. “We’ll stay, for now.” 

(Y/N) grinned, feeling absolutely elated. All that was left to do now was prove that they were worthy of the throne. 

She left Mako and Bolin to their own devices at first. She instructed Korra and any other servants to report back with how they were doing. So far, there was no suspicious activity, much to Korra’s disappointment. 

“I’m just itching for a reason to kick that Mako in the teeth,” Korra told (Y/N) as they walked to her next meeting. (Y/N) couldn’t hold back her laugh. “Seriously! he needs a huge attitude adjustment.” 

“I’m sure they had it rough, Korra, we need to be patient with them.” 

“I don’t know why you’re fighting for them so much. They’re criminals, they said it themselves.” 

“Maybe they had to be.” Korra rolled her eyes. 

“You’ve got your head in the clouds.” 

At the end of the hall, (Y/N) noticed Mako walking toward them. His dirty clothing had been exchanged for a nice red tunic and dark fitted pants. The servants had scrubbed his face clean and combed back his hair, but (Y/N) had heard that Mako ruffled it as soon as they were done styling it. 

“Good morning, Mako,” (Y/N) called out to him. He paused, his expression still serious as he nodded at them. “Would you like to join Korra and I for this meeting?”

“You can’t be serious,” Korra hissed, but (Y/N) paid her no mind. 

“We’re discussing funding today. I’d love to hear your input about where it should go.” She looked at him expectantly, willing him to say yes. She stared directly into his amber eyes. (Y/N) found that people had a hard time saying no to her if she looked at them directly. 

“Oh, uh,” he cleared his throat. “Alright.” 

They entered the meeting room together, (Y/N) taking her place at the elaborate chair at the head of the table. Korra stood at her side, arms behind her back. Mako looked at the seats, anxiously trying to figure out where to go. The men at the table stared at him warily, frowns on their faces. 

“Sit here,” (Y/N) offered, gesturing to the seat to her left. Tenzin, her treasurer, cleared his throat. 

“Your majesty, forgive me for interrupting, but that is Lord Tahno’s seat.” 

(Y/N) smiled and nodded. “Seeing how lord Tahno is late, I would like Mako to take his seat.” Korra tried to stifle her laughter, but failed miserably. She might not like Mako, but she loathed Tahno. (Y/N) guessed that Korra was eager to see the expression on his face when he finally walked in. (Y/N) was eager to see it as well. She and Korra would have a hearty laugh about it later. 

“Now,” (Y/N) continued. “I’m sure you’re all wondering about our guest. Mako is one of my representatives from town, so I invited him here today to discuss how the budget should be allocated to the people.” 

“Your highness,” said Tarrlok, another one of (Y/N’s) advisors. “I can assure you that the people are doing well. Just the other day, I was walking through the town. Children were laughing and playing, it was wonderful.” 

“Just because children are being children doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering,” (Y/N) said. She tried hard not to lose her temper with these people. They were used to certain lives, certain expectations. She didn’t need them to understand, she just needed them to follow her orders. “Take half of the money from my coronation and put it toward the people.” 

Mako raised an eyebrow at her, while the rest of her advisors began talking amongst themselves. “With all due respect, your majesty,” said Raiko. “Your coronation is of the utmost importance.” 

“How much money should it really require?” (Y/N) questioned. “All you have to do is say a few words and put a crown on my head.” 

The door opened then, revealing Tahno and the smug expression on his face. it immediately fell as soon as he saw that his seat was occupied. He recovered as soon as he saw (Y/N). “Your highness,” he drawled, approaching her chair. “My apologies for being late. There was a young injured fox on my way to the castle. I had to stop to assist it.” 

“Liar,” Korra coughed into her palm, pounding against her chest. “Woo, sorry. allergies, y’know?” Even Mako broke a smile. 

“Sit, Tahno.” Frowning, he sat a few chairs down from the princess, glaring at Mako. (Y/N) was grateful to have Tahno so far away. As soon as she had her first meeting, he had claimed the spot right beside her, trying his best to flirt. (Y/N) was in the middle of the appropriate marrying ages and Tahno made it very clear that he had plans to have her hand. 

“Mako,” (Y/N) said, turning to him. “Is there anywhere in town you could think of that needs funding immediately?” 

“Where do I start?” Mako joked, before he remembered exactly where he was. “Uh, the orphanage, your highness. Or the schools. Or maybe putting the money into the roads or some bath houses?” 

(Y/N) nodded as he listed off each of his ideas. She then turned to her advisors. “Did you get all of that?” 

They all scrambled to write down what the young commoner had been saying. “Let’s put the majority of the funding into the orphanages and the schools. We’ll start there, then work our way to everything else.” 

“I don’t see why we should be helping the peasants if they’re no longer providing anything for the castle.” Tahno leaned back into his seat. 

“It’s winter,” Korra deadpanned. 

“Regardless if they contribute anything to the castle or not, taking care of them is still our responsibility,” (Y/N) told him. 

“I’m just saying—“ 

“Keep thinking like that and you’ll have a revolt on your hands,” Mako interrupted Tahno. “The people know how you all live here. They don’t expect their own fancy castles, but they notice when they’re starving and you’re all throwing feasts.” 

“Tell me,” Tahno said, narrowing his eyes. “What’s your title? Why are you here?” 

“All things you’d know if you arrived to the meeting on time,” (Y/N) snapped. “The orphanages and the schools,” (Y/N) repeated to Tenzin. He nodded at her orders. “I think that’s enough for today. You may all leave.” She didn’t like this, didn’t like the arguments and how people tried to challenge her. She might see their point of view if she was some sort of tyrant that needed to be held back. But all she wanted to do was help people, and sometimes she felt like the best thing she could do for the kingdom was to not be queen. 

As everyone else filtered out of the room, (Y/N)) stood and went to the window. In the cloudy horizon sat their little town, the one that her family had been entrusted to care for. 

“Your majesty, may I have a word with you?” (Y/N) sighed and turned around. Tahno stood just a few feet away from her, blocked by Korra. Mako had remained in his seat. “In private?” 

“I’m actually feeling unwell today,” (Y/N) said softly. “You can request an audience another time. Korra, please escort Lord Tahno out.” 

“Gladly,” Korra said with a smile. Tahno stared at the princess for a few more moments before turning around, Korra following him. 

(Y/N) collapsed back in her seat, slumping down. She glanced over at Mako. “Thank you for coming today. And what you said. Sometimes it feels like they don’t believe anything I say unless it’s coming from a man’s mouth.” 

“It seemed to me like they didn’t want to believe anything I said unless it was coming from a lord’s.” (Y/N) smiled. 

“They’re not so bad. Just a little...traditional.” 

“And you aren’t?” (Y/N) shook her head. 

“There's so much I would change about everything.” 

“Like what?” (Y/N) was surprised at Mako’s sudden interest. His hands were slotted together and folded against his stomach as he leaned back. 

“Well, I don't think the coronation should be that big of a deal. It seems like a party for the rich people, and they have parties all the time. So I'd make it something smaller. Private, maybe. And I’d invite the whole town into the palace for feasts on holidays, so that everyone could get a hot meal. Maybe if people wanted, they could come to the castle if they ever needed a meal. Tahno would say that they’d eat me out of house and home, but I don’t think I’d mind, as long as people were happy.” 

“Tahno seems like a jerk.” 

“He is, but I can't say that or else his family would wage war on mine.” (Y/N) blew hair out of her face. “Everyone expects me to marry him.” 

“Well i don’t see why you wouldn’t want to,” Mako said sarcastically. (Y/N) grinned. 

“I’d also put an end to this horrid war.” 

“You want to end the war?” Mako raised an eyebrow. It stung a little bit, thinking that he would be surprised at her statement. 

“It’s not my war anymore,” She said quietly, glancing at the portrait of her father that said over the fireplace. He looked grand, a ring of shining light painted around his head. “It wasn’t even his. It was started a long time ago by men whose problems are nowhere near mine.” She turned to Mako, the corner of her mouth twitching up sadly. “At this point, I don’t think anyone knows what they’re fighting for anymore. All it does is hurt people.” 

They both knew what she was referring to. Just a few months ago, her father had been wounded on the battlefield for that very war. His death had been slow and painful, and as his only child, (Y/N) had to sit and watch. 

“I think those are great ideas, by the way.” Mako’s voice broke the silence and the sadness that had started to overcome (Y/N).

“Thank you. If only I had the time to implement them.” 

“Don’t you have a whole lifetime as queen?” 

(Y/N) opened her mouth to speak, but clasped it tightly shut. She couldn’t tell him about her plan. Not yet. 

“There’s just a lot of hoops to jump through.” She stood and glanced at the door. “Walk with me to lunch?” 

It wasn’t often that (Y/N) was summoned places. As princess, she did the majority of the summoning. But Tenzin had called her to the great hall for some undisclosed reason and (Y/N) was horribly curious, so she humored him. 

He bowed as she entered the room. “Your majesty. Thank you for making yourself available on such short notice.” 

The door opened behind her once more, revealing a very confused looking Mako and Bolin. Tenzin cleared his throat. “Considering that her royal highness brought you both here, I have taken it upon myself to properly train you as members of the royal court.” 

(Y/N) gasped excitedly, whirling around on the two boys, the large skirt of her dress flowing behind her. Bolin looked at her. “What does that mean?” 

“it means,” (Y/N) said, clasping her hands together. “That you’re getting royalty lessons.” 

“I'm good,” Mako said, moving to walk back out of the room. Tenzin raised his eyebrows at (Y/N), who gave him a confused look in return before she realized what he was trying to convey. 

“Oh! Right. I’m in charge here. Mako, you cannot leave. If you two are to remain in the palace, you have to have some sort of formal training. There are certain expectations that other members of the Court will have. People have started wars over minor offenses. It’s all stupid, but necessary.” Tenzin gasped. 

“The customs of our people are far from stupid!”

Mako looked horribly displeased, but the glimmer in Bolin’s eyes told her that at least he was excited. (Y/N) turned to Tenzin, a grin on her face. “Of course. Take good care of them, Tenzin.” 

“Actually, your majesty, I was thinking that you could also partake in these lessons. A little refresher is never a bad thing. I’ve noticed your elbows have begun making their way onto the table.” 

(Y/N) frowned deeply as bolin and mako snickered behind her. “I think my elbows should do whatever they damn well please.” 

Tenzin sputtered. “Language, your majesty!” And while she was the princess and could certainly refuse, the hopeful and pleading look on Tenzin’s face made her concede. He had been her father’s best friend. With a sigh, she nodded. 

That was how the three of them had ended up with stacks of books on their heads. It had taken (Y/N) a few tries to get the hang of it once more and just as she was feeling confident, Tenzin would add another book. Mako and Bolin, however, were struggling greatly. 

“I think my hair is making the book fall,” Bolin told Tenzin, who rolled his eyes. 

“The purpose is to glide, not walk, across the floor.” 

“What the hell is gliding?” Mako questioned. 

“And watch your tongue!” tenzin insisted. Mako huffed, and (Y/N) giggled as she glided over to him. 

“Just humor him,” she whispered as she walked around Mako. She pulled his shoulders back to straighten them, and with a single finger lifted his chin so that he had to peer down his nose at her. “Try it now.” 

Mako took a few wary steps forward, but the book didn’t fall, not until he turned back around to smile at (Y/N). It slid off his head, knocking into hers before tumbling to the floor. 

“Ow,” (Y/N) grumbled, rubbing her hand against her forehead. Mako stared at her with wide eyes. 

“I'm sorry,” he apologized, but his shocked expression soon faded as he saw the smile playing at her lips. He had to admit, it was rather funny. 

“Uh, (Y/N)?” bolin asked, and then received a swat on the head from Tenzin. 

“You will refer to her as your majesty, your grace, or your highness!” 

“Your grace (Y/N)?” bolin tried to correct, avoiding another swipe from Tenzin. “How’d you get Mako to do that book thing?” 

“Oh! It’s easy, let me help,” and she walked over to Bolin, moving him the same way she had moved Mako just moments before. Bolin took his own steps forward, looking similarly to a baby lamb walking on its legs for the first time. 

“I’m doing it!” He cheered as he walked around the room. “I'm royalty!” 

After their walking lessons was a pretend lunch in which they learned what utensils to use when. (Y/N) was rather disappointed at the lack of food before them. She found herself growing hungry. 

“Now, say you had a soup dish before you. What utensil would you use, your highness?” 

(Y/N) looked down at the array of forks, spoons, and knives, all in a range of different sizes. She pursed her lips as she thought. “Do I go from the outside in?” She wondered aloud, searching Mako and Bolin’s faces for answers. They both gave her a shrug: they were just as lost. “Or do i go from the inside out? You know, tenzin, I’m curious why it matters at all what utensil we use when. As long as the food gets in our mouths, I don’t see an issue.” 

Tenzin sniffed. “I see you’ve been spending time with Korra.” 

“Really, I think different types of utensils should be banned. All we need are forks, knives, and spoons. Perhaps I'll propose it at our next meeting.” 

“I second that,” Mako said as he stared at a big fork and a small fork. 

“Can i vote, too?” Bolin questioned. “Because while I think it’s a great idea, (Y/N) your highness, I think we should keep this little baby fork. It’s quite adorable.” 

(Y/N) hummed, banging the handle of her knife on the table as if it were a gavel. “It’s settled. No different types of utensils, unless it’s a baby fork.” 

Bolin cheered as Tenzin groaned. 

“For your last lesson,” Tenzin began as they left the dining room. “We shall work on dancing.” 

“That’s my cue to leave,” (Y/N) said quickly, gathering the skirts of her dress and darting away. Mako and Bolin exchanged a quick look before darting after her, leaving Tenzin all by himself. 

“I expect to see you all at the same time tomorrow!” 

(Y/N) was surprised as she was walking the grounds to find Bolin wrestling with members of the knighthood. She left her handmaidens and ran over to them immediately, thinking the worst. Maybe one of them had made a comment about Bolin’s upbringing. Maybe Bolin had offended the knight in some way. 

“What is the meaning of this?” (Y/N) demanded, her voice projecting over the cheers of the knights. they died out, falling to one knee and bowing their heads. The two remained wriggling on the ground. “Bolin!” (Y/N) shouted to gain his attention. 

The fighting halted, and her knight, Sir Tonraq, looked up at her and smiled. He was Korra's father and one of their kingdom’s greatest generals. He rose slowly to his feet and bowed at the waist. “Your majesty,” he said calmly. “Bolin asked that I show him a few moves. It was all in good fun, I can assure you.” 

(Y/N) glanced down at Bolin, who was panting but otherwise looked unharmed. He remained on the ground, his face upside down as he grinned up at (Y/N). “Afternoon, princess! lovely day, isn’t it?” 

“You asked Sir Tonraq to wrestle you?” 

“Well uh,” Bolin rose to his feet. “Not in so many words, but I guess. He and the others were training and it looked really cool! Do you think I could get a sword?” He looked between (Y/N) and Tonraq.

“Why don’t you walk with me for a bit, Bolin?” He nodded and joined her, leaving Tonraq and the rest to return to their training. “I'll be frank: is being a knight something that interests you?” 

Bolin nodded eagerly. “Oh yeah, it always has! Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a knight. pops used to tell us his grandfather was a knight and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, but then Mako said that it was all just a story pops made up to get us to go to sleep. But hey, now I’m starting to think Mako was wrong!” He flashed another smile at (Y/N). 

“If you’re a knight, you can’t be a king,” (Y/N) said, her voice very solemn. Bolin raised an eyebrow. 

“Well you’re queen, so—“

“I'm not the queen,” (Y/N) interrupted. “Not until my coronation.” 

“Either way, it’s still you and mako before I can even think about becoming a king. I think I'd make a great knight, though! saving damsels, slaying dragons.” 

(Y/N) giggled. “Dragons have been extinct for years.” 

“Someone never heard the fairytale of the dragon prince!” 

“You'll have to tell me sometime.” They walked past the lakes, where turtle ducks swam and splashed in the water. “If you really want to be a knight, Bolin, we can arrange it. It’s a lot of intense training, but if you think you’re ready—“ 

“I know i’m ready!” 

“Alright,” (Y/N) laughed. “I’ll call for the town blacksmith and you guys can meet and discuss what you want your sword to look like.” 

“Doesn’t the castle have a blacksmith?” 

(Y/N) smirked. “We do, but I've got a plan, dear Bolin.” 

Korra was going to kill her. 

The clanging of metal on metal alerted the two of them to some other sort of commotion. (Y/N) and Bolin walked to the source of the noise, located at the armory. At first, (Y/N) could not discern who was inside, but she soon heard Korra’s familiar grunts and shouts. 

They walked through the armory, passing different swords, daggers, shields, and pieces of armor as they made their way back to the practice area. There, on the sandy ground, stood Korra and Mako. 

(Y/N) hadn’t expected Mako to be a very good swordsman. He had grown up as an orphan, after all, so she looked up at Bolin with one eyebrow raised. The brother smiled brightly as he watched the two fight. “Mako once stole a sword from some rich kid in town. He got pretty good at fighting until the sword got stolen from him.” 

“Hopefully he doesn’t best my Captain of the Royal Guard,” (Y/N) said in a loud voice as she walked over to the railing. “Or else I might need to start holding interviews!” 

“Shut up!” Korra shouted back at her. The distraction gave Mako just enough time to swipe Korra’s feet out from beneath her. Korra was quick, however, and rolled out of the way before he could hold the point of his sword to her chest. She jumped back up to her feet and attacked with such ferocity that it intimidated even (Y/N). 

Korra, like (Y/N), had spent much of her life being underestimated by the men of their kingdom. Where (Y/N) would rather use that to her advantage, it bothered Korra to no end. She spent years training harder than any other knight in their Royal Guard, any other knight in their entire army, until she could best them all. If (Y/N) was Mako, she would be terrified. 

Their swords collided in air, and Korra circled her weapon, wrenching Mako’s from his hand. She caught it by the blade in her other hand, an exhausted smile coming to her face before she thrust the handle of her sword at him. “You’re not horrible.” 

“You’re amazing!” Bolin exclaimed, eyes wide as he stared at Korra. “You were good too, Mako, just not as good as her.” “Gee, thanks, Bo,” Mako said as he wiped sweat from his brow. 

Korra narrowed her eyes at (Y/N). “You were trying to distract me for him.” 

“You’re so dramatic,” (Y/N) said as she rolled her eyes. Korra smiled, her eyes moving between Mako to (Y/N). 

“Bet he couldn’t take you,” Korra said. She always liked to initiate challenges. 

Mako raised an eyebrow at the princess. “You can swordfight?” 

(Y/N) scoffed. “Who do you think was Korra’s practice dummy?” 

“I thought princesses weren’t supposed to learn how to fight,” Bolin wondered aloud. “Wouldn’t Tenzin say it’s unbecoming?” 

(Y/N) nodded. “He certainly would, and he did. Many times.” 

Korra waved a hand. “That old coot wouldn’t know what fun was if it smacked him in the ass.” She offered her sword to (Y/N). “Go on. Fight him.” 

A grin settled on (Y/N’s) lips, her expectant eyes landing as Mako. She hopped over the railing. The skirt of her dress was large, making it a bit difficult, but she had been doing it for years. “What do you say?” 

Mako furrowed his brows. “I don’t want to fight you.” 

“Come on, Mako, I’m in a dress. It should be easy for you to beat me.” (Y/N) tossed the blade between both hands. Mako looked from the princess to Korra and Bolin. Bolin seemed nervous, but Korra leaned against the wooden post of the building with a smile. 

“We shouldn’t,” Mako said, shaking his head. 

(Y/N) lifted her chin and smirked, pointing her blade at Mako. “I order you to.” 

His eyebrow quirked up as his face flushed, the corner of his mouth tilting up just slightly. “As you wish, your majesty,” And (Y/N) felt a shudder travel down her back. 

(Y/N) swung first, knowing that Mako would be too scared to initiate the first move. He blocked, spinning around in an attempt to disarm her. (Y/N) noticed that all of the movements he was making were attempts to knock the sword from her friends, but she held onto it. Her dress made moving quickly difficult, but she could tell that he was restraining himself. 

“If you keep holding back,” (Y/N) said as their swords collided. “I’ll make you spend a night in the cellars.” 

Mako let out a laugh, but his fighting style started to completely change. He was quick and pressing, trying his best to push her into a corner. Their swords hit midair once more and Mako shoved forward. 

(Y/N) lost her balance and fell, landing on her side as she cried out. Mako dropped his sword and ran to her side, kneeling down to his knees as his brows knit together in worry. “Are you alright?” He questioned, searching to see what was hurting her. 

In an instant, (Y/N) lunged and tackled Mako onto his back. She hovered over to him for a split second, their faces only inches away as she smiled down at him. She scrambled back up to her feet, setting one foot on his chest as the tip of her sword pointed at his neck. 

“That’s my girl!” Korra cheered from the sidelines. 

Mako stared up at her, eyes still wide with surprise. Her hair had fallen from its bun, wisps of sweaty locks sticking to her temples and neck. Her chest heaved as they caught her breath, and her eyes sparkled with a wild twinkle that Mako hadn’t seen before. 

“You fight dirty,” Mako said. 

(Y/N) shrugged. “Have to do what you must to win.” She stepped off of his chest and let her sword trail down his stomach before tossing it to the ground. She linked arms with Korra and walked out of the armory, muttering something about desperately needing a bath. 

Mako remained on the ground as he caught his breath. Bolin hopped over to the railing and joined his brother, his eyes widening as he noticed the state he was in. Bolin directed his green eyes elsewhere. “Um, Mako? Do you have a--” 

“Shut up, Bolin.” 

“You—!” Korra said as she burst into the dining room. (Y/N) had a mouthful of bread stuffed in her cheeks. “You wicked woman!” 

Mako and Bolin glanced from Korra to (Y/N). They weren’t sure if Korra’s anger was genuine. On a normal day, if anyone spoke to (Y/N) that way, Korra would have them thrown out. Was there anyone that could throw Korra out?

(Y/N) swallowed and smiled, buttering another piece of bread. “I’m not sure what you mean.” 

Korra crossed her arms and poured her lips, tapping her foot against the marble floor. “You invited the blacksmith here on purpose!” 

“Yes, that purpose was so that she could make Bolin a sword.”

“And that has nothing to do with how I made a fool of myself the last time we saw her?” 

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. “Then you should be thrilled that I invited her so you could make a good second impression.” 

“Am I missing something here?” Bolin asked. 

“No!” Korra snapped, just as (Y/N) whirled on him with a devious grin. 

“Korra’s got a crush on the town blacksmith.” 

“I hate you,” Korra seethed. (Y/N) paid her no mind. If she had a gold piece for every time Korra told her that, she’d be the richest person in the entire world. 

“She’s supposed to be arriving soon. Should we call her into the dining room?” 

“No!” Korra and Mako spoke at the same time. (Y/N) had been expecting that reaction from Korra, but from Mako? 

her playful demeanor dissipated as she saw the troubled expression on mako’s face. “Very well,” she said quietly. “When she arrives, you’ll meet her in the smithy.” Bolin nodded. 

Korra had left to take out her anger on some unsuspecting recruit. The rest of the meal was consumed in silence. 

An uncomfortable feeling settled in (Y/N’s) stomach, like she had done something wrong. She had expected korra to react that way. When it came to her, Korra was all bark and no bite. She would get over it in a few hours, and would undoubtedly be excited at seeing Asami. But the look that had appeared on Mako’s face had startled her. It was like she had hurt him in a way, and she didn’t know how. 

(Y/N) retired to her bedroom, dismissing her handmaidens. She wanted to be completely alone. 

Her room was large, but it was not the biggest bedroom in the castle. That was her father’s, which had remained untouched since he passed away. After her coronation, (Y/N) would be expected to move into it. And she wasn’t sure that she could handle being in a room that reminded her of her father so fully. 

But (Y/N) liked her room. It had grand windows, with a stained glass one at the very center, depicting a colorful image of the two founders of her family line. As the sun shined through, it cast colors all throughout the room. Her bed was large and soft, with four posts and a lovely canopy surrounding it. Books were now scattered across the floor from her research and she had many wardrobes all along the wall, filled to the brim with dresses and gowns. They ranged from poofy and elegant to plain and simple. 

She flopped onto her bed, staring up at the high ceilings. What would happen to her once she was no longer royalty? Perhaps she would take her savings and buy a cottage on the side of a hill. She knew very little about fending for herself, but she would learn. She could buy animals. Or maybe she would settle in a cottage by the sea and fish for herself. She had read a book once that detailed how to make sea salt from the ocean. 

(Y/N) closed her eyes, envisioning the peace that would overcome her once the crown was off of her head.

 She wasn’t sure how long she had slept, but when she awoke her stomach was growling, indicating that she had missed dinner. She sat up, her body feeling stiff from sleeping in her corset. She moved her arms around her back, her fingers trying to pull at the ties that bound her. It was no use without a handmaiden. 

A knock sounded at her door and (Y/N) jumped up, feeling a little dizzy from having just awoken. She went to the door and pulled it open, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. 

Where she had expected to see a handmaiden, She was surprised to see Mako standing in front of her. “Oh,” she said, stifling a yawn. “Do you need something?”

“You weren’t at dinner,” he explained. “Did I upset you?” (Y/N) liked how straightforward Mako was. He saw things simply. 

“Not at all! I just fell asleep.” She craned her neck to the side to stretch it. 

“Oh. Well, alright.” He seemed to be deciding whether he should leave or say something more. 

“I'm sorry for inviting the blacksmith girl unannounced. If I had realized you had a past with her—“ 

“Who said I had a past with her?” 

(Y/N) snorted. “Well, it was pretty obvious, considering you almost pissed your pants at the idea of seeing her.” 

Mako rolled his eyes. “You can invite whoever you want to invite, you’re the queen.” 

“I’m not,” (Y/N) insisted. “Not until my coronation.” 

“I’ve been meaning to ask, why do you keep putting that off? You’d think that anyone would jump at the opportunity to rule a kingdom.” 

(Y/N) pressed her lips into a line. “I like to take my time.” 

“Seems to me that you enjoy rash decisions.” 

“And you know me so well?” 

Mako shrugged. “I’ve been here almost a month. I like to think that I know a little about you. Jury's still out on the golden baths, though.” 

(Y/N) scrunched her nose. “I don’t care for chugging wine, either.” 

Mako laughed, and (Y/N) realized it was the first time she had actually heard the sound. It was pleasant. Warm. 

“I was with the blacksmith, for a period of time. It didn’t end very well.” 

“for you or for her?” 

“for either of us.” (y/n) nodded, leaning against the door frame.

“Korra’s smitten with her.” 

“Who wouldn’t be? She’s beautiful.” His eyes glistened with a flash of realization that she couldn’t understand, and then he shut his mouth. 

“If Asami wasn’t good for Korra, you’d tell me, wouldn’t you?” 

mako nodded, his face very serious. “Of course.” 

“She’s my best friend,” (Y/N) said quietly, studying mako’s face. “She’s all I have.” 

“That can’t be true.” 

“It is.” (Y/N) gritted her teeth. The thought of someone hurting Korra made a rage bubble in her belly. “I’ve lost both of my parents. Korra is the only thing keeping me here.” 

“The only thing?” 

(Y/N) felt her face grow hot. she looked down at her feet. “I’m tired of standing. Do you want to come inside?” 

“Inside...your room?” 

“Yes, my room.” (Y/N) rolled her eyes and stepped aside so Mako could enter. He looked around at her space as she moved to her wardrobe and pulled out a comfier dress. 

“This entire room is bigger than the house I grew up in.” 

“I’m sorry for that.” (Y/N) moved behind her screen, trying to tug once more at her ties now that she was more awake. 

“It’s not your fault. It was still a nice home.” (Y/N) let out an exasperated sigh. Her arms couldn’t contort in the way she needed them to. “Everything alright back there?” 

(Y/N) poked her head from behind the screen. Mako sat at the edge of her bed. “I need a small favor.” 

“I suppose I can’t refuse the princess.” 

(Y/N) walked over to him and turned around, pulling her hair to the front. “Could you untie these for me? I'd do it by myself, but I can't reach.” 

“Where are your handmaidens?” 

“Obviously not present at the moment so please, mako, if you don’t mind.” 

He stood, and with nimble fingers he untied the silk ribbon of her corset. (Y/N) breathed in deeply and exhaled. she could finally breathe properly. She held the corset to her chest with her arms and turned around. “Thank you,” she told him, before she moved back behind her screen to get changed. “One more thing I'd do as queen is banish uncomfortable dresses.”

Mako chuckled. “The people would throw a festival in your honor.” 

She moved out from the screen once more, this time wearing only her nightgown and a silk robe to cover it. She had pulled the pins from her hair, allowing it to move freely. “Tell me about your parents,” She said. It was rare she got a moment alone with Mako. She wanted to learn as much about him as she could. 

“There’s not much to tell. They were killed by a mugger when we were out walking one night.” 

“‘We?’” (Y/N) repeated. “You were with them?” Mako nodded. “Oh, Mako, i’m so sorry.” 

“It was a long time ago,” Mako said as he swallowed. “But it’s why Bolin and I had to learn to steal. it was the only way we could survive.” 

“The orphanage—“ 

“We went, for a while. A couple wanted to adopt Bolin. I couldn’t let them separate us, so we ran.” Mako shook his head. “You probably think me selfish, for keeping my brother from a chance at a better life.” 

(Y/N) sat beside him on her bed. “When Korra was eighteen, she became a knight. I was happy when she did, it was all that she wanted her entire life. But then I thought about how knights go to war and sometimes they don’t return. So I asked my father to do something to keep Korra here. He assigned her to the royal guard. I know it’s not her dream, but it’s all I could do to keep her safe.” she looked at mako. “What I’m trying to say is, no, I don’t think you’re selfish. I would’ve done the same thing.” 

“If korra’s the only thing keeping you here, why do you want to leave so badly?” 

(Y/N) stiffened, furrowing her brows. “What are you talking about?” 

“It’s plain to see. Refusing your coronation, not even batting an eye at marriage proposals. bringing bolin and I here. I knew you wanted to leave as soon as you brought us here, but I couldn't figure out why.” 

(Y/N) swallowed. “I’m not fit to rule a kingdom.” 

Mako scoffed. “I’d beg to differ. you boss everyone around better than anyone i’ve ever met.” He was trying to joke, but (Y/N) was not in the mood. 

“I don't like meetings or the people I have to spend my time around. You saw it for yourself, some of them are insufferable. I can’t lead an army into battle, but I can’t sit back and watch innocent people die for my sake. I just...my parents were such good people. My mother knew how to ease everyone’s worries. My father knew when to be strong for others. I don't have either of those qualities. I've had Korra to protect me my whole life. The kingdom would be better off if someone else ruled it.” 

She turned to mako. “Which is why I found you and Bolin and brought you back to the palace. I had to make sure you both would be good kings, and you are. I can’t think of anyone more reasonable, or kind and just, or strong as the two of you. I want you to take my throne, Mako. You would be such a great king. You’re in touch with the people.” 

She swallowed, nervous from his silence. “I know it’s a lot to ask. But I truly do believe you’d be wonderful.” 

“And if I say no?” 

(Y/N) furrowed her brows, shocked. “I'll ask bolin.” 

“And if he says no? Will you stay?” (Y/N) was at a loss for words. “Because I know that if I say yes, you will leave. So why would I when it’s the only way you’ll stay?” 

She stared at mako. His golden eyes bore down into hers. She tried to read his expression, but there were too many thoughts bouncing around in her head. “I can't, Mako. Losing both of my parents nearly destroyed me. If something else happened…” She closed her eyes tight. “I know I wouldn’t be a good ruler.” 

“You do not know yourself.” Mako squeezed her hand. 

(Y/N) sniffled. “We could talk circles around each other all night. We won’t change the other’s mind.” 

“I—“ Mako huffed, closing his eyes. “I want to be selfish with you, (Y/N).” He released her hand and stood, walking out of her room without looking back. 

(Y/N) crawled beneath her covers. her stomach rumbled in protest, but she felt too sick to even think about eating. She closed her eyes and fought for sleep. 

When (Y/N) opened her eyes, she was only a little alarmed to see someone sleeping beside her. As her mind came back to life, she recalled Korra coming to check on her. She must have seen the worry etched onto (Y/N’s) face because she had taken off her boots and crawled into (Y/N’s) bed like they used to when they were little. 

(Y/N) turned over and stared at Korra, silently willing her to wake up. Her stomach rose and fell as she breathed easily, but (Y/N) caught the quick upturn of her lips. She moved closer to her friend. 

“You’re so weird for staring at people when they sleep,” Korra said quietly, her voice gravelly from sleep. 

“You’re grumpy in the morning,” (Y/N) replied back. She laid down on her pillow. “Mako visited me last night.” 

“I know. I saw him leaving your room. Part of me thought that maybe you guys had—“ 

“We didn’t, but if you’d like the conversation to go in that direction I’d love to hear how you spent your time with Asami.” 

“I didn’t spend any time with her.” (Y/N) groaned. 

“So now I have to invite her back to the palace just so you can make a move. You’re despicable. Next time I need to be there to make sure you actually do something.” 

Korra chuckled, then opened her eyes and turned over to face (y/n). Her expression was softer. “What happened with Mako?” 

“I told him that I wanted him to be king. and he said no, because it would mean that I left.” 

“Swoon,” Korra sighed. 

“Not swoon. What am I supposed to do now?” 

“You could stay.” Korra's blue eyes locked on hers. “I don’t understand why you’re so eager to leave. You have a good life here, (Y/N).” 

“I know that, but it doesn’t feel like my life. I feel like an imposter whenever I do anything even remotely royal. I was never supposed to be—“ 

“Enough about you not meant to be the heir. Yes, your mother was pregnant when she passed away, but that doesn’t mean she would have had a boy.” 

“The doctors said—“ 

“The doctors are wrong about things all the time. They said you’d be taller than me, and look where we are now.” (Y/N’s) face formed a pout. “You are meant to be the heir, because you’re here.” 

(Y/N) shoved her face into her pillow and screamed. Korra patted her on the back. ��Look. If what you really want is to run away and never be heard from again, then I’ll support you. I don’t like it, but I’ll support you.” 

(Y/N) felt a stinging pain in her chest. Korra was a much better person than she was. Braver, stronger, selfless. (Y/N) turned her head to look at her once more. 

“I asked my father to keep you here,” (Y/N) said. “I couldn’t bear the thought of you going out into battle. A monarch shouldn’t behave so selfishly.” 

“(Y/N),” Korra sighed, wrapping her arms around her friend and pulling her into her chest. “I asked your father to keep me here, with you. You’d end up falling down the stairs if it weren’t for me.” 

(Y/N) gave Korra a light punch in the stomach, but smiled and hugged her friend back. “I don’t want to do royal things today.” 

“You don’t have to. Tis the blessing of being the one in charge, hm?” 

“But I have meetings.” 

“Hm, yes.” 

“And Tenzin wanted to talk about my birthday celebration.” 

“Oof, that’ll be a fun conversation.” 

“But maybe if I had a really fantastic friend who knew me very well and would be able to make decisions based on what I would want, then I’d be able to stay in my room all day…” 

“It’s a shame you don’t have one of those.” Korra laughed. “Alright, I’ll be queen for a day. But first I need to make sure you eat. Your stomach was so loud last night, I wanted to kick you.” 

So the princess sat in her bed, munching on fruit. She wasn’t sure what she would do on her day off, so she sat in contemplative thought. She could read, but she always read. Would Korra be upset with her for going outside? She wondered what excuse Korra might have made on her behalf. 

(Y/N) stood and decided to at least get dressed for the day. She chose a simple white tunic and trousers, securing the middle of her shirt with a belt. She slipped on her boots and took a look at herself in the mirror. Sometimes it was nice to not look like a princess. 

A knock at her door made her jump. She opened it, surprised to find bolin standing before her. “Korra said you weren’t feeling well,” Bolin said. his face glistened with sweat. “So I asked Tonraq if I could check on you for a few minutes.” 

(Y/N) smiled. “That’s very kind of you, Bolin, but I’m quite alright. I just needed a day off. Being a princess isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.” 

“What’re you gonna do?” (Y/N) shrugged. 

“I haven’t figured it out yet. What has everyone else been up to?”

“Well, Korra and Mako have been going to all of your meetings.” 

“Mako? Why would he—?”

“He didn’t tell you? Mako decided that he’ll take your throne if you plan on giving it up. Huge weight off my shoulders, honestly. I don't think I'd be a very good king.” 

(Y/N) felt as if the breath had been knocked out of her. What had changed his mind? 

She and Bolin parted ways and (Y/N) sneaked through the castle, hoping to not be seen by any of her advisors or servants. Mako’s advisors and servants. Her brain was muddled. Bolin's news came as a shock to her, considering how Mako had behaved the night before. She tried to press it to the back of her mind. 

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. She ran into the nearest room, a storage room with dusty boxes, but with a window big enough for her to fit through. She threw it open, inhaling the cool afternoon air. She lifted herself over the ledge and secured her foot to a protruding brick. Slowly, she shimmied down the side of the castle. 

“What are you doing!” a voice shouted, startling (Y/N) so much that she nearly lost her hold on the side of the building. She looked down, glaring at the perpetrator. Mako. He stared up at her, his face etched in worry and concern.

“Are you trying to make me fall?” She called down to him, taking another step. 

“Are you trying to kill yourself?” 

“Just shut up, will you? You’re gonna draw attention to me!” 

“As if scaling down the side of the castle isn’t doing that already.” 

(Y/N) continued climbing down until she was just a few feet off the ground. She landed on her feet, perfectly unharmed. “See?” She gestured to Mako, spreading her arms wide and rotating. “I’m fine.” 

Mako crossed his arms. “Korra said you weren’t feeling well. Something about you throwing up everywhere.” 

(Y/N) should have known better than to trust Korra with creating an excuse. She crossed her own arms. “I needed a day off. Shouldn’t you be in a meeting or something? Bolin said you’d been going to them all morning.” 

“You spoke with bolin?” 

“Why did you change your mind?” she questioned, her eyes narrowing. “You seemed very adamant about not taking the position last night.” 

Mako pressed his lips into a thin line. “I guess you could say I had a change of heart.” 

“Well.” (Y/N) swallowed, casting her eyes to the ground. “Thank you, really. The kingdom will be better off.” 

Mako said nothing for a moment before changing the subject. “Tenzin wanted us to tell you that your birthday celebration will be at the end of the week.” (Y/N) groaned. “What, you hate your birthday now too?” 

“I don’t hate my birthday. They just make a whole ordeal of it. Fancy dresses and customary dances and absolute asses begging for my hand in marriage while also insulting me. It’s a mess.” 

“Sounds like a fun time to me,” Mako said with a smile. (Y/N) rolled her eyes.

“It’ll be easy for you. You’ll have women falling in front of your feet to get a chance with you.” 

Mako raised an eyebrow. “And why’s that?” 

(Y/N’s) face flushed hot. “It’s the title,” she said quickly. “The title is what they’re all after, normally.” She looked up at the cloudy sky. “Well, I must be off to do my day off things.” 

“Care for some company?”

“But your meetings?” Mako shrugged. 

“Korra can handle it.” (Y/N) broke out into a grin. 

“She’s going to hate us.” 

(Y/N) wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, so she had to think on her feet. She’d like to go into town, but was far too tired for the social energy that required. So, she decided to take Mako to the ruins. 

The ruins were a forgotten part of their kingdom, ignored by all except (Y/N). She had discovered them once on one of her long walks along the castle grounds. They were the remnants of a great castle, probably even greater than the one she lived in, just a few miles away. She had scoured every book in their library, hoping to have some clue to who the ruins had once belonged, but had no luck. 

“I’ve only told Korra about this place, but she doesn’t like coming here. Says if she wanted to be surrounded by old dusty things, she’d spend time with Tenzin.” Mako let out a laugh at that. 

She led him up the entrance steps and through the threshold. They stood in the foyer, light pouring in through the absent ceiling. Before them stood a great staircase, leading up into each level of the castle that had once been there. “I think it’s beautiful,” (Y/N) continued. “It's like a whole world people forgot about. I used to make up stories about what happened here when I was little. I'm sure they’re still tucked somewhere beneath my bed.” 

“You’ll have to read them to me one day,” Mako said, tucking his hands into the pockets of his pants. (Y/N) smiled sadly. 

“Let me show you the best part.” 

She led him up to the tower, the only remaining fully stable part of the castle. Ivy vines curled up the base of the tower, having grown so much that they now started to cover the inside as well. Instead of windows, the tower had complete openings in the brick. It made it very cold, but it held a better view of the kingdom than (Y/N’s) own castle. In the distance were the mountains, the entire town nestled in a little pocket beneath them. Closer was the castle, its entire structure and grounds in complete view. (Y/N) glanced up at Mako, but his eyes were trained on the view before them. she smiled. 

“I hadn’t been expecting to come here,” (Y/N) said, wrapping her arms around herself. “Or else I would've brought a jacket.” 

“It really is exceptional,” Mako agreed. “Thank you for bringing me here.” 

(Y/N) shrugged. “You should know what’s in your kingdom. You’re going to be King Mako, after all.” She smiled brightly up at him. 

Mako’s cheeks flushed a pale pink. (Y/N) couldn’t tell if it was from the wind or from something else. 

She returned to her room, surprised to see Korra sitting on her bed and twiddling with her bronze dagger. “I thought you were going to stay in your room all day.” 

“I got bored, went to the ruins. How was your day?” 

“For the most part, boring. I’m never doing your job ever again. Although you should’ve seen Tahno and Mako today. It was like two starving dogs fighting over a piece of meat.” 

“Really? And what was the meat?” 

“You.” (Y/N) nearly choked on her own air. “Tahno kept insisting that he come to your chambers to make sure you were alright. I would’ve punched him in the face, but Mako was all, ‘I forbid you,’ and Tahno said, ‘Who are you to forbid me?’ And Mako said ‘Your new king.’ It was very dramatic, I wish you could’ve been there. Although now I think everyone is under the impression that you’re going to marry Mako.” 

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. She would have paid thousands in coins to be able to see that conversation. “I’ve decided I’m leaving after my birthday celebration. One last hurrah, you know?” 

Korra sat up quickly, a frown on her face. “Where will you go?” 

“Somewhere,” (Y/N) shrugged. “Not far away from you, of course. Someone has to keep you in line.” 

“You won’t be my princess anymore. I won’t have to listen to you.” (Y/N) laughed. 

“As if you ever listened to me anyway.” 

(Y/N) had struck a bargain with Tenzin for her birthday celebration. She would go all out, as he wished, as long as the people in town were invited. She wanted to make sure that her last act of being royalty would be good and that it would help people. Begrudgingly, Tenzin agreed. 

A birthday such as this one called for something more than the dresses that were in her closet. She could have paid to have one made, but a better idea had taken root in her head and wouldn’t leave. For the first time in years, (Y/N) walked into her mother’s chambers. 

The room had been well taken care of, as per her father’s orders. No dust shined in the sunlight. It was cleaned every day, each element inspected to ensure that there had been no damage to her mother’s memory. Carefully, (Y/N) stepped through the doorway and to her mother’s wardrobe. 

There had been one dress that her mother had worn that was always her favorite. She found it in the middle of the wardrobe, sticking out just a little more than the others as if it were calling to her. It was a beautiful sage green dress, made of the finest satin. It’s neckline came just below her collarbone, exposing the smooth skin of her shoulders. It’s sleeves reached her elbows, widening out into a bell shape. The dress’s design was simple, but (Y/N) felt that something this beautiful did not need extra frills. 

Once the handmaidens had helped her dress, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her mother stared back at her. “You look just like her,” said Katara, the oldest of the handmaidens. She had been with (Y/N’s) mother since she was a baby, and had been with (Y/N) for nearly the same amount of time. (Y/N) smiled down at her. 

“Thank you.” Katara moved over to the glass cabinet that contained her mother’s jewels. Inside sat the queen’s crown, each diamond polished to the utmost brilliance. (Y/N) bent down so the small woman could place it on her head. 

Korra met (y/n) at the top of the steps, dressed in her royal guard uniform. “You look beautiful,” Korra said, her eyes glistening with tears. This would be the last night the two friends would see each other. 

“So do you,” (Y/N) said with a smile. “You clean up well.” 

“Hush,” Korra said, elbowing (Y/N) in the ribs. (Y/N) giggled before looping her arm through hers. 

“I may or may not have extended a personal invitation to Asami,” (Y/N) said as they walked down the grand staircase. They could hear the voices coming from the ballroom. 

“I know,” Korra said with a smirk. “I may or may not have hand delivered said invitation.” (Y/N’s) eyes widened with excitement. She’d have to try her best to keep her eye on Korra throughout the night. 

Bolin and Mako waited at the bottom of the steps, too engaged in their conversation with each other to notice the girls approaching. Korra cleared her throat as soon as they were right behind them. The brothers turned around. 

Bolin spoke first, a bright smile coming to his face. “Hey! You guys look great!” Bolin wore a deep green suit, paired with a gold cravat. 

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” (Y/N) beamed down at him. She turned to Mako, whose eyes were trained on her. 

(Y/N) had never held much reverence for the boys that surrounded her as she grew up. They were all stuck up or arrogant, eager to impress the princess so they would have a chance at being king. She ignored them as best as she could. Her life was too busy to focus on anything other than her duties. Whenever she had gotten a free moment, she preferred to spend it with Korra. 

But as she stared at Mako, with his quick eyes and permanent smirk in a deep red suit, she felt something she had never experienced before. A pulling at her chest, deep and fierce at the bottom of her heart, that made her breath catch as soon as he smiled at her. 

(Y/N) had always felt out of place in her royal life, like she was constantly keeping up an act. It made sense, then, that she would have fallen for the boy whose life was completely opposite to hers. 

“You look beautiful,” he said quietly, just loud enough for her to hear. (Y/N) felt her face grow hot. He offered her his hand. “May i?” 

(Y/N) looked back at Korra, who gave her a wink and disappeared into the crowd with bolin. She turned toward mako and nodded, placing her hand in his. 

The first few dances of the night were group dances, the kind where the pairs swapped partners throughout. (Y/N) would be lying if she said she hadn’t completely ignored all of her partners as they tried to talk to her, instead searching the crowd as she spun around until her eyes landed on Mako. Sometimes, it seemed like he had been looking for her too. 

After Tenzin announced her birthday and the crowd erupted into cheers, the music slowed and quieted, playing softly as the guests mingled amongst themselves. It was then that (Y/N) found Mako standing at the edge of the crowd. 

“Where’d you learn to dance like that?” (Y/N) asked as she approached him. Mako smirked. 

“Commoners have parties too, you know.” (Y/N) grinned. 

“I'll have to go to one sometime.” Mako shifted on his feet. He seemed nervous. 

“I didn’t get the chance earlier, but happy birthday (Y/N).” She smiled again. 

“Thank you, Mako.” 

“Could you walk with me? I hate to take you away from your guests, but…” 

“It’s really alright. I told you, I'm not the biggest fan of these sorts of things.” She took Mako’s hand in hers and let him lead the way. 

He took her through the hallways of the castle and to his room, a simple guest bedroom on the floor below hers. “Wait here,” he said, before disappearing inside and shutting the door behind him. (Y/N) raised her eyebrows, confused. whatever she had been expecting, it certainly wasn’t this. 

After a few moments, Mako opened the door, one of his hands behind his back. “Alright, you can come in.” 

Slowly, (Y/N) entered his room. It was simple, but there were elements of it that were so Mako. It was hard to explain why it made (Y/N) feel giddy being in there, or why butterflies had nestled themselves in her stomach. 

“I got you a present,” Mako said. 

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” (Y/N) chided. 

“I know, I wanted to.” He placed a small box on the wooden table between them. (Y/N) reached for it. “Before you open it, I want to say something. I sincerely thank you for bringing my brother and I into your home. for giving us the means to lead a better life. And while I’ve accepted your offer of taking the throne, I just wanted to say…” He paused, chewing on his bottom lip. “I wanted to ask if maybe you would change your mind.” 

“I'm not changing my mind about this, Mako. I don’t want the throne.” 

“Not that, I couldn't care less about the throne. I wanted to ask if you would change your mind about leaving.” 

(Y/N) blinked at him, unsure of what to say. 

“I didn’t accept your offer because I want to be king.” 

“Then why did you?” 

“Because if I don't, if I force you to stay here, I could be preventing you from doing what is best for you. So I agreed to be king because I didn't want you to be trapped here. Which is why I’m begging you now, please stay.” 

“Mako…” 

“You can’t tell me there isn’t a part of you that isn’t unsure about leaving. I saw it that night in your room. You might not want the crown, but you’re not certain that you want to leave.”

“If I give up the crown, there’s no reason for me to stay. I can’t just live in the palace as a commoner. I'd have to leave, it’s the only thing to do.” 

“I want you to lead the life you want. I know your plan is to leave the kingdom tonight. If leaving is what you think is best, I understand.”

(Y/N) stared up at him. She was unsure what would be best. She had no plan, no idea what she wanted to do once she had walked through the castle gates. She anticipated that things would figure themselves out. 

But the man in front of her was throwing a wrench into her plans. He stared at her so honestly that (Y/N) thought he might be staring into her soul. Was leaving what she really wanted? She would leave behind everyone she had ever known. Tenzin, Korra, Bolin. And Mako. 

“If leaving is what you truly want,” Mako continued. “After tonight I will send you away with everything you need. I won’t bother you again. But before you leave, you have to know. I need you to know. That I love you, (Y/N). You are reckless and brave. You once called me kind and selfless, but those are the qualities I see in you. You asked me to take the throne and I did. I’d take on the weight of the world for you if you requested. If you leave, you’ll be taking a piece of me with you.” 

(Y/N) looked up at him, searching his face for a smirk or a trick, but Mako remained serious. Genuine. 

“If you don’t feel the same, I understand. I just needed to tell you before it was too late.” 

(Y/N) swiftly crossed the distance between the two of them, fisting her hands into his dress shirt and pulling him down toward her. Her lips collided with his. In the fairytales she used to read, it always took someone a moment to get used to being kissed by the other, but Mako was quick. His arms wrapped around her frame, pulling her so tightly to him that she felt like she might burst. 

They pulled away a few moments later, Mako leaning his head against hers as they caught their breath. He separated first, reaching back toward the small box that had sat forgotten on the table. mako’s nimble fingers untied the box, guiding one of her hands to it. 

She opened it, revealing a ring. Its band was gold, with a large diamond set in the middle and two smaller diamonds surrounding it. It was simple, but it was the most beautiful ring (Y/N) had ever seen. 

“It was my mother’s,” Mako said quietly. “Even if you leave, I want you to take it with you.” 

Tears streamed down her face. “What’s wrong?” Mako questioned, lifting his hands to her face to wipe away her tears. “Did I upset you?” 

(Y/N) shook her head fiercely, trying to gather her voice. “You’d give me something so precious to you, even if I decided to leave?” 

“You are precious to me,” Mako insisted. “I want you to be happy. No matter what you choose, (Y/N), I won’t hate you.” 

She looked up at him through watery eyes and stood on her toes, kissing him once more. When she pulled away, she laughed. “I tried to convince myself that I didn’t have feelings for you. I thought it would make leaving easier. But every moment I spent with you made me sad, because it meant that I was one step closer to the last.” She lifted her hand to touch his cheek, her thumb stroking his cheekbone. “I never expected for you to have my heart, but it’s yours.”

Mako breathed a sigh of relief, a bright smile coming to his face as he drew (Y/N) into his arms. He spun her around the room, both laughing before he set her back down again. 

He took her right hand and slid the ring on her middle finger. They exchanged a knowing look. Not yet. 

Once (y/n) had composed herself and Mako had sneaked his fair share of kisses, the two left his bedroom and returned to the ball, filtering back into the crowd completely unnoticed. 

A tap on her shoulder startled her, and (Y/N) turned around to find Korra smirking down at her. “Where have you been? Tahno hijacked the ball for a bit. Said he wouldn’t let anyone leave until you accepted his proposal.”

“Did he?” (Y/N) questioned, her grip on Mako’s arm tightening. “I must’ve been distracted. I trust you took care of it, then?” 

“Duh,” Korra smiled. “I enjoyed throwing him through the palace doors.” 

(Y/N) squinted at Korra's face before reaching up and rubbing at the corner of her mouth with her thumb. Lipstick, in a shade strikingly similar to Asami’s. 

“I can explain that,” Korra said quickly, wiping at her face with her sleeve. (Y/N) laughed. 

“You can tell me all about it in the morning.” 

“In the morning?” Korra repeated, her blue eyes going wide. She glanced at Mako, who looked absently elsewhere, but the corners of his lips were turned up just slightly into a smile. 

“See you tomorrow, Captain Korra. Feel free to arrive a bit late.” (Y/N) gave her a wink before pulling Mako further into the crowd to dance.

---

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[ladytheoris]

Broken Promise

Getou Suguru X Reader Oneshot

Warning: Contains manga spoilers, angst.

You had known from earlier on that life was not a bed of roses. From a lineage that possessed zero cursed energy, you were the only one who saw lurking shadows that deform and fed on people's energy.

Your family was so convinced that you have sleep paralysis, and took you to innumerous psychiatrists. That was how Shoko Ieri's father understood that medical condition. Within months you were within the walls of Jujutsu Tech, away from your family, feeling much safer than ever before.

That's how you met the trio- Getou, Gojo, and Shoko. The friendship bond formed even faster than a bolt of lightning. The same went with how your bond with Getou too deepened over time. After all, he too knew what it felt like to be the odd one out.

During the Special Grade missions, there was one thing that pacified you. The promise that Getou made when he first confessed his love to you.

"I'll promise to protect you always."

No, you were not the type to ask for protection from anyone, let alone him. You knew how important it is to stand on your feet, at least try to, even if you can't. You promised to yourself, even at the worst, if you can lift a finger of yours, you'll protect Getou.

The ravenette never once failed his promise. Each time during the Special Grade missions, even though his eyes were solely focused on the curse ahead of him, his mind would be looming around you. The same went for you.

Even when Toji Fushiguro attacked out of nowhere during the Star vessels' being brought to Master Tengen, you were fast to jump in front of Getou. Though it was Satoru who got the short side of the stick.

But months later, when you saw the way he became distant from you, you promised to him that you'll help him out from the darkness.

"I don't need any protection. I can do this on my own."

That was his reply.

But years later, when that bonding broke on a fine morning, you were still surviving. Barely at that.

On one October 31, when the Shibuya Station was barricaded from the non-jujutsu sorcerers, with you inside the barrier. You saw a glimpse of the man whom you once swore to protect.

Him in a monk-like appearance, and that scar which was never on his face, Satoru too was as petrified as you. After all, he was exiled from the Jujutsu Society for mass murder and causing harm to civilians, moreover killed by Gojo right in front of your eyes.

"Suguru?" Your voice is feeble yet audible.

His eyes were on you. But you could not feel the usual warmth his gaze used to give you once. Instead, it was a nerve-wracking coldness you felt.

It was just you and him now, with Gojo being sealed inside the Prison Realm. The rumbled of the station surrounding you, with dust all over the air. Your lungs felt heavy, as you saw him walking closer to you.

You knew what your fate will be, seeing Gojo in the Prison Realm, you knew the final chapter of your story is right now.

Your once lover who promised to protect you is now wielding his cursed energy against you.

[annmarcus63]

GIVE US TO HIM

Geralt z Rivii | Geralt of Rivia/Jaskier | Dandelion

Warning: this might hurt a little

on ao3 https://archiveofourown.org/works/34157128

Grandma said once that to give away your raw score is forbidden.

"Your heart in it's full rawness, chaos, is a precious and dangerous thing. Never you should do something as giving it to someone else."

"But our ancestors used to do it. Look ma ¡look!" said Jaskier holding his story book on the air for grandma's tired eyes to see. A handsome knight was lying on the dry grass, dying from a wound on his stomach. He started calling for his love, an ancient fae with blond hair and fair skin. She fell upon the prairie from the charged clouds, with something shiny between her hands. The fae feed the wound with her raw core, her heart. The knight lived along side her, flying amongst the starry night, happily ever after. "This are just stories, Julian" said Grandma with contened anger in her dry voice. She took the book and close it on her thighs "Things were rarely like that. Knights and kings are more inclined to use our cores against us and other people. We can't recover from that loss" Julian look at the drawing on the coverbook, the fae was kneeled by a pond and the knight stood glorious in practically all the cover, leaving a very small space for the real hero, the one who save the life of the protagonist.

"Never give your raw core away. Stop reading these, THEY wrote this, Julian, you must be clever than her" said Grandma pointing at the beautiful fae. Julian nod, undesrtanding much more that he wanted to, and so little, so so little. Maybe that was the reason his family were hiding, they never express it in a literal way, that was the point really, but Julian notice anyway. The way, for example, of how they said their names and the rust taste that was left on the air after. It was common to hide their real names for fae, but you'd give that name knowing it's false, on the opposite when you say the false name thinking is the real one then another fae would know. Losing the self was something of a disease between the fae. Jaskier later knew that his parents have not choice but to lose themselves to save the lineage. Most fae really. Humans did that. Like they did to the elfes. Julian promise to never forget about the fae from his last storybook. He'll never forget about her sacrifice and the sacrifice of his people. But come on, after some years it was just naturally that, despite the wound on the history, a selfish creature he was and he forgot. He was raised as human, and he wanted to be a bard oh how he want it. And he did accomplish that, and a bloody good one that's for sure. Fae were extinct for all the world and that wasn't a cover, they're doomed to extinction sooner or later. It has been years since the last time Jaskier felt another fae being born. He is Jaskier troubadour, master of the seven liberal arts a mastermind amongst the crowds, a legend…an idiot most of the time basically.

What grandma failed to mention is that for a fae to be able to give their core away the recipient must be worthy at the eyes of the fae. Once this worthiness makes evident, that person would plant roots in the core itself, whether the fae want it or not. It's inevitable. Grandma should have said "be aware of where you place your heart. Hold it until you're fully sure of them" But well, it wouldn't have matter in the end. Jaskier have never being someone who follows advice, much less from his dead relative. It happened naturally, like breathing, eating and shitting. One moment he was standing next to Geralt under a pouring rain, the witcher kept looking for a missing girl on the edges of the woods, her parents place a bounty on the towns board, they couldn't offer payment in form of crowns but they're willing to let them sleep on the girl’s room. Jaskier became indignant, how a witcher is supposed to take a payless bounty? No, that is unacceptable. But despite the protesting bard and zero reward whatsoever Geralt went anyway, he look for a girl who surelly was already dead.

"I found her body near the cave by the pond. You can go for her by morning when it's safe. I'm sorry" after a minute of silence the parents with equal expression of cold sorrow release a heavy sigh charged with so much grief.

"What did it?" asked the father

"Nekkers. I got rid of the pack living there"

"Thank you, witcher. You and your bard can come in, i'm sure you're exhausted” Said the mother with great effort, like someone who can't breathe quite well.

Geralt rapidly added "No, I'm sure you and your husband need time to resign and mourn alone. My bard and i already had another place to stay" Eh, no they didn't.

"But...we don't have any crowns"

"I didn't do this for payment" And while the parents thanked infinitely to Geralt, Jaskier felt something wild and untamed surging from his chest. Reaching unabashed for the witcher with a big golden heart standing next to him, explaining to a mourning parents that he went to search for their lost daughter because he wanted to help. This new awareness of chaos, he knew what it was.

Chaos, core, raw.

And it had marked Geralt as his. We want him.

Give us to him. He's worthy.

He was doomed, so doomed from the very beginning since they encounter each other on Posada. Grandma tried to warn him of this. Oh grandma, you and i both know that I was never obedient or wise. So Jaskier let it happen, four years after knowing the witcher and his raw core already belong to him. But he didn't do it. He hold back despite the urgency on his chest because he wasn't sure it'll be welcome. Geralt was still trying to get rid of him in every town, sometimes Jaskier felt like a pet you don't want but you can't abandon it either. Surely there'd be a time in the future. And Jaskier wait and fell in love deeply with each passing year. And Geralt...well he was the same and also different in his own way, more at ease around him, softer maybe. Jaskier didn't need to be call a friend to felt like one to Geralt. They're friends, even if one part has being in denial for the past decade.

And then the djinn happened follow by the complicated affair with one Yennefer of Vandenberg. The curse caused the core to retreat afraid and wounded. He hurt us, he wished to hurt us. Jaskier argued with the voice that it wasn't his intention, he didn't even know he was the one with the wishes. In truth his heart shattered not for the wish but for the easiness in which the sorceress become someone important to Geralt, something to hold on to even if drowning. One decade and still Jaskier thinks he haven't reached that relationship level with his friend.

He doesn't want us

No.

"Uhmm?"

"What?"

"You said no"

"Oh, it's nothing" Geralt didn't ask again

But weak and in love he was, the raw core and him reached out again, with fully open arms for Geralt to pull. Jaskier long to belong to him, oh how he did.

Yennefer and her shining imbecile knight join the hunt and he was jealous because as soon as she appear the witcher was drooling as if she was all he needed to shut down the darkness inside.

Don't you know? inside me there's a full light waiting for you to hold

At the softness of the afternoon Jaskier found Geralt sitting on a rock lost, as usual, in though. But this time were different, he had failed three people, Borch's dead has left a wound that surely would scar badly. And the bard felt a deep sadness for his golden heart witcher. He's definitely blaming himself for the fall, for that narrow and insecure path alongside the mountain as if he was the one to build it.

Jaskier asked him to come with him to his home, to the coast, he yearn to be there with him and feel the sea wind on their faces while walking by a cliff near a quiet village that Geralt wouldn't mind to visit.

We want to be his.

Give us to him.

We can love him better.

But Geralt didn't want him, he wanted Yennefer.

He give himself to him anyway.

"Here" said Jaskier putting a hand on Geralt's thigh, surprise, instead of flinching away Geralt held Jaskier's hand and with most carefulness took what was inside the palm. A small glass vial, similar to the ones where he pours his potions. He held it on his gloved open hand. There was something inside, warm and inviting. White, almost yellow that make Geralt felt calm and safe.

"What's this?"

"A gift. It'd take care of you" Geralt frown at him, confused and uncertain of what it meant, but he took it with a barely there smile only for Jaskier to see.

He's a coward, he couldn't confessed him the reality of what it meant because he was terrified of being rejected, grandma said that a rejection is so devastating that it might kill him. And even at this point in their friendship Jaskier couldn't know for sure.

It's me. Take me, i'll protect and save you if needed to. Have me, please have me.

Geralt went that night at Yennefer's tent and Jaskier felt glad for not having told him the truth

"If life could give me a blessing it would be to take you off my hands"

No, no, not now.

They're doing fine.

And then very fast very suddenly Geralt reached for his breast pocket to held the vial of raw core on his fist and toss it unceremoniously to the hard soild.

The noise of shattered glass invaded Jaskier's ears before the heavy blankness surged from his chest to every corner of him.

“No, no, no” said he, giving a fumbling step towards the vial but deciding to turn around instead.

Away away away away.

He can't see me like this.

Something was tearing in fine lines caused by the trembling, an earthquake from his very bones that were fighting on maintaining their solid formation. Something inside was bawling with such and intensity that make his ears bleed.

Was this dying? let it be death for he can no longer take it. Does breathing always hurt this much? like if his lungs were filled with wool and the air only add heaviness on them. What was this? a beating heart, so afraid so betrayed, like a laugh from his ancestors. He wanted to throw up his intestines, they're on fire, but when he tried only saliva flood. He was not himself anymore, and to become whole was an impossibility that the pain was making sure off. Dirt get inside his mouth, his cheek on the ground was getting cut by rocks. A voice calling for him to react, to say something. But he no longer have a voice, he was death itself preparing for a long dream.

I’m sorry grandma.

I'm sorry, said to himself

and he remembered the blond fae on the cover book between grandma's hands, of how she give her life to save her love one, but who'd give their life for her?

who'd give their life for him?

He needed to sleep, right here on the mountain ground, to become whole again or at least half whole.

He begged for death instead.

[we-love-imagines]

I love your blog!! Can I get some Giorno bf hcs?

Aw, Thanks! While this post doesn’t contain any major spoilers for part 5, these hcs are set after it ends when Giorno is a little older. I tagged for spoilers just in case! Enjoy!

Giorno Boyfriend Hcs

~Giorno is definitely the type of guy to know what you’re feeling before you do. He is so comically good at reading your emotions, it’s baffling. There’s also no hiding things from him; if you have a secret or surprise in the works, he’s gonna sniff it out in no time.

~If you work within Passione, Giorno will use his power as the Don to straight-up fire you. Don’t worry, there’s no malice behind it- he’s doing it to protect you. He knows being the significant other of the Don puts a massive target on your back, so he tries to remove you from any situations that could put you in danger. He’ll even send security detail with you if you go out into town without him. He’s so fiercely overprotective of you that it can be suffocating at times. If you get huffy about no longer being able to go on missions, he’ll let you help him out with paperwork. If you insist on staying in the line of action, he’ll let you be a personal bodyguard of his. Though, secretly, he does it keep his eye on you.

~Such a big cuddler! After a long day or at the start of a lazy morning, Giorno loves to curl up and hold you close. He’s also very touch-starved, so if you hug him back in any capacity, he’ll eat it up. He tends to take on the big-spoon roll, but on especially hard days, he just wants to put his head in your lap and sleep.

~The first time you big-spooned him, he probably cried.

~Giorno finds it hard to accept that he was wrong. He’s a natural leader, and usually makes the right call when it comes to tough choices, but it’s difficult for him to admit that he made a mistake. He’s just so used to hearing “Yes, Boss,” and “Right away, Don Giovanna,” after proposing an idea. When fights occur, he tends to dig in his heels and deny any wrongdoing on his part until he truly sees how much he’s messed up. The one thing he will never budge on is your safety- as strict as it may be, it’s all for your sake.

~Giorno is not a talkative person- unless he is with you. He sees his partner as a confidant of sorts, someone he can be himself around and share his thoughts with. While he’ll certainly try and hide the more traumatic and shady parts of his life, he’ll definitely come vent to you after a busy day. He’d also be more inclined to speak on his interests around you, and he’ll rant and rave about various plants and animals he finds fascinating.

~Look. Giorno has had crushes before, but becoming Don of the Mafia at age 15 keeps you busy. He’s never had the proper time for a relationship before. While he’s certainly charming, with his well-kept appearance and calm voice that would put anyone at ease, he isn’t very smooth. While Bruno can make you melt with just his words alone, Giorno definitely needs some practice. It’s not that he’s bad, he’s just new to the game and tends to go overboard a bit!

~Giorno loves the domestic lifestyle. When you two decide to move in together, he’ll be over the moon. His childhood was rough, and he never truly felt like he had a happy home to go back to, but having someone to do cute little household activities with changes that. You show him what he missed during his lonely childhood- sticky notes on his desk reminding him to not work too hard, longing kisses before long trips away, and the warm feeling of snuggling together in PJs. While it’s hard to live the more traditional, homey domestic lifestyle when you have waitstaff and chefs at your beck and call, it’s truly comforting knowing that you two have made a home together.

~The type of guy who would be thinking about marriage a month into a relationship. It may be that he’s a tad naïve and new to romance, but he falls hard! He’s not stupid enough to propose that soon, but know that he’s more inclined to rush things with you. At least you know he’s in it for the long haul!

~When it comes to kids, Giorno would be frightened- he doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes of the people who brought him into this world. However, after seeing how well you two adjust to domesticity, his strong convictions will kick in soon enough. He wants to prove to the world that he’s more than his lineage; if he brings someone into the world, he’d give them the best life he possibly could despite his own family’s failures.

~Spoils you rotten. Why wouldn’t he? He’s probably the wealthiest man in all of Italy! While he definitely takes you on expensive dates and trips, he loves giving you pricey clothes and jewelry. He knows he’s got style, and he likes the ‘power couple’ aura you both give off when you both enter a room looking like royalty.

~Golden Experience (and by extension, GER) are gonna be all over you. The Stand itself suits itself well towards romantic situations- making flowers and butterflies appear out of thin air helps Giorno create an instant amorous atmosphere. When he was first starting to woo you, he made so many roses with GE that you weren’t able to carry them all! His Stand doesn’t appear often, but it’s very sweet with you if you can see it. It likes to make things easier for you, like transforming something heavy you’re carrying into cute little dragonflies.

~If you can’t see GE, I don’t think Giorno is ever going to tell you about his Stand. He might just tell you he’s a magician; Giorno loves seeing the awe on your face whenever he does a little ‘magic trick’ and makes a bouquet appear from seemingly thin air. Eventually, he may come around and tell you- but for now, your boyfriend is a magic man.

~Giorno may be a little inexperienced, but his overabundance of care and affection for you makes up for that in full!

More JJBA Boyfriend HCs!

Jotaro

Rohan

Bruno

[ellitx]

Precious | Xiao x Reader

[Name] waits for the Vigilant Yaksha to come back as he went to meet a certain god.

note: i recommend reading it on AO3 (unedited version; refers Xiao as Xiao) or Quotev (edited; refers Xiao as Alatus) for the feels. tumblr’s text post is kind of weird for me

word count: 6.9k

“Xiao!”

A young feminine voice called out to him, chasing after his figure. His stride stopped, slowly turning his head to the source of the voice. Xiao’s amber optics were greeted by the smiling girl, her [eye color] orbs shining gleefully seeing him.

Since when did my name have a special ring to it only when you said it…?

[Name] walked forward and stood beside him, giving him another one of her bright smiles.

“This is fun!” 

Her vocals echoed in his head as he reminisced the time they strolled near the Yaoguang Shoal, enjoying the serene and gentle breeze of the Liyue region. [Name]’s lips turned upwards as she enjoyed the presence of the Yaksha beside her. Just the mere sight of her soft and gentle laughs and grins made his heart tugged.

And if it made you smile, I’d do something over and over for you.

He reminisced about the time they went stargazing at the rooftop of her house near Dihua Marsh. Watching the umbra skies be splashed with little marks of white dots all around as it gives a source of light in Teyvat. 

When did I start thinking such idiotic things like that?

They enjoyed their time being together, especially [Name], and not even realizing it was already morning. Hours and hours of late-night chatting and time have already passed by in a blink.

  Since when did I…?

 —

 “[Name].” 

The familiar voice of the Yaksha made her turn her head to face Xiao and raised an eyebrow at his sudden appearance.

“Eh? I thought you were out.” The female fixed her hold on the basket filled with white sheets that were supposed to be washed until Xiao called for her.

“Yes, but I forgot something to tell you.” Something urgent came up and for her not to worry he had to tell her about it. Sometimes this girl’s worries can come out of hand. He sighed internally at that thought but shook it off seconds later reminding himself of what he was doing here.

“I have to go to the annex.”

Xiao was very straightforward, he need not dawdle on any conversations, he’d rather want it to be forward and straight to the point. 

After letting those words be released from his mouth, [Name] dropped the basket onto the ground and her eyes grew wide and turned glossy. 

“Sorry I have to leave you alone here—“

“Wonderful. It’s wonderful. How lovely!” She cut him off and he was surprised to see how happy she was. It was not something the Anemo-vision holder was expecting. Why was she so happy about it? 

“Huh?”

“It must be something important right? It’s alright, please don’t worry about me!” 

Xiao’s eyes softened and lifted his gloved hand to lightly bump it on her head. His action made her look up at him in curiosity.

“Be good and wait for me to come back.” He said softly.

“I will! See you later!”

The female bid him a farewell and waved her hands at him, watching his figure disappear from the door.

"She’s so happy for you, huh?" Bosacius, another fellow Yaksha, cooed to him.

“Be quiet. Nothing good will come of it anyway.” Xiao scoffed at him as he turned his back.

"So scary~ You’re only kind to [Name], aren’t you?" The adeptus snickered at him.

His hands turned to fists, refraining himself to be ticked off by the teasing voice of his companion. He looked back at you for the last time at the door and saw you picking up the fallen sheets scattered on the ground and placing it back inside the basket. His legs lead him to where the annex will be held and went off on a journey, ignoring the winds mockingly lulling his ears.

It was a bit far from where [Name] lives. He wanted to go back and just stay with her but if he defies an order from a god, surely a consequence will come for him. Xiao gritted his teeth at the thought. A god who merely used him as a puppet for the archon and used his weakness.

How utterly disgusting his god is.

‘You’d better not lash out at your master, you know?’

“Shut the hell up.”

The Vigilant Yaksha’s voice was dark and glared at nothingness. How annoying these spirits are. Playing and annoying the man just for fun, to enjoy the sight of his weakness and see him be aggravated for their pleasure.

Xiao stomped his way to his destination, killing the hilichurls that were blocking his path. He released all his anger to these poor monsters. Fortunately, no one ever bothered him again, and finally reached the top of the cliff to see his master.

The one who’s behind the strings attached to him to see his sufferings, the puppet master— his god.

It already made him sick seeing him. 

“Welcome.” The divinity greeted who was sitting idly at one of the stones, waiting for the man’s arrival.

“It’s been a while since we’ve talked face-to-face.” He smirked at the Yaksha.

His amber optics sharpened and clashed with the god’s black ones. The wind softly danced against them, their clothes ruffling and the leaves flying, though it only made the temperature drop down at the intense aura between the two.

“It’s okay. Come closer, my pitiful monster.”

 —

 [Name]’s gaze was fixated on the streams and lakes, the clear blue water, and bright azure sky made it a good time to do the laundry. She placed the last white clothing on the plastic rod and clipped it to avoid being blown away.

“Xiao should have arrived there by now.” She muttered to herself. “I wonder if they are dining together?” A chuckle escaped from her lips and imagined the immortal and other deities eating together in peace.

“Be good and wait for me to come back.”

The young woman placed her hands together and intertwined her fingers to pray. Hoping the Geo archon will hear her prayer. 

I hope that Xiao will come back at least a little happy.

[Name] closed her eyes, hoping for him to come back to her abode safe and sound.

 —

 “How’s your duty? I suppose you have already killed tons of people, correct?” The god tilted his head to his side, enjoying the sight of the Demon Conqueror’s weakness almost crumbling to pieces in front of him. But Xiao won’t give in, the walls surrounding him are still strong. As if he’ll let the god do what he pleases. 

Just hold it a little longer.

“I’m amazed at how you’ve slaughtered so many. Tell me, did you like it? Were those dreams you’ve devoured— their hopes and dreams— delicious?” The god’s stygian orbs glinted as he fiddled with the stones lying beside him. His grin only widened when Xiao stayed silent and presented his master with a cold glare.

“How’s the bet going? It’s impossible, right? It must be impossible.” He continued to smile in amusement when his puppet’s grimace didn’t falter.

“Now now, don’t look at me like that. That’s how it’s supposed to be… How it’s been from the start. It’s what’s been carved into the wheel of fate for those born with a spirit. Didn’t I teach you that it’s the fate of your lineage?”

The Anemo-vision user’s knuckles turned white. His nails dig deep into his skin and he can feel the blood dripping down. Xiao ignored the pain, it didn’t bother him the slightest but what did was the words that escaped from the lips of the deity.

  “I have nothing to do with that fate! You made me do this! You’re the one who made me do this!”

Xiao grabbed the supreme being’s clothing and clutched it tightly, holding it upwards as if to choke him. 

“Oh? You’re saying it’s my fault? Then let’s make a bet.”

Amber eyes widened at his sudden challenge but his grip didn’t faze. The god’s fringe covered his eyes, not even going to bother to face him.

“If you manage to break the curse in 2 years, I’ll release you and stop being your god. I’ll even let you enjoy the life of freedom. But if you can’t,”

The deity sneered at him, grin outspread on his face enjoying what was about to come for his puppet.

“I’ll lock you up permanently and you won’t ever run away from me.”

Xiao let go of him and stepped back. The upper being stood up, unfazed, and chuckled as he fixed his outfit.

Oh how amusing this was. He loves it, the expression the Yaksha is giving him. The despair in his eyes was so wonderful!

“If you can’t break it, you’ll truly become a monster to everyone.”

 “Looks like I’m going to win the bet after all.” The god picked up the stone and chucked it in the air upwards and the weight of it fell back to his hands.

Xiao clicked his tongue in annoyance. “What? Don’t just assume that. There’s still time. You don’t know that yet.” The volume of his voice increased with each word left from his mouth.

The god suddenly stopped tossing the stone and gripped it tightly.

“Who’s the one who doesn’t get it?”

Before he could speak, the Demon Conqueror was cut off when something hard and rough scraped against his cheek. Xiao felt a stinging pain on his skin and watched the stone that was thrown by the god fell onto the earth.

“Why don’t you get it?” He repeated to him. His gaze was dark and his voice was so quiet that the vanquisher couldn’t almost hear it.

“How come? Did you forget?” The god lifted his own body away from the rock he was sitting on and looked at his puppet with mixed emotions. Anger. Disappointment. Annoyance. Frustration.

He tilted his head to the side and asked, “Why are you so deluded?”

The way he walks was rather crooked and hobbled, he slowly walked to Xiao and he can feel an unsettling aura surrounding the god. 

“Remember. Come on.”

He stopped on his track when he’s finally in front of his follower. 

“Remember that you’re a monster,”

Xiao gulped down the air that was blocking his throat and took a step back.

“And because you’re a monster, everyone is dead.”

Something snapped inside Xiao. His eyes enlarged and his lips quivered. “You’re wro—“

“I’m not wrong.” The god cut him off again.

“No, it wasn’t my fault!” He retaliated to his master loudly. His heart was beating so loudly and sweat was dripping on the side of his head. He opened his hand to summon his polearm but was once again ceased for an umpteenth time when the numen took his wrist to put a stop on summoning his weapon.

“It was your fault. You killed those poor villagers.”

“Stop. Stop! Don’t touch me!” Xiao wriggled his arm but it only tightened a bit more when the deity spoke in a dark tone accompanied by a threatening glare.

“Don’t give me orders.”

His fingers were shaking and only stared at the deity in fear. 

“Those poor villagers. Even though they were just enjoying their peaceful lives, protecting their family, and raising their children, they ended up dying from your hands. And you don’t care about their death, not even mourning once for their death.”

The Yaksha’s lips hung open, he wanted to speak out but no words were coming out. His brows formed a crease between his forehead, fear, and confusion written all over his visage.

The dark aura is surrounding them so fast. It’s so suffocating, he wanted to get out.

He wanted to be released from this god.

‘Xiao, do you know how that poor child felt?’ Whispered the wind.

‘It wasn’t an accident.’ Another told him.

‘It wasn’t a suicide.’

‘Do you know how much grief you have caused to those poor souls?’

‘Do you understand? As a monster, do you understand?’

His gaze was so dull. There was no glimmer or spark in it. It’s as if he’s soulless… He continued to stare at his gloved hands that were splattered with blood. His polearm was lying on the ground, and fresh red liquid continued to drip forming a puddle.

Xiao’s thoughts subsided when he heard the voice of the divinity. 

“You should have died. But sadly you can’t, you’re an immortal after all. Surely, if you didn’t exist, everyone would’ve been happy.” The god’s black eyes glinted under the dusky sky. He stared down at his puppet and tightened his grip on his wrist.

The air is so thick, it’s getting hard to breathe the more the god stays close to Xiao. It’s so suffocating, the atmosphere is too heavy. He wanted to escape from his grasp. He wanted to be free. 

I killed them…

Scenarios of red splatters and cries of pain and agony flashed before him. The screams of the children and adults resonated inside him. Lifeless eyes and cold bodies continued appearing to remind him of what he had done. 

I…

A lifeless body of a young woman.

“Please stop!” Xiao cried desperately either to the god or the spirits. 

“Please… stop…” He begged and fell down on both of his knees. “Please… just stop…” The deity released his hold on his arm and turned his gaze to the birds perching on the branch of a tree. 

“Hey, I’ve been thinking…” The god smiled and knelt down to the vanquisher’s height and offered him another one of his all-knowing smiles Xiao despised so much.

“Is [First Name] [Last Name] the one who’s been encouraging your delusions?” He placed his fingers beneath his chin, feigning that he was lost in thought. 

“She was unperturbed after seeing your true form.” The vision holder looked up at him in panic and shock. “How do you know that?”

The numen’s body raised and let out a huff, glancing once again at the birds. “She’s really amazing. Almost like an angel? The Holy Mother? Or more like…” His voice drifted off and stared at the vulnerable immortal in amusement, letting his lips form into a smirk.

“...a monster?”

Xiao gritted his teeth when he mentioned the female. How dare he call her a monster?! It filled him with rage inside. If anyone talks bad about [Name], he immediately beheads them or kills them in a flash. But this was his god, no matter how much he wanted to do so, they both knew who had the upper hand.

“Really, don’t you think she’s too perfect?” He asked and furrowed his brows together. “Aren’t people who are too perfect actually scary?” 

“A monster who’s too perfect. That’s what [First Name] [Last Name] is.” The god hummed to himself, slightly absorbed to know just who this girl Xiao attached to is.

“People would normally run after seeing you in that form, no doubt.”

  It was raining hard outside and the skies were so gloomy. Xiao’s face was hidden by a blue and teal mask. He dropped down his polearm as it let out a loud thud.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Standing before Xiao was [Name], she looked at him in shock and stayed silent. She could only stare at him, speechless at seeing this form. Black and teal mist were surrounding him. She knew that it was dangerous to get closer but she insisted to stay put. 

She didn’t run away from him.

 Xiao closed his gloved hands and gripped them on his pants.

“How…”

The god curled a brow and faced him, letting out a confused sound.

“How can you say something like that?” The immortal stood up slowly and looked at the deity.

“You don’t know anything. You weren’t there at the time.” His brows furrowed and glowered at the person in front of him. 

“How can you, when you weren’t watching? She wasn’t born a  monster or anything. How can you?” His voice was getting more aggressive and it irked the god. Xiao was enraged at what the divinity was saying as if he was there. As if he saw what happened and claimed that [Name] is a monster.

How disgusting. It made his stomach wrenched in aversion. How dare this god assume everything.

“You…”

  The female hugged his arm, she didn’t care if her clothes were getting dirty or how it was already painted in red. She didn’t care if her clothes were getting wet because of the rain. She didn’t care how muddy her hair was.

She didn’t let go of him.

 “You don’t know how scared she was. How can you say that?!” Xiao’s voice was rough when he screamed those words out. 

   Her hands and voice trembled.

  She was cold. Her face was pale, 

  She was afraid…

  Even just remembering that moment tugged his heart. It hurt him to see how scared [Name] was in seeing it in that form.

“Even so…” Xiao muttered.

“Even so— she didn’t run away from me!” The god groaned and placed his hands on the side of his head to cover his ears. “Shut up.”

“She didn’t run away from me!” He repeated.

Xiao’s god turned away and continued to tell him to shut up. The god was acting childish, he was so stubborn to listen to his puppet. He didn’t want to hear any of it, it annoyed him. But Xiao continued to speak out, his voice getting increasingly louder. It was uncharacteristic of him to raise his voice.

“She… she held my hand!”

He let out a small gasp when a realization struck him. 

   She knew that if she let go of my hand. I would never return.

  The female continued to hold on to him and tears were flowing down on her pale face. Her hold on him was firm, to let him know she would never let go no matter what. She was stubborn even though fear was present on her face.

  [Name] was scared yet she didn’t run.

  “Why… why are you following me like nothing’s the matter?!”

  [Name] was trembling from fear yet she continued to stay.

  “I said stay away!”

  [Name] continued to stay for Xiao. She was afraid she'd never see him again if she let go of his arm.

   That I might never return to anybody.

  No matter how much Xiao pushed her away, she won’t budge. He pushed her again but with more force and it was a success, it sent the female flying to the ground at the strong impact from the immortal. But even so, she stumbled on her way up to reach for him.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you blind?! We both know I’ve done this!”

   She didn’t take up all of my pain.

 He raised his hand and stared at the bracelet dangling on his wrist that was given by the mortal.

   She didn’t fill in all the brokenness.

  Xiao grimaced behind the mask and gripped his hair. 

“Why can’t you just leave me alone?!”

[Name] crawled her way to the Yaksha slowly.

“I don’t need any of your pity!”

Xiao thought she’ll finally leave him alone when she turned her back away from him and walked away. [Name] glanced at him over her shoulders. It hurts her to see him keep pushing her away. But that doesn’t matter, what matters the most is that Xiao is the one hurting here!

‘I won’t run away!’

She ran up to him at full speed— occasionally stumbling on some branches but still continued to go after him.

When their distance was nearing, she reached out her hand at him and wrapped her slender arms around the vanquisher, and held his head close to her chest. His golden eyes widened at the intimate action and he felt her small hands tugged on his shirt. 

   But those… those weren’t important.

  Tears continued to pour on her visage and so too did the rain. He can hear her sniffing and feel the warm droplets on his shoulder.

“Let’s go home. We have to go…” [Name] pleaded to him.

“Back home!” She lifted her face up and stared at the male with persistence and determination.

Xiao clicked his tongue and pushed her once more. 

“Let go of me.”

“No!”

“Don’t you get it?!”

“No, I don’t get it!”

He grabbed his polearm and swung his arm forward so the human will struggle to grasp a hold of him.

“I said let go of me!”

Her hair was so messy that strands of [hair color] were sticking on her face, she shook her head vigorously and clutched on his shirt tightly.

“Right now, even though I hear your voice, it doesn’t sound like you. You’re in a form I’ve never seen and it scares me.” Her voice cracked and continued sobbing but she held it back. She has to stay strong. Xiao knows that she’s afraid. Her fingers were shaking so much and he could see her shoulders shuddering.

“But… but from now on, I want to understand. Just like when you listen to me when I’m discouraged, from now on I want you to share with me when you are! I want you to tell me when you’re hurting, or scared, or feeling weak, and let me worry about you!

Because… because I want to keep living together. To eat, to chat, and worry… All those things. I want to continue--” She held back her cries and pulled him closer to her chest, scared he’ll vanish if she even let go of him the slightest.

   The most important thing…

  “—to continue to live life with you!”

   Was that she stayed with me…

  [Name]’s eyes glimmered in awe at him when she saw him cooking Almond Tofu inside her house. Amazed and surprised to see him creating that dish. 

   Finding joy in the smallest things…

  She smiled at simple things such as collecting seashells together or the time there was a Qingxin flower stuck on his outfit, unintentionally discovering it was her favorite.

   Being happy and smiling so cheerfully.

  She continued to smile even if she was sick. The time he took care of her, she was living all alone and no one was there to tend her…

   Why? She should think of herself more.

  The female looked over her shoulder when she felt a familiar presence behind her. She stopped her task in drying the clothes and immediately strode to him and greeted Xiao with a welcome home.

   Why? Doesn’t she think she’s getting the short end of the stick?

  It hurt him to see her crying all alone inside her abode after he came back from his duties.

   She thinks that she’s stupid, or there’s nothing good about her.

  The time where [Name] bawled her eyes out in front of him. 

She was so vulnerable. 

So fragile that even the slightest touch might already shatter her to pieces.

‘It’s a waste of time to think about the loss of life or life getting harder.’ Xiao looked back at the time the little boy’s spirit shared a story with him.

‘The traveler never thought about that stuff. Even if other people think that makes her an idiot, I just don’t. That’s all. What about you, Mister Yaksha? What do you think when you close your eyes?’

 He put away his gloved hands from his face and stared at them, lost in his thoughts.

  “Xiao.”

The female called out and turned around, greeting him with another one of her bright smiles whenever he comes back to see her or just visit her after his travels.

“Xiao.”

 Her voice was so sweet. He feels safe whenever he hears [Name]’s voice. So soft. So gentle. So sweet and so calming.

He didn’t know there were beads of liquid trickling down on the side of his face. 

   I love you.

 He wanted to come back home and return to her welcoming arms. To come back and enjoy the sense of comfort. 

   I love you so much…

 His chest hurt from this unknown feeling. He never felt this before in his entire life. It felt weird. What is this? It felt like he was yearning for something.

   …Just as you are…

 Tears continued to fall down his face and this amused the god to see him cry in front of him. Xiao’s hair covered his eyes but the deity can still see how the liquid trickled under the disappearing sun. Now, this was another wonderful sight to enjoy the vulnerable state the Yaksha had.

“Are you crying?” 

Xiao remained quiet and the god asked him once more. 

No response again.

The master snickered and lowered his head to take a good look at his weak state. “Are you mortified?” 

His midnight orbs had a trace of intrigue and mirth. 

“Don’t tell me that you’re in love with [First Name] [Last name].”

The god snickered and placed his hand on his mouth to stifle his laughter when Xiao still remained silent.

“Take a look at that. A monster falls in love with another monster.”

The Yaksha’s pupils dilated and looked up at him in anger.

“What? What’s that look on your face?” The divinity’s eyes flashed to him, dark and warning. It irked him to see this side of his puppet. Before Xiao could react, he felt another piercing sensation on his bruised cheek.

“I’m not the one at fault here! You’re the deluded one!” Another slap came to him again.

“And that woman. She acts so insolently even though she’s a mortal!” 

Xiao caught his wrist before he made contact with his skin again.

“If— if you hate her that much, why did you allow this to happen?! You’re crazy. What are you thinking? What are you—“

His breath hitched when he saw the emotions behind the god’s eyes.

“What are you scheming…” His voice wavered when the thought of [Name] disappearing flashed before him.

“You used her…? Why? I don’t know, but…” He tightened his hold on the numen’s wrist and his glare was colder than ever.

“You dragged her into this mess.”

The god clicked his tongue and huffed at his words.

“You’re always quick to make me the villain, huh? So which is it? Do you love that woman?” He pushed him back but Xiao was quick to regain his balance.

“I—“

“Then you’re the real idiot!” He pointed at him in an accusing manner. As if he was the one who had done all these horrible crimes. 

“Do you think you have the right to fall in love with someone?! Do you think that’s allowed!?” He shouted at him as his face darkened. The threatening aura was back again. 

  ‘I won’t forgive you.’

 “Hey, Xiao,” The deity called to him to get his attention. “Think about it. Who’s the real villain here? Who’s the one who involved her the most?”

The vision holder’s brows creased and looked down with a pained look plastered on his face. 

“It was me.” He mumbled. 

The god hummed and placed a hand on his chin to frame his face. “Though, that woman is also at fault—“

The Yaksha halted his statement. He’ll take the blame. All of it. He doesn’t want another word about [Name] to be spilled from his lips. He hated it. He just talks badly about her and he doesn’t like it.

“I’m… I’m the one who—“

  Her eyes were so gentle…

Her touch was so warm and comforting…

Her smiles were so sweet…

 “I don’t love her…” He bit down on his lip and clenched his fists. Xiao glared at the god menacingly as if to prove he doesn’t have feelings for the mortal.

“I definitely don’t love her. I’ll never… never fall in love with anyone. I’ll never fall in love.”

  No. No more.

I won’t let anyone talk bad about her because of me anymore.

 He wanted to protect that smile so much. He wanted to treasure it so badly. He wanted you to be safe in his arms. He won’t ever let anyone hurt you, he’ll take all the pain. He’ll shoulder it all for you.

He fell down onto his knees, shoulders slumped down. Xiao’s figure was weakening from all that was happening, from all the corrupted thoughts that swarmed his mind. 

“Is that right?”

The god glanced at the other side, disappointed that his claims are wrong about his puppet’s feelings for the mortal. 

“I see. I was jumping to conclusions. That’s right. There’s no way you’d love her. A sensible decision from you, for once.”

He faced the pitiful state of Xiao and closed his eyes. “You’ll never break the curse anyway, so your confinement is certain. Don’t you think that’s for the best?”

The deity neared him and knelt on one knee, continuing to whisper the words that will surely plague his mind.

“I’d feel bad to involve her, or others more than you have already.”

The Yaksha's eyes were dark and lifeless. The whisper of the winds was taunting him along with the god. He wanted to shun them away so badly. He wanted to get out of here now. But it’s no use. The strings are still attached to his master’s fingers and he can’t do anything about it but abide by his orders.

“It’s okay. I’m still here even if the curse still remains within you.” He pets his black and teal hair, but it didn’t give him the comfort unlike what [Name] has. It irked him off, it’s like the god was saying to give up and just live with it.

“I’ll be by your side, so you won’t be alone.”

“You’re just mocking me.”

The god ignored him and continued to brush his hair with his fingers. “I care for you. I actually care for you so much, Xiao.”

He leaned forward and whispered in his ears. 

“Be good for me now and just follow my orders. You’ll be stuck with me forever after all.”

 —

 Splashes of water were gently flowing down the placid and shallow stream. The god feverishly washed his hands as if to remove the dirt that was too stubborn to get rid of. 

“I touched him too much. I feel gross.” His dark orbs were so dull when he stared at his pale hands that touched the Demon Conqueror before he left. 

“He hates [First Name] [Last Name], huh… Is that true?” He asked no one but himself but unbeknownst to him, there was another god sitting on the big rocks as he glanced down to see what the other was doing.

Morax watched his figure retreat in the vast land and gently dropped down to approach his previous location. He stared down at the stream as it mirrored his appearance, his narrow amber eyes and long brown hair that has been accompanied with a fade of gold on the tips. 

His eyes softened and remembered the poor Yaksha.

“It can’t possibly be true.”

 —

  “Do you think you’re allowed to fall in love with someone?!”

  “The one who involved her the most…”

  I know.

  “Surely, if you didn’t exist, everyone would’ve been happy.”

 “I know!” Xiao screamed and covered his ears to get rid of the voice that’s been haunting him after the conversation. The voice of the god won’t stay away, it continues to linger inside his head. 

“I know…”

  I’m always hurting others.

  [Name] held him tightly against her chest, it was so warm and soothing, reassuring him everything’s fine. It felt like a haven for him.

  Why didn’t she run away?

She should’ve stayed away from me.

So why doesn’t she hate me for what I have done?

 He finally arrived at [Name]’s home. It was quiet and peaceful, the birds were chirping and the sounds of cicadas ringing in the environment. It felt like a good time to enjoy some naps. Xiao opened the door and was expecting a greeting from the female, but he heard none. He waited for a moment but it was still silent.

“[Name]?” He called out. He glanced outside to see the white sheets hanging up to be dried. The winds softly fluttered the clothing making it dance along with the air. 

Despite everything, why do I look for her?

  “Xiao.” The said male looked at the archon with his cold eyes.

 The Yaksha’s amber eyes widened and immediately sprinted outside to find [Name].

  “Wait, Xiao.” The adeptus raised his hand to stop him from continuing walking. “Don’t step on the poor flower.”

The male glanced down at the Qingxin flower before his feet. Such a lone flower. Its white petals were so pure, quite amazing it was left untouched as there are no signs of dirt on it.

“Nothing’s going to change by protecting this one tiny flower.” He watched the flower swayed. What a lone and minimal flower, he wanted to crush it. 

“What existence is worth a sacrifice, worth more than another’s life?” Xiao asked Morax as he raised his head and glowered at him. 

“Taking everything from someone and trampling over them.” He continued.

The God of Contract fixed his gaze onto the poor immortal and said, “Even so, you’re still here because you still haven’t given up hope yet. It’s because you know that not every soul in this world has rejected you.”

Xiao gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. “What are you talking about? I killed them all, there’s no way someone out there wouldn’t reject me. It’s obvious I did this all!”

“As if there’s someone who would never reject me.”

“There is—“

“There’s no one!”

The Yaksha stepped on the Qingxin in pure spite. The flower being crushed by his foot trampled on the ground and now laying limply on the earth. 

“No one…”

“Even so, even if you don’t have a glimmer of hope now, it will surely come again. However much you resist or trample it, however many times you’re thrown into despair, hope will come again just as many times. Repeatedly, again and again.

It will bloom.”

 Xiao ran as he continued to search for [Name], figuring out where she would be at this kind of time. He hopes she’s safe and uninjured. 

   Forgive me. I understand now. I just pretend I didn’t, but I actually understood.

 He looked all around the area and even climbed up to a tree to get a bigger view and search for the petite figure of the female. 

   I understand that as many in this world reject me, there are just as many people who reach out their hand to me. 

  “Why the long face?” A woman asked him.

   Even though she’ll never come back…

   “Here, take this.” Xiao glanced at the unknown woman who gave him some kind of offering.

    I couldn’t keep it. 

  “She’s my treasure.” He observed the image the woman was holding. A young girl with [hair color] and [eye color] donned in a red and white Hanfu. He grabbed the portrait and took a closer look at the person.

   But she bloomed before me.

 The vision-holder reached the big tree in Dihua Marsh, the place where [Name] tends to take care of the flowers in her free time. 

“I feel like I’ve only caused her sadness.” A broken smile was presented on her face. Xiao can see the obvious melancholia in her eyes.

   She continued to bloom.

  He was standing at the tree’s sturdy branch near the woman’s residence. The window was open and he caught sight of a young girl, her back facing him. She was all alone inside, silently nourishing the meal placed on the wooden table.

   A small… small flower.

 He stopped in his tracks when he saw the familiar [hair color] head, crouching next to the bushes of Silk Flowers near the bridge of the Guili Plains and Dihua Marsh. Her slender fingers fiddled with the crimson corolla. 

   A tiny…

 She plucked the flower from the bush and brushed one of the petals with her index finger. 

   Flower.

 [Name] held the flower close to her and took in the sweet scent. Her eyes softened as they eased her mind and body.

   Precious…

  My precious…

 “[Name]!”

A small gasp flees from your lips and you whip around to see the male you’ve been waiting for standing before you.

“Huh? X-Xiao?” You stood up and faced him properly, still holding on to the Silk Flower in your hands.

“What happened? You’re back so soon.” Her focus went to his bruised cheek and quickly approached him to get a closer look. 

You raised your hand but not touching it so as to not hurt him any further. “Xiao, your cheek…” 

The male obscured the wounded skin with his gloved hand and looked anywhere but her. “Oh, I got into a fight.”

[Name] released a confused sound and her eyes widened, quickly asking if he got into a fight during the annex.

“No, it’s from Hilichurls.” He lied.

“Eh?!” Now that was not what she was expecting. Normally, whenever Hilichurls attack him, he’ll sweep them off in a second. She shook her head to erase the thought and deemed that Xiao can still get some injuries whoever fought him whether it be from Abyss mages or other monsters lurking around the world of Teyvat.

“It’s fine.” The Anemo user assured. “I know you were happy for me, but I’m fine if I’m not summoned.”

He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. “I don’t really care about it anymore.”

When [Name] gave him an unsure look, he raised a brow at her and bumped her head with his fist playfully. “What? You’re not happy I’m back?”

She flailed her arms around and stumbled on her words when he asked that. “Th-that’s not it! I mean, um… er—“ 

An amused smile was shown on his face as he breathed a sigh. “Don’t take it seriously.”

[Name] airily laughed, her cheeks were tinted with red as she beamed, smiling brightly at him. 

“Welcome back.” 

Her warm welcome greeted Xiao for the umpteenth time. She was smiling at him again, her eyes were so gentle and pure of [eye color]— the shine continued to linger in it whenever she saw him. 

“Welcome back, Xiao.”

His mouth unconsciously curved upwards. “It’s good to be back.”

The Yaksha felt the unknown feeling come back again. He felt his heartstrings being pulled every time she gave that bright smile to him. It was odd, it felt fuzzy inside. His amber eyes stared with her own [eye color] ones, so kind and passionate.

   I love you. I don’t want to take anything else from you.

  I don’t want to trample you ever again. 

 The two walked off and journeyed their way back to their home. [Name] initiated the conversation and Xiao was there to listen to her and enjoy the sound of her pleasant voice entering his ears.

   At some point, I hoped we could always be together somewhere far off…

  ‘I won’t forgive you.’ 

Xiao’s visage was downcasted when those words echoed inside him. 

   …but I won’t hope that anymore.

  “I’d feel bad to involve her more than you have already.”

   I won’t hope that I could make you my own anymore.

  I won’t hope that.

 [Name] continued to play with the Silk Flower as they walked side by side. Xiao took notice of this and gently held her hand with his gloved ones. The action made the female’s cheeks heat up, she didn’t notice he already took the flower from her hold.

   So, please…

 He tucked the plant on the side of her head, adoring how well it complemented her beautiful features. 

   At least be by my side for the time you have left.

 The young woman’s cheeks were still warm, speechless of the Guardian Yaksha’s sudden and unexpected gesture. She noticed how he stared at her with fondness and adoration. Her heart was beating so fast and she looked on the demesne to hide her flushed face from him.

Xiao’s train of thoughts was stopped abruptly when he felt a pull on the clothing hanging on his left arm. 

“W-what would you like to eat for dinner?” [Name] mumbled still not facing him.

He lifted one of his brows at her and said, “Did you forget again that eating is unnecessary for me?”

She flinched when he mentioned that and her blush darkened even more. [Name] fumbled on her words and apologized to him. 

“Almond Tofu.”

She processed what he had said before her eyes sparkled and nodded at him with a grin. “You’ve got it! Time to roll up my sleeves—“

The mortal’s footing slipped and the gravity pushed her down, she closed her eyes waiting for the impact to come but instead, she felt an arm wrapped around her waist. 

“Worry about your footing over your sleeves,” Xiao warned her with an exasperated sigh.

“R-right. Sorry.” She apologized to him with a meek smile. He heaved another sigh but nonetheless smiled at her clumsiness.

“What am I going to do with you?” 

It caught the female off-guard to see the immortal smile but her attention was then focused when he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him to march their way to her house.

   I want to be with you.

 He glanced at her when [Name]’s hold on him clutched back, reciprocating his hold and not going against it. She was smiling to herself, the blush still remained but was eased a while ago. 

   Until we’re separated far apart…

 His gaze softened seeing this side of her. It gave him a warm and fuzzy feeling again.

   …Until the last moment

[hopeamarsu]

Of potions and myths - Chapter 2

William “Ironhead” Miller x f!reader

Word count 3,1k

Warnings: This one is pretty mild, but there is tiny amount of angst sprinkled in. Reference to an attempt at drugging ones date (nothing happened!), mythical creatures and potions. This chapter is from WIll’s POV

A/N: I just couldn’t let this one go and it’s turned into a bit of a gremlin to be honest. I have to thank my love Thia @clydesducktape for encouraging me to explore this and Will, the man has honestly swept into my mind from completely left field. Not that I’m complaining! 

Chapter 1 - Chapter 3

The morning dawns and as the pale light of the sun hits Will’s car bonnet he stretches out, feeling his spine pop loudly as it protests the long hours sitting in the front seat. Despite the back ache, he does not regret spending the night watching over you. He would never regret it and the feeling both thrills and surprises him.

As he waits for the world to wake up with him, Will’s mind turns back to the previous evening and everything that happened. He’d been out alone, a rarity given how close his pack normally is, and originally had only thought of grabbing a single pint before heading home. But something had drawn him in, made him sit in that corner booth and watch the people milling around him, before his eye set upon you and your date. 

It had looked normal enough, two people talking and seemingly on a date, but he hadn’t been able to look away. Had he felt the mysterious pull even then? Maybe, maybe not. As he watched, you had turned sideways to dig through your bag for something and that’s when it had happened. With shaky but quick hands, the man had produced a tiny vial from his pocket and emptied it into the drink closest to you. 

Anger, white-hot and blazing, surged in his veins immediately and before Will had even fully realised what he was doing, he had walked over and opened his mouth. He had watched with pride as you had confronted the man and then with worry as you hurried out of the pub. He knew he had to follow you, to check that you were alright. 

He turns the memories in his mind, trying to pinpoint the moment when the magnetic connection came into play. He knows it was sudden, the warmth of it all creeping up his back and enveloping him completely as he felt all your emotions jumbling around in the aftermath of your date. 

He knows that in that moment and the ones that followed that he desperately wanted to crush you into his arms, snarl and growl at anyone trying to approach you and rip the throat of the man trying to hurt you. His inner wolf was in full-on attack mode. It had taken every single bit of training Will had gone through to keep the wolf in check. But the connection still persisted and he was powerless to stop what it wanted of him. 

Which leads him here, sitting in a parked car on the sidewalk of your apartment, his wolf alert and ready to jump into action. He doesn’t feel tired or weary at all. There is this need inside of him to be close to you, to protect you. It’s almost desperate at this point, how every nerve ending inside him wants to be close and make sure everything is perfect.

As Will runs his eyes across the street, scanning for anything that might be a threat, the front door opens and you step out. Immediately his eyes snap into your form as you pad across the front yard and into the street, your steps bringing you closer and closer by the second. You look beautiful in your sleepwear and an oversized hoodie wrapped around your body to shield you from the morning chill. You’d look so pretty wearing his hoodie, Will thinks absentmindedly as he tracks your movements. He steps out of his truck just as you reach him.

“Good morning.” 

“Morning. Did you sleep well?” He doesn’t even try to hide the fact that he’s been here all night, Will knows you know. The air around you hums again but it’s more muted than last night and as Will tries to reach out mentally, he finds himself blocked. Your shields are back up, full force, and he hides his approval in a barely-there smirk. 

“Pretty okay. Would you want to come in? I think we have a lot to discuss. I have fresh coffee,” You offer with a small smile. He agrees quickly, the hum between your bodies elated that you invite him in, and follows you inside, hand hovering near your back as you lead the way. When you open your front door, Will is hit with a smell of jasmine, salt, candle wax and thyme and he recognizes the small display next to your door. Protection spells. His pride swells even more as he knows you’ve done this to protect yourself better.  

The second the door closes, the hum ramps up and Will can feel the tendrils from last night appear again, stronger than it was when you were standing outside. He wants to touch you, hold you, bite you, claim you. But he doesn’t make a move, planting his feet firmly into the floor and clenches his fist to keep his hand steady and by his side. It’s not his place yet, you need to talk first. 

Will watches as you close your eyes, taking a moment to ground yourself too, before you open them and look straight at him. He likes it, how forward and confident you are as you do not try to hide or cower away from him. With another small smile, you gesture for him to follow you into the kitchen. It’s difficult to move when everything in him calls for you and your body, but somehow he makes it and as he sits on a kitchen chair and watches you move in your domain, Will finds himself enjoying the view and domesticity of it all. 

It tugs him deep inside, the mere idea that he could get to watch this morning after morning. Is it too fast to hope for these things? Possibly, but for Will, it doesn’t seem to matter as his mind keeps refueling the dreams with mental images of you in his own kitchen, padding around the hardwood floors with bare feet and dressed only in his flannel. 

The flashes move to images of you in his bed, your head on his pillow or chest as the morning light dances on your skin. Evenings spend on the couch, cuddling under a throw blanket and nights in his kitchen when he spoon-feeds you something he’s cooked for a date night. You with his brothers, sitting around a campfire as you trade jokes with them and they with you. 

Will is jostled into the present as you hand him a steaming cup, careful not to touch him in the process much to his approval and dismay, and take a seat opposite him. The first sip of the hot liquid feels like heaven on Will’s tongue, the notes hitting just right and he hums in approval. Keen eyes follow you copying his movements and for a while, it’s silent and comfortable as you sip from your respective cups.

The connection tingles in your sternum and you place the cup on the desk, hands flat on the surface. Your eyes reach for his and Will finds himself entranced by the hue in them. He would love to catalogue the flecks within those orbs. 

“I, uh… I spent some time last night looking into this. Us. The hum and connection.” You stumble a little in your words and there is an urge to hold your hand in comfort but he refrains. This is important, he reminds himself, more important than his carnal desires and his inner wolf huffs in displeasure. 

“I don’t have a lot of books at home, so I’ll need to continue this at the museum later on, but… this seems rare. Really rare. I don’t have a name for it or an explanation yet though and I would need more information from you as well before I, we, can venture deeper. Would it be alright with you? Are you comfortable sharing things with me?”

His immediate reaction is yes, ask what you want and he’ll tell you everything and that stops him in his tracks. This could lead to dangerous territory quite fast. It’s within his training and pack rules that his status, what he is and what he has done in the past are not to be discussed with outsiders.  “What kind of things?” Will asks instead.

“Well… For starters, what type of mythical are you? I know it’s invasive to ask but given that you are with Delta, you are clearly not a mundane. I’m hoping that will give us a clue on where to start looking.” It’s a reasonable question and it does give you both a starting place. Will relaxes his shoulders and releases the breath he’s holding before answering. No point in hiding after all. 

“I’m a werewolf. But I haven’t heard of this type of connection between two wolves before. May I ask, what type are you?” 

“I’m a… I don’t know exactly. I’ve always been interested in potions and history and spells but my family isn’t witches nor do I belong into a coven. I was raised as a mundane. As far as I know, there are no mythicals or supernaturals in my family lineage.”

He hoped the question would be easy for you, to give another clue, but instead it seems to have had an opposite effect as Will watches you drop your smile. You seem conflicted and embarrassed at the confession, hunching your shoulders a little as you shrink into yourself. The connection between tugs at Will’s heartstrings loudly and he’s unable to deny himself or it anymore. He reaches over the table and takes your hand in his, feeling oddly pleased as his hand engulfs yours. 

The second skin meets skin, golden and silver tendrils burst out of your skin and a gasp leaves your lips. You both watch with curiosity as they snake up his arm and under his Henley and under your shirt as well. Will can sense how warm they are, filling him up completely. He tracks their movement based on their warmth as they dance on his skin until they go still but remain tingling when they cover his entire body. He looks at you and sees the lines glow faintly all over your body. You look ethereal to him and he feels himself falling for you even more.

“It feels so warm…” You whisper, awe in your voice as you look at your connected hands. “It does. It’s not hurting you, right?” Will questions, running his thumb across your knuckle. He knows it doesn’t hurt him but he needs to be sure, his wolf poised to take away any discomfort you might feel. For all he knows it’s different for you than it is for him and he can’t help himself, the need to protect is far too strong now that you are touching each other. 

You shake your head, biting your lower lip as you catalogue the feeling. It calms him immediately but at the same time arousal courses in his veins as he witnesses just how alluring your mouth looks. He wants to surge forward, kiss you until your lips are swollen and bruised and your mind is filled with only him. His eyes are honed in on the sight, how the lip disappears and reappears plumper and plumper. He can practically hear his own blood rush in his ears as your eyes track the golden lines in his forearms.  

“Please stop that,” Will is unable to hold in the groan as he watches you chew on the flesh in concentration. “Huh?” Your eyes snap into his face, wide with surprise and you try to tug your hand free, but he only squeezes it tighter. Will knows his eyes have grown darker again as his wolf is howling to be let free. It wants to break free, tug you into its embrace and never let go. 

“Please stop biting your lip. It makes me want to bite it,” He growls and watches with delight as you shiver at his tone. You release your lip but the tender flesh, plush with blood pumping rapidly inside, calls to him. And once again he is unable to deny it, his resolve truly broken when you are this close and a harsh tug at your hand lifts you up from your seat and into his lap. 

You look at him, studying his face as Will raises one hand to your cheek. Another burst of tendrils escape once his calloused hand connects with the soft flesh and he shivers with the sensation. Fascinated, he watches as the small tendrils wrap around his large fingers and bleed into your cheekbones and up your forehead and hairline, creating patterns that make you glow again. 

Will searches for your eyes again before speaking in low tone, your faces close to one another. His eyes drop to your lips and all he can think of is pressing his mouth to them, finally having a taste of what the connection teases him of. 

“Do you want this?” 

Do you want me? 

“You need to say the words, sweetheart, before we go any further.” 

I will not be able to stop once you give me permission. Tell me no and this all stops now. It will break me, but I will honor your wishes.

“Kiss me, Will.” 

Your words have barely left your lips when Will claims them. It feels like something bursts out of his chest as he tastes the coffee, the cherries you must’ve had earlier and something uniquely yours. You taste of heaven and all the good things in the world and he never wants to stop tasting you and identifying the notes hitting his palette just right. He deepens the kiss by running his tongue on your lower lip, begging you to grant him access to nirvana. Once you do, opening up shyly, he feels he’s ready to burst into flames when he gets the first real flavor of you.   

The wolf howls in joy as Will continues to explore your mouth, dipping his tongue inside it to battle with yours. He feels your hand on the back of his neck, tugging at the hair as you pull him closer and closer. The hand that was holding yours releases its hold before pressing against your lower back to push your chests together. He wants you close, closer than you are now and his wolf agrees. The clothes separating your skin from his feel itchy and constricting but Will is grateful because it keeps him somewhat coherent. As much as he wants to, needs you, craves you, he needs to tread carefully and not lose himself. 

All too soon the need for air is too much and you pull back, ending the kiss. “Is this… Umm, is this normal?” You sound winded, out of breath and the wolf preens, happy to have made you like this. Will shakes his head minutely, pressing his forehead into yours. He needs to feel his skin connected to yours, can’t let it slip even for a moment. He traces your neck with one finger, enjoying how you tremble again in his hold. 

“No, I don’t think so. I haven’t felt like this before.”

“Me either. But this feels big.” He nods. 

You breathe in sync for a minute, matching each other as the tingling of the tendrils flickers. Will rubs his thumb on your lower back, lazy circles that make you quiver minutely, a sensation that he eagerly abrobs in his own body. 

“What does this mean?”

“I don’t know, but I want to keep exploring this, us, and this connection.”

“Me too.”

You speak in whispered tones, within your own bubble, even if you are alone together in your apartment. Tentative hands move across the planes and curves of bodies as you trade a few more kisses, each one accompanied by the hum and tendrils that skip from one patch of skin to the other, bathing the room in luminescence.   

Will agrees with your assessment earlier, there needs to be more research into whatever this is. And he knows of only one place to look for answers. “We need to visit the pack elders.” He tells you quietly as you pull away from the latest kiss, still stroking your neck and shoulder in a calming manner. 

“Are they willing to help?” You question softly, knowing how strict some packs are, not allowing any outsiders to enter the area deemed for pack members only. It’s the same for some of the witch covens you’ve tried to approach, hoping to learn more and explore your skills only to be turned away because you are mundane. It has broken some of your spirit, being turned away one too many times, even if you’ve come to terms with it and understand their reasoning. But as the sadness of it all breaks through your shields, Will is almost pushed back by its magnitude.

He wants to take away all the pain you've ever felt, the hurt you feel almost too much for him and his wolf to handle. But he can’t do that, Will reminds himself ruefully, he doesn’t know how. So he gathers you close, placing his hand on your neck as he guides you to rest sideways against his torso, his other hand resting on your hip, offering comfort this way. You breathe in his scent, calming cedarwood and juniper berry tones, and close your eyes to rest for a moment. 

It takes a lot out of you to hold up the shields and they slip whenever your feelings become too much and often they are projected outwards, letting others feel them too. Lack of training and lack of skill, you think but don’t voice it out loud. But you are glad he’s not running from you because of that and burrow in a bit deeper, a pleased sound leaving his chest as Will feels you get closer. He kisses your forehead gently before speaking, the vibration of his chest low and comforting.

“They are. The Miller-Morales pack might not be the biggest out there, but we are tight and welcoming. The elders will help us figure all this out. I promise you.”

*

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