#how can you sit here and claim he needs to punishment for his actions

[pinkcowzz]

i kinda hate seeing people say bakugo should face consequences for his bullying of izuku like. his consequences are his unending guilt, his fear he will never catch up to izuku, his fear that izuku will leave him behind, that is his consequence. its forever having to know that nothing he does will take away the pain and suffering he caused the most important person in his life. his consequence is dying in order to try to bridge the gap between them. his consequence is always regretting not taking his hand, not allowing himself to fully appreciate izukus warmth until maybe its too late. his consequence is spending eight (8!) years without him by his side, without him to compete against. his consequence is forever having imposter syndrome. not truly thinking he is a good enough person to be a hero. his consequence is being friends with todoroki and witnessing endeavors fall from fame due to his ego. witnessing him losing his family because of his choices. its having to witness a nickname given to izuku in childhood that was meant to hurt, to bruise, turn into the worlds greatest hero name and knowing all he contributed to it was spite.

THATS his consequence not whatever fuckass social shaming you think he deserves.

[white-wolf-buckaroo]

Chapter 3: We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium

Third chapter of my daughter of Ares fic! Back at age 12 here. I got a bit carried away with this... this episode of the show was actually really good so I wanted to make it justice. Hope you enjoy!

Word count: 12300 ish words (oops)

Warnings: none I can think of <3

Fic masterlist here!

Emily threw her dagger against a panel of wood, angry. She retrieved it, walked back to where she had been sitting, and threw it again. Annabeth sat beside her on a fallen tree trunk, watching her let out her anger with the knife.

“You can’t be mad at me forever” she told Emily, arms crossed over her chest “I already told you that I’m sorry. And I told Chiron that you had nothing to do with it”

“He still thinks that I helped you shove Percy in the lake. And that I let Clarisse almost kill him” she huffed, picking up her dagger again. She traced the Greek letters engraved in the metal with her fingers, trying to calm down “And I would have if you hadn’t stopped me!”

“He survived, that’s what matters. And thanks to all of what happened, he has been claimed. It’s a win-win situation, if you ask me”

“I don’t see where there is the win for me. Chiron has never been mad at me… well, except that one time I accidentally started a fire inside my cabin, but that was on accident! Now he probably thinks that I’m bullying Percy or something, and that I’m becoming just like Clarisse”

“He doesn’t think that”

“If he doesn’t why did he ask us last night to meet him first thing in the morning in the big house” Emily put the dagger back in its stealth, frowning “He’s going to make us clean the stables for a week or… clean the kitchens for the rest of the summer!”

“Chiron’s not going to do that”

“How do you know? He did punish the Stolls once making them repaint the whole outside of the Hephaestus cabin”

“After they covered it in bright pink paint at the beginning of the summer, that’s an important detail”

Emily was about to reply, but the door to the big house opened, revealing Chiron and Mr. D; they both walked out to the porch, Mr. D looking pretty displeased at having to be awake this early. He had a diet coke in his hand, taking regular sips from it so to not fall asleep.

“Annabeth, Emily” Chiron trot over to them, both girls standing up out of respect “Thank you for coming”

“Let’s make this quick, I want to go back to sleep” complained Mr. D, taking off his sunglasses. He sighted, signalling at the two kids “Annie bell, Ellie, did you two push the water boy into the lake?”

“I did it” spoke Annabeth, taking the lead before her friend could; she knew that Emily wasn’t pleased at her or her actions, but she would definitely take the blame on her as well if she let her, so that Annabeth wouldn’t be punished that much “Emily wanted to stop me, she has nothing to do with it”

“But me not stopping her makes me just as guilty” Annabeth looked at Emily sideways, doing a face of ‘what are you doing!’, although she couldn’t hold her back anymore “We’re both deeply sorry”

“It was me who did it, though”

“True, but I let you do it”

“It’s cute, your loyalty to one another” Mr. D took a sip from his diet coke, chuckling to himself “I guess as camp director I’m the one who has to set out the terms of your punishment… but you know what? What you did was hilarious. Do it again. That’s your punishment. Aye, let’s go back to bed”

“I’m afraid we still have other matters at hand, Mr. D” Chiron looked down at him, the god sighting again “The rest of the selected heroes will arrive soon to the pavilion. We have to go meet them”

“I hate this place… gods, I need a drink” mumbled Mr. D, shaking his head. He really only wanted to go back to bed “Just another terrible day at camp half-blood”

He walked away heading to the pavilion, leaving Annabeth and Emily alone with the centaur.

The fact that Mr. D had decided to not punish them was a relief, true, but who they were really scared of disappointing was Chiron: he had been practically raising them since they started living at camp, and the prospect of letting him down seemed terrible.

“What other heroes?” Annabeth frowned “What is happening, Chiron?”

“It’s about our newest camper, Percy. He’s inside the big house now… in the attic”

“He went to see the Oracle?” Emily piped up, her eyes widening “He’s going on a quest!”

No one ever left to go on a quest before visiting the Oracle and hearing what she had to say about it – a quest wasn’t a quest if she didn’t say so. Emily had never seen the old lady, but she had heard things from her about Luke, who had been on his own quest not so long ago: her form looked kind of like an old Halloween decoration, creepy and dusty, but her spirit residing inside was as wise as in ancient days.

“It’s happening, isn’t it?” both Emily and Chiron could sense Annabeth’s hope radiating off of her; she was convinced that this was going to be her chance “This is the quest you promised me”

“Percy will have to choose two fellow demigods to accompany him on his journey. If the fates think that this is your destiny, he will choose you” Chiron put a hand on her shoulder, smiling fondly at the girl “And I’m glad to say that if it’s the case, you are more than ready to embark on a journey like that. I know my opinion as camps’ activities director doesn’t count much… but I’m proud of you, dear Annabeth”

“Thank you, Chiron. It matters, really”

“Now go, girls. Mr. D will surely already be at the pavilion. Wait there for me an Percy to arrive, and we’ll start the selection ceremony”

“Wait, both of us?” confused, Emily raised her eyes up to meet Chiron’s “Me too?”

“You are one of camp’s most formidable warriors, Emily. Of course. I’ve selected the best of the best, and you couldn’t be missed among that group”

“But I haven’t been alone outside of camp in years. I wouldn’t know how to get anywhere, or move around, or help, or…”

“Those are fears you shouldn’t face until the right moment, Emily, not beforehand. If Percy chooses you to go with him, I’m sure you will be an excellent companion”

“You sure?” the centaur nodded “Thanks, Chiron” he had a soothing aura around him that always helped to calm her insecurities. He was the best “Hold on… Percy’s quest, what is it even about?”

“I’m afraid to tell you that… troubling times are ahead. Zeus’ master bolt has been stolen. If it isn’t returned before the summer solstice, in one week, there will be war”

“But what does Percy have to do with that?”

“Well, for starters, he is a forbidden child. Considering who his father is, and that he has been claimed just now, when the tension between Poseidon and Zeus is growing more and more every passing day… The suspicions about who is the thief fall all upon him”

“I thought he has only just found out that he is a half-blood. He can’t be the thief, it’s ridiculous”

“Until proven otherwise, he is the most probable candidate. That’s why he has to go retrieve the bolt, and return it to its rightful owner”

“But who could have the bolt? Who would be interested in a war?”

“Well, both our parents are the deities of war” Annabeth grimaced, shrugging “Although… If I had to pick between Ares and Athena, I think it would most probably be Ares. No offense”

“None taken. I… I don’t know, like… who knows what he’s up to” Emily huffed, playing with a rock on the floor tossing it around with her foot “And why a war between Zeus and Poseidon? I get it, they aren’t the best of friends… but they have other siblings who could have stolen the bolt”

“Hades” muttered Annabeth “He’s always been put behind his other siblings, and he’d be stronger than Zeus and Poseidon if he had the bolt”

“That’s true” Chiron seemed stressed, but he was good at not showing it. Emily and Annabeth were better at seeing the signs, because they had known him for half of their lives now “Percy will have to head to Los Angeles and enter the underworld to get the master bolt back, before the lord of the dead starts a war”

“I’m sure some gods would like it if he failed to do so” Emily made a face, huffing.

“The Gods may have their flaws, child, but also their virtues. They are powerful beings who have been around for ages, yes, but every living being that roams earth never stops learning, including them. All of us can fail, do wrong, but also learn valuable lessons, and become stronger thanks to it” now he put a hand on her shoulder, reassuringly “And you, my dear Emily, have your father’s strength and resilience. Not because you were born with it, but because you’ve fought hard all your life, just like him. Never forget that although our steps can falter, the journey does not end there”

The selection ceremony started soon after.

All selected demigods for Percy to choose stood in the pavilion. Apart from Annabeth and Emily, there was also Luke, his brother Chris, Clarisse, and other half-bloods known in camp for being the strongest or smartest fighters.

Clarisse stood on Emily’s left side, and on Annabeth’s right, between the girls; when Chiron announced that two demigods had to be chosen to join Percy on the quest, Emily wished that if Annabeth was truly chosen in the end, she wouldn’t have to deal with her sister.

She doubted she’d have to, though. Percy didn’t like Clarisse. She had been nothing but mean to him, so it was pretty obvious that she’d stay in camp. Percy would probably choose Luke as well – they had mingled well over the past few days.

“Time is short” warned Chiron to Percy, turning then to the rest of the Demigods “I have selected our most compelling half-blood candidates, from which you will choose two to join you on this quest, and ensure that we succeed-“

“Annabeth”

Percy made his first choice even before Chiron could end his speech, or even start presenting each of the candidates; customarily one waits to at least hear a name or two before choosing, but not Percy.

“This thing, Zeus’s master bolt… we need to get it back, right?” the centaur nodded to Percy’s words ”And it’s gonna be hard to get, right?”

“Extraordinarily”

“And if the mission required someone to push me down a flight of stairs for it to succeed… you’d want someone who won’t hesitate when they do it”

Emily looked over at her friend, eyebrow raised; the whole ‘shoving Percy into the water’ incident had left a mark on the boy.

“Then it’s set” Chiron looked over at the daughter of Athena, announcing the final resolution “The first quest-mate shall be Annabeth Chase”

Her dream had come true.

What they didn’t expect, was Percy’s second choice.

Before Chiron could introduce him to the other candidates, he interrupted him again:

“I’m only going on this quest if Grover can come too”

The centaur looked baffled, alongside Mr. D, who stood to his left.

“Satyrs don’t go on quests, Johnson” said the god of wine, looking at the boy “You’re supposed to choose two demigods, not one demigod and a satyr”

“He’s been my protector for the last months, so I want him to come with me” he insisted, firm in his decision “I’m not going if he’s staying”

Mr. D looked at Chiron, and after a few seconds the centaur turned back to Percy, grimacing:

“Percy, a quest is undertaken by demigods. Satyrs are loyal creatures, and I understand your reasoning, but we would be much more comfortable if you chose two demigods to join you instead of just one”

“But I’m not only choosing Annabeth” he replied, looking then at the girl from the Ares cabin who had defended him every time since meeting each other “I choose Emily as well”

Everyone’s gaze turned to her, making Emily feel a bit uncomfortable, but she brushed those feelings away quickly, standing proud on her spot while Chiron announced her as the second quest-mate.

They allowed Grover to come as well in the end. Percy wanted someone he could completely trust, and both Annabeth and Emily could comprehend the boy – in this crazy world he had been thrown in, Grover was the only one somewhat ‘familiar’ to Percy. Both girls were also thrilled to be going together on the quest, so they understood why Percy wanted his own friend to go on the quest with him as well. He trusted the satyr.

Besides, Grover would definitely pack the best snacks.

The rest of the day went by in a haze, preparing for the upcoming trip. Emily filled her backpack with her essentials (some spare clothes, weapons… the usual), and she even went over to the Hermes cabin to ask Luke to take care of her beloved Teddy bear while she was out of camp.

“Are you sure you want to leave it here?” the bear was more of a relic from the first years Emily had spent at camp, from a time where she was younger, but she couldn’t give it away. It was the last thing she had left from her mom, after all “You know how my siblings can get”

“I also know you won’t let anyone do anything to it… and I don’t feel comfortable leaving it in my cabin without me there to protect it from Clarisse”

“Fair enough”

Emily also met up with Grover and Annabeth during the afternoon, to plan how they would start their journey – they wanted to include Percy in the planning as well, but he was somewhere in the woods doing some last minute sword-fighting training with Luke.

“So, who will take the lead?”

“We could vote” suggested Emily “Who votes for Percy?”

“It’s not like I don’t want him to lead” Grover bit his lip nervously after raising his hand on impulse, but then pulling it back down “You guys are more experienced than him”

“I agree”

“Then we girls lead” added Annabeth, looking at Emily for confirmation “Together”

“I’m surprised you’re sharing the team captain title with me, Annie”

“Let’s say you’re my second in command”

“See? There it is. I knew it”

The next morning, right before leaving for the quest, Emily and Annabeth met up in front of the big house, where Percy and Grover would also join them to get one final talk to Chiron before leaving. However, before any of the boys showed up, Luke made his way towards them, smiling fondly.

“You didn’t think you were leaving without saying goodbye properly, weren’t you?”

He engulfed both of them in a bear hug, taking time for each of his girls; they were the closest thing to real siblings they had. Sure, each of them had a bunch of brothers and sisters in their cabins… but their bond was stronger.

“You both take care of each other out there, you hear me?” he had a hand on one of Emily’s shoulder’s the other on one of Annabeth’s, looking alternatively between their faces “You are the strongest girls I know. You can do this”

“We’ll miss you” pouted Emily.

“I’ll miss you too” he ruffled her hair softly, and gave her another side hug.

“I wish you could come with us”

“Me too, Annabeth” Luke grimaced sadly at the girl, but he pinched then one of her cheeks, trying to get her to smile again “But I’m glad that you will at least have each other. I know you will be fine”

After one last hug to each of them, Luke went back to his cabin, and soon after both Percy and Grover appeared with their backpacks, ready to go.

Percy had received a visit from Luke before leaving as well, to say goodbye, and to give him a last farewell gift: a pair of flying shoes Luke had originally received from his dad. They came to life after saying the word ‘Maia’, growing feather wings from the strings of the sneakers – they resembled Hermes’ own flying shoes, able to lift up whoever was wearing them.

Saying goodbye to Mr. D was easy, not so much to Chiron, but the worst was definitely saying goodbye to Thalia.

Annabeth had it the hardest: Emily let her stand by the tree the time she needed, telling both Percy and Grover that they still had to wait for a moment until the girl was ready. Grover immediately understood, but Percy… not so much.

“She’s really gonna miss that tree, huh?”

“When Annabeth first arrived here with Thalia and Luke, they were being chased by monsters” explained Grover “Agents of Hades. Sisters. Furies”

“Mrs. Dotts?”

“Who is Mrs. Dotts?” Emily didn’t know who they were talking about.

“She was our Algebra teacher at Yancy school. Yes, that was Alecto. Back then… Thalia turned back to fight to buy her friends some time. Her Satyr protector tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen. So, at the last moment… Zeus intervened to save her life, and changed her form”

Emily remembered that day clearly. It had been a terrible night, filled with insecurities and uncertainness because of what had happened to Thalia.

“The most powerful being in the universe’ best idea to safe his daughter’s life… was to turn her into a tree?”

“She was the bravest demigod I ever knew” Annabeth had walked back to them, catching the last bits of their talk “She fought valiantly to safe us all”

“And she met a hero’s fate” added Emily, solemnly.

“She met a pinecone’s fate”

He had not just said that.

“Dude…” muttered the Ares’ girl, eyes growing big “Chill”

“Forbidden children are always in danger, even the strongest ones. Even Thalia” it was obvious that Annabeth felt personally victimized by Percy’s comment, and let’s be honest, she had all the right to do so “And you are not Thalia. Do exactly as I say, and maybe you survive this. Are we clear?”

She didn’t give him any time to answer, as she turned her back to Percy and started walking past the limit of the pine tree.

“You should probably apologize sometime about that comment of Thalia’s tree” Emily patted Percy’s shoulder, awkwardly “I… uh… I’ll go with her”

Emily caught up with Annabeth, as the boys lingered behind a few more seconds:

“Does she think she is in charge?” Percy referred to Annabeth, frowning.

“Technically, they both are. Who did you think would be?”

“I guess I assumed we’d do a show of hands or something… you know, democracy”

Hero’s quests are world-defining events. They have made and broken empires, altered the course of human civilization, changed the balance of power on Olympus… it’s a sacred thing, and to be charged with one is to be in conversation with the gods themselves.

It wasn’t like burning offerings, or praying to them. The gods handed out the missions for them to complete, because they were the only ones able to do so. It as an honour, and a privilege.

Although after being sat in an old uncomfortable bus for half an hour in the backseats right beside the toilet (the worst seats ever), and a huge guy using the restroom for most of that time, Percy thought that there was no way that scared smelled as bad like that.

“We’re soldiers on a mission. It’s not a vacation”

“Thank you for clearing that up”

After leaving camp, the three demigods, plus the satyr, had made their way to New York city to grab a bus that would take them through the country. Chiron had given them their bus tickets, albeit Percy hadn’t expected this kind of ride if the matter was so important.

“If this is so important, why didn’t Chiron spring for plane tickets? Or good smelling seats at least? This seems kind of… low priority, doesn’t it?”

“The smell hides us from the monsters” explained Emily. She was seated with Annabeth, in the window seat, while Grover was by Percy “It makes it more difficult to track us”

“And it isn’t just the monsters who are gonna be trying to stop us” Grover thought someone would have told Percy this, but apparently not “You’re a forbidden child. Zeus might decide to take a shot at you himself. The sky is his domain”

“We’d basically be serving you up on a silver platter to try to travel through it”

“That would’ve been a good piece of advice someone could have mentioned before leaving camp… but yeah, no one did” Percy sighted. He stayed silent for a few seconds, while his eyebrows slowly furrowed “If me travelling through the country is so dangerous because I’m a forbidden child, why did they sent me in the first place?”

“To exonerate you. Everyone thinks you stole the master bolt, so the best way for you to prove Zeus otherwise, is to return the bolt to him yourself”

“That sounds like a lame excuse to me” he huffed, grimacing “You both are much more skilled than me” it was true; both Annabeth and Emily were far more trained than Percy “It would’ve been just as good if you guys went to L.A. to get the bolt and then back to New York to return it. You could even take a plane if I wasn’t there to go faster”

“I may not be a forbidden child like you, but I don’t think Zeus is all that fond of me either” replied Emily “He doesn’t like Ares’ children. I’m by far not Zeus’ favourite grandchild, so I also wouldn’t be safe in the sky. Annabeth would have a shot, though, only because her mom is Zeus’ favourite kid”

“I still wouldn’t risk it” commented the girl, looking out the window.

“Let’s just say Zeus won’t get a ‘world’s best grandpa’ or ‘best uncle’ mug anytime soon”

The bus made it out of New York and stopped in New Jersey at a tank station; most of the passengers stood up to go stretch their legs, buy goodies or use the bathroom, leaving Percy, Annabeth, Emily and Grover sitting in the backseats.

“I’m gonna go get us some snacks” announced Annabeth, unbuckling her seatbelt. Percy wanted to tag along, but the told him no “You’ll stay right there”

“But it smells terrible back here. You’re not the only one who wants to escape this”

“Remember, the monsters won’t smell you here” Emily raised up from her seat as well, joining Annabeth “That’s where we want you”

“I wanna vote” Percy looked at Grover for support “Who thinks that we should all go get to breathe fresh air and buy our own snacks?”

“There’s no voting”

“Chips and sodas okay for you guys?”

“I don’t think you should just get to decide we don’t vote” Percy ignored Emily’s question, going back at Annabeth.

“I’m sorry to hear that”

“Okay… Then I wanna vote on whether you get to decide we don’t vote”

“Grover, please, can you help your…” but Grover interrupted Annabeth before she could finish her demand, clapping slowly “… friend?”

“I really don’t wanna be a tiebreaker” said the satyr, still clapping “I have a better idea”

“Oh, gods, please not this” muttered Emily, but it was too late. Grover started to sing:

“Oh, golly, the road’s gettin’ bumpy ‘cause I got me some friends who just can’t along! Oh, dear! When the team’s gettin’ grumpy the trick to gettin’ through it is singin’ this song-“

Percy cut him off before he could go any further.

“Dude, what are you doing?” he shook his head, trying to make Grover take the hint that he should stop.

“It’s the consensus song. Verse two encourages us to say nice things about each other! You get a few rounds in and you’d be amazed at how disagreements just kind of… fade away”

Emily looked at him unimpressed, slowly shaking her head as well; in all of her years in camp she had grown to love many things there, but the consensus song? Maybe it was her rebellious, aggressive Ares side, but she hated that song. If someone sang it to her at camp to try to solve a disagreement, she would end up punching said someone in the face before they could even start the second verse.

For once, even Annabeth and Percy agreed, looking at Grover just as unimpressed as Emily did. An uncomfortable silence fell upon them.

“Chips and sodas okay then?”

The boys muttered ‘yes please and ‘whatever’, and with that both Annabeth and Emily exited the bus. Emily heard Percy muttering defeated that the voting system was broken, and she almost laughed.

The store at the tank station was huge, or at least, that’s what Emily thought when they entered it. She hadn’t been in any kind of store in years, and she didn’t really remember much of how they were when she was little. Now, at twelve years old, she marvelled at the different aisles, and especially, the candy section.

“Which one do you think Percy and Grover will like the most?”

“Would it be too obvious if we got Percy blue candy?” Emily grabbed some blue chewing gum, showing it to Annabeth “You know… for Poseidon”

“I got it” Annabeth rolled her eyes, but there was a little smile on her face “Do you thing the blue ones taste different than the orange ones?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t had candy since I was six, except that one time the Stolls brought some at the beginning of the summer, and it was yucky”

It was a tough choice to make. Both of them hadn’t tried most of the candies and chocolates they saw in that aisle, and if they had, they didn’t really remember what they were like or what they tasted like like.

“We can grab blue candy for Percy... Green ones for Grover, and red ones for you” Annabeth handed Emily some reddish gummy bears, and the girl thanked her “And some white ones for me. Then we can share and try them all”

Did they end up leaving that aisle with their hands full of too many sweets? Absolutely. Did they think it was too much, or that they could have grabbed less? No, not really. Chiron probably wouldn’t have let them get so much candy, but the wasn’t there to lecture them.

They also grabbed the chips and sodas, of course – it was what they had went to grab originally anyways. The cashier looked them up and down, staring wide eyed at the mountain of candy, chips, chocolates and sodas they left on the counter.

“Oh, Annie, I want a slushie”

“You aren’t five years old, you don’t need one”

“You don’t buy slushies because you need them” she looked at her friend making a face that represented the word ‘duh’ “Hey, you grabbed those chocolate-marshmallow bars even though I didn’t want to. Let me have my own treat”

She did get a slushie, a red one which supposedly tasted like strawberries; having been living at a strawberry farm for six years, Emily could tell that this was definitely not what strawberries tasted like. But it was full of sugar, so she was drank it anyways.

While Annabeth was paying, a woman walked behind the girls, and both of them tensed up.

Just as monsters could sense demigods, trained half-bloods learned to recognize the aura of a monster. Not literally, of course, but Emily and Annabeth had strong intuitive feelings, and even though it could not look like it, they were extremely aware of their surroundings. They knew that if they weren’t, they would be much easier to kill.

The mysterious woman stopped in front of a shelve to their right, and their suspicions grew stronger when she slowly turned her face to them, smirking.

It’s true that monsters are most likely to sense a more powerful demigod, like forbidden children, but it isn’t power exactly, that draws them. It’s more complicated than that. It’s kind of like how bees smell one’s fear: what a monster senses depends on the monster. Some sense inadequacy, the need for glory, shame… if a demigod has to confront one, the monster will attack wherever their armor is the weakest. Nothing will stop them, not even death.

Emily walked a few steps behind Annabeth, slushie in hand; if things got tough, she could easily access her bracelet and use her throwing knife; whereas she was completely visible, Annabeth had her Yankees hat on, hiding in plain sight. The bus was starting to get packed again with all of the passengers making their way back, and as Emily passed by the front row seats, she got that feeling of uneasiness again – especially when she walked by a woman holding a newspaper.

The key to not get surprised by a monster, was to spot them first.

“If you guys were better at your job, we might not have noticed you here so easily”

The woman folded her newspaper together upon hearing Emily’s words, holding a serious look on her face. The girl was still taking sips of her slushie, eyes focused on the woman.

“If Thalia were better at hers there might not be a family of squirrels making her their home”

“That’s a low blow, even for a monster”

“Is that why Hades sent you here?” Annabeth’s voice joined the conversation after hearing Thalia’s name, although she was still wearing her hat. The woman, the monster, couldn’t see her, alas she didn’t know where she was, even if she could sense her “To gloat over a job you almost did right once?”

“How things have changed… You’re not the frightened little girl I came for all those years ago” she looked back at Emily, expression unreadable “And you don’t seem so tough as I had expected at all”

“Don’t kid yourself. I wasn’t that frightened”

“And I can still kick your ass back to the underworld if you decide to make the wrong move”

The monster chuckled, amused.

“Maybe so, maybe so… Either way, now it would seem that you’re both exactly what they say you are. The pride of Athena’s offspring, and Ares’ most treasured child. Perhaps the most formidable demigods children alive”

“You won’t get to us by trying to manipulate us using our parents” Emily scoffed, definitely not buying it – and also not letting her face show how she had felt after the woman said that she was known as Ares’ most treasured kid “What do you want? If you were here to kill us you would already have tried”

“I’m here to collect your friend” she looked back through the gap between the seats, to where Percy sat unaware of what was happening.

“Collect him? For what?”

 “Oh, I don’t question orders. ‘Bring him in, quick and quiet’. That is what I was told” she turned back to Emily, as she couldn’t see Annabeth, but her next message was for the both of them “Lure him off this bus where I can take him quietly away from so many eyes, and your quest goes on unimpeded an unburdened. You and I know he isn’t gonna be of any help to you, and maybe even a hindrance”

“We’re not going to do that” said Emily, firmly.

“Are you not?” the woman raised an eyebrow, looking at the girl’s side and then back to her “Where did your invisible friend go then?”

Emily tried to feel Annabeth by her side, but the hallway seemed empty. There was no body heat beside her like a few seconds ago, and she frankly couldn’t tell where the girl had went.

“Some children must learn the hard way” muttered the woman, sighting “It was a pleasure to meet you, daughter of Ares”

The monster began to transform before her eyes, her clothes and hair mutating into her true form: her once grey updo turned red and feathery, and her black coat along her red shirt grew feathers as well, covering her whole body up until her hands, where there were now long and sharp claws. Out of her bag two wings emerged, like big bat wings, hitting the top of the bus as they unfolded fully.

It was a fury. And where was one, there were always other two.

They had to leave now.

“Percy!” Emily shrieked, starting to get away from the creature “Run!”

In order to get the fury to back off, Emily threw her slushie at her, still full of ice and red liquid, hitting her in the face.

Both Percy and Grover perked up from their seats, and upon seeing what had made Emily scream, they both shot up, aiming for the emergency window behind them to try and open it. When they finally succeeded, the glass fell off of the bus shattering against the ground, and a security alarm went off. The driver ordered through the megaphone that everyone should exit the bus, and everyone started to stand up, slowing down Emily, but also the fury that was making her way to her.

“Emily let’s go!”

She turned to Percy, still looking for Annabeth – where was she?! She couldn’t have really considered the fury’s proposition, couldn’t she? No, her friend wasn’t like that. Emily would never accept, and neither would Annabeth… right?

A shriek coming from outside pierced through the air. Flying in the direction of the bus was another fury – she flew straight through the open window, almost hitting Percy and Grover, causing them fall to the ground.

“Hey!”

Annabeth appeared out of nowhere, and she threw a knife at the monster, who screeched when the metal hit her in the chest. The fury vanished, transformed into dust, and the knife fell on the ground.

“We’re done here, let’s go!”

She grabbed Emily’s arm, yanking her to the open window. Leaving their bags and the snacks behind, all four of them climbed out of the bus – Percy had grabbed the box with Luke’s shoes before leaving, though, and he was now holding it against his chest while they ran. The fury on the bus had been stopped temporarily by all the passengers that were making their way out of the vehicle to the front exit, and the other one who had attacked them was gone.

However, there weren’t just two furies – they were three sisters.

The third one attacked when they were all outside, screeching above them. She flew downward in Percy’s direction with her arms stretched out, terrible claws aiming for his face. He didn’t have enough time to react, turning around to see her almost catching him, when a throwing knife hit her in the middle of the back between her wings.

Emily had been the last one to climb out of the bus, so she had been behind Percy when the third fury had tried to snatch him. He had already started running, so he was a few meters away (alas, the fury wasn’t close as well), so she grabbed her bracelet, and it transformed into her magical weapon. She threw the knife hitting the monster right where she aimed to, and the next thing that happened was that the fury crumbled to dust.

“Come on!” she screamed, picking up her weapon, back to running again “We have to go!”

Ears pumping with the beats of their rushing hearts, they ran to the woods, hiding from the monster left behind. They didn’t stop until they were far enough to not see the tank station, or any building at all, deep inside the forest.

They had no food, or water. Their bags, left behind. They had nothing, except Luke’s shoes, and what they already had on or carried with them.

“This sucks” mumbled Emily, trying to regain her breathe.

As they were now at a ‘safe distance’ they stopped running and switched to walking, trying to recompose themselves but still keep going.

“Somewhere up ahead this turns into a Satyr path” Grover looked far ahead, as if trying to see it.

“What’s a Satyr path?”

There was so much that Percy didn’t know… it was starting to become concerning.

“It’s a road through the wilderness. Satyr explorers use them. Harder to track us”

“That’s… great” Percy still seemed uncertain “But if we stay in the wilderness, how are we gonna find a phone?”

“Why do you want a phone?”

“So we can call camp” it was pretty obvious to him “T-to get help. You know… because we’re lost?”

“We don’t need help. We’re fine” replied Annabeth.

“We’re still alive” added Emily, shrugging “That’s what matters”

“But we haven’t even gotten to Trenton! And we’re wandering through a forest. I didn’t even know they had forests in New Jersey, but we’ve found one!”

“It’s literally called ‘The Garden State’” Emily looked back at him, frowning “What did you expect?”

“I don’t know, but… I would say we’re the opposite of fine”

“We were sent on a quest by the Oracle… by the gods” said Annabeth “What’d you think, it would be easy? It’s supposed to be hard. That’s why only certain people are chosen. If we call camp, we’re basically saying it was a mistake to choose us”

“I’m… completely comfortable with that” Emily knew that Percy’s comment would only make Annabeth more mad. As her best friend, she knew that under that tough leader exterior, was the girl who had dreamed to go on a quest for years. Calling camp, was telling Chiron wrong, and with that, he would be disappointed in them. They couldn’t let that happen “Everyone makes mistakes”

“Why are you so afraid of who you are?”

Annabeth stopped walking, and she turned to Percy, scowling.

“What?”

Grover and Emily looked at each other, quickly picking up the tension rising between their friends.

“You know what’s interesting about this particular satyr path?”

“What so interesting about it, Grover?” Emily’s voice sounded nervous, because she was. If they started fighting again, it would only slow them down.

“It’s actually the one my Uncle Ferdinand took when he set out on his own quest”

“That’s such a cool fact, Grover!”

But Percy and Annabeth ignored them completely:

“What was that supposed to mean, ‘afraid of who I am’? I’m not afraid”

“Yes, you are. You aren’t just a kid. “Just a kid” doesn’t do what you did to Clarisse back at camp. “Just a kid” doesn’t have Hades sending top lieutenants to retrieve them. You know, you are part of something so much bigger than we can understand right now. We have to move forward, whether you like it or not. Whether you want to or not”

“If you don’t want to call camp, fine. Then, at least… let’s call your mom”

“Excuse me?”

If they thought things were gonna get rough, now they definitely were.

“Athena? Your mother. I’d call my father, but we aren’t exactly on speaking terms, because of the lifelong neglect, you know. Or we could call Emily’s dad. You both seem close to your parents. Why don’t we ask them for help?”

“Grover, will you explain to your friend that he needs to pull himself together?” Annabeth was tense. Very much so. Emily knew that she wouldn’t be able to collect herself much longer.

Percy looked at Annabeth, studying her face… and then he realized something.

“You can’t ask her, can you?” he had hit a button. He could see it “When was the last time she talked to you?”

“Grover” Annabeth insisted, but the satyr couldn’t stop him.

“I don’t know why you keep pulling him into this” Percy stood closer to Grover “He’s on my side, just as Emily’s on yours”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because he’s my protector, it’s his job, and she’s your best friend!”

“He was my protector first!”

“First?” he muttered, confused “… What do you mean, ‘first’?”

They both looked at Grover, who looked at Emily, out of words, and then back to their two friends:

“It’s very exciting… getting to walk in Uncle Ferdinand’s footsteps” he completely avoided the confrontation. Typical for satyrs “Next best thing to getting to talk to him again”

There was a frown on Percy’s forehead… he looked at the ground, thinking, and then he spoke up again:

“Thalia, Luke, and Annabeth had a satyr Protector” his eyes locked on Grover, almost accusatively “That was you” Grover couldn’t hold his gaze, which was enough conformation “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Do you guys smell that?”

That was not the answer they had expected. Grover seemed absent, starting to look around, sniffling. Emily did too, although she didn’t have the senses of a satyr – if he had caught the scent of a monster, they would need to be ready.

It wasn’t a monster what he had smelt, though.

“Grover, I’m not kidding-“

“No, neither am I. Just shush…” he continued to sniffle, concentrated “Hamburgers”

“What?”

He took the lead, walking ahead following the satyr path. He was still using his heightened sense of smell to find the way, and Percy, Annabeth and Emily could only follow him.

“Grover, what are you doing?” asked Annabeth, confused.

“Somebody’s making hamburgers, in the middle of nowhere, on a satyr path. Whoever it is… they’re from our world”

They reached a clearing, only it wasn’t a clearing, but a road. It led to a building surrounded by dozens of statues. It wasn’t gnomes or frogs, though, as in other gardens with statues – these were monsters made out of stone.

“Oh, come on”

Emily frowned at Annabeth’s comment, but then she saw the huge sign on a pole that said ‘Aunty Em’s Gnome Emporium”.

Dear gods this was bad.

“What is it?” asked Percy.

“Aunty ‘Em’ has a garden full of petrified stone folks. Yeah… this is someone from our world, all right. Anyone wanna guess what ‘Em’ is short for?”

Her nervousness was justified – no daughter of Athena would want to be in the presence of that specific monster. There wasn’t time to play guess, though. Before they could leave and run for their lives (again), a fury landed a few feet behind them: it was the only surviving one of the three sisters, Alecto.

Percy handed the box with shoes over to Grover, taking out a pen from his pocket. Emily saw it transform into a huge celestial bronze sword, the same one she had seen him fighting with before, once he took the tap off. She also unsheathed her own weapon, this time her dagger, just as Annabeth did with hers.

“You should have accepted my offer when you had the chance” said the fury, staring at the two girls.

“Offer? What offer?”

Percy looked at both Annabeth and Emily, but they didn’t move their eyes from Alecto, watching her every move.

“Not today, friends” the voice of another woman joined them. It came from the house, now behind them, and upon hearing it, the fury immediately looked away, covering herself with the help of her arms and her wings “Not on my doorstep”

Footsteps approached the group slowly, and while Percy looked behind him to locate the mysterious woman, Annabeth, Grover and Emily quickly looked away as well, closing their eyes just to be sure. He did too when he realized, although not completely understanding what was happening.

“If you have something to resolve, why not come inside and I’ll help?” she kept on talking, now closer to them “Alecto! Will you be joining us?” the fury only closed her eyes tighter, turning her head even more, as if the sole sight of the woman’s eyes could harm her “No… well I wouldn’t think you would” She turned her attention back to the children, who also weren’t looking at her “She won’t bother you as long as you’re with me. But it isn’t as though she’ll leave either, not if it means reporting that she failed to retrieve the son of Poseidon”

“How do you-“ said boy squinted his eyes open, too intrigued to refrain his impulses.

“Percy, no!” whispered Emily, grabbing his arm.

“A forbidden child has been claimed, how long did you think that secret would keep?” the woman’s voice was calm, almost soothing, but Emily knew that it was only a trick to lure them to her, to confuse them, and trap them “It’s a pleasure to meet you, son of Poseidon…” their skin crawled, and fear embarked them as she spoke “I’m Medusa”

Oh no this was definitely bad.

“Percy don’t!” warned Annabeth “She’s a monster”

“We all choose who we make our monsters” commented Medusa “But right now, that one ahead of you wants to tear you limb from limb, whereas I am offering you lunch. The choice is yours”

They heard how she walked away, and soon after the door to the house opening and closing again. They were safe, sort of, for now.

“I think we can trust her” blurted Percy, suddenly. A chorus of ‘what?’, ‘dude!’ and ‘no!’ were heard as a response, but he stood firm to his opinion “I can’t explain it, I just… My mom used to tell me her story. And the point was always that she isn’t what people think. And I definitely trust my mom”

Emily remembered her own mother, and the almost vanished feeling after so long of trusting someone blindly as much as she did with her. It made her sad, but she could also understand Percy better.

“I’m going in” he said, serious “You guys do what you want”

He took the first step, and after looking at the house and back at the fury, Grover followed him.

“What are you-“

“Annie, we should go with them”

“Are you crazy? You know I can’t go in there! She’ll kill me!”

“And if we stay out here, that fury will eat us!” she glanced at the monster, who only huffed at her comment “Come on, trust Percy for once. I’m doing it”

“You’re trusting him more than me?”

“I’m not saying that” she replied “I just don’t want to die, and right now, we have more chances to live going inside than staying here. We won’t let anything happen to you. I promise”

Medusa’s house was decorated in an old fashioned way, in a style from a few decades ago. There was a huge dining room, with a big table set for many people to eat. There were plenty of sweets, desserts and other sugary dishes, and it looked almost as if they had entered the candy house of the bad witch from Hansel and Gretel’s tale.

“Thanks for coming” said Percy, after they joined him and Grover inside.

“This isn’t the same for me as it is for you” Annabeth felt nervous, and it was showing. Emily grabbed her hand in hopes of comforting her, but it was rather difficult, especially when Medusa came out of the kitchen to the dining room again.

“You’re concerned I would hold a grudge against you simply because you are a daughter of Athena?” she sounded almost hurt, not offended, but genuinely concerned about Annabeth’s thought on her. Emily had to remind herself that she couldn’t trust what Medusa tried to pretend to be, but what her gut told her about who and how the monster was “You shouldn’t be. We’re not our parents, after all. And you and I might have more in common than you think”

None of them were looking at her, too petrified of catching a glance of her eyes even under the veil of her cream coloured hat. She was wearing a matching dress, that looked like it was from a different decade, like the rest of the house.

“Please, sit and eat” she insisted, signalling to the table.

The boys sat down, but Annabeth didn’t dare to move, and Emily remained loyally by her side.

“So if you’re not a monster what are you then?”

“A survivor”

“You must be a little more than that” Percy served himself some food, and Grover was already munching on something “There’s a Fury out there that seems terrified of you”

“Because she knows what I think of her” Medusa sat down on a stool by another table, crossing her legs elegantly “I don’t like bullies. When one shows up on my doorstep, they end up spending a lot more time there than they planned for… I know you can understand me. None of you like bullies. Isn’t that right, Emily?”

“How do you know my name?” she blurted out the question impulsively before she could refrain her tongue. Thinking before talking wasn’t a skill she had mastered yet.

“A demigod child like you draws attention easily. Not many of you are brought to camp half-blood by their godly parents themselves, let alone if said parent is the God of War. He isn’t particularly known for taking care of his offsprings… not like he cared for you”

“You know nothing about my dad”

“Maybe not, but I’ve been around for some time now… and I’ve heard many stories about your father. He has a reputation he seems to be very proud of” she smiled softly at the child “I’m sure you want to make him proud, don’t you?”

“Of course” she answered, firmly.

“And has he ever shown that sentiment to you? For any of your achievements? For you going on this quest?”

Emily remained quiet, her jaw tense and her eyes on anything but the woman before her.

“He’s… busy” she mumbled.

“I’m sure he is… You know, I’ve had a few experiences myself regarding the gods… and I’ve even had the pleasure to receive a gift from them, which is a privilege not many of their adepts have had” she smiled sweetly, almost humanly “The gift the gods gave me is that I cannot be bullied anymore”

“What my mother did to you wasn’t a gift” replied Annabeth, with her arms now crossed “It was a curse”

“You are loyal to your mother”

“Yes”

“You stand by her?”

“Always” Annabeth shrugged, as if it was obvious.

“You love her?”

“Of course I do!”

“And so did I” Medusa’s tone was nostalgic, still sweet, but also with a hint of sadness “Do you know the story of how I came to be this way?”

“I do!”

All of them looked at Grover, who had answered between bites to his food. He looked up from his plate when he noticed how everyone had turned quiet, blushing slightly.

“Do you?”

“Do I?” he answered back, uncertain.

The bell inside a clock started tolling as Medusa told her tale:

“Athena was everything to me… I worshiped her. I prayed to her. I made offerings… She never answered. Not even an omen to suggest she appreciated my love… I wasn’t like you, sweetheart. I was you”

Medusa’s worship to the gods and the demigod’s worship to them were terrifyingly similar. What made them different from her, a monster? Fact is, she wasn’t a monster in the past. She became one… because of the same gods she adored.

“I would have worshipped her that way for a lifetime… in silence” she continued, her tone still somber “But then one day, another god came, and he broke that silence” she turned her head to Percy, smiling again “Your father. The Sea God told me that he loved me. I felt as though he saw me in a way I had never felt seen before… But then Athena declared that I had embarrassed her and I needed to be punished. Not him. Me”

Her voice, full of sadness, narrated how Athena had decided that Medusa should never be seen again by anyone who would live to tell the tale.

“That isn’t what happened” Annabeth fought back, although she already knew Medusa’s story, and also that what the woman had told them was exactly what had happened. The loyalty to her mom, though, made her retort “My mother is just. Always”

“The gods want you to believe that. That they are infallible. But they only want what all bullies want: they want us to blame ourselves for their own shortcomings”

“That is not what happened. And you are a liar”

Percy, Grover and Emily looked at Annabeth in disbelief, not giving credit to her words: how could she so blatantly talk back to a monster nonetheless, if they didn’t have any way of escaping after releasing her wrath? What was she thinking? The consequences would be horrible! Deadly!

Medusa’s red lips tensed up, just like the rest of her body. Emily watched her discretely, scared of looking too much but also scared of watching too little, and saw her look back to the kitchen, shaking her head.

“Something’s… burning” she sighted, standing up. Her indifference to Annabeth’s words was just as horrid as if she had screamed and lashed out on them “Would you give me a hand in the kitchen, Percy? I think lunch is ready”

The boy looked at his friends, who were all shaking their heads ‘no’, but after Annabeth’s outburst, Percy wasn’t in the mood to listening to her, so he stood up, and followed the woman inside the kitchen.

“Grover” Annabeth called him, stopping her mid bite” Get ready to run”

“What was that what you just did?!” Emily forcefully turned Annabeth to her grabbing her shoulder, signalling frantically to the door that led to the kitchen “Are you really that keen on dying young?!”

“She was insulting my mother” she defended herself, angry.

“And she could also have turned us into stone!” Emily’s heart raced nervously “First the fury, now this…”

“What about the fury?”

“On the bus. Alecto’s offer. You considered it”

“What if I did?” she shrugged, looking away from Emily. She was ashamed of that she had really thought of accepting the fury’s proposition.

“You aren’t like this!” Emily shot back, frustrated “Stop letting your insecurities get to you! I know you want to complete this quest at all costs, but we have to trust each other! And that includes not selling your quest-mates to the first monster that offers to take them away just because they get a bit on your nerves!”

“But I didn’t, right?” Annabeth huffed “I’m sorry, okay?”

“Just… don’t do stuff like that again. And I’m not only referring to almost giving Percy away to Alecto, but also talking back to a monster who could literally kill us with only looking at us”

“Okay, okay…” she sighted, grimacing “I’m sorry, Emi”

“Apologies accepted” Emily hugged her friend, but a cough from Grover made them separate “What is it?”

“Percy’s been in there for too long, hasn’t he?”

They all looked to the kitchen entrance warily, and right a second after they heard small footsteps making their way towards their direction, and the squeak of the door’s hinges as it started to open. All three of them looked to the ground, stealing glances to the door, seeing a hand ever so slowly perking out… and then they recognized Percy’s green flannel shirt, and they let out a sigh of relief.

“We have to leave, like now” he said, whispering so that Medusa wouldn’t hear him. He grabbed the box that held Luke’s shoes, which he had left on the dining table, and he made his way to the entrance when Emily’s hushed voice stopped him.

“Alecto is still outside, we’re trapped!”

There was another option though: the door that led to the basement. Annabeth had located it after entering the house, already forming an escape plan in case things got tough (which was to be expected). They could hide there, and look for another exit – maybe a window, or another door. Anything was better than waiting there for their deaths.

“Grover, grab those shoes and leave the box, carrying things will only slow us down” Annabeth instructed, and the boy did just as she said. She led the way to the basement, and they made their way down the stairs quickly, away from Medusa.

In the dark, they waited – it wouldn’t be possible to hide forever, but they had at least gained a little time.

“Put the shoes on” Emily suggested to Grover “Come on, I’ll tie the laces tight so they don’t fall off”

“You know the word to activate them?” the satyr nodded, groaning when Emily pulled the cords too tight. She mumbled ‘sorry’, before Annabeth shushed them “Quiet… she’s upstairs”

They could all hear her. Medusa’s steps resonated over them as she walked around the dining room, surely looking for them. A sense of dread invaded the heroes when they heard how the monster’s steps approached the entrance to the basement, and how she opened the door – it creaked like the ones in horror movies, creepy, horrifying.

As Medusa started to make her way downstairs, fire erupted along the staircase, travelling all the way down to them, and following ahead. It lighted the basement, revealing the cream coloured stone walls, and a terrifying sculpture that made Percy scream when he saw it.

It was the statue of a woman, captured mid-scream, fear in her features. She wasn’t the only one, though: the fire began to lit up dozens, if not hundreds of torches, illuminating an enormous ancient cavern full of Medusa’s victims.

Not wasting any time, they ran. Away from the monster, ahead into the cave.

“There’s four of us and only one of her” said Grover, panting “If we split up she can’t be watching us all at once”

“I don’t think it’d be that simple”

“It could be” he insisted, stopping them; they were standing behind some huge wooden transport boxes, partially hiding for now “Here’s the plan: I’ll get in the air, I’ll draw her attention. As soon as you hear me say “Maia” you guys start to-“ he hadn’t thought it through, obviously, because once he said the magic word, the shoes listened and grew feathers, starting to fly. In a matter of two seconds, Grover was high up in the air, flying far into the darkness above them “Oh boy! Okay! Um- off! Down!”

None of it worked. And he was gone.

“Great” muttered Emily, looking at where Grover had disappeared to “We’re screwed!”

“We’re in need of a new plan, but not screwed” they kind of were, though.

They didn’t have time to think of one, though, as Medusa’s voice reached their ears. They ducked as fast as they could, listening how she moved forward to their position:

“We are not our parents, until we choose to be. And you three, have chosen” her footsteps echoed against the walls, her feet dragging against the dust on the ground “A daughter of a self-righteous mother, who chose self-righteousness for herself” Annabeth squinted her eyes, trying to find an escape, finding none “A daughter of a selfish man who lives herself out to please him, pushing herself to limits only for his approval” Emily crawled behind a wooden box, trying to be as quiet as possible “And you…” Percy sat on the ground, legs bend to his chest, listening to the monster “You could have shown your father what it means to stand up for someone you love. You could have chosen to save your mother instead of doing your father’s bidding… If none of you will help teach these lessons, then perhaps you should be the lessons”

Medusa’s voice wasn’t sweet and caring as it had sounded before, no. Now it was cold, still smooth, but also carrying a sizzle typical from… snakes. It gave them chills, especially with her now being this close.

“When I ship your statues to Olympus… maybe that will get my point across even better”

They had to move fast, or they’d be dead in seconds. Annabeth nudged Emily’s leg, and when she got her attention she signalled to her invisibility cap. The girl nodded, and she watched her friend disappear before her eyes.

Emily turned to where Percy was, but he was starting at the opposite site to hers. She threw a little rock at him, hitting him on the leg silently, and he looked over – she mimicked Annabeth putting on her invisibility cap, and him taking out his magic pen-sword keeping while keeping his eyes closed, all of that quickly before Medusa reached their position.

Percy nodded, obviously nervous, and she watched him close his eyes like she had instructed, reaching for his pen. The soft golden glow of the weapon grazed his scared features, but he held the sword tightly, firmly, brave as he was.

“Stand up” commanded Medusa, walking straight to Percy. The glow of the celestial bronze had also given away his position, revealing himself to the monster “Let’s have a look at you”

Gathering all the courage he could master in that second, Percy shot back to his feet, whimpering and trembling in fear, feeling Medusa right by his side. She started to caress his cheek and his hair gently, terrifyingly close to him, when a cry above them startled her.

It was Grover! The flying shoes… they were still flying, and he was still not controlling them.

“I didn’t really think this through!”

He blindly dive-bombed into a wooden box, shattering it completely, practically at Medusa’s feet. A rock hit her from behind then before Grover could accidentally catch her eyes, followed by others coming from the darkness, and Emily ducked before Medusa could spot her, having distracted her enough though: Annabeth took off her hat, standing by Percy’s side, and she put in on Medusa’s head, making her invisible!

“Now!”

Without thinking, Percy raised his sword up to where he knew the monster’s neck was, and he sliced through it completely, decapitating her. The head, still invisible, fell off the body, making a ‘thump’ noise as it hit the ground. It rolled a few feet away, leaving a mark on the gravel… and then it stopped, and it was all over.

“Are you okay?”

Percy didn’t answer. Instead he walked forward slowly, moving his foot around… until he hit Medusa’s head. He scoffed in disgust, and picked it up, while at the same time Emily helped Grover to get back up – he was still a bit foggy from his fall, but he would be fine.

“Aw, man” complained the son of Poseidon, groaning.

“That’s gross” muttered Emily; Percy had the head in his hands, still invisible “Wait, guys… We can use the head to get rid of the fury”

“Kill the monster using the head of a gorgon?”

“Well, you wouldn’t be the first Perseus to do so” said Annabeth “Come on, I’ll go with you”

While Emily remained by Grover’s side, helping him recover, both Annabeth and Percy made their way up to the dining room again, which seemed oddly human and quiet now having been under the house in the huge cavern full of statues.

“You want me to take it from here?”

“Non, no. I got it”

Percy and Annabeth stood in front of the entrance, looking for Alecto – as expected, she was still outside, waiting for them to come out if they managed to escape Medusa.

“Just make sure it’s pointing in the right direction before you take my hat off”

“Good tip” he nodded, and she muttered ‘okay’ in response. Percy looked at the door then, and back to the girl, signalling it to her with a shake of his head “My hands are kinda full with the head so…”

“Of course, sorry”

Annabeth opened the door for him, and taking a deep breath in, Percy walked outside. Annabeth watched him as he slowly approached the fury, who spread her wings now that it was evident that Medusa wasn’t around.

Alecto screeched flying up in the air, claws reaching out for Percy, when the boy took the Yankees cap off of the gorgon’s head, raising it up high into the air. The fury had no time to close her eyes or to escape, and with just a glance, she turned into stone; her statue fell to the ground, breaking into pieces as it hit the asphalt.

Percy stared at the petrified monster’s face, putting the hat quickly back on Medusa’s head. Breathing heavily he turned back to Annabeth, and smiled softly.

While they took care of the fury, downstairs, in the cavern, Emily had managed to fetch some water for Grover, and he was feeling much better now.

“This place is huge” the satyr said, looking around “And the ceiling too. I didn’t even reach it”

“This whole place is probably enchanted” she bit her lip, feeling curious, turning back to Grover “Do you want to explore a bit?”

“It can be dangerous”

“Yeah, and fun” she giggled, starting to wander around “Come on! The gorgon’s gone, let’s look at this place”

There were thousands of statues scattered around the cavern, may of them humans, but also mythical creatures, and even other monsters – although it seemed as if Medusa had kept the most terrifying looking ones outside in her yard. They found a table packed with papers, ink, pens and packing material, and a register book for orders; it seemed like Medusa had even been making money out of her condition.

Emily regretted a bit dragging Grover with her around the cave when she found him looking at the statue of a satyr. Percy and Annabeth descended the stairs back to the basement then, and they found them at the same spot, Grover still looking at the statue.

“Uncle Ferdinand” he muttered.

Oh, no.

“Grover, I’m so sorry” Emily put a hand on his shoulder, eyes looking sad.

“This is as far as he got on his quest… We aren’t even to Trenton” he sighted, defeated “But look at him” Grover chuckled softly, even smiling a bit “He’s not like the others, he… he doesn’t look afraid”

Emily squeezed his shoulder, and he smiled in her way. Clearing his throat, Grover asked Percy and Annabeth if they had gotten rid of Alecto using Medusa’s head, and they confirmed it.

“Uh, we probably should get going. It’ll be dark soon”

“But what are we gonna do with the head?” asked Percy “I just took down a Fury with it, and I wasn’t even trying. We can’t just leave it for someone to find”

“You want to take the head with us?”

“No, no. Leave the hat on, and bury it here, in the basement. That ought to keep it safe”

Both Grover and Emily looked at Annabeth in concern, but after looking at the ground for a few seconds, she just nodded, accepting.

“But your hat…”

“It’s alright, Emily” she shrugged, looking back at Percy then “Now, can we talk about the bigger issue here?”

“What bigger issue?”

“Medusa telling you ‘You could have saved your mother’? Like you had discussed it already?”

“Wait, Percy, is your mom still alive?” Emily thought she had died the night the minotaur attacked, this didn’t make sense.

“She’s with Hades. I appreciate your concern, but-“

“Guys, just please…” Grover interrupted them, shaking his head “Stop”

“Oh, I’m concerned” followed Annabeth, ignoring Grover’s ask “What are you actually doing on this quest? And why did I have to hear about this from Medusa?”

“Okay, while we’re at it” shot back, Percy “Alecto saying ‘You should have accepted my offer’? What’s that about do you think?” he accused not only Annabeth, but also Emily “And why did we have to hear it from the Fury?”

“Enough!”

All three demigods looked at the satyr, who really had had enough of their bickering.

“The hat was a gift from her mother. It’s the only thing she’s ever possessed that connects them. That ought to matter to you” he told Percy, solemnly “And Emily never even thought about accepting Alecto’s offer”

“Okay, but how are we gonna make sure this thing is safe?” Percy held the invisible head up, frowning

“I don’t know yet! And you” he turned to Annabeth, who seemed surprise to get a lecture from him, but she would have to go through it anyways “His mom’s alive. Can you imagine how confusing that must be for him? Feeling like he may have to choose between the fate of the world and the fate of the only person who’s ever cared about him?”

“Why are you talking like this?” asked Annabeth, voice small.

“Because all day Emily and I have been trying to keep this quest on track without upsetting either of you! But maybe… Maybe things need to get a little upsetting before they move forward”

“Grover’s right” added Emily, arms now crossed “You guys can’t keep fighting all day. We’re a team! We need to get along to complete this quest!”

“Annabeth asked you a question back in the woods and you never really answered” Grover looked at Percy again, who’s features had turned hard at his words “What are you so afraid of?”

“I don’t know”

“I think you do. You’ve been fighting with us all day-“

“Because the Oracle said one of you would betray me, okay?” silence fell upon them at the revelation “She said… ‘You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend, and you shall fail to save what matters most in the end’. That’s the rest of what she said to me. And that’s because I chose Annabeth… because I couldn’t imagine we’d ever be friends. I chose Emily, because she is loyal to Annabeth, and I never thought she would choose my side before hers, so we would also never become friends. And I chose you” he looked into Grover’s eyes with intensity “Because I thought if I can count on anyone to be on my side, no matter what, it was you. And now, I’m feeling so… alone! I don’t know what to think or who to trust. I’m just… a kid”

The silence felt heavy after his words. Hearing what Percy thought of them, his real reasons to choose them to accompany him on this quest… it was a tough bone.

“I didn’t mean it that way”

“It’s okay” commented Emily, almost shyly “I… I’m loyal to Annabeth, yes, but I also stand to what’s right for me. And I trust you, Percy. I’d never betray you”

“Alecto offered to help our quest if we gave you up to her” explained Annabeth.

“What did you say?” asked Percy, curious.

“We killed her sisters”

“Medusa… she offered to help me save my mom if I turned on the three of you”

“And what’d you say?”

“Well… I cut off her head”

They chuckled, feeling the tension dissolving and the air getting lighter.

“None of you chose to be demigods” said Grover “We didn’t choose this quest. But we can decide that as long as the four of us are together, none of us are gonna be alone. And if we can’t do that, we might as well just head back to camp right now”

“I’m not doing that” replied Emily instantly “Not until completing this quest. I can’t go back and have Clarisse mocking me all day” she complained “Please guys, don’t let that happen”

“We won’t” assured Percy, smiling at her “I think I’ve got a better idea for what to do with the head”

He guided them to Medusa’s work table, and he began looking over her register book:

“Hermes express!” he exclaimed “Medusa ship’s these things all over. Some of it even goes to Olympus”

“Percy” began Annabeth, wariness in her voice “You can’t ship Medusa’s head to Olympus!”

“Why not?”

“Because the gods won’t like it”

“At all. Like, ‘at all’ at all”

“Guys, that’s what you do with dangerous stuff. Like batteries, you just send’em back where they came from”

“This is a bad idea. They will see this as impertinent”

“I am impertinent” he replied smugly, starting to put the invisible head inside a carton box, while Annabeth muttered ‘but we’re not!’. He ignored her “Look, Medusa tried to derail our quest. She’s got serious beef with your mom” he pointed to Annabeth “When you look at it that way, this seems kinda like tribute or something, doesn’t it?”

“That’s taken like from really far, Percy”

“Yeah, but… this way, at least-“ he reached inside the box, grabbing the Yankees hat while quickly closing the package “This way, part of your mom is still with us”

He handed the hat over the table back to Annabeth, and after considering it, she accepted it back, thanking him.

“Here, let me help” Emily walked around the table, and aided Percy with the tape to secure the flaps of the box.

“This isn’t exactly what I meant by choosing each other” said Grover nervously “There are actual dangers involved here that cannot be…”

He didn’t finish his sentence though, as Percy interrupted him by starting to clap his hands in a rhythm they recognized a few seconds into the melody.

“You’re gonna sing the song, aren’t you?”

Not this again, thought Emily.

“Oh golly, the road’s getting’ bumpy-“

“Whatever”

“Please stop”

“Consensus!” Percy sang, not remembering the lyrics but making it up.

“Let’s make a pack, please” Emily perked up, having finished closing the box “Never come back to Aunty Em’s Garden Gnome Emporium… and never sing that song ever again”

A chorus’ of ‘deal’ resonated inside the cavern, and soon after they were all giggling and chuckling. The quest could go on.

----

Taglist: @strawberryys-stuff @ladysybilchronicles @kyuupidwrites @nhloversblog @beansficreblogs @priyajoyyy @zeeader @lightsgore @gengen64

[nightingalestarchaser]

● Verecundia II

Pairings: Aemond Targaryen x Fem!Relative Reader

Word Count: 2k

Content Warnings: This is very much 18+, make love not war vibes. Not suitable for minors.

A/N: I got the serious urge to write some good old fashioned smut, and realized the stories I've written so far have endings that pave the way for it so here we are. I was torn between Aemond and Daemon, but whoever I didn't write for this time will be next in line, so there will be a continuation of the 'Superbia' story that will be..porn, basically. Hopefully you enjoy this nonsense, I appreciate every reader beyond words ♡

tagging my lovely friend @sylas-the-grim

It is a difficult journey, made torturous with rolling waves and the hot sun bearing down upon the ship. She stays away from the deck as much as possible, hidden from view. The journey is to last no more than three days, she is told. Never did time feel so punishing.

She is grateful, still. Escape did not come easily, or unaided. A loyal maid and a knight braver than most had helped her when she needed it most and she would not forget their kindness. Her maid tries to make her more comfortable, the knight stands guard by the door. Comfort will cease to exist aboard the ship, particularly in her condition.

The babe in her belly has taken to exploring the limits of their space, giving particularly hard kicks when a rough wave crashes against the side of the ship. She gently glides her hand along her bump, whispering words of comfort. She thinks of Aemond in those moments, in most moments.

There was no way for her to know where exactly he was, what he was doing, if he had been dragged back home. He had nothing waiting for him there now. She did. A husband who would return to find his bed empty, no sign of his wife and their unborn child. Her unborn child.

Perhaps he would demand action. Roar with the ferocity of a beast. Refuse to sleep, eat or rest until his wife was returned to him. If he completed even one of those actions she would have been immensely surprised. Most likely he would return from his latest far flung, blood-soaked adventure, not even notice the absence of his wife, then march back out to the next battle.

That suited her perfectly. She would be away from prying eyes, be made to feel no shame when her child emerged with silver hair her husband could not claim heritage to. She would carve out a new life, a life she wanted. As much as she could be allowed, at least.

How can one live a life they have dreamt of without the one who inspires their dreams?

She has a great capacity for happiness, but Aemond enhances it so. To feel true joy is to be with him, bask in his company.

She misses being with him, even just to be in the same room with him. Some of her fondest memories are of the times she would sit by her bedroom window, watching Aemond slip free from the bonds of his thoughts. He would read a book, clean a knife, study a text with peace upon his face, content.

Those moments are deeply nestled in her heart, they bring her joy when she is most needing of it. Though joy is not her only need.

Even when she was back in King's Landing, waiting for Aemond's return, she had begun to feel a new level of yearning for him. Now she feels feral, like a trapped animal. She aches everywhere, nothing will relieve the pain. She sends her maid to fetch her more water, crawls upon her bed on her knees and grips the thin blankets.

Her eyes close, a breath escapes her body. She tries desperately to banish the thoughts of Aemond from her mind. All she wants is to have him kneel behind her, his strong hands caressing her and taking away the aches. His mouth trailing kisses along her hot skin, so slowly it is almost torture. His hard, flushed cock sinking into the dripping heat of her core, making her cry out with relief.

Alas, the fantasy only serves to make reality more difficult. She cannot have him, his touch. She does what she can to ease some of the ache herself, but it is never the same.

The journey is nearing it's end, and it is not a moment too soon. She wraps herself in the grey cloak she had stolen away in, walking out to the deck with the knight behind her. The sea is calm, the air feels clean. She looks at the harbor stretched out before them, taking a deep breath.

There is no time to take in the sights when they set foot on land, there are arrangements to follow up on, if they even still exist. She had written to a distant cousin, one she trusted with her life. Her request for assistance had been accepted, and she could only hope that the arrangement was still intact.

As it transpired, it was indeed intact. Her cousin had a beautiful home, which she was welcomed into along with her maid and her knight. She relished in the opportunity to bathe, sinking into the hot water and feeling a desire to float infinitely.

Once she feels clean and more human than she has in days, she makes plans for her next move. Her maid goes to get her something to eat, leaving her alone in her room. She looks out from the balcony to the city below, wondering if Aemond is somewhere amongst the crowds.

She would not be allowed to leave the house freely, protests and arguments of it being too dangerous would be thrown at her. But she would not hide away, be hidden.

When dusk falls over the city, she makes her escape. She had told her maid she was taking to her bed for the night, she did not wish to be disturbed. While she had not visited the house since she was a young girl, the memories of how to sneak away from it had not eluded her.

Cape draped around her, she makes her way into the city. It is bigger than she remembered, so much more vivid than King's Landing. Colour is everywhere, from the buildings to the clothes people wear. There are flowers everywhere, bright barrels of fruits and vegetables lining the streets. The smells of a hundred different foods, the busy humming of chatter, laughter, bustling about.

She turns from one glorious street to another, making her way through the crowds. She could get lost in a million different ways, everything seemed appealing.

Nothing more so than what she spots further along the street. Despite the dark cloak he wears, she would know him anywhere, in every lifetime.

She has to stop herself from breaking into a sprint, her breath caught in her throat as she makes her way to him. He turns as she nears him, her heart lurching in her chest as he sees her.

He does not move, his body rooted to the spot. She keeps walking, closing the gap that had been them until they are standing across from each other for the first time in what felt like an age.

"No hello?" She teases, a smile on her lips as she lets her cloak open slightly, placing her hand on her swollen bump. "For either of us?"

His eye grows wide. He glances to her belly before looking back to her face. He does not ask with words.

"I would not travel all this way were it not your doing," She smiles, taking a step closer. "your wish was granted."

A smirk tugs at his lips. She feels a surge of desire flare inside her. He steps closer, his hand touching her cheek.

"I have missed you more than words can possibly express." He murmurs, eye locked on hers. He leans in, she pulls back, a smirk on her lips.

"Do you really think a kiss will be enough to satisfy me?" She asks, gently clutching his cloak. "You've been gone a long while, without so much as a word sent."

He watches her for a moment, his hand coming to rest on hers.

"What would you have me do?"

She thinks about it for a moment, as though she has not already been aware of what she wants for many moons.

"It would depend upon your patience," She replies, the feeling of his hand on hers already making her heart pound."You can fuck me right here in the street, or take me to whatever hole you've stowed away in and fuck me there."

The look in his eye makes her think that maybe he will actually fuck her where they stand, her body feeling hot at the thought.

"As you wish." He smirks, moving her hand down his cloak, intertwining their fingers before turning away and guiding her through the streets.

She does not know if they walk for moments or moons, does not care. He leads her to a beautiful house, she would not care if it was a crumbling ruin.

They barely make it to the bedroom. Clothes are shed, a trail created leading to them. She could not possibly forget how it feels to kiss him, but she does not object to the reminder. She cannot get enough, she wants him to steal her every breath.

He relishes the changes to her body. Takes his time to appreciate every inch of her. She pleads with him for more when she fears she will tumble over the edge from his worship of her breasts, only to have him trail slow, wet kisses along her belly.

His hands are everywhere and yet always just out of reach from where she needs them. He knows it, enjoys to prolong his exquisite torture. Her eyes grow wide when she feels his breath ghost over her achingly wet core.

It has been too long, no fantasy of him between her legs can compare to the real thing. The warmth of his tongue against her most sensitive skin, the teasing flick he gives her. She closes her eyes tightly, hands gripping the sheets. He wraps his hands around her thighs, pulls her to him.

He takes her apart slowly, enjoying her frustrated moans. He lets anger mix with her pleasure before he gives her what she truly wants. The tip of his tongue licks a long stripe along her folds, his lips closing in on her where she needs it most.

She feels as though her orgasm has been ripped from her body in the most wonderful way, lifting her hand to her forehead and struggling to catch her breath.

But he is not finished. Before she can breathe he is buried inside her, his hands catching hers and holding them down on the bed. Every ache she has ever felt is melted away as he thrusts deeply into her, filling her and stretching her until she cries.

He kisses her, she uses the opportunity to push him onto his back. She rides him as though the world is ending and this is how they will die. He pulls up, wrapping his arms around her. She touches his face, feeling more powerful than she ever has.

She slowly peels away his patch, her fingers delicately tracing a line above the glinting sapphire.

He kisses her fiercely, pushes her back onto the bed and brings her over the edge with a cry.

They lay together for hours, slowly touching each other. Exchanging soft kisses. Embracing being reunited.

"I want us to be wed," He tells her, his hand gently resting on her belly. "I do not want to deny you what you deserve."

"I am wed," She teases, trailing her fingers along his arm. "you wish to make a sinner of me."

"There is no need to wish for that which already exists," He smirks. "You are wed in law, not execution."

She watches him for a moment, her fingers stilling their movement as she touches his arm.

"Then show me what it is to be wed, truly."

They steal out of a warm night, find a small Sept.

He places a dark cloak upon her shoulders. She takes off his mask.

They kiss for the first time as man and wife.

Vhagar flies them over the bay, the moonlight casting a glow over them as they look down at the light of the city below.

Mere weeks later, their son is brought into the world, the most perfect thing they have ever seen.

They are home.

[mobblespsycho100]

tell me about your oc i need to absorb all the knowledge

WAUGAHH yayy yay thank u okay so

Surja Maharaja (not his real name. btw. he named himself "Sun Great King" rough translation lmaoo) is a wandering merchant (*cough* scammer *cough*) who is currently in Melini because he's heard that the rising golden kingdom is full of economic opportunities,,, has a low unemployment rate, and is generally very prosperous and ruled by a passionate king who loves food... and how Melini is mysteriously protected from monsters coming into the border ...

And he decides to research everything he can about the court and introduces himself to the King Of Melini™ as a foreign dignitary from a port city south of the eastern continent (sooo around the eastern archipelago i guess?? map for reference...)

Anyway, he proposes a diplomatic arrangement where the port city's government would help with export of marine goods as well as open up restaurant chains !!! that serve monster food, so . monster food golden opportunity high long term investment business!!! and Laios is ecstatic !

Kabru is not. Lmao. Kabru is instantly suspicious of this "charismatic" "mysterious" "foreign dignitary" that just strolled into the castle ... but he's gotta confirm his suspicions first . So he decides to not tell Laios that he distrusts this guy and decided to uhhh stalk him a bit

anyway Laios lets Surja stay in the castle because like yay alliances diplomacy !! yayy monster food !!! (like ... Laios cant rlly eat monster anymore but ... spreading monster cuisine to other continents??? spreading the joy of food??? hes all in baby!!!) and Surja quickly befriends basically everyone or at least everyone whos currently there (like senshi is visiting but chilchuck is like sometimes there sometimes not cuz like lol he got a shop to run!!!) and Izutsumi is currently there too. Anyway. yea Surja's rlly friendly n stuff ^_^ and it only makes Kabru even more suspicious as to what exactly this guy is hiding

Anyway, more under the cut cuz it might get wayyy too longv amdhskhdjs

Kabru decides the best course of action is to interrogate Surja directly after a few days (maybe the 6th day ? Surja stay in the castle? but Kabru's been watching him and asking the royal guards to keep an eye on him too) ok anyway Kabru invites him to his office (idk if he has one of those but like . whatever. his work quarters .) (they're like on a break btw . ig . so laios is like chilling and not sitting on the throne rn hes just taking a walk with falin and marcille or smth) right anyway Kabru mr. Nice Guy Kabru is like "ok we need to discuss something ... "dignitary"" and Surja is like ooo-kay?

Btw i havent mentioned but even b4 this , Surja kind of has a crush on Kabru already (hes infatuated... hes obsessed... down bad down horrendous and he hasnt even talked with Kabru all that much) so hes like the nervouser (lol. silly) hehe haha... anyway

Kabru tells him to state his true intentions with the king. Surja goes, "huh? what do you mean Sir? I'm just here to propose a trade alliance and business vent--"

Kabru goes, "cut the pleasantries. I've investigated you over the course of these few days and I've sent a letter to the magistrate of the city you claim to represent, and they don't even have you listed as a citizen in their records."

Surja (sweating)

Kabru continues with a simple yet genuine threat, "you do know lying to the king is an offense punishable by death, right?"

Suddenly what Surja thought was going to be a lil diplomatic discussion regarding how the proposal he's drafting up going is ... an interrogation. An uncomfortable confessional where Kabru holds the reins and is playing 5d chess mind games. And Surja takes it as a challenge... and tries to defend himself with the classic diversion of, "I don't know what you're talking about!! Why would I lie about such a thing!!! You must be mistaken!! ahahaha aha

ha.

ha."

Kabru who is unimpressed by the sweaty conman's terrible lying skills starts pushing more on the subject. "How could you lie to the king? what are your plans? I think I know your scheme is to steal from us and our kingdom's treasury, but what else are you hiding? Are you a wanted criminal? A stowaway? " and Surja slams the desk a bit . like "OKAY! OKAY ! I! I did runaway but I've been travelling for ages!!! and I just thought this place sounded amazing !!! this kingdom is a rising one and yet it's already found its foundation and already has a powerful magical defense!!! "

and then Kabru goes... as a test (he doesn't actually believe it) , he asks . if Surja isn't actually human. Maybe he's a monster, a shapeshifter of sorts... a walking corpse perhaps? One that's trying to take refuge in Melini and doesn't even realize that it isn't a real human being... just a monster wearing human skin.

And Surja has a mental breakdown (yay here's the toxic in the toxic yaoii!!!)

Surja on the defensive and Kabru on the offensive, Surja decides to try and bite the bullet and confess that yes hes been lying, yes hes kind of a scammer vagabond, yes okay yes . and then he tries to get some sympathy by spilling his tragic backstory and it catches Kabru off guard

Kabru just wanted to exile or imprison or execute this guy who could have ill intent (and is obviously lying abt a lpt of things) . but when Surja revealed that hes kind of like..

okay. lemme paste this thing I typed . Surjas #traumatic backstory

Just imagine ghis is Surja telling everything to Kabru . so quotation marks . yea this is him Speaking

In the beginning, there was a land shrouded in darkness. And then, there came light.

Where I'm from, what you all called the "dungeon" was the corpse of a dead god, the land we stood upon as well. The dungeon was a temple in my people's eyes... And what you call the "Demon", well. He was our Light. The god that my people worshipped. It's... pathetic, isn't it? We didn't know. We... we couldn't have known.

When I was born... I. I was loved, I think. However I... was never a child. My older brother, he. he had this ailment. He couldn't speak, and he acted like he was possessed by a spirit of sorts, at least, that was my mother's theory. I always thought that he was just different.

I was their light, in a way. I could speak, smile, in an eloquent way as other humans do. They loved me, they did. But I was a sickly child... my brother, physically stronger, mentally weaker, and I? I was their light. The saviour of their reputation.

And that's why... as I grew up I realized that . The ones who took care of me, only saw me as a chalice. And whenever I did something that was... not... in line with their perception of me, they saw a monster.

It was so easy. Claim that I was possessed, sacrifice me, the brighter one, to their god, and their beloved children could be cured of their respective ... deformities.

Ha... well. That's what happened. The demon could grant any wish right? My mo- ... my.... caretaker. Took me to the dungeon one day and said, "Let my child have her dreams come true... in return, give us your blessing of wealth and prosperity! Bring us honor, bring us glory..."

That's why... I'm like this now. I guess I'm a half-beast (you lot call that beast-man here?), a monster (I was always a monster. I think.) I... You're right. I'm not human. I'm just... a walking corpse... a shell of a man...

Now all I have left is my desire for money... and my elder brother... I haven't seen him for ... 15 years now.

so yea he had an awful time . and was effected negatively by a dungeon. Kabru stops. hesitates a bit. Shares a bit about himself and Utaya . to ease Surja from the mental breakdown (it works and Surja bounces back quickly. Surja age reveals that hes not even 20 yet (Surja is 18-19) and that makes Kabru feels like a bully a bit n he feels a bit bad n tried to like apologize and stuff even tho this conman is conmanning (hes not lying abt his age!! just hiding a lot of stuff still!!!) ) ANYWAYYYY like they part ways from tha office (also at some point in the middle a guard came in to try and ask smth from Kabru and the guard nervously asks "is like smth goin on here rn?" and Kabrus like "no its fine" while Surjas like "yea smth goin on rn" anyway the guard just wanted to ask for some instruction so Kabrus just like oh ok just ask Marcille its fine and guy goes on his way)

anyway yeah Kabrus like kinda stressed lookin so Surja goes "hey do u need like some stress relief" n boldly goes up to him anddddd gives him a shoulder massage (Surja flexing his 4 years pro masseur skills) and Kabrus like oh . ojh. uh . okay (is conflicted and doesnt fully trust this man but is now a bit more relaxed and less tense and stuff. unclenched his jaw and shit lolll)

anyway they part ways after this but this is just the beginning of insane toxic co worker yaoi because like uhhh lil bit of a timeskip but Surja becomes like the treasurer... or like secretary assistant in Melini or like . tha economy guy consultanter yippeeee #working in melini

also Surja's a catboy i havent mentioned that yet

kinda hit it off with Izutsumi and Senshi cuz of it yah

A LOT OF THIS IS SELF INDULGENT AND WISH FULFILLMENT BUT I THINK. POST CANON OC . IS FUN . also Labru is canon in this AU theyre basically like married . its set a year after the like last chap of dungeon meshi btw so Kabrus 23 Laios 26 (almost 27 not november yet basically) . etc etc. ANYWHO this is super long already but ty for indulging me and asking abt my oc yaaaay :333 this is a toxic yaoi tragicomedy. this guy is like if Mickbell and Izutsumi got mixed into soup . and was obsessed with Kabrus whole thing 😭😭 its so funny to me theyre funny (doomed by the narrative toxic codependent workplace yaoi)

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Can you elaborate more on how Amelie is indulgent with Felix?

In Felix (the episode), after Felix does all that awful stuff including trying to make Adrien's friend's hate him via impersonating him, we get this:

Adrien: That video you sent to my friends... Unforgivable, Félix. (Félix doesn't look him in the eye, only looks down, upset and ashamed) Amelie: Now that his father isn't here to stop him from getting into mischief - (Félix stops her.) Félix: I don't deserve to be forgiven, mom. I put my favorite cousin in danger. He's right. No apology can ever be enough.

Now, we don't know exactly what Amelie was about to say, but Felix's interruption makes it pretty clear that she was about to defend everything he did or at least downplay it. Otherwise why would he say that he didn't deserve to be forgive and that Adrien was right?

This is further supported by the next scene in which we see Felix and Amilie. They get on the train and what does Amelie do?

Félix: I've got a surprise for you, mom. (He reaches behind her ear and pulls out Gabriel's ring.) Amelie: (gasps) But Gabriel refused to hand it over to me! And after everything that happened - (reaches out and cups his face) My little magician. I can never understand how you always manage to get what you want. (closes her hand over his) Keep it. It's yours now. Félix: But... you wanted it so much. Amelie: Only to give it to you. You've always been so fascinated by them. How many times have you asked me to tell you the story of the Graham de Vanily twin rings, huh? (she kisses his forehead) I'm glad it's back in the family where it truly belongs. (She winks at him and then rests her eyes. Félix smiles deviously out the window.)

She praises him for stealing and doesn't say a single word about all of the messed up things he did. If this were my kid, we would be talking about his actions were and trying to get him to explain why he did all of that. We'd also be discussing his punishment.

We also learn that Amelie only demanded that her recently widowed and still grieving brother-in-law give up his wedding ring because Felix wanted it. Even though, arguably, the rings should go to Adrien or at least stay with Gabriel until someone in the family is ready to marry. Amelie had no need for them other than "baby wants it, baby gets it."

This was before the sentireveal, so it's debatable if the original intent was to take it this far or if this is just another victim of the retcon, but it's canon now and the writers claim to have planned it all from the start, so I'm going to treat it as fully intentional and discuss the sentistuff, too.

We never see Felix or Amelie learn that the rings are Adrien's amoks, but Felix very clearly knew that's what the ring he had was. Based on that, it's not illogical to conclude that Amelie knew that she was asking for Adrien's amok and didn't care. Baby wants his cousin's controls, baby gets it.

Moving on!

The start of season five sees Ladybug and Chat Noir try to track down Felix since he knows Monarch's identity and gave him all of the miraculous. Kinda a big deal. When they get to London, this happens:

Amelie: My son wasn't here this morning, when I woke up. I didn't worry though, because I thought he might have gone to see his cousin Adrien in Paris. Those two are so fond of each other, but Félix wasn't returning my calls, though I contacted his uncle Gabriel; he told me he hadn't seen him. Cosmobug: And yet he was in Paris I talked to him. Amelie: Oh, Cosmobug, Astrocat, I hope nothing's happened to him! Cosmobug: Don't worry, ma'am. He'll probably end up at his uncle's. Astrocat: Or he might already be on his way back home to London. Amelie: Thanks so much to the two of you for your support!

Then the heroes leave. At the end of the episode, we cut back to London and see this:

Amelie: Tea break. (Félix comes out of the room holding a laptop and follows Amelie to the main hall. Amelie pours tea into a cup, while Félix sits on a sofa and works on his laptop.) Amelie: (putting her hand on Félix's head) Don’t worry, my Félix. Mom is here to protect you from those superheroes who think you’re a villain.

Who cares about saving Paris from a terrorist? If her baby wants to hide away, then Amelie will help him hide away.

Also, if she had forced Felix to talk to the heroes here, then Gabriel wouldn't have died because this is before Destruction. Not saying that his death is her fault, but Amelie did inadvertently let to her nephew be orphaned because she didn't want Felix to face the consequences of his own actions. Remember that as you read this next bit.

And then we have Emotion, which sees Amelie storm into the diamond dance and cause a massive, confusing scene:

Amelie Graham de Vanily: (struggles to make her way in through the guards) Gabriel! My son Félix has been missing for weeks now! (storms towards them) Not only have you and your friends been no help with the search! But now I'm not even invited to the ball?! You haven't been the same since my sister Emilie disappeared! Why are you rejecting us? Gabriel: This is not the place nor the time, Amelie. Nathalie will see you out. (Nathalie begins to walk towards Amelie, and grabs her by the wrist, walking her outside of the ball) Amelie: I don't understand how Gabriel could've become so cruel, let alone why you're still complacent in his actions. Nathalie: Sorry, Amelie. I have no choice. (hands Amelie to the guards) Amelie: There's always a choice, Nathalie.

Ignoring the massively hypocritical "you're still complacent in his actions" line, this is a weird scene. Amelie waltzed right into the mansion back in Felix (the episode). If she wanted to talk to Gabriel about the fact that Felix was missing, why not do that again? It's not like this is urgent. She's apparently waited weeks to come talk to him. Why now?

Cut to the end of the episode and we get our answer:

Amelie: You were right: I did everything you told me to and Gabriel didn't do or say anything to help me. He despises me. He's a monster! They're all monsters! Argos: Hold my feather. (He de-transforms into Félix and goes to hug Amelie) Félix: Not all of them. (smiles)

So Amelie was just doing what every good mom does: blindly follows her child's instructions.

What were you expecting Gabriel to do, hon? Stop the event? This is such a weird test to pull. It'd be different if Felix had just gone missing, but she literally says "weeks". Why is she shocked that Gabriel correctly said "this is not the place nor the time, Amelie"?

I don't like to give Gabriel points, but he gets them here. I wouldn't cancel my event either. I'd tell her to come talk to me tomorrow or ask an assistant to talk to her. Of course, I'd also have been helping with the search before this, but that brings us to the second issue: Felix isn't missing.

What have the search efforts been? What does Amelie want Gabriel to do? No one has ever mentioned an ongoing search and our heroes would absolutely be involved in that since Felix, you know, aided a terrorist, but they're not so this all feels like a shit test.

Also, please remember, this is right after Felix snapped humanity out of existence as Argos and he detransforms in front of his mother. Either Amelie was living in a bubble or she saw everything her son did and was just like, "That's cool, baby! Mommy loves you! Go commit genocide! Your song was so good!"

This is all probably Amelie overcompensating for Colt's abuse, but you asked this in response to another post where I said that Amelie and Andre are the same, so that excuse doesn't really hold water. Andre spoils Chloe for the exact same reason. Aubrey's abuse may have looked different, but it was still abuse.

The only difference between Amelie and Andre is that Andre abuses his mayoral power for Chloe's sake and Amelie doesn't do anything like that. But then, Amelie doesn't have that type of power to abuse. If she did, then I have no doubt that she'd do the exact same thing, so I'm not giving her that point. She is exactly the same: overly indulgent to the point that she's made her child rotten.

Overly indulging an abused person like this isn't going to help them get over their abuse. That's what therapy is for. I adore the magical power of love, but only when it comes to magical threats. Love is not enough to fix anyone's mental health. You can't love away things like PTSD.

[scalamore]

Thoughts on RupeLali’s [touch] Pt 1

it amuses me that Rupelali are just so touchy in the manhwa. Novel rupelali is SUPER touchy after they become official, but before then, touch is used very deliberately and sparingly in comparison. But here’s some thoughts for fun from the manhwa perspective: My thoughts: I think, that Lari is originally the huggy and affectionate type, and that influences Rupert’s comfort level with touch as well. So as we know during Rupert’s backstory, is that his mother never gave him any sort of affection, whether emotional or physical. Tory never did, and there’s no way crazy emperor or the queen’s faction did either. He’s always been alone this whole time, and the only touch he’s received was physical violence from Arnulf and Crazy emperor. We can see this in Ch 32ish, where Lari reaches out to grab his shirt to slow him down, and he strikes out reflexively at her (no intention to hurt her, just a response). In Ch 45, he thinks about Lari and how she’s just so different - including how she’s always laughing, smiling, and just so huggy to the shabby Tory, or the boisterous raccoon that doesn’t like her. She just radiates “affection” to those around him. Like a typical noble girl working at the palace, for the most part, Lari is respectful to him and keeps a proper distance from him. Again, she’s cheerful and brightens up the atmosphere, but she doesn’t ever get close.

Meanwhile, Rupert’s the one that touches Lari first, whether it’s by pinching her cheeks or flicking her forehead when he’s annoyed with her. Those are all friendly actions imo. Also regarding etiquette, Rupert knows that it’s improper for someone to sit next to him without his permission, but Lari tends to do so anyways - In Ch 27,ish,Ch 29ish, Ch 59, Ch 68 (?), and the latest in Ch 92. Every time she does so, she wants to talk to him to understand him better, offer tiger balm, or help him out in some way. He may have berated her at the start, but lately he just lets her sit beside him without complaints.

Earlier in the series he tends to hold her chin, as she had a habit of avoiding eye contact with him, but as he grew more comfortable with her he tended to be more open with wanting to be with her more/continue the conversation, and would often grab her arm, stopping her from leaving, or pulling her closer and making her stop. After he became Crown Prince, he’s been uncharacteristically more touchy with her - often pulling her to his side in a more protective stance, claiming she belongs to him and to not lay a hand on her - which baffles Lari because he’s too close.

When Rupert needed her to get rid of the cursed seal in chaper 86 - both were flustered with the physical closeness; Lari was drawing on his bare skin, and him holding in his discomfort at the tickling sensation on his shoulder.

As a a reminder, it’s very improper for someone to dare touch the body of a member of the royal family member; that crime is enough to be punished by death or imprisonment. Yet Rupert’s always allowed Lari’s touch. Whenever he was sick (Ch 28ish, Ch 68, 86), he never admitted it to her, but he liked it when he was hurting or ill and he felt her hand oh his forehead, her placing a moist towel to reduce the fever, and how she stayed beside him to make sure he was ok. He was annoyed but also appreciative at the same time.

While previously he may have held her chin to force eye contact, lately he’s been more gentle and held/caressed her cheek, getting her attention that way (Ch 88, 92). He didn’t even mind how she pushed him away in Ch 88, 91, or how she gripped his shirt tightly. Lari as well, has started to naturally be more touchy towards him too. In Ch 92, I LOVED the focus on her holding his hand (manhwa only). As she tells him how she may have originally hated him, she doesn’t anymore and she truly wants him to be happy, you can see how she reaches out and hesitantly grabs his hand with a light touch, his hands relax and he allows her to pull his hand toward herself. Seeing that he was ok with her touch she tightens her grip and his hand fidgets a bit from the contact, but he still allows her to continue holding it for a bit before she lets go. Here’s some cute info from future content: Rupert is still not completely used to being touched by others, even Lari, even though he permits it. He still reflexively flinches slightly and tenses up whenever she touches him, but he recovers pretty quickly. I believe this is the first time she maintains skin contact via hand holding for so long in the manhwa (this is a separate vol 5 + 6 scene actually). He finds her touch just so different - in comparison to his tough, firm, boney, large hands, her hands are so small, soft, delicate, warm, and thin just like her. When she holds his hand tightly, he’s not just surprised because of the physical contact, but also how reassuring it makes him feel, and how it makes him worried that he might break her hand if he grabbed her too tightly. Tory is an alchemic doll, so she isn’t soft or warm, she’s always cool to the touch. But despite being both humans, unlike him, Lari is just so soft and warm, which makes him instinctively wnt to be extra careful as to not hurt her accidentally.

[dracofandom]

You're Mine And Only Mine

Summary: Y/n overhears Draco back-bitching about her, so she does something that leaves him fuming with anger.

SMUT, slight fluff

You really did it this time. You knew you went too far and now you're going to pay for it but is it really a punishment if it's exactly what you wanted?

For the past few months, you've been sneaking around with none other than Draco Malfoy, the annoyingly handsome Slytherin Prince. It all started because of how embarrassingly bad he is at charms. Malfoy was flunking and you're the best in the class so Flitwick decided that you were to tutor the twit.

Your tutoring lessons started that same night in the library but you could barely speak a few words to each other before you'd start arguing. Despite this, you couldn't deny the fact that Malfoy is sexy. Of course, you've always known but being so close to him in the empty library seemed to mess with your head, you could barely concentrate on the charm you were trying to teach him. It didn't help that you'd caught him looking at your lips more than once while you spoke.

You're not really sure how it happened but one second you were screaming at him for being an arse and the next he had you pushed up against a bookshelf with his hand up your skirt. Ever since you can't seem to keep your hands off each other, whether it be pushing you into empty classrooms and bending you over a desk or him sneaking into your room so he could put his dick down your throat, it didn't matter as long as you were with Draco.

Everything had been going great with you two, he even showed massive improvement in charms.

Until today when you walked into the library a little early to set up for your lesson with Draco. There he was with Crabbe and Goyle, telling the two idiots that he couldn't stand you and that if it weren't for him needing to pass charms he would never be seen with someone like you, even if his life depended on it. He hadn't seen you until that point and when he did all you could do not to cry in front of them was turn and walk away.

That night after crying in your dorm, you decided that you'd be damned if you let an ass like Malfoy talk about you that way. You are going to make him regret his words if it's the last thing you do and you know just how to do it. If there is one thing you know about Draco it's that the boy does not like to share, especially not the girl he considers his.

The next morning you set your plan into action, spending more time on your appearance than you usually would, making sure you look flawless. As you walk into the great hall for breakfast you immediately make eye contact with Draco and his jaw drops, you just smirk and walk over to your friends, not looking at him once.

You have many classes with the slytherins and in every one of them, you've successfully ignored him. He's sent you many notes apologizing for his words claiming he didn't mean it but you just read them, crumple them up, and throw them away. You aren't going to let him get away with it that easily, even if you do believe him.

Finally, your last class of the day rolls around and its charms, by this point Draco is seething with anger but you could care less. Instead of sitting at the table you usually share with him you walk right past the blonde to sit with Blaise. You can feel his eyes burning into the back of your head but you don't dare turn around.

"Hey Blaise, you don't mind if I sit here do you?" You've always known he has a slight crush on you.

"Of course not y/n, a pretty girl like you doesn't even have to ask." You just smile at him and take a seat, this is already going so much better than you had planned, you only wish you could see the look on Draco's face.

"You know Blaise, I noticed you've gotten a lot better at quidditch, maybe next time there's a game I can wear your jersey for good luck?"

"I'd love that, maybe you could let me take you on a date sometime?"

"We'll see about that Zabini." You wink at him, he just laughs and shakes his head. For the rest of the class, you joke around and flirt with Blaise loud enough for Draco to hear.

When you're leaving Blaise grabs you, "You have something in your hair y/n, let me get it for you." You lean in slightly so he can get it, once he does you thank him and kiss him on the cheek, very close to the corner of his mouth.

As soon as your lips touch his face you feel two cold hands grabbing you by the waist and pulling you away from the dark-haired boy. Draco drags you down the hallway until you finally reach his dorm where he pushes you up against the door.

"What the hell are you playing at y/n, think you can ignore me all fucking day and then flirt with Zabini right in front of me?"

You just smile, "I don't know what you're talking about Draco." You're surprised he doesn't have steam blowing out his ear with how angry he looks.

"You know exactly what you're doing y/n! I'm really sorry, okay? I shouldn't have said any of it, I didn't mean a word-"

"Hmmm, I don't know. I don't think Blaise would say what you did about me, I think I'd rather go talk to him right now." You push him away slightly but don't get far before he has you on the door again, this time with his hand wrapped around your throat, just the way you like it.

"You're mine and only mine!" He's an inch away from your face this time.

"Prove it."

He responds instantly with his lips on yours, his other hand grabbing the end of your hair to tilt your head up while the one around your throat tightens slightly. He pulls away to take off your shirt and bra, immediately putting one of your nipples into his warm mouth while massaging the other one, making you moan.

"Get on your knees. Now."

You don't need to be told twice, you know if he has to repeat himself there will be hell to pay. You start working on his belt while looking up at him through your eyelashes. Once you get the belt off you waste no time taking off his dress pants and boxers. You begin to slowly pump him in your hand, never breaking eye contact.

"Don't tease me y/n!" You immediately flick your tongue over the tip and hollow out your cheeks, taking as much of his dick into your mouth as you could. You bob your head at a steady pace using your hand to pump what you couldn't fit in your mouth, making sure to run your tongue down the base just the way he likes.

He's breathing heavily as he tangles his hand in your hair pushing himself deeper down your throat making your eyes water.

"You look so fucking pretty, you take my dick so well baby girl." You look up at Draco and the sight almost makes you cum, you've never seen someone sexier in your life. Next thing you know he's yanking you up and tearing off your skirt and panties. He takes his shirt off as well but you notice he's still holding his green tie in one hand.

"I want you on the bed face down, ass up, arms behind your back. Do you understand?" All you can manage is a slight nod. You do as you're told when you feel him come up behind you, pulling your hands together and tying them behind your back.

You jolt slightly when you feel his fingers start running up your slick folds, making you moan his name. That's when he smacks a hand down on your ass and all you can do is yelp.

"You've been a bad girl y/n," another smack, "Did you really think I would let you get away with what you did today?" You shake your head furiously as he smacks your ass again.

Draco leans in until he's an inch away from your ear making you clench. "I want you to beg for it." he whispers.

"Please, Draco." You're barely able to get it out, the feeling of his finger brushing against you driving you mad.

"Please what love?" He teases. Yet another smack, followed by a loud moan.

"Please fuck me, I'm begging you." With that he pushes into you, grabbing your hair and pulling you up so your back is against his chest. You feel his hips slamming into your ass with every thrust and all you can do is moan. He reaches around you with his other hand and starts massaging your clit making you scream his name.

He kisses up your neck and you can tell he is purposely leaving dark marks everywhere so everyone knows who you belong to. He lets go of your hair and you fall back down onto the bed, him smacking a hand on your ass again.

"Fuck-" You can't help but moan.

"You like that y/n? Let everyone know who's making you feel this good." And that's exactly what you do. You scream Draco's name over and over again.

"I'm- I'm gonna- Fuck- cum."

"Cum for me sweet girl." He speeds up and you feel your walls tighten around him making him moan your name and that's all it takes for you to let go. He rubs your clit as you ride out your high, making you see white. You feel his thrusts become sloppy and shortly after he's spilling into you.

Draco unties your wrists, kisses both of them, turning you around and pulling you into his chest.

"I wasn't too rough was I?" he looks at you a little worried.

"Perfect as always Draco." You smile at him and he just chuckles softly pulling you in for a sweet kiss.

"Good, don't ever pull that shit you did with Blaise ever again."

"Trust me, I don't plan on it."

[moremaybank]

an imagine where klaus takes the reader on a dinner date and he plays with her under the table, and she becomes so desperate for him that she begs him to have a quickie in the restroom

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU — k.m

pairing klaus mikaelson x gf!reader

summary date night with klaus takes a turn when he begins to tease you under the table.

warnings 18+, teasing, unprotected sex, rough sex, slight daddy kink

klaus masterlist

Y/N never had an issue with getting all dolled up for her boyfriend, or herself for that matter. In fact, she lived for it. She chose the most impeccable dress. One that showed off her curves in the most delicious way, and she felt pretty damn sexy in it. The heels she picked out made her legs look amazing. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was styled to perfection. Y/N was more than ready to leave her man breathless - in more ways than one.

The entire drive over, Klaus found it more than difficult to keep his hands off of Y/N. He couldn't believe the audacity Y/N had to look as stunning as she did. She had denied his offer of cancelling their dinner reservation in the name of giving her as many orgasms as he could wring from her, claiming that Klaus would get his reward after their date. So, as he drove, he concocted a revenge plan. He smirked to himself as he thought of just how clueless Y/N was. She had absolutely no idea what was coming.

"This place is amazing, Klaus," Y/N said, looking around the lavish restaurant from their booth. "I'm glad you think so," Klaus smiled, putting his hand on top of hers on the table. "Did I mention how ravishing you look this evening?" He asked her. "You did, but I do love hearing it," she grinned up at him, and he chuckled softly. "Well, you look absolutely intoxicating," he spoke as his hand landed on her thigh. He leaned into her ear, whispering as his hand trailed between her thighs, "So intoxicating that all I can think about is claiming you in front of everyone in here. We could give them a show."

Y/N's eyes went wide as she began to feel her bundle of nerves throbbing in response to the downright filthy words Klaus had spoken in her ear. "Klaus," she scolded quietly. His fingers found traced lightly on her clit over her lace panties and Y/N held back a moan, inhaling sharply. "Klaus, please," Y/N pleaded. Klaus' free hand found the tip of her chin so he could meet her gaze, "As much as I adore hearing you beg for me, you still need to be punished for denying me what I want. You're adorable if you think I'm going to let you get away with that."

Y/N could barely focus on anything but the man sitting next to her. His voice in her ear, his demanding tone. The way he had no shame in playing with her in front of all the oblivious strangers in the room. Klaus' fingers moved downwards over her entrance, "I've barely touched you and yet your panties are soaked. So responsive," he cooed as he pressed a small open-mouthed kiss to her neck. This man was the devil himself. And he was using it to his advantage.

Suddenly, Klaus' fingers moved her panties to the side and ran through her slick. He spread it through her folds and up to her clit, and Y/N bit her lip as she stifled back a moan. Klaus' lips found their way to her ear again, ready to instruct her. "So here's how this is going to go. I'll continue to play with you if you keep quiet. Perhaps I'll even allow you to come just once. But if you make a noise, I stop. And all you'll be able to think about is how badly you want me to touch you. I'm going to turn you into a needy little mess."

Klaus calculated his next move as he saw their waiter approaching their table. "Could I get you two started with some drinks?" Klaus began to respond to the waiter's question as his fingers started to circle her clit at a faster pace, "I'll have a bourbon, neat. What about you, my love?" He felt Y/N jolt slightly at his actions, and he wanted to laugh at her facial expression. Y/N, however, felt like smacking that stupid, innocent, puppy-dog-eyed look off of Klaus' damn face. Inhaling deeply, she mustered up the courage to answer. "I'll have a g-glass of white wine," she replied, avoiding eye contact with the poor, clueless waiter.

"I hate you," Y/N gritted through her teeth at Klaus softly once they were alone. His index finger plunged into her entrance without warning, "If that were true, you wouldn't be dripping all over my hand." Y/N gripped the sides of the table tightly, trying her hardest not to moan the way she needed to. Clearing her throat, she glared at him. Klaus then added his middle finger, the intrusion threatening to knock the air out of her lungs. "Drop the attitude or 4 of my fingers will be so deep inside of you that you go blind," he threatened, and her walls clenched at his words.

The waiter returned with their drinks and the pace of Klaus' fingers slowed. He was toying with her, knowing Y/N got off on him being rough with her. So he moved at a tortoise-like rhythm and added to his torture by pressing on her g-spot with each thrust. Y/N used all her might to prevent her body from writhing around in front of their waiter as she felt her orgasm approaching. He asked Y/N and Klaus what they wanted to eat, and Klaus decided he wanted to help her out a bit. But only partly. Klaus ordered for them both, but not without entering a third finger into Y/N's entrance and beginning to move his fingers in and out of her faster.

Y/N had no choice but to let out a gasp, the pleasure overwhelming her, and Klaus removed his fingers from her as punishment. "Are you okay, miss?" The waiter asked. "Y-yes, I'm fine," Y/N answered, just barely giving him a smile. He nodded, leaving the two of them alone. Y/N felt her walls clenching around nothing, evidently mourning the loss of her release. Her fingers came up to massage her temples. "Missing my touch already, love?" Klaus smirked. He was well aware of the fact that she was going insane. "Shut up," she grumbled, avoiding his gaze. Then, an idea popped into her head. Y/N decided that she would play into Klaus' weaknesses.

Turning her body towards him, she met his gaze. "Can you do something for me, daddy?" Her voice was soft and she looked so innocent. And Klaus knew he wasn't going to be too fond of wherever this was heading. "What's that, sweetheart?" Y/N leaned over to his ear, "Will you take me to the restroom, lock the door and fuck me against it? Hard and rough, just how I like it? I mean, you were talking about giving everyone in here a show. Why not let everyone hear just how good you give it to me?"

Klaus felt himself becoming hard, and he closed his eyes, tightening his fist. "I'm so wet for you daddy. I'm drenched. And the only thing I want right now is to cream all over your hard cock while you pin me against that door and drill into me with everything you have," Y/N pleaded. She flicked the tip of her tongue against Klaus' earlobe, before biting down on it gently. Klaus shivered, and he gritted his teeth. He couldn't let her win. No way. "If you didn't disobey me, I'd be filling you up with my come right now. But you didn't. So I'm not going to," he replied.

It looked like Y/N was going to have to resort to other methods. She didn't want to, but Klaus had riled her up. "Okay, then," she shrugged, sitting back in her seat. "If you don't want to help me, that's fine," she stated. Taking a sip of her wine, she stood up from her seat. "Where do you think you're going?" Klaus asked. "To the bathroom. I'm going to orgasm in this restaurant. With, or without you," she stated before walking off. Klaus bit his lip, watching Y/N walk in the direction of the restroom. Her hips swayed, and she turned around and smirked at him before disappearing behind the door.

Y/N closed the door behind her, and just as she was about to lock it, the door swung open to reveal an angry-looking Klaus. He entered the restroom, locking the door and using his vampire speed to set Y/N on top of the counter. "If you want to act like a brat, you're going to get fucked like one," he spat, undoing his belt and unzipping his pants. "Open your legs," he demanded, and Y/N obeyed his command without a second thought. Finally, finally, she was getting what she wanted.

Klaus spat onto Y/N's folds and used his tip to spread the saliva through her folds. His left hand came up to her neck, pulling her face closer to him. "Watch how I'm going to fuck your desperate little cunt," he ordered and with that, he slammed into her. Y/N let out a strangled scream at the sudden intrusion. Klaus fucked into her with abandon, refusing to give her time to adjust to his size. They watched him move in and out of her and moaned at the sight. The force of his thrusts shook Y/N's body, and tears were already filling in her eyes at the pleasure Klaus was finally providing her.

Y/N clutched onto Klaus' biceps, her nails leaving crescent-shaped marks on his skin. "You love it when I pound this tight little pussy, don't you?" Klaus grunted, gripping her thighs tightly. Y/N was panting, and nothing but shaky cries escaped her lips. "Answer me or you're going to regret it," Klaus instructed. "Y-yes. I love it," she cried. "Good girl," Klaus praised, and in a flash, her legs were wrapped around Klaus' waist and her back was pinned against the door. The new angle allowed Klaus' tip to dig into Y/N's g-spot with every single thrust, and she was seeing stars. "I need it, daddy," Y/N begged.

Klaus' thrusts became harder, and Y/N scraped her nails down his back leaving jagged red marks and blood on the skin of his back. Her back continued to hit against the door with every thrust. "Be a good girl and come all over me. Let it go for me, Y/N," Klaus grunted. A series of high-pitched moans escaped Y/N's lips as Klaus' length dug into her spot again, and she creamed all over his cock. He continued his unrelenting thrusts, chasing his high right behind her. He let out a groan and released his seed into her. He pumped into her lazily a few more times before pulling out and setting Y/N on her feet.

Y/N wrapped her arms around Klaus' neck and pressed a feverish kiss to his lips. Klaus grabbed her hips, pulling her body against his as he lost himself in her kiss. Pulling away, Klaus looked at Y/N. Her hair was a mess, her lipstick and mascara smudged. "Look at you, all fucked out," he spoke, wiping under her eyes with his thumb. "Are you kidding? When we get home, you're going to fuck me nice and slow for hours on end. And then when I'm begging you for more, you're going to drill into me until I can't move," she grinned up at him. "You are the perfect woman," Klaus smirked, stroking her jaw. Y/N smiled up at him, "I know."

~

[danses-with-dogmeat]

Day 16 -- Arthur Maxson

The (nsfw) details for Kinktober, Day 16 are just below the cut!

Minors, please don't interact.

Sadomasochism with Maxson x M!Sole

I swear this is actually sweet 😅 But for context, I really don't know how I feel about Maxson 🤔 This didn't really help me figure it out either, lol But this was steamy and fun to write, so no matter how you feel about him, I hope you enjoy! :)

Here is the link to my Kinktober 2022 Event list so you can stay up-to-date, or re-visit these works as you please.

Included: Sadomasochism, enthusiastic consent, bdsm dynamics, punishments, stress relief, spanking, pain play, hand jobs, anal sex, claiming/marking, 'sir' kink, overstimulation, slight authority/power dynamics, aftercare, pillow talk.

4.1k words.

--

Maxson’s knuckles were white where he clung to the metal frame of the table in his quarters, one angry vein bulged from his neck like it was trying to escape the skin there. Sole could hear his heavy breathing even from the other side of the room, from where he was seated on his partner’s cot, twiddling his thumbs.

This stress is making him look older than me.

Sole bit his lip thoughtfully, the hard pressure in his chest growing to an uncomfortable pain as he ached for the situation Arthur was in. Some days he still couldn’t believe how old he was. All the responsibility, every eye and ear in the Brotherhood warily keeping watch, listening for the slightest whisper of failure, looking for the smallest mistake, trying to find some miniscule action that would make him unworthy of his name and station. Sole didn’t know how he managed to cope. 

He knew some days were worse than others, though. Today, for example, was bad. A horde of ferals, a meager scouting party of mostly scribes, and a bit of bad luck meant that Maxson had a hell of a lot of letters to write to family members and friends of the victims of those creatures’ horrid antics. Even when the fault of it was well out of his own hands, the Elder still knew who the family and friends would see signing the letter that sealed their knowledge of the fate of their loved one. 

But the events of the day had been no more than the final straw that broke the brahmin’s back. This had all been building for so long. The Commonwealth, the raiders and mutants, the Institute, the other branches of the Brotherhood, even, all these factors swirling into a thick stew that screamed exhaustion, stress, and begrudging responsibility. Maxson would never back down from it, Sole knew, as he saw the way the Elder’s brow furrowed stubbornly, but still… He wished he could do something to help. Anything. 

Sole flinched as pain flared in his finger. He’d pulled too hard at a hangnail amidst his restless fidgeting. He brought the digit to his mouth to rid it of the speck of scarlet that had sprouted up, and as the metallic taste touched his tongue, Sole’s mind flashed a thought behind his eyes. 

Unsure if it was something Arthur would even be interested in, let alone want to actually try, Sole decided to speak up. 

Won’t know until you ask, right? Besides… Something like this, it really could be good for both of us. 

“You know…” He started, and Maxson’s icy eyes locked to him, “You could take it out on me. If, you know, if you wanted to.” 

The Elder’s eyes narrowed. 

“Take what out on you?” Maxson’s hands finally relented their grip on the steel table as he stood up fully, and Sole couldn’t quite see from here, but it really seemed as though the pads of his fingers had left indents in the metal. 

“Your stress.” He clarified, almost sheepishly. 

The confusion on Maxson’s face only grew stronger at that, as the Elder walked over to sit on the bed beside his partner. 

“I just mean,” Sole continued, “If you need to blow off some steam… I just know how tense you always are, and it seems like nothing I can do ever helps. I just feel so powerless, and I want… I want to help you feel like you again.” 

Maxson smiled sadly at that, his eyes uncharacteristically apologetic at the sound of his partner’s words. 

“I-I wish I knew a way as well, but…” Arthur trailed off, shoulders shrugging and head shaking slowly as his eyes scanned the bleak bed sheets for an answer. “But perhaps there is something we haven’t tried yet... So, do you have an idea to propose?”

“I do. I think.” He said swiftly, “It’s just an idea though, and if you’re not comfortable, we don’t have to move forward with it.” 

Arthur nodded, and Sole took a breath before speaking.

“What if you tried, um, hurting me?” 

“What?” Arthur’s icy blue eyes widened in shock, “What the hell will–” 

Sole’s hands shot out to keep Maxson seated beside him as the Elder recoiled from his words.

“Let me finish. I was going to explain.” 

“I don’t need an explanation, Sole. I’m not going to do that.” 

“Arthur.” Sole took the Elder’s hand in his own, thumbs stroking over his knuckles as his eyes pleaded for him to listen. 

“Trust me. If it was something I didn’t want, I wouldn’t have even suggested it.” His partner’s eyes narrowed, unsure. “And it doesn’t have to be hateful or aggressive, or anything you don’t want it to be, but I want to be honest with you. That’s not... something I’m afraid of, I actually…” Sole bit into his lip, cheeks heating at the confession he was about to make. 

I’ve never told anyone this… Well, besides Nate/Nora. But no one alive knows this about me.  

He took a quick, steadying breath. 

“Well, before the war, me and my husband/wife, well… We sort of found out that I like it.” 

He could see the gears in Maxson’s head turning from the information, his brows remaining firmly furrowed with each passing word. 

“Like… what?” 

“Pain.” Sole just spat the word out, quickly, before he could think to retract it. “Like… Nate/Nora would sometimes hit me or be overly rough when we were together, since we both liked that sort of interaction.” 

Maxson’s nostrils flared, and he opened his mouth, ready with an undoubtedly furious response.

“After we talked about it!” Sole added quickly “Of course, we talked about it first, before we ever did anything physical like that. It just… it worked for us. To blow off steam, to escape from reality for a while, to just focus on the physical. You really do feel better after. Or, we did, at least.” 

Maxson sat back against the wall, eyes downcast and hand still locked in Sole’s as he thought through everything he’d heard, everything they’d done, everything he’d shamefully felt like he wanted to try but was too hesitant to speak up about… 

“This is really something you’d want to try… with me?” 

“Absolutely.” His partner answered without hesitation, hands squeezing his for emphasis. “And I’m no expert, but I really do think it would make you feel better. Allow you to let some steam out of the pot, you know? Before it all just boils over or eats you alive.” 

Maxson nodded at that, almost gravely, and sighed. 

“Very well.” 

“Really?” Sole shot up out of the bed. 

“Yes. If you think it would help… If it’s something you want, then, I want to try it.” He stood up after Sole, already following his partner’s lead as he entered into this unfamiliar bit of territory. “But if you feel, even for a moment, unsafe, or unhappy, I need you to tell me right away.” 

“I will, don’t worry. And the same thing goes for you, okay?” Sole stepped closer to his partner as Maxson nodded to him, his hands going to the shoulders of the Elder’s famed steel battle coat, and he slowly tugged it down over his muscular shoulders and arms. 

“I think ‘zeppelin’ should do.” 

“Zeppelin?” Maxson cocked a brow. 

“For a safeword. You know, like the Prydwen?” Sole tossed the heavy coat over a chair and moved his hands to the zipper on his partner’s flight suit. “The Prydwen feels safe, doesn’t it?” 

“Suppose so.” Arthur’s hands moved to Sole’s, pausing their undressing of him as the zipper reached his waist. He pulled his own arms from his sleeves, and moved his focus to Sole’s suit. With oddly hesitant hands, Maxson peeled the fabric away slowly, unbuckling the collar and tugging at the zip with a care he rarely showed before having one of their trysts. Perhaps his gentleness now was a way of already making up for the actions he was about to take against his partner. 

I only hope he eventually feels comfortable enough to let loose. If he’s stuck worrying about me the whole time, he’ll never be able to lose himself the way he’s meant to. 

When Sole was standing before him in only his briefs, Maxson nodded to the bed. 

“On you go.” 

He nodded, an almost giddy smile on his face as he climbed onto the mattress. Staying down on all fours, Sole thrust his ass into the air to give the Elder the first hint at which direction he should be taking them in. 

“You can start with your hand.” He told him, and Maxson swallowed hard, steeling his resolve as he silently vowed to trust his partner in this. 

He’s assured me it’s what he wants… And I’d be lying to him and myself if I didn’t make it clear that it’s something I’ve wanted as well. That I want. 

Maxson gritted his teeth and stepped up to the bed, his presence already imposing as his shadow fell over Sole’s submitting form. 

“I’ll give the orders from here, Knight.” 

Sole nodded to him, biting back a grin as he lowered his head to the mattress and spread his legs wide for easier access. 

Maxson felt his member begin to harden in his suit. 

His rough hands met Sole’s hips, tugging him backwards to the very edge of the bed, where he began to remove the ex-vault dweller’s briefs, leaving him bare before him. Maxson patted one hand firmly on Sole’s ass experimentally, watching the way he tensed in response and anticipation. His hand came down harder the next time, palm landing flat against Sole’s soft skin and pulling a whimper from him. 

Maxson felt his cock jerk in response to the sound. 

Sole really may be onto something, here. 

His palm came down again, harder even than the last, and Maxson felt Sole’s skin begin to warm beneath the hard contact, a redness becoming more prominent with each smack. 

He switched to Sole’s other cheek, and his partner jerked in surprise, but kept his body as still as possible. The Brotherhood knight’s gasps turned to whimpers as Maxson increased the pressure of his blows, adrenaline rising in his body and blurring his inhibitions with each liberating action. 

Should it really feel this good to let loose this way? 

His mind made him begin to question his actions, the redness of his partner’s ass making it plain that bruising would be present the next day. 

Can he really enjoy what I’m doing to him, or is it just a way to get me to blow off steam without making it obvious that he’s just trying to help?

Maxson wasn’t the best at accepting help, especially when it came to his personal well-being. He had so many other things to worry about, to lend his energy to, he always put it off until Cade was practically dragging him into the clinic for a checkup, and Sole knew all of that. 

The Elder released a grunt as his hand came down harder than ever as his mind spun with more frustrating thoughts, more questions, more noise that he never seemed to be able to escape. He pulled back, the steadying hand he’d had at Sole’s hip pulling away as he took a step back from the bed. Sole hadn’t whimpered, he hadn’t gasped, but he’d groaned that time, and at the loss of contact, his hips shifted back, offering himself to the Elder despite his roughness. 

Maxson opened his mouth to speak, to ask his partner if he was alright, if he’d taken it too far, to apologize, if need be, but Sole spoke up first. 

“Again, Elder. Please.” 

His voice was hoarse, desperate with want, and as Maxson’s widened eyes fell to Sole’s form, he noticed something he couldn’t see from his angle before. Sole’s hips thrust backwards wantonly, his fingers tangling in the bed sheets as his legs spread wider, and Maxson caught sight of his cock, rock hard and dark with pleasure, his tip already glistening with need. The Elder’s cheeks reddened even as he blinked in surprise. 

Surely, Sole couldn’t lie that well. He really does enjoy this.

The tightness of Maxson’s suit and briefs surrounding his own aching member started to become unbearably uncomfortable, and he felt his fists clenching together. 

He wants more does he?

Arthur looked around the room briefly, scanning for some way to up the antics and really get Sole going, now that he could see the clear outcome of his actions written in his partner’s desperate body. 

In the next moment, Arthur was back at the foot of the bed, a clipboard in hand as Sole whined again beneath him. 

God, it’s good to see him like this. 

It’s just as Arthur always imagined it in his fantasies, only better, now that it was right in front of him. Now he could hear Sole, feel the warmth of his skin, smell his pleasure wafting off of him. It was so much more than fantasy.

Maxson tightened his grip of the clipboard with both hands, took aim, and brought it down on Sole’s plush ass. The Knight yelped and jerked his hips forward at the feel of the unrelenting wood against his skin, and Maxson held his breath. Then he heard Sole sigh, in what sounded like relief, as he let his hips shift back towards him. 

Maxson nodded his head, his mind growing foggy at the sight of his partner this way, energy surging through his veins at the thrill of this whole situation. Now, he fully understood Sole’s giddiness at the start of all this. 

Arthur hit him again, harder, and Sole bit down into one of the blankets on the mattress, a groan escaping from deep in his throat. Again, and again, Maxson brought down the clipboard, the thin slab of wood creaking with the force of the last few blows until he was afraid he was going to break the damn thing. Sole was shouting in pleasure, hands white-knucked in the blankets, legs shaking, his cock painfully hard and dripping onto the sheets between his spread legs. Meanwhile, Maxson was panting, pupils blown wide, and adrenaline making every muscle tingle with electricity. He felt so pent up, felt wild and alive, and even the sight of Sole’s sore ass, red and purple with angry marks didn’t deter him. It fueled him. 

“Just look at you, Knight.” Maxson said as he stepped back, throwing the abused clipboard aside with a clatter before he came right back, one hand gently moving to graze over Sole’s marred flesh. He was hot to the touch, the skin quivering under the delicate brush of his fingers as he stroked over his handiwork. 

“What a shameful display.” The Elder heard himself say. Almost unwittingly the words spilled from him, straight from one of his fantasies and so unlike what Sole had come to expect from him. 

“You deserved this, didn’t you, Knight?” 

Sole nodded, whimpering. Playing along. 

Maxson’s heart leapt in his chest. 

“Yes, sir.” The Knight choked out.

Maxson’s cock gave a painful jerk in the suffocating confines of his suit, screaming to be freed. His hands went to the hem of his flight suit where it hugged his hips, pulling it down to his ankles, along with his briefs. 

He grimaced as the cool Prydwen air rushed over his hard cock, already wet with pre-cum and aching to be one with the man kneeling before him. 

Soon. 

“So, what do we say to our Elder for teaching you this valuable lesson?” Maxson brought his hand back to Sole’s hip, holding him in place as he began to pump over his cock. 

“Thank you.” His hips thrust back towards the Elder. “Thank you, sir.” 

“You still haven’t learned though, have you, Sole?” 

He shook his head firmly. 

“N-no sir, I haven’t.” 

“So? How do you suggest we remedy this?” Maxson asked, his hand reaching underneath Sole’s body to grasp at his hardened member, where it strained up against his stomach. 

Sole gasped at the touch, muscles spasming at the feel of Maxson’s rough hand over his aching cock. Arthur smiled at the sound, at the feel of the way Sole’s member pulsed in his hand, eager to spill his release all over the bedsheets. 

“I believe I asked you a question, Knight.”

“Fuck.” Sole whispered under his breath as Maxson began to stroke his hand down the length of his cock, fingers squeezing tight as they reached the sensitive tip, making Sole shudder at the overwhelming feeling. 

“S-so, ah, “ Sole’s hips bucked. “I need– I think you sh-should fuck me, sir.” 

Desire burned low in Maxson’s belly, and he gritted his teeth at the way he felt his cock jerk to attention at Sole’s words. 

“Oh, but doesn’t that sound like a reward, Knight?” Maxson’s hand paused its movement over Sole’s cock, and the man whimpered pathetically at the loss of friction. 

“Y-you could make me cum first, sir. T-then you could take me. Hard and fast, to teach me my lesson.” 

Arthur smiled, but his eyes narrowed at the suggestion. 

“Make you cum first?” He asked for clarification, hand stroking over Sole’s length only once before pausing again. 

“Yes. It makes it more unc-comfortable, if I’ve already cum.”

“Hmm.” Maxson made a show of thinking it over while Sole tried desperately to keep from bucking needily into his hand. 

“Very well.” The Elder said at last, “If it’s as you say, then it should be sufficient.”

Maxson increased the pressure from his fingers, squeezing down hard over Sole’s aching member, feeling the drag of his skin with each stroke. He was relentless, pumping a fast and steady rhythm that left Sole gasping in response. Despite his efforts, Sole felt his hips bucking frantically, but whether it was to pull away from the overwhelming contact, or to increase it, he didn’t know. 

To be fair, he didn’t know much of anything right now. Only the feeling of his Elder’s rough fingers, the burning deep in his stomach, the tightening feeling he felt building up and threatening to spill over. A few more firm pumps of Arthur’s hand, and Sole was finished. 

His body writhed below the Elder, knees buckling and hands grasping desperately as he bit down on the mattress and screamed his pleasure into its plush fabric. Maxson didn’t relent, not even then, his hand swiping urgently over Sole’s pulsing cock as it shot out spurt after spurt of cum onto the mattress below. 

When Sole’s groans turned to whimpers and his shaking limbs dissolved to jelly, Maxson’s hand finally pulled away. He reached down to the mattress, lewdly collecting what he could of Sole’s release in his hand, and stroked over his own member, coating himself in his partner’s juices. 

“There. You’ve had yours. Now, get back into position.” 

With shaking arms and legs, Sole clambered back onto his elbows and knees, spreading his legs further than before to allow for better access. Maxson’s hands went to Sole’s bruised and battered ass cheeks, spreading them apart before spitting into his hand and rubbing the wetness over his entrance. 

Arthur’s cock was wet enough, with the help of his own arousal and Sole’s, and he knew he was meant to be rough, but still… He couldn’t bring himself to go in completely dry. His wet fingers massaged over Sole’s asshole, prodding and dipping inside every few strokes to stretch him just a bit. His partner was used to taking Maxson’s girth, but not without preparation. 

When he was satisfied with the give of Sole’s entrance on his fingers, Maxson grasped at his member, stepping closer to the bed, and lined up the tip of his cock with Sole’s entrance. His partner sucked in a breath, and when he released it, his body visibly relaxed, and Arthur nudged his tip inside. As usual, Sole grit his teeth at the stretch, but in the next moment, Maxson felt the, almost painfully, tight grip on his cock relent enough for him to press forward. 

Sole groaned as his partner bottomed out, his voice tired, but wrought with pleasure, nonetheless; and Maxson took that as the signal to continue with his movements. The friction against his aching cock was maddening, the roughness of Sole’s only partially slicked channel making him feel like he could cum right there and then. 

The Elder grit his teeth together, pushing thoughts of finishing too soon from his mind as he forced himself to move. 

‘Then you can take me. Hard and fast.’

Sole’s pleading words rang through his mind like a mantra, and Maxson did just that. His grip on Sole’s hips tightened to an almost painful degree, and he pushed and pulled his partner into his rough thrusts, hips slamming into Sole’s battered backside each time he bottomed out. 

Each slam into him, and Sole was groaning into the mattress, his broken, pained sounds bordering on sobs as tears spilled down his cheeks. It was overwhelming. Maxson delving far into his depths, rubbing deliciously against his pressure points deep inside, the pound of his hips on his reddened ass, reminding him of the bruises that would still be there days after, the sound of his grunts above him as he came closer and closer to his climax. 

“Gonna finish soon.” Maxson panted, “Gonna finish inside you.” 

Sole whimpered, bucking his hips back wantonly at his Elder’s words. 

“Gonna finish deep inside, that way, when it's dripping down behind you, you’ll remember this lesson. You’ll remember how it felt to be taught this lesson by your Elder.” 

“Y-yes, sir.” Sole managed, his throat hoarse from his sobs. 

Maxson’s hands tightened their grip on him, hips pounding hard against his backside, delivering quick, deep thrusts that left Sole floundering to keep up with the growing, overwhelming sensation of pain and pleasure mixing so potently inside him. 

The Elder thrust, once, twice more, burying himself deep in Sole’s ass, just as he promised, and released with an unrestrained shout. His hips bucked into Sole, his member shooting jets of hot cum and painting his insides with his release.

Finally, Maxson felt the tension leave his body fully, leaving a pleasant tingling sensation in its wake. He pulled his hips back, tugging his softening cock from Sole’s ass, and appreciated the sight of him. Red, and battered, and stretched, and used. He gave a soft pat to Sole’s ass, and the Knight collapsed onto the mattress with a final groan. 

As the euphoria of their heated union slowly drained away, Maxson’s eyebrows knitted together in concern. He turned behind him, grabbing a rag from his dresser and a can of water from the table. Sitting down on the bed beside his partner, he wet the rag with the water, taking a few gulps of it after the fact and setting it on the floor. Gingerly, Arthur brushed the rag over Sole’s ass, cleaning him and soothing the hot, angry marks he’d left. He reached down to wipe what was left of Sole’s release from the mattress, turning his partner’s hips to brush over his stomach and cock as well. When he’d wiped himself clean, he threw the towel into the clothes bin and grabbed up the can of water. 

“Here.” Maxson offered the water to his partner as he sat beside him on the bed, scooting close as Sole carefully rose to a sitting position, grimacing at the pressure on his sore ass. Maxson frowned. 

“Thanks.” Sole grabbed the water, oblivious to Maxson’s concern, and drank the rest of its contents down before setting it aside. 

“Are you alright?” Arthur asked softly, and to his relief, Sole smiled at him tiredly.

“I’m great.” He said, and Arthur raised a hand to wipe away a tear from his partner’s face. 

“Honestly.” Sole insisted, “That was… something else. I haven’t felt like that… that good, in ages. So, thank you.”

Maxson visibly relaxed at his words, and Sole scooted closer to him, laying down with his head resting on Arthur’s torso. The Elder’s hand stoked over Sole’s hair gently, a soft smile tugging at his lips at the sight of his partner’s expression of pure contentment. 

“I’m glad. I… thought I might’ve taken it too far.” 

Sole shook his head. 

“No, I enjoyed every second of it.” His hand came up to rest on the Elder’s stomach, his body settling further into him as they both felt the fatigue beginning to set in. “And I was glad you got so into it too, I wasn’t sure if you were gonna like it or not.” 

Maxson hummed at that. 

“Truthfully?” He said, “I’d thought about doing something like that with you before, but I wasn’t quite sure how to… approach the subject.” 

Sole’s breath fanned over his skin as he chuckled softly. 

“You were right, though.” Arthur continued, his eyes heavy as he watched Sole’s fall to a close.

“About what?” Sole murmured.

“I feel… better. Looser, less stressed. Thanks to you.” 

He opened his eyes to see Sole’s little smile. 

“Mm, told you so.” 

Maxson chuckled as his eyes fell closed again, and he felt sleep calling to him. For the first time in weeks, he felt like he could answer. He felt like he could rest.

[dreamescapeswriting]

Stray Kids Reaction | S/O Tries to Act Dom [Request] [M]

A/N: I tried to keep them all different from one another so I hope that this is okay for you sweetie! SOME SMUT INCLUDED

CHAN:

Chan's hand had been resting between your thighs all day, giving you small touches here and there whenever he wanted to tease you in front of the boys without them knowing what he was doing to you but now it was your turn for revenge. He was doing his weekly vlive while you slid under the desk, teasing him with your mouth to take control of things without anyone know what was happening.

"I almost forgot the hug! Can't forget the hug!" You crawled out from under the desk as soon as you heard him hugging the phone, you needed to make a break for it before he ended it but it was too late. He grabbed you from behind and smirked as you struggled against his grip, 

"What happened? I thought you wanted to take control." He hissed in your ear as he took you over to the sofa in his studio, laying you down as he looked at you.

"So cute but we both know how bratty and subby you are for me," He ran his hand over your cheek and chuckled as you snuggled into his touch instantly. 

"See, already needy for me." You whined at him, kissing him deeply as you tried to get him to hurry up with things but he was going to take his time with you as punishment.

MINHO:

"You could never dom me, let's be honest," Minho smirked as he looked at you, all morning long he'd been teasing you playfully about not being able to take control in the bedroom even though you claimed you could.

"I can do whatever I want," You stared at him as he raised his eyebrows at you, giving you free rein to do whatever you wanted to do to him, 

"I can do what I want when I want." You giggled happily, leaning down to kiss him hungrily, pulling off his shirt and running your hands down his body but that was when you froze.

"What? I thought you did what you wanted whenever you wanted," You looked at him as he stared up at you, watching as you backed away from him and he smirked. 

"Does my bratty little girl not want to be in charge anymore?" He chuckled darkly as he got up from the bed and stood next to you, staring down into your eyes with a blank expression on his face. 

"Get on the bed," He ordered making you scramble over to the bed, sitting and waiting for him as he smirked at you. 

CHANGBIN:

Changbin hadn't been able to take his eyes off you all night, you'd gone to dinner with him in some of the most revealing clothes he'd ever seen you in. He was finding it hard to concentrate on food and conversation throughout your entire date which made you feel as though you'd done something right. He'd done nothing but tease you yesterday with small touches to your thighs and neck, leaving kisses in the places he knew made you weak for him but left you without anything you needed. 

"You've been acting so weird all night," You laughed playing the ignorant card as you walked into your apartment later that night. 

"Don't act so innocent, you knew what you were doing what that outfit," He licked his lips as he watched you walk away from him, 

"I thought I looked nice, I'm going to change into sweats and we can watch a movie." You said nonchalantly as he chased after you, 

"What do you mean watch a movie? I want to rip the dress off you," He growled, following you into your room as you laughed at him. 

"No, this was about me looking good and teasing you in revenge." You smirked at him but this only wound him up more as he growled at you, pinning you against the wardrobe door and pulled the dress off you. 

"You may act all dominant but we both know who you get weak for," He smirked before kissing you roughly.

HYUNJIN:

It had been the running joke that week that Hyunjin wasn't loud in bed and it was starting to get to you, you wondered if you were doing something wrong or doing something that he didn't like so you'd done everything to make sure you could make him feel good. Spending hours researching things that would make him feel good until you finally found something. 

"Babe, I love you but this-" Hyunjin stopped talking when you came into the bedroom, there was nothing different to you except how you seemed to be holding yourself. There was a difference in your personality as you stood there more dominant than before, you had a look on your face that sent shivers down Hyunjin's body. 

"This, what baby? Use your words," You smirked copying the things Hyunjin would normally say to you as you moved closer to him, pushing him down onto the bed as you straddled his lap. 

"I wanna hear what you were going to say." You whispered as you kissed his neck, biting down on his ear as he stumbled over his words. His brain was in a frenzy of not knowing what to do, he was torn between submitting to you and taking control since he knew you'd never be able to follow through with what you were doing.

"Tell me." You ordered as you ground your hips down against his but this had the opposite effect of what you wanted to happen, instead, Hyunjin had you pinned against the bed, your hips in his hands as he looked at you with a smirk on his face. 

"Did my baby really think she could take control like that?" A whimper escaped your lips as you looked up at him, begging for him to take control within seconds of him holding you.

JISUNG:

You'd overheard Jisung talking with Chan about wanting you to be more dominating in the bedroom and after some researching, you decided to give it a go doing your best to act dominating instead of the sub you and Jisung knew you were. 

"Babe?" Jisung raised his eyebrows at you as you kept his hands tied to the bedposts on your bed, you looked up at him and smiled as you trailed kisses down his abs. 

"Yes, Sungie?" You questioned as you straddled him, resting your hands on his stomach as he watched you, he was wondering what you were doing since he'd woken up to you tying him up.

"Well I overheard you the other day," You leant down and began sucking small marks around his collarbone knowing it was the one place that made his head spin, 

"I wanted to try and be more dominating for you," Jisung frowned thinking back on all of the conversations he'd had lately but he couldn't remember mentioning to anyone that he wanted you to dominate him. 

"I heard you say it to Chan, so be a good boy and let me make you feel good." Jisung struggled against the silk ties you'd used to tie him down as he thought about you doing this, he never wanted you to be in control because he knew how uncomfortable it would make you feel. 

"I didn't say that to Chan, we were talking about Chan's girlfriend wanting to be more dominate." As soon as he said this he saw a wave of relief wash over you and watched as you physically relaxed in front of him, taking off the restraints and kissing him softly. 

"G-Good because I don't think I'm good at that," You whined out as Jisung smirked, spinning you around so you were below him, 

"That's good because I am." He whispered as he lifted one of your arms up to tie it in the same position his hand had been in previously. 

FELIX:

Felix bit down on his lip as he felt your hand palming him through his trousers, you were out to dinner with him and the boys when you decided you wanted to tease him in revenge for him teasing you back at the dorms. 

"Babe, you know that your actions have consequences." He whispered in your ear but the newfound confidence taking over your body allowing you to ignore him as you continued to palm his hard-on through the thin fabric of his jeans. A small croak of a moan left his voice as you began rubbing his shaft through the fabric while continuing a basic conversation with Chan right across the table from you. 

"B-Babe, please." The neediness in Felix's voice made you smirk on the inside and it made you realize why he liked to be in control so much, the empowerment you got from this was a rush.

As soon as Felix had been close to cumming in his pants you stopped and never touched him again, ignoring his begging to go into the bathroom with him and pleading to leave early.

"You should have left when I told you to," He growled in his deep voice as he pushed you against the back of the front door, roughly sucking on your neck. 

"D-Didn't want to," You cried out as he continued to roughly run his hands down your body and into the pants you were wearing,

"You thought you could tease me and get away with it?" Your legs were like jelly as he began to roughly rub your clit with an evil smirk on his face, 

"You're in for a long night brat." He hissed at you before rubbing his fingers away from you and telling you to get into the bedroom.

SEUNGMIN:

Seungmin smirked in amusement as you sat across him from in the studio, all week long he and the boys had done nothing but tease you about how cute they thought you were. Seungmin always taking the time to tease you about how bratty and subby you were for him in the privacy of your own home and you took a stand against it, deciding you were going to be the dominating one this week. Tonight you were visiting the boys and doing your best not to cling onto Seungmin as you would usually do but it only made Seungmin smile. 

"I thought you were the dominating one," He said once the boys left you alone in the studio to go and get some food, you folded your arms over your chest as you put on a brave face. 

"I am." He chuckled at the sense of sincerity in your voice, it was as if you truly believed you could do it, Seungmin turned his lips up and nodded. Leaning back against the sofa as he kept his eyes on you, he knew what one look from him could do to you, send you weak at the knees and have you begging for him.

"If you think you can handle being the dom baby girl, go for it." The nickname sent shivers down your spine as you stared back at him, trying not to show that his words had an effect on you. 

"What do you want me to do for you, babe? I'm yours, all yours." He was mimicking the way you would say that to him and you did your best not to pout at him. Folding your arms over your chest and looking over at the desk instead of at him and that, was when Seungmin knew he was getting to you. 

"No matter how good you are at acting baby," He got up as he spoke to you, sitting down beside you on the sofa and wrapping his arms around your shoulder, 

"You'll always be my bratty little sub, no matter what." He whispered in your ear, making you whine out as he touched you leaving small kisses up and down your neck. 

"Shut up, take me home." You begged him as you looked at him with pleading eyes, the fake dominating persona melting away faster than ice on a summer's day. 

"There's my girl," He chuckled darkly kissing you roughly as he pulled you onto his lap. 

JEONGIN:

He wasn't stupid he knew what you were trying t do from the moment you told him that sex was off the table for the week. Last week Jeongin had done nothing but deny your orgasms and tease you constantly for it so this week you were taking your revenge. Jeongin just wanted to see how far you were willing to take it since he knew how much of a brat you were when it came to the bedroom. He knew that no matter what you would be like putty in his hands as soon as your head hit the pillow. So when you began teasing him that day with small touches under the table, kissing him in his sweet spots and deliberately making him hard in front of the boys he was tallying up everything in his head.

"On the bed," You hissed, pushing your boyfriend down onto the mattress as you kissed down his neck, making sure not to leave any marks on the way down.

"So demanding for someone who's going to become a brat within five seconds," Jeongin tutted as he ran his hands up and down your sides listening to the way your breathing stuttered.

"My little brat, can't even stay in control...Can you?" Within a matter of seconds, he had you pinned down below him as he looked at you, an evil smirk plastered across his face. 

"I counted everything you did to me today, are you ready to be punished for everything you did?" He laid a gentle kiss on your exposed collar bone and you whimpered, 

"Y-Yes," He smirked in approval and began kissing down your body, taking his time to remove every part of your clothing as agonizingly slow as possible. 

Tagline: @taestannie @kneel-begyourpardon @minholuvs​ @sw33tnight​ @acciocriativity​ @that-anxious-bisexual​ @mwitsmejk​

[zealoushound]

My Hero

Summary: You and Kal have a movie night!

Pairing: Henry x reader, Kal & reader

Word Count: 1,300

Warnings: RPF All fluff! Scary movie, mentions of horror movie monsters.

A/N: @iaalien asked for more Kal content so of course I had to provide! Hope you enjoy it babe!

Disclaimer: This is purely fictional. I don’t own Henry Cavill or Kal, which is really sad if you think about it. Do not copy any part of my material to use as your own. Do not repost my work, or any portions of my work on any site and claim it as your own. Like all my other fics, this was written on my phone and not beta’d.

(pic from @kalcavill-fanblog)

***

You only started watching this because your best friend, who had just finished it, told you it was such a good movie. You had wanted to wait, and watch it while Henry was home so you wouldn’t be as scared, but he was away for the weekend on business and wouldn’t be home until tomorrow night.

Against your better judgement, you decided not to wait on his return. Patience never had been your strong suit. You settled in on the couch beside Kal, who had stayed behind instead of going Henry.

Albeit, a considerably hairier replacement, Kal makes the perfect movie companion. He never complains about watching a chick flick, makes you watch any boring documentaries or hogs the popcorn like his human counterpart. Pulling your blanket up for extra security, you wrapped an arm around the gentle giant to your left and hit play.

Thirty minutes later you had gotten so interested in the movie that you were on the edge of the couch, unable to look away even as it got scarier, and scarier. With widened eyes, you leaned closer as if somehow leaning forward would help you see what was coming.

“Oh, Kal! This is too scary.” Putting your hand over your heart, “how did I let you talk me into this?” Looking away for a send to glance at your furry companion. Kal looked up at you, giving you a little head tilt.

Something crashed down then a loud scream ripped out of the television. “OH! No. I’m turning this off!” You said defiantly as someone was killed on screen.

As you were picking up the remote again someone else came into view on screen. “Oh, don’t go in there! Don’t do it!” You looked down at Kal, “She’s about to get it!” You stated matter of factly. Kal’s tongue lolled out of his happy mouth as you scratched his head, more for yourself than him. Touching him grounded you in the present. You weren’t as scared then. It also helped that touching, petting, playing with him made you feel closer to Henry.

As you looked back, the killer jumped out at the woman on screen. “Ahha! See! I told you! I gotta turn this off before I pee my pants.” You paused it. “Ok, a quick bathroom break and then we’ll restart... maybe.” You were a glutton for punishment, of course you’d come back! “I’ll be right back buddy.” You patted Kal on the side as you got up to run to the bathroom.

Opening the door you looked down, “Honey you didn't have to get up!” Of course Kal had followed you down the hall to the restroom. “Come on, baby boy, let's finish this.” You wiped your clean hands off on your pants. I’ll get you some snacks. How about that, huh? Yeah, is that my good boy? Yes sir, you are!” Kal pranced around loving all the praises from his mumma, as Henry had begun calling you.

You pulled a few Milk Bones out of the box in the kitchen, tossing one to him as he caught it midair. “Good boy!” You exclaimed excitedly. He crunched on it all the way back into the living room as you resettled onto the couch with your favorite pillow, just in case you needed to cover your eyes.

Kal hops up right next to you letting you drape an arm over him again while you rub the soft, fluffy fur on his chest. “Ok, now. Where were we?” You hit play, jumping right back into the story. Kal eyes the treats in your other hand. Seeing him in your peripheral vision, you put the bone shaped treat out in front of him for him to take from your hand while not looking away from the film.

Forty five minutes later, you’re so involved in the twisted story you don’t even realize that you’ve sunk down so much that you’re all but lying on Kal. He’s raised up, but still seated beside you, sensing the fear in you and keeping a vigilant eye on the monsters that intend to do you harm.

“Oooohhh nooooo,” you whisper, hiding your face in Kal’s fur as the music begins to swell. Henry cautiously walks into the living room, then stands perfectly still, watching you quietly. He’s careful not to make a sound; convinced that he would frighten you to death if he so much as breathed too loudly right now.

Just as you look up from your furry shield the beast leaps into view, growling, snarling, covered in carnage, looking like something straight out of your worst nightmare. You jump a foot off the couch, and let out a terrified scream. Kal springs into action.

He’s instantly up off the couch, and down to stand in front of the tv. Feet planted, ready to attack, fur bristled, growling at the beast that scared his mama so badly that she’s crying now.

He begins to bark until Henry’s soft soothing voice picks up from the kitchen behind him. “Easy boy, good boy. Relax buddy.” Kal backs down, walking over to see his dad. “That’s a good boy. Good work protecting mama like that.”

You’ve huddled into yourself, crying on the pillow waiting for the coast to be clear so you can dive on the remote, and turn the tv off. Then suddenly you hear Henry’s voice behind you. He’s home early. Oh, thank God!

Henry walks around the couch with your scary movie partner-in-crime following close behind him. He sits down behind you. Kal comes to check on you sitting beside the couch, watching you intently.

Henry picks up the remote, looking at you while he holds his hand up to point it to the tv as he turns it off. You’re still hiding behind the pillow you’d grabbed earlier, taking in the blissful silence that falls as soon as he shut off the tv. See? You knew you’d need that pillow.

“You ok?” Henry asks quietly, running his huge, warm hand up your thigh, his fingertips resting just underneath the hem of the shorts you’re wearing.

“Yeah,” you reply sheepishly. “I’m sorry.” You sit up, sniffling. Your face red, and streaked with tears. You only glance at him, ashamed of how he’d found you.

“Why are you sorry, my love?” He opens his arms for you. You pounce on him like if you didn’t he would disappear; float away like a beautiful, soothing, dream.

“I knew better than to watch that dumb movie while you were gone.” You mumble into his soft, grey MuscleTech shirt, breathing in his scent. His scent, his arms, his voice, they always calmed you. Instantly. He had some sort of power over you, not that you would ever complain about it.

“You would have still been just as scared if I had been here.” he said, rubbing your back just the way you liked. He could have sworn he heard you purr.

“Yeah... I’m just embarrassed now though,” you spoke so softly he almost hadn’t caught that last part.

“It’s ok to be scared, darling.” He assured you.

“I know it's just... when I screamed I know I scared poor Kal.” You looked over to him sitting in between Henry’s feet.

Henry laughed. “Honey! You did not scare Kal. He was protecting you! He stood between you, and that thing! He was ready to destroy it!”

“Oh buddy, you did?” He sat up taller, and looked to be puffing out his chest like a superhero. “Oh, Kal! You’re my hero! Thank you buddy! You’re amazing, you know that?” You petted him all over while praising him. He blinked his eyes slowly, panting softly as he let his tongue wag, along with his tail! “Kal you are the BEST!” He was in absolute Heaven!

***

Tag list: (As always if you want on or off please let me know!)

@foodieforthoughts @wendimydarling @littlefreya @nuggsmum @killjoy-assbutt-1112 @summersong69 @oddduckthatgirl @winter2112rose @ysmmsy @christhickevans @ladycavillry @mary-ann84 @twhstuckylover @cavills-little-princess @luclittlepond @beck07990 @eldarwen333 @littlebirdofrivia @themaskismyface @enchantedbytomandhenry @supermamabear123 @diegos-butt @atomicsoulcollecto @alexakeyloveloki @kebabgirl67 @cynic-spirit @cavillsharman @littlewrenofrivia @viking-raider @iaalien

[zuko-always-lies]

Unpopular Opinion: Zuko’s treatment of Mai is deeply toxic.

Mai is a character who is often maligned in the fandom, with it even occasionally being claimed that she was “abusive” toward Zuko. Any objective analysis of Mai’s behavior in her relationship with Zuko will instead find that she was, in fact, a shockingly good romantic partner, generally treating Zuko very well and being loyal to him far beyond reasonable expectation.  Claims that Mai behaved toxically toward Zuko seem to be instead founded in misogynistic expectations that women be perfect caretakers for the men in their lives.

That is not to say that the Zuko-Mai relationship isn’t still deeply toxic. However, its toxicity stems from the manner which Zuko badly mistreats Mai, often in ways which devalue her. Much more under the cut.

Our story begins in the first half of Book 3.  The vast majority of episodes there don’t show anything particularly toxic going on in the relationship. The most you can say is that they suggest that Zuko tends to dump his problems on others and doesn’t have best understanding of his girlfriend.

However, inevitably we must turn to “The Beach,” the episode which, by far, gets the most into the Zuko-Mai relationship. To say that Zuko doesn’t behave well toward Mai in this episode would be an understatement. I don’t speak here of Zuko’s unsuccessful attempts to please Mai early in the episode, but instead how badly he starts treating her beginning at the party:

Ruon Jian: Hey, first ones here, huh? Zuko: (cut to shot of Zuko and Mai walking side by side) Pft. He thinks he's so great. (to Mai) Well, what do you think of him? (they stop walking) Mai: I don't have any opinion about him. I hardly know him. Zuko: You like him, don't you? (Mai sighs and walks away, as Zuko looks angrily in the direction of Ruon Jian. The camera zooms in on Ruon Jian)

And

(Cut to shot of Ruon Jian leaning over Mai. Zuko rushes toward them angrily and pushes Ruon Jian away from her. Cut to shot of Ruon Jian straightening his hair.) Ruon Jian: Whoa. What are you doing? Zuko: (close-up shot of Zuko, angry) Stop talking to my girlfriend! Ruon Jian: (Ruon Jian approaches Zuko) Relax, it's just a party. (Zuko pushes Ruon Jian hard, sending him flying across the room, breaking a giant vase.) Mai: (Mai stands up and grabs Zuko's shoulder. He turns towards her.) Zuko, what is wrong with you?! Zuko: What's wrong with me?! Mai: (angrily) Your temper's out of control. You blow up over every little thing. You're so impatient and hot-headed and angry. Zuko: Well, at least I feel something...as opposed to you. You have no passion for anything. (raising his arms is the air) You're just a big "blah". Mai: (turning away from him) It's over, Zuko. We're done.

 And:

(Zuko follows her and the camera pans down to the handprint, left alone on the porch. Cut to wide view of the camera panning down Ember Island Beach. Zuko and Azula are walking side by side toward Mai and Ty Lee. Close shot of Zuko looking toward Mai and then looking away. Close shot of Mai looking angry and a bit sad.) Mai: Hey... (Interrupted) Zuko: (close shot of Zuko) Where's your new boyfriend? (Mai turns away angrily. Zuko comes and sits next to her) Are you cold? (he puts his arm around her, but she slaps it away)

Zuko is acting in a massively controlling fashion toward Mai, motivated by his violent and rage-filled jealously.  She literally can’t talk to a boy without Zuko flying into a jealous rage, trying to separate her from the person she’s talking to, and accusing her of emotional infidelity. In real life, this is considered a warning sign for an abusive relationship(although I don’t think Zuko has crossed the line into abusive yet).

“The Beach” also gives us this:

Mai: Oh, well, I'm sorry I can't be as high-strung and crazy as the rest of you. (Cut to over-head shot of the four teens. Zuko walks closer to the fire and Mai.) Zuko: I'm sorry, too. I wish you would be high-strung and crazy for once, (Close shot of Mai looking away and Zuko standing over her) instead of keeping all your feelings bottled up inside. She just called your aura dingy. Are you gonna take that?

Zuko tries to provoke Mai into having a fight with her best friend Ty Lee just so he can watch her express strong emotions.  Zuko very much wants to Mai to be and act like someone she’s not, which has its own issues.

Overall, Zuko treats Mai quite poorly in “The Beach.” The episode ends with this:

Mai: I know one thing I care about... (Cut to shot of Mai smiling at Zuko) I care about you. (Mai and Zuko kiss. Azula claps, causing them to separate and turn toward Azula. The camera pans left to include her.)

Mai forgives Zuko and accepts him back without him acknowledging his behavior was wrong, apologizing for it, or giving her any guarantee that he will treat her better in the future. That’s unfortunate, as Zuko soon ends up treating her far, far worse than he ever did in this episode.

Zuko’s disregard for Mai cumulates with the manner he commits treason on the Day of Black Sun. Let us start our understanding of what he did wrong from the beginning. Breaking up with Mai via a letter which didn’t give her a real explanation was a real asshole move, but it’s not at the core of what he did wrong.  For that, we need to turn to this conversation from “The Headband”:

Zuko: Can't you see we're busy? (He and Mai resume their "business".) Azula: (not to be put off) Oh, Mai... Ty Lee needs your help untangling her braid. Mai: (complaisantly) Sounds pretty serious. (She gets up and leaves. Walking past Azula, towards the camera, she shoots the princess a quick, poisonous glance behind her back.) Azula: So...I hear you've been to visit your Uncle Fatso in the prison tower. Zuko: (standing, incensed) That guard told you. Azula: (smugly) No, you did. Just now. Zuko: (sitting back down) Okay, you caught me. What is it that you want, Azula? Azula: (solicitiously) Actually, nothing. Believe it or not, I'm looking out for you. If people find out you've been to see Uncle, they'll think you're plotting with him. Just be careful, dum-dum.

Zuko has proven his loyalty to the Fire Nation beyond doubt, yet Azula is still very worried that him spending time with Iroh will get him accused of treason, because having a close association with traitors puts oneself under almost automatic suspicion of treason.

“Day of Black Sun, Part II”:

Zuko: First of all, in Ba Sing Se, it was Azula who took down the Avatar, not me. Fire Lord Ozai: Why would she lie to me about that? Zuko: Because the Avatar is not dead. He survived. Fire Lord Ozai: (alarmed) What?!

Zuko deliberately throws Azula under the bus, hurting her and reducing her status with Ozai as much possible while effectively accusing her of deliberately committing treason. He also deliberately pisses off Ozai as much as possible.

So where does this leave us? Mai is Zuko’s known girlfriend and extremely close associate. Automatically, the suspicion of knowing of Zuko’s treason ahead of time or being involved falls upon her. She’s in grave risk of being imprisoned, tortured, or executed, especially since Ozai seems not the type to be strictly concerned with ensuring those he punishes are guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The Fire Nation seems like a society which might have collective punishment(as historical East Asian societies, Nazi Germany, and the Stalinist Soviet Union did), and Mai might be under risk from that direction.  Finally, Ozai might hurt her simply as way of retaliating against Zuko.

Normally Azula would almost certainly be able to protect her friend, even under these trying circumstances, given Azula’s prestige and accomplishments.  However, Zuko has deliberately undermined Azula as much as possible and effectively accused her of committing treason herself, dramatically reducing the probability that she will be able to protect Mai.  In fact, Mai stands risk of being accused of being involved in Azula’s effort to “conceal the fact that the Avatar survived,” given Mai’s close association with Azula and her close involvement in the events where the Avatar “died.” She’s thus under danger from two different directions.

“But Zuko had to betray his father and become good through aiding Team Avatar.” Yes, it’s a good thing he did so. But Zuko had other options than the course he adopted. He could have avoided confronting Ozai at all and instead focused on rescuing Iroh(interesting AU idea right here).  He could have confronted Ozai but not thrown Azula under the bus, and that alone would have vastly reduced the risk to Mai(and also made Zuko out to be a better person, because deliberately throwing your younger sister under the bus and then abandoning her to the mercy of your abusive father is not a good look).  Zuko could have killed Ozai right then and there during the eclipse.  He even could have tried to lead Team Avatar to the bunker and tried to end the war right then and there.

“Zuko didn’t understand that he was placing Mai in danger.” Quite possible, but Zuko being so self-centered that he is unable of understanding that his actions can have negative effects on other people is a mark against him, not for him.

Now we turn to the Zuko’s behavior toward Mai in the rest of the third season.  Let us start with “The Boiling Rock, Part 1”:

Sokka: (emphatically) I think your Uncle would be proud of you. Leaving your home to come help us, that's hard. Zuko: It wasn't that hard. Sokka: (Cut to a side view of the basket) Really? You didn't leave behind anyone you cared about? Zuko: Well I did have a girlfriend. Mai. Sokka: (He goes closer to Zuko with a surprised look on his face) That gloomy girl who sighs a lot? Zuko: (Cut back to show Zuko grinning goofily) Yeah. (his face turns serious) Everyone in the Fire Nation thinks I'm a traitor. I couldn't drag her into it. Sokka: (Cut back to Sokka who leans back on the basket) My first girlfriend turned into the Moon. Zuko: (looks up) That's rough buddy

There are two things to unpack here. First, Zuko claims he “couldn’t drag her into it,” yet he already did, as I’ve illustrated above. Second, Zuko seems to expect that Mai would have followed him into treason if he asked her, that she would be willing to betray her nation, ideology, family, and friends just for the sake of her love for him. That’s an insane and pretty toxic expectation for Zuko to have for her relationship with him, especially since he wouldn’t do the same for her.

We also get more confirmation that Zuko doesn’t care at all about Ty Lee or Azula.

I don’t have a lot to say about the Zuko-Mai conversation during Boiling Rock, Part 2. The only things I would like to note are that Zuko is not very sorry for what he did, not very empathetic toward Mai’s pain, and doesn’t give Mai a real apology for his actions.

Of course, Mai proceeds to save Zuko’s life through committing treason in front of dozens of witnesses at Boiling Rock, something which places her own life in serous jeopardy. How does Zuko react to this?

Zuko: (Cut to a shocked Zuko) It's Mai. Azula: (Cut to a furious Azula) What is she doing?! (Cut to the backs of Azula and Ty Lee as Ty Lee shrugs and makes a "I don't know" noise. Cut to the gondola as it reaches the outer part of the crater. Cut to the inside of the entrance tower as the door opens and Suki rushes out followed by Sokka, Zuko, Hakoda and Chit Sang. Hakoda turns towards Chit Sang and points to the inside of the gondola. Chit Sang proceeds to throw the warden back in.) Hakoda: (Cut to the back of Hakoda's head looking at the warden lying on the floor) Sorry Warden, your record is officially broken. (Hakoda walks off screen while the warden continues to struggle on the floor. Cut to a front shot of the group as they run up a rocky incline.) Suki: Well, we made it out. Now what? Sokka: (Sokka stops and looks back at Zuko who pauses in his tracks, thinking) Zuko, what are you doing? Zuko: My sister was on that island. Sokka: Yeah and she's probably right behind us. So let's not stop. Zuko: What I mean is she must have come here somehow. (He runs to the edge of the rocks and looks down) There. (Cut to an area looking up at the edge of the cliff) That's our way out of here. (Camera pans down to reveal a Fire Nation zeppelin docked at the shore.

Zuko says Mai’s name once and then abandons her (to die?) with zero hesitation.  This is probably objectively the correct decision. It would probably be extremely difficult and dangerous if not outright impossible to save Mai.  The prison-break crew do have access to an airship, but it’s difficult to fly an airship over the lake’s thermals.

Yet that’s not my point. Zuko abandons Mai with zero hesitation, with zero anguish, with zero angst. He doesn’t even to seem consider the possibility that he should save her.  Something tells me if Iroh had just saved Zuko’s life under identical circumstances and then was in imminent risk of harm, Zuko would act very differently, that Sokka, Suki, and Hakoda would have to drag him off that island.

Zuko’s complete disregard for Mai continues for the rest the series. Remember this exchange from “The Cave of Two Lovers”?

Zuko: (losing his patience) We're not taking any more chances with these plants! We need to get help. Iroh: But where are we going to go? We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom, and fugitives from the Fire Nation. Zuko: (musingly) If the Earth Kingdom, discovers us, they'll have us killed. Iroh: But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula.

Zuko considers being captured by Azula a worse fate than death!

But do we see Zuko worry once about Mai’s fate? Do we see angst about what might have happened to her? Do we see him make any effort to even discover her fate, much less rescue her?

No. In fact, Zuko launches a sophisticated operation to infiltrate a Fire Nation information center so that he can gain intelligence in order to help Katara murder someone so that she’ll like him, but he doesn’t even consider doing the same to find out about Mai’s fate so that he could potentially rescue her. Zuko doesn’t even mention Mai once after Boiling Rock until the very end of the series finale, even though she sacrificed herself to save him. Remember this exchange(“Sozin’s Comet, Part 3”):

Zuko: Sorry, but you're not going to become Fire Lord today. (jumps off Appa) I am. Azula: (laughs) You're hilarious. Katara: (standing beside Zuko) And you're going down. (The fire sage motions to crown Azula, but she raises her hand, signalling him to stop.) Azula: Wait. You want to be Fire Lord Fine. Let's settle this. Just you and me, brother. The showdown that was always meant to be. Agni Kai! Zuko: You're on. (Katara turns to Zuko, surprised. Cut to a close up of Azula's lips as the curls into a smile. Cut back to Katara and Zuko.) Katara: What are you doing? She's playing you. She knows she can't take us both so she is trying to separate us. Zuko: I know. But I can take her this time. Katara: But even you admitted to your Uncle that you would need help facing Azula. Zuko: There's something off about her, I can't explain it but she's slipping. And this way, no one else has to get hurt. (Fade to a shot of the courtyard from the side. The camera pans from Zuko kneeling on the right end to Azula kneeling on the left end. Cut to a shot of Zuko rising and turning around, then cut to a shot of Azula rising. Each can be seen behind the other. Cut to a shot of Azula from the front turning and removing the Fire Lord robes.) Azula: I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother. Zuko: (in his stance) No, you're not.

Notice something? Zuko doesn’t demand to know what happened to Mai! It’s almost like he forgot she existed!

Now we turn to the final infamous exchange(“Sozin’s Comet, Part 4”):

Mai:(off screen) You need some help with that? (He looks up surprised and moves aside to reveal Mai leaning against the doorway. Cut to a close up of Mai as she walks towards Zuko.) Zuko: (Cut to a delighted Zuko) Mai! (Walks off screen) You're ok. (Cut to an area behind Mai's back as Zuko opens his arms out in a hug) They let you out of prison? (Mai walks behind Zuko and lifts up his empty robe sleeve.) Mai: My uncle (Zuko puts his arms through the sleeve) pulled some strings, (she proceeds to fasten his robe) and it doesn't hurt when the new Fire Lord is your boyfriend. (She walks in front of Zuko and places a hand on his chest) Zuko: So does this mean you don't hate me anymore? Mai: (she blushes) I think it means... (Cut to a close up of the couple) I actually (places a hand on Zuko's cheek) kind of like you. (They lean in for a kiss and part a fewseconds later, looking into each other's eyes happily) But don't ever (She jabs a finger into Zuko's shoulder and Zuko's eye traces the movement of her finger) break up (She lifts her finger into the air and Zuko's eyes still follows it) with me again. (She jabs her finger into Zuko's shoulder one last time and Zuko smiles goofily. They embrace and the camera zooms out slowly.

Zuko seems surprised to learn that Mai is OK, almost like he made no effort to find out her fate once he took charge of the Fire Nation. And indeed, his first acts as leader of the Fire Nation were not to find out what happened to her or, if he actually knew, to get her released from prison.  Mai only got released from prison when her uncle and his connections got sufficiently confident that Zuko had been completely accepted as the new leader to release a massive traitor completely on their own initiative.  This was quite possibly weeks after Azula-Zuko Agni Kai, yet he made no apparent effort to get her released. It’s almost like Zuko completely forgot about Mai, even though she sacrificed herself to save him.

And, of course, Zuko doesn’t accept responsibility for any of the awful ways he treated Mai, much less apologize to her or offer any guarantee he will behave better in the future. Mai still forgives him anyways, just like she did in “The Beach,” only for Zuko to continue to screw her over. There is something deeply depressing here, as there’s every reason to believe that Zuko will screw over Mai over, devalue her, and disregard her well-being, desires, and interests again the moment it’s convenient for him to do so. He certainly has not recognized that his toxic behavior here is something he needs to stop doing. Ironically, the comics get this right by having Zuko try to use his power as Firelord to order Mai to stay his girlfriend.

Ultimately, Zuko loves Mai and cares about her deeply, yet he still treats her as a tool and acts like she exists to serve him. It reminds me how show! canon Ozai genuinely loved show! canon Ursa, but still used her as a tool and threw her away.  Honestly, I doubt 16-year-old Zuko is really ready for any romantic relationship at all, given his often toxic behavior, his trauma, and the incredibly stressful position he’s placed in at the end of the series.

[mistress-of-ward]

Title: Come here baby

Summery: This is a request from the one and only beautiful @daddysgirl657 also want to thank my love @nitannichionne for editing my work.

Warnings: unprotected sex, body fluids, cock warming, rough sex, fluff

Please be sure to hit that like button and reblog, I would absolutely appreciate it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Henry Cavill ..... but he does live in my head rent free, no complaints he's pretty good. I do not own the gif nor this divider I found it on pinterest from @myfonts-blog

“It’s clenching,” you breathe as tears come to your eyes. “It hurts...”

“Come sit in my lap...” He says in a low voice, opening his legs slightly. “right here”

You walk to him wiping your tears and start to quicken your step. As you make it you sit on his lap clinging to him.

You whisper the words “it hurts” over and over again in his ear, your hips moving as you speak the words, the more you say the more your body reacts, your hips grinding. You start to thrust as one of your arms goes around his shoulder while the other hand grips his hair. Using that as leverage you ride him harder pushing your clothed pussy on him to rub it fully on his length. You pant and moan as you keep rubbing, each breath a thrust right against his ear, the hot air over his skin. You grip him hard and rough but your movements are smooth as silk. Your legs wrap around him tightly and you move one hand to grip the chair you are sitting on. Holding it tight you use it to keep you seated to help you stimulate your clit. As you move your sex to the left you feel your lip open and you move the other way feeling the same thing. You move left and right, up and down to round and round on his lap, feeling your wetness spread onto your panties. The more you drag your wet slit on him the more you feel your panties being consumed in between those lips helping the sensation of stroking your clit and teasing you with the cloth inside your slit.

He holds you close, his heart racing, watching your agony with intense eyes, feeling your heat even through the clothes. He gets harder, one hand splaying your back the other at the nape of your neck twisting in your hair.

You feel the pull of the cloth partly eaten and fully soaked by your cunt as his hand rakes your hair. He pulls your head back, exposing your neck then you feel his other hand move from your back to the front of your body. His eyes travel down your body and he sees the result of what you were doing, "Fuck, baby,” he moans in a whisper, seeing the lining lost within your lips. He brushes them and brings his finger to the edge of the panty and hooks his finger under the leg opening, running it along your thigh to your crotch. He pulls out the fabric once his finger is at your hood, and lets out a hiss as the scent of your juices meets his nose and his wandering finger meets slickened texture of your folds. He licks his lips as he curves his finger within your cunt, the heat of it makes him moan. It radiates on him and surrounding his dipped finger. “Fuck, kitten, it's been too long hasn't it?" He looks up at you as your head is fallen back feeling him moving his digit in and out of you.

"Yes daddy, I need it please, please daddy," you moan, voicing the feelings of what your cunt wants from him.

"Aw, my sweet," he whispers low as he watches you, but this isn’t about you giving in or disciplining you. This moment is all about him feeding your need of his love, filling you, submerging you in his deep waters-to be taken, impregnated, and claimed all in love. He strokes your back to soothe you.

Lowering your head you see his eyes are on you. Watching his face and seeing his pain only reflects that he knows you feel.

"I'm so sorry baby, I've been so busy I didn't mean to neglect you in all this."

Placing your forehead against his, you close your eyes, moans trapped in your throat as you ride his now still finger. "Its ok daddy I—I understand." You move up and down and his finger isn’t doing it for you, your head falls back feeling his finger flick and curve within you. He places kisses on your neck and decorates it with love bites.

Looking down he watches your juices string on is hand, you move up he sees the clear liquid. Your cunt swallows his finger fully aware that his pussy wants to choke on his cock. He angles his finger as you start to bounce on it, closing your eyes and gripping his shoulder. Your mouth hangs open as your moans fill the room. He knows how and where to touch you. You hear his pants every time you drop your full body weight onto his lap. You feel his heart pound in his chest under your palm as he sees how desperate you are for him. "You want my cock princess ? Hmm? Want daddy to spoil you?" His body radiates heat and desire and it started the moment he felt yours inviting him in.

Nodding your head and feeling your walls clench the moment he mentions his cock.

He smiles looking at you, "I felt that, kitten. It seems like my finger isn't doing it for you."

"If it's all daddy can give I'll take it."

"Tsk tsk tsk," he moves his head to the side, "You think I'd do that to my needy little cunt?" The T was spit out aggressively, "Hmm? To my desperate and cock hungry slut?" He bites each syllable as if annoyed that you don’t think he is willing to give you the world.

"No, daddy, that's not what I meant," you get off his lap and on your knees in front of him. You go to undo his pants shaking your head, "No, daddy, that's not what I meant." He watches you act like you will be punished.

"Hey, I love you."

Your eyes meet, and your own waters. Those words, regardless of how many times you've heard them, still heals and mends all the wounds upon your heart and soul. Slowly but surely he could heal you, his hand cups your cheek and you hold that same hand with yours. Rubbing against it you have a moment looking into one another's eyes, "Please daddy, please?" you whisper.

He touches your face like a feather ever so softly as you both look into each other’s eyes. Then as if coming back to the present he quickly unfastens his trousers and his hand moves to his belt, waking you up from the trance. You sit there watching him unbuckle then unbutton and then unzip. He hooks his thumbs in his pants thrusting his hips up pulling them down to his knees. As he pulls it down he drags his boxers with it, his cock springs free and is at full attention rocking back and forth to a stand still. His long thick rod is in front of you, veins flexing and the skin tight as it is erect, the head darker than pink from the rush of blood.

Your mouth opens at seeing him and without a thought your hand wraps around his cock. He is hot under your palm, breathing shakily at the contact. He chuckles seeing your reaction. "You alright?"

Looking up again at his eyes his smile fades seeing you stand up and ridding yourself of your panties. Standing there in your shirt and skirt you pull the fabric along your knees up slightly to line yourself up to fully sheathe his cock inside your starving cunt. His mouth agape as he widens his legs and moves his hand to grip your thigh. You place your hand on his shoulders to help balance you, bending your left leg his hand strokes you. His hand brushes your knee, shin, moving up to grip the back of your thigh pulling it up and his other hand holds you steady by the hip. His breathing quickens watching how close you are to taking him inside of you as he restrains himself from just pulling you down on him in one swift motion. He licks his lips and tries to steady his breathing. While you are about to meet his head he moves his thumb to your pussy lip. He moves it so there is nothing in the way and no discomfort for you, the heat is felt between the both of you. It's been too long since you've had him pound your sex and as you anticipate the beautiful stretch you bite your lip and whimper. Your body hot to the touch, even your juices don’t cool off being exposed to the air. His head now meets you and he won’t stop looking but for you the angle doesn't give you that advantage. He watches his head push apart your inner lips and you moan at the sensation of his warm skin meeting yours. Feeling him split you apart you hear the wetness of your sex as his head moves in and out.

You both moan at the sensation of finally meeting, the heat of your sex surrounding his cock. His head falls back but he wants to watch what you're making him feel, "fuck" he breaths. Forcing himself to keep his eyes on your center feeling the warmth of you around the head of his cock. Thrusting in and out becoming more deeper feeling your walls spread but still so damn tight. His chest heaves and you cry out while he works to be fully inside you, his hands gripping your hips. The delicious force of him spreading you makes you wet, he feels your juices close to your cervix as his head meets it. Dipping his head over and over again at the lake hidden within you he can spread your waters all against your walls.

Hearing your juices and feeling his cock become wet with it is making you more excited. His hands hold you but not to keep you still, you start to bounce on him.

"Fuck, oh look at you go kitten, yes, yes just like that," you start to grind down on him and he lets out a loud groan, "OH!!!"

You both pant and moan in between the feel of each other’s bodies becoming one and lost in desire. Knowing what is needed for the other and working to meet it comes so naturally to you both. He starts to pull and push your hips as you grind on him then he pushes up finally bottoming out. "Oh, daddy fuck!"

Holding onto his shoulders biting your lip you look down to him. His eyes are blown with lust as his hands snake up to your breasts squeezing them then pulling it open breaking the buttons off your shirt. They fly everywhere from the force of his action, making you moan and causing your core to pulse. He moves the shirt off your shoulder to your elbows. He now has your breasts pushed together and he starts to snap his hips up causing your voluptuous breasts to slightly bounce out of your bra. Your nipples peek through at him teasingly and you watch his gaze become intense. "So beautiful love, absolutely gorgeous."

Acting as if he is jealous of anything touching your flesh, he takes off your shirt and pulls down your straps, settin your breasts free. He plays and squeezes your nipples in between his fingers, his arm going around you to pull you closer. He holds one breast, sucking on it and swirling his tongue in the same motion he grinds his cock inside you. Such an amazing feeling of being moved from within and feeling him upon you, you surrender your entire being. He's going to make your body scream out yes and you will be begging him for more. Feeling so much around you it's hard to think, but your body knows what to do. His eyes closed shut as he lavishes your breasts he nips your nipple causing you to hiss. Your head falls back and you arch wrapping your arms around his neck holding him against you. Gripping your shoulder and the other around your waist he pistons his hips up. Feelin him driving his cock to rub against your walls touching every part of you and even deeper, his head hitting your cervix, makes your eyes roll close. You moan his name, "Henry!" over and over again as he pants breathing hot air onto your skin.

Standing up from the chair he lays you on the desk and you are already clinging onto him. The motion of his movements don't faze you, still lost in all he's making you feel as your back meets the wooden surface.

Looking down at you his eyes reflect his words, "you mean everything to me."

As he speaks he pushes and pulls his cock within you like the moon does with the tide of the ocean. You stroke his face softly as you gaze up at him overwhelmed, all you can do is pull him down and passionately kiss him back. He moans into the kiss and grips your hips starting a menacing rhythm, you claw his biceps feeling his cock still stretching you. Trying to keep up with him kissing you while taking his relentless thrusts your mouth stays open panting with each snap of his hips. His hand moves in between your bodies and he touches his cock with his thumb lubricating it. Wetting his thumb he rubs your clit perfectly, making you arch and moan out.

"Such a good little slut, taking my cock so well." His words send chills all over your body and your cunt quivers as heat spreads all over. Your head moving side to side, your raise your legs to your chest then you grip your inner thighs keeping them there. "You love it when I fuck you like this huh? So needy, so beautiful, and so mine."

He moans feeling you get close to your release. His hand grips your throat and your eyes leave his to look down at where he is ruining you. You watch your cunt choke on his cock as juices cover it like saliva from your mouth, glistening and showing you how there is no shame letting him know that you are his little slut, owned by him. Listening to beautiful his words as they fill your mind then flow in your veins as it beats through your heart, but the one that now is captured by you is Mine. His hand grips your throat and you look at him tears falling from your eyes then down to where he is ruining you. Watching your cunt choke on his cock as juices cover it like saliva from your mouth. Glistening and showing you how she has no shame letting him know that she is owned by him she is his little slut. Starting to squirt out as your walls tighten down around his cock, you scream out his name as you cum. "HENRY!”

He doesn't stop rubbing but he slows down his thrusts, keeping them strong and causing you to bounce. Luckily his hand is still on your throat keeping you in place, you stop breathing and your back arches as your legs spread.

Your pussy soaking wet and you can hear his thickening cock come close to release and you breathe in, "Cum with me daddy, please daddy." He starts to move faster again. His brows furrow running to catch his release and fill you with it, as you are about to run into yours. Screaming out, you moan and cum around his cock again, but he isn’t there yet, "I said to cum with me" you whine.

He looks down and smiles at you, "You never said when," and he brings you closer again.

Your breathe hitches getting lost in the sensation of what he is doing to your body. You scream out gripping onto him as he pistons into you, feeling yourself gush around him making him slow down. He wants to touch you in places deep within you desiring to merge not knowing where your bodies end or begin. The intensity makes sweat start to form upon your body. He works you out of love and need, wanting to fill you to the brim.

Digging your nails into his back makes come up on his elbows and arch. Looking down he adorns you with kisses as he pushes in and out in a grind motion. Your head falls back feeling every detail of his cock as he strokes your walls. "That's it baby, oh you look so sexy taking my inch of my cock." Hearing him speak and tell your truth pulls out a moan from you. He's filled all your senses and now all that’s left is to fill you physically. "Such a good girl for me." He stops his hips, his head still in you.

You unintentionally whine as your soaking core is empty, your walls clenching as if wondering where his cock went. He smiles at you as he comes down to kiss you. "I love you," you whisper against his lips.

Keeping eye contact he starts to push his cock into you painfully slow, but for him it was the best. To watch you come undone and to feel it at the same time, no words can describe such an experience. You writhe, pant, moan and then you throw your head back the deeper he gets. Such passion only can compare to fire your bodies fuel, the joining and rubbing is what creates the spark and once it touches your skin it will burn you both alive. Your eyes study his face, seeing the stress of him holding back, veins bulging in his neck as his jaw clenches. Fully submerged inside you he places his forehead upon yours, "I love you too," He pulls back to look into your eyes as if he is asking for permission to empty inside you/

You nod your head, "Cum inside me, please."

Breathing out in relief, he takes a second then hisses in as he grips your hips. Beginning to pound in your pussy chasing his orgasm now you see his agony of his want for you. His head falls back holding onto you probably leaving marks and you scream out yes over and over. He is thickening within you, sweat dripping down his body, you still losing your mind at his pace and strength. "Yes daddy put a fucking baby in me, fuck my pussy up daddy!"

His thrusts get sloppy as he tries to keep them going his moans getting higher and louder as they are filled in more with his voice. His eyebrows furrow right before the tipping point, making him say your name over and over, "I'm gonna cum, I'm cumming, oh fuck I'm gon—" his moan fills the room as he violently fills you. His hips snap into you as he brings his body down on yours, sedated and relaxed he tries to calm his breathing. On instinct you hold onto him and stroke his back with your fingertips and kiss along his jaw line. He shakes with each thrust still coming down from his mountain high climb, both of you panting exchanging words of love and adoration. With little strength that he has left he props himself up on his elbows and kisses you deeply. Reaching into the desk he has now christened he pulls out a little black box, "You mean the world to me," he lets out a breathy chuckle, "I don’t know if this is an appropriate time to do this--I mean, I had a plan--but now seems to be it." He opens it to reveal a gorgeous diamond ring.

You gasp, "omgosh, are you serious?!?!" Your hands cover your mouth.

“We've been with each other for sometime now and I can't see myself without you by my side," he gently pushes wet strands of hair away from your face. Licking his lips, he takes out the ring and takes your left hand, and you quickly give it to him. You both laugh at how abrupt your action was he smiles down,

"Y/n, you mean the world to me and I want to be with you for the rest of life," tears are falling from your eyes and he has some brimming at his lash line. "I promise to keep you safe, happy, be there for you as long as you are next to me, forever."

Wiping your tears away you nod your head yes, "Yes, yes," both of you glowing from the love you just made and now with the happiness of a future together. You both exchange kisses, he chuckles and you giggle, then you both have a moment of silence as if love had taken a form and become a blanket covering you both. "I can't and don't want anyone else but you, Henry." Your lips meet for a slow and sensual kiss then as your eyes fill and hold each other with devotion not wanting to let go.

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[hobidreams]

january 1870.

what can you do? what power do you have?

pairing: joseon king!yoongi x reader genre: angst, drama words: 1.3k warning: this drabble contains a form of disordered eating.

moonlit throne index. this is drabble 28. start from the beginning?

“…uinyeo-nim…! …ease wake up…!”

“Can…hear us?”

The world comes back to you somehow piece by piece and all at once.

Words, hurried ones, pierce the haze of darkness that is thick in your mind, tugging you insistently to the surface. You think there are hands on you, taking your temperature from your forehead, checking your pulse, placing a pillow beneath your head. Part of you would like to keep your eyes shut for a little while longer, wanting to rest, but you cannot bear the worry in the familiar voices that call your name over and over and over. Wake up, you think, wake up.

Open your eyes.

In the dim light, the first thing you see is Scholar Park. His face has gone utterly pale, sweat beading down his brow as he frets, biting at a fingernail. But when he realizes you’ve surfaced, his eyes blow wide. He breathes an enormous sigh of relief that turns quickly into a half-delirious smile. “You’re awake!”

“S-Scholar Park…” You try to sit up and it’s a mistake. You feel aches all over; your limbs are slow as if they’re pinned down, made impossibly weighty with fatigue.

A warm hand lands on your shoulder, and you turn to see one of the younger uinyeo, Min-ji, by your side. “Please, stay on the bed, su-uinyeo-nim.”

You nod, settling back as you slowly blink, blink, blink. You don’t remember how you got here. You don’t remember what has happened to make you feel like this, like you’re hollowed out, weak. “But Min-ji, what—”

The door to your room bursts open. Wood scrapes harsh against wood, slamming into its frame.

Your incredulous eyes fall upon the king: the only man who could make such an entrance and demand every ounce of your attention.

“Jeonha!”

Immediately the other two in the room drop into deep bows.

“What the hell is going on here?” He stalks into the room, Eunuch Kim not far behind with concern etched on his features. “What happened?”

Scholar Park is slightly shriveling under the fury of the king’s glare but he manages to say, “we were walking to the library when uinyeo-nim suddenly collapsed. I immediately brought her here with the eunuchs, and called for another uinyeo to treat her. She awoke just a few minutes ago.”

“What?” He whips his head to the side. “You. Why did she collapse?”

Min-ji’s voice is so small as she replies, “I… believe it is fatigue b-brought on by m-malnutrition, jeonha.”

Then Min-ji is shrinking back too, for the king’s scowl grows infinitely at her words. He gives their meaning but a moment to settle in before he bristles. Bares his teeth.

“Let us be alone.”

“Jeonha…” Eunuch Kim starts. You can’t tell if he’s more worried for his charge or for you by the way he casts worried looks between you both.

“Alone.”

It is only after the door shuts behind the others that the king turns on you.

He walks to your bedside until he is close, but he doesn’t touch.

You stare at each other, your labored breaths the only sound in the space until he asks with a low tone, “you have not been eating?” Though he might sound angry, thoroughly annoyed in fact, you think there might be confusion there too. You are silent, so he continues. “Yet, when I ask, the cooks inform me that they have delivered your meals to you as I have instructed. So.” The syllable dips low, dangerous. “Who exactly is the liar here? Who shall get the punishment?”

You… did not realize he kept such a careful eye on you. How much should you reveal? What excuse could you come up with that could spare everyone?

“Not going to answer me? Then I shall have to call someone else. Jin-young. What would she tell me, hm?”

Pressing your lips together, you recognize his subtle look of triumph as you both know you could not drag the beloved cook into this. Your only option left is the truth.

“She… would say that I have... been asking for my meals to be uncooked. That I— I told her I wanted the ingredients to attempt to better my skills in the craft. But instead…” you scrunch the fabric of your skirt tight within your fingers. You take a deep breath, and then confess, “I have been distributing most of the grain, vegetables, and meats to those in town who are in need of it more than I.”

His scowl is so, so deep. “You... have been starving yourself instead?”

“I-I am eating as much as necessary, jeonha.” You don’t tell him that means two small bowls of rice porridge a day.

“Yet you collapsed.”

“I merely overworked myself today, that is all.”

“No. No, I do not accept that excuse. You collapsed. You fell unconscious, due to malnutrition.”

“But jeonha, the famine.” You push yourself onto your elbows. You need him to take you seriously, even as you wince from the action. “The people. The people have so much less than I. Often less than a single grain of rice to pass an entire day and much less any real sustenance to keep them alive. They— they are the truly malnourished here!”

“That is absolutely none of your concern.” Though he never raises his volume to a shout, his tone is no less intense, no less furious as he carefully articulates every word. Biting every damn truth at you. “You are not part of the royal family. You are not responsible for the people like this.”

Rare anger trickles into your veins as you fist your hands. You’ve backed down to him one too many times and this will not be one of them. “I need to do something! Am I meant to just watch them die, jeonha? To pretend that my life is perfect and lavish while I watch them suffer and struggle for want of nothing more than a hot meal?”

“Then would you rather die in exchange?!”

Your breath catches in shock. Your fury tampers down, simmering but not extinguished when faced with his overwhelming intensity, snapped at you as he wraps a firm hand around your arm.

Like a predator, he brings his face mere inches from yours. “I won’t hear of this anymore. You are not to do such things. Do not overstep your position.”

He squeezes you once before he pulls away and proceeds to leave completely, abandoning you to the absolute silence of your room.

You wait three pensive seconds before the door shuts before you let yourself collapse back onto the bed. What little strength you regained feels completely drained from you again. You didn’t mean for him to find out. You had no idea how he’d react but you never thought, never ever thought, that he would actually threaten your life like this. That harsh question repeats in your mind, the implications behind it more exhausting than any fatigue could ever be.

Silly you, to think there’d been a change in all these months. That things between you were progressing and getting back to a point where you could be comfortable with each other again. In the end, you were just deluding yourself. Letting yourself get caught up in the play-pretend that you could be the one to stand by the king’s side instead of the whore at his feet. (“What power do you have?” he asked you all those months ago, his voice abrupt, too coarse as he claimed you. You have none, as he has proved to you yet again. Not even enough to save yourself.)

[seriouslysnape]

Teacher’s Pet

__

Severus Snape x Fem! Professor! Reader

Warnings: Smut. Teacher/Student Roleplay.

Request: what about snape and a fellow teacher in a pre-established relationship, but the reader is roleplaying as a student for some fun bedroom play? maybe some funny stuff about how he’s sweeter on her than the actual students?

A/N: HNksdnasodasndk WOW I LIKE THIS ONE.

Word Count: 1,970

“I told you that you’re sweeter on me.”

__

“You’re tense, Severus.” Your gentle voice spoke out to break the silence in Severus’ home study.

The strain in his muscles caused a wince to clearly show on your expression as your hands massage at his shoulders and back. Fridays usually proved to be the hardest on Severus. The students were always much more rambunctious and much more difficult to control when they had the weekend on their consciences, much to his dismay. Students of all Houses had given him a run for his money today, even the Hufflepuffs who were usually the most well behaved were causing Severus grief. 

Cauldrons had been knocked over, potions were spilled onto the floor, glass vials were broken into tiny pieces, and heated arguments had broken out that Severus had to break up, and he had assigned at least five kids to detention.  On top of everything else, all the kids had seemed to be off the walls with excitement.

The absolute bane of Severus’ occupation.

He was disgruntled and aggravated when he returned to his home office, plopping himself behind his desk near the bed and sitting there to stew. He feared that his sour mood would cause him to snap at you and start a fight that he surely didn’t want to have.

However, he should’ve known that you’d come looking for him when he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. Professors weren’t supposed to reside outside of the castle during the school year, but Severus wanted to get away from just one night. You peeked into his bedroom with a bright grin, indicating that you had clearly had a much better day than he had. His irritation was very obvious to you, so you allowed yourself in and had rubbed his shoulders and given him sweet kisses to soothe him.

He had told you all about his terrible day, not leaving out any detail.

“Darling, I’ve been fending off obnoxious students all day. You’d be uptight as well.” He grumbled, rolling his neck to try and work out the hard knots.

A soft laugh fell from your lips, sending a rush of warmth to shoot through Severus’ heart.

“Oh, come on. They’re just kids. They were good today.” You remarked, firmly running your fingers along his arms.

“They’re always good for you,” Severus claimed; “Even my Slytherins don’t give you any trouble.” 

You moved from behind him to stand beside him, looking into his tired pools of black.

“Because I’m flexible with them. I understand how difficult things can get and I offer my help for those who need it,” You explained; “You don’t have to be their friend or anything, but you could be easier to work for.” 

Severus scoffed incredulously. That was probably the biggest difference between the two of you. You had very different views when it came to teaching. Students seemed to favor you over Severus (however, most students preferred anyone over Severus) due to your friendly nature. You were warm hearted and made sure your students knew you were available as a resource to them. They respected you as a professor and were comfortable around you as a friend.

“Maybe if you weren’t such a hard ass all the time, they might like you a little more.” You added, hiding your smirk.

Severus’ eyebrows dipped a tad, his tongue running along the inside of his cheek.

“Watch yourself. I’ll send you to detention too.” He said purely as a joke, but his body flushing with arousal when he saw your demeanor turn lustful.

“Have I been bad, Professor?” You purred, your voice going up a pitch.

The use of his work title coming from your lips was turning him on way more than he would’ve liked to admit. His pale cheeks went dark red, and his skin began to itch with desire. 

“I think you already know the answer to that.” He rumbled, sitting up a little straighter so he could touch you.

One of his hands came to peel off your long winter coat to show more of your skin that was hidden away, but his pupils blew about 3x their usual size when he saw what you were wearing underneath. It was a seemingly innocent outfit to someone who wasn’t very observant, but to Severus it was about as scandalous as he could handle.

“What are you wearing?” He asked lowly, his eyes unashamedly gawking over your chosen outfit.

It was an old uniform skirt of yours from your days at Hogwarts, adorned with your House colors and the mascot stitched in the lower left side of the skirt. It was much shorter than when you wore it as a student. You had grown taller since first wearing it and you now filled it out in a much more provocative way since you had been in your adolescent years. 

“This old thing? I just had to change before coming to see you,” You teetered, knowing good and well it was driving him wild; “You know, I think you’re much sweeter on me than your other students, Professor.”

“My other students don’t look at me the way you do. My resolve is so very thin around you,” He reminded you, his hand sliding up your leg to push the skirt past your hips. A surprised exhale of air escaped his chest when he saw you weren’t wearing anything underneath; “Not even wearing your knickers...I’m tempted to take House points away for your behavior.”

Ecstatic thrills buzzed through you that he had jumped onto your little game. You arched your back to meet his frame as his hands began to massage at your hips.

“Oh, please. Anything but that!” You mocked a desperate tone.

A hard, rutted fucking would take tension away from even the most strained of people. Severus needed a good stress release, and you knew this was a hell of a good way to do so, and have some fun while you were at it.

“Bad students have to be punished, Miss [L/N]. Actions have consequences.” He tutted.

Arousal was beginning to glisten your inner thighs, something that Severus never failed to notice. His fingertips were ice cold against your heated sex, a pitiful whimper leaving your lips when he glacially dragged his fingers through your folds.

“Surely...there’s something I can do to rectify my behavior, Professor.” You purred out in a hush of a voice.

“Are you suggesting what I think you are? You’re much worse than I thought...” Severus teased.

Severus stared at you thoughtfully when you only looked at him through batting lashes. His fingers were stilled and refusing to move despite your desperate grinds against his hand. He stood from his chair to tower over you, a rush of intimidation and desire beginning to spew through the cracks of the dam that was ready to crumble completely.

“Get on the bed.” He ordered.

You teased your lower lip with your teeth, obliging to his husky command and retreating to his large bed, sinking and sprawling yourself out on the mattress seductively. This was a damn gorgeous sight to see. He loved the way you were wriggling with anticipation and expectation for him. Your thighs were rubbing together to create even just an ounce of friction to appease the ache.

“You’re so impatient. If you’re so needy then I suppose you can get yourself of-”

“No! Please, I need you, sir,” You droned. 

He had joined you on the bed, placing a knee on either side of you to keep you from going anywhere. He watched your squirm some more while he removed his belt and pants in a painfully slow fashion. He was determined to bring you to the brink of insanity. He wanted every noise that came out of you to either be a plea or a moan. 

“I’m feeling rather generous tonight.” He fished his hard dick out of his boxers, the sight filling you with joy.

You couldn’t help but smirk up at him, rolling your hips into his pelvis casually.

“I told you that you’re sweeter on me.” You grinned.

With that statement and without missing a beat, Severus shoved all of his cock into your throbbing entrance, the dam breaking completely. A stunned cry wailed out into the room, echoing off of the walls. Severus didn’t even bother to strip you of your clothes. 

He had all the access he needed.

He gave you only a few seconds to adjust to his length before he started pounding into you. You didn’t realize just how much pent up stress and aggravation he really had until each new thrust had your eyes rolling back into your head.

You thanked your lucky stars that you were in the privacy of his home and not his quarters at school, because even with a silencing charm you were sure that it’d be blatantly obvious what was happening. You didn’t think it was possible, but he started pushing in even harder, earning him a praise.

“Oh, fuck! Severus...” You rang out, not even realizing your mistake.

He stopped completely, his hand coming up to grip your chin to make you look at him. 

“Do you call all of your professors by their first name? I probably should just leave you here for-”

“Please, no! I’m sorry, Professor Snape, just...please, don’t stop.” You yowled pathetically. 

Severus rotated his hips to find a new angle as well as putting your heel on his shoulder to push into you deeper. He started fucking into you again, almost breaking when he saw the way your eyes squinted shut.

“Such a bad girl,” He muttered out through thrusts; “Showing up to see your professor and expecting a reward.” 

You moaned out in response, your brain was too cloudy to form a verbal response. Your breasts were pushing against the thin material of your shirt, your lacy bra underneath just barely visible. He held your wrists above your head to keep them pinned down, his other hand firmly gripping your thigh draped on his shoulder.

Severus' pace and pressure was perfect, throwing you into a continuous spiral of pleasure with each delicious movement. He was sucking hard hickeys on your neck and just on the tops of your breasts, leaving marks to let the world know you were his. 

That familiar coil was hot and close to snapping at any moment. Severus twitched somewhere deep inside of you, hitting every bundle of nerves he could possibly find. It wasn’t until his ring and index finger found your clit and began rubbing firm circles that you alerted him.

“P-Professor, I’m close.” You whimpered, praying that he wasn’t going to stop now.

He didn’t stop, continuing his perfect thrusts. 

“Let go, darling. I’ve got you.” He said through a strained voice.

With a final lust driven hum, you clenched and came around him, his own release spilling into you shortly after. He filled you with everything he had with a loud groan. His recent release mixed with yours as it leaked from you onto the sheets. Severus didn’t care in the least. 

He fell next to you, breathings heavy and words feeling impossible to come by. The lust had cleared from his vision, and he was feeling much more relaxed now. 

“Are you alright, love?” He asked, pulling your skirt down to cover at least a little bit of you from the cold hair.

A sleepy, satisfied smile appeared on your face as you nodded. He captured your lips in a lazy kiss, your voice breaking it shortly after.

“I think...it’s safe to say that I’m your favorite student.” You joked.

Severus chuckled.

“Well, if you WERE a student then yes. But I’m perfectly happy with how things are.” He praised.

You giggled lightly, kissing him once more.

“Yeah. Me too.”

[chipper-smol]

Hollow Knight Telephone Round Two: Vanilla Chain 1

Prompt: Ghost remembers each time they died and that’s how they’ve progressed through challenges most bugs wouldn’t even dream achieving. However, no one else seems to remember and instead they wonder why Ghost reacts badly to simple casual touches.

By @ink-of-void

A dull drone of rain pattered down across the cool stone below. The rain had only served as a buffer to the dull, passive steps of the bugs in the city, or the ever so gentle wing beats in the distance. Occasional creaks and groans would whine from the structures of the city, begging for maintenance or to finally be allowed rest. Each sound, each moment only served to further cement itself in the cacophony of white noise. A symphony of empty sound that echoed into the city's ambience.

It had been hours since the Ghost had stopped in front of the statue. Its small head tilted upwards to face that of the stone, carved to the likeness of its sibling. The inscription below spoke of sacrifice. An Eternal sacrifice. It was almost ironic. How the one forced to suffer was put on display at the apex of the ‘City of Tears’.

Memories began to rise, welling up and bubbling in its shell. They could remember their sibling screaming. How the sound of their cries echoed on deaf ears, or that easing their pain meant rending their own flesh in a desperate attempt to stop the torture. It was a waking nightmare.

They had failed their sibling. Try as they might, time and again, they could not bring it upon themselves to strike that final blow. The cries of the ‘Hollow Knight’ screeching into the black egg as they faded away from consciousness for the umpteenth time. A pang of discomfort manifested in their shell.

Slowly Ghost’s mind went from just their sibling to all the other bugs. Each one of those who slaughtered Ghost without mercy, killed with reckless abandon, or just proved to best them in combat. They were the ones it had defeated in the past. Bugs that had caused them to relive the same ritual of failure repeatedly before finally earning that place of victory. Every misstep, every badly timed jump, every poorly executed attack, It all ended in the same punishment over and over. 
CRaCK.

The pain was almost palpable just thinking about it.

It felt just as new as the first time they were ever defeated. A cold sting of its shell cracking, body being torn limb from limb, crumbling beneath them like old stone. Void spilling from its head and pooling into a free floating shape among those lost to the sickness or those who simply proved superior. Though, the empty feeling of losing its corporeal flesh paled in comparison to what came next.

It was like floating up into an entropy of empty space and confusion. The dark land was void of any life or warmth, disorienting all that passed into its wake. Yet every time, it would be waiting to welcome the vessel back again and again into its crushing, desolate embrace. It felt itself being split in two, one being given back to the world, while the other was forced to remain in limbo until it was saved. But it wouldn't matter, as they would re-awaken only moments later, sitting patiently on a bench back where they started.

The overwhelming sense of exhaustion and dissonance took a toll each time they came back. Missing half of their being and having to fight themselves just so they can regain the broken piece back. All the while, no one else seems to take notice, or even remember what had happened prior. Hundreds of failures, hundreds of deaths, and Ghost could never seem to get used to it. It truly was a burden, one that Ghost often sought refuge from by simply resting a while longer at the bench.

It was a dance with death that always ended in what could be considered a ‘mercy’. The lack of claim to its shade, allowed them yet another chance. But perhaps mercy wasn't the right term. Having to battle your own face, a fragment of your own being… it hardly seemed kind, or fair. Even after returning the shade to its rightful place, the fight wasn’t over. Most of the time, it was only just beginning. There would be no rest. There was never any rest.

However to the spider in red, this tiny bug formed of the void and pale, felt nothing as it cut down everything from vermin to gods. Acting as if death was simply part of a long list of chores, they made it seem effortless. So when she first responded to Lemm’s call, she would be lying if she didn't find it the slightest bit odd that Ghost was simply standing idle. She reached out to them, barely grazing their back with her fingers. “Ghost?-”


Without another moment passing, the vessel whipped around, nail in hand. The slash was quick, the sharp song of the blade ripping through the air as Ghost’s reaction went into motion. Time seemed to slow for a moment, its blind attack not revealing the consequence of its actions before it was far too late. Ghosts cloak finally revealed the bug into its immediate view. Upon seeing the figure, their body tensed, hanging onto the blade with an iron grip. 


Hornet didn’t even realize what happened until she glanced down at her arm. Seeing the deep blue blood dripping from the new slice in her shell was telling enough. It was nothing more than a surface wound if she was honest. Easily fixed with time and bandages. But that wasn’t her concern at the moment. Letting her hand close, she looked over to Ghost with a worried expression.

The vessel stood ready, both hands on its nail as it simply held the weapon in place. A tiny shake was visible at the end of the nail it was brandishing. Their face held no expression, yet its body told Hornet all she needed to know.

“Little Ghost?” She asked quietly, holding up her hands to show she wasn't a threat. “Are you… alright? Lemm asked me to come check on you. He says you’ve been here for hours now.”


Ghost paused for a moment, clicking its head towards Hornet. Realization struck them, causing them to slowly lower their weapon. Their gaze fell to the floor as the nail hit the stone sidewalk with a light clink. Their blade’s shimmering reflection bounced back to the vessel's sockets. Part of it was stained with the blood of their sister, obscuring some of the brilliant reflection. The water occasionally dripped down and cut the image in two, washing away the blood as it did.

Hornet sighed, going over to them and gently knelt down.

“Is something the matter, little Ghost?” the spider chimed softly, going over to touch their shoulder. Ghost recoiled, pulling their shoulder away in a rather aggressive manner. Their head didnt lift, turning instead to focus on their path. They put their nail on their back and began their leave. The spider stood up after a moment, bowing her head with a little shake as Ghost began to disappear


“Even you need to rest sometimes, little one. Please I’m, try to get some.”

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By https://twitter.com/Hell_Yena

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By @nonbinary-ghost​

Rain patters down against your shell like thousands of tiny, icy stones. The drum of it inside your mask and the prickling of it against your small body would normally be unpleasant enough as to be overwhelming; but lost as you are in your thoughts and the twisting waves of emotion trying to drown you, the rain is scarcely enough to ground you. You feel disconnected and distant, as if you aren’t really in control of your body, merely being carried along by the steady movement of your legs.

You gradually realize that you have been wandering like this for a while now. How long, you can scarcely guess, but long enough that your cloak is soaked through, and any scrap of warmth has left you. Dirtmouth had been celebrating the first twelve span of being free of the Infection, and while you had been just as happy as the next bug about the recovery of the town, the celebration had filled you with a nameless, twisting dread. And then all the lights and the sounds and the smells and the touching had left you reeling and sick. So you ran.

It could have been hours since then. You have no way of knowing. You don’t quite remember deciding to come to the City of Tears either. You just let your thoughts blur into a black haze, pointed your mask to the ground, and let your feet carry you wherever they wanted to go. You hadn’t expected to find yourself standing before the statue of your sibling. You simply realized that you were staring blankly at the inscription along the statue’s base.

“Through its sacrifice, Hallownest lasts eternal.” Something hot and prickly bubbles up inside of you at the words, making your shell itch and crawl like when you fall in acid. Hornet had once explained the feeling as anger. Why are you angry? You puzzle over it for a moment, resisting your initial urge to strike at the plaque with your nail and scratch out the offending inscription. Instead, you read over it again, feeling the anger boil deep in your belly.

Sacrifice. That’s the part that makes you angry. Sacrifice implies choice. Hollow had no choice in sealing the Radiance. You hadn’t had any choice. None of your siblings had any agency over anything that happened to them. No, none of you were giver the choice to make sacrifices – you were the sacrifice. And for what? Hallownest still fell. So many bugs died, so many cultures were consumed by the plague and lost to dust and rot. All of your siblings, but Hollow and Hornet especially, still suffered and struggled. Yes, you had eventually killed the Radiance, but that hadn’t been part of the Pale King’s plan. He didn’t even know about Godseeker, didn’t even consider that there might be another way that didn’t involve condemning his child to an eternity of suffering. No, your “Father” had expected all of you to “sacrifice” yourselves to the seals and suffer in silent mystery to keep the Radiance contained. How dare he imply any level of choice in what happened to your siblings.

“Ghost?”

The soft question yanks you painfully from your thoughts and you feel as if you slam back into yourself. You are suddenly very aware of the rain hitting your mask, of your hands clenched into fists.

Of the dark shadows that had begun to flicker like flames around you receiving back into you. You spin to find Hornet standing on one of the nearby signposts, her red cloak so damp it nearly looked brown and her needle poised as if prepared to zip away at any moment.

“Are you alright?” Her stance relaxes somewhat as the shadows fade. You don’t know how to answer, so you simply turn away. You look up at your sibling’s likeness looming over you, proud, regal, poised. Not at all like the desperate, brutal Pure Vessel you were forced to fight in Godseeker’s Pantheons. Not at all like the sick and injured bug that you freed from the black egg temple after killing the Radiance.

“Do you need to be alone?”

You shrug. The happiness and celebration in Dirtmouth had been overwhelming, and you had wanted to be alone then. But now, a part of you mutters discontentedly. You’re lonely, and maybe Hornet of all people could understand these feelings. She was the only one besides Hollow who might. “I’m angry,” you sign, pointing at yourself and making a sharp gesture with both hands. Hornet has slowly been teaching you and Hollow the sign language used in the Hive, but none of you are all that good with it yet. It often requires body language and facial expressions for certain distinctions between similar signs – a difficult feat to accomplish when your face is a mask. Hornet follows your gaze and hops down to join you.

“About the statue?”

You point to the inscription.

“We didn’t have a choice,” you sign furiously. “We failed. And now what’s left?”

You stop, a dawning realization creeping through you. That was why you’re angry. Why you’re discontent even though by all accounts you had succeeded. You defeated the Radiance, ended the Infection, freed your sibling, and even survived channeling the Void Entity. You are free to do whatever you want now, but you slowly realize that this new freedom is what has you feeling so distant. You and your siblings were all created with a purpose, and now, with that purpose gone, you have nothing left. You have no other skills but fighting. No passions, no home, no culture to rebuild. You and Hollow are free, but now what is left for you? Your Father had sacrificed your futures, not just your lives, and now you are feeling lost and separate from the bugs around you. They had all suffered through the plague, lost loved ones and homes. But they had passions and dreams to guide them and give them hope. You only have nightmares that keep dragging you into the past, making it impossible to look forward to the future.

“Who am I supposed to be, now?” you finish limply. The anger is gone, replaced with a choking sorrow. Your breathing feels thick and heavy. Hornet holds out a hand, hesitating before touching you to make it an offer, and you lean into it, letting her hand rest lightly between your shoulders.

“What the Pale King did, what he demanded of all of us, was unjust,” she said at last, an ember of her own rage warming her words. “There is nothing that can change that. You and Hollow and all the others deserved so much more. But Ghost,” she kneels so she can look into your mask with such honest ferocity that your breath hitches in your chest. “You are so much more than what our Father made you. You are not just a weapon or a tool. You never were. There is a future for us now, because of you. I know it will be had. It will be scary. Change always is. But we have each other – you, me, Hollow, all of Dirtmouth – we are all here to support each other. We are all learning and growing past everything that happened. I promise, none of us are going to leave you behind again.”

A tightness forms in your throat at her words and your vision blurs as that heaviness in your chest tightens. That promise to not be left behind again stirs a confusing blur of emotion that you can’t make any sense of. It doesn’t feel good, but it doesn’t feel bad either.

“Can I hug you?”

You nod and lean into her touch, the weight and warmth of your sister’s arms doing more to ground you that the rain. For once you feel … safe. Something inside you cracks, like an old shell you’ve grown too big for, and suddenly you’re crying. For everything you went through, for everything you lost, for everyone who didn’t survive to see the same light of freedom. You sob, clutching at Hornet’s cloak.

You finally let yourself mourn everything that brought you here.

And tentatively hope for everything that might come to be.

-------------------------------

By @brimal-baspid​

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By @martin-ftw​

The rain pours heavily in the city of tears.

The knight walks up to the fountain square. They look upon the fountain, where the Memorial to the Hollow Knight resides.

The knight inspects, "In the Black Vault far above. Through its sacrifice Hallownest lasts eternal." as Hornet dashes in with her needle.

"Again we meet little ghost." Hornet started, "... seek the Grave in Ash and the mark it would grant to one like you."

After finishing her guidance for the knight, she added, quietly, "Are you, perhaps, even a little, afraid?"

The water flows through the fountain endlessly, yet the knight remains emotionless.

Hornet giggles to herself, "hmmhmm, that's right, no voice to cry suffering, best of luck to your journeys little ghost."

After a few seconds of silence, Hornet raised her needle and hopped onto the ceiling.

The knight pauses, and dashes right to the opened door, leaving only the sounds of rain splashing the water fountain and flapping of wings from the lumaflies.

At the front door of the Pleasure House, the knight inserts the simple key and opens the door, walking in as Hornet follows. With the beautiful singing by Marissa, the knight goes on the long elevator ride as Hornet clings onto the elevator.

“About to learn your troubled past, aren't you little ghost?" Hornet asks inside the hot spring, while the knight sits on the bench.

The knight nods while opening their map and picking off one of those scarab markers, moving it to the bottom right of the map.

"Though I have underestimated your power, do you think you've got what it takes? To preserve the future of hallownest?" The knight does not know how to answer, they stand up from the bench and pack up their map.

"Exit's on the right, break the wall down to King's station," Hornet says while thinking to herself, could this one succeed? The knight swings their nail at the wall, breaking it open with a loud crack, and heads downwards.

Hornet sat in the spring by herself.

Guarding the cast-off shell is her job - she knows she has to fight the knight one more time, to ensure the knight is ready to finish their quest even after seeing their conception and past. She sighs, all rested, and stands up; knowing she's much faster than the knight in traversing the Hallownest, she raises her needle and swings out of the pleasure room, down to the Kingdom's edge she goes.

“Perhaps this one would be strong enough. They made it so far, don't fail me now little ghost" She quietly mumbles, before pointing her needle towards the entrance of the arena,

"So you'd pursue the deeper truth? It isn't one the weak could bear. Prove yourself ready to face it. I'll not hold back..."

With the wind blowing harder and louder in the edge of the world, the fight begins, the sentinel of a fading land and the vessel to save Hallownest.

-------------------------------

By @potentialforart​

-------------------------------

By @starstress​

They crouch, body full of tension, and they stare on ahead at their target. The platform is right there, waiting for them like a pedestal.

They jump.

Soaring through the air, quick and steady, they reach out, claws stretched and yearning.

There, they think. Right there.

And as the edge comes right by them, confidence blooms inside their chest, sure that they'll reach it. Their outstretched claws brush by a single tiny pristine leaf, one in a dozen, green and lush. It bounces right back into place as they are claimed by gravity.

They fall onto the lower platform, the moss softening their landing. They look up, and disappointment is a small bitter ball in their stomach, but they brush it aside. The stone edge they were aiming for now looms above them unforgiving. They will not let it discourage them, they will try again.

They want to know. They need to know. Who that red-clothed bug was, and why they felt such a pull to her.

----

Through stretching lush highways and seeming ceilingless and bottomless caverns, they push onwards. They’re spurred ever on by glimpses of rushing red, pale horns and swishing silk.

They would have expected the constant green to become monotonous by the time they reach a bench locked behind a gate, guiding them ever higher, but the shrub and moss-covered land surprises them still. From keeping them on high alert constantly and mercilessly, to undeniably charming them through towering leaf-embroidered architecture and statues, simple but beautiful blooms filling the air with glittering pollen, and soft chimes of birdsong, Greenpath has carved a spot in their heart that they can’t believe can ever be topped.

Still on they go, for though they wish to properly explore, they know that that can wait. They heal themselves, fill in the map with all the paths and twists and turns that they have crossed, put on the few charms that they have gathered, and stand up. They look ever upwards and hope they’re drawing closer to wherever the red-clothed person might be leading them.

----

There--

They rush forward, into the air and off the moss-covered stone ledge, eyes locked onto the red figure. Behind them, a gate slams closed, but though the sound echoes in the small clearing, they pay it no mind.

They land on steady feet, leaf softening the sound of their fall.

There she is--

They've found her.

The red-cloaked bug, in all her stern and decisive figure.

She is encompassed by engraved and moss-covered pillars of stone, but still she towers over them, despite only being about twice their own height.

Her dark eyes, but not as dark as theirs, no one with as dark as theirs, never, track their every move, ready to act, ready to cut down. They stare at her and she stares at them, a contest of wills.

She raises her blade - her needle - and they rush to mirror her.

Soft light streams down, from in between greenery, though they not know not its source, and halos her in pale light.  And though this is their first proper encounter with her, the red bug feels familiar, like they know her mask, the shape of her eyes, like they once gazed, even briefly, upon those features in a past life.

Nevertheless, her stance is rigid and unforgiving.

No further, her eyes scream even before she deems them worthy of words, no further I will allow you, until you prove yourself.

They tighten their grip upon their nail, and shove back into their void all pangs of sadness. This is a fight for their life, and, more than ever, a fight for their existence.

Maybe, after they defeat her, they can ask her why she feels like family - lost, but found again.

-------------------------------

By @dovalore​

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By @jonsilverstone​

https://soundcloud.com/jachym-hajek/vanilla-1-july-21-jon-silverstone-hornet-v-hollow/s-8IcY8UIzrtg

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By @alaska-ren-works​

“Do you want to just fulfill the wyrm’s standards or do you want to make me proud, Princess of Hallownest?”

Hornet tightened her needle’s grip and lowered her stance. Heart calm and mind steady, she didn’t feel the rise of a subtle smirk on her face. This was her moment she had trained for in the Hive. Not to be the pale wyrm’s spawn, but to be the Daughter of Deepnest.

“You will see my answer soon, Mother.”

Weavers and bugs alike stood in solemn excitement as Herrah, Beast and Queen of Deepnest, circled the princess. Her white mask hid her emotions, but Hornet could more than feel the queen’s wide grin. Herrah twirled her own needle in her hand, a feat that impressed Hornet to no end as that very needle was longer than she was tall.

“Very well.” With a final step, Herrah faced Hornet with her needle at the ready. “You know the rules and so do I.”

Hornet nodded. As the lower-ranked of the two, Hornet must make the first move. Everyone and everything turned still. Watching. Waiting.

With a resolute bang of a drum, Hornet yelled, “Garama!”

The crowd roared with the start of the duel, but Hornet only heeded her opponent. She speared her needle forward and as Herrah jumped away, she reeled it back. Herrah dodged the attack and closed in on Hornet. The young spider darted away right before Herrah’s needle slashed through the space she just left.

When it came to brute strength, Hornet would lose in an instant. But she was smaller, faster, and more agile. If she could avoid a direct hit, she might have a chance at winning this.

Hornet rolled away as another strike whistled too close for her liking. She slashed her needle upwards, forcing Herrah to jump back. Taking this, she jumped into the air and released a storm of silk.

When her feet landed, Herrah slammed into her. Her breath wrenched out of her chest as she flew then skidded on the floor. It was a miracle she was still on her feet. With her head bent, she did not see the pride glimmer in her mother’s eyes before the queen composed herself.

Herrah’s head turned when the ravelling of silk sounded above her. The whistling of an incoming needle alerted her and the Beast parried Hornet’s thrust.

In Herrah’s moment of distraction, Hornet covered the arena in sticky silk traps. Now, this was where Hornet shines. She darted between the silk

strands and rushed at Herrah, the bigger spider now pressed for space. Strikes and slashes were landed and blocked, and Herrah growled. The next second Hornet rushed in, Herrah took hold of her and used her momentum to throw her far. Hornet flipped in the air but stumbled on her landing. Looking up, Herrah’s needle swung in a wide arc, destroying the nearby threads.

Mother and daughter studied each other from opposite ends of the arena. Hornet felt fatigue settle in her bones and her lungs struggled with big gulps of air. Herrah stood tall and her giant nail held steady, but Hornet could see her chest moving quickly.

“What do you think about heading over to the hotspring after this, huh?” Hornet’s eyes widened at Herrah’s invitation.

“Y-yes, Mother!” Hornet reddened at her stuttering voice. She cast out her exhaustion and readied her stance.

Herrah grinned as she raised her needle once more. “Then let’s make this worth it.”