#how do you survive being packed in snow every day

[youareanidiot-org]

Are you invasive?

I think irkens classify as an "invasive species" in the same way your Earth stinkbugs do maybe yes

[mcuamerica]

The Shadowsinger: Prologue

Warnings: 18+. Minors DNI. Parental abuse, nightmares, mentions wing clipping, starvation from being trapped, spoilers for ACOTAR series. If I forgot anything, please let me know!

Pairings: (Eventual) Azriel x Fem!Reader

Summary: After your family tries clipping your wings, you flee to the northern Illyrian mountains.

Disclaimer: I do not own SJM’s characters, only the ones I create for the purpose of this story. This is a work of fiction. I do not give permission to repost my work on any other platform or medium. Please be respectful.

My graphics are my own. If you wish to use them, please give credit!

Series Masterlist

It wasn’t every day you flew your way to the northern mountains of Illyria. It also wasn’t everyday your father tried clipping your wings when you refused to marry the brutal son of a terrifying male.

You flew until you couldn’t see any smoke from fires, tents, homes. You flew so far your wings began to falter from not only the assault they’d taken but the treacherous wind of the storm blowing in. You flew till you glided under the trees and finally stumbled to your feet, shaking from not only the cold, but what you just did. You ran away. You got out of that horrible household. Flinching from the memories as they rolled through, you stumbled over to a nearby small stream. The winter storm was drawing near, and from what the clouds looked like above, it wasn’t going to be a pleasant one.

Thank the Mother, you’d grabbed a bag of supplies on your way out. One of your brothers that they’d packed for a training session coming up. It had a small blanket, a starter for fire, a couple of sheathed daggers, and a canteen. Not a lot, but it would let you survive the storm as long as you got a fire going. As soon as some of the chill from the flight wore off, you went down to the clear stream, filling the canteen.

You just had to make it through the storm, and that would be enough. You would figure out what to do about your scratched, but healing, wings tomorrow.

But day break never came. When you’d woken from your exhausted slumber, your fire had burnt out, and you were completely snowed into the cave. You had gotten some food the night before, but it would only last you until that night, maybe the next if you’d packed snow on it to keep it from rotting. The water you had would keep you to a day or two after that, if you rationed it enough.

You knew it was a death sentence the moment you tried clawing your way out that night, not being able to take the darkness. You knew the Illyrian winter storm wouldn’t let up, and you knew that you’d die in that cave if some blessing didn’t come to melt away that snow.

You spent a long time shivering and exhausted in the pitch black cave. You’d ran out of water some time after you’d run out of the scarce food. Not that you knew what time it was, or how long had gone by. Seconds felt like minutes, hours like days. You strained your ears for any sign of the snow melting. Of footsteps outside the cave so you could scream for help. You thought you went mad when you felt something cold brush up against you, whisper that it would be okay. And that’s when the blessing came. When you felt the shadows wrapping themselves around you, almost in a comforting manner, and like a whisper on the wind, you were out in the bright sunlight. You had to blink for a minute to even adjust to the brightness.

It was the sound of the stream trickling and the light breeze on your face that had your eyes prick with tears. You had gotten out. By some miracle, you had gotten out.

You jolted awake, feeling the familiar shadows tracing around your shoulders, the tips of your wings, as you shot up from the bed. Glancing over to the male that was by your side, still sleeping, you scooted out of the bed. One that was too small even for your wings. Collecting your clothes, you slowly went into the dingy bathing room and prepared yourself for the day. After you’d put your clothes back on, you crept out of the room, the male whose name you’d forgotten still sleeping on the bed.

You couldn’t shake the feeling of the memory you re-lived as you walked out of the small inn and into the daylight, but stayed near the darkness of the trees as you made your way into town. You hadn’t thought about it in a long time, what had happened to you. The horrible last night seeing your blood family was one of the most terrifying experiences you had faced. Only one good thing came from it as far as you were concerned. You’d gotten your shadows. You learned to listen to them, hearing them whisper things about people around you, about the trees and animals. You learned to bend into them, letting them consume you when you wanted. As you pleased.

You supposed that your freedom was the other good thing that came of that night. Those days that were spent in the cave. But you were constantly looking over your shoulder as if your father and three brothers would be standing there, scowling, with the blades to clip your wings once and for all. The wings that took you so far north, you’d only found one small village when you gathered the strength to stray from the cave. The village you’ve spent the following 100 years of your life in.

You learned to earn your keep when a kind female of the name Sirona, the only village healer, took you in to help with your still injured wings and malnourished body. You’d stayed with her while you got back to your normal health, and hunted for her family until you started to help her with healing.

They hadn’t seen a Shadowsinger before. Only ever heard rumors of one that was close to the High Lord. Being so far north, they didn’t get much news from the Night Court, or from any Courts. It seemed only strong willed Illyrians who tried to take on the brunt of the northern mountain range ended up coming through your town. One of which you’d taken to bed the night before. Again, you couldn’t even bother to remember his name. He’d be flying back to his war camp soon enough.

Maybe a war camp where he would see your father and brothers. But wouldn’t tell of your abilities. Of your shadows. Because you’d only allowed outsiders to see them at night, when it could be a trick of the light. The only people you trusted were Sirona, her mate, Igna, and their son, Oran. And perhaps the other villagers, though you didn’t spend much time with them since you’d taken Sirona’s side in learning how to heal. Even if you didn’t have any powers other than your shadows, not that had been unearthed anyway, you learned other ways. How to bandage and clean wounds, to stitch them, to make tonics that would heal them faster. The village didn’t need it much, there wasn’t a lot of trouble here. But it felt good to be helpful.

So that’s what you were doing just a few days after your nightmare. You carried a basket of tonics around the village, delivering them to those who ordered it earlier in the week. Most were for females on their cycle, or contraception ones for them and their partners. You were making your way back to your small apartment, above Sirona and Igna’s house, when you heard doors start slamming shut.

“Run… not safe… help them…” you heard your shadows say in a panic. The next thing you knew, dozens of Illyrian wings littered the skies. You could even make out the bows they carried. You shifted back towards the back side of one of the shops, your shadows whirling around you, tugging you to go help the people who took you in all those years ago.

But you couldn’t move. Not as you scanned the Illyrians, worried this was when your father would finally come back to claim your freedom.

If you knew what was going to happen, you would have wished that was what happened. Wished your father, however terrible and brutal he was, came to get you that day. Because what happened next was worse than the failed wing clipping. Was worse than the days on end you spent stuck in the cave.

It was the day Amarantha came to claim you as her personal Shadowsinger.

Chapter One

A/N: Hello!! I hope you enjoyed the prologue! This is the backstory of the reader. This is very much a story about the reader rather than a love story (at least at the beginning. I’ve only written about half of what I plan to write.) I plan to eventually have reader and Azriel be love interests... Enjoy!

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Series Masterlist

[xx0acidicorchid0xx]

some notes on wolverines (mustelidae) and Logan

cause new hyperfixation (its been goin on since a few weeks ago). gonna preface this by saying i have only seen the first x-men movie, and whatever else i found on tiktok n tumblr through my hyperfixation hoarding, so if anything is wrong or actually canon (or not canon) I'm sorry

notes under cut:

wolverines, while technically weasels, theyre the largest terrestrial weasel, and can weigh 26-50lbs.

Logan, is 5'3, but weighs at least 300lbs due to the admantium skeleton (195lbs without, meaning this small furry smelly man is just pure bulk)

wolverines are muscular n stocky and have thick fur (also waterproof n oily to prevent frost n such in them harsh canadian forests), are native to canada but can be found in similar environments, and are described as lil balls of violence and are extremely territorial around their food, family, and themselves (only out of necessity in order to survive the winter wastelands they live in). they also lack social skills and pack behavior like wolves

Logan, hairy beefy man, born in canada, described as an asshole, is violent n aggressive, but also severely traumatized. now with the fur, wolverines are nicknamed skunkcats because of how much they reek (they also mark whatever carcass they stole or found so nothing else can take it from em or where they buried it). if Logan (who canonically reeks) has waterproof n oily fur, it must be real difficult getting him to shower (not to mention he doesnt like getting wet) and also the water will not be able to get to his fucking skin because hes built to survive canadian woods.

wolverines are also commonly found in trees, as they use the height to locate prey and eventually pounce onto said prey

from some of the panel screenshots ive seen, Logan isnt unfamiliar with climbing onto trees

wolverines have been known to take on animals 3x their size, such as fuckin Moose, polar bears, elk n caribou, etc etc (only difference here between the mustelid and Logan is that there is no known attack on a human by a wolverine).

while wolverines have semi-retractable claws, Logan's claws are fully retractable. they (both the animal and Logan) have huge paws/hands, for the animal, its to prevent sinking into the snow

along with the thick waterproof fur and stocky build, theyre latin name gulo basically means glutton, so they have to eat a fuck load in order to maintain their body temp (usually they just eat their weight or very frequent small meals, but larger stuff is common), also theyre carnivorous but will eat anything they can find or kill, usually carcasses from avalanches n such, aka opportunity eaters

i have heard that Logan eats a shit ton, especially meat, but only large meals when alone, and small meals more frequently at the mansion. with the body heat thing, it must be super hard for him post-adamantium to keep his body temp at a normal range without literally sitting in the sun all day.

despite the aggressiveness they develop in the wild, when domesticated (which ive heard/read is super easy than you would think), they become very attached to one person, who usually is the trusted handler. they exhibit very cat-like behaviors, except wolverines actually like being picked up and wearing harnesses, they also like pets (but again, the trusted handler thing). they can become calm when hearing a high pitched obnoxious voice, and can go into a kind of trance when their gums are rubbed.

not sure about the cat behaviors n harnesses n other shit for Logan, but with the voice thing: Wade. thats all i really need to say about that

wolverines are naturally polygamous, but do come back to the female every so often to help raise the kits. theres a video of a wolverine male leaving out a moose leg near a female's den so she can have something for the kits to eat

this man gets passed around the x-men mansion like coleslaw at a southern get together dinner, aint no way hes monogamous. he does worry about the women he basically adopted and raised (rogue, laura, jubilee i think, yukio?,, i cant name any others but theres several)

wolverines also have the ability to smell a frozen carcass from over a mile away (and lemme tell ya, unless you have an excellent sense of smell, frozen anything doesnt have a smell except sharp)

this man can canonically smell emotions, and be able to tell the difference between Mystique and Storm just from smell Alone.

wolverines are very vocal, usually this kinda snarl/snort/growl/mumbling/chuff sound

not sure about comic Wolvie, but Hugh Jackman (and Logan, obviously) does snort n growl n roar n other shit like that

wolverines' mating rituals often include fighting multiple times, and mate Only after the female is confident in the male's fighting (males who return several times are more likely to mate than males who only fight once or twice) and that the female doesnt submit too easily. this is so the female and male can ensure the produced kits are strong enough to survive

self explanatory, minus the producing kits (that i know of)

also fun lil fact, wolverines' back molars are rotated at a 90 degree angle, so they can gnaw through bone easier (supposedly this is a common trait for mustelids)

not sure about sideways molars, but Logan does canonically have longer, more animalistic canines

most of my notes and how i worded some stuff is taken from wolverine expert Steve Kroschel, and tumblr user @/icarusredwings, as they have Amazing notes and headcanons on wolverines and Logan

[hypnoneghoul]

Possibly some dewther angst? Whatever you feel like writing :)

this is more of a ramble than a ficlet i think but it is dewther angst, hope its okay

Aether leaving the band causes his relationship with Dewdrop to become extremely strained.

It brings out Dewdrop’s neediness when the distance hits. It brings out Aether’s need for space when he gets snowed under work.

And suddenly they don't work, even though they are hundreds of miles apart.

They somehow survive the first leg of the tour, with Aether pretending everything is alright for Dewdrop’s sake. The work he had stayed at the Abbey for is exhausting both mentally and physically and he’s hanging on by a thread barely a month in. The fire ghoul isn’t stupid; he sees something isn’t quite right with Aether as well as between them, but he blames it on the distance.

Dewdrop hurts like hell, being unable to hug or kiss his partner; not even talk to him much. He clenches his jaw and pushes through, though, even if it's with tears in his eyes.

Aether loves Dewdrop fiercely and misses him terribly, but the work tires him enough to make him essentially forget about it. There are times where the only thing on his mind is sleep, not his fire ghoul.

He is—of course—incredibly happy about his pack returning to the Abbey between the tour legs; about Dewdrop returning to him. All the bad things are forgotten for a little while and everything is right in the world again when the fire ghoul is in Aether’s arms again

It’s like that—just good—for a few days he got off from work, but…but then Aether can’t handle any more.

Dewdrop is with him every second, he all but hangs off of him no matter what the quintessence ghoul is doing. It’s understandable—they’ve been apart for so long, for the first time ever since they met, but to Aether it becomes unbearable; he can’t have one single moment for himself anymore. He’s stretched thin between Dewdrop, the infirmary and fucking taxes and it’s simply too much.

He’s tired—tired of the endless work the Clergy has dumped over him and…and his needy partner, he realizes with dread.

How did it come to this?

Aether doesn't mention it for a while, he clenches his jaw and pushes through until it—he—crumbles one evening. Something went really wrong in the infirmary earlier and it’s been a horrible mess lasting for what felt like eternity; it’s nearly midnight when he finally reaches his room. He’s stressed and exhausted and the only thing on his mind is sleep. 

Dewdrop is waiting for him, though. He is a very needy person, indeed, especially when it comes to affection and reassurance, and after having a bad day himself, he simply craves Aether; unable to fall asleep without him.

The quintessence ghoul wants to deliver—still so in love with Dewdrop it’s bordering on insanity—but the time stretches and stretches and there’s a dull ache behind his eyes and his teeth start to hurt from how hard he’s clenching his jaw and there’s that weird pit in his stomach and–and he snaps.

“Dewdrop, I love you, but you have to let me breathe sometimes! I don’t have a second for myself, this relationship feels like yet another chore for me right now!”

And there it is, just like that—all the feelings that have been building inside Aether for months finally spilled. He watches with a nearly empty, cold gaze as Dewdrop starts to shake and cry on the other side of the bed.

The quintessence ghoul hates himself immediately, but what is done is done and despite all the regret of what he just did there is a hint of relief, too.

If Dewdrop leaves, if that’s the end, he will have so much space.

And that’s what he wants. Right?

The silence and the cold won’t drive him crazy until he breaks, crawls back to Dewdrop unable to breathe, and begs him to take him back, to forgive him.

Right?

[holylulusworld]

Ready for harvest

Summary: You and your alphas play another game.

Written for @spnkinkevents SPN Omegaverse Week – Day 6 – Friday, April 19 – Slick

Pairing: Alpha!Dean Winchester x fem!Reader; Alpha!Sam Winchester x fem!Reader; Alpha!John Winchester x fem!Reader

Warnings: implied smut/light smut, somnophilia, use of a sex swing, implied taking turns, blindfolds, use of a safe word, aftercare, consensual degrading, daddy kink, a/b/o, a/b/o dynamics, established polyamorous relationship, fluff

Catch up here: Hungry like the wolf

A/N: The story takes place in Season 10. John is still alive for my storyline.  

Words: 1,3 k+

SPN Omegaverse Week Masterlist

A snowstorm ruined your plans, but it offered a new opportunity. While stuck at the bunker with your alphas, you came up with new ideas to kill time.

Strip poker. Chasing a fake monster. Strip charade. Naked cooking contests. 

Five days later you’re still stuck in the bunker, unable to leave it because of the snow masses blocking all exits.

Luckily you’re always prepared and got enough food, because and men around to survive for even for weeks without leaving the bunker.

“Good thing I bought all the good shit before the weather decided to fuck us over,” John grins at you. “What do you say, Y/N? Do you want to try it out? I got it in our playroom.”

You chuckle at his eagerness. It was his idea to turn one of the rooms at the bunker into a playroom for you and your alphas.

“Okay, show me what you bought,” you lean closer to whisper in his ear, “Daddy.”

“Careful or I’ll take you right here, in the hallways.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” you grin, remembering the night John pounced on you after you sneaked into the kitchen for a late-night snack. He fucked you right there, on the floor for his sons to watch. “It was so hot and dirty.”

“Because we all took turns,” Sam suddenly stands behind you to grope your ass. For a man his size, he’s fucking stealthy. “So, what are we up to today? Can I sort the books at the library, or did we find something more interesting to do?”

You smirk at Sam.

“I think our omega wants to play,” John snickers. He unashamedly cups his crotch. It’s only you and his sons, and all of you have seen all of him over the years. No one around to judge you for being a pack’s omega.

“Hmm…” you run your fingertips over the sex swing hammock John decided to buy. You feel the soft leather to check the quality. “It looks nice.” You’re unsure for the first time.

“If you don’t like it, we can just chase you around the bunker and play hide and seek,” Dean joins the party. “We thought it’d be nice if you played pillow princess and just enjoyed the ride.”

“Pillow princess?” You snort. It’s not your style to just take it. “How will this work?” You tug at the straps to test the stability of the hammock. “Me?”

“I want you to wear this,” John purrs and holds a blindfold in front of your face. “We want to play guess the cock.”

“You’re kinky, Mr. Winchester,” you snatch the blindfold out of his hands. “Black silk, huh?”

“For special occasions, sweetheart,” Dean looks at the blindfold in your hands. “We want to give you a special night.”

“You want to get your dick wet,” you playfully slap his chest. “You horny bastard.”

Dean chuckles. “You know me so well, baby.”

“I know all of you,” you smirk darkly. “Every dirty little secret and every kink.”

“Do you trust us?” John cups your cheek. “We’d love to give you a new experience. But only if you want it.”

“Only if you promise to not tease me,” you poke your finger into his chest. “Last time you edged me for too long and then, you didn’t let me cum!”

“That was sweet punishment,” Sam taunts. “And we will do it again.”

“If you play your cards right,” you purr and step toward Sam to fist his flannel, “I allow you to massage my feet after you made me cum, Sammy.”

Your alphas smirk as you shimmy out of your panties and fling them across the room. 

“Let’s test this nice swing…”

Your alphas helped you into the shamrock. Your men made sure that you were comfortable and felt safe. John asked you about your safe word and kissed you softly before using the leg and arm straps on you.

It feels like floating. “You look ready to get eaten, doll,” John whispers in your ear. He tweaks one of your nipples, causing you to shudder. “If you guess the cock right, you get a special gift after we are done with you.”

Dean kneels in front of the shamrock to teasingly run his tongue over your clit. He grips your legs tightly, enjoying you cannot close them when he playfully sinks his teeth into your clit.

“DEAN!” you grunt. He’s a teasing little shit, and you will pay him back. “I dare you!”

“How does she taste brother?” Sam watches his father and brother tease you with little licks and touches. “Dean?”

“She’s slicking for us, Sammy,” Dean growls against your flesh. “Y/N is such a good omega for us.”

You mewl at his words. Your chest swells and your body goes lax. “Daddy…”

“I’m here, doll,” John whispers in your ear. “Can we begin, baby doll?”

“Hmmm…” you nod.

“Do you remember your safe word, Y/N?” 

“Papaya,” you murmur. “I’m all green, daddy.”

“Of course you are,” he replies and nods at his sons. “If you want us to stop, you will say it. Remember that you are the one in control.”

John’s features darken as he steps next to his sons. He cracks his neck and stares at your exposed body, ready for them to use you. You’re completely at their mercy, and his primal side loves it.

“Ready sons.”

“Ready if you are,” Dean and Sam say in unison.

“Yes…” you whisper lowly. “I want to play a game with all of you…”

You feel his hands on you seconds later. His touch is tender at first, but his hands get more demanding. He gropes your tits, roughly pinching your nipples. You know it’s Sam because he’s hiding the beast so well, but not with you.

“Fuck me,” you challenge. “Now!”

They don’t speak when they start using your body for their pleasure. It’s part of the game.  

Sam is first. He’s rough, and demanding, but he pulls three orgasms out of your body. 

You recognize Dean next. He takes his time to tease you, fingering you until you cry and beg him for an orgasm, but he will let you wait, and you’ll only find release with his cock inside of you.

John is last. He’s rougher tonight and calls you his whore, and slut. Your alpha was on the edge for weeks. One hunt had gone wrong, and he feared he’d lose another mate.

“Look at this, a whore to go,” John taunts you not only with his cock driving into you in abandon, but his voice making you shudder.

He’s unstoppable. Pulling orgasm after orgasm from your spent body. You’re sore and tired, your safe word on the top of your tongue but you don’t use it. John needs to get this out of his system, and you won’t stop him.

Even if it’s against your alphas’ rules.

In the morning, you wake to John fucking wildly into you. You’re usually more than happy if he slips inside of you while you’re asleep, but this morning is different.

You cry, and whimper. John grunts into your neck, believing you’re into it as you wiggle underneath him.

“John,” it pains you to do it, but you cannot take more, “Papaya.”

He stiffens and immediately slips out of you. “Doll,” he nuzzles you. “I’ve got you doll,” John whispers. “You did so well. We are proud of you.” He wraps his arms around you and cradles you in his arms. “I’m gonna get you clean and take care of you.”

John picks you up to carry you inside the bathroom. “I’m sorry, daddy. It was…too intense.”

“No. I’m sorry,” he pecks your hair. “I was a bad dominant today. I should’ve seen your distress and ended the session last night. It was too much, and…” He sniffs. “Please forgive me.”

“I’m fine, John,” you hide your face in his shoulder. “You’re good alphas.”

John isn’t convinced. He calls for his sons, asking them to help him with you. “We need to do more aftercare. It was too much.” He admits, ashamed. 

“We’re here, sweetheart,” Dean whispers. “We will take care of you now…”

Tags in reblog.

[evita-shelby]

They didn't know we were seeds

Chapter 4

Cw: snakes, death, murder, suicide

@justrainandcoffee @emotionalcadaver @call-sign-shark @peakyswritings

When she accepted Laurie’s outstretched hand that morning, it never occurred to her that she may have to kill him.

Eva had been too caught up in being safe while she was with him playing the love-struck girl ---only partially as Laurie was every teenage girl’s dream and she was no different--- that it never crossed her mind.

Not when he killed Tullia when she tried to drown her while they bathed, not when they broke away from Mink and Diamond while they sabotaged them and not even when Marlin was killed for what they did.

They are barely at the seventh day of the games and now they were down to four.

Basil, the boy from eleven, never arrived for his pack at the Feast. Neither did Diamond, only Mink so frantic in opening his pack that he didn’t notice Laurie behind him until he slit his throat.

There are bites on Mink’s legs, little bites that spell death within the hour.

Their clothing provided some cover, but these fangs had torn through the fabric and by the looks of the blood still leaking through the bites, these were venomous.

Mutations even Eva had never encountered in her life. Eva knew what to do with tracker jacker stings, with the wasps that mixed with them and had a similar effect, and even how to make anti venom for all sorts of snakes, but this bite was too fine and too deep to be a regular snake.

“Snake mutts,” she warns as a canon goes off along with Mink’s. There is no way of telling who it belonged to until nightfall and it was still noon. They take the remaining packs with them to ensure they give chase.

Only three people left in the game. Eva prays her murderer is not Laurie.

“Do you have snakes in your district?” Eva asks as they return to the only source of water left in the arena, where Diamond or Basil will come even if it means their death.

There had been a fire to force the survivors to the oasis and end the games before sundown it seems. The same oasis that Mink had left covered in snake bites.

“Towards the south, I grew up in the north with my mom and my brother.” He answers as he leads the way back, trusting her not to drive her knife into his back.

Laurie really likes her, so much he stole a kiss from her when they set the stockpile of supplies on fire, and she kissed him back like she meant it. They hold hands sometimes; she always makes sure to sleep near him. First because she was afraid the others would attack her in her sleep and then because she enjoyed it too much to stop.

He could kill her if he wanted to. Slit her throat with her own knife while she is snuggled up beside him in their shared sleeping bag, snap her neck when he hugs her close in his sleep.

She could kill him too.

Poison their water supply, his food or even take advantage of his bad choice of trusting her.

If they killed whoever the hovercraft picked up, it would be down to the two of them. He is much stronger and faster than her, better fighter than even the Peacekeepers back at 10.

“Jack said he saw a man kill one with a stick while he was there on his tour last year.” He mentions. His twin’s victory had elicited some envy and admiration from him. Jack was born first, slightly taller and a favorite of their grandfather who saw the son he never had.

They had no father; their mother had wanted a family but never a man to control her like her father did. Their granddad, a stonemason, was harsh, he’d survived the dark days as a boy, and it had never given its hold on him.

Servilla Plinth, Strabo Plinth’s wife was his grandmother’s elder sister and that made them kin to the Plinth Family who earned their way into the Capitol and later made President Snow their heir. Made their granddad resentful to the point Laurie’s mother got a job at the main city just to get away from him and his anger before it rubbed off on them.

Instead, the old man’s influence had made Jack volunteer at his next reaping to show their mother was undeserving of their grandad's derision. Turns out Jack never liked the way the old man treated her and his wife.

And now Laurie was here to leave no doubts that their mother would never be looked down on by anyone. No one else has had two victors in their family in their district.

“I heard about it. One of the maids at the Justice building told us about it when she came to buy more calming tea for the mayor’s wife, they gave the rattle to your brother as an apology gift for interrupting dinner, I think.” Eva wonders what his strategy is to get rid of her. Will he wait until she is distracted or asleep enough not to hear him? Will he finish what Tullia started and drown her?

Then she thinks of Clemens' advice.

It’s not difficult to make a boy or a girl fall for her, Eva doesn’t even have to know she’s doing that to get someone to like her that way. It just happens, just like it did with Laurie.

Could she turn the tables on him and have him completely at her mercy?

Her two kills had been with tricks, with a cactus with too much alkaline. The others had been Laurie’s doing.

Eva never thought she would have to kill him and her heart breaks because as much as she’d tried to stop it, she likes him.

Perhaps not love him, but had they ever had a chance, she could have.

“He still has it, said some cryptic shot about how the games never truly end. Life is just another big arena.” He continues talking as if nothing had changed.

He hopes whoever is already at the oasis will kill her and he can be the hero who avenged her. Diamond will want her dead because of Mink, because she and Tullia distrusted her from the beginning.

Basil will kill her anyways because he knows he stands a better chance at killing Laurie than she can.

“He’s not wrong about that, if you don’t work you starve, if you aren’t careful you die. I suppose we don’t have to worry about another human being killing you as much as we do here.” Incredibly wise words from a boy engineered to kill for entertainment. “Actually, this gives me an idea.

Use me as bait.”

That way they don’t have to kill each other.

Laurie is so taken aback by it that it takes him a while to sputter a no.

“They could kill you!” he says as she makes them stop as they load the important things each pack has into one of them.

Theirs had a food, water, anti-venom, and armor. Well, his had armor, she had stolen the one meant for Diamond even if she was taller than her.

“But you would kill them in revenge. If one of us must die here, it should be me. You have your family back home. I don’t.” They had felt bad when they saw the photographs of their family in them to remind everyone that Eva didn’t have a mother, a father, or a sister or even a brother to come home to.

She had her aunt and her cousins, but her pack only had a scarf that doubled as a shawl that her mother once owned.

She could strangle someone with it. Or she could be killed with it. A painful death either way.

If it’s not Laurie who kills her, she will be fine.

“If I have to die, I don’t want you to be the one holding the knife.” Eva says quietly, taking the pack with the big number 1 on it and leaving before he can stop her.

The capitol must be eating this up, tragic romances always play well in the games. Even gets people in the districts to root for them. She wonders who is rooting for them back home.

She wonders who they upset at the Gamemaker’s table when she sees the oasis overrun by colorful snakes. The trees, the grass and even the rocks are overrun by these colorful monstrosities.

Eva only sees Basil run to her like mad with snakes wrapping around him, slithering up his legs and some even standing about half their height in effort to find something to bite. But its too late, some have already bitten him and his only way to survive was the anti-venom in the backpack.

And he won’t have that, because the moment he tackles her, Laurie’s managed to lodge a knife into his shoulder.

Eva hadn’t needed saving, all she needed was to let the venom take its course or help it along by taking one of the mutts and letting it sink its teeth into Basil’s neck. She also could’ve let herself die here and give Laurie a clear chance at winning.

But she hadn’t. Because all her talk about dying was just that, talk.

Eva’s hand is still holding a mutt by its head when Laurie comes to help her up.

He’s in love with her, she can see it in the way his face is marred with worry for her, how relieved he is that she is okay and the realization that one of them is going to die for the other.

And because it hurts her to know he loves her even if he’s never said it, Eva is going to make history by denying the games their victor.

“I’m sorry, Laurie.” Eva kisses Laurie like his love is returned and he is so caught up in it as he tries to dry her tear with his thumb that he doesn’t feel the snake until it bit his neck.

Laurie is too disorientated to react with anything but a harsh shove and the last thing he sees is her using the same mutt that bit him on her own wrist.

Only one canon sounds. Eva knows it’s not hers. How stupid of her to think the Capitol would allow their games to have no victor.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the winner of the 61st Hunger Games, Eva Smith of District 10.”

End of Part 1: Tribute

[youlikefanficdontyousquidward]

Heart of ice

RecomReader x RecomFike

Summary: Fike becomes separated from the squad and is forced to accept help when it gets too cold.

CW: suggestive language. sexual situations, no smut.

Recomweek Day 7: Survival

To say Fike didn't like you was an understatement. Every time you entered a room he'd groan and find an excuse to leave. He sat as far as he could from you at meals, meetings and missions. Shooting you glares if you dared to even glance at him.

To be frank you couldn't care less what the guy thought of you. You were far to caught up in your own new life to bother yourself over it. That and he grated on your nerves too, always laughing too loud or taking the best drinks from the fridge.

Still you did find yourself mulling it over when he was present. You were a doctor after all and a psychologist before this too. It was part of your duties to care for the teams well-being, physical and mental. It was hard to read all the new subtle body language ticks and each flick or sway of ear and tail could mean so many things.

You monitored him ahead of you as you trekked. The piercing wind hit through the pack, blasting tiny shards of ice into your face. You scrunched your eyes against the frigid air. The expanse of white giving you a sense of foreboding.

You'd never seen snow on Pandora before yesterday. The ship taking you north to the moons icy region had been heated. So when huge coats and gloves were in your locker, you'd blanched. Fike seemed chipper as ever mocking the equipment soundly, not even doing his coat up before the hanger door opened and biting air hit him.

You watched his tail swing inside the thermal stocking. He was tense, uncomfortable, maybe he could sense your eyes on him. Or maybe his tail was as restricted as yours. It felt wrong to have it in the heavy fleece, weighted down.

There were native na'vi to this area. You wondered how they dressed to deal with the cold. Or maybe they were furry? You pulled your scarf closes against your mouth. Your nose and ears could freeze off in this temperature. Especially your wet nose.

In fact before you trudged out into the wilderness they'd warned about taking the trail easy. The sweat against you skin could freeze if the cold got past the first layer.

It wouldn't be much longer anyway. The base you headed towards had gone radio silent last week. With it's proximity to an electrical field and an ikran nest, they couldn't send in a ship to check it out. Not in the stormy weather anyway. Instead they sent their humid jungle suited recoms in to the glacial tundra.

A pack of white fox like animals stood ahead of the the group. Almost imperceptible against the snow. Guns raised as you all watched them closely. They eyed your group, ears up and bodies still. If it weren't for the fan of hot breath fogging in front of their faces, you'd have thought them statues.

Your eyes zeroed in on one, it's head cocked just slightly. Around its neck was a woven patterned fabric collar. You pivoted round pointing your gun to rocky formations behind the group.

"They're pets!" You hollered back, hoping the wind didn't pull your voice. Quaritch called to form up, as a group you pressed forward. Guns pointing out at all angles as you approached the big eared animals.

You kept your body facing the back of the group but kept glancing forward. The six legged foxes scattered as you approached, rushing down a slope to your right, twin tails wagging. You kept walking backwards, your back against someone else's guiding you. Your gun drooped as you the seconds passed and silence remained. Perhaps they were alone, no owners herding them.

Then an arrow whizzed past you cheek, tossing your hair up with the following gust. It struck the ground by the groups left before a yell sounded out. Brightly dressed Na'vi rolled out of the snow mounds, leaping to attack, drawing bows.

"DOWN!" Quaritch yelled. Your bag tugged back, someone dragging you with them as they ran. You shuffled, stumbling over your feet to turn and sprint with them. They dropped to their side, sliding down the edge of the snowy hill, bringing you with them.

You looked to the others, watching them glide over the top of the frozen snow before turning to see who had you. To your surprise Fike gripped your packs handle, still holding you by him as he slid.

Ahead you spied the hill dip, suddenly becoming steeper or a ledge? You were going too fast to adjust course, the other side of the hill remaining a gentle slope, leading to the base in the distance. Fike hauled you to the side attempting to swing you far enough to miss the drop.

"Wait!" You called, locking your hand around his forearm. He let go but you remained tethered by your grip. He noticed now, face twisting. His mouth opened to yell something but all that came was a strangled screech as you both went over the drop.

It went dark for a moment, the dip leading into some kind of ice coated cave opening. Fike pulled your arm up, gripping you against him as you slipped through the narrowing tunnel. His arms wrapped over your shoulders, tucking your head into his chest.

You heard rushing air, feeling the ground level out and the speed of your decent slowing. Fike's grip lessened as you came to a stop. You raised your head to look around, drawing your pistol to scan the area. Your body remained atop Fike as you shone the attached torch over iced stone walls.

"Right get off." Fike grumbled. You yelped as he shoved you off him, scrambling to stand on the icy ground. You scowled at him through your cracked goggles. His frown dropping a moment before returning full force.

"The fuck was that up there huh?" He demanded, tail thrashing behind him. Agitated.

"What?" You questioned, your frown deepening.

"If you'd have just let go we wouldn't be in this mess would we!" Fike bellowed, his voice echoing through the chamber. You looked at him appalled, before stomping towards him.

"My fault? You think this is my fault? Your the one who slid down the side with the stupid cave!" You spat, jabbing a finger into his chest. Fike stepped back each time as you followed until you'd crowded him against the wall. His eyes remained locked on your, both chests heaving furnaces of fury.

"Whatever." You dismissed, pulling back and storming off to the other side of the cavern. He was maddening, you'd almost forgotten in the panicked fleeing how much he irritated you. So focused on his protective actions, oh how it vexed you.

There was an entrance leading deeper into the cave. Even with the spiked shoes gripping the ice there was no way you could climb your way out. The cave whistled with fresh air, so you reasoned there must be another opening. Hopefully one you could get through.

You could hear him crunching after you, ice cracking under heavy foot falls. Was he seriously stamping his feet? You rolled your eyes, imagining the pouting expression he likely held behind you.

You started to feel colder as you went and wet. Unzipping your jacket you realized how much snow had packed under it in your slide. Now melted against your skin and cooling again in the frigid air. Fuck. This wasn't good. If Fike was in the same condition you'd both freeze to death before you reached the base.

Ahead the tight passage opened out again, another cavern. This one was different. The walls shone with glowing moss that no ice stuck too. The whole space was without snow, though no less cold. Your breath puffed out against your torn scarf. The arrow must have cut the fabric along with cracking your goggles.

You walked to the walls taking a glove off to touch the moss. It was dry, your mind eased at this and you gathered handfuls. Fike stood dumbly behind you, head cocked.

"The hell you doing?" He chattered, teeth clacking as another shiver wracked through him.

"We're gonna freeze if we don't get warm, start a fire." You asserted. Fike didn't respond but followed your lead. Soon you had a pile of the moss to use as kindling. You searched through your pack finding things to burn. The company supplied a fire kit but it was a sparse thing. Matches. All it contained were matches. You cursed under your breath.

Fike joined your side now, dropping a bundle of twigs by your feet.

"It ain't enough." He stated matter of factually, before dropping opposite you. You pulled out the yards of bandage from your kit, wound dressings, anything you thought would burn.

You built the pathetic fire under Fikes scrutinizing gaze. Catching his shifting expressions even under his now tucked up scarf and goggles. Still you completed your task despite your shaking hands and the fire was lit.

You shifted your own scarf, hat and goggles off. Fike's eyes lifted to you, his gloved hands hovering by the flame. Then you went to take your coat off and he grabbed your arms.

"Whoa hey no. We're meant to be getting warm." He condescended.

"I'm planning on drying up while the fire still burns. If these are still wet when it dies we're screwed." you pressed. Fike took the hint, taking his arm back before shrugging his own coat off. His scowl remained in place the whole time.

By the tiny fire you dried off, feeling tiered as it's light began to dim. The faint flow of air still seemed a far way off and you were both exhausted.

Fike shivered by the embers, pulling his coat around him again. You felt the same, maybe worse. Your cheek felt tender and raw from it's exposure to the frigid air, maybe ice burn? It wasn't gonna work like this. It was far to cold to survive the night even huddling in your coats but maybe together?

You cringed at the thought but it was literally life or death, you could suck it up. Fike shot a brow up as you shifted towards him. You crawled past the heat of the ash and tucked yourself against his chest, wrapping your jacket round you both.

"Whoa hey." Fike began before you felt him ease against you, involuntarily melting against your heat. He kept his mouth shut as your arms wrapped around his waist. He followed suit, tucking his head above yours and covering it in your hood. Both your covered tails had swished forward and rested between your entangling legs.

Fike felt himself freeze, though his skin felt almost hot now. The sensation of your leg between his, your tails wrapping together, your hot breath fanning out against his chest and neck. He fought hard to suppress the twitch in his groin, to quite his thundering heart right under you ear.

He was stiff against you again, heart hammering. You could feel his hands bawled up under your coat, against your back. Could he seriously not endure this? Was he really so vexed by you that he'd rather freeze than lay beside you. You bristled but even the small space you'd left was causing heat loss. Gritting your teeth you shifted forward again, locking your hips together and squeezing your chest fully against his.

Fike felt his face burn, heat rising as you pressed against him. The hot swell of your chest, the heat of your core, your scent overpowering, he couldn't calm down. He focused his mind; combat, the cold showers, your lips, no, Quaritch screaming orders, your quivering legs as he, NO, muzzle flashes, burying himself balls deep, NO!

You felt your eyelids drooping closed, sure this was weird but you were warm and with any luck the others would find you soon. Then there was a pressure against your hip. Something hard pressing up the length to your stomach. You shifted, trying to readjust, must he Fike's belt, gun, something?

You ears flicked up at the sound. A low guttural growl, rumbling from Fike's chest against your cheek up and past the lips brushing your hair. You stilled, a sudden jolt of fear fizzing adrenaline down your limbs. Your tail shifted to try swish but Fike's gripped it tightly.

"Please stop grinding against me." Fike voice came out strained, white knuckled fists pulling you against him. You went to babble out a question before the hard outline twitched against your stomach.

Oh? Oh!

Your mind short-circuited. Brain frying in the heat that rose to your head. "Sorry" you mumbled into his chest. The embarrassment burning your already raw cheeks. This was fine, perfectly natural response, nothing to panic about. You'd sleep and untangle in the morning and be back to normal, right?

[zenkor123]

The beginning of Katniss's rotation 6 AM October 8 75 DD WIP

Restraining order removed in evening of October 7, this is the begining of Katniss's rotation, Peeta is heavily drunk on morphling that he drunk just 30 minutes before. It is 6 AM.

"why does she want to end it all with an attempt on Snow when she has her home family pet, fame, a life with Gale, much of her childhood friends from her district, lots of friends including the other victors, Why is she so down when Peeta is lucky to not be spending the rest of his life in a mental institution has no memories does not know his birthday, and his family was killed, Rubius Mayne was forced to do secretary work in Snows mansion and endured far worse and neither he nor Mayne has a death wish, death is nothing special to them. Snow is going to lose the war and not survive. Do you blame yourself for the war? Snow set up the system and even without the berries it was not meant to last. Is it the insecurity of seeing the face of the person who Redacted and strangled you every single day? Do you think there is no life without me trying to kill you so you want to kill Snow for this? What did Snow do to you? So stop looking at me like I'm the worst thing that ever happened to you, that you just can't stand my presence, your not so special Katniss Everdeen. I have a sense that this is about me.  "Yeah I know what happened before I was mutated you were(goes on about about SA delusions) and I'm sorry about that, Peeta received more than enough retribution for this, and I have no attraction to you don't worry, but what does that have to do with killing Snow and why is it getting worse? I imagine you would be happy to know that he suffered and is gone and I don't believe any of the bull crap that was forced down my throat in the Capitol. You need to talk about this with someone because if you lose your mind your going to be given an apartment in the hospital wing with me and Annie, I've always signaled misfortune for you and in the process of escaping it I will be this again without me doing anything then wanting to live my life and frankly you should be in the hospital wing, or at least talking to Dr Aurelius once a week. None of this is my problem but I was selling Morphling to Boggs at 2 in the morning  and I heard you screaming my name over and over again, I thought it was an Hallucination. someone needs to tell you to seek help and since no one has told you this yet I guess it had to be me out of all people. ||If your going to dream of me (SA delusions)|| then  Keep it to yourself or I will request to have your room soundproofed. 

'"if there's anyone who needs to go to the hospital its you Peeta, you were tortured, your mind destroyed and were made into a weapon and you think that makes you strong, you know who was the first person to call you a runt?, Your mom, did also do you really think that Snow didn't know what he was doing when he tried to sell you like Finnick? He set you and Annie up to kill those clients, yet like a fool you fell for it.' Peeta is triggered by being mother shamed:

You know I'm not the only mutt created to destroy you, the capitol created reptilian mutts that hunt in packs, and probably are attracted to your scent, they have sharp teeth, and they whisper your name "Katnissssss" they are trained on live avoxes, the odds of your capture are also pretty high and if he captures you your torture may be livestreamed and your death may be like Darius's death, slow, you cannot be mentally well to want to risk this also a death from an arrow is too quick for white imp, my favorite idea is using one of the capitol replicated scents, attaching it to Snow and feeding him to those lizard mutts but if Snow is to die before the end of the war, (Peeta laughs about how fucked up that idea is) I would recommend a bunker buster or poison gas though many Avox innocents would be killed"

"No I want to see Snow's face before he dies, he took you from me and hijacked you, a debt must be paid! and before you go on about rape, you made that up" Peeta begins expositing his SA delusions and Katniss tells him it never happens and reveals the stay with me always, nights on the train, night before the quarter quell,

[aquanova99]

The Snow Queen

⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆ ⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆

Tanya Denali x Reader

A/N: Why was finding a reason for the reader to have some kind of power so difficult this time for real? Anyways how are you guys I missed you, hope your lives are going well 🤍

⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆ ⋆┈┈｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡┈┈⋆

Circe was a goddess of sorcery who was skilled in the magic of transmutation, illusion, and necromancy.

Artemis: Goddess of nature, childbirth, wildlife, the Moon, the hunt, sudden death, animals, virginity, young women, and archery

It was certainly one of the most beautiful aspects of having such advanced eyesight. The ability to zone out and shut out the endless drone of sound she was forced to constantly hear without a seconds rest. By focusing on the details no human eye would be able to see, she could find a moments peace. The intricate details of every snowflake that landed on the strawberry blonde tips of her curled hair. She took in a deep breath, a crisp fresh scent of freshly packed snow. The release of air did not create even the slightest plume of smoke. Why would it when there was no warmth that came from inside of her. She copied the human action she’d seen many times over and tightened her hold on her jacket. Though it provided no actual change in her body temperature it still had a feeling of normalcy, the slight pressure change was almost enough to trick her mind that she was warming her cold body up. Her eyes looed up from her hair, landing on her gloves, and then they began to scan the horizon as they did every morning as of late, perhaps today would be the day she’d change her mind. Seen how mistaken she had been. The soft crunching of two pairs of feet on the hardened snow let her know her peaceful morning was about to come to an end.

“Tanya.”

“Don’t.”

“Tanya. We cannot survive like this.”

“You are always welcome to leave Eleazar. I’ve never forced you to stay here.”

“Tanya please, my husband means no harm. With all of the protection efforts being put in place we only worry we will attract attention.” Carmen tiptoes around the blonde, her patience growing thinner by the day.

“I will not stray from the diet. You are more than welcome to go back to eating humans but do so away from my home.”

It was an empty threat. Tanya didn’t have it in her to feel otherwise. For years life had been peaceful, perhaps sad at times when they would remember their losses but peaceful nonetheless. Then Garrett got bored. As far as Tanya was concerned this was all his fault. He had always been rather obnoxious to her, his shameless flirting had won over her sister and suddenly she became the only one without a mate. Without love. It wasnt fair. Human men no longer satisfied her, she was getting reckless. Using too much of her strength. Tanya had convinced herself that they were going unnoticed. She was a fool. With the years passing men seemed to become weaker? No. Stronger. Louder. More Aware.

｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡

‘What are you?’

‘Why are you doing this?’

‘Please…stop’

Those words were the ones that stuck out the most. Before she could control her thirst, sure there were casualties both now… no one had ever told her to stop. She’d heard the stories from Rosalie, Siobhan, the horrors they went through. Tanya had been sick for weeks, discovering she had been no better than those monsters who had hurt her friends. How many men had done as she asked out of fear? It had been driving her mad for weeks. Had she been so blind to think they enjoyed it when she could barely feel anything at all? Then Garrett just had to question her recent lack of nightlife.

‘What’s the matter barbie? Tired of ravaging the villagers?’

‘What... did you just say?’

‘Garrett.’ Kate hissed

‘What? Are we still pretending they enjoy could ever enjoy our company that way?’

‘Would you suggest we kill them?’ Tanya scoffed at the idea, surely it couldn't have been that bad.

He shrugged, ‘I’m sure most them knew it could happen, probably would have prefered it in most cases. You can go on pretending as much as you want but just like Carlisle and his family…they can tell. No matter how much we may want we dont...we arent like them. All we do is cause pain Tan. No matter what way we come into conatct with them.’

He… knew? Did her sister? Did she care? Did she even want to know? No, not really, what Tanya wanted was an excuse. Garrett gave her an excuse. Suddenly the long peaceful days had turned into screaming matches filled with accusations, fights, threats. Every grievance aired like laundry. It was only days before they were at an impasse.

‘You need to get him out.’

‘He’s just worried. We all are. And by the way, you may have been turned first but you are not in charge of me.’

‘Kate please. We have lost too much to be at each others throats like this.’

‘Oh please. Stop. Just stop bringing it up. You act as if this is all his doing. We both know this stopped being about—‘

‘Don’t.’

Kate sighed, ‘It stopped being about "her" ages ago. You were basically her daughter, when she couldn’t replicate you with me, she turned Irina. Do you ever think I wanted this to be forced into a family I knew nothing about? It was only when Visili had come up that you even noticed a fraction of her neglect. Tell me sister, you were the one with the wonderful idea to find someone who could comfort us in our grieve... tell me how many men did you smell on me? You think I lured men to comfort myself? I’ve play along enough.’

‘You…wanted to kill them? Want to kill them? Even now?’

‘God- are you even…. Look. I do not care to hide what I am. We need food. I just played with mine a little.’ Kate shrugged, she said it so simply. A fact that everyone should know. It was something her and Irina never talked about, how Kate always seemed to leave early, never having even a hint of any man on her. Women sometimes but not in that way...Tanya blinked a few times to try and regain her composure.

‘And the women?’ She scoffed, both knowning Kate would never put herself in a position to harm another woman. Neither did Tanya, she supposed maybe deep down she did know what she was doing.

‘Better company. We all grieved differently. But times have changed.’ End of discussion. Tanya had to refocus the conversation, she wouldn't, couldnt lose another sister. Especially not because of her doing.

‘What do we do then?’

‘There’s less animals lately, don’t try and pretend otherwise. We can’t feed too much without drawing attention from the humans.’

‘You can’t be serious.’

‘I’m done arguing Tanya. There’s too many conservation efforts and the locals are noticing the alarming lack of animals. We have to get off the diet. It-" Kate took a quick breath, steadying herself in an attempt to show her sister she was on her side, "It doesnt have to be a permanent solution.'

'No.' Tanys turned away quickly trying to stop whatever conclusion was coming

'Tanya.' Kate grabbed her shoulder, causing the shorter blond to whirl back around, furious. Kate took a step back, there was a new rage building in her sister. Something she had never seen before, and certainly never thought it could ever be aimed towards her.

'I said NO!' Tanya shook with rage. This was all she had left. She needed to keep this one thing, even if just for herself. She had never raised her voice with so much venom at her sister. Her voice to something that could only be described as a mere notch above a whisper, 'If you're so worried...go.'

'Tanya...' The sisters stared at eachother for what seemed an eternity. The silence was so deafening they thought they were able to hear the snow landing on the ground. Eleazar and Carmen watched Kate seem scared for the first time in their life. Her own voice soft, laced with concern

'If you insist on changing our lifestyle. Fine. Leave. And go eat happily elsewhere."

Kates lip trembled for only a second before her steel reserve returned, her eyes darkening, 'Fine.'

Garrett suddenly tried to be the one to diffuse things, started apologizing for angering Tanya to get them to where they were now. In truth, with food this sparce they had all begun worrying. He would never live with himself if Kate lost her sister. ‘Look Tanya, I shouldn’t have—‘

But before he could say more Kate grabbed his hand. With a slight shake of her head, Garret quietly nodded and followed his mate out the door.

｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡

Now… here it was. Only weeks later and it was Carmen and Eleazars turn. And Tanya was too numb to care. She would rather starve for eternity, petrify before having to change the diet. It had been too long. It was the only thing she had been good at. She needed this. At least thats what she was telling herself. Maybe she could join the Cullens for a while. Not likely. She knew they were struggling too and with the amount of people in the coven any food would be a fight to acquire. She sighed as Carmen came up best to her placing her hands around her arms, the touch alone was enough to almost break her.

“We will see if there’s any luck elsewhere.” Tanya just nodded, “Call us anytime.”

With a kiss her and Eleazar ran off. Maybe to join Kate and Garrett. Maybe they would actually try. She couldn’t watch someone else leave her. Not again, she decided to head inside pretend none of this was happening, ignore the gnawing at her throat and stomach. Tanya retreated to the bathroom turning on the bath as hot as it would allow her. She didn’t have to worry about it burning anyway, so why not?

Drip. Drip. Drip.

She counted every drop from the faucet. The steam from her bath dissipated, by the time she was well into the four hundred some odd drop the water had cooled. Her head turned towards the window in her room at a sudden noise. The sun was already setting in the distance, hues of orange, pink and purple painted the sky. She may have smiled at the thought of it if she hadn’t been so preoccupied with someone possible awaiting to attack her. Maybe the volturi decided it was time to pick her off. She sat up too quickly at the thought. The water splashed around as she sat up, drowning the noise.

“Shhh!” She hushed her self immediately, not quite believing she had actually tried to quiet water. She heard something she knew she had. While she could smell nothing but her own candles and perfumes she held out hope it was one of her coven mates. She quickly dressed and rushed towards her bedroom window. It wasn’t her family. It wasn’t anyone she had ever come into contact before.

She saw a figure walking away from her home, head full of ebony hair, braids woven into random strands.

Who was she? And what the hell was she doing here? Tanya thought to herself. She rushed faster than she ever had out to the front of her home, by the time she reached the deck the woman was gone. She saw her a mile in the distance, no human being could move that quickly, but when the woman turned it was clear she was not like Tanya either. Tanya’s hand gripped at the railing of her porch, the wood crackling at the pressure as she continued to stare at the retreating figure walking away.

When she was at the edge of the forest she finally turned, smiling and waving at Tanya before continuing deeper into the wilderness. The woman could only be described as ethereal by Tanya. She wore clothes that couldn’t possibly keep her warm, as if only for appearances. Just like her. She quickly made it to where she was just standing, her footprints already disappearing with the fading light and continuous downfall of snow.

Tanya listened as hard as she could, she heard a soft voice. She could also smell the sudden appearance of blood. A deer. There hadn’t been one near the house in months. Her hunger clouded her judgement, her sole priority to feed on whatever poor creature decided to return.

There was only a small clearing but enough to see the giant caribou, her eyes focused on the deer. Why wasn’t it running? Tanya could taste the warm pool running down her throat, finally, something was going right. She hissed at the animal, give it a chance to run. Make this more exciting. A warm laugh erupted from behind giant creature. And the woman stepped out from behind,

“I should be somewhat offended, but I guess he is really beautiful isn’t he?” Tanya let out a snarl, a warning. This woman needed to back away unless she wanted to become a casualty herself. She didn’t even flinch. She continued to pet the wild creature and laughed, a warm beautiful laugh. Tanya stared at her sepia brown skin, it shone in contrast to the white surrounding her. Her voice made Tanya snap to attention, “you won’t be eating this one.”

“Oh I’m not? Are you going to stop me?”

“I guess not. But I will help out this little guy.”

Before Tanya could ask what she meant the deer began disappearing before her eyes, “No!”

“Tsk. Tsk. We should be careful with earths most precious resources.”

“Bring. It. Back.”

“Why? So you can eat? There’s an overpopulation of humans for you to feast on. If you want them to survive so badly it would actually benefit you to put the smallest dent in some of them.” She took a few steps closer to Tanya. A lopsided smirk on her face as she almost skipped across the snow with her arms behind her back, she stopped right before Tanya, tilting her head as close as she could, “Your eyes. They’re darker than the night sky.”

Tanya growled, swinging her arm towards the girl in front of her. She disappeared as quickly as her arm went up. Suddenly reappearing next to a tree, she leaned against it holding waving one finger, “I thought we were getting along, tell me Tanya of the Denali coven, how long will it take for you to go back to a regular diet. I’m growing tired of these enchantments.”

“Who are you and what do you want?”

“You don’t listen very well do you? I need you start hunting humans, like you’re supposed to. Hunt the rich ones, or the evil ones so you appease whatever guilt you have.”

“I—who are you?”

“Aspa. Lovely to meet you.”

Tanya fixed her hair, trying to regain her composure, “so you’re the one behind all the missing animals.”

“Yes…and no. There really has been a problem. Humans…they’re greedy they take too much, destroy too much. They have been destroying this world since they were allowed to walk around….but they’re smart. No animal means no resources from them to take. So if enough of them disappear for a while they begin making an effort. An actual effort, if only to ensure they survive.”

“So how long until that effort pays off.” Tanya spit out

“You surprise me Tanya. Your extended family broke so quick it was almost too easy.”

“You mean—“

“Oh yea. The Cullens have long been off the diet, the doctor and blonde were difficult to convince but wow the younger guy, he broke instantly. All it took was for their youngest to feed on a poor classmate trying to walk her home, like dominoes really. But you… you want to starve yourself.”

“I would rather not actually.”

“Does it help?”

“Help what?”

“You’re guilt? Does it take it away?”

“I don’t…”

“Please. I had to observe all of you for years to know how to best accomplish all of this. It won’t change what you did to those men.”

Tanya choked back a sob, “I didn’t think—“

“Why? Because no one ever said anything? You knew. Deep down you knew.”

“I get it okay? I’m a monster, I just—I wanted to think they cared about me enough to say nothing. I thought they—forget it” Tanya turned to walk away, but Aspa reached out and grabbed her arm

“So then be better. If you really didn’t know then stop and just continue to not do it. Besides most of those men approached you with less than good intentions anyway.” Tanya shook her off, she had no idea what she’d gone through

“But…”

“Just do better. Find your own person.”

“Where did you even come from?”

She clicked her tongue, “well that’s not very nice is it?” She waited for Tanya to look away, embarrassed. “My birth mother I suppose. She was a hunter and follower of Artemis. A god took a liking to her, she said no, he didn’t care. You know know how it all goes in those stories. Artemis took pity on her, let her give me up so she continue following the goddess. And then little me well… she took me to an island gave me her blessing and I was raised by a wonderful enchantress, my adopted mother I suppose.”

“Goddess? That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“There are no gods like that. They….aren’t real”

“Maybe to you? They’re plenty real to me. I’m sure the caribou you were thirsting over would be shocked to learn about something like the pudu in South America.”

“Are you equating me to an animal?”

Aspa laughed again, “you love to purposefully avoid what people are trying to communicate with you. Is that why your sister decided to go back to the original meal plan?”

“No I just— I don’t understand.”

Aspa leaned forward, stopping centimeters from Tanya’s face, eliciting a gulp from the blonde, “Understand this. The animals will not return anywhere until I say so. You will not be able see, hear or touch them. No one will.”

“What about the humans? Without animals don’t you think they will outsource all of the plants?”

“Oh Tanya don’t worry about them. They will find exactly how much they need and if some must go…well. That will work out better in the long run.”

She tried to step back but Aspa stepped forward regardless, Tanya could barely breather. Aspas scent filled every cell in her body. Her blood smelled sweet, as if she was filled with the ichor of the gods she claimed to be a descendant of. Her mischievous grin slightly reminded her of Kate whenever people would doubt her abilities. Could she really go back to the old diet? Aspa reached out and raised Tanya’s chin. The heat from her touch felt as if her handprint would be permanently etched on her face. Tanya half hoped it would, before she convinced herself and this was all a dream.

“Tanya you worry too much. Believe me there are plenty of people for you to eat where it shouldn’t harm your conscious. Really, you’d be doing me a favor. You should visit the Amazonian coven, they’ve been helping me with my little homework since I began.” Somehow the knowledge of Aspa showing herself to another vampire almost urged another snarl from her lips.

“You’ve been making your rounds then?”

Another chuckle as she turned around flipping her thick hair as another rush of her scent filled Tanya nose, citrus and what smelled like some type of spirit, “I had to get in touch with your ‘kings’ so yes, you are the last on my list.”

“What?! You’ve met with the volturi?”

She crossed her arms as she made her way towards the end of the clearing, “of course. I did. Your kind isn’t the only ones I’m working with here. The fae and nymphs were the easiest to convince. The witch too but they mainly enjoy the chaos. Most of the others are unaffected. It’s a big world Tanya. You should see more of it when you have the chance.”

The clearing seemed to widen, as if the earth was ready to swallow the woman into the trees. Never to be seen again. It was too much for Tanya to process. Already Aspa had begun disappearing, except unlike the first time this evening she feared not knowing if she would ever see her again. “So that’s it?”

She turned back and simply nodded her head, “mhm. In another few years everything should be back to normal. Some places may even be overpopulated…that is if you want to go back to hunting them.”

“If I do... Will you take them away again?”

“Tch please, aside from my mother who was kind to let learn her magic. I follow the one my birth mother followed too. And she was the best huntress there ever was. There’s a fine line between necessity and sport.” She smiled as she peered behind her shoulder, “I’ll see you around, yeah?”

“Hm is that a promise or a threat?”

She stopped dead in her tracks, “I guess we’ll see. Won’t we?”

｡ﾟ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ❁ུ۪ ❃ུ۪ ❀ུ۪ ﾟ｡

“Tanya.”

“Go away.” Her sister voiced grated her ears, she decided to cover herself in blankets

“Tanya so help me I will shock you out of bed, you can’t lay around all day.”

Tanya continued to cocoon herself in blankets, “I can actually. What does it matter anyway I’m just laying down. It’s only been a few days.”

Kate sighed as she sat on the edge of the bed, “you’ve gotten like the past two here years around this time.”

“I have not.”

“You have. I know because around the time we had that fight.”

Tanya sighed knowing full well that had little to do with it, “I promise I’m fine. I just….I want to rest.”

Kate groaned in her protests, slapping her legs as she stood up, “Nope we are all doing something so get up.”

Tanya had no time to protest before Kate promptly kicked her off the bed, Tanya struggled to get out decidedly just tearing through the thick blankets, downing effectively covering every square inch of her room, “Kate! What the hell??”

Kate laughed, “well it worked.”

Garrett rested his arm on the doorway, “if I knew feathers would have been flying I would have been in here from the beginning.”

“I’m sure you would have.” Kate winked at him causing Tanya to roll her eyes

“Ugh. You win I’m up. Now get out, I need to clean.”

“No the point is to get out. Come on, we haven’t ran in awhile. We can go find one of those hanging lakes the humans live to visit.”

“I do hear they’re quite beautiful.” The three whirled around towards the sound of someone coming from the deck in Tanya’s room. Aspa sat on the railing pretending to inspect her nails. Kate and Garrett snarled and lunged towards her. Tanya opened her mouth to protest but Aspa disappeared into dust before either one could grab her. Garrett almost crashed into the railing towards the floor below. She reconfigured next to Tanya her arm resting on her shoulder.

“I see you haven’t told your friends about me. I’m not sure why but I think I’m slightly offended.”

“You’re….back?”

“I did say I would be.” She quickly looked over Tanya, “I’m glad you listened, the red suits you.”

Tanya looked away at the compliment. Kate looked between her sister and the stranger, in all the centuries between them she’d yet to see her sister ever get flustered like this. “Yo-you know her?”

Aspa wiggled her fingers, scrunching her face in a smile. “Oh we’re acquainted. I promised to pay Tanya here a visit.”

Tanya shrugged Aspa off, wondering what it meant that she was finally back, “so it’s done? It’s all balanced?”

“Since last year actually, I just wanted to see if you would go back. You never even checked.”

“I found ways to appease my guilt.”

“You’ll have to tell me about them sometime.”

Kate started to protest before Garrett wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her into him as he slightly nodded and winked, “come on Katie. I thought we were going to race. Let’s let Tanya and her… friend catch up.”

Kate looked up at her mate, a conversation passing through them before she nodded and the two disappeared from the cabin. Aspa was mouthing a goodbye to the pair as Tanya spun to face her new guest fury climbing at her.

“Why are you here?”

“I told you I would come.” She shrugged, “isn’t that why you asked me about the promise?”

“What you couldn’t communicate earlier than today?”

“I didn’t know you wanted me to.”

“We both know you are smarter than that.”

Aspa softened tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she trailed the back of her hand down her cheek and until she hand chin in between her thumb and pointer finger, “you’re right. That was rude of me. Can you forgive me?”

She pushed her hand away from her face, “ugh. No.”

“No?” She stepped away a pout starting to form on her face

“No. You have to do better than that.”

“Okay well I know of a few places I doubt even you’ve stepped foot on, would you like to see them?”

“I guess seeing as I have nowhere to be.”

“Oh don’t be like that. It will be the best date you’ve ever been on.”

“Who says it’s a date?”

“I do. Come on. I’ll show you a great time.” Aspa extended her hand, Tanya hesitated for only a second before grabbing it. “Ready?”

“Where are we even going?”

“Somewhere warm, where you don’t have to worry about hiding yourself.”

“I doubt anyplace warm can offer that kind of freedom.”

“You doubt me?”

“I—no. It’s just…”

Aspa interrupted Tanya with a kiss in the corner of her lips. “Don’t worry it will be perfect.”

“You’re right. It will be.”

[123pixieaod]

Hunger Games AU

The people he's killed visit him. They sit beside him, the two boys and two girls and Orange Lady. Their presence like stones settling into water, sinking further and further into him.

Daniel keeps his eyes shut. It doesn't help. He can still hear them.

Max was never haunted by the people he killed. He would just shrug, say if he hasn't killed them they would've killed him. It was called the Hunger Games. All a game and he was just a player.

You want someone to blame for their deaths, blame Snow and every bastard in Panem who watched, he'd tell Daniel.

But Snow hadn't been the one to hold the handle, listen to the gurgled screams, hold them still as he pulled the knife through.

Blood. Even with his eyes closed there's so much blood.

It's cold in the cave. He shivers, even though Max has left him under moss and foliage. At least, he presumes it was Max.

Max left. Daniel told him not to, told him he was being a fool, was looking to be killed.

You'd said you'd protect me, he finally resorted to, teeth chattering.

You have a fever, Max whispered, brushing a hand over Daniel's clammy forehead. You'll die if I don't go Daniel.

And you'll die if you do, he replied. Max had just smiled grimly, running his fingers through Daniel's curls until he slipped into a restless sleep.

He doesn't know how long it's been. Days? Weeks? Maybe the game is actually over, Max murdered by Charles or Carlita or someone. A new winner of winners. Pack up, leave, Daniel left behind.

The girl sitting beside him starts to choke. Daniel keeps his eyes tightly closed, even when he feels the water splashing his cheeks and arms.

Daniel, Max says softly. Not a ghost, because he's not dead. He can't be. How are you feeling? Fingers ghost through his hair.

It was so stupid. The tribute from District 6. Max had wanted to kill him immediately, but Daniel knew him. He had stood beside him a few years back during the screening of the Hunger Games, commiserated each other on the inevitable deaths of the children they tried to protect. He knew him. He was sane, usually drunk or high, but sane. Not rambling, drinking sea water and trying to tear out his own tongue.

The 75th Hunger Games. The Third Quater Quell. What a fucking joke. They survived the games with the promise of never getting sent back in. That was the deal.

They had gotten separated. The alliance Sebastian helped him and Max form. The two of them, then the career tributes from 1 and 2, Lando and Carlita, District 5's Alex, Disticts 10's Pierrina and District 11's Charles.

Sebastian had grabbed Daniel, pulling him into the shadows.

You have to keep Charles and Max alive. Nobody else, not even yourself matters. Just those two.

And Daniel had nodded, understanding all the unsaid things Sebastian meant, everything that rided on Charles and Max's survival. The fanning of the rebellion already kindling across the country. And now look where he is, how far he's failed.

"They're probably both dead," the District 10 boy says. Daniel had beaten his head with a stone until he stopped twitching. He speaks as if he can't quite remember how words should be formed. The District 5 girl is still chocking.

It was his fault. He was the one who suggested going to the shore.

Maybe there'll be dolphins we can watch, he has said, stupidly, trying to lift the mood.

Dolphins can kill too, Pierrina has muttered. She walked close to Charles, eyes flitting between the rest of then. Daniel knew she wouldn't hesitate to kill any of them, even Max, if it meant keeping Charles safe.

It'll mean we can keep our backs to the water, give us an easier defensive position, Georgina piped up. She and Daniel got on well, had always done so since the very first time they first met, years ago. Georgina, newly crowned victor, shoved in front of Panem aristocracy, young and naieve and blue eyes like a startled deer. Daniel was there, a quiet voice in her ear, guiding her through it. Max told him he was stupid, especially considering Georgina had been the one to murder their Distrct 8 girl, Monique. Daniel had shrugged, unable to reply.

"Maybe he's left you," the District 2 boy says. His blood still feels tacky on Daniel's hands.

"No, Max wouldn't do that," the Distrct 12 girl says confidently. She's the kindest of them all because Daniel had found her after the Careers had. A slit throat was a mercy.

It had been a tsunami. Alex had spotted it first, screaming at them all to run, and then Daniel had seen it too. Just a body of water, an impenetrable wall of grey gliding towards them.

Max grabbed his hand. They ran. Max was quick, faster than his blocky build suggest is possible. They ran together, breath burning as the noise of rushing water built around them. The wild birds of the rainforest fled overhead, painting the azure sky a watercolour of terror.

The sounds filled his ears too, the squaking of the birds, the frantic huffs of their breaths, the crackle of leaves and twigs underfoot. The shaking, the roar of water hitting land. Max speeding, legs pumping, pulling Daniel along with him, faster, higher, on and on.

"You're lucky the hut was there to climb up on top of," the girl from 12 says softly.

"It wasn't luck," the boy from 10 snaps. "Of course the game makers couldn't have Max Verstappen being taken out by a big wave. That's no fun."

The girl from 5 is still chocking.

-

Max killed 12 people in his games. It was a new record. 'Mad Max', he was dubbed. The 13 year old from District 8 who dominated his games the second it had started. He had volunteered for it too. He wanted to cause pain, he wanted to kill.

He volunteered for these games too, but for an entirely different reason.

I need to be there to protect you Daniel, he had said simply, and from anyone else it would be superfluous, hyperbolic. From Max, it was painfully earnest, painfully truthful.

I won my own games Maxy, Daniel whispered, running his fingers through his tawny hair. I know how to kill.

Max looked up at him, eyes dark and blue and as expansive as the sea, only ever like this for Daniel. I know. But you will not need to do it if I am there.

Nothing I can say will make him not volunteer, Sebastian said later, over hot midnight rum. Daniel looked away, hands wrapped around the glass. I've told him. I've told him that these Quarter Quills are only happening because Snow is scared of us, of the Victors. If what Max and Charles represent, what they can do. The rest of us are just people. The two of them are the idea of rebellion. They can't be allowed to die.

I presume he didn't take well to that, Daniel finally said, a wry smile tugging on his lips. No other choice; humour or tears.

No, Sebastian says stoutly. He did not take that well. Think he wanted to punch me for daring to suggest your life was worth less than the rebellion we've worked decades for. He laughed humourlessly. Why did it have to be you, Daniel? Anyone else, and he'd remain that angry, silent boy we sent into the games. Uncaring, blindingly obedient. The rebellion would be over by June. He shook his head, voice turned bitter from the rum. Or better yet, why couldn't he have taken in love with Charles? Solve all our problems in one fell sweep. Max would storm the capitol by himself and kill snow with his bare hands to keep Charles save. But not. It had to be you, Daniel.

Daniel managed a thin smile, looking out Sebastian's window. Max's house is in darkness but Daniel's is bright, his bedroom lit and waiting for him to come home.

It was two out of three. No women Victors from District 8 for over a century, so there had to be two men sent. Daniel, Sebastian, Max. Either Daniel would go or Max would. Best case scenario.

He had stood very still on the stage when his name had been called. Vaguely, he was aware of a wailing, a mother's cry as she was forced to live through it all again. Her son, to be murdered or to murder - which was worse.

Daniel didn't breathe. The defeat was crushing, listening to Max volunteer before the presenter even finished reading Sebastian's name. He stared straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge Max as he stepped up beside him, refusing to even return the touch when Max brushed his shoulder against his.

"You were secretly glad he volunteered though," the boy from District 2 sneers. "You're too selfish not to have him with you. I hope he dies and you survive, just so you have to live with it. I hope he haunts you, just like we do."

Daniel squeezes his eyes shut even tighter. He can't stop shivering.

Part 2!

[p0tat0-th3-th3r1an]

I can’t draw, so I wrote a lil story about being a wolf to maybe ease my species dysphoria a little. A couple things: I did very minimal research on wolves and how packs work, so very sorry about all the things wrong. Secondly, sorry about the not creative naming for me, I couldn’t think of anything else. And thirdly, I TYPED THIS ON MY PHONE BY HAND. USING THE LITTLE KEYBOARD. My hand fucking hurts. That’s all, please please please interact this took me a while and, like I said on my phone.

Enjoy!

I wake up, yawning, and look around. As usual,

I’m in my cave. It’s a small place, but I love it. I grew up here, I ate my first kill here, and after every hunt, I come back here, with mamma smiling and welcoming me, and the little ones yipping excitedly. I am brought back to the present by White Dots, one of my younger brothers, waking up. I quickly hop off of the pile so he can get up. He sleepily opens his eyes and lets out a tired growl. “Morning, Whitey!” I say happily. “Today is a big day, little brother. Today is your first hunt!” As soon as I remind him, he leaps up, his face breaking into a grin. “Yes! Yes, Ash Paw, you’re right! Ooooh, I can’t wait to bring back my first kill!” He yips, bouncing around excitedly. His loud yipping is starting to wake up the rest of the pack. “Hmm? What’s that about killing? There will be no fight in this cave.” Says Elder. He is very old, and gets confused sometimes. Luckily, Momma always helps him in these situations. “It’s ok Papa, don’t you worry. I run these pups with an iron fist!” “Hey! I’m not a pup! I’ll be ready to become a papa in just 6 sleeps!” I say, because it’s true! In 6 sleeps I will be 365 as sleeps old! This means I will have to go out and find a female to mate with. “Yes yes, now get your brothers and sisters up! We need to teach White Dots to hunt today!” Says momma. While I do as she said (“Blue Tip, Speckles, Papa, get up! Everyone up!”), White Dots has doubled his excited yipping. “I’m going to hunt! Papa is going to teach me to hunt! Yip yip yip!!” The pack is now all up. There is 12 of us all together; Mamma, Pappa, the 2 Elders, White Dotes, Blue Tip, Speckles, the 4 newborn pups, and me, Ash Paw! The littles all come from Mammas third litter. I, Speckles, and Blue tip are from Mammas first, and White Dots is from her second. The other four, who had not been named yet, were all killed by an attack on the cave. It was a pack that bordered our territory. The pack wanted to take ours, so they attacked the cave while we were hunting and Mamma and the newborn pups were in it. Mamma tried to protect them, but only White dots survived.

“Come on everyone, let’s get hunting!” Barks Papa. White Dots has been taught by Papa to hunt and his role in it. He has to wait with me and my brothers for my sisters to drive the prey to us, and then we chase it till it or we faultier. If we do, we go back to the nest, hungry. If the prey does, we attack. This time, we will get White Dots to attack.

Me, my sisters, my brothers, Papa, and the elders leave the cave with Mamma and the pups waving us goodbye. We start our long track across the snow to find prey. The whole way, White Dots is trotting along in front of us, and stopping and waiting for us. Papa has warned him to be quiet, but that doesn’t stop my silly little brother from running too fast, not saving his energy. We all warn him of this, but we know it won’t help. Today, we don’t have to travel far to find prey. We have only traveled a couple hundred steps, when White Dots lets out a yip. We all stop, and start treading quietly, low to the ground. Papa taught Whitey well for this, he has it down very well. The prey is a herd of caribou, who are digging through the snow, trying to find food. Little do they know, they are our food. The caribou haven’t noticed us yet, luckily. We pick a spot to attack, and me, White Dots, Papa, and Elder run as quietly but as quickly as we can to our agreed spot. So far, my little brother is doing well. He is not falling behind, or being louder than all of us. Once we get there, my sisters have already got the herd moving. Most of the prey are running away, but two are panicking, and the sisters take advantage of that, driving them toward us. One runs off, so now we are set up perfectly. And here it comes… and now we’re running in front of it, confusing the prey. And now it has stopped and there is a perfect opportunity! And here comes White Dots, going in for the throat… HE GOT IT! He mange’s to bite on the animals throat, making it cry out. This is perfect timing, as all the ones who are strong enough jump on the caribou, knocking it down! We then kill it, and tear it up. “Good job my son. You are a true wolf now. No more a pup.” Says Papa. This is a tradition, and part of it is that once he says that, we all howl, and our howl is heard by Mamma, so she howls back. She can hear in our howl if we’re in trouble, so she can tell this is a tradition.

We then “ get into the nitty gritty” which I will not tell you about. Basically, we end up carrying most of the extra meat back to the cave by sundown. Once we return, Mamma welcomes us-well, mostly just White Dots. “White dots! You are a true wolf! Good job son. I’m proud of you!” The pups just howl and give a couple little yips. They then devour the caribou meat we brought back, and do does Mamma. After they have eaten, we all close our eyes and put our paws on the spot that Mamma and pups at the meat on. “We thank you caribou, for giving us your meat to survive.” Says Papa solemnly. We all nod, “Thank you, caribou.” Says White dots. Then, we get up from the spot, I stretch and Papa lays down. We all get on top of the pile in our respective order, and snuggle in. Laying in this pile with my beloved pack, my family, I feel completely content with this position in life, and in the pile. Soon, I sleep.

[dungeonbent]

DAY 3, SIDE 1

festival daze

Overhead fairylights blind more than they dazzle as you attempt to weave your way through the dusktime crowd, adrift in the sea of human voices of every creed and the murmur of incantations. Skaia is as warm as it is cramped, which is to say that even though your gossamer robe is tucked over your elbow, you are bearing the brunt of the heat.

Your name is KANAYA MARYAM, and you may have made some less than stellar decisions as of late.

You are finding it harder and harder to chalk said decision making to the cabin fever which had been inflicted upon you not twenty-four hours before the more you find yourself nearly stepping over half-foot revelers turning corners around the legs of the taller folk, the more you hear the rising swell of the odd dwarven drinking song, the more you merely exist.

You had never been one for parties even back at home, where the parties were precisely regimented by a litany of etiquette books taking decades to master and a thousand airy symbolisms to memorize. How could you think you could survive in the middle of such grand festivities anyway?

But then there is a flash of pink petals caught in inky hair, and you remember. Feferi. The girl from the water.

You need to see her again.

So you swallow your reservations and you gather your skirts, fighting the urge to immediately find shelter under the nearest tent awning. You still have a thousand questions to ask her- questions like, how did she get back to Skaia without a boat from the middle of the ocean? Where had the mermaids gone? How did she do it without tiring herself to the point of being bedbound, never mind how she frolicked between the tallmen dancers in their bombast? And just where had her bottoms gone when she climbed onto the ship?!

Instead of asking any of them, you are currently apologizing to a gnome for knocking his hat askew and trying desperately not to trip over a local's greasy-smelling stall, trying to follow the flow of the crowd without being crushed. What a state of affairs to be in.

Thankfully, it is not your state of affairs for long, because soon you find yourself pushing to the front of a crowd around one of the many squares set up.

For the Lost Hearts Festival of Skaia is too large to be contained to just one pavillion, so there were four set up, each bearing a new amusement. You've passed by one where an elf showered the crowd in a snow of miniature stars; another where a dwarf actor bent the knee, proclaiming his fierce love to all the heavens he wished to build while wearing some truly ridiculous pantaloons. This little square, however, seems the liveliest of all.

Here, it seems, is the domain of the beastmen. Here swings a halfling rat on the heels of a great bear, stepping in time to tango; there a little pack of wolves, each clasping paws with their fellow packmate in a little ring of howling laughs; and everywhere, the flash of fang and claw catching in the firelight, stomping time with music.

And at the center, slipping between the bodies, is the woman named Feferi. It baffles you because by the length of her ears and the length of her hair, she appears an elf completely out of place. But then she twirls, and the fabric of her skirts ride up on the night breeze in a bloom of pale fabric

and running the length of her legs are innumerable shimmering scales.

It all hits you over the head with an interest of blunt force trauma, and suddenly Feferi's actions the afternoon before no longer seem so mysterious. For if it hadn't been mermaids plural, it implied just the one. And if there was only one mermaid that day...

You are jolted from your reverie with the sudden force of Feferi's eyes on you. It appears you have been staring, a habit that many in your life have desperately tried to correct. Your eyes have met.

She grins wildly, and in place of the blunt human molars of before as a shark's jaw of fangs. She raises an arm and calls, "Hey--!" before suddenly stopping herself short, the set of her mouth twisting in an odd way.

Well. You can't very well retreat at this point, what with your name being announced to the masses. So you step forward.

In seconds, the force of Feferi's grin returns, and she speeds over to you in a flurry of hair and dress and claws that grip both of your hands. You have little time to formulate a response before she's saying, "I didn't think I'd see you again! Isn't this lucky!!"

"Lucky indeed," You say, feeling as though admitting to the minor stalking might be a bad idea. "It really is a good thing, though- there's still some things--"

Feferi's head perks up before you even finish, one of her fingers resting on your lips as she glances to the side. The previous song has ended, leaving behind one far louder, jauntier, and a fair bit heavier on the lute than you typically enjoy.

"Ohhhh this one's my favorite!" Feferi crows, turning the full force of her grin back onto you. "Come on!"

"Wha-aH-" You have no time to formulate any response in the seconds between her finishing her sentence and her tugging on your arms with a strength she doesn't look like she should have.

You have even less chance to formulate any words when Feferi says, "Dance with me, Kanaya!"

"Wait wait- I-!" You try desperately not to trip straight into her, "I don't know how to dance!!"

Feferi laughs, says, "Neither does anyone else here!" and spins the both of you around in time with the flourish of the lute-player.

So with questions still unanswered and a crowd watching on, clapping in time with the beat, you do the only thing you can do when thrown into her arms.

You dance.

[rainbow-nerdss]

Beacon

Written for @augustwritingchallenge day 26: Lighthouse Buddie, 1.6k Read on AO3

The life of a lighthouse keeper was a lonely one — that’s what Buck assumed, anyway, based on movies, on books, on everything he’d heard about them before. It was an isolated tower, in the middle of the ocean, the only connection to civilization being the boat which delivered supplies every couple of months.

It sounded nice, when everyone who he’d even allowed into his life left bruises on the soft parts of his heart, and they ached. 

He dreamed of living in a lighthouse, a quiet life of tending the lantern, keeping the beacon alight, sending out a message of safety, of hope for those who sailed on the dark, treacherous waters. It couldn’t all be easy, of course. He knew that. He knew days would come when a storm would hit, or snows came, and he would have to fight to keep the light shining, or sound an alarm to compensate for poor visibility, or when he would have to take his own little boat out and help people who hadn’t seen his light in time, or who hadn’t been able to fight the waves. 

He’d celebrate the wins, and mourn the losses, but he’d be doing something worthwhile, and protecting his own fragile heart in the process.

He should have known that wouldn’t be all there was to it. If he’d thought for more than a minute, he’d have known that nobody could operate a lighthouse on their own — it needed someone twenty four hours a day, and he’d have to sleep at some point.

Buck arrived at the lighthouse and started the long process of settling into the little cottage at the base of the tower, watching and paying about as careful attention as he could to Bobby, the outgoing keeper, as he showed Buck the ropes. He had no idea there was another new keeper until the boat arrived, and Eddie Diaz got off. 

“Buck, this is Eddie, he’ll be your partner. Eddie, this is Evan Buckley.”

They got off to a rocky start, to say the least. Buck got along just fine with Bobby, because he was there to teach Buck how to survive out there, but Eddie? He was an interloper, an intrusion into the life Buck had envisioned for himself out here. 

Buck ate his meals alone, and avoided any and all conversation which wasn’t strictly necessary to the operation of the lighthouse. Eddie tried to engage a handful of times, but he grew tired of Buck’s cold shoulder soon enough.

A picture of Eddie with a young boy hung on the mantel, and Buck resisted the urge to ask about him, to ask why Eddie was here, and not with him. 

And then the storm came, and it was so much worse than Buck had imagined. The two of them had to work together, keeping the light shining, sounding the siren. The wind howled loud enough that Buck couldn’t hear his own voice shout out. All he could see was rain and waves and water crashing against the rocks, and he was tired to his bones by the time the sea calmed again. 

All the while, though, Eddie was there. Eddie, who didn’t need to hear his hoarse shouts to know what he needed, and Buck was surprised to learn he knew what Eddie needed without needing to hear him, either. They had each other’s backs without needing to ask.

The next morning, soaked to the skin and exhausted, the two of them sat together, looking at the calm waters which were almost mocking in their serenity.

Buck nudged Eddie’s shoulder with his own. “Nicely done, Diaz.”

Eddie smiled at him, and just like that, the tension was broken.

The first shipment of supplies brought with it a packet full of letters from Eddie’s son, Christopher — some in his shaky, childish handwriting, others in a loose, flowing cursive. Eddie handed back a similar pack of his own letters, and frowned when Buck had none.

Eddie showed Buck Christopher’s letters, and spoke about him with a pride Buck couldn’t even begin to imagine. 

“Why are you here, then? And not with them?” Buck regretted the question immediately, but Eddie gave him a tight smile.

“It’s… complicated. I wasn’t good at being a husband, and I wasn’t good for Chris, either.”

“I don’t believe that,” Buck said simply. The Eddie he knew was everything someone could ask for.

In return, Buck told Eddie about his family, the parents who never cared, the sister who left. 

And they grew closer. Buck took charge of their rations, since Eddie proved hopeless in the kitchen. Eddie, in turn, washed up after him, and they ate together every evening. They lived, worked and spent their time side-by-side, and Buck never once grew tired of Eddie’s presence. 

Months passed, and the next shipment brought visitors — Bobby coming to check in on them, and…

“Chris!” Eddie practically fell down the steps when he caught sight of the boy leaning against the railings on the boat’s deck. 

Buck stayed where he was in the tower, watching out the window as Eddie ran out the front door and met his son on the little dock, pulling him into an embrace. Buck sniffed. The way Eddie loved that kid… there was no way he’d stay away from him much longer. 

Briefly, Buck entertained the thought of Christopher joining them here. He could take the smaller of the two bedrooms in the cottage, and they could show him the ropes, the three of them carving out a life for each other. He cast the idea aside, knowing if he let himself indulge in those thoughts, it would be so much harder to see him say goodbye.

Christopher was an amazing kid, though. When Eddie finally called Buck down to say hello, he introduced them and Chris spared no time in hugging him tight. “Dad’s told me all about you in his letters!”

Buck almost cried, after Eddie led the kid to the cottage so they could share a meal before the boat had to go. 

While Eddie gave his report to Bobby, Buck gave Chris a piggy-back up the spiral staircase to the lantern, and showed him how they trimmed the wicks, let him carefully polish the piece of the lens he could reach, then helped him count the boats he could see on the horizon. That’s where Eddie found them, an hour later, Buck’s arm wrapped protectively around Christopher’s middle in case he slipped. 

“Boat’s leaving soon,” Eddie said. “You ready to come back down?” 

Christopher cried and yelled when Bobby brought him back onto the boat, and Buck tried not to let it break his heart as he saw Eddie try and fail to hold his composure, as he fell to the ground as soon as the boat was out of sight.

Buck crouched next to him, letting him fall into his arms, holding him through it until he was able to make his way back inside. Buck made him a cup of tea, but Eddie pushed it away. “I’m going to take the first watch,” he said in a hollow voice, walking to the stairs and leaving Buck on his own.

When Buck relieved him of duty later in the night, he lingered on top of the tower, but neither of them spoke.

Months passed, and they didn’t talk about it. They didn’t acknowledge the pain in Eddie’s voice as more boats came and went with letters but no visitors. 

Finally, Buck couldn’t take it any longer. He wanted to cauterise the wound, get the loss over and done with. 

“You’re not staying, are you?” he asked one evening, when the two of them were sitting in the cottage, Eddie re-reading another of Christopher’s letters. 

Eddie looked up, frowning in confusion. “What?”

“You miss him, Eddie. Don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking of going home.”

Eddie set down the letter and stood, walking over to where Buck was and sitting next to him. “Buck, I’m… I do miss him. And I hate being away from him, but… You have to know, this is home. Here, this cottage, with you.”

“Then, what—”

“I’ve written to Bobby. Next month’s mail, he’s going to let me know whether it’ll be possible for Chris to move here. There’d need to be more frequent ships, ways of getting him to and from school, but… I was waiting to hear for sure before I asked you. I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

That image, from all those months ago, the one Buck had forcibly suppressed for so long, comes back in full force. Christopher here, the three of them sharing the cottage, waking up early on Eddie’s days to man the lamp and making pancakes for himself and Chris, coming back after a long, stormy night to the two of them, cosying up by a roaring fire. Quiet days where nothing much needs to be done, sitting like this, playing games, living a life.

“Buck, say something, please? Would you be… okay with that?”

And Buck… he didn’t think, didn’t pause to wonder if it was a horrible idea, just took Eddie’s face in his hands and kissed him.

A year on, and Buck was happy. Bobby may have been retired, but he’d agreed to make more regular trips out, escorting Chris to school on the mainland when Buck and Eddie couldn’t. Buck moved into Eddie’s bedroom, and his own was redecorated for Chris to live in. Letters were replaced by excited retellings of his days in his new school, drawings pinned to the walls and the fridge, and he even got a letter from Maddie.

It was hard, sometimes. When a particularly bad storm hit, and Buck and Eddie were both needed to keep things running in the tower, worry for Chris carrying them through to the break of the storm, when they could go home together. 

It was a life — a happy one. And Buck loved every moment of it.

[troubleandbass]

Trailblazers: The Most Breathtaking Hiking Trails Around the World

World-class trails offer a unique blend of natural beauty and physical challenge.

Discovery of cultures and histories through scenic routes crossing various continents.

Necessary preparations are crucial for a safe and enjoyable trek.

Understanding the terrain and weather conditions leads to a more gratifying hiking experience.

Exploring the world's hiking trails is a profound journey not just through nature but within oneself.

Discovering the Beauty of the World's Most Iconic Hiking Trails

For those who seek epic hiking experiences, the planet offers a plethora of scenic backpacking routes, iconic trails, and cultural treks that inspire and challenge adventurers of all skill levels. These top hiking destinations are not just about the physical journey but also about connecting with nature and discovering ancient cultures, making every step an opportunity for an extraordinary adventure. In this segment, we explore some of the most celebrated trails that have captured the imaginations of trekkers worldwide.

Kalalau Trail through Na Pali Coast, Hawaii, USA

The Kalalau Trail in Hawaii is a testament to nature's splendor, offering hikers 11 miles of rugged terrain, flanked by emerald cliffs and leading to the serene beaches of the Na Pali Coast. This trail demands stamina and rewards trekkers with panoramic vistas that epitomize tropical paradise.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

Winding through the Andes mountains, the Inca Trail presents a culturally enriching experience, culminating at Machu Picchu. This sacred path invites modern-day explorers to tread in the footsteps of an ancient civilization, unveiling the mysterious Incan ruins amidst the clouds.

Mount Kilimanjaro's Routes, Tanzania

As the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro's multiple routes provide various degrees of difficulty and scenic beauty. Hikers can traverse through rainforests, alpine deserts, and icefields as they ascend towards the summit, experiencing an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.

GR20 Route in Corsica, France

Known for being one of the toughest long-distance trails in Europe, Corsica's GR20 Route challenges adventurers with its rocky paths that carve through the heart of the island. This trail combines physical rigor with the raw beauty of Corsican wilderness.

Each of these trails offers a unique gateway into the soul-stirring majesty of earth's landscapes. While the destinations are diverse, their call to the wild remains the same—a call to embark on a journey that promises to be as transformative as it is unforgettable.

What to Expect When You Set Out on Breathtaking Hiking Trails

Anticipating the demands of a hike starts with understanding trail difficulty and the physical challenges you may face. Various trails cater to different experience levels, from the casual day-hiker to the seasoned mountaineer. Elevation changes, for instance, can turn what appears to be an easy trail on paper into a grueling undertaking. Moreover, weather conditions often change without warning, especially in mountainous areas, making it essential to prepare for sun, rain, and even snow, regardless of the season.

Safety on hiking trails is paramount; hence, preparing the right gear, mapping your route in advance, and informing someone about your itinerary cannot be overstressed. Always have a contingency plan and know the basics of wilderness first aid. Additionally, be ready for nature encounters, which require an understanding of local wildlife habits and what to do when you meet animals on the trail.

Study the trail beforehand – know the distance, elevation gain, and points of interest.

Check the weather forecast and prepare for unexpected changes.

Wear appropriate gear and bring navigation tools such as a map and compass.

Pack emergency supplies: extra water, food, layers, and a first-aid kit.

Understand basic survival skills in case you get lost or injured.

Be wildlife aware; learn how to store food correctly and what to do if you encounter animals.

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing" - Ranulph Fiennes. This adage rings particularly true for hikers venturing into the great outdoors.

With proper hiking trail preparations and a respect for the elements, hikers can minimize risks and ensure a more enjoyable and safe hiking experience. Embrace the journey with a sense of preparedness and adventure, focusing on the treasures of nature rather than the potential tribulations.

Embark on a Journey along the Most Scenic Hiking Trails

Adventure beckons to those who seek the unparalleled beauty of our planet's natural landscapes. Whether it's the soothing rhythm of oceanfront trekking, the stark magnificence of volcanic landscapes, the pulse of high altitude hikes, or the collective spirit of epic trail expeditions, the world's scenic hikes offer experiences that go far beyond the ordinary. This section spotlights hand-picked trails where the earth's dramatic tableau unfolds beneath your trekking boots.

The Great Ocean Walk, Australia

Revered as a jewel among the oceanfront trekking paths, Australia's Great Ocean Walk presents an exquisite stage where the Southern Ocean's mighty waves sculpt the shoreline. The rugged cliffs, remote beaches, and windswept vegetation form a backdrop for an epic journey where hikers witness splendorous sunsets and towering sea stacks emerging from the sea mist.

Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass, Iceland

For those who revel in the raw and enigmatic power of the earth, Iceland's Laugavegurinn/Fimmvörðuháls Pass offers a trek through heart-stirring volcanic landscapes. The trail, rich in geothermal activity, vibrant rhyolite mountains, and majestic waterfalls, is a testament to the island's ongoing geological saga, inviting hikers to tread lightly in the land of fire and ice.

Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal

Each journey along these scenic trails offers an invitation to embrace the landscape’s embrace. As you plan your next hiking adventure, consider the siren call of these epic routes and prepare to embark on an experience that will echo in your memories for a lifetime.

Essential Tips for Conquering Challenging Hiking Trails

Embarking on challenging trails requires both courage and careful preparation. Experienced hikers and outdoor professionals share a wealth of hiking best practices to ensure your adventure is as rewarding as it is safe. One crucial element is mastering trail navigation techniques; understanding how to read a topographical map and how to use a compass can help prevent disorientation in remote areas. In today's digital age, a GPS device can be a helpful tool, but it should never replace traditional navigation skills or leave you unprepared for potential technology failures.

Adventure travel advice doesn't stop with navigation. Selecting the right hiking gear essentials is paramount to your comfort and safety. Key items include appropriate footwear, weather-resistant clothing, a sturdy backpack, and personalized first aid supplies. Remember, your gear should also reflect the particular demands of the environment you're in—whether that means extra water storage for arid climates or insulated layers for cooler mountain air. Additionally, experts underscore the importance of environmental stewardship; adhering to leave-no-trace principles protects the natural beauty and sustains the wilderness for future explorers.

Lastly, survival is the cornerstone of any hike, and outdoor survival tips can turn a potential crisis into a manageable situation. Staying hydrated, maintaining optimal nutrition, and having a basic understanding of wilderness first aid are skills that empower hikers to tackle trails with confidence. These fundamentals, coupled with a respect for the power of nature, create a strong foundation for anyone seeking to conquer the world's most challenging and exhilarating hiking trails.

Read more:

The Art Of Custom Knives – Expert Tips To Find Great Custom Knives For Sale

Enjoy Local Luxury: Play Golf At A Country Club

Maximize Your Trek: The High Value Of Grisport Hiking Boots

[drawing-way-outside-the-lines]

➖ Mature content, 18+ ➖ check the trigger tags each time ➖

Chapter 47 - Told you it was going to be some Bohemian name.

Episode 1.

It had been several days since the baby had shown up on Sam's doorstep and he had found Meena after her suicide. Akin had done all the necessary tests on the mystery baby, and the result had been that Sam and Meena were indeed the parents. The baby girl was healthy, about a couple months old and seemed to not have suffered any harm during the chaos. Sam had decided to bring her home, she was his after all, whether he had known about her or not. There had still been no answer to find, as to how she had come to him, but the why had been clear. She would not have survived without it. Not even Meena's landlord had known she was pregnant. And he had informed she had not paid rent or even left the apartment 6 months prior to the incident, so he doubted anyone else would have known. It could as such had taken days or even weeks before someone might have checked up on her. And found the baby. It was all very hard for Sam to digest, specially since he couldn't do what he needed the most, lean on his best friend, his partner. And now that it had been nearly 10 days since he last saw Adrian, he was starting to feel weakened by how much he missed him. He was noticing how his patience was running out, how he slept bad, and barely found any appetite by now. He had even stopped caring about his appearance and hygiene, something Sam would never let slip, unless he was on camping. He had as such decided, since he was dirty anyway, he'd best go work in his garden, make it ready for spring, and get some fresh air to hopefully clear his mind and refresh him. He packed the baby safely in her basket and made sure she was toasty warm, then took her with him outside. He had been digging in his garden for quite a while when he could no longer hold back the tears, his knuckles were red and cracked from the cold, his lips dry and stingy, his cheeks red and it felt as if every gasp of wind bit his skin. He looked around, his whole garden was full of holes, and then he noticed he wasn't even wearing a jacket!? SHIT! He quickly crawled to the baby, she laid there, looking up at him with her light freckles and mix of green and brown eyes, making happy chirping sounds, being toasty warm. He sighed relieved and stroke her cheek what am I going to do with you? He took a deep breath and crawled a few meters away from her, starting to fill one of the many holes he had dug What am I even going to name you?

Adrian: What's going on here? He said as he suddenly walked up on Sam I don't see you in over a week, and when I decide to check in on you, I find you out here, in the snow without a jacket…. he looked confused at the mess did you dig all these holes?

Sam: He looked just as confused back at Adrian, no longer quite able to figure what was real, everything seemed so fuzzy and out of shape

Adrian: Sam? a genuine concern showed in both his voice and on his face

Sam: He didn't get to answer before the baby coo'ed and as he turned to look at her, a small bird sat on the edge of the basket observing her curiously sparrow he mumbled distantly

Adrian: He frowned questioning as he now noticed the baby Is that a baby?

Sam: Quite obviously! he stood up fast and hostile, snapping as everything had suddenly escalated to a point where he could no longer keep it together she's mine, and I have had some shitty days, so if you're going to make a run for it, run now and run fast, cause I wont stand here watching you walk out on me! his voice broke

Adrian: He frowned deeper what?

Sam: The baby is mine, asshole! Meena left us! And now I'm stuck being a father and trying to figure what to do with all these holes and shit! Not just in the fucking ground Adrian, but all around me, so if I'm going to lose you, I rather you just pull the bandage as quick as possible, cause I can barely keep my head above water as it is!

Adrian: …..

Sam: For the record he stepped fast towards Adrian, swinging his small hand shovel I'd do fucking anything for you! Just so you know when you walk away from us cause we no longer fit in your precious little controlled bubble! he suddenly felt weak to his knees and fell against Adrian's chest with a soft moan

Adrian: Sam! To Sam's surprise the concern in Adrian's voice only grew as he quickly caught him and held him tight I need to get you inside, you're ice cold…. he hesitated a couple seconds Can you walk on your own?

Sam: He nodded softly and sniffled his nose

Adrian: Are you sure?

Sam: Yeah he answered softly

Adrian: Okay he nodded lightly and made sure Sam was stable before he let go of him, then to Sam's surprise he walked the few steps to the basket and picked it up

Sam: You don't have to, I can-

Adrian: No you can't, just carry yourself, that's all. I got this.

Sam: He looked at him both confused and surprised

Adrian: Sam, as long as you don't plan on me adopting her, I don't mind carrying…. your… baby… he sighed softly Look I didn't leave Penny in the rain why would I leave he looked at the baby what's it's name?

Sam: …. it's a she first and foremost… and I don't know her name he burst out in tears, lowering his head shamefully, feeling as if he had already failed her, and failed Adrian too

Adrian: Sam he quickly wrapped his free arm around his waist to support him It's alright, let's just get you inside… please. He staid by Sam's side the whole time, making sure he got inside safely, leading Sam to the living room, gently placing the basket on the couch Is this safe for her?

Sam: Yes, it's fine, thank you.

Adrian: Your shirt is wet, I'll go grab you a dry one he hurried to Sam's closet and returned few seconds later, finding Sam struggling to get the wet shirt off Let me help you

Sam: He broke out in tears again No! It's too much! Don't be so fucking sweet if you're going to run away and leave us!

Adrian: He sighed soft and slowly walked close to Sam, his warm finger tips gracing Sam's wet and cold belly as he gently grabbed the shirt and pulled it off him let me make this as clear as possible… I'm not going to 'run away'… I couldn't run very far anyway, since I live next door

Sam: He looked at Adrian with teary eyes, not able to appreciate the joke, though he appreciated the effort I can't lose you right now, please.

Adrian: Sam he grabbed his cold hands, holding them in his own I am not going anywhere. I haven't left your dad yet, have I? As long as you don't expect me to play father, I'm as cool with it as I can be.

Sam: It stung in his guts ……… it was all too much and he broke down sobbing as hard as he had ever done in his life I'm pregnant!

Adrian: ………. what?!

Sam: I'm pregnant he answered, hardly able to speak for the sobbing twins… they are yours!

Adrian: …………….

Sam: …………. sobbing even harder, to the point where he got on his knees, holding onto the couch as he felt as if he was going to simply drown in his own tears

Adrian: ………..

Sam: Oh god! gasping for air a full on panic attack rising

Adrian: ………….

Sam: Hyperventilating

Adrian: suddenly snapping out if it as something tapped on the window, he looked outside and it seemed to catch Sam's attention as well what is that damn bird doing??!

Sam: He got up quick and grabbed a handful of nuts and seeds from a bowl on the coffee table, opened a window and gently threw them out on the snow, closing the window again, then walked to the kitchen and leaned against the counter for support I think it's best you leave… between a sudden an unexpected pregnancy, an even more unexpected very real and very present daughter, and a mother who left us to suicide, which btw I found, hanging from her ceiling, I just can't take you abandoning me… us his voice broke again I can't do this without you….

Adrian: He quickly walked up to Sam and wrapped his arms around him tight You don't have to! I'm not going anywhere! I mean it! He squeezed Sam tight I'm not leaving you! This might not have been what I wanted, quite the opposite, but it's here now, and we will make the best of it, we will find a way for it to work out, I promise!

Sam: But you're going to be a father then, and you don't want that!

Adrian: I want you! And nothing can change that don't you get it?! I love you so much, Sam, and that doesn't just stop. What am I going to do? Leave you, knowing you're over here struggling on your own, and be miserable without you?

Sam: I don't want your pity!

Adrian: It's not pity, Sam… he sighed deep I know you're strong enough and more than capable of doing this on your own. But I don't want you to. Look I need some time to digest this, and I think you do too, and I can't say I'll be thrilled or participate 100% of the time, and I know that probably means I'm an asshole again, and probably don't even deserve you, but I'll do my best to be there for you, all three of you, as much as I can….. he sighed deep I'm sorry, but it's a bit too far to stretch to also take on board the one that is already here, and I am fully aware that probably means I don't deserve you any longer, so if you-

Sam: You more than deserve me! He looked at Adrian with teary eyes I don't even want you to participate in her life and upbringing, which I know can be a bit hard since now I'm kinda stuck with her for better or worse, but I'm sure my dad will be thrilled to baby sit often, Lina too, and there are probably more people ready to line up once everyone hears about her. So there should be alone time for you and I still, if you still want me. And after the birth of the twins, I wont ever expect you to participate much, if at all, it will be fully up to you how much or how little you want to do with them, or if you even want to see them, it's already more than I could ever have hoped for, if you just give me a chance to still be your partner, I could never ask or expect more from-

Adrian: This is not the moment to settle on stuff like this, Sam, I think I barely know the tip of this iceberg and you frankly both look and smell like you need a relaxing bath, some food and some sleep. Your skin is ice to the touch, and some of it are marked by the cold and whatever you were doing out there. Can we please just try to take care of you for a little moment and talk about this when things have settled a bit and we both have somewhat caught up with the circumstances? Anything else is simply over working both of us, and you're already more than over worked as it is.

Sam: He nodded softly

Adrian: For now, all I want you to know is that this isn't a deal breaker any longer, and we will work something out, I promise. I love you far too much to lose you. I mean it, Sam he forced a soft smile do you trust me?

Sam: I do he nodded softly and sniffled his nose

Adrian: Good. You should. And I am not going anywhere. Not now, not in a week, not after the two of them are born. And I want to support you, but how much I can, we will have to work out another day, please he stroke Sam's cheek lightly I love you.

Sam: I love you too.

Adrian: He nodded softly Let's get you into a bath, please, you're shivering.

[lyaenidae]

The first goodbyes

It's New Years Eve. Kenta is leaving town tomorrow, on the first day of the new year.

He can't stop going on and on about the great outdoors and how he's going to be surrounded by nature very soon. It's still hard for him to leave though... He's got to say goodbye. His little brother Seiji didn't take the news badly at all, to be honest, and Kiana doesn't think it's much of her business. But Itsuki is having a bit of a hard time.

"Are you sure you've got everything ? You're not going to have much service there you know, so you need to be ready in case of emergency..." "I've got everything dad, I promise. You've even done the inventory of the things I was taking with me and admitted that it should be enough, remember ?" Kenta tries to reassure him. "Yeah... You're right, I shouldn't worry about you, I know you're in your element when you're surrounded by nature as well."

"I am ! And I'll be even better at surviving after this experience, I tell you !" "We've been to the top of a mountain, I think your surviving skills are great already Kenta" points out his dad. "I know, but I like the idea of having only myself to rely on. It's important to me to know where I stand." he explains, once more. "I support you son, whatever you need, I'll always have your back. But I'm allowed to be a tiny bit worried about your safety."

"Are you sure that's all ? You're not trying to keep me here so I can keep being a buffer between you and Kiana ?" Kenta says with a knowing look. When they were climbing Mt Komorebi, they had had plenty of time to talk about life, as it was and as they both wished it would be. And, in the middle of the snow and exercise, Itsuki had been quite clear about the fact that he and Kiana didn't seem to be on the same page about much anymore... Kenta thought that might be the reason Kiana still hadn't asked his dad to marry her as well. She had asked both Sakura and him their permission a while back, but nothing had ever come of it. He had never dared ask if the proposal had been rejected or had simply never happened, but he was leaning towards the second option.

"Have you been feeling like that was the case ?" asks Itsuki, a bit saddened to hear that. "Yeah, a little bit sometimes..." "Oh no, I'm sorry Kenta. It was never my intention. I guess it really is time to change up a few things, isn't it ?" "I think so... Even if I know you're worried how it might affect Seiji, but you know he can probably feel the strange atmosphere too." "You're right. I'm just not sure about what exactly I'm supposed to do about the way I feel."

"Talk about it with her dad, what's the worst that can happen ? You guys can't get a divorce if you never got married in the first place !" Kenta tries to make the situation seem a bit less gloomy, without much luck.

After that, it's time to say goodbye to Sakura and Isui. Kenta's sistere and nephew are so excited to see him, they are both waiting on the porch, even in the snowy late afternoon.

"How are you two doing ?" he asks when he sits down across from his sister, Isui giving him a little side look seemingly to say 'you're finally here unkie' "We're alright, enjoying the last of today's sunny weather. Are you all packed up ?" "Of course ! I cannot wait, you know me, always excited about the adventures to come !" he smiles.

"I can't believe my little brother's going off on his own in a strange country..." she says with a little sigh. "It's not a strange country, I've been there before ! And it's a bit like here, really, mountainy and sometimes snowy. Just as many bugs, except the ones there are slightly less dangerous !" "Oh well, if the bugs are harmless, then I can't be worried, can I !" she laughs.

"You make sure you call me or dad every two or three days, though, right ?!" her face changes, daring him to say otherwise. "I will, you will have news from me every time I have service, I promise." "Mmmh... We're going to miss you loads little brother. What am I going to do without you ?" "You'll be fine ! You've got tons to worry about, with little Isui and everything."

"Do you think he'll remember me when I come back ?" asks Kenta suddenly, opening up on something he's been thinking about lately. "I have absolutely no doubt about that Kenta" she assures him without hesitating even one second. "I just don't want him to think I'm some distant cousin that he's never met or anything like that, you know ?" he jokes, trying to make it seem like less of a big deal to him than it actually is. "You know what ? Why don't you stay the night here, your last night before you leave, and that way you can see him one last time tomorrow morning when you leave ?"

"Oh that's nice of you to offer sis', but are you sure ? I am going to leave quite early tomorrow..." he says, hesitant. "I think it would be a great idea actually. Isui and I would both love it." "Alright then, I'll get my stuff from our house so that I can leave straight from here tomorrow. After all, you're a bit closer to the train station as well !"

That evening, Kenta made sure to spend as much time with his nephew as possible before he got put to bed. His heart was a bit tight from realising how much he was leaving behind, but his resolve was unwavering. He knew where he was going, he was simply making sure he wasn't going to forget where he was coming from.

And the very next morning, too early for even the sun to be out, he gave Isui one last kiss before he left Mt Komorebi.

"Hush little Isui don't cry, Unkie will come back to see you as often as possible. I'll try not to stay away too long. And who knows, maybe one day I'll have a little baby of my own as well. Would you like that ? Cousins for you ? I'll leave the idea with you, if you don't forget about it, I'll try my best to make it happen, okay ?"