#i already knew rationally this info but

[hauntingblue]

I cant believe I am already on fem law... this happened like 2 days ago I cannot do it....

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

I am not the asshole, and I think this whole thing is stupid, but I was promised that if I sent my side of things to this blog I could pick the hotel for our honeymoon, and I am marrying a man who once tried to take me BACKPACKING of all things, so this ask has become a necessity. In light of that:

AITA (I'm NOT) for planning the seating for our wedding in a logical way?

I got engaged in June, apparently in part because of my partner writing in to this blog (I don't know how to find or link to his posts, but I'm the man who got the cat to bite him, if that rings any bells?). At any rate, for the past ten weeks, I've been in the beginning stages of planning our wedding with my fiance, whom I have been secretly attempting to remove from the planning process as much as possible. I have ALREADY been given a list of his must-haves, and I AM incorporating as many of them as our budget allows. This has NOTHING to do with the emotional side of the event, and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that this is an idiot with no real planning experience or taste who thinks he knows more than me.

For the most part, this has worked very well. I'm the one who's been collating all the contact information for things, so I just replaced all the emails for the tacky companies with false addresses, responded to his inquiries as the companies to say the date was already booked or the price was outside our budget, and let him filter his way to the ones I DO like on his own. I also made a fuss about being "willing to compromise" on the few things he's picked I'm completely fine with in the hopes I can use it to make him compromise later, and have been humming portions of the songs I want on the playlist in the hopes he'll think he came up with the idea to include them himself.

None of this is the real problem. The PROBLEM is that he is deliberately ruining my seating chart, by moving our horrible friend's seat when I'm not looking.

The man in question dated both of us at one point in our VERY early 20s (both ended BADLY), is generally the messiest person we know, and will almost certainly get sloppy drunk and try to make a speech IF he does make an appearance. I'm banking on the fact that he won't, because he's also ridiculously wealthy, and will almost certainly send us some very lavish gift in lieu of coming.

He is SUPPOSED to be sitting beside my fiances aunt, at the same table as his grandmother, his work friend, and her girlfriend, because all four of these women are stone cold terrors who I believe are more than capable of keeping him in line on the slim chance he does come. My fiance INSISTS they won't be able to have any fun if they're running interference all night, and keeps moving him to sit at the head table instead. You know, where WE are. I finally caught him switching the label magnets on my planning board last night, and confronted him.

I tried leveraging how much I've been compromising already, that he's almost certainly going to RSVP no, and that I shouldn't have to deal with him on our big night. My fiance said he knew about all the fake emailing and such, and told me, and I QUOTE: "Look, the mind game shit was hot when it was just about the colour scheme or whatever, but I actually care about this. So you can suffer with everybody else, or you can do the normal thing and not invite a guy you hate to our wedding, you weirdo."

I said that if I did that, it would take out half his groomsmen, he called me an asshole and said I should go explain this to "literally any rational adult" so they could tell me I was in the wrong, and now here we are.

Would you recommend calling my fiance's bluff, since he doesn't want the man sitting near us either? Or should I focus on ensuring he'll turn down the invitation no matter what, so the matter of where he WON'T be sitting can be a moot point?

What are these acronyms?

Original post

The update

[bloomingsalma]

so, as an update: my friends are terrible people 😗🤭😯🤪😟

i think one of the most disappointing things is to see that your childhood friends have grown up to represent the kind of people you're disappointed in

[mydearzero]

𝐑𝐄𝐃 | 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

MASTERLIST

18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Summary: What once was an innocent crush on a coworker quickly turned into a full blown infatuation with your boss. She could reprimand you all she wanted, but did she have to wear red while doing so?

Contents: NO Y/N, fem!Reader, BAU!reader, unit chief!Emily, SMUT, coworkers, very slight dom/sub undertones, office sex, oral sex, grinding, fingering, power imbalance (boss), canon compliant violence, If I missed any warnings please tell me!

2.8K words

it's here folks, enjoy. let's just ignore that everything about emily screams woman lover to build tension okay. this was the quickest 2.8K I've written in a long time so uh yeah do with that info what you will (I'm horny for Emily) - nik

You hadn't had the opportunity to work with Emily Prentiss before she left the team to work for Interpol. You'd only just missed each other, you joining mere weeks after she'd left. 

Her reputation preceded her. The team was overly fond of her, even after having faked her own death. You'd seen a picture here or there, but nothing could live up to the Emily Prentiss who met you in New York for the Copycat Killer case. 

She'd been in a relationship with some guy Mark, so you'd really tried to look the other way. But when Hotch went on temporary leave during the whole Scratch situation, she volunteered to rejoin. The day she stepped foot in the bullpen, you knew you were in trouble. 

You could ignore the heat rushing to your face and your hands getting clammy. You could ignore the knowing glances JJ gave you. You could even ignore the digs Luke sent your way once he'd figured out something was going on. What you couldn't ignore, however, was the story Emily was telling while having had one too many drinks. 

"-and my girlfriend at the time freaked out. I tried to tell her it was a fake, but she was already halfway to crying in my arms." 

The words repeated over and over again in your head. 

Girlfriend. 

Her. 

She. 

You could handle an unattainable crush. Hell. Who hadn't had a crush on a straight girl at least once in their life? But knowing Emily played for both teams changed things. It made your irrational feelings rational. You completely lost the ability to look her in the eyes after that. 

You tried to not let your feelings get in the way of your job. The work the BAU did was too important to let that happen. 

It didn't last long. 

An adrenaline rush got the better of you while attempting to talk down an UnSub. But what were you supposed to do? He'd held a gun to Emily's head. One wrong move and it would've been over. You couldn't take that chance. 

Your ears were ringing as tunnel vision took over. The grimy scenery of the warehouse faded into the background. The dripping of the leaking pipes was deafened by your heartbeat. The UnSub's words were drowned out by Emily's haggard breathing. She was scared. 

You did what you had to. You took the shot. The man had dropped to the floor, but not before firing a storm of bullets in your direction, only missing by a few inches. 

While you'd been lucky nobody had been hurt, the same couldn't be said about the team's reactions to your actions. The flight back to Quantico had been short but tense. You wouldn't be hearing the end of this for quite some time to come. 

Though you knew the team would be on edge around you for some time, you hadn't expected what would happen on the very next case. 

"You're off the case." Emily's words were blunt. 

"What? Why?" You questioned. You'd expected to have to take a psych evaluation. Maybe even redo your gun qualifications. But to be put on the bench? Especially on a local case? 

"We've profiled this UnSub as highly unpredictable. I can't have you take uncalculated risks in the field. I appreciate all the work you've done so far, but this is where I need you to step back." Emily looked apologetic. 

"The last case was different! I can stay back here with Penelope. Just let me help, Emily, please," you pleaded. Damn your inability to be mad at her. You couldn't, not when she wore that damn red top that complimented her complexion (and boobs) so well. 

"I'm sorry. We'll talk when we get back." 

Penelope wouldn't let you into her office, so you resorted to catching up on paperwork at your desk. You could've left and taken this as a sign to get some free time. Yet you stayed right there, waiting. 

When Penelope finally left her office with her stuff, ready to go home, you knew the case was over. She asked you to late dinner, but you declined, waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. She waved a short goodbye before stepping into the elevator, leaving you alone with your thoughts once more. 

It wasn't long before the elevator moved again, doors opening to reveal Emily Prentiss. Just Emily Prentiss. You frowned as she walked into the bullpen, nodding at her office, signalling you to follow her. 

"Where's the rest?" You wondered, walking through the door and taking a seat across from the desk. Emily shut the door and turned to close the shutters. 

"I sent them home. We'll debrief in the morning," was all she said. 

She gestured to the chair across from hers. You sat, unsure of what to expect next. 

"I think we need to talk about what happened in New York," Emily left it an open statement. She obviously expected you to do the talking. 

"I'm aware my actions didn't look thought through. And maybe they weren't. But I was worried about what he would do to you," you were honest about what had gone down. 

"Worried or not, there are protocols we need to follow. You put everybody in that room in danger by making that choice. How is that any better than having me potentially get shot?" 

You really tried to focus. It was a serious and consequential discussion. But it was at that moment you realized you'd never actually been alone with Emily. You rubbed your hands on your thighs, trying to rid them of their clammyness and the tension that built in your body. 

"I don't know," was your final reply. A weak one, at that. Emily searched your face for answers. She noted the sheen covering your skin and dilated pupils. You felt scrutinized under her gaze. She squinted, slowly leaning back and crossing her arms. 

You hadn't meant to look, but the action brought the red top back to your attention. Your eyes dropped to Emily's cleavage, if only for a second. Your mouth went dry as they quickly snapped back up to meet her now amused ones. A coy smile crept onto her face. Emily took a deep breath before speaking again. This time, you knew better, only looking in your peripheral at how her chest raised and fell. 

"You know, earlier, you mentioned the last case was different. How come?" Emily inquired. She'd caught that, huh? You felt trapped as you figured she'd deduced the real reason for your careless actions.  

You didn't speak as Emily rose from her chair, taking slow strides around the desk. She placed a hand on your shoulder, standing behind you and leaning over the other. Goosebumps raised on your arms as you felt her warm breath against your collar. 

"I think I know," she whispered in your ear. You unconsciously craned your neck, allowing her more access. Your heart beat rapidly. The hand on your shoulder slowly trailed down your arm, rubbing up and down. 

"Would you have taken the shot if it had been JJ? Or Spencer? Or maybe you would've taken it if it were Garcia. You're such great friends, after all," Emily's tone was taunting. The rising temperature of the room was quickly becoming unbearable. 

Her free hand reached for your chin, turning your head to face her. She cupped your cheek gently, admiring the sight of your desperation. She'd barely even touched you. Barely implied anything. 

"Is this what your strange behaviour lately has been about?" Emily asked. You bit your lip, not saying a word. She clicked her tongue, getting annoyed at your lack of response.  

"Is this not what you want?" She walked around the chair, standing in front of you. You couldn't give in. You wouldn't be able to stop. Not if she gave you a taste. Your hands remained firmly planted by your side as Emily did the unthinkable. She put her hands on your shoulders and draped her legs over yours, straddling you. Your eyes closed at the sensation of having her so close. 

The weight of her ass on your thighs was delectable. Her hands trailed down your arms, stopping when they rested on yours. She leaned forward, and you had to suppress a groan at the feeling of her chest pushing against yours. She took your hands and brought them around herself, planting them firmly on her bottom. Your entire body was on fire. 

"Look at me," Emily's voice was sultry. You opened your eyes tentatively, immediately dropping them to her lips, which were now dangerously close to yours. She didn't hesitate, kissing you roughly. Her hands came up to cup your face. You finally gave in, properly holding her on your lap as she fervidly kissed you. 

You moved your mouth away from hers, kissing down her jaw and sucking harshly at the skin of her neck. A timid moan came from her lips. You'd never heard a more beautiful sound. Her fingers started unbuttoning your blouse as you continued your attack, creating blemishes that contrasted with her pale skin. Once she got the blouse off, Emily's hands fondled your breasts roughly. 

"Shit, Em..." You sighed. You leaned back against the chair, admiring Emily in all her glory. 

"You look so fucking good in red, you don't even know," you groaned, tugging at the bottom of her shirt. 

"I do know," Emily raised her arms, allowing you to pull the shirt over her head. "That's why I wear it." 

"You drive me crazy, Prentiss," you finally admitted. 

"I think I know the feeling," Emily moaned, taking your hand and crudely stuffing it down her pants. Luckily the waistband was elastic, allowing you to feel the dampness of her underwear as you manoeuvred your wrist to cup her pussy. 

"Fuck... You don't know how many times I've imagined feeling your pussy," you confessed. "I've dreamt of the things I'd do to you." 

Emily groaned as you pushed her panties to the side, feeling the wetness against your fingers. The positioning of your hand might've been awkward, but you didn't care. Emily opted to go for another kiss as you started rubbing her clit. 

The soft noises she made while her tongue was in your mouth were otherworldly. Her hips ground against your hand, desperate for more friction. 

Emily hooked her fingers into the cups of your bra, not bothering to unclasp it, simply tugging them down to free your tits. She left a trail of open-mouthed kisses down your neck and chest before taking a nipple between her teeth. 

"Fuck- Emily," you whine. She brought her hand up to your other breast, pinching and biting your nipples in tandem. You retaliated by finally circling your fingers over her entrance, pushing two inside. 

"Oh! Ah- Fuck," Emily exclaimed, throwing her head back. You curled your fingers in the way you did to yourself while thinking of her late at night. Emily reached behind her, placing her hands on the edge of the desk, creating more space for you to do what you had to. 

Emily was becoming less coherent with every pump of your fingers. Your thumb hit her clit harshly with every thrust inside her pussy. Just seeing her come undone like this, on your lap, by your hand, was enough for you to drench your own underwear.

You brought your unoccupied hand to her naked waist, admiring her figure. You couldn't believe you got to see her like this after all this time you spent pining. Her eyes were closed as her chest heaved with heavy breaths. 

"Fuck, don't stop," Emily moaned. Her jaw was slack. Her knuckles turned white as her grip on the desk tightened. You felt her walls constrict around your fingers. You curled them in a come hither motion as you circled her clit with your thumb. 

Emily's arms shook as her moans turned into high-pitched whines, signalling she was getting close. 

"Shit! Oh my god," She exclaimed, followed by a loud moan of your name. It was like music to your ears. 

She rode out her high as she gushed around your fingers. Your free hand drew soothing patterns on her hip, working her through her climax. 

You carefully withdrew your hand from her panties, bringing your fingers to your mouth and sucking them clean. Emily let herself fall back forward, no longer having the strength to hold up her upper body with her arms. 

She took your fingers from your mouth, wrapping her lips around them and sucking seductively. She released them and pushed herself off your lap, tugging you up from your seat. She switched your positions, pushing you against the desk before getting on her knees. 

Emily reached for the button on your pants, undoing it and tugging it down. She tapped your ankle, signalling you to step out of them and spread your legs. It was a bit awkward with your shoes still on, but you made it work. Her fingers left a trail of goosebumps in their wind as she traced them up your leg to your inner thigh. 

She followed the path she'd just drawn with her mouth, hooking her teeth in the waistband of your underwear, laughing as she tugged them down. You smiled at her antics. 

Her mouth returned between your legs, licking a hesitant stripe between your folds. The kitten licks to your clit drove you crazy. 

"Fuck, please, Em," you begged, bringing your hands to her hair. You couldn't feel more lewd, tits out in your boss's office, said boss between your legs eating you out. The scandal of it all only turned you on even more. 

"Can't believe you put your whole job on the line-," Emily scoffed between licks. "-just because you wanted some pussy." 

"Not just some pussy," you moaned as she sucked on your clit. "Yours." 

"Such a horny little thing for your unit chief," Emily mumbled. The vibrations of her words added to your pleasure. 

Your grip on her dark locks tightened as she fucked your entrance with her tongue expertly. You had to put all your weight against the desk to stop your knees from buckling.

"F-fuck, Em. Oh my god," you groaned as she added her fingers to the mix. 

You dared to look down, only to be met with the finest sight the world had to offer. Emily gazed up at you through her lashes, dark eyes blown wide and amused. You could see her free hand was between her legs, stroking herself at the same rhythm she had with her mouth on your cunt. 

God, did you wish you had Reid's memory right about now. 

You didn't know how much longer you could last. Having had the pleasure of feeling her around your fingers, witnessing her expression as she came. It was enough to have you teetering on the edge. 

"Ah, fuck. I'm close," you whimpered. Emily moaned loudly, her pace increasing. Your hips bucked against her mouth, chasing the pleasure. Her hands came up to your sides, holding you in place. 

You had to withhold from forcefully pushing her head closer, desperate for more pressure, more friction, more more more. 

You balled your fists, throwing your head back. The knot in your abdomen tightened, threatening to snap any second. 

"Oh- shit, please." 

"Come for me." It was like she'd pressed a magic button, your climax immediately upon you as she spoke the words. 

"Emily!" You came with a loud cry, grinding your hips against her mouth. It was mindblowing. You'd never come that hard. Emily helped you ride out your high, careful to not overstimulate you. 

She rose from her position on the floor, hands never leaving your body as she got back on eye level. You searched her face for regret as both of you stood there, taking in the situation and catching your breath. 

She leaned in, placing a tender kiss on your lips. You smiled, kissing her back passionately. She helped you redress your upper body, all while never breaking the kiss. 

You separated to pick up your respective discarded pieces of clothing. The atmosphere was light. There was no unresolved tension as you had expected. A mutual understanding had been created. 

Emily grabbed her stuff and walked with you down to the bullpen. "Dinner tomorrow, my place," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," you agreed, putting your things in your bag. 

"For now, go get your go bag out of your car," she instructed, locking the door to her office. 

"Why?" You asked as you walked with her to the elevator. 

"Because you can return the favour and have an early appetizer in my bed tonight." 

[petrifiedperi-au]

Holy ok ok ok so I just read your dev having trouble with being around Cosmo and Wanda but I bring you a different approach. What if he is mad at them! Trying to shift some of this huge amount of guilt because at least he went to Peri! His own parents left him alone to die. (I can’t remember if you said if they actually knew where he was or not)

Oh lordy oh ok gewze imagine Dev having this moment of realising he has something in common with Peri because he sees his parents as neglecting him. How sad would that make Dev? To realise how much guff he gave Peri cause he thought Peri couldnt relate at all. So he pushed him away but then thinking how wrong he was and how Peri did understand. (Even though we know cosmo and wanda are nothing like Dale and really did love Peri just saw a different priority) but the potent agnst of Dev having a miss understanding of it. Everytime Peri tries to deny it Dev relates. Everytime Cosmo and Wanda gush over Peri makes Dev fume because he sees it as all a show. He thinks he knows how it is behind closed doors. Even if hes actually wrong. It could really help them bond. Until Dev finally sees hes wrong and it’s gonna make a huge rift between them as he blames Peri for pretending to have a bad relationship with his parents. Probably saying it was to “mock” Dev or something.

On another note. Do you think Peri would actually be upset that his parents decided to save fairyworld instead? Maybe rationally he tells himself it was the better choice. That it was what ended up bringing him back. It was what saved all the other fairies who take priority. Hes just one guy. But thats still gonna hurt. Knowing your own parents can and have picked the masses over you. Knowing you arent worth the world to them. Of course he wouldnt actually expect them to choose him but maybe deep down he wanted them to? Idk im loosing it cause I just got off ruff 12hr shift at work lol.

Hope this isnt too off the money for your au I just really enjoy angst

~hollys fairy hell

[AU info here!]

OOOOHHH... THIS IS INTERESTING. WHILE C&W DIDN'T KNOW THAT PERI DIED, DEV BEING ANGRY BECAUSE OF THAT IS... OUGH. I think it DOES check out, actually. Feeling angry that they didn't even KNOW their son died, the blame being shifted to help ease the guilt... IT MAKES SENSE, AND IT'S IN CHARACTER.

He's seen their relationship before, and he knows that they're all such a genuinely happy family, and that makes him feel not ONLY GUILTIER, but MORE FRUSTRATED, MORE ANGRY. Their own son DIED, in front of HIM, and they DON'T EVEN KNOW.

HEAR ME OUT... DEV NOT KNOWING THAT C&W DON'T KNOW UNTIL PERI MENTIONS IT. Him assuming that they ALREADY told their parents, and that's why he was absent for a few days. THE GUILT SHIFTING INTO A MISDIRECTED ANGER ONCE PERI MENTIONS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW AND THAT THEY WANT TO KEEP IT FROM THEM... of COURSE, the guilt is still there, but it blends in with the other feelings and it's a Very Complicated Feeling Soup.

THE MISUNDERSTANDING IDEA IS NEAT... AND IN-CHARACTER. I don't know for SURE how I'd implement it [because my brain is very picky about the things I add, and I am too...], make it go, and ALL those good, delicious, juicy things, BUT BUT it will go on the backburner of thoughts. Specifics would probably just come to me randomly at 2 am like they have been lately gHDLSHSLHD 😭

WITH THE LAST PART... PERI DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED SPECIFICALLY. He was DEAD, after all, and SURE, he'd probably find out via things being talked about, BUT, GENERALLY, I DON'T THINK THEY ADDRESS OR THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

Hazel's Wish fixed EVERYTHING that happened in the episode, and I talk about how the whole Millio Wishes Thing worked here, actually! I have a vague idea of how things go with Peri after they come back, but I don't have any set in stone ideas yet/there's no established timeline. I think... THEY don't even know at first, they're just confused at the fuzzy gaps in their memory and then, once they get a closer look at themself and the GHOST thing happens [when they're alone] and all that... THEN they put details together and realize they They Fucking Died.

WHICH... PERI DOESN'T UNPACK THAT. NOT MUCH, ANYWAY. The finale ends as usual, with the motorcycles and all that— that's BEFORE he realizes there might be something off. DO YOU GET ME... LIKE...

THE ENDING ESTABLISHES THAT THINGS ARE OK AND NORMAL BUT THEN AFTER THE EPISODE, THEY GO BACK TO THEIR HOUSE/ROOM/C&W'S HOUSE [ALONE] AND THEN THAT IS WHEN HE KIND OF REALIZES HE FEELS OFF AND WEIRD. AND... OUGH. YEAH.

SORRY I'M... GETTING OFF TRACK. I don't think he'd be upset, not in that way, at least, given the circumstances. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS MAKES SENSE OR IF IT'S JUST WORD SOUP I'M SO SORRY I JUST WOKE UP LIKE AN HOUR AGO. I am throwing words at the wall and hoping they make sense HDJDDGKDDUI 😭

[millersdjarin]

I Only See Daylight

Chapter Twelve

Pairing: Din Djarin x F!Reader

Rating: E

Chapter warnings/tags: reader mentions she is a virgin but it's not a big deal, reassurance, softness, bonding, friends

Chapter length: 4.7k

Previous Chapter | Series Masterlist & Info | Full Masterlist

I don’t wanna think of anything else now that i thought of you (things will never be the same)

You wake up with the kid plopping down onto your legs.

It scares you; you almost jump out of your skin until you look and realise it’s just Grogu. He’s jumped from his hammock, and is now standing on your knee, staring at you like he wasn’t expecting you to be there. 

It’s the first morning he’s ever found you in Din’s bed, and Din’s not here.

“Morning, kiddo,” you say groggily. “I know, I’m not usually here, huh?” 

He looks at you for another minute, then reaches out his hand, grabbing hold of yours and pulling you in the direction of the door.

You laugh. “I know, you’re hungry. I’m coming, just give me a second. Go wait by the ladder.” 

Happily, he hops down from the bed and waddles through to the hold. He disappears from sight, and you sit up, wincing against the pain still in your shoulder. Your legs are stiff, too, and it takes your brain a second to catch up to why. A soft gasp escapes your lips as the memories of last night flood your mind. Your hand comes up to touch the point on your neck that Din marked you, a smile twitching at your lips. You can still feel his lips, his mouth, his hands, all over your skin, between your legs. Even the way he touched you as you fell asleep is like the most precious of ghosts, brushing across your skin, a memory of him that demands to be reproduced. 

The kid is waiting for you when you get up. You smile at him, because of course you do. There’s no way you couldn’t. 

“Hold on, kid,” you say as you scoop him up into your arms. He hooks his arms around your neck as best he can, grabs onto your shirt with his little hands. It’s harder for you to climb the ladder at the moment with your shoulder the way it is; it hurts every time you use it, but especially going up the ladder, trying to haul your weight up on each wrung. It doesn’t help that your legs are stiff as fuck, too. But the fact that it came from so much pleasure, from sitting on Din’s lap and fucking yourself onto his fingers, that makes up for it.

Din is in the cockpit. You glance at the steps that lead up there, feeling your cheeks blush. You feel shy to see him, all of a sudden. Like after last night, things have changed, even though you know they haven’t. He still held you last night with the same tenderness he always has. Still talked to you like he knew you, wanted you.

But the phantom feeling between your legs is a lot, and you’ve never had that before. Not from someone else’s hand. 

So, for a while, you use the excuse of feeding the kid and yourself. The two of you sit around the table, munching on ration bars and some fruit you have left over from a market stall on Coruscant. The kid loves it. “It needs eaten quickly before it goes bad, so eat as much as you want,” you tell him, to which he responds with a big grin and a happy coo. 

Once your stomachs are both full, you glance at the cockpit again, catching the quickest glimpse of some beskar shining in the light of hyperspace. Your stomach flips, heat rising in your cheeks. He wasn’t in bed when you woke up. You haven’t seen him since last night. 

You busy yourself washing dishes in the little pull-out sink. A few minutes later, you hear boots on the steps, headed down from the cockpit into the living area.

Your head turns, and Din is standing there, leaning against the stairs entrance, just watching you.

“Morning,” you say. “Or, you know. Whatever time of day it is.” 

“Good morning,” he says. The kid hops down from the sofa and runs over to Din, who picks him up, props him against his hip. “Hey, kiddo. You eaten breakfast already?”

“We finished up that fruit from the market. Didn’t want it to go bad. Are we still on schedule?” You can’t quite look at him; you know you’re blushing intensely, so much that you can feel it on the tips of your ears and round the back of your neck. You hope he can’t see it, can’t see the way you’re feeling too shy, aware of his gaze like it’s different this morning. 

“Yes,” he answers, still standing across the room. “A day’s rotation left.” 

“You going stir crazy yet?” 

“A little,” he says, then, with a smile in his voice, “but it’s not so bad. We’ve found ways to keep ourselves busy.” 

The blushing intensifies. He’s probably doing it on purpose. Because he always likes to point it out when your cheeks turn red. 

You hear his boots, taking steps towards you along the floor. The dishes in the sink are clean, so you reach for the towel to dry them off, and once you’re standing upright again, you feel a gloved hand slide around your waist, settling flat against the roundness of your stomach. Your breath hitches a little. “You alright?” 

You nod, not looking back at him. “I’m good. How’d you sleep? I didn’t snore, did I?” 

“You always snore,” he chuckles a little. “But it didn’t bother me.” 

The kid is looking over your shoulder from where he sits against Mando’s side. He reaches out towards the bubbles in the sink, and you can’t tell him no; you lift up a handful of suds, hold them out in front of him, and then blow them into his face. 

He jumps back, but the giggle that comes out of him is ecstatic. His hands wave about excitedly, asking you to do it again. 

Putting down the last of the dishes, you gather more suds on both hands this time, and turn around to face the two of them. Din’s hand stays where it is, letting your body move and settling his palm against the small of your back now. You blow bubbles at the kid again. They explode in little white orbs around his face and his eyes light up with glee.

Din chuckles. You glance up at him before turning around to do the whole thing again. “He likes that,” Din says, looking down at the kid, bouncing him up and down just a little like he’s not even aware he’s doing it.

He does like it, but the novelty soon wears off. Probably for the best, though, since the suds are starting to run low in supply. Grogu leans down, gesturing for Mando to put him back on the floor. Once he’s there he waddles off towards the cockpit, headed for his chair where he likes to sit and watch worlds zoom by. 

Then it’s just you and Din. He turns to look at you, his hand still on your back. 

Still just a little nervous to see him after last night, you clear your throat. “Hey,” you say, quiet. 

He leans down and presses his forehead into yours. “Hey, Cyar’ika. You sure you’re okay?” 

“Why wouldn’t I be?” 

“You’re blushing.” 

You roll your eyes, placing your hand on his chest. Instinct. “Would you stop pointing it out?” 

You expect him to chuckle, or just huff out a small laugh at your playful tone. But he just looks at you, unmoving. To be fair, your voice is just a smidge hysterical. You’re not a good liar. “What’s wrong?” 

Swallowing, you look up at him with wide eyes. “Nothing’s wrong,” you say, meaning it. Because there isn’t anything wrong. You’re just…feeling. A lot.

“Did I hurt you last night?” He asks, his helmet moving as his eyes float down to your shoulder. 

“No! No, you didn’t. I mean, I’m maybe a little sore…” 

“Cyar’ika…” 

“I don’t mean like that!” You’re quick to assure him, “Not…like that. I just mean…my legs are stiff. After, you know. Using them a lot.” You’re a grown adult. You can say what you did last night out loud.

Except, you can’t. 

It happened in the dark, when you were both tired, running on fumes from the ordeal the day before, desperate to be close. You’re certain he doesn’t regret it. It’s not that. It’s just…

“I’ve never,” you find yourself saying, faltering, “I’ve never done that before.” 

“You mean, sleep with someone?”

“No. Well, yes. I mean, when we were…” you nod towards the sofa, where last night he literally reached parts of you that no one ever has.

His hand rubs in circles over the small of your back, comforting. “You mean have someone touch you like that?”

Biting your bottom lip, you nod. You wonder what his face looks like; if he looks amused by it, or put off.

You’re grown. It’s weird. He probably expected you to have…but you never had the chance to…

“Was it okay?” He asks, sounding like he’s frowning. “I didn’t pressure you…?” 

You laugh at that, because you can’t help it. Because of course he didn’t—you practically threw yourself at him. “It was perfect,” you say, chuckling and bringing your other hand up to place softly against the side of his helmet. “I’m just. I never thought I’d find someone I trust enough to…see that side of me. It’s a lot, you know?” 

He nods like he understands. He tilts his head, presses the front of his helmet to your hand, like on instinct he’s turned to kiss your palm. 

“I liked it,” you assure him. “I really liked it. I want—I want to do it again. Like, as soon as possible.” 

He relaxes beneath your hands, a soft chuckle coming through his modulator. “Good. Me, too. You were amazing, Mesh’la, I’ve never known anything like it.” 

Excitement leaps up your chest. You smile, feeling your eyes shining up at him.

“How’s your shoulder?” He brushes your hair away from it. He doesn’t pull your shirt down, but observes it like he can see the wound anyway. 

“It’s alright,” you say, wrinkling your nose. “Hurts. But it’s healing quickly with the bacta.” 

He nods. His fingertips brush against your cheek. 

“I’ve never been to Tatooine,” you say, hooking your hand over the top of his chest plate, holding onto it like you would a handle. “Heard it’s pretty shit.” 

“It’s…not exactly somewhere people go to take a vacation. But I have friends there.” 

“Helpful friends?” 

“For now. I’m not sure yet what the play is in the long run, but we’ll be safe there, for at least a couple of days while we get our bearings.” 

You nod. There’s a wrinkle in his flight suit, between his chest plate and his pouldron. You smooth your hand over it absently, knowing that he’s watching you. “Why do I get the feeling there’s a story here you’re not telling me?” 

“There is,” he says. “I’ll tell you it, if you want to hear it. It’s just long.” 

“Well,” you place your hands on each side of his helmet, “we’ve got nothing but time until we get there. Story time, Mando, come on.” You lead him to the sofa, and he chuckles, following willingly. 

So, Mando has a lot of friends here, as it turns out.

Two whole towns of them, apparently. 

“You’re the hero of this place, huh?” You tease him with a smirk as he descends into the port. There’s a small star fighter in there, bright silver, with two bubble canopies. It looks like a Naboo star fighter, with some modifications. 

“I wouldn’t say that,” Din replies, dry. You watch as the port comes up around you, Mando landing beside the other ship. He points to it as the engines shut down. “Remember I told you I had another ship?” 

You raise an eyebrow. “Is that yours?” 

“It is.” 

You take a second to admire it. It is pretty stylish, actually, and you can imagine that Din looks fucking amazing in there. “Wait, is the second little compartment for Grogu?” 

“It is now.” 

“Oh, Maker, that’s so cute,” you laugh, imagining him in there, that little green head poking up through the glass. 

Din steps out of the ship first, the kid in one of his arms. You follow closely, and soon a woman is coming out from the office, all curly hair and oil-covered overalls. 

“Mando!” She says, throwing her hands out to her sides, “Good to see you! How are ya? How’s this little guy doing?” She reaches out, takes him right from Din’s arms, and he lets her without hesitation. Grogu seems pleased to see her, cooing happily and smiling up at her. She looks up from him, sees you. “And who’s this friend of yours? Not like you to come with company, is it, kiddo?” She looks back to him like she can’t resist. Which, fair. 

Din introduces you not by name. No, the way he introduces you is something else entirely, and it rocks your entire fucking world. 

“This is my partner,” he says, gesturing to you as you stop right beside him. 

Your heart jumps.

The floor feels like it’s quaking beneath you. 

“Partner, hey?” The lady seems just as surprised as you, her eyebrows flying up on her forehead. She looks you up and down, puts one hand on her hip. “Well, you must be somethin’, to get this old grump to give up his loner ways.” 

Warmth blooms in your chest. You want to reach out and take his hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” you say to her instead, offering a smile, reaching your hand out for her to shake. 

She does, wearing fingerless, leather gloves. “I’m Peli. Mando’s personal repair lady.” 

You raise an eyebrow, turning to him. 

He glances at you, then back to Peli. “I’m just here to pay you for the hangar space,” he says. “Can I leave both here for a few days?” 

“I don’t know, Mando, with both of them here I don’t have any space for other repairs, and I can’t afford to rent out another hangar…” she fades off when Mando throws a bag of credits on the floor in front of her. It’s heavy, landing with a loud, metallic thunk. Peli looks down at it, then back up at Mando, her face splitting into a grin. “Shouldn’t be a problem,” she says. “What brings you back here?” 

“Business.” 

“You lookin’ for jobs? You didn’t hear this from me, but I got a friend who could do with an old fling being taken care of…” 

“No,” Din says, all business now. “Not looking for work.” 

“Alright, well, you’ve got my number, if you change your mind.” 

“Do you have a speeder?” 

She raises her eyebrow. “Do I have a speeder? Of course I have a speeder, Mando, what do you think this is? But it’s gonna cost ya.” 

Sighing very dramatically, he reaches into his satchel, pulling out another small handful of credits. He shows them to her, then throws them on the ground with the rest. “A two seater,” he requests.

“You always come with so many demands, Mando. You’re lucky some guy tried—and failed—to swindle me the other day and I took his speeder as compensation. It’s in the back, the hangar behind you.” 

He nods. “Thank you,” and takes Grogu back from her. “We’ll be back in a couple of days. Keep my ships safe.” 

“Honey, with what you’re paying me, I’d take a blaster bolt for them.” 

You’ve never been on a speeder before. It’s kind of exhilarating, and only partly because you’re pressed right up against Din and he’s all that’s keeping you attached to the thing. 

It doesn’t take long to get to Mos Espa. You’re already tired of sand, though. It’s getting places.

There are buildings being repaired in the town, light sand-coloured walls and roofs, people pottering around the streets, market stalls, and homes. Din speeds right past the streets, and takes you to his friend’s compound. He parks up outside, announces his presence to the guards, who let all three of you in once checking with their boss.

Their boss who is, apparently, Mando’s friend. 

The guards lead you down a long staircase and into a room with a throne-like seat at one end, and a large counsel space before it. Upon the chair is…wait. A fucking Mandalorian? 

His armour is dark green, nothing like the shiny silver of Din’s; but the shape of it, the T-shape of his visor, the jet pack on his back: undeniably Mandalorian. 

As you approach the throne, the man lifts his hands, and takes off his helmet. 

Oh. 

“Mando,” he grins, stepping down from the podium and reaching out to grasp Mando’s hand in a warrior’s grip. “Good to see you, my friend.” 

Din nods. “And you, Boba,” he says. 

His friend—Boba, apparently—looks to you with a friendly smile. You’re still surprised after seeing him remove his helmet so freely. He’s got a bald head, and scars over his face, mottled and intricate but very well healed, probably thanks to bacta. There’s a woman standing by his chair, with long, dark hair pulled into a single braid, wearing dark clothes and holding a helmet under her arm, too, almost mirroring Boba’s stance. 

“This is my partner,” Mando introduces you, again, and, kriff, you’re going to have to ask him about that later. 

Boba extends his hand towards you. You take it, shaking in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says. “I am Boba Fett. This is Fennec Shand,” he gestures to the woman by the chair, who offers just a slight smirk and a single nod in response. Boba looks back to Mando. “I’ll be honest, Mando, I didn’t think I’d ever see you with a partner. Well, except your little green friend.” 

Grogu coos in response, reaching up his hands like he’s waving at Boba. Boba waves back, giving a smile. 

“What brings you here?” Boba asks Mando. 

“Something only for your ears,” Din answers, glancing around at all the guards and servants posted around the room. 

Boba nods in understanding. “Of course. Please, let’s talk in my office.” He gestures to a corridor that stretches out beyond open double doors, and Din follows, so you do, too. 

Din’s hand brushes against the small of your back as you head down the hall, following Boba and Shand. It’s a small gesture of reassurance, and you appreciate it, wanting to reach out and do the same to him, but resisting the temptation. 

It’s a lot, to hear Din explaining everything to them. 

Well, not everything. 

In fact, he glosses over all of the personal details. He simply tells Boba that there is either a single hunter out to get you, or an entire army of them, and that you need a place to lay low while you figure out your next move. 

You make a mental note to thank him later, for keeping your personal stuff out of it. 

It’s still a lot. Knowing that you’re the cause for all of this. The reason that Din and Grogu can’t just have their own quiet life; the reason they aren’t just here visiting friends for a casual visit.

“Whatever I can do to help, my friend, you know I will,” Boba says. The five of you are standing around a round table in a stone-floored room. He asked all guards to leave the room when you came in. 

“Thank you,” Din says sincerely. “I’m sorry to barge in on you like this.” 

“It’s not a problem. You know that. How long do you think you’ve got, until people come looking for you?” 

Mando shrugs one of his hands. “I’m not sure. Could be days, but I don’t know how they’d follow us here so soon.” 

“Are you planning some sort of attack on this syndicate?” 

“We don’t know yet. Just need some space to work it out.” 

Boba nods. “I understand. For now, please, accept my invitation to stay here. We have spare rooms, for all three of you.” 

“We only need two,” Din says, surprising you. And Boba and Fennec, apparently, because they both raise their eyebrows just slightly and glance between you and Din. 

You feel your cheeks blush. Because of course you’re blushing. 

“Alright,” Boba says, looking like he’s holding back a smile. “And, please, join us for dinner tonight as our guests. No business talk, unless necessary.” 

Mando reaches out to shake Boba’s hand. “Thank you,” he says, “again.” 

One of Boba’s people escorts the three of you to your quarters. It’s a small suite, two bedrooms attached with a bathroom, and a living area out front, the front door leading right into it. 

“We will call you when dinner is served,” the servant says with a smile and a little bow. “Please, do let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.” 

Mando nods appreciatively, and says thank you again, as he so often does. 

Then, the door is closed, and the three of you are left alone. 

You breathe out, feeling relief wash over you, even though you weren’t particularly uncomfortable in the first place. It’s just nice to be alone again, you suppose. 

“You okay?” Din asks as he lets the kid down onto the floor, watches as he waddles away to explore the suite. 

You nod and reach out for him, not able to stop yourself and not wanting to. One of your hands settles on his shoulder, the other on his chest. He reaches out too, placing both hands on the small of your back. “Thank you,” you say, “for not telling them all the details.” 

“They’re not my details to tell,” he answers. 

You smile at him. Then, “So…you called me your partner. Twice.” 

“You are my partner.” 

“Like…a business partner that you do jobs with? Or partner as in lover?” You can’t help the tease in your voice; it’s the best way you know to mask your nerves. 

He tightens his grip on you, pulls you in just a little closer. “Both,” he says, “I hope.” 

Warmth spreads in your chest, light and lovely. “Yeah?” 

He nods once.

You smooth your hand over his chest plate, looking down at it because his gaze is so intense, even through the helmet. “So Boba Fett is Mandalorian?” 

“Yes. His father was Mandalorian; the armour was his.” 

“He takes his helmet off,” you say, glancing up at him, feeling for any tensing of his muscles, gaging his reaction. 

He stays calm, collected. Just nods, gently squeezing your waist. “He wasn’t part of my Creed.” 

You nod. “Was he the first Mandalorian you met who wasn’t?” 

“No.” 

You gaze into his visor, stroking your hand over the cheek of his helmet. He stays still, just watching you, holding you. Even through all that beskar, his presence is the softest thing you’ve ever known. Just him being here is comforting. Beneath your hands, you don’t even feel the cool metal. You just feel him. 

Your mind drifts to why you’re here. To the guards that are all around you, the fact that this is a safe place to lay low. Anxiety still tries to creep in around the edges of your security, your brain trying to think of possible ways that this could be dangerous, that it could go wrong. 

“Do you know what we’re going to do?” You find yourself asking, voice just above a whisper. 

“Not yet,” he says. His thumb smoothes over the fabric of your T-shirt, lightly tickling your waist. “It depends how you want to play it.” 

“What do you mean?” 

He takes your hand, then, and leads you over to the small, beige sofa in the middle of the living room. You sit beside him, keeping your hand in his. “We have a few options,” he tells you, running the fingers of his spare hand over your knuckles. You let his touch calm the racing of your heart. “We can try to outrun them. Stay one step ahead, keep moving.” 

Heavily, you swallow. “We can’t run forever,” you say, rueful, wishing that you could.

He looks at you. He seems to hesitate just a little. 

“What are the other options?” You ask. “What option are you leaning towards?”

A soft sigh escapes his helmet. “We find a way to get them to stop chasing you,” he suggests. “Make it so that they have no choice but to give you your freedom.”

Your heart leaps, both from excitement at the concept and from terror, part of you immediately wanting to protest, say that it will never happen. “How?” You whisper.

“You’ve seen Fett’s presence here. He’s the daimyo of this town; he has a lot of power, and many allies. If we have him on our side, your family would know that he will send his people after them if they ever come for you again.”

Something cold strikes in you, then, as a thought you hadn’t previously considered forces its way into your mind. Your hand in his tenses, every muscle in you seizing like they’re getting you ready to run. 

Din notices. “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing, I just…Fett is…exactly the kind of person my family would have on their payroll,” you say, staring at him with wide eyes. 

“Hey, it’s alright,” he reaches up his hand, brushes it down your cheek. “It’s okay. You don’t have to worry. It’s not like that with him.” 

You swallow your nerves, the tears stinging in your throat. “Are you sure?” 

“I trust him,” Din says. Then, after a pause, “But if you don’t feel comfortable here, we can leave. You’re in control of this.”

For a long moment, you just stare at him. Your mind is racing, considering all the options. “You trust him?” 

“With my life.” 

You find yourself nodding. Din doesn’t trust people easily. “If you trust him,” you say, “then I do, too.” 

Din nods, appreciative, and squeezes your hand. He just looks at you for a long moment, gazing at you through his visor like he just can’t get enough of the sight of you. “We don’t have to decide anything now,” he assures you softly. “I’m just thinking of ideas.” 

Tears are stinging the backs of your eyes. It feels like your mind hasn’t had chance to just stop for days. There are so many ways this could go, and you’re constantly aware of the fact that not only are you in danger, but so is Grogu. Kriff, so is Din. This whole thing is a fucking mess. And you can’t help but feel like it’s your fault. Like it would have been the better option for him to just let you go. 

“Hey,” Din’s soft voice breaks through the chaos in your mind. “Look at me?” 

You hadn’t even realised you’d looked away. 

“This is not your fault,” he says, cupping your cheek in his gloved hand, “and you are not alone. I promised you my protection, and I meant it. And that was before…” his fingertips gently push through your hairline. 

Your lips twitch into a smile. “Before we became partners?” You ask, going for teasing, but just coming out at downright sappy.

“Yes,” he says simply, not seeming to mind the very clear emotion in your tone. “So I mean it even more now. When I tell you I’ll keep you safe.” 

Looking up at him, forcing yourself not to look away despite the guilt in your chest, you nod. 

“I can see you’re overthinking,” he says. “Stop it.” 

You chuckle sadly. “I wish it was that simple.” 

He rests his forehead against yours. You hold on to his wrist, letting your eyes fall closed. “After dinner, once the kid’s asleep,” Mando says, and his voice has dropped lower than usual, “you want me to help you relax?” 

Your teeth sink into your bottom lip. Anticipation strikes through your stomach, between your legs. You nod, grab his cowl in your fist. “Please,” you whisper. 

There’s a knock at the door. 

“Dinner will be in thirty minutes,” a polite voice calls through. 

“Thank you,” Din responds, loud enough for them to hear. He waits for the footsteps to retreat down the hall, then turns to you again. You imagine that he’s smiling. Anticipation in his eyes, whatever that may look like.

notes: y'aallllll your comments and interactions on this fic mean SO much to me, i can't even express. thank you for being here for the ride & enjoying it so much! i hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much! take care of yourself, ilysm ❤️❤️

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[universe-of-peoples]

SPOILERS FOR THE LAST OLYMPIAN

I want to talk about Silena Beauregard.

Silena Beauregard. The girl who loved Beckendorf. The daughter of Aphrodite who revolutionized her cabin (before Drew took it backwards). And the girl who, yes, was the spy.

I’ve seen some people get very negative towards her because of her role as the spy (including my favorite podcaster :/) and while yes, she did a very bad thing, I think the level of judgment towards her and the judgment of her moral character is over-the-top and a little un-empathetic. So I wanted to do a little character study on her and her time as Luke’s spy.

First of all, I will preface this by mentioning that she was a teenager. A literal child. Her brain was still developing and she probably would have made different choices if all of this had happened when she was even just a few years older.

It’s implied that before Luke left CHB, the two of them were close friends. Now if your close friend, who you previously cared about, trusted, and thought of as a rational person, suddenly up and disappears, you’re going to be worried about them. Even if you’ve heard that they did a bad thing. You’re not going to immediately jump to thinking they’re a terrible, irredeemable person. You’re going to wonder what their side of the story is, where their mind is at, and, if you truly believe they have done something wrong, you’re going to want to see if you can bring them back to the light. As someone who’s been hurt by people who I previously knew well and trusted, I know it’s really hard mentally to pivot your brain immediately from “person who I know and trust and am very close with” to “person who hurt me and others and isn’t who I thought they were at all”. Like, your brain just doesn’t emotionally process that immediately even though you know it logically. It takes time.

So she knows that he tried to kill Percy and fled camp. But Luke… that’s her friend. She knows him. There’s a certain amount of emotional denial that someone you know, trust, and care about would do something so horrible. He must be going through something, he must need help to get out of this situation. She’s not just going to give up on her friend. She’s going to want to help him come back to the good side.

So somehow she gets in contact with him. He explains his side of the story, and while she’s not on board with him trying to kill Percy, she sympathizes with his issues with the gods. He’s her friend. She doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him. I hc that the contact bracelet might have started just as a way for them to keep in touch; mortal cell phones are a magnet for monster activity, and while Silena may be safely in camp, she wouldn’t want to endanger Luke (no matter that he’s already working with monsters).

Time goes on, and Silena gives Luke enough information so that he doesn’t die when people at CHB may have a plan to harm him. He’s trying to coax more and more info out of her; Luke is already good at manipulating people, and Kronos is even better. If she just gives them this and that intel, then they can avoid killing the other demigods on CHB’s side if they don’t have to. She can save lives. And Luke is probably sheltering her from the worst of it, too; if she really knew all of the things he was doing, she would be out of there in a heartbeat. When Kronos takes over Luke’s body, he probably takes it a step further by threatening to hurt Luke and the other defected demigods if Silena doesn’t give him information. Maybe not even directly. Maybe he just points out that anyone trying to hurt Kronos would also hurt Luke. She wouldn’t want that, would she?

Then Beckendorf dies.

Silena feels absolutely awful. No, worse than awful. Everyone thinks she’s only upset because her boyfriend died, but it’s more than that. He died because of intel that she gave Kronos. He died because she played along all this time. She let herself get strung along as it slowly got worse and worse.

But here’s the thing. Kronos is still the master manipulator. He would tell her that, well, it was Beckendorf and Percy that blew up the ship. It’s Beckendorf’s own fault that those explosives were in place and went off when they did. That’s not Kronos’s fault! And at the same time, wouldn’t it be so messed up if the rest of the camp learned that she was the spy? She better keep quiet if he doesn’t want to expose her.

So maybe she agrees to keep quiet, to save her own skin, but she thinks that she won’t give him any more intel. This is where it gets a bit more tricky for me: trying to find a reason why she kept spying after Beckendorf’s death. We know that Kronos told Percy that there was a spy, and once the whole camp knew, everyone was ready to tear whoever it was to shreds. Kronos could point out to her that she’s become their enemy. She’s put herself in this situation, and now everyone she knows at camp is out for her blood.

I hc that Silena didn’t actually give him that much intel after Beckendorf’s death, though. Not as much as he said she did. He had eyes and ears everywhere, he could have found his intel other ways. He told Percy about the spy and sensationalized her role in order to make her look bad and turn the camp against her and, in turn, her against the camp. As an incentive to keep her quiet. He thought he could salvage his spy by blackmailing her and turning the camp against her, but her will was stronger than that. So strong in fact, that in the end she died impersonating Clarisse in order to give CHB a fighting chance against Kronos.

Was she perfect? Far from it! But they were at war! And one of her closest friends was manipulating her! I think the quote “if a frog is placed into a pot of boiling water it will immediately try to jump out; but if it’s placed into a pot of cool water that’s gradually heated until boiling, it will stay put and never try to jump out” is a very good metaphor for what happened to Silena. It began with checking up with her friend to see if he’s ok and find out what’s going on, and ended with her committing espionage. If she had had the foresight to know what would become of Luke and her role in the war, she never would have done it. She just got cornered.

That’s not to say that she’s not at fault or not to blame. There were times when she could have come clean and stopped spying, especially at the end. I just think the idea that she’s this terrible irredeemable person, or that her actions are not understandable, is not true at all. I wanted to address it since I’ve been seeing it lately (cough cough The Newest Olympian podcast cough cough).

[thatonegenshinsimp]

Hello hello! I just read “Diluc with a Snezhnayan reader” and my I LOVE IT!! THE WRITING IS GORGEOUS HBHNFDNKKMNFDVJ-

Ehm-…So I was thinking about what if the reader was a Fatui harbinger? And one of the strongest (any rank will be fine) but honestly doesn’t care about their role/rank, only want to roam around freely but have enough strength to protect them and the ones they love.

It’s just a thought lol,

Have a good rest of your day/evening/night! Bye bye!

Anon, this idea is wonderful and thank you, I’m glad you liked that one since it’s one of the ones I had the most fun writing! Short headcanons and a small oneshot because I didn’t really know what to write for this but I do hope they do this lovely idea justice! Sorry it’s so short and this is a bit ooc but I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Cursing

Diluc wouldn’t suspect you at first tbh because he trusts you too much.

However, when the Fatui started avoiding him a little too well, he knew something was up, but he didn’t know where or who they were getting info about how to avoid him.

Well, he didn’t until he found you in full uniform ordering the recruits around.

He was pissed to say the least.

it takes a lot of convincing to get him to not try to kill you on the spot.

“So this is why I’ve been having more trouble getting rid of you lowly vermin as of late.”

The moment you turn around, you know already what’s about to happen.

“Is this why you decided to confess to me? Is it because you wanted to use me for information on what I knew?” It took a tremendous amount of self control on your part not to ditch the facade you had up in front of your subordinates. This wasn’t how you were going to tell him. You were going to tell him when he was calm and rational enough to understand that you weren’t going to rat him out to the Fatui.

“Ah, so the Dawn Knight finally shows his true colors. Good evening, Master Diluc.” you said, as you motioned for the soldiers present to leave. “All of you, leave us, I shall take care of this.” you ordered, watching as everyone left the two of you alone. The silence between you was intense, but you were the first to step forward to get closer to him. However, Diluc took a step backwards, looking at you as he reached for his claymore. 

“What else have you lied to me about? Did you lie when you told me that you cared about me? That you loved me and promised never to abandon me? Did you ever even remotely mean it when you said that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with me?” He asked, backing up until his back hit a tree. “Diluc...” you started, but he refused to let you get a word in. “Tell me!” he yelled, but you knew it wasn’t just anger that filled his gaze. You were used to seeing fear, no matter how much rage people tried to mask it with. As the Eighth Harbinger, you were used to seeing the expression on your subordinates’ faces. However, you hated seeing it on him. You finally got close enough to him to where you were able to reach out and gently lower his hand. He had tears beading in the corners of his eyes, but he refused to let them fall, not for you, or him, or anyone. “Will you let me speak now, or am I going to have to tie you to this tree and force you to listen to me?” you asked, reaching out with your other hand and gently cupping his face. “Speak about what? About your lies and deceit? About how you took my feelings for you and crushed them? I trusted you, I let you see so many things I’d never let anyone else see, and you return that with betrayal. Why should I listen to you?” he asked, smacking your hand away from his face. “Because I never told anyone anything about you. Hell, the rest of the Fatui don’t even know that I’m dating you because I know they’d do something to you. I knew you wouldn’t be pleased to know that I’m a Harbinger, but it was the only way to escape that damned cold hell I had to call my home for the past two decades because there was no other way out. Diluc, I would never betray the trust you’ve placed in me. I care about you far too much to do that to you. I even promised you that I would never reveal your identity to the Fatui or the Knights of Favonius. I even helped you think of a counter strategy against the Fatui just so that you wouldn’t get killed in that domain when you attacked them. I’ve hated my job as a Harbinger for so long, and all I’ve ever wished for was a chance to tell you that I was one of them, because I trust you.” You explained, reaching up yet again and gently wiping his tears away. “I’m so sick and tired of losing people I care about. First, my mother, then my father, then my brother. I can’t lose you, too, (Y/N), I just can’t take it.” He whispered, letting his tears fall as you held him there. “I know, and I’m not going anywhere, Diluc, I promise. I never break promises, you know that.” you reassured him. “You better mean that, I’m sick of the lies.” he muttered, hating how you managed to soothe him so easily. You were the one thing that made him feel weak and vulnerable, and he hated and loved it at the same time. He hated that you were with the Fatui, but he loved how you treated him, and how you treated those around you. You had been with him for far too long to leave him now, and he was going to hold you to the promise you made him last month. “You promised that you’d eventually leave your line of work to stay with me. Will you stay true to that?” he asked, watching as you nodded softly. “The whole reason I joined was to keep promises to those I loved and to be strong and rich enough to do so. I’m not going to break that promise, Diluc, I swear on my life that I’m not.” you replied, craning your neck and gently pressing your lips against his. “But you have to be patient with me, I will need time to convince the Tsaritsa to let me leave the Fatui.” you explained, watching as he nodded. “I trust you now, but you better be telling me the truth. No more secrets between the two of us, I mean it.” he said, his gaze trained on you. “No more secrets.” you promised, gently taking his hands into yours and sighing softly, giving them a gentle squeeze before you let them fall back to his sides. “Then we shall part ways here for now, I suspect that your soldiers are wondering what’s going on with you.” he advised, causing you to nod. “Until next time, Diluc.” you said, causing him to nod softly. “Until next time, (Y/N).” he replied, turning on his heel and walking off. You smiled for a few more moments until he disappeared into the forest to get back to the Dawn Winery. You then frowned and looked behind you. “I would hope that that was enough to convince you to not kill him, Regrator, because I will terminate you if I have to in order to keep him alive.” you said, looking back at the raven haired man behind you. “Hm, a shame, I expected you to be much weaker than this. However, I shall honor our agreement of confidentiality and not tell a soul. Now then, may I ask what your plans are to convince Her Majesty to let you leave our organization for good?” Pantalone inquired. “Absolutely not, that would be telling you more than you ought to know, but I have a few ideas, and I’m open to suggestions.” you replied, chatting with him as the two of you walked back to your camp that had been set up on Dragonspine.

[leclerced]

carhop au angst though… they been fooling around sunday and monday but tuesday comes and it’s time for the boys to leave (y/n begged and pleaded with everyone to take her shifts and they obliged) and reader is sad because the fun is over now she has feelings for racecar drivers who were just in town for the week and now they are leaving and what if this was just fun for them , they didn’t mean anything they are in love with eachother and she was an experiment but she realizes that’s not the case when she catches lando comforting oscar crying over his suitcase while he was supposed to be packing , and when oscar approaches her and asks her if she wants to walk to the gate with them… by the end of them leaving it’s been established it wasn’t just fun , they care about eachother , but what now ? she’s just a 20 something girl soon to graduate college who works in fast food and they are … well they are lando and oscar.

yes it’s still jelly :P

-🪼🪼🪼

ughshhd her waking up to them packing up and cleaning the hotel room while she sleeps in and she’s upset they’re leaving but rationalizing it as it was never leading anywhere and she knew it so she’s not allowed to feel anything about it. she pretends to be asleep while they pack, just so she can stay with them a little longer. at some point she hears sniffling and gets mad at herself for crying when she was telling herself she wouldn't, before realizing it’s not her. then she hears feet shuffling and lando asking oscar what's wrong in a hushed voice. she can't make out what oscar says but she hears lando saying, "me too…. i know… it'll be okay. we'll see her again, yeah?" and that perks her ears up because there's no way they're not talking about her, which means oscar is crying over her? she wants to say something but doesn't want to intrude on the sweet moment as lando comforts oscar.

she hears them keep packing after a few minutes and awhile later one of them is kissing her cheek, rubbing her back and whispering for her to wake up. she lets her lashes flutter and does a fake yawn and stretch as if she just woke up, curling her arms around oscar's neck to pull him closer for a real kiss. for just a moment, she forgets he's about to leave as he sinks into the bed and kisses her like his life depends on it. she offers to drive them to the airport even though they have teams they can ride with, but then she regrets it bc saying goodbye at the hotel would have been sooo much easier than dropping them off at the airport. she's waiting for one of them to mention seeing her again, she doesn't want to admit she was awake for half an hour listening to them get ready to leave.

it finally comes when she gets out of the car to hug them good bye. lando hugs her first because they both know oscar's gonna wanna linger, so lando hugs her quickly and lets oscar wrap her in a bear hug. he'd lean against her car and pull her into him and snuggle his face into her neck or the top of her head. she'd try to pull away after like a normal hug duration but he tightens his grip and is like, "not yet, 'm not ready to let you go yet." she sinks back into his arms and lando suddenly says, "would it be crazy to say we don't want to say goodbye?" and she shakes her head and oscar says, "can we see you again?" she nods into his chest, too scared to speak because she knows she'll break down, but she manages to mumble that she'd love that. they don't even ask her to walk them, oscar just takes her hand when they pull away from the hug and it's unsaid that they're staying together until they can't.

sitting in the private lounge area they have for first class or whatever and she’s cuddled up between them and they’re talking about how they feel and she says she’s scared they’re telling her all these things now, and then they’re gonna get on their flight and forget about her. they’d make it their lifes mission to make sure she never thinks they’ll forget her.

they had already swapped all contact info days before, so as soon as their plane lands they’re calling her and talking to her for as long as they can. they’d text her alll day and they’d add an extra clock widget for her time on their phone so they’d always know what time it is for her, so they could send good morning or good night texts. they’d always ask her about work and school during the day, wondering what she’s up to. they’d try and talk to her as much as possible so she’d know they’re constantly thinking about her, because they’d never want her to not hear from them for awhile and worry they’ve forgotten her.

imagine the drunk calls after races, they’d text to see if she’s awake asking her to call when she can, and then they’d just be talking over each other telling her how much they miss her. she can’t make out anything they’re saying clearly, just a jumbled mess of them trying to more dramatically pronounce that they miss her more than the other. she can’t even congratulate them or anything, as soon as she calls it’s them blabbering about how much they can’t wait to see her and trying to sway her into flying out to the next race to see them. she’s like, “i have to start getting ready for finals and i have a job, i can’t just not work.” and they’d get sad puppy dog eyes and start whining ab how they miss her and wanna see her again and how it’s unfair they don’t know when they will again.

[cookiewoli]

Moon's Whisperer - Sandrock fanfic

I'm not a writer usually, it's been like 10 years since I didn't write a story. But I wanted to try again and do a fanfic with my Sandrock's OC and Elsie.

This story is about an OC and Elsie, it takes place during the quest "Chasing Elsie", so it included spoilers. One character called Panah is included, and is a real character who will be in the game Project ME. Elsie mentioned her meeting with her during the quest.

More of that, I'm not a good writer, and English is not my first language, so sorry in advance

(I put the info references, click on the sentence it's a link)

Chasing Elsie quest

Project ME Panah in game

Project ME Panah drawing reference

Chap 1

The sun had just risen. It was the most beautiful, impressive and comforting moment of the day.

In the hollow of a cliff, the troop of monster-seekers gradually awoke and emerged from their respective tents to gather together in the square around a large campfire. Everyone came at their own pace, greeting each other in a friendly manner. It had only been one night since they had parted, but the reunion was always so pleasant.

Food rations were distributed as people arrived and settled in.

Once everyone was in their places, one of them stood up and moved to the center of the square. She quickly cleared her throat to attract the group's attention.

She was a tall woman with long brown hair flowing in the wind; her shoulders supported a yellow cape, and a mask adorned her face. She looked like something between a superhero and a McMole.

With her hands on her hips and her back straight, she seemed confident and energetic.

"Good morning, everyone! I hope you had a good night. Today, I'd like to introduce you to a new arrival!"

Whispering exchanges began without further ado. A new person joining the group? How did she get here? After a few seconds of suspense, she continued:

"I found her last night near our camp. She…

She seemed to be searching for words.

-She seemed to have run away from home. She'll tell you about it if she feels up to it, which is why we're all going to welcome her today! At least until she gets her strength back. Meet Elsie!"

The whispers died down, and a red-haired girl stepped in front of the group.

"Hey…! Nice to meet' ya. It's a bit embarrassing to be shown off like this in front of so many people, haha…. My name's Elsie! I hope to fit in with you soon!"

Her tone was cheerful and determined; she seemed in no way uncomfortable in front of so many people. The crowd exclaimed with several shouts:

"Welcome to the Monster Researchers camp!"

Some people stood up to shake hands directly with Elsie. "What a warm welcome!" She thought. Being the center of attention like this and cheered on for her arrival embarrassed her in the end. But she already felt at a new home.

"Come here, I'll show you your tent."

Elsie followed the one who had brought her here: she introduced herself as Panah. She had the makings of a leader and someone she could trust. Elsie felt safe with her, and already admired her.

On the way, they heard repeated crashing noises at regular intervals.

"Aaaah, sorry, but your tent is near the forge stand. I hope you don't mind the noise…?"

Out of politeness, Elsie wanted to reply that there was no worries, even though she knew in advance that the noise would soon annoy her.

"No worries, haha! Thank you so much Panah.

-You're welcome, that's normal! Take the liberty to go and rest, or get to know the other members of the camp. See you later!"

Panah walked off into the distance, greeting Elsie with a quick wave of the hand.

Elsie put her hands on her hips, undecided. She was so excited to have landed here that it seemed unimaginable to go and rest now. So she thought of introducing herself to the whole camp, starting with the blacksmith, who was just a few meters from her tent.

She rounded the bend that separated her from the stand, and arrived at the forge. Obviously, someone was there, working.

He was a rather imposing man. His hair was white, but with a black gradient. It was quite disheveled, and his front hair fell over his face. He had delicately braided his right side. Elsie then noticed that he had a long ponytail, tied low at the back.

After observing him from a distance, Elsie moved closer. The man was still tapping his sword, forging a sharp blade.

"Howdy!"

Elsie began playfully, waving her hand at him.

The man raised his head a few inches to look at the woman who had just disturbed him.

Elsie could then take a closer look.

His eyes were orange, with a confident, cold and intimidating look. He had a purple star-shaped tattoo on his left cheek; (it reminded Elsie of someone…)

He lowered his head to continue his work. He had completely ignored Elsie's greeting. She seemed embarrassed, so she continued:

"I'm new here! I arrived today.

-Okay."

His reply was curt and instantaneous. Elsie didn't know where to put herself.

"Er… My name's Elsie…!

-Hmm hmm."

He only nodded to let her know he'd heard.

Elsie began to wonder. Did he have trouble speaking? Like the doctor Fang in Sandrock? Did he already hate her? Was he like that with everyone? Despite this, Elsie didn't want to let the discussion end.

"You… Are you a blacksmith?"

With a heavy sigh, he put his hammer down on its base with a jerk, and stared at her.

"No no. I'm a florist."

Elsie sensed the sarcasm in his voice, and it was sincerely starting to annoy her. What's wrong with him?!

"Okay mister "the florist". What's your name?

-Are you done with your questions?"

This was too much. This insolence had become unbearable. Elsie let out a growl of frustration:

"What's wrong with you dude?! I'm trying to be nice and you talk down to me!

-Well, don't talk to me."

He picked up his hammer again and continued his work. Clearly, the discussion was over.

Elsie stomped off. Is everyone here like him?

She passed Panah on the way, already wandering about her duties as leader. She was bringing water rations to everyone. She immediately noticed her annoyance.

"Hey, Elsie! We meet again so soon, and it's already not going well?

-Why am I standing next to a dumb blacksmith?!

-Ah, I'm so sorry… Actually, there's a reason why the tent near the forge is never taken. I promise I'll get you somewhere else as soon as I can!

-I guess you know this blacksmith well?

Panah set her crates down and scratched the back of her neck in embarrassment.

-Yes… His name's Cassius. He's the least friendly guy in camp. You did wrong to introduce yourself to him in the first place.

-Why is he so mean and sarcastic?!

-Don't take it personally, he was like that with everyone at first.

-And does he plan to become friendlier over time, or should I put him on my freak list?

-Hmm…"

Panah pouted. The answer seemed obvious from the look on his face.

"It's complicated". Is that what you're going to say?

Elsie had read her mind.

-Yeah, well… Very complicated. But I know his greatest weakness…

A slight sneer appeared on Panah's face. This intrigued Elsie.

-Ooooh…? What kind of weakness? A sensitive subject? An embarrassing anecdote? A devastating secret?

-Sweets.

-Huh?"

Elsie looked disappointed, and lost. Sweets? Was that the weak spot of the camp's most imposing guy?!

"You heard me right… Sweets soften him up. And… So does alcohol, for that matter."

This last sentence had been said in a whisper. But unfortunately Elsie had heard.

"Right. There's one thing he's crazy about. It's lollipops."

Panah pulled one out of her pocket, and Elsie couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA! Is that really his weakness?! It's ridiculous and so humiliating for him!

Panah followed Elsie in her laughter.

-Honestly, it makes everyone laugh too! But I promise you he'll let his guard down if you give him one. He can't help having one in his mouth all the time. Here, give him one when he's done. I'm sure he won't be able to refuse.

-What?! Do I have to go back? But what do I tell him?

-Hmm…

Panah ponders.

-You said you wanted to learn how to fight, right?

-Exactly… I always wanted to learn, but my parents always refused…

-Very good! There's your opportunity! Ask him to forge some weapons for you to train with. If you have a good reason to talk to him, he won't turn you down."

Panah patted her on the shoulder and Elsie nodded, taking the lollipop in hand. She'd never tasted one, but it sounded delicious. Panah moved slowly closer, whispering with a wink:

"Besides, it's the last apple lollipop…! Tell him that."

They exchanged a laugh, and went their separate ways.

Cassius looked disappointed when he saw that Elsie was coming back to see him. Hadn't he made himself clear? He didn't want to see anyone, and certainly not her. He saw her as a child who wanted to make friends with everyone by coming up to him every day. That kind of person, he met a lot of them.

"I'm back!

Elsie shouted.

-Unfortunately.

At least that's an honest reaction.

-Can I… Help you with anything?

Elsie was desperate to try a rapprochement, with no sweets involved to begin with.

-Yeah, I need a favor."

Elsie's eyes widened victoriously. Had she already succeeded in befriending him? He's about to ask her for a favor!

"Yes, of course!

Elsie jumped for joy.

-See that place over there?

Cassius pointed to the cliff in the distance.

-Can you go see if I'm there? Just in case."

Disappointment. Elsie didn't know what was keeping her from sticking it to him. His insolence was unbearable!

"Haha, very funny. I've come to see you so you can forge me a weapon."

Cassius raised an eyebrow. Her? Weapons? Was she really planning to learn how to fight with a weapon?

"Sorry I don't have the tools to make children's toys.

-Hey, I'm not a child!"

Elsie hates it when people treat her like a kid. She's so much more than that! Admittedly, she lacks a little maturity, and her appearance is very childish…

"I think you're a kid. How tall are you? Like 1m20? You're tall for a 7 years old.

-I'm 1m52! Are you kidding me, I'm 18!

-It's the same. Anyway, you're not going to be able to carry much with your skinny arms.

-I've tried double daggers before, and I'm pretty good with them!

-Hmm hmm."

This is it, the moment. Time to exploit her weakness. Elsie took the lollipop out of her pocket, but kept it hidden in her hand.

"I've got something for you.

A grin appeared on Elsie's face.

-Hmm hmm.

He continued to raise and lower his arm repeatedly on the anvil.

-The last apple lollipop"

Cassius stopped tapping his anvil very briefly. Elsie had just caught his eye. Out of embarrassment that she'd noticed his interest, he continued tapping as if he'd heard nothing. But Elsie had clearly seen his reaction.

"I'll give it to you if -

-I don't want it."

She was speechless. That technique hadn't worked. Yet Panah had told her it would be a success! Maybe Cassius really does hate her, after all….

"You know what? I'm outta here. And I'm going to eat that last lollipop. Too bad for you.

-I'm not a dog you tame by feeding it. I don't like it when people in the camp do that to me. And I like it even less coming from a stranger."

The plan ended in failure. Elsie tucked the lollipop away in her pocket to eat later. She returned to her tent.

The next day, as usual, the group gathered around the fire for breakfast. Elsie noticed that Cassius was not present. What does it matter? It's better for her not to see him.

She got to know the other members, all of whom were nicer than one another. She really felt she belonged here. People saw her as she was, and not as a ranch kid who played pranks on everyone. She thought back to Sandrock; her family, her friends… She missed them all. But she swore she'd come back, once she felt ready. Ready to take responsibility for her actions, to face her mother and father, to apologize for her mistakes and behaviour. She wants to be someone else, so her parents can be proud of her.

Once breakfast was over, Panah asked Elsie to meet her in a few hours at the training area, to teach her how to fight. But she… She has no weapons! Cassius refused to forge them for her. Her first thought was to go and see him.

She didn't have time to get to the forge before she bumped into Cassius on the way. He stopped in front of her and handed her some double daggers. He had never looked more imposing than at that moment. It was the first time she'd seen him standing, and… He's a giant. He's probably at least six feet tall. His eyes stared intently at her, always with an air of disinterest. She couldn't help lowering her eyes to his torso. He was as tall as he was wide… He was so muscular that she wondered what it felt like to touch those muscles. She quickly looked up into his eyes to avoid appearing impolite.

"But… I thought you didn't want-

-I refused at the moment because I wanted you to leave me alone. And to show you that you can't buy people with gifts. But I was going to forge these daggers anyway. That's my job."

Elsie gripped the daggers. They were light, and perfectly sharp. She couldn't help but jump for joy! She stopped moving, and took yesterday's lollipop out of her pocket. To tell the truth… She was planning to give it to him today, rather than eat it.

"Here. Thank you.

-What's this doing here? I thought you-

-That I ate it? No. I just said that out of anger. And I may have left it in my pocket. Are we even?"

Cassius retrieved the lollipop and nodded his thanks. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, before leaving. Panah arrived just then:

"I see it worked?

-Yes, it did. Not the way you told me, but… It worked.

-You know, he… He spent the night on those double daggers.

Elsie opened her mouth wide, dazed.

-What? But I'd have known if he'd worked on them, my tent's right next to the forge!

-He moved the anvil and his equipment further away so the noise wouldn't wake you up. You know, he's the best blacksmith in the camp, and one of the best I've ever known. He does an excellent job, and quickly too."

Panah winked at her before leaving. Elsie couldn't help but let out a sigh followed by a laugh. She was really struggling to understand Cassius's behavior. Maybe he's not as mean and intimidating as he seems.

Next chapter <-

[trojanteapot]

Alrighty folks buckle up because I'm gonna rant

Just feel like some of you out here just don't really understand nuance? And it's like what was I expecting because it's social media nuance is dead.

Anyway so all three of you out there who follow me that aren't bots, or people that I know IRL, know that my favourite character in Infinity Train is Simon Laurent, the French incel bastard man. And yeah I know he's terrible but also I must ask the eternal question: Is he actually though??????

Hear me out. Because look I know dude is a murderer and a hypocrite and a whiny little bitch but also consider the facts:

he's a teenager

he got trapped on some nightmare train when he was only ten. TEN!

his denizen was THE CAT, who from his POV manipulated him and then abandoned him!

Now I know what some of you already saying at this point:

-"uh that doesn't justify all the murdering!!!" -"he's an egotistical jackass!" -"he's not a child he's 18! he would go to adult jail in real life!" -"he died in the narrative thus justifying my hatred!" Okay well consider this: it's pretty much canonical that Grace did exactly the same amount of murdering as Simon but y'all are so ready to embrace and forgive her because she had a change of heart?

And which one of you when you were 18 made completely rational not emotion-driven decisions based on pure facts and logic??? Which one of you are capable of doing this now????

And he didn't have a normal childhood to develop his brain in a normal way, again he boarded the Train at age ten!!!! And finally which one of you was a teenager who wasn't a little egotistical???

If Simon was egotistical then what does that make Grace, the leader of the Apex who made a throne for herself???? What does that make Amelia who rejected the Train's attempts to help her move on and instead tried to recreate her dead fiance to the point that there are just renegade failed clones of that person just running around????

Also, I feel like it's important to mention that Amelia probably did more crimes than both Grace and Simon combined but she just didn't get her face eaten by Ghoms just because she was an adult at the time and could outsmart the Train. You guys are willing to forgive her and all the stuff she did... as an ADULT, but not Simon, a teenager, because... reasons???!!!

And other stuff I feel like should be mentioned here:

I think it's important to consider why episode 4 of season 3, came right before episode 5, you know the one where he kills Tuba. Episode 4 was when we learn a ton of info about Simon. Notably that the Cat was his denizen and we all know how the Cat is!

I'm pretty sure we were supposed to draw several conclusions from that episode namely:

- Cat is a schemey little shit - he was a kid when he knew the Cat - he seems to claim she was fake and manipulating him - that seems believable from what we know of the cat - ep 5 hits, Tuba and Simon have heart to heart - Simon then kills Tuba

So why did Simon kill Tuba? IT'S BECAUSE SIMON THINKS TUBA IS MANIPULATING HIM LIKE THE CAT WAS

And my friend brought up a good point where if you think about it, the Train was using Tuba to manipulate him, and using Hazel to manipulate Grace.

The Train we've seen just runs on pure algorithms and doesn't give a shit about the passengers. The Train just sees them as a number that increases or decreases. It just calculated that if Hazel & Tuba met Grace & Simon then it would have the maximum likelihood that those denizen + passenger combos could get their numbers down the most efficiently. It of course did not account for the fact that the Cat went on vacation and then ran into Simon, thus reminding him to not trust denizens.

Simon had as much of a likelihood to do a change of heart like Grace did! But hey, spanner in the works and all that.

Some of you just like hating on him because he's a white guy and coded cishet and it really shows.

I'm sure y'all are gonna say I'm defending the patriarchy or whatever for defending cishet white guy colonizer man Simon Laurent as a queer femme POC but also fuck off with that bullshit and just look at the actual text of the narrative presented to us instead of reading bad takes on Twitter.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[2dmenenthusiast]

Last Night on Earth Pt.5

(Ethan Winters x Gn!Reader)

part 5 babeyyyy. Lemme know what y'all think!

Also quick note, I did change Ming's name to Lee because I thought the name fit her better.

Warnings/other info: description of injury, minor character death

Pt. 1 Pt. 2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9

There was a strong ringing in your ears, the voices of your fellow comrades muffled, as well as the firing of ammunition that was deadly close to you.

“Baker! Baker!!”

You shook your head to get rid of the noise, and glanced at Harding. Concern filled his eyes, and you gestured to him that you were okay.

“Baker! Harding! What’s your guy's position?!”

Lee’s voice crackled from your radio, and you ducked back into cover to respond.

“We’re pinned down. You got an opening out there?”

“I could carve a path to you, provide help.”

Harding spoke into his radio. “Negative, Lee! You’ll get yourself killed!”

“And you guys will die without my help!”

You groaned, peeking out of cover again and immediately moving back when bullets came flying your way. Fuck, you were completely screwed in this position. Harding was already injured, having taken a bullet in the shoulder, and there were way too many enemies for just the two of you to handle.

Harding put his hand on your shoulder and squeezed. “You go get Lee. I’ll radio for bravo to come help.”

You immediately shook your head. “We don’t even know if they’re alive! They haven’t made contact with us since we landed.”

“We have to do something!”

He huffed, reaching out and clasping your hand in his. He held it so tight it almost hurt, the look in his eyes intense. You knew. Everything in you denied it, but you knew.

“Neither of us are gonna make it if we’re stuck here. Go. I’ve got your back.”

With a determined nod, you gave Harding’s hand one last squeeze, and ran out of cover as soon as he started shooting. Your boots skidded against the dirt with each sharp corner you took, bullets following your path and your heart jumping into your throat. When you finally made it behind sufficient cover, you made sure to stay down the rest of your way to Lee, only ducking out when you were certain you could get a shot out unharmed.

“Lee!”

Her short, black hair whipped at her face when she turned to look at you, clearly relieved to see your face. You crouched down beside her.

“Alright, from this position, I think we can take out most of them and get Harding out of there—”

The sound of an explosion cut you off, and you glanced out of cover to see the field you were previously in engulfed in flames.

No…

“Harding—!”

Something zipped past, followed by squelching, and Lee’s body fell to the ground, her face torn up from the bullet that went through it.

Everything around you went silent. Your brain tuned out the gunfire, the shouting. The only thing you could hear was the rapid beating of your own heart, pounding in your ears. Reaching forward, your hand found Lee’s vest, subconsciously feeling for a pulse. You didn’t even see the grenade someone had thrown just beyond your cover, the stone wall exploding to pieces. Your body went rolling, and a large piece of stone slammed down on your thigh. You screamed, from the physical pain, or from losing your friends, you didn’t know. Maybe it was a combination of both. The only thing you knew was that you couldn’t move. And the last thing you saw was a member of bravo before darkness overtook your vision, all the noise fading out into nothing.

***

“Fuck, I think some of that thing’s vomit got on my clothes,” you said, grimacing as you tried to wipe it off your sleeve.

“Well don’t touch it.”

“Thank you, I was gonna eat it next.”

Ethan sighed, clearly not amused by your sarcasm. You gave him a grin and took note of the bags under his eyes. He was tired. You both were, in more ways than one. You keep telling yourself that it’s almost over, and you want to believe that. But there’s a part of you that can’t fathom it, can’t rationalize it. Maybe it’s the fact that Zoe’s trapped somewhere you don’t know that’s making you feel a little hopeless. You have no idea if Lucas plans on killing her or not. He’s so fucking unpredictable, all you can do is pray to anything and everything that he spares her.

Your gaze remains on the man next to you, and you wonder if he feels the same way you do. You know he doesn’t. He’s as determined as when he first got here. After everything you’ve both been through, there hasn’t been an ounce of doubt he’s verbalized or expressed, no talk of regret or hopelessness. You were strong, sure, but Ethan was so much stronger.

You repeated the code you found on a corpse in your head over and over again so that you didn’t forget it, saying it out loud as you entered it into the keypad. The light above it turned green, and you turned to Ethan with a thumbs up.

Finally, something somewhat favorable happened to you.

But, as soon as you went to push on the door, you were blessed (cursed) with your brother’s beautiful (grating) voice again.

“Yo, this is a test of skill. So no cheatin’. That shit you’re carrying— get rid of it.”

You pressed your lips together and raised your gun, letting out a shaky breath.

“What if I just—”

“Don’t.” Ethan pushed your arm down, giving you a disapproving look. “Let’s just do what he says.”

Letting out a dramatic groan, you stripped yourself of your weapons and gear and threw them into a storage container, Ethan doing the same.

“I literally cannot wait to murder that slimy asshole.”

Ethan sighed. “I know.”

The door squeaked open as you entered the room, and the lights immediately shut off, leaving you in pitch black darkness. The only source of light came from a singular lit candle in the hand of a clown statue, which didn’t at all give you the heebie-jeebies. You made a disgusted sound when Ethan took the candle.

“Not fond of clowns either?”

“Um, I’m not fond of anything that puts on ridiculous makeup and harasses me with a horn while trying to make me balloon animals.”

“You got another example?”

“Yeah, my first foster father.”

He scoffed and moved further into the dark space, trying to illuminate his way with the limited light the small candle provided. You tried to watch out for any traps, but, you know, it’s a little difficult when you can’t fucking see anything. Ethan stepped through the threshold of the next room, and you heard a weird sound and the candle went out.

You thought he was done for at first, only catching a bit of relief when the lights came on and you saw he was okay. Just a bit wet.

…He’s wearing a white shirt too—

Focus.

You stepped in behind him, getting sprayed as well— must be motion censored— and spotted the crudely made cake sitting on the table a few feet away

Definitely a real cake. For sure.

“Alright, whadya say we play a little game?” Lucas spoke. “All you gotta do is light the candle and put it on the cake.”

“Kiss my ass!”

“Ethan, language! You don’t wanna hurt my baby sibling’s ears, do ya?”

You rolled your eyes. “Get fucked.”

“Hey! There are children in the building— somewhere— I think. I’m not sure anymore.”

Your brother laughed, and the sound was like nails on a chalkboard. Hopefully you’ll get a few minutes of peace without hearing from him. Walking over to the “cake,” you inspected the chicken scratch written on the card haphazardly stuck in the icing.

Happy Fucking Birthday. Got a light?

Yeah, when I shove it up your ass—

“Hey, I got something over here.”

You turned to Ethan who stood by the stove, cautiously testing out the knob to see if it’d turn on. You were almost ninety-nine percent sure it’d explode the second it started clicking too long, but you were pleasantly surprised when the burner produced a small flame. Ethan quickly relit the candle.

“Alright, let’s… try to solve this thing, I guess.”

Resisting the urge to make another sarcastic and pessimistic comment, you followed his lead, keeping an eye out for anything useful. You remembered a weird combination lock in the other room, as well as a—

“Hey, there was a turning key attached to that barrel in there. Maybe we could use it to turn on the clow—”

“If you even think about bringing that demonic thing to life, I will turn you over to the first monster we meet if we make it out of here alive.”

“Okay, one: ouch. Two: we will make it out of here alive.”

You wanted to laugh. He was like one of those motivational posters you’d hang over your desk at some grueling day job. He wasn’t annoying about it either. No overly enthusiastic “You got this!” or “You can do it!” No, you think you’d end up killing him before the creatures got to him if that was the case.

Looking around, you could tell Lucas had a lot planned out for you. There were so many different pieces and parts scattered about, like some sick little puzzle he wanted you to put together that ultimately led to your death. You hated to admit it, but he was clever. Far more than you probably understood. He was also, however, a complete fucking idiot. You knew this kid back when he was getting shoved into lockers and his homework stolen. You’d like to think you knew him well enough to get around whatever riddles he wanted you to solve.

“Hey, there’s a piece of rope over here. I can try burning it, maybe?”

You shrugged, figuring it was worth a try. He held the flame up to the rope and watched it burn away slowly, giving you a satisfied grin afterwards.

“You also could’ve just untied it.”

His smile dropped. “It’s… a complicated knot, alright?”

You hummed and opened the door, eyes wideninging when almost a hundred grey balloons came into sight.

Gotta give him credit, your brother is certainly dedicated. Fuck popping all of them if that’s what he expected you to do.

Ethan tried the door off to the side and groaned when he couldn’t open it. “Dammit. Another fucking locked door.”

His frustration was slowly building to match yours, and you gently pushed him aside to get a closer look at the lock. It was a simple letter combination lock, probably not that hard to break. Too bad you didn’t have a couple bobby pins with you. Spending all that time in neglectful foster homes gave you some good practice on getting in and out of locked rooms.

The letters currently spelled out “HAPPY”, and if you knew anything about Lucas, which you’d like to think you did, he probably made the combination something moronic and insulting. His typical fashion.

Flicking through the different letters, you were happy to discover that not every letter of the alphabet was on each dial, making cracking it a little bit easier.

“You’re gonna solve it? What if it’s trapped or something?” Ethan asked.

“Then we die in a horrible, fiery explosion.”

You could practically hear him roll his eyes.

“Fine. How do you know you’re gonna figure it out then?”

You huffed through your nose, slowly turning each dial until you found the letter you wanted. “Well, my brother may be an evil genius sometimes—”

L

“But he’s also incredibly predictable.”

O

“And while he loves to make everything overly complicated, he lets his immature brain get the better of him.”

S

“He carved it into my fuckin’ bedroom door when we were younger.”

E

“How are you so sure?” Ethan asked.

You turned your head to look at him, lips turning up into a small grin. “I’m not. So this better make me look cool.”

R

LOSER

The lock clicked open, and you stood to your full height and faced the man behind you, your expression most definitely smug. You were glad to say he looked genuinely impressed, brows raised into his hairline as he looked at the solved combination.

“Not bad.” He walked past you, brushing against your arm. “Although, I would’ve still thought you were cool, even if you got it wrong.”

“Mm. I don’t think my ego would allow me to believe that.”

  Spotting a water valve handle on top of a couple crates, you eagerly snatched it up, glad that you and Ethan didn’t get seriously injured going through the entire rigamarole of Lucas’s game. He would definitely be disappointed. The thought made you laugh.

Ethan stayed on the other side of the threshold while you went under it, getting sprayed with ice cold water again. Because of course it had to be freezing. You stuck the valve in the pipe and gave it a few good turns, metal rubbing against metal and squeaking loudly. You turned it until you finally met resistance, and signaled Ethan to come through. Taking a cautious step forward, he waited for the water to come and let out a sigh of relief when it didn’t.

Great, one step closer to getting out of here.

The lights suddenly shut off, and a version of Happy Birthday started playing. Ethan hesitantly placed the candle on the cake, and you immediately had a bad feeling.

“Hey, what’s that ticking sound—?”

The explosion knocked you both off your feet, and you frantically reached out to try and touch Ethan, making sure he was all right.

“Motherfucker!” Lucas raged. “You’re supposed to die!”

A bundle of TNT attached to a timer fell through the ceiling, and you and Ethan both looked at each other with the same expression.

Shit, shit, shit!

You practically fell over when you raced to pick it up, pointing towards the loose board in the wall.

“There! Pull that out and I can get rid of this thing!”

He quickly did as you said, fingers gripping the board and pulling and as hard as he could. You looked down at the timer.

Fifteen seconds.

“Today, Ethan!”

“It’s almost there!”

Ten

Nine

Eight

The wood creaked and groaned as it finally came off the wall, Ethan shouting for you to throw it. You shoved the bomb through the small space and immediately backed up, gripping the man’s arm and pulling him with you.

“Oh, shi—”

You stepped in front of him and pushed him down to the floor, shielding him with your body as the wall exploded into bits. His arms came up and wrapped around your head, pulling your face down into his neck. Some debris slammed into your back, but nothing pierced you, thank god. You could hear the crackling of flames burning up the wood, and you wondered if it was even remotely safe behind you.

“Are you alright?”

You lifted your head, Ethan’s hands falling down to your waist. You had one arm resting underneath his skull so he didn’t slam it into the ground when you shoved him down, and the other pushed against the floor next to his head so you could lift yourself up a bit.

“Yeah, I’m okay. What about you? Did I hurt you at all?”

Ethan shook his head, thumbs unknowingly rubbing over your sides. “N-No. No, I’m fine. Thank you…”

A quiet laugh escaped you. “Come on, you think I’d let you die after all this? You’re just startin’ to grow on me, Winters.”

His face split into a grin, and you’d be lying if the sight didn’t make your heart speed up a bit. However, the moment was cut short when the speaker came to life again, and Lucas’s heavy breathing came through.

“That was s’posed to be for you, god damn it!”

Ethan pointed behind you. “Hey, look.”

You craned your head back and quickly noticed the once hidden doorway in the wall, hurrying off of Ethan and helping him get back up on his feet. You did your best to try to not breathe in too much of the smoke, holding your breath as you both hurried through the fire. There was a secret room a few feet beyond, desks with monitors piled on them and a single chair. No doubt Lucas’s base of operations. You could imagine him sitting there with a bowl of popcorn, laughing until his stomach hurt whilst he tortured you and Ethan.

The sick bastard.

The image on the screen in front of you made you stop in your tracks, and you rushed forward, hands slamming on top of the desk and your face a little too close to the monitor.

Zoe. She’s okay!

“Zoe! Oh thank god. Are you both okay?”

Both of them sat with their hands tied to the wall. The picture was heavily pixelated, so you couldn’t make out the state of either of them, but from what you could tell, Mia didn’t look too great. Her head was slumped forward, like she was passed out or dead. You hoped for the former.

“We’re alright.” God she sounded exhausted. “We’re just beyond the pier outside that room. Hurry!”

“We’re coming, Zo! We’re gonna get you both out of there.”

You couldn’t hear what your sister said next when the picture began to distort, their image being replaced by your brother’s.

“Well now, hello to you both!”

Ethan came up behind you, hunching over you to look at the screen. “The fuck do you want?!”

“You… Dead.” Lucas laughed, and your jaw clenched so hard your teeth began to grind together. “Guess that’s not in the cards. Not yet.”

“Yeah, lucky us. Look, unless you have any more surprises up your sleeve, I suggest you—”

Lucas scoffed and shook his head. “Now that would be tellin’, Ethan. And I don’t do spoilers.”

“I’ll give you one then. Because the next thing that’s gonna happen is I’m gonna bash your fucking face in—!”

He cut off the feed, and you slammed your fists into the table.

“Dammit!”

Ethan’s hands were on your shoulders in the next moment, turning you around to face him. “Hey, we can’t worry about him right now, okay? Your sister and Mia are the priority.”

He was right. You were starting to hate that. But you had been getting so caught up in your anger and revenge plotting it practically made you blind. You’d never forget about Zoe. Even if it meant letting that asshole escape to save her. It didn’t stop the sting from letting him go, though.

You nodded, and Ethan let go of you to look in the open suitcase next to the monitors. His hand carefully reached out, pulling out the D-Series head you both had been practically killing yourselves over.

The serum. We really can make it.

“Come on, let’s go get them.” 

The idea of creating the cure was almost unfathomable to you, even more so now that the reality of that idea was just within arms reach. You never fully believed you’d be able to make it out. After three years of nothing but pain and dashed hopes, you start preparing for the worst. Your inevitable, painful end being one of them. But now, with the arm and head in your possession, you could feel your heart racing in anxious anticipation.

You’d get out. All of you.

“What are you gonna do when we get out of here?” you asked.

Ethan glanced back at you, a bit surprised by your question. ���I don’t know. Go back home with Mia, try to start over.”

“Where’s home for you?”

“Los Angeles.”

Fuck, that’s far away.

Your heart sank a bit. You’d both get out, get cured, and then… he’d leave.

Of course, you never expected him to stay. Leaving is the one thing you knew he’d do. With Mia. He’d take her, and be out of your life forever after this. The thought made you… sad.

Your own emotions surprised you a small amount, and you slightly shook your head a bit.

“What about you?” Ethan asked. “What are you planning on doing after all this?”

You paused. You’d never given it much thought. After spending so long trapped here, you never thought there would be anything after. You never planned far ahead when you didn’t expect to leave. Truth is, you didn’t know what you’d do. And that terrified you.

“I… I don’t know, honestly.” You sighed, arms falling limp at your sides. “I can’t stay in Louisiana. There’s— There’s too much pain here. I don’t know if I have enough good memories of this place to outweigh the bad. So I guess I’ll just… leave.”

Stepping up to you, Ethan reached out and brushed his hand over your arm.

“Well, I’m sure there’s plenty of places out in California you could settle into.”

You couldn’t stop the quiet gasp from leaving you, eyes searching Ethan’s face like it held the answer to all your questions. Like if you looked away, he’d fade into ash like your mother, and it would all just be a sick dream.

“I don’t know. Big state, big cities… Not somethin’ I’m used to.”

Ethan smiled. “I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”

You couldn’t stop your bottom lip from trembling, eyes burning with the promise of fresh tears. Your name was softly muttered along Ethan’s lips, and you threw your arms around his neck, gripping tightly at his shirt. He didn’t hesitate to wrap you in his arms, warmth encompassing you as his hands splayed over your back. His touch sent lightning coursing through you, overwhelmed with his touch and his scent and him completely surrounding you.

He was here. With you.

“I mean, you don’t have to cry about it. You could just say no—”

Your fist gently connected with his gut, pulling back to look at his growing smile.

“Jerk.”

He chuckled, and as quickly as the moment began, it had to end. There was still a clear objective ahead, the window getting smaller and smaller with each passing moment. And while you would’ve gladly stood around in Ethan’s arms all day, good things must come to an end. Some sooner than you’d prefer.

The wood along the pier was damp and rotten, the algae growing along it providing a real challenge for you to not to lose your balance.

Hey, your first walk along the pier with a handsome guy. And some lights and some music and you could make a real romantic night out of it.

The monster jumping out of the water and landing in front of you quickly soured your imagination.

Ethan pumped a single round into it, its head violently exploding into smaller pieces, and its body wriggled around violently before falling limp. You think you hate these versions of Evie’s monsters the most.

No. Wait. Fat vomiting guy definitely took first place.

Your heart was in your throat by the time you made it across the pier and to the boat house, racing up the rickety stairs and slamming the door open so hard you heard it splinter.

“Zoe!”

Her eyes were tired as she lazily raised her head to look at you. SHe could barely muster a small smile. You raced over to her and pulled out your knife to cut the rope binding her wrists, putting your hands on her shoulders when she started to fall forward.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. Do you have the ingredients?”

You looked back at Ethan who was untying Mia, settling her practically limp body against the wall before he handed you the head and the arm. Passing them to Zoe, relief filled her expression as she gazed at the mummified parts in her hands.

“We’re so close.”

She looked up at you, lips splitting into a smile as you let out a laugh of disbelief. You could fucking cry right then and there if the adrenaline wasn’t currently shooting through your veins. She quickly got to work on the serum, and you turned to watch Ethan comfort his wife.

“How is she doing?”

He brushed her hair away from her face, her pale skin covered in sweat. She barely looked alive.

“I think she’ll be okay.”

Mia shook her head, gripping at the front of Ethan’s shirt. “He’s coming. Daddy’s coming.”

Ethan grabbed her hand and stood, watching your sister mix the serum. “So after we make the cure, what’s next?”

“There’s a boat outside. We’ll take it through the swamp.”

She turned around, a syringe in each hand. She gave you a knowing look.

There’s only enough for two.

Ethan came forward and took them out of her hands, and Zoe’s lip curled up in a snarl.

“Hey! One of those is mine.”

You didn’t have the luxury or time to argue when the building suddenly shook, your feet stumbling for solid ground. You and Ethan looked behind you. Large, glowing, orange eyes stared back at you through the wall, the wood falling away like paper, and a giant hand reached out and lifted Ethan in the air.

“Daddy, no!”

“Kids! Get your asses back to the house! I’ll deal with you later!”

His body was launched across the room, and you looked on with horror at what monster your father had become. He was disgusting, a black lump of infected mold with multiple eyes and limbs. He was like some mutated monster that escaped from a science lab. The anger that you held for Mia surged through you again. You didn’t know the truth, you probably couldn’t fathom it. But from what you were sure of, you couldn’t help but blame her for everything that’s happened.

You looked back at her, her body frozen in fear as she watched her husband get thrown around like a rag doll. You felt a similar feeling settle deep inside you. Because this thing, yeah, it was fucking terrifying. But, you gripped your gun tight in your hand and rushed to Ethan’s aid, ducking under your father’s long, mutated arm.

“You turned my children against me!”

Shielding Ethan, you fired multiple rounds into one of your father’s infected eyes, watching it split open with puss seeping out of it. He was back on his feet in no time, placing a hand on your shoulder.

“You better not die on me now, Ethan! Not when we’ve made it this far!”

He gripped your arm and pulled you out of the way of an oncoming swing, Jack’s limb smashing into the wall.

“As if you’d let me!”

Your head turned to Zoe, who looked on with disbelief. “Get you both to the dock!”

She nodded frantically and grabbed Mia’s hand, pulling her out the door. At least they were somewhat out of harm's way.

You could barely keep track of how many eyes your father had, finding one before he would shift out of the way and you’d lose it again. Something gave you pause, though, when he began to sob, body swishing around in the murky water.

“Marguerite!” he cried.

Your jaw clenched, eyes steeled whilst your hands tightened around your gun and you aimed.

“I’m sorry, daddy.”

He thrashed and cried out as another eye exploded, and the already unstable ground shook with each slam of Jack’s hands against the wood. The floorboards splintered, and the next thing you knew, you were falling. Your body hit the water, the cold sending a shock through you, and you didn’t have a moment to catch a breather when Jack’s tail(?) came swooping around and slammed into your side, knocking you down again. You gasped for breath, coughing up water, and scrambled to your feet.

“My own child… trying to kill me!”

Your eyes burned with the fresh promise of tears, emptying your gun into the large eye in front of you. Fear surged through you and lodged in your throat, practically certain that this was the end for you. You wished there was another choice. God, you would give your life a million and one times just to see your family alive and happy. And the crippling reality that you couldn’t fix this practically killed you.

There was a desperate cry of your name, Ethan reaching down the ladder for your hand, and you quickly jumped up to grab it. He dragged you up the ladder with a grunt, your body jostling into his. With a muttered thanks, you hurriedly jammed a full mag into your gun.

“Are you okay?”

You didn’t get to answer when a slimy hand came crashing down between you.

“Ask me later!”

Barely dodging another attack, you rolled under one of your father’s swinging limbs and steadied yourself on one knee before firing at another exposed eye.

“Try flanking him!”

Ethan took your direction and rushed to the other side of him, hoping to catch some of his weak points. What you didn’t expect though, was acidic vomit to come spraying out of your father’s mouth right in your direction. You barely missed it in time, crying out as pain shot through your arm. The skin was red and raw, the acid bubbling over the wound. Ethan shot you a concerned look, but you couldn’t stop. Jack was going to kill him, and you couldn’t let that happen. Not when you’ve made it this far.

“How many you countin?!”

His eyes frantically searched Jack’s mutated body.

“Uh— five?!”

“Fuckin’ mutated freak,” you muttered, aiming for another eye. It exploded with a disgusting pop.

“That’s four!”

It was almost like a game. An incredibly gross, fucked up game that almost certainly ended in death. And wasn’t remotely fun. But you’ll take what you can get. You tried to ignore the pain you felt everywhere, especially in your arm, as you and Ethan frantically raced around Jack, trying to dodge every oncoming swing. You cursed loudly when you officially ran out of ammo, the telltale sign of your gun clicking letting you know it was empty.

“This is gettin’ old, Jack!” Ethan yelled.

Your father roared, swiping at him. “I’m gonna kill you!”

You pulled your knife from your belt and whistled loudly, catching your father’s attention.

“Over my dead body!”

Throwing your knife, it sunk deep into the large eye on Jack’s face, and he screamed and thrashed before falling from the second floor and collapsing into the water. Chest heaving, you took deep breaths and rushed to Ethan’s side, taking his face in your hands. He looked just as worried as you felt, and you searched him for any serious injuries.

“Shit, your arm.”

He grabbed your arm just beneath your elbow, examining the burn that extended over the length of your bicep. It definitely needed some form of medical attention.

“I’m okay. Shit.” You sighed, head falling against his shoulder.

It felt like your heart was racing a million miles a minute, so caught up in your worry for Ethan that your own pain barely even registered anymore. Fuck, it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours, and second to losing your sister, you think losing Ethan was one of the most terrifying things that could ever happen to you.

“You keep fucking scaring me like that.”

He scoffed, an arm resting across your shoulders. “I’ll make sure to be more careful next time.”

“Hey.” You pulled away from Ethan, looking at your sister who stood in the open doorway of the room. “Boat’s this way.”

You nodded, taking your sister’s hand so she could help you up the large step. 

“Have I told you you’re my favorite sibling?”

She scoffed. “Don’t think there ain’t much competition.”

You laughed, and god it felt so good to see her again. To know that she was okay and safe. Well, almost. You were so close you could practically taste it. The beginning of your new life. You could barely believe it.

The ground shook, and when you thought Ethan was right behind you, he was being picked up by your father who was very much still alive.

Fuck.

You were ready to jump back into hell when Zoe grabbed your shoulder, firmly stopping you.

“Use the serum on him!”

Your eyes widened. Was she serious?!

“You want me to cure him?!” Ethan asked incredulously.

Zoe shook her head. “He’s too far gone. I think it’ll kill him!”

Ethan fumbled in his pocket for one of the syringes and jammed it into Jack’s eye. He immediately began screaming and thrashing and let Ethan go, his body slowly calcifying just like your mother had. He made one last attempt to reach the man before fully solidifying, his hand suspended in mid air. It was then that he slowly began to crumble, and watching it happen the second time did not make it hurt any less. He was still your father. Somewhere in there. But Zoe was right. He was too far gone.

You quickly took Ethan’s hand and helped him up to the dock, more than relieved that he was alright. But—

“I had to use one of them. There’s only one left.”

Mia stared out at the water and shook her head, turning towards her husband. “What? There can’t just be one left.”

“What are we gonna do?” Zoe asked, fear evident in her voice.

Your heart absolutely ached for your sister. It ached for Ethan, and it surprisingly ached for Mia. You knew she never intended for this to happen to your family. She was just as much of a victim as all of you. And Ethan came out all this way to save her…

He looked at you, brows furrowed. You could read his expression like the back of your hand. He was conflicted. You were too.

He softly muttered your name, and with a sigh, you grabbed the syringe from his hand and stuck it in Mia’s arm. Zoe recoiled with a gasp.

“What— Why?!”

You could practically hear the betrayal in her voice, and it hurt more than anything you’ve experienced tonight.

“They need to get out, Zo. They…” Your eyes locked with Ethan’s. You couldn’t decipher what he was thinking, you just knew he looked upset. “They can send help.”

“There won’t be anyone to help!”

She stormed off, and you refrained from shouting out after her. If she was right, she’d probably die hating you. That was something you couldn’t stand to think about. As Mia stepped into the boat, Ethan appeared in front of you and shook his head.

“Why would you do that? This whole time, you and your sister have been searching for the cure and you just… Why?”

Your lips pressed together in a sad smile, hand landing on his arm before sliding down to grab his wrist. “Would you?” you whispered.

His eyes slightly widened, but he didn’t say anything. Didn’t even attempt to. You could feel Mia’s eyes on you, so you let him go and sniffled. Any effort to hold back your tears was futile.

“So,” you pressed your finger against his chest, voice shaking, “don’t you forget about me, okay?”

Before Ethan could answer, you stepped away from him and walked down the dock, feeling his gaze on you every step of the way.

You’ve experienced heartache in many forms. You’ve lost friends, family, spent countless nights in foster care wondering why families never wanted you. This unsurprisingly ranked right up there with them, and you wanted nothing more than to run back to Ethan and have him take you with. 

It felt unfair in a way. Your family was the unintented target of unfortunate circumstances, this curse laid upon your doorstep that you had no choice but to live with. For three damned years. And then you looked for the cure. You dealt with the horrors of Evie’s monsters. You had to kill your parents! And yet she got to leave.

You shook your head, reminding yourself that this was the choice you made, and it was one you’d make again given the chance. 

You finally caught up to Zoe back at the house, watching her stomp towards the trailer.

“Zoe, wait.”

The door slammed behind her, and you quickly followed, letting out a huff. She paced the length of the tailor, hands on her hips as a million different emotions cycled on her face. The only consistent one being pissed. 

“Just listen to me—”

“How could you do that?!”

You paused, hands wringing together. “Zoe—”

“After everything we’ve done, all that we’ve been through, you gave it to her!”

“She’s been trapped just as long as we have. Hell, maybe even longer! And she’s his wife, Zo! He came all this way for her, fought through hell to get her back, and you expect me to deny her freedom?!”

Zoe collapsed on the bed, head in her hands. You sighed and settled down beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She immediately leaned into your side.

“Ethan will get help. I know it.”

She sniffled, shaking her head. “How can you be so sure?”

You rubbed her shoulder with a small smile. “He’s a good guy. He won’t leave us behind.”

Standing from the bed, you grabbed a beer from the fridge and passed it to her. After the night you’ve had, you both needed it.

“So, how much do you think we’ve missed?”

You sighed with a shrug, sitting back down on the bed and  thumbing at the peeling label on your bottle. “Well, we definitely missed elections by about a year. And that show you like so much probably has a new season. Though, I think we’ve lived enough of a zombie nightmare, you don’t have to watch a show about it.”

“I mainly watch it for that one girl. The one with the sword?”

You chuckled. “She is pretty badass.”

She rolled her bottle between her hands, and you sighed. You know your decision hurt her. Definitely more than it hurt you to make. The last thing you ever wanted to do was make her feel like you betrayed her. Since this whole thing started, you swore on your life you’d protect her. Were you breaking that promise by not giving her the serum? Possibly. You hoped not.

“Am I still your favorite?”

She laughed, and the sound physically made your shoulders relax.

“Don’t think there’s much competition.”

You smiled, resting your head against her shoulder.

“No, there’s not.”

She chuckled again, and you followed with your own laughter. This was the best you’ve felt all night, despite the fact that neither of you were cured, and you were still stuck on your family's property. But, you were together, and for once, you were positive about the future ahead of you.

Zoe’s laughter was cut off with a sudden gasp, and you lifted your head to look at her.

“What? What’s wrong?”

Her beer fell to the floor with a loud ‘clang!’, and she froze in her spot.

“No! Evie!”

Your eyes widened, and you grabbed Zoe’s shoulders. “Hey! You gotta snap out of it! She’s not here, Zo. Don’t listen to her!”

“I-I’ll be good! I promise…”

You watched with horror as white crystals traveled up her body and completely froze her, her hair and skin turning ghost white. You shook your head and carefully laid her back on the bed, jaw tightly clenching as anger coursed through you.

God dammit!

Breathing heavily through your nose, you ripped open the weapon’s crate and restocked on ammo, as well as strapping a new knife to your belt considering you lost your old one trying to kill your father. You then barely took the time to bandage your burn, your injuries not even mattering to you compared to the safety of Ethan, Mia, and your sister. But, if it kept you from possibly losing your arm, you’d take somewhat care of yourself.

“When I find that little bitch…”

With one last glance to Zoe, you stormed out of the trailer and made your way down to the bayou. If Evie got Zoe, then that meant she got Ethan and Mia. You’ve lost enough people to this fucking brat. You wouldn’t let her take any more.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not doing the dishes when I was asked to?

Pretty low stakes. (submitted 04/29)

I (23X) am in between jobs and currently live with my parents and brother.

Yesterday, my dad cooked a dish that left a lot of dirty pans, which piled up on top of other utensils and tupperwares which were already in the sink.

We finished eating at around 9.30pm and I settled at my computer to game on my own. Around 10pm, my father asked me "Will you do the dishes?" and I said yes. I usually do, and I knew I would do these too.

I kept playing, because it was sunday evening and I could very well do them in the morning. Also, my parents watched a movie in the living room, which the kitchen is fused to, so doing the dishes immediately would make noise.

Around midnight, when their movie ended, my father berated me that I "still hadn't done the dishes" and that I'd "wake up at 1pm and leave them to do everything" and that "no one listens to him in this house".

I don't think I'm an asshole, because one, I did plan on doing them, and this morning I did in fact leave my room to do them (Contrary to his belief, I don't wake up in the middle of the day. I wake up early and read in my room where it's quiet).

Second, if there was a task I needed them to do and they were in the middle of their movie, I wouldn't have expected them to pause the movie to do it or gotten angry when they didn't. They had their plan for the evening and so did I.

Third, he asked if I would do the dishes, not asked if I could do them right this instant. I did plan to do them, but if he wanted immediate action he should have asked so. My father has always been strict on communication (when he asks a question, he wants the exact answer to the question, no additional info or context or pleasantries beyond the absolute necessary) and it rubbed off on me so if I'm asked or told something I tend to take it pretty literally.

So yeah I don't think I'm an asshole but he clearly thought so.

This morning he saw me doing the dishes and acted all grateful and pleasant as if he hadn't berated me yesterday and it annoyed me so I didn't bother to answer. It's not rational but in my mind if you yell at me to do something you don't get to act all nice and thankful afterwards.

So, AITA for not doing the dishes immediately?

[molluskmirage]

The situation with the qsmp admins is not a safe cozy one. You’re allowed to be shocked, feel betrayed, and express frustration and disappointment but if that is aimed at the ones who suffered you are actively perpetuating harm.

The little info we have is enough! It is enough harm. And with something of this nature it is only the tip of the iceberg.

-Twitter admins were not paid and fired without a word.

-Lea and Pomme were expelled without word and payment. (What payment there was was pity change)

-Og Ramon was fired without word and replaced without any knowledge to audience and even worse CC’s

-EGG ACTORS WERE NOT PAID

the reason I emphasize this is that these were not unknown people, we could see, know, and love there work as an audience. If the audience isn’t showing concern for them what hope does nameless faceless people behind the scenes even hope to have for there plights and stories of abuse.

this isnt a popularity contest IF YOU DO WORK YOU DESERVE PAY. End of.

-young adults and minors were taken advantage of for there inexperience

-the mistreatment became so unbearable pushing Lea to speak up, that is a horrendous position to be in against something that is popular something that you love because it was that love that carried her through such treatment and that was known and abused!

-Artea (Ramon’s 2nd admin) has said and has been backed up by many other admins that they have a statement to make that they know wont go over well in the community, and it sucks they have to feel this way. Just because it has not been shared yet does not mean it hasn’t happened or to blindly hope for the best. Hurt has happened here. Given everything that we already know of the situation its not gonna be pretty and I want them to be able to have the space and opportunity to feel safe to share.

-Admins were not allowed to discuss with each other OR there was uneven care amongst the team. This has been enormously concerning to me, this is a tip of the iceberg. if a spouse is cutting you off and isolating you from friends and family it is the red flag of abuse and is just the same in the work place with this type of treatment. This ‘boss’ knew what they were doing and did so maliciously. (Even if ‘only one’ admin had been given this treatment it would be enough. but it hasn’t been just one and we still and may never come to know the scale of how many were hurt by this)

These are facts of harm were barely scratching the surface of, and its already enough. If you are being treated this way in your own life, if you have not entered the work sphere yet and do not know your rights, this is them, you deserve to be treated with respect and paid for your work. It does not matter if someone doesn’t like you, you make a bad comment, you’re bad at your job, its your dream job and you’re lucky to be there, you still need to be handled with respect and given your earnings for work done. The world can judge you for your actions but you are still owed basic human rights. People love to jump to superlatives to the worst case scenarios but that is so so very rarely ever the issue. Far more common is that people do the work ‘good work’ even and are taken advantage of and demeaned for small or subjective offenses to ‘rationalize’ their mistreatment.

There are admins in different positions to others. That uneven treatment is also by design. It confuses and muddies the water so it becomes in-fighting instead of focusing on the source of the issue. While it obviously sucks to have had nothing but poor treatment since the beginning it is also terrible to be in a position where you’re happy loving life thinking things are great and then to be slapped in the face that people you work alongside with have been treated poorly. Do you believe them? Do you feel shame that you were cozy while they suffered? Its an awful position to be in as well.

This also plays into the fact that some either dont know better or have been treated worse elsewhere so its ‘better’ then that. Ricardõ is a disabled player as a person in that position myself I could greatly sympathize why they might not feel inclined to leave even as their friends depart, because even in terrible circumstances it’s probably a better option then leaving. Being lonely, in pain, poor and vulnerable sucks, it sucks so much. I started playing mc just to interact with others because I cant see anyone and I break down crying so often because someone says my name, acknowledges my existence. I am in pain every day and can see no one but the one chance I can to exist in a world that I cant irl in mc is the highlight of my week, month or year. Ricardõ has an element of health that I do not but even if they are more able then I it is something I consider a lot when breaking down why they might make the choices they do.

I could be completely off base for them and only projecting my own problems here but even through projection there are still things incredibly unacceptable about this entire situation.

I never ever condone attacking others for what has happened but things have happened and they need fixing. You can have accidents and hurt people without meaning too but that doesn’t mean you dont treat the wound because you didn’t intend for it to happen, it happened, so spreading comfort and care to those hurt needs to be the priority and focus. There is no more waiting to see if more has happened, enough has already happened and if we give care to those that have come forward we’ll create a space for those that havent to share and address those issues once surfaced.

Hurt people may not say the right thing, may not be someone you morally agree with, they may not be someone you like and they may act out in ways you think is unjust THEY STILL DESERVE CARE, proper treatment, and space.

If you believe I cannot feel empathy for those that are the perpetrators, wether intended or not, then you are wrong (however of course welcome to your beliefs) I can afford grace to all. life is murky and confusing I understand that. There are many complexities that I simply wont have access to, no one is unforgivable but that also means a show of forgiveness is necessary before moving past it. You cant move past something that hasnt been moved. Also rhetoric that surrounds culture and attaching an individuals actions to their entire culture of people is never ok to either do or weapoinze against others in an attempt to invalidate them. People may unconsciously do so and it is not right but it is also not right to equate or read into others accusing them of such without significant trial. That is perpetuating what you are trying to defend against. If you are boiling down individuals that have a relationship with one another and there personal frustrations they may find against one another to just the culture they are from that is contributing to the us versus them mentality that reduces a person to a number and not a human. Culture can and will factor in to decisions and views, its a fabric of life that if you pull apart the seams becomes a tangled web. Culture is a part but so are relationships, relationships are their own quilt and those involved weaving their threads together, regardless if they have different strings or fabric are telling a story together and have an ability to communicate and critique in a way that others outside the process should be reserved on wether their criticism is needed. Be reserved in judgment about wether its that they’re trashing on the fabric itself or that they simply wanted it to be placed in a specific design which is a fine and healthy discussion for the two quilting to express. They may clash in perspectives and thats fine but that shouldn’t make someone their entire culture. Wether you’re trying to attack or defend, They are an individual. I can understand past hurt and projection you may feel about a situation as I have done with my disability but people should be able to be considered on a base by base here if speaking of individuals scrutinize more individually and if we’re speaking of masses give extra affordance of consideration in particular on cultures that are not your own, every culture is made up of individuals and they do not all agree with each other nor represent everyone as a whole.

Thank you so much Lea. Thank you so much egg admins. Thank you so much Twitter admins. Thank you so much builders, writers, coders, artists, assistants, actors. Thank you so much unnamed and uncredited individuals. You all did amazing work that was a true joy to watch. Thank you❤️

your work is worth thanks, love, and support. Wether you share or dont you are worthy of so much compassion❤️

[transandersrights]

I have an adorable prompt for you today! Anders and Ser Pounce-a-Lot and the quote “Thanks. For a while I felt human again.”

Can be real short or however long you like. Feels like something cozy/fluffy

(I take prompts! See info here)

I don't think I've ever written Pounce before so this was a fun new thing!! It's not SUPER fluffy but they're both gonna be totally fine I promise. So here: ~600 words of Anders & Pounce for @dadrunkwriting :)

Anders didn’t know how long he’d been walking. You’d think, with his particular history, that he’d have some kind of skill in judging the passage of time without the sun to match it. Turns out he wasn’t.

Really, he was surprised he was still alive. Normally when you fell off a bit of the Deep Roads, that was it. The end. No chance of emerging again, because you were probably off any of your maps and definitely getting closer to where Darkspawn would be there, ready to pounce.

Maybe his squad had already given up. It would be reasonable, if they hadn’t managed to work out where exactly he fell to or how to get down safely. He’d moved on, they would have had to move on, and now they were separate.

He was running out of water; soon, he’d start running out of food, and then he’d be done for. Still…

Pounce, trotting steadily ahead of him, meowed and came to a stop. Not from danger — Anders couldn’t sense a damn thing, and he’d definitely be able to if Darkspawn were approaching. He just… didn’t want to walk anymore?

“You wanna stop, buddy?”

Pounce meowed again.

“Alright. We can stop for a bit.” Five minutes wouldn’t make a difference to whether he made it out before he ran out of water. Ditching Pounce when he got it into his head he needed to stop would, obviously, but that was a cruelty he wouldn’t entertain.

“What’s up?”

Pounce meowed again, determinedly rubbing his body against Anders’ legs.

“Oh, alright.” Anders shifted his pack around and let himself drop to the floor, his tired legs thanking him and protesting at the change in position immediately. Just as instantly, Pounce lived up to his name and made Anders’ lap his prey, curling into a near-perfect circle the moment he settled down. “You’re so demanding.”

A quieter meow this time. Pounce was probably tired at this point — maybe he’d stopped to sleep.

“I can put you in my pack, you know,” Anders said. There was plenty of space for that now, with his rations dwindling. He liked to think he was getting closer to the surface — the road had certainly been moving what felt like upwards — but who knew? Pounce almost certainly didn’t.

This time, a meow of protest, followed by Pounce nestling even deeper.

“You want attention, do you?” His response, of course, was less a noise and more a vibration as Pounce communicated his approval. “You know, I think you’re smarter and better at understanding people than any smelly mabari. You’re a good boy, Pounce.”

As he spoke, he moved to card his fingers through Pounce’s fur. He was a little grimy, having long since accepted the impossibility of safely grooming himself when coated with the persistent grease and Maker-knows-what of the Deep Roads. Even with the slightly wrong feeling, it was good. He felt a bit better.

Pounce really was the only thing that made this all bearable, sometimes. Anders hated the Deep Roads, but Pounce didn’t seem to care. He thrived everywhere — a particularly admirable trait Anders wished he could live up to even a little.

Pounce’s next insistent meow interrupted his thoughts, and Anders laughed. “Yes, alright.” This time, he moved to scritch Pounce behind the ears. He let out a little mrrp sound, leaning in. “Thanks. For a while there, I felt human again.”

The tunnels of the Deep Roads stretched out ahead and behind, the darkness ever-encroaching. But here, in their private little corner, there was a small (and distinctly fluffy) light.

[echantedtoon]

Waning Obsession Ch12 Where We Go

(Warnings: mentions of killing, etc.

Important Info here on our most of the rest of the chapters might be mostly in Kokushibo's pov. Also this chapter will also be a bit shorter than the others.)

The rain showered down from above. The droplets hitting the trees. Seeping into the cracks in their bark and dripping from the leaves down to meet the wet ground. Usually rain was very peaceful. Sometimes even scary. But for now it was very cold.

Both literally in temperature and in sorrow.

He rarely if ever paid attention to the coldness of late autumn around him. He was far used to the sting of cold and the numbness of ice against his skin. His body had been hardened by years of brutal training to ensure that he never let it cross his mind as nothing but a passing thought and nothing more. Hands have gone numb in the cold. Calloused by hardened souls and minds. 

'Forget. You must forget what pain feels to you. Forget about what makes you feel pain. Do not let cold freeze you. Do not dare let fire burn you. Tired is not but a state of mind. Push on. You must block out what makes you weak. Do you wish to fail?'

A chestnut tree did not provide the best of shelters. The rain drip dropping from it's curling bars branches and running along golden brown leaves already about to fall. A single bead of water shined in the dim light and tumbled down down down from the rough bark. It's travel ended the moment it hit softened strands of mahogany hair. Running down the long strands going going going to the very ends. It's journey coming to a close as fabric swallowed it whole again. It's cold not getting to the one underneath the soft fabric. 

'Block out emotions. You must make yourself invulnerable to any feelings. Emotions make you weak, Michikatsu. Fear causes hesitation. Anger irrational minds. Curiosity stupidity. Happiness creates distractions. Love..Love Is a liability. Liabilities are weaknesses. Weaknesses are FAILURES! You must learn nothing but rational thoughts. Use your mind to make decisions instead of emotions. Use everything you are taught to make the right choices. Only then will you truly be invincible.'

Movements shifted underneath. Warm. It was warm. And safe. Eyes opened to peer in numbed bliss. Her warmth was like a dagger being stabbed into his chest and twisting until the outside was pierced through to the inner most deep depths and injected with warmth he never knew existed. It was..

A D D I C T I N G

'Do as you're told. Become the ultimate weapon. This is your fate. Your destiny. The entire reason you were placed here.'

"..Fuck your destiny."

A hand caressed her head against his chest. Her breaths soft but consistent. Curled against him now satisfied that shadowed monster inside him. Content whenever he got what he wanted. Finally. He had what he needed. All right in his grasp. Everything is completed. He sighed heavily gripping her close. His lips grazed the top of her head, placing a small but warm kiss to her head.

HIS. This was his. 

His life. His reason. His purpose. His love. His future wife. The woman who will be by his side. The one who will give him children. Y/n Tsugikuni. Haruhime was a name unworthy for her, but that was ok. It would be remedied soon enough. He loved her.

'Do you even know what love is?! You've never even experienced love! Your father treats you as nothing but the best option! He only values your strength and nothing more! Your mother barely knows her own son! And can your own twin really say he cares about you when you weren't even raised together?? Even your own people fear you! So how can you know what love is?!'

The eyes closed pressing further into her warmth. "No. Stop it."

'How do you even know that she loves you?! You destroyed her entire life in a matter of seconds because you were selfish and greedy! Even if she stays with you it's not out of love! It's only because she has no where else to go because you ruined everything just as you always do!'

"Your heart is beating irregular."

He froze. There was movement under his form and something pressed on his chest. So soft. Heart hammering away from where the palm pressed onto the skin. So warm. Her essence was intoxicating. Her touch scorching but burnt in a good way. He sighed in content. The thoughts were becoming too much. 

"Let go."

"...What?"

"Let me go."

"It's cold. Your body needs warmth-"

"Michikatsu, let me go."

He flinched as her lips spoke his name. It wasn't so much her voice as it was her tone that had him flinch but the tone it was spoken with. It was demanding and blunt. Not suitable for a woman her size but it was one that demanded attention. One that convinced him to reluctantly release his hold and allow her to lean up and away from his hold. Her face rang all the emotions that he dreaded to see in her.

Deep hidden anger. Regret. Guilt maybe?? But mostly exhaustion and sadness. 

A small wind had her shivering and pulling that sorry excuse for a coat tighter around her. He hated that old garb she had to wear just to keep warm. He'd gladly hold her and shield her from the elements but if he attempted to do that again now that she was awake, she'd only become angry at  him again. 

Turquoise eyes looked up at the dripping sky. "... It's raining. It sounds so.. peaceful." Her eyes did not again look back at him. "How long have we been traveling?"

"Five days." 

"Where are you taking me?"

"There is a small campsite where my father is currently residing in. It's not proper for a woman, but I can arrange better accommodations for you from there."

Now she did look at him. Wide eyed in fear and shock. "Lord Tsugikuni?! You never said anything about having to meet him!"

"I must. By now he must be very angry with me." No doubt his father would be VERY angry indeed but he'd bare the anger for the long term results after.

"I don't want to go anywhere near the Tsugikunis."

"You can bare to be around me."

"That was before you revealed yourself as Michikatsu Tsugikuni." Her eyes narrowed. If they were knives. He'd be dead. "You lied to me. You've lied to me the entire time I've known you!"

"I've never lied!...I keep my true identity a secret for safety. Would it have made you see me differently if I had told you who I was?" She did not answer and that was the deadliest blow of all. "I see..My name usually comes in the form of hatred. Why must you hate my clan name so?"

"Your family is ruthless in ruling, and cruel in nature."

"My father's rule yes, but his actions are not my own." Please don't compare him to his father. Please do not hate him. Please don't leave him! She CANT leave him!! "You did not seem to believe me to be like him before."

"Perhaps I could have believed that you were not the same before you took the lives of two men in the same night you shared my home and my bedside."

This again. He never regretted his actions but he was regretting the hastiness of his actions. "I do not regret that night with you. In fact my time with you only solidified my fondness in having you."

Her frown deepened. "Do you regret your other actions then? Taking those mens' lives."

His answer was simple, blunt, quick. "No. I don't. If given the chance I'd do it over the chance." A single knuckle pressed to her cheek taking her by surprised. "If they had not threatened you then they would have survived."

..Her head turned and she leaned away. "You did not have to kill them."

"..One made you clean his home like a pig and cut your hand. The other threatened to harm you and could have killed you if that knife had been stabbed into your cheek." If that disgusting pig had stabbed forward instead of swiping right with that knife, then she could've died and been taken from him! "If I hadn't what else would they do to you?" The hand lowered. "Everything I do is for survival Whether it be survival for myself or someone else." He slowly stood up and she almost forgot about how tall and imposing he was. "Come. We should be there within a few hours shortly."

"And if I refuse to go?" Her pout was as adorable as it was annoying. Lips purses in a way that he wanted to taste their sweetness on him again. "Then what will you do."

"I'll carry you."

"You wouldn't dare. What if I don't want you anymore?"

She should not have challenged him. It took no effort to lift her up by the back of her kimono and toss her up bridal style within his arms. Her squeals and shocked face afterwards while settled in his arms.

"I'm afraid that is no longer an option. If our union did not already seal us then fate has."

You somehow managed to convince Koku-.. Michikatsu to put you down on your own feet, but somehow that didn't make things better. At some point he dropped the haori coat over your shoulders as the rain picked up like that was supposed to make it better. Five days. You both had been traveling on foot for five days at most counting today. Most of it had been spent in a numb blurry state. You'd lost how many hours you've walked and how many you actually slept. But you haven't been treated badly by him. Many times you were given water collected from a stream, and you hadn't gone hungry. Michikatsu as it turns out was quite the skilled hunter and was able to skewer a quail flying through the air with ease just by throwing his sword in the air and standing still in the water long and silent enough to snatch fish out of the water with his bare hands cooking everything his hands caught over a homemade fire. You got the impression that he does this a lot. Was that why he always took so well to your food?

The charm of the stoic but shy demon you liked was shattered along with your life all in one night. And you were a numb unsure mess just wondering aimlessly after him for now- You blinked out of whatever stupor you were in when he suddenly stopped and you ended up bumping into his back. Blinking you stared at his bare back before looking up to his head. He didn't say anything but stood still. For second there was nothing but the rain still dripping down from the sky with the occasional thunder clap, it had picked up a little bit while you both walked. Then he spoke.

"You have to listen to what I'm about to say very carefully." The blunt and deep tone in which he spoke sent a shiver down your spine. "There is a camp just past these trees. You are to stay by my side and not leave it. Do not speak to anyone. Do not look at anyone. And do not acknowledge they're there. The only reason you're here is because I have business and then we're leaving. Don't speak to my father unless he directly acknowledges you first which is unlikely. Am I clear?"

You gulped. "I-..Y-Yes."

"Good. ..I promise you once this is over we will discuss your situation more properly. For now do as your told."