#i am so scared of the mess i am going to become once i cross that stage
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svtskneecaps · 2 years ago
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i always know i’m getting stressed when my comfort fic becomes “time travel fix-it” adjacent. like honestly when i put that tag back in the ao3 include filters that should have been a red flag.
#i also know i'm getting stressed because i'm starting to do quirky shit#like naming one of my wip documents 'the inside of my head sounds like screaming'#plus i just. have the insatiable urge to DO SOMETHING but that something is none of the things i can think of to do#even the unproductive ones. even the productive ones. it's not that. i need to DO SOMETHING but my body and mind can't decide on what#i'm running out of time. i have a deadline. the deadline has always been tangible and yet somehow it never was.#i have an exact date and somehow that's still nebulous and ephemeral#i am so tired#how do i convince someone i'm hireable when sometimes i'm still trying to convince myself#like i would love to tell these people that i am a WHIZ i am a GODSEND like if i don't know how to do it point me at the documentation#like i'd love to tell them all of that but the minute i look at a job application suddenly i'm questioning everything i thought i Knew#like i'm handed a school assignment and i'm like yes. this i can do. idc. it'll be done and i'm gonna get a damn A#why is this different. like literally why would it be that different. they say 'do this thing' and then i do the fucking thing.#that's life. that's work. that's what i've been told. why am i so scared. why am i not sure i can do it.#like i CAN do it that's what we've been fucking preparing for#i have As!!! As!!!!! they emailed me about graduating with distinction!!!!#i wasn't even trying that fucking hard!!!! this is my normal tryhard!!!!!#why am i so scared a job won't want me. when they're asking for fresh faced college grads.#i'm so tired. i have a headache. i am so afraid. i just need a job. literally one.#i am so scared of the mess i am going to become once i cross that stage#i am so. terrified. i wish i could anticipate graduation like everybody else in my design project.#the future has teeth. and my only option rn is just. bite it first. but i don't think i've ever been that violent.#i'm not ready#i am so scared#not kpop#shut up vic#negativity
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flawdchaos · 8 months ago
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Opposites Do Attract
Gale ‘Buck’ Cleven x Reader
Word Count - 915
Based off of this request - Can I request a Buck x reader, where the reader is very extroverted, maybe even the opposite of Buck, but they fit so well together. They could be going out for drinks or her meeting the boys or something similar.
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Anyone who met Buck Cleven and Y/N Y/L/N at Thorpe Abbotts shared a common thought - they were an unexpected pair. It had become all too common for the newcomers to assume Y/N was with Bucky with her loud, bubbly energy and it almost seemed brash for cool, calm, collected Buck to be with Ken Lemmons loudest female mechanic but damn, did it work. They had met one morning as Y/N was going over some last minute inspections on Buck’s plane for his daily missions.
“How’s she looking, ma’am?” his voice startled her, her head hitting against the plane’s metal.
“Good lord!” she exclaimed. “Give a girl a warning before you sneak up like that.” she complained, rubbing the back of her head. She fully stepped from under the plane's wings and caught a glimpse of the man behind the voice. Her eyes widened once she noticed a Major was standing before her awaiting her response. “Major Cleven” right hand flying to her forehead to salute “Plane is all ready, sir.”
“No need to salute, ma’am. Thank you for taking such good care of her. I put her through hell.” Buck spoke as he opened the plane’s hatch to stow his bag and she couldn’t stop the scoff that left her mouth. “I think that’s an understatement, sir.”
Most of the guys probably wouldn’t have taken this kind of attitude, per se, from a mechanic - let alone a woman- but he couldn’t care less. The sight of her almost made him want to laugh. There she stood, hip jutted out and hand secured atop it, eyes squinting up at him most likely awaiting some sort of angry remark but all he could do was shuffle the toothpick around in his mouth and nod in agreement. “I’ll be waiting to fix her right back up for ya later, Major.”
The couple had been sealed since. When Buck finally caved and spilled the beans about a woman to Bucky, he thought John was going to have a medical emergency right there in the mess hall.
“You have a woman and you just now think to bring it up?” Bucky said, astonished. “I didn’t want you to scare her away.” Buck quipped. If he only knew.
“Well.” Bucky clapped his hand on his friend's shoulder. “When am I gonna meet this mysterious young lady?” he urged, squeezing his hands down before an idea crossed his mind “Bring her to the pub tomorrow!”
______
If Buck could have taken a picture of the looks on the boys’ faces when he walked in with Y/N on his arm, he would have framed it and taken it with him on every flight he ventured out on. “Well I’ll be damned, Buck.” Bucky uttered, for once in his life he was almost speechless. Almost.
“I’d suggest you pick your jaw up off the floor, Major. I’d sure hate for you to swallow a bug.” She teased and the entire table erupted in laughter. Buck couldn’t help the small smile that broke out on his own face, a sense of pride soaring through his body. Bucky took a long swig of his drink before retorting. “Seems you’ve got yourself a jokester, Buck.” He nodded. “She’s a little more than that.”
“Wait, ain’t you the girl who works with Lemmons?” Blakely spoke, realization washing over the faces of a few of the men. “Yeah! You’re the girl who fixed my landing gear the other day.” Brady sat up, pointing at the girl standing firm besides Buck.
“You’re welcome by the way.” she waved her hand towards him. “Actually, everyone is welcome. You can thank me for getting you up in the air in the first place. Now I’m getting a drink. Keep the gossip to a minimum while I’m gone, now.” She turned, patting Buck on the chest. “You want something, baby?” looking up at her doe eyed boyfriend. “Just a Coke for me, honey.” She jokingly saluted, walking off towards the bar.
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Buck had full confidence Y/N would fit in with his crew of men. Whether most of them had realized it before or not, she was the sole reason they were able to make it off the ground in the first place. He couldn’t help but say it almost made his heart swell with pride watching her interact with his friends. “Should I sing?” Bucky’s voice broke through his train of thought, hands tapping against his arm chair. There wasn’t time for him to protest before Y/N jumped up from her place on his lap. “Let’s go, Bucky!” Y/N’s laughed.
He couldn’t explain the feeling that was coursing through his body but as he watched his best friend - more so a brother at this point - and his newfound love sharing a laugh together over the less than perfect singing, he only grew more confident in his relationship. Many would describe Buck Cleven as a many of very little words but if anyone asked about Y/N, his Y/N, he didn’t think there were enough words in the dictionary to explain just how he felt.
Once the song stopped and the singing duo had left the stage, Buck watched as Y/N headed to the bar and Bucky made his way back to him.
“Buck, I gotta say -“ pausing to take a drink of his whisky. “You’ve found yourself a keeper. You two couldn’t be any more opposite but man, does it work.”
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period-of-nocturne · 26 days ago
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I've been thinking a lot about how Niigo would react to Mizuki's secret. Ever since I knew how worried Mizuki was about it.
Kanade Yoisaki doesn't have a mean bone in her. If she grew one, it would be do heavy that her body would break to it's weight. Girl isn't made to handle strong negative feelings. Kanade exist with the will to save and protect and love people. Even confused, she'll try her best to understand.
Mafuyu "I break down when I'm called good girl" Asahina. Mafuyu "I keep my hair long but doesn't take care of them. It's highly likely I just keep them because mom said so." Asahina. Mafuyu "I want to be a nurse (fem job to society's eyes) but my Mom insists I become a doctor (masc job to society's eyes)" Asahina. Mafuyu "I don't know who I am or what I want" Asahina.
Mafuyu is the personifications of identity issues. It obviously overlap and cross paths with gender issues. That doesn't necessarily both came as a package deal, just that the themes treated by both issues are often very similar. The like between both themes is blurry, and it's why Trans Mafuyu is such a huge headcannon. The fandom. No matter if you HC them as transfem or transmac.
Mafuyu can only be extremely confused by the concept, because... It's Mafuyu, you know. Or instinctively understand it, because of how relatable the struggle of wanting to be yourself is to her.
Ena... I don't know. But I trust she'll understand, no matter her first reaction. She's in no way a bad person. She's Momoi Airi's friend. Momoi "You're a girl, in every sense of the word." Airi. Come on.
Airi is the second character with a strong link to gender identity in the game. I have no doubts Ena is aware of it. And Ena being Ena, I also have no doubts she stranded up against anyone tried to mess with Airi on the topic, if she ever witnessed it happens.
Shinonome Ena always stands up to defend her friends and I want to trust she'll do it once again. Roast that Student A, girl. Tell them to shut their little mouth. You can do it. I believe in you.
I haven't read Mizuki5. I don't know what's going on. Maybe I'm totally off the mark. Maybe y'all already know Niigo's reaction while I'm here speculating.
But I want to tell to Mizuki Akiyama that she can trust her friends. That it will be okay. No matter how scared she is right now. Things will work out.
Unfortunately I can't go through the screen so I can only scream it in the void, shaking my phone while asking Hatsune Miku to let me in---
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cod-dump · 1 year ago
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Its Father’s Day.
141 throws Price a big ol party
Surprise! Don't Kill Us!
Fam 141
___
Price has never celebrated Father's Day. He had no children of his own and he never had a good relationship with his own father, so the holiday was just never celebrated. But he never realized how lonely he was on this day until now. The boys had become his family and they all ran off that day to be with their families... Except Ghost, of course.
The man chose to stay and lurk around base (scaring those who were still there). Given it wasn't a big holiday like Christmas or Halloween, there wasn't anything worthwhile going on so Price gave everyone the choice to go spend the day how they see fit. He didn't expect Ghost to even know that it was Father's Day (man had a worse relationship with his own father than Price).
The day came and went and soon everyone was returning to base. Price was giving everyone day to get back into the swing of days (considering quite a few soldiers were hungover and he was in a relatively good mood). He didn't notice that he hadn't seen any of the boys come back and hadn't seen Ghost since yesterday until the sun began to set. Price wasn't worried (yet) so he just sent a text to the group chat to check and see where they were.
CPT. Price: Day's almost over. Have any of you come back to base yet? SGT. MacTavish: Yes sir! Just putting the finishing touches on something CPT. Price: On what?
He was left on read, none of the others even bothering to reply. That annoyed Price but at least told him that they were on base just goofing off somewhere. He got the feeling he wasn't going to get much out of any of the sergeants so he texted Ghost.
CPT. Price: Do you know what the sergeants are up to? LT. Riley: 😊
Price blinked at the very odd response. He has never seen Ghost reply to a message like that with an emoji. What is going on!? Any other messages he sent to Ghost were left on read, confirming that Ghost was in on whatever the sergeants were up to. That was never a good thing. Any past pranks that Ghost decided to support ended in pure chaos.
"Fucking hell..."
Price had two choices: Brace himself for whatever they were planning or go out and try to stop it before it got too far. He has no clue when they started it and he might be too late to stop it. But he could at least try.
Price checked surveillance to see if he could find any of the boys on base. He was able to spot Roach running into a meeting room with a box. Price groans, checking the location before he set out to see what they were doing. When he arrived at the room, he could hear Soap ranting about something while Gaz laughed and Ghost was making some comments. Price went to open the door when Roach opened it.
The sergeant saw Price, screamed, then slammed the door shut and locked it. Price could hear him tell the others that he was there.
"Boys! Whatever you're doing, stop it now. And open this door!"
After some hushed voices the door opens and Soap steps out. The door is cracked open with the other three troublemakers peeking out and blocking Price's view of whatever they were doing. Soap offers a charming smile as he leans on the door frame.
"Hey, Cap! How's things?"
Price glares and crosses his arms, "Came to see the 'finishing touches'."
Soap's eyes flicker to the side to look at the others (who were offering sheepish/nervous grins) before he straightens.
"Well, that particular thing is done but-"
"What are you boys doing?"
"A... thing... Don't worry about it-"
Price steps closer and glares down at Soap who squeaks.
"I am not cleaning up whatever mess this will cause."
"Won't be a mess, Cap! We swear! Just let us-"
"I'll leave it be once I determine myself it won't bring me a headache."
Soap blinks, looking back at Ghost who was shaking his head, before looking back at Price.
"Sorry, sir. No can do."
Price's eye twitches, "What?"
"You see, sir. What's going on beyond this door needs to be absolutely perfect before you can see it."
Price just stares, Soap forcing his smile to stay on his face despite his nervousness. Soap stares at the other three and Price guesses he missed the singal because Soap was back in the room in a blink of a eye and Ghost was in the hall instead. Price didn't even get to react before he was over Ghost's shoulder and the man was taking off down the hall with him.
"SIMON!"
"KEEP HIM BUSY, SI!"
Price struggles against Ghost's hold.
"Simon! Put me down this instant!"
Ghost doesn't comply and just continues to run through the base with Price over his shoulder. Price didn't want to hurt Ghost but the man wasn't responding to his yelling or him smacking his back, so he felt like he didn't have a choice but to kick things up a notch.
"FUCK!"
Price is dropped on the floor after he manages to knee Ghost in the chest. He scrambles to get up but Ghost grabs him from behind and puts him into a headlock. Price was beyond pissed by this point. Whatever the hell they were doing in that room couldn't be anything good if Ghost was going this hard to keep him out of there. Ghost wasn't trying to choke him or knock him out, he was just holding him while dragging him through the hall.
"Simon Riley! What the FUCK is going on in that room!?"
"When I get the go ahead you can go see for yourself. Until then-"
Ghost hauls Price into the air, arms around his chest as he starts to walk.
"I swear to whatever fucking god or divine force that's out there that if you don't let me go I'll-"
A bell sound makes Ghost drop Price, who smacks against the floor and lays there in a undignified position. He gets to his knees and turns to glare at Ghost who had wide eyes that screamed 'oh shit'. Price stands and Ghost holds a hand up while checking his phone, backing away from the fuming captain. After a second of looking at his phone screen, Ghost makes eye contact with Price before he takes off down the hall.
Price cusses at him while giving chase. Ghost seemed to be purposely hanging back so not to completely leave Price in the dust. For some reason that pissed off Price even more. So Price picks up it speed and when Ghost turns to look at him the man's eyes widened in surprise before he takes off even faster. Be it anyone else in Ghost's place, they might have been screaming and begging for mercy.
"SIMON RILEY!"
Ghost manages to get back into the room, the door being closed behind him. Price growls, stopping at the door. He was breathing hard as he checked to see if he locked it, and to his surprise, it wasn't. Price swings the door open, rage in his eyes.
"SIMON-"
Price freezes when he finally sees the inside of the room.
First off, there were brightly colored streamers hanging from the ceiling, a giant banner that said 'Happy Father's Day!', a table full of snacks-- And Farah and Nik? Price blinks, surprised to see them. Farah grins and walks over, Price noticing that Ghost was hiding behind Nik and the sergeants were hiding behind Ghost.
Farah hugs Price, "Happy Father's Day, old man!"
"Wh-What?"
Soap and Gaz lean out from behind Ghost, "Surprise! Please don't kill us!"
Roach peaks out from the other side of Ghost, "I wanted to give you a heads up but they stopped me!"
Nik was snickering, "I told them to tell you but they thought they could sneak this past you."
Farah tugs the stunned Price into the room. Price looks at her as she has him sit at a chair.
"Father's Day- What-"
"This is for you, John."
"Me? I'm not- I don't have kids, Nik."
A chorus of insulted gasps come immediately after he says that. Soap let's out a loud, dramatic sob as he hugs Gaz (who had the most exaggerated hurt look on his face).
"After all we've been through! You don't view us as your kids!?"
Nik laughs, "Hush, he's just learning that he adopted all of you."
"I DID!?"
Farah laughs, hugging Price's shoulders, "Yes, you did."
Ghost finally dares to leave from behind Nik, "Not officially but I don't think that really matters."
"I mean, to the government it matters," Roach said as he also stepped out from behind Nik, "But not to us! So, fuck the government and Happy Father's Day!"
Price blinks, staring at them. The rage of Ghost dragging him off gone, the initial shock of all of this, and now a new emotion was taking over. Price swallows hard, tears welling up in his eyes. He sees a bit of panic stir up in the boys but his vision is clouded by tears. He feels Farah tighten her hug on him.
"Things for being a weird, but great dad."
The dam broke and Price started to sob. Nik was on him, hugging him and pressing a kiss to his forehead. Farah and Nik pulled away and Price wasn't given a chance to miss their contact before Roach was on him. Then Soap. Then Gaz- and finally Ghost. The chair held up longer than what anyone expected but it did give away. A loud crack was heard before they all fell to the floor.
"Damn it, Si! Your fat ass broke the chair!"
"Excuse me!?"
Soap and Ghost leave the pile and start a half-hearted fight. Roach and Gaz refused to move and just clung to Price. Price let's out a laugh, holding the two close. He can see Nik smiling at him.
"How does your first official Father's Day feel, Золотце?"
Price swallows as Farah holds up a camera, "Wonderful."
___
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dujour13 · 1 year ago
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During my little holiday I wanted to get back in touch with my main muses and wrote some Act I stuff, just messing around with a different kind of pacing. I might insert it into L&C but it would take some retrofitting so just throwing it out here while I decide.
Warning - it's long, 2000 words under the cut. No one is under any obligation to read this 😂
Cross-legged on his narrow bed in the Defender’s Heart, using his flipped-over guitar as a writing desk, Siavash sat staring into the distance. The last few dozen letters he’d written to Kristov had ended up in the fireplace instead of the post, tearstained and torn up for shame. He didn’t even know how to open this one. “Dear Kristov” was too cold, “My dearest” worse, and no diplomatic training could prepare him for how to break terrible news to an ex he was supposed to be over. Tears of grief, frustration and no small measure of self-pity burned his eyes as he restarted for the third time.
He pressed his thumbs to his eyes and asked himself once again whether he really needed to write personally, knowing even as he did that there was no getting out of it. The Ambassador’s attaché had been a good friend to both of them; surely letting Kristov find out about her death without a word from him would be cruel. Yet every time he set pen to parchment he caught himself wanting to spill his whole heart.
I don’t understand why everyone’s dead and I’m not. I’m wounded and it won’t heal. Demons have besieged the city. It’s cold in Mendev and all they drink is terrible beer. I’m alone. I’m scared.
I miss you.
Maybe what he really missed was someone intimate enough to complain to. It had been two years since they separated and it wouldn’t be fair to put all this on Kristov. He needed to fight the urge to write things that would hurt or upset him, just as he had when writing to his own family about his wonderful adventures in Mendev.
For someone with no shortage of friends and even less difficulty making them, it was surprising how empty he could feel at times, especially haunted by the faces of his friends and colleagues who had died in the demon attack. What a merry band of Andorens they would all have made, leading the city defense like itinerant heroes, bonding over the bad beer and the glaring example Daeran made of the dangers of nepotism. And oh, how he would be fawned over with his strange (and still quite painful) wound.
Instead, the awful task fell to him to write letters to their friends and families bearing tidings that would destroy them. And here he was, still alive for no good reason.
Hovering, his pen let a black drop spill onto “My dearest.”
Stupid. He was over Kristov, as much as could be expected. It was just a childish need to be felt sorry for. He gave himself a wan, condescending smile. Just write the damn letter, play a sad song, cry a little and buck up. There are things to do.
Just when he had it under control, the Count walked right into his room and tossed his coat on the other bed like it was his own. “Weeping again?”
“Lamenting what’s become of the last of Mendev’s great families,” he returned with a brittle smile, shoving the parchment aside. “That bed’s occupied. You’re just helping yourself to it?”
“I am indeed moving in. Don’t take it personally; I’ve rather had my fill of sappy Desnans.” He patted his stomach and grimaced as if he’d overdone it on the sweet rolls. “In fact, what would it take to get you to push the beds together and clear out? Your former roommate went for six months’ salary. He’s sleeping on the floor in the common room for that and the dignity of the realm, so that my precious person should not suffer calumny.”
“I thought heaping calumny on your family name was your favorite pastime,” said Siavash. “Anyway no luck, Daeran. I’m wounded. I’m keeping my bed.”
The Count gave an annoyed sigh. “Fine. Well, I suppose one learns to make do in a siege. Go ahead and push the beds together, if you’re so keen.”
“You’ll have to find someone else in need of a couple months’ salary I’m afraid. You know, the more you open your mouth the more you reinforce my opinions on hereditary wealth.” Siavash grabbed his guitar and headed for the stairs in search of more agreeable company.
“Opinions we happen to share,” laughed Daeran behind him.
As he padded down to the common room in his stocking feet he was only half aware that he was seeking a certain charcoal-blue face in the crowd, someone he was sure could cheer him up.
There he was—the tiefling Woljif, chatting animatedly with Father Rathimus in the corner. Selling the priest something at a siege mark-up, no doubt. But just as Siavash headed that direction, Seelah beckoned loudly from the bar. “Hey, if it isn’t the best bard in the house.”
“And the worst,” he winked. He glanced again at the tiefling across the room, who quickly shifted his gaze away when their eyes met, but not without a spontaneous brightening of the smile he was putting to work on the priest.
“Need something to grease the wheels before you get started?” Seelah signaled the bartender.
He hesitated. Not only did he balk at the beer, he would rather trade tall tales with Woljif than play a set, although the tiefling seemed occupied anyway. Still, Seelah’s grin was hard to resist. “Sure, thanks.”
She passed him a mug. “Boy am I glad some god or other tossed a bard into the mix. Gotta keep morale up for another couple days until we can mop up the Gray Garrison.”
“I’m not sure I feel so lucky,” he chuckled, forcing down a mouthful. “Glad I can do my humble part though.”
“Ha, you mean besides brandishing an angelic sword at the head of the heroic city defense?”
“Come on, all I’ve been doing is aiming everybody else in the right direction and shouting encouragement from behind you.”
Seelah winked. “Got news for you. That’s what leaders do.”
“Hey chief, you gonna play a tune?” He hadn’t even seen the tiefling make his way over to the bar but there he was, wearing a surprisingly unguarded expression, tail flicking eagerly.
“I was thinking about it,” Siavash said, suddenly much more interested in playing than he’d been a few minutes ago. “Looks like this crowd could use some cheering up.”
“You oughtta charge,” Woljif said. The shifty, calculating look was suddenly back. “Or at least pass the hat around afterwards.”
Siavash laughed. The man was a paradox. At times undisguised innocence, like looking forward to a little music or demanding an apology from Sister Kerismei, and at other times three steps ahead of everyone devising a scheme to lighten someone’s purse. “With a captive audience that’s likely to damage my popularity,” he said. “Unless I pledge the coin to a charity reconstruction fund or something.”
The tiefling’s eyes lit up. “Hells, you’re good at this, chief. Sit tight, I’ll find you a hat.”
He settled on an empty mug instead of a hat. After the first set Siavash saw him making the rounds and decided not to say anything about it, just to see where it was headed. Thus as he sat with Seelah choking down another beer he was surprised when Woljif came back and threw a leg over the bench next to him, carefully pouring the jingling contents of the mug onto the table and sweeping the coins together with both hands, eyes glittering.
“Whaddaya say, chief? Good catch. So I was thinkin’, I’ll set aside fifty percent for the charity and cut you in ten.”
“And the other forty?” he asked out of curiosity, just to see what the tiefling would say.
“Overhead.” Woljif waved a dismissive hand.
“Where are you planning on setting aside the charity money? Under the floorboards?”
“Nah, I’ll invest it. Great opportunities with the city in this condition.” And Woljif proceeded to explain how fresh food transport was currently at a standstill except for a few more intrepid ox-drivers—by which he meant smugglers—who could be prevailed upon to make the risky journey given a sufficient injection of capital.
Siavash listened rapt. Woljif seemed to “know a guy who knew a guy” for just about anything and could turn a profit on a minimum of risk all while getting desperately needed food into the city center.
Not to mention the way the corner of his mouth curled appealingly in a conspiratorial smile, and the way his eyes shone excitedly in the lamplight as he talked. Although some might see in his yellow irises the touch of the Abyss, Siavash saw only a golden gleam of intelligence and that occasional surprising softness. Hope. An eagerness he kept forgetting to hide.
Which in turn brought out Siavash’s most reassuring manner, his gentle yet soul-penetrating smile that said What is good in you is safe with me. And what isn’t strictly good too. He watched him count out the coins, sorting them into small stacks, and wondered if he’d already pocketed a handful or two of “overhead,” but also, interestingly, whether this “investment” could actually help keep the halted economy of the city alive until the demons could be chased out.
Just one detail. “Sounds good. Except I think ten is a little low for doing all the heavy lifting.”
Woljif looked up from his stacks of coins and searched his gaze, eyes narrowing slightly.
“All right, chief. Twenty-five, that suit you?”
“That’ll do. In fact, I’ll tell you what—keep it and invest it for me.”
There was that look again: clear-eyed and hopeful. “You can count on me, chief. I’ll double it for you.”
“You’re trying to pull a profit in a city under siege?” Seelah huffed, knocking her mug on the table with a frown.
Something in Woljif’s gaze shut down. He leaned back and sighed.
“We need food, Woljif needs money,” shrugged Siavash. “Sounds like a win-win to me.”
Woljif blinked at him.
“Are you serious?” Seelah echoed the look but for a different reason.
“Yes, and I think you should invest too.”
She glanced back and forth at the two of them. “You know what? Fine. I’m gonna trust you on this one. Don’t make me regret it.” And she placed a handful of coins on the table, which Woljif quickly swept into his stack.
This time when his and Siavash’s eyes met they were both on the verge of bursting out laughing.
Siavash helped himself to a couple coppers. “Let me get you a drink, Woljif.”
“Uh—sure.” Woljif watched the coin disappear and this time he really did laugh. “Tea, lots a’ honey.”
As he headed for the bar, Woljif caught himself eyeing the chief—not for the first time—and wondering if he could actually have found the real deal, the business partner of his dreams.
Yet even if so, Desnans didn’t tend to linger in one place for long. The chief had hinted to Seelah he might stay on a bit and see through whatever mission the Andoren government had sent him on here, but he’d be off to Andoran again soon enough and that would be the end of it. Or would it? Maybe that was even better! An excuse to head south to warmer climes. His ticket out of here on a whole other level.
But of course, it was only a matter of time before the partnership went south, and not in the geographical sense. On the other hand by then maybe Woljif would be set up—a tidy investment fund and a few connections around Inner Sea ports from Augustana to Merab, some new business partners on the horizon.
Or… maybe… maybe it wouldn’t go sour. That was supposed to be possible, like in the ballads or the storybooks. Sure would be nice. He could get used to that smile, that music, the nice way the chief listened and didn’t interrupt.
Hells. Last time he thought he had himself an actual, well, business partner, reality had punched him in the mouth. Literally. Repeatedly.
He decided he’d have to keep a close eye on the chief, figure out his angle. See how the pieces fit together: the bardic charm, the angelic sword, the Desnan visions, the sensible approach to morality. And not get his hopes up.
The moment the chief turned his way with the tea Woljif realized he was staring, and whatever expression he was wearing it earned him the most dazzling smile he thought he’d ever seen in his whole life.
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tobitofunction · 2 years ago
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🐉 Part 2
Again mentions of silver hair and purple eyes but no mentions of skin colour or hair texture. Mentions of incest as game of thrones/house of the dragon inspired
Part1 Part 3 part4 part5 part6 part 7
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You watched as Dragonstone becomes smaller and smaller, the wind felt different in your hair and you felt Haku's presence slowly disappearing,” Is it your first time away from home?” Katara said,” Obvious?” you chuckled making her smile,” I felt the same when I left my tribe, I had Sokka which made things easier however,” he said crossing her arms on the railing of the boat,” How is it to travel with the Avatar and being his partner?” you asked,” Now it’s easier going as back than half of the population was trying to kill us, now only a small percentage wants to” she joked making you smile,” I only ever travelled by dragon back, this is less adventurous” you smiled,” I can imagine, I prefer this however, dragon back is a bit too adventurous for me, no offence”,” Non taken, it’s not for everyone”,” Zuko seemed to like it, which all that matters,” Katara said,” Like the Valyrian had their connection to the dragons so does Zuko, it’s just different to us. I can feel Haku's emotions and he can feel mine, he’s in pain when I am and wise versa. Us being apart is like a mother being apart from her newborn” you said looking in the direction of your home,” I know the feeling, I feel the same way about Appa” Aang said appearing next to Katara,” Appa was with me even before I mastered bending wind, he was taken away from once and I hated every minute of it. Even now I am missing him and it feels like a part is missing” Aang said with a soft smile,” Now that there is peace will try to repopulate the sky bison”,” I hope for success for you Avatar Aang” you smiled at him. A loud screech made the three of your heads snap skyward,” Carax” you mumbled,” Whose dragon is that?” Katara asked,” My Uncles,” you said watching the giant dragon fly across the sky messing with the boat which made it shake slightly,” He’s doing it on purpose right?” Katara said holding onto Aang so she doesn’t fall onto the ground,” My Uncle is a good warrior but also a child. A dangerous mix but it aided us well at times” you said steadying yourself when the boat stopped rocking side to side, as your Uncle flew Carax back home,” The fire nation left you alone though so why do you need warriors?”,” The fire nation might have stopped calming to the island but it didn’t stop them from attacking islands close to ours, my Uncle jumps at any opportunity to embarrass the fire nation”,” It’s still a Mystery why we never heard of you” Aang said,” If you were the fire nation, you keep your failures a secret mostly if the failure is concerning small islands” you smiled,” Who was the guy with the big ass dragon?” Sokka said appearing,” My Uncle, no need to worry. He flew back to Dragonstone”,” He really doesn’t like the fire nation if he’s ready to mess with a boat his niece is on” Sokka said, you didn't answer but just watched Carax return back to Dragonstone.
After the boat stopped rocking Zuko removed the lid and gently took the egg out, he hissed slightly at the heat of the egg but it was bearable to him. “Please hatch soon” he whispered,” You should be honoured, having a dragon,” Iroh said making Zuko tense slightly,” Uncle you scared me,” he said putting the egg back,” I’m sorry, the last time I saw you this excited saw Mai again,” Iroh said making Zuko sigh,” Don’t mention her please, I need to get over her. She moved on and I’m set to marry,” he said getting up from his crouched position,” Y/N is from what I see a good woman and will make a good wife,” Iroh said,” I know she will”,” I heard that you want to have the traditional Valyrian wedding”,” Y/N talked about with the Chief of the Sun Warriors it sounded like a  good experience but I also want a wedding here in the fire nation”,” It’s your wedding Zuko, you can get what you want. It’s the least I can do, I am the one who forced you into this” Zuko shook his head,” I could have said no and could have been bothered to someone worse” he smiled,” Just her Uncle scares me a little bit” Zuko admitted,” Do not worry about him, his brother will keep a tight lease on him”.
Arriving at the Fire Nation you were greeted by a large hairy beast which you assumed to be Appa due to the large arrow on his head,”APPA” Aang screamed confirming it to you,” Y/N this Appa” Aang said,” He’s cute” you said touching his soft fur,” I assumed he is bigger” you said removing your hand,” With a dragon that size I’m not surprised you find him small” Katara said,” Zuko are you joining us on Appa?” Aang asked while Toph and Sokka climbed into the saddle,” We are taking the carriage” Zuko said placing his hand on your shoulder,” Oh alone time” Sokka wiggled his brows,” My Uncle will be there you idiot” Zuko snapped, his face slightly red making Sokka and Toph giggle,” Oh I wish I could see your face, I beat it’s red as a tomato” she added,” Nice to meet you Appa” you said making the bison groan as Zuko walked you the carriage,” How’s the first impression going?” Zuko asked helping you into the carriage, his hand was nice and warm and surprisingly soft.” It’s beautiful, and it’s comforting to see it has some similarities to Dragonstone” you smiled, you noticed people staring at you and whispering to each other,” Ignore them, you just look different to others” Zuko said,”Still very beautiful, isn’t that right Zuko” Iroh said making you giggle,” Of course, that was a given” Zuko mumbled sitting beside his Uncle with you sitting in front of him”. Zuko knocked on the carriage signalling they are ready to go.
“Fire Lord Zuko, it’s good to see you back,” a woman clad in armour said, she wore heavy makeup and looked very different to the other soldiers,” Suki, this is y/n,” Zuko said as you stepped out of the carriage,” An honour to meet you, Princess” she bowed her head,” You’re wearing different armour, why is that?”,” I’m originally from the earth kingdom, and my home was where Avatar Kyoshi was born and in honour of her, my village created the Kyoshi warriors and we fought alongside Aang and Zuko against the old Fire Lord. It’s a long story, if you are interested to hear all of it, I will be honoured to tell you it”, you smiled at  Suki which she returned,” Suki, alongside Ty-Lee, will be watching over you during your stay. They are best within the Kyoshi warriors” Zuko said,” Where is Ty-Lee anyway?”,”Here, sorry I was talking to Mai and forgot about time” she said with a bowed head, you looked at Zuko he tensed for a second as the name left the girl's lips,” You must be y/n, you have such beautiful hair” she said stepping closer to you,” And you have purple eyes, how cool is that” she said her eyes widening,” Did the other arrive already?” Zuko asked making Ty-Lee step away from you,” Yes, they went to their rooms, it has been a long journey after all” Suki smiled making Zuko nod,” Let me show you around the Palace, I’m your tour guide now” Zuko smiled.
“The garden, I hope you will love it as much as I do,” Zuko said as the two of you walked into it, Suki and Ty-Lee were a bit behind you, as they didn't want to invade your guy's privacy all too much.” It’s stunning, a nice place to relax,” you said walking towards the pond,” Turtle ducks, how cute” you mused watching the small creatures swim around their mother,” When I was younger, I feed them with mother quite often” Zuko smiled pulling out a loaf of bread from his sleeves,” Want to feed them?” you nodded and Zuko broke the loaf in half and handed you one piece,” The mother duck bit me in the ankle once as I threw a loaf of bread at her youngling as I wanted to show mother how my sister Azula feed them,” he said embarrassment evident in his voice,” Karma came fast for you” you giggled making him blush,” Yeah” you watched as the small turtle ducks swam quickly towards the bread pieces you threw into the water,” I love Turtle ducks, we don’t have many, the younger dragons always ate them” you pouted,” Wild lives dangerous with you I see” you smiled at the statement,”Whose Mai? You tensed at the name”, Zuko sighed,”My ex I told you about”,” You still have feelings for her?” you asked breaking another piece of bread and throwing into the water,” I would be lying if I said no, but... it might sound stupid and way to soon to say but I like you a lot. The last couple of days were a lot of fun”,” It’s not love though and that is fine”, Zuko gave you a thankful look,” The person who you liked is your Uncle right? Just the way you interacted, the necklace-” at the mention of the necklace you uncousincesly reached for it,”- and I over heard him ask your father to marry you to him but he denied it”, you swallowed, your face heating up a bit,”Nothing happened between us” you said quickly,” Even if something did happen, I don’t care, you aren’t my property” the two of you stayed quit for a while, feeding the turtle ducks in slightly awkward silence,” I talked to my Uncle and even though I agreed to having a wedding in the tradition of your house, I also want to marry in the tradition of the fire nation” he said breaking the silence,” I would love that, it would only be fair. Not many people can attend the Valyrian wedding anyway, it would put the masters at risk” you said making Zuko nod,” I haven't even thought of that, we marry in the Valyrian tradition first, only our closest family and friends will attend and the Fire Nation will be for everyone. How does that sound?”,”I like it”, a cough made the two of you look away from each other,”I’m sorry to disturb but dinner is ready” Suki said. Zuko nodded and threw what was the rest of the bread in the water before standing up, you did the same fixing your hair slightly as well.
“So y/n, how do you find the fire nation?” Iroh asked,” The Palace is beautiful, I love the garden the most but after I have dinner I'm probably heading to bed. I’m so tired” you laughed placing some cabbage on your plate,” Well deserved. I am surprised you lasted this long” Iroh said,” Tomorrow we start the preparations for the wedding. It be held as soon as your Uncle and Cousin have there’s” Iroh said,” We have a plan anyway” Zuko said making Iroh's eyes sparkle,” Love to hear that”. After that a small conversation between everyone started laughs filled the air when the door suddenly swung open revealing a messenger.” I am sorry for the disturbance my Lord but a message for the Princess of Dragonstone has arrived” he said holding up a piece of paper. You stood up and walked towards the young man, he handed you the scroll and left with a bow.” What does it say?” Sokka asked his mouth full of food,” From how her heartbeat picked up, not something joyful” Toph said making Zuko jump up,” What is it?” he asked walking over to you,” It’s from Uncle, he said that my mother went into labour but the sages don’t have hope for survival. My mother's pregnancy was difficult, he said they will prioritise the baby's health over my mother” you said, everyone went silent, and the former happy atmosphere turned sombre,” But why?” Aang asked,” The council are hoping for a boy, an heir. Even though my father wishes for me to be his heir, the others aren't on the same page, unfortunately” you said looking down at the letter, tears began to build up,” Aang, do you think Appa can fly us back to Dragonstone?” Zuko asked turning to his friend,” That be no problem, Appa might not be fast a dragon but he’s definitely faster than a boat” Aang said, he used his air bending to jump towards you, he gave you a kind smile which warmed your heart,” Thank you”.
Even though Appa went as fast as he could, you and the rest still didn’t make it in time. Once you arrived at Dragonstone you were met by Lord Coryl’s and his son, both wore apologetic looks,” I am sorry Princess but your mother didn’t make it”,” What about my sibling” you asked as a tear rolled down your cheek,” A girl, healthy” you smile spread on your lips, it was soft but noticeable,” The funeral arrangement was put on hold until you arrived” your cousin said taking your hand in his and giving it a squeeze,” Thank you for bringing her hear” he said turning to the others, they didn't say anything but just gave supportive smiles, he still held your hand when he led you back into Palace so you could get changed. Zuko meanwhile stayed with his friend watching you disappear into Palace,” If I never have taken her to the Fire Nation-”,” Don’t blame yourself Zuko, it wouldn’t have prevented her death” Katara said,” But she could at least have said goodbye” Zuko said turning away from the water bender making her frown.
Zuko walked away from the group, he didn’t know where he was going but he just needed space, he knew Katara was right but just like him you lost your mother. But with you it was permanent, he knew that his mother was still alive or at least he believed she was. Zuko looked up from the ground and saw servants build a three-tiered bed from wooden planks,” What are you doing here?” a gruff voice said, which Zuko identified as your Uncle” I’m here to support y/n” Zuko said not turning to face the older man,” It’s a family matter, take your little group of friends and leave” Zuko furrowed his brows in anger,” Are you so jealous of me getting married to y/n that you rather see her alone than being comfort?”,” She has her family to do that” he grunted,” I will be her family soon, and I won’t leave her. She needs the support” Zuko spat,” You only know her four at least a week”,” So?” Zuko said just as you emerged from the Palace, you're wearing a mostly black outfit but red was threaded throughout. “Uncle,” you said before giving the older man a quick hug, burring your face into his chest,” Iksan vaoreznuni byka mēre (I’m sorry little one)” he said rubbing your head gently, you pulled away from him with teary eyes,”Rȳ least ziry's daor isse ōdres dombo (At least she's not in pain anymore)” you said wiping your tears and turning to Zuko, “I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something” you smiled at his words,” Just stay close,” you said making him nod. Zuko looked behind him and saw that rest stood a safe distance away probably because they didn’t want to disturb the family's grieving process. Zuko turned back when he heard you take a sharp breath, just at the moment sages carried a body wrapped in what seemed silk towards the wooden panels.  “Haku?” he heard Aang say, just then he saw the large white dragon being walking towards the funeral. He was let go by the keepers, Haku unlike before seemed sad and even in pain, “Issi waiting syt ao (They are waiting for you)” you sighed and looked around and saw the staff and the dragon keepers staring at you, meanwhile your father was staring at the corpse of his wife,” If only I was born a boy” you whispered making your Uncle sigh and look at you sadly,” Don’t say that, your father loves you and stood up for you when Lord Coryl’s talked a male heir” Zuko said making you look at him,” I’m glad you were born a girl” he grabbed your hand, you smiled softly while your Uncle didn't say anything. With Zuko’s hand in yours, you stepped forward, you gave your father a sad look and took a deep breath before looking at Haku who was only staring at you,” Dracarys” you said, your voice slightly shaky which made Haku cock his head at you,” Haku dracarys” you said a little bit firmer, you squeezed Zuko’s hand uncousinly, Haku shook his head before spitting fire at your mother body, you buried your face into Zuko’s shoulder as you didn’t want to see it happen, feeling the flames was enough for you to know what was happening. Zuko meanwhile was rubbing your back. 
After only ash and bones were left you walked towards Haku and buried your face into his scales, Haku groaned her craned his neck towards you, his head gently nudging you, his way to show you comfort. “You can stay here if you want,” Zuko said,” No, I want to go back but Haku comes with me,” you said your face still pressed against Haku, Zuko gave you a look of sympathy,” What about Ember Island?” Aang said jumping out of nowhere,” Ember Island?” you sniffled,” Zuko has a house there, it’s perfect for relaxing” Sokka pipped up,” Isn’t it getting renovated?” Katara asked with her arms crossed,” Why is it getting renovated?” Sokka asked,” As a certain fire bender destroyed parts of while chasing a certain air bender” Katara lifted a brow making Zuko and Aang cringe,” It’s grand, I'm not in the mood for beaches anyway. I just say goodbye to my family and we can head back” you said,” Iksan taking haku naejot se perzys nation, ready zirȳla syt nyke (I'm taking Haku to the fire nation, ready him for me)” you said to the dragon keeper who nodded his head. Zuko watched you disappear again,” I guess I should send a letter to Suki to prepare for the arrival of a dragon” Zuko said making his friends nod.
Before meeting your family you went to gardens, it was smaller than the one in the fire nation, it had no pond with turtle ducks but instead a large white tree with large branches which had blood red leaves, a face carved into the middle of it, at times red sap leaks from the deep cuts in the trunk made for the eyes of the face. You gently touched it with a grieving expression,” skoro syt, gōntan mazemā zirȳla hen nyke? skoros emagon nyke gaomagon? iksan doing ñuha gaomilaksir, marrying vala sepār naejot carry zȳhon riñar.  Sir iksan zūgagon naejot gaomagon bona task, iksis bona skoros ao jeldan? (why, did you take her from me? What have I done? I'm doing my duty, marrying a man just to carry his children. Now I'm scared to do that task, is that what you wanted? )”,”Ȳdra daor sagon zūgagon zaldrītsos (Don't be afraid little dragon)” your father's voice said from behind you, you turned around and faced him, his usual smile was gone, he looked empty, even lost,” The gods know what they are doing y/n and unfortunately your mother’s plan isn't here,” he said sitting down on a small bench, he patted the space beside him,” You could have the best doctors the four nations could offer but when the gods want someone they take them,” he said patting your knee” Jaelan se gods naejot tepagon zirȳla arlī (I want the gods to give her back)”,” So do I, nothing I say will make your grief easier ñuha zaldrītsos (my little dragon) but I want to say this, your mother will always stay with you” he opened his palm and revealed a small golden ring, it had the symbol of your house carved into it with the words Perzys Ānogār (fire and blood) carved in the inside of the ring, your mother ring,” Wear this and she is with you”, you carefully took the ring off him and slipped onto your ring finger, it fitted perfectly,” What about you?”, he looked at you with an adoring smile, he cupped your cheek gently,” I have you, and your sister” he said before getting up,” The Dragon keepers brought 3 eggs, you can choose which to give to your sister” he said before walking away.
Zuko walked the long hallway of the palace looking for you, Appa and Haku are both set for their journey. He found you in your room looking down at a long wooden box,” Everyone is set, so if you're ready? Zuko said making you jump,” Sorry didn’t mean to scare you,” he said bowing his head,” It’s fine,” you said turning your head slightly to face him,” I’m just choosing an egg for my sister,” you said gently gliding down your fingers across the eggs, the colours changed from a dark grey to orange and green,” Where do you get them? I only saw male dragons so far”, Zuko asked,” Meley’s, she was my mother’s, before that she was her’s,” you said gently,” So your mother claimed hers?”,” Her egg never hatched, but she proved her blood when she claimed Meley’s, a direct descendent of Raw and Shaw” you said picking up the orange egg,” I saw this one. What do you think?” you said turning to Zuko,” I’m not an expert,” he said waving his hands in dismissal,” But yeah I like the orange one, it reminds me of a flame,” he said,” Keeper nyke iderēbagon se drōmon (Keeper I choose the egg)” you said to a man which Zuko didn’t notice when he walked in, he was quite old, probably older than Iroh, but he looked strong and wise,” Iā sȳz iderennon dārilaros, kesan dīnagon ao isse se cradle hen aōha mandia (A good choice Princess, I will place you in the cradle of your sister)” he gently took the egg and placed it in a similar thing his egg was placed in,” What will happen to the others?” Zuko asked as the keeper walked away with the egg,” They be put in incubation” you said as other keepers appear and took away the box with unchosen eggs,” Let’s get going” you said,” Are you okay?” Zuko asked grabbing your arm,” For the circumstances, yes” you said,” I understand how you feel, when my mother disappeared, I felt so lonely, scared, it didn’t feel real like I was stuck in a bad dream with no way out. I didn’t stop feeling that way but it did get easier, I had my Uncle, he helped a lot”,” I’m scared that the same thing will happen to me, father said not even the best doctors can safe you when the gods have a different plan for me. I don’t want to live my life birthing children until I die, maybe the gods punished me because of these thoughts” Zuko shook his head,” They didn’t, whatever these gods have planned for you dying while giving birth isn’t one of them” you smiled sadly at him,” Okay, let’s go before I start bawling” you said making Zuko chuckle.
On your way out you were met by your Uncle,” Leaving already?” he said standing in front of you, he looked you up and down. He cocked his head slightly and smiled when he saw the necklace he has given you around your neck ” We have a wedding to plan Uncle, just like you and yours is closer than ours. So you better get behind it” you said, making the smile he wore drop” Ziry iksos daor naejot late syt ao naejot arlinnon aōha mind nūmāzma marrying zirȳla (It's not to late for you to change your mind about marrying him)” your Uncle said grabbing your arm making you stop in your tracks, as you began to walk away from him”Lo ziry iksos daor zuko pār ziry sagon aōha ābrazȳrys's lēkia, se perzys nation iksis iā gevie dīnagon, se zuko iksis iā sȳz vala ( If it’s not Zuko than it is your wife’s brother, the fire nation is beautiful place and Zuko is a good man)” you sighed, Zuko twitched slightly at the mention of his name, it sounded to different in your mother tongue,”Ao iēdrosa jorrāelagon nyke se Avy jorrāelan, kosti gūrogon īlva zaldrīzoti se jikagon naejot se pryjata hen uēpa Valyria se rhaenagon iā arlie (You still love me and I love you, we can take our dragons and go to the ruins of old Valyria and start a new)” you sighed again and looked him dead in the eye,”Skoros kessa gaomagon konīr? ziry iksos se ruin hen īlva people syt iā drīve.  Sepār gaomagon skoros ao skoriot ivestretan, kostilus.  Ȳdra daor ziry harder than ziry jorrāelagon sagon (What will do there? It's the ruin of our people for a reason. Just do what you were told, please. Don't it harder than it needs be)” you said ripping his arm from yours. You grabbed Zuko’s arm and dragged him away/
“What did he want?” Zuko asked,” He wanted me to ruin off with him to the ruins of old Valeryia, it’s been 10,000 years, it’s only liveable for animals but not us, right? Also, the geography changed. He just wanted to get in my head” Zuko nodded slowly,” You travelled the nation's did you ever see islands which looked similar to this?, Zuko stayed quiet for a while before shrugging,” Even though I managed to travel a lot, I wasn’t able to explore a lot of places. I spend it mostly hunting down Aang, as back then were enemies” he said with a slight blush,” I like that trope, enemies to friends.... to lovers” you teased making him shove you slightly,” I have sent a message to my people, they will prepare a save spot for Haku, follow Appa, I will guide Aang towards a safe spot for him” you nodded and walked over to Haku,” Are you ready to explore more of the world?” you asked him, he just huffed smoke cloud while looking at Appa,” No you can’t eat him” you said climbing onto the saddle attached to his back.” Did y/n just say not to eat Appa to Haku?” Toph said making Aang protectively cling onto Appa,” She better have said that or else”,” Or else what, Haku could eat  you for breakfast easily, need I remind you of the fire nation shipwrecks?” Sokka said making Katara nod,” Well it was good to know you Appa” Toph joked.
“Sorry for the detour,” you said after you finally landed in the fire nation, Haku laid his head down in exhaustion, not being used for long flights like that. It was hard to land here as Zuko wanted to avoid people seeing Haku, scared of how they will react. Currently, only the people he trusted the most were seeing him, Ty Lee and Suki were both amazed and scared of the large creature while Iroh looked like a child in a candy store,” He’s such a beauty” he said in aww, gently holding his hand out,” He seems to trust you” you said when Iroh was able to pet the dragon without any problems,” How old is he?” Ty Lee asked slowly getting the courage to approach the dragon,” He’s as old as I am. He hatched only a few days after I was born” you said proudly. ” A dragon how Wonderfull,” a familiar voice said which Zuko instantly recognised,” Mai” Ty Lee said happily,” I only heard of them in stories” she continued, your gaze went from Haku to the girl you heard so much but also so little about,” So your Mai? Zuko talked about you,” you said, Zuko blushed at that and so did Mai,” Your y/n than? The Dragon Princess. I heard a lot about you, not from Zuko but the Palace staff, they talked mostly about your silver hair”,” I am honoured then” you bowed your head,” He seems tired,” she said after a short second of silence,” He isn’t used to long travels,” you said scratching between his horns making him close his eyes and purr,” Dragon’s can purr? How fascinating” Iroh said,” Never saw you so excited for anything,” Zuko said,” It’s not every day that you see a dragon close up, mostly because you were taught they have died, hunted down in fact,” Mai said simply,” Suki make sure a Kyoshi warrior is always keeping guard around Haku, I don’t want any other fire nation staff to see him, mostly because I don't which ones are loyal to me,” he said making Suki nod,” What do you mean by that?” you asked,” Many people want my father back on the throne, whispers are going around saying that some generals in my own council want Ozai back. I had attempts on my lives already” your eyes widen at that,” But nothing will happen to you, I promise. Suki and Ty-Lee are the best among the Kyoshi warriors, they will watch over you”,” What about you?”,” I will survive until our wedding” you nodded,” Why until their wedding day?” Sokka whispered to Suki,” Zuko arranged separate rooms for them until their wedding day” she said making Sokka nod,” Can you bring Haku some meat? He will cook it himself”,” Of course, I will get to it immediately”,” You better as Appa isn’t as delicious as he looks” Aang said standing protectively in front of the sky bison but flinched when Haku huffed fire out of the sides of his mouth,” Haku” you said in a warning tone.
After Haku got his meal you were guided to your room by Mai, there was silence, slightly awkward but it wasn’t unbearable,” Here it is” she said,” Thank you” you opened the door revealing a large room, it was decorated simply, it had a large balcony with a stunning view of the city,” How are your rooms on Dragonstone? That’s what the place is called right?” you nodded,” It’s similar to this but slightly more gothic” you said,” I wait here until Ty-Lee and Suki arrive” you nodded crawling onto the bed,” Can I ask you a personal question?”, Mai moved her shoulders slightly before nodding slowly,” How was Zuko as a partner?”,” Good, sweet. He did sweet things for me, traditional boyfriend stuff like winning you a stuffed animal at a carnival but it’s not my style so I usually rejected those things. I regret doing that now” she began sitting down on a small stool,” But he was also quite jealous and he has low to no patience with things at times” she said,” Is that the reason you broke up?”, Mai shook her head,” He lied to me or didn’t even bother to tell me his problems” you bit your lips at that,”Do you still love him? Do you wish you were the one getting married to him?” Mai didn’t answer for a while,” Yes, I do still have some feelings for him but I don’t know if I want to get married to him, a small part of me does but the other parts aren’t 100% sure” she said,” I’m sorry for the personal question’s, I hope I didn’t offend”,” It’s fine, your lucky you asked me this now as in the past I would have thrown a knife at you for that” she joked with a dry tone,” Can I ask you something? I heard that your family participate in the forms of incest, is that true?”,” It is, it has mostly to do with blood purity, keeping the silver hair and purple eyes, but also keeping our connections to our dragons. Our ancestors tamed them using magic, we don’t use magic anymore but we fear if we marry out the family too much we might lose that connection” Mai nodded,” It is a bit weird, but I guess I can see why it’s important” soon after that Ty-Lee and Suki arrived and Mai said her goodbyes,” Your hair is so pretty” Ty-Lee said watching you getting ready for bed, the moonlight shone on the silver of your hair making it glow,” Thank you, so is yours. It looks so soft” you admitted,” Thank you” she bowed her head,” Do you think Zuko will be okay?” you asked crawling under the covers,” He’s with other Kyoshi Warriors, he be fine. And there hasn’t been any attack for nearly 2 weeks” Ty-Lee said closing the balcony door and closing the curtains,” Is Haku, going to be okay?”,” He like Zuko is being watched by my fellow Kyoshi Warrior. Nothing will happen to him” she smiled before leaving the room, joining Suki outside your door. You licked your lips, Haku was still awake, you felt it, he is probably getting used to his new environment. You closed you're and tried to sleep but it came difficult, the images of your mother wrapped in cloth corpse being burned by dragon flames haunted your memories. You felt a tear flow down your cheek, you sat up and rubbed your eyes,” Suki, Ty-Lee?”, you called out,” Yes Princess?” Suki asked slightly worried,” I want to go for a walk, I can’t sleep” the two warriors exchanged looks before nodding.
“Princess, is everything alright? Do we need to talk to Zuko?” Suki asked,” No, he can’t erase the images burned into my mind,” you said making Suki frown,” I’m sorry about your mother, I can’t imagine how horrible it must be for you,” she said grabbing your arm gently,” I want to be your friend y/n, we see each other often so I hope-”,” I will like that too, have the both of you ever ridden a dragon?”
“The view is amazing” Ty-Lee gasped clinging onto Suki who clinging on to you,” He’s a bit slow, he hasn’t carried 3 people before, he carried Zuko and me before but I guess Zuko was as heavy as the two of you combined as he acts like he’s just carrying two” you smiled,” Did you just call Zuko fat?” Suki giggled, she loved how the wind felt on her skin, how it made the hanging jewellery on her headpiece dance, the moon looked even more beautiful like this,” I kind of get the whole incest thing now, if I had a dragon I would do anything to hold onto that” Suki said,” Do you have any single-family members?” Ty-Lee asked half-jokingly,” My cousin, he can be quite a handful at times but he's a good man at heart. I say you look nice together,” you said before landing at the same spot, Ty-Lee giggled but it soon stopped when she saw Zuko standing in the middle of the yard with his arms crossed,” Why did you risk Haku being seen y/n? Did you forget what I told you about earlier? My Father still has supporters and they will kill Haku, this is not Dragonstone, you don’t have an advantage here,” he said,” And you-”,” Leave them out of this. It was my idea. I couldn’t sleep. Back on Dragonstone I always used to fly when I couldn’t sleep”,” Why couldn’t you sleep?” Zuko asked concerned,” I tried to sleep but only images of my mother's funeral came to mind,” you said making Zuko’s eyes soften,” You can stay in my room...if you want,” Zuko said gently,” Are you sure?” Zuko nodded softly and took your hand in his.
“Zuko’s room looks quite similar to yours, with the only difference being that he has a couple of images of him and his friends and Iroh hanging in his room.” You can have the bed, I will be fine sleeping on the couch” he said, you chuckled slightly making him confused,” We aren’t even married yet and you are already sleeping on the couch”. Zuko chuckled slightly, don’t get used to it, we are sharing that bed soon, he said fixing the cushions,” Why don’t we start now?” Zuko stopped what he was doing, he was considering the offer, you be married soon, so getting used to sharing a bed isn’t a bad idea, as even though Banishment and his short but meaningful adventure with the Gaang he always had his own bed.” Sure but I apologised in advance if I snore” he said crawling under the covers, keeping a small distance between you and him, for both of your guys comfort,” Goodnight” you whisper, Zuko buried his face into his pillow making him look like a rabbit making you smile,” Goodnight” he whispered a soft smile grazing his features. You without a second thought carefully reached out for his face, your fingers grazing his cheeks gently, touching scare lightly with a sympathetic look,” It’s hideous isn’t it” Zuko mumbled,” No, the hideous part that your own father gave it to you. I still don’t understand how he could do that to you” Zuko opened his eyes,” My father never loved me, when I was born he thought I was a non-bender and thought of kicking me out the palace but both my mom and sages begged him not to, I ended up being a bender but he still didn’t love me. It only got worse when my Azula was born and became a stronger bender, Azula was born lucky and I was lucky to her born. That was what he said to me once. Azula once told me that Dad was to kill me as Grandfather wanted him to feel the pain of losing a firstborn” he sighed softly rubbing his face before changing sides so he was facing the balcony,” But now I know he would have done it in a hard beat, he wouldn’t feel any pain, he would have been glad” you sat up looking down at Zuko, moving a piece of dark brown hair from his face so you see him better,” Your strong Zuko, I don’t know I could have handled something like that” Zuko looked up at you, he grabbed a piece of your hair and played with it slightly,” And I glad you didn’t. I don’t wish that on anyone” he let go of your hair,” Let’s sleep, we have a lot of things to do tomorrow” he said making you nod.
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ice-cap-k · 1 year ago
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Into the Pirate-verse
Cross-posted on AO3 here: Into the Pirate-verse
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 “Alright Doc, where are we going next?”
The data stream parted for Martyn as he rode along the waves of code. Binary blinked in and out of sight in the corners of his vision, a mess of green and black circuits, sparks, and thousands of interconnecting lines that made up the internet. 
Doc didn’t answer right away. He rarely did. Or if he did, the answer rarely ever came through quickly. Even the heart of the internet experienced a few ticks of lag when it struggled to locate Martyn. It’s not like he was a stationary IP address or program. He wasn’t even sure what the data stream considered him. He didn’t know enough about the intricacies of computer science to look into whatever coding currently made up his consciousness. He wasn’t sure he even wanted to know that information. As far as he was concerned, he was still human. As long as nothing considered him a virus or tried to delete him, he was content with not knowing.
He held his hand out in front of him. Pulsing lights from passing data flashed around the sides of his fingers and thumb. Each finger twitched, and he could feel the movement as if it were real. It was, but it wasn’t. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, the edges of his hand flickered out of shape. His sense of self faltered for a millisecond, but that was all it took for his form to become distorted. Hard lines and solid shapes frayed. Color faded in faint static, letting the green and blue of the passing lights bleed through his skin in a moment of semi-transparency. 
In a rush of panic, he grabbed at his glitching wrist with his other hand as if he could hold himself together. And to his credit, it sort of worked. The flesh and bone re-congealed, becoming solid to the touch once more. Had he been a smarter man, Martyn would have realized by now that it was because he was once again focusing on what he “should” be instead of what he “might” be. Conscious thought had power here in the data stream where physicality meant nothing. 
And what was it he “should” be? Well, he was human. Not right now, but he was and he would be again.
“A game of pirates,” Doc’s voice finally caught up to Martyn. “A pretty extensive one at that. Try to be extra careful when it comes to CHEST.”
Oh. Pirates. That was different. And pretty darn exciting. Pirates are cool. When was the last time he had played a pirate game? Martyn’s already forgotten about his little scare with his hand. His thoughts are already drifting on white-capped waves and rocking schooners. 
“No problem Doc. I got this,” he called back. “When am I going in?”
He didn’t have to wait as long for a second reply. “Right now.”
Martynn didn’t have time to react when a massive chasm opened up in the data stream beneath him. He stopped, letting the update signals he was traveling with fly past. A big grin stretched across his face. Oh yeah, this was going to be fun. So he shut his eyes, and let himself drop.
Whatever his digital body had to simulate his stomach seemed to flip as he plummeted. His hands tightened to fists at his sides as he mentally tried to keep his breathing under control. Never mind that he probably didn’t have to breathe anymore. Simulating it was keeping him sane, and simulating keeping it under control was the best thing he could think of to keep from freaking out. He always disliked this part. The feeling of falling always scared him a little.
Luckily, the moment was short-lived. There was a tug at the back of his mind as the blackness gave way to bright blue skies. The mental image of himself he used to hold his appearance together fell away, rebuilding itself into something that still looked a bit like him, but was more suited for this world. He still had his blond hair, his blue eyes, even the black bandanna he always wore. But now he looked a bit sturdier, his shoulders squarer, and his clothes more suited to hard labor.  The arm was still scarred. That wasn’t going to change, no matter where he went. 
And then he noticed the ocean half a mile beneath him and closing in fast. Just the ocean. Nothing else.
“Oh! Oh no! Floor!!”
He hit the water’s surface with a massive splash. Cold salt water pressed in from all sides. It stung his eyes from where he forgot to close them. 
Ah, so he can feel pain in this world. 
Water went up his nose before he had a chance to cover it. He practically breathed the stuff in and it hurts. The inside of his nose burns from it. His throat too when it goes all the way back and down his windpipe. He managed to swallow some of it, but not all of it. Seawater got into his lungs and he practically convulsed at the burning pain in his chest. His body reacted automatically, trying to force him to cough it up, but he couldn’t. He’s surrounded by the stuff and almost swallows more as his body screams at him to clear his lungs.
Instinct takes over in a blur of panic and fear. He lashed out at the water, kicking out in one general direction. Sweet relief washed over him as the sunlight-dappled surface grew closer. The water parted and he was free. Air! Sweet, sweet air! His throat is raw and his chest rattles as he spits out the foul water.  
Looks like pain isn’t the only feature programmed into this game. Drowning is also on the table too. Great. A game with incorporated survival mechanics.
Despite this, his voice came out clear as a bell when he growled in frustration. There wasn’t even a slight rasp to his voice after giving himself a horrible sore throat. Video game audio design at its finest. “Doc! You could have given me a better landin’,” he shouted up at the sky. If Doc heard him, there was no sign from the man above. “Oh god. What was that all about? Don’t go quiet on me now!”
But alas, Doc still didn’t answer. Clearly, Martyn was on his own from here on out, but on the off chance Doc was still listening, he wasn’t letting the other man off the hook that easily. Even if there is a giant man the size of a skyscraper over there. Wait a minute…
Huh?
“Where even am I? That is a very big statue. What the hell am I looking at?”
It was an island in the distance. One with a port town and a lighthouse and a very large statue of a man with a sword outstretched over the water. That was what he was looking at. It was actually rather lovely to look at as he treads water. It also served as a reminder that he was still treading water. But he didn’t need that reminder. Not when a wave crashed over his head from behind him and sent him somersaulting under the surface again. 
He wasn’t prepared for it in the slightest. Water made it into his mouth and down his nose again, but at least this time he had half a mind to squeeze his nose shut after he went back under to keep from swallowing more. It burned at his already ruined throat and tasted just as terrible. 
He had to swim. Which way was up again? It was hard to tell where the sunlight was coming from. There were multiple sources of dazzling, shining light and one was coming right for him. He reached out to it, only to realize the light was only a school of fish. Their shimmering scales redirected the sunshine from above, making them look bright as they parted around him. Smooth scales and delicate fins brushed past him. One or two clumsy individuals bumped into his chest before they all went rushing off in a startled swirl of water. 
The water itself was heavy around him. His lungs were starting to ache from holding his breath. It was probably worse right now after having already breathed in seawater. He even felt heavier as he finally managed to drag himself back up to the surface, gulping down air like it was going out of style. 
Five minutes. He must have only been in this world for five minutes and he was already exhausted. And probably half drowned at this point. So he took another three minutes to himself to lie back on the water and catch his breath. He was decently buoyant. About as much as one might be in real life, able to lie on his back and float with his legs hanging beneath him. 
He scratched at the wet strands of hair clinging to his cheek. “Right! Okay, uh, I’m very damp. Let me get to the shore or something. Jeezums Doc, where… where have you put me? Hold on a second. Let me… Do I have anything?.” He felt along the new set of clothes that appeared with the world. Nothing extravagant. A simple green vest, a tattered white shirt, and loose-fitted black pants. Only the pants had pockets, though. He dug into those and was surprised to feel something slimy inside. Tentatively, he pulled out whatever was there. His face screwed up in confusion as he saw bright scales and bulging eyes. “I’ve got fish,” he said plainly, a little too stunned to know what to make of that fact.
“How… Did you just sneak into my pocket just now? You didn’t just climb in as I got in. I don’t even really know how you slipped into my boots…” Had it been from that school of fish? It had to have been.
“That’s just weird.”
Feeling a little better, he decided to start his long swim to shore. But first he put the fish back into his pocket for now. It looked like it was already dead anyway, so it wasn’t like he would be doing any good by letting it go. “I don’t know what in the world is happening,” he huffed between strokes. “Right. Then, uh, initial assessment… seem to be a very waterborne location.” His blue eyes scanned the nearest shoreline where boats were tied down to posts and planks suspended over the water. “Dock… and no NO not YOU,” he hissed up at the sky. “I don’t even know if you’re there listening. We’ve got a dock and we’ve got this thing right here, oh! Hello! Who’s that?”
There was a man standing on the end of the dock. That’s who. He leaned out over the edge of his perch with a smile. The movement caused the many hats stacked on his head to wobble, which made Martyn notice that this stranger literally had a tower of hats on his head. This is already shaping up to be a weird game.
The other man seemed to have spotted him approaching. He waved lazily and leaned against the nearest post. “Hello there.”
There’s a ladder hanging off the edge of the dock. Martyn eyes it as he gets close. Rather than dive for it, he decided to tread water and address the stranger directly. It could be another player, or an NPC, or a chest agent. Better to start off wary with everyone. With a quirk of his eyebrow, he tried to address the stranger directly. “Permission to climb up top?”
He nods and steps back from the ledge. “Yeah, use the ladder.” So Martyn does. He reaches out with one hand to grasp the first rung. “You got it.” 
He’s halfway up when his grip slips. The man with the hats reached out to help, but Martyn was faster. He catches the side of the ladder with a startled cry before he can hit the water again. “Oh, hold on, hold up, whoah there we go. There we are.” Water is pouring off him in rivelets and pooling beneath his feet. The stranger with the many hats stepped out of the crossfire as Martyn tried to shake as much of it off as he could. It’s not pleasant as wet clothes cling to his skin and his hair stuck out in clumps. And now that he’s out of the water he notices a chill in the air. A cool breeze made worse by the cold of the water he left. 
“Aw, geez that’s cold.”
He sure hopes this game doesn’t have flu mechanics.
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chaoticgoodlawyerwrites · 1 year ago
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Sneak Peak for HSY Ch 8
Hey folks! Here's a quick look at the next chapter of "The H(a)unting of Shen Yuan"!! It might be here sooner than you think...
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After reassuring both him and Luo Binghe that Shen Qingqiu was not in any kind of danger, let alone life threatening, Mu Qingfang once more kicked Binghe out of the examination room to speak to his Sect Leader and patient alone. Then his expression turned grim as the privacy barrier was once more raised, and Shen Qingqiu grew nervous.
“Qingfang, what is all this? You’re beginning to scare me,” he offered lightly, hoping that the doctor would reassure him.
He didn’t.
“Qingqiu,” he started very gently. “I have determined that I was initially correct in that two things have significantly changed since I have last examined you physically. Considering how this is the first time you have spoken to me openly about a sexual relationship with the other world’s Luo Binghe, I am deducing that you have been having a difficult time processing your simultaneous feelings towards them both. Is that correct?”
Shen Qingqiu cleared his throat and nodded. “Binghe reassured me since he arrived yesterday that he was accepting but yes, my guilt over that has left me a bit of an emotional wreck on and off for the past nine months or so.” 
Exhaustion and exasperation crossed Mu Qingfang’s face before it was smoothed back into a professional neutral. Shen Qingqiu winced internally, knowing that his failure to be honest would be brought up in the next therapy session.
“In any case, two things have changed. First, assumingly due to your close bonds to Heavenly Demons or just completing this mating bond with your former disciple, you now can absorb demonic energy. The satisfaction you described suggests, though more tests would need to be done to say for sure, that your body views it as a potentially vital energy source.”
Shen Qingqiu stared at him. “Are you saying I have to consume demonic energy like it’s food?”
“Possibly more important to you than food,” Mu Qingfang explained. “I was observing your core as your husband transferred you demonic energy. There was almost… an overflow where the transformed demonic energy went. I didn’t understand what I was sensing until he gave you the energy because it was already partially full. I suspect, but again, cannot conclude at this time, that failure to keep that energy at a certain level would begin to drain your energy reserves in your core. There is no inedia for that, Qingqiu.”
Shen Qingqiu stared at him. “You’re saying. I’m. An energy vampire.”
“Pardon?”
Shen Qingqiu shook his head. “I’m dependent on draining others of their energy to survive?”
“Ah. Not necessarily. Demonic energy is abundant in the environment of the demon realm and especially demonic artifacts like your husband’s sword. And, obviously, energy can be transferred freely from a willing party, or taken by force as seen by the somewhat sentient sword’s reaction to you.”
Shen Qingqiu didn’t know what to do with the information. He had known there could be other side effects to bonding to Binghe besides the lifeforce thing and being immune to poisons, but becoming a vampire?!
What even…
“But it’s not life threatening…” Shen Qingqiu said, trying to find some nugget of sanity in this mess.
“No, especially as you have two Heavenly Demon spouses to provide you with demonic energy through dual cultivation,” Mu Qingfang said without a hint of judgment.
“What’s the other thing?” Shen Qingqiu asked, hoping that the doctor had opted to go for the bad news first.
Mu Qingfang held his gaze and said, “Sect Leader, Qingqiu. You’re pregnant.”
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honeybeezgobzzzzz · 2 years ago
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𓅨 Falling Stardust: Chapter Eleven
Falling Stardust: You, an innocent and naive fallen star, tumble out of Morpheus’s cloak and get wrapped up in his possessive and dark love.
Warnings: Morpheus Manipulation (As Usual), A Dream Helps Astra.
To Note: Dark!Morpheus x FemStar!Reader (Reader is Named Astra).
Word Count: ~2.1k
Previous | Masterlist | Next
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Morpheus had wanted to hold you for several hours. Just laying there with your body within his arms, naked of course. He hadn’t wanted you to dress, or clean up the mess clinging to your thighs. You could feel it slowly dripping from your body, cooling down and becoming sticky. It embarrassed you and you had wanted to clean up, but the moment you mentioned cleaning Morpheus’s seed from your body your lord had become angry and told you that you were forbidden from doing so. So you were left to lay within his arms in the same state you had been in since resting from your activities with Morpheus.
“Morpheus?” You questioned softly, wondering if it was okay to air out your question. He had clearly gotten tired of your inquiries earlier, you didn’t want to push your luck if he was still cross with you about your confusion. Morpheus titled his head to looked down at your crown of hair, wondering what it was you were going to ask this time. He was, by no means, angered or annoyed by your constant questions. You were so well sheltered within your cradle and by asking Morpheus your questions, he could guide you in the direction he wished for you to go. There were just so many of them.
“Yes, my Astra?” Morpheus returned, allowing his fingers to run along the silver lines of your neck and cheeks. Your face scrunched together for a brief moment.
“What… what is that called?” You inquired, your cheeks warming at the memory of the sensations you felt. It seemed very intimate, certainly when you were naked and he had been within you… Of course you would want to know what that was. Morpheus allowed his fingers to trickle across your lips, stroking and appreciating the softness of them.
“That, my celestial queen,” Morpheus spoke, his voice thick and dulcet. “Is what we call making love.” You blinked at him, your eyelashes fluttering as you took in that information. Making love. So it had to do with loving someone? If so then he must love you very much, right? Morpheus gripped your chin and forced your attention back on him. “But know this, I am the only one you shall ever make love to, Astra. Am I clear?”
Your eyes went wide at the sudden change in his tone and voice. It was his strict one, the one he used when addressing his citizens or lecturing a rogue dream or nightmare. One you didn’t dare cross.
“I— yes, I understand,” You obediently replied, slightly trembling. Had you made a mistake already? Morpheus ran his thumb over your lips once more.
“You need not fear me, my Astra, making love is reserved for only you and I, as you are my queen. It is something that you and I will take respite in as husband and wife, my star. I merely want you to know that it is for husband and wife only.”
Being queen was your job now, your purpose was to be his wife. You liked having a job because it meant you weren’t useless or a hinderance. His wife, the queen. You… you could do that, but you were scared of the uncomfortable pain that went along with this ‘love making’. Morpheus sensed your hesitancy and certainly didn’t like it. He angled your face so you were looking at him once more.
“What is it, my queen,” He asked, his eyes searching yours for what caused you to be hesitant to be his one and only queen, his eternal lover. You pressed your lips together, not wanting to anger him or be hurtful towards his feelings. “Astra.”
“It hurt,” You whispered, your voice barely discernible. “Not— not the entire time but it was uncomfortable at first and I didn’t like it.” Your cheeks flushed and you looked ashamed by your words. Morpheus chuckled at you and nuzzled your head, holding you tighter to his body.
“Don’t worry, my Astra, your pain was only because your body was not used to me. “ Morpheus reassured you, pressing kisses into the crown of your hair. “It will not be like that every time, given enough time you will only feel pleasure.” You felt relief knowing that you weren’t going to feel that pain every time you and Morpheus made love. Turning into his chest, you closed your eyes and sought out his hand, wanting to hold it while you slept. Morpheus was more than happy to see and feel you snuggling into his embrace, seeking his touch. “You need not worry, beloved, for I will never seek to cause you intentional pain or harm. It is my only wish to love and adore you.”
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Morpheus had to leave you alone in his bed, he needed to return to his duties no matter how much he hated to leave you. He could only do so because he had finally made you his and it was his seed that had painted your intimate walls and filled your celestial being. You were his. Marked by him inside and out. Everyone would feel it now. Would know it. A part of him would forever reside within you. So you were left snoozing in bed, safe and sound.
Cracking open your eyes, you blinked rapidly and shifted in place. Stretching your limbs out, you curled your toes and wiggled your fingers over your head. Almost immediately into your stretching, you could feel soreness in your body that twinged when you shifted or moved a certain way. Particularly between your legs. Rolling onto your back, you stared at the ceiling of Morpheus room and contemplated what you would do now.
You didn’t understand what your job as the queen meant in The Dreaming. What were your duties? What did you have to do on a daily basis? Did you need to assist Lucienne with the library? You frowned and let out a soft breath. More questions that surely Morpheus wouldn’t appreciate hearing. Laying with your limbs spread out, you chewed your lip and decided that you would simply take it by day, and not bother Morpheus. So you would focus on yourself. You needed a bath at the moment, you knew that much.
Sitting up and swinging your legs over the side of the bed, you winced once more as your muscles protested and a sharp ache resonated within your pelvis. Oh, making love was a strenuous activity, your muscles and body needed soothing. A nice bath in the bath hall would surely help your aching being. You stiffly got to your feet and looked around for your discarded dress. You couldn’t find it, but did see a midnight robe hanging over the back of a near by chair. Taking it, you wrapped it around your body, noting places on your skin that were discolored. You poked one of the places in confusion and curiosity. Ouch. Best not to poke those places further, it hurt to touch.
Wrapped up in the robe, you set out from Morpheus room to find your way to the bath hall… which you didn’t know how to get to because you had never been in this part of the castle. So you took to wandering around, heading down random halls and peering into rooms in search of a handmaiden or dream to direct you in the right direction. Eventually, you found one who directed you to where you needed to go and you were happily on your way, still trying to walk off the waddle in your step from your aching muscles.
Entering the bath hall, you smiled to a few of your friends and those you crossed paths with frequently, waving before reaching for the tied knot at your waist. The moment you had the robe off your body and were happily stepping down into the bath with a sigh, you received looks of worry and concern. For the dreams and nightmares could see what you could not.
Your skin, your precious skin made from stardust and cosmos, was dotted with marks of a voracious and dark love. The kind that was possessive, dangerous. A love that might break such an innocent and delicate being as you. The marks dotting your breasts and shoulders, your neck, even to your hips and inner thighs, had bloomed with such vivid color that even those most loyal to Morpheus worried that he might have hurt you. But you, precious celestial you, were off in your own innocent world, running fragrant soap over your body like Morpheus hadn’t manipulated you, taken advantage of you. Like he hadn’t forced your hand because you didn’t know any better. Only one was brave enough to step forward.
“Lady Astra?” You blinked and looked up at the call of your name. You discovered a dream looking at you, her eyebrows furrowed in concern as she studied you.
“Oh, hello,” Your eyes squinted as you struggled to remember her name for a moment. “You are… Interritus, are you not?” You spoke, your head tilting to the side. Interritus smiled and nodded.
“Indeed, my lady.” Interritus echoed, her eyes continuing to wander across your body, catching sight of each and every mark Morpheus had left behind. You were a very delicate thing, fragile until you grew into your new physical body. Thick skin would grow, eventually. But not right now. “I have taken note that while you have had the pleasure of venturing around the palace and our village… you’ve not the pleasure of viewing the country side. Would you care to visit with me? My home is among several farms and I think you would enjoy the sights and activities.”
You perked up, your eyes sparkling with curiosity and interest. You had never been beyond the fringes of the village, and even then Morpheus had been at your side. The idea of exploring more of The Dreaming excited you. But as your eyes glowed with happiness, the others in the bath hall shared nervous looks, for what Interritus suggested was a clear plan to pull you away from Morpheus. To lessen his influence. Interritus was playing a very dangerous game, one that she would surely reap the consequences. Then again, Interritus was the dream of fearlessness. She held no fear towards their lord. 
“I’ve never been to the countryside before,” You softly mused, your head tilting to the side in wonder. What would the countryside be like? Would it be similar to the village? Would you cross paths with animals you have never seen before? Interritus took your hand and pulled you from the bath.
“Come, Starlight, there is much to show you,” She spoke as you wrapped yourself in your robe once more. Crystal purple eyes glanced back at you, warm and kind. For a moment you wondered if you should tell Morpheus were you were going, but Interritus’s smile was so gentle and reassuring you disregarded those thoughts. Interritus wouldn’t hurt you and all of the dreams and nightmares within the realm always made sure you were safe. So you got dressed and happily held her hand as she pulled you through the palace and out to the main path. The further away from the palace, the more excited you were and all thoughts of Morpheus evaporated.
Interritus brought you down a path that was only partially worn and you appreciated the way the grass tickled your sandled feet. You paused in step and took your sandals off, wiggling your toes into the gentle grass. A sight that made Interritus smile. There was so much you could explore, enjoy, if only you didn’t have Lord Morpheus darkening your shadow.
“This is nice,” You softly commented, sticking your foot out and further testing the softness. Interritus let you take your time following her, for she knew that you had rarely the pleasure of exploring the realm by your own terms. You wandered in the direction Interritus led you, but you took your time enjoying your surroundings and smelling flowers you encountered. Everything was so bright and new, you wondered why you hadn’t ever had the luxury of seeing it before!
When you crested over a hill you came to a stop at the sight before you. Just down the way, nestled in a valley and surrounded by farming fields, was a quaint cottage. It had a chimney with a plume of smoke lazily rising from it, hand carved doors and windows framed with flowers. Your face glowed, excitement bursting from your fingertips as you were unable to control yourself and your celestial power. You turned back to Interritus.
“You live here!?” You exclaimed, an unbelievably beautiful smile glowing upon your face. Interritus laughed at you and took your hand once more, guiding you to her home with renewed hope. You appeared far more confident and happy away from the palace. Free to roam and explore all that you wished. You didn’t need to be trapped in place and under careful watch. Star’s were strong and independent, and Interritus planned on showing you that.
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Date Published: 3/29/23
Last Edit: 4/4/23
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blessedwithabadomen · 8 months ago
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I'm finally sitting down to type up this comment because this story deserves all the love and I LOVE ME SOME BONUS CONTENT WHOOO
uh oh well that's a rocky start to the chapter 😬
Luna said I'm fucking out of here, no thanks
if they're not even turning toward her it's definitely bad 😭
OH FUCKING HELL OLI
OLI SHUT UP WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU
Luna 😭 she's like "let me know when the coast is clear again"
“The problem is that you’re both fucking me but you’re not fucking each other.” SCREAMING
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whatever would those two do without her, honestly
Oli Sykes is legally obliged to say "I'm/We're not scared" with a fucking pout at least once in every story, I'm convinced
"You’re jealous because he’s not sucking your cock." ghsdkfhsdöfkd
"and when his eyes crossed Oliver’s, they both looked away." LMAO such children, I love them though
Noah 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️
good for her for remaining stubborn though, those two need to figure it out ffs
"I couldn’t help but be speechless at how dramatic they were being." SAME those two fucking divas, I can't with them
the fact that they didn't come to bed at all though 😭
NOAH WHO WOULDN'T LIKE THAT LET'S BE HONEST
"including those impromptu cat walks when he’s wearing that silly maid outfit." sidetracking here but I CAN'T BELIEVE WE STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE PHOTOSHOOT
OLI STOP TRYING TO RUN AWAY
poor Luna is just caught in this mess with constant confusion hahaha
MY HEART JUST DID A DOUBLE TAKE EEEEEEK
Noah's moving in immediately hm 👀👀 yes please
I love that we somehow both made it canon that Noah's probs never sucked dick before but he's SO enthusiastic about it lmao
fhljdslfagds I'm pretty sure it is some damn show but who would refuse Oli's order to touch themselves
"“Don’t tell me that was your first,” Oliver said, “because there’s no way I’m going to believe you.”" hgeakfhkf that's what I meant!!
"The sound would have relieved whatever remnants of tension and fear remained inside of me were it not for the fact that I was about to come myself." hahaha "guys, I'd laugh with you but I've got a situation at hand, quite literally"
any time my comments might become fewer during a smutty scene it's just because I'm dissolving into a puddle of sweat
brief interlude to give Noah a pat on the back for communicating with Oli n the middle there
GOOD TALK OH MY GOD YOU FUCKING MENACES I love those three together so much and you write them so perfectly I just wanna take all three of them and put them in my pocket so I can always study them wherever I am
"Yeah, our bad habits were just about to get worse." 😍😍😍
also that snippet 👀👀 what the fuck are those boys planning now, I can't wait to find out
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Title: Into the Abyss of Bad Habits — Bonus Scene I (can be read as part 4)
Pairing: Noah Sebastian x Oliver Sykes x Reader | Words: 6.2k
Tags: polyamorous relationship, men in denial, a lot of swearing, angst, sexual content including p in v (protected), oral (m. receiving), masturbation.
Author's note: well, this isn't the epilogue. It's a random scene that was supposed to be in the epilogue but that turned out to be too long. So, I'm posting it as a bonus scene. There will also be a second bonus scene at some point, but I'm crossing my fingers to get the epilogue posted asap. It's over 12k words, so... be ready for that one! (I'm leaving a little snippet at the end) 😉
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Sheffield, United Kingdom
Summer 2024
I had barely wrapped the towel around my body when the sound of their escalating voices pierced through the tranquility of the house. 
         They were having an argument, and it wasn’t going good. 
         I rushed out of the bathroom and down to the living room, the urgency in my movements nearly causing me to lose my footing as I rounded the landing of Oliver’s home, my heart racing with a mix of confusion and concern. 
         Arriving in the living room, with my hair tied in a messy bun and my body clad only in the towel, I was met with a disconcerting sight. Oliver and Noah were standing in the middle of the living room, glaring, and shouting at each other. Both ignored me. Luna was conspicuously absent. 
         As I gazed between them, I noted their rigid positions and how charged their voices were. I had never seen them so heated. The smell of the heavy lunch we’d had that morning still lingered, but the atmosphere felt oppressive. The tv was murmuring in the background. Noah’s hoodie thrown casually on the armrest and Oliver’s MacBook still open on the other side of the sofa. 
         “Why all the shouting?” I questioned; my voice laced with concern as I surveyed the look on their faces, their expressions, and assessed how bad it could get from here. 
         Despite my presence, which usually incited their attention, they remained locked in the tense standoff, their focus solely fixated on each other. The air crackled with palpable agitation as accusations flew back and forth like arrows in a heated battle. 
         “Oliver here seems pretty convinced that I’m monopolizing your time, and that eventually I’ll keep you away from him, as if I’d ever sabotage this relationship,” Noah retorted bitterly, gesturing vehemently towards the man standing merely six feet from him. “Do you honestly believe I’d do such thing? What do you think I’m going to do to her, dude? Hide her passport so that she can’t travel anywhere? Burn yours so that you can’t leave this country?” 
         “I wouldn’t be surprised if you did,” Oliver said, his voice dripping with frustration and resentment. 
         His bitter-edged response only continued to mount the tension, fueled by their sudden mutual distrust and resentment. Where was this all coming from? 
         “Oh, really? That’s what you think of me?” 
         Their voices grew louder, and I couldn’t help but feel a creeping sense of unease, a primal instinct warning of impending danger. 
         “Guys, please. Can you just…” They dismissed my attempt at diffusing the escalating conflict. I spotted Luna peering at us from behind the sofa. That’s where she had been; hiding. I couldn’t blame her. I had never seen Oliver and Noah acting like this towards each other, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me a little, too. “You’re scaring Luna,” I admonished, gathering some courage and adding a hint of anger to my tone. However, it seemed to have little effect on them.
         “You’re being ridiculous, Oliver. You’re being jealous over fucking nothing! We’re all in this together. You love her. I love her. We’re all invested in this relationship. We’re fucking her together. I love watching you fuck her. I understand that I spend more time with her because of our residence in the States, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t think about you every morning and every night.”
         As Noah’s words reverberated through the room and filled each corner, realization dawned on me. Of course, I had thought about this before, but I’d been too focused on my own happiness and pleasure that I hadn’t taken the time to address the issue. Now, as the fire grew in front of me, the problem was clear. 
         “Boys,” I said, taking a tentative step forward to position myself nearly in between their bodies. “Calm down. Please.” My hands were raised at level with their chests. I waited a few seconds, checking if my words had some effect. When I confirmed it and earned their looks, I spoke, “I think the problem is not about who’s spending more time with me,” I told them. “The problem is that you’re both fucking me but you’re not fucking each other.” It was blunt, but given their current state, I don’t think anything else would have made them redirect their focus to the real issue. 
         My blunt assessment seemed to freeze them in place, the weight of my words settling like a thick fog in the room. This was the crux of the matter, and I was determined to confront it head-on, even if the hardest part had to be sorted between them. 
         They went still, then. My words seemed to fill the room with prickling tension. This was the issue, and they were not going to change my mind. Ever since we started this relationship, I had expected for it to be more than just me getting fucked. 
         “You’re wrong,” Oliver protested after a tense pause, his voice tinged with defiance. “The problem is not sex. It’s just Noah being…”
         “Again!” Noah shouted. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I love her! And I love what the three of us have! Where is the fucking problem, man? Why are you being such a teenager?”
         “A teena—?”
         “Guys, stop! Please, stop!” This time, I pressed my hands to their chests, feeling the tension radiating through their bodies. They pressed against me. I feared that if I hadn’t been there, things might have escalated into a physical confrontation. “Oli,” I called out. He ignored me. “Oliver! Look at me. Listen to me.”
         It took a while, but eventually Oliver met my gaze. I eased the pressure of my hand on his chest, conveying through my touch that there was no need for defensiveness. Not with me.  
         “Do you feel like Noah is not spending enough time with you?” 
         Something crossed his eyes. 
         “Love, I swear it’s not that…” Oliver began, his voice softer now. I raised my hand, gesturing to silence him. 
         “I think the root of the problem lies with me,” I continued, turning my head to look at Noah. His chest was rising heavily, his nostrils flaring. If I hadn’t got out of the shower at the time I did, I might have made it downstairs to find him turned into a dragon. This was not the anger that he exuded on stage. This was real. This was raw. And it wasn’t nice. “I’ve been demanding too much from you without allowing you both the space to explore your own emotions and feelings toward each other.”
         Noah chuckled, and I glared at him. 
         “I think we made it clear plenty of times that we’re okay with this, being the three of us together,” Noah added. 
         “Yeah, but… There’s a line that you haven’t crossed. Every time it’s there, you both recoil, as if scared to cross it.”
         “We’re not scared,” Oliver was quick to say, his tone laced with bravado.  
         Noah had the same expression on his face, which told me that they were going to make this harder than required for me and for themselves.
         “Then, why are you shouting at each other? Why are you making such a fuss about something that could be solved in five minutes if you sit down and talk like the adults you are?” 
         “Because it’s not about that,” Oliver retorted.
         I raised an eyebrow.
         “You’re jealous,” I said. “Not jealous of Noah spending more time with me. Not jealous of Noah getting to eat me out. You’re jealous because he’s not sucking your cock.” 
         Oliver started saying my name, his cheeks flushed, but stopped midway, frozen. When I looked at Noah, he had an identical expression etched his face, and when his eyes crossed Oliver’s, they both looked away. 
         This would have been funny —cute, even— if it weren’t for how angry they were. I knew better than to make fun of their behavior when they were fuming and one step away from becoming rottweilers. 
         “And you’re just angry because you don’t know how to channel those emotions,” I continued telling Oliver, “and instead of telling that to Noah straight away or getting on your knees, you decide to shout at him and accuse him of monopolizing my time.” 
         “Because he is! Are you taking his side?”
         “That’s not what I’m doing,” I replied, turning to Noah. “You—.”
         “What have I done?! Is it my fault that we were born in America and live in the same city?” He exclaimed, raising his arms in the air. 
         I ignored his comment. 
         “You know exactly where his feelings come from because you feel the same! And instead of being honest with him, and with me, you shout back at him as if he was your enemy.”
         “You didn’t hear the things he said to me ten minutes ago,” Noah chided. 
         I didn’t want to know. I just wanted to know if Oliver had been serious.  
         “Did you mean them?” I asked Oliver. “Did you really mean them?”
         “No,” he admitted, resignation evident as he dropped his shoulders. 
         I sighed, hopeful that this meant we were getting somewhere; that I’d be able to bring back the peace. I had to admit, though, that the ambience had been tense since before Noah and I arrived. The last videocall between Noah and Oliver hadn’t been very nice, and the strain between them had lingered since then. I could have noticed, but instead I ignored it, selfishly focusing on the thought that I would get to have them both together again in a matter of days, as soon as our flight landed in London. 
         “Can we sit down so that we can discuss this calmly?” I urged, exasperation creeping into my voice.
         “No,” they both replied in unison, their synchronized loud response startling me.
         My eyes widened. I sighed, hard, feeling a mix of irritation and desperation. 
         “Fine, do it your way, but I will sit down.” I relented. I tightened the towel around my body and settled on the sofa. Their brief, shared glance at my bare legs didn’t escape my notice, but it was quickly overshadowed by the tension in the room.  
         “Is anyone else happy in this relationship besides me?” I asked with my arms folded defensively against the chill creeping into my body.  
         “Yes. I am,” Noah replied. “I’m happy, too, but this moron here fails to see it. He fails to see everything I did for this to work. I could’ve had you all to myself if—.”
         “There it is!” Oliver exploded, cutting off Noah’s words with the sharp edge of his tongue.  
         “Noah!” I admonished him, my tone and look conveying my disapproval at his choice of words. He shouldn’t have said that, regardless of whether it held any truth. He should not have said that.  
         “Oh, come on,” he retorted. “Don’t twist it now. I wouldn’t be here in this house if I wasn’t okay with what we have. I told you I’m okay with you fucking her,” he said to Oliver. “She loves you fucking her. And getting her to do what she loves matters to me more than anything else.”
         “It shouldn’t be like that,” I murmured softly. 
         Noah simply gazed at me. I could tell he was tired. He didn’t want to argue, but the complexities of his and Oliver’s dynamic had ensnared them in a tangled mess.
         “It’s clear that you two love fucking me, and I definitely love it, too, so no need to go through this again. Boys,” I changed my position, kneeling on the sofa cushions to meet their eyes with a pleading look, “do you doubt what I feel for you? I have no room for a single doubt regarding your feelings for me, but I’m willing to talk if any of you feel that I don’t love you enough, or that I favor one over the other.” 
         “Kitten…” Noah began, but it was Oliver’s fingers the ones that reached my chin. 
         “You’re everything we could’ve ever asked for. You haven’t done anything wrong, doll.” 
         “What about each other? Do you doubt each other?” I pressed, feeling a pang of cold as Oliver’s touch left my skin. “You have to talk to each other,” I insisted. “We’re not moving forward until you do.”
         For a moment, I thought I did it. I thought that I managed to break through the barriers between them, that they would finally sit down and have an open, honest conversation.  
         But I was wrong.
         They exchanged glances, communicating silently as they waited for the other to make a move.
         I felt a growl building in my throat, frustration bubbling up inside me.   
         “Why are you being so macho? What’s the need for this?” I demanded. “I have no problem with you being all dominant and rough with me. But you can also be every other side of yourselves, and it won’t change the way I see you.”
         I could see my words chipping away at their defenses, but it still wasn’t enough. My frustration grew with each passing moment, a sense of helplessness settling over me as they remained locked in that stupid standoff. 
         As my words hung in the air, challenging their stubborn resolve, I expected some sign of surrender, a flicker of realization in their eyes. But instead, their stances remained rigid, their expressions hardened by the weight of their unspoken turmoil. Oliver’s jaw tightened even further, his brows furrowing in defiance, while Noah’s eyes darted away, a silent admission of discomfort.
         It was as though my words had ricocheted off their armored walls, leaving me standing alone in the battlefield. Despite my efforts to bridge the chasm between them, their refusal to let down their guard only fueled my frustration further, a searing flame of helplessness burning within me.
         With a heavy sigh, I realized that I had reached the limits of my influence. 
         “This is it? You prefer to keep ignoring the elephant in the room? Both of you? For God’s sake… All right,” I stood up, crossing between their bodies and heading towards the stairs. Luna suddenly trailing behind me in a hurried way. Turning away, my footsteps heavy with disappointment, I left them to solve the problem on their own. “You can sleep in the sofa tonight. Or, I’ll take the sofa and you can take… the bed or the floor. I don’t care, but I’m not going to be a part of this anymore until the three of us are finally on the same boat. You’re being dicks to each other, and the three of us are going to pay for the consequences, eventually.”
         Standing there was like watching a slow-motion collision, where each avoided the inevitable crash, preferring the tension to confrontation. My outburst was a last-ditch effort, a desperate plea to break through the thick walls of pride and insecurity that kept them at odds. But as I stormed out, leaving them to their stubborn silence, I couldn't shake the sinking feeling that this impasse would persist until they found the courage to confront the truth they both feared.
I woke up to the chill of two empty sides on the bed, and a pang of loneliness pierced my chest. When I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, I could see the sadness etched into every line of my face. 
         I washed away the traces of sleep and decided to make the bed, a subconscious effort to delay facing the reality awaiting me downstairs. 
         They hadn’t come upstairs to sleep. Oliver entered the bedroom around 8pm to grab some clothes and retrieve his and Noah’s toothbrush from the bathroom, and I couldn’t help but be speechless at how dramatic they were being.  
         Thirty minutes later, having attempted and failed to find some peace and strength in a short meditation on the balcony, I went downstairs with hushed footsteps. 
         I started preparing breakfast, not aiming to disturb their sleep, but the soft hum of the coffee machine and the clinking of plates and cups echoing in the open kitchen stirred Noah from his slumber. On the other side of the sofa, Oliver lay sprawled on his back, his hair tousled. As the deep sleeper he was, he only stirred slightly before settling back into his restful state. 
         I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself. It seemed that at least one of us managed to get some decent rest, even if it was on the couch.  
         As Noah propped himself up on his forearms, his gaze drifted over to Oliver’s form, then down to the middle of the sofa where their legs lay entangled, hidden beneath the shared blanket.  The sight of their bodies occupying the entire sofa would have brought a smile to my lips were it not for the reason why they had spent the night there. I could only imagine them moving around and kicking each other during the night, adding another silly unnecessary thing to the pile of stuff they had been arguing about the evening before. 
         With a heavy sigh, Noah finally sat up and ran a hand through his face and hair.  
         “Morning,” he grumbled.
         “Morning,” I replied. 
         Noah took a quick bathroom break. When he came back, he walked with deliberate steps to where I was standing in the kitchen. He leaned in for a morning kiss that I was more than quick to give. He lingered by the kitchen isle to watch me make breakfast, accepting the coffee mug I offered and taking a sip while keeping his eyes on me. 
         “I expected you guys to come to bed at some point,” I said in a low voice, trying to conceal the twinge of hurt I felt at the fact that they had opted for sleeping on the couch instead of addressing their issues and joining me in bed. 
         “I wanted to,” Noah said, his voice tinged with regret, “but you made it clear that we needed to sort things out first, that you didn’t want us in bed with you if we didn’t, so…”
         I clicked my tongue, shaking my head. I placed my hands on the edge of the counter, exasperation crawling back to my bones. 
         “You know it wasn’t meant like that,” I sighed. “I was just trying to nudge you both into dealing with the real problem.”
         His silent response and the heaviness of his brown gaze on me confirmed my dreaded suspicion—he still wasn’t ready to. He still didn’t want to talk about it. Great.
         “Did you miss us?” He suddenly asked, breaking the silence. 
         Typical Noah. Whenever he knew he’d messed up, he’d try to sidestep the issue with softness instead of facing it head-on. I couldn’t help but be surprised that even after the heated argument we’d had the day before, he was still reluctant to confront the elephant in the room. 
         But when he looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes, I suddenly became weak. 
         “Every minute,” I admitted, a bittersweet smile forming on my lips. “I couldn’t sleep. I’m used to being sandwiched between you two now. I kept checking my phone, hoping for a text, and waiting for both of you to show up at the bedroom door,” I shook my head. “God, I’m turning into such a sap.”
         My words elicited a laugh from him, one of my favorite sounds in the morning.  
         “You’ve always been a sap,” he teased, leaving the coffee mug aside and pulling me close until his hands found my waist. With no effort at all, he lifted me onto the counter. 
         Grinning, I wrapped my arms around his neck, running my fingers through the silky hair at his nape. He stepped between my legs, and I relished in the familiar warmth of his body against mine in the chilled morning.  
         “Did you talk?” I inquired softly, obviously referring to him and Oliver. 
         “Not much, to be honest,” he admitted. His forehead found mine as he leaned in. “I don’t know what to do.”
         Allowing a moment for him to relax in my arms, I gently brushed a loose strand of hair from his forehead after pulling back to meet his eyes. 
         “I know you two are aware that this is not a relationship based solely on you two dating me,” I began, my voice tender. “We’re all in this together. We’re all dating each other. But you and Oli are struggling to come to terms with it,” I made a pause, my eyes boring into his, “or with what it means.”
         A flash of insecurity crossed Noah’s face, his usual self-confidence momentarily faltering. My heart ached for him.  
         “I’ve never been with a man before, baby,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.  
         I nodded, understanding without him needing to explain. Of course I knew. 
         “I had never been with two men,” I started to say, reaching out to touch his cheek gently, “but here I am, utterly in love and happy with both of them,” I tried to summon a reassuring smile, but Noah’s insecurity lingered, prompting me to continue speaking. “It was scary at first. I spent weeks worrying about what would happen, especially when we flew back home after Europe. But everything is so wonderful now, and I wish to keep it that way, but for that, we need the whole package, Noah. And that includes you and Oliver giving each other what you’re missing out,” I playfully bopped his nose, but he flinched, giving me an annoyed look. All right. “Also, I don’t think Oli’s ever been with another man, either” I added, glancing toward his sleeping form on the sofa. “So, it would be a first time for both of you.” 
         “Would you… like that? Oli and me?” Noah’s voice wavered with uncertainty. 
         I reached for a biscuit from a plate beside me, taking a bite and chewing slowly. After licking some crumbs from the corner of my lips, I casually rubbed the heel of my socked foot against the back of Noah’s thigh.
         “I’ve been thinking about sitting in the armchair in the bedroom and watch you and Oliver do nasty things to each other,” I said with a mischievous grin. 
         Noah narrowed his eyes at me.
         “You’re a naughty girl, you know that?”
         His teasing remark brought back a sense of normalcy, making me feel a bit relieved for the first time that morning after a restless night. 
         “So I’ve been told,” I replied nonchalantly, taking another bite of the biscuit. 
         Noah took the remaining biscuit from my hand and returned it to the plate before kissing me slowly, his hand cupping my cheek and his fingers tucking my hair behind my ear as our lips melded together. 
         “It’d make me really happy to see you together,” I said, placing my hands on his face and pulling back slightly to meet his gaze directly, “but I know it would make you and Oli even happier. You’re hungry for each other. I’ve seen it in the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. The sex is amazing, and we’re all satisfied, but you’re just dying to taste him and you’re too shy to make a move. Same with him, which is unusual,” I continued, drawing out my words as I shrugged my shoulders, “given how carefree he is with everything he says and does, including those impromptu cat walks when he’s wearing that silly maid outfit.” 
         We shared a laugh, the tension dissipating further before indulging in another lingering kiss. This was Noah’s way of seeking reassurance, and I was more than happy to oblige and give it to him. I would give him as many kisses as he needed. 
         “This is where all this tension is coming from”, I concluded, my voice softening once again. 
         Noah’s chest rose with a heavy sigh that said he finally admitted it. He released the breath he had been holding just as Luna appeared at our side, her eyes pleading for her morning walk.
         “Can you wait a bit, darling? We’ll take you out in a few minutes,” I said to her. 
         “I’ll take her out now,” came Oliver’s unexpected voice. 
         Noah and I startled at the interruption, Noah moving away from me as if caught in something criminal. Despite reaching out to him, my eyes focused on Oliver. 
         Oliver excused himself to go to the bathroom before I could open my mouth. He was still upset about what happened the night before, and I guess he didn’t like seeing me in Noah’s arms first thing in the morning, especially since that’s what started the arguments the day prior. 
         I reminded myself to stay calm. I’d have to go through the same talk with him to get him to the same place where Noah was.   
         “Oliver,” I said, my voice gentle yet firm. 
         “What?” came his response, edged with tension. He avoided looking at Noah. 
         Seeing them like this broke my heart and infuriated me simultaneously.  
         “You and Noah need to talk. Right now,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. 
         The whole situation was dripping with irony. I wanted to shout back at Oliver all the things he had preached about before we started this relationship—all that talk about communication being paramount to make this work. Where was all that now? 
         “We can talk later,” he replied, attempting to evade the conversation by calling out for Luna, who happily trotted towards her dad, tongue out and tail wagging. 
         “No,” I asserted, holding my ground. “You two are going to talk right now,” I insisted, positioning myself at a fair distance between both so it wouldn’t seem like I was taking sides.  “I swear, if either of you keeps dragging this out without reason, I will get on the first flight back to Los Angeles. So, decide right now. Do you want me to leave?” I directed the question to both of them. “Or do you want more? What’s it going to be?” 
         Oliver dropped his shoulders in resignation, a small victory amidst the tension. Noah was standing behind me. I could tell that he was ready to get it together and be honest with Oliver and with himself, but he would keep holding back until it was clear that Oliver was in the same boat. 
         Setting Luna’s leash down in the kitchen isle, Oliver caused Luna to drop her tail and tilt her head in confusion. Wasn’t he going to take her out? I made a mental note to go out with her later for a long walk, but right now, Oliver and Noah needed to have the conversation they’d been avoiding for months. 
          Oliver let himself fall onto the sofa, pushing the blanket that he and Noah had used during the night to the side without bothering to fold it. His green eyes met mine. Then, his gaze finally shifted to Noah. 
         “Come here,” Oliver said to Noah, patting the spot next to him. 
         Noah sat next to him, a huff coming out from him, his arms resting unpreoccupied between his legs. It took him a moment to turn his head toward Oliver, but when he did…
         They held each other’s gazes for a while. I don’t know what they felt in that moment, but I was certainly feeling the anticipation, my heartbeat increasing with each passing second. 
         Oliver raised his arm and then his fingers were touching Noah’s chin and lower lip. There was a question in his eyes, something that only they knew what it meant. 
         Then, they leaned into each other, and they kissed. 
         My breath caught in my throat, but as their mouths moved against each other, I found myself flooded by a sense of relief and… excitement. Was this supposed to be wrong? It definitely didn’t feel like it. I was enjoying it very much, feeling pride for my boys and pride at myself for having achieved this. 
         Though they appeared entirely oblivious to my presence in the room, their movements seemed to align with the path I hoped they would follow. 
         As I contemplated where to position myself to observe the unfolding scene in that summer morning, Noah sank to his knees between Oliver’s legs, deftly undoing the laces of his sweatpants until he slid them down, taking his underwear along with them to his ankles. 
         A muttered curse escaped Oliver’s lips, betraying all the tension that had been following us since days prior. 
         Noah raised his eyes at him before daring to put his hands on his length. 
         “Is this what you want?” Noah asked him. 
         If he really wanted an answer, he didn’t wait for it. 
         His mouth swallowed his length, and within seconds, Oliver was leaning back on the sofa, clutching at the pillows with clenched fists, his lips parted in a mixture of pain and pleasure. 
         Had I imagined this scenario before today? Yes, I had, but never had I voiced it aloud, nor di I anticipate witnessing it, in all honesty, especially not amidst the chaos of the day’s events. 
         I was about to climb onto the counter to get a better view of Noah pleasuring Oliver when Oliver’s green eyes caught mine. 
         “Doll,” his voice was ragged, breathless, “why don’t you come over here and join us?” 
         Uncertain of his intentions, I approached them cautiously, licking my lips. Oliver gestured toward the corner of the room, his chest rising and falling as Noah continued his ministrations between his legs.  
         “Jesus Christ,” Oliver muttered before mustering the strength to focus back on me. “Doll, sit down and touch yourself. Don’t stand there watching us. This isn’t some damn show.”
          Noah hadn’t even lifted his head from Oliver’s lap, his attention entirely consumed by the task at hand, when he said, “Do it. Now.”
         Taking a deep breath, I settled onto the corner of the sofa, positioning myself to their view. Oliver’s gaze roamed over me, his struggle evident as Noah continued, relentless. 
         “Feet on the sofa. Panties off. Let me see you,” Oliver instructed, his voice restrained, indicating he was not far from the edge. 
         I complied, feeling a slight shyness creeping in. This was a scenario none of us were accustomed to. Slowly, I parted my legs, and Oliver raised an expectant eyebrow, silently urging me on. Without hesitation, I grasped the hem of my oversized shirt and lifted it, revealing the black thong I wore underneath. 
         “I said—” His voice was cut off abruptly as Noah took him deeper, to the back of his throat, “off,” Oliver growled, his demand leaving no room for negotiation. 
         With a quick movement, I lifted my hips and removed my thong, spreading my legs open to their gaze. As my fingers found their way to my clit, tracing soft circles around it, I sensed that we were in for a wild morning.  
         Barely two minutes into the act, Oliver let out a primal growl, his head thrown back, hands gripping Noah’s hair tightly as he pressed him against his crotch. With a soft ‘pop’, Noah released him, drawing in a deep breath and wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. 
         “Don’t tell me that was your first,” Oliver said, “because there’s no way I’m going to believe you.”
         Noah chuckled, his laughter momentarily dissipating the heat in the room. The sound would have relieved whatever remnants of tension and fear remained inside of me were it not for the fact that I was about to come myself. 
         “Definitely a first time,” Noah replied with a tilt of his head. Then, as if sensing my arousal, he turned his head towards me, and his smile fell. 
         He stood up, his hungry faze traveling from my face down to my exposed pussy. He had been so focused on Oliver that he hadn’t noticed the spectacle unfolding on the other side of the sofa. 
         Without uttering a word, Noah walked towards me. He didn’t need to bend down or extend an arm; he simply removed my hand and then, he just… touched me. 
         “You’re a mess,” he acknowledged, his fingers dragging slowly through my folds. 
         He brought his fingers to his mouth and tasted me, causing the burning sensation inside of me to only intensify, threatening to consume me if I didn’t get their hands on me in the next few seconds. 
         “Oli,” Noah called out, glancing over his shoulder. “You good? She needs to be rewarded, don’t you think?”  
         “Sure she does,” he agreed, pulling up his sweatpants and running a hand through his hair. “Sit back,” he told Noah. “I’m going to enjoy this. Doll, do you want to ride Noah?” 
         “I don’t think you have to ask,” Noah added, a grin spreading across his face as he extended his arm towards me. 
         Grasping his hand, I moved myself onto his lap. Noah’s hands found my hips beneath the hem of my t-shirt, while Oliver took hold of my right hand, bringing it to his lips. 
         “You need to be rewarded for doing so good to us.”
         “Right?!” I exclaimed, raising my eyebrows at him with a smile. It wasn’t lost on me that he had been denying his desire for Noah to pleasure him for months. These men and their stubbornness… 
         “And you’re such a good, good girl to us.”
         “She is,” Noah agreed, his voice a whisper as his hands guided me onto one of his thighs, pressing me down against him, my dampness spreading onto the fabric of his sweatpants. 
         “Oh.”
         “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Come on, baby. Use me,” he urged, his hands steadying me with a firm grip on my hips. 
         “But…” I began, my face flushing crimson. 
         “I’ll fuck you in a moment, but I want you to use me first,” he insisted, his voice filled with desire.  
          Feeling self-conscious under the intense scrutiny of both men’s gazes, I opted to press my mouth to Noah’s as I began to grind against his thigh. He tasted like Oliver and the experience made me dizzy. Noah swallowed my moans eagerly, while Oliver urged me to go faster, his hand caressing my ass enticingly as I moved myself on top of Noah. 
         Lost in a haze of pleasure, at some point Oliver grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled me towards him so that he could kiss me passionately, allowing Noah a breather.
         Eventually, I became a whimpering mess, my hands sliding down to find Noah’s bulge. I stroked it a few times with my open palm before deciding I couldn’t wait any longer. With deft fingers, I unlaced him and freed his cock. 
         Noah’s hand in my waist steadied me. 
         “You sure about this?” The question was directed to Oliver. There was concern in his voice. 
         Oliver dismissed it with a shake of his head. “That pussy is not going anywhere. It’s ours. So go on. Take her.”
         Noah nodded. I whined in his arms, hoping that he would just let me get him inside of him. 
         “Condom?” He asked, still directing his questions to Oli.
         Oliver disappeared briefly, returning with a condom package that he handed to Noah. However, I took it from his fingers. 
         “I’ll do it,” I offered, taking the package and swiftly sliding the condom onto Noah’s cock. 
         Lifting my hips slightly, I positioned myself above him and sank down, moaning softly, a melody that echoed in Noah’s ears and Oliver’s too. 
         “God, you’re so beautiful,” Oliver murmured in awe, watching each of my expressions like a hawk.  
         Resting my head on Noah’s shoulder, I began to move my hips in a rhythmic motion, gliding up and down, front to back, performing a dance on top of him that ignited a bigger fire inside of me. The intensity heightened when Oliver sneaked a hand between our bodies, his fingers finding my clit with precision. 
         “Come for us, babygirl,” Oliver said, his voice a seductive whisper. 
         Unable to resist the overwhelming pleasure, I surrendered to the sensations, especially as I felt Noah pulsating inside of me. His grip tightened on my hip, his other hand tangling in my hair as he pressed his face against my neck, emitting a primal roar against my skin as he released himself into the condom. 
         I dug my nails on his shoulders through his t-shirt as my own orgasm crashed over me, the waves of pleasure overwhelming me as Noah’s pulses still filled me up and Oliver’s fingers continued their relentless assault on my clit. 
         It took me a moment to find my voice amidst the euphoria. I asked Noah if he was okay, and he responded with a sloppy kiss on my jaw, a bright smile spreading across his face afterward. 
         I glanced at Oliver, who was watching us with admiration despite our dishevelled state. Not that he looked much better himself. 
         After nuzzling against Noah’s chest for a moment, I shifted myself towards Oliver. Wrapping my arms around his neck, half of my body still remained in Noah’s lap. Noah lifted my shirt to uncover my ass, giving it a playful slap before caressing it and dropping his head back with a contented sigh. 
         “Good talk,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice and eliciting laughter from all of us. 
         “Yeah,” Oliver agreed with a chuckle. “We should have more breakfasts like this.”
         Our moment of levity was abruptly interrupted by Luna’s barking. 
         She stood in the doorway, looking frustrated that we had completely forgotten about her. 
         “Oh, shit,” I said.
         Yeah, our bad habits were just about to get worse. 
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SNIPPET FOR THE EPILOGUE
As I ascended the stairs, Luna faithfully trotted behind me, her tail wagging with excitement. When I reached the threshold of the room Oliver used as a study, a place where Noah and he often used to spend time composing music together, I found both of them leaning over the screen of a MacBook, engrossed in something. However, Oliver quickly closed his laptop as soon as I entered the room.
"Is something wrong?" I inquired, noticing the sudden shift in their behavior.
"Nothing," they replied simultaneously, their responses lacking conviction.
I raised an eyebrow. Noah brushed past me, planting a kiss on the crown of my head before casually asking about our trip preparations. It was clear he was attempting to divert the topic.
"What were you doing?" I pressed, sensing there was more to their interaction than they were letting on.
"Nothing. Just discussing some things about work," Oliver replied tersely. "I'm sorry. That was the last of it. Let's enjoy the trip now."
The attempt at convincing me was a total failure.
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czenzo · 1 year ago
Text
On The Hunt – Chapter IV
[ao3] chapter links: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ]
summary: After Simon gets bitten in an unfortunate run-in with a werewolf, he and Penny desperately search for a cure before the upcoming full moon can force him to undergo an excruciating transformation. Lycanthropy comes with many other side effects, however – and not only is Simon soon to experience them, but Baz will surely be dragged into the mess, too.
words: 2411 rating: M
notes: me? randomly updating a fic I abandoned for almost a year? it’s more likely than you think! ;D
DAYS UNTIL FULL MOON: 3
SIMON
“How are you dealing with the side effects?”
I don’t properly hear Penny’s whispered question at first. Well – I do, but I’m too busy thinking about how stupid Baz’s hair looked after I dragged him into the lake last night. All shiny and stuck to his forehead. Curled around his ears and clinging to his cheekbones. Slicked back and—
“Simon?”
“Huh?”
Penny waves a hand in front of my face. I go cross-eyed trying to follow it. “Side effects,” she says again. “How are they?”
“Er.” (If Baz were here, he’d say something like “How eloquent, Snow.”)
“You still haven’t been to a single class since the bite.” Her voice becomes a whisper as she says those last two words, and it makes me feel all wrong and disgusting. In the next few days I’m going to transform into a bloody monster – Merlin, I’m even at risk of doing that before the full moon, if I get too riled up – yet here I am, sitting in the library like a lemon as if nothing’s wrong. None of the other students around us know that pissing me off could result in their head getting bitten off. (Metaphorically. Kind of.)
I stand up without realising. I want to get out of here. It’s stuffy and too quiet and so suffocating and I’m digging my nails into my thighs and frantically searching for the closest exit when Penny gently places a hand on my forearm.
“Hey,” she says. Her voice is soft. Not a whisper, but soft in the way I’d imagine a mother would speak to a crying kid. It’s a bit strange to hear it coming from Penny’s mouth. She gently pulls me back down into my seat. “Talk to me, Simon.”
I’m not good at putting my thoughts into words. There’s too much going on in my head and trying to get it all out would probably give me an aneurysm, so I try to vocalise just a fraction of it all instead. Once I do, it’s like floodgates have burst open, and it all pours out in one hissed whisper. “I feel disgusting, Pen. All – I don’t know. Dirty? Knowing that adrenaline could make me just – poof. Wolf out. Just like that. It stresses me out. But then that stress isn’t good, because it’s a spike in adrenaline, and it’s a never-ending bloody cycle. I’m scared I’ll hurt someone. You. Baz.” I pause and make a face. “I don’t even know why he’s helping so much.”
“Your er… situation, with Baz,” Penny says, and it’s clear to even me that she’s carefully choosing her words here, “seems to be improving.”
“Improving?”
“You said it yourself. He’s trying to help you. You’re less preoccupied with uncovering his vampirism.”
“Because I’m busy trying not to accidentally wolf out and rip off his face instead.”
“Still.” Penny shakes her head, and I don’t miss the small smile on her lips. “You’re getting along a bit better.”
I think back to last night again. Baz in the lake. Wet. Playful. He actually laughed when he sprayed me with water. A proper belly laugh.
“Nah.” I drag a random book in front of me and pretend to study it.
Penny’s hand is still on my forearm. The library was warm and I’d pushed my sleeves up to my elbows, and now on the exposed skin she rubs her thumb back and forth. My shoulders relax. I hadn’t realised they were so tense.
“You’re not dirty, Simon. You won’t hurt anyone.” She looks at me with big eyes, and I remember how much I love her. I doubt I’d have survived this long without Penny. “We’ll find a way to sort this out, I promise.”
I smile at her. A proper smile. “Thanks, Pen.”
Once I’m feeling a little less stressed Penny goes back to reading, and I find a book with more diagrams than words, hoping I’ll have a better chance at genuinely understanding it. (Academics always use stupidly long words. The pretentious pricks are supposed to be educating us, not confusing us even more.) (And by ‘us’, I mean me.)
I smell Agatha before I see or hear her, which is a really weird sensation. She smells of that floral perfume she always wears, except it’s one thousand times more intense. It actually makes it a bit hard to breathe.
She approaches from behind me, so Penny spots her first. “Agatha. Hello.”
“Penelope,” she says, moving around so I can see her too. “Simon.”
I hesitate for a second. “Agatha.”
“I spoke to Professor Miti earlier. He happened to mention a possible lycanthropy cure.”
I’m too hung up on the word ‘cure’ to think of a reply. A cure? An actual, honest-to-Crowley cure? I hope Agatha isn’t pulling my leg, because that would definitely mess with my adrenaline levels, and then I’d have no idea what would happen next.
Luckily, Penny isn’t too lost in thought to say something. “Really? He just… dropped that bomb out of the blue?”
“Well,” Agatha says. She glances to the side, leans down a little. “It took a little prompting. It’s fascinating, the information you can glean with a short skirt and a twirl of hair. Quite frankly it would be disgusting, if it weren’t so useful right now. He mentioned in class how he used to closely study werewolves, wrote some papers on them – they’ll probably be in here somewhere – so I thought if anyone would know anything, he would. And he did.”
“Go on,” I finally say. “The cure. What is it?”
“It’s a mix of rather standard ingredients, except for one or two things. It’ll be hard to gather, but should still be doable.”
She slides a piece of folded paper towards us. Penny opens it and quickly skims through the list. “Okay. Watford stocks half of this for classes. Other bits and bobs could probably be found in the Wavering Woods – oh, and this should be by the lakeside. This one, however…” She smooths the paper against the table and stabs a finger at the last thing on the list. “That will be difficult to pull off.”
Blood of origin lycanthrope.
“Blood from the one who bit you,” Agatha says. I only just stop myself from scowling at her. I’m not that stupid, I could figure out what it meant on my own, thank you very much.
“How the fuck are we gonna do that?” I say. “Without dying, I mean.” (Or any of you getting bitten too, I also think, but I keep that part to myself.)
“Baz will be helpful with that.” I can’t tell if Penny says that because he’s a vampire, or (though I hate to admit it) just a really good magician. I don’t bother asking, and Penny doesn’t stop to clarify. “But let’s focus our attention on getting the rest of the list, first.”
Agatha gently clears her throat. I know her well enough to understand it, and wince at my mistake.
“Thank you, Agatha.” I genuinely mean it. “It would’ve taken us ages to find this ourselves.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Thanks,” Penny says. It’s quick and quiet, but I can tell she means it, too. “Are you going to help gather the ingredients?”
She’s silent for a moment, mulling over the pros and cons and the huge list of risks. “Alright.” I raise my eyebrows without meaning to. She frowns at me and continues, “but the second it becomes too dangerous, or any staff get a whiff of what’s happening, I’m out, and was never involved in the first place.”
“Why?” I say. She frowns at me again. “Why help?”
“If I can do something to decrease the risk of you maiming a student who looks at you the wrong way, then I will.”
Even though she’s helping, I instinctively want to say something awful. Penny speaks up before I can. “Simon. Here’s a copy of the list. Go and find Baz, see if he has any ideas on how to go about getting that last pesky ingredient. Agatha and I will start on the others.”
I practically jump out of my seat. Penny smirks. “You’ve been dying to get out of here all morning.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Go. Get some fresh air. You look a bit pale, anyway.”
She doesn’t have to tell me twice.
***
“‘Blood of origin lycanthrope’?” Baz reads aloud. He’s glaring at the list of ingredients like it’s personally offended him.
“Yeah,” I say, falling backwards to sprawl on my bed. Penny dragged me out of it at the crack of dawn today to get back to researching.
His face scrunches up as he reads the list again. “It doesn’t even say how much we need. A drop? An entire wolf’s worth? We have no proof this will actually work.”
“I have to believe it will. Can you help or not?”
“Most of this should be relatively easy to acquire. Wolfsbane is tricker, it’s only in the deepest parts of the Wavering Wood, and its toxicity is bad enough to see any of us off. It’s still doable, though. But the blood…”
“Penny seemed to think you’d know how to get it.” I prop myself up on my forearms to look at Baz. He’s at his desk, with a half-written essay and a ridiculous amount of books sitting by him.
He slowly looks up from the list and stares at me. “And what makes her say that?”
I hold his stare for a moment. “I think we both know why.”
“No. I’d like to hear you say it.”
I scoff. What is this, fucking Twilight? “Fine. I know bloody well you’re a vampire, Baz. You’re shit at hiding it, and I have bigger problems right now. Do you know how we can get that blood or not?”
He’s staring at me again. It’s not as intense as usual, it lacks – what was that word Penny once used? Animosity. That’s it. We keep eye contact for a weirdly long time and I start to wonder if he’s just zoned out when he finally blinks a few times, shakes his head, and straightens his spine. I didn’t even realise he’d been hunching.
“I’m confused,” he says eventually. “Why ask a creature known for consuming blood about how to collect and store it?”
Hearing him openly admit he drinks blood is strange. I mean – I already knew he did. But now he’s confirmed it. Said it out loud. To me, of all people. I wonder who else in his life knows.
“So you’ve never saved some for later?” I say. “You always just… chug it there and then?”
“I don’t—” he scoffs. “I don’t chug. And no, I don’t save it for later. It congeals quickly and I haven’t the correct environment to store it. I know you hate eating gravy with blobs in it – this is the same thing.”
I grimace. I hate gravy with blobs in it. (Why did he remember that?)
“So…”
Baz leans back in his chair. His legs are spread from where he’s made himself comfortable, and his thighs bulge against the seat. I drag my gaze back up and make myself look at his hair instead. It’s down and loose, and every time he moves too much I catch a whiff of it. I know it’s weird. I can’t help it.
“So,” he says, “unless one of us can whip up a mini fridge or a cooling spell that can last long-term, the blood will have to be the last thing we get. It’ll keep it as fresh as possible.”
“Wait.” I sit up straight. Something’s only just dawned on me. “Fuck. Will I have to drink all this?”
“What, did you think it was an ointment? An injection? Yes, Snow, most cures of this nature are for ingestion.”
“Blood. Fucking blood.”
“Get over yourself, it’s not that bad.”
“Easy for you to say!” I rub a hand across my face. “God. How are we actually going to get it, anyway? We have no idea who it is.”
“There’s three days until the full moon.”
“Thank you for that reminder, Baz.”
“Shut up,” he snarls, “you didn’t let me finish. There’s three days until the full moon, so whoever bit you will be getting tetchy and agitated like you are. We already know they’ve gotten riled up enough to transform before the full moon, so they’re probably prone to mood swings, sudden bouts of anger.”
“So?”
“So, if the werewolf becomes too irritated, they’ll be at risk of exposing their true nature.”
“Oh. Oh,” I say, leaning forward. “So if we make a list of people we think it could be, you can go and piss them all off and see if any act all wolfy on you, yeah?”
“Ye— wait. I can go and piss them all off? Why aren’t you helping me?”
“You do it best. Pissing people off.”
He hesitates for a second. “Do I?”
“So many people hate you, Baz. You’re smart, athletic, good-looking, and a bitch.”
“What was that third one?” He smirks. I want to slap it off his stupid face.
“Fuck off. I’m not saying it again. We’ll make a list of suspects, and you can go and investigate them all. I’ll help Pen and Agatha find the other stuff on the list.”
“Agatha’s helping?”
“Mhm.” I grab the nearest piece of paper (I think it’s the back of some homework, but it’s not like I was going to do it anyway) and start scribbling down some names. I’m winging it a bit – I’ve never had to identify potential werewolves before. The lad I sit next to in Magickal History has a shit ton of body hair, so I add him to the list. And then there’s the girl in Elocution who snarls all her words and seems permanently angry. That’s kind of wolf-y, right?
I pause and look up at Baz. “What if it isn’t someone from Watford? Someone we don’t know?”
“It’s more likely to be someone at Watford than someone who isn’t.”
I slide my list over to him. He frowns at it, adds a few more names, and sighs. “I have my work cut out for me.”
I’m uncomfortably aware of the fact I should be thanking him here. Instead I say, “It’ll come naturally. You’ll be done in no time.”
He half-heartedly scowls at me. “You owe me, Snow.”
Yeah. I really do.
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protegetapaix · 1 year ago
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19/9 09:16am
dear diary,i am back after long months of longevity of happiness that recently shattered. Another hurt another chapter of hurt am i right ? But this hurt,is different,my heart feels weak i am torned to the core.
As you wouldve known i fell in love with a man name Amsyar,he was my highschool lover well atleast for a good 5 months and years later our paths crossed again. I didn’t regret every second of it.
One regret
Everything was well throughout our chapter of love,we fought we loved we hurt we did everything together at the end of the day when there was no more fight in us,our love sat us there,we had to give in so much sacrifice so much,energy,hurt,everything you name it. Willingly,it worked out well.
I fell into the deepest darkest cave; more like a hole i can’t crawl out from, in my life. And the past few months or you can say the last few months of our love,i was selfish.
I regretted my selfishness.
He helped me even when i said i could not be help,he helped me in every possible way. I was dealing with miscarriage,grieving,mentally drained and i just couldnt anymore. Through the last two months all it was about was me and me and me. 70% of me 30% of him. I did not take his words into heart,infact i can’t. My mind was a messed,i was figuring everything and processing everything at once. I swear to god i couldn’t take anything in anymore and my mind was so dark and cold and i was so scared. I don’t blame him,i just wish there was a little fight in me to let him in,let me caress him lighting a fire in my heart and wake me up. i couldn’t. I was fighting with myself everyday,and i couldn’t. but now i beg him for a little fight in him,which he will no longer be giving and i redha.
Until one day i lost him. He didn’t wanted to sit down and try all over again,he didn’t had anymore fight in me. In all honesty i didn’t too,but what moved me was how much i wanted to love this man for another eternity.
When we first met god our days were full of laughters,and maybe a little fight when he called me by his ex name hahahaha. Jokes aside. Meeting every two to three days became everyday,we would always find reasons to still see each other up till now like me asking him to sneak out to eat mac breakfast with me.At first i was scared of getting to attached,but this man gave me warmth that makes me want to be attached with him all the time. He is still my warmth up till this day,but through those cold months i couldn’t give my all,i couldn’t show him anything. I regret.
Soon enough i started my intern,we still met everyday be it after hes done with work we meet outside nenek’s place or after my intern we would go get yummy food. No wonder i gained so much weight. He was there when whats left of my family fell apart,and during fhose times all i needed and had was him,i fell deeper i knew he was going to be my end game i knew things were going far. A month or two later,i was nervous. All i wanted to be one day in life was a mother and i become one. We checked at a carpark and the other time we checked before devouring our pizzas hahahaha. And both time,god we were overjoyed,nervous and everything but one thing he didnt make me feel was scared. I felt so secured.
In the end,he lost himself,he lost his ways. I still felt loved,so much love like i did since the start,and he just needed me to push him further to get to who he was or even better. But i was not there. I was burried in my own dark cold cave;hole and i didnt see any light through it. It was so dark i lost myself and i was so scared. But i still had love to give,i still wanted to be loved because this pure form of love is somethings else. But now its not something else to him. Even in the caves of darknest,i still wanted to work things out. I understand we are different,we have different fight. I wish i gave the same fragility,more love and gave a little more light in the midst of my darknest,but i couldn’t fight it off.
I can’t put into words what ive felt throughout those months,i really can’t. If i could i would,so i can live in those moments put into words,all over again. But that would just hurt. So much than how it is already hurting
Now i have to let go one of the most purest form of love i have ever received and given.
And with that,i am letting everything go from here. Till then,goodbye my diary,maybe the next chapter would be my endgame,maybe the next chapter i would be hitched and would be telling you how im already planning my wedding but that would skip the part where i fall in love all over again,are you sick of that yet huh ? maybe the next chapter would be me on a ship sailing through the seas as a marine offshore engineer.
Maybe the next chapter i wont even be here.
I wont say fi hifzillah fi amanillah
But i am letting go.
Wakafa billahi syahida ana uhibukka fillah Amirul Amsyar <3
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transfemzedaph · 2 months ago
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woe. unfinished thing be upon ye
"I dont have a fucking soulmate. Now leave me /alone/."
Zed rolls her eyes and stays exactly where shes stood, arms crossed.
"Nope. You for sure have a soulmate!" She does a small twirl in place, "And I am the amazing matchmaker who will help you find them."
Joel sighs. Shes really not gonna let this go. Maybe if they cooperate the tiniest amount? Maybe they can keep her from finding out the truth but still keep her occupied?
-
It was a stupid idea. Of course the self proclaimed fucking matchmaker would find out the truth. So now they were going to have two people mad at them and the rest of the server would kick them out for ruining a perfectly good relationship with their /stupid fucking selfishness/.
They couldn't bring themself to face her, let alone anyone else, maybe they could go visit Jimmy for a while. Actually, scratch that, once Tango finds out then he will tell Jimmy and so thats a no go. Lizzie maybe? She has never expressed any interest in the whole soulmate thing, Joel honestly suspects she literally actually doesn't have a soulmate. So maybe she would be the best choice?
-
Beef catches them as theyre packing a bag, too immersed in their thoughts to notice until Beef is stood directly in front of them.
"SHIT" Joel stumbles back a couple steps, "You scared the life outta me."
Beef frowns a little, "Careful Joel." Beef opens Beefs mouth as if to say something but then closes it, looking around at the mess Joel had made.
"Going somewhere."
Joel hesitantly nods, "Leaving on my own terms, before I can get kicked out."
"What?" Beefs reply is instant.
Joel laughs a little but its hollow. "Sure, like you're not here to threaten me or something. Its not like I want to break up anyones relationships, I didnt choose this. I barely know either of you! And the universe tells me I'm soulmates with the both of you but youre already both in a happy relationship together and have been for years. I can't break that up. And I can't fit into it either."
"Joel-"
Joel cuts Beef off, "Just leave it Beef."
Joel picks up their bag and pushes past, not even turning to take one last look at the place that had quickly become home.
-
Joel is the last person Lizzie expects to see at her door in the middle of the night, shes almost mad at them for waking her up, but then she notices their red eyes and slumped shoulders and she lets them in with a yawn.
Joel sits themself down on her sofa, leg bouncing with anxiety, "I fucked up Liz. I fucked up real bad."
just found smallishzedbeef soulmate au writing. hmmmmmmm
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suna-reversed · 4 years ago
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Hello :)
Sukuna. fluff. Pretty please.
Could you write something about sukuna falling for itadori's best friend. You can throw some angst in there too because I am a masochist❤️
Sukuna x F! Reader 
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oh god, this turned purely self indulgent halfway through. low key thinking of turning this into a series to give you the angst you deserve.
A/N: (reader is Itadori’s senior and is 18) (loosely inspired by the song “me and my husband” by mitski)
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“And I am the idiot with the painted face
In the corner, taking up space
But when he walks in, I am loved, I am loved”
——-
- You had been one of the few poor senior students who had been victim to what had been Itadori’s “elevator pitch” for more people to join the occult club early back in high school. [the said “elevator pitch” being him jumping out at random people with a white bedsheet over his head saying “boo” as he handed you the club form]
- You didn't end up joining the club. But you somehow did end up getting joined at the hip with the chaotic mess under the white sheet.
- Whether it was you two rushing to the theatre to watch Jennifer Lawrence’s new movie,  or going to a revolving sushi place [only to get pocky from a nearby vending machine instead because revolving sushi is apparently expensive], Itadori Yuuji had become a comforting and very important presence in your life.
- So of course when he suddenly dropped out of your life, being the worried friend you were, you decided to poke around a little only to find out that he was...dead?
- Maybe a few months down the line, you would’ve started to slightly recover from the tragic news you had just gotten. Instead, what you got was your supposedly dead best friend popping up days later to tell you that he ate a finger and now he was the vessel for some centuries old curse,,,
- Um yeah...safe to say that Yuji did not expect you to go into the fit of emotions that you did [boy had the audacity to call you dramatic for fainting and then crying while hugging him once you gained consciousness] 
- some time passed and Yuji and you didn’t see each other much with him practically training to be the strongest jujutsu sorcerer. Still, simply happy to have him back alive, your brain managed to convinced itself that everything was still the same. 
- And it was when he’d sneak out a day or two from his heavy schedule and you’d be back to your normal routine of watching movies, stuffing your face with snacks, getting your face licked by the mouth on Yuji’s hand…
- ,,,wait what
- The first time the curse had made contact with you was simply out of annoyance of why the stupid brat even took the time to see someone as mundane as you so often.
- His plan was to simply scare you into leaving, knowing it would cause the brat pain.
- So he grabbed the opportunity when Yuji moved forward to brush off some popcorn dust on the side of your mouth, not only licking the side of your face but also being successful in slightly grazing his teeth against your tender skin. 
- Yuji had mentioned that being a vessel had caused some weird physical “abnormalities” for him. you didn’t understand it back then but at least knowing that had sort of prepared you for such an instance.
- So imagine the curse’s surprise [and an even further growing annoyance] when your eyes barely widened for a second before you burst into laugher, 
“Didn’t you train your dog to not bite?”
- by now, Yuji had jumped 5 feet away from you and was still halfway through his string of apologies, but upon hearing your reaction, he mused on your fake calm while letting out a chuckle himself, 
- “Guess I’ve got to get a leash for him” 
- By this point, the ever so indifferent curse had taken two teenagers talking about him like a mere annoyance as a personal challenge.
- And that’s how it started.
- He’d come out every now and then, licking your fingers as Yuji passed you something or making lewd remarks on anything and everything that you ever started a conversation about. 
- But you and Yuji barely paid him attention and it was an understatement to say that it infuriated the living hell out of him.
- Particularly you, who wouldn’t even be annoyed or sarcastic about his tactics anymore. Instead, treating him like a friend who was simply joining you and the brat to hang out. 
- He hated it. Hated how bright your laugh was. Hated how you made them stop every time you saw a stray animal just so you could pet it. Hated how your skin was as soft as a cloud and how you sometimes smelled like cherry blossoms. He’d kill you in an instant if he could ugh.
- it was a weekend and Yuji and you had been watching a movie, even though Yuji was barely paying attention. You knew he was tired as his large frame slumped over your shoulder. Pulling the blanket up to his face, you once again felt the wet feeling of the assaults you had grown familiar with on the side of your hand.
- “You could’ve just asked for a pocky if you wanted one, no need to lick it off my fingers you grumpy little thing”, you laughed as you stood up to go to the bathroom
- that snapped the final string. 
- Coming back into your living room, you wondered if Yuji had somehow gotten up in his sleep and managed to draw weird black lines over himself all in the span of 5 minutes. 
- ‘Yuji, what the fuck?’
- ‘Well well, now who’s acting like a grumpy little thing’ 
- The deep voice sent rumbles down your spine and you knew in an instant what had happened. 
- Even though your breath hitched in your throat and your body begged for you to run as fast away as you can, you held your ground as you simply tilted your head at the curse 
- “Well, I’d like my best friend back if you don’t mind.”
- You saw the smirk on Sukuna’s face falter for just a second before he crossed the space between the couch and you.
- Now as strong of a front as you managed to hold up until now, watching something like that stride straight towards you would have had even the strongest of sorcerers shitting bricks.
- Instinctively, you took a few steps backwards, but he simply continued to close the distance between the two of you until you were backed up against the wall.
- You flinched as he slammed a hand right next to your head and he seemed to gain immense satisfaction from that as he looked down at your startled face with a smirk plastered on his tattooed face. 
- Sukuna was sure that you’d be begging for his mercy any second now. His smirk widened and he was ready to mock your pleas as he saw you open your mouth to say something, 
- “ ...so much for a damn pocky.”
- All those other times you had caught the curse off guard were nothing compared to the “partially-confused partially-baffled” expression that he held on his face now. It almost made him look human. Almost.
- You didn’t realise just how long you were holding his gaze until Yuji took back control and apologized like a million times over, reassuring you that he would’ve never let you get hurt. 
- The curse didn’t show up for almost a week after that. And while you were grateful for not having to wash off your hands or face 14 times a day, you somehow felt anxious about its sudden disappearance. 
- All those worries were thrown out the window as he once again showed up while Yuji was passed out on the couch after a particularly tough session with Gojo sensei.
- Looking at the curse, you felt anger more than anything, how could he just drop out on you with no warning and then show up in the middle of your living room- ...wait a second, why the hell are you mad at a literal curse for not telling you he was taking a mental health break or whatever it was that he was doing? 
- While you sorted out through these conflicting thoughts in your mind, the curse seemed to be going through a similar crisis. 
- Having woken up in the brat’s fragile human body with no warning whatsoever, Sukuna wasn’t in the mood to see your face so soon again. He didn’t know why your physical presence unsettled him so much. All he knew was that he hated it. Even more now that he knew what you looked like all scared and small compared to his vessel’s towering build, and how you smelled even sweeter than what he had tasted, and how despite all that you still had the courage to stand up to someone as dangerous as him. Ugh, disgusting. 
- “The stupid brat passed out.”
- Such a simple statement caused you to snap your head up at him. But he didn’t wait for your reaction as he somehow managed to plop down on the couch while still looking graceful. Picking up the half eaten box of pocky, he warily pulled one out, eyeing it as if it was  a poisoned dagger before breaking off a piece and placing it on his tongue.
- “This is what you would risk your life for, brat?” 
- He turned his head slightly to look at you still frozen in place, staring at him with that doe eyed look that made his chest burn a little. Isn’t this what he wanted all along?
- “Are you simply going to stand there and gawk? I don’t bite-...well, not unless you ask me to.”
- He knew that would set you right back to your usual self,
 - “...maybe we do need to get a leash after all.”
- Sukuna internally grinned as he saw you move to the other side of the couch, ready to hear whatever more of the snarky comeback that you’d have (not that he was anticipating it, it was just the better alternative to being gaped at. Or so he told himself)
- “You ate the non chocolate covered part of the pocky by the way-”
- “As if a layer of this disgusting brown substance can make the rotten stick taste bette-”
- “Well aren’t sticks all you had to eat in yOuR TiME anyways?”- 
—-
- You somehow managed to fall asleep after the bickering, proceeding to sit in silence after you told him to not bother you while you tried to read. You wouldn’t admit it, but you were a little disappointed when he actually didn’t. Instead, he sat on the couch with a slight smirk still plastered on his face, continuing to simply gaze at you. your heart did lunges every time you slyly looked up from your book to take a peak at him. you wondered how many ways he had come up with to kill you so far. 
- On the other hand, the curse sat idly, watching you while his thoughts rumbled in his mind. Maybe killing you can be pushed off the agenda for now. There are much better ways to hurt the brat anyways aren't there? Perhaps he could use one of these brownish covered sticks to-...what is he thinking?
- He ultimately deems it stupid brat’s humane emotions and sheer stupidity that must be interfering with his thoughts.
- A loud sneeze snaps him out of his daze as he sees you slumped against a pillow, your book falling off your lap. And then he does something that he immediately decides that he would pretend to have not done for the rest of his existence. Luckily, the brat takes back control right after he does it anyways.
- But that thought slips his mind as he finds himself replaying the serene look on your face as he gently pulled the book out of your hands, and how his hands shook a little as you nuzzled your nose into the fabric of the blanket that he pulled over you. How could you have felt so calm around him?
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ritnaro · 3 years ago
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kinktober day 2: atsumu miya + mirror sex
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cw. nsfw, mdni, f!reader, mirror sex, vaginal penetration, full nelson [<33], slight degradation
wc. 500
masterlist | join the taglist
+ @hqintheclub
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the thought of having you splay out on top of him, becoming a sopping wet mess with every mind numbing thrust, it plagues his mind when he sees the body mirror in front of him. it’s not that expensive, maybe he should fulfill his fantasy.
“tsumu, what did you bring?” you say when you see him rush to your bedroom carrying something. he doesn’t answer, and instead you hear him rummaging through some stuff.
you’re almost scared to open the door, it sounds like he’s moving so many things all at once, so fast, but you still slowly peek inside to see him pushing the desk to the other side of the bedroom, making some space for the big body mirror. it still looked organized, in fact, the room suddenly felt complete with the mirror. “oh, i like it!” you say, watching him walk over to you with an intimidating gaze.
looking back, you should’ve taken that as a warning. it’s not that you don’t like being fucked in front of a mirror, but damn if it isn’t embarrassing. he gets to see all the lewd expressions you make, and drives him to go for another round when he finishes. the three rounds have taken a toll on your body, and you’re not sure how long you can go before you cum again.
your legs gave up, making it so much harder to bounce on him, but he wasn’t ready to stop yet. he wanted to watch you cum one more time, so he grabbed your legs and put his hands behind your head, taking you in a full nelson.
he couldn’t deny it, the view was much better from this angle, he could see how your hole swallowed him in with each thrust, and how his cock disappear into your pussy and appeared with a thin layer of white sheen.
“yer creamin’ around me so much, pretty girl” he says, his voice was the last thing you needed to hear right now, when you’re trying to focus on not cumming because you :know: he’s not going to stop when he sees you convulsing on his cock, he’ll keep going until he’s had his fill, until he can see his cum dripping from your heat one last time.
“yer enjoyin’ this as much as i am, aren’t you doll?” he asks. “remember what you said? :no daddy, ‘s embarrassing:” he mocks, recalling what you told him when he first ordered you to ride him in front of the mirror. “now look at you” his hips buck against you faster, harder, reaching places only he could reach. “yer just a dumb slut for me, pretty little thing”
he’s right, now the thought of embarrassment wouldn’t even cross your mind, you can’t deny the sight of your sweating and panting bodies in front of the mirror isn’t arousing, and if you keep looking at it, you might-
“cum, cum for me baby, i know you wanna” he whispers in your ear, the last thing you could process before your mind went blank, and all you could feel was the slow drag of his sloppy thrusts into your drooling hole. as you try to get back your breath, you come to realize it wasn’t such a bad idea.
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©️ ritnaro 2021 | all content belongs to ritnaro, do not modify or repost
thank you for reading, reblogs are appreciated! <3
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edenmemes · 3 years ago
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ghost of tsushima starters
❝ promise you’ll remain the good man i know. ❞   ❝ only fools have no fear of death. ❞   ❝ i am very much alive. but my patience is dying. ❞   ❝ i’ll make sure you are remembered. as a great warrior...a wise leader. ❞   ❝ the strength we need is all around us. ❞   ❝ the past cannot hurt you. ❞   ❝ this whole journey, and i never asked your name. ❞   ❝ fear drives you to be stronger. fight harder. ❞ ❝ sometimes...our only choice is to walk away from everything we know ❞ ❝ we do what we must. that is why you and i are both survivors. ❞ ❝ i can do good! i just...need practice. ❞ ❝ may your next life be more peaceful than this one. ❞ ❝ i knew it was too good to be true. ❞ ❝ i'll see what i can do. but if you’re lying to me... ❞ ❝ you’re too comfortable with that power. ❞ ❝ don’t ever try to kill me again. ❞ ❝ turn your back on a foe...and you will die with a sword stuck in it. ❞ ❝ youre not slipping away that easily. ❞ ❝ just stay closed. keep your sword sheathed. and let me do the talking. ❞ ❝ the things i saw still haunt my nightmares. ❞ ❝ i dont even know if you're real. ❞ ❝ victories don’t have to feel good. ❞   ❝ killing your own family...it’s harder than you could ever imagine. ❞   ❝ it’s safer for everyone if i just disappear. ❞   ❝ next time, leave some glory for the rest of us. ❞   ❝ peace doesn’t always come quietly. ❞   ❝ some people respond to kindness. others require a glimpse of steel. ❞ ❝ i am nothing if not honest. ❞ ❝ stop using people, and start thinking about how you can help them. ❞ ❝ you’ve had your vengeance. don’t stand in the way of mine. ❞ ❝ you don’t have to do it alone. ❞ ❝ not all words need to be spoken. ❞   ❝ there is time yet for revenge. i will savour their cries of pain when that time comes. ❞ ❝ i have learned to love the cool, damp dark. ❞ ❝ the last thing i saw was faces filled with hatred, rage... ❞ ❝ you didn’t think you'd get rid of me that easily, did you? ❞ ❝ we will celebrate when this is all over. ❞ ❝ what’s wrong with you? one moment we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, the next you’re ready to cross blades. ❞ ❝ a warrior learns from their mistakes, or they are buried by them. ❞ ❝ remember your training...and never leave my side. ❞ ❝ well...i guess this is goodbye. ❞ ❝ your visions will grow worse, driving you to madness and death. ❞ ❝ i can only pretend for so much longer. i’m not like these people and never will be. ❞ ❝ i loved you all my life, but i could never work up the courage to tell you. ❞ ❝ the proud do not last, and the mightiest of us perish like dust before the wind. ❞ ❝ you’re a vision of mercy. ❞ ❝ not bad, but only half-good. ❞ ❝ we make a good team, don’t we? ❞ ❝ an archer’s aim relies not on eyes...but on body, mind, and spirit. ❞ ❝ this is my fight. i don’t need your weapon. ❞ ❝ being right doesn’t always make things better. ❞ ❝ there is nothing easier than to prey upon the vanity of ambitious men. ❞ ❝ you weren’t looking so good. i let you rest. ❞ ❝ your intentions this time were...better than usual. ❞ ❝ what are you not telling me? ❞ ❝ trouble sticks to you like shit on rice. ❞ ❝ it’s strange being back after so many years...everywhere i look brings back memories. ❞ ❝ only a child expects perfection of their elders. ❞ ❝ when this is all over, what will you do? ❞ ❝ you are ruled by your emotion. ❞ ❝ is this how you want to be remembered? ❞ ❝ perhaps great men share all the aspects of their lessers, but more. great wisdom, but even greater cruelty. ❞ ❝ i cannot imagine the burden a leader like you must bear. ❞ ❝ our greatest enemies are the greatest teachers. ❞ ❝ death’s shadow embraces me. hand in hand we walk. ❞ ❝ breathe. you can’t fight if you hold your breath. ❞ ❝ i know you well enough by now, my friend. ❞ ❝ i can’t go back...to what i was. before this. ❞ ❝ i hope you one day forgive me for the choice i made. ❞ ❝ the wounds you dealt my spirit will never heal. ❞ ❝ why did you turn away from me? ❞ ❝ if you can keep moving forward, so can i. ❞ ❝ it’s a bad idea to sneak up on me. ❞ ❝ promise me something. don’t become like me. ❞ ❝ let me undo the damage i’ve done. ❞ ❝ ...and you want me to clean up your mess. ❞ ❝ the path ahead may take a lifetime, but i will walk it with you. always. ❞ ❝ whatever you believe i’ve become, i will always be your family. ❞ ❝ i wouldn’t be here without you. ❞ ❝ i’ll hunt you past the horizon if i must. ❞ ❝ can i count on you to do what needs to be done? ❞ ❝ that’s over now. you’re here. with me. ❞ ❝ i thought i’d lost you, i should’ve known you’d never give up. ❞ ❝ you can’t continue down this path. ❞ ❝ be careful. demons are everywhere and they fear nothing. ❞ ❝ corpses can’t answer questions. ❞ ❝ you deserve greater respect than this. ❞ ❝ it’s just like the stories my father told me. ❞ ❝ what you become tomorrow is your choice. ❞ ❝ just ask the last man who questioned my sincerity. you’ll find his head covered in flies out back. ❞ ❝ you shouldn’t have lied. i still would have helped you. ❞ ❝ we came this far. we’re not turning back now. ❞ ❝ how do we survive if we don’t trust each other? ❞ ❝ without my help, the fear and pain will overwhelm you. ❞ ❝ whatever happens, we don’t retreat. ❞ ❝ the stories are true. i’ve never seen anyone fight like you. ❞ ❝ see how the enemy fear you? you are a true warrior. ❞ ❝ you want to share a drink...with me? ❞ ❝ maybe you should’ve just ran away. like you always do. ❞ ❝ good people have nothing to fear from me. ❞ ❝ your promises are just like you. worthless. ❞ ❝ as you wish, since you asked so sweetly. ❞ ❝ i know better than to argue. ❞ ❝ i hope i can find quiet places like this one, untouched by war. ❞ ❝ we grew up together, but you threw it all away. ❞ ❝ it was so chaotic. i felt you grip my wrist and then nothing. ❞ ❝ desperation can bring out the demon in the best of men. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to leave without you, but...i can’t stay. i hope you understand. ❞ ❝ a grown man, and you still can barely sit still. ❞ ❝ and i heard you had no sense of humor! ❞ ❝ knowing and doing are different. ❞ ❝ trouble follows me everywhere. ❞ ❝ indulging violence weakens the warrior...like too much food or drink. ❞ ❝ i can always tell when you want to ask me something. out with it. ❞ ❝ i am proud to fight beside you. ❞ ❝ i didn’t nurse you back to health to watch you throw your life away. ❞ ❝ all i want...all i need is to start a new life. ❞ ❝ look twice and shoot once. ❞ ❝ i think they’re afraid of you. you can be...intimidating.. ❞ ❝ you don’t even try to hear me. it’s like talking to a stone. ❞ ❝ so you try to kill me? have you lost your mind? ❞ ❝ you’ve sacrificed everything. for revenge. ❞ ❝ we can’t let anger consume us. or blind us to our friends. ❞ ❝ there is only one way this ends. ❞ ❝ i gave you everything. and you threw it away. ❞ ❝ do not question my integrity again. ❞ ❝ your father would be proud. ❞ ❝ the worst one can do is take advantage of their own people. ❞ ❝ you follow trouble. you should ask yourself why.  ❞ ❝ some of my favourite memories happened at this place. ❞ ❝ i told you this was a bad idea! ❞ ❝ keep fighting. we need people like you. ❞ ❝ are you the one who finally kills me? ❞ ❝ a warrior’s most important weapon is themself. lose control, and you risk defeat. ❞ ❝ first, get some rest. this is killing you. ❞ ❝ see that? i told you. there’s always hope. ❞ ❝ i hope the skills i gained through hardship can be of use to the people here. ❞ ❝ you have skill...but you nearly died rushing into battle. ❞ ❝ in the midst of battle, true leaders must stay rooted, stand firm. ❞ ❝ every time i get in a mess like this, i’m as scared as the time before. ❞ ❝ don’t be the next to disappoint me. ❞ ❝ save what we can, but know that everything passes away. ❞ ❝ i hope you understand, this is just a job. ❞ ❝ that’s a sad way to look at the world. ❞ ❝ seeing you like that...i’m still shaken up. ❞ ❝ sit with me a moment. ❞ ❝ doubt and indecision have destroyed armies. ❞ ❝ it’s so painful to...see you weighed down by sadness. ❞ ❝ on the slim chance some good comes of this...lead the way. ❞ ❝ you fought well, but we’re finished. ❞ ❝ the warrior’s mind is quiet but alive, like rustling bamboo. ❞ ❝ i’ve trained with a blade since i could walk. ❞ ❝ the visions...they’re still happening. ❞ ❝ in our world, being intimidating isn’t a bad thing. ❞ ❝ you have a talent. it’s time you use it, for the sake of our land. ❞ ❝ i've tried to teach you all i know...but you act more like a poet than a warrior. ❞ ❝ your path leads to madness and death. ❞ ❝ that’s twice you saved my life. ❞ ❝ these people stay because they believe in you. ❞ ❝ i didn’t choose this life. it was my only option. ❞ ❝ you came at me like i was your mortal enemy. almost broke my arm! ❞ ❝ i could use your help...in the fight ahead. ❞ ❝ you can be a little rough, but you have a good heart. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to kill you, stop! ❞ ❝ what’s wrong? afraid i’ll get more famous than you? ❞ ❝ war brings out who we truly are. ❞ ❝ take care where you place your faith. ❞ ❝ you seem lost in thought. ❞ ❝ i was getting tired of waiting for you. ❞ ❝ without my wisdom, you will lose your soul to madness. ❞ ❝ peace is an unattainable dream...but a dream worth fighting for. ❞ ❝ i’ve killed a thousand men. every death was sweet. ❞ ❝ what is the point of prayer when we are doomed? ❞ ❝ you’re like your father in more ways than you know. ❞ ❝ if you want my respect, earn it. ❞ ❝ and how many wars have you fought? ❞ ❝ you’re quite the butcher with that sword. ❞ ❝ people who sow chaos must be punished. ❞ ❝ i can’t help but wonder if you enjoy the violence. ❞ ❝ i kill only to protect our people. i think about that every time i reach for my sword. ❞ ❝ i'm sorry if my lack of skill offends. ❞ ❝ it’s the first time in days i haven’t felt like i was about to die. ❞ ❝ you fought like an animal...or a demon! ❞ ❝ there’s nothing more painful to me than a perfect bow...ineptly used. ❞ ❝ victory is won by warriors, not weapons. ❞ ❝ i couldn’t leave you to die. ❞ ❝ i made my choices. even knowing what they’ve cost me, i’d make them again. ❞ ❝ when’s the last time you slept or ate? ❞ ❝ you don’t get to give up. this land needs you. ❞ ❝ oh you pretend we are different, but we fight for the same thing. ❞ ❝ there are still places of beauty to remind us of what truly matters. ❞ ❝ true mastery begins where individual ego ends. ❞ ❝ a warrior faces danger with courage and resolve. this is how they endure. ❞ ❝ those stories...they're not entirely true. ❞ ❝ even the youngest warrior needs a full belly and a rested sword-arm. ❞ ❝ bad men are good at hiding their true natures. ❞ ❝ there is nothing left for me here. my hope is lost. ❞ ❝ i did what i had to. for you. ❞ ❝ forgive my manners. i spent all my time alone. ❞ ❝ is that any way to greet a visitor? ❞ ❝ if you continue down this path...you’ll be no better than the enemy. ❞ ❝ i am grateful for the times we share...but, i always want more. ❞ ❝ you lived your life in a castle. it made you soft. ❞ ❝ i used to know what i fought for... ❞ ❝ face them as a warrior with honour. not a monster. ❞ ❝ i don’t take lives, but i am not a coward. ❞ ❝ i wonder if i’ve crossed a line. ❞ ❝ you can’t expect everyone to understand what you’re doing, or why. ❞ ❝ your methods were brutal...impulsive...without honour. ❞ ❝ there’s plenty to fear without worrying about folktales. ❞ ❝ i hope you’ll find peace again soon. ❞ ❝ you do what you need to survive. and yet you despise others for doing the same. ❞ ❝ is that your excuse? your reason to kill? ❞ ❝ we have to keep pushing. even if it costs us our lives. ❞ ❝ cowards without honour deserve no mercy. ❞ ❝ i’ll fight beside you until the end. ❞ ❝ whatever happens, your forgiveness won’t change who i am. ❞ ❝ why should we settle for scraps when we deserve to be legends? ❞ ❝ only cowards strike from the shadows. ❞ ❝ the proud do not endure. the greatest of us fall in the end. ❞ ❝ perhaps some good will come of this. ❞   ❝ you will see nothing but death to the end of your days. ❞ ❝ legacy is more than a name. ❞ ❝ im sorry. i know what it means to lose family. ❞ ❝ one day we'll escape the endless wheel of suffering. ❞ ❝ is that a 'thank you'? ❞ ❝ i know what it means to be hunted. ❞ ❝ you personify fury and regret. ❞ ❝ that's all right. i want to hear you dig your own grave. ❞ ❝ either way, we’ve got nothing to lose. ❞ ❝ i’ve done what i can. the rest is up to you. ❞ ❝ forgive me, but you look fatigued. have you endured much hardship? ❞    ❝ i hope you find true honour in your next life. ❞ ❝ you deserve nothing less than death. ❞ ❝ this is foolish. surrender, and you can live. ❞ ❝ i too have pride in family. and i know what it’s like to live in their shadow. ❞ ❝ you were gone so long, i knew you were in trouble. ❞ ❝ so many of us here owe you our lives. ❞ ❝ what's wrong? what did they do to you? ❞   ❝ you’re lucky to be alive. ❞ ❝ i know your language. your traditions. your beliefs. which village to tame and which to burn. ❞   ❝ i cannot lose you again. ❞   ❝ i don’t seek revenge. but i will fight for peace. ❞   ❝ we will meet again soon. until then...travel safely. ❞   ❝ this is war --- not a test. ❞ ❝ we can save our home together. it doesn’t have to be like this. ❞ ❝ fear is a weapon. don’t let them use it against you. ❞
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