#i assume people were looking at it from missions where it wasn't intended to look

[thefirstknife]

re: the tomb: i distinctly remember peering into the tomb afterwards and it was empty, hence my confusion :(

It would really help if you could remember when you did this! Went into it a little bit in a reply here.

The tomb was (in-game) only ever visited once, in Curse, in Not Even the Darkness quest. We visited the area outside of the tomb in Dawn, in Impossible Task. In Impossible Task, Saint doesn't die so we're not meant to see anything, even if you were able to peek behind the door. I personally did not beacuse I was fighting for my life in that mission so I was really not thinking about looking. Here's a screenshot from my recording of it, showing the average health I spent fighting this boss with (I have no idea why I was doing this with two sidearms):

At the end of the mission, you're kinda stuck listening to Saint and then you get yoinked out of there without the opportunity to explore. Either way, the tomb should not be there anyway in Dawn, so if you looked back then and it wasn't there, that makes sense. There was never any new Mercury content after that (besides the skybox changes), and old content was never altered.

The other user mentioned that this area was also used in adventures, but adventures were made at the same time as Curse so if the tomb isn't there, this isn't some big reveal and is more likely to just be that the area behind the door was not modelled for missions where it doesn't matter. During adventures, we're not meant to be looking at the tomb anyway so I'm not surprised the area wouldn't be entirely accurately modelled behind the door. Kinda like how you don't have to model hair on characters wearing hats. The adventures simply aren't a canonical look into the tomb. It's literally just a reused arena, not meant to show us the tomb at all. If people could peek into it from another activity, it's 100% not intended.

But either way, there is only one canonical visit to the tomb, in Curse. In Dawn, we only go to the area outside, with zero chance that they would've modelled the whole thing that wasn't meant to be seen (or that would not make sense for there to be a body in the first place). In lore, the tomb was visited by us when we discovered it (Not Even the Darkness quest) and shortly after by Osiris when he checked for himself. No one else has ever been there and both visits in lore were before we saved Saint.

[vegaseatsass]

So the way I assume at least some number of people felt about Pit Babe ("not sure this is hanging together narratively, but OMG THIS SHIT IS CRAZY! I HAVE TO GO TELL TUMBLR!") is the way I feel about Blank the Series. Well, I was right that the younger Nueng (who I will call Anueng) is named after the older Nueng (who I will call Nueng), because Anueng's mother was in love with Nueng. HOWEVER! Fah named her daughter after Nueng as an act of SPITE. Nueng didn't reciprocate her affections, so Fah ended up fucking Nueng's fiance - maybe as a way to feel close to her unrequited love ?? - and getting pregnant at age 16. Nueng encouraged her to abort the child for the sake of her future. So 20 years later, Fah tells Nueng YES I named my daughter after you: because you RUINED MY LIFE! By 1) breaking my heart when we were kids 2) almost causing me to miscarry my daughter, whom you are now in love with!!!! So both of Anueng's parents were and probably are in unrequited love with Nueng. They produced a baby who has decided her only mission in life is to get with this older woman... who both her parents are/were in love with. Now if that is not enough melodrama for you, Nueng left her fiance at the altar but he is still like, into her and likes hanging out with her. As soon as she told him he's Anueng's father he wanted to become a part of his daughter's life. So Nueng becomes like the gatekeeper of time with Anueng. Fah is like "help me bond with my estranged daughter (who wants to fuck you just like I do)". Chet, the father, is like "will you allow me to see my daughter (who wants to fuck you just like I do)?" as if it's Nueng's call... So in response to the epic guilt Nueng's feeling about Anueng's almost-miscarriage (it wasn't actually her fault btw, Fah is lying to chain Nueng to her out of guilt), Nueng arranges an amusement park date between her two exes, their daughter, and a guy who likes their daughter, even though the daughter in question only wants to be there with Nueng. There's one hilarious scene where Nueng tries to set both mother and daughter up on an age appropriate heterosexual date through a haunted house while she fades into the background, and they both rush through while the men jump and gasp in fear, because the women only want to get back to Nueng waiting outside. I just don't think I can express how weird this is. Nueng sets up a birthday party for the girl who has been professing her love for her since they met, where all the attendees are intended to help Anueng move on from her, but there is NO distinction between "people who can parent you instead of me" and "person who wants to fuck you instead of me". Nueng makes a sincere comment about how easy it is to fall in love with Anueng, TO HER FATHER. Anueng's MOTHER is jealous that her daughter likes Nueng better than her. It's just all sooooooooooo fucking weird and psychosexual. 20yo Anueng's babyishness remains incredibly offputting to me, but my friend has pointed out she only does that when she's around Nueng, so it's very obviously a performance. When she's around literally anyone else she kind of just looks like she's dissociating 24/7. Plus her abusive grandmother has kept her so sheltered and isolated and abused that it's not surprising she doesn't really know how to socialize authentically. So even if it's not my bag I'm like, narratively compelled by whatever the actual fuck is going on in this GL. And did I mention: Mon and Sam are there, too!!!! There's a whole plotline where Anueng is jealous of Sam because she thinks Nueng and Sam are girlfriends. When she finds out they're actually sisters (and she double-checks onscreen: ACTUAL, biological sisters? This isn't a pseudocest situation?), she's like oh! So you like beautiful rich women! All I have to do is replace your sister by becoming a beautiful rich woman myself!!!

[bagdaddyb]

Hi!! Oh my gosh seeing you posting again was such a huge joy and surprise for me I’m so glad to read your new work!!!

I was wondering if you could write a wanda maximoff x fem!reader ABO fic where either Wanda or reader are new to the team with a whole bunch of pining where they eventually figure out that they are each others mate? You can make either Wanda or reader alpha/omega!

It’s super okay if you aren’t feeling this request, either way I’m so excited to read more of the amazing work you share with us!!!

Hiiiii! So I got super carried away with this and I originally intended for this to be mean emo Wanda but sweet soft Wanda took over, I hope you enjoy! 💗

Pairing: alphag!p Wanda x omega fem! spyReader

Warning: Sickeningly Sweet, 18+ MINOR DNI NSFW NSFW

AN: Wanda 🥰

You'd only been on the team for a year when the mess with Ultron happened. It all happened so fast, you could barely process everything happening around you before something new would arise. Sitting across from Natasha sipping coffee as you spied on the twin alphas you felt the most relaxed you had in weeks. Natasha kept glancing their way while your focus stayed on her, two people staring was more suspicious than one. You and the red head proved to be a good team over the past year. Two omega spies flying under everyones radar. The world still assumed the Black Widow a one woman show and no one would ever believe her to be an omega. The breeze felt nice on your back, bringing a hand up to tuck your hair behind your ear before looking down at your coffee.

"This has been a real shit show eh?"

Your voice held a familiar accent one you'd grown used to using under your many aliases. Natasha's eyes returned to you as she sipped her own drink.

"Not anymore than usual."

You hummed in response eyes wondering to the innocent civilians around you. Sipping your own cup you wonder if life would be better among them. Oblivious to the realities of the world to caught up in your own day to day menial task. The weight of this job seemed to weigh a bit heavier on your shoulders everyday, the question of wether the people you save amounts to the people you don't plaguing.

"S toboy vse v poryadke?" (Are you alright?)

The red head ask and you nod eyes returning to hers.

"Tired, it seems everytime we try to relax something detrimental in the world happens. I wonder what it would do without us."

A small chuckle escapes Natasha despite the truth in your words, her eyes shooting to the pair on her right once more. Though not a 'graduate' of the red room you hold your own tramatic story. Experimented on in the basement of Oscorp for years you'd been turned into a lab rat by the corpo bastards that owned the building. You'd escaped only three years ago, changed. Transformed into a human machiene, non-aging, ridiculously strong with a sirens song. You did the only thing you could and played the cards you were delt. Seducing mediocre alphas out of millions before any one even got a whiff of your existence but you could truly only thank Natasha for that. It wasn't until Natasha was taken down but the Black Widow kept striking that shield realized there was more than met the eye. It was Tony himself that went undercover to catch you and honestly had he not been an Avenger with intel he would of ended up caught himself. Another rich egotistical alpha who thought himself on top of the world. You didn't go down easy and spent a week in a cell before even uttering a word. In retrospect it all seems silly now you often think about how much time you wasted fighting the people who wanted nothing more than to help you. Eyes lifting to Natasha's face you can't help but feel greatful for the opportunity she's given you to help others like you.

"They're on the move."

You hum in acknowledgment before finishing off your drink mind finally wondering to the matter at hand. Your mission was recruitment nothing more. Ultron having been made unreasonably strong by the twins he somehow came to be in alliance with. You'd gained enough information merely listening in on their conversation, so you and Natasha retreated returning to the group in order to solidify your advances. Standing in time with Natasha you link your arm in hers smiling before chatting away about absolutely nothing in russian. Missing the way a certain alpha glanced your way when your scent drifted down wind. It only took twenty four hours for everything to go to shit almost a record breaker in your books. Ultron whineded up to be nothing after the male alpha was nere fatally injured the red headed woman taking care of him like clockwork. Luckily your team stood nearby able to quickly extract the alpha towards safety and medical attention. You worked efficiently getting him secured before moving to help the rest of your team fight off Ultron's bots and it isn't until the end when you stand with the support of Thor that you realize the red headed alpha had come with you. Returning to the compound there is tension on the quinjet. The group unsure what to do with the twin alphas who quite literally just tried to murder them and it causes you to roll your eyes.

"You could at least not talk about them as if they aren't right there."

You scold before moving towards the pair. The red head having been unmoving crouched over her unconscious brother.

"Privet." (Hello.)

You say making yourself known as you approach the alpha causing her to glance up at you.

"On dolzhen polnost'yu vyzdorovet'." (He should make a full recovery.)

You speak in a whisper trying to be soft.

"YA uveren, chto on ne khotel by, chtoby vy bespokoilis'." (I'm sure he wouldn't want you to worry.)

The woman merely returns her eyes to the unconscious man below her.

"Will you lock us up? Treat us once again like dogs?"

Your eyebrows raise and your posture straightens.

"No of course not, everyone deserves a second chance. You believed you were fighting for the right thing, there are many on this team who have been in a similar circumstance. Do not believe simply because we are labeled supergeroi that none of us have a dark past." (Superheroes)

With that you take your leave allowing the woman to be with her loved one. Upon returning to the compound you go into seclusion, you needed a break both mentally and physically. Just a few days where the world wasn't ending and it was entirely up to you to save it. Six days later you emerge slightly re-energized and fresh ready for the next catastrophe. The first place you visit is the gym already hearing Natasha's scolding on breaking your routine as you pass the common room you see the two twins on the couch alone. In this light you see them both clearly, while they hold the title twin they couldn't look more different. You study them both your eyes lingering on the red head. She was an attractive alpha, very attractive. You hear the tv playing but don't recognize the program they have on. Detouring into the room you catch their attention waving as you approach.

"Hello, I am rather embarrassed to say we never formally met. I am (Y/N) nice to meet you both."

You bow your head in greeting sending them a bright smile and both of them seem to freeze obviously caught off guard by your friendly approach. The male recovers first standing up before bowing his head back and sticking out his hand.

"Pietro, and that is my sestra Wanda."

You recognize his accent reaching to grip his hand in yours.

"A pleasure, I hope you two are adjusting well."

It isn't until then his sister jumps up a slight flush on her cheeks.

"It has been familiar, we are rather alienated but that is how it has always been."

You hum in response fighting back the disappointment in your expression.

"Don't fret, we are a group of antisocial extroverts forced to be in a group setting. Well expect for Tony but it just takes us all time to engage and meet new people, they will come around before long."

You finish with a smile.

"Have you two at least been taken care of? Food, water, lodging?"

They nod simultaneously and its enough for you.

"Good well I'm off to the gym, don't be strangers."

With that you leave not taking note of the full face flush on the woman's face.

"Kto-nibud' nashel svoyu sestru-omegu?" (Has someone found their omega sister?)

Pietro says in a teasing tone and Wanda punches him in the shoulder muttering at him to shut up. The moment you cross the threshold of the gym you flinch.

"Nu posmotrite, kto eto." (Well look who it is.)

"Can we skip past the part where you scold me so I can just apologize?"

You ask turning to meet Natasha's sharp gaze.

"Will your muscles magically regain their mass?"

"No."

You sigh accepting your defeat beginning to stretch as Natasha begins her speech on commitment. It is another four days before everyone finally comes around to the twins slotting them in as if theyed been there since the beginning just as they had you. Walking towards the gym you release a content sigh, a full ten days since the world seemed as though it'd collapse. What bliss. Quickly looking up your eyes fantically search for some wood unwilling to risk jinxing yourself.

"Dobroye utro." (Good morning.")

You hear from behind turning to be greeted by Wanda.

"Good morning indeed. Off for your morning cuppa are you?"

You ask and Wanda merely nods in response fighting back a yawn.

"Not a morning person?"

You ask with a smile walking beside Wanda.

"Not at all."

She says somewhat grumpily.

"Then what are you doing up at six a.m?"

You ask with a laugh and Wanda has to fight back a blush. She couldn't admit that she woke up at this time merely to see you every morning but what could she say.

"I like to cook but I'm not very good at it.... so I practice early before the others wake up."

The words spill out of her mouth quickly unable to think of anything better and you beam your white smile at her.

"Well how about tomorrow you sleep in till eight then I can help you learn, I am an amazing cook. I even know how to make some traditional dishes."

Wanda can't help the flush that comes to her face this time and it makes you feel a tingle inside.

"Okay."

The red head responds and you nod giving her arm a little reassuring squeeze as you come upon the kitchen.

"Good luck dorogoy." (Dear)

You say before continuing onto the gym and Wanda is sure her face matches her hair. Sure enough the next morning Wanda doesn't head towards the kitchen instead she spends the morning pacing her room anxiety ridden. You'd said for her to sleep in but how could she when you agreed to spend alone time with her. She couldn't tell Pietro and deal with his repeated teasing so she kept the information in slowly but surely having a meltdown. As she paced she played with her hair, bit her finger, twiddled her thumbs. God she couldn't do this. She'd literally been an experiment for Hydra and never felt this nervous in her life. The time passed quickly. To quickly. Right as she truly began to spiral there was a knock at her door, eyes shooting to the clock she realizes its already eight o'clock. Brushing off her clothes quickly before taking a few deep breaths and recuperating she opens her door. The moment her eyes land on you it all seems for naught, your hair is tied back. You wear tights and a tshirt covered by an apron. Your eyes spakle matched by your bright smile and Wanda feels herself melt a bit.

"I figured you'd meet me in the kukhnya." (Kitchen)

You say with a giggle and Wanda becomes a tomato realizing its not only eight but eight eleven.

"I'm sorry I slept in and lost all track of time."

You hum with a smile clearly not mad at all before turning to be on your way.

"All is fine I just didn't want to start without you."

Wanda follows behind you closing her door quickly. Her eyes wonder your body not being able to help staring at your ass.

"Ty slushayesh'?" (Are you listening?)

Wanda's eyes shoot up attention back on your voice.

"I asked what your favorite dish is."

"Oh um I love traditional pirozhki, my mother used to make them just slightly burnt at the edges. The taste reminds me of home."

You turn and smile softly her way.

"Perfect then that's what we will make, cooking can seem overwhelming but it isn't as scary as many think. I always recommend learning to cook for yourself first because it is much easier than cooking for others."

In the kitchen you gather the suppiles, you cooked often so the ingredients for this dish were easily found.

"I'll have you make the dough, it is all simply measurements so I'll do no more than verbal instructions."

You say as you prepare the area for Wanda.

"Here put this on, gotta protect your clothes and tie your hair back no one wants hair in their food."

Handing the apron to Wanda while standing by waiting. You bite your lip as you watch her. Running her fingers through silky red locks before pulling it up exposing her neck to you. She wore grey sweatpants and a baggy t. The sweatpants doing little to hide the member between her legs and you press your thighs together pleasurably. Wanda on the other hand was trying to think about how to see this lie through. She was an amazing cook, taking the responsibility of her brother from a young age. How was she going to play clueless. She should of at least said a dish she truly wasn't aware of how to make but when you asked her favortie food she couldn't help but answer honestly. You talked Wanda through the steps praising her for being a natural when the dough came out well. Leaving it to make the filling.

"What did your mom fill hers with? I do a simple meat and rice mixture since it goes along with my bulk."

Wanda nods along as she listens debating a moment before responding.

"Lets make them like yours, I've never had them any other way and I'd be eager to try."

You smile brightly at the alpha before nodding in response. Again you talk her through it always believing hands on with clear instruction was the best way to learn any skill. It gave the student mutiple ways to intake the information and made it harder to forget. Once the process is complete you help Wanda cut and stuff the dough, this part of the process being the longest and most tedious. You leave her to fry them as she likes since she'd mentioned her mom let them cook a bit longer and instead move to clean around her. Never a fan of a messy workspace. You hum as you clean, mindlessly really. It seems a tune that always floats around you. One Wanda is sure she's heard you hum before. By the time Wanda is done cooking you've cleaned the kitchen and are able to sit down and enjoy the meal with her. Of course the moment doesn't last and before either of you can even take a bite the smell of food draws in hungry Avengers.

"Mne vsegda nravitsya, kogda ty gotovish'." (I always love when you cook.)

Natasha says entering first, the smell of traditional food equivalent to a cat with its automatic feeder. Steve, Bruce, Tony, and Sam all slowly trickle in after stomachs growling audibly making you laugh.

"I suppose if I didn't cook every once in a while no one would eat around here hmmm?"

The group shares a laugh as they line up one by one to make plates.

"But in all honesty this meal is thanks to Wanda not me, I merely talked her through the steps."

Wanda can't hide the pink that dust her cheeks and all is going well until a certain twin walks in.

"Pirozhki! You always cook the best food sestra."

The blonde kisses his sisters head as he passes by and you can't help the eyebrow that raises in response.

"Always hmmm?"

You hum and Wanda is saved by the entrance of Thor who could of eaten the entire helping had he got here first.

"Mighty (Y/N) your meals are always most invigorating."

You smile at the God and try not laugh when you see his downcast face once he realizes he is the last one to show. Wiping your face after you finish you excuse yourself it was already nearing noon and you still hadn't even looked at the moutain of paperwork on your desk. Wanda watches you go. Over the next three weeks you and Wanda grow closer she begins training with you and Natasha in the mornings and you read with her sometimes in the afternoons, you don't question her about Pietro's comment after your cooking fiasco and Wanda never says anything about it because that woukd mean admitting to you that she was desperate to spend time with you.

"Soo?"

Natasha ask as the two of you jog around the gardens. It was early afternoon in fall, the cool winds combating your rising body heat making the jog enjoyable.

"Nothing."

"Yebat' will she ever make a move?" (Fuck)

You merely shrug.

"I don't know, I'll start showing signs of heat by the end of the week if that doesn't trigger her there's no hope."

Natasha laughs at that.

"Tak khochetsya al'fu, da?" (So eager for an alpha eh?)

"Not just any alpha, Wanda."

The week passes slowly and as the weekend gets closer your pheromones get stronger. The team knew your heat was approaching as they kept a calander for the Alphas so they could know when to distance, well everyone except Wanda apparently. Its Thursday night by the time she's had enough of your distance and decides to ask why you aren't at the table for dinner with the rest of the team.

"Where's (Y/N), I swear I haven't seen her all week."

Natasha sends a small smirk Wanda's way before Steve speaks up.

"Her heat is approaching so she is keeping extra distance for everyones saftey, she should come back around a week or so from today."

Pink hue coats Wanda's cheeks as the thought of you in heat takes over her mind and the pink only gets darker as her hard on begins to form in her pants. Her mind plummets into thoughts about your slick, and body. Thoughts about filling you with her seed and you being full with her pups causes her to be embarrassed by how hard she's become. If not for the table her bulge would be hard to miss. Wanda remains in a fog for the rest of dinner try as she might she couldn't get her mind off mating you and as everyone stands to part ways she remains seated making the excuse that she'd clean up the kitchen. Wanda strained painfully against her pants she could almost smell you now.

Rubbing your sides you walk towards the kitchen dinner should be over by now and you're starving. You need to get as many calories in as you can before you succumb to your heat tomorrow. The pain was slowly starting to set in and you'd be lying if you said you were looking foreward to the next seven days. You let out a groan as you turn the corner a sudden sharp pain stabbing your side. As you enter the threshold of the kitchen goosebumps rise on your skin the familiar smell of Wanda infultrating your nose before your eyes lock with the alphas. You're almost sure you see Wanda begin to tremble but you quickly begin to back away.

"I'm sorry I thought everyone would be gone by now."

You go to retreat from the kitchen and Wanda stands so quickly her chair falls behind her. In a second she's in your face grabbing you softly by the jaw making you look at her.

"Omega."

She whispers as she sniffs at you rubbing her nose against your cheek before falling to your scent gland.

"Mate."

She whispers again and you chirp. Your omega finally satisfied being acknowledged by your alpha. For a few minutes nothing happens, the two of you stand there relishing eachothers presence. You chirp at her as she lightly growls at you and you feel satisfied, whole even. Then you are painfully reminded of your situation causing you to sharply intake air and groan. Wanda growls louder at the noise of your distress and you whimper.

"It hurts."

Wanda's grip on your jaw becomes tighter, pushing you into the wall before pressing her own body against yours.

"Tell me where it hurts, I'll take care you shchenok." (Puppy)

You groan again, your heat suddenly over taking your senses as a result of having your mate so close. Your hands raise to grip Wanda's arms tightly, nails digging into her skin through the fabric of her shirt.

"Need you, please. Alpha. Mate."

Your words come out as little whimpers. Your panting, you don't know why but suddenly you can't get enough air for full breaths. So caught up in Wanda you don't even process you're about to be mated in the tower kitchen but honestly you don't care either. Wanda however does she feels territorial, primal even. She needs you to herself, needs privacy with you. She'd attack anyone who might see your bare body if she mated you here. Her room was on the other side of the compound, the alpha side far from the omegas and living area but your room was just down the hall. Wanda releases your jaw hands moving down your body till she reaches the back of your thigh. You bite your lip enjoying the electricity you felt from her touch. As she picks you up you wrap your legs around her torso tightly. Her hands against your thighs causing your sex to tingle. You wrap one hand around her neck before running the other through soft red hair. You return to chirping at her, the feeling of finding your mate an overwhelmingly happy one. You rub your cheek against hers softly and the alpha lightly growls in acknowledgment. You are consumed by Wanda's presence unable to focus on anything but her. When she lays you lightly on your bed you aren't even sure where you are, you just know you're there with her. Wanda bends over you, tucking her nose into your scent gland once more and growling loudly. She needs you, needs you marked, claimed. Needs everyone to know you belong to her.

"Mate."

The word is once again a whisper but you hear it all the same. The time to romantically strip you would have to be later gripping opposite sides of the loose shirt you wore the alpha literally tears the cloth off of you exposing your bra cladded torso to her. Your breathing speeds up the intimacy of the moment undeniable as you feel Wanda begin to run her lips down your body. It was like electric shock, the currents Wanda's touch sent through your body. She magiced your bra away completely exposing your upper half and growling as her soft lips wrapped around your nipple. You moan loudly in response, it felt good too good. You could get lost in this sensation alone.

"Mine."

Wanda growls against your skin before moving along to your other nipple. Your hands grip at Wanda through her clothes before you whimper.

"Need to feel you alpha."

Wanda growls in response, her eyes glowing red as she magics away her own clothing her skin now pressing against yours. She moves back up your body mouth hovering close before she lays claim to your own. The kiss is magical, the locking of your lips causing what you could only descibe as bliss throughout your whole body. You felt like you were glowing arms and legs wrapping around the alpha tightly you were sure this must be heaven. Wanda began to grind against you through the fabric of your pants, your underwear gliding against your excessive amount of slick. You blush, embarrassed by how wet you truly are from so little foreplay but the feeling doesnt last long when Wanda growls above you. Wanda pulls your pants off your waist guiding them down your thighs just enough to expose your slick and shudders when the smell of you tingles her nostrils. She's overcome with the need to knot you, breed you as she makes her mark on your neck. But she also feels the feral need to take you, to have your slick dripping down her chin as she causes you to come apart on her tongue. Starting with the latter she pulls your pants off quickly. Breaking away from your lips to slowly kiss down your body. You take a long gasp of air eyes dialating as you watch Wanda work her way down. Your hips begin to twitch unable to stay still at the excitement of what was about to come. Wanda's hands move to firmly grip your waist holding you in place as she kisses your stomach moving lower and lower your stomach muscles flex, a wave of arousal flowing through you. When she reaches her destination her hands move to your thighs lifting them up to hold you wide open for her. You're leaking, literally and Wanda can't wait to have a taste. She dives in slurping up the excess before moving to your center. Sucking on your clit then tongue fucking you like a woman starved. Your slick quenches a thirst Wanda didn't even know she had tongue lapping at your clit before quickly moving towards your hole eager to drink up the slick as a result. It doesn't take long and under normal circumstances you're sure you would of been embarrassed but none of that matters when your muscles spasm. Back arching in the most intense orgasm you've ever experienced, your thighs shake, eyes shut, mouth open in a silent scream. Wanda doesn't stop eagerly drinking up your orgasm before wanting, no needing you to do that again. You whimper in overstimulation but don't stop your alpha, just as turned on by her need for you. You squirm against the red heads mouth a little towards her a little away, this time you last longer if only for your slight sensitivity causing time before the feeling was pleasurable again yet you cum all the same. Wanda moans loudly as you release into her mouth again. She could do this all day she's sure of it. But now as her precum begins to soak her boxers she knows its time. Lifting onto her knees between your legs red eyes glow as her pants disappear and through your haze you see her in all her glory. You reach down gripping her in your hand moaning at the size while she moans at the sensation. You pump her, an overwhelming feeling to suck her down your through the way she'd done you comes over you but Wanda quickly grabs your hand removing you from her.

"You're going to make me bust shchenok." (Puppy)

Wanda hesitates a second if only to allow her own incoming orgasm to subside, she needed to bury herself in you and it wouldn't look good for her if it ended just as quickly as it started. In the meantime she leans down over you meeting your lips in a hungry kiss the taste of you on her lips causing another wave of your own slick to pool between your legs. You push at her lower back willing her to enter you but she resist. Kissing you eagerly before breaking to kiss to move towards your scent gland, you pant quickly. Wanda's kiss having stolen all the air from your lungs.

"Mine."

Wanda whispers against you, hips beginning to grind against your slick in order to lubricate herself. You shudder in response.

"Yours alpha, take me. I want to be yours."

Wanda reaches down gripping herself in order to slowly slide into you. She's thick stretching you out in ways only she can, the burn sends waves through you and by the time she's completely sheathed you're a whimpering mess.

"Yebat' you're so tight." (Fuck)

She pulls out only to slam back into you, her pace is brutal, hips slamming against yours hitting a sweet spot you didn't even know you had repeatedly. Your moans are as loud as the sound of your wet slick sucking Wanda back in. You claw at her wanting her impossibly closer as she fucked you into next week.

"Holy fuck I'm cumming. Alpha. Alpha."

Your eyes roll back as you arch. The orgasm makes you see white and Wanda doesnt stop. You squirting fueling her ego.

"That's right shchenok. You love the way your alpha fucks you, love how deep I am in you. Look shchenok can you see me."

Wanda brings your gaze down the visible bulge in your stomach when the alpha bottoms out causing your stomach to tighten.

"I'm right here."

Wanda says as she pushes down on the bulge and you spasm again another light orgasm washing through you.

"Fuck I'm gonna fill you up, get you pregnant with my pup."

Wanda pumps into you harder, her knot slamming against your entrance as she nears her own release.

"Alpha. Alpha."

You whimper to fucked out to form any other words.

"You're gonna look so pretty swollen with my seed all mine."

You moan again as Wanda bends towards your scent gland the feel of her canines against your neck enough to almost send you over the edge. She sinks her teeth into you right as you hear a pop. Her knot having settled inside you easily combined with the blackout orgasm of your mating bite. When you come to Wanda is still knotted deep inside you. Nuzzling at your cheeks with a low growl. You chirp back to weak to do much else and Wanda hums.

"My mate, my omega."

10 months later.

You were exhausted, to say the least. A new born was a lot of work and a lot of lost sleep. Wanda wasn't here, literally dragged away for a debrief she was required to attend. If you were honest you didn't mind, she'd been slightly smothering you since you gave birth and while you loved her for it just because you gave birth didn't mean you were no longer a functioning adult. You'd been picking petty arguments since your third trimester which you always felt bad for. It was the hormones combined with being put on bedrest so you didn't get to do your job combined with sexual frustration since the doctor said it was no longer safe for intercourse. You sighed as you stepped out of the shower, now with the added insecurities about the changes in your body since pregnancy and child birth you weren't sure you even wanted Wanda to touch you. Ignoring the mirror you dry yourself before wrapping a towel around you. Exiting the bathroom right as your little baby boy woke up with soft cries. You coo at him lifting him out of his crib you lose your towel throwing it over the side in order to hold your baby against your bare chest. You were barely one month postpartum but glad to be past the part where you were in a sense literally wearing a human diaper. Your son instantly calms at the sound of your heart beat as you bounce him lightly moving to sit in your bed you lean against the headboard letting out slightly pained noises as you try and relax your overworked back. You cover your lower half with the blanket already feeling the chill of the room as you begin to hum at your son. You don't hear the door open to focused to the little boy in your arms, getting comfortable as you move him to breast feed. You hiss as he begins to work at your sore nipple but eventually relax becoming accustomed to the pain. You rub his little head of hair softly smiling at him a fullness in your heart only created by the birth of your child as Wanda makes her pressence known.

"You're so beautiful dorogaya." (Dearheart)

You bite back your own insecurities at her comment humming in response. Looking up you meet Wanda's piercing eyes before meeting her lips in a kiss.

"I mean it dorogaya or have you forgotten I can hear your thoughts."

You can't help but frown not used to not being able to keep secrets.

"But...."

"Ah ah ah no buts, you're even more beautiful now than the day we met. Pregnancy and childbirth has given you a glow nothing else can."

You sigh a familiar warmth filling your chest in response to Wanda's love.

"YA tebya lyublyu." (I love you)

You whisper your free hand coming to rub against Wanda's cheek.

"I ya lyublyu tebya. Forever and always." (And I love you)

[emeryhiro]

I over analysed the Carol/Daryl promo vids

I'm back again with another over-analysis that no one asked for, but I'm really excited about this one, and I think you guys will love it, too.

Grab yourself a cup of tea because this might be a long one.

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These are the two vids I'll be breaking down and discussing:

Daryl's version on the right came out in August, but I didn't think much of his until I saw Carol's version on the left that came out this week. The puzzle pieces started to come together and a trend emerged.

Firstly, for context, below are the paintings at the start of each of their promo vids respectively:

Both these Paintings are by Gustave Dore. Carol's painting (left) is called The Angel Appearing to Balaam, and Daryl's (right) is called After the Shipwreck.

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Let's start with Daryl's After the Shipwreck.

This painting was made as an illustration of a poem called The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, published in 1875, specifically a scene set at the end of the poem where the Mariner loses his entire crew and is stranded and forced to navigate the seas alone for seven days and nights.

Parallel with Daryl, being taken away from his family/home, getting lost at sea, and being forced to navigate through France on his own, trying to find a way home.

The painting is of the moment the masts of the Mariner's ship disappear underwater, which can be seen in the water to the left.

Parallel with Daryl having to watch that boat that would take him home leave without him.

A pilot and his son see the Mariner in his lifeboat, but they assume he's dead. When the Mariner gets up and grabs the oars, the men think he must be a devil, because they don't believe any man could have survived that.

Parallel with Carol thinking Daryl is dead when she runs into a walker that looks just like him during a scene in 02x01 (according to a leaked script), and later finds out that he's alive and not being able to believe her eyes.

A dark figure is seen at the helm of the lifeboat, presumed to be the Holy Hermit, symbolising the misery awaiting the Mariner on shore.

Parallel with the struggles Daryl experiences in France and his desperation to return home.

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Now, for Carol's The Angel Appearing to Balaam.

This painting is an illustration of a story told in the Bible (Book of Numbers, ch: 22-24), which, to summarise, is about a man named Balaam, who, against God's wishes, goes on a mission given to him by the King of Moab, so God sends him an Angel, who meets him on his route and sets him back on the right path that God wanted him on all along. After his encounter with the Angel, Balaam remains faithful to God, ignoring the constant pressures from the King.

There are so many parallels here, and some can have multiple meanings, but I'll point out the ones that seem most evident to me: who the people in this story represent.

God: I think it represents God/Fate/Destiny/[insert whichever divine power you can think of], and God's plan here represents the story that Daryl & Caryl were meant to be on if Daryl wasn't misled, and they hadn't been separated.

King of Moab: This person to me is Maggie; she didn't intend to separate Daryl/Caryl, but she was the one who ultimately sent Daryl on that mission, and Carol couldn't follow, therefore separating them.

Balaam: This one is clearly Daryl; he accepts the mission from Maggie, leaving Carol behind, thinking he'd be back in no time, which, unbeknownst to him, would end up being a mistake he'd regret greatly.

The Angel: It's clear as day in the actual promo video that Carol is the angel. As the image of the angel fades, Carol appears in its place. She will be the one to go out, find Daryl on his lost path, save him, and help him return to where he was always meant to be, with her, with his Home.

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That was a long one, but I really enjoyed writing it; thank you so much for reading it, and I hope you guys liked it. My high school art history teacher would be so proud 😅

I'd love to know what you guys think and if you'd be interested in me doing a breakdown of the similar videos released for other characters like Laurent, Codron, and Fallou.

[Codron promo vid analysis]

[neko-naruto]

No escape

Summary: In the pit of darkness, he finds comfort.

Warnings: Panic attacks, monster vore, check tags for further warnings.

Summary: This is not intended to be sexual, but if you take it that way, so be it, I intended for it be almost a character exploration and not fap fodder, but I know a lot of people get off to this shit, I take reblogs as a form of currency over likes

It only took a second for darkness to take hold.

To swallow him whole, acidic saliva washing over him as he slipped further and into the pit.

It was viscous.

There was no stomach, this always happened during the bosses panic attacks.

He loses control and eats someone.

Dust just happened to be the closest this time.

Everyone gets regurgitated after a day or so of gestating in the pit of negativity. Killer came back out looking shockingly lively, like he had just walked out of a nice soak, despite being coated in ooze. Cross was usually closest whenever this happened, so he had the most experience, he would just slide out of Nightmares rib cage like nothing happened before taking his leave. When Horror got absorbed, his soul was sapping Nightmare magic preventing the guardian of negativity from doing jackshit until Horror was regurgitated.

Fangs made of hardened ooze like stalactites scraped over his exposed bone, not a whole lot. He easily slid down the throat of the beast, it felt like it was slicked with oil and he could get no grip. He was the last to experience this and he was panicking, the surrounding of the stomach wasn't tight, it wasn't constricting like he thought it would be. Instead it was spacious, it was a cavernous hole that he had no clue where it rested on Nightmares body, stars was he even in Nightmares body anymore?

He couldn't be.

Sure when he looked up he found the constricted path of ooze and the pulsating vines of neon that lined the walls of his entrapment.

When he stood up, it was easy, when he walked, the ooze was suctioned to his slippers until he stepped away. It gave easily after a few steps, and Dust realized how fucking big this place was.

Pocket dimension, had to be.

Eventually he walked far enough that the ooze started to thin, and he realized those walls never came, only mounds of ooze that pulsed with blue vines. Dust slowly slid down the side of one, sinking deep into the ooze, it was thinned, he assumed, but it was just the surface hardening. Instead he kept on sinking and sinking until he was fully submerged, he could still breathe and move it was like his swimming except there was no surface.

He didn't panic though.

If everyone else made it out alive, so would he.

He would be fine.

He just had to relax.

-x-x-x-

Nightmares form was massive, and shortly after Dust had been swallowed down completely he started to shrink back down.

His form was quaking as he shrunk back down to regular size, still larger than the rest of his teammates though. He appeared to be crying, but once he had regained composure he looked to his teammates to find them worried. He counted them up, realizing it was Dust who was missing, he gave a long groan, Dust had plans for tonight.

"Horror, I am so sorry," was all Nightmare said as he trudged over, his body threatened to collapse, Horror raced to catch him though, even as the body threatened to deform, "you and him were gonna go on a mission this evening and I ruined, fuck."

"S'alright," Horror stated calmly, he didn't speak all the time, and a lot of people thought that meant being shy, they were wrong in his case.

"I know, I just, god dammit, why can't I just be someone else, that isn't cursed?" Nightmare questioned, a soft murmuring conversation ensued, experience taught them that soul burn followed these panic attacks and he needed quiet.

Three days passed and Dust fucking fell out from the rib cage.

He looked mortified and extremely confused.

The rest of his team was playing video games, Nightmare watching, Dust hit the floor with a thud before being hit with questions. He answered most of them as he tried to shed the goo from his jacket without removing it. He deflected the questions that he didn't understand or really didn't want to answer, when asked if he wanted to play, he declined.

He sat next to Nightmare, joints aching, but he was fine it was quite refreshing actually. Nightmare was silent despite a tentacle wrapped around Dusts shoulders in a faux hug and he froze up. Sure, he knew the rest of his teammates got those forbidden and fabled 'hugs' from the boss, but he didn't expect to get one.

"How was your stay in Nightmare Vegas?" Nightmare asked with a smirk as he released Dust, whose face was peppered in a metallic violet hue.

"How do I put this lightly... Do it again, please," Dust begged, that had Nightmare shocked, quirking a metaphorical brow as he stared at Dust in nothing but a sense of fear.

"I'm sorry, what?" Nightmare managed to get out as he stood up, Dust followed the cue as he was led down the halls to Nightmares office, taking a seat as Nightmare lounged behind the desk.

"Do it again, fucking swallow me and let me stay in... There, at least I think that's where I ended up," Dust said, pointing at Nightmares chest, a neon aqua tinted Nightmares face.

"Why?" Nightmare asked, glancing nervously to the side, he had had this conversation with Horror as well, but Horror was a lot less persuasive and persistent than Dust on these matters.

"Cause it was comfortable, a little bit unsanitary, but comfortable, so comfortable I am temped to jump down the maw of Muffets pet if I have to," Dust said, he knew he wouldn't make it out of Muffets pet alive unlike Nightmare, very different biology, and Dust could tell this entire conversation was having versatile effects on Nightmare given the neon aqua vines shooting across his form.

"Look, don't fucking get eaten by any but me, you will not make it out in one piece, if I hear news of you trying to get eaten alive by someone else I'll throw you in the dungeon," Nightmare threatened, he felt so, so disgusting given the angle he was working in this conversation, but every angle was a bad one, and this one would hopefully ensure Dusts safety at least, "next time I start to panic, I'll send Killer to get you or something, if I remember, understood?"

"Understood Nightmare," Dust said as he stood up, he was grinning just a bit, that metallic violet on his face intensifying just a little bit at the thought of being stuck inside of that pocket dimension again.

Once Dust left and shut the door Nightmare couldn't help but rest his head on his desk and groan.

What a team, what a team.

He understood why Horror would want in again, that's free magic, and since he's been much better at using his own, like a spark reignited it. Killer, yeah, yeah he kind of understood that, he said it was like being amongst something like himself, pure negativity, pure brokenness.

But Dust?

Yeah, he had no clue.

[holly-natnicole]

Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano? (Or, as I prefer to call her, Reyna de la Fuerza?) Heck yeah, I headcanon her as aro ace!!

Here's what the canon books have on the topic:

'Reyna grimaced. Percy got the feeling this guy Jason might've been more to her than just a colleague'. — 'the Heroes of Olympus: the Son of Neptune' (2011)

Percy probably assumed Reyna had romantic feelings for Jason (but even then, Percy didn't explicitly think it was romance; simply that Jason wasn't solely Reyna's colleague – there's other options for bonds between people besides "boyfriend or colleague" and I despise the assumption that "more" must mean romance). Reyna never said to Percy that she has romantic feelings for Jason.

'Jason... Percy couldn't go very far in this camp without hearing that name. "The way you talk about him..." Percy said. "Were you two a couple?" Reyna's eyes bored into him – like the eyes of a hungry wolf. Percy had seen enough hungry wolves to know."We might have been," Reyna said, "given time. Praetors work closely together. It's common for them to become romantically involved. But, Jason was only praetor for a few months before he disappeared. Ever since then, Octavian has been pestering me, agitating for new elections. I've resisted. I need a new partner in power – but I prefer someone like Jason. A warrior, not a schemer." She waited. Percy realized she was sending him a silent invitation.His mouth went dry. "Oh... you mean... oh." "I believe the gods sent you to help me," Reyna said. "I don’t understand where you come from, any more than I understood it four years ago. But I think your arrival is some form of repayment. You destroyed my home once. Now you’ve been sent to save my home. I don’t hold a grudge against you for the past, Percy. My sister hates you still, it’s true, but Fate brought me here to Camp Jupiter. I’ve done well. All I ask is that you work with me for the future. I intend to save this camp'."

— 'the Heroes of Olympus: the Son of Neptune' (2011)

To me, the whole thing comes across as other people being heteronormative & amatonormative towards her and Reyna basically going along with it despite having no romantic feelings for Jason or anyone else.

"The point is, Percy, you are the real power on this quest. You are a seasoned veteran. I’ve seen what you can do. A son of Neptune wouldn’t be my first choice, but if you return successfully from this mission, the legion might be saved. The praetorship will be yours for the taking. Together, you and I could expand the power of Rome. We could raise an army and find the Doors of Death, crush Gaea’s forces once and for all. You would find me a very helpful… friend." She said that word like it could have several meanings, and he could pick which one. Percy’s feet started tapping on the floor, anxious to run. "Reyna… I’m honored, and all. Seriously. But I’ve got a girlfriend. And I don’t want power, or a praetorship."Percy was afraid he’d made her mad. Instead she just raised her eyebrows. "A man who turns down power?" she said. "That’s not very Roman of you. Just think about it. In four days, I have to make a choice. If we are to fight off an invasion, we must have two strong praetors. I’d prefer you, but if you fail on your quest, or don’t come back, or refuse my offer… Well, I’ll work with Octavian. I mean to save this camp, Percy Jackson. Things are worse than you realize'."

— 'the Heroes of Olympus: the Son of Neptune' (2011)

This seriously sounds to me more like Reyna trying to get help in dealing with her responsibilities and Percy assuming romance would be involved.

'Reyna broke a dry branch off a shrub and flicked it into the underbrush. "I went on that quest with Jason, what, two years ago? Venus took one look at me and decided… I don’t know. I was broken. I needed romantic healing. Whatever. I wasn’t back at camp a full day before the whispering started. Nobody would admit that they knew, but they knew. The looks I got: Oh, poor Reyna. The innocent suggestions I got about who I should date." She didn’t sound angry. It was more like weighed down and weary. I remembered Frank Zhang’s concern about how long Reyna had shouldered the burdens of leadership, how he wished he could do more to relieve her. Apparently, a lot of legionnaires wanted to help Reyna. Not all of that had been welcome or useful. "The thing is,” she continued, “I’m not broken." "Of course not'."

— 'the Trials of Apollo: the Tyrant's Tomb' (2019)

This is heart-breaking!! Reyna went through the same amatonormativity crap many Real Life aro ace people unfortunately experience.

"My whole life, I’ve been living with other people’s expectations of what I’m supposed to be. Be this. Be that. You know?"

— 'the Trials of Apollo: the Tyrant's Tomb' (2019)

Again, the crappiness that is amatonormativity!!

"But the whole time I’ve been a leader here,” she forged on, “I was looking for a partner. Praetors often partner up. In power. But also romantically, I mean. I thought Jason. Then for a hot minute, Percy Jackson. Gods help me, I even considered Octavian." She shuddered. "Everybody was always trying to ship me with somebody. Thalia. Jason. Gwen. Even Frank. Oh, you’d be perfect together! That’s who you need! But I was never really sure if I wanted that, or if I just felt like I was supposed to want it. People, well-meaning, would be like, Oh, you poor thing. You deserve somebody in your life. Date him. Date her. Date whoever. Find your soulmate." She looked to me to see if I was following. Her words came out hot and fast, as if she’d been holding them in for a long time. "And that meeting with Venus. That really messed me up. No demigod will heal your heart. What was that supposed to mean? Then finally, you came along." "Do we have to review that part again? I am quite embarrassed enough." "But you showed me. When you proposed dating…" She took a deep breath, her body shaking with silent giggles. "Oh, gods. I saw how ridiculous I’d been. How ridiculous the whole situation was. That’s what healed my heart – being able to laugh at myself again, at my stupid ideas about destiny. That allowed me to break free – just like Frank broke free of his firewood. I don’t need another person to heal my heart. I don’t need a partner… at least, not until and unless I’m ready on my own terms. I don’t need to be force-shipped with anyone or wear anyone else’s label. For the first time in a long time, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. So thank you'."

— 'the Trials of Apollo: the Tyrant's Tomb' (2019)

I'm so happy for Reyna!! She finally found herself.

Reyna's romantic orientation hasn't been explicitly confirmed, but she's definitely asexual; whether she's alloromantic or aromantic or demiromantic etc. is up for interpretation in canon. I personally think she's aro.

Does anyone else think that Reyna is Aromantic or Asexual????

[mindofasupernova]

The Inventor Part 2

Kaz Brekker x reader

Description: A killer is on the loose, eliminating Kaz's informants. In a desperate attempt, Kaz meets a certain inventor that has his mind racing, trying to figure out the complex puzzle she is.

Hope you like it, let me know what you think.

Kaz

A corpse? That's what she wanted? Did she think that he just kept all the bodies of his deceased workers in his room? How the hell was he supposed to get his hands on the corpse of one of his poisoned informants?

One day after meeting the young inventor, Kaz had sent Inej to gather answers to the Y/LN Manor. And just as promised, the girl had already identified most of the compounds, but due to "careless and messy manipulation", clearly referring to Kaz's pouch, she had been unable to determine a specific substance that acted as a catalyst. Inej returned to the Slat with Y/N's message asking for a meeting and a request Kaz wasn't exactly expecting.

According to Y/N, it was of the utmost importance for her to examine the body if she hoped to pinpoint the missing compound not to mention it provided a perfect opportunity for Kaz to tell her about how the poison had captured his attention.

Inej had returned later than usual, smiling and carrying a small brown bag that wafted a sweet and delicious scent. When Kaz had raised his eyebrows in question, Inej had told him Y/N had given her some recently baked cookies. He grunted in response and kept working, but his mind kept drifting back to the cookie bag and what that small act meant.

Inej was cautious but he also knew that she always searched for kindness in people. That snack could have been simply just a gift but Kaz wouldn't have made it this far if he considered all people as kind-hearted. Y/N was a stranger, a rich stranger from the highest of ranks of society who probably didn't care if Barrel rats like him lived or not. Y/N hadn't asked for a favor nor did she need money, she just wanted to know, that unsettled Kaz more than he liked to admit.

He had spent the day gathering information about her, her personal life, hobbies, and all the rumors he could find. He had found absolutely nothing that could give him an insight into the girl's intentions, he had finished empty-handed with the information he already knew: she was the only daughter of one of the richest men in Ketterdam, the perfect personification of a wealthy royal daughter, an innocent and pious little thing that went to Church with her family. Kaz scoffed at that, the defying look she gave her at their secret rendezvous accompanied with her enthusiasm for carving a corpse open proved she was far from innocent.

No, until he had more facts he wouldn't let his guard down. And yet, a small part of him yearned for her actions to be good-intentioned. Stop, hope is a dangerous thing. He had already made the mistake of hoping when he was nine and look where it got him.

Kaz returned his gaze to the papers in front of him, huffing in annoyance, he started writing down orders to get a corpse for Y/N.

_______________

Y/N : One day after the meeting

Y/N was quietly sitting at her vanity, a soft smile adorned her face, gaze completely lost on her new device when Inej, soundlessly crept inside her bedroom.

After Kaz Brekker had left the shop near the Church of Barter, she no longer felt the giddy spark she had when she left her manor. She couldn't blame Mr. Zhang for telling Mr. Brekker about their association, he was an old jumpy man who wished no trouble upon no one. She had left all the concoctions that Mr. Zhang had order, but she didn't show him her latest joy, she no longer felt as excited.

This new invention she had come up with consisted of a music box. But it was no ordinary music box, far from it. Y/N had noticed how most of the music boxes got damaged with time when the metal rusted and the music no longer sounded like a melody but more like a haunted house. So, instead of depending on metal to play music, why not use water vapor. Yes, she had spent four days perfecting the pressure at which each piston released the water so it was a perfect copy of one of the melodies in the Komedie Brute. Four days making sure that the amount of heat the flame distributed was enough to transform the water into vapor but not so fast it was gone before the song ended. And now, here it was, a vapor-based music box with a decorative firebird in the center that literally caught fire, warming the water below.

Mind too caught up on the mechanics of her own work, that, when the Wraith materialized from the shadows behind her, Y/N sent a rain of screws and nuts toppling down the floor when Inej's hand landed on her shoulder.

Wide-eyed, Y/N turned around to face the apparition in her room. The Suli girl raised her hands, to show she intended no harm and in a kind voice spoke:

"I'm not here to hurt you. Kaz Brekker sent me to check up on your progress."

With a sigh of relief, Y/N straightened relaxed her posture. "Why, of course, should have assumed Mr. Brekker would send someone. Please, take a seat. " with a small smile, she gestured to a plush burgundy armchair.

"As promised, I have successfully identified most of the compounds. However, I fear identifying the catalyst agent won't be possible unless I conduct a thorough autopsy on the unfortunate victim. The needle I was given was in an atrocious condition, too many foreign compounds had already interacted with it." Y/N answered, finishing with a hopeful tone.

Inej nodded her head and responded, "I'll let Kaz know, thank you Marchioness Y/LN." Inej turned around, making a bee-line for the window.

"You must not be thinking of going out in this beastly weather. Please, stay until this horrendous downpour ceases." Y/N quickly called back, wrapping her silk shawl around her petite frame, as if the thought of stepping outside was enough to send a chill running down her spine.

Inej hesitated, directing a fleeting glance at the crying sky outside, she resumed to her previous seat.

"Would you like a piece of Cinamon-coated Pavlova? I guarantee you won't regret it, the caramelized peaches are sinfully appetizing!" and before the Suli girl could respond, Y/N was rushing out of her room, the dainty patter of her heels clicking down the stairs.

Her room was exactly what Inej had expected: luxurious and overly grand. But there was something about it that Inej couldn't quite place, her room was tidy to the extreme, all the expensive perfume bottles lined up, gaps between that appeared as if they had been measured with a ruler. Nothing in her room showed a preference or indication of what she truly liked, at first sight, the room would have seemed like the perfect fairytale but now, upon close observation, the room looked generic, hollow, and cold. The spy wondered if all the riches were worth living into a life as impersonal as hers.

Y/N returned, carrying a tray full of fancy desserts Inej couldn't even pronounce.

"The baker proclaims himself a master of crème brûlées. I prefer his fruit-stuffed truffles, though. Mouthwatering" Y/N commented, gingerly placing the tray on her small mahogany table.

Y/N waited for Inej to take a bite out of the coffee tiramisu, after the Suli girl let a soft hum of appreciation, Y/N smiled and questioned: "I hope I'm not being too invasive, but how did you manage to climb all the way to my window? There are no nooks where you could have possibly held onto, you must have an incredible balance to perform such a feat."

And that's how Inej told her about her life as an acrobat, proudly sharing brief glimpses to her past, seeing no harm in the girl next to her. Y/N was more than happy when Inej started talking, she was glad the bronzed-skinned girl didn't treat her with timid whispers afraid of offending her royal title. It felt nice to have a normal conversation, being able to share honest opinions instead fake smiles and condescending words at galas, afraid that if the wrong statement slipped they'll become the next party gossip.

____________________

The morning after, Inej returned bearing Mr. Brekker's message agreeing to a nightly meeting where she'll be able to examine the corpse.

Saying that Y/N was thrilled, was an understatement, apart from a chance to put her brain to good use, it gave her the perfect opportunity to try a device she had specifically designed for creating an alibi while she was sneaking outside at unlikely hours.

Y/N hated piano. Don't get her wrong, it wasn't the instrument, it was the music, her music. Because for an unknown reason, her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own whenever she tried to. She admired the focus and dedication of musicians, she really did, but her mind easily got distracted thinking about her latest reading material instead of focusing on the notes. So, she had created a system capable of pushing the tiles as if her own fingers played the music. She knew it was wrong to fool her parents in such a way but it gave her a perfect cover to go in secret missions her parents would never approve of.

Proper ladies don't get excited over knowledge, much less probe in repulsive matters such as corpses. Look at you, Y/N, what would future suitors think if they discover you all cheerful over someone´s murder? The scandal! Zia Francesca's reprimanding voice resonated inside Y/N´s head. But she could care less about what the whole Ketterdam thought about her, science was her passion, and she would abandon it until the day she died.

Already outside, a navy blue scarf wrapped around her head to shield her delicate features against unwanted attention, Y/N waited for Inej at their chosen meeting point.

The sly girl slipped into view, with a grace greater than the one of a feline, leaving the shadows as if she and the night were one. With a brief nod, Y/N followed the girl into the awaiting hands of darkness. Leading her towards the Barrel, a place where monsters lurked behind every corner impatiently waiting to pounce any minute. Nonetheless, Y/N felt ecstatic, warm excitement pulsing through her veins, a river waiting in anticipation to break the thin modest facade she kept up to let her curiosity resurface in search of enigmas to solve.

When they arrived at a place named "The Crow Club", Inej went to get Kaz and some "others" and told her to wait. Y/N observed the lively atmosphere, seeing customers from different countries around the world when her eyes landed on a familiar head with wild red curls.

"Mr. Van Eck?" Y/N questioned in disbelief, the boy perked up at the sound of his last name, locking eyes with the hooded girl.

Never would she have imagined finding Wylan Van Eck down in the Barrel. She was shocked, Wylan supposedly should be in a music school outside of Ketterdam. Both belonging to affluent families, Y/N had met Wylan Van Eck at several parties. She hadn't gotten to know him very well, but she liked the quiet boy who shared the same look of misfortune Y/N had every time they were thrown into a classy social event. When his father had announced he was leaving to study abroad, Y/N was happy for him although she would miss being silently miserable together. But it appeared Wylan had been doing something far from studying, now sitting next to a tall Zemeni boy with his arm slung around his shoulder.

"Marchioness Y/N, I never imagined...W-What brings you here?" replied round-eyed Wylan, confusion, and astonishment written all over his features.

But before Y/N could respond, steps and the tapping of a cane interrupted their little meeting, Inej small silhouette trailing behind Mr. Brekker.

"So, you know Wylan?" he interrogated in that characteristic rasp, coffee eyes scrutinizing Y/N's form.

"Yes, Mr. Van Eck used to come to our social gatherings."

Wylan just nodded shyly while his long-limbed companion kept drowning shot like they were water.

Dirtyhands humphed in acknowledgment "Nice, know that we are all together let's go to...Jesper, I don't pay you to drink the bar dry. Get your ass down here and let's get moving so our dear inventor can examine the body, shall we?

"Wait, she is the contact you talked about?" the Zemeni, Jesper, questioned. Eyes going from Kaz Brekker to Y/N, as if this was some kind of joke.

"Wylan called her Marchioness? You asked for a royal's help?" Jesper asked, an incredulous mocking smile on his face. "Who are you and what have you done with Kaz?"

Mr. Brekker scowled at him and without another word turned around not even waiting for them to follow.

"Well, nice to meet you, my lady. The name's Jesper Fahey," he said, bowing down and kissing her hand, sending her a mischievous wink.

"Very nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Fahey. And please, there's no need for formalities, just call me Y/N." she comforted, as they finally reached the others. Glancing at the rest while finishing her last statement, prompting the rest to call her by her first name.

________

Kaz

Y/N radiated waves of elation, her whole face lighting up at the thought of an adventure, a star amid the tumultuous dark waters of Ketterdam helping him find his way to the shore.

Kaz wore an amused expression at Y/N's amused gaze roaming the dirty streets of the Barrel, a new unknown world full of carnage and sins. She isn't fit for the Barrel thought Kaz, her eyes dancing in amusement at every little detail that caught her interest despite her efforts to put on a serious face and regal posture. She probably saw wonderous adventures while Kaz saw the Barrel for what it really was: a ravenous, savage beast waiting to swallow the weakest whole and drain the lives of the ones who survived its ghastly bites. And somehow the concept that she didn't belong in this world, his world, made Kaz's heart wrenched a little.

During their walk, Kaz shared the details about the latest killer on the loose and his dead informants, all the while, Y/N remained quiet, evaluating every one of his words.

When they arrived at an abandoned building, a single man was stationed outside, leaning on the tainted wall with a tired look in his eyes. Kaz nodded at the guard who gave him a set of keys and trotted out of sight. Kaz guided them inside, careful no prying eyes had followed them. Kaz turned on the lights, briefly disconcerting his companions, and pointed to a table with a big bulk covered by a dirty cloth.

"As you requested, the unfortunate victim" announced Kaz as Y/N placed a small suitcase she'd brought with her forensic equipment and tenderly pried the cloth covering the thing that once had been alive.

Y/N didn't bat an eyelash when she saw the corpse's face, not even when Jesper started gagging or when Inej turned around and started quietly mumbling prayers to her saints. Kaz focused on her face, the calm inquisitive look of a scientist, he had expected a gasp at least. Kaz was impressed by her cool analytical demeanor when a simple glimpse of the man was enough to send Kaz back to the ocean, rotting flesh beneath his fingertips. Kaz shuddered at the thought, forcing down the vomit rising in his throat.

"If you need an assistant, Jesper is willing to help" Kaz stated, stabilizing his voice so it wouldn't show his true feelings.

"What?! Me? Umm..no...I...Helping isn't a Jesper talent." Mr. Fahey said, a fearful look in his eyes, face white as a sheet. Kaz hoped he didn't look as terrified as him.

Y/N stopped her scan, looked up at the two boys, and with a small smile spoke: "I appreciate it, but there's no need. I'm certain I can handle it on my own."

Quickly discarding her coat and scarf, pushing back the sleeves of her rouge-colored blouse, and pulling long laboratory gloves over her hands along with a white apron over her head, she set up to work.

Kaz stared at her features, as she transformed into an eager forensic, light illuminating her face, falling in the right places giving her an otherwordly glow. Rebellious strands of hair framing her forehead, a pink hue staining her cheeks indicating her joyous state. The sight before him would have put any masterpiece to shame, Kaz wondered how she could stare at a corpse and find glee in such a morbid image. But Kaz liked it, the brilliant gleam her eyes portrayed, her childish joy at the promise of adventure.

The spell was broken when she started pulling out scalpels, syringes, and other items Dirtyhands couldn't bother to learn the name of. Pulling the flesh taught beneath her fingers, Y/N made a Y incision, skin splaying open.

Cold lifeless hands gripped Kaz's throat. his brother's icy whispers brushing his skin. He turned his head away and as if perceiving his discomfort, Y/N's bewitching doe eyes stared back at him.

"You can wait outside if you prefer to, I'll notify you when I'm done." her gentle voice reached and Kaz couldn't have been more grateful.

With a sharp shake of his head, Kaz limped towards the exit, Jesper, and Inej quickly following his movements.

--------

After Y/N finished, she eagerly started explaining her findings, a prideful gleam emanating from her.

"Well, Mr. Brekker I must admit this case is a peculiar one. The simplest ones always prove to be the most challenging."

"Here I thought that after years of fancy tea reunions you'd know the meaning of a vast number of words. I'll be sure to buy you a thesaurus." mocked Kaz, a wolfish smirk creeping onto his face.

The inventor frowned at his comment, racing her chin higher, and started her rant, thoughts racing to prove her point.

"Oh no, Mr. Brekker do not confuse simple and easy. Simple is straightforward, plain facts to the observer. Ordinary details are hard to pinpoint, effortlessly found everywhere, which makes it harder to find unique characteristics that could serve as means of identification since their nature is so elementary." Y/N spoke swiftly, pacing around the room, eyes never faltering from Kaz's.

"And that's exactly what happened in this case. As I had mentioned, my extraction wasn't entirely successful, for an essential reactant was missing. However, it wasn't the only reason why I insisted on examining the body, no, a very simple and ordinary substance appeared when I separated the poison: Helianthus annuus or more commonly known as sunflowers." Y/N paused glancing at their surprised faces, clearly pleased with their reactions, she continued, the corners of her lips tugging upwards.

"You can imagine my surprise when I found sunflower pollen as the main component of the poisonous agent. I ran several more tests and the result remains the same, our killer is using these lovely flowers as a weapon. Now, back to the catalyst, the easy part of the equation. This component isn't as fastidious as the previous one, why, you may ask. Well, its vast majority consists of average materials but a small percentage of it contains alloys that are only produced in Ketterdam, that combined with the peculiar way they were fused, suggests a Grisha alkemi made this solution." Y/N concluded, grabbing a piece of paper and hastily writing before she handed it to Kaz.

"There are no signs of struggle, meaning either they knew the attacker or they were taken by surprise. A swift prick to the femoral artery, a clear pathway for the poison to reach the bloodstream, infecting the body within seconds."

"It shouldn't be very hard to find the alkemi. They aren't very popular and most of them are indentured. Here is the list of all the reactants, the specifics, and where I believe you might find them. " finished the girl, looking at the trio expectantly.

"If you don't mind, I have taken a sample to examine more carefully at my house. I'll try to find any details I might have overlooked."

Briskly reading the list, Kaz frowned and then pocketed the small scrap of paper. "First thing tomorrow morning, ask around for an alkemi who might have bought these materials. "

Kaz turned to look at his fellow crows, content with their nods of approval, grabbed his cane, and sauntered towards the door. Her chemistry knowledge was astounding, a marvelous domain of anatomy, and an even more gifted engineer from what he had heard. Hers was an indeed beautiful mind, not that he would ever tell her.

"Mr. Brekker?" her light voice shattered through the gloomy night. Kaz craned his neck, gaping back at her in question.

"Is there perhaps a place where I might be able to tidy myself up?" Y/N questioned, Kaz finally looking at her messy red-stained apron and her exposed arms displaying strokes of red all over them.

Kaz hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should bring the girl back to their home. "You can use the restroom back at the Slat." The girl had risked her reputation sneaking out on ill-advised affairs to help them, it was the least he could do.

"Thank you" Y/N replied as she carefully peeled her apron, attentive at not brushing her arms against her blouse.

___________

Once she had freshened up, Y/N stumbled upon the young Van Eck talking with a couple. The green-eyed girl was about Y/N's age, a generously carved complexion, holding the hand of a tall Fjerdan.

Y/N inclined her head as a form of salute, "I never pegged you for the rebellious type, Mr. Van Eck. I never thought you hated music lessons that much to run away." she told him in a joking tone.

"And I never thought you were the type to sneak out at ungodly hours just to play detective. " Wylan replied, a grin beginning to form on his face.

"Well, I suppose everyone has secrets."

"You must be Y/N, Inej told me you were the help Kaz so desperetly needed. I'm Nina, he's Matthias and well you already know Wylan."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Inej had briefly mentioned them, she knew now that Nina loved food, maybe next time she'll bring those exquisite truffles she had so eagerly talked about. If there is a next time Y/N reminded herself, she desperately hoped so, but now that her work was done she wasn't so sure Kaz Brekker would ever seek her again.

"Well, you have saved me the introductions." Kaz sarcastically glowered at the green-eyed girl, Nina kept talking as if she hadn't heard him.

It was one thing for Kaz to admire her intelligence, it did not mean he trusted her, though. Pieces were still missing to the intricate puzzle she was and until that changed Kaz did not like the way she rapidly befriended his crows, her intentions were still blurry to Kaz, and even though he would never admit it he cared deeply about their well-being.

"You should stay a little longer, we could go for waffles as a way of thank you." prompted Nina.

"Your offer is very tempting, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I should be returning home." Y/N declined, grinning at Nina, blissful someone had invited her for waffles.

Kaz stared at her and wondered how many times someone had done something similar, not to thank her but rather to use her, so that such a simple gesture put her in a joyful state.

"Scared of what your parents may do if they found out the truth?" Kaz quipped once his crows had left the two of them alone. A teasing tone masking true concern.

"Terrified. Someone may notice I've been playing the same four songs for the last couple of hours, always missing the same notes every time and they might get ideas of checking up on me," she confessed, mischief coating her features.

"Good night, Mr. Brekker. I'm happy I could be of assistance. Please, let me know if you find your killer or if my experience is needed again."

Kaz just bowed, signaling for his Wraith to get Y/N back to her manor in one piece.

Both girls disappeared into the night, leaving Kaz pondering what the hell she had meant with playing the piano.

___________

Y/N

Almost two weeks had passed, no signs of Kaz and no visits from the Wraith, well not that she was aware of. Y/N caught herself glaring at no point in particular, she readjusted her expression and plastered a well-practiced look of keen interest, trying to focus on Lady Stathos' rant about the attractiveness of the Viscount of Chagny.

Y/N politely excused herself, with no intention of making a fool of herself if Lady Stathos posed a question related to her gossip.

Too busy drowning in her own sorrow, knowing that Kaz had probably captured the culprit and was happily celebrating his success and no longer needing Y/N's help, that she stumbled forward, barely catching herself when someone bumped her from behind.

When Y/N turned back around, searching for that someone, she was met with a sight she had only seen once in an abandoned warehouse late at night. One that made her mind scream: Helianthus annuus.

Mercher Dupont's eyes were deranged, veins gruesomely popping and blood spilling from his lips, before toppling in the middle of the dance floor, taking his final breath.

[googoojeu]

our usual spot || lee heeseung x gn!reader

;; you find lee heeseung at your usual spot at your favorite cafe with none other than his newest significant other in his arms

anon: Hello!!! Can I please request an angsty Heeseung imagine? Like maybe he cheats or he doesn’t like y/n back~~

a/n: this wasn't proofread so i apologise for mistakes huhu, i hope everyone had a good day!

warning(s): mentions of cheating, cursing

— angst, requested, lowercase intended!

stretching to get rid of the cramps your lower back has been feeling, you scan the email your group member has sent you for your final thesis project. you've been busy for the past two months, distracting yourself from the pain that you liked to call "lee heeseung". it hasn't been a full five months since your break-up, but rumors had already spread that he's already got someone new wrapped on his finger. unconsciously, you started massaging your ears, a habit that you had picked up when you were with heeseung. he'd always do that to you when he saw that you were getting too stressed about something, to calm you down, he'd gently massage your ears to lessen the stress you've been holding. "god what am i doing?" you stopped yourself. you looked at your watch and sighed. "you need a break." you look at where the voice came from and you smiled gratefully. mirae, the team leader, just joined you in the library. she immediately puts down her stuff and tells you to get a drink from your favorite cafe. "the cute barista you've been eyeing for a few days is on shift at the moment." mirae wiggles her eyebrows. you roll your eyes. you know that you should be moving on right now, but the pain was still fresh. the countless nights you've been up thinking maybe you were the problem. maybe you didn't give enough love or didn't pay too much attention. that's why he cheated.

you arrive at the cafe and was greeted by the cute barista your friend was talking about. you smiled at him and gave your usual order. "one caramel macchiato coming right up!" he winked at you before working on your order. you trail your eyes over the menu board, to the people chatting at the tables and it landed on the last person you wanted to see at the moment.

lee heeseung.

his hair was styled perfectly, mouth formed in a loving smile while staring lovingly at the person who you could only assume as his new partner. or maybe not? who were you trying to fool? yourself? as the seconds trickled by, you realized that they've been sitting at your usual spot. the third table on the left, where you could see the road that led up to your university and the hill that goes downwards that leads you to a noraebang and a couple of street vendors and shops. you've always loved that scenery, heeseung knows that. you started to grow angry. how dare he sit at your spot? your usual spot? the special place where you both confessed to each other? as if the gods were trying to make fun of you, heeseung unexpectedly turns to you, his expression an unreadable one. the eye contact was too much for you, all of those memories that you've tried burying for the past month resurfaced.

"let's break up." you looked up from your laptop. "i don't want to do this anymore." he sighs as he fixes his shoelaces, ready to go home. "all of a sudden? can't we talk this through?" you were already panicking, the adrenaline on your veins not helping at all. "no i.... i don't love you anymore. i'm sorry but i just don't think you're worth it." you froze. not... worth it? "i also had been seeing someone else behind your back, don't hurt them though. they're innocent." you scoff. "innocent? the whole school knows we're together heeseung. you're popular for christ sake!" he scratches his head, obviously bored from all of this. "yeah well, are we done? i still have to help jay with his project—" the echo from the slap that you gave him filled the room. "i spent five years with you and you give me this bullshit lee heeseung? get out. get out, i don't want to see you anymore. don't show your fucking face in front of me." and he leaves you standing alone in your room with the five years worth of memories in your head.

you only came back to reality when the cute barista came back and gave you your order, giving you another wink on the side. you smile and paid for your order. you still feel heeseung's eyes on you but you just didn't care anymore. the moment you step out of the cafe, you established a mission for yourself. you'd do anything just to move on, if it means that you'll have to start fresh all over again. with the cute barista's number on your cup, you knew where to start.

[gakkubi]

Ame Trio Analysis: Konan

I want to share some thoughts on the Ame Trio/Ame Orphans because I do think they have one of the most complex, interesting and beautiful arcs in the Narutoverse. I will discuss their personalities and thoughts. This post is about Konan, there are also Yahiko and Nagato. (3/3): I'll end with Konan because she's the one who lives the longer and is impacted by both Yahiko and Nagato's death.

KONAN:

Also available in Russian: ссылка на русский перевод

Konan is possibly the hardest character to analyse because her stand-alone arc is the last one to appear, and the story doesn't dwell on her ideals and motivations until the very end - despite that, it's my personal belief she's one of the best female characters developed in the series. With a few exceptions, female characters in the Narutoverse will usually take the position of supporting the male characters - but unlike most of the other women, Konan's position of support actually makes sense with her character.

A person not being the "original creator" of the philosophy they follow or joining other characters to achieve a common goal does not mean they don't have a mind or will of their own; Konan is just as free to make her own decisions as the other characters.

While Yahiko takes the role of "fallen hero" and Nagato is the "unwilling protagonist", Konan is the ever-present observer; she's the last one to take the spotlight in the Ame Trio storyline, and with her, the last open ends are closed. Konan is the element which endured throughout all of the Ame Trio's different phases, from their start to their brightest and darkest points until the very end. She's the Angel, the one who will carry and reinforce the will she has received.

Konan has a moral trait which makes her strikingly different from Yahiko and Nagato; she is not loyal to abstract ideals, but rather concrete ones. Even though Yahiko and Nagato eventually digress on their philosophies, both dedicate their lives to the pursuit of peace and give up their lives to guarantee the survival of their goal, as abstract as it may be.

Konan, on the other hand, is loyal to people; of course she had beliefs of her own, but they mostly come from a local perspective, not a universal one. She's loyal to Amegakure; to her country, to her people, her citizens, her friends.

It's heavily implied in the story (more in the anime than the manga) that the people of Amegakure held her in high esteem (perhaps even more than they held Pain himself). This shines a new light on Konan, who early on the story was just an unknown villain of the Akatsuki - in fact, we come to learn most of the important aspects of her personality lie outside of the classic, evil Akatsuki.

To understand Konan it's important to understand the Ame Trio's dynamic as a whole; it's fundamental to consider that, just like Nagato, Konan owes her life to Yahiko's fierce will of surviving- her backstory alone with Yahiko is never shown but it's heavily implied that she was just as dependent on him as Nagato was. Like Nagato, her personality is much more passive and quiet until provoked.

Both Konan and Nagato were Yahiko's followers, and they were happy that way - they believed in his dream and his philosophy and found in the Akatsuki the meaning of their lives. It's important to understand that Yahiko's goals are also her goals, regardless if she was the one who created them or not; it's better to say he first inspired her into creating such dreams for herself.

Many other (very popular and loved) characters in the Naruto universe follow dreams and philosophies not originally created by themselves and are not perceived as mere "followers without opinion" like Konan sometimes is.

A common reason for the misunderstanding of Konan's character to claim she has no will of her own is that she continued to support Nagato even though he suffers an immense personality and philosophical shift after Yahiko's death. It's often wondered why Konan decided to stay by Nagato's side after Yahiko's death despite his radical change, and it's often associated with her having no ideas of her own. This is not true; the story builds a very logical and realistic reason for her to continue supporting him regardless of her truly agreeing with his new peace philosophy.

Very much like Nagato, Konan saw the people she loved and her reasons to live be taken away from her twice. The first time, it was Yahiko who gave both of them meaning and direction; the second time Nagato and Konan found themselves having nothing again - all they had was the legacy Jiraiya and Yahiko left behind.

Konan's life was saved by Yahiko twice; first when he helped her survive and second when he sacrificed himself so she could escape Hanzo's trap. It's important to realize the reason why Hanzo could trap Yahiko and Nagato is that they captured her first; although we have no evidence for this, it's possible Konan also felt guilt for "giving" the enemy a token to which they could manipulate Yahiko into obedience.

Yahiko being a key factor on her survival (both physical and mental) and her feeling responsible for his death are both factors that could result in her feeling immense guilt and a sense of debt with him. Like Nagato, Konan couldn't just let Yahiko's death be pointless after giving up his life for them.

Any reasonable person would have their hope shaken after seeing Yahiko get killed after his "non-violence, mutual understanding" philosophy failed. It would take an enormous endurance and faith to lose a person who she loved and keep on trying the same thing with the hope that "next time things will work as intended." Perhaps, things would never work as Yahiko imagined - perhaps his original plan needed adaptations.

However, unlike Nagato, Konan hadn't been conditioned by either Jiraiya or Yahiko to think that she was the one who would find the key to peace; she didn't spend her life pressured by the responsibility of coming up with a plan. Nagato was the one who the former leaders trusted would find the answer to end all the wars - and he stepped up to continue the "plan to peace" with his new ideas of how to get there.

And there's yet another important factor in all this; Yahiko had left her with a mission - the mission of supporting Nagato. The conversation where Yahiko entitles her with the responsibility of being by Nagato's side is highlighted in her fight against Obito to tell us, the audience, why Konan is so determined to help Naruto now - her mission of protecting the "savior of the world", originally given by Yahiko, had been transferred from supporting Nagato to Naruto.

Once we see the perspective of her feeling like she was in debt with Yahiko for saving her life twice - and adding love and guilt to the mixture, which makes it much harder for reason to overpower emotion -, it's easy to see why it could be hard to nearly impossible for her to dismiss the last mission she could actually complete; following Yahiko's will was a way of still being connected to him after he was gone.

Both Nagato and Konan nearly lost the meaning of their lives when Yahiko was killed and the original Akatsuki destroyed - both clinged to what they had left. Neither ever had a proper environment to deal with the grief they felt, a grief that echoed a childhood trauma that shaped all of their lives.

All of these factors are reasons why it would be hard for Konan to look objectively at what she was doing by supporting Nagato's new philosophy; however, Konan wasn't just guilt trapped into being by his side.

Konan, as I stated before, is much more pragmatic than her counterparts; she's loyal to what is hers - her friends, her nation. Even if we ignore the guilt or the "mission", it's safe to assume she would have stayed by his side anyway; Nagato was all the family she had left, and she was loyal to what was hers above all else.

Perhaps, if the mental conditions weren't so harsh, Konan could have resisted or opposed some of Nagato's new radical ideas more than she already did - debated with him, perhaps they could have convinced each other to stay in Yahiko's path. In the anime, Obito even says he relied on Konan for "calming" Nagato, which tells us that she reasoned with him to some extent - however, neither of them were able to keep their pain from overriding the morals they previously had.

Konan has a mind of her own, and it's shown to us in the moments where she disagrees either visually or verbally with Nagato's actions; Jiraiya's death, Konoha's destruction and the conversation with Naruto are moments where she confronts him. She is shown disagreeing with Nagato on multiple instances, which is proof that she felt she could voice her discontent with him - that she didn't feel completely trapped by guilt or that all she had to do was simply obey him; she was not just a voiceless "Angel" obeying her "God." We're also shown that Nagato disregards many of her opinions - by the time he becomes a villain, he is extremely narcissistic and confident in his hability to make the right choice - but that doesn't keep her from voicing her disagreement anyway.

It's not clear to us, the audience, how much Konan was hurt by Nagato's disregard (we're shown she is uncomfortable to some extent); it's the combination of her guilt, Yahiko's "mission" and her own faith in Nagato's plan that keeps her following their goal.

All the members of the Ame Trio value the search for peace above everything else, each in their own particular way.

Unlike Nagato, Konan has a much clear and objective way of thinking, interested only in what will serve them to achieve their goal and dismissing everything else that will not be useful.

Konan is never shown having any interest whatsoever in the other members of the Akatsuki (she never engages in the conversations they have), in the people of Konoha (which is why she condones wasting energy on being violent with them) or even in what Naruto has to say. All that she cares about is what is hers - her nation, her family; she's completely indifferent to everything else.

(That being said, I must note we don't know how her relationships with the other Akatsuki work as it would be impossible for her to spend almost 20 years without interacting with the other members. One of Konan's most important traits is her kindness, so it's "in character" to assume she would treat them respectfully and kindly, being fond of them to some extent; it's also safe to assume she didn't care about them at all, given her behavior in the manga. I think both interpretations are equally canonical because they lean on different aspects of her personality to fill a backstory we're never shown).

Although Konan is never shown being especially inclined to violence, her indifference and disergard for everything that is not hers - together with her own belief on Nagato's plan and the suffering which she endured - allows her to be the cold-blooded leader and killer she eventually becomes.

Konan believed in Nagato - like both Jiraiya and Yahiko did - while recognizing his flaws. When Naruto received recognition and acceptance from Nagato, he was incorporated to Konan's definition of what is "hers"; she aligns him in a sequence of "saviors" who she believed, a sequence that began with Yahiko and continued with Nagato. She makes the conscious decision of giving up her life for her dream of peace as Yahiko and Nagato have done before her.

Obito is the example of a person who Konan never incorporated on what is "hers" - this is clear on their fight where she says she studied his moves and his powers all the years they have worked together, and also clear on the passive-aggressive conversation they have after Jiraiya's death (Chapter 407). The way their relationship works - especially considering that she spent approximately half of her life working with him - also shows that Konan doesn't blindly support other characters for the sake of supporting them; for all we know, she trusted him much less than Nagato did.

It's also in Konan's fight with him that we see her analytical intelligence at full bloom - I dare say she is the most intelligent of the trio when it comes to strategy; first, for not ever truly trusting Obito to begin with (possibly because Yahiko also didn't), and second for being able to set a strategy that effectively killed him (hence why he used Izanagi - he was killed by her) with information based on her own observations.

Konan is extremely careful and precise; she pays incredible attention to detail, being able to draw accurate conclusions after analyzing just a little information.

Konan isn't ever shown to be hateful or angry, with the exception of her encounter with Jiraiya, where she treats him with spite, taunting him with the idea that following Orochimaru's suggestion could have avoided all the trouble he was going through with the Akatsuki. It's one of the few times we see Konan treating anyone in a way that is not kind or neutral, as if she held some type of resentment against Jiraiya - I like to think she blamed him, in a way or another, for not preparing them well enough for the cruelty of the world; for letting them be so naïve that Yahiko could be killed in a trap easily avoidable. It's obvious that Konan still held Jiraiya in some regard as it's easier for people to lash out on those who they like the most - after many years interacting with people to whom she was completely indifferent (outside of Nagato), Konan was finally talking to a person she had feelings for.

She is also - as described by Jiraiya and also viewed on the characters memories - a very kind, gentle, caring person; the very fact that she chose to save Nagato by sharing food with him shows her predisposition to helping others. Her kindness wasn't lost after Yahiko's death, but mostly replaced by the indifference she felt at everything that did not contemplate her goals, her family or her nation. After she accepts Naruto as being "one of her own" and sharing goals with him, she's quick to display kindness towards him and indirectly make amends with Jiraiya in the process.

As quiet, introspective person, Konan is very self-sufficient; although she is a member of the Akatsuki, she only interacts with them when necessary, probably spending most of her time alone or caring for Amegakure's business (as she shared both Akatsuki and Amegakure's leadership with Nagato and he was more active with the Akatsuki, it's safe to assume she cared for the other half). Her quiet, calmer nature matches that of Nagato; they could find understanding by having similar thought processes and also having a harder time processing their feelings, finding sympathy and comfort in each other.

Although I have mentioned that Konan might have felt a sense of debt towards Yahiko for saving her life, I want to highlight I see this feelings as possible only after his death because of its traumatizing circumstances; I don't think she felt she owed him anything while they were all alive, especially because it's never shown that he ever demanded such recognition. Yahiko and Konan have very distinct energies and personalities that complete each other, their relationship has a strong foundation because they share the same core beliefs and traits; loyalty and faith. I can see her falling in love with him for many reasons and one of them being by her admiring how hard he works to achieve the goal of peace.

Konan is a person that feels gentle and kind towards life as a whole; she doesn't seem to need much to be happy - as a child she made origami to pass time and have fun (and eventually used her intelligence to turn her passion into power); as an adult, the anime dedicates a scene to show her smiling to the rain while thinking of happy memories - happy for the sake of being in peace with the new direction she was taking her life after she and Nagato found someone to believe in again.

(Edit: Unfortunately I could not add another image to the post to illustrate this comment, but I wanted to talk about one aspect of Konan's personality that I like a lot and also forgot to mention. Despite her collected and serious demeanor, she also has a tendency to taunt people, a bit similar to Nagato's taste for ironic jokes. This is shown just a few times. In chapter 373, when Yahiko says he will save Nagato the next time something happens, Konan makes fun of him by remarking that Nagato is actually stronger than him, and she laughs when he gets annoyed. As I showed before, she also provokes Jiraiya with the hypothesis of things being better if Orochimaru had killed them. In her fight with Obito, despite his clear disinterest in what she was saying, Konan goes on to explain why Nagato and her betrayed him, and why he will never win. During the Water on a Frog's Face Training with Jiraiya she's also shown laughing at Yahiko's clumsiness. In my opinion, the way she evidently enjoys herself when she mocks people is strikingly contrasting to her generally unaffected personality, and personally I like that most of those times Yahiko was involved. Both in the anime, because of the animation, and in the manga because of Yahiko's surprise, I'm also under the impression that she was the one to initiate their kiss).

All of the Rain Trio's characters have very distinct and interesting psychologies; personally, I find Konan to be the most complex one because of the extreme discrepancies she displays, sometimes warm and kind, sometimes extremely cold and indifferent. I think the way she seems to only care about a very limited aspect of things is very attractive, as it shows how focused she is on her goals - as a nonviolent person, the most cruel act of Konan as a villain comes from her apathy to everyone else that is not part of what is "hers." Unlike Nagato and most of the other members of the Akatsuki who actively indulge in vile acts, she simply pursues her goals, removing anything and anyone on her way.

When he watch Konan's childhood, we see a child that is kind and light-hearted despite of all the pain she has endured, and only after being inflicted by yet another wave of suffering Konan's empathy and hope are shaken to the core; however, we learn her feelings were not dead but rather dormant, and it's by reconnecting to her core traits and beliefs that she finally finds peace in the very end.

[eryiss]

Summary: Freed and Gajeel were total opposites in every way, only connected by the guild. When they were forced to train together under Makarov's orders, they expected antagonism and mistrust. Instead, they were given a lesson in how quickly opposition can turn to attraction. The issue: let the budding relationship simmer away, or let it explode. [Freed x Gajeel Multi-chapter]

Notes: Hey everyone. A bit of an emotional chapter this time, but Bickslow is involved so there’s also some relief. Hope you all enjoy it.

Links: FFN, Ao3, Chapter List

Chapter Nine - Some Time Later

One Week Later

Before the memories hit him, Freed felt a horrible sense of deja vu.

He was in the guildhall infirmary, with almost all of his energy sapped away from him, just as he had when he had first been taken to Fairy Tail. He had a feeling that there was something changed inside of him that would shape the rest of his life, just as he had after the demon had invaded his soul. He had a feeling of yearning, hoping to see someone who was destined to be a part of his life, only to be disappointed to see he was alone again. Everything was so reflective of how it had been when he'd first woken up after his first instance of possession, and it was horrible.

Of course, the memories did eventually come to him. The tournament. The twisted feeling of power that had slowly been seeping into him through the day. The lack of control that had overwhelmed him. The sudden inability to control his body. The feeling of trying to pour his magic into the demon to overwhelm it.

And then, there was Gajeel.

Gajeel had broken down every wall of defence that the demon had in place as if it were nothing. Even with the overwhelming power emanating from the fully unleashed demon, Gajeel had been able to walk towards him, and reach out to Freed. Like a light in the darkness, Gajeel had managed to drag him out of the demon's control and allowed him his autonomy again. He had managed to do something Freed had thought impossible.

The demon was gone. Gajeel had somehow burned the thing from his soul, removing it entirely. They had killed what remained of the demon together in a unison raid moments before Freed had passed out in his arms.

But, despite the importance of it all, that wasn't what Freed was thinking about.

I'm yours and yer mine.

That demon aint got a fucking claim on you.

Yer fuckin' mine.

It ain't ever hurtin' you again, y'hear me. Never

The words weren't subtle. They weren't something you could misunderstand. They weren't anything but a claim on Freed. Gajeel was stating loudly, in front of everybody in the guild - everyone that mattered to them both - that he and Freed belonged to one another.

Perhaps if it was coming from any other man than Gajeel, Freed might have felt fury. He might have felt some level of anger that Gajeel had proclaimed such a thing so publicly without so much as asking Freed, but he only felt a sense of rightness at what Gajeel had said. Of course he and Gajeel belonged to each other. How had that been in any doubt? The moment they had first laid eyes on each other, the motions were put in place to bring them into each other's arms. It was destiny.

Had Freed always been so romantic? Perhaps he had needed the right man to bring it out of him.

"Ah, you're awake," A grouchy, haggard voice cut through the silence. "You certainly took your time, didn't you?"

Freed looked towards the door of the infirmary, to see Porlyusica walking towards him. This too was how he remembered his first experience of living in Magnolia, with the impatient and impetuous woman acting as though his life was an inconvenience for her to deal with. That was something that was familiar, if nothing else.

"How long have I been unconscious?" Freed asked, and found his voice hoarse.

"Nine days," Porlyusica said, picking something up from the small table beside Freed's bed. He didn't know what it was, but it began to glow with healing magic. She turned to Freed and sighed. "Lower your covers and hold still."

Doing as instructed, Freed blushed a little when he realised he was without any clothing. The woman didn't seem bothered, and slowly began to lower the magical item over his body. It was scanning him, and he let out a gasp when the device passed over his heart. There was a sudden flood of warmth through his body, unlike anything he could ever remember feeling before. It was pleasant, but so foreign to him that he didn't know what to feel.

"Ah, good," Porlyusica said, placing the device down again.

"What was that," Freed demanded, pulling up the sheets to protect his modesty.

"I stimulated you, that magic was intended to induce a feeling of comfort and delight," She shrugged, picking up a small piece of paper that Freed assumed had his details on. "You've had that demon eating away at you from the inside for years, so you probably grew used to its influence. It has been slowly dulling your emotions for ten years. You just felt joy like the rest of us do for the first time since your possession."

What?

His emotions had been dulled?

Surely he would have noticed that. The ability to feel how he felt was something that he had always taken for granted, and he never expected it could leave him. Perhaps he had become jaded, but he had dismissed that as growing up and working in a profession where you often saw the worst of people. The demon had been responsible for that, too?

Fuck. Fuck his damn parents and the damn demon and the damn priest who had gotten him into this position. How the hell had he lost so much control of who he was without knowing it? Why had the people he loved allowed this to happen to him. His parents were meant to protect him, not to allow this.

Was this what anger felt like when not influenced by a demon? Uneducated and bitter?

"You'll acclimate," Porlyusica said, as if knowing what he was feeling. "Those friends of yours have wanted to see you since the incident. Annoying brats. I'm going to put you to sleep again, they'll no doubt be here before you wake."

"What?" Freed asked. "No, I don't intended to-"

"Quiet," Porlusica said firmly, and tapped her cane on the floor. "Sleep."

And Freed slipped away before he could protest.

——

"Hey baby," Bickslow's voice woke Freed up before his eyes were open. "Are you feeling okay?"

He didn't know how long it had been since Porlyuscia had put him to sleep, but he woke up in the same bed with the sun higher in the sky. He blinked away the light and saw that Bickslow, Evergreen and Laxus were all sitting around his bed, looking at him with expressions of mingled happiness and concern. He pushed himself off the mattress so he could sit up, wincing at the feeling of aching muscles.

With a quick glance around, he saw that Gajeel wasn't there. That didn't feel good.

"Erm, yes," Freed said in answer to Bickslow's question, his mind not working as fast as he would have liked. "I believe I am. Are you three unharmed?"

"We're not the priority, Freed," Evergreen scoffed a little at the thought, but her expression turned to one of sympathy. It was almost motherly, which was a concern coming from her. Even worse, she took his hand and squoze it as if he needed consoling. "We all saw what happened, now be honest and tell us how you're feeling."

Freed hadn't thought of that. Everyone had seen him weakened and out of control. On the brink of death…

Fairy Tail maged had seen a lot of bad things - it came with the job - but he knew that they always were more affected when it was one of their own being hurt. This could have been terrifying to watch, and he supposed that he owed them some honesty.

"I feel… drained," Freed admitted. "As if I got into the worst fight of my life. Everything is aching, my flesh feels like it's burning from the inside, but no more than normal after a difficult mission," He thought for a moment, moving his arm as if testing that he still could. Of course he could, and the feeling spread warmth though him. It reminded him of what Porlyusica said to him, and he smiled a little. "I'm lighter now. As if a burden has been lifted."

"Well that's good," Evergreen smiled. "And you're not hiding anything from us?"

"Not knowingly," Freed assured them.

"So we can start teasing you about the fact your demon ripped off your clothes and when you transformed back we all saw you naked," Bickslow grinned, and it was a clear attempt to lighten the mood. Evergreen whacked him on the arm, but he just laughed. "Because we all saw your dick, and I gotta say baby, I'm impressed with what you've got going on down there. Don't know how I went so long without seeing it."

Freed chuckled, slightly weakly. "I'd rather not be teased about it, if possible. And I was under the impression that you've started seeing someone."

"I am," Bickslow sighed dreamily, in an overly exaggerated sense of course. "And he's the most handsome man in the world. And he's better than you because he's always getting naked in public and I love it."

Freed laughed. It was good to have Bickslow in moments like this.

Evergreen and Bickslow, as they so often did, started to playfully squabble between themselves. Evergreen had said something about how the PDA between Bickslow and Gray was revolting and far too graphic for the guildhall, and Bickslow argued back saying that Ever only thought that because she didn't have the chance to do it with Elfman because they were still being secretive about their very obvious relationship. The arguments spiralled from there, and Freed watched with amusement.

His gaze drifted from the two squabbling idiots to Laxus, who was looking at him with a quiet expression of concern. When he noticed Freed looking, he curled an eyebrow as if asking if he really was feeling okay. Freed nodded, with a small smile, and Laxus seemed to deflate a little.

"Really gone, huh?" Laxus murmured.

"It seems so," Freed nodded, and that was all that needed to be said on the matter of the demon. For a moment, Freed remained quiet, but there was one thing he needed to know. "Where is he?"

Laxus sighed, ran a hand over his face, and spoke. "You not waking up was getting to him."

"That's not an answer to my question," Freed said firmly. "Where is he?"

"He needed some time away, to deal with everything," Laxus explained. "I'll find him, he'll wanna know you're okay."

"Thank you," Freed whispered, smiling a little.

"No problem," Laxus nodded, standing up.

He walked out of the infirmary without speaking to Bickslow or Evergreen, who clearly hadn't been following their conversation as they both looked perplexed. When Laxus was outside of the building, they could all see an explosion of lightning as Laxus shot off into the sky, apparently having a good idea as to where Gajeel was. Freed certainly hoped so, he needed to see Gajeel as soon as he could.

What was he going to say to him, though? Thank you for ridding me of my curse? Everything you said about belonging together I fully agree with? When you weren't here when I woke up, I realised I always want to wake up beside you?

"Wonder what that was about?" Evergreen commented, speaking about Laxus' departure and bringing Freed's focus back to the room.

"Maybe he's still pissy becuase he and Loke were the losers of the tournament," Bickslow grinned, again trying to keep the mood light. Freed looked at him with a raised eyebrow, because that was something that would certainly distract him. "Shit, you didn't know, huh? Yeah, they didn't work well together at all. It was funny. Lost by a landslide. Laxus wasn't happy about it when I reminded him he has to do a forfeit."

"I expect so," Freed smiled. "Who will be giving him the forfeit, might I ask. I assume you, since I passed out during the fight."

"Me and Gray were deemed the winners, after we were sure you were okay of course," Bickslow assured him. "But we felt it was kinda bullshit. So we thought you and Gajeel could take the money from the prize, and me and Gray get to have fun with the forfeit. That okay?"

"I suppose," Freed chuckled slightly, because almost any other person would want the money. "What have you planned for them?"

Maybe it wasn't the most relevant thing to think about at the time, but Freed wanted the distraction. The lightness of his soul, the revelation that he could truly feel his emotions to their fullness again, and the fact that Gajeel hadn't been there when he woke were all starting to pile up on top of him. A distraction, even a ridiculous one like this, was exactly what he needed. Bickslow seemed to sense this, as he spoke with gusto and joy.

"Well, I wanna have them dress up like old-timey jesters and perform shows every night of a week where they make total asses out of themselves in front of everyone," Bickslow grinned. "And my darling baby wants them to be our butlers for a week and then they have to do everything we say. We haven't decided yet."

"Surely, if you have them as your butlers, you could make them dress like jesters and perform shows as well as anything else you wish," Freed suggested, and Bickslow grinned.

"You're a genius," He exclaimed. "And instead of suits, I'll make sure they're only wearing really tight black briefs and bowties. Really give me something to look at."

Freed chuckled. This was normal, at least.

——

Gajeel needed to keep moving. He needed to keep himself moving and active and his mind away from Freed because the moment his mind did fall onto Freed it would inevitably linger on the fact that Freed wasn't awake and that Freed might not wake up and that something Gajeel had done might have ended up killing the man that had so quickly intertwined their lives together. That was a thought too awful to even consider, so Gajeel had to keep moving.

After three days of waiting for Freed to wake, Gajeel had left Magnolia. Maybe he was a coward to do so, but he didn't care. He found himself walking, and hours later he was in the forest where he trained. The same forest where he had first gotten to know Freed.

It hadn't been a good idea.

He'd been sleeping under the stars ever since. He had exercised and forced his body to the brink of exhaustion every night, because the idea of lying down and letting sleep overcome him was nauseating. He couldn't let his mind wonder because that would mean letting himself think about Freed and he couldn't do that.

Every day, his body ached. He had pushed himself further than he ever had before. He'd ran more laps of the forest than ever, swam across the lake faster and with more purpose than he could remember doing, and he had pushed the dead tree trunk further up the hill than he thought he ever could. It was all in vain, because even in the split seconds his mind might wander from the exercise to Freed, it felt as though he'd been punched in the gut, and horror flowed through him.

He couldn't take any more. Today, his body was beyond moving more than necessary, protesting against the slightest attempt to exercise. That was how he found himself sitting in the shallowest part of the river, cross legged, with his hand turned to a small blade as he whittled away at a piece of wood.

His intention had been to meditate, something he often did. But today, confronting his mind has not been possible, because they made him feel sick to his damn stomach. And so he'd reached for a nearby bit of wood, and started to carve away at it. First it had been to occupy his hands with something to stop himself from fidgeting, but the more he carved the more he got into the rhythm of it, and he quickly realised that he was carving it into something. Something for a very specific person.

A crown. A crown fit for a prince.

And fuck it, when Freed woke up - becuase he would wake up dammit - Gajeel was gonna treat him like a prince. Two weeks ago he'd given Freed shit for being pampered, but now Gajeel would give anything to be the person pampering his spoiled ass that moment. He'd bring him hot tea, make him dinner, massage his damn feet if he had to. Anything to get his prince back to him.

But for now, he had to make the crown. Because once the crown was complete, then Freed would be awake and everything would be fine. It just had to be fine. Yes, it was a ridiculous claim to make, but he had to cling onto something for hope.

He'd make Freed a real crown one day. Metal, infused with gemstones.

Freed would like that. He'd call Gajeel an idiot, but he'd enjoy it really.

Gods dammit, this was so stupid. Gajeel growled and stood up, but kept the half-made wooden crown in his hand. His body protested from the small amount of movement, but he stormed towards a nearby upturned tree that he had been resting on and slammed his fist into the bark. He did it again, and again, not turning his skin to iron so that he could feel the coarseness of the wood grazing his knuckles. He needed to feel something dammit!

"That helping you?" Laxus' voice came from behind him, and Gajeel nearly jumped at the sudden sound as he turned. Fuck, how had he missed the man approaching. "It doesn't look healthy."

"The hell are you doin' here?" Gajeel grunted. He wasn't in the mood for company. "Needed to think."

"I get that, I've been there," Laxus shrugged, leaning against the tree that Gajeel had punched and looking unwilling to move. "But he woke up, asked where you were. Thought you might get pissed off if someone didn't tell ya."

Gajeel paused.

Freed was awake.

Awake, and asking for him.

For a week, Gajeel hadn't allowed himself to think about Freed at all, and the few moments that resolve had slipped he had gone to the worst case scenario. Maybe it was some kind of bullshit defence mechanism, where if he thought only about the bad outcome then maybe it wouldn't hurt so much when it happened, but he suddenly realised that he hadn't entertained the possibility that it might be okay.

He wanted to storm back to Magnolia as quickly as he could, but stumbled a little under his feet. His legs were aching and his body objecting to any movement whatsoever. He tried to fight through it, because dammit he could make it through some pain if he got to see Freed, but he nearly fell to the ground. The only thing stopping him was Laxus.

"He's not gonna be happy if you nearly kill yourself getting to him," Laxus said, hooking Gajeel's arm over his shoulder. "The two of you are fucking idiots, you know that. You love each other to the point of self destruction."

"Love?" Gajeel muttered. "He said that?"

"He looked pretty damn heartbroken when he realised you weren't there," Laxus said, slowly walking while helping Gajeel. "It means he loves you."

"Y' think so?" Gajeel asked.

"Of course," Laxus scoffed, helping the aching man traverse the woodlands. "He's not gonna admit it yet, probably convinced himself it's too soon to say it, but it's pretty damn clear. He doesn't show his emotions very well, so the fact he's showing them about you is a big deal. And if any guy could affect him so much to make him fall in love within a week, it's you."

"Really?"

"In a week, you managed to turn hatred into a special bond, you managed to nail a unison raide, you got rid of the fucking demon that's been ruining his life," Laxus laughed. "You're it for Freed. You're the last guy he's ever gonna love because who the fuck could compare to that?"

Gajeel blushed a little. Was Sparky always this complimentary?

"Aint this the point where you say yer gonna kick my ass if I fuck around with him?" Gajeel asked, because he wasn't particularly good with his feelings and Laxus had just said a lot of things that could overwhelm Gajeel if he lingered on them for too long. "Give me the shovel talk or whatever?"

"Why the hell would I do that?" Laxus asked. "I saw how you look at him, I know you're not gonna be a dick or hurt him. And if you do, he'd deal with you himself."

Gajeel certainly agreed with that, his prince by no means needed anyone to fight his battles for him.

He found himself a little happy that he had gotten Laxus' blessing, even if he didn't think he particularly needed it. Laxus was an important part of Freed's life, and Gajeel didn't want to be the reason for any kind of rift between them. He also wouldn't have been surprised if Freed was firmly the type of man who might choose his friends over a new lover, and Gajeel respected that. So to have Laxus approve of them felt good.

"Just be good to him, okay?" Laxus said quietly, helping Gajeel pass over a branch that had fallen. "A lot of people have been shitty to him - more than he realsies - so be in his corner, okay?"

"Of course," Gajeel nodded, because he didn't need to be told that.

"But don't take any shit from him either," Laxus said with renewed volume, and apparently the seriousness of their conversation was over. "He's a cocky son of a bitch and he can pull some shit when you least expect it. If you're gonna be his boyfriend then it's your responsibility to knock him down a peg when he's being an ass."

"Kinda contradictory, don't y' think," Gajeel laughed a little.

"Trust me, you'll see just how much of an ass he can be, and you'll see what I mean," Laxus grinned at Gajeel, and Gajeel felt as though this was Laxus' way of offering Gajeel a way into his life, as well as Freed's. Gajeel grinned back, and they continued walking. After a little while, Laxus spoke again. "Now, you're gonna have to test how much you care for him now. We can either walk back like this, and get there past midnight, or go to the train station and risk a fucking train without his runes to settle our stomachs? It'll be faster, but feel shitty as hell."

"Train," Gajeel said immediately, despite his stomach groaning at the thought. "He's worth it."

——

When Gajeel saw Freed, he almost wanted to cry.

He stormed across the infirmary, and Freed looked towards him with an expression just as relieved as Gajeel was feeling. He didn't stop moving, and wrapped his arms around Freed as tightly as he could in a hug. Freed did the same, apparently his body recovered enough to deal with Gajeel's full strength. For a moment, they both clung to each other as tightly as they could, and Gajeel found solace in the scent of his lover's embrace.

Freed was alive, awake, and here. Everything was okay.

"I'm sorry," Gajeel mumbled into the crook of Freed's neck. "I should've been here when you woke up. I'm sorry."

"You're here now, that's all that matters," Freed whispered, and the hoarseness of his voice made Gajeel feel like shit. Freed seemed to notice, as he pulled away and cupped Gajeel's chin firmly. "I've been tortured by a demon for all of my adult life, and you have gotten rid of that. Not being at my side the moment I woke up is entirely forgivable."

"Should've been here," Gajeel argued, pressing his forehead against Freed's.

"I don't mind," Freed whispered again, leaning up and pressing his lips against Gajeel's in a chaste kiss. "So long as you're here now, I don't mind."

Gajeel leant down further, and pressed their lips together again. He pushed into Freed slightly to deepen the kiss, and his inner dragon purred at the feeling of Freed kissing him again. One night with the man had been enough for Gajeel to know that Freed was special, and that no kiss would be as good as a kiss from Freed. He had been wanting nothing but to feel the man against him again, and to have it finally happen was euphoria.

When they pulled apart, Freed was smiling at Gajeel with a lovestruck expression that looked so good on him. Gajeel would have loved to keep Freed in that moment, because such an expression could only be achieved when someone was feeling bliss. Freed was blissful looking at Gajeel!

"Lie with me," Freed requested. Gajeel didn't need to be told twice.

He maneuvered his tired body into the bed - resisting the urge to make a comment about Freed's nude state - and rested against the headboard. Freed shifted slightly, and leant against Gajeel, nuzzling into his chest with a yawn. So fucking cute.

For what seemed like forever, they stayed like this. Just the two of them, together again and breathing and alive and happy. Gajeel would happily live the rest of his life in that moment, with Freed in his arms and with comfort filling his soul. This was a level of contentment that Gajeel had never felt before, and he was unwilling to let it go. Freed was going to be his for as long as Gajeel could fight for him.

"I meant it, y'know," Gajeel murmured, pressing his lips to Freed's ear. "I wanna be yours. I want you to be mine. I meant everything I said."

"I know you did," Freed smiled, looking up. "I want to be yours too. I want to wake up beside you every morning, and kiss you goodnight every night."

Gajeel couldn't help but grin, lean forward and press their lips together again. Freed was his. He was Freed. In each other's arms, they fell asleep. Content, happy, and in love.

[avengerswriter4eva]

12. Old Habits

White Room, Date Unknown:

We didn't have friends, strictly speaking. I would see other guards occasionally. Sometimes it was easier to lead us to the showers in groups, rather than one at a time, especially if missions were upcoming. I didn't know anybody by name. There was no point. At one point either I or they would disappear, and it did no good to worry or care for people who were just going to vanish into thin air as if they never existed at all. I knew them by their scars, though. I tried not to look, but sometimes it was hard not to. We'd all come in bloodied and bruised with new wounds. Sometimes they would have fresh-looking dressings, much like Yelena would be sent to bandage any wounds I had to avoid infection. But I remember looking at their muscles rippling like threatening little rivers just under the skin. We had all been given the injections, but we were the only ones left, it seemed. At least of the group that started with us.

Even in moments of downtime, all of us were unsparingly on edge. Moving the wrong way could cost you the temporary loss of use of your arm. Sudden movements could easily cause a punch to the face – and on at least one occasion, that punch was fatal. We learned to never let our guard down, even around each other. And it was for a very simple reason. Someday, we would disappear. Or worse, one of us would have to kill another. Anything that made that potential scenario more difficult or distasteful was strictly off-limits, at least for me.

Some of the other girls liked to live more dangerously. A few of them seemed to develop specific feelings for each other, which I observed curiously. But it always ended the same way. Bloody. Lonely. Worse. I learned early on that any attachment, any attraction, any sign of empathy was a sign of weakness that could be easily manipulated and controlled.

Avengers Compound, Present Day:

As much as I hated to admit it, I was impressed. The compound where this team apparently lived and worked was massive. I'd never seen anything like it, but that honestly wasn't saying much. My forward momentum kept getting slower and slower, however, and Natasha got the hint and took the lead. I followed after her, noting that all of the Avengers seemed to scatter once they entered the front door. Natasha waited patiently for me to catch up and we walked together towards the elevator at the far end of the entry hall.

"There's an empty room right next to mine," she said softly, pressing the button for what was assumed to be her floor. My eyes snapped up to hers.

"So you can keep an eye on me?" She frowned slightly, but took a deep breath and shook her head.

"Just in case you needed something at least a little familiar close by." Now it was my turn to frown. She was thinking of me? I didn't say another word, waiting for the elevator door to bing loudly and open. Natasha stepped out, holding the door for me to follow. "Wanda's room is across the hall from yours." I glanced at her. "The girl from the jet." I nodded.

"I know." Natasha smiled slightly.

"You should give her a chance, you two have a lot in common, you could be friends." I didn't speak as I followed Natasha down the long, carpeted hallway, but I blushed immediately. I couldn't be friends with Wanda. I couldn't be friends with anybody. I didn't know how.

"Friends?" The words must have sounded more biting than I intended, because Natasha spun on her heel instantly, glancing back at me.

"Friends, like...to talk to about things. Like us." I glared at the redhead, stopping in my tracks.

"Is that what we are?" Natasha paused and didn't immediately respond. She seemed to be weighing her words incredibly carefully, which led me to believe that whatever she was about to say was important.

"Katie...Katya...we can be whatever you want us to be." Her voice was soothing and quiet and her hand that wasn't carrying my bag raised lightly to indicate that she wasn't a threat. I gulped at the unfamiliar sensation but finally nodded.

"Okay." I agreed. Natasha's smile returned.

"Okay." She gestured to the door in front of where she was standing. "This is your room, if you want it." I stepped forward as Natasha turned the handle, swinging the door inward. I glanced inside, my eyes adjusting to the dimmer lighting. There was a large bed, a desk, a chair, a few bookshelves, and two connecting doors. "The one on the right is your bathroom. The one on the left is the closet." I blinked as I stood in the doorway, almost afraid to move. Natasha cleared her throat, snapping me back to the moment. "My room is the one right next to yours, there." I followed where her finger was pointing and nodded. I watched as she backed a few paces away before turning and walking towards her room.

"Natasha?" She stopped and glanced over her shoulder. "Thank you." She smiled.

"Nothing to thank me for, Katya." I watched as she entered her room, standing in the hallway for a few minutes before daring to enter mine. I walked the length of the bookshelves, fingers sliding over the spine of books I'd never heard of. There was a TV on top of the dresser. I opened the closet and was surprised to see clothes already in it.

I made my way around the bed and opened the bathroom door, staring briefly at the shower before deciding that I'd brave that challenge tomorrow. I rummaged through a couple drawers until I found a pair of sweat pants and a tank top that were more comfortable than the suit I was currently using. I sat on the edge of the bed, frowning at its softness. When a knock sounded softly at the door, I jumped to my feet in a crouch without even thinking about it. I approached the doorway, pressing my back to the wall beside it. "Hello?" I frowned at the voice. I turned the knob, slowly easing the door open, and Wanda poked her head in slightly, jumping to see me crouched beside her. "Oh my god!" She shrieked, which made me jump.

"I'm sorry..." I mumbled, backing up a few paces into the room to give her some space. She shook herself off quickly.

"No, it was my fault – you weren't expecting..." She paused and looked up at me like her face was rebooting. "Hi, I'm Wanda." I smiled lightly as she held up in a hand in a semi-wave, but didn't move to extend it or try to touch me in any way. I wonder if Natasha had warned her.

"Hi Wanda, I'm Katya," I murmured. She smiled again, moving her hands behind her back but still in sight.

"I just wanted to say thank you, for helping to get me, and I'm sorry we didn't talk more in the jet." I smiled and shook my head.

"It's fine, no need to thank me." She glanced around the room in the pause that followed.

"You know, Stark can help you decorate your room however you want – there's a budget." I looked at the walls, then back at Wanda.

"Decorate?" She nodded.

"Yeah, with pictures and stuff?" I frowned.

"I don't..." Wanda stepped forward, stopping immediately at the involuntary flinch as she did so.

"I can help you, if you want?" She offered gently. I bit my lip and looked up at her before nodding.

"Okay." Her smile returned, larger than ever.

"I'm right across the hall if you need anything, okay?" I flashed a smile in return and nodded.

"Thank you...Wanda." She smiled and backed out of the doorway, puling the door closed gently behind her. I gathered my clothes, changing quickly and quietly in the bathroom before finding a small blanket and making a comfy enough spot on the rug beside the bed.

(Natasha's POV):

A few hours later, Steve called me down to the lounge area to "discuss" things, meaning that he intended to ask me about our new friend. I paused in front of Katya's door, opening the door a crack when I didn't get a response to a soft knock. I frowned at the empty bed before I slid the door open slightly further with my toe, seeing the brunette sleeping soundly on the floor, the likeliest oldest blanket in the building barely covering her. I inhaled sharply but backed out of the room, not wanting to disturb her. Once I closed the door securely, I pressed my hands to the door frame, bracing myself against them, exhaling sharply.

"One step at a time, Katie. I'm going to get you through this."

[splitcycle]

So even though I love how strive plays and the slower pace helps me visualize what I want to do and act on it, I still really love Xrd.

My first fighting game was technically BBTag and I didn't really enjoy it because of me getting into it so late after launch, and the community that you encounter in-game generally not being very open to helping new players. I ran into a lot of people who had 13,000 wins clocked in the dedicated newbie lobbies and it was like "If these are the new players what hope do I have?" Even looking online in places like youtube didn't really yield a lot of helpful information, and the BBTag tutorial didn't teach me a lot of fighting game fundamentals and universal mechanics.

After that I hadn't. . . Given up on fighting games per se, but the next one I picked up I was leery of trying because I only got it as part of a humble bundle. That game was UNIEL and I couldn't really play it online with anyone I know, and the servers on pc seemed pretty dead.

A couple months later I picked up Guilty Gear Xrd Rev2 on a steam sale for 80% off and started with the tutorial. Thus far I hadn't learned anything meaningful from other games' tutorials, but I attribute that mostly to BBTag focusing on teaching character specific mechanics and assuming you already know all the basic fighting game mechanics from the start. Hit confirms, option selects, meaties, okizeme, how to start pressure, how to get Out of pressure, it really just teaches you the buttons and that mashing a single attack button combos for you and says "okay now go play."

I didn't bother playing UNIEL after I booted it up the first time because everyone who played it had already moved on to UNICLR and I didn't wanna wreck my muscle memory before I even got there.

Later I discovered that the in-birth tutorials feel like sitting through a community college lecture more than playing a game but by then I knew how to play games at a basic level already.

Xrd's tutorial is really well put-together and teaches you about Gatlings and Links, and how to actually do things instead of just what the buttons are called, and then tossing you in the deep end before you can dog-paddle. Once it makes sure you understand the basic concepts like how to run, how to attack, and how to airdash, it teaches you how to use momentum from running, how gatlings work, and how to actually sort of Fight. You won't be going to brackets any time soon or anything but you roughly understand how to play.

And then it lets you go. It says, "Okay, I've taught you how to play. Fight Jack-O and then you're free to go use what you've learned in a match." And you finish that match and go to play and you still get stomped. You realize you need to improve but don't know how, and you may or may not be sure of what the enemy just did to you.

But here's the kicker: unlike BBTag, where the tutorial doesn't teach concepts and the community playing will silently pubstomp you for a long time, Xrd has given you the tools to figure out what's happening to you. You get destroyed, but when you do you either see what you did wrong and can try to do better next time, or you get irritated because you can't figure it out and look into what's irritating you.

This leads you to Mission mode. Mission mode is a sort of secondary tutorial that a lot of games have but Xrd uses it really well to teach you increasingly complicated ideas at a pace you can handle. First I struggled with timing midairs and anti-airs. The game has missions for that that teach you how to do them with Sol.

Then I noticed a lot of other players were seeming to hit me before I was actually able to do anything and I was still knocked down. I went into mission mode and learned that not only does that have a name, but it's an intended mechanic that has counter options to learn. The game taught me what a meaty was and then it taught me how to use it and how to avoid it.

I struggled with me knocking down players and going in to set up an attack for wakeup abd would get grabbed or anti-aired depending, and they seemed to react faster than I thought was humanly possible. I went back to mission mode and was taught about Option Selects and how to use them and how to beat them.

It went down the line. Tick throws, dead angles, reversals, proper times to roman cancel, bursts, spacing, how to get around projectiles. Every time I struggled to learn by doing I'd mosey on over to mission mode and it would have a very short, succinct lesson just for me about how this thing I didn't get works. It explained what needed doing in two to three sentences, had a small sample video, and then it just let me sit down and fucking grind until I figured it out, and then grind some more until I could do it reliably.

If I didn't understand a concept in the universal mechanics mission mode was great but what about character-specific stuff? How are you supposed to figure out that sort of thing? What about characters with really subtle mechanics? Combo mode teaches you that.

Not only does the combo mode teach you basic combos with clear samples that display what you have to do on the stick, it teaches you every move the character has, including normals, command normals, and specials and then as new special mechanics come up that can't be taught with only an input video they pop up a little text box like, "Hey did you know that if you backdash as Slayer and then jump forward it cancels the dash but saves your invulnerability from his special dash? Did you know that if you backdash cancel and then do a special it transfers the i-frames from the dash into that move? Try it out." And then gives you an example situation where BDC will allow you to stuff an attack you otherwise couldn't.

You can't try the advanced combos until you can do all the basic ones at least once, which is a little irritating, but it constrains you to a smaller set of things to learn, and that's important even if you get impatient. If you can't handle the base mechanics then you'll just frustrate yourself when you decide to skip ahead. Having the advanced list not even visible really means that your checklist of mechanics and specific ways to make them interact is more manageable, in your head.

The game sadly doesn't offer the precise frame data in the game for your own study, but Dustloop Wiki is very helpful for that and they'll help teach you the combos that the game doesn't. When the sample and the explanation wasn't enough I went to the community and while you can't talk to them mid-game you can usually chat in lobbies and they have a lot of people and websites dedicated to giving you the knowledge and tools to improve.

Xrd just give you lots of tools to work with and the community does a lot of good for new players by offering lots of useful info to learn with.

Also I think it's really funny faust went from looking like this

To this

And everyone sorta just went "Yeah that's on-brand."

[sainadazai]

When your crush is angry all the time

Ch. 1

Something fun at an all girls school

Chapter 1

Something fun in an

✨all girls school✨

•○●○•°•○●○•°•○●○•°•○●○•°•○●○•°

"Alright, despite how much the staff have opposed the right for students to watch t.v. during school time....our principle believes that this is actually going to be informative. Now girls, students with all sorts of quirk and backgrounds can be accepted to U.A. I expect you all to respect the people on this t.v as your future colleagues. NO JOKES."

"Pst..wish she would just shut up so we can see the hot guys..." Maiyumi whispered to no one particular

"I know, I haven't seen a man since I got kidnapped last year."

"Most of us havent seen anyone since being kidnapped, or you know, FUCKING ARESTED!" Y/n whisper-yelled. She was still very pissed that even though, she was obviously kidnapped-and meant to be killed- the fucking police blamed her. Dad chalked it up to them being jealous, but y/n really wasn't having it. Imagine it's the third time you were kidnapped and tortured before the age of 16, and it was supposedly your fault. 

Technically, they could've arrested her for burning down the building two weeks later, obviously while empty, she admitted that was wrong. Still, they got what they deserved, and she got frozen yogurt from down the street. As she would say: now that's proper treatment after a kidnapping 😎

"L/n thats enough, we all know the story by now, and we do not need to hear it again"

"But you shoulda been there, the audacity of them to say I was working with those guys!?! Those villains were way below MY level. I mean c'mon, if I was a villain i'd be way cooler than those nobodies."

"Oh.my.god. y/n I love you, but shit up so we can watch hot U.A. boys fight each other!"

"Ms. Hitoka!Unacceptable, we are here to learn from our follow young heros, not sexualize them"

"I heard midnight is gonna be there," Katna whispered towards the group, front the back of the room. Mind you, she was in a position to pounce, considering, much like her classmates, she hadn't seen a boy in years. 

"MIDNIGHT IS SOOO HOT" y/n yelled, forgetting that their teacher was in the front cursing herself for not accepting that sugar-baby job, and never meeting these obnoxious and horny teens. 

"For FUCKS SAKE, JUST WATCH THE TV"

As the teacher yelled all heads turned to face her and ignore their previous conversations. Y/n and Maiyumi had grown soft smiles, finally welcoming back the teacher they know and love. 

You see, LADY STATIC was an ex-pro hero, her quirk was projection. She could pick up any video signals from any device and project exactly what the device was seeing, or playing. She called all cameras her bitch....several times. So, as far as teaching went, she could only last a couple of minutes of seriousness in the beginning of class each day, before she erupted in a fit of lewd comments, brags, and most importantly curse words.

The black screen of the tv suddenly turned on revealing the large stadium that must be where the festival would take place. Y/n didnt really want to watch, it made her kind of sad knowing there were kids out there with the energy to try at something so dumb. A competition where you stay within grade, with supervision, and limits, and rules, and no real risk. It all sounded boring to her. She would either want to sit in bed eating and watching anime, or actually feel something. 

The idea of a battle where you aren't risking your life seemed pretty dull to her. See...y/n along with her best friend maiyumi, was an adrenaline junkie. Those two were the biggest non-villain troublemakers the world has yet to see. 

Finding it fun to jump off bridges, run across intersections, and fight each other with no rules or precautions. After living a life where most people you meet want you dead, and most of your life has just been trauma, everything gets more and more boring. Until you don't even mind risking your life just to feel something. 

However, what y/n did feel, very frequently, was horny. She wouldn't lie and say that she has indulged in some things, despite there being only girls in her private hero academy. However, she craved men, simply because they were something she hadn't had yet. So in the nature of being royalty, if she hadn't had it, she wanted it.

"..booo"

"How could say that, you meant to be representing our school"

"Not my fault the rest of you are just stepping stones to my victory."

Y/n finally focused back on the screen, she was seeing a very up close image of a blonde boy with red eyes, this being the first man she saw since the police 5 months ago. Her eyes lit up, and sub-consciously her body started to glow different colors. Shifting as quickly as the Led lights in her dorm. 

"Mind your quirk princess" Saina, the class grump-who lowkey crushes on y/n- sneers. 

"Aww, sorry, thanks for reminding me daddy" Y/n responded, feigning innocence but still not breaking eye contact with the screen. 

She mentally focused on subsiding her quirk, but it took awhile for her to completely stop glowing. 

Once she was y/n watched the first parts of the festival, noting exactly what that blonde boy was doing. Not without checking out some of the other students. Obviously, but something about those red eyes had her enticed. So she made sure to focus on him. 

As she watched she learned that his quirk was fire, and he used it very differently than she did. She scribbled down a random note about it to make it seem like she was studying and trying to improve herself. Then, focused back on every intricate curve of his face instead. How he scowled, he really looked angry, but being one of those U.A. kids, she couldn't help but doubt he really had anything to be angry about. 

Soon the girl found herself imagining him in some sort of serious situation, what could make somebody so angry? 

And before she knew it, his fighting figure disappeared from the tv as an image of midnight replayed him, announcing that he had one his fight. The last fight wasn't it? Meaning that the rage boy must've won the whole thing. y/n really wasn't impressed, obviously he was only fighting other U.A. students. How hard could that be? However, she was excited that he won for some reason.

While y/n watched him she couldn't help but wish she was the one fight. Oh to be punched by that man.  Every kick he would throw sent goosebumps down her body. Plus when he used that quirk, shit was it hot. Pun intended. Fire seemed like such a simple quirk, but simple works best. That  last fight against Todoroki, that excited her. 

See, y/n liked adventures away from the school ground, and since she could fly..well. She knew Todoroki.  He was always considerate enough not to be weirded out by her when she would sneak into his house, her parents knew his dad well, so she pretty much only knew that one place.  He was logical and so he understood that she isn't really perverted, she simply hasn't seen boys in a very long time.  Todoroki figured if he hadn't seen a female in three years he might become more fond of them as well. 

"Now lets award the metals" 

She looked up at the screen to see a podium holding the winners and runner ups. Atop it was the boy, he was announced as Katsuki Bakugou. He was chained to the post and attacking the air, and y/n found this insanely hot. She assumed that since Todoroki hadn't given his all, that boom boom might be upsetting. However, she never expected to see this beautiful sight on the tv screen of her classroom. The sight was stuck in her mind for days. 

She thought about it during dance class. 

She thought about it during quirk training. 

She thought about it during lunch.

During "sleepovers"

During missions with her boss - gang orca

During meeting with the principle

Even during visit time with her parents. It was then she decided she had to do something about it. Now, even though most girls at her school looked down upon U.A. the parents and staff didn't. For the girls it was about how truly jealous they were that those students, even with lesser power, would get to become heros. While us here, would become noblewomen, or princesses or be married off into other famous quirk families.

Y/n only was jealous because her mother spent more time with U.A. students than with her and her brothers. Seeing her mother was midnight, yes, the pro-hero. While that sounds cool, it isn't. Her mother and father dated for 1 month before getting married on a whim. Her father being a prince was something mom always described as FUCKINZg SEGGSYYY. Yes, you could blame midnight for y/ns horny behaviors. 

Unfortunately for midnight, royal quirks don't mix with other quirks. None of her children have her quirk. Her daughter has Elementus total control, her middle son has Elementus manipulate, and youngest son has Elementus transform. So she is left with a 7 year old that can turn himself into water if he doesn't want to get in trouble....yeah. So that at home life was strange...

"Mom, dad, I wanna be hero"

"Bullshit, no you don't bahaha"

"I do, mom"

"Why"

"Dad, I wanna help people you know, like mom does. I wanna make the world better instead of just becoming a queen and sitting in a house all day." Y/n lied, she would love to sit around doing nothing while her rich, king husband did all the work. Then she could just eat and watch anime and be unbothered. However, in the moment, y/n forgot about her dream future. All she wanted in that moment was to see boom boom everyday. yuh, I said it..boom boom.

"Babe, she has a fair point...plus its not like chiyo can do anything with his quirk"

"What do you mean?! CHiyo's quirk is so cool dad, one time he took all the oxygen out of my bod and then I couldn't do anything, it was so cool!"

"see...."

"Yea,yea i see"

"My love, can't you just recommend her to U.A. so you can keep an eye on her. We both knew she was destined to be a hero at some point."

"Uhm. Babe. She only wants to go so she can see boys."

"What?!My princess would never, you heard it, she wants to help people. Our sons would never say such things, we should proud, love"

"Honey, she is lying."

"No, I'm not a mom, I could care less about boys. All the girls at this school can do the same things, if not better. "

"Y/N! I love you so much my precious horny little fuck"Her mother sprang up from her seat and embarrassed her. 

"I can't believe this is my life.." dad sighed. 

"But yeah, that proves your point honey, if she is gay then she must mean it. Yayyy. N/N is coming to school with meeee!!"

"I- yeah mom."

[thecoleopterawithana]

So John was basically a fanfict writer writing about him and Paul before it was cool but basically in conito? But damn if that story wasn't trippy as f...what next level LSD hallucinatgenic romance novel shit was that guy on? 😂😂😂

Sorry for the late reply @sarahthefluff but thanks to how your reblogged commentary and this ask itself made me laugh, I waited until I could give the answer my undivided attention. (I must also apologize about how this run away from me, so feel free to stop reading whenever you like…) 

But yeah, they do seem to yearn to tell their own story ‘in their own write’ as it were. And John, especially, appeared rather frustrated that people wouldn’t pick up on the hints he was constantly dropping about ‘that Paul and John business’.

And if you are able to decrypt all the little references littered within this ‘Lewis Carroll dialled up to eleven’ of a piece, as the OP kindly did, you begin to find either a fantasising work of fiction (basically a fanfic) or a delightfully masked account of true events. 

I must admit that in order to remain somewhat objective (or as objective as one can when looking from the outside at limited data and trying to judge what it was), I try not to hold too fast to one single narrative that I personally define as The Truth. Because I’m afraid we’ll never really get it all, even if Paul came forward with some kind of confession or definite statement on the matter. And so, I’m always a bit on the fence at just exactly how did their love manifest.

It always seems to comes down to how aware were they of their own feelings and the corresponding depth in the other. 

From everything I’ve seen, it’s obvious that the love was there. Now, if we want to go ahead and label it (as limited and reductive as labels can be), I think the dynamic itself, the perceived exclusivity in the relationship and all the intimacy involved, tends rather heavily to what we would call ‘romantic’ rather than ‘platonic’. 

If nothing else, the fact that when attempting to describe the relationship, both John and Paul inevitably end up referring to it as a marriage, is rather telling. It’s amazing to see just how often terms like ‘in love’ (note the difference between saying they ‘loved’ each other and that they were ‘in love’ with each other), ‘love affair’, ‘trial separation’, ‘divorce’ and ‘estranged fiances’ pop up in their conversation. That, together with John’s constant lumping of Paul and Yoko in the same category and their vows of devotedness to each other, paint a strikingly clear picture. There are also overlooked pearls such as this:

And throwing in the line “the Walrus was Paul” just to confuse everybody a bit more. And because I felt slightly guilty because I’d got Yoko, and he’d got nothing, and I was gonna quit. [laughs; bleak] And so I thought ‘Walrus’ has now become [in] meaning, “I am the one”. 

- John Lennon on ‘Glass Onion’, interviewed by David Sheff, August 1980.

Now, how aware were they of their own feelings? Well, it might seem a stupid question, considering all the aforementioned attitudes. But one must learn not to underestimate people’s capacity for denial and avoidance, especially from these two Liverpool lads, John ‘agression as an armour’ Lennon and Paul ‘if I ignore it long enough it will disappear’ McCartney. 

Looking at their songs - something they intentionally wrote and put out there, not something that could be an oblivious slip - it appears improbable that they could lack self-awareness that much. At the same time, both have said that sometimes they only later realize what they were unconsciously trying to communicate in song. 

However, I think it’s safe to say that in the later years, before the break-up, amid all the tensions and Yoko-shaped wake-up calls, Paul at least was very much forced to come to terms with it. Otherwise, blatant conversations like those they were singing at each other on record would be impossible. I mean, you can’t get more desperately obvious than ‘Oh! Darling’, even without the change to ‘Oh! Johnny’ later in the track. But still, people at the time seem to miss the point, with Geoff Emerick wondering why Paul was insisting on doing this song himself when it was better suited for John’s voice, so maybe it wasn’t obvious enough… There’s also those that Paul has stated were not intended to be about John, but that the latter man claimed anyway, like ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Two Of Us’. 

But I think that perhaps John accepted his feelings earlier, as his track record of love letters stretches way back, to the times of ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ and ‘If I Fell’. There are countless other little messages, some of which we may never realize, though the later period ‘letters across the sea’ were so obvious in their intended recipient that there are whole books examining the correspondence. (In fact, it might be a good idea to do a masterpost putting them all together and in order/context, though I’m pretty sure that exists already in the fandom. If so, please link me to it!)

So yeah, I’m pretty sure they were aware. But then, were they able to recognize the same level of feelings in the other?

This is the part where I think a lot of the tragedy comes in… Because for all their huge egos, they were simultaneously terribly insecure, especially concerning the matter of just how significant they were to the other. 

That’s where a lot of the hurt on John’s part came from, at Paul’s perceived indifference and disregard for the monogamy of their partnership/relationship, with famous anecdotes such as the making of ‘The Family Way’ or ‘Eleanor Rigby’. The pain he was feeling was immediately translated in a rabid need to wound back, if only as a desperate cry for attention. 

Paul, for his part, wasn’t readily able to recognize the lashings for what they were, and so the blows connected. In fact, he internalized John’s attacks to such an extent, that to this day he appears to need to actively convince himself that the other did love and respected him.

There’s also Paul’s constant regret at not clearly telling John that he loved him (perhaps increased by the doubts he himself was left with), and his following life mission to try an rectify that, both through wonderfully poignant pieces like ‘Here Today’, ‘This One’ and the heartbreaking ‘The Lovers That Never Were’, and by stating it publicly as often as he can.

It’s this abundance of doubt and regret, the tragic taste of missed opportunities, that makes it seem as if the relationship was left unresolved… That they lacked a confession or consummation of some kind… 

Could it be that they were in fact at some point romantically and sexually involved, but that they were so emotionally constipated that they were never secure in the depth of the other’s affections? Or that the break-up was so brutal that their confidence in the realness of the relationship was completely shattered? That feels almost sadder than the ‘unresolved tension’ narrative… Because it means they did have it, but it still failed…

But going back again to the McLennon fic penned by Mr Lennon himself, that piece, together with all the bed talk Paul seems so fond of, and other cute nonsense such as fusing their signatures or outright signing the McLennons in that rather obvious postcard, make it seem as if they did assume it among themselves at some point… Oh, and one should never overlook the songs!

The time has come, the Walrus said, 

For you and me to stay in bed my love 

It’ll be just like starting over

- Early Demo of ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’

So, yeah, I don’t really know what to take off all of it. Just maybe that they could hardly be more explicit about how they liked the other that way, and people (themselves included) still doubt it. No, even if they never got together, they were more than ‘just good friends’. 

[iloveyou-morethanthis]

Mine, Yours, Ours.

Arabian Nights/Aladdin AU (loose LOOSE inspiration)

Word Count: 1500ish

Pairing: Jongin x OG Fem Character

Kyungsoo x OG Fem Character

Summary: One Prince is destined to fall. Both intended to rule. Only balance can prevail.

Chapter One: Adventures and Balance

Hot. He thought. Why is it always so fucking hot?

It'd be nice. Living in a castle next to an oasis, seeing the lush green in the midst of this god forsaken sand. Sand. Who the fuck even likes sand? It gets into places it was never invited...Hmm that's a nice riddle. I'll pocket that for lat— “OW! What the hell?” He shouted, rubbing the back of his head where he had just been assaulted with the woollen sleeping rolls..

“You were daydreaming again.” She said bluntly.

“Your highness...” he warned.

“Yes?” She beamed at him. Her smile was sweet, but deadly. He knew that better than anyone.

“You should call me ‘Your highness’.”

Her smile faded into something more devious. “As far as I'm concerned that title was stripped from you.”

“Not stripped,” he charged, “Hidden. We have a secret mission, but that doesn't make me any less of a Prince.”

“That's exactly what it sounds like to me.” She dead panned. “And besides! My title wasn't removed, in fact it's the only thing keeping you alive, Your Highness.”

“Ugh! You can be so—”

“Stop bickering, Your Majesties. It's time to depart.” A large man, almost broad as he was tall placed a sack into the young Prince’s hands.

“UMPH” Jongin stumbled back with the weight of the pack given to him. The young princess laughing hysterically at him.

Ugh, Can you not act like you're enjoying this so much? He thought perhaps bringing his bride to be and life long best friend on this quest was possibly the worst idea. However, he knew if he had chosen someone else then she would still be here, by his side, as she always had been and always would be. Although he'd never admit it, it was what he loved most about her.

You're braver than I ever could be, that's why I need you here.

“Come on, Nini. Daylight is burning.” She said as she mounted her camel.

“It's always burning” he grumbled.

“We should arrive by sunset,” Sehun spoke up, securing the rest of their belongings before mounting.

Jongin secured his packs and made sure there was no evidence of their camp. Once he was satisfied, he too mounted, and the last leg of the journey began.

One more day, till he sees the city of his forefathers.

Talā.

The young man stood at the edge of his balcony overlooking the kingdom. This time of year was his favorite. Sure, it was unbearably hot. The sun beating down unforgivingly, but the nights were so cool, it always made him wonder how two opposites could exist so peacefully. One never overtaking the other, each doing their part, each holding their perfect roles and never forsaking them.

Roles. Harmony. Balance. That's what this world is about.

Roles, each is given to one at birth. It is our duty to maintain that role and do justly in that role. To do well. For ourselves. For our family. For others. Harmony. It is created when everyone and everything continues in their roles. Balance is what keeps everything in check.

This our guide to living a good life. His grandfather would tell him.

Balance. Balance is what Kyungsoo holds most dear in his life. Balance is more that equality, it is a flow of control. Life is an ever changing, unforgiving circumstance. The everflow of change creates chaos and madness, creates sorrow and pain, but through it all he can see it. The balance. The control it holds in life itself is magnificent. It is strong, unyielding, even fate (some would say) always bows to balance. Balance is a true judge, brings the poor to power and leaves kings in ruin. It breeds opportunity for the unfortunate and brings the fortuitous to their knees.

Balance, Kyungsoo thought, it is the one thing I trust, but the only thing I was born to fight.

He was unsure how long he stood there looking over his kingdom, thoughts wandering among the people, till a knock came upon his door. Only then did the Crown Prince notice the sunlight had begun to fade. A cool breeze swept through his hair as he called out, “You may enter.”

He heard the familiar footsteps of his servant and oldest confidant approaching. “Forgive me, Baekhyun, I lost track of time.”

The young man looked at his prince with concern, all thoughts of the party below were lost. “Are you feeling well Your Majesty?”

Only then does Kyungsoo turn to his friend. With a soft smile he tells him genuinely, “I'm well. I am nervous. Tonight is an important night to the kingdom. To our family. It is something I would rather not mess up.” The corner of his lips turned into a smile. He could see the relief wash over Baekhyun.

“Sir, you always call us your family–”

Kyungsoo lifted a hand to the young man's shoulder. “How many times do I have to tell you, you are my brother. Maybe not by blood, but certainly in spirit. Everyone in this castle, everyone in this kingdom is someone who I hold dear, closer than family. That is how I've lived, and that is how I intend to rule. The people of our kingdom share together in our sufferings and share together in our joys. That is what family is? No?” It was a rhetorical question, for he already knew the answer.

Since Kyungsoo’s father passed before assuming the throne, he was groomed to be king from an early age. Kyungsoo's grandfather was and still is king and an able body man, at that. There was no need for the kingdom to rush Kyungsoo to the throne. His grandfather over saw all his training and studies, giving the young boy of 10 years control over all trade routes. Needless to say he was taught to learn from his mistakes. The one thing his grandfather always made sure was that his duties always put him outside the castle. Working alongside his people Kyungsoo learned what being a ruler meant. Ruling was not done from an unapproachable throne, but done through being present, available, and working through the hardships together, as a family.

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Baekhyun smiled. “Now then, let's get you dressed to impress.” The boy winked.

Kyungsoo tried not to roll his eyes, if there was one thing he hated more than parties it was getting dressed for said parties.

Seeing the despairing face of the prince Baekhyun laughed, putting on his best King Jungsuk act , “One must look presentable in the face of their future family.”

At that the two young men doubled over in laugher. It was not long before Kyungsoo was dressed in the finest suit, a dark iris dyed material woven with golden threads. Baekhyun placed a matching sash as dark as midnight ‘round the prince’s shoulder. He used a broach of pressed gold, shaped in the likeness of the family crest to pin the sash above his left shoulder. He stepped aside to admire his handy work. “If she wasn't already in love with you I'd say you'd enchant her. But since you're already engaged, you can say I've sealed the deal! You can thank me later.” With a wink the man was gone before Kyungsoo could react.

That bastard. He laughed, He thinks we're together because of him. He's not completely wrong, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't ever look this put together. He gave himself a once over before heading to the courtyard. The guests were starting to arrive, and she was already waiting for him.

His name was announced as he decended the stairs. All eyes were on him, but his were on her.

Gorgeous. Magnificent. A goddess in her own right. These were words he knew he could never tell her. She wouldn't let him live it down. He took in her appearance, a golden dress that shimmered in the fire light. The perfect contrast to her ebony skin. Her body practically glowed. When the fire light hit her dress he could see the reflections dance across her skin. On her head was a matching golden tiara weaved together like vines with a perfect emerald sitting at the crown of her head. Stunning. He told himself. She was nothing short of stunning.

By the time he made his way to her he had forgotten all his words. He was sure he needed to say hello, maybe even bow, but all he did was stare. He stared deep into her brown eyes. He wasn't sure how long he stayed like that just staring, smiling like a fool, but he'd stay like that forever if he could.

She smiled brightly at the prince. “So, you gonna stare at me all night or are we gonna dance?” She raised an eyebrow.

“Stare. No. Dance. No. Definitely dance. Not staring, I mean, I didn't—.” He was still tripping over his words when she laughed and pulled him onto the dance floor. She put his arms around him and leaned close to his ear, “I love you, Do Kyungsoo.” That was all it took, his nerves were gone, his mind was clear. All he could think was, I love you too.

[shadowmaat]

OP that is all kinds of chilling and tone deaf. The racism- whether you intended it or not- is still there. You're also trying to apply real-world politics to a piece of fiction.

In the real world maybe the family should be informed (although if she didn't tell anyone she was pregnant, who is Obi-Wan to decide to tell them for her?). But this is Star Wars and the Evil Empire is ruled by an Evil Wizard who can literally rip information out of your mind. And he has a cadre of people trained to do that as well. You can be damn sure Padme's family is going to be under intense scrutiny, even if no one knows the child(ren) survived. Palpatine's agents, political rivals looking to curry favor, even plain old gossips could learn that Leia is alive.

To say nothing of the fact that Padme's family is a huge question mark. You can't assume that they'd all be loving and morally pure. Naboo has been chock full of corruption since before Padme was even born, and while it's nice to think that every member of her family was as good and kind as she was, it's a little naive to entrust the safety and wellbeing of a baby to that kind of idealism. Obi-Wan sure as hell didn't know anything about them and was under a bit of a time crunch to get Leia settled.

As much as people love to gripe about the Rako Hardeen thing, the whole mess was predicated on the idea that everyone had to believe Obi-Wan was dead. Even- especially- Anakin. If Anakin wasn't acting upset enough or if he accidentally let slip something, it could have compromised the whole mission.

Same kinda logic applies here, except in this case add in evil mind readers and an existing suspicion of the entire Naberrie clan that would give everyone a reason to think they were hiding something and there was no goddamn way Padme's family could even be told, never mind being given custody of Leia. Hells, if anything you could argue that it was dangerous to give Luke to the Lars family precisely because they're related. All jokes about "haha, no one would ever look on Tatooine!" aside, it's still a bit sketchy. Especially since, when Obi-Wan handed Luke off, he believed Anakin was dead, so the whole "hide him where his father won't look" thing doesn't really hold up.

The Jedi are peacekeepers. They're meant to help and defend people. If Sidious had learned of the existence of the twins, it would have been dangerous beyond description. They'd be tortured into Falling and trained up to be warriors of the Dark.

Obi-Wan and Yoda did everything they could to try and protect the twins. It's one of the reasons they were split up: to make them harder to trace. The whole point was to keep them hidden from Sidious (and Vader) so they could live long enough to grow up as themselves. And not only that, but Obi-Wan went out of his way to make sure they went to trustworthy, loving families because love is every bit as important as safety, if not more so.

To say that Bail & Breha giving Leia the best possible life is "squicky" because it's "still kidnapping" is, IMO, revolting. It's ignoring all the surrounding circumstances and the setting of the entire damn series in order to assume some kind of maliciousness.

For all this talk of "family" however, let's not forget that the Jedi were Anakin's family. You want the family to be informed? They were informed. They were right there watching it happen. And they made the best decisions they could under incredibly trying circumstances.

"Oh, but the Jedi aren't a real family! Real family is blood relations!" Wanna bet? I can find about a thousand "found family" stories that would argue against that.

"You were my brother, Anakin!" Remember that line? Does it mean anything? Or maybe Obi-Wan was just confused and wrong.

Anyway. Expecting Star Wars to align with US laws regarding guardianship is a really weird take that seems calculated to twist a good and wonderful thing from the series into something awful. It's sad to see this kind of thinking.

What's next, Din is guilty of kidnapping Grogu because he never found the kid's actual biofamily? Rey should have been given back to Palpatine?

You can't ignore circumstances in order to suit your own agenda. Or, well, you obviously can, but you're gonna get called on it.

PS: ♫ Racist ♫

Scratching Below the Surface of the Happy Organa Family

There are all these posts circulating now about how awesome Bail and Breha are. And they are. There is no denying they are good and brave people who did an amazing job with Leia and risked a lot to do it. That is to their credit. I am also 100% here for reminding people that adoptive parents are parents. They deserve that credit. So normally, I would be 110% behind Leia is an Organa. She is Bail’s and Breha’s daughter. 

But I can’t, because it’s not legitimate. Every time I see these posts I want to go Yay!!! and get in with the vibes and the feels, and the bittersweet beauty of it, but I can’t. Maybe it’s because the work I do involves crisis pregnancies, adoptions, adoptees etc. and I also have family that was adopted. I am obliged to know at least a little bit about how this works. This is why I get really squicky, because…Leia was not adopted. She was kidnapped.

Think about it. Did Padme give her baby up for adoption? Did Anakin? Now, an argument could be made that Bail, Obi-Wan, and Yoda could hardly risk giving the child to Anakin, and at the time thought he was dead. So, we’ll say his parental rights are terminated as he is unfit. Fine. But, did Padme have a will? Who did she want her child to be raised by if something should happen to her and her husband? And if she did not, then Bail and Obi-Wan and Yoda still can’t do whatever the heck they want. They need to go to Padme’s family, (as well as to Anakin’s). The Naberries had a say in this as much as the Lars’ (who were never told the whole truth either). What, you deliver their dead daughter’s corpse and don’t even tell them their grandbabies survived? Ever. That’s wrong. That’s so so wrong. 

Now, if you do die intestate, or if there is no section for guardianship, the court gets involved to decide who gets the kids. Granted, that can’t be risked in this circumstance. But, generally, kids do go to remaining family. Bail, Obi-Wan, and Yoda could and should still have handled this informally with them. That would be the decent thing to do. 

Or are we supposed to accept that all this is legal, because all Force-Sensitive children are to have their fate decided by the Jedi, so they can do whatever the heck they want? Guess that’s why Yoda’s making the final decision on Luke and Leia’s fates. That’s probably it, isn’t it? Gross. Wrong on so many levels. 

This is sooo squicky. It is impossible for me to unequivocally enjoy content about the happy Organa family without thinking that that is….not how adoption works. That is just taking someone’s grandchild. That is just taking someone’s niece. That is just taking someone’s child. 

Cool Motive.

Still Kidnapping.