#i didn't port followers because it feels weird to me to do that | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

arilevenatz · 14 days ago

Text

You are

Pairing: pirate!jongho x town girl!reader

Genre: fluff

Word count: 9.6k

Warnings: Violence, kidnapping, abuse (not done by the boys) minor character death, jongho is a shy baby, lmk if I missed any!!

AN: I feel like screaming. This has been in my drafts for more than a year when the 'Everything' MV came out. The MV broke me and I was a crying mess. If y'all couldn't tell, my bias is jongho and I have seen that there are not that many good jongho fics in any platform. So I have taken the initiative. (Even tho idk if it's good or not) Anyway if y'all wanna be tagged just reply with your @ . AND please reblog and like it helps me a lot. I kinda fucked up the ending so y'all are free to imagine whatever the fuck y'all want

Nassau, an island which was claimed by the crew of Halazia. The ship was giant and very beautiful as well.

One slight issue,

It's a pirate ship

The pirates of the Halazia are the most feared of them all. They are known for not having any mercy towards any ship they come across.

Yes, even the ones with a white flag.

But Nassau is an island which is owned by them, so it is common for the people living near the harbor to see them come and go.

I, however lived further in the town, so I have never really seen them. Not that I want to as well. I'm scared they might kill me.

Though I doubt that will happen cause they have never really killed any innocent here in Nassau. Not that I've heard that is.

Waking was hard. Going to greet the family was harder. Answering their dumb questions was the hardest.

They say the youngest kid is always the most loved of them all. Not in our case.

We are big on family. And the worst part? We all live in the same plot, but in different houses. Me, being the youngest child in the house, I'm a personal punching bag.

Stuffs like "your brothers are doing so good, you need to follow them aswell" and "your brothers and sister have taken majors in science, you will too I hope" were normal to me.

Ever since I was young, my mom taught me.

If you wanna live in this house without getting called out every time, you have to fake a smile. Please everyone, child. Because of your father, you have to please everyone.

That was then, but now she has changed. She was forced to do so by these monsters in the name of people. I kinda miss her…

I heard my name being called. Looking at the source I saw my mom.

"I know you just woke up but, can you go to the port market and get us some things?"

"Mom, I just woke up..."

"Listen to your mom kid"

I looked at the source, great, my other aunt. Blinded by the pride of marrying a rich doctor, she thinks she is the head of the family, although she is the youngest sibling of my dad.

"yes yes, she will go, won't you kid?" her eyes pleaded to me, not wanting her child to be scolded in the morning.

"yes ma"

I took the money and left.

Being the youngest, I was always called "kid" or "child". It's weird I know, but i don't even care anymore.

The market's a bit far. I have to cross a little outskirt of a jungle. Though I don't have to cross the jungle, it's still a bit scary. But it's dawn, so it's alright right now.

After the jungle, a little walk by some alleyways and then it's the market!

The market was one of my favorite places to be in. Just look at it! It's so lively and colourful. It's so nice that it can make me forget about home for some time.

Ok let's check the list of items. Chili powder, parsley, biscuits and rum.

Hah! That stupid uncle of mine! How can he make a young girl like me buy alcohol early in the morning?!

I eventually got all the supplies and also got the rum. The shopkeeper was my dad's and uncles's friend so he gave me the rum I wanted, but I doubt he would've if he didn't know me. I mean come on, who gives alcohol to a young girl?!

"That will be ten bronze kid"

I handed him the money when suddenly I heard a high pitched laugh

"jongho, at least try to bargain once in your life! Do you or do you not want to save money??"

Looking in the direction, I saw two men. One has black hair, the other one has black and white hair.

What a strange hair colour...aren't his parents dissapointed?

Both of them are dressed in big tunics and black leather pants. The tunics loosely tucked in their pants.

"shopkeeper-nim, can we get this rum?"

The oreo guy handed the shopkeeper a note, seemingly a list.

"No mates, the last one was taken by this lady here"

He pointed at me. Damn dawg why you gotta throw me under the bus?

It was now when the two men looked at me.

"Aren't you too young to drink?"

"Land Ahoy!!!!"

The booming voice of the first mate who is also the quarter master, can be heard from below the deck. He had just spotted an island. Their island,

Nassau.

Beautiful island, with beautiful people and beautiful owners.

hehe

"Mingi, drop the anchor!"

"done!"

"captain, we need to scavenge", the quartermaster and first mate of Halazia, Seonghwa stated to their captain, the one and only, Hongjoong.

"I'm aware. Is the scavenger team ready?"

"I have already concerned Wooyoung, him and his team are ready to go"

"Good"

"Captain!"

The captain and quartermaster flinched by the voice of the surgeon.

"San! You unruly swine! What if the the captain got scared and let go of the helm?!", the quartermaster scolded the younger guy.

"Seonghwa do you mean that I get scared by small things?"

The two of the other males in the room nodded.

"all of you are scared cats"

"Bitch-"

All three males in the room flinch by the sudden intruder.

"Yunho, do you want me to order Yeosang to cut of your hair in your sleep?"

"Captain it was a joke!!"

"Anyways, captain, I came here to inform you that Mingi needs materials to fix the ship, however, he has work to do, so someone has to go on land with Wooyoung to get the supplies", San, the surgeon states.

The captain has now successfully ported the ship and now can let go of the helm. He turned to his crew and told them to follow him. And he went towards the maindeck.

"Send Jongho. He does not have any work for the time being"

"ok!"

San sprinted away almost in a comical way while muttering something which sounded suspiciously like a "smooth operator~"

The battlemaster was in the arms locker. The giant locker was home to weapons for the battlemaster as well as guns for the master gunner, Yunho.

The battlemaster, Jongho, was busy cleaning his swords. Call him a clean freak but he needs to clean all his swords and cutlasses. Not because he is a clean freak, it's cuz a certain someone will scold him if he does not.

"Do you wanna build a snowman?"

"San are you a child?"

The first mate gets inside the locker and sits beside the younger male.

"I am not, but I know a certain someone is though"

"You swine"

The crew of the Halazia is known as the scariest crew outside, but inside the ship, they all are one braincell sharing idiots.

"Anyways, captain ordered you to do to port and get some stuff with wooyoung-ie" The younger boy looked at the first mate with his boba eyes. "what stuff?"

"mingi needs some stuff to repair the broken and probably for his new invention and shit"

"Ok then”

“meat, coriander, honey, alcohol and maybe some broccoli for the soups"

"Wooyoung, why do you need alcohol? Are you gonna drink again?"

The cook of Halazia, wooyoung and the young battlemaster, jongho are set out for an adventure, an adventure to find the specific kind of alcohol for the surgeon of the ship, San.

"What? No! I am getting it because Sanie asked me to!

This morning, San had barged in the kitchen and asked wooyoung to get a special kind of rum, which helps to clean cuts.

Yeah the young boys have no idea how to find it…

"aren't you too young to drink?" jongho asked the girl they just came across in the shop.

The girl didn't say anything and just stayed silent.

"jongho-ya you scared the poor girl"

"No I did no-"

"you can have it"

Both the males looked at the young girl. She has her hand out and in her hand resides the rum bottle.

"You can have it"

"No no we ca-" jongho was cut of by wooyoung. "sure we'll take it! How much was it again?"

"ten bronze"

Wooyoung handed the girl ten bronze and was about to take off, but jongho held him back feeling guilty. I mean come on, the girl probably had her own hardships buying it, and then she got harassed by his hyung.

The younger guy went and handed 5 more bronze. The girl merely looked at his hand confused.

"sorry, he is just immature"

The girl however still remained silent and immobile.

Jongho waited a few seconds and then took the girl's hand and placed the coins there.

"thank you and...Sorry"

The girl looked at the coins and then looked at him. And then she said "I don't need these extra coins, but in return, you both have to go and buy the alcohol for me”

They do it for the girl. The two men are now inside another store, away from the previous. This store is the only other store which sells alcohol here in the port market. But the owner of this shop doesn't know your dad or uncle, so he will not give alcohol to her as she's a girl. So she cleverly asked the two men to go inside and buy it for her.

Wooyoung hands you the additional bottle of rum with a dramatic flourish, a smirk on his face. "Here you go, little one. Consider this our way of helping you out." He smiles at me, while Jongho looks on, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

You look at him giving you two bottles when you asked for one. “I only needed one tho.....”

"We added one more. Consider it a gift from us. Just... don't tell anyone we did this, alright? We'd be in real trouble if anyone knew” Wooyoung said as he put the bottles in your bag properly. You nod at him slightly.

Wooyoung smiles slightly at your nod "Smart girl. And hey... what's your name? I'm wooyoung, that's jongho. Seems like Nassau's been tough on you, hasn't it? If you ever need anything else-"

jongho slightly nudges him to stop and get back to work. He gently pushes Wooyoung aside before he can offer any more unsolicited kindness to the girl. The last thing they need right now is rumors spreading about us befriending locals.

Jongho shoots Wooyoung a warning look before turning his attention back to you "Remember what we said - keep quiet about this. And stay out of trouble, yeah? Nassau's not safe for little ones like you-" he catches himself realizing how condescending that sounded "-Like-”

“Little ones?” You were offended. You hated when someone called you little. It triggered you so much. You family calling you ‘kid’, ‘child’ was enough, you don't need these two weirdos calling you little.

He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly "You know what I mean. Young. Innocent. Uninvolved in pirate life. Just... be careful, alright? We don't want anything happening to anyone”

You wanted to ask why they were so interested in pirate life but they were already turning back.

As Wooyoung and him walk away, jongho can't shake the feeling that he has made things awkward between them and the girl. He glances back over his shoulder, noticing her standing there, holding the extra bottle of rum like a precious treasure. "Woo, did you see that?”

Wooyoung follows his gaze, a thoughtful expression on his face "Aye, I did. She's a tough one, ain't she? For a little thing, she's got guts." He pauses, then adds in a lower tone

"And she's got a way of getting under your skin, too. Mark my words, Jongho - that girl's going to cause us trouble one day." He chuckles to himself, but there's a hint of seriousness beneath his words.

"Let's just hope it's the good kind of trouble.”

Back in the ship, the surgeon, San runs up to them, asking them what took them so long. Woo replied "we had to fight a little girl for the last bottle of rum”. San raises a concerned eyebrow.

“In what world do ‘little girl' and ‘rum’ co-operate in one sentence? That sounds highly inappropriate”

Jongho sighs and shakes his head disapprovingly at Wooyoung's exaggeration. "Don't go spreading tales now. We weren't fighting anyone." He glances at San with weary eyes. "Just... ran into a stubborn lady on an errand.”

San raises an eyebrow skeptically, but his lips twitch in amusement. "'Stubborn lady,' huh? Sounds like someone's been distracted by pretty eyes and a cute face." He teasingly pokes Jongho in the ribs.

Wooyoung covered his mouth with his hands dramatically and replied "no wonder he was not cold but gentle towards the girl. I knew you had it in you!”

Jongho rolls his eyes, trying to maintain his composure despite San's teasing. "Shut it, San. It's not like that. We just didn't want any trouble, that's all." He shoots Wooyoung a warning look, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut.

But it was true, he felt that those eyes held sadness. He has seen war, he has been in dilemmas and has fought with his inner urges. He knows what loneliness looks like. and he saw that in those girl's dull eyes. He stands on the deck watching the sunset paint the sky in fiery hues, but he can't help but replay the encounter with the girl in his mind. The ache in her eyes, the defiance in her stance - it echoes the battles he's fought within himself.

He remembers the way the girl stood her ground, refusing to back down even when faced with two grown pirates.

As the captain, Hongjoong managed more than just his crew; he also oversaw a network of loan sharks. These were the people he trusted with his money, providing them the means to distribute loans in exchange for a share of the profits. Now, it was time to settle. A meeting with the loan sharks of Nassau was pending, and Hongjoong intended to reclaim what was rightfully his.

Rather than meeting on neutral ground, Hongjoong and Seonghwa decided to summon the loan sharks to their ship. It was a calculated move, one that ensured the meeting would take place on their terms and under their control. (Hot men)

The captain’s quarters were cold and dark, the flickering lantern casting shadows across Hongjoong’s features. Seonghwa stood by the door, arms crossed and expression hard, his presence as commanding as the captain’s. The loan sharks shifted uneasily before them, knowing this was not a meeting to be taken lightly.

The lead shark hesitated before speaking, his voice shaking slightly. “Captain, there’s been… a complication.”

Hongjoong leaned forward, his eyes cold “A complication?” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. “Explain.”

“A man we loaned money to—he fled,” the shark stammered. “Disappeared without paying a single coin. He left behind his wife and daughter in Nassau.”

Hongjoong’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into a fist on the table. “And you let him run?”

“We didn’t know he would,” the shark blurted out, his words tumbling over each other. “He seemed reliable, Captain. A merchant with steady work. But one day, he was gone, just like that.”

“And the family?” Seonghwa cut in, his tone sharp and unforgiving.

“They’re still in Nassau,” the shark admitted. “The wife claims she doesn’t know where he went, and they’ve got nothing left. No way to repay the debt.”

Hongjoong’s gaze darkened. “You mean to tell me you came here with excuses, no money, and no solutions?”

The shark shrank back, sweat glistening on his forehead. “Captain, we—we thought we could pressure the wife. Maybe—” He hesitated, but Hongjoong’s glare pushed him to continue. “Maybe take their belongings or… use them to draw him out.”

The room fell silent. Seonghwa stepped forward, his voice like steel. “Use them?” he echoed, his lips curling into a cold smirk knowing what his captain will suggest next, “You’re suggesting we drag a woman and her child into this mess because you couldn’t do your job?”

The shark flinched, his voice barely a whisper. “It was just an idea.”

Hongjoong stood, the sudden movement making the shark jump. He leaned across the table, his voice venomous. “Ideas like that will get you killed. You don’t lay a hand on them unless I give the order. Do you understand me?”

The shark nodded frantically, his face pale. “Y-Yes, Captain.”

“But you will go back,” Hongjoong continued, his tone playful but colder now. “You will visit the wife, and you will remind her that the debt doesn’t disappear just because her husband ran. Make sure she understands this is her last chance to cooperate. If she knows where he is, she had better start talking.”

“And if she doesn’t?” the shark asked hesitantly.

Seonghwa’s smirk widened, but his eyes remained icy. “Then you make it clear what happens when people cross Captain Hongjoong. Let her know the weight of the debt will fall heavier if her husband doesn’t show his face soon.”

Hongjoong straightened, his eyes burning into the shark’s. “You don’t come back empty-handed again. Bring me the man, or bring me something of equal value. Do I make myself clear?”

The sharks nodded in unison, fear etched into their faces.

“Good,” Hongjoong said curtly. “Now get out of my sight.”

As the door slammed shut behind them, Seonghwa glanced at the captain. “You think the wife knows something?"

“If she does, fear will make her speak,” Hongjoong replied coldly. “And if she doesn’t, it’ll push the coward into the open. Either way, we get what we’re owed.”

He thinks for a second and then says “ you know what, I don't trust these parasites. Send a mule after them, give me every detail of what they do from now on”

The shark’s anger simmered as he stormed through the winding streets of Nassau. Hongjoong’s threats still echoed in his ears, and his humiliation burned deep. To him, the blame lay squarely with the woman and her child.

“They’ve made fools of us,” growled the shark, his fists clenched. “It’s her fault the captain’s breathing down our necks. If we can’t touch them, we’ll make sure she understands what it means to cross us.”

When he reached the small house with two of his acquaintances, they found it quiet and dimly lit. The lead shark pounded on the door with enough force to make the frame rattle. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing the wife. Her face paled when she saw the sharks, but she held her ground.

“What do you want now?” she asked, her voice strong but trembling.

The lead shark sneered, pushing the door open wider. “Your lies have caused us enough trouble. We’re done playing games.”

She took a step back, clutching the edge of the door. “I’ve told you everything I know. My husband is gone. I can’t give you what I don’t have.”

Another shark, a burly man with a cruel glint in his eye, stepped forward. “Your daughter—where is she?”

“She’s not here,” the wife said quickly, fear flashing across her face. “She’s out.”

The lead shark smirked, leaning closer. “Good. That makes this easier.”

Before the wife could react, the sharks forced their way inside. She stumbled back, panic flooding her as they loomed over her.

“You’re coming with us,” the lead shark said coldly.

“You can’t do this,” she stammered, her voice breaking. “We’re not hurting you,” the burly shark replied with a twisted grin. “We’re just taking you somewhere else to have a little… conversation.”

Despite her protests, they grabbed her arms and dragged her out of the house, their grip firm but not brutal. She screamed and struggled, but no one was there as they hauled her through the streets and into the shadows of Nassau.

____

You push open the door to your house, expecting the usual comfort of your mother's voice or the warmth of a home filled with the scent of a meal being prepared. But instead, there was silence.

“Mom?” you call out, your voice echoing slightly. You set down the basket of bread and vegetables, but there’s no answer. The quiet stretches on, oppressive, like something’s wrong.

You move through the house, checking the rooms one by one, but it’s empty. There’s no sign of her. Panic starts to creep into your chest, tightening with each passing moment.

As you were looking, you felt someone cover your mouth in a vise-like grip as you trie to claw at him. His thick mustache curls upwards in a cruel sneer. "And what do we have here? The little birdie come back to her nest?”

You try hard to free yourself.

“You think you can run from us?” he sneered, shoving you forward with enough force to stumble you. “You and your mother have been causing enough trouble, little girl. But don’t worry, we’ll make sure you both learn your place soon enough.”

You kick his knees and manage to break free. Just as you reach for the door handle, a large hand cracks across your face, sending you stumbling down. Pain explodes across your cheek and you fall to the floor, dazed and crying. The man looms over you, his fist raised for another blow. "You little brat!”

"Stop!" The lead shark's voice barks out sharply, staying in the second man's hand mid-air. Through your terrified tears, you see him approaching you, his heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor.

“We don’t need more bruises on this pretty little face yet,” he says, his voice almost… amused. His hand lifts, but instead of striking, he just touches the side of your face, his fingers cold and rough against your skin.

You wince, instinctively trying to pull away, but his grip tightens, holding you in place. “Listen closely, little bird,” he continues, his voice dark and low. “We need you to understand something. Your father’s debt? It’s a problem. And we’re not leaving here until we get our money back.”

Your stomach churns at the mention of your father. You try to keep your voice steady, but it cracks. “I don’t know where he is.”

“Yeah, we know,” he replies with a dry laugh, his grip loosening just a little. “Your father’s a coward. He runs and leaves you two behind to clean up his mess.” He leans down, his face just inches from yours. “But that doesn’t matter. Captain Hongjoong’s been clear. We take what’s ours. And you?” His smirk widens. “You’re gonna help us make that happen.”

His words make your blood run cold. Hongjoong. You’d heard of him—his name was spoken with fear and respect, but never this way. They’re using your family as leverage, a pawn in their game, all because of your father’s debt.

“They need you to make sure your father gets the message,” the lead shark continues, standing back up, pacing slowly around you like a predator. “We can’t hurt you… yet. But we’re going to make sure you’re a reminder. Captain Hongjoong is waiting for results. And if that means bringing you along to make your father see reason, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Hongjoong sat in his quarters, staring at the report he had just received from the mule. His eyes narrowed as the words settled in. The sharks had gone against his direct orders, overstepping their boundaries, and now he had to deal with the consequences. The anger bubbled inside him, a sharp, cold rage that left no room for hesitation.

He stood up, the weight of his frustration pressing on him. He couldn’t allow anyone to defy him, especially not when it came to matters as serious as this. The sharks had been sent to handle the situation, to get back the money they were owed—but they’d taken it too far. Taking the girl and her mother? That wasn’t part of the deal.

Seonghwa, who had been standing nearby, watching his captain closely, didn’t need to ask what was wrong. He’d seen this side of Hongjoong before—when his calm, controlled demeanor slipped, and the storm beneath came to the surface.

“Prepare Jongho and Yunho,” Hongjoong said, his voice low but filled with authority. “I want them to investigate. I want to know exactly what those sharks did, and I want them to fix this. I’ll have no one undermining my orders.”

Seonghwa nodded, turning to leave, but Hongjoong stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Make sure it’s handled quietly,” Hongjoong added, his gaze steely. “We don’t need any more attention than we already have. And if they’ve done something unforgivable… make sure they know who’s in charge.”

Jongho, the Battle Master, was known for his strength and discipline. He’d follow orders without hesitation, but it was his ability to keep a level head in intense situations that Hongjoong trusted most. Yunho, the Master Gunner, had a sharp eye for details and a quick wit. Together with a few loyal crew members, they’d get to the bottom of this—and if the sharks had crossed a line, they’d deal with it swiftly.

Jongho and Yunho stood by the edge of the ship, the salty breeze tugging at their hair as they discussed their next move.

Yunho crossed his arms, leaning against the railing. “So, we’re going to investigate what those sharks did… and if they’ve really messed up, we’re supposed to clean up their mess?” He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Jongho, standing beside him, shook his head with a chuckle. “Seems like it. I don’t think Captain Hongjoong’s happy that they went rogue. Taking the girl and her mother? That’s a whole new level of stupid.” He sighed, glancing out at the horizon.

“I mean, we’re talking about a bunch of thugs who can’t follow orders. What’s next? Are they going to steal the moon?”

Yunho snorted. “If they tried, I’d pay good money to see it. But seriously, jongho, this is a mess. We’ve got to figure out how to handle this without making it worse. The last thing we need is a full-blown war with the sharks because they couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.”

Jongho chuckled darkly. “Yeah, because Hongjoong’s ‘fixing problems quietly’ approach works out so well, right?” He paused. “Let’s just hope these sharks haven’t completely pissed him off. I don’t think even we could smooth things over if he’s really that angry.”

He then grinned. “I’ll make sure to bring some extra bandages, just in case.”

Yunho shot him a sideways glance. “What, you think we’re going to knock some sense into them with our fists?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Jongho replied, giving him a smile. “Though, I prefer it when the problem just gets solved with a good ol' conversation. You know, like ‘Hey, don’t take the girl, or I’ll break your legs.’”

Yunho let out a dry laugh. “Sounds like a great ‘conversation’ to me.”

He then smirked at jongho and said, “But you know, I’m always ready to put some holes in bastards. Let’s get to work.” (See what I did there? ⁠ ͡⁠°⁠ ͜⁠ʖ⁠ ͡⁠° )

The air was thick with tension as Jongho and Yunho made their way to the den. They had gathered all the intel they needed and were now ready to end this. The sharp tang of saltwater in the air mixed with the musty, oppressive smell of the building, and Jongho’s grip tightened around the hilt of his sword.

“You ready?” Yunho asked, his voice low, scanning the area.

“Yeah, let’s go,” Jongho replied, his tone steadier than he felt. They moved quickly, slipping through the shadows toward the back entrance of the den. The door creaked open under Jongho’s steady push, and they silently entered.

Jongho and Yunho moved like shadows, circling around the room, eyes scanning for the girl. The moment their eyes met, Jongho felt his heart stop. There she was—tied to a chair, her head lowered. Her breathing was shallow, and her hands were bound tight, but she was alive. She looked up at him, her eyes widening.

Jongho felt his chest tighten. He was shocked. Not because this was her. The same girl he had seen in the market, and now here she was, in the middle of this chaos, helpless. But because he still remembered her vividly. He has never remembered anyone's face other than ill intent. This made his heart do something he didn't like.

He was about to rush forward when Yunho grabbed his arm. “Stay focused,” Yunho muttered, his eyes scanning the sharks. “We’ll get her, but we need to take them down first.”

Jongho nodded, his heart racing. He knew Yunho was right—they couldn’t let their guard down. The sharks were too dangerous, and they had to be neutralized quickly.

In one fluid motion, Yunho drew his gun and fired, sending one of the sharks crashing to the ground. The noise startled the rest of the men, and chaos erupted. Jongho lunged forward, his sword cutting through the air with precision. Each swing was met with resistance, but he wasn’t slowing down.

The fight was quick but brutal, the room filled with the sounds of swords clashing and bodies hitting the ground. Jongho’s eyes searched the girl, and as soon as the last shark was down, he rushed to her side.

“Hold on,” he said, his voice softer now, as he cut through her ropes. She winced slightly as he freed her wrists, but she didn’t say a word—her eyes were locked on him, full of both fear and relief.

“You’re safe now,” Jongho said, his heart pounding as he helped her to her feet. But as he looked down at her, his heart skipped a beat. Her face was streaked with dried tears and blood, she had a busted lip and a bloodied injury on the side of her head. He realized then that this wasn’t just about the mission anymore. There was something about her that tugged at him, something deeper than just a rescue.

She looked up at him, her voice barely a whisper. “Who are you?”

Jongho smiled softly, trying to mask the sudden rush of emotions flooding through him. “Jongho. Battle Master on Captain Hongjoong’s ship.”

Her eyes flickered with recognition. “You… you were at the market.” She hesitated, her voice uncertain. “You… you’re a pirate? Of the Halazia”

Jongho nodded, his heart tightening. “We’re here to get you out of this mess. But right now, we need to move fast.”

She looked around, “But my mom-”

“Yunho will take care of that”

Before she could respond, they heard footsteps approaching. Yunho’s voice was low and urgent. “Jongho, we’ve got to go, now!”

Jongho took her hand gently, pulling her toward the door. As they ran, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his heart had just made a decision he wasn’t sure he was ready for. He had come here to do a job, to rescue her and get out. But somewhere in that chaotic moment, he realized he wanted to protect her.

The door slammed open, and they ran out into the night. Behind them, the sounds of pursuit echoed, but Jongho didn’t care. He would protect her. No matter what it took.

You settled back into the familiarity of home, the creaking of the old wooden floors and the comforting hum of the market outside grounding you after the chaos of recent events. Life was quiet again, though a bit lonelier now. Your mother busied herself with building a shop, leaving you to wander between chores and stolen moments of peace.

Life aboard the ship was as chaotic as ever, but lately, the crew had found a new source of amusement—or annoyance, depending on who you asked.

“Jongho, will you sit down already?” Seonghwa groaned, throwing an exasperated glance at the younger man pacing the deck.

Jongho ignored him, his brow furrowed in thought as he muttered to himself. “I haven’t checked in on her in over a week. What if something’s happened? What if someone’s bothering her again?”

“Again with the girl,” Yunho drawled, leaning lazily against a barrel. “You’ve mentioned her three times today already. You’re worse than Hongjoong’s parrot.”

“Worse than his parrot?” Yeosang, the navigator, asked as he descended from the helm, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Now that’s saying something. I didn’t think anyone could top its constant squawking.”

“Maybe the parrot’s jealous,” Mingi, the boatswain, chimed in as he carried a coil of rope over his shoulder. He dropped it near the mast and turned to Jongho, his grin matching Yeosang’s. “Sounds like it’s got competition for Jongho’s attention.”

Hongjoong, seated at a small table nearby, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He sipped his drink with a smirk, clearly enjoying the rare sight of Jongho being the center of everyone’s teasing. "I didn't even take my money from her for you"

"captain aren't you like one of the richest people in the 7 seas?" Someone grumbled.

“It’s not like that,” Jongho said firmly, shooting Yunho a glare before turning to Yeosang and Mingi. “She’s been through enough already. Someone has to make sure she’s alright.”

“Someone?” San chimed in, his grin wide. “Or you?”

“Let’s be real,” Wooyoung added with a dramatic sigh. “You don’t just want to make sure she’s safe. You’re attached. Admit it.”

“Sounds like attachment to me,” Yeosang agreed, leaning against the railing with an amused expression. “You’re practically obsessing.”

“I wouldn’t call it obsession,” Mingi said, tilting his head thoughtfully. “It’s more like…” He paused for dramatic effect, his grin widening.

“Infatuation.”

Jongho stopped pacing long enough to shoot them all a sharp look. “I’m doing my job. Protecting her is my responsibility.”

“Protecting her,” Seonghwa said, drawing out the words mockingly. “Or is it something more?”

“I don’t love her,” Jongho snapped, his tone final.

The crew burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the deck. Even Hongjoong let out a low chuckle, finally setting his drink down.

“If you don’t love her,” the captain said, leaning back in his chair, “then stop pacing around like a lovesick puppy. You’re throwing off the entire crew."

“Yeah,” Yunho added with a grin. “Even the parrot’s giving you side-eye at this point.”

Jongho opened his mouth to retort but found no words that would convince them otherwise. Instead, he huffed and crossed his arms, retreating to his post with an annoyed scowl.

Yeosang exchanged a glance with Mingi before smirking. “He’ll realize it eventually,” he said quietly.

“Or we’ll keep reminding him until he does,” Mingi replied with a chuckle.

As the laughter died down and the crew returned to their tasks. Jongho didn’t love her, he told himself. He was just… concerned. That was all. Yes, that's it.

It had been weeks since you’d last seen Jongho. You told yourself you shouldn’t expect him, that he had his own life aboard the ship, filled with duties and battles you couldn’t begin to imagine.

But some small, stubborn part of you always found your eyes drifting to the road outside, hoping to catch sight of him.

And then, one evening, as the sky blushed with the soft hues of sunset, you heard it—the measured, confident sound of boots against gravel. Your heart leapt before you could stop it, and you quickly wiped your hands on your apron, glancing toward the door just as his familiar silhouette appeared.

“Jongho,” you said, trying to sound calm though you could feel your pulse racing.

He nodded, stepping into the doorway. His eyes swept the room, taking in the tidy shelves and the faint scent of freshly baked bread. “Everything alright?” he asked, his tone steady, the same question he always asked.

You smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. “It is now. Come in.”

He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the invitation, but eventually stepped inside, his presence filling the small space effortlessly.

You poured him tea, the silence between you familiar and strangely comforting. He didn’t say much—he rarely did—but his quiet presence was enough. You found yourself telling him about the shop, how business had picked up again, and how you’d repaired the shutters just last week. He listened intently, his gaze steady, his attention making you feel like your words mattered.

When he finally rose to leave, you felt a pang of disappointment, though you didn’t say anything. He paused at the door, glancing back at you.

“I’ll check in again,” he said simply.

You nodded, your smile soft but genuine. “I’ll be here.”

And then he was gone, the sound of his boots fading into the evening air. You stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway, your heart inexplicably lighter.

You didn’t know why he kept coming back, and maybe he didn’t either. But you found yourself looking forward to his visits, to the way he made you feel seen and safe in a way no one else ever had. For now, that was enough.

The air outside buzzed with excitement, the faint sound of music and chatter from the central town festival reaching your small home. You stood at the window, peeking out at the vibrant colors of the decorations that dotted the streets beyond your view.

The door creaked open, and you turned to see Jongho stepping inside. His usual calm demeanor was in place, though his eyes flicked over you briefly, taking in the faint spark of longing in your expression.

“There’s a festival in town,” he said, his voice low but steady.

You nodded, brushing your hands on your skirt. “I know. I’ve always wanted to go, but…”

Your voice trailed off, and you glanced toward your mother, who stood nearby, watching the two of you.

Jongho followed your gaze, his brow furrowing slightly. “Why not?”

Your mother sighed, folding her arms. “She’s young, and festivals can be crowded, chaotic… dangerous. I can’t let her go alone.”

“I’ll take her,” Jongho said simply, as though the decision had already been made.

“You'd do that? Take me there?”

“Why not?”

Both you and your mother looked at him, surprised. He met your mother’s gaze evenly, his tone firm. “I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Your mother hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. Finally, she nodded, though she still seemed unsure. “Alright. But don’t let her out of your sight.”

A rush of excitement and nervousness bubbled up inside you as you grabbed your shawl. “Thank you, Jongho,” you said softly, your smile warm and genuine.

---

The town was alive with color and energy. Lanterns hung from every building, their soft glow casting a warm light over the cobblestone streets. Stalls lined the roads, selling everything from sweets to trinkets, and performers entertained small crowds with music and dancing.

Jongho stayed close to you, his presence a steady anchor in the lively chaos. His hand hovered near your back, guiding you through the crowd without a word.

“Where should we go first?” you asked, looking up at him.

He glanced around, his eyes scanning the stalls and performers. “Wherever you want.”

“I don't know, you choose”

“We can do whatever you want”

You look down a bit and think. You'd never been given choices. They were always made for you. You always felt pressure whenever someone said to choose something and at the end you just keep saying ‘whatever you want’.

You grinned, feeling a rare sense of freedom. Tugging gently on his sleeve, you led him to a stall selling candied apples. He didn’t protest when you bought one for yourself and insisted he try one too, but he informed you that he can't have sweet things.

You went around stall from stall, that's when you spotted a beautiful earring in one of the stalls. It was completely your style and pretty. You kept looking at it, that's when jongho noticed you looking somewhere.

“Where are you looking at?”

You look back at him and smile, “nothing.” Maybe I can ask mom to buy these next year, if we can come.

As the night went on, you wandered from one attraction to another. You laughed at a juggler’s clumsy tricks, marveled at the intricate designs of hand-painted fans, and even managed to coax Jongho into trying his hand at a ring toss game.

He didn’t win, but the sight of him concentrating so intently on the simple game made you laugh until your sides hurt.

“You’re enjoying this too much,” he muttered, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward in a faint smile.

“Maybe,” you teased, feeling more at ease with him than ever before.

When the night sky filled with stars, the two of you found a quieter spot on the edge of the festival grounds. You sat on a low stone wall, watching the festival bustling with people even though it was pretty late at night.

“Thank you,” you said after a while, your voice soft.

Jongho turned to look at you, his expression unreadable in the dim light. “For what?”

“For taking me here,” you said, meeting his gaze. “Looking out for me. You didn’t have to, but… it means a lot.”

He was silent for a moment, his eyes studying you. Then he nodded, his voice quiet but firm. “It’s no trouble.”

Back at the ship, Jongho returned to the bustling crew. The festival had left him with a strange feeling, one he couldn’t quite place.

“You’re back,” Yunho said, leaning against the mast with a grin. “How was your little outing?”

“It was fine,” Jongho replied curtly, brushing past him.

“Fine?” Wooyoung piped up, sidling up with a mischievous glint in his eye. “That’s all we get? Come on, did she hold your hand? Laugh at your jokes? Look at you like you’re her hero?”

“Wooyoung,” Jongho warned, his tone low.

But the teasing only grew as San joined in. “Admit it, you enjoyed yourself.”

Jongho shot them a glare that silenced most of their laughter, though their knowing looks didn’t fade.

He didn’t understand the pull he felt toward you, but one thing was clear: he would keep protecting you, no matter what. Anything beyond that… he wasn’t ready to think about it

The next time Jongho visited your home, it was early evening. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden light over the small house. You were outside, tending to the small garden by the porch, when you noticed him approaching.

“Jongho,” you greeted, brushing dirt off your hands as you stood. His posture was straighter, and his hands were tucked behind his back.

“Hello,” he said, his voice calm as always, though his eyes briefly flickered down to the dirt smudged on your cheek.

“What brings you here?” you asked, tilting your head curiously.

He hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as though ensuring no one was watching. Then, clearing his throat, he brought his hand forward to reveal a small cloth-wrapped bundle.

You blinked at it, unsure of what it could be. “What’s this?”

“Just take it,” he said, his tone gruff, though he avoided your gaze as he extended the bundle toward you.

With a curious smile, you untied the cloth, your breath catching as the fabric fell away to reveal a pair of delicate earrings. They were simple yet elegant, their small gemstone pendants glinting in the light.

Your heart skipped a beat as you recognized them. “These… these were at the festival,” you murmured, tracing a finger over the smooth surface of one gem. “I saw them, but—”.

“You were staring at them right? That day?,” Jongho interrupted, his voice firm but quieter now. “Figured you might like them.”

Clutching the earrings tightly in your hand. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“I know,” he replied simply, meeting your gaze for a moment before looking away, almost as if he were embarrassed. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing,” you insisted, a soft laugh escaping you. “This is… this is the nicest thing anyone’s done for me.”

Jongho shifted awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Don’t make a big deal out of it. Just thought you’d like them.”

Your fingers gently traced over the smooth gemstones on the earrings, the delicate sparkle catching the fading sunlight. “But…” you hesitated, looking up at Jongho, who stood there with his usual calm demeanor. “Aren’t these expensive?”

He tilted his head slightly, an almost amused glint in his eyes. “I’m rich,” he said matter-of-factly, as if that explained everything.

You blinked at him, surprised by his bluntness. “You’re what?”

“Rich,” he repeated, his tone steady, though there was the faintest hint of humor tugging at the corner of his lips. “Why does that surprise you? I'm part of the richest pirates in the seven seas. Do you not know?”

“I mean… you’re on a ship all the time,” you said, flustered. “You don’t exactly seem—”

“Seem what?” he cut in, raising an eyebrow.

“Like someone who’d buy earrings for a girl,” you finished, your cheeks warming.

Jongho crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t buy them for just anyone. I bought them for you. That’s different.”

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, and you clutched the earrings tighter, suddenly unsure of what to say.

“I told you, it’s no big deal,” he continued, his tone softening slightly. “You liked them, so I got them. Don’t think too much about it.”

You smiled despite yourself, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and something else you couldn’t quite name. “Thank you,” you said again, your voice quieter this time.

He nodded, the faintest trace of a smile on his face. “You’re welcome.”

As he turned to leave, you couldn’t help but call after him, “So, how rich are we talking?”

Jongho paused, glancing over his shoulder with a smirk that was so subtle you almost missed it. “Rich enough to buy the earrings and not think twice about it.”

You laughed softly as he walked away, your heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

Unknown to you, the poor boy had gone through the torment of his 7 brothers, who won't leave him alone. They teased him so much about the earrings that he almost almost threw one of them overboard.

The crew was always quick to notice anything out of the ordinary, and had clearly picked up on Jongho’s latest visit to your home.

“So,” Yunho started, leaning casually against a barrel as Jongho walked across the deck, “we heard about the earrings.”

Jongho paused, his jaw tightening slightly. “What about them?”

“Oh, nothing,” Wooyoung piped up, barely containing his grin. “Just that our stoic Jongho has a soft spot for a certain someone.”

San joined in, throwing an arm dramatically around Jongho’s shoulder. “You know, if you’re going to buy her gifts, why not go all out? Maybe a necklace next time? Or a whole jewelry set?”

Jongho shrugged off San’s arm, his expression unimpressed. “It was just a pair of earrings. Don’t make it a big deal.”

“A pair of earrings,” Seonghwa repeated, feigning shock. “Do you know how much effort that is? Choosing the right ones, paying for them…”

Yeosang, who rarely joined in on the teasing, leaned against the railing with a faint smirk. “I’m just curious how long it took you to pick them out. Did you stare at the stall for an hour?”

“He probably scared the vendor,” Mingi added, his laughter booming across the deck. “Standing there, glaring at the earrings until they wrapped them up for him.”

Even Hongjoong, who had been silently observing from his chair, chimed in with a sly smile. “So, Jongho, how does it feel to be the romantic of the group? Should we start calling you the ship’s Cupid?”

Jongho’s patience was clearly thinning, but his expression remained steady. “I’m not romantic. I just thought she’d like them. That’s it.”

Wooyoung clutched his chest dramatically, staggering back. “He thought she’d like them! Oh, it’s worse than we thought—he’s thinking about her!”

“That’s enough,” Jongho said firmly, though the slight pink tinge to his ears betrayed his frustration.

Yunho, ever the instigator, leaned closer with a mischievous grin. “You know, Jongho, if you keep this up, we might need to start a fund for all the gifts you’ll be buying her.”

Jongho shot him a sharp look. “You’re all lucky I don’t throw you overboard.”

The crew erupted into laughter, thoroughly enjoying themselves at Jongho’s expense. Despite his annoyance, Jongho couldn’t fully suppress a faint smile as he turned and walked away.

As the teasing continued behind him, one thought lingered in his mind: he didn’t regret buying the earrings, no matter how much they made fun of him. If it made you smile, it was worth every ounce of ridicule.

The laughter and teasing aboard the ship gradually subsided as the crew prepared for their next voyage. Supplies were loaded, sails checked, and the familiar hum of activity filled the air. But this time, there was an unspoken heaviness among them. They were leaving the port—and there was no telling when they’d return.

Jongho stood near the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the town lay, now bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.

“She’ll be fine, you know,” Yunho said, walking up beside him and leaning against the railing.

Jongho didn’t respond immediately. His grip on the wood tightened slightly, his eyes scanning the distant rooftops as though he could catch a glimpse of you from here. “I know,” he said finally, though his tone lacked conviction.

Yunho chuckled softly. “You’re terrible at lying, Jongho. Especially to yourself.”

“Leave him be,” Seonghwa said, passing by with a small smirk. “He’s just sulking because he can’t buy her more earrings from the next town.”

“Maybe we should’ve taken her with us,” Wooyoung suggested with a mischievous grin, appearing on Jongho’s other side. “At least then, Jongho wouldn’t be moping around like a kicked puppy.”

Jongho shot him a warning look. “She’s safer at home.”

“True,” Mingi chimed in as he approached, slapping Jongho on the back. “But are you safer without her?”

The others burst into laughter, their voices carrying across the deck, but Jongho remained silent. His thoughts were already elsewhere—back at the small house where he’d left you.

Now, as the ship’s anchor was lifted and the sails unfurled, Jongho couldn’t help but glance back one last time. The town grew smaller in the distance, and with it, the little piece of peace he’d found there.

Everything had to come to an end, he reminded himself, but this end felt heavier than he’d expected. Even as the ship carried him further from the port, his thoughts lingered on you—on your quiet strength, your laughter, and the way your smile had made the world seem just a little brighter.

For now, all he could do was focus on the journey ahead and trust that fate would bring him back to you someday.

Their journey had been long and unpredictable, filled with danger, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of fortune. From navigating treacherous waters to encountering rival ships, every day aboard the ship demanded resilience and wit.

They'd charted unknown territories, bartered with distant towns, and clashed with pirates in battles that tested their mettle. The crew thrived on the adrenaline of their adventures, though the weight of uncertainty often hung over them.

For Jongho, the journey was a blur of responsibility and restlessness, his thoughts occasionally drifting to the little house by the port. Each victory and challenge brought them closer to returning, though they never knew when that day would come.

Now, after years away, the ship had finally docked, and their travels were behind them—for now.

The town felt both familiar and distant as Jongho and the crew disembarked after years at sea. Jongho’s eyes instinctively searched the streets, scanning for any sign of you. The house came into view quickly, and his steps faltered. It looked well-kept, the garden vibrant and alive, and the faint scent of baked goods wafted from an open window.

As he approached the door, he noticed a subtle change—a sign hung near the entrance: “Homemade Goods & Repairs.” His brow furrowed, curiosity rising.

He knocked lightly, and a familiar voice called out, “One moment!”

When you opened the door, your expression lit up instantly. “Jongho!”

You were different, older somehow, with a confidence in the way you stood. Your hands were dusted with flour, and there was a smudge of it on your cheek. But your smile was as bright as ever, and seeing it eased something in Jongho’s chest.

“You’re back,” you said warmly, stepping aside to let him in. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.”

“I didn’t expect to see this,” Jongho replied, motioning toward the bustling shop area. Shelves lined with jars of jams and pastries occupied one side, while the other side displayed tools and items neatly organized for repairs.

You chuckled, wiping your hands on your apron. “After my mom passed, I needed something to keep me busy. The shop helps, and it keeps me connected to the town. I do alright.”

Jongho nodded, glancing around. The place had a sense of order and life he hadn’t expected. “You’re running this by yourself?”

“For now,” you replied, smiling proudly. “The town’s been good to me. They keep me busy enough, and I like it that way.”

Jongho’s gaze lingered on you, and he couldn’t help but notice the resilience in your tone. You weren’t the fragile girl he’d left behind. You’d grown, thrived even, despite everything.

“You’ve done well,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with admiration.

Still, his heart felt heavy as he considered what lay ahead. The ship wouldn’t stay docked for long; it never did. His life was the sea—a life of unpredictability, danger, and adventure. But standing here, surrounded by the quiet hum of your shop, he wondered if there was room for something else.

“You’ve made a good life for yourself,” he said finally, his voice quieter than usual.

You nodded, leaning against the counter. “I have. It’s not always easy, but it’s mine.”

A silence stretched between you, heavy with unspoken questions. He broke it first.

“I can’t ask you to leave this behind,” he said. “You’ve worked too hard to build it.”

Your brow furrowed as you studied him. “And you’re not ready to leave the sea.”

He shook his head. “That's all I’ve ever known.”

You stepped closer, your hand brushing against his arm. “Then don’t. You don’t have to choose, Jongho.”

He looked at you, confusion flickering across his face.

“You come and go,” you continued. “The sea is part of who you are, and I wouldn’t want to take that from you. But when you’re here, this can be home. If you want it to be.”

Home. The word hung in the air between you, and for the first time, Jongho felt a sense of calm he hadn’t known he was searching for.

“I don’t deserve that,” he said, his voice barely audible.

You smiled softly. “Maybe not. But it’s here anyway.”

Jongho was silent for a long moment, the weight of your words settling over him. He wanted to say more but wasn’t sure how. He wanted to ask you to come with him, to leave everything behind and sail with him, but he knew it wouldn’t be fair. You had your life here, and he couldn’t ask you to give that up for the uncertain life he led.

But then, without thinking, the words left his mouth, surprising even himself.

“Marry me.”

You froze, your eyes wide with shock. Jongho instantly regretted speaking before he’d thought it through. But he couldn’t take the words back now, and he didn’t want to.

He cleared his throat, trying to explain. “I know it sounds sudden, and I’m not asking you to give up your life here, but…” His voice faltered. “I don’t want to keep going back and forth, not anymore. I want you to be with me, always. Even when I’m out there on the sea. We could make it work, I know we could.”

You stared at him, your heart beating fast as you processed his words. The shock began to wear off, replaced by something warm and steady. Jongho had always been a protector to you, but hearing him say he wanted more—that he wanted to be with you no matter what—stirred something deep inside you.

You took a deep breath, the weight of his question settling on your chest. “Are you sure?” you asked quietly. “This isn’t just about wanting me close when it’s convenient for you?”

He shook his head, stepping closer. “No. I want all of you. Even when I’m gone. You’re the only thing that’s ever made me think about staying.”

You met his eyes, feeling the sincerity in his words. There was no doubt in your mind. “I’m not going anywhere,” you said, your voice steady now. “If you’re asking me to be part of your life, even with all the uncertainty, then yes. I’ll marry you.”

A smile spread across Jongho’s face, relief flooding through him. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this certain about anything. Without another word, he pulled you into a tight embrace, the promise of the future settling between you like a quiet promise.

The sea might still call to him, but now, he had something far more important to come back to. And this time, it wouldn’t be just a visit—it would be home.

121 notes · View notes

chuuyasfanboy · 1 year ago

Note

HII!! Could you do one with Dazai, Chuuya and Atsushi reacting to a reader who has one of those SHTWT accounts? It's a kind of strange request, but I've never seen anyone talk about it!!

I actually loved your blog, I'm currently hooked! <3

NOT a weird request at all! I dont have any social medias like this, but I interact with edtwt and have friends with both edtwt's and shtwt's, so I think I'm comfortable enough talking about the issue!

Now this may be very hypocritical of me BUT IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING MENTALLY PLEASE REACH OUT FOR HELP! Here's a link to a website with hotline numbers! Even if you cant get yourself to stop completely, please at least be save enough to keep living. Love you all mwah<3

https://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/

Definitely didn't skip a matchup request to write this... Promise I'll get to you soon other person! I've had some ideas in mind heheheh

Dazai, Chuuya, and Atsushi (Seperate) x shtwt!Reader

Tw: Sh tw, mentions of edtwt in the ooc lol, spoilers dazai totally has a shtwt too</3

Dazai Osamu

Starting off with the worst reaction

Why is he the worst, you ask?

He has one too!

He totally followed you by accident because he just found this all so inspirational. And then you posted a tweet with the same joke you'd made earlier that day.

And oh he knew.

He's mad, but mostly because you never told him you were struggling.

He's the one who's supposed to be masking his emotions, damn it!

(I'm not sure if shtwt is the same way, but i know edtwt is chock full of motivational disgusting food images posting! I'm making those assumptions that its similar lol)

He definitely tries to convince you to get help, and he feels really bad for not actually being that worried.

He trusts you to keep yourself safe enough and so eventually he just gives up on the notion altogether

It doesnt take long for the two of you to be a bit more open with it all

He finally shows you whats under those bandages

It's worse than you think.

You're the one who convinces him to properly treat his cuts, and after enough bothering, you finally let him treat you the same.

Late nights when the two of you cant sleep, and he comes over.

The both of you in each others arms, disinfectant and fresh rolls of bandages discarded on the nightstand

While he may not be the one you go to for support, he definitely wont judge you for anything, not even a bit

And if you do decide to finally get help, he's there to cheer you on

Dont be fooled though, he wont be changing his ways at all

Good luck getting this stinker to find value in himself!

Chuuya Nakahara

He's got the best reaction, by far

He's trying not to judge you, really

It's not something he's ever had to struggle with these things, and the furthest he can really give you is an absurd amount of sympathy

The little experience he does have comes from his years with Dazai in the port mafia, but that was a long time ago and he hasnt had to think of it since

It brings up old memories...

You'd left it open on a private tab one night, and he found it when you asked him to look up something

He's about ready to cry, really, but he's strong

For you

He encourages you to get help, professional help

And if you decline, he doesnt push it much further

Instead, he offers you help directly

He cofiscates your razors the best he can, but he soon finds you manage to get them anyway

So he comprimises

When you forget to clean them, he does it for you

Buys you disinfectant and fresh bandages every time he knows youre running low, keeps your first aid stocked

Things like that

He politely asks to not be shown any fresh wounds, twitter post or not, and does his best not to think about the fact you post these things so openly and he hadn't even known

If you do decide to seek help, he's the most supportive.

He keeps you on your recovery plan, holds you close if you relapse, and never passes a single word of judgement your way

He's here for you, always

Atsushi Nakajima

Akutagawa found it before he did

Atsushi was told, immediately

He PANICS, and as soon as he sees you he pulls you aside

And he just cries into your arms

You're left so confused like?

What????

He understands why you didnt tell him, and he doesnt blame you for it

But he's still pretty upset

Moreso with himself than you

Again, like the other two, you'd been posting pictures of it all online and he had to be told!

He insists you get help, and he wont let up on it

Reminds you every day after a nicely times good morning text

"If you're feeling down make sure you call somebody before you do anything, okay?"

He's practically on his hands and knees begging you to unfollow the shtwt's you've bombarded your feed with

Suddenly he's terrified of looking over your shoulder at your phone, but also so afraid every time he isnt

He's really not good at sorting it out, his brain is scrambled and he's panicked every time he thinks about it

But he really does try hard to stay positive

And while one or two things he says may unintentionally come off as judgement, a good majority of his opinions on the topic is really just trying to get you help

He makes an alt account just to keep tabs on your shtwt

Its really obvious, made a day ago and following only you

You don't tell him that though<3

146 notes · View notes

eggs-attorney · 13 days ago

Text

[<<< First] [< Prev]

Reiker: So first things first, I have questions about this time frame. If my defendant was last seen with the victim over 8 hours before the murder, why is she suspect in this case?

Rythen: Oh, is that what she told you? Because she was found a mere 2 blocks from the scene of the crime. Isn't that right?

Yanshu: W-well, yes, but-… I mean… I always keep my tools at home!

Rythen: Then why were they found stashed in a bush just behind the body!?

Reiker: How can we be so sure that they weren't used by some other technician in the shop?

Rythen: Well, our eyewitness who reported the crime, of course.

Reiker: An eyewitness? Who else would be out at the park at that hour?

Rythen: Well, to answer that, lets start with a piece of evidence. Miss, do you recognize this sheet of paper?

Maintenance Sheet (Flash) has been added to the Court Record.

Yanshu: O-oh, um… Y-yes, that's one of our m-m-maintenance rep-ports…

Reiker: (Uh oh… She's shaking badly. Something's gotta be up…)

Rythen: Flash's Maintenance report, to be precise. And here, at the bottom… This is your signature confirming that it was you who performed said maintenance, isn't it?

Yanshu: I… Yes…?

Rythen: And here, this note from your boss about the unauthorized parts… You were aware of it, weren't you?

Eggman: Unauthorized-… IN MY MACHINES!? WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED BEFORE!?

Rythen: It's clearly marked on her maintenance sheet here - "Incorrect certification mark. Deliver unit to head office for examination" - signed by her boss. It's the primary reason Ms. Dryll is on trial today. Her manager noticed the discrepancy and followed her Omnitool's GPS tracker to investigate.

Rythen: When he finally caught up, he discovered the gruesome aftermath of the disassembly and contacted the authorities!

Yanshu: Listen, I can explain-!

Eggman: Ms. Dryll. You should be well aware of how serious this issue is!

Reiker: … And for the new parties who may need filling in?

Eggman: [Sigh]… Let me put it in terms you'll understand. Imagine you're using your Prower-brand home computer, hear a weird noise, open it up, and find an EggTech chip inside. That would cause mayhem in the Acorn Kingdom, no?

Reiker: And this is… The inverse. Are we sure its a competitor's parts, though?

Yanshu: I don't know about competitor, b-but… I explained to my boss when he asked the first time, my Omnitools weren't compatible, and only the personality core that had that issue. I didn't think-

Eggman: It was only the personality core?

Yanshu: … Yes, sir... Only that.

Reiker: … I feel like I'm missing something here.

Yanshu: Well… When I first started, I was told that personality cores are a Robian's most important part because it contains the one digital copy of that person's identity. The code is incredibly complex, would take an incredibly long time to back up, and can't be replicated.

Reiker: So if I understand this correctly, you're saying you didn't want to tamper with a person's entire sense of self over an odd decal.

Yanshu: That's exactly what I thought! If something went wrong, I-… I don't think I could live with myself...

Eggman: Can you officially testify to this?

Yanshu: Y-... Yes, sir.

Testimony 2 - The Foreign Component

1:) It's true… The personality core was visually different from the standard.

2:) But even so, Flash was operating well within the acceptable parameters!

3:) There weren't any other defects or strange marks…

4:) … So I decided to leave the personality core as it was.

Reiker: (Jeesh, this isnt good… We already have my client lying on the stand, but why would she lie about this, and why do I feel she's still hiding something…? I should check over everything I have in my Court Record to see if there's anything amiss.)

[Next >]

#sonic the hedgehog #sonic #sth #dr eggman #ace attorney #eggs attorney #turnabout assembly #reiker strait #yanshu dryll #rythen payne

18 notes · View notes

desafinado · 2 years ago

Text

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ confessing to them hcs

i swear i’m stronger than these emotions, but they’re taking over me

°｡⋆ alhaitham, kazuha, kaeya x reader

°｡⋆ fluff, alhaitham a bit ooc bc i haven’t finished sumeru storyline, kaeya’s has a twinge of angst, overall very ouch (in a good way)

note: ahhhh kazuha’s is my favorite one in this batch… and ik alhaitham might be a bit very ooc, but i like the idea of him becoming more shy and moving delicately around your feelings once he notices he has that effect on you.

(diluc, zhongli, kaveh,) | (alhaitham, kazuha, kaeya)

alhaitham ♡

how do you have the courage to jump off a cliff without any wings? that was basically how you summarised the conundrum of talking to alhaitham.

you only really saw him in passing, seeing him pass the corridors, eating in the cafeteria, out in port ormos.

you never bothered to approach him other than for work, but despite some of the negative rumours about his attitude, your interactions with him were quite pleasant.

“you have my sincerest thanks for your insights. i trust you’ve been well?” “y-yes…” “and, you’re okay, right now…?” “a-ah, yes!”

over time you grew accustomed to his surprisingly amicable disposition towards you, but you could never quite be the first one to approach him.

it was weird, because you could interact with everyone else just fine. you were someone who took initiative amongst your peers, but also handled affairs with a gentle and understanding touch.

anyways, he continued watching out for you. in meetings he’d send a glance your way every now and then as if he was only talking to you, he’d also pass by your office after hours with some tea.

you put it off as him being good at his job, making sure everyone’s functioning and productive. hell, that was what drew you to him in the first place, why you were so scared to strike up a conversation with him.

you admired all his authority, hard work and efforts… i mean his genius was an amazing thing to witness.

so, it only made sense that you'd rather him perceive you as a meek background character than a bumbling flustered idiot.

that all changed, however, when he asked you for insights and advice regarding "emotions" and being a bit more cautious of others’ feelings.

you don't know why he asked you, and frankly you didn't really care. you just wanted to help him the best you could.

"how about this? your ideas are intriguing, but…" "ohh, good so far!" "they could desperately use some fine tuning." "just uh remove the desperately part, and you’ll be set."

to be honest, he doesn't even follow your suggestions half the time, but you being there instantly lightens the mood by 50%.

you saw him in a bit of a different light after then; he was still a genius, of course, but you saw parts of him you’d never expect to see otherwise, and you loved him much more for it.

you hoped it wasn’t obvious in the way you shared a bit too much about your day with him or how you’d let your hand stay on the small of his back a little longer than necessary.

ironically enough, he was the one who got a bit more shy towards you, though much more present. instead of announcing his presence and letting himself into your office with some tea, you’d find him knocking quietly waiting for your affirmation.

he was acting a bit more soft and gentle, as if he had been defeated and something sent him running.

you were quick to catch up in this attitude change of his, as it was even seeping into his attitude with others (“that man…alhaitham… being soft???”). you knew nobody else was brave enough to ask, so you might as well do it yourself.

once again, a delicate knock played itself against the door to office. you looked up at your paperwork, an amused sigh escaping your lips. “come in, alhaitham.”

you heard some shuffling before the door opened to reveal the man, himself; his eyes weren’t completing darting around, but you definitely notice the way they almost restrained themself from looking at you. he closes the door before sitting before your desk; he sets a cup of tea in front of you.

“for you. i know you’ve been a bit more busy lately, the recent changes in the akademiya surely contributing to that.”

you chuckle softly, earning a raised eyebrow from him. “what’s funny?” his voice was firm and slightly rushed, like he needed you to answer right away. you shake your head and pick up the cup between your palms. “you say that as if you don’t bring me tea every day anyways.”

“i do, don’t i?” he looks down and mumbles faintly, rubbing the back of his neck. his bashful gesture only eggs you on further to ask what exactly is going on with him. you take a quick sip of your tea before probing him.

“so, you gonna tell me what’s been up with you lately?”

“ah, you’ve noticed.”

“of course, i think i’d be a bad friend if i didn’t notice.” you watch his embarrassed smile curve into a childish pout. you know it shouldn’t, but it only makes your cheshire smile grow wider. “by now, you should know you could never be such… anyways, if you’ve noticed the shift, i guess there’s no hiding it.” you put down your cup, bracing yourself for whatever revelation comes next.

“i guess i just wanted to accommodate you better. i know you were quite shy when talking to me initially, and you do seem much more comfortable around me now.”

you hum in acknowledgement, knowing he has a bit more to share. he was always like this, sharing only what he deemed necessary, but you always knew he had more, you just had to give him that space.

“you look better like this, spending more time with me. uh i mean, i like seeing you unafraid of my presence, being curt with me. i…”

he finally meets your eyes, and you’re entranced by that look. your head starts to feel dizzy as you focus on the vision of him to keep you grounded. “oh, alhaitham… you d-don’t need to dance around my feelings, i…”

his eyes widen, and he quickly grabs your hand; you’re shocked by his touch, but you’re certainly not deterred by it. if anything, it’s only helping you process whatever is going on.

“i don’t want to lose you, dear, isn’t that obvious? i don’t care what those others think, as long as it means that you’re still standing by my side.”

“a-alhaitham, wait i–”

“you love me, correct?”

you freeze up, pondering if this was still reality; if alhaitham had really known and if you were really faced with the task of answering such a question. you suppose you should’ve known, nothing ever really gets past him.

“i didn’t know how to approach it, that’s why i— you already know i’m not best with those sorts of things. all i knew is that i couldn't lose you over it; i didn’t want to upset you, i didn’t want to overwhelm you. i couldn’t bear to watch your adoration turn into hatred and angst, especially when all my flaws became more apparent.”

your free hand caresses his cheek, trying to brush away his fears. “alhaitham… if you knew i loved you, you should’ve also known that i love you just the way you are. knowing you better, i only fell harder, and… if we’re being honest, i don’t think i could ever hate you.”

he looks up at you, the desperation is clear. “neither could i… i mean, i believe my feelings for you are obvious now, so would you like to give it a try? loving me, i mean. ” your eyes crinkle and smile from eye to eye.

“let me love you, and i shall.”

kazuha ♡

spring was always your favourite season, but kazuha’s presence made it all the better.

hanami: flower viewing, usually done during cherry blossom season.

hanami-zake: sake specifically for hanami; fallen cherry blossom/s are typically immersed in the sake.

you could listen to his mellow voice for days on end, short haikus and poems whispered amidst the pollen in the spring air.

you were friends for the longest time, and after a few cold years in inazuma, you had finally met again without any worries, care for time or need for secrecy.

before he had escaped away, you both hung around the same small group of friends.

one of your favourite memories was participating in hanami with them; perhaps it was the bare beauty of the flowers or the intoxicating hanami-zake, but you both especially enjoyed each other’s company far too much during this period.

tangents about how beautiful life and nature is, ramblings of small yet imaginative ideas you both, and simply basking in what the tomorrow could possibly bring.

this of course changed with the death of your mutual friend, and it seemed like you were the only one standing by and holding out hope for the kazuha. everyone else had left, either too scared, angry or hopeless.

you definitely did feel pity for his situation, but that wasn’t why you didn’t abandon him.

you trusted him, his will, and his actions, and a big part of you wanted to believe that he would come back a hero to inazuma.

once he caught wind of this, he started exchanging letters with you, appreciative of your trust in him, and frankly, he could use a familiar friend.

while you both addressed the elephant in the room, you mostly talked about your feelings. you shared your sadness, anxieties, grievances, and small moments of happiness.

you could talk to him about anything, as he could; you quickly became a dear friend to him, a reminder that someone had seen all of him and still trusted him.

you didn’t fully understand it at the time, but you so painfully yearned to hold his hand and give him all the affection he deserved.

letters turned to secret meetings in the dock, and secret meetings eventually turned back into normal ones; his name being cleared and inazuma welcoming him with open arms.

the day he came back and you saw the most precious smile you could imagine to see, that was when you fell hard. a few other people got to him first, but you didn’t mind. the view of him getting the praise he deserved was delightful.

“don’t forget about me, now that you’re a great hero…” “i… i could never!”

you were only teasing, but the moment his head turned to find you. he ran towards you and pulled you into the warmest of hugs, even raising you up.

it felt different, different from all the other times at least. it made your heart race, your face flush and your fingers tremble ever so slightly.

it was a few days into your catching up with one another, when you decided to bring up these strange, unnecessary, but almost enjoyable feelings.

“zuha?”

he hummed in acknowledgement, gazing at the clouds,. your head lay on his lap as you both rested in the middle of a field. there were a few clouds, but the sun still shone bright upon you, the both of you.

“i have some… feelings i need to share.”

he looked back down, raising an eyebrow. you both never really shied away from talking about such in letters, so he was quick to note the uncertainty in your voice. “oh? share away.”

you swallowed a lump in your throat before speaking; it wasn’t as though you were revealing some scandalous secret, so you didn’t understand why your body was acting the way it did.

“i’ve been having some feelings for you recently.”

kazuha almost choked on his own saliva, hearing you be so straightforward. sure, he recognised the ambiguity in your voice, but he certainly did not expect this. he was a bit shy, but did want to express that he returned such feelings. “o-ooh! that-t’s… um…”

“it uh makes me uncomfortable.”

for the second time, the shock is more than apparent in his face. he’s horrified by your admissions and his own actions; he’s frozen in place, sputtering out apologies. “a-ah, i’m sorry! let me just get that and y-you can stand up and-”

“kazuha, wait a minute.” you chuckle, brushing the flower chain off your face and onto the grass below. you lightly take his hands, intertwining his finger in yours; your grip is firm, but not by any means, rough. he quickly realises you’re trying to calm him down, and he lets you do so.

“i didn’t mean it like that. i meant like… its as though i’m running a marathon whenever we hang out. it isn’t negative feeling, but it is a new one.”

you speak slowly, squeezing his hand at every other word. you’ve never seen him this way, a flustered and bumbling mess, but it is quite a cute sight; something you wouldn’t mind seeing again. fortunately for him, you do have enough courtesy to help him calm his heart.

“ah, i see.” his breath evens out, and he lets out a sigh of relief. for a moment there, he really thought you were revealing your annoyance and/or hatred for him. after processing your words, he has a good idea of what’s really going on. he gives you a kind smile and squeezes your hand in response.

“hmm… could you describe it further, darling?”

“ah.”

you let out a small squeak at his nickname; he’s called you it before in letters so you don’t know why you’re being so bashful about it. you feel a blush spread across and wish you simply fade into the wall.

“like right now, actually… i… when y-you call me such things, touch me in certain ways.” his gaze on you only softens as you continue speaking so timidly; on the other hand, you want to turn away, bury your face in the grace, but you want to get your point across. “t-the way you’re looking at me, right now.” your voice comes out a bit quieter, but all the same to kazuha.

“hmm… i think i understand how you’re feeling. just one more thing…”

he asks inches his face closer to yours, lips above yours, as though it was the sun’s light grazing the grass.

“would you perhaps want to kiss me right now, darling?”

you nod a little too excitedly, any self-restraint you had flying out into the sunset. you’ve never really considered it, but the mere mention of the idea seems really good. he lets out another quiet chuckle, you can feel it against your cheek.

“then i think what you’re feeling is love; love for me to be more specific. you need me to give you an example of my love for you?”

kaeya ♡

it all started when you both ended it. you argued day and night about the smallest things; you suppose that the stress from work and transitioning into adulthood had taken its toll on you both.

since then, there was only one thing you both agreed on, and that was how you would be very much better off without each other.

you cried, a lot. it was a mix of sadness and frustration.

sadness, because you genuinely did love him, you wanted to make him happy. frustration, because you never did make him happy, you knew he’d be better off without you.

if love was the only thing needed to sustain a relationship, maybe you wouldn’t be here, but life got in the way and you both had greater ambitions. under all that fighting, you knew that you just didn’t want to hold each other back.

you knew you couldn’t stay when that pain was so fresh, you needed to clear your head. you moved away for a bit, planning to return in two years time.

and those two years passed by quietly, until you found yourself being welcomed back to monstadt.

only, it seemed your feelings for kaeya had only grown more complicated as you watched him bloom.

he thrived without you, he had grown to be quite a noble captain, charming everyone from children to grandparents. he was someone the whole community could rely on, someone who strived to do good for the welfare of everyone.

because of this, it was pretty hard to miss him. whether it was his name being the subject of tavern gossip or your observant eyes spotting him in the shadows, you just couldn’t avoid him.

you’d scoff, roll your eyes, do anything to show you didn’t care, but it was clear that you cared enough to perk up when you heard his name.

you were so proud of him and the person he’d become. it was safe to say that you remembered why you’d fallen in the first place, that playful smile, moonlight blue eyes, and inviting familiar warmth.

your memory of meeting him was blurred by adrenaline, he had approached you noticing you were awfully quiet among everyone else. he made conversation with you, making you laugh within a minute. you opened up, he did the same. you trusted him as he did you.

right now though, you were falling harder this time around. you intended to deny it though, deny it until it broke you.

today, you were having a busy day, visiting old friends, seeing all the new sights you had missed out on, when you saw him approaching you.

you knew you weren’t equipped to handle whatever it was he had to say; you didn’t need to hear it.

you ran, letting the adrenaline take you far far away, and soon enough you found yourself by the monstadt lake. the wind was blowing as fiercely as your heartbeat.

you tried to squat down to catch your breath, but your tiredness got the best of you and misstepped.

bracing for a cold splash into the lake, you closed your eyes and let gravity take its course; only that coldness came in another form.

“you’re being dramatic, you know that?~”

he chuckled, arms around your waist quite snuggly. sure, you had been fantasising about him holding you like this, but it wasn’t welcomed at the moment. he pulled you back up to some even land before letting you go. you huffed and crossed your arms, not in the mood to deal with his cheekiness. your eyes never met his as you spoke up. “what do you want?”

he feigned hurt, dramatically placing a hand against his forehead. “so cold, dear. not even a thank you, how are you, or hello.”

you were quickly reaching your boiling point, so you decided to step away before things could escalate any further. before you could take another step, however, he gently grabbed your wrist; you looked up at him, eyes wide, and it seemed that he was surprised by his actions as well. his touch was as cold as the last time you met, but this coldness now felt much more like frostbite.

his eyes darted up into your eyes and back down to your wrist before he let you go, flinching away. a faint blush spread across his cheeks, one you certainly could not see under the moonlight. “sorry, i– you dropped this.”

he hastily fished out a key from his pocket; it was your house key. the moment you recognised it, you wanted to fall over in embarrassment; maybe you did deserve to be in the cold waters. he was right after all, and you were being dramatic. you looked down at his palm and hesitantly took it from his hands, as he explained further.

“you dropped it by ms. blanche’s shop.”

“thank you.” your voice was soft, almost inaudible; a stark contrast to your initial hostility. kaeya frowned, watching your timid movements. “do you hate me that much?”

your swiftly looked back up at him, the hurt in his expression was more than clear and genuine, at least from what you could tell. “no. i… i just–”

“after these past couple of years, i was excited to see you again, dear.” his voice falters as he tries to push through his own self-disappointment. “i-i didn’t realise i hurt you that much, that you didn’t want anything to do with me.” he sighs, finding the courage to look into your eyes; he’s a coward in that moment though and his fears and insecurities are eating him up.

you pity him, and you know you’re starting to succumb to defeat. “you don’t scare me, kaeya. its… its my feelings for you that scare me.”

“is it that strong? you really fear you might hurt me or—”

“it’s not hatred, kaeya.”

that takes him by surprise, and his thoughts start running miles per minute. “sadness? disappointment? frustration? please, i need to know, please.” his voice is almost cracking at this point, eyes glassy. he gently takes your hands in an attempt to plead with you to set him free.

you never were the best at denying him, and you thought you’d set yourself free too.

“it’s love, kaeya, it’s… i still love you, and i’m afraid it’s striking me harder this time. look how far you’ve come without me.” at that fact, you find hot tears running down your cheek. “i’m happy to see you so happy, kaeya. it just hurts that i missed it.”

“i’m not. i’m…” he’s taken aback, but he tries to articulate himself. he takes your cheeks into his palms, gently guiding your gaze to his eyes. “i was lying earlier, you know? saying i was excited to see you was an understatement, dear. i missed you everyday, i wondered if you were doing fine without me, and seeing you come back, having seemed to forget me i just…”

“kaeya…”

“can we start back just before things went wrong? can you give me… can you give us another chance?”

it’s that same desperate look as his touch softens and he waits for a response. despite your trembling from the rush of emotions, you feel that things can’t be clearer. you acted fast to meet his lips, giving him your decisive response. it was a simple truth that had never left you, even as you left him; you always loved kaeya alberich, and now, you knew he loved you just the same.

requests are open!! please do not reposts on other sites.

#genshin imagines #genshin x reader #kaeya x reader #alhaitham x reader #genshin hcs #genshin impact #genshin fluff #kazuha x reader #gn!reader #airi.writes #airi.hcs

736 notes · View notes

misty--nights · 6 months ago

Text

And finally, episode 8. This rewatch has been fun. It really forced me to pay attention to the details and I’ve found so many interesting thing I’d missed before. I think by now it’s more than safe to say that this has become one of my absolute favorite shows, and I can’t wait for my brain to insist I should watch it yet again.

Edwin's reaction feels so fair to me. I also did a double take the first time I saw Crystal swallow the memories. Love that Charles is trying to be supportive and stuff, but I agree with Edwin on this one. Those things are so big, how is your first instinct to swallow then whole?

Charles' face when Crystal is explaining her name is kind of similar to the one he has in episode 3 and 5 when Niko is doing something amusing. It's a mixture of endeared and a little baffled that I find so charming

Can Esther understand Monty in crow form or is she just pretending to have conversations with him like how you do with pets? Honestly, I'm not sure which one would be better. Both options have a lot of potential

Someone please give Crystal a hug. Or two. The way her voice breaks when she's talking to her parents, how her eyes get dimmer and dimmer the more she realizes that they suck and didn't miss her, how she sounds when she tells the boys about it, ugh. It breaks my heart

Back to another intro detail, but doesn't the surface of the mirror the skelletons go through kind of look like the mirror Charles sees himself in in episode 7. Like the frame is different, but the surface with the grid lines reminds me of the one in hell

I love the rooftop scene so much. Edwin and Niko have such a precious friendship and I wish we had even more of them interacting. Now I know I've seen people mention how Edwin is so comfortable with Niko's touch and how ge lets her cuddle up to him in that scene. But also, up until this point we haven't seen him truly iniciate touch with others (besides Charles) but he bumps Niko's shoulder when he's joking about Monty and offers her his hand to take. I just think that's neat

Crystal looks tiny next to Niko when they're talking to Jenny

"The whole thing was such a mystery" and "no rest for the wicked". The tone the officer uses for these lines? Chilling. I'm telling you, there's something weird about the people in town at times and the Port Townsend police are walking a line btween purposefully useless and downright sinister

There's something to be said about Crystal offering to wipe Jenny's memories, if she wants. We've followed her the whole season trying to get her own memories back, so it's huge that she's willing to take someone else's if that could help. Because she cares about Jenny, in that same, quiet way that Jenny cares about her and Niko. Also the way she emphasizes that she can take the memories only if Jenny wants that is actually so important to me

For some reason I always assume the girls are going to hold hands in that scene where they're looking for the Cat King and Crystal gives Niko her cleaver back. Even though this is the third time I watch it, I always expect it, and I'm always a little disappointed when all Crystal does is change what hand is holding her own cleaver

Not to question old dark magic or anything, but I am so curious as to how Esther's snake works. Did she already have the snake? Did she find it and make a pact with it? How does it transform little girls into youth for Esther? Also, the Cat King calls it Esther's snake, but then later on Esther says "I never thought I'd be eating kids to stay young and beautiful" so I don't know. Many questions about this

Tragic Mick makes a point of saying the bear figure is a gift and is on him, but the girls very much leave the store without paying for the salt so... Two gifts?

Niko keeps insisting she's not brave, but she was ready to charge into Esther's house after hearing Edwin's scream

Litty and Kingham's coats in the igloo have a dandelion decoration on the chest

#dead boy detectives #edwin payne #crystal palace #charles rowland #niko sasaki #esther finch #monty finch #monty the crow #jenny green #the cat king #tragic mick #litty and kingham #my writing

39 notes · View notes

the-entitie · 9 months ago

Text

[Dark_MS_Reader]...prt:1_》》》

I love, love, love the whole monster dynamic or unusual traits that are explained by "Oh, it's not human. That's why" honestly, I just like weird people with weird quirks. So eh.

•Part 3 will be linked when done

Edit: it's done!

《《《(masterlist)》》》

</[T|W:]> injury and death, death related trauma, mild body horror, medical malpractice, inhuman depictions, sexualization of disability, sexualization of insecurity, use of multiple cultures and religions (could be wrongfully used, if so. Tell me!!),

</[C|W]> reader is dark with intrusive or dark thoughts. But strictly SFW. So no smut. Aslo intended male reader,

The first time you arrived on this content, you were hog tied, a thick steel cord used to immobilize you. The guards even muzzled you as if you could bite them with any kind of force that could necessitate this kind of restraint.

It was half for the humiliation of dragging you over the dirtied port, the gravel and sand, and salt that scrap into your already tattered cloths. The burn against the neglected and painful remains of your body. Half that this was to make you look dangerous.

The hulking man carrying you hardly glances at you as he dropped your limp body on the deck. Considering it doest get a reaction out of you, it doesn't startle the werewolf there.

Most humans only want to interact with the inhabitants that look human. Considering most affected by lycanthopic bodies, appear human. At least sometimes. The guard preferred them to be present at the coastal office.

And that's how you were left.

No paperwork, no notice that you were coming.

Just.

Dropped off at the wolf's feet and abandoned to whatever they would do to you now that you're here.

It's the first time in a while that you could just shut your eyes and ignore everything around you. The guards weren't too kind to you while you were in their care.

They had set you up, those werewolves, with a home. A small, dingy, half abandoned thing surounded by nothing and no one. And gave you time to heal.

They would visit you, that leader you met the first day specifically; though many jokingly called him 'Alpha' when he was around his friends. But when he had come to you on the fourth day. Your body now regaining strength. He walked into a startling scene. He hadn't even smelt the blood.

He, Lucas you later over heard him being called, watched as you methodically cleaned the many wounds that engulf your body. Shirt discared beside you, seeing the full expanse of those injuries new and old on display. You're only covered by a pair of boxers as you work. Watching how you took thick strips of the bandage to temporarily cut blood flow above as you cleaned each wound on your arm.

Holding the loose edges held between your teeth, your free hand disinfecting the rotting edges of skin and muscle. He was ready to jump and stop you when he watched you grap the bisecting scissors, and yet he didn't. Only forced to stare in abject horror as you started to cut the rotten edges of the gashes of. Small snips that carved out the dead tissue. Leaving fresh rivets of blood slowly dripping down your skin.

It had taken him a few moments of standing there to see you were struggling. The pain flaring up from your work, becoming overwhelming while thin tears stream down your face. Yet you utter nothing but silence into the blood-stained cloth between your teeth.

That's when he actually apaoches the bed, being careful to wait till you put those scissors down before he asks what he can do to help.

"Sit here. I need to wrap it."

Lucas was slow to follow. He was so terrified that you were doing this wrong, hurting yourself in a delusional want for the pain to stop. He couldn't help but ask.

"You know what you're doing here, doll?"

"Yeah." Your hitching breath makes your voice stutter, "done it before."

That makes his chest tight, a feeling he associated with his werewolf friends. Because. Well.

"You've done it to yourself before?"

"No. Just inmates."

"You some kind of doctor?"

"Not a practicing one."

That arm now taken care of, you focus on the other.

Lucas loses his train of thought to the picture of the malnourished man before him having an illegal medical office.

"Your not a doctor?"

"I am." You mutter to his absolute confusion,

Pulling his hand to your shoulder, handing him the end of the ternicate, he holds it on autopilot. Lucas stares as you start the process all over again. These look like they are from a whip

"I don't work as one." You clarify. Using the conversation as a mid point for the dance between pain and relief. "I worked as a mortician."

"What."

"I worked with the dead-"

"Oh, yes. I got that but. Why? Why not be a doctor if you can. Well."

"More people died where I lived."

He can tell it's only half a lie, but he can't exactly see what.

"Never needed to save anyone."

All he could do was say, as sincerely someone who couldn't understand, that.

"I'm sorry you ended up here."

It stuck in Lucas's mind.

The knowledge that you were a doctor. Someone who could help.

But was it his place to ask?

Could he ask you? Was it too soon or too late to even try?

When he brought it up to one of the old Naga that enjoyed his company, she told how helpful someone like you could be.

To human.

Very few doctors even touch the non-human side of medical care. And even fewer would actually touch a monster. So it was a slim to none, chance you knew how to help any of them.

They weren't even sure of your own humanity or lack thereof.

"But tell you of it, Lu," she wound her coils tighter around herself. Resting her head against the shimmering scales, "If, and it be a big if. That man be a healer, he will fulfill the oath all doctors take."

He watched her thin tongue taste the air. The ugly edge from where it was docked, disappearing again behind her lips. It made certain syllables painful to say. It made her speech irregular, and some Grammer off, bit aleast she had her toungue.

"Many healer, medicinal or not. Will treat all who fall. It be only thier know how that keep those they help alive."

The vampiric monarch that lived out South was the best bet to test what Dai said.

Lucas had taken you on a tour, showing you how they tried to help each other on the huge city they gathered in. It was late dusk, but he knew he could still try.

The thralls that romed inside were lethargic as he led you further in the hotel looking housing.

Many of them hunched over in the halls, huddled close. If escaping the setting sun or your presence, well. You weren't quite sure.

And just as you try to move towards the excite, a shrill hiss breaks out behind you. This young girl, with a sqeaky hiss, was doubled over. Clutching at her shoulder.

"Oh, fuck. Sal, I'm so sorry!"

You could see the sizzling skin before she near calapsed.

Moving as if by spell, you cuaght her befote she could actaully fall. Careful to place her more gently down against the wall.

It's hardly a thought as you lift your sleeve, still holding that child so she wouldn't hurt herself. You rip open the berely closed wound there on your palm. The blood seeoping into her shirt and engulfs the wound in a few quick seconds.

You have the gash re-wrapped before the teen who bumped her is there to hold her as the blood heals her.

"Dai was right," Lucas whispers, as quiet as he could. "She said this could happen."

"And what had Dai spoken of the man holding my niece?"

The old morge on the outskirts of town was now yours. Lucas said it was just an empty lot, just a place for you to finally settle. Even if it was run down.

The citizens each pitching in to help set the place up, a carpenter Tanuki who was just passing by or the siren that just so happen to be an electrician needing a spained wing checked, and the slow trickle of each patient started up not long after.

It started with the bigger things, a broken bone here, and a deadly illness there. Just the worste most couldnt handle, like pregnancies or viseral injuries. But then you started to step up and werw seeking out people to help anywhere you could.

In the bay sector, where most aquatic or amphibious residence stay, keeping them from friction burn during shedings. Or the construction sights, who always had a sprian or a bruise or a nick you could see to.

Always with the same excuse. Just that you needed some food and then you were dragged into a group to eat with them and well, might as well clean and fix up that cut they have while you're here, right?

No, it's no trouble. Saves the trip if it gets worse, doesn't it?

You met Dai, found the Monarch of those Vampire's hunkering down in the hotel. Finding his name was Emile, or that's what people gave him as a nickname. You even met the rest of the shifters, or more specifically, the leader who would collect and help that specific type of shifter.

Day in and day out, you kept going, kept looking till you found the ship you needed pulling up to shore.

Not a lot of people knew you dealt in black market trades. Only the ones who needed to know, did.

Most just thought is was a simple trade.

You know, some fresh goods for medication. Or knowledge for medical supplies. And yes, sometimes. It was just that.

At the end of each week, you would filter into the decks where you were first dumped here to meet with some of your contacts. Trading what you scavenged from ypur work to keep the shelves well stocked.

It wasn't like you made any money, nor had you ever asked for any. So it wasn't a stretch to say this was the only way to keep things as they where.

That isn't to say you didn't keep some things.

Quills from a lionfish who contracted a bacterial infection on some of his spines. Fangs from that vampire girl, Sal, as she started sheding them. Small bundles of feathers from the flock of sirens that fly with avians.

It was all just so much better.

That was until the second spring hit the city.

52 notes · View notes

stalkedbytrains · 2 months ago

Text

Writing Sprint Stories of Reckonfall Part 4

Part One||Part Two & Three

"So what do you do to have fun?" Zerinnell asked as they waited.

"I don't have fun. Can't you tell?"

"Boo," they chided, sticking their tongue out at Melthana.

"You're here to prove that I'm evil and capable of some horrendous murders because of something I did five years ago. Why should I share anything with you?"

"Because you fascinate me."

"That's not better."

"Oh come on."

"No. Fuck you. Fuck this whole thing. Besides I feel like I need to be stalked by my union rep so long as you're around."

Zerinnell sulked, folding their arms and sinking in their seat. They were like a child.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm fairly certain you didn't kill those guys in the basement. And I think that you did what you had to at your wedding. I'd have done worse."

Now it was Melthana's turn to cross her arms and furrow her brow.

She studied the figure before her. The more they interacted, the more they were across from her being annoying. The more Melthana looked at them, the more she had to realize that Zerinnell wasn't human. They were definitely human passing, but they couldn't be full blooded human.

"What is the whole point of this?"

"Like I said. I like you. You fascinate the depths out of me. I simply had to come meet you. So I took this job, keeping an eye on you."

"Why do I get the feeling that you are just the worst?"

"Yeah, people back home would say the same thing about me all the time."

Melthana was feeling even more lost. "And where's that?"

Zerinnell indicated with their head northward. "Across some water."

North of them, by several miles, was the Dead Lands Bay. Sometimes called the Sea of Souls. The only way to really get through to the other countries and continents of the world. For some reason any ships or planes leaving from other ports of the Dead Lands are doomed to a watery grave.

Reckonfall was more than used to imports, people who came from elsewhere to live in the Dead Lands. It wasn't extremely common but it happened.

Melthana was a Deadlander, she was born here. She was as much a part of it as it was a part of her. To hear that Zerinnell wasn't from here was a little surprising. Since imports tend to have a weird standout nature to them. Like their colors didn't blend in with the Dead Lands. But Zerinnell was right at home.

It felt like she was being tricked somehow. Melthana committed the response to memory. There was something there. A clue or a trick. Something there for Melthana.

"You're not going to tell me anything, are you?"

Zerinnell smiled. "Nope! I want to study you, watch you solve these puzzles."

"Are you going to dissect me if I don't engage with your stupid puzzles?"

They sighed. "Well, no. Probably. But not engaging tells me all sorts of something."

"Why are you like this?"

Zerinnell just smiled again.

Melthana was cursing herself for not remembering what, exactly, Zerinnell's ID said when they first arrived. It must have said something about species.

"How do I know that you're not one of the fifteen odd things that can wear someone's skin or impersonate them?"

"You don't. I mean there are tests you could do. But you don't know the Real Zerinnell at all so that eliminates most of them."

Melthana was running calculations, trying to think back through all of her magic studies. Common and uncommon shapeshifters, tests she could do to find them.

She was going to need silver, cold iron, salt, and a mirror to do most of them. Some of the tests were way more intense and invasive than others.

"I bet your thinking of ways you can get me to hold on to some silver or stand in front of a mirror while you hurl salt at me."

"I'm considering it. Maybe I'll just follow you to the bathroom."

"Now you're thinking. I know you'll have no trouble getting me around a bunch of cold iron if you wanted, but I'm excited to see you try."

Melthana grumbled to herself but stood up. She walked quickly to her car, it was passed time she went to talk to Luke.

It was a lengthy drive but there wasn't anything said during it. Melthana was trying think through what Zerinnell possibly could be and how to test them, but she was constantly distracted by a strange smell that smelled almost like the sea and ozone.

Zerinnell, for their part, thought it funnier to just let Melthana stew.

They finally pulled up to the insurance agency Save Our Souls! which was situated on the second floor of a truly unremarkable office complex.

"This is it?"

"Yeah, this is the place," Melthana said as she shoved her hands deep in her pockets and walked her way up to the second floor.

"Hey Lisa," she said as she walked in. "This a good time, or is your brother still 'doing business'?"

The blonde receptionist rolled her eyes. "Yeah, he's in. Should be done. But you know..."

Melthana rolled her eyes and walked into the office, towards Luke's office.

Zerinnell entered behind her and marveled at all the stuff.

"Hey there," they said to Lisa who waved slightly in response.

Melthana stopped at the door and knocked loudly, waited a few seconds, and then entered.

Luke was sitting behind his desk with his shirt looking mildly disheveled. A moment later Marsha left the room, moving into the kitchen hidden at the back of the office.

"What a piece of work," Melthana muttered.

"I heard you," Marsha called from the kitchen.

"What's up?" Luke said, ignoring them both.

Melthana took a seat in front of the large, immaculate wooden desk Luke had. Zerinnell joined her, sitting next to her. They crossed their legs and lightly touched Melthana's shin with their foot.

She glared at her watcher and nodded at Luke. "Hey, how's it going?"

"Fine," Luke said with a shrug. "Who's this? Victim? Perp? New client?"

"Oh you take private clients?" Zerinnell said to Melthana. "How can I get in on that list?"

"I'll k- I'm going to dropkick you," Melthana said.

"I wanna help fight people!" Marsha yelled from the kitchen.

"Oh you," Zerinnell said with a smile.

"No. Melthana doesn't take private clients. I was talking about her bringing me a client."

"Oh, then none of the above," Zerinnell said. They held out their hand to Luke. "I'm a watcher. Some of the higher ups think Melthana here is something of an outrageous serial killer but they need her to do some police work. So I'm here to watch her. Keep my eyes really close."

"Oh... kay... then..." Luke said slowly. He shot Melthana a quizzical look who could only roll her eyes. "I'm Luke Wellington, Mister."

"Right. I'm Zerinnell. Whatever strikes your fancy."

"They're the IMRB. And a magic eater, so that's fun."

"The IMRB?" Luke asked.

"Internal Magic Review Bureau," Melthana explained. "Basically the Internal Affairs but for special magic people. Like me."

"So why do they think you're a serial killer?"

"The thing I'm here to talk to you about. Someone is torturing and killing people to extract their fear. Probably to someone a fear demon," Melthana said. "I'm not entirely sure who is doing it, or why. But you know, I have fear magic and therefore I'm a prime suspect."

"That's very stupid," Luke said.

"I know, why would I want to murder people for fear?"

"No, not that."

Zerinnell grinned even wider and looked right at Melthana.

"Fuck you."

"No, I mean summoning a demon," Luke said. "Do you know what kind of demon? I mean what religion?"

"All of the victims were Anderlandian."

"We can scratch that one out then," Luke said.

"Why?"

"I mean you want to cause the most fear you pick someone who has little to no frame of reference for what you're doing to them or why. Fear and belief are weird like that. The more you know the less you get out of fear and faith."

"Concerning."

"What else do you know?"

"At the moment, nothing."

"Helpful. Well there's a couple of religions that believe in literal fear demons. Each of them are pretty terrible. But Reckonfall has some truly intense wards set up. No gods or demons are welcome here. "

"Tell that-" Melthana started but cut herself off when Zerinnell started speaking at the same time.

"Tell that to your girlfriend. Must suck to be here. Every hour of every day. Better than hell though?" Zerinnell said loudly to make sure Marsha heard them.

"That was mean," Melthana said.

"Yeah, there's a reason I'm here instead of in the room with you," Marsha called back. "Because it would be even worse if I had to look at that shitty face of yours."

"Well, I, for one, look forward to Melthana sucker punching you with a wrench when this is all done," Luke commented. "There's a whole bunch of demons to look over and so long as you don't have any information I don't have a way of narrowing it down. I'll start doing some research but it's all gonna be conflicting. The basics are silver and salt. It works for most everything not of this world and especially in the Dead Lands, but if they're trying to overpower the wards then whatever they're after is going to be big and a serious problem. You call me the second you learn anything."

Melthana leaned forward and grabbed something off Luke's death to fidget with. "You're sure it's not Anderlandian?"

"Can't be," Marsha called from the kitchen. "Fear is a little bitch. He specifically has his people hunt down nonbelievers. Those that don't know what to do or how to fight him. He rarely targets Anderlandians."

Melthana stood up and walked out of the office to stand in the middle, where she could sort of see Marsha in the kitchen and Luke behind his desk.

"Does this have any similarities to how you got out?" Melthana asked Marsha.

"No," came the terse reply. "I did it all on my own. I reduced myself. I stripped and tore and took myself apart until I was small enough to sneak away."

Melthana heard Zerinnell snort at the implication that Marsha stripped.

"But your fear wouldn't do this?"

"Nah. He's a cowardly little bitch but he's got an ego on him. Wouldn't even have the self loathing necessary to do what I did."

"Oh a demon with depression issues. Never seen that before."

Melthana threw the silver pen she grabbed from Luke's desk and threw it at Zerinnell. "Be nice, you fucker."

Zerinnell snatched the pen out of the air. "Pretty pen. What is this? 80% pure silver. Oh! It's all pure. Amazing."

They pricked their finger with the surprisingly sharp edge.

"Oh, my. That's sharp." They turned their now bleeding finger towards Luke and Melthana. "Ouchie."

They put the finger in their mouth to suck on it.

It didn't escape Melthana that the blood was blue.

Luke caught her eye and shrugged. "I'll let you know if I come up with anything good. Now please leave before Marsha breaks the magic eater and we all get in trouble."

Melthana looked at Luke hard for a moment.

He shook his head slightly and held out his hands. A clear "what? I don't know" gesture.

Melthana sighed in disgust and left the office. Zerinnell followed them.

"Cute trick with the pen. Very clever. I liked that."

"What the fuck are you?"

Zerinnell shrugged. "Beats me."

"You're such a little shit."

"Answered your own question."

Melthana groaned and made a strangling motion with her hands because of how frustrated she was at the whole thing.

"So what now?"

"Back to the station. Paperwork, tracking down where the individuals were last seen. Do all that crap for a few hours and then head home. Sleep. Repeat."

"Ah. How exciting. Well you have fun. I'm going to part ways with you. Temporarily. Don't worry. I feel like you're not going to get up to too much murdering at a police station. But if you do, it'll be mightily interesting."

"What? You're leaving? Just like that?"

"Just. Like. This," Zerinnell said as they turned on their heel and walked away from Melthana.

She stood there and fumed for a solid minute, until Zerinnell turned a corner and disappeared form view.

"God-fucking-damn it," she muttered.

She pulled out her phone as she started following Zerinnell.

"Did you look?"

"Of course I looked," Luke said on the other side.

"And?"

"I have no idea. It's not anything religious and stuff like that."

"Nothing? There's no way their human."

"I didn't say that. With shapeshifters it always looks like there's something under the skin, or like in it. But this... this was different... like there was something covering them, enveloping them."

"Ok, so what was it?"

"I don't know. It wasn't well defined. It was... nothing I've seen before."

"Fine. Whatever. Thanks. Go back to being distracted by your girlfriend."

"We're not-"

"I'll pay you a thousand dollars to finish that sentence right now, out loud. I wanna hear how Marsha reacts to you saying that you're not dating."

"Suck a dick, Melthana."

"Isn't that what Marsha is trying to do right now?"

Luke just hung up.

Melthana put away her phone and extended the will of her magic just a little, enough to highlight the footprints of the recently left Zerinnell.

She followed the green fire trail for almost two miles and into a busier, more expensive part of town.

It seemed that Zerinnell walked into an extremely expensive, exclusive, salt bath and sauna.

She flashed her badge at the guardians at the door.

"Detective Saint Felix. We have been told to expect you. Please, come in. The receptionist will direct you to where you need to go," the one guard said as it held open the door.

"Fuck," she swore. Her game had already been found out.

She walked inside and the attendant was already waiting for her.

The slight young woman had a towel and bathrobe all ready for Melthana when she entered.

"Welcome, Detective. If you'll follow me," she said as she turned and walked Melthana down a plush set of stairs, down into the basement.

After several flights they stopped at an ornate black and gold door.

"The code is 170587," the attendant said. "You have officially been added to the guest list by Zerinnell. You may make use of their bath at any time."

Melthana nodded but her face was like she had swallowed something super sour.

She punched in the code and the door let her enter into a warm and steamy atmosphere.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take you," Zerinnell called from within the bath.

Melthana entered, dropping the towel and bathrobe on the nearest surface as she strode into the bath.

Sure enough, Zerinnell was lounging, neck deep, in a cold salt water bath. There was just enough opaqueness that Melthana couldn't tell if they were totally naked or not.

"Please, join me," they said.

"I'm going to pass."

"Your call. I would answer some of your questions if you stayed though."

"I don't believe you."

"You're half right about me. I am here to make your life difficult, but not for the reasons you think. Sure, the police want to have you locked up and thrown away. Like that horrendous arbiter from last year. But that's not why I am here. I am here because someone wants to break the most fundamental rule of the Dead Lands. They want to summon a full blooded god. Here. In Reckonfall. I cannot fathom why, or why they've chosen to pick fear as their example. I don't even know who. But I have a feeling like you're going to figure it out. And again, you fascinate me."

"I really hate how you say that."

"Well. That's never going to change."

"How do you know all this?"

"Get in the water. Then we talk," Zerinnell said without looking at Melthana. "The salt water does you good. There's a bathing suit over there if you don't want to just strip down and jump in."

"Why are you so frustrating?"

"Because you can't get to know someone intimately if you don't get under their skin."

Melthana turned away form the extremely large bath, really a pool, and looked over at the lockers. There was indeed a bathsuit for her. Two really. A one piece and a two piece. Both looked like they would fit, and both were weird expensive and fashionable. It made Melthana even more uncomfortable.

As a delaying tactic she thoroughly looked over all of Zerinnell's things. Which wasn't very much or very interesting. There was a very nice coat that Melthana didn't remember them having.

She grabbed the one piece and hide in the bathroom to change.

This whole thing was rather extremely frustrating.

Finally she came out, towel wrapped around her shoulders to hide her tattoos.

"Does it fit?"

"Fits well enough you fucking creep. Do I even want to know how you know my size?"

"I know almost everything about you Melthana Saint Felix hold the saint because you never felt very holy."

"Oh ha ha. You know my jokes."

"Much else besides. Anyways, what was your question? How do I know all of this?"

"Yes."

Zerinnell finally cracked one eye, it was deep, almost unfathomably so, blue. "Shame. Hiding your tattoos like that. Such beauty and you try to hide it away."

"I don't want to show off that part of my life. I hate it, I regret it. But you already knew all that."

"I didn't. But it makes sense. If you really wish, I can remove them for you."

"Fine, then do it."

"Get in the water."

Melthana groaned in frustration again. She dipped a toe in the water and it was indeed cold. "Fuck," she muttered as she climbed into the cold salt water. It did feel good, but she wouldn't admit that.

The towel, reluctantly, stayed behind.

"It's a shame that you wish to divest yourself so thoroughly of your past. Scars and memories that happened and shaped you into who you are right now. Removing them is the same as basically saying it never happened, right?"

"Yeah, but that was a time in my life that was bad."

"Life is like that. You have to live through both the good and the bad."

"Fine. Don't do it. Shut the fuck up and answer my questions."

"Which is it? Answer the questions or shut the fuck up?"

Melthana groaned in frustration again, this whole thing was so annoying.

"Answer the goddamn questions!"

"Fine. How do I know all this? Not important. Really. It isn't. I just know."

"Ugh. Then what is your obsession with me if you don't give a shit if I killed those people?"

"To answer this one, and I will, I swear it. I need-"

"Swear on the Bay," Melthana interrupted.

"Oh. Oh, I see how it is. Very well. I swear on the Bay that I will answer this question if you answer two small ones of mine."

Melthana quietly seethed. "Fine."

"What was your original font of magic?"

Melthana's face grew hot. "It was... love and self-sacrifice."

"An interesting choice."

"I didn't make the choice. But you did, kind of. Subconsciously. With the choices that led you to that path. With the choice in materials. What materials was your font again?"

"What does this have to do with it?"

"It has to do with everything!" Zerinnell snapped, for the first time showing anger.

"It was coral and the pink sunshine of a sunrise over the water."

"Much better than cold black iron and green fire."

"Yeah? So what. That font is gone."

"And to build that first font you harvest coral from the Bay. You went to the water every day. You went diving into the cold, blue, crushing depths. Every. Day. You followed the traditions. You did the Old Ways. You made the gifts, the sacrifices. You did everything right. And now you don't come to water anymore."

Melthana started to put some things together.

"Do you want to know a secret of the Dead Lands? One of the things that no one up here knows. One that they have been speculating for ages," Zerinnell asked.

"Yes," Melthana said, quieter than she intended to sound.

"The real reason for the Dead Lands being so anathema to gods, the real reason why all of them must leave here eventually, is because they forsaked... forsook? That doesn't sound right. Anyways. The gods ignored us. We, I, grew along side humanity. We evolved along the same lines at the same time. You up here, me down there. But the gods only wanted to play with you. And we were fine with it, for a time. Until the gods finally decided to come into the darkness of the water to preach at us. Preach! Can you believe it? They never asked us what we wanted, what we needed. They didn't care for us until we started to make ourselves known here in Reckonfall. So for that slight, for the grave insult, we locked them out. Now someone is trying to call one in. They are trying to call in your new best friend."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that before you sold your soul to the police and the law machines that would rather you destroy yourself than use you as you are, before you gave yourself to the fear and the secrets, you belonged to us. That love and compassion and everything that made you a true Dead Land Descendant, worthy of all of this, was stripped from you."

"What are you saying? You want to help me stop a god from breaking through the wards put forth by the Deep Ones?"

"Yes."

"Because you are one?"

"Eh... I'm more shallow than they are. Not as old. Not as powerful."

"You're some kind of selkie?"

Zerinnell laughed. It was a deep, hearty, borderline guffaw. "Those air breathing wimps? Fuck no. You think I'm some weakling that would give up their skin for a man or woman?"

"I didn't say a selkie I said a kind of selkie."

"Oh, well, then. Yeah. I'm no stupid seal. They are pretty tasty though. I have to say."

"What the fuck are you?"

"I've given you all the clues detective. Detect."

"So what happens after we defeat whoever is trying to summon a god?"

"I'm hoping by that time we're besties and I can come by and hangout whenever I want."

"That's it?"

"I am hoping, truly, to see you enact sweet vengeance on all those that wronged you. All of them."

"I still don't understand why you care so much."

"Because. You were mine. And what's mine is mine. I don't want to share you with anyone else. I want to keep you all to myself."

Melthana frowned. She hated how excited that made her.

"What do you want me to do to these people that have wronged me?"

"Horrible magical vengeance would be nice. But I know you feel super bad about all those people you killed. So maybe you just let me destroy them for you."

Melthana didn't say anything for a minute. "Fine. Fine. I kind of believe you. But I need you to promise. Whatever the most binding promise you can possible make."

"Promise what? Whatever you want."

"Swear on the Bay that you are not a Deep One. I don't want to be secretly running around with some old and ancient god of Reckonfall, something so ancient and powerful that is take a special interest in me is more than enough to make my brain implode."

"I swear on the Bay, on the sea and the stars and the infinite darkness between them. I swear on the shoals and the sands and the coral. I am not one of the Deep Ones. I am not The Electric Void Worm, nor Callamora or her sister Kimonoe, I am not Hishta, I am not Zyrgool nor Kotsutu. I am not a Deep One. Again, I'm more a Shallow One. A child of a child of a child of a Deep One. I think my lineage flows through Zyrgool, but I don't know or really care. I am only two hundred years old and only learned to walk the streets as a human like ten years ago."

"So is Zerinnell your real name?"

"Absolutely. Don't have a last name so that part is made up."

"Is this body... like... a good representation of you?"

Zerinnell gasped in mock shock. "Detective! I can't believe you'd be so uncooth as to ask such a thing!"

"Sorry?"

Then they laughed. "No, you're fine. I don't give a shit. I made this body to be more appealing to your so-called tastes. I think I did an ok job in that realm. But then I saw you with the assistant arbiter..."

Melthana looked away at the mention of their ex.

"Maybe I should have leaned further into the whole mysterious androgynous aspect."

"No. You did... fine I guess. Your personality needs to be worked on though."

"Oh, haha."

"So do the sentient creatures in the bay have a whole gender thing like we do?"

Zerinnell laughed once again. "No, we don't. We don't really give two shits. You sort of do. And if this is your way of trying to figure out what junk I have, you're going to have to do some more detecting."

"Yeah... that's it for me. I'm out," Melthana said as she got out of the cold salt bath and immediately covered up and went to go get changed.

Zerinnell smiled to themselves. Yeah they did a good job on the bathing suit.

"So this is your... coat?"

"Yeah. Why you want to keep it and have me bound to you and be your slave?" Zerinnell called.

"No. I'm not tempted by that at all."

Zerinnell smiled to themselves even more. They really did pick well with that one.

As Melthana left the exclusive spa she quickly texted Luke.

"Figured it out. Kind of. Whatever the squid/octopus version of a selkie is."

i have a kofi if you want to support me

#stories of reckonfall #writers on tumblr #original fiction #my fiction #11 pages in one day is not bad #especially after being unable to write for the last few

9 notes · View notes

invisibleicewands · 11 months ago

Text

Spooky monks and Michael Sheen murals: behind the scenes of new BBC drama The Way

Michael Sheen says he wants viewers of his new drama The Way “to feel like what it has felt like for the last 10 years of living” in the UK.

That is, “in a society where you don't know if you're in a horror film or a sitcom,” he told viewers at a Q&A for the show on Monday night. “Something that feels life and death stakes suddenly goes incredibly surreal and absurd, and then goes back to being incredibly scary again.”

The Way, which is due to air in February, follows the Driscoll family in the old industrial town of Port Talbot on the Welsh coast. Estranged from each other, they nevertheless have to set out on a cross-country odyssey to safety when they become tied up with civil unrest in the area.

In addition to making a cameo appearance in the show, The Way also marks Sheen’s first directorial role.

“I was never going to direct it. And then they said it's going to be in Port Talbot and then I have to direct it,” he joked.

“And the original seed of the idea was, I had this idea about watching a British family being uprooted and you didn't know why. And having to kind of flee their homes and go on the journey across Britain and then get across the channel. So it was a sort of refugee journey in reverse to the way we normally see it.”

It is also a passion project for the Welsh actor, who grew up in and now lives in Port Talbot himself – while the cast, who are majority Welsh, mostly grew up in the same area.

“There was so much of him in it,” said Steffan Rhodri about Sheen, who plays dad Geoff Driscoll (and who went to drama school with him). “I mean, you see a bit of Port Talbot. The one bit you didn't see is a massive wall with a mural of him on it.”

Was it hard to film the show without including it? “It was very hard,” Sheen joked. “We came very, very close – I mean, we were literally around the corner from it, and Callum made me go and have a photograph with it between takes. So that was difficult.”

‘Callum’ is Callum Scott Howells, best known for his performance in Russell T Davies drama It’s A Sin. He plays the disaffected Driscoll son, Owen – whom we first meet as a lonely figure looking for connection, and who gets caught up in the riots that sweep the town.

“It says in the script, James put something like, ‘we don't know why at this point, but he's feeling something. He’s there now, and he’s present’. And that for me kind of said everything. Like he doesn't he doesn't even know why he's rioting, but he's doing it,” Howells said.

“That was something that I really kind of threw myself into, and Michael was great in allowing me to do that. Yeah, those riot scenes were so fun, we just got to go nuts, you know. I headbutted a riot shield… because I’m nuts.”

The show itself also features the writing talents of James Graham, best known for political film Brexit: The Uncivil War and BBC crime drama Sherwood.

“We talked collectively about not wanting a traditional dystopian future, which was, which was really grim and bleak,” he said. "I think we all got excited by imagining the reverse of that... what if it was the myths and the legends and the folklores that embed themselves in our national psyche. Do they trap us? Do they inhibit us?"

The end result, he said, was a "contamination of genres." Not just social realism: the second episode becomes "a road movie, or an adventure movie on foot.

"So you start to see these elements of the myths and legends that the family carry with them become those stories we grew up with like Watership Down and Wizard of Oz, and it becomes very fantastical and weird."

#Michael Sheen #Movie #The Way #Interview

13 notes · View notes

vicvinegarandhughhoney · 1 year ago

Note

thinking about jack being the first one most students come out to, and everybody else can't figure out why but it's literally just because he would be the only one in that town that wasn't weird about it and he's bi and trans but nobody knows that

how does it feel to be correct??

i feel like the ap bio classroom becomes a place where outsiders and queer kids gather at lunch because they know it's a safe place for them

and whenever a student realises they're gay or trans etc they just know they can confide in the kind-of-grumpy ap bio teacher, because once he realises why they've come to him his expression will soften and he'll invite them to sit down. he'll listen to them in a way that adults usually don't, and when they come out he won't furrow his brow or shake his head or tell them that 'maybe it's just a phase you'll grow out of'. instead he'll give them acceptance, and his school email scrawled on a post-it note for if they ever need to contact him about anything. he'll tell them that they'll always have a safe place in his classroom.

the transmasc kids who are already presenting as male know that if they need emergency period products they won't have to worry about outing themselves to teachers that might not understand. in the months after mr griffin arrives they talk amongst themselves, share the knowledge that maybe, just maybe, this gruff new guy might surprisingly be the one to help them, because the band of misfit students known as his ap bio class adore him. they're right, of course, and his classroom soon becomes the first port of call for panicked trans kids who desperately need supplies because he keeps a stash in the closet. when he's in the classroom, all they have to do is enter and he'll give them a nod and throw them the keys. when he's out, they know to look in the drawer, where they'll find the key and another post-it telling them to take whatever they need.

they also know that he's an expert at spotting somebody who's wearing a binder that's too small/tight for them. at first, before they knew he was safe, his knowing looks would set their hearts racing, but then he'd tilt his head in the direction of his classroom and gesture for them to follow him, and for some reason their gut told them to obey. they'd find themselves standing by the closet of the ap bio classroom while jack, rummaging through a box in it, tsk-ed and mother-hen-ed like they didn't know he could. don't hurt yourself, alright? if you need a new one, for the love of god come find me instead of suffering. look, here- try this one. there's a bathroom across the hall.

a lot of the time, he's on the receiving end of grateful hugs, often from kids who didn't think they'd find acceptance anywhere in toledo, ohio, and for whom the relief is so great that the walls they've built come crumbling down. outside of this circumstance (and of course whenever one of his students asks for one), jack usually isn't a hugger- he stiffens and rolls his eyes and just stands there waiting for it to be over. but really? the queer kids know he's the best hugger in toledo. he lets them break, because he knows exactly what they're going through, and because he's there to hold them together and rub their backs and tell them for the first time that it's okay. he knows that the fading of the adrenaline and the release of the burden that comes with being unknown will leave them shaking and exhausted, so he'll hold onto them until he decides its time to get them sat down, at which point he'll open the other drawer at his desk which now contains a variety of snacks. you want a snickers? mars bar? twix? because there's nothing he knows that helps a bad situation like chocolate.

most of all, though, he's there. someone to turn to for help, hug, ask advice, come out to, talk to.

and the first thing a queer kid tells another who's just come out to them?

"go see mr griffin. trust me."

#ap bio #this became way longer than i intended it to be i was just gonna be like 'yeah absolutely' but then everything else just happened #jack griffin #lgbt

31 notes · View notes

pfffsfic · 2 months ago

Text

Post-Fall Falls False Starts- Chapter 19: The Confrontation Part 1: Out of the Frying Pan Sunny-Side Up

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

[NOTE: This is not a new release, just a port of the chapter that was already published on Ao3.]

...You go up to your friend, you tell him, "Did you know you're an amnesiac?" and then when he says, "No I'm not," you say, "Tell me the name of your arch-nemesis," and he says, "What arch nemesis?" What do you do then? But he might not say that. It might be more in-character of him to say, "I don't remember. Wait a minute, why can't I remember?" at which point you're better off than with the "What arch nemesis?" answer but you still have that question to answer. And you don't have an answer. Come to think of it, he isn't very in-character right now...

These thoughts and more swarmed Sarah like flies to honey as she made her way back to Rob.

It was as if he had been replaced with an entirely new person and, with Sarah's usual improvisation limited by her anxious emotional state, her second-best method of conversation wrangling- meticulous planning- seemed both entirely necessary and entirely out of reach. Rob wasn't unpredictable, but right now Rob wasn't Rob.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" she asked herself. A good opener. Maybe a different tone would be better. "Heyy," she said, picturing finger guns, "how ya feelin'?" More energetic? "Hey! How are you feeling?!" No, too energetic. "Hey... how are you feeling, babe?" NO WAY. She practiced a dozen alternative deliveries, all woefully insufficient. "Heyhowdoyoufeel?" "Hey? How are you, like, feeling?" "Hey hey. How how do do you-"

"I'm doing fine," came Rob's voice from just ahead as he stepped out from behind a tree.

"AH! You heard..."

"Was I not supposed to? Weren't you talking to me?"

"I was. Well, I was practicing talking to you. Because I have something very important to talk to you about, actually."

"Important?" He cocked his head. "Is this about the humanizer machine? You can use my suit if you'd like. I feel kind of bad for snubbing you. Makes me feel a little evil." He held his stomach and Sarah tried to pretend that was the worst thing she had ever seen him do.

"Nooo, um, not that."

"Let's head back to camp and you can tell me about it, then!"

Rob yanked something off the tree and displayed several clusters of those edible white mushrooms to Sarah, who nodded politely despite not being at all hungry. That was another oddity: Rob had to be coerced into eating those mushrooms every single time, even after eating them dozens of times without issue. Here he was smiling about picking them. Wasn't that better? Better than the needless anxiety over eating something safe? Wasn't this-

Rob wasn't Rob. Rob wasn't Rob. It didn't matter what was better or worse. Getting him back to normal was her moral obligation. Unless her moral obligation was actually to keep Rob from becoming a worse (read: more 'him') version of himself, in which case maybe it would be better just make up a lie... darn it, he was looking at the tapes!

"What are those? Is that a treasure chest?" His eyes shimmered as he darted up and looked it over. Sarah gave a nervous little laugh in response.

"It's-"

"Did you dig it up? This could be something plot-relevant, as weird as that sounds. Any markings? Do you have a fingerprinting kit? No, sorry, dumb question."

"I-"

"Am I interrupting? So sorry, continue."

She let out a long laugh devoid of any humor, curling her mouth into a grotesque grimace as if she was about to start crying. "Have you noticed you're an amnesiac?" she asked. There was no shock. There was no follow-up question. Rob put a hand to his chin, closed his eyes- the left one closed first- and then opened them up again- the right one opened first. "I guess I am. Huh," he said. "what does that have to do with the tapes?" Sarah's jaw dropped. The last vestiges of her smile hung on for a second after it happened. "They're supposed to be the cure. The van guy was all cryptic- I know he usually is, but he was extra cryptic this time- and he said-"

"Wait, wait, wait," replied Rob. "give me a second to think about all of this. You realize how sudden you're being, right?"

"I think that's justified-"

"I'm not asking for long. Say, half an hour? An hour? An hour. Give me an hour to think about it. Sarah, please."

The sad look on his face stirred up an internal conflict, the 'give an impassioned speech' side and the 'nod your head and choke out a one-word reply, then sulk away' side jabbing each other left and right in the boxing ring of Sarah's heart. The latter knocked the former to the ground. 10, 9, went the referee in her vision, who, like the combatants, resembled Sarah but with a black-and-white striped hat. 8, 7, 6- the time to change your decision before you look like an idiot standing there and staring is running out- 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! "Okay," she choked out with a tiny nod. Then, without even waiting for Rob's reaction, she turned and did what was supposed to be a sulk but ended up as more of a heartbroken speedwalk. If Rob was watching her leave, she didn't want to know it. Her emotions brought her back to the art clearing and the stick sketches that had been, at this point, almost entirely wiped out by the elements. She didn't quite have it in her to make some more, especially once she noticed a trail of deer hoofprints cutting through one of them, followed by a larger trail of footprints that probably belonged to a bear... or, no, they weren't the right shape for a bear, more like some sort of giant reptile. It wasn't a comforting thing to have in her field of vision. She turned to the possibilities she could see for the future at the moment. Maybe Rob would get his memories back and then Sarah would lose hers and then he'd have to save her, and it could be a moment of emotional bonding? If that happened, she could totally call it now, but that'd be an awkward conversation Rob would have to have with her amnesiac future self. Then again, there were things she didn't want to forget. Maybe she shouldn't fantasize about a situation like that, if this was even fantasizing and not just playing with ideas like a nervous wreck. Thinking about the future was doing her no favors, so she tried the present. The present was full of anxiety and an invisible countdown timer ticking towards the awkward conclusion to an even more awkward conversation. That was no good either. She tried the past. Rob had been Rob up until he wasn't. When was the cutoff point? He had been out of it for days, but at some point he had gone from that to an amnesiac. That wasn't a normal thing that could just happen. Right? It wasn't like it could've just cropped up for no reason, so what could have been the inciting incident? One major thing stood out that she found herself rapidly being forced to acknowledge- she had goaded her sleep-deprived friend into harboring a psychotic demon in his head for the sake of asking said demon some questions, which, looking back on it, was really not an easy thing to justify. None this felt real. None of it had ever felt real, not since day one, not even since the apocalypse back in Elmore. There were never any consequences for her until now. She had been treating this like yet another story that could be deconstructed, predicted, and resolved like a work of fiction, but it wasn't fiction, was it? She wasn't fiction, even if this place was. And now she was gonna have to cross her fingers and use this miracle solution and hope it would work out perfectly. Things always seemed to work out simply, but eventually that kind of luck had to run out- if this was real life. And even if not now, she was stranded, and eventually something just had to come along that would leave her and Rob hopeless.

Wow, she thought, None of that sounded like me.

She went over the facts. Name? Sarah G. Lato. The G stood for... well, she never asked her parents when they were around, but maybe that was for the best since it imbued every day with a sense of mystery. Age? 12, ish. Her role? The insanely obsessive one. It had been foisted upon her, but, if she was being real, she enjoyed the privileges that kind of thing endowed her, and it was nice to know she was guaranteed a place in the lives of her long-term crush(es)... well, that guarantee had run its course, what with being stuck in another dimension and all. Did they even still remember her? She really hoped so, but thinking logically about it made her nervous because it cut into that hope.

So she definitely wasn't an amnesiac. That was good.

Silly Sarah could wait. Serious Sarah was here now, and Serious Sarah would, first, get Rob's memories back, and then she would get a watch because waiting for an hour was hard when you didn't have a good internal clock, and then she and Rob would make a game plan, and then she could let her guard down again.

With that, she got up and headed back to camp, tapes in tow. The clearing was quiet. The fire had been out for a while now and the coals were cold. She looked over at the TV... and the DVD player, with the disc still in it. Wait a minute. How the heck was she supposed to play VHS tapes with a DVD player?

"Bad news, Rob. We might have to go steal a..." The clearing was quiet, the coals were cold. Rob was nowhere to be found. Sarah kept her cool all the way to the waterfall, where pink mushrooms had erupted all over the ground and sprouted from the rocks, but he wasn't here, either. She called his name a couple of times, and, for good measure, called out a few other one-syllable names that also began with "R". No answer. A wolf howled somewhere far away. The wind chill spiked, or maybe it was just her spine. As she stepped back into the desolate camp, her eyes fell on a set of footprints she hadn't noticed earlier. They were new and they bore the sneaker prints of the human suit's built-in shoes rather than the rectangular prints Rob normally left behind. Part of Sarah's mind told her that if she followed them she'd find a cave with a very full bear in it, but she nonetheless had to know for sure, and so she followed the prints, first to the edge of the woods and then past the edge of the woods, unknowingly retracing a path Rob had taken once before- albeit when he wasn't solid enough to have left any trace behind. Rob had walked with purpose and precision for a good while along the border between the forest and the town and had then turned straight out into the open at a right angle. She was so engrossed in following the trail at her feet that she didn't know where she was until she looked up, at which point her eyes widened and a million new questions and worries assaulted her.

This was it, the turning point. She had him cornered. But why had he come here, of all places? What had he been thinking about, and in what world would coming here help him think about it? Moreover, how was she gonna get him back without exposing herself? There was nowhere to hide for several yards. She'd have to make a mad dash for it. Then again, she could just wait for him to come out, then again, there was that time limit that would make the suit permanent, then again, if Rob didn't remember his past, would it really matter to him if he looked like a human forever? Then again, some deep part of her heart reminded her, Rob wasn't Rob. With a burst of courage that only a situation like the potential ego death of her friend slash frenemy slash possible found family could provide, she left her position behind one of the evergreen and hightailed it for the front door of the Mystery Shack.

#the amazing world of gumball #sarah g lato #tawog #gravity falls #crossover #fanfic #fanfiction #postfallfallsfalsestarts #postfallofit

3 notes · View notes