#i die of laughter when he passed by in the main story

[sadlynotthevoid]

I love Hiyori.

He's so funny. Because you have all this hella smart characters with high comprehension of people behaviour who spend day and night schemming.

And then there's him.

He's smart, a social butterfly, a great detective and rich. And he's not going to waste his time playing plotting games.

It's like he pulled Mr. Crocker's power roulette and it fell in "a secret third thing".

Martyrs what? Heroes what? Villains what?

Nah, he'd rather use his powers for selling lettuce.

[nevess]

[ i love thee with a love that shall not die, till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old. ] - William Shakespeare

🌱… description: You and Anakin are stargazing and he can’t stop looking at your beautiful face.

🍵 … warnings: none, more Anakin fluff :p

🧳 … character/s: Anakin Skywalker x Reader

☕️ … word count: 760 words ; | date: October 3rd, 2023

🗞️ back to the main menu

a/n: still just making anakin x reader fluff cuz tumblr needs it. :) Hope you enjoy it! <3 Disclaimer!!! i didn’t read it after finishing, so i apologize for any typos :p In other news, im looking for beta readerssss here's the post!

The moon hung low on the horizon, casting a silvery glow across the quiet hilltop. Anakin Skywalker and you had returned from your respective missions, weary from the battles and conflicts that seemed to define the Clone Wars. Tonight, you both sought solace in the serenity of the night sky.

Laying on a blanket beneath a tapestry of stars, you gazed up at the twinkling constellations, captivated by the beauty of the cosmos. The galaxy seemed vast and endless, a stark contrast to the turmoil you faced on a daily basis.

Anakin's eyes, however, weren't on the stars above; they were fixed on you. He watched you in awe, his heart swelling with a deep, unspoken love. Your profile was illuminated by the soft moonlight, casting a gentle glow on your features, and in that moment, you were the most beautiful thing in the universe to him.

Lost in his thoughts, he finally broke the silence, his voice soft and filled with admiration. "You know, Y/N, I've seen countless stars in my lifetime, but none shine as brightly as you do."

You turned your head to meet his gaze, your eyes locking with his intense blue ones. His words caught you off guard, and a gentle blush colored your cheeks. "Anakin," you replied, your voice tender, "you have a way of making every moment feel extraordinary."

He reached out and gently traced a finger along your cheek, his touch sending shivers down your spine. "I can't help it," he whispered, his eyes never leaving yours. "You're the most incredible thing I've ever known."

Your heart swelled with emotion at his words, and you couldn't help but smile. Anakin's charm and intensity had always drawn you in, and tonight, beneath the starlit canvas of the galaxy, you felt a deep connection that transcended words.

As the night wore on, the two of you shared stories of your missions and the challenges you faced, finding solace in each other's understanding and support. Anakin's laughter echoed through the quiet hillside as he recounted a particularly amusing encounter with a droid army, and you couldn't help but join in.

The moments of levity were precious, a reminder that despite the weight of their responsibilities as Jedi and soldiers, you were still able to find joy in each other's company. Under the vast expanse of the night sky, it felt like the galaxy had granted you a brief respite from its turmoil.

As the hours passed, Anakin's gaze never wavered from you. He admired the way your eyes lit up with enthusiasm when you spoke about your passion for diplomacy and negotiation, and how your determination shone through when discussing your duties as a Jedi. To him, you were a beacon of hope and inspiration, a force of nature he couldn't resist and wasn’t going to.

At some point, you both lay down, side by side, your fingers intertwined as you continued to stargaze. The conversation gave way to comfortable silence, a shared appreciation for the quietude of the night.

Anakin broke the silence once more, his voice a soft whisper. "Y/N, I know we face so much uncertainty and danger every day, but the terrible agony im in when you are not near goes away as soon as my eyes see you. In the horrors of what we may or may not do in batter… when i’m with you anything is possible. I love you."

You turned to him, your eyes locking onto his, and the world seemed to fade away. You were mesmerized for his way with words, and how he would always know how to make you feel loved and appreciated. "Anakin," you replied as you look at him with all the love in the world, your voice filled with sincerity, "I love you too, more than words can express." You smiled as your thoughts gathered around one very specific… You can’t believe you are so lucky as to have him as a partner.

In that moment, beneath the starry tapestry of the universe, your love felt like a force of its own, unyielding and eternal. Together, you found strength, love, and hope under the stars, and for as long as you gazed upon them, you knew that no matter the challenges ahead, you would face them together.

© Nevess 2023. My original posts are not allowed to be edited, translated and/or re-uploaded on another account or platform without my permission, nevertheless, re-blogs are accepted and very appreciated.

[imabeautifulbutterfly]

The Gym Membership - Part 56 (Crosshair)

Summary: Layla has an incident

A/N: Hello Lovelies,

Can't believe this is the second last chapter, at least for Crosshair's section. There will be more in the Omega section, but I'm going to take a brief hiatus on this story to focus on Sins of the Father. So I will be revamping the story layout. Making it shorter chapters, editing previous chapters. So that will be my main focus for a little bit.

The season finale for Gym Membership will be uploaded Friday or Saturday, depending on which day I have more free time.

I want to thank everyone who loved this story and followed it along. There will be a one-off I'll be doing for Crosshair's section, a what-if Avery survived. It's not written yet, so not sure when I'll have that ready.

Anyway this is all just to say I love oo.

Warnings: Awkwardness, embarrassment, flatulence, nervousness, feelings of being uncomfortable, discussions of gastrointestinal distress. If I miss any warnings, please let me know.

AO3 Link   |   Words: 1,524   |   PREVIOUS - -> NEXT

Gym Membership Master List  |   Main Master List

I couldn’t look at Crosshair’s face, and just when I thought the horror that was my life was over …

Phhhhffffrrrrrrttttttt-phhhhhrrreeeeee-phut 

Phut phut

Plllfttt Pfffftttttt

Dear, God make it stop! Please for the love of all that is good and holy, just open the ground and swallow me whole. 

Crosshair sat there shocked at the noises that came out of Layla, he didn’t know what to do. His mouth was open, as it was waiting to receive the pasta he had just curled around his fork, but now it was fighting to let out a laugh. 

He cleared his throat, hoping the smell wouldn’t linger in his mouth and nose. He wanted to laugh, but it was clear as day she was beyond embarrassed. He tried to open his mouth to say something but the laughter was just there waiting to escape. 

“Ahem! I guess I need to oil my chairs, didn’t realize they’d make such … ahem! Such a loud, thunderous noise.”

He bit his cheeks to fight the laughter. His face turned red; the more he suppressed his chuckle the more he couldn’t hold it in.

My head dropped against my chest, I could not believe that happened. I couldn’t look at Crosshair, I couldn’t speak, I just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. I needed to get out of this apartment. I needed ….

Pllllllffffffftttttt

I closed my eyes begging for it to stop. 

PFFFFFFRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRFFFFFFTTTTTT

Oh god not … wait … I froze, that wasn’t me. Crosshair’s laughter filled the apartment, I glanced up to see him dying with laughter, he wiped a tear from his eye as his eyes locked on me, his hand reached over and patted mine, “Relax it’s natural, and I can make mine a lot louder, smellier and longer than yours.”

I’m not sure if it was because of the fart he released or because of the tenderness he expressed, but tears began welling up. I nodded, offering a tiny smirk. He just laughed, easing my nerves and tension, I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. 

Phhhutt

I wiped the tears that were slowly inching down my face, “I still need the bathroom, excuse me.”

He simply nodded, watching as she headed towards the bathroom, letting out tiny toots along the way. There was no doubt in his mind she was feeling more embarrassed with each passing second. Rather than make her feel worse when she returned, he opened the windows, allowing the cool spring breeze to fill the apartment, replacing the tainted air with the fresh. Moving the plates to the kitchen, cleaning up the dining room. And finally, he went to his room, grabbing a pair of sweats and sweatshirt. 

He knocked lightly on the bathroom door, he didn’t want to make things worse for her, “Layla, you alright in there?”

“Mmhmm” was the only sound he could hear.

“I’m leaving you some comfortable clothes in front of the door, put them on, okay?”

“Thanks” her voice sounded strained. 

He shook his head, chuckling to himself, this was definitely a first for him. He changed his clothes into something more comfortable as well, putting on a pair of sweats. He didn’t know why he’d tried to give her this image of something he wasn’t; this was more him. Yes, he was rigid, but he was also comfortable and relaxed when he was in his own home. He went to the kitchen, after he did a quick internet search to see what would soothe an upset stomach; getting some chamomile tea and combining it with ginger, he placed it on the coffee table in front of the TV, along with a comfy blanket.

He was nearly ready, when he heard her footsteps coming up behind him. 

“How are you feeling?” He turned to look at her.

“Better. Embarrassed as hell, but better.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better, but there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s my fault, my food didn’t sit well with you.”

“Oh god no; it wasn’t your food. I … I had a protein smoothie before my workout today. I picked it up on the way to the gym. I know” I held up my hands “I know, I should’ve just bought from Hunter” I rubbed my tummy, soothing it as best I could.

Crosshair simply chuckled, smiling as he nodded.

As I looked at him, I noticed there was something different. It took me a second to realized he changed, “You changed?”

“What? You thought you’re the only one who got to be comfortable? I don’t think so. Have a seat” he motioned with his head to the couch, watching as she gently sat down. He draped the blanket over her knees, handing her the tea he made. “Drink this, it’s supposed to help an upset stomach. Here’s the remote” he passed her the clicker, “find something you wanna watch, I’ll just be in the kitchen getting us some snacks that will help your stomach.”

I simply nodded as I took a sip of my tea, it wasn’t exactly how I thought this evening would turn out, but it did show me a side of him I wasn’t expecting. He took a seat beside me, as he left the plate on the table, his own cup of coffee beside it. 

“Did you decide what you want to watch?”

I shook my head, my embarrassment was still too high. 

Crosshair glanced over, the expression on her face was one of unease. He fidgeted his fingers against his pant leg, he kept wondering if the uneasiness had to do with him or with how she was feeling. Her silence and avoidance was only making it more difficult for him to figure out what he should do to help her. 

He shifted leaning over and grabbing the clicker from her, putting on something slightly mind numbing. He picked one of Tech’s docu-series he’d been watching about technology or something, he really couldn’t care less, he just wanted some white noise to help distract her. 

“Is the tea okay?” He waited till she took a sip to ask; as a sniper patience and waiting came very easy to him, yet right now it felt like one of the most difficult things to muster. 

“Mmhmm”

He let out a sigh, leaning back against the couch, shifting further away, giving her the space she so clearly wanted. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel even more uncomfortable seeing as she shifted further from him. 

“If you don’t want to stay you don’t have to.” He mumbled, after all the date literally went down the crapper, what was the point of forcing her to stay. He wanted to make her feel better before she went home, but if she wasn’t comfortable then what was the point.

My eyes focused on the tea in my hands, as much as I appreciated his efforts in trying to put me at ease, I still felt embarrassed. There was no doubt in my mind that Avery would’ve never acted like this, she probably would’ve laughed it off and acted like nothing happened. Maybe it was better to go home, better to wallow in my own misery in the comfort of my own place. 

He could feel the humiliation radiating off Layla. He wanted to do more to help her in some way, but what more could he do. He gave her tea that would help her stomach, put out stomach friendly snacks, opened the windows to air out the rooms, even gave her comfy clothes to wear, and told her it wasn’t a big deal. What more could he do? There was one thing he hadn’t tried yet.

“Ahem!” He cleared his throat, “Did Avery ever tell you about the night of a thousand flushes?”

I turned to look at him, his eyes locked with mine, I shook my head ‘no’.

He smirked as he leaned back further, “Someone … not mentioning names, but you can probably guess who. Name rhymes with livery. Anyway, she wanted to do something special for our unit. She’d received a care package from you and decided to cook us the pork chops you’d sent her along with some spices. Let me tell you, by the time we finished eating, the pain, the pressure, the noises, the smell and the unbelievable agony overwhelmed us. 

Commander Mayday, one of the guys on base, decided to stay in the latrine all night instead of running back and forth every five minutes, pretty sure he even fell asleep sitting up. 

Someone else cried all night from the never ending farts and pain he experienced. 

I couldn’t take it after I soiled my own underwear and voluntarily went to the medic tent begging for any kind of pain killers they had, it felt like someone was ripping my intestines apart.” He focused his eyes on Layla, “I’m sure you’re probably feeling embarrassed, but it’s natural, and if your body is in pain and trying to deal with what didn’t settle well in your stomach, then all the more reason for you not to feel embarrassed.”

AO3 Link   |   Words: 1,524   |   PREVIOUS - -> NEXT

Gym Membership Master List  |   Main Master List

@justanothersadperson93

​ @liadamerondjarin​ 

 @spicymcnuggies​

 @lady-ren​

 @firstofficerwiggles​ 

@darkangel4121​ 

@discofern​ 

@kavecika​ 

@monako-jinn-stories​ 

@ladykatakuri​ 

@avathebestx​

 @theroguesully​ 

@furyhellfire66

​ @carodealmeida​ 

@ciramaris

​ @sprout-fics​ 

 @dindjarin-mandalorian​ 

@clonethirstingisreal

@crosshair-is-the-superior-clone

@totallyunidentified

@griffedeloup

@leotawrites

@helenaslost

@badbatch-simp24​

@dragonrider9905reads

[stellar-constellations]

I think Yuri is still likeable for lot of fans but his story is still very lacking and the growing of his character didn’t shown as obvious much as other main character. And his angry behavior is easy to got hates and judges. Which is sad though because I believe when he’s getting softer and meet different people, we will see a different side of him. That’s why it’s very interesting to see his interaction to other character because most of the times we only see his comedy sides whenever he interact with the Forgers.

I’m do think for a request, I want to know some side story of Yuri and readers in daily life when they still in sss. I do like the details of the reader making brownies and Yuri enjoying it. I do think it will be cute if Yuri invited the reader to the flower store and met his mother grave and gave the brownie as a gratitude. ( or the brownies remind him of Yor or his mother cooking) As something that he wants to make a vow or a promised to taking care of his loved one. It’s will be heartwarming imo but if this is too out of your league ( and since we didn’t have much material of Briars past yet) then it’s okay if you could ignore my RQ.

I do read your updates btw I love it.

        

      Fem! (Y/N) x Mean! Yuri Briar

        This can be read with or without reading my Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series: An Alliance (part 1)

        Setting is BEFORE the reader rejoined WISE (so after she declared her resignation to Twilight).

        (Y/N) as her own background in correlation to the Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! Reader series for plot purposes!

        Yuri is unnecessarily rude to (Y/N).

        Baking is very important for (Y/N). You can take away many things in life; a person's home, their family, their friends, their confidence, their drive, but you can't take away tradition. Tradition is something that will always be passed down, from generation to generation, it can never truly die out, it will always remain in the world. 

        (Y/N) has certain values and traditions that cannot be swayed by anyone, not even the infamous Yuri Briar, a valued lieutenant in Ostania's State Security Service, can change that. Nobody can change (Y/N)'s love for cooking, for family, and for laughter. 

        The first time Yuri woke up without (Y/N) in his bed was a few months ago and he almost had a full blown meltdown. He quickly ran out of his bedroom, half-dressed with his arm stuck in his jacket, hopping on one foot as he tried to slide on his boots.

        "Yuri?" a voice from the kitchen spoke, peeking their head out of the kitchen.

        It's (Y/N)! Yuri smiled, glad she didn't escape. I didn't want to get fired by loosing her, or  have to track her down and kill her in the streets at three a.m. when I could be sleeping.

        "What are you doing?" Yuri hissed, holding his guard up high as he walked into the kitchen. 

        "Jesus, Yuri! You should've said something sooner! I would've stabbed you!" (Y/N) huffed.

        Yuri's eyes traveled to her hands and his eyes widened.

        "YOU WERE GONNA STAB ME?!" Yuri shouted.

        "NO!" (Y/N) shouted back, placing the knife on the counter. "I thought you were an intruder! Like a Westalis spy finding out that I'm working with you or something like that!" 

        "Do you understand that if you stab someone in my apartment, I'll most likely be arrested too? I'm not helping you get away with murder." Yuri hissed.        

        "Boo-hoo." (Y/N) teased sarcastically, a frown on her face. "Just go back to bed." 

        "No! How do I know you're not planning on stabbing me while I sleep? Or trying to run away?" Yuri spoke, then paused as he smelt something drift in the air.

        It was something sugary, something sweet, and something that smelt divine (not that Yuri would ever let her know). 

        "What are you doing? Are you trying to set ablaze the whole apartment complex?" Yuri questioned, moving past (Y/N) to the dessert in the oven as he crouched down, looking into the small window. "Was dinner not enough?" Yuri rudely sneered, causing (Y/N) to throw a wooden spoon at the back of his head. "HEY!"

        "DON'T HEY ME! THE AUDACITY OF YOU!" she shouted, grabbing an oven mitt and throwing it at him.

        At least that's softer... Yuri thought before sending (Y/N) a glare.

        "I just wanted something sweet! You won't let me leave the apartment so I figured I'd make brownies since you have all the ingredients." (Y/N) sighed. 

        "Are they drugged? Are they laced with poison?" Yuri questioned, giving (Y/N) a suspecting glare.

        "You're really insecure and sensitive, you know?" (Y/N) commented.

        "I'M NOT!" Yuri shouted, his pride slightly ruined. 

        "You're also absolutely terrible with social cues! We have neighbors!" (Y/N) hissed.

        "Like you weren't screaming a minute ago!" Yuri huffed.

        "You called me fat!" (Y/N) claimed.

        "Indirectly..." Yuri mumbled.

        "It still held the same meaning!" (Y/N) spat out, before sighing, deciding not to entertain him any longer. "Whatever. Since you're up, be useful and do the dishes." 

        "You're the one baking at three A.M. You do it!" Yuri groaned.

        "Yeah? Well, you're going to be eating some too!" (Y/N) replied, before allowing her composure to falter. "Please... do the dishes..?"

        "Fine. What are you even doing up anyways?" Yuri sighed, walking to the sink.

        The question made (Y/N) frown, a nasty glare shot Yuri's way.

        "It doesn't matter why I'm up. It's not like you actually care anyways!" (Y/N) accused quit boldly (and rudely).

        "You want me to be nice to you but you're so defensive." Yuri groaned, complaining as he rolled his eyes and turned on the sink faucet.

        "I just couldn't sleep, alright? Just some nightmares..." (Y/N) mumbled.

        I understand that... Yuri thought, his hardened angry red eyes softening to plush red, before he put the mask up once more. No! Don't get comfortable! She could be trying to use you for any information from the SSS! Or Yor!

        "You still get nightmares? At your age?" Yuri smirked. "I thought Flower was supposed to protect you?" 

        "Ugh! See? You don't care!" (Y/N) huffed, crossing her arms as she adverted her eyes. "I don't know why I bother when I do!" 

        "No! I'm sorry, sorry!" Yuri spoke quickly, as if afraid she'll leave him. "I... understand. I woke up too because of a nightmare..." he admitted, swallowing his pride. 

        "What was it about?" (Y/N) questioned, scooting closer to Yuri as he started to wash her dirty cookware.

        "You don't nee-" Yuri paused, remembering her words from just a few seconds ago. "Ah..." he grumbled, then took a breath. "I lost my parents too. My mother's affected me the most. Yor looks so much like her, you know..." Yuri took another breath. "Just miss 'em."

        "I understand. My brothers were always at each others throats, including mine. We fought all the time. It's crazy that despite living in the exact same situation, we had completely different views on the world." (Y/N) smiled, reminiscing the past. "My younger brother was so brave and careless, he never let anyone boss him around, so he got in a lot of fights with my dad and authority. My youngest brother was cold one second, then lovey dovey the next. He had some learning problems, but he really just wanted someone to be proud of him..." (Y/N) paused, thinking of her next words. 

        "I had an older sister too, and an older brother. My older brother was really cold, very distant and all. He was kind of like you, believed everyone was out to get him; he wanted to be independent and be his own person." (Y/N) giggled as Yuri paused from washing the dishes to instead watching her smile. "And Yor? God, she reminds me so much of my older sister. My older sister was always looking out for us younger ones, and she was so kind too. I really miss my dad too, he really helped me with who I am today." (Y/N) paused, realizing she was rambling. "What about you, Yuri?" she questioned, turning her gaze to Yuri, surprised to see he was already looking at her. 

        "Oh! Uh..." Yuri gasped, adverting his eyes as he got back to washing the dishes. "I miss my mom... She would make me and Yor this southern stew and it tasted really good, unfortunately, I don't know how to make it." Yuri sighed.

        "Does Yor know?" (Y/N) questioned.

        "Well, she's trying to replicate it. I love Yor's cooking, but... her stew doesn't quite taste like our mom's." Yuri spoke, cracking a smile. "She's buried here in Ostania, in fact, I should go see her sometime. That'd be nice..." Yuri trailed off, getting lost in his own past before he remembered (Y/N) was present and redirected his attention back to her. "So... what about your mom? I just, never heard you mention her, at all." 

        "I don't know much about her." (Y/N) confessed. "She stayed in (birth country) when my dad moved to Westalis for his job. She cheated on my dad and left all of us." 

        "Oh, I'm sorry." Yuri spoke on reflex, but he couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity.

        "Don't be. She never stuck to a mother role even when she was apart of my life. When she left, my dad and I had to start caring for our family. My older siblings weren't reliable with jobs; she had a neurological problem and my older brother was still defying against authority, teenage angst and all. I couldn't have my six and five-year-old brothers working with me, they were still exploring the world and worrying about what game to play next. I forced myself to grow up early since I knew my dad needed help, so I took up that job at the bakery. In fact, that's how I know this brownie recipe!" (Y/N) smiled.

        "Huh..." Yuri muttered, thinking to himself.

        Even before the war, (Y/N) still had a lot to deal with in her life. When was the last time she really had a break? Yuri thought to himself. Whatever. I shouldn't be caring about that! Everyone goes through some hardships secretly, she's no different!

        "Hey, Yuri..." (Y/N) started, pausing to think.

        I want to ask him about his dad, but he hasn't said anything about it (and unlike him, I understand my words can affect people)... (Y/N) thought to herself. 

        "Yeah?" Yuri hummed.

        "...Uh, you think we can skip work Friday? We've just been working soooo much, it's getting boring." she questioned, immediately coming up with an excuse to replace her real question as she smiled stupidly.

        "Don't be ridiculous." Yuri huffed. "We have a job together now, I'm not going to allow you to run back to WISE!" 

        "Hey! I told you in the contract that I'll work with you guys, sheesh! Besides, I was able to get a resignation message across to them." (Y/N) sighed.

        "When? Where? With who? When was this?" Yuri questioned immediately, slamming his hands against the counter.

        "Don't worry! Now back to the dishes with you!" (Y/N) huffed, changing the subject.

        "Fine..." Yuri grumbled. "You know, what's with you doing all the cooking? You're aware I can help out too?" Yuri questioned.

        You're raised by Yor, and I heard from Twilight that her cooking isn't quite edible... (Y/N) thought to herself, avoiding to give him that reasoning as he'd probably throw a knife at her for saying that.

        "You can only take so many things from me, but you can't ever take away what I've learned from my da. Cooking reminds me of my home. Whenever me and my dad had the time, we'd make meals together for the family." (Y/N) explained. "I may have a bad memory, but the day I let go of my family's legacy is the day I die."

        "You're so human that it's a little weird..." Yuri mumbled.

        "That's because I am human!" (Y/N) exclaimed. "You act like I'm a monster or something." (Y/N) sighed, a little disheartened.

        "Westalis sp-"

        "Shut it!" (Y/N) growled, cutting Yuri off. "The rare occasion we actually have a decent conversation, you go ahead and ruin it!" she exclaimed, checking the brownies before grabbing a mitt, removing them from the oven and onto the counter with a towel under the pan, then turned the oven off. "I'm not in the mood for sweets anymore; I'm going to bed." (Y/N) huffed, walking out of the kitchen and turning the corner, disappearing from Yuri's sight.

        Yuri stood in the kitchen alone, thinking of the events prior to her leaving.

      �� Maybe I was a little mean... Yuri admitted to himself. It doesn't matter. It never said in the contract that I had to be nice to her. 

        It might've not said it in the contract, but Yuri's aware of what little human decency he has towards anyone but Yor, he's aware he's a little too harsh on the poor girl. He knows if he ever acted like how he treats (Y/N) to Yor, he'd cut his own tongue off (after telling Yor over and over about how sorry he is). 

        In truth, he really doesn't know how to act with someone who isn't his sister, much less a girl, much much less his once-enemy (since she does work with him now).

        Yuri didn't have friends growing up, he was too focused on his studies so he can change the world into something better for Yor, so he's never really had the social interaction he should have. Even in school when he had to work with others in groups, he would take the task on by himself because he believed they'd get in his way. 

        Yuri also doesn't have much luck with girls too. Sure, he's attractive and it helps bring in potential suitors, but he's too obsessive over his sister which usually steers girls off (that, or he's convinced they're a spy [which is technically true in this case] trying to get information from him because why would someone say "hi" to him without wanting to betray their country? [Yuri really needs to get a grip]). 

        Yuri finished washing the dishes that (Y/N) requested from him and stared at the pan of brownies, deep in thought. 

        She did say they weren't poisoned... so... I guess I can try just one? Otherwise this'll all go to waste! Besides, she did say I was going to eat them too, so she had it in mind that we're sharing. Yuri thought, convincing himself of why he should give into the ex-spy's cooking.

        He cut a brownie out of the pan and was surprised by the chocolatey delicacy. It had extra chocolate chips in it and it was a perfect mix of fudge and cake. He took another one to eat, then another, and another after that one. He was halfway through the pan before he realized and stopped himself, remembering her words.

        ("...Cooking reminds me of my home")

        ("I'm not in the mood for sweets anymore, I'm going to bed.")

        She made these for herself, but she did have the intent of sharing them with him, so he supposes he can leave some for her. 

        He covered the leftover brownies with aluminum foil and placed the pan to the side, turning off the lights and walking back to his own room, already seeing (Y/N) in his bed and sleeping.

        "Oi, wake up." Yuri spoke, shaking her shoulders.

        She groaned and ignored him, causing him to get a little frustrated and shake her awake a bit harsher. 

        "Wake up!" Yuri hissed.

        "What?" (Y/N) huffed, annoyed she got woken up. "You know how much sleep I need and today's our day off so I wanna sleep in!"

        "I'm sorry..." Yuri muttered.

        (Y/N) looked up at him, a little confused as she sat up from the bed.

        "Sorry...? For what?" (Y/N) questioned.

        "For being rude... and I guess for waking you up..." Yuri huffed.

        "You guess...?" (Y/N) deadpanned.

        "Don't expect so much from me!" Yuri exclaimed. 

        "Oh, don't worry, I'm not." (Y/N) smiled.

        "HEY!" Yuri screamed. "You can never take anything seriously!" Yuri grumbled.

        "I'm messing with you, Yuri. Hop in." (Y/N) giggled, grabbing his arm and pulling him under the covers with her.

        "H-hey! Let go of me!" Yuri shouted, a dark blush on his face as he was shoved in her cleavage.

        "To be honest. I've never heard someone apologize to me before—it's very gratifying." (Y/N) admitted.

        "You're so full of yourself. AND LET GO OF ME!" Yuri screamed.

        "You're such a tsundere..." (Y/N) sighed, obliging as she unwrapped her arms from him. 

        They got comfortable together in the sheets as Yuri closed his eyes, feeling himself slip off.

        "Yuri, earlier you said I never take anything seriously." (Y/N) spoke up.

        "And?" Yuri questioned, his eyes still closed.

        "That's not true." (Y/N) confirmed.

        "...And...?" he questioned.

        "You should be less serious, have some fun. Trust me, it makes life a lot better." (Y/N) smiled. "They say laughter heals a broken heart, and judging by your personality, you could use a good laugh."        

        "Your face is enough for me." Yuri muttered.

        "Aw th— hey!" (Y/N) exclaimed.

        Yuri let out a small chuckle, one that brought a grin on (Y/N)'s face.

        "See? Just like that? You should do it more often..." (Y/N) muttered, her voice a little softer and more sultry than usual.

        "Shut up and go to bed..." Yuri huffed, ignoring the blush growing on his face. "Tomorrow, I'll take you somewhere."

        "Ooo, like a date?" (Y/N) teased.        

        "NO! AND I SAID SHUT UP!" Yuri screamed.

        .

        .

        It was (Y/N)'s turn to wake up alone, confused on the whereabouts of her fake husband.

        "Yuri?" she called out, hopping out of bed and walking out of the bedroom. 

        "Kitchen!" Yuri answered.

        (Y/N) walked into the kitchen and noticed the aluminum foil on the pan. She shot Yuri a curious glance who immediately avoided her eyes. She lifted the foil from the pan and saw half the pan gone, now understanding Yuri's guilty expression. 

        "Damn it! Should've done a larger dose..." (Y/N) muttered.

        "W-what?" Yuri questioned.

        I don't remember it tasting funny? Unless the divine taste was poison?! Yuri thought, alarms going off in his head.

        "Kidding, kidding!" (Y/N) smiled, then loud out a laugh as she recovered the pan. "I saw an opportunity."

        "Ha ha..." Yuri grumbled sarcastically.

        "You like 'em?" (Y/N) questioned.

        "...Yeah..." Yuri muttered, crossing his arms as his face heated up. "Hurry up and get dressed."

        "Where exactly are we going?" (Y/N) questioned. 

        "You'll see." Yuri dragged on.

        "Fine..." (Y/N) sighed.

        (Y/N) walked to their shared bedroom, grabbing a pair of clothes and changing into them real quick as Yuri waited for her in the living room. 

        "Are we visiting Yor?" (Y/N) asked, fixing the sleeves on her shirt. 

        "Close." Yuri replied, causing a delightful smile on her face.

        "We're visiting your mother!" (Y/N) beamed, then ran into the kitchen.

        She grabbed the pan from the counter, returning to Yuri. 

        "What's that for?" Yuri questioned.

        "It's normal to bring offerings to the dead, yeah?" (Y/N) smiled.

        "I guess..." Yuri muttered, then grabbed (Y/N)'s arm. "Let's go." 

        "You can hold my hand instead of my arm, unless I'm courting you? That's cool too." (Y/N) teased. 

        "It's so you don't run away." Yuri reaffirmed quickly, quick to assure (Y/N) wouldn't get the wrong idea as he unlocked the front door and walked out with (Y/N), closing and locking the door behind him. 

        "We're supposed to be a couple, remember?" (Y/N) smiled, shaking Yuri's grip from her forearm and instead holding his hand.

        "If that's the case, let me hold that." Yuri sighed, grabbing the pan from the hand that wasn't in (Y/N)'s grip. 

        "I'm glad to know chivalry isn't dead." (Y/N) teased.

        "Don't start it." Yuri warned.

        .

        .

        Yuri drove to a flower shop, making a quick stop and getting a bouquet of forget-me-nots, having them wrapped in a red ribbon. They re-entered the car as Yuri handed (Y/N) the bouquet, driving to a place unknown for (Y/N).

        "It's really cute you got forget-me-nots." (Y/N) commented. 

        "They were my mother's favorite." Yuri replied, crouching down to the polished gravestone as he held out his hand, signaling for her to give him the flowers.

        (Y/N) obliged immediately, handing him his flowers as she patiently waited for him to finish his internal conversation with his mother from beyond the grave. It must've been a good twenty minutes of watching Yuri silently mourn before he finally stood up from the dirt, clearing his throat.

        "Ready?" Yuri questioned.

        "Can I talk to her?" she questioned.

        "Talk? I mean... I guess? She won't say much though." Yuri smiled.

        "Starting to take to my humor. Huh, pretty boy?" (Y/N) laughed as Yuri shook his head, a blush on his face. "Wanna wait in the car? Or somewhere where you can see me? I wanna have a private conversation with her." 

        "I guess I can. No running off though." Yuri spoke sternly.

        "Yes, sir." (Y/N) saluted playfully, smiling as Yuri walked back into his car, climbing in and shutting the door as he watched her through the window.

        "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Briar. Would you look at that, we have the same title! Well... kind of. It's not official or anything." (Y/N) smiled, kneeling down to the dirt and talking as if she was really present. "I have a gift for you. They're brownies. Yuri ate some, but I hope you enjoy the rest." She spoke, placing the covered pan in front of the grave next to the flower bouquet. "My name is (Y/N) (L/N), my real name that is. In case you're wondering, I'm from Westalis. I do hope it doesn't bring any ill intent or memories to you, I'm not quite sure how you died, but I feel the war might be apart of it. Is that why Yuri dislikes Westalis so much...?" (Y/N) trailed off, before regaining her thoughts. 

        "You have two very beautiful kids, inside and out. Yuri is very entertaining, and Yor is very sweet. I may not be Yuri's official wife, but I really think I'll stick around for some time, or at least until Yuri gets sick of me, which is probably soon." (Y/N) chuckled. "I know we just met, and this is definitely out of the blue, but... I'm starting to warm up here in Ostania. I promise I'll look after Yuri for you. I can tell he's had it rough; I see myself in him, stubborn and determined." 

        "I'm not good with goodbyes, but I don't think that's necessary anyways. You're very important to Yuri, so you're important to me now; sorry, you can't change my mind on that part." (Y/N) smiled. "Yuri's waiting for me. He doesn't trust me at the moment, but I'm making progress. I'll make sure to visit you again, Mrs. Briar. We're in-laws now, so take care of yourself." 

        (Y/N) stood up from the dirt, swiping the dirt and grass off her feet as she bowed, showing her respects to Yuri's mother before running back and joining Yuri. 

        "You have a nice conversation?" Yuri questioned, starting up the car.

        "She told me to tell you that I'm her favorite girl you've ever brought to meet her." (Y/N) joked.         

        "You're the first one." Yuri deadpanned.

        "It's a joke." (Y/N) explained. "But, in actuality. I bet she was really lovely. I mean, she's a good listener, that's for sure."

        "Whatever." Yuri smiled, resisting the urge to laugh. "Let's go home. Find a movie to watch or something. We still have the day off." 

        It's a learning process for the both of them, to learn how to share a space and cooperate with each other. (Y/N) was raised to deceive and kill, Yuri was raised to follow his heart's content (even if his life goal is a bit... peculiar). It's a lot of work to be around someone when you've been alone for most of your life.

        (Y/N) didn't have a family to return to, a friend to tell secrets to and for them to stay alive long enough to keep, a crush to confess to. She had to become everything she wanted; her family, her home, her best friend, and her number one supporter. Yuri didn't have a mother or father to greet once he's come home from school. It also didn't help his sister was working a lot to help support him. He was never greeted home with a warm home cooked meal from mother and a football session afterwards. He didn't have time for things a normal boy would do; get into trouble with his friends, ask a girl out, or even play childish games such as "tag". Now that they have each other, they can be each other's friends, family, perhaps over time, even lovers. Even though they've both been hurt by their afflictions to either the West or East, they can still learn to care and love each other. 

        After all, as the saying goes, only time can heal a broken heart. 

        BONUS! (Daily life + headcannons!):

        This is intended for the Yuri Briar x Fem! Spy! (Y/N) series and there are SPOILERS for the story down below! Click here to read the first chapter: Part 1.

        (Y/N) and Yuri wake up at 5 A.M., a good ten minutes is spent of Yuri fighting (Y/N) out of bed. 

        It's become a habit for (Y/N) to make them both coffee while Yuri reads the daily newspaper. 

        Depending on how much work they had the previous day and how they feel, they either make breakfast together or go out to eat at a nearby breakfast club. 

        (Y/N) and Yuri either drive to work or take the bus, it really depends on how Yuri is feeling (did Yuri drink last night or no?) 

        Yuri refuses for (Y/N) to drive since he's convinced she'll try and drive them off a bridge. 

        Yuri once had to take (Y/N) to the clinic to get her flu shot and was awestruck at how scared she was of needles ([Y/N] cried before they even stuck a needle into her).

        (Y/N) is afraid of needles because of how many she had to see during her time in the Westalis military. Needles usually didn't mean good things. Since there were many injuries in the war and not many supplies or technology, some nurses and doctors had to bullshit their way through things. She saw someone have a bad reaction to one of the needles and it traumatized her since then. 

        Yuri holds her hand when she gets shots (she almost broke his hand from holding it so tight, but Yuri sucked it up [despite having a terrible pain tolerance] and didn't let her see in case she got worried for him). 

        Flower ([Y/N]'s stuffed bunny) was retrieved in the rubble of (Y/N)'s childhood house by Hujo and given back to her at the military shelter. Flower was a toy her father had given her once and it's only the only physical thing she has of her childhood home.

        (Y/N) has a short temper but tries her best to hide it (especially since she lives with Yuri now, everyday is a patience test). 

        (Y/N) sleep-talks (Yuri figured that out the hard way). 

        (Y/N) and Yuri once watched a horror movie together in a drive-in theater. That same night, (Y/N) muttered phrases the demons said in the movies, Yuri was convinced (Y/N) somehow got possessed and hit her awake with a pillow (he did not apologize after [Y/N] explained that she sleep-talks).

        (Y/N) adores Anya and spoils her. (Y/N) doesn't believe she'll find real love in the future, so she doesn't believe she'll have kids (either she won't find someone, or she'll die from the SSS or WISE). Because of this, (Y/N) treats Anya like her own daughter and spoils her with peanuts (Anya likes [Y/N] more because of this). 

        Yuri once had a two-hour study session teaching (Y/N) and Anya basic algebra (the girls both ended up falling asleep as Yuri quietly muttered to himself about how hopeless they are).

        When Yuri got shot during their mission saving one of the Eden Academy buses, (Y/N) refused to leave Yuri's side during the whole healing process. 

        When (Y/N) feels guilty of deceiving Yuri (go to part 8 to understand why), she cooks a lot for him. Her father once told her that food is a way to a man's heart and she fully believes that.

        (Y/N) once ran into one of the WISE agents with Yuri in public, but the agent didn't know Yuri was apart of the SSS! The agent tried to talk to (Y/N) but got punched in the face by (Y/N) who claimed he was a pervert (it was that or being executed). 

        Yuri keeps a close eye on (Y/N) in public, not only so he can make sure he doesn't try and run away, but also so (Y/N) doesn't get injured since she's very clumsy (he lost count with how many times he watched her trip over air or walk straight into still poles). He walks on the side with traffic so she doesn't accidentally walk into ongoing traffic.

        Yuri falls asleep really easy since he's tired from his job, but he'll secretly wait until (Y/N) sleeps so that he knows she's not getting up to any mischief (is what he says, in actuality, he enjoys spending his time with (Y/N). 

        The teddy bear (Y/N) gave Yuri in part 9 is now (Y/N)'s pillow (even though it was meant for Yuri). Yuri gets very jealous of it; he can deal with the small stuffed-rabbit, but the huge teddy bear taking up his bed is very annoying since (Y/N) will subconsciously hold it in her sleep instead of Yuri. 

        I hoped you enjoyed this fanfic and thank you for your requests and support! Feel free to ask for anything else or any other characters from my masterlist! This applies to everyone reading, follower or not!

[ngkiscool]

The Secret Garden

For @jewsinfandoms 3rd prompt "Past and Future", a short story about Newt.

It started in a garden. No, not that one, humans hadn't been there in a long time, and there is no telling when, if at all, they would come back.

This story is about another garden, a much smaller and less known one, tucked away between a cinema and a church. This story is about a place nestled in London's back alleys, and the kid who found there their refugee.

The thing is, Newton had a burning and totally unrequited passion for things electrical. He watched in amazement at the new digital billboards in the streets, was fascinated by the showcases who proudly displayed the latest televisions, and visited the radio shop with reverence others keep for holy places.

Sadly, the billboards flickered and die if he looked at them for too long, as well as the televisions. Even the radio shop had limited the areas he was allowed to explore, after one too many "experiments" that went wrong.

As much as he loved technology, sometimes he just wanted to sit in a place where he could be himself. Somewhere he could move freely, without having to be careful about his next step. So, when he found a quiet place, without electricity that he might ruin, he sat gratefully on an unoccupied bench and tried to relax before going out to the main street again.

"What are you doing here, kid?"

The short feeling of freedom was interrupted, and Newt hurried to open his eyes and find an old and angry looking person looking at him. "Sorry, sir, I just needed a place to rest."

"Where are your friends? Hiding somewhere, planning to vandalize the garden?"

"I… don't have friends."

Something softened in the man's face. "Is that so? Well, you better take that shovel and start tending to the flower bench".

Newt hurried to do as he was told, this time, without fear he would break something. He worked there until night had fallen and it was too dark to see, busy with one task or another, until the man said it was time to leave the garden.

Several days had passed before Newt thought of the garden, and tried to return to it. It had taken him several weeks to realise he did not remember where exactly it was, and several more years until he gave up the search completely.

By then he was a grown up, with grown-ups problems. Finding work had been challenging, saving the world even more troublesome, and having a girlfriend, for the first time in his life… Well, that was a whole new experience.

When Anathema and he walked the streets of London together for the first time, many years later, he was too happy with her company to see anything else. Only her joyful cry when she spotted a bench brought him back to reality, and he saw that at last, after all those years, he returned to the garden he spent so long looking for.

A man appeared in front of them, even though he could have sworn the garden was empty just a few seconds ago. Something about him looked familiar, but once the man ordered him to pick up a shovel he remembered.

"How… How can it be?"

Anathema looked at him, smiling. Newt had told her about his search for the lost garden, and now she understood. "Should have known it was you, Crowley, who helped Newt all those years ago."

"Not helped," spluttered the demon. "Exploited! He worked 'til he had blisters!"

"Of course, how could I think otherwise. How can I help?"

The rest of the day passed quickly, filled with hard work and laughter. And this time, when Newt left the garden, he knew he could always find the way back.  

[msniceon]

Midnight tea party

Summary:

A daily fragment about Tom Hiddleston invited his close friend Chris Hemsworth to have a tea party together, Tom's first person point of view, a part of plot about my own swap Thor series mention in the middle and a little bit out of friends hint at the end of the work.

Generally speaking, spending a wonderful night with Chris Hemsworth ( Well, Chris Evan is also a proper person but today isn’t his home court) at home or anywhere else with no camera or microphone instead of busy dealing with texts and acts on script will be my priority—well, if I have a chance to solve the multiple choice question. I mean, acting in dramas and accepting interviews are my responsibilities, however, who can refuse to relax your nerves with a close friend after an exhausting week or more?

Why not? He is absolutely a nice guy who can get along with me in a cozy and pleasant way. It's okay to share our thoughts in private without hesitation, and facing a bunch of journalists together with him is always better than an individual.

There is only one special case which even makes me frightened to find Chris approaches—as we are located in Thor series, immersively working on the film with our own bodies. I know audiences are incapable of believing that all the scenes they have seen during the playback are real without any special effects or props, but this is the truth. As a result, when Chris and I fought against each other with gorgeous magic and Mjolnir, we were dancing on the tip of a knife which was red-hot by fire since every attack we launched was serious and may have caused injury or even death sometimes. 

Since Thor is the main character so the man behind the scene won’t let him die, the one who needs to be concerned about his own health is always me, who was designed to be an anti-hero or villain in some people’s opinion during the movie—well, haven’t I told you this is a swap type comparing with the films which you are familiar with? For example, Loki becomes the candidate for king of Asgard in Thor 1, though he still keeps the setting of frost giant bloodline which Frigga already told him in his childhood in this story, he is proficient at flame magic to break stereotypes and prove himself. He also gains the title ‘god of fire’ for this.

Oh, I really talk too much about the reverse plot though, just to get the conclusion that staying with Chris is always expected by showing enough evidence. This can well explain the reason for me to sit behind the dining table, facing him, several desserts and tea sets made by ceramics at my home. Although our British don’t have afternoon tea as frequently as foreigners imagine, it’s still a perfect way to kill time with friends for me.

“Well, I’m still a little bit worried that we are drinking too much tea tonight.” As an Australian, Chris may be unfamiliar with British tea-related ritual, but he does know 8pm isn’t the appropriate time for neither tea nor sweetie.

“Once I sent you a message five hours earlier than now, but you replied you were on the way just twenty minutes ago.” I sip the black tea in my cup and can’t help laughing as Chris starts to describe his full life by using the beginning “as we all know, Mr.Hemsworth isn’t a business man though he is truly dealing with his ‘busyness’!”

“Mr.Hiddleston got the same, fortunately they have each other beside.” I stand up with my tea utensils to reach him and pet on his shoulder after finishing this sentence. Chris widens his sky-colored eyes in surprise, then smiles back and raises his tiny cup to clink glasses with me. 

“Since you said that, don’t subconsciously keep away from Mr.Hemsworth any more when he normally passes by or greets you okay, Tom?” Chris pulls down his lip corners and frowns to make his face look depressed, but only seconds of staring successfully lets both of us burst into laughter. We seldom—in other words, almost never, except for essential issues—use our acting techniques on one another in daily interactions, which means we are only Chris and Tom in the eyes of the other party, not Thor and Loki, or anyone else. This thought makes me feel comfortable and valued, hope Chris gets the sensation as well.

Our communication doesn’t go on until neither of us wears a smile on face. I clear my throat to start a new topic, “Tom didn’t run from you, but Loki did. You obviously know what will happen if the two princes of Asgard meet. Fight, trick or accident, sometimes they even come together.”

“Well, if my memory is accurate, the only incident which included all these three conditions is about Loki unexpectedly induced Thor to drop from Bifröst by using a phantom. That definitely is the most horrible thing I ever experienced.” Chris’s facial expression turns to grave while he recollects the weird plot we got. I know the pain and unbearable guilt that every individual of our crew endure as he or she has no choice but to follow the lines, wound close friends in reality as well as suffer from their attack.

“I’ll do anything as long as I can find the culprit.” After the sentence with half guarantee and half consolation speaks out, just like a naughty troublemaker secretly stole our communication topics, the atmosphere of bizarre silence starts to spread between us. I move my chair beside Chris and sit down side by side, without batting an eyelid.

A moment later, it feels like Chris puts his hand around my shoulder, following the intimate action, his breath comes closer. “Come on, Tom, let’s change the place and do somewhat else, shall we? I'm probably not gonna sit still or think philosophy all night, even if I’m with you.”

“Even if I’m your Juliet, dear Romeo?” These two jokingly names come from an interview with both me and Chris, we were not serious then—at least for me. I seldom crack a jest like this, the natural tone with a little bit of rebuke I revealed also makes me myself shocked.

“Wow, Tom. I used to consider you as a quiet, restrained British gentleman.” Chris smiles with some obscure ulterior motives, “How could you remember an insignificant episode for such a long time?”

“Maybe that means I’m earnest at that second? Who knows.” I shrug as I try my best to reach my teacup in Chris’s arm.

“To speak more formally, you are the person who understands your own feelings, and I…I’m quite curious about the answer. If this offends you, you can just forget it and accept my sincere apology, after all, for fun only.” Chris asks the question by cutting it from the side, which leads to his gentle and vague attitude. Do I ever have a reason to skip it?

“Y’know, the same as yours.” I point at Chris and wink obviously. I've finished my job, the rest development depends on his personal understanding.

“Did you just acquiesce to my following steps by behaving like this, Tom?” Chris takes away his hand, begins to hold my shoulders instead. I can clearly see there’s some fierce emotion under the ice wall created by the calm blue in his attractively charming eyes. I’m not sure if I made the right choice. “Uhh…Yes?” I blink since Chris brings me to the sofa opposite the television.

[asoulofatlantis]

Okay... since I may or may not have lost my last ounce of self-control yesterday and may or may not couldn’t help but buy a PS5 with FF16 I may or may not have to make sure that I finish this games main story a bit faster. Not as in doing it in a rush, but as in, not watching those past-storylines that I don’t really care about until I feel like doing it. So... today we only watch the “Down the Rabbit Hole” - Storyline for absolutly non-shipper reasons of course XD (As this is the only chance aside from the final chapter to get Alisa and Rean together...) and then we watch “To your bledded Future” which is a boringisch but also very wholesome.

So lets get the party started!

I love how we are here to get Lammy back. What would Millium be without Airgetlam? But that is also so typical Cold Steel. Instead of, you know having Millium adjust to a new combat shell or something like that, we just get an Airgetlam back that is... you know the Lammy we all know and love. Because bo even combatshells truly die in the Cold Steel Saga XD

First try. Last time I played this I so damn desperately tried to get their link-event and I almost failed. This time... the first monster shows up and here we are XD Seriously, I have to admit I am still a bit unhappy about the downgrade from the CS4 link-event... but we got the usual high-five that not just is something those two have always done, but a lot of other ships actually have as their link event. Including Estelle and Joshua. I guess when it comes to this, we can say that Body-contact in some way, shape or form is the deciding factor. Although nothing can beat Millium and Jusis in that regard. They do not just have a double high-five, Millium is actually leaning her back against Jusis Torso and its just so... ♥ That aside, I think going for Alisa and Rean with a “Its like you can read my mind” themen for their Dialoge just eases into how their relationship is portrayed in this game. Which is as “No more word necessary” and that is more than enough for me.

Alright... lets get back to getting back Airgetlam.

Is there still anyone out there who truly believes I like that sidestory for the plot? ^^’ (Its really not bad tho... its just... I have totally different Priorities XD)

Reans Priority Ladys and Gentleman. Thats my boy.

And here we have Jusis Priority Ladys and Gentleman.

After these two scenes following each other I will like singing: “I am sailing! I am sailing!” XD

Gotta love Millium XD

Aren't they adorable? I could kiss those two for their cuteness and shippiness ♥ And who would have seen this coming back in the day of CS1 and CS2?

I am not crying! You are! *sniff*

And here is the surprise guest for our reunion-party! A dead man sending us one last final message.

*lol* Now that we have lightened the mood... XD we can tell Millium that we already have far too many girls with huge busting boobies... *breakt into laughter* You really gotta love that girl.

And he loved him for it.

One of the many reasons that the Trails-Series brings me so much joy and has the power to love so many amazing (and sometimes not so amazing XD) characters, is because of the fact that moving on to a new saga never erases the existence of the previous characters or what they did and who they are. And over the span of the years that pass us by in game while jumping from Saga to Saga, you have the wonderful opportunity to see those characters that you know and love or come to love eventually grow in every possible way. Physically, emotionally and also their relationships evolve over these times. It leaves me speechless to think, that Schera and Olivert actually truly fell in love with each other, came together and now got to be married and will soon (SPOILER!) add a new member to my dearly beloved Reise Arnor Family... after all we’ve been through and after the events of the Sky Saga. I mean, that is the same woman who once drunk Olivert under the table and now she is going to marry him. It... just makes me so happy to see my beloved characters get the happy ending their truly deserve after watching them grow *cries tears of joy*

It truly was not XD

[theladyofbloodshed]

Part One ¦ Part Two ¦ Part Three ¦ Part Four ¦ Part Five ¦ Part Six ¦ Part Seven ¦ Part Eight ¦ Part Nine ¦ Part Ten ¦ Part Eleven

Part Twelve - Build up to the finale!

The man clasped his hands together in his lap. Lucien had settled on a fallen log, crossing his legs together, while the horse snuffled at the ground nearby. The amusement rarely left his face.

‘Just so that I fully understand your plan. You want me to give you a horse from the high lord’s stables - for free - so that you can cross the entire length of the Spring Court.’

‘Yes,’ Nesta said with exasperation. She wasn’t sure if she had come across the village idiot. He was very slow. Lucien had asked her to explain how she knew Cassian then why she was going to him then why she wanted a horse then why her village had tried to sacrifice her in the first place. Then repeated his questions.

‘I see. And then what’s your plan because you’d have to cross the Autumn Court.’

‘Well, I will do that.’

Lucien snorted with laughter. ‘No, you won’t.’

‘Yes, I will.’

‘The high lord did this to me,’ Lucien said, tapping the long scar that tore through his face, ‘I can assure you that if, by divine intervention, you made it to the Autumn borders, my brothers would have such fun with a mortal who’d wandered into their land.’

‘Then I’ll ride through the Summer Court.’

‘And then presumably, full of vigour, you will cross the frozen wasteland that is the Winter Court before, of course, crossing the Middle. A place that is unmapped and full of ancient creatures that even many fae would die against. Then the Dawn Court. Then the Day Court. Then the mountains of the Night Court. And through all of this, nobody will stop you, you won’t ever run out of food - that I am also supposed to supply - or come into any harm?’

‘Yes.’

Lucien clapped his hands, throwing a laugh over his shoulder. ‘How I wish to have the confidence of a mortal.’

‘You’re boring me now,’ Nesta said, getting off from the other end of the log and heading back towards the Wall.

‘Wait a moment,’ he called, following after her. The first rays of sun were filtering in through the trees, catching on his red hair. This man was the type of fae that Nesta imagined from stories; pointed ears, fine clothes, and a wicked beauty. ‘What is the reason to reach the general?’

Nesta could not explain it. With every day that passed without Cassian, a burning sensation had flooded her chest. She had thought she could forget him. Thought that she might be able to remain in the cabin. She’d have died at the hands of her people if it made her a martyr, but something had ignited in her chest so Nesta couldn’t remain stagnant. It was his name that pounded in her ears, driving every decision. It felt as if a string had tied them together. Nesta could feel the distance between her and Cassian as if the string was pulled taut. She only had to follow it to find him.

‘He owes me something,’ she lied.

‘You would risk your life for it?’ He pinched the bridge of his nose. ‘I don’t know why I am warning you, but the Night Court is wicked. Whatever he has promised you, you will find nothing good in the Hewn City, my lady, only pain.’

‘What’s the Hewn City?’

Lucien’s face puzzled. ‘It is their main city where the high lord resides – and presumably the general.’

‘No, they live in Velaris.’

‘Velaris?’

‘The City of Starlight.’

A strange expression seized Lucien. It worried Nesta. Worried her enough to turn and flee. Nesta’s feet did not stop, not as she hurled herself through the crack in the Wall, or as her boots skidded across the hard snow back in her land.

***

Cassian was slumped on the bed with one of his wings draped across the floor, in the same position he’d been in for days. Mor had brought endless dishes then returned them to the kitchen hours later untouched. He only drank scant amounts of water when she needled at him to at least sip it.

Rhys squeezed onto a spot on the mattress though Cassian didn’t respond to his presence. His brother’s skin was sallow, the chipper mood he usually brandished at them all stowed away.

‘I’ve made a decision,’ he said gently.

‘You’ll sever our bond?’

Did Cassian truly believe that Rhys would do that to him? How could he deny his brother something so sacred? He’d risk his court for his brother’s happiness. Damn the consequences, he loved Cassian.

‘I thought I was doing the right thing for both of you by keeping you apart. I can see now that it was wrong. And I’m sorry I did that.’

Rhys had not realised the physical effects it would have. He couldn’t bear to see Cassian fade further. Cassian who was the life and soul of every room with his easy smiles and booming laugh.

‘I was wrong.’

There were mates who went their whole lives without ever meeting. Despite the odds, they had found each other. And he had tried to come between that. Maybe the Mother had guided them there – and Rhys had thought to intervene against the divine right of fate.

Nesta had accepted the bond, no matter if she did not know, and the effects of denying the frenzy likely attributed to her own bizarre behaviour.

‘I can see her again?’ Cassian sat up, hope brimming in his hazel eyes for the first time in days.

Rhys swallowed. ‘We’ll bring her to Velaris. And… I want to bring her sisters.’

‘You’ve gone from no mortals to bringing three. What’s happened?’

The wards were still firmly around the cabin as Rhys explained to Cassian that Nesta’s village would be trying her as a witch and he feared the retribution that might fall on the other sisters if they could not catch their witch. That and Nesta might be more comfortable in Velaris with her mortal sisters as company – at least to have others to grow alongside. Cassian remained calm throughout even as Rhys spoke of Nesta’s new decorations, the strange symbol she’d drawn in blood on her floor, the pyres. But at the mention of the Wall and Nesta pushing through to the Spring Court, he snapped up from the bed.

‘We’re going to get her now.’

Rhys held out his hands. ‘It needs to be when it’s dark. It’s too dangerous.’

‘You’ll risk her going to Spring?’

‘It will be no easy feat to bring three mortals here, Cass. We have to wait until its dark.’

Despite Cassian’s anger, it was a good sign. At the prospect of reuniting with his mate, his brother was slowly coming back to life. The only other hurdle that Rhys could conceive of would be the frenzy itself. The denial of the frenzy was to protect Nesta more than anything, but he could see now that keeping them apart was doing more harm than good. His brother would need to leash his instincts, be delicate with her. And after seeing Cassian naked too many times to count over five hundred years, he had a real fear that Nesta would be impaled.

They agreed that they’d go in darkness – although Cassian had no choice in the matter. It was darkness or not at all, Rhys had warned him. He had also warned him that they would be collecting the sisters first because he didn’t doubt Cassian would lose all other responsibilities the moment that he saw Nesta.

In the meantime, he instructed his brother to shower and shave or Nesta would scream at the sight of him.

‘One more thing, the father. What do you know?’

Cassian shrugged. ‘Nesta hates him. Says he’s useless.’

‘Then he stays in the mortal lands.’

 ***

The burning pain refused to leave Nesta’s chest that day. It was an itch she was unable to scratch. Her fingernails had torn open her skin as she scratched her body, trying to soothe it. She had managed only a few hours of fragmented sleep in the light before she’d been forced out into the snow to slather handfuls on her skin to cool it.

In her plan, Nesta would wait until the first sign of villagers to light her enormous pyres then set the roof on fire. It would leave them with little doubts that she was a witch. They were superstitious enough folk. Once they sighted her with a broom disappearing off to Prythian, that would have them pissing in their breeches.

The only snag was that she could not concentrate. Cassian had become an all-consuming thought in her mind. She had touched herself five times in between rubbing snow on her body. Every memory in this cabin was replayed on a loop in her mind. He wouldn’t have offered her the opportunity to come to Prythian, if he didn’t mean it. He’d laugh when he found out what she did and then hopefully this damned itching would stop.

On the sixth time that Nesta found herself beneath the covers and thinking of Cassian’s body, somebody hammered on the door.

‘I know you’re in there, mortal.’

That damned Vanserra man.

Nesta opened the door a crack. ‘I can’t entertain today.’

He jammed his toe in the door, wincing slightly as she still tried to slam it. His wince soon shifted to a strange sort of delight.

‘I hope you were thinking of me when you were doing that.’

If her cheeks had felt warm before, they were positively scorching now. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’

Lucien continued grinning until Nesta smashed the door against his boot again.

‘I’m trying to help you, you impossible female,’ he complained. ‘Let me in a moment. It’s dangerous for me out here.’

‘That’s not really motivation, Lucien.’

Suddenly, all his weight pressed towards the wood. He was far stronger than she expected. So Nesta leapt away and Lucien came staggering in.

‘What’s with all the blo-’

Nesta swung her broom over Lucien’s spine as he bent to examine her markings on the floor.

‘That was not nice,’ he reprimanded, rubbing his back. ‘You really are a witch.’

‘Does it look convincing?’

‘The sprinkling of offal on the step is a nice touch.’

Begrudgingly, Nesta brewed tea but kept her eyes trained on the strange male examining the marks she’d carved crudely into the wall with her knife. As they drank, he confessed that he felt guilty to leave her in the cabin alone with her village out for her blood. Nesta didn’t know him well enough. She ought to have been suspicious, but the man had something likeable about him. Something trustworthy.

‘I will take you to the Night Court.’

‘You’ll do what? You’ll ride with me all the way? Truly?’

Lucien let out a low laugh as he swirled the dregs of his tea. ‘Absolutely not. I don't blisters on my backside. If either high lord catches wind of this, I am dead. But I will winnow you.’

‘Winnow?’

He pinched two portions of the table cloth together. ‘Like stepping between two points. A long-distance travel method. You’d have to hold my hand.’

‘Sounds terrible. I shan’t enjoy that.’

He smiled again. ‘Lucky for you it will take only moments. And I am risking my neck for you.’

The terrible scar on his face had stopped dominating Nesta’s view of him. He gave smiles freely, his humour as dry and sarcastic as her own. It helped that he dressed exquisitely. The fawn-coloured breeches were immaculate with no flecks of mud or snow on them. His waist coat was embroidered with golden leaves and vines. Far prettier than Cassian's dirty leathers.

Nesta drummed two fingers on the table top. ‘Why?’

‘Because I’m curious.’

‘Maybe,’ she said, narrowing her eyes, ‘But you almost shat yourself when I mentioned Cassian’s name so why would you risk yourself for an impossible mortal that you don’t know?’

‘I cannot in good conscience let you try and cross Prythian where you would undoubtedly meet a disastrous end. I cannot believe you haven’t already been killed in the woods by naga.’

‘Cassian won’t hurt me.’

‘Then I’d rather deliver you into the jaws of the wolf itself and know at least you go to your chosen death.’  

‘I don’t believe that,’ she said. ‘I think you’d table-cloth me back here if you did have doubts that Cassian would lay his hands on me. You could have told your high lord that I was stealing from him – and you still haven’t. I think you’re a good man.’

‘Stop or you’ll make me blush.’  His smile lasted only fractions of a second. ‘Cauldron, witch, will you stop scratching yourself. Have you got fleas?’

‘My body is desperate for Cassian,’ Nesta admitted with a grimace, as she showed Lucien all the strange blotches that had shown up on her body in the last couple of days. The more she thought of him, the worse it got - and she couldn't stop thinking of him.

‘You don’t have the plague, do you? I’ve heard mortals are vectors for disease.’

‘How dare you.’

Lucien clapped his hands together. ‘When darkness falls, I’ll use my magic and help you set this place on fire then we go. My final offer. Then I never have to worry about completely unhinged females sneaking into my court again.’

@mis-lil-red

[leossmoonn]

Unrequited Love || Part One

masterlist

pairing - 1920!stefan salvatore x new vamp, fem!reader

type - angst, fluff

note - thank you to @ssoldier-whoore for giving me this idea! 16+ series

summary - stefan teaches you how to be a vampire while you fall in love with him

warnings / includes - mild language, crude humor, blood feeding, violence, murder, kissing, crying, fighting. you are a lot more bolder than probably how women were in the ‘20s but i cant write quiet and reserved and obedient lmao. part two is at the end of the story!

————

*gif isn’t mine*

you never imagined yourself with an eternity to live, but here you were, a newly-born vampire that could die if you didn’t feed in 24 hours.

you had just been turned unwillingly by the infamous original hyprid, and the ripper of monterey. well, the ripper turned you, the hyprid just picked you out of a crowd for him to turn. you didn’t understand what you did to deserve this, but apparently the universe had dealt you a bad hand. now you were going to be a monster forever.

“just let me die!” you groaned. “no can do,” stefan shook his head.

“why? it’s not like you had actual plans for me,” you stated.

“true, but i can already tell that you’re a fighter. you’ll be a good asset and an interesting student,” stefan explained.

“i don’t want to be an asset or your student. i was happy when i was human, why did you have to ruin that?” you cried.

“because you looked pretty lonely at the party, love,” klaus said.

“i wasn’t lonely, i was with my friends!” you exclaimed.

“your friends who left to admire the entertainment while you wanted a night out to not focus on anyone but yourselves? no offense, but they seem horrible,” klaus laughed.

you rolled your eyes, “i hate you,”

“not very ladylike for a young woman in her twenties,” stefan remarked.

“it’s not the 1800s. women have rights now,” you spat.

“you’re right,” stefan nodded. “yeah, which means i should’ve had a right to choose whether or not i wanted to live like a murderer for the rest of my life!” you complained.

“how do you even know about vampires?” stefan asked.

“you guys don’t exactly lay low. my mom also fell in love with this vampire dude. said he was “the sweetest, most charming and sexy guy ever”. like, yeah i thought he was hot, too, but he’s the devil,” you explained.

“what was his name?” klaus asked. “derek… darren… i don’t know. something with a ‘d’,” you thought.

“damon?” stefan guessed. you looked to him, eyes wide. “yeah! how do you know him? are you all in a secret vampire-hyprid club?”

“no, he’s my brother,” he sighed.

your jaw dropped and you burst out in laughter. “no way! him and my mom used to wake my brother and i every night. i guess he was good in the sack.”

stefan cringed as klaus laughed with you.

“please, stop talking,” stefan said. “no, please go on! how long did damon and your mother date?” klaus asked.

“about three months. they were only together for the sex, obviously. my mom has gotten remarried since. that was, like, five years ago, i think. wow time has passed.” you laughed a little, making eye contact with klaus and stefan. your smile faltered, “why am i even telling you both this? you ruined my life.”

“i think you’re just saying that because you don’t like being controlled,” stefan said.

“i mean, i don’t like being controlled, but it’s true. my heart is dead, i can run super fast, i have fangs, and my main source of nutrition is human blood. i used to have a beating heart, below-average stamina, regular canines, and oh yeah, burgers, smoothies, and fruit were my favorite foods. now i’ll never get to have those again.”

“not true, you can still eat those foods. blood just keeps you alive,” stefan corrected you.

“doesn’t matter! i am not drinking blood and you two are not making me.” you crossed your arms over your chest, standing your ground.

stefan and klaus looked at each other grinning.

“you won’t be saying that when you have one little drop,” klaus stated.

“doubt that. i’m not swayed easily,” you scoffed.

“one moment, please.” stefan ran into the speakeasy you all were outside of, bringing back one of your friends.

“oh, hey, y/n! we were wondering where you — ah!” he started to screamed. stefan broke his arm and sunk his teeth into his neck.

“connor, no! what the hell!” you exclaimed, running over to pry stefan off of him. but as you breathed in, you got a strong whiff of connor’s blood, stopping all your movements as you breathed in deeply.

your mouth started salivating and you felt your fangs grow out of your gums. your eyes became red, veins appearing under your eyes and going down to your cheekbones. you were absolutely horrified by what you were feeling, but your hunger overtook you just slightly.

“c’mon, y/n, go ahead and take a sip.” stefan held connor’s neck out to you.

you gulped, trying to back away, but your feet moved you forwards. you had never felt so uncomfortable in your life. connor had been one of your longest friends ever since childhood, and now you were going to kill him. how could you ever explain this to your friends and his family?

“don’t fight it, love,” klaus appeared behind you, holding your shoulders and whispering in your ear.

tears welled up in your eyes as you fought the instinct to feed. you shook your head, crying as klaus pushed you closer to connor.

“please, anyone else but him. please,” you begged.

“begging won’t get you anywhere, love,” klaus stated.

“stop! please!” you screamed, your eyes glowing a dark red as you smelled connor’s blood.

you had to get out of there. you whipped around, kicking klaus’s feet, causing him to let go of you and fall to his knees. you then grabbed his neck, twisting and breaking it surprisingly easily. you then ran away, shocked by how fast you were going, but you didn’t look back. you were getting as far away from those two as you could.

“damn newbie strength,” stefan muttered. he ripped connors head off, letting the body drop to the ground. he threw the head behind his shoulder, picking klaus up and throwing his body over his shoulder.

he followed you, trying to guess where you went. he finally you five miles out in the woods, crying against a tree.

“hello, sweetheart,” he said.

your head shot up to look at him, air getting caught in your throat. 

“d-don’t call me that,” you stammered. “or what? you gonna snap my neck? well, guess what, i’ll come back alive and just track you all over again,” he smirked.

“just let me go, please. i won’t tell anyone about you, and i’ll keep my vampirism a secret, i promise. i-i’ll just live like a human again. no one has to know who you and klaus are,” you pleaded, hoping to reason with him.

“i would say yes to that except that you have no idea how to be a vampire. you haven’t even fed yet. i’d hate to see you die just because you were being stubborn.”

“i’ll feed. just teach what i need to know and you can leave me be.”

“i don’t think i can trust you,” stefan hummed. “you’ll earn my trust. i promise,” you held up your pinky. it was stupid, you knew, but it was the only way you figured you could get out of their captivity.

stefan chuckled, “you think a pinky promise will make me trust you? what are you, five?”

“i don’t know what else to do!” you exclaimed, exasperated.

“capture one of your friends and kill them,” he said.

“not this again. can’t it be anyone else?” you groaned.

“no. you want to prove loyalty, you will do whatever it takes,” he stated.

you rolled your eyes. “fine, but we are like. six miles out.”

“you know how to use your vampire speed. go and get one of your friends, bring them back here, feed, and kill them like how you attempted to kill klaus,” stefan instructed.

“fine,” you turned around, running back to the speakeasy. you ran into the club, stopping in the shadows as you spotted your friends.

klaus and stefan were right, you weren’t having fun tonight. your friends had abandoned you, but that wasn’t reason enough to kill them. you supposed you could pick someone random and say it was your friend, but they were obviously smarter than that. you decided to pick the newest friend in your group, lucille. you had never liked her anyways. killing her might not bring much guilt.

you ran and grabbed her by the arm quickly, running back to stefan and klaus. you stopped abruptly, lucille looking around confused.

“y/n, what are we doing here? and how were you running so fast?” she asked.

“sorry, lucille. hope you kissed lucas goodbye,” you said right before you sunk your teeth into her. you drank from her carotid, impressing stefan and klaus, who was now awake. they didn’t expect you to know where the best feeding area was in the neck.

you were so hungry. you didn’t expect the blood to taste so good. you tried to pull away, but you couldn’t. your body wouldn’t let you until there was no blood left in lucille’s system. you pried your head away, your eyes a dark crimson and your mouth and chin dripping with blood. without thinking, you snapped her neck, letting her body fall to the ground.

it took you a few moments to realize what you had just done. as the blood lust faded, tears welled up in your eyes and you dropped down to your knees, taking lucille in your arms.

“no, no, no! i’m sorry,” you cried. “i-i didn’t mean to kill you.”

“i think you did, love,” klaus smirked.

your head whipped over to him, tears and blood mixing as they dripped off your face. you looked to stefan, seeing a smug smirk on his face.

“happy, now? is this the loyalty you wanted me to show?” you held up lucille’s limp body. she weighed down your arms, her eyes staring right at you, wide and filled with fear.

“yes. i have to tell you, i am impressed. we both are. we didn’t think you knew where the carotid artery was,” he said.

“i used to help my sister study to be a nurse and picked up a few things, which is not the point. i did what you asked, so can you just teach me everything and let me go now?” you asked.

“is this the deal you two made?” klaus asked. stefan shrugged, “she obviously doesn’t want to be held captive, which i can understand. once we teach her everything she needs to know, we can let her go.”

“alright,” klaus nodded. “well, first lesson will be feeding.”

“didn’t i just do that?” you asked.

“yes, but you did it with no control. granted, stefan did tell you to kill her, but you need to learn how much blood you can take from a human before they pass out. it’ll be helpful to know so you don’t get captured and killed,” he explained.

“okay. how much blood can i drink from someone?” you asked.

“about two liters,” stefan said. your eyes bulged out of your head. “that’ll kill someone!”

“not of you drink just under that,” stefan shrugged.

“is gaining control easy?” you asked.

“depends. from what we just saw, it won’t be easy for you,” stefan said.

“great,” you muttered. “can we get on with it, then?”

“eager, are we?” klaus grinned. “yeah, eager to get away from you two,” you remarked.

you started to walk back to the city. stefan and klaus followed you, staying on high alert in case you started to run.

“she’s difficult. you couldn’t have picked another one?” klaus asked under his breath.

“if she was too easy, it would be boring. she’s strong, witty, and honestly, funny. she’ll be a great student,” stefan shrugged.

“what is it with you wanted a student now? do you want to turn someone else into a ripper so you don’t feel alone?” klaus smirked.

stefan glared at him. “you’re a ripper.”

“yes, but what about having one that is female. one that could be more?”

stefan scoffed, “i can’t feel love or any of those disgusting emotions.”

“well, she can. i wouldn’t be surprised if she developed a crush on you. i can already tell by the way she looks at you that she likes you. her conscious just hasn’t caught up yet.”

“she better realize it quickly before she gets her heart broken.”

“oh, you’d love to break her heart, wouldn’t you?”

stefan flashed klaus a grin, nodding in reply. he looked back to, listening as you hummed to yourself. although you were feisty, you were obedient when you wanted to be. he knew it was just to be free of the two rippers. he respected that and understood. he didn’t like feeling trapped either, hence why he had turned his humanity off. with this new information of your unconscious crush on him, he knew he could make this experience even more fun.

————

you had spent only two days with klaus and stefan, and the urge to kill them grew stronger and stronger.

so far they had taught you how to feed without losing control and how to kill someone and make it look like a bear or a mountain lion. now, they were teaching you how to compel somebody.

in the process of all of this, you couldn’t help but notice how close stefan always got to you. he would always stand near you, hold your arm, put his hand on your lower back. he would look at you longer than usual, smile at you and compliment your clothes or jokes. if you didn’t know any better, you would’ve thought that he was falling in love with you. but you knew about rippers and their tendency to play with people’s feelings and their inability to feel. you hoped you were strong enough not to fall into his trap.

“recite what we just told you,” klaus said.

“to compel, you have to look into the person’s eyes. make sure the only thing you are focused on is them. speak clearly and make sure they repeat what you said to them. then act like everything is normal,” you said.

“you are a natural! isn’t she?” klaus turned to stefan.

stefan looked you up and down shamelessly, smiling once he looked into your eyes. butterflies fluttered in your stomach. you cursed your body for having a reaction to him. you knew it was normal, but you still hated it. you felt like you were falling into his trap.

“yes, she is. good job,” stefan said.

“thanks,” you said, averting your gaze away from him. “so, who will be the unlikely victim?” you looked at klaus. 

he looked around the restaurant, spotting a couple who was currently fighting, but trying not to make a scene. 

“them. compel the man to forgive the woman and pay for her lunch,” klaus pointed. 

“alright, but what about the woman? won't it look weird if i just go up to him and tell him what to do?” you asked. 

“it won’t because she is leaving to go to the bathroom,” klaus said. 

you watched as she stomped away, wiping the tears off of her cheeks. you wasted no time in walking over to the man. 

“hi,” you smiled. “hello… gorgeous,” he flashed you a grin.

“thanks,” you said flatly. 

you looked into his brows eyes, staring directly at his pupil. 

“you will forgive your partner and pay for her lunch.” 

he looked at you confused. “what? how do you even -”

“you will forgive your partner and pay for her lunch,” you repeated. 

“look, lady, if you just want to leave with me, that’s all you have to -”

you grabbed his hand that was about to touch you, twisting his wrist so you sprained it. 

“you will forgive your partner and pay for her lunch,” you said sternly. 

you watched as his pupils dilated then went back to normal. 

“i will forgive my girlfriend and pay for her lunch,” he said. 

you let go of his wrist, smiling in triumph. “you will forget i came up to you and told you to do this.”

“i’ll forget you came up to me and told me to do this,” he repeated. 

you turned around on your heel, smirking smugly. 

“good job. we were worried you wouldn’t be able to do it,” klaus said. 

“she always succeeds,” stefan smiled. “thanks, stefan,” you gave him a smile. 

“of course,” he nodded. 

he began to stare at you for a long time again. you tried to tear your eyes away, but you couldn’t. although he was a monster, he was a handsome one. he had a way with words and his smile lit up the room, even though it was a devilish one. you knew all the compliments and teasing were part of his game, but you couldn’t help but get entranced. 

his green eyes were enticing, filled with mischief and wonder. you could get lost in them if you let yourself, but you couldn’t. with your emotions heightened and the fact you were very sensitive towards love, you couldn’t let yourself get wrapped up in your little crush that you admittedly had. 

“i’m going to go to the bathroom. can you get me a refill?” you pointed to your drink. 

you didn’t stick around long enough for them to confirm. you practically ran to the bathroom. you needed some space away from stefan. 

“looks like you’ve dazzled her,” klaus smirked. “she gets so hypnotised easily, it’s cute,” stefan chuckled. 

“so, you do like her?” klaus raised a brow.

“i don’t. i have no romantic feelings towards her whatsoever,” stefan shook his head. 

although he had no romantic feelings for you, he couldn’t deny that you were beautiful. that’s one of the reasons that made him choose you. no one had caught his eye in the speakeasy like you did. with his enhanced hearing he heard your laugh and voice, they were very pleasant to listen to. you had such kind eyes that he knew he could corrupt. you also had the perfect traits for being a vampire. you were hard-headed and well-controlled. honestly, if stefan could feel, he was sure he would be falling in love with you, too, but he had no intentions of turning his humanity back on. plus, teasing you and watching you slowly suffer the consequences of unrequited love was fun for him. 

you came back, looking refreshed and happy. 

“what did you do?” stefan asked. “i got a little snack,” you shrugged nonchalantly.

“well, did you compel the person to forget?” stefan asked, worried. 

“yes, and it worked the very first try!” you squealed. you sat back down next to klaus, taking a sip of your drink. “hey, told you guys to refill this.”

stefan looked to klaus, then back at you.

“you seem to be ready to go off into the world as your own vampire,” stefan said. 

“you sure? you just taught me how to compel,” you said, very confused. 

“but you also fed on and compelled someone without any leadership successfully,” stefan stated. 

“but aren’t you guys gonna teach me other stuff?” you asked. “like what?” klaus questioned. 

“i don’t know, like how to kill an original?” you grinned at him. 

klaus let out a hearty laugh. “that’s a secret i’ll never tell.”

“but i’ll tell you,” stefan smirked. 

your eyes snapped to his as you felt his knee brush against yours. he gave you an innocent smile, one you knew that meant something very different. 

“why don’t we have dinner tonight to celebrate y/n graduating from vampire school,” stefan suggested. “we can eat at the speakeasy we chose her from, and have the guests for desert.”

“can we pick somewhere else? i’d like to think that’d be very traumatic for me,” you said. 

“where else would you like to go?” stefan asked. “there’s this amazing steakhouse just a few blocks down from the speakeasy,” you said. 

“we can go there, then,” stefan nodded. “how are the guests?” klaus asked. 

“don’t know. guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” you grinned. 

————

you adjusted the top of your dress, making sure not too much breast was showing so no one would call you trashy. you were getting ready for dinner with stefan and klaus. you usually wouldn’t dress up for anything or anyone, but this steakhouse was fancy and its dress code was semiformal. 

you had chosen sea-blue velvet dress that used to be your older sister’s. its sleeves and skirt were breathable and loose, the top and middle-section of the dress more tight-fitting and hugging your curves in all the right places. you were wearing a silver, faux diamond necklace, matching earrings with black, strapped heels. your lips were a blood-red, your eye lashes long and curled to frame your eyes perfectly. 

you would never admit it, but you weren’t only dressing up for the steakhouse. you were dressing up for yourself and stefan. most of the clothes he’s seen you wore were old, regular-day clothes. you actually had opted to wear more raggedy clothes when you were learning how to feed, too, so he’s never seen you in your best, but tonight was the night that you could truly wow him. 

you used your vampire speed to get to the steakhouse from your apartment, stopping just a block away. you walked normally the rest of the way, clutching your handbag as you entered the restaurant. 

“hi, ms. do you have a reservation?” the host asked. 

“yeah, table for three under the name salvatore or mikaelson,” you said. 

“stefan salvatore?” the host asked. “yes,” you nodded. 

“it seems as though it was only a table for two. is that correct?” 

“um, yeah,” you nodded, a little confused. “follow me,” he said, grabbing you a menu. 

you smiled at him, following him to the back of the steakhouse. it was low-lit with only a few tables that were seated, all of them exclusively with couples. the host led you to a black booth in the corner, the only other person seated there was stefan. 

“here you are, ms. your waiter will be with you soon.”

“thank you,” you smiled at him. 

you turned to stefan. “where is klaus?”

“he had some family business to take care of. it’ll be just you and me tonight. i hope that’s okay?” stefan asked. 

“yeah, it’s fine,” you gulped, sitting down a little ways away from him. 

“you look beautiful, by the way,” he complimented, his eyes admiring your outfit. 

“thank you,” you said. “you don’t look too bad yourself.”

he looked a little too good. he was wearing a black and white suit with his hair combed back. he had a little black bowtie around his neck with suspenders under his coat. 

“oh, i know,” he smirked. you rolled your eyes. “are you ever not cocky?”

“i don’t know what you mean,” stefan shrugged. 

you chuckled, “sure you don’t. so, tell me, did klaus really have family plans for did you just want to get me alone?”

“both, and it worked out perfectly,” he answered. 

“and why did you want to eat with me alone?” you questioned. 

“we never get alone time. your bond with klaus is obviously stronger, and i want to leave you with good memories of me when we send you off on your own,” he explained. 

you raised a brow, not excepting that his intentions were so pure. 

“you would tell me the other reason if there was one, right?” 

“of course,” he nodded. his hand rested on your knee. 

your eyes dropped down slowly to his hand, then back up to his face. “well, i’m glad you didn’t at least cancel dinner.”

“why would i? this is an amazing restaurant. you have great taste.”

your eyes flickered to his lips back up to his eyes, then to your menu. “i hope i do,” you sighed 

you both ordered your food and drinks, sitting together in awkward silence for at least ten minutes until stefan spoke up. 

“is this your own dress?” he asked. “no, it was my sister’s,” you answered. 

“you seem to think highly of your sister. are you two close?” he asked. 

“no, but, we were. she’s a lot older than me, so the age gap kept us apart. it was hard to relate to her. she was fourteen when i was born — we belong to different fathers. she didn’t like me at first. she always had to take care of me, but once i got older, we got along. she helped me throughout high school, with my first boyfriend, sneaking out of the house, all that fun stuff. but as soon as it was time for me to go to college, she had already moved away and was starting to build her own life. she has three kids and a husband who seems wonderful.”

“did you ever end up going to college?” stefan asked. 

“no,” you shook your head. “my mom had my baby brother with her new husband, so of course, i had to stay home and help her take care of him. he’s about four years old now.”

“that wasn’t too long ago. do you still help with him now?” he asked. 

“not really. my mom just needed help with nighttime feeding and rocking him back to sleep. ever since he turned two, they’ve barely needed me,” you explained. you took a drink of wine, sighing as you thought about your life in the last four-to-five years. “it’s been lonely, not being needed, but it’s nice being free and being in charge of my own life. i bought my first apartment two years ago and ever since then, i’ve just been hanging out with friends.” 

“what about money? how do you pay rent?” 

“my dad gives me money,” you admitted sheepishly. “he says he does it because he doesn’t want me to starve and perish, but i know it’s because he feels bad about leaving my mom and i when she found out she was pregnant with me.”

stefan’s brows raised. he was genuinely shocked. “wow, i’m so sorry.”

you shrugged, “yeah, whatever. you don’t have to show fake pity, i’ve seen and heard enough of it.”

“no, no, i’m not faking it. i’ve had a complicated and unfortunate family, too.”

“oh, really? please, do tell,” you said. 

“well, my brother and i were born in the 1800s. i was born in 1846, my brother in 1839. he is a lot older than me, too. maybe not as old as your sister, but i can relate with the not being old enough to hang out together until a certain age. he fought in world war II while i stayed at home. he went to harvard while i stayed at home. we didn’t really have much in common except for a woman,” he explained. 

“oh? well, nothing like a great girl to tear two brothers apart,” you chuckled. 

stefan smiled with you. “she wasn’t a great girl. her english name is katherine pierce, but her birth name is katerina petrova. she was a vampire long before she met us and compelled us and fed us vampire blood without our knowledge for almost a year. she was also having sex with both of us.”

“wow. did she like one of you more?”

“me,” he smiled a little. “and did you return the same feelings?” you questioned. 

“i did, or i thought i did. who knows, she compelled me to do whatever she wanted. they say that the compulsion breaks when you become a vampire, but i don’t remember her compelling me to fall in love with her. i suppose i did, but i didn’t fall as hard as damon did. he was devastated when he found out she loved me more, it tore us apart. i was hurt, but he was hurt tremendously more. i got over it quicker while he mourned the loss of the love of his life. she ended up dying. i was heartbroken when my father took her away, so i guess i was in love with her, but not anymore.” “you say that because you have your humanity off or because it’s true?” you cocked your head.

stefan chuckled, grinning a little. “i say that because it’s true. yes, i think about her from time to time and i have a picture of her in one of my books, but i’m not in love with her anymore. i love her, i always will, but we were over a long time ago. now, if you ask damon, he would deny that he was in love with her and say that he hates her, but he still mourns her loss every day.”

“do you talk to damon a lot?” 

“no. i haven’t seen him in years, but we always come back together,” he said. 

“you two do have an eternity together,” you stated. “we do. one day we might stay close together forever,” he smiled. 

“i hope so. it seems like you really miss him.” you put your hand on his that was resting on the table. 

he turned to face you, smiling thankfully. you stared in his eyes, seeing the little shred of humanity he might have had left. 

“thank you. i hope you and your sister get the chance to grow closer, too.” he looked into your eyes, searching them. he felt only a tiny bit bad about leading you on. he could see the love in your eyes, the desperation your heart felt for him to kiss you right now. your pupils were wide and your skin was sweaty and hot, signs of basic attraction. oh, how he was going to hate breaking your heart whenever he decided to turn his humanity back on. 

“thank you,” you said, your eyes dropping down to his lips once again. 

you moved your head in closer, your stomach churning as you got closer and closer to him. he noticed your slow movements and didn’t stop it. he was curious to what this kiss would feel like. he wanted to know if all this leading on was worth it. 

your lips met his tenderly, almost hesitantly. the better half of your brain was telling you to stop, to pull away. that this wasn’t worth it and he was playing you. but the part of your brain that had fell into his trap didn’t let you pull away. you hung on, enjoying every second of the kiss. for a moment you didn’t care about the heartache you might endure after tonight. you just wanted to enjoy this moment forever. it seemed like he wanted to, too.

his hand wrapped around the back of your waist, pulling you closer to where you practically on top of him. your hands went up to his neck, cradling his head and holding him close. his lips moved with yours surprisingly slow. you didn’t think he knew how to kiss gently. the way he grasped your hip made your stomach turn, your head dizzy, and the area between your thighs warm. 

as your kiss continued, you started to cry. it all became evident to you that he was going to break your heart after this. your first great big love that you had developed in the span of three days, and your enhanced emotions made your feelings ten times worse. you knew this wound’ve happened, you weren’t exactly the strongest in the love department. you just wished he was different. 

stefan felt the tears drop on his skin and pulled away. he opened his eyes, face filling with confusion. 

“what’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked in a quiet voice. 

you looked into his eyes, tears falling harder on your face. “i’m so stupid,” you whispered. 

“why?” he asked, although you both knew he already knew the answer. 

“thank you for teaching me how to be a vampire, for giving me an eternity to live. thank you for listening to me talk about my family, i have never opened up to someone like that about them, especially about my sister. thank you for opening up to me, i can’t imagine that being easy. and thank you for letting me kiss you. i knew how this would end, i was just hoping it wouldn’t end like this.”

“y/n…” his voice trailed off. 

“you’re not in love with me, i know that. i wished you were, though,” you sobbed quietly. 

“i liked the kiss, but you’re right, i’m not in love with you. i’m sorry,” he apologised. 

he knew he should’ve felt more bad than he did, but he didn’t. 

“i hope you see your brother soon, and your parents if they are still alive.” you stood up, grabbing your clutch. 

“i hope i will see you soon,” he said as you were leaving. 

“i don’t,” you whispered, but you knew he could hear you. 

you walked away, sobbing. you went back to your apartment, collapsing down on the floor and crying. a few moments later and your phone started ringing. you stood up, sniffling as you walked over to the desk. you picked it up, trying to collect yourself. 

“h-hello?” you said, your voice hoarse. 

“hey, y/n/n,” your sister’s voice sounded.

your eyes widened and you stood in shock. 

“y/n, hello?” she asked. 

“s-sorry, i’m just shocked to hear your voice. why are you calling?” you asked. 

“well, i got a feeling that you were in trouble. am i wrong?” she asked. 

“you’re not wrong,” you chuckled sourly. “well, i’ll be in town tomorrow for ron’s business meeting. i’ll have the kids with a babysitter. i was figuring we could hang out like old times?” she asked. 

“i’d really like that,” you nodded. “i really need my sister,” you let out a breathy laugh. 

“oh, y/n. i miss you, too.” 

you started to cry again. “i’ve missed you more.”

————

Part Two

Like and Reblog 

taglist form

@123cxcv @jimshandholder @kaitieskidmore1 @ssoldier-whoore @oliviastone @myalupinblack @little-miss-naill @sersis-love @oliviasrcdrigo @bxnnywatts @o-rion-sta-r @caroline-salvatore @hoetolegy @itsfloorcry​ @90sgoldentrio​ @augustvandyne​ @cosmicvoguee​ @wanniiieeee​ @ameliasbitvh

[xenia12]

OKAY it’s been over half a damn year since I last updated Losing Marbles and I STILL haven’t quite finished chapter 6, so thought I could give y’all a sneak peak XD

First off, here’s ch1-5 on AO3 (if you haven’t seen it, at least check the tags before reading this. But it is a continuous story so I suggest starting from the first chapter :P)

And ofc thank @froggythesculptor for like half of the ideas in this cuz she’s a genius HGVJFTVHYBJY

ANYWAYS!!! Enjoy the first 747 words of chapter 6 lol (btw it’s definitely a long [+ relatively heavy] one for me so far… this isn’t even half of the WIP lmao)

— — —

Not long after returning to the castle, Darcy sat in her chambers, rolling a purple twenty-sided die between her fingers as she impatiently watched the loading screen. Should be almost there, she thought just before the words “download complete” appeared on the monitor.

Tossing her D20 aside, she stood up and went over to the coral chair where a new helmet was plugged in. She ripped off the wires, picked it up, then seated herself, avoiding the armrests. After taking a breath and steeling herself, she hesitantly placed the helmet over her head.

Darcy grunted, fiery pain seizing her every nerve as The Core made itself comfortable in her body once more. She wanted to scream but bit the inside of her cheek to stop any pathetic noises from coming out. At least it wasn’t as bad as the first time.

When the agony finally subsided, she slowly opened her ten artificial eyes then heard, “Ah, well done.”

Darcy leaned back and, though they were still somewhat dazed, smiled at the praise. The Core must have already gone through their memories to see how it went.

“Looks like we’re behind schedule, though. We were supposed to be meeting with Andrias in the throne room half an hour ago,” it told them.

“Oh, shoot!” Darcy hissed as they sprang from the chair and dashed up the stairs.

Being late to their own meeting will not be good for their meticulous and calculated villain reputation.

Despite their anxiety, they slowed down once they made it to the main hallway. Running through the castle as a troubled mess would only make problems worse, so they walked with slow but powerful steps.

As she went, Darcy passed frobots putting up mass amounts of entangled cables along the walls and collared newts installing eye-shaped surveillance devices all over the castle. She noticed it earlier, but the rate at which it was getting done seemed to have multiplied as the day of the invasion grew closer.

Wow, you guys must’ve been busy, huh? she thought to The Core. What’s all this for?

“These renovations are to aid us in the invasion,” it stated. “The new additions will allow us to be omnipresent in mechanical tendrils across the castle, even when disconnected from you.”

Her lips pulled up into a wicked smirk. So, basically, you’ll, she mused delightedly, have an eye on everything?

A large, exasperated sigh echoed from most of The Core, but one of the voices let out a muffled howl of laughter, instead. Darcy grinned ear to ear, immediately deciding that the newt who appreciated her pun was objectively the best of the collection.

As she approached the throne room, she straightened her face before a couple robots on either side of the entrance swung the doors open for her. She strode in and Andrias swiftly lifted his head to see who had entered, tensing once he saw it was Darcy. Olivia and Yunan noticed his reaction then spun around and let out twin gasps of surprise.

Wait a second, Darcy thought as she stopped walking about halfway between the doors and the newts. Olivia’s and Yunan’s eyes were normal.

Tearing her gaze from the lady and the general, she stared at Andrias with narrowed eyes and asked, “What happened to their collars?” Though, it sounded more like an accusation than a question.

The giant newt seemed to prepare himself before stepping in front of Olivia and Yunan. He then said, “If I may, could you remove the helmet? I wish to speak to you directly.”

She scoffed and crossed her arms, already fed up with the conversation. “You will address all of The Core when speaking to me. Now, what are you up to? And where’s your little tiara? You know very well that we can’t monitor your thoughts without it.”

“Marcy-“

“Darcy,” she growled. Andrias knew that. He was trying to appeal to her old self, wasn’t he?

Andrias furrowed his brows but his eyes still held a little too much warmth. “Marcy, this isn’t you. I know how… persuasive The Core can be… but I also know you don’t want to hurt people.”

Darcy grit their teeth while listening, but stopped by the time he was done. Then they suddenly threw their head back in a fit of laughter. They soon finished with a sigh and went, “Oh, is that what you think, big guy? That I’m still the innocent little girl I was a year ago?”

👀 TO BE CONTINUED 👀

(in a hopefully reasonable amount of time… Idk my motivation is way too unpredictable for me to give any sort of guess hhhh)

[minty-malfoy]

“would you still love me if I turned into a worm?” | blurbs

🌱 pairings: reader x blaise zabini, cedric diggory, draco malfoy, fred weasley, george weasley, harry potter, hermione granger, luna lovegood, neville longbottom (sorted in alphabetical order)

🌱 warning tags: language, probably

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Blaise Zabini

“A what, now?” your boyfriend asks, halting the movements of his quill to look up at you; brows furrowed as if it’s the most absurd thing he has ever heard in his entire life.

“You know, those wiggly things that—”

“I know what worms are, (y/n). But what the hell?”

“Dunno,” you shrug. “I’m bored.”

“So you thought about what it’d be like to turn into a worm?” his eyes narrow out of pure bewilderment, blinking once, twice, as he finally turns back to his unfinished essay. “Sometimes I wonder what goes on in that head of yours.”

“Not my fault you’re taking so long with that assignment,” you grumble as you begin to shift on the puffy couch, feeling somewhat annoyed by how cold and empty it is without the other boy in it. “And besides, you love me.”

An amused chuckle escapes his lips. “Can’t say that I don’t.”

“Even as a worm?”

“Will you stop asking if I said yes?”

You nod happily, giving him the answer he needs— or well, wants, really. Even though Blaise couldn’t quite understand the pointless question, he knows it’s significant to an extent.

“Yeah, alright. I would. Now give me five minutes and we can get out of here. Deal?”

A glint of satisfaction flashes through your eyes as you give him a hum in return, thinking to yourself that maybe the silly questions could be more useful than you thought.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Cedric Diggory

The moment the words leave your mouth, Cedric's first reaction is to laugh. He didn't mean for it to come out in a condescending way. He hadn't even meant to laugh, to begin with. But judging by the way you pout with both arms crossed, that might just have been how it came accross.

"I'm sorry," he offers sheepishly. "you were saying?"

"You heard me. I said what I've said," you grumble, despite not being genuinely upset at the hufflepuff boy you've grown to love.

"Wait, I need to get this straight," he takes another breath of air. "You're serious?"

"What do you think?" you pout once again, turning away slightly from your boyfriend. This only seems to ignite his amusement as much as it does his guilt. A second or two later, his arm finds its way around your shoulder, the other brushing a few strands of hair behind your ear.

"You really haven't figured it out yet?" he asks with a genuine grin on his face. You begin to eye him curiously, appreciating the charm of his pearly white teeth as you wait for the boy to go on. Soon, he pulls you into his lap where his arms craddle you lovingly.

"Sunshine," he begins. "I'm surprised you still have to ask. But if that's one way of putting my love for you, then yes. You'd be my favorite worm in the entire world."

"Promise?" you present your pinkie finger as a final means to seal the deal.

With one last chuckle, he wraps his fingers around yours. "Promise."

Everything that happens next is a flurry of innocent pecks and kisses planted along your skin, coupled with the security of two warm arms holding you in place.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Draco Malfoy

"And what exactly do you expect me to say to that?" comes his first response after a long moment of trying to figure out just how in Merlin's name your mind came up with that question.

You, on the other hand, can't help but giggle at the slytherin boy's confusion. "Whatever's on your mind right now will do."

"Well, to be honest with you, I can't quite stomach the idea of my own girlfriend turning into a bloody worm." he nearly spits the words out, softening his edge only when your eyes meet once again. "If you were expecting a different answer, I suggest moving on to the next bloke."

Draco wasn't lying about that first bit. Worms have always been an insignificant, unseen creature in his world; wiggling in the muckiest of places where they could easily be stepped on. Hence, he doesn't like to imagine you—someone so perfectly ethereal and quintessential in every single way; the only source of light shining into his pathetic excuse of a life—to be compared to a dirty worm, of all things.

"That doesn't mean I don't love you, though," he adds in a bit of a guilty tone; voice much, much softer this time. He brings your hand to his lips, dropping a few kisses on its skin. "I just much prefer having you as you already are."

You snuggle deeper into him, indicating that you already know exactly what he means.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Fred Weasley

“A worm!” Fred exclaims, nearly forgetting the food on his plate altogether. "What a brilliant idea!"

A few seats away, you can already see Ginny clamping her mouth shut as to not burst into fireworks of laughter. You mirror her gesture, eyes now on Fred once again, watching him announce this idea of yours to your entire group of friends.

Ron, who's not that thrilled to see his brother's public displays of affection, lets out a groan. "Wouldn't have asked him that if I were you."

"You think so?" comes your reply. "He seems to be having a lot of fun with this." you both glance at Fred, who is indeed already coming up with some sort of thrilling plot.

"Did you hear that, George?"

"Sure did, Fred."

"I reckon we could come up with a potion for that," he muses, turning back to look at you. "Give me a week or two and we can start living out that worm dream of yours, love."

"Wait, Freddie, you're getting it all wrong," you begin explaining, tugging on the boy's sleeve slightly to keep his attention on you, "It was just a silly little question. I don't actually plan on turning into a worm or anything like that."

At this point, you half expect his enthusiasm to die down from the grounding effect of your words. In reality, it doesn't.

"S'that so?" he replies, earning a nod from you. "Looks like you're missing the bigger picture to me, (y/n). Isn't that right, George?"

"Right you are, Fred." the said boy affirms. "Sorry, (y/n). I'm with him on this one."

With a sigh, you turn back to Ron, who's busily stuffing his mouth with a look on his face that says I told you so. You shake your head with a small smile at your boyfriend's shenanigans. You're not sure how you can both dread and anticipate the day of his worm adventures.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

George Weasley

"That's a new one," he asserts with an amused laugh. The boy rests his head against one of his palms, feeling instantly intrigued by your proposition. "Now tell me more about this worm business of yours."

"That's about it, actually." you admit sadly.

George frowns at this, wishing he could hear more worm stories and whatnot. Mostly he's just happy to see the way you talk about things passionately. Makes him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside in a way he can't ever get enough of.

"That's quite alright. I'll do the talking, then." he offers, rubbing his chin to think of what to say next. You light up in your seat, eyes wide in anticipation. Now it's your turn to eagerly wait for his response once again.

"I've got an idea. We could run off and start a new life— as worms!" he beams all of a sudden. You raise a brow for him to go on, not exactly complaining about your boyfriend's excitement towards the topic. "I'm only turning into a worm to make sure I can properly take care of you, of course. Wouldn't want to—er—squash you between my big human fingers, now do we?"

You both erupt into a chorus of laughter at the conjectured image, melting into one another like two fitting puzzle pieces. When you finally catch your breath again, you pose the main question once more, "So I'm concluding you're still going to love me, then?"

"Love you?" he repeats. "Oh darling, I'll be marrying you in a grand worm wedding!"

You can't hold back the gasp that escapes your lips, more than thrilled to have the first mention of marriage between you. Not too long after, you transform into a complete fit of giggles when George continues. "Then we'll happily live our worm lives, 'till death do us apart. Or when, you know, some bloke accidentally steps on us. Whichever comes first."

You lean into him lovingly to steady yourself after all the laughing. Taking a deep breath in, you mumble a soft, "You always know how to make me laugh, Georgie."

And the truth is, he wouldn't have it any other way. Worms or not.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Hermione Granger

"I'm sorry, I don't think I understand the point of this question."

"Which part, exactly?" you inquire, watching your girlfriend pull out another book from the wooden library shelves.

A few seconds pass before you get your answer. "You're not a worm," she states simply, eyeing you up and down as if to prove her point.

"Yes, thank you for pointing that out, 'Mione," you follow her to the next section. "Which is why I said if I turned into a worm."

The girl looks at you again, analyzing your words and expression briefly before coming to another conclusion. "I still don't understand." she pauses to think. "Unless you might be interested in becoming an Animagus? Even then, opting for a worm wouldn't be very... effective."

You roll your eyes, speeding up to block the girl's way. She lets out a non-committal "Hey!", only for you to quickly muffle it with a warm kiss. A moment or two later, you pull away with a smirk that makes her heart melt. "Just answer the question, would you?"

Still slightly caught off guard from the contact, Hermione finally caves in. "Alright, you cheeky flirt. I love you. Even as a notional worm."

Satisfied with her answer, you plant another peck— this time on her cheek, before announcing a gentle "I love you, too."

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Harry Potter

The way his lips purse into a straight line tells you that Harry doesn't exactly understand the question. Not really, at first. Aside from being an entirely foreign concept to his ears, it also seems like an odd thing to ask someone, unless— "Oh! You're an Animagus!"

The smile on your face instantly drops at this. "What? No—"

"Why didn't you just say so, (y/n)?" he begins what—at the time—you don't know is going to be a nearly endless ramble. "I was planning on telling you this for a while now, but I know someone who's an Animagus, actually. In fact, I think you two would get along fantastically!" he lights up at the sudden idea, flailing his arms in the air out of excitement. "Yes, maybe I can try getting the both of you to meet up. No promises, of course, but what do you think?"

"I think you've got it all wrong," you frown; knowing you would have to disappoint your boyfriend and how you're not very fond of the idea.

"What do you mean?" he asks, albeit barely giving you a second to reply. "(y/n), it's alright, really. You know you don't have to hide yourself from me. Besides, I think it's brilliant!— what you can do, I mean."

The smile he gives you is the epitome of love itself, and now you're not quite sure how to handle the messy situation without pulling out the rug underneath Harry's feet. All you can do is squeeze his shoulder with a guilty smile, promising to talk about it again after dinner.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Luna Lovegood

"Of course. Worms are lovely, don't you think?" she says with a dreamy smile. You gape at how easily the answer could be pried from your girlfriend; no questions asked. But then again, it's not like you hadn't expected this exact outcome already.

"Really?"

"Mhm," comes her gentle hum as she begins to stir her honeyed chamomile tea. A soft smile stays glued on her features, as if she's enjoying the conversation. "What kind of worm would you like to be, (y/n)?"

"I haven't really thought about it that far," You admit. "Are you sure, though? We won't be able to hold hands or anything like that."

You can't tell if you had just imagined the almost-frown tugging on her lips, because when she looks back up at you again, her sweet signature Luna smile is back in its place. "I suppose you're right. But I could carry you around everywhere with me. Wouldn't that be lovely?"

"It would be," you nod. "but can a worm even fit into that pocket of yours?" you question, noticing how hers are stuffed with unknown items; blades of grass sticking out ever so slightly. Flowers, perhaps.

"Oh, there's nothing to worry about. See?" she pulls out a couple of daisies and fairy foxgloves to reveal a now empty pocket. "Now, would you like some tea?"

You eagerly join her on the table, snuggling against your girlfriend ever so slightly as you both begin to talk about your day. The entire worm ordeal is slowly slipping out of your mind already.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Neville Longbottom

Neville stops in his tracks at your question, taking a moment to toss the idea back and forth in his mind before he can give you a proper answer. You nearly giggle when his face scrunches up, brows knit and lips parted as he innocently asks, “But why would you turn into a worm?”

"Neville, love, no. It's a hypothetical question."

His entire body relaxes at this, releasing what you assume is a breath of relief. "Oh. I thought you were being serious for a moment there."

You shake your head with a giggle, taking a step closer to adjust the scarf around your boyfriend's neck. "I'm just curious is all. Would you still love me, then?" you ponder.

"Yes! Of course!" comes his instant reply, hands balled up into fists that match the determination on his face. "I would get you a nice worm house with all your favorite flowers in it," he bends one of his gloved finger inwards, beginning to keep count of this hypothetical to-do list. "Would you still be able to have human food? Well, either way, I promise to feed you every single day!"

He pauses, only for a second or two. "Oh! And I'll sing you worm songs! Or maybe we can sing them together? I don't know if you would still be able to talk as a worm though."

You swiftly pull him into an affectionate hug, effectively bringing his rambling—as well as the entire worm topic—to an end. His hands sheepishly find their home around your waist, where he places them softly as if it's his first time hugging you. After all the months of being together, it certainly isn't.

"What was that for?" he dares himself to ask, avoiding your eye contact shyly.

"For being the most loving and adorable boyfriend I could ever ask for," you lean in to plant a soft, gentle kiss on his cheek. You don't miss the way he pulls up his scarf to hide the blossoming blush afterwards.

I have no idea why I wrote this either lol <3

🌷 draco taglist: @arossebyanyothername @kawaii-angelanne @thefandomplace @yuosmi @bbeauttyybbx @mywellspringoflife @slytherinsunrise @avatarbeeb @scarlet-says-hi @lunars @coldlilheart @beiahadid @justmimithings @soundsquid27 @youknowiloveyou-so @n3ssm0nique @ochrythum @explxsion @yaanasluv @autumnpleaves @booksmione @drxcomvlfx @the–queen-of-hell @aspiringsloth20 @runninglownad @snitches-at-dawn @badfvith

🌷 harry taglist: @teheharrypotter @badfvith

[husbandohunter]

May I request a Childe X Reader fanfic where the reader has been pushing herself too hard lately and so Childe has to forcefully get her to rest? ty

By my side [Childe x Reader]//Genshin Impact

Synopsis: You were an artist and he was an adventurer. Two people from vast backgrounds and Childe just wants to spend some time of his busy life with you. However, things didn't really go his way...at first.

(Childe x F!reader. Its all fluff)

(A/n): Perfect request anon. I too, would like to have a Childe in my life. Been getting 5-6 hours of sleep on average 😃😁. Yeah kind tossed some extra ideas with artist s/o, its a perfect reason for anyone to be busy.

============================

Once recieving the permission to take a week off from his diplomatic duties, the first thing Childe thought of was none other than his lovely significant other.

The harbinger knew quite well what lays ahead of his ventures to Liyue. During his quest for the archon's gnosis, he encountered many interesting events, such as meeting the rumoured traveller hailing from afar and a broke yet courteous man who turned out to be the ultimate ruler of this very country he walks upon then there was the battle against a dead god until he revived it using the sigil of permission. All of them were great additions to his story as Ajax the hero, something he always wanted to pursue since childhood. In which, also gave him something nice to write about when preparing letters for his siblings living back home. But little did the harbinger know that he'll one day bump into the heroine. A little too soon. Through your little art shop, he met you, a sweet and audacious woman with plenty of humour. That was how it all began.

While he strides down the streets between Liyue's exquisite buildings, Childe suddenly stops in his tracks and looks up to the sky. There, was painted a scenery of an evening dusk, sun rays relfected across until red and orange hues cast a river stream that led to the ends of the world. He watched the birds follow that streak like it was a path made for them to fly towards. A new adventure. You would have loved to captured this in your pictures.

And then he wonders, what might you be painting right now?

"Hey babe, I'm home~"

In a sing-song voice he calls out to you by your nick-name. You knew that Childe was an active member of the Fatui and that his time was limited, hence he made sure to write to you as well. Of course long distant relationships only makes the waiting more anticipated. When he does pay a visit, you'd run straight into his open arms, leaping off your feet to engulf him in one enourmous embrace. Then his hands will hold against your waist as he spins your round and around in the air, stealing the laughter out of your lungs before planting you back on the floor. Sometimes Childe would consider that being far away wasn't be such a bad idea as long as he was able to experience this, the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. However...

"That's great."

He was met by a response similar to the wintry grace of Snezhnaya.

Huh?

All the fantasies he had from earlier shatters in the background as he stands there frozen. You didn't even spare a glance to the entrance, eyes still glued to the large canvas displayed at your front, too busy to even care. Childe clicks his tongue between the awkward silence with an uncertain expression. When there was no signs of initiation on your part, he shuffled his way to where you were and observes from behind.

"Well you're particularly quiet today," he muses to himself, placing a hand over his hip, "I guess that painting of yours must be really important then."

It was obvious that he was trying to nudge you into his favour. Something that you've found endearing was how quickly your boyfriend can be when he's in a needy state. So you quickly twisted over to peck him on the cheek before going back to work.

"That's better," Childe satisfiedly grins, "So who is this project for?"

"It's a commission requested by a wealthy family serving the Qixing. They're really influential in terms of the market and can really give me a competitive edge. I have to get it done in five days."

His tone flactuates as he squints his eyes, "Five days you say," he disliked the news of your schedule taking over his own, Childe only managed to take a week off and after that, he'll be away for quite some time, "Why don't you take a break? From the looks of your progress, it seems to me that you've been working on it for hours. I've got plenty of interesting stories to tell and you know, nothing can compare to sharing a warm meal within your company," he leans down to your ear level, "How does that sound?"

Several seconds went by as he waits for some sort of reaction, "Oh. Right," you blurted out and the harbinger only smiles, "I made some food earlier this morning. You can go help yourself if you're hungry."

Today was not his day.

Childe pulls out the wooden chair and slumps into the seat, a defeated huff escaping his mouth as he stared at the crystal shrimp placed on the table. It was hastily wrapped by plastic, most likely cold for a while, just like the romantic evening he had planned in his head. Normally you'll be sitting on the otherside while listening to the many tales he went through along the way. Although painting was your passion, it was undeniable that you also enjoyed his kind of lifestyle if you ever had the choice. He was rather surprised on how someone ambitious like him would end up with such a simplistic person but quickly accepted it as life was meant to be unpredictable, just the way he likes it. As Childe entertains you with his stories, he'll listen to your giggles amidst eating the homecooked meals that you both prepared together.

"I wonder if she ate already," he mumbled to his lone self. You most likely did but Childe knows you well. Artists are obsessed and they can go as far as to neglecting their own health for the sake of their masterpieces. Hence, he made sure to remind you to eat properly through the letters he wrote to you.

The harbinger takes a quick glance around the kitchen. It was a mess. The cupboards were slightly opened, metal pots were still displayed on the stone stove and the stench coming from the sink....

Childe pushes himsel up to see what was the cause.

Not even the dishes were washed.

Running his fingers through his bangs, he sighs wearily, "Old habits die hard huh?" And above all else, when artists are obsessed they also forget how disorganized they can become. Childe begins to roll up his sleeves before taking off his gloves. At times like this he'll have to pitch in and take care of it for you, "Looks like I'll be here for a while."

Throughout three sunsets and three moonrises, Childe had no option but to observe you from afar, minus the few attempts he made to regain your attention again. How you would go to bed much later than him, waking up before he opens his eyes and the effort he put into making your food only left with too many leftovers. It wasn't that you were unappreciative, instead, your mind had become too focused that your body was considered a second priority. Like anyone else, Childe genuinely thought you possessed great talent and supports you wholeheartedly. He loved it when you painted pictures just for him as if they were scenes coming out of his hero story, reminded by his adventures, capturing every detail. However he also needed to learn how to deal with this stubborn side of yours.

"Hey babe, I just finished preparing our dinner. Don't you smell that? Such a rich aroma, you should go eat."

"I'm busy."

Your diet were just small bites, the rest being substituted by coffee. Childe could clearly tell that you weren't getting enough sleep either as there were dark circles forming underneath your eyes and slowly, he was starting to become a little irritated.

Three hours passed midnight but you were still awake in the same place doing the same thing. Childe leans against the doorframe with arms folded, already changed into his sleeping clothes. He clears his throat to break the silence, "Ahem."

Your wrist hangs in mid air by the sound of a strange visitor, it was your boyfriend. Gaze in a daze, you lazily turned your head, "What time is it?"

"Way passed the sleeping hours as you can see," he points with his thumb at the table clock in a half-hearted manner, "You should already be in bed by now and don't think you can coax yourself out of the situation this time," his eyes parted in slits as he added with a smile, "Otherwise I might just have to force you myself."

You shook your head, "Give me one more hour? There's some finishing touches I really want to add so," clasping your hands together, you beamed sweetly, "Pretty please? I'll finish up soon."

"Oh really?" Childe challenges, head tossed back like he was interrogating you instead, "I believe that was also what you told me yesterday. And the day before? Adding up all of those days that would be.....four in total?" He deliberately counts upon his fingers before facing you again, this time his expression was slightly more serious, "As much as I find your determination remarkable, there are moments when you need to consider a sufficient amount of rest and this just isn't going to cut it."

"Four days already?!" You exclaimed, "Jeez, I don't even know if I'm halfway done."

Pressing his lips together, Childe glares in an acutely deadpanned countenance, it was also his time too, "Can't you ask this commissioner to extend your due date to next week? In your case, mora shouldn't be the issue since, well...you're dating me anyways."

It's true. Childe was the main reason why you didn't have to live as a starving artist. He had all your expenses fully covered from the marketing aspect to your residence, you simply chose to work out of pure will.

"I don't want to always rely on you so much," you confessed, "This commissioner could turn my whole career around. If I'm able to gain his favour, maybe I'll get promoted to a court painter for the Qixing! Who knows when there will ever be a chance like this again," pumping your fists, you spoke purposefully, "I'll pull an all nighters if I have to!"

Childe brings his hand to his forehead, you looked as if you were nearly about to collapse and yet still considering the option of an all-nighters? The harbinger should've detained you days prior before.

"Hm? Childe, what's wrong?" He suddenly falls deadly quiet and you watched him walk closer towards you, "What are--"

Hooking an arm behind your knees and the other at your back, your boyfriend lifts you up in one full swoop as he tossed you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Guess we'll have to do things the hard way," he remarks cheerfully.

"W-Wait," you flailed your arms and kicked your legs but to no avail. Childe was an experienced combatant indeed, "Put me down! I have work to do."

Your protests fall upon deaf ears as the harbinger carries you to your room. You were oddly lighter than the last time he carried you, the strength less vigor than before, it was obvious that your body was in need of relaxation. He suddenly thinks there was a possibility that you would maintain this habit while he was absent.

I should probably visit more often.

Using his free leg to nudge the door open, he places you upon the shared bed in a gentle manner. You winced at the impact of the soft sheets, surprised by how much it affect you.

"There we go. All done. Man, you really are a stubborn one, aren't you. Makes me a little worried since I can't spoil you all the time."

He quickly invited himself to the empty space on your bedside and wrapped his arms around your figure, pulling you close and feeling you whole. Childe made sure there was no escape once putting his chin above your hairline so that you could feel his warmth as much as possible.

"This is--" you stuttered. His tactic was enough to make your limbs soften and you could almost hear him smirk into the distance, "This is cheating..."

"You think so?" He comments as if pledging innocence, "I don't know babe. Where I come from those who take the initiative are the ones who end up claiming the prize," pulling back, Childe takes the opportunity to observe your pouty face, "I don't make the rules. It's just how it goes."

You wanted to argue back but he suddenly took the bedsheets and covered both of your bodies with, completely trapping you with his presence. He snuggles into you further as if you were a bear made of linen and you felt the drowsiness taking over your mind. The way he gently pats down the back of your head was enough to instantly lull you into a deep sleep.

"Cheater," you mumbled.

He laughs softly, the rumbles emitting through his chest, "I love you too babe."

Even after you've let go of your resistance, Childe continues his actions until he was sure that you were resting. He had been longing to touch you like this since living a chaotic life only made peaceful moments much sweeter, "You're such a hard-worker you know that? I'm proud of you but you have to know when to call it a day," he whispers, "If not, how can I go on trips while knowing that you're still refusing to eat properly?"

You closed your eyes and said nothing in return. All your senses were too cloudy to come up with a reassuring response. Childe listens to the way your breath evens as you intake his scent during the process. It smelled like the soap you used in the showers, lotus leaves mixed with his own unique musk. You could only focus on him. His comforting embrace. His slightly accelerating heartbeat because you were together with him.

Letting out one final yawn, you succumbed to his spell and allowed your energy to drift away.

The corners of his lips tug upwards, "Sleep well princess."

Childe reaches over to your desk drawer and shuts off the alarm clock before turning over to face you again. He couldn't fall asleep immediately, not when he had to consider taking care of the commissioner who gave you an impossible deadline. But that will be saved for another day, for now, he observes in silent serenity.

If he were to quit his job for a year, what would his life be like?

Peaceful. Something opposite of what he was living right now. Something similar to the life he had back home. As you arrange the many paintings in your little home, he'll offer to help you among the places you couldn't reach. Without a doubt, Childe was far taller in comparison. Taking strolls into the streets and trying the new dishes the merchants came up with. Then in the evenings, you'll both go to dinner dates while listening to the storyteller revealing the rumours of the legendary Tianquan Qixing. Although Childe loved the adventurous life he led, he had to admit that your domesticity and family-bringing atmosphere was a tempting idea.

Maybe one day.

He lightly takes a strand that had fallen over your nose and tucked it smoothly behind your ear. The soft snores coming out of your parted lips caused his gaze to melt. And so he steals them with his own, placing a chaste goodnight kiss.

One day I'll be sure to bring my family here with us.

Closing his eyes, he joins you in your slumber, hoping to see all that he envisioned in his dreams.

[rintaroll]

❝ CHEMISTRY PRACTICE. ❞

— atsumu regrets playing cupid for his brother and his longtime crush.

⊱┊pairing. miya osamu x gn!reader ⊱┊tags. fluff, set in high school, (mutual?) pining, swearing ⊱┊wc. 0.7k ⊱┊note. so... based off a real story but i was atsumu in this scenario 🙄🙄

© RINTAROLL. reblogs are greatly appreciated.

"this isn't a starin' contest, 'samu. blink."

he sees atsumu smirk from the corner of his eye. with his jaw clenched, he silently wishes he was born an only child. he blinks anyway.

osamu doesn't know how he ended up in this situation. he doesn't even know how exactly he got the main lead in this year's class production drama, but apparently, someone managed to convince the scriptwriters that he'd attract more people with his looks and popularity—not to mention that he’s much easier to manage than atsumu.

he should've known better when his spawn-of-the-devil twin started to bribe him with doing his household chores for a week. "i'll even treat you to yakiniku!" atsumu added.

although he had his suspicions, the incentives clouded his judgment. "fine." but right now, with both of your hands in his and your eyelashes flitting innocently up at him, he wishes he never agreed to do it.

"do we have to..." his words trail off as he avoids your eyes.

"yes. both of ya," atsumu puts each of his hands on top of both of your shoulders, "have ta work on yer chemistry."

"our chemistry is fin-"

"yeah, yeah." the fake blond waves his hand dismissively. osamu glares at him. "anyways, yer s'posed to compliment each other while ya do this."

"i-"

"that's easy," you chirp. osamu makes the mistake of looking back at you. "right, 'samu?"

his adam's apple bobs as he gulps. his name sounds nice when it’s rolling off your tongue. "yeah. yeah, sure."

"alright." a few seconds of silence pass with atsumu looking expectantly at osamu. nothing. nothing? really? so much for the hyogo playboy pride. atsumu rolls his eyes. "y/n, ya go first."

you hum. osamu tries to distract himself from the fact that you're currently shamelessly scanning him up and down. the attempt is to no avail when he noticed the proximity between the two of you. so close, he swears he can count your eyelashes. so close, he can smell your body mist and the sweet, familiar scent of your shampoo every time he inhales.

"i'd say you're handsome, but i'd be complimenting atsumu too, and we don't want to inflate his ego any further, do we?" osamu bites back a grin, forcefully tearing his eyes away from your lips.

atsumu scoffs. "i'm obviously better lookin' than this dumbass."

"sure." you drawl out the word while laughing, eliciting a snicker from osamu.

"fuck you guys." atsumu snaps. he's starting to regret playing cupid for the both of you. "hurry and compliment him already."

"i love your smile. it's cute." you say when the laughter died down. "i just noticed you had a dimple on your left cheek," you add. you resist the urge to poke the dimple while osamu gives up trying to fight off another smile.

"thanks," he mumbles.

you beam at him. osamu swears the room was spinning for a second. letting a moment of silence pass, atsumu watches both of you look at each other like lovesick puppies with crossed arms."'samu? hello? it's your turn now."

"oh. um... you..." he ponders, grey eyes raking over your appearance, from the top of your head to your worn, white sneakers. "you... have eyes..." he facepalms mentally as the words die on the tip of his tongue.

you purse your lips, trying to keep in the laughter that’s bubbling up from your throat. atsumu beats you to it and lets out the most obnoxious laughter that makes osamu want to bury himself six feet deep into the ground. "c'mon, ya can do better than that, man."

osamu clears his throat, trying to regain back the composure (and dignity) he had lost. "your eyes are pretty," he blurts out. "they... sparkle sometimes, and, and you scrunch them up when you laugh."

"i do?" the ghost of an amused smile dances on your lips. "you pay really close attention to me, huh?"

he nods. the nodding stops when your second question registers in his brain. "wait no-"

you laugh, eyes scrunching up, just as osamu had described. he smiles, letting you squeeze his hands. your head falls forward against his chest and he freezes. like a deer caught in headlights, his eyes widen and they immediately search for atsumu's for comfort.

atsumu senses the distress behind his brother’s gaze. shaking his head in disappointment, he claps his hands together. "alright, time's up. y/n, i think they need ya for a fittin'."

your head lifts up, and osamu breathes out the sigh he didn't know he had been holding. he finally drops your hands, letting you leave him and the delighted blond beside him behind. "see you later." you throw a grin over your shoulder before walking away.

osamu watches your figure grow smaller with his heart thumping against his chest. "ya owe me." atsumu pats his back. "ya owe me so bad. wait 'til suna hears about this."

osamu wishes he was born an only child.

[80pairsofcrocs]

Jedis and Tin cans || 9

series master list - Star Wars master list - main master list

A/N - my puter is going to die 

no taglist for this story, sorry :(

pairings - The mandalorian x teen!reader(platonic), Greef Karga x teen!reader(platonic), The child x teen!reader(platonic), any others will be platonic or specified

TW - language, sexual jokes, mentions of losing a limb, underage drinking, mention of drugs, violence, Star Wars canon stuff, let me know if missed anything

~~~

A few hours had passed peacefully, a span of time that precisely measured five hours, during which y/n had been embraced by the sweet embrace of comfortable slumber, undisturbed by any external forces. However, this tranquil state was abruptly disrupted when the baby, a tiny green being, awakened from its own rest. Seizing a ball from a lever, the infant began to play with it, much to Mando's exasperation, prompting him to repeatedly retrieve the object from the baby's grasp. 

"Stop touching things," Mando admonished the little one, hoping to convey the importance of not meddling with unfamiliar objects. Yet, the baby, rather than heeding this warning, decided to fling the small metal ball directly at y/n, resulting in a resounding 'clink' as the projectile made contact with her metallic arm. The unexpected impact jolted y/n from her peaceful slumber, introducing her to the new day with a surprise awakening courtesy of the mischievous infant and its playful antics.

"Hey- what the hell?" She muttered groggily as she slowly awakened to find Mando's presence. "Good morning to you too," Mando responded with a hint of amusement in his voice. Y/n couldn't help but smirk, her eyes still adjusting to the light in the room as she shifted in her chair to sit upright.

"Ah yes, Bucket head, thanks for not killing me in my sleep," Y/n playfully remarked, her smile growing wider as she recalled the numerous close calls she'd encountered in the past. Mando, caught off guard, replied nonchalantly, "No problem?" His voice betraying a touch of curiosity as he leaned in slightly. "Has that happened before?" he inquired, genuinely intrigued by her previous experiences with danger.

Y/n chuckled at the memory, her laughter filling the room as she recounted a particularly harrowing encounter. "Oh yeah! I slept with this girl once, and I woke up with a knife to my throat," she recounted, her expression turning serious for a moment as she tugged at the collar of her shirt to reveal a faint scar nestled beneath her jaw. 

The scar, a reminder of past dangers survived, bore witness to her resilience in the face of peril. However, despite the seriousness of the moment, a glint of mischief danced in her eyes, for every scar had a story, and hers was a tale of daring escapades and narrow escapes.

After a brief moment of contemplative silence, she receives only a noncommittal "Hm" in response, followed by a soft, heartwarming coo from the baby nestled in her arms. The silence that initially enveloped them is gently disrupted by the soothing sounds of the child. 

Taking charge of the situation with a newfound sense of focus, Mando wastes no time in delving into the details of their current location. As if prompted by y/n's awakening, he steers the conversation towards a more practical direction. "Let's see," he begins, his tone shifting to one of methodical analysis as he navigates the data at hand. 

The planet, identified as Sorgan, unravels before them like an intricate puzzle waiting to be solved. With a critical eye, Mando dissects the landscape of Sorgan, his observations painting a vivid picture for y/n. "Looks like there's no star port here," he notes, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment at the lack of a convenient arrival point.

Delving deeper into his examination, he observes the absence of industrial centers, a stark reminder of the planet's secluded nature. The realization dawns upon them that Sorgan, while serene and idyllic, lacks the bustling energy typically associated with densely populated areas. 

Their analysis of the planet's features highlights the unique character of Sorgan, with its minimalistic infrastructure and tranquil setting setting it apart from more urbanized worlds. The absence of the usual trappings of civilization only serves to emphasize the raw, unspoiled beauty of the planet, casting it in a new light for y/n and Mando. 

As they absorb this newfound knowledge, a sense of adventure tinged with curiosity begins to stir within them, setting the stage for the next chapter of their journey.

As the Mandalorian and y/n settled into their temporary sanctuary in the tranquil marshlands, surrounded by the encompassing solitude, the Mandalorian couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. "Real backwater skug hole. Which means it's perfect for us," he concluded, his voice now carrying a lighter tone, free from the previous tension that had gripped him only moments before.

With a hint of playful sarcasm lacing her words, y/n quipped, "So what are we fugitives now?" Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she propped her chin delicately on her hand, finding a moment of rest and comfort in the otherwise uncertain circumstances. Leaning back in the makeshift chair, she observed the Mandalorian with a knowing glint in her eye.

"I guess you could say that," the Mandalorian responded, his helmet hiding any visible expression, though his tone held a hint of amusement. "You ready to lay low and stretch your legs for a couple of months, you little womp rat?" he directed his question towards the small, green infant resting peacefully in its cradle nearby, the child's innocent presence bringing a sense of tranquility to their covert refuge.

"He's not a rat, bucket head," y/n playfully sneers at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. The banter between them, filled with friendly teasing, seems to be their way of showing affection. 

Mando, hidden behind his helmet, can't help but smirk at her antics, finding solace in the unspoken bond they share. As y/n retrieves the metal ball from the floor and tosses it at Mando's head, the familiar 'clink' echoes in the air, a sound that has become almost comforting in its repetition.

"Watch it," Mando chides, his voice tinged with amusement, as he playfully warns y/n, a hint of fondness in his stern tone. His actions, seemingly gruff on the surface, mask a deeper connection that has formed between them. With a deft motion, Mando picks up the ball, a symbol of their playful back-and-forth, and swiftly screws it back onto the lever, a silent acknowledgment of their shared camaraderie. 

In the dimly lit space, their interaction takes on a private, intimate quality, a dance of words and actions that speaks volumes without needing to be explicitly articulated.

As they nestled within the hidden recesses of the forest, shielded from prying eyes, a sense of sanctuary enveloped them. "Nobody's gonna find us here," he assured, redirecting the conversation back to their refuge amidst the lush wilderness. The ship's descent was cued by a deep, resonant hum that reverberated through the air, a signal of their imminent landing. 

Intrigued, y/n peered out the window, greeted by a mesmerizing sight; a sea of countless trees stretching endlessly, swaying gently in the breeze. Each tree stood tall and proud, adorned in a plethora of green hues that ranged from deep emerald to vibrant lime. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, creating a patchwork of light and shadow that danced across the verdant landscape. 

The forest seemed to be a realm untouched by time, a place where nature reigned supreme and life flourished abundantly in all its untouched glory. y/n couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer beauty that surrounded them, a beauty that transcended words and stirred something deep within their soul. 

In that moment, as they gazed out at the serene vista before them, time seemed to stand still, and the outside world faded into insignificance, leaving only the tranquility of the forest and the hushed whispers of the wind.

She hums in approval before the ship jerks to a halt on the rough ground, the unexpected stop jolting her momentarily. The sudden silence as the ship shuts off prompts Y/N to turn to Mando, her expression curious and ready to voice her thoughts, but she is swiftly interrupted.

Mando's authoritative voice breaks through the quiet, his instructions firm and precise: “Now listen. I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna look around. It shouldn't take too long. Now, don't touch anything. I'll find us some lodging, then I'll come back for you two.”

The teenager and the tiny, curious baby pause, their gazes fixed on Mando as he launches into his plan. They exchange knowing glances, wordlessly acknowledging each other's confusion at the sudden turn of events. As Mando continues his lengthy explanation, his words fill the enclosed space, echoing slightly in the metallic interior of the ship.

Despite their best efforts to grasp the gravity of the situation, the baby's attention is inevitably drawn to the vast opening door, its size and unknown mysteries beckoning irresistibly. Enthralled by the unknown outside, the baby takes a hesitant step forward, the rustling of its small feet on the metal floor the only sound accompanying Mando's instructions.

Mando stood firm as he scoffed in a playful yet authoritative manner before bending down to gently scoop up the precious, wide-eyed baby in his strong, protective arms. With a sense of gentle guidance, he carefully placed the little one back in its original spot, ensuring it was safe and secure. "You stay right here," Mando's voice is firm but filled with a caring softness, the baby looking up at him with immeasurable trust. "You stay. Don't move. You understand? Great."

Completing his one-sided conversation with the irresistibly endearing, floppy-eared child, Mando momentarily shifted his focus to the contemplative figure of y/n, who now couldn't help but stifle a laugh at his tender interaction with the infant. 

As y/n leaned back in her chair, arms crossed in an air of casual amusement, she had turned her seat around to face Mando directly, her gaze alternating between him and the exit, perhaps hinting at a readiness for whatever awaited them beyond the walls of their current setting.

The room itself seemed to hold its breath, the atmosphere tinged with a mix of affection and underlying tension — a quiet scene that spoke volumes about the dynamics between these individuals. Mando's protective instincts were clear, juxtaposed by y/n's evident playfulness and subtle defiance, creating a captivating interplay of emotions and unspoken nuances in the room. 

It was a brief moment frozen in time, where each gesture and expression revealed a story waiting to unfold, a tale of connection and divergence, love and challenge, all set against the backdrop of a shared journey through space and the bonds that tied them together on this ever-changing path.

Mando's gaze sharpens as he gestures towards her, a silent command that elicits a subtle reaction from the young woman. Her eyebrows arch in surprise, a spark of amusement in her eyes quickly extinguished as she obediently halts her laughter, a small sigh escaping her lips before she nervously nibbles on her lower lip. 

"You too," he murmurs, his tone firm but not unkind as he swiftly anticipates her potential protest. "I don't want to see you out of the ship. You’re still injured," he adds, his concern evident despite the curt delivery, leaving no room for argument as he swiftly departs, the door sliding shut behind him. The girl watches him go, her expression a mix of resignation and a hint of gratitude for his care and protection. 

Deep down, she knows he is right, that venturing out prematurely would only risk exacerbating her injuries, but a part of her also longs for the freedom of the open space beyond the confines of the ship. With a conflicted heart, she resigns herself to a day of rest and recuperation, a bittersweet sense of safety mingling with a quiet yearning for independence and adventure.

~~~

y/n POV

Mando had a way of moving decisively, not leaving much room for discussion. He disembarked from the ship swiftly, not giving me a chance to voice any objections. As the door remained ajar, I found myself gazing into the innocent eyes of the little one, our silent connection speaking volumes. 

"Alright, let's go," I murmured gently, lifting the baby into my arms, making sure his tiny arms peeked out above my own, securely holding onto my sleeves. With cautious steps, I ventured onto the verdant grass, glancing towards where Mando had his back to us. Just as he turned to face us, my lips parted as if to speak, but a moment of hesitation seized me, and I swallowed my words, opting for silence instead. 

The unspoken thoughts lingered in the air, a profound understanding passing between us with only our eyes as messengers. It was a fleeting moment, pregnant with unspoken emotions, hanging in the balance before we dived back into the rhythm of our journey.

I hear a crackled sigh escape from mando before he finally concedes, "Oh, what the hell? Come on," he says, causing a smile to bloom on my lips and eliciting a delightful coo from the baby in response. 

As we continue on our journey, our footsteps echo harmoniously on the dusty path, leading us to a quaint little town nestled in the heart of the wilderness. Mando takes the lead, guiding me and the baby with confident strides towards a large hut, permeating the air with an enticing aroma that hints at the mysterious contents within.

Upon entering the rustic abode, I gently place the baby on the floor, watching as he explores his newfound surroundings, while mando follows closely behind me, a protective presence at my back. Casting a glance over my shoulder, I am met with the comical sight of the mischievous little gremlin being reprimanded by a peculiar-looking feline creature. 

A soft giggle escapes my lips at the playful interaction, before turning my attention back to Mando, whose keen eyes catch sight of my slight limp, a manifestation of the wearying journey we have undertaken.

Despite the physical discomfort, the warmth of camaraderie and shared experiences with mando and the baby fills my heart with a deep sense of contentment. As we stand together in the cozy confines of the hut, surrounded by the unfamiliar yet comforting scents and sounds of this new environment, a wave of gratitude washes over me for the unexpected companionship and adventures we have embarked upon in this captivating world.

“Sit down, you’re going to tire yourself out,” he tells me, gesturing to the circular table. I scoff at him but comply anyway, easing my weary body into the wooden chair. As my muscles relax into the unexpected comfort of the seat, I feel a wave of relief wash over me, grateful for this momentary respite amidst the chaos of the day. 

The table before us looms large, its surface worn and etched with the marks of countless conversations and shared meals. I trace my fingers along the aged wood, feeling the grooves and knots beneath my touch, each imperfection telling a story of its own.

Now the baby is sitting as well, propped up in their little chair with chubby hands grasping at the air in front of them. Their eyes light up with curiosity, taking in the scene of adults gathered around, their forms creating a protective barrier around the little one. I can’t help but smile at the innocence and wonder radiating from the child, a stark contrast to the weariness etched into the lines of our faces.

Look at us, a bunch of jackasses sitting in a circle, our laughter mingling with the soft hum of conversation. The warmth of camaraderie wraps around us like a cozy blanket, creating a bubble of shared experiences and unspoken understanding. In this simple act of sitting together, we find solace and connection, forging bonds that transcend the constraints of words and time.

"Welcome, travelers," a gracious lady greeted as she approached our group, her warm smile inviting. "Can I interest you in something to ease your journey?" she inquired, her eyes flickering with hospitality. 

"Bone broth, a soothing elixir for the little one," Mando started to suggest before I interjected smoothly, the mischief evident in my voice. "And for me," I added with a playful grin, "your strongest alcohol, if you please."

Her eyebrows raised in a subtle display of surprise, the lady hesitated, her professionalism momentarily faltering. "Ah, well, I'll need the permission of your... guardian," she stammered, thrown off balance by my request. 

Without missing a beat, I turned towards Mando, silently using the Force to manipulate his nod in agreement, much to the lady's visible delight. With a newfound confidence, she turned back to Mando, her tone now softer and more accommodating. "May I interest you in a hearty porringer of broth as well?" she offered kindly, a touch of concern lacing her voice.

Mando's response was measured, his demeanor guarded as he looked to me briefly. "Just the one," he stated firmly, his words carrying a slight edge that hinted at a hidden story. The lady, sensing the unspoken tension, expertly masked her curiosity behind a professional facade, smoothly transitioning to fulfill our requests with practiced grace.

As Mando bid her farewell with a simple "Very well," his gaze lingered on a specific woman standing on the fringe of the bustling Sorgan marketplace. Curiosity tugged at him as he inquired about her arrival time. 

"That one over there. When did she arrive?" he questioned before the woman prepared to depart. To his surprise, the informant revealed, "I've seen her here for the last week or so," with a gesture towards the mysterious individual with dark hair and attire that blended into the shadows of the quaint village.

Intrigued further, Mando sought to unravel the enigma shrouding the mysterious woman's presence. "What's her business here?" he probed, hoping for clarity amidst the ambiguity that surrounded the stranger. The informant, with a shrug, offered a cryptic response, "Business? Oh, well, there's not much business in Sorgan, so I can't say," hinting at the scarcity of commercial activities in the tranquil locale.

As the conversation concluded, the informant, now turning to gather their belongings, left Mando contemplating the untold tales hidden beneath the surface of Sorgan. The unspoken mysteries and silent whispers within the village beckoned for exploration, painting a backdrop of intrigue and wonder in the Mandalorian's quest for answers amidst the serene yet enigmatic setting.

I couldn't help but continue to shift my gaze towards the table, fully aware of the penetrating stare of the Mandalorian fixed on the side of my head once more. Positioned to his right, a wave of self-consciousness washed over me as my arm remained in close proximity to him, prompting a subtle discomfort within me.

The tension in the air was palpable before he finally broke the silence with a gruff, "What the hell was that?" His query caught me off guard, and I responded with a feigned innocence, raising an eyebrow, "What was what?"

As our eyes met, I turned my head slightly, a gesture to ensure clearer communication between us. His next words carried a weight of authority, "We need to establish some ground rules regarding your powers, y/n," his tone laced with a hint of exasperation evident right from the start.

With a sense of unease settling in our midst, it became apparent that the conversation was about to take a more serious turn. The gravity of his words lingered in the air, waiting to be addressed and dissected further for both of us to navigate through this uncharted territory of power dynamics and unspoken rules.

“It was a one-time thing,” I began, my voice tinged with a mix of regret and defiance. I could feel the weight of his disapproval in the air, a tangible presence that seemed to stifle any further words I might have wanted to express. 

"Besides, you wouldn't let me get alcohol willingly so I-" My sentence was abruptly cut short as he interjected with a firm tone, his words slicing through the tense atmosphere like a knife. "Just no using it on me or the kid," he declared with an air of finality, his eyes locking onto mine with a steely gaze that brooked no argument.

Raising my hands in a gesture of surrender, I positioned them near the sides of my head, indicating my compliance in the matter. "Deal," I agreed confidently, a playful smirk gracing my lips as I sought to inject a hint of amusement into the exchange. With a subtle yet deliberate movement, I extended my index finger, playfully pointing it towards him as I continued to express my terms. 

"Just don't sell me off to any old men," I added wryly, the hint of a challenge lacing my words. As the brief moment of jest flowed between us, I gradually lowered my hands back into a relaxed position on my lap, signifying the conclusion of our impromptu negotiation. 

The subtle shift in atmosphere was palpable as we both shared a moment of light-hearted banter, the underlying agreement lingering in the air as a testament to our exchanged words. This casual interaction, enriched with nuances of humor and understanding, served as a reminder of the bond that existed between us, characterized by mutual respect and shared humor.

"It was a one time thing." Those words slipped out of Mando's mouth almost inaudibly, laced with a hint of remorse. In response, a spontaneous burst of laughter escaped my own lips, caught off guard by the unexpected admission. 

My amusement bubbled over, reaching its peak as my hand instinctively rose to gently mask the sound, a habit ingrained to maintain the peace of the surroundings. The moment lingered, a brief yet poignant exchange between us—Mando's fleeting vulnerability contrasted with my unrestrained mirth.

With my right hand pressed gently against my aching stomach, I took a moment to catch my breath after succumbing to fits of unstoppable laughter. The room filled with the echo of my loud sigh as I tried to regain my composure. 

"You done?" Mando's voice cut through the lingering chuckles, breaking the spell of my amusement. Through the remnants of my laughter, a soft snort escaped me, accompanied by a satisfied smile that lingered on my face. "Yep," I managed to reply, still trying to stifle a few remaining giggles.

The lady returned at last, her steps announcing her presence as she made her way back to our table. With deliberate care, she placed a steaming bowl of soup in front of the baby, ensuring it was within reach. To my surprise, she then brought out a bottle of what appeared to be their strongest alcohol, placing it boldly in the center of the table. 

The bottle commanded attention, its imposing presence only further highlighted by the delicate glass cup positioned invitingly beside it. The contrast between the innocent setting of a family meal and the unexpected appearance of such a potent liquor sparked a blend of curiosity and amusement within me.

I glanced over at Mando, noticing the bottle sitting precariously close to his eager grasp. As the lady strolled away, my swift instincts kicked in, prompting me to reach out and secure the bottle before any mishap could occur. "Really? Just don't drink that whole thing," Mando uttered hastily, a sense of urgency in his voice. "I'll be back. Watch the kid," he instructed before making a prompt exit from the hut. 

Left alone with the responsibility of both the baby and the now valuable bottle, I felt the weight of the situation settle upon my shoulders. The task of safeguarding the bottle and ensuring its contents remained intact felt like a crucial mission that I could not afford to fail. Taking a deep breath, I turned my attention towards the baby, only to find him completely engrossed in sipping his soup, blissfully unaware of the potential chaos that had just been skillfully averted. 

As I observed the baby enjoying his meal, a sense of relief washed over me, knowing that everything was under control for the time being. The hut seemed tranquil, with the soft sounds of the baby’s content slurping being the only disruption in the quiet ambiance. The responsibility of caring for the baby and protecting the precious bottle created a unique bond between us, a connection forged in the shared moment of cautious vigilance. 

I let out a slow, exasperated sigh as I grasp the cool bottle tightly in my hand, steeling myself for the inevitable surge of powerful aroma that assaults my senses as soon as the cap is lifted. 

The pungent fragrance instantly invades my nostrils, prompting me to involuntarily blow out a quick burst of air to disperse the initial shock. With a momentary pause to gather my composure, I defiantly take a generous gulp of the liquid, feeling it fill my mouth to the brim, my cheeks expanding as if trying to contain the intense flavor.

As I turn to casually survey the room around me, my eyes lock with those of a woman standing across the way, her gaze filled with undisguised judgment and disdain. Reacting impulsively to her unwarranted scrutiny, I raise my hand and defiantly extend my middle finger towards her, an instinctual gesture of rebellion and disregard. 

The amber liquid slides smoothly down my throat as I defiantly swallow, the searing sensation of its warmth momentarily forgotten amidst the rush of emotions that accompany this bold act of defiance. Ignoring the familiar burn that accompanies each swallow, I maintain my confident smirk, meeting the woman's gaze head-on, unapologetic and unyielding.

In that brief moment of silent confrontation, a clash of wills playing out between us, I am acutely aware of the tension that hangs thick in the air, palpable and charged with unspoken words. The amber liquid that now rests within me serves as both a shield and a liberator, fueling my sense of defiance and emboldening my spirit in the face of judgment. 

As the woman's features soften slightly in response to my unorthodox response, I am reminded of the power of rebellion and the freedom that comes with choosing to defy societal norms and expectations.

With a final, knowing smile directed at the woman across the room, I stand my ground, unapologetic in my actions and unwavering in my resolve. The amber liquid still lingers on my tongue, a bittersweet reminder of the strength found in moments of defiance and the liberation that comes with embracing one's own truth, no matter the consequences.

As she rolled her eyes in disdain, her gaze returning to the untouched food on her plate, I carefully placed the glass bottle back onto the table, trying to ignore the creeping frustration building inside me. "I hate old people," the thought echoed silently in my mind, a sense of irritation lingering in the air.

Turning my attention away, a sudden realization struck me as I noticed the absence of the baby - a sinking feeling settling in as I cursed myself internally for forgetting the crucial task at hand. "Wait - oh, no," the words slipped unspoken as panic began to rise within me. With a sense of urgency, I rose from the seat, the worn wooden chair protesting with a soft creak against the floorboards beneath me.

Grasping the bottle tightly in my hand, I made my way towards the exit, a slight limp in my step from the discomfort that had been nagging at me. The weight of my oversight loomed heavy on my shoulders, propelling me forward as I hurriedly pressed on, determined to rectify my mistake and ensure the safety of the missing child.

As the scene unfolded before me, it became evident that my initial assumption was correct - he had indeed set out in search of Mando. I rounded a corner, and there, with the baby serenely sipping on his soup, Mando lay on the ground, engaged in a tense standoff with the woman. Both figures were sprawled out on the dusty earth, their hands steady as they each aimed blasters at one another. 

The cool, eerie silence of the moment was palpable, contrasting sharply with the charged energy that crackled in the air. I paused, taking in the gravity of the situation, realizing that the decision to intervene or remain a silent observer weighed heavily on my conscience. The baby, innocently oblivious to the tension surrounding him, continued to slurp on his soup, a stark contrast to the intense drama unfolding just a few feet away. 

The standoff seemed to carry with it a silent dialogue of its own, the unspoken words hanging palpably in the air, as if waiting for the first shot to break the fragile equilibrium. Time seemed to slow, each passing moment stretching into eternity, as the tableau before me held me transfixed, a silent observer to the unfolding drama.

"You want some soup?" Mando asks her, his voice laced with concern. In response, I chuckle softly, the warm feeling of the alcoholic liquid coursing through me. Before I can take another swig, Mando abruptly rises from his seat and deftly takes the bottle from my grasp, a flicker of worry in the way he carries himself.

"I was drinking that moron," I tell him, frustration boiling beneath the surface as he nonchalantly ignores my words and retreats back into the dimly lit hut, the woman - presumably his companion - wordlessly trailing behind him like a shadow. With a resigned sigh, I carefully scoop up the green baby, feeling the weight of responsibility settle in my arms, and begin the slow journey back to the table, my injured leg protesting with each step I take. 

As I finally reach the table and settle down, I position myself on the left side of Mando, a man of few words but undeniable presence, with Cara, the enigmatic woman whose name I've only just learned, seated gracefully on my right. The baby nestled comfortably in my lap brings a sense of fleeting peace amidst the underlying tension that simmers between us, creating a delicate balance in this patchwork family unit we've become."

"Saw most of my action mopping up after Endor. Mostly Ex-Imperial Warlords. They wanted it fast and quiet. They'd send us in on the drop ships. No support, just us. Then when the Imps were gone, the politics started.” cara explains.

Serving on the front lines after the Battle of Endor was where I saw the true face of conflict. The majority of our missions were centered around cleaning up the remnants of the crumbling Imperial regime – a task that fell heavily on our shoulders as former soldiers. These Ex-Imperial Warlords proved to be cunning adversaries, always seeking a swift and covert resolution, demanding our utmost precision and swiftness in execution.

Each mission began with a swift deployment via drop ships, plunging us directly into the heart of the action with no safety net to rely on, forcing us to rely on our training and instincts. It was a stark reminder that in these high-stakes operations, the only ones we could truly count on were each other. The absence of external support only served to highlight the gravity of our responsibilities and the harsh realities of war.

As the Empire's influence waned and their forces were gradually eradicated, a different type of battle began - one that transcended the battlefield and delved into the murky waters of politics. The vacuum left by the Empire's downfall was quickly filled with power struggles, alliances, and betrayals, as factions vied for control and influence in the volatile post-Imperial landscape. 

Cara's account offers a poignant glimpse into the tumultuous aftermath of war, where the fight for control and dominance continued long after the last traces of the Empire had faded away.

“We were peacekeepers, tasked with protecting delegates and suppressing riots. This was not what I had agreed to do," she concludes as I attentively listen, gently playing with the baby's ears.

Mando's inquisitive voice cuts through the tension, prompting a candid response from the mysterious figure he's encountered. "How'd you end up here?" he asks, his curiosity palpable in the air. With a wry smile, she responds, her tone carrying a hint of resignation layered with a tinge of defiance. 

"Let's just call it an early retirement," she quips, evoking a sense of enigma that surrounds her history and motivations. The weight of her past decisions lingers in the air, adding a layer of complexity to their interaction.

Acknowledging the inevitable truths that had led her to this encounter, she reveals a glimpse of her astute perception. "Look, I knew you were Guild," she admits, signaling her shrewd intuition and keen observational skills. 

Her ability to read the situation astutely hints at a history of navigating treacherous waters, anticipating danger at every turn. The mention of a fob serves as a reminder of the constant surveillance and tracking mechanisms that define their world, highlighting the ever-present threat that looms over their interactions.

Her direct approach in confronting Mando reflects a sense of urgency and determination, showcasing her resilience in the face of adversity. The intensity of her words reverberates in the air, underscoring the high stakes that come with their entwined fates. As they stand at this crossroads, their exchange epitomizes a delicate balance of trust and suspicion, hinting at a deeper connection that transcends mere words.

"Yeah, that's what I figured," Mando remarked, his voice carrying a tinge of amusement as he glanced at Cara with a knowing look. "Well, this has been a real treat," Cara added, a slight grin playing on her lips, "but unless you wanna go another round," she continued, her tone betraying a hint of challenge, "one of us is gonna have to move on, and I was here first." 

As the words hung in the air, the tension between them was palpable, a silent agreement that their encounter had reached its natural end. Mando nodded in acknowledgment, a sense of respect evident in his eyes, acknowledging Cara's assertion of precedence. 

Despite the casual exchange of words, there was an unspoken understanding between them, a mutual respect forged through battles fought side by side. The camaraderie that had developed between the two warriors was unmistakable, a bond solidified through shared experiences and mutual trust. As they stood facing each other, the weight of their past encounters echoed in the silence that enveloped them, a reminder of the trials they had overcome together.

As I felt my attention drifting away, my body responded by urging me to stand up from my current position. I carefully placed the baby on the nearby chair before proceeding to execute a swift and stealthy maneuver to retrieve the bottle from Mando. 

I noted with a hint of amusement that the bottle had been inconspicuously tucked away under his chair, adding a playful element to my impromptu mission. With a slight limp in my step, likely from the day's activities, I made my way back outside, feeling a sense of satisfaction at accomplishing the task with finesse.

As I stepped into the fading light of the setting sun, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the dusk descending around me. The sky seemed to be painted with hues of orange and pink, casting a serene ambiance over the surroundings. 

The gentle transition from daylight to darkness was a reminder of the passing of time, evoking a sense of contemplation within me. Despite the imminent arrival of night, there was a peacefulness in the air that enveloped me, creating a moment of stillness and reflection.

I gazed intently into the depths of the glass bottle, its transparent form a curious lens into my thoughts. After a moment of contemplation, a nonchalant shrug traveled through my shoulders, a signal of resignation to the impending action. With a deliberate grip, I raised the vessel to my lips, the cool touch of the glass a stark contrast against my skin. As the first droplets touched my tongue, a fiery sensation erupted, a sharp contrast to the cold exterior.

A cascade of liquid rushed down my throat, a torrent of sensation and warmth that painted a vivid trail within me. Each gulp, though laden with intensity, seemed to dissolve into the next, a relentless tide of consumption. The parched feeling within me began to ebb, replaced by a rich, burning sensation that coursed through me. I paused, the need for air finally asserting its presence, the pressure behind my closed eyelids palpable.

Slowly, I released the bottle from my grasp, the weight of it a testament to the task that had just unfolded. Setting it down, the remaining contents sloshed within, a visual representation of the journey of consumption marked by its decreasing volume. My gaze lingered on the now diminished liquid, the once brimming vessel now a mere fraction of its former self, a testament to a moment of indulgence.

I let out a heavy sigh tinged with regret, a feeling that washes over me like a looming storm before the calm. Despite the impending morning hangover, a certainty that is as predictable as the sunrise, I find solace in the knowledge that this temporary discomfort will soon give way to a newfound vitality. 

With a sense of resigned acceptance, I tread a few steps towards a gentle slope, the soft grass beneath my feet a comforting contrast to the turbulent thoughts swirling inside me.

Perching myself atop the hill, the world around me bathed in a tranquil evening light, I fold my legs close to my chest, cradling them gently as if shielding myself from the impending aftermath of tonight’s indulgence. My arms draped in front of my knees, forming a protective barrier as though to shield my innermost vulnerabilities from the world’s prying eyes. A solitary figure perched upon nature’s throne, lost in contemplation amid the vast expanse of the landscape before me.

"Y/N, what did I tell you?" I hear a stern voice from behind me as I shift my gaze, my heart sinking with guilt. "'m sorry," I manage to mumble, my words slightly slurred from the overwhelming mix of emotions swirling within me. Slowly turning my head, I catch sight of the Mandalorian approaching, his footsteps crunching softly on the grass as he takes a seat beside me, a comforting presence despite the tension lingering in the air.

The baby toddles along behind him, its innocent eyes fixed on us as it settles down in front, a silent observer to the unfolding scene. I can feel the weight of his gaze on me, a silent reminder of the unspoken expectations he holds me to. My mind races, trying to piece together a response that might somewhat alleviate the tension that hangs heavy in the air between us.

"It makes me feel better," I told him, my voice soft but resolute. I could see the concern in his eyes as he tried to reason with me, his brows furrowed in worry. "There are other ways to relieve stress," he pointed out, his words a gentle reminder of the choices I could make. I couldn't help but smile at his attempt to guide me, to protect me like an older brother would. 

"You're not even old enough to drink, you're still a kid," he emphasized, his tone laced with a mixture of concern and care. His words were like a shield, trying to protect me from harm, from the dangers that lurked in the world outside our bubble of safety.

I turned my head to look at him, my eyes meeting his in a silent exchange of understanding. "You know I'm not a kid, right?" I said, the words carrying a weight of defiance and determination. I saw a flicker of pride in his eyes, a glimmer of respect for the person I was becoming.

In that moment, as we sat facing each other, I realized the depth of our connection, the unspoken bond that held us together. His concern was a testament to his love, his guidance a reflection of his care. And in my defiance, I saw his belief in me, his trust that I could navigate the complexities of life, that I could find my way through the storm.

"Yes you are. you act like one anyways," Mando tells me in a nonchalant tone as I glance at the baby, who curiously tilts his head in response. Feeling the weight of Mando's words, I release a heavy sigh and shake my head, a mixture of frustration and resignation clouding my thoughts.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Mando leans in slightly, his expression serious yet caring. As he speaks, his hands punctuate his words, emphasizing the importance of his message. "Listen," he begins, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency, "just lay off the alcohol, and any type of drugs until you find a healthier way to relieve stress." His advice lingers in the air, a gentle reminder that reverberates in my mind.

Reflecting on his words, I realize the gravity of his counsel. It's not just about the substances themselves but the underlying issues that drive me to seek solace in them. Mando's guidance serves as a beacon, illuminating a path towards self-discovery and healing.

As I gaze at the baby once more, I see innocence and vulnerability mirrored in his eyes. It's a stark contrast to the complexities of my own struggles. Yet, in that fleeting moment of connection, a flicker of determination ignites within me.

With Mando's words echoing in my ears, I make a silent vow to embark on a journey of self-improvement. It won't be easy, and the road ahead is laced with uncertainties. But armed with Mando's wisdom and the innocence of a child's gaze, I take the first step towards a brighter, healthier future.

"I have another way," I told him confidently, a hint of mischievousness in my voice. His curiosity piqued, he leaned in, eager to hear my suggestion. "Okay, well, what is it?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for clues. Taking a moment to savor the suspense, I met his gaze with a playful smirk before finally revealing my idea. "Sex," I declared with a teasing tone, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. 

“i- no. you will not be doing.. that on my ship, again, you’re a kid,” Mando firmly states as he gazes at me with a mixture of protectiveness and exasperation, the word ‘kid’ hanging heavily in the air. My childish defiance bubbles as I shoot back, “Boo, you whore,” punctuating the retort with a playful pout, my gaze shifting to meet the enchanting glow of the rising moon beyond the ship's deck. 

Mando, ever the responsible guardian, chimes in, his voice tinged with a hint of admonishment, “another thing, language. quit with the profanities, there’s a baby present,” his concern for the young presence on board palpable as he redirects my attention towards maintaining a more wholesome atmosphere. 

Despite our playful banter, beneath the surface of our interactions lies a bond forged through shared adventures and undeniable trust. As the vast expanse of space looms around us, Mando and I navigate not just the physical realms but also the intricacies of understanding and respect. His role as a mentor transcends mere words, encapsulated in the way he sets boundaries to ensure my safety and growth.

I glance at him, recognizing the unspoken lessons woven within our exchanges. The moments of levity are interspersed with lessons on language and conduct, a gentle reminder of the values that shape our interactions. As we sail through the cosmos, our dynamic evolves, stitching together a tapestry of companionship that thrives on mutual understanding and care.

"Yea yea, I got it," I say as a casual smirk dances on my lips, my hand lazily waving in the air in a gesture of nonchalant confidence. Almost as an afterthought, I mutter the word "bitch" under my breath, the warmth of the word barely registering in the moment.

Unexpectedly, Mando's deadpan voice cuts through the air from beneath the helmet, a hint of amusement lacing his tone as he simply states, "I heard that."

I let out a chuckle, a mischievous glint lighting up my eyes as I meet Mando's concealed gaze, the corners of my lips quirking up in a half-smile. "You were supposed to," I reply, the smile blooming into a full grin that exudes both camaraderie and a hint of playful challenge.

There's an unspoken understanding between us, a shared language of banter and camaraderie that transcends words. In that fleeting moment of exchange, a silent bond solidifies, deepening the connection between us as if each word spoken and unspoken is a thread weaving us closer together in this journey that we walk side by side by side.

~~~

A/N - idk what im doing

[spideyanakin]

sea cursed (l.g)

summary - kidnaped after a war, you passed years away as a slave - never-thinking you’d see Legolas again. 

back to main masterlist

legolas masterlist

The years of your childhood were your most prized ones. You had spent those years enjoying the treasures of Mirkwood, never leaving the side of your best friend and prince: Legolas.

Mirkwood was everything to you. The dark caves of the castle, the thick trees in the depth of the forest surrounding the castle. It was your home. But so was Legolas. Your comfort person as you like to call him. You’d spend your childhood attached at the hip, climbing said thick trees until you’d reach the top and look at the forest from the perch spot. 

Those childhood giggles quickly turned into mature laughters, and while your friendship grew, it morphed into something you treasured even more - love. 

So, it came to no one’s surprise when the two of your betrothed early on. You couldn’t think about marrying anyone else but him - your best friend, the love of your life. 

But this Peace was quickly disturbed when you decided to follow your parents' footsteps and leave for a battle you never come back from. 

You might have been born in Mirkwood, but your blood-line lied elsewhere. Your family was originally from a far away southern elven kingdom that had experienced great wars because of its closeness to Mordor. The creation of this place had made kingdoms of different magical species migrate closer to your family’s kingdom, creating tensions with the borders and land owning. 

A war that apparently still wasn’t over. 

A war your parents had left you for ten years prior. A letter which had been addressed to you arrived, asking you to join them as they felt the war was coming to an end, and all forces were needed. 

“Don’t go Melith, this isn’t your war” Legolas gripped your shoulder, trying to hold you back from leaving.

“But it is-” You wiped a few stray tears away from your eyes as you looked back to Legolas. “My parents are fighting for it, it’s my time to do too.”

“Then let me come with you.”

“We already talked about this... It isn’t Mirkwood’s war.”

“Then it isn’t yours.” He argued making the hole forming in your heart even larger.

Silence lingered as you looked at him with all your stare. You felt his hand travel down your shoulder and to your fingers, his own delicate touch starting to fiddle with your silver betrothal ring.

You sighed, dropping your forehead agains’t his, giving him a silent 'You know I have to go'.

“I love you Melith.” You breathed out, closing your eyes to take him in before kissing his forehead, your kiss traveling to his nose and down to his lips. “I’ll be back before you know it.” You soothed his cheek with your thumb before mounting your horse.

“Wait.” He gripped your knee before you could as your horse to leave. He gripped the reins and placed his feet next to yours into the stirrup, grabbing your face with his free hand to kiss you one last time.

“Good luck.”

And that was about the last time you saw him. 

The war did not go as planned. Your family’s kingdom was crushed to bits and you were sold as a slave in Valinor (for the sake of this story there’s slavery in Valinor lmao - for the sake of the story Valinor is just a continent across the sea from Middle-earth 🤚🏻 sry Tolkein <3 ). For 150 years you were tossed around households, serving and following orders, right until you were sold to pirates.

Cursed pirates, to make your life any better.

You started out as deck cleaner - sleeping on the floor at night, and cleaning the decks during the day. Solemnly missing the talking of trees and nature in the day. 

“Y/n!” The captain called you on a hot summer day as you finished wiping the last traces of dirt on deck. Your thoughts had wandered off to Legolas again, wondering if he had let himself die from heart break or if he lived his life in your honor. Wondering if he still had some hope of your survival hidden in the pit of his stomach. 

“Yes, Captain?” You wiped your face with your sleeve, pushing the strands of your hair with the tips of your soap-wet fingers. 

It had become lighter than you remembered it to be 50 years ago. The salt mixed it with the sun made it at least a few shades lighter. It was tangled and halfway braided in a poor attempt to fix the damage the years of slavery had caused it. Although elven hair healed fast and quickly untangled, it would take you a while to get it back as it was. 

“I want to talk to you.” The captain placed a hand on your shoulder and walked you towards a corner of the ship where his crew wasn’t too present. “I've always admired your kind.” He looked into your elven eyes. “Tell me, if you look to the horizon what do you see?”

You blinked, the words stuck in the back of your throat as you turned around towards the sea and looked as far as you could.

“Valinor Captain.” You scanned the shore. “Boats are boarding, one with salts and other foods... One is boarding passengers.” You turned back to the captain who looked at you with an impressed smirked.

“You’re the only elf on board?” you didn’t know it if was a question or a fact but you nodded adding a short ‘yessir’. 

“How would you like to be upgraded to First mate?” He folded his arms and your mouth fell open at the request.

“Elves aren’t made to clean decks.” He pointed out. “My first mate doesn’t help.” He pointed to a lazy fat man who was sleeping by the view, a bottle of Rhum in his hand. “you can see further than I can see, even with my telescope. Skilled with maps I suppose?” 

“Yes, Captain” 

“Good.”

But that was 48 years ago.

Today, you were standing proudly next to the captain as his First mate, taking the seas as your new home.

Now, you might think that being First mate meant you were able to escape the ship - leave and go back home to Mirkwood. But it wasn't that easy. 

For the last 400 years, this ship had been cursed to sail the seas, anyone who would step on land turning to dust. Each time a person was added to the crew, whether they were slaves or crewmen - they would be cursed too.

Over those years multiple captains had seen the decks of the Meltix. But you knew that once this captain was gone; you’d had to take the reins for eternity.

And that thought made you gulp down to your stomach more anxiety.

If this captain passed, it would mean that this curse would be getting even more real. That your last hope of going back home would be crushed and washed away along with the sea.  

“Captain.” You stated as you looked as far across the sea as you could, a wave of panic filling your lungs. “Were getting closer to Middle-Earth.” Your voice wavered as you spotted the familiar mountain tops of Gondor.

“Good.” he nodded and your eyes filled with worry, not knowing if you’d be able to hold yourself together if you sailed the borders of Middle-earth.

Suddenly the captain let out a hard trail of coughs, clutching onto his stomach and bending near the table. His tan skin turning paler then you’d ever seen and the glow in his eyes seemed to disappear.

“Captain!” You crouched towards him but he waved your help off.

“I'll be alright, girl.” He smiled before more coughs escaped his lips. “My time is near.” Before he could say a word, you helped him to his chambers, slowly sensing the life fading from him.

You stood near his bed, your lungs about to take flight from panic - you couldn't be captain, captains were bound to this ship more than any crew members. You'd have to spend eternity here. Your earlier anxiety coming back to hunt you as you felt all your last hope sinking down to the bottom of the sea

“How can I help you?” You breathed out as you unfolded his covers and settled his head comfortably on his pillow.

“Nothing for me.” He coughed again. “I knew this day would come.” He sighed and looked up at the chandelier. “You have to leave, free yourself before it’s too late.”

“I- I- can’t leave.” the tears that were bound to fall were already leaving your eyes. “I- No one can... Apart from you” you sniffed, remembering all the times the captain went freely off the board. "Even when I'm captain-" you closed your eyes as you thought of all the times he'd said you were next as captain. "I won't be able to leave."

“You know why?” He looked down with a soft smile, removing a little glowing crystal resting on a chain. “This.” He removed the necklace, feeling a little weaker than before. “It was made the same day the curse was placed onto this ship, passed on from captain to captain.” a new cough escaped his lips. “Its power is fading.” He sighed looking back up. "The crystal dies when the boat's 100th captain’s held its last breath... All part of the curse.”

“You’re the 100th captain.” You realized, hope suddenly settling back into your stomach.

“I will dock onto middle earth-” He sighed. “The necklace will guide you through the mountains” You felt your eyes water. “You have to break this curse. A week on land for eternity at sea.”

Before you knew it, you were removing your hat and placing it onto your best friend aboard the ship’s head; your first mate if you had to stay captain forever. You made sure you had everything one last time before holding on tight to the necklace.

Placing a foot on land after fifty years felt weird... Very weird. The land didn’t move, everything was flat. No waves to make you swing from left to right, no wind that would blow in your face.

But nature was near - and it suddenly felt like home. You could sense the trees that shacked in the wind, and the flowers that grew in the forests. Everything felt good. Too good.  

You wanted to cry. And overwhelming feeling of joy that hadn’t surged in the 50 years you’d pass at sea. 

That’s when you realized you had to move fast. Very fast. You had one week to travel over the misty mountains and climb to the ones nearest to Rohan to place the crystal in its rightful place; back in the tomb of the one who cursed the ship, and destroy the curse. Maybe after that, travel to Mirkwood, and get your life back.

You didn’t know how fast your horse was going but with barely any stops and two days later you were knocking on King Theoden's castle door; Seeking shelter and a place to spend the night, a way to shield yourself from the gloomy days of middle earth.

A lot had changed since you were gone. The sky seemed grayer and a cold mist surrounded the place. Sauron was awake, it was obvious for any of the elves - It didn't take you long to sense it. Sauron had started to attack and wasn’t going to stop. War was near and it scared you again. The last war you had been in didn’t end in the best way. 

The sky was dark when you arrived in Rohan. The stars seemed to shine with a certain sadness, a torrent of rain was falling from the sky the sound of the drops falling onto the stone path ringing in your ears - bringing a certain comfort.

Your horse was tired and slowing down, almost tripping as he climbed the hill of the citadel. You patted him, soothing his tiredness with the palm of your hand, feeling some guilt for making him travel so much in so little time.

“My king.” A guard walked up to Theoden as Eowyn and the rest of the fellowship discussed the plans of Sauron’s armies. “A woman is at the gate. She’s asking for help - By her words a matter of life and death”

Aragorn and Legolas turned to each other with a frown. Life and death?

“Well is she injured?” Theoden asked. "Is she from Rohan?"

“She isn't injured, my lord." He shook his head. “She doesn't seem so- She said she wasn't from Middle Earth.”

“We'll bring her up, I’ll question her. If she isn't from Middle Earth... Then it must be serious.” He thought for a second "Is she armed?"

"A sword sir."

"Make sure you stay near." Theoden nodded. "Let her come in."

“Alright.” The guard nodded and King Theoden approached the grand doors of his castle. The doors opened to reveal you, sadly hidden by the large doors from Legolas’s sight. You stepped off from your horse, handing him to a guard who was standing by the gates.

“How could we help you on such a dark night?” The king’s soft voice rang in your ears and brought warmth back to you. “I rarely expect visits from the elf” He added with some simplicity as he saw your pointed ears, the word ‘elf’ making Aragorn and Legolas fill with new found curiosity. And elf not from Middle Earth?

You raised your head to meet his eyes, your eyelashes filled with rain drops and your thick coat dripping with water.

“I’m very sorry to bother you my lord” You slightly bowed your head before clearing your throat. “It would be too long to explain my case...” Your soft voice made its way to Legolas’s ears and the elf dropped his fork by the sound of it.

“What’s wrong Legolas?” Aragorn questioned seeing the color drain from his friend’s face.

“But I would need a stable for my horse and a place to stay the night- “ You trailed on, having to take a break from speaking as you didn’t trust your voice. “I have barely a week to get to the misty mountains- I have been traveling non-stop for two days” the rain that your coat had absorbed made you shiver as you played with your betrothal ring in stress of being rejected. “If I don’t get there I-”

“No need to say another word.” The king cut you off with a small smile. “Your horse will be taken care of." He looked at the tired animal. "We take whoever is in need of help in those trying times. It's a blessing you haven't been hurt by orcs” He turned and nodded towards Eowyn. “My dear if you could fetch some dry clothes for...?” He turned back to you.

“Y/n.” Legolas jotted up from his table accidentally spilling his plate in the process, feelings some tears at the rim of his eyes. The same voice, the same name. It had to be you. But It was impossible? Wasn’t it? You died years ago in battle - he had spent years trying to heal from your disappearance. His father had to force him out of his sadness, his heart had been shattered to pieces when he had heard you had lost the war, when your body wasn’t even found in the aftermath of the battle. For 200 years he had tried healing, doing his best not to fade away from the heart break your disappearance had caused him.

“That’s very kind of you, Sir.” Your soft voice made his mouth turn dry all of the sudden.

“Please. Our country is on the verge of war, it's the least I can do” He gave a small smile pointing for you to walk in.

“May I?” A man came from behind you removing your soaking wet vest from your tired shoulders. You gave him a thankful nod before turning your head towards a table of guests.

Your eyes went to a tall human with long black tangled hair. He looked tired and warned out like he’d walked for days on end. His eyes saw war and the scars on his hands didn’t deny it. Your eyes trailed to Gandalf - you had seen him before. And then suddenly an Elf was standing in the group - speechless.

Legolas recognized you the second you had turned around. Your eyes still had the same glow - the same color Legolas loved so much. The same spark that held. Your hair was longer than he remembered - and more tangled, as though you hadn't bushed it in weeks. It looked dried, wavier and the color seemed lighter; washed out almost. Your tangled strands must have been sea kissed; Legolas thought.

You were dressed differently too. Nothing like an elf. Your wet white shirt fell from your shoulders, layers of scarfs wrapped onto a corset that held the white fabric under it. Your pants looked like leather, high boots that almost reached your knees. And to top it off - hundred of jewels seemed to be scattered around your body. Rings on every finger, a huge gem that faintly glowed dangling from your neck, decorations at the tip of your belt scarfs, golden buttons on your vest and pants. Even your shoes had beautiful decorations.

But the betrothal ring he had given you was still wrapped around your finger - and every crack in his heart suddenly healed. 

What really made Legolas realize what you had become was when he saw the sword resting on your hip. It wasn’t an elven sword, or a human one. It was built by pirates. It was forged on pirate islands far from the borders of middle earth.

You stayed frozen - never taking your stare away from him. You did have a plan to get back to Mirkwood once you were free, but seeing Legolas here, right in front of you- you felt all the air getting removed from your lungs, and you didn't know if you could hold yourself standing at the sight of his blue eyes.

Legolas looked at you for a few seconds too. A wave of feelings drifting through him. You weren’t dead - you were right there, standing in front of him.

“Y/n?” He asked his voice wavering.

“Legolas-” You managed to choke out before he started doing something between walking and running to you, wrapping his arms around your waist and nuzzling his head in your neck to hold you tightly close to him.

“You’re not dead.” He cried onto your shoulder, trying to bring you as close as he could. “I-” 

“No. I- I've been trying to make my way to you. For so long...” You sniffed wrapping your arms around him; remembering how much you missed him.

[calumxkisses]

Dancing In The Sky | a.i.

pairing: ashton irwin x reader

genre: fluff to angst

warnings: death (not main characters)

summary: request - Hi!!! It’s very morbid but, I really want one with ash or cal, where they’re in one of the boys house just the boys and their girls, and then the reader receive a call in the middle of the conversation telling someone in her family is dead and she just in shock and she tells them, and the he hugs her and she breaks!!! Thanks

a/n: recently my granny had to be rushed to the hospital and i thought i was going to lose her - luckly it didn't happen. i felt this request particularly close. i always say 'i love you' to my grandma before hunging up on the phone (we live pretty far away from each other) and i thought about what would happen if i forgot to say it, not knowing it would be for the last time. i'm sorry to anyone of you if this triggers you. i love you.

you should read this imagine while listening to: before you go

➳

The light coming in from the window on your right illuminates the whole room, it’s late afternoon but the sun shines almost as if it were noon. The scorching heat has now passed, there is a breeze that cools the air and spreads the scent of the grill in the garden, alternating the scent of grilled vegetables and steaks throughout the house. The pool water is still moving, the inflatable flamingo is wedged near the pool stairs and you can still see the tracks of Michael's wet feet near the diving board.

Halsey's songs are repeated at a low volume, but the guys sing them out loud and a smile forms on your face as you see how they are always ready to support their friends, not only publicly with tweets or instagram stories, but also in private, enjoying music like normal people do.

You hold onto the sweatshirt Ashton gave you as you grab your cell phone from the sofa and put it in your shorts pocket. Your hair is still wet from the shower you just took and it’s leaking few drops of water as you head outside, where your friends are starting to set the table for dinner.

You don't know how it happened, you have vague memories, but you feel grateful to have them around you, to have the opportunity to consider them as a second family, to be able to hug them and to be able to laugh with them. It is a fortune that not everyone has and you make sure you don't waste this opportunity.

“Honey!” Ashton yells, shaking his hand up and looking at you with an amused look. A few tufts of hair fall in front of his face and with one hand he tries to move them back, only to find them in front of his eyes again. His swimsuit is now dry, his chest is red from staying under the sun all day but his tattoos still manage to stand out in the tan and a huge smile covers his face.

Seeing him so happy, confident, at peace with his mind and in love with life, warms your heart and you almost feel like crying of joy in seeing him like this.

You wiped his tears, hugged him under the covers and held him a million times as his demons took over, when mirrors became enemies and food scared him.

You turned off his cell phone every time he read comments about his body and spent sleepless nights keeping him company while he vented his frustration by playing the drums.

You held out your hand to him while accompanying him in his battle against himself, you kissed him as he went through hell and his joy was worth every single tear.

You are proud of him, of the way he went back to wearing his favorite t-shirts and of the way he has come to love all his flaws, even though you're still sure he doesn't even have one.

As you leave the house, a cool breeze passes through your hair and you instinctively close your eyes to be able to appreciate the moment of coolness in the terrible heat of the last few days.

When you open your eyes, amazement takes over your body: the sky is not simply blue like the water in the pool you've been in all afternoon, but pink and orange clouds cover it completely; the sun hides behind them, tinges the sky with more intense colors and you feel your soul leave your body at the sight of so much beauty.

The sunset is so mesmerizing that you don't even feel the need to pick up your phone and take a picture of it, it's so beautiful that you're sure not even the best cameras would be able to capture such a marvel.

It’s a pink and orange sunset, bigger clouds are the backdrop to smaller more intense colors and the skyline of the city is slowly tinged with black, the lights of the buildings begin to see each other more and the world slows down as it prepares for the quietest hours.

The sunset arouses familiar, nostalgic, certainly not typical emotions in you; it’s so beautiful that you feel like you are living a dream, you pinch your arm lightly to make sure you are awake but Ashton's laugh reminds you that it is reality and, with that melody in the background, you understand that the difference between dream and reality is not that big.

And even if it were a dream, you know that dreaming never hurt anybody.

As the sunset surrounds you in a warm hug, a small white butterfly begins to flutter around you, spinning around and bringing a smile to your lips. The insect is small, but in the orange sky it stands out in an important way, making you feel like a Disney princess. You stretch your hand up, raising your forefinger and inviting the little butterfly to lean on it and, without fear, it leans on it, resting its wings and showing itself even more beautiful than you thought.

It’s white but at the corners of its wings it has black spots, its gaze seems to be directed towards you as its antennae move delicately. A sense of awe and wonder makes its way inside of you and you slowly bring the butterfly closer to you so you can admire it better, noticing how safe it continues to feel with you.

“Is everything alright?” Sierra asks as she sets the plates on the table, she's too busy to notice how you seem to be in symbiosis with the butterfly.

“Yeah.” You whisper while the insect continues to stay on your finger, motionless, leading you to feel a sense of peace in the moment you are living.

Suddenly, while the blue sky is giving its space to the dark night, the butterfly takes off and, after making another turn around you, heads towards the sky and merges with the lights of the stars.

You walk back to your friends, still confused about what just happened, and you see Michael trying to move the fire bowl to the corner of the pool. “Mike, if I were you I'd be more careful, you're not the luckiest person when it comes to fire.” You smile and you hear your friends laughing out loud as a grin appears on Michael's face.

“Don't worry, Crystal has seen enough tv shows about doctors to know what to do if I get burned again.” He replies looking at his girlfriend and laughing.

“Shut up and come here,” Crystal responds by pretending to be offended. “Dinner’s ready.” her lips try to hold back the smile that is forming on her face.

You sit on your boyfriend's lap while Luke sets the meat on the plates and Sierra pours the beer into your glass. Ashton pushes your hair to the side and kisses you on the neck, giving you goosebumps and getting winks from his friends.

“You’re terrible.” he replies while looking at them and squeezing his hands on your lap, his head resting on your back while he rolls his eyes and smiles. Everyone burst out laughing and the sound of their laughter still feels like the most beautiful melody to you.

As you are about to take your first bite, your phone starts ringing and vibrating inside the pocket of your shorts. You put your fork down and stand up, being careful not to trip over Ashton's feet as he gives you a questioning look. You give him a kiss on his head and you go away slightly from your group so you can hear better.

Your mother's voice is low as you bring the phone to your ear, a smile forms on your face to hear the sound of her voice but the world collapses on you a few seconds later, when her words become understandable while she cries.

The conversation is short-lived, it is mostly made up of your mother's sobs and words you never wanted to hear. Your mouth opens slightly and your heart seems to stop. And when she closes the call, you have a hard time figuring out if you are having a nightmare or if you are still in reality.

“Was that your lover on the phone?” Calum smiles as you stare at your phone screen as soon as you hang up the call. You look up and see everyone's gaze on you as your eyes start to pinch.

“It was my mother,” you take a deep sigh as you try to find the courage to speak. “My grandmother died a couple of hours ago. She's gone and-” and the words die in your mouth.

Your friends' smiles quickly transform as their brows rise and their eyes lose their light. Crystal is the first to hug you, in less than a second her arms are around you but it's all so surreal that you can't even find the strength to move your body. You hear whispers, but your ears are muffled as Ashton takes the place of your best friend and holds you close to his chest, kissing your hair and whispering words of comfort.

It all happens so fast that you struggle to metabolize, it seems to you that the whole world has stopped or is going too fast, it is hard to try to understand as your mind repeats your mother's words all over again.

You talked to your grandmother the day before, you described to her the weather and you told her all the projects you had in mind, including going to see her as soon as possible. She had told you some stories from her past because she knew how much you loved hearing stories from other times and then you said goodbye to her in a hurry because someone had rang the doorbell.

You didn't tell her you loved her and your heart breaks even more at the realization that she left without knowing the affection you felt for her.

Did she know you loved her? Did she know that she was the most important person to you? Did she know you were grateful for all the sacrifices she had made to make you happy? Did she know you were proud of her? Did she know you loved the way she kissed your hands? Did she know how much you cared about her? Or did she pass wondering if you loved her?

If that were the case, you would never forgive yourself.

Part of you, however, is aware that behind those wrinkles and trembling hands, there were years of wisdom and intelligence and that, even when she was sick, she knew that you loved her unconditionally.

You still remember how she was the one who taught you to ride a bike when your parents were too busy working, how her hunched back bent even more as she pushed you along the street outside your childhood house, letting you go on your own when you learned, while still lying to you about how her hands were attached to the bike, to make you feel protected.

You certainly still remember the way she bragged about you, how she proudly used to tell all the ladies at the grocery store that you were her niece, her greatest joy and the best gift she ever received.

And, if you close your eyes and focus, you can still feel the warmth of the old fireplace in her home, of her hands holding yours while your face was resting on her shoulder. You can still hear the sound of burning wood, of her sweet voice singing melodies belonging to past eras while, between one verse and another, her lips kissed your head and whispered words of love.

Most of all, you have memories of how her arms wrapped around your little body when there was a thunderstorm, when the screams inside your house got too loud and when you saw her again after weeks, with your hearts coming back to beat in unison and your lungs beginning to breathe again.

Now that she is gone, who would be by your side? Who would teach you to cook and sew?

You would no longer hear her heart beating when you leaned against her chest, you would no longer hear the sound of her breaths when you slept next to her, you would no longer wake up with the smell of the flowers she grew and, above all, her dry, wrinkled lips would no longer whisper “I love you” to you.

All the fights, all the moments when you were bothered by her calls and all your snorting about the boredom of being with her bring a pang to your heart that tastes of guilt and arrogance, of shame and wasted moments that won't come back.

She was now gone, her heart had beaten for the last time and her eyes had stopped shining and the more time passes, the more her absence starts to hurt.

While your friends are around you to not leave you alone and Ashton hugs you tightly while caressing your hair, everything seems to start to make sense: the butterfly that just moments before had leaned on your hand, the sunset so beautiful and intense - she was there, she was giving you her last goodbye with all the delicacy possible.

She was reassuring you that she will always be there for you, that she will be in the sunsets under which you will fall asleep and that she will be the butterflies that will fly around in the sky, to reassure you that everything’s gonna be alright.

And with this new certainty and a weight in your chest that will slowly go away, you let yourself go, the tears begin to roll down your face and the sobs echo in the silence of the evening, as the stars light up the sky and God gains a new angel.

Ashton knows it won't be easy, that it will be months before that pain will become more bearable and that family lunches and dinners will be harder, that that empty chair around the table will be a stab in the heart every time.

But he also knows that you are strong, that you will be able to overcome everything, that sadness will turn into a smile when you’ll remember her and that, whatever happens, in a way or another, he will always be there next to you, just like your grandma used to be.

—