#i finally finished a fanfic ahhhh

[sga-owns-my-soul]

Everyone in Atlantis became aware of Rodney McKay's opinion on swearing very quickly. He would rant about how it showed a lack of intelligence- the ability to deliver a properly devastating insult should never be reliant on swear words.

Because of this opinion, Rodney rarely swore, and everyone knew to duck for cover if Rodney did ever swear.

[crossgartered]

hhhhhhhh octopath traveler...

[skullwillow155]

Fanfic Draft - Sanji x oc (+More than likely Zoro) Sanji and oc had a sort of relationship before the time skip was fully official and depending how I go zoro develops feelings for oc. The split starting that up. This is post time skip and only the first draft so I may rewrite this slightly. Its no means finished and there will be more adventure with everything happening.

I hope its not too bad. I haven't wrote fanfiction in years and I haven't wrote for one piece before. So it may not be brilliant yet until I get my writing groove back on but I had a small idea and wanted to start something. Inspired by a chat I was having.

Story is also on A03 if anyone wants to follow so they don't miss any updates

Part 2 is up

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It had been two years since The Strawhat’s all saw each other after the incident on Sabaody and now the whole crew were finally reuniting back where it started. Jeshika couldn’t contain her excitement and if she was honest her nerves. Two years was a long time to be apart from everyone and she wondered if everything would be the same.

The anticipation was killing her as she stood on the Thousand Sunny with Nami and Robin. That had already been an emotion reunion, only just finishing hugging and crying with each other. Well the crying was mostly her and Nami but Robin was smiling. She had changed so much from when she last saw her. Her appearance was so much different but she would deal with everything later she was just grateful that she had her friends back. It was too surreal and she honestly never thought this day would come. How 3 months had turned into two years, that had broken her heart when Luffy told them to stay away but in her heart she understood that they had to get stronger. She never liked it but she trusted her captain that it was the right choice.

She got stuck in her thoughts of the last two years that a few hours passed and the sky began to get darker. She didn’t realise how long she had been in thought until Nami and Robin were sorting things out on the ship, calling to her to come with them and sort things out. She snapped out of her thought and refused the offer, not wanting to move until she saw them; instead she stood waiting impatiently for Luffy to return with Zoro and Sanji.

She wouldn’t leave the deck, waiting for her captain to return, almost wondering if they would. She didn’t to lose them again not when she was this close to having everyone back together again. She bit her lip and sighed, feeling the anxiety bubbling up. She knew things never went to plan with them but she hoped this was one of the days where she could just have a little bit of peace. Waiting on the ship was agonising. She kept tapping her feet on the ground and biting her nails, feeling herself get more frayed as the minutes turned to hours. All she wanted was to be reunited with everyone and she wanted to see both Zoro and Sanji. Her heart aching at that thought.

After what felt like hours she finally heard a light holler in the distance before seeing Sanji wave her way. His eyes going wide as he looks over. “Ahhhh~~ Jeshika – Swan” He hollered and waved happily, a pool of blood leaking from his nose, he goes to cover that and his eyes we’re bright. The blood, excitement and movement caused him to fall off the small ride the three were on and being thrown onto the ship near your feet.

She sees them coming back and smiles as she waves back at them, letting out a squeal. Luffy hops off the boat with a wide smile and Zoro making his way behind Luffy onto the ship; not before looking at the chef in disgust and taking a step over Sanji’s body.

Jeshika took in the sight before her and couldn’t help the wide smile on her face. Luffy was talking fast and loud almost bouncing over the ship which took her attention away briefly before seeing Zoro in the corner. She immediately goes to Zoro first giving him a long hug as she took in his scent and appearance for the first time in two years. It was similar but also different and that made her feel a little sad at the thought he seemed different but she let that thought slide trying to revel in the here and now. They were here that was all that mattered. Zoro was quite stoic and rigid at the hug but she did feel him give a small squeeze back. That was more than she needed. Just to know he was happy to see her, he had a small smile on his face which he tried to hide but Jeshika saw it. She smiled back not needed to speak. There was no need for words between them, she could still feel the connection they once shared and let out a small almost inaudible sigh of relief. Maybe things could get back to some normality now.

She let out another smile at Zoro almost getting lost in the feeling of having him back that she almost forgot everyone else. Just for a moment that is until she felt movement by her feet and realising Sanji was still on the floor. She let out a chuckle before pulling away from Zoro and bending down to pull Sanji into a tight hug.

She saw the blood coming from his nose still and let out a small chuckle. “Same old Sanji” she whispered in glee. She was grateful that there was some familiarity after all these years. The blood going on her bikini top but she didn’t care, almost pulling him into a much tighter hug. Two years was too long. She pulled him even closer to her chest and hugged him tight. Just letting all her emotions wash over her.

She could feel his body trembling against hers, His grip on her tightening, as he knuckles almost turns white. She could feel him digging into her skin but she didn’t mind. It made it feel real.

Sanji had been yearning to feel Jess’ warmth again so badly for a long time, being stuck on that island made him yearn for her touch more than he would like to admit. He could see Zoro raise an eyebrow at his behaviour but he didn’t care. They were both over the moon to see you and neither were going to ruin this moment even if it was tempting to snap at the other.

Blood had covered Jeshika’s chest from his nose as he tried so hard to stop it but the sight of her was too much, she had changed too but it wasn’t in a bad way. Her figure and her aura just made him want to soak in everything about her once again. He was embarrassed beyond belief but he just couldn’t stop himself. He doesn’t want to move away from fear of her not being there anymore.

He continued to hug back with all of his strength and leans his head into her before pushing his face against her breasts. It was done without thinking but the scent of her and the softness was all he wanted, craved even. He needed the warmth and the comfort only she could give him and he was going to be greedy and take it all. Relief also washing over him at being in your grasp again.

Zoro felt a hint of jealousy run through him at the two of you hugging, a flash going though his eyes but he didn’t make a move to stop it. He could feel the tension, knowing they both needed this, even if it was killing him to not be able to touch her. He wouldn’t let Sanji win and show what he was feeling. He had thought long and hard throughout the two years as he was training with Mihawk. Thoughts of Jeshika always staining his mind in the quiet moments of day. The thoughts became more and more as the years passed by. Almost wondering what would happen if and when he finally got to see her again. He couldn’t pinpoint those feelings gnawing at his chest at the sight of the idiot cook and Jeshika hugging but it pulled him into his thoughts. Zoro was lost in thought just taking in her appearance realising how much she had changed but there was still the same old Jeshika underneath the change in appearance and it made him twitch his lips a little; grateful no one saw that. He couldn’t stop looking at her.

Jess lifted her head to look at Zoro almost expecting him to have disappeared with the captain, usually first to follow when Luffy was to leave, when she noticed him staring. She felt a light blush creep on her cheeks and looked away bashfully before holding onto Sanji tighter, burying her nose into his blonde hair; one to avoid Zoro’s intense gaze and two to try and remember the scent she has missed so dearly. Zoro caught Jeshika’s glance and cleared his throat before turning away and pretending to inspect his swords.

Jeshika didn’t know how she had coped in those two years. Being away from her captain and the crew was bad but being away from both Sanji and Zoro had almost broken her. Many a nights she thought of her crew, wondering what they were doing but each and every night the thoughts always came back to one of two Strawhat’s; Sanji or Zoro. Her and Sanji were close, probably the closest she was to any of the crew, before they had separated and her and Zoro’s relationship was complicated but there was always an undeniable bond between those two that they had; even if Zoro never voiced anything they both cared for each other deeply.

She was pulled out of her thoughts at the feel of wet on her chest, She looked down to see the blood pouring but didn’t care that she was covered in it. All that mattered was the man in front of her. With shaky breaths she kissed the top of his head and lets him soak her presence up like a sponge.

She had a warm feeling in her chest knowing she was back with the two most important people in her life and felt a calm wash over her.

As they hugged Zoro teased Sanji at his behaviour trying to cover his own thought’s and feelings. Sanji’s head snapped up to give Zoro and glare but was brought back to Jeshika’s presence quickly. The words he wanted to say to Zoro dying on his lips as he tried so hard to stop the blood from flowing. “Stupid moss head” He whispered but there was no malice to it.

In the background the rest of the crew were laughing and talking and all Jeshika could think was she was home. Everyone were all so happy to be together again. Everyone had changed in someway she could tell but the bonds they had seemed to just fall back into place and that was all that mattered. She was just happy that Sanji was still Sanji no matter what else may have changed in the two years apart. She was sure there was some change in him but this, this was still the same man she knew.

“I missed you...” She whispered with shaky breaths; a couple of tears staining her cheeks. She looked at both Sanji and at Zoro as she said those words. Zoro’s heart swell but didn’t move, wanting to say he missed her too but the words got stuck in his throat.

She felt Sanji pull his head back from her chest and wipe his nose one more time not noticing how much blood was stained and wiped away the tears with the pad of his thumb. “I missed you too suteki na” He said intently as his nose bleed started to dry up.

It was true. He had missed her terribly. He took in her beauty and her smile and fell in love all over again. Her hair had grown longer and she had grown a tan since she had been gone but she was still beautiful to him. “My god I’ve missed you so much” He pulls back and stared into her eyes Intently, feeling like he was finally home.

Now he had pulled back she finally took in his appearance and noticed how much he’s changed just by glancing at him. His blue eyes had come more intense, his hair had grown, covering his face a little bit more. She noticed his fringe changing sides on his face and the stubble he had grown and looked him up and down drinking in his appearance. Both the men in front of her had different auras about them but she couldn’t help feel soft inside at the two men in front of her. This wasn't an entirely new feeling but she was glad the last two years could now finally be ended. She didn't have to be lonely anymore.

Part 1? Might change some of it not too sure.

[just-a-carrot]

hiya carrot giving you this entire fanfic thing I wrote while on the bus (copy and pasted directly from my rambles I gave my sis so the formating is really bad also its like no where near finished if i do finish it ill probablypost it to Ao3 eventually ahh its basicallyjust an idea rn and really really bad like so bad rn)

it starts with Iggy and Genzou outside of a bar Genzou had taken Iggy on a date to just to get some food and good beer after uh Genzou maybe got in an argument with another bar patron and ended up getting a drink spilt on him. Iggy keeps reassuring Genzou that it's alright and that it wasn't his fault that a rude person decided to say something rude to them. And so then uhh they are walking to the bus stop and it's late and as they approach the bus stop Iggy sees the last bus of the night starting to leave and he desperately tries to run after it weezing as he yells in vain. His poor little stick legs don't carry him far before he sees Genzou come up next to him and I'd just like "That was the last bus wasn't it?" and Iggy just gulps and responds "Yeah" cue exasperated and frustrated screaming. The two of them end up walking. Their in a somewhat unfamiliar part of town/maybe in the city(?) but for a while they're like maybe this is nice just walking next to each other and chatting. Until Iggy realizes they have been walking in circles... Genzou decides to try and call an Uber... it starts to rain... Genzou drops his phone... the phone won't turn on anymore... Iggy realizes his phone is also outta juice. Cue Genzou internally freaking out about he fucked everything up and blaming himself for the situation cause he just wanted to have a nice day with iggy and they wouldn't even be in the situation if he hadn't had dragged iggy out there. iggy kinda noticing that genzous being awfully quiet decides to take his hand and they start walking again. The rain is pouring down as they walk it's now probably midnight. Iggys head is starting to nod up and down as he walks. They stop for a bit and take a rest on a bench or something they are soaking wet and shivering. Genzou takes his jacket and drapes it around iggys shoulders and notices how iggys breathing is slowing a bit as his boyfriend starts to nod off to sleep.And so genzou kinda lifts iggy up with one arm kinda carrying him on his hip as they continue with the walk back home. Eventually a very very confused passing car pulls over and asks them if they need help? Genzou deciding to set his pride aside accepts the help of the stranger. Iggy, barely lucid helps direct the person to getting them back to their apartment (and get this they were probably only 20-30 minutes out from getting there by foot) and so they return home and they help each other dry off their hair and maybe have kinda emotional chat and kisses before they both pass out on the couch

yeah its not that great 😵‍💫

but I'm super excited to continue fleshing this out :3 ;3 ahhhhhh yeah I just like them so much I think their neat :]

HHHHHHH THIS IS VERY SWEET AND CUTE!!! 💕

I really love this! it's such a sweet story ahhh... ahhhh especially the idea of Genzou helping Iggy try to walk even though he's so sleepy and cold. sob I can already imagine them half-snuggling in the back of the car trying to get warm. And then finally getting back and Genzou is all embarrassed and depressed that things went so poorly but Iggy doesn't care and just gives him a kiss on his nose.......

GGRAAADHFHDHDHD 💕

this is such an adorable story idea, I love it!!

[stuckonpageone]

Final update: Halsin x OCfem Fanfic

AHHHH nearly 120k words later, I'm finally done. I might still write a short epilogue, but for now, here's the final full chapter in my Halsin x OCfem fanfic Wild Magic. For those who have kept up with it, thank you so MUCH!! The reception has been nothing but lovely.

More than anything, I'm just so glad I finished something so long as this!! I think I started writing it in late October, and it was just something I couldn't get out of my mind. Halsin really is out here just reigniting my passion for writing. Well, Baldur's Gate in general really, but I have a soft spot for Halsin clearly. I mean I wrote him a whole post-game story because I felt his character deserved it. Thank you all for your amazing comments!!!

Now, I'm thinking what next? Maybe a Karlach POV fic. I'm not sure quite yet. Gods, it was so nice to have something like this to write!

[acewitch-writes]

hii! how are you? i hope you're feeling well! 🥰

i just finished love like the movies today and moon and tides aahn three or four days ago and i wanted you to know that I loved them both a lot!! I'm loving, actually, since they aren't finished yet!

i adore your characterizations of all characters and was so pleasantly surprised with how you did regulus in both (as a sister, siblings relationships always gets me) and well, I just enjoyed both stories a lot, a lot and I hope you get to finish them soon and that no more fandom nonsense gets to you and can't wait to read the rest of them!! 🩷 (hopefully hoping for a happy ending in both ����)

take care ✨

AHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You made my day, I'm so happy you've enjoyed my fics! It never fails to make me blush and kick my feet and grin like a fool when people compliment my characterizations 🥰

I think I've reached a point, finally, where the fandom drama doesn't affect me anymore. It was very upsetting at first, of course, to see my work publicly criticized because some of the mainstream folks in this fandom can't stand any characterization for the Marauders that doesn't fit in their personal little box. I started writing these fics by hand in notebooks for myself during the pandemic and I wasn't even going to share them originally. But I was really proud of them and decided to type them out to share with the fandom. I've been writing fanfic since I was 12 but I hadn't published anything for several years before I posted Moon and Tides & A Love Like the Movies on ao3.

I have never experienced anything like the hate I have seen in the Marauders fandom in any other fandom I've ever been a part of. I had to get marauderstok off of my tiktok algorithm because of how incredibly toxic they are over there. But at the end of the day, I wrote these fics for me and if other people resonate with my work, yay! If not, that's fine too. If anonymous trolls feel the need to shit on my work, I just delete their comments now.

And YES! I fully intend on happy endings for both fics! I put these characters through too much to not give them a well-deserved happily ever after 😁

[nobodiesheartlessshitblog45]

Call Of Duty Fanfic: Welcome Home

John PriceXMaleOc Part 2: Trigger Warning Gun Violence, War, Blood, Anxiety Attacks and PTSD

Okay here is part 2.

I have been taking my time with his and I have say this had been helping me get back into writing a bit. And I can saftly say I am Call Of Duty Trash. John Price is my husband.

Right next, Aizawa, Gojo and Nanami. and Charles Smith and Arthur Morgan.

The pasta and meatballs with a beautiful bottle of red german wine like being at fancy food at 5 star restaurant.

John was sitting and eating listening to Luka talk about, well, anything.

It didn't matter what.

John just sat across from the small kitchen, a relaxed smile on his face listening to sound Luka's voice, hr took everything detail of his facial expression, and the tone of his tone as speak.

It was music too ears.

Being away from his beloved his husband for 2 long month was always hard on him, and wanted to make it up for all that happen.

John just sat there with soft smile on his face has Luka was going off about the paperwork that he had to get done.

"... I had spend 2 days getting some files updated. 2 days!" Luka snaps. "I swear to god if I have sign another piece of paper I am going lose my shit."

"Heh. That's a shame." said John. "I have loads of paperwork I have when I get back to base, I was hopping you do some of it for me."

He smiles when Luka gave him a glare.

"No."

"Well worth a shote, eh?"

Luka took one last sip of his wine. "Despite how soul sucking the updating the paperwork and failing was: it wasn't." He said. "Creed really saved the day for me. She help with all the rest of the paperwork. So I am basically on top of things.” He is finished his wine and was about to pick his plate and was about to get up John was already too his feet.

“No, no. Let me wash the dishes."

Luka looked up. "Oh, I can wash them. It’s big deal. I can--." He was then cut off when John walked around small table and places his hand onto Luka's.

"Dearest, let me do it."

Luka just blinks and gave him a sweet smile and said: "Alright."

John just smiles and leans in giving his sweet kiss and pick Luka's plate and wine glass and began walking over to the sink.

"What else happen?" he asked, reaching for the dish soap.

"Besides the paperwork… Really nothing. Just same old things."

"Heh. Come now, something must have happen when I was gone for the past 2 months, Pet. Tell me." said John, with a soft smile on his face.

"Um... Okay. I finally finished those two paintings there have been ignoring for weeks, and I through my clutter and clean up art studio."

"Oh. You have show me. What else?"

Luka thought for a moment, began talking about small things here and there, and John just listened taking every dental on what he was saying.

John finally felt more and more relax, and after facing all the horrors that he had face over the past few months, he wanted to feel somewhat human for a bit.

Washing the dishes was a good start and brought him a sense of ease.

However he did still awful about making Luka cry before. After last weeks mission which almost put in his men in bad spot and caused them their lives, making Luka worry too death.

He hated that put so much stress and pain on him. John wanted to make it up to him someone.

"Oh, I nearly forgot." said Luka, standing up. "Laswell and I did meet up about the New recruit from America. Bryce Green." said Luka.

"How is he so far?" asked John.

Luka made annoyed face. "He's an asshole."

John places the last plate onto the rack and turns to look him. "How so?"

"Ahhhh, just some young punk who thinks he's hot shit. I have been helping out training some of the newer recruits, and he's been trying to tell how to do my job. He was recently promoted to Lieutenant before he came to U.K. And he thinks he can call the shots. Pfff ! Jerk…”

John just looked at him, and asked: "Has he been rude to you?"

"Well. yeah. But really he's not the first person to be rube too me. Not a big deal."

John now ever serious said: “If someone is being rube too you, Love, it is a very big deal."

"John, sweetheart, it's really not." said Luka standing up, and walking over to him. "And you really think I'm going to let some idiot get the best me."

"Heheh. No, never." John amused.

"Good." Luka grins and leaning giving him a sweet kiss. John wraps his arms around him, pulling him closer.

After a few moments, they pulled away and Luka said:

"Alright. Now that we are both happy and red, why don't you grab a shower and we both can get ready for bed."

"And if I do so, would you be joining me~?" asked John, with a bit of smirk on his face.

"I-I, um..." Luka stemmed, his a bit red. "I-I... could. I-If you want me too."

"Oh, I do, Dearest.~." John whispers. "And it's an order~."

Before Luka knew it he was swept up off his feet and was hoisted over John's shoulder.

"J-John!?" Luka snapped his face beat red.

"Right then. Let's a have a shower." John said, brightly patting Luka's backside.

"H-Hey! C'mon, you idiot! Put me down! J-John!"

John just humming to himself as he was carrying Luka, who gave up, and the began making their way up the stairs.

After a whole a John came walking of the bathroom, a towel warped around his middle. He walked across the master bedroom, to his dresser.

As he opens it and was pulling a pair of sweat past and night shirt, Luka came walking out fully clothed and drying his hair with a towel.

"I'll head to shop in the morning." said John.

"I can do it." said Luka.

"Hahah. I insist, Luka." John amused putting on plain white shirt. "Plus I need to pick my cigars. I ran out my favorite brand a few days ago. So it's no problem." He turns to him. "After I'll take you out to dinner too that nice restaurant you fancy so much."

Luka was about say something, then stopped and looked at John. He realize the dark circles under his eyes. Luka didn't notice how exhausted John looked.

Luka starred at him. John watched with for a few moments.

"Something wrong, Pet?"

"... You... just tied." said Luka, walking over and placing his on the side of his face. "I mean really tied."

John felt his chest cliched. "... Is that advice?"

"Yeah..." said Luka. "Look, John... I want you take easy."

"Haha. I am." John said, with a smile on his face. "I've been taking it easy since I got home. I'm fine."

Sighing Luka said: "John, look at me." He places both his hands over his face. "... It's just me. Sweetheart, okay? It's only me."

John's eyes widen as his blue eyes looked into those handsome brown eyes.

"You know you don't have it from me... You know that."

John felt his lips quivering when he heard Luka say that. Without saying a word, he pulled him into arms. Luka wraps his arms wrap John, rubbing the back his head.

The two said nothing for a while.

John rested his forehead against Luka's letting a shallow breath, he was breathing heavily.

"... I would go absolutely mad if I didn't have you."

Luka just smiles, and gave him a kiss.

"C'mon. Let's get some sleep."

John just gives a sweet smile and nods. "Roger that."

"Honey, no soldier talk when you're home."

"Roger that, dear."

Luka just gives John an annoyed expression, who just him a soft amused expression, then two began getting for bed.

As soon as John's body hit the mattress it suddenly hit him all at once. His body felt more heavier than he remember. It was everything that happen over the past 2 months had finally weighted down on to him. He could not remember the last he felt this.

He lets out low groans has he felt himself skinning into the bed.

Luka laid down right next to John, and pulled the blankets over him. John lets out long huge yawn rubs his eyes.

"Bloody hell... I-I didn't realize how tied I really am..." He lets another yawn and reached his arms out too Luka. "Come here."

Luka smiles, and cuddles up next to John resting his head on his chest. As he did that John wraps his arm around him, taking his left hand into his and gently kissing his knuckles.

"I have truly missed this." John said, softly.

"Me too."

"And... Luka, darling, about earlier... I-I'm sorry if I made you cry."

"... N-no, John, sweetheart... You didn't anything." said Luka. "Let's forget about it and sleep, okay?"

John just hums.

"I love you, John."

John felt his eyes welling up with tears, when Luka said.

How can one person be good too someone like him?

"I-I... love you too, Luka. I love you so much."

John just held him closer, at and the two stayed like that until they both feel asleep.

The sounds of gun shots and people shouting could be heard in his skull. It could see that he standing behind all, as bullets were wizzing past.

He could sound of his men yelling over the radios, and sound of explosions and the walls and building caving all around, the sound yells and shouts of his men began too fading in the background.

John eyes snapped open.

His version was blurry at first and his was breathing heavily as felt his heart his beating against his chest. John eyes wonder and fell onto Luka's peacefully sleeping form, and he felt himself calm down.

John's lets out a sigh of relief. As he took a few moments trying to calm himself a bit. He lifted up right hand and looked at his watch.

It read 1:45 am

"Shit..." John thought, letting right arm slowly fall onto face cover. "... Another fucking nightmare."

He didn't move for after a moment, and tried to go back too sleep but after sometime he couldn't.

Letting out a defeat sigh, John thought about getting some paperwork before he had to go into the base

He slowly and gently as possible got up from bed. As soon he moved Luka lets out a groan and slowly sat up a bit.

"Huh...? What...'s happening...?"

"Shhhhhh. It's just me, Pet. Just going to use the toilet." said John, sweetly.

Luka just nodded and lays back down. "... 'kay, hon. ..." He lays down. "J-Just wash your hands after you're done..."

"Hahahah. I will." said John, with a chuckle.

He sat there, looking down at Luka's peacefully face. John reached out and brushed the bits of hair and just looked at him.

He could not understand. He never understood how a bloke like him ended up with man like Luka.

Too John he was a man among men.

Brave, Selfless, Kind.

A man who can stand his sound ground and can fight back when he needs to.

A true gentleman.

John smiles slowly at down a Luka, and slowly leans down and places a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Be right back, Love."

He slowly stood from the bed and walked out the bed.

The next morning, Luka was began waking up. He didn't open his eyes at first, but slowly shifted under the covers has he was reaching out for John.

"Morning, honey." He tried feeling for him, but John wasn't lying next him. Now slowly sitting up and rubbing the sleep out his eyes and Luka looked down at the empty spot that right next him.

"... Hmmm... Guses went the store..."

Luka not thinking too much about it, Luka lets out a big sleepy yawn, and pulled the covers off of him.

The bedroom was slightly dark, and wanting to get some sunlight began making his over way too the large square bedroom window that on his side and began pulling back the curtains.

The window looked out to the backyard that had large old stone fence, where small garden bed where there flower bed. Luka looked out, and saw that it didn't snow that much, thankfully, and after few moments he began walking too the bathroom to get ready for the day.

He brushed his teeth and wanted to shave the bit of stubble from his face after cleaning himself a bit, he began walking the dresser where he had left his too charge for the night, and check too see the time.

It was about 8:48 am, and he did see that John had left a text.

*Headed to shop.*

*Won't belong long.

*John*

He was read the text while walking down the walking down the stairs. He began reaching the bottom and walked down the the way that at the end where the kitchen was.

He could someone talking, and can sleep fresh bacon in. Thinking that John had just come home from the store, Luka lets out another yawn and said:

"Morning, babe. Hope you sleep well."

"Well, yes, I did, Sweetumts." said male voice.

This caught Luka off guard, and looked there Kyle Garrick, was standing in front the stove making stable eggs and bacon, he loved over at Luka and gave him grin.

"Oh... Kyle. I didn't expect to see you here." said Luka, then looks at the kitchen table and there sitting was Ghost. He had his mask but was lifted showing his chin and mouth.

He picked up a hot cup of tea and took a sip.

"And Ghost, too. Hey." said Luka, with smile small smile.

Ghost just looks up and nods.

Just then someone came right up behind Luka and said: "Ah! 'here he is. Mornin', Lu."

"AAGH! S-Soap, hello. Good morning." said Luka, turning Johnny MacTavish. "Good too see you."

"Aw, c'mere," said Johnny, and pulled the older man into a hug. "Grea' to see yae, old man."

"Haha. You too, you dumpass." Luka amused, and hugged him back.

As the two broke away Kyle turns his head to Ghost. "Oy, Ghost, mind takin’ over cookin’ for me?"

"Sure." said Ghost, who stood up and walking over to the stove, has Kyle rushed over to Luka. Johnny stepped a side has Kyle hugged Luka.

"I'm glad you too see all of you." said Luka said, hugging Kyle tightly. "Are... you guys doing, okay? After... You know?"

"We're good, mate." said Kyle, pulling away. When he did Luka saw the Kyle had pretty large bandage on the right side of his.

"Woah, Kyle, what happen?" asked Luka, a bit worried, pointing at the bandage.

"Oh, this?" said Kyle, placing a hand over head. "It's just a few stitches from that last mission we head last week. But don't worry, it's healin’.”

"How... How many stitches did you get?"

"5."

“Hm… That… hat's not so bad. Still I think you should Dr. Jones at some point"

Kyle smiles and: "Yes sir."

Luka clears his throat and looks around the room. "Well, since you guys are here, I should at least put on something a little more put together..." He looks down at his PJ's witch was black t-shirt and sweats.

"At least you're not just tighty-whities," said Ghost, the looks at Johhny.

Johnny scoffed. "What are yea implyin', L.T.?

"Ghost is implyin’ too put on a fuckin’ pants, Soap." said Kyle, turning his whole. "No one wants too see you walkin’ around your nothin’ but your underwear."

"What's this 'bout?! A man need to let himself breath down there. Ya lads should understand better anyone!.

"... Y-Yeah, you do have point, Soap, but still I would be caught dead in just my underwear and nothing else." said Luka.

"Oh, Lu, c'mon, lad. No need to feel shame." said Johnny.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!" Snapped Luka, and place over face. "My god... It's too early for this. I'm … going to get dress…”

And he walks over the kitchen.

After a few a bit Luka came walking back downstairs, with dark blue shirt and jeans. As he reach the finally he saw Ghost standing at the bottom.

“Something you need, Ghost?”

“Y-Yeah, been meanin’ to ask.” Ghost said, looking at the kitchen making sure no one was listening. "How has Ellie been when I’ve been away?”

Luka paused at first: "She's fine. She was... emotioanl wreck last when you guess went missing. Hell we both were."

Ghost didn’t say anything just looked at him,

Ghost was looking at him, and lowers his head. "Fuck…” he places his over face.

“Whoa! Hey, hey, Ghost.,” Luka reached and places a hand over shoulder. “It’s okay. She's okay, mostly you and rest of the guys are okay.” He gives Ghost a smile. “That all that matter.”

"R-Righ'." said Ghost, sighing softly. "Sorry. Jus’ needed to ask…”

"Hey, hey. Don't be. I understand." Luka smiles.

"Heh. Thanks, Lu."

"Anytime."

"Oy, breakfast is ready!" called from the kitchen.

"I could 'ave 'elp cook, ya know." said Soap.

"No way in bloody hell I would let you near a stove again."

"Oh, god. Not this again, Gaz."

"Mate, almost bunrt the base kitchen. Twice."

“Be right there!” Luka called and looked at Ghost. “You wanna join us?" asked Luka.

"No thanks. Goin' for a walk." said Ghost.

"Alright." Luka smiles at him, know he was going to see Ellie. He then walk Ghost to door, and open for him. John was walking up the the path way with a few bags in a hand.

He looked up and saw Ghost walking down the pathway.

"You're leaving already?"

"Need to check on somethin'." said Ghost.

John just shrugged. "Enjoy your day off." And he took the grocery bags into the house.

[fuckyeahdindjarin]

Hello, I'm a fanfic lurker on tumblr and this is the first time I've contacted a writer directly. I just finished Palomino and it literally had me weeping into my gnocchi during the final chapter (I gotta stop reading when I'm eating!) And I haven't even seen Kingsman!!!

Anyway, I'm going to spend the rest of my evening imagining a happy ending where she moves to Wyoming, lives in his cottage and manages the social media for the ranch.

Thank you for the gorgeous story 💖

Hi lovely, I'm so touched that you chose to reach out to me - I remember my own lurking days, I was so nervous to interact, so it means a lot that you did!

Ahhhh I'm sorry about the gnocchi, but I guess tears can be considered seasoning? 😉 I've written a few post-series drabbles that I hope you've had a chance to read, but what you're imagining isn't far off from what I have in mind either! Thank you for such a sweet message, have a wonderful day wherever you are ❤️

P.S. while I got you here, I do suggest changing your profile pic and updating your bio to include your age range. Tumblr is rife with bots right now, and most writers in the fandom require readers to be 18+. I would've accidentally blocked you if you followed me since I can't tell if you're a real person and an adult by your empty profile!

[darlingpoppet]

🥺🎶💖? also thank you for the follow 😭 i literally gasped when i see the notification

Ahhhh myeotien! (is it ok to call you that?) I recognized your name since you’ve always been so kind to interact with my fics, and your reblogs are so good, how could I not follow? <3 thank you so much for responding, you’re so sweet! These were some interesting ones!

🥺 Is there a certain type of moment or common interaction between your characters that never fails to put you in your feels?

I often love giving happy/tender/quiet/intimate scenes a tinge of melancholy, and intensely sexual scenes some emotional tenderness. At the risk of sounding tmi, the part in Closest To My Heart when Achilles is physically & emotionally overwhelmed and Patroclus sweetly teases him and asks him what’s wrong even as they both begin crying is based on a true story 😂🥴 it’s something that happened to me over 16 years ago but it’s just one of those things I can never forget and to this day still makes me emotional, yk? Complex, contrasting emotions always get to me!

🎶 Do you listen to music while you write? What song have you been playing on loop lately?

Before, I used to only listen to music while editing… I would listen to a synth wave radio on yt. But more recently, yes to writing as well!! I made an entire playlist of vibes for Where The Dead Forget but I might have to rework it because often I neglect it in favor Spotify’s genre playlists… I really like their Darkwave one for example. I also like listening to a lot of Grimes’ early stuff—the dark dream-pop atmosphere is always something I’m trying to replicate in writing (I have Vanessa, Urban Twilight, and Weregild on repeat a lot in particular… the Vanessa music video is also the exact unhinged “girls when ancient texts convey deep, universal human emotions that transcend the boundaries of time” energy inside my brain 24/7 🤣) Finally, I have music from the Spiderverse films on repeat a lot recently too since I saw ATSV last month 🤩

💖 What made you start writing?

Creative writing & fanfics had always seemed like something suited to my strengths & what I enjoy (I was a kid who loved reading and always had trouble staying under the word counts on school assignments!) but for whatever reason, for the longest time, even though I wanted to be a part of it, it didn’t seem like I was able to translate my own thoughts and ideas into creative output. I had written a couple of fics here and there in the last 20 years or so and I had tons of ideas all the time, but no motivation. I think a lot of it was self-fulfilling prophecy: I don’t finish things. I’ve never managed to get beyond 3000 words of prose so going beyond that is preposterous to even consider. I’m a writer only in theory. I think it was probably the pandemic & being stuck at home that finally altered my brain chemistry and shifted me toward this extremely cheap and simple way to free my mind. And when I finally cleared that mental hurdle of finishing a fic in 2021 I’ve been unstoppable chasing that high ever since!

[aro-tarot]

Just finished vol. 2 of The Witcher s3, and ah, this season has been so good! 

And now I will proceed to probably ramble with spoilers:

First off, our bard is still shoveling things into his mouth.

I am so happy to see Milva! She’s my favorite book character, and I already love her here. She brought a laugh out of me, and of course, she’s a badass. Then Jaskier with the whole there’s this weird energy between you two. Then the song bit out of Geralt’s death. Oh, I am exciting for the hansa. Let’s gooo. lol.

How Radskier left off. Like, knew Radovid would become king, but ah, he was trying to leave! He wants to be with Jaskier and help him, and now he can’t! Ahhhh! Will need to go and read some fanfics. Maybe write one. I still have that one plot I was reworking for my first The Witcher fanfic that would work nicely.

And going off what Yennefer says, it looks like Geralt is still going to struggle with pain in his leg while fighting. I remember back in s1 seeing people hope that stayed in, and it looks like it.

Ciri’s dark arc is coming.

I was happy to see more of Radovid and Jaskier in e7 since when I watched e6 during the fan event, I was like, “Nice. Jaskier standing up for himself. He’s finally getting that self-worth.” Which I’ve reblogged posts and have talked about it a bit on here. With like s2 and like Jaskier in s3 and how people treat him and how he’s seeing himself. But then I was also like, “That was over quickly. I know that we needed to get to all the shit going down, but before the title card and that’s it?” And it turned out that was not it. Jaskier still isn’t just going to take him back. He’s hurt. There was a maybe because obvi Radovid needs to make it up to him and actually show that he’s not lying. And of course, now he’s trapped. He was going to give it all up. I’m really curious to see how that’s going to go down. And obvi Radovid is just going to be manipulated. He’s never been useful, and he finally found how he could and the person he could be with if the other forgave him, and that’s all been taken from him. Oh, I know while we all wait for the next season, the fanfics are going to be good.

Jaskier saying his family.

I’m still processing things. Obvi my brain is just like: Jaskier! Milva! Family! So good! This season was just so good!

And like, other random things in there. 

I have some other things I need to paint first, get some of that done, but after that, or at least getting a good chunk of that done or make it clear I have time to do more than I need to for that, I’m definitely doing some fanart lol

[primojade]

I always end up with the worst project partners 😭😭😭 my partner left me to do the final editing part by myself because they have 2 projects they had a month to work on- I don’t even know how to use the editing software- there’s a minimum of 1 minute thing on our final for the presentation and I’m almost done with mine with only 42 seconds 😭😭😭 I literally cannot stall with this cause I don’t know how to

Also I finished my English final so I may finally be able to get onto my fanfic writing grind!!! Yay!!! Time to show my, as my English teacher would put it “excellent writing skills” to the test :)))

SLR STARLY SHSJW i was so busy these days before the holidays that I have no time to go check tumblr 💀💀💀😭

BUT GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR WORK OMG IM GIVING YOU WITH ALL MY BLESSINGS HAHAHA. I hate it when my supposed partners dump the work on me too even tho they had done their "part" like?? We still have to finish it come back here!! 💀🧍

AHHHH UR CYOA FIC? IM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I CANT WAIT EHEHEHEHE. BUT DO TAKE CARE FIRST OKAY

[hismercytomyjustice]

Ahhhh!!! My friend let me rant at her about this fic and my issue with [redacted] and I think I can finally escape this hell of my own making without it being OOC!!!

Thank FUCK.

I refuse to make this character back down, goddammit. He would NEVER back down.

I just need him…temporarily distracted in an IC way.

Also, I love every single comment I’ve been getting, but there have been so many talking about how cute the story is and I’m just like…

It will get cute again tho! I swear! I PROMISE! Just…a lot of darker shit to come before we get there!

I am so excited about next week’s chapter, but it heavily features my Tav so I’m very curious to see how people react to it and if they like them or not.

They’re literally my in game Tav. I knew NOTHING about Drow culture when I made them. It let me make a nonbinary Drow! And I was in awe of some of the dialogue options at first. I just picked Drow because I was debating on Tiefling but they didn’t have as many natural buffs and…well, here we are.

I know more about Drow and Drow culture than I ever expected to at this point. I just hope none of what I’ve researched goes against what’s in the game because I DIDN’T KNOW MINTHARA WAS A POTENTIAL COMPANION and I maybe kind of murdered her on sight without ever talking to her…

I have also had to watch so many cut scenes I didn’t get because I romanced Astarion and Astarion only in game. And my party has pretty much solely been made up of my rogue Drow Tav, Astarion, Gale, and Shadowheart with brief switches for character related quests.

Party is WILDLY unbalanced but damn if we haven’t been steamrolling our way through our enemies.

So much blood… so much blood…

I still need to finish the game too. T_T I’m in Act 3 and have taken care of a good chunk of the major stuff but I still have SO MUCH left to do.

And maybe when I finish BG3 and this fanfic, I can finally play the new Stardew Valley update. °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° The game that got me into gaming in the first place.

And the game I already have around 1k hours in across various saves… orz

But I have so many Hazbin fic ideas percolating on the back burner tho, so we’ll see what actually ends up happening.

[acanvasofabillionsuns]

iiiiiii need to go to ✨bed soon✨

i had a really good day though :(( we'll see how fast i can type

had a fun outfit!!! it was kinda mismatchy but it was nice lakjdfa;lskjdf

finished the hrose camp arc i am so !!!!!! [insert the 'talented showstopping amazing etc etc] gif]

started an audiobook!!! it's one of the ones where they throw a bunch of vocabulary at you for the world and i find it silly and fun even if it is a lil hard to follow al;skdjfa;slkdf

watched a couple more steven universe eps!!! he finally had an episode (tiger millionaire) where he was not traumatized or had his life threatened whoooo (i did skip a couple eps last time that orion said weren't plot relevant bc that's the only way i was able to see myself starting this long show slkdjfa;lsdjf but maybe there was something there too)

i am messing around on my laptop i am creating(??) a youtube video (ahhhh???) wish me SO much luck, i think i'm mostly done but i'm also so scared i'm missing something bc idk what i'm doing <3

went to the store and got jam 😎

played the crofters musical song on the way there and i thought about getting crofters but it was more expensive so i decided against

my dad made bread !! and snickerdoodles !!!!

i had a couple of DELICIOUS pb&j sandwiches for lunch

and then i made ratatouille yesterday and i had leftovers for dinner mmmmmm

*does a jump and dabs midair* jolly ranchers *epic guitar riff*

*does another jump and dabs twice midair* WATER *even more epic guitar riff*

i had a couple rolls for breakfast, those were so good

you guys ever look at a fic and you're like "hm i will look at the first little bit" and then you read the whole thing? that happened twice today alkfja;sldf once it was just a normally lengthed oneshot but the other one (which i was considering for reading the whole thing but was still hesitant abt) was a good 45k 😭 it was good though no regrets

i've also been going through this star wars fanfic yesterday/today,,,, SO good and things are heating up!!! whoo!!!!

watched kipo with ashes and ahhhhhhhhhh i enjoyed it sm :]]] yumyannnnnnnnn hammerpaw!!!

[singing-till-the-end]

nightmares

pairing: childe x lumine (chilumi)(genshin impact)

word count: 848

the traveler has nightmares about her no longer lost brother

It was cold. She could feel the wind blowing mercilessly against her, making her hair and clothes flutter uncontrollably. It was neither day nor night, neither bright nor dark; just an empty space of nothingness. Nothing except her and him.

He looked just as she remembered: his clothes, his hair, everything. Various garments on his clothes glowed white, signifying that he still had his old powers. Unlike her.

His lips were moving, formulating words she could not hear over the roar of the wind that was coming from nowhere. She tried to move closer to hear what he had to say, but no matter how hard she tried, the distance remained the same. So instead, she looked to his eyes.

What she remembered from her fragmented memories were warm, shining eyes that looked at her with love and tenderness. What she saw in front of her instead were cold eyes that were even more bitter than the howling wind, hardened from the horrors of this world she had yet to experience. In the depths of the darkness of his eyes, she swore she caught a glimmer of longing, but it disappeared as soon as it came. Indifference took its place instead.

Suddenly, the wind died. He kept talking, and this time she could hear him all too clearly.

“...I still have much to do in this world. This is a goodbye for now, Lumine.”

“No, don’t go! Don’t leave me again!” she cried out desperately, tears gathering in her eyes. “Please...let’s just go home.”

“Home...Yes, of course. “Home” is wherever we are together. But I cannot go with you yet. Once you have reached the end of your journey, you will understand.”

He turned away from her and started to walk away; each step he took shattered her already broken heart into a million more pieces. Somewhere in her, she knew that there was nothing she could do to stop him from leaving. So she just stood still, watching his figure disappear in the distance while the tears flowed down her cheeks.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The rain was coming down in a soft pitter-patter. Childe much preferred the snow, but rain was welcomed as well. It had a rather soothing effect on his mind, similar to when he would fish. As absurd as it may seem, even the battle-crazed Harbinger didn’t mind some peace once in a while.

He usually didn’t camp outdoors like this. More than likely, he would have just rented a room at an inn if he needed a place to stay for the night; mora was no problem for him, after all. But since accompanying the traveler on her various tasks, he found himself resting outside a lot more. It was rather nice, he decided, especially when he and the traveler would playfully banter.

He suddenly frowned, reminded of what had occurred earlier, and he sighed. Just an hour or two before, Lumine had abruptly passed out. Her face had been rather flushed throughout the day, but Childe figured that she would have said something if she was feeling unwell. Turns out she said nothing and completed all her commissions as usual while having a fever.

Childe sighed again. That stubborn idiot. He was sure to give her an earful once she woke up.

He stood up from where he was seated and headed back into the tent. One bad thing about the rain was that finding firewood was quite difficult, and that he was forced to light the fire inside of the tent. Thankfully, he hadn’t burned anything that shouldn’t be.

As Childe lifted the lid off of the pot of simmering soup, he heard a rustling in the corner from Lumine. All seemed fine, until he heard a sniffle, then two, and then followed by a quiet sob.

He froze. Surely, the traveler couldn’t be...crying? But he heard it once more, the painful cry of anguish that, for some reason, left his heart aching.

Against his better judgment, Childe crouched beside her. Her usually beautiful face was twisted in agony, and tears were trailing down her cheeks. He lifted his hands to her cheeks, gently brushing away her tears, and ran his hands through her hair. He wasn’t sure about Lumine, but Tonia had always loved it when he would do that; maybe it would calm her, too.

He continued brushing her hair, and was relieved to see that the sobs slowly dissipated. Instead of crying, she was now shivering. From the slight chill in the air or from her nightmares, he didn’t know, but it was enough to coax him to hold her in his arms.

After a little while, she seemingly went back to a peaceful sleep. Childe smiled slightly and made to leave, but Lumine’s hand grasped at his clothes.

“...leave,” she mumbled. His eyebrows furrowed. He leaned in closer, and this time, he heard it clearly.

“Don’t...leave me.”

He stared for only a brief moment, indescribable emotions filling him, before he embraced her once again. Holding her close, Ajax whispered:

“I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

I’ve been working on like three or four different fanfic ideas but I’ve never had enough motivation to finish any of them ;-; Pleasantly surprised that I managed to finish this in two days!! that being said, this is not edited at all so please don’t come at me with pitchforks over an error

this was inspired by a drawing by きの on twitter (hey sibling, stop breaking our hearts)

(Note: Childe has three names: Childe, Tartaglia, and Ajax. Childe is his alias, Tartaglia is his official name amongst the Fatui, given to him by the Tsaritsa (I think), and Ajax is his birth name. I think of Childe and Tartaglia as his facade, and that Ajax is his true self without all titles and such)

[xnoctua]

My group bailed on me so now I’m writing a Carmen Sandiego fanfic for my Spanish class. Anyway, how’s y’all’s Thursday going?

[mimiplaysgames]

The Ocean On His Shoulders (2/2)

Pairing: Terra/Aqua Rating: T Word Count: 4,321

Summary: She’s been waiting for him for so many years. When he finally sees her, Terra realizes that instead of saving her from the Realm of Darkness, he must save her from herself.

Read on AO3

A/N: Based on @steadyknight‘s prompt of Terra saving Anti-Aqua from darkness by breaking his heart into pieces. WHICH IS SUCH A SAD CONCEPT TO ME. I took the opportunity to explore the consequences of losing one’s memory, which is something brushed aside so often in the games. I completely feel that the consequences of this action are sadder than the action itself. And if you saw my tweet about how I write notes on my outlines and how I had no idea why I wrote down “potatoes” in one of them - this was the chapter I was talking about. I never figured it out, but I improvised, lmao.

It was absolutely imperative that she covered the table in mounds of food. A full basket of toast, a pile of sausages, a stack of pancakes, eggs ready on demand – it was enough to feed a miracle. And she needed it.

All she really wanted, after all, was the right to enjoy breakfast with her family, just like every other normal person.

Terra was happy to sit with them, gleefully accepting more meat when he wiped his plate clean. He repeated five times too many that she was a perfect cook, who had this magical ability to know precisely how to please his stomach.

It wasn’t magic. She had about ten years’ worth of trial and error in understanding what made him tick. Yet this didn’t really dawn on him.

To him, they only just met three weeks ago.

Maybe she thought that feeding him everything he loved would finally make him remember. He never did, and so breakfast continued to make her feel alone.

The only appropriate response to his praise was to accept it, and keep the mood uplifting. Was it to save face? Perhaps. There wasn’t a point in making him feel guilty for something that wasn’t his fault.

“I’ll be steaming rice with coconut syrup for dessert tonight,” she said as she sat down to take her rations. Her smile felt nothing but forced. “Served with mango.”

He stumbled with his words at first, in awe. The Terra she knew would have seen through her façade. Would see she was in pain. “See, you’re a genius.”

If only she could say how much hearing that stung.

“We’ll see if I can cook a decent dinner. As long as someone remembers to bring the potatoes.” She leaned over to Ventus, the exact person who was tasked at supplying her with the ingredients. He was stuffing his face with an entire pancake.

“I’ll bring them, don’t worry,” he said, his words muffled by all the baked flour. “You can store your wrath for a later time.”

“Her wrath?” Terra asked skeptically. He leaned an elbow on the table, his grin hiding behind his fingers as he eyed her, like a sheepish boy watching the girl he had a crush on. “I don’t think you’re intimidating.”

This was probably one of the more surprising effects she discovered: this Terra was pretty open about his attraction toward her. Something stopped him from wearing his heart this much on his sleeve before… he was probably scared of ruining their friendship, since it was also the same reason why she never initiated anything. Now, he had nothing to lose.

And she used to assume he really didn’t reciprocate her feelings. How stupid was she that she scared herself into thinking it would have gone nowhere. How she wished she had done something about it before their Mark of Mastery.

“Oh boy,” Ventus said, swallowing a mouthful. “One day, he’s going to regret saying that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” she said.

“You’re only the worst person in the world to pull a prank on.” He shrugged, his grin twisting.

She snorted, because it was true. She was at least grateful she could rely on him to make her smile – these days, Ventus was really the only one who could help her. And he needed the laugh, too.

But that was the thing about inside jokes. They were a highly classified language, shared only with those who were invited.

The only thing Terra could do at a time like this was smile politely, like someone who understood he didn’t belong but it wasn’t appropriate to make it obvious.

It wasn’t that he was a complete stranger. He wore his usual sheepish smile, and bore his usual sincerity when it mattered. There still existed certain mannerisms that were so Terra – the way he held his chin when he contemplated, the shrug of his shoulders when he teased. The kindness in his eyes.

She didn’t want him to pick up his plate to rinse off, and to leave the room when he felt he wasn’t wanted.

At least he left with an act Terra would actually do – ruffle through Ventus’ hair.

He nearly forgot to do that, stopping himself at the doorway before coming back to reach over from behind the chair and sifting his fingers vigorously through the blond hair.

Ventus was displeased, staring up at the clumps of hair now flattened in front of his eyes. When he knew Terra was out of earshot, he dropped his fork and rested his head into his arms with an exasperated sigh. “I hate this.”

“I know,” she said, picking at her food. She hadn’t eaten a single thing all morning.

He took out his frustration on his hair, fixing it back up the way he liked it. “The real Terra would know when to play with my hair – and he wouldn’t mess it up!”

It was a ridiculous excuse for him to get upset about. “What’s really bugging you?”

Ventus sighed, dragging it out as much as possible while averting her eyes. His unique look of shame. She prepared for the worst.

“That mission he and I went on together the other day?” he started. “I kind of snapped at him. I felt unsure if I could handle fighting these large Heartless, and I talked to him about it but… The real Terra always knew the right words. He’d say something like ‘you got this’ and pat my head. And I got angry when he didn’t do that – I did apologize to him later, so you don’t have to tell me to do anything.”

He still avoided her eyes. “But now he follows me around and rubs my hair any chance he gets.”

“He’s just compensating,” she said. It had to be so hard on Ventus. Only the stars knew how often she stopped herself from begging Terra to please come back.

“I know…” He shifted uncomfortably on his chair, eyes darting around like he was afraid to say more. “Something else happened, too… he stopped everything and went really rigid.”

She inhaled sharply, remembering that Master Yen Sid had mentioned to expect strange occurrences. “What do you mean?”

“Like he became a statue and he stopped breathing. He didn’t talk to me about it, or tell me if he remembered anything.” He rubbed the back of his hand, finally looking into her eyes for some solace. “I don’t know what I said to make him do that.”

On instinct, she reached over to gently squeeze his forearm, lending him a warm smile. “We’ll be okay. I know it’s hard, but we just have to be patient and wait this out. He’s not going to stay like this forever, I won’t let it.”

She wouldn’t let it.

Those words sounded like something she would say, but they were foreign. She didn’t know where they came from, as she had no idea how to fix any of this. It was natural for her to put on a brave face – after all, she relied on it for thirteen years in the dark. Lying to herself that she was going to be fine.

Here she was lying again, acting like everything was going to be fine. But she couldn’t allow herself to fall apart in front of Ventus. She only did that alone.

And she was alone now after he finished his meal, with her food cold and untouched.

The sausage tasted like nothing, her sinuses clogged up from her dry sobs.

Master Yen Sid examined Terra shortly after he woke up. The diagnosis was that he had split his heart into two pieces, and gave one to her as a shield to protect her from the darkness. His memories of course had no choice but to scatter, the chains that linked them together completely broken.

What went through his damn mind to inspire him to do that, she had no idea.

The team at Radiant Garden couldn’t help, either. Wielding a Keyblade against a heart was forbidden and dangerous – Terra’s condition being a prime example of the consequences. Forcefully removing his piece from her body could be permanently damaging, and who knew what scars were already there.

They knew a witch who could re-link those memories, and his heart would grow to fill the whole left behind.

But they had to find a way to make her exist again. Or something.

She wasn’t going to pretend to understand exactly what that meant. Only that they were alone in their predicament.

If only she was strong enough to keep herself up when she was hurting, strong enough not to fall to darkness. If only she didn’t attack him like a beast. If only he had traded something else instead of his heart, like his Keyblade or a limb to save her.

Maybe she was a horrible person for even entertaining the thought.

It was hard not to. She endured the Realm of Darkness to give him a chance. What was the point of surviving if she didn’t have her family back? Was there a meaning or a life lesson behind her having to say good-bye to everything she knew?

Master Yen Sid had warned her against saying too much to Terra, or forcing him to remember things. It could be throttling. Or painful. It was best to let go and let any traces come to him naturally.

Which was easy for Yen Sid to say. He wasn’t losing anyone. Painful indeed – she dealt with it when she remembered that Terra was with her the very first time she ever saw snow. That they knew every good hiding place in the castle back in the Land of Departure – some of which they never shared with Ventus.

She questioned whether it was the right approach.

But observing Terra sometimes made her realize why it might be. Without any memories, Terra didn’t know the meaning of terror anymore. No Mark of Mastery to beat himself up over. No Xehanort. He was cheerier now, so much like how he used to be long ago before the stress of becoming a Keyblade Master took a toll. Before they were separated. And he deserved to be this happy and worry-free.

She still questioned whether she was doing the right thing.

The only thing that stopped her tears from falling each night was a warmth in her chest. Terra – the one she knew, the one who left a part of himself inside – heard her. And the stir in her heart would lull her to sleep, like he was hugging her from wherever he was, to remind her that she was never alone.

She placed her hands on her chest after dropping her fork, feeling him again. “I’m trying, Terra,” she said out loud. She spent so many years talking to herself in the dark, and being in the light was no different. “It’s so hard.”

A moment passed before she calmed down. It was still the beginning of a new day, and it will be long. Days in Disney Castle lasted far longer than any world she had ever visited before. But it was the best place for Terra to recover, she believed. He was surrounded by inhabitants who were jovial, trusting, and kind. They lived in the moment, completely undisturbed by the wars with darkness outside. They looked for reasons to stay positive.

She found him in the library - which was considered a lucky event being that it was so huge, numerous civilians have reported getting lost in there for days. He was escorting Queen Minnie, reaching up to a high shelf to fetch her a book. A grin on his face, he lived for any chance to be helpful, especially to a Queen who only stood as tall as his knee.

But it was when he was thanked and left behind that it hit her. Sitting by himself in a busy library the size of their academy with a small stack of books to keep occupied – he, too, must be lonely.

… When he leaned forward to hold his chin with one hand while reading the book with the other, he looked so much like Terra.

He glanced up when she approached him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt-”

“Don’t be,” he said, waving to the lounge chair across from him. “I’d rather talk to you, anyway.”

She took a mental note to be this forward with him if he ever got his memories back. The stack of books next to him was a pile of heroic epics. One of them was The Adventures of Robin Hood, his absolute favorite growing up.

“What are you reading?” she asked.

He furrowed his brow, inspecting the words on the open pages in his hand. “A love story.”

“A love story?” Not something he’d usually be interested in.

“I didn’t think it was at first. It’s about these two flames. One of them started to overburn its wick, and was going to flicker out. It was too dark to be the only candle, so the other gave its blue core away,” he said, each word making her realize that she knew this story. “This would give power to its friend, making it last longer. You’d think it would die afterward, but now they are blended together, making the room shine brighter. And they never separated again. Sacrificing its blue core… that’s love.”

He showed her the book, and the illustrations are exactly the way she remembered them from childhood. The Tale of Two Lights. Two flames with eyes, and one of pictures showed a flame pulling its blue core out from the inside, like it had reached into its mouth.

Their Master used to read it to them to teach them about the nature of being a Keybearer. To protect others from darkness meant to be willing to utilize their own hearts as a weapon. Bonds kept light alive, and so it was important that Keyblade Wielders were always supportive of one another, for the darkness will try and snuff out a single light.

But he made sure to teach them to never underestimate the power of one’s own personal shine – the blue core didn’t burn like the tip of the orange flame, but its warmth was the most important.

Not once did she ever consider it a love story. Most of the ones she read were stupid and shallow. The prince kissed the princess and the happy-ever-after was given easily like free candy at a festival.

Nothing she read taught her the meaning of it, or prepared her for the choice of jumping into the dark abyss after a possessed Terra.

“That’s an… interesting interpretation,” she said.

“You know it?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Yeah. The Master used to read it to us when we were kids.”

“What was he like?” He leaned forward, his eyes asking more than his voice.

She wondered if refusing to answer him was infantilizing or rude. If he deserved to know despite that she might trigger an attack.

“He was strict,” she said, her eyes searching the floor. She couldn’t help the smile pulling at her lips as she ventured into her memories. “He made us run laps if we woke up too late. And he gave us extra assignments if we weren’t listening to his lectures.”

But Terra deserved something nice to hold onto, too.

“He thought our birthdays were the most important days of the year,” she continued, “and he never missed them. He liked his coffee black in the morning, and sipped red wine before he went to bed.”

The more she spoke of Eraqus, the more she could visualize him, enough that it pained her to remember she’ll never make him coffee again.

Terra rested back into his chair, his gaze downcast and sullen.

“I remember him.” At the sight of her piqued interest, he corrected himself. “Just a small vision. There are only feelings… I saw him die in front of me. I don’t know why, and that scares me.” His voice lowered significantly. “I think I might have done something horrible.”

“Terra, you were only trying to save Ven-”

“Were you there?”

“No…” Not even Ventus saw what happened exactly, and this wasn’t a conversation they finished before the catastrophe happened.

It was a conversation she needed to have, but now that it wasn’t possible, she only had her beliefs to hold onto.

“You’re the kindest person I will ever meet,” she finally said. “There is no better word out there to describe you, Terra. You could never even think of harming the Master.”

She had to believe it. If she was going to be honest, Terra was always the favorite student. The Master was often way harsher on him as a result, expecting too much. It was to his detriment at the Mark of Mastery, and it was unfair.

But the bond they had was unique, and there wasn’t a way – a single, damn way – that Terra would have a sinister inkling to hurt the man who raised him, even if he was resentful. Even if he had darkness and it was as black as ink. This was Terra, after all.

“I’m sorry,” he said, scrambling to find a tissue. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“It’s nothing to apologize for.” She quickly dabbed her eyes and wiped her nose. “You know, death and all. It happens.”

“Yeah,” he shrugged, a nervous sigh leaving his lips. “Death and all.”

Like two strangers surviving awkward small talk.

Terra was fine, though – no attacks coming to threaten him. But it was so unlike him to be unbothered by the Master’s death, like he never had a father, and she couldn’t bear to think about it. So she sparred with him to take her mind off of these things.

She was the type to prepare for the future, and they were going to have a rocky one. The final battle with Xehanort loomed over them still, and with no memory, Terra was at worst defenseless.

Sparring with him was like teaching someone who had forgotten to practice for years. Most times, he had the right instinct, his muscle memory kicking in to get him into the correct stance. But gone was his knowledge of the way she moved, and it was too easy to dance around him and clobber him to the ground. And this Terra moved in ways she never expected, like he grew up fighting someone else.

The other Keyblade wielders would come over and teach him, as well. The more practice he received, the better.

He didn’t have the drive to be a Master anymore, but when he wiped his Keyblade clean, he asked, so I get to help people?

There were minutes when she couldn’t let go of how worried she was about the ordeal, so she busied herself with other, more menial things. She refused the Queen’s offer in using her animated broom servants, and did most of the cooking herself. The smell of food was intoxicating and a reliable distraction, and since she was preparing a huge feast today, it swallowed hours from her that would otherwise be thrown away to anxiety.

Ventus helped her cut the venison, and she looked around the large kitchen (four times the size of her bedroom back home) for ingredients.

No potatoes.

And she had to worry about feeding Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Lea tonight. Donald and Goofy were also coming. The King and his wife… it was going to take forever to prepare.

“You forgot the potatoes,” she spat.

He waved his hand like it was no big deal – clearly he didn’t know how long it took to boil them. “I’ll get ‘em, don’t worry.”

She was going to bark some more when Terra arrived at the doorway. He held his fingers to his temple like he was taming a headache, and his orange Wayfinder found a place in his other hand.

They froze as they watched him, too eager to interrupt whatever he was going to say about that trinket.

“There was…” he started. “We were standing together, under the stars one night.”

It was all he said. It could have been any night, but he held that Wayfinder like it mattered and it had to be one specific night above all.

Ventus saw this opportunity and took it like a landslide, running up to his friend while pulling out his green Wayfinder out of his pocket. “Yeah! She made these for us that night so we always stayed connected.”

She joined them, comparing her blue counterpart with theirs.

Terra was impressed. “You made these?” He inspected his, slowly taking in all the details of metal and glass. “They’re beautiful.”

It wasn’t something he’d normally say – beautiful just wasn’t a word he would use to describe anything related to her. But apparently he hid quite a lot when he told her things like Oy, you’re such a girl sometimes as he held his Wayfinder for the first time long ago.

“Thank you.” It was the most polite thing to say. “Was there anything else you remembered?” She held her breath, not expecting much.

“No,” he said, rubbing his neck like he knew he disappointed her. But he still smiled. It was pleasant at least. 

Even Ventus’ grin fell some. He really had to learn not to get his hopes up too high.

What she really didn’t need was to have the other wielders barge in on them like this. A feast wasn’t the place to witness letdowns.

“Well, the smaller things are worth celebrating, right?” she said, wiping her hands on her apron out of nervousness and putting her Wayfinder away. She looked around for something to change the subject. “Ven… the potatoes.”

He nearly snarled at her, but he was terrible at rebelling. “Fine, I’ll go get them now, your Highness.”

“I could help you carry them,” Terra offered.

Ventus looked as though someone just slapped him across the face. “I’m strong enough to carry them on my own.”

“Oh, sorry.”

She knew that wasn’t what Ventus wanted to hear. He was expecting Terra to tease him further about it, maybe even strike up a competition to see who could carry the most potatoes. Ventus would lose every time of course, but it was the bonding that counted. Disappointment sunk again.

To make up for it, Terra ruffled thoroughly through blond hair, and Ventus grimaced to save face when he fixed it. She wondered if he understood that Terra was sincerely trying so hard.

She decided it was a good idea to help him out, at least this one time.

When Ventus was out of earshot, she said, “I’ll make another potato stew, and you should stuff the sack with bricks next time. He’ll never talk back to you, again.”

Terra snorted. “That’s hilarious, you think he’ll be offended?”

“Nah, he likes pranks.”

“I’ll definitely do it, thanks.” He sounded like he was desperate for a way to break the ice with Ventus, and she gave him all the relief he needed. He hovered around the kitchen counter, watching her cut into vegetables. “Do you need help?”

She was going to reject his offer, yet she’d hate to see him left out again.

But she stopped herself from handing him a knife.

He froze.

Completely.

Staring off into her like he couldn’t see her anymore, his eyes fixated with a look of sheer horror, like whatever he was witnessing was disgusting and it frightened him so much that he was about to beg for mercy. He shuddered furiously. He didn’t allow himself to breathe at all, and tears gathered so much in his eyes that they fell without waiting for him to blink.

“Terra,” she called, but he didn’t respond. He wouldn’t breathe.

“I’m here, Terra,” she said, dropping the knife and reaching for his face. “You’re safe.”

He didn’t respond to her touch either. She nearly called for Ventus’ help when he took a large, sharp inhale like he’d been drowning, and he rubbed his face as he drew deep, heavy breaths. The movement scared her, and she jumped back to clutch her beating chest.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

At the sound of her voice, he grabbed her wrist and looked right into her eyes. This time, he was looking at her. Like he discovered something he lost.

“You’re Aqua,” he said.

He knew her name as a stranger’s, but now it was like he knew exactly what it meant.  He smiled widely, the tears falling right into his mouth but he was too busy at the brink of laughter to taste them. He searched her eyes as though he was examining something precious.

“Did I give you my blue core?” he asked.

It was futile to stop her tears, and she nodded, her own smile drawing out like it needed to be seen. It was more natural to hug him than to reply, and his embrace was tight, like holding her was a necessity to live.

“What do you remember?” she asked into his shoulder, making it wet with all her tears and snot.

“Not much.” His voice chocked, half in laugher. “Just that you were so stubborn, and I needed to beat you on the head with some common sense.”

She laughed, something that sounded like crying but it was all molded together in a heap of nonsense. He held her tighter, making sure she kept standing as he rocked her back and forth. She was finally home in a world where light burned brightly enough that she was sure her transgressions were all exposed.

To hear him define her fall to darkness, her feral beast, as simply stubbornness made her feel forgiven. Even if he didn’t know what her mistakes really were, yet.

It was such a Terra thing to say.

A/N: So a lot of the concepts in this are inspired by Joshua's words in DDD:

"By ourselves we're no one. It's when other people look at us and see someone... that's the moment we each start to exist."

I don't normally nerd over the writing process in these notes, but to illustrate this, I actually made it purposeful not to name Aqua at all in this chapter except for one time - when Terra names her. Just a little something I wanted to experiment with, which was tricky in narration, having to do all of this without naming her XDD.