#i had to read up on drawing gem stones and in the end they were only a minor detail

[lillithcookie]

My gift for CJ with the prompt “star tear disease”. I hope you like it. This trope really suits them, doesn’t it? Going blind for the person they love seems to be their thing.

[palskippah]

Hi! There are role swap AUs of them already and I love them so much, so I tried making my own too! You should know that this is entirely self-indulgent like anything else I draw askdaslds

There is Mareach and Bowuigi bc yes alskdklasd and a tiny bit of one-sided Luaisy that leads to nothing because Luigi's a married man 😔

I had other drawings of them, but they're not colored yet and I wanted to share the idea already sjsjs

Here's some ideas for this AU!

-Mario's the Mushroom Kingdom Princess and his parents are the King and Queen. Luigi used to be the other princess, green princess or green princess Mario (as in, his bro Mario, not his last name Mario 😔), but he married Bowser and became the Queen of the Darklands :y Everyone in there respects and remembers his name, he's built a really good reputation for himself by simply being himself, in this house we believe in the 'Luigi is the Darklands' hero' hc too. Their aunt and uncles (and cousin) rule Sarasaland.

-(King boo's a Darklands ally but still hates Queen Luigi from that one time he wiped clean his mansion when the king kidnapped Mario. Luigi's scared of ghosts still too, but Junior always reassures him he's gonna beat them up if they try scaring his mama (I drew it actually, I'm gonna color it too!))

-When the bros were 20 Bowser at first tried kidnapping Princess Mario, and Mario was ready to beat his ass but they ended up talking about ally-making and ruling a kingdom as Bowser just got crowned king. Mario advised him to listen to his advisor and other stuff and by the time Luigi caught the koopa ship, ready to bonk Bowser in the head with his comically large hammer, the princess and king made plans of starting a treaty.

>Anyways, they met often after that when Bowser went to plan the treat with the Mario King and Queen. Luigi fell for Bowser and Bowser fell harder and Mario regretted talking to Bowser and should have instead just beat him up. He's happy for his bro though. When they married and had Junior and adopted the koopalings he decided that he was very happy that he talked to Bowser. He loves how happy Luigi is.

-Princess Mario accomplishes many things and excels at almost anything he tries, and all the toads treat him as a hero as well as a princess and all, so his dad doesn't think he's a failure, but still bothers him by urging him to get married ever since he turned thirty. He often compares him to Luigi, who got married at 23 and in the present had eight kids with his husband. Mario doesn't give a shit about marrying soon, but wished his dad would stop being annoying. His mamma is a sweetheart as always and often tells her husband to leave him alone. King Mario is stubborn as hell though (his two boys got that from him), so he doesn't.

-Peach and Daisy are cousins and they were trying to start a business together, though they weren't still sure about what (you know as Princess Peach and Daisy have many businesses together in canon aksdla), but before they could settle anything they somehow fell in the pipe and Peach landed in the Mushroom Kingdom and Daisy in the Darklands.

-Bowser still steals the Super Star, but in hopes of giving Luigi the coolest anniversary gift ever, as it's their seventh and all that. He very often gives him all sort of things, like great statues, many many dresses and all the stuff that he knows Luigi loves. Being the himbo he is, he's genuinely concerned that Luigi wouldn't like something unless it is completely new and has never been gifted to him at all. Of course, Luigi would love anything he'd give him, because Bowser's gifts are always made with love. By the end of the things, Luigi tells Bowser so and calls him an idiot affectionally, and also makes him return the Super Star. (movie-like, you know, since this is somehow a retelling alksdlasd)

-Based on what I read at discord, if you're who wrote it, pls know that i love your ideas jsjs- Bowser has set up many statues of Luigi that are of a nice stone color and has gems in its eyes to glow under the lava and the sun when it's out. Imagine that one Luigi render where he's got an arm raised and the other nicely by his side and he's smiling, that's the main statue of Queen Luigi sjjds. They contrast greatly against Bowser's, that were made to make his fierceness stand out, unlike Luigi's that highlight his kindness.

-In the piano scene, Bowser is playing and singing and Luigi's laying on his stomach over the piano's surface (no idea if that's possible but humor me alkdalsd) and listens with the most besotted expression ever, resting his face on his palms. When Kamek interrupts them Luigi's not mad or anything, but Bowser really glares at the magikoopa.

-Junior finds Daisy and brings her to the castle, in hopes that his mama and papa will help her, because they're the greatest people in the whole world and they can do anything.

-Daisy and Luigi quickly become friends, making Bowser jealous of the other human, especially because Daisy from time to time looks at Luigi as if she like-liked him. Not that he thought Luigi had eyes for anyone else beside him, but it was still annoying. And Diasy, for all she annoyed him, seemed to fully respect that Luigi was happily married.

-Daisy teases Bowser mercilessly too, at first clueless that she's supposed to be terrified and respect this guy like everyone else does (maybe Junior takes her to him first, and completely forgetting Junior's initial rambling about his family, she doesn't realize Bowser's the king, but when she meets Luigi, she sees his crown and fancy clothes and immediately knows she gotta be respectful to this guy. She doesn't know how royals are in this lava world, after all), but she keeps doing it, knowing the koopa king may look terrifying but he's mostly bark and no bite.

-DK and Mario are friends and they often meet up to beat the shit out of the other, or sparring as it's called, I think. The first time they did it, Mario got the cat power up and destroyed DK in front of the kong king and other kongs, and since then Cranky doesn't dislike Mario so much, and the others respect him greatly too.

-Mareach,,, they look at eachother and sparkles are in there too. Peach doesn't brutally throw Mario to the ground or anything, but he loses his breath anyways because of her beauty. Also, Mario's type is beautiful tall women (and tall idiot men, maybe his dad suggests DK as a husband and Mario's like ew dad, we're just friends. Or maybe... Donkareach... I like the fics that has them, but idk for this).

-Toad as a wingman, he doesn't care how obvious he is, he's gonna make Princess Mario and his new friend Peach be together, because they clearly like-like the other.

That's all I got for now askdalsd thanks if you read my ramblings, sorry if there's mistakes in writing.

I'm gonna color the stuff I got left and maybe draw more, but knowing myself I dunno if I will anytime soon 😔 Also I go back to college the next week sadly sjsjd

Got any thoughts on the AU? Tell cuz I'd love to know c:< but only if it's nice thoughts, I'm sensitive akdalsd

[anna-proxx]

pretty please can we have arthur morgan falling in love with hyperfem! reader? ur stuff is always so so yummy,, no pressure ofc! ૮꒰ྀི∩´ ᵕ `∩꒱ྀིა

⭒✧⋆｡guns n' bows ✧⋆｡⭒

pairing: Arthur Morgan x hyperfem!reader

genre: fluff, slight angst (good ending)

summary: Arthur finds himself adoring a dainty woman who joined the gang a while ago. It suddenly becomes clear to him he has fallen in love.

word count: 3294

tags: high honor arthur, fem!reader, (mutual) pining, arthur being a sweetheart

a/n: thank u so much, dolly! i had a few ideas on how to approach this and decided to make it more story-based and focus on arthur's inner process as he realizes he's in love with the reader (as i would imagine it to go). if you'd like something a bit different, lmk! i've been wanting to write a hyperfem fic for a while now, so i had fun with it. also, i'm thinking about writing a pt. 2 where i'd focus more on the reader's pov and have arthur express his feelings more (be a cutie around her) and confess his love. <3

dividers by @saradika / @saradika-graphics

✮ masterlist

Arthur Morgan wasn't used to being gentle with people. His hands were rough and calloused and his muscle memory trained to draw his guns and shoot. They were meant to be a weapon, to protect and harm for the people he considered his family.

Perhaps he had it in him, but there was no reason to be soft and gentle – the world was just as rough as him and he was assigned the burden of fighting against it. The softest he could get was between the pages of his journal as he wrote about his thoughts and sketched owls and beavers and when he patted dogs and talked to his horse.

But most of those were away from prying eyes and frankly, the role of a dense criminal prized for his brawn comfortably fit around his overlooked qualities, as that was all he needed to be. To survive, to fulfill his role.

And yet you saw right through it. Of course you did, you had a good heart, open to whoever you saw goodness in. While some might write Arthur off as a rugged criminal only, you noticed his edges weren't as sharp as he tried making them seem to be.

His duties were violent, sometimes brutal, the earth soaking up blood of his enemies and his image reflecting in their eyes as the last thing before they closed them forever. To some, he was their biggest nightmare. He wasn't a good man, to believe so would be naive and foolish, but he wasn't all bad either, as some would think.

Your heart was big enough to accept his sins and leave the judgment to whatever was above, meanwhile you sought his presence as it brought you a strangely warm sense of security and comfort. Like moth to a flame, his different nature allured you. Hardened on the outside and soft-hearted on the inside.

Perhaps that was the reason you found yourself liking this big outlaw. Scooted towards him at the campfire, or sat nearby and watched him as he lied on his cot and scribbled something into his journal.

You might've been fragile and soft spoken, but you weren't stupid and your intuition on people was like a radar you could wholeheartedly trust. So you did.

Arthur didn't exactly know you sometimes looked for his presence, but he did notice you were comfortable around him.

It baffled him a little – you were so small compared to him, wearing lace and frills and cute little bows in your hair and yet you didn't seem to be intimidated by his appearance or demeanor at all. It sparked joy inside of him whenever you'd come to him blabbering about the rainbow you saw or gave him a soft smile as your eyes met.

You never treated him with judgment or revulsion, despite knowing very well your morals were against everything he was doing. Just how big of a sweetheart were you to do that? He never said it, but it meant a lot to him.

He felt as though you weren't even a part of all this. You were like a gem among roughened stones or a flower growing in gravel, reading in your tent and braiding your horse's mane while he washed blood off his hands.

And truth be told, because of that, he found you to be soothing and healing for his battered soul. It was so different, to be around someone like you.

You brought out a side of him he didn't know he had, one that was more tender than he was used to be. He didn't feel so angry or cynical, even after a job gone wrong. When he was with you, being gentle was easy.

At the beginning, when you first fell with the gang, it was doubt and hesitation he felt towards you. You were so... untouched by the world's cruelty, so innocent and open-hearted.

Arthur assumed you were naive and feeble, not only in the physical sense but mental as well. The world posed a huge threat to someone like you and he was worried you wouldn't survive in such circumstances. He was convinced you'd run after a few weeks but you did no such thing.

As the months passed, you stayed with the gang, patient and resilient while remaining soft and feminine. You helped where you could and offered a listening ear to anyone who needed it; even managed to get Arthur to open up to you when you two were alone. And you barely ever complained, even ate all Pearson's stews though you must've been used to eating fine food. And you lit up the space wherever you went. Your optimism was invincible. How the hell were you managing to do that?

It dawned on him he must've terribly underestimated you and his doubtfulness turned into admiration and intrigue. You were one fascinating little thing.

Things have been going quite downhill, so he kept checking up on you and you always had a warm smile to offer. You were still sweet and charming, even with the law on your tail.

You were his polar opposite, gentle waves of the sea splashing against hard rocks hot from the sun. Soft clouds concealing the sky after a raging storm. A calm rain on a hot summer day.

Arthur had no intentions of falling in love ever again.

But his heart was a sneaky little traitor.

Dusk softly illuminated the lake's surface when he found you sitting on the pier, your feet splashing in the water. You put your shoes beside you and held the skirt of your dress at your knees to avoid getting it wet. It was your favorite, white and pink, the corset decorated with little bows at the front. Your locks curled loosely over your shoulders, a light pink bow tying some of it at the back of your head.

You looked so vulnerable and cute lost in your thoughts like this, your feet creating creases in the water as you idly watched them. You had no company with you, only a couple of ducks swimming nearby and butterflies fluttering their wings around your head.

Arthur wondered what your mind was occupied with and before he could properly think it through, his steps directed towards your small frame lit by warm light.

You were pondering on the events of the past few weeks when the heavy steps on the wooden planks caught your attention. Turning your head to look up at the person coming, your eyes lit up as you saw it was your favorite one.

"Arthur!" you called out, your big doe eyes digging a pit in Arthur's stomach.

"[Name]. How are you?" His gaze lingered on you as he stood before you, his hands placed on the gun belt around his hips. You found the concern sweet. Instead of it being a casual phrase, his eyes studied you for an actual answer.

"Good, I think. What about you?" Your voice was smooth like honey and inviting, giving the outlaw something to lean into.

"'M alright," his voice rumbled as he shifted on his feet, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Ya like this place?"

You shortly looked around, taking in the view of the trees and dim sky reflected back in the peaceful lake.

"I do, it's such a charming spot." You looked back into Arthur's face, catching a hint of a smile on his lips.

"'M glad to hear that."

You could almost hear his goodbye that would follow but before he had the chance, you spoke.

"Come on, join me." You patted the spot next to you and slightly turned your body towards Arthur when he sat beside you.

Arthur was a bit at loss of words, always quick with his witty responses but uncertain around you. Your flowery perfume overcame him, then the sight of your rosy cheeks and full lips. You looked like a doll, looking at him through your long lashes with the most innocent look in your eyes.

For a moment your company made him forget about everything. He felt like just a man instead of a sinner, leaning into the silent acceptance you provided him.

You swung your feet in the water. "What did you do today?" you asked kindly, no trace of judgment.

Arthur sighed, recalling the day's events. "Robbed a stagecoach, had to shoot 'em guards. Met a few of the O'Driscoll boys too."

He wasn't one to sugarcoat things, especially when there was no reason to. You knew what kind of person he was and despite you never expressing disgust, he knew you must've had certain sentiments of him and they were all true. He was no better than the crooks he fought. And yet, with you, he wished he was.

Your gaze found his hand resting over his knee, barely dried blood on his knuckles.

"Oh, Arthur!" You took his hand in his, examining the damage with focus as you held his palm with both your hands, yours small in comparison to his.

Arthur's breath faltered in his throat. A lukewarm feeling settled in his chest and slight panic ran through his mind as he was slow to realize just what was happening. The warm touch of your smooth fingers was unusually intensive and he wished for the moment to never stop, as if he ever cared for such things.

He felt silly for it. What was happening with him? Why did he feel such fondness at your delicate hands cradling his, the slight blush on your cheeks, the flyaway hairs around your head?

He furrowed his brow at the unfamiliar tightness in his chest, the rhythm of his heartbeat picking up on pace.

He hasn't felt this way ever since...

"Your poor knuckles," you mumbled while gently running your finger over the bruises. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen them healed."

Your tone was nothing but caring, as if Arthur hadn't used the fist to break someone's jaw. You put his hand away, putting yours in your lap as you continued bathing your feet in the water and watching the thoughtful look on Arthur's face as he softly looked at you.

Arthur cleared his throat, chasing all the crazy thoughts away. "And how's yer day been?"

You tactfully ignored the change of topic and played around with your necklace as you spoke. "Well, it was alright. I've been doing chores almost whole day, then went to Rhodes for some supplies with Tilly and Javier. He also taught me a bit of one Spanish song!"

Oh did he? A pang of jealousy struck him. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Arthur, everything okay?" you asked, your brow furrowed at the sight of his troubled expression.

"Sure, 'm... just tired, that's all."

You nodded, looking at the sky coloring itself in blueish grays. "Yeah, I might go to sleep earlier today as well, I reckon."

Pulling your feet out of the water, you started putting on your shoes while Arthur stood up, offering you a hand by the time you were done. You smiled up at him and accepted his hand, being effortlessly pulled up to your feet.

"Thank you, Arthur."

Your voice wouldn't leave his head, even after you walked towards your tent, disappearing from his sight. He walked to his own one in a trance, left with many unanswered questions in his head.

This wasn't like him, even less to be so confused by his feelings. And yet, as he lay in his cot that night, he kept going back to the moment at the lake, imagining what it would've felt like to brush his fingers through your soft hair or cup your cheek.

Another heavy sigh.

Only yesterday you were still just you. A kind girl they had rescued when she had nowhere else to go, a young woman who–

No, who was he kidding. The warning signs had been there long before; the warmth in his chest whenever he saw you, that little jump his heart did when you said his name, the joy he felt when you asked him for small favors.

It gnawed at him, the sense of knowing he tried pushing away.

He fell in love with you. Somewhere along the way, without taking notice. As complicated and messy it would make things, in a way, admitting to himself the feelings he had for you felt relieving.

How was he so stupid not to realize sooner?

He loved the way you got excited over making flower crowns and how you'd weave some for the girls. He loved when he saw you consoling and comforting Karen into putting the bottle away, or even being kind to that bastard Kieran. He loved when he found you playing with Jack, letting him put flowers in your hair. He loved your feminine gaze, the one that would capture all his attention, or how your kindness towards him made him feel. As if there was still hope for him, as if he wasn't damned after all.

But there was a tight knot in his stomach. He might've set himself up for another heartbreak. How could you want someone like him?

Arthur fell asleep riddled with contradicting thoughts that night.

The new reality of being in love with you gave him a sort of solace. But it wasn't until morning that he decided he could only do one thing – keep his distance. For both his and your sake.

You were beautiful and dainty like a rose, but he was the thorns.

Arthur did as he promised to himself – despite the stolen glances and wishful thoughts split in half, he would avoid you, though it wasn't as apparent as he's been so busy lately. Not like he would complain about that, if anything, it took his mind off you, even if not for long.

Above all he wanted to return to camp after a difficult job and be close to you, talk to you, feel your calming presence.

What he didn't expect with his plan was how much it would wear him down.

But the last thing he wanted was to hurt you, which he assumed would eventually happen, or lose his head for someone who wouldn't reciprocate the same feelings back.

He returned to camp late today. In the middle of the night when everyone was already asleep. He wanted nothing more than to lie down in his cot, his shoulders slouched as he got down from the saddle and patted his horse a good night, unsaddling him to give him some rest too. The night was quiet and tranquil, like peace after a storm, given how Arthur's day went.

It has been weeks since Arthur had realized he had feelings for you by this point and looking towards the tents, he couldn't help but wonder whether you were alright. He hasn't been around much lately, so he could only guess you continued to be true to who you've been since the beginning. With ribbons in your hair and a dreamy look in your face.

He sighed at the image. What a lovestruck fool he was.

He missed your sleepy eyes and the little wrinkle between your eyebrows when you were confused.

As if something listened to his wishes, a small figure emerged from the shadows and he realized it was you.

Wearing your undergarments, bloomers with frills and lace, you made your way straight towards him. Your hair was in two braids tied by pink ribbons, though a bit messy from sleep, and the loose strands of hair tucked behind your ear.

He froze in place, watching you get closer while his heart went a little crazy. A part of him was happy to see you approaching him, whatever the reason for that was. It made him feel fuzzy inside and that scared him more than any gunfight.

"Arthur!" you called out for him with a slightly shaky voice, not stopping your steps until you stood right before him.

Arthur fought the urge to reach out for you as he saw you small and vulnerable, looking up at him with need, his heart struck with fear when he noticed the little tears in your eyes.

"[Name], what's wrong?" There was urgency in his voice, a worried look in his eyes and panic coursing through his veins.

You held a sob as you spoke, hugging yourself with your arms, a few of the loose strands falling into your face.

"J-just a nightmare. I woke up so s-scared." You started to shiver as you recalled the frightening images. As soft as you were on the outside, you had a vivid imagination and your nightmares could get very eerie and gruesome, causing chills to travel up your spine every time the memory flashed before your eyes.

Arthur's instincts now clutched his heart tightly, a knot tying itself in his stomach. He hated seeing you like this, helpless, afraid and trembling. The sight of you awakened every bit of his protective nature and he didn't want anything more than to hold you and never let you go, even put his life on the line just to keep you safe.

He didn't think twice.

"Aw, c'mere," he proposed in a low warm voice, enveloping you in his embrace gently enough to give you the option of changing your mind.

But you snuggled into the hug instead, a small sob escaping you as you wrapped your arms around his torso, your arms barely connecting behind his back.

He was so warm and firm and you have never felt safer in your whole life. The anxiety was slowly mellowed out, filling your heart with affection instead.

Arthur breathed in your scent and it made him feel lightheaded, and to feel your soft warm body pressed against his felt like a dream.

You were so delicate in his arms and your exposed skin made it hard for him to keep his thoughts straight. He was a gentleman of course, but his heart raced nonetheless and he feared you could hear it beating against your ear.

"It's okay, t'was just a dream." His voice was soothing and warm, and it worked like a charm. He consoled you with strokes on your back, his big palms hot through the thin layer of your undergarments.

"What horrible thin' did ya dream 'bout?" Arthur asked, his embrace not loosening around you. He was quite happy like this, protecting you between his arms, as if you always belonged there.

You kept your face nuzzled to his chest, comfortably leaning into the hug.

You started talking about the dream and he listened. A monster, you said, something big and deranged sneaking its way around to its victims. You rambled about the details, your descriptions a mess as you spoke in loose tangles.

Arthur slightly smiled at your stuttering, it made you even more adorable than you already were, though he didn't know it was even possible.

He would kill anyone who'd dare to touch you.

"'M the only scary thing 'round here 'm afraid," Arthur muttered, his chest rumbling under your head.

"As if," you retorted with your voice muffled, certainty in your disagreement.

It caught Arthur off guard a little and nervousness arose in him as he asked the following question. "You ain't scared of me?"

He knew if there was even an ounce of fear in you, it would've killed him.

You looked up at him, your eyes big and glossy. "I feel safe with you, Arthur."

His heart dropped and he looked into your eyes completely baffled, not grasping how such a sweet creature like you could say such a thing to him.

You felt safe with him.

You did.

He felt vulnerable under your gaze; not even heavens could make him feel so exposed. He was afraid you could read his thoughts with that pretty mind of yours as you held the eye contact, that you could recognize how much he was now melting and crumbling inside.

So much for being a tough hardened criminal.

He felt like a teenager again. The sweating hands, tingles in his stomach, it was all back.

Arthur tightened his embrace, cuddling you closer.

As he held you under the starry sky, your tiny arms wrapped around him, he was sure of one thing.

He could do many things. But staying away from you was not one of them.

[bonefall]

finally joining in on translating oc names to clanmew! tried to choose some of my more interestingly named ocs, so I had to get a bit creative with a few of them. but it was a really great exercise to try to make the names work! I included the meanings for any names that I combined words for

Krrakassappap / Krrakapappap - Thunderstep

Chikishofi - Icepath

Oskarrabuyanaya / Babenrobyanaya - Chalkwhistle ("white-fossil-sings" / "bone-rock-sings")

Mwuechoop - Rosenose (Qankachoop is probably more accurate, I just think Mwuechoop sounds/looks cuter)

Mwiskarrkoorhhass / Nyararrkoorhhass - Voidwhisper ("missing-existence-whisper" / "no-existence-whisper")

Kitrrihifyn - Jetflame ("hot coal-pearl-flame". I actually didn't know "jet black" is in reference to a gem made of coal! so I learned that today. which is actually very cool, because his father is named Coalfire (Kitkafyar) and oh MAN it's actually extremely fitting to him and his story)

Goshshom - Parsleymoon (had to substitute with fennel, but at least they're in the same family)

Rre'efipo - Cicadagaze (not the right type of cicada, as he's named after the periodical cicadas, but it still works)

not sure if I did everything right, but it was fun nonetheless :]

You did great!! I especially love Voidwhisper, something about the really abstract translations is always really fun to see

Here's a couple more words for you, followed by the iceberg tip of several hours of me going coconuts behind the scenes trying to learn about the geology in this area at the mention of the word "chalk"

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) = Mwen After doing some reading, I've learned that Parsley is going to end up being an herb I mention when I get to urinary tract herb guides. It has diuretic properties, but its bizarre side effect is making skin more sensitive to sunlight. Neat stuff!

Whistle (of wind) = Hwuosoon/Hwuosoo/Hwuos Cats can't whistle because their lips don't pucker, so, I've interpreted this as the sound of high wind passing through grass.

And lastly... I went ahead to try and find if Chalk would be present in Base Clanmew. I went nuts trying to find a good geological survey of the region and this was the best I got;

[ID: a simplified geological map of the british isles]

Soooo... unfortunately there is no chalk here, it's further south! So you should decide what you'd like to call chalk in your dialect

I did go ahead and make THESE words though, for the types of stones they'd see.

Sandstone = Chyon (rough stone) (MOST ABUNDANT)

Shale = Pyark (Flat chip)

Limestone = Owbra (round pebble)

Pigment/rock crushed and used for art-related purposes = Boch

So if you were looking for chalk as less of a *type* of stone and more related to drawing, Boch exists now! I'm going to use it to apply to some of the pigments and rudimentary paints they can make out of clay.

[letsberealgenz]

Shoe Dog

“Let everyone else call your idea crazy…just keep going. Don’t stop. Don’t even think about stopping until you get there, and don’t give much thought to where “there” is. Whatever comes, just don’t stop. — Phil Knight

A couple of days ago, I made one of the best decision by picking up a dusty gem sitting on the shelf. Maybe it was meant to be dusty when I picked it up. It’s like a treasure that holds an encoded message specially written for you with an aim of shedding light on your journey.

The gem is none other than a book composed of 405 pages where every word is written with utmost wisdom by the one and only, Phil Knight, better known as the creator of Nike. That’s the thing about being an avid reader, you know exactly when you’re reading a really good book!

I know there’s tons of books out there where founders share their journey of starting up but the main “make or break” moment happens when the book gives you a lot of “AHAA” moment and this is exactly what Shoe Dog brings you! I am going to share with you some key moments that truly impressed me and I hope this provides value into your life. The real key is at the ending (make sure to read) till the very end.

1962

“Before running a big race, you always want to walk the track.” “You cannot travel the path until you have become the path yourself.” — Buddha “You are remembered for the rules you break.” — Douglas MacArthur “The main who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” — Confucius “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.”

1964

“A tiger hunts best when he’s hungry.” “The art of competing, I’d learned from track, was the art of forgetting, and I now reminded myself of that fact.” “Happiness is a how, not a what.”

1965

“He looked at numbers the way the poet looks at clouds, the way the geologist looks at rocks. He could draw from them rhapsodic song, demotic truths.” “Running track gives you a fierce respect for numbers, because you are what your numbers say you are, nothing more, nothing less.” “Inspiration, he learned, can come from quotidian things. Things you might eat. Or find lying around the house.” “But everyone’s athlete, he said. If you have a body, you’re an athlete.”

1966

“Someone somewhere once said that business is war without bullets, and I tended to agree.” “Wisdom seemed an intangible asset, but an asset all the same, one that justified the risk.” “But my hope was that when I failed, if I failed, I’d fail quickly, so I’d have enough time, enough years, to implement all the hard-won lessons.”

1968

“I told her that I flat-out didn’t want to work for someone else. I wanted to build something that was my own, something I could point and say: I made that. It was the only way I saw to make life meaningful.” “Alcohol and time worked their magic.” “The single easiest way to find out how you feel about someone. Say goodbye.” “By nature I was a loner, but since childhood I’d thrived in team sports. My psyche was in true harmony when I had a mix of alone time and team time. Exactly what I had now.”

1969

“Penny and I were learning to live together, learning to meld our personalities and idiosyncrasies, though we agreed that she was the one with all the personality and I was the idiosyncratic one.” “Life is growth. You grow or you die.”

1970

“No news was bad news, no news was good news — but no news was always some sort of news.”

1972

“If we’re going to succeed, or fail, we should don so on our own terms, with out own ideas — our own brand.” “No matter the sport — no natter the human endeavor, really — total effort will win people’s hearts.” “Like books, sports give people a sense of having lived other lives, of taking part in other people’s victories. And defeats.” “The cowards never stared and the weak died along the way — that leaves us.”

1974

“More than a product, we were trying to sell an idea — a spirit.” “But when we did fail, we had faith that we’d do it fast, learn from it, and be better for it.”

1975

“No brilliant idea was ever born in a conference room.” he assured the Dane. “But a lot of silly ideas have died there,” said Stahr. — F.Scott Fitzgerald, The Last Tycoon

1976

“Whatever happened, I just didn’t want to lose. Losing was death.” “Money wasn’t our aim, we agreed. Money wasn’t out end game. But whatever our am or end, money was the only means to get there.” “I no longer simply made Nikes; Nikes were making me.”

1977

“Beating the competition is relatively easy. Beating yourself is a never-ending competition.” “But I liked the idea of acting as if things were going to work out.” “It didn’t focus on the product, but on the spirit behind the product.”

1978

“Obsessives were the only ones for the job. The only ones for me.” “Maybe the cure for any burnout, I thought, is to just work harder.”

1980

“I never knew that numbers could mean so much, and so little, at the same time.” “Any building is a temple if you make it so.” “You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you.” “To study the self is to forget the self.” “Oneness — in some way, shape, or form, it’s what every person I’ve ever met has been seeking.” “Change never comes as fast as we want it.” “Because mothers are our first coaches.”

Because here’s the real gift:

I’d tell men and women in their mid-twenties not to settle for a job or a profession or even a career. Seek a calling. Even if you don’t know what that means, seek it. If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.

Put it this way. The harder you work, the better your Tao.

Yours, Asrajjit Kaur

[crimsonfluidessence]

Prompt 6: Ring

Esredes sighed softly to himself as he checked over the list of addresses on his notepad, fastwalking his way through the Crozier. 801, 802, no no, he was looking for 806. Why did the numbers suddenly end at 803. Why was the next building 814. Where in the hells was 806.

He looked up from his notepad all around. It had to be around here somewhere. Maybe it was on the other side of the street. As people walked by both ways, Esredes crossed the street and read up the list of addresses until he found 806. There we go.

He pushed the door open and found himself in a very nice and comfortable little office. The walls were a lavender and the floor was an intricate pattern of stone. An older Elezen man sitting at a dual purpose workbench and desk looked up at Esredes from behind a pair of spectacles and waved him over. "Good afternoon, good sir," the man said, as Esredes smiled at him and walked over to stand by the desk. "What can I do for you today?"

"Hello, hello. I would love to hear about your Eternity Ring sizing and price quotes," he said. "We're looking at about a size seven, gemstone either emerald or ruby, silver metal." "Ah," the man scooted his chair right over to the other side of his desk and began to file through small drawers. "Planning for a bonding, are we?" "Yes, it won't be happening for months out but," he chuckled lightly. "You know more about planning than I do, I'm sure..." "Congratulations, my good sir," he said. "This is your ring size, I take it?" "Oh, no no no." Esredes said, raising a hand. "It's not my bonding. I'm just looking into this for the couple. I don't even know what my size is." "Oh!" The man chuckled. "I see. You are a friend to the couple, then?" "Yeah," he nodded. "I'm helping them out. Please, show me everything you have. I'll just be taking notes, if you don't mind?" Esredes retrieved a notepad and pen from his bag. "Not at all, not at all. Go right ahead, good sir. If you'll look over at these sample gems..."

And so Esredes took as thorough notes as he could from this shop. The gem samples were quite pretty, and he had to resist the urge to move them. They sparkled in the stained glass light, and he tried to imagine each in a ring. Surely they would all look quite pretty. If he was a sketch artist, he'd be sketching each one for the couple to look over, but he couldn't draw, so notes would have to do.

Once this was all done, he was back into the streets to find the next goldsmith shop for quotes. Three down, four more to go before he could deliver the notes back to his friend.

"Hey!" Came the call of a familiar voice. Esredes turned around and spotted a familiar head of blue hair, and his expression brightened as a hyur woman approached. "Ceila," he said. "I didn't realize you were out and about today." Ceila was the only person Esredes knew before his life was destroyed who didn't leave him. She'd been with him since training, and then she reappeared a month after he became a harrier. The two had always been around one another since. She waved off his inquiry. "Errands," she offered. "They take me up here sometimes. What about you, what are you in the middle of?" "I'm looking through goldsmiths for ring options." She tilted her head. "Ring... options? But you and Alise never..." "It's for Adrie." He said. "Did you hear?" "Adrie's getting married?" Her eyes lit up with surprise. "I heard she was seeing someone, but nothing more than that." Esredes looked around. "Actually, let's... move."

He walked into a nearby alleyway, watched the crowd walk by, and then turned to Ceila, sighing. "Yes, she is." "Wasn't she getting quite familiar with a Temple Knight?" "She was." Esredes said. "And she proposed to him. So now she needs a ring." "Oh my gods." Ceila said. "When did this happen?" "A month ago." He said. "I almost spit out my afternoon tea." "You didn't expect it, huh? Are you upset?" Esredes crossed his arms and looked up at a window. "...I shouldn't be." He said. "I mean, she was so happy about it. She was elated with joy. Apparently she'd been planning the proposal for three weeks. But I mean. Do you think we can trust him? Like, do either of them really know what they're getting into?" "I never saw if she had told him or not," Ceila frowned a little. "It didn't seem like she did last I saw them together? But that was months ago..." "Oh, she told him. She said he took it well, said something about how he would protect her no matter what her past was. I just don't think either of them really know what they're getting into. She's so. She follows her heart, and we've both seen how it hurts her. What if this doesn't work out. She'll be heartbroken. There's no way he's completely aware of everything this means. He's a part of what tried to slaughter her and everything she holds dear. Someone is going to cause a fuss, something is going to break. And to top it all off they want to hold it in a Church in the city. That's definitely not going to cause any problems." "Well... maybe they found a way to make it work? We don't know what intimate conversations happened when we weren't there. Maybe he's just a good-hearted sort. Maybe he wants things to change." "It's not that I don't believe that." He said, looking to the sky, and sighed. "It just seems like too much to navigate. I would never date a Loyalist. Why go through all the headache and turmoil?" "Esredes, you won't date anyone." She smiled and tilted her head again. He looked down to her and sighed again. "That's beside the point. I'm speaking hypothetically. If I could date, it wouldn't be a loyalist." "So it would be...?" Esredes winced. Two people in his movement had confessed to him so far. For some gods-forsaken reason. He was silent, to that, a long moment, turning away to look at the buildings between them some more, then made a sharp turn back to her. "Do you ever feel like life is passing us by?" He asked. "With all of this? With everyone we know settling, and then we're just. Still here, same old and the like?" "To be honest, no, I'm not very bothered about it." She said. "I allow things to happen as I wish them to. But I didn't think you would be bothered by it, Esredes." "I don't know about being bothered by it," he rubbed the side of his face with his gloved hand. "It's just. I've been to so many weddings since the war ended. It's routine by this point. Everyone I know gets together, gets bonded, a third of them divorce because they didn't listen to my advice, and it's all the same motions. It's such a blessing, isn't it? To even be able to see all this. It's like life is trying to move on. But those are pockets of calm, and then it's back to normal. Do I make any sense?" She chuckled lightly. "Yes, because you're talking to me. I can translate." She winked. "It's strange for you."

He sighed. "Well. I expect I may need to do this ring dance again. This isn't the only wedding I'm going to be attending this year." "Who else is getting married?" "My former squire." She blinked. "Trosta is getting married?!" "Oh gods, I didn't tell you, did I." He rubbed his face again. "He tells me I'm family all along and then almost immediately after tells me about this guy he met who, as he put it, 'isn't a criminal'. Actually no, he said that before we got into the family bit. But I guess he made him quite happy. And he asked me to be the best man. I've... never been the best man before." Not once, in all of these weddings he'd gone to. Ceila's expression brightened. "That's amazing! Oh, he's grown up so much in all this time we've been away, I only wish I could've been there to see all of it. When's the wedding??" "They have no idea. They're planning it slowly. I'm sure you're invited, when the time comes. I just don't know how to do that kind of speech, but. It can't be that hard, right? So... yeah. Ring shopping. I got asked about goldsmiths back when Marie and Mythirel proposed out of absolutely nowhere, so this time I'll be prepared." "They proposed?" "I don't even know. It was so out of nowhere. They were clearly getting at the together stage, but." He sighed. "Can't expect two harriers to follow Ishgardian traditions of courting and timeframes, so. They seem happy." "They do seem happy." She said, smiling. "Well, Esrey. Would you like any company on your ring quest?" "I really would, actually." He smiled just a little back to her. "Thanks, Ceila. Do you happen to know where 945 Chamomile street is, exactly?" She chuckled as the two exited the alleyway. "That's got to be up just past the Crozier, right? Somewhere around there. I'll keep an eye out for it with you." Their footsteps proceeded at a moderate pace up the cobblestone, and the two chattered away idly upon their now shared quest.

[the-star-knight]

Tales Of A Star

Tales Of A Star

Summary: A retelling of the show through Star’s eyes

Star is young teenager, daughter to one of the Queen's handmaiden and the royal stable keeper, when the long lost princess has soon to be held coronation, she comes across a magical stone. Unknowingly of how this is her destiny, she soon finds out that this gem turns her world on its head, giving her a sword, armor, and a duty she must carry: protecting the Kingdom of Corona.

Chapter 12 - Beyond Corona Walls (Part 1)

Word Count: 2,291

◀ Previous Chapter || Next Chapter ▶︎

It's been almost a week since we departed from Corona. The past week has been quite exhausting, to say the least. All thanks to Rapunzel, we were sidetracked a couple of times. I couldn’t blame her for it, she was having the time of her life. I would join too if I were in the mood. For the last couple of days, I've been trying to adjust to life on the road. 

It's honestly a big shake-up from life in Corona.

“Next stop: Vardaros!” Hookfoot yelled.

“City of fun and games!” Lance also sprung up from the trapdoor on top of the roof of the caravan.

“I am so glad we brought those two along,” Cass said sarcastically. She was the driver of the caravan, sitting in the front alongside me while holding the reins.

“Ah, come on, Cass! Vardaros is an amazing city! You’re gonna have fun. Which I’m guessing is a new thing for you!” Eugene joked.

I snorted. It was kind of funny. 

“Come on Pascal! It’s our first big city outside of Corona. You heard him, Cass, this is gonna be fun!” Rapunzel beamed. “Vardaros, here we come!” 

Continue reading on AO3 or continue under the cut ⬇︎

“Not that you shouldn't trust the endorsement of three lifetime criminals, Raps, but maybe you should trust me too,” Cassandra said. “I’m just making sure we don’t lose sight of what we’re doing out here.” 

“I know. Believe me, Cass,” Rapunzel pulled out a torn piece of a scroll.  “I feel like whatever is waiting for us at the end of this road, is only part of why we’re out here.”

She rolled up the torn scroll and put it safely in her bag. 

I always wondered what the drawings on the scroll meant. There was the drawing of the sunflower that had healing powers and a drawing of the sun, but it also seemed there was something else. Perhaps we will find those missing pieces on this journey. 

I began to second-guess my choice of leaving Corona. The thought enters my head every so often. Now, I’m officially a knight of Corona. I have a duty to protect the kingdom, and what’s the first thing I do as a knight? Leave, of course. Now I realize how bad my decision looks. Maybe, I should’ve stayed in Corona…

Rapunzel sensed something wasn’t right with me.

“Are you still not gonna wear your new uniform?” Rapunzel asked abruptly, breaking my train of thought.

I shook my head, “No, I just figured I wouldn’t want to draw any attention.”

“Attention?” she blinked.

“Well, yeah, I don’t want to wear something that yells Corona.”

“Pfft! The uniform doesn’t say that!”

I pulled it out from the bag next to me. I unfolded the uniform in front of her and right smack dab in the middle of it had the Corona crest embroidered on it with silver threads on the backside. “Really?”

“Okay, okay, okay, maybe I went a little crazy with the embroidery,” Rapunzel scratched her head, “but I can fix it!”

Rapunzel got up and took the uniform into the caravan.

“That’s not the real reason why you don’t want to wear it, is it?” Cass asked.

I sighed, she was right, “Yeah…”

“Why wouldn’t you want to wear it? That was a gift from the royal family and for you being knighted. Corona hasn’t had a knight in centuries, you know?”

“And I appreciate it, I really do! It’s just that…” 

“Just what?”

I sighed, “It...it doesn’t feel right …Ever since the day I was knighted at the Star Knight, I’ve felt like I didn’t deserve it…”

“Didn’t deserve it? Ha,” Cassandra chuckled. “You defeated Varian.” 

“But, that’s the thing, I didn’t defeat Varian, Rapunzel did…” I inhaled sharply, “He was right, I’m not a hero. I couldn’t even protect myself…I let my friends get hurt because of me...all because I was too weak.”

“Hey,” Cass elbowed me gently, “If anyone deserves to be called a hero, it’s you. What you did out there was brave of you.”

“Thanks,” I said with an emptiness in my voice. As much as Cass and other people around me say it, I don’t believe it.

We eventually stopped so the horses could rest up. 

I stepped out and stretched my body. Sitting in a caravan for hours felt like an eternity. 

As I stretched my legs, I thought I heard something. I looked up and just saw Cass with Fidella the horse. Okay, maybe it was nothing, I thought to myself.

Then I heard it again. This time Cassandra heard it too. We looked at each other basically telling each other we needed to find where that noise was coming from. 

We looked around the area. Cass looked at the caravan and went to the small wooden door that led to the supply compartment. She clicked her tongue and gestured to the door. We got closer and Cass put her finger over her lips, indicating to stay silent.

With one swift movement, she yanked the door open and something fell out.

We yelled and everyone came out wondering what happened, but upon looking at what fell out the fear quickly disappeared and was replaced with a uniform feeling of irritation.

Inside the caravan compartment was Shorty. From what we managed to extract from his story, he must’ve climbed in there when no one was looking because of all the food that was stored there, which he ate all of. So we now don’t have any supplies left.

Eugene suggested he should go into town to get more supplies, but then Rapunzel wanted to volunteer too. I think something was in the air because they were bickering, I guess, about who should head into town, it seemed like they might’ve been talking about something else…

Cass eventually has enough. She put her foot down. “Guys, I can’t take it anymore! Enough! No one is going for a walk! Let’s just take the caravan to town! Together!” 

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

We weren’t too far from the city. When we got out, however, it was different from what Lance and Eugene had told us.

“Vardaros, here we co–oh uh!” Lance said excitedly until he saw the city. “Eww.”

It was comparable to a barren wasteland. The once vivid city had been reduced to only a mere shadow of what it was. Broken down buildings, hardly any people there. Heck, I think I saw a tumbleweed pass by.

“Wow, guys you were right!” Cassandra said ironically. “This is great! What do you wanna do first? Get matching face tattoos? Or see if we can get a deal on a rusty hatchet? Oh, I know! Let’s see who can catch the plague first!”

“I don’t understand. What happened?” Eugene scratched his head.

“Come on guys. Maybe it’s not exactly how you remembered it. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a fun-loving city!” Rapunzel was optimistic as always. She approached a teen girl with dark braided hair. “Hello, there. We are new in town. My name’s—”

“Get lost,” she responded abrasively. 

Okay, wow, rude. 

“Maybe you should hold off on the introductions. Something tells me if word got out that actual royalty was in town we could be in trouble.” Cass warns her. 

Eugene butted in. “You know I hate saying this but she’s right. Let’s keep a lower profile, princess. We’ll get the supplies, you guys get the caravan back up to camp. The last thing you need is for someone to recognize you.”

Rapunzel looked like she wanted to argue back but didn’t. She went back to the caravan.

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎

I decided to stay with the princess and Cassandra back at the campsite. I wasn’t really interested in staying back in Vardaros, from the looks of it, it didn’t have much to offer. 

Rapunzel sat at the edge of the caravan painting in her journal. Cass leaned on the caravan as she sharpened her sword with a rock that she found on the way here. I tried to make myself look busy but I just swung my legs in the air, sitting at the other edge of the caravan. 

I fibbed. I wasn’t sure what I was gonna do. I could write a letter to my family, but it’s only been a week and nothing big has happened. If the rest of the trip was going to be like this then I guess my letters wouldn’t be too fun to read about.

Reading! Of course! Ugh, how could I forget that I brought books with me on this journey—

“He asked you to marry him again, huh?” Cassandra’s voice interrupted my train of thought. 

Rapunzel, startled, closed her journal.

“Wait, what do you mean ‘marry you’ again? ” I squeaked out. “When was the first time?”

“Remember the coronation ceremony?” 

“Oh, yeah! I almost forgot! My mom told me about that.” 

Cass turns her attention back to Rapunzel and scoffs. “Come on! I know you guys well enough by now!”

“I-I guess he maybe asked me…” Rapunzel’s voice sounded unsure, which didn’t happen often. Usually, she was very sure of herself. 

“Well, what did you maybe say?”

“I didn’t say anything. And I’m not sure why,” Rapunzel sighed.

We heard someone clear their throat before cutting in saying, “Oh, I can tell you why.”

That voice didn’t sound like anyone we knew. We looked behind the caravan and a woman was leaning back against the caravan, eating an apple. She was quite tall. She had white hair. Half of her face was painted red. Her clothes were interesting…they sort of resembled the clothes of the women of Ingvarr. I wonder if she is from Ingvarr, she seems like one of the warrior ladies from Ingvarr. 

”You got bigger things lying ahead of you,” she said as she took a bite from her apple. “Greetings.”

“I’m sorry. Who are you exactly?” Rapunzel asked.

“Oh, right, sorry! Princess Rapunzel, my name is Adira.”

“And what do you want, Adira?” Cass abrasively. She became more protective of Rapunzel.

“A word with Rapunzel alone. If you don't mind.”

Adira approaches Rapunzel, however, Cass immediately stops her by putting her hand on her shoulder. “Not gonna happen.”

“Just a second, Cass,” Rapunzel says. “Let’s hear her out.”

“Okay, I gotta be honest. I know we just met but, uh, I’m not a big fan of people touching me,” Adira looked down at Cassandra’s hand on her shoulder. 

“And I’m not a fan of people who lurk in the shadows,” Cass replied.

I sensed that this was escalating too quickly.

“Okay, last chance to do this the nice way,” Adira grabs Cassandra’s arm by her wrist.

“And where’s the fun in that?” Cass smiled. 

“Cass, no! Wait.” Rapunzel yelled, trying to stop them from going further, but it was too late. Adira grabs her arm and spins Cass around and launches her several feet from her. 

“Hey, I don’t know who you are,” Rapunzel yelled. “But you do not get to do that to my best friend!” Then, she charged toward her with a pan. 

“Alright then.”

It didn't take too long for her to disable Rapunzel. She ended up wrapped up in her hair.

Then, there was me. 

I hate how I sensed it was my turn to fight. I felt my heart race at the thought of fighting Adira. She is probably triple my size. 

My necklace sensed how nervous I was and glowed. In a millisecond, I was in my full armor and sword in hand.

“Hm, that’s strange. Never seen that before,” she said in response to my transformation, which is pretty nonchalant compared to the other reactions in my experience. 

I gripped the sword’s end, er…whatever it is called, tighter. I got into a stance (not even sure if it is correct).  There, I realized that the last time I transformed into my armor was back in, well, Old Corona. 

“Oh, please, I’m not going to fight a child,” Adira said.

“What! I’m not a child!” I protested. “I’m going to be sixteen!” I gripped my sword with both hands and pointed toward her.

“She can’t even hold a sword properly!” Adira criticized my swordsmanship. 

I lunged and, of course, she dodged it.

All three of us were trying to get a hit off her but no one was even close to even scratching her. Three people!

“You guys aren’t even trying,” Adira said. Rapunzel threw her pan at Adira but she caught it in mid-air. “Oh, wait, you are,” she said unamusingly. 

“That’s it!”  Cassandra jumps up and slashes toward Adira, but, what seemed on instinct, she turns, avoiding her sword. Her hands clasped behind her back. With her leg and her hands still clasped, she managed to knock Cassandra’s sword from her hands and knock Cass off her feet. 

She smiled at her and gave Cass her hand. 

“Enough!” Rapunzel wraps her hair around Adira’s hand.

“Yeah, see. I thought we covered this.” Adira grabs her sword from her back.  “I don’t like being touched!”

She lashed down her sword at Rapunzel’s hair, but it only tugged from the force. The hair was uncut. 

“It didn’t cut?” Adira was shocked. 

“It didn’t break?” Rapunzel was equally surprised at Adira’s sword. “It must be made of—”

 “Princess! Cass!” We heard a panicked voice from a distance. 

It was Hookfoot, coming out of breath. 

“Are you ok?” Rapunzel asked. 

“I see you have your hands full.” Adira let go of her hair. “I’ll seek you later.” With that, she left. 

Rapunzel turns her attention back to Hookfoot.  

“I fought as hard as I could and barely got out alive,” he said out of breath. 

“Wait, wait, fight? Fought who?” Rapunzel began to worry. “Where’s Eugene?”

“I’m so sorry…they took him.”

[radioactivepeasant]

Fic Prompts: Free Day Thursday

Demolition Trio au continuing from last time to skip forward to closer to the end of the second game.

Lighthouse, this is Jak, do you read me?"

There had been no warning tone from the receiver, and it was nowhere near the appointed time for a report. The small radio crackled in the center of the table Damas used for council meetings, drawing stares ranging from curious to wary.

"That ain't Sig," Kleiver said in a hushed voice, "How'd the squirt get this channel?"

Damas kept his face still and reached for the receiver.

"This is the Lighthouse. Go ahead, Jak."

"Is Mar with you?"

Damas tensed. The boy sounded like he was worried, but trying to hide it.

"He's in the tower. Why?"

On the other end, Jak exhaled softly.

"We were set up. Kor's a metalhead -- he's the metalhead. Baron’s dead, and Krewe let the metalheads into the city."

Priya, one of the veteran warriors in the council, cursed creatively. "Metalheads can disguise themselves as humans?!"

It was a terrible thought. They would have to heighten security. But if the leader of the metalheads could infiltrate the Haven resistance for years with no one the wiser, how would the Spargans know if they'd been compromised?

"Good work, Jak," Damas said evenly. Panic would do no good now. Especially not as king. "That is valuable information. I will keep Mar with me, if you are concerned about him. Where is Sig?"

There was a moment of silence, and a heaviness fell over the council even before Jak’s solemn voice answered.

"Sig’s...Sig’s gone."

Damas had guessed the words were coming, but he felt them each like a blow regardless. He leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes.

Oh Sig...I hope it was on your terms, old friend.

Kleiver slammed a fist into the table. "What happened, ankle biter?" he demanded, "Sig’s one o' our best! You expect me to believe Haven coulda offed the likes of him?"

"It wasn't a guard," Jak hissed, "It was a $%@! Metalpede. Knocked him straight off the bridge. I..."

His voice dropped in volume and became harder to hear.

"I didn't want to leave him. I wanted to at least find him. But I have to finish what he started."

Tarmac, another veteran warrior, rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Sounds like you did exactly what you were supposed to do, kid. Not that it helps, I guess. What mission were you on?"

Everyone stiffened when Jak said, all too calmly, "We were ready to breach the Nest."

Damas’s eyes snapped open and he snatched the receiver from the table. "You what?!"

"I have the Precursor Stone. I have Mar's Cannon. I can blow the whole front of the hive off once and for all. If...if anyone wants to come join the party, Daxter and I wouldn't mind a little company. If you'd rather earn some gems, Haven could sure use the help."

Jak grew quiet again for an uncomfortable length of time. The council could barely hear him whispering to the orange one, Daxter. It sounded like they were disagreeing about something. Then Jak returned, sounding ominously solemn.

"Lighthouse, I'm finishing Sig’s mission. I'll have boots on Misty Island in two hours at most. If I don't- If- if I-"

The boy breathed in deeply and let it out slowly.

"...Damas. If I don't walk out of this, tell Mar his...his big brother loved him. Like, a lot. And thanks. For, I guess for giving us a home. Jak out."

"Jak-!" Damas gripped the receiver so tightly the plastic groaned under the pressure. "Do not enter that nest without backup, that is an order!"

He stood quickly and snatched up his staff. "Mobilize the advance scouts. I want a unit ready to move out before the top of the hour. All healers will need to be on standby."

As he spoke, he marched toward the door. When silence followed, he spun on his heel to glare at the council.

"Well?!"

Priya set her wrinkled jaw. "Aye, lordship! And what about possible infiltrators?"

Damas’s jaw worked in silence for a moment. "Until we have confirmation of infiltration, we will continue as normal. If there are metalheads among us, we cannot afford to rouse their suspicions."

"And the kid?" Kleiver asked boldly.

"Do not concern yourself with my sons," Damas answered flatly, surprising them, "I'll see to it that Mar is protected before we depart."

[goblinshork]

Ok so what abaut Bodyguard and Agony whith a a naga prince that just hates the royal life and dreams of just having a simple life living in a cottage and selling homemade jewelry, so Reader his childhood best friend, personal bodyguard and person who he feel in love whith decides to make his dream come true (bonus if the prince has a sister so the kingdown whont stay whiout a ruler and she helps Reader whith the plan, bonus+ if the prince is kinda huge and scary to other people but he is just a chill dude that likes to make rings and necklaces)

Short scenario please! (Also sorry if its too long, feel free to just ignore this if you whant)

Not too long at all and I think it's an extremely charming idea! Thank you for sharing; big gruff, undercover sweeties are one of the most Choice(tm) archetypes.

This also got super long, but the vibes were singing to me.

Features: Slight angst, happy ending, kissing

Bodyguard + Agony (Monster Ask Meme)

Hands, Touching Hands (m!Naga x gn!Reader) [3.7k]

“Don’t lie, how many names do you remember?”

Alok yawned, curved fangs peaking out from almost-lips.

“None, thankfully,” he said, scratching at his curls, cut short enough that they barely formed.

“Impressive.”

“Oh—no, you won’t distract me. You agree with me don’t you?”

The book Alok had toyed the entire briefing slammed shut, the many bracelets at his wrist clinking for emphasis when you did not answer.

Watching him unfurl his tense length of tail, broad shoulders rising far above you as he 'stood', there was little to say but, "It’s not my place."

"Then it’s not mine, either."

He slunk toward the door and you picked up the book--the monstrous thing--with your arms rather than your hands before following him.

"Just give it time," you said in a reassurance that was too shallow to drown his mood.

Every move forward looked painful as he slithered forward like a child first learning to move against stone rather than soft grass. Unlike when he was a child, he was stilted by frustration rather than inexperience.

The conversation was left dropped, burning like the weight of the tome in your arms. If you were alone, you'd tell him to carry it. But servants, nobles, and royals passed frequently, all low bows and murmurs, moving on a touch quicker than polite.

When you first arrived to the kingdom, a slave dressed sweetly and presented as a gift, you'd marveled at how anyone could find the royal family intimidating when removed from their wealth and status.

Baby yellow skin and soft pink dapples painted everyone of them. Alok, himself, was more pink than yellow, and it reminded you of those delicate, painted dolls you'd press your face against glass to get a closer look at before being shooed away by the shop-keep.

You supposed little had changed since then, except now you were simply stared at, expected to keep your fingers off the pretty pink glass always, always in front of you.

The hallway Alok stopped moving forward in was empty, private; his. Without a word, you tossed the horrible book toward his crossed arms and swept the windows, floors, and ceiling for anything strange. His fumbling for the book, fingers audibly skimming against pages, made you smile.

"It's clear," you nodded. "Workshop, right?"

Alok deflated a bit, too caught between the mention of his workshop and pretending to have perfectly caught the book to keep his anger stoked.

"You're asking now," he said flat, looking from the book to you.

Putting up your hands in mock defeat, you turned, alert enough.

@

"I'm not angry at you.” The slits that served for his pupils, deep red and small in their focus on the gem he was cutting, turned to you when you said nothing in response.

“Sorry, I--” was dazzled by your eyes? Was enamored by how passionate you are for perfecting that sparkling little gem? “I know.”

“I just wanted to say it.”

You stretched from your place beside the door, perched on one of the few chairs at your disposal in the entire castle, “Thank you.”

“Don’t be patronizing,” Alok grumbled, pausing in his work. “I know...I know very well you must be tired of this, even if you won’t say it.”

The window was suddenly so interesting, your throat burning as you swallowed down the feeling kindling there.

“This is my home,” you said after hearing the scales of his tail shift closer. “There’s nothing to be tired of.”

Slowly, his hand rose to hover over yours, where it lay on your lap, “But you should be. I’d give you anything you needed. They couldn’t stop me.”

Everything you wanted to say was tucked in the patch of air that separated his touch from yours.

Any person, bought and raised to be singularly loyal would hesitate at the offer of freedom, wouldn’t they?

They’d want to grab his hand, wouldn’t they?

You could only guess as a love for a prince was not something to be said aloud unless you were allowed.

And you, a slave turned body guard, were not.

Standing, you scattered the almost-moment with a shake of your head, “I don’t care about freedom half as much as you think I do.”

His hand fell limp to his side, the slits that served as his nose flaring wide, as you continued.

“I’m your bodyguard and I’ll be your children’s bodyguard and I’ll be the same to whoever you choose from that book,” you finished, thoroughly shooing yourself away, wanting so much to run out the door.

Alok said your name quietly, but you remained silent.

And everything was still until it wasn’t.

In one smooth motion propelled by his sheer size, Alok stretched to the book and hurled it out the open window.

“No, you won’t. I’ll be their prince,” he said low, body suddenly too large for the room. “But I won’t be their king.”

You did run, then.

@

Perhaps the only place off-limits for a would-be king allergic to potential suitors was his sister’s drawing room.

Adur payed you no attention as she demanded entertainment from the brightly colored darlings and dark patterned beauties of the upper echelon.

“Did you know, I simply adore the pattern of your bangles lately,” she cooed, pointing to a decorated tail. “So perfectly in style.”

She continued on, picking this and that to sigh over, as you stood against the corner that provided the best view of the room, next to the door. 

You recognized each piece she fawned over as being similar to something Alok had on display or nearly-done in his workshop. Ah, to know a magician’s tricks.

Melting into a squat, you let their voices wash over you. No heart could hurt for long listening to women enjoy court gossip as much as this bunch did...from a distance.

When you, Alok, and Adur were younger, the rules seemed less stone and more like blades of grass, flexible and beneath you. Adur set you in front of her always revolving group of friends and tried to fit tail bangles around your thighs and waist. Alok insisted you sit side-by-side while studying geography, arithmetic, and etiquette. You lay between them on sunny afternoons, napping, legs touching tails.

But everything golden goes grey eventually.

“Well, do tell me. Did he throw it in the fire?”

You turned from the window, swapping red, setting sun for sharp, red eyes, “Out of the window.”

The room was empty but for you and her now. Adur pacing around, tail making quick work of circling the room as she read from her collection of letters.

“Still the amount of melodrama I expected so,” she shrugged, raising shoulders toward her pleased mouth as a silent finish to her sentence. “I, on the other hand, did pick.”

You rose, legs tingling from the sudden change. “Who?”

“Prince Talsa,” she said after cutting open a letter with her claw, “I’ve already decided on a short engagement and a respectable wedding down south. Perhaps closer to his kingdom than ours.”

“Talsa? Not rare one who everyone’s after?”

Adur looked at you as though you should know better before deigning to explain, “Prince Talsa is rather plain looking for a naga, yes, but that’s just the point.”

“Go on,” you said, wanting so much to be distracted.

“Think about it,” Adur scoffed. “Rare, beautiful babies create wonder amongst people, but children who look as though they could be born anywhere....don’t you see the appeal?”

She leaned against the window, long black hair obscuring her pink and yellow face, “They would be royalty that even the most common of folk could feel familiar to--feel endeared to. Even someone as devoid of charm or pretense as Alok could gain some favor. From their birth, I’ll have them attend every little festival and celebration. Their bond with the people will be unshakable.”

“You’ll make the best queen,” you said, unthinking to the implication.

“Has something happened to Alok?”

“No, you ju--”

Adur turned to you, delicate face empty, “It doesn’t matter what we know. He’s the eldest and alive and destroying a book won’t change that.”

Your hands shook as you laced them together, risking at least your life, by asking:

“What if we could change it?”

@

Everything in the little room lacked splendor, save the jewelry that her brother displayed to no one but himself, built only to separate Alok from his mentor. A failed attempt to elevate a man too gargantuan to grow further.

Even the flooring was rough on the tail, not smooth stone but brick for retaining heat. Only care for function within these four walls.

Adur noted her brother’s tail was bare as she swept over the lacking room, only his leather work belt draped over the apex where tail met torso. Every bit of jewelry he wore crowded his wrists and fingers, noisy as he worked on some large bangle unfamiliar to her.

He looked haggard, frown too ugly and deep to be a mere product of concentration. Grey tickled the roots of his bangs, pronounced enough to shine in the lamplight. Alok was getting too old to be a prince with only time for his hobby.

“Sometimes I think it would be kinder to simply put you out of your misery,” Adur said, closing the door behind her.

Alok’s back tensed, but he did not pause his work, “I’m surprised you said it out loud, but don’t say it like a joke.”

“Don’t be so serious,” Adur sighed, “of course it was a joke.”

“Where is--”

“Your human delight? Running errands for me.”

Alok did turn then, face flickering through emotions too fast to name, “They’re just as much your dear friend as mine, you little viper.”

“Forgive my callousness, but I find you respond to little else,” Adur said, picking at the sheer fabric of her top so it draped correctly against her arm again. “And perhaps they are my friend. But they are not just yours.”

“I won’t be king...even if they weren’t here.”

Adur laughed in a sizzling tone, forked tongue dancing with humor, “Oh? And I suppose your little fantasies of running away involve you doing so alone?”

Only the flames licking back and forth in the small forge answered her.

“You’re too old to be deluding yourself like this,” she went on, dropping a bottle and a sheer robe on Alok’s work desk. “It’s time to make choices once and for all, brother.”

“I’m not--”

“I’m not asking you to rule. You’d be pathetic at it, yes, I know. If not for our dear human friend, you’d have flunked every tutor save for your precious jewelry maker.”

Alok curled back over his tail, fingers picking at the fabric of the robe his sister had dropped. “Then what are you asking?”

Hand on the doorknob, Adur smiled, “if you had your way and left to live like a common man with your human, would you really never come back?”

“Never.”

Adur opened the door. “Good.”

@

The drider--Woodnet? Woodne? Wodner?--stayed near the the door as you did, but unlike you his sleek, black legs rested on a few thin lines of webbing where wall met ceiling.

Slowly, Alok raised his face to address the bodyguard, entirely unused to being the short one. Worse still was the struggle to match sights with the correct pair of the drider’s many blinking eyes. If you were here, you’d have nudged him to follow your lead already.

If you were here...this wouldn’t be happening in the first place. Just another wishful thought to swallow down as Alok struggled to stay polite in the face of his father’s prime bodyguard.

“Outside the room is fine,” Alok said in a clipped tone, turning as he did to avoid dealing with anymore niceties.

“Forgive me for questioning, Prince Alok,” the drider said, voice drifting down like floating silk. “But bathing is when you are most vulnerable. I can not help but object to the risk.”

The drider polished each word, in no hurry to finish his sentence and Alok’s eyes rolled once--twice--thrice by the time there was silence. If only this were any guard other than his father’s favorite.

“I understand,” Alok said. “But, the windows are trapped and you will be guarding the only entrance.”

The sound of burdened legs skittering down stone, followed by the opening and closing of the lone, stone door was his answer.

Driders were generally no longer friends of Alok’s kingdom. Wodnel....no, Wodni perhaps, was a relic of a time long gone, when his father was just proving himself a leader of a nation. That Wodnir--that was it, Wodnir--was so protective of Alok, having sparsely been involved with him and having been enslaved through ruthless, warmongering means made Alok’s shoulders bunch, the muscles between protruding over scales.

Is that how it was between you and he? Did you feign fondness and care or was it true? Was it true but maligned of him to hope for it due to how you came to be near him? Because of he was?

Alok disrobed and slunk into the hot water, hoping to drown his pithy doubts that crowded so large in his mind.

Flakes of shed rose to the top the longer he soaked, proof of a difficult shed. There was sure to be more bits to come as he scrubbed himself with the, apparently, ‘to die for’ body scrub his sister had left last week.

You were usually the one to soothe his bubbling stress in a life of constant politics and decorum, but the bits of dead skin were proof enough that Alok truly was getting too old for delusions. You’d only been away for a week and a spare number of days and here he was, so tense that not even a hot bath could unfurl him.

Ugh.

Politics and decorum. How would he survive tonight without you? Adur was announcing her engagement tonight, in tandem with the nobles emerging from their collective sheds at the tail end of the Harvest Festival.

Alok scrubbed himself raw, hoping to emerge a new man who could weather life half as well as everyone around him. But the harder he lathed himself in soap, the clearer the truth rang.

If only he could have you.

@

You had relieved Wodnier of his duties, thanking him with a bow, and standing stiff beside the door for precious minutes, waiting for his delicate range of hearing to wane.

As an apprentice, you had met Wodnier often enough to know he wished you well as much as any spider did a fly.

Hammering against your chest, you feared the vibration of your heart was loud enough for him to hear. And there was always a chance the door shutting at the end of the curved hallway was a trap; that Wodnier still stood in Alok’s quarters and was not making his way back to the King.

But you didn’t have time to be safe, only quick.

Jittered by adrenaline, you sprinted to Alok’s room---toe first, heel last--and back, holding your breath once you made it back to the door of the bath.

Sweat pooled against your forehead, but nothing sprang toward you sans the faint sounds of Alok bathing.

You slipped past the door, the pack in your hands bulky enough that the door opened wider than you’d wanted, the hinge creaking.

“Alok?”

The figure behind the curtain froze before calling back your name.

“We don’t have much time, Alok,” you pressed in a sure voice, but your legs wobbled as you neared the curtain. “I’m....I’m running away and I’m taking you with me.”

“What?”

Coming past the curtain, your chest could barely contain your quick breathing. His hair was devoid of any gray, blacker than pitch as it fell just above his ear holes and forehead. Muddy brown and maroon scales were sleek and wet, droplets rolling down his body, even near his---

You looked back up quickly, away from where his belt always covered. “I mean, I want us to run away and we need to go now.”

Having followed your wandering gaze toward the apex of his stomach and tail, Alok frantically looked toward his arms, the muddy water, “What in the fuck is this?”

“Adur is helping us,” is all you said and it was all Alok seemed to need as he picked up the bottle the dye had been in, nodding. “She said it’ll only last until your next shed but, by then, hopefully....”

“She wants to be queen very much,” he murmured.

You tore open the pack, reminding yourself that time was short, and held them out. “Yes. So, we need to go.”

“You have no idea--,” Alok started, before interrupting himself. “I need something from the workshop.”

“We don’t have time.”

He shook his head as he took what you offered, dressing himself in plain leather and thick, scratchy wool. “It will be quick.”

You opened your mouth--- “Please.” --but couldn’t keep firm in the face of his pleading.

“Okay.”

@

Alok threw a few rings, bangles, and tools into the bag.

“Only enough to sell and get started again,” he assured.

But as you turned to leave the room, his hand was on your arm, pulling you back.

“We--”

“I love you,” he breathed, holding two thick, ornate bangles in his free hand. Both were decorated, from the side you could see, with marigolds, jewels gleaming in the center of their petals. You recognized each one.

One was the size to fit a large tail while the other...

“Alok.”

“I want us to leave belonging to one another.”

Your shaking hands dropped the large bag and his slid to hold both yours in his large one. “If we leave together, we’ll live together too won’t we?”

Even your head shook now, from side to side, hoping to discern the moment as waking or dreaming. “Alok. Of course, because...Of course we will.”

“Oh, please say it,” he said, tugging you nearer still.

He repeated your name and like a spell, you found your words, “We’ll live together because I love you, too.”

His thin mouth, soft and bloodless, fell to yours from his full height, his body curling over you as he pressed against your lips again.

“Let me put it on you,” he whispered, mouth moving against yours as you clung to him.

“Hurry and then we can....Just the bangles and then we must go before it’s too late.”

Careful of his claws, he lifted you to sit on his work table before slipping his own bangle over the small tip of his tail and up further, until it stuck in place under his belt.

There was no time to remove your pants, to mold the bangle against your bare thigh as was intended, but Alok’s thick hands skimming around the metal the entire way up burned as though he were doing just that.

You slid off the table, when the bangle was snug, to melt against him for one brief moment of loving calm, your face rubbing against his neck.

You didn’t have time for more.

After disentangling from his tight hold, you threw the bag at him, near tears as he scrambled to catch it. “I know it’s selfish, but I’m so glad you’re going to be mine instead of a king.”

And then you ran, hand in hand.

@

“Hey! Heeeeey,” one of the children yelled as the whole group of five ran toward you, kicking up dust on the dirt-packed road. “My momma said that snake man eats kids who don’t do chores!”

“My papa said he can’t help with the festival because he’s growing more arms!”

“That’s dumb, Brittany. My papa is smarter and he said the same thing as Corey’s momma. He’s a kid eater!”

The group shrieked in delighted horror as they squabbled on the specifics of what was really, truly going on in their village.

You hiked the basket in your arms higher after several attempts to respond, loudly telling them to pay attention or you’d leave.

As though pulled forward by strings, they straightened as still as a child could, a few even holding their hands over their mouths to keep silent.

“All of your parents are right,” you nodded, “Every two months he must curb his huge appetite and force back his new, child-grabbing arms so he doesn’t hurt the very naughty children of this village.”

They all clamored to stress their innocence in a cacophony of babbling that soon grew into questions.

“Is that why you live with him? ‘Cause you protect the village?”

“And him,” you said.

“At the same time?!”

“Of course, it’s my job. Now go back toward the smithy before you find out just how many arms he has.”

Lunging forward in jest was enough to urge the children away, all of them teasing the other that they would be last to get there and a snake man’s lunch.

@

“You’re horrible,” Alok groaned, scales pale pink and yellow from a successful shed. “Soon, they’ll be grown-ups, running us off.”

Hefting the basket onto the dining table, you laughed, “they adore you in secret.”

The cottages here were baked of mud, hay, and a few supportive beams of wood and yours was no different. There was no splendor in the room-less house, but it was truly yours and his. And that was luxury enough.

“They had enough this time?”

You shook the canteen of dye, moving to stand next to him on the low hammock that served as bed, “And the next shipment of birch will contain enough to last us three months or more.”

Alok smoothed his claw down your face, his own expression wistful, “I feel too content to explain.”

You pressed your nose against the pink of his jaw, letting him raise you to straddle him.

“Then show me.”

[bistevethor]

Steve Rogers Fanfiction Recommendations

Happy birthday, Steve!

I know that there are some (a lot?) of steve fans who sometimes struggle to find fics focused on him, so I am here now putting a list of Steve fics. I was going to fics that I haven't seen recommended a lot and most of the ones on this post have less than 200 kudos only, but I end up putting everything (it's probably easier to put my bookmarks as public but well...). It's a massive list (over 100 fics?), so it's will be separated into several posts/reblogs.

Not all of them are from Steve's POV or even have him as the main 'main' character, but rest assured he played an important role and is featured heavily. Lots of these are friendship-focused but I categorized them. The shippy ones are mostly samsteve, thundershield, and some rare pairings because I don't venture to other ships a lot and when I did it's to the rare ones instead lol. Hopefully, any of you can find some gems from this list and these are as enjoyable or as good as I remembered. I'll continue to update it, hopefully, every time I find new ones.

Fics are under read more.

General

The Rocket's Red Glare

Steve was born on the Fourth of July (no joke), so a party is in order! Unfortunately, PTSD decides to rear its ugly head. Fortunately, Steve's got an entire team at his back to help him through it. And screaming goats.

an entry in the scrapbook of absurdity

In which Steve turns into a baby and bites people.

Baby Steve Adventures

Captain America gets hit by a spell during a battle. The rest of the Avengers look after him.

Do You Remember Being Happy? ('Cause I Sure Don't)

"Dragr," Thor called them. "Demons" Clint had said. "Thieves" is what Steve labels them as. AKA, the one where Steve is captured by creatures that feed off of happy memories, and the team is left to pick up the pieces. Post-Avengers.

In Search of (Bucky, Family, Home)

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov & Sam Wilson

A week following the events of CATWS, Steve recruits Natasha and Sam to help find Bucky.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Do we need to recap again? You were shot three times, beaten near to death by an enhanced super soldier with a metal arm and then almost drowned. Yeah, your ass is going to need a few more days of healing time.”

The Truth When Captains Meet

Steve Rogers wakes up on an alien’s space ship being carried bridal style by Carol Danvers. As far as first meetings go, it’s memorable.

Irish Coffee

Pairings: Jessica Jones & Steve Rogers

Jessica runs into an incognito Cap at a cafe. They form an unlikely friendship of sorts.

The Lifetimes of Steve Rogers (Series)

What happens when Steve Rogers steps onto the quantum platform to return the Stones? Where does he go? What challenges does he find? Who does he meet? How many lifetimes can one man have?

Fifty-Two Pickup

Less than a week after the fall of the Triskelion, Steve Rogers is released from the hospital. Although his physical wounds are almost fully healed, other injuries need a bit more time, and some help from friends.

little kids get big so fast

Steve ends up having to take care of the deaged Defenders.

Grampa Steve's Bedtime Stories

If Mommy was away for work, then Morgan’s Grampa Steve came over to stay with her. He’d tuck her in, let her give Mommy a kiss on video chat, then hand her the picture of Daddy for his kiss. Once Daddy’s picture was back on the bookshelf, Grampa Steve would turn off the bedside lamp so that Miss Friday could cover the ceiling with stars, and ask Morgan what story she wanted to hear.

“Captain Steve, Grampa! Tell me Captain Steve!”

Grampa Steve sometimes read to her from books and other times watched a movie with her, but her favorite by far was when he told her Captain Steve’s Adventures Through the Multiverse.

On Camping Trips

Sam is more Hermione than Natasha is, and Steve doesn't want to be Harry.

Powerful

Steve loses the advantages of the super-soldier serum. This is not a tragedy.

His Dream

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson

As if on cue, Steve cut him off with a loud sneeze.

"Yeah. Like that." Sam nodded. "And please sneeze into your elbow next time, dude. You could've just started an epidemic."

"Sorry. Allergies." Steve excused, and Sam raised an eyebrow.

"How do you know it's allergies?" Sam asked, and Steve sighed, putting the ingredients together and solving the mystery of what the gas had actually done.

The answer wasn't ideal. "It feels like the seasonal allergies I had before. Before the serum- and I haven't had them since the serum."

Realization clicked in Sam's head.

"The gas de-serumed you."

Steve swallowed and nodded reluctantly.

OR: Steve gets temporarily de-serumed, with his height and stature staying the same but his immune system being as bad as it was before, and has to stay in the hospital to prevent a severe allergic reaction or illness. Sam stays with him the whole time, making sure he's not alone.

A Strange Encounter

Things have gone awry and Strange is injured. With no other options, he's called for assistance from Captain America and his team.

even if we're apart, i'll always be with you

Steve finds a dirty toy bear at an abandoned gas station, on the way back from a school trip. He brings him home.

As Long as You’re Not Tired Yet of Talking

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov

When Steve Rogers tells her, “Don’t be a stranger,” as they’re all going their own ways after New York, it makes her want to laugh.

Draw/Breath

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov

Natasha like knowing what makes people tick. She likes knowing things, about her teammates and her coworkers and herself. Oddly enough, sometimes other people like knowing her too.

AKA: Natasha wants to know why Steve isn’t drawing anymore, and takes the long way round to get her answer. Because why not.

With Magic We Do Fly

Pairings: Wanda Maximoff & Steve Rogers

In Civil War we see Wanda fling Steve into the air with her magic. They must have practiced that, right?

Que Wanda throwing Steve against a wall. Many times.

Just Like We Practiced

Pairings: Wanda Maximoff & Steve Rogers

Steve had said, in the movie when he asked Wanda to lift him into the building, "Just like we practiced." But just how did they come up with the idea of her lifting people with her powers, and putting them up somewhere like an escalator? Perhaps it was because Wanda accidentally sent a certain tall, blond Avenger face-first into the floor once and he decided he would help her learn to utilize this as a confidence building exercise. Natasha keeps an eye, Thor and Sam help build the training grounds, and Wanda has found her new home. Takes place between AGE OF ULTRON and CIVIL WAR.

Black and White but Red and Blue

They're watching black and white film reels, but Steve sees them in colour.

"My shield may be black and white but it was red and blue. Just like the blue sky under which red blood was spilled. Like Bucky's blue eyes and Peggy's red lips..."

The Road Warriors

Characters: Sam Wilson (Marvel), Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov (Marvel), Wanda Maximoff

It wasn't pretty, but somehow the four of them managed to make it through two years on the run.

We'll Fix It

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov

Steve has a hard time after his battle with The Winter Soldier and isn't sure what to do with himself. After not seeing him for a week, Natasha finally shows up to his apartment unannounced to figure out how they can get back to work. There is some crying involved.

From Here On Out

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov

The Accords, the search for Bucky, the fight at the airport ... In a world where nothing will ever be the same, sometimes the road to rebuilding trust and friendship is a little rockier than it should be.

AKA, the story of Steve & Natasha and how they got to where they are.

Set post-Civil War but pre-Infinity War.

I have this breath and I hold it tight

Parings: Wanda Maximoff & Steve Rogers, Clint Barton & Wanda Maximoff, Wanda Maximoff & Vision

Steve finally goes to Wanda’s tiny room and taps on the doorframe, although it’s hardly necessary, with the slightly warped floorboards creaking under his feet. “Hey,” he says. “Got a minute?”

Wanda's been a little withdrawn since Steve broke everyone out of the Raft. She's had a lot to think about.

to you.

Pairings: Pietro Maximoff & Wanda Maximoff, Clint Barton & Wanda Maximoff, Wanda Maximoff & Natasha Romanov, Wanda Maximoff & Steve Rogers, Wanda Maximoff & Sam Wilson, Wanda Maximoff & Tony Stark

It's Wanda's birthday today. She's not sure how to feel.

New Love

Pairings: Diana (Wonder Woman) & Steve Rogers

Near the end of World War II, Diana Prince finds herself attempting to reconnect to her long-gone, beloved Steve Trevor. However, she comes across Steve Rogers instead.

Sharing Life (And Canned Green Beans)

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov

It’s Thanksgiving, and Steve is hiding in the second living room on the 8th floor of the penthouse apartments with a can of green beans.

I'm Fine

Steve slowly began to realize that the problem with being a national icon, a hero, and a role model, is that somehow, he became more than human. He become a symbol, not a person. So when he becomes increasingly unhappy, deeply depressed, and utterly adrift in a world where he doesn't belong, the loneliness and isolation are unbearable. How could anyone believe that an iconic hero like himself was really just an ordinary kid from Brooklyn, dying inside because everything he'd gained still wasn't enough to replace everything he'd lost? How could he possibly bring himself to bleed on the ones he loves? So he tells himself the same lie over and over, hoping one day, he'll believe it.

dogpile

"My dog ate my mission report" An injured Steve remembers something he has to do. Unabashed Steve and dogs fluff. "Didn't peg you for a pet guy." "Allergies."

Alone In This World (Together)

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov & Sam Wilson

“We’re fugitives,” Steve said finally. “It might never get better.”

“The world’s always going to need saving," Sam replied. "We’re still Avengers. No one can take that away from us.” Then, like they hadn't been having an entire conversation before, “So when do we leave?”

“Once night falls.”

Do we have any idea where she is?”

“No.” Steve took a sip of his coffee. “But I know where she’ll be.”

it gets the worst at night

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov

Here's how it goes: Natasha sometimes shares a bed with Steve. It's not what it sounds like.

(In which there are Colombian drug lords, awkward boners, cuddly super-soldiers and the Avengers are all giant dorks.)

Shelter

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson

Sam and Steve, right after the fall of SHIELD.

Princely Bickering

Pairings: Jane Foster/Thor, Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers & Jane Foster, Steve Rogers & Thor

Steve allows Sam to lean up and inspect his head for bruises and blood. He then checks out Steve’s eyes. ‘Do you know where you are?’ Steve rolls his eyes. ‘Don’t be an ass, Cap, apparently you can break.’ ‘London, England, chasing apparently useless Hydra intel despite having about five hundred international arrest warrants out for us because we’re just that stupid,’ says Steve. Sam pats him - gently - on the shoulder. Life on the run isn't easy, especially not after an injury. Fortunately Steve still has a few allies left.

And The Seconds Tick Down

AU of Civil War. How the world ended in twenty steps when Steve died.

"Grant" and "Francis" Go Shopping

Pairings: Clint Barton & Steve Rogers

Steve and Clint both have holiday shopping to do for their family of choice, so they make a day trip to an outlet mall, have a few heart to hearts, use some coupons, buy a bunch of presents, and eventually get through their shopping lists.

A Tune Without Words

Pairings: Jane Foster/Thor, Steve Rogers & Thor, Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson

As he and Sam prepare to begin searching for Bucky, Steve gets various offers of help—some more unexpected than others.

Purpose

Tony Stark wins the fight in Siberia completely by accident.

Steve Rogers does not resist his arrest as he is taken to the Raft.

Sam Wilson, T'Challa, and Pepper Potts pick up the pieces.

Full of Wounds and Still Standing on my Feet

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Wanda Maximoff

The five times Steve looked out for Wanda, and one time Wanda decided someone needed to look out for Steve.

Three Awakenings

The first three times that Steve Rogers woke up during his first twenty-four hours in the twenty-first century.

Making Your Own Future

Characters: Steve Rogers, Diana Prince, Steve Trevor Five times -- plus one -- that Diana Prince and Steve Rogers encountered one another.

Better Living Through Pizza

Pairings: Clint Barton & Steve Rogers

Steve takes some time off from soldiering and Avengering to get his head on straight, and Clint is assigned to keep an eye on him, because apparently SHIELD believes in the blind leading the blind. Steve really needs a hobby, since modern television shows baffle him, but Clint keeps bringing him DVDs and pizza.

Five Times Clint Barton Spoke with Steve Rogers about Growing Old and the One Time He Didn't.

Pairings: Clint Barton & Steve Rogers

When Steve Rogers reappeared from the past as an old man, there was a lot of catching up to do. Clint Barton made sure nobody got left behind.

Hammer's Totally Heavy-Handed and Incompetent Revenge

"So, at the end of IM2, Justin Hammer swears revenge on Pepper. He waits until Tony and Rhodey are halfway across the world to launch his attack.

Unfortunately for him, thanks to SHIELD, Iron Man and War Machine aren't the only superheroes in Pepper's rolladex. Steve thinks Pepper's just swell and doesn't take too kindly to somebody trying to hurt her."

Cue badass!Steve and competent!Pepper

Fan Mail

Steve starts getting his fan mail and receives an invitation to the prom. Written for a prompt at the Avengers kink meme. It was a great prompt, and so much fun to write and get feedback for!

Prom. Steve 'Grandpa Iceberg' Rogers at a 21st-century high school prom. "This isn't happening. This whole conversation is just an elaborate practical joke. Bruce really just has orders for widgets or something."

Bruce waved the printouts at him. "Fraid not. I don't really do practical jokes. Messing with other people's moods just seems. I don't know. Karmically unwise."

Mascot

Steve runs. People see Steve run. Steve gets adopted by the neighbourhood he runs through every week day morning. He finds this confusing. Tony finds it amusing.

Locks Not Replaced

Tony angsts back at Avengers' HQ, Ross is a bully and Steve makes sure he doesn't get away with it. In other words, there is much regret, a bit on the philosophy of locks, adventure and far too many Robin Hood metaphors.

woof

For a prompt on the avengers kinkmeme: "...something different happens when Steve gets Dr Erskine's serum plus the Vita ray treatment... Steve does get taller and stronger, but when the first full moon hits, he turns into a big friendly looking dog. Yes, he's a weredog, not a werewolf."

Mission: Baby

Pairings: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers

The Asset finds himself in charge of the care of a small baby, but somehow he knows—he has to protect the baby from all harm, whatever the cost.

14 Tracks

Pairings: Peggy Carter/Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers & Avengers Team 14 tracks from Steve's iPod and how they got on there.

Life Will Rattle Your Bones

Pairings: Erik Lehnsherr & Steve Rogers

Captain America and the Howling Commandos find Schmidt sooner than they thought... wait, what do you mean this is a *different* Schmidt?

In war-torn Germany, the paths of Steve Rogers and Erik Lehnsherr cross, part, and cross again.

come build me up

Pairings: Sharon Carter & Steve Rogers, Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers

“Do you ever feel like -- like you joined up because you wanted to do good. You wanted to do the right thing but somewhere along the way, you just lost the whole fucking plot.”

“All of the time.”

Or: the one where Captain America and Agent 13 give long distance friendship a whirl.

Down in the Worn Out Place Again

Pairings: Wanda Maximoff & Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers & Wanda Maximoff

“You don't look a day over 85, Captain,” Wanda says.

Natasha smiles, just barely, and nudges Steve with her elbow. “She makes jokes now.”

(Post AoU, stories about friendship.)

Satellites

Characters: Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson (Marvel), Tony Stark, Clint Barton, Nick Fury Pairings: Natasha Romanov & Steve Rogers, Minor Steve Rogers/Sam Wilson, Minor Clint Barton/Natasha Romanov

In the immediate aftermath of SHIELD's collapse and Steve's plunge into the Potomac, Natasha considers her place in the world. Also the fact that Steve is depressing.

Timeless Classics

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Avengers Team Five An undetermined number of times (six, apparently) Steve unexpectedly got the reference (sort of), and one time everyone discovered something new together.

you just wait and see

Pairings: Rocket Raccoon & Steve Rogers

“Thor said you’re the captain.” Rogers says, his voice distant, sad smile growing into a sadder grin. “Tough job.”

The Small Hours

Pairings: Steve Rogers & T'Challa, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers

"I'm not getting him back, am I." The words were flatly delivered – not a question so much as fatigued resignation. "We will do everything we can to help him," T'Challa quietly replied, but he wouldn't lie, not about this. Not to a fellow warrior he respected on and off the field of battle. "The possibility does exist, however, that the triggers are permanent."

The Man We All Remember From the Newsreels

Still getting used to the twenty-first century, Steve comforts himself with memories of long-gone friends. But Howard Stark, the man Steve remembers, is nothing like the man he sees in the newsreels.

we're all choir boys at best

Characters: Steve Rogers, Johnny Storm

You are totally getting laid tonight. "Please stop talking." You hijacked my brain first, this is totally not my fault.

Epistaxis

Steve doesn't worry the first time he gets a bloody nose that won't quit. But when it happens a second, third, fourth... He, and his teammates, start to get concerned.

You Close Your Eyes and the Glory Fades

His body isn’t his own, he knows that, knew before the procedure that everything would change. That was the easiest thing to wrap his head around, actually, the physical changes. He’s used to his body betraying him, so this is just another thing to learn his way around. But the colors of everything, even the sliver of blue sky he could see, craning his head at the tiny window, look different.

Looking For Answers (From The Great Beyond)

After the Battle of New York is over, and Loki and the tesseract are returned to Asgard, Steve takes a road trip across the country, and tries to figure out what he wants to do next.

Mourning the Future

Steve's ties to the past and the future are pretty tenuous, and the serum ensures he lives in an eternal present state of ever-youthful vigour. When an old war buddy gets handed his last marching orders, Steve has to wonder if everyone will eventually leave.

Riviera Life

Sam and Steve have been traversing Europe looking for Bucky. Not everyone is convinced it isn’t an open invitation road trip.

Voluntary Bros.

Characters: Steve Rogers, Johnny Storm

"Dude, you could be twins, they tested you before they defrosted you to see if you were a clone or something, or if he was a clone," Clint said.

"I want to talk to him, I think. I mean, a girl threw her latte at me last week for not calling her back and this dude felt me up at an art gallery yesterday," Steve said.

Two Brooklynites and One Big Apple

Pairings: Miles Morales & Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers

“You did good out there today,” Captain America said, brushing a layer of detritus from his unfathomably broad shoulder. “I’ll see you around.”

“Not if I see you first,” replied Miles, fingergunning with one hand as he sent a web rope fwipping off into the distance with the other, catapulting himself away at tremendous speed.

... in which two superheroes battle with bad guys, embark on community art lessons, and a friendship forms along the way.

Battle Fatigue

Steve thought he was doing okay. Things weren't going great, but they were fine, manageable even, and then suddenly they weren't.

We Become New Yorkers (or: Five Times Steve Rogers Looked For Home, and One Time Home Found Him)

New York is a million cities at the same time. This is how Steve found his.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

In which Steve and Peter learn that the best way to get through a bad situation is together. And to avoid collapsing buildings. And that concussions are terrible, terrible things.

Leviticus 25

"You want to save Bucky Barnes? You are going to have to put your own house in order first because he is going to need a rock to cling to. You are not ready to be that rock for him. You owe it to him -- and more importantly, you owe it to yourself -- to figure things out, figure out how you can be happy in this time and place, whether or not Barnes is with you."

Strike

Sometimes the road to recovery involves bowling. Conveniently, so does the one to the Grand Canyon.

Conversation in Wakanda

“I have been told that you had the privilege to share a training session with some of our Dora Milaje,” T’Challa says. “May I ask how it went?”

“Well,” the Captain huffs. “There’s no polite way to say it: I had my ass handed to me. Repeatedly.”

He sounds and looks utterly delighted.

Contact Light

Everyone thought computers would be the thing that really blew Steve's mind about the 21st century. They were wrong. When he finds out that he missed the moon landing, it's the start of an ongoing obsession with space that maybe involves Neil deGrasse Tyson, Twitter, and Star Trek marathons.

Twenty-Two

“This is Lucky,” Clint said when a dog got between him and Natasha. Lucky’s vest was bright, like desert mornings and night explosions.

“Does he help?” Natasha asked.

Clint pressed his hands flat on the counter behind him. “He saved my life.”

Natasha looked at Steve, her expression fierce. Steve resisted the urge to yank down his sleeves. Instead, he dug his nails into the puckered skin on his forearms.

AKA An AU in which Steve is a veteran just trying to survive (or not).

Gray

Peter doesn't expect Steve to show up at his house one night when he gets home from school. He also doesn't expect to have a long conversation with him, and choose to be on his side instead.

We're Happy, Free, Confused, and Lonely at the Same Time.

"Tony isn't sure, but he *thinks* Steve Rogers is going to try and argue with him about not being a kid, while wrapped up in a fluffy blanket and plaid pyjama pants watching a Disney movie. Tony really hopes that is the case. The Captain America voice looses all affect when wrapped up in that blanket and Tony can't wait to inform him as such." - The one where Tony realises that Captain America and Steve Rogers are not the same person, and Steve is so much younger then he thought.

This Isn't A Love Song, This Isn't A Fable

Steve's not OK with people's perception of Captain America, no matter what he says or how much he pretends otherwise. It's like no one in this time period realizes that there's more to him than a spangly outfit. And yes, he's including the Avengers in that. ... or, the one where everything's all right, until it's not.

it's safe here in our new world

Post TWS. In which Natasha and Steve go shopping, have Thursday night movie nights, and learn that Natasha loves to platonically kiss Steve. Which is good, because Steve loves being platonically kissed by Natasha.

Shadowboxing

Pairings: Matt Murdock & Steve Rogers

It doesn’t matter how many times you fall – what matters most is how many times you get back up. Steve Rogers knew this lesson far too well and it was one Matt Murdock had endured all his life. With both men at their lowest, could a chance friendship bring each of them to their feet again?

Everybody Eats When They Come to My House

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson, James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers

“You’ll ruin your dinner,” Sam says, gesturing with Steve with his spatula.

i fear for the calendar; its days are numbered

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov, Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson

Before she goes off the grid, Natasha gives Steve her phone number. He’s honored that he’s the only one to be trusted with it, but quickly learns that she spends most of her free time texting him Dad jokes.

Status Quo Ante

Pairings: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers

A tale in which Sam suspects he should be used to this by now, for values of 'this' that involve certain folks he hangs out with and situations he finds himself in, Team Cap becomes Team Ex-Cap becomes TBD, and nobody but Clint really wants to know what happened to Scott Lang's GI Joes. (Sam Wilson from the final scene to the mid-credits scene.)

The Glass Parade

Pairings: Steve Rogers & Natasha Romanov, Clint Barton/Natasha Romanov

Steve thinks that he’s seen Natasha be at least three different people in the short time he’s known her, and he isn’t sure which one is real.

In which the most confusing part of the future is how much Steve has in common with Natasha, and the fact that she seems dead-set on being his friend.

Still Life

Steve Rogers and a very modern form of art therapy. (The one where Steve draws himself out of despair and into some notoriety when his cartoons hit the internet, but he's still not allowed to look at Tumblr without an okay from Pepper.)

Selective Service

The serum's given Steve a lot, but it hasn't taken anything away from him. Not even the things he never wanted in the first place.

I'm a Hustler, Baby

Steve Rogers has a talent for pool--and for making others believe he's terrible at it.

The Healing Properties of Felt-Tip Pens

Rapid healing has worked wonders on Steve Rogers' body, but occasionally it really screws with his head. In the aftermath of torture, Bruce Banner helps Steve to reconcile mind and body.

If I Die Before I Wake

It's his job, as their leader, to endure the sadistic focus of their captor, and that is the one thought that carries Steve through.

Even Gods Do

Captain America doesn't have a good relationship with sleep anymore. Also, he's not a toy.

Under My Skin

Written for a prompt on avengerkink: I want to see something where, for whatever reason, Steve's accelerated healing turns out to be a bad thing. Something where the faster healing is making things worse. I would prefer something other than the standard, super-healing allows for more torture without death. “He's lucky – to have the serum, to have you all.” Tony wasn't sure about that first part. When one faced death and destruction every day on the job, there were many advantages to having a healing factor...and a great many disadvantages as well.

A Glossary of the 21st Century

Pairings: pre-Steve Rogers/Natasha Romanov

Steve's sick of not understanding what's going on, and the team are not all that helpful, so he starts keeping an illustrated notebook for further research. With the help of wiki, google and Logan he starts to settle in and find his place in the twenty-first century.

Blanket Gift Policy

“You didn’t,” Bucky said, with no real hope of being contradicted. Clint shrugged helplessly and passed him the large, soft bundle wrapped in shiny purple foil.

“Sorry.” Tony covered his eyes with one hand.

“I’m getting a migraine.”

“So,” Bruce said wearily, “counting Clint, me, Bucky, Tony, and Sam, that brings it up to five.”

“Excuse you, mine’s not a blanket,” Sam said. “Mine’s a slanket. Big difference.”

Bucky resisted the urge to throw the whole heap of parcels at Sam’s head. “Because it has sleeves? It’s still a blanket, Wilson. They’re all blankets. Even Thor’s direct-from-Asgard raven gift delivery was a cloak, which just means it’s a blanket with a strap. We all got Steve a goddamn blanket.”

One Tin Soldier

Written for a prompt at avengerkink: Because really, under any other circumstances, why would they follow him when he's some guy who's younger than the rest of them (time as a Capsicle aside), who goes around wearing that spangly outfit, who's not even used to the modern world? Why Steve Rogers, rather than a Norse god or the CEO of Stark Industries or anyone else?

“Love is for children,” she'd said, but respect knew no such bounds. The five times the Avengers accepted Steve as their leader, and the one time they followed without question.

and if there's life we'll see it

Steve is instantly taken with this idea of having the picture of the person calling you flash on your screen when they ring your cell.

Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask (Before Assisting Others)

Steve keeps going, because they need him. Being Captain America - having the serum - is a responsibility and a privilege he takes seriously, and he won't waste it by sitting around resting in the middle of a crisis. But then the work is over, and the original victims of the crisis aren't the only ones needing looking after.

Way of the Eagle

Clint introduces Steve to kung-fu movies. Things escalate quickly.

Walking Wounded

In the aftermath of the battle against the Chitauri, Steve's doing just fine. Until he's not. Fortunately, Thor is a perfect mother-hen, Tony makes decent back-up, JARVIS is a genius, and Soap Operas are life-changing. (Or, Post-Shawarma Feels.)

[emcscared-whumps]

WiJ 2022 - 01: (Re)introduce Yourself

WiJ 2022 Navigation Post

Intro!!

Hi, I'm emc, and I write whump of original characters in original settings! I've had this blog since some time in August last year (2021), and in these short few months, I've come a long way in the whump community. Everyone I've met here is wonderful and friendly and I've enjoyed every second of whumpblr and whump discord.

I've had at least a vague awareness about my taste for (fictional) blood since I was a kid around 5 or 6, but I first remember seeking the whumperflies in my teens (I'll get more into that in tomorrow's post :3c), and later still, I discovered Whumpblr posts through Pintrest, and joined a whump discord server a few years later, and then made this blog a year after that ^-^' . Getting into whump is the best thing I've ever done tbh, it's the gift that keeps on giving.

(I can now run off whump derived dopamine instead of trying to be happy!! /j/j/j/j)

Some fun facts are... I'm Australian, I do karate, I'm in the Danny Phantom fandom, I have an interest in cutting gems and other semiprecious stones, I have three cats, I love plants and gardening, and my favourite colour is unironically a deep, cool red. I also draw!

Project Updates!

Since joining the community, I have made tremendous progress on my nearest and dearest project Shifting Phases! Not only do I now have a rough idea of how to get everyone to the end scenes, I've actually started writing it!!! I'm super excited! I want to get it beta read in its entirety before I post it though, so it's a long way off yet. (As a byproduct, this means that I'll never post the fic unfinished lmao)

This story has spawned an AU that somehow manages to be darker. It's still in the ideation phases (brainrot spam to all of my whump friends on discord, rip them), so it'll be a little while before you see much posted about this one :3

My friend I recently made a lot of progress on Satanus Magus! We have basically the whole plot figured out, it just needs to be beefed up with some scenes. I look forward to writing that all out in the word doc void :)

My friend and I actually hope to publish this irl one day, so, That's A Thing!

It's an older idea of mine, it spawned in around 2018... But getting out of school and into this community has really boosted my creativity (bouncing ideas around is a powerful tool). It's like an action movie, but instead of guns and explosions, it's elemental magic and explosions!! It's not an outright whumpy fic, but ofc bc I'm involved, there are definitely a lot of whump themes.

Lastly, I have a new fic idea kicking around in my head involving a vampire and a human. It's still veeeerrryyy early days for it, but I'm already in love with the concept, and I have been sorely lacking in vampire whump for many years. I look forward to working with Malté and Corwin >:3c though I'm sure the same eagerness is not extended back -rubs my evil little handses together-

My Favourite Whump Tropes! Oh man...

Collapse

Especially when they try and fail to get up again

A whumpee getting tangled and/or ensnared in something they can't get out of

A painful mobility impairment as a result of a traumatic injury

Delirium and panic where they don’t recognise their friend/caretaker, maybe they’re waking up from a nightmare, and they lash out at their friend/caretaker-- most fun with nightmares/night terrors ;DD

I'm recently getting into fucked up mental health shit >:)

Ab00se (but like, not romantic relationships)

Nonhuman whumpees (mer and vampire/demon whumpees are where it's at tbh)

Painful transformation (and the aftermath, especially if the whumpee ends up Different than they were Before)

Bonus points for terrified, horrified, and very uncoordinated bb getting used to their new body and having an awful time

Secret based whump where bad things happen if anyone ever finds out whumpee's secret

An injury jeopardising the secret-- the secret needs to be revealed it to treat the injury

A whumpee going stupidly far to hide a secret, leading to a dramatic collapse and injury/scar reveal :D

A secret reveal gone badly never fails to give me whumperflies <3

I love it when circumstances are what leads to the whump. Not all of my whumpees have whumpers at all times, and where the whump comes from often fluctuates, but a common theme of my works is that the whump is primarily a product of circumstance that enables my characters to be whumped, whether by another person (whumper), or otherwise.

A happy, or at the very least, a bittersweet ending

#These are a few of my favourite things#

Also, Tumblr just fucking ate this draft when I was 99% done, and I was a fool who did not frequently save, and now I'm starting from nothing but a (shit) memory so... I'm not angy, I'm just sad and tired lol, apologies if there're any dumb phrasing/grammatical errors lol I can't even think straight anymore gkjdhfg

(The beta post editor may be easier on my poor eyes, but It has a habit of eating things on occasion...)

@whumpmasinjuly

[blue-pastel-cat]

Xiaobedo Fanfic Recommendation

Welcome to my personal “if you are new to xiaobedo peeps please read these” list. As said before this is my personal list so please feel free to reblog/comment/hit me for not including any gem here. I might miss a lot of them because I am drunk or blind. (mostly have them on my to read and then forgot as I am being assault by real life shit).

I would like to say first that so far there are 150+ Xiaobedo fics on Ao3. I can’t review all of them but I can say that I have read a majority of them. Most of them are just pure love and I would like nothing more than a thousands thank you for all the fic writers who spent their free time writting these gems for us to read for free. But these...these takes the cake as it finds a special landing spot in my heart that I would just thrust them into someone’s hand if they say “I am new to this ship can you recommend me?”

1. Orange dust by bobamilkteas (Wes)

In which Xiao learns to open himself up to the world a little more after the collapse of Rex lapis's contracts but it was not always easy for a soul doomed to eternal damnation. Meanwhile, Albedo liked to tempt fate where the extraordinary are concerned.

If only the traveler's comrades are made of saner bunch.

Comment: Long ago when I like both Albedo and Xiao as a character, I was wondering hmmm....will anyone actually even write about them lmao they never met each other. I am surprise to see this one as the 3rd fic in the whole 3 Xiaobedo fic on Ao3 (yeah back when there’s literally only 3 fic for this couple). I was like I’ll read it for the curiosity, I’ll probably won’t ship them. And that people is how I put my clown make up on my face upon finishing reading it. This ONE fic alone convert me into a devotee of Xiaobedo. Please consider joining me in this circus if you want to know what is Xiaobedo. I would put this as the first of my “Big 3″

Orange Dust also come with its compliation of short stories over the course of the game and a big sequel to it. Please also consider reading ALL OF THEM.

2. Solar Wind by birdpriestess (Sparrow)

For the yaksha, his duty was his life, and his life was his duty. No human could ever hope to understand the eternal war he fought out of sight and in silence.

So why, then, did he feel that Albedo would understand?

---

Finding himself at death's door once more, Xiao is saved by a surprising person, setting off the unlikeliest of adventures.

Comment: Do you like crying? Do you like the feeling of getting your heart ripped into pieces as the author destroy your emotions over the end of each chapter as the story picked up the climax? Yeah, this one is for you masochists. The action, the characterisation, the drama THE EMOTIONS OH WOW. I kid you not that it was so good I read this while workinng when I am not suppose to me. Also, this fic has my favourite characterisation of Gold ever. I love that dramatic queen Mad Alchemist. AND DAIN. I LOVE DAIN IN THIS FIC. Our dearest Sparrow manage to toy with our feelings like how I bully ruin guard for big numbers lmao. This is the secound of “Big 3″ of my Xiaobedo list.

Again, just like Orange Dust, Solar Wind comes with its own compliation of short stories of what came after that. Please also consider reading ALL OF THEM.

3. Castle of Glass by AlchemicalStardust (Morgie) 

A black shadow rises over Huaguang Stone Forest. Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Albedo flees the shaking ground and the crash of boulders tumbling form the sky. As the dust settles, Albedo finds a young man – an Adeptus – amidst the carnage. Despite the karmic agony ripping his body from the inside, Xiao’s only question is “How?” How did a human survive after witnessing his battle?

Comment: The last of the “Big 3″ of my Xiaobedo list. And it is still on going! Castle of Glass? More like I AM IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTIONS! Have you read a fic about 2 people yearning, longing, reaching out for each other so damn well that you just want to throw your phone in the air as they both had their impending doom coming down upon them? Yeah this is one of them. You will like want to be stuck in the moment they express how much they just yearn for each other’s love and care that you want to shake the author for what comes next. Like...everytime Morgie update I am expressing my gratitude at the end of the chapter by writing on Xiaobedo discord “MORGIE COME HERE AND LET ME BONK YOU WHY ARE YOU ENDING IT THERE”

trust me when you read you will def feel the same. With just Big 3 and their compliation alone that would give you like a LONG list of reading already LMAOOOOOOO

4. Find a place to call it home  by yamajiroo 

Our room, he said. Xiao’s brow twitches. Zhongli never said anything about this. But then again, perhaps he should anticipate this from the beginning...

Xiao looks over at Albedo, who is now tilting his head, his look as innocent as ever.

“Are you not okay with sharing a room?”

Comment: College AU for Xiaobedo! One thing that I love this is the slow burn and what made me LOVE LOVE LOVE this fic more is how cute Klee is in this fic. Their relationship in this one is very simple, but that simplicity highlight why their chemistry work. Xiao is someone who was just very gentle, who was largely misunderstood by his lonesome nature. Albedo was someone who like peace and quite in his introvert bubble. And how they respect that bubble that each other has actually made their relationship work. I love it when fic highlight this and this one captures it.

5. I Can't See Your Face From the Other Side of the Classroom by MissWeaver  

When Albedo and Xiao unexpectedly start eating lunch together, they begin to find that they have more in common than anyone would have realized. They both struggle in their own ways with blossoming feelings, too many assignments, and annoying classmates as they navigate a relationship for the first time.

Comment: I’ll be honest, I usually hate high school au just because its so cliche. I don’t even watch and drama/anime surrounds high school student anymore LMAOOO (unless it’s very good). So if there’s an high school AU that I actually keep come back and read after a couple of chapters, it means that the cliche that I hate wasn’t there or barely was there at all. The pinning in this fic makes me want to bang their head together sometimes LMAOOO The tag wasn’t kidding when they said both Xiao and Albedo are bad at feelings. Also that’s a lot of heart broken caused by these two idiots XD

6. new world, same me, same bullshit  by  bobamilkteas (Wes)

At the belly of Dragonspine, Albedo lost control to the festering corruption that permeated his senses and watched, from the recesses of his mind, as his devoured body turned his allies into enemies. Before his rampage reached its climax, he is sealed in a crystalized confinement by the last hand of Reindottir, where he then reawakens centuries after, in a rebooted Teyvat.

Comment: Yeah I know it was list in Orange Dust but here me out. This sets out in an entirely different universe. And if you like Polyamory, this one has Zhongli joining the duo and I love it because I also love ZhongXiao with my life. Time Travel is my biggest kink. Especially when I am the person who love it when people explore Archon War era/ Alatus!Xiao. So this one hits double of my kink. Of course it is still on going and I will bully Wes whenever I can to see that new chapter. Albedo is a total fucking badass in this story and I completely agree from using him in Abyss so often. Everyone should write badass Albedo.

7. misplaced heart of mine by  inkburn           

“If you are ill, then you should be resting at home. In Mondstadt.” He emphasized Mondstadt with a pointed look in his direction.

“I assure you I won’t be troublesome, Adeptus Xiao,” Albedo said, “You’ll find I’m a rather low-maintenance traveler.”

“Travel,” Xiao scoffed, “without airstep?”

Albedo looked him up and down. “Are your legs just for decoration?”

(albedo is sent to liyue on mandatory vacation. xiao is his unfortunate bodyguard.)

Comment: Most of the time you will see Albedo and Xiao starting their relationship with one of them taking interest in another. But this one took another approach, they starting off by make them hating each other’s guts LMAOOOO and I live for every second of it. There’s only 1 chapter so far but wow it was SOOO GOOD. I am really really excited for next chapter and is waiting patiently ;w;

8.  Blossom of Grace  by birdpriestess  

One day in Liyue Harbor, Albedo watches a street performance by an enigmatic dancer named Xiao. And he becomes completely obsessed.

Comment: Have you ever look at Xiao fight and thinking that he’s one of the most beautiful deadly thing ever? How it was like he was dancing around the battlefield? How about actual dancer Xiao being so absolutely beautiful and perfect and that slow burn of Albedo falling in love with that beauty with a touch of Modern AU and cute Ganyu as the Wing woman. Yes, Sparrow delivers yet again another beautiful slow burn and while it’s still ongoing it is worth the read.

9. i think we could make this work (could get used to this) by outspaced               

“Xiao? What are you doing out here?”

“I—”

“It’s raining,” Albedo says, as if it isn’t obvious. “You could get struck by lightning.”

“What are you doing out here then?” Xiao does the only thing he knows how to do, he challenges Albedo. “It’s raining.”

Albedo just hums. “If I get struck by lightning, it’s for science.”

Comment: A short one-shot where I read the summary and went “This is it... this is their relationship.” I am sold immediately. Oh god Albedo why are you like this.

10. Ephemeral by criedprinz        

“It’s not for your investigation, is it?” Aether asked mildly.

Albedo traced a finger around the sketchbook, considering the question. “No,” he admitted finally. “I... I just want to see them again.”

He opened the sketchbook to reveal the drawing he’d just finished. Aether nodded, clearly recognizing the sharp golden eyes.

“Xiao,” he said. “You were rescued by an adeptus.”

When a visit to Dragonspine goes horribly wrong, Albedo is rescued by an unknown stranger, wielding powers he's never heard of. Led on a search to find out who it is, he finds himself in the middle of an unforgettable encounter..

Comment: A really really well written one-shot that I love. The yearning oh godddd the yearning from Albedo side is just so so much that I have to put it here. (I think you can see the trend here lmao. I am a sucker for yearning). And the moment they get to meet each other again is just chef kiss. MWHAA

11. Idle Yaksha, Brilliant Yaksha by Pit0fTheEarth

Alatus didn’t have a lot of responsibilities to keep. He spent most of his days dancing across the sky and eating away all nightmares that plagued a person’s sleep.

But one fortunate encounter led to too many unfortunate ones, taking his carefree existence and plunging it in darkness. His wings, stripped from him. His gentle touch, replaced by an unforgiving grip of destruction.

There was a lot of blood on his hands. With each passing moment, it became harder for Alatus to recall the last time someone gently held him.

Comment: This is one of the ongoing fic where I am very very much excited on the take of Naberius. And the way the author portray Xiao when he’s still the innocent Alatus is just *clench fist*. Baby ;w; Baby why do you have to lose all that innocence. Also the fic has long LONG flashback to Xiao past and his relationship with Naberius. We are unwielding more what happened to both of them and why perhaps does this have to do with Albedo.

That’s it for now, might add more later! Thank you <3

[ironunderoos]

Dark! King tony wants someone to be with by his side and chose witch! peter from the forest, who has nothing to do with him. So peter escape

Hi there anon, thank you for the request. 🥰 I had fun doing it but at the end I was unsure how to proceed. Maybe I'll do a second part with the escape... 🤔

Caged I

Peter held his breath, trying to control his shaking hands. He waited in the shadows of the archway that led into the church's nave. The white veil covering his face made it hard to see but he could make out the candles and blossoms which had been used to decorate the pews. The way to his doom. He would have mourned the slowly dying flowers in their arrangements, but too much was his mind occupied with his own misery.

He missed the woods, the open sky and the weather's touch on his skin already. Inside this stone building he felt trapped and caged. But that was what his life would be henceforth, wouldn't it?

"You come with me. Or you see burn what you love!"

The music changed and the knight next to him placed his hand on Peter's elbow, starling him out of the memory. He steered Peter along the aisle, holding him upright as much as keeping him from running away. Strangers looked at him from both sides and Peter felt his heart in his throat. Noone seemed sympathetic for his helpless struggles, his soundless pleading.

At the end of the aisle he raised his gaze and there he was. The man who caught and bound him. The man he was supposed to marry. King Anthony Stark. The Iron Man.

He awaited him, clad in dark red and black, adorned in gold and iron. A bright blue gem stone on his chest reflected the candle light in a way that made it seem to glow from within.

Peter couldn't read his face, his expression betrayed nothing. No triumph or satisfaction, just a silent determination.

It didn't matter. Peter had no choice but to comply with what was happening.

The knight led him to the king's side and both of them turned to the priest who started a sermon on obedience and love and togetherness.

Peter's thoughts fled to the past and the place where he belonged.

He was walking the wood's paths on bare feet, feeling the moss and leaves under his soles. The sun fell through the branches, painting cool shadows on his naked skin when he stepped down to the water. Peter greeted the little creatures by the stream and thanked the forest for his overflowing care before he slowly made his way into the water. It was cold on him, making his nipples draw tight and his skin become flushed. It felt so good on a warm afternoon so he started to splash water over his arms and chest, enjoying the silvery droplets glistening in the sun. Small fish played around his feet and birds sang to him. Little insects danced in the shadows. It was peace.

Then something changed.

Subtley at first. A strange sensation made Peter look up. The absence of sound.

The birds were quiet.

A predator in the woods.

Peter turned his head, listening. No animal would even think about attacking him he knew. And still… the sense of nearing danger grew around him. Sharp. Unknown. His heart beat faster.

Then he heard it. Twigs breaking and dry leaves crunching. Stomping hooves and heavy breathing accompanied by metallic clatter!

A deer sprang out on the embankment, froth on its snout, its flanks shining with sweat.

It saw Peter and stopped, his muscles twitching with the strain of the hunt. Red blood seeped through it's fur. It's expressive eyes rested on the boy in the water.

The hiss caught Peter by surprise, drilling an arrow through the animal's neck. It fell into the stream, rolling its eyes and died.

Peter stared down at the poor creature in shock. Forgotten was the sun and the shadows and the cool water. He turned to the place where the deer had come from and there was a human. A man on a horse, as black and mighty as a dragon. The man's eyes and hair were black too, but his robes as red as the blood in the water. He lowered his bow and his eyes locked with Peter's. They were burning.

Peter was pulled back into the present when King Anthony took his hand. He flinched but the king didn't let go. He pulled Peter closer and slipped a ring over Peter's finger. The boy felt the metal burning cold on his skin. Against his will he turned to the man. Strong hands lifted the veil, uncovering his pale face. He felt his lips tremble in the same rhythm as his rabbit beating heart when the king slowly came closer. His eyes were so firm, his face set, as if he himself was made of iron.

King Anthony's hand lifted Peter's chin and then their lips touched. It was chaste at first and Peter tried to pull back after the first peck but a second hand on his back kept him close. The king's kiss grew more demanding, his tongue seeking entrance between Peter's lips and he only stopped assaulting when the boy relented with a sigh. Peter felt weak and shaky when the king turned, holding his hand while he walked next to him down the aisle, his head lowered and unaffected by the cheering crowd.

To be continued?

[pinkpruneclodwolf]

Beast Tamer Theory—

Or me just spoiling my entire story because I need to let it out.

I think I've already said that this isn't the first time people have been summoned into Twisted Wonderland, I also said that these peoples' souls have possibly been transferred into a vessel more compatible with Twisted Wonderland so that they don't get misinterpreted as aliens and wiped from the census.

I'll call summoned people Pseudo-Beast Tamers or Pseudo-BT on the basis that twst had True!Beast Tamers but something happened.

Or True!Beast Tamers were random people snatched from their homes—

I digress.

Meruem falls under the category of Pseudo-BT because her soul was summoned into twst but she still has her memories. I've only pointed my finger at the Mirror of Darkness playing a heavy part as to why and the Carriage being the how.

But for what reason???

Now... I have something crazy as hell to say.

I already said that the body that Meruem inhabits is her twst equivalent but I never said that the vessel was alive.

If you've ever watched the movie Us, you know about tethers and how the main protagonist ends up being the tether that kills her true self.

What I mean is, while Meruem is using her twst equivalent vessel, her twst equivalent is also inhabiting her body.

YEP YEP I JUST SPOILED THE ENTIRETY OF ĀBHĀ INFINITE YALL CAN STOPP READING NOW.

But this isn't the end of my theory of course. I believed that Pseudo-BT end up getting murdered before they can stop their 'Grim' because i genuinely believe there used to be a species of 'Grim' but something also happened to them.

I also believe that these 'Grim' cause events such as Overblots, which could explain why Idia snatched our boi up like that.

Grim uses void magic which my explain why acts the way he does. Void users usually go with the flow/at their own pace. But he also uses fire as well which means that he's extremely passionate but also extremely destructive.

I also believe that Yuu and Grim overblotted during the test battle at the start of the game because the monster had hands. And we also notice that there isn't any phantom behind OB!Grim because he might be apart of a species that feeds/fed off of OB or blot which is why he eats the OB stones.

However the draw back is these monsters also OB which is where True!Beast Tamers came in, basically these monsters' caretakers. Mages rely on gems instead of these familiars because one would have to have a Beast Tamer on hand and also because they were volatile creatures.

So it was basically a thre pronged formation before True!Beast Tamers and their Beasts died off or fell off the census.

[arlenianchronicles]

Whelp I’m back into the kidnap fam stuff again loll How, you ask? Well, after thinking about my bodyguard OCs and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, I got sucked into my favourite master/servant dynamic, and I ended up making a bodyguard AU for these four!

I went on a ramble with this, so feel free to keep reading if you want to know more about this AU that I’m still developing ^^;;;

Behold! Prince Elrond of the Sindar stands with Maedros, his fierce and tall personal guard. I’ll be doing a separate piece for Maglor and Elros, mostly because I've included these bonus sketches! This AU kinda calls for an overhaul on the Silm because I’ve given it a more medieval vibe. And also since some/most events would have to be changed, and the Fëanorians would have a somewhat subservient behaviour around the twins.

But for now, my thought process is that the Fëanorians become the personal bodyguards of the Princes Elrond and Elros. Maedros takes to staying near Elrond more; Elrond is a gentle soul, compassionate and sweet ... Essentially the opposite of Maedros in that his guard is fierce and strong, perhaps a bit like cold stone on the outside, but with a fire in his heart. He sees it as his duty to be Elrond’s iron shield, you could say XDD cuz yknow elrond doesn’t have a physical shield yet, nor a metaphorical one for his heart cuz he’s quite open and honest and maedros wants to protect him and

Now, about their designs, I always wanted to give Maedros some armour for this AU, but lemme tell you, I can’t draw armour to save my life lmaoo So I had to go on Pinterest! I kinda wish I’d made him a bit bulkier, but ah well XDD And I don’t think he needs to wear his armour all the time, especially since the twins are kept safe in the Fëanorians’ fortress, but his thought process is that you can never be too careful. Who knows, maybe there’ll be an assassination attempt on his charge! And I’m sure he’s strong enough to wear as much armour as he wants; this is nothing to him loll

Elrond is wearing Sindarin garments, as usual. I really want to talk about his crown here – it’s a mix of Sindarin and Noldorin styles. I used the crown concepts of my Midnight Elves for the Sindar: members of the royal family wear flower crowns (with natural flowers, branches, leaves etc.), though for the Silm, I headcanon that this tradition was inspired by Melian. So maybe there was an attack on Doriath (not a Kinslaying though loll), and the twins’ original crowns were destroyed. After the Fëanorians took them to their fortress, they had new crowns crafted for them in the shape of their originals, but cast in metal and studded with gems as per Noldorin tradition.

[nikibogwater]

The Final Becoming--A Tales of Arcadia fanfiction: Chapter Four

A gentle king, a warrior queen, a clever prince, and a Master Wizard. Together with their allies, these four heroes must reform the ancient kingdom of Camelot and rise up to face the Arcane Order in a decisive final battle for the fate of everything they hold dear.

An alternate take on the series ending for those for whom Rise of the Titans didn't quite make the cut. Updates every Friday (weather permitting).

(Link to Chapter Three)

Read on Ao3

Or in the post below:

This is the last setup chapter, I promise, haha. Next week, Stuff starts going down. In the meantime, please enjoy some pre-battle Staja, the forging of the Amulet of Excalibur, and a fond farewell between the most wholesome father-son duo in the entire series.

*****

“Lively...!” Aja breathed when she stepped off the ship, eyes shining as she took in the sight of Akiridion technology fused with ancient Camelot stonework.

“Aja!” Krel came charging into the huge entrance hall, breathless but smiling.

“Krel!” The two siblings collided in an eight-armed embrace, and Aja giggled as she swung her little brother around joyously. “Have you gotten taller?!”

“Prince Krel!” Varvatos boomed as he emerged from the ship. Luug bounded down after him, yipping happily as he jumped into Krel’s arms and tried to lick his face. “Though current circumstances are grim, nevertheless this reunion is most glorious!” Vex clapped the young Akiridion on the shoulder with a large, heavy hand.

“AJAAAAAAAA!” Krel winced as Steve’s keening voice bounced around the high ceiling of the entrance hall, the winded knight having finally caught up with him.

“Steve!” Aja pushed past her brother and caught Steve up in her arms, drawing him in for a kiss. “My golden, lumbering oaf...!”

“...You know, on Akiridion V, the seventh kiss makes babies,” Krel muttered darkly, still trying to fend off Luug’s affections. Steve drew away abruptly.

“Wait, what?!”

“Krel! ...He is pulling on your leg, Steve,” Aja assured her startled boyfriend. “Akiridion babies don’t come from kisses.”

“Indeed,” Varvatos put in. “They actually come from--”

“What is the nature of our enemy, Little Brother?” Aja questioned, cutting him off. “Zadra is gathering what troops she can from the Resistance. I came ahead of them to gather more information.”

“The Resistance? What about the Akiridion army?” Krel asked in reply.

“Still being reformed,” his sister sighed. “Our numbers are still too thin to safely spare any troops for anything other than our own planet’s defense. Eli has been working to bolster Akiridion V’s defenses, but nearly all of our reconstruction efforts have gone to help the civilians first. Re-establishing our army has had to take second priority for the time being.”

“Wait, time out, Eli’s in the army now?” Steve interrupted. “As in, Eli Pepperjack? My little Creepslaying buddy?!”

“I suppose he is, in a sense,” Aja laughed. “And he is not so little anymore, Steve.”

“We can catch up on such things later,” Krel said. “For now, I must brief the two of you on the crisis at hand.”

*****

Sunlight glinted off the gem in Excalibur’s hilt as Jim stood before it, weary eyes tracing the elegant shape of the sword’s pommel and hilt. Douxie, Claire, Toby, Blinky, and Aaarrrgghh were gathered around him, waiting in quiet anticipation. He could feel the blade whispering in his heart, calling for him, just as Daylight once had. And though everything in him wanted to recoil from that call, to turn away and never so much as think about Excalibur ever again, he held his ground and faced his destiny.

“Okay,” he breathed, hands clenching and unclenching nervously. “Here we go.”

He reached out and grasped the hilt firmly.

Always finish the fight.

He gave a half-hearted tug. The sword didn’t budge. He looked down at Douxie, who gave him a reassuring nod. He swallowed and grit his teeth. I’m the Trollhunter. He pulled again. This time, he felt the scrape of stone against the blade as the sword shifted.

Out of all the creatures in this world, I chose you.

He pulled once more, grunting from the effort. The sword shuddered as it began to slide from its rocky prison.

Now show them why.

There was a flash of golden light. Excalibur sang as it burst free from the stone, sending Jim stumbling back a few paces before Claire steadied him. He looked down at the hilt, his own reflection staring back at him from within the green stone that housed the sword’s magic.

I’m the Trollhunter. And I will always finish the fight.

He raised Excalibur skyward. A bolt of golden magic charged down the blade and burst from its tip, lighting up the cloudy sky above.

My burden to bear.

“Arthur’s legacy resides in you now, Jim,” Douxie murmured, dipping into a bow. He looked up at Jim, pride shining in his hazel eyes. “Long live the king!” he cried

“Long live the king! ” the others echoed.

*****

“Ad luchem....Gloria...Mea! ”

The amulet rose from the table in Merlin’s study, wrapped in Douxie’s magic, turning slowly as the ancient runes engraved on it shone with blue light. He lifted Excalibur, holding the blade before his creation as though in offering. The empty slot for the sword’s gem began to glow and pulse in time with the amulet. There was a flash of magic so bright, Douxie was forced to look away for a moment. The sword in his hand vanished, united with the amulet at last, leaving nothing behind save for a few wisps of fading magic. Then all was still. The gears of the amulet stopped turning, and it floated gently into his waiting hands.

“That’s it,” he whispered. “We’ve done it.” Somehow, it didn’t feel like much of an accomplishment. If anything, this amulet was the mark of his own failure. He closed his fingers over it and let his hand fall to his side. Archie jumped up on his shoulder and nudged his head consolingly.

“Merlin would be proud of you, Douxie,” the Familiar assured him. “I can feel it.” Douxie barked out a short, harsh laugh.

“I feel like I’ve botched everything,” he confessed. “If I’d just been stronger, protected Nari better, we wouldn’t even need this new amulet. I... I let her down. Let Merlin down. And now everyone else is in danger again as well.”

“Merlin knew a battle with the Arcane Order was inevitable. That’s why he chose you to be his successor. Because he knew you would find a way to protect everyone, alongside the Trollhunter. He believed you would be able to defeat them once and for all. And for all his shortcomings, I know for certain that he was at least right about that.”

“...Thanks, Arch,” Douxie breathed, reaching up with his free hand to stroke his Familiar’s head.

“Teach?” Douxie turned to find Claire entering the study. “Just thought I should let you know I’m taking Blinky back to New Trollmarket, and then we should head for Nari’s Titan.” Her eyes landed on the amulet in Douxie’s hand, sparkling with intrigue. “Is it finished already?”

“Yep,” Douxie replied. “Excalibur was the last thing we needed. It’s ready to go now.” He gingerly set it down on the table. “...Claire,” he began hesitantly. “I know teachers don’t usually ask their students for instruction, but... When you were fighting to free Jim from the Order’s control, when you broke Merlin’s spell and changed him back into a human...What exactly did you do to bring him back?”

“I’m not sure,” Claire admitted quietly, coming to stand by the table with him. “I know I was using shadow magic, but it...it was different, somehow. As weird as it sounds, I wasn’t drawing my magic from anger or fear. When I reached out...I could feel him. He was trapped inside this dark cloud of magic, and he couldn’t get out. But he was still there, underneath it all. And then it was like nothing else mattered. All I knew was that I was going to free him, or die trying. So I just sort of....grabbed onto him and pulled as hard as I could. I lost sight of him for a minute there, but I guess it worked in the end.”

“Shadow magic fueled by love, instead of anger,” Douxie murmured, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “I didn’t even know that was possible.” He smiled as he met her gaze again. “You’re a very remarkable young witch, Miss Nuñez. I’m glad I got to be your teacher, even if it was just for a little while.”

“Thanks, Douxie,” Claire returned with a smile of her own. “But you know, there’s still a lot I want to learn from you. Promise me that when this is all over, we’ll have another one of our lessons.”

“Of course,” Douxie agreed. He handed her the finished amulet. “I think Jim is with Blinky now--please give that to him when you see him. Arch and I will be waiting for you in the roundtable room.”

“Just the two of you?” Claire’s brow furrowed. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“We’re not going to Nari so we can fight her--this is a rescue operation. The three of us should suffice for that. And anyways, we need to concentrate our full attack force on the other two Titans. We have less time before one of them reaches a heavily populated area and starts doing irreversible damage.”

“Got it,” Claire replied with a nod. “Back in a few.”

Douxie watched her go, reaching up to stroke Archie once again. He closed his eyes and retreated into himself, focusing once more on the empty place in his chest where Nari’s magic usually resided.

Hold on, Nari. I’m coming. And I swear, I won’t fail you again.

*****

“...How am I going to do this without you, Blinky?”

Blinky stopped trying to cram a pile of heavy tomes into a too-small bag and looked back at Jim. While pulling Excalibur had seemed to return some of his strength and conviction, the boy’s eyes were still clouded with uncertainty. Not for the first time, Blinky was suddenly struck with the awareness of just how young Jim was. Eighteen years old. An adult, by some human standards, yet for a troll, that was barely even a fraction of a lifetime. And already he had been burdened with a load that could easily break even the oldest and most stalwart of trolls.

Blinky sighed and turned to face him fully, two of his four hands coming to rest on his pupil’s shoulders.

“Master Jim,” he began. “There comes a time in every man’s life when he must let go of the hand that has guided him and tread dangerous waters alone. I have....dreaded this time, more than any other. From the moment you were chosen by the Amulet, you have been the single most important thing in my life. Through all your various triumphs and defeats, transformations and travails, that has never changed. You have made me....selfish, in a way I never was before. I left my responsibilities in New Trollmarket because I could not bear the thought of being apart from you while you were injured. I placed my desire to aid and protect you above my duty to my tribe. But in truth, Master Jim, I have long known that you are more than capable of prevailing without my guidance.”

“That’s not true, Blinky!” Jim burst out, reaching up and gripping one of Blinky's arms with both hands. “I’ve always needed you! I still do!”

“I beg to differ,” Blinky argued with a smile. “ You are the one who was chosen, Jim. You are the one Merlin foresaw when he constructed his amulet, the one Excalibur recognizes as its master. It is you who, in spite of the impossible burden you bear, never gave up, no matter what it cost you. I was just fortunate enough to be granted the privilege of being your teacher. But there is nothing more for me to teach you. You now carry within yourself all you will need to see this through. And you won’t be alone. You will have your fellow Trollhunters at your side. And when the day is won, and evil lies vanquished at your feet....I will be there, looking with immeasurable pride at the hero my student--my son --has become.”

Jim’s face crumpled, and buried his face in his mentor’s shoulder, holding back tears. He had wept enough for one day. One of Blinky’s stony hands came up and gently cupped the back of his head, holding the boy close with all four arms.

After a minute, he pulled back, somewhat composed, and Blinky gave him a final pat on the shoulder before turning back to his overstuffed bag. It was then that Jim noticed Claire waiting patiently in the doorway, with Toby and Aaarrrgghh beside her. He gave them a wan smile, inviting them in, and Claire crossed the room shyly.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“It’s alright,” Jim assured her.

“Here. Douxie told me to give this to you.” She took his hand in hers and pressed the new amulet into his palm. “He says it’s all ready to go.” Jim looked down at the object in his hand, turning it over slowly.

“For the good of all, Excalibur is mine to command, ” he read. He smiled softly. “...That’ll take some getting used to, but I like it.” Claire smiled as well, cupping his hands in hers for a brief, tender moment. Then she turned to address Blinky.

“You ready to go, Blinky?”

“Just a moment....Confound this blasted--” There was a yelp and the thud of several books hitting the floor. “...I suppose so,” Blinky huffed, accepting defeat. “I am going to sorely miss this library--a shame I cannot bring it with me.”

“I’ll bring you back for a visit anytime you want, Blinky,” Claire promised. “Maybe we can even get Krel to set up a permanent wormhole here for you.” She turned back to Jim. “You should go join the others in the roundtable room. They’re strategizing a plan to take down Bellroc and Skrael’s Titans, and they could really use your Trollhunting expertise. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Right,” Jim sighed, pocketing the new amulet.

“...Hey.” Claire cupped his cheek. “We’re going to win this. And then,” She smiled. “we’re going to live."

“Okay,” he chuckled, covering her hand with his and pressing a kiss to her palm. “Sounds like a good plan.”

“Blinky be careful,” Aaarrrgghh rumbled.

“And you as well, my old friend,” Blinky returned, patting the bigger troll on his shoulder. “We will see each other again, I am sure of it. In the meantime,” He turned to address Toby. “Tobias, look after Master Jim for me. I know I can trust you to keep him safe.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Toby replied, coming to stand by his friend. “If they want our Trollhunter, they gotta get through Warhammer first.” Blinky smiled and gave a short nod. He looked at Jim one last time, eyes softening with both pride and sadness.

“If you need anything, you know I am but a single phone call away. It is perhaps not as ideal as before, but...”

“I know. Thanks Blinky. For everything.”

“...Farewell, Master Jim.”

The room was filled with the gentle rush of shadow magic as Blinky and Claire disappeared into the void.

*****

“...and that’s pretty much the situation, as it stands,” Krel finished, gesturing to the holographic display above the Roundtable that was incomprehensible to all but the Akiridions.

“How much time now before the Titans reach Arcadia?” Aja asked.

“No more than seventeen hours, though I have noticed one of them seems to be moving at an inconsistent speed--it keeps slowing down for periods of time, before speeding up again to match pace with the others. I have also been monitoring the humans' social networks--obviously they are aware of this now as well.”

“Oh, the underground wizarding community isn’t going to be happy about this,” Archie muttered from his perch on Douxie’s shoulder, as the wizard entered the room.

“That’s either going to require one heck of an explanation, or a whole lot of memory alteration spells,” Douxie agreed. “Forgive us for the sudden intrusion, Your Majesty,” he added, giving Aja a graceful bow. “Hisirdoux Casperan, Master Wizard, at your service. And this is my Familiar, Archie.”

“It is an honor, Master Wizard,” Aja said sincerely. “My brother has spoken highly of you and your work.”

“The honor is mine, my lady.”

“Hey!” Steve interjected. “Back off, goth boy. She’s spoken for.”

“What? I wasn’t... Does no one recognize basic chivalry anymore?!” Douxie burst out, throwing his hands up in the air. “First Jim, and now you--what went wrong with society?!”

“A question for another time, Douxie,” Krel said. “We need to focus on the crisis at hand. Fortunately the humans are smarter than I would have given them credit for--all major settlements within ten miles of any Titan are running mass evacuation procedures. They don’t know what these things are, but they at least know they need to get out of the way.”

“We should send some of our ships to aid them,” Aja suggested. “We must try to minimize casualties.”

“I would agree,” Krel replied. “But with the mass panic that must surely be going on, I’m not sure it would be easy to convince entire communities of people to entrust their lives to a couple of extraterrestrials. You know how humans are.”

“Then maybe we should just focus on beating the crap out of those Titans,” Steve put in. “Is there any way we can stop them from moving?”

“Eli has been working to develop a high-power stunning device, back on Akiridion V. It is still in the testing phase, but it might be worth a try,” Aja said.

“I’ll shoot him a message and tell him to bring it,” Krel replied.

“Dang, Eli’s been busy,” Steve muttered. The doors to the roundtable room opened, and Jim arrived. His posture was noticeably different than before--he carried himself more like he used to: shoulders back, chin up, eyes steely. Toby walked beside him on the right, his helmet under one arm. Aaarrrgghh flanked him on the left. The only thing Jim was missing was a crown. Otherwise, he looked every bit the king of Camelot he now was.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said, taking his place at the roundtable. “What’ve we got?”

“Not enough,” Krel grumbled. “So far the best idea we’ve had is ‘hit them really hard.’ You know it’s bad when our best idea comes from Steve.”

“Hey, sometimes a straightforward approach is the most tactical,” Jim argued lightly.

“It’s possible Nari might know a way to stop them,” Douxie chimed in. “I can ask her once she’s safe.”

“Could we perhaps use the tiny one’s Titan to pummel the other two?” Varvatos suggested, punching his hand for emphasis. “That would be a most glorious clash!”

“That would require either transporting her Titan halfway across the world, or else letting the other two get close enough for her to reach--which, in my opinion, is a little too close to Arcadia for comfort. Anyways, there’s....there’s no telling what kind of shape she’ll be in after her ordeal with the Arcane Order.” Douxie looked down at the table, eyes stormy. “We can’t count on her being able to battle, and even if she is, I think it would be wiser to keep her as far away from Bellroc and Skrael as possible. I won’t risk losing her to them again.”

“Looks like we’re just going to have to wing it for now, then,” Jim concluded. “Aja, how many troops can we expect from Akiridion V?”

“Only one aerial squadron,” she replied mournfully. “That was as many as Zadra was able to rally. They will be here within the horvath.”

“We won’t need more,” Krel asserted. “I’ve managed to restore this castle’s defense systems to full functionality--and made a number of improvements. What you are standing in now technically meets all the requirements of a fully-operational Akiridion Dreadnaught. I only have enough power reserves to create one wormhole big enough to transport it, but Camelot is more than capable of doing battle with at least one Titan.”

“Did I hear you say we don’t need any more troops?” The entire room jumped at the sound of Claire’s voice--no one had noticed when she came through a shadow portal nearby. “Aw, that’s a shame, because I’ve brought some friends with me.”

Nomura stepped out of the portal, the tap of her cloven hooves loud and clear amid the surprised silence that had fallen across the room. “Never thought I’d see you look so happy to see me,” she smirked at Jim. “But don’t get too excited on my account alone.”

Thirteen trolls came pouring through the portal after her, massive, stony warriors wielding ancient Trollish weapons of warfare. Jim recognized many of them as warriors who had stood against Angor Rot in Trollmarket.They gathered around the roundtable, some of them saluting him in respect. One of them gave Aaarrrgghh a friendly fist-bump.

“They stand with their Trollhunter,” Nomura announced. “As do I.” She placed a hand over her heart and inclined her head respectfully. “We may be few, but we’re yours to command.”

“...Thank you,” Jim breathed. He turned to the others, the fire of determination blazing in his eyes. “We have a chance. Aja and I will lead the trolls and Akiridions in a full-frontal assault on Skrael’s ice Titan. We need to take him out first before we lose him in the Arctic Ocean. Krel, you should take Camelot and keep Bellroc busy until we can join you. Douxie, you and Claire go get Nari. If she has any information on how to take down the Titans, Claire can portal to us.” Jim took the amulet out of his pocket and gripped it tightly. “...It’s time to end this, once and for all.”

Thanks for reading! ✨

(Link to Chapter Five)