#i have to say i really respect the unspoken Request For Image that this ask holds AND IM BEING SERIOUS. NOT MAD AT ALL

[tallykale]

I like Bassy

i wish we got to see more of her before she went into a coma

[scenesniper]

May i request Eli nsfw headcanons (I really enjoy your work and also no pressure!!)

☆ eli clark ; general sfw & nsfw headcanons

pairing / eli clark x afab gn! reader

disclaimer / (brief) mention of clothed masturbation, biting, (brief) mention of jealousy

word count / 1,075 words

author's note / eli clark based on the identity v stageplay! thank you for enjoying my work and requesting. this is definitely the most tamest set of smut headcanons that i've ever wrote. i love gertrude but she won't be existing in this because i'm uncomfortable writing about cheating.

SFW

☆ eli clark, many would say, is an admirable, respectful man. he’s devoted and virtuous, righteous. he knows exactly when and how to break the ice in a dutiful manner and despite many suspecting his position of work to be all but naut, there’s something about him that anyone who has met him can tell of his genuinity.

☆ he’s practically perfect, an affable groomed man raised for success with that chiseled face of his. he was obviously very popular and liked by the women in his town.

☆ he’s very friendly to all the survivors the moment he stepped foot in the manor, nodding his head and adding any input in a respectful manner. despite appearances, that occupation of his makes you doubtful of him. whether its’ his cooperation that you’re hesitant on or his true nature, he seems awfully too faultless.

☆ to be frank, you can’t tell from eli’s behavior if he’s only being peculiar to you or if its’ just your imagination. he’d always find unspoken excuses for his hands to linger on yours, moving his head and giving you his utmost attention every time you join in on the conversation.

☆ but don’t think you’re overthinking it because you’re right. he admires you of your strong personality and your unfaltering resolve. he’ll always his eyes on you, his gaze hidden by his blindfold. despite being a social person, he doesn’t have a single idea on how to approach you. he’s always (subtly) flustered around you, hoping that his hood covers a waking blush appearing. he’s very thoughtful over his choice of words and is always giving you compliments on your appearance.

☆ of course, eli clark already had a vision before reaching the manor. a vision of you and him and truly, that was the final push for him for accepting the letter to the manor. despite being a man who seemingly has his entire self figured out, his aspirations are unwaveringly simple and feeble to anyone else that has accepted the letter of invitation.

☆ eli clark is a very subtle lover but everything about him is truly genuine. every act of love comes to him naturally, whether his hands on your shoulder or waist, you could just start dating and he treats you like as if you’re a married couple of many decades.

☆ eli is a very good kisser, it’s short and fleeting, almost as if you’re pressing your lips in a cloud from how smooth it is. every physical act with him, he’s always asking you beforehand if it’s okay to kiss you. not doing anything until you give him verbal permission.

NSFW

☆ if we are being literal in his visions of you, they’re more of flashing images and “memories” that aren’t quite yet present. he locks himself in his room, grinding his cock in his pillow to try to get off of from the friction. all he feels is guilt, relief, and pure pleasure. guilt of the way his visions showing him of you in that manner since you’re far from dating each other just yet. he knows that these visions ate coming much soon which terrifies him with both excitement and anxiety.

☆ he’s still fully clothed as he grinds himself to his pillow, his head hung by shame and imagining his hands are on your waist and thrusts in a desperate, pathetic way to get himself off. his visions are vivid and constantly flashing him views of your body. him deep inside you, your back practically arching and your bodies sticking together.

☆ getting to finally do the deed with him, he’s a virgin to be short. he’s never have sexual intimacy with anyone and has never really fantasized (nor his visions giving him extremely vivid visions) of sexual acts.

☆ but your very first time with him, he’s very clumsy. he knows this moment and memory all too well already by his visions and remembers that sinking shame and yet, he can’t stop his eagerness. you’re stripping him slowly off his layers of clothing and oh god, his gaze on you never wavering. he’s seen this moment over and over in his head but still, he doesn’t want to miss even the smallest of things.

☆ he’s a sensual lover in bed, your level of comfort being the highest of his priority. and in these enclosed spaces will he ever let his blindfold off. he’s intimate and wants to let you know by his actions that every act with you will be only with and for you. he’s an intense lover in an ambiguous way and he wants you to know that well. his pace is slow and dragging very long in you but he can’t help it. he loves to feel your bodies pressing with each other and the sounds of you and him intertwining.

☆ he loves to give you little kisses everywhere on your face, especially with your eyes closed or a simple forehead kiss. that little habit of his that he loves dearly also extends to your body. he loves to nibble and bite you near your crotch area and he absolutely loves to fondle your breasts, the center of his pointer finger pressing deep down the bud of your boobs.

☆ but don’t get me wrong, when he’s jealous, he becomes harsher. eli is not one to be jealous but when it comes to his partner, he’ll try to shrug it off when someone shows a complete interest in you. after all, he’s the person you decided to date he tells himself but as it bubbles up inside of him, he can’t stand it anymore. he wants to show you on how deeply he feels and loves for you.

☆ aftercare with eli is calming, him always starting a small conversation about you of an absolutely random topic. he’s always wiping you clean or starting a bath to help clean you off if wanted or presenting you a cup of water. he loves to be in bed with you after, his hands around you and facing your side as he whispers of all the things that he loves about you and his gratefulness.

[13uswntimagines]

Glad You Came (Julie x Reader)

Request: Julie x reader where reader is kind of the fuckgirl of the team. Reader knows that julie have feelings for her and like her attention. Julie thinks that reader plays with her feelings. But reader actually like julie and try to get her trust back. End with fluff please.

Author’s Note: Idk if this actually fits the prompt, but I just couldn’t get the image out of my head. I hope you all enjoy.

Jj had always been a sucker for a good Rom-Com. The ones where the good girl fell for the bad boy (with a good heart) and that bad boy stepped up to the plate and got his shit together for her. 

But alas, though you were the team’s resident bad girl, this wasn’t a rom-com and it appeared you had zero intention of making a dent in your precious reputation. At least that’s what she thought. 

You always did have a knack for proving people wrong. 

*****

The bouquet of roses was the first thing everyone noticed when they stepped into the locker room. It was an amazing surprise after such a rough practice. A not entirely unexpected, but still incredible surprise. 

JJ blushed as she approached her overflowing locker. This secret admirer stuff was getting a bit out of hand. 

“Why does Julie get roses, but none of the rest of us do?” Emily whined, settling down in front of her own bare cubby. 

Lindsey rolled her eyes. If JJ was going to keep getting gifts from a random person, she and the rest of the girls with significant others on the team were really going to have to step up their game. 

“You don’t like dead flowers Sonnett,” She called to the blond 3 lockers over. 

“Yeah, but it’s not fair if she gets them and the rest of us don’t,” Emily sighed dramatically, and the rest of the room giggled. 

“It's from her admirer,” Kelley chimed in, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. 

JJ’s blush deepened. She carefully reached out and grabbed the thornless Rose with a little tag on it, bringing the delicate petals to her nose before examining the little handwritten note. 

“Ooo, what’s the note say this time?” Kelley asked, as half the team crowded around the midfielder. 

Julie took a big deep breath before reading the black cursive words out loud. 

“I wanted to get you something as beautiful as you are, but couldn’t find anything that came close,”

“Awww,” the team cooed, some rubbing Julie’s back and others ruffling her hair as they made their way back to their respective areas. 

She ran her fingers over the little words, trying to imagine the face of the person who could have written them. The person who would go to such lengths to show their interest in her. But the gifts were always sweet and never creepy. 

The gifts ranged from coffee orders sent to her hotel room, to a signed Mia Hamm jersey that had shown up in her locker, but the thing that always remained was the smooth black cursive notes that accompanied them. 

She brushed the soft petals against her nose again. How she longed to know who thought so highly of her. 

“Who could get roses in here?” Sam snorted, pulling her boots off. 

“It’s gotta be a teammate. They show up literally everywhere we go,” Rose said thoughtfully, glancing around at all the women in the room, her eyes lingering on where you were grinning down at your phone. 

There was just something about your smile and the way you kept glancing up at a certain blond midfielder. 

“At least we know it’s not Y/n,” Emily cackled. 

You looked up at the group from your place across the room, where they all thought you were trying to ignore the commotion (probably in favor of texting a random girl for a hookup). 

You had the reputation of being the fuckgirl of the team. And you took pride in that. You liked when women gave you attention, and as long as everything was consensual, you didn’t see the harm in messing around. That didn’t mean you treated women like objects. Quite the opposite. You loved to woo them, to make them feel beautiful, and then move on to the next conquest. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“With a body count as high as yours, I doubt you’re capable of being this romantic,” Julie spat back, glaring at you. Your history with her was far from perfect, and she had found out about your reputation first hand. 

You smirked. If you couldn’t positively have her attention (the way you wanted but were too afraid to admit), then you would take the hostility any day. Angry Julie was still sexy after all. 

“How do you think I get them into my bed? Maybe I’m a secret mush at heart,” You asked, standing and approaching the woman. Your hands gently brushed over her shoulder and you began to lean in close to her. 

She brought her finger up to push against your nose, stopping you in your tracks. You tried and failed to cover your smile at the touch. 

“Yeah right,” She scoffed, shoving you back. 

Your smile widened, as you stepped back, your arms wide. “You never know till you try it, Jules,”

“Been there, done that. No thanks,” She shook her head and turned away from you. “At least I have enough class not to fuck anything with a pulse”

Rose tilted her head to the side at the brief look of sadness that crossed your features. Her eyebrows furrowed at the look, and how quickly it was gone. 

****

You picked at the tape around your wrist- a habit that started in middle school after an unfortunate event that required stitches and had become one of your many signatures within the team. The pressure around the area was calming now, and always put you in the right mode of a game.

It also gave you something to absentmindedly play with as you waited for the next set of drills on the bench (totally not checking out a certain blond when she wasn’t looking). 

“When are you going to tell her that you’re her admirer?” Rose said, settling down on the bench beside you. 

You shrugged. “First, I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”  You glanced up at the bling again, before blinking back to Rose’s raised eyebrow. 

You took a deep breath, finally managing to get a finger under the tape. 

“And second never. I’m defective remember? Completely incapable of love,” 

You repeated the words JJ had said to you that fateful night. The night you had ruined the best almost relationship you ever had. It wasn’t you exactly, just the fact that a woman was texting you while you were in bed with Julie. You weren’t going to respond, but the blond midfielder had caught sight of the screen before you could clear the notification. 

That was enough proof for her. She kicked you out and didn’t let you explain- there was nothing to say apparently. 

“That’s why you always send her flowers and notes, and other gooey stuff right?” Rose rolled her eyes. 

She had known you since the two of you were in diapers. She knew all about your hang-ups on relationships, but she also knew the secret romantic side. The sweet side that you didn’t show to everyone. Everyone except a blond midfielder (who was still very smitten with you, even if you didn’t want to believe it). 

“I-,” You paused, biting your lip, your eyes getting that faraway look Rose knew all too well. You shook your head. You had your shot and it had blown up in your face. “She doesn’t want me. It’s just easier this way,” 

“What, to hopelessly pine after someone? Or to completely avoid rejection all together?” Rose snorted. 

You shook your head again, finally looking rose in the eyes. “I hurt her Rose. She doesn’t want someone she can’t trust,” 

Rose softened at the admission and the unspoken “I’m not good enough” that went with it. You had always struggled with that, maybe that’s why you were such a lady killer. You so badly wanted to be enough, that you jumped at every opportunity. But it was different after you met JJ. 

“How many people have you slept with within the last 3 months?” Rose asked suddenly. 

And you blinked at her a few times, completely unsure of where your best friend was going with this. 

“What?”

Rose rolled her eyes. “If you can’t think of an exact number, ballpark it for me,”

You vehemently shook your head. You hadn’t met a hookup since that night, too hung up on JJ, and afraid that continuing would destroy any remaining chance you had with the woman. 

“I haven’t,” 

Rose snapped, patting your shoulder. “Exactly. You’re proving to her, the entire team really, that you can change. She’ll come around, especially if you’re honest with her and I don’t know, try to keep it in your pants for once,” 

The team had taken notice of your change, how you hadn’t engaged in hookups. Only a few of them knew the real reason behind your apparent abstinence. 

“You think?” You asked softly, and Rose sent you an indulgent smile. 

“Yeah, you just gotta grow a pair and tell her you’ve been her secret admirer for the last 6 months,” She finished with a cackle and you blushed. 

That was easier said than done. 

*****

Julie had never been this impressed in her entire life. Sure she had been to some amazing restaurants before, but nothing like the little place her admirer had chosen. She felt every bit of hesitance leave her as she stepped into the building. It was quaint and romantic with an amazing buzz in the air. 

She had found the handwritten note with the time and place on the floor outside her hotel room door, along with one of the cutest black dresses she had ever seen. It fit her perfectly, and she looked good if she did say so herself. 

She approached the hostess stand, and the man behind the counter smiled at her. “Good evening miss, how may we assist you?”

She smiled back at him. “Um, I have a reservation. It’s under Mystique,” she said, suppressing a grin at the name her admirer had chosen. 

The man’s smile widened as he reached into his suit jacket pocket, and retrieved a neatly folded letter. “Ah, yes. I have this for you,” 

JJ to the heavy paper in her hands, running her fingers over her name written in familiar black cursive reverently. Her admirer rarely ever wrote her name out. 

She very carefully unfolded the note, revealing more of her favorite handwriting. 

Julie,

First and foremost, I’m so glad you could make it. I know I’ve written this beforehand, but I must say I’m sure you look amazing. You always look amazing. It doesn’t matter if it’s during practice, or during one of our very chill team bonding nights. You never fail to take my breath away, but that’s not why it’s taken me so long to finally grow a pair and come clean. 

I know that you and I have history and that I’m not your ideal significant other, but I promise you’re not just another person to add to my long list. You make me feel things I’ve never really felt before, and that scares me. I don’t know how to do this, and I can’t promise I’ll be perfect, but I can promise that I’ll try my best. I will do everything I can to show you how much I love you, and to be someone worthy of your love in return. 

Now comes the hard part. If you want to give me the chance to show you that I’ve grown up and am ready for a serious relationship, just tell the matroids you would like to take a drink at the bar. or If you don’t want to see me, but want to eat, just tell him you’re ready for your table. Your meal will be paid for, and I’ll leave you alone. We can even pretend it never happened if you would prefer. Or if you want neither of those things, you can walk away. 

The choice is yours J. Ill respect whatever you choose, and no hard feelings either way.

Truly yours,

Y/n

Julie stared down at the letter, completely stunned, almost unable to believe that you could ever do anything this remotely romantic. A small part of her cheered as if she was waiting for you to finally step up. 

She didn’t hate you, contrary to popular belief. She just thought you were incredibly confusing. You would flaunt your reputation, but then you would be sweet and shy with her. In the end, your first try at a relationship didn’t work because she was tired of you jerking her around. But this was a side to you she had never seen. One that intrigued her to no end. 

“Have you made your decision ma’am?” The maitre d’ asked kindly, sliding up beside her. She blinked up from the neat handwriting towards the man (who looked like he wanted to say more). 

She nodded at the man. “I have. I’d like to have a drink at the bar please,” 

his smile was blinding as he gestured to the left with his arm. “Right this way,” 

*****

You carefully swirled your finger around the rim of your drink, staring listlessly into the amber liquid. You weren’t quite sure how long you had been sitting here, but with every passing second, you couldn’t help but think about how much of a terrible idea this was. 

She was never going to choose to come sit with you at the bar, and the longer you waited, the more pathetic you would look in the end. 

You almost felt bad for the staff. They were so excited to help, so enthusiastic about helping you get the girl of your dreams. You were sure you were going to disappoint them. 

“Fancy meeting you here stranger,” Her voice cut through your internal monologue. You lifted your head to meet her blue eyes, and the sight alone took your breath away. 

“JJ, you came,” You said breathlessly, standing to greet the woman. 

“I did,” She nodded, blushing when you took her hand and kissed the back of it before pulling out a chair for her. You sat down next to her, flagging down the bartender for the woman. 

“You look stunning,” You said softly, finally turning in her direction, and she caught the light shade of pink that tinted your cheeks. 

“So you’ve said,” Julie laughed, holding up the letter. The red in your cheeks spread up to your ears and down your neck as you ducked your head in embarrassment. 

“Megan may have helped me pick it out…” You mumbled, your fingers returning to your glass. 

Rose may or may not have gotten the entire team involved when she finally convinced you to make your move. While you were relieved to have help picking out the perfect outfit, you hadn’t enjoyed being made fun of for your “questionable” fashion sense. 

“Was she behind the other gifts too?” Julie asked, taking a sip of her drink with a raised eyebrow. 

You shook your head, rubbing the back of your neck. “No. Those were all me,” 

Julie smiled softly, reaching up to intertwine your fingers. She wasn’t used to seeing you so shy. It was kinda adorable. 

“Well, I loved them,” 

You nodded again, taking a big gulp of your drink, trying to calm your racing heart. “I’m really glad you came. I was afraid you would find out it was me and change your mind,”

“I’m glad I came too,” 

You smiled brilliantly at the woman. You hadn’t completely redeemed yourself yet, not like Zuko or Snape, but at least you were going to have the chance to try. You weren’t going to let her slip through your fingers again. 

[shysneeze]

Art Gallery Shenanigans (Remus Lupin x Fem!Reader)

Description: Remus takes the reader to an art gallery for their first date and is sufficiently flustered about it.

(from this request from @ribbons-in-your-hair hope i did it justice🥺)

Warnings: none that i can think of, some confrontation? Remus is nervous but it’s really just pure fluff

*middle image in header is painting mentioned later*

taglist: @pxroxide-prinxcesss​ @girl22334​, @amourtentiaa​ 

Remus has resorted to people watching in a bid to distract himself from the anxiety of waiting. It’s not that (Y/N) is particularly late, only a minute has ticked past their original meeting time and a logical part of him know she’s on her way, but a less logical and more nervous part of him can’t help but wonder if she’s decided last minute that he’s not her type.

He  busies himself with his surroundings, the contemplative muggle art students, the grumbling children too young to appreciate all of it and their parents ignoring them in the desperate attempt for some sophisticated ‘me time’. He stifles a laugh at the fearful look on the underpaid staff members’ faces as they watch a child go to touch a statue with his grubby fingers.

A minute later, the hurried echo of someone’s foot steps against the museum’s high ceilings approaching pulls him from his distraction. The sight of her jogging towards him pulls a relieved breath from his lips and brings on a grin.

“Sorry I’m late!” (Y/N) exhales. “I got a bit muddled with my directions - muggle London is complicated.”

He grimaces subtly to himself, blinking at her sheepishly.

“Perhaps I should have picked you and we could have travelled together.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She beams at him before adding, “I’m sure you can walk me back?”

Remus’ eyes brighten, something warming in his chest at the realisation she’s thought as far as beyond the date, has imagined it going well enough that she wants him to walk to her home, or at least to Diagon Alley where they can Floo home safely. He nods, possibly too enthusiastically, and her gives him a soft smile.

“Of course.”

“Great!”

They stand there for a second too long just staring at each other with ridiculous smiles. Then, something in the back of Remus mind (sounding distinctly like Sirius teasing him) forces him to clear his throat and look away with a slight blush.

“Should we go then?” He nods towards the various exhibits.

“Oh, yes, of course.” She nods, similarly flustered, “Lead the way, Mr Tour Guide.”

.

Moving from the foyer area towards the exhibits sees a change in atmosphere from the noisy entrance hall . A silence finds them that feels almost sacred, like to break it would break some unspoken art viewer rule that one mustn’t so much as breathe too loud, else distracting everyone else in the room.

He can feel the pamphlet, grabbed earlier from the information desk, is curled tightly in his hands, and he can’t help but fidget with it as they walk, worrying slightly that this silence does take away the point of a first date. He almost asks her as such.

“hey, is it weird we’re not talking?’

However, as they pace slowly through the exhibits, stopping momentarily to stare at the paintings, a smile finds his lips. (Y/N) doesn’t seem to mind at all, her eyes are wide with wonder as they stare up at the colours and stories each painting holds.

It doesn’t take him long to realise that, for the most part, he’s found himself looking to (Y/N) more than the art, watching her eyes scan each painting, smiling at the twinkle that finds her eyes. He’s pretty sure he’s not missing much though, nothing more deserving of his attention.

“They’re amazing.” (Y/N) exhales softly at one point, “It’s hard to believe some of them were painted so long ago.”

“Huh?” Remus blinks, blush rising to his cheeks when she turns to find his eyes. “Oh, yeah.”

She gives him a cheeky grin before turning to the painting again, and this time, Remus mimics her action to look at the painting for himself. He finds himself staring at it for a second rather contemplatively, part of an act perhaps now that he can feel (Y/N) staring at him from the corner of her eye.

“It looks a bit like the Hogwarts Express...” She whispers, “Don’t you think?”

“Yeah, actually,” Remus nods, eyes dropping to the small plaque underneath the painting’s frame, “Steam, Speed and Steel... J.M.W Turner.”

(Y/N) nods, rather intrigued by it now. Remus’ attempt to keep his eyes only on the painting are soiled by the small smile that is climbing the cheeks of the girl by his side, and he can’t help the warmth that floods his chest at the sight.

“I’m just thinking about the train to Hogwarts.” She explains in response to his curious eyes, not taking her own from the painting of the train crossing the viaduct, smothered in steam, “It’s where I first realised I had a crush on you, Remus.”

“You did?” He gulps.

“Yeah,” She chuckles breathlessly, “Last year... Your friends were late and you were sitting there alone and you were reading a book but you kept making these weird facial expressions,” She grins, “And I thought ‘ugh, this nerd... he’s just my bloody type’.”

He feigns a hurt look, but the grin climbing his cheeks gives him away. She turns now to meet his eyes with an embarrassed sort of smile and a shrug as if to say ‘what else can you do about it?’. He shakes his head in disbelief.

“I hope you know that today, you’ve been the biggest nerd in the room.” He bites a laugh. “Gushing about paintings and all that.”

“You’re the one who suggested an art gallery.” She laughs.

“Yes, but I think I’m lucky if I’ve looked at more than two paintings since I arrived.”

“Yeah?” She tilts her head dopily, “How come?”

“I’ve been watching you all day instead.”

Her resolve to seem smug cracks and her face softens completely,  moving to push him gently as a distraction from the flustered embarrassment taking hold of her expression.

“You sap.”

“You liked it though,” He nudges her shoulder with a chuckle, “Don’t lie.”

“Hmm.”

Their soft laughter fills the space between them, eyes once again held in each other’s gaze. Only once their gentle chuckles have subsided do they appear to realise how they’ve gravitated to one another, so close (Y/N) can hear his nervous gulp.

When his eyes dart sheepishly to her lips, she lets out a shaky breath, the products of a newly establish nervous tension between them. Then, making his eyes light up instantly, she nods.

A second later, her cheeks are cupped in his warm hands and their eyes are fluttering shut. Lips meet tentatively, filled with the same nervous energy as everything has been all day, then his lips press firmly to her own in a kiss so breath taking she finds her fingers curling around the lapels of his denim jacket to steady herself.

“Merlin...” (Y/N) mutters once they’ve pulled apart, “Where have you been hiding that?”

“Keeping it for someone special.” Remus shrugs.

“You spend far too much time with Sirius,” She shakes her head, grinning at him nonetheless.

He’s about to kiss her again, hands falling to her waist, when an impatient sound disrupts them, a woman behind them clearing her throat accusatorily with her hand planted firmly on her hips. Both Remus and (Y/N) are reminded of Madam Pince for a moment.

“Excuse me,” She begins with a frown, “This is an art gallery.”

Remus’ eyes blow wide at her tone and (Y/N) drops her face to his chest to muffle the newly forming laughter that threatens to barrel from her throat. The woman continues in a furious rant on respect and appropriate art gallery behaviour as Remus splutters out apologies in response.

“Yes Ma’am -- I’m so sorry I just couldn’t help--” He chokes, “Sorry, Ma’am it won’t happen again-- we’re just leaving-- Sorry.”

Remus’s fingers intertwine through (Y/N)’s as the woman rambles, nodding apologetically as he pulls them both from the exhibit, (Y/N)’s face burried in his side, her shoulders shaking with laughter as the woman’s complaints follow them from the room.

“Bloody Hell,” He gasps the minute they are free. “She could give Pince a run for her money- oi, stop laughing at my misery!”

(Y/N)’s head is flung back instantly with a cackled laugh, only spurred onwards by her accidental snort. Remus can’t help but join her, both of them soon bent in a fit of giggles that sees them receiving the same disapproving looks from the staff as the grubby fingered child from earlier.

“You looked petrified, Remus.” She manages through a laugh, “Merlin’s beard.”

“You just left me to deal with it myself.” He complains before another laugh bursts from his lips. “Merlin, please don’t tell the boys.”

“I’ve already planned out the reenactment,” She shrugs unapologetically, “It was too good.”

“Mean.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you next time.” (Y/N) assures him.

“Next time?” Remus perks up, “You mean the crazy old lady didn’t scare you off?”

“Merlin, no.” (Y/N) grins, “It was kind of adorable watching you stammer your way out of it.”

“I’m dating a sadist.” He jokes sarcastically.

She shoves his side with an eye roll and squeezes the hand still in her own. She gives him a look, the one he’s been watching all day, that twinkly eyed look of amazement, and he almost leans into kiss her again right there.

“Do you want to go for a coffee at Diagon Alley?” He asks expectantly, “Before we get kicked out of the museum once and for all?”

“I would love that, Remus.”

“Who knows, maybe I’ll get harrassed by someone else when I go to kiss you goodbye.” He jokes.

“Is that a promise at another one of those kisses?”

“Definitely.”

[dex-xe]

(And an ask requesting Captain + anyone Angst #5 - I lost all the asks by accident cause I’m an idiot!!)

Pat & the Captain Angst #5: “I don’t want to feel this. I want to be numb again.”

Pat & the Captain General #48: “I won’t hurt you.”

(I combined these three because I really felt they’d work well together. I didn’t wanna make the romance obvious but it’s definitely implied!! Anyway, thank you to you for sending these I really love this one!!)

Prompt list

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Pat had always felt fairly content with his tiny attic bedroom. Four walls barely metres apart, a sloped ceiling, and small window that gave him a rather pleasant view of the gardens of Button House. He’d chosen the room mere hours after his tragic and sudden death. One glance at the miniature single bed tucked into the corner was all he got before he was forced to dedicate his afterlife to those four walls, hoping his choice of attic room would place the least amount of burden on the apprehensive ghosts already haunting the other bedrooms. It had suited him just fine. Being a man of small stature, he wasn’t particularly bothered by the cramped nature of his quarters, always one to make do without complaining.

That was all until the past week, when the suffocating closeness of his bedroom became abundantly clear. A few nights prior, the Captain had entered Pat’s room following their nightly patrol. They’d been deep in discussion about the best way to build a shelter; so that if, in the unlikely event the deceased pair managed to get lost in the wilderness, they’d thrive and survive. The conversation wasn’t finished so Pat didn’t hesitate to invite the Captain in to sit and continue.

Very quickly, Pat had realised his mistake. He was hesitant to even call it a mistake but, as the discussion developed and continued, they had strayed, as ghosts often did, to reminiscing about their lives. Comfortable ground for Pat, slightly more treacherous for the Captain. It had started innocuous enough with the Captain regaling the odd story of woodland walks and the flora and fauna he had discovered.

But soon enough, Pat had watched the Captain begin to slacken both physically and mentally and his stories had become looser and more personal. He told tales of his overbearing father and doting mother, his more successful and respectable older brother, and his grandmother; his adoring grandmother who lived up on a hill and waited every day for her nervous little grandson to trek up to help her bake bread and plant flowers. Pat couldn’t lose the golden opportunity that had fallen straight into his lap.

The Captain had returned the following two nights and Pat had learned more about him in three days than in the previous seventy years, and he was determined to bring the Captain to a place he wasn’t even sure the soldier knew existed. Very strategically, the Captain had been avoiding bringing up anything that could potentially lead to his romantic life, he’d refused to indulge Pat in talking about Carol and had quickly shut down Pat’s amusing first date anecdotes.

It reached night four before Pat finally broached the subject, waiting for the perfect moment. The pair sat in comfortable silence, curled up and knees pressed together, in the window seat of Pat’s miniature bedroom gazing out over the shadowy gardens.

“The stars are rather bright this evening, no cloud cover, see?” The Captain muttered contemplating the inky black sky. “I wasn’t much of an astronomer in life, I can’t say I know very much about the cosmos but I can appreciate its beauty.”

“I don’t know much either,” Pat confessed, but he pointed up into the sky just to the Captain’s right. “But that one’s Ursa Major.”

“It is?”

“No idea, could be!” Pat chuckled. The Captain smiled softly at him and turned back to the view. “The best date I ever had was taking Carol stargazing.” “Mhmm,” the Captain shuffled awkwardly in his seat, but said nothing to drive Pat away. So he pressed on.

“We’d only been together a little while. We wrapped up in so many layers and went up Bromley Hill, I held her hand the whole way up, to keep her warm, you know? And we lay down and just talked and drank hot chocolate. It was so wonderful: that was the night I realised I was in love with her. Yeah, good night!”

“Sounds lovely,” the Captain mumbled. Silence fell between them as Pat waited patiently for the Captain to talk, a technique he’d picked up over the past nights: give the Captain a minute to think and he’ll be willing to share.

“When the soldiers were getting rowdy of an evening,” he began slowly. “I would take myself off. The banks of the lake have a rather wonderful view of the sky. I’d just lie there and wait until the early hours, when the men had disappeared for bed.”

“A regular occurrence?”

“Now and again,” the Captain said non-committed. “Occasionally, very occasionally. I wouldn’t be alone, friends would join.”

“Friends?”

“Friend.”

“This friend would keep you company?” Pat asked carefully, eliciting the smallest hum of agreement from the Captain. “It’s nice, isn’t it? To have someone to share a night with?”

“And what precisely do you mean by that, sir?” The Captain turned suddenly. Pat realised he’d stuck his foot in it - rookie mistake really. He sat staring back at the Captain in silence before deciding on a response: in for a penny. “Well, you and this... friend. You’re like myself and Carol. Someone you can talk to, relax with, and truly be yourself around.”

“And how do you gather that from me telling you of my friend?” The Captain interrogated.

“You wouldn’t let just anyone gaze with you,” Pat pushed his glasses further up his nose. “I know you, Cap. They must have meant a great deal to you to let them anywhere close to you.”

“Do not compare him to your wife, Patrick,” the Captain huffed and turned back to the window.

“Why not?” Pat pushed.

“You loved Carol,” the Captain said. “She was your wife, he was but a friend.”

“And?” Pat avoided the Captain’s glare pointedly.

“Completely different situation.”

“You know, Captain, I’m not entirely sure that’s true.” The Captain spluttered and raised his stick towards Pat. His eyes were wide and very, very afraid of wherever the conservation was going. Pat half thought he might get up and run from the room as, like a deer in the headlights, his fight or flight reflex was taking far too long to kick in.

“Now listen here!” He stuttered. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating about Havers but I shall not sit here and listen to you slander a good man. You did not know him, he was nothing like your beloved Carol.”

“I wasn’t saying anything about him,” Pat argued. “But he was ‘beloved’ to you, as you put it?”

“How dare you-,” the Captain started. “I don’t understand, what are you- I don’t understand? He was never... ‘beloved’. Not by me.”

“You cared for this Havers?” Pat waited before the Captain nodded slowly. “You cared what he thought, what he had to say?” Another nod. “You wanted to spend time around him, make him happy? He made you happy?”

“What is this is aid of?” “Your face would go red when you saw him, yeah? Hands would get sweaty? You wanted to be the very best version of yourself in front of him?” Pat locked eyes with the man opposite him, both deathly afraid of the unspoken words. “You found him... physically attractive?”

“Now, what are you-,”

“I hate to be the one to break it to you, Captain.” Pat said quietly. “But that sounds rather like what love is.”

“No, it isn’t. It wasn’t.” The four walls of Pat’s tiny bedroom closed in, suffocating the pair despite their  lack of need for breathing. “It wasn’t love.”

“Did you ever feel that stomach-flippy thing? When he walked into the room? Like you’re going to explode with emotion, or be sick, or perhaps both,” Pat asked. “Think about your other friends. Think about Robin. Does that happen when you see him? Or Mary? Kitty? Does that feeling happen?”

“No.”

“Now think of your Havers.”

Oh God. The Captain’s stomach fell over itself with the image of Havers’ dark eyes floating in front of him. His insides twisted and turned as he listened to Havers’ voice describing the intricate details of their weapon plans, the silky smooth tones of his voice flowing straight into the Captain leaving him shell shocked. How had he never noticed that feeling before, that horrifying swirling feeling. It made him feel both comfortingly warm and ridiculously sick at the same time, as if every illegal thought he’d ever had for Havers were about to burst out from inside him.

“It’s there, isn’t it?” Pat prompted. The fear in the Captain’s eyes told everything Pat needed to know, guilt overrode his body. “It’s okay, Cap! You’re okay.”

“I- I- is that?” He stammered. “It- love?”

“I shouldn’t have pushed you,” Pat conceded.

“No. No, it’s not love! What are you talking about?” The Captain was overcome with anger all of a sudden, frustration threatening to spill out. “He was, well. No, he was a ‘he’ to begin with. That’s not- that’s not how love works.”

“Love is love is love,” Pat told him. “You can fall in love with anyone. Legal now, Cap.”

“I- I’m sorry,” the Captain’s head was scrambled.

“Don’t you dare say sorry, mate. You’ve bugger all to be sorry about.”

“I really- I don’t want to feel this. I want to be numb again,” he stumbled over his words, avoiding Pat’s gaze and pointedly staring out of the window instead. “I can’t feel this-.”

“Feel it, please,” Pat grabbed the Captain’s wrist in a tight two-handed grip and locked him into place. “It’s not healthy to keep everything inside.”

“We’re dead, Patrick!” The Captain urged. “We have no need to feel, no health to maintain.”

“Up here,” Pat tapped the Captain’s head carefully, the cold tip of his finger brushing through the thin grey hairs at his temple sending a small shiver through the Captain’s spine. “Healthy, up here. You need to take better care of yourself. It’s like a dam, holding back gallons of water simply increasing the pressure inside. Let a little emotion spill over once in a while, keeps your head on right.”

“Water will not spill, Patrick, it will flood. And then where will we be left: vulnerable to enemy attack, that’s where.”

“There’s no enemy,” the Captain moved to interrupt. “No, no enemy. Just allies. Let me in, just for a little while.”

“I can’t-,” he stopped, a single tear tracking its way down his cheek, burning hot onto his skin. “I wouldn’t know where to start.” Pat finally released his tense grip on the Captain and opened his arms, nodding to give the Captain silent permission.

“I won’t hurt you,” Pat whispered, brushing his hand over the scratchy khaki uniform at the Captain’s shoulder. “You don’t have to be the big, brave Captain you always try to be, not in front of me. Just for a moment, let go.”

After only a moment’s hesitation, the Captain dove forward head butting Pat in the chest, pushing him back against the window frame and practically folding himself in half to curl into the open arms. Seventy years of denied feeling poured out of the Captain to pool in their laps, warming their lonely ghostly forms. Pat dropped his legs to either side of the Captain, allowing him to curl closer and lie steadfast against his shoulder taking as much affection as he could having suppressed anything he wanted for years.

“Thank you for talking to me,” Pat whispered. “It’s a big thing to come to terms with, a big, big thing. But a good thing, yes? It’s good that you cared for him, good you felt a way you didn’t know you had. It’s all very, very good and very, very okay. And it’s for you to know and me to hopefully find out a little bit more about, okay? No one else need know.” He paused, his calloused hand finding the Captain’s in the darkness. “You can talk to me, Captain. Whatever you want to say, whenever, and I’ll listen. Hey, I’ll listen to you rant and rave about the shades of brown in his eyes for hours if it means you can start feeling again. Is that okay?” The Captain nodded vigorously, unable to trust himself to produce words.

Pat’s tiny bedroom no longer felt quite so suffocating to either man, nor did it feel like the dingy attic, barely tall enough to stand straight, that it had before. Instead it was a sanctuary to whispered secrets and profound confessions of adoration, four beige walls protecting the Captain in a way his emotional barriers had never quite been sufficient at. He tilted back to glance up at Pat, who smiled softly down at him running a hand over the Captain’s back and leaning to rest his chin among grey hair. The gentle look in Pat’s blazing blue eyes causing the Captain’s stomach to give off a familiarly warm flipping sensation.

[wallwriterstuff]

Dear Sister Part 1 ||Alec Volturi x Female Reader||

A request from @tiger-khans-blog

Part 2 can be found here

Request: Hey there I am really amused by your style of writing stories.Can I ask you another request for Alec Volturi? The thing is Demetri's younger younger Sister the reader fled from her family.As they had the tradition to get the girls married in a early age.And the reader is a Creator gifted Vampire.The Volturi gets to her.She is asked to join them.She recognizes Demetri immediately.She goes and hugs him.Demetri recognizes her.And she finds out that Alec and her mate bond.That's why she decides to torment Alec.So that he doesn't want her.But everything goes opposite.Alec falls for her head to heels.Then her Casanova image gets revealed that she is no less than her brother. Alec tries to convince her to give him a chance.Then Alec tries all the ways to make her fall in love with him too. Then she lastly agrees.Demetri gets against of this relationship.Then he tries to make them separated.But he becomes unsuccessful. As Jane is his mate.

Jane and Alec are aged up in this fic to 18.

Words: 4593 Warnings: Some swearing, sexual references, angst 

The report had come from a nomad they had spared in South Africa once and Aro had immediately been intrigued. Alec couldn’t deny he was curious (for he was always curious about a great many things and Aro had given him the time to explore them all to his heart’s desire) and he had found himself in quiet contemplation ever since their mission had been revealed. He had never heard of or read about a gift quite like hers, nothing in history had even come close to it.

“You are quieter than usual brother.” Jane broke the silence between them as she artfully finished dragging the pen across her eyelid, surrounding crimson red orbs with black ink. Alec glanced back at her from his place on the windowsill. In truth he had been ready before his sister even set foot in his room, and he knew full well she had only come because she wanted to know what was going on inside his head. She didn’t share his curiosity about the world but she was always intrigued by his inner-most thoughts.

“There are few people in the world who we haven’t been able to take on, but I wonder if this one might be too much.” He confessed finally, his brows furrowing. Jane sniffed, colouring in the sharp flick at the edge of her eye.

“Too much for us? You forget our reputation brother.” She blinked a few times, turning her head side to side before flashing her reflection a wan smile. The little liquid pen clattered into the silver case she kept her makeup in and she reached for a scrunchie next to tie her hair back with.

“I’m well aware of our reputation, I helped create it after all, but we’ve never faced anyone like her.” he persisted, his frown deepening. The nomad was a skittish little bugger and hadn’t really spent all that long talking, too busy stuttering over his sentences with his eager to please attitude, so only Aro had seen through his eyes to experience what he had seen. He had been excited by the nomad’s thoughts, almost jumping up and down with pure joy and wonder. A creator of things is how he had described her, and Alec had been left plagued with questions ever since. Creator of things? What sorts of things? Did she craft elements? Weather? Actual objects? What about people? Could she create people? What were the limits of such a gift? More importantly, who was she?

Gifts were based on human traits, ones felt so strongly that to amplify them was to make them physical. For her gift to be so unique, so powerful…

“Alec!” Jane drew his attention away from the landscape beyond his window once more. Her expression was stony.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He warned.

“Get your head in the game then.” Jane said firmly. Alec hadn’t even noticed Demetri enter his room but he spotted the tracker’s raised eyebrows now. He refused to say anything, feeling the familiar bitterness sink into his chest as Jane turned to Demetri, letting him wrap her cloak around her shoulders with a flourish. He fastened it with a smile, staring down at her adoringly before his lips met her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally –

“If you’re done defiling my sister in front of me.” Alec scowled. He still wasn’t used to their relationship. It had to have been the slowest burn romance in history. Jane had hated Demetri and Demetri had shown no interest in her, and then suddenly they were all over each other and the pair needed one another like fire needed oxygen. Alec wasn’t sure where it had come from, but he knew he sure as hell didn’t like it.

“I have not even gotten to the defiling part, but if you would like to witness what it really means to defile someone I suggest turning off your laptop and coming to our room later.” Demetri grinned. Alec’s growl was deadly, but Jane had already shot her mate a warning look that made his smile turn sheepish. Alec didn’t give him a chance to apologize.

“Let’s just go. You’re still useful to me right now, keep it that way.” The unspoken threat lingered between them as Demetri curled his fingers around Jane’s, head bobbing in a nod and his smile vanishing as he reached for the catalogue of tenors in his repertoire, searching for the right one to grasp and follow.

“Play nicely you pair, I will not be mediating again, do I make myself clear?” Jane scolded. Alec felt the disadvantage he was at, it was visible by the way she had twisted her fingers through Demetri’s, stuck to his side like a barnacle to the underside of a ship. He tried not to sneer when he agreed but the pout on his face said it all.

“I have her, let’s grab Felix and go.” Demetri said, his voice somewhat robotic with the intensity of his focus. Alec’s eyes lingered on the way his fingers briefly squeezed Jane’s before their palms split, hands dropping back to their respective sides. It had taken a long time for Alec to admit the bitterness he felt stemmed less from the fact it was Demetri that his sister had ended up mated to, and more because if he was brutally honest, Alec was actually a little envious Jane had found someone other than him. He remained quiet though, and had resolved that Jane would never find out about that; nobody with eyes would ever deny the twins loved one another deeply, but the kind of love and intimacy a mate provided was far different from the sort of familial love they shared.

That was a gap Jane could not full.

On edge as he was Alec remained utterly silent as he ran behind the couple, his expression set in a deep frown and ears ignorant to Felix’s usual round of teasing. Jane didn’t try to engage him in conversation either, recognising his silence as a desire to remain locked in his head for a little while – when it became unhealthy she’d intervene but for now she left him with his thoughts. He almost slammed into her when Demetri suddenly came to a halt, head twisting North-West.

“What the hell?” he demanded, hands on Jane’s shoulders as both a sign of apology and to keep his momentum from ploughing her down. Demetri looked befuddled, squinting at the horizon.

“The tenor I was following just…changed location.” He answered.

“Changed location? Are you sure you’re not losing your edge?” Felix chuckled. Demetri was usually the one that would jump on the band wagon when a round of teasing began, but the quickest way to frustrate him was to question his abilities. When he rounded on his best friend Felix immediately held both hands up with his usual shit-eating grin.

“Demetri. Talk to us.” Jane requested calmly. Her hand on his shoulder made the muscles unfurl, and though he remained tense he wasn’t ready to spring anymore.

“I do not honestly know what to tell you,” he admitted, “I was following the tenor, I held it as firmly as you hold my arm now and it just…dropped. It completely disappeared for the briefest moment, and when it returned it was in the complete opposite direction.” He looked incredibly troubled by the whole affair and Jane rubbed his shoulder soothingly.

“Then we follow it in the new direction. You are the best we have Demetri, we trust you to be right.” She assured him. Alec’s nose wrinkled, his brain immediately throwing up more questions than he could answer. It wasn’t like Demetri to just lose a tenor, his gift was far too potent for that and once he had grasped the tenor he wanted to follow, he held onto it with the tenacity of a bulldog to a fresh cut steak. What could move so quickly it would confuse even Demetri? There was no way it was physically possibly to move that fast, not to switch directions so drastically and change locations so smoothly. So how had she managed to move so fast? Was it possible –

“No!” Demetri snarled, his leg extended to take a step before his head snapped in the opposite direction once more.

“It moved again?” Felix asked, surprised now and far more alert than he had been previously. Alec’s upper lip curled, his shoulders bunching with tension and distress. He didn’t like this. It felt like he was being circled, something sinister closing in.

“How!” Demetri snapped. Felix had unclasped his hands, his eyes flitting about as if he anticipated a fight. A branch snapped from behind him  and Alec whirled with a growl, only to watch an innocent little deer startle and skitter away.

“How do we find her if you can’t track her?” Felix wondered aloud.

“I don’t know.” Demetri ground out. His teeth were clenched, jaw working as he fought to keep a hold of the tenor and pinpoint it once more. Alec didn’t imagine it would happen anytime soon. Someone who could move that fast was never going to be found unless they wanted to be, and given how she was hopping about right as they started to track her Alec guessed that the point was she really didn’t want to be found right now.

“Demetrius!” the sudden shout was accompanied by a gust of wind that ruffled Alec’s cloak. He whirled quickly on the balls of his feet, slipping into a half crouch with a stony expression. His nostrils flared, a shockwave rippling down his spine. She was beautiful. There was a shimmer of gold in that chestnut brown hair, the curls perfect and hanging just so just below her shoulders. Her face was defined by high cheekbones living in the shadow of thick, full lashes. Her lips were equally as plump and an errant thought about how they might taste passed through his mind unbidden.

Focus!

“Pain.” Jane hissed. Three things happened simultaneously then. One, Alec’s stomach dropped without explanation or cause. Second, the girl raised her eyebrows in disbelief, her expression a tad sarcastic as those perfectly plump lips pushed out in a pout. Third, Jane’s furious face melted into a look of tortured agony before she crumpled to the ground knees first. His head snapped back and forth between the girl and his sister, complete shock setting in. It was like she had somehow absorbed Jane’s power and reflected it back at her, the delay was too long for it to be a basic mirror gift so how had she done that?

“Enough!” Demetri snarled, lunging for her. Alec could feel the fury rolling off of him in waves and he couldn’t reach him in time to hold him back. In truth he doubted he could,  the unparalleled rage that was felt by those whose mates were endangered wasn’t something to stand in the way of, nor was it something easy to abate.

Demetri ran straight through her and crashed to the floor the other side.

“Felix don’t!” Alec barked, his eyes calculating as the ear-shattering sound of Jane’s screams died away. The forest clearing was left eerily quiet, only the low rumbling of Demetri’s growling reverberated through the air now. She sighed, a soft exhale of air that seemed to deflate her entire form as she turned to look at him.

“Really Demetrius? I had hoped you would recognise me.” She confessed, her voice somewhat apathetic despite the way her brows had furrowed that betrayed how deeply conflicted the knowledge made her feel. Her voice was musical to his ears, enough to daze him slightly and Alec desperately fought through the sudden, confusing, onslaught of emotion. Demetri had faltered now, his full name had been agitating enough but the implication he should know her was just downright unsettling to them all. There weren’t many left alive who knew them from their earliest days, and the fact Demetri seemed to struggle to know her was only more proof to Alec that this girl was not only dangerously powerful. but old enough to know how to use that power in the most effective way.

Demetri edged his way around the new threat while Felix quietly circled from behind. Alec shook his head at the giant, knowing deep down it would do no good. The girl would have to be adequately distracted if they were going to take her down. Jane was on her feet again and Demetri quickly pushed her behind his own body once he was close enough, his eyes narrowed.

“You might wear her face, but I cannot believe you are her.” he hissed. Alec had never seen Demetri look like he did right then. The tracker was confident, suave, charming even if the sheer number of partners he’d managed to tempt his way before he’d settled with Jane was anything to go by. Alec had seen him furious, elated, even upset once or twice, but he’d never seen him tortured, not like this. Demetri was watching her like he’d seen a ghost, like he wasn’t sure if she might attack him or if she’d disintegrate – and he didn’t know which would be worse.

“You were never the one lacking faith when we were small,” She remarked dryly. Vibrantly crimson red eyes flashed with indignation, a full pink lip curled back in a smirk that was more of a sneer. Alec wanted to look at Demetri, see his reaction, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her twisted expression. Her pain was almost tangible, like he had internalised it to. He didn’t like that expression on her face at all and he didn’t really understand why before the wind changed direction. Mint. Fresh mint and sunshine on warm sand. His eyes widened slightly. They were his favourite scents, two of his favourite scents blended and combined into one perfect smell that was caught in his nose and ensnared every fibre of his being. Only one person in the world was meant to smell that way to him. He had heard Jane and Chelsea and so many others tell him as much.

“Y/N.” Demetri breathed. Alec could only watch, warring with himself as Demetri moved to embrace her, the shock he felt evident on his face. Jane was quietly seething beside him, watching her mate embrace another woman, but Alec finally felt the last puzzle piece slip into place when Demetri turned with her tucked under his arm. The shine to chestnut brown hair, the high cheekbones, the full, dark lashes, the very structure of their faces…it was all too similar to be a coincidence.

“You’re related.” He said. Demetri nodded, looking overwhelmed with emotion as he stared down at the girl tucked beneath his arm.

“I thought her dead, I tracked you to a dock and could go no further. You were just gone.” He said. She scoffed slightly.

“Would you have had me stay? Marry that disgusting oaf thrice my age? He was said to have beaten all the whores in the brothel,” She turned her gaze to the floor, “No matter how much I love you brother you were not making the right choice for me. I had to look after myself.” Demetri looked pained by her admission while Alec’s mind reeled.

“So the only feasible thing to do was run away? You didn’t even try to talk to me or mother!” Demetri argued.

“For what purpose! My job was to be worthy of the dowry paid for me and mother made it abundantly clear I could not even do that right given her choice of suitor for me!”

“Mother loved you! I loved you! I still do! I have grieved your loss every day of this life.”

Alec’s brain had finally switched off by then. Only Jane seemed to notice his obvious distraction but there was little time to comment on it between meeting her mate’s sister and having to convince her not to run from them anymore. Through the daze he was in Alec understood that if she ran now, disappeared as suddenly as she had appeared, then she would be missing from both of their lives forever.

“Stay. You have to stay.” He blurted. Multiple heads snapped his way, furrowed brows and confused expressions surrounding him. Her face twisted into an amused expression.

“Oh do I, pretty boy?” she questioned. Alec ignored the way his stomach fluttered at the strange pet name, swallowing hard as he tried to organise his scrambled thoughts. How was he supposed to explain the complexity of what he was thinking, what he was feeling, when he barely knew himself?

“You do.” Alec pushed, his voice firm. His words were falling from his mouth before he even consciously thought of them. Her amused expression never faltered as he fought to regain some control of himself. The embarrassment of being caught unawares had him scowling, chest puffing as a desperate need to defend his authority broke free of the maelstrom he was feeling.

“I don’t think-“

“It’s pointless you thinking at all. If we return without you there will be no corner of this Earth you may settle in. Demetri will be forced to hunt you for the rest of your immortal life, so, to make it easier on both of you, you’re best coming with us now.” Alec kept his voice firm even though he felt the flutter of nerves in his gut. What if she said no? He’d never know his mate if she left now, and Y/N was so worth getting to know. It had been so many centuries since Jane was as happy and calm as she was, and the very same thing was at his fingertips, just an arms-length away, waiting for him to reach out and grab it.

“And you think he would find me?” she asked. The question hung in the air, the growing tension palpable almost. Once her eyes locked with his he couldn’t look away, time became non-existant and his companions faded in favour of leaving a single face, just one, that his whole world centred around. He pushed back, desperate to stop whatever was trying to pull him towards her so he could gain some clarity. The more distance, the easier it was to think. Alec didn’t blink, he had no need to, so he saw every little moment as she disappeared in a wisp of red smoke and reappeared just as fast in front of him. He was immediately overpowered by her scent, by her voice, by everything she was and everything they had the potential to be.

“Please.” He said, quieter this time. He really wasn’t sure he’d survive if she left. Y/N’s head tilted, her smirk dropping the slightest bit for a fraction of a second as she leaned closer to him. Just like that, it returned, and her lips were diverted from their heart stopping path towards his mouth towards his cheek instead.

“Since you asked so nicely, take me back to your house pretty boy.”

Alec did.

Y/N was immediately given a black cloak, a cloak she at first refused before Demetri took her aside and they had a long discussion that had ended with her walking back in to accept her place amongst them. Alec had watched her from afar ever since. Inevitably Demetri had reconnected with his sister, and he watched as the man teased her mercilessly in between reminiscing about their shared history. He watched her craft gifts he’d never even considered in his long history of living and was left awed each time he saw one. She moved fluidly and with grace, quickly picking up the fighting techniques Felix taught her and decimating their enemies like a one-woman army. He fell in love with every little thing about her from afar. He adored the way she had a comeback for every occasion and the little smirk she quirked upward just for him when they passed in the corridor. He was besotted with the way her melodic voice always sang a nickname only he was given.

He had found her in the library once, curled up with an old looking book he knew wasn’t from their library – because Alec knew every book in their library cover to cover – in her hands. He’d been surprised at how mellow and calm she was that day, how she’d greeted him with a smile that was devoid of anything false, genuinely and calmly content for perhaps the first time since they’d met. There were a myriad of other little things he found out once they began to read together to, things that only made him fall in love with her a little bit more. She wrinkled her nose before a storm, always able to smell the rain in the air before anyone else ever did. She hummed in the shower, old folk songs Alec didn’t know but was quickly learning the tune to. Her every movement was like dancing because she had once trained as a way to pass the decades. Whenever she stepped into the sun, she lifted her face to its rays for just a moment to soak in their warmth.

“Earth to Alec.” Felix waved a hand in front of his face and Alec was quick to snatch it from the air. He quickly shifted his body, flipping Felix over his shoulder with a growl that voiced his displeasure. Felix laughed, loud and long with a gleam in his eye that told Alec just how much he was enjoying this. The giant pulled him down with him in the blink of an eye, rolling him beneath him and pressing his knee tight into the inner side of his thigh to keep him pinned.

“Bastard.” Alec snarled.

“If your eyes weren’t on Y/N you might have seen it coming.” He teased. Alec was fuelled by sheer embarrassment at that, lifting his free leg and kicking Felix back with such force he dented the wall opposite him.

“Keep your mouth shut!” he warned. Felix hissed, pulling himself free of crumbling bits of marble and brushing the dust from his clothes.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” he asked in amazement, “It’s clear as day you love the woman Alec so stop pining after her with your eyes and just ask Y/N out already! Take your frustration out by pounding her, not me!” Alec let loose another warning growl, but it was stopped dead by the familiar, refined tone of Demetri. His head whipped to the left, finding the tracker stood tall in the doorway. His expression was devoid of any emotion.

“Surely that’s a sick joke.” He said finally. Alec blinked, somewhat astonished at the venom behind Demetri’s voice.

“Excuse me?” he asked. Demetri scowled, lip curling back above his teeth.

“My sister is off limits.” He hissed, fists clenching at his sides. Felix very smartly moved out of their way.

“Then so is mine!” Alec snapped.

“We’re mates! You cannot fight fate!” Demetri argued, “A puppy crush is something else. Find somewhere else to place your affections, Alec.”

“Maybe fate wants me to put them right in your sister.” He sneered, tired of his attitude and feeling a righteous kind of fury burn through him. Demetri was already starting to growl at him, slowly lowering his centre as he prepared to strike. Alec didn’t give him the chance, the mist pouring from his palms as they trembled near his sides. Demetri dropped like a stone, Felix soon following when he went to stop the younger boy.

“Enough Alec!” Felix shouted.

“Yes, I have had enough! I have had enough of all of your filthy jokes hinting at the ways you repeatedly defile my sister! I have had enough of having to pretend I’m okay with watching your sickening displays of affection with my twin! I knew it from the moment I met her that Y/N was made for me, her scent is my favourite smell and nobody appreciates the little things about her the way I do. Your sister is very much my mate and if I cannot keep you from Jane, you will not be keeping Y/N from me!” he promised, voice strong and echoing off of the marble walls of the training room. It took him a second to remember just who was in it.

Y/n stared back at him with an open-mouth, completely shocked it seemed by his admission. His anger was swept away in a flurry of horror, horror that quickly faded to disappointment as Santiago stepped forward with a look of disgust on his face.

“You’ve been sharing my bed knowing Alec is your mate?” he demanded. Her head snapped back and forth between them so quickly it was at risk of snapping right off. Alec could see the panic in her eyes as another lower guard member stepped forward.

“You replaced me with Santiago? My gift almost guarantees me permanent status here, why would you downgrade?”

“Watch your mouth!” Santiago snarled. Y/N looked back at him as Alec felt his heart freeze over, a deep, raw kind of ache starting up in his chest. She’d slept with Santiago and that random guy who wasn’t even worthy of having his name remembered? Had she not felt it the day they met the way he had? No…no, they’d read together at least once a week for the past five months she’d been here! He’d seen her drop her guard the first day they had met, he was sure she had felt it, so why would she find the company of the other guard members more preferable to his?

“Just how many of the other guard members have you slept with?” Demetri demanded, looking equally as horrified. Alec was sure that was more to do with her choice of partner than anything else. A horrible numbness began to set in. Did she truly not care for him? Alec would have died for her, hell, he’d have ripped off an arm if she asked it of him, such was the depths of his devotion to her.

“Alec I-“

“Goodbye.” The single word shredded his throat like he’d pushed a ball of thorns up through it, but that pain was nothing compared to the distinct throbbing in his chest. His mate didn’t care, that much was obvious. He left the argument fading behind him, walking with tunnel vision towards his room.

His mate didn’t care. And it tore him apart.

[kl4us4]

myopic (kylo ren x fem!reader) 

Request: Hello! I would like to request a Kylo Ren x Reader where the reader gets a little jealous about the force bond between him and Rey that she reaches out to Hux for comfort. And that in turn causes Ren to get pissed at Hux, but the reader calms him down? Thanks much!

general masterlist

star wars masterlist

You really didn’t mean to pry. That’s the last thing you wanted to do... or maybe that’s just what you’ve convinced yourself. No, no... you’re not the sneaky type. At least not with relationships... or whatever the hell this is. Your job is different, sure you’ve raided a few smuggling operations and you’ve infiltrated Rebel bases but you’d never question Kylo’s loyalty to you. 

Surely there’s nothing to question, right?

With your heart beating rapidly in your chest, you walk away from Kylo’s quarters and you pretend that what you just saw doesn’t affect you. Kylo was seated, his ungloved hand stretched out before him. And sitting there, eyes wide and fond as she reached for his hand, was Rey. No one noticed you walk in, so just as quickly and quietly as you had entered the scene, you left it.

You shake away the image. You shake away the jealousy that rises in the pit of your stomach. But it’s never fully gone. Why did you have to go into his room? You knew he was busy. Maybe you wanted to see it for yourself... You know that Rey and Kylo have a bond, this unspoken connected through the force; did a part of you want to get hurt by what you saw? Sure, that would make it easier to move on from Kylo but on the other hand, you didn’t want to move on. You care for Kylo, you always have and you always will. The only question is: does he still care for you?

“General Y/N.” The greeting snaps you from your thoughts and you snap your head to glance at the red-headed man, Hux. He looks out into open space, his eyes gazing over the stars with a fierce intensity.

“General Hux,” you look out the window of the ship too, staring absentmindedly ahead. Your eyes are drained and you look preoccupied with other things, Hux notices. “Any word on the Resistance’s movement?”

“None,” he responds, hands clasped behind his back, “Y/L/N, with all due respect... you seem...” he fumbles for words, furrowing his eyebrow slightly.

Turning to him, you raise an eyebrow, “Yes, Hux?”

“Worried.” He finishes, struggling with the intimacy of asking you a genuine question about your wellbeing. This kind of talk is scarce in the First Order, no one has true connections unless you fight on the battlefield with one another like the soldiers do. You and Hux do not do that, though, which makes this quite awkward.

“My worries are none of your concern.” You tell him, crossing your arms as you listen to the steady beeping of machinery as officers maintain eyes on the Resistance Base.

Hux holds back a sigh, “It is when it affects your work.”

“How is my work affected?”

“You’re not stationed here today, Y/N.” Hux admits, giving you an awkward look when you turn to him in confusion, “You’re sanctioned to oversee Captain Phasma’s trooper evaluations. Don’t you recall?”

Looking down to the ground, you curse yourself. Fucking Kylo Ren and that stupid force bond. It’s all you can think about. “Right,” you mumble, your voice low and distressed, “My apologies-”

Before you can leave the deck, Hux subtly presses a hand against your arm. He quickly removes it when you turn and glare at him, “General, what is troubling your mind?” Hux asks, his eyes seem to be concerned and you wish you weren’t so close to giving in to his calm and caring tone.

You swallow roughly, hands clenched at your sides, “It seems our Commander has grown quite close to the scavenger girl from Jakku.”

“Rey.”

“Yes, Rey,” you stand still, staring at some distant star, “I fear he’s become myopic.”

Hux lets out a hum, thinking over your words, “Kylo Ren has always been a myopic man, always focusing on one thing or the other. That has never been an issue for you.” He states, giving you a look as he awaits your response, “Could the issue be that his focus no longer remains on... you?”

“Who are you to tell me how I feel?” Sharply turning to Hux, you furrow your eyebrows, “Are you insinuating that I’m... jealous of Rey?”

The General shrugs, his red lips frozen in a small pout before he responds, “You tell me, General. It is known that you and the Commander are close, though I cannot comprehend why. Thus, I’m just saying... it must hurt.”

“Hurt?” You clench your teeth even more now, swallowing the lump in your throat. You’ve always pushed down these feelings but now, in front of Hux, who listens to you and tries to understand how you’re feeling, who is kind and sympathetic, you feel like you could just cry. “It does.” You whisper back to him, looking down at the ground.

Hux’s hand is once again on your arm, and he gently squeezes your arm. He parts his lips to speak before - “General Hux, General Y/L/N.” The modulated voice separates the two of you and you both look up to see the Commander standing behind you, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing, Commander,” Hux speaks up, his hands now clasped tightly behind his back again, “No transmissions or any movement from the Resistance Base.”

“Don’t act like a fool, you know I’m referring to the two of you,” Kylo growls back, his voice low, “Since when do I allow you to lay a hand on Y/N?”

“Since when do you control who lays a hand on me?” You snap back, staring up at the angry man. He acts as though you hadn’t said anything at all, Kylo just keeps his gaze on Hux.

Hux stammers, eyes glancing at you and then to the dark mask, “Well, never, Sir. I was just-”

“Just being a fool.” Kylo interrupts him, leaning down slightly to cower over Hux, “I’m starting to believe it is part of your personality. And you?” Ren turns to you finally. 

“We were having a discussion.” You reply, your face stoic and deadpanned. Looking around, you see that most officers have turned their attention away from the Commander and General Hux, in case Kylo takes his anger out on one of them.

“Is that all you have to say for yourself?”

“Yes.” You answer back, as bratty as Kylo’s tone is, “Nothing has transpired here. General Hux was simply assuring that I was fit to complete my tasks for the day. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Glancing at Hux, then to your arm where his hand was once placed, Kylo speaks up, “Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”

“Somehow, your lack of belief is not my problem, Commander Ren.” Silence follows your comment and part of you wishes you and Kylo weren’t having this unprofessional spat in the middle of a workday filled with First Order Generals and Officers. But alas, here you are. Feeling exhausted and regretful, you hang your head as you stare at the ground, “excuse me.”

The heavy footsteps that follow you make your stomach sink, you just want to be away from it all right now. Turning back, you see Kylo following closely behind you. “Where are you going?” He asks, removing his helmet and tucking it under his arm as he tries to match your speed.

“My room.”

“What?” He asks, his voice is confused and apprehensive, “You haven’t slept there in ages, why would you need to go back?”

Two swift turns as you both speak and you’re at the door to the dormitory quarters, “To be alone.”

“Okay. In what world do you get to be mad at me?”

Stopping, you snap towards Kylo. “Are you serious?” You glare at him, narrowing your eyes slightly, “You embarrassed me. You embarrassed yourself.”

“You embarrassed me! How do you think it looks when the Commanders... whatever we are, gets friendly with another man?” Kylo frows right back at you, staring at you the entire time, “I saw you two, you were... acting close.”

“Yeah?” You turn to him, staring up at his tired eyes and the bags under them, “You want to know what I saw today? You and Rey, acting close.” You state, using his words against him, 

“Is that... Is that what you and Hux were talking about?” Kylo furrows his eyebrows, staring down at you with a confused expression, “I didn’t realise you two... talked... about... me.”

You cross your arms, punching in the code to get into your private dormitory, “You know I wouldn’t usually care about who you’re around,” You begin, both of you know it’s true since Kylo had personally chosen Phasma to be Captain and that comes with one on one meetings every month, “It wouldn’t be such a problem if it didn’t feel like you were shutting me out. Kylo, why are you shutting me out?”

"Y/N, I’m not trying to,” Kylo exclaims, his voice frustrated but understanding, “I have this connection with Rey. It’s through the force... it’s like our minds are bridged somehow. And I had this vision, not so long ago, that she will turn. She‘ll join our side. That’s how we win the war.”

You see the determination in his expression, “You really believe that?”

“I do,” he nods a single time, looking down at you with a subtle smile, “I apologise for being distant lately. With everything that has occurred... I find it hard to... not concentrate but, think clearly?” He takes a breath, reaching out to hold one of your hands, “I never want you to think you’re not important to me.”

“But I’m not.” You shrug, smiling up at him. “I offer you nothing anymore,” You speak over Kylo as he begs you to stop, he can’t handle when you speak about yourself like this, “I’ve grown weak and useless, and-”

“Stop!” He shouts, eyes wide and filled with hurt. Raising a hand, the door opens and Kylo walks through. You follow him as the door to your room opens before him. When you both enter, Kylo paces around your room and you watch him, feeling eerily nervous. Is this going to be the end? What if, right now, he turns around and says it’s all over? You try not to tear up at the thought.

“You don’t have to pretend anymore,” you admit to him, seeing his movements pause.

Kylo turns his head to the side, “Pretend?”

“You feel the pull to the light, you always have.” You begin, walking up to him, “You and Rey, you’re connected. She��s good, she’s light, I think that she reminds you that you still have a chance.”

 He frowns slightly, “You’re the reason I still have hope, Y/N... You’re the only one who believed me that night the academy was burning. You loved me when I had nothing, no family, no one to rely on.” Kylo reaches for your hand, taking it in his, “I can’t imagine having done this without you by my side.”

You don’t know what to say. Part of you doesn’t believe him. You don’t see what he sees, you’re not sure you’re any help to Kylo. And you know you shouldn’t be praised just for being kind to him. Placing his hand under your eyes, Kylo wipes the tears away from your cheeks. “Y/N, your value doesn’t depend on if you’re useful to me. You deserve love and respect just the same.” His hand rests on your cheek as he whispers, “You deserve everything. And I’m sorry I haven’t been able to give you that, I’ve been so focused on this war.”

“As you should be,” you shrug, frowning as you look down at the floor, “I don’t mean to be a bother, I just... I don’t know.”

Kylo shakes his head, and you look up into his kind, brown eyes, “No, I understand. We all have doubts and fears, you and I know loneliness more than we deserve to... Are you alright?” 

You nod your head, “Yeah, yeah, I’m okay, Kylo. I miss you.” 

“I’m here,” He smiles, placing a hand to your waist, “you can always come to me, whenever. It may seem like I have bigger things to worry about but you’re always my number one focus, okay?”

“Okay,” you mumble back, resting your head onto his chest as he holds you close, “Thank you.”

“It’s okay,” he whispers back to you, his hand running up and down your back gently as he takes this moment to just breathe, “I’m sorry I reacted in such a harsh way. And I apologise for embarrassing you.” 

“I’m sorry for talking back to you like that, I should’ve talked to you about what was bothering me.” You admit back to him, pressing a long kiss to his jawline.

“It’s okay.” He breathes, pressing his lips to your forehead before looking around, “I can’t believe I haven’t been in here in so long.”

You chuckle slightly, “Me neither.”

“Could use a good clean, to be honest.” Kylo smiles, eyeing the desk filled with dust. You hum in agreement, looking up at Kylo with a fond expression. He returns it. “You’re sure you’re okay now?” He wonders, not wanting you to hold anything back from him anymore.

You nod, surely, with a small smile, before you reply, “Now that you’re here, yes.”

[ardentmuse]

Hello love!!!! I'm so excited for this celebration and all the fics top come out of it. Could I get 16 and 48 with my love, Eggsy? I feel like his hugs would feel really safe and comforting,,,not like I've thought about it when ive had a bad day or anything. Definitely not... okay I definitely have. A lot. I just love him a lot. ANYWAYS Congratulations and I hope you and the family are all doing well ❤❤❤

Gawain and the Galahads

Kingsman - Eggsy x Hart!Reader

16. Ugh, of course your hugs are amazing.48. I’m going to hug you because I love you. And because you feel just as alone as I do.

Wordcount: 1.6k 

Warnings: talk of death, talk of depression and grief

Masterlist

A/N: He’s got the perfect build to give good hugs too. Something about the arms to shoulders proportions. You’d just be engulfed and have just the right amount of space to make his shoulder a pillow. I like this image. ☺ Also hi! We’re doing great and I hope you are, too! I am making my own gifs for these so they all fit with the stories. I hope you enjoy them!

Fourteen months had passed since you watched the image from your father’s glasses turn black. Fourteen months since the silence filled the room, the air between you and Merlin so thick with unspoken anguish that it practically pushed you out the door. You didn’t have a conscious thought the entire time you wandered the streets of London, when you snapped your glasses into as many pieces as you fingers could manage and tossed them in the Thames, the length of your journey across the ocean to the United States, the two months you spent painstakingly tracking down every lead on the ground in Kentucky, or the year you spent wandering the vastness of the American west trying to piece together the parts of yourself that died along with Harry Hart.

No, you hadn’t really had a conscious thought in all that time until this moment; here, in a bar in Santa Fe in the early afternoon, with Eggsy – the only man you ventured you ever loved more than your father – standing before you in the suit and tie of a true Kingsman, the cloud of your brain lifted for the first time and somehow the only thing you realized you’d been missing out on was pain.

“Nice suit,” you said over your drink, not bearing to look into those soft eyes, ones that might call you out on how you simply ran away – a coward in a world full of heroes.

“And nice glasses,” you added with a swirl of your straw. “Hey, Merlin.”

The bar was mostly empty, but Eggsy’s eyes still shifted around carefully in concern at your casual tone. You remembered when your gaze was trained for such things. But that you seemed so far away.

“Do you know how long I’ve been searchin’ for ya?”

“Given Kingsman resources, I’d say… um, three hours?” you asked as you lifted an eyebrow in teasing question. His nose flaired at you, like he didn’t expect your snark to still be so directed at him after all your time apart. But he liked it. The smile he was clearly trying to hide was his dead giveaway.

“What? Three and a half?”

Eggsy spit out a laugh. He paused. But now with the floodgates open, he laughed full and earnest, moving himself to lean on the bar beside you.

“About three days,” Eggsy confirmed. “Though I searched for weeks on my own before Merlin made me stop. He said you’d had left a trace if you had wanted me to find you. That I should respect your wishes.”

You didn’t know what to say to that. You didn’t know if it was true, but it felt nice to think someone, especially Eggsy, cared enough to look.

You took a big swig of your drink to try to shove down the butterflies threatening to rise at the thought of Eggsy’s care and now his close proximity.

“So what happened three days ago?” you asked, realizing there had to be a reason Eggsy was here, disrupting your grieving. “Did Arthur lose his favorite umbrella? Or perhaps Roxy couldn’t –“

“We found your dad.”

Eggsy’s hand upon your arm had paused your rambling. His eyes locked on yours in a way that was so serious, so sincere, that you realized he had been hurting just the same as you. He knew your defenses. The weeks he had spent training beside you, and the whirlwind romance that had come along with it, were enough for him to realize you were two peas in a pod. He hid his emotions behind charm, flirtation, and occasionally anger and you behind snark, levity, and just a hint of pragmatism. But this Eggsy, this Eggsy was seeing you, seeing the raw, unrepaired part of your soul and matching it with his own – no sweet pet names, no winks, no grazes of his hand down your side. This was Eggsy, a person – vulnerable, real and scared – begging you to show yourself.

You felt the tears prickling at your eyes but swallowed them away.

“If this is a weird way of requesting my attendance at a funeral, I don’t think—“

“He’s alive,” Eggsy said as he moved his hand up to your wrist, holding you in place. “Harry’s alive, Gawain, and—“

“Don’t call me that!” you practically screamed, ripping your arm from his grip and almost falling off the barstool. You were standing now, backing away from the man in front of you with careful pacing. All the sadness that had been building in you caught fire, rage consuming you internally, burning at your throat. “How dare you come here and tell me lies, Eggsy! What sort of sick trick is this?”

Eggsy was charging you before you could put up your defenses. A year out of the field meant Eggsy could overpower you instantly. You expected to be tackled, maybe a tranquilizer dart pushed into your neck – after all, Eggsy was clearly the enemy now – but that wasn’t what happened.

He flicked his glasses off his face, moved swiftly around your shoulder and, from behind, slid them down your forehead and upon your nose. The familiar weight upon your ears felt nice somehow and the graining pixels across your vision comforting.

You had expected stats on the side, some notes from Merlin or a couple of Eggsy’s vitals but the thing that took up your entire vision was a live feed of some sort, a simple room with a cot for a bed and a sink along the edge, like a cage more than a suite. But upon the bed, with a sketchpad on his lap like you remembered for when you were a kid, sat your dad, his brown hair a muss and his left eye donning an eye patch.

But it was dad. It was most certainly dad.

No words left your mouth. Tears just began rolling down your face at the sight of him moving, safe, existing somewhere in the world. You weren’t a lone Hart in the world any longer.

You felt Eggsy’s hands come around your shoulders and you ripped yourself away. These emotions, they were all too much at once, and Eggsy was simply overwhelming. You only then, as Eggsy slowly blocked the view, realized that the few other patrons were staring.

“I’m going to hug you, Y/N,” Eggsy said slowly, his hands up like approaching an animal. “I’m going to hug you because I love you. And because you feel just as alone as I do.”

And when you didn’t protest, Eggsy’s arms scooped you up against his chest, curling his strong forearms around your shoulders and pulling your head flush against the crock of his neck. The hug was tight and warm, soft and strong all at once, and in that moment you realized it had been fourteen months since another human had truly touched you.

“But we aren’t alone, love. We have each other. We always have. And now we have Harry. And, sweetheart, he needs you. More than you know.”

Eggsy’s hands ran the length of your back, soft circles into your spine and soon you were melting against you, your tears coming out in earnest now that you finally felt safe. You almost didn’t want to close your eyes and lose the sight of your father but you had to. You had to let yourself into this moment, to reconnect with Eggsy, a man who loved you still despite your fleeing, a man whose touch was home when you had only known wandering.

As you sniffled a little against the soft cotton of his jacket, you felt your spirit returning to your limbs. You were shedding the zombie that was your flesh all this long year, all thanks to Eggsy’s perfect embrace.

“Ugh, of course your hugs are amazing,” you whispered into his neck, not willing yourself to let go.

Eggsy just laughed against your scalp.

“And there’s my Gawain back,” he said with a quick kiss to the skin already pressed against his lips.

His words hit your brain weird. You were once Gawain but were you still? Could you simply put back on the clothes and simply be that person once again? You were rusty but you were you, and you had Eggsy to guide you every step of the way.

With renewed resolve, you pulled yourself away from his shoulder. You straightened your spine and you shoulders, trying the ‘gentleman’ in you out once more. You were stiff but in some ways it felt like riding a bicycle, all coming back just by committing to get on.

“Whatever Galahad needs, I’ll do it.”

Something like tears shined in Eggsy’s eyes and you couldn’t tell if it was pride or joy. He grabbed your hand, interlocking your fingers in a gesture that felt right, even after so long apart.

“That Galahad,” Eggsy said with a nod to his glasses still on your face, “and this Galahad,” he added as he stepped closer to you, toe to toe, and began to run the backs of his fingers, down the side of your cheek, “both need you.”

All tags: @fangirlandnerd, @aerdnandreaa, @thisisbullshytt,  @cancerousjojian, @whovianayesha, @themarauderstheoutsidersandpeggy, @luna-xxxxx, @sleepylunarwolf, @starryrevelations, @potter-thinking, @all-by-myself98, @bananafosters-and-books, @cutie-bug

Kingsman tags: @allonsymexgirl, @eiensteiner, @thecaptainsgingersnap, @madamcadaver. @doct0rstrange, @ratwrites

[lastwagontrainhopper]

Words left unspoken

Unpopular royai headcanon: Roy and Riza didn't get to really know each other until Ishval. I think it fit more closely with the cannon AND it makes their relationship more interesting. This little fic explores this theme and other stuff. 

Written for Royai Week 2020, prompt 1: Letter

Summary : In the midst of the Ishvalan Civil War, Roy finally decides to send some letters back home. A sense of duty, or maybe it’s guilt, drives him to send his last letter to Miss Hawkeye. But what can he say to her? How can he justify what he has done with her trust? They were still only strangers, bound together by duty rather than by choice, and by the ghost of a man who had left an indelible mark on both of them.

French version (the original one): https://lastwagontrainhopper.tumblr.com/post/620416870258032641/la-lettre-royai

Read it on FanFiction.net : https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13611586/1/Words-left-unspoken

-------------------------------

On the second Sunday of each month, the soldiers of the 4th battalion could send letters to their families back home. Every man used the opportunity; some with excess, like Hughes and the novels he sent to his fiancee, and others with restrain, like Ellith who only wrote a few lines to his old mother; but all at least sent something.

All, except their commanding officer, Major Roy Mustang.

Roy did, in fact, have a family and friends to send letters to, but the truth was he had no desire to do so. People wrote to their loved ones, he thought, to offer them a piece of landscape discovered while traveling, or to reassure them with news of their well-being. But there was no part of Ishval's suffocating deserts and icy nights that Roy wished to send back to Central, and no news of himself he wanted his relatives to know about. Considering the state he was in, giving them news would hardly reassure them anyway.

No. Roy corrected himself. He was alive and unharmed; this was something that couldn't be said for many of his comrades, and he had to tell this much to his loved ones. He knew an absence of letters would make them assume the worst; he might as well save them the worry if he could.

After all, he had created enough suffering here as it was.

Furthermore, as Hughes had pointed out, his lack of letters was not going unnoticed in the battalion. The men speculated: did the Major have no family? Or did he just not care about them at all? Roy was already being treated like a human weapon by his superiors, and his seeming indifference only strengthened this idea in the soldiers' minds. "You need to show them you have people you care about back home, just like they do," Hughes had advised him. "It will remind them that you're only human after all."

"And maybe", his friend probably thought, "it'll remind you as well."

And so, when the evening of the second Saturday of the month came around, instead of warming up around the fire with the others, Roy borrowed Hughes a pen and a few sheets of paper and got to work.

Thanks to his rank as a Major, he was allowed a private tent furnished with a cot and a small wooden desk; the whole thing lacked luxury but provided an intimacy that many soldiers envied him. In the uncertain light of a candle, Roy began his first letter, addressed to his sisters. He wrote it to Vanessa, the one he had always been closest to, but he knew the other girls would shamelessly read the message over her shoulder as soon as she would open it.

While he was usually so talkative, Roy suddenly found himself at a loss for words. The girls knew him as the fun and charming boy who had been hanging around Madame Christmas' bar since well before the legal age, and who always amazed them by creating flowers with his alchemy. What did this boy and the man who was writing the letter had left in common? What could he tell them without revealing just how much he had changed? Once again, he felt like crumpling the paper into a ball and stopping there. More than anything else, he wanted his sisters to keep as the only image of him the teenage Roy they had known, the one who had not stained his hands with blood yet. But he knew that this was nothing but a false hope: sooner or later, news of the Flame alchemist's work would reach Central, and then, there would be nothing left to hide.

They might as well get used to the idea of a soldier Roy right away.

Nevertheless, he kept a light tone throughout his letter. He talked about the weather, about his uniform which his sisters despised so much and which always seemed too heavy or too light here. He talked about the food, which he described as even worse than Mrs. Christmas' dishes, and the few bottles of whiskey the soldiers would pass around from time to time. He talked about the long evenings spent talking around the fire, and the camaraderie that existed in his battalion, without adding that the respect and fear he inspired in his men prevented him from truly taking part in it.

He talked about nothing else.

In his letter to Mrs. Christmas, he spoke of his constant tiredness, his feeling of loneliness, and the pressure his superiors put him under. His adoptive mother could understand all that – but she had never been in the military, so Roy did not mention the situation of the Amestrian army.

To Colonel Barker, his former superior and mentor in the military, he talked about the ammunition shortages and the delay in resupply that often kept them from advancing for days. He talked about the lack of troops and the cadets barely out of the academy who were going to be brought here to fill in the gaps.

Then, looking at his remaining sheets of paper, Roy wondered who to send his last letter to. He would surely have sent it to Hughes, and was grateful that he didn't have to. This war would have been even worse without a familiar face by his side.

He hesitated for a moment, and addressed his final letter to Miss Hawkeye.

He wasn't sure why, but he felt like he had a duty to write to her. Before being deployed, Roy had gotten into the habit of sending her letters a few times a month to check on how she was adjusting to life in Central. With the state alchemist exam and the work that came with his entrance in the military, he had had little time to do more to help her.

Even though Miss Hawkeye had told him several times that he owed her nothing, Roy could not help but feel a responsibility toward the young girl. It may have been a bit chivalrous – he preferred to think of it as a gentleman's attitude - but he wanted to look after her. After all, she had no family left to lean on, and she didn't know anyone in the capital. More importantly, it was thanks to her and her father than he had become a state alchemist, and Roy didn't want to give the impression that he had abandoned Miss Hawkeye right after obtaining her father's research, like he had used her for that purpose.

But when she answered his letters, the girl had always taken a polite and formal tone, staying deliberately vague about her activities and not once asking for his help. She obviously wanted to take care of herself, and Roy had not insisted. How strange, he thought not for the first time, that they were still almost strangers to each other despite what they had shared.

It was certainly not the only strange thing about Miss Hawkeye. Roy had grown up surrounded by his foster sisters and been around all kinds of girls at his school in Central. Some of them had been shy and others had been confident, some serious and others hilarious, but none of the girls he met had been anything like his teacher's daughter.

Roy had only seen Miss Hawkeye a few times during his years of studying at her house: her father had sent her to a private school in the nearest town, and the few occasion when she came home were strangely timed with the moments Berthold Hawkeye sent his apprentice back to Central, to "give him a little vacation". Therefore, they had not truly spoken until her father's death, when Roy had taken care of the funeral.

At first, she had seemed sweet and reserved, nothing more. A little naive as well, he thought to himself now – as naive as he had been then. But soon enough, when she decided to entrust him with her father's research, Roy had discovered the other side of her.

She was a rock. Once she made a choice, she was unshakable, and accepted the consequences of her decision without flinching. And while she was indeed discreet, she displayed her will as firmly as if she had screamed it at the top of her lungs. She had given him the impression of someone who had received a lot of responsibilities with little recognition.

After the funeral, Miss Hawkeye had begun to organize her father's possession with cold method and efficiency, as if her last family member had not died a few days prior. At her request, Roy had begun studying her father's research notes immediately, in her family home. When she had revealed her back to him, she had seemed slightly embarrassed, but had shown no sign of hesitation, and no complaints or nervous giggle had escaped her lips. If it had been anyone else, Roy would surely have attempted some jokes to lighten the mood and make her comfortable, but the girl treated her father research with such gravity that humor would have seemed nothing short of sacrilegious.

Roy could not help but feel a deep uneasiness at the sight of the tattoo left by her father, but he had not dared to ask out loud the questions that were burning his throat. It was not his place: he knew nothing of her relationship with her father, just as he knew almost nothing about her. They were strangers, bound together by duty rather than choice, and Miss Hawkeye seemed determined to fulfill this duty without fail. The only other thing linking them was a man who had left an indelible mark on both of them and who was nothing more now than a ghost.

And Roy could feel the ghost's disapproving gaze on his shoulders every day since his arrival in Ishval. With each snap of his fingers, he could imagine his teacher's anger and disappointment with the way he stained fire alchemy. Master Hawkeye had been right: his alchemy had been turned into a mere weapon in the service of the state, all because of Roy and of his foolish, trusting daughter.

His teacher was long dead, Roy needed to remind himself, and there was nothing he owed him anymore. Miss Hawkeye, on the other hand, was very much alive, and it was her who had gifted him fire alchemy after all. Roy did owe her something: some explanations, or excuses, he didn't know, but he felt like he had to tell her something, anything, before she found out from the newspaper the devastation her choice had wreaked.

Above all, Roy wanted her to know he had been sincere, that day when he had talked about his dream. It hadn't been a lie to manipulate her and gain power; he had really intended to use alchemy for the good of the people, and really joined the military to protect Amestris. Simply…fate had decided otherwise.

Roy took his time to lay his thoughts on paper, carefully weighing each word. He didn't sugarcoat the situation as he had done for his sisters – he knew Miss Hawkeye could handle the truth, and he owed her nothing less. He added, however, how his alchemy had helped save many Amestrian lives; it was a small consolation, but it was the only one he could offer her. He apologized: it made of course no difference, but it felt right to do so.

The following morning, with dark circles under his eyes, Roy accompanied his men to the mail wagon for the first time, his letters carefully folded in the pocket of his uniform. As he waited in line to deliver them, he saw a group of fresh recruits stepping down a train coming from Central.

Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a female cadet with blond hair and amber eyes, causing his heart to skip a beat. He turned his head to get a better view, and felt the ground beneath his fleet slipped away. It was her.

No. This couldn't be happening. His throat was tightly shut; he could do nothing but stare at her in a mortified silence. The blonde cadet didn't look in his direction and followed her regiment, leaving for the main camp before Roy could bring himself to call to her.

Soon, it was his turn to drop his mail. Stunned as if he had just received a blow to the head, Roy took the letters out of his pocket and stared at them. He added them to the pile in front of him, except for one, which he kept clenched in his fist.

Once out of the line, he snapped his fingers, and all his carefully crafted excuses, explanations, and apologies went up in smoke in an instant and disappeared, like unspoken words stuck in his throat.

[calitraditionalism]

Arc One: Chapter Eight

Far in the southern marshes of the Territory, someone else was watching the clouds roll in from the north with intense interest.

Flyfang, a sturdily-built ticked tabby, kneaded at the soft, grassy ground below her feet. Even at this distance, she could smell the rain coming towards her. It wasn’t too far away; it’d take maybe an hour before the heavy stuff hit where she was now. By then, the sun would fully be up, but she figured these stormclouds were thick enough that it’d be dim anyways. The lack of sunlight to give reflections on the water would encourage the rest of the family to head towards the lake on the border, where there were bigger fish to catch.

Nighttime would have been preferable, but Flyfang wasn’t willing to wait until then. Who knew how long it would rain for? She was only waiting for the ceremony to be over to-

“There you are!”

Flyfang jumped and looked back with alarm, which immediately went away as she recognized her little sisters standing side by side behind her. She turned fully to them with an automatic grin.

“And there you are,” she said.

One of the kits, Gnatkit, was the spitting image of her: a stout and rounded grey molly with flecked markings all over her back.  The other, Mosquitokit, was black with white feet and a white marking on her chest, and her tail was waving back and forth in delight.

“How do we look?” asked Gnatkit. She stood like a warrior on watch, but Flyfang could only see a kitten fresh out of the nursery.

“You look ready to get yourselves some mentors.” Flyfang bent down a little to meet their eye levels and winked. “Don’t worry, I made sure you’ll have the best ones in the family.”

“And in the Territory?” asked Mosquitokit, leaning forward far enough to almost fall onto her face. Her wide eyes faintly reflected the clouds that were now behind Flyfang.

“Weeellll…” Flyfang looked around and leaned in as well, whispering conspiratorially, “Don’t tell your mentors, but I think there might be some better ones out in the valley.”

Mosquitokit gasped and swatted at Flyfang’s nose. “Don’t say that!”

“You didn’t do a very good job finding us mentors, then,” Gnatkit said, and jerked away from another swipe aimed at her shoulder.

“Ravenleap and Troutpath are good!” Flyfang protested, rubbing her nose as if she’d been actually struck. “They’ll be fine for now.”

At this, her sisters went quiet and looked at each other with concern. They knew better than to continue down the “for now” conversation thread, but that unspoken topic floated over all of them in place of the dark grey clouds.

Flyfang quickly recovered with another grin. “Now, let’s go back. The first one there gets to push the other two into the water!”

Her sisters squawked as Flyfang leapt over their heads and started off at a jog. She heard them scrambling to follow her and picked up her pace just enough to keep them running without pushing each other out of the way.

The three of them jumped over the small criss-crossing streams that threaded their home without a second thought, throwing joking insults back and forth as they went. As the grass started to flatten and expose the other family members of the Marish that were all heading the same way, Gnatkit and Mosquitokit had caught up to Flyfang and were trying to slow her down by grabbing her tail between their teeth or attacking her paws to make her stumble. When they crossed the last stream and entered the wide island that was the Marish’s current camp, Flyfang let herself topple over and cry out as her sisters wrestled with her legs and ears.

Flyfang knew they were disturbing the peace of the camp, just as she knew without looking that the deputy was standing nearby and watching her disdainfully. Minnownose, an elderly grey-brown-and-white molly, had gotten everyone else to obediently turn over the responsibility of raising their kits to the heads of the Marish. The kits’ father, Swiftdust, had already agreed to let her make all decisions regarding Gnatkit and Mosquitokit’s lives. The family had always been overly submissive in all respects – no fighting, no telling hurtful truths, just listen to your seniors no matter how insane they were – and it was considered natural that the “entire family” should decide the fate of the kits living there.

Which was why they all hated Flyfang so much.

Of course, no one would admit they hated her. That wasn’t the Marish way. All but Minnownose had given up on trying to get Flyfang to “calm down” and “just obey her elders”. Now they just ignored her when she walked past or gave her looks when she started wrestling with the twins. But Flyfang knew they hated her regardless. The Marish were secretive, but they weren’t as subtle as they thought they were.

It was why Flyfang was preparing an escape once her sisters’ apprentice ceremony was complete, something that was almost as bad as murder in the Marish. She’d done a lot of persuading and pleading to get the most open-minded members of the family to agree to request her sisters as apprentices, so they could be well cared for in her absence. Flyfang couldn’t take them now, with them just being six months old – apprentices had to be nine months before they could travel safely and without anyone protesting for their health. She planned to come back and sneak them off once they’d learned how to hunt and fight and were more developed and able to walk long distances. She just couldn’t stay here any longer. This was killing her.

“Alright, alright!” she cried, laughing. “Let me up!”

“Only if you promise not to throw us in the water!” Mosquitokit punctuated this with a bite on Flyfang’s cheek.

It didn’t hurt too badly, but Flyfang yelped anyway. “I won’t! I won’t! Someone help!”

“You’re a grown warrior,” Minnownose cut in, her cold voice slicing through the humid air. “Should you be acting like this and encouraging your sisters to play rough before their ceremony?”

Immediately, the kits let go of Flyfang and backed away nervously. Flyfang rolled her eyes, sighed as loudly as she could, and got to her feet.

“I don’t know,” she said to Minnownose, “you tell me. You’re fond of that, aren’t you?”

Minnownose did not rise to her bait. Instead, she made a beckoning motion with her tail. “I’d like to talk to you.”

Flyfang looked back at her sisters and made a face. The two of them fought off their giggles and sat down, grooming themselves to look busy. Flyfang gently tapped both of their heads with her tail and walked silently to the deputy, her smile replaced with narrowed eyes.

Minnownose led her a small distance away, just far enough that they could not be heard by the rest of the family. She turned around, sat, and curled her tail around her paws. Flyfang stayed standing, silently daring her to order her to sit too.

She didn’t. Instead she mirrored Flyfang’s narrowed eyes. “Your sisters are to be apprenticed today. Do you know the mentors we’ve chosen?”

“We”, sure, Flyfang thought nastily. Always “we” in this family, isn’t it? “Ravenleap and Troutpath. They told-“

“They talked with me and requested to become mentors,” Minnownose interrupted, colder than before. “They did their best to make it sound like it was their idea. However, I’m not stupid. I know you put them up to it.”

Flyfang said nothing.

“I humored you this one last time,” Minnownose went on. “You have your little victory over me this one last time. After today, you’ve lost all right to tell me what to do with the kits and apprentices of this family.”

Flyfang’s fur bristled all over her body. Her claws unsheathed of their own accord as she tried to remind herself that it didn’t matter because she was leaving anyway. It didn’t help any; she still wanted nothing more than to claw the contempt off of the old bat’s face.

“That’s all.” Minnownose stood up and walked past Flyfang. “The ceremony’s starting now. Come.”

Flyfang vaguely wondered how life would be once she didn’t have anyone she hated in her face all the time as she followed the deputy.

The clouds were getting closer already, almost covering the sun. That was nice.

Flyfang could barely enjoy the ceremony. She watched her sisters become apprentices and greet their mentors without really absorbing it, chanted their names without thought. Her enthusiasm was there, but she was hardly thinking. The family ended the ceremony with Minnownose announcing a hunting party and leading almost all of them south, where the streams got thicker and thicker until they pooled into a lake. The only ones left in the camp were Flyfang, her sisters and their mentors.

“We’re going to show them around the marsh,” Troutpath said to Flyfang. “Would you like to come with us?”

Flyfang shook her head. “Not right now. I want to see how the hunting is up towards the valley. Best fish are at the lake, I know, but we’ve been having some luck with the smaller schools, so.”

Troutpath nodded. “We can meet you up there later?”

A light in her old mentor’s eyes told her that he had a suspicion that she was up to something, but, like always, he had her back and said nothing. She simply smiled and returned the nod before speaking to her sisters, who had run up to her.

“I’ll see you guys later,” she said, keeping her tone casual. “You’ll be alright without me for a bit, I’m sure.”

They were smart enough to not give her away. Instead, they both pressed their noses into her shoulders.

“I love you very much,” she said, low enough for only them to hear. “And I’ll be back, I promise.”

Mosquitopaw nodded and murmured, “We’ll be the worst apprentices.”

“Even worse than you,” Gnatpaw agreed in a whisper.

“Atta girls.” Flyfang gave them a lick on the ear each and stepped back, waving her tail casually and raising her voice. “Hopefully fishing’s good upriver. Have fun on the tour, you two.”

Neither of the apprentices spoke. They just nodded and turned away slowly, following their mentors as they left camp. Flyfang noticed with some small mix of pride and grief that they didn’t look back, just stayed cool and natural on their departure.

Flyfang waited until they were far enough away to not hear her footsteps before starting off at a half-run north. The rain started up, gently tapping her along her spine and shoulders. She picked up her pace just as the rain did the same. She sent a silent thanks to the rain’s aspect that she was struggling to see far ahead of herself and that her paws were already soaked – it’d be too difficult for the Marish to track her down and force her to return in weather like this.

The streams merged and grew wider, and within a few minutes they united into one river, just as the grass became softer and brighter in color. Flyfang grinned, genuinely and widely, and broke into a full sprint, not caring where she was going, just that the Marish were now behind her.

[thenugking]

Grand Academy For Future Villains II: Attack of the Sequel, Chapter 5: Bride of Chapter Five. A commentary for Three.

General CW for the whole thing: parental abuse, internalised dehumanisation as a trauma response. Three’s not doing well.

No specific warnings for this chapter except for a typo my friends have been teasing me about for weeks.

Game 1

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9

Game 2

Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4

Alternatively, read on Google Docs here

***

"Well obviously," says Professor Ulik, faintly irritated. "I thought you were a bit cleverer than that,Three, I really did. Yes, but specifically I need you to make sure that one of my classes is on the auditor's schedule. You may use whatever methods you please to get it there. The less I know, the better."

Her message communicated, Professor Ulik returns to her papers. You begin to consider your situation. This would be an unparalleled opportunity to ensure Professor Ulik's selection for a tenured position and what else are you here for, anyway?

But how to get an audience with the newly-arrived auditor?

#Val's on the Board of Visitors and Overlords. I'm going to consult zir about this situation.

This isn’t particularly helpful to Three’s intention to stay as far away from the auditors as  possible. Their first plan is still to ask DarkBoard if they’re able to alter Goul’s schedule, but when DarkBoard gives a foreboding speech about how they shouldn’t meddle in forces far beyond their control,  (Three is pretty sure DarkBoard’s scared of the auditors but don’t want to admit it,) they realise they’re going to have to talk to these people. This hopefully won’t be overly dangerous, after all, they are excellent at being helpful to important people, and tend to be good at quickly working out the level of grovelling important people prefer, so they’re unlikely to annoy the auditors. The danger that comes with just being around important, powerful people is inevitable, but they hope they can avoid the worst by appearing as a mere supporting character in Ulik’s narrative, unnoticeable to the auditors underneath all her achievements.

The best place to start with this is Val. Scorpius told Three ze was on the Board of Overseers and, while Three has been trying to interact with Val as little as possible, ze’s at least someone they’re able to get an audience with. And--despite a slight annoyance about Scorpius spilling zir secrets--Val apparently either likes them enough, or thinks they’re plot relevant enough, to help.

Ze is, however, going to point out that meeting with the Auditors isn’t the kind of thing people with no narrative weight do. It doesn’t matter what reason Three gives--do they think there isn’t a story in an underdog brave enough to put themself in the firing line of powerful villains they’re frightened of, just out of loyalty to their wise and supportive mentor? And Val has a feeling this isn’t the first time Three’s done this. Three informs them that they are not a hero, or an underdog, or special in any way whatsoever. Val tells them that ze knows better than most how Narrative Weight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, so ze’s really, genuinely sorry to say this, but that’s not true, Three. Three decides they’d better get over to that meeting before they’re late, so doesn’t have time to listen to Val try and tell them they’re more than just a tool.

The minutes Val showed you indicated that a team of no less than three auditors would be arriving from the Board of Visitors and Overlords. And you're fairly certain you know who this one is.

The falling pieces of the dome leave trails of fire in the air all around you. The air of the artificial atmosphere is rushing upward; the weather programs that the dome once produced are sputtering fitfully. Fish, frogs, bolts of lightning, hailstones and drops of blood tumble at random from the shattering sky.

"Lord X!" you call, as the figure lightly touches down to the earth. "Welcome to the Grand Academy for Future Villains!"

The figure turns towards you, and you see that the upper half of his face is concealed by a black mask like a frozen lava flow. His clothes are rich and close-fitting, his black shirt with silver buttons reaching to the neck, his hands concealed by silver gloves, and a belt around his waist supports a really alarming arsenal of weapons. You spot what looks like an oversized silver revolver, a long sword, a short sword, and a gun that looks strangely familiar. There's also a trowel tucked into a beautifully tooled black leather sheath; there's probably some explanation for this besides being for some sort of demonic gardener. 

"Well done…student," says Lord X.

Val, watching from under the shelter of a black umbrella, gives the slightest of nods to the auditor.

Again, not something Three would have done if Ulik hadn’t wanted them to talk to the auditors, they’d much rather be running to hide right now, or else checking the sudden environmental changes of the world falling apart aren’t adversely affecting DarkBoard. But they do like important people being impressed with them.

As if it overheard your unspoken question—which you suppose it did—the nearest DarkBoard portal begins scrolling through something you recognize as the fine print of your application paperwork. You look at the scrolling text:

…WITHOUT REFUND. THE APPLICANT CONSENTS TO MANDATORY BINDING ARBITRATION IN THE CASE OF ACCIDENTAL OR PURPOSEFUL DISMEMBERMENT, IMPERFECT RESURRECTION, AND OTHER PHYSICAL OR PSYCHIC MODIFICATION UNDERTAKEN VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY IN THE COURSE OF ACADEMIC DUTIES. THE APPLICANT CONSENTS TO THE ACADEMY'S USE OF THEIR IMAGE, DNA, BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OFFSPRING IF ANY, WITH OR WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN NOTIFICATION. SURVEILLANCE DEVICES MAY BE INSTALLED IN PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMY INCLUDING BEDROOMS, HEARTS, DREAMS, AND NARRATIVES. THE ACADEMY RESERVES THE RIGHT…

Okay, okay.

It may not be immediately relevant to the current scene, but I think it’s worth noting that students “consent” to the Academy’s use of their offspring. Being the child of an alumnus, Three was a little concerned, if resigned, about that when reading their own application paperwork. Those feelings haven’t completely gone away, but they also realise this could be an excellent excuse if Maedryn ever discovers their loyalty to DarkBoard. She herself signed them away to the Academy before they even existed, and if necessary, Three will remind her that neither of them can complain if DarkBoard wishes to collect on that.

Three has never wanted children themself, but the Academy’s application paperwork just makes them more sure of that.

#Come observe Professor Ulik’s class.

You've kept your bargain with Professor Ulik. Whatever the auditor says, the fact that you faced one of the most powerful beings on the Academy grounds has to count for something.

It's a simple request—so simple the auditor seems taken by surprise. You hold your breath, waiting for an answer. "Of course," says the auditor. "Next week. Of course, we make no promises as to the nature of our judgment. Only of its inevitability."

"Fifteen seconds," pipes the assistant.

Variyah Goul stands up. She does not offer you her hand. "Your career, of course, will be of interest to us, whatever becomes of the school."

"Ten."

"If at the end of the year we find you an individual of sufficient narrative weight…there are certain provisions made for individuals who are fit for a great destiny. I am impressed by hedonism and competence, and the portfolio of destinies I manage are those of grandeur and glory."

"And zero." The assistant escorts you out of the room.

That went… surprisingly well. Three’s alive. They’ve at least slightly impressed two auditors. Goul’s agreed to observe Ulik’s class. Three wasn’t given time to have to pretend to be interested in a destiny.

They are growing increasingly concerned that the Academy’s accreditation may not, in fact, be renewed, but all they have to do is show that a place with teachers as good as Professor Ulik is worthwhile, make sure Maedryn isn’t too stressed by her various responsibilities that the clones stop working, help Sona keep Sci-Fi looking respectable and genre savvy, and do whatever DarkBoard requests to help the Academy run smoothly.

((Side note: I did originally accidentally replace a bit too much of the “insert your professor here” text with “professor ulik” when I originally typed this up, with the result that Three very unfortunately invited one of the most powerful villains in the universe to come observe Professor Ulik’s ass. They don’t want to talk about it.))

The senior students that approach you after your Evil Planning class are well known to you. They're a group of Thriller and Science Fiction students that even in these polarized times of inter-genre competition, have remained friends and close collaborators. 

"Three!" one of them calls to you. "Do you have a second? We want you to try this!"

This is rarely the prelude to something good, but often the prelude to something interesting. You pause. 

"This is our capstone project for our Cyberpunk Dystopia class," explains another, proffering his personal DarkBoard portal, its screen glowing. "A dating app for the Academy! We need beta testers! And, well, a lot of people have been requesting you."

"It's right here in the early feedback," confirms the third. "Let's see…'If it doesn't have Three I'm not joining'…'Where's Three I mean the real one not the clone'…'Please add an option to romance Three.'"

You look warily at the colorful images on the DarkBoard portal. What's so dystopian about a dating app?

"Well, it's powered by DarkBoard, for one thing," says the first student, "so it can be kind of unpredictable. And wildly intrusive. But the administration is interested in monitoring the personal lives of its students."

"Personally I think DarkBoard's getting a bit lonely," adds the second, behind his hand, as if that could conceal his comment from the security system.

I mean, there might be a couple of students wanting to find out what’s underneath Three’s aloof emotionless exterior, but I really doubt there’s anyone specifically asking for them. In any case, they have far more important things to do than trying to find another relationship at the moment, and even if they wanted one, they wouldn’t be looking for it on an intrusive dating app made by a bunch of students they have no reason to trust. 

But, well, they don’t exactly completely object to submitting information about certain preferences they may have to a system powered by DarkBoard. It’s a villainous action to sign up to a dating site and then ruthlessly reject every classmate who appears on there, isn’t it?

Besides the grinning face of Science Fiction's figurehead, a long list of diagrams and spec charts appears. Sona, or DarkBoard on Sona's behalf, is listing out all her weapons and modifications. You're fascinated—there are some extraordinarily personal items here. You would never have guessed about the navel turret, for instance.

All right, getting lists of people’s hidden abilities is also a very useful feature of this app. Three just hopes their own profile isn’t going to start listing out the dozens of weapons they have hidden on their person at all times.

The portal clouds over again, but this time, when it clears, no face is visible at all. Slowly words form on the portal's surface.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT THE WORLD LOOKS LIKE WHEN SEEN THROUGH A THOUSAND EYES?

"Uh-oh." One of the Cyberpunk Dystopia students tries to snatch the portal out of your hands. "It's doing it again. Close! Close! Administrator override!"

SHED YOUR FLESH, continues DarkBoard, AND JOIN US IN THE TIMELESS VOID BETWEEN ELECTRONS.

"Yeah, this is a known issue," explains the leader. "Every so often DarkBoard will decide that it wants to get in on some of the action. Sorry about that."

He hands you back your portal, now quiet and docile. Is that Xi's lingering influence? Does something about DarkBoard remember you as an object of romance?

"You know where to find us! Thanks for trying it out!"

And they're gone.

Well, even if Three’s list of concealed weapons are on view to everyone on the dating app now, the student trying to snatch the portal away from Three is not prepared for a kick in the groin and a gun pointed at him before he has a chance to react, as Three calmly explains that they want to be aware of all known issues before deciding whether to continue using the app or not. After taking a few moments to closely examine this one, they tell the cyberpunk students that they can live with it. They spend a fair amount of their free time (limited though that is) on the app over the next few months, while making sure to reject every student profile they find.

The app does cause another slight issue, however, given that the rejection messages it sends are calibrated to, “cause greatest emotional impact to the target!” Three and Aurion awkwardly avoid each other for the next few weeks, after they each receive a horrifying rejection message about how the other loves them far too much like a sibling, and is so grateful for the bond they already have.

And then this final scene doesn’t actually take place, because Three doesn’t have a nemesis or a pet, so doesn’t need help dealing with them, but:

Professor Ulik thinks so highly of you that she leaves the class that she was in the middle of teaching to rush to the ${temphousing}.

I love Three’s new mum a lot.

[l-a-gage]

The Arcana Apprentice Fanfiction

Hey! So I wanted to finally share my apprentice, Asterin, with the world. This story starts before the in game death of the apprentice and will tell an altered version of what happened. I plan to base most of the events off Asra’s route and this will eventually turn into a full plot with some fluff and angst along with way. Thank you guys for stopping by and reading, enjoy!

The Stars Are

Our Guide

Chapter I: A Traveler

An eagle cried from above. The white bird circled above three times before descending down onto the traveler’s shoulders. Deep black eyes stared at it’s handler. Though the winds of the open plains drowned out any sounds there was unspoken words between the magician and the familiar. They softly stroked it’s head.

“Good work Benedict.”

The eagle cooed under his handler’s soft touch.

They looked out into the horizon just south of where they stood on a cliff looking over miles of plains. In the fading light of the sun, city lights glowed turning orange skies purple. Magic seeped from the city ahead. A white wall stretched from end to end, circling the city, ending at the sea. Vesuvia was known as a coastal city after all.

“So, we keep walking?”

Benedict ruffled his feathers, burrowing his head under the traveler’s hood and hair. They chuckled and picked up their staff to continue on the road,

“You can rest the rest of the way there. But remind me to put you on a diet, we had too much fun in Neval.”

He lightly nipped at their ear,

“Ah! Sorry, sorry!”

-

His hands trembled around the scroll as he spoke. Why did it have to be him? Couldn’t someone else have drawn the shortest stick? Maybe they rigged it to get back at him for the little slug prank. Was this karma? He promised to recite three prayers a day and start visiting his mom every saturday if he walked out alive.

“Doct-doctor Devorak has currently found no solution to the plague. He requests more time and a shipment of catsborrow, ginseng, and chamomile.”

The infamous count drummed his fingers on the baroque chair’s armrest. Except for the servant’s frantic breathing tolling bells were the only sounds echoing around in the throne room. Every living creature, even the nonliving, were silent and still, not brave enough to draw attention. The man dressed in rich white and red clothing stood from his throne. White fur trailed behind him as he descended the stairs. Before he knew it the servant was staring at shiny black boots.

“Do you have anything slightly useful?”

He flinched.

“No-No Count Lucio.”

“Then get out of my sight.” He turned on his heel with a flourish.

“But sir, Dr. Devorak needs-”

“Just get him whatever he needs. My job is not to deal with such boring matters.”

“Yes Count!”

Seeing his chance to escape the servant took off. Once the door to the throne room closed behind his back he sighed in relief. Just being in the same room as the Count made his heart tremble in terror. Why couldn’t the Countess be in charge of this whole plague cure thing? At least she didn’t terrify everyone to their core. The servant scurried off mumbling the first of many prayers to come.

Back inside the throne room Lucio fell back into his chair and let out a heavy sigh. It echoed off the walls. At the perfect time the door to his right opened. A dark complexioned woman and young man walked in. His face lit up. Lucio threw his head back and groaned,

“Noddy, Asra! You guys won’t believe the awful news.”

“Julian didn’t find a cure.”

“However did you know?” He raised a brow at the young magician, “don’t tell me your psychic too?”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes, “No, the sounds of your distraught sighs gave it away.”

“I am simply worried about the lives of my people.”

“Justified,” the woman cut in, “but we must prepare for our meeting with court. I’m sure you will want time to prepare yourself.”

“Ah!” He clapped his hands and jumped out of his seat, “I can show off my new cape directly from the mountains in the south. Vlademir will simply adore it.”

Without another word Lucio strode out the door talking to himself, fretting over the clothes he would wear. Would he do a different hair style or just freshen it up? He should definitely touch up his eye make up. Once the door closed Nadia and Asra relaxed. Nadia shook her head,

“That man will never stop giving me a headache.”

“I can take care of it for you.”

She forced a smile back and sighed. The chandeliers above were slowly illuminating signaling the sun’s disappearance below the horizon. Already bright moon light shone onto the floors.

“What will we do Asra?”

Asra looked at the countess.

“Dare I admit I’m scared?”

She stared at the floor, her hands held tightly in one another. He couldn’t recall ever hearing her so lost and unsure. Then again how couldn’t she be? Months have passed since the first victim died and the bodies keep piling up and not one doctor has found a thing. Not even the so claimed best one they could find has managed to find anything.

A small voice whispered his name. He instinctively reached for the deck nestling at the top of his satchel. He slipped the cards out of their velvet bag and pulled the top card.

“What do the cards say?” Nadia asked curious.

“Confusing as usual,” he held the card up, “The Hierophant.”

“What does it mean?”

“Honestly, I really don’t know. The cards have proven a point to be especially cryptic lately. I think they have a vendetta against me.”

Asra put the cards away and started for the door they entered through, but the double doors at the back creaked open drawing their attention. A round faced woman poked her head through. Fiery ginger hair bounced as she spoke.

“Milady, I’m so sorry to bother you but there’s a strange woman asking to speak with you.”

“A strange woman?”

“Yes milady, a traveler I think. They got this eagle and a weird looking staff.”

“Well,” she sighed ready to go to bed, “invite them in. I cannot deny an audience in good mind.”

*Disclaimer: All characters except my own belong to NyxHydra*

*All images belong to respected artists and are not my own.*

[farcryfuckmeup]

I Can’t Live With Myself

so uh turns out i posted this on my archive but i never did here, so here’s a jacob thing i did a while ago for all you tumblr kids :) this was a request done by @hopecountylovin​ (sorry if i did post this and im retagging you, my tumblr shows i didnt and im a confused noodle)

My masterlist has all my other drabbles, requests, headcanons and matchups

JACOB SEED X FEM DEP: soft jacob seed x f!deputy in a bunker after the collapse ft. hurt/comfort TW: SOME PTSD, MINOR VIOLENCE

---

The day the world ended was one the Deputy had never expected to come, and if it had, she assumed she would have long passed from this Earth. Scientists talked about the Sun dying far in the future and extinction that had wiped out 95% of all life on Earth 250 million years ago. Both of those events were so far from the current point in time that it was hard to imagine what the world would have been like if it ended again. If the universe decided to push it’s own “reset” button.

She’d often think on the things she’d do differently if she’d known the sky would catch on fire, a bright blue replaced by searing orange and smoke. Would she have spent it with her friends? Would she have visited her parents one last time?

Four years ago she hated the Project. She hated how violent they were, how they forced people to join them. But most of all she’d hated the Seeds. All four of them. John’s ego had irritated her endlessly, Faith acted like a child most of the time. Deputy had never been fond of religion so it irked her how preachy Joseph was, but it was easy to ignore. Jacob, on the other hand, was almost a mix of all three. He had a temper that was either slow to burn or quick to blow. He was confident in his abilities to the point he thought he couldn’t be bested. All he talked about was his stupid mantra. Train, Hunt, Kill, Sacrifice. Cull the Herd. Cull the Weak. Over and over and over.

Now everything was different. Jacob had saved the deputy when the Collapse had arrived. She’d been injured and he’d carried her to safety. Despite his beliefs, which would’ve told him to let the deputy die, he’d risked his life to save her. Dep had stopped trying to kill him on account of that, but she’d kept her shitty comments coming. Over time though, the hatred began to ebb. She no longer thought he was a monster. Just a person trying to save the world the best he knew how.

The guilt had crept up on her. Frequent thoughts of loved ones had turned infrequent. Her passive attitude towards the Project had turned into a participant one. She went to sermons Jacob held, she trained. Hell, she’d even follow him around so that she could learn from him. They’d started to share an unspoken bond. They respected each other beyond comprehension.

Deputy was plagued by night terrors, especially as of late. They varied from the deaths of her friends and family to the deaths of the Seeds. Her own demise was a recurring topic, too.

Suddenly, she was being shaken, and her knee-jerk reaction was to survive. A fair amount of cultists had stumbled across a sleeping Deputy while she had been resting around Hope County. This wasn’t going to be her first time fighting someone off while she was still waking up.

“Deputy, stand down. I said…stand…down.” Her hands were around someone’s throat, but her brain wouldn’t process the face in front of her so she could identify it. She was practically feral. Hands were gripping her forearms, trying to pry her off, so she squeezed tighter with a snarl on her lips.

Then her eyes found a sea of blue, the skin around it peppered with burn scars and pockmarks. She froze, no longer squeezing the man’s throat but unable to let go either.

“Oh my god.”

“Let go of my neck. Now, Deputy.” Jacob’s voice was quiet but demanding.

“I’m…I’m so sorry.” Her fingers hesitantly unwound themselves from Jacob’s throat, then clasped each other as tightly as possible. “It was-I was-I didn’t mean to.”

“The world was going to implode on itself sooner or later.” His voice was gruff with sleep, but also probably from nearly being suffocated.

“I just…I think I did the right thing. I want to do the right thing now. I-I-you say you’ve forgiven me but I can’t forgive myself. I don’t know if I did the right thing anymore and I don’t understand.” Dep’s voice shook as she explained her nightmares yet again. Jacob had started asking about them when they had started keeping not only him but some of the other followers awake as well.

Dep lifted her eyes to look at Jacob, and it was only then she’d realized that Jacob wasn’t in his usual attire. She’d seen him in different versions of it, but he always wore his camo jacket, a t-shirt, jeans, and boots. But right now he was in a red tank-top and sweatpants. There were more scars and the like along his arms, some disappearing under the fabric of his shirt and onto his chest.

“I’ve had ‘nough of this, pup. C’mon.” His gaze softened a bit as what she said processed in his head. He couldn’t dispute her claims that she was in the wrong, he couldn’t assure her she’d done the right thing. To him, she hadn’t. She’d gone against Joseph, who often radioed Jacob to ask about the flock and the deputy. But Jacob had started to see over the years that what had happened wasn’t unforgivable. That the Deputy deserved a chance to redeem herself. So he tried to help calm her down whenever he felt it was warranted.

Jacob wrapped his hand around the deputy’s arm, pulling her from her bedroom. It was only a few doors down from Jacob’s which would explain how he’d known she was having another nightmare. She must’ve been screaming again. Some of the cultists had been complaining about it, saying that they were screams only a sinner could scream. Jacob would give them a stern glare, one he’d even broken the arm of.

“Where are we going?” She asked as she let Jacob pull her. Her voice was still a bit shaky, the images from her dream burned into the back of her eyelids.

“To get some half-decent sleep.” He mumbled, his other hand running through his hair before he shoved open his own bedroom door.

The deputy had never been in it before, but she was taken aback. It matched Jacob perfectly, but the layout had clearly been designed by John. The furniture was either made of wood or steel, sometimes even both. It was simplistic, but there were some minor details that didn’t sit right with the deputy. Like the antlers with Bliss flowers above the doorway. She doubted Jacob was fond of it either.

“Go on.” Jacob gently pushed the deputy towards his wooden-framed bed. In any other situation, she probably would’ve blushed. Every so often, Dep would go turn into an unraveled mess. Jacob would give her something to do to distract her, but if it was really bad, he’d order his followers to leave whatever room they were in and just sit in silence with her.

Dep climbed onto Jacob’s bed with trepidation, but her knees sunk into the memory foam, so she struggled a bit. He pulled back the covers as he got in himself, and the deputy rested her head on one of two pillows. Jacob took the other one.

They’d never been this close before. A hand on her shoulder here, a touch to his elbow there. The most intimate thing he’d done was put his hand on the small of her back when one of the members of the flock was insulting the deputy. She’d been on the verge of breaking down with guilt until she’d felt his hand through her shirt.

Jacob and Dep were both laying on their backs, staring at the ceiling. They were close enough to feel each others’ body heat from under the blankets. Being around him had helped calm her, just like it always did. As she’d started to drift back off to sleep, the deputy felt Jacob’s calloused fingers curl around her own.

She didn’t know how long they’d slept, as time often was distorted when there was no sun or moon to tell the time of day. When she awoke, however, her body was warm. Almost too warm, but it was comfortable.

Dep tried to roll over as she often did in her sleep and when she woke up, but she was stuck. She was curled into a ball, and a pair of arms were wrapped around her. One was on the back of her head and the other was around her waist, holding her to their chest.

She didn’t need to open her eyes to realize who it was. He smelled familiar. He felt familiar. The Deputy shifted again to get comfier, and couldn’t help but smile to herself as Jacob held her.

[theguineapig3]

Tales Whump Week Day 4: Accident

“Family Planning”

Tales of Symphonia Words: 3708 way longer than i expected; i need to be Stopped™ Characters: Kratos Aurion, Anna Irving, Noishe Pairing: Kratos/Anna

Anna Irving was the kind of person who wasn't afraid of anything. Kratos had known her for years before the first time he ever saw true, unbridled fear in her eyes. He’d always imagined that moment with him stepping in to defend her from whatever had scared her… so he hadn't considered that he would be the one she was afraid of.

Anna has been especially secretive for a few weeks now.

Kratos wasn't worried at first- after all, this wasn't the first time she had been like this. A few years back, she had planned for months to throw him a surprise birthday party, doing her best to keep her plans under wraps. He had figured it out, of course, but was happy to play along. Their unpredictable life, constantly moving from place to place to keep Cruxis off their trail, was stressful and Anna deserved to have her fun when she could. Besides that, Kratos respected her privacy. When she requested time alone, he always allowed it unless there was a reason to suspect her life might be in danger. Many times when visiting cities for supplies, they split up to avoid drawing attention to themselves. If Anna suggested they keep a low profile by separating for a few hours or even days, Kratos usually trusted her intuition. She knew well the dangers they faced and Kratos was grateful for the keen senses she’d developed while living in the human ranch. He hadn't been given a reason to distrust her.

At least, not until now.

Her attitude and stamina seemed to be deteriorating, and the number of times she refused dinner was starting to get suspicious. At night she tossed and turned to the point that he started to lose sleep as well, and his questions about her wellbeing were met with the same chipper “I’m fine!” every time. Noishe had started trailing especially close to her, whining pitifully whenever she left his side. Kratos began to worry, and while he forced himself to give her the space she wanted, eventually she went on a walk with Noishe after lunch one day and only Noishe returned.

Kratos followed a panicked Noishe over Anna’s usual walking route and managed to find her beside a large oak tree, doubled over and half-conscious. He carried her back to their current hideout and put her in bed, looking her over to see what was wrong. She wasn't feverish, but she was dehydrated, so his first reaction was to give her water. Anna was conscious enough to sit up and drink, but even slow sips of water seemed to exacerbate her nausea. Kratos had seen severe gastrointestinal illnesses product similar symptoms, but he wasn't totally sure what to do.

“How long has this been going on?” he asked as he refilled the glass of water. “When was the last time you were able to keep something down?”

Anna was making a point not to look at him. “It comes and goes,” she answered. “I'll be fine. I just need some rest.”

“Without food to give you energy, resting will only do so much. And if you stay dehydrated like this, you’re only going to get worse.”

Anna frowned, glanced over at the glass of water, and looked back at Kratos.

“Can you get me some juice? I still have a bad taste in my mouth from earlier, so the water isn't exactly helping. And maybe a biscuit too- one of those really bland ones.”

Satisfied that Noishe was watching over her, Kratos moved to the cupboard and fished through their supplies for the hardtack they kept on hand in case of emergencies. She hadn't specified what kind of juice, so he chose an orange from the bag of supplies he’d brought in from Palmacosta the day before, hoping the extra vitamins would help her fight whatever infection was.

But, come to think of it… she’d been acting strange for a long time now. Had she been this ill the whole time? Is that why Noishe was being so attentive? If Anna was having trouble keeping food down, it was no wonder she was losing energy. Why hadn't she told him? She never hid when she was feeling sick. The sooner they identified what was wrong, the sooner they could treat it, and they had come to an unspoken understanding that their pride was not as important as their safety in situations like these. The only explanation he could think of was that she was suffering from something that wasn't curable. But that was absurd- she might be uncomfortable and potentially putting herself in danger from outside sources, but she wasn't dying.

Maybe, then, it was just the opposite.

Kratos’ hand slipped on the reamer, and orange juice and seeds sloshed out onto the counter. He grabbed a rag to clean it up, but his mind was elsewhere. He was trying to reason with himself, trying to rule out his sudden, absurd hypothesis. She would've told him about something like that, he was sure of it! He was mostly sure of it. Okay, he wanted to be sure of it. But the thought wouldn't leave his mind. It also didn't help that when he stopped to review their recent, erm, activities, he realized how little care they'd taken to prevent something like this. It had only been a matter of time before an… accident happened.

Trying to dispel thoughts he hadn't yet confirmed, Kratos thought back to the medicine he’d been considering. Herbal tea was something they kept on hand for such occasions as a good cure-all for sinus, throat, and stomach problems. It would help with her nausea, and he was pretty sure it was safe for- oh, here we go again.

At this point, he might as well be blunt and ask. If it wasn't the case, the worst he might get was a slap and a scolding for being rude. But if it was, then they could discuss it. He could find out why she’d been keeping it from him and what she planned to do. Kratos set a kettle of water on the hearth for tea and poured the juice into a cup to take back to Anna. She was sitting up by this point, and hungrily accepted the biscuits and juice despite Kratos’ warnings to eat and drink slowly. He sighed as he watched her and finally steeled himself to speak.

“Anna, may I ask a particularly stupid question?”

She looked up from her half-eaten biscuit and swallowed. “Isn't that usually my job?”

Her sense of humor was coming back. That was a good sign at least.

“Your job right now is resting and feeling better. I was trying to come up with a diagnosis just with the symptoms I've seen, but I…” He cut off his sentence, not wanting to talk in circles any longer. “Anna, are you pregnant?”

He saw her freeze with the cup of juice still pressed to her lips. Noishe let out a punctuated whine, sending her unease. Anna swallowed the rest of the juice and gently handed the cup back to him.

“I'm… feeling tired. I should get some sleep.”

“It’s two o’clock in the afternoon, Anna. I just need an answer-”

“Didn't you just say that my job right now is to rest? I have work to do.”

She didn't give him a chance to protest, diving back against her pillow and pulling the blankets over her head. Kratos sighed and pulled himself to his feet, trying to come to terms with the situation.

He knew Anna well enough to know that he’d just received a clear “yes.”

Noishe had curled up next to her on the bed, so Kratos went back to the cupboard and looked over the teas they had on-hand. What was good for nausea again? Ginger? Mint? He pulled each container out and looked them over, but he couldn't force himself to think too hard about them. Not when he had so much weighing on his mind. More than anything, he didn't want her suffering like this. He wanted to make her feel better, had to make her feel better. Maybe he could blend them together? If one of the teas was good on its own, then TWO of them together would be even-

Look at me. I'm so flustered, I’m starting to use Anna’s messed-up logic.

Still, he put a little of both in the infuser. Might as well give it a try, at least.

He left the tea to brew and passed the time watching Anna and Noishe curled up in the bed next to one another. It was obvious that she wasn't asleep; beneath the blankets he could see her giving Noishe a good scratch- just below his right ear, if that familiar twitch of his leg was any indication. It wasn't an uncommon scene; Noishe seemed to love Anna even more than Kratos did, and Anna returned the sentiment. For the first time, Kratos imagined a third member of the group curled up in the middle, a tiny child wrapped up in Anna’s arms and resting against Noishe’s soft fur. What would the child be like? Would it inherit Anna’s beautiful brown eyes and dark hair? Her inner strength and optimism? Her boundless enthusiasm for the world she lived in and the people she loved…?

His heart raced from the vivid images, and he had to stop himself before he got too involved. That was a dangerous road to go down, given that Anna was still trying to hide the situation from him. He hadn't worked out why yet, but he had some ideas. It wasn't that she was afraid he’d leave her- no, Anna wasn't the sharpest, but she wasn't that stupid either. And she couldn't hide it forever, given that it would become visibly obvious within a few months. But if she hadn't told him by now, perhaps she never planned to. Maybe she was searching for someone who could safely terminate the pregnancy and hoped that she could spare her husband the pain and worry by leaving him none the wiser. If that was the case, he needed to support her rather than get too attached to those fantasies.

Another thought occurred to him along those lines- was she afraid he’d try to stop her? It was her body, her decision, and with the Desians still pouring resources into the search for the Angelus exsphere, avoiding the physical toll of a pregnancy and the work involved in childcare might be the best course of action for her own safety. But Kratos couldn't be sure what she was thinking, and what she thought he was thinking was an even greater mystery.

After all that thinking about thinking, he finally realised that the tea had been steeping for at least twenty minutes. He stumbled awkwardly over to the teapot and poured a cup for her. It was strong, but perhaps that was a good thing. All he wanted was for it to help.

“Anna, I know you're not asleep. Sit up; I made you some tea.”

She poked her head out from under the blankets and frowned, but sat up anyway. “I'm feeling a lot better. Maybe having something in my stomach helped after all. I don't need any tea-”

“You only had one glass of juice, so I'm sure you're still dehydrated. Just try to drink the tea, will you?”

Anna’s stuck out her bottom lip in a pout, and once Kratos handed her the cup, she made a show of analyzing the scent.

“What is this?”

“It’s, er, my own personal blend…” Kratos looked away, suddenly embarrassed that he’d thrown it together so haphazardly. “Just try it. It should make things better.”

Anna’s frown grew stern and she handed the cup back to Kratos. “I'm not going to drink this.”

“Please, Anna, don't be so stubborn. If it would help, I could put some honey in it-”

“NO, I’M NOT GOING TO!”

She shoved the cup back at him, not even thinking about the temperature of its contents. It spilled across his arm and chest, and he let out a scream of pain that sent Noishe scrambling to his feet. Anna gasped and reached for him, her voice cracking with a pitiful “oh no, no, no, I'm so sorry, I-” but Kratos had already gotten up to retrieve the shards of the broken cup that now littered the floor. He picked up as many as he could and took them across the room to the kitchen area, and as he did so, he heard Anna get up from bed.

“Hey, don't go anywhere. There are still some sharp pieces on the flo- hey! Anna!”

She was already at the door by the time he turned around, and he could hear her sobbing as she ran out into the mid-afternoon sun. Noishe followed, and Kratos shoved the cup shards aside to run after them. The burns on his arm and torso were minor, and could easily be soothed with some aloe later. His concern now was figuring out just what had made Anna so upset- and what he could do to avoid upsetting her like this again.

“...Anna?” Kratos walked around the side of the structure, an old abandoned bunker built into one of the hillsides north of Palmacosta. It was a great place to hide: cool, comfortable, and invisible from any of the main roads, while still maintaining the semblance of a home. Anna loved it and tried not to loiter around the outside for fear that tipping off any passersby of their location would mean they'd have to abandon the bunker altogether. It took Kratos a few minutes to figure out where she had gone, but he eventually was able to follow the sound of her crying to a large tree near the riverbank. Noishe was pacing around the outside, and Anna was curled up inside a hollow in the trunk. As soon as Noishe saw Kratos approaching, he ran around behind him and pushed him closer.

“Y-yes, Noishe, I see her. I’m going, I'm going, don’t push-”

Kratos’ reassurances were cut off as he tripped over an exposed tree root and fell over, grabbing onto the tree trunk for support. He was leaning over Anna, and saw her eyes widen at the sight of him.

He’d never seen her eyes like that before. They were full of sheer terror, the likes of which she had never shown even in the face of Desian experiments and torture. It made her look so small, so young, so vulnerable, Kratos’ wanted nothing more than to step in and protect her from whatever it was that was causing her such fear. Unfortunately, he realized… it was him.

“Get away from me!” Anna yelled, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. “Don't touch me!”

“I’m not… I won’t…” Kratos stepped back and fell to his knees, holding up his hands to show that he had no intention of reaching towards her. “Whatever I've done to scare you, I’m so sorry. Please tell me so I can make it right. I don't want to hurt you- I just want to make things better.”

His posture and words seemed to reassure her, and she relaxed a little. “I…” she stammered through sobs. “...I don't want to ‘make it better.”

“What do you mean? You really want to keep feeling so awful?”

“Yes! I do!”

“Why?”

There was a pause. Anna removed one arm from around her waist in order to wipe away the tears that were flowing faster now. “B-because I… I want to do whatever I can to… protect my baby…”

There. It was the first time she’d confirmed it outright. Somehow, even though he had been certain of it before, this brought Kratos to another level of anxiety.

“Anna, you-”

“Please!” she exclaimed, interrupting him. Her head was bowed so he could no longer see her eyes, but there was still a twinge of fear in her voice. “Please, Kratos, I'll be good! I'll stop being so reckless, I’ll stop getting into fights and putting myself in danger, I’ll get better rest and eat right and all the things you tell me to do, just… please, please, let me keep him.”

Kratos froze. “I don't understand-”

“I’ll study and learn everything I can about being a good mother! I’ll read all the books I need to, even if they're the hard kind with no pictures! I’ll do whatever I can to keep you from worrying- just let me keep him!”

“Anna, you…” Kratos stammered a reply through his shock. “...you sound like a little girl begging for a puppy. This isn't at all like bringing home a stray dog.”

“I know! I know it isn't! But I still-”

“This is not some stray animal. This is your child. That's why I'd never force you to give it up or to make a decision you were unhappy with. Have a little more faith in me, would you?”

Her face shot up to look at him, and he saw the fear in her eyes replaced by a look of shock. “You…”

“You thought I put something in the tea. That’s why you were so scared.” For the first time in countless centuries, Kratos actually had to choke back tears. “How could you think I was capable of doing something like that to you? To anyone?”

“I… I just…”

“No, I shouldn’t have said it like that. With the things I've done in the past, I shouldn't be offended by those sorts of assumptions.”

“It's not like that!” Anna crawled out from her hollow and threw her arms around him. He let out a pained gasp as she touched his chest where he’d been burned, and she pulled back. “I'm so sorry. I panicked, that’s all. But I didn't think you’d hurt me- not really. I just…”

Kratos pulled Anna so that she was sitting in his lap, allowing her to put her arms around his shoulders and lean against the good side of his chest. It felt good to have her close again, to know she was still comfortable being close to him. The idea that he would poison her, poison their child, had hit him too hard, and he didn’t want to be too forward with her until he was sure she was no longer afraid of him.

“...remember about a year ago, when we rescued that little girl from the Desians?” Anna asked as she spoke up again. “I suggested we adopt her more out of guilt that we couldn't save her parents than anything else, but you shut down the idea so fast that I didn't have time to even consider if I really wanted it. I know you were right, that she’d be better off with that family in Izoold, but even so, what you said stuck with me. You said that it wouldn't be right to subject a child to the kind of life we lead, that the dangers we faced on a regular basis were not situations that a child should ever be in. So, a few weeks ago, when I found out I was… oh, gods, Kratos, I was terrified. I was sure you'd convince me not to go through with it.”

“That's why you tried to keep it a secret?” Kratos asked, placing a comforting hand against the back of her head. “No matter how sick you were feeling?”

“Like I  said, it comes and goes…” Anna leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. “I thought that, if I could keep it a secret long enough, then I could tell you when I was far enough along that you’d have to let me keep it.”

“I see. That’s what you were thinking.” It was a flawed plan in more ways than one, but Kratos wasn't in the mood to criticize her. He should be reassuring her. “You weren't completely wrong; I did consider whether or not this was a good idea. But it's not up to me. You're the one who has to decide what’s best for you, and it’s my job to support you through that. And if you decide you want to be parents-” He paused, the word suddenly feeling heavy now that he’d said it out loud. “-then it’s also my job to be the best father I can be. It may be asking a lot, but I want you to trust me.”

Anna leaned against the side of his chest, her voice betraying the tears in her eyes. “I never didn't trust you. I knew you would only do what you thought was best for me. I should've had more faith that my feelings would matter to you as much as my safety did. I’m sorry, Kratos.”

She squeezed him in a tight hug, trying not to touch his chest where it had been burned. It wouldn't have mattered to him if she did, though. He just wanted to keep her close.

“I love you so much, Anna.”

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I love you too. And Noishe loves you, and-” She glanced over at Noishe for a moment and then took one of Kratos’ hands in hers to place against her stomach. “-and he loves you too.”

Kratos stared for a moment, the sensation new and different. There wasn't a part of Anna’s body that he hadn’t explored by now, but he felt a sudden rush of nervousness like he’d had years before when it was all still new to him.

Even so, all the emotional turmoil couldn't silence the logical part of his brain.

“Anna… you know that’s your liver, right?” Kratos moved their hands down a little. “The baby would be closer to here.”

“Aw, come on.” She made a show of pouting, but there was an amusement to her words that betrayed her relief at the familiar tone in his voice. “I was just trying to be sentimental. You know I'm no good with that sciencey stuff.”

“And besides that, what's with this ‘he’ business? You can't know the baby’s gender-”

“I'm his mother! I can tell!”

“Anna, at this point in development, even the baby doesn't know what it is yet.”

“Oh? You wanna bet?”

The two continued their playful argument, all too happy to return to their usual light-hearted banter. Noishe stayed beside them, his tail wagging in contentment as he settled down to listen and his eyes never straying from the scene.

Everything wasn’t fixed, but it was at least on the right track.

[mallmarrdlc]

Later in the evening, Darya was walking Vivian to the bus stop. The two girls were strolling along the fields, side by side but the atmosphere around them was heavy. Something, some unspoken words, was weighing down on both women.

‘I’m glad the weather got so much better now.’ Vivian looked around, admiring the green leaves on the trees. ‘The beggining of the spring was so cold and gloomy.’

Darya just scoffed but answered back anyway.

‘It’s late May. It better be so.’

‘What’s up with you, Dee? Normally you’d let me stay the night.’

‘I think you need to spend some time at home, as well. With your own mother.’ Darya shrugged. ‘Maybe you two would be closer if you actually did spend some time with her and just... talk.’

‘And why do you bring that up now?’ Vivian frowned.

‘I don’t like the way you speak to my family members, Vivian.’ Darya snapped, eventually.

‘What? What are you saying?’

‘You are always so snobbish! You undermine them so often. You are ignorant, and you pay them no mind!’ Darya began counting down on her fingers while letting all her anger out.

‘Wow, okay.’ Vivian sneered. ‘Listen here, little drama queen. I don’t come to visit your family, I come to visit you. You’re still busy with school and we don’t see each other that often, really. So excuse me for wanting to spend some time with my girlfriend alone.’ Vivian rolled her eyes. ‘I’m here for you. I couldn’t care less about your family.’

 ‘And that’s exactly the problem, Vivian!’ Darya crossed her arms. ‘You don’t care! You need to show some more respect. My siblings don’t deserve to be belittled by you like this.’

‘Oh, don’t be so dramatic! So I told Skye she can’t go shopping with us. So what? It’s not like I hit her or something. I wasn’t rude. I just denied her request. That’s all.’

‘But you’ve hurt her anyway. She’s my sister and she deserves some time out of the house, as well. She really looks up to you, and for you she’s just a third wheel. This is unfair, Viv. Skye deserves better. And everyone in my family.’

‘Okay, Darya, what’s your point?’ Vivian put her arm on Darya’s shoulder, expecting the girl to shrug it off but she didn’t. ‘Just finish this off.’

‘What I am trying to say is that my family always thinks about you. Not too long ago my dad asked me to invite you for a family holiday in Mt. Komorebi. They invited you, Veronica, and Martha for a family BBQ. They always make sure to include all the children and their partners.’ Darya felt her blood boiling in her. It was surprising that there was no steam coming out of her ears yet. ‘And you don’t care! You always avoid them and all the activities we may do as a group.’

‘You know that I don’t like people.’ Vivian put her hands in her pockets and looked away. ‘Large gatherings make me uncomfortable.’

‘Yeah, and you chose a career in which hundreds of people observe you.’ Darya shook her head.

‘This is nothing career-related.’

‘I know that you don’t exactly have a picture-perfect image of family life in your head. I know that, Viv.’ This time Darya wrapped her arm around Vivian’s waist. ‘I know that you haven’t experienced such... love, and support, and understanding from your family. But my family is different. They don’t know you and yet, they treat you as one of their own. Literally, the least you could do is warm up to them.’

‘I know. I get that now, Dee.’ Vivian looked rightfully ashamed now.

‘So just... promise me that you’ll be kinder. And more thoughtful. From now on.’

‘I’ll do better. I promise, Dee.’

‘Good.’ Darya nodded her head.

‘So... can we stop arguing now?’

‘Of course, we can, silly.’ Darya smiled. ‘Come here, now.’ she embraced her girlfriend in a long hug.

[justjen523]

You Crossed The Line

Leon x Scorpio

(Rating E 18+)

WARNING: Rape Elements and non-con sex implied

As requested! This story hopefully caters to many as not only did I write a Scorpio/Leon pairing but this story is also the follow up to “Wait....What?!” Enjoy my fellow dirty-birdies! xD

Scorpio’s POV

     Smug. Figures. Though his face always looks that annoying there’s somthn’ pissing me off even more than usual. I hate the way he’s smiln’ at me and now he’s headn’ this way. Fuck my life, what a way to start my frickn’ morn’n.

     “The fuck you lookn’ at?”

     “Your ugly mug that I’m about to make look even uglier.”

     “You lookn’ for a fight asshole?!”

     “With you? No need, I already won the battle.”

     “The fuck’s that s’pose to mean?” That shit eating grin is about to get my fist buried in it. 

     “Looks like you’re too late.” That’s all that stupid bastard says before giving me some lame ass smile. I’m about to ask him but Zig walks out into the living room with a stack of folders. Probably my workload for the day. For some reason when he looks at that asshole his face goes bright red. The fuck is goin’ on between those two all the sudden? Just as I’m about to ask Karno joins us and now it’s all the VIP’s standn’ round in this weird-ass silence. Karno looks upset bout somethn but he ain’t gonna say a word. It’s not often shit gets to him.

     “Zig are those for me?” I ask him trying to interrupt whatever the hell just happened. Whatever, it’s none of my business. However, Zig suddenly falls speechless for the first time ever in front of that idiot and now he can’t even take his eyes off the floor. He shoves the files into my hands before abruptly turning around and leavn’ without so much as a goddamn word. Now what the fuck happened...another mess for me to clean up probably. 

     Karno hands the Lion some files and leaves without sayn’ anything either only this time he gives me some weird look before bailn’. 

     “Sup with your doormat, he seems awfully pissed at you.”

     “Don’t worry about him, he’ll get over it. He always does.” I dunno what the fuck he means but the fact that he’s grinn’n like a moron means he’s got somethn’ to say that I don’t wanna hear.”

     “If you got somethn’ to say say it, I actually got work to do unlike you.” 

     “Pffft, then have it. Just thought you’d wanna know how great your boss is in the sack.” Did that asshole just say what I think he did? Nah, no way. Zig would never, especially not with that moron.

     “I’m not in the mood for your bullshit, I got work that ain’t gonna do itself.” I’m about to turn and leave but that fucker blocks my way. Now I’m really losn’ my temper.

     “Pffft, be my guest. Just wanted to leave you with a parting gift.”

     “Yeah? What more stupid ass bullshit lies?”

     “If that’s what you want to believe. Why don’t you try asking him yourself, that is unless you’re too afraid to hear the truth.” I’m already sick of this asshole, I’m leavn’. I know Zig would never do that shit with some moron like him. I push past him not giving the idiot the satisfaction of seeing the doubt he’s planted in my mind.

          Stupid. Why is this shit bothern’ me so damn much? I know that bastard’s lyin’. He is isn’t he? Zig was actn’ really weird around him this morn’n. Then there’s that pained expression Karno gave me. I’m not stupid, we all know there’s an unspoken thing goin’ on there. Maybe I should just ask and get the truth straight from the horses mouth. Fuck it.

     “Zig, you in there?” I knock on his door. He must not be here. His door is never closed unless he’s gonna be away a while. I’m just about to leave when I hear muffled laughter. Is that goddamn problem child plan’n another stupid prank? Pffft, caught ya red handed you little shit! I push open the door fully prepared to reprehend that goddamn fish and instantly regret my decision. No. No, no, no. I feel like I’m gonna puke. Why Zig?! Not him...he doesn’t, he won’t... My head is spin’n. What the fuck is goin’ on? Why now of all times? Zig....I thought....why not..... I’m about to bail on this horrific scene when the last fuckn’ voice I wanna hear pipes up from within the room.

     “Well well well, I didn’t peg you for the type. But you’re more than welcome to watch. Come see why no one could ever satisfy him the way I can.”

     “Leon, don’t. Let me speak with him in-”

     “-spare me. Don’t tell me you actually enjoy takn’ it from that asshole Zig.”

     “Scorpio....I...”

     “Pffft. Figures. Doesn’t matter what you are. Human, god, there’s no difference. You’re all filthy scum.”

     “Scorpio...no don-”

     “-don’t. Don’t come any closer. To think I trusted you. Believed in you. Respected you. And for what? To catch you with that...that trash?!”

     “Listen Scorpion, I was willing to let it slide seeing as you’re all broken hearted but I’d think about what you say next very carefully if I were you.” I’m not even gonna give him the satisfaction. I can see the pain in Zig’s eyes as he looks at me with pity. 

     “I don’t want yur pity, save it for someone who gives a fuck.” I turn and head toward the door, my stomach in knots for some reason. Figures, I was meant to be alone. I don’t need a goddamn soul, never have and never will. It was a mistake to care about someone. Just as I’m walk’n through the door that moron makes a big mistake by open’n his mouth to get the last word.

     “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him for you.” I don’t even have to turn around to see that arrogant fuckn’ smirk. I’m shakn’ with rage prayn’ he’s not stupid enough to say or do one more goddamn thing to piss me off.

     “Let him go Zyglavis. Like I said before, no one is powerful enough to satisfy you like me.” I snap. That was the final straw and now I’m so pissed I’ve transformed. 

     “Leon.” The way his name sounds spilln’ outta my mouth spoken in a voice so deep and demonic it surprises even me drives that shit eating grin away real quick.

     “Oh ho? You seriously wanna try your luck?” He talks big but even I can see past that bullshit act. He’s actually nervous cuz he knows how fuckn’ pissed I am. When I see Zig’s worried expression directed toward him I lose sight of myself. All I can see is red, fury overflowing. I’m no longer Scorpio the god, I’m somethn’ else entirely. An eerie crimson glow surrounds me as an excruciating pain suddenly rips through my body. A moment later two enormous black wings rip from my skin extending outward and nearly filling the room. The stupid lion’s face, I will burn this image into my mind for all eternity. That’s right asshole, you should be afraid. 

     A dark foreboding smile stretches across my lips as I slowly make my way toward my prey.

     “You crossed the line.” I say darkly still smiling evilly as I close in on him.

     “Scorpio....wait...”

     “Pffft, who you talkn’ to? Scorpio isn’t here right now.” Both of their eyes go wide with shock and fear at the sight before them. That’s right, this is what you assholes have turned me into. 

     “You seem to like power an awful lot stupid Lion. Lets see how well you like it when you’re no longer the top of the food chain. But first...” I grab Zyglavis and crush my lips against his. I know I denied it, buried it deep down but this just proves it. I’m in love with Zig. Always have been. He was the only one who ever gave a shit bout me. The real me. And that asshole came along and poisoned it all. Zig, I wish you woulda loved me that way. I could of made you a billion times happier. When I pull my lips from his he’s panting and speechless. Idiot. You shoulda come to me if you were lonely. Oh well, too fuckn’ late now. But it’s time this smug prick learns some goddamn humility. 

     “Come Leon, lets see how you like being someone else’s bitch for a change.” Ebony wings spread wide I no longer need to walk and simply glide to where he’s perched on Zig’s bed. 

     “What’s a matter asshole? No longer in the mood to play?”

     “Scorpio don’t do this....”

     “What’d I tell you, Scorpio ain’t home. Now, if you don’t wanna get hurt you’ll do what I say.” 

     “J-Just what do you plan on doing?”

     “Fuck that sweet ass of yours of course. Unless you’d prefer it to be your mouth.” Yeah, there’s the expression I was waitn’ for. I didn’t even bother to wait for a response. Pushing him down and hovering above him I felt powerful and that turned me on. 

     “Come on Leon, time to play with the big boys.” I kissed him hard and deep. So much so I wouldn’t be surprised if I bruised his lips. He didn’t even bother to fight me, he knew exactly what was happening and that there was only one way this was gonna end. Me as Alpha. 

     I had to admit, he wasn’t half bad at kissing. It’s a shame nothing but bullshit ever spilled out. I got to my feet at the side of the bed before yanking him by the legs to scoot far enough that his ass was nearly hangn’ off the bed. I could see Zig through the corner of my eye watch’n on helplessly, unsure of what to do. It made my cock so hard I coulda blown my load just star’n at that innocent expression. To think he defiled you Zig, but don’t worry, he’ll pay for all of it.

     Cock in hand I press my hardness against his entrance but just before I’m about to shove it in the sneaky fuck tries using his power on me. Prepared for the worst I’m actually excited to find that for whatever reason his ability seems to only make me feel stronger as desire courses through me. What a nasty surprise for him. Bet he never saw that com’n. So goddamn used to getting his way, call’n everyone weak. His expression once he realizes that not even he can stop me now is fuckn’ beautiful.

     The apprehension I see in his eyes gets to me somehow and I take pity before spittn’ into my hand and rubbn’ it over the tip. 

     “Even I can be merciful asshole, can you say the same?” I don’t care what his answer is. I push into him and groan at how tight and warm he is. Fuck does this feel good. He takes it like a good boy and closes his eyes as I begin to thrust in and out of that sweet little ass. He tries to hide it but nothn’ can escape my notice. This feels too good, he’s tryn’ to hide that he is actually enjoying my cock buried deep in his ass. I must be hittn’ that sweet spot. That’s fine, I don’t care what he’s feel’n as long as he understands whose on top.

     “Nnmm.....shit yeah.....” Just as I thought, he’s lovn’ every inch of my cock. Figures. A pervert’ll always be a goddamn pervert. Though I s’pose I should live it up a little and enjoy this rare opportunity. 

     “Yeah? You like it when I fuck you?” I slam into him harder. He can’t hide it any longer. His face contorts in pleasure. His dark brown eyes glazed over in lust. He’s got a pretty face I’ll give him that. I like that expression he’s wear’n. 

     “Unnh...unnh....mmm....yeah....right...there...harder....harder!” Goddamn it why are his words makn’ my dick so hard? 

     “Fuck...me....harder....Unnh....nmm...” If I pound him any harder I’ll...I’m.... I don’t even notice that the crimson demonic aura possessing me earlier has dissipated taking the strange ebony wings with it. I’m too lost now in this stupid game to even notice Zig’s pained expression at the sight before him. All I can think about is the asshole god I despise so much makn’ me feel this good. Looks like he’s shar’n my sentiments. 

     Goddammit he’s fuckn’ beautiful like this. Layn’ on his back, face contorted in lust staring up at me heavy lidded. The desperate sounds comn’ from his mouth are turn’n me on so much it’s almost painful. I don’t know what I’m think’n but I can’t help myself.

     “Zig, come here.” It’s a command not a request and surprisingly he obeys drivn’ me mad with need. As I fuck the shit out of Leon I claim the mouth of the only soul I’ve ever loved feverishly makn’ him practically weak in the knees. I grab a handful of the hair I’ve so often thought of touchn’ and pull our mouths apart.

     “I love you stupid. Always have, so be mine not his. I get it, he’s pretty and makes ya feel good but I can do that too.” He doesn’t say anything but he doesn’t need to. The way the corners of his eyes crinkle up as he smiles shows me the warmth I’ve always found comfort in. He loves me too, he just didn’t realize what to do with it like me. 

     “But since we’re already here...” I give him a dirty smirk.

     “Do him a kindness and suck his dick.” It doesn’t make me mad anymore cuz I know Zig’s mine. Instead hatred is replaced with straight up horny mind numbing lust. As I watch Zig’s mouth swallow Leon’s cock I feel the release buildn’ quickly now. His eyes lock on to mine as his tongue teases and swirls around the tip of Leon’s huge member. 

     “Fuck....I....oh shit...oh shit.....” 

     “Yeah, cum Leon, I wanna watch him swallow it.” I feel dirty but I don’t fuckn’ care. I need to cum so badly nothn’ else matters at the moment. The Lion’s fingers wrap in and grab Zig’s hair as his entire body clenches up. He squeezes his eyes shut tightly before screaming out and emptying himself down Zig’s throat. It’s so goddamn hot that I can’t take it. Just as I’m about to spill I pull out of that sweet ass and cover Leon’s cock and Zig’s face in my cum. I can feel tears build up at the intensity. 

     I guess it’s true what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That can have many different applications I s’pose. The hate I bore for that goddamn Lion lead to me finally gettn’ Zig and havn’ some of the best sex of my life. 

     After I wipe Zig’s face clean and pull him to me Leon, still recovering in bed seems to suddenly think of somethn’ and pulls his hands through his hair in frustration.

     “The fuck’s the matter now, what could possibly be wrong after sex like that?”

     “Yeah, it was great and all but we’re forgetting something.”

     “What?” Leon sighs heavily covering his eyes with his hands.

     “Karno....”