#i know i'm always killing you thy i'm sorry

[chaiisms]

BALDURS GATE 3 PARTY BANTER PROMPTS LIST.

all of the following prompts are taken from party banter between the companions in larian studios' baldurs gate 3 (2023). there should be no spoilers! also, a disproportionate amount of these are from astarion and karlach. i'm not sorry.

I am enjoying our walks together, aren't you, [ name ]?

You'll be as depraved as the rest of us in no time.

Friend of yours?

Were you always so sneaky?

If there's hope for me there's hope for anyone.

How are we not there yet? My feet are killing me.

This is what I get for trying to strike up conversation.

We're not going to have trouble, are we?

If we continue this way, we may get too close for comfort.

Don't get too comfortable. We shouldn't overstay our welcome in such a place.

Do you have pet names for each other yet?

[ name ]! Was that a joke?

You know what - that is not the easiest of questions for me to answer.

Given your own nature, are you really the one to judge?

You can read?!

I'm surprised - I expected you to turn your back once you got what you wanted.

I wouldn't know a flirtation if you whacked me alongside the head with it.

Why stay somewhere safe and comfortable when we could be in mortal peril?

Can't say I love what they've done with the place.

I'm learning to enjoy the taste of chaos. Count me in.

At least you didn't tell me to 'be myself'.

You have so much to learn. Repeat after me: honey muffin, sweetie pie, sugarplum.

Nice to be in a crowd of normal people for once.

So [ name ], how is your sad, hopeless pining going?

You seemed a million miles away just then.

I fear I've been rather hasty to judge you, [ name ].

Ready to enter the belly of the beast?

Step one of starting a conversation: think before you speak.

I hear your relationship has taken on a new aspect recently…

All right, just keep it down. We're conspicuous enough without your hyena call.

Not one for roughing it, I see.

Why not have a little fun?

You're right, of course. Forgive me.

My money's on you, [ name ].

The echoes - listen! They're coming from three directions!

Want me to carry you?

Feeling at home?

Treat them right, or you'll have me to answer to.

Oh, darling, would you?

No doubt they found me too intimidating.

A girl could get used to this.

Now I don't know what to believe.

Well - yes, it was a joke.

I know that, too. It just wasn't funny.

And here I thought I rubbed you the wrong way.

Man, it's good to be home. First round on who?

Oh, I wouldn't actually leave. After all, where would you be without me?

You've quite the knack for finding the bright side of things, haven't you?

Well what would impress you, then?

Let's just stop this conversation right here, shall we?

Must've been an awful day for the people who lived here

You've clearly thought this through a great deal. I'm impressed and appalled in equal measure.

Sure, but think of the stories you'll be able to tell.

I never was scared of the shadows.

I know you're not really as heartless as all that.

I judged you wrongly. I'm sorry.

Are you charging for this sage advice, or is sticking your nose into my business just a hobby?

Pragmatism, thy name is [ name ].

That's ironic, coming from you.

We're either very clever or very lucky.

You do not need luck to survive, [ name ]. Not when you have me.

That will make getting word to my mother rather tricky.

Stop gawking at the decor. This place is dangerous.

I can't tell if you're joking.

So, what's it like caring for someone other than yourself, [ name ]?

You think I'm beautiful?

I feel it too. Here if you need a pick-me-up.

Yet another thing we have in common. We're two peas in a pod.

Is it so unbelievable that they would simply like me?

Use your words.

You gonna catch me if I eat a brick?

[ name ], I've heard you talking in your sleep.

Let's never speak of this again.

You can take a day off once in a while, [ name ]

Hey! Something bit me.

Cheer up. It might be all downhill from here.

I love a nice secret hideaway, don't you?

Think the bar is open?

[aspoonofsugar]

do you think the song out for love says something about Camilla and veggie and to veggies character arc

Hi!

Yes, it does. I want to talk about Vaggie in other metas too, so in this analysis I will focus on her relationship with Carmilla, since this is what you are mainly asking about.

Before I start, though, I am gonna link to you this meta by @hamliet, where she talks about the main message of the song:

You're gonna fight without gloves And when that push comes to shove Yeah, you just might rise above Long as you're out for love

If you love, you might rise above. So Vaggie, a fallen angel, regrows her wings by choosing love and protection over hate and revenge. The meaning is crystal clear. Love makes you worthy of Heaven. Just like in the finale Pentious ascends thanks to his selfless sacrifice.

This is the meaning of the song when it comes to theme and to the series as a whole.

At the same time it is not by chance this theme comes out so strongly in relation to Carmilla and Vaggie, as they are both tied to "love".

FAMILIAL LOVE AND ROMANTIC LOVE

Carmilla Carmine: So I, I'll be your keeper Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll keep you safe and keep this secret

Vaggie: So I, I'll be your armor Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll spend my life being your partner

Carmilla and Vaggie are set up as foils in episode 3, when they share the song Whatever It Takes. This ballad is a love song, but Carmilla and Vaggie express two different kinds of love:

Carmilla is singing to her daughters (familial)

Vaggie is singing to Charlie (romantic)

This is a pattern throughout the show:

There are two versions of More Than Anything - the first one is about a familial bond, whereas the second explores a romantic relationship

Sir Pentious gets redeemed after expressing his feelings for Cherri (romantic) and sacrificing himself for the Hotel Crew (familial)

So, Hazbin Hotel goes out of its way to celebrate all kinds of positive bonds: platonic, romantic, familial. All of these relationships are enriching and help people grow. Vaggie and Carmilla are two characters linked to this very concept, as they are ready to fight and suffer for their loved ones:

Both: Whatever we go through I know I~ (Carmilla: I'll be your keeper) (Vaggie: I'll be your armor) Whatever it takes (Carmilla: I'll make the mistakes) (Vaggie: I'll make the mistakes) Whatever it takes

They are both warriors, but fight for love. They are out for love. However, Whatever It Takes also highlights a major difference between them.

TRUST AND SELF-EXPRESSION

Scrambled Eggs is an episode about trust. This is true especially for Carmilla and Vaggie, who have opposite secrets:

Carmilla killed an angel

Vaggie is an angel

Throughout the song the conflict between Heaven and Hell is mentioned by Carmilla and is present in subtext in Vaggie's stanza, as she looks at her old home.

Both are struggling under the pressure of these truths and are confronted by a loved one:

Zestial: Carmilla, what troubles thou? Losing thy composure is unlike thee. Carmilla Carmine: It's nothing, Zestial, really.

Charlie: Vaggie, don't say that! You do so much! It's- Vaggie: I'm sorry. I'd… I'd like to be alone for a minute.

Carmilla chooses to open up to Zestial and tells her daughters how much she loves them. Vaggie instead closes herself off and refuses Charlie's attempt to talk. She is singing to Charlie, but Charlie herself isn't present to hear her out. Even when it comes to their respective secrets...

Carmilla says hers in the song:

Carmilla Carmine: I always thought that I would keep blood off my face But when that thing attacked, I had to act To cross that line and keep them safe But if anyone knew, then all of Hell would rise to war And who's to say who'd survive the fray? I might lose the ones that I was killing for

Vaggie only alludes to hers in the lyrics:

Vaggie: When I saw your face You made me feel like a stranger in a brand new place And it felt so good to be understood But there's so much I wished that I could say

Vaggie meets Charlie and feels like a stranger in a brand new place because at the time she is in fact a stranger in a brand new place:

So, Carmilla is able to express herself, while Vaggie can't. This isn't surprising, as Vaggie is basically a child-soldier:

Adam: Do you really think I wouldn't recognize one of my top girls just cuz you're out of uniform? You were on the front lines, I wouldn't forget a bad bitch like you. It's why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaggie.

She is brought up in Adam's army and is taught that love is conditional. She is one of Adam's best fighters, but the moment she makes a "mistake", she is discarded:

Lute: Sinful filth like you has no place in heaven.

This is why she feels Charlie will love her only if she is useful and never messes up:

Vaggie: I'm supposed to make your dreams a reality. I'm supposed to protect you. I'm supposed to never fail you. (...) If I can't help you, what's the point of me?

This fear of abandonement and rejection is also at the root of Vaggie's inability to tell Charlie about her past:

Adam: I guess I'll just tell little miss butterflies and rainbows that she's been fucking someone who's killed-- thousands of her people. I'm sure your relationship will be fine.

Still, despite her communication issues, Vaggie's heart is in the right place:

Rosie: If there's anything I've learned, it's that words are cheap, but actions, they speak the truth. So, what have her actions said?

Vaggie is a person of few words. This may be why she has less songs than other characters. Still, she lets her actions speak, so she is given a ballet lesson by a very talented ballerina:

DANCING THROUGH LIFE

Carmilla has a ballet motif, as her outfit resembles that of a ballerina and her two daughters are called after protagonists of famous ballets. So, it is only natural that she teaches Vaggie a new way to fight through dancing.

Vaggie was taught to fight with hate and anger. So, her fighting style is aggressive and focused on attack:

Carmilla: You leave yourself open with every swing. You fight like someone unafraid of harm, and this is what you'll take advantage of. Angels wield no shields, little armor and fight with reckless abandon.

Carmilla tells her she should instead dedicate herself to love, protection and defense:

Fuel yourself with the fear of losin' That somebody who's your reason to live Harnеss your heart and you can't help choosin' To fight with all you can give

Vaggie shouldn't just fight. She should dance:

She shouldn't hate:

I see you're driven by your detestation Your every step is stoked with animus You need a different type of motivation Or there's no way that you can handle this

She should love:

Out for love~ Love~ Think of who you care about Protect them and be out For love~ Love~

Vaggie listens to these teachings and applies them in the finale, in two ways.

She sings her love for Charlie in More Than Anything Reprise:

Vaggie: You've already done so much So many lives you've changed So many souls you've touched And in the end, if it's only me you've saved Charlie and Vaggie: There's something that I've been dying to say More than anything, more than anything Need you to know I love you more than anything More than anything

As stated above, Vaggie doesn't sing much in season 1, but in the final episode she gets a short moment to express how she feels to Charlie. This is in contrast to Whatever It Takes, where she sends her girlfriend away before she starts singing. More Than Anything Reprise shows Vaggie's progress when it comes to self-expression.

She follows Carmilla's advices while fighting

On a practical level she covers herself up in a battle suit inspired by Carmilla's outfit, she wears a harness on her heart and ties her hair:

Vaggie: I'm not used to fighting with long hair.

On a thematic level she reveals her wings and defeats Lute, when the exorcist threathens Charlie:

Lute: So, I'll spare you the pain of seeing your demon bitch die.

And Vaggie eventually chooses not to kill the other angel:

Lute: Do it, then. Correct your mistake. Vaggie: Seriously, you're pathetic, you know that? Ready to die rather than accepting mercy? No, live. Live knowing that you only do because I let you, the failure.

Vaggie is asked to choose between her hate for Lute and her love for Charlie and she chooses the latter. This is why the scene ends with Vaggie leaving Lute and flying to help Charlie. She is given the chance to get revenge, but doesn't take it. She is given the chance to hate, but she loves:

I know you're thirstin' for vengeance, Vaggie You're out for blood But you'll only stand a chance if you're out for love

This is important in two ways:

1- The macrochosm - Vaggie refuses Lute's ideals and defies her expectations. For Lute it is normal that Vaggie is going to kill her. After all, Vaggie is discarded because she shows pity to a sinner, which makes her weak. Still, Vaggie bests Lute in a fight, so she is now strong. It is only obvious then that Vaggie has snapped out of her foolery and is ready to kill. She can correct her mistake. She did not kill the cannibal child, but she can kill Lute. This is how Lute understands the world. And yet, Vaggie doesn't finish her off. By doing so, she moves away from the mentality Lute embodies. She is strong precisely because she can show mercy. Adam is wrong. Lute is wrong. Vaggie isn't out for blood. She is out for love.

2- The microchosm - Vaggie sparing Lute isn't just the morally correct choice, but it is Vaggie's first step into healing:

Husk: (To Vaggie) This one. Judges everyone and everything because she hates herself.

Vaggie hates everyone because she deep down hates herself. She despises Heaven and Angels because she can't forgive her involvement in the exterminations. So, Vaggie hurting Lute would be Vaggie hurting her past self. As a matter of fact Lute is Vaggie's dark mirror. She is who Vaggie might become if she gives in to hate.

A person who hurts others:

And herself:

Vaggie instead has to value her life, so that she can protect others. She must save others and heal herself. Only in this way she can be by Charlie's side. She needs to let go of self-hate to embrace a healthy love. Vaggie's arc is her learning self-love through her bond with the Princess of Hell.

Obviously this journey is just at the beginning and our Angel of Love has a long way to go. How will her story contiue? We can make some hypothesis, which once again stem from Vaggie and Carmilla's foiling. This is just a theory, so take it with a grain of salt, but Vaggie may have a secondary personal antagonist in Hell:

Why is that so? It's because Scrambled Eggs sets Vaggie and Velvette up as foils.

RESPECT(LESS)

Velvette and Vaggie are opposites in their interactions with Carmilla. Both girls are younger than the Dancer Overlord and could learn a lot from her. However, Velvette refuses any kind of mentorship and shows no respect:

Velvette: Mad that I acted respectless? Well, it's cause no one could respect this! You're long past trending! Sorry, bae, but I ain't swiping right! You've lost your relevance-

Vaggie instead comes to respect Carmilla and learns from her:

At the same time, both Velvette and Vaggie confront Carmilla about her secret:

Velvette: 'Oops!' Did I strike a nerve? 'Cause when I brought out the angel's head, couldn't help but observe, that your wrinkled face was turning red! And why are you avoiding war? That's what the guns you sell are for! Thanks to my being respectless, one thing I'm starting to suspect is You know why this angel's headless! Do you have a disclosure?

Vaggie: I know what you did on extermination day. We can talk about it inside, or I can yell about it out here.

They call Carmilla out on killing an angel and keeping this knowledge to herself. Not only that, but both argue that it is necessary to fight back to stop the exterminations:

Velvette: We found it during Extermination day. If these Holy Rollers can be killed, the game has changed. We can take the fight to them. The boys and I have come up with a full assault plan!

Vaggie: Miss Carmine, I'm here on appointment from the princess to enlist your aid in the defense of hell from the angelic extermination. We know an angel fell at your hands and we need to know how.

Still, Velvette fails to get through to Carmilla because she uses war rhetoric:

Velvette: Oh, I get it. So Grandpa is too pussy to fight, so I guess there's no point, right? Oh, what's the matter, Fossil? Too senile to make a real power grab...

She speaks of violence, strength and power.

Vaggie instead convinces Carmilla to help because she mentions the necessity to fight for loved ones:

Vaggie: We didn't pick this fight, but it's here now. And they aren't going to stop with us. You didn't see the look on their leader's face. With us out of the way, it's only a matter of time before they come for the rest of you. They won't stop until all of hell is wiped out, so you can help us make a stand here together, or you can stand alone tomorrow.

She speaks of protection, love and comraderie.

In short, Vaggie succeeds where Velvette fails. Of course, this is true for Charlie's group in general when it comes to the Vees:

Vox: My dear people! We at VoxTek Enterprises have always been at the forefront of innovation. And now, with this new oncoming threat, we are shifting our focus, to your protection. We are pleased to announce VoxTek Angelic Security is coming soon! Trust us, with YOUR safety.

Katie Killjoy: Breaking news - Extermination day is cancelled! Charlie Morningstar managed to fend off the angelic attack with more than just nice words.

The Vees make big declarations of how they are gonna protect the people of Hell, but in the end it is Charlie and her friends who fight for the sinners.

When it comes to Vaggie and Velvette specifically, it is going to be interesting if their foiling is expanded. If so, then I guess Velvette is gonna help Vaggie mature a little bit more, so that when our ex exorcist faces Lute (her nemesis) again, she is gonna be ready for it.

[koogl001]

I have a request so......uh....here ya go *awkwardly delivers* Alastor finding out his s/o is a fallen angel. Like what if reader committed mass murder or smth up in heaven and got banished to hell???

(also if this is the second time you've seen this request I'm sorry. Tumblrs acting weird and wont tell me if my asks are going thru)

One-Shots and Headcanons Masterlist

Freedom, that’s all you ever wanted

Freedom to think, speak and do as you please

But there was no freedom in Heaven, there was only restrictions

You always felt trapped, like a bird in a cage, with wings that could take you anywhere in the world but unable to do so because of your imprisonment

God's Ten Commandments they called it, you called it giving up your freedom in order to live a life that was written out for you

There was only one thing you could do, and that was rebellion

You didn’t mind God sending you to Hell to repent, that was after all your goal

Now you were truly free to do as you pleased, with no one telling you what was right and what was wrong

When you first heard about the Happy Hotel, you just HAD to check it out

Not because you missed what you once had, no no no

It was because the idea seemed laughable to you

You knew there was no way for a sinner to ever atone, to save themselves from this burning inferno and escape to the safe haven called Heaven

And even if there was a way, you were more than sure that those who succeeded would regret their decision soon enough

That is how you met Alastor

He was a business partner with the owner of the Happy Hotel, the princess of Hell, Charlie Morningstar herself

He could tell you were different from the start, he just didn’t know how

And boy does he not like not knowing

He ordered his shadows to keep you under close surveillance, underestimating you dearly

You were a divine being and despite the fact you we no longer an inhabitant of Heaven, you still possessed your holy powers

The holy aura around you protected you burning Alastor’s shadow to a crisp in the process

You knew just what he was doing, and you weren’t gonna let him have the satisfaction of figuring you out

His frustration was just a cherry on top, making him more that perfect for you to play with

After all, you were now free to sin to your hearts content and he was your first target

But first, as a contribution to your new life and to spite the big man above, you decided to break all the Ten Commandments that tied you down and suffocated you for so long

You shall have no other God’s before me

You started building up your reputation in secret, gaining the title of the God of the Underworld for yourself

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images

As a new God of Hell, you soon started gaining followers and as your first command for them as their new leader, you requested a statue, as big as a skyscraper of yourself which they ought to pray to in your name

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain

As the self-proclaimed and later recognised God of the Underworld, you already had this one covered

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy

It became your daily routine to go out on Saturdays and wreak as much havoc as you could, slaughtering anyone that stood in your path and leaving a blood bath behind you

Honor your father and mother

Come on, this one is too easy, no?

All you have to do is find your parents that are definitely in Hell if how they treated you was anything to go by, and just tell them to go fuck themselves right to their face

Thou shalt not kill

Say that to the little fucker that thought he could challenge you and take your tittle

Thou shalt not commit adultery

All it took was a single night getting hammered in the club, again too easy for your liking but hey, you were too petty and set in your goal so what is a girl to do

Thou shalt not steal

Making this one a challenge, instead of snatching up some clothes from a low security shop you decided to steal Alastor’s cane radio thingy, too bad it was in your possession for only a few hours before he “retrieved” it but making him mad but at the same time seeing him trying to restrict himself from killing you was entertaining enough

Thou shall not bear false witness

You should have seen Angel’s face when Vaggie charged at him

Hope it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact you might have told her he told you about fantasizing about Charlie giving him a b job

You shall not covet

Now that one was going to be a tough one

You had everything you could ask for, mainly because if you wanted something, you took it

Deep in thought about how to go about this one you didn’t realise Alastor was closely observing each of your moves

When you started with your little quest, he suspected it to be some kind of revenge for ending up in Hell but the more Commandments you broke, the more he realised this had to be personal

But how could a sinner have a personal vendetta against God?

There was only one way he figured; you weren’t a sinner at all

It would also explain why you looked more human-like, your strange powers, your aura and even why naturally you gravitated towards the hotel

Oh, how he would enjoy having the leverage over you, knowing your special little secret

You knew if word got out of you being who you really are, all of Hell would be out to get you

Don’t take me wrong, you’re more than strong but if the overlords, princes, rulers and such united, you wouldn’t stand a change

So, you had no other choice but to make a deal with the devil himself

He made you his personal maid, working you like a dog until you couldn’t even lift your hands anymore

The power he had over you was like a drug to him, and he just couldn’t get enough

But he hated how friendly and buddy-buddy the others were with you, ordering you to treat them as nothing but trash from now on and soon restricted you from even being in the same room as them

You were his and his alone, you didn’t need anyone else in your life

You were gifted a collar with Alastor’s name on it, after all who wouldn’t want to have an angel as their personal pet

How ironic, that you left heaven, finally escaping your cage with the hope freedom was what was awaiting you, only to fall into the chains of the deer demon, tying you down once again

[aneverydaysimp]

Hear me out. This could work with either Satan (Obey me) or Lucifer (obey me). But I think Lucifer since he's so prideful

So like University Au type thing where both Lucifer and MC are book-smart and tries to kill each other just so they could reach number one. Oh the jealousy they hold for each other that they'll never admit. The troubles they put each other through just so the other can tumble.

But lucifer thinks he's a genius with coming up with thr idea of dating her just to distract her. Obviously it doesn't work after a while because he ended up falling for her.❤️HEHE

Oh, the fake dating turned real trope. Ohhh, gotta love it! >:)) I hope it's alright I wrote this out as headcanons, because that's the way I interpreted this idea. My apologies if you preferred a one-shot! Perhaps if it gets popular enough and I have enough inspiration, I'll make a mini fanfic out of it, continuing where I left off~!

Apologies if this is a little ooc for our prideful boy! It's been a long time since I've written anything for him <33 hope you enjoy!

pairing: Lucifer x prideful!MC

pronouns for MC used as you/your, "MC" used as name

tw: mentions of a broken bone, obvious manipulation to a sense, but it's very mild, reader is implied to be shorter than Lucifer, but that's expected considering he's tall af, not proofread cause I'm busy :))

Lucifer's Distraction

You two despise each other wholeheartedly. Everyone knows it from the freshmen to the professors to the birds relaxing by the window. Of course, nobody understand the hatred between you two like, well, you two.

Of course, neither of you would never admit it outloud... or well, even to yourselves. No, no, you both just had academic differences, that's all! Nothing more, nothing less (denial ain't just a river in Egypt)

Everytime Lucifer thought he was there on top, doing the best on an exam or project, you were right there to remind him that he wasn't truly the best, and vis versa.

Finally, you both had had enough. What started as little, annoying pranks to make each other late for class quickly escalated to so much more. At one point, you had even broken a bone from one of his little schemes that included moving a wet floor sign and you slipping. Maybe he went a little fair with that one, but he wasn't sorry. Still, you got back up. Seems Lucifer would have to step up his game. And that's he did.

One night, he laid tossing and turning in bed, unable to rest easy, you there, plauging his mind. Your annoying voice piping up before his, your handwriting on your projects that always seemed to out do his-- ugh, it was beyond annoying. What could he do to get rid of you once and for all? Something to finally top you? Something that would finally make you just drop your--

And then it hit him. Just like that, at the snap of his fingers. What if he seduced you? Know thy enemy, and all that. He almost shot up right then and there. It was wrong, so very wrong, he knew that. But it was too good to pass up.

And so, the next day, after school, some studying for an upcoming exam, and a quick chat on the phone with Asmodeus, here he was, outside of your dorm, late at night, red roses in hand, with a little apology note-- which he meant nothing that it said-- attached to it. He gave the door a light knock, quickly sitting down the flowers and the note before scurrying off, trying to get around the corner before you walked out, if you did. It was late, so he wouldn't be shocked if you were asleep.

Well, as luck would have it, you decided to order a pizza a half hour earlier, and your delivery turns out to have arrived around the same time as Lucifer tried to turn the corner, and well... he crashed into your delivery man, ruining your pizza and his nice new, white shirt with pizza sauce. Karma's a bitch, ain't it?

And you? You opened your door just in time to witness the entire thing. Man, were you confused. Your rival and pizza man bumping into each other. Huh. You were confused, definitely, but more so disappointed your pizza was ruined. Though it did make you grin to see the disgusted look on Lucifer's face as the pizza sauce stained his shirt as the delivery man apoglized profusely.

Only then did you notice the roses and the note. Obviously, you weren't quite as focused on them at the moment, considering your dinner had just been ruined by your totally-not-rival. Hesitantly, you called out to the raventte, catching his attention. "You alright?"

"No." He replied stiffly, sending a glare towards the poor pizza man, who began to apologize to you, mentioning something along the lines of a free pizza next time you ordered. You were hopeful about that, thinking you could just order another, possibly get some extra toppings you like and all that... and then he said their kitchens were closed for the night. You were the last order. Shit. So now your dinner was ruined, you had an empty stomach, and you had loads of studying to do. And on top of that, your rival is standing right here, likely revelling in your misery.

Wrong. He saw this as an opportunity. Sure, his shirt was ruined, but he could easily buy another, just like he was going to buy you dinner tonight.

After the pizza man had been dismissed, and it was just the two of you standing there (awkwardly), you both began to speak at the same time.

"Would you--?" "Would you--?" Pause. "...You go first." He hummed after a moment, arms crossed over his chest. "...Right." You sigh, already regretting speaking in the first place. "Would you like to borrow a shirt? A friend left a shirt here the other night. May fit you." It definitely wouldn't, at least not very well, but considering it was your pizza that ruined his shirt, you felt inclined to at least ask so he didn't have to walk back to his own dorm covered in pizza sauce. You'd just buy your friend a new shirt. He definitely wouldn't mind.

"I'd... actually appreciate that. Thank you." He moved to pick up the roses he had gotten for you. "May I come in? I guess I can give you these first hand now." Your eyes widened. Oh. So it was him who'd gotten them and not some crazy coincidence. They were... pretty, you'd give him that.

You don't say anything, moving to the side to allow him in. You mumble something along the lines of finding that shirt for him before walking towards your dresser, looking for it. "You wanted to ask me something, too."

He hums. "Yes, I did. Considering I messed up your dinner plans, would you like me to make up for it?" You shot around to look at him, a suspicious look in your eyes.

"Plan to break my wrist again?" "...That was an accident." He replies hesitantly. "Sure." You scoff, turning back to the dresser. "What do you think the roses are for? They're an apology." Okay, you had no response to that. "...Fine." You hesitantly agree to his previous question, knowing you needed to eat so you could focus on studying. You can practically feel his eyes in the back of your head, that annoying smirk on his face. "Dick..." You mumble beneath your breath. "What was that?" "...Nothing!"

You turn around to throw the shirt at him, which he skillfully catches. "Thank you." He hums, sitting it aside, moving to undo the buttons of his shirt. You, flushed red by how outwardly he started to do so, quickly spin around, covering your face. Andddd you feel that smirk again. Fucking annoying.

After he's changed, the two of you head out. This late at night, there's only a few restaurants opened. You two head to a local diner, ordering some food. You were a little weird about this all, you had to admit, suspicious as to why he's suddenly being so... well, nice.

You two didn't talk at all aside from ordering, and you stubbornly fighting with him about paying. Unfortunately, he was more stubborn, insisting he payed. You finally huffed, saying something along the lines of "your money, not mine" before going quiet, beginning to eat your food. You didn't say a damn thing to him, or even look at him. But, oh, he was looking at you. His eyes never moved. It was awkward-- no, intimidating as hell.

"Do you mind?" You finally scoffed, eyes meeting his charcoal ones for a brief moment, quickly looking away. "I don't. You're actually not that sore on the eyes." He backhandedly comments to you, earning another scoff. "Is that all you're good for? Scoffs?" He scoffs himself, taking a bite of his own food. Oh, you can feel your eye twitching in annoyance.

However, you take a deep breath, relaxing yourself. "No..." You reply calmly. "Hm." He simply hums, which you copy, earning a raised eyebrow from him. His eyes, however, finally fell from you to your plate, emptied in a matter of minutes. It reminds him of Beel, how quickly you ate that, and he smiles briefly.

"What?" You asked, confused by the small change in attitude. "Oh, nothing." He replies, and it's your turn to raise an eyebrow. He sighs, seeing that look. "How quickly you ate. It reminds me a bit of one of my brothers." He shrugs. "Are you still hungry?" Hesitantly, you nod. "Well, go ahead. Order more." He doesn't seem bothered. "Since you're offering..." You mumble, asking the server for another menu, deciding to get something different.

After that, things feel less tense. As you're waiting for your next plate of food, the two of you slowly began to talk a little. Nothing more than idle conversation, something to make things less awkward. And it was just that, less awkward. Surprisingly, the two of you had more in common than your prideful attitudes, and that quickly sparked another conversation, even as you acquired your food. You asked about his brother-- which turned out to be brothers-- and he began to speak of each of them.

It was strange, seeing how different he was when he spoke of each of them. Though he seemed to carry an easily annoyed older brother tone and expression as he discussed them, you could see pride-- a different pride than he usually carried-- behind his eyes as he spoke.

"Do you have any sisters?" You suddenly asked curiously, and his expression seemed to fall in that moment, sorrow flashing through his eyes momentarily. "Yes." He replied quietly and plainly, moving right on the with the subject, proceeding to ask you of your family instead. You didn't push the subject. You two may despise each other-- again, you wouldn't admit as to why-- but you knew when to drop something. You still did have some form of basic respect after all.

Eventually, this time came to an end, and your stomach was full, and you were happy, ready to spend some time studying. You wished you could've been studying as you ate-- hence why you ordered the pizza-- but you actually... nevermind.

After he'd walked you home, you thanked Lucifer, and he thanked you as well, promising to return the shirt. You bid each other goodnight, and then you closed the door. For you, it was a nice night. For him, it was a good first step in his plan.

Over the next week, the two of you continued your usual antics, working up ideas to make each other late to class. However, you noticed Lucifer's seemed rather... well, lackluster, to put it simply. You'd give the man this, when he wanted to, he could usually come up with something good that would easily make you late. As of recent, though, they just seemed... lazy. Hell, you two were even chatting in class some, copying each other's notes-- well, you more so than him. As much as you hated to admit it, you got a little worried, and almost missed his rather cruel distractions.

Little to your knowledge, this was part of his plan. Well, him being easier on you. Not you showing up to his door one night.

When he opened the door and saw you there, he could only offer a confused look at your concerned one. "Yes?" He asked, hair wet and matted to his forehead, his shirt only half buttoned up. It was enough to make your face go red, quickly tearing your eyes from his partially exposed chest.

You completely forgot what you were going to say. Brain.EXE has stopped working.

"MC." He hums, catching your attention again. "Uh... I was just checking on you." You blurted out, accidentally being more forward than you wanted. His eyes widened slightly. "Oh. Why is that?" "No reason." Now it was his turn to scoff. "No reason? You're saying you walked halfway across campus for no reason?" "...Yes."

There's a silence between the two of you. It's awkward. Really awkward. "So, uh... you look like you're getting ready for something." You finally speak, noticing the nice shirt. "No." He replies bluntly, your smile falling. "Oh..." You look down, feeling embarrassed. You hear a low chuckle from him, looking back up, eyebrows furrowed upon noticing the amused look on his face. This fucking liar... "You're such a dick." You scoff. "A dick you walked halfway across campus for." Your face burns red again, and you turn to leave, but he stops you, grabbing your wrist and turning you back towards him.

He doesn't say anything for a moment, just looking down at you, flush against his chest. "...Yes?" You finally ask, swallowing thickly. "Would you like to accompany me tonight?" He asked, calm as could be. You're quiet for a minute, just looking at him. "Where are you going?" He shrugs. "Dinner."

And so, you go to dinner. Thankfully, you'd been wearing something decent enough to go to the place he had selected. On the drive there, he tells you his brothers are going to be there. Apparently they have this meet up sort of deal every few months or so, considering they all don't have time to meet up together very often, all of them spread out different places.

Lucifer, of course, was at college, was heir to their estate, and an assistant to a CEO by the name of Diavolo. Mammon and Asmodeus were both away on modeling tours a lot. Leviathan was a famous gamer and voice actor who traveled to conventions a lot to meet fans. Satan was traveling the world and writing a book about all sorts of different cats, Beelzebub was a famous chef and owned a couple restaurant chains, traveling often to keep an eye on them, and Belphie often traveled with him.

You had to admit, you felt a little out of place at dinner, and for a bit there, the brothers definitely seemed a little confused. One asked if you were Lucifer's lover-- *cough* Asmo *cough*-- and when you were confirmed not to, immediately tried to ask you out.

Of course, Lucifer shut that notion down quick. A little too quick for you not to notice.

Aside from that little stunt from the fifth born, things were rather relaxed. Everyone just talked, and relaxed, and soon enough, you fit right in.

During dinner, when everyone was quieter and eating, you noticed Lucifer staring at you. He appeared perplexed. However, the second you noticed he looked away.

To you, you simply shrugged it off. To him... his nice, simple plan started to fall apart. Distract you. Distract you... no, you were distracting him. And strangely enough, he didn't mind.

Once dinner was over, you said goodbye to the brothers, and he took you back to the dorm, just like last week. He bid you farewell just like last time, and turned to leave, but it was your turn to stop him this time. "Yes--?" He began to speak, but was cut off as he felt your lips press to his cheek.

"Goodnight, Lucifer. I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully." You said with a gentle smile before closing the door, a soft blush on your face.

Lucifer could only stand there, staring at the door for a minute. Eventually, he brought his hand to his face, pressing it against where you kissed him. It was confirmed. His nice, simple plan had fallen apart. You were his distraction now.

[tallbluelady]

Cocoa/Comfort Food

The chaos surrounding Camp Broken Glass finally seemed to have settled after Rowan returned and Zenos cravenly vanished with his pet Ascian. Estinien found Thancred after making his patrol around the camp to secure it.

"Where's Rowan?" Estinien asked. "I haven't seen her since she returned."

"She's holed up in Lucia's office. I can't say I blame her after that dirty stunt Zenos pulled..." Thancred muttered.

"Is Urianger with her? She shouldn't be alone right now."

"Alas, that seemeth to be her wish..." Urianger said, looking the most downtrodden Estinien had ever seen him. The man had been... well, he fit right in the scholar's realm of Sharlyan. Despite his eccentricities, there was always a light of hope or wit in his eyes. Now though...

"Is she alone alone?" Thancred asked, worried.

"Mistress Alisaie yet watcheth the door. Due to her insistence, Rowan hath acquiesed to tying a string to her wrist so any movement may be detected, but she has yet to move."

"That's smart but not foolproof," Thancred said. "And on top of that, this is still the best time to attack the damned tower."

Estinien crossed his arms. "If Rowan's not ready, she's not ready."

"I would fain remove her from the conflict entirely, but I know that shalt cause her more harm than good. But mine overtures to provide comfort at this time hath all been rebuffed," he sighed, deflating further. "She recoiled at my touch."

Estinien grimaced sympathetically, and Thancred gave the same look. That was an awfully familiar act. "She probably doesn't trust her body yet. That its hers again," Thancred said. "And she didn't wake up into it. Suddenly she was just back. The shock must be jarring." "Has she eaten yet?" Estinien asked. Urianger shook his head. "Nay, and we have yet to offer aught more than water after she was retching."

"I have some of her mother's mun tuy. Familiar food helped me return to some level of normalcy after I was rid of Nidhogg's influence."

Thancred nodded. "Though I am questioning your acquisition of such food, your theory is sound. Let's try that first."

The three of them made it to Lucia's office and found Alisaie sitting on the floor in front of the door.

"She hasn't said a word yet," the young woman said quietly. "But she kept the string tied as far as I can tell.'

Urianger tapped on the door. "Rowan, my love, wouldst thou care to eat something? Estinien claimeth to carry some of thy mother's mun-tuy."

Alisaie's hand moved up and they all backed from the door. Rowan's eyes looked bloodshot and angry. "I had been looking for those... Did you steal those pots from the Rising Stones before we left for Sharlyan?"

"I did," Estinien said candidly. "But I am willing to give them back if you'll talk to someone."

"I don't want to talk."

"Then just listen."

Rowan eyes darted from Estinien's to Urianger's, then to the floor. "I -I..."

"We'll keep him company, Rowan," Thancred volunteered, and Alisaie nodded.

She mouthed the words "I'm sorry" and held the door open for Estinien.

Estinen entered and didn't bother with any promises to anyone. He just handed Rowan the pot of mun-tuy and a spoon. She waited, listening for the footsteps to fade away before opening the pot.

"I'm sorry that happened to you," Estinien said, leaning against the wall.

Rowan nodded and helped herself to a heaping spoonful of the bean paste. Tension melted from her as she ate. "Thank the gods, it tastes the same."

"Twas surprising for me as well. And quite the relief."

She nodded and continued to eat.

"It was truly remarkable how quickly everything returned. Once my body recovered from your beating, I felt like myself again. And that was the strangest part of it all."

She gave a hum but said nothing.

"Because how could it be so easy? My body, my heart? They were Nidhogg's. I only had a scant sense of self holding on, not letting him kill me. I would not die. And after all that, life just became simple again. Because of you and Alphinaud and Aymeric."

"My body's fine," Rowan muttered. "More than fine. That's the worst part. Are they cremating that soldier's body yet?"

"You know how much fuel it takes to build a proper pyre."

"If we had destroyed Zenos' damn body at the Menagerie we wouldn't be in this mess. But no, I had to let people remind me who the real savage was... I should've just burnt it then, the Hells to propriety and savagery."

"And I shouldn't have held both Eyes."

Rowan gave a snort. "I already berated you for that."

"Aye, that you did," he said. "And I'll berate you for beating yourself black and blue for the minor sins being yourself and being overtaken by Ascian magicks."

She scraped at the side of the pot. "He could have killed you all. In my body. Mayhap even in his body."

"But he didn't. I wouldn't have let him, and you stopped him before he even got close."

"Would you have killed my body if I hadn't been able to stop him?" The look in her eye told him she wanted the answer to be yes.

Estinien paused. Could he have killed Rowan then? She wasn't as strong as he was physically, but twas her resolve that brought her victory time and time again. "I would not have held back."

She nodded, satisfied. "Tis a hard thing to work through that kind of manipulation, and the Ascians seem rather fond of it. Fandaniel's much more effective at it than Elidibus was, but... I can see an end in sight."

"An end?"

"We take out that damned tower and the Primal inside of it. Something else will surely rise, I'm certain of it... but that's a goal that's in sight."

"Are you going to talk to Urianger before we go?"

Rowan's eyes turned to the floor. "One step, then the other. We had to get to Azyz Lla before we stopped the Archbishop, remember? He'll understand."

Estinien understood that sentiment well enough and followed Rowan out of the office.

[endlessnightlock]

Hi endlessnightlock 👋

I'm so happy to see you asking for prompts 😊 and smutty ones too! Lol. May you do 20 and 39? Only if it pleases thy brains. Thank you so much 🙏🌼

20. Kissing in a stairwell, giving them an artificial height difference.

39. Kissing tears from the other’s face.

Thank you @dandelionlovesyou

I fumble down the fluorescent-lit hallway, dragging my hand along the walls, searching for any way to escape the repercussions of one of the stupider things I've done. But District Thirteen is an underground prison offering no exit.

Panic makes it hard to breathe or even think. The choking noises coming from my throat astonish me. Ugly cries, like when Peeta's heart gave out in the arena.

I have to stop thinking about him so much. I should leave him alone, let him wallow in his newly-acquired hatred of me.

I'm used to being the hunter, not the prey. If only I hadn't wandered into his line of sight.

"Katniss? Katniss!" Peeta screams, making up the distance behind me. I can hear his pants for air as he gives chase. He isn't slowing. Even shoeless, he's impossible to miss, his footsteps relentlessly pounding on the cement floor, his artificial foot making an odd clicking sound. This boy the rescue team extracted from the Capitol and Snow's hands isn't the same. My Peeta would always let me run from him.

When I finally come across a door in the hallway that gives, I cover my mouth with my hand to keep from sobbing with relief. Stumbling inside, the door slams at my back. It's a stairwell, a mostly unused place. Thirteen is a massive underground bunker; I've only ever used the elevators to get around.

The adrenaline that was racing through my veins, granting me speed and drive to run, dissipates. My knees grow weak, and I stumble backward, my heels catching on the bottom step. But I have to move, so I grab the handrail and drag myself up the steps.

The blood rushing through my ears must have blocked the sound of the stairwell door opening and closing because it took several seconds for me to realize Peeta had found me. Knowing I should run, I pause to look at him instead, staring up at me from the landing. He's put on a little weight, his hair is a little longer, and his bruises have faded to just a suggestion of yellow and purple that match the handful of thumbprints he left on my neck. He's as winded as I am; we're both gasping for air.

I hope he doesn't notice the tears pooling in my eyes.

"Katniss, would you please wait?" he asks. "I just want to talk to you."

Warily, I take him in. Back in his room, beneath the gaze of the medical staff watching us from the other side of the glass, he made it perfectly clear how he felt. That I was a piece of work, selfish, hateful. All things I already knew about myself, but jarring hearing it from him.

I don't know why I remain in place as he makes his way up the steps, finally stopping one down so we can look at each other eye-to-eye. He's still dangerous, I know, but other than flinching when his finger strokes my cheek, I remain still. He must realize that touching my face is too soon and close to my injury; his hand drops to my shoulder instead.

"What?" I whisper, voice trembling. Doesn't he know he already slayed me with his hatred? There isn't much damage he could do other than kill me at this point. Tears roll freely from my eyes the longer we remain silent.

When Peeta leans toward me, I freeze. Not in fear (which would be reasonable, seeing he tried to kill me a few weeks ago) but surprise.

He kisses me, and I can't breathe. The pressure is firm and insistent, but his lips are soft. It's what I wanted from him the night he came back.

"I'm sorry," he breathes. His body trembles. I'm not sure with what emotion, but when he begins to cry, I kiss the tears off his face.

[lucifer-misadventures-au]

The Morningstar children's... Questionable Diet Prt. 1(Pride):

Arthur: *Munching Aggressively*

Leon: Good Graces of Roo, Arthur...

Leon: Is that a Hell Harpy carcass?!

Arthur: *Stopped munching and swallowed*

Arthur: *Looks at Leon with his face covered in blood*

Arthur: Yup

Leon: And... You're eating it?

Arthur: Yeah

Leon: Why?

Arthur: What do you mean "why"?

Arthur: They're tasty of course!

Leon: Of my fucking goodness...

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

Vox: Oh dear

Vox: Ab, there Hell Lioness near your sheep pen!

Ab: Oh hell no!

Ab: C'mere!

Ab: *Pounces on lioness and fights it*

Vox: Well, I'll be getting the bandages if he hurrrrrrr-OH MY GOD! Ab, what you doing?!

Ab: *Aggressively devouring on the lionesses by the neck which instantly killed it*

Ab: *Munches a chunk he pulled out before swallowing*

Ab: Afternoon munchies?

Vox: Oh God...

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

Velvette: The fuck?!

Velvette: Prince Charlie!

Velvette: How come you're eating the carcass of a Hell Wolverine you just killed off?!

Charlie: *Aggressively chewing before swallowing*

Charlie: What?

Charlie: I was hungry and it will a huge waste of the carcass

Velvette: What?

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

Blitzo: Ya know kid...

Blitzo: At first I thought your so called "cravings" were just jokes...

Blitzo: But I now know that's not the case

Ain: *Demolishing a chunk of a Hell Coyote Carcass*

Blitzo: ... Do you... Need anything else?

Ain: *Swallows*

Ain: Some Hell Harpies would be nice!

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

Hex: Grrr!

Vlad: Grrrrr!

Sir Pentious: Now, now, you're highness!

Sir Pentious: You can always share the... Hell Orca Meat

Hex&Vlad: *Both aggressively pulled a chunk of the carcass on opposite directions before it snapped into two*

Hex&Vlad: *Both devour their respective share*

Sir Pentious: I'm will probably ask Prince Bartholomew to bring two Hell Orcas if he ever do practice kills again next time...

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

Angel: Lance?!

Angel: Why are you eating the Hell Bear you just killed off?!

Lance: *Chewing on a chunk of Hell Bear Carcass*

Lance: *Swallows*

Lance: Why not?

Angel: WDYM, why not?!

Angel: You're eating a dead a bear!

Angel: why?!

Lance: They're yummy

Angel: Oh boy...

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

Zestial: Dear Eth...

Zestial: Why dost thou dine upon a Hell Tiger when thou hast but just taken thy supper?

Eth: *Chewing on the carcass before he swallows*

Eth: *Giggling nervously*

Eth: Sorry, Grandsire!

Eth: I been craving...

Zestial: Worry not,

Zestial: I understand thou hast not had predator's meat in a long while.

Zestial: Only eat not too much.

Zestial: Thou hast but just taken thy dinner.

Eth: Kay, Grandsire!

[queenlucythevaliant]

I'm sorry for asking again, but I noticed in your list of favorite works you had Lamentations, and with that being one of my personal favorites, it seemed genuinely fascinating. So could I request a 7, a 14, and a 17 with regards to it?

Oh goodness, don't be sorry at all. This is my favorite ask game in a while and I'm really enjoying these! It's a clever idea to pick a Biblical book too ☺️

7: how does the story compare to your initial impressions of it? has it surprised you yet? how?

How initial are we talking here lol?

I definitely remember being surprised when I found out, in like middle school or something, that "his mercies are new every morning, great is your faithfulness" came from Lamentations. That was actually probably the thing that first drew me to it, as I love both that verse and especially the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."

I think the beauty of the poetry always surprises me. I'm always finding new things in it. Theologically too, of course: but at this point in my life, I'm often finding that the Prophets have some of my favorite prose in the whole Bible.

14: how likely do you think this story is to break a reader's heart? If you're not done with the story, just guess.

I think it breaks my heart the way a grace does. And the way despair does. I think the heights of hope and the depths of hopelessness that coexist in this book are heart-rending in the best way.

That concluding verse always kills me: "Renew our days as of old— unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us." That's some incredible dramatic irony, man. My heart breaks for the writer, because he doesn't know yet. He doesn't know that Jesus is coming; he doesn't know that God will reject his own Son so as not to remain exceedingly angry, so that he can renew his people. It's ! ! !

17: compare this story to your usual tastes. how does it differ from what you've already enjoyed?

I love the Prophets, I love theodicy, I love tragedy and hope and the faithfulness of God's justice and the persistent hope-pain of the remnant. Of course, I was always going to love Lamentations.

Story ask game!

[ryuzakemo128]

Smother

Pairing: Alessia Romano x Supermodel Female Reader x Joel Miller

Content Warning: Region (Somewhat I guess?), implication of depression and suicidal ideation. Alessia keeping secrets from Joel and you, I guess.? Cussing, swearing and mild spice.

Note: If you want more with the female reader also involved, let me know, and I'll make more like it in the future. Another thing to keep in mind, the female reader is shorter than both Joel and Alessia. Alessia is also taller than both Joel and the female reader. The song influenced by this is - Smother by Daughter.

Words: 727

Masterlist

Dividers

Summary: Alessia's prayer and midnight confession. "Who am I now that my parents are gone? Who am I if all I do is kill? Will I become my father now? Not that it matters now, my soul is already damned."

I am wasted, losing time On a foolish, fragile spine

"Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven, I come to you with blood covered hands. If I am to die today, then let it be done as swiftly and quickly as possible. They shall dance upon my grave, my death will come with much celebration, I am sure of it.' She said in a hushed whisper, looking upon the portrait of her late mother, deceased for the past fourteen years.

I want all that is not mine I want him but we're not right

"Death, dying in the world of organised crime was always seen as a potential bonus to many of them. Most seem to forget that Rome took ages to build. Yet it took only a single day to bring it to ruins." Alessia couldn't bring herself to finish her prayer. But she knew she had to finish, no matter how much she wanted to run far away.

In the darkness, I will meet my creators And they will all agree, that I'm a suffocator

"Who am I now that my parents are gone? Who am I if all I do is kill? Will I become my father now? Not that it matters now, my soul is already damned. The whispers of the ancients beckon me, but I know they're not there, but I still hear my mother's crying in the bathroom when I was a child. The smell of her perfume still lingers in my nose. The feel of her tears on my face as she told me she was sorry for bringing me into this mess. That's all I remember before she left." Tears trickled down her face, one by one, like ants marching to their own death.

I should go now quietly For my bones have found a place to lie down and sleep Where all my layers can become reeds

"I refuse to remember her as the corpse on the floor of our living room, my father holding her in his arms. He was a man lost, a king without his queen. And now here I am, a pawn in this twisted game of chess, with no queen to save me from the grief of checkmate. I am nothing but a soldier in a war that was never mine to fight. And now I fight for them. For their memory, for their justice. But is this the path they would have wanted for me?"

Alessia could not finish her morning prayer, for it was the fourteenth anniversary of her parent's death, and she couldn't hold in her tears anymore. She did not want to hold in her tears longer than she felt like she could.

Her lungs burning from the dry heaving, the sobbing that wracked through her ribs like a storm at sea, she took a deep, shuddering breath. The grand room, silent, except for the mournful echoes of her sorrow. Walls, adorned with the spoils of her father's reign, stared back at her, as if in judgment. Her heart felt as cold and lifeless as the marble beneath her bare feet.

All my limbs can become trees All my children can become me What a mess I leave

Alessia remained there for a solid minute, her knees pressed into the cold marble, her forehead resting against the wooden chair in front of her. The room felt suffocating, a prison of her own making. She knew she had to get up, had to face the day, but the weight of her sorrow was too great. With a sniff, she wiped away the last of her tears and stood, her legs wobbly from the sudden movement.

Alessia had a warm bath, Joel reading to hear eased her depressive episode to a larger degree than he would know of. The words from his favourite book, "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy, filled the room, bringing a temporary peace to the turmoil within her. The scent of lavender filled the air, a scent that reminded her of her mother's gentle embrace. She closed her eyes, letting the water's warmth seep into her bones, trying to wash away the chill that had settled deep within her.

I sometimes wish I'd stayed inside My mother Never to come out

[aladaylessecondblog]

Mother VIII (end)

Author's Note: This'll prolly end up a whole fic at some point, with some editing, now it's officially "finished."

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

As he grew older, Mordred earned the epithet "the Bulwark" due to his success when he appeared on the field of battle in the Blood War. He took well to lessons in magic, but his true love in the fighting sense was the sheer damage he could do in his fiery fits, rending the creatures that crawled from the Abyss limb from limb. When he appeared to take place in a battle, it was a sign things were going to go well that day for the side of Hell.

If he did so while Tav was choosing to stay in Avernus for a while to tend to Raphael's whims (or rather, fulfilling her obligations as his consort) he would come back to brag to her about his kills, and perhaps even to bring back some trophy or the other.

And she always praised him.

"You are the finest warrior in Avernus," she would say as she sat healing Mordred's wounds and cleaning the blood from them, "My strong boy, you taught those Abyssal creatures a lesson, didn't you?"

"Mother, I am a grown man," he'd say. But he never told her to stop with the compliments--he was similar in many ways to his father and his love of praise was one of them. He sharpened his knives, grew in power, and still he would come to her for those words which none but her could give to his satisfaction.

"Remember that, my boy," Tav said upon the end of her last visit, "You are the best warrior in hell."

She filled his head with grandeur, with praise, with love. He was broken in some ways as those of infernal blood tended to be, but she ensured that he knew, if he retained nothing else during his rages, that his mother loved him.

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

It had been long enough that most of the original "prism bearer" group was dead, save for Halsin, whom she still visited now and then.

But the one whom she saw most was Withers who, seeing he would not be able to enjoy retirement in his dotage, had returned to, as he put it, "take the Dead Three over his knee."

Withers was no more.

Jergal had returned.

He had not especially cared for her decision to take the Crown of Karsus but seeing as she had not expected to survive, and took her duties in her new role seriously, he forgave it. And in exchange for some aid in reviving his worship and managing the "cleansing" of the Bhaalist temple as it would later be called, he made a gift of two souls to her.

"I know thy heart's desire," Withers had said, "For I saw it when it began, and then again, when it came to an end."

"My heart's desire is beyond my reach, as it has been since I came back. What do you mean by bringing it up now? How might you benefit from it?"

Withers inclined his head. "Continue to aid me in the matter of Bhaal's followers and we may consider it an even exchange."

It was a large enough ask, but given the value of these two particular souls with full memory restored, and that Bhaal's own was the reason she had lost one of them, it was a deal she was willing to make.

The souls were handed over, and Tav returned to her realm with hope buoying her for the first time in over a century.

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

The reunion with Gortash and Cald was noisy.

There had been much weeping and wailing--the godliness seeped temporarily away more so than it ever had with Raphael, and everything was explained.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I am so sorry I couldn't protect you. I didn't think the Crown would--and they took our son..."

Cald, still shell-shocked from the time in Bhaal's realm, seemed content to be held between his mother and father as they talked.

"That bastard Raphael, it was all his fault things got so far. Naturally when he saw you alone he would...do what he did." Gortash gave a growl. "And even now he has you at his disposal..."

"Less so than you might think. He wishes my aid in helping him conquer the hells, and I have rendered it...begrudgingly to his face, of course. But there is a way out of things...and the best part? He provided me with the means himself."

"There's my brilliant wife." The smirk that spread across Gortash's face was everything Tav had been imagining for the past decade.

(And once Cald was tucked to sleep among the other children in her realm, he was quick to show her exactly how eager he was to fuck a goddess.)

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

She returned to the foyer in a flash of light, having come early to hear news of Mordred's ongoing victories in the Blood War. The contract didn't say she had to be there until a few days later - but she would never quibble about such things when it came to news from her sweet little warrior.

Raphael knew, the instant she walked into the feasting room in the House of Hope it was obvious. She knew it by the angry look on his face, the burst of flame around his person that shifted him to his cambion form.

"I suppose you think you can hide it?"

"Hide what?"

"Do you think," Raphael's contempt deepened, "That I could not smell that worthless man on you? How you got him back I know not, but the fact of the matter remains: you have been an unfaithful harlot, and that breaks the terms of our contract. I will lay the suffering of children that comes after at your feet. And all because you could not hold to your vows."

"My tryst does no such thing," Tav replied, "Bring the contract up, and I shall prove it to you."

With a snarl Raphael did so, and quickly turn to somewhere in the middle, to the clauses governing 'appropriate marital conduct.'

"There," he jabbed a finger at the paper, "Show me the passage that makes you falsely think you're able to cuckold me."

"Right here, husband."

Use of Haarlep was written in as a special clause, and the one she pointed out was right below it.

"Aside from the incubus referred to as Haarlep, no outside relations of any kind by the signee may be sought, with any living man or woman." Raphael dwelt on the words with venomous emphasis.

"Gortash, as we are both well aware," Tav said calmly, "Is dead. Not to mention...'twas not I who sought the relations."

"You treacherous WHORE!"

(There was the sound of footsteps, far down the next hall)

Raphael lunged, and he knocked her to the floor, then knelt over her with his hands at her throat. She did not fight him, that was the strangest thing, merely gave a yelp of surprise.

"I know I cannot kill you permanently," he growled, "But I can make you wish that I could. I can reduce this instance of your body to nothing, and send you back to your realm to rebuild yourself."

That made her laugh, and perhaps he should have paid more attention to it. The red hands clenched ever tighter about her slender neck, until the shell of her body began to gasp--

For a moment all was silent. And then Raphael gave a cry of pain--and the head end of a spear appeared through his chest, and blood immediately began to trickle.

He looked down at Tav, whose expression had shifted into a smirk so diabolical it would have looked more at home on his own face.

The spear withdrew--Raphael turned, only to be slashed with Mordred's nails. The perfectly attended to face he always kept was ruined, cut, and he spat blood--

"He tried to kill me," Tav said suddenly, coughing and sputtering, "He tried to--"

She saw the spark of madness in her boy's eye, and what she said after that she would not later remember.

But the result was the same.

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

Mephistopheles was not all that surprised when he got word of Raphael's demise.

"I always thought that boy would be the death of him. My son never had any talent for parenting."

Mordred would thereafter assume his father's role as Archduke of Avernus, and take up his father's agreement with Tav, insofar as it related to the gathering of children's souls.

And Tav, in turn, would do everything possible to ensure her sweet boy had what he needed to retain his power. How could a mother do anything else?

[blondrichclosetwitch]

O sister, mother, wife,

Sweet Lethe is my life. I am never, never, never coming home! (Lethe is the river where the dead drink to forget their life on earth)

I'll pick you

I'll take you

I did it

And undo

Take a closer look

Study this and ask yourself "Where is God?"

This place doesn't know

This place doesn't care

This is a no-man's land

(I am, threatening to some)

This is a no-God's land

Look at those trees again

(Must be explained)

Look at the bark

Forget your name, how to walk and ignore

Wake up when you’re dead (as in, you’ll realize how you wasted your life when you have the perspective of death, and how you’re gonna have to go back and do it all over again because karma)

General Joy, it seems you don't love your bride

That doesn't mean you're a bad guy

Generally you're friends but she is not the love of your life

To dye, to perm, to change your hair

Or your wife, the possibilities are there

And it's time for you to decide

And I know you will always love sorrow

It's more than what you bargained for, but it's a little less than what you paid for

Tell my mother I'm going home

I have been destroyed by hippie powers

Awakening Intuition

All I know is I was enchanted, to meet you

Words are destined to break down (Ma, ma, mama, ma ma)

Your mother's said, "your girl is gone"

And all those stupid little things they ain't working, they aren't working at all

Lesson learned, wish me luck

I'm not like them, but I can pretend

Take my shot under the light

heroes come the common way

Placed in history

I'll go out of my way to prove I still smell her on you

Raphael is the Archangel of Healing

Mantra for Saraswati to bless your writing

I'm on the path of trust, singing Whatever it takes, receive of the Light

Terror will take whatever it likes (It's in your favour)

Osho you ask of us, singing:

If courage is love of the unknown Consider the powers parading you home

I just feel shame, shame, shame* (this refers to some ancestral healing work that I was told about involving people here)

And now you're tearing through the pages and the ink

His pills

I couldn't tell you that any other way

You're the blood in me, you're on earth though

I sprint across the parking lot cause that day we were unprepared

Lightning bugs to die in jars (this is about how in ‘17 I was told Jakk was told the world was going to end when he was catching fireflies at age 4, about Chernobyl)

Full of films

I'll pay you back in plastic eyes

Fathering Love (seems worth mentioning fathering love followed been a son)

Aum Ekadantaya Viddhamahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi,
Tanno Danti Prachodayat॥

For men of war are we

If I can only make one man aware, one person care, then I'II have done what I promised you*

So dark, so dark and deep the secrets that you keep

And they say it is a capital offense

I’ve been waiting so long to be where I’m going (25/7 sotd)

Et dans tes yeux je crois revoir le ciel des grèves!

Take these chains away

4th Chakra—Heart

Don’t kill thy song that sings so we can heal the harm inside

I’ll make you sorry

It’s like I told you: if you stay, I’ll stay

The secret marriage is never broken

Choke! Choke!

I hate that this will happen, but I know that it'll happen

Concert symphony with movement

I never meant to cause you any sorrow

Throw off your shame of being slave to the system.

I see you take another drag, you like to dance to the rolling head of the adultress, you sing in praise of suicide. *

I'm sending consolation prizes to my next of kin, allies

Tell my brother that it gets much easier

All of my old friends aren't so friendly

A hurricane being born

“This freedom it might cost you your liberty.”

It's the little things that give you away

Bet it’s because of her daddy

I got a million trillion things I'd rather fuckin' do than to be fuckin' with you

And every day I wake up celebratin' shit, why?

‘Cause I just dodged a bullet from a crazy bitch, I (2:09 :08/:17)

Everything got a bad side, even a conscience

Now you're drinkin' 'til you're unconscious

My momma told me, stop the painkillers

“I got mob ties.”

Revenge is the saddest thing

Lay down in our mother's arms for here we can rest safely

“I'm not here. This isn't happening.”

Life is a fantasy until you wake up in shock

When awful people, they surround you, well, ain't they just like monsters?

They will, with minimal disruption to your routine, change your whole scene

They'll take it apart, put it back together…strangely familiar but never quite the same again

It's giving fetish

Fetish rap, fetish sex, fetish icon

But it's not all right. It's not even close to all right.

Testify or tell

So let it be known through what we believe in

I can see no reason for it to fail

“We had a suit, a legal suit.”

“What they didn’t understand was…I wanted everything.”

But ain't no gyroscope can spin forever

He says it’s over and it’s such a release

It’s finally happened and he’s making his peace

The Jekyll and Hyde shit will finally cease

[slaveforlokisblog]

i. Don't kill me!

"Hate, the opposite of love, the driving power of destruction"

"Not that fucking car, that one was Jax's favorite! " spat Asher angrily. Asher Hunter Black was a very successful businessman man, almost all the fashion designing companies worked under him and that was just a..... Undercover!

He was the biggest Mafia boss 'Thy Enforcer' who exported weapons to many countries. He was an arrogant, pompous, ignorant person in real life. He didn't like people very much except for one...his son, Jaxon.

"I'm sorry sir, she came out of nowhere, it wasn't my fault!" said the driver. "well, the good thing is Jaxon

was not in it!" sighed Asher. The driver dropped Jaxon to kindergarten and was heading back.

"Go find her!"

"she's at the parking lot!" said the driver who knew it was her last day. She shouldn't have stayed. Even if she didn't it would be of no use, Asher would have easily found her.

"well, that's a good thing, she didn't run!" said Asher.

"Not everyone is like you, Hunter!" uttered an old man, not very old, but he still looked fit.

"what do you want, Walter?"

"Jesus, how many times have I told you I hate it when you call me by my name, I'm your grandpa for God's sake!" uttered his grandpa. "right!" smirked Asher.

"what are you gonna do? Kill that poor girl?"

"she ruined my son's favorite car, and do you know how much it cost?" spat Asher.

"All of this hatred just for a stupid, non-living object?"

"One thing I got from you! " chuckled Asher. His grandpa was so pissed at him. Asher always blamed him for how or who he was. Yes, his grandpa did some terrible things but now he is trying to right his wrong.

"Is this what you are gonna teach your son when he is old enough, that people's lives are worthless compared to an object." said grandpa. He had enough of his evil behavior.

"I know exactly what to tell my son, alright? He will be nothing like me or my father and absolutely not like you."

"Do what you want!" Walter slammed the door of his office and started searching for the girl who was just here to apologize for what she did. She had no idea it would most likely cause her life. But she was nowhere, the guards already took her to the safe spot.

Of course, Asher was not gonna kill her, he can easily afford a new one but he was gonna teach her a lesson for sure.

"you guys are pretty serious about your security, huh?" said Dia. She immediately shut up when one of the guards gave her a death glare.

Dia Auclaire was an independent, strong, and robust girl, at least she thought like that...if truth be told she was a mess, a complete mess. She was 21. Her life was always upside down. Whenever she wanted to do something right it went otherwise just like this time, but she stayed to apologize.

When the door opened she looked at Asher with bright eyes, he was a bit older than her but he was hot. His eyes color was turquoise like the ocean which made her wonder what secrets lay behind those, his lips were perfect and his suit was neatly ironed. He had a muscular body, and his hair was almost blonde. His hands....oh my God, his veiny hands could do so many things to her oh shoot, she shouldn't think like that in this situation, she is just here to apologize.

"Hello sir, you must be Mr. Black. I'm so sorry for crashing your car. There was fog all around I couldn't see a single thing. I'm so sorry!" apologized Dia.

"you got a license?" asked Asher. Uhh, of course, she didn't have one. She failed her driving test so many times.

"no!"

Asher was interrupted by one of the guards. "Boss, Moriarty's brother is here!"

"Okay, this is your last warning, next time you won't get one, good thing my boy was not in it. I'm leaving you this time, go now" said Asher calmly.

"James, what a surprise!" gushed Asher. "I'm just here to tell you that I'm not going to get that tape for you. I'm not going against my brother!" said James.

"you know your brother is trafficking kids, right?" said Asher. Moriarity was a don too he was trafficking kids and girls with the help of 'thy enforcers' weapons. That was the reason Asher was so pissed that if anything happens, they will immediately track them because of the weapons.

"I know."

"well then you are of no use to us!" said Asher and immediately shot him neat in the head. James fell and Asher heard a faint gasp from the window.

"that girl, she watched us. Bring her!" demanded Asher to the guards. Dia saw he shot that man straight in his head. She couldn't believe what she saw. She just wanted to admire that Ferrari which was parked there and she took a picture of that car too.

"oh shit, shit, shit, he's gonna kill me too, he is a murderer, I should the call police, I shouldn't have stayed, stupid Ferrari." Dia started running for her life. Oh God, it was indeed her last day. She was running so fast that she almost didn't see a boy approaching. She fell taking the boy down on the ground.

"I'm sorry, are you okay? We gotta run okay," she blurted.

The boy was too young to understand any of that. He struggled to get out of her grip but the run was over. Asher caught her.

"stand behind me, okay?" she said to that boy almost bursting into tears.

."I almost liked you, but your timing is horrendous, you have to die too"

He saw she was hiding the boy behind her, Asher paused for a minute and kept the gun behind. She knew that Asher has noticed she was hiding her.

"no, don't do it!"

"Please don't kill me, I will not say a word about this, I swear. Just let me go please, you will never see me again." she pleaded.

Then the other second, he witnessed she was protecting the boy and he was astounded to see that.

"Hand him over!" Asher demanded. "why so you can shoot him too?" Dia said. She don't know why she was protecting that boy but she did.

"don't do it, he is just a boy, don't kill him too." she pleaded.

The boy was standing there facing Dia's back while she surrounded him with her arms to protect him. The boy was still struggling to get out of her hold not understanding anything that was happening.

"Daddy?" said the boy.

[spaghettificationandpretzels]

I am back, I tried to not request for a few days as I felt guilty at the amount I was requesting.

Although I love your lil drabbles so so much💗

Please could I request Ivar with -

"You touch her hair again, and I'll make sure you never touch anything."

😘

Please don't feel guilty. Your requests are polite and a delight to receive.

Drabble Masterlist

Hammer and Nails

Contains: Violence, protective Ivar, fluff

339 words

Comment if you want to be tagged/removed

Ivar decides he needs to set an example.

Ivar was sick of it, "I'm used to it." You would say when someone tried to touch your hair but Ivar didn't think he'd ever get used to it, plus, you were his, no one but him could touch you.

As he walked into the Great Hall, he saw you sitting with a warrior, you were clearly bored out of your brain but you still carried on the conversation until there was a way out of it without being rude. It was when he reached up to touch your hair that was Ivar's last straw, he stomped over and slapped the man's hand away. "You touch her hair again, and I'll make sure you never touch anything."

The man's eyes went wide, "I'm sorry my king, I had no idea she was your wife."

"Well, you're new but I don't care. You touched my wife and now you must pay." Ivar smiled a nasty smile and turned to you, "what should I do wife? You know I don't like the Christians but I appreciate some of their beliefs. What is one of their beliefs? Thall shall not covet thy neighbour's wife?"

You shook your head and tried to pull over away, "yes Ivar but that's enough, he got the message."

"No, I don't think he has, maybe I should remove the offending hand and nail it to the city gates."

The warrior's eyes were filled with fear, "Ivar, that is enough. This has happened to me all my life, there is no reason to start killing people. A better message would be to send him back to his home land and spread the word that he disrespected you in your home."

Ivar smiled, "my sweet wife, always so merciful." He turned to the man with a smile, "you may leave, if I ever see you back here I will cut your hand off an nail it to the city walls. Do you understand me?"

The man nodded and raced off, "are you happy now?"

Ivar nodded, "with you? Always."

Fin

[ask-healthy-light]

A Lonely Path

When I woke up, I saw them standing a distance away. The Princesses, holding a spear of pure silver, and standing by them, a group of priests, holding vials of Holy Water, and drenching the spear with it. An instance later, the spear found its mark in my shoulder, and it burnt, and froze, and I was in unspeakable pain. The look of pure and utter hatred, disdain, and disgust on their faces, I can't ever forget. They took the spear and Holy Water and stabbed me, continuously, over and over again. I tried to stand up, tried to speak, but to no avail. At the time, I didn't even realise how quickly I was healing, nor how much it hurt as my body restored itself, tearing itself back together. Eventually, I managed to grab a hold of the spear with my magic, and threw it to the side. Firstly, Luna spoke: "Begone with thee, foul beast! Thou hast stained our lands with thy wickedness and thou hast disgraced thyself!" Then, Celestia's voice thundered throughout the land, and everywhere around me, I heard: "Leave now, Markless. You are no longer our Lord. Do not ever return, lest we are forced to kill the last memory we have of our love, you monster!" Even through her anger, I could tell she was holding back tears, and pain. So much pain… I tried to speak, tried to beg for forgiveness, but I never could. I could only watch as they stood there and cursed me. And I ran. I just kept running, for days on end, and I did not stop running, or crying, or cursing myself for my foolishness, cursing the Monster that took hold of me. I never saw them again. For many years, my name was nothing. It did not matter anymore, I would never be closer to anyone, so I didn't bother. Over one hundred years after that day, after I was attacked by yet another gang of Raiders, I finally got my Mark, and with it, the new name I chose. Both to remember who I was, and for whom I needed to find a way to redeem myself. Boomlord. It's been a long time since then. I have lost count of the years since I last saw them. I do not know if I still desire their forgiveness, as that was all I told myself for years on end. I would do anything to have those days of peace and love back. Maybe, one day, someone will show mercy and end my endless life. Perhaps, then, I shall finally know peace. In the mean time, I'll do my best, helping others, perhaps finding a way to get rid of the Monster. Maybe, then, finally, I can look them in the eye again. Until then, I'll be the weapon they tried to hide from themselves, I'll be the unheard song, the greatest Stallion in history, always trying to find a way to say I'm sorry. And none shall stand in my way, lest they be destroyed. I just wish to see them smile again…

Written by: @thedumbguywithaheart43 Edited by: @jdeck306

(Thanks for reading! And if you enjoyed, please reblog! Thanks in advance!)

Send an ask or request! | Start at the beginning! | Next part!

Featuring: Boomlord from @thedumbguywithaheart43

[thatgirlinskullz]

random SPOILER thoughts on The Book of Boba Fett S1 Finale... ****SPOILERSS****

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that was... STAR WARS. 💖💖💖

that was.... everything....

that was SO FKIN AWESOME I CANNOT PUT INTO WORDS... 💖💖

yeah, it didn't make me emotional like seeing Ahsoka interact with Luke.. but goddamn was it a fkin exciting, incredibly well done episode!!

seeing everyone come together.. everyone play a part.. it was just... *chef's kiss

i honestly love how it's so apparent that Boba's not young anymore... they show it with the amount of times he falls XD and his movements are slower, there was no way he could have beaten Cad Bane in a western-style duel... BUT that doesn't mean he can't kick some ass, and boy did he!

the Boba+Mando teamup shootout was definitely a highlight, and thinking of Robert Rodriguez's background with the Mexico trilogy, it just makes sense it was so fun and well done. the teamwork, how they covered each other, every bit of it was just fun and creative and looked good as hell. plus both of them using the jetpacks was the icing on the cake. 💖

a minor issue i had was Grogu just showing up, not actually seeing him make the decision. and you know.. i kiiinda wanted him to stay with Luke a bit longer.. idk. i'm conflicted.. but i do love that R2 brought him. and every scene with Grogu is a showstealer.. i mean come on, he is adorable. and even more powerful than before..

the way he takes the droid apart?! the way he calms down the Rancor?! it's just.. mm soo GOOD! the fact that he already has this connection to animals is amazing. and it just reinforces the idea that jedi could connect to various creatures through the force.. and i LOVE that bit so fkin much.

Grogu curling up next to the Rancor was the single cutest thing i've seen in Star Wars (anytime recently), i was just soo cute!! 😭😭😭💖

also, the Rancor was fkin awesome to watch throughout. i was calling them "baby" because i did not want to see them hurt. i did not want to see the one and only Rancor we have die! what would happen to space Machete if he lost his baby Rancor?! but also, i love Rancor, i think they're fkin amazing creatures...

the bit with the Rancor climbing the tower, all King Kong style was both hilarious and a very welcome nod to Kong. i loved it. the way it held Mando was just funny cuz he was being the damsel in distress XD

also, BOBA RIDING THE RANCOR!!!?!!! IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, HELLOO?!!! did not think we'd get to see it, but here we are! 😭💖

speaking of Boba, his standoff with Cad Bane.. wow.. there's so much there... i know Bane doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself but damn i had a feeling that he might actually like Boba and not want to kill him? like he was hesitating a bit, battling with their past together, since they did work together, he did know Jango.. there's a LOT of history there. so i kinda felt like Bane had juuust a teeeny bit of humanity in him this time?! maybe?! idk.. but damn the way it ended.. Boba using his Tusken staff to end it... just SO GOOD!!! also... did not think we would actually have Bane die.. idk, he's like a cockroach, always makes it out, you know? tho.. the thingy did beep on his chest, does that mean he's still alive? did it signal to Todo to come and help him?! what does it mean?!!! i cannot believe he died.. (yes i know he was impaled in the chest but come on... )

AND the best part about this entire episode?! THE PYKES FINALLY HAD THEIR ASSES HANDED TO THEM!!! they've been such a vile presence in the Galaxy for so damn long, and FINALLY they got what they deserve! (well... a small portion of it). damn, i loved seeing them all fall, especially their "leader" -- cuz let's face it, that's not the leader-leader.. it was just the leader on Tatooine.. so yeah the Pykes are not fully gone, thy are still a menace on the Galaxy, and i hate them with every fibre of my being. so it was so goddamn good seeing them fall for once..

thank you Fennec Shand for doing the dirty work and getting rid of both the Pyke leader and the fkin traitors of Tatooine. thank you. you are majestic and beautiful and i love you! 💖

.

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.

honestly, that was a perfect finale for me, for what The Book of Boba Fett was, it was perfectly fitting. every storyline and character came together (except Cobb Vanth 😅, but he's recovering so it's okay), and they managed to conclude the story, and tie it up in a little bow. and i loved it.

and there IS still potential for a s2 with Boba ruling Tatooine, doing odd jobs, maybe finding some Tusken survivors..maybe a surviving clone here or there? maaaaybe a family reunion with Omega? or these characters can just show up in later Mando-related properties and i am very happy with either of those options.

i am very biased, but i loved The Book of Boba Fett! and i am very happy it exists.

i love Star Wars... and i cannot wait to see what's next.

[bruhstories]

Vogel und Jäger

Summary: You accidentally witness a murder, but the murderer takes pity on you. Pairing: Zeke Jaeger x Fem!Reader (mafia AU) Warnings & Content: murder, language, angst Word Count: 1.7 k

A/N: i've been dying for a mafia au with zeke so here's part one of the series Vogel und Jäger. i have two more chapters drafted, and i'll try to post for this series weekly so i can write some moooore for it.

Bang!

The blood-curling sound was familiar to your ears. A gunshot — followed by the gurgling of a man.

Bang!

Another shot and the gurgling stopped. Panic settled in your heart, making you jump back and knock the metallic bin which served as a shield against the perpetrators.

Shit.

Footsteps drew closer and you began to pray. Running was futile. Running was always futile. Your throat was dry, your mascara was smeared all over your cheeks from all the tears, lips chapped and bleeding.

Our Father, who art in Heaven...

The cold muzzle of the gun pressed onto your forehead and you shivered, breath hitching, eyes glued to the wet pavement.

Hollowed be thy name...

The Mafia never spared any witnesses, you knew that all too well, even if you happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.

Thy Kingdom come...

"Hey, boss, we got a girl."

"Kill her."

"No, please!" You threw yourself at the feet and mercy of the armed man. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Please, I'm only nineteen!" Through the sobs, your voice was still melodious, syrupy. So sweet that the boss stopped in his tracks.

Thy will be done...

Another pair of footsteps approached, tentatively, not as eager as the first person. You still haven't looked up, too scared to even blink, to even breathe.

On earth, as it is in Heaven...

"Hand me the gun, Yelena."

"As you wish, boss."

You felt someone crouch down next to you, someone dressed in expensive clothing, by the look of the trousers and polished shoes.

Give us this day our daily bread...

"You've got a very pretty voice." He lifted your chin up with the barrel of the gun, chills running down your spine.

"T-thank y-you..."

"Can you sing, little bird?"

"Y-yes."

And forgive us our trespasses...

Finally, you looked at the perpetrator — spellbinding grey eyes, platinum blonde hair slicked back and a matching goatee. His gaze was either boring or pitiful.

"Lucky you, we're hiring."

As we forgive those who trespass against us...

Anxiety coiled in your stomach, words caught up in your throat. You were still praying, unaware if this was all a sadistic joke or a miracle.

And lead us not into temptation...

Dark lashes fluttered, more tears streaming down your beautiful face as the gears in your head turned in a desperate attempt to understand what was happening.

But deliver us from evil...

"Hiring?" Your voice went up an octave when you saw the small stag pinned to the man's chest. The Jaeger family — the most feared mafia family in Paradis City.

For thine is the kingdom...

"A pretty voice like yours shouldn't go to waste." He got up and offered you his hand.

And the power, and the glory...

Reluctantly, you took it, helping yourself up and chewing your lower lip.

For ever and ever...

"T-thank you!" You told him, slender fingers squeezing his hand tightly. "I owe you m-my life."

Amen.

"Correct. Your life, your soul, your eyes and ears." He walked you to a car and opened the door for you. "Yelena, take us to the club. We've got business to discuss with my little brother."

•°.•°.•°.•°

Your eyes wandered all over the soundproof office, situated one floor above and opposite the stage. Every inch of the bar, the seating areas, everything was visible from that room. You tapped a finger on the wide window, eyes narrowed at the idea that it might, in fact, be bulletproof. These men were not playing, and you were now their property. The door opened and you jolted at the sound of music filling the office as your saviour walked in with two other people.

"This is my younger brother, Eren. You already know Yelena. I assume you know my name."

You nodded.

"Zeke Jaeger."

"Good girl." Zeke was pleased with your answer as he poured himself a glass of bourbon.

"I thought we didn't spare any witnesses." Eren shot you a look that made you regret being alive.

"Settle down, little brother. Tell us your name."

"Y/N, sir. Y/N Y/L/N." You swallowed, fingers fiddling with the hem of your blouse in an attempt to calm your nerves.

"You see, Eren, Y/N can sing." Zeke opened a drawer and pulled a gun out. More guns, more panic. Your eyes widened and your plump lips quivered when he aimed the gun at you with one hand, glass of alcohol in the other. "Sing or I paint the walls with your brains."

Your legs almost gave in at the threat — you knew it wasn't an empty one, and with all the courage you could muster, you closed your eyes and sang the first song that came to your mind, fucking Kiss from a Rose.

Your voice seemed to coat the people with honey, all three of them somewhat relaxing at the sweet sounds coming from your vocal cords.

"See, I told you she can sing." Zeke put the gun back in the drawer and closed it, swirling the bourbon in his glass before finishing it.

"Where do you live?" Eren crossed his arms, still suspicious of you.

"Historia's." You told him, eyes drifting to the ugly fur rug on the floor.

"The orphanage?"

"Yes."

"But you said you're nineteen." Zeke intervened, a brow quirked at you.

"I am. I try to help as much as possible in exchange for a bed and a roof over my head." You explained, eyeing the white couch that looked so incredibly comfortable.

"Just sit down already." Eren scoffed and you rushed to the furniture, mumbling thank you’s over and over.

"And why were you on that street tonight?" Yelena spoke for the first time since you came to the club. You looked at her and she seemed just as suspicious about you as Eren.

"I... the man you k-killed... he was... I'm-"

"A prostitute." Zeke nonchalantly interrupted you.

It was true. People like you, orphans, didn't have the privilege of being properly educated and finding well-paid jobs. Paradis was a jungle, and you did everything you could to survive. Everything.

"Well on the bright side you don't have to do that anymore." Zeke shrugged as he sunk deeper in his chair, feet on the desk, but you sensed he wasn't entirely honest. "You do have a beautiful voice, and our last girl had some... business to attend to, so you'll be taking her place."

"Is this why you called me here?" Eren sighed, leg impatiently shaking.

"Don't be stupid, of course not. I need Armin to prepare this month's tax reports and I need you to keep an eye on the police. They're sticking their nose in our business again, and I want them out of it. You two can go. Y/N, you stay." Zeke waved his hand and Eren and Yelena left, music briefly filling the office again.

You twiddled with the cushion in your lap, waiting for your new boss to say something. Being in that room was nerve-wracking, and you felt the air grow thick. Eventually Zeke took off his glasses, fingers rubbing the bridge of his nose as he sighed.

"Sir?" You dared, voice feeble and frail.

"What?" He clicked his tongue and you instantly regretted speaking.

"Sir, I'm not educated, but I've been on the streets long enough to know that every man or woman has a purpose..." You placed the cushion back. "...and a price. What's my purpose? I doubt it's only to sing."

Zeke nodded, fingers tracing the wooden desk.

"You're right, it isn't just to sing. It's to distract."

"Distract who? And from what?"

"You're asking an awful lot of questions for someone who's just witnessed a murder. You best not go to the police." He narrowed his eyes, piercing your soul. You sighed and walked to the desk, taking a seat opposite Zeke.

"It's not... my first murder." You confessed to him.

"Oh? My dear, you're full of surprises. Pray, tell. Drink?"

"Yes please." You answered, throat dry as a desert. "I can't go to the police. And even if I could, I wouldn't." The drink earned a disgusted look from you, but it was better than nothing. "Two years ago, I ended someone's life. He deserved it, he broke into Miss Historia's orphanage and tried to... to..."

"I understand." Zeke stopped you. "And if you go to the police, they'd do a background check on you." He continued, satisfied that he had a leverage in case you decided to turn against him.

"Exactly. And Historia helped me so much, I wouldn't want to put her in danger. So, I'm asking again, distract who from what?"

Zeke walked to the window, telling you to follow him. He pointed at two men, a tall blond one, and a short brunette one.

"See those two? They're policemen. They work for us, but we suspect they're double agents." He explained before pointing at three other men. "Those we suspect of being Marleyan mobsters. You see, Y/N, we have a lot of enemies. And we must keep our guard up every second of our lives."

You nodded, perfectly understanding Zeke's words. Paradis was a chess board and only the filthy rich played — the rest of you were pawns.

"Sir, you spared my life, and I know I can't ask for anything in return. But please, please don't drag Miss Historia into this. The children there did nothing wrong." Tears pooled at your eyes, rolling down your cheeks and you wiped them with the back of your hand. "I swear my loyalty to you."

"For someone uneducated, you're extremely clever." Zeke's voice was serious. You half-smiled at the compliment, but you knew the mess you got yourself into cut your lifespan severely. "Can you shoot?"

"No, sir."

"It's alright, Mikasa will teach you. Sleep on the couch tonight, I'll have Yelena bring you a blanket. Tomorrow you'll swear an oath in front of the family. And if you want to protect Historia, you'll move out of the orphanage."

You nodded. You understood that mingling with the mafia endangered everyone you loved, but you couldn't stop yourself from crying the entire night. Historia was but a few months older than you, yet she gladly took you in when she invested in that orphanage. Now you had to leave everything behind for her safety — and yours.