#i lied about the lightning it turned out not That Easy

[raplinenthusiasts]

200917 Bang Chan 🔥

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[arijackz]

PICK A CARD: Your Fall Awakening

✧ "I loved watching the base of those thunderstorms, the billowing tops of the cumulonimbus, the lightning that effortlessly lit up the lake and the sky. It was gorgeous, so energetic. I was in love." - Ginger Zee

Disclaimer: This is a general reading, take what resonates. This is a gender-neutral reading, change any pronouns to apply to you. Also, the tense changes from past to present to future, I hope this doesn't make the reading difficult.

Also! Thank you so much to everyone who put in a paid reading request, when my life stabilizes, those will be on the top of my priority list. <3

p1 → p2 ↙︎ p3 → p4

Pile One (King of Cups, 5oC, The Sun, The Knight of Cups)

This energy feels sudden but fated. This year’s eclipse season has been insane and you were always destined to reach a cosmic juncture of complete renewal around this time. The scales are tipping in your favor and this is your season to receive. 

This is my emotionally attuned pile. You were a sensitive child—a walking bundle of warmth and acceptance—until people took advantage of your gentle soul. You could have been the typical sunshine kid always giggling, easily making connections, and being a bright energy people were easily attracted to. Whether or not you were aware of it, people saw your capacity for love and happiness as intimidating and “fake”. Their reality did not shine as bright as yours so they could not fathom your authentic happiness.

That doesn’t mean people did not try to take advantage of your gentleness. Society associates friendliness/happiness as weakness and sees you as an easy target to get over on. Being trusting isn’t naivety, it isn’t your fault that you extended your time and resources to greedy people, it is their loss that they ruined a genuine connection because they were too far gone in their own misery to recognize a helping hand out of the shadows. 

This is a general reading so the details of what happened vary greatly, for most of you, there was a series of traumatic events involving your interpersonal relationships that scarred your heart. I visually see a wilting flower or a chest caving in on itself. 

Betrayal, cheating, abuse, years and years of lying, bullying, isolation, being ignored, and just overall feeling less important than the other people in your life.

But we don’t need to get into the nitty gritty of that bullshit. That chapter is closed, burned, and a renewed phoenix is rising from its ashes. 

To any other person, these events would have turned them rotten and nasty, but you never passed this hurt onto others, you just held onto it and kept holding on until it slowly drained and left all the cavities in your body empty and numb. You’re used to depletion, giving and giving, but being left in the dust after everyone else gets their fill and moves on.

Listen to me, you are stepping into your rainfall- the world revolves around you- era. You’re being rewarded for your resilience and “the cycle ends with me” attitude. A hurt person hurt you and you turned that into further reason why you would never be so cruel to another soul.

You got the sun, the best fucking card in the deck, right in the middle of your spread. With the lies you’ve been fed over the years, at some point on your journey, you got lost in the illusions of lack and fear. Fear that you weren’t enough and less than the magnificent being you truly are.

But this juncture is like a lightning strike of clarity to your consciousness, you are realizing that this journey is just that… a journey. A life lesson circling you back to your power so you can acknowledge just how fucking desirable your heart actually is.

People tried to rob you of your happiness because they wanted it. People tried to squash your kindness because they wanted it. People abused your time and energy because they yearned for it but could never have it. Think about it, if you had nothing of value, they wouldn’t have plotted on the resources you offered. 

We’ve all heard the saying, “You don’t know how good you have something until you lose it.” Life put you on this course of being on top, hitting rock bottom (deep depression), and then climbing up again so you can cultivate the strength to have a sensitive soul and defend it against all the greedy hands who want a piece. 

This journey taught you discernment, who to trust and who not to trust. It taught you how to pick yourself up and dust off. You learned to be stingy with your time and treat yourself as high value. Most importantly, you experienced your first full cycle of rebirth, where you learn that even your lowest of lows are temporary and it is universal law that all things eventually come to an end to be reborn bigger and better. 

True strength is seeing the world’s ugliness and not letting it taint you. You’ve been the victim of cruel actions and you wouldn’t dare enforce those on anyone else. The universe honors people like you. You were always meant to experience this upcoming win fall.

If you’re reading this, you’re already beginning to feel it. Shifts like this happen internally before manifesting externally. You step outside and the world looks more… romantic.

You can feel it in your bones that you are about to receive your fairytale life. The moon is smiling back at you and the stars are spelling out your name.

Embrace this Knight of cups energy and follow the whims of your heart, they’re leading you to your new timeline. Fall in love with yourself and acknowledge the battle you not only survived but won. 

P.S. Little you is so motherfucking proud of who you are and what you stand for. They knew you would make it back to them. It pained them to see you lost in other people’s lies but they never doubted your capability to see love in life again. Your kid self lived and breathed this joy and they knew nobody could truly take it from them. They are happy to see you realize it too.  

"Sometimes, the strongest roots grow in the softest soil."

Pile Two (King of Swords rev., King of Pentacles, 10oW, Queen of Wands rev.)

YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH! There is no fucking reason to fixate on changing yourself when you are already perfect as is, sugar plum!

You carried your family’s burdens up a verrry long mountain. You were trekking through life with a generational weight strapped on your back. Your greatest devil was expectations. 

You were told who you should be, what you should do, how you should act, what you should believe in. 

There weren’t many loving voices in your home, your efforts were met with harsh critiques and a heavier load on your plate. This is the classic case of being pushed beyond limits no child should have to reach. In your upbringing, it was perfection or nothing. Not only did you have to excel academically, you had to be attractive and have a thriving social life, do extracurriculars, and anything else that exemplified you as a model child and citizen. 

And even then, when you did all those things, you didn’t get the proper acknowledgment or congratulations you deserved. Lots of you just got higher expectations set after you proved you could reach an already unrealistic standard. God forbid you didn’t reach those standards, some of you got shunned or abused. 

Sometimes you felt more like a project your people flaunted rather than someone they authentically loved and cared for.

This fucked with your young psyche. I mean… what's the point!? You jump through all these hoops to barely get a pat on the back? Yeah, you seemed perfect on the outside but internally, you were teeming with self-hate and the contempt of not being enough for anyone. 

I am getting frustrated just channeling this message, damn you deserved so much more! 

(Do you get migraines or tension headaches?)

This is my pile of people who did not get the privilege of choosing their own career path. Your guardians told you to study to become a doctor, engineer, scientist, artist, or whatever the hell they wanted to flaunt as an extension of themselves. 

But get this, your people didn’t do that shit either! They push so hard for you to be someone they’re not because they’re projecting their (fear of) failure onto you. 

For some (those who were not ignored or abused), it wasn’t malicious. They pushed you to be great because they wanted the best for you, but the way they handled it was fucked up.

There was a lot of fear about falling short of expectations and disappointing the people around you. Creating this mindset that you had to perform for affection and needed to prove that you were of value to people in order to be loved.

Some of you heavily rebelled against this authoritarian force in your life. Explicitly, through using sex to satiate your desire to feel loved. Like with your family, you viewed love as transactional and went into “relationships” with people who disguised their lust for you as love but only truly wanted to exploit your vulnerable state.

I am sorry you did not deserve that, you are better with those energies out of your life. 

BAAABBBYYYY, this season is rinsing out all that gunk between your ears and pushing the weight off your back. Can you feel your spine unfurl?

This season you’re letting all the bullshit go. You’re garnering strength the rest of society only talks about. You’re looking at yourself in the mirror and saying that nobody’s expectations are worth living a life you don’t want to live. Those people were empowered by you not recognizing your own capability, they were the only measurement of how worthy you were and the only source of the approval you craved. 

(why won't this center???^)

You’re awakening to just how much of a bad mf you truly are! You’re the king of pentacles- you’re your own empire! You’re reclaiming your power and acknowledging that with all the time and effort you put into building someone else’s dreams, you have the strength to build your own!

With every challenge thrown at you, YOU BODY THAT SHIT!

I’m getting chills, I feel like a hype man lmao. I’m your biggest fan fr. I want you on my team! You’re an irreplaceable asset that anyone would be blessed to work with. 

All the pressure you faced has forged you into a one-of-a-kind gemstone and you are shining brightly! 

This journey taught you the power of control and how to take the reigns of your own chariot. You will never allow another soul to take your will from you again. 

*Clears throat* Don’t tell anyone I said this but… expect your life to blossom in ways you can’t even begin to fathom.

Your 5th house: leisure, pleasure, romance, creativity, and your 10th house: higher self, your image, and how you carry yourself once you leave the shadows is getting a major activation.  

The dreams of your future that you wouldn’t dare whisper to the people in your life are being heard by Source and they’re being packaged (with a cute lil bow) behind the scenes, ready to be delivered at your feet. I am not kidding, your oracle cards are: 10th house, 5th house, Venus, fated meeting, and “Blessings you couldn’t even dream of are walking to your front door”.

There is a special emphasis on your creative endeavors, unleash the side of you that was shunned, and allow it to garner the love and attention that has always been meant for you! It is your time to live life the way you’ve always wanted to. 

P.S. People don’t want to hear it because getting your expectations high is a “bad” thing or whatever, but you will meet someone. It’s a fated meeting and you two are meant for each other. Royal love. You got all court cards and while I was typing, “one-of-a-kind” autocorrected to “one-of-a-king”. 

Pressure Reveals Our Brilliance

Pile Three (10oS Rev., 10oW, 8oP, Queen of Swords, Emperor)

Growing up, my mom always told me that when we feel like we’re wandering aimlessly, we’re actually slowly inching closer to where we’re meant to be.

I pass these words of wisdom on to you because you know the pain of wandering all too well. When you were younger, your energy was unadulterated and you dreamt big without any doubt creeping around your skull to sully your aspirations. You are naturally a very ambitious person with a killer drive to get shit done.

However, something shifted. I don’t think it was a specific event, it happened over time. The wrong people and painful situations slowly chipped away at your spark for life until your body lost its will and you slowly staggered to the ground with all ten swords in your back. 

There was a dense fog around who you were and what you wanted. You questioned your desires and your ability to achieve them, growing more frustrated with your own confusion. Until eventually, you stopped dreaming. Anything to curb the painful disappointment of feeling like a person coming from a broken mold. Or a human without an outline, just an indistinct blur melting into the background. 

I feel static in my bones. I see that your shadows locked you in place- paralyzed. Limited only to the realms in your head as you watch the world evolve and move on without you.

This pile struggles with the most intense anxiety. Have you seen Inside Out 2? There is a scene where the anxiety emotion goes into overdrive and can’t remove herself from the control panel and Riley has an ongoing panic attack. For a huge chunk of your life, your anxiety couldn’t release itself from the command center. Your whole life has felt like you’ve been holding your breath, waiting for the panic attack to subside. 

You’re a nervous nelly, I’m afraid. Not to be offensive, but I imagine a nervous, wet chihuahua shaking like a leaf (haha, been there).

Something about your friendships and the negative influence of others is important. The ten of swords is typically a betrayal card. These situations left you with an aching sense that you didn’t have control over the direction of your life, so you spent your days worrying about everything that has and will go wrong.

Maybe people told you that you weren’t capable? Maybe you felt like you didn't measure up to the people around you who had direction in their lives.

You have a lot of energy, pent-up energy. It is actually one of your blessings, you have an abundance of energy to achieve all that you set your mind to. But these traumatic events locked up this vitality and prevented it from being properly expressed. It didn’t go away, it got transmuted into mental energy and you “thought” yourself to death. 

It’s funny—you probably daydream about taking action and doing the everyday things that others do without a second thought. For them, it’s normal, but for you, it’s a wild dream. 

This is my late bloomer pile. The things people your age typically do, you haven’t gotten around to because you can’t seem to get your body and mind on the same accord. 

You had restless energy, your body was always on but not in motion. Think of a tightly stretched rubber band aching to be released anywhere but stuck in this moment of tension. You felt the pull, the urge to leap into action, yet something held you back—whether it was doubt, hesitation, or simply the weight of expectation. Each day was a reminder of your potential, a constant yearning to break free and finally express that energy in a meaningful way. But, the second you went in for the kill, your bones locked up and left you stagnant.

I want to cry writing this. Your wishes are so simple and you will get them tenfold, quote me. 

This season you are getting the key to freedom from your mental prison- clarity. Clarity on just how possible everything is. You are awakening to the world at your fingertips and the very road map woven into your heart.

It sounds silly, but you dream of work! You want to go out and create without paralyzing fear looming over your shoulder. This is your deepest desire because you are meant to do it. You’re the fucking emperor AND the queen of swords. Your name is meant to be plastered on a building somewhere, and no amount of fear or doubt is going to keep you from that. 

This journey taught you how to build mental fortitude and define yourself. You won’t listen to any voice that prevents you from living the life you want to live, not even your own. The next time you get stabbed in the back, you won’t even flinch and you sure as hell won’t stop your motion. 

You don’t need to think, just be. Your feet will take you to where you need to go.

(Shoutout to my Rahuvians!)

Your wildest dreams have been heard and answered, and you’re beginning to find your direction again. I know it’s hard to believe, especially after spending so much of your life in an illusionary prison—a mental construct that felt all too real. But take a deep breath and allow those bars to melt away. Remember, this chapter is just that: a chapter in your life. You are ready to turn the page and embark on a new adventure, one that could be your very first! Embrace the possibilities ahead, and tell any lingering fears to shut the fuck up and kick rocks.

This next phase in your life is anything but slow, it’s a complete 180 from what you’re used to. Get ready to be a busy bee and in high demand. Your mind and body will be sharp, focused, and honed in on your craft. You are mastering something and achieving great success. “Blessings you couldn’t even dream of are walking to your front door.”

P.S. I know that was a long, agonizing, period in your life but jump for joy now that it’s over! I promise you, it truly is!! Don’t stress about the past or worry about what you should or could have done differently. You did everything perfectly and you were always meant to be where you are right now. 

I know this might sound cliché, but the situation was out of your hands. The lesson was about learning to surrender control and trusting in the only constant in life: change. Nothing lasts forever, your pain is temporary. Trust that this experience has shaped you, and now you have the opportunity to step forward with newfound strength and resilience. Embrace the future—it’s waiting for you!

She's Using the Colors of Her Aura to Define Her Being

Pile Four (2oP, 7oW, 4oW, 90P, Clear, Third Eye Chakra, 1st House, Pluto)

Hmmm, pentacles (earth​ = stay and grow, grow, grow) and wands (fire = go, go, go)… “Should I stay or should I go?” 

Nobody wants to hear it, but you’re being pushed into hermit mode. But fear not! ☝🏾 This will be your last and most peaceful retreat. You’re caught in a battle between the urge to slow down and prioritize your wellness and the temptation to jump up and grind. Embrace this time for reflection and self-care—it’s essential for your growth. When you take the time to recharge, you’ll emerge stronger and more focused, ready to tackle whatever comes next with renewed energy. Trust that this phase is necessary for your journey.

The right answer is a blend of both. Make a steady meditation and fitness plan you can rely on where you feel productive yet kept to yourself. Your energy is sensitive at this time and people are going to try and purposely trigger you because they can sense that you’re getting ready to pop out and do your mf jig!

You are crazy intuitive and are awakening to this fact, but just like the start of any journey, you’re trying to find a balance between your intuition and judgment.

Spoiler alert, they're the same thing! 

ESPECIALLY for you. Check to see if you have Pluto, Ketu (south node), Jupiter (Sag or Pisces), Mars (Aries or Scorpio), or Moon (Cancer) in your first, fourth, seventh, or tenth house. Or literally anything in your eighth house.

You are blessed with the ability to see beyond the veil of illusion and are meant to nurture and refine this gift. Embrace it as a powerful tool for understanding yourself and the world around you. Trust your intuition and allow it to guide you through challenges, helping you uncover deeper truths. 

This season is bringing changes to your physical body and immediate environment, you feel most vulnerable to the weather changes and are probably having trouble sleeping. You are likely feeling tension between your eyebrows and are seeing images that aren't actually there. 

You’re experiencing a third eye awakening and a major karmic clearing, this is my most spiritual pile by far. If you’re not into these types of things, this isn’t your pile. Actually, this group really stands out from the others, I don’t have advice for you per se; this message is to assure you that you’re not delusional. 

I am here to tell you to trust what you’re seeing. You’re right! Whatever you think is happening… is happening. If you think great things are coming, they absolutely are. Conversely, if you feel that something shady is going on behind the scenes, then that’s exactly what’s unfolding. Trust your instincts; they’re guiding you toward the truth.

Here’s a secret about intuitive judgment: If the thoughts are causing anxiety and plaguing you with fear, they’re not true. On the other hand, if your instincts provide insight into a situation and help you feel more in control, you’re on the right track. Even if the truth is harsh or painful, knowing it empowers you to make informed decisions about your next move. 

The truth is enlightening, even if it leads to a tower moment where everything you thought you knew comes crumbling down. Lies may feel comforting at first, but they can slowly trap you, binding you to a life that isn’t truly yours. Your soul craves deep transformation and healing. It may sound cryptic, but this is your season to die and allow yourself to be reborn anew. Embrace the intensity of Scorpio season; it’s a powerful time for you to shed old skin and welcome a higher version of yourself. 

Who is this higher version? You have been cultivating them bit by bit with every trial thrown your way and it is finally time for them to rise to the surface. This version embodies your resilience, wisdom, and strength, shaped by your experiences and the lessons learned along the way. Embrace this transformation and let your true self shine. You are ready to step into your power and create the life you’ve always envisioned.

(Any Mula natives in the chat?)

I am excited for you, it’ll be tiring and unpleasant but the world waiting for you on the other side is one of bountiful harvests and celebrations! Hang in there! 

Embrace the slowness and allow yourself to relax while it's here because this next chapter is TURNT. 

P.S. You’re hot—like really, incredibly sexy. Your gaze is piercing, and people feel as though you see straight through them into depths they aren’t even aware of. You don’t have to do much to unsettle others; they’re easily triggered because they can’t hide behind the safety of their masks when they’re around you. Your authenticity and intensity shine through, making them confront their own truths. Embrace that power; it’s a gift that not everyone possesses!

She Follows the Blueprint Woven Into Her Flesh

[woso-dreamzzz]

Big Bed III

Hardersson x Child!Reader

Part of The Big Adventures Universe

Summary: There's a storm

Magda wakes suddenly to the sound of thunder and she jolts.

It's quite a rude awakening and she groans loudly, pulling one of her pillows over her face.

It's kind of impressive how Pernille can sleep through it, still snoozing on the other side of the bed as another crash of thunder echoes through the house and rain pounds on the window.

Magda's used to the rain. She didn't live in London for years not to become desensitised to the sound of rain.

It's the thunder that always gets her. England was known to be fairly rainy but rainy didn't mean storms so thunder and lightning wasn't something that Magda was really good at tuning out.

She sighs, rolling over onto her other side as another round of thunder cracks in the sky.

So far, Germany was trying to make up for the lack of storms in Magda's life.

It was so unfair that Pernille could sleep through this when Magda can't.

She flicks on her bedside lamp, sitting up in bed and reaching for her phone. It's clear she won't be getting any sleep until this storm passes so she might as well get comfy.

Aimlessly scrolling on social media is easy so Magda occupies herself with that for a while before halting.

This is a thunderstorm.

You don't like thunderstorms.

You're a good sleeper most of the time, dead to the world like Pernille is but you've always had some kind of sixth sense when it came to storms, always somehow waking up before the first crash of thunder.

You waking up usually leads to you in the Big Bed but you're still in that weird in between where you've semi-weaned yourself off of it but still get in from time to time.

Magda shivers as she pulls back the covers, the early morning chill causing goosebumps to erupt all over her arms.

She's glad that she and Pernille had gotten a house that had carpet all over the upstairs because she's sure the chill of the floor would have been so much worse if it wasn't.

Regardless, she makes her way to your room, opening the door only slightly in case you actually are asleep.

You're not because your bed is empty and Magda can see you turning your nightlight on and off underneath the bed in time with the thunder rumbling.

"You okay there, princesse?"

You let out a little shriek of shock before Magda's temporarily blinded by you flashing your torch right in her eyes.

"'M fine, Morsa," You say though your voice is strained and you're very much not fine.

"Uh-huh."

It's a very tight squeeze and extremely embarrassing when Magda's bones pop but eventually, she drags herself under your bed with you.

"Why are we hiding?" She whispers, knocking her shoulders against yours.

"I'm not hiding!" You deny while you curl closer until you've practically wiggled your way under her.

"Okay," Magda says," So we're not hiding. What are we doing?"

With puffed up cheeks, you reply," Waiting for the storm to go."

"Okay."

Magda lies with you for a while. She didn't bring her phone with her but she knows it must be bordering on at least half an hour before she speaks again.

The rain hasn't let up and neither has the thunder and every time, you flinch and lean further into her.

"This isn't too comfortable," Magda says to you softly," Laying on the floor like this, is it?"

You shake your head.

"How about we head back to bed?"

Your head shakes even more furiously. The thought of going back to bed makes your tummy feel icky and bad. You don't want to go back to bed at all.

"No, I think we should," Magda insists and you whine.

"Morsa...Morsa, please no."

Magda crawls out from under your bed, dragging you with her before hoisting you up into her arms.

You expect her to tug you back into your bed, pulling your blankets all the way up to your chin and telling you soothing words.

But she doesn't though.

She keeps a hold of you while exiting your room, across the hallway and into her own.

Momma is a lump in the bed, fast asleep even though the storm hasn't let up yet and Morsa slides in, placing you in the space between her and Momma.

She takes your night light from you, setting it off to the side before fluffing up a pillow to slip under your head.

Magda leans forward to press a soft kiss to your forehead.

"Big Bed cuddles are always best when there's a storm going on," She whispers to you.

[lokabrenna-writes]

Soukoku headcannons because they have taken over my life

(Remember how I said I don’t write romance? Guess there’s a first time of everything •v•)

Port Mafia

Dazai fell first and harder

They have matching rings they got from the arcade and wore them all the time until they eventually broke. The rings were bound to break eventually considering how many battles they had been through, but they didn’t break during a battle. The duo were arguing about who knows what for the millionth time and the rings just snapped. They looked down at the pieces of plastic that had hit the floor in silence for a few minutes. (“If Chuuya wanted a divorce he could’ve just said so.” “Shut up and go win us new ones.”)

They both have specific items they steal from each other whenever they’re going to be separated for some time (separate missions, hospital stays, etc.). Chuuya will steal Dazai’s black hoodie that has what looks like lightning strike decals on the sides of the sleeves. Dazai will steal Chuuya’s white blanket that has what is supposed to be a slug and a mackerel messily stitched in one of the corners from when Chuuya was first learning how to embroider. They always make sure to return it without the other noticing when they get back from wherever they were so the item will smell like the other when it’s time for the duo to be separated again. Of course, both know the other takes said items, but neither say anything.

They paint each other’s nails every now and then. Black is they’re default color but they’ve also tried various nude/pink shades, blues, reds, and some glitters.

They’ve both attempted eyeliner (liquid and pencil) and failed. Both ended up with the liner all over their eyelids, but that didn’t stop either of them from laughing at the other.

They were each other’s first kiss. It was 2 in the morning and they were watching a movie. Since they can never agree on what to watch, they have a bowl with random numbers in it and whichever number is pulled is what they type in on the tv. Tonight some romance movie had been selected. Neither were particularly interested but they watched anyways (mainly to see whose movie plot prediction was right). Chuuya was growing sleepy towards the end. Sleep never came easy to Dazai so he let his mind wonder why the kiss scene at the end was always made out to be this grand moment. He turned to Chuuya who had laid his head to rest on his shoulder. He tucked his finger under Chuuya’s chin to tilt his head up and connected their lips. It was quick, not nearly as drawn out as the one playing on the screen. Yes, they both liked dramatics but it’s important to not over do it. They both hummed as they broke apart. It was pleasant, but it was not firework worthy as the movies had made it seem. Chuuya rested his head again, this time in the crook of Dazai’s neck rather than the edge of his shoulder before saying “Next time put some chapstick on. Get the strawberry one.”

Dazai finds children to be annoying, but he doesn’t exactly like or dislike them. Chuuya adores children and finds them to be endearing. To Dazai, there is very little in this world that can make him laugh as children falling. He's not necessarily laughing because the child may or may not be hurt, but more so at the face they make when they're processing what happened and then start crying. Chuuya yells at him despite this explanation.

The first and last time they said "I love you" was the night Dazai left. Before placing the bomb under Chuuya's car, Dazai had used his spare key to enter Chuuya's apartment to take his car keys. An extra precaution to ensure Chuuya wasn't caught in the explosion. He was supposed to be in and out, but he couldn't resist checking on Chuuya one last time. He peeked into the bedroom to find Chuuya already fast asleep. He walked over and watched him for a bit, knowing it would be a long time before he would be able to do so again in peace. He reached in his pocket and applied the strawberry chapstick to his lips before leaning down to connect their lips. Chuuya stirred at the contact and even though he cracked his eyes open, it was clear his mind was still very much asleep. Dazai pulled back after a few seconds and placed the chapstick along with his spare apartment key on Chuuya's bedside table. He briefly debated on leave a note before deciding he had already been in the apartment for too long. The last thing he wanted was to make it seem like Chuuya knew of his departure beforehand. "I love you," Dazai said in a quiet voice. It took more in him to actually get the words out then he cares to admit. "I love you so much. Forgive me for what I'm about to do, especially to your car, but this is for the best." These words came out more broken then he intended, but he hopes he got his point across. "I love you too," Chuuya mumbled out, eyes shut and snuggling deeper into his pillow. Dazai would come to cherish the moment the second he stepped out of the apartment. Chuuya does not remember it, but believed those three words to have been merely apart of his dream.

[hunterbunter3000]

It was hard deciding which kneeling incident I wanted so I wrote all of them together lol (hell, maybe they all happened) pick which one is your favorite and let me know!

Shoutout to @imonmykneessir and @ruler-of-the-nether for wanting to know more about 141 Sweetheart and her simps HAHA

- ❀

#1

Laswell: Where are you off to, Keller?

Alex: Oh, I'm taking Sweets to town. Just to sightsee and things.

Laswell, smiling: That sounds fun. Where is she by the way?

141 Sweetheart, walking out wearing a sundress and sandal wedges: I'm here!

141 Sweetheart: Hi Laswell! How you doin'?

Alex, seeing Sweetheart:

Laswell: I'm good, Sweetheart. You look beautiful in that sundress.

141 Sweetheart: Aww, Thank you! Hey Alex, you ready?

Alex, braindead: Mhm.

141 Sweetheart: Oh wait- I think I forgot my phone... Wait here, Kell.

Alex, still braindead, gets down on his knees, eyes still trained on Sweetheart:

141 Sweetheart:

Laswell:

141 Sweetheart: ....You can- you can stand. And wait. Think that'll be easy... for your knees.

Alex blinks out of his trance and stands: Oh-- shit yeah.

(An awkward silence is in the air)

Alex, coughing: Do you need help finding your phone?

141 Sweetheart, already moving on: Sure.

--

Lil Bonus!

Laswell, smirking: Are gonna talk about what that wa--

Alex: No

-❀

#2

Alex, whining: Sweets, pleeaaassseee

141 Sweetheart making tea, sighing: Alex hun, no! I'm not gonna tackle you just so you could feel my thighs again. You tricked me one too many times.

Alex, scoffing: It's not because of that!

141 Sweetheart giving him a 'really bitch' look:

Alex: --The first time! It- wasn't because of that the first time... but just one more? I'm legit trying to get that move right!

141 Sweetheart: Okay, you want me to teach you?

Alex nodding:

141 Sweetheart, turning back to her tea: Then beg.

Alex:

(He then drops to his knees insanely close to Sweetheart's legs)

141 Sweetheart, bug eyed: WHAT THE-

Alex, laying it on THICK: Sweetheart, please. Please teach me. I beg of you. You're so strong and powerful... you know so many fighting techniques. I just want to learn one? Please?

141 Sweetheart, stunned:

(Alex feels bold, fingers ever so gently feeling her calf and slowly going up, causing Sweetheart to short-circuit)

Alex with big, pleading puppy eyes: I'll do anything you say, Sweetheart. I promise.

(He places a soft kiss on her knee, mind immediately wanting to worship her entire being. He shakes that thought away and then looks up at her)

Alex: Can you please teach me?

141 Sweetheart, nodding slowly:

Alex, face lightning up and leaving: Okay good! I'll get changed and you do the same! See you in 0.58 minutes! (Half an hour military time)

Alex, smirking: Really? Are you sure?

141 Sweetheart, mumbling: Y...yeah...

141 Sweetheart:

Laswell, who walked in seeing only half of this: What the hell was that?

141 Sweetheart, still stunned and a bit flustered: I don't... I dunno...

-*-

Alex lied. It was definitely just to feel her thighs around his neck and face.

Alex, eyes closed and face pink: Mmh... I'm going to heaven again~!

141 Sweetheart: GOD DAMMIT ALEX

-❀

Alex, stressed and looking out the window: The storm's not letting up. We have to wait longer than we need to...

#3

(After a mission gone awry, Alex and Sweetheart got split up from 141. They found an abandoned house and called for backup or evac. What's worse is that Sweetheart got shot. And what's even worse is that there's a hurricane outside)

141 Sweetheart, holding her bleeding arm: Heyyyyy that's okay! We'll-- ugh-- We'll be fine.

Alex, frowning: We? Fuck a 'we', you're the one who got fucking shot, Sweets. Not me-- God dammit can this storm go away?!

Alex, scoffing with a faux grin: Always so positive...

141 Sweetheart, slouching on the broken couch: It'll let up, Kell. I know it will.

(Alex stares at her for a bit. He wonders how a person with so much hope join the military)

Alex, trudging to Sweetheart: Always seeing the good in people...

Alex: Can you see the good in me? Can you?

141 Sweetheart, looking up at him confused: Alex?

(He drops to his knees hard on the mildew covered floorboards. He looks defeated. After a beat of silence, his glossy eyes bore into hers. The vulnerability surprises Sweetheart)

141 Sweetheart: I--

Alex, whispering: I'm sorry.

Alex, tears welling in his eyes: I let you down, Sweetheart... I couldn't keep you safe. You-- You got hurt because of me.

(He leans forward, head laying on her knee and hands conjoined on top of her thigh, like he's praying for her forgiveness.)

141 Sweetheart with sad eyes: Alex... Honey, there's nothing-- ow- nothing to be sorry for.

(She cups his cheek, making him look at her blinding smile)

141 Sweetheart, chuckling: I'm in the army for damn's sake. Was gonna get shot someday!

141 Sweetheart: And of course I see the good in you. I always have and I always will.

(She wipes away a tear that Alex didn't know fall on his cheek. He huffs and smiles. A genuine smile. His hand claps over hers, thankful that she's here with him)

Alex: Thank you.

-*-

(They made it out. Sweetheart did fine when the bullet got taken out but cried when she had to get stitches)

Thank you so much for the amazing positive feedback on these! I'm so happy and honored 💖💕

[waterfire1848]

could you do a blind azula with sokkla au

Hello, anon!!!

1. Azula is born blind. No one knows why but she is. Ursa tries to argue that Azula will be a strong child and capable of bending to her full capacity but Ozai doesn’t believe her. Azula is still a strong bender but Ozai thinks that her blindness will keep her from being a real firebender. Ursa, desperately trying to keep her baby alive, gives her away in the hopes that someone else can protect her. Azula is bounced around for a while until she ends up in the South Pole and found by Kya and Hakoda, who take the infant in and decide to raise her.

2. Azula never let her blindness stop her from playing, doing chores or fighting with Sokka. She and him would constantly run around the village, chasing each other with snowballs, and try to out do each other in different chores. Hakoda tries to go easy on the girl when it comes to fishing or carving, etc but Azula doesn’t like it and demands to be treated the same as Sokka and Katara. By the time she’s six, Hakoda gave up on trying to go easy on Azula and gives her the same tasks as the other kids. Kya, for her part, never treated the kids differently except to tell Azula that she wasn’t from the Water Tribe. Since she can’t see, Azula would have no way of knowing Kya isn’t her mother but Kya makes it clear to Azula very early on that she isn’t and her real mother is probably in the Earth Kingdom somewhere (this isn’t done in a malicious way more-so in a way so that Azula knows the truth). Azula also learns to see by “seeing” heat. She can basically see heat sources and therefore knows when people are around her.

3. When Kya is killed, Azula swears off firebending. Mother or not, Azula loved Kya and her death really hits her hard. No matter what Hakoda says, Azula refuses to bend. She keeps that promise for years afterwards even when they find Aang, Azula introduces herself as a nonbender. She even refuses to teach Aang any firebending for a while because she’s dedicated herself to not bending (Actually turns out to be a blessing because Ozai doesn’t identify her as Azula until after the North Pole siege). Speaking of, Azula sees Sokka in trouble during the siege and uses her bending to protect him. (Azula: Sokka?! Are you okay?! Sokka: I’m okay. I’m okay. You…you firebent. Azula: I guess I did. Sokka: To help me. Azula: Oh, no. Sokka: You like me! Azula: No! No, I don’t! Sokka: Azula likes me! Azula likes me! Azula: Hey! Is there any other soldier who wants to kill him for me?!!)

4. Ozai changes Zuko’s mission to instead capturing Azula and the Avatar and gives him Mai and Ty Lee as support. Azula is now using her bending so it’s a bit easier to track her (a blind firebender has got to attract some attention) but they can’t capture her. And, since Azula left the palace when she was a baby, she has no idea who Mai and Ty Lee are and she and Zuko don’t know they’re related. (Of course Ozai twists the story when he tells Zuko and says Azula was stolen from them by the Water Tribe which is why he needs to get her back). Throughout this, the Gaang really doesn’t know any of that and instead are focused on finding Aang an earthbending teacher: enter Toph. Toph and Azula would make every blind joke known to man and are constantly helping each other out with little tricks. (Sokka: Spirits, there’s two of them). Just a Toph & Azula friendship. (Toph: So, anything you want to tell me. Azula: About what? Toph: About you and Snoozles? Azula: What-are you-no. No, there’s nothing to say. Toph: Really? Because if I didn’t know any better I’d say you have a massive crush on him. Azula: I do not! Toph: And you’re heartbeat increasing when you hear him voice, constantly going to his side, sitting right next to him at dinner and holding onto him when you can’t see is all…Azula: Shut up)

5. In BSS, Azula joins Zuko’s side (let me explain) and returns to the Fire Nation with him. She never mastered lightning but the Dai Li does being down a cave on Aang and Katara, believing them dead. The siblings, Mai and Ty Lee return to the Fire Nation and declare the Avatar and his friend dead. Unknown to them, but known to Azula, Toph was right behind them and kept them from being crushed. The Gaang now is able to travel with everyone thinking they’re dead and having Azula as a secret double agent (something Sokka isn’t too fond of but it was his and Azula’s idea). They’re reunited during the DOBS, a time when Zuko tries to tell Azula what Ozai told him and Hakoda, who is there, tells Zuko that some fishermen found Azula and dropped her off in the South Pole—they didn’t steal her—and he pokes a few holes in Ozai’s lie, but Zuko doesn’t want to doubt his father (since he spent most of his time under Ozai’s thumb and all). The invasion force is still captured, while the Gaang escape to the Western Air Temple, with Hakoda eventually being sent to the Boiling Rock. However, this time, he comes across a woman with a very familiar face who introduces herself as Ursa.

[multifan2022]

Golden Lies 2

PART 1

“Over 100,000 people are wanting to try and get a view of this year's tributes! Especially the two volunteers from District 9, I know I'm ready to see them!” Caesar Flickerman says into the camera leaning forward here and there for dramatic effect. He turns and smiles laughing with this year's co host.

“Ah yes! I bet there are lots of sponsors here for their first glimpse.” He says as the camera shows the crowds of people, some just talking amongst themselves while others are sipping drinks. “This is really the tribute's first impression. In my opinion one of the MOST important moments in the pregame days.”

The screen splits, showing President Snow waiting patiently, along with some game makers and others talking to one side, and the crowd on the other. President Snow looks bored, and unhappy to be there.

Screaming can be heard over the Panem anthem that's playing as chariots start moving down the lane. Each pair of tributes wear something to catch the attention of those around them. It's also supposed to show off whatever the main exports from their district are as well.

District one is painted a light gold color and covered in furs and jewels with large feather head pieces on. Two dressed to look like Gladiators with winged crowns on their heads.  Three has a new stylist so they look like weird crosses between a human and a robot. Wires and electrical components covering their bodies.

Four are dressed to look like a fisher and a mermaid, which is pretty typical. Five had on a dress and suit that had lightning bolts, their skin painted to look like it had little sparks moving across it. District six was weird, they looked like maybe they were supposed to resemble trains? District seven was dressed as trees.. Which was also pretty normal but boring. They really need some new stylists here.

District eight looks like a child tried to dress them. Their dress suits multiple colors and fabrics. Ten was dressed as ranchers, it looked like the same exact outfit from the previous years. Eleven had on overalls and wheat crowns. And Twelve looked like they were about to fall over in their miners outfits.

Thankfully for you, all eyes were on Nine. On your dress as it gracefully weaved through the air behind you and Hardin. Both of your crowns and hair had little insects moving and buzzing. The crowd was hit with the scent of Honeysuckle and grain as you rode past.

They screamed and screamed as you smiled and waved, you were channeling your nonexistent inner career. You had seen plenty of games, watched as Districts 1-4 smiled and winked. They dazzled the crowd far before they were in the arena, and that's what you needed to do if you had any chance at keeping Hardin alive.

It would probably always catch you off guard to watch these people. Their huge colored hair, dyed skin and tattoos. The way they screamed and cheered for kids who were going to die. How they bet on who would last longest. Who would kill the bloodiest. They were a completely different species to you.

With one hand holding the chariot, you reached for the hand Hardin had wrapped around his scythe. Forcing your fingers between his, you both firmly held the metal, carefully lifting it above your heads to hold your hands up. Both chuckled at how easy it seemed to be to manipulate the crowd.

The rest went by in a blur, you didn't even remember the speech Snow had given before Lavanna was pulling you back off the chariot screeching about how amazing it was. Cress was there also, him and Lavanna talking over each other as your eyes widened and you nodded. Even though you had no clue what they were saying you didn't want to interpret what was clearly a moment for them.

You looked at Hardin, his face was starting to pale as his hands started shaking. You could see sweat beading on his forehead as he turned to you. His eyes were dazed and when he opened his mouth to speak it all just came out in a jumble. You pulled him aside, grabbing his face between your hands “Did you take your meds this morning?” His brows pinch together as he tries to remember.

He shakes his head and starts using sign language to speak. The only way he can force words out when he gets like this, but it's still sloppy. “Tried…�� can't read the rest “Cress stopped me… Too busy.”

“You tried to take your meds but Cress stopped you and told you we didn't have time?” You asked, starting to get pissed off. It takes just a few seconds for him to take his pills, and in a few days he wouldn't be able to take them at all. Just as you went to storm away to tell Lavanna to take Hardin upstairs and to tear into Cress someone else walked up.

Finnick thought when he saw the two of you walk off, he could take the chance to crack into your defense. Try to push you off the high you were having. A tactic that normally worked with women, but he had a feeling he was going to have to lay it on thick this time. So he dug his hand into a bowl before he made his way to you.

When you turned around you almost ran into him. You watched as he lifted a white square from one hand and slowly lifted it to his mouth. His tongue came out just a little as he placed it between his teeth. It was supposed to be seductive you supposed, and maybe at any other moment it would've been. You couldn't deny that the guy was attractive, 10 out of 10 would recommend looking at him.

But the only thing you were worried about at that moment was helping Hardin. You knew he needed two things, to eat something sugary and take his meds. Problem was at home the only sugary thing you really had easy access to was honey. And the only honey you knew of was back in your apartment.

“Sugar cube?” Finnick asked holding one out to you, his fingers were up near your mouth clearly wanting to place it between your lips. But his words were all that sunk in as you pointed to his hand, “Those are sugar?” He nodded slightly confused before remembering your from a poor district. He opened his hand, thinking you would marvel at it.

He was wrong, you snatched them all out of his palm before turning your back on him. He watched as you lowered your friend to the ground, just now realizing something was wrong with the kid. “Hardin.. I need you to chew on this ok..” You said as you grabbed his jaw with your free hand practically forcing his mouth open and closed.

Finnick watched as the guy twitched here and there trying to follow the commands you gave him. Maggie was the next person to come over, quietly asking what was going on but he couldn't answer. Mags looked around wondering where the kids mentor was before remembering that they didn't have one.

She felt horrible knowing that two kids who looked like they had a good chance of at least lasting a while had no help. No one to guide them through from a tribute's perspective. All they had was an escort who thought that it was an honor to go into the games. She told herself that if there came a moment where she could help them without hurting her own kids, she would.

After a good ten minutes the sugarcubes were gone. Another ten before a flustered Cress and worried Lavanna showed up. “Where have you been!” Cress said blown away by the audacity of his two tributes. He couldn't believe they had just walked off and were now sitting on the dirty ground.

All that anger from before creeped back in as Cress started going on and on about how horrible the two of you were acting. Standing back to your full height you noticed that a few of the other Mentors and their tributes had gathered around. The fact that Hardins illness had been revealed before you were ready pushed you further.

But the fact that now almost every tribute knew there was something wrong with him infuriated you. Now even some members of the Capitol were running down and crowding around the group. They all wanted to know what was going on, who was hurt and what the scoop was. You helped him up, watching as he closed his eyes both from embarrassment and from dizziness.

“Lavanna.. Could you please take Hardin back upstairs, he needs to eat.” Your voice was eerily calm, something that set goosebumps up some of their arms. They all watched with you as Hardin walked with the shorter woman towards the elevator. When he turned around, he shook his head at you as the doors shut. He knew you were upset, and that you were going to lash out. But he also knew that a simple head shake wasn't going to stop you.

“Little girl! Are you ready to explain to me just what in the world you think the two of you were doing?!” Cress practically yelled, his hands on his hips as he tapped one of his feet. He didn't have any time to move or react as your finger wrapped into the fabric of his shirt and slammed him into the wall.

“Every single morning.. From now until you put us in the arena you will allow Hardin to take his medication.” You said harshly, faces were almost pressed together. Cress opened his mouth to say something but when you pulled him back and slammed him again he whimpered and shut his mouth. “You're throwing us into the arena.. No mentor.. No training.. No help. So you will shut the fuck up and not interrupt him when he is taking care of himself. Let him live his last few days in a decent state.. Or the games will start with me and you.”

When he whimpered again and nodded you let him go, watching as he fell to the ground. You rolled your eyes knowing that had he screamed even once the peacekeepers would have tackled you. He was in no real danger from you at this moment, he's just a weak Capital tart.

When you turned, there were a lot of jaws on the floor. People are finally realizing that you might really be someone worthwhile. Those few Capitalists are yelling and begging for a leaf off your dress, or a flower from your crown. The mentors and tributes all staring at you as you pull the crown off and literally just throw it into the crowd.

You watched the district 12 mentor smile with his mouth open and clap for you. Your eyes locked with Finnicks “Thanks for the sugarcubes, Mr. Odair..” You laughed a scoff before turning and making your way towards the elevator. Finnick, Mags and Haymitch all basically shoving their way towards the elevator as well. Well Mags just stayed between the two safety letting them push people.

You kissed your teeth in annoyance as Finnick shoved his way into the small room. You smiled at Mags, having nothing against the older woman. Your eyes rolled when the drunk stumbled his way. He stood back up, flicked his hair out of his face and smiled at you. “That was quite the show, Sweetheart.. The dress.. Beating up your escort.” He was laughing while nodding “I like it. What's your angle though.”

You scoffed crossing your arms, “There is no angle. My friend has a condition that once we are in the arena will kill him. Slowly and painfully since we will have no access to his medication. So I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to be comfortable in the days coming. Cress could have waited the ten seconds it takes for him to take them, instead of shoving him out the door. They are already killing us for their entertainment, the least they can do is let him take it before then.”

They all agreed silently, but unlike you they knew the danger of speaking like that. So they all just nodded and watched you as the lift opened on the fourth floor. Mags stepped out offering you a sad smile before she walked away. When Finnick stepped away you grabbed his wrist, stopping him and causing him to turn to you.

“I know that you were coming over to flirt, or throw me off or something. But thank you, honestly. Had you not come over I don't know how I would've drug Hardin up to our apartment.” Finnick nodded, hating the warmth your touch caused on his wrist. He could see the honesty on your face as well as determination. He could see that you really would've drug a guy that was half a foot taller than you to the elevator, in heels without thinking twice.

He nodded and smiled what was a real smile, for the first time in years it felt like. “No problem. Good luck.” When he stepped out and the doors closed again Haymitch took the time to introduce himself. He told you that you needed to be careful, not trust any of the careers. That in his opinion it would be best for you and your friend to run and hide. Only fight those who seek you out, stay out of the bloodbath as much as possible. He gave you more advice than he had given his own tributes.

But he could see the same spark in you that he had once. The spark that could get you and maybe your friend through till the end. So for once in the almost twenty years he had been a mentor he gave what advice he could between the fourth and ninth floors. When the doors opened on your own floor, he patted your back “Good Luck, Sweetheart.. I hope to see you again.”

~~~~~~~

The next morning, you and Hardin stood with the other tributes in front of Atala. “In two weeks, 23 of you will be dead. One of you will be alive, winner of the games. And that person will depend on how well you pay attention over the next three days.” She waved her arms a little pointing out different things in the gym as she spoke. “Particularly to what I'm about to say. First, no fighting with the other tributes, you'll have plenty of time for that in the arena.”

When she chuckles along with the careers it disgusts you. Yet again here are people who think it's fun and entertaining to watch kids kill each other. Hardin puts his hand on your back as he feels you tense at her words, a silent reminder to try and behave. The other tributes are looking around, trying to size each other up but you and Hardin stay looking forward.

“Next there are four mandatory exercises, the rest will be individual training. My advice is to spend a lot of time on survival skills. Everyone wants to grab a sword, but most of you will die from natural causes. 10% from infection, 20% from dehydration, exposure can kill just as fast as a knife.” When Atala finishes she walks the group over to the first of the mandatory exercises which are rings that you have to hook to be able to move from one end to the other. You watch as the teens from 1,2 and 3 all complete it with ease. But the 13 year old boy and 12 year old girl for 4 both fail to do it, failing and hitting the padded floor hard. The other careers laugh at them before watching the rest. Some fail while others make it but struggle.

You easily swing across it, stretching your arms to get a hook further away. Trying to do less work, faster, Smarter not harder. Both you and Hardin finish it quickly and effectively. The next was ropes that had knots in them, Atala said to climb to the top, ring a bell and climb back down.

Again easy for those of you who had core muscle strength. You and Hardin, the tributes from 7, 10, 11 and the Careers all did this easily. The boy from four got it done with a struggle, while the girl got almost all the way up before falling. You wanted to step forward and catch her, but knew that it would make it seem like you wanted to team up and you didn't.

You and Hardin had talked late last night, sitting on the couch pretending to rewatch old games. You had told him everything Haymitch had said, and decided to go it alone. You would try and learn some new skills with weapons while in training and brush up on your survival skills. Being from district 9 survival was something that came natural. It wasn't unlikely that you could get caught in a blizzard, the summers were warm but humid and you were normally stuck in the sunny fields.

When mandatory training was over you and Hardin walked to the edible plant computer. “Wanna see who can do it faster?” Hardin challenged which you answered by shrugging and stepping up. One minute and 26 seconds was how long it took you, no mixing any of them up. One minute and 32 seconds was how long it took Hardin and he clicked two plants that would kill him almost instantly. You shook your head and tsked him while you both laughed.

The Game makers, mentors and sponsors were all taken back by the carefree, almost happy way the two of you made your way around the room. Brushing up on making a fire, learning how to keep it low enough to smoke meats without giving away your position. You tried to learn how to make fish hooks, but kinda failed at it. Basket weaving and knot typing was something you knew from the fields.

The second day you did the ropes course. Hardin had had a rough night and morning so he only made it halfway through the course before falling. He thankfully landed on his feet but you could see that he was beating himself up. You quickly did the course, ignoring all the eyes on you as you finished. Quickly dropping and following your friend to the station set up to learn how to make shelters.

While you were both covering a debris shelter with leaves you looked up at Hardin. He looked exhausted and you knew that back home this was a day he would stay home. Unfortunately he didn't have that luxury here. You looked around the room with your eyes as you tied a knot to keep the wood together. The careers were watching Hardin with smug smiles and so were their mentors.

  Mags was looking sadly at her two young tributes who were probably not going to make it through the blood bath. Haymitch was drinking and watching you, he could see the gears working in your head. He knew that look, he was wondering and worried about what you were going to do.

Finnick had been watching you all day, and maybe all day yesterday. He was impressed with what you knew, and the strength that you already had. He wondered exactly what you did back home to be so in shape. There was a small amount of jealousy at the way you always flocked to your friend. More because he didn't really have someone who loved him like that, and he wished he did.

He wished he had someone who would volunteer to stay with him. Who would fight for him, cheer him up, care for him when he was sick or had nightmares. Someone he could tell about his situation with Snow, someone that would understand and stay. Because he was alone right now, and he hated it.

You sighed and finished the shelter with Hardin, after learning how to make an igloo and a sod shelter you looked back up. Hardin looked like he needed to sit down and the careers were still taking turns watching him. When you looked up, the guy from one pressed the back of his hand to his forehead and dramatically fell to the ground. The others all laughed as Hardins face turned red.

Your tongue ran over your teeth as you watched him go over to the hook making station. He could sit in a chair there and relax for a minute while working on something the two of you didn't really know. You knew he wouldn't want you to give away anything you could do just to get them off him. But strategically if they thought he would be an easy kill, they would come after him faster.

Especially if they wanted to draw it out and make fun of him. And since the two of you were sticking together, they would find you sooner. So you looked around noticing that the spear station was empty besides the trainer. Once you were there the guy smiled at you, “Do you have any experience throwing spears?” It was clearly just the question he was supposed to ask but it sounded stupid to you. How would you have practice doing that?

“No, but back home we have contests to see who can throw pitchforks the best. Set up targets and such, who can throw with the most accuracy or the furthest.” He nodded, walking you over to a rack that held a few spears, he pulled one down and showed you how to hold it. You were surprised to see how the concept was pretty much the same.

The careers and almost everyone spectating turned to watch you, all curious to see how you would do. Stepping in position, allowing the trainer to show you the right way, you held the spear in the air.  You looked at the dummies as he told you how to throw it.You could practically feel Haymitch's eyes on you, hearing his voice telling you to be careful. You ignored it though, feeling your leg muscles and core tighten as you flung the spear. You threw it with all the strength you could and were rewarded. The reward was the whistling sound the spear made as it flew through the air.

It landed dead center on the target, the entire spear head stuck inside. The chuckling slowed down but when the trainer, who was clearly impressed handed you another and told you that he wanted to spare. That's when the chuckling stopped.

When you knocked the trainer down and held the spear to his throat, the gym was silent. The first sound heard beside your ragged breathing was clapping, and that was coming from none other than Haymitch Abernathy. “Good on you Sweetheart.” Is all that was said as you turned back to look at the careers who were now looking away. It was all you needed to help the trainer up and make your way back over to your friend.

~

~

~

~

~

@avis15 @liballer

[renecdote]

the tide comes (and goes and goes)

yes this is my third fic in two days. no I am not okay.

@nymika-arts this one is for you 💛

It’s almost funny that Eddie brought him to the beach today. To the ocean. He doesn’t know—can’t know, Buck hasn’t told anyone—but Buck feels unbearably seen by it anyway. He almost wishes Bobby was here too, so he could let his captain wrap an arm around his shoulders and say, “See? It didn’t take either of us.”

(That’s not true though, is it? It took them, it just didn’t keep them.)

Buck, Eddie, the beach, and conversations about okay.

For BTHB: hyperventilating

[Read on AO3]

The water is calm. Too calm for surfing, Buck thinks, not that he’d be allowed to do that anyway. He’s pretty sure surfing comes under the no strenuous activity rule. Swimming, too, so he’s not really sure why Eddie dragged him out to the beach this morning when all he can do is sit in the sand and watch the water creep closer.

“Relax,” Eddie tells him, reaching up to poke at his shoulder. He’s lying on his back, eyes closed behind his sunglasses, and Buck has been trying and failing not to look at the way his tank top has ridden up slightly over his stomach, or the glow of morning sunlight across his skin, or the way his swim trunks stretch over his thighs, leaving nothing to the imagination.

So no. He can’t just relax.

He’s telling himself that the Eddie of it all is the only reason why.

“Why are we here?” Buck asks, dragging a finger through the sand. He draws a heart, then another, then another, then sweeps them all away with a flick of his hand.

“It’s a nice day.” Eddie doesn’t shrug, but Buck hears it in his voice anyway. “Why not?”

Buck frowns down at the sand between his fingers. He wonders whether he’ll ever be able to say, “you know, I’m pretty sure you jinxed me that day when you said you hoped the lightning wouldn’t strike twice,” without the joke falling flat.

“Why didn’t we bring Chris?” he asks.

An eyebrow raised over Eddie’s sunglasses. “It’s a school day.”

“Yeah, but…”

This is starting to feel like an ambush. Buck glances over his shoulder, half expecting Bobby to come walking down the beach towards them. Maybe Maddie and Hen and Chimney as well. He’s barely had a moment alone in the ten days since he was released from the hospital, someone always at the loft, someone else always calling or texting to check in. It’s unnerving that his phone is so silent now. So unnerving that Buck has to pull it out of his pocket just to check that it’s still on (that it’s still real).

Out over of the water, a seagull swoops down to the surface and arcs back up with a fish gleaming in its beak.

“Relax,” Eddie says again, quieter, and his hand is flat against Buck’s back this time, the kind of steady pressure that makes him take an automatic breath and lean into the touch. Eddie smiles. “There we go. Will you lie down now? You’re blocking my sun.”

Buck huffs. “Well if I’m blocking you sun…”

He lies back on the towel, legs stretched out in the warm sand, so close that he can feel the heat of Eddie’s body next to his own. His turns his head, watching his best friend’s chest rise and fall as he breathes, imagining how easy it would be to reach out and feel it.

I didn’t dream about you, he thinks about saying. I dreamed about everyone else but I think I was too scared to dream about you.

He takes a slow breath and holds it, holds it, holds it. Lets it out in a gust. He hasn’t told anyone that he wakes up in the night sometimes, the memory of feeling like he couldn’t breathe so visceral he thinks his lungs have stopped working again. Maybe he should, that seems like the kind of thing Maddie would tell him a doctor needs to know, but if he talks about it, then he has to talk about all the other shit going on in his head as well.

It’s almost funny that Eddie brought him to the beach today. To the ocean. He doesn’t know—can’t know, Buck hasn’t told anyone—but Buck feels unbearably seen by it anyway. He almost wishes Bobby was here too, so he could let his captain wrap an arm around his shoulders and say, “See? It didn’t take either of us.”

(That’s not true though, is it? It took them, it just didn’t keep them.)

Buck props himself up on his elbows, watching the waves race up the sand, then just as quickly retreat back to sea. He doesn’t know what time high tide is, but it’s pretty high now, surely it can’t get much higher. He glances down the beach, both directions, a crooked line of seaweed and driftwood dark against the sand.

(“It’s called a wrack zone,” Monica told him long ago, Virginia Beach bathed in golden sunset around them. “It marks the high tide line, where all the seaweed and other crap from the ocean has been washed up.”

“Why is it called wrack?” Buck asked, tracing a finger down her spine, drawing shell patterns on her suntanned back.

She laughed, a surprised kind of sound, like she couldn’t figure out why he would ask. “I don’t know, Evan. It just is. Why is anything called anything?”

He went to the library the next day, looked it up in a book and came back with the answer, and he told himself it didn’t sting when Monica didn’t care.)

“You’re thinking.” Eddie’s voice cuts through his eddying thoughts, his eyes still closed. “Stop it.”

Buck flicks sand at him. “I’m not allowed to think?”

“No.” Eddie opens one eye to look up at him. “I know what you’re like.”

Buck isn’t sure why that makes his heart stutter the way it does. He almost presses a hand against his chest, just to check that it’s still working right, but stops himself at the last second.

“Did you know that seagulls mate for life?” he asks, the first thing that comes to him, because he’s pretty sure Eddie is going to ask him if he wants to talk about what’s bothering him if he doesn’t say something, and Buck really, really doesn’t want to talk about what’s bothering him.

“Yes,” Eddie answers, surprising him. “You shared all your seagull facts after that call with the hang glider a while ago. They also have excellent memory.”

Buck barely remembers that call, it must have been… two years ago? Three? He can’t believe Eddie remembers it so well.

“What else?” he asks, curious.

“They’re omnivores,” Eddie recounts. “They fly in erratic patterns to avoid predators. They drink both salt and fresh water. And they’re symbols of healing and tranquility.”

Buck rolls his eyes, slumping back down on the sand. “Yeah, okay, I get it. Healing and tranquility.”

Eddie’s teeth poke out of the corner of his smile. “You’re the one who asked.”

He did. And he kind of wants to ask Eddie to keep talking forever, his voice drowning out the sound of the waves, but Buck bites his tongue and holds the words inside. Asking Eddie to talk to him now feels too much like the start of a slope, steep and slippery, ending in a rocky why didn’t you talk to me while I was in the coma?

The sand under his back is lumpy, something hard under his right shoulder than might be a shell, or an ocean-smooth rock, or just the nub of stick buried in the sand. Buck shifts to get away from it and ends up closer to Eddie.

“Sorry,” he mutters, starting to move away, but Eddie’s fingers brushing against the back of his hand stops him.

“’S’okay,” he says, and when Buck settles back down, he doesn’t move away. “You good?”

“Yeah.”

Getting there.

Buck closes his eyes, and doesn’t reach out to hold Eddie’s hand properly, no matter how easy it would be to do.

He doesn’t mean to fall asleep.

Wakes with a start to Eddie shifting beside him, his heart suddenly pounding, his breath sticking in his chest.

“Sorry,” Eddie is saying, his shadow cast across Buck’s face. “Sorry, I was just—Buck?”

Buck swallows, and tries to breathe, and finds that he can’t do both those things at once. Should he be able to? He can’t remember. He can’t remember how his body is supposed to work. He shoves himself up to sitting and tries to suck in more air, but his lungs burn like they’re full of smoke, suffocating him from the inside out. There’s a part of him that always thought he’d die in a fire. That he’d die doing something reckless to save someone. It wasn’t supposed to be lightning. Wasn’t supposed to be a freak fucking accident.

“Hey,” softer, closer, Eddie’s hand on his shoulder, “you’re okay. We’re at the beach, remember? Can you breathe with me?”

He takes Buck’s hand and holds it against his own chest, skin and cotton both warmed from the sun, his chest rising and falling in slow, measured breaths. Inhale, hold for one, for two, for three, and exhale. Inhale, and hold, and exhale, and hold.

They’ve done this before. It was Eddie, then, wild-eyed and gasping after a nightmare, his back pressed so far back against the wall that Buck had to crawl onto the bed, practically on top of him, to pull his hand away from clawing at his chest and press it against Buck’s own instead. He’d been terrified, then. Is something close to terrified now. But this time it’s not Eddie he’s afraid of losing, it’s himself.

He makes himself take a breath. And another. And another. He focuses on the movement of Eddie’s chest, the beat of his heart under Buck’s fingertips, the warmth of his fingers around Buck’s wrist.

“That’s it,” Eddie murmurs, and his voice is low and steady, but when Buck meets his eyes, there’s a wild edge to them that he wasn’t expecting. A blurriness that he thinks is his own tears for a moment, until he blinks and they run down his cheeks, and he finds the blurriness still there.

Buck takes another breath and it trembles, rippling through his chest, his legs, down his arms. A gull caws and he flinches. The sun flashes bright on the water. A lightning flash. Half a memory. Sea mist like rain on his face. Eddie squeezes his wrist, pulling him back before he can get lost in it.

His other hand is tight around his phone, Buck realises, three numbers typed out on the screen ready to hit call: 9-1-1.

He takes a deep breath.

Another.

“I’m okay,” he makes himself say. “Sorry, I’m—I’m okay.”

He has a sudden surge of memory:

What’s wrong with him? Why didn’t you call 9-1-1?

Because he wouldn’t let me, so I called you.

And he’d thought then—must have thought, because Chimney said—

Maybe he’s just having a panic attack.

“How do you feel?” Eddie asks, and Buck knows he doesn’t mean emotionally, although they’ll probably get to that later. He means it the same way he means it on calls: what are your symptoms? where is the pain? what do we need to treat?

Irritation licks up Buck’s spine. He’s so sick of being a patient. Sick of resting, sick of everyone being worried all the time, sick of not being fine. He tugs his hand free of Eddie’s grasp to scrub roughly at his face.

“My lungs are fine,” he says, and it comes out more shaky than sharp. “My heart is fine, my—my hands, and my knee, and everything else is all fine. You can stop looking at me like that now.”

“Like what?” Calm. Even. Always so in control.

“Like I’m going to fucking break,” Buck snaps, and the rush of anger steals his breath again, makes him cough, one hand pressed against his chest, the other held up to hold Eddie back.

It doesn’t matter. Eddie doesn’t reach for him this time. He doesn’t let go of his phone either, though, 911 one finger tap away.

“Fuck,” Buck manages, when he has caught his breath again. He squeezes his eyes shut, curls over his knees and grips his hair, like maybe he can hold himself together. Maybe all he needs to do is hold, and hold, and hold. He wishes desperately that Eddie would touch him and is absurdly grateful that he doesn’t.

Somewhere down the beach, a child shrieks. Another laughs. A parent calls for them to come out of the water and Buck feels a shot of adrenaline straight to his heart. It’s so sudden and visceral he thinks he’s going to be sick, the world tilting on it’s edge, reality spiralling away from him. He has to put a hand down in the sand, warm and almost-smooth and real real real against his skin, to try and steady himself. Fuck. Why the hell did he let Eddie bring him to a beach?

“Why don’t we get out of here?” Eddie says eventually. “I promised your sister I’d have you back for lunch.”

Lunch is still hours away, but Buck only thinks about fighting it for a second.

“Yeah,” he agrees, and he’s suddenly too tired to care how tired he sounds. “Okay.”

They’re silent as they pick up their towels, shaking the sand out before throwing them over their shoulders, the cooler bag Eddie brought hanging from one arm, beach umbrella tucked under the other, flip flops carried to the grassy edge of the beach before they put them on. Buck’s skin feels itchy, gritty from more than just sand, and the water from the makeshift shower at the edge of the carpark does little to rinse the feeling off.

“Your hands are shaking,” he realises when they’re sitting in Eddie’s truck, the engine on but the car still in park. He reaches out, but Eddie pulls his hands away, wraps his arms around his chest and tucks them under his armpits, out of reach.

Time stretches, the engine ticking, cold air blowing through the vents. Buck shivers, then shivers again, and when gritting his teeth doesn’t work, he gives in and reaches under his seat for the hoodie he abandoned here earlier. 

“I’m okay,” he tries again, fiddling with his cuffs, watching Eddie out of the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry I scared you.”

Eddie opens his mouth, probably the start of an automatic denial, then closes it again, his jaw tight.

“You don’t have to apologise,” is what he finally says, and Buck hears you’re right, you did scare me. It leaves a strange, almost salty aftertaste in his mouth.

“Do you want me to drive?” he offers.

It gets Eddie to look at him. Whatever he sees makes him frown and he reaches for the fan dial to adjust the AC. Then he sighs, looking back at Buck while he slowly stops shivering, and the last thing Buck expects him to say is, “Maddie is going to kill me.”

“Maddie likes you,” he protests, even though he’s not sure what he’s really protesting. “Why would she kill you?”

Eddie gestures, up and down and then up again, as if to say look at you, you’re a mess. Buck glares, and hugs himself a little, and tells himself it’s not sulking.

“I knew you were conspiring,” he mutters, because this whole trip was definitely an ambush.

“We weren’t—” Eddie starts, and then he bites off with another sigh, frustrated this time. “How long have you been having panic attacks?”

Buck doesn’t say anything, taking his own turn looking out the window to avoid his best friend’s gaze.

“What happened to ‘you need to talk to me’?” Eddie pushes. “I’m pretty sure that goes both ways, Buck.”

“Because you’re so good at talking,” Buck shoots back, and he hates himself a little for the way that Eddie flinches.

He used to argue with Bobby like this too. Used to push them right to the edge, right to the cliff top of regret, and wait to see if Bobby would throw them both over it.

He waits now, braced against the free fall, adrenaline sharp at the back of his tongue.

“You died,” Eddie says abruptly, and it’s not the push Buck was expecting but it almost sends him into free fall anyway, the ground taken out from under him. “You were dead, Buck, for seven fucking minutes before we got your heartbeat back, and it almost killed me too. Is that what you want to hear?”

No.  The recoil presses Buck back into his seat. He’s got a hand against his chest before he realises it hurts, pain sharp and sudden, his heart screaming and his lungs seizing. There’s wind whistling in his ears. Everything has narrowed to dead and seven fucking minutes and the smell of ozone in his nose.

“Shit,” Eddie mutters, and then he’s unclipping his seatbelt and throwing open the car door.

Wait— Buck wants to say, another surge of panic sweeping through him, but then Eddie is circling the front of the truck and pulling open his door as well.

“You’re fine,” he says, stumbling through the words like he’s trying to reassure both of them. “Deep breaths, Buck, come on.”

Fingers around his wrist again, hand on Eddie’s chest. It turns Buck towards him, sitting sideways in the seat with one leg almost on the ground, Eddie pressed in close while he coaches him to breathe. Inhale, hold for one, for two, for three, and exhale. Easier this time, but that might just be because Buck’s lungs are too tired to keep up the panic. He feels greyed out and rubbery by the time his breathing is evening out, exhaustion rushing in where the panic drains away. He sags, forward instead of back, and Eddie catches him in a hug before he can slide right out of the car.

“I’ve got you,” he says, almost a whisper, the words muffled against Buck’s hair.

Buck lifts his arms just enough to wrap them around Eddie’s back and return the hug, and then he’s just—done. Can’t fight it anymore. Doesn’t even know what it is he’s supposed to be fighting. All he can do is hold on and hope that Eddie doesn’t let go. He doesn’t even realise he’s crying until Eddie is pushing him gently back and wiping the tears away.

“I’m gonna take you home,” he says. And when Buck makes a half-formed sound of protest, he adds, “My place. I’ll tell Maddie you’re not up for lunch.”

“No,” Buck tries, and god, is that his voice?

“Sorry,” Eddie apologises, and Buck knows it means you can’t get out of telling your sister about this. Probably also I’ll be calling Bobby too.

He wants to fight it. Wants to insist that he’s fine—that he will be fine—but.

But.

Buck gives in. Lets himself be driven home—to Eddie’s house—and shuffled from front door to shower to couch. He’s starting to hurt, even though he doesn’t feel like he’s done anything that should make him hurt, but that’s pretty much situation normal these days. He doesn’t say anything about it, but Eddie knows him well so he doesn’t really have to.

“Here,” he offers, holding out Tylenol, then water. “Do you want tea?”

“I want coffee,” Buck grumbles, swallowing the painkillers. A headache is setting in and it shows no sign of letting go easily.

Eddie shakes his head, more fond than exasperated. “When the doctor clears you for coffee, I’ll be the first to buy you a cup. Is that no to tea?”

Buck shrugs, hunching down in his corner of the couch. “Tea is fine.”

He closes his eyes, then opens them again a moment later because Eddie hasn’t moved. He’s still perched on the coffee table, worrying at his lip while he watches Buck.

“What?” Buck asks, rubbing self-consciously at his birthmark

A slight head shake: nothing. Eddie stands up, takes half a step towards the kitchen, then turns back.

“We’re gonna be okay,” he says, and Buck feels the words in his chest, lodging somewhere around his heart. An affirmation. A promise. A fuck you to the universe and whatever it wants to throw at them next.

“Yeah,” he agrees, offering Eddie a smile. “‘We’re gonna be okay.”

And when he’s alone—when he’s lying back on the couch with the muted sound of the boiling kettle like a shell held up to his ear, the ocean rushing through him—Buck takes a deep breath—and another and another—and finds that he believes it. Not today, not tomorrow, but one day—whenever one day comes—they’re gonna be okay.

[aishangotome]

Minamoto No Yoritomo: Chapter 22

Chapter 21 His POV

♡———♡

Yoritomo kicked the horse's belly hard.

As the scenery sped up, I lowered my body and looked back,

???: I won't let you go.

Yoshino: That person is––!

From beyond the swirling dust, an unforgettable, mysterious voice echoed.

Yoshitsune: I will fulfill my long-cherished wish here, Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama....

(No way, of all people...)

At the head of the enemy army, fiercely pursuing us, Yoshitsune-sama's beautiful purple hair fluttered in the wind.

Yoritomo: Turn to the right!

Yoritomo-sama's sharp voice cut through the murmurs of unrest--

(Ah!)

The horse we were riding on forcibly changed direction.

The soldiers behind us desperately followed suit.

Yoshitsune: Charge--

(What's going to happen...?)

Yoritomo-sama gave rapid instructions to the pale soldiers.

Yoritomo: Don't be pushed out into the open! As long as we fight in this narrow terrain, we won't be surrounded even if we're outnumbered.

Soldiers: Y... Yes, sir!

Yoritomo: Archers, ready!

Yoshitsune: Take them down--

Yoritomo: Fire!

With a high-pitched twang, a rain of arrows assaulted Yoshitsune's army.

Some fell, some fell from their horses, and the rest charged forward without even glancing at them.

(...)

The clamor of battle that filled the air in an instant was sucked into the bottom of the valley.

Yoritomo: Retreat is easy, but it leads only to death.

Yoritomo: Though it's tough, the path to survival lies ahead. Those who want to live, keep running!

As if the spirit of Yoritomo-sama's sword had taken possession of him, the enemy was cut down one after another.

Soldiers: Keep going! Keep going!

The shogunate's soldiers rushed forward with a death wish.

(This is the first time I've been in such a disadvantageous battle...)

--CHOICE--

Scream loudly

Call out Yoritomo-sama

Remain silent

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

(What should I do...?)

I resisted the urge to cling to Yoritomo-sama's arm and made myself as small as possible so as not to get in the way.

Yoritomo: Good girl, you are.

Yoritomo: I'll pamper you to your heart's content when we get back safely.

(That's right... I'm going to return safely with Yoritomo-sama.)

I scolded myself for wanting to close my eyes to the carnage and looked ahead........

Yoshitsune: Yoritomo-sama!

(...)

Deflecting the flying arrows with his sword, Yoshitsune-sama galloped his horse faster than anyone else.

In the blink of an eye, he scattered the shogunate's soldiers, and his slender figure leaped in front of me.

Yoritomo: You're a persistent man, aren't you?

Yoshitsune: It's my nature.

Yoritomo-sama's sword deflected Yoshitsune-sama's lightning-like strike.

The swords that touched each other screamed loudly.

Yoritomo: Let me ask you one thing. Was it by chance that you found out where I was?

Yoshitsune: No.

The horses barely passed each other, and once again, they took a distance and faced each other.

In the midst of the fierce battle between the soldiers, sparks flew between the two men's gazes.

Yoshitsune: Among the confusing information on the battlefield, there was one that said Minamoto no Yoritomo was hiding in the mountains.

Yoshino: B-But, that's...

(We had information that the movements of Morinaga-san and Shigehira-san's troops were leaking... but I didn't think they knew about us too.)

Yoshitsune: It was hard to believe that you, the commander of a large army, would travel on a rough road without a decent escort...

Yoritomo: I got curious and decided to investigate, and it turned out to be a big hit.

Yoritomo: You have good intuition. In your next life, you should change your profession to a fortune teller.

Yoshitsune: Unfortunately, it's you who should be thinking about your next life.

Yoshitsune-sama retorted flatly and held his sword again.

Yoshitsune: Fortunately, the battles with Morinaga and Shigehira are in a stalemate.

Yoshitsune: Thanks to that, I was able to come here myself.

Yoritomo: Is that so? You really love me, don't you?

(I can't breathe.)

After a moment of silence, the two horses kicked off the ground at the same time.

All I could do now was watch as they exchanged blows at a speed that was hard to follow.

Yoshitsune: To be honest, I'm disappointed.

Yoritomo: In your own life? That's diligent of you.

Yoshitsune-sama didn't even flinch at Yoritomo-sama's provocative words as he deflected his sword.

Yoshitsune: That I can get my revenge so easily.

Yoshitsune: I'm not interested in what happened, but your soldiers are clearly lacking in spirit.

Yoshitsune: So much so that you can't even fight at your full strength.

I looked around in surprise.

It was clear that the shogunate's soldiers were being pushed back by Yoshitsune's army.

(The people possessed by the ayakashi are not able to fight as they should.)

(I can't even go help them in this situation.)

Yoshitsune: If those you cut down in the past were by your side, this wouldn't have happened, would it?

Yoritomo: If I hadn't cut them down, there would be no shogunate today.

There was no hesitation in Yoritomo-sama's eyes as he retorted without missing a beat.

Yoritomo: No matter how many times I go back in time, I would choose the path of killing you. There is no other 'now' possible.

Yoritomo: If I can save a hundred thousand lives by taking ten thousand,

Yoritomo: I've decided that's the choice I'll make.

Yoshitsune: That's the logic of the strong.

Yoshitsune: If you've taken from someone, you must also be taken from someday.

Yoshitsune: --And that day is today.

(No!)

A full-strength blow was struck, and Yoritomo-sama's body shook along with the sword that received it.

Yoritomo: Gah...

I could see Yoritomo-sama's leg, which was right next to me, stiffen from thigh to toe as he pressed down on the horse's stirrup, regaining his posture with tremendous willpower.

Yoritomo: ...That was close.

Yoritomo-sama skillfully slipped to the side, deflecting Yoshitsune-sama's slash just barely enough to graze his black hair.

Yoshitsune: Don't run away! Yoritomo-kou!

Yoritomo: Don't be unreasonable. Our priority right now isn't to defeat you.

Yoritomo: It's to survive and lead this troop.

Yoritomo-sama signaled to his soldiers with his left hand.

Soldier: Yoritomo-sama!

Yoritomo: Judging by the enemy's movements, the front left is new recruits. --Break through!

(He's watching the whole situation while fighting Yoshitsune-sama...?)

Yoshitsune: You don't understand anything.

His voice, filled with anger, shook the air, making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

Yoshitsune: I told you I wouldn't let you go.

(This is bad!)

Yoshino: Yoritomo-sama!

Yoshitsune-sama's sword swung down, and the wind that blew roared and warped.

Yoshino: I won't let you!

With a shout, I held out my hand and absorbed the curse power.

In the confusion of the battlefield, the countless wind blades that were born went unnoticed by anyone but us.

Yoritomo: Well done, Yoshino.

Yoshitsune: Not yet.

Without a moment's respite, the second strike assaulted us--

Yoshino: Ugh...

This time, the horizontally swung sword created irregular distortions in the air.

(It's huge!)

My instincts warned me faster than I could think.

I strained my eyes as if I were looking at an ayakashi, trying to read the traces of curse power, but--

(The trajectory is too complex...)

Yoshino: I can't defend against it--

Unable to absorb the blade that flew erratically out of sight, I opened my eyes in terror.

Yoritomo: Get down!

(Ah!)

Yoritomo-sama swept his sword horizontally above my head.

Yoritomo: Ugh...

Yoshino: Yoritomo-sama!

I looked up in surprise at the faint groan of pain and saw something red dripping from Yoritomo-sama's shoulder as he covered me.

(Blood...!)

Yoritomo: As much as you can. Can you still do it?

Yoshino: Y-Yes.

Yoshitsune: It's useless.

In the meantime, Yoshitsune-sama closed the distance, and his merciless blade attacked Yoritomo-sama directly this time.

Yoritomo: ...You're not cute, brother.

Yoshitsune: Don't you dare call me brother.

Yoritomo-sama's sword barely managed to block the attack, and they clashed with a loud clang.

(Eh...?)

A cold wind started blowing from behind Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoritomo: ....!

Yoshino: No way...

(He can create wind blades even without swinging his sword!?)

His amethyst-like hard eyes captured mine.

Yoshitsune: --Forgive me, Yoshino.

(He's too close, I can't make it in time!)

I blindly held out my hand towards the vortex of wind that appeared before my eyes.

Yoritomo: ...Guh.

Yoritomo-sama forcibly steered his horse with his toes and deflected the sword he had clashed with.

Yoshitsune: .....

With a sickening sound, Yoshitsune-sama's sword tip grazed Yoritomo-sama's upper arm.

The wind blade that couldn't be killed pierced the back that was covering me as if to protect me.

(No--)

Yoritomo: Ha... That's a harsh joke.

Yoritomo-sama, breathing roughly, tried to distance himself from Yoshitsune-sama without stopping.

Yoshitsune: ...I'm surprised you'd go that far.

Yoshitsune-sama said quietly as he relentlessly urged his horse forward.

Yoshino: Yoritomo-sama! Please don't protect me anymore...

Yoritomo: Shut up.

Yoritomo: I told you I'd bring you back alive, didn't I?

Yoshino: B-But, if this continues...

(It's my fault.)

(If only I had more power...)

In the midst of despair, I unconsciously clung to a fragment of memory that surfaced.

*flashback*

Yoritomo: So, Yoshino can only use the ability to steal curse power, huh?

Tamamo: Yes. It might be possible to draw it out if you push yourself...

Tamamo: But there will definitely be a backlash on Yoshino's body. It could even be fatal.

Yoshino: I haven't heard that...

Tamamo: Don't worry. If you use curse power normally, it's completely irrelevant.

Tamamo: Unless you fight with the resolve that you're ready to die.

Yoshino: Fighting with that kind of feeling... I can't imagine it right now.

*flashback over*

(Now I understand.)

(Resolve... is determined when you have something truly important.)

Yoshitsune: Prepare yourself. ...Brother.

(I don't care if I can never return to my ordinary life again.)

(If I can protect Yoritomo-sama and the future where he exists.)

(I've decided to make any sacrifice.)

Yoshino: So...

I opened my eyes as wide as I could and held out my hand towards the approaching blade.

(Answer me, power of the fox spirit!)

Yoshino: U...gh...

Yoritomo: Yoshino?

--Thump, something burst in the center of my body.

I belatedly realized it was the sound of my own heartbeat.

Yoshino: Ha...

(I can't breathe...)

My throat was burning as if I had swallowed a raging hot wind.

No--not just my throat, but my whole body was quickly invaded by a violent heat.

Countless invisible blades vanished in an instant.

Yoritomo and Yoshitsune: .....!

(Hot.)

Even after the supernatural wind stopped blowing, the heat inside me only intensified.

Yoshitsune: Ugh...

Yoshitsune: Y-You're absorbing curse power even though I'm not attacking...?

Yoshitsune-sama, with a shocked expression on his face, backed away, putting distance between us for the first time.

(I can feel the curse power... accumulating.)

(But this isn't enough yet.)

My bones creaked as if they were about to snap, and the edges of my vision began to blur whitish.

Yoritomo-sama grabbed my shoulder tightly.

Yoritomo: Yoshino! That's enough, stop it!

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 23

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[skyler10fic]

Lightning Strikes Twice - Ch. 11

Summary: Carol sees Yon-Rogg watching her, but she gets a break from her troubles as things get steamy with Skye. The next morning, however, the team assembles.

Notes: This is the chapter with the sexy times that lead to the fic rating :D

Read on Ao3

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

It made sense. Carol had been waiting for it. 

She was too happy. The other shoe had to drop sometime. 

“What?” Skye asked, watching Carol staring at someone in the crowd on the streets of Los Angeles.  

“Nothing,” Carol brushed off. Inside the post office, Skye pulled Carol to the side and waited for more. “Nothing, really, I just thought I saw someone I recognized.” 

“Recognized from up there?” Skye pointed up, meaning beyond the ceiling and even the sky and into space.

Carol sighed. “It’s just my mind playing tricks on me. Like you said about your dreams. I’m just worried about what your parents told you about, uh, you know who, and I imagined something that is impossible to deal with the fear.” 

Skye raised an eyebrow in good humor. “You know, you’re starting to sound like Dr. Garner. Therapy is helping, I guess?” 

Carol welcomed the change of topic. “Yeah, I have a long way to go, but he seems to know what he’s doing.” She shrugged and took Skye’s hand as they waited in the customer service line. Carol would need a P.O. box here, something inconspicuous and easy to send mail to without arousing attention or exposing Shield. Carol found these little tasks of setting up a life to be reassuring, stabilizing. Well, and often infuriating at their inefficiency, but that too was a human experience. Each step like this made it feel more real, more permanent, that she could really start over. 

She was a human woman, a hometown daughter of this very city, holding hands with the woman she loved, who loved her back, who had kind parents, and who welcomed her into a friend group of brilliant coworkers. And they were surrounded by life and vibrant colors, art and media, music and incredible food, ocean waves and tree-covered mountains, rituals she didn’t always understand and etiquette no one really seemed to. Earth was mystifying and brilliant, comforting and energizing. 

It was too good to last. Carol swallowed the dread in her throat as they waited for their turn at the customer service desk. It’d been him on the street. Yon-Rogg was here. She was sure of it, no matter how well she’d lied to Skye about imagining him. She’d know that frown from a galaxy away, much less a city block. 

On the way out, she used her newly taught spy skills to observe her surroundings without bringing attention to herself, but he was gone. She put her arm around Skye’s waist, the way she observed a man in front of her do with the woman he was with. She assumed—it appeared correctly, based on how happily Skye looked up at her—that this was a way of signaling coupledom, to let all know they belonged to each other. 

Back at Shield, alone in the elevator up to their floor, the last bit of their journey before they separated into their homes, Carol held Skye a little tighter and kissed her temple. She didn’t know if that was weird here, but it just felt right. Skye’s scent comforted her with lavender and vanilla. The elevator dinged as it opened. 

“You know,” Skye drawled slowly as they approached her door, hand in hand. “I don’t have dinner plans. Maybe we can order some takeout, just hang out here? Watch some movies, have some wine, see where things go?”

“I’d like that.” Carol squeezed Skye’s hand before letting go. Dinner with Skye was the perfect distraction to get her mind off Yon-Rogg, Pierce, and how fragile this life was. How any moment it could come crashing down around them. 

“Give me 15 minutes.” Skye unlocked her door and held out a hand to stop Carol from following her in. “I just need to clean up here and get dressed in something more comfortable, and you can too… you know, just casual. You could even bring your stuff over if you want to spend the night.” Skye winked. 

Carol picked up from the wink that something significant was definitely happening here; it wasn’t just her hope-filled imagination. Carol had spent her first few nights sleeping on Skye’s couch, and they’d been camping on what turned out to be their first date, but this seemed different. 

Not knowing what to do with this information left Carol distracted from her anxiety about Pierce and Yon-Rogg and being dragged back to Kree prison (or worse), but an entirely different, giddy, puppy love kind of nervousness replaced it. Skye said casual and comfortable. But the sultry look that accompanied the wine and “see where things go” said the opposite. Carol opted for a quick shower, a bralette and white tank top and soft navy cotton shorts, and a light pink lip gloss and comb through her blonde waves. There. Casual. 

For the “spend the night” part, she packed a small backpack with her toothbrush, comb, and phone charger. She felt like she should bring something else, just for the significance of the sleepover, but Skye’s apartment was only a few feet away. 

Carol realized it had been well over 15 minutes, more like 20, and the nervousness told her to stop dawdling in confusion and go, already! Carol knocked on Skye’s door and inhaled a sigh of relief when she saw Skye was wearing nearly the same thing. Slightly different with a loose cute T-shirt and black shorts that fit tighter than Carol’s but the same vibe. 

Skye tugged her inside and closed the door, then swept her into a passionate kiss against it. Skye backed away just as quickly when they were out of breath. 

“I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” Skye confessed and started toward the living room. 

“I’ve been wanting a lot of things.” Carol let her eyes wander to Skye’s perfect backside, and Skye turned and caught her staring. 

“Dinner first!” Skye giggled. “C’mere. Let’s pick out something…” 

They cuddled up to each other on the couch and ordered food from a website. This was much more familiar to Carol than ordering verbally. It wasn’t quite the same as on the ship, but certainly more so than shouting at a drive-thru box from a vehicle and then being handed food from a window in the side of a building. That had been odd. 

When they had ordered, Skye got up to pour them their first glass of wine. Watching her disappear into the kitchen and reappear, wine glasses in hand, Carol’s heart ached at how cozy it all was.

I’ll miss this so much. The thought caught Carol offguard. No. She was not resigning herself to defeat. If Yon-Rogg wanted to take her back, he’d have to go through not only not only Carol’s fully unlocked powers but Skye’s and their teammates’, as well as Melinda and Phil and their whole Shield family. Minus Pierce and anyone loyal to him, of course. 

Still, she was trained as an elite warrior and now a Shield agent, and that part of her tucked away this warm memory for the cold and painful nights in a Kree prison cell that likely awaited her until she could be sentenced in court.

“Helloooo,” Skye called. “Earth to Carol. Incoming transmission.” Skye giggled as Carol’s anxiety left and her face reverted to Skye-adoration heart-eyes.

“Sorry?” 

“Movie. Legally Blonde?” She flicked from one very pink movie on the TV screen to another. “Or Mean Girls? NO WAIT. I have something better. It’s cheesy, it’s gay, it’s spy stuff. You’ll love it.” 

Skye searched for a movie and D.E.B.S. popped up on the screen. 

“We’ll pause it when the food gets here,” Skye explained. “But let’s go ahead and start it, okay?” 

“Ready when you are.” Carol wiggled and settled into a comfortable position on the couch and Skye did the same as she hit play. 

—---------------------------------

As Pierce held court of his awed interns and secretaries, he recounted the story of being begged to come back to his former company by an old coworker buddy, and Natasha knew it was time to take the risk. She called Melinda.

“He’s laughing,” Natasha said quietly from one end of their secure line, “but there’s something raw to it. I think it’s the Kree. They ordered him back and he said no.” 

“Are you sure?” Melinda asked. “Not just bragging for his own ego?”

“I have a note here to screen calls from a certain number and to let him know before this guy comes in again. A Mr. Rogg? That’s the only name he left at guest registration today. And Pierce didn’t say more.”  

“Sounds like we were right.” Melinda sighed. “Time to call the girls.” 

—--------------------------------

Long after dinner and dessert, as the credits rolled on the movie, Skye felt the tension in Carol’s shoulders.

“Babe, you are tight.” She more intentionally moved her fingers across Carol’s muscles, from the Y of the tank top to her upper arm. 

“Uh, thanks?” Carol guessed at what that might mean in Earth slang. 

“No, I mean, you feel stressed. Let me help.” Skye sat up straight on the sofa and spread her knees, flopping a pillow between them on the floor. “Sit here.”

Carol eyed her skeptically but obediently kneeled in front of Skye on the pillow. “As fun as this will be, I don’t know how it’s going to help.” 

Skye realized what Carol was inferring and laughed. “Okay, while that is good to know, and we will definitely return to this, uh, position later, if you want to, I actually meant the other way around.” Skye twirled her finger in the air and Carol got her message. Carol sat and Skye put on a sexy playlist on the streaming app on the TV. 

In typical timing for an interruption, Skye’s smartphone rang. 

“Need to get that?” Carol turned back to see Skye rolling her eyes. 

“No, it’s my mom. Of course,” Skye laughed. “She’s probably just checking in on how the post office and stuff went. I’ll call her back in the morning. It’s on silent now, I promise. I’m all yours.”

“I like the sound of that.” Carol kissed the inside of Skye’s knee and turned back around. Skye tossed the phone to the other side of the couch, where it would stay for the rest of the night, forgotten along with the rest of the world outside this apartment. 

“Close your eyes,” Skye said in her most soothing voice. “I’ll take care of you.” 

She hadn’t actually tried this on anyone but herself before, but she tried to keep her cool. She massaged Carol’s shoulders gently, lightly, and then a little firmer, and then added a little vibration from her powers. 

“Wow,” Carol exhaled. 

“Is it good?” Skye leaned down and asked softly near Carol’s ear. 

“Mmmhm!” Carol melted under her touch. Skye could sense Carol’s heart rate slowing as she relaxed. When the massage was done, Skye decided it was time to get Carol’s heart rate back up but for a more pleasurable reason than the stress she’d been carrying. 

“You know,” Skye purred (or at least attempted to), “I can do that anywhere you want me to.”

Carol swallowed. “Anywhere like, in your bed, for example?” She turned her head, eyes full of hope. 

Skye smiled. “Yeah. Though I meant anywhere on your body. But I’m glad we’re on the same page.” 

“I was hoping that’s what you were hinting at earlier by ‘wherever the night goes.’” Carol turned on her knees again and teased her fingers under Skye’s shirt, up her abs… Carol kissed her as those hands wandered higher to Skye’s breasts, covered in a thin soft bralette. Carol circled her thumbs until they provoked twin peaks through the fabric and Skye was sucking impatiently at her lips. 

Carol lowered her hands so she could take off Skye’s shirt, and then her own tank top followed. 

Skye scooted closer to the edge to press more of her skin to Carol’s, but Carol had another idea. She stood and lifted Skye from the couch in a swift movement, earning a delighted shriek and giggle. 

Skye wrapped her legs around Carol’s waist. “You better not drop me.” 

“Did I mention I have superpowers?” Carol teased. “Plus you’re not very heavy to begin with.” 

As a sign of trust, Skye resisted the urge to watch where Carol was going as Carol easily carried her to her bedroom and bounced her on the bed as they both laughed. Skye pulled down Carol’s shorts and underwear together, and then stood so she could take off her own. As soon as they did, both bralettes followed, and their hunger for each other flamed from tantalizing to overpowering. 

Skye crawled back on the bed with Carol over her, sinking into the pillows. Carol pressed into Skye’s lips and body and then, eventually, oh so hesitantly, into Skye’s sex. Carol’s fingers parted Skye’s wet folds and stroked as one of Skye’s hands gripped Carol’s ass and the other traced up Carol’s side to her breast, massaging and stroking, then across her back and down to repeat the circuit.

“Is this good?” Carol asked, tone still a bit nervous but quickly reassured by Skye’s mewl of pleasure. 

“God yes,” Skye sighed. “More.” 

Carol lowered her head to kiss and suck and nip at Skye’s neck, drawing more sighs and moans. Then Carol’s fingers found the perfect spot, and her thumb circled Skye’s clit. 

“Carol,” Skye exhaled, “God, I’m gonna… Keep going, please, please.”

Carol pressed harder and moved faster, making Skye’s nails dig into her ass and back. Carol’s wet center grinded against Skye’s thigh. The eroticism of it, not just what Carol was doing to her but what her own pleasure was doing to Carol, drove Skye over the edge. 

“YES yes yes fuck yes,” Skye repeated, breasts pressing up into Carol with every deep inhale. For a moment, nothing else in the universe mattered or even existed. Skye was just floating here in space with Carol in her bed, on top of her, inside of her, safe in each other’s embrace. She’d experienced pleasure before, but this was something more cosmic: home. With Carol, the only person who could truly, fully, understand what the word meant to her, she was home.

As she came back down, she blinked up at Carol, who was watching her in adoration and awe. The purity of the moment nearly moved Skye to tears, but that didn’t seem very sexy, so Skye quickly pushed her emotions down and pushed Carol on her back. She set about kissing all over Carol’s body in a zig-zag, from jawline to neck to breasts to nipples to abs to stomach to just above where her honey blond curls started, trimmed in a neat triangle that pointed the way to Skye’s real target. Skye kissed the inside of Carol’s thigh, and Carol’s fingers tightened in Skye’s dark, loose hair to massage her scalp in gratitude. 

“Ready?” Skye peered up at Carol with the self-confident smirk of a girl who knew what she was doing. There was a reason Skye chose this as her first move. Even girls who didn’t think they would like it but were willing to try were putty in Skye’s hands as she worked. Carol wrapped her legs around Skye, urging her on with heels against her back. 

“Hold on,” Skye giggled, realizing what Carol wanted. She rose up, Carol’s legs falling in disappointment to the bed. She grabbed a puffy pillow and urged Carol to lift her hips, sliding it under to give herself a better angle. “Now.” 

Carol’s legs returned to wrap around Skye, and Skye propped herself up with one forearm while leaving the other hand free to part Carol’s folds and touch her glistening pink center. Carol reflexively shied away but then tightened her legs and urged Skye on. Skye hummed against Carol in amusement and gave into the temptation spread open before her. She licked her way inward, then up, tasting and savoring. There was something sweet and yet metallic about her cum, as if her nature on Earth and nurture among the stars blended together even in her most intimate parts. Skye’s tongue explored further, deeper, into this inner space. If flavor could have color, Carol was gold, pure shining gold, and Skye was determined to release the light within this precious, celestial being in her bed. 

Carol moaned in pleasure, and the more she begged, the more confident Skye was in granting her wishes. Skye sucked at her clit and then licked inside again, learning what made Carol’s back arch and what provoked soft mewls. She came up for air but quickly replaced her tongue with her fingers vibrating inside Carol at the same pace.

“So good, Skye, my Skye, ohhh,” Carol sighed, head back, eyes closed. “More please please.”

Skye decided it was time to give Carol the grand finale, and her lower lip moved against Carol’s opening just as her tongue and top lip surrounded Carol’s swollen, flame-red, erect clit. Skye sucked and licked and feasted, then channeled her perfectly attuned superpowered vibrations through her tongue. Meanwhile, Carol was unraveling, moaning higher and higher as her back arched and heels dug into Skye’s back, but as the infinitesimal quakes against her intensified, her pleasure peaked and she began to glow soft and golden like the light of dawn. Then as the waves of pleasure subsided, so did the glow. Carol melted, legs falling to Skye’s sides and fingers untangling from Skye’s hair. 

“Thank you, thank you, fuck.” Carol came back to reality, but stayed completely love-drunk. 

“Did you know you glow when you do that?” Skye asked in genuine curiosity, making Carol blush. Skye kissed the inside of Carol’s thigh. She was just too adorable to not kiss her smooth milky skin at every opportunity. 

“Um, it’s only been since the inhibitor was removed, so I wasn’t sure I would with you, here, and not just in my imagination.”

“It was my first time using my powers like that on someone else too—you know, in reality and not just imagining what I’d do to you if I ever got you here, in bed.” Skye drew a heart on Carol’s hip bone as she spoke. 

“You’ve been fantasizing about us too then?” Carol’s hips gave a little involuntary twitch as her body responded with more moisture. Skye dipped her head to give a final cleanup lick and sat up. 

“Yup, right across the hall.” Grinning in self-satisfaction, Skye moved away and grabbed a tissue from the end table to clean up her mouth. Carol whined as soon as their bodies lost contact. 

“Messy,” Skye giggled and rolled back half on top of Carol. “Okay, I’m back.” 

“Stay,” Carol commanded and kissed Skye deeply. They lost themselves in the afterglow, tongues and lips sliding and sucking, and fingers wandering until once again, hips were grinding on thighs with moans and pants and whispered swearing and names shouted louder than intended. 

When they were exhausted, they slowed to gentle touches and cuddles until they were almost asleep. 

“Hey, stargirl.” Skye booped Carol’s nose with her own and untangled herself from Carol’s limbs, which was met with mournful protest, and started to move toward the adjacent bathroom. “We need to get ready for bed. Like, sleeping, not as a euphemism. I promise we’ll feel better in the morning. And then it’s our day off so we can lay around as much as we want. Maybe I’ll introduce you to waffles. I’m positive that’s an Earth exclusive thing.”

Naked and sleepy Carol trying to process words was adorable. Skye turned away to brush her teeth so she wouldn’t hop back into bed immediately. This gave Carol, sitting up now but still processing, a perfect view of Skye’s ass, which proved an effective motivator. Even if not awake enough to comprehend reason, Carol knew naked Skye was beckoning her forward, and that that was now something that existed in reality and not just in dreams. At least, this is what Skye picked up from the words Carol mumbled to herself as she retrieved her toothbrush and phone charger and hair comb from the little backpack. Skye emerged from the toilet closet in a soft thin top and boyshort underwear, which prompted Carol to retrieve their tops from the living room and put back on the tank and shorts she had on earlier, which were what she “slept in every night anyway.” She mumbled all this, and Skye wondered if Carol knew she was narrating out loud. 

She almost remarked on it, but then Carol went into the toilet closet and closed the door so Skye simply returned to bed and waited. She must have fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow because the next thing she knew, there was a ringing sound. A very annoying ringing sound. She tried to turn off her alarm, but then realized her phone was in the other room. She stumbled out of bed to retrieve it and plug it in, but as she returned to the bed, she noticed the sound was still going and the phone didn’t have an alarm set. It was her doorbell ringing. 

Carol grumbled and must have been trying to turn off her own alarm, but forgot she was in Skye’s bed and whacked Skye’s ass instead. 

“Oh. Sorry.” Carol’s barely coherent apology into the pillow made Skye laugh between yawns. 

A muffled “Skye?” came from the front door. It was her dad. Fuck, what time was it anyway? Seven. SEVEN a.m. on her day off. This better be good. Skye scrambled to put on a bra, a real T-shirt, and shorts.

The doorbell rang again. “Maybe they went out for breakfast,” a voice of reason that sounded like Pierce’s assistant said on the other side of the door. 

A familiar knock came more pronounced. “Skye May-Coulson, wake up. This is your mother.” 

Skye unlocked the door and opened it to reveal, as expected, her parents and Natasha. 

“Oh my god. What?” Skye’s exasperated, impatient reply was met with a withering look from her mother, who walked right in, followed by the others. 

“We have news,” Phil explained.  

“It is seven in the morning,” Skye replied. “On our… uh, my… day off.”

Just then, a bleary Carol appeared with all the clothes she had had on the night before when she came over. “Hi.” 

“We know,” Melinda deadpanned to Skye and said a pointed, “Good morning, Carol.” 

Phil explained, “When you didn’t answer your phone and Carol didn’t answer hers, we assumed you were either in trouble, dead, or…” He gestured in the direction of Skye’s bedroom. “Your phone’s location sharing pins were both here and you both have today off, so we came to the logical conclusion.”

Skye decided to skip over the part where her parents and their coworker were talking about her sex life, and let her irritation show. “Which brings us back to the question: WHY are you here on our day off?” 

Melinda nodded to Carol. “Have you seen anyone you recognize as Kree lately, hanging around the office, watching you in the street?”

Carol darted a glance to Skye. “Yes. Yon-Rogg. He was my commanding officer. He’d blend in here, maybe except for the eyes.” 

“Bingo.” Phil made a sweeping gesture toward Pierce’s assistant, “I trust you’ve both met Natasha Romanov, our woman on the inside.”

Natasha spoke up, “A Mr. Rogg came to visit Pierce twice. Once he left empty handed and frowning. The second, they shook hands and seemed satisfied. Pierce asked for something that Yon-Rogg was able to promise, we think in exchange for returning to the Kree.” 

“Returning?” Skye caught on. “You’re sure Pierce isn’t just a mole feeding information to the Kree. He’s really one too? This whole time?” 

Melinda nodded grimly. “Worse, his mission seems to have come to an end. But they haven’t left yet. And that means they are here for something else.” 

Carol walked over to Skye’s couch, and they watched as she buried her head in her hands for a second. She sighed and stood again. “I’ll go with them.” 

“WHAT?” Skye exploded. “You can’t!” 

Carol closed her eyes and exhaled. “You don’t understand how dangerous these people are. Even if you weren’t the missing inhuman child, they know someone helped remove my tracker and inhibitor. They will be coming for you. All of you.” She looked to each of them. “Thank you. For everything.” 

Skye shook her head. “I can’t let you do this. We’ll fight them. Together, remember?” 

“How? If you and I fight them, dozens, maybe hundreds of people could get hurt, and that’s just our powers against two of them. Imagine if they brought a whole Kree Starforce unit. And if Pierce was a mole, he knows everything about Shield. Full access. And they will then too.”

Natasha interjected, coming to stand with Skye, “Not full access. Fury knew Pierce was dirty. It won’t be easy, but if we can take down these two, we can keep them from coming back.” 

Carol sat back down on the couch and the rest followed, with Skye next to Carol, Natasha next to Skye, and Melinda and Phil in chairs beside them. “How could we ever do that if I don’t give myself up to them?”

Phil smirked. “We’re calling this strategy E.T. Phone Home.” 

“Sorry?” Carol blinked at him. 

“I’ll explain later,” Skye said with a reassuring pat on Carol’s arm that there would, in fact, be a later together. “So you want them to send a message back to the Kree, what, that Earth is too powerful and can’t be defeated?” 

Natasha hummed, “Well, sort of the opposite. I heard them complaining about Earth as so far below them, we’re a trash heap, yada yada, lower life forms, barely inhabitable.” 

Melinda sat back in her chair and folded her arms. “My plan is to ask them nicely to say it again, but with feeling. Assure the Kree that there’s nothing here to see and move along. Mr. Rogg and Pierce would stay to do any remaining research on Pierce’s ‘project.’ In prison.”

“Oooor, short of coercion,” Phil said, clearing his throat, “We can simply clone their voices. Fitz has an AI that is undetectably good. We’d just have to convince the Kree that it is really Pierce and Yon-Rogg speaking and to accept the plan. Something tells me the Kree consider pretty much everyone expendable for the empire, is that right, Carol?”  

Carol conceded, “True, but even if they believe it’s them and not us, the council could order them back to Hala, and when they don’t return, Earth is in even more danger. If we want to keep them here, alive or dead, the council has to believe Earth is even worse than they think.”

Phil stood and walked toward the kitchen. “We have some images of nuclear explosion sites, abandoned ghost towns, and active war zones we can share if Fitz and Carol can work together to make the transmission believable.” 

Skye stood to follow her father. “Where are you going?” 

Phil stopped and shrugged. “Like you said, it’s 7 a.m. I figure if we’re going to be working on this all morning, we could all use some waffles.”

Carol’s stomach rumbled on cue, lightening the mood. Skye volunteered to help her dad prepare breakfast for them all as they came up with a plan and contacted other enhanced team members and FitzSimmons to be ready to get called into action. This was going to take all of them, superpowers or not, if it was going to work. 

[mrs-toohot]

This week's episodes: Live react

Candace is taking my man on a date? I'm gonna have thoughts.

(Also my MC's name is Sophie)

Firstly, he'd better say no.

Okay, so he can't say no. Fuck.

Awww 'the look on his face turns from shock to reassurance when he notices your expression'

"You know you have nothing to worry about, right? You and I are solid." aw omg stop??? so cute

"I'd never break your heart, Sophie, you know that, right?"

Oh we're getting three stress tests

"What if Wesley is already making out with Candace?" Nora STFU you bitch lol. If we were friends that would be funny, but we're not so shut your slut whore bitch mouth.

How insecure do you have to be to press the button because you found out that she's 22 and American? Like wtf? Yeah cool she's a model, but Jesus Christ, do you really think your man is going to fall over himself that easily? HE'S ON TV! HE'S BEING JUDGED FOR HIS ACTIONS!

'No, I trust Wesley' is obviously my choice.

"There's nothing hotter than a guy who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go for it."

Yeah, cool, but this is just telling me that she wants him. Again, I am not phased.

Again, trusting Wesley. This is easy af

'Candace is perfection incarnate' Yeah but she's also got pink hair and my man's a CEO like fr he wants a WOMAN not a GIRL.

Okay as predicted, Candace is Cassia's ex (Lucky Candace... damn...)

'If she sees even a small opening with Wesley, she'll jump on the opportunity'.

Um yeah but she's not gonna.

God, this would be so much harder on a loyal Ryder route. I'd be genuinely shaking in my uggs rn.

Yay, I passed the easiest test in the world

Seriously you would have to be insanely jealous to fail this, the fuck???

Oh sweet we get $10k!!!

Ancient Greece Party!!! Writers should've made it a Roman Empire party just to keep it current and up to date

Amari - I've always wanted to dress like a goddess Antoine - You don't do that already? Could've fooled me.

EXCUSE! ME! SIR! YOU'D BETTER HAVE THOSE LINES ON MY ALTERNATE ROUTE!

Why is Wesley literally in underwear tho

NO HE DID NOT JUST GREET ME LIKE THAT

"Sophie! There's my girlfriend!"

"I'm not interested in pursuing a taken person".... Why does this fill me with dread. What is she going to do? Is she gonna try and break us up and THEN pounce on him?

Cute toga, omg that one hairstyle (you know which one) it is CUTE

"His jaw goes slack as he takes you in" dear god who is writing these LIs and can you please take over LITG

OH HE LOOKS SO FUCKING HOT FJDKHGSBF

HE'S GOT A LITTLE LIGHTNING BOLT EARRING GUYS LOOK AT HIM

You suddenly feel shy under his smouldering gaze. (Oooof)

'I can't remember if I've ever mentioned, but my parents own a hotel nearby'

Yes babe you did but please take me aside and tell me exactly what you're planning on doing to me once we get there.

I am teetering on the edge of BFFs with Cassia, and then I'm hoping I can jump her bones. She's so hot I stg

Amari's outfit is so boring

NORA'S OUTFIT IS SO CUTE

Elena's outfit is so mid

ANTOINE'S GOT WINGS bhfkdsfasdhvdbs HAHAHAHHAHAHAH he's so fucking extra I can't

SLAY NAOMI I LOVE YOUR BUTTERFLIES

ONCE AGAIN ZAYN'S OUTFIT IS TOO MUCH he's got a lion head as a dick cover wtf hfkdbsahs

Excuse me while i thirst over cassia deeply

Blah blah blah playing beer pong with Wesley

WYM YOU'RE STARTING TO SOUND LIKE NAOMI

WHY YOU BEEN SPENDING TIME WITH HER

THIS IS MAKING ME MORE JEALOUS THAN THAT DATE EVER DID

bdhsfksdahfsd me distracting him though ahehehehehehhe

"That was a dirty trick, love."

Yeah, I know, that's why I did it. Now do it back.

OH ANTOINE'S TELLING AMARI HE LOVES HER aaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww

Since when are they that serious the fuck

"Should I say something to Amari?" About Antoine being noncommittal? When he's been all in for me since day one in my other playthrough? Nah babe, I'm good. I believe it.

Aww Wes brought me brekkie. OJ.

AWWW HE WANTS TO LEARN TO COOK FOR ME BECAUSE HE'S SHIT AT IT of course he is, he's never had time to cook because he's been too busy working.

WESLEY SLEEPS NAKED WESLEY SLEEPS NAKED OH MY GOODNESS HE'S GOING TO MAKE ME BREAKFAST WITHOUT ANY CLOTHES ON

Oh Lana's got snitching to do sigh.

WHAT THE FASHIONNOVA IS ZAYN WEARING HSKADFHBSDA

Oh Zayn and Nora in the suite?? I see I see.

okay i forgot to write during the workshop because Wesley

Literally stop Antoine and Amari are wearing matching outfits CEASE

Okay wait...

I decided to stay out of it, and Zayn and Nora got back. Lana annoucned they broke the rules, and then the game glitched back to my conversation with Amari about Antoine in the bathroom???

URGH i had to restart the episode.

skipping skipping skipping

Even though I'm replaying this i still forgot to take screenshots of the workshop. But trust me Wesley's dialogue is REALLY CUTE

muaahahhaha the benefit of getting a glitch is that now I know NOT TO TRUST ZAYN AND NORA

ha 'IMMEDIATELY WESLEY IS ON YOUR SIDE'

They learned from last season where people got SO MAD at Liam & Henri hahahahah

AW IS RYDER GOING!?!?!?

UM UM UM WHAT THEFUCK IS WESLEY GOING ON ABOUT? "What if Sophie walks away once I tell her?!"

BABE TELL ME WHAT!??!?!?

SOMEONE GET A BETTER SCREENSHOT THAN THIS PLEASE HUFDSHKAVFSBJASD I NEED A NEW SCREENSAVER

[autisticlancemcclain]

full fic masterlist

most of these are over 1000 words, stand on their own, and are posted to ao3. any major warnings will be stated.

here lies keith kogane -- felled by accidental innuendo [ao3]

it might be crazy but it aint no lie, baby (bi bi bi) [ao3]

spies, sneaking out, sobbing, and other such stressors [ao3]

the butterfly effect ch 1 ch 2 ch 3 ch 4 [ao3] [ongoing]

fuck bitches, get money (or something like that) [ao3]

panicked flirting is still flirting (shut up, pidge) [ao3]

you crazy-assed cosmonaut (remember your virtue) [ao3]

light pollution in my mind [ao3]

ten minutes on the clock (twenty years on my mind) [ao3]

take my tea with formaldehyde (for my feminine side) [ao3] 

monkey boy [ao3]

a mother’s love ch 1 ch 2  ch 3 [ao3] [ongoing]

i’m talking to a memory (calling can you hear me) [ao3]

we’re not broken (just bent) [ao3]

you can always find me (in our favourite little memories) [ao3] [MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH]

dancing in the mirror, singing in the shower [ao3]

baby, you’re my stability [ao3]

mr. snuggles [ao3]

the tarantula hawk wasp incident [ao3]

i’m just a holy fool (baby it’s so cruel) [ao3]

baby, you’re my lightning in a bottle [ao3]

land or sea, i’ve got the power (if i just believe) ch 1 ch 2 ch 3 ch 4 ch 5 ch 6 [ao3]

i hope some day i’ll make it out of here (even if it takes all day or a hundred years) [ao3] [GRAPHIC DECRIPTIONS OF A PANIC ATTACK]

if there’s something weird (and it don’t look good) [ao3]

blow (this place about to) [ao3]

hey baby (i think i wanna marry you) [ao3]

i’ll go get a ring (let the choir bells sing) [ao3]

is it the look in your eyes (or is it this dancing juice) [ao3]

gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss [ao3]

i can’t decide (whether you should live or die) [ao3]

patito [ao3]

smackdowns and fistfights (and other such forms of affection) [ao3]

sorry daddy (but i’m not that easy) [ao3]

i know you love me (wearing nothing but your boots) [ao3]

chocolate chip chivalry [ao3]

if you’re ready (like i’m ready) [ao3]

a night you won’t remember (i’ll be the one you won’t forget) [ao3]

how much is you paying (i don’t speak broke boy language) [ao3]

no one will know (oh come on) [ao3]

you’ll never be alone (i’ll be with you from dusk ‘till dawn) [ao3]

he might not look like he gets bitches (but honey that dick was 11 inches) [ao3]

cats and charms [ao3]

young love murdered (that is what this must be) [ao3]

love, gimme love, gimme love [ao3]

walk, walk, fashion, baby! [ao3]

eighteen (crazy) ch 1 ch 2 ch 3 ch 4 ch 5 ch 6 [ao3] [ongoing]

bug boy [ao3]

spendin’ my money (i’m outta control) [ao3]

hey, brother [ao3]

rhinestone top (tits peeking out) [ao3]

dumb dog (why aren’t you following me) [ao3]

save a horse (ride a cowboy) [ao3]

nails, hair, hips, heels [ao3]

what if i lose it all pt 2 pt 3 [ao3] [ongoing]

broken bones and stone-brick homes [ao3]

you turned around (and you stole my heart) [ao3]

i only got one thing on my mind (you) [ao3]

i’ve never been a natural (all i do is try try try) [ao3]

if you wanna be my lover (you gotta get with my friends) [ao3]

i’m sorry. i didn’t mean to. [ao3]

come here. let me fix it. [ao3]

i think you’re beautiful. [ao3]

do your worst (’cause nothing’s gonna stop me now) [ao3]

i can’t help falling in love with you (would it be a sin) [ao3]

you know i’m drunk on love (nothing can sober me up) [ao3]

is it so bad (if you don’t get what you wanted?) [ao3]

how long will i be with you? (as long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand) [ao3]

give up your dream of going away (forget your sailors in galway) ch 2 [ao3]

when you get older your wild heart will live for younger days (think of me if every you’re afraid) ch 2  ch 3 ch 4 [ao3]

i know you get me (so i let my guard come down) [ao3]

how long will i hold you? (as long as your father told you) [ao3]

i’m in love (with a fairy tale) [ao3]

like you made it to 48 (and still made my birthday cake) [ao3]

i see your face (when i close my eyes) [ao3]

this is the part of me (that you’re never gonna ever take away) [ao3]

you’ve got me stuck where i’m sittin’ (lookin’ at your eyes) [ao3]

tell a hater kiss both cheeks (ciao, bella) [ao3]

he’s into superstitions (black cats and voodoo dolls) [ao3]

you look like you can handle what’s under my hood (you keep sayin’ that you will, boy, i wish you would) [ao3]

and with every step together (we just keep on getting better) [ao3]

i will grind you to sand (beneath my louboutin heel) [ao3] [MATURE & VIOLENT THEMES]

to the town of agua fria (rode a stranger one fine day) [ao3]

maybe something happened in a past life (didn’t make it over 25) [ao3]

you would not believe your eyes (if ten million fireflies) [ao3]

but i’ll know where several are (if my dreams get real bizarre) [ao3]

take my name out of your mouth (you don’t deserve to mourn) ch1 ch2 [ao3]

got the neighbours yellin’ (earthquake) [ao3]

such a shame (you don’t put up a fight) [ao3]

all i want is to fly with you (all i want is to fall with you) [ao3]

if it was raining you would yell at the sun (pick up the pieces when the damage is done) [ao3] [SUICIDE IDEATION & ATTEMPT]

i’ve been running with the wolves (to get to you) [ao3]

hey, hey, you, you (i know that you like me) [ao3]

i like shiny things (but i’d marry you with paper rings) [ao3]

on a neighbourhood street (where the little kids play) [ao3]

if you knew (what i still got in my closet) [ao3]

i’m everything (they said i would be) [ao3]

i’ll put you down slow (love you goodbye) [ao3]

i’ll make the choice to hear that voice (and do the next right thing) [ao3]

[elipheleh]

Music - Casey's Updates [The Final(?) Version]

Casey's instagram stories recently contained some music they would have added to their playlists for the RWRB characters. This is the final version of all the ones they shared, with a playlist containing all of the songs and playlists for Henry & Alex.

-----

Here is the full playlist of all mentioned songs. In sharing the songs, Casey also shared snippets of the lyrics, these - & the full list of shared music - are below the cut.

I also created individual playlists from Casey's lists - all the songs mentioned for Henry:

and for Alex:

Below are text versions of Casey's instagram stories.

-----

some songs i would put on my AGCD playlist if i made it today

-Too Much, Carly Rae Jepson When I party, then I party too much When I feel it, then I feel it too much When I'm thinking, then I'm thinking too much When I'm drinking, then I'm drinking too much I'll do anything to get to the rush Now I'm dancing, and I'm dancing too much So be careful if you're wanting this touch 'Cause if I love you, then I love you too much

-Bronco, Orville Peck Come on in hot, babe Hurry up, babe Can't you see the gate from here? And nothing holds me back at all Nothing left to fear Best of luck, my dear Bucking side to side Bronco running wild

-Love Me More, Mitski Here's my hand There's the itch But I'm not supposed to scratch

-Big Time, Angel Olsen And I'm losing, I'm losing, I've left it behind Guess I had to be losing to get here on time And I'm living, I'm loving, I've loved long before And I'm loving you big time, I'm loving you more

-

and HGEJFMW (Henry's)

-Not Strong Enough, boygenius The way I am Not strong enough to be your man I lied, I am Just lowering your expectations Half a mind that keeps the other second-guessing Close my eyеs and count

-The Archer, Taylor Swift I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost The room is on fire, invisible smoke And all of my heroes die all alone Help me hold on to you

-Magic, Julia Jacklin I won't feel ashamed tonight Treat it like a stage tonight Turn over a new page and write Forget all that I learnt tonight All the times that I've been hurt tonight Remember what I'm worth and fight for it

-Reach Out, Sufjan Stevens & Angelo De Augustine Reach out, reach out To all the ones who came before you Ponder what is right You and I, in defiance

-----

They also shared their "firstprince x [artist]" playlist choices.

Carly Rae Jepson Henry: all that, surrender my heart, want you in my room, everything he needs, feels right Alex: too much, run away with me, real love, shy boy, i didn't just come here to dance

Mitski Henry: first love / late spring, heat lightning, pink in the night, i don't smoke, i want you, happy, bug like an angel, a pearl Alex: texas reznikoff, love me more, geyser, i bet on losing dogs, goodbye my danish sweetheart, my body's make of crushed little stars, burning hill, remember my name

Taylor Swift Henry: the lucky one, this is me trying, wildest dreams, dancing with our hands tied, castles crumbling, out of the woods, the archer, daylight Alex: gorgeous, treacherous, cowboy like me, i know places, cruel summer, you're on your own kid, peace, you are in love

boygenius Henry: appointments, georgia, not strong enough, bite the hand, historians, garden song, hot & heavy Alex: cool about it, savior complex, sprained ankle, body to flame, smoke signals, dancing in the dark, we're in love

Sufjan Stevens Henry: predatory wasp of the palisades, for the widows; for the fatherless, all for myself, the only thing, john my beloved, to be alone with you, tell me you love me, reach out Alex: man of metropolis steals our hearts, city of roses, with my whole heart, mystery of love, heirloom, run away with me, all delighted people, america

The National Henry: demons, humiliation, once upon a poolside, don't swallow the cap, empire line, the pull of you, bloodbuzz ohio Alex: racing like a pro, i am easy to find, this isn't helping, rylan, pink rabbits, you were a kindness, slow show

-----

top HGEJFMW lyrics on this playlist [Mitski]

-I want you I hold one card That I can't use But I want you

-I'm what's left of when we swam under the moon Now the rest of my days are just waiting for when You've calmed down and tell me, 'I was meant for you' Baby, being with you makes the flame burn good If you need to be mean, be mean to me I can take it and put it inside of me If your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room You can lean on my arm as you break my heart

-So please, hurry, leave me, I can't breathe Please don't say you love me

-I glow pink in the night in my room I've been blossoming alone over you And I hear my heart breaking tonight I hear my heart breaking tonight Ooh, do you hear it too? It's like a summer shower

a few top AGCD lyrics on this playlist [Mitski]

-And I am the fire, and I am the forest And I am a witness watching it I stand in a valley watching it And you are not there are all

-There's some kind of burning inside me It's kept me from falling apart And I'm sure that you've seen what it's done to my heart But it's kept me from falling apart Now here I lay as I wonder about you Would you just tell me what I'm meant to do? 'Cause I've waited and watered my heart 'til it grew You can see how it's blossomed for you

-I better ace that interview I better ace that interview I should tell them that I'm not afraid to die I better ace that interview

-I need something bigger than the sky Hold it in my arms and know it's mine Just how many stars will I need to hang around me To finally call it Heaven? I need somebody to remember my name After all that I can do for them is done I need someone to remember me

-----

Link to the masterpost/contents page for the music posts

Link to the masterpost/contents for the whole series

link to my spotify

[laresearchette]

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

This Video Not Available in Your Country: Tuesday Canadian Lineup (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES? THAT GIRL LAY LAY (Season 2) (Paramount+ Canada) THE VALLEY (Slice) 10:00pm

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

NETFLIX CANADA BRIAN SIMPSON: LIVE FROM THE MOTHERSHIP FOREVER QUEENS (Season 2) (MX) PHYSICAL 100: SEASON (KR)

CURLING (TSN/TSN5) 8:00am: BKT Tires World Women's Curling Championship: Italy vs. Canada (TSN) 6:00pm: BKT Tires World Women's Curling Championship: Canada vs. Switzerland

MLB SPRING TRAINING (SN) 1:00pm: Orioles vs. Jays

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 7:00pm: Penguins vs. Devils (TSN3) 7:00pm: Jets vs. Rangers (TSN4) 7:00pm: Leafs vs. Flyers (TSN5) 7:00pm: Sens vs. Bruins (SNWest/TSN2) 9:00pm: Habs vs. Oilers (SNPacific) 10:00pm: Sabres vs. Canucks (SN1/SNEast/SNOntario) 10:00pm: Lightning vs. Knights

BIG BROTHER CANADA (Global) 7:00pm

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 8:00pm: Mavericks vs. Spurs (TSN) 9:00pm: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (CBC) 8:00pm

CANADA'S GOT TALENT (City TV) 8:00pm: The judges get to work finding million-dollar acts and award a Golden Buzzer or two.

MARY MAKES IT EASY (CTV Life) 8:00pm: Veggin' Out on the Grill

SON OF A CRITCH (CBC) 8:30pm: The Critches are doing their annual airing-out-the-house ritual, but when some family secrets are uncovered, it turns out they've got some dirty laundry that needs to be aired too.

COMFORT FOOD WITH SPENCER WATTS (CTV Life) 8:30pm: Snacking on pepperoni arroncini risotto pops, puffed millet and cornmeal coated chicken bites, and popcorn margaritas with margarita popcorn.

ONE MORE TIME (CBC) 9:00pm: After his hearing aids are stolen, DJ must put an end to the chain of gossip surrounding Eddie's infidelity before Eddie finds out who ratted him out to Gwen.

TREATY ROAD (APTN) 9:00pm: In Treaty 3 territory, Erin and Saxon learn about the ongoing struggle to protect the water from contamination; they visit a blockade in Grassy Narrows, Ont., where a woman poisoned by mercury explains environmental racism.

RUN THE BURBS (CBC) 9:30pm: As Camille's cookbook launch day unfolds in chaos, the Phams rally to save the event in a surprising and colorful twist.

PATHOLOGICAL: THE LIES OF JORAN VAN DER SLOOT.(Lifetime Canada) 10:00pm: Years after he brutally murdered American Natalee Holloway and Peruvian Stephany Flores, Joran van der Sloot's lifelong pattern of violence and pathological lying is exposed through rare interviews and new insights.

[lshark-cs]

Iron God Chapter 2 [Azvalath]

The warrior in the sabretooth mask extended his hand. His breath caught a little in his throat. It would be easy to use his power against her, to command her to come with him, and she would not be able to resist. It felt wrong, though. He would rather she come willingly. Azvalath almost laughed at himself. Here he was, with six people's blood on his sword, and he still believed right and wrong existed?

He watched her expression turn from terrified to bewildered, then to pure, animal rage. She glowered and bared her teeth. Azvalath took a step closer. Then her fist flew into his chest with a bang that rivaled a lightning strike.

Pain exploded across his ribs. Azvalath hit the ground so hard he bit his tongue. His mask was knocked askew. A cry tore from his throat. She must have put her power into that punch, he thought. He managed to stand up in time to see the devil-child break off running. Despite the radiating pain in his chest, he pursued her.

He heard his comrade call for him. "Azvalath, no! She'll kill you!"

Kill him? No way, Azvalath thought. He wanted to laugh at Channei. Maybe that shapeshifter would die, but not him. He was their order's best, rivaled only by the masters. As he caught up to their target, he used what little breath he had left to shout a command. "Now stop!"

He watched the white-haired girl's legs freeze up mid-stride. She caught herself on her hands and knees. Her head snapped up to glare at him. Her eyes bulged with terror and rage. He approached with caution, as if she were a wounded predator, knowing she could reach him even if she couldn't touch him. He had seen this girl wreak havoc with her power to escape him before and knew he could not truly prevent her from doing it again.

He heard Channei's footsteps behind him. She stumbled through the trees, panting heavily. Her thin blond hair was soaked from the rain. "Kolo," she said, breathless. "Come with us and we'll explain everything."

"Where is Yayaba?" Azvalath asked. "Call for her."

Channei didn't listen to him. "I'm sorry I lied to you about who I was, Kolo," she continued. "But I wasn't lying when I said you would be safe with me."

Kolo – that was her name, Azvalath realized. It made her feel more like a human and less like a wild beast to be caught. She pulled her knees in toward her chest and clutched her head in trembling hands. "No," she said. "No! I won't go with you!"

"Call for Yaya!" Azvalath insisted again. The rain turned to sleet and pelted him with tiny projectiles of ice. They stung him like hornets.

"Not yet!" Channei snapped at him. She stepped up to Kolo. Kolo threw her arms out to try and push Channei back, but nothing happened. Channei had not one gift but two. In addition to doubling anyone she had seen before, Channei could stop others from using their own power. Azvalath watched her crouch in front of Kolo and pull her into a tight embrace. "Shhh," she whispered. "Don't be afraid, Kolo. You're a strong little devil. What could we possibly do to hurt you?"

Kolo clawed at Channei, likely still trying to use her power. Channei looked up at Azvalath and nodded. He nodded back. He knew what he had to do now.

Azvalath circled around behind Kolo while she was distracted in Channei's grip. He drew his sword as quietly as possible. His heart raced. He couldn't believe it was finally happening. They had finally caught the devil-child, and she would finally become one of them.

"By my hand she falls, and by yours may she be lifted. Hear me, Iron God." Azvalath bowed his head. "In blood and anguish, be reborn."

When his prayer was finished, he stabbed the devil-child.

Kolo thrashed free of Channei's grasp and threw her fists out. She missed Channei by barely an inch and hit Azvalath with a punch that broke his ribs. He hit the frozen ground so hard that he saw stars. Then he saw Kolo run away, trailing blood. He forced himself back up and tried to run after her. His vision blurred and he coughed. Channei screamed. "Azvalath, stop!"

"No!" he wheezed. "We're not going home without her!"

He heard Channei blast her horn for Yayaba, but everything seemed muted. He stumbled on a wet tree root, fell, and remembered nothing else with any clarity.

What he remembered instead were events incoherent and disconnected like a dream. The thunderclap of Yayaba's enormous wings, the jolt, and the sensation of weightlessness as her claws snatched him up like a hawk. The wind as it bit through his sabretooth mask. Water. Shame. Darkness.

At some point, he heard Yayaba scream. The lightningfisher's cry startled him back to awareness. She swooped down onto the sprawling temple's roof and laid his battered body down. Then she let out another howl to alert the masters. As he remembered what had happened, he felt sick to his stomach. How could he have failed like this? Was he not one of Styzia's best?

He was, he thought. No one could take that away from him. Someday, he would be as strong as the masters. Maybe even stronger. The idea gave him a thrill. He pushed himself up on unsteady arms. Once he was upright, he pulled his mask off. Wet brown hair clung to his forehead. He looked down at his mask and its empty eyes looked back at him. He wasn't a beast here at Styzia, no. He was Azvalath. Only Azvalath.

An icy wind blew flurries of snow across the roof. The howl of it masked the sound of the old woman's footsteps as she approached. He glanced over his shoulder and was startled to see her. In the snowy haze, he almost mistook her for Channei in her Nana disguise. But when she knelt and pulled him into her embrace, his confusion melted. "Master Qila." He smiled and hugged her back. "I've missed you."

"Welcome home, Azvalath. I've missed you too." She pulled back but kept her hands on his shoulders. Her face was alive with joy. Then she scowled. "Dare I ask what happened?"

Azvalath wasn't sure whether to rage or laugh. Eventually, he laughed, as that was decidedly more enjoyable than raging. It made him cough and then pain exploded through his chest like another blow from the devil-child.

Qila pulled him to his feet and walked with him to the stairs. "Let's get you thawed out."

The temple's warmth welcomed him for the first time in months. At the bottom of the stairs, his other comrades waited to ambush him. Lalek raised her huge arms to wave. "Hey, look who's alive!"

"Not Channei?" Rizval crossed their arms. "Hmmm."

"It's not like that," Azvalath insisted. "She's..."

"Probably coming up in the receiving room any minute now," said Qila. "Why don't you two go say hello? Don't rough Azvalath up right now, he's hurt."

"Well then go to Master Xigon," Lalek groaned. "You're no fun."

"Don't mope around, Lalek." Qila gave her a little shove as they walked past. "You'll have plenty of time to catch up later."

Rizval ran off and Lalek followed a second later.

"Anyway, they've been doing well. I think Lalek's a bit sad she didn't get to come along," said Qila.

"She wouldn't have liked it," Azvalath managed. "She's always been too friendly for that kind of thing."

"Ah, but you know how Lalek loves an adventure. Rizval is Rizval, still confusing as ever," said Qila. "And they're still making art in their little lair. And complaining about Jai-Lag shedding everywhere."

"Rizval complains about everything, Master." Azvalath chuckled a bit. "That's nothing new."

"It's also nothing new that cats shed, no matter how big they are or how long their fangs are." Qila looked down and brushed a stray bit of hair off her tunic. "What is it about cat hair, anyway? It's stickier."

Azvalath felt lighter as he listened to Qila. He almost forgot about the pain. Then another thought hit him cold. "Wait, do I actually have to go see Master Xigon?"

"I'd strongly encourage it," said Qila.

Azvalath tensed up. He knew Xigon wouldn't be happy with him.

"What's wrong?" Qila asked.

"Many things," said Azvalath. As they stepped up to Master Xigon's study door, he steeled himself for whatever was coming. "Dare I ask how he's been doing?"

"Ask him yourself." Qila clapped him on the back. "See you later."

As she walked away, Azvalath cursed under his breath. Why would she leave him now? She was fully capable of pulling him out of this. He thought about running the other way, but then he saw her look back at him. He took a deep breath and knocked on the other master's door.

"Come in," said Xigon. He didn't even ask who was there.

Azvalath pushed the door open. Xigon sat at his desk with a book that Azvalath had seen him read at least a hundred times. Even in his wheelchair, he was frighteningly tall, and his goggles had a harsh glint to them. "A mild concussion, hypothermia, and three broken ribs." Xigon could tell all of it with one look. That was among his gentler abilities. "Welcome back, Azvalath. Want to tell me how all that happened?"

"No," said Azvalath. "I really don't."

"Hm." Xigon smiled. "I'm shocked you're even walking right now, much less giving me lip."

Azvalath stumbled and caught himself on the edge of Xigon's desk.

"Sit down, Azvalath. Your heart rate is spiking." His tone was of calm concern, but Azvalath somehow couldn't stand the sound of it. He couldn't stand any sound. That confused him. He had felt almost fine with Qila a second ago.

"Are you affecting me right now, Master?" he asked.

Xigon looked through his glasses with steady red eyes. "It's not me, Azvalath, but you. You're afraid. Why?"

Azvalath felt exposed. "I...I've failed, Master. We didn't catch her."

"I didn't expect success would come easily in this endeavor. Not even to you." Xigon leaned back and put one leg up. "I'm not surprised that you didn't catch this devil-child. What surprises me is that you're accepting failure."

"How else could I see it?" Azvalath asked. "Carried back in shambles, without my target, without anything to show for the past few months."

"I have to agree with you," said Xigon. "Though I do think you have something to show for the past few months. Something you're afraid to show me."

Azvalath steadied himself and let go of the table. Here goes nothing, he told himself.

"Show me your arm, Azvalath," said Xigon.

"I..." Azvalath grabbed his sleeve.

Xigon crossed his arms.

Azvalath swallowed hard. "Yes, Master."

He extended his arm. Xigon grabbed him by the elbow. His long, spidery fingers pulled Azvalath's sleeve back to reveal many new marks burned into his skin.

"You've been branding for every kill?" Xigon asked. A tiny tinge of venom crept into his voice, though he still sounded calm. "How many do you have to add today?"

"Six," said Azvalath.

"Unacceptable," said Xigon.

Azvalath took a sharp breath in. "Unacceptable? You have thousands of scars, Master." His voice was a snarl.

Xigon listened to him without a flinch. "You're better than this," said Xigon. "Or so I would like to think. Don't prove me wrong."

"What's so wrong about destroying our enemies, Master?" Azvalath growled. "I did what I had to, and I don't regret it. You can't make me regret it.".

"Make no mistake. Those people were not our enemies, and you didn't do what you had to." Xigon's goggles glinted with red. "You did what you wanted to. You wanted this mess."

Azvalath bared his teeth. "You're a high and mighty hypocrite, Master. You taught me to kill. You reap what you sow." He swung his fist at Xigon

Xigon caught his fist effortlessly in one hand. "And who held the sword? I wasn't there. It was your own decision."

"It was," said Azvalath. "And I don't regret it."

"I'm not asking you to regret it," said Xigon. "The problem is that you revel in the filth. You love every second of it." Xigon gripped his fist tighter. "Even now, it excites you. You're joyful from the bottom of your heart."

"I am not," Azvalath hissed.

"You are," said Xigon. "If you truly did what you had to, then so will I." He put his other hand on Azvalath's arm. "Strength and peace be with you, Azvalath."

With that touch, an intense calm flooded Azvalath's mind and body. His tensed muscles relaxed. For a split second, he was at peace.

But no amount of calming could have prepared Azvalath for what came next.

There was a sensation like a clawed fist squeezing tight around his heart, then tearing into it. Then it was like a molten metal poured into his veins. He collapsed at the foot of his master's chair and hit the cold floor so hard it stole the rest of his breath.

"Please, no...don't..." Azvalath begged.

"I'm trying to make this easy," Xigon's voice was gentle but cold. "But it seems you're the one determined to suffer."

That didn't make any sense, Azvalath thought. Who ever wanted to suffer? His mind descended into pointless noise as a dark grip seized him. He was entirely convinced it was death.

That made it all the more confusing when he did eventually resurface.

----

Click here for masterlist!

[touchtranscendslanguage]

is there anyway for us to know what each of their magic is? like we know that virge has fear and lightning magic, but what about everyone elses?

you dont have to answer, i just really enjoy the story line and the writting, and i wanted to know a bit more about the characters :)

First off: Sorry it took me so long to answer this, tumblr did not notify me that I had an ask.

Second: Please excuse any typos I'm still on vacation and using my phone to type. I finished writing this right after getting back from vacation and am running on little sleep.

Third: thank you so much! I always love hearing that people like my writing especially the story line and I'm so glad you want to know more about the characters!

Fourth: I don't have all of the character's powers fully fleshed out, but let's see what I can tell you.

More below the cut because this got looong

Okay, so you've got Virgil's lightning and fear magic down.

The fear magic doesn't work on other witches who have protections up or someone whose mind has been warded somehow (not easy to do). He can sense people's fears and insert new fears into someone. The most concentrated fear he can give people is fear of himself. General and simple fears can be given from a distance. The more complex the fear, the closer he has to be until it reaches the point that he has to be touching the person. A permanent phobia also requires touch.

Using mental magic on someone also depends on whether or not they're another magic user, how strong their protections are (if they have any), how receptive they are to the magic, how often the witch has used mental magic on them in the past, and how familiar the witch is with them. For example, it gets easier for Virgil to share complex fears with Janus as the story progresses.

Virgil can also take fears away which he doesn't do often. He believes that fear is vital to a person's survival and that taking it away can have disastrous consequences. He will, however, lessen detrimental fears and phobias sometimes.

In addition, Virgil can cause anxiety and panic attacks, but he can't get rid of them. At least, not entirely. He can push them off for later. This doesn't always work for him.

Virgil's lightning magic is pretty straightforward. He can turn any cloud into a storm cloud and maybe even move clouds around to summon lightning from (I can't decide if that last part is overkill). His body is also a source of lightning with more electricity than average being generated from his body. He can shoot blots of lightning from himself and can electrocute people with touch.

Janus's magic is deception, healing, and secret-keeping.

Deception magic includes illusions, lie detection, and manipulation.

Janus's illusions can affect all five senses and can be nearly impossible to "see" through when he's at full power. At full power, they can withstand skepticism making it so that even when you know they aren't real they won't go away. Smell and taste are the easiest illusions with sound coming in third and sight and touch being the hardest.

Lie detection is complicated. It tells Janus how much of a lie something is as well as which parts are a lie. Not just lies he hears, but ones he sees, too. To an extent. Janus knows you're in disguise. He can also sense illusions.

Janus's manipulation is convincing people of things that aren't real. He specializes in comforting lies, though he can be vicious when he wants to be. It's great for getting his brothers out of trouble when they fuck up.

Janus's healing magic's speed depends on the severity of the wound. He can patch up just about anything. All it takes is touch and a bit of concentration. He insists on kissing Virgil to heal him because he's a dramatic gay.

Secret keeping magic consists of silencing and suppression magic.

Yes, silencing magic includes covering one's mouth with their own hand. What can I say, that's a classic. Janus can put a lock on certain facts, words, and concepts so that the person in question can't say them or communicate them in any other way. If they try the hand thing happens. The hand over their mouth isn't what's stopping them, it's symbolic.

I haven't worked out distances for silencing magic.

Suppression magic is exactly what it sounds like. It suppresses memories. Depending on various variables such as distance, Janus's health, protections, etc. the suppressed memories can sometimes be triggered into being remembered. He can also know what a person's suppressed memories are (if he looks for them) and can unsuppress them.

A side note on mental magic: it's amazing how easily a fae can use their witch magic on someone if they have their name. Rules get bent and sometimes broken when combining witch magic and name magic.

Both of the twins have creation magic. They can create things out of thin air, though most of the time it takes a good amount of concentration. Some things that they've created many times and are more familiar with are easier to create. Hence, Roman only creating a duplicate of his sword during his fight with Virgil.

The things the twins create have to be imagined very specifically or else they won't turn out right if they get made at all. They can't just make a house, they have to know where each brick is and what it's made of. They need to know what kind of wood the doors are made of, exactly how big the fireplace is, what glue is holding the wallpaper up, etc.

Roman specializes in creating fanciful things while Remus specializes in creating more taboo things. Hence, their monikers. It's really just personal preference, they can each make anything they can imagine.

Remus also has mind reading/telepathic magic. Mind reading can be a bit more complicated than most people think. Some people think in images. Some people can't mentally visualize things. Some people don't think much at all. However a person thinks Remus can tap into their thoughts.

Remus can also push his own thoughts into other people's minds giving them literal intrusive thoughts. He does not always use this power for good.

Like most mental magic Remus can't use this magic on people who have protections in place or are warded.

In addition to creation magic Roman has magic related to hopes, dreams, and romance.

Not only does he know people's hopes, dreams, and romantic feelings he can manipulate them, too. Roman can build hopes and dreams and destroy them just as easily. He can be cupid or make you fall out of love with just skin-to-skin contact and a bit of focus. (Honestly I think Roman's powers are the most terrifying).

Patton has empathic and unreality magic.

Patton can sense other people's emotions even through protections. Protections can, however, stop him from manipulating emotion. Long distance it's temporary, but with physical contact he can do permanent damage.

Patton's empathic magic only works for certain emotions. Basically happiness and sadness as well as most emotions related to those two. I think.

Like Virgil, Patton understands the importance of feeling emotions - even the "bad" ones (he's a fucking hypocrite but what can you do) so he doesn't tend to go around eliminating people's sadness. Just tries to reign it in a little. But like with Virgil he can only put off his own sadness for later. I haven't decided if the same thing happens when he does it to other people.

Unreality magic is quite terrifying. It's making things cease to exist. Just gone. Forever. I hate to compare it to Thanos's snap but that's basically what it is. And yes, he can do it to people, but it takes a lot out of him.

Logan's magic I've thought about the least. It definitely includes some kind of magic that allows him to learn things faster and/or easier. And he has negation magic. He can negate anyone else's magic.

Remy actually wasn't born a witch. His magic was a faerie godfather gift from Thomas. As such, he only has one type of magic. Sleep magic.

Remy controls people's ability to sleep. I haven't thought very far into the details of that.

Thomas has many kinds of magic. Dude's a magic hoarder. No, really. The magic he was born with? Magic theft. He has the ability to steal other witchs' magic. Once he takes it they don't have it anymore. If he takes all of their magic they are no longer witches and they lose everything that came with the classification including immortality.

Okay, I'm really tired right now and this has gotten ridiculously long so I'm ending it here. I have one more post to make tonight and then I'm headed to bed. Forgive me for not proofreading most of this