#i offer to fight the king for you and this is how you repay me

[cozage]

Hi Coza.  How are you?  I’m so happy to see request open again!  Also wanted to let you know I LOVE The Daughter’s Return and the headcanon where some of the boys teach their partner how to fight!!!  Can I please have a Zoro x female reader, where the reader is saved by Zoro and joins the crew (idk what job or dream she has but it could be anything).  Zoro decides to teach her swordsmanship so she is able to defend herself.  I don’t know if any of that remotely makes sense.  But thank you and can’t wait to see it!! 💙🤍

A/N: HI FRIEND MISS YOU HOPE ALL IS WELL AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOVELY DISH OF ZORO Characters: Zoro x fem reader CW: Illusion to some spicy activities but nothing crazy Total word count: 1.1k

Sword Skills

You would’ve died if that green haired swordsman hadn’t stopped those men in the alleyway. They had cornered you, and suddenly he appeared out of nowhere to save you. 

And then he was gone again, racing back the way he came.

“Hey! Let me repay you!” you shouted. “Please! You just saved my life!”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” the man said, still walking briskly away from you. “I just took out some trash.”

“Please!” you begged. “Let me repay you! I have a sushi restaurant, let me make you a meal!”

That made him stop. He looked back at you curiously. “Got any booze there?”

You nodded. “Please, let me try and repay my debt.”

He sighed dramatically, but he turned and walked to you. “Lead the way.”

Ten hours later, he was still sitting in your shop. You had closed down early and the two of you had exchanged stories and laughed the entire night away. 

“It sounds like you have amazing adventures,” you said wistfully. “I wish I could do something that exciting.”

“Join our crew,” Zoro offered casually, taking another swig of alcohol.

You gave a dry laugh. “I couldn’t do that!”

“What’s keeping you here?”

You didn’t have an answer. You had no family, the job you worked was menial, and even the place you lived in was far too small for how much money you paid the owner. You had a few surface-level friends, but Zoro now knew more about you than any of your friends did. 

“I can’t fight,” you admitted. “I wouldn’t have anything to offer the crew.”

“Yeah right,” Zoro scoffed. “You can make sushi. You can prepare drinks. You can do plenty of things.”

“But I’d be a liability in fights. Which happens a lot in the pirate world.”

Zoro’s eye twitched in irritation. “You don’t have to be strong to be on our crew you know.”

“But I don’t know anything! Did you forget earlier today?”

Zoro clicked his tongue in disapproval, but he had to admit you were right. “Fine. I’ll teach you.”

You scowled at him in confusion. “Teach me what?”

“How to fight. Let’s go pick some swords out tomorrow before we get on the ship.”

“I’m not carrying around three swords.”

Zoro chuckled. “You couldn’t handle three swords yet. I’ve trained my whole life for three swords. With you, we’ll start with one.”

You nodded in satisfaction, a smile on your lips. “My flat is just upstairs, if you want to stay the night.”

Zoro shrugged. “Probably better for me to stay. Don’t know how to find my way back to the ship otherwise.” 

You were going to offer him the bed, but by the time you made it and went back out to the living room, he was already asleep on the couch. 

The next afternoon, you were staring at a giant ship with a lion-sun figurehead. 

“Ready?” Zoro asked. “You’ll just have to ask the captain, but Luffy is pretty accepting.”

You nodded, and the two of you walked onto the ship. 

You instantly found Luffy, the man Zoro had said was the captain. 

“Hi Luffy, I was wondering-”

“Who the hell are you?” the captain asked, looking at you with big, black eyes.. “Are you here to steal our stuff?”

You were taken aback by his question, and it took you a few moments to respond.

“Er..no. I was hoping-”

He cut you off again. “Awesome! That’s good. So, do you wanna join my crew? I’m going to be the King of the Pirates!”

He was direct, you had to give him that. 

“I would, actually. If that’s alright with you.”

Luffy broke into a wide grin. “Awesome! Nami and Robin will be excited to have another girl on the ship! Welcome aboard!”

And then he wandered off, as if nothing had happened. 

“Told you it’d be easy.” Zoro had a knowing smirk on his face. “Ready for your first lesson?”

“I suppose.”

“Alright then,” he said. “Raise your sword.”

You tried. You had to grip it with two hands, and it was surprisingly more heavy than you anticipated when you swung it. 

“The weight distribution always surprises people,” Zoro explained. He walked over to you, slightly adjusting your grip and your stance. 

“There, try that.” He took a step away from you. “Give it a few swings.”

You swung a few times. You had to admit, this stance was easier, but it was still extremely draining. 

“We’ll work up to a real sword. The next time you touch this, it’ll be a thousand times easier. But remember that feeling. Remember that struggle.”

And then he swapped your real sword for a fake, wooden sword that was much easier to swing. 

He trained you hard, but he also made sure you understood why you were doing certain exercises. He explained what muscles you were working, showed you what moves you would be able to do, and always gave the reasoning as to why a workout was important. 

He was good at this, explaining how things worked and why muscles need to be built. He worked you hard; only stopping when you collapsed with bruises littered across your body. 

But he carried you back to bed every night. And eventually, he started carrying you back to his bed every night. The two of you would sleep intertwined, bruises and cuts intermingling with one another. 

Some nights, he gave you another kind of workout, the two of you training all night long and sleeping all day. It was a trade off you were happy to do, though you often ended the night with far more bruises than you started with. 

Other night, he whispered sweet nothings into your ear, caressing your body as if it was the most delicate thing he had ever seen. This was the duality of Roronoa Zoro, and you loved that you were able to see both sides of him like this. 

After a month of various training exercises, he handed you back your sword. 

You were hesitant to take it. You didn’t feel ready. You were still the same girl who would get beaten in an alleyway, weren’t you? Surely you couldn’t have progressed that much. But you could see the confidence in Zoro’s eyes, urging you on. 

You grabbed the hilt and swiftly pulled out the sword, ready to start your next phase of training. 

[itstheval]

Vale Vs Isabeau...?

A @livesworthlivingau Side Story

You fully expected your next 'challenge' to come shortly after the first, but it seemed the Fighter and his Rogue were content to keep to their own devices. Not something worth complaining about, certainly, but it left an itch under your skin that you didn't trust. It was all but a relief when, a few days later, Eclipse asked if you could follow him to 'a surprise' - as though you couldn't tell why he was leading you outside of town, to the grassy clearings at the forest's edge - just close enough to be seen from town, but not close enough that any stray craft would reach there.

Why he insisted you close your eyes was a different story. You trusted him to not hurt you (to protect you, to protect Siffrin, to protect everyone NOT THE TIME!) but you didn't trust him to not be up to something.

"Alright! You can open your eyes!"

If you weren't so baffled, you'd be inventing new swear words.

"Prepare for trouble, you're in for a fight!" Eclipse?!

" And make it double, you've entered our sight!" Nille?!

"Yeah, that's right!!" FLARE?!

Your slack-jawed staring breaks whatever they'd had planned into shared laughter, Eclipse and Nille leaning on each other slightly as they took in your expression. "Change…Sorry, Vay, but your FACE!"

"That was worth it! Sorry Vale, Sorry, Bonnie put us up to this." Eclipse managed to gather his bearings first, and you try not to be disappointed when his booming laugh isn't filling the air around you.

"Nuh-uh!" Flare corrected him proudly, hands on their hips and their chin held high. "Za came up with it, and told us not to tell!"

"That means you don't tell, Bug…" Nille sighed, adjusting the gloves to her outfit, before seeming to remember she had a character to play. "YOU! Team Rock-It challenges you for supremacy, Wizard of Paper! On our victory, you'll repay me the cost of that outfit you're wearing!"

"And, you'll sit in on feelings time with me and Siffrin!" Of course that's what your Eclipse would want…

"And you've gotta give me two hundred piggyback rides! No complaining!" Flare seems to realize the soft smile you're giving them is one you'd give a kid, but rallies, the sun glinting off the strange coin on their hat. "AND, you've gotta teach me how to swear in your language! I asked Frin and he said no, so you've gotta!"

Wouldn't that be fun to explain later…There's one thing you have to wonder though. "And when I win~?" The lilt in your voice is practiced, smug to the point of condescending. If you're fighting all three, you need to learn from the Researcher and get in their heads.

The three share a glance. They hadn't even thought about that?!

"If we win…I'll make you whatever you want for a week!" Of course Flare offers you food…You'd call it predictable, but just the thought of it makes your mouth water.

"I'll…I don't know, I'll lay off the teasing?" Nille, trying her best…You've already taken so much from her, you can't ask too much more than that.

"And I'll make an outfit! An Isabeau Special, just for you!" Well, Eclipse had time to think of his, that's for sure. "What do you say?"

You give a shrug, as much to not disappoint as anything, and look down at Flare in their ridiculous…Cat getup? "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Hey! I fought the King too, you know!" They have you there…you look up to Nille for help, not wanting to fight a preteen, but…

"Aren't you the one who told me to respect the Saviors of Vaugarde, Vay?" Shut down! You wonder how she can be okay with this, having seen what you can do, but you smile a little.

"Okay. Let's get this show started. [And The Curtains Open-!]"

Your burst of craft aims to stop Nille early - with her gone it's you against Eclipse, and you're sure you win that one. Unfortunately, Eclipse does his job of blocking things out, and the burst of creative craft impacts his guarded arms! Not for the first time, you curse how weak that attack truly is.

Nille starts to circle to one side, and Bonnie to the other…You've just realized, they don't even have their wok!? Nille's picked up her hammer, and Eclipse always has his gloves…Whatever, it's too late to worry about it, not when the Craft starts flowing.

"[Come On!]" "[Rock the House!]"

The attack came at you quickly, and you endured it with all the grace you could…She couldn't think that would stop you, could she? You saw Eclipse's hands pound together, and the layer of defensive craft over them made you smile - there, at least now you might not hurt her.

And then Flare stepped in, and tossed a bottle underhanded to Nille. That little gremlin!

You realized their plan quickly - One would attack, while another maintained their buffs and quickened their returns to the fight, all while little Flare kept them stocked up from their own supplies. Any time you thought you had a clear shot at Nille, Eclipse would jump in to absorb it, and you couldn't take him out, not with how many tonics he was being fed! You needed…There! One of Nille's big attacks!

"[ERUPTION!]" "[Lion Tamer!]"

You sent out your craft as soon as Nille's showy, powerful strike hit, and guided it. Creative Craft, Paper Craft, was about guiding, you'd realized quickly…not your favourite thing to do anymore, but apt. You lead, and the Craft can only follow. In this case, it was following right into Nille, from above!

Eclipse tried to get in the way, but this time, he was too late. Unfortunately, you saw Flare trying the same thing, and only just managed to turn it aside in time! The power of it still clipped them, but thankfully you saw it was a glancing blow, even as the rest impacted Nille…and from her wide eyes, she'd realized the same thing.

"Tag, you're out, Bonnie." The words came from Eclipse, stern, but kind. You realized, looking at him, that they had planned for this, somehow? That they knew? Even by accident, you'd never hurt them?! But still, the closeness made your heart hammer in your chest (How lovely to have a heart to hammer in your chest!) and you stared at him in shock.

"Only way we could get them to keep it a secret." He admitted, his head hung low in shame. You couldn't help a sharp bark of laughter as Nille slapped him upside the head, but your whip fell back into position. "Well. Let's get back to the two-on-one we were supposed to have!" You allow, looking over at Flare where they're sitting in a pout by the treeline and trying not to think about it. "You look ridiculous in those costumes, you know."

"[Keep Going], I'm sure you've got a lot to say." Eclipse managed, the craft washing over them both. You hated to admit it, but between the constant flow of attacks before and trying to aim to not hit little Flare, you were practically spent. This was going to be rough.

Another [Rock The House!] slammed into you, but you took the opening it presented, whip snapping at Nille and forcing her back to the extreme of her hammer's reach, and your speed letting you catch a second attack before she'd fully recovered from the first. Maybe not as rough as you'd thought.

"[SMASH!]" Eclipse's punch knocked you back a step, then another. Right. They could change their tactics too. You tried to reorient yourself, and started up a pattern with your whip - not directly attacking either, but not letting them close while you tried to get your Craft to cool down.

"Oof…This hardly seems fair." You remember how the Researcher had stalled…Get them talking, use what you have.

"What else would be? We know the basic craft types, but we still wanted another shot at you!" Nille accents the word 'shot' with a strike that your whip keeps at bay, and you manage to wrap your whip around the handle of her hammer, before pulling.

Oh.

You're not winning that.

Instead, she pulls you in like a fish on a line, and you can feel your face flushing as you pull close, leaving you with a feeling warming all down your front that would be wonderful in other situations but NOT NOW NOT IN A FIGHT!

…Why is she SMIRKING?!

Ugh. You twirl away with the grace of a dancer - if not the composure of one - and decide enough is enough. Blind Craft Exhaustion, blind this stupid crabbing fight, blind this stupid feeling you get when she looks at you like that, and blind them. You tap deeper into your store of Craft than you properly should, and…

"[GRAND FINALE!]"

The name just sort of comes to you, you'll admit, as does the craft itself. It's spectacular, a four-pointed star, a diamond, opened above the two of them, sparkling Paper attacks down on them and filling the air with shining motes. It was beautiful to watch…And from the looks on their faces, it was doing its job, too. You staggered forward after a moment, and made a final, pulling motion with your hand, ending the attack as you saw the two of them drop unconscious.

You weren't far behind either.

- Later, At An Inn -

"No, no, it's our loss! We fell before you did, Bonnie even says so."

You'd tried to convince them that it was a tied match, for the sake of their dignity if nothing else. Eclipse seemed dedicated to the idea, though, so you'd spent the afternoon trying to argue with the brick wall that was his decision.

"It was three on one! One of your three was still standing!"

"They could not have more clearly yielded."

"I didn't-wait." Your eyes narrow as something finally occurs to you. "Eclipse. Fighter. Defender. Did you already have a design you wanted to give me?"

"Maybe…"

Fanart by the only ISAT artist I know who matches my mischief, @chimerical-daydreams

[allastoredeer]

The last chapter was pure gold!!!

I love how Alastor just ignores Vox existence, or at least he tries lol

And I got the feeling Al mistunderatood the “What the hell does Lucifer have that I don’t!?” With ‘what does the hotel have that they don’t’, which it’s not any better agahah Vox is so delusional

It’s such a shame he didn’t say that in front of the other overlords, it would have been such a good laugh and maybe the end of the vees?!

Also I love how u write Alastor, beside his pain he hasn’t stop smiling even a second, and let’s be honest his was such a comeback. He definitely knows how to entertain, also I got the feeling that when he attacked velvette he was trying to repay Carmille a little, cause she tried to protect his privacy more than one time during the meeting and yeah Al, Charlie is definitely rubbing off on you.

“Well, these meetings sure are getting shorter and shorter,” Totally sent me rolling laughing. He is so right tho

I wonder how Luci is gonna take this plan of his, cause I don’t think he will accept it with open arms. And I honestly don’t know if Al has something to offer the king of hell to make such a deal …but it’s undeniable that he has a soft denial spot for Al, so who know he might actually go with it👀

I just have a question, are they gonna get together in the end? Or is it just gonna be a long slow burn. Either way I am enjoying this a lot. Can’t wait for more

Hahaha, Alastor was trying SO hard to ignore the petty little TV man. He wants to talk about Charlie's hotel and go home, please and thank you.

And LOL yeah I'm glad you picked up on that. Alastor still thinks Vox is referencing working together, not the insinuation that Vox wants something more between them. To Alastor, it sounds like Vox is trying to imply that he can do "so much better" with his alliances; whereas Vox thinks Alastor knows--a least a LITTLE--about Vox's crush, but is playing it off like its nothing, which makes him even more furious.

Hahah I was so excited to write his clapback to the Vee's. He knew that if they showed up, they were going to bring up the fight with Adam, and he needed to be prepared. People start beef with him, but you better damn well believe he'll end it. Carmilla definitely enjoyed the clapback too. For a sinner she certainly has the patience of a saint.

But I also don't think she actually respects the Vee's. They're just entitled, spoiled little children in her eyes. They're a group she doesn't feel the need to expend her energy on, because, well, what's the point? She doesn't have a high enough opinion of them to do so.

Alastor and Lucifer's conversation in the next chapter was very fun to write. These two can't be left unsupervised because it's just going to end in a fistfight. They're constantly ready to throw hands and I love it.

I am writing this with the end goal being them getting together! It will be a slow-burn though 😂 I'm really gonna go into Alastor exploring his ace/aro'ness, what being in a relationship means for him. and what he wants out of a relationship. On the flipside, I'm gonna explore Lucifer's thoughts and feelings about slowly falling for a sinner (who HAS done terrible things) and what he thinks that says about himself--he has had a very negative view about sinners for thousands and thousands of years, and a mindset like that isn't going to change overnight.

So, they're both definitely going to be exploring different parts about themselves that this relationship forces them to address. And I'm very excited to get into it!

I think the tag "Lucifer Fell First But Alastor Fell Harder" is going to be very apt for this fic series.

[sword-is-bored]

A Change in Jobs

Link x Reader

(This is a concept for a new story I want to write? Idk)

“A Fathers Love” the prequel to this :)

Skyward Sword!

“Are you sure you’ll be okay helping me? I don’t want to put you in danger.” Link’s voice was weak as (Y/n) carried him. His arm was wrapped around their shoulder, their other arm holding him upright as they walked. Faron Woods had very few places for them to hide from the wrath of Ghirahim. Blood dripped down his side, and his face was messed up too. He was limping, one of Ghirahim’s daggers sticking out of his leg. (Y/n) dragged him to the Sealed Temple and set him down. “Even if I do get in trouble…” They said, propping him up. “I owe you the favor. You saved me. Besides, I’m more familiar with being in danger. I can handle it.” (Y/n)’s hand wrapped around the dagger in Link’s leg. They pulled, a cry escaping his mouth. (Y/n)‘s hand immediately pressed into the wound, applying pressure. Link hissed, his own hand coming to press the wound as well. “Good, keep your hand there.” (Y/n) said and tore off a strip of their shirt. They wrapped it around Link, keeping it tight but loose enough for circulation. Link released his leg and felt the ache begin to soothe. (Y/n) continued their work on patching Link up.

For a moment he didn’t see Ghirahim’s underling. He didn’t see the person who’d been tormenting him alongside the demon king. He saw the young adult who looked at scared as he was. The painted diamonds on their face to impress their demon lord. They worked hard to patch Link up, and even got him out of the fight. “Father! Stop!” Their voice had rang clear through the room, and Ghirahim was towering over Link. He did stop. His eyes flickered, and for a moment the red within them vanished. A soft blue hue hiding behind those eyes. (Y/n) had grabbed Link and dragged him out of the room as Ghirahim stared.

For months (Y/n) had been threatening to kill him all the same. Laughing at his pain, cheering on Ghirahim. (Y/n) pulled up Link’s shirt to reveal another wound. They began to apply a makeshift bandage as well. Link had watched as Ghirahim threw them in the way of a monster. One of his own monsters. (Y/n) had begged and pleaded for Ghirahim to save them, but he vanished. Leaving (Y/n) to die. Link had recognized this and saved (Y/n). Their face reflected the confusion and horror they were facing, but seemed grateful. They left to find Ghirahim as well. Link noticed they seemed more distant to the demon lord and well… now it made sense. (Y/n) was trying to repay him in some way.

(Y/n) looked up and sighed, pressing a hand to Link’s face. “Not much I can do about that. I’m sorry.” They said, sitting back. “It’s alright. I feel a lot better. Thank you.” Link said, pushing himself to stand. (Y/n) watched and stood as well, awkwardly looking into Faron Woods. “I should leave now.” Link said, shuffling to the door of the Sealed Temple. (Y/n) nodded and watched him carefully. Link realized something. “Aren’t you going back to Ghirahim?” (Y/n) bit their lip and turned back to the woods. “Maybe. I don’t know.” They said quietly. “To tell you the truth… I’m worried. He’s not the same man I grew up with. I’m concerned he’ll hurt me if I go back after what I’ve done.”

Link was confused. “Not the same man?” (Y/n) nodded. “He used to be a lot more kind. When the ground started shaking his skin and hair changed. He changed. From my father Ghirahim to… a Demon Lord. He’s never touched me before, but I know helping you survive will royally piss him off. I don’t think he’ll hold back. I don’t know where I’m supposed to go.” Link could feel the hope of escape radiating off of them. They were nervous about seeing Ghirahim again. “Would you like to come with me?” He offered. “There’s a safe place for you in Skyloft, and if you’d like to continue searching for my friend with me I know you’re skilled. And you have inside information about how Ghirahim and his army works. You can finally be yourself.”

(Y/n)’s harsh demeanor seemed to crack. Link saw a child underneath the walls they had built up. Their eyes widened and their shoulders relaxed. Their once stiff and tall stature shrunk in on itself. “I don’t know how I can repay you. I’ve been terrible the entire time, and you’ve been nothing but kind.” They said quietly. “Think of it as… a change in pace. A change in employment. Work for good instead of evil.” Link held out his hand. They took it and looked into his eyes. A smile crossed their face, lighting up their entire body. Link felt a blush creep on his face, a feeling within him wanted to see this smile more. “Alright, yeah. That makes sense. I’ll help.”

[inthelittefrost]

This is lack of judgment or loj for short! basicly jimmy is taken from the watchers  and everyone thinks he died :) https://archiveofourown.org/works/46915633

It started quite slowly. Lewis never quite put the dots together. First, Martyn returned without his brother claiming Jimmy was right behind him. Then the next morning, netty broke down in tears. slowly one by one, everyone started to realize that Jimmy is gone. Dead. Killed in action. 

The police station offered to fund his funeral on the condition that those who know about Jimmy's death sign an NDA. Matytn refused. 

 A few weeks later, Netty couldn't get ahold of her brother. So Lewis, Spiff, Netty, and Marytn went out to go investigate it. And sure enough, Stampy's lovely farm was gone. Almost looked like it was plucked out of time.

Netty sobbed over the loss of her last remaining family member. After all, her parents died during “vacation” in Evo. It was all piling up on her. No one blamed her when she convinced Martyn to let her put a tracking spell on him. Not a major one. No no not like that. Just a small proof of life. Granted that did nothing when she disappeared two years later. No one blamed her for that either. Well, Martyn did a bit. Just a tad. He mostly was upset she didn't take him with her.

It took Marytn a week to confess that there were gods who want him dead and they might have killed Jimmy. So Lewis does what he does best. Protection runes embroidered in Martyn's clothes, the defense about the Jafa factory got turned up to a ten. Someone sleeps in the room next to Martyn in case he has a nightmare.

Off course that doesn't help when 4 years after Jimmy’s, Lewis finds Marytn nearly spitting his throat with an axe with spell books scattered around the room. Shit is that Ephraim’s guide to killing gods? Lewis swore that book disappeared

“What the hell are you doing?” Lewis screams. Fuck they should really have called that therapist. Is it too late to call one for him now?

“This isn't what it looks like!” Marytn yells at him.

“Then what the hell are you doing?” Lewis screams back 

“Trying to summon a god,” Marytn yells back.

“Dude you going to end up killing yourself with how dull that axe is. Give it to me.” Lewis said. Maryth only clings to it more. Maryth should know a dull axe is more dangerous than a sharpened one. Along with the risk of rust

“...what are you going to do with it?” Marytn asks somehow climbing to the axe even harder.

“I'm going to sharpen it so you don’t kill yourself while you're summoning this god. Get with the program Martyn.” Lew responds

Slowly Martyn hands the axe to Lewis. Just as he thought. Way too dull plus it's enchanted. That won't work well with summoning a god. If anything it's just going to work like bug spray. Lewis gestures for Marytn to walk with him. Honestly, it's a shock that Marytn hasn't noticed this yet. Did he just not notice the large shipments of pig blood? It is so quiet walking down the stars that Lewis could hear a pin drop. 

After a very awkward moment, they reach the grindstone. “You ever used one of these?” Lewis asks

Marytn hums “My use of magic normally has more chanting in it than blood.” 

“Well, what god are you summoning?” Lewis asks, expecting the answer to be a god of lost souls or a god of brothers. Something along those lines

“The Red King” Martyn casualty repays. Lewis stops sharpening the axe and just stares at him. What now? Is Martyn fucking insane? 

“You've met Jimmy right?” Marytn asks. Lewis has never met Jimmy before. Normally when Martyn and them hang out, Lewis pays for a babysitter Jimmy to go tour the Jaffa factory. “Wherever Jimmy goes, fights follow. I know he's still alive. I'm hoping he starts a war. A massive one. One so large, that the gods are forced to bear witness.” 

[skylarstark4826]

Her husband was back. Attuma knew she was married. She told him when he expressed his interest, but he thought the man was locked up in prison, someone she trotted out to put distance between them so they would only remain training partners.

However, a year into the Talokan and Wakandan alliance he must have gotten out because her husband was back home.

And he did not like Attuma. The feeling was mutual, of course, but not for the same reasons. W'Kabi didn't like Okoye doing anything without him anymore. He wanted to clip Okoye's wings, take away the extended freedom she had as a Midnight Angel who was needed outside of the country. Attuma just wanted what W'Kabi had. In other circumstances, he'd kill the man and move on, but that's not how it worked in the surface world. Well, it was how it worked sometimes, but he was pretty sure it wasn't how it would work with Okoye. Attuma didn't think she'd talk to him again if he murdered her husband. He was still thinking about risking her wrath though as he showed up to her house to prepare for training.

"I'm not having this argument with you again, W'Kabi."

"I just don't understand why you have to go."

"You never said this when I was the general of the Dora Milaje."

Attuma's hearing was sharper than those on land and the raised voices reverberated outside to him.

"That's because there were less away missions! You were only guarding the king or doing necessary things. Now you go at the drop of a hat. You don't think of me."

There wasn't even a pause. "Think of you? Are you kidding right now? This is rich coming from you, of all people!" Attuma was sure there was an actual hiss in Okoye's voice. He could only imagine the snarl that accompanied the words.

"I didn't mean it like that, Okoye."

"You are so selfish. You are so completely selfish. I could have left you in that prison to rot. Instead, I petitioned King M'Baku for your release and this is how you repay me."

"Okoye! Okoye!"

Attuma took that time to knock on the door, his heart hurt at this new knowledge. If he had someone that loyal, that beautiful, that amazing...

The door swung open and W'Kabi's look formed such a fierce scowl that his lower face scrunched into a tight ball.

"It's you. Of course, it's you." W'Kabi always clipped his words when he talked to Attuma. He yelled out to Okoye, "Your little training partner is here."

Attuma silently fumed at the insult, but remembered that Okoye would be spending the afternoon with him.

------

He landed a harsh blow to her legs and swept her high into the air before she crashed back into the mat. Hard.

She groaned from the landing.

"You are going to get injured if you do not get your mind into the fight," he said.

"I know. I know." She sat too long on the floor. Sweat poured over her as she put her head in her hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he offered.

He hated talking to people about their problems. Namora had tried often to talk about the bad parts of her day or a particularly tricky battle and he always side stepped her conversation, never wanting to listen to chatter he didn't have to, but Okoye was different. He wanted every piece of her she would share with him.

"No. No."

He joined her on the floor. He was quite agile despite his size, and his massive limbs compacted to sit opposite of her.

He took her hand. "If it was me, you would never have to feel guilty about defending your country."

She closed her eyes. "Please, Attuma," she started.

"He doesn't deserve you."

"And you do?" she bit back.

"No. I don't deserve you either, but I'd be honored if you let me into your life. I would not treat you like this. I would not try to control you. We are warriors, and warriors will never be happy if they do not fight. It is our nature. You deserve to fly free."

She inhaled and searched his eyes. "Please don't say these things," she paused. "Aren't there some hot Talokanil women out there competing for you?"

"There are," he acknowledged, "but none of them are you."

"I'm married," she whispered. She sounded much more desperate than she had before, like she'd run straight up a mountain and there was little breath left in her body.

"What do you wish?"

"That my husband loved and cared for me as much as I care for him." She didn't say it, but they both heard, "as much as you care for me."

He nodded and rose from his position. They only trained a little more that day because both of them were distracted, but for different reasons. Her for the reason of mourning what could be in her marriage, and him because he was willing to give it all to this one woman.

He sent flowers. Ornate and elaborate bouquets that he arranged to display his heart. Dozens of red roses. A bountiful of lilies. Sweet eye-popping daisies, big, bold sunflowers, precious peonies, and cartons of carnations. Each new week, he secretly paid to have them shipped to her. If they weren't native to Wakanda, he had them imported through the merchants on the account King M'Baku extended to Talokan. He paid for them with gifts given to the shop owners: rare pearls, found gold, treasures rediscovered in the depths of the sea.

He sent jewelry. Melons and juicy fruits. Clams and oysters. He bought her bags of rich, European coffee and decorative mugs. He sent her clothes. Fuzzy slippers. A cashmere robe. A form-fitting white dress that, when he saw it, he imagined pulling it off her slowly.

And he put them all in W'Kabi's name.

It hurt him at first, but each session, she smiled more. Each time he showed up at her door, the voices were quieter, nicer, happier.

She glowed.

------

And then there was the accident.

An unseen sniper shot her in the back while she was herding hostages away from their captors. She'd taken the top of her suit off to make the children more comfortable. The bullet almost hit her in the head, nearly clipped her spine. Aneka stabilized her with the help of GRIOT.

It was the fastest he made it from Talokan to Wakanda. He'd been so desperate to get to her that he'd almost drowned in the sea, a possibility he didn't know existed.

But W'Kabi was there and so he was not allowed to watch over her, not allowed to see for himself that she remained on this side of the ancestral plane.

He didn't eat. He didn't sleep. For once, Namora was so concerned that she didn't tease him about his obsession with the surface-warrior.

"You will die down here," she said, prodding him with his favorite meal.

"I will die without her," he replied. He pushed the food away.

She frowned. "Would she die for you?" She pulled no punches, really let it hang in the air.

But Attuma didn't care.

He'd never met someone like her, never met a warrior as fierce as him. Surface-warriors were weak and primitive. When their guns didn't kill the Talokanil, they always cowered in fear. He couldn't recall how many of these warriors he'd seen relieve their bowels because their bullets didn't deter him. Even when he slammed her into his weapon, she had still fought. She would have fought until he took her last breath. She would have fought to the death with dignity and honor and with her head held high. That kind of passion and loyalty and bravery was even hard to find in Talokan. Namora had it. But she had at least more than 100 years of fighting on the warrior. K'uk'ulkan had it, but he was a God and mutant, and no one would count a god against a mortal.

K'uk'ulkan visited. He gave Attuma the customary greeting, which Attuma didn't return. "My son. You are unwell. Would you risk all of Talokan for one surface-warrior?"

Attuma winced and turned away. He knew the story, the story of how her husband asked if she would choose him or Wakanda. She had chosen Wakanda without hesitation. And yet, he could not do the same.

"I do not wish to dishonor you, K'uk'ulkan. I do not wish to dishonor my people, but to me she is my people also."

K'uk'ulkan nodded. "You are truly besotted by this warrior. Go to her. Expose the layers of your heart. Do not be shy. If she will not have you, you will need to accept her decision finally."

"They will not allow me." He will not allow me, he wanted to say, but there was still an undercurrent of shame for coveting another man's wife.

"The Black Panther has stated that the warrior has returned from her temporary journey to the ancestral plane. I think she will see you for herself."

------

She was on the beach waiting for him when he got out of the water. "I think I knew it was you the entire time, but I hoped it meant W'Kabi decided to value me. I'm sorry." Okoye touched his hand.

"You don't have to be sorry, " he started.

"No," she shook her head, "I do. You have never hidden your feelings, and I can't lie: it made me feel good, made me feel wanted. A woman needs that sometimes, but I took advantage of you."

He started to speak, but she shook her head. "I did. Not intentionally, but I did. I do not wish to be cruel to you, Attuma. W'Kabi and I are through, but I do not wish to string you along."

"Will you have me?" he asked desperately.

"I need time, and I don't think that's fair to you or your hot Talokanil women," she joked.

"I do not care," he stated. His face was a mask of determination. Instead of cloying, the salty, sticky sweetness in the air was comforting.

She was taken aback. "Why do you love me so much?" She wasn't sure anyone ever loved her like this. W'Kabi certainly didn't love her as much as she loved him. He called her foolish and ranted at her the moment she awakened. It was so nasty, so mean, that she asked where the man who gifted her all those caring things was.

He'd snidely remarked, "Probably down in the sea drowning himself. You should have seen how distraught he looked when he wasn't allowed to see you. I think that big shark actually cried!"

All the anger and pain and hurt of the past eight years collapsed on top of her. She married a vicious man, someone who let his childhood trauma fester until it was a rotting, stinking thing that didn't allow for love and growth. She wounded Attuma over this man.

Attuma spoke, "You're the only person I've met like you. Your dedication and skills come from hardwork and discipline. You are braver than any other mortal I've seen. You have now fought death and won. You are beautiful. How can anyone look at you and not feel like they are in the presence of a great, natural wonder? Your generosity to strangers and friends extends beyond yourself. You give everything and want so little in return, but you deserve everything."

Okoye couldn't help but look away, tears in her eyes. No one ever said anything like that to her before.

"Give me a chance?" he repeated. His voice was small, so small that it seemed foreign coming from a man used to belting out commands.

Her cheeks were wet when she looked at him. She nodded. "Yes, I will. I'll give us a chance."

They were both happy, and finally it was for the same reason.

[devcted]

he says she doesn't have to repay him but she wants to, she wants to find some way to show him how greatful she is for the kindness the male has shown her when he barely even knows her. she wants to give him the world if she could, give him whatever he asked. his green eyes flicker over her figure, gazing at her in a way that makes her blush furiously as she looks back at him. "I'd do anything for you." she says simply. bee had never really been with a man before, being pretty isolated and keeping to herself. her father wanted her to work hard to become a proper handmaiden and she didn't really care for romances anyway, she had suiters here and there but she was never really interested in any of them and her parents weren't the type to just send her off with some man cause he was offering a lot of money. "I can't take advantage of you your highness, I could get punished." her tone is a bit teasing as she says it, letting a smirk play against her soft lips as eyes flicker to his own lips. "I'd rather show my appreciation for you."

siblings fight, even she and cedric had their moments but she couldn't imagine being in a position where it felt as though you were always fighting with your brother to the point you didn't even know if your relationship would ever return to what it was like when you were children. "well, you don't smell like a dragons backside... especially now that you have me to keep you nice and clean." she purrs, scrubbing his thigh slowly as she bites down on her lower lip. "don't lose hope, you're siblings that's a bond that is more special then anything in the world....he'll come around eventually and if he does not then it's his loss because he'll be missing out on the most lovely man I've ever known." she can see why sirius would hold so much anger though, but she's not so sure why it's towards regulus when he seems so gentle. "though I'd be jealous too if I had a chance to bond with a dragon and it didn't work out...I'd go absolutely mad." she giggles.

she was mostly joking about him coming to her home, he was a prince after all he had no business going to some old little cottage when he could go anywhere in the entire world with a snap of his fingers. but her eyes soften and heart flutters when he tells bee he'd be interested in coming. "it's nothing special...its just this small cottage near the woods, we have a garden though, it's quite beautiful."

she hears him moan as she's scrubbing him, the sponge brushing against his nipple and there's a shiver going down her spine. she can already tell how sexy he is, his body is like a work of art that it almost feels wrong to touch it like this but it's the way he sounds when she touches him, his eyes looking at her body again and again making her feel in ways she's never felt before. bee never thought she would love being looked at so much but now she thinks she might be desperate for his eyes to on her all the time and maybe even his hands on her body...his lips against her own.

he could have anything he ever wanted, he probably has thousands of girls just throwing themselves at his feet including the one he would be marrying once he's crownes king. why would he choose her? falling in love with her? it feels like she's living in a dream and she was about to wake up in the carriage on her way here like none of this really happened. "the first?" she smiles warmly. "forgive me your highness but you're literally the most beautiful man I've ever seen and plus you're a prince...you've never desired anyone before me?" she truly felt flattered by his words, lips curling into a smile. he says it's about how they feel and that alone is enough to make her want to kiss him right then and there. "what about your fiancé? if you were to love me instead of her...I'm not sure how good I'll be at sharing you." her lips tug into a smirk. "I can be quite selfish at times." she'd never been with anyone and yet here she is, willing to give regulus every inch of her in only a few hours of just meeting him. what did that say about them? could it truly be love at first sight? he asks her to make love to him and there's a shy smile that tugs at the corners of her lips, heart pounding so loud against her chest she can hear it coming out of her ears. "you would be the first man have my body..." she starts. "I'm sure you've had many but you'd be the first to ever touch me or kiss me, I'd love to give myself to you but I think I'll be even more selfish about sharing you if we do."

before she can say a word more he leans in, asking her to be good for him before he kisses her. there's a muffled moan falling past her lips as eyes shut tight and she's kissing him back. it's a new feeling, like she's floating above the clouds tangled up in his touch. he tastes good, sweet almost and her heart is racing so fast that she's scared it might actually burst but it would be such a beautiful way to die if she does hating that he pulls away from even a moment as her lips brush against his. "p-please take me your highness." she mumbles almost desperate in her words as a shivered out moan leaves her, needing more of him than she's ever needed anything in her entire life, making her feel selfish as she hungerily kisses him again, letting her tongue slip into his mouth. she feels his hand slipping under her top, hand squeezing against her bare tit and there's a muffled gasp falling past her lips as eyes flutter. her legs are shivering at the feeling, biting down on her lower lip. "o-oh." she mumbles against his lips as she drops the sponge, reaching up to brush her fingers through his dark curls as she gives his hair a desperate tug. her body is hot and she feels like she can hardly breathe. "take my body." bee whispers against his lips as her nose nudges against his own.

She’s the sweetest girl he’s ever met, already worrying she’s taking advantage of him somehow, as if she didn’t deserve respect and care just for doing this job alone. She’s nothing like his fiancé, who expects everything she gets and doesn’t think twice about it. Daphne is cold and sure of her place in the world, while Bexley is warm and timid, so sweet that she’s afraid of taking up too much space. She seems as kind and cute as the creatures she loves and he already wants to hold her; touch every inch of her soft, beautiful body. “You don’t have to repay me for basic decency,” he shakes his head, but a small smile tugs at his lips. “But if you really wanted to, I could think of a way you could…” Green eyes glance over her body suggestively, lingering at her exposed shoulders and chest. “Besides, I think I’d be into it if you took advantage of me.” He’s teasing, some amusement to his tone, but he’s also being truthful in a way. He’s fairly certain Bexley could do whatever she wanted with him and he would enjoy it. 

Her response is smooth, making him smile. “Then I’m the luckiest man or creature in all of Westeros,” he says, softening at the sound of her giggle when he pinches her cheek.

He frowns at the mention of Sirius again, but not because her advice isn’t sound. Regulus knows he has a temper, but he’s fairly certain he’s shown Sirius that he cares. But now that the girl in front of him asks, he’s suddenly not so sure. “I suppose not… It’s just been difficult, considering how belligerent he is every time I enter the room. Yesterday at breakfast, he was going on about how I’m the perfect son and yet I smell like a dragon’s backside.” Regulus isn’t a fool; he knows he doesn’t smell and the comment was made out of jealousy that Sirius doesn’t have his own dragon, as is customary for their family. “I tried to tell him that I could help him form a bond, but he brushed me off. None of the dragons will imprint on him when he’s so resistant to them. They’re sensitive creatures, and proud…” Much like Sirius and Regulus themselves, now that he thinks of it.

He’s a bit surprised that she would want him in her home with her family, but it makes him flush. “I’d be honored to go with you… See what kind of lovely home brought up a woman such as yourself.” What does it take, to create Bexley Diggory? An environment even brighter than her smile? Was that even possible? He wonders how different their upbringings were and if hers was happier.

She scrubs his chest and it takes his breath away, how the sponge moves down over his nipples, stimulating them a little. A soft moan escapes his lips, a little too aroused by how good this feels, the scratchy material passing over her skin and exfoliating it. She looks so pretty in the dim candlelight, her eyes so big and her pretty loose curls falling forward as she reaches into the tub. He can see even more of her breasts, almost her nipples because of the way the fabric slips down.

He’s losing his ability to resist her more and more each second, and then she answers his question, telling him it would be a dream if he loved her. Her face is so close that he could kiss her if he shifted forward a little and the thought crosses his mind, especially because she’s now telling him she doesn’t have anything to offer him. The sponge slowly drags down his body, making him shiver with desire. “You’re kind and beautiful and this is the first time I’ve ever desired someone like this…” It’s not like he’s never been horny at all, but he’s never needed someone carnally before. Not in the way all of the other men were always talking about, as if it was apart of everyday life for them. “It’s not about what you can offer; it’s about how we feel.” That’s what his heart tells him anyway, even if it makes him a fool and a bad king. “But if you’re so worried about offering me benefits and being of service, then you could give me your body… Why don’t you make love to me?”

She’s touching his thigh now and it makes his breath hitch, moving closer until their lips are almost touching. She tells him how beautiful his eyes are, and then how easy it is to fall in love with him. His heart is racing as she continues, claiming she adores him. His lashes flutter as he looks down at her lips, so close to tasting them. “Will you be a good handmaiden and tend to my needs?” he murmurs, before sealing his mouth to hers, starting to kiss her slowly. His heart is about to beat out of his chest because of how soft her lips are, so full and tender under his. When their lips part, he murmurs, “Let me taste you,” before one hand moves behind her neck, pulling her closer as his tongue slides into her mouth. His other hand slips into the fabric of her dress and over one of her tits, a muffled moan leaving him as he feels her soft skin and hard nipple against his palm. Squeezing gently, he tilts his head as he kisses her, pushing his tongue against hers. It’s wet and she tastes good and her chest is soft, making him ache even more as if he could cum already. He never thought he would enjoy kissing someone this much, let alone desire someone like he does her. It makes Regulus feel like he’s on fire, but he had always been told that dragons liked fire.

[killthebxy-archive]

...who needs enemies when your own sister @dornishdrxgon already consumes you

[why-what-no]

Thrones & Crowns Part 2

Part 1

Pairing: Morpheus x Reader

Warnings: None. I just like jewelry

Requests: Morpheus gets his spouse that crown he promised them

Requested by: @jesllianaquilesrolon

He had heard their footsteps before their voice. But either was alright, good enough that he knew that they were there.

"Morpheus? Sweetheart? What's all this?" His spouse asked.

They stepped into the room, their attention on the wide table.

It had been cleared of books to leave room for a rather large collection of crowns, circlets, and tiaras proudly displayed. 

He offered out his hand to them, pulling them closer when they took it. "Well, I did offer you a crown." Morpheus reminded, gesturing at the jewelry. 

He felt a little pride at the obvious entrancement on (Y/N) face as they stepped forward for a closer look. And relief. While Lucienne had told him not to worry, he had briefly thought that this display might have been a little too much pressure on his spouse.

But (Y/N) ghosted their hand over one of the jewelry pieces. Not close enough to touch, being far more careful than they needed to. "These..."

"I thought about surprising you, picking one myself. But I decided it would be preferable for you to choose one yourself."

Their face was brightened with excited for a moment, before worry clouded their face. "You know you didn't have to do this, right?” They asked, making sure. “I married you because I love you. Not because of some throne or crown."

He smiled at their cautiousness. At their worry that he didn't know how much they loved him. 

"I am aware. But everything you've done since you came here, the help you've given..." Morpheus knew exactly that they married him out of love. He couldn't believe it sometimes, thinking that he most likely didn't deserve it. But he did know it. "You were the best thing that could have happened to me and the Dreaming. I could never repay you for it, so the least I could do is give you a symbol of the respect you deserve." 

His honest words felt were fairly uncomfortable to say, not loving the vulnerability he felt around (Y/N). But their grin made it all worth it, with all the gratitude in their smile.

They pulled him into a tight hug, voice muffled against his shoulder. "If I hear anyone say that you're emotionless again, I'll fight them. You're the sweetest.”

He just chuckled, tightening the hug. "Only for those who deserve it. Those like you."

They laughed nervously when he let them go, warmth in their cheeks at Morpheus’s loving words. “You know, if my ego gets any bigger, I'll turn into Lucifer."

Morpheus was about to respond to their joke when he noticed how their attention was grabbed by one specific piece. "Do you like that one?" He asked, and they nodded distractedly.

He would admit, it was a nice crown. Not the kind of thing that would pull his interest, but most definitely his partner's. "It belonged to a French Royal killed in the revolution. Desire took it from the palace, but quickly got bored of it. Moving on to newer, shinier toys." 

"How could they? It's beautiful."

He gestured dismissively, knowing that Desire was just the type of person to do that. "Well, now it's yours." While their attention was on their new gift, his attention was on them. "I love you." He spoke gently, getting their attention once again

"I love you too." Their smile was stunning to Morpheus, more beautiful than anything he could create. "Even more than I love this." They pointed at the crown. 

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Really?" The King of the Dreaming played along with his lover's enjoyment of gentle teasing

"I mean… at least a little." Their grin was wide, with a slight wink. Expecting him to response with a joking comment of his own.

But Morpheus just reached up to brush his fingers through (Y/N)'s hair. "Good, I'm glad." His response was gentle, soft. "And I'm glad that you liked your gift." 

(Y/N) thought about making another joke. But honestly they just wanted to tell him that he was worth so much more to them than any gift. That they were so grateful that he loved them and they loved him back. But words wouldn't be able convey the emotions they wanted to communicate. 

So instead they kissed him. Hoping it would let him know better than speech.

[whet-ones-write]

Baku Birthday 2021

So I’m posting this a /little/ early because I’m just too excited to share this fic! So I joined in with Bakugou’s Birthday Bash hosted by these amazing people!!

@phasmwrites​ @katsukikitten @bakugotrashpanda​ @lady-bakuhoe​ @jodrawssmut​ & @ramen-rambles​ 

And since joining I couldn’t have found a more supporting and helpful group on Discord!! Special thanks to: @hoe-doroki​ for being my beta reader and editor!! Thank you for dealing with my sorry, inconsistant ass and giving me the strength to pull though and just do some of my best writing to date! I haven’t written so much in so long and it was rather nice!! 

And to @notchesandbullets​ for telling me I can do this and be those words of praise when I needed them the most helping me pull though and finish this!

Contains: DragonShifter!Reader x Bakugou. Fantasy Setting,

WC: 3755 - Masterlist to all the works!!

Warnings: 18+, SMUT, oral (Female + M reviecing), Cowgirl, unprotected sex, Cum eating, Premature Ejaluations (if you squint), Age gap? It’s implied Reader is much older than Katsuki. Restraining Katsuki, Pervert Kiri

Looking around his throne, Katsuki couldn’t help but scoff at what came to his mind. He had everything a chief could want, but it still wasn’t enough for the young, barbaric male. Vast and grand was his home. People were happy, going about their day, harvest due and bountiful, the river running steady and clean. 

Though, he was still missing a vital element to his life. Someone to make him happy, to have by his side and call his own. So the only thing he had left to need or want was someone to walk into battle with him, because not just any person would. 

No, they had to have a few key traits to meet his standards. They needed to have a willingness to fight, to want to protect those around him and themselves with everything they had. They had to be able to take flack and a joke but also be serious when the time came. They had to be able to take no shit from anyone and make sure to be willing to put others in their place if they went out of line.

It wasn’t much! Honestly…Or at least he thought so. 

“...ugou, Bakugou!” A voice snapped him from his thoughts as he glanced at his adviser, unhappy over the fact he was interrupted from his thoughts. 

“What is it?” Katsuki questioned as he lazily shifted his attention to the man standing at his right side. 

“As I was saying, there have been some sightings of strangely coloured dragons in the nearby valleys. We do not know if it is one or more or if they’re passing by or staying. Moreover, they have yet to attack the villages, but it would be wise to at least investigate the surrounding areas before anything happens,” his assistant spoke as he looked for what the King was going to do. 

Taking a moment, Katsuki couldn’t help but smile as he got up and began to stretch. “Eijirou, prepare for a flight. It seems there might be someone that needs a reminder of who those valleys belong to.” 

Though to the Bakugou family dragons were revered and seen as good omens, there was a limit. Dragons that fought over territory could be destructive and wipe entire lands from existence, so if there was ever more than one in an area it could prove to be a bad omen instead.

One dragon or one family were seen as protecting the lands, keeping invaders at bay and being loyal by nature. Though another one could offset the balance, should they prove to be hungry or hostile. The valleys in which the Bakugous lived were famous for having the longest standing relationship with the red dragons of the Kirishima clan. They had served one another for generations with the latest duo being that of the Barbarian King Katsuki Bakugou, son of the late Chieftess Mitsuki Bakugou, and the dragon that protected the lands, Eijirou Kirishima, son to late Hikori Kirishima.

Standing at seven feet, the mostly human nodded and saluted as he walked with his friend outside. “Yes, sir.” He beamed happily, seemingly excited by the prospect of seeing another dragon. “Though, what are your instructions, should they prove hostile?” 

“Hostile?” Katsuki mused, placing a hand to his chin as the other morphed into that of a forty-foot-long dragon from the tip of his nose to the very end of his arrow-pointed tail. Once finished, Kirishima leaned down to lower his wing, letting Katsuki get on by walking up the thin bone of the arch of his wing and holding onto his spines, climbing all the way to behind the red horns that adorned his head. “Should the dragon wish to try and stay, we will start through the diplomatic route.” 

That was the thing about Katsuki. For all his bloodlust and anger, he was quite the strategist when it came to monsters several times his size. Having worked with Eijirou for some time, they had built up a bond of trust valuable for when trouble arose. 

“Should that fail, we will have to take things up a notch. I would like to avoid a fight if at all possible.” He sighed as he clung to the horn while the other took off. “The valley is full of fish making their way upstream for the breeding season,” he muttered before groaning and slapping his face as he remembered something, getting even more irritated. 

“It could be a female dragon,” he groaned, looking down to Eijirou. “With breeding season approaching, it could prove very troublesome,” he grumbled as he lay down to keep low as Eijirou took to the sky. 

“Hm,” came a deep rumble from the beast.

A female dragon would be far better than a male should they be able to move it along. It could prove worse in the long run, though, as other males came to try and have their chance, destroying the local landscape fighting over the female. 

“Not going to be influenced? I know you’re a young male.” Katsuki snickered as the dragon grunted and shook slightly in a ‘no’. “Don’t worry, whatever happens we’ll sort it,” he offered quietly as he calmed down to focus on the mission at hand. 

They took to the base of the mountains and looked for any signs of disturbance. With fear running though the nearest village, it was clear to see that the crops were half unattended and in the middle of being harvested. “I’m going to go take a look at the surrounding areas and talk to the locals. You go on up the mountain and scout that out,” the Chief commanded. With a short huff and a nod, Eijirou turned to slowly and carefully make his way up and around the mountains. 

It wasn’t long before Eijirou returned with some news. Meeting in the center of town, the dragon descended slowly and waited for Katsuki to approach before he spoke. “I found a trail of blood from the ground leading up to a cave roughly halfway up the mountain. 

Nodding, Katsuki signaled for Eijirou to lower himself so he could climb onto his back. “Sounds about right. The locals saw a figure flying unsteadily across the sky and into the mountain. There was a loud thump before all went silent. It’s more than likely a dragon. It hasn’t done harm to the villagers yet, though, so a slow, quiet and careful approach is needed.”

Coming to the entrance of the cave, Katsuki hopped off Eijirou, immediately noticing the plants had been recently crushed and a splattering of dried blood was leading into the cave. Looking up to Eijirou, he nodded and quietly led the way in. Eijirou used a small breath to light the torch that Katsuki would have to use to see. 

It didn’t take them long to find the cause of the blood and crushed plants. Lying in front of them was a bronze dragon just as large as Kirishima, if not bigger, bleeding heavily from it’s hind leg, belly and face. 

“Holy shit,” Katsukimuttered as he looked over the sight. He froze as the dragon raised its head. Chuckling, you looked over at Katsuki and Eijirou. “If you have come to kill me, at least make it swift.” 

“Tch, don’t lump me with most humans,” Katsuki stated as he approached you, looking over the wounds. A huffing could be heard as he made his way closer, your muscles tense and beady eyes watching his form, ready to attack should harm come. “I’m a Bakugou. We don’t harm your kind.” 

“You may not harm but you enslave. I feel sorry for the red scaled one over there. Forced to serve you like their ancestors,” you mumbled, laying your head down and closing your eyes to rest. 

Eijirou huffed before he sat down. “I’m not. It’s nice to have lands that we don’t have to fight over and live in harmony with humans,” he protested, watching as Katsuki assessed the wounds. “I am from the Kirishima clan.” He beamed, almost a little too excited to say so. “It’s nice to see another shade of red around here. Normally those of the Shinsou clan are around these areas.” Eijirou started, tilting his head to the side. “So what brings you here?” he mused. 

Which was how you explained your side of the story. It wasn’t uncommon for humans to attack those of draconic race because of the first dragons causing havoc and turmoil for humankind. You were a young dragon who still had not found some land to live in. So, you were aimlessly looking around for somewhere to sleep before you were ambushed by a kingdom that had a bad past with dragons, driving you out. 

“Well,” Katsuki started as he backed off. “If you revert into your human form, we can take you back and give you medical aid. I’m not about to let a creature like you just die pathetically cold and alone in such a depressing state.” 

With that, they watched as your form changed into a bloodstained, corseted, sleeveless dress, wings still visible with a tail barely peeking from beneath your long skirt. Their eyes lingered for a little too long to be completely respectful.  

Getting up from where he lay, Eijirou gently enclosed you in his claws, protecting you, letting Katsuki onto his back before taking off back to the kingdom to give you the aid you needed. 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The next thing you knew, you were waking up to some argument going on outside, though you took no heed to it. After all, you would need to at least stay to repay the kindness the human has shown you before taking your leave. 

As the flap to the tent opened, you looked up at the figure that came to inspect you in the cot. “How are you feeling?” The one that entered had torn red wings and a thin arrow-headed tail much like that of the dragon you’d seen earlier. 

“Much better, thanks.” He watched you as you got up to move around.

“Yeah, my mother is a great healer.” The man beamed proudly before his face dropped for a moment in realisation. “Oh, that’s right! I’m Eijirou Kirishima!” He offered a hand for you to shake as he introduced yourself. “I’m Katsuki’s dragon companion. Speaking of which, when you feel up to it, he wants to see you in the throne room. He’s currently occupied with some business, so why not come later tonight before dinner? He wants to talk to you about some things.”

“Ah I see” You nodded in agreement though still clearly wary of him. 

“Yeah, my mom specialises in herbal and magical treatments for dragons. You should be fighting fit by the end of day! So enjoy yourself and have a look around! You’re more than welcome here as long as you don’t kill anyone.” You found yourself chuckling lightly along with him as he waved. “See ya! Rest up well and don’t push yourself too hard!” He beamed as he left. 

As Eijirou left you alone with your thoughts, you couldn’t help but think back to just how trustingly and kindly Katsuki had treated you. Taking your leave from the tent, you looked to the sky to gauge the time of day. Deciding you had at least an hour before the sun would set and you would need to see the Chieftain, you went to see what the town had to offer.

As you walked among the townsfolk, you couldn’t help but notice that dragons and humans walked around one another as if that were a normal thing to do. Had things always been like this? And how had this not spread to other countries? Though be that as it might, you were happy for these people; they seemed to be comfortable and welcoming just like the man who had found you. Perhaps you could stay a little longer than intended… 

Still, once the sun started to set you walked back the way you came only to come across a tent larger than most, assuming that was where Katsuki would be wrapping up the day. 

You slowly opened the flap as some villagers came out, happily discussing the day’s harvest before you heard. “Come on in, dragon!” Katsuki called as he remained seated on his chair smirking to himself. “Feeling better, I see?” he questioned as he sat up straight. Even like this, you could see and feel the power he irradiated. 

“Yes, much, thank you.” Bowing, you smiled before you were told to stand upright. “If there’s anything I can do for you, please just let me know. It’s the least I can do after you saved my life.” 

The moment those words left your mouth, you had a feeling that you were either going to live to regret it or thank him.

“Speaking of which,” he started as he leaned back and patted his lap. “Please, come here,” he commanded. Once you approached, he leaned forward, taking your chin between his thumb and forefinger as if inspecting you. Up close, you could just see how deep ruby red his eyes were as well as how sharp his teeth were. For a human, he had a great set of fangs on him. ‘Shame he’s a human; he would have made a great and fierce dragon,’ you couldn’t help but think before he spoke, bringing you back to reality. 

“Yes, you’re perfect,” he muttered, pulling you into his lap forcefully by your waist. “Strong willed, a fighter, and someone I could learn to grow better with,” he stated as he suddenly captured your lips. “You will be my partner,” he stated as his hands wandered low. 

Spluttering and blushing, you thrust your arms at his chiseled chest, putting some distance between the two of you. “B-But how do you know? I could kill you! You barely know me,” you protested, though with his power he forced you to fold your arms, leaning in to whisper. 

“But you owe me your life. Surely this is nothing and if you don’t feel like you’re the one you’re more than welcome to leave,” he purred.

You knew he was right. This young, powerful man knew that dragons didn’t back down on their word, and so serving him would mean repaying the debt? A small price to pay, truly. 

“So why not get on your knees for your Chief and thank me properly?” he offered, leaning back and letting go of you. You watched as the grin on his face was almost ear splitting as you sunk to your knees in front of him. He let his hands wander down his trousers to help you get them off and down to his ankles. 

“That’s it,” he praised, reaching out to gently lay his hand on your head. His eyes watched you with keen interest as you slowly took him into your mouth. He wasn’t completely hard and you shifted to get a better angle and grip him in your hands, though he tried to encourage you with soft words. “That’s it, fuckin’ take it all in,” he muttered as he leaned back, getting more comfortable on his throne. The grasp on your hair got tighter as he started to get impatient and guide your face along his length. “Come on now, no need to be so shy about it.” His teeth showed as he smiled. “You’ve lived longer than I have, surely you have the experience?” he goaded. Which, if you were honest with yourself, was true. You were most likely older than him, and could show him a thing or two while you’re at it. 

Straightening your back a little from the floor you looked over his hardening dick. Licking your lips, you took the head in, using the flexibility to weave in between the head of his cock and the shaft before leaning up and taking it in as much as you could. Tongue flat, running along the thick vein underneath, you slowly bobbed your head back and forth, breathing when you could. It wasn’t long before you felt a tug with the hand that ran through your hair to pull you away from him, leaving you panting, and breathless from working so hard to please him. 

His cheeks flushed a bright pink he chuckled almost as breathlessly as you, having forgotten how to breathe in the moment before letting go of your hair. “What a good girl,” he praised as he shifted back and patted his lap.  “Why not come for a ride?” he questioned as he watched you stand. “I would have taken you back to my room, but I'm feeling impatient. It’s my birthday after all,” he informed, eyes hungrily watching over your form as you stripped naked, and then worked on taking off his trousers completely. 

“Your birthday?” you questioned him as you straddled his lap. “I see. Perhaps this will be enough of a gift then?” you mused lining yourself up, slowly trying to sink yourself down on him.

His head slammed back against the back of his throne as he groaned. You were taking your time, though as you hadn’t prepared yourself. You knew your body could and would stretch, but it was painful to begin with. He was stretching you to your limit, but you licked your hand to reach down to let the saliva coating his dick for an easier entry only then were you able to sit down fully on his lap. 

Taking a good minute or two you both sat, panting, just feeling one another as you got used to the stretch of his cock within you. His hands empassing your hips, he tried to get you to move, but you had other ideas. It was his birthday? That’s just fine, but you would make sure it would be a ride he wouldn’t forget in a hurry. 

You gently grasped his hands and took them off your hips to raise them above his head as you started to roll your hips back and forth. Leaning in close to kiss him and to distract him, you used your tail to wrap his hands above his head. He only just realised when you leaned back.

“W-What the fuck is—shit—the big idea?” he panted as his eyes were glued to your form, which started moving so effortlessly up and down on his dick. 

“It’s your birthday. I want to spoil you, so enjoy the ride.” Chuckling a little darkly, you couldn’t help but use your wings to give you some extra momentum and power into your movements as you rode him. 

He couldn't believe just how lucky he was to have such a beautiful person ride him within an inch of his life. You knew just what to do and how to please him, which, to his embarrassment, had him orgasming not much longer after you started. 

“F-Fuck!” he grunted, unable to couldn’t help it when his hips met yours. Though your gut had only just started to coil with your own orgasm, much to your disappointment. You remained seated on his lap as he came down from his high, letting go of his arms. 

He watched you only to frown. Noticing you hadn’t orgasmed yet he couldn’t help but feel like a teenager all over again. 

This wouldn’t do. This wouldn’t do at all. 

Growling, he forcefully lifted you up from him as he slid to the floor, getting you to sit in his seat. Wrapping his arms around your waist, he brought you to his face and started to lap up not only at his own cum that had started to seep it’s way out from the confines of yourself, but searching for any original taste of your own essence. This surprise had you leaning over with a groan. In all your years, no other man had been so willing about doing this. 

Smirking from the inside of your thighs, he knew from your expression that you were loving it or at the very least surprised by his movements. “What?” he questioned, so close to your cunt that you could feel his breath ghosting it. “Never been eaten out before?” He seemed a little too smug, as if he almost already knew the answer. 

With a shake of your head, he only shifted closer and got more comfortable as he nudged your clit with his nose. “Hmm, good. I'm a man starving for pussy and it’s delicious, so don’t mind me,” he muttered before his gaze lowered. 

Though his dick felt great, this was almost a thousand times better. There was no painful stretch, only a soft muscle, though not deep. The slurping and sucking sounds and sensations were what quickly brought your end. He was more than happy to guide you though your high as you remained hunched over his head, hands which you now realised were in his hair, forcing his face just that much closer. 

Leaning back once you had come back to Earth, you watched him as he wiped his chin and cheeks with the back of his arm. “Thank you for the meal.” He chuckled, giving off a lopsided smile, showing off the pearly whites of his sharp teeth. He stood as he gathered up his trousers as he got dressed. “You’re more than welcome to stay for dinner in my home,” he stated as he turned to you and passed you back your clothes. 

Slowly taking them, you nodded as you got dressed despite the shake in your legs. “Y-Yeah, I think I will,” you confirmed as you slipped back into your clothes. 

“Good choice. I’m not finished with you yet, beautiful.” Leaning in, he kissed your cheek before taking his leave only to find a very flustered Eijirou waiting outside. “Something wrong?” Katsuki questioned with folded arms, knowing exactly what he was doing. 

“N-No!” the dragon protested, though the redness that was spread all the way up to his ears gave him away. 

“Next time, just ask. It’s rude to eavesdrop.” Katsuki laughed as he walked away, going to join the mass for dinner. 

“K-Katsuki! I had to make sure you were safe! After all, she’s a rogue dragon,” Eijirou protested in earnest. Though he wouldn’t admit it, that would be something that Eijirou would very much like to do. 

“Sure, sure, whatever you say, man.”

Rolling his eyes, Katsuki took a seat at the head of the banquet table, waiting for your arrival before the festivities could begin.

[nami-writes]

All Work No Play - The Owl House

this idea originally came to me when i played my child lebensborn but then it sorta just turned into hunter overworking himself to death and eda and luz being like bro. the fuck

He always minds his manners. Always looks for some way to help.

“Thank you for cooking lunch,” he says as Luz carries the dishes over to the sink. “Do you need help with the dishes?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she responds and smiles at him. “You already cooked and did the dishes for breakfast. It’s my job now.”

“No, I insist,” he says. Luz has already earned her place here. “King wanted to play War with you, didn’t he? I’ll do the dishes so you can go do that.”

She pauses. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, of course,” he says. “It’ll be good, uh… dishwashing practice.”

“Okay! If you’re sure.” She beams. “Thanks, Hunter!”

She runs off to find King and Hunter allows himself a small smile before getting to work. He’s taking charge and proving his worth. Luz seems to appreciate it.

—

“Isn’t this the second meal you’ve cooked today?” Eda asks, walking up behind him at the stove. “Everyone only has to cook one meal a day. I was gonna get started on dinner once I told Luz and King to clean up.”

“No, it’s okay,” he says, putting the lid on the pot. “I’ve got it. You were already busy today with the rogue abomination, I’ll cook dinner so you can relax.”

“You sure? I could get this done twice as fast.”

With magic, she doesn’t say. “I can do it,” he insists. He can still be useful, even without magic. “It’s no big deal. Don’t worry about it.”

—

“Hey, kid!” Eda calls, stopping Hunter in his tracks on his way down the stairs. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

A surprise? It can’t be good. He hasn’t done as much recently as he should have and a surprise could be anything, but he walks over anyway. “What is it?”

“Ta-da!” From behind her back she procures a wand— a training wand. “Amity had it left over and gave it to Luz but she prefers glyphs, so I thought I could give it to you.”

For a moment, he almost allows himself to be happy— this is a massively kind gesture, they’re giving a Grimwalker and the former enemy the ability to use magic— then remembers just how big of a gesture this is. What will he owe for this? “Thank you, but you didn’t have to, really, I…”

“Come on, don’t pull that humility on me,” she scoffs and holds it out to him. Reluctantly, he takes it. “I know you don’t feel too great about your—er—magical capabilities, so enjoy this! You can practice casting the glyphs you learn from Luz with this. How about it?”

He suppresses most of a smile. He can't jinx it. “Yeah. Um— thank you, Eda. Thank you. Really.”

It’s not that he doesn’t want it. He’s wanted to be able to use magic for ages now that he doesn't have Belos’s staff, he would love to have that ability back, but… it came out of nowhere. There’s no doubt it can be taken away just as suddenly.

He begins calculating just what he’ll need to do to repay this. Cook twice as much, maybe, clean more of the house, groom King more often. If he wants to keep this wand, he'll really need to prove it.

—

He feels awful.

Part of him regrets staying up so late to finish trimming Hooty’s feathers, though most of it was spent listening to him ramble on about his adventures and how he hates being confined to the house all the time and someone named Lulu who Hunter assumed was not Luz. But he forgot that he promised to cook breakfast that morning and then groom King and now he fights sleep as he sets the dishes on the table.

“Thanks, kid,” Eda says.

“Looks great!” Luz says.

He offers a forced smile and settles down at his seat, propping his head up on his fist because it’s so heavy on his shoulders he might topple over. He pokes absently at his food.

He jerks upright, eyes snapping back open, and realizes he almost fell asleep. Nobody seems to have noticed— good. They're too busy talking about Luz’s latest adventure. He jabs at his food with his fork but misses before catching some on the tines and shoving it in his mouth. Come on. Eat.

He does and swallows probably a bit more aggressively than he should. He tries to focus on something, anything to keep him awake, but he wants so badly to just let his head bob farther down…

“Hunter? You okay?”

Eda’s voice snaps him out of it and suddenly he’s as alert as ever. “Yes ma’am! I mean— yes. I’m fine.” He always forgets she doesn’t like formalities. It’s such a simple thing and yet he still can’t stop calling her “ma’am” when she catches him off-guard.

“You sure?” Her face is riddled with concern. It’s unnecessary. “You looked like you were falling asleep.”

“I’m fine,” he repeats and shrugs. “I just… slept a little later than usual, that’s all. Nothing’s wrong.”

Luz raises a suspicious eyebrow. “What time did you go to sleep?”

“Three in the morning.” It might be a bit of a lie. She doesn’t need to know he passed out at four.

Eda follows up. “...And what time did you wake up?”

“Five,” he says, then quickly remedies, “But I, um… I slept in until five-thirty. I-it was an accident, though— Flapjack tried to wake me up but I was out cold.” He’s torn— he can’t tell if they’d prefer he woke up earlier or later, slept in purposely or by accident. He’s so tired he can’t think straight. “I—I didn’t miss any of my chores, if that’s what you’re worried about, I trimmed Hooty last night and woke up in time to clean the second floor before making breakfast—”

“Hunter,” Eda cuts him off, “that’s two and a half hours of sleep, and in two hours you’ve already cleaned an entire floor and cooked for all of us.”

“...Yes,” he says, not quite understanding. Was that not enough? “Is… is there anything else you want me to do?”

Luz is staring at him in horror now. “Are you kidding me? That’s— how are you not dead?”

“Um…” Is she shocked? Angry? Did he not spend the morning productively enough? “I’m… sorry?”

“For what? Overworking yourself half to death?” Eda asks, incredulous. “What were you thinking, staying up that late to get up that early and then doing all that?”

She’s mad, he realizes. They’re both mad at him. “I-I’m sorry, I thought… you gave me something you knew I really wanted and I thought you wanted me to pay you back and I didn’t know how other than to do more chores and housework like I’ve been doing for you since I moved in because I’m powerless but I need to earn my place here and”—he’s rambling, stop making excuses—“I’m sorry, I should’ve asked what you wanted me to do in return. I made an assumption. I… I would understand if you want to take the wand back.”

They stare at him in silence for a moment, jaws dropped in awe. He looks between them and when he finds no sign of mercy, he goes to stand up and retrieve the training wand, trying to fight the tears welling up at the loss of his magic again. He deserves it for messing up.

“Hey, no. Wait,” Eda says. He stops in his tracks. “I don’t want the wand back. Hunter, you don’t need to ‘earn’ anything here.”

He stares at her this time. “But… why else would I be allowed to stay here?”

She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Titan, Hunter, I gave you the wand because Luz didn’t need it and Amity didn’t want it and we knew you didn’t have much other way to use magic so early in your glyph lessons. You’ve had a place here since you showed us you weren’t as bad of a bad boy”—Luz protests through a mouthful of food—“as we thought. I’m letting you stay here because you’re a good kid, really, you just… didn’t get to grow up as one. And you’re one of us now. You belong here.”

He doesn’t understand. Truly, he tries to understand, but he doesn’t and he can’t tell if it’s the sleep deprivation. “But I need to show I can help even without magic. I can’t just not do chores.”

“‘Course not,” she agrees, “but you don’t need to do nearly as many chores as you’ve been doing, and you don’t need to do chores to prove you deserve to stay here. Like, just cleaning your room and cooking one meal every once in a while and letting Hooty deal with his own feathers would be fine. You know how much it takes to get Luz to clean a corner of her room?”

“Eda!”

Eda ignores her, though she allows herself a smirk. “Point is, I don’t care how productive or helpful you are,” she says. “Trust me, anything you can’t do, I can do with magic. It’s not a chore competition. I just want you to take care of yourself. Okay?”

“Okay.” Initially, he says it only because she clearly wants him to. He processes the words a little too slow and they only sink in as he repeats himself a little softer. “Okay.”

His voice cracks this time and the tears come back, ready to spill over. He’s never been told before that he didn’t need to work to deserve to belong. Even more so, he’s never been told to take care of himself instead of commit himself to a mission or a task. He’s not nearly awake enough to effectively hold his tears back and he turns away, sniffling. Embarrassed.

“What’s wrong?” Luz asks, standing up.

“No, I… it’s not your fault, I’m sorry, I just—” He exhales sharply. “I’m… I think I’m just tired, I wouldn’t usually, um… I didn’t think that would…”

Idiot, he can’t even get a full sentence out. How did he let a little bit of lost sleep fuck with him this badly?

“Hey.” Luz wraps her arms around him in a hug and he stiffens for a moment, then hugs her back. He’s getting used to these. “Please don’t apologize. You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

“I’m s—” He catches himself just in time. “Okay.”

He doesn’t cry for long but something tells him he still needed to. He’s just glad that when he pulls away, the tear stain on her hoodie isn’t too big.

“Thank you,” he mumbles, still sniffling. “Both of you. Thank you. I’m… I don’t know how to—”

“Don’t,” Eda interrupts. “You don’t owe us anything. Don’t even think about paying us back for this. You deserve to have a shoulder to cry on, literally and figuratively, either way. Got it?”

“Yes,” he says with the smallest of smiles. He remembers not to call her “ma’am” this time.

[insomniac-dot-ink]

The Star That Fell to Earth

Once upon a time, a star falls to earth.

Her blazing tail streaks across the horizon with every eye in every kingdom following. She crashes against the peak of Mount Talon in a shimmery burst that shakes the earth and burns the sky. The King of the North sends horsemen with nets and spears. The Queen of the Mountains sends soldiers with guns and shackles.

A star can grant a wish that bends the laws of space and time you see, and wishes are the stuff of miracles.

However, there is a knight chosen out of each generation to scour the earth and secure the safety of each star. The Hawk Knight Hana arrives where the sky is burnt orange and the world is smoking and ringing with the sound of crashed space objects.

She races the war horses up the mountain, and beats the dogs to the top. She lifts her shield against the arrows and slides into the enormous smoking hole. She bends down to where the star is curled on the ugly barren ground and puts a hand out.

“My lady,” she bows. “Come with me.”

The Hawk Knight steals away the star into the night, and away from the greedy hands of people who would use her. They run until the soldiers cries die out and only the hoots of owls are left.

The star breathlessly turns to her with piercing eyes that glow and says: “You have saved me.” She can barely stand as she is carried down the mountainside. “I will grant you one wish.”

A shooting star is nothing if not good for her word.

The knight replies simply, “Not yet, my lady.”

The Hawk Knight defends the star as they cross the great plains and battle the ancient serpents hidden beneath the grasses. She cuts off the head of beasts with teeth as long as forearms and helps the star back to her feet each time she falls. She can barely hover at that point much less soar.

Again, as they rest on the plains and watch the darkening sky above, the stars says, “I feel ashamed. You have done everything for me and I have done nothing for you. Let me grant you one wish.”

“Not yet, my lady.” The knight murmurs and points above, “but you may repay me by telling me stories of the constellations. Stories of your people.”

So the star begins her tales of frigid asteroids and planets where it rains metal and volcanoes that erupt snow instead of lava. And the knight watches her every movement and how she blazes against the darkness.

They keep on the move.

The knight brings the lady to the pirate ships of the eastern shores. They sail across the kraken straits and sing drinking tunes among the pirate queen’s crew. They battle against the blistering rain that would drown the star herself and throw rocks at enormous eagles that would carry them off. The star manages to hover this time, and a throw a rock of her own.

Again, one evening as the star is humming to herself and resting against the side of the Hawk Knight Hana, she turns and whispers. “I have seen this world now. I have seen the terrors and beauty of it,” she touches the knight's scarred cheek. “Let me grant you a wish and take away your worries.”

“Not yet,” the knight covers the star’s hand with her own, “My lady.”

The Mountain Queen’s men arrive as the pirate crew is in the harbor. They send fiery arrows to burn the sails and canons to blast the ship to pieces. The Hawk Knight is clever though and tosses all their gold into the waters. “Mermaids!” She cries, “Take this offering and ferry us to safety.”

The Hawk Knight holds the star just above the waves so that her light remains lit and the mermaids ferry them to the closest continent. It is a midnight land of caves and secrets, and the men are still chasing the star.

The knight and the lady are forced into the dark caves and damp earth. They travel for days on end through cities built underground and twisting roads made of limestone and ash. They pass places where the bats are as big as men. They fight the necromantic skeletons that dwell in the abandoned citadels below. They dig their way through soil and mud and endless gloom.

The soldiers are ruthless, they give chase through the winding caverns, yelling, using sightless bloodhounds, and trying to smoke them out. They send one bullet after the next, and the knight parries and dodges and bares her teeth. On the tenth day they emerge into the salty air and can see the sky again. But they are not alone. The chase has pushed them to the end of all things.

On the cliffs that overlook the glass ocean they are trapped. Their backs to the rocks and bodies aching and dirty. The soldiers hold wicked swords, cocked rifles, and beasts on chain leashes.

Finally, the star spreads her arms, steadies her breathing, and steps backward. She does not fall. She takes the knight in her arms and lifts them both off the earth and into the heavens. Their bodies soar through the air faster than the bullets can fly and away from the shrieking voices of the soldiers.

When they land once more the knight is smiling, but her eyes are wet. “You remembered how to fly.” She says hoarsely. “You know how to return to your home.”

The star shakes her head and takes the knight’s face in her hands. “You have not made your wish yet.”

The Knight bows her head. She pulls the star close and whispers into her hair, “I cannot ask it of you.” She brings the lady’s hand up and kisses her palm. “It’s what I have wished since the moment I saw you and before. The reason I fear I was born.”

“And why were you born dear knight?” The star leans into her. The knight simply kisses her palm in answer.

“I cannot ask it of you . . .” She repeats and turns away.

“Ask it anyway,” the stars eyes are wet now too. She brings the knight’s face back to hers. “Ask it again and again.”

The knight searches her ageless, lovely eyes and sees only light. Their lips come together with the slow push of galaxies into orbit. She murmurs the words into the star’s warm skin. “Stay.” She wishes, and then wishes again and again with each kiss. “Stay with me.”

That is how a star fell to earth, and did not fall back up again.

---------

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[pirate-au]

A Pirate's Life for a Prince (Part 2)

Summary: Roman was a dashing Captain, content with his exciting life out at sea, diving head first into adventure both on and off land. He wouldn't give up his life for anything, and yet he found himself...lacking something. He was never sure what.

When he meets Virgil, a seemingly common traveler in an old tavern, that lacking feeling in his chest goes away for the first time in a long while. So surely there's no harm in offering the stranger and his friend a ride, right?

Notes: TW for panic attacks, brief suicidal thoughts, mentions of abuse

Thank you again to @cheshirevalentine for editing being the best

part 1 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6

Virgil lowered himself to the bed, hands trembling as the weight of his decision finally dawned on him.

He pushed thoughts of Roman out of his mind for now, how the Captain had just given up his room for him, and instead turned his attention to an exhausted Patton who clearly just wanted to go home.

“They said they aren’t leaving until morning,” he said, watching as Patton lowered himself to the chair across the room. “You can probably still sneak off. I’ll be fine, I’ll… make up some excuse for why you left.” Patton looked up at Virgil as he spoke, lowering his hands from where he had been rubbing his eyes under his glasses.

“What do you mean? It's much too late to be out and about, and I'd make it heck for myself getting back on the ship before they leave."

“You wouldn’t need to get back on the ship.” Virgil leaned forward, fighting the urge to fall back on the bed and close his eyes. He could feel the exhaustion weighing down on him, thick and heavy. “You’d go back home. I’d just rather I get to say goodbye than you being gone when I wake up tomorrow.”

Virgil stared at his lap, painfully aware of Patton’s eyes on him, hands clasped in his lap as he tried to ignore the ache in his chest, pushing down a sob at the thought of losing Patton. The man had been there nearly as long as he could remember. To be without him would be foreign and terrifying.

“Why would I be gone in the morning?” Patton asked. “I’m not goin’ anywhere, kiddo, c’mon.”

Virgil couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He really wasn’t in the mood to be given false hope out of kindness. Patton wouldn’t rat him out, he knew that, but he wasn’t going to uproot his entire life when Virgil couldn't even repay him. “You’re not coming with me, Patton. I’m never coming back.”

“I figured you weren’t coming back, Virge,” Patton said, his concerned frown only deepening. “Do you not want me to come with you? I figured you might, I know you hate being alone around new people."

“No, I… of course I want you with me,” Virgil said. He’d always known that one day he’d have to say goodbye, and it hurt, but Patton was… really not making it easy. “Pat, I'm spending almost everything I have on this ride. I'll barely have anything when we make it to Deigh. I can't pay you anymore.”

Patton just shook his head, leaning back in the chair. “I don’t care if you pay me, Virge. It’s not about the money.”

Virgil blinked, wondering if the stress and lack of sleep was making Patton delirious. "Pat, that's… that's why you're here. You stay with me because someone pays you to, and I can't do that.”

“I stay with you because I love you,” Patton said softly. “Not because of my job. You know I’d follow you to the ends of the Earth if you asked me to.”

Virgil let out a shaky breath, unable to look at Patton as he wrapped his arms around himself. "You don't have to do that. I've known you were paid to stay with me since I was a kid, Pat. I just… really would rather say goodbye now than never get to."

“We’re not saying goodbye. I don’t care about my job, Virgil. I care about you. I stayed with you because I loved you, not because I got paid.”

“Right,” Virgil scoffed, desperately trying to keep himself from crying. “You don’t care about getting paid. So if the king offered you more money than you’ve ever seen in your life to bring me back, you wouldn’t take it?”

“I wouldn’t take you back for all the money in the world,” Patton said firmly. Virgil knew that if he cried Patton would follow, so he had to hold it together for both of them. Patton’s voice seemed to falter for a moment, the man looking down at his hands. “You don’t know how much I wanted to get you out of there.”

Virgil sniffed, rubbing his eyes and staring down at his lap, listening to the creaking of the boat as people moved around above them.

“We used to talk about it a lot,” he mused. “When I was younger. I always asked you when we were running away, and then I... “ He trailed off, wiping his face insistently. He couldn’t cry. It was for both of them. “I grew up and I never... thought we actually would.”

“Well, we are,” Patton said. “You’re not going back. Not ever again.”

Virgil hunched his shoulders, still refusing to look up. “You… you have a life, Pat. You have responsibilities. I’m not worth leaving all that behind.”

“You’re worth the world, kiddo. You’re worth so much more than any amount of money the King could offer. I love you more than anything, you know that. I’m here to stay, just like I always have. I promise.”

“You have family—”

“You’re my family,” Patton interrupted. “You’ve been my kid since you were six, Virgil. I love you.”

Virgil swallowed, pulling his knees up to his chest. “You have pretty bad taste, Pat.”

“No, Virge,” he said. They’d had this argument more times than Virgil could count. “I don’t. I- I’m sorry. I know what they did and I’m… I’m so sorry I didn’t get you out of there sooner.”

"It's not your fault." And it wasn't, Patton had done everything just right. Virgil wouldn't have made it this far without him. "You did everything you could. I never… knew why you were so nice to me.”

Patton had been the first one to be kind, to not try to hurt or use him the second he met Virgil, and up until tonight, he’d been the only one.

Roman’s hadn’t tried either. He hadn’t seemed to consider it, not even once. And maybe it was stupid to trust him so easily, to jump on a ship with a man he’d only just met, he’d never get an opportunity like this ever again. It was worth the risk.

Patton sighed, shaky and small, and Virgil suspected he’d catch a glimpse of stray tears if he lifted his head. “I could have done so much more for you.”

“You did everything you could,” Virgil said again. “You made sure I wasn’t alone and that’s… that was what I needed.”

He heard Patton stand and make his way over to the bed, lowering himself beside Virgil. Shakily, he reached out, taking Virgil’s hands in his own. "I'm not gonna let anyone hurt you like that again, okay? I couldn't stop it then, but I can now."

He squeezed his eyes shut, hating himself for being the reason Patton sounded so miserable. Patton never should have seen the things that happened to Virgil, he’d be so much happier if he’d left it all behind years ago.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he admitted, barely a whisper. “But you can still change your mind. I won’t be mad.”

Patton lifted a hand, cupping Virgil's cheek, his thumb brushing gentle strokes as he watched him. “I won’t. I’m not going anywhere without you, kiddo.”

“What if someone finds out?”

“They won’t,” Patton said. “You’d know if Roman was suspicious, and I spent some time talking to Logan while you two chatted. We’re just two common travelers, and we’re gonna make it to Deigh and figure it out from there. Anything you want to do, we can do it.”

Virgil laughed, wiping his eyes and dropping his head on Patton’s shoulder. “We’ll be okay,” he agreed, closing his eyes again when Patton cradled the back of his head. “We made it out.”

“This is a whole new start,” Patton said. He pressed a kiss to the crown of Virgil’s head, holding him like he had since Virgil was a kid. “I can’t wait to adventure with you.”

-

The next few days at sea weren’t as peaceful as Virgil had imagined they’d be, but the excitement was something new to him and he found himself watching everything intently, awestruck.

Casting off that first morning had been hectic, Virgil woken up by booming yells and thundering footsteps above him, he and Patton clambering out of the bed they were sharing to hurry up to the deck to watch.

The crew had been scuttling around to their respective places, all smiles and jovial chatter, Virgil stepping back to watch them work.

The crew was loud and a little intense, but each one had smiled or nodded pleasantly when they passed, Virgil returning the gesture with a quiet wave. It took a bit of getting used to, and he knew Patton could tell he was caught off guard. Virgil had never been surrounded by this much kindness in his life, everyone pleasant and free.

Roman was busy directing the ship and his crew, too busy to really spend much time with his passengers those first couple days, so Virgil was careful to give him some space.

He was always polite when they did see each other, just as charming as he’d been when they’d first met, no sign of him dropping the facade for something more sinister now that Virgil was practically trapped on his ship.

It felt… genuine.

The Captain would stop what he was doing when he saw Virgil or Patton, hurrying over to say hello and check in, asking how they were faring on the voyage.

He’d get called over by a crewman eventually, bidding Virgil farewell as he rushed back to work, and Virgil would sit by the rail with Patton and watch the waves crash against the side of the ship.

Even in a new environment, Patton knew when Virgil was overwhelmed or anxious, always ushering him over to hold him at the perfect moment. Virgil still sought him out on his own when he needed the reminder of safety, but Patton always seemed to have some sixth sense that let him know when Virgil needed to be held.

He was grateful beyond words that Patton had stayed with him.

It was still taking Virgil some time to get his “sea legs” as Roman had put it, stumbling with each step when the wind would pick up, the ship rocking against the unpredictable waves.

That first morning, Logan had put down his work and made his way over to teach Patton and Virgil how to work on keeping their balance, as well as some methods to keep them from getting seasick.

Logan was… nice. Virgil was a little wary of him, and he knew Patton would keep a close eye on the first mate for a bit, but he didn’t seem to have any ill intent, intimidating as he was.

A few days into their voyage Virgil had gone exploring by himself, Patton busy with introducing himself to as much of the crew as he could.

Roman was up on the bridge, smiling as he gave orders to his crew, the wind tangled in his hair, eyes lighting up when he caught sight of Virgil.

The ship had chosen that moment to tip, almost sending Virgil stumbling right into the Captain’s chest, and Roman had leaned forward and swiftly caught him around the waist.

He’d had to spin a little to keep them from falling, leaving Virgil feeling wonderfully lightheaded, and when they’d steadied themselves Roman had given him an infuriatingly pleased smile. He’d held him around the waist just long enough to wink before he let go and returned to watching the sea.

Virgil had run right back to Patton after that, face burning bright red, refusing to talk about what had gotten him so flustered.

It had only been a few days, but Virgil had never felt so content. Unfortunately, this much excitement and change was making it nearly impossible to get any sleep.

Patton was sound asleep on the other side of the bed, but Virgil was stuck staring blankly at the ceiling, plagued with thoughts of his new freedom, his future, and Roman's stupidly innocent flirting (that absolutely did not make him blush) his head running wild after the last few days of a brand new life.

There was no point in laying here all night, listening to the endless creaking of the ship. Besides, he kind of wanted to see the ocean at night.

He was careful not to wake Patton when he eventually crawled out of bed, creeping across the cabin and slipping out the door to make his way out onto the deck.

He was still a bit unsteady on his feet, holding his arms out a little to steady himself, but the night was beautiful, stars scattered across the midnight sky, the air crisp and the breeze pleasantly cold.

He almost wasn’t surprised when he found Roman leaned against the railing, facing out towards the sea with the wind in his face. Virgil froze when Roman turned around, but immediately relaxed when the Captain smiled, laughing softly at Virgil’s unsteady movements.

“Why’re you up?” he called, motioning for Virgil to make his way to the railing. “It’s pretty late, isn’t it?”

Virgil really hoped his blush wasn't visible under the moonlight, and he wondered if Roman would be proud of himself if he knew he was the only person to make Virgil genuinely flustered. Not that he’d mention it.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Virgil said, finally making it to Roman’s side. “You’ve got a whole ship to run.”

With the moonlight dancing between the two of them, Virgil could swear he could count the specks in Roman’s eyes. He felt his cheeks flush and he quickly turned towards the sea, closing his eyes to the wind, the light spray of the salty water stinging pleasantly.

“The ship isn’t run solely on me,” Roman said. “I don’t get much sleep, anyways. I’ll be alright. What about you, don’t you need your beauty sleep?”

Virgil's blush definitely darkened at that and he smiled at the cheesy line against his will. He could feel Roman staring, and he ducked his head to let his bangs fall into his eyes. "I think it's pretty clear I don't get much of that as it is."

Roman turned and Virgil glanced over to him, the Captain giving him a soft, almost private smile.

“As if you were on fire from within,” Roman recited, putting his chin in his hand with his elbow up on the rail. “The moon lives in the lining of your skin.”

Virgil turned to him, laughing softly when he briefly caught Roman's gaze. For once, someone staring didn't make him feel tense or exposed. "I didn't know you liked poetry, Captain. Pablo Neruda?"

Roman froze, his face going beat red, and Virgil grinned as the Captain realized he’d been found with his hand in the poet’s journal.

“You caught me,” Roman laughed, his smile guilty as he straightened up and wiped his face with his palm. “Where did you come across Neruda?”

“Relax, it sounds better coming from you, anyway.” In the face of Roman's embarrassment, Virgil found himself much less nervous to respond with a teasing smile. “My, uh…my uncle always wanted me to be well read. Ever since I was a kid.”

“And he thought Neruda was a good place to start?” Roman teased, leaning forward. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume you were a royal, Virgil.”

Virgil knew he was teasing, that it was just another lighthearted joke. He hadn’t meant to react with anything other than a scoff, but suddenly his throat was dry, face paling as he tore his gaze from Roman to watch the sea again.

“Oh please,” he forced out, hoping his brief panicked stumble went unnoticed. “Can you imagine that? Me? Living up in a fancy castle?”

He felt Roman staring, the silence stretching on a moment too long, and Virgil clutched at the railing with suddenly unsteady hands.

“That would be crazy, of course,” Roman said slowly. “You wouldn’t be running away on a pirate ship if you were a royal.”

Virgil laughed again and- shit, his hands were shaking now. Maybe he could blame it on being a walking anxiety attack all the time. “Of course not. I’m just teasing you, Captain. Why don’t you recite more of your poetry?” He said, his nervous laugh catching in his throat.

Roman stood up straight now, and his smile was gone when Virgil glanced over. “Surely you’re not a royal. That would be crazy. You’re not a royal, are you Virgil?”

Virgil clenched his jaw, clutching the railing and keeping his eyes on the ocean. “I’m… I’m not a royal.”

He couldn’t look up when Roman took a careful step forward, setting a hand down on Virgil’s shoulder. His breath caught in his throat, and he just hoped Roman couldn’t tell he was shaking.

“I need you to look at me and tell me that you’re not a royal, Virgil. This isn’t a joke. I can’t kidnap a member of the royal family on a whim.”

Even now, shaking on the deck of an unfamiliar ship and desperately trying to force himself to just get it together and lie before everything fell apart… he couldn’t help but feel grounded with Roman’s hand on his shoulder. “I…you’re not kidnapping me.”

“I am, Virgil,” Roman said, his frown deepening. “Unless you were specifically given permission, this is kidnapping. Did you-” he paused, lifting his hand from Virgil’s shoulders to run it through his hair, turning to step away. “Did you get permission? Or did you just leave everything on a whim?”

Virgil still couldn’t meet Roman’s eyes, feeling a bit like he was going to be sick. His heart was racing in his ears, beating so fast and so loud he wondered if Roman could hear it too. “I didn’t… actually think I would get out of the city so quickly.”

Roman froze, barely a heartbeat of silence passing before the Captain’s voice took over the deck, no longer excited and jovial.

“So you climbed on the first ship you found?” Roman whirled back around, arms thrown out to the side. “You can’t just abandon your duties like that! You have responsibilities, don’t you? Shit! I’m so fucked if I get boarded by a Navy boat!”

Virgil shrank back when Roman raised his voice, watching as the Captain began to pace the deck, first away from Virgil and then back. He mourned the loss of Roman’s touch more than he probably had the right to.

“I’m sorry,” he tried, letting go of the railing in favor or wrapping his arms around himself. “I just...I- you were nice and you offered me a ride and I—”

“You can’t trust everyone who’s nice to you, Virgil!” Roman turned back, his face a furious mask of frustration. “You ran away! Next you’ll be telling me you were the fucking Crown Prince!”

Virgil flinched back a little too fast, his breathing picking up. He felt small and cornered, the feeling unfortunately painfully familiar.

“I- uhm…” he trailed off, warily looking up to meet Roman’s eyes, not quite sure how to answer with words. “I’m sorry.”

“No.” Roman dropped his arms to his sides, staring at Virgil with eyes wide in disbelief. “No. You’re not the heir. You did not run away from the crown of your kingdom on a whim. Surely.”

Abruptly, Virgil wondered if Roman was going to hurt him. He was angry, and rightfully so, much larger, and they were all alone- up on the deck in the middle of the night.

He wondered if he could make a break for it and get to Patton before the Captain grabbed him. Probably not.

“I’d been…thinking about it for a while,” Virgil said quietly. “So it wasn’t technically on a whim.”

Roman stared at him for a moment, the air between them tense, the only sound coming from the crashing of the waves below. "We're turning around. I'm taking you back. Go tell Patton, we'll be back by the end of the week."

“What?” Virgil felt everything screech to a halt, panic and dread hitting full force as Roman’s words settled and the Captain turned on his heel. He was moving to intercept his path before he could stop himself. “No! No, you can’t do that!”

Roman stopped, just for a moment to look down at him. “Yes, I can. You should get to bed now, it’s late.” He stepped around him, a hand on Virgil’s arm to get around. “Sleep well, Virgil.”

“No!” Virgil wasn't thinking anymore, acting on pure panicked instinct as he reached out to grab Roman's arm, desperate to keep him on the deck. “Please, please you can’t. You can’t take me back, I- I can’t go back. Roman, please.”

“Let go of me, Virgil.”

Virgil didn’t move, despite being acutely aware of how much bigger Roman was, and how close they were. It wasn’t pleasant anymore. “Please Roman, please. I’ll—” he hesitated for a moment, considering his desperate words. “—Roman, I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything.”

“I don’t want anything from you, Virgil,” Roman said before the words were even out of Virgil’s mouth, the Captain tensing in his hold. “You have to go back. Now let go.”

“I can’t.” Virgil couldn’t move, still clutching Roman’s arm, and he distantly realized he couldn’t catch his breath either. “I’m- I’m not going back. I’m not going back, Roman I’m… please don’t make me. I can’t- I can’t do it again.”

Roman finally turned, firmly taking Virgil by the shoulders and bending down slightly to be eye level with the smaller man. “You have a duty, Virgil. And so do I. This is bigger than you and it’s bigger than me. I know you’re scared, and it’s ok to be, but you have to go back. I know it’s hard. Believe me, I do. I understand more than you know.”

“No you don’t.” Virgil was crying now, hot tears streaming down his cheeks, but he couldn’t find it in him to care. He twisted out of Roman’s grasp, frantically backing away. “You-you don’t, I… they’ll just hurt me again if I go back and it’ll be worse and I can’t- I’m…I can’t do it again, Roman!”

Roman let him go, quickly pulling his hands away like he’d been burnt when Virgil started to back up. There was a moment of silence, the furious waves once again the only sound on the deck, overshadowed only by Virgil’s quick, panicked breathing.

“Again?” Roman repeated, voice quiet. “What- who hurt you, Virgil?”

“Everyone!” Virgil couldn't breathe, he couldn’t… he couldn’t go back. Not after finally coming so close to getting away. “They all- they all keep…they won’t stop and I hate it! You…you didn’t hurt me. You didn’t even try so I trusted you and- and now you’re taking me back.”

“You’re shaking, Virgil,” Roman said softly. He reached for him, freezing when Virgil scrambled back again. “I won’t hurt you. I… I’ll figure it out when we get there, you're not without help.”

Virgil could barely hear Roman at this point, too busy frantically trying to remember how to breathe, shaking uncontrollably as the Captain spoke.

All he knew was that Roman was still insisting on taking him back.

Because nobody cared if Virgil was hurt or used or trapped. He was the Prince. He was just property made to look pretty, wasn’t he? A pretty pawn to be placed on the throne.

He found himself glancing at the railing, the only thing separating him from the endless sea. “I’m not going back.”

“You have to go back, Virgil.” The Captain took a few steps towards Virgil, slow and steady, his hands out in front of him. “It’s the only option. You’re not safe out at sea or with me.”

Virgil took a step back as Roman approached, eyes darting between the Captain and the railing of the ship, tears now running freely as the hopelessness set in. Because no matter what he did, as long as he was alive he’d end up right back where he started. “I- I don’t care. I can’t do it again, Roman!”

And then, before any rational part of his brain beyond the panic could talk him out of it, Virgil darted forward towards the railing, eyes on the dark water below. He made it to the edge, lifted himself up and—

And then there were arms around him, grabbing Virgil by the waist just as his hands closed around the railing, hoisting him up and back away from the edge.

“No!” All he could register were hands wrapped tight around him, grabbing him, dragging him onto the ship that was taking him right back to the place he’d been trying to escape since he was a child.

He twisted and kicked and thrashed in Roman’s grasp, chest screaming in pain as he fought to catch his breath, but the Captain’s hold never loosened. Virgil’s stomach dropped when they both went crashing to the ground, the sick feeling in his stomach rising up into his throat until he felt like he was choking. Roman’s hold only tightened when they fell, Virgil’s back against his chest.

“Please,” he begged, the words falling from his lips without his permission, terrified and desperate. “Please, Roman not you too. Not…please don’t, please don’t do this—”

“Do what?” Roman asked, incredulous. “I’m trying to keep you from jumping off the ship! I’m not going to hurt you!”

“You’re making me go back.” Virgil couldn’t breathe. It felt like his lungs were being crushed every time he struggled to take a single breath. “You…you can do whatever you want to me just please. Please don’t make me go back. Please, just help me.”

Roman didn’t respond for a long moment, or maybe Virgil just couldn’t hear anything over his own panicked breathing, but after a moment the Captain’s hold loosened slowly until his arms were just loosely draped around him. Virgil didn’t have the energy to make a run for it, and he was terrified of the consequences of getting caught again.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Virgil. I don’t want anything from you, I—” he paused for a moment, his breathing heavy, and Virgil squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m not taking you back.”

Virgil still couldn’t catch his breath, lightheaded from the pain in his chest, so it took a moment for Roman’s words to register. He froze, stopping any futile struggling, eyes flying open again.

Slowly, still hesitant and cautious, he reached up with a trembling hand to clutch weakly at Roman’s wrist. “You…you’re not…really?”

He’d begged before, countless times to countless people over the years, but nobody had ever bothered to listen.

“No, I’m not.” Roman tightened his hold just a little, but it felt more like comfort than restriction. “If you’re that desperate not to go back, I’ll trust that it was that bad. I’m not taking you back.”

The flood of relief was dizzying, somehow more exhausting than the panic, and Virgil took in a desperate, shaky breath which quickly dissolved into a sob.

He twisted around, the Captain’s hold loose enough to let him turn until he could wrap his arms around Roman, holding on as tight as he could manage and dropping his forehead to the other man’s chest.

“Thank you.” Distantly, he figured he should be ashamed of how badly he was still shaking, but he couldn’t seem to stop. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Don't thank me,” Roman said, hugging Virgil to his chest. “It’s just human decency. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“It’s not,” Virgil said, voice muffled by Roman’s shirt. “No one…no one else would. So thank you. Thank you so much.”

He still couldn’t stop trembling, cold and terrified, and he no longer had the strength to keep his eyes open on his own. Roman maneuvered slowly to rest a hand on Virgil's head, carefully running fingers through his hair just like Patton always did to calm him down.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “You’re safe here. I promise.”

Virgil melted into the embrace, letting out another shuddering breath as his own hold on Roman began to loosen against his will. He felt himself being dragged down to sleep, exhaustion weighing over him like a blanket. He didn't mean to say anything else, but he wasn't exactly thinking clearly right now. "I… I don't want to be hurt anymore."

“I won’t let them hurt you ever again,” Roman said. Virgil felt him reposition his hold to have one hand under his knees, the other against the Prince’s back. “You’re safe.”

Moving slowly, Roman stood up and took Virgil with him, holding the smaller man against his chest. The Captain’s arms around him were the last thing he registered before everything faded, and he let himself drift off to sleep.

Taglist: @i-really-like-dragons @stitches-system @poettheythem @remy-the-lemon-berry @shrubs-and-bushes @i-sexually-identify-as-a-mistake @wordsmithandworm @the-dead-and-the-decaying @hope340 @winterwynd @thomas-sanders-tothe-standers @angstysunshine @sunshineandteddybears @pixelated-pineapple

[earnestly-endlessly]

Hi! Do you have any Cherik Army AUs? I've managed to find just 3.

Hi Anon, thanks for the ask. I found some good Army AUs, though some might not quite fall into the category of 'Army AU'. There are, surprisingly, few Army AUs that I have found, whereas there are several military and war AUs, but those don't necessarily involve an army. I did include a variety that involve an army in one way or another, though some fit the bill better than others. I hope you find some that you enjoy!!

Cherik Army AU

I Want to Guard Your Dreams And Visions – luninosity

Summary: I was reading Barbara Hambly’s Abigail Adams mystery novels, and then Erik/Charles American Revolutionary War AU happened. Little snippet in which they share a tent, drink coffee, and provide support to each other.

The Eggnog Riot – Sophia_Bee

Summary: 1826. The American Military Academy in West Point. The day after Christmas. Cadet Erik Lehnsherr wakes up naked with a certain cadet Xavier sprawled across his chest. He can only blame the eggnog.

No Man’s Land – ikeracity

Summary: It's 1914 in Ypres, Belgium. British soldier Charles Xavier has been in the trenches for four months of endless artillery fire, bone-deep cold, and constant fear of the enemy. But on Christmas Eve, the gunfire falls silent, and they climb out of their trenches for a Christmas truce. Charles, of course, meets Erik, the German soldier across the way.

My Land’s Only Borders Lie Around My Heart – pseudoneems

Summary: WW1 Christmas truce of 1914. Opposing soldiers Erik and Charles meet.

Le soldat – Iggyassou

Summary: Erik is in the trenches, trying to survive the war so that he can go back to Charles, his young lover waiting for him back at home.

Names – Squeegee

Summary: In the summer of 1917, British soldier Charles Xavier finds himself taking cover in a shell crater.

Not sure if the 'graphic' tag applies or not, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Quell a storm with pen and ink – patroclux

Summary: Charles had spared his life. That was not something he could easily repay.

They wrote letters to each other for two years, until Charles was pulled out of the war from a sudden illness and Erik remained to fight for a cause he didn't believe in. One that ultimately had no effect; one that stole away four years of his life.

Traumatized and persecuted, Erik applied for a post at Janus, a lighthouse in the middle of the Irish Sea. He thought being alone would do him good.

Despite the letters and despite the love, Erik didn't expect Charles to find him.

Hier steh ich an den Marken meiner Tage – MonstrousRegiment

Summary: Erik Lehnsherr is a spy in the SS, and his British liaison is strategist Charles Xavier. Their relationship from the moment they meet to a year after the end of the war.

Theme and Variations: War – ninemoons42

Summary: Erik Lehnsherr is a musical prodigy and a man destined for great things and great stages. But his life is shattered by a terrible accident that leaves him blind and trying to find his way back to his life, his music, and his place in the world.

Then he meets Charles Xavier, an agent of Section 8 of the Military Intelligence Directorate of Providence, and he finds himself listening in to clandestine radio transmissions and clicking Morse code, and these sounds are part and parcel of a war that can only take place in the shadows and the hidden places of history.

Strib nicht von Mir – ravenoftheninerealms

Summary: A squad of Allied Forces, led by Charles Xavier, liberates the Nazi concentration camp where Erik was being held prisoner.

Cold foxholes, warm hearts – oddegg

Summary: Basically, this is Band of Mutants. A little slice of life in Bastogne.

Photographs and Memories – tirsynni

Summary: When war-battered Erik Lehnsherr met Charles Xavier, the man kneeling in the dirt and whispering to a lost refugee child, Erik feared his days of running from his deviance was done.

Marching Home – Quietbang

Summary: For a prompt on the meme asking for fic dealing with the fact that, in comics canon, Charles served in the Korean war.

War meant something different to this generation, Charles knew.

Crash on the Levy (Down in the Flood) – Quietbang

Summary: “This is much bigger than you think. You're in the middle of a war, and you don't even realize, do you?”

He pauses, and answers his own question.“No, of course you don't. How silly of me."

The Knight and the Dagger – Dow

Summary: A Lieutenant in the Soviet Army, Erik Lensherr had no other goals than to find the man that killed his parents. But when a discovery yields a little boy with wings like an angel, Erik is shocked to realize that he isn’t alone. There are other people like him, both dangerous and alluring.

Lifelong Service – Pookaseraph

Summary: Erik thinks he should be the one to teach their recruits hand-to-hand combat; Charles makes a persuasive argument to the contrary.

Footsteps of uprooted lovers – ninemoons42

Summary: Against a turbulent backdrop of artistic, social, and political upheaval, the playwright Charles Xavier and the photographer Erik Lehnsherr find themselves meeting under less-than-polite circumstances, but part rather more amicably than they'd met.

When they find each other again in a Barcelona that is falling inexorably toward war, they find themselves taking up arms, each in his own way, and together they join a struggle for freedom, for love, and for their very lives.

Dear Soldier – Lindstrom, ToriTC198

Summary: "Dear Soldier,

I pray that this package finds you well. The organization gave us a list of odds and ends that you might need, but I thought that a person so far from home might appreciate something more than soap and tube socks."

When Charles' school decides to send care packages to the soldiers fighting in Vietnam, he chooses to also include a letter and a few personal touches. When Staff Sergeant Erik is the recipient of that particular care package it will spur a relationship that will change them both.

Fortunate Son – blueink13

Summary: he days leading up to and during Alex's deployment in Vietnam. Everyone handles it in their own way. Some handle better than others.

You’re Here – Deshonana

Summary: Everyone decides its a good idea not to tell Erik when his boyfriend comes home from the military.

Welcome Home –  loveydoveyecstasy

Summary: It's been two years since Charles was deployed to Afghanistan, and Erik can't wait to pick him up at the airport.

When Secrets have Secrets – ximeria

Summary: The arguments that take place in General Xavier's office when General Lehnsherr has a bad day are legendary. Quite frankly, no one really knows what's going on and if the two men have it their way, no one ever will.

Quiet Company – Sophia_Bee

Summary: Erik Lehnsherr is always on the move. He's spent the last many years going from war torn country to war torn country telling the stories of the people there through photographs. Then one of his pictures is selected as a winner for the Pulitzer Prize and Erik finds himself stuck in London for longer than he wants. He ends up with an assignment to photograph Charles Xavier, a wealthy philanthropist who is intrigued to find himself working with a Pulitzer-winning war photographer. Erik is far less intrigued by someone he considers privileged and out of touch. Both of their lives are about to change in ways they couldn't imagine.

The City is Ours – RedStockings

Summary: Erik felt his heart racing with excitement, lightened, and for once felt joyful. Charles had looked at him, really looked at him, and there had been something there, a knowing of a kind. As the soldiers laughed amongst each other, and joked each other about who would succeed in marrying the boy, Erik made himself a silent vow. Charles was going to be his, and nothing would keep him from having him. He’d marry him, and he’d save him, and Charles would love him for it.

Not even the war could keep them apart... right?

Sign of the Times – dsrobertson

Summary: Casablanca-ish AU.

Charles Xavier meets Erik Lehnsherr in Paris, 1937. They spend the next two years with one another, stupid in-love, until war comes heavy in September 1939. Erik leaves for Poland and the Resistance movement there, promising to return. Charles is left in Paris, where Nazi jackboots march in, Summer of 1940. He becomes a member of the underground French Resistance, publishing illegal newsletters, leaflets, until news comes through in February 1942: Erik is dead. Charles throws himself into more dangerous work, meeting with Communists, helping derail a German train, and he does too much, goes too far. His friends find him safe passage out of France, out across the Mediterranean, to Morocco, Casablanca. It is here he finds Erik, alive.

The Waste Land – nekosmuse

Summary: The White Queen and her Shadow King sit on their throne, safe behind the psionic shields of the Walled City. The armies of Genosha batter uselessly at the gates, a war locked in stalemate. Magneto, camped in the frozen mud, receives word the Citadel intends to send a telepath to the front lines. The same telepath he met two years ago, who sat across a carved wooden chess set and offered Magneto the first friendly smile in a lifetime. The same telepath who still haunts his dreams.

Winter Comes With a Knife – RedStockings

Summary: It apparently came to no one’s surprise that the war-mage Erik Lehnsherr took up residence in the Dark Keep. I knew he was going to choose my sister, Raven, to be his apprentice so why wouldn’t he let me go? What did he want from me?

My name is Charles Xavier, I can read minds and use magic. I’ve met Kings and Queens, mages and magic users. I’ve travelled through lay-lines and jumped through the Dark Void… but none of that really matters.

I am leading an army into war, I am scared and I never wanted this. I’ve come to realise that what I want, rode into my life when I was still a child. Now he’s out there, ready to charge into battle. Ready to die for me.

Polaris – LastAmericanMermaid

Summary: Charles Xavier is 19 years old, doe-eyed and soft; Erik Lehnsherr is 24 years old, steely-hard and bitter. One is a soldier, the other a refugee. Both are mutants. There will be pain, oh yes.

(An AU in which Charles is a wounded British soldier, Erik is the German hiding in France who nurses him back to health, and the contents of this fic are best read to the soundtrack of Atonement.)

Note: Unfinished

MEDIC! – paladin_danse

Summary: A British airborne medic finds himself alone and afraid behind enemy lines. When he decides to save the life of an S.S. German officer he finds wounded in the snow, he has no idea the choice he has made will alter the course of the war—and their lives—forever.

Note: Sadly unfinished

Suicide is Painlesss – weethreequarter 

Summary: Erik Lehnsherr did not become a doctor to pick bullets out of children. Unfortunately the US Army had other ideas.

Stuck in the middle of the Korean War, Erik and his fellow civilian surgeons have to battle not only the war, but also weather, mud, and boredom. And that's without mentioning Major Sebastian Shaw who thinks war is the best thing that's ever happened to him and never should've been allowed to pick up a scalpel, or Colonel William Stryker who may or may not work for the CIA and probably doesn't even know himself.

Throw in new arrival Captain Charles Xavier, and Erik is in for a very interesting war.

Note: Unfinished

A Light That Never Goes Out – R_Cookie

Summary: It was meant to be the war to end all wars; these two men were never supposed to meet. One a German Jew, the other a British surgeon. The odds that their paths should cross were next to none - but War defies the expected. It always has, and always will.

From the beaches of Dunkirk to the treacherous slopes of Monte Cassino - this is their story.

WWII AU.

Note: Unfinished

[reluctanx]

𝘽𝙉𝙃𝘼 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝘿𝘾𝘼𝙉𝙊𝙉 >> CLASS 1-B. || Fem!s/o

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙎 𝙄𝙉𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘿𝙀𝘿: neito monoma, itsuka kendo, sen kaibara, ibara shiozaki, tetsutetsu tetsutetsu, reiko yanagi, setsuna tokage

𝙒𝘼𝙍𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 (𝙎) : n/a [?]

-Neito Monoma

!! 🧺 | he’s actually very sweet, just a bit playful with you

!! 🧺 | he cracks joke just to make you laugh because your smile means EVERYTHING to him

!! 🧺 | i’m pretty sure he’s a nerd at color theory and would ALWAYS point out how beautiful your eyes are. even if it has a darker shade, he just knows that it’s a beautiful color that he loves so much

!! 🧺 | he doesn’t let other people touch his bunnies besides kendo, you may also be the exception

!! 🧺 | overly dramatic because he knows you can’t possibly, truly handle his bullshit

!! 🧺 | his teenager crush on you is so adorable, because he’s always in denial. or refuses to admit he have a crush on you

!! 🧺 | seeing that you’re not comparing him to a villain because of his quirk, wether it’s a joke or not. you automatically gain a part of his trust and respect. deadass

!! 🧺 | he bullies people for a reason, and you better deal with that

!! 🧺 | very argumentative, trying to fight with him with controversial topics is useless

!! 🧺 | LET. HIM. TOUCH. YO. HAIR………. pls

!! 🧺 | even if he tries, he can’t keep up late at night. HE WILL fall asleep, so sometimes you’ll be left on read accidentally-

!! 🧺 | when texting… he’s a total different person omg

!! 🧺 | no because if your seat is next to his, he will pass you the answers for the math exam.. (don’t lie, i know you’re a total dogshit at this subject. )

!! 🧺 | he’s a real big fan of Vlad king so you better be prepared seeing some of his merch in his closet

!! 🧺 | seeing you in his clothes makes him feel weird. he’ll try to make fun of you but he’s just really flustered to look at cha’ i swear

!! 🧺 | it’s rare to see him swear, so when he do so.. dear god..

!! 🧺 | HE DOESN’T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOUR BODY SHAPE, SIZE OR WHATEVER, HE LOVES YOU THE WAY YOU ARE AND HE WILL REMIND YOU THAT

!! 🧺 | “you love me o’ sooo much it makes you look stupid.”

!! 🧺 | “don’t tell kendo about this, but i like you. for real.”

!! 🧺 | pronouns first with this man, pronouns = priority, pronouns respected. period.

!! 🧺 | he would be such a simp for you..

!! 🧺 | not obsessive or possesive, per se just jealous in a healthy way

!! 🧺 | “i’m literally a low quality version of bakugo.”

!! 🧺 | THEATRICAL, AS FUCK.

-Itsuka Kendo

!! 🧸 | SHE’S LITERALLY A SWEET HEART *SOBS SOBS*

!! 🧸 | she acts like your big sister sometimes.

!! 🧸 | she’s so shy and intimidated when she gets to date you bro..

!! 🧸 | your hero name? your hero costume? gives no shit, she find everything about you AMAZING.

!! 🧸 | you’re the little spoon, don’t prove me wrong, you’re the little spoon

!! 🧸 | she finds you so cute (especially if you have chubby cheeks, cause like uuuUhhh…)

!! 🧸 | she dresses you up when ya’ll get a girl days

!! 🧸 | she doesn’t know how to cook, depending on your cooking skills; either you get to cook or ya’ll order sum shit idk

!! 🧸 | she have a whole romantic cottagecore playlist dedicated for you whenever she thinks about you i swear.

!! 🧸 | you participates in her activity of : “knocking-down-neito-whenever-hes-been-an-ass”

!! 🧸 | can’t even afford to scold you the first time ya’ll meet, you’re so beautiful *sob sob*

!! 🧸 | if you’re in a social group space, you’re her favourite person, ya’ll are the duo of the friend group

!! 🧸 | “can’t sleep? that’s okay me too.”

!! 🧸 | picky, very picky eater. ya’ll may have trouble ordering something.

!! 🧸 | you’re the ticklish person, she’s the tickler. if you’re not, she’ll helplessly try to tickle you..-

!! 🧸 | “SPIDER, SPIDER!!”

!! 🧸 | your luck booster, i stg

!! 🧸 | she likes seeing you with fake cat ears, you look so adorable in her perspective

!! 🧸 | “LET’S WATCH A DISNEY MOVIE!!”

!! 🧸 | fast typer when texting.

!! 🧸 | you’re her angel, you are.

!! 🧸 | wants to be a make-up artist somedays.. so you better be ready and prepare to be a mannequin.

!! 🧸 | “you’re so weird *faces you* you’re so weird.”

!! 🧸 | 256 HOURS LONG OF TALK AND CHATS WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERS A LONG TIME FRIEND AT THE MALL

!! 🧸 | she wants to be a princess, your princess

!! 🧸 | SAY THAT YOU LOVE HER HAIR AND SHE WILL FLUSH

!! 🧸 | “why are you so pretty 🥺’

!! 🧸 | cottagecore lesbians :)

!! 🧸 | holding your hands + kisses + pecks on the lips, physical affection <<<<<<<<

!! 🧸 | gives you her stuffies, trust me she have LOADS of stuffies

!! 🧸 | BLUSHES SO HARD WHEN YOU WEAR HER CLOTHES

Sen Kaibara

!! 📢 | you don’t understand, the amount of love he holds for you is HUGE!

!! 📢 | fairly confident when he’s fighting by your side, you give him confidence..

!! 📢 | bad habits to compare your beauty with his

!! 📢 | trying to make him blush? oh honey, you don’t have to try once you have a relationship with him..

!! 📢 | his smile <<<<<<<<<<<<<

!! 📢 | usually quiet but tends to be talkative ONLY to you

!! 📢 | his heart beats faster and faster when you get close to him, but his face says 😐

!! 📢 | “kiss me already, dummy”

!! 📢 | really likes anime actually, ya’ll watch animes or read mangas sometimes :)

!! 📢 | *strokes strokes, scrubs scrubs your hair gently*

!! 📢 | thinks you look so cute in his clothes but doesn’t mention it

!! 📢 | secretly tries to get one of the things you crave for (an item, celebrity’s autograph idk sum shit)

!! 📢 | mockery against you? not on his watch.

!! 📢 | his love language is physical touch *sobs sobs*

!! 📢 | rubs your hand gently to calm you down when you feel anxious

!! 📢 | old times french love songs of edith piaf is his jam..

!! 📢 | hopeless romantic :c

!! 📢 | insecure? not on his watch,

!! 📢 | gives you his juice box to you and only to you

!! 📢 | you’re his first kiss

!! 📢 | BEST HUG GIVER

!! 📢 | the type to put your hair behind your ears

!! 📢 | “you’re my everything..”

!! 📢 | KISSES YOUR CHEEKS INTENSIVELY

!! 📢 | loves to feel euphoric, you make him euphoric

!! 📢 | you get the blower during summer lmao

!! 📢 | buys you loads of icecreams during summer

!! 📢 | go to the heater side during winter, right now, right here.

!! 📢 | everything you ask somethinh, he’ll answer instantly

!! 📢 | want something? dont worry, sen gotchu’

!! 📢 | SIMP

!! 📢 | wants to be someone truly meaningful to you

!! 📢 | you make him feel special for doing literally nothing

!! 📢 | he loves you, so so much.

Ibara Shiozaki

!! 🌱| literally the momo yaoyorazu of class 1-b but more theatrical

!! 🌱| you kinda just already knew that she have a preference for girls

!! 🌱| “mo- mother nature? what kind of silly things are you spouting out of that mouth of yours…”

!! 🌱| you are literally babied by her

!! 🌱| good baker and easily make your favorite dish/dessert

!! 🌱| you’re her top priority, and she carefully pays attention to you. deadass, she’s the type to wipe your mouth with her favorite tissue while she’s talking about a serious matter with her teamates bro

!! 🌱| she’s such a nerd in the rom-com industry, and gets pretty shy when you proceed to do something that is similar to a scene about one of her few rom-com movies. (ex: kadebon)

!! 🌱| she laughs so easily..

!! 🌱| “you’re so precious.”

!! 🌱| she showed all the symptoms of “crushing” back then, and you already knew that.

!! 🌱| everytime you hype her up, she smiles widely

!! 🌱| she’s so gift giving, she can’t leave you without giving you a gift first

!! 🌱| all the gifts you gave her stays safe and sound in her room

!! 🌱| “i might never be your hero, but i’ll be the winner of your heart.”

!! 🌱| she wants you to wear her clothes so ya’ll can match :)

!! 🌱| she’s quite wealthy, so she buys you some expensive gifts that reminds her of you

!! 🌱| always wrap her arms around you everywhere

!! 🌱| teases you but a lot

!! 🌱| she likes to do gardening stuff with you

!! 🌱| full knowledge on plants, every flowers she offers you was because of a characteristic that reminds her of you

!! 🌱| her efforts to be committed in your relationship is so visible

!! 🌱| always slips a little ‘I love you” everydays

!! 🌱| your love, affection and attention is enough to repay her for her consistent efforts.

!! 🌱| gets easily jealous but tries to hide it, but you obviously can tell due to her uncontrollable blush

!! 🌱| as she is so gift giving, you’ll try to argue with her saying she doesn’t need to give her this much gifts

!! 🌱| she gets overwhelmed when you make out of an exam/mission

!! 🌱| loves to give you a head massage while reading a book

!! 🌱| come and stargaze with her >:|

!! 🌱| kisses the back of your hand

!! 🌱| show you off when she have the chance to

!! 🌱| compared to what you may have assumed, she puts a lot of trust in her words when showin’ you off.

!! 🌱| “everyday and everynight, you make me happy just by thinking of your silly little face.”

!! 🌱| HELPS YOU WITH HOMEWORK

!! 🌱| SLEEPOVERS!!

!! 🌱| she felt insecure about her hair, so the fact that you had he audacity to pet her head made her fall inlove with you.

!! 🌱| gets genuinely confused when you laugh at her dramatic behavior

!! 🌱| her humor is kinda bad, so she may laugh at the stupidest thing ever

Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu

!! 🦈| oh boy, everything would be so wild with him

!! 🦈| you cannot leave the room without giving him a hug first

!! 🦈| awkward, like really

!! 🦈| “you’re the most coolest— beautifulest—…uuh.. person!”

!! 🦈| doesn’t academically succeed a lot, but puts a lot of efforts in his works. every praises you give him makes him smile

!! 🦈| makes you laugh without him knowing

!! 🦈| please, he probably starts to laugh when you start talking too fast because he doesn’t understand-

!! 🦈| in summer, he turns his arms into steel so you can grip against it (since steel is usually cold)

!! 🦈| probably have adhd

!! 🦈| loves to caress your cheeks

!! 🦈| sometimes kisses your little fingers for fun

!! 🦈| buddies to lover trope :D

!! 🦈| uses kaomoji than emojis

!! 🦈| his favorite song is teenage dirtbag

!! 🦈| he requires a good listener as his s/o, because he is a very talkative person and bring numerous topics and persons at the same time when talking to him

!! 🦈| “you’re extra-beautiful..”

!! 🦈| offers a fish related plushie

!! 🦈| shows off his abs for you

!! 🦈| two dumb hoes doing shit trope

!! 🦈| “you kinda remind me of an otter..?

!! 🦈| “wanna be a teenage dirtbag with me?”

!! 🦈| he calls you the popular girl of the school for a reason.. 😭

!! 🦈| calls you tetsutetsu junior when you wear his clothes

!! 🦈| openly admit that ya’ll are in a relationship to everyone

!! 🦈| is actually ticklish himself-

!! 🦈| loves to kiss your forehead

!! 🦈| loves to point out how cute you are

!! 🦈| definitely introduces you to fatgum and kirishima

!! 🦈| he can’t really came up with a petname.. so he’ll give you stupid ones

!! 🦈| as you can tell, he’s clearly not experienced but he tries, for you :)

!! 🦈| okay but power couple

!! 🦈| “if you steal the blankets, i am about to put my cold feets on you.”

!! 🦈| gets out of hands when he’s too excited

!! 🦈| gives you back hugs when you’re not feeling well

!! 🦈| best caregiver 🥺

!! 🦈| adores you

!! 🦈| play games with you :)

!! 🦈| sends you stupid note under the door whenever you’re taking a shit-

Reiko Yanagi

!! 👻|| you managed to get on her soft side when you told her that she wasn’t weird in any ways

!! 👻|| very quiet and patient with you

!! 👻|| really doesn’t wish to disturb or scare you, but she can’t let go of you — you were so nice

!! 👻|| when you tease her.. she’s a blushing mess

!! 👻|| you’re the only person she hangs most of her time with

!! 👻||she thinks that you’re so, so cool.

!! 👻|| doesn’t know how to react to all of your compliments, just knows how to cuddle

!! 👻|| she makes you listen to her favorite genre of music

!! 👻|| she tries her best to make your relationship with her dynamic as possible!

!! 👻|| with that say, praising is one of her top quality

!! 👻|| as much as she doesn’t know how to handle your praise, she can slap you back with her

!! 👻||”hey.. how abour we kiss? uh- um.. if- if you want to.”

!! 👻|| is actually a good kisser-

!! 👻|| her only way to calm you down was to kiss you when you get overwhelmed

!! 👻|| reiko is a really good listener and would literally listen to your 5 hours long story as she stare at you the whole time

!! 👻|| when you mention that her bags were really cool… good job bro, now she loves you

!! 👻|| SHE’S SO CLINGY, LIKE REALLY CLINGY

!! 👻|| unexpectedly good in video games

!! 👻|| “w-whoa.. i didn’t expected you to wear my clothes..you look adorable..”

!! 👻|| gets truly passionate when talking about paranormal facts

!! 👻|| she loves to play with the strands of your hair

!! 👻|| quality time <<<<<<<<

!! 👻|| would always remind you how beautiful you are

!! 👻|| once you have her sweater wrapped around your body, it’s officially yours now because she says so

!! 👻|| soft spokesperson with you bro..

!! 👻|| seems more confident when texting

!! 👻|| she loves taking pictures of you

!! 👻|| she probably wanted to make you visit the beach during the sunset

!! 👻|| she’s so proud of you..

!! 👻|| “oh, you deserve all of the praises of the world.”

!! 👻|| can’t even look at you in the eyes,, you’re so CUTE!!

!! 👻|| never leave you alone, never will or would

!! 👻|| always grips on your shirt so that you don’t get to be lost in a mission

!! 👻|| regularly checks up on you

!! 👻|| gives you LOADS of snacks during lunch

Setsuna Tokage

!! 🐊| COMMITTED IN THE RELATIONSHIP

!! 🐊| literally takes you out everywhere on ya’ll date

!! 🐊| don’t be shy, skateboard with her

!! 🐊| literally asks to be partnered up with you during the sport festivals

!! 🐊| will do everything for you

!! 🐊| have a reptile pet, you’re the only person knowing about that

!! 🐊| CHERISH YOU UNTIL SHE DIES

!! 🐊| “my sweet sweet pumpkin pie!”

!! 🐊| “let me kiss you until you can’t handle me anymore, darling.”

!! 🐊| she loves snuggling to your neck and leave soft kisses

!! 🐊| eyes contact is important

!! 🐊| you’re her favourite person

!! 🐊| ya’ll be ruining your sleep schedule for each other

!! 🐊| you guys always wear something that matches with the other (a hat, item, shirt.. etc.)

!! 🐊| setsuna announces her relationship with you to the class as if she proposed to you in a mariage

aight ya’ll, bye!

[sapphire-dreamsky]

Red Night

Starring: Ryomen Sukuna, Curse!Reader, OCs

Pairing: Sukuna x Curse!Reader

Warning: Death of minor characters.

A/N: It's kind of a historical AU? I mean Sukuna has his original form, and it takes place in the past. But it's also historically innaccurate😅. I apologise in advance.

In retrospect, (y/n) knew it was fruitless. The gap between curses and humans was far too large. It was already set in the humans’ heart, the fear which accompanies ‘their’ apparition. By ‘their’ they mean curses of course. People were so scared of them that the mere utterance of their name, in their superstitious mind, meant immediate death. 

But (y/n) wanted to believe in the hope that one day, curses and humans could understand each other. She wanted them to be able to make a compromise so that both can live in peace. This shouldn’t be impossible. Curses are born from humans. Some humans even become curses. But that hope was squashed down as the townspeople grew to fear her. 

Sukuna watches as the town which once worshipped the ground (y/n) walked on, were now chanting her demise. They brought forth their pitchforks, their torches all in the hopes of killing the abomination. The abomination they once worshipped as if she was a goddess. Well, she was one in his eyes. A foolish, naive goddess, but still his. 

The woman looked around her, eyes gleaming in the orange glow of the fire. She so desperately wanted to turn back time. She wonders where it all went wrong. Did all her good deeds disappear as quickly as the day turned into the night? Her mind takes her back to a few months back. When she was arguing with her king.

“You are being foolish, (y/n). I once was a human exterminating curses. I know how the human mind works. They will hate you whatever you do.”

“But Sukuna, don’t you want a world where we can both live freely? Without the omnipresent fear that humans will always want to kill the likes of us?”

“I live for killing humans. I live for the carnage. But if you’re so stubborn, go on to that town down our mountain. Prove me wrong if you so desire to get along with these pests.” Sukuna rolled his four eyes, four arms crossed on his chest. He could care less about living with humans. He thought that the life they were leading up that mountain was enough. No one could disturb them there. But no, (y/n) had to have this stupid idea in her pretty little mind. Sometimes the King wonders how she became a curse with so much kindness and compassion in her heart. He could hardly see her curse anyone. She was too kind for her own good. That’s a part of her personality Sukuna cannot get rid of.

And so she headed down to the town at the foot of the mountain they were residing at. She remembers their warm smile as they welcome her into their ranks. She looked like them after all. Mere humans wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between human curses and themselves. They merely thought that her tattoos were among one of the oddities which she had. She stayed in the town for six months. Six blissful months where all their woes disappeared thanks to (y/n). She healed the young and elderly to her best abilities despite using curse energy. She helped the crops grow even during floods. The town is prospering more than ever since her arrival. And so, they made a shrine for her. They showered her with praises, thanking the gods for sending their messenger to their town. 

Sukuna watched from the temple as his lover went and made friends around town. He watched her giving her warm smiles to children as they tugged on her kimono for attention. He watched her become known as the merciful goddess of that town. The king of curses didn’t know what to think. Her ideas were foolish. Humans and curses can never coexist. That’s the truth. But he let her run around. He only watched from a distance because he knew that he was the one who would be right. It won’t be long before she realizes that humans were monsters in sheep’s clothing. It won’t be long until she comes back to his side.

(Y/n) felt happy. She was glad that she could help the people. A positive feeling accompanied all the good deeds. The people were happy with her presence. ‘It won’t be long until they see that curses have feelings too!’ (Y/n) though ecstatically. What she didn’t know was that she gained the attention of not only the people living in the town but also those who ruled that town. And cruel was the man who watched the beautiful woman in the pink flower-patterned kimono as she walked around town carelessly, with an easy smile. He shall have her. She will be his newest concubine. He was the Lord of that land. Everything belonged to him. And that included that peculiar woman. Messenger of the gods or not, that had little importance in his eyes, for he was the Lord who ruled over everything. It didn’t matter if she was married or engaged, for he lived only for his own pleasure.

It was a cloudless day. (Y/n) was going to visit Sukuna again as was her habit. In her hand was a wooden basket an elderly woman crafted for her after learning she was going up to the shrine on the mountain. “Be careful,” said the elderly woman with a concerned tone, “I hear that there are wild animals up that mountain. It’s dangerous. No one goes there anymore because of them.” (Y/n) smile reassuringly at her. She knew for a fact that there were no wild animals. Sukuna was merely protective of the place he decided to claim as his own. The elderly woman was the first one who welcomed her to that town. She introduced to the young curse everything she had to know about the town’s custom and their cultures. To the curse, she was like a grandmother. The elderly woman had no family and was a widow. She lived alone in her house of stone on the outskirt of town. So, (y/n) took it upon herself to visit her as often as she could. She would often bake (y/n) some treats to repay her help around her house. The curse would often bring them up to Sukuna so that they could eat it together. The King was disgusted at first. But after much nagging, he relented and begrudgingly said that they tasted “alright”. That meant to (y/n) that they tasted good. That he liked them. So she would always bring him the treats the old widow prepared for her. Watching him enjoy something so simple makes her so happy. It’s like a reminder for her. A reminder that Sukuna used to be a human. Watching him eat is so grounding because she could pretend that they were normal. That they wouldn’t get shun should they decide to live amongst humans. She wanted to go to the market with her king. She wanted to do domestic chores that her parents used to do a long time ago. She wanted to go to festivals with her king even if he would complain the whole time. It was these little wishes which kept her trying to make peace with humans. She wanted Sukuna to enjoy something human. Something which would remind him that he too used to be human.

The road to the mountain was always quiet. It was not very used since people rarely travelled this way. But today, there was a very fancy carriage with some guards obscuring her usual route. (Y/n) came to a halt in front of the carriage, head cocked to the side, confused. The guards open the door and help a tall man down. He was a tall human with black hair and green eyes. He might have been handsome in humans’ standard. But he paled in comparison to her beloved grouchy King. He gave her what he considered his ‘best smile’. It was a grin really. It was so different from Sukuna’s. The grin of this human makes her uncomfortable. The grin of Sukuna made her feel butterflies in her stomach. It made her nervous in a good way. 

“Rejoice woman! For, the great ruler of the town has decided to make you his concubine! This is not a favour which is given to many. You are special in my eyes so get in the carriage and let’s head back to the palace immediately! I want to get acquainted with you, lovely flower.” The woman cringes. Sukuna who was rude and crass was finally not that bad. ‘There are people who are worse than him when trying to flirt, after all. How shocking.’ But nevertheless (Y/n) politely bows her head in apology. It would be bad if she upset the Lord since she wanted to get along with his people after all. “ I apologize, My Lord. There is already someone in my life at the moment. I’m certain, however, that you will find someone more fitting for the position you are offering.” With that, the young woman leaves the flabbergasted man behind and continues her road to the mountain. The road which led to the king of her heart. 

The man watches her leave in anger. No one was ever brave enough to simply brush him aside like that. How dare she humiliate him in front of his guards like that. The lord was turning red. With a cold cutting voice, he orders his guards to spread a rumour. ‘The pretty little woman will soon run begging for mercy at his feet.’ He thought, chuckling maniacally.

After she spent her night with her King who was attention-starved, not that he would admit it. He would rather fight a thousand shamans than admit that he missed his annoying woman. (Y/n) decides to go back to town to see if there was anything she could help with. Instead of the warm welcome, she always gets, all she receives is cold shoulders and glares. The people cowered away from her. ‘Could they know about my real identity?’ Worried, she decides to go to the one person who would tell her everything. The old woman’s shop was closed today. (Y/n) had to head to the house on the outskirts of town. Just going there took the young woman the whole morning. She knocked on the woman’ door. In the corner of her eyes, she sees a curtain move. The door opens quickly, a frail old hand grabs the curse and drags her inside before quickly shutting the door. 

“Oh my poor child. You should not have come back! You have to run away before nightfall!” (Y/n) looks at her confused. “But why?” The woman shakes her head gravely. “The lord of this town is awful. He takes whoever he wants. If they don’t go along with him, they are killed by the townspeople.” The curse recoils. Frozen in her shock, the elderly woman goes on. “He told everyone that you were a witch. You fornicate with the devil which is why you can heal, do so many miracles for us. Everyone is scared right now. They will-” 

A loud bang resonates. Shouts of anger can be heard from outside. The moon shines in red glows as torches illuminate the night. The old woman drags the curse to the side door and pushes her outside. “Go! I will distract them!” “Grandma, no! You have to come with me! I can protect us both!” The old woman shakes her head and smiles at the curse gently. “You might not be human, but your heart is kinder than most. This house means everything to me. I want to die between these walls.’’ The woman pushes (y/n) one more time. The curse watches as they condemn the human who has been so kind to her from the very first day. The curse watches as they burn this house to the ground. The memories she made with the woman burning and disappearing in the fire. Oh, how cruel humans can be.

Alerted by the smell of fire, Sukuna exits his temple and watches as the town below chases after his lover. Their torches and angry shouts can be heard in the silence of the night. Sukuna watches as his lover stands in the middle of the crowd. The lord watches in satisfaction from his home as they chase down the woman who humiliated him. Ready to intervene, Sukuna runs down the path leading to the little town.

(Y/n) shocked at the turn of the events, looks around her. These people that she helped in the past. These people who would always smile at her when she is passing through town. They were now cursing at her, wishing her dead. They killed one of their own because of a sin that she didn’t commit. Because of the old widow’s kind heart. Her eyes are glassy. She can feel a tear falling down. It hurts. It suffocates her. She can barely breathe as they keep on chanting her demise. The people she loved turned against her. Sukuna was right. Even without knowing what she truly was, humans would always chase away those who didn’t appear humans. 

And so, during that full moon, which would later be known as the Red Night, she burned that town to the ground without Sukuna’s help. She became their worst nightmare. Their worst fear came to reality as they angered the goddess. The lord who instigated all of this tragedy watches in fear as (y/n) burned his town to the ground. He would become the only living witness. He would later tell his children about the story of the goddess of his old town. The scar which marred with once flawless skin that he received from her would be the only proof of her very existence. The proof that you should not anger a curse. 

Sukuna held her as they went back to their temple. For once, he spared her of his snide comment. He doesn’t complain as she wets his kimono with her tears. His four arms encircle her form protectively. She might have been foolish but she was his. And the gods forbid, Sukuna took care of everything which was his. Even if they annoy him by forcing him to eat sweets, even if she would hug him without the fear that he would snap and kill her in an instant. Sukuna might not understand the concept of love, as a human, he loved no one but himself. But as a curse, he knew that he loved her as he let her sit comfortably in his lap. He knew he loved her when he let her make a home in his temple. She knew Sukuna loved her when he held her tight and never let go.