#i was having a body positive moment and that word shot it with an arrow

[perseflora]

if i was a different person, "mild" could have been my single story villain origin.

it could still be!

[sluttysnowangel666]

The Woman Beyond the Wall

Cregan Stark x Wilding!Fem reader

Summary: Cregan must go beyond the wall to aid Castle Black after a large group of Nights Watch men are killed under strange circumstances, only for him to discover the “strange circumstance” is a beautiful and mysterious wilding woman that will make him forget everything he thought he knew.

not proof read yet!!

cw: angst, smut, dom fem reader, dom cregan, freaky cregan, reader is kind of odd 😭

word count: long af

part 2 , masterlist

⛫ ⛫ ⛫

Cregan sat, contemplating the decision before him.

“Forgive me, sirs. The kingdom greatly appreciates the sacrifice you men have made to serve the Nights Watch, but I cannot abandon my duties as a lord to go beyond the wall for Gods knows how long.” He tells them, hoping they won’t take offense to his declination to participate.

“We wouldn’t ask if we were not desperate, my lord.” The maester says, “But 15 men have disappeared just in this past exhibition. The Nights Watch grows scarce of fighters the more men beyond the wall continue to disappear.”

Cregan sighs, not wanting to go beyond the wall and leave his kingdom without a lord, but also not wanting to leave the Watch vulnerable.

“Alright, Maester Devron.” Cregan sighs, “We owe you men a great debt… I need to know what are these strange circumstances you speak of?”

“Men have reported finding the abandoned bodies with arrows in both their eyes, perfectly positioned every time. It’s rather… unusual how perfectly calculated the shot is. It never changes. Then, the bodies are positioned in circles, with no footsteps left behind. We fear it to be witching.”

A shiver ran up Cregan’s spine, but he hid it well. Witches were almost always stories told by Septs to children in an attempt to get them to behave, so to hear a maester say it was unnerving.

“Don’t be ridiculous, maester.”

“I am not jesting, my lord. When you find the group of men who disappeared only a fortnight ago, you’ll see.”

“When? Not if? How can you be so sure I’ll find them?” Cregan asks.

“She leaves them in the same place every time. About 20 miles beyond the wall, facing north.” The maester says.

Cregan sighs, already frustrated with the venture, and eager to kill a wildling.

———

3 days later, 15 miles beyond the wall, and alone in the blistering cold, Cregan couldn’t help but contemplate his decision. Although he was miserable, he knew it was the honorable thing to do. He wouldn’t have done it, if otherwise.

His horse stopped suddenly, its hair raising and body becoming stiff.

“Dusk.” He said her name. “Move.”

His horse ignored him, standing her ground. “Dusk!” He yelled at her.

She sensed something, but he didn’t know what.

They sat there for what felt like hours, but what was merely seconds.

Finally, the horse began to tredge forward… very, very, slowly. Cregan groaned in frustration, his hands gripping the reins.

They walked like that for miles. No matter how much Cregan tugged the reins, Dusk maintained her slow pace, as if anticipating something was nearby, ready to pounce on them at any given moment.

Night eventually came, and Cregan was forced to set up camp.

“Bloody horse.” He mumbled to himself as he tied her to a nearby tree.

He set up a fire nearby Dusk, then leaned against the tree she was tied to. He fidgeted with the dagger he kept in his armor, carving little dire wolves in the bark. He spoke to Dusk, hoping the already timid horse would comfort his feeling of isolation in the barren icy landscape. It didn’t help.

He eventually fell asleep standing up, leaning his weight against the tree, too on edge to leave himself vulnerable on the ground.

The fire near him had gone out, leaving nothing but the red glowing embers.

The wildling who had been following them for miles used this to her advantage.

She stalked quietly, her boots making no noise or crunch as if she weren’t even there, floating like a ghost.

She made no attempt to immediately kill him, but kept her bow poised, ready to grab an arrow and fly it into his eye if he woke. Normally, any crow out here would’ve been dead miles ago, but this man wasn’t a crow.

She believed him to be a lord, and when her fingers grazed the dire wolf on his chest she knew him to be a Stark. Excitement fueled the fire burning in her veins. She had never seen a lord, especially one so handsome.

Her fingers twirled one of his brown locks, but when he shuffled in his sleep she quickly backed away like a scared bunny.

She decided she would let the cold kill the handsome man, but not before taking a souvenir to remember him.

Her slim, dainty fingers wove into his furs, silently snagging the dagger strapped to his chest. She twirled it in her fingers, admiring the craftsmanship. No smith she had ever met was as talented as the one who made this dagger. She traced the wolf sigil on the handle, then ran the sharp tip of the blade along her finger. A drop of blood hit the snow in front of their feet, and then she ran, snow immediately falling to cover her tracks.

When Cregan awoke, he immediately knew someone had been in the camp. But, how? How could someone have even passed through without him waking?

He looked down, and picked up the snow with the drop of blood on it. His blood immediately ran cold, colder than it already was. There were no footprints. Where could this have even come from?

He checked himself, but was free of any cuts. It was here he noticed… his dagger.

“What in Gods…” He mumbled, feeling all around his body to make sure he hadn’t misplaced it.

He angrily yells into the trees, cursing and violently threatening the woman who stole his dagger, hoping she heard him.

And she does. She quietly giggles in a nearby tree at his brutish behavior. He kicks the burnt wood from the fire, startling his horse.

He mounts the horse, slowly trekking onward to find the bodies of the missing men.

Within the hour, he finds himself at the base of the men’s camp, their bodies positioned like how the maester said they would be.

Cregan sighs, dismounting his horse and staring at the corpses, their bodies frozen and not yet decomposed from the harsh cold.

He was, for the first time in his life, unsure of what to do. He knew the woman had already found him, but how was he to find her? He assumed she left him alive out of mercy, but he knew there was no chance of finding her unless she wanted him to.

“Fuck.” He mumbled, slightly embarrassed at his desperation. “Alright, witch! I know you’re out there!” He yelled into the trees, not actually knowing if she was out there.

She was, and she paid attention as he continued.

“I don’t know your goal, if you even have one!” He paused, not even knowing what else to say. “Stop killing these men!” He said, lacking in confidence. She giggled again. Quite an entertaining man he was.

He gave up, tired of feeling foolish. He began dragging the bodies into a pile, preparing to burn them. It took nearly half of his day, and when he was done he finally sat, sweating, despite the cold.

After his brief rest, he burnt them, saying the custom words, “And now their watch is ended.”

He watched, silently mourning the fallen men who gave their life.

Afterwards, he mounted his horse and started his journey back to the wall. There would be no finding the woman. She was rogue, didn’t run in a pack. He’d be searching for the rest of his life if he stayed.

He didn’t make it far, only a few miles before night fell upon him and his horse. He didn’t want to rest, but he had no choice. The day had worn him, and traveling at night was unwise when he couldn’t see his surroundings.

He set a fire again, and sat down, forcing himself to stay awake.

Suddenly, his horse whined. He whipped his head around, standing to his feet quickly.

“Whoa, whoa. Calm down.” He said, trying to shush the mare. The horse bucked, breaking its reins from the tree before scurrying off.

“Fuck!” Cregan cursed, angrily. What in Gods names was he to do now?

A voice rang out behind him.

“Pretty little beast you’ve got there.”

He whipped around again, unsheathing his sword.

A woman knelt across the fire, her bow and arrow already drawn. She wore gray, thick pelts and gloves, and a pair of fur clad boots. No wonder she was so silent. She pulled her thick hood off, revealing the most beautiful set of eyes Cregan had ever seen. The woman was gorgeous, ethereal. She literally took his breath away.

“Suppose I should say had there.” She teases.

“It’s you.” He finally says, after a moment of silence.

“Mm.” She hums in response. “And who might you be?”

“I think you already know, given you raided my camp last night.”

She laughs. “Raided? You southerners.”

“You’d do well to mind your tongue, witch.” Cregan spits at her, tightening his grip on his sword.

She notices and stands, raising her bow, “And you’d do well to mind yours, crow.”

“I’m not a crow.”

“And I’m not a witch.” She pauses, tilting her head. “Sharp little tongue on you. Ain’t you lords supposed to treat ladies with respect?”

“What kind of lady are you? Killing good men and desecrating their bodies?”

“I never desecrated them. In fact, I left them better than I found them.”

“Those were noble men.”

“Please.” She laughs. “Those crows were rapists and thieves. The north is better without them coming into our land.”

Cregan says nothing, so she continues. “I suggest you watch how you speak to me, Lord Stark. I could shoot this arrow right through those pretty gray eyes before you’d even realize what happened.”

“Try it, witch.”

“I already told you. I’m no witch!” She lets the arrow fly, only intending to let it kiss his ear and hit the tree behind him, but he raises his sword, and the arrow shatters against the Valyrian steel.

She lowers her bow, shocked, before her features return to their stoic form.

“It appears I’ve met my match.” She smirks, impressed.

“Perhaps you have. For that reason, I’d suggest returning my dagger.”

She pulls it out. “Oh, this pretty thing? I think I’ll keep it… Unless you’re brave enough to come take it from me.”

Heat flushed through his stomach. For the first time in his life, a woman repeatedly left him at a loss for words. He did not know how to approach her, or how to respond.

“You obviously walk these woods often. How do I get back to the wall?”

“Simple.” She smiles, “South.”

Cregan stomps towards her. She nervously laughs, backing into a tree as he presses himself against her, his height towering above her own.

“Show me the way or I’ll put your pretty little head above my mantel.”

She breathlessly chuckles, “All you have to do is ask nicely, Stark.” She places her hand on his broad chest, giving it a light push yet keeping her hands entangled in his armor straps. He grabs her wrist, pulling it from him. He removes her quiver from her back, tossing it on the ground. He takes her bow from her other hand, going to give it the same treatment before she stops him.

“No, wait, please don’t leave my bow.” She asks, genuineness in her voice for the first time. He searches her eyes, but finds no answer there.

“You won’t need it where you’re going.” He responds.

“Leave my bow and you’ll die in these woods. And trust me, southerner, you’ll die long before I do.” He looks at the darkness that clouds her eyes, then grunts and puts the large bow around his body.

She smirks as he ties her wrists together, dragging her along behind him. “We’re going now? These woods aren’t safe at night.”

“The sooner you’re no longer my problem, the better.”

She stops in her place, but he gives her a yank that pulls her to the ground, dragging her body behind him. “I’m serious! We need to stay at your sad little camp.”

“One more word out of you and I’ll cut out your tongue.” He says. He takes a few more steps, still dragging her, before stopping. He knows she’s right, but refuses to admit it. He growls in frustration, turning back towards the camp.

She laughs, still being dragged on the ground. What a strange woman. He thinks to himself.

He sits back in front of the fire, still holding the rope attached to her wrist as she crawls towards him.

“Do you have any food?” She asks. He sighs, taking out a little sack of dried meat. He holds a piece out to her, and not moving from her knees, takes it from his hand with her mouth.

“You’re bloody off.” He mumbles to himself. She laughs, a strange and wicked laugh in an attempt to scare him, as well as mock him for thinking she was a witch.

It works, as it startles him into giving her a confused look. He picks up a big pile of snow, throwing it into the fire to put it out.

He lays down on the snow, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. She crawls towards him, opening his arms and lying against his chest.

“Get off me, woman.” He says, pushing her.

“I’m cold! You’re telling me an honorable Stark is going to let a woman freeze to death?”

“Witches don’t get cold. Your blood runs with fire.”

“You southerners and your silly little-“ He pulls her into him, wrapping his big arms around her. He hates to admit it, but her warmth comforted him from the cold.

“I’ll keep you warm if you shut up.”

She listens for once, saying nothing and nuzzling her head into his chest. He sighs, not having the strength to push her away… but not really wanting to either.

Her knee forces his legs apart to push her leg between his, slowly lifting it towards his crotch. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing?” She says, playing dumb. He doesn’t respond. She wiggles her knee more, rubbing her thigh against the leather covering his manhood.

“Stop. Moving.” He says.

“Was I? Sorry, didn’t notice.”

He shifts, trying to keep her from noticing the bulge growing in his leathers.

———

Cregan awakes before her. He stares down at the woman against his chest, her cheeks are tinted from the cold, and her lips are parted slightly. He admires her for a long time before she stirs. He pushes her away, thinking she’s awake.

“Ow.” She grumbles, sleepily. “Why’d you do that?”

“We need to get moving.” He stands, brushing the snow off him.

“Can’t we just lay a bit longer? I didn’t sleep well with you poking me with that thing all night.” She says, running her hand up his knee.

“I wasn’t.” He responds quickly, pushing her hand down. She stands, stretching as best as she can with her hands tied.

They begin walking for a few miles, with her trying to make conversation with him.

“You’re a rather quiet man.” She says, when her previous questions get no response.

“I just don’t have many words for a woman like you.”

“I leave you speechless?” She says, with a smirk.

“Try annoyed.” He responds flatly.

She steps close to him, pressing her chest into his back.

“What are you-“ Before he can realize what she’s doing, she cuts the rope on her wrists on his sword.

He whips around, prepared to knock her unconscious, but she’s too quick. She ducks, kicking his ankle and sweeping him down.

He hits the ground hard, but is back on his feet almost instantly. She runs, fast, beyond him.

He chases after her.

“Witch!” He yells, turning to look for her in every direction after she seemingly vanished.

“I told you I’m not a witch.” She says, stepping from behind a tree.

He stomps towards her, grabbing her by both of her arms, itching to give her a good smack across the face.

He looks down at her, that sly little smirk on her face, her cheeks red and flush, staring back up at him through her wet eyelashes.

She moves her arms from his grip, tracing her skinny fingers up his armor.

“You’re…” He whispers, starting to lose his strength. “Unlike any woman I’ve ever met.”

She grabs him by his neck, and he gasps in shock, but it’s quickly cut off as she pulls him down to meet her lips. Her kiss is harsh and fierce. Cregan had known women, but never one so blatantly unapologetic to be herself. She growls like an animal, ripping to get off his furs and leathers.

He matches her intensity, kissing her with the same energy. He lets the anger she ignited in him release itself unto her by biting and kissing her neck. She tugs at his hair, grinding her hips into his.

“Are you a virgin?” He asks.

“Don’t be stupid.” She responds, taking a step back to remove her own furs. He steps back towards her, pulling them off her himself.

“I only ask for your comfort.” He growls, frustrated with her attitude.

“Comfort? This isn’t the south.” She pushes him back, standing before him naked and unashamed. He breathes in the sight before him, his length growing at her beauty.

She practically pounces on him, pushing him to the snow before he’s even fully undressed.

“You are a fucking witch.” He moans, as she crawls her way up his body to rest her wetness above his face.

“Are you hungry, wolf?” She asks him.

“Starving.” He whines, wanting to taste her.

Her grip on his hair pulls him towards her, finally bringing his mouth to taste her sweet cunt. He can’t help but look at her as he eats her. Her nose and cheeks are so red from the cold, all he wants to do is warm her up. His large arms have a hold on her thighs, his fingers resting between them. She pulls off his gloves, letting his fingers grip into her warm legs.

She moans and whines in ecstasy. The sound turns him into a wreck, clawing and gripping at her thighs to the point he draws blood. She doesn’t even care, relishing the sweet pain.

She pulls and tugs on his hair so harshly, forcing his face so deep into her cunt. If he even thought of stopping, she’d kill him herself. She grinds her hips into his tongue, crying and whining into the cold air. It seems as if everything has gone silent, even the winds, the world around them stopping to hear her sweet ecstasy. He moans her name into her cunt every time she pulls his hair, wanting to be her release. He’s desperate to taste her release, she’s desperate to give it to him.

Cregan, the man he was, never having been with a woman so lust driven, couldn’t help but urge his own desires to see her writhe in his arms. One of his hands left her bloody thigh, grabbing a cold chunk of snow to rub against her warm cunt. She gasped at the feeling, whining from the cold. He rubbed his fingers against her sweet spot. Her nails dug into the arm still on her leg, moaning his name as she finally let herself go onto his tongue.

He swallowed every drop, only wanting to taste her sweetness for the rest of his life.

When she came down, he shoved her off him, mounting her and positioning himself between her legs.

Her body was growing red from touching the bitter snow, but it seems like she hadn’t even noticed.

Cregan wrapped his hands around her throat, leaning in and giving her a deep kiss. “I could kill you right now if I wanted, get this whole mess you’ve caused for me over with.” He whispered into her lips.

“You won’t.” She whispered back. “Not before you get to even fuck my sweet cunt.” She reaches her cold hand down, snaking it into his breeches and rubbing his length.

“You’re right.” He kisses her again. “I want all of you.” She unlaces his breeches, pushing it down along with his soft clothes.

She glides him along her wet entrance, and Cregan groans. He pushes himself into her, eliciting a sweet gasp from her lips. He gives her no time to adjust, immediately thrusting his hips back and forth.

She moans, tears brimming her eyes, having never been fucked by a man so large as Cregan.

“What? Why are you crying? Never been fucked like how you deserve?” He growls. She does nothing but nod.

“Nothing?” He asks. “Have I finally shut you up?” He fucks her harder, and she pulls on his brown curls, using her other hand to scratch all along his back. Cregan loved the thought of it, coming home with battle scars from her. He kisses her jaw, licking her salty tears.

He stands and picks her up, worried about the cold getting to her skin. He pins her to a tree, her back scraping against the bark. It hurts in such a sweet way, better than the cold snow. She cries out his name so loud as he fucks her against it. His hands roam her body, wanting to feel all of her but also wanting to warm her up.

“Tell me it true, Cregan.” She moans, her naughty attitude returning with a smirk. “Are you going to kill me?”

She knows his answer before he even does. He growls as a response, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of knowing that sweet cunt bested the Lord of Winterfell.

“I hate you.” He growls, fucking her even harder so she shuts up. “You killed innocent men.”

She laughs and moans at the same time, “I killed crows, My Lord.” He moans at ‘My Lord’ “I’d never… fuck… harm an innocent man. That’s why you’re here now, fucking my dripping cunt.”

He wraps one of his hands around her throat, the other holding her up, his thrusts growing sloppy as he nears his peak. “Fucking witch.”

To his surprise, her hand finds his throat too, but he loves it. He loves her aggressiveness. She matches him, she’s practically a savage wolf herself.

He wants to pull out, knows he should pull out, but he can’t find the strength. All he can focus on is the wetness surrounding his length. His hands grip her waist in such a harsh way it’s bound to bruise, and he relishes in the thought of marking her so those other wildlings knew she was his now. He had claimed her, and any other man who dared try to touch her would meet the Gods.

He grabs her and pushes her back into the snow, falling on her hands and knees. His hand takes a grip in her hair, pulling her head back toward him and forcing her to arch her back. He fucks her in such a shameful way. If any lady in Winterfell were fucked like this, she’d nearly be a whore. But she was not a lady, so he felt no guilt fucking her how she deserved, and how she eagerly wanted. Her hips bucked into him, matching his rhythm.

She cried such sweet moans at the pleasure, finding her peak so close. Her fingers spread into the snow, shaking, and she released onto him again, and he growled, fucking into her until he found his own peak.

His spilled into her so deep it touched her womb. She rested her face in the snow, panting. He pushed her off of his length, her body falling into the cold. Cregan stood, out of breath, staring down at the woman in the snow, her body curled into a fetal position as she laid there catching her breath. He was hooked. Obsessed with her beauty and madness, even as she laid there sweaty and cold.

He grabbed his furs and sat beside her, pulling her into his lap and wrapping the warm furs around her.

“You might catch a chill.” He whispered, slightly worried now that their lust had subsided.

“I’m a witch, right? My blood runs with fire.” She breathed. He laughed softly.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you smile, Lord Stark.” She smiled, a soft and sweet smile. His heart nearly melted.

After dressing, they began walking again.

“Can we make a quick stop?” She asked, not letting him answer before she ran towards a cave in the not far off distance.

He sighs, not making an effort to chase her.

He walks into the dimly lit cave. It appeared lived in. He eyed the area, while pulling at his collar, due to the heat in the cave.

“Is this where you live?” He asked, his voice echoed back to him, making him feel alone.

She nodded, undressing herself again. “It’s a hot spring.”

She jumped into the water, moaning at the warmth. He twitched.

“You gonna just stand there lookin’ pretty?” She asked, her thick northern accent appearing. He sighed, slowly taking off his furs and armor before stepping into the hot water. She spit some of the water at him with a little smirk. He tried to hide his smile, but couldn’t. He grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him and into his lap. She curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Let’s stay here.” She said, voice unsure. “You’re a wolf. You belong out here, not in the south.”

He took her hand in his. “My place is in Winterfell.”

“Then stay with me just for tonight.” She said. He sighed, pressing a soft kiss to her hand and nodding. She rested her wet head against his chest.

“I won’t cause any more trouble for you, Lord Stark.”

He sighed, knowing what it meant.

He yearned to bring her back to Winterfell, to give her a place in the castle, and to take her in his bed at night, but she was too wild. She would cause too much trouble for the servants and handmaidens. She would never be happy either.

He made it count, fucking her over and over again in that cave. When they slept, he held her close to him, refusing to even let her roll over. Her head fit perfectly against his neck. It felt like a crime to let her go.

———

They had been walking for three days to return to the wall, only growing closer and closer with each moment they spent together.

“I thought you said it was a day’s journey.” Cregan said.

“On horse.” He shot her a look, frustrated with the forgotten mention. She only smirked. He didn’t want to part from her just yet anyway.

“Lord Stark!” A voice yelled. He quickly pushed her behind him, unsheathing his sword and searching for where the voice came from. He was terrified for her, but she showed no fear. He knew if they seen her, they would kill her immediately.

4 men in black, all on horses trotted up besides them, encircling them.

“Gods, I can’t believe it.” The Lord Commander said, “You Starks, damn it. You put the rest of the North to shame. I can’t believe you found the witch.”

“I’m not a witch.” She said, but Cregan only grabbed her and wrapped his hand around her mouth, preventing her from starting a fight. She kicked and growled into his hand, but eventually submitted.

“Why is she still alive, m’lord? You should have taken her head the moment you found her.” A boy said.

“It’s not that easy. She’s strong, more useful alive.” Cregan said.

She kicked her foot back into his shin, stealing his sword from his hand. Cregan yelled and grabbed his leg. He grabbed her arm with his other hand with a harsh grip. Her elbow met his face, knocking him on the ground as blood pooled from his nose.

“Took you long enough to find your own way back here, crow.” She said, looking at the Lord Commander specifically, the heavy valyrian steel sword dragging from her hands onto the ground.

He only snickered at her.

“Don’t hurt yourself trying to lift that sword. I’d rather watch Stark behead you himself.”

“Can’t do your own dirty work?” She sneers.

Cregan sensed the tension but said nothing. He stood and grabbed her by the back of her neck, pulling her back and taking his sword from her. He stared her down, breathing angrily, his eyes fuming with rage. He wanted to take her on the snow again as revenge for breaking his nose, but restrained himself.

She looked back up at him, anger in her own eyes, his hand lingered on the back of her neck.

Cregan turned back around to face the Lord Commander. “I will not behead her. She is a prisoner of Winterfell.”

The Lord Commander fumed. “She’s killed half our men-“

“You killed half your men when you sent them searching for me.” She spits.

“Enough!” Cregan yelled, but she ignored him. She broke from his grip and ran at the Lord Commander. The horses spooked, bucking the other men off them and scattering.

She jumped, using the stirs of the saddle of his horse to mount it. She pulled out the dagger she stole from Cregan earlier, and slit the Lord Commander’s neck.

Hot blood spewed onto her face as he weakly grabbed at her throat. She smiled, that wicked smile again, licking the blood that spat across her face, her eyes wide with madness.

“Goodnight, crow.” She whispered.

Cregan ripped her off the horse, throwing her onto the ground.

“Do you understand what you have just done?!” He screamed at her. She smiled up at him, blood staining her teeth. She kissed him, the blood on their faces smearing. He briefly matched her love with the kiss, before pulling away.

He tried snatching the dagger back from her, “No, it’s mine!” She yelled.

He pulled her by her collar close to his face, “You have to go now… or I’ll kill you.”

Sadness swept across her face, her lip trembling like a scorned child.

“Keep your fucking dagger, then!” She yelled, stabbing it into his shoulder.

Cregan cried out, letting her go, and falling to the ground. He ripped the dagger from his shoulder. She used this as an opportunity to take her bow back from his body.

She reached into her boot, pulling out an arrow. She knocked it and drew it back. Cregan weakly jumped on the Lord Commander’s horse. The other Night’s Watch men were returning on their horses, having calmed and gathered them.

“Back to the wall!” Cregan commanded them. He didn’t turn to look at her. He knew if he had, she would’ve shot the arrow right through his eye. Instead, she hit him in his rib, perfectly hitting where it would hurt, but wouldn’t kill him. Cregan yelled in pain again.

The men rode off, not stopping until they made it to the wall. Cregan passed out multiple times on the way, visions of her flooding his thoughts as the men had to drag him to the maester.

She stayed in the same place for hours, sobbing and sobbing, as the icy cold froze her tears. Only when night fell then did she turn and leave, knowing she would never see the Lord again.

[writeroutoftime]

pawns in your game (part 2/2)

part one

pairing: cassian x reader

summary: upon waking up, cassian and the rest of the inner circle are relieved, but it seems there are still some wounds that need healing.

warnings: none, but some conversations that need to happen in ACOTAR canon lol

words: 1.6k

a/n: thank you for all the support and love for part one! sorry for the wait on the second (and final) part, I just had so much trouble! the conversation between you, cass, rhys, and feyre was written like 3 different times lol. anyway, now that it is finished, please enjoy and I'd love to hear what you think! have a fabulous day! '

(also, if you have any other requests for our acotar men, please send them my way!)

oOoOo

Two days passed since Rhys and Cass had their conversation. Neither male spoken to the other since, and word had spread through the rest of the Inner Court over what had occurred. Cass, however, couldn't find it himself to care as he continued to keep vigil over your bedside, only sleeping when he could no longer force his eyes open through the weight that threatened to drag them down.

Suddenly, body feeling as though it weighed a thousand tons, you opened your eyes, groaning at the soft sunlight that streamed into the room. The sheets beneath you felt scratchier than normal beneath your body, and it took a moment to realize you were in the med wing.

You felt a heavy weight in your left hand, and carefully, you shifted your gaze to see Cassian gripped it tightly. His back and wings were hunched over as he slept in what seemed to be the most uncomfortable position imaginable. Although you were hesitant to wake him, you needed water and to know what had happened, so you shook your hand to wake your mate up.

In response, Cass shot straight up, his siphons pulsed a warning red as if he thought you and he were in some kind of danger. But once his mind and body had more than a moment to react his hazel eyes found yours and widened to the size of saucers.

"You're up!" he shouted, tears lining his eyes. Without thinking, Cass leaned forward and engulfed your body in his, and you didn't miss the way his body shook slightly in relief.

"I'm here, I'm okay." you whispered, running your fingers through his tangled hair. "H-how long have I been out?" you whispered, voice scratchy and rough.

"Nearly a week." Cass explained, pulling away and hurrying to grab a glass of water from the bedside table. "Here, drink."

The cool relief of water slipped down your throat, and you already felt better. Sore, you tried to stretch your body out to the best of your ability while trying to recall everything that occurred after leaving the Spring Court manor. "What happened?"

Cass barely held back a growl at the thought. "While you and Rhysand were in the Spring Court, there was an armed guard looking to shoot him with an arrow. But you, being the selfless female you are," Cass chided. "jumped in front of him and were shot with an especially strong dose of poison."

Silence rested between you both, and you could feel the waves of grief that poured down from Cassian's side of the bond. You could only imagine what he must have felt like the past week. If the roles had been reversed, you would have been a mess, tearing apart anything and anyone that got in the way of your wrath.

"I-I think I remember jumping in front of Rhys. He killed the Spring Court solider right away and didn't know what to do. Somehow, he managed to winnow us both back here, and that's all I remember." you admitted.

"That damn bargain." Cass said, growling this time. "We could do the same thing, and then how fucked would the Night Court be."

There was an anger that pulsed from Cass which went deeper than just being worried about his mate. Slowly, you shifted from your spot and moved to sit up against your pillows. "Cass," you began slowly. "what else happened while I was asleep?"

Cassian did not look the least bit guilty as he looked you straight in the eyes. "I told Rhysand off. I told him how I felt about his precious bargain that allows him and Feyre to stay protected while the rest of us suffer the consequences."

An odd feeling washed over you at Cassian's words. On one hand, you can't believe that Cass spoke those words to his brother - to his High Lord. On the other hand, you always felt a small pang of pride that Cassian stood his ground, and yours by extension. But you knew neither of those feelings fixed the larger issue at hand.

"Cass," you started, before he interrupted you.

"I'm not sorry for what I said. It's something we've all been thinking since before Nyx's birth, but, apparently, I was the only one who had the balls to actually say something.

Your teeth caught against your lips, trying, and failing, to hold back a laugh at your mate's words. "I did not protect Rhys because of his and Feyre's bargain, nor because of my oath to him as High Lord." you began carefully. "I did it because he is my friend, and I know he would do the same for me." you confessed.

Cassian was disgruntled at the suggestion. Opening his mouth, most likely to spew more insults against Rhys, you beat him to the punch.

"But," you continued. "I also feel as though sometimes it is overbearing to have to be even more responsible for Rhys and Feyre's survival, especially now that Nyx is involved. I think we need to talk to them." you admitted, motioning for Cassian to rest against you so you could lean your head against his solid shoulder.

The two of you laid there for quite some time before there was a tentative knock at the door. Your High Lord and Lady stuck their heads in, trying to read Cassian's mood. However, Feyre's eyes widened when she noticed your eyes open, and body propped up in bed. A wide smile overtook her face, and she abandoned her mate to rush to your side. 

"You're awake!" she cried, grasping her free hand in yours and squeezing tightly.

Rhys continued to stand by the door, wary of Cass' razor-sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through to his soul. Only the tiniest bit of his guilt alleviated seeing you up after so long. "How are you feeling?" 

"Still sore, but doing alright." you admitted, shrugging your shoulders as though you had merely scrapped a knee.

There was an awkward silence that descended upon the room, and none of you knew how to fix it. Cass pulled you even closer to his side and threaded his hand in yours. Meanwhile, Feyre and Rhys shared a private conversation, silently debating who should be the first to broach the elephant in the room.

"I think we need to talk." you finally began. 

At the same time, Rhys blurted out. "I'm so sorry that this happened, y/n." 

You both stared at one another, really taking the other in. Rhys noted the bandage wrapped around the shoulder where the arrow had met its target. He noticed the way your eyes would flinch in pain whenever you pulled at your muscles wrong and the look of fatigue that overtook your features. From your perspective, it was impossible to miss the dark shadows under Rhys' eyes and the guilt that remained present in his eyes and across his face. 

"I don't blame you for what happened. I hope you know that, Rhysand." you said, squeezing your mate's hand, as you stared straight into Rhys' violet eyes. 

"But I should have been paying more attention to our surroundings. After everything that's happened with Spring, I don't know why I wasn't already expecting something like this to occur. That arrow was meant for me, y/n, and you saved my life." he said, eyes flickering to Feyre for a brief moment, his meaning clear. Rhys cleared his throat, trying not to sound as choked up. "I don't believe it's been said, and you deserve so much more than this, but thank you." 

The words were simple, yet heartfelt all the same. You didn't need to be a daemati to know that Rhys meant every word he spoke. Feyre nodded her head in agreement, sending a message of thanks and gratitude your way. Your heart warmed at the gesture, but a look towards Cassian told you he still was unimpressed. 

"You are my friend, no thanks necessary. Though it is appreciated nonetheless." you smiled. "But," you continued, letting the word hang in the air. "I know little of what happened before I woke up, and it feels like we need to talk about that too." 

The male holding your hand at least had the decency to shift uncomfortably at the thought. Though, he still did not start up any conversation, instead, feeling justified in the words he said to defend his mate - the love of his life. 

Feyre must have been filled in on the details of Rys' and Cass' conversation because a haunted look morphed across her features. "We never meant for our bargain to become a burden on our family." she whispered, staring down at her tattooed hands.  

Cass scoffed at the statement, and you smacked your hand against his chest and narrowed your eyes in his direction. "What?" he protested. "I thought we wanted to have an honest conversation here?" 

"Cass is right." Rhys spoke. "I don't think we every really had a discussion about what this bargain means for us as a family. So," he paused, glancing at Feyre who nodded. "we want to hear how you feel about everything that has gone down." 

"I think it was a fucking stupid idea." Cass spoke up, not caring how it sounded. 

"Harsh, but fair, I suppose." Rhys said with a stilted laugh, trying to ease the tension. 

"I think what Cass is trying to say," you began. "is that, of course, we know what our oath to you as our High Lord and Lady means. But, when you told us about the other bargain, it felt as though the weight of the world fell on our shoulders." 

Feyre reached out to grasp Rhys' hand for support. "Cassian is right, it was stupid on our part. We weren't even thinking when we made that vow." 

"What would you have done, Cassian?" Rhys added, trying to appeal to his brother.

A part of your heart ached at Feyre's words. Turning your head, you gave Cassian a soft gaze and sent a wave of love and adoration down the bond. He and you both knew there wasn't anything the other wouldn't do for you. It could have just as easily been you and he with the death bargain hanging over your shoulders. 

"Love may not always make sense, but that doesn't make it stupid. It's not like Cass and I wouldn't have done the same thing in a moment of high emotions." you admitted. "Though, our deaths don't necessarily lead to the Night Court being thrown into chaos." 

Rhys and Feyre both looked ashamed at the statement. "That is a conversation Rhys and I have had many times. And something we've been planning to share with you all. Soon." she promised, nodding solemnly.

You and Cass both nodded at the sentiment. It was a relief to know all this worrying had not been one-sided all these months. However, Feyre's words did not - nor could not - suddenly fix everything. There was still an acknowledgement of their actions that had yet to be addressed. An acknowledgement of the fear you and the rest of the Inner Circle had felt since and all the sacrifices which had been made.

"Feyre and I see the effort you and Cass have put into keeping us safe, I hope you know that." Rhys offered. "I can't say for certain what will continue to come of this situation, but Feyre and I promise to keep looking for a solution and to make sure you, and the rest of our family, feel heard. I'm sorry it's taken until tragedy struck for us to have this talk." he finished, baring the guilt and fear that had been marring his soul for the past week to you and his brother.

Cass looked his brother in the eyes, holding the stare for a few moments. Your breath stopped as you braced yourself for another blow out, but through your squinted eyes you noticed the way the tension had dissipated from Cass' body ever so slightly.

"It doesn't fix everything," Cass started, and all three of you in the room tensed, waiting for another raging display of anger. "but it's a start." he relented.

The two Illyrians locked eyes, and Cass tightened his grip on you as he and Rhys had a silent conversation. The two knew there would be much more talking and healing that needed to happen first, but eventually you were sure things would turn out all right.

After all, it was a start.

oOoOo

a/n: there it is, part 2! like I said, I was really nervous about posting this, and I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations!

tagging: @captainsophiestark, @eerievixen, @kylaisra, @tele86, @starsinyourseyes, @lisanna2000, @highladyivy

[m-oddinsdottir]

LAW OF SURVIVAL

the bison .ˊˎ 🦬

Charles Smith x Fem!Reader

Words: 2,384

Warnings: fluff, angst, mentions of death, references to past sex experiences, oddly soft! charles, no use of y/n, established relationship, cursing

Summary: Charles decides it’s time that you learn how to hunt but you have your reservations.

A/N: so… I’m definitely playing rdr2 again. english isn’t my first language so please feel free to correct me <3

Masterlist

•••

It couldn’t be so hard, right?

That’s what you had thought after being approached by a frustrated Charles, his mind hazed with concern as he had returned to camp after a few days away… And by the look in his eyes, you could tell whatever Dutch had sent him to do didn’t end well.

You knew you couldn’t say no to him at that moment, Charles was usually surrounded by a peace that he willingly shared with you calming your troubled mind immediately, so seeing him so… disturbed and concerned made you agree immediately.

‘Breathe’ His voice was like a caress against the skin of your ear, a balm against the nerves that seemed to emerge from you, resulting in a small tremble of your hands.

His hands moved up your arms, grazing against the fabric of the blouse that covered your skin as he straightened your shoulders and positioned his face close to yours to try and have a similar field of view as the one you owned. ‘Careful with your posture…’ One of his fingers moved to push the bow slightly to the side. ‘And your aim’

The small force he applied to the side of the bow made it aim directly at a deer’s head. Your breath hitched and a small frown appeared on your demeanor as you tried to steady the bow.

His fingers grazed the skin of your shoulders to soothe you as he leaned in closer to you. The warm heat of the man pressing against your side as he fixed your posture again. As you tried to keep your eyes on the prey and not on the fellow hunter close to you, your breath hitched.

‘Breathe in…’ Charles indicated as he pressed one hand against your back to help you control your breathing pattern ‘Breathe out…’

Attempting to do as he said, you copied every breath he took following with one of your own and trying to hold your breath inside the same amount of seconds he could.

But it just wasn’t in you. Even he knew that it wasn’t. Charles adored that of you, in a way, he fell for the gentleness of your soul. The way you treated everyone around you in such a kind manner warmed his heart. Sometimes, he even saw you with Jack, and his thoughts couldn’t help but wonder about how perfect you would be as a mother.

‘I… I can’t do it, Charles” You whispered when the deer moved his head upwards and it tilted to the side.

‘You need to’ His voice perhaps sounded harsher than needed as he stiffened beside you ‘An animal is always… Easier’

While holding your breath, Charles moved two fingers over the ones you had already tensing the thread of the bow. His hand hovered over yours and the contact of his skin against yours made goosebumps blossom where he landed a finger.

‘I can’t’ You repeated and when he pulled your hand backward so that you could reach the point where you couldn’t maintain the tension of the bow and would let the arrow shoot, your breath hitched and your eyes widened with surprise.

His name left your lips as a warning but when he didn’t move you quickly pushed the bow to a side. The arrow shot breaking through the wood of a pine tree. You quickly shoved him away from you, lips parting open in surprise.

‘What are you even doing, Charles?!’

His gaze followed the way the deer ran away after being startled by the loud sound of your voice and the arrow that was shot near its body. His lips pressed together in a line and he remained silent.

Not showing any visible evidence of his anger, the man took a step closer to you. His eyes were dark as Charles towered over you, he didn’t move his gaze for you for even a moment. You had seen that look in his eyes before.

Fuck.

Charles rarely got angry or at least he rarely showed any manifestation of the ire that could be burning his body from the inside out. However, there it was. That look in his eyes gave him away, a look you have seen before. But, in this case, it was directed to you.

‘Don’t look at me like that’ You managed to mutter as you tilted your head backward so that you could gaze into his eyes.

That was dumb. You realized that right after you had mumbled the words. He was never angry and now that he was… It was the moment you had decided to push his buttons?

Therefore, when he moved one hand up to cup your cheek tenderly, your lips parted open with surprise. ‘Did I startle you?’ His whispered question confused you even more.

And then it hit you. It wasn’t anger, it was fear… He was scared, terrified even.

You managed to shake your head gently as a response. ‘Good… I just want you to be able to protect yourself.’ Charles grumbled, his hand caressing your cheek gently. ‘In case…— You have to know how to survive’

Charles can’t afford to lose you. Loss has been a constant variable during his life. He can’t remember one important person for him that he hadn’t lost… Despite you. For now at least. With you, he had managed to live, not just survive… But living with you by his side and finally losing the only thing he wanted to lose: his solitude. Charles usually felt like his only purpose in life was suffering, life is usually complicated but for the man it has been even worse. He lacked life's understanding until now at least.

The lone wolf now had a pack. He had found the gang in Blackwater a few months again and with them, he had found you. Of course, you were the one who approached him first. A gentle smile over your lips to make him feel welcomed and a plate of warm stew on your hands, a small offering for him to eat something.

You had wrapped up his injured hand with some old bandages you managed to pack before running away from Blackwater. And you had constantly checked his burnt skin over that time without being invasive.

So it didn’t take him long before he found himself wrapped around your finger even though you were unaware of his feelings back then.

Until one night.

One night he had drunk more than he usually did. Another celebration of a successful mission in which they all had gathered along the fire, listening to Javier’s guitar and singing in the barely illuminated night. Voices loud and carefree. A rare moment of peace taking into consideration the times they were living.

Charles had approached you to your surprise and probably even his. He never talked to you first, it was always the other way around so when he offered you to go for a walk you couldn't deny the offer. Shy smile over your lips as you walked in silence next to him until you two were far enough.

Next thing you knew, his lips were over yours. Soon, you were whimpering his name while he was buried deep inside you, back against a tree and nails digging deep into his broad back.

‘Can't we practice with inanimate objects?’ You whispered gently leaning into the hand that was cupping your cheek, a small smile over your lips as you looked up into his eyes. ‘I know how much you hate hunting animals when there's no reason...’

The man visibly tensed in front of you. He despised any form of blood spilling, human or animal. That was the reason he had left the other gangs he had been implicated with, most of the members usually being dishonorable and just murdering for the morbid it supposed.

He did have a far more compassionate soft spot for animals, knowing they weren't able to defend themselves in most cases. Especially, for bisons. It wouldn't be the first time he had encountered problems confronting vicious killers who murdered them for sport... And it wouldn't be the last time either.

‘There is a reason... You- You need to practice with something that moves’ He mumbled as his other hand moved to your hip, seeking the warm comfort of your skin against his when he pulled you closer to his body.

‘Charles... You and I both know that an animal ain't the same as a person’ Your soft whispering seemed to soothe his tense muscles as his hand gripped the fabric of your blouse, calloused fingers digging into your skin and creating small indents.

‘It will do’

‘Teaching me how to hunt with a bow isn't teaching me to defend myself, darlin'... An arrow has nothing to do against a bullet’ Perhaps you were being harsh, but you needed him to understand. You knew him which meant you were also aware of how his worry was clouding his judgment.

‘I—’ His brows furrowed together before he leaned in closer to bury his face in the crook of your neck, breathing in your scent as his hands moved from your hips to wrap around your body in a tight embrace, shaky breaths escaping his lips. The situation had your heart aching, Charles never lost his composure... Ever.

‘What's going on, darlin'?’ Your strained voice was perceived by his senses and so were the gentle caresses your hand delivered through his long dark locks of onyx hair, in an attempt to soothe him. At first, the only response that was received was his hold tightening around you.

His breath hitched in your ear, his nose nuzzling against the length of your neck, soon finding your pulse point. ‘I can't lose you’ He whispered shakily, his lips brushing against your skin while he spoke. ‘I can't... Not you too’ He mumbled and his body trembled slightly between your arms.

‘I ain't going anywhere, love’

‘How can you know?’ He asked back to you, lips still hovering over your pulse point. ‘The missions... Each one turns worse than the one before. We're always running away from camp to camp. You know the day in which we can't escape will eventually arrive’

You swallowed hard and he pressed a gentle kiss against your neck to soothe you when he felt the way your throat moved, Charles pulled away to be able to look into your eyes. One of his hands moved up to brush some of the hairs that framed your face behind your ear.

'’And in case I'm not there...’ He began and you immediately looked into his dark eyes. ‘If I'm not alive...’ At the thought, your eyes widened softly, head shaking as you tried to stop the stinging sensation that the tears beginning to form caused. ‘Don't go down that path, Charles’ Your words and the sight of your teary eyes made him sigh.

‘Angel...’ He whispered and you unconsciously held your breath in your lungs.

Charles usually never called you by any pet name... Unless you two were tangled in the darkness underneath the security of his tent, there the man was somehow unrecognizable.

‘I want you to keep living’ He mumbled out gently as he leaned in closer to press his forehead against yours noticing how one tear dropped down your cheek so he quickly wiped it away. You weren't dumb, you knew the dark times the gang was suffering so his words made your heart shutter... It sounded like a goodbye.

‘Don't you dare say goodbye to me, Charles’

‘Let me do it, my angel... Just in case’ He whispered gently and his lips moved to kiss the damp path another tear had left over your right cheekbone. ‘I want you to know how to survive... But not just that, I want you to live your life, get away from this life, have pretty little babies, and grow old on a small porch. I want you to die happy’

You were quick to shake your head. ‘I want that with you... I am going to die happy because you're going to be by my side. Old and wrinkly and by my side’ You repeated gently as you moved your face to gently caress your lips against his.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips making them spread over his face as you leaned in even closer. He used his thumb to wipe away another one of your tears. ‘I don't want anything else more than that' Charles assured you gently. ‘But to know that you'll still live that fantasy even if I'm not there’

‘No’

‘Please, angel...’

‘No, Charles.’ Your voice was firm as you gently held onto his arms trying to stand your ground ‘You're going to be there 'cause you ain't dying, goddamnit...’ With brows furrowed together and tears falling down your cheeks, you stepped on your tip toes to be closer to his lips. ‘I want to grow old with you, I want to have my babies with you... Maybe when this is over we can go somewhere else... I dunno, maybe to Canada’

‘Canada, huh? That sounds nice...’

‘So going to Canada sounds nice but not the idea of having a family and growing old together?’You asked teasingly trying to lighten up the mood.

That made a small and short chuckle escape his lips. Charles usually didn't laugh much so you rejoiced in the small choked sound. ‘That sounds more than nice, baby...’

He mumbled before his lips captured yours in a gentle and short kiss, tasting the saltiness of the tears that had managed to fall down to your lips before he had managed to wipe them away. The kiss wasn't passionate or hungry like the ones you two usually shared after he had spent the entire day out of camp. No, this one was tender and filled with unspoken feelings that didn't need to be put into words,

When Charles pulled away, he rested his forehead against yours still savoring the taste of your lips. ‘Now, angel... I was supposed to be teaching you a hunting lesson here’

Your laugh resonated alongside the small field in between the forest scaring away the few animals that could be left.

Definitely, hunting was that hard.

[shegxox]

flirts. | chamber , sova

that moment when you hear chamber flirt with viper the first time on the field.

cw: swearing

wc: 1,005

a.n: idk what this is but uh, enjoy? also, let me know if you guys like this type of stuff. ++ gaia visual here ^^

previous : next

"VIPER, you must let me take you out sometime. Dinner– dancing! I know the perfect place."

"Chamber, I would rather drink my own poison."

You stifled a giggle as you and KAY/O shared a look, the robot merely shook his head as the two of you overhear the comms of the agent on the field.

"Does this happen all the time?" You asked, muting off your voice in comms.

"More often than you think," KAY/O replies.

You have just arrived at the Vulture, catching up on a mission that you were supposed to be in. Viper, Chamber, and Sova were already on the field, leaving you and KAY/O at the aircraft.

"Come now, mademoiselle. No need to be so cold, I know just the thing to warm you up."

Your eyes widened and slapped a hand on your mouth, hunching over as you heard those words.

"Less flirting, more focus." You could already tell that Viper was gritting her teeth.

"How could I focus when I'm in a presence of such beauty."

"Pfft–" your laughter busted out as you watched them from the screens. "Oh my gods this is so painful to hear!"

KAY/O lets out a defeated sigh, "Affirmative."

You tapped on your comms and finally made them aware of your presence.

"Chamber, you're so lame." You managed to utter out through fits of giggles.

The comms suddenly went silent.

"Yeah, that's right, I can hear your cringey lines."

Sova's voice then joined in, "Gaia? Is that you?"

"Yup and hearing Chamber flirt just took away half my life span." You said dramatically, "Lameness is my weakness!"

You faintly hear Viper let out a chuckle

"What are you doing here?" Chamber's voice suddenly cut through in a demanding tone.

"Uhh, I'm part of the mission, duh."

"How was I not informed of this?"

"The last-minute briefing we had that you skipped." Viper answers in a deadpan tone. "It would only be natural for her to be here, she's the one who caught Legion lingering around the site."

"That's right." You nodded. "And FYI, my flora just sensed movement."

"I'm picking up a signal near A site," KAY/O added as he scanned through the screens. "Everyone in position, they're here. I'm sending Gaia in."

You made your way to your motorcycle that was parked near the exit, KAY/O lowers the altitude of the Vulture, preparing to open the aircraft's backdoors.

"Sova, ice cream and barbie movies after this?" You quickly asked as you mount your ride.

"It would be a pleasure," Sova replied.

"That's how you do it, Chamber." You teased as you put on your helmet.

"Ah, even I would say yes to that offer if you asked me, ma chérie." Chamber shot back in a flirty tone.

"Who wouldn't say no to you, mon chou?"

You feigned a gasp, your ride humming to life.

"My, my mon cher. Hitting on two ladies at once?" You laughed darkly. "What a player."

"I could say the same for you, little goddess."

---

"I hate myself so much." You groaned as you clutched your side, falling down on one knee.

"Not as much as I hate you." Your copy seethed before sending vines searing through your direction.

"I am you, dummy." Swiping your hand on the ground and up, the earth rises as it curved its direction, forming a barrier that blocked the vine's attack.

You pressed on your comms, "I need an arrow or a bullet at 12 o'clock, 8 meters, now!"

The familiar sound of Chamber's gun rang through the air almost immediately and you put your barrier down to see your copy's body fall.

"Merci!"

With the detonator in hand, you ran towards the spike, the beeping sound going faster as you began defusing. The bomb started to glow red and your surroundings started to rise.

"C'mon, I have ice cream waiting for me after this." You clicked your tongue as the spike started to form cracks underneath it, nearing its end. And just before it did, you finally defused it.

"Oh sweet barbie mermaidia." You breathed out in relief before letting yourself down on the ground.

"That was fucking close. . . "

Hurried footsteps pounded the ground as they rushed towards you.

"Gaia!" Sova kneeled next to you as he started inspecting your state. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." You rasped before trying to sit up. "Just got hit on the side, no biggie."

"Are you sure?" Your mentor asked worriedly

"Yeah, look, I'm healing right now." You assured as you twisted your torso a bit to the side to show your glowing palm covering your side.

Sova heaved a sigh in relief.

"Good."

"Well, that was a job well done." A new voice entered as Chamber stepped into view. "A close call, but well done."

You gave him a weak smile, "Thanks for the headshot."

"No problem, mademoiselle." Chamber held out a hand. "Merely aiding a damsel in distress."

You scoffed, taking his hand.

"I could've handled her if we had more time." You sighed as you stood up with Sova following suit.

"But, yes. I was in distress."

"Would the damsel still be in distress if I say that she owes me one?" Chamber asked with a sly smirk.

"Oh god, what do you want." You shot him a playful look of disdain.

"Dinner, dancing– I know the perfect place." There was a glint of craftiness in his eyes and you couldn't help but be impressed.

You huffed a laugh, "Cute but recycled. You'd have to wait in line."

Chamber shot you a charming smile, "I'm a patient man."

You then felt a large warm hand on your lower back.

"We need to head back," Sova utters, looking at you gently. "Captain is waiting."

"Ah, right. Let's go." Taking your hand from Chamber's hold, "I'm taking my bike, by the way, I have somewhere to be first."

Sova's eyebrows furrowed, "Is it another mission?"

"Ah no," You chuckled. "I'll just buy some ice cream."

[mcverse]

ꨄ︎ Paring: Neteyam x Avatar! F! Reader

ꨄ︎ Requested: Yes/No

ꨄ︎ Type: Part 2 out of 5 (Previous/Next)

ꨄ︎ Word count: 4.4K

ꨄ︎ Warnings: Mention of death, angst, mean Neytiri & Neteyam, Lo’ak may have a slight one sided crush on reader but this isn’t a Lo’ak x reader, injured Kiri, Tiptoeing feelings, not proof read or spell checked :) switches from present to past and vice versa cuz again it’s not proof read >.<

ꨄ︎ Side Bar: Long awaited. Enjoy! Finished this with a headache >£<

please keep in mind that all characters in my stories are always 18+

“Again.” 

“No, your stance is wrong.” 

“Have you even been paying attention?”

You huff in frustration, lowering your bow to hold in one hand as you exam the other hand littered with blisters. It’s been hours since you’ve been at, trying to learn how to shot an unmoving target but it hasn’t been going well. 

Jake said that Neteyam was a great teacher, that you would learn fast with him. It’s been 3 months and you only just got off hand to hand combat two weeks ago. You’re starting to think Jake has too much fate in his son. 

“I need a break,” you whine, looking at him standing there tall and devilishly handsome with his broad shoulders and chisel chest, hidden behind crossed arms. It wasn’t a lie, you really needed one, his comments were starting to annoy you again. For your sanity, a hour apart would be good. But he wasn’t giving in. 

He shakes his head, uncrossing his arms and walks over to stand next to you, “We continue, you get done quicker.” He says it like it’s the most obvious thing—and it was but you were tired, “Again.” He gestures with his head towards the target. 

Sighing deeply, you get back into position. Parting you legs, raising your bow and pulling back the string, ready to let the arrow fly free. You hear him before you feel him, smacking his teeth as he circles around you to stand behind you. 

“Your feet need to be wider than your shoulders,” he grumbles, using his foot to push yours further apart. Your breath hitch when his palm touches your upper back, “And your back needs to be straight,” with light pressure, he glides it down your spine and rests briefly on your lower back, right above your tail, “Hips need to be centered,” he slides his hand to your hip, firmly gripping it and putting it in the right position. 

His touch leaves your body for a moment, allowing you to breath correctly for a few inhales, then returns with his body closer than he’s ever been, well, if you don’t count that one spar moment... Both his hands are on you this time, one on your hip and the other on your bicep, raising it so the bow was chest level, “There.” He whispers, “This is the proper form.” 

It was hard to hear him or was it hard to focus? Either way the sound of your heart beating wildly in your chest was making it difficult. It was uncomfortable, you’ll much rather welcome deafening silence than this. Anything would be more welcoming than clammy hands and a flushed heat spreading throughout your body. 

His breath fans your neck, causing goosebumps to form and you couldn’t help but to slightly turn your head to peak at him. No surprise his face was as serious as he took this training. You wonder what he looked like when he smiled? Then that made you wonder if he ever smiled and if he didn’t, would it kill him to do it once? 

Doesn’t have to be at you. Though, lately you wouldn’t mind… but in general, he was so uptight. 

Neteyam could feel your eyes on him, with one small turn of his head, he could be staring into them. The thought alone makes him queasy, so actually doing it might make him feel worse, “Shoot the bow.” He forces himself to focus on the training, albeit he was probably a little ahead of himself when he touched you a little more intimate than necessary minutes ago. 

“Okay.” You whisper, sweeping your eyes over his face one last second before looking at the target too. You suck in sharply, exhaling in a chuckle. You will never get used to be able to breath without coughing, never. Quickly, you let the string go and time slows between you both, his hands gripping you on impulse then releases. 

A loud thud echos around the area, and you stare at the target in disbelief. It hit dead in the center, you had to be hallucinating. Dropping the bow, you turn abruptly, smiling so wide your cheeks start to hurt just a little already, “Did you see that?!” your hands find placement on his shoulders as you peer up at him. 

There it was, a silver of a smile. It wasn’t much, but it was proof that he could be anything but mr. stick up his ass. 

“Good job,” he praises, face free of any stress he’s been holding, “Now you may rest.” He steps back from you and head in the direction of Hometree. 

You cheer at that, quickly picking up your bow and chasing after him. The soft ground against your feet and the soft wind grazing your skin was two of the things you loved about pandora. It filled you with joy, never really having the chance to experience it before. 

Gazing at his broad back, an overwhelming desire consumed you—to have a conversation with him, not just about your training, but to truly get to know him. Despite having train with him over the months, he ensures a distance remain, intentionally keeping it that way.

Feeling a sense of detachment and longing to understand the ways of the Na'vi, it becomes challenging when your teacher and his mother consistently give you the cold shoulder. Perhaps that is why it feels even harder for you, knowing deep down they are silently judging you, assessing your worth, and viewing you primarily as one of the sky people, failing to see your true potential.

It kills you. These are the only two individuals within the Sully family, along with a few other Na'vi in the clan, who have not yet to warm up to you. You often find solace in seeking out Jake since he relates the most and when he is not available, Kiri, as she understood you first.

The most interesting fact wasn’t even that. It was that Mo'at has gradually grown closer to you. She finds you bearable and recognizes your potential in healing after discovering you engrossed in a sky person's book one day. When you explained its contents and significance, she actually encourages you to learn healing in the ways of the Na'vi—to become adept like her people.

Since that important moment, your excitement has been growing stronger. In addition to your regular training with Neteyam, you eagerly look forward to immersing yourself in the fascinating world of Na'vi healing techniques. Understanding how Na'vi bodies work is something that truly captivates you. Sometimes you turn to Norm for guidance, even though he doesn't know everything. It makes him feel good when you include him in your learning process. 

He jokingly mentions that you could be an amazing doctor if you were back on Earth.

Just the thought of becoming a doctor fills you with immense happiness. It feels like a dream come true, something you can't quite believe is within your reach. People even started calling you "Doctor" as a playful nickname, and it always brings a blush to your cheeks and a smile to your face.

However, as you approach Hometree, your spirits momentarily dampen. You witness Neteyam walk away quickly, leaving behind a lingering sense of sadness. It hurts to think that he wants to distance himself from you immediately. You weren’t a disease, at least not anymore. And even if you were, you still had feelings. 

Before you have the chance to dwell on these emotions, you jolt when someone playfully jumps on your back, nearly causing you to lose your balance. The familiar laughter that follows is contagious, and you instantly recognize the source: Kiri. You return her excitement, "Kiri, you nearly knocked me off my feet," you tease, gently shrugging her off to face her directly.

"Sorry, doc. I haven't seen you since this morning," she apologizes, linking her arms with yours in a comforting gesture. "I think you called it separation anxiety before."

You nod, a small smile playing on your lips as she gives you a playful shove before pulling you closer. "You're not supposed to agree!" she pouts, her eyes filled with mock disappointment. You can't help but laugh at her adorable expression. "But how was the training?"

Her question sparks excitement within you, and your face lights up with joy. "I actually think I've discovered a hidden talent for archery. It seems I'm more skilled with a bow than in hand-to-hand combat," you share enthusiastically. As she guides you towards her home, a mix of anticipation and unease settles in your stomach. You know that entering her family's hut means facing her mother, and your relationship has always been strained. "Wait, Kiri," you try to pull away, but her unexpected strength surprises you, despite her smaller frame.

"That was quick. So, does that means you will learn to hunt now?" she asks, holding the flap of the hut open and leading you inside. As you step in, your eyes meet Neytiri's, who sits at the center of the hut, skillfully folding meat into leaves. She acknowledges Kiri's presence with a nod, her gaze briefly shifting towards you, filled with curiosity and a hint of skepticism. Neytiri questions Kiri about the meaning behind her statement as she continues with her task.

"Doc over here has shown great skill with the bow. It looks like Neteyam and her will hunting next," Kiri proudly announces your progress, a sense of pride evident in her voice as if you were her own kin. "No surprise!" she adds, unable to contain her delight.

Neytiri lets out a dismissive scoff, her face revealing a lack of amusement. She averts her gaze, refusing to acknowledge your achievements. "She's no doctor. She's not Na'vi. Her skill is nothing more than luck," she grumbles, returning her focus to the meticulous task of folding meat, seemingly unimpressed.

You tighten your hold on Kiri, your eyes locking in a silent plea for her to leave, but she remains rooted in place, visibly displeased by her mother's words. "She is a doctor. She possesses knowledge and skill like one, and if you took the time to know her instead of judging her, you would see it too." Kiri's voice carries a rare heat, her glare burning with determination. "Why can't you learn to accept her, just like you did with Dad?"

After Kiri expresses her frustration, she pulls you away from the hut, leading you back in the direction of the lab. It before the transfer, you still spend your days at the lab, as your connection with the native Na'vi remains unchanged. The realization saddens you deeply. Eywa has granted you a remarkable opportunity—a chance to immerse yourself in the ways of the Na'vi. 

However, their resistance and unwillingness to embrace you weigh heavily on your heart. It doesn't matter that Eywa herself played a role in your presence here; the history of conflict between the sky people and the Na'vi still lingers with animosity towards the sky people that taints their perception.

“I’m sorry bout her…” Kiri breaks the silence you didn’t know blanketed you both, apologizing again on her mother behalf, which she does more often unfortunately. She’s ahead of you by a few feet, back turnt so you can’t see her expression but her ears flat against her head told you want you needed. She felt bad, possibly for putting you in that position again or could be something else, “I—“

You interrupt her, firmly holding her hand in yours. "I understand, Kiri," you respond, the lab coming into view. However, what truly matters to you in this moment is acknowledging your best friend's feelings. "I hate to admit that I've grown accustomed to it, but I'm grateful to have you looking out for me."

She releases your hand and playfully pushes you. "As if that's even in question. Now come on, I want to say hi to Mom," she urges, hastening towards the lab door. You both wait for a moment as Norm and Max navigate their way inside before entering. Kiri goes straight to Grace, while you settle down at one of the large computers, clicking on a simulator application.

Throughout the years, Max had been kind enough to develop a simulator of sorts, primarily for medical purposes. It allows you to practice and train, given that you can't directly attend to humans or the Na'vi. Some individuals, especially pregnant Na'vi whose anxiety is heightened due to hormonal changes, still maintain a level of caution around you, even when you're in the presence of Mo'at.

You played through 3 simulations successfully and as you were on your 4th, a voice behind you spoke, “That’s gross.” Instantly you recognized the voice to be Spider, and where spider was, Lo’ak was too. 

Shaking your head, you pause the pregnancy birth simulator to spin around, looking at him tauntingly, “Then you can relate.” smiling, you get up from the chair, “except birth is beautiful and you’re just gross, now that I think bout it.” 

Spider blinks before opening his mouth, about to reply but Lo’ak stops him, patting his chest with smirk on his lips, “Take the L, bro. You won’t win.” Spider slumps his shoulders at his comment, frowning as he looks off with a defeated expression.

You humph at Spider, then look at Lo’ak, “What trouble are you getting into today?” You ask, already knowing how Lo’ak and Spider worked since before you got your avatar. The could definitely get into it by themselves but the more the merry was much more fun. Your hunch was correct when a wicked smile spreads across his face, looking at you with mischief. 

“You haven’t had the chance to really explore pandora life yet,” he starts, only to be cut off by a laughing Spider, grin matching Lo’ak’s,

“You saw only a small portion of pandora when you transferred, we thought you might want to come along to watch some animals for the first time?” He adds, waiting for your reply, briefly looking off to the side when Kiri comes along. 

She strides over to you, leaning back onti the table of the computer and frowns with a shake of her head, “That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” she explains to them, looking at you, “This is dangerous.” 

And you considered her words. You did. But only shortly. Spider and Lo’ak were right. You’ve been so busy with training with both Mo’at and Neteyam that you neglected actually exploring pandora when you now could. So it may be dangerous, but it was a chance you needed to take before being thrown back into more teachings. 

“Okay. I’ll be down.” You turn back to the computer to shut it off and jump happily from your seat. Giving Kiri a an amused smile, you decide to ease her concerns. A worried expression doesn’t look good on her, “You can come along, yknow? To look out for me.” 

Kiri scoffs off to the side with an eye roll, pushing herself off the table, “As if I was going to let you go by yourself to begin with.” She gestures with her head to Lo’ak, “Go on, lead the way.” 

The trek to where ever they were leading you was amazing. Being stuck inside almost all your life have been nothing compared to what was outside all this time. Pandora was beautiful, you kept giving distracted and sidetracked, wanting to play with the fauna on the way. Like a toddler getting to explore for the first time , you eyes blown wide in adoration. You wanted to see everything! 

“Keep up, [Name],” Lo’ak reminds you, a good five meters away, “We’re almost there!”

“Okay! I’m coming.” You get up from your crouch position, jogging over to Kiri, who is waiting for you. Giving her a smile, you grab her outreached hand and let her drag you to where the others have finally stopped, “Are we there?” You ask, letting go of Kiri's hand and brushing past Lo’ak's large frame to enter a clearing.

“Not yet,” Lo’ak grumbles, walking over to you and pointing to a large tree, “We have to start climbing now. The animal we’re going to see is dangerous. High ground is safe.” He stalks towards the tree, Spider in tow.

You don’t budge from your spot as you eye the intimidating tree, chewing on the inside of your cheek. There is only one time you have had to climb a tree, and that was when you first transferred. 

It’s safe to say it didn’t end well. You didn’t break anything, but the fall was deep and you’ve been dreading having to do it again. Especially with the knowledge that it is common among forest Na’vi, who do it almost daily.

Kiri sees your dazed expression and she can’t help but chuckle to herself before clapping in your face, successfully grabbing your attention, “Baby steps, you got this.” She walks away, easily climbing the tree. 

You feel like you're going to regret this as you watch her move gracefully, but you had brace yourself mentally when you approach the tree. Looking up it at the others, even Spider as they all look down at you in wait. 

Quickly you inhale sharply and exhale slowly more slowly to calm your nerves and soon start to climb, struggling due to the thick width of the tree. But by Eywa, you make it to where the others are, and they smile at you proudly. Your face flushes at the attention, "Would you guys cut it out!"

The trio says nothing, only rolling their eyes before jumping to another tree branch with such speed and grace that you momentarily forget you're now part of their world as you stumble to keep balance. You know better than to look down, as you're still getting used to your new body and don't want to experience the same vertigo you felt the last time.

To your surprise, you managed to keep pace with the agile trio, gradually finding your rhythm and becoming more at ease with your movements. It was an exhilarating experience to effortlessly match their steps and mimic their fluid motions.

Amazement washed over you as you reveled in your newfound abilities. The ease with which you moved and the unhindered breaths you took left you in awe. Moving through the environment felt natural and effortless, as if you were born to be part of this world. It was a sensation that surpassed any dream you could have imagined, a reality more enchanting than your wildest fantasies.

Again, you find yourself in a precarious situation as the three of them come to a sudden halt just as you hop onto the branch they're perched on. Before you can utter a word, Lo'ak silences you with a gentle press of his finger against his lips. He motions for you to draw nearer, and you cautiously comply. 

As you stand beside him, he crouches down low, his hand pointing downwards. Your breath catches in your throat as you contemplate the daunting task of looking down. However, you muster up the courage, knowing that if you were to slip and fall, they would make an effort to catch you.

You gaze in awe at the majestic Hammerhead Titanothere, a name coined by the sky people to describe these magnificent creatures. Everything in Pandora seemed to be on a grand scale, and it fascinated you. While you had some understanding of this before your transfer, experiencing it firsthand as an avatar made it even more astonishing.

Eager to get a closer look, you inch your way along a slender branch, oblivious to its slight bend under your weight. "They're so adorable!" you exclaim, your voice filled with admiration as you watch the playful antics of the baby Titanothere.

Suddenly, Spider appears behind you, and a loud snap reverberates through the area, sending shivers down your spine. Within seconds, Spider is calling out your name, but it's Lo'ak who acts swiftly, grasping your arm and knocking Kiri off balance, forcing her to cling desperately to the branch for dear life.

"Kiri!" you cry out, realizing that the attention of the Titanothere has now shifted to the four of you. Their heads lower menacingly, ready to charge. "Pull me up! Pull me up!" you plead, reaching out to grab Lo'ak with your other arm. Your priority is to reach Kiri. Although Spider is helping, the weight difference between him and Kiri makes it impossible for him to lift her to safety alone.

Finally, with Lo'ak's assistance, you regain your balance on the branch. Without wasting a moment, all of you rush towards Kiri just as the Titanothere relentlessly ram into the tree. "Shit!" Spider curses, clutching your shirt with one hand while trying to support Kiri with the other.

Kiri winces in pain as she's yanked up, her leg scraping against the rough surface in the process. Holding onto her tightly, the three of you scramble down to the base of the tree, seeking shelter from the thunderous blows reverberating through the air.

Spider's face contorts with fear as he points out the deep gash on Kiri's calf. Panic surges within you as you realize the severity of her injury.

"Kiri's hurt!" Spider exclaims, his voice trembling with concern.

Your mind races, desperately searching for a solution. "We need to get back to highcamp," you say, your voice laced with urgency. "Maybe if we wait there, the Titanothere will lose interest in us." You glance at Lo'ak, seeking his agreement. He clings to the tree, his expression cautious. 

"I've never been the target of a Titanothere before," Lo'ak whispers, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos. "Let try it…" Another resounding impact shakes the ground, emphasizing the imminent danger that surrounds you.

After what feels like an eternity, the relentless assault of the Titanothere subsides. The massive creatures gradually retreat, their thunderous footsteps fading into the distance. Exhausted and relieved, you and your companions make your way back to highcamp, treading carefully through the dense foliage.

Entering the familiar hut, a wave of unease washes over you as you find Neytiri, Jake, and Neteyam gathered inside. Their expressions reveal deep concern as they take in the sight of Kiri's injured leg.

Jake's voice carries a mix of worry and authority as he demands an explanation, his arms enveloping Kiri gently as he eases her down onto a comfortable mat. His eyes search for answers, and he turns to Lo'ak, his gaze filled with expectation. "Tell me what happened," he implores, his tone urgent.

Lo'ak takes a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility, and proceeds to recount the events. "We thought it would be a good idea to show [Name] a Titanothere from a safe distance," he explains, briefly glancing at Neteyam, who shoots him a disapproving look, "[Name] lost her footing, and I rushed to help. Then Kiri slipped and got her injury while we were trying to help her."

Neytiri, having heard enough, rises from attending to Kiri's wound. Her gaze locks onto you, her expression of anger as she confronts you with a sharp hiss, baring her teeth threateningly, "So, this is your doing?" she accuses, her voice filled with frustration.

"Neytiri!" Jake's feeble attempt to diffuse the tension only adds to the chaos, as her fury distorts her gestures into confused jabs.

"No! A demon like you has no place near our children! It was a mistake to trust you!" Neytiri inches closer, her piercing gaze penetrating your very being. Lo'ak steps forward, assuming a defensive stance, ready to shield you from the torrent of her wrath.

"But that's not true!" Lo'ak's voice rings out with defiance, his unwavering loyalty burning bright, while you stand there, your heart pounding in your chest, aching with a mixture of guilt and despair. It feels as if the fragile bond your tried to build is quickly crumbling into irreparable pieces, and the weight of it all threatens to consume you.

"What were you thinking?!" Neteyam's voice reverberates through the tense silence as he took a bold step forward, his eyes fixed on you. The usually calm and composed warrior now leaks of an intensity that caught everyone off guard.

Stunned and at a loss for words, you stood frozen in place, your heart sinking with each passing moment. How did the situation escalate to this point? It felt as if the entire weight of Pandora's disapproval was bearing down on you, even though you were not the originator of the ill-fated idea.

Neteyam's voice carried a hint of accusation as he continues, his words laced with a mixture of anger and concern, "You're untrained. Your recklessness could have gotten her killed—all of them killed!"

Lo'ak interjects, cutting off Neteyam before he could say more, “She could have been killed too! Be thankful that neither of them are.” 

Neytiri scoffs dismissively, rolling her eyes at her son's defense, "She is not part of our family. Her life holds no significance to us."

Gasps are heard all around the room, faces morphing into expressions of anger and sadness, while yours is filled with mortification at the notion of your insignificance. You didn’t matter to them. The realization that you are deemed disposable by those you hoped to gain acceptance from sends a wave of terror coursing through your veins, shattering any remaining illusions of belonging.

Lo'ak and Kiri immediately protest against their mother's callous statement. Their impassioned words, however, fall on deaf ears thanks to Neytiri's indifference. The ringing in your ears grows louder, pulsating with the ache in your chest.

Spider's firm grasp anchors you, pulling you back from the tumultuous emotions swirling around the hut. His expression reflects the gravity of the situation, mirroring the somber atmosphere that hangs heavy in the air. In that moment, you find solace in his presence, yearning to seek refuge within his small, comforting frame, away from the chaos that surrounds you.

Jake's voice breaks through the tension, "Alright, that's enough. Spider, [Name], why don't you both head back to base? I'll come visit you later." His furrowed brow reflects his dissatisfaction with the current situation, yet he takes the lead in guiding you out of the hut, despite your weakened state.

As you slowly retreat, Kiri's voice pierces the air, carrying a palpable sense of worry and remorse, "[Name], Spider," she calls out, her eyes fixed upon your diminishing figures, her voice a whispered plea for understanding and reconciliation.

Lo'ak emits a low growl from deep within his chest, his gaze locked on your form. Frustration and anger course through him, fueling his resolve to challenge the injustice of the moment. He lets out a a resounding declaration when you both disappear behind the hut flap, "This is bullshit."

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[blind0demon]

Little Soldier

Summary: Your work alongside the recom team went on normally until your body went into a heat cycle and you couldn't help but keep getting distracted from your missions. Fortunately, your Colonel knows just the right way to help you out. 

Pairing: Na'vi! Miles Quaritch x Na'vi! Gender Neutral! Reader 

Genre: Smut

Word Count: 4,3K

Author's Note: No amount of water will stop my thirst for this man. Part two is up, you can read it here:

"I think they're gone" You whispered, as quietly as possible so as not to attract anyone to your location. Quaritch nodded and the both of you got out of your hiding place from under a big tree. None of you said anything, too busy looking for any signs of danger as you kept your weapons ready. After a moment of making sure that nothing is going to kill you, Miles turned towards you with an angered expression. "Do you have any idea that your distraction almost got both of us killed?" He snapped, making you look away in embarrassment, your fingers nervously tapping on the surface of your gun.

"I'm sorry, Sir. Won't happen again" You answered with humility, trying to ease the tension. It seems to have worked, as your Colonel signed in frustration and ordered you two to keep moving forward and find the rest of your crew. The two of you split from your team when you were attacked by Na'vi warriors as you were venturing through the forest. Fortunately, you were able to resist the attack without any losses. In the middle of the confrontation, you hid behind a tree to reload your weapon and couldn't help but stare at Miles.

Your hungry eyes unwillingly trailed through every part of his body, his focused expression, his muscles tightening and relaxing as he was shooting, everything about him made you lose concentration of the situation and almost get yourself killed. The man noticed you looking at him and pushed you on the ground, before an arrow could hit your skull. You were so busy admiring your Colonel that you didn't even realize that you were partially exposed from your hiding spot and became an easy target.

Luckily, your partner saved your life. You didn't have much time to think as the two of you began running away from the firing shots and before you knew it, accidentally fell into a trench that was impossible to notice. You met the ground many meters down the deeper part of the forest. You were lucky to be in the body of an Avatar as normally you'd break most of your bones from the impact but instead, you only received a few bruises and cuts.

Nothing serious happened to Miles either, at least those were good news. The two of you waited for a few minutes, trying to make sure that you weren't followed and now you're here. Your feet dragged you after your partner as you tried to find a way out of this place. Barely any light shone through the thick tree crowns and gigantic leaves while everything around you seemed quieter than usual. Unfortunately, your communicators broke due to the fall so you had no other way but to move forwards and find your team on your own.

You wanted to hit yourself in the head for being this stupid and ruining everything but you tried to keep your cool in front of Quaritch. You could sense this weird feeling growing in your body again as you looked at the man walking a few steps ahead of you. Your ears tilted back from the discomfort you experienced when you tried to keep yourself together and not think about Miles again and the things he could do to you.

Becoming a recom, you only expected the positive things coming from a new body. You are stronger, faster and overall a better version of your human self. However, after a few weeks of living as an Avatar, you noticed something unusual happening to you. You become horny but not just once in a while, everyday. At first, you thought nothing of it and assumed that it would go away after a few days but it didn't.

Your thoughts constantly drifted away into scenarios of you getting intimate with a certain person, your Colonel. Guilt ate you up every time you thought about him in an inappropriate way and you hated your organism for letting you know how much it wanted to get screwed by Quaritch. It felt as if your mind and body were split in two. Perhaps, you were in a mating cycle but you've never heard of it happening to Na'vi before and you felt too awkward to ask anyone else about it.

You are a soldier, you were trained to control yourself in the worst moments of war and now you can't even do that. You felt like a disappointment compared to your recom team and to Miles. You were never attracted to him as a human but after you two became Avatars, it changed. Out of all the other crew members, your stupid brain had to choose Quaritch to root over. Maybe it's because he was physically your age now and his features weren't too bad to look at either but you mostly assumed that it was because he had authority and was your leader.

Your dirty mind couldn't stop imagining him pinning you to a wall or bed and forcing you to listen to every command he'd give you. This man brought out thoughts from you that you never suspected yourself to have and it disgusted you. Unfortunately, you also loved it. A sight left your lips as you rubbed your hand against your face to put yourself together. Who knows when your problems will start to bother others to the extent that it might cost you your job.

What would the RDA do? Send you back to Earth as an Avatar? Right now, all you have to concentrate on is getting out of this place, seems easy. It would've been simple, if you were to walk with anybody else but Quaritch. You bit your lower lip, just imagining what those slim fingers could do to you while your eyes stared at the man's hands like a creep. So much for your focus on the mission.

Eventually, you encountered a river on your way and decided to rest nearby for a few minutes. You used the time to wash your face with the cold water to clear your head while Miles tended to the few wounds he got from the impact. Compared to you, he earned a few more injuries. It made you feel even worse about yourself for screwing up. "I'm really sorry for what had happened. I've been just… really distracted lately" You said, breaking the silence and catching his attention.

"It's alright, everyone fuckes up sometimes. Do you need to talk about it, (F/N)?" He asked, while turning towards you and looking at you in interest. You immediately tilted away and shifted in your seat. "No, I'd rather keep it to myself" You murmured awkwardly, trying to make it sound as polite as possible, your cheeks slowly turning red. No way in hell that you're telling him any of your recent thoughts. You won't be able to look at your reflection in the mirror for a week.

You felt his gaze lingering on your body as you tried to keep yourself busy, staring at the moving water in front of you. "If it's what I think it is, don't worry. You're not the only one" Quaritch said with a grin on his face and began to laugh when you shot your head in his direction and stared in shock. "What?!" You shouted in embarrassment, making sure that you didn't just hear things. "Well, I've also noticed myself lately getting a little 'distracted' as you'd say, and by observing you for the past few days, seems like I'm not the only one" He concluded, making you hit your hand against your forehead.

You wondered who else also realized your weird behavior recently, you had no idea that the others also experienced the same phenomenon. It felt shameful to think that you were the only one who struggled with keeping it a secret. Maybe it's because you're the youngest in the group, at least when you were a human. "I'm trying to keep myself at bay, I really do" You explained, hoping that he wouldn't think of you differently from now on. You wanted to be known as one of his best soldiers, not somebody who died in action because they couldn't stop feeling horny.

"I know, it's hard for everybody and I have to admit, it felt adorable to know that you couldn't keep your eyes away from me. I didn't know I was this charming" Quaritch jokes, only adding to the sheer embarrassment you felt from the whole situation. "Maybe I did, but it's not like I can control it! My mind just drifts away whenever I… look at you" You mumbled, just realizing what you just confessed to him.

You watched in horror as the man looked at you in surprise, before a smirk painted his face and he got off the ground. "Oh? And what exactly were you thinking about me?" He asked intrigued, putting a hand on his hip. Your heart was beating like crazy and you wondered how he didn't hear it from afar, he was just messing around, right? "Nothing, just forget what I said!" You shouted, your tail nervously sweeping around the grass behind you.

Your nervous babbling only seemed to amuse him more as he took a few steps towards and kneeled down to face you. He could only notice now how turned on he made you. Your chest was moving rapidly, your pupils were dilated and legs tightly held together as if they were going to fall off. "Look, I'm responsible for my team and for their members so when there's a problem, I will do anything to solve it" Miles said in a deep tone, while keeping eye contact.

You were barely able to keep yourself together by how close he was as his words hit your twitching ears. "It looks like I need to put my soldier back to their great shape again, what do you think, (Y/N)?" Quaritch's fingertips trailed along the side of your face as he gently spoke, his eyes digging into your own. Everything felt like a fever dream, you would've never imagined him offering anything like this to you. You felt like you could climax just by listening to him talking like this to you.

"But like, right now in the forest?" You asked, your voice trembling from the excitement and stress. "I told you before, we eat like Na'vi, we ride like Na'vi, we think Na'vi and we might as well fuck like Na'vi" Damn it, he really was serious. His words driften from your ears right into your lower regions, only worsening the arousal you felt for him. At this point, you wouldn't mind him screwing you up even on an aircraft full of people, you just needed to get off this horrible feeling. 

"So, what will it be? Will you let me help you?" Quaritch asked, gently tugging onto the metal pendant wrapped around your neck, the slight force adding to the excitement. You swallowed and nodded nervously, not sure if you could trust your voice at that moment, earning a smile from him. "Good answer. So, what were you thinking about the two of us?" He gave you another question, eager to know every detail of your fantasies that might help him work you up.

"We had sex" You blurted out matter of factly. The man smiled awkwardly and tilted his head to the side. You weren't exactly the best at showing your thoughts, didn't you. "Yeah, I could've predicted that… How about we start with something lighter?" He proposed, before resting his hand on your cheek and pressing his warm lips against yours. He could feel them tremble as you tried to relax under his ministrations, too exhilarated from everything happening around you.

His kisses felt surprisingly gentle and you soon calmed down and started returning the gesture as well. Every movement of his skin against yours sends thrills to every fiber of your body. You flinched away from him when you felt the top of his tongue run along your lower lip. "What a baby. First time?" Quaritch chuckled, making you look away and nod. It felt embarrassing to admit that even when you were in your late twenties before you died, you still hadn't slept with anybody besides for sharing a few kisses.

On Earth, you spent most of your time focusing on your career as a soldier and didn't care too much about relationships. The same thing happened on Pandora. "Don't worry, I will take good care of you" Miles reassured you with a toothy grin and pressed his lips against yours yet again but this time, you didn't resist when he deepened the kiss. You signed, as his tongue began exploring your mouth, the alien sensation radiating onto the rest of your body, setting it on fire.

You tried to mimic his movement, sloppily kissing him as well while your hands gripped the tall grass beneath you, too scared to touch him. Even if he allowed you to do this, he still felt inaccessible to you as Quaritch was still your leader. Like a forbidden fruit. Your lips separated after an intense session, gasping for air as you looked at each other in hunger. Miles looked even hotter than before, as he was now eyeing you like a predor about to eat its prey alive.

You wouldn't mind it though, too fixated on the throbbing feeling in your body, that was begging to be released. The last bits of rational thinking left you, when the man began sucking on your exposed neck, earning a moan from your lips. You couldn't help the lewd noises escaping, he just felt too good. In this state, your skin was even more sensitive than ever and it didn't allow you to keep quiet and collected.

Noticing your reaction, Miles took another step and traced his fingers along the exposed skin on your stomach in a tantalizing manner. His other hand took a firm hold on the back of your neck to keep you in place, as he kept on leaving marks under your chin. Your recom throat communicator stood in his way, so he swiftly took it off and kept going. You also wanted to touch him, but you had no idea what you were supposed to do in that situation, so you awkwardly wrapped your arms around his neck and let your fingernails drag across the bruises on his shoulder.

You smiled as Miles sighed each time your delicate digits traced patterns across his sensitive skin. You let out another moan when Quaritch found your sweet spot, that you had no idea existed, and began enthusiastically sucking on it, entitled to break you. Your fingers curled around his queue, enough to make his groan in excitement as his hand grabbed your hip, giving it a squeeze. His other limb roamed over the abs beneath your shirt, feeling your muscles tense underneath his touch, turning him on even more.

"Oh fuck, I will make you go insane once I stuff you nice and good" He growled in your ear. "You want this right? Having me fuck your tight little ass, don't you, soldier" Miles continued, taking a firm hold of your jaw and making you look at his heated eyes. "I do, Sir. Please" You breathed out, feeling your body tremble for more. "Let's get you ready then" Miles said with a satisfied smile, knowing how desperate he made you, just by making out. He got you wrapped around his finger.

You were told to lay on your elbows and relax as he will do all the work of preparing you for him. Relaxing wasn't exactly possible in your state as you laid on the grass nervously with your heart beating like you've just ran a marathon. You watched him slowly unbutton your pants alongside the belt and get rid of them and you sighed as the air hit your most vulnerable parts for him to see. Quaritch chuckled, seeing you fully exposed, swollen and throbbing just for him.

"Aww, it seems like someone's been struggling for a long time. Don't worry, sweetheart, I will make it up to you" He cooed and licked two of his fingers, before rubbing them around your opening. You didn't need a lot of preparation, as you were already on edge for days on end, so he didn't waste much time and pushed one of his fingers inside of you. You moaned at the pleasurable feeling, never experiencing anything like this before but it felt amazing.

Your muscles hugged him tightly, tempting him without intent as he worked on you. Soon, he joined another finger to stretch you further and you were now a mess underneath him, thrashing and moaning at the astonishing sensation he provided you. The burn of his digits twisting your insides gave you a bit of discomfort but you knew that the real deal will be a greater challenge. Just seeing the tent in his pants told you enough about his size and lord, it's going to break you.

You tried not to think about it at the moment, too busy consumed by the ecstacy in your system. After all, it's not everyday when you're getting fingered by Miles Quaritch. This moment will stay in your memories till the day you die. A curse left your mouth, when you started to feel your orgasm rapidly approaching but to your disappointment, your partner stopped and pulled his glistening fingers out of you, before you could finish.

You groaned at him, making him laugh at your pathetic state. "Easy, soldier. The main course is about to begin" He reassured you and took off his pants alongside his underwear, freeing his hard member that was ready to tear you apart. Just like you predicted, he was enormous. It's not like, you've seen anybody else's equipment but you could tell that he wasn't just average. It was hard and pulsating as Miles stroked himself while spreading your legs apart.

"This may hurt a little" He warned you, before entering you, immediately making you hiss in pain as you gripped his shoulder. Quaritch stopped halfway in, drawing little circles on your hip to try and ease your discomfort. The word 'little' didn't really identify the feeling you had at this moment as the burn spread through your body, making you ache. At the same time, you also experienced a great rush of dopamine from the pleasure of his manhood inside of you.

It's what you wanted from the start. No matter how many times you tried to touch yourself and make the terrible feeling go away, it was never enough. But now, your body finally got what it desperately craved for. "I will give you a moment to adjust, okay?" Miles asked, making you feel better to know that he cared about you but you're not going to wait. "No, keep going" You answered. "You sure?" He asked again and you only nodded, closing your eyes to endure another wave of pain when he pushed himself even further than before.

You breathed rapidly, trying to relax yourself while your muscles hugged his member, that was now fully seated inside of you. "Feels good, doesn't it? It will get only better once you get used to me" Miles breathed out, leaving kisses on the side of your face to soothe the pain you felt. "It's alright. I've been hunted, shot at and just fell a few stories down on the ground, I've been through worse" You joked, making him grin in amusement of how you tried to ease the situation.

"I know that you can handle it, you're my little recom after all" He said seductively and started to roll his hips against yours, making you melt at the sensation. It was already hard not to make a sound when he was fully inside you but now, that his manhood was massaging every sensitive part in your body, you couldn't help but be vocal about it. The pain slowly disappeared each second he thrusted into you, as you dug your nails into his back, unable to control yourself.

Your partner tugged his arms behind your shoulders and changed the angle of his entry to meet every sensitive spot in your body. Miles also wasn't silent about his experience. Each time you scratched his skin a little too hard, he growled in your ear and hit your insides even harder than before. Your tight ass drove him crazy and he forced himself not to lose control and fuck you like an animal. You were so pure and quiet compared to the others in his team that scraping you of the last bits of your innocence gave him the reason to live.

Just hearing your voice calling out for him made his member twitch in excitement as he was eager to finish, thanks to your body. "Harder, please" You begged him, wrapping your legs around his waist in an attempt to keep him even closer than before. "Eager, aren't we?" He taunted, before sliding out of you, changing the position and sitting up, forcing you on his lap. "How about you take the lead, tiger?" Quaritch proposed with a smug smile.

You had no other choice but to comply when your body started to complain about the emptiness it felt. You circled your arms around his neck as you sunk yourself on his hard erection, both of you sighing at the returning bliss. You sucked the air in your lungs as the pleasurable experience of getting filled by him came back. Your hips started to move up and down his shaft, a bit sloppy as you've never done anything like this before.

Miles helped you out and took a hold of your hips, guiding you along him and thrusting upwards. He was so deep inside of you, that you could feel his balls brush against your ass when you moved. You breathed heavily against his ear, occasionally letting a moan slip by as your fingers ran along his short dark hair. Despite the growing pleasure and approaching climax, your pace didn't slow down as it only nagged you to go faster.

Quaritch knew that you wouldn't break under the pressure, you were trained to endure it after all, even if it wasn't meant for fucking. He watched in delight as you screwed yourself on his shaft, your muscles spasming each time the tip hit a deep spot in your insides. You were basically the same height, the only difference being that he was built a bit more than you. A curse left your lips as you felt yourself on edge again, glad that this time Miles won't stop you from finishing.

The man noticed your struggle and leaned into your neck, biting hard into your flesh, breaking the final straw and making you climax. You left out a broken moan, your body tightening around Quaritch as waves after waves of ecstasy hit you like a train. Your body was trembling and shaking at the overstimulation Miles gave you, still chasing his own orgasm. He wasn't far behind either, letting his fingers sink into your hips as he rapidly thrusted in your insides, before pulling out and cuming on your exposed stomach.

You watched him come undone under you, tilting his ears behind his head and shutting his eyes, letting the pleasure wash over him. Even at this state, he tried to keep himself collected in front of you but you knew that he struggled a lot. The two of you sat in silence for a while, trying to catch your breaths and pull yourself together. You felt a tingling sensation as the remains of his fluids ran down your abdomen and on your private parts. You didn't mind it too much, It would've been harder to clean up if he came inside you.

Only now did you realize what you had done and how close your face was to his so you flinched away from him in embarrassment, making him laugh. After a moment of cleaning and dressing up, Miles helped you get up and you now stood facing each other, your legs still slightly shaking. "Everything okay?" He asked. "Yeah" You answered, feeling a grin slowly creep on your face, remembering all the shameful acts you've done just a while ago.

"I'm glad to be of service. If you even need my help again, feel free to ask" Quaritch said, winking. A blush crept on your face again, as your tail swayed in excitement. Will there be another time? Right now, you felt relieved that the throbbing feeling in your body finally disappeared. Your mind was no longer occupied with thoughts you shouldn't have, especially in the middle of a serious mission. But you didn't know how long it's going to last. Perhaps one day when you'll need him again, you may just come by to his room. Just maybe.

"Oh, you forgot something" Miles said, as you were ready to leave and walked over to pick up your recom throat communicator from the ground that he removed before. He took a few steps towards you and slowly put it back on its place around your neck, his fingers tickling your still fragile skin. You found it sweet that he cared for such little things but in reality, Quaritch just used the opportunity to look up close at the hickeys he gave you. They were barely visible on the dark blue patterns of your skin but they were still there, letting everybody know that he made you his. His little soldier. 

[heartcereql]

body electric

✩ neteyam sully x fem!omaticaya!reader

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒- you can not stand neteyam ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ Sing the body electric / I’m on fire ࿐࿔*:･ﾟ

CW- sorta enemies to lovers (best trope fr), kissing, alcohol consumption, english is not my first language, it gets a bit suggestive;)

A/N- my late bday gift for the lovely @urdeadpoet <333

not a single noise could be heard. even the breese was silent. it was you and the forest, in complete, utter, silence. the feathers adorning the edge of your arrow tickled your cheek. your fingers tightened the grip on the bow as your eyes fixed on the creature lurking beneath your position. 

you inhaled, calculating the inclination of the arrow. it was the perfect shot. you were ready to let it go.

“you’re gonna miss”

the suddenness of the voice startled you, even though you knew very well who it belonged to.

you had accidentally let go of the arrow, which landed away from your prey, scaring the animal away.

“great ” you huffed.

turning around with a disgusted look on your face, you found neteyam. he always seemed to appear when he wasn’t needed.

“relax, i was just trying to help” he said, lifting his hands up. he wasn’t.

“i don’t need nobody” you replied dryly.

“right, ‘cause we got each other” he sent you a teasing smile. one that you loaded. or at least you pretended like you did. 

you scoffed and walked past him, climbing down the tree in annoyance. he noticed your try of escaping and so he soon catched up.

“eywa, you were going to miss anyway. it was too tense. no need to be so dramatic” he commented as he landed.

“i do not recall asking you for help. save it” you told him with a glare, before walking off, leaving him in the forest with an amused grin on his face.

✩✩✩✩

young na’vis, moments away from their iknimayay, if they hadn’t passed it yet, hung out every once in a while. some of them were actually able to obtain sage of the night blossom, which was able to get na’vis drunk. sounded fun.

so you decided to give it a go. you knew some of the people, and so, you found yourself getting down at night to a secret spot in the forest, with a noggin of amber-like liquid that tasted awfully good and made heat rush up to your cheeks. 

life was starting to feel funny. you and a group of your friends were dancing under the pale moonlight to quiet music someone was playing. as you excused yourself to go for another cup, you bumped against a stiff chest.

“neteyam!!” you squealed as you saw him. but then, when reality hit you (as much as it could) “neteyam..”

“good to see you too”

you noticed the drink in his hand and remembered your own. more like the lack of. you tried to move past him, but stumbled upon a protuberance of the ground. lucky for you, neteyam was there to catch you.

“you okay?” he teased.

“ ‘m fine” you dragged out the last word. “i want something more to drink”

“yeah, i don’t think that’s a good idea. how many cups have you had?” he asked, eyeing your relaxed expression around him for once as he started drinking his own. 

“many many many” you let out a giggle “but youuuuu haven’t had anything. c’mon, have some fun!” you ushered him to finish his drink

✩✩✩✩

you couldn’t quite remember when the two of you started drifting away from the celebration, or when you had laid your head on his shoulder.

but there you were, close enough to hear the loud chattering from the party but far enough to hear each other’s breathing. you lifted your eyes towards his face, taking in, as much as your drunken state allowed you to, his features. it just felt alright. to look at him that way. 

he noticed your stare and turned to look at you. 

“what?”

“nothing just-” you interrupted your train of thought “your face glows!” you whisper-shouted. 

he let out a chuckly breath, confused by your admiring expression. you looked mesmerizing.

“you do! see, here” your fingers grazed over one of his luminiscent freckles “and here, and here..” 

you continued tracing his marks. but, mind clouded with alcohol, you miscalculated where you should support your hand and fell over. 

both you and him broke out laughing, before he helped you straighten up. still, you lost balance once again, so you placed your hands on his shoulder for support.

the contact sent an electric sensation over your bodies.

neteyam’s eyes flickered to your lips, before setting up to your eyes again.

maybe it was the alcohol, the moonlight, or maybe it was just the two of you, but he felt it.

and so, he leaned in, carefully testing the waters. you didn’t hesitate to reciprocate and kiss back, with eager passion that set you both on fire.

bodies tangled with each other. tongues fighting for dominance. hands exploring the other’s body. neteyam was the only thing your senses absorbed. and it felt oddly right.

you leaned into his touch, deepening the kiss, sighing, content, against his lips.

neteyam’s mouth abandoned yours, only to attach quickly at your neck, peppering kisses alongside. you exhaled, fingers tangled in his braids.

✩✩✩✩

you woke up to the lack of heat beside you, and to the rustling of grass that followed.

your head hurt like a toruk. your eyelids felt heavy. you didn’t want to get up, but whatever creature besides you kept moving anxiously.

you finally incorporated. stretching out before running your eyes through the scene.

yet if there was one thing you surely wasn’t expecting was neteyam. he was the one walking around.

memories flooded your mind. hands roaming over your body, the way his eyes glistened, his mouth against yours.

and your hair, your garments, smelled like him. for eywa’s sake. he didn’t take long to acknowledge your awoken presence. 

his eyes widened, only to fall immediatly to the ground, heat rising to his cheeks. neither of you said anything for too long. maybe because you were still processing the situation, maybe because you didn’t know what to say, or maybe because you didn’t want to confront the situation just yet. 

neteyam’s eyes shot up back to yours, mantaining your gaze for a few instants, only before running away, leaving you alone. 

you pretended it didn’t hurt you. it shouldn’t. so why did it?

✩✩✩✩

“so” he started

“so”

“it’s a nice evening” neteyam scratched the back of his neck.

“yup” you fidgeted with your fingers akwardly. it had never happened to you before. this nervousness or whatever it was.

“should we-“ “are we going-“ you both tried to talk at the same time

mumbling ‘sorry’s, your eyes avoided his again.

what on eywa’s name was happening to you? it was neteyam. yet the electricity from his touch didn’t fail to make you unsure about your feelings.

your back was now facing him.

“was it a mistake” he softly promoted the question.

your heart tightened in your chest.

“i..” you truly didn’t know what to say. “i don’t know”

“you don’t know? or you don’t wanna know?”

“neteyam i..” you turned abruptly to face him; however he was closer than you thought, causing you to stumble.

you gripped his forearms for support, letting go immediately after.

“sorry” you whispered.

“don’t be” he was the one holding you now. “i’m not”

“i don’t think i am either” your face felt hot. you avoided his gaze.

“so it is okay if i do this?” he asked with a smirk.

neteyam held you closer to his body, electric.

[musesofawolf]

Day 30 - Two Heads are Better than One

Kaleh'a was perplexed.

Staring down from his perch on a large oak tree, he was mildly amused by the sight below him, and could understand why the request had come up. Sleeping beneath him, peaceful as could be, was a two headed Ziz, both necks stretched in different directions, and attached to a rather large body. It was unique, very unique, likely a once in a lifetime phenomenon, and one that proved a bit challenging for the skilled hunter.

Normally, he would take one shot and fell a beast like this, but now, with two centers of control, he wasn't so sure taking out one head would be enough. He tapped his cheek with a fist, humming softly, as he tried to come up with a good plan.

He could try to maneuver his way into a position where one arrow could take out both heads, but that was putting a lot of faith in his bow. Plus, the darned thing would have to wake up and move its heads around into that position. Which didn't seem likely. Maybe he could somehow tie the two heads together? Except the rope he pulled from his satchel was...not nearly long enough or strong enough. And he didn't want to leave the mutated Ziz to go get help. Finding it had proven hard enough. So what could he realistically do to take out this beast alo-

"Hey."

Kaleh'a jumped, straight up like a cat, nearly losing his balance on the branch as he scrambled around to stare at the man who had appeared behind him so silently he could have been a ghost, his eyes widening as he took in the white hair, white and black coat, and he breathed out a sigh of relief. "By the Twelve, Thancred! Are you trying to kill me?"

Thancred just smirked at the young Miqo'te, shrugging as he leaned casually against the tree trunk at his back. "No, not on purpose at least. But you do have the best reactions." Kaleh'a grumbled something under his breath, and Thancred chuckled, before he glanced down at the Ziz. "Well, I was expecting you to already be finished when I arrived. Had need of you to run a letter."

Kaleh'a let out a little "Hmm?", also staring down at the Ziz, before he sighed and sat on the branch too. "Well, I was expecting to be finished too, but, two heads."

"Are better than one." Kaleh'a gave him a look, but it was lost on the white haired man, whose eyes were closed and hands behind his head. "Need help?"

For a moment, his pride almost wanted him to say no, but in reality... "Actually, yes. A Ziz with one head is dangerous enough. But with two, I don't have a good way to..." He made a motion of his finger across his neck, and Thancred opened an eye just in time to see it and nod.

"Fair enough. I can drop down on a head as you take a shot. Shouldn't prove too difficult, as long as you don't miss."

Kaleh'a scoffed, and shook his head with a grin. "As long as you don't miss, old man. Sure your back can take the fall?"

Thancred scoffed, and swung his legs off the branch, readying a dagger as Kaleh'a unslung his bow and nocked an arrow. "You worry about yourself. Ready?"

Kaleh'a drew back the bow string and nodded, sighting the left head and murmuring, "I've got the left. Ready."

"Perfect." And Thancred dropped down towards the right head at breakneck speed, Kaleh'a timing his release so that his arrow struck at the same time as Thancred's dagger.

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

"Well, that was fun."

Thancred brushed off his coat, cleaning his dagger in the grass as Kaleh'a swung down from the tree, striding over to his arrow and pulling it free, a clean shot and a clean stab from them both having felled the sleeping beast with narry a squawk, Kaleh'a spinning the arrow back into his quiver after cleaning the head and shaft. "I keep forgetting how reckless you are," Kaleh'a chuckled back, turning towards Thancred as he shrugged.

"I am hardly Reckless, more...calculated." The look he got from Kaleh'a was one that said the Miqo'te did not believe a word he said. The Hyur just shook his head and glanced around, before pulling out the letter he had for Kaleh'a to deliver. "Anyways, think you can get this to Limsa?"

Kaleh'a took the letter, hummed thoughtfully at the name on the sealed letter, and nodded. "Yah, easy. Something brewing?"

Thancred snorted, and lifted an eyebrow. "When is something not?"

[acethatlovesdinos]

I made a post way early in my blog about how certain fe3h characters would be better if they weren't so dedicated to a single other person or ideal.

for example; Seteth and Flayn are wonderful people, with unique personalities and a well-developed design and backstory.

At several points in the story, regardless of route, you can even see Seteth question some of Rhea's actions and decisions....and it left me longing for a story in which I could fight alongside the Empire but maintain a bond with my beloved saints. (I'm sorry I really just don't like the archbishop leave me be lmao). Plus she kinda loses her mind during CF too, and I'm positive they'd catch on and be concerned.

Anyway so this story is gonna take place at some point along Crimson Flower, and Reader is meant to be the former professor of the Black Eagles. Whether it's Byleth or a self-insert, that's for you to decide, anyway enough rambling let's goooo

1.6k words, angst galore

first person SetethxReader(Byleth?) Alois also makes an appearance

warnings: Literal warzone in the beginning. Reader is shot (with arrows). not sure if it counts as a warning but I used the term "saints" and "goddess" in the context where we usually would say "god" since it seemed fitting lol

~~~~~~~

I sent off the last messenger hawk, watching it fly over the horizon and out of sight.

Communication and negotiations have gone surprisingly well so far, and the Church has agreed to meet up and talk. Edelgard and I agreed that talking it out would be a good first step to avoid more bloodshed, but just in case they had other plans, we would be bringing an army with us.

The day we set for negotiating finally arrived, and we rode up to Magdred in droves. Seemed they had the same idea, as an entire army stood behind Seteth, sat nobly on his wyvern's back.

I stepped off my horse, leaving my sword with it. The only movement in the field was between the high priest and myself, slowly walking toward one another. It was eerily silent, the wind whistling through the trees hushing every other sound.

We finally met in the center of the field, and I parted my lips to speak. "Seteth. I-"

I froze, my ears perking up just in time to pick up an all-too-familiar sound. I knew what it was, but I couldn't react fast enough.

SHNK.

SHNK.

SHNK.

All at once, before I could even move, three arrows found their place deep within my chest.

My heart pounded in my ears. I stared at Seteth, shock, fear, and betrayal rampant in my expression. I was unarmed. I was there to talk. Why did they...? But his eyes seemed to share the same feelings. It...didn't make sense.

Everything was silent, all sides too taken aback to even realize what happened.

My stance swayed, I staggered for a second, then I fell, the metal pieces of my armor clanking as they met the dirt.

Hell broke loose once my head hit the ground. I heard roars from both sides as each army advanced, enveloping the field in violent noise that had been silent mere moments ago.

Someone grabbed me. I...I couldn't tell who. My eyes wouldn't focus, my body felt cold. I was pulled into a protected embrace, and a distant voice echoed in my ears as the warmth of rushed, desperate healing spells washed over me.

"Y/N! Y/N, listen to me! Keep your eyes open! I need you to stay awake, please! Hold on!"

Saints above, everything ached when my eyes opened again. My pained groan alerted the guardian at my side, Alois, who looked like he hadn't slept in days. A shaken gasp made way for a relieved sigh and a tired smile, and I could tell it took a lot of internal force for him not to hug me.

A proper look around made me realize I was in the infirmary back at Garreg Mach, and three bloodied patches of bandage stretched across my torso. Ouch. Manuela knelt by a different cot, no doubt tending to another casualty from the fight.

"I...I don't remember much. I walked up to talk, and I heard the arrows...then...?"

Alois sighed. "Yeah. We had to retreat afterward, but so did they. We're...still trying to figure things out." As if he sensed the rising panic in my mind, he immediately followed, "your class is fine. Edelgard took the lead after you fell." I nodded, relief overtaking the stabbing pain in my chest. They weren't my students anymore, but I still call them 'my kids' now and again. He smiled weakly. "...just like you to be worried about your allies despite your own injuries."

I chuckled, but the moment was brief, and I clutched my chest. The rumble of laughter just shot the pain through me. With a sigh and a stretch, I pulled myself to sit up, getting a better look at the room. As expected, there wasn't a single empty cot in the room, and my heart ached for the wounded. My eyes scanned the room then froze as my gaze set on a guest, sitting in a chair near the door. His emerald eyes locked with mine, and a sneer pulled at my lips. His name fell from my mouth like acid, as if I spat a curse between the syllables.

"Seteth."

He almost flinched at my voice, looking away with so many emotions behind his eyes. Alois put a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Ease up, kid... he's the reason you're still breathing..." I paused. The...reason? No, that couldn't be right. "...he shielded your body with his own back, Y/N. Didn't dare leave your side til the battle ended, and after the fact, he carried you here himself."

So the arms I felt before I passed out...the relief of my injuries on the field...that was...him? I scoffed. "That can't be right..."

I looked back at the holy man, who had stood up and begun to approach. Now that I got a better look at him, he was completely different than how he once held himself. Tired circles lined his eyes, and his usually perfectly styled hair lay askew. His gilded headband was gone, and after a moment's realization, so too were his priestly robes, replaced by one of Hanneman's suits. Unable to help myself, I grinned. "Oh Saints, you look terrible. You a hostage now or something? Did we capture you?" I knew it was petty and childish, but Goddess, it felt good to get back at him in some way. Watching his cheeks redden at the comment made it even better.

He sighed, familiar frustration returning to his tone. "Y/N, the answer to this predicament is simple, you need only to listen." He took a breath, crossing his arms. "I have elected to resign from my position as Rhea's right hand."

...What?

He took a deep breath. "After careful consideration, I determined it would be safer for Flayn and me to make some...adjustments." he sighed. "If you truly are the goddess incarnate as Rhea said, then I have not yet abandoned my faith, but even if you are not, then I will not stray. I...I fear Rhea has...lost herself, in her efforts to overcome this. She is not who she once was, and I feel strongly that she no longer possesses the same values she once held."

I could only laugh, if only at the irony of the situation. "You've suddenly switched sides, and ever so conveniently now that we've got the upper hand. Siding with the victors, I see....can't say I blame you."

He frowned. "Beyond that, the battle that unfolded those days ago was the last time I was going to tolerate her going behind my back." At my confusion, he continued. "I questioned the archers after the fight, specifically the three who fired at you. I had given them explicit instruction not to make a move unless the Empire struck first. We had arranged that meeting out of mutual trust, and I had full intent of respecting that."

That made me frown more. "So then, why did they-?"

He sighed. "Rhea apparently pulled them aside before we left. She told them that you would be conniving and that you would attack me when my guard was down. She told them that once you were in range, they were to fire. Those directions were not known to me until I had practically interrogated them after the battle."

He shook his head. "My negligence caused you grave injury, and I felt...fully responsible for that. At this point I can only beg your forgiveness."

I was quiet for a long while, trying to process his words. "...You and I have stood as enemies for the last five years. Why weren't you just grateful for my downfall?"

"....because...we didn't...I..." he paused, trying to find the words. "I never wanted to be your enemy. But...I was blinded by my obedience to the Archbishop, and my dedication to Seiros. I never wanted this to happen. Flayn has been more at risk in these last five years than she ever was in years past, and the sooner we can conclude this war, the better it will be for us.

I sighed. Of course it was about her. Its always her when it comes to his concerns.

"But...more than that..."

I paused. There's more?

"I am well aware that there are no excuses...but I'd like to explain why I acted how I did." He sighed. "I've seen you fight for years now, watching you lead hundreds of battles to victory. Each and every time, you looked...ethereal, almost divine....untouchable. Somehow, in your incredible strength, your elegant visage, it left my mind that you could get hurt." He frowned. "I'm sure it sounds ridiculous now, but...that was it. And...the moment I saw the arrows pierce your flesh, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared. The realization, that...you could get hurt...that...that you could...die? I just...I don't know. I couldn't....I didn't want to face the possibility of a world without you in it."

He took a deep breath.

"Y/N. That scare made me realize something I should have seen long ago...and that I wish I could have pursued at a better time. But...the truth is...it is that I love you, Y/N."

I sat silent, shocked at every word as I stared up at the fallen priest. What? After everything that unfolded, after all that happened...so much going on...this is what he has to say? I didn't even know where to begin.

My face shifted, void of any feelings, any possible thought. A cold scowl hid my confusion and frustration.

"Get out."

He paused, opening his mouth to speak, but I held up a hand to interject.

"This...really isn't a good time for something like this. Please...just go."

Seteth stared at me, so many thoughts behind his now glossy eyes, so many words under a bitten tongue, but he nodded wordlessly and excused himself from the infirmary. Alois gently put a hand on my arm, but I brushed him away and laid back down. "Not now...please." i let out a shaky breath that I didn't realize I had been holding, and hugged myself as I tried to still my racing mind and heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aaaaaaaa that went so much longer than I expected but I hope you guys liked it! Let me know if a part 2 interests anyone! Aaaaa i love writing :]

[sombersummerskies]

A Champion's Love: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Divine Beast Vah Ruta Word Count: 2780 CW: Blood, minor violence

Want all the chapters? -> Masterlist

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The beast lunges forward and swings his sword downward, and you respond by dodging with a side-step. Your last second dodge leaves him with his guard down, and you’re able to make a few quick slashes with your broadsword.

The Lynel roars in outrage and stamps on the ground, ducking his head down and making an attempt to charge at you. With your left hand you lift your shield and grunt as he rams into it with full-force, enough to push you backwards and make your boots scrape the ground.

In anger you move the shield and kick the monster in the face before dashing away, leaving him stunned behind you. As you sprint you spot more shock arrows lodged in the trees, and even in the stone. You quickly change your footing and run, reaching out to try and pull the arrows out to gather them.

This was a mistake.

All too late do your ears register the sound of rushing air, and as you turn your head you’re punished with an arrow that just barely misses your head, but cuts open your cheek. You hiss as you feel blood run down your cheek and gather at your chin.

The man-beast huffs and pulls another arrow from his quiver, docking it in his bow and taking aim. But you're faster. You pull your own arrow, an ice arrow you’d managed to scavenge on the Great Plateau, and take aim. Perhaps it’s due to the adrenaline coursing through your veins, but you hit your mark.

He cries out as your arrow lodges in his forward, furiously dropping his bow and grabbing onto the wood to dislodge it. Your perfect shot leaves him dazed, and gives you a brilliant idea. Taking advantage of the fact that the monster is stunned, you run towards him and hit the side of his lower half, before hoisting yourself up and onto his back.

As if he were a horse.

The Lynel begins to gallop and kick his legs out in an attempt to buck you off, but his back is completely unprotected. You take your broadsword and make multiple swipes at his back, and by the time the beast is able to knock you off of him he’s been left severely wounded.

The battle rages on. You’re unsure how much time passes, but the sun has moved positions by the time your foe is slain. Despite all your dodging and footwork, he’d been able to land his fair share of blows on you. Your chest aches as you watch him collapse to the ground, his body turning to black smoke and seeping into the ground, leaving only his loot. You’re fairly certain he bruised your ribs.

As your rush fades, you wince at the sharp pain in your right arm. There was a cut in the Zora armor, and a gash in your forearm. You hadn’t realized the beast had managed to strike you, but now as your adrenaline disappeared you could feel the sting. Quickly, you dug through your bag with your uninjured arm and pulled out one of the elixirs you’d made in Zora’s Domain- something with a hearty lizard that was supposed to heal.

You toss back the bottle and drink, cringing at the taste but forcing yourself to swallow anyway. Stashing the now empty vial away, you looked down at your arm and saw the wound closing up. There was still some pain, but much more subdued, and you had a new scar to remember the battle by. You curiously pat your cheek and feel that the wound there had also closed, but the dried blood remained.

In the shallow lake you drop to your knees and attempt to clean yourself off, but there’s not much you can do about the blood that stains your armor. You lack the energy to care whether it’s your own or the Lynel’s. 

‘If only I had something like Mipha’s healing to truly fix myself up,’ you mused, thinking back to the memory of her from earlier. That whole situation still confused you, but you didn’t have time to dwell on it at the moment.

You gather the monster’s loot from the ground; his sword, shield, and a bundle of about fifteen shock arrows. There was also one of his hooves. You pick it up curiously and toss it in the air before catching it once more. It has some heft to it, and if it wasn’t a good elixir ingredient you’re sure you could pawn it off for a fair amount of Rupees.

After collecting yourself and your thoughts you hike up to the edge of the peak and look down. In the distance below you could see the East Reservoir Lake and Vah Ruta in the center of it, blowing its stream of water into the air. Unhooking the slate, you used it as a scope to get a better look of the area.

Someone stood on one of the platforms of the dam. A bright red Zora. ‘Well there’s Prince Sidon, a fish of his word. I’d better get down there quick.’

You hopped off the edge and unfurled your paraglider, heading straight for the prince. After a few minutes of gliding, your arms were feeling sore, but you landed safely on the smooth marble. At some point the sun had begun to set. You had to squint to adjust to the blue light from the luminous stone lamps.

Through your blinks you’re able to see Sidon approaching you and give him a smile. “Glad to see you're ready to- wait…” he paused, and looked as though he was sniffing the air. 

His eyes zeroed in on you, flickering between your face and your arm. His pupils had dilated noticeably. The expression he had caught you off guard. He quickly noticed his demeanor and straightened up, however, his gaze softening. “Pardon, is- is that blood I smell, young one?” he asks. He also stammered, something you’d never heard from him.

“Yeah, that Lynel up on the mountain got a few good hits on me. But I got him back too, don’t you worry” you say in jest, and the Zora visibly eases hearing this, “I got those shock arrows as payback. A whole bundle of them.” 

As proof you pulled them out of your quiver, the glow from the arrows casting a yellow light on the two of you.

“Impressive! These will prove quite useful in our task, I’m sure of it. Now, are you ready for this?” he asked, leaning down with a grin.

You nodded your head, giving him a grin in return, “More than ready! Let’s do this.” And in truth, you were. Defeating the Lynel of Ploymus Mountain has given you a significant boost in confidence.

“Wonderful! You never cease to amaze! Now then, let us go and appease that Divine Beast as one! Here we go!” he exclaimed, before jumping and flipping backwards into the water of the reservoir behind him.

You took a step forward, then stopped. There was no possible way you could shoot all four mechanisms from this platform, and you couldn’t possibly shoot at them while swimming either. “Uhhh… Sidon? How exactly are we doing this?” you asked, stepping onto the edge of the platform to speak to him.

“By riding on my back, of course, how else?” he answered, as though it were completely obvious. It wasn’t. And you found yourself flustered at being prompted to do such an action.

“Riding on your back? Sidon, is that even safe?” you continued, eyes a little wide as you rubbed at the back of your neck nervously.

“Of course it is! I’m the fastest swimmer of all the Zora, you’ve seen it with your very own eyes,” he replied, wading to the edge of the platform and looking up at you with sincere eyes, “I will keep you safe, young one. Always. I swear it.”

His hand came out of the water as he extended it to you. Nodding your head anxiously, you dropped your bag with whatever you didn’t need on the platform, only keeping your best weapons and some elixirs on you. 

You grab his hand and hold on tightly, momentarily distracting yourself by realizing how big his hands are compared to your own. You’re quickly pulled from your thoughts as he guides you into the water and onto his back.

You wrapped your legs around his torso securely, and kept one hand anchored on his shoulder for the time being. Your cheeks felt warm. Too warm. You mentally chastise yourself, thinking it silly that you could be feeling so flushed at a time like this. 

‘You’re not a little girl, pull yourself together.’

“Are you alright back there?” Sidon asked, tilting his head to look back at you. You nod your head yes in response, not daring to open your mouth and speak, goddesses-forbid you stammer and stumble in front of him. 

“Good. Now, gaze upon the Divine Beast’s back! Do you see those glowing, pink orbs? You will need to shoot each of them with a shock arrow! With your armor you can ascend upon the waterfalls to do so. So I shall take you right up to the side of the Divine Beast, and from there you can swim up and take aim,” he explained, before giving you a look of assurance, “I know you can do it! I believe in you!”

As he spoke you listened carefully, considering every part of the plan. It seemed solid so far, and honestly not all that difficult, especially not compared to what you’d just endured with the Lynel. “Are you ready?” he says, pulling you out of your thoughts.

“The most ready I’ve ever been,” you reply, attempting to emulate the same confident energy he always gave you.

With a sharp-toothed grin, he pushed away from the platform and began to speed through the water. You held onto him tighter than before, not wanting to get thrown off, but loosened your grip a tad when you realized it might’ve been hurting him. “Okay! Here we go!! Ha! I am unstoppable in the water!” he exclaimed with excitement, clearly loving the exhilaration.

As he swam closer, Vah Ruta began to react, jostling around in the water angrily. 

“Ruta is responding to our presence! I’ll move away and wait for an opening before we approach! I’ll keep going at full speed! It’s up to you to ward off Ruta’s attacks! Are you ready? Vah Ruta will undoubtedly use its ancient and mysterious powers against us- that will include hurling giant ice blocks that we will need to watch out for. I shall leave those to you!” he exclaimed, and your ears perked up at the word ‘ice’.

‘Ice? Ice! I can use my runes for this!’ you screamed in your head with a newfound excitement, grabbing the slate from your belt and lifting it up towards the Divine Beast.

Ruta had formed a trio of ice blocks, which looked just like the ones you could make with your Cryonis rune. With a grin, you broke each and every one that was sent flying towards you, clearing the path for Sidon.

“Here you go!” he shouted, bringing you up to the side where Vah Ruta had two massive waterfalls spilling out. As soon as he zipped beside one you hopped off his back and swam right up the stream of water.

Once up in the air you unfurled your paraglider, floating momentarily as you locked your eyes on one of the four pink mechanisms. Reaching for your bow, you loaded a glowing shock arrow and squinted, biting your lip in concentration as you aimed.

Time seemed to slow down as you sent the arrow flying, and you yelled in delight when you hit it on the first try, the pink orb’s light fading. Mid-celebration you quickly realized you were falling and didn’t have time to open your paraglider again.

Hitting the water, you gasped for air as you brought your head up, wading as you looked around for Sidon. For just a moment you began to panic, but he was by your side in no time and quickly helped you onto his back once. 

“That was spectacular! I didn’t know you had such spot-on marksmanship!” he complimented you, and you smiled at his praise.

“Thank you Sidon, but don’t celebrate too early. There’s still three more orbs to get.” you told him, patting his shoulder reassuringly. 

“Right you are,” he responded, nodding his head as he began swimming again. As the two of you rounded around Ruta, it created ice blocks again, this time making five. Unhooking the slate once more, you grinned as you took aim, knowing that if you kept this up you’d be on that Divine Beast in no time.

…

Minutes later all three remaining orbs had been shot thanks to the excellent teamwork of both you and Sidon. After nailing the last mechanism with a shock arrow, Sidon had caught you as soon as you’d hit the water, and you both watched as Ruta’s water stopped flowing and its trunk fell into the lake, making a massive wave splash up.

“Wow! That was astounding! An absolute thrill!” Sidon gasped, the waves pushing at the two of you and lapping against your chests. 

“Yeah!” you replied happily, smiling as you laid your head atop his to momentarily rest after the ordeal.

If you were too heavy or made him uncomfortable, Sidon certainly said nothing in protest. The two of you sat there in the water for a few more moments in silence, but it wasn’t an awkward silence where neither of you could find something to say. It was a comfortable one where neither of you felt the need to say anything.

The moment of peace was cut short as the Divine Beast began to move again. “Ruta is floating higher now! You wanted to venture inside it, right? I’ll bring you closer,” he said, turning his head as you lifted your own. The two of you locked eyes and had a split second of understanding. You knew what to do. He smiled at you, his eyes softening as he spoke in a softer tone, “we’re counting on you, young one. I know you’ll do good work in there.”

He swam closer to Vah Ruta, and you noticed a platform had unfolded on the side of its body serving as an entrance into the inside of it. “Well, here we are. Looks like this is where the real work starts. Nice job cutting off the waterflow from the Divine Beast, by the way,” he spoke, slipping in that last compliment as he helped you up onto the platform.

He supported your weight as you dismounted from his back, and with his strength was easily able to lift you up above the water. Your boots touched down on the hard stone of the platform. Perhaps you were overthinking it, but you felt as though his touch may have lingered on you for just a few seconds longer than necessary. Or maybe you just enjoyed the feeling of his hands on your waist-

‘What are you thinking?’ you hiss in your mind, cheeks flushing with warmth.

Getting a feel for your footing on Ruta, you turned to look back at Sidon while he floated in the water in front of you. The two of you smiled at one another, and shared a silent moment once more. There was some kind of unspoken tension in the air, and you couldn’t exactly figure out what it was, but you pushed it from your mind. It wasn’t important right now.

“Show the enemy no fear,” Sidon said semi-sternly, finally breaking the silence, “I’ll see you back at Zora’s Domain. Best of luck, young one.”

There was a rumbling as the Divine Beast began to move once more, lifting you up above the water while you stayed on the platform. You looked around before gazing back at Sidon one last time. He looked as though he had something else he wanted to say, but had quickly shut his mouth once your eyes met.

Anxious, you waved your hand at him, and he waved back with a small smile. You could tell he was concerned for you, almost scared. But you gave him a look of reassurance as he swam backwards, away from Ruta.

You watched as he dove below the water as the Divine Beast finished its movements. His red form sped through the reservoir, back towards the domain. 

You turned on your heels and sucked in your breath, ready to take back Vah Ruta.

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[maxineswritingcenter]

'Awstengyem - Jake Sully x Na'vi!OC x Neytiri

A Na'vi woman raised by the humans, a human who became Na'vi, and a Na'vi warrior. It sounds like the beginning of an interesting story. After being orphaned as an infant, and raised by the scientists at Central Command, she must help Jake Sully connect with the Omatikaya clan, while also making her own journey of self discovery. Plus, everyone is hot. I don't make the rules.

One person liked my post and now you all are going to see it. I have never done such an intense deep dive into into a fandom because... My God... There are so many details that are so central to one's identity as a Na'vi. So, just know that I always do my research to get the most canon-like stories out possible because it's what you deserve. Yes, this is another OC story, but it was that or adding (Y/N) and that just... seems wrong.

---

Origin stories always seemed to get a little fuzzy, it helped if you knew your own history and not what was taught to you by a second hand source. But her mother told her that she was a child orphaned by a fatal altercation between RDA soldiers and a lone band of the Olangi clan. She was all that was left, a three foot tall infant. They had almost left her to the viperwolves. But, the woman she called mother, Dr. Grace Augustine, urged them to spare the child. That she could important to human-Na'vi relations.

Lotta good that did.

The only Na'vi thing about her was her name:

Rey te Tawtute Kìreysì'ite.

Live of the Sky Person, Daughter of Grace. She couldn't figure out if Grace named her Rey because of its meaning, or because it would be easy for non-speakers to pronounce.

After learning that the sky people had corrupted a child of their clan, they refused to even look at her. And none of the neighboring clans wanted anything to do with her either.

None of that ever really bothered her though. Rey learned to speak Na'vi from her mother, learned about the flora and fauna of Pandora. She shared the love and fascination of every individual creature that lived. She knew of Ewya, but had never experienced the great mother a part from the moment after her birth, where communication with Ewya was a sacred practice. Now Rey couldn't get anywhere near the great spirit tree without getting shot at with arrows laced with poison that would stop her heart before she could bleed out.

Now here she was, watching the as new Avatar pilots exited the helicarrier that brought them to Central Command from the window of the lab. Soon enough, two scientists would be sleep walking in genetically altered Na'vi bodies that were grown from a petri dish and stuck in a pseudo-womb for a couple years.

"New recruits get here yet?" Max looked out the window.

"Yeah." Rey sighed, taking a breath of out her air mask that hung around her neck, "Can't wait for them to gawk at me." The oxygenated lab was fine for breathing comfortably, if it didn't make her a little light headed after a while. Her mother had created a blend that worked similarly to the masks the humans wore outside of the lab except this mask brought Pandora's atmosphere to her allowing her to be inside longer. Most of the scientists didn't care for her presence in the lab besides Dr. Max Patel and her mother.

"Well, that one." He pointed to the man who looked around the world with child-like wonder, "That's doctor Norm Spellman, he's a anthropologist, xenolinguist and xenobotanist."

"Goodie." She looked closer, "What about that one. The one in the..." It appeared to be a chair... with wheels on it.

"Wheelchair." He supplied the word.

Rey shrugged, taking another breath from her mask, "Yeah, that."

"That's Jake Sully."

"I thought his name was Tom. That's what it says on chamber two." She stood up from her hunched position, nearly hitting her head on the ceiling.

"Doctor Tom Sully was supposed to be the pilot for chamber two, but her died suddenly. So they brought his twin brother, Jake."

"Mom's gonna be pissed."

"Oh trust me, that ship has sailed." He patted her arm, walking away from her. She watched the human in the wheelchair, he wasn't looking around with his mouth wide open like doctor Spellman, he seemed to be seeing everything with fresh eyes.

He was interesting. Hopefully, he didn't die.

-

Rey sat in the bio-lab, looking over Tom Sully's avatar, well... Jake Sully's avatar. He seemed pretty handsome as far as Na'vi standards. There were features that would make him stand out against the others. Avatars, having been genetically matched to their drivers, had human DNA. So these Na'vi look-alikes had eyebrows and one extra finger and toe on each hand and foot. She touched her fingertips against the glass, watching the avatar jerk and twitch. It was a living thing, yet an empty shell. In a few hours, they would be decanted. Which was just a fancy word for birthing them from the machine that grew them. She was kind of excited to meet them.

Walking into the link room, Rey got a few annoyed looks from the newer scientists, but the older ones, ones that had known her for practically her entire life, smiled and waved. Leaning, against the wall, she crossed her arms and waited. Waited for her mother's face when she saw Jake Sully.

"They're comin' out!" One tech called. The PA system announced that that the current drivers were coming out of link.

"Oh god." Grace sighed as she got out of the chamber, her red hair shining in the lights. "Who's got my goddamn cigarette?" She was already grumpy. "Guys, what's wrong with this picture?" She held up her empty hand, promptly filled with a cigarette and lighter by a technician whom she thanked.

"You gotta stop smoking, mom, it's bad for your teeny tiny lungs." She pushed off the wall and walked towards her. Her bare feet padded against the grates of the lab.

"I'll stop smoking when you start wearing shoes in the lab." She said around a puff of tobacco.

"You're the one who told me I needed to start acting like a Na'vi, Na'vi don't wear shoes." Grace smirked up at her, batting away her blue tail as she attempted to flick her with it, smiling as she laughed.

"Grace Augustine is a legend." The lab doors hissed as the avatar drivers entered, escorted by Max. "She's the head of the Avatar Program. She wrote the book. I mean, literally wrote the book on Pandoran botany."

"Well, that's because she likes plants better than people." Max chimed in. "Here she is, Cinderella herself back from the ball. Grace, I'd like you to meet Norm Spellman and Jake Sully."

Grace's smile fell from her face, shrugged on her lab coat and sliding on her glasses from the coat pocket. She took a long drag from her cigarette and looked over them. Norm seemed bright eyed and bushy tailed, and he couldn't seem to figure out who he wanted to look at Grace or her.

"Norm. I hear good things about you. How's your Na'vi?" She asked.

"May the All Mother... Smile upon our first meeting." He spoke in fluent Na'vi, even adding in the 'I see you" gesture for good measure.

Kiss ass.

"Not bad. You sound a little formal." Grace replied back.

Norm chuckled, "I studied for five years... But there is much to learn."

Grace looked up at her. "Introduce yourself."

She could almost see Norm bracing himself for her to speak, like he was preparing to translate every word she would say so he could come up with a reply.

"How's it goin'?" She smirked, holding her hand out, "Call me Rey."

"Oh." He let out another nervous chuckle and reached up to shake her hand, "You speak English. N-not that I didn't think you wouldn't be able to." She shared a glance with Grace as she pulled her hand away.

"Grace? This is Jake Sully." Max brought her attention back to the other avatar driver.

"Ma'am." He held his hand out for her to shake.

"Yeah, yeah, I know who you are, and I don't need you. I need your brother. You know, the PhD who trained for three years for this mission?" Rey subtly flicked Grace's leg with her tail.

"He's dead." He said with no emotion, his arm had gone down to his lap. "I know it's a big inconvenience for everyone."

"How much lab training have you had?" Grace asked.

"I dissected a frog once." He replied.

What the hell was a frog?

"You see?" Grace looked to Max, "You see? I mean, they're just pissing on us without even the courtesy of calling it rain. I'm going to Selfridge." Grace began storming out of the lab.

Max followed, "No, Grace, I don't think that's a good idea."

"No, man, this is such bullshit!" Her boots stomped against the metal floor, "I'm gonna kick his corporate butt. He has no business sticking his nose in my department."

Max walked back to Jake, "Here tomorrow, oh-eight-hundred. Try and use big words."

"I think that went well, considering." Rey held out her hand for him to shake, "Nice to meet you, Jake."

"Rey." He nodded to her and shook her hand, glancing at her digits for just a moment.

She pulled her hand away, "Don't take it personally, those corporate assholes will do anything to see the native population as nothing but trees to be cut down. She's just really passionate about getting passionate people."

Jake sighed through his nose, "I really don't know a lot about this place. But Tommy did, and I think I owe it to him to stick it out."

She gave him a kind smile, ears perking up, "Good to know. And you never know, Pandora might grow on you." She winked and made her way out of the lab. He followed behind her, though, keeping up with the pace of her long legs. She had to lean down in the lab, it killed her back but she was used to it.

"So, uh, you an Avatar Driver?"

"Nope." She smiled down at him, wiggling her four fingers, "I'm the real deal."

"What's your story?" He asked and followed it up with a hasty: "If you don't mind me asking?"

"I don't. Most people don't ask." She took a breath from her mask, "Those trigger happy assholes opened fire on a nomad clan, I was the only survivor. Grace adopted me as her own."

"So, she's your mom."

Rey smiled, "Best mom in the world. It's really touching when the biggest bitch to some people is the most caring person you know. It makes you feel special." She nudged his shoulder, "And don't worry about Grace, you'll grow on her, I can already tell."

They traveled on for a while before she looked down again, "What about you? What's your story?"

"Uh, I'm a marine vet. I got paralyzed from the waist down in one of the many wars happening on Earth. Couldn't afford to fix it. Then... Then Tommy died. And now I'm here."

A hum echoed around them in the now empty hallway. She had led him all the way to his room without him asking for directions.

"Look, I know you probably feel out of your element here. I know I do. If you ever want to talk or just get away from it all. Let me know, I got a little place just outside the tree line. Whether you're in the Avatar body or this one."

Jake gave her a kind and genuine smile, a small one, but a smile nonetheless. He gave her a nod of thanks and opened his door by typing in the code to unlock the door.

"I might take you up on that, Rey."

"Hey, by the way..." He turned back to look at her, "What's a frog?"

-

The next morning, everything was in a rush. Rey watched as the team decanted the avatar bodies, moved them to observation, then came to the link room to send Norm and Jake off.

"So, how much link time have you logged?" Grace asked Norm, speed walking to her chamber. She noticed her mother always seemed to rush to her bed, like she couldn't spend one minute longer in her human form. When she was a little girl, she told Rey the reason was that Grace could actually pick her up and hug her in her avatar body when her human body couldn't. Her running theory was because Grace loved Pandora and every living thing on it, and being human reminded her too much of where she came from.

"About five hundred and twenty hours." Norm said, walking beside her. Jake and Rey followed behind.

"You're there." Grace pointed, "You're here."

"How much have you logged?" Grace asked the marine, pressing buttons on the pod's screen.

"Zip. But I read a manual."

She turned to look at Jake slowly, "Tell me you're joking." She watched Jake poke into the gel that would hold his body in place, a grin on his face.

"This is cool." He said, then used his strong arms to move himself into his bed, swinging his legs into the correct position. Grace attempted to help him with his, but he shook his head.

"Don't. I got this." He said. His legs swung like they were dead weight. She wondered what kind of accident had done this to him.

Grace's sigh brought her attention from his arms, "So you just figured you'd come out here, to the most hostile environment known to man, with no training of any kind, and see how it went? What was going through your head?"

Jake smirked, "Maybe I was sick of doctors telling me what I couldn't do." Grace just gave him a look before pressing on his chest to lay him back.

"Keep your hands in, arms in." She reached to move the chest plate over his body, "Head down." She pressed his head against the gel frame as he tried to look around. He tried to look again.

"Down. Just relax and let your mind go blank. That shouldn't be hard for you."

"See you on the other side." Rey gave him a small wave.

"Kiss the darkest part of my lily white-" Jake's words were cut off my the chamber closing, a hissing sound meaning it was locked tight.

"I like him." Rey said.

"Initiate link." Grace called, then looked up at her, "Good, then when he gets killed, you can host his funeral. Now head outside." She walked towards her pod. She shrugged, walking out of the link room and towards the doors that led to the outside.

-

Grace was the first to meet her after the Link had completed. She wore her usual outfit, a cropped tank top that read Stanford and shorts. Her mother's avatar always made her smile. As much as she loved Grace, human or Na'vi, there was just something so special about having a connection with someone who looked like her. She especially loved her hair, the two small braids that framed either side of her face were Rey's handiwork, even the multicolored beads.

"Oh look at me." Grace moved her head from side to side, looking in the mirror in the avatar lodge, "So pretty." She smiled down at the Na'vi child.

"Thank you so much, yawntutsyìp!" She picked Rey up in her arms, cuddling the giggling child close.

Those were the good old days.

"Is that a new skirt?" Her mother asked, pulling at the forest green skirt around her waist.

Smiling, she nodded, "Made it myself out of some old curtains laying around." She definitely didn't steal the curtains. Definitely. And she definitely didn't dye the curtains a green color and adorn it with beads.

"It's cute." She complimented. "Not very good for hunting, but it's cute."

"I don't think the fkio I hunt are really caring what I wear." Before Grace could reply, commotion came from the main compound.

"Jake! We're not supposed to be running!" Their ears perked up at the sound of Norm's concerned call. What they witnessed was Jake Sully, running. Actually running. For the first time in years. Rey couldn't imagine what it felt like, to be given something you had lost long ago. She grinned as he laughed, pushing his legs further.

"Don't get attached, Rey." Her mother nudged her, a hint of a smile on her face.

'Too late.' She thought to herself. The two of them walking towards him.

"Hey marine." Grace called. He seemed to look them both up and down.

"Grace?" He asked with a smile of disbelief.

"Well, who'd you expect, numbnuts?" She grabbed a spartan fruit from the orchard that Jake had stopped in, throwing it to him, "Think fast." He caught the fruit and inspected it.

"Motor control's looking good." Grace smiled. She knew that he would grow on her.

Jake took a large bite out of the spartan fruit, the juice leaking down his chin. He stared at them in amazement, letting out a noise that told them that it was good.

"Rey, why don't you show him around. Maybe find something for him to wear." Grace said, walking past him. Jake suddenly became aware that the back of his hospital gown was wide open.

"Oh, uh." He used one hand, reaching behind him to close the gown. But he release it suddenly when he felt his tail touch his hand. He turned around in a circle, attempting to get a glimpse at his new appendage. Rey giggled at him, grabbing his arm and tugging him towards the lodge.

"Come on, sngä’iyu."

After finding some clothes for him to wear, see shows him around the Avatar Plaza as she called it. There were plenty of options for exercise, some obstacle courses for the RDA Avatars. She showed him the different crops they grew and their Na'vi names. He seemed to be taking in some of the information, but his eyes mostly remained on her.

"So..." She nudged him as they walked side by side, "What's it like?"

He shook his head, grinning widely, sharp canines framing his smile, "It's... Incredible. It feels like every breath I take is a blessing and..." He chuckled, "Hell, I can walk. I can run. Jump. Come on, you say jump, I say how high, ya know." He playfully jogged in a circle around her backwards.

"Careful." She brought him back to her side, "Last thing we need is for you to trip in your fancy smancy body."

"Yeah, yeah." He grinned, looking down at her slightly. He could have never imagined looking at Rey from this angle. Even though she was alien, Rey was just familiar enough to what he knows. She spoke like him, cracked jokes, she was easy going. She was fascinating. He hadn't noticed, but his long, blue tail was moving towards her, something that he would have to get used to.

Her amber eyes caught his staring, a little blush on her cheeks, "I did your hair, you know." She batted at his neural queue, hidden underneath an intricate braid.

Jake grabbed at the braid, looking over it, then he got a little surprised when he felt a unfamiliar pull at the back of his skull. As he felt it more, it felt like the tail connected to him at the base of his spine.

"It's called a neural queue. You can use it to connect to other life on Pandora. Think of it like a symbiotic connection. It can link you with direhorses, banshees, you can share one mind with any creature that has one."

"What about other Na'vi?" He asked, looking at her own braided queue.

Smirking, she waved her hand in front of his face, "Hey, my eyes are up here. And yeah, you can use it to connect with other Na'vi, but it's not a casual thing. It's mostly used in mating rituals. And Na'vi mate for life. So you better find someone special before you think about making a tsaheylu with just anyone."

"You, uh, make a say-loo with anyone yet?" He asked, a smirk on his face.

What a tease.

"Tsaheylu." She corrected him, "And no, I haven't."

"Haven't found the right person?" He asked, pausing as they came closer to the lodge. The eclipse was nearing, the world covered in a soft golden glow. His eyes seemed to glow in the light, a softness about him that made her heart grow fonder.

Letting out a scoff, she rolled her eyes, "I don't think you've noticed, but most of the people around here aren't in it for the long haul. They're not trying to settle down with me in my little bungalow." She nodded towards the tree house just outside the facility. "But who knows, Norm's pretty cute." She teased, continuing to walk ahead.

"Norm?" His face scrunched in confusion, letting out a chuckle, "Nah, I can't see you with that goody two shoes. He's way too much of a kiss ass. Besides," He leaned a little closer, whispering loudly, "I think he's got the hots for your mom." He nodded ahead. Norm was talking excitedly to Grace, who was talking back just as enthused.

"Damn, you're right." She crossed her arms over her chest, tsking to herself, "The one that got away. You got anybody else in mind...?" When she turned to look at him, she hadn't realized he was so close still. His face was mere inches from hers, a cocky smirk still on his lips.

"I got a few ideas." His voice was low, a rumble in his throat made her shiver. He was so close. His lips were so close. And that damn smile wasn't helping her heart beating against her chest. Something that his new ears seemed to pick up.

"Alrighg, Avatars in the lodge!" She heard her mother call out. She stepped back from him, hoping he didn't notice her blush.

He did.

"Come on, gotta get you inside." She brought Jake inside where he was led to his bunk.

"Come on, everybody, quiet down!" Grace called over the crowd. "Alright, gang, light's out." She clapped, making her way to her bunk. As Rey walked behind Grace, she watched Jake staring at the tendrils at the end of his neural queue.

"Don't play with that, you'll go blind." Grace scolded.

"That's kinda freaky." Jake said, dropping the queue, looking around. "Where's your bunk?" He asked, hoping it was near him.

"I got my bungalow, remember?" Rey patted his cheek, "Don't worry, you'll see me in the morning." She faked a pout.

"I'm looking forward to it." He smiled, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Rey, you two can flirt tomorrow, let's go." Grace called, causing Rey to blush, ears flattening and tail tucked between her legs as she hurried through the lodge. Her exit was followed by whistles, furthering her embarrassment.

"Mom." She muttered under her breath as she passed Grace.

"Goodnight, Rey‘itetsyìp!" Grace called, an amused smile on her face as she closed the gate, locking it behind her.

"Night, ma!" She called back, slightly annoyed. She wasn't flirting with him.

Or... was she?

Jake wasn't a bad looking Na'vi hybrid. He wasn't a bad looking human either. As much as she would like to pursue something with him, odds are he wouldn't stay on Pandora forever. He would go home as soon as the mission was over. And what would she be left with? An empty Avatar body that she would be forever connected to. It seemed like torture, seeing the love of your life alive but not truly living.

As she lay in her hammock, Rey closed her eyes, lulled to sleep by the sound of the wildlife of Pandora and dreaming of Jake Sully. He would be trouble. But she liked trouble.

Translations per learnna'vi.org and the Fwew app.

----

Read part 2 here!

‘awstengyem [ʔaw.stɛŋ.ˈj·ɛm] vtr. bind / bring two or more things together (ii)

yawntutsyìp [ˈjawn.tu.t͡sjɪp̚] n. darling, little loved one

sngä’iyu [ˈsŋæ.ʔi.ju] n. beginner

tsaheylu [t͡sa.ˈhɛj.lu] n. bond (neural connection)

‘itetsyìp [ˈʔi.tɛ.t͡sjɪp̚] n. little daughter (term of endearment)

Y'all are just gonna have to deal with another throuple story, I make the rules around here.

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[henry-fox-biggest-stan]

Oh my god??

ANTILOCHUS takes the cloak from the floor. Handling it with reverence, he spreads it in front of ACHILLES on the ground. It is the body of Patroclus. ACHILLES stands. ACHILLES: (a great, broken wail – the word hardly recognizable) NO!!!

Antilochus, lament for me, alive, rather than for him, dead. For I have lost everything!

After a moment, the action ‘stops’. In a wholly focused, sober (but not sombre) way, the actors return to earlier positions. ANTILOCHUS returns the cloak to its previous place.

[…]

ACHILLES himself takes the cloak from the floor (it is the armour he has given to Patroclus, now become Patroclus’ body). Handling it with reverence, he spreads it on the ground where ANTILOCHUS had put it.

ACHILLES: (a great, broken wail – the word hardly recognizable) YES!!!

(A sudden cacophony of battle, brief, abstract and deadly.)

Antilochus, lament for me, alive, rather than for him, dead. For I have lost everything!

The lamentation. The lines enclosed in [ ] should be almost sung, as close to song as possible without this seeming forced – Sprechstimme perhaps with some mixing/echoing of voices. The section should be repeated once to enhance this effect.

[ACHILLES: (To Patroclus) Ungrateful for my lavished kisses! Your own pure perfect limbs you took for granted!

MYRMIDON: Mindless, took no regard

ACHILLES: For the refined companionship of your legs and arms.

MYRMIDON: Bloodied! Torn!

MYRMIDON: Disfigured friend.

ACHILLES: Yet not, because I love him, to me repulsive.]

ACHILLES takes up the cloak, holds it in front of him (no longer a body, but his armour)

ACHILLES: The old Libyan tale, what it says is here. The eagle, shot by an arrow, saw its feathered shaft and said: “So – it is not another that is my undoing, but my own wing.”

(Pause. He puts on the cloak.))

Weapons! Bring me weapons! My weapons! I need weapons! WEAPONS!! (An almost inarticulate scream as ACHILLES exits) WEAPONS!!!

-Myrmidons, Aeschylus

[savage-rhi]

hello, i just love ur works and maybe u may written ashley graham x leon kennedy?? like ashley gets really hurt and leon goes protective mode pls? thanks for reading and have a great day ❤️‍🩹🫶🏻

Thank you, I appreciate the compliment! 💙 Here ya go!

Despite the screams and unholy sounds echoing throughout the woods, Leon could only register the noise of his own heartbeat while he held Ashley in his arms as he ran. A dull ringing began to shake his skull, drowning out the rest of the monsters that were in pursuit. He heaved while sweat pooled down his body, his hold on Ashley growing tighter while traversing through thick vegetation and jumping over debris. He couldn't afford to screw up. Not like he had done moments before.

It all came flooding back to Leon after he had taken to shelter with Ashley in tow. How he had been so careless making noise, something the agent himself had reminded Ashley to be mindful of in passing. Leon knew he should've ceased the conversation, but had found himself immersed to the point where he didn't hear a villager get into position and take aim. An arrow that was meant to pierce his heart had shot through Ashley's abdomen, and from there, he saw red.

While Leon scrambled to find medicine and other tools within the dwelling he had taken Ashley too, he tried to remember what happened after the impact. The shock at seeing her wounded was enough to send him into a terrible rage. One that sent him into a frenzy of his own making, shooting and killing plaga left and right. Images of those he had lost from Raccoon City flooded into Leon's head. He didn't see the plaga infected villagers anymore. No. Every single one was a zombie. A melting mass of tissue and agonizing groans, and he had one mission: to put them out of their misery, and get out of the city.

Leon stopped midway through scavenging and made a fist. His eyes shut while he hit the wall of the abandoned house.

"Ground yourself damn it," He muttered bitterly to himself. "We can't lose her. Not to--not to this..."

Somehow Leon's own words got through to him. He took several deep breaths, then began clearing the abandoned house.

Hours passed and Ashley began to return to consciousness. She winced and looked down, seeing the entirety of her lower stomach had been patched up with bandages wrapped around her waist. Pain radiated in her hips and spine. She wanted to cry, but resisted. Now wasn't the time. Not when she noticed Leon was holding her in his arms and passed out. His breaths were ragged. Almost as if he was running away from monsters even while he slept.

"Leon..."

Ashley couldn't remember all the details that led to this moment, but she smiled knowing he kept her safe. Whatever hells he was enduring in his dreams, she prayed he'd come out alright.

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[cittielinks]

exiled prince!kdj x war god!yjh

#joongdok idea !! 

Kim Dokja is the last remaining prince who was exiled moments before his kingdom died and Yoo Joonghyuk a war god who was responsible for killing Kim Dokja’s kingdom.

The moment shots were fired, his mother dragged Kim Dokja into the hidden tunnel. Everyone from the kingdom was fighting for their lives. It was no easy feat and they are clearly in a losing battle. 

It was then decided unanimously that Kim Dokja the remaining prince, should run away and should be free from the shackles of the now-ruined kingdom.  

His mother softly touched his cheeks as if to savor her last moment with his beloved son. Tears were silently flowing from their eyes. Neither Kim Dokja nor his mother spoke any words.

His mother then squeezed him tightly then kissing him on the forehead one last time. 

“You should go now, I will be with your father soon.” 

Kim Dokja cried harder. He doesn’t want to go. He wants to be with his family even if it means death.

His mother choked up a laugh and then wiped Kim Dokja’s tears. 

“Really now, you’re this old already. You shouldn’t cry no more, my dearest star.” 

Kim Dokja just hugs his mother tightly as if he doesn’t want to part. He knows that once he lets go, he will never see his mother ever again.

“Please, my dearest. You have to go. I can’t afford to lose you too.” 

Kim Dokja slowly lets go of his hold and then stares at his mother one last time. 

“Mother, I love you always.” He murmured so softly.

“I— We love you always… to the moon and back, my baby.”

His mother sniffed and pushed him inside the tunnel. 

It was the final moment he saw his mother alive. 

It took Kim Dokja three days to be out of the kingdom. He was lucky enough that his parents keep all pieces of information about him inside their palace. It wasn’t hard for him to blend in.

Kim Dokja found a very rural village. A young couple named Hades and Persephone help him settle in.

The couple was so understanding and did not ask him questions. And so Kim Dokja was forced to dwell on his pain and cried his heart out every night.

It took 1 month for the news to travel to the village. 

It was said that the war between the two kingdoms was finished. All the people were killed. It was said that the king and queen were shot with thousands of arrows. The crowned prince was beheaded. No more was the kingdom.

And it was all thanks to Yoo Joonghyuk the War God from the east. 

That night, Kim Dokja mourned for the people from his kingdom. He mourned for his brother who was beheaded ruthlessly, he mourned for his parents whose bodies can never be recovered after being shot by thousands of arrows.

He wanted revenge. He wanted the man who killed his family dead. But deep down he knew he can’t. 

It wasn’t in his nature, ( he could hear his mother telling him so) he was kind ( his brother chuckled softly), Our dokja-yah, our baby shouldn’t use his hands for blood. ( his father smiled.) 

For years and years, he would always look at the stars that twinkled as he mourned for the people he couldn’t save.

It took 3 years for a wounded man to stumbled behind his garden, full of bruises and blood.

He drops his basket and slowly lets the man inside his house. He dressed his wounds and let the man lay down in his bed. He made ( a poor excuse of a) porridge for the man to eat.

Yoo Joonghyuk woke up groggily. He noticed a hand softly touching his forehead and heard mumbles before he passed out once again. 

The next time Yoo Joonghyuk woke up. It was at dawn. Feeling a bit better, he reassesses everything.

Firstly, he was in the middle of a war between the East and the South. It was a winning battle for the East. But the South tropes ambushed them so he was forced to flee and hide until backup arrived. He remembered stumbling behind someone’s garden before passing out.

The owner must've helped him in. 

He frowned and began to look at his surrounding. 

There he noticed a pale thin man sleeping in an awkward position on the sofa. 

Yoo Joonghyuk slowly stood up in front of the man and gazed at him.

He noticed the bags under his eyes, the plump lips as he murmurs incoherent noises, and the way his chest moves up and down very slowly as if he will be taken away by god. 

By any means, Yoo Joonghyuk saw a lot of beauty everywhere. He was the War God, for heaven’s sake!

But the moment the man opened his eyes slowly. He knew there was no one who could ever compare to the man. The man holds so many stars inside his eyes, it’s captivating. He wants to see more. He wants— 

“You should not be standing! Please go back to bed.” He did.

The beautiful man checked his temperature the moment he went back to bed. The man murmured something and forced him to drink a pill. After a minute he seemed to be groggy so he decided to sleep once more.

Kim Dokja was the name of the beautiful man who helped him. Kim Dokja never asked for his name and for Yoo Joonghyuk it was enough, he needed to hide anyway. 

Yoo Joonghyuk was forced to lay in bed for a week before he couldn’t take it anymore and decided to help Kim Dokja in exchange for patching him up.

In the days when he stayed in Kim Dokja’s humble home, he noticed small things about the man. He would notice how his fingers twitched every time he touches something slimy or how he tries to throw away tomatoes every time he cooks with the ingredient.

Yoo Joonghyuk would notice how his eyes light up every time he reads interesting books or how Kim Dokja stares at the stars every night as if he has a lot of baggage on his shoulders. And when he does space out every time, Yoo Joonghyuk’s heart would ache. If he could he would ease his pain.

It didn’t take awhile for the both of them to develop feelings. And for once, Kim Dokja thought maybe he deserved this now. After all the pain and regrets he felt that this is the life he deserves. 

It was Kim Dokja who confessed first after letting the man stay with him for 8 months.

It was under the eyes of the illuminating moon, under the many sparkles of the stars. Kim Dokja confessed. With the help of Han Sooyoung and ysa. He told him how much he means to him. 

Yoo Joonghyuk too confessed his deep attraction to the man. and they kissed. 

The kiss was soft and sweet and it means the whole world for Kim Dokja because now he gets to love again.

It was a year after he confessed when Kim Dokja finally knew his beloved’s name. 

Yoo Joonghyuk, the War God who took many lives and brought honor to the east. 

Yoo Joonghyuk, the man who destroyed his kingdom.

How ironic. Just as he thought he was free from the shackles of the past. It came back biting him hard. Of all people he fell inlove with, it was the man who killed his home. It hurt. It hurts

“Is God laughing at me now? Is this kind of a sick joke? Is this entertaining to you?”

Kim Dokja screamed and cried, he threw everything inside the house. He broke the vase, the tableware even the pictures. 

By the time Yoo Joonghyuk came home after a long preparation for their wedding. Their humble house was in ruins. Yoo Joonghyuk saw Kim Dokja kneeling in the middle of the chaos.

He quickly went to Kim Dokja and softly asked hin if he was okay, if he was hurt and asked him what happened

Kim Dokja never uttered a word. 

Everything was silent. Yoo Joonghyuk was getting restless he tried to hold Kim Dokja’s wrist only to be slapped by Kim Dokja

“You’re Yoo Joonghyuk.” Kim Dokja said in finality. No emotions was detected and for once, Yoo Joonghyuk was scared. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t reply. He was looking at Kim Dokja full of pain and hurt. 

“Heh. You’re the same Yoo Joonghyuk who ruined my kingdom.”

Kim Dokja laughed and laughed as he cried and cried.

What a joke. 

“Did you had fun ruining my life?”  

 ‘no’ 

“Did you plan all of this?” 

‘no’ 

“How does it feels like to kill my family?” 

‘I did not know. I swear I didn’t—‘

“Bet you didn’t even remembered my family’s corpse.” 

“Kim Dokja, let me expl—“ 

“SHUT UP! NO YOU DON’T.” 

“Baby ple—“ 

“Do.Not.Call. Me.That. You have no right.” 

“Dokja please I—“ 

“I don’t want to hear another word from you”

Kim Dokja stood up and walked away from Yoo Joonghyuk, from the house, from everything. Eyes blanked, shoulders shaking.

Yoo Joonghyuk did this. He did this. It was all his fault.

It took no less the 24 hours after their confrontation that Kim Dokja drowned himself. Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t save him in time. 

The village mourned for the lost of another bright star. and for Yoo Joonghyuk, it was his retribution. he will never be forgiven.

[femalehieronymusbosch]

how special friendship is so pure and so sinful at once, it feels like poison fr, you were right. it's like 1 season cesare and lucrezia, you know where it's going but it hasnt yet, and their love is as pure and all consuming as the love of god

i see you're a person of culture as well! i didn't see similarities before but now you mention it i can't unsee - their scenes together have this tunnel-vision on each other and slow honey-like quality as if the time stops when they're together. check! their desire to compare themselves to historical figures too. check! they have enchanting love theme that plays over their scenes too. check! however, notice how Georges and Alexandre's theme is quite sombre and reminds more of season 3 "Cesare and Lucrezia spend the night together" rather than season 1 "Cesare and Lucrezia's love theme (by the fountain)". and the whole vibe you describe so well, of course.

Georges is dreamlike romantic hero, Romeo, beautiful, elegant, noble, softspoken, with patrician bearing and quiet charm, Alexandre is cute and soft but lit from within with his unbreakable spirit, he truly has “not of this earth” charisma, fire burning too brightly is destined to went out quickly. Their first date is dreamy, sweet, cute… the way they instantly cling to each other! The moment when they exchange blood is subtle eros incarnate, Alexandre’s gaze is full of love and tenderness as he looks at Georges licking his blood, and Georges’s enigmatic and sensual flutter of eyelashes as he looks down… Humans are equally body and soul, true love is both heavenly and earthly, you know.

Alexandre’s unshakeable confidence in Georges’ feelings, he knew that “you love me and I love you” before they ever spoke to each other from glances alone, “glances that are like kisses, and words are like caresses” he’s sure of it and he won’t back down. Only in childhood we can ever be this devoted, without considering anything else. That’s why after Georges’ presumed betrayal he’s got nothing to live for anymore. Georges is older that’s why he can see the benefits of pretending to comply, to lay low, to play along with well-meaning holy fathers (and they do mean well and while being nosy and insistant, that’s their job, they’re teachers, parents entrusted these boys to them).

Georges no matter how much of a lovesick poet he is, lives in the real world, while Alexandre doesn’t, he’s uncompromising, it’s either love or death for him, and if Georges doesn’t love him… with Georges’ love Alexandre was willing to be against the whole world, but if Georges has forsaken him… As father Lauzon says “give me back his soul, it was yours for too long”. And gives Georges a photograph of Alexandre, taken before he was wounded and forever changed by love, “when his heart was untouched. when there was nothing, no one”. Love for Georges was his religion. One shouldn’t look for love and death, for they find one on their own. Georges was looking for love, he wanted to fall in love and tried it with Lucien first, when he was shot by Amour’s arrow at the sight of Alexandre, and Alexandre was looking for death when the love he thought was as strong as death failed him.

They properly meet on a train but even before they’re introduced to each other they already know they love each other and are connected by the string of fate. Are you acquainted? – No, but we are in love. they speak with their eyes, melting, basking in their shared feelings. They’re saying words, but they don’t need them, it’s just a lovers’ meaningless babytalk to enjoy hearing each other’s voices. You love me and I love you, we’ll be united forever, run away together and don’t care for anything else, I will never forsake you, I don’t care if we’ll be caught, as long as we are together and never separated… murmurs like an endless stream. There’s no internal torment, they instantly give themselves to each other. I like the way Georges always positions himself lower as if putting Alexandre on pedestal, sitting/standing on the stairs slightly below to look up at him with adoration. When father Lauzon catches a whiff of Georges’ lavender perfume on Alexandre’s hair... What implication is more damning, the gifts – exchange of perfume and perfumed locks of hair, or frolicking together in a haystack?..

Book’s moment when Alexandre confesses “I love you more than life itself” is omitted, but there is another equally important one added. When Alexander sneaks into Georges’ music lesson, he looks at him with eyes full of tenderness and sorrow, and touches his hair with gesture too familiar. It’s when “I love you more than life itself” is palpable, even if unspoken. The realization, the surrender to feelings. It’s unusual and unsettling to see such an expression on the face of young boy, this expression is kind of reserved for romance heroines in specific moments when her hero is weak (wounded in attempt to protect her for example) and she’s looking at him slowly realizing how much she loves him, caresses his hair with “now it’s my turn to be stronger one and protect you” notion. And it’s after they got caught! So Alexandre is doubling down on their love. Showing that he’s unafraid. He felt that he can lose Georges and it made him brave, made him feel that they have to seize every moment they get. It made him understand himself and acknowledge the fact that he’s found the meaning of life now. And that meaning is Georges. It’s as dramatic and life-changing and deadly as only first ever love can be.

Then Alexandre's demise is ambiguous on purpose. Georges is left with this eternal bleeding wound, guilt. Was it an accident? If it wasn't - did Alexandre repent in his last moments? Was he saved and forgiven? Where is his soul now? Georges cannot even follow him in death because what if Alexandre did repent and went to heaven? And if he didn’t? And Georges won’t meet him even if he drags through life till the natural end? There's no answer.