#instead of the “if it doesn't taste a bit like being set on fire what's the point” person who we are

[mantisgodsdomain]

It is possible that we have a sensitivity to Capsaicin. Unfortunately, as a life without spice is not a life we would find worth living, we will continue to eat it regardless.

[gazeofseer]

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍?

𓇼🐚☾☼🦪 🎀🫶🏻💌💓

••....••°°°°••....••°°°°••....••°°°°••....••°°°••....••

Texas, Australia, United States and California, You are a queer by soul who lives by their own even amongst the crowded room, seeking something as distant and indifferent to what seems the same after all, but subtle do you fear the idea behind crossing lines, edges that drew scars around your borderline of heart the reason you easily withdraw the click and connection with places and people, you feel everything should be new as each passing moment because anything that stay longer bored you because you feed in daydreams and expect teh same dosh to be served outside around you, but all you taste is something different but not you.

Guidance : You are looking for yourself from within by blocking all the external settings and invites believing the world to be a harm to your existence throughout your journey down the lane to changing seasons and places so far, now you are just tired and tormented wanting to settle but truly can't keeps you restless.

Leo sun, Aries Rising, 8, Saturn in 9th house, Silver accessories, Denim Jeans, You brought something last week still waiting to be worn.

I see you are not only brain fogging but also bloating with overwhelming thoughts and emotions at the same time because you want but you don't, you don't but you want so badly, you have been guided to not make any decision right now, and not to hang in either, changes kept happening, but you are holding something beyond it did. It could be a little picture or a memory too, let it go to where it belongs it will harm you in the long run. Stop sitting with disappointment, disgrace or insult. Let that find peace within you and embrace these changes as a chance for you to strike this fog with the sword of your consciousness on if the very next second you would die, what will you do in the given second of the moment? Chose what is right, and needed for now that is how you lead life always rightly despite the wrong being gifted.

Netherland, Germany, Scotland, Denver & Amsterdam, there are eerie chills to your soul which plays chivilrious in the darkness and acts demure in the light, like a nasty kid you carry the flaws around the forest creeks but throw a elegant gaze the moment a eye flickers upon you, the mask of basking in solitude feels so enchanting enough to thrive through life beyond its hardship and pain, you take it as gift for the one who got none even sorrow becomes the only life present before.

Guidance : The ostracized child, who was not even a count nor in the quantity or quality leave the first and last of being a choice but never an part of any option to even begin with? I feel you started to heal enough that you understand the value of pain you received so far and treat it exactly right that it has become your that safe home which strengthens you instead to tame, instead of guidance your spirit guides have messages 'That, we really appreciate your pure heart and acknowledge your being of existence as of great as of the any other living, we are around you, when you believe you are lucky enough after seeing something weird l, quirky and unique because that is who you are and we show up there'

Fox teddy, bear, herbivores, cozy vibes, brown eyes, eyeglasses, Aquarius Venus, Capricorn Venus or sun, writing a novel or blog, secret lover.

Paris, France, Italy, London, Russia and South Korea, What beauty of it doesn't scares a bit right? It took you a trail blaze or ages to burn down and pave one path for you that fire runs through your body despite the sickness you feel in your heart and fatigue you carry on your soul, the more you get tested the more pure you mold into the miracles and become the magic itself, you accept the essence of love, that sets free, wild and at the arms of death where one can love so truly to the depths of each feels and moves of life.

Guidance : Okay, so this pile has been through a lot bodily or mentally the sickness which prolonged seems like a default, or your mistake or an accident which made you be on bed for rest and feel this helplessness from the echoes of the room and beyond the sky where slowly you discovered and connected to your soul and learned the ultimate truth of being all that you need to yourself exactly when you need yourself.

'Hey, sorry to interrupt I am just worried and kind off ..sorry again how are you? I hope you are doing well now, I promise I am on my way please, kindly don't give upon me, for that I have not yet arrived into your life, all the lovers you met were the lie you told yourself to hold yourself tight in your head, but let go the grudge and find me within your heart whenever you look into the mirror with those doe eyes, those two flicks of your hair curls around you ear I did kiss those cheeks with freckles and toughened skin, I did hold you like the witch who carries her wretched wand in her power and strength, I love you, can you hear that, I say that everyday before you sleep'

Well, that was tear jerking right? Give me a second.

Important Updated my services list do check (;

[slayfics]

Katsuki and Hitoshi fight over you.

Warnings: characters aged up, NSFW themes, angst

1k words

Explosions went off atop the building's roof as Katsuki continued to detonate his quirk. He thought it was his lucky day to run into Hitoshi. Until he realized what this fight would consist of.

Unable to expel his frustration in his usual insults and vile comments, due to Hitoshi’s quirk, Katsuki focused on setting off explosions.

Yet, Hitoshi had come a long way since his time at UA. Expertly bouncing around and using the capture scarf to swing and avoid the explosions.

Katsuki had wanted to knock the lights out of Hitoshi’s eyes for some time now. Ever since he found out about you two. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t wrap his mind around you giving a hero like Hitoshi the time of day. What did you see in him?

So, when he ran into the brainwashing hero, he thought his wish was finally granted. However, now amid a spar with Hitoshi, the bitter realization sat in. He wouldn’t be able to say all the nasty words he saved up for the hero.

He wasn't able to tell Hitoshi that he wasn't a worthy enough hero to be with you. That he was a pathetic punk boy, Grimace-looking, Eeyore mother fucker. If he said any of the things he desperately wanted to, Hitoshi would brainwash him, and the fight would be over. Katsuki let out a huff of air and another explosion that Hitoshi dodged.

"We can talk like adults instead," Hitoshi said sliding across the roof.

Katsuki ignored Hitoshi's pleas and came at him with another attack that Hitoshi barely evaded.

"Trust me Bakugo, you don't want to do this," Hitoshi warned him. Katsuki's eyes flashed with fire, challenging Hitoshi. Despite Katsuki's continued silence, Hitoshi could understand his declaration of war clearly, and he wasn't lucky enough to dodge the next attack. Katsuki landed a blast on Hitoshi sending him flying and knocking against the roof railing.

"Fine, have it your way," Hitoshi said recovering from the blast and pulling on the railing to stand up. Finally, being pushed to his breaking point, Hitoshi decided to fight back. The only difference is that Katsuki's quirk worked with blunt power, while Hitoshi's focused on a psychological level. Hitoshi only had to break Katsuki into saying something, and he wasn't afraid to play dirty.

Hitoshi turned the dials on his voice modulator as Katsuki prepared his next blast.

"I want you to hear how she sounds for me," Hitoshi said, turning one last dial on his mask, as Katsuki lunged at him again.

That's when it happened, the sound that took the breath out of Katsuki's lungs. Your moans came from Hitoshi's mask. They were sweet and sexy as hell; the problem was you were moaning Hitoshi's name.

Katsuki fumbled for just a moment letting go of his blast, giving Hitoshi plenty of time to avoid it. Your moans came louder and faster from Hitoshi's mask, "Toshi... Toshi... Toshi~"

Katsuki bit his tongue biting back curses and rage, blood rushed through his mouth. The taste of copper dripped down his throat from the deep cut now on his tongue.

This was just an imitation of your voice. Yet, it sounded so real, and Katsuki knew it had to be true. Hitoshi had to have heard your moans himself to imitate you so perfectly. Worse. It meant he heard them more than once. Studied them.

Your moans increased to what Katsuki recognized so perfectly to be you reaching your climax, and it all came crashing down on him. You had cum for Hitoshi.

Katsuki lets out another blast, it's strong, too strong. Hitoshi barely gets out of the way. Katsuki huffs, fists clench. What's worse is you sound so fucking hot, and he can't help but feel the heat that runs through his body at hearing you again.

"We can stop this," Hitoshi offers, but Katsuki's frustration peaks, as more blasts fly. Katsuki's wrath and jealousy start to boil over into something he doesn't recognize.

Hopelessness.

Someone else is pleasuring you and there's not a damn thing he can do about it. The scene that flashes in Katsuki's mind makes his stomach sick. He can see the lavender-haired bastard on top of you, thrusting into your heat and the fucked-out expression on your face.

So much resentment and nowhere to put it, not even a damn word he can say for himself without losing this spar. He feels the lump in his throat form, and he can't stop it. His tongue almost bit in half, the tears finally form and cascade down his face.

Hitoshi notices this and gives Katsuki one last chance, "I'll stop if you do."

Katsuki keeps going, but his blasts aren't the same now. There is less passion behind them. It's sad to watch. Hitoshi barely has to dodge anymore. Katsuki's knees are weak, and his movements are slow and shaky.

"Not giving up, yet? Fine, hear what she said about you," Hitoshi speaks, changing his mask once more to imitate your voice.

Your voice breaks through Hitoshi's mask again. This time it’s your ugly cry that Katsuki knows so well. You're gasping for air as the words pour out, and it’s so clear it sounds as if you’re really here, “I loved him, but it wasn’t enough. He was always going to choose to be number one over me,” your voice cries and hiccups.

You had cried to Hitoshi about how Katsuki failed you, and now this was the outcome. Then comes the image in Katsuki’s mind, Hitoshi has his arms wrapped around you comforting you through your tears. Katsuki wants to rip you out of Hitoshi's arms, but he can’t because he drove you there.

Katsuki's knees give in, and he collapses to the floor. Gasping for air, his body racked with panic, fire extinguished. Taking rapid shallow breaths, he tries to regain himself.

Hitoshi walks over to the man he's brought to his knees without laying a finger on him.

"You done? Maybe next time we can talk like adults," Hitoshi mocks. Then departs, leaving the blond hero alone on the roof.

sinners: @izarosf1833 @stoned-anime-babe @lees-chaotic-brain @lunathewonyoungstan @sebsvertigo @unofficialmuilover @maddietries @fiannee @i-heart-carlisle @derangedmango @matchat3a @peachsukii @reneinii @pastelbakugou @abadbitchblogs @deluluforcarlos55 @pinkpurpledreams @that-one-fangirl69 @dreamcastgirl99

[burningcheese-merchant]

What do you think of a burningcheese vampire au? Any head cannons to recommend?

That's certainly an interesting idea. One I admittedly never considered until now lol. Was never one for vampires (even in my cringey Twilight phase at age 11, I liked Jacob more lol), but I want and need BurningCheese in every possible timeline so let's see what I can come up with here

How about, instead of vampires that are harmed by the sun, we have vampires that are the opposite? That are empowered by the sun and weakened by the moon? With both Golden Cheese and Burning Spice already coming from hot places, I think that lends itself to that sort of arguably more fitting table-flip

With this in mind, let's look at the routes we can go down.

Vampire Burning Spice:

Cursed by a wizard/shaman/whatever as they lay dying in the ruins of a civilization BS had just destroyed

BS looks exactly the same as before, which enables him to hide what he's become quite easily

He becomes a full-on cannibal as a result of his curse/transformation. Already being violent and figuratively bloodthirsty allows him to quench his literal bloodthirst easily; he just munches on arms and legs + chugs whatever pours out of slit throats + gobbles up whatever he tears out of chest/stomach cavities to get his fix (and also the curse might have driven him slightly madder than he already was before, which is also why he's escalated from just torturing and killing people to eating them as well)

Very weak and lethargic at night. It is fire, heat, and sunlight that help keep him going; when the sun sets, he becomes tired and tends to squirrel himself away somewhere, skulking around in the shadows, waiting for day to return

Soul Jam becomes a huge crutch at night because of the aforementioned weakness to night/moonlight

Doesn't know how to turn anyone else into a vampire, or even if he can. Doesn't really care about that tbh. Or he didn't, until...

...He met and fell in love with Golden Cheese lol. His beautiful little bird. His precious Soul Jam thief. His sweet, delicious prey, with that scrumptious, intoxicating blood that he can smell from dozens of feet away, that he can almost hear pumping through those delicate veins... oh, those fights they had were hard on Burning Spice. She made him so hungry, in more ways than one. He craves her, he truly does. And he shall have her, in every way that he wants. What's she going to do about it, anyway? Kill him?

Golden Cheese, being stuck with a literal fucking vampire cannibal in love/obsessed with her and hunting her down constantly, tries to find a way to break his curse, if only to prevent any additional suffering to innocents and get him off of her ass even a little bit

Vampire Golden Cheese

In her grief and desperation to revive her subjects and restore her kingdom, GC ended up resorting to strange magic that she didn't understand, which backfired on her terribly as a result

Lives in almost complete seclusion, trying to maintain as much distance as she can between herself and... anyone, really. She would never forgive herself if she gave in to her newfound instincts and harmed someone for the sake of this disgusting, unholy appetite

She really is ashamed of herself. For her foolishness, for her cowardice... for the way she can feel her own mouth start to water when she watches the cheesebirds go about their work... She's damned herself and what few treasures she has left, by doing what she did. And now it's yet another albatross around her neck, that she'll have to carry for... who knows how long

Tries to channel her inner Dark Cacao and maintain extreme self-control and discipline at all times. Denies her bloodlust for as long as possible, until she truly cannot take it anymore (and then she just goes out and eats jelly worms, no matter how bad they taste)

Realizes she's weaker at night and does most of her work during that time, as it's when she poses less of a threat to the cheesebirds and any other life in the area

Same as V!BS, she relies on her Soul Jam to keep her strength up at night

Tries to find a cure for her predicament in any way she can without directly informing anyone of what's happened because she's too proud to admit she fucked up this badly and she fears that everyone will turn against her and persecute her

Fuck's sake, some buffalo looking bozo kidnaps her and drags her to Beast-Yeast and now she has to fight this big buff guy and... why is he looking at her like that? Why is he talking to her like that? They met five minutes ago and he already sounds smitten with her, what the fuck is this. She just wants to go home and get back to trying to fix herself-

WHY DID HE FOLLOW HER HOME? SHE LEFT HIM BURIED UNDER HIS TEMPLE, HE SHOWS UP ON HER LAND HARDLY A MONTH LATER, OH GOD WHAT DOES HE WANT-

Welp. He discovers what's wrong with her. And he coerces her into letting him stick around in exchange for his silence. At least he said he'd help...? But how he'll do so remains a profoundly irritating mystery...

That's what I have for now. I'll think of more later bc I already know people are going to flood my inbox asking for more of this lol

[monayen]

how about something sfw for a change? can you do a ranking of who’s best at cooking?

Cooking Headcannons

➷ Paring - Multi x Fem!Reader [Randal's Friends / Ranfren]

➷ CWs - very light mention of consuming blood and cannibalism. that’s about it !!

a/n - i feel like im a bit rusty at pure sfw stuff… but i will try for NNN ~_~ this isn’t a ranking, since a good chunk are either just bad or barely cook. mostly just hcs about food they like, what’d they’d make you, and habits etc. ratmen are excluded cus you know those boys scavenge rather than cook !!! also ignore any mistakes i wrote this really fast

Sebastian

While Sebastian did work at a pizza place for a bit before becoming Randal’s pet, it was just as a delivery boy

I like to think he was in the training process of learning how to make the food, but he got lost before he learned anything skillful. He does have half the recipe for garlic knots memorized though 

A personal hc is that his parents were semi-absent with him (which probably helped lead him to being in the adoption center in the first place), so he survived a lot on sandwiches and microwave meals since they were easy and available

He wasn’t a big fan of it then, but now he craves them a lot. His favorite were the microwaveable kraft dinner mac & cheese cups. Foods like that are a comfort for him, and he’ll love you forever if you manage to get some for him to eat

Luther doesn’t trust him in the kitchen, so even if Sebastian wanted to cook, he wouldn’t be allowed. Deep down, he doubts his cooking skills anyways

Randal

A terrible cook. He has no idea how to properly prepare a meal and his attempts often end in disaster

Randal doesn't understand the concept of recipes or following instructions. He just throws random ingredients together and hopes for the best. “How to Basic” levels of culinary skills

Despite his terrible cooking skills, Randal still insists on trying to make meals for people (or you) to try. Truly believes he's good and everyone else just can’t handle his exquisite tastes

Once, Randal tried to make surprise pancakes for breakfast. He used baking powder instead of baking soda and the pancakes turned out hard as rocks. He still ate them anyway, breaking a couple of his teeth in the process. Don’t worry, they grew back by supper

He used to try to cook at least a couple times a week, but Luther banned him after he 

somehow managed to set water on fire on the stove. Now he’s restricted to just the microwave. Which is alright, just remind him to add the water in his instant noodles before they explode

Randal will also eat almost anything if it's covered in enough sauce or condiments. He's been known to put ketchup on his cereal and maple syrup on his pizza. Swears by it, will probably make you try all his weird food combinations

Satoru

This little show off!

Cooks and bakes purely to give it away to you or Randal. He doesn’t even eat them himself, always insisting you try his new recipe

The reality is that he steals most of his ideas from cookbooks. While he has the skill to execute them, coming up with his own dishes and perfecting them is a bit beyond him—but that’s a secret he keeps to himself!

He’ll sit there, watching closely as you eat his carefully prepared food, studying your reactions and asking if it’s good, like a chef waiting for feedback

But he’s memorized what you like already, and he makes sure to tailor his dishes just for you, hoping to earn your praise when the flavors hit your tongue

Exceptional at chopping, so fast at it you worry he’ll cut a finger off or something if he’s not careful enough. A part of him doesn’t mind if you taste something that has a little bit of his blood in it…

Doesn’t exactly have a favorite meal or food, he likes whatever you like :) is a bit partial to Japanese cuisine though, especially sashimi

Nyon

Nyon's cooking skills are quite limited. As a catman, his preferences lean more towards raw meats and simple  foods. Or whatever Luther gives him

Doesn’t mean he doesn’t like a good home cooked meal, but if you put him in a kitchen with every ingredient and tool that could potentially make something avant-garde or delicious… he’d probably just end up making hard boiled eggs

He does have an odd skill of picking though. Pickled cucumbers, onions, beets, all in unlabeled, merky, mason jars. Has a goal to pickle everything that can be pickled, just to try

Keeps a stash of it in the pantry and munches on them when he gets high. Will share if you ask (he kinda wants you to, pickling takes practice!) 

Nyon has the stance that he’d much rather wash the dishes and put away the ingredients than actually prepare the food, as it’s a lot of effort and stress on his part that’d he’d rather avoid

Nyen

Really only ever cooks for himself. Not a fan of sharing and to be honest… you probably wouldn’t like what he makes anyways

Lots of slabs of undercooked chicken and beef, barely seasoned because “it doesn’t need that.” Protein buff, but not keen on eating beans… or eggs… or fish… Okay, usually just eats chicken to maintain his muscles

Unironically picky, doesn’t eat a lot of what isn’t what he usually eats. If you give him a plate of pasta or something, he’ll just stare at it like you handed him a severed cow head. Even Luther knows this, making sure he keeps the fridge stocked with Nyen favorite foods so he’s in the best condition to get through the day!

Does have a small sweet tooth, so you can coax him into baking if he’s in a good mood. His favorite are raspberry muffins :)

You still might have to do most of the work, but he’ll mix shit and keep track of the dessert in the oven for you. Don’t ask him for anything else—just hand him a muffin and clean up the mess, okay?

Luther

Quite the chef! 

He’s domestic, and even though Randal always begs him to get fast food to eat, he always prefers to make something at home

Uses “passed down” recipes. Passed down from who? Who knows. He keeps them all in a little old notebook, pages yellowed and worn out. The last ingredient in all the recipes is always “love ♡”

He’s also a big fan of those southern mom baking shows, especially during the holiday season, he’ll bake like a madman!

Likes nature, so he does have a small garden in the backyard of the house he’ll tend to when he has the time. Specializes in exotic vegetables you probably aren’t used to eating. Ask him how his kohlrabi harvest is going, he’s quite proud!

The type of humanoid to surprise you with your favorite meal after a long day. Makes enough for everyone, of course, but Luther puts in effort to see the smile on your face when he presents you with it at the dinner table

He does expect compliments after you eat any of his food, even if it’s something as simple as scrambled eggs. It means a lot to him, so don’t forget to do so. He might take it the wrong way if you don’t 

Luther swears up and down that he’d never eat a human. Cannibalism is wrong! But he did get very close to once… just to “expand his pallet”

[wayfayrr]

I offer the idea of soft times with sage

Braiding hair, just cuddling with each other and overall spending time with one another.

- 🍄

(It’s been a bit lmao, college kicked me in the shins)

sorry it's been a while since you sent this, I relate with uni being a bitch though :')

I'm gonna use this ask though to put it out that I'm no longer going to be writing for Sage, however I won't stop writing totk link altogether - instead I've been creating a link that's more inline for how I see his character and for how I'm comfortable to write <3 I've been calling him Tears so far and I have to thank a lot of my mutuals for chipping in ideas with a special mention to @glowyskull for coming up with some of the best headcanons I think I've ever heard (the last three are courtesy of them) <333 @h4wari, @mushroomwoods, @sketchyspook here's the boy you were waiting for!!! (thank you all for your help too <333)

and without any more hesitation here he is!!

✦ he got the nickname tears for a reason, anything and everything will set this boy off. he's a true crybaby and will certainly use it to try and win your attention from the others. It's not always cause he's sad though, sometimes things can just get overwhelming 

✦ his memory can be a bit spotty, unlike wild he rushed through his previous quest, not that he's all that fussed about missing those memories - making new positive ones are more important to him

✦ like his counterpart, he's got a couple of different nicknames, tears is the most prominent however architect does tend to show itself fairly often. messing around to see what different kinds of contraptions he can make is one of his favourite pastimes, one he'll happily share if given the chance.

✦ wild and him have been assumed many times to be identical twins, seeing as his stint in the shrine of ressurection put a halt to most of his aging processes. not that he doesn't bring up his actual age every now and then for a little shock factor

✦ thankfully they're easy to tell apart, seeing as tears discovered how to dye his hair and paint his nails quickly into his second quest, leading to his hair forever being stained with a multitude of different colours while his nails change colour nearly every other day

✦ his cheeky side is still very much there though, ready to make the dumbest puns you've ever heard and to not stop till you're laughing no matter how hard you cringe at them when he starts.

✦ one of the most affectionate links, willing to do basically anything you ask him to and even things you didn't. give him the smallest hint you like a certain food? what do you mean it's a little suspicious he suddenly has all of its ingredients for it - he simply wanted to try it himself, can you tell him if it tastes right?

✦ He hates to see anyone crying, especially his significant other, nine times out of ten it’ll end up with him crying at your side but he’s always there at your side to cheer you up. If you can’t bring yourself to speak about whatever is upsetting you though? Luckily for him a simple kiss of your tears is enough to show him the memory that hurt you. Thankfully it also goes for the happier ones.

✦ Your smile and praise is something he simply lives for, headpats being his favourite way to receive it, leave him alone with belongings for too long though and when you come back he’s standing next to them with a blinding smile having fused a lot of them to each other or to something he thinks would be useful for you to have. Granted the journal flame thrower combination might not have been his brightest moment. 

✦ the same desire can come out in other ways though, such as giving you different nicknames with his personal favourite calling you his sundelion. Sometimes he really shows how much he likes that nickname by making you flowercrowns as surprises. Granted every now and then he takes it a little too far, telling you you’re all he needs to heal from the gloom instead of taking any real treatment.

Tending the fire is probably one of the easiest and most calming tasks I could’ve been given today, it’s nice to have something to zone out with after a whole day on the road. Not that I can complain about it though, we didn’t run into any monsters or other threats and travelling was calm. Who’s trying to get my attention by tapping me on the back though?

“[name]? Mind if I come sit with you for a bit, I'd like to get to know you better if that's alright.”

“Yeah of course Tears, If we’re going to be traveling together for a while it makes a lot of sense too.”

This man is a sweetheart I can tell, just from saying yes to him he’s already got the most coy smile on his face; it’s like his face is practically glowing from it when he sits. Shuffling closer to my side almost like he’s asking if it’s alright for him be be this close, with the way the firelight is illuminating him is making me question if the warmth on my face is really from the fire or not now. Just distract yourself with something before you get any redder. 

“Oh? You’ve got something in your hair, one second-”

The moment I plucked the stick out of his hair he froze up, his cheeks flushing before relaxing. 

“Are - are you good? Sorry I should’ve asked first.”

“No, no, no it’s alright I just… didn’t expect it?”

“Yeah I know, next time I’l-”

“Actually would you um mind playing with my hair? I ah never really get the chance to relax like this.”

Well isn’t that simply adorable, I would be heartless to say no to such a request. Besides, I know wild has some of the softest hair possible so the chance to play with it? No way am I going to miss that if all that visible dye hasn’t fried it to bits.

“If that’s what you want then I won’t say no.”

“Really?”Is he - no he can’t be, or maybe… is he so starved of affection that he’d tear up over something this small, the more I think about it, it does make sense. Playing with his hair is so relaxing I almost missed the fact that he was starting to tear up more, all I can hope for is that they’re not from him being upset.

[happysaddca]

This took entirely too long and the ending is a touch rushed but @wyervan said anime beach episode and I laughed. So hard. Because Ellis has trauma.

CW there's mention of drowning and medical malpractice. Ellis talks about, very briefly, being intersex. Specifically CAIS.

There's a little bonus at the bottom of the fic.

“No.” 

“You like nature.” 

“I don't like water.” 

“Please?” 

Ellis makes a face at the oven door. They’re busy preparing a quiche for the arcade staff and Moon is meant to be helping. His ‘helping’ is laying out on the bed, toying with Eos’s tail and tormenting Ellis with promises of a vacation, just them and their employers. The problem is, Moon’s not wrong. Ellis loves traveling; it’s why they converted Sue to begin with. And it’s been months since their last trip. They’re itching to travel. 

They just really, really don’t want to go to the beach. 

“Ellis?” 

Moon’s voice brings them back into their body, where they haven’t moved for what, twenty, thirty seconds? Just staring at the timer on the oven. It’s blinking. Had they even set it? “Moon, I can’t swim.” 

“We’ll teach you.” He doesn’t even look up, still playing with Eos’s tail. 

Ellis shakes their head, squeezing their hands into their palms in an attempt to stop the buzzing. “Where will everyone sleep? My bed is barely big enough for you alone Moon, and I’m not sure how ethical sleeping with my employers would be, practicality aside.” The image of Moon tucked against their chest, resting their chin on his head. The intrusive thought leaves them hot even as they shove it far, far, far away. 

What’s been wrong with them lately? Too many long distance phone calls with Helen retelling her middle-aged romances in lieu of actual conversation maybe. Ellis knows they’re weird—their employers, that is. And the novels. And themself, if they’re being honest. 

Fuck, they’re middle-aged now. Maybe this is a midlife crisis. A midlife crisis where they're imprinting on their boss. That thought is shoved away too, buried with every other little embarrassing thing they've done and thought and felt the past eight months. 

If Moon answered, they missed it and are looking dumb again. They pretend to fiddle with their hearing aid. “What?” 

“Rent a place near the water.” 

Ellis looks up and squints at him. “You guys don't have the money for a three, hell, even a two bedroom place. Sun was just complaining about not being able to fix the neons that some asshole cracked until next month.” 

Moon shrugs. As Ellis continues to stare, he pulls Eos up into his chest, nuzzling into her back. Ellis doesn't stop, knowing Moon can feel them staring just like when he does it to them. 

“You could always sleep in the bus if it makes you uncomfortable. Sun and I can share a bed.” 

Again, Ellis has to put away an errant thought. “You two do that often?” 

“Often enough.” He looks up from Eos, the question clear. Ellis looks away. They can never seem to match Moon for his unrelenting stare. “Come with us. The bus will be more comfortable than a car.” 

“Ah.” They can't help their smile. “So that's your angle. You want to nap in comfort instead of folding up like a pretzel.” There’s a bitter taste in the back of their mouth they’re careful doesn’t come through in their voice.

“Yes.” The timer beeps. Ellis has to punch the button hard to make sure it shuts off before pulling on a glove. They almost miss the rest of Moon’s reply. “Would like you there too.” 

And this is how Ellis finds themself driving to a beachside condo, doing their best to ignore Sun’s backseat driving and the fact they could fold so easily. 

Sun is being aggressively annoying. When Ellis adopted Eos, they had sectioned the driver’s seat and paraphernalia into a pseudo-cab, complete with a lockable door so the nosy cat wouldn't work her way under the pedals while the bus was in motion. It was also a good place to hide things like the fire extinguisher, their bat, first aid kit, just a bit everything they didn't want in the main part of the bus. 

And Sun keeps unlocking it whenever Ellis takes a turn slightly weird or has to tap the brakes, all in the name of avoiding colliding with smaller vehicles. Checking on what they’re doing, letting Eos slip in between their legs. The argument would end with Ellis demanding to see Sun’s commercial driver’s license (class B for passenger vehicles and buses). And then they’d have to slow and park by the curb, push Sun out of the driver’s cockpit, and lock it. 

The fact it was unlocked half an hour later without the key did not go unnoticed. Apparently both clowns are masters of breaking and entering. 

It’s a two day trip given the late start, and Sun is magnanimous enough to insist that he and Moon use Ellis’s tent to sleep overnight while Ellis has their bed. Ellis does not sleep, too aware of their presence outside, feeling vaguely paranoid and also bad that Sun felt they needed so much space. But there’s just not enough room for everyone on the bus, not without piling on top of each other. 

The trip really isn’t that long, and the second day has them pulling into the driveway of a bungalow while the sun is still rising. Every house looks the same, shades of pastel and cream with bleached wood fences and sand everywhere. The driveway is barely long enough for the bus, and Ellis parks with a frown, staring down the beach just past the bungalows. They flinch when someone slams the main door open. 

“C’mon Nova! The day isn’t gonna get any younger!” Ellis watches Sun running like an errant wind up toy, all angles that somehow avoid catching on the fence as he leaps over it. They stare after him, face impassive. 

“How the hell can he have so much energy? I don’t even own coffee.” 

“He’s just like that. Should see him when he’s properly manic.” 

Ellis flinches again, realizing one of them had unlocked their door once again. They reach behind them, shoving Moon back by the face before standing and stretching. One foot is used to push Eos back away from the driver’s seat. “Not sure I could handle that honestly. Need help moving the food in?”

Moon fidgets with something in his hands, and Ellis realizes he’s holding the most absurd sunhat. They decide not to wait for an answer, slipping around him to grab the bags out of their ice box. “Just lead the way Moon. I’ll check out the kitchen while you and Sun go out back.” 

“You’re coming out with us.” 

“Nu uh, I’m not.” They don’t look at Moon, face growing hot. “Even if I could swim, and I cannot as I have told you, I don’t have a swimsuit.” They pull away when Moon tries to take the bags from them. “Just give me the keys and you can go right out.” 

“No.” 

Ellis can feel the back of their neck and cheeks grow hot, and they chew on the inside of their cheek to stifle their initial reaction of decking him… somewhere. Not the face, they don’t think. They also don’t think for long, pushing the bags up their arms and shoving Moon’s stupid hat out of the way to dig in his pockets. Wallet, knife, they barely pick up the odd little whine Moon’s making until they’ve successfully pulled the keys out and see that Moon frozen in place, braced against the counter. “You okay?”

“Fine.” Moon looks away, letting Ellis take the keys and grabbing the final few bags to take inside. He does follow them towards the stairwell, scooping his and Sun’s bags along the way. 

The bungalow is small, a glorified studio apartment, really. Sun comes in through the back door when Moon unlocks it, scooping their bags and Moon so they can both change. Ellis busies themselves in the kitchen, unpacking slowly, trying to avoid— 

“Oh, Nova~!” 

Sun. They don’t move when his warm hands hit their shoulders, squeezing just a touch too tightly. “Please let go of me.” 

“Moony tells me you don’t have a swimsuit.” 

“I don’t swim.” 

“You can borrow one of mine!” 

“Sun I can’t—what?” They turn and take in what he’s wearing: pale blue fabric that looks like it belongs more out of 1940’s photoshoot than here in the present. They look him over. There’s way too much thigh. “What the actual fuck are you wearing?”

“Come on; I have a couple of options.” Sun grabs their upper arm, his grip boding no argument. 

“Sun, wait, no…” 

They are dragged into the bedroom, where Moon is pulling on a swimshirt. Ellis immediately goes hot again and looks away, but not before noting the way his body hair culminates in a generous treasure trail. Sun’s got their attention faster anyway as he pulls out a pair of laughably orange trunks. 

“What about this?” 

They can only shake their head, staring at the trunks as they try to motion to their chest. “Won’t work out well unless that beach is good with nudity.” 

“Ah, right.” Sun drops the trunks like they’re fire, digging around in his bag. Moon turns and reaches in to pull out a bottle of sunscreen. “Moony, did I pack my other suit? The striped one.” 

“Packed half the house more like.” Moon helps with one hand, dragging out the suit in question. Ellis pulls back immediately. 

“No.” 

“But it’s perfect! We’ll be twins!” Sun holds the suit out proudly, and Ellis can feel the heat all over again. They kind of want to die here and now. Maybe the water will rise up and take them away in some horrible manifestation of fate. 

Moon slips away while Sun shoves the suit into their hands. “Now change and meet us outside. Don’t make me change you myself.” 

“That’s sexual harrassment,” Ellis manages to say, staring at the stripes. Sun leans in close, tucking his long hand under their chin and lifting it, just a little. Can he feel how hot they are? The panic starts in hard. 

“We’re not at work right now Nova. So if you feel anything is especially untoward, you can’t hide behind the rules.” 

They remain frozen in place, heart hammering against their sternum as they realize they can count every freckle, see the colors in Sun’s irises clearly. He releases them and laughs. “You don’t have to look so frightened Nova; just come out in the suit for pictures!” 

Ellis manages one shaky nod before the door is shut. They sit on the bed, trying to catch their breath before giving the suit a more critical eye. On a closer inspection, it’s not the worst. The black and white stripes are definitely in their wheelhouse, and it’s covering. 

It also belongs from the same era as Sun’s swimsuit. The man did dress like he was from the seventies half the time. And maybe since they’re a head or so shorter than Sun and Moon it won’t show off so much thigh. But why is there a belt? 

They do change and pull their shirt on over it, taking their time to leave. They peek out the back door, seeing Sun’s already started making a new friend and Moon is wearing his hat. Okay, so maybe they’ll forget about Ellis. They can start on an early lunch and sneak out to Sue and just be out of the way and the door is slamming open, a hand grabbing theirs. 

“Moon, no.” They try fruitlessly to dig their heels in. Maybe with Sun it would’ve worked, but Moon’s not as slender, and he easily drags them outside to Sun and the woman. 

“Yes. We’re taking a picture.” Moon pauses at the door, noticing the tshirt, and unceremoniously grabs the back of it, pulling it over Ellis’s head. It catches their glasses, cushioning them when he drops the shirt behind them. “There. Fits you well.” 

Ellis is unable to answer. They can feel Moon take their hand again, pulling them along. He smells like sunscreen, they note, feeling only mildly hysterical for focusing on such a minor detail. Moon calls out to Sun, who waves them over to his new friend eagerly. The person he’d befriended is holding the cellphone Ellis isn’t sure belongs to Sun or Moon. They just both have it at various times. 

“Is this your friend?” The stranger is smiling at Ellis. She looks nice, they think. Pregnant, judging by the belly. 

“Yes indeedy. Moony, you’ll need to push your hat back. Nova?” Ellis makes a noise, unable to stop Moon from pulling them into a side hug. Sun pushes in on the other side. “Make sure you smile nice and big. We can put it up in the office bulletin.” That gets another, fainter noise from them, and they drop their head against Moon’s shoulder, hiding. 

“Is she okay?” the stranger asks, and Ellis twitches but doesn’t move. 

“They’re fine, fine. Just take the picture! Maybe we’ll get another one by the end of the day.” 

There’s no snap, but there is profuse thanks from Sun before Moon takes the phone and pockets it in his, Ellis is embarrassed to note, very normal swim trunks. He looks normal, but he stands out between the three of them. Moon pulls away from Ellis in time to avoid the beach ball aimed directly at them. It knocks Ellis right in the head. 

“C’mon Nova, throw it back!” 

“I’m gonna throw it at your head,” Ellis warns, turning to go after the ball. They spike it at Sun’s face, as promised, but it gets caught up by a stray wind and flies away. Sun runs after it, smacking it back their way before it can hit the ground. “Sun!” 

“Get it!” 

Ellis obliges, kicking it back at Sun, who is able to catch it before the wind does. He’s laughing, and despite everything, Ellis is starting to have fun too. Until the wind kicks up hard, nearly blowing Moon’s hat away and catching the ball, sending it into the water. Sun starts after it, making it up to his shins while Ellis hesitates on the edge. 

“Come on. It’s not that far out.” Sun catches the ball, watching Ellis, who remains with their feet firmly planted on dry sand. “Moony, help!” 

Moon walks over to Ellis, but he just shrugs, glancing their way. Ellis makes a face at him, turning back to Sun. “I’m not going in the water!” 

“You’re missing out on the fun.” Sun trudges back, splashing heartily as makes it to the shore and grabs Ellis’s wrist. “Come on. The suit is old, not fragile.” 

Ellis can feel their heels slipping in the sand and they panic when they touch the water. When their jerk doesn’t immediately free them, they brace against Sun’s grip and punch him solidly in the arm. Sun loses his grip in surprise, and Ellis falls, unable to catch themself. They land in water that is no more than ankle deep. 

Moon starts for Ellis, but they’re moving, scrambling backwards out of the water and back into the sand, forcing themselves up to their feet once they’re free. They kick sand at Sun, furious and terrified and ready to wring his skinny neck the moment he was safely out of the water. “I told you I don’t swim! I can’t swim I never swim I nearly drowned when I was fifteen you fucking asshole!” They kick more sand Sun’s way. 

Sun and Moon remain silent, unmoving and staring as Ellis retreats further from the waterline, walking backwards, tripping over the sand and landing on their ass. They stay down, closing their eyes, hiding their face in their hands. 

When someone touches them, they flail their arm, hitting knees. Hairy. Could be either of them. The legs don’t more, nor does the hand, so they jerk away. Of course it’s Moon. They get back to their feet, hands balled into fists at their side. “Don’t touch me. Don’t take more photos. Don’t fucking drag me back to the water.” 

“We weren’t—” 

But Ellis isn’t listening. “I am going to make lunch. Come in when you’re ready.” And they leave, trying to dust the sand sticking to their wet suit with one hand. 

To their credit, Sun and Moon do not follow, giving Ellis the space they need to cool down. There’s plenty for them to cook, and they throw themself into that, taking out their hearing aids and pulling their shirt back on so they can focus without being cold. So they don’t notice when Moon reenters, though they do flinch when he drops their hearing aids back in their line of sight. 

“Eat a dick.” Any reply is muffled, indistinct. “An entire dick. You and your… whatever. You’re both assholes. I told you I can’t swim.” Moon’s presence so much later still draws tears to their eyes, and they focus on chopping down the celery for chicken salad. 

They tense when Moon touches their cheek, figuring out how to put their hearing aid in place and turning it on. “You nearly drowned?” Moon asks. 

Ellis continues to chop, the celery at this point nearly juice. They feel Moon hovering, but it’s not something they can just say. They drop the knife, rubbing their eyes with the palm of one hand. “Yeah. When I was a kid.” They try to pick up the knife and drop it, watching it clatter uselessly onto the floor. “Fuck.” 

They bend to pick it up, but Moon stops them, using his foot (safely clad in a shoe) to push it out of the way. “Don’t.”

“I’m fine Moon. I need to cook.” They reach again, nearly lashing out when he wraps an arm around their shoulders. They’re pulled to the little couch not even five feet away. “I don’t need you taking care of me.” 

“Sun sent me in.” Moon settles next to Ellis, giving them space. Just  not enough to get up and leave, as demonstrated when they try and Moon pulls them back down. “Talk.” 

“There’s nothing to talk about.” They aren’t allowed up, Moon’s fingers curled in the collar of their shirt a reminder that they are indeed trapped. “Aren’t you hungry?” No response. Ellis closes their eyes, wondering if they could nap here, but Moon’s stare can be felt even like this. “It’s really not interesting.” 

“I can judge for myself.” 

Ellis sighs and shifts, not wanting to look Moon in the eye. There’s another uncomfortable shrug as they try to release themself from his hold, but Moon isn’t budging. “I drowned when I was fifteen. Kinda nearly died sorta deal and the foster home I was in couldn’t take me to the ER immediately so I just sat in the hall waiting unable to even breathe cause it felt like the water was still in my lungs. I got… I got pneumonia and nearly died. And while I was finally in the hospital, they left my chart open and I saw that I was, am. Intersex. It’s…” They fall quiet, fiddling with their thumbs, trying to pull at a hangnail. “They thought I was a girl and I make the estrogen and stuff, but I don’t… I don’t have a uterus.” 

Moon is silent, and Ellis knows they overshared. They pull their legs up, curling into themself. “I ran away after that,” they finish lamely. “When they wouldn’t even get me the medicine I needed after leaving the hospital. I nearly died again hiding in the woods.” They tighten their grip on themself when Moon lets go of their shirt. 

They did not expect to be pulled into a hug. It’s a little awkward, mostly because they don’t unfold into it, trying instead to make themselves smaller, but Moon doesn’t let go. He doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t leave or let go, even when Ellis slowly settles, letting their legs drop again. 

Moon lets them lean into his side, stroking their hair. And Ellis finds themself tearing up again, starting to break down. They try to hide their face again, but there’s no disguising the sound. And Moon doesn’t move, just holds them until they settle down. 

“Please don’t make me go back in the water,” Ellis whispers. Moon nods and when they settle more or less against his chest, he squeezes him tight. “Please don’t.” 

“We won’t,” Moon promises, once. Ellis is slow to calm down, feeling more embarrassed by the wet stain they’ve made on Moon’s shirt and their own hot, tired face than anything else. There was something a little… freeing in being honest. In not being okay. 

Moon lets them go back to cooking after he washes the knife, passing it back handle first. Ellis watches as he returns to the beach, to Sun, pulling his hat back on before he reaches his partner. Ellis can’t make out their faces, but they do duck away when Sun and Moon look back to the bungalow. 

The chicken salad isn’t as good without the celery, but the celery also isn’t very usable so they finish the sandwiches, plating them up in time for the back door to open once again. Sun and Moon take their plates and sit to eat. 

“Help me with this Nova,” Sun says, and they pause in taking a bite of their own sandwich. “Is it or is it not a bad idea to try and fix speciality lights on our lonesome, without the proper equipment?”

“The neon lights?” Ellis asks and joins them. “Don’t they work with like the gas in the tubes or something?”

“The gas?”

“Isn’t neon a gas?” they ask, but none of them are entirely sure. The argument—hiring a professional versus trying to DIY it with a welding kit—feels normal. Ellis is laughing at Moon’s insistence that he could do it himself. They start gathering the plates, but Sun stops them. 

“I’ve got it. Go out with Moon and just enjoy the daylight for a bit. Don’t get to see it much with the arcade, huh?” 

Suspiciously nice. Ellis hesitates and Sun manages to wrangle the dishes away while they’re thinking. Moon drops an arm over Ellis’s shoulders. “Keep your shirt on. We’ll stay away from the water.” 

It takes a moment, but they agree, letting Moon guide them back out. The ball’s on the porch, and Moon snags it casually, but he doesn’t move far. He tosses the ball to Ellis while they’re still on the porch. They catch it, waiting for the trick, but Moon just waits, catching it when Ellis tosses it back. 

By the time Sun comes back out, they’re in the sand again, trying to keep the ball from flying too far with each toss. Sun is holding a pair of buckets and shovels, offering them up. “Sand castles?”

Ellis looks from him to Moon and back again. “I’ve never made one before.” 

“Always a good time to start.” They have to catch the bucket and shovel before they can begin, collecting wet sand to bring back to a point of safety away from the water. And Sun nor Moon fight it or given them an odd look. In fact, they treat Ellis very normally. 

And it’s nice. By the end of the afternoon, they are ready to barbeque, shooing Sun and Moon away to enjoy the water while they work. And Sun makes more friends, who brings food over for an impromptu potluck, and someone even compliments Ellis’s “shorts” while discussing the finer points of vinegar and tomato based sauces. Ellis doesn’t hold their vinegar based opinions against them, even if it’s laughably wrong. 

And they’re eating with these other people, Ellis sitting next to Moon, leaning into him as they listen to Sun laugh, and things are okay. They tuck themselves under his arm and pick at their ribs to chew around the bone and it’s good. The day’s been overall good. 

They fall asleep on Moon, missing who picked them up and carried them back into Sue. They don’t miss how, come morning, both their bosses are in the bus, demanding they take them all out for breakfast.

[runnning-outof-time]

The Same Situation | Tommy Shelby x Reader

Request: yes by @mrsalwayswrite

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x reader

Summary: Tommy's so worried about Freddie Thorne being with his sister, Ada, that he doesn't even realize that he himself is in just about the same situation with Freddie's sister, (Y/N). What happens when Freddie finds out that the same thing is happening on the flip side of it all?

Warnings: language, death threats, weapons

Word Count: 3504

A/N: I strayed a bit from canon on this one to make it make sense, so I hope that that’s fine. I didn’t expect for it to turn out this good, but I have to say that I’m pretty pleased with it. The italicized dialogue comes right from the show. Enjoy:)

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged in future stories similar to this one!

(Y/N) was working on tidying up the displays at her family's bakery when the shop's main door opened. She didn't even need to look up to know who it was; she recognized the sound of his shoes on the hardwood. "Tommy! Where've you been these past few days?" She asked as she looked up. But Tommy Shelby didn't respond. Instead he kept walking.

(Y/N) scoffed as she set down the cake she had so that she could follow the man into the back area of the bakery. "What's going on, Tommy?" she asked him another question, hoping to gain an answer from him this time. But he still said nothing. Instead he dropped his peaked cap onto the counter, the razor blades sewn into it clanging off of the metallic surface, and fished his pack of cigarettes out of the pocket of the jacket he had on. "You know you can't smoke in here," (Y/N) pointed out, her hands falling onto her hips.

That was the sentence that finally made Tommy look at her. He'd frozen with the cigarette between his lips and an ablaze match just about ready to light it. (Y/N) raised her eyebrows at him, as if she was daring him to go ahead and disregard her statement. They held each other's gaze for a few moments before Tommy hissed from the fire licking his fingertips. He quickly shook out the match and tossed it into the sink before he took the cigarette from between his lips and put it back into its packet with a sigh.

"Care to tell me what's gotten into you?" (Y/N) asked him then, her one eyebrow still quirked.

"It's just one problem after a-fucking-nother," he mumbled, his lips pursing together in a brooding scowl.

"Well that answer told me everything," she pointed out, a slight bit of sarcasm laced into her words.

"Ada's pregnant," he forced out then, running a stressed hand over his face after he spoke.

"She is?" she responded, her eyes wide as shock filled her features, "who...who is...?"

"It's Freddie," Tommy hated the fact that those two words tasted like poison as he said them, "it's fucking Freddie," he added then for dramatic measure, the infuriation now fully present in his voice.

"My brother?" (Y/N) was still only asking questions, her shock still too prevalent for her to get past thinking only the basics. "M...my brother got your sister pregnant?" The words sounded so foreign to say.

"Yes, yes he fucking did," he was still fuming. "And now I'm going to fucking kill him," he added before he grabbed his cap and began walking towards (Y/N), who was standing in the archway that led to the exit.

"Woah, woah...you're going to do what?" (Y/N)'s voice was assertive, but it wasn't enough to get Tommy to stop. What was though, was her placing her hand on his chest and putting pressure against him as he walked up to her. "You're not going anywhere in this state of mind, Thomas Shelby," she told him, her eyes locked onto his, her gaze steely and serious, "and you'd be foolish to think that I'd let you go and kill my brother just because you're unhappy with what he's done. Freddie's not the best of men, but he's..."

"Tell me what he is, (Y/N), because right now I can only see a man who needs to be dealt with," Tommy cut into her statement, tension still evident in his words. He was just a few moments shy from foaming at the mouth here. He needed to get to Freddie and he needed to deal with this now.

(Y/N)'s eyebrows raised as she heard what he had to say, and, once again, surprise was now etched across her face, "It's rich of you to say that about him when you're in the same situation as he is," she said to him.

Now it was Tommy's turn to be confused. "What?" he asked her, his anger fizzling out slightly as he furrowed his brows.

"Are you forgetting about you and I?" she queried, her mouth slightly agape as she waited for his answer. He didn't give one, so she continued, "are you forgetting that we've been seeing each other since you came back from France? Are you forgetting that Freddie knows not one thing about us? You'd be a hypocrite if you were to go and strike him down for being in a situation that is almost exactly identical to the one you're currently in."

(Y/N) held his gaze as she finished her monologue, watching him intently for what he'd give as an answer. He blinked a few times as he thought her words over. His mouth opened and shut then before he let out a sigh and dropped his gaze from hers, clearly defeated now. "It's not that simple when you see it that way, is it?" she remarked, her hand finally dropping from his chest because he'd stopped putting pressure against it.

"I'm still fucking angry at him," he muttered in a disgruntled tone.

"Sure you are...and you have a right to be. That's your sister; you're meant to protect her. But I think I have a little bit of insight into what Ada was thinking, and let me tell you...the move wasn't made only on Freddie's part," she continued to try to reason with him, the slightest smirk forming on her face as she finished her statement. Tommy looked up as she said her final words, and upon seeing the smirk, he shot her the 'don't you even start' look. She held her hands up in surrender as the smile overtook her features. "What are you going to do now?" she asked him after a few moments had passed.

"I'm going to go and find a way to deal with this situation," he responded as he placed his peaked cap atop his head before tugging it down into its proper spot.

"And I trust that that solution will ensure that everyone stays alive?" she checked with him, her eyebrows raising as she spoke.

Tommy pursed his lips at her statement, thinking it over for a moment before he cut the tension by nodding and exhaling a sigh. "It'll take longer for me to figure out, but I'll see it through so that is the case," he told her, his eyes locked onto hers.

"You've given me your word, so now you must stick to it," she reminded him.

"When have I ever broken my word to you?" he questioned her, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Let's not start with that, Tommy Shelby," she said to him, her smile present as he exhaled a breath of a laugh at her statement.

"I'll see you later," he deflected the previous topic as he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

"I mean it," she stressed as they pulled away, trying to hold a serious look, but her smile was obviously breaking through.

"You have my word," he promised her again, kissing her lips one more time before she finally stepped aside and let him exit the backroom.

She turned to watch him walk out of the bakery, holding in her sigh until the door shut behind him. Men, she thought to herself as she shook her head, it's completely fine when they're in the midst of it, but if someone steps over the line they've already crossed, then there'll be hell to pay.

——

(Y/N)'s night had been pretty good so far. Nothing drastic came out of Tommy's blow up - besides the fact that Freddie declined his train ticket out of Birmingham and instead proposed to Ada. Of course, that struck a chord within Tommy, (Y/N) got an earful about it after he found out, but everyone was still alive. What she didn't know was that the caliber of her night was going to go down drastically the second she entered the small, dingy apartment that she shared with her brother.

Freddie was standing by the desk that was pushed up against the far wall of the apartment's main room. (Y/N) thought nothing of it, until he turned to face her with what looked to be a stack of papers in his hand. "Would you care to explain what these are to me?" he asked her as he shook the papers slightly for effect.

"What are they?" (Y/N) asked for some details. All she could see was that he was holding a stack of white paper.

"They're letters," he gave her more context.

"Ok...?" she asked for even more details. Everyone writes letters...why was he getting so worked up over these?

"They're letters from Tommy Shelby; from the war," he finally brought the hammer down, his words coming out in a cross manner.

(Y/N) sighed as she heard what her brother had to say. "I'm not allowed to write to someone who we've known since grade school?" she asked him, her eyebrows raising.

"Not in this manner you aren't," he rebuked, his voice raising slightly as his frustration became more pronounced.

"Well what was I to do? No one else was writing to me, Freddie. I tried you multiple times and got nothing! Tommy responded to me. He was my lifeline while you were all away," she raised her voice with his, showing him that she wasn't going to bow out of the argument.

"There's writing to him, and then there's forming a well-pronounced relationship with him, (Y/N). I'm never going to unread some of the things that were written here!" Freddie countered, waving the letters in front of her again.

"You shouldn't have been reading them in the first place!" (Y/N) exclaimed, her eyes wide as she managed to snatch them out of his hands. She did a quick check of them, breathing the slightest sigh of relief when she found that they were all accounted for. These letters meant a great deal to her. They were the only things that made her smile during the dark years of war, and now they served as a reminder of the beginning of the relationship that she now shared with Tommy. "Why were you going through my drawer anyway, Freddie?" she asked him then, a glare present on her face.

"Ada heard talk..." he started.

(Y/N) quickly cut him off. "Oh...Ada," she over-exaggerated the words, rolling her eyes as she heard her brother huff.

"She heard talk that Tommy'd only did what he did for us because of the situation he was in. It got me thinking, and it led me to these letters," he continued with his explanation, motioning to the letters she was holding then.

"That still doesn't give me good reason to understand why you decided to go searching through my drawer of the desk," (Y/N) pointed out. Sure, Tommy being in a 'situation' could have possibly got him thinking; she wasn't going to discredit her brother's brain, but how he pieced it together and figured out she had these letters stashed away just wasn't computing for her.

"That doesn't fucking matter, (Y/N). You've been going around behind my back with him even after you've known that we're at odds with each other. That's uncalled for and it's something I won't fucking have anymore!" he disregarded her statement, instead letting his frustration get the best of him and shine through in his words.

(Y/N) looked at him for a few moments, digesting what he'd just said to her. She tried to decide which way she should go about this situation; bring in reason? Or let him have it? She was so close to choosing the latter. "It's a bit rich of you to be saying this considering you're doing the exact same thing with Ada...well you were trying to, until Tommy found out you got her pregnant," she finally gave her response. If it were any other time, she'd laugh at the fact that she was saying the exact same statement to the other side of the equation just weeks apart. But she kept a straight face now.

There was the slightest change in Freddie's composure after he heard these words. But yet he pushed on. "That doesn't change the fact that he's crossed the fucking line. I ought to put a bullet in his head for even thinking of you in that way!" he let his anger prevail, his voice raised yet again.

"And what good will that do? I told him this when he was thinking the same thing, and I'll have no remorse in telling you the same: dealing with him in this manner will make you an outright hypocrite because you are doing the exact same thing with his sister. In a way, you'd be unjustifying your situation by dealing with mine in such a way."

Silence fell between the two siblings after (Y/N) finished her piece. Both were staring at each other, and tension was building around them to the point that it could be cut with a knife. Freddie made the first move, breaking his gaze as he began walking to the door. (Y/N)'s voice stopped him before he could open it. "You're not going to find him because he's gone for the weekend...figuring out some deal with some fucking Inspector because you don't want to take your stubborn ass out of the picture," she told him, knowing exactly what he was about to go and do.

Her words made Freddie freeze. He didn't say anything, but instead stared at her for a moment longer before finally opening the door and exiting the apartment. (Y/N) couldn't help but exhale a sigh once she was alone. Men, she thought as she shook her head. Now she'd have to figure out a way to make sure that both her brother and her lover would make it out of this situation alive. Thankfully Tommy was out of the city for the weekend, and that Freddie knew about the potential of him getting caught if he went anywhere close to that Inspector at the moment.

——

"How did I know that the two of you would come here the very first chance you had?" (Y/N) questioned the two men that were currently pointing their revolvers at each other. She confidently walked up to them, seeing only their eyes shift over in the direction she was coming from. Their stances stayed unwavering; it was going to take more than a simple statement.

Tommy spoke first. "What're you doing here, (Y/N)?" he asked her, his eyes still fixed on his target that was lying below him.

"I'm making sure that neither of you do something stupid," she answered him as she stopped a few paces away from where their stand-off was occurring.

"I won't let him fuck up my sister's life for his cause," Tommy said then, his finger toying with the trigger as he spoke. (Y/N) didn't know what to say. The both of them had their weapons fixed on each other, and the tension was almost palpable around them.

Thankfully (Y/N) didn't need to do any negotiating. After a few moments, Freddie dropped his gun to the ground. "My God..." he started, a sigh escaping with his words, "you actually believe that," his next sentence was spoken as a statement, as it was made pretty obvious by Tommy where his thoughts were at the moment, "I love her, Tommy. I loved her since she was nine and I was twelve. And she loves me the same," he said then, the slightest smile creeping onto his lips as he spoke.

Tommy still kept his revolver fixed on its target, his gaze unwavering as he heard what his ex-best friend had to say. (Y/N) watched with her breath held as Freddie then stood from the ground. Tommy didn't lower his arm until Freddie took two steps so that they'd be standing face to face with each other.

"Do you even know the word?" Freddie queried, his eyes locked onto Tommy's, "because I can say the same thing about you with (Y/N); using her for your fucking gain, like she's just some dispensable object," he added then, his words spoken with a harshness.

"Freddie..." (Y/N) cut into their stand off with a warning tone.

"No, (Y/N). He needs to fucking hear this," Freddie brushed his sister off, "he needs to fucking know that this can't be a two way street; that he can't damn me for what he thinks I'm doing and then go and do the exact same," he spoke these next lines to Tommy, as if he was trying to get him to see sense in it all.

"Then you must know that we are in love too," (Y/N) spoke up after a few more tense moments had passed. This made Freddie break his gaze from Tommy to look over at (Y/N). She could tell just by his eyes that he was shocked by the news. "You heard me right," (Y/N) doubled down, moving closer to the two of them before she continued, "we are in love; have been since 1917, when we were writing letters to each other. He professed it to me the moment he found me at the apartment and I said it back all the same. You weren't there when it happened, Freddie, because you'd gone to meet Ada under that bridge you always find yourselves under," (Y/N) spelled it out for her brother, watching as his jaw went slightly slack. (Y/N) fought the smirk that was trying to form on her face. She loved having the upper hand. "That's right, I know about that. Us women, we talk, and Ada told me everything. I'm happy for the two of you, I see your relationship for what it is. I only hope that you both can stop patronizing each other and let it lie," she ended her statement by looking between the both of them.

The two men looked at each other again, the tension arising between them again. Freddie was the one to break the silence. "I don't know where you stand, but I will accept you and (Y/N) being together," he said, being the bigger person and the one to bury the hatchet first. (Y/N) wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but she knew she couldn't yet. Not with the way that Tommy was still staring her brother down. She silently hoped that he'd choose peace as well.

"I will accept you and Ada being together, but if you do anything to hurt her, it will be the end of you," Tommy finally conceded, but not before throwing one last threat into the mix.

Nothing else was said then as the two men continued to stare at each other. (Y/N) knew what this was. Neither wanted to make the first move. So she stepped into their staring contest. "Freddie, why don't you go find Ada. She was telling me earlier about some pain that she was having. She may need you," (Y/N) tried to reason with her brother, pushing on his chest slightly so that he would get the cue that she wanted him to back away from the situation. This did the trick in getting Freddie's gaze off of Tommy, and (Y/N) watched it soften as his eyes found hers. He said nothing, and only nodded before he stepped away and began to leave the old warehouse building.

(Y/N) turned to Tommy once the other man was out of sight. "I'm sure you would have killed one another had I not shown up," she broke their silence, her hand fiddling with the lapel of his jacket as she focused her eyes on his chest.

"He's not worth it," Tommy responded, shaking his head slightly.

"Sure seemed like he was when I got here," (Y/N) replied, her eyes rising to meet his. She was able to see the starting of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"He's not worth it, but you are," he flipped his words around, the second half of his statement succeeding in making (Y/N)'s cheeks heat up.

"You're a sap, Tommy Shelby," she teased him, smacking his chest gently, her words making his smirk appear full on his lips. She smiled back at him as she took hold of his lapels and pulled him closer to her so that she could press her lips to his. "You're a sap, and I love you," she whispered against his lips, feeling him smile against hers at her words. Tommy said nothing in response, but instead pulled her in for another kiss; a kiss that perfectly conveyed how he felt towards her.

Tagged: @mgcldydrms @the-anxious-youth @cloudofdisney @look-at-the-soul @elenavampire21 @mrsalwayswrite @julkaamazing @evita-shelby @lilyrachelcassidy @notyour-valentine @shelbydelrey @december16-1991 @onlydeadcells @peakyswritings @just-a-blackhole @watercolorskyy @strayrockette @peakyduchesss @alexxavicry @captivatedbycillianmurphy @yummycastiel @dark-academia-slut @tommystargirl @stevie75 @lyarr24 @signorellisantichrist @zablife @anotherblinder @midnightmagpiemama @cillmequick @rangerelik @lovemissyhoneybee @dandelionprints @letal-y-poetica @raincoffeeandfandoms @itscheybaby @gypsy-girl-08 @lora21 @insanitybyanothername @depxiety @dragons-are-my-favorite @sunsetbeachesandwriting @forgottenpeakywriter @cilliansangel

MASTERLIST

[the-wintry-mizzenmast]

笛花 Dihua/Feihua prompt fill for @dharjeeling Still on the topic of @lyselkatz's post-canon fanart of silver-haired Li Lianhua and bearded A-Fei.

[When Di Feisheng finally woke up, Li Lianhua's hair was so lily white. But he was standing, his cheeks flushed with life, and Di Feisheng would do it all over again.]

-----

When Di Feisheng finally wakes up, sunlight is already streaming through the windows of Lotus Tower. He pushes himself up to his elbows, and the motion catches Li Lianhua’s attention. The old fox hurries over to the side of the bed from where the congee has been simmering in the kitchen.

It smells like congee now, like something that an ordinary person might actually want to eat, instead of reeking of noxious fumes like a medicinal warehouse that’s been set on fire. It’s a sign that Li Lianhua’s senses are returning, that he can smell and taste again, that what the Bicha poison took from him is slowly being restored. 

The light captures Li Lianhua’s silver hair as he stands at Di Feisheng’s side, framing his benevolent features with the radiance of a bodhisattva. The next thing that comes out of his mouth, however,  shatters that illusion. 

“You went too hard last night, A-Fei. I don’t approve.” 

Di Feisheng wants to tell him there’s no such thing as going too hard, that the way Li Lianhua’s cheeks are flushed with life and vitality prove that more than anything, but it’s too early in the day for such melancholy sentiment. 

So he says instead, “I know my limits,” and before his husband can protest, he adds, “and I know yours too.”

Li Lianhua purses his lips. “I’ll get you some food. You know, you’re lucky I can walk today,” he mutters, as if that’s his chief concern, and not the fact that every time they dual cultivate, Di Feisheng uses up a little more of his internal energy to dissolve what remains of the Bicha. Li Lianhua doesn’t like it, but how Di Feisheng chooses to use his internal energy is not for him to say. 

It has taken almost two years for them to get here, for the majority of the poison to be cleansed, and it may take another two to five before it is driven out completely. Li Lianhua’s hair has turned completely white, and Di Feisheng already has a lock of white at his temple. Li Lianhua plays with it often, curling it around his finger, or paying it extra attention when he brushes his hair. Di Feisheng knows that he may also go completely silver before the last of the Bicha is gone, but he takes it as a sign that they will remain together well into the white hairs of old age, as the expression goes. The thought pleases him. 

They sit down at the table together, Di Feisheng’s bowl filled almost to the brim, Li Lianhua’s own only half full. 

“I’ve already eaten,” he explains. 

Di Feisheng stares at his own husband with a faint frown, but then picks up his spoon and digs in. He can tell when Li Lianhua is lying—the subtle shift in his voice and gaze, the flex in his fingers—the old fox isn’t lying right now. 

There’s a rule that Fang Duobing set when all this all started—when you eat at Lotus Tower, you eat together. It means that Li Lianhua has had to eat whenever they do, has to snack whenever they snack. It’s gradually put some meat back on those skinny fox bones, and Di Feisheng is thankful that Fang Duobing had the good sense to make up that rule and then enforce it.

Li Lianhua reaches forward, and Di Feisheng thinks there must be a fleck of rice stuck in his beard. Instead, Li Lianhua takes his chin and strokes a thumb through the short, rough hairs there. 

“You’re getting a bit of white in here too,” he says.

That’s news to him, but Di Feisheng finds he doesn't mind. “It matches the hair,” he replies and shoots Li Lianhua an easy, reassuring smile. For all that Li Lianhua is an old fox, sometimes he is afraid—of wanting too much, of Di Feisheng is sacrificing too much, of being undeserving of whatever he receives. The fear rears its head less and less as the Bicha recedes, when Li Lianhua can see that he is needed and he is loved, and that not all of the ills of the world were born from the hubris of his youth.

There is a long road yet ahead of them, and it is precisely because of that that if Di Feisheng were given the choice, he would do it all over again. He wants to walk this road with Li Lianhua, and Li Lianhua only. 

They finish their meal, and there is much to do before the day is done—dishes to wash, floors to sweep, a whole field of golden wangchuan flowers to tend to. They get up, and set about the chores, together. 

[intosnarkness]

“I bet I can make you scream my name” with kanej

(1 2 or make up your own) (ask) Look, this is all going behind the cut because it is smutty AF. NSFW. It begins post coital, and bridges the gap to round two. Nothing graphic is described, but it's alluded to. Use your good sense about what you want to read, I'm not your mom.

Inej doesn't like pet names. 

It's not surprising, when Kaz thinks about it. She told him once that she'd spent the year in the Menagerie being called everything except her name, so when they're together he goes out of the way to use it.

He breathes it softly, reverent and sweet, when she straddles his lap and kisses him like she's dying for it. The taste of her name is honey and cinnamon, sharp and sweet. 

He says it like an oath as her slim fingers curl around the length of him and he sees stars in her eyes where they meet his. She is gentle and he cannot help the way the fires she sets under his skin burn him to ashes.

He kisses her name into the skin of her chest, across her collar bones and down to her small, perfect breasts. He writes it across her with his tongue, summoning up all the stubborn bravery that his life had demanded of him to weather the storm of skin and stay afloat on the waters in his head. He whispers it like a gasping prayer - inej inej inej inej - when they finally slide together, her body warm and wonderful around him.

She clutches him, her fingers pressing divots into the soft flesh of his shoulders, and she breathes along with him. They do this thing together, they take it for themselves and revel in the moments when they can hold each other so close, hard won but won all the same.

"You're quiet," he says, after. He's not quite able to cuddle her tonight, but they're both curled on their sides, hands and noses all but touching as they come down together. Sometimes he can bear it, can have her head on his chest and her hair soft and silky where he wraps it around his fingers. Sometimes they kiss lazily, sometimes they can even keep touching each other with curious hands. Not tonight. Tonight they have both overstimulated themselves in the best way, and they need space to recover. He loves her for understanding, for not seeing his need for space as a rejection. He thinks a lot of people might. But never Inej.

"Am I?" she smiles and rolls her neck. He longs to kiss her there, at the juncture of her shoulder where he'd first pressed his lips all those years ago now. It's not a good idea, but he files it away. Later.

"What are you thinking?" he asks, instead of touching her.

Inej smiles and gifts him with her perfect laugh. "I'm thinking how handsome you are," she says, and Kaz can feel the blood rising in his cheeks. "And how much I like it when you say my name."

"Do you?" he smiles, because he knows. He's always known how much she likes it. "I like it when you say mine, too."

Inej holds out her hand to him and he takes it, lacing their fingers together before he lifts the back of it to his lips, kissing it gently. 

"Kaz," she says, and he can hear her smile, can hear the happiness it brings her to give him this small thing. He shivers, a little wave of sensation down his spine at the intensity in her eyes. 

"You should say it more," he says, reaching his free hand out to where her hair has come loose to rub a bit of it between his fingers. Like silk, like satin. Soft and smooth and perfectly black. He loves her hair.

"Kaz," she purrs, stretching it out so the z turns into a hiss. He can feel the arousal beginning to pool in his stomach. God, he loves her. "How should I say your name, Kaz?"

He can't help but laugh and squeeze the hand he's holding tightly. "During," he says. "When we're-- together. Would you say my name, then?"

Inej doesn't stop to think about it, she just nods. "Of course. Will you remind me?"

The lust he's been feeling tempers with pride as his smile grows. "What's the matter?" he asks, trying to sound innocent but coming out deeply smug. "Do you forget? Is it that good?"

She doesn't show a blush, but she does look down, like she can't stand to hold his gaze in that moment. "Yes," she whispers, and she shifts slightly closer to him. They're still not touching - she won't touch him unless he invites her, not when they're like this. She's giving him permission, though, with her body language. He's not quite ready, but if they keep this up he thinks he will be, sooner than later. Especially if she keeps saying his name like that. 

"Yes, Kaz," she says again, and something in her voice sounds dangerous. "You fuck me so well I'd forget my own name if you ever stopped saying it."

Fuck. That admission goes straight to his cock. It should be too soon for him to go again, for her to get him so riled up. But this is doing it. This is pushing down the waters and pulsing though him in a way that nothing else ever has. He is a creature of molten want, an incubus summoned by the sound of his name in her mouth. 

"Wanna see if I can make you scream it?" he says, dropping her hand so he can reach up and touch her, the skin of her cheek singing under his fingertips. "I bet I can."

Inej laughs with surprise, a delighted noise that he wants to kiss out of her mouth and keep inside of himself so she can never give it to anyone else.

"Five kruge if you make me scream?" she asks, raising an eyebrow at him. He shakes his head. Not money, never money. It's too close to what they did to her for him to agree. 

"Bragging rights," he says, using his thumb to trace the arc of her cheekbone. "And loser has to go out and get food. Winner gets to stay naked and warm."

"Okay," Inej says, turning to kiss his palm softly. "Bet. Do your worst, Brekker."

He leans down, capturing her mouth with his, trying to put all the emotions that war in his chest - lust and love and want and pride and greed and desire and desire and mostly desire - into it so she can feel what she does to him. What she makes him feel. 

"Inej," he whispers, when they break apart.

"Yes, Kaz?" she replies, and he can tell she's relishing the way he reacts to his name, the way it takes him by storm when she says it. 

"You're in trouble," he says.

She just shakes her head as he starts to kiss down her body again, his hands paving the way for his mouth to follow, all the hidden parts of her ready for him to bring her another round of crashing pleasure.

He wins the bet, but she tells him, when she comes back with the cones of fried fish and potatoes, that she never had any intention of letting him lose.

[neverlearnedtoread]

Uprooted

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐; my favourite kind of fantasy - classic fairytale with a side of 'dont worry about the details' and 'you gotta believe in the heart of the cards!'

Oh?? 👌😉😏

a really sharp, quick-witted, and willful female protagonist going 'fuck it!' every few chapters or so and doing something crazy (crazy fun) to drive the plot forward, off a new exciting cliff

a soft magic system that really shows off in the best light what makes soft magic systems so valid. its all about the metaphors!! you have to measure the chocolate chips with your heart!!!

nature is so magical and beautiful and deadly. specifically if you treat trees bad they will form a sentient vengeful forest to raze your civilization to the ground and salt the earth with your bodies

kasia. i love an atomic blonde unkillable bad bitch with the strongest queerplatonic vibes with her best friend from birth

a CLASSIC grumpy 'beastly' male love interest. he seals himself away in a lonely tower, makes girls hang out with him for 10 years at a time, and unironically calls himself 'the Dragon'. he even has the audacity to be offended that everyone thinks he's creepy!!!!!!

No.. ❌🤢🤮

if you like having explanations for how magic works and any semblance of a hard magic system in your fantasy, put this book back. 'round here we operate on Vibes Only, babey!!

similarly, if your love language is words of affirmation and/or you think that fanfic-style romance plotlines should stay in fanfic, this romance is Not For You. this is not a judgment, only a warning

Summary: Agnieszka loves her home in her little village in the valley - you know, except for the evil forest simply known as the Wood that's been around as long as there have been people in the valley, with terrible creatures and sentient walking trees. And the century-old wizard known only as 'the Dragon' living in the tower overlooking their land, who takes a young woman every ten years to serve him. But what Agnieszka dreads the most is that her best friend, Kasia, will be chosen next, and that Agnieszka is helpless to save her. Until the day of the choosing, when the Dragon picks Agnieszka instead.

Concept: 💭💭💭💭 I've never gotten along that well with a book blurb, but this one does its damn job - gives me enough plot premise to get me interested without giving it all away, and doesn't make me feel like I've been lied to once I start the book! some stories really don't do what they say on the tin, or take ages to get there at all, but Uprooted starts off exactly at the spot the blurb said it would - with a girl, in a valley, scared of a terrible wizard, about to be whisked away to a tower.

Execution: 💥💥💥💥💥 This story is EXACTLY what it says it wants to be, down to the cadence of the prose - a Polish folklore-inspired fairytale. The rhythm of Novik's narration even fits right - one day I'll get the audiobook for this and get to hear it the way I read it in my head, like a grandmother's bedtime story with twists and eddies and crescendos at the all the right bits. I was in love with the aesthetic of every character, they fit perfectly into the backdrop of what this story was.

Personal Enjoyment: ❤❤❤❤❤ This book aligns to my tastes much the same way An Enchantment of Ravens does, and shares of lot of the same elements without ever feeling derivative - smart girl meets magic boy, causes all kinds of irreversible political upheaval, and lives happily ever after being just as they are - a Girl with The Audacity. its a tale as old as time, and i'll hear it told just as often

Favourite Moment: you know its a good book when you really can't choose a favourite moment - one that comes to mind is agniezska choosing to save sarkan from being grafted onto the heart-tree in the Wood instead of setting fire to it. the 'fuck it!' energy agniezska brings to her moments of crisis is SO good, plus the motif of her always reaching out to sarkan to cast magic together - 'hey real quick, cast a spell with me while you're being pulled into an evil magic tree trying to twist your magic and life force against us. couldn't hurt, eh?' and then it WORKS

Favourite Character: now yall know i love a sarkan-esque character - pathetic wet cat men who are so offended by their own squishy feelings are a great time! and kasia is SO bad bitch extraordinaire, her and agnieszka's love for each other literally makes the plot go - every time, every time without hesitation she puts herself as the last thing standing between agnieszka and the Wood. but agniezska herself is really Something. the way she uses magic, her connection with nature and her refusal to be anything else than what she is - a grubby young woman who wields kindness as her weapon against the world, who holds onto her humanity with both hands and teeth - she shapes this fairytale to be the story she wants it to be, one of connection and empathy. and im still thinking about her introducing the lord of the whole valley to her mother 🤣 power move!!

[sunflowerandstrawberryspice]

Songs the Ninjago Fandom is Sleeping on.

So I have like a bunch of songs and animatic ideas for the Ninjago fandom to do what they please with, cause chronic hand pain makes long projects like animatics kinda hard so instead I'm throwing them out to yall! (Song-artist)

SOPILERS FOR LITERALLY EVERYHTING RELATING TO NINJAGO (This includes Dragons rising, the spinjitzu brothers books and the Garmadon comics)

Also please remember this is for fun so be nice.

Survivors Guilt- Coma Cinema: Okay oaky so hear me out: eldest child angst. This could work for both Garmadon and Kai, because both of them are just SUCH older siblings in more than just the literal way you know? Like I think it fits especially with Garmadon because it's about feeling like you're a bad person and how it might fuck up someone else life in the process. To me I think it fits, cause like to me it's so clear Garmadon is the elder sibling TM and Wu is the stressed out younger sibling golden child. Lyrics: "And I don't care and I don't know why maybe I'm no good inside" the way this totally works for how Garmadon tries to act like he doesn't care in Spinjitzu Brothers but is like constantly stressed about whether or not he's a good person.

Seven Nation Army- The White Stripes: I don't have like any major reasons for this song other than it being SUPER Wyldfyre/Kai core lol (at least in the early seasons before he mellowed out a bit), like the song is literally someone sing about how they feel like how they could take on armies if necessary so take that as you will!

Viper- Derivakat: For starters I didn't know this was a Minecraft song until I went to look up the lyrics buuuuuuut oh well mine now! Could definitely be used for either the Great Devourer or the Serpentine, but I think it be cool if someone used the song for the Great Devourer and the venoms effect on Garmadon and how it really kinda fucked up his life. I think it'd just be neat. Lyrics: "Run, run, run as fast as you can out of the fire and into my hand" (Could def be used for Garmadon and the Great Devourer or Pythor and Lloyd) "Abandon your pride cause you've dug your own grave" and "Getting all up in your head make you lose your mind again" (Again would work pretty great for Garmadon or season one Lloyd and Pythor)

The Well- The Crane Wives: Now this song is perfect for season 6 Jay in my opinion since it's got some wish related lyrics which work well for the Nadakan plot, plus people getting "dragged down" could be the other ninja getting absorbed into the sword. I'm not to big on this season or Jay but even I can tell this song works WELL for him (get it well? I'll see myself out). Lyrics: "Like spare coins, poised on the tip of my tongue I make a wish and hold my breath" This could not only be the making wishes part but also Jay getting "spare coins" aka his bio fathers money and house after he dies, "I'm the well they're gonna drag you down" again this could be used for the ninja being dragged into the sword "All the words I couldn't say to you" His pinning over Nya obviously. And lastly "I taste blood I'm sick of swallowing stones" Could be his trauma after Nadakan is defeated or when he was beat up in the fight thing.

Viva La Vida (But epic)- Reinaeiry (I just like this version best but any works): Could totally work for Lloyd post merge, him being lonely in this new world and forced to be a hero in the shadows. Y'all could also probably do something with the FSM but like I'm not exactly sure what. This one's a little more for the vibes tbh.

Parasite- Set It Off: When I tell yall this is great for Harumi and Lloyd, like it'd work so well as a song for her trying to manipulate and twist his mind. The name says it all it's literally telling someone they'd wished they'd never been born and that they don't help society, sound like anyone familiar? Also if y'all just want a song for like a villain arch for Lloyd this would also probably work tbh. Lyrics: "Leeching off my pain never satisfied" Totally could work for Harumi being mean and manipulative or Lloyd getting angry and being honest with her. "Strike a nerve or wreck a home hoping you get a response" This could totally be used literally cause of Harumi's whole... you know dead parent situation.

Matilda- Harry Styles: I know I know what you're saying, Harry Styles? But I promise this song is actually wonderful. This could work RIDICOULOUSLY well for Sora. The song is a lot about how you can go on to live a life and you don't have to include your bioparents or family in it if you don't want to which is SO Sora. Like I feel like all the lyrics work well for how Imperium and her parents drained her and I just love it! Then second you could also view this as kind of a Cole song. I know the fandom is kind of split on whether or not him and his father really make up and I'm gonna be honest I don't really think they do. Unlike Jay, Zane, Lloyd as well as Kai and Nya to an extent (once they get their parents back) all at least interact with their parents and clearly have somewhat of a relationship with them (Kai and Nya less so but they have the excuse of being adults by the time they get their parents back). Cole on the other hand doesn't really have the same thing, like he has the episode where he makes up with his father but after that Lou doesn't really have many other major appearances so I think they're on good terms but not that close ya know? Idk just my opinion lol. Unrelated but the song is honestly so eldest daughter-core and I just wanted to mention that.

Uhhhh that's all for now, let me know if y'all just want me to compile all this into a playlist to listen to cause I totally will. Any who just want to restate this is all my opinion and I love this show <3

Hope y'all have a great day/night PEACE OUT.

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

... What if Walter became a vampire?

Actually, now that I think about it, that would be very bad for everyone involved. Like Mike said, the man is a time bomb and you don't want to be around for the boom.

Somehow, I can imagine Walter ends up destroying the Volturi and dooming humanity after a full season of thinking Aro is going to kill him any second.

The thing is, Walter White probably wouldn't run into the Volturi and he wouldn't really be able to conceptualize them as powerful people or people he wants to be (e.g. Gus). To him they'd be nutjobs who go around killing vampires and insist on them all being secret.

Walter agrees he shouldn't be near people as he ah tends to eat them but... well...

But to back up a bit, let's turn Walt into a vampire.

Walter White's Problems Go Sideways

We'll say that Walt has already started. He's learned he has lung cancer, he's found Jesse, he's killed Crazy Eight in his basement and had to do the cleanup, and things are not going great but meth is being made.

Then he gets eaten by a vampire.

Only, the vampire doesn't get very far because Walter and his radiated lung cancer tastes like shit (canonically, illnesses, substance abuse, etc. can seriously fuck with your taste). They scamper off, not having intended on turning cancer ridden Walter White, and Walter is left... very confused.

His skin is some strange carbon substance that under a microscope looks eeriely close to diamond. He's breaking everything he touches and uh... he ate a guy in a Walmart parking lot.

Walt desperately runs out into the desert and is terrified of going home a) looking like this b) having eaten someone. Something has gone very very very wrong with him and he doesn't think it's the cancer.

Then Walter realizes it doesn't matter.

He's dying anyway and he must provide for his family.

Walt puts on a hazmat suit he stole from a lab (as he now has no fingerprints), which helps with the um people smell that keeps driving him mad, and spends an episode bullying Jesse into helping him fake his death.

(Walter ends up eating another poor person and, not knowing what else to do, they shove the man in Walter's car then light it on fire. Walter White has now died in an awful awful car explosion.)

There's a very sad funeral that Walter attends from the shadows. Gretchen and Elliott show up, Hank gives a eulogy on how Walt was kind of a nerd, Walt hates it so much.

Jesse's asking what the fuck is going on, he's seen lung cancer and that ain't no stage he's ever heard of bitch, and Walter (who doesn't know the answer either) blows him off and tells Jesse he's stupid. They also have a lot of meth to make. Find a new Crazy Eight.

"You killed Crazy Eight," Jesse points out.

Yeah, well, let's get a new one.

So, Jesse regretfully goes to talk to Tuco. This goes poorly. Walt then has to go confront Tuco himself (which is um... bad news...) and ends up eating both Tuco and all of his people.

Walter decides not to tell Jesse this.

"I took care of Tuco" he says instead, having rescued their meth (and cash from Tuco's safe).

Jesse's impressed and a little disturbed, he has no idea how to answer this.

(Hank, meanwhile, thinks drug lords have reached a new low. Someone set their pet dog/bear/something on Tuco Salamanca and ate his entire face. Just. Wow. What a way to go. Hank is celebratory but even he's grossed out by this one.)

Well, Jesse and Walt (now always in a hazmat suit, by the way) are back to square one. They have a whole lotta meth and no one to sell it to.

Walt, slowly getting over his existential horror of being a cannibal, suggests that they sell it on the street. Jesse points out that's mad, the gangs control distribution, if they try to get in on that, massively, they are fucked.

"I can take care of it," Walter promises, having at this point tested out his new, invulnerable, ridiculously strong body.

Walter is easily able to steal them more and better supplies (moving faster than cameras can trace, leaving no prints, etc. And takes out anyone who even thinks at looking at Badger or whoever funny.

(Hank, meanwhile, is seeing a pattern of someone setting their bear loose on every one of Salamanca's men. They've got a gang war going on. Fuck.)

Gus is also noticing and keeps Gale well off the street and asks Mike to look into this.

Mike finds himself very confused. These are low level punks, local kids who dropped out of school and destroyed their lives with meth, but they're not gangsters. They clearly have no idea what they're doing and no muscle.

So who keeps killing everybody?

Unfortunately for Walter, the Volturi are also starting to take notice, as this is a lot of people dead in Albuquerque from rogue cocaine bears. Oddly focused on the human drug trade, but the signs are unmistakable. Aro sends Demetri and Felix off to deal with it.

Sure enough, they catch Walter's scent and ah...

The show's suddenly over when two cosplayers take Walter (in his hazmat suit) out in an alley.

[the-monkey-ruler]

why is meihouwang 6 ears ur bias?

Bias? Like why he's a favorite?

Well I really enjoy him! I do love Xiao Shihou a bit more in the series cause he has a special place in my heart for me but I really love how they did Liu’Er in the series as well! Not only is his design super interesting and iconic but something about the changing of his looks when how his mental state is just always making me love a character more!

The thing I think Mei Hou Wang made Liu’Er such a well-defined character, giving so much time to build Liu’Er's personality and even his own relations to other characters! Liu’Er clearly was more of a daredevil himself at the start of the series, willing to do outrageous stunts for fun and it's clear that he is close to the Monkey Elders of the troop, already taking missions with them. But most important is how he regards Monkey King Yeye and how has nothing but respect for him. He never wants to question Monkey Yeye and is always seen at his side as a loyal helper (COUGH son COUGH). He has a strong sense of justice, wanting to help others that have helped him, being the first and ONLY person (besides Monkey Yeye) to be on Shihou's side at the start when he was being considered an outsider because he was saved by him, even unintentionally! He is quick with a plan and cautious but he can be too quick to run or too quick to jump in but he his heart is in a good place. They gave him a lot of time to set up his character in the start and it just creates the foundation of what he goes through afterwards!

Kinda spoilers.

What matters is that the series gave him his own agency early at the start when he starts to feel slighted by the attention that Xiao Shihou is getting. He got his first taste of recognition when he brought back the Rishi plant even though he tried to explain that it was Xiao Shihou, he found that he didn't really want to lose that admiration. He loved it! And as time goes on as he sees Xiao Shihou being the one to save people from his increased strength and quick thinking he starts to let those feelings of envy fester. And the audience sees that kinda fall of him feeling both insecure about his place in the troop and starting to take risks himself. He is the one to try to take on Havoc alone and the only one that stood up for HIM was Xiao Shihou! Shihou agrees that it is risky but he fundamentally supports Liu’Er the entire time! He is more than ready to go out and fight Havoc alongside Liu’Er even if the risks are high. And he doesn't hesitate for a second when he hears that Ginseng Fruit and Yutu are in trouble!

And in the end, while it was Liu’Er's idea to go in it was Xiao Shihou that took down Havoc and set fire to the cave. And Liu’Er, while he did want to take down Haovc, still wanted that recognition for being the one to set up the plan. He wanted fame and glory as well. And he wanted to be king. Because to him, being king means that he could finally be the person that everyone looks up to, just like how he looks up to Monkey Yeye. Despite going on mission at such a young age (he is like the only teen there with only little kids and adults) he isn't given the respect he deserves or at least wants.

But he wasn't chosen by his Yeye. Instead, he was passed over to his best friend. The guy that has saved him time and time again and always stood up for him and never doubted him for a second. And yes Monkey Yeye never SAID it was going to be Liu’Er and even SAID that if there was anyone that could save their troop he would make THEM king. There was never a lineage or promise or anything to be had beforehand but like... IT WAS IMPLIED with how much Liu’Er spent at Monkey Yeye's side and always trying to help. He did come off a bit as too much as a yes man, which is why I'm sure that Monkey Yeye thought it was best to go with someone more strong-willed and not afraid to speak his mind for the troop, but he still bit in a lot of work nonetheless. He even was trained with Monkey Yeye's weapon! He trained with him!

More spoilers

At this point the audience understands where Liu’Er is coming from as no one likes being passed over, even if Xiao Shihou was the one to do more work, Liu’Er's feelings of being looked over are still very real. But him starting to show how Xiao Shihou wouldn't be a good king and pointing out his flaws to bring him down is where it hits harder. He is angry and lashes out at the one causing his anger, his best friend. Calls him hot-headed and temperamental when Shihou was the one following HIS plans. The BETRAYAL on Shihou's face and he doesn't UNDERSTAND why his best friend is saying these things. He doesn't know what he did wrong when he was trying to help and he WAS helping, he was the one that made Liu’Er's plan work and they saved their troop. But Liu’Er wanted to be the one to get the credit while Shihou would have to look up to him for once. Despite Shihou also being the one to risk his life again and again like Liu’Er, Liu’Er thinks that he was the one who should be rewarded. And maybe Liu’Er could have had a point about Shihou not being fit to be king as he is more impulsive but at that point he would have to point the finger at himself as well because he also jumps the gun.

Xiao Shihou leaves the island with them still at odds and THEY CUT OUT SCENES of them having a final goodbye because YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE CREDITS! And what I wouldn't have given to know what they said to each other.

And from there the audience SEES his fall when being manipulated by White Deer. He lost his best friend the one to always save him and now it reads as more tragic as more time goes on. He is filled with promises by this stranger that takes advantage of his insecurities and he isolates himself from any support group he could have had. He starts to throw himself into his training for the sake of defeating Shihou in battle and he pushes himself to his limits. He doesn't even know at this point that White Deer wants Wukong dead, just that he is training for when Wukong comes back. At this point, he just wants to get strong to prove himself worthy of admiration like Wukong and prove that he can be more than just dead weight. I think he got a lot of that insecurity from being kidnapped so much and it is always Wukong saving him. he is always being saved by Wukong but he is never the one to be strong enough to save himself.

It gets only worse when he starts to hear the Nine Spirit Lion in his mind, poisoning him even further with promises of power. He denies it at first, trying to block out the whispers of a great demon trying to use him. But in his greatest moment of weakness, when he dares to sit on the throne and imagine what it was like to be king is when he is caught and ridiculed. The Marshalls and Generals that once praised him and his efforts were looking down on him for his dreams and ambitions, pointing out how arrogant he is to think he would be king when he is already doubting his self-worth. I don't think Liu’Er was in the right trying to take the throne but I don't think that the Elders were right to try to reprimand Liu’Er not for his attitude but rather for his boasting. He falls into a state of depression after being laughed at, losing more and more of himself as he doesn't want to feel this pain. How he would rather feel nothing than feel more of this pain and rejection. And he gives in to those promises of taking away the pain. He starts to lose more and more of himself, literally having his emotions cut off by a demon because he couldn't bear to burden the feelings of isolation by himself.

He only gets worse when Wukong comes back, he sees him for the first time and puts on the mask that things are back to normal and everything is okay. Liu’Er tries to attack him but EVEN IN HIS SLEEP, Wukong can just brush off his attacks! Liu’Er is desperate to do something...

But Wukong just OFFERS to teach Liu’Er everything he knows. Just wants to help his friend in what he thought was a bonding moment between the two because he has missed his best friend so much and wants to reconnect with him. But the more he learned the wider he sees the gap is between them. The more his resentment builds.

And then Grandpa Yeye dies.

Wukong tried to go to HELL to get him back and Liu’Er closed off his emotions (Not really healthy on either side) but while Wukong got closure by talking to Monkey Yeye before he was reborn, Liu’Er gave into the demon's promise to cut off ALL his emotions. The demon promise to make the pain go away and Liu’Er gave in. He couldn't handle the grief of losing his ONLY family he considers he has left. How he lost the last person he wanted validation from and comfort and the only person that was on his side.

Liu’Er starts to be monstrous, attacking Wukong and trying to kill him at this point. He says how he knows that in his mind they grew up together and how they were best friends but how Wukong has becomes the source of his suffering and that if Wukong was gone maybe he could bear to feel again. He accepts the Nine Spirits Lion to consume him completely.

It becomes clear that he never wanted to be king for the sake of being the island's protector, but rather so he can finally that validation he was searching for his whole life. Yes, he is the antagonist of the story be we see his rise and fall and how he became those villains from giving in to his negative thoughts to blaming others, to even being taken advantage of by far stronger demons.

It ends with a climactic battle and Wukong is HORRIFIED that his best friend, the one person he thought that was also supporting him, like how Wukong supported him was actually his enemy. The heartbreak he sees when Liu’Er has completely lost himself in vengeance and anger and has lost who he is just for the sake of seeing Wukong fall with him. How Wukong never say it coming because he never doubted Liu’Er for a second. However, then Wukong wished he could have seen the signs, that maybe he could have done something different but Liu’Er was already lost in himself. Feeling like he isn't even himself anymore but just a shadow of who he used to be in order to gain power. Even the demon that consumed him admits he was his second choice, and that he much rather would have Wukong as his prey. Like... dude.

But never does Wukong gives up on him!

Every minute the Nine Spirits Lion says that he has already killed Liu’Er, Wukong is too determined and too stubborn to believe it! Even when Liu’Er pushes him away Wukong knows that his friend is still in there and he isn't going to let some JACKASS take advantage of his friend like that. Wukong never gave up on saving Liu’Er, not then and not now.

And in the end, Liu’Er was able to be freed from the demon's control. He regained his emotions, his thoughts, and his own body and he was ashamed of how he acted, taking the blame that this mess was all his fault. But Wukong was just happy that his friend was alive and freed.

I WISH there was a longer ending scene of the two talking about what happened. About their grief over Monkey Yeye. About what happened after Wukong left and how Liu’Er started to lose himself more and more. While Wukong gained more friends Liu’Er only had people that wanted to use him.

Anyone what I'm trying to say is that not only do I love Wukong and Liu’Er in this series but I love the plot behind it as well! I love the characters and the whole idea and while it isn't perfect, it always has a special place in my heart.

[i-can-sabotage-me-bi-myself]

How'd We End Up Like This?

AO3

Wattpad

Chapters: 2/?

Word Count: 2.6K

Fandom: Biohazard | Resident Evil (Gameverse)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: canon-typical violence, swearing, hurt/comfort, RE4 Remake spoilers

Pairing: Leon S. Kennedy/female!reader

Summary: You, Leon, and Ashley encounter even more treacherous feats in order to escape the village.

Chapter 2: Chainsaws and a Shitty Missionary

The three of you continued on the path to who-knows-where, making a pitstop at the Merchant's little shop to buy some supplies and repair your gear. The Merchant, who frankly, along with Luis (until proven otherwise), was the only one here who didn't want to kill you all. Dare say you would even sit down and have a drink with him, if it weren't for the current mission.

Exchanging words of thanks with the Merchant, you continue on with your journey. While walking along the dirt path, you offer water to Ashley, which she gratefully accepts. You are soon met with a set of heavy doors, with a note beside it detailing defenses that lie on the other side.

You groan. "Here we go again. Ashley, get behind me."

*

The fight that ensued ended up being only a taste of what was lingering up ahead, and you and Leon knew it as much. You hoped it was just your instincts talking, but with this line of work, you always gotta anticipate the worst. And at this point in the mission, the worst came:

Chainsaws. Fucking Chainsaws.

There was a giant gate that needed to be opened with a crank. You and Leon quickly found it on a shelf in an old building, and you thought, Huh...guess we got lucky finding this...

Now you wish you could punch your past self from mere seconds ago for jinxing it.

You and Leon almost had it, so close you could taste it, but it got yanked off the shelf by one of two ladies wielding chainsaws. This would be quite the fight.

You quickly unpin two grenades, throwing them at the Leatherface-wannabe's. You expect them to be dead, but instead they get back up like it's nothing. Fucking bioweapons can never make it easy for us.

"Good thing we hid Baby Eagle..." you mutter under your breath. At least there was a silver-lining. Noticing more Ganados entering the building, you shout over to Leon. "We need to draw them out!"

With a quick nod from him, you two run towards the exit, and are met with another locked door. You shoot off its lock and run toward the stairs, while Leon runs around the back of the platforms.

"I got the grannies! Take care of the villagers, would ya?" you shout over your shoulder, holding up your gun towards the aforementioned enemies.

Leon hesitates a bit, then responds with a quick 'got it.' Soon enough you smell smoke and burning flesh, and hear gunshots.

You repeatedly fire shots at the sisters, running in irregular patterns to throw them off before they can get a swing at you. They stubbornly refuse to die, and you're quickly out of ammo. "Shit!"

You stupidly backed yourself into a corner, and you feel panic swell up within you. Taking a quick glance on your belt, you find that you only have one flash grenade left. Having an idea, you say to yourself, "Let's hope this works."

Deciding to risk it, you pull the pin, and the blinding light temporarily distracts them. Rushing towards one of them, you stab her in the neck with your knife, and use it to keep her limp body upright. With the chainsaw still in her hand, you aim it towards her counterpart and charge towards her, tearing into her torso. You resist the urge to falter, and instead push in deeper for the tip of the blade to slice through her back. The woman lets out a final battle cry, choking on her own blood, and collapses. You release your hold on the other, dropping her to the ground.

Standing above her, you wait a few moments to see if she somehow comes back to life, but she doesn't. You reach into her dress pocket, grasping onto the crank and put it in your pocket. Once coming down from the adrenaline, you sigh in relief, "Now we can open that fucking door."

Jumping from the balcony, you run toward Leon's direction, finding him finishing off the last Ganado. He reloads his pistol, and turns around to find you leaning against the wall. His eyes widen at the sight of you, which prompts you to take a look at yourself. You are drenched in blood. "Don't worry. It isn't mine."

He audibly sighs, and then approaches you. You notice yourself trembling a bit, and you clench your fists, taking a steadying breath.

"You alright?" He asks, his tone barely masking his worry. He brushes a few strands of your hair away from your face, and cups your cheek in his hand, rubbing soft circles with his thumb.

"Y-Yeah. I just had a close-call with the sob sisters." You grunt, very salty. "Fucking chainsaws..."

Leon huffs out a laugh. "You got that right." You exchange soft smiles with one another. Joining your side, he gently rests his hand along your lower back. You lean into his touch, feeling calmer - feeling safe.

Unfortunately, the tender moment needs to come to an end. Leon reluctantly removes his hand from your back, and it suddenly feels cold there. You already miss his touch.

"C'mon, let's get outta here." He whistles, signaling to Ashley that it's safe to come out. She quickly joins the two of you, a relieved smile plastered on her face.

"Are you two okay?" she asks. She never fails to surprise you with how kind she is, instead worrying for yours and Leon's safety rather than her own.

"Yeah, we're good." You answer. "Let's go."

You three return to the door, finally getting it open. You guys approach a decrepit hut with a gaping hole in its roof.

"Looks like we can get through there." You suggest, noticing the absence of any Ganados inside. You go in first, and extend your hand to Ashley, helping her down. Before entering, Leon looks behind him, checking to see if anyone's following the three of you. Confirming that the coast is clear, he joins you and Ashley inside.

You and Leon find more supplies in the hut, and you all make your exit from the building. Another set of doors lie in wait, and you continue on. Behind you, you hear Ashley scream, and you turn to see the village chief grabbing Ashley's arm. Without hesitation, you stab him, but he's unfazed from your attack. He attempts to strike you, but you're able to dodge him.

"Your soul requires cleansing," he says while twisting the metal on the lock, ensuring no escape back through the door. Slowly turning towards the three of you, he directs his next words to Ashley, "Come, child."

You scoff. "Yeah, I'm thinking no." You fire a shot to his head, but he remains relatively unscathed.

"Ashley! Run!"

You all turn tail and run, shooting down villagers who cross your path. You could still hear the tall, brooding man's taunts through the gunfire, him getting closer and closer. You finally approach a rope bridge leading towards an exit, but the three of you get thrown back from an explosion. Frustratingly, the bridge is gone.

You quickly scan your surroundings, your eyes landing on rickety wooden planks leading to the other side of the valley.

"Hey! We can cross here!" You shout. Leon gives you an affirming nod, and quickly grabs Ashley's hand and starts running. You follow behind Ashley and Leon, covering them from the onslaught of villagers coming towards you three. Ashley suddenly stops.

"I'm stuck!" she shouts, panicking. Leon turns around to aid her, and looks over your shoulder.

"Don't worry! I've got them!" With a quick nod, he gets working to free Ashley's leg, while you land headshots on the incoming Ganados and the Chief.

"Alright, we're good!" Leon notifies you, and you three continue running. You can feel the rotting, unstable planks starting to fall apart, prompting you to quicken your pace.

"The wood is starting to give way! Hurry!" You shout, slight panic in your voice.

With Leon ahead of her, he helps Ashley leap over the last foot between the crumbling planks and the earth. You jump just as the wood collapses, landing halfway onto the cliff. You struggle to maintain your grip, and feel your hands slipping due to the muddy surface. Noticing the absence of your footsteps, both Ashley and Leon turn to find you hanging on for dear life. They grab onto your arms, with you kicking up the side of the cliff to climb up. While helping you up, Leon looks towards the Chief, staring him down.

Once pulled back up, you narrowly miss face-planting into the mud, albeit relieved to be back on solid ground. Leon leans down to help you to your feet and quickly scans your body for any injuries. You gently squeeze his shoulder in thanks, letting your hand linger there a second too long.

You regain your composure by taking a deep breath. Standing up straight and rubbing at your aching shoulders, you exchange glances with Ashley and Leon. 

"Thanks, you guys." You offer an appreciative smile to the both of them. Turning heel, you say, "C'mon, let's get outta here."

Pressing onward towards wherever, Leon speaks to Ashley. "Listen. You're the one he wants. If we see him again, you run."

"Wh-What about you guys?" The young woman asks.

"We'll do our job." And Leon leaves it at that.

You reach a large structure, the Merchant with his wee shop set up in front of it.

"Jesus, how is he everywhere?" you think out loud.

"He's a wizard. He told me himself." Leon replies with a shit-eating grin on his face.

"Shut up." You chuckle, nudging him lightly.

He laughs along with you, and then clears his throat. "In all seriousness though, I've got no clue."

"Welcome! What can I interest you in?" The man greets the three of you.

Running short on ammo, you approach the mysterious stranger and barter with him. You buy some more resources and first aid for extra measure. You can never be too prepared. You think to yourself.

Done with his services, you walk towards the stairs, and you hear the Merchant chuckling out a comment that makes you uneasy. "Don't get yourself killed now, ha ha!"

"Not planning on it!" you talk back, only making him laugh harder. Huffing, you direct your attention back to Leon and Ashley. "Whatever, let's just go."

You all walk up a set of stairs leading to an entrance of a building. As soon as you reach the doorway, a putrid smell fills your lungs that makes you gag. Looking around, you notice various animal carcasses littering the floor. Yep, this is definitely going on my list of worst smells that make me wanna rip off my nose.

"Jesus, I think I'm gonna boke!" You groan, fighting the urge to throw up right then and there. "Please, can we go?" You whimper out, your eyes begging Leon's.

Although slightly muffled behind his own arm covering his nose, he says, "Don't have to ask me twice."

You cross over the ledge to a door on the opposite side, walking behind Leon with Ashley in tow. Suddenly he is thrown off the balcony from that fucking chief busting through the wall.

"Leon!" both you and Ashley shout in unison. You draw your gun, but hesitate out of fear of provoking the man to come after Ashley. You grip onto the railing, weighing between the options of joining him or leaving him in order to bring Ashley to safety. You release your grip, and remove your gun from your holster.

"Ashley! Go!" You shout over to her.

"What about you?!" Her worried eyes search yours.

"I'll be right behind you!" You reassure her. She's torn between running away and staying behind, but she ultimately decides to evacuate the building.

You direct your attention to Leon, and you two lock eyes. Ignoring the ramblings of the Chief, he shouts at you, "You need to get outta here! Go!"

"No, not without you!" You yell back with determination, but his striking gaze has you crumbling.

"You're not gonna lose me!" He gives you one last look begging you to run, and reluctantly, you go.

Not even three seconds after escaping the slaughterhouse do you and Ashley hear a loud boom. You gasp, running to a nearby window to see what's happening inside. Roaring flames and burning embers engulf the interior, and you can feel the scalding heat emanating from the old window, forcing you to take a step back. Taking a closer look, you see Leon fighting the horrendously mutated village chief, who now has large pincers and an elongated spine that looks like it could snap at any moment.

Being so caught up in your roaring thoughts, you jump when you feel Ashley rest a gentle hand on your tense shoulder. "Go. Go help him."

You let out a shaky breath, shaking your head vigorously. "I-I can't. I have to protect you."

Ashley, with determination in her eyes, squeezes your shoulder. "I'll be fine out here, trust me. Now go help him!"

You exhale, ready your gun, and bust through the window to join Leon. He barely masks the look of surprise on his face when he sees you join his side on the balcony. Deciding to brush off his genuine confusion, you focus your attention on the Chief. "So lemme guess: giant eyeball is the weak spot, ey?"

Deciding to wait to scold you later, Leon clears his throat. "Yup, and he's gonna need some glasses after this."

"Ha ha." you laugh dryly, smirking at him. You narrowly miss a swing of the monster's claws, and parry his next attack with your knife. You and Leon work in tandem: distract him enough in order to get a clear shot to his weak spot.

With the added firepower, he collapses and starts flailing about. As you predicted, his spine completely breaks, splitting him in two. For a brief moment, you're convinced that he's finally dying, but no, the fucker just has to mutate again. From the bottom of his severed torso grows more sharp appendages, and he starts climbing the beams.

"Oh for fuck's sake!" you curse, reloading your handgun. To make matters worse, flaming planks of wood are being thrown at you two, and you're feeling yourself tiring quickly. Fighting off the slow approach of unconsciousness, you keep running and tumbling, all while feeling your lungs and throat burning from smoke inhalation. You feel the intense heat pulling you down, your legs starting to feel like jelly, but you refuse to succumb to it. With the one remaining bullet in your gun, you fire at the explosive barrels that the creature is holding.

"Lord Saddler!" He utters his final words. Finally, yours and Leon's equally unrelenting attacks have killed him.

"Hey! Quick! This place is coming down!" You barely hear her, but are pulled towards the window with your hand in Leon's.

The cool, refreshing air blesses your lungs when you hit solid ground. You quickly pat away the burning embers pricking at your clothes, and you slowly rise to your feet. You feel lightheaded, and you don't even realize that your legs have buckled beneath you until you feel strong arms holding you up. You lull your head onto Leon's shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" His gentle voice coaxes you back to semi-consciousness. You take several shallow breaths that burn you from the inside. You slowly lift your head to look at him, your eyes struggling to focus.

"Remind me..." You catch your breath. "Remind me to never willingly enter a burning building again."

*

I hope y'all liked this! Stay tuned for more :P

Taglist (Lemme know if any of y'all would like to be tagged!):

@so-mordor-itis

[bongo-ghoul]

Sing to me

Swiss and phantom

This is written on whim and not betad or edited

I have no idea how many words there are

Phantom using they/them

Swiss using he/him (in this one)

Warnings, some sensory overload

Theres most definitely spelling errors and run ons

Swiss was very used to phantom coming to him when in need of a pick-me-up hug or some kind words or even just some silent company, he had come to the conclusion that its cause hes a multi ghoul and phantom is in need of quintessence used on them, and while swiss' small bit of quintessence was a bonding point it for certain was nowhere near why they went to him.

Phantom had woken up today with a dull feeling in their head, not a headache but a full and numbing sensation that resides along sound of any kind, starting off the day with simple turning on their music only to turn it off immediately because it made that strange numbness grow to swallow their hearing almost entirely.

While not a new sensation it was however new in their topside body, the way it fills their head making everything feel heavy and if not acknowledged very well could lead to an eventual headache or migraine.

Continuing on with their day they still payed that full feeling in the head no mind, just breathe, calm the heart and itll stop... right?, it being the heartbeat sound pulsing through their ears, being able to turn off the sound themself helped alleviate the curious situation temporarily but while others go about their absent mindedly noisy days the heartbeat eventually will shift from a beating pulse to a low thrumming rolling sound, their head felt heavier as it continued like its filled with sand.

With a mind repleated of sand, the singing dunes in their head were sensitive to the storm in sounds today and it was becoming overwhelming, choking them and drying their throat stopping them from crying out as the mental sand fills their vocal chords and stops any sound from adding to the world around.

when sound becomes all consuming and than disabling to the senses it will completely disorient a person or ghoul making functioning almost impossible, especially when its a normally working sense and than its use in survival is ripped away leaving a raw wound left open from where sand had turnd to glass and ripped though the signals to the vocal chords making a voice so desperate now silent so not to disturb the percussion in their ears.

The second sign was that light left a burning, dizzying, nauseating feeling in their body, the textures of things felt like they were enhanced tenfold sleep and taste were gagworthy, sickening.

Every sense lit ablaze but only one causing a full fire in sensations and it just so happens to be the sound they rely on the most, its disorienting, a bat without its echo location is nothing but an accident waiting to happen, a wrong turn, three doors on the left and two doors at the end of the hall, thankfully phantom doesn't need to follow sound or harmony to know where to find safety.

Stumbling into the rehearsal room ears coverd and eyes squinted teeth bared in a grimacing disposition, swiss drops all sound, setting his acoustic guitar down quickly almost immediately the grimace drops and their eyes open once more, hes seen this with rain and mountain before, he knows what to do.

Grabbing a spare pair of fully noise canceling eardefenders putting them over phantoms poor ears, turning on full silence mode theres nothing making its way into the auditory cortex of tommys head. Phantom crashes chest to chest into a desperate safe keeping hug with swiss, they cant hear him but swiss is speaking small nothings, the vibrations, physical sensation of a bats point of visibility, sensation of a spiders web being disturbed, silent sight.

Small tendrils of quintessence making their way from swiss' hands into and up the spinal cord and tommy can feel it, it wont work, their mind will just feast and consume it, ready to use on another, but instead they place a gentle hand on their own throat to make sure theyre actually speaking "stop"

And swiss does, all he wanted to do was fix quickly the way everyone else had asked when a full quintessence was preoccupied but he had jumped into this role without knowing what was actually needed.

Phantom places one hands carefully over swiss' larynx on the thyroid cartilage while keeping a hand on their own "speak" tommy mumbles out only to feel vibrations in return

Vibrations lighting sensation in the mind, theres something so surreal about feeling what you can see or hear, the way things move vibrate and shift, a spider aware of its web as an extention of itself through vibrations phantom aware of sound through vibrations and movement of the thyroid cartilage and the shape of swiss' lips, silent sound.

"Sing to me" it comes out as a plead but they had no idea; swiss taking a moment to process the request he smiles, taking tommys hand thats on their own neck and adjusting it so theres onto two fingers extended and moving it to lightly press to his lips.

Keeping his eyes on phantoms face swiss starts singing, nothing crazy just a calm simple song, one hes heard tommy listen to before and while they cant exactly tell what the words are the vibrations however a calm a sway through tides changing, the phases of the moon in increments and the sparks of stars in the sky, it sounded like nothing but safety when their hands played the roles of hearing in a different way.