#it holds a bit more sound for me when it comes from raven (maybe it’s cause braven owns my whole ass lol) | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hrryshoney · 1 year ago

Text

soon you will be mine, but i want you now

A/N: the picture? i’m just a sleaze, sorry! yeah this is part 2 to my previous matty fic! again, i apologize for any switching perspectives. lmk if i’m bad at writing smut.. honest reviews pls!

warnings: smut, literally sex lmao. idiots in love, are they gonna fuck while he’s sick? …sorry, but it wasn’t that bad in the first place! the drama queen likes to play it up. very wordy. bad writing..?😕

You and Matty were friends. Best friends. Well, maybe more than that now. Because you didn’t know any friends who did this with each other, best or not.

Matty’s lips were on yours. Moving firmly against one another. You were in a daze, it seems, because you don’t know how or when you began straddling his lap. Or maybe he put you there? Either way.

He was kissing you with such fervor that it made your whole body hot. He bit down on your lip, and you let out a truly pathetic gasp. This gave him an opening, and he slipped his tongue in your mouth. You could feel his smile against your lips.

Matty Healy was going to drive you insane, if he hadn’t already.

You pulled back and put your hands on his chest, breathing heavily. “Need air, Matty. Jesus, you got the lungs of a swimmer or some shit?” You move your neck back farther.

His lips chase yours. He pants, “Just got a lot of practice.” He attaches his lips to your neck. “Wanna practice on you, now.” You feel his teeth sink in, a little above your collarbone. His mouth sucks on the spot.

“You’re- you’re gonna leave a mark.” Your sentence is finished off with a half whimper/half pant. He’s really affecting you. Who knew suppressing emotions for your best friend would lead to tension filled foreplay?

“Mhm, good. Show ‘em all.” He licks over the spot he just sucked. “Can’t wait to see the mark, been wanting you like this for too long.” This is a Matty you’ve never seen before. Eyes dark, ravenous. His hair is messy atop his head, his chest is rising and falling rapidly. You think you want to become accustomed to this Matty.

“You have?” It’s a genuine question, although a stupid one. He just gave you a hickey and you’re asking if he wants you? Maybe it’s an ego thing, but you just want confirmation. You’ve been pining after him for far too long, and now that you have him.. it’s safe to say you want to keep him.

“You’re an oblivious little thing. I’ve always fancied you. Thought for sure ya noticed. Doesn’t matter, though. Have ya now.” Matty continues his assault on your neck, moving lower and lower now. The neck of his your oversized tee is moving lower with each kiss. “Can I take this off you, darling?” His eyes search yours for consent.

You barely get to finish your nod as he yanks the shirt over your head. You had forgone a bra today. Thinking you were only taking care of Matty, and that the tee covered your nipples, you didn’t see the point. Now though, on Matty’s lap, you feel all too exposed.

His eyes are glued to your chest, hands resting on your waist and squeezing the skin every so often. That look in his eyes is going to kill you. But what really does it is the small fuck me that’s whispered under his breath. Your hips give an involuntary roll against his own.

Your whimper makes him look up, you roll your hips again. Matty’s groan sounds too good coming out of his mouth. He tightens his hold on your hips. “Stop moving, yeah? Gonna be a good girl tonight and listen to me?”

Now that, you were not expecting. The moan that rips from your chest is something new. That was uncharted territory, something your old flings had never dabbled into. You didn’t think you were getting dirty talk with Matty. Oh, you were terribly wrong.

“Matty, shit. Please, yes, I’m good.” You didn’t know you had a big submissive side inside of you, but Matty is definitely bringing it out. He rolls his hips up into yours, but his hands restrain you from doing the same.

“Awe, you’re adorable, aren’t you? Just wanna be my good girl? That’s alright, love. You will be.” The snicker that comes along with his smirk is another thing you’re not accustomed to. The condescending tone. You’d be lying if you said you didn’t like it.

He picks you up from his lap and lays you back on the bed, into his previous spot. Matty had forgone a shirt, something about how hot he was with the ‘fever’. He was only in some sweats, and he looked good. You were aware of your best friends body, but seeing it this way was something else. His muscles and tattoos made your mouth water.

“Eyes are up here, babe.” He laughs at your awed state. His fingers are gilding up and down your leg, toying with the hem of your shorts. “I can take these off?” He asks for confirmation again, ever the gentleman. You nod.

“No, words. Use your words, please.” He smiles, he really is sick, you think.

“Yes, Matty, please.” Your hips buck up as he fiddles with the hem. Goosebumps have risen on your thigh from his touch.

“Good manners too, aren’t you sweet?” He grabs the waistband of your shorts and begins to pull them down. Slowly. Hauntingly slow. He knows what he’s doing, and you hate it.

You’re left in just your light blue underwear, you think it’s only fair if he strips too. “Can you take your pants off, please? Then we’ll be even.”

He simply does as he’s told, and tugs the gray sweatpants down his leg. He kicks them off to somewhere in the room, but your eyes are glued to his briefs.

Without giving you too much time to ogle, his mouth is glued to your chest. Kissing and touching your breasts. “Feel what you do to me?”

He pushed his bulge into your leg as he continues kissing your chest. “Got me so fuckin’ hard from nothing, like a bloody teenager. You always make me this hard.” He groans into your breast.

“Oh, Matty.” Your response is weak, but it’s the only coherent thing that will come out of your mouth.

“Yeah, love when you say my name. Would fuck my fist and think about ya. Moaning, making those pretty noises for me.” You gasp at that, you didn’t think he thought about you in that way.

You knew you’d done it before, but you would never tell. Those nights where you were aching, and desperately needed relief. Where you would slide your hand between your thighs and pretend it was Matty’s. You never knew the feeling was reciprocated.

“Taste so fucking good. Need a real taste. Can I, love? Can I eat ya?” You knew what he was asking, but you were apprehensive. Every time a guy went down on you, you never came. It was nothing personal, you guessed it just wasn’t your cup of tea.

“Yeah, you- you can, Matty. But if I don’t come, don’t feel some way. Never come when guys eat me out.” You shrugged, though you feel your body ignite from the way he looked at you.

“Shame. Guess they weren’t doin’ it right, darling.” He moves down your body and plants kisses on your stomach as he does so. He keeps going when he reaches the waistband of your panties. He kisses you over them.

Matty sits back on his knees and sees the prominent wet spot on your underwear. He puts his thumb atop it and pushes. You gasp, “Fuck, Matty!” clearly not ready for the stimulation.

“All that for me?” And though it’s a rhetorical question, you still nod. “So nice and wet, perfect for me.” He gives you mercy and slides your panties down your legs.

He’s at the edge of the bed now, just laying and staring at your pussy. You almost close your legs out of humiliation, but his strong hands rest on your thighs to pry them open. “Don’t run from me, darling. It’s really a sin to hide this pretty cunt. Really a shame no one’s taken care of her properly.” He runs his finger up your slit, collecting your wetness and pressing on your clit.

Your face heats from his vulgar words, and you let out a whine. Your hands cover your face. “Matty… please.”

“Aw, c’mon. Don’t be shy, ‘m just being honest.” His face gets close to your pussy and you feel his breath against it. The whine you let out is music to his ears. Matty licks a thick stripe, and you let out a guttural moan.

His tongue is all over in the best way possible. He’s sucking on your clit and it’s making you see stars. Your hands fly to his hair and you tug. “Mm, sorry. Don’t wanna hurt ya, just feels good.” You rub his head after your apology.

He speaks, and the vibrations against your cunt are sending you over the edge. “Tug all you want, don’t mind.” You let out a loud moan, and he laughs.

He moves his hand from holding your thigh and sticks one finger in your hole, continuing to suck your clit. Your hips buck from the internal stimulation. His finger moving in and out of you, and his lips around your clit is.. very pleasant, to say the least. Even more so when he adds a second finger.

You let out a sigh of pleasure. Matty curls his fingers. His are so big, yours just don’t compare. 2 of his feels like 3 of yours. He detached his lips from your clit and lays his tongue flat on it. You feel a jolt through your body, the pressure is building.

“Oh! Hm, Matty, I’m-‘m gonna…” You pant out and close your eyes tight, preparing for your orgasm. But it doesn’t come. You don’t cum. That’s because Matty has ceased all movements, moved away from your pussy entirely and is staring at you with a smile on his face.

“Matty! What the fuck, I was just about to cum. Are you serious?” You’re looking at him and pouting, a crease in your brow. He thinks you look positively adorable.

“Terribly sorry, darling.” He pouts back in faux sympathy. “But if you’re gonna cum, it’ll be ‘round my cock, yeah?” He moves to slide his briefs down his legs.

I feel myself nodding absentmindedly. Agreeing, or ready to agree with him. Ready to be compliant for him. And when he takes off his briefs… it really is a sight to see.

Matty’s cock is pretty. Of course it is, just like everything else about Matty. And right now, the tip is red and leaking pre-cum. He’s hard, long and thick. You can see veins popping out, it looks like it hurts.

Your mouth moves before you have chance to think about what your saying, “Want me to suck you off?” and your eyes widen as the words spill out.

“Jesus, what am I gonna do with you?” He asks, and smiles as he looks down at you. Kneeling on the bed, now. Slotted between your thighs. Almost where you need him. “Not today, darling. But thank you for the offer, ‘m sure your mouth feels amazing.”

‘Not today’, the phrase gives you even more hope that this is not a one off thing. That you and your best friend will progress together, and this isn’t just a hookup that will be brushed under the rug.

“I’m gonna go slow, okay? Tell me what you like and what you don’t.” He grabs onto your hands, and it all feels so tender. You’re glad Matty’s in your life.

When he thrusts in, you can’t hold the moan. He can’t hold his either. Matty’s noises are heaven sent. He sounds so good. Gravelly and whiny, but domineering. And with your whining in the back, it all sounds like the perfect soundtrack.

“You- you’re so big, Matty. Don’t know how it fits.” If you were in your right mindset, you would never inflate his ego like this. You know it’s big enough as it is. Oh, well. At least he’s endowed enough to back it up.

His smirk says enough. “Yeah? Filling you up good? This tight cunt? So good f’me. Perfect, like you were made for me.” He continues to pull in and out of you at an unrelenting pattern.

“Oh, God! Mhm, right there, please.” You can’t do much of anything else than cry out for him.

“Not God, just me.” He grins as he keeps thrusting into you, the sound of skin slapping fills the room. “You feel so fucking good, Y/N.” His mouth is right by your ear, you feel feral.

You clench around him. Hearing him pant your name is just the cherry on top. You feel the pressure building again. “Matty, so so close. Please.” Your whimpers and pleas don’t fall on deaf ears. Especially not when Matty brings his thumb around to press on your clit.

“Oh, Matty! Yes, yes please!”

“That’s right. My fucking girl. C’mon, be good for me. Cum. Cum all over my cock, angel. You can do it.”

All you can do is yell Matty’s name. You finally feel that release. Your vision goes white and Matty brings his hand to rest loosely on your neck. He’s still pounding into you, and you’re getting very overstimulated very fast.

“Fuck, you’re so fucking hot. So good for me, whole time. My good little girl, I’m close, shit.” Matty is groaning and panting in your ear, his pace never wavering. You think he has too much stamina. Then, you think that’s a good thing, a really good thing.

“Matty, please. Cum for me, please.” And you don’t care how pathetic you sound, begging for him to finish. You need him that bad.

“Where- where do ya want it?”

You don’t even have to think, “In-inside me, on the pill. Please, cum inside me?”

And Matty’s guttural groan is worth it. “Fuck, gonna be the death of me. Cum inside ya, fill you up real nice. That’s what you want, right babe?”

You nod your head so much that it could fall off your shoulders, and Matty’s thrusts are slowing down. You feel his dick twitch inside of you. You feel his cum dripping down your thighs. Matty pulls out, and you know you’re gonna be sore tomorrow morning.

He’s just staring between your legs, and then, “So pretty, should keep you like this all the time.” he takes two fingers and shoves them inside of you, pushing his cum back in.

Your back arches off the bed, “Fuck me, Matty.”

He collapses into the spot next to me, and pulls me into his chest. “Already did that one, love.” We both let out a giggle.

You two lay there in comfortable silence for a couple moments. His arm is around your body, fingers drawing circles on your bicep. Your hand falls to his chest, tracing his tattoos.

You figure you have to break the silence first. “So… can I be incredibly cliche with the ‘what are we?’ line, or do I need new material?”

Matty let’s out a loud laugh at that. He plants a kiss to the top of your forehead. “Y/N, honestly I’ve liked you for the better half of 8 years. If you want to be my girlfriend, then I’d be happy to be your boyfriend.” The words boyfriend and girlfriend make you giddy. You feel like a schoolgirl on her first date.

“‘Course I’d be your girlfriend, Matty. Don’t know if you could tell, but I’ve liked you too. Obviously.” You giggle a little. There’s a light and airy feeling in your chest. This is good.

“Mhm, take you out on a proper date after this. Dinner, movie, wherever you want to go. Whatever you want to do. Suppose I did it out of order. Fucked ya first, then wooing you on a date, yeah?” Matty chuckles a little, rubbing your arm. You laugh, too.

“You woo me everyday, Matty.”

“Careful, flattery gets you everywhere with me. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

You smile. Matty smiles. You’re both glowing with happiness. This time, you lean in.

#divider cred: @cafekitsune #tea’s writing ✍🏻

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holdmytesseract · 11 months ago

Note

I was thinking about something for the Ice Flower AU

It takes place right before the events of By The Fireplace

It starts off with the queen going into labor prematurely. She wasn’t supposed to give birth until after the hunt. Everything goes smoothly & as planned otherwise.

Maybe a sprinkling of Loki’s reaction to seeing & holding his sons for the first time. Being overjoyed with his love for them.

Then there is some sort of conflict because Loki now doesn’t want to leave for the hunt as he does not want to leave his healing queen & newborn sons alone.

The boys miss their father & cry out for him when he is gone but the queen will comfort them & reassure them that he will be back soon enough.

Then “By The Fireplace” follows chronologically

That is all.

Just something that came to me here at 3am & I needed to get it out because I need to see how you write this. You always take my ideas & turn them into something better so I’m excited for this one as I’ve been obsessed with the Ice Flower AU as of late

moodboard by @chennqingg <3

Snowflakes

Jotun!King!Loki x fem!Æsir!Queen!Reader

Summary: It's time for a winter hunt - and the twins to see the light of the day. Not the best combination, is it?

Warnings: pregnancy stuff, birth, fluff, bit angst, even more fluff, mentions of a hunt, Loki's instincts?

Word Count: 3,1k

a/n: Friend... This was SO much fun to write. I love this AU so much. Thank you for requesting this! :)

Tags: @lady-rose-moon @huntress-artemiss @muddyorbsblr @ijuststareatstuffhereok89 @chennqingg @smolvenger @alexakeyloveloki @theaudacitytowrite @jennyggggrrr @stupidthoughtsinwriting @asgards-princess-of-mischief @eleniblue @vanilla-daydreaming @loz-3 @valencia-rou @mishkatelwarriorgoddess @fictive-sl0th @bunny24sstuff @iamlokisgloriouspurpose @lovingchoices14 @linaax @mochie85 @goblingirlsarah @glitchquake @lokidbadguy @icytrickster17 @gruftiela @lulubelle814 @mandywholock1980 @november-rayne @chantsdemarins @simping-for-marvel @lou12346789 @aagn360 @lokiforever @anukulee @multifandom-worlds @hisredheadedgoddess28 @lokisgoodgirl @vbecker10 (Continuing in the comments)

Ice Flower Masterlist ❄ Loki Masterlist ❄ Masterlist

Loki stood in his presence chamber; hands folded behind his back. The king of Jotunheim was gazing absentmindedly out of the window; watching how the harsh winter conquered more of his home with each passing day. It was definitely time for the royal men to go on the last big hunt before it would be too late. He knew that; was more than aware of this - but it was the last thing he could think about now. Not after he had taken his heavily pregnant wife to the healers only a mere hour ago, because she wasn't feeling good at all. Sure, it could be just a normal side effect; especially now since she was close to birth - but not close enough. Her due date was determined after the planned hunt. Not before, and now the king feared for his queen and unborn children.

What if something was wrong? Or Norns forbid, what if she went into labour?

Loki swallowed hard and gently shook his head; trying to get out of his thoughts. It wasn't easy though. He had been sent off by the healers instantly and was now doomed to wait here alone in his audience chambers for anyone to tell him what was happening.

It was cruel.

The king sighed; redirected his gaze from the window to the crackling fireplace and over to his desk. A lot of work was still waiting for him, but he couldn't focus. He couldn't think. Not until he was informed about the health of his family. He ran a hand through his raven curls and started to walk up and down in the spacious room - impatiently. Not to know what was going on ate him up inside.

At some point, he poured himself a mug of fine Asgardian mead and took a big sip; feeling the alcohol burn in his throat. Just as the king wanted to refill the empty mug, a loud knock sounded from door. "Come in!" He immediately turned; seeing one of the healers entering the big room. Carelessly placing the mug on his desk, Loki hurried over to the elderly female Jotun. "How is she? How is my wife? And what about the children?" The healer closed the door behind herself; ensuring privacy. "Your majesty," she curtsied. "I need to you stay calm. A panicking husband won't help the queen in labour."

Loki’s eyes almost popped out of his head. "L-Labour? S-She's in labour?!"

"Yes."

That was the moment the usually so composed king lost it. He started to walk in a circle; hands in his hair and quietly cursing in old Norse. "My king... I know this is hard, but we all need you to stay calm." "I can't!" Loki chanted; feeling how he was beginning to lose his nerves. "My wife is carrying twins and now she's in premature labour! What if our children aren't ready to be born yet?! What if-" The collected female Jotun, which Loki knew already since he had been a child, placed a hand on the his shoulder. Something only she was allowed to do. No other member of the royal staff. "Loki... Your wife is stable and ready to give birth and so are your children. It's merely two weeks before her calculated due date."

The gesture and words caused Loki to snap back to the here and now. He took a deep breath; trying to calm down. "Nothing will happen to them?" She shook her head. "No, my king. The pain she endures is normal. She's having contractions and is really close to giving birth. The twins are fully developed and ready to survive outside the womb."

Loki needed a moment to sort his thoughts and feelings and to process the information. "I-I'm going to be a father soon..." He mumbled; more to himself than the healer, but she heard it anyway. A soft smiled darted over her face. "Indeed, your highness." "I wish to see Y/N. Can I... stay with her during the birth?" The elderly woman's azure lips pressed together into a thin line. "Better not, my king. A birth is not for the faint-hearted." Loki crossed his arms; puffing his chest. "I am not faint-hearted. I am a warrior. Nothing is able to shock me."

The Jotun healer cleared her throat and adjusted her half moon glasses. "I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful, my king, but... When Prince Thor visited last month and told you about his children's birth, the guards had to take you to the medical wing, because you fainted..." Loki's cheeks reddened at her words and suddenly was all his confidence gone. He forgot about that.

"B-But my wife, I-I-I..." He sighed; hanging his head. "We will take good care of the queen, my king. I'll return as soon as your children are born." Loki couldn't do much more than nod; knowing that he more than likely wouldn't be able to see how much you were suffering. He would've been no help.

The next two hours were awful for the king. Minutes ticked by so slowly. All the waiting and inability to do something to help you or his yet unborn children drove him insane. He walked up and down, left and right; literally walking a marathon - he was that uneasy and nervous. At some point Loki even sat down on the chair at his desk; desperately trying to occupy himself with work, but it was in vain. He re-read the lines over and over again and was just not able to focus. Endless more minutes passed, until a guard stormed inside his audience chambers; totally out of breath, but smiling from ear to ear. "My king! The healers sent me to bear the news that the queen just gave birth to healthy twins!"

Loki’s knees almost gave in at the guard's words and realisation punched him right into his gut... He was a father now - officially. "I-I have to go." Without saying another word, the king stormed past the guard and sprinted down the hallways towards the medical wing. His heart pounded violently against his chest once he stood in front of the big, wooden doors which would lead him into a new, exciting life. Loki took a deep breath and pushed the door open. It was mostly dark inside; the curtains pulled in front of a few windows to prevent the last rays of sunshine of the year to illuminate the room. Only a few candles were lit. Barely enough to see, but it created a cosy, warm atmosphere.

Loki looked around, felt a bit helpless since no healer was to be seen - but then he heard the soft call of his name.... "Loki..." It was weak and soft, but nevertheless happy and full of love. His head snapped around to face the back of the room - and there you were; laying inside a big bed. A white nightgown engulfed your body, just like the warm blankets and furs you were tucked underneath, and in your arms- The king's breath hitched in his throat.

Two tiny bundles.

He felt like crying; wanted to scream his happiness from the rooftops of the palace.

Your heart melting giggle brought him back down to Jotunheim, though. "Why are you just standing there, my king? Come, meet your sons." His head started to spin as he walked over to the bed.

"S-Sons?"

You nodded; shifted one bundle to rest on your chest, so that you were able to stretch out your hand towards your husband. Loki approached you slowly and placed his hand in yours. Gentle ruby eyes settled on you - and the newest additions to the royal family. You ran your thumb over the back of his hand; giving him a happy smile. "Congratulations, king Loki Laufeyson of Jotunheim. You are a father now."

Loki was speechless. All he could do was let the tears stream down his face. You smiled even wider; touched by your husband's reaction. "Say hello to them." The king needed another short moment. Everything was just so overwhelming. "M-May I hold my sons?" You giggled, "Of course." and handed firstly the tiny boy over to his father, who definitely looked more like you. Fair skin; golden-blond locks on his head.

Loki took him with slightly shaky hands; but once he felt the comforting weight of the newborn on his arm, he relaxed and looked down. The baby had his eyes closed and nose scrunched up; clearly not amused by the loss of his mama's warmth and touch. "No, no, no, don't cry, sweetling. I'm your daddy," the king whispered and lowered his head to press a lingering kiss on the infant's head; inhaling his scent. His... He was his - and so was his twin brother. The king relished in this intimate moment for a few seconds, until a soft whine attracted his attention. His other son. Loki looked up; curiously. You giggled. "I think someone is sensing that his father is around..." He couldn't help but to smile at your words, before slowly and gently switching the babies. Now he held his second son - who was a spitting image of himself. Black fuzz on his head and azure skin; peppered with familiar marks and ridges. "Hello, tiny prince," Loki cooed; eyes stuck on the baby, as he touched his small, soft, warm hand with his pointer finger.

You watched Loki bond with his newborn sons; smiling.

"Are you happy, my love?" Ruby eyes looked up to meet your Y/E/C ones once more. "More than happy, my queen. Words are not enough to express how thankful I am that you've given me not one but two children." Your smiled widened; butterflies erupting inside your belly. "You had an important part in this, too, you know..." "That may be true, but you carried them, birthed them and are going to nurture them... You are doing all the hard work. I just did the fun part."

You laughed softly; shaking your head. "I love you, my king."

Loki leaned in closer - carefully, not to hurt one of the babies, and kissed your lips softly; lovingly. Then his eyes roamed your body; slight concern reflecting inside those stunning rubies. "How are you feeling, Flower? You look exhausted..." He noted the dried sweat on your skin and the strands of hair who stuck on your forehead.

You nodded. "I am. It's been excruciating five hours of labour, after all..." Loki kissed you again; whispering against your lips: "I am so so proud of you, my queen. So proud." You buried your free hand in his long raven locks; feeling him close.

"Rest now, Flower. I'll look after our sons."

The first few exciting days of being a first-time father passed by quickly for Loki. He decided to leave all the important work to his advisors and just focus on you and the twins. He wanted to spend the first days - preferably weeks of their lifes with them and not leaving them out of his sight. He wanted to be here for you and help wherever he could and just stop being the king of an entire realm for a little while. This would've worked out just fine - if it weren't for the hunt and the lurking danger of the onset of winter...

"Your majesty..." One of Loki's advisors approached him; cautiously. "The winter storms are about to hit Jotunheim in barely a few days. The time is running out. We have to do the hunt now." The king scoffed; holding Váli tightly cradled against his bare chest, while he signed some documents. "I am aware of that, Skard, but as you can clearly see, I have other duties to tend to at the moment." He looked down at his sleeping son; smiling. "I understand that, my king, but-" "There's no but," Loki interrupted Skard immediately. "My presence is needed here. I have to stay with my healing wife and newborn children. Just send Ymir on the hunt with the best warriors of our kingdom. They will make it without me." Skard shook his head. "No, my king. We both know that Ymir can't lead them alone. Besides, it's tradition and your obligation, King Loki. So hard it sounds - and I thoroughly apologise for this, but it doesn't matter if the queen just gave birth. Your folk awaits this from you. They count on you."

Loki sighed. He knew that Skard was actually right, but all his primal instincts worked against his wit; demanding from him to stay with his lover and babies. "I'm going to talk to the queen about this. Accept my decision and leave." Skard took a bow, "Yes, your highness." and left the audience chambers.

Loki sighed once again; pinching the bridge of his nose and decided that this was a problem he would deal later with. For now, he had other work to tend to.

Unfortunately, though, had Váli other plans...

He was getting restless and antsy in his arms; seemingly always on the edge of crying. His tiny lips were formed into a pout; mouth opening and closing - telling Loki that he was hungry. Well... Seemed like he would have that conversation with you now and not later. "Come on, sweetling. It's mealtime." Loki stood up from his chair and carried the bundled up infant in one arm to yours and his chambers. On his way, he felt the little boy latch on Loki's bare skin; in search of his food source. It caused the king to chuckle. "Apologies, little snowflake. I'm afraid I can't give you what you're searching for. Just hold on for another minute. You'll be with your mama soon."

Once he had opened the door to the chambers and tiptoed inside, his eyes searched for you. They found you rather quickly. You were laying in bed; resting - like most of the time, since the birth had taken much of your strength and left you hurt. You still weren't able to properly walk. It got better each day, sure, but you needed time to heal.

"My queen?" The king called out softly; in case you were sleeping. But you weren't. You lifted your head; smiling at your husband as he approached the bed. "Hello, my love." Loki found you wrapped up snugly into a think blanket, which was covered by a fur. He could also make out the tiny blue head with black curls, which peaked out from the blanket.

He smiled. Áki was sleeping on your chest.

"I didn't wake you, Flower, did I?" You shook your head. "No, don't worry." He sat down on the edge of the bed beside you; placing a kiss on your forehead. "How are you feeling tonight?" "Better, but still exhausted." He nodded; kissing you properly this time. Although, the kiss was interrupted by Váli, who let out a loud whine; making himself noticeable - and his hunger. "Ohh, somebody is hungry, eh?" "Indeed. I actually wanted to keep on working for another hour, but well... I guess I'll just continue tomorrow." He smiled; watching you shift underneath the pile of blankets. "Are you cold, love?" "Uh.Huh. Like always around that time of the year. Winter is coming. I can feel it." The king eyed you for a moment. "Hand Áki over. I'll place him inside his crib, so that you can feed Váli." "Alright." Loki lifted the sleeping baby carefully up in his free arm and placed him gently inside his crib. Then he handed you Váli and shortly returned to his other son; making sure that he was properly tucked in and especially warm.

"Oh, and Flower..." Loki started; facing you again with a smile, while he started to get rid of his armour. "Shift a little bit, please. I'm going to make sure you're warm enough." He watched how a shiver ran down your arms as you moved; primal instincts egging him on to keep his mate warm. Loki quickly slipped inside the bed behind you and made you rest against his upper body. "Better, Flower?" You nodded; cuddling against him. "Yes. Much better."

You fed Váli then, with Loki’s hand supporting the infant. You loved having your sons and husband close. You couldn't deny that.

After a few moments of silence with just the sweet coos of Váli filling the spacious room, Loki decided to address the hunt topic.

"Flower?" "Mhm?" "I must talk with you about something..." You turned your head to give him a smile. "I'm all ears, my king." He sighed. "It's about the winter hunt. I know that we have not much time left to go hunting. Winter is coming - fast. My advisors told me that as well, but..." "But?" "I... I don't want to leave you and our newborn children alone now. I refuse to do so." You blindly lifted one hand; feeling for his cheek. You cupped it. It was an awkward angle, but you didn't care. "Why, my king? We are safe here, in the palace and the lovely caregivers will help me if I need it. It's all good, my love. You can go. You should go. It's important." The king scoffed. "See, my love? Exactly that is the problem. I should be the one helping you. I should be the one taking care of you and our offspring. Not the caregivers!"

"Is this your inner Jotun speaking again, dear husband?"

Loki blushed. "Most likely, yes."

You burped Váli; placed a kiss on his forehead and handed the drowsy, milk-drunk bavy over to his father, who reached over with his long arms and placed him in his crib; wrapping him up inside a warm fur, too. Once Loki was finished, you immediately turned in his embrace; snuggling against him. "I understand that. I really do. I couldn't picture leaving the boys alone. Not in my wildest dreams. It's hard, I know, but..." You sighed. "You are the king. Our folk counts on you, my love. They need you. It's your obligation."

"I am very aware of that - as well as of the fact that I won't be able to escape this. I have to go." You smiled; kissing his chin. "Just think about the wonderful things which await you when you return home." Loki pulled you closer against his muscular chest. "Honestly, this the only reason what will keep me going on the hunt... Returning to my family."

The following week, in which Loki was away was heavy. Heavier than you anticipated. Sure, the caregivers helped you where they could, but it just wasn't the same. You missed him. Badly - and so did the twins. They were only infants, yes, but their senses were heightened, due to Loki's Frost Giant genes. Therefore, they sensed exactly that their father wasn't around.

Something they definitely didn't like.

You did your best to reassure them; giving them as much motherly love as you could. But you were not Loki. You only hoped that he'd return fast...

#the ice flower au #jotun loki #jotun loki x reader #jotun loki x you #jotun loki x y/n #jotun loki smut #loki x reader #loki laufeyson #loki #loki x female reader #loki x you #loki fanfiction #tom hiddleston x reader #loki x y/n #loki fluff #loki laufeyson x reader

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stevesbestgirl · 1 year ago

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Dreamweaver

Dream of the Endless x f!Reader

Warnings: mentions of depression, a few curses, briefly mean!Morpheus, soulmate tattoo bs, I took liberties with the lore

A/N: I started this forever ago when I was dealing with some stuff with my brother, so if it feels like a self-insert 🤷‍♀️ (no descriptions of reader's appearance)

5775 words

"Dream."

Lord Morpheus, also known as Dream of the Endless, raised his head from his desk, where he was pouring over a book.

"Dream!"

He heaved a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose before standing.

"Dream of the Endless, I hold your sigil and I call to you."

"Yes Death, I am on my way to my gallery as we speak."

"Forget your gallery, come here."

Morpheus suppressed a sigh. But with a sound suspiciously like the flutter of a raven's feathers, Dream disappeared from his library, appearing instead beside his sister. Death's gaze did not waver; she appeared to be watching a young pair seated on a mattress on the floor of a simple bedroom. One, a young woman, seemed to be comforting the other, a young man with enough resemblance to be a sibling.

Dream spared only a quick glance, "Why am I here, sister?"

Death finally tore her gaze from the two mortals, "Can't you see it?"

Morpheus watched the pair again, unsure of what he was supposed to be seeing.

"Maybe I'm just bad. That's why she left." Dream could see the wisps of despair puffing up around the boy, evaporating like drops of water on a hot pan.

"You took the fall when I broke Mallory's lamp when we were ten. Don't tell me you're bad," the woman insisted despite her soft tone. "And nothing you did made Bella leave."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Dream's gaze swiveled back to his sister, "I am unsure what it is I should be seeing."

Death huffed impatiently, "Open your mind for just one moment and consider that a mortal may surprise you." When he still stared at her, his jaw growing tight with impatience, she rolled her eyes, "She's dream weaving, Dream. You of all people should be able to tell."

"The dream weavers died out hundreds of years ago."

Death grabbed her stubborn brother by the shoulder, twisting him to face the girl again, "Watch."

Dream watched, albeit a bit disdainful, as the young woman continued to speak. She offered musings about their past. Their childhood seemed to have been a difficult one. But she made jokes, reminiscing and reflecting on what they could learn- how they could create better for themselves. And then he saw it.

Human consciousness, all consciousness really, clung to the Dreaming with tethers. Needless to say, humans clung particularly closely compared to most other sentient life. Each dream, though they varied in strength, was a connection to the dreaming. When a being began to lose the will to live, those tethers weakened.

Her brother's tethers were weak; not quite on the brink of severing, but looking rather exhausted. And while it wasn't possible for her to strengthen the tethers- only their owner could do that, she was reinforcing their connection to the Dreaming. The dreams she was sharing were indeed woven into an intricate web, right on the cusp of his realm.

Her own web was vast, ethereal silver glimmering in elaborate knots and designs, each one a waking dream. This girl's very existence was tied up in his realm.

His only show of emotion was a small parting of his lips, but that was enough for Death. "I told you so."

Dream said nothing, watching the girl speak.

"What are you thinking, brother?" Death prompted, clearly awaiting some kind of response.

"It appears that a new age of Dreamweavers may be upon us, sister."

"Are you going to speak to her?"

"I suppose I am duty-bound to make contact. Soon, more like her will appear, if they haven't already. If they go on unsupervised, they could damage the realm."

Death cocked an eyebrow, "Why do you sound so reluctant? You've never had issue with dream weavers in the past, have you?"

"Not yet. But I have an odd feeling about this one."

After departing with Death, Morpheus tasked Matthew with keeping an eye on the girl. She stayed with her brother through the night, the pair of them departing early in the morning and returning a short while later with what appeared to be a third sibling.

Only once the two young men were in each other's company did the girl leave, returning to her own home a short distance away.

She seemed lost in her own thoughts as she puttered around the house, cleaning up odds and ends before changing into a tee-shirt and climbing into bed. Underneath her eyes, dark circles were beginning to swell. She was exhausted.

Morpheus almost felt bad for her; this sleep would not be as restful as she might be expecting.

Y/N always had vivid dreams, both waking and while asleep. But she immediately knew tonight was different. Dressed in nothing but her tee-shirt and underwear, her bare feet were chilled against the dark stone floor underfoot.

A shadowed figure sat in a throne at the head of the large room, as though waiting for her.

"Hello?" She took a hesitant step forward, hands clinging to the too-short hem of her tee-shirt, which was barely covering the tops of her thighs.

"Approach, Y/L, L/N."

She did as the voice instructed, stepping forward on unsteady legs. It was male, authoritative and nearly stern. But it wasn't aggressive, or even raised in volume. He simply spoke and expected compliance.

It was also beautiful, deeply toned and unrushed in its delivery. He had an accent she couldn't identify, her mind reeling with thoughts as she approached the throne, still cloaked in shadow.

She felt exposed, painfully aware of his gaze on her. She gave her shirt another nervous tug down, trying to make sure she was covered. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she asked, "What is this place?"

The silence stretched, her fingers abandoning the hem of her shirt in favor of fidgeting with the cuticles of her fingernails. But her hands parted hastily and she sucked in a gasp as she suddenly found herself fully clothed in a pair of dark jeans, socks, boots, and a black jacket over her tee-shirt.

She was relieved for both the privacy and warmth granted by the clothes, but her heart was pounding at the magic, "Am I dreaming?"

The figure remained in shadow, "Yes," he confirmed. "But more importantly, you are in the Dreaming."

She blinked, willing her eyes to make out the figure in the dark as questions bubbled up inside her, "And that would make you-?"

He rose slowly from his chair, towering over her at his full height, somehow still shrouded in shadow, "I am Dream of the Endless, creator of the Dreaming, King of Nightmares."

It suddenly became quite clear to her as she gazed up at him that he wanted her to be intimidated. The question of why still loomed.

"King of Dreams then too, right?" She couldn't find it within herself to give him the reaction he wanted, king or no king.

His voice remained level, "Yes."

"Am I forbidden from laying eyes on the King of Dreams?" She cocked her eyebrow, only slightly, in a challenge. She took a step backwards, inviting him to step into the light.

There was another long pause before he answered, "No, you are not." But instead of moving, the shadows seemed to loosen, pale skin blooming behind the darkness until his face was wholly visible.

It seemed the perfect match for his voice, slim with sharp cheekbones and a shock of deep ebony hair. Long, dark lashes framed his eyes, which were dark, almost entirely black in a way that should have been eerie. But they glimmered like stars, little specks of light dancing deep within their depths and seeming to invite her inside. She felt as though she was falling forward until the darkness swallowed her up.

But inside was far from dark. It was a massive stretch of blackness, yes, but far from nothing. The black was a canvas, swirling with color and light and looking like entire galaxies.

A mess of incoherent thought washed over her, driving her own thoughts from her mind. The galaxy showed her a beautiful woman. She felt insecurity, fear, but also something warm and safe she could only describe as love. Then she saw the sun, but the sun as she'd never seen it before. The sun through the eyes of someone who couldn't go blind. And then came pain, rejection, grief-

"You should not be here."

Then she was back in the throne room, balled up on the floor, her cheeks wet with tears. She sat up, hastily wiping her cheeks, but Dream was already hauling her up by the shoulder of her tee-shirt, her extra layer of clothing stripped away in an instant, "You dare to invade my mind?" His dulcet tones were reduced to a mere hiss. "As the King of Dreams, it is my responsibility to warn you that if you or others like you meddle in the affairs of my realm, it will cost you dearly. It seems that every time I show compassion to a human, you are determined to make me regret it. Cross my path again and you will not receive such mercy a second time."

She wanted to plead with him, to make him understand that it had been an accident. She didn't even understand what she'd done- were those his thoughts?

His change in demeanor stung more than it should have. But his sudden rage combined with what little she'd seen made it clear he would not leave himself vulnerable to her, and perhaps for good reason.

"I apologize for any offense, it was not my intent. I will do my best not to get in your way again." She offered him a sad smile, "And I'm sorry for your suffering."

His eyes glimmered in a brooding smolder and then she found herself jolting awake in her bed, a sheen of sweat glittering on her skin. She made a half-hearted attempt to tell herself it had only been a dream, but there was no denying what she'd seen- what she'd felt.

She felt out of place going back to her everyday life, but her work wouldn't wait for her. And there was plenty left to do for her brother, so she put it behind her, hoping that whatever she had done to draw the King of Dreams' ire was a one-time thing. Their interaction had left a lingering bad taste in her mouth.

She had hoped that her responsibilities would drive the memory from the front of her consciousness, but it continued to creep up on her each time she had a moment to breathe, haunting her rare moments of rest with nightmares. She suspected the King of Nightmares was wholly capable of sentencing her to a lifetime of nighttime terrors, but she wasn't convinced this was his intention. But if she was connected to Dream, as he'd called himself, the only way to fix it would be to visit the Dreaming again.

And now she was thinking about it again. She gave herself a shake; she had another long night ahead of her. So she turned up the music in her car and left for her brother's apartment.

"I thought I might see you back here, brother." Death looked smug as Dream appeared beside her in the same place they'd watched from last time.

"And why are you here again, Death?"

"To catch you in the act, obviously."

Dream made a disapproving noise at her joke, but didn't press further. He watched as she and her brother played a video game together. He'd done some reading in her book after her uninvited foray into his mind, though mostly out of spite. It had done nothing to reassure him that he'd acted appropriately.

Her childhood had not been an easy one. Teenage parents, poverty, and drug use had rendered her functional guardian to her two younger siblings at a young age. Once he arrived at the abuse resulting from her first romantic relationship, he'd stopped reading.

The two Endless watched for quite some time before speaking again, but surprisingly to Death, it was Dream who broke the silence. "Why are you truly here, sister?"

"It is part of my responsibilities to check on the humans whose ties grow weak."

"Do you spend this long on every one?"

She huffed a sigh, "No." Stealing a glance at Y/N, she admitted, "When she weaves the dreams, that strengthens the connection, giving a weak tie more time to recover."

Dream tipped his head, "Yes, as you explained last time."

"I'm starting to suspect that the dream she's woven around the center tether may be permanent."

"Is such a thing possible?"

"I don't know. Like you said, this could be a new kind of dream weaver." They both watched her laugh, drawing a laugh from her brother as well. "I wish I could just ask her what she's capable of."

Dream looked back on the way the girl had collapsed in his throne room, realization making his stomach sink, "She is unaware of her abilities."

"As far as I can tell." At Dream's silence, Death glanced at him sharply, "Why do I get the sense that you may have done something foolish?"

Dream was silent, reassessing his interaction with this new information. He'd brought her into his realm, exposed and confused, then put on a show of being intimidating and immediately lost his temper, resorting to threats and expulsion.

He refused to feel shame over actions taken to protect his realm, but he couldn't identify the strange pit that seemed to have opened in his gut. She likely thought him a monster, a nightmare himself instead of their king.

"Dream, what did you do?"

Death's voice broke him from his stupor, though he kept his gaze on the girl, "I brought her to my realm and lost my temper."

Death couldn't suppress an eye roll, but Dream didn't seem to notice, "What was it this time?"

"I suspect one of those new abilities allows her access to memory."

There was a long pause. "She got inside that thick skull of yours?"

Dream broke his gaze to send his sister a scathing look, "Yes."

Death sent her an appraising glance, "She seems to be holding up rather well, all things considered." It was meant to be a joke, but Dream thought the circles under her eyes were damning.

"You are typically far slower to admit you are wrong, so I ask you again, brother, what are you doing here?"

"After my meeting with the girl, I spent an entire evening working on new dreams and nightmares. It was the best work I've done in ages."

Now Death did smirk, "She inspired you then? Is she your latest muse?"

"My days of muses are behind me, sister. Aside from the fact that she is a mortal, my realm needs my full attention."

"Of course, brother."

That night, when Y/N fell asleep in her bed, she found herself back in the throne room. Muttering a curse under her breath, she stood, grateful that she'd slept in a pair of shorts this time.

"Approach, Y/N."

She did not obey the voice this time, stubbornly remaining in place and gazing resolutely into the dim light, which was only slightly improved from her first visit.

A moment, then two, passed before there came a sigh. "Very well." Several long strides later the King of Dreams had left his throne to stand before her. She avoided his eyes, afraid to repeat her mistakes.

"Dream King."

"Yes, I suppose I deserve that as well."

Tipping up her chin, she nodded, "You do." She seemed to catch herself, "I'm afraid I'm not sure what I did to end up back here."

"I brought you here- in both instances. You've done nothing wrong, I have realized too late."

She was stunned. She hesitantly met his gaze, relieved when her feet remained planted on the floor.

Dream held his expression steady and nodded, "I apologize for my prior behavior."

She surprised herself by tipping her head, "Thank you." She chewed her lip for a moment, "I'm sorry too. For before. I'm really not sure how I did it."

She knew she didn't have the leverage to flaunt a grudge against the Kind of Dreams. She was pleased with her own politeness, but she would not trust easily.

Dream was silent for a long pause, "What exactly did you see?"

She looked away, "Not much. A woman- a beautiful woman. The sun. And I felt-" His eyes seemed to pull her gaze back in, "I felt some of your pain, I think."

"I apologize."

Her brow furrowed, "For your suffering?"

He shook his head, "For yours, at my hands. We have much to discuss, but you will not struggle with nightmares from tonight on."

The corner of her mouth twitched upwards in a smile, "So, I can rest assured?"

Dream either didn't catch the pun or was ignoring it, nodding, "You may. Now come, have a seat." He led her back toward his throne, where a small tea table and a wooden chair sat on the dais beside his own.

She waited, watching him take his seat on the throne before she sat on the wooden chair, ruefully thinking of her own chair at home. And then it was her chair she was sitting in. No sound or movement accompanied the change, it simply was.

Dream raised an eyebrow, as if challenging the action, "Did you just alter the Dreaming?"

Face flushing with warmth, she stumbled over her words, "Not with intention."

His gaze seemed inquisitive, "Have you always manipulated the Dreaming so skillfully?"

She raised a brow, a reluctant smile forming at the corner of her mouth, "I'm not sure that was a compliment."

"Simply an observation."

"Sounds a bit sinister though, doesn't it? 'Manipulating the Dreaming.'"

"What would you call it if someone were to create their own clay sculpture on a block already used by someone else?" Dream wasn't offended by the action so much as he was curious.

"If it serves a new function, I would call it repurposing," she replied thoughtfully.

There was a long pause, "Indeed." She couldn't decipher his tone. "What if I told you that the person who made the original sculpture also created the clay? And that the only clay that would ever exist was his creations."

She sobered up a little, "I'm sorry if I've ruined your work. Once again, not my intention. I have a lot to learn about your realm."

His gaze trailed over the chair she'd conjured, noting the details. The golden colored thread in the stitching that glinted in the dim light of the throne room. The slight wear to the fabric around the arms. Dreams were often vague, even half-formed, because mortals struggled to shape the Dreaming. But Dream suspected he'd find a perfect match to this chair if he were to visit her home.

"Clay is never ruined for having been used for creation. However, some do not take kindly to their working being- repurposed. But that is what I brought you here to discuss."

She gave him a nod, "I'm listening."

His dark gaze seemed to pierce her, "You are something known as a dream weaver. Historically, dream weavers used their abilities to tether many humans to the same dream."

She blinked at him, expression blank for a long time, "I don't mean any disrespect, but could you be mistaken?"

"I could be, but my sister is almost certainly not."

"Your sister?"

"Death."

She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts that had grown thick and slow.

"Why would you want humans to have the same dreams?"

"Back in the early days of human development, human dreams were chaotic and disorganized. Dream weavers helped drive human development by uniting many humans under the same dream."

"Dreams affect human development?"

That drew a surprising chuckle from the Dream King, "Dreams are human development. The world exists as it is because of dreams- because of the Dreaming." There was a marked note of pride in his voice at that.

"Everything?"

"Everything."

"So like, the depths of the ocean and all the scary stuff down there was all dreamed up by humans?" He nodded. "What about space- the entire greater solar system? Is any of that real?"

"Created by dreams, but very real." She took a moment to process that, stifling a sigh. "You are displeased?" Dream raised a curious brow.

"That's a very human-centric reality. I kind of liked it when we were just little specks of dust among the vastness of the uncharted cosmos."

The corner of his mouth lifted in almost a smile, "You still are. But only because humans have dreamed it so."

"How have we survived this long? It seems to me that human beings have a tendency to destroy more than we create."

"Humans can be very destructive. But they are also very clever. No other species has demomstrated such an capability to dream up solutions to its problems like humans."

"So like, climate change. The solution to all of the pollution, to the whole climate crisis, exists?"

"Not exactly. It may or may not exist now. But it could exist if enough humans were to dream of it."

She rested her head in her palm, forcing a breath; she was starting to get light headed. This was overwhelming. Her next breath did not come as easily as the first, a fact not unnoticed by the Dream King.

"Are you alright?"

"I-" she swallowed hard, trying to get past the lump in her throat, "I think I'm having a panic attack."

Dream calmly reached out and brushed his hand over her forehead, his intent to soothe her distress. Instead, a sharp spike of heat burst through his palm, quickly going icy. He heard her gasp, but couldn't tear his gaze away as the trails of ice left behind dark lines of deep purple criss-crossing over his wrist.

"What the fuck?" Her voice was barely over a whisper, the only evidence of distress the high-pitched strain that overtook her tone. Tearing his eyes from his hand, he saw the same design decorating her hand in a blue so dark it was almost black.

Her wide-eyed gaze flicked up to his, "Did you-" She left the question unfinished, not wanting to make an accusation and unsure of what to ask even if she did.

"No."

"Do you know what this is?"

"No." His voice had gone cold and hard, just like it had been their first time meeting. Her eyes flicked back to the lines marking her skin and Dream saw the panic begin to rekindle in them.

After only a split second of hesitation, he pressed his palm to her forehead again, "Sleep, now. We will speak again soon."

Her eyes grew cloudy, but she fought against his magic with surprising vigor, "No- the- n-nightmares-"

Dream's hand seemed to slide down over her cheek to cup her face of its own accord as her eyes started to glisten with fear, "You will suffer no bad dreams tonight, Dreamweaver."

And as she faded from his realm, her consciousness joining her body in sleep, Death's words about the girl's resilience to seeing inside his head echoed again. But the lines swirling over his wrist stretched from his fingertips all the way up his forearm, nearly to the elbow, demanding his attention. They were delicate, weaving together and knotting at the crossroads between, like a tangle of flower stems and intricate lace. And at the apex of it all, the palm of his hand had an empty circle at the center.

As he stared at the mark on his hand, Dream of the Endless felt something he was neither accustomed to or fond of- he felt lost.

"You look like a kicked puppy today, brother," Death remarked, not breaking pace on her way to the next destination. The city street seemed to blur behind her, though her pace appeared normal. Dream's long strides quickly made up the distance, though he said nothing.

Death's raised eyebrow slowly lowered as she noticed the markings on his hand. "It appears that congratulations are in order."

The frown lines on his face only seemed to grow more pronounced.

"Unless-"

"Unless." Dream was unamused.

"Unless you are not pleased to have found your soulmate."

If he were mortal, those words might have rung in his ears, the vibrations enough to make everything he'd known crumble. But they were not enough because he was not mortal and he did not have a soulmate.

"You believe such foolishness, sister?"

"You are so confident it is foolish with the evidence staring you right in the face?"

"This?" He raised his right hand, "This is not evidence. I have never encountered such delusion in any text or reading-"

"And you will not. But if you sought out the people who can remember the farthest back in human history, they would remember."

"If it is so certain, why is it not documented?" Dream sounded annoyed that it was becoming more difficult to be skeptical.

"It is. But it has been changed in writings, splintered and embellished, transformed into something not quite the same. They never quite get it right. But they dream of it. Surely you have seen that."

"I have. Yet I have never met a mortal with markings like this."

Death suppressed a chuckle at his determination to disprove her theory, "I myself have not seen a soul mate marking in a long time. But they exist. I suspected as soon as you'd told me the girl got in your head."

"I suppose that was a sign as well," he mused bitterly.

"Yes, it was. Why are you so determined not to believe, Morpheus? You aren't usually the type to ignore evidence. I thought you would be happy."

"Happy at a cruel joke? Even if I accepted this as truth, it is clearly the result of Desire's interference once again."

Death shook her head, "Soul mates go even beyond Desire."

"Then why is my soul mate a human?" he demanded. "Am I meant to destroy human-kind in my pursuit of happiness, sister?" He knew he was being unfair, demanding such answers from his sister, but he would not allow her to light the hope inside him. He would not have what he wanted, that much he knew.

"Of course you aren't. I don't have all the answers, Dream. But be patient. They will make themselves clear over time."

That was not what he wanted to hear. "Thank you, sister. I must go." And he did, leaving Death alone just as a sigh fell from her lips.

All day long, Y/N got remarks about the lines twisting up her wrist. After a night of blissfully peaceful sleep, she woke up feeling refreshed, taking a moment to examine the designs that had followed her from her dreams.

The lines had filled in more since while she slept. What had been dainty lines had thickened to nearly an eighth of an inch- she'd measured. What was more, the deep, rich blue that had made up the original color was deeper now, with glimmers of royal purple, black, and the occasional glint of something golden- like a raven's wings.

The lines seemed to connect at every possible juncture. The empty circle at the heart of her palm seemed like the center, although she didn't quite understand why.

There was a lot she didn't understand; why did she have a tattoo at all? It wasn't exactly normal to wake up with new ink. And based on the Dream King's reaction, it was also not normal for ancient royalty to find themselves with a flash tattoo. But she would hopefully get more answers tonight.

She was embarrassed- mortified actually, at the way she'd freaked out last night. But she had to go back. He'd called her a Dreamweaver, whatever that meant.

But when she climbed into bed that night, she tossed and turned, anxious thoughts keeping her mind active. She felt a strange sense of trepidation whenever she visited the Dreaming; she wasn't exactly in a hurry to piss off the Dream King any more than she already had at their first meeting. But more concerning than the shadow of fear was the sliver of excitement at the prospect of seeing him again.

Despite her efforts to convince herself it was the remnants of the dream, muddling her emotions, even now she could feel his pull. She could practically feel him waiting for her on the other side of her consciousness. And when she finally did drift off to sleep, she never reached a state of rest.

Instead, she found herself seated in the chair she had left behind the night before in the throne room of what she presumed was the Dream Castle. Dream was waiting for her, his throne no longer shrouded in shadow. In fact, the whole throne room was warm and well-lit, her breath catching as she gazed around at the stunning architecture.

"Did you sleep well?" Dream's voice broke her stupor, somehow managing to catch her off guard.

"What?" Her head snapped to the throne, where he was waiting.

She watched the corner of his mouth curl up in a faint smirk, "You were concerned about nightmares, if I recall."

"Oh. No- yes, I um, slept fine." She wasn't sure why she was so flustered.

Dream let out a low hum, "Excellent."

She wasn't sure what to say, especially since Dream hadn't seemed to be in the best temper when she'd been here last. She had questions, starting with what had happened to her arm and ending with what the hell it actually meant to be a Dreamweaver.

"I'm sure you have questions."

She nodded, "A couple, yes."

"I will answer to the best of my ability."

Though her gaze lingered on the marks on her arm, the words that came out were, "What do I need to know about being a Dreamweaver?"

Dream was pensive before answering, "You must remember that the Dreaming, no matter how it responds to you, is my realm. What I say goes." You had to consciously suppress the shiver that wanted to rattle you at the intense way he held your gaze while he spoke.

She nodded, "You mentioned others- who may not take kindly to my abilities."

That elicited another pause, "That question leads to many more questions. Rest assured, I will provide an overview on my siblings, but not tonight."

She bit back the torrent of follow-ups and asked instead, "Are there more like me?"

He gave his head a solemn shake, "There were a great many Dreamweavers at one point in time. But eventually they stopped emerging and died out."

"No immortality then, I take it?" She was only joking, but he shook his head seriously. She suddenly felt shy meeting his eyes, "Are you immortal?"

He cocked his head like he was determining her intentions, "Not as you might think. I am not mortal- I do not age, grow old, or die by natural causes. Though it is exceedingly difficult, I can be killed."

The silence seemed to stretch as she processed what she had just learned. Everything should have seemed overwhelming- she shouldn't believe it. But she could feel the truth of it.

Finally, she held up a clenched fist, her eyes on the dark lines glistening in the light, "What is this?"

Dream was silent for so long that she almost asked again, but he finally said softly, "It is a soul bond."

Her gaze flicked to his eyes; the dancing lights there seemed to be waiting for her reaction. Then it fell to his own left hand, where the matching lines seemed so much more elegant on his pale skin.

"What does that mean?" She asked even though she already suspected.

"I do not know." That caught her off guard; she expected him to know everything. He certainly seemed to know more than she did.

She surprised him by asking, "Is there anything you want to ask me?"

He'd expected her to push for more information. "Have you always had these abilities?"

She offered a chagrined smile, "I didn't even know I had abilities, to be honest."

"You are quite skilled."

He made a vague hand gesture and she wasn't sure what he'd done. Then she caught a glimpse of light above her head, her mouth falling open at the intricate web of silvery white that seemed to hover over her head. She didn't quite understand how she had created this masterpiece of dreams, but she believed him.

It took her a moment to realize that he had paid her a compliment, "Oh- thank you." Her face felt a bit hot. "I have another question." At his nod, she continued, "Will I see you again?"

She couldn't explain it, since his eyes were so difficult to read, but he seemed pleased as he mulled that over, "You are not bound to me; you are free to go back to your life. But should you have need of the Dreaming, it is always here. I trust you can make your way back."

She couldn't place why she felt as though he were flirting with her; he clearly avoided expressing any kind of desire to see her again of his own volition.

She felt the urge to admit she wanted to see him again, grateful to her own good sense for stopping her before the words formed. Dream hadn't spelled out what kind of being he was to her, but she knew he was likely high above whatever a 'soul bond' meant. He was the definition of being out of someone's league.

So she nodded her head, "Thank you, Dream King."

A beat of silence. "Morpheus. You may call me Morpheus."

Her lips curled into a half-smile, "Thank you, Morpheus."

He wasn't prepared for how his name sounded when spoken from her lips. She wasn't prepared for the soft smile that graced his handsome face. Even solemn, he was beautiful. But a smile, faced directly at her- because of her- it was like knowing the sun was shining because of her.

She was so unprepared that she blinked, waking up in her own bed, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. A wave of emotions washed over her; loss, frustration, hope, longing. She felt desperate to fall back asleep, to see that smile grace Morpheus' face again. But if that was going to happen, she would have to go to him.

#dream of the endless #dream of the endless x reader #morpheus #morpheus x reader #dreamweaver #dream of the endless fluff #morpheus fluff #one shot

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littlemisskookie · 2 years ago

Text

Free Use: Ch 7

Free Use: Index

Ship: Crush!Taehyung | Reader | feat. Jungkook

Description: Childhood Friends/Crush/Neighbors/College!AU. Your long time crush agrees to be your dom.

Warnings: Free Use Kink, Dom/Sub Relationship, Dom Taehyung, Dom Jungkook, Phone Sex, Voyeurism/Exhibitionism, Degrading, Rimming (f. receiving), Anal, Intercourse, Oral (m&f receiving), Humiliation Kink, Dirty Talk, Overstimulation, Spanking, lemme know if I’m missing anything, just straight up PWP man

Word Count: 2,846

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Meant to put this for my 15,000 follower mile stone!

You woke up before Taehyung, admiring his pretty features as he laid beside you. His lashes looked so long, lightly kissing the apples of his cheeks. It still didn’t feel real. You repeat the word over and over again in your head. Boyfriend. Kim Taehyung was your boyfriend.

You touch his face, lightly tracing his cheek, admiring the glow of the morning light illuminating the peach fuzz on his skin. He fluttered his lashes, Disney princess he is, and looked up at you. He pulled a lazy smile, arm swinging over your waist to pull you in closer. “Good morning.” His morning voice was so sexy. He gives you a soft kiss on the lips, brushing your hair out of your face. “I think I can get used to waking up to this view.”

You giggle in response. “I was thinking the same thing.”

The two of you kiss a bit more before Taehyung pulls back. “What does my girlfriend want for breakfast?”

“It’s still so weird hearing that. I almost don’t believe it.”

“That I’m your boyfriend?” Taehyung chuckled. “I’m excited to brag about it, to be honest.”

Your heart fluttered. “You mean that?”

“Of course, baby.” He smiled, turning to hover on top of you, hands creeping up under your shirt. He only touches your waist, big hands touching all of the skin he had access to. “Want to show everyone who owns you.”

You gasp as you feel his erection press against you. “Morning wood?” you question, quirking a brow.

“Maybe. Maybe I just get hard seeing my girlfriend’s cute face.” His hands slide up towards your breasts, sharply pinching your nipples and tugging at them. You moan, arching your back and clenching your thighs together. “Especially that one. Love abusing your tits like this, babe.”

You whimper as he continues toying with you, giving sharp twists and tugs to earn more gasps from you. “A-Ah, Taehyung!”

“Look how desperate you are. Little slut,” Taehyung growls, shoving the shirt up over your tits. He lifts it over your face, blinding your vision. You feel his teeth on you, making you jolt and yelp in pain when he bit you. You squirmed under his hold, your movement kept to a minimum as he pinned you beneath him. It turned you on a bit how strong he was, forcing you to take what he gave you. You couldn’t even reach down to do anything about it, with the way the shirt was bunched up over your face and arms. He sucks harshly on your neck and chest, no doubt leaving hickeys on you.

He yanks the shirt the rest of the way off of you, and you’re left naked beneath him. Smug bastard was still fully clothed. He stares down at you with a satisfied daze, fingers now lightly dancing over the marks he left on you. The juxtaposition of his gentle touch compared to how ravenous he was before was jarring. “Everyone’s gonna know you’ve been fucked if you don’t cover these up the next few days.”

“You’re so possessive.”

His hand comes up to your neck, a light and comforting pressure being applied. “What makes you say that?”

“What about when you saw me dancing with Jungkook?” You pointed out.

“Oh,” his fingers tighten around your throat for a second, “that.”

“Looked like jealousy,” you say, sounding almost too smug for your own good.

“Hm, I think I prefer the term you used before.” He starts choking you properly now, making you feel light headed. “Possessive.”

You gasp as you feel him touch your pussy, fingers rubbing circles into your clit. You were wet already, go figure. “After all… I own you, don’t I?”

You mewl, whimpering under his touch. “Yes, sir. Please…”

“Please what?” Taehyung asks, yanking you up so your face was closer to his. “What do you want me to do, slut? I can do anything I want with you. You’re mine. All of you.”

“Yes. You own me, every part of me,” you agree, trying to gasp out the breaths to form the words. “Want you to cum in me. Every hole- I’m yours. Claim me.”

“Oh? Little freak,” Taehyung smirks. He yanks down his pants, springing out his cock. He’s hard already, an angry shade of red, precum already leaking from the tip. He gives it a few pumps, hissing at the feeling. “Guess we should start with your mouth then. Show me what you’re good for.”

You practically drool at the sight, mouth automatically watering. Your lips part, mouth ready and open, resulting in Taehyung slapping the tip against your lips. “Such a good girl. Knows just what to do when she sees a cock.” His hand reaches out to grasp your hair, pulling you closer to his erection. You catch the head in your mouth, immediately bobbing your head along with Taehyung’s rhythmic pace.

He hisses, hips bucking automatically. He reaches too far for a moment, causing your eyes to well up with tears. You feel Taehyung’s cock twitch in your mouth at the sight. “Pretty slut. Love seeing you cry.”

You moan in response, trying to push your head down deeper. Taehyung groans, diving into your warm mouth, your throat a tight fit around his cock. “That’s right, choke on it. Show me how much you love having a fat cock in your throat.”

All you can do is whimper and service him as he continues using you to get off. His hips stutter, breath faltering before he yanks you off of him, drool dripping down your chin. You catch your breath, staring up at him in surprise. You keep your mouth open, patiently waiting for him to fuck your mouth again. He appears to appreciate it, fingers diving into your mouth, giving you something to suck on in the meantime. “You’re such a good slut for me,” he growls, pulling his fingers out to wipe the saliva on your cheek. “Go lay on your back and spread your legs. Show me what’s mine.”

You don’t hesitate to do what he asks, getting in position as he climbs over you. He reaches over to his phone, and before you can question him on his plans he’s kissing you deeply. He smacks your inner thigh, making you flinch and keep your legs open. His thumb circles your clit, immediately giving you pleasure and making your knees go weak. “There’s someone I wanna tell first about us dating.”

You furrow your brows, confused. “Who?”

“Jungkook.” You hear his phone buzzing, looking down at his screen to see he was calling Jungkook. Before you can make any commentary or protests, he plunges two digits inside of you, making you gasp as he locates your g-spot with expert precision. “Want him to hear how well I fuck you.”

“Hello?”

Taehyung grins, bringing the phone up to your ear, making you hold it, the volume already turned up for you two to hear him perfectly. “It’s for you, baby.”

“J-Jungkook?” You stammer the words out, trying to even your breathing as Taehyung moves his fingers faster, thumb continuing to roll over your clit. Fuck, if he kept this up, you’ll be coming in minutes.

“Y/N? How come you’ve got Taehyung’s phone?” Jungkook’s voice didn’t sound nearly as questioning or as confused as it should’ve. “Are you there with him, still?”

“Y-yeah, he’s- o-oh…” You accidentally let out a moan, feeling the warm, soft sensation of Taehyung’s tongue on your pussy.

“He’s what?” Jungkook’s voice sounds deeper than usual right now. Raspier. “What’s he doing, Y/N?”

You whimper, fingers tightening on Taehyung’s roots, pulling at his scalp. “H-his tongue is…”

“Where’s his tongue?”

“…on my pussy.” You feel your face burn as you say it out loud, feeling embarrassed despite the fact Jungkook couldn’t even see the indecent acts you were committing.

“Fuck.” Jungkook sounds so breathless already. Was he turned on? “Does it feel good, princess?”

Your thighs jolt at the sudden nickname, hips jumping as you ride Taehyung’s mouth. He doesn’t say anything, simply groaning as he continues to devour you. “Yeah, feels so good. Feel like I’m gonna cum any minute.”

“Gonna cum while I’m listening? Like some kind of slut?” Jungkook snickers. “Gonna let me hear those pretty moans?”

“Yes, yes, yes…” You felt the band of pleasure begin to tighten, your toes curling in anticipation. “Taehyung, Jungkook…”

“Fuck, always wondered what you’d sound like moaning my name,” Jungkook rasps. “Want me to talk you through it? Want me to call you a dirty slut while you cum in Taehyung’s mouth?”

“Mm, fuck, I’m so close. Please.”

“Really wish I was there. I bet you’d love for me and Taehyung to tag team you, huh? I bet we’d ruin you.”

You clench around Taehyung’s fingers, tightening as you neared your end. Taehyung released your clit momentarily with a wet pop, speaking loudly enough for Jungkook to hear. “She really liked that, Kook. Greedy pussy is sucking me in.”

“Yeah, I knew she would.” Jungkook lets out a sharp hiss. He must be touching himself right now. “Knew she was secretly a slut. Just needed to get dicked down, huh, Y/N?”

You remembered why Taehyung wanted Jungkook to hear in the first place. His possessiveness.“T-Taehyung and I are dating now.”

“That’s great news, Y/N. I’m happy for you both.” You could hear the low purr in his voice. “Wanna know the best part about that?”

“What?” Your voice was strained, so close to the edge.

“Best friends share everything.”

You come apart on Taehyung’s fingers, curling in as you ride out your orgasm. You don’t get much time to recover, though, only getting in a few shallow breaths before Taehyung’s mouth is claiming yours. You let out a shaky moan, tasting yourself on his tongue. You let out a gasp as you feel him line up with your entrance, shoving himself into you. He doesn’t give you time to adjust, hastily pumping into you as he pants against your mouth, eyes boring into yours. “Liked hearing that, huh? Liked having him hear what you sound like when you cum? Want me and Jungkook to share you? One cock not enough?”

You can barely form words, moaning as Taehyung pummels you. “N-No, love your cock, I-“

“Shh, it’s ok baby.” Taehyung’s coos are soft and condescending, a stark contrast from the rough way he manhandled you, trying to reach as deep as possible. “Should’ve known you were a greedy thing. I’m prepared to spoil you.” He gives you a sweet kiss, hand flying down to touch you. “I’m not that selfish anyways, I’ve learned to share my toys. Jungkook doesn’t play as nice as me though, sweetheart. Sure you can handle him?”

Jungkook chuckles at that. “She can handle it. Say, Y/N, what’re you made for, huh?”

Your cheeks burn with humiliation. You turn your head away from the phone, only for Taehyung to aggressively grab your jaw, swinging your head back to the phone. “Answer him, slut.”

You let out a whimper, feeling so overstimulated and overwhelmed, the edge that was coming your way once more simply tantalizing. “Cock,” you say softly.

“Hm? Couldn’t hear you.”

“I’m made to take cock,” you moan out, eyes beginning to cross from how well Taehyung was fucking you.

“What a good girl,” Jungkook cooes, the vibrato of his voice caressing your ears. “You’re right. Not so stupid all the time.”

Your orgasm washes over you for a second time, and Taehyung has to pull out abrubtly to keep from coming. He gives his soaked cock a few more strokes, breathing heavily. He’s hovering over you, his deep pants echoing in your ear opposite from his phone. His hands run up and down your waist, letting you both catch your breath. You stare down at his erection, lubricated with both your wetness and his pre-cum. “Why didn’t you cum?” you ask, breathless.

“Did you forget already?” Taehyung laughs breathlessly. “Jungkook’s right, you are stupid. You’re lucky you’re cute.”

He quickly flips you over on your stomach, hiking your hips up to present your ass to him. You squeal when his hand comes down with a loud crack, stinging your skin. His lips brush over the shell of your ear, sending shivers down your spine. “One more hole, baby. All of you is mine, remember?”

You let out an obscene moan when his tongue presses against the rim, circling and teasing you. You had never before been touching in that area, and while you were more than happy to let Taehyung be your first, the sensations were unfamiliar. “Taehyung!”

He hums against you, tongue starting to dive in. “You seem to like this already, huh? Little anal slut.”

“What’s he doing to you, Y/N? You’re sounding kind of pathetic.”

“He’s-he’s eating out my…” You moan, feeling his tongue dive into you, face buried. “My ass.”

“You’re so dirty. Can’t believe you like getting your ass eaten,” Jungkook moans. “You’re such a dirty slut. You sound so needy even though you just got fucked.”

“I can’t help it. It feels so good.”

“Only nasty little girls like getting their ass played with,” Jungkook scolds. “Admit it.”

“I’m- I’m a nasty slut who likes having her ass played with.” You bite down on your lower lip, feeling like you were going crazy. “Taehyung, please.”

Taehyung pulls away, letting his thumb circle the rim before pushing inside, pumping inside you slowly to get you used to the sensation. Your mouth drops into an ‘o’ form, concentrating on the vile pleasure being awarded to you.

“She’s so wet,” Taehyung comments, reaching for his bedside drawer to yank out lube, pouring out a generous amount. You moan, fisting the sheets as he starts pumping his fingers into you. “Dripping all over my sheets just from me eating her ass.” He pulls out his finger to dive back in, letting you feel the sensation of his tongue. He comes back up, fingers returning to scissor your hole, stretching you out in preparation. “Likes every nasty thing I do to her.”

“Y/N, can I FaceTime you when he finally puts it in your ass?”

You recall Taehyung’s earlier comment, and look back to him. He strokes his cock, aligning it with your back entrance. “Hurry up and call, Kook. I won’t be able to last much longer.”

You’re greeted with a different notification, and soon Jungkook’s face graces your screen. You see he’s shirtless, in only his boxers, the waistband pulled beneath his balls to let his cock spring free. He’s laying in bed, cheeks flushed a heavenly color, phone pulled back enough for you to see him jerking his enormous cock for you to see. “Jungkook, fuck!” You blurt out the words as Taehyung starts to push the tip inside.

“Like what you see?” Jungkook snickers. He had no right being that confident in his generous size.

You glower at the screen, biting your lip as you shamefully nod your head. “Yes.”

“Want it in your mouth?” Nod. “Pussy?” Nod. “What about your tight ass?” Another nod. You moan, sounding purely pornographic as Taehyung slowly inched deeper into you. “Fuck, Y/N, you look so hot like this.”

“I think that’s the first nice thing you’ve said all call.”

“I think you like the fact I’m so mean to you. If you wanted nice you wouldn’t have wanted Taehyung.” Jungkook’s hand sped up as he watched your expressions. “How does it feel?”

“Weird,” you say honestly. Taehyung finally gets as deep as he can, pulling his hips back to fuck you. You can tell from the tremor in his thighs he won’t last much longer. “But good. Dirty and amazing all at once.”

“Mm, Taehyung’s gonna have to train you to take a cock up your ass regularly, so you’re ready to be used.” You whimper at that, hearing Jungkook’s voice crack as he reached the edge. “Maybe he’ll let me help.”

“He wants me to slut you out to him so bad,” Taehyung chuckles in your ear. “Maybe I’ll let you suck his cock whenever he’s having a bad day. Or I’ll have him help me punish you when you’ve been too much of a brat.”

“I would’ve helped you earlier,” Jungkook groans, getting closer to climax. “Would’ve spanked that pussy til it was all puffy and red, would’ve made her cry.”

“Hear that, slut? We’ve got a lot of plans for this tight snatch of yours.” Taehyung reaches down to grab it possessively, nails slightly scratching you as his hips falter. “Fuck, I’m coming.”

“Come in me, please sir,” you beg. Taehyung rewards you, hips flush against yours as he empties his load as deep into you as he could. Jungkook finally lets out his release too, and you see cum coat his chest. His moan sounds absolutely delicious, and you’re left quivering as Taehyung’s sweaty form slumps against yours, worn out.

All three of you are left gasping for air.

Taehyung reaches for the phone. “We’ll call you later, Kook. Still on for Valorant tonight?”

“Yeah man, talk to you later.”

Jungkook hangs up, leaving you and Taehyung alone, sweaty and breathless. Taehyung curls up next to you, cuddling you close as he buries his face in your neck, breathing in your scent. “Ready for breakfast, beautiful?”

#taehyung smut #bts smut #smut #bts #bangtan #jungkook smut #taehyung #v smut #jungkook #bts taehyung #bts v #bts jungkook #dom jungkook #dom taehyung

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hearts4kaulitz · 2 years ago

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2005 bill x fem!reader who's in tokio hotel and how they would fall in love? (I'm a sucker for bill, he's so beautiful) tyyy 🕸

of course! i absolutely love this idea and thank you so much for requesting, it means the world to me!!

I WANNA BE YOURS.

bill x gn! reader

YOU WERE A BASSIT IN THE BAND ‘TOKIO HOTEL’ ALONGSIDE GEORG, you had always loved making music even from a young age and found certain ways to express yourself through it.

one of your closet friends, bill. had always recognized this. he was the singer and the founder of tokio.

you had met because you were in an older band, bill was a big fan before you had disbanded and as soon he got the opportunity to ask you to join his band he did and lucky him, you accepted greatly.

now you two were basically inseparable. you would always come up with dumb songs when neither of you could sleep.

you occasionally would help him with his english to if he messed up a sentence or two, you found it quite amusing though.

after becoming so close bill started to grow some feelings for you, he always thought of you as pretty but now he actually liked you. it was completely different!

everytime you would come up to ask him or a question or would peak into his room for a moment his heart would flutter and his cheeks could turn the slightest of pink.

he knew it was wrong to like another member of his band but he couldn’t help it, you were completely oblivious to this. you didnt know you had him absolutely whipped for you.

of course you liked him too and found him attractive but you weren’t sure if he felt the same, of course he stuttered a bit around you and he seemed more nervous but maybe it was because he was just tired or burnt out?

bill obviously didnt know you felt the same so he tried his best to hold the feelings in, the silly songs you would make together would play on repeat in his head every day.

the sweet sound of your giggles and the way your fingers strummed against the base guitar, everything about you was perfect. the way you hummed songs and the way you smiled at him was so beautiful to him.

everyday he fell more for you because of simple tasks you would do together, every single thing you did made him fall just a bit more in love with you.

after a few weeks, you soon picked up. realizing that maybe the flushed face and stuttering wasnt just because he was burnt out and the fact it would only happen when he was around you.

you didnt wanna push anything though so you let it simmer, you still observed the difference in how he acted around you and around others.

one night you two were up practicing playing instruments, you guys tried your best to be quiet but it ended up with the duo covering each others mouths in the attempt to shush one another.

“yn— shush!” bill managed in between giggles as you desperately tried to calm yourself down from your laughter.

“i cant help it…” you snickered, your face red and bill leaning over you obviously amused.

“were great song producers.” the raven haired boy joked as he admired you with a small grin. “definitely…” you smirked.

eventually the pair calmed down and started at one another, you had laid your head in bills lap and he was looking down at you with a flustered face.

“youre really pretty bill…” you suddenly admitted, smiling as a small blush fled to your cheeks.

the boy reared back in surprise as his eyebrows raised, did they like him? or was it just a compliment?

his mind raced with thoughts before you chuckled, watching his expression as he tapped back into reality.

glancing at you once more before hesitating a bit until he began to lean in, placing a gentle kiss on your lips.

you grinned and kissed back, cupping his face and pulling him closer.

“i wanna be yours.”

#ao3 #bill x reader #bill kaulitz #x reader #ynstories #kaulitz twins #bass guitar #kaulitzcest

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v3nusxsky · 2 years ago

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Hello !! Just dropping in to say hi and maybe ask a request (I feel bad 'cause I might be swamping you or annoying you with requests TvT)

Hope you're feeling good today!

And I just wanted to share something that happened to me (might be a good idea for a fic tbh 🥲 especially a platonic Larissa x student! reader). So there's this competition that I joined, my english teacher mentored me. I was very confident with my skills, and she really believed in me a whole lot (She saw my entry for the competition and gave me a thumbs up, that's a really good thing). When the results came out, I lost. We were both confused, because we know I had a great chance in entering the top ranks but welp just have to deal with it.

When the results came out, I was busy answering some worksheets. She came up to me and asked if I was okay, and she told me that the results came out. I was laughing out my nervousness, and when she showed me I didn't know what to say. She then immediately hugged me and told me it was okay and she was still proud of me (she really brought up my mommy issues that day. All throughout the day, until the awarding program, she comforted me. Received tons of hugs from her and it makes the pain of losing a bit better really.

I'm sorry for rambling hajdbchd again I hope you're okay!!! Sending lots of love and hugs <33

- 🦝

Private dancer 18+

*Authors note~ sorry for the wait but here's the highly requested part two for rhythm is a dancer.*

Trigger warnings~ daddy kink, shifted cock, dom Larissa degrading praise slight oral and fingering

Prompt~ Wrong ask! I’m so so sorry guys

part 2 for rhythm is a dancer

⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹⊹

Ever since that day where Larissa caught you dancing in the studio she'd been unable to keep her thoughts from wandering. You were her employee, she knew it was wrong but her ever growing feelings for you were only amplified by watching you that evening. And the amount of times, late at night she'd laid in bed in the dark touching herself to the memory would be borderline obsessive. Truly you were a beauty to be marvelled. The way your muscles extended and retracted with every movement was just delicious, often she'd catch herself thinking of how the rippling muscles would feel under her hands or lips which caused her to be uncomfortable for the rest of the day.

Ever since that night you'd noticed how Larissa would avoid you, and couldn't seem to hold your gaze without flushing a beautiful rose pink colour. She was truly beautiful but for the life of you, you couldn't work out what you'd done to warrant such a reaction from her. But you'd had enough that was for sure. You loved dance but dancing around Larissa instead of with her was not how you wanted to be.

Thankfully, Larissa was feeling the same, after all if you don't try, you never know. And the perfect opportunity arose. The Raven nearing to an end, you were chaperoning to see if those dance lessons were paying off, clearly miss Addams would be a rare case but you couldn't help but admire her uniqueness and timing. When Larissa began to approach you could feel yourself getting nervous, "miss y/n you've done an excellent job. Perhaps you'd like to come to my office for a glass of wine to celebrate?" She tried to sound confident but you could tell she was nervous so you shot her a sweet smile and confirmed you'd go, "thank you Larissa that would be lovely." The way her name sounded from your lips was simply heavenly, how was it possible to want you more than she already did?

And that was how you found yourself sat on her sofa with a glass of wine in your tight fitting suit. Your crisp white shirt accompanied by a black blazer, tie and dress pants, a far cry from what you normally would be wearing and it seemed the older woman was having a hard time tearing her eyes from you. You were not doing much better, her dress hugging her curves perfectly, you were practically undressing your boss with your eyes. You wanted her just as much as she wanted you but neither of you knew the other was interested.

"Sweetheart? I have a confession to make" the blonde murmured scooting closer to you, "I've seen you dancing and I have to admit it's made my feelings grow more than a boss and employee relationship. It's okay if you don't feel the same, hell I don't even know if your gay but I just had to tell you" she trailed off sounding so insecure your heart broke. "Isa" you murmured not realising the nickname slipped as you chuckled to yourself, "god Ive wanted you for such a long time, why would a goddess like you want me?" The shock in her eyes at your words was truly something else, as if you'd both been touch starved for years your lips met eagerly, a sweet but passionate kiss.

That kiss spiralled into a make out session where Larissa pulled you onto her lap as hands roamed each others body. "Sweetheart, can I, can we? Do you wanna" she muttered against your neck. "Isa if you don't hurry up and fuck me I'll do it myself and make you watch" you threatened only to be cut off as she sucked on your pulse point leaving a nice hickey to form there. "Isa" you whined throwing your neck backwards, exposing more sensitive skin, "fuck me" you purred causing the older woman to stand with your legs wrapped around her waist as she walked you both to her conjoined bedroom. Her lips never left your throat intent on marking you up for all to see. You. Are. Hers.

Her lips only your skin to strip you of the blazer and fumble with your shirt buttons and slacks. Leaving you stood in underwear and some how still wearing the tie. You managed to free her from the dress before she dragged you to the bed by the tie. "gonna be good for me?" She murmured kissing down your neck to your boobs, the bra holding them up nicely. Expertly the bra was discarded and her mouth latched on to your right bud while her left hand toyed with your left bud. Your whimpers only spurring her on. "Darling say red if you want me to stop" she demanded watching you nod before she sunk down to settle between your thighs. Underwear slipped over your legs before being thrown haphazardly away. Her lips making contact with your soaked cunt. "Oh look at your pretty pussy love, it's so wet for me."

Only then did her lips make their way to your clit as her long slender fingers found your folds. "Oh fuck oh god please" you whimpered as your hips bucked upwards uncontrollably, "so needy please" you whined only to be met with her two fingers slipping into your cunt as she crocked then to hit the right spot, easily finding it as if she knew your body inside and out. "Oh darling, fuck I want to fill you up, mark you as mine, you'd look so beautiful carrying my babies, god wanna get you pregnant" she purred into your ear never stopping her movements bringing you closer to the edge until you whimpered , "can you um shift it?"

The spark in Larissa's eyes could only be from the sinful thoughts in her mind. With very little effort Larissa Weems, now had a very thick looking seven inches dick, proudly standing to attention, practically begging to feel your heat. "Oh fuck, daddy" you muttered to yourself before realising what you said. "Shit I'm sorry I just oh god fuck" you whined your brain short circuiting as your eyes drunk in the sight of her new appendage. "Daddy wants to fuck you sweetheart, fill you up with my seed, fuck it into you so good that you get pregnant. Can I? " she moaned slightly when her hand began to stroke her length, a new experience for her but not an unwelcome done. "Please please I'll take it please" you whimpered pathetically being jealous of her hand.

The moment she slipped the tip into your drenched folds you could've cried. Hands on your hips to pull you closer Larissa slipped into your core as your walls stung with the stretch. "Oh fuck daddy too big too big" you whined watching as she chuckled and brought her mouth to your chest, showering both with attention. "You're pussy is begging for more darling, that's not too big and even if I was I'd make it fit" she murmured before ramming her cock straight into your tight hole pulling a scream from your lips which faded into moan. "So tight and warm oh god, don't think I'll last long with this greedy cunt squeezing me. Should take a picture" she moaned and panted as she found her ruthless rhythm. All you could do is lay there and take her ruthless pace and whine and mewl at her actions, "daddy god so good daddy fuck feel you throbbing daddy."

You barely managed a whimper in protest as Larissa flipped you onto your hands and knees, continuing to fuck you nice and hard. "Such a whore for me, god gonna cum so hard making you're take my load. Don't waste it. Fuck fuck god such a pretty cum dump for daddy. Can't wait to make you pregnant sweetheart. Gonna cum so hard baby take it" she moaned as her cock let out long spurts of thick hot white seed into your tight cunt as it milked her dry.

"Daddy daddy daddy fuck oh god fill me up please oh god I'm cumming daddy fuck" you mewled as you both worked through your highs. Only when Larissa was sure you'd finished did she slip from your core and shift her anatomy back and immediately head to fetch a cloth and some lukewarm water. "Gonna clean you up sweetheart okay?" She murmured and you nodded allowing her to do what she needed but whimpering at how sensitive your folds were. "Shhh sweetheart, I know I know. Almost there baby" she comforted before getting rid of the cloth and coming to hold you in her arms.

"Darling can I ask you something" the shyness in her tone alerting you something was wrong so you immediately nodded. "Do you um well I shifted. I changed is that why you um" she trailed off looking away in an attempt to hide the tears that chocked her voice. "Isa my love, look at me" you murmured gently guiding her to face you, "baby I love you for what's in here." You placed your hand over her heart, "I love you for you Isa, yes you can shift which can be really fucking enjoyable as we found out tonight. But it's only enjoyable if you enjoy it too Isa. I'd happily take you how you are strapped up shifted. Isa I love you and I have for such a long time. I'd never ask you to shift bc there's no one better than you love." You finished your point and wiped her falling tears with the pad of your thumbs before sweetly kissing her lips. "Do you want me to go?" You mumbled feeling slightly insecure that you'd upset her. "No darling stay please" she mumbled holding onto your arm, looking at you with pleading eyes. "I'll stay Isa, bed time love?" To be met with a nod as you both settled into bed, arms wrapped around one another.

Word count~ 1738

#anon answered #v3nusxsky answers #fanfic #principal larissa weems x reader #larissa x you #larissa x reader #principal larissa weems #larissa weems #larissa weems smut #larissa weems x reader #weems x reader #weems #principal weems #weems smut #anon requested #long awaited part 2

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dailydemonspotlight · 3 months ago

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Dzelarhons - Day 107

Race: Lady

Arcana: Priestess

Alignment: Light-Chaos

September 10th, 2024

Some of the most unfortunately obscure but still fascinating bits of mythology have to come in the form of Native American stories- due to years upon years of overreach and discrimination, a lot of mythology regarding Native Americans is rather hard to parse, which is a damn shame given how unique and beautiful a lot of their stories tend to be. Even the most popular of this group of mythologies, the Inuk concepts of spirituality, are still incredibly obscure compared to many other religious concepts in the US. This, however, is what makes it so interesting and cool to me that ATLUS decided to make a demon based on a character from Haida mythology- the ancestor of the Eagle clan, Dzelarhons.

There's not a lot to go off of regarding Dzelarhons, given how obscure references to Haida mythology are in the first place, and the scant few references we do have are a bit hard to bite into without a lot of prior context. However, based on said reference, the mythological collection 'Dzelarhons: Myths of the Northwest Coast,' we can ascertain her importance to the mythology overall with even just the first few lines: that she was the ancestor of the Haida people. The story outlined in the book describes the arrival of the 'Copper Woman' onto 'Frog Woman's' back, with the purported Frog Woman sharing similarities with what Dzelarhon's name apparently means, being 'Volcano Woman.' If you're familiar at all with Hawaiian mythology, this likely sounds a bit familiar, as volcanoes are associated with the land below that had sprouted forth from its eruption.

From what I can gather, Dzelarhons isn't the frog woman, however, she is similar- she's a separate figure who arrived alongside six other canoes to the 'holy land,' being the place where the Eagle Tribe sprouted and grew. As she had arrived at the land, she married the bear god Kaiti and bore children with him, giving life to the Eagle clan. Now, this Eagle clan I keep referring to is actually a part of the larger-scope division in the Haida people, being one of a pair of lineages known as the Raven and Eagle clans. The Eagle clan is descended from Dzelarhons, of course, and from what I can tell, the Raven clan is descended from the mythological figure 'The Raven,' being a trickster deity who is incredibly important to the Haida mythos, but I digress. That's a story for another day. Maybe. Regardless, Dzelarhons is a rather vague figure and it doesn't help that a lot of things regarding her fail to cite verified sources, so I'm leaping a bit from interpretation to concrete fact here.

Based on the Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines, Dzelarhons, before marrying Kaiti, was coerced into a far more toxic marriage with a groom who forced her to hold a torch above her head to burn away her clothes, but eventually she relented. When the people of the clan came around to rescue her, they found her gone, and in her place, there was a copper statue of a frog, showing that the woman had ascended to a place of divinity, one who now judged those who abused animals. So, based on this scattershot information, I think I can put together a possible composite story? Her association with frogs and 'frog princess' title given in the series is a very obvious tell that she was the daughter of Frog Woman, so bear with me as I try to put together what this story altogether may be.

Dzelarhons was the child of Frog Woman, though was once mortal, arriving alongside 6 canoes to the holy land- however, upon arriving at the holy lands, being where Frog Woman took seat, she was taken into a marriage with a man who forced her to burn away her clothes, likely for sexual gratification. She tried to comply with his demands, though eventually she couldn't take it anymore and ascended to godhood, wherein she embraced herself as the frog princess and began to judge those who abused others. Of course, this is based mostly on my own interpretation, and a lot of these sources are rather dubious, so please weigh in if you have more knowledge on this topic. Still, while I was sent in a few scattershot directions regarding Dzelarhons, I really do find her story a very interesting one. I don't have much of a segway, so... design time?

Not much is known about Dzelarhons, as I hope is clear with this post, but her design in SMT is rock solid, focusing mostly on her design as the frog princess. It's a little hard to really glean what's going on with the design at first, but I think it looks neat regardless...? I dunno, man. This frog has sent me to the creeks.

#smt #shin megami tensei #megaten #persona #daily

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dr-trafalgar-law · 7 months ago

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Trafalgar Law X CisFem Reader

“I didn't know I'd feel relieved after ordering a dress.” you sat across from your fiance at a cozy little bistro you'd picked for lunch.

“I didn't really understand why it was such a big deal until today.” He replied picking up the menu in front of him.

“That hit me at dress number four.” You chuckled, “I feel like you saved the day.”

Law lifted the tri-fold laminate to hide the odd surge of pride he was feeling.

“That's a bit much.” He managed evenly, “All I did was pick something I thought you might like.”

“Well, it is perfect.” You smiled glancing down at the menu.

All of your reactions today had him feeling a bit cocky. He'd been the source of that happiness and Goddamn if that wasn't an addicting high. It was more than that though, part of your elation was the unexpected show of affection in the dressing room. Whatever rare occasion Law touched you was warm and comforting. This small kiss on the forehead was electric. Shivers wiggled down your spine just reflecting on it.

“Do you come here often?” He asked, still perusing the restaurant's offerings.

“I used to when I wasn't burying myself in work. A friend of mine from culinary school owns it.”

He glanced up, interested in this newly offered information, “You went to school with Sanji-ya?”

“Small world it seems. How do you know him?” You asked.

“Through an infuriating acquaintance.” He grimaced.

“Oh, now that sounds interesting.” Your chuckle faded as realization washed over you, “Luffy.”

Law's brows raised, he shouldn't have been surprised. Your cousin hung out with Sanji and Luffy too.

“Smaller world than I thought.” He murmured, “You used to hang out with them?”

You shifted and cleared your throat.

“Something wrong?” He asked, watching your disposition change.

“I mean… to answer your question, kind of? Luffy is Zoro's best friend.”

Law sat forward as it clicked, “The little brother?”

You nodded.

The raven sighed, “Will everything always come back to that guy?”

“I really wish it didn't.” You slouched forward a bit.

“Sorry,” Law reached across the table and hesitated briefly before touching your wrist, “I didn't mean to ruin the mood.”

His hand was so soft and warm, you fought the urge to hold it, opting instead to stay still.

“No, you didn't ruin anything. It's actually something we should talk about.” Your gaze rose from his tattooed fingers just before he pulled away.

“Maybe not in public.” He glanced around, “Let's get back to the issue at hand. What would you recommend ordering?”

He’d found that getting you to talk about something you had passion for usually brightened you right up.

You sat up and flipped the menu between the two of you to show him all of your favorite items. He leaned in resting his chin in his palm, pleased with the mood change.

Soon your orders arrived as the conversation continued comfortably.

“So did you decide on going back to Olympia to look for your suit?”

He nodded, finishing his last bite, “I forgot to tell you, Cora-ya will be coming next weekend to help me.”

“Is he going to stay with us?” Your eyes lit up.

“Well, I assumed he'd stay at a hotel. Our place is small.” He answered appreciating your excitement.

Our place.

The phrase sent a flutter through your chest.

“It's a two bedroom apartment.” You deadpanned moving your napkin from your lap to the table.

“I guess I can take the couch so he can have my room.” He suggested thoughtfully.

You cocked a brow at him, “Is sleeping with me that bad?”

Law’s eyes widened as his face heated up, “I'm sorry?”

“Wai-I -” You covered your face and let out an embarrassed chuckle, “I meant like, if I snored or something.”

A soft laugh rumbled through your fiance's chest as he reached forward to gently move your hands from your face. The amused look on his face had you frozen for a moment.

That smile could end wars.

“You don't snore,” he assured, “I just didn't want to invite myself into your room.”

Your gaze trailed down to your hands resting in his, “I appreciate that. You can stay in mine.”

“Thank you.” He murmured.

“Look at the two of you, charming everyone around you.” A familiar voice chimed as a plate softly clacked against the table.

“Sanji.” You straightened yourself out now that you'd been reminded you were in public.

“I couldn't let my beautiful former study partner leave without her favorite dessert.” He'd placed a small plate of strawberry shortcake between you.

“Awe thank you.” You smiled up at him, “I'll hook you up next time you stop by the bakery.”

“Sanji-ya,” Law nodded toward your friend.

“Tra-guy, it's been a while. I see you're doing well.” Sanji shook his hand.

“Tra-guy?” You echoed.

“You know how Luffy is with names.” The blonde winked at you.

“How's Pudding? I heard about the bed-rest.” You changed the subject, deciding to circle back to Law's nickname when you had him alone.

Sanji's blue eyes sparkled at the mention of his wife. He immediately launched into an update on her pregnancy and gushed so much you almost wished you hadn't asked. You were glad she was well and the bed-rest was just a precaution due to high blood pressure. After the catch up and a few pictures your former classmate excused himself to get back to work.

“I definitely ate too much.” You sighed entering your apartment.

“What should we do with the afternoon?” Law asked removing his shoes and placing them with yours by the door.

“First, stretchy pants.” You suggested.

“And then?” He prompted removing the dark knit sweater he'd had covering the worn black t-shirt he had on underneath.

“I'm fine with whatever you choose Tra-guy~”

His sweater flopped over your head and shoulders as you tried to make a dash for your room.

“Not you too.” He grumbled blithely.

You gasped dramatically and pulled the garment off your head, “That’s abuse.”

“You're ridiculous.” His lips upturned enjoying this playful side of you.

“I could have fallen.” You pushed the sweater against his chest.

“I'm a doctor,” he leaned over you and dropped his voice, “I'd take care of you.”

Fuck.

That silver gaze flitted from your lips to your eyes so quickly you had to have imagined it. His expression was relaxed but there was something there he was holding back. Torn between learning what the consequences would be and being afraid to let you into his world completely - he held his breath.

It was a subtle but bold move. Wanting to match his energy and ride out the high of this tension without taking a move your brain might not be ready for - you gently nuzzled his cheek.

“I know you would.” Your fingertips brushed the sharp line of his jaw.

The rush of cool air that hit him as you stepped back was sobering. He cursed under his breath as you made your way to your room to change. Kissing your forehead earlier in the day suddenly didn't feel as intimate.

Confirming you wanted the affection was like opening the door to a locked room.

#closure #lyndsyh24 #one piece #slow burn #trafalgar d law x reader #trafalgar law #x reader #18+ mdni #marco the phoenix #fem reader

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waywardsummoner46 · 2 years ago

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Eternity, Part One

Pairing: Dark!Morpheus x (?)Reader

Summary: You should’ve known that running from your past would be your downfall… you just never would’ve imagined it’d land you right into the waiting arms of an Endless, one that’s been searching for you for eons. he may be trapped for now, but your new job at Fawny Rig may just be the solution for that. Heed the warnings: you took something from him and now he must consume you for himself…

Word Count: 2392

Warnings: mind manipulation/control, possessive and obsessive behaviour, mental breakdown, suggestions of psychological torture, threat of bones collapsing,more to added with more chapters

A/N: Heyyyyy, I know it's a tad bit late to be posting the first part to a prologue that was released like two months ago but it's here now! And it's longer than what I usually write so I hope that makes up for it. Enjoy this while you can because Morpheus is about to get a whole lot freakin' worse. As always, I hope you're okay and let me know what you think!

Fawny Rig had an… impressive exterior, to say the least.

Chuckling to yourself, you knew that living in somewhere as grand and beautiful as there would be a concept you’d never be able to experience. Although, based on the job description, it seemed as though the owners were quite friendly and presumably welcoming enough for it to seem like some sort of a home.

Holding the advertisement in your hand, you contemplated how this would actually work; were you to be a permanent resident? Semi-permanent? Maybe this would be a day thing? Exhaling once, you decided just to wing it (within reason, of course).

Speaking of wings, there was the distinct sound of a raven squawking in the distance. Curiously, you looked around and smiled slightly when you saw a beautiful raven perched upon your bag handle.

“Oh, aren’t you beautiful?”

Almost naively, you reached out a hand with the childish hope of being able to stroke the creature. You completely ignored the health risks that came with birds and it appeared to work out in your favour as the raven’s wings preened and glittered as the sun reflected off of them.

A small smile spread across your face, “Oh yes, you are. Absolutely gorgeous.”

For a while, you merely stood over your bags and admired the raven, so majestically offering itself up for your generous petting. However, the more you stroked it, the more the distinct feeling that you’d seen it before grew. Come to think of it, your palm had started itching… again. God dammit, you seriously needed to keep track of your meds.

Reluctantly, you pulled one hand away from the bird and reached for your tablets in your pocket. The incessant crinkling of the paper annoyed you and furthered the pain of trying to extract a pill from its case. Once you’d finally managed to wriggle it out, you let out a triumphant sound.

The bird was temporarily forgotten and as you lifted the tablet up to your mouth, the screeching of the raven caused you to drop the pill. Exasperated, you turned to the raven. “Come on, dude. I need those.”

When the bird raised a brow, you blinked incredulously. But then, it cawed a final time and flew off with the rest of your medication. “Hey! Get back here! This isn’t funny, bird!”

“Miss, is everything alright?” A timid voice called from the entrance to the manor. Oh jeez, this was embarrassing .

Turning around with, what you hoped was, a friendly and not-at-all crazy smile on your face, you made the regrettable decision to forget about the bird. “Yes, thank you. Sorry, a raven just stole my medication. I’m not crazy, I swear,” you offered a light chuckle.

Luckily, the young lady seemed to accept your words for she made idle chit-chat as she invited you in. The maid, Blythe as she’d introduced herself, led you into a well-furnished and incredibly artefactual, antiquated living room and told you to enjoy the pre-prepared drinks as she called your employers.

Glancing around the room as her rhythmic footsteps grew quieter, you began to realise how out of your depth you were; never in your life had you been responsible for a job on such an important scale before. It wasn’t even that the job was difficult or in anyway out of your capabilities, it’s just that the weight of-

“Ah, (Y/N), a pleasure to meet you. How are you? How was your trip? I hope you’re familiar with basements because that’s where you’ll be situated,” Alex Burgess spoke from where he was being wheeled by his husband, Paul. His bluntness caught you slightly off-guard, there was something underlying there that clearly made him anxious if his darting eyes were any indication.

Immediately, you stood and stretched out a hand. “Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Burgess. My trip was good, thank you. And, yes, basements are something I’m acclimated to,” well that was complete and utter bullshit. Basements were a big no-no for you. Nothing good ever came from them, nothing, especially after…

“Blythe informed me that a… raven… flew away with your medication?” He asked, drawing you away from your thoughts. Embarrassingly, your cheeks flushed and you began to stutter.

“Y-yeah, that’s right. I didn’t even realise until it nearly deafened me.”

Alex Burgess seemed to tense in his wheelchair, why? You did not know, but curiosity killed the cat. “Is everything okay?”

Snapping out a daze, he gave you a quick glance before asking Paul to guide him back upstairs. “Everything’s fine, thank you.” He gave you one last small smile before turning his attention to Blythe, “If you could show Miss (Y/N) to her room and inform her of her duties that would be marvellous.”

Blythe paled almost imperceptibly, but you noticed, you always noticed. Worry churned your gut and your head turned suspiciously.

“Do you mean…?”

He nodded and that’s all the answer she had before both Burgesses left.

Frozen, she stood in place and stared through the floor. The emptiness in her eyes made you uneasy. You took a tentative step towards her, “Blythe?” Snapping her head towards you, she stumbled away, her expression signifying she was seeing something you could not. “Woah, Blythe, take deep breaths. You’re safe, no one’s going to hurt you.”

The young maid was incapable of listening, of seeing reason. Tempted to call for someone, you paused when her panicked breathing came to a halt. Similarly to before, she acted as though you were a window except this time she started muttering. It was indistinguishable at first, it soon grew to murmurs, to normal words, to shouts, and finally to panicked, urgent yells of pure unadulterated terror.

“Leave! You need to leave! He’s here, he knows you’re here. He won’t stop until you give. It. BACK! GIVE IT BACK! GIVE IT BACK!”

Now it was you who was frozen. Rational thought escaped you, instead overwhelming confusion and slight panic consumed you. What was she talking about? Who was “he”? How did he know you were here? What did he want back?

Two men clad in suits walked in and wrestled with Blythe’s manic form out of the room, leaving you haunted by her echoing screams down the corridors. Concerned, though you were, bewilderment ceased you from forming any coherent functions for a time - only when Paul came to escort you to your room did you snap out of your daze.

He made small talk as he guided you to your room, apologising for your rocky and traumatising beginning and assuring you that tomorrow wouldn’t be like this. You responded in kind, albeit numbly. In all honesty, you were disturbed with everyone’s behaviour above all else; Alex seemed anxious at the mention of a raven, then Blythe had had a mental breakdown and what appeared to be a flashback and now, Paul was acting as though he was used to it, as though they were all used to it.

Despite your brain not working at full capacity, you managed to bid Paul a good evening and settled in for an early night. Despite your brain not working at full capacity, you knew that there was something going on here, something they were hiding. You’d be damned if you weren’t going to find out… What worried you was this man Blythe had spoken about and how he knew you were here. Another resident, perhaps? A neighbour? Couldn’t be, there wasn’t another house for miles, at least not one that you’d seen.

You had no further options, so you surrendered to exhaustion and hoped that your dreams might bring you some peace…

You were in the forest again. The same one. The same leaves crunching under your feet, the same sounds being your breath, the same stars gazing down at you from the heavens and the same raven, cawing nervously from where it was standing next to your sitting form.

Regarding it with suspicion, you hesitantly gestured for it to perch itself on your shoulder. Once it did, your suspicion turned into contentment. Nature always puts you at ease, and after the night you’d had you needed a break. Speaking of the night you’d had, your thoughts began to drift towards the inner turmoil Blythe’s outburst had caused you.

The abruptness of the entire situation wasn’t lost on you, in fact, it only made you more and more anxious about the job you’d applied for on a whim. Because that’s all it was, wasn’t it? A whim?

Your eyes absentmindedly traced the curves and edges of the leaves around you as you reflected on the past few days: you’d always made a point to consider things and pinpoint each and every outcome. Your experiences and past had instilled that habit into you from a very young age so your careless decision to take this job was extremely uncharacteristic and that scared you.

No matter who you surround yourself with, you ensured that you never grew an attachment that could influence your decision making so you were left puzzled over your future and past - your present, even!

Leaves crunching to your right jolted you out of your reverie. In your skittishness, the raven flew off your shoulder and onto the man who’d entered your space. You registered vaguely that you recognised him, his chiselled features and ethereal complex making it nigh impossible to forget and yet, a headache brewed when you thought too hard about it, about anything really.

Your eyes looked over him and widened when they met his own; it was pure darkness. Pure darkness with hints of white, of-of stars, you realised, this man had literal space within his eyes.

Dazedly, you muttered, “What the hell?”

Calmly and with the grace of a king, he moved towards you. Half of you fought to step back but the other half was utterly captivated by his gaze, completely caught up in the vastness of his eyes and the emptiness within.

Suddenly, his gaze turned more intense and all fight left you within an instant. That stuck you as odd, why did your emotions sway that intensely?

Before you could question it, he raised his hand, his palm facing the sky, and your eyes were inexplicably glued to it. There was something scarily familiar about this situation… but even that nagging feeling wasn’t enough for you to ignore the urge to place your hand in his own. Eyes completely focused and brain becoming fuzzier by the second, you took in a shuddering gasp and moved your arm up.

The distance between each of your hands was closing and with it the lack of coherent thought in your brain, the lack of any idea apart from take his hand.

His celestial eyes were staring hungrily at your hand and when it finally, finally, made contact with his own, he let out a gasp so loud that it broke you out of whatever stupor you’d been in.

“What the hell? Who are y-mmph!”

The man had pulled you into his chest and now had both of his arms caging you in, like a bird imprisoned, completely helpless to its situation. Too awestruck to do anything apart from numbly stare into his shoulder, you struggled to comprehend your situation. You knew that this was a dream and yet the complete and utter ridiculous situation and worrying feelings you were experiencing caused scepticism to dominate your brain.

The man was warm, you had to admit. Probably because of his intricately crafted black cloak. He was also strong if the feeling of his arms around you and your unfortunately placed hands on his chest were of any significance.

“Are you gonna let go any time soon, mister? Orrrrr…”

Speaking up was the wrong thing to do; his arms tightened once more except, they didn’t actually stop. You grew confused, and scared, especially once it became difficult to breathe. Was he trying to kill you with a hug? That would look amazing on a tombstone: “Death by Hug.”

Regardless of your wandering mind, your physical body was under extreme stress. Bones began to grind together and you could’ve sworn you heard some crack. There was no pain, though, so perhaps you were overreacting in the uncomfortable moment.

“Once we have merged, my love, I will finally be able to care for you in the way only you deserve. But you must give it up to me, willingly,” his low voice directly in your ears sent chills down your spine. There it was again, this giving someone something back. Blythe’s outburst seriously did affect you, didn’t it?

“This is no mere dream, little one. Have you truly forgotten me?”

You tried to pull back slightly, to garner any sort of information from his facial expression that you couldn’t from his tone of voice, but he withheld unbearably tight - it was a struggle to even understand what he’d said.

You wet your lips, “I don’t even know who I… am… anymore.”

Like he’d been struck, he reeled back and peered intensely into your half lidded eyes. He looked scandalised, but why? He didn’t know you, he didn’t even exist outside of this dream! You’d just had a taxing day and your subconscious was taking it out on you.

A sudden look of pure rage crossed his face and you flinched back much like he had done only seconds before. As quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into a look of cold indifference.

“Then there is only one thing to be done.”

Just like that, you awoke. The first thing you registered was the sounds of shouting, shortly thereafter an agonising scream permeated throughout the manor and you were instantly wide awake.

Somehow you knew, you didn’t know how but you knew that something was wrong with Blythe. Something was wrong with this house and its residents. And you had a sneaking suspicion that it all stemmed from this… man… who haunted them before and who now haunts you.

Fear unlike any other twisted your heart painfully behind your ribcage. Yet there was also something pulling at it, almost willing it in a way, to leave the room and investigate what was happening. So you did what any other person would do - you left the confines of your room into what would unknowingly change your life… for eternity.

_____________

Tag list~

@lweina

@azrielloveselain

@the-ruler-of-death

@moonmaiden1996

@intothesoul

@lilithskywalker

@amandarobertsboyce

@carolcrysis

#morpheus #morpheus x reader #dream of the endless x reader #dream x reader #the sandman x reader #dark!morpheus x reader #dark!morpheus #dark!dream

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loafandfish · 2 years ago

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After getting multiple requests for more soul crushing angst by multiple people, I have finally obliged. While writing, I was listining to Two by Sleeping At Last, and although the story isn’t based on the song, the line “I will love you without any strings attached” gets me every time so I had to make it a theme.

No Strings Attached// John

⚠️WARNING⚠️ Mentions of being attacked, blood, and violence. The people have spoken and this is what they want.

For as long as she’d known John, everything came with strings attached. She wanted to join him and James on a trip to the docks? Only if she gave him half her lunch. She wanted him to bring her extra leftovers from Salome? Only if she helped him with his chores. That pretty much meant doing them all herself while he goofed off.

And when it wasn’t favors, it was contests.

…

“Hey if you beat me in a staring contest, I’ll give you this cool rock I found. I’ll probably get to keep it.”

“Oh, you’re on!”

…

“I just beat Andrew in arms wrestling and I think I can beat you.”

“What? No you couldn’t. I’d bet my lunch on it.”

“Hah! And I’d bet my dinner.”

…

No matter the circumstance, there was always strings attached. It’s how it had always been between the two. Deal after deal and bet after bet. It made their lives more interesting, more fun.

Even when Y/n began to follow Jesus along with her fishermen friends, their friendship never changed. It wasn't selfishness that kept these deals going. Y/n would've done anything for him, and she knew he would not hesitate to do the same. It was just a habit for the both of them. By now it was practically their love language.

And speaking of love, the contests really helped cover up her crush on him as well.

So never in a million years did Y/n ever imagine something would change that. Especially not something as simple as a walk.

...

"How about these? They look edible enough." Y/n picked a few berries off a branch, presenting them to Mary. Her friend shook her head, a small smile on her face. "Not unless you want to vomit for a week. Let's keep walking."

Y/n's shoulders slumped as she tossed the berries onto the ground. They'd been searching for too long now and she was starving. She could only imagine how much worse Jesus and the disciples felt after such a long day. She silently prayed they would happen upon something to eat.

Mary stopped in her tracks, pointing to a small tree in the clearing a head. "Look over there!"

Sure enough, the fruit of the tree looked ripe. If Mary was happy, they must've been edible. Y/n thanked Adoni for answering her prayer and hurried over to the tree.

After a quick inspection, the women began to fill their baskets. Y/n had to hold herself back from eating it all right there.

"It smells so sweet, I don't know how long I can wait."

Mary laughed, reaching for a taller branch. The larger fruits grew higher. "I know! I'm very excited to get back to camp."

"The boys will be happy we actually found..." Y/n paused halfway through her sentence. Mary froze as well, her hand lowering slowly.

They had heard a noise coming from the road.

Hesitantly, the two turned toward the sound. It was one both Y/n and Mary were familiar with, but they hoped they were wrong. But no matter how much they wished, there was no mistaking that noise. It was a horse clad in metal armor. A Roman horse.

Sure enough, a soldier came riding around the corner. Mary dropped her basket in fear.

Y/n's heart hurt for her friend. She only knew bits and pieces of her story, but enough to assume the trauma a Roman had caused her.

Without moving, Y/n whispered at her friend. "It's alright. Maybe he won't notice."

Not a second later, the man turned his head, staring straight at them. He had noticed.

Mary's breath hitched and Y/n stepped closer to her. She knew she had to do something before he came over. She needed to protect her friend. Slowly, Y/n faced the raven haired girl, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Mary, you need to get out of here. I will distract him."

The poor girl never tore her eyes off the man. She was horrified at the sight of him. Still, she managed to get a few words out. "But... but you'll be here-."

"No buts. I'll be fine." Y/n took a quick glance at the soldier. He had hopped off his horse. "Go back to camp and I'll catch up with you."

She nodded quickly and as soon at the Roman began to walk towards them, Mary took off in the direction of camp. Y/n watched as she disappeared into the trees, then began to walk quickly in the opposite way.

To her terror, the plan worked as the man ran after her. She sped up even more, hoping he would give up.

"Hey, woman!"

She lowered her head, beginning to sprint.

"Don't ignore me!"

His footsteps sped up.

"I command you to stop!"

At this, Y/n ran as fast as she could. Her feet kicked up dirt as she dashed toward the denser part of the woods. The trees were so close. Just a little further...

A harsh shove caused her to tumble forward. The Roman man towered above her, but she would not let herself freeze. Y/n scrambled up, ready to somehow fight off this stronger, more skilled man. He was a soldier, for goodness sake! She was just some kid from Capernaum.

"Why do you keep running, woman?" The Roman sneered. "I don't like being ignored."

Y/n backed away, but he followed. He reached out, grabbing her wrist. "There's no use in making me angrier."

So Y/n shoved him back with a strength she didn't know she had. The Roman flailed his arms, stumbling backward with a shocked look. It was so out of character, that had Y/n not been in a life threatening situation, she would have found it amusing. Before she could make her escape, his shock turned to anger.

"Well now you've done it." He sneered, gripping her arms so that his fingernails dug into her skin. Y/n gave him the nastiest glare she could muster, stomping on the man's foot.

He let go of her , quickly reaching for his injury. Y/n took this chance to sprint, this time in the direction of camp.

As a child, she and her friends would often race, whether it be to win a bet against John, or just to spice up a walk. Unfortunately, she had never been the best runner and usually ended up next to Simon in these competitions. So Y/n couldn't bring herself to be surprised when the soldier eventually caught up to her once more. The act of defiance had only made him more infuriated.

He grabbed her arm, shoving her up against a tree. Y/n's head hit the trunk and stars danced in her vision. The Roman brought his face so close to hers, she could smell his vile breath. "You are dead, woman."

With a swift movement, his hand was around her neck, squeezing the air from her lungs. Y/n panicked, unable to breathe or even think. Her chest was burning from the lack of oxygen. She clawed at his arm, but he didn't let go. Her head was screaming with voices that weren't her own. Under different circumstances, she would have been confused, but now was not the time to question. The absence of air was making her crazy with fear.

Just before she thought she'd black out, the soldier was ripped off of her. She dropped to the floor, gasping like a fish out of water. She drank in the fresh air desperately, putting a hand to her chest in an attempt to slow her racing heart.

Looking up, she saw a few of the disciples and relief flooded her body. Her friends were here and she would be safe. Those voices in her head were not from insanity after all.

The ringing in her ears eased enough to hear James and John pouring out their passionate, "Sons of Thunder" rage toward the Roman. For a moment the man didn't know what to do.

But he was still a soldier. A ruthless killer.

So with a skilled swipe of his hand, he unsheathed his dagger, pressing it to John's chest. Y/n felt her heart drop.

"Step back!" He ordered the rest of the men. With a nervous glance, they stood down, moving away. The rage in Big James's eyes nearly made the Roman falter.

"If you touched her, I will burn you to the ground." John hissed at the man, ignoring the knife completely. He was not afraid.

But the Roman wasn't either. He sneered, barking out a harsh laugh. "You're hardly in any position to be threatening me."

He lifted his head toward the other disciples, gesturing at the dagger, still pressed against their friend's chest. "None of you are."

When none of them replied, the soldier smiled. "Good." He looked back to John. "Now you're coming with me."

Y/n stumbled to her feet in horror. She knew exactly what the man would do. He was going to imprison her friend for attacking a soldier, but not for long. Those who crossed Roman officials never survived for more than a month. Their supposed "life sentences" were always cut short.

So without thinking, she launched herself at the man, tackling him from the side. Not for a bet, not to win a contest. This was for John, no strings attached.

Y/n hit the ground hard, bringing the soldier down with her. His helmet rolled off completely as the two wrestled to pin the other. What Y/n didn't realize was the Roman had not let go of his weapon.

Before any of her friends could step in, the soldier pierced the knife through her side, just below the ribs. Y/n pushed herself off of him in shock, her hands flying to her stomach.

It took only seconds for blood to seep through her fingers.

For a moment, John could only stare. He didn't even breathe. Everything that was happening... it wasn't possible. But when his eyes locked with Y/n's, he felt reality sink in.

A pained whine caused him to tear his eyes away from the girl he loved. He spotted the Roman on the ground, the one responsible for this.

In that minute, all he could see was red.

If anyone ever asked him to recall that moment, he wouldn't have been able to. It was almost as if he'd blacked out. All he knew is that one moment, he was staring at the man on the ground, and the next, the disciples were dragging him off of the Roman. He didn't know how long the gap in his memory was, but it had been long enough to beat the soldier to a pulp.

With rage filling his veins, he tried to go back, but his brother stopped him with a hand to his chest. "Don't."

John's eye twitched as he watched the soldier writhe in pain. James spoke again, catching his full attention. "Y/n is hurt, brother. Think of her."

Just like that, the soldier left his mind as quickly as the anger. He turned to see Andrew leaning Y/n against the trunk of a tree. Her jaw was clenched in pain as he sat her down.

In an instant, he was kneeling in front of her, cradling her face in his hands. His eyes searched her for any other injuries he didn't know of. Of course, the stab wound was most prominent. The more he looked at it, the quicker his heart raced.

“No no no, Y/n you‘ll be okay.” She had never heard John’s voice sound so soft before. His words were gentle, but the panic shone clearly in his eyes. He was holding himself together, but it wouldn’t last long. “Just stay with me, please.”

"Hah, I saved your life." She let out a light laugh, half delirious. "Guess you really owe me one."

Under normal circumstances, John would have laughed too. He even would have joined in on their little habit of favors and bets. But now was not normal, not when his world was crashing down around him. He glanced behind him at the group of a shocked disciples, gesturing at one in particular. “Matthew, I need one of your handkerchiefs.”

Keeping his eyes away from the injury, Matthew fumbled for the cloth, quickly handing it to John and backing away just as fast.

Y/n hissed as the handkerchief was pressed over the wound. She knew the pressure would slow the bleeding, but it only made it hurt more.

“I know it hurts. You just have to trust me, okay?”

She did trust him, that much was true. She trusted him with her life, but the searing pain made her push his hand away. “Okay, you can stop n-.”

Another agonizing pang shot through her as he ignored her words. “Stop.”

“But Y/n we need to-.”

“No.”

“You’re bleeding out!”

“There’s nothing you can do!” Her shout caused a silence to fall over the group. They knew she was right. None of them were even close to being doctors. Y/n shook her head, bringing her voice back to normal. “We can wait until Jesus comes back. He can heal this.”

Her eyes met with John’s and her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “Until then, can you hold me?”

Without hesitation, he gently pulled her to his chest. She gasped as the wound sent a jarring shock to her body, but it was worth it. Hearing his heartbeat soothed her.

John, on the other hand, was not comforted at all. His heart ached as he cradled his best friend in his arms. It should have been him. He should have gone with the Roman. Any prison sentence was more bearable than this.

Glancing back at the others, he grew angry realizing they were doing nothing. Now was not the time to stand around in shock. Y/n was right, they needed a miracle right now. "You heard her! Go get Jesus!"

Big James nodded, masking his worry for both his friend and his brother as he led the group back to camp.

The two were left alone in the clearing. All that was left to do was wait. John knew he couldn't do anything and it drove him insane. He gently brushed the stray hairs off of Y/n's face.

“I’m sorry, Y/n.” John choked back a sob through clenched teeth. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”

A ghost of a smile crossed her lips as her hand cupped his cheek. John leaned into the touch, placing his own hand on top of hers.

“Please… don’t apologize.” Y/n’s voice was airy and light. “It’s not your fault. Promise me you’ll never think that.”

He didn’t understand this. It was his fault. He hadn’t been there for her. He should have been there. And now it was too late to take it back. He knew this was the truth, but how could he say no to Y/n? John owed this to her, to keep at least one promise. He throat tightened as tears sprang to his eyes. He moved his head to the side, placing a soft kiss on her palm.

“I promise.” He whispered, his voice still muffled as he pressed his lips to her hand once more.

“Good.” A real smile crinkled at the edges of her eyes. The sight sent knives into John’s chest. He knew she was in agony, yet she smiled for him. Her selflessness baffled him.

With a shaky breath, allowing herself lower her hand. “I’m so tired. I need to-.”

“No.” The rough edge to his voice surprised her. He almost sounded angry, a complete change from moments earlier. She knew that anger was not directed toward her. For the first time since she’d known him, John was scared. Purely, inexplicably terrified. “You need to wait until Jesus gets here.”

“I don’t know if…” Against her will, here eyes fluttered shut. She wanted to keep them open, but it was so difficult. Her eyelids had grown heavy and she couldn’t bear it any longer.

“Don’t close your eyes, love.” Yet another change of tone. His breath came out shaky from the effort of holding back his tears. “Keep them open for me, yeah?”

She hummed in response, but couldn't bring herself to open her eyes. John shook her gently, which should have hurt but she felt nothing.

"I can't lose you, can't you see that?!" He buried his face into her shoulder, shutting his eyes tightly. "I'm not strong enough for that."

The sudden absence of pain allowed Y/n to move. She carefully wrapped her arms around him, gently patting down his messy curls. "John, you're a son of thunder! You can handle anyth-."

"Not this." His shoulders shook with silent cries.

A few moments of silence passed, aside from John's muffled sobs. All Y/n could do was run a comforting hand through his hair. After a second, she spoke up.

"John?"

"Yes, love?"

She breathed deeply, but she still felt nothing. "The pain is gone."

"The pain...?" He lifted his head, worry etched on his face. He glanced at the wound which hadn't stopped bleeding. In fact, the handkerchief had long been soaked through. "But that doesn't make any sense."

"And I feel..." She tried to think of the words to describe it. "I feel like I'm floating almost. Everything is hazy."

John's heart sunk to his stomach. She was getting worse by the second. He prayed that Jesus would come soon.

With tears staining his face, he pressed his forehead against hers. Neither of them said a thing. Y/n was slowly loosening her hold as she grew weaker by the second. John was determined to take in her presence as much as possible. He so desperately didn't want this to be his last moments with her, but that wish was foolish. Jesus was still nowhere in sight.

"Y/n, I have something I need to say."

He could feel her light breath on his face as she answered with a soft hum. The response was the only indication she was alive. Her body was completely limp in his embrace. He knew time was running out. It was now or never.

Before, he would have been nervous at the mere thought of confessing. Now, it could be his last chance. The thought terrified him to the core. She had saved his life, so she deserved to know.

“I love you, Y/n."

All bets were off. It was the honest truth.

"I love you without any string attached.”

He sat up straight again, opening his eyes to see her face. Despite the tears blurring his vision, he could see the small upward tug of her lips. No words were said, but he didn't need any. He knew the smile meant she loved him too, no strings attached.

Right then, John heard his name being called from a distance. He looked back to find his brother running toward him at full speed. For a moment, John felt his hopes were lifted. But Big James came near, kneeling before he gave him the bad news. "We searched everywhere. We can't find Jesus.”

“What do you mean you can’t find him?” John felt a pang of dread hit him again.

“I mean exactly what I sa-.”

“Well you can’t mean that.” John cut off his older brother with a hiss. “We need Jesus now!”

James shook his head, trying to keep himself together. He wanted to scream and shout, but his little brother was in distress and needed him. He was the oldest and had to keep his emotions in check. For John, he had to.

“Let’s get her back to camp, brother.” Big James stood up, clenching his jaw to keep his voice steady. He had to look away, knowing that the sight of his dying best friend would break him for good. “Maybe He will be back by then.”

John nodded, slowly at first, but faster as his hopes were raised once more. It would be more likely that Jesus would be near the camp. He shifted Y/n carefully in his arms so she wouldn’t fall as he stood.

James put a hand in his brothers shoulder, giving him the most hopeful look he could muster. “She will make it.”

The two brothers prayed the words would be true.

…

Back at camp, the disciples were in disarray. No one could find Jesus anywhere. Mary had been gone for quite some time as well. After telling the disciples about the Roman, she had disappeared completely.

John rushed Y/n into the women’s tent, setting her down gently. Mother Mary gave him a reassuring look, promising to do everything she could. Despite her kind words, John still had to be dragged out by his brother.

So there the disciples sat in deafening silence. Simon had suggested doing something useful to pass the time, but no one had the strength in them to move. The weight of stress was crushing, an exhausting burden to carry.

John eyed the tent, unable to tear his gaze away. Every bone in his body told him to rush in and make sure Y/n was okay. But he knew there was nothing he could do.

In that exact moment, Mary came out of the tent. The group stood up, their hearts racing. Her face was sullen as she looked at each of the boys. She locked eyes with John for a moment, then glanced away. Slowly, she gave the disciples a small shake of her head, and casted her gaze back toward the ground.

For a moment, no one dared to move. No one even breathed. No words had been said, but they understood Mary as if she’d spoken clear and loud. A simple gesture set their world on edge. No one wanted to accept the horror of it all, the meaning of her gesture, the truth behind the tent’s curtain. Y/n was gone.

Then John broke the silence, letting out a humorless laugh. “You’re lying.”

They waited impatiently for the punch line of this horrible joke. Surely, it was all a prank. Any minute now Y/n would walk out, her smile glowing in the evening sun.

Any minute….

But that minute never came.

“You’re lying!” The younger disciple’s blood had run cold. For many, the weight of reality hit them like a rock, but for John the horrors slowly dawned on him one by one. It was not a single moment of realization, but many moments. He was frozen as the truth tortured him from inside until it was no longer fiction.

Mary could not look him in the eye again. “I’m sorry.”

With that, he rushed forward. Toward the tent, toward his beloved. He needed to see her.

But the strong arms of Simon and his brother held him back. He strained against their hold, heels digging into the dirt as he tried to push himself away from them. “I have to see her. Let me go!”

They did not let go.

“Please I need to see her! I have to-.”

The words died in his throat as he fell to his knees. His body shook with sobs and his fingers dug into the ground. His heart burned like he had been stabbed himself. She was gone.

Then there was Big James, kneeling directly in front of him. Without a second thought, he pulled his younger brother into his arms. The sound of John’s cries were muffled in his shoulder.

There sat the Sons of Thunder, holding onto each other so tightly in their grief. The silent tears of the older brother were vastly different than the weeping of the younger, but they felt the same pain.

“I should have been there.” John gasped through his tears. “I should have been with her but I- I wasn’t… and now…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say it.

His grip tightened in his brothers shirt as he let out a strangled cry. “I was going to ask for her hand.”

Big James shut his eyes, more tears falling in the process. “I know, brother. I know.”

“I loved her so much, James. I still do.” He finally lifted his head from his brother’s shoulder. Grief was etched into his face. “No strings attached.”

At that moment, Simon walked up behind him, placing a hand on John's shoulder. Andrew came up with tearstained cheeks, doing the same. Slowly, each disciple followed, comforting each other as they mourned their friend.

...

As evening turned to dusk, a familiar face came into the camp from the woods. Jesus of Nazareth had returned from a long day of praying and preparing. When He saw the disciples in their circle, He took a breath, preparing Himself for what was about to happen.

John heard His footsteps before He had come near. With a broken voice, he spoke to his teacher. "Where were you?"

"I was preparing."

"Preparing?" John stood up, his voice growing louder. "We needed you here!"

"John-."

"You were the One who could heal her!" The disciple continued, taking a step forward. It was foolish to be angry at the Messiah, but he couldn't help it. Jesus could have fixed this but He hadn't. "How could you let this happen!?"

James put a hand on his chest to stop him, but his younger brother continued. "The Messiah is supposed to bring good to Israel! Well, this isn't good! If you were here, you could have healed her. But no, you were away and she had no one to help. Now she's..."

The burning in his throat cut him off. For the first time that day, he really looked at his teacher's face. Just like him, there were tears in His eyes. Just like the rest of them, Jesus wept for the loss of a friend.

John bit his lip to stop it from trembling. What was he doing? This was the Christ, the Savior of the world! How could he be angry? How could he chastise the Son of God?

Jesus shook His head, placing His hands on His disciple's shoulders. "John, didn't I tell you there would still be heartbreak? That there would still be suffering?"

He lowered his face to the ground in shame. "You did, Rabbi."

"If I told you that there would still be trials, then why do you doubt My goodness? Why do you doubt that I cannot use evil for good?"

"I'm sorry, Rabbi." For the hundredth time that day, John cried. "I'm sorry for my lack of faith."

Without hesitation, Jesus pulled him into an embrace. John was in awe at His compassion for a sinner like him. He had just rebuked the Messiah, yet he was in His arms.

"I forgive you, but in your suffering, remember the goodness of God. For I turn sorrow into joy."

John sniffed, nodding his head. Jesus stepped back, holding John's face in His hands.

"Now that won't always mean raising a loved one from the dead..." A smile tugged at Jesus's lips. "...but perhaps this time it will."

Without another word, He promptly made His was toward the tent. John was frozen, unsure if he had heard his Rabbi correctly. Jesus turned back before entering, addressing Ramah and His mother. "May I?"

Mary nodded, a knowing smile on her face as Ramah watched, her mouth open in shock. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Neither could any of the disciples.

When Jesus disappeared into the tent, all was silent. No one knew what to expect. The Messiah's words had been plain as day, but they were miraculous. They waited, for what seemed like a lifetime, for their teacher to return.

When He finally did, Y/n was at his side, smiling as brightly as usual. She was standing in front of them, completely alive. No one dared to moved.

There she was, the love of John's life, the girl who had nearly died in his arms. She was right there. He blinked slowly, like he was in a dream.

It wasn't until Jesus gestured for him to come over that the miracle finally hit him. Y/n was alive. She was dead and now she lived. Jesus, the Lamb of God, had done this.

John ran forward, pulling Y/n into his arms and spinning her. The impact of the embrace left to two breathless, but their smiles were as bright as day. He touched his forehead to hers, holding her face in his hands as he soaked up the fact that the was still here.

After a moment, he let go, looking back at Jesus. He stood behind them, watching the scene with misty eyes. John immediately ran and hugged Him tightly. "Thank you, Rabbi."

"You don't doubt that I turn sorrow into joy now, do you?" Jesus laughed, patting His disciple on the back. He then nudged John back toward Y/n.

"Forgive Me if I'm wrong," said the Messiah who was never wrong, "but I believe you two have something to talk about."

John raised a brow in confusion, but Y/n grinned sheepishly. "He's right. I think there's something I owe you."

"You? Owe me?" John blinked incredulously. "You sacrificed you life to save me. What could you possibly owe me?"

"The truth." Y/n answered so quickly, she nearly interrupted him. "I heard what you said before. I couldn't speak then, so now I owe you the truth. I love you too."

She loved him too.

He didn't know what to say in response. It was everything he'd ever dreamed of. So instead, he took a step closer. "May I kiss you?"

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as if she had been waiting for the question. "You may."

And so without a second thought, he pressed his lips to hers. He poured out the love he had felt for her for years, the pain and and anguish of losing her, and the overwhelming relief of getting her back into that kiss.

When the two parted, John's heart was exploding with joy. His arms were still wrapped tightly around her, like he was afraid to let go. He closed his eyes again, his face so close to hers that their noses touched.

“I will love you forever.”

“No strings attached?” The grin was evident in Y/n's voice. John's smile brightened to match hers before kissing her again.

“No strings attached.”

#the chosen #the chosen x reader #the chosen john

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in-need-of-gally-content · 1 year ago

Text

|Chapter•Fourteen|

•|Masterlist|•

(M/n)'s eyes began to open when he heard a sound he rarely heard coming from Bark. Growling. He sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes, getting just a tiny bit concerned when the growling continued to get louder and more feral.

"Bark! Easy boy, it's okay-!" He started calling out to him out loud, making his way to the door and opening it, he definitely wasn't expecting the greenie to be standing there, an unsettling wide smile across his face, "Oh, uh... Hey there."

He tried to smile back but only a grimace appeared on his face. (M/n) was creeped out by this, maybe a little bit nervous and scared as well, but he decided to ignore it, playing it off as a joke.

"An early riser, eh?" All the response he got from the greenie was a nod, his smile did not waver once, and (M/n) was kind of hesitant about coming down, but at least Bark was there to protect him in case anything happened. In complete silence, he lowered the ladder and tied the top to the rail, barely taking his eyes away from the black-haired greenie.

He stepped down and reached his hand to pet Bark, soothing the tension in his body with his gentle touch on his fur.

"Okay, Bark, stay here, alright?" Obediently, Bark sat at the bottom of the ladder, guarding it, snarling at the greenie, "Well... Let's go."

Before he could take a step toward the Homestead, the greenie stood really close to him, making (M/n) almost trip as he tried to put some distance between them, "Good morning," his hand reached up to move a stray lock of (h/c) hair away from his face, making (M/n)'s skin get covered in goosebumps.

But not the nice kind of goosebumps he got whenever he was with Gally, these were... Disgusting. Rotten. Vile. He didn't like how the greenie's touch or proximity made him feel.

(M/n) began walking toward the Homestead, a futile attempt at getting rid of the greenie or forgetting what he just did, whatever it was that was happening right that moment, it made him feel uncomfortable, like really, really uncomfortable and unsafe.

It didn't matter how klunkheads were the other klunkheads, they never came to his room just to harass him first thing in the morning. (M/n) just wanted to find anyone, it didn't matter who as long as it was a known, friendly face, could be Mikah or Doug, even one of the Keepers, finding Alby or Newt would also be a great safe.

Certainly is, anyone other than the greenie and Sloppers could work as a friend, but he wanted Gally, he needed to find the blond-

"Oh," coming to a halt, (M/n) looked up from the solid chest he almost walked into, barely able to prevent his whole body from collapsing at the sight of Gally's presence so close to him.

The blond raised his eyebrows when he came face to face with (M/n), feeling a bit surprised since he was on his way out to go get him. And he definitely didn't like the sight of the greenie standing behind (M/n).

"Gally...!" Releasing a shaky breath, (M/n) reached to hold his hand, trying to walk further into the Homestead and somehow be able to shake the greenie off of him, "Hey, why don't you help Fry in the kitchen-?"

"That's not my assigned job for today, and you're my tour guide, you have to show me around," he argued quickly with a wide smile on his face, completely overlooking the fact that (M/n) had already shown him plenty around the Glade, he sighed and fully turned around to face the raven-haired male.

"Greenie-"

"Lucas," he was interrupted by his voice, watching with frightened eyes how he walked closer, invading his space as he had done minutes prior, "You can call me Lucas, doll," he lifted his hand to hold (M/n)'s face, and he was about to push the greenie away from him before be could touch him again, when Gally reacted.

He had a tight hold on the greenie's wrist, lifting his hand and moving it away from (M/n), taking a protective stance in front of him.

"Alright, shank, that's enough," (M/n) watched the scene closely from behind Gally, feeling helpless that he couldn't do anything to stand up for himself. Gally was always there to help and protect him. He felt... Like a burden, "You won't talk to him like that if you know what's good for you, understand? (M/n) deserves respect, not some little klunkhead trying to woo him."

"Gally..." He whispered, calling for the blond and holding onto the back of his shirt.

Even if Gally did acknowledge his presence and call, he kept his glare on the greenie, "(M/n) might be too nice to talk back to others, but I don't give a damn, greenie," Lucas' smile had finally begun to falter, an angry expression slowly morphing on his face, not backing away from Gally's intimidating stance.

"You're no better than I am, Gally," he spat his name with venom in his voice, as if mocking it, and (M/n) observed with panicked eyes how Gally's jaw clenched in retaliation.

"Guys, please-," he was now wrapping his hands around Gally's forearm and hand, trying to make him release the greenie, but right when the things were going to turn uglier, (M/n) saw Winston walking down the stairs, Clint and Minho following behind him, "Oh, guys!"

The three of them looked at (M/n) and smiled as a 'good morning' greeting, but they immediately noticed his panicked expression and the heavy tension between Gally and the new greenie, so they rushed their way down quickly.

"Hey, man, calm down," Minho held onto Gally and made him release Lucas' wrist, who had a superior look on his face. Clint quickly checked the bruises on the greenie's wrist, while Winston observed him closely, taken aback that the raven-haired male enjoyed pissing Gally off.

He seemed like a nice dude the night before, what happened in the last 12 hours?

"Doesn't look too serious, it'll probably get swollen so put some ice on it, greenie..." Clint looked at his face, deciding to stand in front of him when he realized he was having some sort of stare-down with Gally, "And don't cause problems with Gally, understood?"

Lucas simply grunted in response, and Clint patted his shoulder. (M/n) felt like he could finally breathe properly, and he made his way to Gally and Minho, the latter still holding onto the blond just in case.

"Doll?" Gally's body shifted as he tensed, trying to free himself from Minho's grip, but the Runner muttered at him to stay still. (M/n) looked over his shoulder, seeing Lucas approaching him again, and his fists closed instinctively, just to be ready if he did anything cheeky again, "Would you accompany me-?"

Winston interrupted him with a smile, his arm dropped over the greenie's shoulders, "Oh! I wouldn't eat if I were you, come on, you have a job to do, greenie~," (M/n) made eye contact with the Keeper of the Slicers, who winked at him and he almost burst out laughing, knowing how sadistic Winston could get when working, and how messy eviscerate an animal could be if done improperly.

And like that, not paying attention to any complaining he did, they left the Homestead, or more like Winston dragged him out and headed to the Blood House.

"Well... That happened..."

Minho slowly began letting Gally go, and he looked at (M/n), "Yeah, what exactly happened?"

(M/n) sighed and stared at Gally, watching how his frown was still prominent on his face, "It was-"

"I don't like that greenie," Gally locked eyes with (M/n), who was taken aback by the intense emotions he saw swirling in his green hues, "He won't cause anything but trouble here."

Even if he didn't want to say it out loud, (M/n) admitted to himself that Gally was right. He could only hope that the day would get better as time goes by.

//////

Some time after breakfast and before lunch, (M/n) had quickly made his way to the Homestead bathroom in the med room, feeling his full bladder emptying and bringing him relief.

Well, this couldn't have been the worst time for him to take a pee.

When he walked out after washing his hands, he saw Mike bringing in the greenie, whose fair complexion had turned almost greyish, clearing feeling sick as he was laid down on the nearest bed.

"Oh, (M/n)," he greeted Mike back with a nod, "Would you mind taking care of the greenie until Clint or Jeff come back?" He clenched his jaw and crossed his arms over his chest.

"What happened?" Mike scratched the back of his head and grimaced, probably remembering what happened.

"Well, Winston... He was really, y'know... Intense," (M/n) sighed and closed his eyes, assuming the greenie had a weak stomach and was sensitive to blood and visceral images, so he probably threw up the bile in his stomach.

He pressed his lips tightly together and groaned, "Okay, fine," Mike smiled and messed with his straight black hair as he left the med room, happy to not have to be one taking care of a sick greenie.

(M/n) made brief eye contact with Lucas and turned around to head back into the bathroom, ignoring his pathetic weak little groans to get him to come back. He grabbed the bowl kept under the sink and put some water in it, grabbing a small towel and soaking it in the water, before making his way back to the greenie.

"Doll...?" With gritted teeth, (M/n) ignored every word Lucas said, squeezing the excess water from the towel after placing the bowl down and folding it before placing it over his eyes, "Do-?"

"I'll be right back, greenie," he didn't intend for his voice to sound so gruff and cold, but he didn't mind it, especially when he noticed Lucas flinch in response.

He walked out of the med room and headed to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle from the fridge and an empty cup from the cabinet, and just like that, he went back.

Obviously, Lucas was just like how he left him, lying on the bed with a wet towel covering his eyes. He quickly uncapped the bottle and poured water into the cup, placing it in front of the bowl, just the right amount of space on the bedside table for everything to stay in place if precisely balanced.

"There's your water," (M/n) walked toward the couch and sat down, staying in complete silence, his sight locked on the open door, waiting for a glimpse of one of the Med-jacks. After what happened with Gally in the morning, he didn't want to be close to the greenie.

Even so, he had some hope that, after what Gally said, Lucas would get the message across, otherwise he didn't know what he would do.

(M/n) has no idea how long it's been since he sat on the couch by the door, but he had completely zoned out after two minutes, staring at a spot in specific without a single thought going on in his mind, and for a moment Lucas observed him, almost freaking out at the void he could see in his (e/c) eyes, he looked... Like a doll, sitting there totally still.

"(M/n)!" Clint's voice reached his ears, bringing him back as he remembered where he was. The blond was calling for him from outside the Homestead, making him frown and stand up, walking to the door, watching how Clint made his way inside, "Mike told me you were alone with Lucas and... I didn't wanna leave you alone for too long so I..."

He placed his hands on Clint's shoulder, making eye contact with him and taking a few deep breaths, smiling when the Keeper did the same, "It's okay, just breathe for a second."

Clint nodded and followed (M/n) into the med room, Lucas was in the bed, only he had managed to sit up and was resting against the headboard.

"So, what happened?" Clint asked as he checked on the greenie's condition.

"Winston," was all (M/n) said in response, making Clint hold back a snort as he backed away.

He simply put the towel back in the water and squeezed it before handing it back to Lucas, "Well, there's no need to take care of him, (M/n), he'll be fine sooner or later, you can go," (M/n) smiled and headed to the door, walking out toward the front door, "Oh, Gally was looking for you!"

Clint yelled from inside the room, making him chuckle, "Thank you!" He yelled back and went outside.

Unfortunately, on his way to Gally, he walked passed many Sloppers, hearing their comments and dismissing them.

(M/n) knew better than anyone that Gally wasn't going easy on him during their fight the night before, he never did- never would, but it still made him feel mad that, no matter what he or Gally did, there would always be someone that makes degrading comments about him, and how girls should demonstrate a more ladylike, feminine and girly behavior.

Made him wonder how the Builders were considered the "airheads" or dumb ones when it was clear as day who were the ones lacking in the brain department.

Sighing deeply, he decided to jog his way to Gally and the rest of the guys.

//////

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, and by the time dinner was called he was falling asleep standing.

Gally wasn't lying when he said he would suffer the "Builder Experience", and that involved doing the hardest job at the time, whether it'll be carrying logs, working as a human ladder or step tool, holding an entire structure together with rope and ivy while waiting for it to get nailed, and the one thing that never wavers, Gally's heavy stare.

Although (M/n) had an idea that he was being a rougher Keeper than usual because he was the new guy, and... Because of the whole Captain Gally thing. However, working that day wasn't as exhausting as he knew it could get, so he was glad, but according to Mikah and Kurt, this whole "trial" would last roughly a week.

The good thing about all of this was that the greenie wasn't bothering him, and he hoped it would continue like that, for now, Lucas was spending time with Zachary and a few other guys. Mostly guys who spoke shit behind his back and looked at him with a condescending stare, which he didn't like but not like he could do much about it other than ignore them.

Dinner was quiet at the table he sat, slowly eating his food while trying to stay awake.

"Yeah, she's so weird," he stopped mid-chew when he heard the not-so-subtle whispers of two guys walking behind him to drop their empty plates off. (M/n) shrugged it off and continued eating, slightly looking up at the sight of movement ahead of him.

Getting more food in his mouth, he reached his free hand to place it over Gally, who was frowning and glaring at the Gladers who commented about (M/n). Gally glanced at the hand on top of his before looking at the owner of said hand.

(M/n) shook his head silently, telling him it wasn't worth the effort. They had a silent conversation, with Gally trying to tell him why it was so important that he went there and talked some sense into their brains, while (M/n) responded that nothing would change if he didn't do anything by himself.

... Yeah, he probably had to be the one to stand up for himself, and not have Gally do it instead. Only time would tell if speaking up for himself against the comments and threats would work in his favour or not.

Well, in the end, Gally ended up sitting on his spot, but he made sure to glare extra hard at the two guys when they came back to talk to their friends, making them flinch and coward in themselves.

At least, the rest of their time eating was spent rather peacefully.

"Ugh, am beat," (M/n) groaned as he walked out of the Homestead, standing by the entrance as every few minutes, they would see another Glader walk out and head to their respective hammocks.

"Well, there's not much left to do tomorrow, just don't stay awake too late," Gally lifted his hand to mess with (M/n)'s hair, chuckling when the male groaned and gently slapped his hand away, "Good-,"

He stopped talking when he made eye contact with Lucas, who quickly looked away and pretended to talk to someone, which didn't work because there was no one near, so he played dumb and acted as if he was fixing his hammock, which was already done.

Even if he tried to hide it, he was acting suspicious, and Gally remembered the little stunt he pulled in the morning.

"Actually..." He took a couple of steps in the direction of (M/n)'s treehouse, "I'll take you to your room," he tried to show an innocent smile toward him, but it only made (M/n) frown at him, confused.

"Why?" Despite his questioning, he began making his way to his room, feeling just a little too tired to really argue with Gally.

The blond shrugged and hummed, matching (M/n)'s pace to walk next to him, "Just feeling kind," he softly nudged his side with his elbow, making the (h/c) haired male chuckle.

For a moment, (M/n) wanted to believe what Gally said, but he briefly made eye contact with the greenie, who smiled at him but flinched when his gray eyes looked at his side. At Gally.

He huffed and simply ignored both guys having a staring contest.

"Oh- (M/n)!" Gally called his name and jogged after him, "Hey, you left me~," he said with a playful tone, wrapping his arm around (M/n)'s shoulders.

He looked up at the blond who had a smile on his face, the glare gone from his eyes, replaced by cheerfulness, but then he realized (M/n)'s expression.

"Something wrong?"

A sigh was his only response for a few seconds, as they continued walking to the treehouse, until he finally said something, "It's just..." He placed one hand on the ladder, the other one reaching down to pet Bark, and his sight kept shifting from Gally and the ground, "You defend me too much, Gally, and I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but... The others..."

His voice trailed on, and Gally didn't need to hear more, he was aware of how, no matter what he did, other Gladers just kept bothering (M/n) daily, some days being worse than others. Gally was painfully aware of how one bad comment could ruin your whole day, so he didn't blame (M/n) for saying what he said.

"So..." He leaned against a nearby tree, his hands in the pockets of his pants, "What should I do?"

(M/n) looked up at him and a small smile showed up on his face, glad that Gally wasn't freaking out at his words, "Just... Let me speak for myself, I know I can."

Gally closed his eyes and frowned for a moment before sighing and pushing himself away from the tree.

"Fine, you win, I know how rough and tough you are, but..." He placed his hands on (M/n)'s shoulders and stared into his eyes, "I'll always be with you if you ever need backup," both of them smiled and laughed, nodding in agreement at Gally's words, and sealing the agreement with (M/n)'s hug.

Gally was caught off guard, but he immediately reciprocated the hug, basking in (M/n)'s closeness and warmth, feeling his heart flutter and face heating up.

"I will miss having you as my knight in shining armor though," his words were said between chuckles, making Gally roll his eyes with a shy smile at being called his knight, his hand messing (M/n)'s hair once again to prevent him from seeing his face, "Ugh, stop that, that's mean," unfortunately, (M/n) backed away with his hands on his hair, trying to fix it as he looked at Gally, "Good night, big guy."

"Sleep well, dummy."

#gally x reader #gally x y/n #gally x male reader #the maze runner x male reader #the maze runner #the maze runner x reader #tmr gally #gally the maze runner #gally maze runner #ftm reader #trans reader #trans #will poulter #will poulter x reader #will poulter fanfiction

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twistedtavern · 2 years ago

Note

I'm okay with a segmented WIP.

I patched it up, and I'm putting it in little segments, so it's in a publish-able state rn. Enjoy your long asf "pt 2"! I wanted to pad it out more so it flowed more smoothly, but this is all I can provide in my current state. I hope everyone who's been waiting since last year for this gets what they hoped for! No beta we die like Grim

CW: traumatic flashbacks, cannibalism mention (in a comedic way dw), existentialism (dereality? idk just to be safe)

Part 1! Part 3

~ Segment 1 ~

Jamil thought back to earlier this morning, remembering not fully registering his situation, reaching over for his alarm clock, only to be confused when it wasn't there. Wiping the sleep from his eyes, squinting into the darkness, and the realization sinking in that he was far, far away from Night Raven.

He heard a soft sound beside him, and looked to find you, wrapped up in his arms. You looked happy like this, with you safe and secure against his chest, sound asleep.

So it wasn't a dream...

He was finally here, able to hold you, talk to you, live here with you, love you with all his heart, free from the shackles of his past. It was strange, to think of the reality Jamil had been living even just the day before as 'the past', but that was the truth of it. His life was with you now.

Jamil looked back at the clock, seeing that it was only 5 in the morning. For someone who held his previous schedule, a very sensible time to wake up in the morning, but for a free man, an abysmal hour. He blinked drowsily, your warmth tempting him to lay back down and go to sleep again.

He snuggled up behind you once more, happily holding you close. The room was dead silent, the only sound coming from your breathing and heartbeat. The warmth he had felt before was far more subdued, but quite a bit stronger than when you would close the game before. It made him wonder, would he be able to feel your emotions more strongly now that he was actually in the same reality as you?

And so, Jamil laid silently at your side, simply enjoying your presence beside him as he zoned out completely. He had a lot to process, after all.

The seconds ticked by, then minutes, then an hour. The sun had just started to rise, and Jamil looked back at the clock. It was now 6 am, and Jamil didn't feel any sleepier. He was usually up making breakfast right about now, so maybe he should start his day.

Slowly slinking his way out of bed, Jamil took extra precaution not to wake you as he went to grab his bag. In a few short moments, he was all dressed and ready for the day, making some of the extra curry he had brought.

That was when you ran up to him out of the blue, startled by your realization of his presence, and insisting that you help him set up breakfast. And now, he found himself sitting in your living room. The air felt tense and restless against his skin, no doubt the effect of your racing thoughts. It had gone quiet between the two of you, neither knowing what to say.

" So..." you awkwardly began, " You're... alive. Like, ALIVE alive."

" What do you mean?" he asked.

" You're human, not like an imitation of a human, but a whole, full package person with thoughts and emotions and stuff."

" Of course I am."

" That's so... weird... I thought you'd be like HAL 9000 in there or something."

He made a face, " What? I've never heard of that. Sounds like some kind of evil robot..." exasperation showed in his voice as he deadpanned, " You don't really think I'm an evil robot, do you?"

You shook your head, " I mean... You were crying and cuddling me last night, so you seem pretty human."

Jamil looked away, " Didn't have to bring that up."

" That couldn't be fake. Unless you're like... a REALLY evil robot. Then I'm just screwed."

He seemed to grow increasingly tired of this, " Could we not talk about the different levels of evil I could be?"

You, having chosen violence this morning, decided to push it further, " So you're denying that you're evil, but not that you're a robot?"

" I CAN PASS A CAPTCHA."

" That's not saying much nowadays."

His tone flattened as he glared, " Now that I think about it, I didn't poison check that curry before I packed it," causing you to pause and simply blink at him, confused. Until you remembered just who the hell you were talking to as well as his extensive history with poisoned food. Jamil laughed while you spluttered and panicked at the sudden realization, and the almost cartoonish look of betrayal on your face only made him laugh harder.

You realized you had been tricked, and could only huff at him, " You might not be a robot, but you're just plain evil."

" I do what's necessary."

The betrayal gave way to immediate concern, " Scary response, please don't kill me in my sleep."

Jamil's voice went low and threatening as he purred, " Only if you behave.♡"

You almost launched yourself out of your seat at the timbre of his voice, " JEEZUS- Okay, now you're just TRYING to scare me!!"

He sat back, his flinch from the now-fading burst of mixed heat and cold wiping the utterly terrifying grin from his face, " Did it work?"

" I think I saw a vision of my untimely demise when you made eye contact with me."

" Good. Then I won't have to put you in the curry."

Jamil felt another, smaller, flash of cold as you wailed " YOU'RE GONNA EAT ME?!?"

" Hmmmmmm, no. I don't think you'd taste very good."

" Okay, FIRST of all, why did you have to hesitate so long on that- and SECOND, you could have at least said I'd be too sweet..."

" What, you want me to taste test you?"

" NOT WHAT I MEA- Wait. Hold on a second."

Jamil made a sound like what you would expect a question mark to sound like.

" Do you... work like some kind of vampire?? Do you have to eat people or drink blood or something to stay here?!?"

" What? No-" Jamil defended, before he went quiet. His concerned expression only deepened, " I... don't think I actually know the answer to that."

" YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE TO EAT PEOPLE OR NOT?!?"

" Well, shit, I HOPE I don't, because if I have to live as a monster I would have at least liked to have a big scary castle to go with it."

Completely unprompted and without hesitation came your immediate response, " Would you accept me as a sacrifice from the nearby village-"

" Yes." was his, also immediate, response.

You paused in embarrassed silence for a short while.

It was Jamil who broke the quiet next, " I do hope that I don't have to do any of that, though. But... what you said about me being human before..."

" Wait, you aren't?"

" Not technically, I guess. Watch," he closed his eyes, reaching up toward his face. You watched with unprepared curiosity as he began to scratch at the center of his forehead, eventually managing to catch on a seam and tug at the split. Your heart nearly stopped and your body froze as you saw Jamil pull back a perfectly even section of his own face, revealing a luminescent purple skin underneath. You took in a sharp breath.

"OHMYGODWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCKWHATTHEFUCK-!!!!!!"

A rapid, high pitched string of jumbled words erupted from you as you shot away like a spooked cat. The sudden cold and noise startled Jamil as well, the other sections of his face swinging completely open. He quickly moved to piece his skin back together, immediately going to comfort you.

" Hey- Hey! You're okay. I'm okay. You don't have to panic." Jamil reasoned, standing up to come closer to you. His hands touched yours, and he looked you in the eyes. Any trace of any sort of opening was long gone, and you couldn't help but to become overwhelmed with curiosity. Blinking owlishly, you reached for his face, your fingertips making contact with his cheek. Nothing felt irregular, and if you hadn't just seen what he just did with your own eyes, you would never have known.

" Hooooly shit."

Jamil leaned into your touch, " You do not want to find out how I learned about that."

The cold he had felt before faded, replaced with the pressing aura of your concern, " Is... Does it involve the others?"

" Yes. All of them, they've done terrible things. To each other, to themselves, but Malleus was the worst of them. They left me mostly out of it, but I think that's just because if anything happened to me, you would know immediately."

A horror, awakening deep within your bones, set into you. If Jamil was right, and you had no way of knowing if he was ever wrong, then you had spent months fawning and cooing over monsters, unknowing that they were alive, possibly watching your every move, listening to your every word. You clung to Jamil, seemingly the sole 'good' one, only because you had poured as much love into him as you had. He hugged you as well, clutching you closely in a safe embrace.

" But, we're both safe now." he said, letting out a breath as the cold left him. Jamil led you back to the couch, sitting closer to you than he had been before. You sat silently for a moment, gazing down at the floor. His soft smile faded to concern, " ...Are you okay?" he asked, " Did I scare you too badly?"

" I'm... No. I'm not really okay," you sighed, looking right at him with a seriousness he had never seen from you, " What happened in there?"

Jamil avoided eye contact, " A lot happened. That's a discussion for later."

" It's always later, Jamil! You're free now, you can SAY things!" the budding warmth in the air began to feel as if it were beginning to sizzle against Jamil's skin, " It's not like anyone can tell you to shut up, because you're MAGIC and you can SPLIT YOUR FACE OPEN and jury's still out on you EATING PEOPLE and- and you're REAL, and..." your voice faded into panicked hyperventilating as you stood up, wrapping your arms around yourself as the swirling, uncomfortable heat made an almost sour tang in every breath.

Jamil wanted to reach out and envelop you in a tight, comforting squeeze, but he withheld himself. Comforting Kalim, he had done that his whole life. He knew its every in and out and tip and trick, but you... You weren't Kalim. You were scared, overwhelmed by things far out of his wheelhouse of what he is used to giving comfort for. But... he would try. That was all he could do, in this new world.

Especially for you.

You felt his hand gently come in contact with your shoulder, leading you back to the couch to sit down as he stood in front of you. He looked at you with one of the most comforting expressions you think you've ever seen.

" Listen..." he began softly, " Just calm down and let me help you make sense of it."

A worried, muffled sound escaped you, but it was quickly silenced by Jamil cupping your face in his hands and tilting your head down to press a gentle kiss to your forehead.

" Better?"

You looked up and let out a deep breath before nodding. The air seemed to settle with your heartbeat.

" Good. Now," he clapped his hands together, " The concerns. The face thing is normal, it doesn't hurt if I do it the way I showed you. I didn't mean to scare you when I said you don't want to find out, it's just embarrassing."

You nod again, as gullible and trusting as he thought you'd be.

" I'll be honest, I'm not sure if magic works here. I was able to get here with magic, but that doesn't guarantee I'll be able to use it now that I'm out," he paused to briefly think on it, " We'd have to test it somewhere..." the air was now quite a bit calmer than before, but he felt the need to continue, " And no, I'm not a robot. I'm not evil or a vampire, either. I'm just me. Happy now?"

You stood up and hugged him, and he sighed as he rubbed a hand along your back, feeling you ease up. A part of him thought you just liked listening to him talk, and he honestly didn't mind that.

A mix of a laugh and sigh of relief left you as you joked, " Usually the way things go when video game characters are alive is that they want to kill somebody. 5 times out of 10 that usually happens, so I had to check my bases, yknow?"

Now it was Jamil's turn to be concerned, " Wait, that happens? Is that just a common occurrence here??"

" Nah, just in scary internet stories. They usually suck." you laughed.

Jamil sighed in exasperation and squeezed you, " Don't scare me like that."

" What, like you did to me earlier this morning?" you teased.

" What, like you haven't gotten dressed all morning?" he gently tugged at the collar of your pajama shirt. Amid your surprised embarrassment, you could almost feel his smug expression behind your peripheral vision.

" Shit! I forgot!!" you let go and bolted into your bedroom, rushing to your closet to find something to wear. Jamil sat down and waited for you to get dressed, simply waiting for you to return.

~ Segment 2 ~

" Are you sure? Am I recognizable?" Jamil asked as he fussed with his hair. You had suggested that the two of you go to the park, just to get into an open space and test if things like magic and flight still worked on Earth as they did in Wonderland.

" Relax, Jamil," you soothed, admiring a particularly pretty hair clip, " Your game is a bit more on the obscure side, it's not like you're Mario or something."

He resisted the urge to tilt his head in confusion, " Who's that?"

" Oh. Guess I can't blame you for not knowing. You've probably got something wonky 'cause of copyrights," you mused to yourself.

Jamil sighed, " I don't get it."

" I've gotta show you all this later, we pretty much have... forever," you paused for a moment, letting that sink in, " ...wow."

Jamil went quiet for a moment, too, processing not only his new life situation, but the implication that you thought of this new arrangement as forever. He tensed. His own surprise at your willingness made him consider the alternative outcome, you not wanting him. Him being kicked out into a world where he knew nothing, his chest cold for what may be the rest of his life, having to make it with what he managed to steal from his old world. Jamil swallowed thickly, his fingers beginning to fidget as he considered the possibility.

" Hm...? Jamil, what's wrong?" he jumped slightly as he heard you ask.

" W-What?" he turned to face you, failing to entirely conceal his emotions before your brow furrowed, " Nothing's wrong."

" Jamil, you're from an anime game. You're a lot more expressive than you think," you said, giving his head a loving pat, " You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I wanna know what's bothering you."

He placed his hand over yours, giving it a slight squeeze as he avoided eye contact. His silence hung for a few seconds before all he could do was shake his head no. Your features softened, and you moved to gingerly cup his face with both hands, " Hey. I love you, okay? I'm not gonna love you any less any time soon, and that's a promise."

As you leaned in to press a kiss to his forehead, Jamil felt a bloom of warmth in his chest, and when your lips connected, it felt like a circuit had been completed between your heart and his. His insides swirled with the tingling softness of butterflies, and it felt like you had taken all the thoughts that troubled him and muffled them with a big, warm blanket. Jamil wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close to bury his face in your shoulder. You leaned into it, embracing him in turn and shifting your body to support his, slowly rubbing up and down his back for good measure.

Eventually, the tension in his shoulders was released with deep, shaky breaths. You knew those, those were about-to-sob breaths. Jamil felt you give him a squeeze, and his next breath was steadier. He took in another one, and quietly said " Do you... Do you promise it'll be forever?"

" Well, I mean, unless you get tired of me. You're uh... kind of way out of my league." you muttered, internally wincing.

He squeezed you tighter, and the rhythm of his breathing hiccuped slightly with the barest hint of exasperated amusement, " I crossed the boundaries of realityto be here. I wouldn't let myself get tired of you."

Relief flooded you at the feeling of the situation lightening. You gave him a little pat, " That's good. Do you want me to hold you a little longer or are you all clear to go?"

Jamil considered pulling away, but he just felt so warm in your arms... maybe it would be best to stay. He shook his head and clung to you, easing when he felt you get comfortable in his embrace. You sighed contentedly, " Aww, you're just a big lovey snuggle bug after a-"

" A BUG???" he cried, suddenly completely upright. You felt that if you hadn't already been holding him, he would have jumped into your arms like a cartoon character.

Startled by his outburst, you rushed to soothe him again, " No no no- not an ACTUAL bug. No, Jamil, you're okay. You're safe. There's no bug," you assured, guess you have to be more careful with your terms of endearment.

Jamil sighed in that exasperated way he always does, and instead of just moving on, you stayed stubborn in wanting to call him snuggly. He is clearly not a bug, so he was...

You beamed once the answer, an admittedly obvious one, came to mind, " You're a snuggle snake!"

Jamil looked at you with an indiscernible expression for a brief moment, before the most adorable smile you had ever seen broke out onto his face, and he started to laugh, the sound genuine and happy. You couldn't help but to start laughing alongside him. Your joy fueled his, and his fueled yours, making a beautiful cycle of laughter, warmth, and feelings of butterflies between you both. It pushed his worries away like pesky rain clouds, and made room for sunshine. Not the blistering hot sun of the desert, but the soft kind of sunshine in children's rhymes and storybooks. At that moment, the two of you were inseparable, and that was all he needed.

It was this kind of happiness that he was so unaccustomed to, this light brightness in his heart that melted him softly from the inside, even as the laughter died down. He looked at you with a soft smile, " What am I ever going to do with you?"

" Maybe come to the park with me, for starters," you teased.

Jamil conceded, " Alright, alright. I'm ready to go now."

You turned to walk towards the door, but out of the corner of your eye you saw a bit of movement. You looked and saw Jamil's hand trying to discreetly reach for yours, but your next step put enough distance between the two of you to make him give up the chase. But before he could lower it to his side, you turned to reach for it. You took his hand in yours, and Jamil felt his face heat up, as if the two of you hadn't just been all over each other. The feeling of connection through the touch returned, the pulse in your fingers meeting his and coming to share its pace.

You led the way as you went to grab your wallet and keys before heading out the door, Jamil shyly falling into step behind you. Once you left the apartment and locked the door, Jamil began to look around, curious about his new surroundings. His expression held a bit of innocence to it, and it almost looked to you like a puppy poking around its new home.

Once you reached your car, you noticed that Jamil was looking at it with a thoughtful expression, his head tilted ever so slightly to the side.

" Something on your mind?" you asked gently as you moved to unlock the door and get in the car.

" Ah- Well..." he took a moment to find his words as you opened the door for him from inside. He got in and simply said " I'm just not used to things looking like... this."

You looked at him quizzically for a brief moment before realizing what he meant. You couldn't help but laugh, " Looking like something that's not worth an entire country?"

It was plain to see that he was doing his best to be polite about it, but it was easy for you to put two and two together. Judging by how he looked away, you knew you were right.

" Yeah... I guess I'll just have to get used to it," he admitted, " But at least I have you."

Having been caught off guard by his soft, sincere tone, you tried to hide your flushed face, the butterflies in your stomach stirring. He smiled sweetly, unable to resist how cute your reaction was.

The car soon rumbled to life, and Jamil looked out the window, eager to see his new surroundings. You couldn't help but smile. It was nice, seeing this new side of him and knowing you brought that out. You turned on the car radio, switching between stations until you reached one that fit the mood. Out of the corner of your eye you saw Jamil look over at the radio, accompanied by a small 'hmm', before he resumed looking out the window.

But, as the scenery passed by, he laid eyes on a sight, a scene as common as they come, but one that filled him with a deep, all-consuming dread. Old voices filled his head, memories that could never be buried, for they laid the code by which he lived.

" Jamil! What are you DOING?!? Put that away before Kalim sees!"

A family. A mother and father, clutching the tiny hands of their children as they strolled merrily down the sidewalk.

" For every two you win, you must lose three."

A single thought crossed his mind.

" Quit your crying, you have to go cheer Kalim up. I know it scared you, but it's your duty."

What had he done?

They were going to face punishment, be thrown out, or worse. He ran, and they were going to suffer for it. His family was doomed, and it was all his fault. Jamil didn't register the sound of your voice from beside him, caught up in the downward spiral, a spiral so familiar it almost felt natural.

" Jamil!"

He snapped to attention, looking over at you with wide, teary eyes. Your expression turned to one of surprise, and before he could wipe away the evidence of his thoughts, the car suddenly turned sharply. Jamil clung to the door beside him as you practically swung the car into a parking spot, stopping immediately. The click of your seatbelt came from beside him, and soon he was being smothered with affection.

" Are you okay? What's wrong?" you asked, your voice urgent but gentle. He could feel what he could abstractly label as a mix of your concern, your protection, and your love, all rolled into one. Jamil was still reeling from the sudden stop, but he clung to you the first chance he got.

" You... you stopped? For me...?"

" Of course I did! I couldn't just keep going! Now tell me what's wrong."

At first, he couldn't get the words out. But, the sincerity in your eyes compelled it out of him, " ...I guess I'll have to get used to that, too."

" It's just the two of us. I'll always stop and make sure you're okay," you assured. And, for a moment, you couldn't help but to see the boy that had been hidden and repressed under years of responsibility and terrible treatment. There was something in his expression that brought a protectiveness to your heart, and you wrapped your arms tightly around him, " You're with me now. I'm not gonna let anyone treat you like that again!"

You leaned in to give him a kiss on his forehead before looking him in the eyes, cupping the sides of his face in your hands. He put one hand over yours instinctively, leaning into the touch as if he were trying to hide his face in your palm. Jamil couldn't look you in the eye anymore.

" Would it be better if we got to where we were going first?" you asked softly, and when he nodded, you pressed your forehead to his in understanding, " That's okay, just hold my hand while we go."

You put one hand on the shift and the other on the wheel, feeling Jamil's hand settle on yours as you got back on the road.

It didn't take long to reach the park, casting furtive glances at Jamil as you went, and soon you came to a stop.

~ Segment 3 ~

You clung to Jamil with all you had, the only thing keeping you from falling being a thin rod of wood and magic you didn't know would even work until now. He had one hand on the shaft of the broomstick, his other arm over yours to comfort you.

Jamil took a deep breath in, savoring the sweet night air. The stars overhead were shining so brilliantly, reflected in his dark irises that looked at you with nothing but gentle wonder. The glass was no longer shimmering between the two of you, any and all barriers to your touch removed save for the clothes on your back. His face heated and he pointedly looked down to avoid the thought. But it brought a question to his mind, was this what he imagined this to be? This freedom, the loss of everything that had shackled him in his brief years of life? He looked back at you when he felt your death grip on his torso loosen, and he realized that no, for all his knowledge and experience and hopes, he could never have imagined a feeling so blissful and truly splendid.

To not only be loved and understood after a lifetime of hiding, but to love and to understand another, it was unparalleled. Soaring through the sky with the only person in this world and the world before to know him, truly know him, with their arms wrapped tightly around him, trusting him wholly with their being, there was no crime he could commit that he would regret should it be required for their safety. Jamil tilted his head back, resting gently against you.

" Is this scaring you?" he asked softly.

" Are you kidding? This... this is amazing! You're amazing!" came your breathless response.

Jamil's face heated, " I-it's just flying..."

" Jamil, it's MAGIC! I never even thought that was possible!" you exclaimed, smiling as the wind whipped at your clothes.

The sound of your disbelieving laughter and the feeling of your arms locked around his chest made him almost dizzy, and he felt glad that you were positioned behind him, or else you would have seen his flustered face. It was embarrassing, feeling like some love-drunk cartoon character whenever the warmth surged in his chest. He was usually good at not showing his emotions, but he couldn't keep the puppy-love smile off his face.

You buried your face into his shoulder, smiling brightly. Everything felt perfect, like riding off into a happy ending's sunset. Jamil had successfully managed to save you from a fate in the hands of his treacherous peers, and got to stay in this new world with you forever in return.

There was nothing that could spoil this. Absolutely nothing in this world, and this world specifically, that could be going wrong. Certainly not at this very moment. It's not like they could come through the connection that you and Jamil had absolutely closed permanently.

Or that one already had.

Jamil's brow suddenly furrowed slightly in thought, " Wait... We severed the connection, right?"

You looked at him, " What connection?"

He looked back at you, a horrific sinking feeling in his stomach, " We got rid of the game, right...?"

You thought for a moment, dread creeping in for you as well, " No... You just shut the phone off."

A terrible, freezing feeling stabbed through the two of you, the icy chill of fear.

In your humble little home, an intruder began to stare down the reflection of his own red eyes in a knife he had grabbed from your kitchen. An old friend of his had once told him not to touch knives, thinking that he could hurt himself.

Too bad he never would have thought he would be hurting someone else.

~ Segment 4 will get its own post because I hit the word limit ~

#self aware jamil #self aware au

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olivetreehugger · 9 months ago

Text

IT’S HERE!!!!! Finally, goddamn this chapter took me forever to finish. I can’t tell you how many times I scrapped it and rewrote the dang thing. But it’s here, and that’s what matters.

above is a very cute screen grab of the character I’ve adopted and named Nani, who is the main character of this story. She’s so darn cute!!!! Would she not just be perfect for Bolin? I think so! Anyway, please see below for chapter two of Dispatches From Republic City!

Chapter Two: Reputation

It was early morning when Nani entered the Tea Market, her stomach growling impatiently for breakfast.

Located near the Four Nation’s Hall, the Tea Market was an outdoor bazaar/hodgepodge of food and beverage vendors. They offered everything from typical comfort meals to rare finds like pickled narwhal and sea prune paste (Water Tribe), thousand-year eggs and fish stew (Earth Nation) and boiled silkworms (Fire Nation). The Market saw a wide range of customers; everyone from important businessmen and politicians to triad members and hobos crossed its threshold.

It was rare that Nani had free time to visit, but ever since she was fired from Mama Chen’s, she found herself coming here more often. And after having such a restless night, she was both tired and ravenous.

The delectable scent of fried duck and congee tickled her senses from a few stalls away. Nani inhaled deeply and sighed, her eyes closing with a sad nostalgia. That particular meal brought back happier memories of her childhood, when she had a roof over her head and people who cared for her.

For a moment, she wondered what life would have been like had she stayed. Maybe she wouldn’t be starving now, standing in the middle of the Tea Market with two yuans to her name, with the image of Nuktuk begging for money on the street the only thing keeping her going.

Nani opened her eyes. That familiar feeling of failure began rising in her chest, hot and prickly, but as it reached her throat, she swallowed it back down and shoved it back where it couldn’t see the light of day. There, she mentally turned the locks and ignored its pounding on the door, pretending it was never there.

Gripping her purse, the brunette made her way to the stall. She placed her order and the vendor turned to the iron pot where the meat was being fried. As she waited, Nani turned her head to look at the surrounding stalls. Almost immediately, she saw something that made her do a double take.

Two men were walking in her direction. They were speaking to each other. It didn’t take her long to recognize them both.

One was dressed in a policeman’s uniform, black hair tidy and combed to the side, hands in his pockets. The detective from last night, she realized.

It took her a second longer to recognize the second man. He was just a bit shorter, dressed in a relaxed suit, his hair styled with gel. He was much more animated than his counterpart, arms emoting furiously as he talked.

“Something something, Mako, something something something!”

Nani’s eyes flew open as her mind flashed back a few years. Mako…as in…Mako and Bolin? The Fire Ferrets…the Bending Brothers—THAT Mako and Bolin? Oh, shit.

The pair drew closer as Nani awkwardly turned back to the vendor. She handed one yuan over in exchange for her meal. The heat of the cardboard holding the congee emanated through her fingertips and into her blood stream, warming her from the inside out.

It would’ve been nice to simply focus on the delicious food in her hands, but her mind was concentrated on the pair walking behind her.

“Are you sure about this, Bo?” The detective, Mako, asked. He sounded concerned.

“Yes, I’m sure!” His counterpart expressed. “This is gonna be huge for my career!”

Nani’s ears perked up with curiosity. She listened for their footsteps to clear and turned her head, watching their frames disappear into the crowd.

Not wanting to lose them, the brunette lunged forward, skittering across the dirty street to catch up. She held her food close to her chest, trying not to spill it all over herself as she moved. Eventually, she was close enough to eavesdrop, but hopefully far away enough to remain hidden.

“I’m not questioning your interviewing skills, bro,” Mako retorted. “But this sounds like a big deal--.”

Bolin grabbed his brother’s shoulder and exclaimed, “Uh, yeah! This is a big deal; it’s Cherry Wong!”

Nani’s hands suddenly went weak and her food slipped from her hands. Thankfully, she righted herself and caught the cardboard receptacle before a single morsel could be lost.

Did…he just say Cherry Wong?

“Exactly! This is the real deal. She’s coming out of retirement, so they’ll want some juicy information and dialogue,” Mako stated matter-of-factly. “Not some funny sound effects and jokes!”

A gasp of disbelief left Bolin’s mouth. “How dare you say that?! I am a reporter for the people and by the people! And guess what? I’ve already got a list of questions I’m gonna ask her.”

The older sibling was quiet for a moment before a defeated sigh left his lips. “Bolin, you’re not gonna ask her if she can touch her nose with her tongue, are you?”

An embarrassed scoff, “Tssshhht, no! Of course not….unless, no, no. Heh, definitely not.”

More silence, and Nani felt the secondhand embarrassment seep into her bones as Bolin’s shoulders sagged in defeat.

The earth bender muttered, “Okay fine, I’ll cross that off my list.”

Mako patted Bolin’s back and replied, “Look, the key to any good interview is good research. I do my homework before I interview a perp, and it helps me stay on track. I suggest you do the same.”

“Huh,” Bolin responded. “I guess that’s a pretty good idea. Although touching your nose with your tongue is also pretty dang impressive, I guess it would be helpful to know more about her as a person. Well…I’ve got a few months to figure it out!”

Mediocre and stupid…Shiro really knows how to pick ’em, Nani mused.

The brunette watched the brothers walk out of the market in disbelief. Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest and her nerves felt like they were buzzing.

When Nani was barely hitting puberty, Cherry Wong announced her sudden retirement on air, citing a severe chronic illness as the reason.

The world was not prepared for this unexpected departure, and Nani, her number one fan, was crushed. She used to pray for Miss Wong’s return, begging the spirits to listen. Maybe after all these years, they finally heard her.

With a smile on her face, Nani turned back to the market and scooped some congee into her mouth. The savory porridge combined with the fatty duck, spicy peppers and scallions instantly took her back. There she was, tucked between the other kids, the radio humming with Miss Wong’s velvety voice as she serenaded them to sleep like a surrogate mother.

The memory made her eyes burn, but she told herself it was the peppers. The news of Cherry Wong coming back to Republic City was incredibly stimulating, but knowing that Mr. Hot-Shot-Radio-Host would get an opportunity to not only meet her, but interview her….well, Nani couldn’t blame the hot feeling in her face on the peppers anymore.

Hastily, she finished her meal and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. She looked over at the horizon, where the antennas of the radio station were just barely visible.

A few months, huh? She mused internally, a grin forming on her face. I better start preparing.

___000___

The clouds had made their departure from the bright blue sky as Nani paced behind the radio station. She’d been practicing her introduction for several minutes now, and was growing frustrated.

Now, Nani was a damn good liar. It was a skill sharpened by years of living off the street, deceiving and swindling for a loaf of bread or a place to sleep. It was just something she had to do to survive—this was no different.

That audition could have transformed her life if she had been give the chance, but Bolin took that away from her so he could tell cheesy jokes into a microphone. He already had everything he needed in life. Why couldn’t he just go back to pro-bending? Why couldn’t he continue starring in those stupid movers? What did he get from this?

Prior to this morning, Nani didn’t plan on doing anything drastic. She figured she’d “bump” into him outside the station, pluck his wallet in the confusion, and go about her day. It would’ve ruined his week, but it wouldn’t have caused any significant damage to either of their lives.

But it was deeply personal now. Bolin was going to work with her all time hero, and he was likely going to fuck it up. He didn’t need her help to do so, that’s for sure. However, this was likely her only opportunity to meet the woman she’d looked up to her whole life, and she wasn’t going to pass it up.

If she could only figure out a convincing cover story to get her inside.

“Hello, my name is Tanana, I work with the Tribune—” No…

“Hi, I’m Tanana, I’m president of the Cherry Wong fan club—” No, no, coming off too strong…

“My name’s Tanana, I just finished secretary school—” Who are you trying to fool? You can’t even type!

She groaned in defeat, leaning her head against the brick wall next to her.

“Fuck….I can’t believe this is my life,” she murmured to herself.

“You said it, sweets,” a female voice replied dryly.

Startled, Nani twisted her head back to see a woman standing outside the back door.

She was beautiful, her bronze complexion complimented by her piercing blue eyes and long, wavy black hair. She wore feather earrings and a long lilac coat. Between her two fingers was a lit cigarette, its end burning a deep rust color.

Nani blanched. How long had she been standing there?

The stranger took a drag and laughed, the air whistling through the gap between her front teeth.

“I know that feeling. You look like you could use a smoke,” the woman said, offering Nani the cigarette.

The brunette took it cautiously. She hadn’t smoked one of these in ages.

She took a puff and coughed a couple of times. The familiar nicotine buzz came over her quickly, and she felt her nerves start to calm.

She coughed again and gave it back. “Thanks,” she said.

“Don’t mention it,” the woman replied. “’Name’s Koko! Nice to meetcha.”

Nani shook Koko’s hand. “I’m Tanana. You can call me Nani, though.”

Blue eyes widened with excitement.

“Oooh, so you’re a Water Tribe gal, too? Shoulda known, you’re way too pretty to be anything else.”

Nani frowned, responding curtly, “No, I’m from the city. Born and raised.”

Koko pursed her lips and shrugged. Blowing out a final cloud of smoke, she flicked the cigarette onto the ground and crushed it with her foot.

“If you say so, sweetie,” she responded. “So, what do you do? Oh, wait, let me guess: reporter, president of the Cherry Wong Fan Club, and a secretary? That’s an impressive resume.”

Nani’s cheeks bloomed with red heat. “So, you heard all that, huh?” She asked, wishing she could crawl into a dumpster and die.

A windchime-like laugh left Koko’s mouth, exposing a silver capped tooth. “I stepped out for a smoke and I heard ya rambling like a hobo on dope—figured I’d stick around and make sure you were okay,” she admitted.

Nani cleared her throat. “I take it you work here?” She pointed behind Koko to the station.

“You betcha,” the blue-eyed woman replied. “And I take it you want a job here?”

Her stomach nearly leapt into her chest as Nani responded, “You could say that.”

Koko looked her up and down, sighing, “A word of advice, sweets: if you wanna get a job, especially at a joint like this, you’re gonna need to look a little more put together. You’re also gonna need some experience in the entertainment industry; and something tells me you ain’t got it.”

Nani looked at the ground in shame. Koko was right; she hadn’t bathed in a few days, her hair felt like a rat’s nest, her face was bare and swollen from lack of sleep, her oversized wool dress was stolen from a neglected clothing line near by….she definitely did not look “put-together”.

But.

“I have experience,” she argued. “I used to sing in clubs.”

“Used to, ‘eh?” Koko asked, raising a thin eyebrow at her. “Let me guess, your pimp tried to share you with his partners so you made a break for it?”

Nani’s hand instinctively flew to her hair as she tugged and twirled at it. Tahno didn’t exactly like sharing his toys. And he also didn’t like it when his toys got more attention than he did.

“Not exactly,” she muttered.

Koko looked her up and down again, this time her expression softening. She took a few steps towards Nani, reaching for her but not quite touching her.

“My mom fell on hard times, too. I know it’s rough,” she started.

Nani frowned and looked away. She didn’t want pity, she wanted a job….but it felt nice to be seen.

Koko offered her a smile. “Tell you what; we’ve been looking for a backup singer to help jingles and stuff. I sing on ‘em too, so you wouldn’t be alone. If you can impress Shiro, he’ll hire you for commission. Whaddya think?”

Relieved, the brunette replied, “That sounds great, thank you.”

“Ah ah ah,” Koko responded, blocking the door. “Before we continue, you gotta show me what you got. No offense, but I’m not just bringing any broad in front of Shiro.”

Nani nodded, her heart suddenly thumping in her chest. Thankfully, she wasn't being held against her will in a brothel. She parted her lips and began singing one of her favorites,

“My man walked out, now you know that ain’t right,

Well, he better watch out, if I meet him tonight,

I said when I get low,

Ohhhh, I get hiiiigh,

All this hard luck in this town has found me,

Nobody knows ‘bout troubles all ‘round and ‘round me,

Oh, I’m all alone, with no one to pet me,

That old rocking chair ain’t never gonna get me,

‘Cause when I get low,

Ohhhh, I get hiiiigh,”

Her voice was a little nasally and raspy at first, but she quickly fell into her own rhythm, her voice growing more powerful with each verse. She finished on a high note, belting the last “high” with her whole chest.

Nani finished with a smile, looking nervously at Koko for some sort of response. She worried that she might’ve gone a bit overboard. Fortunately, the look on Koko’s face said quite the opposite.

___000___

Slender brown hands wrapped the satin scarf around Nani’s head and tucked in her stray curls.

“There, that oughta do it!” Koko exclaimed, turning the brunette towards the mirror.

Nani stared at her reflection, impressed by what Koko had done using only a bar of soap, a charcoal pencil, some rouge and a borrowed scarf.

She touched her face and smiled, feeling refreshed. She looked up at Koko’s reflection and said, “Thanks, I owe you.”

Waving a hand, the blue-eyed woman replied, “Don’t worry about it, sweets. C’mon, let’s go find Shiro.”

Nani followed Koko through the station as she gave her a glorified tour of the space. She hummed as she looked around. People, machines, papers, and noise filled the air. It was much busier than the last time she was here. She didn’t realize it took so many people to run a place like this.

“So…is your job singing?” She asked.

Koko shook her head, “Well, not really. I’ve written and recorded a few jingles for the show, but that’s a side gig. My real job is broadcasting—I work directly with the producers and talent to make sure everything goes smoothly before, during and after the show. I basically run this joint.”

Nani nodded in understanding. She wondered if she knew about the Cherry Wong situation.

The blue-eyed woman gestured for Nani to follow her upstairs, chatting vibrantly the whole time. Nani listened whole-heartedly, amused by Koko’s knowledge of office gossip. It was also kind of nice to experience real, personal interaction that went beyond the usual unpleasantries exchanged at her old job.

Also, Koko was pretty funny. The Water Tribe native had explained all the segments and shows they put on, what time slots they had, and how interesting they were on a scale of “yawnsville” to “better than sex”.

Apparently, she also worked on ‘Dispatches from Republic City’, which she had dubbed, “Almost as good as sex.”

With the mention of her self-proclaimed nemesis, Nani inhaled sharply.

“What’s it like working with Bolin, anyway?” She asked, expecting her to complain about how dim-witted and selfish he was.

Except, she didn’t. Koko came to a door that read “STUDIO” and swung it open. Smirking, she said, “See for yourself.”

Amplifiers, speakers, soundboards and monitoring panels lined the walls. The sound of rolling tapes clicked in the background. A man sat at a desk with a microphone and a panel of buttons and switches in front of him.

He clicked a bright red button on the base of the microphone. “That was perfect, Bolin. Let’s take a quick ten and then all we’ve got are the sign offs,” he said.

“Sounds good!” An amplified voice responded from the speakers.

The man at the desk got up, nodding at the women as he left. Seconds later, the recording room door opened and a young man stepped out.

Whatever “it” was that celebrities had, whatever made them so magnetic, Bolin certainly had it. Seeing him out in the market was like seeing an old acquaintance you hoped to avoid, but seeing him here? It evoked a starstruck feeling that made Nani’s insides stir when their eyes met.

His smile was charming, charismatic even. His eyes, lush and green, never once left her face.

“Hey, Koko!” The man came closer, acknowledging them with a wave. “Who’s your friend?”

Looping her arm into the brunette’s, Koko replied, “This is Tanana! She goes by Nani!”

The earthbender’s smile widened. “I’m Bolin!” He stated, extending his hand.

Nani glared at it for a moment, then looked up at him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she greeted, her tone frosty. She allowed the handshake, but didn’t like how it summoned butterflies in her core.

Koko added, “She’s here to audition for the backup spot!”

Bolin’s eyes widened, “Wow! So, you’re a singer, huh?”

Nani felt her cheeks warm up, “Well, sort of.”

“Oh, don’t be shy!” Koko exclaimed, elbowing the brunette in the stomach. “She’s a singer alright! And a pretty damn good one!”

The earth bender walked over to the console table near the door and picked up a small white box. He popped it open, revealing several moon cakes decorated with different glazes and syrups.

“I brought these for the studio. Take one, as a token of good luck,” he said.

Nani eyed the moon cakes keenly. The duck and congee from this morning had already made its way out of her stomach, leaving a familiar emptiness.

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry,” she stated firmly, unwilling to compromise.

Her stomach growled viciously in protest, betraying her.

Bolin chuckled, “Well, it sounds like you are. Just take one!”

Koko quickly jutted between them and clasped her hands together. “Oh, thanks Bo Bo! You know I love these!” She squealed.

Nani watched the girl pluck two cakes from the box. As she proceeded to take several bites from each one, Bolin yanked the box away from her.

“Hey! Don’t be greedy! Nani hasn’t had one yet!” He chided.

“C’mon,” Bolin turned back to her, holding out the box. “Pick your favorite!”

Between her stomach exuding whale mating calls and Koko’s ecstatic chewing noises, Nani caved in and reached for a small yellow cake that was drizzled with raspberry syrup. She brought it to her lips and took a careful bite.

Sugary sweet goodness danced across her tastebuds.

“Wow,” was all she said, running her tongue over her lower lip to catch a stray dab of syrup. She popped the rest of the pastry into her mouth unceremoniously.

“Super good, right? I got them from this new bakery called ‘Oolong’ on Main Street,” the earthbender rambled. “They were so busy! The line stretched out the door and all the way round the corner, but it was worth it!”

Koko sighed, “Good ‘ol Bolin, always feedin’ us. What would we do without ya?”

Bolin smiled again, winking at Nani. “Hey, can’t leave my friends hanging! Today’s a long recording day—we gotta get through it somehow.”

It was that “it” factor again. Normally, the brunette was good at picking up on subtleties, so she was annoyed with herself for finding him so pleasant when just hours ago he was rambling like a senseless baboon. She glared at him. How were they even the same person?

His face was still round and youthful, but there was a sharpness to his features that she didn’t remember being there before. And yet, his expression retained a boyish charm.

He’s too good, she thought. How does he do that?

Bolin was also taller than she remembered, though she’d only ever seen him huddled in a booth at Narook’s. She was a little surprised to have to look up at him.

Even his build was robust, his muscular shoulders, arms and chest making their presence well known under his clothes. He personified his element well, and Nani figured if she tried to punch him it would feel like punching a brick wall.

Not that she wanted to punch him (ok maybe a little).

“Hey,” Bolin said, tilting his head sideways like a polar bear dog. “I know this might sound weird, but I feel like we’ve met before.”

Nani glanced at him in surprise. She didn’t expect him to remember her.

She cleared her throat nervously, “It’s a big city, I doubt it.”

Shaking his head vigorously, Bolin retorted, “No, no! I know I’ve seen you around before. Where do you live? Little Water Tribe? Harmony Park?”

“Neither,” she answered. She could feel her underarms growing damp.

Rubbing his chin, Bolin studied her for an agonizing amount of time before sighing, bowing his head in defeat.

“I got nothin’,” he finally said.

Nani exhaled in relief.

“But!” The young man exclaimed, startling her. “You can bet I’m gonna figure it out!!”

“I won’t hold my breath,” Nani scoffed.

Koko licked her fingers loudly. “Have you seen Shiro, by chance?” She asked the earthbender.

Bolin rubbed his chin again, stating, “Hm, you might wanna try his office. He’s been drowning in paperwork since…well, y’know.”

“Gooootcchhaa,” the blue-eyed woman replied, offering him a wink. “Well, we’re gonna go find him, now. See ya, Bo Bo!”

As the women turned to leave, Bolin waved at Nani and hollered, “Good luck!”

Nani didn’t respond.

Walking behind Koko, the brunette asked curiously, “So, what did he mean when he said Shiro’s been drowning in paperwork?”

A look of discomfort crossed over Koko’s face. “Well, it’s not my business to say but….Shiro’s going through some stuff with the missus,” she confessed.

Nani nodded knowingly, but she felt a pit forming in her stomach. If the famous broadcaster was dealing with an irate wife and stress from work, who was to say he would even give her a chance?

Once they approached Shiro’s office, Koko flashed Nani a confident grin before rapping her knuckles against the frame.

“Who is it?” Came a muffled, but familiar voice.

“It’s your favorite Water Tribe gal with a present!” Koko replied in a sing-song tone.

The sound of shuffling came from behind the door before it opened to reveal a rather tired-looking Shiro.

Nani had never actually seen Shiro Shinobi, but she never expected he’d look like this. His eyes were bleary and red, his cheeks were sunken in, and he reeked of cigarette smoke. A five o’clock shadow peppered his lower jaw.

When his gaze settled on Nani, he nodded. “I see. Come in, come in.”

The pair followed Shiro inside. Nani nearly gasped at the state of disarray. Paper cups half full of cold tea, crumpled up newspaper, stray napkins, and broken picture frames of an older woman littered the room.

She felt a twinge of pity for him.

“Shiro,” Koko declared. “This is Tanana. She’s here for the backup position.”

The older man offered her a half-hearted wave and plopped back into his chair. “Hello, Tanana. I take it you can sing, eh?”

Nani looked to Koko for encouragement. The Water Tribe native tilted her head to the side and darted her eyes towards the radio legend.

Taking the cue, Nani cleared her throat and replied with Koko’s pre-planned address , “Yes, sir. I’ve had several years of informal training as a child before I began singing jazz at the clubs. I’ve never been signed or anything, but I believe I can—”

“Alright, alright, you don’t have to tell me your life story, kid. Just show me what you can do,” he responded sardonically.

Although his answer was jarring, Nani decided to let his sourness roll off her skin and took a deep breath.

She flashed him a smile and opened her mouth.

____000____

“Alright people, I’ve got a jasmine, a Ceylon with sugar, one mint, a chai with sheep-cow milk, and two darjeelings,” Nani announced, pushing into the packed conference room for afternoon tea time. She set the serving tray down onto the table.

Bolin hopped up from his chair exuberantly, shouting, “Oh yeah! Nani, you are savin’ my life right now!”

He immediately dove to the tray and grabbed his drink, the Ceylon with sugar.

“Man, I really need this, I’m fading like an antique rug,” he sighed, bringing the cup to his lips.

“Careful, it’s still hot-” Nani warned, but she was too late--Bolin was holding back tears as he struggled to not spit out the scalding liquid.

She ignored him and walked the chai over to where Shiro sat, placing it in front of him with a smile. His tired eyes lit up.

“Thanks, kiddo.”

Shiro blew carefully onto the steaming cup a few times before taking a sip.

He closed his eyes and sighed, “Tanana, you might be the best tea maker I’ve ever met, and I’ve been to the Jasmine Dragon!”

The sound of affirmations and agreements filled the room as everyone eagerly enjoyed their teas.

Nani grinned. She’d been at Studio 54 for three weeks and already she had cemented herself as a necessary part of everyone’s day. Afternoon Team Time was a mandatory occurrence at the station (at Shiro’s behest), so she was tasked with the tea orders.

Originally, she was hired to record jingles for the currently airing shows. Koko warned her that the work would be sparse and dull since she was only a backup, and there were days she may not even be needed. Plus, the pay wouldn’t be all that great.

However, Nani was a resourceful woman. She knew how to make herself indispensable. The first day, she knocked on Shiro’s door and asked if he needed anything. At first, he only waved her away, but she persisted.

Soon, she was tidying up his desk and rearranging his candle collection. After that, she was writing memos and answering phones. Then she took responsibility of Afternoon Tea Time. She made herself Shiro Shinobi’s personal assistant and she took her role seriously.

She would be lying if she said she didn’t scour his office for evidence of this upcoming interview, but she never found anything substantial besides a frayed letter of correspondence between Shiro and Miss Wong’s agent, which didn’t have anything interesting in it that would benefit Nani’s cause. Disappointing was one way to put it, but Nani decided the gig was too good to just give up now. She was sure the topic would come up when the time was right. In any case, Shiro was barely in a state to be talked to right now.

The man was a bit grumpy and pathetic, but he was going through a nasty divorce and still had to run a very popular radio station. Nani couldn’t fault him for an occasional temper tantrum, especially since it was usually targeted at someone else.

The pay was quite a nice incentive, too. She was making eight yuans a day, which was more than she could’ve ever dreamed of. She saved every bit of her money, hoping to eventually find a small apartment so she wouldn’t have to keep sleeping on Koko’s mother’s couch. It was an incredibly kind gesture, but Nani knew from experience that kindness had an expiration date.

Which was why Bolin, of all people, perplexed her.

She didn’t buy his “boy-next-door” routine. A guy like that couldn’t bag a princess, a mover star, and a Beifong in the same lifetime. He was a haughty charmer, and an idiot, too—but he couldn’t possibly be that kind.

Ever since she started working at the studio, Nani took notice of how the earthbender always brought food for his colleagues, went out of his way to help them with tasks, and how patient he was when something didn’t go his way.

Just the other day, Nani accidentally spilled hot tea all over his notes for an upcoming segment.

“Gah!” He’d yelled, jumping back to avoid being burned.

As the ink blurred with the steaming liquid and dripped down the side of the desk, the brunette reflexively dropped to her knees and started cleaning, apologizing profusely. She expected him to strike, to yell, to at least throw something. Y’know, how angry men do.

Weirdly though, he instead got down to her eye level and asked, “Shit, Nani, are you okay?”

Nani nearly went into shock. She immediately stood, stone-faced.

“I’m fine.”

It was because she was Shiro’s personal assistant, of course. He had a reputation to keep, so that had to be why he was always so nice. On the inside, he was just as rotten as the rest of them.

At least, that’s what Nani told herself.

What really bothered her about all of this was how he and Koko interacted. Even now, the pair were chit-chatting and laughing about spirits-know-what during their meeting with Shiro.

Nani stood in the corner of the conference room, serving tray tucked under her arm, with an expression that could sour a lemon.

She couldn’t understand why Koko, someone so sharp and witty, was so chummy with this guy. Of course, Koko was friendly with everyone—sometimes even a bit flirty. But Bolin? Could she not see how fake he was?

Later that night, as the two young woman set the table for dinner, Nani decided to ask.

“What’s with you and Bolin?” She questioned.

The blue-eyed woman folded a napkin and placed it down before looking at her with a confused look. “Whaddya mean?”

Nani pursed her lips. “I mean, why do you hang out with him?”

Koko furrowed her brows together and stared at Nani. “Um, because I like him?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, the brunette scoffed, “You mean to tell me that you think that overgrown toddler is attractive?”

A chuckle left Koko’s lips. “Spirits, no! Bolin’s a cutie but he ain’t tan enough or hairy enough for me. I prefer tribe men,” she replied, thoroughly amused by Nani’s inquiries.

Nani uncrossed her arms and returned to arranging the cutlery. “I just don’t understand why you like him,” she admitted with a sigh.

Pouting, the blue-eyed woman replied, “Because he’s my friend and he’s nice.”

“That’s just it—he’s too nice,” Nani retorted. “Like, aggravatingly so. No one is that nice. Plus, he’s annoying, and peppy, and just so stu-“

The sound of the front door opening cut into her rant.

A resonant, raspy voice called out, “I’m home!”

“Hey, mom!” Koko called back.

Kalla walked in carrying two large take out bags from Narook’s and set them on the counter with a heavy “ooh!”.

The dark haired, older woman peeled her coat off and placed it onto a chair. She then turned to Koko and kissed her cheek. “How was work?”

“It was fine, Mom. The usual, y’know?”

Kalla nodded and turned to Nani with a smile. “And how are you, sweets?” She asked.

The brunette returned the smile shyly, replying, “I’m good. Thank you for dinner.”

Gesturing to the food, the elder Water Tribe woman said, “Dig in, girls. Before it gets cold.”

Nani gratefully helped herself to a heap of seaweed noodles, eyes rolling back as the familiar savory taste coated her tongue. It’d been a long time since she enjoyed Narook’s noodles. She gulped them down quickly, barely even chewing.

It took several minutes of silence, laced only with her own slurping noises, for Nani to notice Kalla and Koko were watching her.

“You must love Narook’s,” the younger woman remarked.

“Slow down, sweets,” Kalla uttered sternly. “You don’t want your cause of death to be ‘gagged on seaweed’, do you?”

Embarrassed, Nani set down her chop sticks.

“I-I’m sorry,” she muttered, not meeting their gazes.

Kalla smirked knowingly. “I remember when I first got off the streets. I inhaled every meal like it would be my last,” she explained. “I used to hide food, too, because I was afraid people would steal it from me.”

She covered her face with one hand and shook her head, laughing. “I remember your father would find rotting kale and mushrooms in the closet and say, ‘honey, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re not in the South Pole anymore!’”

Koko and her mother began cackling, and Nani chuckled along with them.

It was easy being around them, she decided. Both women were fierce and determined, but also carefree and forgiving. When Koko brought her to the apartment, Kalla, a divorced single mother, took Nani in without hesitation and refused a single yuan in return.

“Yue knows I’ve been there,” she’d said. “Save your money so you can buy yourself a castle one day.”

Nani would never forget that.

For the rest of dinner, she listened to Kalla and Koko chat about this-and-that, only participating to nod or laugh. When she finished, Nani began clearing her plate, but Koko reached out to stop her.

“I got it,” the brunette affirmed, swatting her hand away playfully.

Maybe she wasn’t allowed to pay for board, but she was sure as hell going to pull her weight in chores.

“So, Miss Tanana,” Kalla spoke, placing heavy weight on her name. “Who taught you to sing? Koko here was trained at Lady Tuya’s Academy. Their tuition was sky high but Tuya owed me from our days cleaning latrine’s together.”

Nani shrugged, stacking dirty plates into the sink. “No one taught me,” she responded honestly. “One day I was listening to the radio and I just started singing along.”

Leaning back in her chair, Kalla patted her stomach and hiccupped, “Huh. Well, I suppose practice does make perfect!”

“Don’t be modest,” Koko added, teasingly bending a squirt of sudsy water at the brunette. “Weren’t you in the Cherry Wong fan club?”

“President of the Cherry Wong fan club, thank you very much!” Nani quipped, spraying her back.

While the girls giggled and splashed around, Kalla admonished them from her seat, “Hey, hey! I swear to La, if I see the water bill go up even one yuan, I’m throwing you both out on the streets!”

Nani immediately froze and quietly went back to scrubbing the dishes while Koko rinsed them.

“She doesn’t mean it,” The older girl assured Nani, bumping her hip jokingly.

“Did you hear about this Cherry Wong coming back from retirement?” Kalla asked.

Ears prickling, Nani snapped her head back. She feigned ignorance. “Really?” She asked.

Koko nodded with excitement. “Yeah! In fact, she’s coming to our studio to do an interview with Bolin in a few months! But it’s all hush-hush for now, no one else in the station is supposed to know—only me, Bo, and Shiro.”

She hesitated, then looked apologetically at Nani.

“Well, and you, I guess,” she added.

Makes sense why no one’s brought it up at all the last few weeks, Nani contemplated. She was a little annoyed that being Shiro Shinobi’s assistant hadn’t given her the “in” to the studio’s secrets.

Kalla cogitated aloud, “Speaking of Bolin—how is that sweet boy doing?”

Koko moved to the stove and began boiling water in a blue pot. “He’s as good as can be expected,” she replied. “It’s only been six months.”

“Breakups are tough,” the older woman sighed. “He and that Beifong girl were too cute. But that’s what happens when you love a bird too hard…they fly away.”

Nani listened keenly, pretending to focus on the soapy water in front of her.

“Sometimes people drift apart,” Koko commented somberly. She reached into an overhead cabinet and scooped a handful of loose leaf tea into the pot as it came to a boil. “Poor guy didn’t see it coming. He was heartbroken.”

Bolin? Heartbroken? Nani scoffed internally. Sure, and I’m Avatar Aang. Please.

Unable to keep in her contempt, the brunette quietly muttered, “I’m sure he’ll move on to another chick soon. Men don’t dwell on these things for long.”

Koko didn’t respond, but Nani could feel her icy blue eyes on her. She pretended not to notice and started gathering the tea cups.

“Well, I hope he finds a good girl he can keep grounded,” Kalla said, pausing for everyone to notice her joke.

After a painfully long moment, Koko huffed, “Mom, that was terrible.”

Nani couldn’t help but laugh, and Kalla laughed with her.

“See, at least someone thinks I’m funny!” She exclaimed.

Her laughter filled every crevasse of the kitchen, along with the earthy, rich aroma of Ceylon tea.

#legend of korra #bolin #lok #bolin x reader #lok bolin #bolin fluff #bolin headcanons #bolin x y/n #bolin x you

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