#it just brings more life and personality into what would just be another branch of the store

[cheeriochat]

GUYS GUYS LOOK AT WHAT I SAW AT MY LOCAL DANGERFIELD

'ASTARION APPROVES' 😭😭😭

Omg I was so gonna buy the necklace but I thought to leave it on the mannequin for the next bg3 fan.

[desi2go]

Prince and Princess

part one -- part two

pairings: Prince Bang Chan x princess reader

Warnings: forced marriage, royalty au, strangers to lovers, slight angst

summary: When your parents engaged you with the prince of a neighbouring country, you flee. On your way you meet a handsome man...

Being a princess wasn't easy. Sure it had it's peaks. The beautiful dresses, never having to worry about anything and so much more. That's what you thought growing up. What you didn't realised that you lived in a golden cage with gold, power and everything you could wish for.

You were used to all the attention from a young age. The people in you land always turned their eyes to you. As a child, they loved seeing you by the side of your parents, even if it was just in a carriage. You always had multiple duties and that from the beginning. However, as a child, they were less noticeable and while growing up, they became more and more visible. You used to think that the big castle was a symbol of your freedom since you loved to run through the huge corridors. But it changed to a big cage in your eyes. You were always under the strict eyes of your parents, not letting you do something that you liked even if only the staff would notice it. It was your personal cage and you were the lion, the biggest attraction, running from one site to another without escaping it.

From the beginning you were born, it was clear that you would marry someone with importance and wealth to bring honour to your family. Therefore, love wasn't relevant. Especially, since your older brother was next in line to become king. You had hoped that your parents would give you more time, time in their cage without a husband that wouldn't love you. A marriage would just draw more attention towards you and a new cage would imprison you.

It was this morning where they introduced you to the news that they have found the perfect husband for you. He was from the neighbouring country and was three years older than you. He was the prince and because of that extremely wealthy. All your parents ever wanted. His name is Prince Christopher and they told you that yesterday, he asked for your hand and in exchange he would give them money.

You had hoped that a marriage would be far away in the future but hearing that someone wanted you as a wife made you anxious. Fortunately he wasn't an old man and just three years older than you. But still, you had never met him. He could be cruel and treat you badly.

But you wouldn't let it take that far. You decided to take your destiny in your own hand. At night, you grabbed a bag with food you had stolen earlier and a brown cape from your brother. Dressed in a plain brown dress, the simplest of your dresses, you climbed out of your window. You knew exactly when the soldiers would change the shifts and took the opportunity to climb up the wall, shielding the castle from the outside.

With quick steps, you ran through the night. You needed to get as far away as possible. The maids would find your bed cold in the morning and it wouldn't be long when the soldiers were commanded to search for you. You just paused for some minutes from time to time. You would sleep a bit when the sun was rising.

Around the afternoon, you finally let yourself rest for longer. You just entered another forest and you realised that sooner or later your food will run out. You really needed to go to the next market on the next day.

Walking through the forest, you tried to avoid any streets as best as you could. By all costs, you didn't want to get recognised from anyone. It was the next morning and it was already hot. The sun shone through the leaves of the trees and you hummed to yourself. You loved the nature, it made you feel free. Something you barely felt in the castle. Of course, sleeping on the ground was no comparison to the huge bed that you owned but you were willing to trade it against a life with freedom.

Branches cracked and at first you thought that it was just a dear but just seconds later, a horse came crashing through the woods. A man sat in the saddle, wearing simple armour and a black cape. His dark hair was lightened by the sun. His horse stopped in front of you. Judging by his plain armour he wasn't a soldier, especially not from the palace.

"Good morning, miss" he said, jumping off the horse to kiss your hand like a gentleman. However, he doesn't seem to recognise you.

"Good morning as well" you answered. His curious gaze observing you and eying you from head to toe.

"What do they call you?" He asked with a friendly smile, while patting the shoulder of the horse.

"Nevermind what they call me"

"You shouldn't be this deep in the forest alone" he stated.

You chuckled. "I'm not alone, I'm with you. Mister... What do they call you?" He was sweet when he returned your smile, his eyes sparkling with joy.

"You don't know who I am? That is... They call me Chan" he answered.

"Well, then nice to meet you, Chan" you said with a smile.

"So, do I get the pleasure to know your name?"

"I'm Y/n" You liked how he looked at you. All your life you were used to the same ways how people look at you. They are envious or angered for not living in wealth like you. But Chan was the first person to look at you like you weren't a princess. Like you were a living human being and not just a figure your parents could push around.

"Y/n, a beautiful name to a beautiful lady" he practised your name, his cheeks and ears turning red as he flirted with you. And you found it absolutely adorable.

"What are you doing in the forest?" He added.

"I'm just wandering around. What about you? You don't seem like a normal villager." You tried to distract yourself from the blush that crept up your face.

"I'm hunting." he exclaimed and held his bow higher. Right, that made sense, he is a hunter.

"Then, you might know where the next village is?" you asked, fiddling with your cape.

"Of course" he grabbed the rein of the horse and signaled you to follow him. It was nice that he showed you the way. He filled the silence with a comfortable conversation, earning from time to time a laugh from you.

♕✯♛

An hour and a half later, you reached the next village. It was small but extremely beautiful. Luckily, there was a market where you could purchase some food. By that time, you had already figured that you had crossed the border to the neighbouring country. They all eyed Chan respectfully with a smile.

However, the hunter still accompanied you, leading you to the best stand in the whole market, like he said. After buying something, you sat with him on a wooden bench, munching happily the food. Calm, you observed the crowd of people, pushing themselves to the dedicated stand.

Then, you noticed to figures, they were soldiers with the emblem of your royal family. They definitely searched for you. In panic, you jumped up, gabbing your stuff.

"What are you-" Chan couldn't even finish his sentence when you pulled him behind one of the stands. He came crashing down on the ground next to you, looking at you like you were crazy.

You observed the crowd once more and the two soldiers were still there.

"Are these soldiers searching for you?" Chan asked as he followed your glance. When you didn't answer he continued. "They are from the other country! Wow, what did you do to the royal family that they are searching that drastically for you?"

"Did you murder someone? That's why you were so deep in the forest!" He exclaimed. Before he could say more, you silenced him with pushing your hand on his mouth.

"Stay quiet!" you whispered. His lips were warm and even though you tried to prevent it, you blushed slightly. You felt his warm gaze on you. But you looked over the stand once more, unfortunately to the wrong time. One of the soldiers saw your face and pointed to you to show his mate.

"Shit." You mumbled, throwing the hood of your cape over your head, and running into a smaller street.

"Y/n! Where are you going?" Chan yelled behind you. It didn't matter where you ran to, just away from the soldiers. You followed the street, turned left into another one. Unfortunately, it was a dead end. That was it, there was nowhere you could go.

"What is wrong, y/n? Why are you running from them?" Chan's concerned face was pushed into your field of vision. You were still gasping for air due to the running. But you heard the steps loud and clear. You couldn't fight your destiny.

And then, they stood before you. It was like you faced your past, the silver armour sparkling in the sun.

"There you are, princess! Your parents have been worried sick." They walked towards you.

"Princess?" You heard Chan whisper. It was clear that he was hurt. Of course. He didn't know who you were. You didn't turn around because you didn't want to see his face fall. "I'm sorry, Chan" you mumbled and followed the soldiers.

♕✯♛

"What were you thinking young lady! Someone could have recognised you!" Your mother scolded. You stood in the throne room, your parents sitting ahead of you on their throne, staring down at you.

"What would your fiancée say? The honour of our family rises or falls with your actions. And you will marry him, there is no other way" your father added. Of course, they were just worried about the honour, not about you. Well, maybe they were but the throne and their reputation was way more important.

"I'm sorry" you mumbled, just wanting to get this over fast so that you could enjoy the last day here in your room alone. Tomorrow, you'll be on your way to your future husband, to his castle.

"You should be. Go, and pack your last things together" your father demanded. You nodded and left the throne room, walking through the numerous halls to reach your room. It was almost empty, the maids already packed most of the things, just the bed and a book that a friendly maid sneaked in.

Your parents hated it when you read. In their eyes, women shouldn't read literature because it made them too powerful. In the royal families, women are just important to bear children and to make sure the bloodline will continue.

In your eyes it was bullshit. When your husband dies and the children aren't old enough to reign, the wife will lead until the oldest takes over.

The next day, you just sat in the carriage, looking out in the wilderness. You would give anything to be out there again. Your parents sat in front of you, chattering about the upcoming wedding, your wedding. It will be the biggest event of the year.

Luckily, after your wedding, they will return to their palace and leave you alone. Then, you just had your husband that will disturb your peace.

It was like a journey into the unknown. You knew nobody there and even your husband was a stranger. In Addition, you didn't know anything about the life in a marriage. Your parents just told you that you need to consummate the marriage whatever that meant. But you'll know soon.

Exactly three day later, you arrived at the palace. It was huge, even bigger than your own. You were content to finally get out of the carriage. Your parents were annoying and a carriage hadn't much place to avoid them.

They were the first to leave it and were already greeting the royal family. With one last deep breath, you stepped out gracefully, all the eyes on you. The beautiful red dress fell around your legs, fluttering in the soft wind. You bowed respectfully to king and queen before turning to your future husband. When you locked eyes, your breath hitched. The stranger wasn't so unknown. It was Chan.

You froze, still don't believing who stood in front of you. Your mother coughed lightly, pulling your out of your rigidity. Quickly, you bowed to him. He took your hand and placed a tender kiss on it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, princess y/n" he greeted, his voice still the same, yet he looked completely different. That was who he really was. Not a hunter, he was prince Christopher.

"The joy is all mine, prince Christopher" you emphasized his name. In his eyes sparkled something else, maybe regret?

The next two hours were spend setting up your room. You're not going to lie, it was beautiful, twice as big as yours in your own palace with a huge balcony.

A knock interrupted you. Slowly, you opened the door, already knowing who is behind it.

"Hello prince" you greeted him while doing a curtsies.

"May you want to join me on a stroll through the garden?" He asked, his eyes wandering through the room.

"Of course." You followed him through the palace out to the massive garden, a chaperone always behind you. The way there was plagued with silence, uncomfortable for both of you.

With your hand, you brushed over the gorgeous flowers, distracting you.

"I'm sorry for not telling you" He whispered. Bluntly, you answered. "Why? I was a stranger. I had no right to know"

"Listen, y/n" he grabbed your hand so that you couldn't turn away from him. "You had every right to know. I - Sometimes, I like to keep my identity hidden. It gives me some sort of comfort"

"I understand. I don't like the attention either." You replied, quietly enjoying the warm skin on your cold hand. "You're cold. May we go inside?"

You just nodded, letting him guide you back in.

♕✯♛

The following day, your wedding day, you woke up early. Well, your mother with the maids teared you from sleep. She wanted that you looked stunning and perfect for the biggest event of the year. With great precision, they arranged your hair in an extravagant updo, putting every single strand of hair the way they were pleased.

Hours were spend on dressing you in the big fluffy dress made from the finest silk with the most expensive gemstones. It was beautiful but constrictive. You are glad when this is finally over. The shoes were uncomfortable and the makeup felt heavy on your skin.

You were brought downstairs, waiting for the right moment to walk down the aisle. The throne room was filled with important people from different countries, mostly royalties or noblemen. You heard the chattering while the small orchestra played. A bouquet of flowers was placed in your hand and the doors opened. Every person watched you walking down the aisle, you felt their gaze on you but you concentrated on Chan. He looked absolutely handsome in his pompous suit, his hair perfectly styled.

You grew more and more nervous the smaller the distance between you and your new life got. You stood next to him when the priest spoke about marriage, you didn't listen to him, completely zoned out. "Prince Christopher Bang, will you love, respect and protect Princess Y/n? Will you also swear eternal fidelity to her, then answer with yes, I do."

He looked you deep in the eyes, took the ring and gently put it on your finger.

"Princess Y/n, will you love, respect and protect prince Christopher? Will you also swear eternal fidelity to him, then answer with yes, I do." You took a deep breath before you replied with a Yes, I do.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife" Tenderly, he grabbed your hands before pressing a soft kiss on your lips. It was short and sweet, his velvety lips felt good on yours.

The people cheered and you blushed, remembering where you were. Hand in hand, you walked into the huge ballroom where you would celebrate, the guest following you. The room was filled with laughter. Your husband roamed through the crowd, speaking with the guests. You stood by the food, occasionally stealing small bites. You always hated events like these. Especially the men would follow you like dogs, asking for your attention due to your high standing. Luckily, you were now married so that most of them feared to come up to you.

It didn't take long before the first couples started dancing to the orchestra. You knew that you needed to dance at least once to keep your mother content. And Chan already came towards you, asking for a dance. You took his hand, letting him lead you to the middle. You knew the steps, it was something your mother had teached you from a young age, still, you were nervous. His hand felt hot on your waist, even through the fabric of the dress.

Steady, he lead you to the rhythm of the music. The whole time, you stared on his chest, not trying to keep eye contact.

"Everything alright?" He whispered into your ear. "I guess so" you answered. "You hate attention and crowds, right?"

"Yeah, is it that obvious?" He chuckled. "Only a bit."

"You don't seem to care the attention"

"Well, I'm the crown prince. I grew used to it and once I'm king it will be even more" That's right. He was the crown prince, meaning that you will be queen one day.

After your dance with your husband, your father took the chance to dance with you. Then, many men followed his example. Due to the horrible shoes, your feet hurt. You already wanted to flee from the dance floor when Chan's father asked. He was a great dancer like his son.

"I'm content that you will be on my son's side from now on" he starts a conversation, letting you twirl. "I'm honoured, great king. But why, when I'm allowed to ask."

"Chan most likely overworks himself. He doesn't need just a wife to reinsure that the bloodline will continue. He needs someone who takes care of him" you were shocked that he answered you so truthfully. "I'll do my best"

"I know that. That's why I chose you. And I'm content to consider you a part of the family"

When the event came slowly to an end, your mother pushed you in your room.

"Alright. It is time to consummate the marriage. Bring honour to the family" she said. The maids freed you from the dress and shoes. You sighed, now your a little bit more comfortable.

"What do you mean with consummating, mother?"

"Just let him do. He'll know. But it's important to consummate. Otherwise the marriage isn't fully complete." They opened the updo of your hair, letting it fall to your shoulder before brushing it through. Then, they put it up again and dressed you in another dress, a light blue one that fell to the floor in gentle waves from the waist down.

Your mother lead you out of your room down the hallway, stopping in front of a door. "Remember, do not bring shame on us" she whispered before she left. With a shaky breath, you knocked on the huge wooden door. Shuffling could be heard from the other side and a muffled "Come in".

Slowly, you entered the room. It seems to be Chan's bedroom. And it was huge. The room was lightened with the fireplace, turning everything into a yellowish colour. Chan sat on an armchair, flipping through a book. The pompous suit was replaced with a white chemise and comfortable linen trousers. He looked up when you stood beside him, fiddling with your fingers.

"I'm here to consummate our marriage" you mumbled, observing the fluffy carpet. He sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"I know"

He guided you to the bed, jumping on it and letting you sit next to him. It was awkward and uncomfortable. He grabbed something from the side table, something you couldn't make out due to the low light. Just when he flipped the thing, you noticed what it was. A dagger, a small but sharp dagger. Terrified, you pushed yourself to the edge.

"What are you doing?" You shrieked. He chuckled before pushing his chemise higher to show his free underarm. "You don't have the slightest clue what consummating means, right?" Chan placed the dagger on his arm, applied pressure and cut through his skin. He moaned in pain and held the cut over the white mattress. The red blood dropped from his arm on the mattress, a strong contrast to the white.

"What are you doing?" You asked again. You couldn't turn your eyes away from his red underarm. He threw the dagger on the side table, picking up a bandage.

"I faked our consummation. What else do you think it is?"

"I don't know. Why did you fake it?" Carefully, he bandaged himself.

"Because we are not ready yet. It should be fun and done out of freedom and will, not because of the stupid consummation. You don't even know what I'm talking about." He sighed, switching off the oil lamp, turning the room nearly completely dark.

"Lay down, y/n. I'm not gonna force you to do anything that you don't want. Having sex is something where both parties should have fun, not just the man" Obedient, you layed down next to him.

"What is sex? Is this what consummating is about?"

"Yes, it is. I'll insert myself into you. That way you'll be able to get pregnant" Even though it was dark, you could still clearly see how red his ears were. It was cute.

"Thank you" you mumbled, letting you slowly relax and enjoy the warmth that Chan radiates. Carefully, he draped the blanket over your figure.

"Good night, y/n"

"Good night, Christopher"

♕✯♛

The next morning you woke up when the wooden door banged open with a thud. You shot up, looking with big eyes into your mother's. Just then you noticed that Chan wasn't sleeping next to you. He must have got up early.

Your mother shoved the warming blanket to the side, showing you a pleasant smile when she saw the red stain upon the mattress. "I'm proud of you" she said and brushed over your demolished hair. Quickly leaving the room.

You sighed and let yourself fall against the mattress again. The ring on your finger shone in the morning sun, it was beautiful. You couldn't believe you were married, that you had a husband. And as it seems a really thoughtful one. Hopefully it stays like that because then, you didn't mind to spend your lifetime with him.

[mehiwilldoitlater]

Black Cloud, Red Fire (Part 1)

(part 2) (part 3)

Black Wind Mountain.

Once a temple in the forest, full of prayers, life, and worshippers. Now, a lair for Yougais and their master.

Everything was silent, except for the song of nature that made that place almost harmless. Untill the sound of panting, foot on the Rocky pavement, and broken leaves emerged.

"Ugh...I should have done cardio...UFF!"

The Destined One, the monkey that had convinced you to follow him, stopped on his tracks to look at his surroundings and gave you the time to catch up. He snickered a little, looking how disappointed you were after the climb on the side of the mountain. He offered you his hand, allowing you to avoid a few more steps before reaching him.

"Not a very outdoor one, uh?"

"I'm more...sitting on the couch person."

"What's a couch?"

"Something BEAUTYFULL....wow..."

You would never get used to the view here: from where our eyes could reach, there was just forest. The mountains were covered in it, and so were the few hills that appeared, giving you almost the idea that you were walking on the backs of thousands of sleeping giants. Here and there, you were able to spot the roof and the spires of small pagodes and temples.

Some prove that once these places were abitated or at least visited by humans and mortals. 

Now, the old structures were black and decaying, a sign that a fire had started so many years ago and what couldn't be saved was left to the wilderness. You both avoided those structures, finding them quite crumbling and dangerous, but nothing stopped you from admiring them.

The air was rarefied, giving you some trouble breathing and forcing you to make more deep inhales. Your companion, used to the high place of birth, had no issues at all, but he gave you the chance to rest and get used to the altitude.

"It feels so unreal... it's like a painting."

"You don't have places like these in your world?"

"Well yeah, but... not so beautiful like this one."

It was even funny to believe that such a beautiful place like this one could hold such dangers as the Yaoguais or whatever was holding the relic of the Great Sage. After another few minutes of adjusting, the two of you continue your way inside the woods, leaving behind the security of the open space.

The light was dim despite the sun high in the sky; the thick of the branches was mostly the cause of it. Walking near your companion, you started to notice how hard it would become trying to look in front of you or even notice the presence of whatever could attack you both.

"Su-sure, this place is...dark."

"Umm.. stay close, okay?"

You pick up the peace, holding tight to your snack on your back, regretting that you didn't ask for a weapon before leaving Mount Huaguo.

"Hely, listen..." You finally spoke up after a few minutes. "Are you sure that the relic is in this...very lovely and absolutely not filled with dangers?"

"Ummm...i guess?"

"YOU GUESS?!" Your voice echoed in one second through the forest; a few birds flied away, afraid of the sudden change. The monkey instantly shushed you.

"We're in enemy territory!"

"...You guess?! You don't know if it's here?!"

You were FURIOUS. Not only they started to blabber about you being some kind of being that were supposed to help them bring back an old legend, almost forcing you to participate, and now the same one that convinced you to give a try to this damn plan that could maybe bring you back home is unsire if that damn thing is in that damn forgotten place?! After that long road?! You really wanted to take that staff of his and smash it on his head! He shushed you again, trying to calm you down to avoid calling too much attention to you two.

"Okay, I know, this sounds crazy, but I can assure you that we have ideas! Firstly, there's a dangerous amount of Yaoguais in this area, and second, did you remember that funny little game that we did back at our mountain?"

"You mean me pointing my finger to a random place on a map just because I felt a tingle in my stomach?"

"Yup." Your eyes widened so much that you could feel your eyelash touch your forehead. You wanted to scream so hard that even whatever gods lived up there could hear you, but before you could, the monkey putted his hand on your mouth.

"There, there, let it all out," he said, while you were just muffling your scream on his hand. When you finally were finished and your breath was out, he removed his hand from your face, allowing you to mumble some curses under your breath.

"So we could be somewhere and find nothing?"

"Or we could be in the right place!"

You grumbled again, now more worried than before about your return to your original world. He sighed. Of course this was absurd to you; everything was, but you needed to trust him a little.

"I know it's hard, but... I believe in you. I know we're on the right path!"

"At least one of the two does..." You mumbled, kicking a rock near you, scratching your arm a little. You really wanted to believe him and in you, but to you, it was just so difficult to do it, especially since you were a complete no one...They all tell you you were some kind of powerful thing, this Bián huá, and yet you couldn't believe a single thing like this.

Looking at you, he guessed that you were still having doubts. He opened his mouth to say something when-

"On the go, bent the toe,

Life of a human, all for gold."

A voice, not far from you both, could be heard from your position. Someone was coming! The monkey looked at you, and a mischievous grin appeared on his face.

"Go and hide in the bush! I'll show you what I can do!"

You fastly follow his instructions, hiding behind some bushes on your right, while the voices get closer and closer. The monkey suddenly vanished under a cloud, only to be replaced with a ripe peach! What's he doing now? On the clearing, just when the smoke disappeared, appeared two... wolves?

They were walking on their two back legs, and like humans, they were wearing some clothes and holding their furr on their heads like some human hairstyles. The both of them were holding a sword; maybe they were scouting the area for some food? You didn't know, but you were sure worried for your monkey! 

"Nowhere better than our home,

We cheat death and ever grow."

One of the two, the one that had his sword already drawn, noticed the fake peach on the ground, emitting a sound of surprise and showing a huge grin on his maw, and immediately went to take it in his paw.

"Here, you see? What bliss my fate shows!" How the hell that big dog was talking?!

"Well well! Luck's around the corner. Seems like it just fell from a fruit tree here." Said the other wolf, looking around in the search for the tree. You really hoped he didn't see you or smell you!

"Perfect timing! This peach knew I needed a snack!" And, after having cleaned it a little from the dust and played with it in his hand, the wolf took a huge bite on the fruit without a second guessing. In that moment, a cry of pain escaped from him, and he threw away the peach, alongside a few of his own teeth and some fur that the monkey must have pulled with it. Once on the ground, after a few jumps, the same smoke from before reappeared, and the fruit turned back to his simian original form.

"You sneaky rascal!" said the wounded wolf. "Dare to fool me?! I'll make sure you'll regret it!"

Before the two wolves could launch their attacks on the monkey, he had already drawn his own weapon from his ear and charged towards the two. You had seen him fight before, and it was always a show that left you in a haze. Violence wasn't a nice view, but his moves, his precision, his strength—it was surely something!

In a few minutes, the two wolves were already defeated and turned to dust, and you reemerged from your hiding spot.

"Wow...that's what you could only say.

"See? told you I could protect you."

"Well, you surely could... but the transformation was really necessary?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by someone.

"No matter how many times you come around. You are still as mischievous as ever, eh?"

An old voice suddenly started to be heard. It was an old one, cranky, and somehow friendly. The both of you started to look around, only to find only trees, rocks, and falling leaves. The monkey immediately came closer to you, looking around and sniffing, but beside the smell of the two wolves, there was nothing—just nature.

"Did...you hear that?" 

"Yer," he said, guarding you.

"Good! I'm not crazy then!"

"And there's the Bián huá! All of you, always doubting your own security!"

You gulped loudly; he could hear you?! But that means he's near?! Then why even the monkey couldn't spot this mysterious old man?!

"Looks... looks like someone is watching us..."

"Um..." he looked at you, noticing your now frightening look, your eyes searching for the source of the voice. He held your hand in his own, gently giving you a small pull. "Came one. I'm sure that we'll find who's talking up ahead."

And so, the two of you started to take the road from where the two wolves had come from, realizing then that, if there was something, it was supposed to be there for sure. The more you started to clumb the path of the mountain, more enemies started to come. They were all wolves, and all of them were supposed to be the front guard of this mysterious place that, for some reason, started to make you feel... uneasy. 

You couldn't put your hands on it, but it reminded you of the strange feeling in your stomach, yeah, the map one. Only that, this time, became stronger and stronger the more you two explored the mountain.

After another turn, the smell of incense reached both of you, and a small smoke caught your attention. Two fires were located at the sides of a small structure, a house in miniature. The closer you get, the more it becomes clear that it was a small shrine, far more detailed and more decorated than the one that you saw on Mount Huaguo. Suddenly, just like before, the same old voice started to ring again around you two.

"Aaah! Wha-what are you waiting for?! Pluck your hair and make an offer!"

You looked at the monkey, raising an eyebrow.

"...Uh...my hair?"

"There." He showed you that, after taking a few hairs from his head, their form changed into a thin and long incense stick that he lit with a few movements of his hand.

"See?"

"I can't do that. Mine is normal hair."

"Ooo, stop making silly excuses! Try it on!"

"Okay okay okay! Geez, I can't believe that I'm listening to a mysterious voice."

You imitated the same motion of the monkey, and, after a small glow, in your hand there was the same incense stick!

"But... did I do that?!"

"See? Always questioning! Now hurry up! Both of you!"

You both put the incense stick inside the small pot full of sand, and, as one surprise wasn't enough, another magic happened in front of you: the decoration of the shrine started to grow like branches, and, in a swirl of petals, pink peach flowers started to bloom under your eyes.

"It's...normal?"

"In some places, yes..."

"...So,...what now?" The monkey shrugged off at your question and made a few steps ahead. Before you could follow, the voice called upon you two once again.

"Hey! Wait!"

A smoke, just like the one that has been summoned by your monkey companion when he transformed, appeared again, but this time in front of you there was what reminded you of an old potato.

He was what you could imagine to be the personification of the concept of old. His legs and arms were so thin that it was strange that he could even move; his bald head, covered in some strange bumps similar to some roots, was covered in wrinkles and some spots here and there; and the white hairs that happened to be his eyebrows and beard covered his facial features that made it hard to see his eyes and mouth.

His robes, tinted in a deep blue, seemed quite elegant, despite their age. His weight was supported by an old wooden staff, curved to the end, and in his other hand a small stick. Does it remind you of a back scratcher?

"I, the keeper of Black Wind Mountain," he said while coughing, cleaning his clothes from the dust. "I have long been waiting for your arrival."

That old voice—he was the one that spoke to you before in the clearing! That old, small thing was the keeper of this mountain?! 

"Let's see... the new Bián huá, eh? Well, you seem in good health," he said while pointing your side with his scratchback. "It will compensate for the lack of faith."

"Hey!" you ward off the wooden object while his continuous touch started to bother you.

"And she has some character on her, a good starting point..and you..." His eyes fell on the monkey, the destiny one. For a moment you feared that he could fall on his old and be ready to crash back, but he regained his stability in a few steps.

"Oh! His spitting image...I'd say."

Of who? You looked at the monkey, and he seemed almost proud? Was the keeper talking about... Sun Wukong? Well, all monkeys looked the same to you, so maybe it was the old age that talked...

"You were waiting for...him?" You pointed at the monkey; the old man just laughed a little at your naiveté.

"Child, I was waiting for both of you! For the Destined one and the Bián huá!" He walked over you two, pointing at the passage that extended ahead of you, between the rocks and the trees.

"Up ahead is Guanyin Temple. Once, it was bustling with worshippers before it was ruined by that fire."

His tone, before proud of the past of the place, became grave when he pointed at the proof of the tragedy that had happened there: skulls, human skulls. Come to think of it, those weren't the first you saw in the area... How many people had died there?

"What...fire?"

"You said you heard of the story, right?" The monkey said, recognizing what the old man was talking about, "You remember about the Elder Jinchi and the Kasaya?"

You pondered a little. You weren't that costumed about it, but you know that, perhaps, that was the cause of the fire.

"Yes, children..." said the keeper, pointing up ahead. "Then the temple was rebuilt." He suddenly turned to you, expressing a questioned and angry tone, "But what good is it to rebuild a temple if the good will of men has been burned to ashes?"

You kneeled near one of the skulls. It was so...small...the fear of the age of the one that once was in front of you struck you.

"But...it was rebuilt...then why the Yaoguais are here?" The monkey spoke, looking at the old man, still curious about the whereabouts of the temple.

"Monks came, men too, and they tried to rebuild life here! But that bear...he led his minions here!....Who couldn't escape had faced a bitter end."

"But...you're the keeper of this place...the deity of the mountain..." you finally spoke, following the step of the monkey. "You could take care of them, right? There as to be some way to fix this place!"

"I would! But that damn bear...he had brought something so powerful that even I couldn't match!"

Something that he couldn't match?... The eyes of the monkey gleamed, looking up at the mountain.

"The relic...it must be the relic!" He turned to you, ejoyed by this news: "You were right! You foudn it!"

"I...found it?" You repeated, "I... did! I did! ...oh...."

You soon realized what that meant, and suddenly, another sound emerged from the dark. A long, strong, and eerie howl of something that scared even the keeper and manmy birds that had already flied away from their previous location.

"You forgot this place," said the keeper, retreating away from the passage, "but they haven't forgotten you!"

You stod in your position, scavared by the sudden change of atmosphere, while the monkey observed the passage with caution, expecting everything to appear from it at any given moment. The old man, like he had appeared, disappeared in the cloud of smoke.

"That's a tough one. Good luck to you!"

And these were his last words, before you and your companion were left alone again. More than before, you felt an amount of emotion that you couldn't describe, but when you looked at the road where you came from, some doubts arose in you. The monkey noticed your fear, and he waited for your reaction.

Despite the desire to run, you simply couldn't. You stayed there, eyeing the entrance and your only way out. When you finally turned to the entrance, where you sure didn't want to go, you gulped.

"There's no turning back from there...right?" The monkey sighed; he wanted to tell you that you could just turn back and that he could handle it, but he couldn't say that; he knew that it was a lie.

This was supposed to be made in two.

"If you don't trust in yourself... then trust in me... trust in my ability."

He lends his hand towards you... and, with fear, doubt, and so many regrets, you take it, slowly entering the passage alongside him.

///

From that moment on, the forest became full of wolves. It was hard to advance without encountering a new enemy, and every time your companion never showed a moment of stress or panic, he only charged, attacking those enemies without trace of fear. Your only option, by your side, was to stand back, hide, or just... watch. You couldn't do more...even if, isnide, it made you quite nervous.

"Don't you get tired?"

"No, I've been doing this since I was a cup!"

"I wish I could help more." You scratched your arm again; it must have been a sign that showed your stress he had noticed. He just packed your back, swinging his tail.

"If you like, I can teach you a few tricks! Once we're back home with the relic, we'll have plenty of time!"

"You...would?" It felt nice. He didn't show off your anxiety about your role in that mission; instead, he just wanted to help you get confidence by taking some steps ahead. It was a nice gesture, even if you were quite unsure about if it could really help you.

"Of course!" he laughed. "We're both in this!"

You nodded. It was true; you were both in that.

The sound of the water became of a falling one, a sign that the river nearby became a waterfall. You were walking by it, searching for a few herbs, when you both became interested in taking and collecting when you heard something else. Another voice; it wasn't from the keeper, of course, but it wasn't like the ones from the wolves either. To be fair, there were no wolves now that your companion had cleaned the area.

When the sound of the waterfall became stronger, that's when you noticed.

"Monkey! Look over there!" You finger pointed towards a figure. Curved on her back, her white, messy hair spiked the most on het dark attire. The clothes were old and raggy, and by the jiggle he was wearing some wooden jewels. The long and thin hair and his colorful muse give away immediately her species. Your companion suddenly came closer, looking where your finger was pointing, noticing the creature.

"A Mandrill! There near the edge of the waterfall!" You kept saying. You didn't know what she was doing; it seemed like she was searching for something or trying to collect it from a stone, quite big, that rested in the center of the stream. The low level of the water allowed the rock to be accessible to the mandrill, but she seemed like whatever she was trying to rescue was stuck or simply unavaible.

The baboon must have heard your voice, and suddenly she stopped his doing with the rock, spinning away from it. You gasped when you saw her launch herself to the cliff, moving forward. But when you reached the same edge, you saw nothing there.

"She should be at least around..."

"I don't think that was a simple Mandrill, Y/N." The monkey that had reached your side was in time to take you and pull you back from the edge, fearing a fall.

"Was she your friend? Do you know her?"

"I never saw her in my entire life. Hey, hold on!" He looked at you, his hand on his hips. "It's not like we monkey know each and every one of us!"

"Well," you keep it up, mimicking his gesture, "you called each other brother and sister! And meeting a familiar face wouldn't be so bad here!"

He chuckled, giving you a small push. Then, both of your eyes landed on the rock that the baboon was inspecting, and curiosity took over.

"What do you think she was doing?"

"Well, let's take a look!" He went closer to the rock, and there you both realized that it wasn't completely a rock. It was a head—a big rocky head—maybe one of a statue that once must have been a decoration of the long-lost temple. The expression of the man that was depicted was calm and relaxed, his earlobe long; maybe a Buddha? The monkey started to clean the area and noticed some scratching at the base of one of the closed eyes of the statue. It seemed like he was trying to make a hole in it...

"Maybe there's a switch or-" And just when your hand touched the statue, suddenly its eyes wide opened. One of the two cavities of pure stone, but the one where the Mandrill was scratching was hollow and contained something. A sphere, pure white, the only color a red must at the center, discolored by the time. It wasn't smooth at all, but at the touch it was perceptible—some spirals, decotrating the orb.

"...What is it?" You asked curious, tapping the orb with your finger.

"I don't know... but it seems important; let's keep it!" And so, the orb soon vanished inside his own sack.

"You surely are one that loves to collect staff around, eh?"

"Well, if something is useful..."

You chukled a little, leaving the stream at your back. Keep it up with your ascension on the mountain. It didn't take long that now you would face another obstacle, and oooh boy, what an obstacle!

Guarding the gate, a huge Yaoguais was holding a huge Helberd, moving back and forward, ready to strike whoever crossed his path, or it was unlucky enough to meet it. It reminded you of some kind of bull, but he was pretty messed up to be one... The thing that really concerned you was the fact that he was practically in front of the gate; it was impossible to miss without a fight. Hiding behind a tree, you looked at your companion, who, without if or but, just took his own staff, ready to get in action.

"Stay here; be careful not to be spotted and to run."

"Run?"

"Just in case, wish me luck!" and so he marched towards the bull that, as soon as he had spotted him, he followed his example.

The two started to clash their weapons immediately, and you could clearly see that the monkey had the advantage of his small stature and his agility. He avoided all of his attacks in a few steps, which made the bull upset and more aggressive. And the guai had one more thing in his arsenal: he was scarily strong. Despite his massive stricture, the guai was able to make some huge jumps, creating such waves in his impact that the monkey needed to be careful around to avoid falling down and became an easy prey.

Unfortunely, the monkey made a misstep: in the attempt of blocking the helberd, the bull struck with full force, catching the opponent like a rag doll, and, after a good spin to get velocity, slammed him on the ground. He rose his helberd, ready to stride.

"NO!"

You screamed, leaving the tree where you were hiding, but before something could happen, a golden aura wrapped around the bull and, just before his last strike over the monkey could be delivered, his entire body stopped. It wasn't just stopped because he had stopped the attack, but because his entire body was like frozen!

You immediately went to the monkey side, checking the damage from the last strike. He was incredibly untouched; the helbard must have struck him in the side where there was no blade and just acting as a hammer. His body may be fine, but he had felt that.

"Oh God, oh God, are you okay?!"

"Ugh...It...hurt!"

Maybe not lethal but a bruise really was surely ready to appear there. You grasped his gourd, helping take a sip of that strange magic juice that the old monkey entrusted you both to take in case of these kinds of damages. After a gulp, the monkey lamented the savor of the concuun, but he was fine at least!

"The bull?!" He looked at you, ready to defend you.

"Ehm ..."

You pointed at his opponent, Frozen in One Place. Then you heard some ruffles, some paint of fatigue, and...the keeper?!

Somehow, he had started to climb the bull back and, once reached its shoulder, he took a jump from it, falling on his two sticked legs. 

"It's been a while, but the Immobilize Spell still works like a charm!" He laiughed, clearly satisfied and somehow proud to show you both some of his own ability. You, on the other hand, were more interested in helping the monkey get back on his feet, preoccupied with finding more damages from the foe. Lucky for you, the juice was able to cure all of his wounds, even if the hurt of the strike still lingered.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes...huff, he almost got me..." He looked at the now immobilized bull, still ready to send his last strike on him. "A trick like this could be very useful around here."

"Well, since you hail from Mount Huaguo, it won't hurt to teach you a handy trick."

The monkey looked at him, still recovering from the fall, when the old man started to move his wooden hand around. It started to emit a soft light and some sparkle.

"Now, here we go; give me your hand!" And, without wait or but, the same small wand emitted a light that struck towards the monkey. You companion, fearing for another attack, immediately covered his face with his hand, but instead of pain, he felt... nothing?

Not nothing; he felt the same sensation when you pour warm water on your arm—harmless and somehow nice. He felt the sensation rise to his arm, to his shoulder, and then disappear, leaving only a sigyl on the palm of the same hand. You both noticed that it was the same symbol above the bull head.

"There you go, "continued the old man, while the two of you were observing the sign, in a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Should you come across any miscreants, just point your finger at them and release this spell. You'll be able to hold them in place while giving yourself a breather."

The monkey studied more his hand, carefully seeing the sign slowly disappearing on his skin, while you looked at the old man with a gleam of hope.

"It's going to come in handy around here!" said the monkey, his confident smirk coming back on his face.

"It would be so helpful if I could learn something like this too." 

"My child," said the old man, chukling at your naivety. "In this world, muscles and brute force are not the only weapons that you can possess!" And, knowing who you are, a spell like this is a joke for you!"

"I...can learn it too?" You looked at the bull, and, in a rush of courage, you took some steps in front of it.

You waved your hand in front of it and, noticing that it was pretty much impossible for it to move, you laughed, running back to your companion, who instintly put you behind him, like ready to defend you if that thing was ready to move again.

"It's amazing!" you said in joy. "With this trick, we can avoid so many fights!"

"Y/n," the monkey said to you, disconsolate," we can't just avoid every fight we have in front of us."

"He's not right, child," the old man sighed. "Sadly, mine is but an humble trick. Its power will wear off within a few short moments."

"Moments?!" you gulped, jumping back. "And when were you expecting to tell us that?!"

"I told you that it's not that simple!" Monkey came back to his fighting stance, while you took a step back, taking more distance from the upcoming fight.

"Ah ah, yes, yes, I know, not a great spell; thought it's good enough against boneheads like this one!" He pointed again to the bull with a teasing tone. "Anyway, just consider it an ace up your sleeve."

As soon as he finished his speech, the blow that was stopped suddenly crashed to the ground; the golden aura had dissipated from the bull, and it was angry.

The keeper was able to retreat from the scene, clearly shaken by the sudden release of the bull that now pointed to the monkey and you furious.

"The Yaoguais these days know no manners!"

"Y/n! Stand back!" His immediate thought came to your own safety; now the bull had seen you, and every chance could be good for it to attack you!

"FEAR NOT! "screamed the keeper to you and the monkey, "Teach him a lesson with your new spell!"

As soon as the old man had disappeared, the bull went on the offensive, more aggressive than he was before. You had to retreat as best as you could to avoid the fight and to be spotted by the giant creature. He needed more minutes to adjust to this new technique, but just when the bull tried to play the same trick from before, the monkey was ready and used the spell against it. 

It stopped! It was completely immobile! You gasped for the excitement, and, after the monkey had gifted you a small wink like to tell you to watch, he suddenly launched himself to his counterattack.

The bull was free after a few moves, but it was more shaken than before and pretty much hurt. He needed another good strike, but after that the monkey was able to put down his opponent and, just like the others, disappeared in a cloud of dust.

"You did it!" YOU DID IT! YOU USED THE SPELL!"

You jumped to him in joy; he freed the passage! And now he learned a new trick! He was just amazing!

He patted your shoulder, laughing a little like you, with a soft shade of red on his cheeks. "Yes, yes, I did it! But it's not over yet!"

He pointed to the now-opened passage—the road ahead of you.

///

"If it wasn't for the wolves ready to kill us, I would love to take a picnic here."

"Pic nic?"

"When you bring lunch outside and eat in the wild. I used to do it a lot when I went on the mountain to my grandparents during the summer."

Monkey seemed always interested in knowing your past; it seemed like, despite all, you had an almost normal childhood...noyt like its own...always training, always giving his best...well, he loved to make some pranks here and there, but the others had always considered him the responsible one of the bunch.

While walking, your attention was taken by an unusual sight: it must have been a balcony in the past; now what was left was only the old decoration of the door, the structure to the outside, and the wood that composed the floor. Two small pillars, decorated with two figures of what presumebly was Guanyin, were on the sides of a cushion and, in front of it, an incense holder.

"Someone use this place..."

"It must be a meditation point, to meditate...a great spot, even..."

You looked to the monkey; why so? It was in the middle of nowhere. By his looks, lost in the horizon, you followed his example. It was quite beautiful and calming. He then decided to take a place in the cuschion and ask you to follow him.

"Came on! It helps the mind!"

"I'll just watch. I'm not good alone with my thought."

"As you wish..."

His eyes closed, his face relaxed, like every muscle of his body. He seemed like a statue in that pose, and by how quickly he was able to communicate, or he needed a lot, or he just was used to that practice. You, instead, decide to sit at the edge of the structure, sighing and admiring the view.

He was right; it wasn't just beautiful; it was calming. You closed your eyes, letting the mountain breeze caress your cheeks and air, allowing it to enter your nostrils and your lungs.

You could hear so many things like that—the creaking of the wood, the howling of a few wolves in the distance, the leaves that moved in the branch—since when these sounds were so hard to listen to in your world?

In the distance, mountains could be seen, and, not far from your spot, structures that maybe once were habitated by humans and monks. Knowing that such a desolation happened in that place, yet nature decided to reclaim that portion of the world, taking back what had been taken away.

You sighed again, more air in your lungs...then a hand shaken you.

"Don't do this on the edge, at least! You can take a place near me!"

"You gave me a heart attack!"

"And how was I supposed to feel when I saw you there, ready to fall?!"

"Okay, I'm sorry! I'll do it with you next time!"

He seemed pleased; at least he wasn't obligated to catch you from a dead fall on a cliff!

"You were right. It's beautiful... Yaoguais aside."

"Yes, I don't know what's going to happen after we take the relic back from the Black Bear, but maybe things are going to get better."

"I just..." you scratched your arm. "I just hope the monks that died here can find a piece."

The image of that skull was still fresh in your mind. It scared you, yes, but it was most definitely sad. They must have been so scared alone. He looked at you with fondness; your thoughts decided to go to the ones that had suffered. You must have had quite a big heart. He took your hand, smiling.

"They'll be glad to know that we're taking care of this...now..." he pointed at two fires, both of the at the sides of a passage, an opening on the rocky walls of the mountain. "We must go. There's still a long road for us."

You nodded, and so you went back to your journey.

///

"We had to pass..."

"There are like...a LOT of wolves there, and I have a really bad feeling!"

"But we can't just stop here!"

"Well, we can't surely move forward like this?!"

Since he had made it clear that there was more enemy ahead, the two of you started to discuss what to do, but it seems like it was harder than you both thought. He sensed a lot of enemies ahead, and if he had to make a safe road, protecting you wasn't easy. You wanted to search a safe path, but there wasn't something like this right there, and he wanted to march in and take care of the problems right there.

"Listen, I'm going in."

"Monkey, please let's just-"

"Hey! Wait! You don't think you can just parade in, do you?! It's not that simple!"

As again, the old man had decided to appear and gave some help to the two of you. You gave a sigh of relief. Finally, that could actually listen to you!

"Finally! I was trying to tell him! We must take another path!"

"Dear one, there's no other path here!"

"Ah, ah!" the monkey smuggled on your face. "See? No path! ...So, any other suggestion, old keeper?"

"But of course I do! Let me transform you into a golden cicada, so you may follow the fires ahead and scout this mountain unnoticed."

He pointed to a series of fires that started to streech across the forest, a way to move across the darkness of the trees, especially during cloudy days or the night. With the same movements of his wand, the old man created the same light from the last time and, once again, struck the poor monkey.

"Wait wait! I can do it by my"

"FLY!"

"SELF!"

Like before, the poor monkey was completely helpless against the magic of the so helpful keeper, and instead of the young, bold monkey, now there was a small insect, with golden shades, flying around. The old man laughed, looking how confused the small cicada was trying to recall his surroundings. Now, there was this little inconvenience...

"But..." you pointed to your still humanoid body. "What about me?"

"Umm...a cicada is hard. You need a lot of control to move so many little arms and legs. Let's see. Let's see. Something simple, something helpless, something...ah!"

"Wait! Let me at least prepare my-"

Without a warning, you were the second victim of the Keeper magic, but you weren't what you were expecting. You looked at your now fluffy paw, a small cottontail, and very long ears.

"A rabbit?! Why can't I fly too?!"

"It's harder than it looks, child! Now, it might be humble, but my shrine is very versatile. You'll get it soon enough."

And, with these words, the Keeper disappeared in another cloud of smoke, leaving the cicada and the bunny alone.

"It's not fair. I wanted to fly too!"

"If it makes you feel better," said the cicada in a very pinch-high voice, "you look fluffiest than ever."

You two laughed a little before hearing for the last time the old Keeper.

"In the depths of Black Winf Mounain, there are secrets galore. These transformations may help you explore, but be wary; this form does not last forever."

"What do we do if we get lost?"

"Should you find yourself lost, just follow my voice. Now, off you go!"

You two looked at each other and, uncertain, started to move.

He had it easier; he could just fly around without getting spotted! You needed to act as natural as possible! Somehow, the wolves seemed more interested in cooking the ones that they already had than huunting you, so you were able to move around, alongside other bunnies and racoons, without fear of being taken.

When the two of you had the impossibilities to avoid the wolves, you were able to listen to them talk. It seemed that your presence in the mountain has been spotted, but they weren't sure of where you were or what your real intention was. As much as they knew, they only knew about a shapeshifter and a mortal alongside him. They also talked about a certain lord... maybe an affiliate of the bear?

Well, at least like that, you could avoid so many troubles... Somehow, you felt a little more safe in the shape of such a helpless animal. You both kept on going, following the fire as instructed, finding the way easier that you expected to find.

"Look! I can see the end of the trail of fire, Y/N!" The small voice of the monkey called you out from the bushes, pointing with his antennea at what was supposed to be the less populated area.

"Finally, being a bunny is... not... so."

You felt something inside you. You felt...a calling. 

You turned around; there was another of those old porches, one that the fire had only ruined but not destroyed. You looked in that direction, and you were sure it came from there.

"We just need to cross; we're so...Y/N?"

You weren't anymore near the bushes, so he got closer and started to roam the small area.

"Y/n? Y/N?!" He called, louder this time and much more worried. He couldn't see you. Where did you go?! Why did you leave all of a sudden?!

You couldn't hear his call; there was something else that held your attention. It was the same pull in your chest that called you towards the relic, but it was...different. It felt like stagnant water, a mix of smells that you couldn't quite get. 

It was a large clearing; the wall of the mountain and a cliff, secured with a parapet, gave them a natural circular shape. Besides trees and plants, fog covered the area, hiding a wooden structure in the same area. You couldn't put your hand on it, but something was there—something big and round. You jumped closer, not noticing the aura of fiery eyes looking at your every movement. Before you could get closer, a large pressure came to your delicate neck; a hand with a sharp claw had you now in his clutches. 

"Well, well... and what do we have here?

Avoiding screaming helped you to keep your bunny form, but you couldn't hold a gasp when you saw the wolverine creature that was holding you by your neck. Now you were in big trouble!

The wolf was different from the other; he seemed older and calmer. His robe reminded you of one of a monk, but it was so old and lacerated. His old mansion was so ruined, almost burnt here and there. Despite his strength, his claw gently held you and took you in his arm, holding you in place. You felt his rough fingers scratching your head, confusing you more than before.

"It's not a safe place for a small one like you. Humans and wolves love eating your flesh. I used to eat your kind when I was younger; now I can only remember the hunt."

Oh, so he didn't eat bunnies? He could have eaten humans, though.

Besides him, a long staff was stuck into the ground, a double blade to each end. You noticed now that the blade was strange in certain places; it seemed like it had burned. Now, in his arms, you could see clearly what was holding the structure: a bell, a giant bell made of iron.

It was simple, besides the decorations, like many other bells around... then why you seemed to be pulled by it.

You jumped from the wolf arms, sniffing and getting closer to the giant metal object.

"I never saw bunnies interested in bell... I suppose to guard it...but you don't look like a treat."

Well, not now at least.

You made another jump, much closer; now your small paw was able to reach the bell when, in your head, his sound started to echo so hard that it was painful.

Your body couldn't handle it, so you scream, holding your small rodent head in those paws, scaring the wolf, and, with any chance to control it, the pain forced you to release your true form.

You were still holding your head when you noticed the wolf, now holding his weapon.

"You... you tried to trick me, human?!" You gulped and tried to get back, finding yourself stuck between the wolf and the bell.

"I-i didn't-" Then, a sound or rustling and footstep caught your and the wolf's attention.

"Who goes there?! How dare you interrupt my meditation?"

And so, the face of a very worried monkey appeared from the fog and the shadow, looking at you with apprehension by your vicinity with the Yaoguai. The wolf looked at him, and a small smile came to his face, far more sinister than the one that he had shown you before.

"Hmmm...another monkey I see?" He asked, almost happy to see him. The blade in his hand started to change; it became red like it was on fire. Hold on, IT WAS ON FIRE!

"Why don't you lay down your weapon and join me in Buddha's mercy?" His weapon had made a few swifts on the ground; the dead leaves, the herbs, and whatever that thing was touching suddenly started a small fire, separing you from your companion.

"What say you?!"

He needed to connect; the wolf was already on his tail when he marched on! He needed to get you out of there before the fire could reach you; luckyly, you took cover behind the giant bell! Maybe he had time; he just needed to calm him down before it was too late!

That wolf was old, but he was a formidable foe! His swing was like he had never seen anyone do it, and every strike was precise and destructive. It was just like a fire; you couldn't control it; you could just watch and hope it doesn't destroy more.

But he needed to fight that fire!

He used the spell that the keeper had taught him and started again to attack his opponent. Sometimes, out of the blue, the wolf was able to persome formidabvòe aerial attacks, where even the monkey found trouble defending himself. Sometimes he was even able to rush like he could fly, and the fire just made him stronger.

Fighting him wasn't easy, but with the help of the spell and the fact that his own technique didn't need too much energy to be imposed, the monkey was soon the victorious one of the duels.

The wolf fell on the ground, covered in bruises and blood; his fur was now more burned than before. His eyes cast between you, now free to move while the monkey was killing the fire, and his opponent.

"You..." His voice was in pain, the last stray of strength only to talk, "Master spoke of you."

And while he started to disappear, three last words came from his mouth.

"The Destined...one..."

Peace came back in the clearing. 

You looked at where the wolf had disappeared, asking yourself how much his master knew about you two, about what happened there, and..the hand of the monkey slapped your head.

"Don't run off like that again!"

"Ouch! It wasn't my fault!"

"Yeah! Some strange magic led you here?!"

"..."

"...Seriously?"

You sighed; of course it was crazy, but it was true! Something called you here to do...something!

"I'm sorry...it just...something is strange... I don't know what's happening in me."

The monkey looked at your face. You were so concentrated, your hand caressing the carving of the metal face of the giant object. He wasn't used to bell like this; his own hand caressed the wooden trunk made to play the instrument.

"...Monkey?" He looked at you and said, "We should play it."

"No way! They'll spot us!"

"We're already on everyone's agenda! Please! I... I need it." You please.

He sighed, ready to regret every moment of this. He needed just a swing of the trunk when the sound of the bell started to resonate on the entire aura—on the mountain itself.

Then something else happened. Everything got dark; it was a forest, like the one you and your companion were planting—a child—he was alone. Many people were dying there; something had to hunt them down!

No! You must run! The bear! The bear is... giving him... jewels?

The sun rises, the monastery...

When you woke up from the trance, the monkey had to catch you before falling from the scaffold of the bell.

"Y/n! What's happening?! Are you okay?!"

You just moved your head, confused, scared...was that a vision? It was an old memory? The stagnant water now was moving; a rotting smell came to you.

"You just had to make some noise, did you?!" The voice of the Keeper came back again. He seemed stressed; the sound had scared some birds too. "Now everyone knows you're here! When a chime so grand echoes in the forest, Yaoguais will surely be alarmed!"

He was right; the monkey was able to sense the hair change now. The road was getting just more difficult...

"I'm sorry. I asked him to do it."

"Child, why asking for such a thing?!"

"....I....i'm sorry..."

The monkey couldn't stay angry with such a hurt expression in front of him...but why do you need it? And what did you see? Holding you in his arms, he started to head back to the road.

@sun-jglim @crimsonflameproxy @everlastingmoonlightsworld

@miraclecherryblossomsblog @certifiedsimpinggalore @sleepingdramaqueen @cromboloni @masksandfeathers

@cinnamonroll-anon @justrandomlypassing @cute-angi @luckyangelballoon @dressycobra7

@naarra @virtualexpertanchor @phoenixeclipse-lmkau @szynkaaa @kirax-the-lazy-girl

@sleepydang @weaverworks @kishimiest @marcu-bug @thepoweroffiction

@riolu4 @angryvampire @s0rr3l @rootin-tootin-morgan @lightlumi

@cleverfeststarlight @anfie01 @tunadunanana @jeminiikrystal @jssy96

@ladydoe8 @universallyweaselwobblermuffin @redtailedkitsune @rovobeam

[funkyplantguy]

established relationship scarian where scar finds A Creature of some sort (dealer's choice) and starts in on the whole "Can we keep it?? 🥺🥺" routine to grian

i was originally going to go with a cat, then a baby warden (listen idk) then an ACTUAL baby...then landed on this (and giggled and kicked my feet the entire time as i wrote it). hope you enjoy :D

scar: g scar: grain scar: grian scar: light of my life scar: where are you? scar: i have gift grian: fishing dock scar: shoulda guessed scar: be there soon <3

grian stretched, quietly groaning to himself as his back (and wings) crackled in delight at the movement, tired of the endless hunching they’d endured over the past several hours. a gift from scar (especially an unexpected one) was sure to be…interesting. they’d been together long enough that scar knew what grian liked, of course…but sometimes…the “gifts” his partner would bring him would be more for scar’s own personal amusement than anything else.

not that he really minded, of course. not when that meant getting to see scar light up like a kid on christmas. scar was always so full of life - always giggling over something or other - and it just reminded grian of why he’d fallen in love with him in the first place. and honestly, that was gift enough for him.

despite all of that, he wasn’t quite expecting scar to bring him something...alive.

grian heard the chirping from the small bundle in scar’s arms before the man had even landed, and couldn’t help the inquisitive trill that forced its way out of him in response. and that, of course, set scar off - mimicking the noise with his own (very human) vocal cords (which only served to produce a melody akin to being strangled). he stared at grian with wide eyes as he touched down, and grian felt his cheeks burn under his gaze.

“g! i’ve never heard you make that noise before - that was so cute, do it again!”

“no,” grian chirped back, then pressed his hand against his mouth as scar laughed in delight. “scar - what is that?”

“it’s a baby!” scar responded, moving closer and tilting the bundle in his arms towards the avian. “look - it’s a little you!”

grian uncovered his mouth to retort - he very much doubted that scar had somehow found a baby avian wandering around hermitcraft - but another quiet chirp caught his attention, and he found himself leaning forward to peer over scar’s arms. and there, nestled in a pile of soft, brown blanket, was the ugliest baby parrot grian had ever seen in his life. and yet..and yet…

grian didn’t even realize that he was whistling until the baby returned his birdsong, eager little chirps and gurgles spilling out of its little fleshy beak. it tilted its head up at grian, blinking, and grian offered up a trembling finger into the makeshift nest. the chick nuzzled against it, purring softly, and something in grian’s heart felt like it might burst. he raised his face to his partner, and found scar’s gaze transfixed - but not on the parrot in his arms, but him. their eyes locked, and scar offered him a smile - something soft and warm, something that made grian want to kiss him more than anything in the world.

“can we keep it?” he whispered, and grian let out a short (wet) laugh.

“i…scar, where…where did you even find it? it’s so little…i can’t imagine its mama would have been far; she’s probably worried sick…do you really want to take the little guy from his mama?”

scar’s lower lip wobbled (and grian felt like he might be the worst person in the entire world for it).

“he didn’t have a mama! i sat and watched and waited for hours, gri, and nobody came for him…he was just all alone, on a branch in the jungle, and i got worried that something was going to come along and eat him! and…well…i figured you’d know how to take care of him. given that you’re…y’know.”

he gestured toward grian’s colorful wings with one hand, and grian’s feathers rippled obediently in show for his lover. from scar’s arms, the tiny bird chirped again, raising its little head and struggling to flap its wings in the same way grian had fluttered his. scar looked down to the parrot, then up to grian, eyes wide and sparkling as he jutted out his lower lip.

“see! he agrees! he wants you to be his new mama!”

(and if grian’s heart fluttered in his chest at the suggestion of being a mother, that was no one's business but his own. that was a topic to be discussed later - much later, in the warmth of each other’s arms and the shield the darkness their room offered for grian's vulnerability)

“we could name him…um…jeffrey!”

“scar - we are not naming our son jeffrey.”

“our son???!??” scar parroted back, jerking his head up from where he had dipped it to stare down at the chick in his arms. “our son??? so…we can keep him? really? you mean it?”

“yes, scar. i mean it,” grian responded, smiling softly at the hopeful peep from the newest member of their little family. “we can keep him.”

(and the way scar pulled him into a kiss, then, was the greatest gift of all)

[cicerfics]

Having A Silly Thought about this post:

I think, at some point, Q-branch becomes very absorbed in the discussion of how Evil Overlord and Evil Consort are clearly two separate genders which bear no relationship to the gender binary of masculinity vs. femininity. A cis man can certainly be an Evil Consort! A nonbinary individual or a person whose gender presentation leans more toward the femme side of things can certainly be an Evil Overlord! These things are complex and variable and must not be restricted based on the artificial confines of the gender binary!

There is much discussion on this topic (a very normal topic of conversation in Q-branch, TBH). People begin analyzing themselves to determine whether they are more on the 'Evil Overlord' side of the spectrum or more on the 'Evil Consort' side.

(Soon, a small group insists that a third gender of 'Evil Henchperson' must be created as well, and this is accordingly done. A few other 'evil' genders pop up, too, as some techs choose a different label for themselves. But most people in the department are trying to decide whether they're more of an Evil Overlord or an Evil Consort.)

Graphs and charts are created to analyze the ratio of responses and to sift for patterns in the collected data. (Again, this is a very normal extracurricular activity in Q-branch.)

Q, everyone agrees, is an Evil Overlord and not at all an Evil Consort! This is understood. (Q does not speak to this himself, because he is busy finishing the annual budget, but his minions feel confident that they have assessed him correctly.)

And at some point, 007 turns up in Q-branch and wants to know what's going on with the white board that says 'Evil Overlord' and 'Evil Consort', with tally marks underneath it.

One of the bolder interns explains the matter to him. (Half the techs are now feeling very awkward and avoiding his eyes. How frivolous they must seem to a man who puts his life on the line for England every day!)

But Bond listens very solemnly and then tells them to put a tally mark under 'Evil Consort' on his behalf, because he is UNDOUBTEDLY that type. He is confident that he would look SPLENDID in a skintight black leather outfit, lounging across his overlord's lap while a traitorous minion is brought in for punishment. He would be EXCEPTIONALLY good at climbing out of the water, gleaming and dripping, in a tiny swimsuit, while his Evil Overlord makes evil phone calls on the deck of an evil yacht. He knows EXACTLY what the duties of Evil Consort would entail, and he could perform them with APLOMB. He would bring tremendous style and panache to the role!

...This is probably the point when Q pops out from his office to see what all the ruckus is about, and why Bond is loitering in Q-branch with a bunch of rapt technicians hanging on his every word.

When Bond explains, very seriously, that he is contributing his personal data for use on this important project (he is 100% an Evil Consort, and yes, Carstairs, he WILL fill out your form and offer supplemental data for additional analysis! glad to help!) Q sputters. He tells Bond to stop being ridiculous.

Bond, very seriously, informs Q that he cannot help being so good at smirking, smoldering, and sashaying around in risque outfits. Don't hate the player, Q. Hate the game.

Q is silent for a long, exasperated moment. Then he heaves a sigh and returns to his paperwork.

Meanwhile, the minions nod at each other solemnly, and silently agree that Bond would be an excellent Consort for their beloved Overlord.

...Just another normal day in Q-branch!

[cipheramnesia]

Dr. Stevenson would have had to take Athena when she was a very young child. Maybe four years old, give or take. It could happen so many ways but it would have been so very easy for her to put just a little pressure on one or two people to have CPS take custody of the girl. This is all just a dream, and Athena's whole life after that is one neutral colored room after another with a slightly different ergonomic office chair every few years, and her only solid memory to hold on to is a reflection of light off water. Sand and water, surrounded by big trees with branches all bent heavy and green. A half open, half broken rusty gate clinging onto a couple concrete pillars long bereft of their accompanying wall. Athena would hold onto that for dear life, treasure any little sliver of color from a light blue hoodie to a cheap pair of headband bunny ears to blue and yellow rain-boots. They would have accumulated over the years of the taped on monitors, blood draws, urine samples, hair clippings, annual spinal tap.

Sometimes she'd go days without food, or her room temperature would swing from frigid to boiling, then the big orderly and the phlebotomist with Dr. Stevenson's sharp voice over them all would come in. "Be careful," she'd snap out, slapping off hands that gripped too tight, never once spoken out of love or even empathy. "Don't damage her, we don't know if we'll ever find another one." The concern only spoke of a rare and treasured object, perhaps a Cartier wind up music box. The others calmed her like an animal, "easy girl, just a moment and it's over." Sometimes when there was a new phlebotomist, Athena got a small piece of candy. She never had the same one more than a few months. She'd try to savor the hard lollipop or drop of chocolate and ignore the sound of Dr. Stevenson through the hollow doors, "This subject is on a specialized diet to ensure consistency of results, you are not to bring any such personal items-" and it went on.

Learning math and reading and writing after a fashion, information provided by Dr. Stevenson with grudging irritation, but once in awhile short and tantalizing sidepaths of the personal. "These sides are you, much like you and the light, you control both sides with the shared information. Oh, nevermind. Figure it out yourself." Athena would never know what kind of a monstrosity Dr. Stevenson was building from her blood and their studies, only the day that something went terribly wrong, and Dr. Stevenson didn't come to see her anymore. The time she'd showed the room the light and it hurt Dr. Stevenson, she still came back a few days later, but this time she left and Dr. White started taking care of her. He was much nicer, but wouldn't let her have her room in the dark, and did not think all the work Dr. Stevenson had been doing was very interesting. Sometimes he would talk about Dr. Stevenson's huge promotion with a sure bitterness. He showed up with a younger girl he called Alice.

[xbomboi]

yapping about Briar. fellow Briar enjoyers assemble.

okay okay i don’t make it too obvious (or maybe i do, i wouldn’t know) but briar is my personal favorite character. i think about where the stories of all the characters would go and what their arcs would be a lot, but hers in particular is really important to me.

so i wanna talk about it.

first of all, she’s narcoleptic coded, right. we all know that. but her mom on the other hand reads to me, like, an alcoholic mother? and her dad is just willfully ignorant. either way, there’s a huge sense of neglect going on in that family. i mean go figure why briar would be the one doing most of the work raising her brothers. and of course she’s a party girl, because who’s gonna stop her? her parents? see yeah exactly.

so i don’t think it’s unreasonable to say she doesn’t have very strong parental figures in her life, at least not at home. but, and now you have to really hear me out about this one, i think baba yaga could take up a parental role in her life.

i know it isn’t much, but the seeds for her having at least a hint of a connection with baba yaga are there.

in the webisode “Stark Raven Mad”, baba yaga scolds briar for rambling about her party, and then as the commotion picks up she’s still exercising authority over briar in particular.

then there’s thronecoming, wherein, when briar is sulking at the dance, upon noticing the picture on the projector, she asks baba yaga for answers, who provides them.

and then skipping all the way to epic winter, after the girls become a little creeped out by her mannerisms and book it, briar is the one who makes sure to peak back in and give a parting remark.

so i think there’s potential there to be explored. her feeling neglected at home and then finding solace in another adult at school would be neat.

but the fact that it’s baba yaga is important, so just put a pin in that and we’ll circle back to it.

now, i think out of the core four, she was (at least at first) the hardest to actually pin-point what the future of her story could look like. with raven, i think it’s pretty clear her journey is just continuing to combat the prejudices of the world as she fights for change, apple is now pretty much on a path to figuring out her own future as ruler of a kingdom and what that’s going to entail, and maddie is the goofball that’s there to have fun and be supportive along the way.

then there’s briar. and, let me be clear, no, in my mind that girl is not sleeping for 100 years with where things are heading; in the main universe of the story, briar will be free of the sleeping beauty destiny.

but it’s like, if she’s not gonna sleep, what more is there to actually do with her? what direction COULD her life go in? because if she’s no longer fated to sleep 100 years of her life away, then she can’t just party like there’s no tomorrow anymore. she’d need to decide what she actually wants to do with her life.

and i think i have an idea.

i mentioned her narcoleptic coding at the start with intent to bring it up again. see, you might notice that a lot of the fairytale aspects of ever after high can be read as allegories for real-world problems. for example, hunter and ashlynn’s relationship is treated in their world the same way society may look at queer couples or biracial couples. or how raven’s mom being trapped in a mirror is their world equivalent to not paying child support.

with that kind of correlation in mind, i think treating briar’s curse as a condition could open up an interesting opportunity. i think, in their world, curses as a whole could be viewed as a separate branch of medical specialization, with briar spearheading this notion of thought.

we know briar is well-versed in chemythstry already. in the webisode “Briar’s Study Party” she makes note of the fact that she’s been studying forever-after, and she demonstrates enough knowledge in the subject to enthusiastically teach it to her friends, who all end up acing their tests on it as a result.

i think this is something she could potentially make a career out of. i think she could come to the conclusion that she wants to be able to help break curses for people everywhere, and could pursue learning to develop potions and elixirs to do so.

which could happen under baba yaga’s tutelage.

picture this: briar declares her newfound goal, to which baba yaga offers to teach briar all she knows in order to achieve what she’s set her sights on. briar—with an ounce of hesitance—accepts, and baba yaga officially takes her under her wing with the intent of mastering sorcery.

obviously, she wouldn’t lose who she is in this. she’s still gonna be an impulsive, adrenaline junkie who desperately needs a screentime limit on her mirrorphone. but in this process, she’d be rounded out by baba yaga and would in turn mature a bit from the experience. she’d get serious about life, but she wouldn’t let go of who she is at heart.

this could lead to her becoming the resourceful one in the main group. like on adventures, she’d be able to pull out a potion or whip something up (because i’m not going to let raven’s magic make her too o.p. she’s gotta have limitations) as a solution to problems. she could really have a role that proves useful and important to the story.

that’s my ideal pitch for where to take briar’s character.

[grievedeeply]

dating glenn rhee headcanons

fem!reader (no pronouns used) | tws: it's the walking dead so.. gore, death and injuries are all talked about. 

notes: this is formatted a bit differently than my other dating headcanons, but i wanted to branch out a bit if that makes sense. i feel like i can go into more detail without it getting messy or making you have a headache. it’s a lot to read without any breaks in between. let me know if you like this way! this is incredibly self indulgent.. so. thank you @energeticsirens for encouraging me in my delusions <3

FIRST MEETING & HE REALIZES HE LIKES YOU

when glenn first meets you, he tries not to stare. he lets his eyes linger on you for a few moments but he doesn’t want you to notice that he’s looking at you 

you’ll become an integral part of the atlanta group. you’re skilled with your weapon of choice, you’re kind and you’re honest, you’re genuine, and that’s what draws glenn to you to easily. you’re just.. good. 

he falls first. he can’t help it. you’re frequently assigned to runs with him which annoy him a bit at the beginning. he’s just used to going into the city on his own and he felt like another person would just drag him down until you came along

you’re capable and you’re a good listener. you don’t question his decisions.. you trust him, and god, it feels good to be trusted. you easily put your life in his hands right from the very beginning

he realizes he likes you at the most mundane moment. you’re just sitting around, talking to someone at camp about whatever it might be.. but you smile and you laugh, and he feels his face heat up

and then you smile at him, waving at him from where you sat. he’s gone, really 

his heart belongs to you long before you ever realize he likes you, but it’s sooo obvious to everyone else in the group

it’s all in the way he looks at you. his eyes get so soft and he has a little grin on his lips every time he sees you 

YOU REALIZE YOU LIKE HIM

it’ll take you a little longer for you to realize that you like glenn. you’ll think he’s attractive from the moment you meet him, but it takes you awhile to even admit your feelings to yourself

you realize you like him in the middle of atlanta. you’re scavenging for supplies— the essentials like food that hasn’t gone bad or clothing that’ll protect against the elements— and glenn is looking around for anything for the kids 

"they’ll get bored with the stuff back at camp,” he says, scouring every isle through the store, “it’s hard enough for us out there. can’t you imagine what it’s like for them? they’re just kids.” he tells you, finally meeting your eyes. 

“the least i can do is find a new toy for them.” he mutters under his breath. he turns a corner and exits your line of sight.. but all you can see is him and his beautiful smile in your mind 

when you return to camp that night, glenn’s carrying an extra bag. he found it somewhere in one of the stores you passed through and filled it with anything and everything he thought the kids would like

you watch as they gather around him, eyes sparkling in curiosity. he pulls the toys out of the bag and they all hug him, knocking him to the ground in the process

he laughs, and you go weak in the knees. you knew then that what you felt for him was more than platonic.. but you didn’t care 

glenn’s heart is what draws you to him. for a man living through an apocalypse, he’s determined to keep his kindness. it’s admirable, and you can’t help but to fall for him

HOW YOU GET TOGETHER

glenn is a bit of an overthinker. he wants everything to be perfect for when he asks you out. or.. as perfect as it can be in a world like yours

realistically, none of the things he wants to do with you are possible. he can’t take you to an aquarium. he can’t bring you to a restaurant. he can’t do all of the cheesy, cliche stuff he saw in the movies before the world fell because it just isn’t possible anymore

his confession comes in the heat of the moment, after a near death experience on your end at the prison. walkers are flooding through a breach in the fence and it’s a picture that’ll be forever etched into his mind. you’re holding a walker back from your neck with your bare hands and he’s powerless to stop it. he watches from the corner of his eye as you finally dig your knife out of the holder on your belt and into it’s skull. it falls to the floor and you pull back with a huff 

he resists the urge to run to you and instead breathes out a sigh of relief that you’re still alive and standing with him. you go back to killing walkers as if nothing had happened, but his thoughts linger on how you almost died right in front of him

once the waves stop and the fence is back up, glenn goes to find you. you’re in a more secluded area of the prison, sitting with your back against the cold brick of the wall

“you mind?” glenn asks, gesturing to the empty spot on the floor between you. you shake your head and he sits next to you. you sit in silence for a little while, just enjoying each others company

“no bites?” his voice cuts through the silence. “no bites.” you repeat back to him, a breath escaping through your lips

“i thought.. you almost died, y/n.” he mutters, finally turning his head in your direction. he had been staring at the wall before but now his eyes are pouring into yours, and you don’t know what to do or say anymore. “i’m alright,” you reassure him, pulling up the sleeves on your shirt to show your skin to him. no bites, as you promised. 

“i know. but seeing that made me realize that i don’t want you in danger. ever. i care about you too much to let something like that happen again.” he tells you, voice filled with determination. “i’m sorry,” he says immediately after, “but i can’t.. i can’t.”

you furrow your eyebrows. “can’t what?” you ask, and his words cut you off from being able to continue your train of thought 

“i like you.” 

the room is silent again, and you can practically hear the beating of your own heart in your ears. glenn doesn’t break your gaze as he waits for you to say something.. anything

“fuck, glenn.” you whisper out to him, shaking your head, pulling your lip between your teeth. “i like you too.” you tell him after a pause

you can see his face light up, and he immediately wraps you in the biggest hug he can muster. his grip is tight, and his face is buried in your neck

“you have to promise me that if you need help you’ll call for me, okay?” 

“okay,” you reply.

you can feel him smile against your skin. 

FIRST KISS

he wants your first kiss together to be special. but god, he wants to kiss you so bad. he doesn’t know how much longer he can resist doing it

he just.. adores you. he looks at you and the weight of the world falls off his shoulders. he has so much he needs to protect but he sees you and it feels normal again

the two of you spend a lot of time on guard together. it’s a quiet way to get to see each other and glenn thinks it’s really special. sometimes you’ll get distracted and start talking. talking about life before the world fell, and you’ll talk about the future 

it’s in one of these moments that he kisses you. you’re talking about something, and you aren’t even looking at him. you’re looking up at the sky or at the trees, he can’t tell, but you just look so.. beautiful. your eyes are sparkling in the sunlight and your smile is so bright

he can’t hold back anymore. he lifts his hand to your cheek, and you turn to look at him. his gaze flickers back and forth between your eyes and your lips.

“can i kiss you?” he asks. you nod, blinking a few times. his voice was so soft. you never wanted to stop hearing him talk

with your words, he closes his eyes and presses his lips to yours. his lips are just as gentle as his voice is, and his touch eases you into him and makes you weak at the knees. his other hand moved to cup your other cheek, and yours fell limp at your sides. he held onto your face and kept you close..

you were made for him, he thinks. your lips fit against his so perfectly, he can’t help but to believe it. two pieces of a puzzle made whole

he pulls away, chuckling breathlessly. his eyes meet yours, and the two of you just laugh, melting away into each others arms. his forehead presses to yours, and he doesn’t ever want this moment to end

FIRST I LOVE YOU

he says it first, and it slips out without him even realizing he said it

the two of you finally have some downtime, away from the responsibilities of helping to keep your group safe. you’re sitting together, your fingers entwined as you talk about whatever might be on your mind

glenn’s paying attention, he swears he is, but he gets so lost in you that he forgets to respond sometimes. his gaze is soft and he is completely and utterly infatuated by you

you wave your hand in front of his face and pull him out of his thoughts, a soft grin on your lips. still, your eyes show concern

“you alright?” you ask after a pause, and he nods, eyes skimming across your features. he wants to memorize you. he wants to keep every single detail of you in his memory

“you sure?” you ask again, brows raised as though you don’t believe him. he nods again, moving a little closer to you. “just thinking about how much i love you.” he says through a smile, and your features soften

it takes him a moment to realize what he said, but he can’t back on it now, and he doesn’t want to. he’ll just look away from you for a few moments until your hand comes to rest on his cheek, turning his attention and his head back to you

“i love you too.” you whisper, pressing your forehead to his

he swears his heart melts in this moment. he had never felt so loved and safe in someones arms before. he lets out a relieved sigh, his arms wrapping around your waist

“good,” he chuckles, “i love you so much.” he says again. he doesn’t think he’ll ever tire of saying those words

you nuzzle into him, “i love you too, glenn.” 

he shuts his eyes. everything is perfect. 

INTIMACY

glenn adores being intimate. moments where he gets to hold you in his arms are very few and far between, so he cherishes each and every one of them

when he’s around, he’ll most likely have a hand on you. it might be wrapped around your shoulder or your waist, but it’s there. you help to ground him into reality, but he really just likes feeling you next to him

he loves to cuddle. there’s something so special about laying down next to you and scooping you up into his arms

he’ll usually be the big spoon.. but on his bad days, he just wants to be held. he loves feeling your lips on his neck and hearing your reassuring words, even if they’re muffled by his skin

he loves falling asleep next to you. sometimes, you won’t even be touching, but by the morning your legs are tangled together and your head is buried in his chest

he’s really big on kissing, too. he just adores the feeling of your lips against his and he never wants to stop once he starts. your lips are so soft and so sweet, he’ll melt into your arms as soon as you start kissing him

kissing him out of the blue will always get him flustered. you’ll come up to him and kiss him for a few seconds and walk away, going back to whatever you were doing before. he’ll just watch as you leave, slack jawed and blushing 

it isn’t just physical intimacy that you two share, though. you’re both very open about your emotions. you’re transparent about your feelings and deepest fears, helping each other to get through anything and everything

he’ll talk about losing you. ever since he met you, it’s his biggest worry. the world is cruel and unforgiving, and one misstep could result in you getting hurt or killed. he can’t handle thinking about it, but you reassure him

you may not have all the time in the world, but dwelling on it now when everything is okay won’t do anything but make yourself miserable

you’ll take his hand in your own and rest your head on his shoulder, whispering soft ‘i love yous’ over the breeze  

LOVE LANGUAGES

glenn doesn’t restrict himself to just one love language.. so he’ll indulge in every single one of them to cater to the moment or how he’s feeling

first, acts of service. he’ll find himself doing anything and everything he can to make your life easier. if he has time, he’ll help you with whatever task you might be working on. he’ll make you breakfast every day so you don’t have to cook. he’ll do your laundry when you’re feeling down. little things that— in his eyes— make all the difference

gift giving. he loves to give you gifts. he’ll find all sorts of different things while he’s out on a run, and sometimes they just happen to remind him of you. it could be a toy of your favorite animal, a book you mentioned liking, a poster of something you enjoy.. anything. he will shower you in these gifts when he can. he just feels like you deserve it

quality time is big for glenn. he loves being around you. he’ll just sit in silence with you if that’s what you want to do. as long as he gets to be in your company for awhile, that’s all that matters to him. there’s something so special about sitting next to you and relishing in each others just.. being there. it helps him remember that you’re real, and you’re his

words of affirmation is a frequent one for him. he says he loves you over and over again. he sees you often, but he won’t let you walk away without hearing him say it to you. he compliments you, your skills, your beauty and your kindness, all the time. he’ll also just tell you how much he appreciates you and how much he values you being around, even if you aren’t actively talking

psychical touch! glenn loves holding you, as mentioned before. the feeling of you next to him is so grounding. the world may be horrible now, but he has you, and that’s what having you in his arms makes him remember. he loves holding your hand, kissing you, any sort of thing that lets him hold you tight

MISCELLANEOUS

he’s just.. the sweetest person in the world. he would lay down and die for you if he had to, and he truly believes he got lucky with you

he loves with everything in him. he loves with his heart, his soul, his mind, everything. he will absorb you and enjoy you as much as you will let him. he will never tire of you

he is so great at comforting you. if you’re feeling upset or stressed out, glenn’s by your side. his arm wraps around your shoulders and he’ll let you talk about it. if you don’t feel like it, he’ll tell you how much he loves you and all of the things he adores about you

he has the most soothing presence. just him being next to you is enough to calm you down, make you happy, anything. his voice is soooo.. so soft too

he’ll whisper sweet things in your ear throughout the day and as he gets more confident in himself in terms of your relationship, he’ll do a bit of teasing in front of the others. he’ll kiss you in front of the group, he’ll wrap his arms around you and hug you from behind.. all of it flusters you, and he lives for it 

he loves to look at you. he gets lost in your eyes so easily and he’ll find himself staring at you a lot

he’s the bravest person you’ve ever known. he’ll stand in front of you and protect you no matter what the situation might be 

he’s just.. so sweet. the best boyfriend you could ever ask for. loving, caring, gentle and so incredibly beautiful inside and out

he has the purest heart and intentions and it shows in everything he does 

it shows in how he loves :) 

[fictionalslvr]

SYNOPSIS: The eerie figure of a berserker scares you out, but for him, is the opposite. He can only think about you with a single exchange of glances.

PAIRING: Yandere¡Berserker¡König x F¡Reader

WORD COUNT: 2.608k

WARNINGS: Mentions of cannibalism (methopore of it), obsessive thoughts, mentions of death, description of dead bodys and dead animals ect.

NOTES: I finally got something for the dream i had about Viking¡König. Just to clarify:A berserker is those ones vikings who fight and duel. This is probably only the start of this character, since there's a lot more things to explore about him. This probably isn't canon or a real representation of vikings/berserkers, keep that in mind please. (König is finally out of my basement again!)

Drapetomania: (n) an overwhelming urge to ran away.

In a land where the cold is enough to twist your guts and relocate them, you need to have extra care. The cold is not merciful, not with anyone. You could die from hunger firstly, and secondly, from the shivering cold in your limbs, it seems like everything here worked against the humans, to purge them out of the ground mother nature raised. The dangers are so much that only a few people live nearby the forest, it's almost unbearable and no one wants the danger in their doors, no. And by a few people, you only know one, yourself. Of course that, you didn't had another choice, if you did, you would never live where the sun doesn't reach properly, where the cold enters through your windows and shush the candles off, where animals lurk outside your humble home, ready to make you part of they visceral circle of life that they call “natural”. In fact, you could hear everything when the moon is up on the sky, the way some animals grunt and whine in pain, you could hear the fights and the smell of blood wouldn't be unnoticed by your nostrils on the other day, you were getting used to that mix of sensations yet, and you think you won't ever do, things are just too cruel around you to get used, you can just…blind yourself for those things and pretend it's not happening, or else, you could easily turn part of their food as well. Just as the poor rabbit's body lay tainted red in the snow, his eyes now white as he doesn’t move an inch, what a miserable life he must have had, but for now, he’s a good (and only) choice of food for you. It's better to just focus on your own security, praying for any god around to keep you safe as pairs of red eyes prey into your windows in the dark. The sounds are scary, you can't name all of them, the forest can embrace them sometimes. But others, you know, like the cold air that can make the trees swing, their branches slapping against each other making a harsh sound as footsteps move on the snow, you couldn't keep your eyelids closed, they were heavy, but the calm state of sleep won't come if you're scared. Nights like this are usual on this land, and you didn’t had the luck to live in the city as the people with more money did.

Speaking of which, as a person that is not contemplated by god, you didn’t have any skills on hunting as well, you’re way too weak even to fight the small bunnies, or maybe, you just didn’t have the courage to kill such innocent living beings. The only thing that kept you alive, was working for the city citizens as a cleaner, doing the work their glorious hands couldn’t do to gain a pitiful amount of coins that didn’t even guaranteed you enough food for the month, only to maintain you working for those lazy people that are too worried about their own noses to have pity on a poor human that lives close to the dense forest. With your worn fabric cloak, you needed to face the temperature to bring some food at home, the tiny bag of coins in your pocket and a wooden basket, you headed into the trail in the way of the city.

You knew the path as the back of your hands, making sure you wouldn’t get lost to suffer and get dead into the woods due to the freezing cold that the cloak couldn’t protect you forever for. In fact, it wasn’t that long and in a short time, your eyes faced the big brick walls around the town, the sounds of the chipping birds and your footsteps being replaced by chit chats and laughters, kids crying over something, and the horses trots. As you walked in, the atmosphere was a tad hotter, perhaps all for the big quantity of people together, their warm bodies would ease the temperature in this more private space, not to mention the big houses and their chimneys blowing hot smoke into the air. That makes you feel less worried, since the cold is the principal worry for you. Walking into the crowd, you already knew which fair stall to go, one with an old man that sells a good variety of meat, even though you didn’t even dreamt on the taste of the more expensive pieces, but for sure, the texture and their looks were a lot better than the ones you buy it, obviously because they’re not made for deplorable ones as you. The ones you bought were a plenty of almost rotten meat, the pieces that were almost going into the trash, and you wouldn’t doubt if they could be no good for your stomach. But you can’t complain, it’s the only thing available, the rest would be only to make you drool over it while your stomach rumbles for some good real food instead of the shitty ones you’d eat due to your financial problems.

When you got in front of the tent, the same man with the bitter expression would ‘greet’ you — That means he would only look deeply into your eyes, already judging you by your looks every time you were there, making that slightly disgusted expression scrunch his nose to you. The butcher was a hypocrite, after all, he’s the one covered in animal blood, he’s the one getting hands dirty, not you. So, you were in that criterion, more hygienic than him, and you bet on any other ones too.

The judgmental pair of hollow eyes suddenly turn behind you, the corners of his mouth turning upwards into a smile you’re seeing for the first time. A high pitched voice rings from behind, and you turn into your heels to understand why the crowd is getting closer into a specific place as the man announces.

—”Rejoy, everyone! Our heroes are back, the ones that are always protecting our town from afar, our berserkers!”

Berserkers? You heard about them. A scary group of big bulky men, that would protect the city on the orders of the king, keeping everyone there safe as they trail around with their big ships, that somehow made a deal with the old king to keep everyone safe and not rob everyone. Despite not living in the city, you would still be skeptical about those men around, that at any possible moment could turn sides and attack everyone, decimating the whole town with their bare hands. As your hood falls down, the hidden sun now hits you in the face, giving you some better light to see how they truly were, and if the tales of them being nerve-racking were real. They were, in fact, more tall than average, more stronger with their pairs of muscles and eerie aura, but one specific of them, were responsible for making you petrified. He was the taller of them, the most larger on side and length, but alongside with that, he used a threadbare mask over his face, that looked more like a shirt with badly cutted holes for the eyes that kept him the only one anonymous. To worse things even more, that strange man was behind all of them, just watching as his partners were happy with the citizens, he was on the back, a bear skin from the top of his masked head to his ankles, the biggest of them, protecting him efficiently from the cold they must had challenged as he locked eyes with you.

The heavy blue eyes faced yours. You must be hallucinating in the worst way possible, he’s sure going to come over and break you into two pieces with those big hands. You saw his eyes squinting together, that creepy man must be laughing underneath his mask, laughing at how visibly uncomfortable you got with a single eye contact. As the others berserkers joined the crowd, laughing and telling the stories from the sea and their adventures, that specific one didn’t. He actually started to come to your way, and you were sure you’re going to be killed at daylight and no one would care, they could even celebrate with the man, show your dead body to everyone as a prize, you would have the same fate as the tiny rabbit, and indeed, you were tiny in comparison with him. This might be wrong, but you saw the berserk as the definition of barbarian, men that only wanted to watch blood drop and act like not a thoughtful human.

You decided to disguise the fear creeping from the bottom of your spine, turning on your heels back to face the butcher, pretending that that tower of a man isn’t coming in your direction, maybe you’re just going crazy or he’s playing tricks with your mind that is so easy to put fears into. Your hands fumbled on your pockets, taking the bag of coins messily and letting it fall on the way, mumbling some curses for yourself as you bent down to collect the coins before someone could steal months of hard work and make you stay with no food available. Hopefully, the creepy man would lose you into the crowd and forget about you as you walked like a rat in between people. As your hands groped the gold circles on the floor, you counted them mentally as you kept messing up your own actions due to that strange man frightening you for no apparent reason. When you made sure you had all of them, you lifted your body quickly, before stumbling over something stiff, already whispering apologies because town people are not so receptive to mistakes. There was him when you opened your eyes, that giant man hovering over you and closer than you expected, making you gasp audibly. Your chest hit his pectoral, those blue eyes smudged by his dilated pupils as he kept breathing heavily, you felt like facing an hungry animal, his orbs not leaving your figure for a single moment during that awkward silence that remained, until he finally did something. He searched for something under his cloak, taking out a bag full of something that tinkled on it, a big mouthful bag that he handed to the butcher as if it meant nothing.

—”Let the lady buy what she wants.” His voice wasn't as deep or tough as you imagined. In fact, he had a nasal one that made him look less scary now, and yet, he had a strong accent and his tone was a tad rude, or you thought it was.

The butcher took the bag with no hesitation, his eyes glistening with joy as he cherished the berserker.

—”Oh, yes, yes! Go ahead, madam.” You’re sure this man never was that kind towards you as now, he was even smiling. As you thought, the town is moved by money, and if you were the dirty one, they were the pigs rolling up on the mud, humiliating themselves for something temporary.

It was your turn to let your eyes shine, the big masked man beside you watching as your lips trembled for an answer. The first thing you could say was:

—”I can’t accept this, sir.” You tried your best to keep your voice gentle, still scared for your life. His dense eyes followed yours, he saw how much you wanted that, but was being polite.

—”Take it. It won’t make any difference for me.”

His tone was severe, he wouldn’t listen to any of your complaints. And honestly, it was kinda cute how you hesitated to take his money so easily, König was actually enchanted by how humble you were, your appearance and kind soul slowly creeping into his heart. On the other side, his weird accent and harsh tone was scaring you, not a single thing about him was enchanting like a prince (he was not even close to that), the man covered in blood was trying to bargain you with his money, show you how much he could provide, only to buff up his chest and be a man with high ego like he is, showing himself off to a mysterious pretty lady that probably has half his age. He assumes that, sometimes, he can be a very weird old man, and this must be what got your legs shaking that much.

The visions were distinct from each other. Your poor thing was looking at him like a deer at the headlights, and he was already planning to lift you up, put you on his broad shoulders and carry you out of there like a prize he took without asking before. König would gladly treat you like his, but he still has a little bit of humanity on his mind, and won’t do that…yet. Of course that killing everything alive was munching his brain, slowly turning the carnage he did into something normal, after all, he was “doing for the city's honor” and that would make him a hero anyways, so there's nothing to lose. He was already addicted to that feeling, the dopamine that would fill his mind as a kid yet after killing the most insignificant things like an unlucky little bird he managed to trap and end with his life so easily in his hands, grown into something more. Slowly, that kid with prominent plump and red tinted cheeks transformed into that monster of a man, the one his mother really was scared he could turn into. But that is something of the past, right now, his mean mind could only think of you, the thought of ruining that innocence that still sparkled in your eyes was a delight for his soul. And he would take that in any circumstances, no matter what he will need to do, the atrocities he can commit for you, the bondages limits he would cross to see your cute face, he cannot feel guilty for anything he will do next, everything will be due to you and your abnormal gorgeous features. König is a very, very bad man for doing that and putting the fault on you, that’s for sure.

—”Aren’t you going to choose, madam?” The voice of the butcher takes you two out of the trance, long minutes staring at each other in silence abruptly ended, the sting of fear is visible in your big eyes, but the masked man eyes just squint as if he’s smiling devilishly.

The variety of meat in front of you is mainly unknown, and you don’t even know what they taste like. But little did you know, that you could be the meat of the big man beside you. Eating you in a literal meaning seems weird, but he would love to feed himself on that purity only you have. Luckily, you would not give him any trouble, and let him use your body to fed up himself, that crimson blood dripping into the floor as he slowly sinks his teeths into your flesh, the last vision of your tired of fighting body would be his lower half in the dark, still barely covered as his hands run through you a last time before your heavy eyelids flutter for never more. He would love to have that vision, your soul vanishing into his bare eyes, due to his hands, there’s nothing else that excites him so much as that. And that, by only exchanging a few words with you. Your fate is already crossed into his calloused and dirty hands, you're going to be his in any way.

[the-east-art]

Oh, wait I think I misread the post. My apologizes, I thought that was in reference to those two clothing shop drama. Though I am willing to hear out the other indie clothing shops that you keep a eye on.

Alright! Easts' big post about indie clothing brands I like!

Worth noting that while I’ve been keeping my eye on a lot of these brands for a while now, there is a possibility there is some kind of discourse around them that I missed - if so please let me know so that I can look into it myself!

Mayakern!

I like Mayakern a lot because they cater a lot to plus size bodies! They have plus size models and Mayakern themselves is plus sized! Recently they’ve been expanding beyond skirts to things like dresses and shirts. This makes me very excited because not only are these shirts cute as heck, but some of them are even more standard/essential shirts but are made with bigger body types in mind. So often fat people have to just settle for good enough,but its clear that Mayakern makes her stuff so that anyone wearing it can be confident! There’s also ton of customer pics you can see to tell how clothing lays on various body types. 

(Rest Under The Cut)

Umvvelt

Umvvelt focuses on fish/ocean themes and I absolutely love how creative they get - they’ve done a bunch of different fish lines focused on rays to jellyfish to sharks. I particularly adore their pinafores - I own three of them and they’re very comfortable AND have pockets. 

Carmico

A classic - I think the brand that got me really invested in indie clothing brands? Carmico does themed drops a couple times a year where they design a myriad of clothing pieces that all have a similar vibe/theme. I think they do a good job at getting creative while still having the clothing be something I would wear! From button-ups to sweatpants to jackets Carmico has the variety and the style. A lot of their clothing gives the vibe of something you would draw on a character and wish existed in real life - except now it does exist in real life! 

Morningwitch 

Another classic, if you haven’t checked them out by now PLEASE do. Morningwitch has SUCH as eye for design and patterns and color. Chiefly known for their creative button up tops (of which I own several) they also have expanded quite a bit recently. Their skirts are probably my favorite style of all the skirts on this list because they have a thicker band. They also do some relief print shirts, the CUTEST jackets (if you’ve seen pics of brownies pomegranate jacket this is where they got it) and on their twitter they have a lot more fun stuff brewing. Much like Mayakern they’re starting to branch out beyond their ‘standard’ (the button up tees) into new avenues and I personally look forward to what that brings! 

Knockthrice

This indie store blends concepts and casual wear together into something extraordinary. From their knight cardigans, to their ‘tea’-shirts, to their themed over-the-garden wall collections they have some of the most beautiful pieces you may ever see. Knockthrice does a great job at blending ideas into clothing in a creative way so make it something that I would wear in daily life. Their shirts are a good, durable, thick material - although maybe a little warm for the summer. A lot of their stuff gives me fall vibes, and as someone who loves fall the most out of all season - I eat it up! 

Envygreen Manor

More of a newcomer on the scene as far as I am aware, envygreen manor also does themed drops once or twice a year. However, their clothing it usually more of a mix between casual tees and more formal elements - their vests or poet shirts come to mind. I instantly fell in love with them when I saw their mock-neck designs and felt like they somehow knew me and exactly the kind of shirt I would want from them. 

Vetiverfox Apparel/Witch Vamp

Putting these two together because they kind of occupy the came part of my brain! They’re both skirt focused brands much like Mayakern. Vetiverfox typically has more intricate designs or patterns, while Witch Vamp usually has bolder themes - not that thats a hard rule or anything! I own I believe a skirt from each of them (soon to be two from vetiverfox!) and highly recommend at least taking a peak and seeing if anything catches your eye from either brand! 

Mothsprout

Mothsprout only has a few clothing options, but I absolutely HAVE to mention them. Mothsprout has two muscle tank designs that I literally wear like once a week - I’ve actually considered getting a second of the wolf design just so I can wear it more often. Their designs vary from intricate to fun, and honestly I would never pass up a chance to wear their beautiful art as clothing. 

Other indies I keep an eye on but don't have a lot to say about:

Motel777

Bison Wares

Snowlattes

Fiveboos

JeanaDraws

Howl Out

Bandaid Brigade

and if you have any other indie clothing brands you want added to the list lmk!

[zoandreez]

hiding in plain sight . (prologue)

pairing: ao'nung x omaticayan!reader

summary: your mother worked alongside miles quartitch in the sky people battle. as a dreamwalker, similar to grace, she got pregnant (occurrence unknown.) after miles' death, the sky people retreated. you grew up alone on pandora, afraid of what was outside of your make-shift sanctuary, until one day you go hunting and bump into some of the sullys.

word count: 1.3k

warnings: like 2 seconds of angst

as you frantically scrambled around your hut of trees and leaves, a ripped (and mostly fluff-less) pillow, and organization of old blankets you found from the abandoned pods, the day you had been dreading for a few weeks had finally came.

you were out of food.

of course, for any na'vi this is no big deal, all they have to do is go hunting. however, in your case it isn't exactly that easy. the other omaticayan do not know you exist. your mother, jasmine brooks, worked for miles quartitch, who (you quickly learned) wasn't the best person to know on pandora. during the sky people war, your mother as a dream walker was concieved. although the answers to how are still unknown, you were born with five fingers, five toes, and eyebrows, resembling human features more than na'vi. the sky people had no time to react, and with no clue how to deal with you, abandoned you.

luckily, you were just about 3 years old when they abandoned you and understood the basics of life-- walking, peeling fruits and such. you had to train yourself to hunt, to make your own loincloths, and other necessities. you never went hunting much, in fear you would be discovered. so, once every three months, you would wait until night to hunt until the sun rose, to have enough food for the next few months.

the last cycle was five months ago, thank eywa for that. however, you knew you were too lucky, as your next hunting spree would need to begin today. in the morning. you had no food for the rest of the day, and you didn't want to hold out, you were skinny and rationed enough. you grabbed your bow and your arrows and carefully snuck out of your hut, beginning your day-long hunt.

about an hour has passed, and it seemed to be going great so far. you had quite a bit of spartan and yovo fruits to get you through for a week, and you decided you'd get your months worth stash next week. on your way back, you had begun to dig into a yovo fruit, one of the smaller ones, when suddenly you heard murmurs.

"tuk, keep up!" you heard a boy shout.

your ears tilted up as you turned your head in the direction of the noise. you said nothing as you backed away, afraid running would bring too much attention your way.

"bro, why'd you bring her anyway?" you heard another boy say, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

something about the scene, instead of scaring you, enticed you. you inched closer to the voices, finally stopping behind a tree. you peeked between two branches like a window as you stared at the 4. it was a na'vi boy, braids pulled back into a ponytail, leading the group. quickly following behind was a na'vi girl, younger than the rest, swaying her tail as she leapt across the log following him. a taller girl, strolled behind casually, as the human boy caught your attention, with a breathing mask on.

"she's such a crybaby." the na'vi boy huffed, and the steps on the grass you once heard stopped. "she's all, 'i'm telling! you're not supposed to go to the battlefield. i'll tell mom if you don't let me come.'"

the youngest one, most likely who tuk is, stuck her tongue out at the na'vi boy. you smiled at her remark. the older girl blurted out a quick "don't pick at her," looking at him with disapproval.

they continued on their path, and you quickly ran to drop your fruit off and follow them. it looked like they were heading to the pods, and miles' old suit. you passed by thousands of times, breathing in your mothers old mask or sitting in her pod (unfortunately someone seven, eight feet tall cant lay in a five foot pod.) you followed the familiar path as the four began to speak again.

"come on," na'vi boy spoke again. as he climbed up to the crashed ships, the three of the other companions followed.

"oh, sick." the human boy called. you began to walk further out, uninterested in the chance of "any dead bodies up there," that tuk claims to want to see. you followed the older na'vi girl, as she walked further into the nature. she brushed her fingertips against the branches and lifted her arms to twirl with the leaves, before eventually laying down in the grass. you stepped closer to her, before freezing. you saw the many atokirina that flew ahead of you, and calmly circled themselves onto the girl.

you stared in awe as she lay asleep, the spirit seeds of eywa sitting on her, before they buzzed away. it was like she just got blessed? you had no clue what happened, and reached out to one of the atokirina to graze it-

"hey!" your head whipped up to the human boy. you quickly took off, brushing past him. "what were you doing? get back here!" he shouted, dashing after you before he shouted.

"lo'ak! tackle that girl, i think she hurt kiri!" you looked around, for any signs of lo'ak, the now name-assigned na'vi boy. after not seeing him, you took off for safety before you were pinned down by lo'ak.

"who are you?" he blurted out.

"get off me!" you protested, twisting and turning as you reached for your knife.

he quickly stopped you, but froze when he grabbed your hand. slowly, he put his hand up to yours. it took you a minute to realize what he was doing, until you looked. your hands matched up perfectly, but that isn't supposed to happen unless..

"are you a dreamwalker?" you both asked, and looked at each other in shock. "what do you mean are you a dreamwalker? stop copying me. why are you saying everything i say? stop it!"

the human boy interjected. "wait, what are you guys talking about, 'dreamwalker?'"

"she has five fingers."

the boy turned to look at you, before walking up and looking at her hands. "so, what- do we take her to dad?" "no way, he'll kill us if he knew we came this far."

"he'll kill us if we don't tell him the sky people are back."

you watched the two argue for a moment, before lo'ak finally sighed and gave in. he looked back at you. "sorry dreamwalker, gotta turn you in to big boss." he said before tapping his neck, as you caught sight of the little mic he had.

"but i'm not a dreamwalker."

the boys both froze and looked at you. "so, what are you?" the human boy said.

"well, my mother was. i'm just.. a freak." you said, wiggling your pinky.

lo'ak hesitated for a bit, looking at you. he had no clue whether to believe you or not. he grew up thinking he was a freak for his fifth finger, his eyebrows, his demon blood. now, this girl that laid before him could be like him. or, she could be what he's sworn to not. a sky person. a demon. he pressed his mic.

"devil dog, devil dog this is eagle eye, over." he spoke.

after a moment, they heard static and then a male voice spoke. "eagle eye, send your traffic." the male said. you stared off into the distance.

"we found this girl, she looks like an avatar, but she says shes not a dreamwalker. she has five fingers though, and we've never seen her before." you had begun to wriggle under his grasp, not wanting to be caught. "let me go!" you protested.

"where are you?" the male on the other line said. lo'ak looked at the now returned human boy, with kiri, and hesitated before answering. kiri mouthed a snarky remark to lo'ak that you couldn't hear, but it made lo'ak wince.

"oh. we're.. we're um.. attheoldshack." he said quickly.

"who's we? who's with you?"

"me, kiri, spider... tuk."

you heard a faint gasp in the speaker on his neck, and looked over at tuk as she said to kiri, "is dad coming for us?"

"dad's coming for lo'ak's ass, definitely." lo'ak hit kiri on the shoulder, as he continued to lean on you with his knee on your back, one hand pinning your wrists together.

this just acts as a prologue for a series i have coming, i figured i should get practice writing in!

[silverskye13]

Being the universe's smartest super computer still made for a derpy, non-functional person. It was really easy for people to get caught up in the Cool Sci-Fi Shenanigans of cyborgs and robots and forget how awesome and powerful organic, sentient life was.

For example: Xisuma has a perfect memory. If someone gave him a date and a time, he could scan back through his memory logs, replay recorded data and footage, and tell you the exact recipe he used for those vegan cookies that one time six years ago. He knows the ambient temperature of a froglight that's been submerged underwater for six hours, three minutes and twenty-nine seconds. He can rewind a recorded memory, pause the time lapse, and watch in slow motion as Grian breaks a stone block at spawn with his bare hands because he was bored during their intro-season speech.

However, recorded data takes up a massive amount of memory on a standard hard drive when you record everything you see as a passive function, and all of it has to be purged by hand, regularly, just so Xisuma can maintain the memory needed for daily functions. He's tried writing algorithms to do it for him, but even the best pattern recognition software can't account for his momentary preferences. What differentiates his favorite sunrise from any other? If he were human, he could program some kind of learning software using data from tables tied to the output of different brain chemicals and electrical pulses that most frequently line up with a formative memory -- but if he were human he wouldn't be making a program like that in the first place, now would he?

It's one of those long, long days of trawling through recorded data. It would be shorter if he would just parse through the most recent memories, but he likes keeping long-term memory storage at exactly thirty percent of his total data storage, and he's been resting at thirty-four percent for the past month. Putting off the inevitable. It's just, there's been a lot of stuff to remember the past few weeks, and it's hard to choose what to get rid of sometimes. He's started deep-diving through old data, walking down memory lane. He has to be careful, some of this data is important, tied intricately with the complex spider algorithm that forms his memory data access system.

Click! Click! Click!

"What are you thinking, X?"

The screen that makes up the lion's share of X's face organizes itself into a smile, lights flickering on in the nanoseconds it takes him to process the memory he's watching and attribute happiness to it. Yes, this is a good one.

The playback jolts as he looks down at Tango. Not pictured is a redstone project they are picking away at. Xisuma knows this because this particular memory has a transcript, full of branching tags and keywords that pull up a wealth of information alongside it.

That's another thing about memory that organic life never appreciates. Memory isn't just the memory itself. It's a web of associations built on prior, learned knowledge. A tree isn't just a tree. It's color and texture and symbol and "when was the first time I drew a tree?" and "apples" and "saplings" and a thousand other tiny associations they just arbitrarily have. Xisuma has to synthesize that web. A memory doesn't exist in a vacuum. Unlike the organic mind, however, Xisuma can pull up as much accurate information as he has the processing power for. This memory brings him two more closely associated recordings, associated memories he's kept for context, the transcripts of six more deleted memories, the definition of redstone, a playback of isolated sound he deemed important.

The playback continues.

Click! Click! Click!

"What are you thinking, X?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Tango, I didn't know you'd walked up! I was doing research."

"Yeah? What kind?"

"Oh well, you know the new update. Redstone's always a little finicky after."

"Right, yeah, totally. I've been putting mine off, honestly. I don't feel like fixing broken stuff right now -- oh but, I guess you can't wait, huh?"

Xisuma parses through the data brought up with the memory. He knows the date this was recorded, the recent change to redstone mechanics brought on by the server update. He'd had three farms break. There was a linked document to a transcript of Doc's rant on redstone as it relates to radiation. There was a script note document typed the day after this recording was created: Clicking Good. There was a preliminary version of what he'd nicknamed "The Tick Script.Exe".

"Yeah, I've got a lot of bugs to fix."

"Are you going to get rid of the clicking?"

"Clicking?"

The clicking was an ambient noise made when Xisuma's system was a bit bulkier, his algorithms and scripts that handled memory and data access crude and unperfected. It caused a disc in a driver somewhere to click when he did searches. At the time, the clicking had been the closest thing to an annoying habit Xisuma could manage.

Computers don't have habits. Habits are repetitive motions that become subliminal, that take effort to break, and are oftentimes formed subconsciously. Xisuma doesn't have a discernable difference between conscious thought and subconscious. He has background processes, he has backburnered data, and he has executive commands.

Xisuma queries the memory, pulling up related tags and searches, letting the algorithm reach. This memory had been the start of a, for lack of a better term, humanification process for him. There was his observation table on organic ticks, habits, and movements. It had taken a lot of uncomfortable staring, but back then, staring was all he'd known how to do. One of the first entries on the table was blinking. Organic things blinked, clearing away dust and debris from lenses and membranes. Xisuma didn't have eyes, didn't blink. But the screen that managed his facial expression animations could be programmed to blink.

Xisuma queries blinking. He pulls up a transcript of an interaction with Stressmonster, where she mentioned he blinked every thirty seconds. She knew this because when she first noticed him blinking, she'd noticed it's regularity. That was when Xisuma learned that, to convincingly blink, time variation was necessary.

Coding randomization into redstone circuitry had always been difficult.

Xisuma returns to the Tango memory recording, replays the question about the clicking, the unintentional habit. Xisuma still clicked when he thought. The others probably still thought it had to do with bulky drivers. In reality, it had been a test in trial and error.

How many clicks was acceptable for a thinking pattern? The three dot ellipses was common in writing, and a two dot pattern was too reminiscent of a heartbeat. When he'd temporarily switched to a four dot pattern, he'd noticed people getting impatient, or worrying if his mechanics were stalling. (Stalling and slow loading does sometimes happen, but it manifests in freezes and long pauses, not in repeating clicks). He invented a three click pattern, tested a variety of click sounds, settled on something similar to a rotary phone click when a number is dialed. It was a good sound. Heavy and sharp. It sounded like something falling into place with intention. Click! Click! Click!

Xisuma doesn't actually need a sound to think. But it's a clever replacement for harder to code things, like remembering to two a surface or fidget.

Click! Click! Click!

Shifting weight had been a harder thing to code. Standing stationary, legs an equal width apart, was the most steady way to stand. It also made him look like a statue, made his unblinking stares eerie and uncomfortable. Organic things read it as unnatural, borderline on predatory. Large predators often froze and stared right before pouncing.

Looking back through old memories, Xisuma could tell if they were from before or after his algorithmic programming because of how still they were. Made for clearer visuals, and he knows in high-stress situations that focus on accuracy, he can cycle them off, but they're comfortable for people to watch.

Xisuma rocks back on his heels away from the screen he's watching. If someone else were in the room, it would be a sign of thoughtfulness. For him, it's the execution from a random table of acceptable fidgets while standing still. He should turn it off. He's alone right now. But sometimes the movements still catch him off-guard and the longer they run, the more he gets used to them.

Xisuma queries: rocking on heals

He gets a handful of save recording bits. Doc rocks onto his back legs and stretches his forelegs. Gem rocks back and forth on the balls of her feet, her arms crossed behind her back, mischievous and excited. Scar rocks back on his heels and crosses his arms, thoughtfully examining some terraforming. Xisuma isolates the last recording and mimics it, feeling how the weight of his crossed arms counterbalances the lean back.

Xisuma queries his habits table and adds the motion to the list.

He never quite figured out how to program what to do with his hands. They spent a lot of time at his sides, or in pockets. Objectively he knew that was bad. Hiding the hands was often a sign of hiding something, and he liked being transparent.

Xisuma queries: Hands

Xisuma blinks at the long list of results.

Xisuma queries: Hands behind back

He gets several animations of Gem, Grian, and Scar, all with some variation of hands behind their backs and mischievous grins. Most of them are snippets made for studying purposes. Two are attached to longer videos, catalogued memories he's kept. His query returns almost four hundred memory transcripts.

Xisuma likes making transcripts. He feels it's similar to the hazy, distant memories people have when time and distance transform them. When someone else remembers something falteringly, he remembers the way he described it to himself. The older transcripts were rougher. He's gotten better at writing them over the years. His learning and pattern recognition softwares are still pretty good, even if they aren't perfect enough to manage the full range of expression on their own.

Xisuma queries: Do my friends know how hard it is to look organic?

This returns no direct results. He receives a directory of the people he's flagged as "friends" over the years, an article on the recent organics additions to the world in the latest update, and a handful of unrelated memory documents where he'd asked this question before and similarly pulled up no response.

Xisuma queries: Do I care?

This pulls up more entries. Xisuma glances across them and clears them.

Xisuma queries: Do I care today?

This pulls up only slightly fewer entries. He smiles. Asking subjective questions to a computer never gleans intended results. Computers aren't subjective. Or, well, they're not supposed to be. Of course, if he were merely a computer, he wouldn't be doing this, would he? If he were merely a computer, he would be sitting on a shelf, or a desk, running prewritten programs and searches for someone else, letting someone else build his code, rules by the guidances and intentions of someone who ultimately viewed him as a tool, if nothing else.

Xisuma queries: Who's flying this thing, if not me?

He pulls up a list of song lyrics and chords, a clip from a movie he'd watched once, an IMDB rating off some database somewhere.

Xisuma clears the data. He pulls up the last memory he was watching, rocks back on his heels and crosses his arms thoughtfully. He presses play.

Click! Click! Click!

"Are you going to get rid of the clicking?"

"Clicking? Oh, I guess I am clicking, aren't I? It's just an inefficiency. I'll fix it at some point, I guess."

Tango smirked at him. One of his hands plucked at his sleeve. Xisuma clips the motion, tags it with hands, nervous, thoughtful, fidget.

"You sure it needs fixed? I kinda like it."

Click! Click! Click!

[watchmegetobsessed]

TRADITIONS

A/N: it was definitely time to bring our fav duo back and they are making a comeback with a very emotional little scene! special thanks to @harrysblackcoat for always brainstorming with me when it comes to this universe!

WORD COUNT: 1.6k

SUMMARY: Your family is expanding, but Harry fears Nan won't approve it.

MORE FROM THE NAN&HARRY UNIVERSE

“H? Harry? Babe?” you call out to Harry several times before he gives sign of even hearing you.

“Huh?” he hums, eyes glued to the road ahead of him.

“Your fingers will fall off,” you say with a soft smile.

“What?” His eyebrows knit together as he glances down at his hands and realize what you were talking about. His knuckles are turning white from how tight he is gripping the stirring wheel. He loosens his hold, but you can tell he is spiraling in his head. “Sorry, what were you saying?” he clears his throat.

“Babe, why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” you chuckle, placing a gentle hand to his thigh and his hand instantly moves to grab yours and lace your fingers together.

“I’m just… nervous.”

“For what exactly?”

“I’m scared what she’ll think. I don’t… I don’t want to disappoint her with our decision, you know?” He glances at you shortly and you catch the doubt in his eyes and you wish you could just take it all away so he could finally relax.

“You should know by now you could never disappoint her, she loves you like you’re her grandson.”

“That doesn’t matter, you can still disappoint a family member.”

“Why do you think she’ll get mad?”

“Because we are messing up the order of things.”

“There’s no order.”

He gives you a look that says ‘Stop gaslighting me, it’s not the right time’ and you give up with a sigh.

“To our generation there might be no right order, but what if she’s a lot more old-fashioned?”

“It’s gonna be fine, I promise,” is all you can say. You know whatever you’d bring up he would have a hard time believing you so he won’t relax until he hears it from Nan.

He pulls up to her house and when you get out of the car he grabs your hand and holds it tight as you walk up to the front door, ringing the bell. You didn’t tell Nan you’d drop by, you wanted it to be a total surprise, though the bomb you’re about to drop on her is a lot bigger than your unannounced visit.

The front door opens and there she is, in her flowery apron, her grey hair hidden under a colorful scarf. She looks like a real life fairy godmother straight out of a fairytale.

“Oh my God! Hi!” she beams when she realizes who’s on her front steps, holding the door open for the two of you.

“Hey Nan, sorry for the surprise, hope you’re not in the middle of something important,” you chuckle as you greet her with a hug, then Harry does the same.

“No! I was just about to make banana bread, but that can wait. Come on in! You want some tea?”

It’s an oddly warm day so you settle in the garden, Nan whips out her cute little teapot with the matching cups. Her beautiful cherry tree is already blooming, pink petals shower you every time a breeze runs through the branches. The garden looks just as fabulous as always, you’ve told her many times she should take photographs and put it online, people would love them.

“Our impromptu visit has a reason Nan,” you start, Harry’s hand gripping yours tight in your lap, his nerves are on the verge of snapping, you can tell.

“Oh, I’m listening!” she smiles and you turn to Harry, silently asking if you should say it or he wants to do the talking. He nods, clears his throat and takes a deep breath as he looks at Nan.

“Um, we have decided not to have the wedding this year,” he announces and his voice lacks his usual confidence.

“Really?” Nan blinks in surprise. “Why? Is there something wrong?”

“No,” you shake your head with a genuine smile. “There is nothing wrong.”

“It’s just that… We want to have it later, because we want another person to attend.”

You chuckle softly at Harry’s shady wording, because you know Nan won’t understand it, so either way, he’ll have to say it out loud.

“Is it a friend of yours, Harry? Someone famous? When are they going to be free?” she asks, so pure and innocent.

“No, it’s not a friend. This guest we want to be there is… our… baby.”

You can tell he is holding his breath staring at Nan, waiting for her reaction as his words sink in for her, complete shock taking over her face seconds later as she clasps her hands over her mouth with a shriek.

“Oh my Lord!” she gasps and Harry is still gripping your hand, because he can’t tell if it’s a positive reaction or not. Then she jumps to her feet, her hands falling from her mouth and the widest smile spreads across her face. “A baby! You’re having a baby!” she throws her arms into the air, like an excited little child as she rounds the table to hug you and you hear Harry finally letting out the breath he’s been holding.

“Yes!” you laugh, locking her in your arms.

“Thank God! What a blessing!” she laughs with you before letting go of you and turning to Harry, who is standing there, like a lost little kid, but the moment she hugs him as well, you see him melt into her embrace. It might be the hormones or just your usual emotional self, but you need to wipe a few tears away seeing the two of them. Harry has been so stressed about sharing the news with Nan, afraid what she might think about breaking up with the traditions and having a baby before getting married. He didn’t believe she would be thrilled anyway, but now he knows he has nothing to fear when it comes to Nan.

When Nan sits back you realize all three of you have teary eyes and you can’t help but chuckle when Harry circles his arm around your shoulders and kisses the crown of your head as you lean against him.

“How far along you, Darling?” she asks, wiping her eyes behind her glasses.

“Eleven weeks. So don’t tell anyone else yet, only the closest family knows.”

“Ah how exciting!” she claps.

“So you’re not upset? About the wedding?” Harry asks, just to be sure.

“Upset? Why would I be upset?”

“It’s not quite traditional to have a baby first and then get married.”

“Traditions serve the bonding between generations. You know what’s the greatest bond to happen in a family? A new member. A baby is always a blessing and all they need is love. We have lots of love around here and that’s all that matters.”

“Nan, don’t do this to me,” you chuckle through tears, because you did not expect this answer from her.

“Get married whenever you want, Darlings. Or never. It doesn’t matter as long as you love each other. I just want to see you happy.”

“We’re happy,” Harry smiles down at you and you nod, reassuring that the feeling is mutual.

You sit there talking until the tea runs cold and the Sun starts to set over the horizon. You tell Nan about how at first you wanted to have the wedding anyway when you found out you were pregnant, but then you had a dream where you held your baby in your arms in your wedding dress and you both took it as a sign that you should wait until your family expands. Having your baby there with you would make the moment even more special. She claims she knew something changed about you when she saw you, but you know she had no clue, but you don’t go against her.

You muse about names and Nan tells you what other names she had in mind when she was having your mom, some of them catch your attention and you add to your list too.

“Nan, we have a very important task for you,” you tell her before you’re about to leave.

“Oh! Do tell me!”

“We want a gender reveal party, do you know what that is?”

“Is it a party when you tell the gender of the baby?”

“Almost,” you chuckle.

“It’s where we find out. There are some fun ways, but the most common is when they order a cake that’s neutral on the outside and the filling is either pink or blue so when they cut into it they see the color and that’s gonna be the ender of the baby,” Harry explains to her.

“That is very clever!”

“Yeah, and we want you to make our cake,” you tell her. “That means you’ll be the first person to find out the gender.”

“Oh my God! Really?” she gasps.

“Yes,” you smile at her as she pulls you into another hug.

“Only if you take this very important role,” Harry adds.

“Of course I will! You can have the party here! I’ll set everything up!”

It was the original plan too, to gather at Nan’s, a cute, intimate party with your loved ones to celebrate the new addition to your growing family.

Harry promises Nan to drop by later in the week to talk more about how gender reveal parties work and help her start the planning and then you’re on your way home. The mood in the car is noticeably lighter, Harry’s body is relaxed, he keeps one hand on your thigh, gently squeezing it every so often. You don’t talk, but the silence and the stolen looks speak for you, Nan’s words hanging there between the two of you. You can’t help but cup a hand to your stomach that’s barely showing, thinking about how loved this baby already is.

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

[piss-pumpkin]

🌲way back when🍀

Dipper pines x reader, Douce amere chapter 11, ~2.7k words Prev Masterlist

A/n: obligatory prequel chapter

Sometimes, you meet somebody, and forget what life was ever like without them. Sometimes you meet somebody who makes you better, sometimes they bring out the worst in you. Sometimes you forget who you were, or what you did before them. And somehow Dipper was all of that, all at once, way back when. An eternity ago now, it seemed. Back when you were thirteen.

His hands clutched his journal, squinted eyes trained on the messy ink drawings dotting the pages. For rather unfortunate reasons, his shoes were absent from his feet. He grumbled as he walked through the forest, and mindlessly stepping over tree roots and brambles. “Ugh,” he sighed to himself, looking up. “Stupid leprecorn.”

He stepped on a particularly branched twig. “Fuck,” he winced, fists clenching around the book. He shook his foot angrily as he picked the splinters out of his sock. He grumbled again, more like a growl.  

As he started to walk again, an unfortunate gust of wind broke through the trees, knocking his hat off his head. His arms flew to shield his face from the wind, and he turned his head away from it as he moved to pick up his pine tree cap. He clenched his jaw, seething out another curse as he kept moving, following the trail of gold coins. 

Because of course it had to be a leprecorn, according to Ford, the most annoying creature in Gravity Falls. The worst half of both a unicorn, and leprechaun, and he made the mistake of having any kind of interaction with it. Ford would not be proud. And of course it had to run off with his shoes.

“Fuck!” 

Dippers eyes widened a moment. The leprecorn wouldn’t curse, he was far too friendly, and just the slightest bit condescending. Like he was above cursing, and looked down on Dipper for using some rather colourful language when he made off with his shoes. Dipper slowed down, creeping up to where he heard the voice. Sounded pretty human. He carefully tiptoed around a few trees, lips pursed and feet carefully navigating the brush and twigs as not to hurt himself, or make a sound.

As he got closer, he heard more in incessant yelling. Quietly, he stood behind a wide pine tree and listened, thankful the forest wasn’t too dense to hear. 

“I swear to fucking god, you’re gonna have to come out of there eventually,” they shouted. Dipper flinched as he heard a banging sound. “Just give it to me and I won’t kick your ass!”

A muffled voice came next. “Never, bitch!” He shouted. “It’s mine!”

”It’s not!” The other voice yelled, seeming baffled at the others obstinance. Dipper heard another thud, and the second voice let out a startled hiss. 

Dipper winced, and despite his better judgement, he peeked out from his hiding place. He saw, among other things, a person kicking a decaying half a tree with a fury that left him furrowing his brow. That’s. Something. He watched from behind a tree for a few moments, until something rather unfortunate happened. 

As he leaned over, his foot slipped. And he had enough grace to recover, of course. But not quietly. And just icing on the cake, another sharp twig stabbed his foot, making him suck a breath in through his teeth. 

The person whipped their head around, a sneer painted across their lips. “And who the fuck are you?” They accused. They turned again to the tree, and Dipper noticed a hollowed out hole in the tree, a burrow of some kind, and a pair of eyes peeking out from its darkness. “What,” they said, slapping the tree. Or maybe it was more of a tall stump. “You call backup or something?” 

Dipper put his hands up trying to say no as he shook his head. As he tried to deny, the words didn’t come out. Why was he doing this? He could just go catch that leprecorn. This was suspicious as hell.

The mysterious angry person scowled, and shook their head. “Whatever man,” they sighed. “Are you… not backup?” They asked curiously, not taking their eyes off the hole in the tree.

”Um, no,” Dipper managed. “What’s going on there?” He asked, pointing at the tree. 

The muffled, gnome-y voice broke through the tree again. “Hey wait, is that Dipper?” 

Dipper cringed, wincing as the stranger scowled at him. “Fuck, you are with him!” They said, mouth ajar and face fallen.

”Hey, Dipper, get me out of here, this asshole is crazy!” The gnome said. Dipper sighed, fist clenched in anxiety. It sounded a lot like one of Mabel’s boyfriends. He glanced at the person again, and the anger on their face. 

He pointed at the tree hole, “yeah, uh, I don’t really like that guy,” he stuttered, trying to recover his reputation. 

“Hey!” The muffled gnome yelled. “We have history, and they stole my hat!”

The stranger kicked the tree again, presumably to shut up the gnome. “Hey, I gave it back!” They said, slapping the tree. “Unlike some people in this situation.”

Dipper sheepishly stepped closer, more than curious. “Yeah, I’m not with him,” he said, closing his journal. “He dated my sister and then tried to kill me.” He smiled as they snickered. Maybe he could calm them down? “So, what’s going on?” He asked cautiously, eying the hole in the tree. 

The stranger pursed their lips, and kicked the bark. “Little bugger in there stole my phone,” they said. Finally looking Dipper in the eye. Wow, they look pretty intense, Dipper thought. 

What? Dipper squinted, not sure what to make of… this. The people of Gravity Falls didn’t go into the woods. Even after the society of the blind eye stopped mind erasing them. Most of them didn’t want to see the horrors or the mysteries. Who is this?  Gravity Falls was a small town, quaint, even. And Dipper was pretty sure he’d never seen this person around before. “Uh- who are you?” He asked, confused. “And why are you out here anyway?” He crossed his arms, “and why did he steal your phone?” he added carefully. Exactly how supernatural or dangerous was the situation?

“I’m Y/n,” they said simply, sticking and arm into the tree hole. “A gnome ran off with my phone while I was… recording shit around here,” they said, attention mostly on trying to fish the gnome out of the hole. 

Recording? Are- are they trying to document Gravity Falls mysteries? Research? Dippers mind raced, and he didn’t manage to say anything. Where are they from? Surely not here, right? He furrowed his brow. Who is this? That seemed to be the key question. 

“You seem like you’re thinking a lot of thoughts right now,” they said, squinting at Dipper and eyeing his socks. 

Dipper shook his head, “Wait, are you researching the mysteries of this town?” He asked, nearly desperate. He stepped closer, abandoning the tree he once hid behind to stand closer and get a better look at them.

He watched intently as they pursed their lips, still scrounging around the tree for the gnome. “I guess you could say that,” they shrugged nonchalantly. Their casual attitude was quickly contradicted by a smirk tugging at their lips, almost excited. “Why?”

Dipper smiled, coming closer, pine tree journal in hand, fingers flipping through the pages until he landed on his entry on gnomes. “What do you know?” He asked excitedly, “I’ve been doing research too, trying to find out whatever I can about Gravity Falls, maybe we could join forces an-“ he stopped, looking up from his pages. 

They were still smirking, leaning against the tree, and Dipper was struck with a thought. Maybe it was something about the smile that set him off. Is this a trap? He trailed off his words, and stopped mid step, watching as they tilted their head in confusion. Maybe in suspicion. 

“Can you open your eyes wide?” He asked, hesitantly holding his journal to his chest.

“What?” They asked, squinting as if to intentionally deny his request. “Why?”

Dippers brow furrowed, and he stepped back. God he was an idiot. A random person, that he’d never seen or heard of, just standing in the woods right in his path, doing exactly what he would do. Why wouldn’t it be a trap? “C-can you just do it?” He asked. More like demanded. 

They raised their brow, but didn’t relent in opening their eyes. “Um, no you weirdo. Why?” They asked, shaking their head. 

“Yeaaaah, what are you doing, get them off me,” the gnome yelled. They quickly kicked the tree again to quiet him. 

Dipper shook his head. But Bill’s dead. That wouldn’t make sense. “I’ve never seen you here before, why is that?” He asked cautiously, stepping away once more.

”I’m just in town for the summer,” they deadpanned, glaring at him. 

Just like him. Ugh. Dippers face scrunched. Like everything they said made it more suspicious. “Can you just open your eyes?” He asked. More like pleaded. 

They looked him over, and he suddenly felt smaller as their eyes seemed to scan him intensely, still half lidded as to deny his ask. “Fine,” they spat. They widened their eyes, staring at him like he was just a small little bug. 

Dipper sighed. Normal pupils. Of course. Was he losing it? He sighed again, looking at the ground. He didn’t have any shoes on. “Uh, thanks,” he managed. 

They raised their brow. “You’re a weird guy, Dipper.” 

He winced. Did he tell them his name? 

“Haha, tell me about it!” The gnome laughed from inside the tree. 

“Shut the fuck up,” they said, punching the tree. 

Of course it was the gnome who said his name. So much for any bit of… privacy? Mystery? What was their name again? They definitely said it. He pursed his lips. Did that not hurt their hands?  

An awkward silence followed. Dipper stood, a few paces away from them as they once again started to dig through the tree and try to taunt out the gnome. Like he wasn’t even there. Dipper wiped his palm on his shirt, and cleared his throat, “um, is there anyway I could help you get your phone back… uh- what was your name, again?” 

They sighed, looking Dipper over yet again. They waved their head back and forth in a contemplative gesture as they groaned out a hesitation. “Uhhhhhh,” they started. “Yeah, I could take you in a fight,” they nodded. “So once again, I’m Y/n, and yes, you can help.”

Dipper opened his mouth to retaliate, but nothing came. They were probably right about the fight comment. He approached the tree, a little further from you then last time.

You looked at him, crossing your arms. “With two of us we might be able to kick it down,” you said, eyeing the bark. Decaying, but not quite dead yet. 

“Uh,” Dipper said, “I could try something else first.” He knocked politely on the wood. “Ummmm,” he trailed off a moment, trying to remember the name. “Jeff?” He asked, praying he got it right.

”What,” the gnome snapped angrily.

Dipper sighed in relief, and leaned against the stump. “Okay, what if I could get you a date with my sister, would you come out and give their phone back?”

The tree stump was silent a moment, and you raised your brow at him, curious but quiet. 

“I’m over her, we want a different queen now,” he said finally. 

Dipper and you sighed in unison as he shook his head. “Dude, why haven’t you formed the big gnome with your buddies yet, why are you even in here?”

The stump was silent for longer this time. Each of you got a few blinks in as you glanced around waiting for a response.

”They’re on the other side of the forest.”

You put your palm to your face, “Jesus fucking Christ, gnome, give it back and we can all move on with our days. Are you a big fan of seething in the stump?”

A few beats of silence past, and Dipper started to hear bored tapping of your foot on the dirt. And just then remembered he didn’t have shoes on. That’s a little embarrassing. Hopefully they forgot about that.

“What if I like it in here,” Jeff said smugly. 

“I could change that,” you growled, winding up to kick the tree again. 

Dipper stopped you, putting and arm up between you and the tree, “No, no, has that worked at all?” 

“No, but it’ll make me feel better.”

The gnome started to yell, “Well my feelings matter too!”

You seethed for a moment, and Dipper watched and you gestured wildly at him, mouth open and contorted in rage. “You see what I’m dealing with, here?”

He nodded, “Okay, Jeff, what can we do to get you out of there?” 

The tree was silent. “Gah,” Dipper managed, shielding his face from the wind. Another gust blew through the forest, and once again his hat was knocked off. Luckily this time, somebody was there to catch it before it blew away, or hit the dirt. 

You handed it to him wordlessly, still waiting for the gnome to speak. Carefully, he took it, making eye contact once again, and staring at your pupils. They really weren’t a trap. He smiled sheepishly as he took it, trying to recover any goodwill he had before his accusations. “Uh, thanks,” he said. 

“Promise they won’t hit me,” the gnome said, before you could reply. 

Dipper looked over at you, as you clenched a fist in anger. Grumbling and sucking a breath in through your teeth, nodded, barking out a “fine,” as you crossed your arms. 

“And I want you to delete the pictures.”

Dipper raised his brow as you sighed again, reluctantly agreeing. 

The gnome poked his head out, hat and phone clutched in his hands. He looked skeptically at you, squinting his eyes as he cautiously climbed out of his hole. He landed with all fours on the dirt, and hunched over as he settled his hat on his head, and handed Dipper your phone. “Now let me see you get rid of the pictures.”

Dipper sheepishly handed you your phone, trying not to meet your glaring eyes. You knelt down for the gnome, and let him watch your phone screen. 

Dipper stood as you did it, awkwardly trying to preserve your privacy by not looking at the screen. He pursed his lips and scanned the forest floor, trying to find the trail of gold coins he abandoned to help you.

And with a small hiss, Jeff dashed off into the thicket, and suddenly you were standing beside him again, arms crossed and glaring at the brush where the gnome ran off. You side eyed him a moment, and he nearly froze. 

“Thanks for the assist,” you said, looking back at the trees, face considerably softer. “Is Dipper your actual name, or was he being a dick?”

”Uh,” Dipper stuttered. “No, I actually do go by Dipper,” he said, holding his journal close to his chest.

”Well Dipper,” you said, turning over to him. “You really helped me out, anything I can do to repay you? Did a different gnome steal your shoes, or something?”

Dipper blushed, suddenly acutely aware of how his feet were dirty, and a little wet. “Uh, leprecorn, actually,” he winced.

Your brow raised. “Oh? I’ve never seen one of those,”you said, following his eye to the gold coin trails. “Can I kick it for you to get them back?”

“A-alright,” he laughed nervously. “If it comes to it.”

                                             …

Not the smoothest first meeting. Far from the best. But you both pulled through. Even if Dipper thought you were possessed, or some sort of creature out into get him. Even if you wanted to bite his head off for a few moments. Even if you ended up losing your selfies wearing the silly gnome hat. 

Eventually, you found the leprecorn, and you ended up drop kicking it after taking the shoes. But it didn’t end there, lucky you. 

One thing led to another, and you were friends. And then some years later, more than that. What a crazy life. 

Next

Anyway I wanted to do a cute little break chapter. Like the confession arc just ended so we get a little intermission before the next arc. Like this chapter doesn’t even meet my word count minimum. Anyway I get a little silly with it for the next part ngl. I got a little goofy. And a little Angsty.

Actually let me just tell you I decided like so long ago to write an angst arc, then I got to writing it and was like “wait I hate writing angst and also I’m bad at it” so I changed a few things. Anyway.

Tag list: @cipheress-to-k-pop @dead-esque

[owlespresso]

Wrangle. Jing Yuan.

Tags: yandere themes, dark content, abuse of power, mother hen Jing Yuan, forced caretaking

You hate Jing Yuan.

He is at the helm of the Xianxhou, their beloved general. What he does with you should be considered treasonous, looked down on by his peers. Reviled by his subjects. He should leave you in the depths of the Shackling Prison to rot like the petty criminal you are.

But he does not. He pries you from your cell (pries you away the ironclad grip you have on your cot, finger-by-finger), heaves your scraggly body into his arms like you weigh nothing. You struggle, but it’s pathetic. A few days of continuous hunger has robbed you of your strength. It makes it all too easy for him to carry you down long corridors and up flights of stairs, branching and seemingly endless. 

The first rays of sun you have seen since your capture make you cringe. You turn your face into his shoulder, breathe the scent of freshly washed linen and armor polish. He chuckles, the sound deep and warm. 

Jing Yuan brings you home, to a sprawling estate behind carved walls of stone. The sound of the gates shutting sends you into another fit, beginning to wriggle in his arms. He’s brought you here to be his pet, his slave, his toy—he’s going to do horrible things to you here, away from the prying eyes of the populace where no one will hear you. No one will help you.

“Please—I have no intent to harm you—” Jing Yuan attempts to bargain. He thrusts you away from his (strong, big) body, hands hooked under your arms. You shout and continue to wriggle.

“Stop, stop, please stop—just let me go—” someone is speaking, and you don’t even realize it’s you until your throat throbs, dry with disuse. Is that what you sound like? After only a few days? The wind goes out of you and you slump, allowing him to draw you back into his grasp. He holds you close to his chest, one arm under your thighs and the other behind your back.

“It’s going to be alright,” he soothes, cooing indulgently. “I know the Shackling Prison gave you a poor first impression, and for that I apologize. I’ve given you no reason to trust my word alone… but no further harm will come to you while you are under my roof.”

You feel the rumble of his voice more than you hear it. You peek up at the estate proper from where you’ve buried your face into his shoulder. It’s bigger than anywhere you have ever lived. The kind of luxurious you have only seen on screens and rarely in magazines. Some civilizations have disregarded the printed word entirely. Distantly, you remember the smell of the newspaper, new ink on thin paper. 

And then you fall asleep. Just like that. Tucked up against him.

When you wake, your skin is clean and your raggedy prison garb has been replaced by soft robes.

Jing Yuan reserves a level of generosity for you that you are not worth—greets you with painkillers and relief at seeing you awake in hand.

“It would be both a blatant waste and a moral crime to let you waste away in the Shackling Prison.” he tells you, and explains little else. If he had not intervened, you would have remained in prison until you rotted and died. The officials who run that steel fortress of pain and torment are far beneath his station. None care that the vaunted Jing Yuan has plucked one of their least wanted, least dangerous criminals from the nest. You are his ward, now, a protected person who is recuperating under his generous care. 

Whether you want it or not. You don’t need his charity, you insist. You would rather die than depend on someone else’s handouts.

“Hm,” he said, not cold or enraged but disappointed. “Is that so? How unfortunate. I wonder what kind of life you have led to make you draw such a despondent conclusion. You don’t have to tell me—” he says hurriedly, as soon as he sees you open your mouth to reply.

I wasn’t going to, you think, pissed off. It’s probably for the better that he cut you off. You probably would have said something you regretted. 

“Worry not. You will have plenty of time to adjust. And learn. For now, just focus on your recovery.”

There has to be something to it, you think. Something he wants. Some sort of trick he’s going to pull. Some deranged, awful thing he’s going to do that you will be powerless to stop.

The room he settles you in is too large and the bed is too comfortable. You sink into the cushiony mattress and stare at the yawning void of the chamber, convinced that he will come through those doors at any given moment to take what he’s wanted all along. You eat one meal a day at most, sleep for no more than four hours. Dreams and visions haunt you deep into the night—and in the dark is the only time you truly feel safe, sheltered and mothered by shadows.

It’s at night that Jing Yuan at last finds you. You scuttle from corner to corner to avoid his detection and fail miserably. He scoops you up easy, in an unsettling echo of when he first crossed your path. You bat at him and caterwaul and put up a fuss until you can’t any longer, energy sapped from your unfed form as he hauls you to another room—

There is no punishment. He pets at your hair and coos and runs his hand over your back as you sniffle and sob, wet his sleepshirt with your frustrated tears. Later, then, he feeds you by hand, and doesn’t let you leave his lap until you’ve cleaned your plate. It’s awful. It’s humiliating. He watches you take every bite and praises you ceaselessly whenever you swallow. You slump into his chest, more exhausted by the meal then anything that occurred prior.

You hate him. You hate him. You hate him.

He spends every meal with you. He explains the basic mechanics of qi, smiles indulgently when you bother to thoughtlessly slide a random piece forward. He gives you tips, fingers brushing over the back of your hand as he positions your pieces in example. You hardly pay any attention to the formation he’s showing you, knowing you’ll forget it within the hour. To his credit, he doesn’t object when you push yourself to your feet, declaring that this game of wits has tired you out for the evening. You return to your room and ball your hands into fists, punch your pillows because hitting the wall will inevitably attract his attention.

You hate him because he is so kind. You hate his clean hands and his warm arms and the low, coaxing timbre he uses whenever he talks to you, like you’re some scared, cornered animal. 

You hate yourself more for how tempted you are to give in.

[sanjisboyfie]

๑ keep safe : chopper's crown (27)

one piece x male reader

i imagine

the grapes on the end of the branches

are sweet

『 prev 』

unfortunately for nami, the only way to get to the other side of the lake was by climbing up a humongous tree and then crossing over it via branches. she was shaking in all of her steps, making [name] slow down his pace to comfort her.

zoro, who was walking behind the two, rolled his eyes in annoyance and began audibly complaining to nami for being so slow.

just as nami was about to bite back with a string of curses towards zoro, something from the white river jumped up and tried attacking them. nami screeched in fear, grabbing ahold of [name] and pulling him in front of her to act as a shield. this action just caused them to lose their balance though and immediately fell off the side of the branch.

[name] held nami tight to make sure she was secure in not falling and outstretched his hand, calling out robin’s name for support. she understood immediately and made two hands sprout out to catch them before they fell to their doom.

“nami, you sure love causing trouble,” [name] teased, adjusting his grip on her waist. her legs were hugging his torso and arms were wrapped around his neck in a death grip. he propped his foot against his ankle, making his thigh act as an impromtu seat for her as they were hanging in the air.

“i am sorry…for troubling you,” she apologized breathlessly, collapsing onto the firm ground of the branch, apologizing to both robin and [name].

“no problem,” robin easily said, an unbothered look on her face.

[name] continued on teasing nami, who in her terrified state couldn’t even scold him, by pinching her sides and cheeks and ruffling her hair, “nami! always the one getting us into trouble, maybe you’re more of a hassle than me and luffy — combined! haha!!” his cheerful laughter rang out in the forest.

just as they touched the ground once more, this time on the opposite of where they originally were, robin had stopped abruptly in their exploration. [name] looked at her in interest, following where her gaze was and questioning what she saw.

unblinking, she responded, “a well,” he hummed in acknowledgement, but then wondered aloud, “what’s so important about a well?”

“why would a well be in the middle of this gigantic forest? someone had to have installed it here, obviously, but why at the root of tremendously large trees?” she rhetorically asked, inciting [name] to theorize on his own why it was there.

“maybe the animals made it!” he childishly cried out, making the other three unsure of if he was joking or not.

zoro slapped him on the back of the head, grumbling, “don’t think too much or else steam might come out of your ears. whenever you do seem to think, anyway, you say stupid shit like that.”

[name] pouted, grabbing ahold of zoro’s short hair and giving it a harsh tug. the action made zoro wince in pain before glaring at [name] as if his life depended on it, “hey! don’t be so rude, you stupid marimo head! you’re the stupidest one in this whole bunch,” [name] scolded, giving another harsh tug to his hair, “you’re bringing the moral of the strawhat adventure team all the way down with your shit attitude!”

“this is not an adventure team!” zoro called back, hand lifting and grabbing [name]’s own h/c locks, “no one else agreed with you when you named us after that, so it’s your own fault in the first place!”

“my fault?! how’s it my fault you’ve got a shit attitude?!”

“at least i don’t think with my stomach instead of my head!”

“oh, that’s a bold statement since you’re insinuating you think at all!!”

the two began fighting viciously, falling to the ground as they were having a mini brawl that included pulling each others hair and scratching at the other person’s skin.

nami could only sigh in exasperation, not having the energy to scold them. instead she informed robin she would try getting a bird’s eyes view to grasp a better way to continue exploring, making the ravenette nod her head in acknowledgement.

as zoro and [name] were childishly rolling back and forth on the ground against one another, the two women were hard at work in trying to make sense of their situation.

idiots.

[name] and zoro couldn’t tell how much time had passed since when their brawl first started, but it took nami hurriedly pulling them up by the collars of their shirts to break them up.

“you two sure like to always be touching each other,” robin noted with a laxed grin.

“what does that mean, woman?!” zoro snarled at her, glare evident on his face, “he’s the fucking idiot who constantly needs to have his head beat in for being so stupid!”

[name] was going to shoot back a couple of more insults, but nami was already quickly dragging him off by his wrists. he began complaining, kicking the ground he was being dragged through, “nami! nami! let me beat zoro up some more, the bastard allways has something to say and it’s pissing me off!”

“no, no, just keep getting walked like a dog, [name]!” zoro teased, looking at how he was letting nami drag him around even though he could have easily stopped her.

“don’t fucking call me a dog!!” [name] shouted, flicking his wrist forward and making zoro’s body fly back a couple of meters into the trunk of a tree.

zoro’s body left a comically large imprint into the bark of the tree at the pure force that was used in propelling his body forward.

“now, now, there’s no more need to be fighting like this, you two,” robin said, attempting to calm the nature of their fight down, “[name], it seems like nami had found a new discovery — more places for us to adventure. why don’t you help her navigate it?”

[name]’s face lit up at the word “adventure” and his attention turned away from zoro and instead to the orange haired girl. robin then looked to zoro and began saying some calming words to him (spoiler alert: they just pissed him off more than actually calming him down), words that [name] wasn’t in earshot to hear.

he was too busy in pestering nami in where they were going and what she had seen to make them go out adventuring in such a rush.

she only ordered him to carry her on his back, to make their trip faster. he obliged immediately, dropping to his knees and carrying her with ease. he followed her orders on where to go, robin and zoro following closely behind.

zoro was still annoyed with [name]’s behavior earlier, but was more interested in finding out what got nami in such a mood of adventuring farther onward — especially when she seemed so spooked earlier by their environment. they reached a point deep enough in the forest they were able to hear the waves of the ocean, which made nami tug on his h/c hair to encourage him to go faster.

“hey! don’t pull my hair, do you think i’m a horse or something?!” he scolded in annoyance, slapping his hand onto the grip she had on him, but she didn’t let up even a little bit.

while zoro and robin watched on as [name] ran in whatever direction nami ordered him to, the both of them realized that they were near the area of a major battle going on. the sounds of explosions going off was far away, but still audible if you focused.

honestly, [name] realized the battle as well, but wasn’t paying it any mind. it was far enough that he didn’t have to worry about it threatening their safety. he was well aware of the fight at hand. but with a click of his tongue, he easily brushed the thought of it away.

“see! right up ahead! keep going!” nami urged him, snapping him out of his own thoughts. he rushed forward, seeing a vague shape of what nami was referring to.

it wasn’t until they ran past the lining of trees did he understand nami’s need to see it up close. he let her off of his back with ease, gulping at the sight.

the other half of cricket’s house was up in the sky island territory. there was no doubt. that fake cardboard cutout that was covering the humble abode made sense now. their house was cut in half and sent up to the sky. as in explainable as it was, it was certainly interesting.

he unscrewed the top of his water container open and took in a couple big gulps before stowing it away. nami was examining it closesly while he just allowed himself to walk towards the edge of the island.

finally, after speed walking to catch up, zoro and robin had joined the two and were also gawking at the sight before them. [name] was standing over the edge, looking down at the calm white clouds in front of them with a stoic look on his face.

he was busy trying to piece all of the information together that he had completely zoned out of what the other three were saying. he smiled softly, though, imagining the possibilities of what the rest of the island had to offer. he thought back to the old story book from the north blue, rubbing his forehead in thought.

“[name], are you alright?” robin gently asked him, walking up to him and placing her hand on his shoulder. he turned around, startled, before calming down.

“no, i’m alright.” he replied easily, “i was just thinking,”

“yeah, the steam was practically coming from your ears-”

nami slapped zoro on the shoulder to shut him up.

“just thinking about what that old chestnut guy would say, that’s all,” [name] grinned, looking at the white sea once more before stepping away from the ledge. “i bet he’d start cursing his stupid ancestor or something,” robin laughed at his playful comment, the both of them rejoining the rest of the group.

“then…that means the city of gold never sank…” nami said, turning the attention to her as she theorized out loud, “that means, this is the city of gold, since this is technically apart of jaya! after all that trouble, we were finally able to make it to the city of gold!! this much be a reward after behaving myself, right, god?!”

everyone sweatdropped as they all were reminded nami’s end goal was always just to find some treasure. and seeing as they were actually given more answers to their questions, they all decided to head back to the merry.

[name] was humming the song that always played in his head, picking up whatever caught his eye from the ground and almost making a bouqet of whatever it was that he got. by the time they arrived back at merry, he had a whole bunch of sticks and odd looking leaf plants bundled together in his clenched fist.

“chopper’s gift!” he announced proudly to zoro, who very much did not care, “and when we get back, i’ll decorate his hate with these sticks — a proper adventurer’s crown!”

zoro only yawned in response.

to the adventure team’s shock, though, when they caught sight of the sacrificial altar and merry, it was very obviously in terrible shape. the mast was gone and, despite being so very far, they were able to clearly see that it was in bad shape.

[name] felt worried, but eased up a little when he realized that at least chopper’s body was still on board the ship. his frame and two other…creatures…were on merry.

“chopper!!” nami shouted, concern etched on her features.

“i hope he’s alright…” [name] said under his breath, walking forward.

“chopper, did something happen?! answer us! are you alright?!”

there was dead silence on chopper’s end. nami dropped her hands from cupping the side of her mouth and she looked up pleadingly to [name] for help. he stepped forward and projected his deep voice loudly, “chopper, answer us! come on out, i got you a cool gift!!”

it took a couple of seconds, but there was finally movement on chopper’s end. everyone breathed a sigh of relief to see that he was fine, awaiting for him to give an update on how he was.

he peaked out from the railing of merry and shakingly called back, “no-nothing…nothing scary happened!!” in a very unconvincing tone.

“that’s my strong man!!” [name] cheerfully answered back, waving the bouqet in his hands, “look! i got something for you, so you did a good job in protecting merry, okay?!”

“obviously not good enough, usopp’s gonna give us an earful for how bad the condition of merry is. i mean, look, the mast is missing…” zoro said under his breath, earning him a swift glare from [name].

just as he was about to lecture him for being rude, there was a loud splash that was heard. they all turned their heads to see that it was some sort of ship driven by usopp, luffy, and sanji.

“ah, it’s everyone else!” luffy said, his loud and boisterous voice echoing in the forest. “which means— [name]!!! are you there?!”

[name] grinned, waving his arms in the air to be noticed, “luffy!!! are you alright?! sanji, usopp, are you guys okay?!”

luffy’s laughter was heard next, along with usopp shouting about how he bravely fought against enemies and [name] didn’t need to worry about him. sanji, since the moment he laid eyes on the rest of the crew, was plainly singing praises of robin and nami.

”[name]!! i’m going over to you!!!” luffy shouted and before anyone could properly react, his arms were already stretched behind him and then shooting forward to grab onto [name].

the tall man groaned and prepared for impact, setting the bouqet down so they wouldn’t be ruined. and when luffy finally landed on his torso, with great force, they were sent tumbling backwards and into the trunk of a tree.

“i found you!!” luffy screamed in glee, nuzzling his cheek to [name]’s face, humming in happiness to be reunited with [name]. as if they were seperated for years.

“yep, like you always do,” [name] breathed out, looping his hands underneath luffy’s thighs and hoisting him up on his waist, “let’s get to merry, now. chopper was the one protecting it all this time, i hope he’s alright…”

luffy only hummed back in response, unconcerned as he just kept trying to sink further into [name]’s arms. luffy’s skin and hair were all wet from the splash they created upon their arrival, making [name]’s own hair dampen just a little bit.

“oi, you’re making a huge mess,” [name] commented, pushing luffy’s raven bangs aside to get them away from his face.

luffy grinned, shaking his head similar to how a dog would to dry themselves, and that grin only got wider when he saw the look [name] was giving him. not an ounce of being pitiful was on the captain’s face.

they all hopped onto the miniature ship sanji and usopp were waiting on, [name] expertly carrying luffy around with ease as he boarded with the others. when they finally reached the altar, [name] went over to chopper immediately and brought him into his arms.

“you’re alright?” [name] gently asked, making chopper’s eyes only well up with tears again.

“usopp!! i’m sorry, i’m sorry for letting merry get ruined like this!” he profusely apologized, the sniper’s expression being masked by the shadow over his face.

knowing how much merry meant to usopp, [name] would not have been surprised if the sniper snapped at chopper. well, at least for him personally, he wouldn’t know how he would react if something or someone so precious to him got so violently ruined. he imagined he would lash out in an aggressive way…

but seeing as usopp was very different from him, the man only turned around and looked at chopper in worry, “did you get hurt? you treated yourself to heal up to be all better, right?” which the reindeer nodded his head to, “well, then, everything’s alright! we can worry about merry another time, as long as you’re okay then it’s all good!”

[name] blinked at the calm reaction, feeling a smile make its way to his face. usopp and his ever selflessness shining through, [name] thought to himself. he grabbed usopp’s hand as the man was walking away, smiling at him gently. a silent “thank you” was exchanged, from the h/c haired man ot the sniper. and that gesture and expression on [name]’s handsome face made the sniper blush bashfully, briskly walking away once [name] released him.

that small interaction made usopp’s heart and mind calm down. the reassuring and thankful smile [name] had given him was comforting, especially after seeing the state merry was in. he was glad he was able to keep a level head to please both [name] and chopper.

“you did a good job, chopper,” [name] whispered to the reindeer, “and now, since you’re the merry’s protector, you get yourself a crown,”

laid out in front of them were all the leafy plants and sticks he had collected. he began explaining to chopper that he had to assemble the crown to be put on around the circumference of his pink hat, claiming that he needed to be wearing it proudly the rest of their stay at the sky island.

“my own crown?” chopper asked in wonderment, sitting in between [name]’s legs and letting the man work on his creation. with a simple string that [name] took from the kitchen (without sanji’s knowledge), he was able to tie everything together and gently nudged chopper to stand up when he was finished.

when chopper felt the added weight on his head, he ran to the railing of merry and outstretched his arms to proudly proclaim, “i’ll be a dependable man!!!”

[name] chuckled behind his hand at the endearing attitude. then he got up and joined half of the crew in looking at the old man’s condition. [name] was sat on one side of his body whilst luffy was on the other, the rest of the crew in the room standing more back to give the old guy some space.

chopper explained how it was really the old man that protected merry and saved his life, making them hum in acknowledgement. after assessing his condition, they all decided that it’d be best to stake claim on the shore of the forest rather than on merry.

it would be a safer option for all of them, but especially their injured protector. [name] helped move the essentials back and forth between merry and the land, grinning in excitement when he saw sanji bring along a skyshark to their camp.

“quiet, everyone!!” ‘everyone’ mainly meant [name] and luffy, who were carnivously tearing into the skyshark meat, “we’re in the middle of reports,”

during their reports, everyone learned what the crew was up to during their separation period. it seemed that the strawhat adventure team had the least amount of trouble, seeing as sanji, usopp, and luffy had to fight off one priest while chopper, the old man, and his weird bird (pierre) had to fight off another.

“dammit, i traded adventure with some good fights…” [name] sighed in disappointment, taking a large bite from the sky shark to comfort himself.

nami sweatdropped at his comment, sipping the coffee he had brewed earlier with an unimpressed look on her face.

“well!! thank you everyone for your reports!! it seems that, the most important finding of all is that — this here is the island of gold, the same one the saruyama alliance was searching for!!” usopp exclaimed, pointing at the chalkboard he was using to draw up all their information.

“gold, huh?! i’ve been waiting for an adventure like this!” luffy exclaimed, dropping the bone of the sky shark he was eating and clenching his fists in anticipation.

nami grinned, happy to see she was finally on the same page as her captain.

“hey, hey, luffy! have you forgotten the guerilla’s warning from earlier?!” usopp tried persuading their captain to back down, but his words didn’t even reach the energetic luffy’s ears.

“the guerilla?” [name] echoed in interest, “what did they say?”

“well, seeing as we are pirates, we can’t just back down when there’s a treasure so close by can we?”

“god’s gonna be pretty angry, right?”

usopp paled as the consensus seemed to be they would continue venturing out into the island, deflating when he heard luffy very excitedly proclaim they were going to go gold hunting tomorrow.

[name] stuck by luffy’s side, the two attached by the hip as they fooled around. as the rest of the crew were looking for ingredients for a proper dinner later in the night, they were left to their own devices in entertaining each other.

sanji had commanded luffy to take care of the distilled water, which by extensions meant [name] was taking care of the distilled water too. when zoro and chopper made it back with some other proteins to be added to their stew, they were finally getting more exciting news.

“sanji, sanji, don’t forget to include the fish i caught too, okay?!” [name] reminded, bounding over with a pout on his face, “if you don’t put it in then we’d just be eating vegetable soup!”

“i already added it, quit pouting like a spoiled brat!”

at that news, [name] went back to luffy while excitedly cheering about fish stew.

“alright, alright, everyone gather around for our strategy meeting!” nami called, making everyone come together in a wide circle.

[name] went up to sanji with his own bowl, grinning when he saw the delicious stew be poured onto his dish. he took it to his seat, grinning when he saw his vegetables were cut up in all sorts of shapes. mainly, it were carrots cut into the shape of stars that were floating around in his soup. but, funnily enough, it seemed sanji cut some up to be the shape of coffee beans (he also could have been imagining it, since they were just cut in an oval shape unlike the regular circle…sanji could have just made a mistake by accident).

it brought a childlike smile onto [name]’s face as he almost felt guilt for eating the stew and ruining sanji’s expert work. but the full feeling in his stomach after washed his guilt away.

nami began the recap quickly, eager to get their plan set, “it was 400 years ago when noland first discovered the city of gold. but when he returned to jaya years later, the gold ruins were gone! basically, during those few years, that island on jaya — which is this one, came up into the sky!”

“you mean it rode up the knock up stream?” chopper asked with a look of disbelief on his face.

“yeah! that’s the only explanation! cricket-san said the sea floor explodes at different places each time.

“but it’s hard to believe that forest on jaya is the same as this one…” zoro thought out loud, making [name] purse his lips in thought.

“at least there’s no swam of unreasonably large lady bugs chasing us around here,” he said in relief.

usopp only paled though, grabbing onto [name]’s shoulders and shaking him back and forth, “no! there’s only blood thirsty god ruled priests and warriors, along with other weird animals that are in these forests! [name], it’s still scary!!!”

[name] patted usopp’s head, saying a monotone, “there, there,” in an attempts of comforting the sniper.

“say, those south birds that helped us at the altar were thiiiiss big!” chopper said, extending his arms to show their size, but with how small he was, it was hard to get an idea of how big they actually were.

“yeah, they probably got bigger over those 400 years,” zoro logically explained, taking another bite of his bento.

“but it is weird,” sanji said, walking over and handing [name] another plate of stew before taking his seat next to him. [name]’s eyes turned into stars as he took big gulps from his bowl to finish the stew in one go, “why did those huge south birds save you?”

“well, i’m not really sure, but they all called the sky knight “god”!”

[name] choked on his stew, making sanji look at him in disgust.

“the old geezer is a god?!”

“then that means he’s the bad guy!!”

“you two don’t know how to put two and two together, don’t you?!” usop scolded the two, making luffy and [name] fall into silence.

“anyways!!! getting back to the story, remember what noland’s log said about the city of gold?” nami rhetorically asked.

“i know! he said it was a city of gold!” luffy answered back with confidence. this only made usopp scold him once more for his obvious answer.

“i recall there being a giant gold bell and that there were south birds…” sanji answered this time in seriousness.

“then there was an incomprehensible line on the last page of his log,” robin finished. “just before he died, noland wrote a passage in his book that said he saw gold in the “skull’s right eye.””

“that’s it! now, look at this!” nami unfurled some paper map she had been working on earlier, making the crew join her side and look at it in interest. “i matched the size of robin and [name]’s jaya map with the old skypiea map! it’s just an approximation, but when you put their locations of the beach house together…”

[name] hummed in interest, then grinned in delight to see that it was really all coming together in front of their very eyes.

“see! this is how jaya looked 400 years ago!”

“whoa it’s a skull!”

“well?”

“awesome!!” [name] and luffy said in unison.

“way to go, nami-san!”

“we did it!!”

“then “the skull’s right eye” is…”

“right here!” nami said, pointing at a portion of map that had what looked like a gold temple drawn into the middle of a circular white sea, “noland was referring to the shape of the entire island. but only half of it is left now so nobody could solve the mystery!”

“treasure!! treasure!!!”

“so we just need to go straight to this spot! we can’t leave the boat, though, so let’s split into two teams tomorrow! no doubt about it! there’s an enormous amount of gold waiting for us here!!”

[name] smirked, looking down at the map in interest. with how lively the forest was now, he definitely wouldn’t mind being part of the team that would search for the gold when the time came for it. maybe they’d run into those guerilla warriors too and understand what they were fighting for.

besides the near death run in they had with them when the first arrived, [name] had no idea what to expect. he chuckled, thinking back on how he had so easily threatened robin’s life upon their first meeting. and now look at them now!! practically two peas in a pod. maybe it could be like that with the warriors…

[name] did like people with a strong fighting spirits, anyway.

as he was thinking of their journey tomorrow, it seemed that sanji, zoro, luffy, and usopp were all thinking ahead of their campfire situation. after all, they couldn’t go camping without a fire to keep them warm!

funnily enough, a pack of wolves had joined them in their celebration. [name] had joined the dancing circle with two wolves being carried around in his arms. he easily lifted them up in his arms above his head, smiling and cheering with the rest of the crew.

“gold!! gold!! adventure!!” he shouted into the air, laughing as he felt the wolves on his arms howl in approval of their celebration. their rough tongues were licking at his skin affectionately, making his laughter only amplify even louder.

[name] and usopp were now pulling the wolves into making funny faces, stretching their fur faces to entertain themselves. their antics made everyone around them, including the wolves, to break out into laughter and hold their stomachs.

their rambunctious behavior lived on until the early hours of the morning, making them pass out soon enough for at least some time for rest. everyone’s faces as they were passed out were stuck in permanent grins.

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[ .ᐟ ] fun facts: sanji purposely did cut the carrots in [name]'s stew into the shape of coffee beans ; in the original epsiode, he cut the carrots for the ladies into hearts while the others had their cut normally

[ .ᐟ ] song for this chap: sour grapes by le sserafim

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taglist ! lmk if you want to be tagged/if i forgot to tag you!!! :

@skullr0se, @strawberrii-tea, @triangulartriangles, @anotherlovefool, @sinmp, @3v37773, @taru-nami, @disc0dild0s, @boredwithlifeatthispoint, @kaulitzer, @whotdefak @lcst-at-5ea @zforgottensniper @notplutos @violently-nerdy @cheetosins