#it's about the journey not the destination

[keenanski]

I don’t even know where to begin, because words feel so small compared to what I feel for you. From the moment you walked into my life, it was as if every piece of me finally clicked into place. I always believed in the idea of “home,” but I never understood it fully until I found you. You are my home, the place where I feel safe, understood, and deeply loved. With you, I’ve arrived at the destination I’ve spent my entire life searching for. You’ve brought a light into my life that I didn’t even know was missing. There’s something so extraordinary about you, Tia—your kindness, your strength, your beauty inside and out. Being with you feels like standing in the warmth of the sun, and yet it’s so much more than that. You make me feel whole, as if every gap in my heart was always waiting for you to fill it. You don’t just complete me; you make me better. Every moment we share is a gift I cherish. Whether we’re laughing together over something silly, talking late into the night, or simply sitting in quiet comfort, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. You’ve taught me what love really means, not just in words, but in action, in commitment, in the way you care so deeply for me and our family. And then there are our children. There are no words for the joy I feel when I look at them, the perfect little reflections of our love. They are the most beautiful reminder of what we’ve built together, and I couldn’t imagine a more incredible partner to walk this journey with. You’re not just my love; you’re the most amazing mother, the cornerstone of everything that matters in my life. When I think about our future, I don’t wish for anything more than what we already have, because being with you is more than I ever thought I deserved. You are my greatest blessing, my biggest joy, and the person I will love with every part of me for the rest of my life. Thank you for being you, for loving me, and for creating this incredible life with me. With you, I’m not just happy I’m complete. I’ve finally arrived, and I never want to be anywhere else but with you. @tiamartinez

[silenttrxxs]

choi san! x reader

best friends to lovers! nsfw, smut. 18+ NO MINORS!!

3am, the time read on your phone, you groaned loudly rolling back over and pulling the duvet back over your head as you sighed. Why the fuck your phone was ringing at 3am was beyond you... you sighed when the ringtone ended and silence fell over the room again. You smiled to yourself and gave into the wave of tiredness that spread through your body. Growling, you got up picking up your phone and putting it on speaker as you grabbed a blanket wrapping it around you sliding your slippers on and trudging to the kettle as you spoke on the phone. "san i swear on anything that may be above this better be good or im personally going to string you up and gut you its 5am" you growled into the phone. Giggling a little as you heard him suck in a slight breath as your tone shocked him. "s-sorry y/n but im outside and i need you packed and ready in 2 hours okay, i brought you your favourite snacks and drink now open up please" he spoke as he picked up the bag and stood ready to be let into your home.

"youre lucky i have a soft spot for you and you know a way to bribe succesfully" you said opening the door and smiling hanging up the phone.

you took the bag and put it on the table as you wrapped your arms around sans shoulders, hugging him tightly.

"i have missed you san-san but why this early you know i like my sleep" you spoke stepping back and grabbing a cookie and taking a sip of your drink. san stood there, watching your every move and smiled.

"well i thought since the company has finally allowed us time to go away for a while i thought who best to spend time with than my best friend. And plus you get sick and tired living with hwa and mingi after a while" san says laughing a little. "right so i have 2 hours to pack for what exactly" you scoff pulling the blanket of and walking back to the bedroom pulling out your suitcase and not so graciously throwing it onto your bed. You turnt to your wardrobe grabbing your underwear and rolling it up putting it in and your toiletry bag, pulling out a multitude of clothes out and rolling them up. "well where are we going then sannie?" you question as you look over at san who is pulling out your makeup and putting it into a bag for you.

"hmm ill tell you when we get there..." he says shrugging his shoulders.

"b-but" you gasp and give him a puppy dog look, trying to get him to break and tell you.

"excuse me you think that works, i deal with wooyoung on a daily basis im indestructible to that charm darling" san giggles and pats your head placing the bag in your suitcase and helping you to zip it up.

You both walk to the car, san taking the suitcase from you and lifting it setting it into the boot of his car before opening the door and ushering you into the passenger seat. He starts the car and looks at you, "you better have your passport thats all im saying madam" he laughs as you pick up your bag and root through it, you make a noise that makes san jump as you hold the passport up and put it back. "okay so its abroad hmm... interesting" you say as you fumble with the stereo and put some music on, enjoying the journey to the airport.

you both arrive pulling out your suitcases and giggling together as you help tuck sans hair into his hat and adjust his mask, walking to the terminal. You try to guess the destination but you're dragged away from every sign and each time the tanoi announces a boarding san is quick to cover your ears and shake his head laughing.

"this isn't fair you know, you could be leading me to my own death and ... stupidly id be traipsing along like a lost puppy" you roll your eyes and cross your arms.

"what if i am, what would pouty little y/n do about it huh, they love their sannie too much to say a word" san says in a teasing tone.

"god i could just slap you right now" you joke and smile a little as you watch the way his eyes crinkle as he laughs with you.

san jumps as he covers your ears as your boarding is announced he covers your eyes as he leads you onto the plane. "thank you thank you she isnt to know where we are going so im gonna cover her eyes till were seated" he says to the staff as they ask what hes doing.

you laugh as you get guided to the seat of the plane and once sat you look around, youre sat in first class with san, milan posters everywhere. " San you didnt" you gasp out as you realise where you both are going.

"oh yeah its beautiful there and i have always wanted to bring you but its been a busy season lately and i never got the chance" san says.

"now get some rest ill wake you when we get there" san says patting his shoulder as you rest into his hold on the plane, he puts on a movie and holds you tight enjoying the journey with you.

time skip

you both arrive in milan. the city lights shinging brightly as you exit the airport together, you look over to san as he ushers a taxi. youj gasp as he speaks fluent italian.

"ciao sì, potrei avere un taxi per 2 per favore" he says and you roll your eyes a little trying to will away the blush that creeps on your cheeks before he turns to you.

"dai allora amore mio" he says look at you as he smiles. noticing the slight red tinge to your neck. "someone likes my italiano" san says as he loads the suitcases into the taxi with your and opens the door as he slides in next to you.

you shove him a little as he gets in and sigh relaxing a little as you enjoy the trip. You gasp loudly as san speaks pointing to the building your getting closer to the hotel beautifully traditional. "were here mi amor" he says as he helps you out the taxi and grabs the suitcases, thanking the driver and paying him.

"now lets go and see the room" he says excitedly as you follow behind taking in the decor of the hotel, the walls splayed with dolce and gabbana photos. "is this what i think it is san-ah" you ask. trailing behind san as he opens the door to the penthouse suite.

"come on then dont just stand there with your jaw on the floor" he says pulling you into the suite and laughing.

"san what the fuck do you think your doing... this place..." you say your thoughts trailing off as you take in the view. Your suitcases dealth with and a whiskey being poured and a glass of red wine passed to you.

"here" san says passing the drink to you and smiling as he wraps his arm around your waist as you both look out the window, san takes the glass of whiskey and smiles, his attention being diverted to your face as you sip the wine. He takes in the flush that spreads across your neck and up into your cheeks as his hand squeezes your waist a little testing your will a little.

"its beautiful isnt it" he says his eyes glistening with a look that you had never seen before. "s-san" you breathe out turning slowly, sans lips ghosting over yours as you sucked in the breath his lips were on yours. The way your lips melded together sent shivers to course through your veins. Your body heating up with the feeling of his hands wandering across your body. You spent years trying so hard to keep your feelings at bay, keeping the relationship you held with him at an arms length not wanting your heart to get broken yet again with the feeling that he may have not felt the same way but this pang in your heart being struck away as your mind was filled with the feeling of his tongue ghosting across your lips silently asking for entrance. You opened your mouth allowing him entrance, your hands gripping onto his shirt the glasses of drink long forgotten as your body was lifted from the ground. The air only thickening with desire and lust as you found your body thrown onto the bed. The cool air hitting your body as sans skilled has made ease of removing your layers.

You whine into his mouth as his hands grip into your skin, the pain making you hiss slightly you was sure his touch was going to leave a trail of marks in its wake. You smiled as you locked your gaze with his, noticing the unmistakable feeling of his arousal pressing against your core. You let out a moan, the noise causing san to buck his hips into you, wanting nothing more than to hear more of your noises as he took his time to unravel you from the inside out.

"fuck youre beautiful like this" he breathed out as he sat up, his gaze falling over your body, taking the look beneath him in like the smoothest whiskey he had ever drank. His thirst becoming unquenchable until he has his lips on you. He groaned as he felt your hands reaching for him, gripping into his thighs as your nails scratched into the skin, the burn setting aflame something animalistic in him. He gripped you, pushing your legs apart, moaning as your pussy clenched around nothing, the arousal leaking out of you in waves, he licked his lips as he smirked. moving his body weight to the end of the bed, pulling your weight with him, his face finding purchase between your thighs, drinking in the sweet scent that fell from your body the closer he got. He turnt his head licking a stripe along your thigh, his teeth biting into your thigh, the feeling igniting something inside you that you didnt know was there. You gripped into sans hair tugging harshly, his face now close to your aching core. "so needy arent we baby" he breathes out before licking a slow stripe along your folds, your arousal coating his tongue as his hands grip into your thighs ensuring you stay still, only allowing your hips to buck as he teased your clit with a smirk places across his face. You moaned loudly his name spilling from his lips as he brought you closer and closer to the most intense orgasm you have had in a while, your sight becoming hazy as you felt the familiar knot tightening in your gut, the wave coursing through your body only to be ripped away as he lifted his head, moving to stand, his fingers gently caressing your folds as he collected your arousal on his fingers and stroking himself, you blinked as your body was tossed around, now on your knees as he pulled your hips off the bed, bending you over it as he lined up with your entrance, pushing himself inside you as your walls clenched around his throbbing cock. He felt himself bottom out, the warmth of you covering him in a hazy feeling as he moaned at the feeling his hands stroking your back, pulling you up slowly, the angle making you both moan loudly.

You gasped, moans falling from your lips as he thrusted into you slowly the burn of the stretch long forgotten and your body aflame with pleasure as you felt his hands gripping into your hair tugging harshly as he used his other hand gripping into your hip his thrusts becoming harsher, you whined as he groaned his grip on you getting harder as he chased his own pleasure with you.

"fuck baby you feel so good, p-please" he breathed out, the way he spoke causing you to clench around him. A hiss leaving his body as he abused your hole.

"let me cum inside you please baby i need to feel your cunt milk me" he hissed out as his hips thrusted into you harder. You whined louder his name becoming the only vocabulary that you knew in this moment. You clenched around his throbbing cock as a silent agreement. Feeling the way you clenched around him he moaned loudly, releasing into your core, his seed pouring out mixing with your own release around his cock, his attack not stopping as he fucked both your arousals back into you, the overstimulation causing you both to hiss as the feeling. "fuck baby" he breathed out as he pulled out of your abused cunt.

you turn around slowly, the thin layer of sweat covering his body making him look more heavenly than you ever dreamed of. "i- i have no words" you breathed out trying to contain how your heart wished to pour itself into him.

"lets go take a shower and talk about that after hows that sound" san says lifting your body from the bed, helping you to the shower.

[demilypyro]

I think FF14 is very much the anti-MMO in that its biggest draw is its story, and it actively encourages taking things at your own pace. Most other MMOs are all about the endgame, but with FF14, the journey is the destination. Only way to find out if it clicks is to try it. Free trial's super long for a reason.

[santoschristos]

"Cosmic Energy is within and around you, recharging the body at all times with vitality." —Paramhansa Yogananda Align Your Energy with the Universe When your energy vibrates at a frequency that matches the Universe’s flow, everything in life begins to align. It’s like tuning into the perfect radio station—suddenly, everything makes sense, and you’re in harmony with the world around you. This alignment isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about living in a state where life itself becomes effortless, and miracles become a natural part of your journey. The Power of Alignment Imagine living in a way where what you desire comes to you with ease, where obstacles turn into stepping stones, and where your path forward is always clear. This is what happens when your energy is in sync with the Universe. You start to attract experiences, people, and opportunities that resonate with your highest good. This is the flow of life—where you and the Universe work together to create something beautiful. Manifesting Miracles The Universe has always been trying to deliver what you need, but it’s up to you to match its frequency. When your energy is aligned with love, gratitude, and purpose, you send out a signal that attracts abundance and joy. It’s like setting your internal GPS towards your dreams and then following the guidance you receive. Even when the road gets rough, staying in alignment ensures you reach your destination. Living in the Flow Miracles aren’t just random events—they are the Universe’s way of showing you that you’re on the right path. When you vibrate at the frequency of your deepest desires, you create a connection that allows the Universe to work through you. These moments, where the impossible becomes possible, are signs that you’re living in alignment with the Universe’s flow. Finding Your Alignment Achieving this alignment begins with setting clear intentions and staying aware of your energy. Focus on love, practice gratitude, and let go of fear and doubt. Meditate, connect with nature, and surround yourself with positivity. The more you elevate your energy, the more you’ll attract the life you’ve always dreamed of.

[aquilapzz]

it's great to read that. you'll make it through, okay? all of us wanna help you lift yourself up, you make us so proud and we will keep rooting, cheering and supporting you on your journey, wherever the destination may or may not be

i think that sounded a bit too cliche so im just gonna say something about being sober next time you piss on someone's coat

i miss her so much (drinking concerning amounts of vodka)

[nunununuy]

Part 9

Part 8

Prince x Fem Reader

Tittle: Changing the Fate of the Third Prince

You sat by the window in your family’s estate, the vast fields of green stretching far into the horizon. The soft golden light of the setting sun bathed the land in a peaceful glow, but inside, your heart felt anything but calm. It had been a few days since you’d returned home, leaving behind the bustling capital and the memories of him.

Rafael.

Even the sound of his name in your thoughts sent a pang of pain through your chest. You told yourself this was for the best—that you couldn’t keep hoping for something you knew would never be yours. He was a prince, destined for greatness, while you were just a marquis’ daughter. In your mind, the image of him with Princess Seraphina haunted you, her laughter and beauty fitting perfectly into his world.

You shook your head, forcing yourself to stop thinking about it. It had been days, and you still couldn’t get him out of your mind. “This is pathetic,” you muttered to yourself, gripping the edge of the windowsill. “He’s not thinking about me. He never was.”

To distract yourself, you threw yourself into anything that could keep your mind occupied. Your family’s estate was vast, and there was no shortage of work to be done.

In the mornings, you helped the house staff with chores, surprising them with your willingness to get your hands dirty. You told yourself that hard work would leave no room for thoughts of Rafael. When midday came, you spent hours in the fields, walking among the blooming flowers, the scents of lavender and wild roses calming your troubled heart.

But no matter how busy you kept yourself, the quiet nights were the hardest. When the world was still, your mind wandered back to him—his rare smiles, the way his sharp eyes softened when they looked at you, the warmth of his presence. Those memories clung to you like a shadow you couldn’t shake.

One evening, as you sat at the small desk in your room, you finally made a decision. You would not let your life revolve around someone who didn’t choose you. You had dreams and ambitions of your own, didn’t you? It was time to pursue them.

The next morning, you rose early, your resolve firm. You spoke to your father, expressing your desire to travel and expand your horizons. “I’ve spent too much time tied to the capital, Father,” you said, trying to sound confident. “I want to visit the southern provinces. Maybe help with the new trade routes. I want to see the world beyond the palace walls.”

Your father looked at you with a mix of surprise and concern. “Are you sure about this? The capital has always been your home.”

You nodded. “I’m sure. It’s time I build something for myself.”

And so, preparations began for your journey. You focused on the excitement of the unknown, convincing yourself that distance was the cure for your aching heart.

But even as you packed your belongings, folding dresses and tucking away keepsakes, a small part of you wondered: would he notice you were gone? Would he miss you?

You shook the thought away. It didn’t matter. This was your chance to move on, to reclaim your life. You were determined to leave Rafael and all the pain behind.

What you didn’t know was that miles away, in the capital, Rafael’s plans to bring you back were already in motion. His knights were ready. He would stop at nothing to have you by his side again. And no matter how far you ran, Rafael would find you. You were his.

---

The continent of Aurelis, where you resided, was vast and diverse, divided into four main regions: Eryndor, the northern region known for its snowy peaks and military might; Zantheria, the fertile heartland rich in trade and culture where the capital resided; Selvaris, the warm, coastal provinces to the south known for their bustling ports and exotic spices; and Draelan, the eastern desert expanse ruled by nomadic tribes. Each region had its own unique charm and resources, creating a delicate balance of power and economy across the land.

You had always lived in Zantheria, surrounded by the endless plains and noble politics of the heartland. However, your family’s business was expanding rapidly. The Marquisate of Linford, known for its luxury goods—fine silks, handcrafted jewelry, and rare spices—was opening new trade routes to Selvaris. The southern provinces held untapped opportunities, with booming markets and lucrative connections to overseas territories.

This was your chance to carve a new path for yourself. While you were officially traveling to oversee the opening of new trade outposts for your family, deep down, you knew it was more than that. It was an escape. An opportunity to leave behind the lingering ache of unspoken love and memories of the capital.

Your journey to Selvaris began just days after you decided to leave. The carriage was packed with essential supplies, led by a small retinue of guards hired by your family for protection. Though you tried to focus on the excitement of the unknown, your thoughts often drifted back to the capital—to the man you had left behind.

---

Meanwhile, back in the capital, Prince Raphael was consumed by a mix of emotions—anger, longing, and determination. The realization that you had left without a word still burned deep within him. The ball, which was supposed to mark the pinnacle of his success and his declaration of love for you, had instead left him hollow.

In the days following your departure, Raphael worked tirelessly. He coordinated with his knights, secured the emperor’s approval for his marriage proposal, and ensured that his mission to retrieve you would succeed. No one—not even you—would deny him what was rightfully his.

He spent hours studying maps of Aurelis, planning the fastest route to your family's estate. Through reports from his informants, he learned that you were heading south to Selvaris. This complicated his plans, as the journey to Selvaris was fraught with danger—bandits, treacherous terrain, and political unrest were common in the southern provinces. Yet, none of this deterred him.

Raphael's mind raced with memories of you: your gentle smile, your unwavering support during his struggles, and the way your presence soothed the storm within him. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. You had no right to leave him, to make decisions that excluded him from your life. He would remind you of your place—by his side, always.

---

As you crossed the borders into Selvaris, the scenery transformed. The rolling plains gave way to lush green hills, dotted with olive trees and vineyards. The warm breeze carried the scent of salt from the sea, a stark contrast to the cool, crisp air of Zantheria. The bustling port cities, with their vibrant markets and colorful stalls, brought a sense of excitement you hadn’t felt in weeks.

The new trade outpost you were overseeing was located in the heart of Vallora, a prosperous city that served as a hub for merchants and travelers alike. Your arrival was met with enthusiasm by your family’s representatives, who eagerly showed you the progress they had made.

Throwing yourself into work, you focused on expanding your family’s business. Days were spent meeting local merchants, negotiating deals, and ensuring the outpost ran smoothly. At night, you explored the city, marveling at its vibrant culture and lively streets. Slowly, you began to feel a sense of freedom—a life unshackled by the expectations of the capital.

Yet, no matter how hard you tried to move forward, the thought of Raphael lingered. Was he angry with you? Had he moved on? Did he even care that you had left?

---

Raphael, on the other hand, had never been more determined. Accompanied by a group of elite knights and a carriage bearing his family’s crest, he set out for Selvaris. The journey was long and grueling, but his desire to bring you back drove him forward.

As his entourage approached Vallora, the prince couldn’t help but smirk. The bustling city was alive with activity, yet all he could think about was how he would find you—and how you would finally understand that leaving him had been a mistake.

Soon, Raphael would reclaim what was his. And this time, he wouldn’t let you escape so easily.

___

[newhumantype]

who is it that said buck and eddie are on parallel journeys atm? because i can't stop comparing the last scene in confessions to their respective mini "oh" moments at eddie's house in wannabes.

in 806 they came together while eddie was joyful and buck was heartbroken, just for completely unrelated reasons. then in 808, eddie had a realization about buck that was joyful, and buck had one about eddie that was rooted in heartbreak. it's the same moment repeated, but now those feelings are actually aimed at each other.

this parallel pretty much guarantees that it is destined to happen at least one more time, and it stands to reason that when it does it will be even more centered on their relationship, pushing them closer until they ultimately find their journeys pointed directly at each other.

[celesteablack]

You ask me why I love my books so much, but what you don’t understand is this: when the world made me feel like I didn’t belong, when people out there made me question my existence, my books were the ones that saved me. While everyone else was making me feel small, they whispered that I wasn’t alone.

In Harry Potter, I found a kindred spirit in Harry; someone who felt invisible, shoved into a cupboard both literally and figuratively. He didn’t know it then, but his life was destined for something extraordinary. Through his journey, I learned that no matter how hopeless things may seem, there’s a kind of magic in simply holding on. Dumbledore’s words still echo in my heart: “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

And then there’s The Alchemist, a story that feels like it was written just for souls like mine. Santiago’s journey to find his treasure wasn’t just about gold; it was about discovering the treasures within himself, learning to listen to his heart and trust the universe. This book reminded me that the universe does conspire to help us achieve our dreams, even when the path seems impossible. It taught me that the struggles we face are simply stepping stones to something greater, something meant just for us.

These books didn’t just tell me stories they became my sanctuary. They were my reminder that no matter how lost I felt, there would always be a way forward, always a ray of sunlight breaking through the storm. They taught me to believe, not only in magic and miracles but in myself.

So when you ask me why I love my books, know this: they didn’t just entertain me, they guided me out of the darkness and showed me that there’s always a reason to keep going.

[burgundyskiez]

Burnin’ up - Daryl Dixon

The crisp, late autumn, morning air danced across my face, leaving a frost bitten numbness on my skin. I could no longer feel my fingers, and the sound of my teeth chattering filled my ears. The weekly trek from Hilltop felt like a good job at the time in which I volunteered for it, deciding that the solitude on the journey would be an enjoyable experience that could break up the hustle and bustle of the up and coming settlement. However, as the winter months drew closer, I quickly realised why nobody else jumped so quickly at the opportunity to escape the busyness. My bow slung over my shoulder haphazardly, and my many times reused arrows tucked into a thigh strap I’d made especially to hold them, each took turns clanging and clattering against the sack of supplies, food and filtered water I heaved on my travels. I was surprised I hadn’t drawn more walkers in my direction or towards my destination, that I was close approaching.

Upon my arrival, I whistled once making my presence known as I usually did, yet I still jumped in surprised at the paws that lunged into my back. I chuckled softly, turning to fuss over the furry boy who panted loudly and wagged his tail happily, “Hey Dog. You’re just getting better at sneaking up on me each time, ain’t ya?” I scratched behind his ears and ruffled the fur about his neck, until an amused grunt rang from beside me.

I stood up fully again, turning to smile politely at Daryl, “Hope I didn’t barge in on ya, but I’m sure you expected me at some point soon.” I dropped the sack of supplies on the floor between our feet, pulling the string that tied it loose and grabbing out a bone, waving it around for Dog before throwing it and chuckling as I watched him run after it.

Daryl grunted again as he bent to pick up the sack, throwing it over his shoulder and walking up towards his tent, he spoke as he did so, “Ain’t ever expect Carol to give up on this delivery thing. Tried to talk ‘er outta it many times.” He dropped the sack inside his large tent, before turning to me again. “How’s things up there?” He asked gruffly, holding up a metal cup, silently offering me a drink, and beginning to boil water on the fire that was burning proudly.

I followed him over to the fire, plopping myself down onto a log beside it, opposite where Daryl was crouched, tending to the pot on the fire. I chuckled, “Busy as ever. They wanna make sure everything is just right, you know? Carol and Maggie are working really hard to ensure things run smoothly, s’just nice to get out once in a while.” Daryl nodded as I spoke, moving backwards to sit on the log behind him, waiting for the water to reach a boil.

He looked tired, his under eyes were darkened, his head was held lower, even his posture was more slumped. His physical exhaustion was only half of it though, he was entirely spent emotionally too, having been out looking for any traces of Rick since the incident at the bridge. Each time I visited, I knew he was getting worse, but I also knew that he simply would not give up trying.

I spoke quietly, breaking the silence as I held my frozen hands out above the fire, “He wouldn’t want you exhausting yourself to near death, Daryl.” Tension filled his body instantly, and his face visibly battled against the instant harsh response he wanted to retort with, instead taking a moment before speaking quietly, “I know, but he’s m’brother. I ain’t gonna give up ‘til I know he’s gone. He gave me chances, I’ll give him his in survivin’ if he’s out there.”

I smiled sadly, nodding, knowing he was right, that Rick had given all of us our fair share of chances, we all owed a lot to him. A short moment of silence fell upon us once again, before Daryl dunked both of the metal cups into the boiled water and passed me mine, “ain’t much, but should warm y’up. Yer shiverin’ is making me feel even colder.” He chuckled softly, the faintest smile on his lips as his tired eyes met mine briefly. I chuckled in response and held the hot cup in my gloved hands, sighing happily at the feeling returning through my fingers.

In the first few months since I joined the group, Daryl and I hardly knew each other’s names, let alone spoke, figuring we wouldn’t have much, if anything in common. Despite the close relationship I quickly gained with Carol, who soon filled a mother-figure shaped hole in my heart, Daryl and I had little idea about the others similar family-type of bond with her. It wasn’t until we were teamed up together, tasked with the difficult job of finding Carol after one of her desperate for some kind of escape from the pressure and emotional turmoil run aways, only then did we realise we had a lot more in common than we thought, and that we both bloody loved that wonderful, emotionally exhausted woman. Our joint determination allowed us to find her in just a few days and convince her to return to the group, to us, her family.

A rustle in the bushes startled me, the metal cup in my hand quickly forgotten about as I stood up quickly and tore my bow from my shoulder, snapping up an arrow from my leg strap and aiming my weapon in the direction of the noise. Failing to see any incoming walkers and instead a tail-waggling Dog, Daryl’s laughter shook me out of my fighting response, and then allowed me to feel the burning sensation running across my left leg. “Shit!” I croaked out, my face contorted into a look of pure pain. Daryl’s laughter quickly subsided and he rushed to my side, his face screwed into a look of concern and worry, noticing the metal cup on the floor at my feet, and his eyes finally landing on the boiling hot wet patch covering my left leg.

Daryl immediately crouched at my feet and began sawing through the material of my cargo leg, tearing the rest once he’d made a big enough slash. My leg was red raw, the deep crimson was jeering at us as it waded across my skin, feeling like it was clawing into my bones. I wanted to move, but my body was rigid, dense as a black hole, completely stuck in an inescapable prison.

Suddenly, my feet were off the ground, my body horizontal, legs travelling before me towards the lake, supported by Daryl’s arms. The archer raced into the water, further and further until his waist down was submerged in the soothing frost bitten water, a rush of relief flowed through me. I looked at Daryl for the first time, whose concerned, ice blue orbs met mine. Instinctively, I tightly wrapped my arms around his neck, holding onto him, a silent, brutally vulnerable ‘thank you’ being translated. Slowly, almost uncertainly, his strong arms encapsulated my form, and I allowed my forehead to fall to his shoulder.

The bite of the cold lake sent sudden chills through my body, causing me to pull away from the hug. I looked at Daryl with a small smile before speaking, my teeth chattering comedically, “before I lose any limbs to the cold water, or whatever is swimming in it, I think we should get out.” I chuckle and ruffle Daryl’s hair, before making my way up the bank and back towards the tent, hearing a second pair of heavy footsteps behind me belonging to the hunter.

Daryl rushed ahead and grabbed two blankets from his tent, gesturing for me to sit by the fire again, unfolding one of the blankets and waiting for me to take a seat on the log before draping the blanket around my shoulders. I smiled softly, immediately pulling the blanket tightly around me. As he began to turn towards the opposite log, my voice startled even me, “Sit next to me…” I tried to cover up the embarrassment I felt at the question I’d asked, chuckling softly and silently thanking the heavens above that I was far too cold to blush, “body warmth should heat us up faster, right?”

Daryl froze in place, still for a moment, looking at me with eyes full of surprise. The once certain impossibility of my face flushing red with regret now seemed a lot more likely. I quickly broke eye contact with the man I’d just completely made a fool of myself in front of, suddenly finding my shoes incredibly interesting. Until, a warmth appeared beside me and a larger pair of combat boots joined mine in front of the log, I didn’t dare to lift my head, knowing my face was in fact flushed completely now.

A large, rough hand grasped my chin gently, as if I was porcelain that could crumble under the slightest amount of force. I finally lifted my head, meeting those ice blue eyes once again, that somehow seemed to spread such a warmth throughout me, however when they fell from my eyes down to my lips, I felt all of my breath leave my lungs. My head nodded softly in response without me being able to think beforehand, and he finally closed the space between us.

[literallys-illiteracy]

Slay the Princess: analysis of the Cycle:

Whatever horrors you may find in these dark spaces. Have heart and see them through. There are no premature endings. There are no wrong decisions. There are only fresh perspectives and new beginnings. This is a love story.

The story of Slay the Princess is one of learning, of self discovery, and one about a viscerally human experience.

As a preface, this game is not a singular, cohesive moral as others may be. There are no premature conclusions in one’s understanding of this game, and, like the vessels within, one’s knowledge and experiences past will define their understanding of this story.

As I always do, I encourage you all, to kill the author with your own hands, interpenetrate media as yourself, understand others conclusions but make your own where possible — While it is undeniable that media has meaning, there is no story that will end at the author's intent, and this game alone is proof of that. The narrator’s struggle against the player’s understanding each cycle, his desire and failure to control the humanity of the player and princess alike, to prevent their growth and understanding, each showing how any *human* story will inevitably live beyond the intentions that created it.

Like the Narrator says himself:

“there was no accounting for free will”

There is no singular understanding to be had.

There are no premature conclusions. There are no wrong decisions. There are only fresh perspectives, and new beginnings.

Chapter 1: The Heroes and the Princesses:

throughout the game, the player encounters several “voices”, or aspects of their character who help inform decisions and who each reflect past actions taken in the play through.

There are additionally also 10 Princesses in the second chapter of the game, each being the titular focus, accompanied by one of the aforementioned voices.

Each new voice is a perspective gained, a lesson learned of both yourself, and your.. ‘Relationship’ with the Princess.

The mirror reflects this (god that’s an awful line I’m keeping that in), presenting itself to you, the player alone, unseen by the narrator, in every chapter beyond the first; Each vessel’s final moments is proceeded by this mirror again, finally allowing us to “Reflect” on this moment, on this vessel, without the chorus of voices to guide us.

Each voice exists in dichotomy to a princess of chapter 2: The Hunted and The Beast The Opportunist and The Witch The Prisoner and The Septic The Smitten and The Damsel The Stubborn and the Adversary; The Broken and The Tower; The Paranoid and the Nightmare; The Cold and the Spectre; The Cheated and the Razor; The Contrarian and–

Chapter II.

The Stranger.

“Physical sensations dull and then vanish, until the only things experienced are the endlessly repeating patterns and emotions of the journey. A continuous march forward to a destination long forgotten. Consumption and betrayal. Scepticism and Blind devotion. Rivalry and Submission. Terror and Longing. Pain and Unfamiliarity. And at the heart of it all, an emotion that can only be described as—“

If one chooses to scorn their responsibilities and leave the cabin behind, they are met without ever having met the princess herself (once again, an awful line there), leaving no lesson learned, no perspective gained; The Princess in this chapter is a foreign to you, unfamiliar, a stranger.

The Princess, or the Shifting Mound itself, exists as a creature of perception; Though she changes, learns, from her past experiences, as is claimed quite directly by the Beast, she too changes from our notions of her being — The Princess changes depending on several prior actions, most notably, changing in both appearance and tone depending on whether the player chooses to bring the knife before first meeting her; One’s seemingly innocuous or unconscious decision is imprinted upon the princess upon being made, moving her being into both the player and the hero’s mind, where the princess begins to develop from an archetypal being, present only due to being perceived, into a construct.

This concept of constructs is far from foreign to this game, alike with the idea of archetypal beings; The story of Slay the Princess, is, in my estimation, one of individuation and realising one’s “Self”.

The archetype of the Hero Cycle, also known as the Hero’s Journey, is described by Joseph Henderson’s “Hero’s and Hero Makers” chapter within Carl Jung’s “Man and His Symbols”, as one that occurs nearly universally throughout human stories in relation to maturity and development of the self.

The cycle centres around the hero, or their ego (or your awareness of your “Self” both subconscious and conscious; meaning “I” in Latin), which, over time and through a process of struggle, including a pivotal moment of “death” or “the abyss”, comes to defeat the villain, representative of the “shadow”, or the desires and emotions within ones self, moreover their id, that they wish not to acknowledge or associate with.

When one undergoes their pivotal “death”, when their persona is disintegrated and formed anew, if they then fail to incorporate these realised shadows of their “self”, and instead choose to live fully in ignorance or denial, then they are left as immature and seemingly lost to the world — This, of course, correlates with the route of The Stranger, or rather the Contrarian, as, never having faced the shadow, there was no realisation made for another voice to form; As the princess was never perceived, the ego of the contrarian, who is in and by far the most immature of the voices, takes the place of a more realised voice.

This same concept is even paralleled with the route taken in chapter 1, which aligns with the hero’s “Denial of the call” within the journey, and the continued denial leading to the lack of a journey all together.

Throughout the game, different voices will accompany you, different fears, doubts, and desires will reveal themselves, opposing paradigms of shadow and ego, and each providing a new perspective; Each vessel delivered we are once again greeted with a moment to reflect, finally punctuated upon learning, upon living in this story, in your final realisation, knowing how hollow and vast you are, realising your nascence and multitudes, finding your understanding and perspective when faced with your “self”, that in the end:

Author's Note(s): Wow i finally kept one pretty short... mostly because i intend to make many different essays about the various aspects and faucets of this game, but still. Shoutout to "Katie and Catburger"'s video on this game, which i have had on my "Watch later" list for at least a few months, and which inspired me to write my own on the topic.

I know this one is fairly short compared to my usual projects, but there will be more. Soon? unlikely. But there will be more.

[meownotgood]

GRAAAAAAAAHHHH 40,000 WORDS OF AKI SEEXXXXXX RAAAAAAAAAAhhhh

[non-cannon]

Cruises are both the journey and the destination

[the-alexel-lucas]

I have a scene planned for DAmN which will definitely frustrate people who want worldbuilding details. Natt has to go to the temple for a festival and right as the priest is getting into a lore dump he thinks "sermon on, brain off". Because the point isn't to learn about the religion or anything like that, it's set up for later that will eventually lead up to learning about all those things. But as Benno has drilled into our heads time and again you have to lay the groundwork first.

Lmao I’m always baffled by people’s take “It’s unrealistic for Myne to lose interest in anything that isn’t books!”

That’s literally her. That’s her whole character. She’s been like this since day 1. She doesn’t care to unearth the mysteries of the world, or the chemistry behind how things work (and she won’t JUST BCS YOU want to know) she cares about books and family and that’s abt it.

Anything else is secondary. She’s very much of the idea of “let the weirdo be weird in what they love” and it’s worked wonders

[m1nsur0]

Same Branch, Different Leaves.

[Sun Wukong and the Destined One]

[szynkaaa]

Some more Black Myth Wukong Destined One x reader / OC / self-insert / whatever-floats-your-boat thoughts

***** Black Myth: Wukong Ending Spoilers *****

While I know that in the true ending, the Destined Ones inherits all of Wukong's power and skill and memories and is basically the Monkey King reincarnated, I still kinda see them as two separate beings?

Especially in terms of shipping Destined One x reader LMFAO. IDK I just think this has a potential to be angsty or ending in a tragedy, like yeah you have heard stories of the great Monkey King (or not, depending on your character's backstory). But the monkey you are traveling with doesn't seem anything like the Great Sage you have heard so much about. It's hard to tell what he is thinking or wants but with time you learn how to read the Destined One (see my other hc here). This is the monkey you've been traveling with for some time, protecting you, listening to your woes and shower thoughts. Who made sure you were fed and safe and warm at night.

What does it mean then when he inherits all of Wukong's power and will and memories? Is his personality slowly gonna shift to be more and more like the monkey king's? Did the Destined One ever had a free will on his own? In the game when you die, a lot of times enemies will say "oh you are nothing like him" and that it is also not the first time the Destined One has been here (which I guess is tied to one of the game's ending). I think it's just kinda sad that the purpose of his entire existence is to go find the 6 relics, and then inherit Sun Wukong's memories and be basically the Monkey King reincarnated.

So I'm writing this with my OC in mind, but I feel like if she learns that his whole journey at the end is to become Sun Wukong and be his reincarnation, idk she is gonna absorb that information well. It may suddenly feel like you never really knew the Destined One at all? Was there ever a chance for you to be with him or be together? Once the Destined One inherits all of Sun Wukong's memories, will he still feel the same way about her? will he remember all the good times and bad times and ugly times they went through? I feel like there would be a whole new adjustment period lmfao. ofc this can all still end in a happy ending way, but right now my brain is just stuck in how sad this could also potentially be.

I think part of the reason why I also feel this way is because I am generally not a fan of the whole "past person reincarnated" trope (love isekai though).

I do love the game's ending as it is, but in terms of shipping with an OC or whatever (which is what I always do when I ✨ obsess ✨ over a fictional character), it's not my favorite

anyway yeah, I'm not good with putting my thoughts into words so I hope it makes sense what I'm trying to say

[nonsensenook]

Imagine While Witnessing the Final Fight (Spoilers for Black Myth Wukong):

You and Bajie watch in horror as The Destined One gets destroyed by The Great Sage's Broken Shell

Zhu Bajie: The kid's getting pulverized!

You (squinting): Is that a steel chair?