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yanderecandystore · 1 year ago

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I love the yandere monster story, can I make a wish for some yandere monster boy naga who is looking for a mate to carry his eggs and live the rest of his life together forever?

I don't condone yandere shit irl, but if you bang a naga man someday I'll give you a pass and a cookie, you mad lad. Not proofread enough lmao, also sorry but I really don't know how to type s e x.

Tw/Tags: straight up NSFW/+18 scene (written by someone who struggles to imagine sex- So we don't guarantee quality) // not very descriptive genitals, if at all // the usual yandereness + breeding kink; possessive behavior; manipulation; suffocation; implied oviposition but not really cause I'm dumb // you're a literal desert mailman💀 I'm sorry // brief mentions of troubled family life/past trauma // language barrier // self-conscious reader // willing yet slightly scared reader.

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

Writing in the sand [Yandere!Male!Naga x AFAB!Messenger!Reader - One shot]

Being a messenger was actually a lot more dangerous than it seemed at first, how many times have you and your camel met with bandits, scammers, difficult terrain, awful weather, people who would tell you the wrong direction for shits and giggles?? MANY times, but did you ever consider quitting and going back to the tea shop of your very judgmental parents or worse- To accept the offer of personal servant to that weird queen from the faraway lands who wouldn't shut up about how much better her kingdom was?? NO!

I mean a little bit. Just a little bit. Occasionally, I mean her kingdom was really pretty, though constant snow sounds like a pain in the ass, and giving up the freedom you currently have for either a strict monarch or your family was NOT something you were planning to do, ever!

The first time you got off the borders to send messages for far away people was the day you truly felt alive for once! The desert itself was your greatest rival and yet you faced it head down after that day- Sure, you were unprepared at first and there's still plenty to learn out there but it was EXCITING!!

You fought (ran away as quickly as you could) many groups trying to get a coin out of your body, or your life! Or your camel!! King Mustard wasn't the same after the "giant scorpion with that group of thieves" incident that happened, the worst part is that it happened twice though the people were different at least. Your personal theory is that the scorpion WAS the same from before, and that it has been following you through your journeys and it probably was looking for revenge!!

You told that story to so many people that now it's hard to go someplace without repeating yourself, it's weird how even though you're never at one place for too long, most people know you! You're, humbly speaking, sort of a big deal in the great drylands- Not known for your bravery but mostly for your constant running mouth and your adapted technique in how to extract cactus juice safely from a cactus with 70% success of no cactus drunkenness! (100% Needle-safe not included).

Stopping in a town was obviously the safest place for you and your camel, but was also probably one of the most rewarding parts of your trips, of course because you always need to have plenty of resources out there in the sand but also because… Well, as much as you loved every second of exploration and travel, you were admittedly a very lonely person.

It's not something you like to tell others, as you have already experienced people doubting your capability of being a messenger if you get so "emotional" over being far away from people ("I told you so!" Yeah, thanks mum.). It was a time you could feel at least safe and… Sometimes welcomed.

But it wasn't always a lonely trip, after all, King Mustard was here! Him with his big personality was always the heart of the party! Everyday was fun with him, even if he couldn't speak to you… However, that doesn't mean you haven't found great comfort in your travels, you probably haven't noticed this yourself yet, but [y/n]...

You are a very dear person.

Every person you've helped along the way in your trips, just by coincidence finding them, and landing them a hand in the hot and harsh reality of the desert thinks of you dearly. You have friends! It's just that you don't see them very often… If at all. The desert has a funny way of getting people closer, people who struggle to survive in its environment, and yet it also drifts them away- The wind blows in every direction separating every small particle of sand, and maybe one day they'll meet again, or maybe not. Cruel was it, with its breathtaking beauty and extremely cold personality for someone so hot and merciless.

You often associate the desert with its forgotten god. You tend to talk about it as a person rather than just an environment of harsh conditions, you always remember to talk to it, hoping it would listen in a way. You were pretty much by yourself out there, but thinking that someone was listening to your travels made you feel safer, perhaps not as tormented as the blazing Sun would leave you to believe. You were being watched, and protected, you just knew it!

The proof of it came from one of the greatest encounters you ever had during your travels.

It was really hot that day, King Mustard seemed really tired and you were melting under the blazing heat- You two needed shelter and fast! And suddenly, as if the gods listened to your prayers!-(But quickly threw you two middle fingers)- An immense sandstorm was approaching!! For someone as cautious as you, you couldn't understand where the hell it came from!! It was so sudden and just- There was no indication of it!! At all!!

You got knocked out, and when you woke up- You were… Somewhere strange, like an underground oasis of sorts, hidden in the desert there was a cave of luscious greenery and drinkable water, it was magical how big the place was!! You thought you had died and went straight to Paradise!!

At least, you thought so when you saw a very large and handsome man staring back at you, smiling gently. He had tanned skin and a REALLY long, almost platinum hair! He looked so gorgeous with his green cat eyes that you almost forgot to breathe!

You asked the man if he was an angel, and he responded to you in a language you didn't understand. You were 100% certain that the man was really an angel and yet when he revealed the lower part of his body your face dropped immediately, terror slightly setting in. He was half snake, half a giant snake at that! His tail seemed endless, those dark scales were so pretty yet so terrifying! The gold markings seemed very regal and holy in nature but the endless darkness almost seemed to eat it all up! Like a demon!

You freaked out at first, but when you looked at his eyes, his gentle face- His expression of concern, those big bright eyes, you noticed he really didn't seem to have any ill intent towards you, perhaps you were misjudging him for something he was not. After breathing in and out, you calmed down, never taking your eyes from him, you felt comforted as you realized this creature was the one who saved you out there! And who saved your camel!! He was still really scared of your snake buddy, but you made sure to soothe him.

Long story short, you became friends with a human-snake guy who seemed genuinely very cool! It's a shame you didn't understand a word he said… You suspect that maybe he speaks in a very ancient language and perhaps this means he was REALLY old!! And yet, he seemed just about your age, and you got to hangout with him during your free time.

Poor thing, he seemed trapped down here (though to be fair, it is a fabulous prison to be in-) and he really wanted to catch up with times! So you made it your duty to help him understand the new world, you have no idea why he is here and how long did he live here separated from the rest of the world, but now that you knew how to get there and how to get out- You made it your mission to teach him everything you knew about the modern world.

And although the language barrier was massive, you two somehow got to learn something very special about each other- He shared with you his name, "Rakaski", and you got to teach him yours.

~"[y/n]"~ His accent was heavy, and yet you felt something flutter inside you whenever you heard him call your name. You remember him repeating your name over and over again as if he wanted to memorize how to say it.

After hearing his name, you made sure to research it, trying to find something that could lead you to know what language he was talking in- But no books nor people seemed to know how to speak it, except for one book you found, a fairytale book that was so old that it was a nightmare trying to understand the vernacular! But it didn't seem like a very "old" old kind of book, it was probably made after the language had changed, there were a lot of words that you didn't recognize.

The book never explained the name's meaning really, but it was always used as a common word- And given the context of the story you read, it seemed to mean either "falling" or "god"? Well, you're not very sure, since the book was confusing as hell, and your interpretation of the story was very mixed- Was it about a desert deity or a man that kept tripping over in the sand?! Seriously, why did it have to be so confusing!?

In the end, you still didn't understand the book and neither did you find out anything about Rakaski's name. At least you know it was older than your home kingdom, which was pretty cool.

Either way, the lack of communication never stopped you from coming down that hidden paradise to talk to your best friend every opportunity you could! King Mustard can be very squeamish whenever you guys try to get down there, he really disliked going there and you assumed it was because he was claustrophobic, which you already knew he was. So, today you'll leave him in the shade and get down by yourself, you don't want to stress the poor thing.

"M-Mustard! King Mustard Junior The Third, stop pushing me around!! You know you're a lot heavier than me! Seriously, this isn't funny!!" Ah, King Mustard, for a camel you're really just a scaredy cat! You push him away gently as you can, he keeps positioning himself in front of the hole you want to jump in.

"Hey stop!! If you don't want to come then fine, but let me get in! Please! I'll be back soon!" The massive animal was starting to get a little too agitated, and you knew better than to try to force your way.

"Mustard, seriously you're starting to scare me, you know I'll be back soon, please let me get down." You don't know if it was the deep magical connection of friendship that made him understand you and realize that he scared you, or if he suddenly felt disinterested in playing with you right now.

Taking by how the camel sassily walked away you're starting to think it was the second option- Of was he genuinely insulted by your stubbornness? Who knows.

"Sigh… You always get like this when we pass by." Though you can't really blame him, you know he still distrusts Rakaski, but come on it's been a year! And Rakaski has never hurt any of you two! Sure, he was a bit intimidating at first but he had a good heart, you just knew that.

Compared to the men back in your hometown? Rakaski was a saint, you were sure of it.

You had slid through the sandy hole and into the luscious underground with ease, you started to call for him, but before you could even yell out "Ra" you saw him not so far away, seemingly very occupied.

"Awn, guess you're decorating! Have I come at a bad time?" You walked to him and joked despite being aware he wouldn't understand you.

The way his face lit up and turned to face you was just so precious, he seemed very excited!

~"[y/n]!! [y/n]!! It's really good to see you again!! I was already worried you would never come."~ He talked just like you, committing the same mistake of talking as if the other would understand- You had no clue what he said, but as he coiled around you and his arms squeezed you oh so dearly you understood exactly what he meant.

"Yeah, yeah- Missed you too-" You never knew how to deal with anything social, period, and being flustered at someone who wasn't even human was not a first but it never got easier. But with him, at least, you feel like you don't need to pretend that you don't feel slightly flustered by his attention. Gods know you're a very easy target for large and very well built men.

After he let you go, you realized he was just building a new nest for him, so you decided to help him as well. It was already pretty much done when you got in, but you felt like he deserved a "fancy" bed so you helped him decorate with flowers and some of the trinkets you bought for him, he just loved human trinkets!

And by the gods, you knew you were currently in Spring, but these flowers?! They were just so damn pretty, it's a real shame that your traveling is mostly done in sand, occasionally though you have to go to the East to deliver important letters and gifts and you just kinda love that place! Every time you go, they're experiencing a different season, and it all changes so much, it's beautiful!!

"Oooh!! Maybe I should bring you flowers from one of the neighboring kingdoms, it'll be a way to show you the world since you can't leave…" You think out loud, and of course, he looks at you a little confused- And yet he repeats the word you said.

"Flowers?" He repeats it as if he didn't understand what you said, yet liked how you said it.

"Yes! Flowers!-" You say pointing to the flowers in his nest and surrounding you two, he quickly understands it, it seems.

~"Oh! Flowers! Oh, that's what it's called to you? Great heaven's, humans are always changing, aren't they?"~ He starts to laugh, you… Sort of don't understand the joke, but perhaps "flowers" just sounds funny to him.

He patted your head as he laughed, as if trying to congratulate you on making him laugh (I mean, getting this man to laugh was a challenge, you bet even without the language barrier).....

Although, it felt more like a "reward" sort of situation… As if he was rewarding you for… Being so entertaining, you suppose! Still, that's probably just all in your head, besides you know well when someone is being condescending to you, you're sure of it! Years inside your family's house has made you a pro in spotting bad apples from far away. I mean, you like to think you do, to be fair Rakaski was a little difficult to read, and sometimes he did things that you probably weren't sure of what they meant.

But then again, he was a very old half snake dude trapped inside a cave somewhere along the rock formations spread all over an unforgiving desert, his social life was probably a lot worse than yours, and who's to say that his antics aren't based on his own culture? Perhaps snake people like to coil around each other to show affection, even if it's really hard to breathe like this.

Things weren't so complicated between you two, however, as you guys have invented a form of simple and more direct communication through pointing to objects and scribbling on paper. You had thought about using sign language, so you learned a couple of words and tried to use with him-

"So- This means that- Hm..?"

But before you could teach him he already was talking to you through hand signs you didn't understand, he was very well adapted and you only knew a few like "hello", "you", "me" and "see you soon"- Which would be the most used one for you two.

"Huh, you always impress me, maybe you should be the one teaching me-" You bowed down, genuinely impressed with what you saw, and he seemed very content with himself as he smugly pretended to wave and throw kisses to a nonexistent audience. His ego was always a bit inflated, wasn't it?

You decided to cut your visit short and return back to King Mustard as you didn't want to leave him waiting for too long. It's funny how neither him nor Rakaski liked each other despite sharing a diva personality. As you waved your goodbye, Rakaski decided to give you one last big hug.

A hug that didn't seem to end at all. His body wrapping around you and leaving you to feel surrounded by darkness. This usually happened so it didn't come as any surprise. You tried to tickle him as that usually worked.

"Come on now, you know I'll be back soon!" You laughed as you tried to provoke him, his belly was so sensitive that you could see him contracting and trying to avoid giggling.

But he didn't let you go. Your attempt only made him restrict you further, the snake body trapping your hands with its weight.

You were well aware of Rakaski's animalistic tendencies, for example he was cold blooded and constantly held you to try to gain some height, like he is doing now.

You know that when he yawns his jaw unhinges and opens so inhumanly wide that you have to close your eyes so you won't have any more nightmares about it.

You know he is nocturnal so he is constantly feeling a little too sleepy whenever you two hangout, as you often come to see him during the day (which was something you did for safety, though you sometimes worry he is having trouble sleeping because of you-).

And you also know that snakes tend to suffocate their prey with their body before eating them whole.

While trying not to judge him as a human eating monster you still feel very, very terrified of the slight chance he might be hungry and has forgotten you're not food. The more you struggle the tighter it gets, and it doesn't help that his skin is so cold, it makes your nerves flare up as you can hear him growling with what you hope is not hunger.

"RAKASKI-!!" You yell, you couldn't help it, you were starting to feel dazed. While closing your eyes you felt his lower body shift and relax, you felt arms hugging you a lot more gently than the suffocating sensation from before. If it wasn't for his lazy eyes and the internal chuckling you can feel in his chest you would say he was actually hungry for you. He was just trying to scare you.

"Sigh, you'll be the death of me- Seriously you scared me to death!" You tried to push him off you, but he basically threw his entire body weight on you as you fell to the ground with your back on the soft yet not very ideally comfortable grass.

"Shhhh~!" He nuzzles on you while hugging your stomach. Normally he would have let you go now after petting your head or pretending to bite your neck just for funsies- But today he is very much not letting you go, at all.

Okay, you really didn't want to address the situation, you weren't planning on ever talking about it of course but- By the gods, you knew better than to assume his playful smile was just his usual silly self.

Oh, who were you kidding, you knew it from the moment you came in and saw the nest he was making, it's not like you haven't noticed his chest rising and falling as if he was struggling to breathe just by talking with you. You wanted to leave because you noticed that perhaps you took the wrong month to visit him.

It was mating season, wasn't it? Why now? Why today?! And why WERE YOU ACTUALLY CONSIDERING IT?!!!

"Okay I think I need to think about this a little more- I mean you're clearly not thinking straight right, I'm not even a snake lady, man!" You try to push him off you as you avoid eye contact, the worst part is that he was fairly attractive for someone's who's lower body was just one huge snake tail.

He wouldn't budge, he only shifted his head to look at your face, even if you were avoiding him you could feel his smirk creeping around the corner of your vision, you wouldn't be surprised if he knew what you also knew.

I mean, it wasn't a secret you liked him was it? You thought you didn't mind him noticing this but this sudden desire just feels like it's happening all too fast and you're worried it might be just a one time thing, that he is acting like this out of instinct not out of actual desire towards you. And well you never really did this before, I mean not with someone like him, at all! But you had experiences with people before.

Bad experiences. The ones that would leave someone worried for years that they're not good enough to anyone. Were you being cautious or were you just being self-conscious? Were you scared of him not liking you when this high of his diminished? Maybe you just weren't sure if this was a good idea.

"I don't know if I'm really ready for this." You confess, looking back at him- Hoping to find your answer.

And he looked back at you with a sad expression, did he understand what you said? Did he understand what you meant at least? He looked so concerned and genuinely "awake" despite his current very urgent instincts. He held your hand and kissed it for reassurance, you didn't notice you were crying until your vision was blurry and your chest was aching.

"Sorry.." You tried to wipe them yourself, you don't know why you're apologizing. Rakaski didn't seem to take it well, he was about to say something before shaking his head vigorously and wiping your tears himself. He came closer to look you in the eyes, stop staring elsewhere, you won't find comfort anywhere else but those eyes.

He decides to come off of you and give you some space despite his initial reluctance, the gentle and almost warm presence of reassurance leaving with him- And before he could give you space you decided to make the first move yourself.

You kissed him, hoping perhaps he would understand the gesture, and he did! He hugged you and kissed you back returning your neediness… Though coming in with a lot more desperation than you thought. Not seconds after forcing his tongue in despite your unisseanes.

I mean, it 's good! He isn't being horrific at it is just that you have underestimated how badly he seemed to want this. And although you're just as interested in this as he is, you're worried you may not hold to the same durability as he has.

Today was the day. Today had to be day, and he wouldn't have it any other way. To wait longer would be torture and you best believe this man was patient. He wasn't expecting you to almost reject him at first of course, oh you almost gave the immortal a heart attack!

He shouldn't have been so pushy, he knows that, but having your soft lips on his was so worth it that he couldn't help himself as he pinned you down again, ah… It's a shame the nest is so far away, this is not a very classy way to do things.

Then again, ripping off your clothes with no regards was probably not very refined either, humans needed a lot more courting than he was aware of- But it was fine! You were doing just great, you were being so good to him, he wishes he could praise you in your own language so you could understand him.

~"You're so lovely for something so fragile, thank you for accepting me- You have no idea how long I've spent being trapped here knowing damn well there's not a single other like me out there."~ He would praise you in his own tongue in frantic breaths while kissing your neck and nibbling in your ear, while his lower body made sure to lock you in place, you were a little scared, weren't you?

~"I'm genuinely sorry for having to put you in this position but I can't take it anymore- But I know you want this as well, I know you do!"~ He usually was very talkative, but there was something in his voice that sounded shaky, desperate, and his hands were too confused on where and what to grab that you noticed he seemed just as inexperienced as you were.

Well, at least you thought so before he spread your legs and started to rock back and forth in your lower region- It's not exactly that he is inexperienced, but he is very much off his mind right now- His movements aren't uncertain, they're just frantic for any release. Not that he won't tend to you as well, he just really needs this right now. But you'll understand, you always do. You always treat him so well, despite the monster he has become.

~"It'll hurt, and I'm not sure if it's only a little. I promise to make it worth it later to you."~

You were struggling to keep up with his weird and off putting rhythm- He was just so ready for this, it's been on his mind ever since he found you unconscious inside his natural prison, but he knew better than to be selfish to someone he'll have to share a nest with.

~"It'll be great don't worry, I'll make sure you'll be well taken care of. It'll be incredible, my treasure."~

You shivered when he went from humping your lower region to undressing kissing it almost as passionately as he did your mouth- He should probably move a little slower considering he changes activities way too quickly but hey it felt better than the awkward dry humping.

It wasn't bad, but it lacked a bit of finesse- Not like his careful and calculated attention to your privates right now-

"Humans need a lot more work than I remember, but does that mean we can make it last longer? Would you want that, treasure? [y/n]?" Rakaski was playing with it almost as if he never looked at something like a naked human before, but it was a lie- He was absolutely just trying to tease you with every poke and flick.

He ran his finger down slowly before reaching an opening and pulling it inside, at least one to feel you inside. It's lovely that you arch your back to the littlest of things, and although he doesn't understand your words, moans are hardly hard to misinterpret.

"Slower then? I guess I was being too unprepared, I'll be honest that it's more fun than I expected. If this is the work I have to do every time then I'll gladly accept." Human courting was fascinating to him, though now he understands why, he can't just expect you to take it all in with a little help- And helping someone never tasted so sweet.

You were feeling embarrassed by his stare as he licked you out and further tried to spread you- Trying to ease the inevitable soreness that would come but damn, did he have to look at you like that?! It made you feel a little dirty, a little too embarrassed to entertain his idea, for someone who seemed so eager to shove it in without any foreplay he was really taking his time now!

You grabbed his hair carefully, you didn't really notice what you were doing and to be honest you weren't sure how to continue with this but Rakaski looked at you in awe… His smugness was replaced with a look of pure adoration- His pupils wide and round as he expects you to guide him.

It gave you a bit more confidence knowing he trusted you to hold his head and sort of help him find the right pacing.

You don't remember for how long it went, you just remember that it ended with you on top of him, going at your own pace. He held your hips not stopping you to go as fast or as slow as you wanted but rather because he felt very uncomfortable NOT holding every centimeter of you. He needed to grab into something and your sweet flesh was exactly that.

You woke up in his nest, feeling a little disoriented, memories of what happened a little foggy, but you were sure it wasn't a dream considering the soreness in your thighs- It was hard moving.

You sighed, feeling weirdly satisfied- Well, that's not the right word, more like… Well, genuinely happy.

You tried around, and you saw Rakaski curled up into a ball, sleeping so peacefully and yet with that little mischievous smirk in his face you just knew he was dreaming about it.

You turned your body to face him, deciding to close your eyes and sleep a little more.

Until you remembered you left your camel outside.

"HOLY GODS, KING MUSTARD!!" You jumped up, trying to run as quickly as you could towards the entrance- But you couldn't even leave the nest when Rakaski wrapped his tail on you and pulled you closer.

"WAIT! It 's my camel!! I forgot I left him-"

"Stay." He said in a very half awake voice.

"You can talk…?"

"Stay." Rakaski wrapped himself around you, as he buried his face in your neck. You weren't sure if he was understanding what you said, or if he only understood the meaning of that one word.

"Rakaski, I'm just going to check on him, I'll be back soon, I promise-" You pushed his chest away. You shouldn't have done that.

Rakaski tightened his grip around your body.

"Stay. [y/n]. You're not supposed to walk so soon. Stay still, no mother should walk so early after mating…" He still sounds so sleepy, so innocent, but his half opened gaze was not… friendly.

"Rak- AH!-" Tighter, and tighter, and more tighter. He knows damn well that whenever you get to that camel you're leaving him for gods know how long, but as he stated before, soon to be mothers shouldn't walk around in the dead of night especially since he knows humans don't deal well with the coldness of the desert during this hour.

It's better to stay here and let him take care of you while you're now waiting for his kids, even if you aren't aware of it. He isn't sure how long hybrids take to be born, but he wasn't to be there for you every step of the way.

"Shhhh…. Go back to sleep, stop struggling, it is not good for you…" He kissed you goodnight as he suffocated you back to sleep.

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

#yandere naga #yandere monster #choco stuff #special delivery request #yandere naga x reader #yandere male #yandere monster x reader #yandere oneshot #Jesus Christ this must have SO MANY mistakes I'm so sorry #I'll iron it out real soon tho #also THANK YOU FOR LIKING MY MONSTER STUFF I LOVE YOU JSGDGJQSGJQSFQ

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death---dealer · 5 months ago

Text

Thick as Thieves. ( Noa x Human!Reader. ) Part Fourteen.

*banging my pots and pans* getting bETTEr

Title: Thick as Thieves. Fandom: ( Kingdom of the ) Planet of the Apes. Rating: T. ( Injury, mentions of blood, heavy mentions of sexual implications. ) Pairing: Noa x Human!Reader. Words: 9.5K ( WHO ALLOWED THIS ) Summary: Approval was a big part of Ape culture; Noa sought it from his Father and never got it in return. What now as he held himself in animation to get approval from his own Mother and then you, his Echo? READ THE SERIES HERE.

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His body felt unable to do anything more the moment that Dar and Soona tore you from his embrace, nothing but the shattered remains of sediment and your blood catching against his body in that glimpse of terror he wished to never re-live. The lifeless cling you had to Soona, your voice nothing more than a gashed memory to Noa as you forgave her with kindness for… Never coming back, your hand grasped hers tightly out of wanted support, Soona’s face softened as you embraced her before green eyes met Noa’s in understanding. There it was, he thought to himself, the time that those around him began to understand the irrationality that ran through their Leader to save what they considered to be just another Echo.You understood as she placed you gently on the ground, your face contorting into pain that Noa wanted to bare for you… How he wanted to, heart dropping itself into the bowels of his navel.

Was this the unsaturated embodiment of… Empathy…?

Noa tilted his head minutely and felt the flood of affliction from your limbs to his own like it was secondary nature to feel what you felt, Dar and Soona moving quickly to analyze the extent of damage done from the crown of your delicately placed head against the flushed leaves of the forest floor littered with moss and colored leaves as the season was on the very brink of changing, down the curved points of your body itself, Noa tearing his eyes away for only a moment when your thinned and carded shirt was torn off and placed to the forefront the darkened and nearly black bruises that were forming against the skin that he himself wanted nothing more than to sink his sharp canines into; but now… They were kissed with Death itself and Noa felt a surge of aggravated annoyance rush through him.

How bad was it? He was unable to hear words from Soona or Dar, their hands pressing as softly as a morning dew against a petaled flower, but you cried out, more crimson from your mouth as it fell down the side, tracing the outer lines of your ear before one by one it began dripping onto the ground below you.There was a shared look between them as Soona signed a muted ‘inside damage’ towards Noa’s mother who nodded it the utmost agreement. It was apparent from their demeanor that it was dubbed the highest of priorities, Noa finally letting himself look back at your bare chest save for the fabric of your bra; an item that never made sense to him but now he was thankful for he wanted to be blessed with seeing your breasts only when you were ready to show him. You were breathing slowly, rested and unsure if the next one was going to cause more affliction to the skin that he could see.

Noa felt himself shuddering at that. No longer did the pain in his own form matter. What was yours became his own, the coating of innate sensationalized suffering riding through him like a horse through an open field. Marking your torso as checked by the two Female Apes, your legs required less attention. The evident nature of the mangled skin, the tearing apart of tendons. It would take months, if not more to heal if Noa recalled your last injury correctly and applied the correct equation to the damage done this time around. Months… Noa looked at your legs and felt his jaw tighten itself together, canines coming to rest autonomically in the gums that allotted the position of them.

Noa… Would wait years if he had to, no other option for a mate existed for him. No other… He wanted to protect and to provide for the rest of his life, no other he wished to share himself with in the heightened sunless nights.

Noa’s mouth parted, his jaw slacking forward as he collected what little remained of his own sustained breathing out of wrought and acute determination. Empathy… He felt towards you, beaten to an inch of your life as you ran a parallel line to each other but never merged until the moment you were brought back to him. It was disgusting to even indulge in the thought but Noa found it difficult to shove it aside.

How, somewhere in the larger scape of things, if that was even the case, you were always meant to yell at him, to slur your words and he was always meant to brittly crush your bones between his fingers in a means to defend himself against your phrase. You were always meant to leave, but you were always meant to return to him such as Eagle Sun did day in and day out.. Always destined to share in the same fight; Noa was never a full believer in that despite the Elders instilling in him from a young age that things did happen for a reason, but the reason would only become clear when you lost the purpose to begin with. It… all made sense now.

Noa had almost lost you, he still could, that idea tugged at the very crevices of his mind that he was trying to ignore despite common place occurrences of Death surrounding the Earth… And even though the moment of clarity happened at the embankment of your meeting place and was never uttered beyond that of inflictions against phrases, the stream that blessed the land with opulence carried the hushened noises of both of you to one another.

He was so refusant in seeing that as the true intent; he bargained against it for months. The Ape was always meant to share his life with another, but it wasn’t brought to light that the other half he had been searching for in the darkness just happened to be the whispering of an echo that reverberated off the walls of Echo ruins. A call to the slotted ideals that shattered in on themselves once they were touched with the sound when you made the pre-chosen decision to stay at the Clan.

The very Master of the Eagles was helpless, propped against the hardened bark of the tree trunk as he watched them, his mouth ghosting over words he rehearsed time and time again but had yet to get the chance to whisper to you, dirtied and oh so incredibly tired as the blistering in his shoulder became more evident in the lack of adrenaline that shot through the svelte muscles that lined his bones. Noa could just drift into a fitless sleep now, knowing you were in the care of his Sunset sister, so gentle with you and his Mother, the stability in his life when he was torn to ashes himself much like the remains of the village.

There would be a time the ideas he had would could to light, the phrases he wanted to say would be breathed so delicately into your ear as fingers tangled themselves into hair and fur alike and Noa shifted his entire body weight above yours into flashed white heat, hotter than that of any fire that had ever burned since the Rise three-hundred some odd years ago.

The Ape chanted in his mind as it became his new mantra; he would tell you when you woke up. The agony he went through not to tell you when you asked, the torment Noa wanted to feel himself knowing that he may not even get the chance; was it worth it? When your gaze sustained his own and you were clenching to the familiarity of safety, love and you were no longer cusping at the life you wanted… No, Noa corrected himself there, the life that you two deserve to have together. Was it worth it to wait?

It… was but at the same time it wasn’t.

There would be no need to hold onto the tightrope anymore, for either party. The game of Chess that neither of you truly understood how to play from the beginning would come to an end, the Queen always destined to win and climb her way to the top, even if it meant dragging her King along. Noa… Drew a deep breath in, feeling the rumbling of his own wheeze drizzle against the back of his throat as his green eyes that began to rival in hue the foliage that surrounded the area, even down to the minute speckles of tasteless iron that coated some of the leaves reminiscent of the bloodshot tear in the whites of his eyes. Noa was ready for it to be over, as much as he tried to convince himself that he loved the chase.

The chase left him tired… The chase left you wounded, almost dead and there was no way to logically make sense of that anymore no matter how much the Ape tried. No more, Noa muttered inside of his mind and finally looked down at his wounded shoulder for just a split second. He’d heal with time, his hand pressing to his chest to assess his bones and the severity of which they were crunched under the full weight of a male Echo, much more than your own, much more pressure and not as pleasurable as Noa would imagine it would be if you were to ever give into the temptation of caressing your body to his.

What was going on inside; Noa nodded in stunted silence, he would heal but he was afraid you wouldn’t, unable to shake the feeling of dread that was driving his conscious mind to pessimism. The light of the new day drenching your body and giving all three of them a clearer understanding that seemed to only justify the thickened moisture that clung to the swept wrinkles that accentuated his eye sockets.

The head wound - a large slice right along your hairline from what had to be a spearhead of sorts, maybe even one of those… Knives… Yes that was the word, Noa preened with mild pride that he was able to recall a distant conversation with you about such an obscure Echo item that you had compared to the slicing of a spearhead itself, it danced blood down the sides of your vacant expression and trickling into your eyes like faux tears that ultimately drenched themselves onto the dried ones of your cheeks. Iron and salt, coarse and hard, dried to your face and Noa was unable to keep the maintained stare on it as he felt shook with the guilt that lingered the moment he saw you leaving his sight.The scattered nature of the cuts against your skin that Noa wanted to score with his hot muzzle were abundant.

Whatever the Ape was able to deduce against your sternum, the bone weakened and stricken with captivating his gaze as he was able to see your heart beating. Noa felt if Soona pressed down on it too aggressively, it would snap under the touch; down the frontal portion of your body and arms, unable to see in full clarity your backside that you were resting on but he figured it was nothing less than the pieces he was able to take morbid delectations in. One by one, he counted them in diligence, one way to keep the Ape from falling into a slumber and missing some part of this, some part of your life. And one by one, Noa felt a tiny bit of him die for not having been able to see that this was preventable in the first place when he irrationally sent you from his side.

Ignoring the whimpering of his body that trudged more to the aspects of sleeping the pain off, Noa curled himself into a ball as Dar pulled herself away from your body, your hand still reaching and holding onto Soona’s as his friend held her face perpendicular to your own. Noa… Knew she had lied to him, that there had been no Apes sent back for you. Shutting his eyes pensively, he sensed there was something being said there between the two of you, words of assurance and praise Noa hoped for all that both of you had sustained, and words of reassurance whispered from your lips as Soona should not feel guilt for doing what she did.

You had to know that… She… She did it to keep Noa from succumbing quicker to Death. If Soona told Noa that you were alive, he’d tear himself apart from the inside, literally tenderizing the muscles from his bones in an attempt to drag you from the consuming fire himself. Allowing the allotment of a lie was the only way to save him, Soona rationalized that as Noa was doing in the moment of tentative silence he was in now.

There was no way to deny the sickeningly grateful notion that Noa felt as he re-opened his eyelids, subdued anger leaving the tracing around his irises. Noa understood why Soona did what she did; fear drove even the most optimistic and gentle Apes to take drastic turns in order to save and salvage what they held dear. Apes, Noa looked at Soona with a slight smile, were also Selfish… Without that emotion… Grazing his glance from his friend to you… Noa would be gone, never to see the light again and never to hold you against him in the utmost satisfaction that he needed, aligned now with his desperate need to breathe the air.

Soona mimicked Noa then when you coughed, his hackles rising in a protective stance as her calloused fingers caressing so closely to your mouth as she wiped at the blood that pooled down the point of your chin and eclipsed itself down your jaw line. She was so gentle, Noa sniffling quietly and trying to bring his mind somewhere that wasn’t lingering with the scent of burned wood that clung around the musty atmosphere. You mustered for her a meager smile, tugged around the edges and most likely undetectable to Soona herself but Noa… Always noticed those minute expressions you gave and they were truthfully his favorite. There was something there that Noa wasn’t understanding of as you squeezed her hand with all your might, Soona returning the gesture. Thank you, you said to her, thank you for doing this for me and for helping me now… “Tha.. Thank… You for co-coming… back fo-for m…--- Me now…” That voice was unmistakably yours and it tickled at Noa’s ears in the most sweet caress as the agonistic whimper rested around the edges of your tone, Soona’s hand drifting itself up your arm to grasp at your forearm entirely, past the wrist that Noa had once grasped so tightly to cause you substantiated pain that he was going to spend the rest of his life begging for forgiveness for even when you give it time and time again as Noa suspected was going to be the case.

“Told you… I would… I am sorry for… Not coming… sooner… Afraid…” Noa saw the shift of your pathetically placed nod, knowing you would think the same. The muscles of your neck were unable to drift in power, he wanted to hold it for you and take the motions as his own. Just tell him what action you wanted and Noa would do it for you, for the rest of the time he had with you…

Thank you, Soona, Noa hoped she could feel that gratefulness that tugged on the very edges of his fur, sweeping through the breeze that tickled around her ears, being born within a sunset always assured the emotions that he felt were encased in her own. Thank you for keeping me alive long enough to come back to my Echo…

“She is… in bad… condition…” Dar’s voice was dull and lacked any support because she felt there was nothing to give her Son as she came to rest beside him. Noa, instinctively like a scorned young Ape, rolled himself against her side and felt a racked sob encase his tightened and bleeding body at the mention of finally being able to release the tension that was riding along as Noa felt he needed to keep himself strong for you. ‘Must ask you… My son…’ Noa knew the question.

Noa feared the question.

‘What is… this Echo’s meaning to you?’ Signed and concise, the young Ape felt his walls crumbling down brick by carefully placed brick.

Noa said nothing and felt his body shift on what seemed to be its own volition as he curled into a ball beside his Mother, his only source of comfort as you were busy with Soona and vice versa. Anaya… Would scold him playfully for this, Noa knew that. Noa did not yearn for that here, what he wanted was his Mother to understand… But how could she… Noa squeezed his eyes shut, feeling his Mother’s body shake beside him as she readjusted the hunched position she was in to properly allot her bruised and battered Son into her embrace, one arm wrapping around him and lightly trailing the twill of her blue shawl with it. The wispy comfort it gave him as he buried himself into her side, face casing into the fur that felt so much like his own but always held a longing of maternal instinct and wisdom that was always going beyond his own thought stream.

“Cannot… tell you… Would not… understand.”

Infliction in the last word was indicative enough that Noa was dragging himself into the mind processes instilled in him from not the Elders this time… But from his Father. That Echo were all inherently bad, seeking to bring destruction where they ravaged the Earth but where in his Father’s words were there any mentions of Apes being the same way?

Selfish, Noa rocked himself against Dar and sniffled loudly, her body staying stagnant and strong the way that she knew that Noa needed. Noa had been selfish here, his fluttering gaze that was frenzied with agnostic bullets aimed towards himself from the very Echo weapon that rendered his right side virtually dead in most regards, looking over towards your body as Soona began inspecting once more, carefully this time, around the splatter of black and purple on your chest. Selfish… Hateful towards things he did not understand… Ignorant and so very…

“Reminds me… Of your Father. The way.. You look at her.” Noa stopped his paced and languid movements against his Mother, amply expanding eyes to the point where Noa felt the skin beneath his eyelashes was going to snap from being stretched beyond comprehension. “I do not… understand.”

Whimpering that out, he turned his face then towards the tree trunk and looked at the tracing of the lines that drifted upwards to the sky until it tapered into the leaves that fluffed outwards and provided the most wonderful but saddening lighting. Dar extended her free arm that was not cased around the wounded nature of Noa’s shoulders and urged her boy to look up to her. Noa did just that, falling himself back in time to when he would cry on her about how cruel and vindictive Koro was towards the younger Noa; towards his thoughts and his outview of the world. It felt so similar, Noa so small and incomprehensible.

‘Your Father would… only want your happiness, my Son.’

No words spoken, Noa felt reluctant at the intricate way Dar signed towards him as a few birds began their calling through the woods, themselves on the search for something greater like the Ape who looked nothing more than a child in his Mothers embrace. Noa’s face crunched in on itself, the expression familiar enough to Dar as she ‘tsk’ed under her breath and tugged him even closer, careful of the gouge that would scar his shoulder once healed. Canines rattled up and down as Noa processed, trying to come up with a response but he felt nothing coming to fruition as he let out a distressed yelp.

“She cannot… leave me…” Noa shook his head adamantly as Dar tugged his face inwards to bless his forehead against her own, Noa disregarding the flutter of his neck muscles that told him the motion was not a great idea, but he needed the brief and smothering gesture that radiated what felt like self-assurance from one Ape to another. “I am so… Afraid… Mother… She will…---”

Noa could not bring himself to say it but the implication was left bare and cold in the deadened silence that followed as Dar nodded in empathetic understanding. She missed Koro, as was evident in how she held her only child, half of him engrained with the late Master of the Birds which she saw in his leadership and outlandish obsessions but the other half… Hopeful and devoted, Dar let her stare trail back to where you were laying on the moistened Earth. Romantic, through and through and she knew that Noa was unaware of this shared trait. She missed her Mate and felt the pull to be protective towards her own Son in the vividly cusped imagination that he was about to embark on a similar endeavor without ever knowing what the fruit actually tasted like once burst onto tastebuds.

“We… Eagle Clan… Must believe… They…” She looked at Eagle Sun who came to beckon for you, trailing his way on the ground on stickly legs and bounced towards your way in his own seeking comfort, beak trailing downwards and grabbing a delicate strand of your hair which Soona was quick to fix, shooing off the bird from your presence. Wake up, Sun told you in silence as he refused the gesture from Soona to leave, not only does Noa need you, I do too…

Dar narrowed her eyes on the bird in convoluted confidence, “Our Eagles will always lead us to where we… need to seek forgiveness.” “I wish to seek…” Noa was careful with his words as he turned his body away from Dar to look forward once more; Towards the broader and fur lined coat of Soona’s svelte muscles to your own, tattered and senselessly bleeding appendages as you admired the scape of the trees than lined your vision above. Noa’s breathing began to feel muffled again and mindlessly crinkly. ‘I need… her to… know….’

The feeling in his chest became more evident as a ricochet from his lungs exploded against the back of his throat, finally telling the Ape than words at this point were useless, his vocal cords were going to fail him. ‘It is my fault… I sent her… away… Anaya and Soona…’ Pressing his lips together, Noa felt his self-control dwindle into the everlasting nothingness than came from his deepened sense of self-hatred. Everything he had done to you was shrouded on the delicate features of your skin, the same skin than Noa wanted to hold onto and bruise for himself out of another wave of self-indulgent lunacy.

‘Anaya and Soona think she left of her own will.’ Noa explained to his Mother, unable to stop the present scheme to demolish his own self-worth, something Dar cherished so much because to her, Noa was worth so much more than he bargained against.

‘I sent her away. Gone… from my side…’ Fingers worked against the language, regretting every word that came to be. Noa was terrible, his leer unable to dance away from your body as Soona began to wrap your legs into tweeded fabric that bristled around the edges with dirted twine. A temporary fix to a much larger problem. ‘Never told them… Noa sent her away… Ashamed… Still… am…’

“We do things… without understanding… Consequence.”

“We do stupid… things when… no time is taken to understand!” Noa hissed at his Mother, suddenly enthralled with the want to delve into deprecation rather than take anymore wisdom that was offered in loving understandment. Talking was pure torment for the Ape as the fur catapulted itself against the crown of his skull and down the base of his neck in an innate display of self-defense. Dar could not defend him, no one could anymore.

“My Son…” Dar sighed against Noa’s disintegrating self. “You think… You… Do not understand?” The clear tone was leaking disappointment and Noa snapped his gawk at her, inviting to the pull he had to be scorned into submission for his actions. “You brought Echo… to the Clan… Brought devastation… But brought… something…”

Words ceased as Noa’s slitted eyes felt more guilt at the fact that the demise of the Clan was always going to fall at his feet. There was no way around it, the forewarnings began with the lack of acceptance from his Father growing up. Noa was not a Leader; Noa was a scared Ape who would run and turn at the casted shadow of doubt he covered himself in. There was nothing more to say, but the dead air that centered his gravity made Dar’s next words even more bitter. "Echo brought something new to you. You have learned much. Of Echo ways, of ways of Clan… Of Noa.” “Do not… understand… Your… kindness towards me.”

“You are my Son, and I am proud of you---” Jaw clenching, the muscles tightened themselves as Noa gritted his teeth in frustration. “I want to take her… As my Mate.” Noa bit back, his tongue against his right upper canine for a split second out of vindictiveness as if to mutter to Dar ‘Try to be proud of me for that. It’s impossible.’ As were the subsequent shattering of words he wanted to use as fuel. If the village was burned down to ashes, Noa wanted to be too and he’d be the one to stoke the flame just to seek the disapproval he knew had to be coming so he could move on in secret. The intent would never change, Noa wanted you and only you and if his own Mother posed a threat to that then he would leave; that was the deciding factor though the Chimp felt it was a decision made in haste and inflicted selfishness to see how much he truly was able to get.

He wanted his Echo, but he was afraid now to lose his Clan as lucidity came back from the injuries that left him post-hazed in the aftermath of a terrible loss.

A confession from you was checked off, the words so tastefully leaving his ears pricked as his shoulder fur preened itself in the utmost satisfaction. He would take you… In your words, as a Human. In his words, as his Echo and Mate. A denial from his Mother would derail that and would… Ruin it. It was the driving force that kept his speech so clear and vengeful. Noa spoke with hatred towards himself.

“Ape and Echo. Cannot… stop myself… from thinking it is… possible… Raka,” Noa glimmered his attention back to Dar for a split moment and she swore she could see her boy smile in self-assurance but it was surely the trick of light, “Caesar… The ways… of Caesar… Could be true… For us all… For Eagle Clan to… learn and to grow… Need her… by my side...”

There was a stunted silence between the shared blood that coursed through the two Apes, Dar jilting her head at the words so confidently said without a stutter. She knew; it was apparent as she said earlier. In the way than Noa possessed his gaze against yours. She knew; it was apparent in the leaking hesitation Noa had when posed to give your body over to Soona and herself who only came to help. Ape and Echo…

She thought hard, brow ridge coming down above her stare. Not unheard of; other Clans she had met had stories. Not as admittedly swept in a sunsetting glass, it was often Apes taking what they considered to be their own on the Earth and in itself held much danger for both parties. Never did the notion that her own child would want to wander down such a path come to Dar’s train of thought but the longer she processed it, Noa’s words desperate for acceptance, it was attune to her Son’s personality. Push the boundaries of what is possible for Apes…

Bring more peace and prosperity to the Clan itself and build reinforcements. Not arranged like the other Clans who did it out of true selfishness, not smothering for the Echo to live a life they did not want but something brought to light from mutual affection and understanding between two species, hands reaching for each other over and over again over countless conversations she had seen afar that Noa and you partook in. There was selflessness in her lineage that Dar had sensed. There was willingness on the Echo part that Dar now realized to be acceptance of the most respectful way, her own ideology towards you changing on a dime.

He sought something new, something to help fix the hole that was left when Koro refused to listen and you… Did that for him. You held onto him, kept his balance and only when you were gone did it shatter into tiny shards of glass that the entire Clan had to deal with in the crossfire. She did not understand the appeal. The desire to be with Echo in such a way… But there were those who sought for the unknown. No Ape, Dar needed to understand that, was ever going to fill Noa’s wants and desires; her Son was always destined for you and she truly believed in that, the divine intervention.

Dar saw that now even as Noa trembled beside her with the admission. In his confession blessed to the air, Noa was seeking the only permission he needed before he’d allow himself to take his place next to Soona and to help his betrothed Echo.

“It will… not be easy.” Dar eased into the approval with a casted look at her Son and then back at your more delicate form, trying so desperately from the look of your fisted hands, to keep the pain inside as to not alarm Noa any further. It was universally recognized as the Mother of the Eagle’s leader nodded her head tentatively. She did not understand but… There was no understanding in the realm of who you choose to love.

“Echo… will continue to pose…threat to Ape… But… If this is what you choose… What you need… You need to know it will be a difficult journey for both of you. Very long… May… Bear no fruit.”

“Do not care,” Noa bared his teeth at the whimper that drifted deftly from your chapped lips, Soona’s mouth muttering the tiniest bits of an apology for you. “Will figure… that out later… Need…” Noa swallowed hard, the feeling of dirt sediment lining along his throat causing incredible discomfort with the motion of his jugular as he raised a hand for his Mother. Flattened, straight to her line of vision and palm beckoning to the sky. The tearing of his tired muscles faulted momentarily and Noa felt his arm falling but with an ardent grunt, he hoisted it even further for Dar to accept. “Need you… to help me… Please…”

There were no more words spoken, nothing more than Dar needed to tell her Son as her fingertips grazed the very cusp of Noa’s blood dried hand. Within moments, as if the contact between the reinvented the muscles that had been blown to oblivion, Noa brought his hand to her neck and tugged her inwards to bless his Mothers forehead with his own. Thank you was spoken between the brow contact.

“Go to her now. Help… Soona. We will.. Get her back to the Clan to begin healing…” Noa squeezing his eyes shut and seconds later, he was dragging his damaged body towards his Sunset Sister, determination drawing itself to the forefront with every cusp that his feet had on the ground that tore the Earth apart with its gait.

●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・●・●・○・

A Month Later.

Pressing a large hand to his ribcage as a blaze sped at the muscles, Noa took a deep rattling breath in, curt and brisk with the idea that the bones themselves were tugging back into position from puncturing his lungs. That was evident to your gawk where as you were able to admire the pure stance the Chimp truly possessed with a dry mouth, urged and agitated with desire to touch the shoulders that were moving so dexterously, jealousy piqued as you were unable to work the same way he did. If you asked nicely maybe he'd work his hands for you, your lips parting with the compulsion to speak, the words stopping themselves in your tightened throat as the guilty continuance to admire the Ape was much greater than speech. Noa’s shoulder blades brushed with acute and censored protectiveness that sunk deep from the depths of his honey fur to keep the budding relief of breathing to himself as the hackles rose down his spine as he prepared the clay jar, so familiar to both of you now; used twice, smeared against smoothed skin that he wanted to cling to for the rest of time. The first time, your skin flinched away from him because he was seen as a threat; an Ape who would kill you with vicious intent. This time... You were so accepting of his grazing finger pads, calloused and attune to the nature of your pores. You'd never been touched like that before; you never wanted to be by anyone other than Noa.

The chattering of other Apes, the cluttering of bricked wood, laughter… The laughter was not coming from outside, he was quick to notice. Anaya… The Eagle Clan leader has been so trenched in his own thoughts that he had forgotten that Anaya was in the room with you, visiting as he so often did in the early evenings. Noa peeped over his shoulder at the hunched form resting beside the softer edges of your own aura, Noa too familiar now with how it felt after catering to the needs it developed in order to heal. The fleshy part of your calf seemed to be engrained to the very depths of his palm prints from the countless times that Noa had the delectation of cleaning the wounds himself, taking the bided seconds needed for each leg.

From the right to left his fur tickled at the skin, still sensitive and still urging him that there was more beyond this as you watched with curiosity how he touched you. It was all intricately a part of a forgiveness process that existed only in his own mind before splattering it back with more rooted paste. How it drew back to the moments when he first found you and did the same actions, this time, ripping apart the notions that he would ever cause this damage himself. You knew better now, a part of the Clan itself. It was all intricately a part of a forgiveness process that existed only in his own mind before splattering it back with more rooted paste.

How the Ape awaited the day to feel more than just that, his lushy green and golden gaze resting on the lighter splatter of the bruises trailing and kissing the skin of your collarbone as the pit of his stomach dropped at the reasoning behind the discoloration. That was no more; Noa needed to remind himself and drew a small breath that released from his mouth as a hardened huff. You were here with him… With Anaya and soon Soona would join to garner you the evening meal for you and Noa would watch in bated amazement as you ate. Amazement that you survived what pestilence he brought down on both of you.

“Are you sure,” The wheezing tone of your voice was still there much to Noa’s dissatisfaction. As if to say the wound on his own coarse body did not shoot him with pain, as if to mention the way that it felt at times like his ribs were going to tear the muscles of his lungs apart fiber by fiber. Noa listened innately to the softened spoken attitude you gave Anaya, sensing from the tips of his fur your movements as you lightly placed your hand on the back of the Chimps head with a small sign once you felt a cased bump, “You’re okay? Noa… told me you took a really hard hit…”

Anaya rolled his eyes and let them stare a small dagger into the Master of the Birds himself which was playfully returned upon his arrival back to the normal crouched position on your right side, your body taking in the delectations of the way that he moved beside you. Assured, confident again… The Earth below indented from his weight as he was very wary and cautious to leave your side and often only switched placed when Soona came to tender your injuries if Noa had to account to some responsibility that was resting too uncomfortably on Dar from time to time, only indicative when Noa’s stubbornness flared and he refused to leave you.

Anaya gave you a brisked smile of familiarity, tugging at the strings in your reminiscence to days that had passed before as he hooted a chortle from deep in his throat. Anaya was amused and boasted. “Much tougher than… Noa is. Get hit with Echo weapon and is… Down for count.” “Would like to see you… Do the same thing.” Noa defended himself with ease and earned himself a raspberry from Anaya. A small melancholic grin tugged at your lips from the interaction, your mind tracing back steps as you looked over the scabbing wound buried in Noa’s fur. At this point, a full moon cycle had passed and the days began to feel a lingering semblance of some seeked normality and the fur around the infliction was becoming more dense as a form of healing itself. Fingers twitched in your lap. Everything, your lungs yelled at you to breathe and you were fastened to take a draw in slowly so as to not cause another panicked rage of coughing; everything was healing.

The Apes began to spend their days working to bring flourished greens back of the original scarred land they knew so well, while drenching their sleepful nights in makeshift bungalows deeper in the forest where you were residing at the moment. A refuge of sorts that Noa, Anaya and Soona had scouted out once after the first flooded fire took what was rightfully theirs, where they were able to unwind against a billowing bonfire during the dawns and running into the late evenings for their communal meal before all of them, young and old, repeated the next day and paid the price for Noa’s selfishness.

One by one, families will return soon to the blushed and eloquent towers that sang to the sky nestled so cozily next to the meadow that they raised their birds in, one by one the Eagles will find themselves against their perches of the newly built Eagle Enclosure, happily flittering to their Masters that they had returned home; feathers seeping into the ground and draping it happily with their colors of gray, browns, whites and occasional speckles of blue. Noa wanted that, he thought and gazed down at the paste in a brushed clay jar that was molded roughly and had unkempt edges that would cut at Noa’s thick skin if he were not careful handling it.

Noa wanted to return home, now yearning to accept the thought as Soona arrived, your small grin captivating his attention as you drew it into a loud smile with a laugh. He only slept in the hut with you, silent and possessive on the ground near your shape as you were resting on a tattered bundle of fabrics that made a makeshift mat so you were not susceptible to the dirt. You were comfortable, or so it seemed as the female Ape handed you a wickered bowl with an assortment of what seemed to be berries, nuts and a fish. Not even a nest was provided yet, he felt his heart tearing itself apart. A nest with him was all Noa wanted you to reach for; he hoped it crossed your mind as your body rested to heal but he had no idea if that were the case.

His green eyes narrowed on an unfixed point on the wall. The Ape would crack your skull open out of adoration just to see the processes… Just to see now what you truly thought about him because the words that were left unspoken came back with a vengeance and sank their talons in like an Eagle to a fish. Soon… He reminded himself. They will be spoken soon… Noa had promised you, his fingertips ghosting over your calf for a split second. Once you were able to look at him how he wanted to… He’d return the favor. The speckling of an Echo and an Ape, as one, in their home, chartered to each other over and over again. Noa needed that. Noa needed you to need that.

Placing a blueberry against your tongue, you side swiped the broad frame of the Ape on your right side as Anaya and Soona greeted each other. Squeezing your teeth together, you coated the inside of your mouth with the delicious juices and placed an integral hand onto Noa’s shoulder, near his mitigating skin. It was apparent from the startled jump he gave upon the contact that he had not been paying attention and was dredging himself in thoughts. ‘You… okay?’ Signed for privacy, Noa smiled at the nature of your smaller fingers tugging into the positions it needed to catapult words just for him. Always… Just for him.

‘Thinking.’ Noa signed back surely, ‘Wait until Anaya and Soona leave. Talk then. You,’ His gawk flickered to your wickered bowl before he met your gaze again with a stern and playful stare, ‘Need to eat first.’

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Long days were worn against his muscles, Noa felt tired and reached up to press a hand to his shoulder and tenderized it with his hard finger pads. Healing, but the inside occasionally flared for him when he moved it too extensively. The fetched log that was thrown into the fire was more than enough for today, not to speak for the countless motions he had against your skin earlier to help your wounds. A quick and painfully bittersweet reminder that… This life now had a cost; the cost was great, but Noa was taxed to pay to keep you at his side, safe and forever in his protection. The Master of the Birds. The Leader of the Eagle Clan. His eyes scooted towards your own, finally allowing his weaned frame the privilege of facing you, shoulders bringing themselves together out of lack of confidence for what was about to be pursued, your scrutiny too harsh to imagine but there is nothing there for you to judge.

The Ape was perfect as he always was; slender framed, mouth-watering in the way that his chest stiffened when he looked at you, then pulling his thin waist down into his pelvic bone. Noa had always been so alluring even when you were able to convince your mind that there was nothing there and he was just another Ape there to kill you. There was always the distant thrust of attraction that subdued conversations into submission. You felt captivated as you always had at how the fur against his body must have kept him so warm and you hoped that someday, it would provide you with the same privilege.

Noa’s mouth parted as he sat down beside you, a plume of dirt escaping from the weight he presented to the Earth as his peer brought itself to your healing legs. The wonderment of the eye contact you gave him, lingering now as you glazed your hunger against the drawing of his shoulders drifting through him as Noa tried to focus on the task at him and rid his senses of the previously known sorrow of thinking of what could have been as he brought his longed face to look towards you once more. You accepted him so willingly and it left him nothing short of caught breath and unable to move or convince his mind that breathing was necessary.

Flicking his irises up for a few moments, Noa gave himself the time to draw in the way that your shoulders moved with heavy breathing that was allowing itself to take deeper and deeper strides down your lungs, so different from before and it really raised his self-assurance that things… Were going to be alright. This… Noa brought his hand to rest onto your calf and traced the reddened skin down with a ghosted fingertip. Was all going to be alright and you were healing for him. There was a cased and pinkish scar against your forehead covered by your hairline barely detectable in the firelight that was crackling near the right hand corner of the room.

“What did you… want to talk about? You’re usually okay talking about things in front of Soona and Anaya. It’s got to be something special if you want me alone ” Bring your right calf to present itself for him properly having sensed that Noa wanted to actually touch more. How beautiful it slid itself into the base of his palm, the skin that was able to feel the mild tickle of Noa’s fur sending that involuntary shiver through your senses.

“You… Seem ready to stand up and walk.”

Noa reassured you with a huff, bringing his face in towards your own and maintaining long eye movements against your own. His mouth sunk in on itself. Daring to say something. Daring to utter anything. That phrase was a diversion as you felt a mild seek of disappointment run along your diaphragm as you avoided the moment of eye contact in favor of looking casted to the side. So, he just wanted to talk about… Your legs. About standing on your own two feet when you were under the floating impression that he was going to carry you to the ends of the Earth.

Crawling inside of him was an idea; to embezzle yourself into Noa’s body and tender to his ribs like he had done for your legs. Let me do this for you, you’d cry for him, cracking the bones instead of bringing them back to health under your fingers as if you had enough strength to do that. Sniffling softly, you tore your eyes from him again after noticing the forlorn expression he carried for you now that Anaya and Soona had taken their leave.

The times you were consciously aware that he was with you for the last month were nothing but stifled capsules of the words that had been spoken before, the promise that clung to your tongue but was it really a promise without fruit? You wanted Noa to say what you wanted him to say, never actually knowing it to be a reciprocated feeling… There was something about your stroke with Death that could have simply told you that you were imagining things… Maybe then! With you inside of his own self, you’d know… You’d get the confirmation that clung to the air like a musty summer night. Anxiety… Was going to tear itself into you and refuse to leave without drawing poison into your bloodstream.

You could have gone your own way willingly but you refused and came back to Noa. You needed him.

You could have lived another day without the knowledge that for a moment in time, Noa seemed to hate you and gone on with your life. But you wanted to come back to him.

You would have died willingly for him either way... Justification rested on saving the Apes who gave you something more but your mind knew otherwise. You’d kill yourself to save him, over and over again. It was what he deserved, not a little Echo who was afraid of the world beyond the arms that Noa encased them in… You wanted to hear him say more than just mutters about your sustained injuries. Admittance, something more. Heart racing in your chest was hard to ignore for both parties as Noa was able to detect the movement from his feet from the close proximity his stature had to yours.

Give me words that only belonged to us, you wanted to beg him. Noa felt his breath pick up slightly, his shoulder a dull ache as he rested nearly his entire body weight on it so the Ape was able to cradle his neck towards your face again, more daring than before as he was sure now. The time was not going to get any better and he refused to see if time could tear apart an Echo and Ape rather than bring them together.

With this… Disappeared his entire notion, the entire rant that you were not willing to accept him. The Clan would rebuild itself and he left his own comeuppance in your more than willing hands. Why let him so close if that were not the case? Why let Noa hold your calf, acutely aware that he could very easily mangle with his own touch, and no bars were bared when his hand dragged upwards to case around your thigh and pass the fabric of the scavenged shorts, thinned from time and barely detectable to the outer shell of his knuckles? You stiffened at the feeling. Virgin skin being held. Explored in a way that made your mind burst with the possibilities you had indulged in in the past but now in the present, they were so far away as you were erased of any preconceived thoughts.

The shorts worn here were to give the best access to your legs for him to work against when he needed; taking advantage of the scant skin Noa sought. Worn here now for Noa to drift his leathered touch against in a bated question that desperately rode between your stares at each other that serviced only one answer from your parted lips as your own shoulders began to rise and fall at a quickened pace. Your eyes fluttering between his protruding muzzle, the darker speckles against the bridge of his nose as you swallowed hard from his brazen connection on your suddenly hot skin, Noa mesmerized momentarily at the shot of your jugular bouncing in a very appealing reaction.

“No-Noa what are you doing?” Stifled air was cut by the phrase you whimpered to him, not out of fear but the sudden crazed notion that this was no longer a dream and scooted away the idea that the Ape who helped you back to health, who was holding so desperately to flesh that could be torn to literal pieces at the snap of a pin. You’d let him, your thigh resting comfortably in his grasp, confirmation that it was always meant to be clutched by him in aggravated adoration. Feeling his hand twitch against it, you were unable to draw yourself any closer, movement not too well established since you began the healing process a month ago.

“Noa…” He wanted to pounce on you at the sound of his name, his pupil's blown gaze admiring the way it formed and he carried away the idea that you wanted to say it for him privately. “I… do not break… promises…” Noa muttered and looked down at where he had his hand against your thigh muscle and he squeezed at the tender flesh that he imagined sinking into so many times before. How easy it would be for Noa to take you right then and there. Push your shoulders down, your gasp delectable to him as he grips your other thigh and… He shook his head and drew a pained breath in, this time letting it rest in his lungs for a stiffened time, enjoying the drowning he was impeding on himself. “But...I am… afraid…” What does an Ape say in these moments? What does an Echo deserve to hear? What sort of feelings are you going to understand? There was no longer the sense heightened by the refusal of attraction for each other, Noa looked at you, wanting to speak but nothing was coming out of him anymore when he knew you deserved at least an echoed whisper. Anything… His brain urged to think… He would take you… His Echo… Over and over again so why was he clinging to fear that had no juxtaposition within him in the first place? He felt like he was going insane, the tug-of-war between his conscious thoughts and his heart, a concept he didn't want to acknowledge.

Noa had almost lost you before what if--- Drawing his teeth together, they clattered from the force used to shut his jaw, the muscles bouncing in a tight fixation in front of your eyes as you lifted a hand to encase the side of his face. Without reservation, Noa tore into it and placed his expression flat against your palm and shattered a shiver in front of you. He thought to himself how afraid he had been when he lost his Father… When he had to find himself once. How there was nothing more in the moments he had with you other than the fear that you could be torn apart again.. “I cannot… risk losing you… again… My fault… In the first place you left… because Noa refused to underst…understand…”

The hand on your thigh was lost before it was sternly but gently placed against your sternum, Noa spreading his fingers against the bone there and wanting nothing more than to tear your t-shirt off, more thinned from the elements than even your shorts and he could see your nipples peeking from the anticipation of his touching of such a previously unknown area. No more of that thinking, Noa was going to rest himself into you and never let go, having to admit to the lingering sensation that he was never going to from the first day that you made the agreement that saved your life.

Not sexual at all were his motions, Noa was showing his intent to protect even the most tattered pieces of your shape but he always… To the Eagles above, he always appreciated the subtle ways that your body let him know the physical attraction was so grained and mutual. So very Echo and lost to him, but alluring and drawing into his curious nature. Soon… It would all be his, Noa was riddled with uncomfortable self-assurance and self-confidence. Soon, your shirt would hit the floor and you would be tangling yourself against him. You… Just needed a bit more time… His hardened hand raised itself to a dance against the back of your neck, sturdy and keeping you in his focused line of vision as a gasp escaped your lips at the sensations he was giving you. Clarity rocked through the cut air, so dense that even a spearhead was going to only go an inch once thrown. “Ape… mate… For life. Will never find another… Not common to move on, I… would never have… Moved on… from… this..” Your stare was ample at his chosen words, the thought was there as Noa had to process each one slowly to ensure that there was mutual understanding. No more fumbling around the nature of the relationship. No more questions needed to be asked in solemn introspection when you two were apart.

There were going to be no more split seconds were you were apart, Noa was sure of it as he raised his own hands, teetering to balance on his feet which dug their toes into the dirt. Laying his hands on top of yours that refused to drop from the hold you had on his fur lined face, Noa sputtered his lips out in frustration at the lack of vocabulary he had for the confession. Lack of Echo phrasing that got you two to this sliver in time slower than it needed to be. So… much slower, Noa felt his feet shuffle below of their own volition, almost to the point where he was going to topple over you and crush the very bones that he had cared and caressed for and would continue to do so even if you were against it.

“You asked me… To take you… as Human…” Noa felt the bud of confidence flickering in his voice which was unable to place itself in his throat. He sounded awkward, inflicting all over his vocal cords as the young Ape struggled to find its placement. It was all faux but all the more comforting as your fingers drew into the fur that surrounded his face and pulled near the thicker fur by his ears. You wanted him, Noa knew that from the drop of your mouth. No sounds for him, nothing but he could see the expression on your tongue. Shattered, he drew his forehead aggressively onto your own as you accepted him fully.

“I am yours… If you wish to have me… As an Ape.”

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TAGLIST:

@ohwaitimthewriter @hera-annwn @saturnnie-03 @filliandkili @hadesbabygurl @supergoat12 @moonchild1433

@kaenalsha @unsteady-bitch @whamsworld

@yummyfanta @nuhteyam @babylockley @edynmeyer1 @callsignwidow @moonlightnyx @undecidedcookie

#noa #noa x reader #planet of the apes #pota #planet of the apes x reader #owen teague #owen teague x reader #kotpota #kingdom of the planet of the apes #fanfiction #fanfic

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hyrulean-evalink · 1 year ago

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"The Guardian Dragon appeared soon after the defeat of the strange Demon Dragon. Soon after it appeared, the blood moon stopped appearing and monsters began to vanish anywhere it passes. Considered the Guardian of Hyrule, its sight often brings courage to the heart of those who observes it. It's often seeing flying alongside the Light Dragon."

BOOM my version of a Dragon Link!

An AU in which reversing Zelda would be impossible... But it was proven she does remember and that she is conscious. Guessing Link's aching heart to see his beloved like this, Mineru offers her stone to him to perform the draconification ritual and join Zelda. Becoming the Guardian of Hyrule, his mere presence alongside Zelda's banishes anything evil on the kingdom's ground, forcing the monsters and gloom to retreat in the Depths.

Now, some design explanations:

I've seen a lot of people making the "mistake" of making him TOO much like his hylian self, which is something I've tried to avoid here

His mane is longer than Zelda's and has two big tufts to remind his bangs

Teal colors because Link has both Courage and Wisdom

The horn is shaped like a blade to remind the Master Sword

If Zelda has golden eyelashes and back rocks/scales (?) I felt like Link would have silver to complement and also to remind the armor of a knight

Chose yellow/gold for his sclera because of the Golden Power and to be a contrast to Zelda's purple

Blue spikes and horn to, again, remind the blue blade of the Master Sword

If you're wondering, yes, I've traced over the Light Dragon's picture to use as a base. You really expected me to be able to draw a dragon?

ALSO ! You are more than free to use this design !! Please tell me if you do I would be more than honored

#loz #zelda #legend of zelda #dragon #art #tears of the kingdom #artists on tumblr #dragon link #light dragon #loz totk #zelink #tears of the kindom spoilers #totk link #zelda au #totk au #dragon link au #dragon zelda

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crowdsourced-webcomic-reviews · 11 months ago

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Ggdg is a famous face in webcomics, and a few other mediums too. The artist and brain behind works such as Lady of the Shard, Idle Divination, Undyne’s banging outfit on her date in Undertale and countless other contributions to UTDR, and their most recent hit Soul of Sovereignity (soulsov real 2023!)—but they got their start with original storytelling through the much beloved Cucumber Quest:

Narrative wise, Cucumber Quest is as the requester for this review put it about “bunny kids going on a quest to save the world”. Like a lot of ggdg’s work, CuQu is steeped in their love of JRPGs, and there’s an undeniable touch of JRPG flavour in the plot.

The comic opens with our antagonist having acquired the seventh of their eight macguffins required to summon the big bad, and later our heroes must re-collect these macguffins and fight all the disaster masters they’re associated with, and defeat the evil Nightmare Knight!!!

Cucumber Quest is a comedy and a parody of fantasy video games, but it does all this from a place of sincere love and joy. I’m confident if you asked ggdg if they they thought all the incredibly clunky, tonally dissonant kingdom hearts cutscenes with michael rat talking about the heart of the darkness to cloud final fantasy or whatever were “cringe”, they’d say “are you kidding me they fucking rule”.

Cucumber Quest is filled with jokes, but it’s never meanspirited. It pokes fun at the trappings of fantasy video games, and as it does, it goes “but that’s why we love them so much!”

It’s not all jokes though, there’s a sincere heart at the core of CuQu. Ggdg loves their characters through and through, and the story loves them too. While the setup of the story might suggest a simplistic angle of good-vs-evil like a lot of video games, it is very quickly revealed that this story is anything but. The biggest heart of the story is the Nightmare Knight himself:

The truth of his motives and why any of this is even happening, whether or not our heroes will find out the truth and break the cycle, or if everything will continue as it always has are the crux of the plot. But to hear more about that, you need to read it for yourself!! If you like sad dads though, this is The comic for you.

You’ve probably noticed by now also, the use of colour in CuQu is absolutely stunning. Everything from their big set piece atmospheric pages with deep, powerful emotions seeping from every panel as they use limited colours to create a specific mood, to the individual panels of their lighthearted pages—ggdg has a masterful control over colour and mood. The entire comic is just a visual delight, and you can pick any random page in the archive and be provided with a treat for the eyes.

Cucumber Quest it should be noted is an incomplete story. Though not wholly abandoned, it last updated in 2019. Since then, ggdg has been busy focusing on other projects—the newly released soulsov is one such project. One day, perhaps after soulsov’s conclusion, perhaps earlier, perhaps later, ggdg intends to return and wrap up the remainder of CuQu via a series of scripts and illustrations.

It was a story a bit too big for its breeches if you will: after almost a decade of work it was nowhere near reaching its conclusion, and understandably ggdg needed a break.

Nonetheless, what exists is a wonderful heartfelt story and visual delight that deserves a read and the patient wait for its conclusion some day ❤

#submission #review #thank you for submitting !!#cucumber quest

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venture4treasure · 7 months ago

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“Of course I dream of more”

Words: 952

Premise: Servant!Reader washes Noble!Venture hair. They have a conversation.

Warnings: A bit of forbidden love and mutual pining, but otherwise nothing!

“Lay down,” you instruct, gesturing at the cot – the edge of the bed frame is pressed against a tub of water.

Venture does as you tell them, tilting their head back into the water. They try to look at you, but you’re a bit too far out of their peripheral vision.

Pulling over a stool to sit down across from Venture, you dip your hand into the tub of water, it’s a pleasant warm temperature. You splash water onto dry locks of hair before reaching to brush back their bangs, submerging them. You’ve barely done anything and you can see dirt muddying the clear water.

“Thanks for making it warm,” Venture relaxes.

“As opposed to… cold?” You raise a brow, “why would it be cold”.

“Some of the other servants don’t bother with warm water,” Venture pouts, “I’m starting to think they hate me”.

“I’m starting to think I might hate you,” you comment, brushing your hand through their hair and watching debris wash out, “how do you even get so much filth into your hair? Weren’t you supposed to be sword training today?”

Venture laughs awkwardly.

“Sloan…” you drawl.

“Well… I may have been helping out in the mines instead today”.

“The mines? Isn’t that below your station?”

“They tell some of the best stories! Besides, father doesn’t need to know”.

You sigh in disbelief, switching to massaging soap into their hair and head. Venture stops themselves from whatever they were planning to say to lean into your touch. You chase off the silence by humming fragments of a song you heard in passing – it’s not good singing but Venture doesn’t mind, they like to hear your voice.

“So, do you ever think about doing something different from this?” Venture asks, waving their hand in the air.

“What do you mean?”

“Like, don’t you ever want to try something different? A different line of work, like being a scholar! God, I wish father would’ve let me just study instead of trying to shape me up into some kind of perfect heir to the family – that’s what Mauga’s gonna be anyways!” Venture groans.

You chuckle at their whining.

“No, not really,” you answer, “I don’t think there’s anything else I can do to earn money. I am very lucky and grateful to be doing this in the first place”.

Venture goes quiet, their expression drops into a thoughtful one. They turn over the idea of needing money to live in their mind, it’s a concept so far detached from their day to day life, they don’t really understand it. There was always food if they were hungry, nice clothes for any occasion they could think of, and there was always a roof to go home to. Everything they needed was always there within arms reach.

“If you had the money, what would you do?” Venture wonders, both to you and themselves, “like, a lot of money”.

“I’d find a teacher to show me how to read and write,” you answer without hesitation, “and then… maybe I would travel to different kingdoms. I’d like to dance in those big ballrooms at least once. And… I’d probably find someone who treats me well to settle down with, in a nice and safe house close enough to the city market”.

Venture glances up at you, taking in your face. Your eyes sparkle dreamily, a soft smile on your lips. Their heart aches at the sight combined with your words.

You shake yourself out of the fantasy, “but my life now isn’t so bad either, it could be so much worse”.

“What is your life right now?”

“Right now, I work for your family, it pays enough to support me. One day, I’ll probably marry someone who’ll want kids, and I’ll try to raise them right…” you slightly cringe at your own reality, “protect them if I have to. I just hope I marry someone decent…”

“You don’t plan to choose?”

“I don’t really get a choice,” you shrug, “I have nothing to my name, I’ll probably just marry someone like me. Have kids so there’s someone to support me when I grow old. That’s how it usually goes”.

Venture doesn’t like your answers, they want to see you as happy as you were to share your dream.

“Sit up a bit please,” you nudge them forward, and Venture pulls their hair from the dirty water so you can rinse out the soap. You comb their hair and lightly scratch their scalp as you clean away the soap.

“Mann, that feels so nice”.

You make a noise of acknowledgement.

Finally you’re done with their hair – you always forget how much of a pain it is when it gets dirt tangled in it. You wrap a towel over it so it doesn’t drip onto their clothes.

“Okay, I’m done”, you announce, getting up to stretch.

Venture almost makes a noise of disappointment.

“Hey,” Venture calls out your name lightly, “would you like it if I taught you how to read and write?”

You turn to face them, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “why?”

They walk over to you, taking your hands into theirs.

“Because I think you deserve to have a chance at happiness,” they smile, and there’s so much more they want to say, but they keep it to themselves.

Your face heats up from the touch.

“Ah-” you stammer, “that would be nice, I’d really like that. Thank you”.

Venture glows at your reaction, smiling wide.

“Okay, now help me dry my hair, pleaseee,” they beg.

“You can do that yourself”.

“I’m going to shake”.

“Do not threaten me,” you shoot back.

Venture holds your stare with determination in their eyes and you falter.

“Okay, fine!”

Author’s Note: I realized afterward that this setup doesn’t make sense at all and there’s so many logical issues with the concept but I really wanted to write it anyways. Spare me :(

Mauga is Venture’s older brother in this.

I just wanted an excuse to write about Venture’s hair. It’s so fluffy and needs to be appreciated. And they most definitely would shake to dry themselves and splash water everywhere.

#venture fics #venture x reader #venture x you #venture overwatch #overwatch venture #venture #sloan cameron #sloane cameron #overwatch x reader #overwatch fanfiction #fanfic #fanfiction #what happened… this was meant to be like <500 words #im not going to do art for all of these #just whenever i feel like it :9 #meant to be a lower effort self indulgent drabble in between other works #something soft because my other drafts sure arent

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mira-s-bookclub · 6 months ago

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Revelations at Court

Fenrys x Reader

Note: It wasn't supposed to be so looong, but here we are :3

Warnings: Poison, suggestiveness, hint of past trauma.

Summary: 'Rowan and Lorcan shared females', was what Aelin had told Y/n, but what if they shared -even after the female had gone?

Words Count: 3,3k

. . . . . ╰──╮ ╭──╯ . . . . .

“I think Rowan and Lorcan did it.”

“Did it?”

“You know,” I say, smiling, “it.”

Fenrys laughs. “You think they fucked?” And when he says it like that, I falter a little. Laying on the warm edge of the castle wall, eyes closed against the hot feel of the sun on my face, my head in Fenrys’ lap; he stops his play with my hair. I open my eyes, finding his frowning down at me. “We would have known.”

I sit up, “You know they shared a female before?” My mind hadn’t given that a rest after I had found out from Aelin, even keeping me up at night wondering what else those century old bastards have been doing. What maybe even Fenrys have been doing. My body heats.

His eyebrow quirks up. “So I’ve heard. But I don’t know why that interests you so much, Dove?”

I huff.

“Enlighten me,” he grins, stroking a mischievous hair behind my ear. “Do you think a lot about what other males tend to do when aroused and no females are there? Or when females just don’t -scratch that ick?” he purrs. My cheeks redden, as they often do whenever Fenrys opens that dirty mouth. I did have a sense for experimenting.

“I think,” I try to keep my voice steady, “that perhaps they continued to share, after, the female was gone.” I couldn’t keep my thoughts from trying to make this make sense. They had a sense of familiarity that they didn’t share with the rest. I had thought it came from their age and being in the same cadre through the years. But perhaps it came from a whole other reason? Perhaps, because they knew each other inside and out, literally.

“We need to investigate that, you know,” Fenrys makes a move to stand up.

“Where are you going? We’re not needed until midday -I don’t want to miss a couple hours of free time.”

“We are going to find Aelin.” He drags me up and towards the archway and inside. “And you talk as if your job isn’t voluntarily,” he chuckles at me. I shrug, working in a kingdom with plenty of gold seemed to have its advantages. “I work best with breaks and vacation.” Walking along one of the many passageways placed throughout the castle, I take a deep breath.

Finding Aelin would mean telling her about where my mind seemed to lie lately. Which could end two ways; she would laugh in our faces, never letting us forget at one time we thought her mate was banging her late enemy, or she would be on board with the thought process and help us to expose the males. They were proud males, and I so desperately needed to embarrass them a little as they have gotten too comfortable here at court. They are slacking. And a big secret that the two big brutes who never would dare to show love, were softhearted lovey-doveys with each other? I knew I was overreacting, but gods it would feel nice to catch them unexpectedly. Lorcan had caught Fenrys and me one time in a meeting room, during a…heated encounter after we had been separated for two whole weeks. He hadn’t let us live that down.

A shoulder knock into me. “Where did you go?” he asks.

I don’t answer that, instead, “Do you know where she is?” She could be anywhere, anywhere from the throne room to the theatre down in the city. I knew she loved that theatre, having been the first new thing built. She could also be on her way to another kingdom entirely; no one really knew with that female.

He looks up at the sky, at where the sun lay. “The courtyard, she and Lysandra should still be lunching at this time.” He takes my hand, intertwining our fingers and I turn my head for a kiss. “We could still make time to scratch that ick, you know? I’m sure they will wait for us.”

My heart stumbles and I roll my eyes playfully. “Gross, I don’t have sexual encounters.” His laugh is rich and full, knowing that its often me who start things between us. I’m sure we have time.

The courtyard is full of greenery, a small fountain placed in the center. Trees and bushes line the farthest wall, shading the place from windows and curious spectators. On the left side of the fountain, under a cherry tree, sits Aelin and Elide.

Holding Fenrys’ hand, I smile, and they wave us over.

Elide, holding a tray of crackers and cheese, smile at us. “We thought you might have disappeared on us for a second, taking up Dorians offer to vacation while he works in Eyllwe, just to get some sun.”

“Ha,” Aelin said, stuffing another cheese laid cracker in her mouth, “the suns too strong, she’d burn before getting there.” She winked. I walk past her, ruffling her hair and stealing the plate with crackers, taking a bite I find a chair opposite Aelin. Fenrys keeps to standing behind me.

“I’m not the one who has to keep to the castle at all times during Spring,” I say the last bit imitating her voice, “because ‘I’ve suddenly developed an allergy to flowers.’”

She laughs and Fenrys coughs. “Oh right, yea we came here for a reason,” I say, taking the cheese.

“Figures.”

I look up at Fenrys, hoping he would take the hint. I make a cheese cracker. Sighing, “What do you know about Rowan and Lorcan’s relationship?” he looks around, as if hoping neither were here.

Aelin looks confused. “I know they’ve known each other centuries,” she stops, drinking her wine, “I know they were crime buddies, back in the day.”

“But what if they were more?” the question comes out of me without thinking and I get nervous. If she’s not on board, then this is where it ends, and I will never find out if the two warriors indulged in each other.

“Like lovers?” she sounds sceptic.

“You once said Rowan had told you of a time where they would even share females, together, do you think they might have done so too without others?” I look to Elide, knowing that I am talking about her mate too, and while Aelin and Rowan had a tight bond, it was different compared to Elide and Lorcan’s. Rowan would follow Aelin wherever, but he would also heed her command to stay and protect her kingdom should it ever come to that; Lorcan would not. Elide’s face was red as I say, “do you Elide?”

Her deer eyes crinkled and she smiled brightly, “Oh gods, how I wish that true,” she said, “it would be brilliant.”

I smile and Fenrys asks, “So, he has never given any indicator?”

“No, nothing I can remember right now,” she shook her head, and I turned back to Aelin who seemed to be staring off to another world.

“Aelin?”

She looks at me, “I have a plan.”

Shaking the vial in her hand, Aelin grins at me. “This is going to be fun.” I shake my head, kind of regretting the whole thing, feeling embarrassed.

“Will the potion reveal…other things as well?” Elide asks from her place on Aelin’s bed, Lysandra having taken to the gardens with Aedion.

We had retreated to Aelin’s bedchambers after hearing her plan, I must have gone through it a million times before Fenrys finally convinced me. It wasn’t that it was a bad plan, quite the opposite, it was brilliantly simple. We are going to wait until night falls for Rowan to retreat to bed with Aelin, and when he’s not looking; Aelin will put a few drops of her soothing medication she got prescribed after the war in his tea. The vial, which on the back states quite clearly ‘Unwanted side effects with careless use: Honesty’, would help loosen Rowan’s tongue. I think I am afraid it is unmoral.

“I honestly don’t know. Perhaps.” She gives the vial another shake before putting it in her dress pocket. “Now shoo, before Rowan comes,” waving us away.

Out the door I turn to Fenrys, seeing Elide and Lysandra walk through the nearest balcony door from the corner of my sight. It was getting heated inside the castle at this point.

“You worry.” I turn my gaze yet again to him. “Rowan will be fine; Aelin knows the male good enough to know his principles and not to cross his lines. They will be fine.”

I huff. “I know.” He takes my hand in his, kissing the top knuckles.

“Then why do you worry?”

“I don’t know,” I sigh, grabbing his hand and set my course to our chambers to wait for night. “I think I’m afraid I’ve crossed a line,” I confess. “What if they don’t want to be exposed? What if this was a pure, loving relationship -And I just crashed the nostalgia?”

Fenrys kisses my cheek, smiling lovingly down at me. “They put up a statue, quite expensive one too might I add, of you and me in a…compromising position up in the queen’s gardens for all to see, just last moon.”

Oh gods. I remember Fenrys’ face when we arrived at the Spring ball, the guests had clustered around the newest statue decorating the fine garden. I had never turned so fast around. “Yeah, I’m not so worried anymore.” We might have lost that battle, but the war is still ongoing.

One. Two. Three drops would do it. Putting the vial back in her pocket, Aelin turns to Rowan sitting at her desk. “I talked to Y/n today.”

“Along with Fenrys I take it?”

“Yes, they look quite well, might I add.”

Rowan huff, amused. “That boy follows her around like a pup, I haven’t seen them at training in weeks.”

She smiles, putting the tray on the desk, and taking the seat opposite Rowan as he takes his tea. She had taken the rest of the crackers to serve along with the tea to make it less…obvious. “I think they find other ways to keep in shape.” Rowan turns that piercing stare to meet hers.

“Perhaps we too need to keep in shape, we have been lacking,” his grin shows off his canines. The canines Aelin can feel like a phantom against her neck. They hadn’t been lacking by any means, but she would show him.

“Yes.” And Rowan smirks as he drinks, one, two, three, and the glass is empty.

A knock at the door startles her. “Coming,” she yells.

“We are expecting?”

“Yes. And I need to ask you something.” Another set of knocks, this one harder, from a bigger fist.

“Better be fast, or the people on the other side of the door might break in should they knock any harder,” he says, his voice high for the ones outside the door to hear. Quitting the knocking.

“Are you comfortable answering a couple of questions…honestly?”

Rowan furrows his brows. “When have I not answered honestly?”

“It’s not that, but do you mind?” Already on her way to the door, she turns to watch his answer. Holding her hand at the doorknob.

“No, I don’t.” Lifting his brows, “What have you gotten yourself into now?”

She opens the door in answer.

Fenrys’ hand was stopped in the air, about to knock yet again when the door opened, revealing a very proud Aelin and a confused Rowan at her desk.

We filed in one by one.

Aelin pulls another chair to sit beside Rowan’s but takes a seat across from him, I do the same, leaving Fenrys to sit on the bed to the left along with Elide, I smile at the male in front of me. “We are questioning you.” Which was a fine way to say it.

Rowan keeps his expression calm, “Am I aloud to ask about what?”

I share a look with Aelin who nods, “About your late affairs.”

“You want to ask about Lyria?” he looks to Aelin for answers, raising a brow.

“No,” she grins up at him, “We want to ask about Lorcan.” Rowan’s face consorts into confusion.

“What would Lorcan have to do with my affairs?”

“You’re not nearly as sneaky as you think.”

And just when Rowan opened his mouth to speak Elide interrupts; “he’s here.” They’ve always had a close bond, seemingly close enough to feel each other’s presence. I look to Fenrys who smiles at me, and I smile back.

My chair screech as I leave the table to open the door, revealing a sweaty Lorcan, whose eyes find Elide in less than a second. Striding past me towards Elide he says, “I was all the way across the city training the new recruits when I got your letter.” He lay a hand around her neck and pulls her into a kiss, “And you,” he turns to Aelin, pointing, “need to invest in better messengers.” She shrugs.

Sitting back down I point Lorcan to the chair beside Rowan. “Sit.”

“I am not yours to command.”

“Don’t be cross, do as you’re told.” He questions Elide with his gaze, who lets out a small laugh at my words and nods. He sits down.

“We’re to be questioned, hopefully without the usage of…other methods,” Rowan watches Aelin, who has helped herself to the crackers on the tray before them.

“Mmf,” came out of her as she chews, swallowing, “I haven’t fully healed yet since last time I came in contact with such horrid practices.” And the room fills with a tense sort of silence. Lorcan shifts in his seat. Rowan keeps his focus on Aelin, a question in his eyes. But Aelin glances at me, knowing we both share some past we cannot forget.

I glimpse the stars outside her window, shining brighter by the minute. I grin at Aelin, “Let’s start, shall we?”

The chamber is lit up by a singular lantern burning on her desk, casting the room in shadows. Fenrys has moved to seat himself beside me, keeping a hand on my thigh and moving his fingers in circular motions, making me flustered.

Rowan moves to put his forearms on the desk, setting his focus on me. My breathing quickens.

“Do you remember telling Aelin of your affairs?” I question. I keep going as he nods. “Specifically, affairs shared between you and Lorcan?”

“Yes.” Lorcan whirls his head to Rowan who looks a little surprised by his own answer. “You told her about that?” his brows drew together, and he looks to Elide.

“As if you haven’t also.” Rowan comebacks. And I hope he has, because I’m not sure I could live with myself if I caused some stride between anyone because of this. Fenrys, sensing my distress, drags his hands up my thigh, closer to that warm point between my legs. My breath hitches and he lets out a soft laugh, I catch Aelin giving us a small smirk.

“Let’s set some things straight,” Fenrys says, looking only at Rowan, “We know you fucked females together, is that right?”

“Yes,” Rowans voice was a stark contrast to the quiet in the chamber.

“Did the sexual intercourse continue after the departure of the female?”

“Yes.”

And the room goes eerie quiet. The answer to my months long revenge is laid before me.

“Rowan,” Lorcan seethe, looking between all of us, setting his eyes on Elide at last.

But Rowan watches Aelin, “you drugged me,” amusement lighting his eyes. He seemed unaware of the secret let out, proudness shone through his face.

“I wouldn’t have done it if it weren’t necessary.”

“And this you call necessary,” his brows lifted, “good to know.”

My chair screech as I stand, laying my palms on the table, eying Rowan and Lorcan. I grin at them. Fenrys follows my lead and I feel his presence behind me, keeping a hand on my lower back. “Everything said in this room will be used against you both as a means to win, and end, this months old war between us. I will proudly take your surrender at present time, should you wish to keep this a secret.”

Lorcan narrows his eyes at me, and I thought Rowan would be the one to surrender first, but as Lorcan shares a look with Elide, I change my mind. “Go ahead.”

“What?”

“Go. Right. Ahead.” His smile is sinister. I look to Elide, who I thought would be at least a little uncomfortable that Lorcan would keep something like this from her, but looking in her eyes right now all I can see is an apology.

“You knew,” I conclude. We wouldn’t have needed to go to such extents if she would have told me.

“I promised to never share with another soul,” her voice is soft, a smile lining her face, “I did try to hint it, albeit secretly.” She looks to Lorcan. “I wanted you to know, since you seemed so set on the idea.”

And my face redden as Aelin barks out a laugh. As everyone seems to laugh. I slide back into my seat, my back slumped as Fenrys lays his hands on my shoulders. Kissing the top of my head, “Now we know, Love. Think you can sleep at night?”

I sigh, “Yes, now bring me the wine.” I wave.

“Your wish is my command,” Aelin says, bringing me a generous glass filled to the brim, it doesn’t take long before I refill.

Rasing my glass I toast, “For Rowan and Lorcan.”

“For Rowan and Lorcan,” echoes through the chamber.

Fixing the wrap, I set the book down on the pillow in the middle of the bed, trying to not ruffle the careful packing. “Do you think they will appreciate it?”

Fenrys laughs, “yes, but if they don’t then know that I do, enough for a lifetime.”

It had been two weeks since the revelation and somewhat truce between us. I still didn’t feel like I had gotten quite the revenge I deserved. It had taken many midnight talks and discussions between me and Fenrys before we came to the conclusion wrapped in a silk dressing on the bed.

“They’ll be back soon,” Fenrys said. At the door I turn around to look at the result, my face brightening. We had already been to Lorcan and Elides bedchambers at the castle, lastly having to sneak into the Queen and consort’s. It had worked out just fine. We had concluded that we didn’t need to announce this to the world to win, but perhaps only to those who looked for it. What better way to ensure this never is forgotten than write it into history. We had done just that.

It had taken some letters and visits, finally I had cashed in a favor, resulting in the rewrite of one of the most popular historical books in Terrasen, who luckily was placed in the Royal library. The two book I had gotten were only two of the few that would be sent out to the other kingdoms. In a century, a small paragraph could be seen on page 874, part 2, detailing the relationship of the Queen of Terrasen’s two favored court members. Taking a last glance at the book, I walk out with Fenrys. Finding our way back to our chambers in a comfortable silence.

Back in our room, I make a move to take of my sweater, feeling clam and hot. “Y/n.” I turn to find Fenrys’ eyes on my face, his pupils dilated. He grabs me by the waist as I lay my arms over his shoulders, pulling into a kiss. Backing until I feel the bed hit the back of my knees. I feel my body heat at the touch of his, the remembrance that he is mine and I am his. Before I can deepen the kiss, he stops, holding his forehead to mine, nose to nose I breathe him in. “I love you, more than you know,” he smiles. I close my eyes, “oh I know.” And we tumble back onto the bed.

. . . . . ╰──╮ ╭──╯ . . . . .

To be added to the Taglists, comment:

All ACOTAR - 🌹

All Azriel - 🥀

All TOG - 🌼

#fenrys x reader #fenrys x you #fenrys #fenrys moonbeam #aelin galathynius #throne of glass #fenrys fanfic #tog #aelin ashryver galathynius #tog x you #sarah j maas #throne of glass fanfic #fanfic #fenrys tog #throne of glass fenrys

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mlbigbang · 11 months ago

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2023 Marichat & Ladrien Fic Rec List

It’s the end of the year which means it’s finally time for the ML Big Bang’s yearly fic rec lists! We’re really excited to bring you our contributors’ favourite fics started this year to supply you with plenty of reading material while you’re waiting for the Big Bang fics’ publication in January.

Boulangérella by @aidanchaser

Once upon a time, magic was wild. The two princes of the kingdom have been tasked with choosing their brides by the end of their 21st birthday celebrations. Crown Prince Adrien Agreste will have to choose between a woman who can protect his kingdom, a woman offering the power to wake his sleeping mother, and the woman he has loved and admired for the past year. Then there's also the seamstress that he is suddenly falling for. By the time he realizes he doesn't have the power to choose at all, it may be too late.

It's a creative Cendrillon retelling with the kwamis as fay, Adrien as the kingdom's prince and most wanted thief, and Marinette as the seamstess and superhero partner stealing Adrien's heart twice over.

Scary, like a little black purring kitten by @h-sunnywet-d

The calendar just turned into October, and Chat Noir has to make sure that his Good Friend Marinette appreciates the new season wholeheartadly. It sure won't backfire on the long run.

Just An Ordinary Girl by @kasienda

Chat Noir and the other heroes are in a bit of trouble, and Ladybug wanted just one weekend off! But luckily they know someone who can help. Someone who is just an ordinary girl…

you will never sleep alone (i'll love you) by @ladyofthenoodle

Marinette had saved up for months to be able to afford this vacation. Not only that, but she’d spent months trying to convince herself that it was okay to even take a vacation, that Monarch was really and truly gone. Which was why Tikki was at home with Alya, so that Marinette could actually relax and enjoy the plush amenities the hotel had to offer, such as a bed that looked like it cost five times her monthly salary. Or, she would be able to enjoy it, if she wasn’t standing in the middle of the villa she’d booked over a month ago, fighting for the bed with freaking Chat Noir, of all people.

May I introduce myself, Your Highness? by @chocoluckchipz

Whether picking up a stray animal off the streets or saving a dying child at the market, Adrien had always strived to be the best version of himself. Truly, he would've been the perfect candidate to be snatched up by a kwami, were he an orphan, dying somewhere remote after a short life full of nothing but suffering and misery. Yet as it stood, the sole heir to the French throne had little to complain about. Apart from, perhaps, a complete absence of a love life. That is until a mysterious girl, wandering around his gardens at night, catches his attention.

This fic has it all - Ladrien, royalty, fairy tale elements, magic and disguises! It's an enthralling read and one of my absolute favorite fics from 2023.

The Perfect Date by @peachcitt

“I dare you to ask this special someone on the date you just described.” “I totally will,” Adrien says with confidence, looking into the camera and nodding resolutely. “Scout’s honor.” He holds up the kitten as if swearing an oath. There is a space of silence. “Right now,” Hanna says. Adrien stares at her. “I’m daring you to ask that person out right now,” she says. or adrien has a little slip up during a live interview, and ladybug hears. for the golden hour zine!!

reserved by @luckyyoyo

“Don’t you think,” he coughed, a blush creeping up his cheeks, “this kind of thing should be.. reserved for my girlfriend?” He gestured to their poses. A squeak came from her mouth and her knees buckled, but surprisingly still had no struggle keeping Adrien up. “You know, you could always be my girlfriend.” Ladybug, saviour of Paris and local damsel-in-distress Adrien Agreste, suggests he gets a fake girlfriend to ward off his zombie fans. While lovingly holding him in her arms, of course. Adrien, far too comfortable in her arms, suggests it could be her. Introducing your superheroine pretend-girlfriend to your strict, uninterested father is a bit harder than Adrien realises.

Displaced by @kasienda

Adrien loosened his tie and dropped his suit jacket unceremoniously across the back of the sofa that was already cluttered with unopened boxes, mail, and unfolded laundry. He really should have listened to Nino and hired a maid or cleaning person of some sort. But well, he still had a secret to keep, and keeping that secret was more important to him than ever. He moved to his bedroom on autopilot without turning on the light, intending to collapse into bed immediately. But when he tried to slip into his space, he found it was already occupied. He flipped his phone flashlight on towards the ceiling to light the room in a soft glow. In his wife’s place, Ladybug lay sprawled diagonally across the bed.

here comes the rush before we touch (come a little closer) by @ladyofthenoodle

When an akuma attacks during Adrien Agreste's beach themed photoshoot on a dreary day in Paris, Ladybug is on the scene immediately. Unfortunately, with a glimpse of Adrien's alluring abdomen and without her partner, it's not long before she's hit, and Adrien with her—but maybe Ladybug can afford a little vacation with the boy she loves. He's certainly not complaining.

On Borrowed Time by @miabrown007

The life of Paris’ Golden Boy is all shine and glamour; blindingly bright smiles, neverending parties, bargaining for just a shard of time for being happy. But that’s alright; Adrien has long given up the false hope that someone will get it. That is precisely why it’s a spectacle when she does, when she barges in like a hurricane in crimson and turns his life upside down. Heaven knows, it’s time for the wind of change.

#ml #miraculous ladybug #miraculous #marichat #ladrien #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #love square #ml big bang #ml big bang 2023 #fic recs #ml fic recs

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itsabouttimex2 · 5 months ago

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not sure if anyone asked about the Monkie Glaive AU yet, but how does it work, exactly? I'm really curious to know about the group and character dynamics considering it's a Monster Hunter crossover! (I was listening to some MH + MHS themes today and it reminded me of this au ! :D)

Monkie Glaive

(I’m really glad you asked this! I was hoping to expand on this AU!)

So, to start- it basically transports the beasts and ecosystem of Monster Hunter into the world of Monkie Kid, which maintains a very high-tech and futuristic world.

It also turns demons and Celestials into monster-hybrids! Here’s five of the characters who are monsters in the AU:

For example, Sun Wukong is a Rajang, which means he can potentially tap into lightning abilities- after consuming a Kirin horn. He can also transform into a full-sized form, and is capable of entering a “Furious” state.

Also, instead of beetles or moths- glaive wielders partner with little FFM monkeys! These monkeys also take the place of Palicos! So, Wukong’s legacy spreads beyond his defeat of the Black Dragon- people to this day emulate his fighting style and actively live with his subjects in day to day life.

No single weapon- he cycles through old glaives and hunting horns as he pleases- after all, he gave the Ruyi Jingu Bang to MK!

Macaque is actually a Nargacuga! Instead of commanding shadows, he can turn invisible and fling spikes from his tail. And, like any Nargacuga, he’s sensitive to sound- especially to Sonic Bombs, and he’ll immediately enter a rage state once he recovers. Macaque wields Leumundslist, and has his own little melanistic monkey partner- she’s the only thing he really cares about. Although, meeting Y/N might just change that…

The Brotherhood is active even to the present day, having never been sealed in the Ink Scroll. They still command Camel Ridge and keep their “subjects” locked up nice and tight, refusing to allow any mortals amongst them to become Hunters or Riders. Instead, they themselves do the defending and fighting, and all their cherished mortals stay perfectly safe inside their walled kingdom- no one leaves.

But, with a little convincing and begging, a stranger may be allowed to come inside for safety and supplies- but only if they’re willing to stay. Expect to sign lots of contracts and papers written by Yellowtusk (who is a Gammoth, giving him the ability to create snow and ice. He wields the Iceshaker.) that were created for the sole purpose of keeping innocent and kind souls trapped inside their smothering protective city. These papers will be cited and show any time you try to leave.

Peng is a Gold Rathian, giving them the ability to both spit fireballs and secrete poison- instead of a tail, though, Peng’s poison is spread by their quills. Those quills also contains a mild paralytic, useful for quieting dissenters or subduing runaways to ferry back “home”. They wield the Gold Chordmaker and maintain a more supportive combat role than their Sworn Brothers. They’re usually first in line to track down any “wayward souls” that leave the loving protection of Camel Ridge.

Azure Lion is obviously a Lunastra, which gives him both a big pair of wings and ability to breath fire- as well as spread flammable dust to ignite later. With the Roilcloud Sword in hand, Azure has sworn to protect all his cherished prisoners subjects from the violent woes of a monster-ridden world- whether they like it or not. There’s not a single resident of Camel Ridge that he doesn’t adore with all his heart, nor even one that he’s forgotten the name of.

And not one is allowed to leave his care.

#Platonic Yandere #Yandere Lego Monkie Kid #Yandere LMK #Yandere Sun Wukong #Yandere Macaque #Yandere Yellowtusk #Yandere Peng #Yandere Azure Lion #Monkie Glaive

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hotd-bigbang · 2 months ago

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Masterlist

All entries have now been revealed for the 2024 edition of the House of the Dragon Big Bang. Please see below the cut for the complete list of all fics.

In the Wake of Silence by @targaryenrealnessdarling with artwork by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

Avy Jorrāelan by ineffabletargtowers with artwork by @the-common-cowgirl

Mister Targaryen's Curious Bookshop by @the-dendrophile-bookdragon with artwork by @/targaryenrealnessdarling

Do you Believe in Fate by @ripdragonbeans with artwork by @emilykaldwen

Like a Cigarette (Drag Out, Never Quit) by @queen--kenobi with artwork by @/ewanmitchellcrumbs

High in the Halls by @/emilykaldwen with artwork by @/the-common-cowgirl

In the Woods Somewhere by @/the-common-cowgirl with artwork by @/targaryenrealnessdarling

The Bloodmage by sapph_of_the_seas with artwork by @/ewanmitchellcrumbs

No Time for Fear or Blame (Inside We Are the Same) by @dragonsoftheeast with artwork by @/emilykaldwen

Kingdom of Ash and Death by @darkwolf76 with artwork by @darushi-chan

The Maelström by @asa-do-your-thing with artwork by @/darushi-chan

This is Ours Alone by @eiilleen with artwork by @vampire-exgirlfriend

BOOM! by @exitpursuedbyavulcan with artwork by @lya-dustin

Take These Broken Wings (And Learn to Fly) by @apothe-roses with artwork by @ride-thedragon

The End is Where We Begin by @left0utsideal0ne with artwork by @/queen--kenobi

Low and Harrowed Lies the Fields and the Heart of Me by @cocoalover1956 with artwork by @/ride-thedragon

In the Eye by @/ride-thedragon with artwork by @/the-common-cowgirl

Moonlight Lines by @lady-morrigen with artwork by @/vampire-exgirlfriend

Feel Me in the Firmness Under You by @godswood-girl with artwork by @/queen--kenobi

The Last Ember by @burning-daylight with artwork by @/vampire-exgirlfriend

The full AO3 collection

#hotd big bang #house of the dragon #house of the dragon big bang #house of the dragon fandom #hotd #hotd fan fiction #hotd fandom #house of the dragon fan fiction

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chilltobember · 1 month ago

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Rejoice! You can now add your HeartlessHalloweenParty works to this Ao3 collection!

And your Chilltobember fanfics to this collection!

Older work done in previous yearly editions counts!

#chilltobember #heartless halloween party #writing event #art event #kingdom hearts #writing challenge #kh event #chilltobember 2024 #kh big bang

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skzhocomments · 28 days ago

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The Rising Empress (Bang Chan) - Chapter 2 - The Wedding

General Masterlist

Story masterlist - please consult it for the summary of the story, trigger warnings etc.

Wattpad | AO3

Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

---

Chapter 2 - The Wedding

Chapter word count: 6.4k words

~present day~

The road to the Capital of the Empire of the Sun is long and unpleasant for Aristia, who’s never had to travel outside the castle before. The carriage is small and uncomfortable, only having enough space to accommodate two people: herself, and one of her maids. She has motion sickness and is on the verge of throwing up multiple times throughout the journey, to everyone’s displeasure, who don’t shy away from scowling at her whenever she asks for a little break.

Not many people are inconvenienced by her, as she’s not accompanied by too many anyway: only a handful of knights and a few maids. With how small their convoy is, no one would assume a princess is travelling in one of the carriages. Still, they condemn her for being sent away from the Kingdom to accompany her, as if it was her fault.

She makes a mental note to send everyone back as soon as she’s settled in the Empire.

However unpleasant the atmosphere in the convoy is, Aristia tries to enjoy the unfamiliar sightseeing of meadows and mountains and streams as she moves across her Kingdom. She smiles gleefully as she is able to point out the names of the rivers and the small towns she briefly passes through on the way to her new home; after all, she memorised the maps in her geography books by heart. If someone dropped her in the middle of nowhere, chances are she’d figure out her location with ease. The maid in her carriage smiles at her and shows some curious expressions when Aristia tells her about the history of the places they’re going through, or what each village and town is known for, and she is grateful to have a partner to converse with until the maid loses interest and falls asleep.

With so many breaks along the way, the journey lasts almost two weeks, and with each passing day, Aristia’s heart beats louder in her chest. She wishes she could escape the inevitable, run away somehow and start a new life far away from the Kingdom and the Empire.

She knows she can’t. The cards fate dealt her seem to ensure that she’d be hated wherever she goes, anyway.

She’s heard that the Emperor of the Sun is a kind man; perhaps he would be kind to her as well, even if their nations are enemies. He’s the one who asked for her hand in marriage, after all.

And if not kind, perhaps at least indifferent. She hopes he won’t abuse her like her father did. She hopes he won’t hit her until she’s sore and has difficulty moving the next day.

That’s not too much to ask for, is it?

When she arrives, a knight opens her carriage and helps her step down. Not that she needs much help, anyway. She’s dressed modestly. Unlike a rightful princess, her dress is not big and elaborate, and she has no difficulty moving herself. It seems unsuited for the Capital. There are a lot of people waiting for her, and despite the contempt in their eyes at the sight of her – which she expected – she can’t help but feel they are disappointed by what little things her father sent her with.

A couple carriages, a few servants and a modest dress, totally inappropriate for the grandeur of the Empire. This thought only gets reinforced when she watches the intricate embroideries of jewels on the knight’s clothes. He looks like a princess more than she does.

She wants to laugh thinking about it, but she keeps a straight face as the man bows to her.

“Future Moon of our Empire, welcome to Your new home.” He says respectfully, but his words are empty, and his eyes cold.

Aristia smiles in return, trying to think of this as a warm welcome. It is anything but. “Thank you. What is your name?”

“Lee Know, Your Highness.”

“Nice to meet you, Lee Know. Would you be so kind to show my attendants to their temporary residence for the night, and assure they are well fed? Please talk to the cooks and prepare enough food for them to pack tomorrow, as they have a long way back to the Kingdom.” Aristia commands like a true princess, just as her maid taught her. She keeps her head high, even if the words feel foreign on her tongue.

“Your Highness?” Lee Know tilts his head. He was definitely not expecting this. Doesn’t the princess know that she has no allies in the castle? Why would she send everyone back home?

“Hm?” Aristia forces a smile. A knight should always respect her commands, her maid made sure she remembered this.

“My apologies, I was just assuming His Excellency The Emperor should know of this beforehand.”

“Oh, is that so? I don’t see him around, though? Unless I’m mistaken.”

“Unfortunately, His Highness had some urgent matters to attend to and was not able to come meet Your Grace.”

“I guess it can’t be helped, then.” Aristia smiles again. “Since the Emperor is not here, I am the highest authority.” She challenges him. She notices he has something he’d like to say, but he bites his tongue back, much to her pleasure. The power is indeed delicious, and it gives her a little rush, even though the command is not difficult. She doubts the Emperor would have much to object anyway, as he most definitely considers everyone in the Kingdom an enemy.

“But Princess, how could we go back-” Her maid starts but shuts up instantly, a look of panic crossing her face, that only intensifies once Aristia turns to her. She has no authority to speak before the princess, unless explicitly given permission to, and the fact that she ignored these customs in front of all the maids, butlers and knights of the Empire that came to welcome her shows just how little everyone in the Kingdom respects her. She knew she needed to cut her losses, but this blatant disrespect only intensifies the burning wish she has to get rid of everyone that ever looked down on her.

God knows she’s going to have a lot more people showing her the same disrespect in the Empire. She doesn’t need anyone from the Kingdom to do so as well.

The maid immediately avoids her gaze and bows, so Aristia ignores her and starts walking towards her chambers, guided by Lee Know. She gets introduced to a couple of maids as well, who are supposed to assist her going further.

Spies, Aristia thinks. She knows that every move she makes will be tracked and reported to the Emperor.

She also gets introduced to a dress maker who hastily takes her measurements for her wedding dress, who throws her nasty looks for refusing to take off all her garments. How could she, when her back has such ugly scars from the abuse she endured?

When every appointment for the day is done, she asks one of her new maids to prepare a bath for her. The maid bows in her direction, but Aristia can already sense the disdain coming from her. Her suspicions are verified as soon as she checks the bath water.

It’s freezing cold.

“They are really brave for this move.” Jisung chuckles and shakes his head, amusement plastered on his face.

“They must think we are fools.” Chan laughs along. “I can’t believe they only sent 100 gold as dowry. What kind of princess marries with such a laughable amount?”

“Right? Besides, isn’t the King rumoured to adore his daughter? What is going on?”

“We won’t forget this for sure when the time comes.” Seungmin shakes his head.

The council formed of him, Jisung and the Emperor is currently seated around a table, together with Lee Know, one of Bang Chan’s most trusted knights.

“How did she seem to you, Minho?” Chan asks.

“Mhm, quite unpredictable. I told you already that she asked me to send all of her attendants home.”

“Foolish girl.” Seungmin shakes his head. “Doesn’t she know she has no allies here?”

“She didn’t seem particularly close to the people in the Kingdom either.” Lee Know shrugs.

“Maybe it’s all a façade to gain our trust.” Jisung suggests. “If we let our guard down now, she could find out that we’re planning to uncover the documents for the mine and start a war in two years.”

“We’ll see.” Chan replies. “Anything else about her, Minho?”

“Yes. I received word that she had her measurements taken yesterday, and apparently made quite a fuss about not wanting anyone to see her naked. She didn’t let the maids assist her washing either.”

Chan chuckled. “What, is she shy?”

“Quite unusual for a princess to wash herself.” Seungmin observes. “When are you planning to meet her?”

“I’d say never. But realistically, during our wedding.”

“What, you won’t go see her even once?” Jisung’s eyes grow large. “I knew you were cruel, but that’s another level, Chan.”

“Don’t call me cruel, I’ll have your head cut off for treason.” The Emperor threatens jokingly. When it’s just them in the secrecy of the council room, they don’t have to keep appearances. Sure, Bang Chan is the Emperor of the Sun, but he’s grown up with a handful of loyal people around him he considers as close as family, so he allowed them to drop the honorifics when in private settings. “Felix keeps beating around the bush to go meet her, he’s quite curious.”

“Dangerously curious.” Seungmin adds.

“I’m also curious.” Jisung admits.

“She’s just a spoilt rotten princess of our enemies. What is there to be curious of?” Lee Know asks the men around the table.

“I agree. Nothing good about getting acquainted with someone like her. Our original plan of ignoring her completely seems to be the best to ensure nothing unwanted gets to her ears.” Seungmin says.

“All I know is that I’m not looking forward to the wedding.” Bang Chan remarks.

“Your Highness, may we enter now?” The attendants softly open the door to Aristia’s chambers, keeping their heads down.

“Yes, come help me.” She commands. She managed to put on the large wedding dress on her own, making sure to cover her back completely before allowing the attendants to come finish dressing her.

The wedding dress is the most beautiful garment Aristia’s ever seen. It’s white, embellished with beautiful green and golden jewels and white pearls all over; its sleeves are puffy, made of a soft, see-through organza that is not so heavy on her arms, and looking in the mirror, she’s barely able to recognise herself. Her train is so long, she is sure it’s going to catch everyone’s attention as soon as she steps in the room.

Dressed in the white and golden colours of the Empire, she notices, as if for the first time, that she is really beautiful. She looks like a true princess, like the future Empress. Her garments are also adorned with green emeralds, much like her wrists and neck, a symbol of her former Kingdom, which she finds quite ironic.

‘The jewellery has been chosen by the Sun Himself’, as one of her attendants said.

Why would he want her to wear green, and not gold?

Is this his way of welcoming her, somehow telling her that she should feel as if she’s still home, or is this some sort of threat informing her that she’s never going to be accepted fully?

The green emeralds all over the dress also make this last thought a bit more obvious to her, but she decides not to ponder on it.

Maybe I’m overthinking. Aristia shakes her head and informs the maids that she’s ready.

As she gets out of her rooms, two knights bow in her direction and start escorting her towards the church. One of them she recognises. She even remembers his name: Lee Know, the first face she’s seen when she stepped out of the carriage, the man who first welcomed her into the Empire. It’s the first time she sees the second one, though. He’s a bit shorter than Lee Know, and his arms are a bit buffer too. His expression seems softer.

Since he came to escort her, he must also be an important knight.

Once they reach the church, Aristia tries to not look too much around. She’s curious, but she keeps her eyes from searching the faces of the people looking at her, following her every move. She breathes in and makes her way towards the Altar, where a man dressed in the same colours as her - only without the green emeralds - is waiting with his back turned.

The Emperor, she thinks as she steps up next to him. He doesn’t spare her even one glance, and she refrains from turning her head to watch him. Instead, she side-eyes him and notices a sharp jaw as if he’s clenching it, a perfectly sculpted nose and brown eyes. She averts her gaze a few seconds later, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing she’s curious about him.

Still, isn’t curiosity normal? He’s never come visit her ever since she got to the Empire, not even once, and before they officially get married, she doesn’t have a high enough authority to go see him first, unless he asks for her, or unless she requests an audience.

Every muscle in Chan’s body gives him away. He is displeased to be at the Altar next to a bride he doesn’t like one bit, nor want, nor even need.

Well, the last bit is false, even if just a tad, and he knows it. He does need her for this marriage, giving him an easy temporary alliance to her nation, but he’s counting the days until he’d be able to get rid of her, even if they haven’t shared one word so far. He knows he dislikes her without having to talk to her. The fact that she hasn’t looked for him or even asked someone if she can see him tells him how arrogant the princess is, too.

Tsk. He almost clicks his tongue out loud in annoyance.

He is not the only one displeased to be there, though. Aristia is as well, and so is everybody in the church. The only delighted ones are the people of the Empire whose sons have been drafted to join the army at a young age for wars that seem to be without end.

Aristia is discontented with this situation; she’s the daughter of a King who didn’t want her, sent over like a sacrificial lamb to his enemy, a man who doesn’t want her either, who won’t even cast a look at her. She decides she won’t look at him either. Two can play this game.

Let’s just look at these flowers and not think. She repeats in her head as she admires the bouquet of white peonies.

The priest begins talking, spewing nonsense about eternal love and about how they will always have each other’s back. As if for the first time, Aristia realises that even though they are a fake couple, the marriage is very much real. What a shuddering thought, to be forever tied to this man she knows nothing about.

By the end of the priest’s long speech, it’s traditional for the couple to kiss, so Chan turns his body towards the princess, and she is able to see him properly for the first time.

The Emperor is good looking, she notices, but his gaze pierces, pulling at Aristia’s heart strings. She doesn’t know how someone can throw her such a malevolent stare, and she almost shakes when he firmly rests his right hand on her neck right under her jaw, his thumb gently brushing her cheek. He uses that same hand to lift her head up, their eyes fighting a silent battle.

She expects a kiss and closes her eyes instinctively, but instead, she feels him remove his hand from under her jaw, and moments later, her head is weighted heavily by what she assumes is the Empress’ crown. Her left hand moves towards the foreign object on her head and touches it unsurely, but the darkness in the Emperor’s eyes tells her she is indeed wearing the crown of the Empire, matching his golden one.

She is only able to see her own reflection in his eyes, and she tries her hardest to keep her composure and show him that she can also be Empress, not a simple toy he brought over from the Kingdom.

The next time his hand rests under her jaw, she decides against closing her eyes. She will no longer be taken by surprise. He hesitates for a bit when seeing the new-found determination in her orbs, but eventually moves closer and presses his plum lips against her decisively, and people start clapping, for the Sun of the Empire has finally welcomed his Moon.

Following the church service, a great ball takes place in one of the rooms of the castle. The atmosphere is radiant, filled with chatter and laughter and sounds of glasses clinking against one another as people get drunker and drunker, celebrating the union between The Kingdom of the South and The Empire of the Sun. In earnest, everyone is toasting for the beginning of a time of peace and tranquillity, as the Empire has always been at war due to the large ambitions of the previous Emperor, Chan’s father, who wanted nothing more than to see their Empire conquer all that used to belong to them centuries ago.

Chan has much of the same ambitions, and even after his father’s sudden passing, he’s managed to fulfil his wishes and brought the Empire to the largest it’s ever been. Despite this being a good thing in terms of the Empire’s prosperity, it’s also been tiring on its people, who’ve seen their sons, husbands and fathers sent off to war, to never return back home.

The Sun and the Moon are seated together at a table overviewing the banquet hall, sitting in silence. He doesn’t address her any words, so she doesn’t bother to strike up a conversation either.

What a lonely place this is, up on a throne with no one by your side but a betrothed that doesn’t want you, while everyone else is having fun right in front of you.

Even during their first dance, Chan barely looked at Aristia, and he hadn't spoken to her at all. The disgust plastered on his face during their first dance was obvious, and his indifference now regarding her presence is, too.

Truly, she was nervous during their first dance, but she realised quickly that Chris was at best unconcerned about their wedding and the dance. He simply took the lead, as men must do during a dance, and she followed him, but they didn't say a word, nor did they smile or show any kind of expression signalling they at least get along. She assumes they looked like those rigid, stiff wooden figures in the music boxes, and she dreads the plays that will inevitably get written about them and the royal wedding.

Aristia starts wondering if the people in the room are also able to notice the height of the wall between them but realises it’s a pointless thought to have. She focuses on the chalice of wine in her hand instead, that’s already been emptied and refilled a couple of times. She can’t help but feel how uncomfortable the crown is on her head, how it’s making her scalp hurt.

She wishes she could take it off, throw it across the room and run away.

The ridiculously large dress would make it hard to do so. She thinks, and almost lets a chuckle escape past her lips.

The alcohol is getting to her head and it’s getting harder and harder to keep her eyes open, which is exactly what she is hoping for. She hopes she’ll pass out as soon as she gets into the Emperor’s chambers. Like any woman on her wedding night, she is expected to offer herself wholly to her husband, and hopefully bear his children as soon as possible. She doesn’t want it, but it’s her duty as a married woman, and even more so as the Empress. If she’s drunk enough, the man next to her can do whatever he wants to her body, and she won’t feel a thing during the deed. She almost winces imagining the horrendous pain she’s going to be faced with tomorrow after The Emperor has had his fun, but her many years of training to be a respectable Crown Princess aid her in keeping a straight face.

Besides, whatever he does to her can’t be worse than what her father’s done up until this point, can it? A beating must certainly hurt way worse than sexual intercourse. That’s what she hopes for, anyway, burying all the books on marriage etiquette she had to read deep in her head, trying not to think of the lines describing the numbing pain women feel under their partner the first time, and, if they’re unlucky, during every intercourse.

“Sun and Moon of the Empire, I congratulate you on your marriage. May you live happily ever after together and be blessed with many children.” A young blonde approaches the table and bows respectfully, and Chan starts smiling.

“Felix, no need to be so formal.” He says but doesn’t bother introducing Felix to Aristia or explaining who he is.

She can guess, though, since Felix is also wearing white and gold, the colours of the royal family, and his head is adorned by a crown, albeit smaller than Chan’s. Considering the fact that he also addressed them first, without waiting for permission to speak, he must be the younger prince.

“Are you having fun, brother? You haven’t even gotten up since the first dance. I’m sure Her Highness must be bored.” He says, looking expectantly at Aristia.

“Not at all, His Highness is great company.” She replies in an almost mocking tone, concentrating hard to not slur her words.

“I must apologise for interrupting you two, I’m sure there’s a lot to talk about as you get to know each other. However, I’d really love it if Her Highness would join me for a dance.” He offers Aristia his hand.

“Oh, I’m afraid I might step on your toes. I’m not a good dancer, and I’ve quite enjoyed the wine from the northern region this evening.” She chuckles and tries to play it off and politely decline his invitation, but Felix doesn’t back down.

“Not to worry, Your Highness, I am quite strong and an excellent dancer.”

To that, Aristia can’t object anymore, and so she places her hand in his and stands up with his help, rearranging the uncomfortably large dress and instinctively placing her hand on her crown, making sure it stays in place.

Felix guides her to the dance floor and places his left hand firmly around her waist, keeping her right hand in a strong hold.

They start spinning to the music, looking elegant under the delightful gazes of all the people in attendance. Despite being quite intoxicated, Aristia matches Felix’ lead perfectly.

“My sister-in-law said she’s a bad dancer, but it doesn’t look like it.” He remarks, and Aristia can’t help herself but joke around a bit, and steps on his foot.

“Oops.” She smiles, and Felix starts laughing brightly. Aristia thinks the title of ‘Sun of the Empire’ would be better fitted for him, with how radiant his smile is, compared to his brother’s piercing gaze that’s been throwing daggers in her back ever since she stood up from the throne.

“Why are you trying to get drunk?” He asks all of a sudden.

“Oh, I’m not just trying to. I’m also succeeding.” She chuckles, and Felix laughs again warmly.

She is a beautiful woman, and he can’t help but feel bad for her; all alone, in an unfamiliar nation, married by force to someone she doesn’t know, who hasn’t spoken to her at all since the night began. He can’t imagine how suffocating that must be. She must also feel intimidated by his brother, since she’s also quite young. If he’s not wrong, she’s 2 years younger than himself, which means she’s 5 years younger than Chris.

“I’m Felix, by the way. Chan’s younger brother. He hasn’t introduced us, that rude rascal.”

“Rascal?” Aristia chuckles again. “Isn’t it treason to talk like that about the Emperor?”

“He’s a quite forgiving man.”

“He doesn’t strike me as such, but what do I know?” She fakes another smile as she hints at the fact that today is the first time she’s ever meeting the Emperor. “My name is Aristia.”

“I love your name. Rising Empress. How fitting!”

He exclaims, and she just smiles. Fake, fake, fake, fake. She always thought balls are tiring, but since her father hasn’t allowed her to join too many, it’s hard to get used to this.

She misses the confines of her room back in the Kingdom, the shelves with books to keep her company, and most of all, her loyal maid, taken away by sickness too long ago.

There is no sense of familiarity for Aristia in this place, no refuge. Only the suffocating dress, the heavy crown, the way too crowded ballroom, and a dagger stabbed in her back by her own husband, that’s making it hard to breathe and almost impossible to focus on the smiling man in front of her.

“He hasn’t talked to you much, has he?” Felix asks, as if he’s only now figuring out her earlier allusions.

“I enjoy silence.” She retorts.

“I’m sorry…” Felix smiles sympathetically. “So… back to my original question, is his company that bad that you have to be drunk to be in his presence?”

“Such is the fate of a bride. There’ll be plenty of time for us to spend together without knowing each other, and I feel woefully unprepared.”

She confesses, and Felix hums, barely audible over the loud music. Just as he wants to say something comforting, the music briefly stops as the musical ensemble prepares itself for a next song, and people come to compliment the two on their perfect dancing. They surround Aristia and start asking her all sorts of questions, definitely curious about her, and it’s becoming a bit too overwhelming, and she’s getting dizzy.

It’s too hot, and she’s had too much wine, and her corset is way too tight, and her head can’t seem to get used to the weight of the crown; it hurts. Aristia finds herself missing the tranquillity and comfort of loneliness that her throne provides, far away from everyone. She just wants to excuse herself and go back on her throne so she can breathe, but there are customs to be respected, and she doesn’t want to come across as rude and leave in the middle of a conversation. She starts scanning the room with her eyes, until they finally fall on the bulky guard that escorted her with Lee Know in the morning.

He’s not too far away from her; he’s there for her protection, and his gaze is also stuck on her. As soon as they make eye contact, it’s as if he understands that something is wrong; he sees the urgency in her eyes and instantly begins moving towards Aristia, asking everyone else to step aside.

“His Majesty requested The Moon’s presence, please excuse us.” He says with a bow and begins guiding the Empress away, ignoring the protests of the disappointed crowd, and she’s never been more thankful.

“Thank you.” She whispers as soon as they are a bit further away.

“I apologise, but… Are you feeling sick? You seem pale… if I may.” He whispers back, and Aristia nods.

“Just needed some air. What’s your name?”

“It’s Changbin, Your Highness.” He bows again as soon as Aristia reaches the steps to the two thrones and the table where only she and her husband are sat. She avoids looking into Chan’s eyes as he scans her face, and simply nods towards Changbin and goes to sit down.

For the first time ever, someone noticed her discomfort, and actively did something to help, and she is truly grateful. She hopes the banquet will end on a positive note at least, although it seems far from over, and just rests comfortably against the backrest of her throne, wishing for time to pass quicker.

After about an hour, a young woman approaches their table and bows respectfully, waiting for her or the Emperor to say something first. Being the highest authority in the Empire, unless the Empress or Emperor addresses you first, you are unable to speak to them.

“Arabella.” Chan says as soon as he notices her, a large smile plastered on his face, which makes Aristia involuntarily raise an eyebrow.

“I greet the Sun of the Empire and congratulate you for your marriage.” She says respectfully, almost making Aristia scoff.

She is the Empress now, but this girl – Arabella – hasn’t even bowed towards her, nor addressed her in the salutation. This in itself would be considered inexcusable behaviour, but Chris doesn’t seem to regard her as his wife either, so he doesn’t bat an eye at the ignorance.

“You may raise your head.”

“You look as healthy as ever.” She bows again, shorter this time, with an intoxicating giggle that is quick to reach Chan’s ears, and Aristia doesn’t fail to notice the way her husband’s cheeks receive prominent dimples as he smiles at the compliment.

“And you as well. Your father must be pleased to be able to pride himself with such a beautiful jewel.”

“Your Majesty, I am unworthy of your praises.”

My ass. Aristia thinks briefly and stops herself from rolling her eyes at this exchange. How blatantly rude, to flirt in front of her so openly. Does Chris want a concubine already?

“The night sky is truly beautiful tonight, Your Majesty. I wish you could see it as well.”

“If I weren’t confined in this ballroom, I would. You, however, should go and dance and enjoy yourself.”

Arabella. Aristia observes the girl walk away. I shall not forget this name.

The banquet lasts for a few more hours, which Aristia uses wisely to drink a bit more wine to the point where walking towards her room to change from the dress is almost impossible without the help of the maids.

When she gets there, she almost lets them undress her, until she remembers about the scars on her back. She doesn’t want anyone else to know about them. The Emperor would probably see them tonight, but that’s something Aristia could deal with, since he is unlikely to spread any rumours about her. He still has a reputation to keep, and marrying a broken princess of the enemy kingdom would not be a flattering appeal.

The maids are, however, a different story entirely. They feed on the insecurities of their masters and whisper between themselves late at night about all the affairs of the house. She knew it all too well, for she’s heard them many times before, when she was still living in the Kingdom.

So, she sends them away and begins taking off her garments excruciatingly slowly. After getting undressed from the large dress, Aristia is quick to discard it somewhere on the floor and begins changing into tonight’s outfit, which consists of garments that leave little to the imagination. Beautifully delicate lace lingerie, ruffled garters and a flimsy night robe hug her body, and on top of it, a fur coat she should wear until she reaches The Emperor’s chambers. Everything is easily discardable, but she tries not to linger on it for too long.

Before exiting the room, she places the crown firmly against her head, as she shouldn’t be seen anywhere without it. Even if she’s worn it for hours already, she simply can’t get used to the heaviness on her scalp, and she can already feel the impending headache. She’s never had to wear any crowns in the Kingdom; her father wouldn’t allow it, not wanting to recognise her status as the Crown Princess.

The knight who’s helped her earlier, Changbin, comes to escort her to Chris, and she can’t help but feel yet again like a sacrificial lamb served on a platter for her husband to devour. Changbin bows at The Moon briefly and avoids her eyes at all costs.

Is it embarrassing, knowing you’re escorting a half-naked Empress to your master, so she could be fucked like a whore for the whole night? Aristia almost wants to ask but keeps it to herself once again.

The wine is making me have foul thoughts. She rationalises in her head, for it’s way easier to blame alcohol than to blame the actual problem: a vulgar personality that comes out anytime she feels like fighting the whole world for dealing her a bad hand.

Once she enters the room, she is quite pleased to find it empty. This means a bit more time to prepare, and she suddenly doesn’t feel drunk enough.

She scans the table for more wine but is unsuccessful to find any until the door opens, revealing The Emperor.

“You’re here.” He states, as if surprised.

Aristia nods.

“Of course you are.” He mumbles. “Unfortunately.”

“Yeah, it’s truly a misfortune.” She replies, and he lets out a short, mocking laugh. She involuntarily hugs the fur coat tighter, as if to protect her body from his sight.

“You see, it’s quite funny that you’re here, actually. Wanna know why?”

“… Why?”

“Because I asked them not to bring you.” He smiles. It doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Is that so? I shall take my leave, then.” She starts going towards the door, hoping he’d just let her pass. She brushes past him, and as soon as she raises her hand to open the door, she hears him curse under his breath.

“Fucking whore.”

She stops, her hand on the handle, as if she’s frozen. Anger is boiling up inside of her, but the rational side of her knows it would be better to simply get out and not look back. He doesn’t want to sleep with her, so she’s free to go and end the day without having to go through any abuse.

She should go.

Simple enough.

But how dare he?

How dare he not address her one word the whole night, and once he does, it’s to affront her?

“What did you just say to me?” She turns around, anger lacing her tone, and watches him right in the eyes.

“I said,” he smiles again, this time larger and more menacing, “fucking whore.”

“Whore?” Aristia chuckles. “Is that what you think of me? God, how ironic this is. You don’t know anything about who I am, but still dare to call me names.”

“Listen up, I can call you whatever the fuck I want. So, whore, kindly get out of my room before I also treat you like one.”

“No. You listen up. You might be Emperor, but you married me, so now I am your Empress. Act like it.”

“How daring.” He chuckles again, but then his face turns serious all of a sudden, and he starts aggressively walking towards Aristia, taking the crown off her head in one swift motion and throwing it across the room. He then grabs her wrist tightly and drags her away from the door, throwing her on the bed.

She freezes, just as she always did whenever her father would grab and hit her.

As soon as her back is against the mattress, the fur coat separates in the middle and lies flat on the bed, exposing Aristia’s body under the flimsy nightgown. She wants to cover herself from Chan’s sight, but he gets on top of her and pins her hands apart, looking sharply into her eyes.

“The temerity you have.” He starts, this time no longer smiling, and a chill makes its way towards Aristia’s spine. She’s scared of him, she’s sure of it now, and she’s crossed the line. “Do you think you’re truly an Empress? Let me break it to you: you’re not, and you’ll never be. Never. So, just stay somewhere, quietly and out of my sight, and I’ll leave you be as well. Is that clear?”

Will he hit me like my dad if I oppose him?

“You asked for my hand-”

“No. What I asked for was peace, so don’t flatter yourself. You and that father of yours who claims to be King are only thieves, stealing away our gems and claiming them as yours. But for the sake of peace for my people, I’m willing to turn a blind eye. That’s why you’re here. Of course, a foolish girl like you would have no way of knowing such things.” He spits out. “Do you have any idea how much you disgust me? Kissing you in that church today has easily been the worst thing I’ve ever had to do.”

“You must’ve had an easy life, then.” She blurts out, annoyed with the way he’s patronising her, and something shifts in Chan’s gaze.

“You must be extremely intoxicated to keep talking back to me.”

“Tsk. Not enough.”

“Still keeping your head up after all I’ve said? Fine. Want me to show you that you’re nothing in this place?”

He aggressively rips away her nightgown and her bralette, leaving her exposed under him, and then presses his body on hers, his lips mere centimetres away from her neck.

“You mean nothing to me. You are nothing. I can do whatever the fuck I want with you, and no one would bat an eye. You know why?” He whispers in her ear. “Because I am the Emperor, and you’re merely a tool.”

Aristia doesn’t say anything, her body trembling in fear when Chan separates himself from her.

“Didn’t you notice that I didn’t even let you wear golden jewels today? You are not part of my family. Is that clear to you now? Get the fuck out of my rooms, and don’t come back.”

She listens this time, hugging the fur coat as tightly as possible around her and sprinting to the door, opening it in a rush. She doesn’t even notice that she’s forgotten to pick the crown back up, not that she knew where it fell, anyway.

On the other side, Lee Know and Changbin are guarding the door. As soon as he sees her, Changbin’s expression changes to surprise, while Lee Know’s stays neutral.

Aristia musters up the last bit of dignity she has left, and looks into Changbin’s eyes, commanding him.

“Take me back to my rooms.”

It’s hard to fight back the tears that want to spill from her eyes, but she does so successfully until she’s alone. She heads towards the small balcony attached to her room and glances outside, hugging the fur coat tighter than ever, but doesn’t open the door. She simply looks outside, crying in silence, and tries to focus on something else – anything to take her mind away from her husband who loathes her and the reality of the fact that she’ll have to wake up in this Empire from now on.

Her eyes fall on the countless stars above, that give her a sense of peace. It’s always a humbling experience to watch the Universe and realise how small you are in the grand scheme of things. So, that’s what Aristia does. She just watches the stars dance and sparkle in front of her eyes, mesmerised by their grandeur.

That Arabella bitch was right. The night sky is truly beautiful tonight.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

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