#kronos’ beta

[kronos-lungbarrow-oakdown]

So, quick poll because I am curious & playing RPG with my beta made me ponder about some questions…

That’s very important because I personally don’t read much … anything sex related about thoschei of any kind? But I have been feeling knee on writing some so…

[emacrow]

Time Rewound and Space Unbound has updated again, chapter 8 is now out. written by me/Emacrow

Link here<-

[kronos-lungbarrow-oakdown]

@thelibraryofalexandriastillburns talking about Koschei.

“My poor baby. My poor sweet little boy,” I lament out loud over a whole grown adult man who is not mine but is in fact a fictional character with fictional hurts. What matters is my feelings are real

[ma1dita]

if you need to be mean (be mean to me)

a ‘partners in crime’ installment - luke castellan x dionysus!reader prev -> now that we're older | next -> lovers, or partners in crime words: 1.5k summary: (established relationship) The one where he leaves before you wake up. You and Luke both can't ignore what's in front of you—and both of you feel guilty leading up to that night (Luke Castellan x dionysus!reader) warnings: suggestive mdni if you’re uncomfortable – nondescript mentions of sex a/n: someones gotta take mitski away from the pjo editors for fucks sake. yes, this is based off of ‘i don’t smoke’ (audiotree live) don’t look at me. (posted 1/30/24 thanks to my betas ellie and lari @lixzey & @mrsaluado )

___

[ you come down and tell me, “i was meant for you”, baby || being with you makes the flame burn good ]

Your father once told you when you were younger that you were a divining rod for mayhem; you attract it, cause it, and in very few instances, you are the cure. It’s why your roles and responsibilities at camp hid you away from your full potential, and Luke knew you could achieve greatness if you left with him. He understood your madness more than you’ll ever know, and saw you for what you are–his cure. But he made his choice long before he recognized his devotion to you, distancing himself in order to fulfill his plans of waging war against the gods.

Sweet and sultry words slip from his lips to distract you from the growing distance of his heart from yours. A distraction is what he’s always been, and he’s good at playing the part. After all, everything he’s learned about deception and acting, he’s picked up from you. 

The guilt still sits heavy in his heart as he watches you walk around your bedroom the night before he leaves. Luke’s wondered if there’s any way he can convince you to come with him, but he knows your heart is softer than his, more forgiving. He thinks his damnation is past forgiveness anyway.

You trod over to meet him on your bed, hands full of moisturizer as you climb onto his lap and you look so willing and pliant to whatever he’ll say next. Luke knows you’ve been extra gentle with him lately, and it makes him sigh. This would be easier if you hated each other. But that’s the farthest thing from the truth.

Soft hands rub the moisturizer into his skin, delicately caressing his scar, and when he opens his eyes again, you’re smiling and looking how he wants to remember you. His lovely girl, who holds his rage like someone should’ve held his 9-year-old self running away from home. His hands settle around your hips, holding onto you until he can’t anymore and Luke wonders if there was any prophecy out there that could’ve told him that he’d always be running home to you. He just has to take the long way home this time. 

By morning, you might not look at him with this much love, and he’s not even sure you’ll forgive him, so he pulls you into a kiss so deep that even Kronos’s attacks on his mind can’t pull him away.

“Mmmm,” you moan, gasping for air as he continues the assault down your neck, marking you with his lips so you have something to remember him by, “Not that I’m complaining, but what’s gotten into you, angelface?” If only you knew.

“Can’t help it baby, you’ve got a face I’d go to war for,” he mutters, pressing another kiss to your lips, “and a heart I’d die for.” He’s smiling into your cheek, but his expression falters for a moment when you look into his golden-flecked eyes.

Maybe you know more than you let on, awareness cognizant in your features. The jig is up, and he’s ready for you to call him out on it—but a half smile falls upon your face instead, and for some reason, this feels like the inevitable goodbye. There was never much you two could hide from each other after all.

“I know it’s been hard lately, Luke. But let me take your pain away. Please,” and it sounds almost like you’re begging.

The both of you are a little guilty tonight, hearts heavy and conscious of what this means for the both of you, hoping that your actions will suffice as the coercion, the explanation, the apology— instead of the unspoken truth that will come to light when you wake. 

___

[ if you need to be mean, be mean to me || i can take it and put it inside of me ]

Both of you are more desperate tonight, bodies moving languidly like you have all the time in the world. It’s a conversation in itself as he ruts into you, trying to stuff you to the brim so you won’t forget what it’s like to feel him in your bones. 

‘Promise you’ll remember me.’

Here, in the confines of cabin 12, you are his alone, and there are no gods or monsters that can take away the feeling of you from under his fingertips. Yours are grasping onto his arms, leaving crescent-shaped indents as you will away whatever’s eating at his brain, and through the golden glint of his irises, for a moment he looks like himself again, unburdened and soft. 

‘Is there any other way?’

He’s convinced your wanton moans are his salvation, legs thrown over his shoulders, and his name in your mouth. You’re hanging onto him for dear life as he melts into you, and you wonder if you hold on any tighter, maybe this won’t have to end. But the both of you are chasing an inescapable conclusion, obstructing any thoughts or words with another tangle of your lips. 

‘I don’t know how to be without you.’

Tongues clashing like swords for one last battle, and there’s no winner at the end of this one, no matter how good it feels.

“Luke, p-please!” 

The scream rattles your throat and his fingers graze your pulsepoint as he moans lowly, watching your eyes roll back. It’s undetermined what you’re asking for, but the both of you bask in what comes after, him falling into your embrace as you writhe at the thought of wondering if this is the only glory you can offer him and if it’s enough to satiate his inherent need for revenge. 

‘How do you expect me to forget you?’

___

[ if your hands need to break more than trinkets in your room || you can lean on my arm as you break my heart ||  just don’t leave me alone wondering where you are ]

'You could fix him.'

The thought echoes loudly in your head as Kronos’ orders recalibrate in his brain, the edges blurred from your powers, and he stares up at the glow-in-the-dark stars on your ceiling as he lets out a deep breath. 

His mind is clearer than it’s been in months, and his gaze turns to see you watching him, messy hair framing your sleepy face. Your eyelids flutter slowly as you both take each other in, immortalizing this moment with both of you hoping the other will change their mind. Luke pulls your hand to his lips, kissing each of your fingertips before holding it over his heart. If there was anything else you could do to extract his madness, you’ve already exhausted all your efforts. And if there was a way to make you see his perspective, he’s run out of words to convince you. Both of you are stubborn and more like your fathers than you care to admit; what a shame that neither of you has the power to prove them wrong. The fear is the only thing keeping you both awake now.

If you close your eyes, you might never see him again. 

“You need to rest now, baby. Think I’m gonna stay up for a little while longer,” Luke whispers into the dim light.

“Are you gonna stay here tonight?” The words slur from your lips as you fight the weight of your eyelids, desperate for a moment longer with your lover. You hope that even as you lose consciousness you’ll still be able to finish the job for his sake.

“There’s nowhere else I’d be, Trouble.”

___

[ i am stronger than you give me credit for ]

As soon as he’s sure you’re asleep, he lifts your hand off his heart and sneaks out from under your covers without a sound. Pulling his clothes on and grabbing his converse, Luke makes sure there’s no trace left of him here. It’ll be easier for you when you wake up, less of his mess to pick up after. He looks around your room and admires how it’s a museum of your relationship—a liberty he was never able to have or fully share with you in cabin 11.

Surely that’s the gods’ fault too, that he’s never had anything to call his own besides you and the space you share with him wholeheartedly. His fingers hover over the photos of you two tacked to your bulletin board, and the flowers he picked from the field sitting in a vase. Luke turns to you, creeping to your sleeping figure, and tucks you in properly under the duvet, hands seamlessly making his side of the bed. He tries to ignore your outstretched hand resting on his pillow.

At the very least, Luke hopes you know that he cares for you so meticulously in this way, knowing that he’s about to lose himself as soon as he walks off the campgrounds. He hovers over the foot of your bed, inhaling the scent of berries and linen for one last time.

“It’s you and me, Trouble. I love you.”

Every step he takes towards the door and down the stairs of your loft is a nail in his coffin.

Luke chooses to wage war upon the world so that when you find him again, he’ll be a better man. 

A hero. 

All for you. 

He just hopes that he can see it through.

___

“To make her happy, I would invent God if I had to.” -Marguerite Duras

luke taglist (struck out won't let me tag, turn on my post notifs?): @kissingyourgrl @dorcas4meadowes @lorarri @andrewgarfldsgf @noodlesketchbook @10ava01 @poppysrin @ashisabitgay @timhalamet @liv1104 @leeknows-wife @mxtokko @bugcuti3 @luvvfromme @midmourn @2hiigh2cry @yuminako @niktwazny303 @lukecastellandefender @intergalactic-padawan @iliketopgun @annybah @dangelnleif @thegrinningghost @alyssajunelle @obxstiles @m00ng4z3r @visndcaitswhore @b0ok-lover @elegant-face-tree @this-barbie-is-having-breakdowns @amortencjja @idonevenknow1359 @maliaaaa @targaryenluvs @sakyira @dhdjdjjdhsjdiri @number-onekidqueen @nininehaaa @bradynoonswife @stevenknightmarc @hoodedhavok @happy-mushrooms @homebyeleven @anotherblackreader @too-deviant @liviessun @lilacspider @theadventuresofanartist @sucker4seresin @simpforsunwoo @zanzie @starrystormwritings

[bvnnywrites]

Still Waters Run Deep

Chapter 1: Apple of His Eye

PAIRING: Eldritch!König x Reader

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As I've said before, English isn't my first language, so this would e fun. Hehe. I'm so excited to share this fic with you guys hehehehe. I'm posting this on both Tumblr and Ao3. Who knows, the story on the other site would be different hm...? I'm not telling when, but hehe. Also, reader is in her twenties, specifically 22, so yayeet. If you don't like how fucked up this story is gonna get then please turn around and go on your merry way. I'll be posting the first chapter here on Tumblr because jesus, my ao3 invitation has yet to arrive. Also, don't forget to write comments, I need feedback because I eat them like it's groceries-

WARNING: NON-CON/DUB-CON, DARK, SMUT, NSFW, Creampie, Breeding Kink, Fingering, Stomach Bulge, Age Gap, Unprotected Sex, Cockwarming, Implied Discharge, Power Imbalance, Abuse of Authority, No Beta Reader, Dom! König, Size Kink, Size Difference, Cannibalism, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Cannibalistic Thoughts, Older!König, Eldritch!König, Monster!König, Masturbation, Dark Romance, Blood and Gore, Violence, Monsterfucking

WHENEVER A CERTAIN COLONEL PASSES BY the soldiers would grow quiet, as if he’s sucking the joy with him and then the chatter would continue once his thundering footsteps would fade away into quietness.

A silence would hang over the air for a brief moment – like they’re making sure the danger has passed before proceeding – and the soldiers would continue to chat once they're sure it was safe to proceed. Babbling away but their voices would be a bit hushed, as if their ears were on the lookout for the colonel’s presence.

The colonel was absolutely – you remember his name being König because you saw him score several shots using a sniper rifle in training – wholeheartedfuckingly terrifying.

König strides confidently across the battlefield and KorTac base of Operations in the same damn manner—Arrogant, egotistical, prideful. The mountain of a man walks in like he owns the place, and troops would be so relieved if they see him in the battlefield because they know that he'd be able to turn the tides to their favor.

And the fucker knows it. He knows people look up at him. Looking at him like the fucking messiah that would save them right then and there.

He relished in it.

And he was so fucking gigantic as he is muscular too, to the point his huge hands could definitely crush your head with his fingers if he saw fit. To say he was a Greek God was insulting. No, he was like Kronos.

Destructive.

All-devouring force.

Whenever you stood too close to him—even tho you recall not stepping too close to the colonel because you wanted to respect the five-foot rule for everyone lest they give you the go signal to hog their personal space like Izzy does—you can see the way his muscles would bulge whenever he tightened his fists, or how the veins on his arms were so… alluring, and holy shit he has scars. Battle scars that should've repulsed you but you find yourself wanting to trace it with your fingers.

His form is almost mesmerizing—like how you'd imagine Fenrir slaying Odin from one of the Norse Myths.

However, like Fenris Wolf, he too was bound and shackled to base. Most of the time, at least. You would see him buried and drowning and several paperwork when you go to his office while Roze waited for you by the door.

And you could see his baby blue eyes squint and conjure a glint of annoyance as you hand him your report. He has pretty eyes, that colonel. He doesn’t speak to you, always uttering grunts or huffs. Dismissing you with a wave of his hand—always gestures but never talking.

It reminds you of gray skies and blue muted waters, and sometimes they seemed vibrant when you hear the sinister glee in his voice of bashing an enemies head open like how watermelon breaks – and then he'd look at you and you'd immediately avert your gaze because oh god that would be so fucking awkward if your superior had caught you staring at his eyes like a creep.

As mentioned before, König is mostly quiet, and you didn't really hear him talk since he never talked to you at all. In the battlefield, when he barked out orders, gunfire would drown them and those closest to him would relay the message on to the others.

Lieutenant Izzy – Izanami actually, but she preferred being called Izzy – always spoke in Japanese, but she can speak a few broken English words. She didn’t seem to see you as a liability, often asking you out to grab lunch with her and Captain Roze. The white-haired girl always made sure you never missed your meals, and if you did, she’d make sure to hand you some MREs for the sake of making sure you’re taken care of.

She said to you once, “Be careful of that colonel, he is… what is English word that for… word you use when object is not good to you—harms life.”

“You mean dangerous?” Roze would correct her. “We really need to work on your English, girl.”

“Yes, that the word I’m looking for.” Izzy would laugh. “ローズ先輩、訂正してくれてありがとう。”

Roze, on the other hand, was more closed off. She was ruthless and strict, but you’re convinced that she cares about you the same way Izzy does because she gets this soft glint in her eyes when you tell her that you forgot to eat or missed lunch. Then five seconds later you’d feel an MRE smacking you on the chest, and Roze is barking at you for being stupid enough to not eat and say you’re lucky that her and Izzy are looking out for you.

But you can tell that both are highly protective of you, like older sisters making sure their youngest sibling didn't fuck up on missions or get hung by their rib by enemy soldiers.

Whenever the colonel passed by, you remember Roze’s words “Keep your gaze down” because apparently there was an incident where König had beaten the shit out of a recruit because the poor thing looked at him funny. Something about the recruit scrunching his face in disgust at the colonel or was it because he had mocked him behind his back? 

Either way, the kid was beaten to a pulp. 

The colonel was never given a court martial, however, since he had been able to pull rank it seems. Roze was the one who told you during lunch, voice in a hushed whisper.

Then your thoughts wander back to the nightly horror stories your soldiers would tell to one another. You had a habit of visiting them before making sure they all slept on curfew time. It was fun and it helped boost morale amongst the troops. It also helped that you were a younger lieutenant, so you were able to easily connect to your platoons’ humor and quip remarks. 

You remember the hushed whispers in the barracks, each of them uttering stories of what König might look like beneath the mask.

You often thought maybe he looks so mutilated that it resembles Nemesis from Resident Evil or maybe Salvatore on the Village Version. But you've seen the pretty blue eyes König possessed and you just know that deep down, he was a handsome man. 

Sure, he was old enough to be your dad, had a huge ass age gap that's wider than the forehead of the colonel of the Mexican Special Forces you had previously worked with due to König being forty-five years old, but you'll admit a pretty man if you see one.

However, your soldiers' claims were way more hilarious as they spoke. Each sounding absurd and stupid than the last.

"I heard he has three faces, like the demon Asmodeus. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a prince of Hell in disguise. Have you seen his body? What I'd give to climb him like a tree." 

"I could've sworn I saw worms underneath. Kind of like maybe a maggot-infested lower jaw since I heard the skin of his jaw had been burnt off."

"I think he has the face only a mother could love. Men like that exist."

You had grown up in a small town, people believing heavily in superstitious beliefs. However, once you've left said small town, you realize that they were silly things that old people simply uttered into the wind.

"Did you know a psychic said I would get murdered when I was ten?" You laughed at the absurdity of it all, wanting to add some scary shit of your own.

"Really, L.T?" One of your soldiers said. "Oh, this has to be good!"

“Yeah. I remember she was very old, and if I were correct, I think she moved from Hallstatt? Wherever the fuck that is.”

You told them the stupid little story. How you lost twenty dollars to a fraud only for them to say you'll get murdered, and how it spooked you as a kid and made you all paranoid only to realize you just got scammed out of your money.

"The thing that will kill you is hiding its face. The thing that will kill you has its crown scraping the ceiling. The thing that will kill you has sharpened teeth. The thing that will kill you will charm you with its glamor and false promises. The thing that will kill you will devour you with its appendages and fill you with its seed. The thing that will kill you… you won't see it coming."

The soldiers all laughed, including you, after you've said it in the most croaked voice as you mimicked the old psychic. 

You've never laughed so hard in your whole life, but you were glad that it was your troops that were with you and not stuck up stoic alpha male soldiers. It wasn't real, but it didn't hurt to be cautious. 

All of you got along. 

Sure, most of the soldiers given to you were teens – because the military was just hiring eager and stupid kids, and by God you were going to protect these little shits with your life – but it was fine because they had you. For as long as you live, you promised yourself you'd make sure they were all safe.

And you took them under your wing and you feel bad because they were kids compared to you. They shouldn't be here dressing up as soldiers and being sent off to war zones with you. These kids were supposed to be at home, where they could be safe, and worrying about teen stuff. But then again, KorTac was a company at the end of the day. 

A Private Military Company—basically just glorified mercenaries at this point.

Of course, they would exploit anyone who is willing to serve for their country while also getting paid generously compared to being in a government affiliated military—Hell, you're here, aren't you? Why? Because they can be greedy fucks and capitalism exists, and KorTac rivals Disney in terms of being a well-known PMC in the military world, and you're broke. 

Not to mention that the BAS – Basic Allowance for Subsistence – was fucking higher in KorTac than the government affiliated military you used to serve in. A BAS rate of seven hundred sixty-two point sixty-nine euros for enlisted members, while officers are given the same but with an increased rate of four hundred ninety-seven point fifty- eight euros is better than the current BAS.

You also get the average of six thousand and seven hundred eighty-two euros at an average per month here in KorTac. The pay is way fucking better and you can save up money to the point you were able to pay off your own student and credit card debts and leave your parents' nest since you were basically loaded at this point. 

Money was enough to blind you from the dangers that lurked beneath the still waters that run deep that is KorTac.

"The thing that will kill you… you won't see it coming."

“Did you hear what happened?”

“What?”

“Another soldier went missing again.”

Captain Stiletto changed her mags, examining her scope as she spoke to you with a calm voice—as if she hadn’t just dropped the news of someone going missing. Again. You were ready to hear which recruit was unlucky enough to be whisked away and never to be seen again. That or they turn up mutilated and scared, and the poor things won’t even talk. However, a missing rookie suddenly turns up out of nowhere after months of disappearing without a trace was statistically low.

No, really, it would be low—unusual at best.

The best way to analyze it would be using the Bayesian Inference, and using a probability model to express the uncertainty towards the situation. In this case, using a binary variable would be ideal, $Y$, to represent the outcome whether the missing rookie ever did turn up or not. $Y$ = 1 if the rookie is found, and $Y$ = 0 if the rookie isn’t found.

Then assume that the probability of finding said missing rookie is equal to the proportion of all missing persons who are eventually found. As evidence becomes available, then update the model with that evidence and compute the posterior distribution for the probability of finding the rookie.

In this case, if one of the higher ups discovered the rookie all pale and shaking and are obviously had been terrified to fucking death, the information in that scenario could be used to update the posterior distribution, taking into account that the probability that the rookie had seen something scary in that location, if they were ever found that is.

Once the model with all available evidence has been updated, the posterior distribution to make predictions of the probability of finding the new recruit can now be used. The officers tasked with finding them—at least those who hasn’t given up—will be able to find them within a certain time frame or calculate the probability that they’re are found alive or dead.

Just some basic statistics you’ve learned in ninth grade, that’s all. Or at least from what you can remember.

The scar that ran down the captain’s face was evident like the blood smeared in your hands when you’ve killed an enemy. No one knew why there was a huge damage to her face or why it was there in the first place. You’ve only been in KorTac for a month, almost everyone you’ve met have given you warnings and it was all the same—keep your distance from the colonel. You have half a mind to say “Fuck this” but the pay was good.

Not to mention your contract hasn’t been finished yet and you doubt you’d find a good paying job like this while doing what you love.

“Who was it?” You dared to ask.

Stiletto looks away for a moment, before turning back to you. “Private O’Neil.”

Your eyes widened at the information. You don’t know the person, but to hear a private going missing was surprising. Usually, it was the recruits who disappeared for the most part or at least from your observation in your stay here. Now that’s very strange.

“Huh… a Private? How come it wasn’t a rookie?”

“That’s what I’m thinking too.”

Stiletto responds with the same confusion as you, her lips pursed. She looks worried, unsure to react.

“The colonel had been tasked to investigate the missing cases, but even he isn’t getting any answers.” The captain says, her face troubled. “It’s like there’s a serial killer at base.”

“Like playing Mafia, huh.” You joked.

“Exactly.”

You’re scared of what this could mean. If whoever it was plucking the recruits off like grapes were about to turn to privates, then it won’t be long before your ass is on the line. You have half a mind to help, maybe offer your insights on the investigations, but thanks to Roze and Izzy’s advice, you knew better than to get too close to the colonel…

Unless you want to get beaten by König with your incompetency—what he deems incompetency—since he loves doing things his way according to the soldiers who had worked with him.

It wasn’t enough to scare the rookies, however. They’re still chatty and happy, all of them seemed unaffected by these rumours.

Of course, they’d be unaffected, everyone is telling them that it’s just rumours and the soldier that disappeared had simply been discharged for wanting to leave or go back home. There were a few who didn’t believe it, but those with higher ranks – including you – were reassuring them that it was merely rumours.

That they shouldn’t really worry their pretty little minds about it. And what infuriated you the most was because it worked. They were gullible kids, as young as sixteen to nineteen—basically a six to three years old age gap between you and them. They should know better than to believe the honeyed words from yours or their superiors’ mouth.

But could you even blame them?

They’re just kids. You and the other high-ranking officers were older than them, obviously they would trust you. They expect all of you to guide them, showing them the real ropes of war and violence unlike the trial sessions they’ve had in boot camp and the infantry.

So, really the blame was on every high ranking official—including you.

Everyone from being a specialist to the general of the army were losing their shit over these incidents because KorTac was supposed to promote opportunity and valour, but how can you do that if your fellow soldiers – doesn’t matter what rank they are – are going missing like some monster was plucking them off of their rooms one by one or rather off of the hallways when they’re past curfew.

Curfew falls under your responsibility too, sergeants up to lieutenant colonels were tasked to make sure that every rookie or corporal has to be following the curfew or rather their curfew. KorTac had implemented the curfew for the rookies up to the corporals’ weeks prior to your official employment according to Roze.

The last thing the people who called the shots wanted was a widespread panic amongst their troops.

“Do you have any hunch as to who it might be?” You asked her curiously, wanting to know the captain’s thoughts.

“It could be that newbie before you, Phillip Graves, but he’s mostly out on missions. So, that checks him out.” Stiletto answered, looking at you. “Then there could be the possibility of it being Horangi.”

“Why him?”

“He’s too violent.”

“Aren’t we all?”

Stiletto laughs at your response, shaking her head as if you’re being silly. The captain was nice, in your opinion at least. She pats you back lightly like an aunt would when you remind her of your mom when they were younger. There’s a twinkle in her eyes, one where it makes you wonder just how exactly does Stiletto see you—a daughter, sister or maybe a friend. Either way, you were in her good graces and that’s enough to quell your curiosities for now.

The two of you were practicing alone in the firing range. Those at the lower ranks had gone to sleep or were forced to sleep since it was curfew for them.

The atmosphere had gone heavy.

It was light and cheery in the morning, but at night, the happiness and laxness of the vicinity disappears, and you and the rest of the soldiers with a higher rank are faced with the reality that someone was picking off all of you one by one like candies inside your granny’s bowl of strawberry candy that you don’t see anywhere in the grocery store.

You know, the one’s you get when one day you became a grandma – or great-aunt, or even an honorary old “auntie” – and these things just magically appear at the bottom of your purse. The ones that once they start spilling out of your bag, you’ll find an intricate cut-glass bowl or dish in the middle of your living room and your grandkids or kids would just come and go while pocketing a handful of them, and the refill is somehow always in your purse.

Stiletto hands you a rosary from her pocket. You looked at the long wooden beads coated with silver chains and designs before glancing at the captain. You took it gently, letting the coolness of the holy object cool your skin that wraps around it. Oh, it’s a sweet gesture. Now you have something to wear around your neck, a little good luck charm despite the fact that you don’t really believe in God or a higher being. Her head is tilted to the side, looking at you with an analysing glance as silence befalls the two of you.

“Why…?” You asked her underneath the fluorescent lights of the firing range, riffles forgotten at each other’s side.

Stiletto shrugs, sighing tiredly, “Maybe the thing that’s picking us off one by one would be scared of the Lord.”

“I doubt he exists.”

“He’ll save you in your time of need. He answered my prayers. Maybe He’ll answer yours too.”

“What did you pray for?”

Stiletto is quiet for a moment, looking away before looking back at you with worry. She placed a hand on your shoulder, giving you a gentle squeeze.

“That you would still be alive the next time I see you… that you wouldn’t be next, lieutenant.”

“You’re the lieutenant that Horangi had referred to the company, ja?”

A voice says with a German accent to it, and by Mary, Joseph, and the Babeh Jesus what an alluring voice he has. It was low and rough, a tad bit raspy—gravelly. You thought to yourself that if you were Persephone and you heard this voice coaxing you into the warm embrace of the Underworld, you too would have cartwheeled and backflipped into Hades’s lap. Leaving the nymphs and the flowers, and the warm sun to drown in the enticing embrace of the God of Death while he whispers sweet nothings into your ear.

You turned around, half a mind to fuck the brains out of this man until you saw who was speaking to you and all horniness came to a halt as you realized who it was.

König.

You glanced directly at his eyes briefly before averting you gaze, Roze’s warning echoing in your head. You nod your head, confirming his question. You tell him your name and rank, which country you came from, and basically any general information you can tell to confirm your identity. Konig nods his head at your words. His eyes crinkled—was he smiling underneath the sniper hood?—and you can hear a smug tone on his voice.

“Ja, leutnantin, I’ve read your files.”

“Oh.”

Your eyes glanced to the side, seeing some soldiers chattering at the end of the hall. Good. There are people around. A polite smile blossoms on your face, offering it to the colonel – just like you would whenever you bump into a senior officer. Your mind raced why he was suddenly talking to you.

HE BARELY RESPONDED SO WHY WAS HE SUDDENLT BEING A CHATTER BOX?! You internally panicked since he often responded in hums or grunts whenever you give your report, didn’t even glance at you whenever the two of you passed by each other.

So, why now?

“Did you need something, sir?” You asked him politely, tilting your head a little as you crane your head to look at him properly because holy shit, he’s so fucking tall.

“I do, actually, Schatz.” König responds, cold eyes gazing down at your smaller form. “I need your help with a… serious matter. Come with me to my office.”

His strides are big and long as you struggled to keep up with him as he walked down the halls. Your eyes glued to his massive thighs… and oh. The soldiers within the halls part like the sea as König passed by as if he was Noah. They all lower their gaze, chattering going to a halt until only the sound of the storm raging outside can be heard.

“So, why do we need to go to your office?”

But König doesn’t answer, and his hands balled to a fist. You can see the cloth crinkle as his grip dug into his palms, while he ignores your question. Which is, in a way, rude since you were simply trying to gouge out information as to why your colonel was summoning you to his office. You furrowed your brows at his actions.

“It’s the least I should know, don’t you think–”

“Are you always so noisy?”

You blinked owlishly at his words, the colonel barely looking or glancing at you as he continued to walk down the halls of KorTac. Your breath hitches in your throat as you register the slight annoyance in his voice.

He finally looks at you, eyes crinkling as he laughs. And oh god, his laugh. The mere sound of it makes your cheek warm and make both of your lips smile.

“The look on your face earlier is funny, Schatz. However, you’re a lieutenant, no? I’m sure that despite how young you are, you’re mature enough to know that there are classified things that can only be discussed within the confines of an office, ja?”

“I’m sorry, colonel. I didn’t mean to let it slip off of my head.”

You feel like winning the lottery, but the prize isn’t a billion bucks—it’s the fact that you haven’t angered the colonel, and he’s not bashing your head to the pavement or maybe stabbing you where you stand and tearing your flesh with his gloved hands.

You don’t notice the guilt that settles on your face… nor the look of softness and endearment on König’s face as he admires the look of culpability blossoms on you face.

The softness of your face, the way your eyes are filled with such an adorable shyness when you think that he would actually reprimand you for something so innocent. You were so little compared to him too, so fragile… so weak. He relishes in this power over you—power over your reactions and your expressions. You looked so eager to stay on his good side. So eager to please him in your own innocent way. Whether you intentionally do it or not, König is being pumped full of dopamine at just you talking to him.

He's had his eye on you for a long while. The moment you stepped foot on base, beneath the scorching sun of the tarmac, König wanted nothing more than to snatch you and make you his. Drag you away from KorTac, smuggle you to Austria and lock you away in his house by the sea shore, away from prying eyes.

Where he can have you all to himself.

But even his rank and reputation in KorTac couldn’t save or excuse his behaviour if he does that. Everyone would think he was a freak or someone creepy if he were to ever just scoop you up. The way your voice echoes when you bark out your orders to those inferior to you, the way it softens when you talk to your friends – especially to Horangi, and König s gnawing at the cages of his enclosure because he wished you would talk to him the way you would to Horangi.

He wants to talk again without addressing you formally, but he is awkward with connecting to people. Even when he tried to follow his psychiatrist’s advice in trying to open up to people, König still has a hard time trying to initiate a conversation. The words piling up in his throat—stuck there for the rest of eternity.

 König doesn’t know what to do with his hands, resisting the strong urge to grab yours—so tiny and adorable­—and let his giant hand envelope it. You are pouting, gaze averted to the ground, cheek rosy from embarrassment, probably reprimanding yourself that you should’ve known better.

König isn’t sure if he wants you to be scared of him or not – and he hates that you are the first one to be an exception to his desires, because he wanted everyone to fear him. There is something dark, disgustingly predatory almost, in his thoughts as he watched you beat yourself up, but he doesn’t speak, and his fists are balled up because your voice and adorable face were too fucking much and he doesn’t even know how to talk to a girl in his adult years.

“C-colonel, we’re here.”

You hate that you stutter, but you can’t help it since your heart skipped a beat when you looked up and saw König looking at you with such softness and tenderness from his gigantic height. You had to take a deep breath, shaking your head at the delusion it’s not a delusion, you aren’t seeing things runnin in your head.

No.

That was wrong. That idea in itself would be wrong. The colonel was someone wise despite his violent tendencies. He would never entertain the idea of being with a fellow soldier. Not to mention bend the rules just to risk his position and rank. It would be stupid for him. It wouldn’t be worth it for him, and you just fucking know it.

“Ah… right. Bitte, wait a minute.”

You can see how miniscule the keys are to his hand, his form bending down a little and when he stood back up, he was at least three inches taller than the fucking doorway. He turns the lights on and gestures for you to step in. He closed the door behind you as you took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his gigantic desk.

The desk looked proportionate to his form, and the office chair he has accommodates him greatly and it makes your heart flutter because he looks like a king and all he had to do was give out his decree, and you would be scrambling to do said decree to please him because holy shit something about how big he is, is making your insides churn deliciously–

Wait. Bitch, you better stop. Your thoughts screeched to halt, smacking yourself internally because you’re sure you’re not yet in your ovulation week because you just finished your period four days prior… No, that’s not true, you lost track of your cycle due to the recent events that happened at base. The colonel was twiceyour size, and you’re not sure if you can take him.

Not in a fight, of course.

“So, about the recent events happening here at base, I’m sure you’re well aware of it by now.” König starts, leaning at the desk. “Soldiers are disappearing left and right, the younger ones wouldn’t take long before they stop buying our lies, and we need a way to stop whoever it is that is picking is off and making us drop like flies.”

He stopped, eyes roaming as if he’s analysing you.

“Hase, you are quite the prodigy that at such a young age you’ve managed to achieve the rank of lieutenant, and I am completely impressed.” König says, nodding to himself as if he’s proud of you. “Someone of your calibre would be of valuable help to catch the culprit or, rather, the creature that’s currently on the loose in base and hunting us one by one.”

“Creature? Don’t you mean person?”

“I’d like you to look at these and tell me that a human was behind these incidents.”

König slides you a dossier and you merely throw a confused glance at him before opening said dossier, and you almost–No. You do regret opening the fucking folder.

The entrails of the victims are chewed off and sprawled across the floor, the ground was a sea of blood. Some of them had missing parts, but mostly the torso was empty, intestines being the only thing left behind from the inside of the corpses, and there were a few where the eyes hangs out of its socket and runs down their faces like a veiny egg yolk. You want to look away, but you can’t. Some pictures showed the skins have been peeled off, most had been cleanly peeled off. Even the nipples were intact. Never to this day have you seen anything so horrible.

Finally, the urge to puke tore your attention away from the files, smacking it to the table as you swivelled your head away, and your mouth unhinged as the familiar disgusting liquid of your insides went past your throat. Before any of it could spill past your lips, a bucket had been shoved to catch it. König holds the bucket to your mouth. Meanwhile, you did nothing but vomit. Over and over again. Long after it seemed there was nothing more to bring up, you continued to vomit.

At last, after a good solid minute, you stopped. Tears prickled your face as puke-mixed snot went down your throat. König was kind enough to offer you tissues to help clean yourself up before he hands you a glass of water, and getting rid of your vomit.

“I’m sorry.” You weakly said. “That caught me off guard and I–” The words cut off in your thought as you shuddered as the pictures seared into your head. Well, guess this is my thirteenth reason.

“It’s fine, Schatz. Nothing to be sorry about. It is rare for someone to stomach such evidence.” He reassures you.

His giant hand rubs soothing circles on your back and it’s so comforting that you eventually calm down and catch your breath. The taste of bile still lingers and you downed glass after glass of water just to get rid of it but seemingly failing to do so. Yet it is nothing compared to the electrifying touch of König’s fingers that glide behind your back, passing by the wing ang hooks of your bra. Of course, he didn’t mean to do that he most definitely did intendes to do that because he was just trying to ease you out of your sickened state.

“I’m sorry.” You say again.

The pout on your lips was making you adorable and König was glad he was the way that he was right now. Had he been the same age as you, he wouldn’t have been able to hold back. He would’ve pushed you down on his desk, giant hands spreading your legs, tearing your clothes, while he makes you beg for his cock–

“As I’ve said before, Schatz. It’s fine. We have to recompose ourselves from time to time. After all, we’re only human, no?”

You look up at him from where you seat, smiling softly at him. He was so nice. Your eyes flickered to his neck, and then on to his fingers. Seeing the lack of wedding band on him had you feeling butterflies. Was he not married? Who wouldn’t want to marry him? Was he ugly?

His baby blue eyes—like a mixture of storm grey skies and the heartless depths of the ocean—were a soft hint to the fact that he was handsome. You just know. Unconsciously licking your lips, your eyes scanned him over – in the most shameless manner, but that was fine. You can always chuck it up to you just analysing him.

“Now, Schatz.” His fingers wrapped around you chin, coaxing you gently to look up at him. “Lieutenant colonel Allard, Captain O’Neil, and I will be conducting a manhunt starting at 00:00 up until to 04:30 this Friday. Allard would be taking the North side of the base, I’ll be taking the South, and O’Neil would be taking the West area–”

You paid attention to every word he said, nodding your head every now and then. You kept your eyes locked to his, unaware of the growing tent inches away from your face in your colonel’s pants.

“–which is why I called you to my office.” His voice rips you out of your trance. “I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to lend out a hand in catching whatever it was that’s picking us off one by one?”

“Yes, sir.”

The way you responded with such speed had you internally clutching your pearls. You were so confused as to why you had agreed so easily without even asking for the details. Hopefully, your colonel would be kind enough to graciously brief you and the team before he sends you all out to play limbo with this culprit.

König smiles at your eagerness to help the team—to help him. The younger ones weren’t so eager like you; often having to be bribed with a reward just to help. But you? You said yes without any hesitation.

“Are you married, Schatz?”

“No, sir.”

“How come? Most female or male soldiers your age are married. Why aren’t you?”

“Why aren’t you?”

Your body tensed as your mind caught up with that loose mouth of yours, but before you could even stop yourself the words had already been uttered into the world.  Holding your tongue and making you blurt this in front of your superior needs to be fired. Like, bro, pick a different sim to fuck up. Please. You might’ve had the chance to be in his good graces, being offered promotion after promotion because König did say he’s read your files – he’s awfully touchy too, but maybe that’s because he’s comfortable around you. You might’ve had a chance of walking out the office, alive and healthy with nothing but a nod of a head and telling you to be prepared for the operation this upcoming Friday – but now you’ve said those words with such casualness that it doesn’t really suit the dynamic between you two, and could promptly land you to some punishments. You could–

The colonel chuckles, eyes closed as his shoulder’s shook, and the sound of it makes your cheeks flare with warmth.

“What gave it away, Schatz?”

Your body relaxed, seeing he wasn’t offended or irritated by your response.

“It’s uh… um, the lack of wedding ring, sir.”

“Oh? What an observant klein leutnantin.”

He looks at you, contemplating for a moment before König spoke.

“I have trouble finding a… suitable mate, if you will. Mutter often tells me that I’m a carbon copy of my father, which could explain why she’s so distant and hostile towards me. I don’t… I don’t know or saw the need to find a partner until… until recently.”

His gaze lands on you as he said the last two words. You furrowed your brows, wondering who or what could’ve changed his mind. With a tilt of your head to the side, you asked him a question that stems from his words.

“How come your mother hated you just because you looked like your father? You can’t exactly control your looks.”

“Because he was a monster who had forced himself on her, and forced her to carry his child – which would be me.”

Your eyes widened at that. You didn’t exactly expect the colonel to say it so casually, as if it’s a fun fact you’re telling to a kindergarten. You pursed your lips, looking away, feeling awkward and bad now that you had brought up the topic.

“I’m sorry… I… I didn’t… know.” Was all you can muster.

“You seem to not know anything at all, Schatz.” He cooed at you. “It’s alright. You needn’t be sorry. How I was born is something I cannot control, but the outcome of who I can be is.”

König chuckles, walking over to pat your head affectionately and holy shit it has your heart racing.

“Growing up, the children my age shunned me. They had thrown rocks at me, calling me a monster. My mother did nothing to comfort me, dismissing me and shoving a sack to cover my face. I spent most times outside the house, often sleeping on caves by the waters or at the sand by the shore. The lake is something comforting, I must say… I miss it – yearn for it, if you will."

“Lake? Don’t you mean ocean?”

“My hometown was in Hallstatt Lake, Austria.”

His words ring a bell. You could’ve sworn you’ve heard of Hallstatt Lake before. You tried to remember where you heard it, but couldn’t. Oh, well. If I can’t remember it, then it ain’t that important.

 My father travelled from the ocean and dwelled by the lakes of that area. Then he saw mein mutter and... you know how that story went. Anyways, I have learned that I am… hideous. Therefore, that is one of the contributes as to why I am still, in your kind’s terms, single.”

“So you’ve never had partners before? Not even… I dunno… doing the devil’s tango? Sex?”

He laughs, shaking his head. “No, Schatz. They back out the last minute.”

You looked at him pitifully. He was a lonely man, wanting to have someone beside him and yet his self-esteem was so low. Maybe fucking him could boost his self-esteem. It’s not like I’m craving him, I’m simply helping. Maybe I could be the first to teach him the intimate touch of a woman. The comforts of the flesh. There was something about damaged men that are just so fucking hot. After all, it’s just a twenty-three years old age gap between König and I – Woah, what?! Pause. Your thoughts screeched to a halt, pinching yourself for letting it wander off that far.

How did it get to this?

How did the two of you get so comfortable to the point he’s literally just trauma dumping on you, and you’re lending an ear to listen. You should be walking out f the door, telling him this was unprofessional but you find yourself glued to the chair, heart going out to König as you empathize with him.

“I may not know what you look like under the mask, but mom did tell me that you can see if a person has a handsome or beautiful face is by looking at the shape of their eyes.”

“Oh? And what have you deduced from just observing my eyes, Schatz? Am I considered monstrous?”

“No, sir… I’d say you’re beautiful.”

König’s eyes widened at your words, his cheeks burning beneath the mask and he’s so fucking thankful that you can’t see his face or what he looks like underneath. His heart thumps louder than it did when he first saw you.

He is fighting the urge to invite you to move in with him to his quarters, keeping you all to himself. König’s sure that his bedroom is way more spacious and comfier than that of a lieutenant’s. The Austrian giant has to physically restrain himself from snatching you, and dragging you into the shadows with him where no one can rip you from his embrace – he can’t bear thinking about you being with someone else.

“Was it offensive… sir?”

“No, liebling. I just think you are blind.”

König would absolutely whisk you away right now. All you need to do was say the word, and he’d be following your words as if they are the ten commandments. He can and will buy you an estate if you want, just pick a place—preferably in Hallstatt, Austria—and that would be easy for him. König would love to just provide for you, to get to go home to someone as adorable and meek as you are – eager to succeed and be praised by the most little of things. You would be protected there. No one would ever disturb you.

His father was never there for his mother. Left nothing to support her other than trauma after he was hunted down by the townsfolk and brutally murdered. König tells himself that he would be different, that he would give you the world. You need only ask. 

He understands that being delusional isn’t healthy, and that his psychiatrist would definitely shoot him with a Nerf gun for letting himself descend into this type of madness, but he was old.

And lonely.

And you’re just so sweet and so nice to him, going so far as to tell him he’s beautiful. And despite spending too much time in waters, König drowns himself in fantasies about you being in a giant house, welcoming him home after his deployment, pregnant and eager to kiss him sweetly. You who can be his everything. A cure for his troubles and woes, even though his psychiatrist had severely advised him to not put your partner on high pedestals because it is extremely unhealthy and co-dependent.

König knows he can’t just blurt shit out as he pleases, lest he scares you away. You would scream at him, call him a sociopath – or a psychopath if you aren’t as knowledgeable as him in the department of terms. He is only self-aware enough to know that he can lose you if he made one wrong move.          

He’s old and tired. And he wants to experience fatherhood before he dies, preferably having you as his klein Frau. But he can’t rush you. He needs to bid his time. In that moment, König decided—regretfully so—to let you go back to your duties for the day.

He needed to get close to you than he ever did before—needed to work with you to have you close to him at all times.

“That would be all, liebling.” König says to you. “You are free to go now. I don’t really want to hold you up here for too long.”

“It’s an honour to be picked by you, colonel.” You chirp happily, eager to maintain this casualness between you two in hopes of getting promoted faster.

The giant, behemoth of a man watches you walk away from him, eyes glued to your hips and adorable, plump ass. Your frame still smaller than him even when you stood up to your full height. It was endearing to him. Soft blue eyes following your every move, watching you as you give him one last smile and a friendly wave before you closed the door shut behind you.

“I’d say you’re beautiful.”

Your words echoed in his head, making the older being flustered as he ran his hands over his face and sighed. He couldn’t get it out of his mind, and he knew he’d be clinging to that until the day he died.

“It shall be the day that the sun is at its peak when you find what you longingly desire. Once the sky is thick with water and the blood of warriors are spilled, the gods will give you a chance to converse with this creature. You should turn them away. Put them at arms-length, but you are a selfish being. You would devour them, drain them until they are merely husks because of your depravities… I pity this young girl.”

He recalls the stupid reading he had gotten from a so-called ‘wise woman’ twelve years ago in her quaint house at Wolfengasse street. Maybe that völva was genuine in her craft before she left Austria.

[kronos-lungbarrow-oakdown]

No codependency talk because my alternatives when I do something that someone reproves is to retreat abruptly.

me: falls asleep at a normal time for once in my life

my writer friend, who lives 4 hours behind me, whom i love very much, but is very dramatic:

[apollosprettyarsecheek]

Afterglow

ship - PJO!Apollo x Fem!Poseidon!Reader

a/n - beta read, but take that w a grain of salt!! and lowkey occ pjo apollo, this is just my take on him from not reading TOA and HOO, and its not canon to either of those lol. btw reader is supposed to be younger than Percy, and refers to him as her brother (I think).

1 2

Hoisting yourself up onto Hestia’s hearth in the centre of the gods throne room, your eyes lingered on Luke’s dead body and the people who surrounded it. Looking at the emotions on their faces, all you felt was numb.

Luke Castellan is dead.

Kronos has been turne into fine dust.

Ethan, Selina, Micheal, and so many others, are all dead, fighting to defeat the Titans and protect Olympus.  

The second Titan War is over.

None of that changed the cold nothingness that had filled your veins as Percy’s knife buried itself in Luke’s chest, Luke’s grip on the hilt loosing, blood pouring out of his chest onto his twitching, scarred hand.

Faint, thundering sounds caught your attention, your eyes darting over to the rest of Olympus shown through the massive archway, and spotted what looked to be the Olympians, ready for battle, and heading straight toward their damaged throne room.

By the time they actually arrived, you had already found another thing to focus on - Hestia’s hearth, that’s slowly flickering back to life. When you heard their loud footsteps end, realising there is no more battle, you finally looked back over, glancing between the gods - and the full army Poseidon brought - and Luke.

“Percy,” your father called, sounding awed at your older brother, “What… what is this?”

Percy turned to face the Olympians, finally, and announced, “We need a shroud” — his voice cracked — “A shroud for the son of Hermes.”

A pair of footsteps, that definitely don’t sound like Grover’s hooves, distracted you from watching the rest of the scene fold out. And it is definitely not Grover and his goat legs, but a six-foot-something sun god coming right your way.

Apollo looked to have somehow managed to change his clothes when you weren’t looking, swapping his Greek battle clothes for jeans and a hoodie. He definitely still had the looks of a Greek god, though, just like all the other times you’ve seen him in the past with his warm, striking blue eyes, wavy, honey blonde hair, and massive figure of an actual god.

Staring blankly up at Apollo, he was sat right next to you in a few, long strides, scanning your body up and down.

“My Achilles,” he joked, grinning dumbly at your slumped figure. “Arms up, Sunshine,” he continued with, looking less jokey now.

“Ironic,” you muttered, not raising your arms. But one look at the god’s face, completely devoid of amusement at the if movement, changed your mind on lifting your arms.

“What do you mean ‘Ironic’, baby?” Apollo, back to his normal self, asked way too casually, looking up at you with raised, perfect brows as his hands made quick work of the armour on you.

Apollo’s presence, you started to realise, was simply enough for the previous stone running through your veins to melt, changing back into hot, dark red blood that was already rushing up to your sunken cheeks as his soft hair kept brushing bare skin while leaning over to do all the straps on your torso armour.

“I mean exactly what you’re doing right now - loosening straps,” you mumbled as an answer, deciding to entertain Apollo acting dumb. You made sure before you spoke, though, that he was distracted with one of your hip straps while leaned over you, and *not* looking at your face.

“Don’t tell me that’s why you’re so cold,” he pouted, actually pouting, as he look right up at your face that was looking down at his, “Because that was so long ago, Sunshine - I’ve changed!” 

“I’m not cold, I’m just not you,” scoffed you, though you’re fighting a smile now, as you stared challengingly at the god looking right up at you with, somehow, the warmest, most radiant blue eyes you’d ever seen. 

Instead of giving you an instant response, Apollo decided to lift the bulky, but light, armour right off of you, tossing it over somewhere. It’s only then you realised you’ve been chatting with Apollo this whole time in front of all the Olympians, including your dad, this whole time. 

Deciding to glance away from the gods as soon as you looked, your eyes landed on a slightly tense looking Apollo, who’s staring right at a big, fresh bloody spot on your shirt. He almost looks worried? Like he actually cared, which was weird, because these couple years he’d been flirting and joking with you, you’d figured it was just because he wanted to annoy his uncle and thought you had a decent pair of boobs, or something.

For a split second, just as Apollo looked right back up at your face, you wondered if this was how your mom felt every time your father had looked at her - like the most special person in the whole, entire universe.

That was a dumb thought, though.

Totally.

Definitely.

“I’d take a closer look, but I don’t think you’d appreciate me taking off your clothes right here,” started Apollo, sounding cocky, and finally stating what he was doing by being here with you. “So, Sunshine, I hope you don’t appreciate battle scars!” he finished, with one of his classic grins.

You decided not to reply, and stare blankly at Apollo as he moved his hand to your lap and held one of your hands in his. A sudden golden glow appeared from his large, warm hand just before he murmured some words in ancient Greek, his eyes closing in focus. A sudden intense rush of energy and warmth ran through you at the words you could hardly make out, and suddenly it felt like your head was spinning… while in the clouds?

Slowly, your head started clearing, and you realised that rush of energy and warmth was familiar. It was like when one of the Apollo campers would heal a wound, except it felt multiplied by at least a hundred, seriously.

“What the actual hell…” you said, feeling weirdly energetic and pain-free, something you hadn’t felt since coming back to Camp.

“It’s great, right?” Apollo remarked, his hand dropping yours to follow its other in tugging off his grey New York hoodie.

“Is this was you feel like 24/7?” you mused teasingly as Apollo slipped off his hoodie, lifting the shirt underneath and showing off nearly half of his completely perfect, tan and muscular torso which your eyes totally didn’t linger on.

“Even better than that - there’s actually golden liquid flowing through my veins,” Apollo answered gleefully once he’d fully taken off his hoodie, looking very happy at your tease - he’d obviously took it as a compliment.

“That’s sounds awful,” you countered, crossing your arms over what you realised was your now-healed body, and oddly clean shirt. Seriously, though, if gods felt like this - high as a kite - all the time, you were starting to think you understood Hades.

“It’s really not,” Apollo chuckled airily, standing up abruptly and then fiddling with the hoodie in his hands so it’s the right way out.

“Sureee,” you retorted sarcastically, deciding to stand up in suit. Once you stood, distracted by steadying yourself for a moment, you got blinded by someone shoving a hoodie over your head - that ‘someone’ being the one and only Apollo, of course.

The hoodie, which you realised smelt oddly warm - like sandalwood and amber, but also cologne and a refreshingly sweet floral scent - was quickly slipped over your head and you found yourself slipping your arms into the big sleeves. Apollo pulled your trapped hair out of the neck, fixing it to sit over your shoulders with an adoring look on his face.

You cringed at the thought of your bloody shirt beneath Apollo’s hoodie leaking into the intoxicating scent of what you assumed to be him, but you quickly realised it wasn’t bloody or dirty anymore, and it hadn’t been either since Apollo healed a deep cut you hadn’t even felt then and the rest of your body with it. And apparently washed all your clothes and body with it, as you realised it felt.

“You look adorable, Sunshine,” the god gazing down at you cooed, dimples on full show like always. Regret grew in his ocean blue eyes, you started to notice, joined by conflict, but ultimately the regret won.

“You should probably go handle that,” Apollo said, sounding like his eyes previously looked. He nodded over to behind your shoulder, and your eyes followed, greeted by the sight of those creepy fates taking Luke’s wrapped up body away.

All of the sudden, though, Hermes said, “Wait”, just as the fates were going to walk past him. He unwrapped his son’s pale face, and kissed his forehead, then murmured a blessing in Ancient Greek that made your stomach twist. 

“And I’ll take care of that,” Apollo joked breezily, lowering his voice so only you could hear his words. His smile never faltered as you looked back behind yourself at your brother, Annabeth, and Grover, then back at him, even though he felt his stomach twist.

“I… I’ll see you around, Apollo,” you murmured, the aftermath of everything having fallen right back on you. You mustered up a small smile, and turned around, taking a few steps in the direction of your brother before a hand landed on your shoulder, halting your movements.

“I’ll vouch for you later, Sunshine,” Apollo joked quietly, with the same dopey grin, and gave your shoulder a gentle rub before letting go. He watched you walk away again, and didn’t stop you this time, letting his mind drift back to centuries ago, to the girl in that vision, and just how much you resembled her with your back turned to him.

credits to v6que for the adorable dividers!!

[the-solar-eclipsed]

Simulation Descriptions

Simulation Alpha (Third Life)

The very first simulation. This was when we obtained 14 subjects, meant to see how developed their powers were, and how they act with others. This has been our longest lasting simulation, lasting four months with an occasional break for a few days.

Simulation Mania (Last Life)

This simulation introduces the Mania injection. This injection overrides the subjects though process, influencing them to temporarily eliminate another subject.

This simulation is meant to test the subjects strategy skills when under pressure, and test their abilities.

Simulation Soulink (Double Life)

This simulation had the original 14 subjects obtained in it, where we linked them with a different injection to see how they would work together.

The simulation is meant to test their coordination with using their abilities together.

Simulation Kronos (Limited Life)

In this simulation, had the original 14 subjects, the difference was that the Mania injection was returned, and the subjects were given timers that automatically eliminated them when the time runs out.

This simulation is meant to test the subjects quick thinking skills, in a stricter environment.

Simulation Enigma (Secret Life)

This simulation contained 17 subjects, introducing a new scenario where subjects need to complete ‘tasks’ in order to survive. Failure results in a punishment or a more difficult task.

This is meant to train the subjects obedience to us and their future Generals, testing how loyalty works.

Simulation Beta (Real Life)

A shorter version of simulation Alpha, introducing by all 18 subjects to the simulation.

Simply meant to be a quick test on the subjects progress.

Simulation Wildcard (Wild Life)

The most recent simulation, we put the subjects into absolute chaos, using unique injections to enhance their powers. Though the injection doesn’t last long and will likely be scrapped after the simulation.

This is another simulation meant to test the subjects quick acting, and loyalties.

[kronos-lungbarrow-oakdown]

turns out I’m not a writer, I’m just in a bad need of a friend to talk about Doctor Who with 🥹

[municiberg]

Today's super of the day is Blazestone!

Blazestone is a super from the glory days who has the powers of pyrotechnic discharge, heat control/resistance, and flight. She was hot-headed and unpredictable, and was a member of Beta Force alongside Universal Man, although her personality caused the two to butt heads. She was also involved in criminal activity. Blazestone was killed by the Omnidroid v.X2 during Operation Kronos.

Fun fact: Blazestone was a love interest of Frozone, although their hot and cold personalities clashed!

[fated-normal-767]

I know Lyssa started out as an mha oc because you mentioned her beta self was made by someone else . Hm . I can’t think of any other characters you had to rewrite which means the only other ones I know are probably yours originally but I should still be able to parse which ones came before and after you got dragged into getting into mha . Kronos’s role as Ares’s coverup relies pretty heavily on his skill, which implies he got there after that system was established, but it’s possible they had powers beforehand and being mha-based only refined the power system . Likewise, Dalilah’s power reminds me of the standards of an average quirk user in its limitations . For example, Inko specified she can only levitate small objects towards her . It’s a similar basis for limiting the power of them .

Hm … I don’t think any of the ghosts are mha based . Phantasm and Lucifer certainly don’t feel as such (Not to mention Shimmer and Ares were deffo some of your oldest ocs and therefore made before then)

I was here for Florian being made but wasn’t he also a replacement of sorts? Was his beta an mha oc ?

Dalilah was actually comparatively incredibly recent like one of the most recent I wrote apart from the rewrites. Not all of the ones I had to rewrite were mha because that was like a flash in the pan between ‘guys in my head’ and ‘playing toys with my friend with no basis whatsoever’. Original Florian was one of the last ones my friend wrote so also very recent, but his original skill was. I dont even remember it. He was just like a gay guy who knew information and gossip.

[winterwolvesgames]

TFTU: Lilith beta is out!

This is Lilith’s pin-up that you can unlock within the game

I’m pleased to announce that TFTU: Lilith beta is now available on itchio!

This game features:

a succubus protagonist!

Evelyn from After Midnight as love interest (this “feature” was requested soo much! lol)

a crazy variety of outfits and CG scenes (20 CG, but with variations can go up to 24-25 CGs)

comic-style art for certain scenes, adding a lot more content (36 CGs !!!)

using animated video directly with Ren’Py in the first scene

having optional one-night stand scenes with 4 more secondary characters!

And last but definitely not least, there’s a full triad romance. It’s not just an extra ending added quickly, but a relationship that develops from the very first scenes of the game!

All this for the very reasonable price of $15. Seriously, years ago I’d have never thought to be offering so much content so cheap!

The game demo will also be present on the Steam Next Fest, and you can wishlist the game on Steam if you prefer.

And now some curiosity / behind the scenes stuff.

Deciding the story

While the first game was about Hazel being captive, and the relationship she developed with either her cellmate or her “torturer”, and the second was a murder mystery, I wanted again to write something completely different.

I decided to go for the “roadtrip” setting. This way I could explore many places of my fantasy world (Grimoire, Shacklesplit, Dingirra, Icesilia, Mount Kronos, etc) and also imagine how they could have changed now that the wizards are in power. Indeed, the game is set far in the future—by far the most distant point in time I’ve ever placed a story within my fantasy world.

this is one of my favorite backgrounds of the game

It was also fun to have so many references to my other characters, including Rowinda, the grand-niece of the original crazy Rowinda from Seasons of The Wolf, one of my favorite characters of all time. But also the return of Amber, who is now queen of Icesilia. And there are also a couple more recurring characters that I won’t reveal since I don’t wan to spoil the fun.

The adult content

This has always been a sort of issue for me. Not because I’m against it, not at all. I’m for freedom of content, and I like sexy stuff too personally. The problem is that adding that kind of content as author it’s always a bit problematic. Obviously, the game will end up in adult only category on Steam. I’ve done optional adult stuff in games in the past, but hot like in this one… I don’t think. Anyway, I hope players will play it not just because there’s that content, and also enjoy the story!

The relationships

I have a soft spot for the “enemies to lovers” trophe, and so I decided to include it in the game in the form of Evelyn and Odette, and that’s why, if you go the alone route with Lilith, they become a couple and end up together in a somewhat bittersweet ending.

But in this game I also implemented for the first time the “Flirt / Tease” dual system, and I’m very pleased by the results. Having this attitude reflect also in the more intimate scenes adds variety and adapts better to each player’s tastes.

I consider the triad route the canon ending, in particular the God’s Bet one. Indeed, Lilith trapped inside the gem (the main menu image) was the first image I envisioned for this game. If you want to know more about it and what does it means, you’ll have to play the game.

I hope people will appreciate all the efforts I put in making probably one of my biggest games, for sure the biggest one at this price point!

Note that in the beta there’s still some missing art, all “comic style” CGs, which will show up during one Odette’s flashback and in the “alone ending” (in which Odette and Evelyn become a couple). I hope to get them in time for the final release!

What’s Next ?

In case you don’t follow me on socials, I had my second eye surgery earlier this month, all seems going well, but still I am taking it easier. The next project should be Thieves Of Dingirra, and that’s a HUGE game. I plan to first release Lilith, and then see if I can do the KS for Thieves Of Dingirra the next month or not.

No worries, the game will be done, indeed I’m already working on it (such a game requires a long time to make), but one idea I had was to do a sort of prequel story, plain visual novel, introducing the characters and so on, using comic art style, which mean a lot of content. A much shorter game, that could reduce the “idle time” between releases.

Basically the choice is between these two options:

doing the KS next month, then maybe wait 10-12 months (it’s a HUGE game!) before the release, with nothing between (sadly, very bad for me business wise)

do the KS for the “intro VN”, release it in 6 months or so, then do the Thieves of Dingirra KS and then 4-6 months later release that big game (because I would still be working on it meanwhile and finish the “base game”, the KS would only add bonus features that I can add in 6 months).

I’ll see what to do – if KS allowed more than one project at once at least for “trusted” devs like me who fulfilled ALL the KS done, it would be much easier since I wouldn’t need to worry about what to do first. Anyway, I’ll keep you updated, and I can guarantee that unless something really unexpected happens, Thieves of Dingirra should be out next year!

[lukercyvalentines]

Just The Tip (of the arrow) (969 words) by summonademon Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Luke Castellan/Percy Jackson Characters: Luke Castellan, Percy Jackson Additional Tags: Aphrodisiacs, Inappropriate Use of Magical Artifacts, Established Relationship, Enthusiastic Consent, Gay Sex, Soulmates, Anal Sex, Marathon Sex, Rough Sex, No Refractory Period, no beta we die like boomer kronos Series: Part 5 of Mona's entries for Lukercy Valentines 2025 Summary: They're in bed when Luke gives Percy a little gift for Valentine's day.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

rewind cut queue credits

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/6OVX2GJ by silversene Protocol Kronos (K-Proc, initiation code 7723) should be triggered when one (1) or more of the following conditions have been met: 1) In the case where either the Justice League or the Young Justice team agrees via majority vote that it is necessary in a scenario, 2) In the case where majority of the Young Justice team members are believed to be deceased, or have been at some point deceased, 3) In the case where either of the above scenarios has occurred but K-Proc has not been triggered, at which point it will trigger automatically.   Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne is nineteen years old and swinging out of Crime Alley when a bullet goes cleanly through his head. In an instant he is killed, and in an instant half of Metropolis is levelled when a raging half-Kryptonian finds his body and turns back time. OR, In their earliest days of Young Justice adventures, the team comes across an artefact with the ability to turn back time. Conner and Bart have been dead, and so has Greta. So when Tim’s heartbeat goes dark, the team comes back together to do – honestly, what they’ve already done enough of— but this time with a lot more messing around. Words: 1333, Chapters: 1/3, Language: English Fandoms: Young Justice (Comics), Young Justice (Cartoon), Batman - All Media Types, Red Robin (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Categories: F/F, M/M Characters: Tim Drake (DCU), Kon-El | Conner Kent, Bart Allen, Cassie Sandsmark, Cissie King-Jones, Anita Fite, Greta Hayes, Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Alfred Pennyworth, Alfred the Cat (DCU) Relationships: Tim Drake/Kon-El | Conner Kent, Tim Drake & Damian Wayne, Bart Allen & Tim Drake & Kon-El | Conner Kent & Cassie Sandsmark, Cissie King-Jones/Cassie Sandsmark Additional Tags: Time Travel Fix-It, Comic: Young Justice (1998-2003), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Tim Drake is Not Red Robin (DCU), Tim Drake-centric (DCU), Tim Drake Gets a Hug (DCU), Crack Treated Seriously, No Beta We Die Like Kon read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/6OVX2GJ

[pjohoo-reclists]

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare Fic Recs

insomniacs plus skatepark dates by blackpercy

G | 200 words | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Percy Jackson & Rachel Elizabeth Dare

it's a date at a skatepark. but it's 2 am. and they're best friends.

I’d Stay In Your Arms Forever If I Could by robindrake93

T | 500 words | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Fluff, Light Angst, Implied Sexual Content

Rachel and Percy spend the night in Paul’s car.

Not Your Missing Half by lyssq

G | 700 words | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase

Alternate Universe, Soulmates, Soul Identifying Marks

Despite the summer heat, Percy Jackson was wearing a hoodie over his camp t-shirt. Rachel Elizabeth Dare was the only one who knew why.

obligatory underwater kiss by newrome

G | 700 words | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Underwater kiss, Camp Half Blood, Canon Universe

it's an obligatory underwater perachel kiss, exactly what it says

at least the moon is the same for both of us by lilllac

G | 900 words | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Percy Jackson & Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Fluff, Romantic Friendship, they're both troublemakers and I love them

Rachel was a reminder that there was a good reason - a mortal as well as a divine one - to still be giving so much of himself in that war, even though Percy sometimes felt that he was handing over more parts of his soul than he would have remaining, in the end. (could be read as either platonic or romantic, it's up to you).

it's a demigod thing by newrome

G | 1.2k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Canon Compliant, Goode High School, Post The Battle of the Labyrinth

“Imagine being some normal kid in Roberts’ Pre-Calc class and looking at the Percy Jackson and not knowing he’s some superhero who bends spit.” “Don’t forget toilets,” I joked. “That’s my specialty.”

You’re gonna hear me roar by voices_in_my_head

G | 1.3k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

First Kiss, Book 5: The Last Olympian

"“I’m sorry, that was stupid of me. You don’t have to kiss me if you don’t want to, of course,” Rachel was babbling. (...) “No, I want to,” he interrupted her, not even sure what she had been saying but to be fair, he thought that Rachel herself didn’t know anymore what she’d been going on about, just trying to fill the silence with words." Set during the beginning of "The Last Olympian." What if Beckendorf had arrived a few minutes later to take Percy to war?

Broken Nose by robindrake93

T | 1.6k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Percy Jackson has Nightmares, Sharing a Bed, Established Relationship

Percy has nightmares that make him lash out in his sleep.

and i know that we're headstrong, and our heart's gone, and the timing's never right by shayvanburen

T | 1.6k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Alternate Universe - College/University, Art Galleries, Canon Divergence

five years after his fight with kronos, percy bumps into rachel one wintry day in new york.

Cover Up by robindrake93

T | 1.7k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Tattoo Artist Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Established Relationship, Future Fic

Percy asks Rachel to cover up his SPQR tattoo. Rachel agrees.

Red and Blue Make Violet by Takara_Phoenix

T | 2.0k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Annabeth Chase

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Family Fluff, Future Fic

After the wars, Rachel passed the spirit of the oracle on, because she had only taken it to help. Now, she wants other things in life. Ten years later and she has everything she ever wanted.

Paper & Trust by robindrake93 

T | 2.0k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Future Fic, Romantic Fluff, Falling in Love

Rachel and Percy have always been in love.

A harbor from my storm by dcninja 

G | 2.0k | Complete

Percy Jackson & Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Friendship/Love, Slow burn, Percy Jackson Needs a Hug

At some point he realizes it’s something he’s always done, from the first moment he met her at Hoover Dam. He uses Rachel’s mortality and the clarity of her sight as a shield from the world he lives in, from all the gods and monsters and prophesies that try to do him harm.

Lighting Candles by robindrake93

T | 2.1k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Romantic Fluff, Established Relationship, Kissing

Percy goes to Rachel's cave and they make candles together to liven the place up.

It's a Goode Reunion by Kingdom_Melody

T | 2.1k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

High School Reunion, Post The Trials of Apollo, Percy is Old

Percy and Rachel return to Goode High School for their year's 10 year reunion. Where they run into some old "Friends"

send me your location. by LovelyVerisimilitude

T | 2.2k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Established Relationship, Arguing, Long Distance Relationship, Fluff

“I think we need to talk,” Rachel says, unhurried. “About the other day.” Percy’s grip stiffens, and his throat almost closes up when he says, “What’s there to talk about?” “I just feel like―like we’re drifting apart.” She turns to him, her mouth physically frowning, her brows crinkled in concentration. “And I hate that.” (MODERN AU ― Rachel’s been away, Percy’s been stuck at home, and somehow, neither of them seem to get along like they used to.)

Look Out To The Horizon (To Infinity) by ashilrak 

T | 3.0k | Complete

Percy Jackson/Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Deity Percy Jackson, Established Relationship, Bittersweet

“Apollo’s watching us, me, you,” Rachel said, seemingly out of nowhere. “Keep an eye out on him.” He blinked, confused. “What’s that got to do with anything?” “You’ll see.” Her smile was sad. “But he’ll be with us along the way, and you need to be prepared for that.” Of course he would be. Apollo was close to the Oracle of Delphi. As far as Percy knew, that’d been true for much of history, though the relationship took different forms. Rachel was different though, someone Apollo considered something of a friend. “I love you,” she said. “Don’t ever forget that.” — Or: Percy lives as a new God, never leaving Rachel's side. As the years go by, Rachel grows older and Percy, well, doesn't. Percy deals with what it means to love a mortal and Demigod dreams that never went away. Apollo waits.

[apollosprettyarsecheek]

Hi I really liked the fic you wrote about Apollo. Could you maybe do a part two. Thank youu!!

Afterglow

coupling - PJO!Apollo x Fem!Poseidon!Reader

a/n - Hi, ty for requesting!! Beta read (by a dyslexic)

1 2

The sun had started setting later than usual, too late for a mid-august sunset. But the perfect time for you to watch the sunset, once you had finally made it back to your apartment at eight-ish.

The sun was nearly gone now, marking the end of the day in deep blues joining vibrant oranges and purples. Percy’s flower from Calyspo was starting to faintly glow in the growing moonlight, its silver petals softly blowing in the breeze. And even though it was just another sunset, it felt like the last chapter of the last book in a series. 

That feeling had your stomach churning with nostalgia, which was weird, because you’d spent the past four years wanting this all to be over. But you didn’t feel happy to finally be ridden the burden on your back, you felt alone, ironically enough because you’d chosen earlier not to go back to Camp with everyone else, wanting to just rot in bed for the rest of summer break.

You were starting to realise that, really, you were just a side character - you aren’t the one who had to deal with that prophecy, you aren’t the one who’s been betrayed by someone like a brother to you, you haven’t even been betrayed in all these years. Luke was never your friend, or Silena, or Chris, or any of the people who’d joined Kronos. But maybe that more had to do with your lack of friends.

A test of my patience

There’s things that we’ll never know

You sunshine, you temptress 

My hand’s at risk, I fold

The familiar lyrics caught your attention, the faint humming coming from your phone distracting you. Years ago, the first time you had ever met Apollo, you’d heard him humming the same lyrics in his sun chariot. And as soon as you had come back to camp for the rest of the summer, you’d played Fine Line, one of the songs on Harry Styles’ latest album at the time, on repeat for the rest of the summer, analysing each lyric and assigning each one to different interactions you’d had with Apollo on that quest.

You’d tucked the lower part of your face into your hoodie, and inhaled a breath of whatever drug it was laced with, having forgotten all about the scent attached to it. This time, when you inhaled, you could feel your cheeks heat, wanting to believe that this actually meant something - that you actually meant something to Apollo. 

Ever since the summer you’d met Apollo, you hadn’t let yourself dream about him, about what could be with him, because you were sure any person he gave a sliver of attention to felt like this. Sure all of the Apollo camper’s mothers and fathers felt like this. His flirting was probably just to annoy your father, anyways.

A split second of silence before the next song pulled you out of your head, and you stood, stepping back into your bedroom. All you wanted now was to just curl up in your bed and watch a show until you fell asleep. Even though you didn’t want today to end, for this chapter too, you realised that it is already over, and it had been ever since you’d came home.

Slipping into your unmade bed, you noticed your legs brush against something solid. Looking down, your eyes locked on a thin, pearlescent coloured box with a silky, baby blue ribbon, wrapped into a bow decorating it. That definitely wasn’t there when you first came home.

Curious and slightly suspicious, you sat up on your knees, and undid the bow and ribbon. Cautiously, you opened the box, and found a letter addressed to you placed atop of gorgeous, powder blue silk with some sort of embroidery.

 Picking up the letter, you turned it around, and found a wax seal, with an imprint of a laurel wreath on it. Surprisingly easily, you managed to open it, and pulled out a piece of paper. Unfolding it, your eyes were drawn to the golden designs on the edges of the paper, but there was text in the middle,

My Sunshine,

Four days from now, 8pm, the Empire State building lobby, in this dress. I’ll be waiting for you.

It was laughable how much that letter sounded like Apollo, so cocky he didn’t even sign his name off - or maybe he just figured he was the only one interested in you. Either way, you still felt your stomach fill with butterflies and your cheeks heat, which was completely embarrassing and a new low for you.

Deciding to just move on from that, you tucked the letter away, and delicately laid what you figured is a chiton out, savouring the feel of the buttery soft silk. Your jaw nearly dropped when you saw the chiton - as you’d guessed - laid out fully.

It’s that powder blue colour all throughout, and now you got a better view of the shimmering, silver embroidery. Soft waves decorated the edges of the torso, looking like they were moving, and faded down gently, becoming denser, before being cut off by a pearl cinch. The waves continued down, but they faded around where your hip bone would be, showing off the thin layer of tulle, that shimmers like sun on water, and fades down into a light hyacinth colour that makes the dress’ colour look like the start of a sunrise.

Those butterflies from earlier felt weak, now, because suddenly your mind was racing with dizzying thoughts because the chiton was so… thoughtful. In the back of your head, you knew gods probably didn’t need to put any thought into something like this, could just make it appear. But for once in your life, that didn’t matter, and you just let yourself gush over the dress and invitation.

The chiton wasn’t something your father or brother would like, it wasn’t warm and teal, it was stormy and pale blue, but that’s what really mattered - like Apollo didn’t just clump you in with Poseidon, like he actually saw you as your own person. You didn’t think gods were actually capable of seeing demigods as anything other than an extension of their parent, but maybe Apollo was different.

Sitting back on your bed, perched on the edge, you noticed something about the pearls - they weren’t just regular pearls, they’re your favourite - baby pink akoya pearls. There were two full rows of them, more than you’d ever seen at once, and you weren’t even sure how Apollo figured out your favourite because hadn’t ever even said it out loud.

Deciding not risk letting the chiton get damaged, you carefully folded it back up, and put it back in the box with the note. Placing the lid of the box back on, you weren’t sure where to keep it, but decided to tuck it beneath your bed. You didn’t want it to get damaged, of course, but you also didn’t really want for anyone to find it.

Flopping back onto your bed with a stupid smile, you decided to kick off your jeans, having already unbuttoned them, and slip off the long sleeve shirt you had beneath Apollo’s hoodie, some you’d conveniently forgotten until you’d slipped it off from under the hoodie, with that annoying sports bra you’d been wearing for the past couple days.

Wrapping yourself up in your duvet, you grabbed the iPad on your nightstand to watch a show, but suddenly there was a knock on the door.

“It’s me, Sweetie,” your Mom’s voice called from the other side of your flimsy door, opening it once you’d given her a quick Yeah?

Once she’d closed the door behind her, she perched herself on the edge of your bed, looking down at you with her usual loving eyes.

“Is it bad to say I’m glad you decided to stay?” your mom admitted softly, her voice sounding raspier than usual - like she’d been crying earlier. The thought made your stomach churn, knowing she’d been out of her mind with anxiety today.

“Why would that be bad?” you asked right back, your head still resting on your pillow.

“Because you should be out with your friends, Honey, celebrating. Not stuck at home in your bed,” murmured your mom, sounding guilty like she thought it was her fault you’re not with ‘your friends’. She tucked some loose bits of hair behind your ear gently.

“I chose not to go back to Camp, Mom. Myself. And, honestly, the last thing I want to do is celebrate,” you mumbled, trying to assure your mom you didn’t just stay back for her - which you didn’t. “The last thing I want is to be surrounded by everyone there right now.”

“If you say so,” she replied gently, with a smile that didn’t quite reach her saddened eyes. Her hand dropped down to your shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m making chicken noodle soup - the one you love. How about I bring you a bowl when it’s finished?”

You shrugged noncommittally in response, which seems to be what your mom was expecting, but she didn’t let it show for long. She stood up, getting the unsaid hint that you didn’t really want to talk right now, and headed to your door.

“I love you, Sweetie,” your mom murmured, after hesitating for a moment, and then left your bedroom, shutting the door behind her with a soft click.

credits to v6que for the lovely dividers