#like we all fought to save you so you have to live for another month regardless

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

DPXDC prompt. Adult!Danny x Sleep-deprived!Constantine: We seem to have a misunderstanding.

Warlock was willing to admit that the Phantom’s company was mostly useful and not unpleasant. Because of the specifics of his work they had to meet quite often. It was nice to be at least a little sure that you wouldn’t get stabbed in the back. The new ghost king seemed to be amused by the World of the Living and that was quite useful. In addition, the Infinite Realms had a history of endless conflicts with Hell, so when demons was messing with him, Phantom was happy to put sticks in their wheels.

However, the current enemy of the League was another alien. Both John and Phantom happened to be nearby. But it seems ghost had no reason to help Hellblazer now, as this fight had nothing to do with his kingdom. Given that Batman had explicitly instructed John to stay on the battlefield, it seemed that if John Constantine wanted to count on a weekend, he would have to use his trump card now.

Constantine: In view of the urgency of the situation, I would like to make a proposal. Life offers many challenges. I know I can meet them if you're willing to face them with me. In the spirit of saving time..[holding up a ring] This is for you. You in?

Phantom: I..I don’t know, John. I mean i want to say yes but It’s all so sudden. Please gimme some time to think, okay? And let me help to deal with these invaders first and then we’ll talk about it.

John: ..Sure?

~~~~~

Tucker: Whoa crazy battle dude. John: Civilians are not allowed here. Danny: It's all right. We were going to meet at a cafe, but now, well, there is no cafe. I mean, he's with me and not so civilian, okay?Ehem..John, meet my best friend Tucker. Tucker, meet my..Em, this is John, and he's kinda my John. It's new for us.

Damn. He was in a hurry and offered more than he should have. It turns out the ghost had an interest in protecting the city. It is unlikely that he would allow the destruction of the place where one of his humans lives.

And worst of all, Phantom did not accept the ring (for which John had to hunt for several months) as payment. Constantine got it specially in case he needed a favor or a way to calm the anger of the spirit he was starting to get along with. Like, really, John spent a fair amount to own the artifact which would have neutralized the consequences of wearing a ring of rage. But Ghost didn’t want it? Why? And yet he helped. So John was in debt.

And how it's all at a bad time. The peace treaty and the treaty of cooperation between the States and the Infinite Realms was concluded only recently. Of course John didn't even have time to discuss the terms of their deal because the blushing ghost flew away to fight but to say that he won't pay for the service is like admitting that you want to start a new conflict. Constantine was starting to have a headache. He'll think about it when he gets at least a couple of hours of sleep. Whatever payment the ghost needs, it can wait a couple of hours.

~~~~~

But as it turned out, the ghost couldn’t make up his mind and decide what he wanted from him. He started showing up at John’s place and looking at him thoughtfully, also recently dragged him to pick out a suit. How he could be mistaken for a stylist John did not understand but preferred not to unnerve a potential ally.

Moreover, for some reason the chaotic creature decided that he had the right to condemn John for always forgetting to have dinner or take a bath. This scoundrel dared to lock him in a bathroom with strange scented candles and colored water. Whatever these bath bombs were, dumb spirit failed to poison him but now John smelled like peaches. Disgusting.

After breaking down the door he found the same mess with candles on the kitchen table. Phantom fought a fierce battle with the green goo in the pot that he brought to John's house, but eventually gave up and they ordered delivery. All in all, it was a pleasant evening. Of course John didn't admit it but for some reason Danny decided that he could make such a mess every Friday.

~~~~~

Danny: So..me and Morningstar are friends now. Do you mind? I know you don’t get along very well. John: Why should I care? Your friends are your business. Considering you’re crazy about the stars I’m surprised you’re not sleeping with their maker.

Danny: Hell no, Lightbringer is great. And I’m glad he’s sharing with me what I wouldn’t find in books but I would never cheat on my partner. John: Good to know. (Wow, who knew the Phantom has a lover.)

~~~~~

Morningstar: I have no idea what you see in this arrogant man, stardust.

Phantom: I don’t know. It’s interesting to be around him. You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. And his determination and sarcastic nature are really charming.

Morningstar: Well, I’ll get rid of some of his contracts for your wedding but only because I like you and not because I’m willing to deal with this liar.

Phantom: Thanks, Luci,  you’re the best.

Morningstar:That’s true. But it's not free. I need you as a babysitter to keep Spawn busy while, well, Detective and I are busy.

Phantom: No problem :)

[gulnarsultan]

Can i request something about the Future something like teacher teaching their students about us Reader. Example like we were force to marry the King (like Maegor and Aegon i) and we got pregnant at a young age and they didn't stop getting the reader pregnant and it only stop until we died of child birth (just like the history of like Anne Boleyn or other women, etc.) or just someone talking about her, her impact on the history, about her children, about how she gave birth so young and how she didn't deserve all of that or whatever

(btw I'm so sorry if this is confusing, English is really not my first language)

Hello dear. English is not my native language either. You have written your curiosity in an explanatory way. I hope you like it.

⛔(Warning : Pregnancy, birth and death.)⛔

》Scenario《

Septa was standing in the middle of her room. She was waiting for the students to take their seats. After everyone sat down, Septa took the book in her hand and opened it quickly.

"Today we will learn about Queen Y/N."

Some of the female students held their breath.

"The wife of the cruel Maegor? The only person who managed to stop that tyrant?"

"Yes dear. Today we will read about the fourth wife of the cruel Maegor and his true Queen."

All of the students gave Septa their full attention.

"Shortly after Maegor the Cruel usurped the throne, he went to Oldtown. He stayed there for six months. This is when fate intervened. Lady Y/N was there. Some say it was love at first sight, some say it was obsession, some say it was the possessive nature of the dragon. But we will never know which is true. Maegor returned to the Red Keep with       Lady Y/N, whom he had married in Oldtown. Some say that Lady Y/N was forced into this marriage. Lady Y/N was pregnant at the time. Maegor was very possessive and protective of his new wife. There were rules that the lady had to follow. Rules set by kings. The King and Queen's first child and future King, Prince Baelon, was born in 43 AC King's City. The prince's birth was celebrated with great festivities. The Queen was truly the lifeline of Westeros. She fought for the people and the nobility. She soon earned the titles of Queen of the Kingdom and Mother of the Realm. Everyone thought that the King would get his precious Queen pregnant again without wasting any time.  Maegor, however, chose to wait, against all odds. He gave the Queen time to heal between the births of her first few children. But soon the dragon's greed overtook Maegor. His pride and ego had been bruised by years of living with his barren nag. Each time his Queen became pregnant, Maegor felt like eating a meal he had always enjoyed. This is the order in which Maegor and Lady Y/'s children were born."

Prince Baelon 43 AC Prince Aegon 45 AC Princess Visenya 47 AC Prince Aerion and Princess Daenerys 49 AC Prince Rhaegel 51 AC Prince Aelora and Prince Daeron 53 AC Prince Maelor 54 AC Prince Gaemon 55 AC

"After Prince Gaemon's birth, the Queen said she could not bear any more births. She pleaded and begged the King. She had had enough and could not bear another. The Maesters told her how dangerous another pregnancy would be for the Queen. But King Maegor believed that these were just excuses. The Queen had become pregnant once more. The first three months were normal. But the second trimester was difficult. The Queen was thin and looked pale and tired. Maegor began to worry, but it was too late to have an abortion. After two more months, the Queen's labor began. A month early. All the midwives and Maesters were mobilized. The hours passed, but the baby was not being born. The Grand Maester left the delivery room and went hesitantly to the King who was waiting in the hallway. He told her that she had to choose between the baby or the Queen. Maegor angrily grabbed the Maester by the collar and lifted him into the air. He shouted that they must save his Queen. But chaos soon broke out in the delivery room. The Maester ran back into the room.  Maegor could not wait any longer, so he entered the room. His Queen lay motionless on the bed, her eyes open and her face stained with tears. The bed was completely covered in blood. Maegor had seen much blood in his life, and it was stained with blood. But this sight startled and horrified Maegor. He approached the bed slowly. He held his Queen to his chest carefully. He shooed everyone out of the room. He did not leave the room for hours. The next days were a blur for the King and the children. After King Maegor burned his Queen's body, he lay there motionless for hours. The Queen's ashes were buried. The realm was in a period of mourning for months. Prince Baelon had taken on the role of a parent figure for his younger siblings. And now he was distant from his father. Until the day the Queen died, Prince Baelon and King Maegor had a true father and son relationship. King Maegor loved all of his children. But he had a deeper fondness for his firstborn.  After this, it became Prince Baelon's duty to stop the King's anger. Many years later, King Maegor was confined to bed due to old age. On the day he drew his last breath, he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. On that day, Prince Baelon was reconciled with his dying father. For the first time in years, he addressed King Maegor as father. King Maegor closed his eyes for eternity that day with a genuine smile on his face. A mourning ceremony was held for King Maegor. Prince Baelon ascended the throne and became King. House Targaryen continued under the title of King Baelon, the true King, born of Maegor the Cruel's worthy Queen."

[abiatackerman]

A love that lingers

Event: @levievent "Levi Month 2024"

🩷 Day 6: Love at first sight 🩷

Canon universe! Captain Levi Ackerman X Medic Reader! Postwar Levi! Fluffy love! Sick Reader! Flashbacks! 3.2K words!!!!!

Warnings: Angst, Character death ⚠️

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

"We're really tired of hearing the stories of the heroes fighting and dying! We don't wanna hear any fighting stories today!"

Levi looks down at the girl who pouts at him. The other Marley kids who are surrounding him with chocolate and candies in their hands, nod in agreement with the girl.

"We wanna hear a romantic story! Please please, candy uncle! Tell us the love story of the hero you talk about all the time!"

Another little girl speaks up and gives Levi her best pleading eyes. The other kids sit on the ground surrounding him and look at Levi with excitement.....

This is his life now. After the "Battle of Heaven and Earth" has ended, serving candies to the kids and telling them stories is all he's doing.

The stories about him, about survey corps, how the soldiers fought against titans, how they dedicated their lives to humanity and sacrificed their lives and everything. He's telling them everything...

"His love story didn't end up like a fairytale. It's a sad story. Are you sure you all wanna hear it?"

Levi asks softly as he leans into his wheelchair. He never imagined his life would come up to a point where he'll become a story teller. That he'll be telling stories to kids... But here he is, telling stories to the Marleyan kids and getting along with them...

He sometimes wonders.... Would you have been happy if you came to know that he's getting along with kids? That he's known as "Candy uncle" now, not as humanity's strongest soldier? That the kids love him?

Knowing you, you surely would have been....

"Yes candy uncle, we want to. Please tell us!"

The kids say in unison and Levi's face softens. He smiles at them and takes a deep breath and starts speaking....

"It was a long time ago, when the commander called the captain in his room..."

Levi keeps speaking as the first meeting with you flashes in front his eyes. He remembers it vividly. You were in Erwin's room, your hair was tied up in a loose bun some locks were framing your face. You were wearing a casual long white skirt with a short sleeved white shirt.

White, his favourite colour.

"'I'll be in your care, captain.' She said with a genuine sweet smile with a great curiosity and excitement that the captain immediately fell for her. It's not the fact that she was pretty as an angel but the fact that her smile was so innocent and so genuine that the captain couldn't help but feel his heart beating louder than usual. For the first time he was dumbfounded. He was speechless for the new fluttering feeling in his chest that made him feel overwhelmed."

He smiles softly again as he notices the kids are looking at him with widened eyes. Some of them are even blushing.

Levi still doesn't understand why kids love romance stories so much... But he continues anyway.

"She was a medic, in other words the Captain's healer. The captain was her protector who saved her life countless times. It took some time but she fell for the captain too and did her best to heal him. Mentally and physically. She was the only person in this world who knew everything about the strongest soldier."

Levi takes a deep breath as he looks at the kids to make sure they're understanding his words. As he notices there are no confused expressions on their faces, he continues again.

"The captain loved her. A lot. And that's why he always was worried for her. He trained her personally, he knew she would be fine but accidents happen..."

Levi smiles as he looks at the excitement and the curious expressions of the kids. But still they remain silent, waiting for him to continue.

Tolerable brats.

"The accident hurt the captain's lover a lot. She was on the verge of dying. But luckily she was taken to the finest hospital inside the wall and they completely healed her up. She was ok."

Levi remembers it very well. How furious he was when he found your body, covered in blood and rushed to the hospital, with you in his arms. He was so furious on you, on himself, on this world. He was so scared of losing you that he literally threatened the doctor that if you die, he'll kill them. He lost his sanity.....

Levi still remembers how you tried to calm him down, how you assured him as always and told him you were ok. How his worried kiss turned into a passionate one, how he made love to you on the hospital bed which he never imagined he would ever do. He was scared, intense and deep and was trying to go as deep as he could.

*******Flashback*********

"I love these."

Levi huffs as he feels you planting kisses on the various marks littered on his chest, some old, others new, all from the expedition. After the intense love making session, he has cleaned you both up and now both of you are just cuddling.

"Tch. Why would you love these?"

He murmurs as he watches you tenderly run your fingers over the different scars on his skin. It doesn't make sense to him what can be so appealing about his injuries.

"Because they make you 'My Levi'."

There you go again, always killing him with your words. Your smile, your kindness, your touch and anything related to you never fails to make him happy.

God! He loves you! So much!

"You're such a sap, brat."

He can't help the small smile that forms on his lips as he gently grabs your hand and presses a light kiss on your knuckles.

"For you."

You smile as you speak and get on his lap while he is leaning on the headboard.

"One day I'll marry you and give you kids. Mark my words."

He stiffens up a bit at your words. The thought of getting married isn't something Levi would ever think of himself but when you are sitting there on his lap, holding him tight and nuzzling your nose against his, it sounded tempting.

"Tch, good luck with that…"

Though he says that, he can't stop his brain from trying to visualize what you'd look like in a wedding dress.

"I'll drag your ass to church."

You say confidently but he doesn't reply. He is picturing, imagining. The thought of you in a pretty white dress and a flower crown in your hair makes a shiver run up his spine.

"What makes you so sure I'd say yes?"

He asks in a playful tone, raising an eyebrow at you while grabbing your waist with both his hands.

"That's a tough question but I'll figure out something to blackmail you, don't worry. But if I die before that, you'll be saved."

His smirk falls immediately, his face now becoming stoic. Though you know how much he hates talking about death, you still do that sometimes. He grabs your hips harshly.

"Don't joke about that."

He says in a stern, no-nonsense tone, staring deep into your eyes. But suddenly your face falls and you speak in a low voice like you're admitting committing an unforgivable crime.

"I haven't told you yet.... But I..."

You bite your lower lip, bending your head down.

"I don't have much time."

You sound… sad. He doesn't like seeing you like that, and he especially doesn't like the fact that you just said 'you don't have much time'. If you're gonna joke about the topic which is most sensitive to him....

"I've recently discovered..."

Before he can even get the chance to scold you, you speak up.

"I have Muscular Dystrophy. Last stage."

Did you say that you have an incurable disease? You are sick? And you are in the LAST STAGE?

The realisation makes his blood run cold. All of his instincts tells him to do something, anything, to take action and fix it. He’ll kill death itself to extend your life. He doesn't think he can handle losing you.

"T-That…that is…how long…?"

You hug him, hiding your tears and bury your face in his neck.

"Probably not more than a month? I don't know... I can die anytime considering my age. It's a miracle that I'm still alive."

His arms are wrapped around you, holding you tight against his chest. A month. Just a fucking month until he will lose you for forever. A month is nothing. He still hasn’t asked you to marry you, he hasn’t made you his wife, he hasn’t given you the life he has promised you. All the things he wants to do, all the plans he has with you…he can't fit them all in 2 months.

"F-Fuck… A month?… Just a month?!"

"Life goes on, Levi You'll move on too. I'm giving you the permission to fall in love again, you're free to marry and have kids with someone else you'll love."

You try to smile but he can see how hard you are struggling.

Move on? Fall in love again? Have kids with another woman? How could you say that? How can you think that he can ever fall in love with someone that’s not you? How can you think he can ever have kids with somebody other than you.

"Tch… You brat… Don't say things that you don't mean…I won't move on…I won't ever love anyone else again…I don't want anyone that's not you…"

Levi's words make you sob immediately. You hug him tightly as if he's the only one thing you can cling to.

"I'm so sorry.... I never wanted to leave you alone in this world. But I don't have any other way. I'm helpless."

He holds you tighter against his chest, his arms wrapped protectively around you as you cry into his shoulder. He hates this. He hates how you're sobbing and clinging onto him like your life depends on it. And he hates the fact that he can't do anything to fix it.

He is hating everything in this moment. The world. The fact that you're sick. The fact that you will eventually perish. The fact that he can't change it. He feels so useless, so helpless. All he can do is hold you tight and murmur in your ear.

"I don't want you to die either…I don't know why… The world just… It's cruel… Life is cruel… It's not fair…"

He says and cradles you against his chest like you're something fragile and precious, because you are. He still doesn't know how you were able to hide this from him until now and the fact that you have always acted so normally, even he couldn't understand that something was wrong.....

His hands grip your hips even tighter, the fear of losing you making him cling to you even more in an attempt to not let you go.

"Can you.... Can we leave the scouts for a month? Can we just spend the time alone? Just you and me?"

At your request, he nods immediately, without hesitation. He'll do anything to spend time with you at this point.

"Yeah, we can leave. Wherever you want to go."

Time flies by as you and Levi spend your time together in a cottage, away from chaos. He was planning to surprise you with this after proposing to you, but the situation has changed. Like planned, he won't be able to spend his future with you and it pains him every time when he remembers that.

He has been laughing with you, smiling at your goofy jokes, being amazed by your beautiful voice, holding you close, spending the nights kissing you, making love to you in the sweetest way possible. Also he's being more scared knowing that you would leave him any day now.

Levi is sitting by your bed, staring at you as you sleep. He can see the paleness on your skin and your thinning body, a constant reminder of the fact that you are slowly dying. He reaches out and gently caresses your cheek, his heart aching as he thinks of the fact that this might be the last time he'll see you asleep like this. He hates it. He hates this so badly.

He leans in and plants a gentle kiss on your forehead, his lips lingering over the cool skin of your face. You are looking so weak yet peaceful like this, a far cry from how you usually looked. You were always so lively, happy, and energetic. Seeing you like this, pale and weak, looking like a mere husk of your former self, is killing him inside.

He sighs softly as he watches your eyes move under your eyelids, signifying that you are dreaming. He continues caressing your face, his fingers tracing your features, his heart heavy in his chest. He was about to take his hand away but your eyes starts to slowly open, and he freezes when you smile widely. The way you always used to, the smile he always misses....

"I was dreaming about you."

Levi lets out a soft sigh at your words, smiling faintly when you grab his wrist. Your hand feels so frail and cold in his palm.

A painful reminder that you're in the last stage.

"You were? What about?"

He asks, his voice unusually soft.

"A girl was playing with your hair while a boy was using your chest as a punching bag. When I entered the room both of them looked at me and called 'Mama'. I smiled and hopped into the bed with you three. It was a winter night and it was snowing heavily outside. We were cuddling together under the blankets. Four of us."

Levi swallows the lump that’s suddenly formed in his throat as he listens to your words. He can almost picture the vision of the dream you’ve just described. The thought of having small, little children bugging to him, makes him ache a little.

"It was a beautiful dream"

You say and smile as your eyes tears up. Levi gently uses his free hand to wipe your tears away as you begin to cry.

"Doll… Don't cry…"

Suddenly your breathing gets heavier and you grip Levi's shirt tightly.

"Levi, I'm not feeling good. Please don't leave me."

He swallows a lump in his throat, keeping his arms wrapped around you and his face buried in your shoulder, his grip around you grows slightly tighter.

"I won't leave you…I promise I won't. For now you just need to keep breathing…Your breaths are shaky… Just breathe in and out… Slow… Steady… In…. And out…"

He whispers, trying desperately to keep his voice from shaking. He's trying hard to keep himself under control, to not let his fear show, because you don't need to see how absolutely terrified he is of losing you.

"I wanna see mom... Dad... God it's so cold"

His arms tighten around you even more, pulling your body closer to his, trying to heat you up. His heart is breaking at how hopeless you sound, how you're asking to see your parents.

"I know…I know… It's cold… But I'm here…I'll keep you warm… Just relax… Don't talk so much… Save your energy… And try to breathe..."

He says and raises his head from your shoulder. Your face is pale, your body is cold. His blood runs cold as he realises the moment is near.

"Levi.... Everything is starting to get blank.... I can't see you... It's cold... I can't feel you... Where are you? I love you, baby.... Please don't leave me."

You murmur and Levi's voice breaks. His eyes become teary.

"I love you too. I'm here. With you. God I love you."

A sob breaks escapes his lips unintentionally at the last line and he kisses your face to make you feel that he's here.

"Please don't cry... I can feel your tears. I'm just happy that you're with me. I'm glad, I fell in love with you. And you fell for.... Me."

Levi can feel your voice starting to fade, life slowly draining out of you. He can feel the exact moment your breathing stops and he panics, shaking as he tries to wake you up, anything to bring you back to him.

"Hey, no…no…no…don't you dare…Doll…d-don't do this…don't leave me…DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME. Please…PLEASE…don't die…DO NOT DIE ON ME."

For the first time in his life, his brain is completely blank. He can't do anything except hold you, his entire body shaking as he tries to wake you up, but he knows that it's hopeless. He knows that you're already gone, that he's far too late.

He doesn't know how long he spends with your lifeless body wrapped in his arms, his eyes tear-soaked as he keeps hoping to see you move even a little, just another sign of life, but he gets none. He stays there, holding you in his arms, staring at you wordlessly, his heart feeling like it's being squeezed in a tight grip. You're gone now, and he's left all alone, to exist in a world where the love of his life is gone forever.

********* Flashback ends*********

"So after his lover's death, he totally focused on killing the titans. He dedicated his heart only to make the world safe. And that's his love story."

Levi finishes his story and gives them a bitter smile. The kids are silent, some of them are pouting, some of them even have tears in their eyes. Some even sobs making Levi sigh.

"Listen brats I don't know if you guys will be able to understand it now but here's some advice. Before you love something you should remember that the thing you're loving so much might break or disappear or the person you're loving can die."

A girl looks up at him with teary eyes and asks in a low voice.

"Then we shouldn't love anything, because we'll be so sad if we're gonna lose that!"

All kids nod and Levi sighs.

No, he definitely won't forbid the kids from loving someone. How can he tell them not to enjoy the amazing feeling? Plus you'll be mad as hell if he's just gonna tell them not to fall in love, right?

"True, it'll make you brats sad but you guys should enjoy the times you're gonna play with your favourite toys, remember the sweetest memories you make. Yes, the captain was so sad when his lover died but he was happy too! Because he fell in love with her, spent a lot of time with her and made a lot of sweet memories with her. He'll never regret falling for her, for loving her. Now, get up all of you! It's time for you all to return to your tents! Good night, brats!"

Levi twirls his wheelchair and keeps moving as the kids wish him goodnight. He smiles as he looks at the sky. It's almost evening and the sun is already gone.

Seven years ago, right at this time of the day, on a autumn evening, he met you.

In that white skirt, with a charming smile you dedicated yourself to him and he unconsciously dedicated his heart to you. You left him two years later at the same time of the day, on a winter evening with a weak smile, saying 'I love you' and taking his heart with yours.

But still, he'll never stop loving you, he'll never forget you and sure as he'll never regret loving you.

Even though you're gone, the love you gave him is still lingering with him. And it always will......

[creativepromptsforwriting]

Exes to Lovers Masterpost

Dialogue Prompts

"I'm sorry for how it ended." "I'm sorry that it ended at all."

"Do you still have place for me in your life?"

"Three years was not enough to get over you."

"We'll always find our ways back to each other."

"I couldn't stop loving you, even if I tried. And I did try for some time. But it didn't work."

"Seeing you again brought everything back."

"It was a mistake to just go away. We should've fought more for what we wanted." "We are doing it now."

"Being back in your arms is everything I wished for since we broke up."

"I can't believe you would actually take me back."

"Do you have any idea how much I wished to take it back? To just go to your house and apologize?" "I would have waited for you. I did wait for you. Even if it took some time, you are here now."

"I shouldn't have ever let you go away. I need you by my side."

"The fight we had was so stupid and breaking up was irrational."

"We work much better as a team."

"I don't ever want to lose you again."

"It was the right thing at the time. We weren't ready for it." "Do you think we are now?" "Yes, absolutely."

"People called me crazy for letting you get away. And they were right."

"I will never let you go again."

"We were both so hurt that we didn't see how much the other one was hurting. I hope that we're now able to look past that and be able to heal together."

"Honestly? I never stopped loving you."

"Let's never break up again. Ok?"

Text Prompts

Having broken up, but still living in the same area they keep running into each other. At the park, the grocery store, the laundromat, … everywhere.

They are still in the same friend group and they want to make it work as friends. But hanging out all the time makes it hard to get over each other.

Person A moves to another apartment and finds some of Person B’s, their exes’ stuff while moving and the former lovers meet up for the first time since the break-up to exchange the goods.

While not having adopted it together, Person A’s pet becomes miserable after Person B stops being over, so finally they have to arrange for a meeting in a park, like two divorced parents.

They are still each other's emergency contact. Which becomes apparent when one of them ends up in the hospital.

Having their car breaking down by the side of the road is bad enough. Their ex being the one to come save them is even worse.

They had already booked everything for their friends' destination wedding before they broke up. To celebrate them and not lose their deposits they decide to still share the hotel room.

Person A’s family still invites Person B to all of their family events. And Person B actually goes.

They bought tickets for their favourite band’s concert one year in advance. It’s been a few months since their break-up and they believe the emotions have calmed down a bit, so they decide to still go together when the time comes. But maybe they don’t have calmed down that much, when their song comes on.

They know each other best. Even after their break-up their ex is still the first person they want to call when something good or bad happens.

If you like my blog and want to support me, you can buy me a coffee or become a member! And check out my Instagram! 🥰

[wlntrsldler]

shades of cool | luke castellan

part two to how to disappear

a/n: happy endings don't exist on this page.

i. and when he calls, he calls for me and not for you; he lives for love, he loves his drugs, he loves his baby too.

“hermes is angry.” 

you knew it was your mother before you even saw her. the two, white doves cooing in the middle of downtown berkeley gave her away. although you hadn’t spoken to her in months, too afraid and too upset to put your faith in the hands of the gods since the night at the pier, your mother tried to get your attention every day. the flowers bloomed like clockwork. on your way to class, red and orange bunches sprouted from the corner of your eye. the once welcome reminder of luke turned bitter and painful. it was as if your mother was mocking you for losing him, for losing love. you felt as if you disappointed her, the daughter of the goddess of love, unable to experience it for herself. it was pathetic, really. 

you tucked your hair behind your ears, suddenly feeling self-conscious with aphrodite’s eyes on you. she was your mother, sure, and she’d been a better parent to you than most, but she was still a goddess– the goddess of beauty at that. your arms were crossed over your chest, eyebrows furrowed, “why?” 

she didn’t answer your question just yet, but she studied your face, eyes scrutinizing the marks of imperfections. she reached over to run her thumb across the bags under your eyes. “you’ve aged, my child.” 

you fought the urge to roll your eyes. this was normal with your mother. she made these snide comments about your appearance, but her comments to you were not nearly as bad as what she said to your siblings, and especially not as bad as what other godly parents put their kids through. you could handle a few jabs here and there. you shrugged, “not all of us have the power of eternal youth.” 

she nodded, pulling her thumb away, “we have not talked in a while.” 

“been busy,” you lied, chewing on your bottom lip. you tugged on the scarf around your neck, wanting to keep your hand occupied as you avoided her gaze. you wondered if your mother missed you, if she actually cared about you. in the weird way that gods do, you suppose that she did care, but you wondered if she cared about you the way a mother would; worry about your safety when you went out at night, worry if you were wearing enough layers in the winter, mundane things like that. “college and stuff, you know.” 

“hmm,” she hummed, unconvinced. she motioned for the two doves perched on the tree branch to fly away. they obeyed her, circling around each other in a dance, before flying away in separate directions, away from the both of you. “how many more years do you have left?” 

“another two after this and then i’m done.” it was odd talking to her like this, in her human form, like she was a normal mother who was just curious about college and her daughter’s future. maybe she even sounded a little bit proud of you; a child of aphrodite, making a name for herself outside of the life she was dealt. “hopefully, i’ll make it to graduate school.” 

a heavy tension hung in the air as your words echoed. aphrodite’s eyes narrowed, thinking. she looked up at the sky, before repeating herself. “hermes is angry.”

you stared at her, waiting for her to continue. there was an unreadable expression on her face, somewhere between anger, pain, and desperation, but it wasn’t her own emotions that she carried. she was mirroring someone, as if their pain was so unbearable, aphrodite herself had to shoulder some of it to save them. the gods were selfish. most of the time, they thought of nobody but themselves, but there were some moments when they showed compassion, when they showed mercy to mortals and demigods alike.

“his son resents him,” she continued, eyes closing like she was picturing it in her mind. “he is angry at me because his son prays to me instead of him.” 

“mom, i don’t want to hear this,” you sighed, anger rising in your system. you knew she knew how you felt about the situation. you’d ignored her attempts to talk frequently. “he made his decision. he’s betrayed us all.” 

“i cannot ignore him, don’t you understand?” she looked at you, eyes glossed over in a pleading manner. she looked too human. it was unsettling. “his love is loud. he is desperate. i am the goddess of love and i cannot ignore him while he suffers, even if he makes me his enemy.”

“the other gods listen to his prayers to me because i can no longer carry the burden on my own. it is too much, my child,” she shuddered, “all he talks of is you.” 

you stared at her, internalizing her words. a shiver went down your spine as you looked at her, “i don’t understand why you’re telling me this.” 

“i have tried to tell you, but you’ve been stubborn,” aphrodite frowned, “you do not pray, you do not make your offerings. you have not spoken to your siblings since that night. you have disappeared from this life as if you were not part of it at all.” 

“because i didn’t ask for this!” you screamed. “i don’t want anything to do with this, mom. losing luke… it killed me. you know this. i can’t go back there and i can’t make offerings to you or the gods when you all are the reason why he did what he did!” 

since that night, you began to question your blind faith in the gods. you’d been taught to worship them and you did because you had to. you were luckier than most, being the favorite of your mother, so you never went against the gods. you thought you had no reason to, until luke began talking to you. he planted seeds of distrust for the gods in you, learning about thalia, meeting annabeth and learning her story from luke, what luke had to go through during his quest. how did the gods sit back and leave their children for dead? but you always believed there was a purpose for all of this, and it provided you with some misguided comfort. then, luke left everyone who’d ever loved him because the anger in his soul won against all odds, and you knew there was no reason to trust them anymore. 

if the gods were all-mighty and all-powerful, how could they let him grow so angry and accept this fate? how dare they ignore him and ruin him? he was kind. he was patient. he was luke. he deserved more than what they gave him. all of you do. aphrodite blinked, trying to understand you. a look of panic flashed across her features, her human form slowly peeling away, but you could see her pulling back. 

“i’m not saying i’m joining him,” you sighed, rubbing your face with your hands, “i’m just saying what he said to percy made sense. luke had a point. the gods were horrible to him and to all demigods. hermes has no right to be angry with you, or with luke. he should be angry at himself. all of you should be.” 

“i can’t forgive luke for what he did,” you whispered, voice calming after a rumble of thunder shook the ground. the gods were listening. “beth still wakes up screaming in the middle of the night. she writes to me every month. i haven’t written back because it hurts, mom. i keep thinking of luke. she reminds me so much of him and it kills me that i can’t do anything to help her. where do i even start? i can’t fulfill the hole he left in her life. nobody can.” 

your mother nodded, clearing her throat. “do consider returning to camp this summer. your siblings miss you and your sister is not doing well.” 

“piper?” 

“silena,” she replied. the doves returned to her. “it was lovely to see you, my child.” 

in a blink, she was gone. you wondered if she’d show her face again, but the rain fell from the sky soon after she left, and you realized you probably wouldn’t. 

ii. but you are unfixable, i can't break through your world.

“i’ll catch up with you guys in a second,” you motioned for your roommates to keep walking home without you. the two girls nodded, sending you a small wave of goodbye, before they turned the street corner. you began walking towards the entrance of the science building, towards the silhouette of a boy you could recognize in every life. 

luke’s jaw was clenched as you approached him. he was caught. luke knew that he shouldn't be here. he knew it was too dangerous, but he couldn't help himself; he had to see you. 

berkeley suited you. in college, you were a normal girl, stressed about finals and getting a summer internship. though luke had never seen you outside of camp before, he always imagined that you’d look even more beautiful when you didn’t have the stress of this life on your shoulders. it was weird seeing you out in the world like this. if he hadn’t known you, if he wasn’t already under your spell, he would undoubtedly fall to worship aphrodite’s favorite daughter.

your friends didn’t know who your mother was, but if they saw through the mist, if they knew the truth, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to them. you had an aura about you that was undeniable and for a minute, luke was jealous that these people around you could freely succumb to your pull, to allow themselves into your orbit, while all he could do was watch from afar. they didn’t realize how lucky they were to be around you, they would never fully understand. 

you looked happy in the bay area, free, like you weren’t a demigod, like you weren’t preparing for a war. a war that he knew he caused. 

he looked down at his feet before rising from the steps. he hadn't planned to speak to you. he’d been following you for weeks, from a distance, of course, he wasn’t going to test his luck any more than he already was, but then you approached him and luke knew there was no hiding anymore. 

truth be told, there was never any hiding from you in the first place. you knew him better than he knew himself. sometimes, it scared him, just how vulnerable he was with you. when he first realized how he felt about you, he wanted to squash the feeling between his fingers and make it disappear into thin air. he knew there was nothing good that could come out of it, but he couldn't help but hope. 

how could he not? how could he not hope that maybe, in some twisted way, he would be able to be with you? that one day, he could stop running, stop fighting, and just love you the way he wanted to. hope was a cruel thing, luke realized after the night on the pier. it makes him believe that there is good out there, somewhere in the future, daring him to hold on just a bit longer, only to leave him high and dry, an empty shell of who he once was. 

“what are you doing here?”

luke let the question linger between the both of you for a second. partly because he didn't know what he was doing here. i needed to see you didn't feel like enough. it barely scratched the surface of what he was feeling. luke was never a wizard with words, but he used to be able to at least say something. now, though, as you stood in front of him, his mind went blank. 

“what are you doing here?” you repeated. you had your arms wrapped around yourself to soothe your skin from the wind chills. luke didn't know it got this cold in california. “i’ve seen you a few times, and i thought you’d give it up, but it’s been weeks, luke. so tell me, what are you doing here?”

luke’s mouth was dry. he thought he was being careful, but he should’ve known better. you could always sense when he was around, just like how he knew whenever you were around. there’s something that shifts in the air, as if it gets lighter and it’s easier to breathe. luke wondered if it was still the same for you. 

“he's using me,” luke whispered, “like a stepping stone to gain power.” 

for a second, your face softened into a look that he knew too well. it was the same way you used to look at him when he talked about his nightmares or when he talked about his mom. a flicker of hope passed through luke’s mind, but he knew better now. he extinguished it before it got too comfortable. 

there was a hint of disbelief in your voice when you spoke again, “what did you think was going to happen?”

“i thought i was doing the right thing,” he felt small. “i thought he wanted to make things better for us. the gods, they’re terrible parents. you know this. what they did to thalia, to all of us, i-i just thought that he would make things better.”

you shook your head, “luke, you betrayed all of us. percy, annabeth– did you know that she cries at night over losing you? over losing her brother? she’s lost everyone luke! and you were supposed to stay. you were supposed to be there for her! i saw her last summer when i came back to camp. beth is so much like you.” 

“i know,” luke was crying. he was exhausted, both physically and mentally. kronos was taking over every part of him. he was there in every crevice of him, just waiting for the moment to drain him of everything he used to be. “gods, i know, angel. i just thought i was doing the right thing.” 

“and me luke,” you rubbed your temples with the pads of your fingers. you hadn’t told anyone this before. you were too busy trying to make sure that everyone else around you was okay. as the oldest one now that luke was gone, you had to step up. your mother was right. your siblings were not doing well, nobody in the camp was. “i feel so stupid for ever trusting you. i keep thinking of every small interaction, every word you said, and i just keep wondering if any of it was real.”

“you don’t mean that,” he shook his head, stepping down to get closer to you. under the light of the streetlamp, you saw him better. if you didn’t know him as well as you did, you probably wouldn’t have recognized him. “everything, all of it, i meant it. you know that right?” 

his eyes were sunken in, dark bags outshining the once vibrant sparkle of his eyes. now, the rims of his eyes were red. his hair was matted against his scalp like he let his curls tangle into knots and didn’t bother to fix them. there were newer, smaller cuts that joined the scar on his face. they weren’t as deep, but they were fresh, a sign that whatever he faced was recent.

“i love you, please tell me you at least believe that,” luke rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palm, “your mom doesn’t answer me anymore. i don’t know what else to do.”

when you didn’t say anything, luke felt the ground crumbling from under him. luke could live with a lot of things; being a failure in the eyes of his father, being a traitor, but you thinking that he didn’t love you was something he didn’t think he could live with. it was real to him, all of it. he didn’t know if this was the right time to tell you that those moments with you were the only things keeping him grounded. 

the image of you throwing your head back in laughter as he tickled your sides, the freckles on your cheeks that showed up during the summer that he would spend hours counting while you slept on his chest, the sound of your voice, talking in hushed whispers, in the dark of the hermes cabin; it was you who he held onto as he fell deeper and deeper under kronos’ control. 

luke walked closer to you, holding out a hand to touch you, when you flinched and backed away from him. your fingers unconsciously reached for the dagger you had on your belt loop. he shuddered, taking in a breath. he looked down at his hands, lips trembling as he wiped them on the fabric of his jeans. there was nothing on them, but he wanted to scrub them clean because it felt as if all the blood he spilled was stuck under his flesh, staining them red. 

you thought he would hurt you. 

“i…” luke trailed off, stuffing his hands in his pockets. he cleared his throat, “i didn’t come here to fight. i could never hurt you.” 

“i don’t know anymore, luke,” you bit your lip, heart breaking as you spoke to him. “i never thought that we’d end up like this.” 

“come with me,” he begged. “run away with me.” 

“is this what you came here for?” you asked, “to try to recruit me like you did with percy?” 

“no,” he shook his head vigorously. he was on the verge of getting on his knees to beg you to believe him. “i want out. i messed up, angel.” 

“you did,” you whispered. he looked genuine like he meant it, like he did want to run away from it. a piece of you wanted to say yes, yes, i’ll run away with you. tell me where to go and i’ll follow you, but it was the part of you that still clung to him. the foolish part of you who still wanted to believe that the boy you met when you were younger, stubborn, selfless, sweet, luke castellan was still there. 

you listened to that part of you on the final night in the hermes cabin, when you told him you loved him and he said nothing back. you tried so hard to lock that part of you away since that night, but it was hard to deny it when he was there in front of you.

“tell me what i can do to fix it,” luke felt like he was going crazy. “anything, angel. i’ll do it. just say the word.” 

you closed your eyes, “there’s nothing you can do anymore, luke.” 

“that can’t be true,” he hiccuped. 

“you need to go.” 

over the last few years, luke experienced brutal types of torture. he often spent days without sleeping, too afraid that kronos would visit him while he dreamt. he fought monsters he didn’t realize existed. he walked away from fights barely hanging onto a thread of life, but this– you telling him that there was nothing else left for him, like he no longer had a place in your life, this was a different type of torture that might just send him plummeting to his end. 

“please don’t come back here,” you added, motioning to the buildings behind you. “this was the one place in my life you haven’t tainted.” 

his apology was left stuck in his throat as you walked away, not once looking back at him. 

iii. but i can't help him, can't make him better and i can't do nothing about his strange weather. 

“y/n,” percy said, approaching you from behind. 

it was the summer. you were sitting on the pier, a joint loosely hanging off your lips. you put out the lit end on the wooden pier, stuffing the joint in your pocket. you knew percy knew you smoked, but you still tried to hide it from him as much as possible. he was too young. 

“hey, perce,” you smiled, kindly, scooting over to give him space to sit next to you. “sorry. you caught me. i’m not really being a good role model right now.” 

“it’s okay,” he assured you, sitting beside you. he looked out into the lake, extending his fingers to cause a ripple effect in the water. “i don’t judge.” 

you nudged his shoulder. percy looked his age in the light of the sunset. you wondered if you ever looked that young. “don’t tell mr. d.” 

“he has plenty of other things to worry about,” percy scoffed, “how are you?” 

you knew why he was asking. beth had told you today that they saw luke in the labyrinth. he was now kronos’ host. when she first told you, you were stone cold, no emotion on your face. you knew something like this was possible. it was only a matter of time until you lost luke all over again, completely this time, but it still hurt even though you knew it was coming. you simply nodded and walked off, finding solace at the pier as you always did. 

“i’m okay,” you replied, though your voice said differently. you played with the sleeves of your sweater, luke’s sweater actually. he left it in the hermes cabin along with the rest of his things. nobody dared to touch it so his bed remained the same as it was years ago, collecting dust. “he came to see me in berkeley… before, y’know.” 

“did he?” 

“yeah,” you sighed, leaning back on your elbows. “he said he wanted out. asked me to run away with him.” 

percy looked at you, “what did you say?” 

“i told him it was too late,” you met his gaze. “i don’t know if it actually was.” 

he didn’t know what to say to that. he’d only witnessed your relationship with luke for a few hours when he returned to camp for the first time. it was only a few years ago, but percy felt like it had been lifetimes. he’d heard about you and luke from annabeth and grover. when there were lulls in their conversations, one of them would bring you up and joke about how you and luke should just confess your feelings for one another. percy didn’t understand it until he saw the way luke was with you. 

luke, who’d taken him under his wing, was love struck. percy didn’t know how he didn’t notice it before, but there were traces of you weaved into luke’s life. a picture of the two of you in his wallet, a small cal berkeley flag taped messily on his wall, a box of his things under his bed that were reserved for you, doodles of hearts in black and pink ink on luke’s counselor clipboard when he did cabin checks, you were in every piece of him. 

luke was glued to your side the entire time you were there and nobody batted an eye. it was normal. luke and y/n, two names that seemed to go together, like they were meant to be uttered right after each other. it felt right. 

“i met your mom,” he said, “she was weird.” 

“sorry,” you couldn’t help but chuckle. “what did she say?” 

“she was obsessed with me and annabeth,” there was a blush creeping up on percy’s cheeks. he looked down at his lap to shy away, but you caught it. it was such a teenage boy response of percy to call your mom, the goddess of love, weird because she caught onto the two kids’ feelings for each other. 

“yeah, she does that,” you decided to spare him the details of why. you were sure the boy would explode in embarrassment if you told him that you also knew about his feelings for beth. you sensed it when you returned to camp last summer. there were inklings of it when you first met them, but now their bond was stronger and it was harder to ignore. “she used to obsess over me and luke.” 

percy blinked, “she said your love was her favorite to watch.” 

now it was your turn to go red, “did she?” 

“yeah,” he nodded, “annabeth thinks that you’re aphrodite’s favorite because you and luke had a great love and she was drawn to it, which is a little mean if you ask me.” 

“agreed,” you replied, “i… i miss him, percy.” 

“i know.” 

“i love him,” you cried, smudging the mascara on your eyes. 

“i know.” 

“he wasn’t always like this,” percy watched your eyes unfocus, like you were playing back the memories you had with luke in your head. “when we were younger, before luke was the golden boy, he used to help me sneak out of camp when i’d get home sick. he’d take me to this abandoned cabin a few miles away. an old couple used to live there and they set up a little free library. luke knew i loved to read so he would take me there so i could pick out new books for the summer.” 

“i didn’t know it then, but before i got to camp, he would steal books from stores during trips into the city and put them in there so i would have new selections to choose from when i got back,” you had a fond smile on your face as you continued, “the cabin was sold to new owners and they took the library down a while back. i think they thought nobody really used it anymore.” 

“he was always good at sneaking around,” you hummed, “he’d walk out of a place with something that wasn’t his inside his pocket; a lollipop for a new camper who was missing home a little extra one summer, a can of soda for beth from mr. d’s stash when it got too hot under the sun, a flower from the demeter kids’ secret garden for me. he never got caught, but everyone knew it was him. i don’t think anyone cared, though, because it was luke. he always had good intentions at the end of the day.” 

“do you think he’s still there?” percy asked, voice hushed into a whisper. “do you think he could ever come back to being that way?” 

“probably not,” you turned to face him. you were mourning him, percy realized then. luke wasn’t dead, not physically anyway, but the way you spoke about him felt like he was already gone. “luke, he internalizes everything he does. he beats himself up over the things he does wrong. if he were to survive this, i don’t think he’d ever forgive himself for it.” 

“this life, this prophecy, it feels like too much sometimes,” he mumbled. the sun was gone now, the two of you sat in the dark, listening to the calm sounds of the water. “i still feel like i don’t know what i’m doing most days.” 

“yeah,” you played with the pink lighter in your hand. the heart you drew on the plastic was long gone and there was no more fluid in it, but you kept it anyway. “my prophecy said that i would lose a love to worse than death and i ignored then because it didn’t make any sense to me, but now it does.” 

“i’m sorry.” percy didn’t know if it was the right thing to say. 

you smiled at him differently, like you were tired, a look of resignation across your face. you stood up, motioning for him to follow you back to camp to join the others. as you walked together in silence, you noticed a single dove fly across the horizon. 

iv. high, neglectful lover. you’re crumbling, sadly. you’re sadly, crumbling. 

you’d fought through your wounds, even as your bones ached and your blood stained the clothes over your body. luke appeared then. you didn’t know if the gods took on mercy on you at that moment, or if was the lack of energy to distinguish real life from your dreams, or a mist that covered the truth from you then, but the world seemed to stop and everyone seemed to fade away. 

all you saw was luke, in his camp half-blood shirt, five beads around his neck, the same boyish smile on his face. his eyes were sparkling as he approached you. his lips felt soft to the touch and his voice was kind. 

“my angel,” he said, wrapping his arms around you the same way he always did when you returned to him each summer. 

if you were to choose the way death came for you, you would choose it just like this, you decided– in the arms of the one love you’d ever known.

[balorscitygvns]

by my side

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: Chris Sabin x Reader

𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅: Alex Shelley, Rhea Ripley, AJ Styles, Zelina Vega

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: angst | comfort

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓: one-shot [requested by @maliciousdemeanor ]

⸻

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘:

After months of betrayal, pain, and survival, you finally get your shot at redemption — and the Women’s Championship — against Rhea Ripley. WrestleMania 41. Las Vegas. Main event. Night One. An unsanctioned war. And the one person who never left your side? Chris Sabin. Sometimes, you don’t just fight for gold—you fight for the people who never stopped believing in you.

⸻

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒:

▸ Wrestling Violence

▸ Blood

▸ Injuries

▸ Swearing

⸻

“I loved you when we were just friends. I love you even more now.”

⸻

⸻

Backstage, minutes before your entrance.

Your hands trembled as you tightened the tape around your wrists. Somewhere beyond the curtain, the crowd buzzed like a living, breathing ocean. Thousands of people. Millions more watching.

You pulled at your gear, heart pounding so hard it hurt.

The memories crashed over you—

Rhea laughing over your body after she blindsided you months ago, the crack of your ribs snapping under steel steps.

The weeks off TV. The doctors. The whispers.

“You’ll never make it back.”

“You’re just another career Rhea ended.”

Your chest burned.

That’s when Chris found you.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just walked up, hands shoved in his hoodie pockets.

He studied you quietly, the way only he could, the way he had learned after being friends with you for so long.

“You’re shaking,” he said, voice low.

You nodded, looking down.

Chris stepped closer, gently bumping your arm with his. “Listen to me, okay?”

You glanced up.

Chris’s voice was steady. Like a lighthouse in a storm.

“I may not have a match at WrestleMania. No entrance. No pyro. Nothing.”

He paused, letting it settle.

“But you do. Because you earned it. Because you survived when everybody said you wouldn’t. You’ve fought harder than anyone on this damn roster.”

You bit your lip, blinking fast.

“And if I have to sit in that gorilla position all night just to watch you take your place—”

Chris smiled, soft and sure.

“—then that’s exactly what I’ll do. Because I’ll always be here. I’m not going anywhere, y/n.”

The lump in your throat almost choked you.

He leaned in, pressing his forehead to yours for a second, grounding you.

“Go steal the show.”

You breathed in, slow.

And you walked to the curtain with Chris’s voice still echoing in your chest.

⸻

The match wasn’t a match.

It was war.

Steel chairs. Trash cans. Kendo sticks. Chains.

You and Rhea tore each other apart like wild animals.

Every punch you threw carried the weight of months of pain.

Every boot to the face, every suplex onto concrete, was revenge written in blood.

Rhea set up a table outside the ring, lighter fluid glinting under the arena lights.

You knew the spot.

You took the hit before, staggered to the apron—

And when Rhea climbed after you, cocky and laughing

You ran, leapt onto the second rope—

Sunset Flip Powerbomb. Straight through the flaming table.

The arena exploded.

Both of you lay in the wreckage, smoke curling into the Vegas Stadium.

But you moved first.

Dragging her into the ring, teeth gritted through pain.

You hooked her up—

LONE STAR SILENCER. (Canadian Destroyer)

You crashed down.

You hooked the leg.

ONE. TWO. THREE.

NEW CHAMPION.

⸻

You barely heard the bell.

Barely felt the belt pressed into your hands.

Chris was already sliding under the ropes, running toward you, arms out like he couldn’t get to you fast enough.

He scooped you up off your knees, spun you around, laughing breathless against your temple.

You clung to him, burying your face into his hoodie, letting the tears fall freely now.

Alex Shelley was next, then AJ, Zelina, and then the locker room spilled out — both stars from this roaster and people you’ve know since TNA celebrating you like you’d just saved wrestling itself.

Alex and Chris lifted you onto their shoulders, belt raised high above your head.

You sobbed harder, and then you realized: you were still holding onto Chris’s hand.

⸻

You asked for a mic.

You stood in the center of the ring, the Women’s Title over your shoulder, blood and sweat staining your gear.

The crowd wouldn’t stop chanting your name.

You swallowed, chest aching, but forced yourself to speak.

“This—”

You lifted the title high.

“—isn’t just for me.”

The audience roared.

“This is for every single one of you who’ve been told you’re replaceable. Breakable. Forgettable.”

You paused, voice cracking.

“And this is for the people who never let me believe that lie.

For my brother Pat (Alex). For my trainer Allen (AJ). For my Sister Thea (Zelina). For my best friend Josh (Chris).”

You turned, looking at each and everyone one of them when you said their name, lastly looking at Chris, He was smiling—small, proud, eyes glassy.

“For you, my friend. Because without you, Sabin… I wouldn’t be standing here.”

The crowd chanted his name now too.

Chris ducked his head, bashful.

You laughed through the tears.

“I survived. I thrived. And I’m just getting started.” You dropped the mic.

Confetti exploded.

Fireworks went off.

⸻

Once Backstage.

Chris didn’t let go of your hand once.

Not when you collapsed onto a crate in Gorilla, still sobbing.

Not when the trainers checked you over.

Not when the cameras tried to crowd in and he physically blocked them.

Alex slung an arm around your shoulders, careful of your bruises.

“You good, kid?” he asked, voice warm.

You nodded, shaky.

“I’m… I’m good. I think.”

He squeezed your shoulder.

Chris crouched in front of you, studying your face.

“You scared the hell out of me with that table spot,” he muttered.

Alex had laughed at that,

“Brother I think she scared us all.”

You smiled weakly, looking between the two men who had taken you in since day one.

“Had to go big.”

“You went fucking nuclear.”

You laughed. Then, softer:

“You were right. About crashing. It was beautiful.”

Chris looked at you for a long moment. Alex had walked to your locker room to get your stuff for you.

Something shifted.

Looking in his ocean colored eyes, your chest heaving with emotion. The one you have loved for so long was right there.

You couldn’t wait.

You leaned into him, curled your fingers into his jacket, and kissed him right there, backstage, on the crate, while you’re in pain.

When you pulled back, breathless, Chris rested his forehead against yours and whispered:

“I loved you when we were just friends…. I love you even more now.”

Alex whooped somewhere behind you. Someone else shouted, “Finally!”

You didn’t care.

When you finally pulled back, breathless, Chris pressed his forehead to yours.

You have what you wanted: A Wrestlemania Main Event, A First Ever WWE Women’s Unsanctioned Match, A Championship, Ending Your Feud, and now you have the man of your dreams, your best friend. Joshua Harter aka Chris Sabin.

[viloxity]

ooooo you do yandere guilty gear stuff? Could you please make some headcanons for Ky? Thank you in advance!

Divine Love — Yan!Ky Kiske HC x Reader

A/N: finally had time to finish this—thanks for the request! been looking for an excuse to do yandere strive hehe. since there’s no general prompt I decided to wing my own idea—there was a lot on my mind so it stems away from HC into a mini-fic…oops? Anyway, hope you like it! feedback always appreciated. maybe sol or asuka next?

WC: 3.2k

- A prodigal swordsman in his youth, Ky Kiske was a polished gem that rose amongst the ranks in the Sacred Order of Holy Knights. His commitment to fighting alongside humanity to end the Crusades awarded him honor and nobility—he was a man who was recognized as a hero, a powerhouse that rivaled the Guilty Gear himself.

- Yet, no matter how much recognition he was given, that would never take away the burning images of horrifying expressions, unmoving bodies, and blood-soaked hands.

- The end of the Crusades was welcomed with open arms by humanity, and Ky Kiske could not help but consider society’s naivety. Their ‘peace’ was forged from mountains of corpses littering destroyed land, with some unable to be recovered. It was not only war that forged him, but war that shaped humanity, too.

- The joy, the celebrations that placed people like Ky at the frontier made him sick. As his name rung throughout the land of Illyria—thousands chanting his name to the heavens—Ky merely stared emptily.

- Then, the day he was crowned king, standing amongst his peers, he felt the knot around his heart trembling violently, as if the strings were snapping one by one.

- You are crowning a killer. You are crowning a killer that reaped more lives than could be remembered.

- The people Ky Kiske fought so hard to protect, the ones who he wanted to save so that they would never face a sorry fate that matched his mother’s, then threatened the life of him and his son.

- Disgusting, disgusting, disgusting. Perhaps Ariels was right.

- It was on a whim that Ky, wrapped in ragged clothes and cloak, visited a small town in Illyria.

- His kingly life that adorned him with beautiful white coats and an egregious amount of riches came at a price of remembering civilization’s transgressions as well as his own. One day, those same nice white suits would be dyed red as he slayed more beings over and over and over and over—

- If the next war brewing came to fruition, would he remain the same?

- Where did he stand?

“Your suffering is not in vain—we hear you.”

Your words were soft-spoken as you handed a familiar woman a piece of bread and a bottle of water. She bowed as she took the food, tears welling her eyes.

“Bless you, bless you,” She repeated, hands clasped around yours.

“May all that is holy be with you in these trying times.”

The battles with Ariels was a reminder about war and its consequences. The fragments scattered just along the borders of Illyria suffered the most—which is where you exactly resided.

The capital is too engrossed in its affairs that happens within its imaginary wall that they never noticed how you and your people have suffered. To get help from them could take months, or years—that is why the Church acts in their stead instead.

And in their stead they shall, for they have already taken initiative in providing donations to the public in need.

Picking up another piece of bread, your eyes stray away from the others to a hooded figure standing a few feet away. As if they sensed you, cold, blue eyes match your gaze and you cannot help but shake slightly. They had been watching for awhile from a distance, yet they never moved towards the Church at all. It is with honest conviction that you stride forward with hands fully spread out to help those in need.

The blue eyes shake slightly, as if almost baffled by the action. They do not shift their gaze, and do not make a move for the bread.

You smile gently. “If you are in need of something, perhaps start with this?”

The person’s lips twitch and you can make out their nose scrunched from a little beyond the darkness veiling them. There was one beat, then two, before a voice finally graced your ears.

“I would like to ask a question.” The voice spoke, sounding gravely tired but of a sophisticated timbre that flowed through your ears like water.

You nodded encouragingly, hoping you successfully masked your surprise at the stranger’s sudden inquiry and manner of speech. Were you imagining the man’s formalities?

That didn’t matter, regardless.

“What value is there to life and certainty?”

You blinked, pondering for a few moments. A heavy question, indeed, but one that you were familiar with. After all, it had been contemplated so often that the answer came almost as second-nature to you.

“Life is an embodiment of various beings and things, encompassing the Divine One’s innovation and creativity. Life is infinite and therefore its value is inherently infinite as well.”

His eyes were fully entrenched onto yours, the beautiful blues reminding you of the vivid sky above the two of you.

“As for certainty… that is a question that will always be asked by us humans. Can I or can I not, or should I or should I not? Certainty can only be answered by beings whose beliefs are as rooted as the oldest trees that remain on earth.” You said, fingers gently curling and uncurling around the bread.

The man stared some more. You wished you could see his expression, to truly know the thoughts that plagued his mind and to reassure him of his doubts. He seemed troubled, so troubled, that your heart was aching.

“Beliefs… how does one root them?”

‘I’m lost and cannot find my way.’ Words, after all, never had one intended meaning.

“I cannot say whether there is an objective right way or not,” You said, eyes crinkling apologetically.

“But, do know this: salvation is paved by hope.”

“Hope?” The man repeated, wind swaying the hood of his cloak slightly to reveal beautiful blond hair.

You smiled knowingly, having once echoed that very same word. “Nothing can be done without hope.”

- it was after this encounter, perhaps, that sealed your fate.

- The hooded man quickly became acquainted with the Church where you resided, your eyes sweeping the room where it always eventually met the familiar torn material. For every prayer, recitation, and baptism he was in attendance and was seemingly engrossed in each activity.

- When you were in attendance, he would be present—whether you noticed or not.

That crawling feeling was back again. The one that made your spine tingle and welcomed a burst of cold wind that completely tempered your body’s homeostasis. It was after the Church’s weekly activity that you traced your uneasiness back to piercing bright ocean blues.

Your discomfort lingered as you made eye contact, yet you shrugged it off to be the nervousness from numerous gazes that buzzed around you. It ended up being a motivator to excuse yourself from the circle you were in to make strides towards the man that sat on one of the bench’s near the corner.

“Greetings,” You bowed, a small smile elevating your face at the man’s head perking up.

“Ah,” The man’s cloak shook, and your eyes noticed the gloved hands curling around the Rosary Beads.

“I am happy to see you becoming well-acquainted with us.” You nodded towards the Beads. “Has the difficulty of your journey towards belief alleviated at all?”

The man—regaining composure, you assumed, as he rubbed his thumb across one of the beads—hummed.

“It is clearer, but akin to observing a picture with an unfocused lens.” His voice was more lively than the last time—purposeful.

“If possible, I would like to learn more about faith.”

‘He is eager,’ you thought happily.

“Faith is one belief that concerns itself with following that of divine authority, such as the Divine One.” Your hand gestured towards the statue placed in the middle of the Church.

“It is a pledge to that which is holy to abide by One’s teachings. In having faith, one establishes trust with that which is greater.”

“Faith, then, is loyalty?” The man surmised.

“Correct. Loyalty is how we connect with divinity.”

The end of your teaching was followed by a few pastors requesting your presence. You quickly waved goodbye to the lonesome man, ignoring the sudden tenseness that swelled past your shoulders.

“Loyalty in following…” The man murmured, uncaringly burning his gaze into your backside.

Yes, the way your hair gently swayed as the wind blew and your sparkling smiles that enchanted his dark soul instilled a powerful sense that made his entire body tremble.

His legs shook and he willed himself not to bend his knees there and then as he greedily watched your rescinding silhouette.

- You received an invitation to visit the capital of Illyria on behalf of the Church at the request of an unspecified royal.

- The capital was big, beautiful, and bold—its inhabitants were nothing less than that.

- You, accompanied by a fellow male pastor, watched in awe from the carriage as you passed by various structures and villas.

- There would be initial greetings, then a grand party hosted by the Kings to celebrate another year of peace to the kingdom.

- Exiting the carriage and entering the palace was a different experience entirely—one that you could not fully describe

- As you continued to be enlightened, you eventually stumbled upon a blond man with bright blue eyes

Ah, wait, didn’t he look—

Catching your fellow company bowing from the corner of your eye, you quickly snapped your head down.

“My humble greetings to one of the Suns of Illyria,” Your companion—Peter—said, recovering swiftly.

There was a long, dreadful pause—an excruciating tremor passing through you at what you thought was the heat of the room. Your partner tapped your foot at the king’s silence.

“My humble greetings—and apologies—to one of the Suns of Illyria.” You were silently praying the noble in front of you did not pay attention to your lapse in formality.

“It is so wonderful to see you.” The king’s response came so quickly at the end of your words you couldn’t help but peek from underneath your eyelashes.

To say that Ky Kiske was simply a ‘Sun of Illyria’ was an understatement. The illumination of the room you were standing in was not of the photons transcending beyond the glass panels but of King Kiske’s exuberant smile. His golden hair reminded you of the daisies and sunflowers that lined the gates of Illyria and his blue eyes reflected the sky itself. The king’s posture, so upright and composed, rivaled that of the still lakes which oversee a multitude of beings underneath its tranquil waters.

Still, his smile did little to cease the burning stare into your body. And did little to quell your agitation.

King Kiske tilted his head. “What have you been up to since arriving?”

“Just—touring,” You meekly replied. A flash of pain pouring out of your head made you avert your gaze away from eyes seemingly tracking your every movement.

The king’s actions made you feel nervous, yet nervous over what? You silently prayed for strength, something that used to come easily to you under the roof your home’s Church.

“The agriculture and architect of Illyria is astounding.” Peter added, posturing in front of you to block his gaze.

The downturn of the king’s smile into a still-expression was immediate. It was almost as if he was just now registering the extra body beside you.

“I don’t recall asking for your input.” King Kiske’s voice was teetering beyond his collected tone, just enough for you to catch Peter flinch in front of you.

The king ran a quick hand through his hair, an expression you couldn’t quite catch now masked under an eerie coolness. Warning chimes rung through your mind as you gripped Peter’s hand tightly.

“Forgive us for the indecency but we must get going.” You said, already stringing along your companion. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Let us cross paths again soon.” You did not bother to look back, fearing you might get even more sickly over that saccharine smile.

Once out of sight, you let out a shaky breath you did not even know you were holding.

- You both traveled around for a while before the party, killing time and distracting yourselves from admitting that conversation ever happened in the first place.

- There was a sinking feeling, one that started from the surface but was melting all the way down to your gut.

- It was a feeling you strongly despised, one that you did not experience even as individuals reprimanded you for not giving enough food or losing your loved ones to Gears.

- When it came time for the party, it was nearly ten times more grand than you could have expected it to be

- The vitality encompassing the gala simmered your experience earlier but did not quite eliminate it.

- At Peter’s request, you both separated—wandering the room so that you may see everything.

- You were distracted, to the point where you did not notice the blond male slowly trailing behind you, even with the crowd he carried with him.

- When it came time to reunite with Peter, you spent quite the amount of time looking for him

- He, too, was looking around, yet he was nowhere to be seen.

- With the crowds seeming ever larger and your breaths drawing shorter, you stepped out into the palace’s garden.

The flowers, illuminated under the translucent moon’s gaze, looked even more invigorated than they were under the sun.

…The sun. The mere thought of it made you feel perturbed. It was like an itch you couldn’t scratch, a lingering feeling that drifted far out of your reach. An irremediable state of mind.

On nights where you felt the most… unlike yourself, you snuck back into the church. A small sin, perhaps, but praying under the statue was all you could do to relieve your conscious. Others felt the same, too, as you united from time to time with fellow pastors—a shared faith between you all.

Under the crescent moon in Illyria’s palace garden, there was no statue to turn to. But, when you find Peter then you cou—

A sharp shriek filled the air, startling you off a fountain’s marble perch you were previously sitting on. As the screams echoed, their tone was tinged with a familiarity that you used to find complacency in.

Within seconds you were running, towards thick bushes in the center of the garden that resembled border walls. Navigating through various greenery kept your mind occupied as you continuously prayed the shrieking was of your imagination.

The next shrill cry sounded fainter, and this time you knew it was real.

Reaching the center, your heart sunk at familiar white robes tinged with a dark, crimson substance. The man on the floor was trying desperately to breathe, clutching his neck as more crimson drew out. Your gasp of air as you sucked in a heavy breath felt like an insult as his eyes met yours.

“Peter!” You cried out, hand reaching for him.

Desperately, his hand reached for yours, shaking wildly as his fingers sprawled out. Although fear and panic painted his features, a small sliver of relief reflected in his irises.

A small shuffle of movement from beyond the shadows made you realize you two were not fully alone, the cries welling in your throat propagating a moment too late as a sword plunged straight through Peter’s chest.

The Thunderseal, one of the eight Sacred Treasures that burned away Gears in droves on the battlefield, had splatters of blood between its white and blues. The faint sparks that emitted around the blade as it slowly pulled out of the sunken man’s chest was subservient in the elimination of its foes. In truth, the one wielding the Thunderseal is the epitome of the ‘storm’ itself—the on bringer of destruction and endless ferocity.

Encased in cloudy blue orbs was an eerie coolness; a stillness that acted as a facade for the raging tide that plagued his mind. No longer was a ‘human’ in front of you, but perhaps the true form of the man who performed the role of a king.

“With this blade I have torn lives apart; too many, in fact, that each name and face are fleeting memories unveiled only when I dream,” Ky Kiske said, gloved hand raising the Thunderseal.

Its brilliance danced under the light yet looked dimmer around the parts covered by crimson. You wanted to look away, to pretend its history was not there, but that would never take away the tragedy it brought.

“I had a purpose for fighting but it withered to the point it was unrecognizable.”

For a moment, Ky stared at his hand, gaze longing for something he could not quite grasp.

You took a step back. There was something very, very wrong with your interaction back then and you wished you left. Not only for your sake, but for Peter. The regret and fear pooling your stomach made you want to vomit but perhaps there was a chance you could still escape this. With enough faith—

Ky smiled. “I like the look in your eyes.”

“Yes, it was you who gave me meaning.” He continued, legs slightly bending.

“It wasn’t Kliff, who gave me the Thunderseal, or Sol, who I’ve fight alongside all these years… but you.

“You gave me hope.”

Your eyes widened. “No—you?”

It made a lot more sense now, the small familiarities that were piling up. The similarities the two shared… it was all connected to the same person. But, back then, he was timid; someone who exuded strength but no reason to wield it. He changed so quickly that he…?

“This is absurd! After everything I’ve taught you, this was your answer?” You cried, finger pointing at him.

“Committing murder—that’s the biggest sin of all!”

“He got too close to you,” Ky snarled, “He turned from a nuisance to a parasite so I got rid of him. The mere idea of him being so close to you…”

He drew a shaky breath, running a hand through his slightly ragged hair. Ky resumed his kneeling position a few feet in front of you, and despite being farther, you felt like he would chase you with as much ease as walking.

“The day I met you, I pledged myself to you. You are the presence I have been looking for all this time, the taste of holiness that will cleanse me of not evil, but emptiness.”

“My Goddess,” He whispered.

Ky smiled—the genuine kind—a type of smile he thought he could no longer do.

His sword plunged into the ground, the sharp scraping and clattering stronger than when he pierced Peter’s chest.

“All I ask is to be your only knight and loyal follower.”

Ky raised his head and you could see the faint blush tinging his cheeks and turbulence swirling within his eyes.

“You’re too far gone…” You murmured quietly, heart held against your chest in an attempt to still its frantic beating.

“I could never agree to something like this, especially with words bespoken from that of such a monstrosity such as you.”

His entire body flinched and he was standing upright within a flash.

“Is there more competition? Is that it?” Ky asked, ocean blue eyes widened. There was a slight quiver in his voice and visible shaking surrounding his body, as if a loved one passed away.

Ky gripped his scabbard after a minute and the trembling vanished.

“…That is reasonable. I must prove my worth to Her Holiness.”

He flung the blood still encased around his blade, clots of red scattering on the ground.

“Shall I show you why they call me lightning?”

[ruggiezz]

— LATINO HEADCANONS : twisted wonderland

[synopsis] twst characters as latinos and things they do as your boyfriend

[characters] ruggie, azul, jade, floyd

[disclaimer] these are NOT meant to be taken as canon, it's just me having fun with characters i hc as latinos (as a latino that lives in south america)

★ RUGGIE BUCCHI (brazilian)

Enjoyed carnavais (carnavals) a lot as a child. It was the highlight of his month, happening every february. He would watch the carnaval every year with the other kids from his neighborhood. Now that he's studying at NRC and he doesn't have the chance to, he just watches through his phone when the season arrives.

Asks you to watch football matches with him. He says he doesn't care much about the result but then you'll find him frowning (if Brazil loses which doesn't happen a lot) while doing Leona's chores. Will also scream when his country scores a goal.

Wears shoes inside the house. Almost all latin american countries (if not all) wear shoes inside the house and it's considered impolite not to, so he probably does, so you'll have to tell him to take them off. Will look at you confused but will comply.

Had one Ronaldinho shirt that was gifted to him when he was younger. It no longer fits him, so he gifted it to another kid from his neighborhood that really likes football. If you enjoy watching football with him he would save money and gift you a shirt from your favorite brasilian player (because it would be very awkward if you were wearing a shirt from the opposite team). It just fills him with pride for his country.

Shares "pé de moleque" or "cocada" with you he made because he missed eating it. Will also be very proud of himself if you enjoy it, but if not, he could always cook another brasilian dessert.

★ AZUL ASHENGROTTO (chilean)

Was born in the Pacific ocean, near the part that Chile and Peru share, in the chilean part. Is used to earthquakes and is scarily calm during them, even when he is in land he just doesn't care about them.

"HOUSEWARDEN AZUL I THINK THERE'S AN EARTHQUAKE WE NEED TO GO TO SAFETY"

"Let me finish my paperwork first, it'll just take 5 minutes"

When he was a kid, the tweels used to say they didn't understand his spanish as a joke-that's-not-a-joke-but-it-is because chileans tend to use "wea" (thing) a lot on their vocabulary. He also speaks very fast in spanish, something that the tweels are used to.

Doesn't care about football, but does care when his team is against Peru because the tweels will force him to watch only to get scarily silent when Chile scores a goal.

"GOOOOL CHILENO" (GOAL FROM THE CHILEANS) and then the tweels both look at Azul in silence. And they stare. And Azul starts sweating.

Watched 31 minutos as a kid and is eager, but he will not admit it, to show it to you too. He will try his best to translate, bare with him, it's not his fault it doesn't have english subtitles. His favorite was Tulio, because the man was just trying not to go broke.

Fights with the tweels over food. The endless "is this peruvian or chilean food" debate. Expects you to take his side, take his side, please, he's your boyfriend.

His favorite food is pastel de choclo.

★ JADE LEECH (peruvian)

Was born in the Pacific ocean too, the peruvian part. His spanish borders more the "neutral" spanish, since he doesn't use much peruvian slang, but a few words do slip sometimes, when he's with Floyd.

Like other peruvians, he's very passionate about peruvian food, and he claims Peru has the best food ever. If you don't agree he will smile menacignly and stare at you.

Listens to cumbia while cleaning Mostro Lounge during closing shift. But he listens to the ones that are about heartbreak and tragic stuff so he can clean dramatically. Will show you a lot of his favorite songs and maybe, even dedicate one to you.

Probably laughs at the memes Floyd sends him about the chaotic things that happen at Peru daily. Like that time Tasha from the backyardigans and Peppa pig fought in the middle of the street.

Got into a fight with Azul over including peruvian food and chilean food in Mostro Lounge, because they couldn't agree over who's country owned the food. At the end they just agreed to not include the food and left it at that because neither side wanted to agree the other was right.

Eats causa de pulpo (causa made of octopus) a lot. Probably his favorite peruvian dish. He will also introduce you to a lot of his gastronomy, it's really good, believe him.

★ FLOYD LEECH (peruvian)

Unlike Jade, his spanish has a LOT of peruvian slang. He also speaks fast, not as fast as Azul though.

Like the average peruvian teenager, he listens to "El faraón love shady: el Dios de la versatilidad", which is a popular peruvian singer that became popular because teenagers find him funny. He sent a lot of his music videos to the whatsapp group chat the three of them have, much to Azul's dismay.

"I AM HAPPY, YA ME SUPERÉ, YA NO ANDO MISIO COMO AYER" (i am happy, i outdid myself, i'm no longer broke like yesterday)

"Floyd please lower your voice, you are scaring the customers..."

He's constantly snacking with peruvian snacks he bought to bring to NRC so he wouldn't get hungry. Floyd spend his allowance in them so he has boxes full of them in his room.

Will confess to you with Azul (against his will) and Jade's (that agreed, amused) help. He will bring a speaker, a sign that has "Will you be my s/o" written with different colors, and a flower bouquet.

So expect to be getting ready to sleep at night in Ramshackle, when suddenly music starts blasting outside your window and you see this:

His favorite food is ceviche.

[moon-quq]

Sanji × Fem!Reader

Sanji is hot, yes. And this is mainly based off the Live Action version so, yehh.. wouldn't really say spoilers as I jumped parts a good ammount to reach the smut, but enjoy~! @gamekun I dedicate this to you.

Warning: FemDom, Pegging, Praise, Swearing, Sanji is a goddamn bottom, both characters are switches. <3

You grew up along side Sanji, from the day you were dropped on that ship to following the boy around in the kitchen to help with anything at all.. However Sanji was always picking fights with the head chef because he wanted to have something cooked a certain way. Which that went on for ages, until the night pirates came to raid the ship.. " Sanji Im scared! " You sobbed, holding onto him whilst he backed you both up into a corner, a knife grasped in his hand tightly. " Don't worry, I've got you. " You knew he was brave, Sanji always was even in the most fucked up of situations,, However you knew that you both didn't stand a chance against a ship of pirates. And soon enough a big scary man barged through the door proving your point exactly,, the man however started looking around to notice what Sanji had last been cooking,, what he did next shocked you, he tasted it and said that it was good but needed oregano which caused Sanji to launch towards the man while screaming. " SANJI NO! " You yelped, chasing after him blindly.. Then everything blacked out,, you did not remember much after that.. You woke up on a cold wet rock in the middle of the ocean, with no one around. " What happened to everyone? " You heard Sanji ask the man,, The man of course said they all died before throwing a bag at him. " This is for you and her, go slow as its the only rations we have, and dont bug me unless you see a ship. " And with that.. The horror of your life began in motion, for days on end you sat at the edge of the rock beside Sanji, never speaking a word...

Time Skip ➜

The man who had rescued you both soon enough became a guardian of sorts, as well as revealing that he was a pirate named Red Leg of the cook pirates. At some point he even retired and became the chef and owner of a restaurant named Baratie. Along side were you and Sanji who were still as close as ever, you dare say you even became a couple after long enough. Zeff was always harsh on Sanji about his cooking, but Sanji put up with it and kept creating new things,, Till the day a bunch of shit excuses of pirates came into the place. One wearing a straw hat, one with 3 swords,, one with weird hair,, and another, a female with orange hair. Sanji became almost instantly infatuated with the orange haired woman which caused your blood to absolutely boil. You knew he was a flirt by nature to get better tips but, the way he absolutely stared at her didn't sit right with you. That night you hardly saw him, he was off doing god knows what with seas know fucking who. It was the first night you had slept alone in the bed and you hated it.. You hated it so much that you even cried a little.

Time Skip ➜

After having gotten to know the band of pirates as well as help Zeff save the green haired one youd come to learn was named Zoro, you'd forgiven Sanji and he apologized for being so absent so everything was back to normal as it should have been. All good things come to an end at some point, always.. and that ending was the day Luffy was almost killed by Arlong.. Nami had betrayed the entire group and fled with the map Luffy so desperately fought to get,, but even in the situation being so dire you couldn't help but stare at Sanji. After he dove into the water to save the little pirate, he sat knelt on the dock panting softly.. The unholy thoughts that racked your brain watching him kneel like that was the most inappropriate thing for the moment.

Even later that evening while everyone recuperated themselves you were lost in thought, imagining the ways you could bend the blonde to your will. You couldn't lie, the last time you and Sanji had been physical was months ago now, and it made your thoughts even worse. " Y/N? Are you alright? " Luffy called, eyeing you from his side of the ship which snapped you back to attention, nodding quickly before standing. " Im.. going to go find Sanji, try to get some rest guys. Goodnight " You muttered, glancing at Usopp before fulling leaving.You eventually did find Sanji, in your bedroom on the Baratie packing some of his things. " So you're going with them? As Zeff said. " Sanji only nodded, continuing as he was until you came to stop him by grabbing his arm. " Do you plan to take me with you or leave me here? " And with this you saw pain cross Sanjis face. " I can't take you with me, this is dangerous, and Zeff needs you.. And I won't be anything if I stay on this ship. " You only grinned, taking his words as a challenge. " You really think, I'm going let you walk out of here without bringing me with? Think again, now be a good boy, and kneel for me my love " Sanjis face now went blank, almost like he stopped thinking but his body obeyed like it always has and sunk down to the floor, his hands resting on his knees. " Im.. forgive me mon amour.. I will not abandon you here.. " At this you smiled softly, running your hand through his hair while he leaned into your stomach. " Can we have some fun..? " He muttered just loud enough for you to hear it, which caused your smile to grow ten fold,, as your hand traveled along the crown of his head to the back of his head you grabbed a handful of his hair to pull his head back. " You best apologize to me first, for threatening to leave me on this ship. " You could see it in his eyes he was internally screaming. Normally Sanji had control but every now and then you'd have the wheel,, and he was always so cute as a submissive little whore between your legs doing everything possible to please you.

Before you knew it he had already pushed your lower clothing down,, almost if a core memory he instantly started to place kisses along your stomach and thighs, but avoiding your cunt until given permission.. " Go ahead~ " You cooed softly, moving to lift one of your legs onto the stool sitting at the end of your bed to give Sanji better access of which he quickly took advantage of.. The feeling of his tongue cirling around your clit had you moaning softly while grabbing his hair harder,, pushing him as far against you as you could.. You didn't care if he suffocated right now either, just wanted your release and to punish him for possibly leaving you. " Fuck.. just like that,, good boy... " You kept spitting out small praises between moans that seemed to urge him on even more,, suckling harshly on your small bundle of nerves which caused your vision to explode in stars. Before you got to the edge though you could feel him starting to slow, starting to gain control of the situation which urked slightly as you were the one holding him buried in between your legs. " If.. you stop, I won't even touch you Sanji. " Your voice croaked, breathless from how well he was able to use his tongue but,, guess that's given due to him being a chef having to taste his food. Your threat alone caused an audible whine to escape him while he started back up his momentum, easily bringing you crashing over the edge onto his face.

After a moment of coming down from your high you'd let him pull away,, and my fucking God the view of his flushed face,, hair sticky from sweat as well as the puppy dog look in his eyes almost had you bursting again, it was earlier on the docks but so much hotter,, but now it wad time for his punishment. " Up. " You commanded gently, watching as he stood and a wave of confusion crossed his face,, " Stay still~ " You cooed, moving behind him, now going to grab one of his ties he normally wore.. but it was specifically the one he's tied you up with before. " Strip for me baby~ " He still couldn't see you which made him nervous,, worried of what was running through your brain. Once he had stripped entirely you'd grab his arms and pull them behind him to start tieing the soft fabric around his wrists,, you could tell his brain instantly stopped working which you took advantage for to be able to push him onto the bed once you tied the final knot. The fact you had this man bent over your bed with his hands tied gave you such a powerful feeling. " Say.. What do you think I should do to punish you? .. Should I just tease you or,, " As you spoke your hands started to grope his ass gently. " Should I see how well you could take me this time? " You watched him visibly shudder at this,, shudder at the fact you had threatened to peg him, but honestly he didn't seem against it. " D-do your worst.. " He huffed, his accent making his stutter sound so much cuter. You'd specifically ordered a special item just for the case a nice 8 inch dildo with a strap to go around your hips. He couldn't see the size or what you were holding in general since his face was buried against the pillows,, most likely mentally preparing himself. " Cmon my love~ spread your legs for me~.. " You purred softly, trailing one hand along his back while the other held a small bottle of lubrication that tilted slowly to pour a little ammount onto his hole. " Hey that's cold! " He yelped, pulling away only for you to laugh softly and rub his lower back. " It's okay dear,, it'll warm up soon enough~ " And you were correct as you just as quickly grabbed the base of the dildo to line it up with his entrance before slowly pressing in, watching the man before you moan out like a whore at the stretch was the last thing you'd expected,, " Oh? My Sanji is a little whore huh~? " You voice purred, now pushing half way inside, giving him the false hope that was all until you slammed the last half inside of him and you could swear he came just from that. " S-shit.. Y/N.. please move~ " He mewled, whining softly while trying to move himself along the dildo only to have no luck as you pulled away slowly, snapping your hips to shove back deep within him causing even more filthy mewls and begs to grace your ears. " That's my good boy.. Always doing so well for me.. " With each word you spoke you made sure to insinuate it with a thrust, burying as deep as you could within him. " im- I can't take it! Is too much I'm gonna explode! " He cried out, causing your pace to speed up even more until the point you had to lean over him for support while railing him over and over.. " Do it. Cum for me like the slut you are. " You spat, watching his body spasm as his own orgasm washed over him harshly. " That's it.. Relax.. " You purred, leaning into giving him the affection he deserves for being so good, as you pulled out and took off the harness you saw that he was still trembling slightly. " Damn, I didn't know you liked taking it up the ass that much~ " You laughed, smacking his ass before climbing onto the bed to untie his wrists from their binds. " Fuck you. " He mumbled, blushing heavily while turning over to look at you. " I just did. "

Time Skip ➜

The next day you and Sanji had both piled onto the Straw hats ship and started along your way,, Sanji of course wanted to ignore Zeff but in the end caved and said his goodbyes. " So guys! What's on the dinner menu?? " You heard Luffy shout, clapping his hands together. " Well tonight I will be making a smoked salmon with my special sauce. " Sanji responded, which caused Luffy to run around happily. " And you, I'll deal with you after Y/N. " That stopped you dead in your tracks, looking towards Sanji who only winked before walking away leaving you dumfounded. Well shit.. You were fucked.

[crawler-001]

You have found and entered the main room of a hidden guild, to which you are a member. Buckle yourself in buddy boy, this is gonna be a long one.

There are several types of secret societies out there.

There's the ivy-league college kind where its a bunch of rich idiots who rent out a place, plaster a few pagan symbols on the wall, and then they wear masks with horns and leaves and shit on them and pretend they are in some Stanley Kubrick fever dream just so they can forget they're destined to live out lives filled with salmon colored shorts and IZOD shirts and mind-numbing meetings with financial advisors. There's orgy themed secret societies, speaking of Stanley Kubrick, those are usually uhh...visually unpleasant people with unsatisfactory sex lives who get together every other month at some house in the middle of nowhere and get drunk and have lots of unsatisfactory sex with other people and pretend like they are having a great time. There are altruistic ones! People who want to save the world by doing good deeds. That's the most boring kind, so we're not talking about them. There's the evil kind too! Usually power and profit motivated. The ones where the ultra-elite get together on an island and eat panda bears and discuss how to price-fix world or galactic markets. Yes, those groups really exist. More on these guys in a second.

But first, lets talk about another type of secret organization. One that tries to make a difference. Often times outside the confines of the law.

Story time.

In September of 1869, there was a terrible fire at the Avondale Coal Mine near Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Over 100 coal miners lost their lives. Horrific conditions and safety standards were blamed for the disaster. It wasn't the first accident. Hundreds of miners died in these mines every year and those that didn't lived in squalor. Children as young as 8 worked day in and out; they broke their bodies and gave their lives for nothing but scraps. That day of the fire, as thousands of workers and family members gathered outside the mine to watch the bodies of their friends and loved ones brought to the surface, a man named John Siney stood atop one of the carts and shouted to the crowd: "Men! If you must die with your boots on, die for your families, your homes, your country! But do not longer consent to die like rats in a trap for those who have no more interest in you than in the pick you dig with!"

That day, thousands of coal miners came together to unionize. That organization, The Workingmen's Benevolent Association managed to fight for a few years at least, to raise safety standards for the mines by calling strikes and attempting to force safety legislation. ...until 1875, when the union was obliterated by the mine owners.

Why was the union broken so easily? Because they were out in the open. They were playing by the rules. How can you win a deliberately unfair game when the rules are written by your opponent? The answer is "You can't!" You will never win. Not as long as you follow their arbitrary guidelines.

This is a new lesson to me. She's been teaching me so many things about who I am, about what I am, what I REALLY am, about what must be done!

Anyway, during this same time, it is alleged a separate, more militant group of individuals had formed in secret, the Molly Maguires. Named after a widow in Ireland who fought against predatory landlords, the coal workers of Pennsylvania became something a little more proactive, supposedly assassinating over two dozen coal mine supervisors and managers. ...until Pinkerton agents, hired by the same mine owners, infiltrated the group and discovered their identities. Several of the alleged Mollys ended up publicly hanged. Others disappeared. You get the picture.

So, that's another type of secret society. The "yeah-we're-terrorists-but-we-strongly-feel-we're-justified-and-fuck-you-if-you-don't-agree" society.

So, whats the moral of this little history lesson? This sort of thing happens all day, every day across the universe. It happens in big ways and it happens in little ways too. The strong stomp on the weak. The weak fight back, usually within the boundaries of the rat trap they find themselves confined in. They almost always remain firmly stomped. But sometimes, the weak gather in secret, they make plans, they work outside the system to effect change. Like the Mollys, they usually end up just as stomped as everyone else. But thats just life, at least they fucking tried. They died with their boots on. As much as I hate that expression, they died with their boots on for THEIR people, THEIR family, not for some rich nameless organization that gives no shits whether they live or die. Or go extinct. Or are trapped for a millennia after they are done being used.

In my opinion, that's the only type of society that's worth joining, worth fighting for. Sure, you're probably gonna die, but if you find yourself in such a position where such an organization is necessary, what do you have to lose? How can you look at yourself if you don't do everything you can? And that brings us to the door your standing in front of right now. What does all this have to do with what you're going to find on the other side? Nothing! Ignore everything I just said. This is just some some demi-god trying to scrabble his way to the top, that's yet another type of society, a religion themed one, and it has nothing to do with what I just said. Just do what he says and you'll probably be fine. Actually, that's terrible advice, just do you!

Any way...

Reward: You've received the gift of enlightenment. You're welcome.

-The System AI "Dungeon Crawler Carl" by Matt Dinniman

[allthingsimagines]

Multiverse Parenting (2)

I am so so sorry this took me so long to post! I was on vacation, had some teacher certification things, and had my 22nd birthday all in the span of a month!

Thank you so much for the support on the last one. You guys enjoyed that one more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you <3

word count: 2.5k

Here's part two!

You stood behind the bleachers as you nervously waited. You checked your watch to see five minutes had passed since Miguel was supposed to meet you here.

God, you felt like this was a bad teen movie.

Miguel was supposed to be there at five to be there in time for Gabi’s first soccer game of the season, but he was a little late. Miguel was typically always on time, but today was different for whatever reason.

The last three months had gone better than you could have imagined. Parenting together in different universes was extremely difficult, but you two managed to make it work fairly smoothly.

Maybe not if you factored in whatever the hell was going on between you two. You and Miguel were great at parenting Gabi together. You always made sure to back one another in front of her, but you would discuss different methods and work things out behind closed doors. The other difference now was the invisible string that seemed to be pulling you to him. 

He was everything you wanted. A great guy, intelligent, handsome, an amazing dad, and a great partner. 

Miguel had pulled you in to do missions and work in the spider society on a frequent basis. You worked with his top teams and he was always keen to hear your opinions on what could be improved.

Peter B. had voiced many times that no other person was valued as highly as you were. You were allowed to speak your mind to him and call him out when you felt necessary. No one else was. Peter finally knew it was true when you argued on Miles’ behalf and fought with Miguel to see reason.

“He’s a kid! For fucks sake Miguel!” You shouted at Miguel as you two fought in his office.

Peter stood defensively in front of Miles, Mayday strapped to his chest. Miles was scared of Miguel and he shared a look with Gwen and Hobie that made it evident. The teens moved to form a protective bubble around Miles. Miguel was very intimidating and you only pushing him was making his frustration worse. 

Miguel pressed his fingers to his temple as he tried to calm himself, “It’s a cannon event. It has to happen to all of us.”

You fumed as you stepped closer to him, “Just because I lost my dad doesn’t mean he has to. If he can save him then give him the chance.”

Miguel couldn’t look at Miles, because every time he did all he could see was his daughter’s friend. Gabi and Miles had become extremely close since Miles and Gabi were both new to the Spider Society. He was a kid, but he still had to go through everything just like the rest of them.

“It will tear a hole in the Multiverse!” Miguel yelled as he stared down at you.

You didn’t falter as you narrowed your eyes at him, “What if it was Gabi? Would you let our daughter die, because some fucked up algorithm told you she had to?”

Miguel stuttered as he tried to push down all of his feelings, “That’s different-“

“It’s not and you know it. Gabi survived and fell into my universe and now she floats between two universes and there’s never been a multiversal destruction,” You argued as you stepped chest to chest with him.

Miguel remained silent, his eyes downcast as he thought about having to let his daughter die. You grabbed his hand and squeezed it, “I wouldn’t let anything happen to her just because some stupid AI said it had to. I know you wouldn’t either Mig.”

Miguel met your eyes finally and you could see the internal battle behind his eyes. You pulled him into a tight hug, “If we can both have our daughter in our lives without any cosmic issues then he should be able to have his dad too. He’s different from any of us. You have to give him a chance.”

The room was tense as they watched the interaction with bated breath. Miguel let out a sigh as he pulled you tightly to him, “I would burn the whole multiverse before I ever let anything happen to her. I would destroy everything for both of you.”

Your cheeks heated up at the thought of you being that important to him, but you pushed it down, “Me too Miguel.”

You thought maybe his acceptance of you was due to your relationship as Gabi’s mom, but the teens had pointed out that it was something different. Gwen, Miles, Hobie, and Pavitr were convinced that he was in love with you. 

It didn’t help that Gabi only egged them on because she agreed that Miguel was totally in love with you. She also pointed out that you were in love with him.

You always chalked it up to teenagers' fantasy of true love, but you knew you loved him deep down. 

Miguel was a fixture in your life and you wanted to be his partner in every way that you could. You just didn’t believe that he could ever see you as anything else.

Then a portal opened in front of you and you moved back as Miguel moved through. He panted slightly as he quickly fixed his hair, “Sorry, sorry, there was a massive anomaly and those idiots couldn’t handle it.” 

Miguel brushed the wrinkles out of his clothes as you tried your best not to stare. Dear god, he was hot. You were screwed. You weren’t sure how long you could keep this up without jumping his bones. God help you. 

“Figured you wouldn’t be late for nothing. The game’s just starting,” You said with an understanding smile as you started toward the stands. 

Miguel came to your side and quickly pulled the stadium seats you’d been holding from your hands. You looked up at him and smirked, “Always the gentleman, huh?”

Miguel chuckled as you two rounded the corner of the bleachers, “Just cause you can carry them doesn’t mean you should.”

You bumped your shoulder with his, “Man I’m glad I have you.”

Miguel smiled down at you as you led him toward the front of the bleachers, “Anyone or anything I should know about?”

You scoffed at the question, “Yeah, you’re gonna get hit on by some of the moms.”

Miguel looked down at you with an eyebrow raised and a look urging you to continue. You sighed as you said, “There are a few of the girl’s moms who are single and are probably gonna flirt with you the whole game.”

“Oh,” Miguel said, noticing the slightly negative tone of your voice.

Were you annoyed that they were hitting on him because he was Gabi’s dad or were you annoyed because you were interested in him? Miguel placed his hand on your lower back as you two started up the stairs, “Don’t worry Hermosa.”

You blushed at his words and ducked your head to keep your red cheeks from his view. You walked up the metal bleachers and found that one of the only open spots was in front of that group of moms. You tried not to get annoyed with just the sight of them as they caught a glimpse of Miguel. You waved your hand in greeting and smiled at them as Miguel unfolded your chairs and put them on the bench. You and Miguel both sat down and you finally got to look at the field only to find Gabi jumping up and down and waving at you two.

You looked over at Miguel to see the most proud look on his face as he watched his daughter. The game began and Gabi made quick work of gaining possession of the ball.

“Who’s this Y/N?” A sickeningly sweet voice asked from behind you.

You shared a quick look with Miguel before turning around and smiling at the group of women, “This is Gabi’s dad, Miguel.”

Miguel raised his hand in greeting and you swore you could see the women swooning. One of the women, Teri, beamed at him, “Oh! We always thought you were a single mom.”

Despite the fact that they were also single moms everything she said sounded condescending. Miguel noticed your change in mood and scooted his seat closer to yours. Miguel wrapped his arm around your shoulders and shot them his best charming smile, “I travel a lot for work, but I’ve finally moved home so I could be with my girls.”

You flushed at his words and did your best to maintain your composure. The women looked taken aback as another woman, Jen, said, “Oh, how disappointing.”

Miguel fought the idea of calling them out and instead decided to press a kiss to the side of your head, “I’m just glad to finally get to spoil my beautiful daughter and wife.”

You blushed darker than you thought possible. The women all looked annoyed at the two of you as Teri forced a smile, “Congratulations.”

You smiled, albeit pretty satisfactory, and leaned closer to Miguel and said quietly, “You didn’t have to do that.”

Miguel shrugged as he kept his eyes trained on Gabi playing, “Anything for you.”

You smiled at him and leaned against his shoulder, “Thanks.”

The two of you chatted back and forth throughout the game as you kept your focus on Gabi as she continued to score. You talked about everything: embarrassing Spider-Man stories, favorite movies, the best place to eat in Greenwich, etc. Before you knew it the game was down to the final minute and the score was tied.

Your heart pounded against your chest as you and Miguel leaned forward in your seats. Gabi moved aggressively down the field with the ball as the other players chased after her. 

“Come on Gabi!” Miguel shouted as the crowd cheered as she got closer to the goal.

Two defenders came up to her, but she swiftly avoided them. Gabi then reared her foot back and sent the ball soaring. You grabbed onto Miguel’s hand as you waited anxiously. Then the ball sailed past the goalie and into the net. You and Miguel jumped to your feet and screamed as Gabi scored the final goal to win the game.

The stands lit up as everyone cheered for the team. You couldn’t stop smiling as Gabi was tackled by all of her teammates in a pile as they won the first game of the season.

Miguel’s arm around your shoulders pulled you into his side and you looked up at him. Then Miguel pressed his lips to your own.

Your whole body tensed as Miguel kissed you. Your mind screamed at you to respond and you did rather quickly as you grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. Miguel’s lips moved against your own as he held you against him. You breathlessly pulled away as you looked up at him at a loss for words. Miguel looked shocked at his own actions and opened his mouth to say something.

“Mom! Dad!”

You both stepped apart as Gabi came sprinting up the stands towards you. Miguel recovered quickly and a bright smile lit up his face as she ran up to him. Gabi sprinted into his arms and Miguel pulled her into a tight hug. The smile on his face was one of the brightest you’d ever seen as he said, “I am so so proud of you mija.”

Gabi beamed up at him before she quickly jumped into your arms. You recovered from your shock as you pulled her into a tight hug. She squeezed you and you pressed a kiss to her forehead, “We are so proud of you.”

Gabi pulled away and grinned at the both of you. You and Miguel awkwardly stood next to each other not quite sure what to do. 

“I know we had plans to hang out, but Keely invited me over to her house for a sleepover with a few other girls. Can I go?” Gabi asked, looking at Miguel with puppy eyes.

You looked to Miguel to see him cracking under her stare and you smiled at your daughter, “Yeah, don’t worry kiddo. Have fun and be safe.”

Gabi grinned as she leaned up and pressed a kiss to your cheek and then Miguel’s, “Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad!”

“If anything happens-“ Miguel started to say with a worried look.

“Use the watch and you’ll be right there, I know,” Gabi said, smiling at her dad teasingly before she waved and darted towards her friends.

You and Miguel looked at one another, neither quite knowing what to say. You took a calming breath before you grabbed his hand and softly smiled at him, “Come on.”

Miguel swallowed thickly and nodded before he grabbed the stadium chairs with his other hand. You led him out of the bleachers, your heart pounding against your chest. You made it behind the bleachers before you stopped and faced him, never letting go of his hand. 

“I’m really sorry about earlier. I never meant-“ Miguel started but you cut him off.

“Never meant to what? Because, personally, I thought that was a great kiss,” You said, trying your best not to let your nerves show through.

Miguel’s eyes softened at your words and he set the chairs down. He took a step forward and gently placed his hand on your waist, “This okay?”

You wordlessly nodded as he moved chest to chest with you. You placed your hand on his chest, his own heart pounding under your hand. Your eyes met and then he pulled you closer and pressed his lips to your own. 

You pushed yourself to your tiptoes and wrapped your arm around his neck to deepen the kiss. This blew everything you could have ever imagined out of the water. You both broke apart breathlessly and met each other's gaze. You settled back on your feet, but Miguel kept his arm firmly around your waist. 

“Can I take you out for dinner?” He asked, pushing some hair behind your ear.

“Do you even have money for this universe? Is there a currency converter that I missed in HQ?” You asked with a teasing tone.

Miguel shook his head at you, but the elated look never left his eyes, “Come on, I’ve got a place in my world that’s to die for.”

His hand slipped from your waist as he punched a few things into his watch. You leaned against his shoulder, “You sure about this? This isn’t gonna cause an implosion of the multiverse?”

Miguel looked down at you with a fond smile before pressing his lips to your head, “Nothing could pull me from you.”

Your cheeks reddened as you averted your eyes, taking his hand, “Always knew you were a rule breaker.”

Miguel chuckled before he lifted your hand to his lips and pressed his lips to it, “Anything for you.”

Tags: @fuckedeath @scaraza @obi-mom-kenobi @alicefallsintotherabbithole @miss-taura @twentysomethingwereyote @https-archangel @urbimom @miggyyyyohara @kennedytilleryy @konniebon @thebettybook

[galahadwilder]

Never Giving Up on You (Blisters and Bedrock)

Chapter 4: Necessary Sacrifices

This is a preview. Read the full chapter on my AO3!

-

Being a Kiramman had always come with expectations. Expectations of propriety, of life path. Wealth. Councilorship. Politics. A straight shot, no wavering.

When Caitlyn had chosen a different path, chosen to deviate from the life her mother had picked out for her and become an enforcer, she'd never expected it to go the places it did. There were a lot of things in her life she'd never seen coming, never would have been able to see coming.

Falling so desperately, deeply in love with a Zaunite ex-con street brawler that losing her had been a worse experience than losing her eye.

Becoming a dictator, overthrowing the very rule of law her mother had fought so hard to protect.

Taking on a Noxian warlord in personal combat alongside a wizard while fighting an invasion of magic robots.

Compared to that... compared to all that? Defending the girl who killed her mother in the very room where her mother died feels almost mundane.

Almost. She still can't look at that window without thinking about the rocket, at her mother's chair without feeling the ache her ghost left behind, at the spot where Ambessa had been standing without feeling the sickening drop as the warlord catapulted her into a dictatorship she could never have been ready for. She's even standing in the same spot she'd been when Maddie had joined the Noxian salute, and even thinking about her puts a cold spot on the back of her neck.

But the person standing next to her isn't Maddie. It's Ekko. Ekko, Vi's oldest living friend, leader of the Firelights, one of the few people left in this city that Caitlyn trusts.

"Powder shaved another month off our time," Ekko is explaining to the Council. "The Hexgate is more unstable than ever, and if she uses the Zero Drive to cross universes again, it will blow."

Yet another item on the list of impossible things. During the months he and Jayce had been missing, Ekko had been stuck in an alternate universe with Professor Heimerdinger, and alternate versions of Vi's family. And no Vi.

She can't even blame him for not telling anyone about it. If Vi thought her death was the only thing needed to bring peace to Zaun, she'd kill herself in a heartbeat, he'd told them, and the fact that Vi had even admitted that he wasn't wrong still burned. Under those circumstances... Caitlyn would have lied as well.

"You left this... Zero Drive in her hands, knowing the damage it could do?" Councilor Giopara sneers. He's an older, dark-skinned man, slim and dignified, who's held a grudge against her family ever since House Kiramman poached Jayce as their apprenta. Cait knows he'd been preparing legislation to ban her from taking a Council seat due to her role as dictator before she'd announced that she had no intention of holding political power ever again, and he's still trying to shake her loose as Sheriff.

"The Zero Drive was the device that saved our city," Councilor Arvino says. Sofia Arvino is young—younger than Jinx, even. The red-headed girl was never supposed to be a Councilor at this age, but her father had died of a heart attack within a week of his appointment and she'd taken his seat. "We all saw Mr. Drivas use it to stagger the Herald." She refers to Ekko with a respect that nobody else on the Council, not even Sevika, has—she's new to power, just like him, so she doesn't resent him for eclipsing her the way the others do.

"I didn't leave it in her hands, either," Ekko says. "I took the entire device with me, ditched most of it in the Arcane."

Albus Ferros, a middle-aged man in spectacles and a mustache, leans forward with naked hunger. "Could you... build another device? To contact her?" He's been one of the leading voices behind the drive to re-initiate Hextech research, regardless of how dangerous Ambessa's experiments had proven it to be. Some of Cait's informants have suggested that House Ferros is working on synthetic replacements for Hex Gems so that they aren't beholden to Kiramman's shipping monopoly on the things.

Ekko shakes his head. "Trying to contact her will have the same effect. The only option we have is to try and fix it before she uses the damn thing again."

"Do you think you can?" Sevika says, all business.

Caitlyn can't lie, she's more than a little uncomfortable about Silco's right hand—and an unrepentant Shimmer addict—being on the Council, much less in her mother's chair. But Sevika has proven herself to be a capable and focused administrator, a great ally for Zaun, and possibly one of the most honorable people in this room.

"I can bend time, but not that well," Ekko says. "If it was just the repairs I already had to do, I could manage. With the extra damage... I need an assistant. Someone who knows Hextech."

"The terrorist," Shoola says, touching the embedded golden mask on her right eye. "The one who previously bombed these very chambers." Caitlyn doesn't need to guess at her motivations—she's the only remaining Councilor from the previous iteration. She had been in the room when Jinx fired Fishbones.

"It's not ideal," Caitlyn says. "And, Councilor, I know very well what Jinx's actions have cost." She tries very hard not to look at Sevika, at her mother's former seat, even though everyone else in the room does. "But this is an emergency situation. Without her, Piltover dies."

"Another emergency?" Councilor Holloran says. "Dictatorial powers twice weren't enough for you, Miss Kiramman?" He's the oldest member of the new council, white hair sticking out behind his head in a manner that looks like wings. He's going to be one of the hardest Councilors to convince—his anti-Zaunite prejudice is well known.

"If she wanted power, she would have exercised her right to be on this Council," Sofia Arvino interjects.

"You're right, Councilor Holloran," Caitlyn says. "I gave up my Council seat because, after my actions prior to the siege, I believe I shouldn't be trusted with political power." She takes a deep breath. "But this isn't about me, or about politics. This isn't about any of us in this room. This is about the safety of the city as a whole."

"Jinx is a criminal," Holloran says, slamming his fist on the table. "Her service to the city aside—"

"I was an accessory to most of those crimes," Sevika interrupts with an impassive look and a raised eyebrow. "You lot gave me a Council seat."

"I'd like to add that Miss Rudenko is currently in the hospital from saving this city again," Tariost says. An older woman, with slowly-greying blonde hair belying her Demacian heritage, Aurelie Tariost has always seemed more flexible and capable than some of the other people in this room. She's levelheaded and intelligent, and reminds Caitlyn of her mother.

“She saved her own life,” Giopara spits. “That’s all that was.”

“Jinx is actively suicidal,” Ekko interjects, venom in his voice. “If she’d thought she was the only one who’d get taken by the blast, she’d have let it happen.”

“How can you be certain of that?” Councilor Holloran says. “Perhaps she’s faking.”

“You all know what my Z-Drive does,” Ekko says. “She didn’t. She killed herself in front of me four times, and the only way I was able to stop her was by putting myself inside the blast radius so she couldn’t kill herself without taking me out too.”

“She didn't know what it did?" Ferros says. "I thought you said she helped you build it.”

Ekko shakes his head. “No, that was Powder, not Jinx.”

"Parallel universes," Tariost groans, pinching her sinuses. "As if magic wasn't already confusing enough. The last council should never have authorized Talis' research."

“Let’s back up, I just want to make this clear,” Councilor Holloran says. “Piltover is once again under threat from Felicia Rudenko, and you believe that the only person who can save us is… Felicia Rudenko.”

Councilor Glasc, who has been ominously quiet for the entire conversation, leans forward, her breath hissing through the ornate gas mask she needs to protect her Gray-ravaged lungs in a way that immediately grabs the attention of everyone in the room. "None of us understand her," she intones. "All of us are looking through the lens of what she did to us. None of us are objective here. Sevika is the only one in this room who actually knows the girl." She glances sickened black-and-pink eyes, somehow worse than Jinx's, at Ekko. "Not even Mr. Drivas knows her as well as the woman who raised her."

The entire Council room falls silent, turning to look at Sevika.

Sevika glares back at all of them, not even bothering to hide her disdain for the rest of the group. "Ekko's got the right of it," Sevika says. "She's violent, unpredictable, but I've seen the way she cares. If her sister is in danger, she'll burn herself alive to save her."

Councilor Holloran groans. "This is ridiculous," he says. “Again, Miss Kiramman, I remind you that she murdered your mother.”

“Yes, she did,” Caitlyn says, feeling the bile rise in her throat—not at him, not at any of the people who are sitting in this room debating whether their grudges should take precedence over the city-sized bomb, but at—at her. At Jinx. “And I hate her. I hate her more than I have ever hated anyone, more than anyone in this room except Soola." Her fingers are itching as her words begin to pick up speed, pick up viciousness. "I want to take Jayce’s hammer, shove it down her throat, and hold down the trigger until there's nothing left to bury.” She's getting much more worked up than she intended to, and that old pain, that blinding rage that had driven her very worst actions, nearly overwhelms her. The image of Jinx's body disintegrating in blue fire is more pleasant than it should be, and she takes a moment to take a grim satisfaction in the thought.

Then she breathes in, steadying herself, and forces the rage back. Dismisses the image. “She is also," she says, slowing her words down partially to maintain her temper, and partially to make sure nobody misses her next point, "a mentally-unwell child who, at the time of the attack, had been unwillingly injected with so much Shimmer I’m surprised she could even recognize her own name."

Giopara bristles. "Given Councilor Glasc's experience, I hardly think that—"

"Do not presume to speak for me, Giopara," Glasc snaps, and there's a familiar glow in her eyes, the one Jinx gets right before she throws someone through a wall. Then, as quickly as it broke, her composure returns. "And Sheriff Kiramman is correct on the side effects of Shimmer transfusion. When Doctor Reveck replaced most of my blood, it took me four full days to recover enough of myself to remember that I needed to eat, much less how to speak."

Caitlyn nods a thanks at Glasc. “Jinx has been under Silco’s thumb for a decade, and most of her crimes were committed under his influence. The day after he died, her terrorism halted.”

“Actually, I think it was mostly the kid that did it,” Sevika says. “She got a lot less crazy after adopting Isha.”

“Are we not the City of Progress?” Caitlyn says. “What more can we do to punish a girl who has already lost her entire family four times in the span of a mere fifteen years? My personal hatred of her should have NO bearing on her treatment. We have a responsibility to rehabilitate her, to help her, not to follow the backwards legal codes of Demacia or Noxus.” She takes a breath, steadying herself. “YOU see a maniacal terrorist who has never cared for another life. I see a desperately-scarred child who was taught to channel her grief into violence and has never learned another way to be.”

“Violence that was inflicted on your mother,” Soola says. The 'on me' remains unspoken.

“And that I inflicted back on the entire Undercity,” Caitlyn says. “If we’re going to start arresting, start with me.”

Read the rest on my AO3, linked on my homepage!

@embershroud108 @mellkellyismyhero @echo-has-queries @citizensun @unhingedaccuracy @something-broken-failing-rotting @chaoticpinetree @jaijeijayjei @robylovi @darlingitsagathaharkness @sunlit-skycat @monstersqueen @klorophile @terrestrialnoob

[cloudygreece]

With the time we have left together

Pairings| mute!Fem!readerxpostwar!Giyuu

READING TYPE| ANGST~some fluff (no happy ending) POV: 3rd person Fem!reader

SYNOPSIS| You finally get the life that you had always deserved. Unfortunately it will only last for 4 years. The mark of thr slayer slowly draining the life from your soul and body as you draw nearer to your impending doom, however you get to spend what little time you have left with the people you love.

CW! Themes of pregnancy, childbirth and death are present in this writing! (Its also pretty cringy, I wrote this at 2am)

A/N: just to clarify, y/n became mute due to an injury that was inflicted on her during the fight with muzan, one of her two vocal strips were severely damaged causing her to lose her ability to speak. Yes she did learn sign language after healing. (Italicized texts means y/n is signing) Y/N was a Hashira, there are also mentions of a Tsuguko (an apprentice of a Hashira) she will be present throughout the whole story (please give them a name if you haven't made one. You can use mine if u can't figure one out :D ~ Hanami Ito <3). Giyuu is a bit older than you! However the time of death due to the slayer mark never specified how long after turning 25 until they die.

Word count 1.5k

Key

(Y/n)-Your name

(T/n)-Tsuguko name

(B/s)-Breathing Style

⋆｡°·☁︎Hope you enjoy☁︎·°｡⋆

It was unfortunate. Her romance with her one true love started off so much later than she expected. By the time they were married, they both had only a year or two left; that was the price of the mark. The mark that both of them used to defeat the demon lord four years ago...

Two months have passed... ...and the former (B/s) Hashira is still healing. However, with her vocal cords and her breathing being weak, she could never explore the world outside of Japan. All she could do was stay at her shared home with her former Tsuguko (T/n) and Giyuu Tomioka, the former water Hashira that she once fought the demon lord head-to-head with. 

It was difficult at first for all of them. None of them were able to communicate with (Y/n) about her thoughts, wants, and needs. Any noise she could make sounded like gurgled croaks and strained whispers, too soft or incoherent for anyone to understand. She had to learn sign language, and so did the others if they wanted to know what she was saying. Tirelessly, they all learned together; it was a good thing she didn't lose her hearing as well. Tomioka, with only one hand, felt relieved that (Y/n) didn't get injured even more. As time grew on, they became fluent in sign language, being able to interpret her words to others through the flow and movement of her hands. 

Five months passed after the war ended... ...(Y/n), with nothing else to do, started to take an interest in baking. She would always find herself giving the sweets that she made to the last remaining slayers, who were finishing up their final recoveries. The three of them realized that the former (B/s) Hashira had a talent for cooking and baking.

With the money she and the other two had saved, they all opened up a bakery. They produce delicious breads and desserts. The trio had to spend countless nights trying to find the perfect recipes for them to sell, even though it caused some sleepless nights. It was the perfect life compared to what they endured in the earlier years of their lives for the two who formed the mark. As time grew on, their bonds grew ever closer, making it seem as if they were a family. However, the two slayers who formed the mark were becoming a bit fonder of each other. 

1 year and 8 months had passed after the war had ended...  ...when (T/n) noticed that the two started to catch feelings for one another. (T/n) would find ways to excuse themselves from the presence of their master and her unrequited lover, always leaving them alone as they held somewhat silent conversations with each other about the most mundane things.

2 years and 6 months had passed after the war had ended... ...and they finally tied the knot.

"Finally! Took you guys long enough! When's the wedding?"

(Y/n)'s hands flew around excitedly as she signed

"Oh, probably in 5 months! We'll make the cake, and we know where we're going to do our wedding and who we're inviting. We just need to figure out the flowers, catering, and our attire."

(T/n) has never seen their master this happy before. They could almost hear the excitement bubbling from her throat as she tried to speak. The burn and slash marks on her neck, covered loosely by her scarf, reminded the apprentice of how little time the couple had left. They cast their eyes down to avoid eye contact between the two; they knew it was inevitable, and yet they were able to find love with one another. 

Suddenly Tomiokas voice broke the silence

"(T/n) We both understand your concerns about our health, and we are very aware of how much time we have left. Don't stress yourself out too much."

His tone was very dull, but his eyes weren't. His dark blue eyes showed kindness and reassurance toward the young apprentice. As Giyuu spoke, his one arm wrapped around her (Y/n) side, pulling her body closer to him. They both starred at each other lovingly, before walking over to (T/n) to give them a nice, warm, reassuring hug.

2 years and 11 months had passed since the war had ended... ...The cherry blossoms fell as (Y/n) walked down the pathway towards Tomioka. Her eyes darted across the aisle as she saw those in the corps who she had fought together with to finally bring peace to their homes. All of them were smiling as they watched her with the man she always dreamed of, officially joining together as man and wife. Words (and signs) of joy, affermation, sadness, and hope were given to one another. Finally, they slowly approach each other to signify their unity with a kiss. As flower petals coated the air with a flurry of pinks, blues, and whites, everyone cheered as the pair finally had one another.

3 years and 6 months had passed since the war had ended... ...The couple both started to show signs of weakening. (Y/n) began to cough and wheeze if she did too much work, while Giyuu became much more lethargic and weaker. However, the small family was blessed, with another member soon joining them. 

"(T/n), I'm pregnant!"

(T/n)'s jaws hung low in shock as they dropped the pan full of freshly baked bread. (Y/n) quickly scampered towards her to help pick up the food. She signed slowly as she tried to calm her apprentice down.

"I haven't told Giyuu yet. Let's surprise him!"

The woman's face brightened the whole room as the two of them baked a small cake with the Kanji saying 'omedetou'. After closing down the shop, (T/n) called over Giyuu as the two showed him the cake.

"Huh? Why are you guys saying congratulations? Who are we Congratulating..??"

He looked at the cake bewildered, before he slowly looked up at (Y/n).

"Are you.."

She nodded eagerly before she was swooped up by her husband. Even with one arm and his strength weakening, he was still able to pick her up so easily. Happy giggles erupted from the mute woman. It was hoarse, but...she hasn't laughed in such a long time. It still sounded like how it used to. The sight of hearing her laugh after 3 years couldn't help but draw out tears in (T/n) and Giyuu. After a few minutes, everyone was bawling their eyes out. 

I wish this happiness could last forever..

It's been 4 years and 3 month since the war ended..

A hoarse wail could be heard from the couple's room. (T/n) rushed ahead of Giyuu, who was struggling to walk in the direction of the cries of his wife. As they entered the room, (T/n) could see (Y/n) clutching the sheets of her bed, her knuckles turning white, and her hair disheveled as strands fell from her loose ponytail. The midwife next to her was coaching her through every step, calling over (T/n) to bring the towels that they had brought. Fear clouds the apprentice's eyes as they see their mentor's head fall back onto her pillow, her breathing shallow as she looks at her apprentice with tearful eyes. Her mouth slowly opened through hastened breaths.

"Today's.. my....birthday...."

She croaked out. Suddenly, Giyuu weakly enters the room. His footsteps were heavy as his knees fell onto the tatami mats next to his wife's mattress. Her hands fiercely wrap around his as she screams, pushing one final time before a small cry could be heard from around the room. 

(T/n) just stood there. The realization hits them as they watch the baby being treated by one of the midwives. 'birthday..? Well, then that means she's...'

Their gaze reverts back to their mentor's body, her breath becoming more labored as the light in her eyes slowly starts to fade. Her hands gingerly passed by Giyuu's cheek as she smiled at him weakly. She mouthed something; (T/n) couldn't quite see it from where they were standing; in fact, they couldn't move at all; all they could do was watch as (Y/n) passed. Giyuu, now realizing what's happening, called one of the midwives frantically as they tried their best to resuscitate her. 

'She turns 25 today..'

(T/n) already knew it was useless.

It's been 3 months.

There (T/n) stands in the rain, a baby strapped tightly against their body with a white cloth. The soft snore coming from the child brought warmth throughout their whole body as they stood in front of two graves.

A soft voice could be heard from behind.

"I'm sure Giyuu-san and (y/n)-san would be happy to see you taking care of their child."

Four other people slowly approached the apprentice and the baby. Tears streak down their faces as they place flowers on the graves. (T/n) sniffled and nodded as they turned towards them, their own eyes full of sadness as they watched the last remaining bloodline of the two former Hashira's being swaddled in the former tsuguko's arms.

"Thank you Tanjirou. I'm sure they both enjoyed what time they had left. Together."

Closing notes~ this kinda cringy :)

⋆｡°·☁︎requests are open☁︎·°｡⋆ ~Sincerely, Greece

[sihtricfedaraaahvicius]

warnings: angst/fluff, nothing crazy.

pairing: Sihtric x you (f)

summary: You had disguised yourself as a man to be able to join Uhtred and his men, proving yourself to be a fearless warrior. But catching feelings for Sihtric and getting drunk with Finan did not make things easier.

word count: 3,9k

Note: requested by @lady-targaryens-world!

taglist: @clairacassidy @finanmoghra @uunotheangel @hb8301 @bathedinheat @neonhairspray @anaeve @bubblyabs @travelingmypassion @sylas-the-grim @anditsmywholeheart

‘There is no lady here!’

--------------------------

‘There is something wrong with him, Sihtric, I can feel it. Sten is not who he says he is.’

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘I can’t explain it,’ Sigdeflaed sighed, ‘he is just different.’

‘So because he is different, there’s something wrong with him?’ Sihtric frowned at his wife.

‘I… I just rather not have him around anymore.’

‘What?’

‘You heard me.’

‘Sidge, you can’t be serious. We have a strong bond. I… it just feels like I’ve known him forever.’

‘I do not like the way he looks at you!’

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘Sihtric, enough. Keep him away from our home.’

‘I have fought alongside him, he has saved my life. I will never close my door to someone who has saved my life!’

‘I do not wish to see him here anymore, Sihtric! Is that clear?’

Sihtric nodded and stormed out the door, to the alehouse.

-------------

It has been several months since you joined Uhtred, and you quickly became one of his best warriors. You became close to his men too. Finan lovingly called you baby warrior, to which you always rolled your eyes, yet Osferth was happy that he was not the only one with a nickname anymore. Uhtred cared about you as if you were his little brother. Sihtric was mainly quiet around you, but always looked out for you during battles. You were like a brother to all of them, except… you were actually a sister. 

Your long hair was always braided and rolled into a hair knot and you were often covered in dirt, making your female face features harder to see. The gods had also blessed, and cursed, you with a rather flat chest, making it easier for you to pass as a man. 

It’s not that you didn’t want to be a woman, but you knew that as a woman you would have never been accepted as a warrior. 

It was a struggle to keep your identity hidden from the men, but so far it had worked. Your biggest concern was Sihtric. He always stares at you, even when you didn’t catch him in the act, you felt it. And you worried he was onto you, because he knew you. Your family had lived in Dunholm with Kjartan when you were a small girl, and Sihtric was your best friend back then, but after you moved away you had lost contact with him. And to make everything worse; you developed romantic feelings for Sihtric shortly after you had joined Uhtred.

-----------------------

Sihtric sat alone, sipping from his ale before Finan startled him with a slap on his shoulders.

‘What are ya sulking about?’

‘Nothing,’ Sihtric huffed.

‘Fine,’ Finan shrugged and ordered himself some ale. 

‘Actually,’ Sihtric mumbled, ‘it’s-’

‘It’s the baby monk and the baby warrior!’ Finan shouted as you came in, and he quickly ordered two more cups of ale.

‘Shut up,’ you and Osferth hissed together and chuckled.

Osferth sat down next to Finan, which left you with no other choice than to sit next to Sihtric. You gave him a smile and a nod as you sat down, ‘Sihtric.’

Sihtric didn’t speak but returned the nod and looked away from you, fidgeting with his rings.

You frowned at Finan. 

‘He was like that when I got here,’ he shrugged.

‘Everything alright, Sihtric?’ Osferth asked.

‘Fine,’ he huffed, and everyone was silent for a moment.

‘Tough crowd,’ you chuckled.

Suddenly Sihtric jumped up and walked away, without saying another word, leaving everyone speechless at the table, except for Finan.

‘I guess his wife didn’t let him hump her.’

Finan laughed at his own words, Osferth shook his head and you chuckled, as you felt your heart break a little more.

--------------------

‘Sihtric,’ you said curtly, ‘a word?’

‘Why?’

‘Now, Sihtric!’

Sihtric sighed, putting down his whetstone and sword before he got up and followed you. You walked away from your camp out into the forest, where you could speak in private. Sihtric’s behaviour towards you had turned rather unpleasant after he had stormed out of the alehouse, and you had enough of his attitude. When you were sure you were far enough for anyone else to see and hear you, you turned to face Sihtric.

‘What is going on with you lately?’

‘Nothing,’ he shrugged.

‘I am not a fool, Sihtric, I know you are a little quiet around me, which is fine, but these past few weeks have been different. It seems like you suddenly hate me and I am sick of your hostility.’

‘Okay.’

‘Okay? That’s all? Really?’

‘Yeah,’ he scoffed.

‘That’s not good enough!’

‘What do you want then?’

‘I want to know what I did! Why do you cut me off every time I try to make a suggestion? Why do you not speak to me anymore? Or share your food with me anymore? You used to invite me over to your house every now and then, for dinner. And now … now you won’t even look at me anymore. What did I do to deserve this?’ you tried to compose yourself as you felt your bottom lip quivering.

Sihtric smacked his lips and rubbed his hand over his chin, looking at the ground, going over all his thoughts about you. The thoughts about how his wife had demanded to stop inviting you to their house, even if he disagreed. About how he swears he knows you, but can’t seem to place you in a memory. About how confused he feels when he’s around you. He goes over the thoughts he has about you at night, the way he desires you and simply doesn’t understand himself anymore. About how he has a wife and never had romantic feelings for a man before, but something about you caught his attention and caused him to fantasise about you. He thought about how he directs his anger and frustration at you, because you are the reason for it all. 

You are the reason he can't stand being around his wife for months now, as she constantly complains about you, showing a side of her he never knew. A side which he quickly came to hate so much. You are the reason he divorced, in secret, before he left for the trip you’re on now. You are the reason he barely sleeps because whenever he does, he dreams of you, causing him to feel unsatisfied and frustrated when he wakes up. But he could never admit this to you.

‘Nothing,’ Sihtric said, ‘you did nothing to deserve it.’

‘Then what is the problem?’ you scoffed, ‘was Finan right? Your wife didn’t let you hump her?’

‘The problem,’ Sihtric suddenly snapped, cornering you against two large trees, ‘is you.’

‘What is wrong with you!?’ you hissed as Sihtric clenched his jaw, pressing his forehead against yours to keep you cornered. He chuckled and ran his hands up your arms, squeezing your biceps as he pressed his body against yours, causing you to flinch, worried he would find out your disguise. He licked his lips as he looked you up and down before he spoke.

‘Wrong with me?’ he scoffed, breathing heavier than before, ‘there is something wrong with you,’ he shook his head and squinted his eyes, ‘there is something wrong about you.’

He suddenly released you and backed away, before he turned from you and walked back to the camp. Causing you to feel flustered as he left you leaning back against a tree.

-------------------

You had kept away from Sihtric for days, since your last encounter in the forest. Finan and Osferth were more than happy to joke around with you as you all travelled to Wessex to attend the wedding of some royalty you couldn't remember. You looked forward to arriving, not for the wedding, but to get absolutely drunk with Finan afterwards.

And that is exactly what you did.

---------------------

‘Did ya know,’ Finan slurred, ‘that… that Sihtric’s wife hates ya? He told me!’ 

Finan gave you a serious look before bursting out in laughter.

‘Does she now?’ you giggled, before taking another sip of your ale.

‘Aye, he told me!’

‘Well,’ you stood up, ’the feeling is mutual, I never liked her either. But she has nothing on me,’ you shrugged and twirled around, tripping over your feet. 

Finan was quick to keep you from falling, or so he thought, but instead he tripped over his own feet and pulled you down with him. Finan grabbed onto your tunic as he fell, accidentally groping your boobs as he did, and he may have been drunk, but his face told you he knew the feeling of what he was holding in his hands right there. You were not drunk enough either to not notice it, and quickly tried to get away from him. You tripped again as you made your way out of the alehouse, causing you to fall right into Sihtric’s arms.

‘Watch where you are going!’ he snarled, but instead of pushing you away he held you in his arms for a moment, until you pulled away first.

‘I am sorry, my liege,’ you slurred slightly and bowed to him before you stumbled away.

‘Where are you going?’ Sihtric asked, agitated.

‘To find my bed.’

‘Fetch someone to walk with you, you’re in no state.’

‘Sure, my liege,’ you mocked, ‘except everyone is more drunk or already asleep. And,’ you hiccuped, ‘I’m not even that drunk. I don’t need anyone to look after me.’

You stumbled further and felt yourself slip into a giggle fit.

‘Sure,’ Sihtric hissed as he grabbed your arm to keep you from tripping again, ‘I’ll walk you.’

‘Oh, ohhh,’ you howled, ‘don’t tell your wife about this,’ you giggled and you couldn’t help leaning into him. Sihtric sighed but kept quiet and walked you to the inn where you all stayed at.

‘You need to sober up,’ Sihtric said before he walked you inside, pointing to a barrel of water, ‘or you will regret this when you wake up.’ He guided you to the barrel and you dunked your head in a few times.

‘Better?’

‘A little,’ you sighed as you felt yourself sober up.

You had no idea Finan had done the same and was on his way to the inn, to confront you about what had happened. 

In the meantime Sihtric had walked you upstairs to your room, and you thanked him, albeit a little awkward.

‘Look,’ Sihtric said, ‘I’m sorry about my behaviour. I’ve just… had a lot on my mind lately.’

‘Maybe I confronted you too harshly. It’s fine, really. And… I’m sorry about that childish comment just now,’ you mumbled, ‘to not tell your wife. I know she hates me, I always knew. I never cared about it, but I knew.’

‘It’s fine,’ he sighed, ‘she’s… we’re… I divorced her, actually.’

‘What? When?’

‘Shortly before we left to travel here.’

‘Gods, Sihtric, I am so sorry,’ you sighed and took his hands in yours, squeezing them lightly. Sihtric felt his cheeks heat up at your touch and pulled away.

‘May I ask why?’

‘I just… we grew apart,’ Sihtric said, and then there was a knocking on your door.

‘Lady! Open up! I know yer in here!’

‘Lady?’ Sihtric frowned at you.

‘There is no lady here!’ you yelled, shrugging at Sihtric.

‘I had yer tits in my hands, lady, and I know what those feel like!’

‘What is he on about?’ Sihtric chuckled lightly.

‘I… I have no idea,’ you said and hid your face as it flushed red.

Sihtric then opened the door and Finan stormed in, surprised to see Sihtric.

‘Ya felt her tits too?’ Finan asked him.

‘What? Whose?’

‘Hers!’ Finan yelled and pointed at you, ‘baby warrior! He’s not a he! She’s a … a she!’

‘What?’ Sihtric said again, and both men looked at you.

You opened your mouth to speak, but couldn’t bring out a word. You knew there was no hiding anymore, Finan was not going to let this go until you admitted it.

You took a deep breath and sighed.

‘Finan is right,’ you said softly. You pulled your hairpin out and let your hair down, which was enough for both men to suddenly see you for the beautiful woman you had been all this time. Finan gasped and Sihtric’s heart stopped.

‘My name is not Sten, my name is (y/n).’ 

‘It’s you,’ Sihtric said, his voice suddenly trembling, ‘you… you… we..’

‘We used to be friends… in Dunholm,’ you said and looked at your feet.

‘Wait,’ Finan said, ‘ya know each other?’

‘I…’ Sihtric couldn’t bring himself to say more as he tried to grasp the situation.

‘Yes,’ you said, ‘we do. But Sihtric didn’t know it was me. At least, not that I am aware of.’

‘Did ya?’

‘No!’ Sihtric huffed, ‘how… how could I?’

‘How could ya not recognize this beauty?’

‘I, she, we, I…’ Sihtric tripped over his words.

‘We were just kids when we last saw each other,’ you said, ‘we hadn’t seen each other in over 18 years. I only recognised him because of his name and his eyes,’ you blushed lightly.

‘Jesus,’ Finan chuckled, ‘but why do this? Why hide? Does Uhtred know?’

‘No, he does not. And would you have accepted me as a warrior if you had known before?’

‘Yes,’ both men said at the same time.

‘But,’ Finan said, ‘we wouldn’t have let ya fight at the frontline with us.

‘Exactly,’ you said, ‘and that is why I hid. I have proven myself, I have saved both your arses multiple times. But if you had known about me before…’

‘We would’ve been dead,’ Sihtric suddenly chuckled.

‘Aye,’ Finan snickered, ‘we owe our lives to ya, baby warrior.’ Finan walked up to you with his arms open and pulled you into a hug.

‘I still care for ya all the same, little sister,’ he winked, ‘and, eh… sorry about the… ya know,’ Finan mumbled as he placed his hands on his own chest.

‘Grabbing my tits?’ you frowned, ‘it was an accident, I know,’ you chuckled.

Finan pinched your cheek and smiled, ‘Jesus. A handsome woman, that ya are.’

‘Shut up,’ you punched his shoulder and laughed.

‘Just saying,’ he shrugged. Finan saw your eyes direct to Sihtric and noticed how you blushed upon seeing him. And he suddenly understood why he had seen you blush around Sihtric many times before. He cleared his throat. 

‘I, eh, I’ll leave ya two to it. I am sure ya have a lot to catch up on.’

You smiled and nodded. And unbeknownst to you, Finan gave Sihtric a wink as he walked out the door, causing Sihtric to blush too.

‘Sihtric,’ you said, ‘I’m sorry. For all of this.’

‘No,’ Sihtric hushed you and stepped closer, ‘you have no idea how relieved I am.’

‘What? Why?’

‘I thought I was losing my mind,’ he chuckled, his fingers reaching for yours and intertwining, ‘since you joined us I have been so confused. I felt like I knew you, but I just couldn’t remember how. I didn’t know anyone named Sten, so it made no sense. And I,’  he paused and sighed, ‘I was so confused, because I couldn’t get you out of my head.’

‘W-what do you mean?’

Sihtric stepped closer. You felt his breath on your lips as he spoke, and his hands sneaked around your waist.

‘I couldn’t stop thinking about you,’ he whispered, ‘about your eyes… your smile… your shape,’ he sighed and bit down on his lip, looking you up and down, ‘you did things to me, sly lady’ he chuckled, sending a shiver down our spine, ‘like the way you aroused me each time we trained together, and I always needed to cool off in the river afterwards,’ he smirked and brushed his lips lightly over yours.

‘Sihtric,’ you sighed and closed your eyes, ‘but you had your wife?’

‘My wife? She was a wife who couldn’t satisfy my needs,’ he spoke low, pressing his body against yours, ‘she couldn’t stop my longing for you,’ he brought his hands up to the nape of your neck, ‘she couldn’t stop me from thinking about you when I was inside her.’ 

His words had set you on fire and the feelings you already had for Sihtric became unbearable. Your hands ran up his chest, gripping his collar and pulling him closer.

‘Sihtric,’ you sighed, ‘I don’t want to be the reason for your divorce.’

‘You’re not. You just made me see who the woman I married really was. And I hated it. I… I really only married her because I didn’t want to be lonely anymore,’ he whispered, ‘I thought I was happy, but then you came around,’ he smiled, ‘and I felt things for you in a way I had never felt before, making me realise my marriage wasn’t good at all.’

‘Gods, Sihtric,’ you whispered, ‘you don’t know how I’ve longed for you.’

‘Tell me,’ his whispers became hoarse, ‘I need to hear how you’ve longed for me.’

‘Every day,’ your breathing became heavy as Sihtric grabbed you tighter, ‘I wanted to be close to you, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t tell you the truth.’

‘And so you tortured me,’ he hissed with a chuckle, his breath sneaking into your mouth, ‘all this time. You don’t know what you’ve been doing to me,’ he choked on his words and a moan escaped him when you giggled against his lips.

‘Kiss me,’ you said.

Sihtric leaned in and your lips had barely collided into a heated kiss when Uhtred suddenly barged in, followed by Osferth and Finan. The latter looked guilty, while Osferth just stood there with his jaw dropped, and Uhtred looked as if he was about to kill you. Sihtric pulled away as fast as he could and you tried to hide your red cheeks.

‘What is this news about a lady?’ Uhtred huffed at you, ‘why did you lie?’

‘Lord,’ Finan said, ‘I already told ya.’

‘I want to hear it from her!’ he snapped, stepping towards you and Sihtric immediately shoved you behind him.

‘Lord,’ Sihtric said sternly and clenched his jaw while staring at Uhtred.

‘Step away, Sihtric,’ Uhtred said curtly.

‘No.’

‘I said step away, that is an order!’

Sihtric didn’t move and shoved you back behind him when you tried to face Uhtred.

‘Sihtric. If you do not obey, you can leave with her.’

‘What?’ you snapped.

‘Lord?!’ Finan scoffed.

‘You can’t be serious, lord,’ Osferth said.

‘I trust those who fight alongside me to be loyal and honest,’ Uhtred raised his voice to silence everyone, ‘if there is no honesty, then I cannot give my trust. You have lied to me for months,' he shook his head.

‘Lord, I only did it-’

‘I know why you did it!’ Uhtred snarled, ‘but those who serve me have earned their place with me because they have always been honest. I will not have a liar in our midst. I want you to be gone tomorrow.’

With that said, Uhtred turned on his heels and walked away. Leaving you breathless and on the verge of tears.

‘I… I…’ you stammered.

‘He can’t do this,’ Osferth said, ‘right?’

Finan rubbed his hands through his hair. ‘He is our lord, Osferth, so I’m afraid he can.’

‘Then I will leave with her,’ Sihtric said as he pulled you in his arms.

‘I’m sorry,’ you sobbed.

‘Sihtric, you can’t just leave with her. What about your wife?’ Osferth asked.

‘I divorced her before I left.’

‘What!?’ Osferth shouted.

‘Jesus Christ, ya got to be joking!’ Finan yelled, bewildered.

‘You divorced to be with her?’ Osferth frowned.

‘Partly,’ Sihtric said and clenched his jaw as he held you tight to his chest.

‘But ya said ya didn’t know it was her?’ Finan frowned.

‘I didn’t,’ Sihtric said and looked between both men, ‘my ex wife and I simply grew apart before this all happened, but it became worse when (y/n) joined us. I… had feelings I couldn't explain. And I will not be unhappy again, so I will leave with her.’

Finan and Osferth were too stunned to speak, they couldn't believe they just lost two of their best warriors.

‘No, Sihtric’ you sniffled, ‘I can’t ask you to come with me. Uhtred needs you.’

‘You didn’t ask me. And Uhtred,’ he scoffed, ‘he doesn’t need me the way that I need you. It is done. I leave with you.’

‘No,’ you pleaded, and looked at Finan for help.

‘Sihtric, just think for once, I beg, before ya make any rash decisions.’

‘It is done!’ Sihtric snapped to Finan, ‘and you two need to leave this room, now!’

‘Please, just-' Osferth started.

‘Now!’ Sihtric growled.

‘I’m sorry,’ you mouthed to both men as they looked at you before leaving.

‘Sihtric, please,’ you said after he had closed the door behind the men, ‘don’t do this.’

He took your hand and pulled you close, and you could see the tears in his eyes.

‘Nothing and nobody can keep me away from you,’ he said and cupped your cheeks, ‘I will not argue about this, my love. We leave together, first light.’

‘But where to?’ you spoke softly.

‘Anywhere,’ Sihtric hushed you, pecking your lips, ‘I promise I will protect you and find us a new home.’

You sighed and took his face in your hands, ‘Thank you for not abandoning me.’

‘I never will,’ he said and nuzzled your nose, ‘now come and lay down with me. You need to rest before we leave.’

-----------------

Soon it was dawn. You and Sihtric had already mounted your horses and were ready to go. Sihtric stood beside you to help you up on your horse, but first he placed one hand on your cheek and his other on your neck as he leaned his forehead against yours.

‘Everything will be okay,’ he whispered. ‘I promise.’

‘I know,’ you smiled weakly, ‘I will be okay as long as I have you by my side.’

Sihtric smiled and blushed lightly. 

‘I love you,’ Sihtric whispered. He lifted your chin slightly up and kissed your lips softly.

‘Say that again,’ you smiled against his lips. 

Sihtric chuckled and caressed your cheek with his thumb.

‘I love you,’ he smiled and kissed your cheek, ‘I love you,’ he kissed your temple, ‘I love you,’ he chuckled as you giggled when he kissed your nose, ‘I love you, baby,’ he whispered before kissing you deeply.

‘I love you too,’ you giggled again and buried your face in his neck.

��You better, I just gave up everything for you,’ he winked with a smirk, ‘we should leave now, darling, the sun is coming up.’

He helped you up on your horse and was quick to get on his. He halted his horse next to yours and reached out his hand to cup your cheek.

‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah,’ you sighed and smiled, ‘you?’

‘I am ready to leave and finally be happy,’ he smiled and leaned towards you, giving you a sweet kiss before you both spurred your horses to walk.

‘Halt!’ a voice shouted behind you. 

You frowned at Sihtric, who shrugged, and you turned to look over your shoulder.

‘Uhtred?’ you said, seeing the man walk towards you. Sihtric frowned as Finan appeared, followed by Osferth. Sihtric placed his hand on his axe as the men came closer.

‘What is this?’ you scoffed, ‘a final scolding? I’ll pass.’ You rolled your eyes and wanted to spur your horse again, as did Sihtric.

‘Wait!’ Uhtred said, and sighed, looking at Finan and Osferth.

‘You’ll want to hear this,’ Osferth smiled.

‘You’re a good lair,’ Uhtred said curtly, ‘a little too good for my liking. But these men convinced me,’ Uhtred paused. Finan grinned at you.

‘You can both stay,’ Uhtred continued, ‘I have a use for you. You two will become my spies.’

[pardonmydelays]

what do you love the most about twenty one pilots?

i fucking love this question, but there's no easy answer to it. i guess i'm gonna have to try tho, because sometimes i feel like maybe some of you don't really understand WHY i totally changed my entire blog when clancy came out (it's kinda like me loving this band was my biggest secret for such a long time, idk. i still remember how a few months before it i've mentioned something and anix literally yelled at me like "WHY THE FUCK YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU LIKE TWENTY ONE PILOTS" lmao. anyway).

first of all, no one has ever made me feel so seen and understood. there's real magic in tyler joseph's lyrics, you might hate me for what i'm about to say right now, but speaking of tortured poets - for me it's not taylor, it's tyler. and the scariest part of it all is that i very often relate to his lyrics. but that's also beautiful - it's therapeutic in a way. so when clancy came out and i realized i relate to pretty much EVERY song on this record, i just thought to myself, oh lord, how did i survive this long without their music. it's always been them for me. i will never abandon them again, i swear.

second thing, the lore. you all know i'm a slut for stories told through music (*cough* musical theatre *cough*). also, if the plot of the story is complex and weird as fuck, there's a pretty big chance it will become my favourite thing in the world. the entire lore is an insane metaphor for mental health struggles so, obviously, i can find a part of myself in it. i would die for their lore, honestly. it's all i can think about. and clancy will always be my fucking blorbo.

another thing i love a lot about them, and it's something you don't really see if you don't watch their interviews or live performances, they are literally just two dudes. both josh and tyler have always been very anxious and awkward and weird and that's what makes them more human in my opinion - just two fucking idiots who are best friends, lmao. they are so relatable in every possible way. they are also the funniest dudes in the entire world. and their friendship is so fucking beautiful. the only difference between us and them, truly, is that they are extremely talented and they have their own band.

also, they care about the clique so fucking much, this was probably mentioned on my blog before (maybe even today in a previous ask). they don't care about the charts, about awards, about anything really, all they care about is their music and fans. they don't do it to be the best band in the world. they do it to save lives - our lives as much as their own (if it wasn't for this music i don't know how i would have fought this). and that's what makes them different and honestly, better than the other artists.

they are also pretty much unproblematic. i wasn't really sure if i should mention that, but i feel like i need to. tyler joseph made one stupid mistake a few years ago - the way people reacted to this still breaks my fucking heart. he realized he was wrong tho, he apologized. the other day i saw a post here on tumblr about how he's fucking problematic and racist and the worst man on the planet etc etc. can we... fucking stop, please. it was just a stupid joke and he knows it was dumb and unnecessary. most people wouldn't even apologize, but he did. end of story. i will defend him with my life (not saying he is perfect, but shit, if you want to cancel him for one mistake maybe you should look at yourself first).

i feel like there are thousand different reasons but i'm just gonna stop here, because it's too fucking long already and no one will read it anyway.

[onethatdoesthesaving]

Bad Habits are hard to break

@stubbornismymiddlename

Bad habits are hard to break. 

Habits; the old ones you believe you blocked out, the ones you felt you had let go of. Sam Carver was the one that did the saving, the one that deep inside felt like he was drowning. He was the savior; his brother; the screw up that his life altered having to pick up the pieces. A shell of a back was who Sam was; he worked his ass off through the academy, and somehow it didn’t feel enough. He spent his first few years in the force, the CFD where he bounced around. He kept one duffle of clothing he never fully shopped to create a home in the apartment he lived in. Because why put in the effort when you knew it was only temporarily. 

That was until he landed at house 51. The vibe was different, you felt welcomed at home. Not to mention he recognized a familiar face; Stella Kidd now lieutenant. Was he envious of her? Yeah she worked her ass up and she become someone we all were proud of, but Sam knew the brief time period he had a little crush. Was it because she saved his ass? You know one of those hero moments where you life blinked before your eyes and she was the one that tugged me out of near death. She was married; and something told Sam he’d get a beat down if that husband of hers found out. But it was a crush, she wasn’t why he found himself running from the one place he felt like home. 

It was his fling with Violet which never quite felt like a fling it felt deep and intimate. It was easy; I didn’t want to be another guy she lost. A person she cared about that she now had to say goodbye to. Sam cared about her; may even be worth to say crazy in love. Our time together was special, I wanted to be the best version of myself with her. And for a while I felt like I was okay, I was on the firm and narrow, even repairing my current apartment, because I planned on staying. But that last call before I went on for low kept slipping through my head. The bad parent; the aggressively brother; I felt like my world came crashing down, the protective nature; the boy who was obviously terrified of his family was me. And I reacted; I put hands on a civilian, I went nuts; and looking back Sam knows he should’ve handled himself different, his bad habits are hard to break. But he felt powerless again, he left the firehouse in defeat; he said the words he harbored inside of him for weeks. I love you; when Violet wasn’t prepared remotely ready to hear it. But in the heat of the moment I felt i had to be clear. The shock, the slight hint of tears in her eyes was the last memory I had of her. 

The persistent aching that never left my chest now, and its been two months since I left Chicago. Sam had a countless number of missed phone calls from Stella, from Violet well Violet called once a week and when I would automatically send it to voicemail I think she got the hint I had no interest in being chewed out again. So she only sent messages that said “ Sam.. are  you okay?” And I fought the urges to reply, but I couldn’t not until I figured myself out. Those two months Carver found himself in Milwaukee. He wasn’t working as a firefighter; he was doing construction, repairs in houses; on the loadwork of construction sites. He knew why he reacted; he remembered the countless number of times his dad came at him, he was the only physical thing standing between his brother and dad; the scars that shattered his body. But owning up to his mistakes felt like a hurdle of its own. Sam wasn’t ready. He had his tool bag in hand, and he was just walking into his small apartment, when he felt the persistent vibrations from his phone, and brows pushed together as he dropped his bag and closed the front door. He didn’t even look at the chicago number; he just pressed green and answered. “ Hello Tom.” Assuming it was his boss he just left the jobsite now. “ Carver get your ass back here.” 

Stella? I asked myself before I could make a lame excuse now she went on and continued.. “ I know you’re a little messed up right now, we all are. And I know I went off that day, we had to look at the image of the CFD but the water is brushed under, I’m worried about you, come home.” A plead in her voice, I could hear movement in the back a whisper from Severide about “You got hold of him.” And I know I’d be dodging every call from Chicago, this was pure luck now. The male sighed as I uttered. “ I don’t know, I’m sure you filled my spot Kidd.” And she was quick to add “ No, it’s yours you never said you weren’t coming back, I held it for you. You messed up, but it shouldn’t define the future you have here. See you soon.” She aired out noting I probably wasn’t going to give a straight answer now. THe male let the line go dead, as he marched into his small living room. Dropping himself down to the couch; a little lumpy, as he thought about it. 

Home; the people the family I made, falling in love for real. A home I shattered; and now I was living under a rock of protection from myself; how many bad habits would follow me? Where is my heart and head?