#lloyd suffers enough so let's make him suffer more!

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Same as it ever was 1

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as neglect, bullying, manipulation, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Between your home life and work, you just can't catch a break. Especially after you draw the ire of your boss.

Characters: Lloyd Hansen ft. Pete Brenner

Note: Hope yall like this one!

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!)

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

Everyone knows to keep their head down when Mr. Hansen walks through the department. As often as he already has a gripe in his belly, he is just as likely to be looking for a victim to accost. You keep your head down as you sense him trawling the bullpen, his figure a speck at the corner of your eye.

You keep an ear pricked, call it paranoia, but you've witnessed the sort of suffering he can rain down on the unexpecting. You browse the spreadsheet, carefully inputting numbers cell by cell. You withhold a sigh, not wanting to give away any clue of your existence.

"Kendra," he leans on the blonde's desk, his other hand on his hip, "pretty name…"

She thanks him. The new girl is always his favourite novelty. It's these moments that make you even more thankful for the obscurity that comes with age. And more disgusted by the unchanging behaviour of creepy men.

"There's this conference next month, good experience for a temp," he offers, "what about it, sweetheart?"

If it was any other man, you might clear your throat to let him know you can hear him. To remind him of professionalism. Too dangerous. You feel a twinge of pain at letting the twentysomething flounder against his undeniable proposal.

"Far away so… we'd have to fly out," he continues and you shift in your chair unthinkingly. You can't help it, you've been there, you've had to smile and fawn, to pretend your skin isn't crawling. "...pack something pretty."

Your elbow hits your pen and it rolls off the edge of your desk. You wheel back to grab and dare a peek over at Mr. Hansen in his predatory posturing. His eyes are drawn to you and he squints as he rolls his tongue behind his lower lip. Shit.

You sit up quickly, repressing a groan at the pang in your lower back, and roll up to your desk. You cradle your face, hiding behind your hand as you scroll and pretend to be enraptured by your screen. You doubt you're enough to distract him from the beautiful blonde.

"They got room service up in Gaines," he continues, "think about it."

He taps two fingers on her desk as he pushes off. You expect him to strut back to his office but continues his walk of the floor. You shrink down and curl your shoulders, looking at your cold coffee in desperation. A good excuse to get away from your desk but you can already hear him rebuking you for getting up just for another cup.

You click to the next sheet in the file as he nears. You stiffen as he comes behind you, holding your breath as you wait for him to pass. You feel him pause and hear the subtle scuff of his sole. You nearly jump as he puts his hands on your shoulders.

He leans in, his overpriced cologne tickling at the migraine in the back of your brain. You select a cell and pull up a report for comparison. He watches you work without a word, hands firmly on your cardigan.

He shoves away suddenly and claps his hand as he twists on his heel.

"Alright team, back to work," he demands as if the whole floor must be rapt by his presence, "no fucking around."

You let out a breath of relief. You glance over at Kendra as she gives a cringe at his back. You want to commiserate but you'd hate to make her feel more awkward.

You wait until you're certain Hansen is in his office and take your half-finished coffee to the kitchen. You rinse it out and dry it before placing it on the tray of the machine. You put a pod in and select the size, standing back with crossed arms to watch it brew.

You hear someone behind you but don't look over. The shadow approaches the fridge and pulls it open, taking out a container seemingly at random. You turn your head and blanch at Mr. Hansen as he cracks the communal carton of milk meant for coffee and drinks directly from it. You try not to show your disgust.

"Morning," he swipes the back of his hand across his mustache, "want some?"

He offers the carton as you grab your mug and shake your head, "no, thank you, sir."

"On a diet? Keeping the dairy low?" He wonders before taking another gulp then looks at the label. "Ugh, who the fuck ordered skim?" 

You muster an awkward smile. You've never been good at office politics, you don't pander, you just mind your business and so your work. A good day is when no one bothers you.

He puts the carton back without closing it. You retreat slowly, realising he's between you and the door. You try to sidle past as he reaches into the fridge again. He steps back, nearly into your path and examines the tupperware. You stop short as you recognise the worn teal lid; it's your leftovers from the night before, your name clearly labelled on the top.

"Huh," he peels back the lid and smells the chili, "smells delish…" he dips his fingers to your shock and sucks it off shamelessly, "hell of a cook." He says, a tinge of red in his mustache.

"Uh, thanks, I should–"

"You should?" He arches a brow, "you should… keep your nose out of my conversations and focus on your own work, right?"

"I don't know what you mean–"

"I saw you. Squirming like a caterpillar," he snaps the lid back into place and tosses the whole container on the bin beside the fridge, "look, I know at your age, there’s not much excitement but it doesn't mean you needa eavesdrop on matters that don't concern you."

"I didn't–"

"I get it, you're jealous, your ass blew up after the kids and your husband hasn't looked at you in years–"

"Sir," you say affronted but more stung by the accuracy, "please, I wasn't–"

"Oh, yes, you weren't listening because you have a deadline," he steps closer and wraps his hand around your mug. He wiggles it free of your grasp and you let him, "I moved the budget review to tomorrow morning so…" he pauses and swigs the coffee while snapping his fingers with his other hand, "snap, snap on those expense reports."

You stand, stunned and shamed. He spins nonchalantly and strides out, still sipping your fresh coffee. You let your head fall back and groan. Not only are you out the extra caffeine boost but you have to call the babysitter.

🗄️

You don't mourn your lunch as you likely wouldn't have the time to eat. You spend it outside, below the awning of the building as rain pours over the edge. You have your phone in hand and a needling in your skull. This sort of weather always gives you a headache.

On the fifth try, Pete picks up and you swallow a sigh, "hey," you say abruptly, checking your watch.

"Hey, what's up? I had to leave a meeting," he hisses low, out of breath.

"I'm sorry, I just need to know what time you're expecting to be home. The sitter can only stay until seven but I have to stay late–"

"Late? Honey, you know I can't guarantee I'll be there. I'm working my ass off tryna get this thing off the ground. Grinding–"

"I know, I know, but we could use the overtime and… I don't really have a choice."

"Can't you do tomorrow?"

"Pete, it's one night–"

"One night? It's a call I'm not making–"

"Please," you beg, "we need the money, you know we do."

He puffs and blows a raspberry, "shoulda told that sitter to stick around…" he grumbles.

"We can't even afford to pay her for the extra," you mutter.

"I fucking know–"

"Don't swear at me," you warn, "if you hadn't bought that damn corvette–"

"Not doing this again. I'll be home at seven. Happy?"

You roll your eyes, "yeah," you lie. Happy, no, that's not something you feel anymore.

"Pete," a female voice purrs and he hushes them.

"Got it, Anita," he clears his throat, "tell them I'm on my way back."

"Sorry to keep you," you chew your lip, "I'll let you go."

"Sure," he scoffs.

"See ya tonight," you soften your tone, "love ya."

Click. The call ends and you're left dangling. You pull your phone away and look at the screen. No point in using up the last of your break, you might as well just go back to your desk.

🗄️

Your vision glosses as you stare at the messily painted portrait of a house and tree. The sitter sent a picture of Simone's latest artwork and tugs on your impatience to get out of there. You wish you could be there to pick up your kids and hear all about their day. 

Most times you spend the hours after work cooking, cleaning, and trying to rein them in. You're not fun like Emma, their sitter, you're always the voice of reason, the strict ruler of discipline. You send back a heart and black the screen.

Another person packs up for the day, once more tightening the chain that attaches you to your desk. You lean forward, your head pulsing as the brim of your vision blurs. The advil did nothing against your migraine.

You hold your forehead as you squint at the numbers. This is going to take forever. Pushing a budget meeting up one week surely is a personal attack. You need to work on your poker face, you can't do this again. You're too old and tired.

You yawn and fight to keep your eyes open. Maybe Pete can do bath time. You almost snort at that. Right, and hippos are bright pink and friendly.

You shake your head and lean back, trying to stretch out the kinks. You hear the elevator. Eventually you'll get there. 

You look around, realising the desolation of your predicament. Not too many people left, at least not those without offices. You roll each ankle, arches achy just from your low heels.

Your phone buzzes and you ignore it. It's six-thirty. You let it go to voicemail and save your file for good measure.

You think of having another coffee but that will only make your head throb and your night sleepless. Well, more than usual. 

Your cell starts to jitter again. You're agitated as you snatch it up. It's 7:03. Emma's number greets you in blaring white digits. Dammit, you already know what's going on.

You answer, saving again as you wheel the chair back and reach into the drawer to fish out your purse. You keep the phone to your ear as you say 'hi' and struggle to get your jacket on. Pete!

"Hi, um, I'm still waiting for someone to show up–"

"I'm so sorry, Em," you shut off the monitor without bothering to boot down, "Pete said he'd be there. I'm on my way now."

You step around your chair, nearly tripping over it and push it in behind you. You rush across the office in a clomping gait, half-running as you weigh coming in at 4am and convincing security to let you up early. You continue to apologise to Emma as you promise to be home as soon as you can.

You hang up and dial Pete. As you near the elevator, his voicemail plays and you sneer, hitting end and dialing out again. You poke the down button several times and wait for an answer.

"Pick up!" You growl to no one.

"All done for the night?" A lilting taunt brings you around to face Mr. Hansen as he runs a small comb through his mustache, "you work fast."

"Mr. Hansen, I… I have an emergency–"

"Ah, so you're not done," he tuts, "I figured you'd be used to working fast. I'm sure the old man only last about five seconds, huh?"

"Sir," you bite back your offence, "my kids–"

"Aw, mommy's running late for supper. Let me guess, the dead beat can't even boil water."

You want to shriek. Can this man not shut up? This day just won't end and it's really all his fault. You're welling up and about to explode.

"Please," you utter.

"Oh, come on, you got exactly what you wanted, didn't you? Kids, a husband, the whole nine yards," he tucks the comb into his front pocket, "didn't anyone ever tell you they stop fucking you once you pop at a couple watermelons?"

You gulp. What is happening? Your throat tightens up and your eyes glaze. It shouldn't bother you, he's a gross old pervert but what are you? A bitter and sad old woman.

"You're not going to cry, are you? A strong working lady like yourself? Nah, you can hold it in, for the kids. You got a daughter don't ya, you wouldn't want her to see you break–"

You take a step towards him and stop yourself, palm itching to smack him. You raise your chin and bat your lashes. 

"I'll finish the reports at home. I need to go take care of me kids," you fight to keep your voice steady.

"That's the thing about you moms, always the martyr, always looking for special treatment cause you let a guy drop a load indoors," he sneers, "and you're just gonna raise a couple of brats to go off and live the same boring lives."

"Stop," you croak.

"If you're gonna cry, just do it," he goads, "huh, maybe it's menopause kicking in early? All that stress–"

"Good night, Mr. Hansen," you say curtly and face the elevator just as the doors slide apart, "I'll have the numbers done. I promise."

"Oh, I know you will," he snickers, "but you still owe me. For being such an understanding boss, you know?"

You turn around and grimace in confusion. Owe him? He winks and smirks back, "say hi to the kiddos for me."

The doors shut and you close your eyes, hanging your head in defeat. You're going to be up all night, less than ready for the review and certainly unprepared for Mr. Hansen. You can only hope by then he finds a new target.

[hyperfixate-on-ninjas]

Part 3 of my Ninjago Villain AU

Prev

Next

Kai Jiang-The Conquerer.

When the Green Ninja fell from grace, two ninjas came before him to reason with him. The Jiang Siblings attempted to seek reason with The Green One, but to no avail…

They assumed since The Green Ninja still has a twisted sense of care for them, that they were spared from his ideals, little did they know they were affected more than they realized.

Both The Siblings had one of their Negative Traits Amplified. For The Fire Ninja, The Green One played with his insecurities. As time and time again did he need to be protected instead of him doing the protecting.

He whispered in his mind, pushing his doubt, his weakness and his guilt, until finally he couldn’t ignore the temptation anymore.

The Fire One wanted nothing more than to be strong enough to defend himself and others, to overcome the other Ninja and surpass his limits at last. The Green One willingly gave him his wish…but at a price…

The Fire One’s power, once used to defend others against the dangers of the world, now used to destroy all that remains…if there was no world left, then there would be no more threats right? Hungry for more strength and power, The Fire One’s mind began to corrupt and twist in the name of Greed, destroying everything and setting the world ablaze.

Now sworn to protect The Green One, The Conqueror seeks all who dare try to pose a threat to the remaining family he has and those who dare oppose him in power? Shall suffer the wrath of the flames.

——————————

So yeah here’s Kai.

He’s more dangerous than Zane or Jay because Jay and Zane mostly stick to their domain, meanwhile Kai literally wanders the Earth.

He usually sticks to the remaining vehicles the Ninjas have left to hunt down those with power and those who dare to oppose Lloyd (His only source of power)

Yes he also is in cahoots with Lloyd, he doesn’t really have a choice here because Lloyd gives him enough strength to amplify his powers.

On the other hand, Lloyd also supplies him with special crystal that enhances his powers’ strengths everytime he burns someone/kills them.

I also took the liberty to put Kai’s hair down because I didn’t know how to make the helmet look right.

As for the inspiration for his villain design, most of Kai’s villain design stems from him getting Chen’s staff, however timeline-wise I decided that it didn’t really make sense for my AU since this is sort of an Apocalypse AU as well.

So I decided that Kai’s road to villainy comes from his insecurities amplified to the max, a voice in his head telling him that he keeps letting others sacrifice themselves cause his powers are ‘too weak’ compared to everyone else’s in an effort to become stronger, Kai becomes obsessive, and clings onto the only person who probably understands where he’s coming from (Lloyd) so yeah.

[bracedfangirl]

Fatal mistake

So uh about 5 years ago I sent an anon ask to @lloydskywalkers (whose writing was a major major source of inspiration for this) about an S5 Lloyd dies AU idea, and promised to write it one day... And while I did do so back then, I figured it was time to rewrite this old trope (shoutout to @wassupninja for proofreading all of it and holding my hand while I suffered through writing this)

But first, I shall summon some angst loving mutuals: @goldenavenger02 @thesoundofmadness @rosiehunterwolf @fishybehavior (I probably left out some people... It's 1 am...)

This situation has definitely been in one of his nightmares, Kai's sure of it. To be fair the past weeks as a whole have been a nightmare come true as well. Still he should've expected it... Of course Morro would resort to using Lloyd as a... As an ultimatum tool? Or whatever fancy words Zane would use...

Either way this sucks. If they don't give that greasy dickwad the crystal, he'll kill Lloyd for sure (Kai's seen that disgusting murderous gaze of his), but there's zero guarantee that he won't, even if they do, plus there's also that whole "gonna curse all 16 realms" thing too-

"Stop stalling! Give me the crystal, or else-"

"We're not stalling, we're thinking!"

Kai really, really hopes that Morro believed that, and that he doesn't hear their frustrated banter either. How the fuck are they gonna get out of this, they have nothing-

The ground slightly shakes, responding to Cole's frustration, and suddenly Kai's confidence comes back out of the void.

Let's see how you hold up playing hot potato, fuckface-

"Time's up, I told you to quit stalling!"

Before Kai has any chance to react, he's struck by an overwhelming sense of wrong. He whips around with speed comparable to Jay's strikes, the word 'wait' already on his lips-

His world freezes in place.

Lloyd stands on the ledge, bent back in an awfully unnatural way, red glossy blade sticking out of his middle, eyes wide open in shock.

Skewered, that fucker skewered him-

He's seen this before. Multiple times in slight variation over the years in his nightmares. But none of those even compare to the horror and dread of this because this is fucking real.

He doesn't hear the cries of panic coming from Jay and Cole, or the disgusting eerie chuckle coming from Morro. He doesn't even know if he himself has made any noise.

No he only hears the choked gasp Lloyd gives as he's kicked off the ledge, and makes a run for it. He gets there only a second after Lloyd lands on the ground with an awful crack, hands pressing on the wound reflexively.

Lloyd's eyes are wide open, his teeth clenched, and it takes Kai far too many seconds to realize that the horrible, garbled noise coming from him is his breathing. He can faintly hear Jay scream something again, but none of the words actually register. He presses his hands on the wound harder, earning an awful noise of pain from Lloyd in response. The panic has ebbed enough that Kai finally turns to look at Zane, waiting for whatever medical instructions he's whipped up-

But Zane's just staring. He's staring with that awful, horrified and saddened look, and Kai's blood runs cold.

No-

Lloyd's equally soaked hand suddenly grips his wrist, and Kai whips his head back to look at him.

His eyes are only half open now, but he's looking Kai straight in the eye.

"H-Hey... It's gonna be f-fine... Even g-got the power part handle-"

Lloyd suddenly chokes on his words, blood squirting from his mouth as he coughs. Seemingly realizing how little time he has, he reaches for Jay's shaking hands, turning to look at him and the others.

"Don' ya dare eve' s'op makin' jokes 'kay? Y'all gonna nee' jokes. Don' s'op till ya kicked the ass o' every ghost ou' there-"

Lloyd weakly spasms as more blood spills from his lips, his hold on Kai's wrist weakening. His head stills again vaguely in Kai's direction, eyes glossed over and barely open.

"Go'a s'ay a'some a'ight? Like... Vo'ca'o..."

His eyes are already closed somewhere mid sentence, and Kai scrambles to respond in panic, realizing he's been rendered silent the whole time-

The fire in Kai's heart sputters out just as Lloyd does, hand sliding off of Kai's wrist.

And Kai falls apart.

He cries and wails, begging his littl brother to wake up, to stay, even though he knows Lloyd can't hear it.

"I must admit I'm touched. But I do wonder, which is more pathetic? The fact that you even dropped this in your haste to reach him, or that he seemed the least scared out of the five of you."

Morro's sly, gleeful voice echoes through the cavern as he eyes the realm crystal in his transluscent hands with a disgusting grin before he disappears into one of the tunnels, likely leading to the surface.

As pathetic as it is, Kai doesn't immediately scramble to his feet to chase after him, to wipe the grin off his face by pressing it into water and wrangling that wretched crystal from his hands. He just stays rooted firmly into place, along with the others. It's as if all of his strength left him, leaving him to tremble in silence, clutching his brother's dead body, unhearing and unfeeling as Cole and Zane try to hold Jay together as he crumbles behind him with loud cries.

As if only a second had passed, Zane appears at his side, telling him they need to get going with an eerily monotone voice. He shifts his hold Lloyd's body with trembling hands, before shakily standing up. It feels like he's moving on autopilot, not even registering the climb to the surface. He can't feel his soaked gi sticking to him, or the wind coming from the exit of the cave or any of the bruises and cuts he's picked up. There's just this empty, numb and cold feeling right where his power and heart would be, the punishment for his failure to do the one thing destiny tasked him with.

That's not entirely true... He still has Nya left. He's going to have to work extra hard to keep her safe, failing her too is something he can't afford.

But unless he figures out some sort of magical plan real soon, he's going to lose not just her, but everyone else he loves as well.

[ninjagosimp]

Short Lloyd+Nya siblings

I see Oni as naturally having very VERY close sibling relationships because (my au) when the oldest oni child is 10 years old they along with all younger siblings (above 3 years old) are pretty much abandoned by the parents, as they are considered old enough to take care of themselves and their siblings.

So having this for Lloyd means that naturally he would have a bond with siblings, but he doesn’t have biological siblings so Nya and Kai became non-biological siblings to him.

Nya more than Kai for two reasons. 1. In his partly oni brain, at the very beginning (before he was the green ninja) he saw Nya as more of not-human. (I will make a different post about this) and she was closer to Lloyd’s age (Lloyd: 9, Nya: 13).

2. Nya was much kinder to Lloyd than Kai was at the very beginning.

So mixing his oni protectiveness with his care for Nya. And then let’s add some Nya being attacked to the point where she fading in and out of consciousness, and you got a recipe for disaster.

(This is after Quest for the Lost Powers)

So Nya and Lloyd got paired up for a simple mission, but that never happens for them. It was an ambush and one thing leads to another and Nya is laying down on the ground and Lloyd is near her about to completely lose his temper.

The people that ambushed them are already talking about the payment they’ll get from this, but the straw that broke the camels back was this.

Creep: “You know, I’m thinking about keeping the girl, she does have a good face.”

Hearing someone talk about his sister like she was a damn artwork, the sister who had protected him though everything, who trusted him with her life, who was just laying unmoving on the ground hurt because of these horrible people.

It was the second time in his life that he went into his oni form. He couldn’t even get the motivation to try and stop himself. They hurt one of the most important people in his life, he wanted them to suffer.

[lloydfrontera]

So I think it's pretty well established that one of the biggest sins of Lloyd and Alicia's relationship is that they just don't interact enough to justify them being endgame.

So imagine an au where Suho get's transmigrated into the body of a palace servant instead of Lloyd Frontera. He'd still be forced to work hard and bust out his civil engineering knowledge to make money because I assume palace servants are mostly paid in room & board. But of course Alicia would notice this talent and want to keep him close. And since Suho doesn't have a Barony to go back to, he has no reason to turn down her jobs as long as she keeps paying him. (This is going off of the novel's characterization of her where she tells Lloyd that she isn't a tyrant and won't force him to work if he doesn't want to).

Plus I'm positive she suffers from Swordmaster Syndrome like Javier, so Suho would definitely offer her his lullaby service in order to gain some sort of leverage over her as well. There could even be rumors that the two are actually sleeping together and that's why Suho keeps getting jobs and titles. It would be really funny if whatever body Suho transmigrated into was just as plainfaced as Lloyd and the entire court is throwing a tantrum over it. Especially if Alicia is completely unbothered by it as she has spent her entire life surrounded by stupid and petty rumors. And since anything relating to romance is one of the few things that can fluster Suho, I could see him being secretly bothered by these rumors, even though he tries to hide it. This could then force Alicia to grow an empathy bone and help this man she has genuinely grown to trust and care about, and maybe even love.

As their relationship and level of trust progresses, I think it would be different enough from Lloyd's relationship with Javier to be interesting. Where Lloyd has to reestablish, for lack of a better word, trust with Javier and then prove that he would make first a good lord and then a good friend (and lover lol). Whereas with Alicia Suho would not only have to prove himself to her, but also overcome the huge power imbalance and status between the two of them. That could actually be a great way to visualize how close their growing as Suho rises in noble status to become closer and closer to her equal.

Speaking of Javier, if the restoration of fate is still a threat he might wind up being one of the main protagonists. Because Suho wasn't transmigrated into LLoyd, he wouldn't have saved the Barony so Javier begins his journey as the lone protagonist destined to lose virtually everyone and everything he ever loved. But also Suho wasn't there to build up his trust with him, so when Javier learns that either he or Suho has to die or else the entire continent is screwed, he has no reason to believe that Suho isn't some loose cannon threat. But by this point he has gained the trust with Alicia and there is no way she is letting Javier kill the man she loves. Maybe she orders Javier's execution/suicide, but would the other nobles/kingdoms allow that after Javier has spent years as a wandering hero? So now Suho is left with three options; 1. Die, 2. Somehow find a way to kill the most overpowered man in history, 3. Let everyone he knows and loves die, mostly at the hands of the woman he loves the most.

god. when are you dropping the fic again.

this is a way more compelling way to make me interested in alloyd than anything bk moon ever wrote. what the hell.

personally i cannot handle the idea of lloyd and javier not being close in any way shape or form it literally doesn't compute in my head but. this is so fucking good i can ignore the screeching little gremlin in my brain.

just a comment, i don't think alicia suffers from swordmaster syndrome. she's already a swordmaster by the time the novel starts, she probably powered through her insomnia and then learned how to shut down her augmented senses to fall asleep just like javier expected to be able to do when he became a swordmaster. javier just had the misfortune of becoming reliant on the lullaby service and then was unable to quit it once he already experienced it. alicia didn't rely on it before she was swordmaster and so suho wouldn't have been able to leverage it against her once she was.

but everything else is fucking amazing i love it <3

[the-painted-siren]

Protection Ward

Chapter 3 of Serpents and Shadows! <<Previous Chapter Summary: In the aftermath of Garmadon's reunion with his son, he takes some time to think about all the things that went wrong. And Misako provides an important perspective. Alright, you've seen Wu angst and Lloyd angst. Now it's time for a special sort of Garmadon angst! Enjoy.

Garmadon’s family has a penchant for pain. Whether it be causing it or grieving with it, pain is always present in their lives. That’s the most succinct way he can explain it. 

He knows, of course, that most of it is unintentional. That no one in his family actually enjoys suffering. A family as vibrant and joyful as his prefers sunshine and pleasant rain before ancient, evil death clouds or towering colossi any day. But regardless of intent, pain always finds them. And that’s enough to make the festering knot of guilt tighten in his gut. 

“You wouldn’t hurt me. Your son.” 

“I have no son.” 

Garmadon curses aloud. Deities, why had he said that? Why had he hurt Lloyd like that? Lloyd, the one person he had sworn never to harm no matter the consequence. His son, the one person he would have traded his own life and love to protect. His son, battered and bruised and scraping at the desert sand, barely clinging to life, and all at the hands of his own father-

The soft green fabric of Lloyd’s jacket wrinkles in Garmadon’s crushing grip. A feeling like glass stabs into his chest. 

Turns out Harumi had been right about one thing, Garmadon thinks, scowling. That sharp pang surges, pinning his heart against his ribcage. Even after all these years, his son is still his greatest weakness. How fitting that bringing Lloyd harm has become his downfall. How fitting, that the person he cared for most, now hates him, and rightfully so. Their relationship was still made of broken promises, even to the bitter end. 

“The cherry blossoms are beautiful this year.” 

The sliding door closes against the frame with a faint thump. Misako, as straight-laced and confident as Garmadon remembers her, settles her arms down on the railing next to him with ease. He can never escape her, even on the sun-soaked balcony that he’s banished himself to.

“What do you want, Misako?” He asks. 

He feels the frown she angles at him more than sees it but it’s an expression he’s committed to memory. Years of their relationship flash before his eyes—the days-long romps through archeological sites, the sturdy, mural-adorned walls of their home, her upbeat, cocky laughter morphing into startled demeanors and despairing grimaces. Looks of fear backed into a corner and explosive anger wrought by the Devourer’s venom. 

Most of their interactions turn out like this because of it. Quiet and awkward, the way only decades of discomfort and weeks of high-stakes resistance can make people like them. After a while, Misako lets out a sigh. 

“Lloyd’s calmed down,” she says. “And he’s okay.”

She must see how Garmadon tenses at the news because her gaze softens and her fingers intertwine with his. One way or another, he resists the urge to yank his hand away. Maybe she deems it progress, or maybe she’s feeling sentimental, either way she decides to stay with him for a little longer and he’s all the more terrified because of it. 

“Listen, Garmadon,” she starts with a voice that’s softer than her usual low, deep tone. “You can’t keep hiding out here-”

“I’m not hiding,” Garmadon bites out. And it’s true, for the most part. He’s not hiding, he just… he can’t be in the monastery right now. He can’t be around Lloyd after being the source of so much sorrow. After everything Lloyd has been through—sacrifice, loss, steel-bolted walls shrieking against pressure and pain—the least Garmadon owes him is the space to process it all. 

Especially, after what he just witnessed. 

Garmadon kept his composure the same as always. Even deep in meditation or within the confines of his own mind, he stayed his earthly desires and let his keen intuition speak above his conscious thoughts. The rawest of his sentiments, of course, all said the same thing: that he needed to visit Lloyd. He needed to make things right. 

He had been debating the merits of doing exactly that—or throwing himself over the side—when the world picked that critical moment to make everything go wrong. It started with a flash of blond disappearing from the corner of his eye. Shortly after, the unmistakable sounds of glass shattering and his son sobbing reached his ears. 

Then the first waves of panic shuddered through the monastery, rattling it down to its initial, ancient foundations. 

All too unfortunately, Garmadon knew that rattling. He knew what it meant and who the source was. His most primal, automatic paternal instincts ripped through his self-pity like it was fine linen. He didn’t think. His feet moved on their own, throwing him through the doors of the monastery to present to him: Lloyd, going all to pieces in the middle of the kitchen. 

‘He saw,’ a traitorous hiss shrilled in his ears. “He saw you. He fears you.”

His son’s name shredded his throat. 

“Lloyd!”

But before he could take even a step, Kai’s smoldering, molten gold eyes found him, a threat written clearly in them. 

“No!” Kai’s nearly primordial roar nailed Garmadon in place. “You get out of here!”

Faintly, from within the kitchen, Wu’s voice rose above the chaos—it rose above the shaking ground, the breaking understructure, the upheaval of panicked screaming and guttering lights caused by the true intensity of Lloyd’s powers. 

“Kai! That’s not helping.”

“He’s not helping.” Kai jerked his head in Garmadon’s general direction. 

By the grace of Ninjago’s most powerful deities, some of the quaking began to fizzle down. Lloyd’s mouth began to move into a soundless bunch of muttering. Kai’s attention wrenched around to face the problem. His hands went to cup Lloyd’s face and his wrists were immediately met by Lloyd clinging to them as if they were his very lifelines. And Kai, of course, responded to him by instructing Lloyd on what to do. Vital life force breathing—four, seven, eight. 

Garmadon remembered, with a guilty, wretched ache, the way that Lloyd used to do that to him whenever he needed comforting. He remembered how he taught Lloyd that technique and was met with subsequent cynicism. Cynicism that became belief that became coaching Lloyd through dangerous nights on the run from the Golden Master. 

It became their connection and the thing Garmadon’s mind went to whenever he thought of his son’s safety. And now it had become the thing Lloyd needed to protect himself from his own father.

“That is it!” Nya hollered with her entire inundating soul. “Everybody, stay here, and remain calm. Do not do anything stupid.” She leveled a freezing, stormy glare at Garmadon. “Especially you.”

By that point, she had taken Kai and Lloyd by their most accessible extremities and dragged them into the hallway, the former rubbing circles into the latter’s back. The shoji slammed shut against the frame.

Soon enough, the shaking ceased, the lights shined steady, all fell into strained silence. All Garmadon could hear was his ears ringing. 

And that marked the end of Garmadon’s first reunion with Lloyd. 

“Regardless,” Misako says once the silence has passed. “It won’t do you any good to stay out here. You’re not the only one who’s made mistakes.” She goes distant with that statement, her gaze catching on the misty mountainside below as if remembering something from a long time ago. 

Garmadon can’t help but turn toward her after she speaks, almost startled she’d ever admit to doing something wrong. Her meticulous nature and pride never allowed for it in the past, even when conversing about things meaningless to her work or family. But he supposes that time really does wear all things down, even the stone-like Misako. She huffs out a breath and meets his gaze head-on—dark brown finding faded maroon. Her hand offers his hand a consoling squeeze. 

“There’s a lot I regret, especially when it comes to Lloyd,” she resumes and when Garmadon looks at her again, he swears he sees fine lines and wrinkles he hadn’t seen before. “But I didn’t get anywhere by not being present. For our relationship to get better, I had to actually be there. I had to try. And so do you.” 

As if that matters. As if any of that matters. 

Despite the all too welcoming—far too welcoming, naive—support of the people around him, Garmadon knows that there’s no coming back from the things he’s done. 

Lloyd’s ability to love and forgive is plentiful. But he’d be a fool to extend such compassion to Garmadon. Especially if he doesn’t want to get hurt again. Senseless violence has no place in a monastery of peace. Or in Lloyd’s life. 

“Does it even matter anymore?” Garmadon whispers. 

He’s predictably startled when Misako’s grip tightens like a steel valve and her eyes darken to that of stormy anger. 

“Yes, it matters,” she says, her voice hard and incontestable. “It matters because you matter.” Her gaze is hard and unyielding while her other hand suddenly comes up to meet him in the space between them, coasting along the fabric of Lloyd’s jacket. “You need to remember. Remember what we made together, how special he is to us, and all the things we gave to keep him safe, even if it was futile in the end.” 

Misako takes a deep breath and before Garmadon knows it, her irritation begins to melt away, dripping into that former exhaustion he’s slowly coming to associate with her. She leans in enough for her bangs to tickle the spot between his brows and a quivering butterfly flaps its wings in Garmadon’s stomach. Deity, it’s been so long since they’ve last been that close. 

His wife’s next words come in a muted whisper. 

“We need you to remember how special you are to me and Lloyd.” 

Garmadon’s mouth drops open as it tries to find another cause for him to stay away, another safeguard to protect his family from a monster like him. But it ultimately closes back into a scowl. Normally, he might be able to dredge up a reason why she’s wrong, even just one, but she hasn’t given him any leeway to do so this time. She has him in a chokehold. Damnable woman.

Misako must be able to see the aura of defeat she’s managed to cast over him. Though she’s not smug when she speaks, there is a pleasing lilt in her tone to indicate that the conversation is over, whether either of them wants it to be or not. At least for now, as Garmadon suspects that if he pushes it then it’ll devolve into a screaming match, which is the last thing anyone (see: Lloyd) needs.

“You know,” she says softly, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I’m still waiting for you to have something sweet to say.” 

She flashes him a smile and with that, pivots on her heel and slips back into the monastery. Though the door is quick to close behind her, it can’t muffle the lingering tidbits of a chitchat and muted laughter that float around his wife and his brother.

“Your turn, Wu!” 

“Is he still moping?” 

“Unfortunately.” 

Garmadon lets out an agonized groan and drops his head down into his hands.

[galaxy-fleur]

OC Profile Case 05: William Roy

Additional information:

Age (at the time of first appearance): 24.

Height: 165 cm.

Affiliation: BSAA.

Appearances: RE3, RE5, DI.

Strengths and skills: Highly knowledgeable in B.O.W. research and development, can easily take on the role of medical professional in the instance of an injury, high emotional intelligence.

Flaws and weaknesses: Gets emotionally overwhelmed in combat, a bit rusty on combat training, anxious.

Relationships:

Romantic connection: Jill Valentine, (former) Carlos Oliveira.

Familial relationship: Aruna Wella.

Closest friends: Rebecca Chambers, Natasha Stakh, Barry Burton, Josh Stone.

On good terms: Carlos Oliveira, Chris Redfield, Leon Kennedy.

Acquaintances: Claire Redfield, Wendy Lloyd, Sheva Alomar.

Negative relationship: Albert Wesker, Dave Newman, Nicholai Ginovaef, Chaewon Lee.

Brief Summary:

- William was unlucky enough to get caught up in the middle of the Racoon City outbreak, staying over at a friend's house to watch his pet bird at the time. He managed to stay relatively safe just by locking himself away and trying to save his resources. Unfortunately, as days passed and situation only got worse with no end in sight, he was forced to leave the apartment building and try to make his way out of the city.

- He stumbles onto Jill Valentine by pure luck, with her saving him from an infected individual in just the right nick of time. While he's inexperienced, she's not willing to let another innocent civilian die, so she offers him her help, at least for the time being, which he accepts.

- Despite him not being all that helpful in combat, he does prove himself quite useful by treating injuries and offering handy information along the way. He also accompanies Carlos in his efforts to find a working vaccine to cure Jill. While initially viewed as a simple, scared civilian to protect, he earns genuine respect of them both after doing everything in his power to ensure that they all get out safe.

- After witnessing all the horror of bioterrorism first hand, he joins the ranks of BSAA to hopefully ensure that no more innocent people would have to suffer through something similar. While he does eventually become a seasoned operator who can hold his own just fine, he switches over to the anti-B.O.W. research department instead, working alongside his sister.

- Jill stuck by him through most of his initial training, helping him out when needed and encouraging him whenever he was faced with doubts. It's in this time period where he learns from her of what happened in the Arklay Mountains first hand, and just how much influence Umrella really had.

- Carlos and Will had a romantic relationship for a year before splitting up due to them both having little time to invest in a proper relationship. There are no bad feelings between them, and Carlos still tends to tease him on these times together whenever they meet up again.

- William refused to believe that Jill was truly dead when she disappeared. That denial put a real strain on his relationship with Aruna, who was very concerned for him and the way he refused to accept reality. On the other hand, that shared grief and a sense of guilt pushed him and Chris to grow closer to one another.

- William accompanies Chris, Sheva and Aruna during the events of RE5. Although he splits up from the group to stay with Jill once she breaks out of her mind control. From then on, he accompanies her and Josh on their mission instead, hoping the rest are safe in the meantime.

- Along with Aruna, he has stayed with Jill for the majority of her recovery. Seeing what Wesker has done to her riddled him with guilt, even though there was nothing he could have done. Their relationship becomes somewhat distant, with both of them dealing with regrets that were technically out of their control. But he does stay by her side regardless. He ends up scolding her alongside Chris for her recklessness on the job in the beginning of DI.

- In duration of Death Island, William plays a rather vital part for Jill's decision to let go of the past and forgive herself, with Dylan singling him out to threaten his life to her directly. After Aruna and Rebecca supply everyone with vaccines, he immediately goes out to look for Jill, though they don't have the time to talk properly before mutated Dylan makes his appearance.

- The do, however, share a much needed heartfelt conversation with each other post-DI, essentially letting go of regrets that pushed them away from one another and agreeing to start looking forward into the future from now on instead. They get together as a couple approximately a year after DI takes place.

Trivia:

- Carlos is the one who initiated any romantic interactions between the two, starting with some playful flirting to distract the poor guy from all the chaos happening around (much to Jill's annoyance), and ending with genuine appreciation for his good heart and determination to do what's right. Carlos was also William's first wake-up call to being bi!

- Out of all his negative relationships, the only one that is genuinely hateful is one with Wesker, and that is solely for what he did to Jill. Wesker is also the only instance of Will wanting to kill someone with his own two hands. The only reason why he didn't, is because he didn't have the heart to leave Jill. He specifically tells Chris to 'give him hell for me' before they part.

- His hatred for Wesker also projects onto Dave. In contrast to his sister, William never managed to forgive him for his part in Wesker's plans. Nobody blames him for it, not even Aruna herself. While his feelings do mellow out through the years, the grudge and unease will always be there.

- William doesn't like Christmas. Which is a bit funny, because Aruna loves it. His annoyance stems from his parents always making him decorate the entire house for the holidays and cook the Christmas dinner. He does come to like it eventually, but he's still noticeably pouty whenever Christmas rush comes around.

- William and Carlos are the ones that find passed out Natasha by pure chance. It's thanks to William's medical skills that she survives. In a way, both Jill and Natasha have William to thank for keeping them safe, even if he had little to none combat skills at the time. He had other ways of protecting those he wanted to protect.

- William and Rebecca can often be seen working or just spending time together as friends. With them both sharing a passion for science and a preference for sweets, having lunch together became a common pass time.

- William has a secret passion for writing. Specifically mystery novels and science fiction. He often gives Jill his drafts to get her feedback. In a world without bioterrorism, he probably would have become a teacher.

Nicknames:

- Will (by Aruna, Claire, Rebecca, Carlos).

- Tater Tot (by Carlos).

Miscellaneous:

- William/Jill playlist

1 - Picrew Link

2 - Picrew Link

3 - Picrew Link

4 - Link

Picrew used for main pic - Here!

[spinjitsuburst]

YEYSYEYSYEYEYYSYSYES IM SO UNWELL ABOUT THIS TOPIC YOU DONT EVEN KNOW

As someone who arguably could be a candidate for a Jay Fan Contest you’re so right dude and you should absolutely say it

JAY’S A STUBBORN FORCE OF ENERGY WHO DOESN’T BACK DOWN OR GIVE UP EVEN WHEN AT HIS LOWEST OR WHEN HE’S ALONE OR WHEN HE DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE

Don’t get me wrong, with my personal tastes in stories I do LOVE a good breakdown or how a character gets so beaten down when in a bad situation like torture you can see them breaking, it’s fascinating to read/watch and on a personal level it’s nice to see characters go through so much only to end up okay and healing in the end. But it’s even more fun and fascinating to see such a stubborn and strong-willed character go through that and STILL keep his snark and stubborn attitude

ESPECIALLY with Jay, who is a person who very specifically deflects his problems with humor and snarkiness. Like the guy was getting beaten and was captured super high up in the air with no escape and enemies around any corner and yet he was still MOUTHING OFF THE WHOLE TIME AND IT'S GREAT

the only times in Skybound he actually broke and became upset was with his parents, losing Cole and Lloyd, and when Nya actually DIED. Which all actually play super well into his character. His parents have always been a sore spot for him - he's sensitive about them and their overbearing nature, but he loves them so much and will do literally anything for them. Not to mention he just learned that they weren't biologically his parents, so he's going to be even more emotional than normal when he sees them next, and he's just been through a LOT. He needed to lean on his parents, to have them take a little bit of that emotional burden just for a moment, before he can pick himself back up and do what needs to be done. We love Ed and Edna in this house

the second time is when they're finally escaping. Note. AFTER THEY HAVE GOTTEN OFF THE MISFORTUNE IS WHEN JAY FINALLY LETS HIMSELF CRY ABOUT THIS. Not that he didn't maybe have a cry sesh in his cell off-screen or something but definitely not in front of anyone else. The second time is directly about losing Cole and Lloyd to the sword. "When will it be enough?! I can't keep losing people!"

THE THIRD TIME JAY BREAKS DOWN. DO I EVEN NEED TO GO INTO DETAIL WHY SEEING SOMEONE YOU LOVE DYING WOULD MAKE YOU A LITTLE UPSET PERHAPS

the point is that all those moments are not about his own suffering. It's about the ones closest to him suffering, or when he's finally safe enough with people he feels like he can breakdown with like his parents.

those moments are so good and really well written. Skybound has... writing issues but Jay's arc is not one of them, and those moments add SUCH depth to his character

I think a big reason why a lot of people shift this way is the uwu-ification of Jay in later seasons (which I have like. my own thoughts about). A lot of people see Jay as a much weaker and more timid character than he was in earlier seasons bc of how he's been written recently and it's very frustrating! But the sparks of his stubborn willpower is still very much present, especially in Prime Empire and Seabound. My mans lost everyone AGAIN and was surrounded by an entire hoard of enemies and he still was able to hold them off until he could summon the dragon to get himself out of there and face Unagami. And in Seabound he risked his LIFE to power the subs battery, and continued to fight even though he was weak from dry drowning. THAT IS NOT A WEAK CHARACTER WHO CRUMPLES UNDER PHYSICAL DURESS. JAY IS SO SO SO STRONG AND PEOPLE WHO PORTRAY HIM AS SUCH ARE MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

again, the only times he breaks down is when he loses nya in seabound. jay's always been strong until it comes to the people in his life leaving, through death or... ocean-ification...? That's when we see him truly break down. It's always about others, not himself

what you say about Jay's condition in the skybound fics is actually very true. 90% of the fandom portrays him as falling at the slightest degree of pain, bursting into tears and begging when in canon Jay NEVER cries or begs in all his torture with Nadakhan. All he does at most is complain silently, and continue talking shit about everyone

we actually need more fics of Jay being a little shit that fights dirty, cheats, and deals damage using the meanest ways to defend himself and attack even when he's getting his ass kicked. I just feel like a lot of fics don't really embody the fact that Jay didn't sit back and let them torture him while he cried, but he actually fought back, he actually continued to be stubborn to the point that nothing Nadakhan did worked.

You're so right and you should absolutely say it. I am not the biggest Jay enjoyer (don't get me wrong, I like him, but I'm not winning the Jay Fan contest any day soon), but I particularly enjoy his arc in Skybound and how that persistence plays into it. Seeing it get put to the side in favor of whatever all these crying sessions are trying to do honestly makes me wonder - do people who write this flavor of sadboy Jay actually enjoy/appreciate Skybound to the same degree that inspires so many of us to write about it, or are they just there for the angst openings? Which does Jay such a huge disservice. I'm still in awe whenever Jay gets that Target ball sized ball and chain slammed into his chest and still gets back up. This is the guy everyone's relegating to weep in a corner? He's throwing stray insults at every opening and then some and the popular fanon consensus is, "yeah, he's completely broken, send him to the pit"??

Now, don't get me wrong, the occasional show of vulnerability is great. Key word there is occasional. To be fair, I would likely be just as unsettled as I am by the sobfest trend if Jay just did Bugs Bunny shenanigans the entire time without ever cracking. It's about balance! Show that development off! Have him get tougher over time! A strategically placed breakdown or slip-of-the-tongue beg can work so well, it's just got to be handled carefully. (Tried it with Nya once in my own Skybound fics, and can confirm: watch where and when it happens and you can say a lot about whoever does it. Granted, I have never tried it with Jay, but same principle!) Sure, let him do it - but not for the sake of doing it. What would Jay think after the fact? How would the crew's reactions affect him? (Fun idea: would he weaponize it, like the back pain scene where he's literally grinning the whole time? Would he deliberately turn on the waterworks often enough that if it ever happens for real, nobody tries to take advantage of it?)

I didn't mean to go on for that long, but yeah! It's a frustrating topic, and I really wish I knew where it came from. Thanks for dropping in and letting me ramble!

[razzle-zazzle]

Whumptober Day 06: Touch & Go

Hunger

1820 Words; Runaways AU, just barely pre-Rise of the Serpentine

Lloyd was used to hunger.

It wasn't the kind of statement you’d want to hear from an eight year old, but it was the truth.

One would think that attending a boarding school would mean no issues with food—but Lloyd’s peers would pick on him in any way they could, including stealing his food, and his teachers would look the other way more often than not.

Being thrown out into the streets with nobody to look after him hadn’t helped, either. Lloyd didn’t have anything in the way of money when Darkley’s had kicked him out, so he’d learned how to scrounge and steal and covet any food he could get his hands on.

So yeah, Lloyd was used to going hungry.

Things had gotten better since running into Cole. But better didn��t necessarily mean good.

They were always on the move, and Cole had a system worked out where he would do labor or other small favors in exchange for food and lodgings. Stay just long enough in a town to eat up, rest up, and then stock up for the trip to the next.

Lloyd helped, sometimes, by virtue of being a small child with wicked puppy dog eyes.

But there were still two mouths to feed, and they still had no luck finding someone who would take Lloyd in—some towns chased them out entirely upon hearing who Lloyd was related to.

Fortunately, Lloyd was used to going hungry.

At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

+=+=+=+=+

Cole was starting to consider giving up on the “find-Lloyd-a-proper-home” idea.

They’d already stopped announcing Lloyd’s heritage, but rumors and gossip spread fast—too fast. Not a single village they’d stopped at during the last month hadn’t known, resulting in suddenly-closed shops and suspicious glares and “Sorry, can’t help you”s and, in one notable case, an actual pitchfork waved at them.

Cole checked his bag again, wincing at the lack of proper food in there. If he was on his own, he could probably make this last for a week, but…

Cole looked over to where Lloyd was drawing with a stick in the dirt, likely plotting another prank. The kid was probably already aware of the food situation—or, Cole frowned, he was used to it after spending a few weeks on his own.

That didn’t reduce Cole’s stress, though. On his own, he could eat lightly enough to make the food last. But with the kid added into the mix?

Cole counted through the bags of trail mix and cans of non-perishables he still had. This wouldn’t be enough to last to the next town—not for the both of them.

And just getting to the next town didn’t guarantee more food, either.

Lloyd shouted, kicking at a small pile of sticks he built and laughing.

Cole looked at the contents of the bag one last time, then closed it.

The decision was surprisingly easy.

+=+=+=+=+

“I’m hungry.” Lloyd complained, trudging along the trail. “And my feet hurt, and it’s hot out, and—”

Cole sighed. “I know.” He continued walking. “The situation’s shitty enough, we don’t need to add needless complaining to it.”

Lloyd stuck out his tongue. “Well maybe I like complaining.”

“Then complain in your head.”

It wasn’t exactly easy to sulk while trudging up a hill, but Lloyd managed.

“Besides,” Cole added after a moment, “Complaining about the problems means you’re thinking about them, which makes them worse.”

Lloyd couldn’t argue with that logic, but not thinking about his aching feet or empty stomach was hard. It wasn’t like there was much else to do.

“Stupid walk,” Lloyd muttered, “Stupid people and their stupid food that they won’t share,” He crossed his arms for a moment, realized it made walking harder, and uncrossed them, “Stupid hills being too tall and stupid sun being too hot.” He was working up a really good sulk now, “Stupid tall grass scratching my legs—”

Cole groaned, half of it a growl. “You little pest,” he hissed, whirling around to face Lloyd.

“We’ve been walking for hours!” Lloyd protested, “The sun’s starting to set and we haven’t stopped since morning!”

Cole sighed. “Look, kid,” he began, tone unusually serious, “we need to get to the next town, ASAP. We have to keep going.”

Lloyd huffed. “That’s stupid.”

“There’s a reason—”

“It’s because we’re running out of food, isn’t it?” Lloyd accused. “We didn’t eat as much this morning.”

Cole cringed. “Yeah, that.” Then he frowned. “You’re not supposed to worry about that. I’ve got it handled.”

Lloyd’s eyebrow raised, skepticism written across his face.

Cole tensed, shoulders pulling in, before turning around. “C’mon. We just gotta get to that hill there. Then we can settle down for the night.” He started walking again, only glancing back once to make sure Lloyd was following.

Lloyd groaned at the distance, but said nothing else.

+=+=+=+=+

“You’re not eating.”

Cole froze.

A moment later, he resumed sketching the landscape in his sketchbook. “So?” He asked, faintly annoyed that Lloyd had noticed so quickly.

Lloyd frowned down at his own dinner. “‘S not fair.” He muttered.

Cole didn’t respond, instead concentrating on shading in the trees on the horizon just right. Maybe if he ignored the problem and focused on his drawing, it’d go away.

He was brought out of his laser-focus by Lloyd tugging on his shirt, food in hand.

“What now?” Cole asked, pulling his sketchbook close to his chest.

Lloyd held out the bowl. “Here.”

Cole stared, then pushed the bowl towards Lloyd. “This is yours.”

Lloyd frowned. “Yeah, I’m sharing it.”

“Just eat the damn food, Lloyd.” Cole shut his sketchbook, setting it and the pencil in his lap. “I’m not arguing with you about this.”

“But you need to eat.” Lloyd insisted, as if that would change Cole’s mind. “It’s not fair if I eat and you don’t.”

Cole shrugged. “It’s not fair that we’re struggling with food. It’s not fair that you got kicked out of Darkleys.” He swallowed, thoughts of his mother creeping into the back of his mind. “Life isn’t fair.”

“‘sides,” Cole added, “You’re a child. You need the food more than I do.”

Lloyd stared Cole down for a moment, before relenting and returning to where he was sitting.

Cole watched to make sure Lloyd was eating, then pulled out his sketchbook again.

Their camp was silent but for the subtle scratch of pencil on paper.

“I’m used to not eating.” Lloyd said quietly, breaking the silence.

Cole made a face. “You shouldn’t be.”

+=+=+=+=+

The next morning, Cole and Lloyd both ate a meager breakfast before setting off again.

Jamanakai Village was nice to them the first time they visited it. Hopefully it’d be the same this time.

They wouldn’t know until they got there, though, which meant a lot of hiking.

Mostly uphill.

Lloyd grumbled as he clambered up another small ledge, muscles aching from the exertion.

His stomach still hurt, feeling oddly empty despite having eaten just hours ago.

“We’re close,” Cole said quietly, helping Lloyd through the more vertical parts. “We’ll find somewhere to settle down for the night, then get to Jamanakai by midday tomorrow.”

Lloyd groaned. “Why can’t we just travel through the night? We’d get there quicker.”

Cole stopped, flat look on his face. “We’re not hiking this trail at night.” He resumed hiking. “And you need your rest.”

“Stick in the mud.” Lloyd muttered. Cole responded to the insult with a snort.

They continued their trek, making the occasional stop to sit and drink from the canteen in Cole’s bag.

At one such break, Lloyd voiced a question that had been bothering him for a while now.

“Why’s it so hard to get food anyway?”

Cole shrugged. “Food requires money, and it’s kind of hard to get money when you’re a fifteen year old runaway.” Cole groaned. “We don’t have resources, we just have camping supplies and an ever-dwindling supply of luck.”

Lloyd huffed. “Why can’t we just take the food? It’s not like I paid for anything when I was on my own.”

“Because if we steal we’ll get in trouble, and then people won’t trust us anymore,” Cole explained, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “And if people don’t trust us, they won’t help us.”

“It’s not like they trust us now.” Lloyd muttered.

Cole snorted. “Yeah, well, I don’t intend to go out of my way to piss people off.” He fixed Lloyd with a look. “And that’s not an invitation for you to go pissing people off, either, you little shit.”

Lloyd made a face, but a grumble was his only reply.

Another few moments of rest, and then they were off again.

+=+=+=+=+

Night fell, they set up camp, and Lloyd ate dinner while Cole sketched some deer he’d seen.

Hours later, long after Cole had fallen asleep in his sleeping bag, Lloyd sat up in his.

This wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair that Cole wasn’t eating. It wasn’t fair that food was hard to get. Lloyd knew Cole was reading books he’d found on foraging, but neither of them had been willing to try their luck with that just yet.

“It’s not fair.” Lloyd opined to the night air, knees pulled in close and arms wrapped around them.

His stomach agreed.

He looked at where Cole was snoozing, dead to the world. Cole was being stupid and refusing to eat, but he was right about one thing: Lloyd’s heritage wasn’t doing them any favors.

It wasn’t fair. Lloyd wasn’t his father. But people looked at him and his too-red eyes and decided to have nothing to do with him.

Cole didn’t, but Cole didn’t have the authority to just take food.

Lloyd’s eyes widened. That was it!

Cole might just be a nobody runaway, but Lord Garmadon wasn’t.

Lloyd shimmied the rest of the way out of his sleeping bag and stood up, new resolve hitting him. He went over to the bag of supplies, grabbing the sketchbook and flipping to the next blank page to write a note. He barely glanced at most of the drawings; he’d looked at them before, late at night when he couldn’t sleep.

Note written, Lloyd took the torn-out page and folded it up, putting it by the trail mix Cole undoubtedly intended to use as breakfast tomorrow. He’d have to apologize later, but he wouldn’t leave Cole totally in the dark.

That done, Lloyd dug through the bag for a few supplies. This would be a difficult prank, and he’d definitely need to make use of any supplies he found once he got to town. But if he pulled it off, then it would solve their food troubles, and that was reason enough.

As a last step, Lloyd grabbed his hoodie; the one he’d painted the bones on.

Supplies gathered and resolve set, Lloyd set out.

He had to get moving if he wanted to reach Jamanakai Village by morning.

[umishiqu]

read from left to right and if you can’t read um. the dialogue is in read more:

lloyd: i just want to have someone I can trust and someone who can trust me wholeheartedly. is that so hard?

akita: that’s…

akita: that’s because you are a sad little boy with abandonment issues because your parents decided to leave you to fend for yourself at a very important stage of your development, only to come back when it seemed like you were worth something so you’ve always held yourself up to a high standard because you believe it is the only way to keep the small amount of trust others had in you.

lloyd: what?

akita: likewise if there is the smallest sign that others disagree with you or you believe you did something wrong, you process it by pushing close ones away from you because you don’t want to know if they will leave you left to fend for yourself first. again. the you that you are now, who is benevolent, won’t be able to survive if you lived in circumstances like that again. keeping these emotions hidden from others only makes them question your credibility so you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place where not saying something makes you feel like you’ve brought this upon yourself only anyway so you’ve accepted the consequences of being untrustworthy, but you fear saying something that could possibly hurt those closest to you and they will never forgive you again, deeming you untrustworthy. you’ve been put on two extreme ends of trust and betrayal from the same people that you’ve now lost the ability to determine who to keep in your closest circle and who not to, who in your closest circle will you accidentally hurt and who will you not, and who in your closest circle will accidentally hurt you and who will not, to determine the people you surround yourself with. you keep track of all of that because you are scared of the consequences. you don’t want to hurt ever again.

lloyd: ugh

akita: …

akita: you are… part oni and dragon, yes?

lloyd: yeah, why?

akita: did you unlock those forms?

lloyd: no, and i rather it stay that way. what’s another power given to the green ninja to freak everyone out more, right?

akita: …hm.

akita: vex the formless was known as a manipulative man who was spiteful because he lacked another form. however, many don’t know that he was fearful as well.

akita: even before his ceremony, he was afraid of what others would think of him if he did not receive a form.

akita: because of that, he was also afraid of displaying any doubt of himself so willingly to others, in fear that they may become true… and it only became a cycle to suffer from. by the time he entered his ceremony, he was so heartbitten by fear that he could not display his true, raw emotions to let out his true, raw form.

akita: he had believed his fears to be justified. the elders only told him that they would welcome him with open arms anyway. however, he thought their words to be lies, and left our village, never to return for quite a long time.

akita: no formling is told this story before their ceremony. the elders say that personal belief is built when fear is conquered for something, not in spite of something.

lloyd: …so then why did you tell me this?

akita: you saw the type of man that vex became, yes? fearful, manipulative, and spiteful.

lloyd: not helping.

akita: if you continue to believe you are unworthy of love, then eventually, you will be.

akita: however, right now, you have people who will accept you for you no matter what happens.

akita: believe in them. believe in yourself.

akita: do not give up. do not fear the unknown.

akita: you will find your form soon enough. and once you do…

akita: use it to protect the ones you hold closest to your heart.

[princess-ibri]

The Horned King Villain Backstory

I'm taking some liberties with the set up here as the movie-verse is noticeably different from Lloyd Alexander's novels in several big ways, so I'm trying to give homage to the novels while still building off of the different set up of the Black Cauldron movie

There's gonna be some backstory build up stuff for Eilonwy here too

The Horned King was originally a mortal man named Cern, a great servant of the Arawn Death Lord, a Demon who laid waste to the land of Prydain in ancient times

When he pledged himself to serve Arawn he was given some of the secrets of Dark Magic, with which he started the process of becoming a demon lord himself, growing the horns he became famous for

When Arawn was defeated by the old High King Gwydion--his mortal form boiled away and his spirit bound into the Black Cauldron-- Cern suffered terribly upon his master's physical demise and binding, causing him to almost die himself, but his power was great enough he clung to life in skeletal lich form, escaping into the dark corners of Prydain where he began to build up his magic and might once more in a slow return to power

Eventually he gained enough power both magically and physically to send the country of Prydain into war once more years later, driving the local Fairy Folk underground and taking over even the ancient castle where his old foe High King Gwydion was buried, making it his seat of power.

He stole Princess Eilonwy as he knew she was the last descendent of Gwydion, and that she possessed magic (which appeared to her outwardly in the form of her Bauble, as she was still learning to control it) which could lead him to discover where Gwydion had hidden the Black Cauldron (not knowing it had long ago fallen into the hands of the Witches of Morva, who kept it hidden from his sight with their magic)

When Eilonwy's bauble refused to cooperate (a result of her own internal desire not to aid him in anyway) he would have killed her, but she managed to escape into the old hidden tunnels with the help of her Bauble/inner magic, which also helped shield her from his efforts to find her until she met up with Taran.

It was Eilonwy's ancestral link to Gwydion that caused her magic to lead them to Gwydion's hidden tomb, where Taran discovered the sword Dyrnwyn, a sword which could only be given, never taken, which is the Horned King never tried to take it for himself, content to let it rot away with its owner. But Dyrnwyn/Gwydion's spirit recognized the inherent worthiness in Taran (would have worked for Eilonwy too if she'd taken the sword herself) and allowed him to take it from Gwydion's tomb.

He sought for the Cauldron as he knew it contained the last vestiges of Arawn's powers, which included powers over Death itself. With it under his control not only could he create an unkillable army to sweep the land with, but he could also complete his transformation into a true Demon Lord, ascending from his half-dead existence to become a god among men.

But ultimately he was still bound to Awarn through his ancient oaths, and when he failed to provide a new sacrifice to slack the Cauldron it called upon those oaths and pulled him in to suffer his master's demise as well

[impulsivefanwriter]

Ooooo all very interesting points! I love the summary and the analysis (100% agree on Lloyd’s fatal flaws) of agency and being doomed by your own hand vs. being doomed by the narrative. I personally think both are very tragic in their own regard, and there’s absolutely a very valid argument to make about which could be considered more tragic, but I’m playing devil’s advocate (or I suppose Oni’s advocate) for Lloyd, so goes—

You want agency? Sure! :D Let me find some examples of some of the other situations where Lloyd DOES make active choices that lead to his own suffering.

Season One, Rise of the Snakes— Lloyd intentionally opens the Serpentine Tombs, which directly snowballs into: his betrayal at the hands of Pythor, multiple kidnappings, nearly getting killed in a volcano in a cage sinking into lava, and the release of the Great Devourer (a massive f-u world-consuming snake) that directly causes Harumi to hate Lloyd’s guts for getting her parents killed in the serpent attack & gives Garmadon access to the Golden Weapons which further brings the prophecy closer to fruition.

Season Two, Legacy of the Green Ninja — Lloyd intentionally decides to use Tomorrow’s Tea to save his family (who have been turned to kids via magic) from a resurrected ninja-hunting dinosaur monster, knowing he’ll get hit by the blast and getting aged up (at least physically, not necessarily mentally) and losing his childhood. Everyone tried to dissuade him from this. He did it anyway. The prophecy is closer than ever because he’s “of age”.

Season Four, Tournament of Elements — He decides to open the portal to the cursed realm (I’ll admit, he was a bit forced by the situation, but he still had the activeness of doing it himself) and intentionally banished Garmadon (leading to his later death) in exchange for some ancient warriors to save the day (this results in the escape of the ghost who later possesses and traumatizes Lloyd)

Season Six, Skybound— Lloyd intentionally sacrifices himself to an evil djinn’s blade of souls because he thinks Jay can defeat him with a wish. This gets him sealed away in the sword like a battery (and in the original season concept of the sword, would be a confirmed death and his empty corpse would fall to the ground).

Season Eight, Sons of Garmadon— Lloyd choses to trust Harumi and is very active in his self-assigned role of protecting her, only to be backstabbed (almost literally) and nearly killed in a cave, then nearly killed by his resurrected evil father, which— oh yeah! Lloyd INTENTIONALLY sneaks out to confront/fight Garmadon by himself despite everyone telling him not too, leading to his suffering at the hands of his father in a prison that is broadcast to the entire city (so everyone sees their hero get beaten up within an inch of his life). As a direct result of this fight, Garmadon becomes strong enough to form a massive stone Colossus that destroys the city and supposedly kills Lloyd’s family in front of him, to which Lloyd blames himself

Season 12, Prime Empire — Lloyd choses to participate in a 1on1 fight with an NPC (context: they’re trapped in an evil videogame) despite Nya and Jay offering themselves to fight instead. This results in Lloyd having to fight an NPC Harumi, who Lloyd manages to kill despite his hesitation and trauma, but is killed in response. As it’s his final game life, he gets cubed (aka turned into an energy battery for the game to make a portal to the real world for the AI to escape). Yep, this counts as a death. Again.

Season 16, Crytalized — Lloyd intentionally disguises himself and infiltrates the newly formed Council of the Crystal King (yes, the acronym is as unfortunate as you think). He gets caught by his own badly-lying hand and realizes he fell into a trap, and Harumi blows up the subway tunnel and supposedly kills Lloyd’s family. He blames himself because he was the one who insisted they use his plan (he also succumbs a litttttle bit to darkness and nearly murders Harumi with oni powers)

And those are just some off the top of my head!

Unrelated to the above, but I personally think the worst (best) tragedies are the ones that could have barely been avoided, especially by human mistake. If it’s completely unavoidable, it’s more despairing, but if there was a glimmer of hope to avoid it all… and it was missed… that is the most human tragedy.

Ex 1. Antigone had (from your summary, at least) multiple chances to not-die. Had she taken one, it could have been avoided, but alas, she didn’t.

Ex. 2 Lloyd & Garmadon’s relation had multiple points where all the trauma and heartbreak and unfixableness could have been avoided (if Garmadon hadn’t been bitten by the evil-venom of the Great Devourer, if Lloyd hadn’t released the Serpentine that release the Great Devourer and give Harumi her motication to use Garmadon to hurt Lloyd, if Lloyd didn’t sacrifice Garmadon, if he’d found a way to free Garmadon before the Cursed Realm was destroyed, if he hadn’t believed Harumi, if he hadn’t led her to the final mask needed for her ritual, if he hadn’t gotten himself captured and used as a distraction to give Harumi the chance to finish the ceremony, if he hadn’t gone to fight Garmadon on his own, if if if)

What do you think?

P.S. Thanks for being really respectful and civil, it’s fun having these soft debates that get you to analysis media :D I’ve been rotating thoughts about cycles all day ahsjsjsffs

I recognize that there can be debate over how to define tragedy, like Greek tragedies hardly all followed Aristotle's definition and those were in turn different from things like Shakespearean tragedy or modern definitions of "tragic character" but I think at the very least a tragic character should have a coherent arc, quality over quantity. A bunch of UNRELATED bad things happening to a character just because a show has gone on for a really long time isn't really telling a coherent tragic story. Especially when some of the bad things happening are literally repeats of each other. Like I haven't watched Ninjago but I keep hearing about how Lloyd had to kill his father 3 times, but I think reusing a "he has to kill his father" plot point over and over again while not having him die for real just to give each season a new plot is a lot less tragic than a more coherent narrative where someone just has to kill their father once and this ties into their overall character arc.

Very valid opinion

[freshstartbaby]

PSALM 22:24

 « For he has not despised my cries of deep despair. He’s my first responder to my sufferings, and he didn’t look the other way when I was in pain. He was there all the time, listening to the song of the afflicted »

Prayers resonated in the heart of the magnificent building. On his knees Florian took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the particular incense that the church man just turned on before he took Gemma’s hand. His wife was on his side, like she always was.

Together, they confessed their deepest needs, fears and hopes to the only one who could really help them. They need him more than ever since the death of their newborn baby boy, Lloyd Vassili Munteanu. He was a stillborn, and for Florian and Gemma there was nothing more hurtful that coming home with empty hands.

It’s been the hardest test of their lives and of their faith. Fortunately the couple has never been so solid and so close to each others. They were their mutal rock, allowing them to be vunerable and go through every step of the grief. Being two very spiritual person, they put god in the center of their healing.

So every sunday since 8 months now, they had they own routine for that special day. They start with church, the earliest session so they don’t have to confront children. It was still hard them. Then they visit Lloyd, making sure his grave was clean and flowered. Florian wanted to stop visiting his son every Sunday, it was hard for him. It was like he had to live that tragic lost again and again. Llyod will always be with him but it felt like the pain will never go away.

For Gemma it was a bit different, she still felt highly guilty. Some how, she always thought things could have go another way if she could have done anything different. She felt like death was by her side every single minute. For her it was like she failed her only task and give up on her son. That’s why she didn’t want to miss one Sunday to visit him. Sometimes, when she felt she need to, she also goes see him during the week.

When Florian asked her if he could stayed home one Sunday, which took him all the courage he had to say it out loud, Gemma was kind of surprised. But she understood and decided to go anyway. Usually she was not crying before being in front of his grave. But this time she had to stop on the road at the halfway. Gemma was collapsing. For Florian, the feeling of letting his wife facing his son alone was worst than what he felt in front of him. So he decided to stay by her side as long as she needed. They got to going through that together.

The next step was lunch with Florian’s parents. Gemma made sure she always wears something wide because of all the food she was going to eat that day. Her heart was full of warmth when she was near her in-laws. They was so kind and caring with her, just like her husband.

When the couple arrive in Gemma’s family, the rythme is more animated due to the bigger family, the music and all the interactions flowing between the different room. Florian loved being in that place. His mother in law never passed a chance to made him laugh and every single person made sure he was alright.

It’s usually around 7pm when they finally arrived at their own home. They don’t even think about food at that time, they just want to go take a shower and crash in each other arms in the couch or in their bed so they could get mentally ready for the next week.

Florian let his wife went first to the shower and followed when she was done. He let the warm water run on his muscular body and his mind go whatever it wants. He had to turn the water cold few times, trying to make go away his langering erection. Sex was not the main topic of the couple for few months. For him it’s not that he didn’t want it, but whenever he watched Gemma and saw her sight, limp and kind of empty, he didn’t want to bother her with « that ». Usually he could have take care of that need quickly but it felt like it would have not be enough for tonight. For Gemma it’s another story.

After their lost, sex was definitely not on her mind. But few month ago, she felt on a scene in a movie that light the fire again. And in a second she felt deeply ashamed about how she neglected that topic of her marriage. She knew Florian was a understanding partner, but she just lost a baby, she didn’t want to lost her husband. How was Florian feeling about that ? Was he still into her ? Was he taking care of his sexual need with another woman ? Was he going to divorce ? The list of her questions kept going and in less than 5 minutes her horniness turned into big grey cloud that took her at least two weeks to get rid of. She tried to touched herself few times after that, Gemma was slowly getting into it again.

When Florian took down the stairs to join Gemma he had to look for her during few minutes. A particular smell made him go to the patio where he finally find her. He had to take a second to enjoy what he was seeing. She was sitting on the exterior couch with her beautiful and moisturized legs crossed, her back lazily stick to the furniture and a blunt in her hand.

Gemma was wearing that silky mini night dress that made her husband go crazy in so many times. She knew it was his favorite. He already told her so many times. So when Florian used to saw her in that dress, he was without any restraint. There was something about the contrat between the deepness of the black fabric and the glow of her skin, something about the way her breast without any bra was moving freely, something about that slit on her left thigh.

When Gemma noticed that her husband had join her and was gazing she had to call him few times to get him back to hearth. He palmed and reajusted himself before he seated next to her and pointed that she was not waiting for him anymore to get into a little session in a light tone. She giggled before her breath got trapped in her throat when Florian grabbed her thighs and put them on his own. The hair of her body immediately raised at the contact. She coughed few times before passing the blunt to her husband and look at him taking his first blow.

« Im so grateful to have you in my life » she whispered swiping a big single tear in her cheek.

Florian look at her and swiped his free thumb on her cheek just after her, making sure to dry her cheek. « I told you not to smoke that when you are not feeling well my love ».

« I am good babe. I swear. It’s just that-«  her words started to fumbled and she realized she was crying but not feeling sad. Florian was watching her closely, kind of used to that type of reaction coming from her, she was an emotional smoker. He liked that she could feel safe enough too smoke around him and that thought made him cracked a slight smirk.

« Stop making fun of me ! » Gemma said laughing through her cries and slightly slap his shoulder.

She took a deep breath and put her freshly turned locks in a ponytail while her husband continued to make sure tears were off her pretty face.

« What I wanted to say was » she started again but that statement made Florian laugh « babe ! »

« I’m sorry, I’m sorry my love » he said getting slowly back to his serious. He crashed the end of the blunt, put an arm behind Gemma’s back and his free hand back on her thigh « I’m listening mama. »

The motion made them closer and Gemma took the opportunity to softly palm the face of her husband before whispering him how much she was is love in him and how she was glad god sent him in her life.

Between all that confessed love, Florian made sure to cut her with kisses on her cheek, neck and lips. He took his time biting her lips, licking them slowly before sliding his tongue inside her mouth. He was so hard since he arrived on the patio but now it was just on another lever with the effect of the blunt. He felt like his verge had is own heartbeat and it was going crazy. It felt like is been ages since they haven’t make out like that and all the signs were showing a good way.

Gemma found herself straddling Florian in a second. It was always so easy for him to put her in the position he wanted. They kept on their heated kisses while his hand went through her mini dress looking for her panties. Florian’s brain went numb a second when he realized she wasn’t wearing any. Gemma’s jolted when her husband found her wetness and did not wait a second to play with. He made sure to be kind because he didn’t really knew how sensitive she could be after the healing of her episiotomy. He tried to not let his mind go in dark place and stayed focus on getting back on an healthy sex life with his wife. He had to try.

« You wanted daddy take care of you tonight, don’t you my love ? » he asked before licking her neck.

Gemma nodded vigorously, not able to form a proper answer because of so many elements: his fingers, his lips, his voice, his bulge, her body was on fire.

—-

Florian had to trapped the back of both of Gemma’s thighs to not let her crash his head and achieve his goal. He wanted to make her fall apart. He knew that he needed to make her remember how good it could be. At that time, he only ate her and she was a mess. But it wasn’t enough, he wanted to ruin her. And he knew exactly what to do for that.

Gemma wasn’t into fast partners, she need time to reach her peak and enjoying everything she could feel. She didn’t know how, but with Florian it’s was so good since day one. He was gifted not only with a big big, but also a wide tongue and damn it mattered for his wife. The way he was invested when it comes to her pleasure, the way his tongue was playing with her clit and wetness in a slow and steady pace. One day she thought her heart stop beating when Florian told her « I want you to make me eat your pussy ». That man knew how to make his way to her heart and other places.

He let her take few deep breaths before he went on top of her and put her legs on his shoulders.

During many seconds after that, the sounds in the room was Florian’s moaning and the wet sound of him, going in and out of Gemma. The feel of the intrusion knocked the air out of her lungs and she cum again right after.

For Florian it was the heaven and hell at the same time. Heaven because he sure missed that connection with his wife. He love having her under him and make her lose her mind. Hell because he wanted to make that sensation last forever but the way she was gripping him, how wet she was and how milky she was turning his dick. He had to put a lot of effort to keep his composure.

When Gemma move her hand from his biceps to the back of his neck, he went back to French kiss her like she wanted and buried his dick deeper in her. That is when he felt a switch in the sound she was making

« Mhmh, that’s the spot mama ? Just right there « 

« Baby, yes ! »

« Let it go mama. You gon let daddy cum with you ? Mhh deep in that pussy- fuck »

Florian didn’t get the chance to finish his next sentence that a clear liquid coming from his wife splashed between them. His thrusts became uncoordinated when Gemma trapped his body between her legs who were now sticked to his ribs. He swear he thought he went blind because of how hard he closed his eyes when he reach his high.

When they were both back to earth, they found the strength to get up change the sheets and go for a quick shower. Florian took the soap and make it foam before putting it on the point of his wife nose.

« I am grateful to have you in my life too my love ».

—-

This project do not belong to any of the long stories I have started, yea I know it’s a mess. I got this idea since few months and I’m writing v1 in one shot + trying to spot those mistakes at 1 in the morning, what’s wrong with me ?

Let me know what you think 🫶🏾

[weekend-whip]

lloyd X :eyes:

X. A flash of anger

(Send me a letter and a character and I’ll write a small fic!)

AO3 Version

. . .

Lloyd knows he has things that do make him angry, things that could—should–make him angry...but sometimes (most the time), getting angry about something (anything) just isn’t worth the energy it takes to spend on it. And coming from someone with unlimited energy at the snap of his fingers...it makes it all the more glaring how Lloyd never bothers.

It’ll leak out in wisps, sure—a curt comment here, a bit of a sharper tone there, an off-handed word or two every now and then...or just in the form of him trying to make things not seem so devastating. When, in actuality, even the idea of one more bad, awful, tragic, unfortunate thing happening to him (because of him) makes him want to...want to...well, he’s never actually gotten angry enough to figure that out. He only knows it wouldn’t be anything pleasant.

...and even that’s an understatement. 

He knows his anger isn’t brilliant and righteous like Kai’s tends to be, or worked up in the heat of the moment like Jay’s until it fizzles out in the face of other, more pressing issues. 

It’s not quiet nor sharp like Zane’s rare instances are, nor born of a bubbling, boiling, buried frustration like Cole or Nya (and the only difference between them is that Cole’s anger goes inward, deep beneath the surface, where it can’t hurt anyone else, while Nya’s is ever outwards, a swirling torrent of a whirlpool that pulls in whatever or whoever is closest for the ride). 

Lloyd’s...would be both at the same time.

Outwards, his rage could consume the realm—would burn it up in fire, would strike it down with lightning, would frost it over with ice, would flood it under with water, would crack the land open and swallow everything whole–

–would create a deficit of energy within everything and everyone, could destroy life in a single, menacing, catastrophic, cathartic blow—

Life’s never been fair to him, and sometimes, just once, he wishes he could be unfair back.  

...and yet, he knows, deep, deep, deep down...that a lot of the things that make him angry are a result of his own actions. The line between the things that aren’t his fault and are his fault blends, blurs, bends, and goes back and forth so frequently that honestly? Lloyd’s kind of lost track. It would be so much easier just to let loose on the world and deal with the consequences later. 

...But, getting back at the world isn’t worth making those innocent suffer in the process.

No one should ever have to feel as bad as he does.

So he reigns that anger inwards instead, locks it deep in his golden heart, where it wanes and waxes in its fight to escape yet circles endlessly within him like the energy in his very soul. He keeps that fury directed at himself and himself alone, lest he does unto the world what it has unto him...to those who wouldn’t even deserve even a fraction of his wrath. 

But himself? He is worthy of at least half of it. So, it evens out. 

Lloyd just tucks it all away, saving it for a time in the future when he’ll need that anger even more than he does now. And maybe, if he keeps doing that, he’ll never have need to ever weaponize feeling that awful. 

Because that’s all it is (as it always is). Just a fleeting flash of anger. 

Something that hurts for just a moment, but it’s gone just as quickly as it arrived, like it never even mattered. 

...Lloyd only fears that one day, it won’t just be a flash anymore. 

[fangedjustice]

Garreg Mach surely was a place where rumors came and went faster than they could be disproven. As someone who kept an ear out for anything useful or strange out of habit, Lloyd couldn't help finding it a bit amusing; perhaps it was the combination of a church, school and military force that added to the sheer amount of silly rumors. Most were harmless and easy enough to ignore, while others were a tad darker and perhaps something to be more genuinely concerned about.

The sauna doppleganger was one Lloyd firmly placed into the silly and otherwise harmless category. It was just a little too preposterous for him to believe to any degree. It sounded more like something rambunctious young students would come up with as a prank.

So he thought nothing of going to the sauna, alone, late into the night.

Despite the warming weather, Lloyd still found himself suffering the lingering chill in his bones. Winter may have gone for now, but it seemed the ice inflicted on him back in Elibe was not so easily melted away. And, if he went when most people were asleep, he could avoid any awkward questions about why. Where was the downside?

As expected, it was quiet and he was the only one there. For a while, Lloyd was allowed to unwind and let himself relax as the heat permeated everything. Finally, it felt like he could breathe without the constant reminder of what had happened--

Only, the sensation of another presence in the room immediately put him on edge. He'd been sure he was alone when he'd entered. Any relaxation he'd felt just a moment ago went out the door, and profession took over in an instant. The room is steamy enough to obscure most things somewhat -- enough for Lloyd to be unable to fully make out the other person -- but not enough to really use to his advantage in approach.

So he chooses to forgo his usual preferences in order to get the preemptive strike. They are equal in height, but the intruder's frame is slighter than his own. He stands, stretches and feigns as if it leave -- and then whirls on the other presence in the room with a speed that would be difficult to adjust to.

A pale throat is caught between his fingers, Lloyd exerting just enough pressure to press the other's neck back into the edge of the bench behind them.

"...Silence isn't always a protection," he says under his breath, eyeing the man before him and vaguely recognizing him as one of the holy men associated with the church.

@thelightofcreation

Sauna Is A Counter Pick Stage

They say if you go to the sauna completely alone at night, and get the room full of steam, you’ll see your doppelgänger in the mist. If you don’t defeat your doppelganger, or escape before it can catch you, your doppelganger will take your place! Or… Maybe it’s just someone else using the sauna… [Grants Gauntlet +1]

[graciegoeskrazy]

Hey!!!!!

Ok first things first I love your stories normally I am not a fan of angst but the way you write your angst stories are amazing!!!! Literally had me crying lol 😂

I was wondering if you could write a Seirra Six/Court Gentry x daughter??? I have never read one before

Maybe something like she is around 5 - 6 and Lloyd kidnaps her as leverage (has her for maybe a week) and while he on the phone with Six, she starts crying because she wants her dad and Six hears her. Now that Court knows who has her he is able to rescue her. Then when he does rescue her they are both just happy to be together again.

Thank you and this is 100% your choice 💜

Leverage

Pairings: Court Gentry/Sierra Six x Daughter!reader

Content/Warnings: kidnapping, guns, some language, hospitals, not proofread, Lloyd Hanson lmao

WC: ~700

A/N: I told y’all id be back more. <3 THANK YOU to the awesome anon who requested this. I really hope you enjoy and thank you so much for your kind words. I hope it's okay that I ended up making y/n a liiiil bit older. no older than 12 is what I feel but idk y’all use your imagination. Enjoy!

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST ELSEWHERE - THIS IS MY ONLY ACCOUNT

“It’s okay- It’s me, it’s me.” He turned you around to face him but still had his hand covering your mouth. “You’ree safe now, y/n.” The sight of his familiar blue eyes put you at ease. “Its alright. Im gonna remove my hand now but I need you to be quite, okay?” You nodded in response. Once he let go you let out the biggest breath trying to calm you down, but for some reason it did the exact opposite. He opened his arms for a hug, knowing you might crash any second. Without words or warning, you fell into his grasp, silently letting out gentle cries and whimpers into him, soaking his shirt with your tears. He pulled you away, “I’m gonna get you out of here but I need you to listen to every world I say, Okay?” You nodded in response between hiccups. He grabbed your hand and the both of you ran out of the room.

You ran through the vacant building with your dad. Everything felt like an unsteady rollercoaster. Flying through the estranged emptiness and running down flights of stairs as fast as your feet could carry you. You had a death grip on your dad’s hand, but even that wasn’t enough to keep you two together when Lloyd pulled you away.

One arm was placed around your neck and the other around your waist to try and restrain you from escaping. He walked backwards so he could still face your father. Whatever he was planning, Lloyd wanted Six to have a front row seat.

“What a reunion!”

“What do you want Lloyd?” He showed a sly grin. “You took everything from me. My job, my friends, my fucking finger.” He lifted his hand. “What do you think I could possibly want? I want you to repent, and suffer the way I did”

“Whatever you want from me doesn’t involve y/n. Let her go and we’ll talk.” Lloyd let out a fake laugh. “You’re a really funny man. Gosh what a funny joke- No I think I’ll kill her.” He said, Raising the gun to your temple. Cries and screams filled the air as you pleaded for release. “Lloyd, you don't wanna do this.”

“Oh I think I do.”

He cocked the gun. The scared and panic levels reached their all time high, as you feared for your life for what seems like the 100th time today. A shot went off. You were knocked to the ground. You were waiting for it to come, some jolt of instant pain or something, but you never felt anything. The last thing you remember was your dad holding you. His voice sounded muffled and you were still on the ground. That’s when everything went dark.

You woke up lying in a hospital bed. Wires and tubes layer horizontally across your whole body. Panic made way and settled in.A feeling that has shown itself frequently but no matter how much, it never gets easier. Your dad was by your side. His words sounded muffled again but they slowly made their way to formation. “Y/n. Can you here me sweetie? How do you feel? You alright?” A bright light shined in your eye. Another voice appeared. “She’s okay. I’ll give you two a minute.”

“Thanks, Doc.”

Once the door closed you started with your questioning while trying to sit up. “What the hell happened?”

“Woah, sweetie. Be careful. You were shot.”

Despite your fathers worry, you sat up and continued. “Is this purgatory or something?” That made your father laugh a little.

“No. We’re at the hospital. You were taken into emergency surgery. The bullet missed your brain, in fact it barely wen through your skull. Doctors say you’ll make a full recovery though. You’re safe now, y/n”

“Is…is he gone?” Your father sighed. “I took care of it.” He said, hesitantly. That statement alone could mean a plethora of different things, but you trusted your father. At the end of the day, all that mattered was that you were safe and healthy. Recovery would inevitably take a long while, but as long as your dad was with you, you had faith it would all be okay.