#location: cottage deep in the woods

[little-earthquakes-rp]

@brooklynislandgirl starter based on this wishlist prompt:

The wind whipped around Lou as he soared down the familiar pass between the small cottage and his own cabin on the outskirts of the woods. Tracks from his previous visits were already carved out in frozen snow making things only slightly smoother. Undoubtedly, the sound of the snowmobile would announce his arrival in the normally tranquil woods.

Usually, he'd like to make the trek on foot, but today he carried some dried herbs and a package the mail carrier had left with him per instructions. It didn't happen too often, but honestly, he liked having the excuse to see Beth.

Parking a short distance away Lou unpacked the goods and walked the rest of the way. Admiring how the snow still clung to the pine before his eyes caught a set of tracks: werewolf and not his. Shaking his head he continued to the front of door and set the box he carried down. Going back he followed the pawprints around the structure and swallowed the anger that rose into his throat. Directly in front of the window, he found the padded-down spot of snow where a wolf clearly rested undoubtedly watching Beth.

Fuck.

Suddenly, he catches her in the window smooths his pinched brow into a friendly smile, and offers a wave before he makes his way back to the front of the cottage. By the time he grabbed the box the door was opening and he stopped momentarily smiling at his friend, "Hey, you got a package and some dried..." He paused briefly, not knowing exactly what Gretchen had given him to bring before he just added, "Stuff."

Leaning in he placed it in front of the door on the rug while he took off his snowy boots outside. Unlacing he looked over at his friend before his eyes shot around the cabin suspiciously before he asked, "I noticed some wolf tracks around the cottage. Have you seen anything?"

[hometoursandotherstuff]

I love this little pink 1884 house in Lynchburg, Virginia so much, but several people in my group think it's an appalling mess, and they ruined it for me. 2bds, 1ba $215K.

I liked the way they preserved the worn original floors, the exposed brick and fireplace. If anything, I think that the perfect white walls don't fit the look.

Look at the backsplash. That is so cool. I would do something to make the walls match better and do a faux finish on the sink cabinet.

They must've found that old yellow cabinet in the house.

I guess this room off the kitchen could be a dining room or family room. Looka the little door.

I would've picked a different tile, but it's not too bad.

Check out that tub. Kind of awkward to get into.

The 2nd fl. I wonder if they found the house like and just preserved the wood but replaced the walls.

The primary bedroom has the original fireplace.

Look at that old brick.

This room is so cute. Love the pale pink and the light fixture.

They built a large new deck on the side and back of the house.

The yard is deep and would be great with some landscaping. There's a cute shed, too.

Has such a pretty porch and a place for flower beds. This house could be like a fairy tale cottage.

[cynicalrosebud]

Rumor Has It (2)

Part 1 Part 3

Hey folks! Welcome back to another installment of Rumor Has It. Before we start, reminder that this is a poly!141 x oc(ish) reader fic. There is sex, swearing, and violence, so MDNI. Sorry kiddos. Anywho, this is based right before CodMWII and takes place in early 2022. The boys are off on some made up mission when they meet Rumor. Warning that I will be heavily modifying the actual timeline for my own amusement. Ok, that’s all for now! -Cyn 🌹

Location: A remote village safehouse, Eastern Europe, just after dusk.

The safehouse was an old, dilapidated cottage nestled deep in the woods, far from prying eyes and enemy patrols. The windows were grimy with age, and the wooden beams creaked under the weight of time, but it was secure and off the grid—perfect for Task Force 141 to regroup and debrief after their latest mission.

Inside, the atmosphere was thick with the lingering tension of battle. The only light came from a single, dim bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting long shadows across the room. The air smelled faintly of damp wood and the sharp tang of gunpowder, remnants of the fight they’d narrowly escaped.

Price was the first to break the silence. He removed his cap and ran a hand through his short, graying hair, the lines on his face deepening with exhaustion. With a heavy sigh, he settled into one of the old wooden chairs at the scarred table in the center of the room. The others followed, each man carrying the weight of the day’s events in their eyes.

“Alright, Rumor,” Price began, his voice a low rumble that commanded attention, even in the quiet of the room. “Time to finally put a face to that cheeky voice. Show yourself.”

For a moment, there was nothing but the hum of the safehouse generator, the silence stretching as the team waited. Then, from the shadows near the far wall, a figure emerged.

Rumor stepped into the light with an easy confidence that belied the tension in the room, helmet removed. He had a good build, with sharp features that seemed to always be on the verge of a smirk. His eyes, piercing, sparkled with a mischievous glint as he took in the sight of Task Force 141 sizing him up.

“Didn’t think you’d be this eager t’ see me again, Captain,” Rumor said, his Welsh accent smooth and lilting, with a hint of playfulness that didn’t quite match the severity of the situation.

Soap raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair with a skeptical grin. The Scot’s accent was thick as he spoke, the words tinged with curiosity and a hint of amusement. “So, this is the infamous Rumor? Thought ye’d be taller, mate.”

Rumor chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly as he let his gaze sweep across the room. “Ah, but isn’t that the beauty of a rumor? They’re always bigger than the truth.”

Ghost, who had been watching Rumor with his usual inscrutable expression, crossed his arms over his broad chest. His voice was low, almost a growl, as he spoke through his balaclava. “You’ve got a lot of answers, haven’t you?”

Rumor’s grin widened, a flash of white teeth in the dim light. “Depends on the question, doesn’t it? Ask the right one, and I might even give you a straight answer, ysbryd.”

Gaz leaned forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. The youngest of the group, his London accent gave his words a quick, clipped edge. “How d’you know Price? You sound like you two go way back.”

Rumor glanced at Price, and for a moment, something passed between them—an unspoken history, perhaps. “We’ve had our fair share of adventures,” Rumor replied, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something deeper. “Back in the day, he was my superior. We didn’t always see eye t’ eye, though. I liked t’… color outside the lines.”

Price let out a low grunt, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “That’s puttin’ it lightly,” he said, his accent softened but still carrying the weight of authority. “Rumor here was always more interested in breakin’ the rules than followin’ ‘em.”

Soap laughed, nudging Ghost with his elbow, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief. “Sounds like someone I know.”

Ghost shot him a side-eye but didn’t respond, his gaze still fixed on Rumor.

Gaz leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest as he continued to probe. “So why’d you leave the military? Got tired of orders?”

Rumor’s smile faltered for just a moment, a flicker of something almost like regret passing over his features. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual cheeky demeanor. “Something like that. The military’s great for some people, but me? I’m more of a ‘get the job done by any means necessary’ kind of guy. Didn’t always fit within the neat little box they wanted t’ put me in.”

Soap smirked, his rough Scottish brogue filling the room with a teasing lilt. “You’re a loose cannon, then.”

Rumor shrugged again, his grin returning full force. “Cannon, missile, grenade – depends on the day.”

Ghost, still watching him closely, finally nodded, his tone begrudgingly respectful. “And now you’re here, helpin’ us. Why?”

For the first time, Rumor’s expression softened, sincerity creeping into his voice despite the playful glint in his eyes. “Let’s just say I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for the old man.” He nodded towards Price, then added, “Besides, I don’t like the way things are goin’. Figured it’s time t’ put my skills t’ good use.”

Price looked at Rumor with a mix of respect and exasperation, shaking his head slightly. “Still the same stubborn bastard. But I’ll give you this – you’ve always had a knack for gettin’ results.”

Rumor’s grin widened, his confidence shining through. “What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.”

Soap leaned forward, eyes gleaming with a challenge. “Alright then, Mister Talented. How ‘bout ye show us what ye’ve got in the field? See if ye can keep up.”

Rumor laughed, a sound full of genuine amusement. “Oh, you’re on, mate. Just don’t cry when I leave you in the dust.”

Ghost, who had been quietly assessing Rumor’s every move, finally nodded, a hint of approval in his voice. “We’ll see about that.”

Gaz grinned, feeling the tension in the room ease slightly as the banter continued. “Welcome t’ the team, Rumor. Just don’t get too cheeky with us, yeah?”

Rumor winked, his smirk firmly in place. “No promises, mate.”

As the night wore on, the safehouse began to feel less like a place of refuge and more like a gathering of comrades. The shadows still lingered, but they were less oppressive, softened by the growing camaraderie between the men.

But despite the laughter and the teasing, there was still a sense of uncertainty in the air. Rumor was a wildcard, a man who played by his own rules. The rest of Task Force 141 couldn’t quite figure him out, and that made him both an asset and a potential threat.

As they settled in for the night, each man carried his own thoughts about their new ally. Rumor had proven himself useful, even invaluable, during the mission. But trust was earned, not given, and the team would be watching him closely.

For now, though, they were all on the same side, fighting the same fight.

[love-and-deepspace-fanfic]

Sign of Good Luck - Blooming Jasmine

Another #delulu to welcome Zayne's newest myth!

Hope you've been enjoying all my delulus so far ^^

You met Zayne in the destined mountain.....

Sign of Good Luck - Blooming Jasmine

In a dense forest on the peak of Mount Shen, located east of the village of Shen Kong, there stands a temple said to be the dwelling of a deity known for foreseeing destinies and maintaining the balance of all things, much like the tales of reincarnation and transmigration you had read about in ancient stories. If you recall correctly from your readings, this deity was named Si Ming Xian Jun—the Lord of Fate, a god renowned for his icy gaze and unwavering demeanor, regardless of the chaos around him.

A deity free from desires, for in his eyes, nothing mattered more than sustaining the balance and mysteries of the world.

The mere thought of encountering this deity to plead for something so unusual made you hesitate. You knew your intentions were impure and feared that if the deity perceived your calculative nature, he would despise you and refuse your plea. Yet, for the sake of your parents, and yourself, you had to seize this chance, knowing your time was running out.

You were an orphan taken in by a couple who gave you a life when they found you wandering in the forest as a child. They never spoke of your past, as you could not remember where you came from. You only knew this was your home, a place you had longed for. Happiness, however, was fleeting; as you grew, your health deteriorated. Despite their efforts, your condition worsened. Then, one day, a mysterious figure offered a cure on the condition that you travel east to find the legendary Si Ming Xian Jun and become his disciple. In desperation, you accepted.

Defying your parents' objections, you embarked on your journey. Miraculously, the remedy given by the mysterious figure took immediate effect, revitalizing you. This newfound strength spurred you on your path to the east.

Crossing mountains and forests, you finally reached the village at the mountain's foot. The villagers were astonished at your quest but kindly directed you to a small cottage, once home to a benefactor who had helped the village. The cottage, though cold, felt warm and welcoming.

Having prepared yourself, you ventured into the forest. Following the book's guidance, you knew the deity never abandoned those lost in his domain, especially those in need. Lost in thought, you found yourself deeper in the woods, enveloped by a fog that sapped your strength, leading you to collapse, surrendering to fate.

As if destined, a dark figure approached, exuding the soothing breath of spring mixed with winter's chill, cradling you into slumber.

*******************************************************************

The chime of wind bells woke you. A strange ceiling, a soft bed, and an unfamiliar scent.

“You’re awake?”

A deep, gentle voice accompanied the breeze, brushing your hair and tickling your ears. Recognizing your situation and the presence before you, you attempted to kneel in supplication, only to be restrained by a firm hand.

“I do not accept obeisance without knowing your name and identity. Speak, who are you?”

The commanding warmth in the voice left you fumbling for words.

“A… humble maiden… here to seek Si Ming Xian Jun.”

Receiving no response, you gathered courage, your voice growing bolder.

“Please, Xian Jun, help this humble maiden… I have but one request.”

Drawing a deep breath, you summoned your courage.

“Allow me to become your disciple!”

You bowed deeply, placing your hands on your knees in a gesture of earnest supplication. Silence ensued, the only sound being the rustling of leaves.

Time seemed to stretch as you maintained your pose, hoping your sincerity would touch the deity. Just as you thought you might give up, a resigned sigh broke the silence.

“Very well, but first, tell me your name.”

Overjoyed, you looked up, forgetting decorum in your excitement, and recited what the mysterious figure had instructed.

“I am an orphan, taken in by my adoptive parents in a distant village at the foot of the western mountains. Because of our poverty, I left to seek my fortune, hoping not to burden them. But on my journey, I realized I had no skills and relied on a fortune teller’s words that I possess immortal essence, capable of becoming an immortal. Hence, I sought you out, praised for your wisdom and virtue, hoping for a chance…”

Though some words were rehearsed, your plea was genuine, and you struggled to hold back tears.

As you rambled, the deity extended a hand.

“Give me your hand.”

Without hesitation, you complied, feeling the deity's gentle sigh.

“Someone as naïve as you, how do you survive in this world of deceit?”

You didn’t understand his words fully but felt compelled to trust him despite your doubts about the mysterious figure. Trusting the deity felt right.

He lightly held your hand, channeling a stream of energy through you, refreshing your entire being.

“Your energy is stable, no harm done.”

He began to leave, but you clutched his sleeve, almost causing him to fall onto you.

“But Xian Jun, you haven’t answered my plea…”

Meeting his amber gaze, you realized the deity's striking beauty, making you stare in awe until a soft cough snapped you out of it.

“Reckless, how can you be so disrespectful to your master?”

Before you could process his words, a clean set of clothes appeared before you.

“Do not disgrace your master with your attire. People might think I cannot support you.”

A warmth spread through you, making you tear up as you instinctively reached out to him.

“Thank you, Xian Jun… thank you.”

Ignoring formalities, you saw him as your savior. His stiff arm slowly patted your shoulder in a gentle, comforting gesture.

“I hope you will learn much from this master.”

********************************************************************

“Master! Master! Your disciple is here!”

Your voice echoed through the forest. A hand paused over a guqin, looking towards the approaching figure, now resembling a young immortal.

“Good, you’ve arrived. What about the book…”

You pouted.

“Master, must I continue copying texts? It’s been three months of nothing but copying. Isn’t it enough to learn and practice the circulation of spiritual energy?”

“I’ve told you, understanding the principles and operations of all things is essential before using any technique or power.”

He gently guided a fallen bird to the ground with a breeze.

“Everything has a balance. You can borrow nature’s force to maintain harmony, but reckless actions disrupt this balance, resulting in backlash.”

You pondered the fallen bird and asked,

“If you hadn’t helped, it would have died. Could you revive it?”

His cold response pierced through your heart.

“Life and death are part of the cycle. Altering fate is forbidden. Best not to dwell on it.”

He stood, heading towards the pavilion where you often studied. Noticing your silence, he added,

“Flowers bloom and wither; that is the cycle of life. Would you want them to always bloom or always wither?”

Your heart lightened, you smiled warmly.

“I may not fully understand, but whether blooming or withering, I just want to see them with you.”

His composure wavered momentarily before he replied,

“Am I not here with you now?”

He resumed walking but added a final remark that made you hurry after him with a bright smile.

“Autumn is near; if you wish to see, only withered flowers are left.”

[oddberryshortcake]

Twst analysis & theory- General Lilia and the Seeker of Cradles

In chapter 7 part 3, MC dreams about when Maleficent’s goons tell her that they can’t find Aurora, they also dream about Aurora being told she’s a princess by the three good fairies, but the most important connection I’ve made is what General Lilia Vanrouge and the other dark fae soldiers were doing in the woods during Lilia’s dream. 

I think the dream is of a memory of when Lilia first found baby Silver, or rather, searched for. 

Maleficent’s goons (two of whom Lilia is based on design-wise and also is emulated on his helmet) are tasked with finding baby Aurora so Maleficent can make sure her curse comes to fruition. 

It’s very obvious now that Silver is twisted from Aurora. We know he was “found” abandoned in the woods, that he was found with a beautiful ring in the shape of Aurora’s crown, and has been associated with Aurora’s aesthetic and woodland friends since the beginning of the game. 

He’s most likely a lost prince, either deliberately left for his safety or because something awful has already happened to his parents.

The fae and humans of Briar Valley do not get along. It’s understandable that there are tensions between the two, and there’s a history of conflict. 

It’s possible Malleus’s grandmother knew Silver was a human prince and, whether in war or an act of revenge, wanted Silver killed or cursed and sent soldiers and the Nightmare General Vanrouge to go find him. 

There’s a chance Lilia could hate humans during the time that the dream takes place, or he could be saying such to save face around the other guards/to please Maleficia. 

Either way, Lilia’s newest title names him the “Seeker of Cradles,” and I believe he and the other guards are doing just that. (X)

That brings me more towards theorizing and taking elements from Sleeping Beauty and connecting it to the unfolding plot. 

Lilia is out here on a search to find and possibly harm Silver…But obviously he doesn’t do that. 

He has a change of heart, or maybe he had always planned on saving Silver from harm’s way. 

He raises Silver alone in a cottage located in the middle of nowhere. Silver grows up isolated, only ever interacting with Sebek and Malleus. He recently confirms in his Broomquet vignette that he literally has no idea what goes on in the city of his own country because he’s always lived deep in the woods…Just like Aurora. (X) (notice Aurora overlooking the castle town, the same view Silver describes from his home)

Lilia seems to purposefully keep Silver in one place, with the exception of bringing him to NRC (something I’m sure he or Malleus had to arrange.) Lilia wanted Silver to enjoy Halloween as humans do, but instead of letting him interact with other humans, he trick or treated alone with Lilia, walking around their cottage. 

This is similar to how Aurora grew up isolated and alone in her own cottage with the three good fairies. They also discouraged her from interacting with other people and just like Silver, she relied on animals to be her companion. 

Lilia himself has greatly changed his appearance, from his hairstyle, hair color, and also his voice. He claims that he’s leaving the Valley to go into retirement and to avoid orders from Maleficia; we know his magic is draining- but how much of that could’ve been attributed to protecting Silver?

The good fairies made themselves humans in order to best protect Aurora, could that Lilia’s goal as well?

Silver is already theorized to be cursed, so how much of Lilia’s magic went to keeping that curse at bay? 

How much of Lilia’s magic went to keeping Silver safe? Keeping him away from the prying eyes of fae who hate humans? Who wants this innocent little prince dead?

How much of Lilia’s magic went into changing his appearance? To make a distinct difference between the general and loyal servant of the Draconia family and a loving fae father to a human child. 

I could be super wrong about all of this, but when I see the similarities, I can’t help but just think further and try to discover all the secrets. 

Genuinely hoping that I’m right about Lilia’s dream being about finding Silver. I hope we get to see Lilia become a father, and I hope Lilia has been doing everything he can to protect Silver and not because he wants to do something nefarious with him. As if he hasn’t and isn’t going to suffer enough. 

tldr- Lilia is searching for Silver under Maleficia’s orders, likely to harm him, but gets a change of heart and raises Silver in secrecy to protect him in his dream.

[multiversal-pig-outing]

Luz was leaving her house with gear and equipment for a long trip, unfortunately her mother went missing a few days ago deep in the woods, so that morning she went to go find her, she gathers her things and enters the Forrest,

Hours went by with no sign on anything not even a footprint, she was using breadcrumbs to keep a path home so she wouldn’t get lost too, eventually it started to get dark, hunger setting in she needed to find a place to stay, until she smelt something very good coming not to far from her location, luz decided to follow the sent when she wouldn’t believe what she saw

@fat-slobby-owlphibia

*It was a decent size cottage. But the surprise wasn't from that but that it was made of gingerbread and candy. Like if someone took the old fairy tail and brought it out of the pages. The strangeness of it was so much for her she didn't notice that despite made of sugar no ants or anything of the sort came near it.*

[noxturnals-void]

My Dearest Shadow

Jason Voorhees x GN! Reader

Pt. 1

(It might lean fem at times but I’m going to try my best to keep it neutral for everyone!)

I don’t know how many parts there will be so just hold on for the ride. ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎

Tw: stalking, anxiety, paranoia, jason shenanigans

2,311 words below the cut

You had renovated a little house your father had told you about, one you didn't even know existed two years ago. You spent lots of time fixing it up, lots of money, and tireless days doing the work by hand, and still, you weren't done. Thankfully, most of the difficult, labor-intensive parts were handled with the help of a few hired people.

Supposedly, the house lying on the outskirts of a small town in New Jersey had been abandoned for the past 20 years, belonging to some old couple before they moved into another state and left the place to rot when no one wanted to buy the house because of some superstition about the land. It went up on the market after they died and sold for 50,000. It was a concerningly low price that your house-flipping father had taken advantage of.

He hadn't even visited the property in the years he had owned it, let alone told you about it until you mentioned wanting to set up a little getaway spot on the east coast. He had told you the details, and you decided it was exactly what you needed—a new project to focus your energy on. But you were woefully unprepared for the beast of a job you'd just signed yourself up for.

A year and a half was much longer than you had intended to spend fixing this 1000-square-foot cabin cottage, but it was well worth it. It was a beautiful location, nestled right into a vast landscape of dense, private forest with a breathtaking lake view partially in the kitchen and living room windows- a 10-minute walk away. When the sun hit just right in the mornings, it was like a fairytale. A golden bath of warm, welcoming rays wakes you up better than any cup of coffee could ever.

You'd finally gotten in all of the furniture you wanted, having to space out the hauls between a few months at a time. The house was built for one or a singular couple. There was a small porch, redone with fresh wood and a chair set on the front for guilty pleasure moments outside in the late morning or early evenings. Walking into the cabin, you were put immediately into the living room- two chairs positioned apart and pointing toward a smaller flat-screen television tucked away in the corner of the room on a low shelf for your collection of films.

Even with just you living there, the two different chairs were comforting- one more rough, textured, and firm and the other plush and soft, letting you choose depending on what you'd rather sit on to binge a show or movie for the night. To the other side of the room was the entryway to the kitchen, an open-concept attempt at a cozy space. The bedroom was on the other side of the living room wall, housing your queen-sized mattress and more personal furniture and belongings. There was a short hallway leading to the utility closet with the newer models of washers and dryers, which you could get your hands on for less money, and your newly renovated bathroom.

Lots of the house seemed to have gone with age. Things like the kitchen and bathroom floors had to be pulled up and replaced, everything deep cleaned twice over for good measure, and lots of rounds with exterminators and pest control; the first few months paid off in the long run. Admittedly, you felt bad for killing the tiny creatures. They were just trying to find shelter in the large ecosystem at your doorstep.

You'd managed to get a shower and bathtub combo in the more narrow bathroom; glad to have both options when you felt like it. The house already had surprisingly high ceilings, and you didn't mind that the shower head was a bit out of reach because of its design. A little color coordination here and there and most of the cottage was done up in shades of deep, calming, and comforting greens and blues with lighter accenting greys to keep it not so claustrophobic.

Most of your focus went to the outside of the house now. Finished with most of the inside work, you could now turn your detail-oriented self to the withered outside. With some much-needed love and care, you hoped to fix the paint job into a lovely grey blue and pick up some new windows to replace the old and cracked ones you'd been having trouble with.

Really, it should have occurred to you sooner to repair them, but you'd gotten yourself too busy with too many things at once staring out, and you'd put it off for far too long. Last winter had been a nightmare because of those stupid cracked panes, and you were definitely not about to live through that mistake again.

You'd just gotten the garden sorted out. It was something you'd planned for since the beginning, but you had to put a lot of elbow grease into making it work. You had picked up the bulk of the materials last week, including the young plants and seeds you'd needed, along with the mulch and moist dirt.

Now, you were on your knees, elbow-deep in fresh, damp dirt, making shallow holes for the seeds. You sat back, breathing in and sighing out.

It was a lovely day today despite getting a later start than you wanted. The air was crisp and cool, about 60 degrees out today. It was supposed to get chilly the next few weeks and then warm back up before the end of fall. Then came all the rain and possible snow.

You weren't used to the weather of New Jersey yet, but honestly, it was a nice change from California. It didn't really get cold until January, and summers could get pretty hot, but it rained, and the rain was always welcome, in your opinion. It was nice to get snowy Christmases, too. It reminded you of northern Cali, so tree-populated and the air so intensely fresh, that you had to admit it was nice to get away from the city life for a while.

This little adventure had opened your eyes to many things you were missing- yourself included. You'd never spent so much time alone, at least not since childhood. You'd always had friends, roommates, and a busy college life or cityscape to keep you preoccupied. Out here, it was just you, the weekly check-in from your father, the homely woods, the picturesque lake, and... whoever had been living around here watching you.

You'd seen the shape of someone lingering around a few times. At first, you brushed it off. Working hard every day had its downsides, and you thought you were just way too tired to see it properly. It was probably just a deer or something, you convinced yourself.

But after the first month, you couldn't ignore it anymore—the feeling of eyes on you when you walked past some windows, the other presence as you walked through some of the nearby woods. It was always quiet, though, and truthfully, you'd never seen whoever it was close enough to convince yourself fully.

When you'd mentioned it to your father about six months into living here, he'd told you that you must have been paranoid. There was no way anyone lived that far away from the tight-knit town, which was 30 minutes away. The whole forest, including the old camp he had never mentioned before, had been abandoned for years.

You took it upon yourself the next day to walk to Camp Crystal Lake. It took a while, and again, you felt eyes scanning you, searching you for something, or maybe just dissecting you under its gaze. You tried to shake it off, but it didn't help to ignore it. You often scanned through the trees to find the owner of the eyes, but each time, you found nothing. You began to worry that maybe the isolation had been affecting you differently than you thought. Perhaps you had been paranoid over nothing. Maybe you'd been alone out here too long.

You didn't spend long at the neglected campsite. Honestly, it felt wrong to be trespassing in the first place, especially when you had no reason to be there besides foolish curiosity. Many of the cabins looked incredibly run down, the wood rotting and falling away and the forest taking over much of the paths and steps of the place. You had your fill of satisfied curiosity after just an hour of poking around, finding strange things you didn't expect. Notably, some belongings that were from probable teenagers who'd visited. It wasn't surprising to think kids would dare each other to spend the night since it looked so creepy in the first place.

You should've gone straight home, but you felt drawn to the lake. Admittedly, you hadn't visited as much as you wanted. You went down to the pier of the lake, walking out to the far end and taking in the clearer view of the lake against the beginnings of a sunset. It was beautiful, and you almost thought about watching the sun go down but decided against it when you realized you had no light to try to walk back to the house. That and the idea of walking through those woods with those unwavering eyes still on you the entire way made a chill go up your spine.

You got home soon after that, just before dark, yet even in your own house, it was hard to shake the feeling of being watched. Not just by windows anymore, all the time... The second you stepped outside, the eyes followed your every move. It made it hard to live normally until winter came. The feeling of being observed 24/7 stopped completely for the few weeks it got into the tens and twenties, which was an even more unsettling thought.

Maybe it had been a real person, and it was just too cold for them to linger and creep on you. You hadn't forgotten about the campsite or the eyes that stuck to you for a while afterward. But it still made it unsettling when the feeling started up again in early spring.

Part of you was weirded out that you never felt entirely alone, but as the weeks went on, it was almost more of a... comfort. Whatever it was- whoever it was had never harmed you, and the stare it gave off didn't feel dangerous. It almost felt curious, maybe protective? Something out there in the woods was watching you, yes, but it was also watching over you.

You'd had the odd few occasions of falling asleep in random places and waking up in entirely different places. It only happened twice, and you were careful that it wouldn't happen again. You’d been dreadfully tired that particular week, and the physical labor of building a deck by hand had taken its toll on you. You'd fallen asleep outside on the halfway constructed porch drinking tea the first time, trying to keep yourself awake long enough not to mess up your sleep schedule. It didn’t work. You later awoke in your living room, a thin blanket pulled over your legs.

It freaked you out at first—the idea that someone had moved you and been inside your house. But after a thorough, slightly panicked search through the cottage and realizing no one was around and nothing was touched besides, well, you—and your now cold cup of tea—you calmed down. You mulled over it for the rest of the week, not understanding why whoever it was had decided to take care of you like that.

The second time wasn't as much of an accident; you'd fallen asleep outside again a little more intentionally than before. You simply tested if it were to happen again. It did. You woke up again on the chair with a blanket, the same as before, but this time, you were noticeably less clean than when you’d fallen asleep.

Whoever it was left fingerprints of dirt on your waist and thighs where they had picked you up and carried you. Most of your clothing on one side was significantly grime-coated, and that was enough to make you decide not to try it again.

You wiped your brow with the back of your arm and finished up planting all of the seeds you wanted. You were saving some to plant next spring in case these didn't make it through the winter, just to be safe. You got to your feet, wiping your hands down your dirt-covered jeans and huffed, stretching out your sore back. As you did, a twig snapped, and you froze in place, wondering whether or not to turn around toward the tree line behind you.

In normal circumstances, you would have checked immediately, figuring it might have been an animal. But you felt those eyes on you, those same eyes that had followed your every move for the last year and a half. Your paranoia got the better of you now, and the idea of seeing whoever had been watching you this entire time made your stomach turn to mush.

Your eagerness got the better of you, and you turned around despite the loud thumping in your chest. There was nothing at first as you searched through the closest trees. A figure quickly moved to the side at the edge of your vision- a very large figure. You gulped, scanning the tree line and focusing on a thick tree trunk hiding the person well. Whoever they were, they were most definitely right there, and to your knowledge, this was the closest encounter you'd had with them while awake.

You tried to think of something to say, pondering if you should have said anything at all in this tense moment.

What were you supposed to do…?

[soliarus]

Fangs and Claws

-fluff, angst, fantasy world, vampires, werewolves, elves, ect ect... mentions of blood and some fighting, war, poor Momo gets wacked in the head

: it was a bright day until two unexpected visitors fall, literally, at your doorstep under the likes of war

words 3.2k

werewolf!momo x vampire!sana x gn!elf!reader

The sky was clear, and the sun shined brightly in its place in the sky. The day got off to a terrific start. You spent the early morning tending to the crops that grew next to your house and watering the plants that grew on your windowsill. All of this is in a miniature garden that you created yourself, complete with an irrigation system. You put a lot of effort into tying it to the adjacent creek. You were proud of what you accomplished considering your tiny stature, even though the fences were a little wonky because they leaned a bit too much to the right and the gate wouldn't close without a sizable boulder in front of it.

Not as little as the other creatures that wandered your world, but considerably smaller. You were an elf who had left the elf village two years prior. Despite opposition from your neighbors, local business owners, tailors, and farmers, you no longer desired to reside in the overcrowded hamlet. You desired to experience independent living under your own norms rather than those of others. Since the beginning of the battle against vampires and werewolves, which didn't seem to be coming to an end anytime soon, the Elf Regime has established a great number of new regulations, making it difficult to pursue your desire for freedom. So you decide to locate yourself in a peaceful, undiscovered region just outside the village.

You have your own way back, of course, where you shop for your goods every month or two. You try your best to shop for all your essentials before your next trip, but the looks and whispers cause a sore to form in your jaw by the time you come back due to clenching it so often. But you do befriend all the soft little critters that visit you, from soft gray bunnies to a wobbly-legged doe. You tend to their wounds if they’re hurt, and you talk to them as you do your chores.

When you tell them about your time in the village and ask them about the high mountains or the wide oceans you've only heard about in legends, you never receive a response—just innocent looks and subtle head tilts that indicate they need more carrots or celery. 

You would never want to give up that kind of life. But on this lovely day, lunch was just around the corner as you were watering your new heads of lettuce that were starting to poke out of the ground. The air suddenly turned gloomier. And when you raise your head, you notice a large cloud advancing over your vicinity. When a howl sounded out amid the trees, you winced and got a chill down your spine. You could see the animals around jump and flee deep into the forest, which appeared to frighten them as well. You knew that sound anywhere; it was a werewolf. And they sounded close—very close. You grabbed your shovel and dashed inside your cottage, where you shut the door, covered your windows, and lowered your blinds as you waited.

You lay against the door, shoveling your shovel close to your chest, catching your breath and waiting for any sounds. Why would a werewolf be here? They were at war with the vampires. And the elves decided to remain neutral in the conflict, announcing that they would never take part in the fighting. The vampires and werewolves acknowledged their decision and declared that they had no intention of ever setting foot on elf territory, ever.

The silence thickened the air, but it was only short-lived until the noises came all at once. Growls, groans, and grunts. Immediately outside your teeny, one-person cottage. The shrubs rustle, clay pots fall, and you hear a loud crack of wood followed by a frustrated yell, oh god, please let that not be your fence. As you listen to the sounds of suffering and rage, your breath becomes labored. Then something slams into the door, sending you slightly forward as the grip on your shovel tightens. This continues for a while, causing your house to shake with each slam and your body to tremble with each grunt.

You hear two solid thunks and then one thud before another, and suddenly it all goes back to that increasing stillness. The big cloud appeared to disappear as the light started to pour through your drapes and blinds. Even if it was just a few minutes, you wait what seems like hours before opening the door carefully and silently reminding yourself to put in a door viewer. As you prepare to swing the shovel, you look down and see two soldiers who were knocked unconscious just in front of your tiny welcome mat in the shape of a rainbow. Their wounds were covered in blood, and their helmets shielded their faces.

You falter as your eyes widen at the scene. One wore black matted armor, maroon feathers flaunted the top of the helmet, a commander. They held a high position in the army, judging by their appearance. The other soldier had shiny gold armor, and this time royal blue feathers displayed their helmet. Another commander, but this time a werewolf. When you were younger, an elder elf who frequently sat under this big peach tree told you about the war. His main concern is that if they fail to cease their battle soon, the elves might have to get involved. You stare at the two figures, squinting to see the rise of their chests.

You've heard that vampires are brutal; rumors of them kidnapping elves who accidentally enter their territory and turning them into their own personal blood bags were frequently propagated when you were growing up. Werewolves weren't much better; they had a reputation for snatching elves who crossed their borders and forcing them to present as members of one of their lower castes. Any elf seen entering either of those territories was never to be seen again.

Why were there two high-ranking officers (both on opposing teams) unconscious in front of your doorstep? You were astonished, to put it mildly. How did they even get so deep into the woods? Weren’t these protected grounds? There was no war in the land of the elves; it was a rule that everyone followed. And these two disregarded the laws. To gain a better look at the two, you gently walk out. The soldier in the gold sighed as they unexpectedly rose to their feet; you gasped and swung your shovel; a loud bang resounded through the trees; birds flew in dread of the noise; the soldier groaned and then sank back down.

Your shovel still holds high as you take in deep breaths, eyes glaring down at the figures from the sudden scare, but then they falter, and you put your hands down. They definitely don’t look too well; their armor is heavily scratched up. You don't realize you've stepped in blood until the cool liquid starts to seep into your sandals.

You groan; this is going to be hard to get off on your favorite pair too, gosh. You exhaled, a little irritated. You shouldn't actually abandon them here. You felt horrible, especially because you probably gave one of them a concussion. There were two extremely strong and helpless beings in front of you. And you, the smallest and weakest, an elf, have the power to decide whether or not they live. 

────────────────────

Well, unlike the stories you’ve been told about them, you’re not heartless. You grouse your way into pulling the soldiers by their dead weight onto your little bed. You took a deep breath before lifting the injured vampire, and with great peril you succeeded, as they plopped down right next to the werewolf. As you took a step back, you tried not to sneer at the tiny blood splotches that now adorned everything from your floor to your sheets.

You watched as your bed sank further beneath their weight and sighed, At least it's long enough. Your bed was meant to fit only one person, and that was you, an elf, not a vampire or werewolf, and definitely not both of them together. Their heads were just inches from the headboard, and their feet barely touched the footboard. They are rivals, and you are a little uneasy about how close they were and how their arms were brushing against one another, but you ignore it since you assume that since they were unconscious, it didn't matter. 

You brought a bucket of water, some washcloths, and a fairly large first aid kit. When it came to patching them up, you decided to take off their armor but leave on their scrubs underneath. Slowly you grasp onto the helmet of the werewolf, and just as you pull it off, out flows graceful and flowy long hair, and you’re met with a face—a really pretty face. You blush before moving onto the vampire, and out comes a second pretty face with soft, silky hair. These beaten-up, almost about to meet their maker soldiers are hot as fu-

────────────────────

Momo groans when she wakes up; her body aches, but her head—oh god, her head. With great struggle, she looks to the left; this isn’t her room in the barracks… nor is it her room back at home. It’s much smaller than she’s used to, and she doesn’t seem to have the willpower to lift her head.

A groan rings through her ears, and it’s not from her. It’s from her right, and she notices a figure begin to wake up; her eyes blur as she tries to make out who the person is. Maybe a nightly fling from the pub, she notices how the figure groans again. Holding onto her stomach, Momo rubs her eyes, and the first thing that catches her eye is a set of pointy canines. 

While ignoring the pounding in her head, she raises her fist to throw a rapid punch, but it is immediately blocked. "What are you doing here, Sana?" she snarls out. "I could say the same to you!" The red-eyed girl's grip tightened as she made every effort to ignore the pain.

"You brought me into enemy lines... Couldn’t handle a one-on-one fight?" Momo practically sits on Sana’s lap as she tries to press her against the bed. "As if! Seems like something a mutt like you would do!" Sana scoffs, and both their arms begin to shake, neither of them letting up.

“You gaslighter!” Momo yells, 

“What?! That’s all you! why the hell did you sleep with me anyway? Did you feel a little lonely?” Sana mocked her with a fake pout, trying to get Momo off of her. 

“No you!” Momo grunted, pressing down harder, before Sana shifted, causing her to falter. They begin to scratch at each other’s skin, and Sana abruptly sits up; surprising for the very little energy they have, they’re still at each other's throats. Their bandages begin to tear, and wrapped up wounds begin to seep out blood. 

“That doesn't even make any sen-” Suddenly something catches Sana’s eye, and she stops. Momo, who’s close to poking her eye, also stops confused. She follows Sana’s line of sight, and she’s shocked. You stand there, eyes widened at their position, a bloody mop in one hand and a cleaner’s bucket in another.

“I guess this place isn’t yours…” 

────────────────────

You remain silent; you seriously don’t know what to say. You notice a bandage on Momo’s arm has begun to unwind, and more blood was seeping into your sheets. You almost cry at the sight of your poor sheets getting all bloody again. Quickly, you move Momo off of Sana, not even looking the two in the face as you begin to fix their bandages. 

“You’re a elf” Sana blurts out, she’s never seen an elf before, ever since she was born she was forced to train and train to join and fight alongside the vampire army. The same goes with Momo; she’s never seen your… kind… before and she’s absolutely star struck. Your ears are pointy, definitely pointier than a vampire’s, more refined, and your eyes are blown wide, hazel shaped, with the prettiest brown she’s ever seen.

They were dark and held so much mystery… Your hands are nimble and soft; they work with so much care, contrary to all the rough handling she has received on the training grounds, not even the barrack wolves treat her with so much care. You nod, you stand up and look around Momo to see if she has any other places she has reopened, and then move onto Sana.

 “I’m sorry, I don’t have any clothes that might fit…”, you whisper as you look at their torn garments. You feel really bad; they were dirty with grime and muck, and damn it, they were on your sheets. You’ll definitely wash them four times…at least.  

“It’s okay you’ve done much already I- we can’t thank you enough,” Sana softly clasps your hand in hers as you look at the ground, slightly taken aback by her gesture. “I’m Sana, and that dog over there is Momo, what's your name cutie?” the latter scowls at the title, mumbling out a ‘damned bat’,

You glance at Momo and then stare up at Sana mumbling your name before letting her continue,

“and we’re both grateful for what you’ve done. Sorry uh- for the intrusion…” Sana also looks guilty, and Momo hangs her head in shame? The tension in the air lowers to a more somber tone.

“Oh, no, it's really nothing! Really!…”. You say, trying to diminish any guilt they might be feeling, “It’s okay.” You suddenly prep up as you remember something, “Oh right! Wait here for a few, yeah?” The two hesitantly nod, and you walk out, looking back before leaving the room. 

Momo glares at Sana. “Dog, really?” She harshly whispers. And Sana rolls her eyes, "Oh, be quiet don’t think I didn’t hear you mumbling out a ‘damned bat’ too”. 

Momo growls, “Just you wait once we leave this place I’ll rip your-” She stops when she smells something. Something delicious. She turns and notices you walking back in, carrying a tray with two bowls. 

You place the tray on the nightstand and hand them their soup, “I’m sorry I don’t have any meat..or blood,” You stutter out the word, eyeing Sana, who looks at you with wonder, “I just had the ingredients for some vegetable soup,” you mumble, handing them each their bowl. 

“It’s okay, you didn’t have to make us anything” Sana reassures you, she seems to be doing most of the talking, but you don’t mind as long as they don’t trash your bedroom by going at each other’s throats. 

"No, it’s alright! I don’t get very many...guests anyways,” you handed Sana a red bowl before handing Momo her blue one, “cute” Momo murmurs as you shyly handed her the bowl and spoon. Your blush reddens before you swiftly bow, leave the room, and shut the door. Leaning against the closed door, you let out a sigh of relief. That could have been worse. 

────────────────────

“We’re very sorry for everything, sincerely. And thank you so much for the help.” Sana apologized once again, placing her armor in a woven basket that you gave her, and sliding her sword into her harness, same goes for Momo, who gratefully looks over the pieces, noticing that you even wiped them down, making them look like they were newly forged. 

“Anytime…” You mumble really just waiting for them to leave, so you could go wash your precious sheets and get back to mopping, “Are you sure you don’t want some food for your journey back?” 

“No need, you’ve done more than enough, she definitely won’t be needing any food anyways, not after I defeat her on the battlefield, with my sword finally ridding her body from that hideous face” Momo snarls glaring at Sana who in return smirks at her, 

“You wish, I’ll rid you of your blood and dine on your neck like fine wine” Sana levels herself with Momo, their heads barely grazing your ceiling as they stand tall, challenge one another and, puffing out their chests in pride,

“Umm please don’t kill each other here, I just wiped the floors…” You shakily spoke to the stronger beings before you. 

“Of course not, Little Elf, for a vampire always keeps things classy and not messy, unlike those mutts who call themselves werewolves,” Sana takes your palm in her hand, leaning to give it a light peck. You blush at the action, a little ‘oh my’ leaving your lips as you look away with a light giggle. Momo scoffs at the mushy vampire before walking out. They had to duck their heads whenever they left a room. A gasp leaves her lips when she steps out your front door. 

“We really did a number on their place…” Momo mumbles out, looking at the conditions right outside your tiny little cottage. Sana walked out and gawked at the sight, they full on trashed the place like it was their playground. Your walls had cracks scattered everywhere, your bushes were ruined, flowers that grew in carefully decorated pots were laying all over the ground, pieces of clay were separated from one another, and even dried blood was spread along your path. Gosh, it was terrible. 

“Oh…” you lighty uttered, you’ve been so focused on cleaning inside and making the soup, now finally getting a good look at your outside, and it really didn’t look the best. You wince at your broken fence, goodness, that took you ages to build. You look up at the other two, noticing how their faces screamed liability, “hey no- it’s okay, really, no need to worry. I’ll just fix it up, you two should really get going before it gets dark” You try your best to console the two, trying to convince them it’s all right. 

"No,” Momo murmured, and you questioned her with a little ‘hmm?’. “I said no, we did this, you, elf, have done nothing to deserve this, any of it.  I will stay here and fix everything I broke, you don’t need to lay a finger” Sana agreed with her with a nod and a little, “me too”. 

You nodded before doing a double take, “wait…what?”

────────────────────

“Here drink something girls, don’t want you two passing out… again” You sigh as you hold two glasses of homemade lemonade. Momo was currently working on a new fence, her muscles flexing through a top that you had quickly sewn for both of them after finding out they were planning on staying. Sana was fixing up your bushes, trimming lovely shapes such as hearts and stars to accommodate your little aesthetic.  

“Coming!’ They jogged over and took a glass, 

"Wow, this stuff’s really good!” Sana beamed at the taste, and sighed as she let the flavors sink into her tongue. Momo swiftly nodded at her words, the bandage still wrapped around her head. You stared at the two with a small smile on your face. They seem to be getting along just fine; the war is really what keeps them from being close. Who knows what they’ll do to each other once they leave? 

-

[animeomegas]

24 Hours - Chapter 5

[Alpha!Reader x Haku]

Summary: You were starting to get through your friend group by this point, and the pool was narrowing down as to who could be left. That’s why it’s confusing when you wake up in sheets washed in rose water. Who of your friends would do something like that?! GN!Alpha!Reader x Multiple

Warnings: N-sfw content

(Omg, we’re getting so close to the end now! This is the penultimate chapter before the epilogue and things are certainly getting complicated. How is @omeganronpa​ going to pick?? I don’t envy the job. Anyway, happy holidays and I hope you enjoy it!!! 💞💞)

Word count: 5.5k

Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Epilogue

You woke slowly today, your limbs still feeling heavy and relaxed in the best possible way, with only had one thought echoing around your head:

“You will have 24 hours with the seven people you could love the most and who could love you in return. Learn so that you may choose wisely.”

No, not that one, you thought irritated, mentally waving it away. This one:

Why did it smell like roses?

You sat up, trying to locate the smell, but as you moved, the scent faded; it was coming from the bedsheets. You laid back down and buried your face into the silk pillows, taking a deep breath and savouring the fresh scent and the softness on your skin. It smelt like the sheets had been washed in rose water.

You wracked your brain thinking about which one of your friends would wash their bedsheets in rose water, but you drew a blank. You could maybe see Neji doing it, but you knew it wasn’t him. Other than that… who? Unless this was the world where you became a stay-at-home alpha and you’d gone overboard on the cleaning from boredom.

A snoop around the room only left you with more questions. You’d gone straight to the window first, to see if you were in a clan compound of some description, but no, it looked like you were in a single detached cottage somewhere very wooded, perhaps on the Northern outskirts of Konoha, but you weren’t sure. The wardrobe had unfamiliar clothes, unfamiliar things, no framed photos apart from yours… You were seriously going into this one blind. The only thing you did notice was that the box of weaponry in the room contained weapons that you rarely use, so they likely didn’t belong to you.

So, this person was a shinobi… that was all you had to go on. Which was basically nothing because you didn’t know any people who weren’t shinobi.

Feeling uncomfortable from the lack of information, you decided to get dressed so you felt more prepared, choosing clothing that was easy to fight or flee in, just to calm your nerves. You didn’t actually expect anything to escalate but being alone in the woods with an unknown shinobi was putting you on edge.

The house you were in was small, and as you stepped out onto the landing, fully intending to check out the other rooms, you quickly realised there was only one other door, and it led to a quaint bathroom. So much for gathering information before going downstairs. You were just going to have to bite the bullet and see who it was for yourself.

You descended the stairs without incident, unfortunately there was no smell of breakfast cooking, but you when you got to the bottom, you heard something faint in the distance. Someone was… singing?

You walked through the house, noting how beautiful it was as you went, following the singing. Neji and your home had been beautiful, but simple and traditional. This home was like something out of a magazine, with the perfect arrangement of blankets and cushions on every soft surface, a cute window seat, fresh flowers on every table and an immaculate warm toned colour scheme. You were getting more and more convinced that this person was just going to be like, someone you had a mission with one time, rather than one of your friends, because you couldn’t think of any of them that would (or could) design a home like this.

Following the voice led you all the way through the house and to a kitchen with an open back door. Hesitantly, you peered out.

The singing man had his back to you. He was wearing house clothes but with an apron and sunhat on, and his hair was incredibly long and dark, the tips of the dark strands resting at the back of his upper thighs (and you had to consciously stop yourself from thinking about the upper thigh region after last night’s massage shenanigan.) He was walking around with a watering can and tending to a magnificent garden. The house was small, but the garden had no such constraints.

From what you could see, the garden was designed around a series of walkways, so there was no real open green space, just trails of green that led you in between numerous flower beds and collections of wildflowers. The garden seemed to hold everything from daffodils to watermelons, and unlike the day you’d just come from, summer was clearly in full swing, sunlight filtering through all the leaves.

It was beautiful and you clearly had the mysterious man to thank for it. The way he watered and pruned the garden spoke of such love and care, that it almost made you feel emotional by proxy.

You also felt a bit silly for being scared of being alone with this person when they were clearly so attached to bringing life, not ending it.

You watched as he put the watering can down and turned, catching sight of you in the doorway. He smiled, adjusting his sunhat and basically floating his way over to you.

For a second you had no idea who he was, and when you figured it out, it took another second for you to pick your jaw up off the floor. There was no way.

“Are you alright?” he asked softly as he approached. His voice sounded different now, not massively so, but enough that you weren’t surprised that you didn’t recognise it. “You look surprised.”

“I’m fine, Haku,” you said, forcing out his name just to check. You half expected confusion, questions about who Haku was, but no, he only smiled at you again. He looked so stunning in the sunlight, dirt on his fingers, adorable apron.

It was Haku. From your first C Rank mission all those years ago.

You remembered everything like it was yesterday. It was such a defining moment in your shinobi career and with your team, hell, even in your life. When Zabuza had died to Kakashi’s Chidori, Haku had been distraught. He’d been even worse when Gato revealed his plan and Haku had believed Zabuza to have died for nothing. He had expressed a desire to die too, at the time.

Thankfully, he had stayed for a while longer and Naruto’s famous therapy-no-jutsu had convinced him to find something else to live for, whatever it was. He had of course told Haku to return with you all to Konoha, but Haku had graciously declined.

“Maybe one day,” he had said. “But for now, I need to be alone. I need to think.”

And he’d gone. Naruto had talked about letting Haku into Konoha when he was one day Hokage, but you had privately believed that you’d never see him again.

But you must have been wrong, because here he was. He must have moved here at some point in the last few years, and you had… hooked up with him.

You blushed deeply. It was something of an open secret within the original Team 7 that all of you had had a crush on Haku by the end of that mission, although Sakura was more reluctant to admit it than you or Naruto, and Sasuke was still in a denial that no one believed.

Could you blame any of you though? He was the prettiest boy you’d ever seen, talented too, a little older, foreign and he had a cool bloodline limit. That was perfect first crush material in your opinion.

But apparently, that first crush was now here as your mate. Fuck, you must have some sort of blessing from some god with what your dating pool apparently looked like. This experience was showing you that you either had more game than you thought or perhaps future you had been a quick learner, because some of the omegas you were pulling were so far out of your league.

“I was just about to start collecting the herbs and tomatoes for our breakfast this morning,” he said, picking up a small basket that was by your feet. “Heat up the oven and I’ll be through in a few minutes, and we can start cooking.”

He was so beautiful when he smiled. It was a real smile too, nothing like the way he had smiled when you’d last seen him.

“Okay,” was the only thing you could force your mouth to say. You were going to make breakfast with Haku. Okay. You hadn’t considered these cycles drug induced dreams for a while, but now those thoughts were coming flooding back at the absurdity of the situation.

You headed back into the kitchen and put the oven to preheat, taking a look around as you did. There was clutter everywhere, including a shelf filled with various jams and preserves and a shelf underneath that looked like healing balms and various herbal medicines. The flowers in the kitchen were white peonies. Now that you’d seen the garden you were no longer surprised by how many bouquets of flowers there were around the house.

You decided to busy yourself finding random breakfast ingredients and putting them on the counter, until Haku walked in, taking off his sunhat and apron and hanging them by the backdoor.

“Let me wash my hands and we can get started,” he said, bringing his muddy hands over to the sink. “I’ve been looking forward to today all week.”

“I’m glad,” was the only thing you could think to say; you weren’t sure why this day was special. “I’m excited too.”

Haku finished washing and drying his hands and then turned his beautiful doe eyes towards you.

“Let’s get started.”

You had decided to bake bread together in the end, with all the herbs and tomatoes that Haku had collected earlier.

You had learnt how much Haku loved to sing and dance as well, when the radio had been turned on the second the cooking started, and he’d been humming, singing and dancing his way around the kitchen ever since. His energy had been infectious, and you couldn’t help but join him.

Which is why now, as the bread baked in the oven, you were twirling a flour covered Haku around the kitchen.

You were pressed up tightly against each other to avoid knocking anything in the tiny kitchen and you could feel every rise and fall of his chest against yours.

You swayed together to the beat, just about avoiding stepping on Haku’s feet. The euphoria of dancing with someone else was burning hot. It was intimate, fun and a little clumsy.

“This feels like the right dance for baking bread,” Haku joked, knocking his hips against yours.

“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not,” you said honestly, knocking him back. Haku only laughed his laugh that sounded like bells tinkling.

As the final crescendo of the song hit, you twirled him once more, watching his hair fan out around him.

He laughed so openly as you did it.

“You’re going to make me dizzy,” he complained, still smiling.

“Then I guess I’ll just have to catch you,” you grinned in return, suddenly pulling him in and dipping him backwards. Haku gasped, but let it happen, his hands looping around your neck.

You remained frozen there, in a dipped position for longer than you had planned. Haku just looked so stunning like that, happily flushed, eyes gleaming and covered in baking materials.

Slowly, the song came to a close and you stood up, bringing Haku with you. You were both panting and still covered in flour from the bread.

“You have flour on your nose,” you said quietly, looking at him intensely.

“Then you should get it off,” he replied, fluttering his eyelashes at you.  

You slowly and methodically wiped the flour of his nose with your thumb. You suddenly felt compelled to lick your thumb, but you were pretty sure the flour wouldn’t taste very nice, so you managed to resist.

The little egg timer started to ring, jolting your both apart.

“The bread’s ready,” Haku said, crouching down and opening the oven and pulling out the tray with the two breads on it. Both looked beautiful, the arrange of herbs creating a mini garden effect on the bread. “Why don’t you pick out a savoury jam from the shelf while I get the juice out of the fridge?”

It turned out to be one of the most aesthetic and tasty breakfasts you’d had in a long time.

…

“Ah, it’s almost midday, I have to get going to deliver my salves,” Haku said from where his head was laying on your shoulder. After all the food had been eaten, he’d pushed his chair right up against yours and shuffled against you. You had been sitting there in comfortable silence for a while, playing with the strands of his hair and internally mourning that there wasn’t any leftover bread for later.

“Deliver the salves?” you parroted automatically.

“Yes, I mentioned it yesterday, remember? It’s time that I deliver to my older clients who can’t make it out here to pick up their herbal medicine themselves. I also promised to drop a couple of extra bottles of burn salves at the hospital today because they have been running low after an issue at their greenhouse.”

Haku was hand delivering homemade medicine? And he must be really talented if he’s got the hospital asking for his remedies too.

“Can I join you?” you asked, eager to see more of this future Konoha. You’d still mostly only seen the inside of clan compounds, but this sounded like Haku was making a journey all around town, and you desperately wanted to see some more. And spend time with Haku, of course, not that you weren’t mostly sure that this was a fever dream again because he was way out of your league.

“I’d love you to come,” he said, nuzzling at your shoulder a little. “We should go sooner rather than later.”

Haku made no move to get up, despite his words, so you sat there for a bit longer, looking out the glass door at the garden again. You hoped you’d have time to explore a bit of the garden before you went onto your next cycle because it really was stunning.

Haku picked up a bit of cheese left from breakfast and popped it in his mouth before sighing. You smiled at the obvious procrastination.

“Come on,” you said, tapping him on the shoulder to encourage him to lift his head. “It’ll be fun.”

“If I’m with you, everything is fun,” Haku said earnestly, causing you to disguise your little flustered noise behind a cough.

“Then we have no reason to put it off,” you said, hoping the blush wasn’t too obvious. “Why don’t you tell me about all the salves you’re delivering while we get ready?”

…

It became clear after walking around the main areas of Konoha that things had changed a lot. You automatically looked towards things like alleyways and shops, only to find them missing or replaced by something else.

Even new buildings from after the Sound invasion were gone, despite how recently they were built. It made you nervous to entertain why the whole village had basically been replaced, so you tried to focus on how lively everything was. It energised you to see people having fun, bustling around and going about their business. You’d been out of the village so much that you hadn’t actually seen Konoha in the daytime for months.

Kami, you were starting to realise it was mostly your fault that you were lonely. Maybe you should start specialising in something that would keep you in the village more often, like paperwork or teaching or… torture? Maybe not that last one.

“The first house is just up here, above the bakery,” Haku said, taking your hand and leading you up a narrow staircase to a wooden door. He knocked and you both waited.

An old woman opened the door, cautiously at first, but her face lit up when she saw Haku standing there.

“Oh, Haku, it’s so nice to see you!” she said, clasping her hands together.

“You as well Mrs. Honda,” he replied, opening his satchel fill with balms and salves. “I have your order right here.”

He handed her a jar from the bag, and she accepted it gratefully. She then reached behind the door where you couldn’t see and procured a box of what looked like brownies.

“I have these here as a thank you for coming all the way out to deliver,” she said. As Haku accepted the box, she leant out and pinched one of his cheeks.

“You know, you are such a sweet young man, I wish my grandsons were more like you.”

“That is kind of you to say,” Haku said, gracefully handling his cheeks being abused. “I hope you have a wonderful day Mrs. Honda.”

He really was perfect at handling older clientele, you thought, amused.

“Are they all going to manhandle you like that?” you teased as you both walked to the next house. “Because if so, I might start to get jealous.”

“You definitely have nothing to worry about,” he smiled, holding out his hand for you to take. “And if it makes you feel better, you’re more than welcome to pinch my cheeks.”

You laughed and chatted for a few hours as you made your way down the list and before you knew it, you were walking into the hospital.

“Excuse me,” Haku said politely as he approached the front counter. “My name is Haku, I’m here to deliver some burn salves and-“

You tuned him out and decided to looked around at the new hospital instead. Gosh, the hospital in the future looked so cool! It was way bigger than the one you’d escaped from, I mean, been admitted to countless of times. You wandered over to the big sign on the wall that told you what was on each floor and scanned the list.

Woah, there was a mental health ward now? Talk about a long time coming. Oh well, better late than never. You definitely had a list of people that desperately needed such a thing, starting with everyone on your genin team, of course.

Speaking of your genin team, a flash of pink in the corner of your eye caught your attention.

“Sakura?” you called out automatically. She stopped and looked around, her face lighting up when she saw you.

“Hey! I haven’t seen you around in ages!” she said, coming over and pulling you into a hug. She looked so cool and grown up now, and she walked around the hospital like she owned it, not that that would surprise you.

“I know!” you said, excited. She wasn’t wrong even if you were thinking of a different period of separation. “How are you?”

“Exhausted,” she said, laughing. “But when am I not. The new trainees have just started, and I swear they add to the workload somehow. But my life is boring, how are things going with you and Haku?”

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively and you automatically hit her arm, blushing from the teasing. It felt so natural and relaxing to be here with Sakura, talking about crushes like the old days. You had missed this a lot. That settled it, you needed to make sure you were around in the village a bit more.

“Great!” you said, feeling confident with the answer. If everyday was anything like today, ‘great’ would be an understatement. “He’s perfect, amazing even, I don’t know how he ended up with someone like me.”

She laughed and covered it with a cough.

“Oh, I love you, but you are as dense as a rock sometimes,” she said, shaking her head amused. You had no idea what she was talking about. Probably some future thing you weren’t going to get, so you just smiled and hoped the conversation would move on. Thankfully, it did.

“Do you still want to go,” she leant in and lowered her voice. “Ring shopping with me next week? I managed to get Saturday off.”

Ring shopping? Oh. She was probably talking about an engagement ring… For Haku. You turned to check on him and saw that he was still chatting with the receptionist who also seemed to be resisting the urge to either pinch his cheeks or give him a lollipop. This version of you had planned to propose soon, then.

You weren’t even a little surprised. As you’d already mentioned, if every day was even a little bit like today, you could understand the decision to make things permanent and official. If anything, you were surprised that it hadn’t happened already, but then again, you didn’t know how long it’d been since he came to Konoha. You obviously haven’t had the same time with him as you would with say, Shikamaru.

“That sounds perfect, Sakura, thanks,” you said earnestly. You hoped she would come with you to choose a ring no matter who you chose. “I should go and rescue Haku from the receptionist now, but I’ll speak to you soon, okay?”

“Absolutely,” she grinned, hugging you once more before running off into one of the back rooms.

It took longer than you’d hoped to rescue Haku because as soon as you’d approached you had to hear a whole spiel about how cute of a couple you two were before the receptionist got distracted by a group walking in and you could thankfully leave.

“I only have one more house to visit,” Haku said suddenly, looking over your shoulder to a restaurant you didn’t recognise. “Why don’t you pick up some food from there for dinner? It was so good last time we went and I’m too tired to cook. Then we can meet back at home?”

His suggestion sounded fair, but the spark in his eye made you think he had some kind of ulterior motive.

“Okay,” you agreed slowly. You didn’t want to call him out, so you just agreed.

“Make sure you get dishes that are supposed to be eaten cold,” Haku instructed as he walked away. “Those are perfect for summer. And don’t forget dessert!”

With that he was gone, skipping off like he knew something you didn’t. Oh well, probably best to just do as you were told.

…

You had ended up getting nervous and buying basically everything on the menu that could be eaten cold, so you returned home a little later than expected, especially considering it took a little trial and error to find the small cottage.

Despite that, the lights were still off, so you appeared to have beaten Haku home.

Or not… because as you opened the door, laden with bags of food, you saw rose petals and tea lights all over the floor, directing you to follow them into the house. What?

“Haku?” you called out, tentatively following the petals. “Are you there?”

Anticipation and suspense built as you walked, and eventually the petals led you to the back door, the summer evening was still well lit, but the petals curved round a path that you couldn’t see the end of. Hopefully this wasn’t just a very elaborate trap.

It wasn’t a trap.

The petals led you round the back of the garden to a little alcove amongst tall grass and flowers, partially shaded by a willow tree. In the centre of the alcove was a small collection of blankets and cushions, laden with plates, drinks and of course, more rose petals.

But none of that was anything on the spectacle sitting on the edge of one of the blankets.

Haku was sat on the corner of a baby blue blanket, one knee drawn up to his chest, the other out straight, wearing only a short, purple yukata that was falling rather tantalisingly off of one shoulder. The sleeve had fallen so much you were able to see the edge of one of his blush pink nipples.

You started salivating immediately and not because of the food. Every word you have ever learnt fled from your mind as you stared at him. He was like a wet dream come to life.

And the way he looked at you… fuck. Those massive eyes were coy and the way he was biting his lip was sending you. Sending you where you weren’t quite sure, but definitely somewhere nice. Maybe you hadn’t been drugged, you’d been killed and sent straight into some blissful afterlife.

“I was starting to think you’d got lost,” Haku said after it was clear you wouldn’t be saying anything. “But now you’re here… we can start.”

He stood up, fuck that yukata was shorter than you thought it was, and took the bags of food from you, placing them in the centre of the main blanket. Then he grabbed your still frozen and processing body and pushed you down where he’d been sitting moments before.

Seconds later he straddled your hips and oh kami, he wasn’t wearing any underwear.

“I’ve needed this so badly,” he whispered, leaning over you and pressing his chest against yours. It was like the dance from earlier, but so much more. He dragged his teeth down your ear lobe and stole your breath. “We have been apart too much recently.”

“The-the food,” you protested. “We should-“

“Why do you think I asked you for cold food only?” Haku said with a deceptively innocent voice. “We can eat in a bit, right now, though? Let me serve you.”

“What?” you stuttered, horniness clouding your brain.

“Let me serve you, alpha,” he basically purred, looking down at you. His hair was tied up, you realised belatedly, but you had been too focused on his body to notice until now. “Please?”

“Yes, do whatever you want,” you said breathlessly. “But we’re outside…”

“There’s no one here,” Haku purred, pushing up your shirt. His hands were warm on your stomach and as his fingers explored, your stomach muscles jumped. “And even if there was, everyone should know that I love you and serve you, my alpha. It is not a secret.”

If you weren’t already dead, you were going to be soon.

Haku didn’t waste any more time, attaching his mouth onto the skin above your trousers before you could finish the thought. He sucked a path of hickies up your chest, pushing at your shirt impatiently whenever it got in the way. It was phenomenal how he knew every sensitive spot, even those you didn’t know about yet. He had clearly ‘studied’ you intimately.

You couldn’t see because of the angle you had, but you could feel Haku’s hips rutting his erection against your hips with every successful hickey on your skin. He was really getting off on worshipping you like this. The wildflowers couldn’t fully disguise the scent of slick in the air. You hoped that Haku had been right about no one being around, because if anyone was, there would be no hiding your activities.

By the time he reached your neck, he had obviously lost his patience with your shirt being on and he started tugging at it, encouraging you to help him slip it off, which you did.

“That’s much better,” he said, running his palms all over you. He pressed at the hickies and seemed happy with your sharp intakes of breath.

“Kiss me,” you demanded suddenly. The need to kiss him almost burnt you as your brain scrambled to make it a reality for you.

Haku obliged immediately, kissing up your jaw until he reached your lips. You pushed yourself up a little with one hand, and with the other you grabbed the back of his neck, never once breaking the seal of your lips.

As you explored Haku’s mouth, you couldn’t resist the pretty nipple that had been peeking out the entire time and your fingers quickly found their way there. You rubbed and pinched and flicked at it until it was peaked.

This was the hottest situation you’d ever been in, and you weren’t going to waste this feeling awkward and unsure. You were going to give it your all.

Haku was the one who broke the kiss. He spoke between pants.

“I can’t- I need more,” he breathed, tugging at your trousers desperately. “Can I take them off, alpha?”

“Go for it,” you grinned, also trying to catch your breath.

Haku needed no more encouragement, and the fabric was being tugged down your legs before you knew it. He kept his body low as he pulled, so when the fabric was finally thrown somewhere to the side, his face was level with your crotch. He shot you a wink and then slowly and exaggeratedly dragged his tongue from top to bottom like he was savouring your cock.

Your hips thrust upwards without your permission and the noise that left your mouth wasn’t something you’d ever heard yourself make before.

“Fuck, Haku,” you whined, hands fluttering for something to hold onto.

“As much as I wish to continue, we can play that game later,” he said, licking at his lips seductively. “I need something more substantial now.”

That was your only warning before he positioned himself above you.

“I’m so wet,” he whimpered. “Just for you alpha, only you.”

“You’re perfect, so perfect, only for me,” you corroborated, watching the small gap between your cock and his skin as it got smaller and smaller. “So perfect- ah!”

He sank down fast, and your hips were pressed against each other in an instant. Haku’s mouth was open in a silent scream and sweat was beginning to gather on his skin. You probably looked the same, because you could never remember feeling so good in your life.  

And it only got better when he started to move his hips. You already knew he loved to dance, and you could tell. He shifted his hips back and forth like a pro, riding you expertly. Despite his desperation, he didn’t seem to be chasing his own pleasure or sweet spot but instead watching your reactions like a hawk to see what felt best for you.

You suddenly had the rather embarrassing thought that you weren’t going to last very long.

“Oh, alpha,” Haku moaned. It was the prettiest thing you’d ever seen. “Is this good?”

“So good, so good,” you moaned back, pushing yourself up so you could kiss him again. This time, your spare hand wrapped itself around his cock which pulsed, hot and heavy, at your touch. “I’m getting close.”

“Me too,” he whimpered against your mouth. His hips kept up their brutal pace with no indication of faltering. “Please knot me, alpha! I need it!”

“I will, baby,” you weren’t sure you could stop yourself anyway. “Just keep going.”

It took another few minutes, but Haku’s gorgeous eyes were starting to fill with tears and his hip movements were getting sloppy. He was definitely getting close The sounds of sex filled your garden and with a particularly erotic whine from Haku and you couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’m cumming!” you announced, too late for Haku to really do anything but sink the full way down, your knot catching on his rim and forcing its way in. Haku seized as you stroked his cock, hoping to bring him over the edge with you. He came only a few seconds later, showering your chest with bursts of white.

His insides were twitching rhythmically, coaxing every last drop out of you, before he collapsed forward like a puppet with its strings cut.

Both of you laid there in silence, desperately trying to catch your breaths and come down from your respective highs. That was the hottest thing that’s ever happened to you, and you wished you could shake that fortune teller’s hand for the wonderful opportunity she had presented you with.

‘If you can hear me, fortune teller, thank you so much, seriously.’

Haku suddenly shifted, although you were both still tied together so he couldn’t move much. He leant over and pulled at the food bag, picking out one of the dessert boxes. Mochi, you noticed.

He plucked one from the box, and with a tired but satisfied smile, he held it to your mouth.

“Open,” he said, a coy smile on his face. “We wouldn’t want the food to go to waste.”

You stayed there, knotted together for another twenty minutes, slowly pecking at the food that Haku insisted on feeding you.

And if you fucked three more times before the night was over, well, that was between you and the flowers.

Next chapter

[animatorweirdo]

Unexpected Reunion

You reunite with an old friend and hear about events that occurred during your time on ice. You decide to set your feelings to the side and start gathering ingredients for your medicine. Unfortunately, your trip to find Moonflowers takes a dark turn when you discover two possibly orphaned elven children and reunite with someone you hoped to avoid.

() = Elvish

Warnings: mentions of the second kin slaying, dead characters, angst, mentions of being frozen, troubled feelings, going through woods alone, smelling blood and smoke, nearly getting stabbed, fear, hiding, and getting a blade on your neck.

Chapter 2

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The water nearly tickled your skin. You took in a deep breath before allowing yourself to be fully submerged in the warm water. A satisfied groan left you as your muscles relaxed from the warmth and the weightless sensation. Soap foam and bubbles floated above the water, and you finally scrubbed the dirt, sweat, and grease from your body. 

Taking a bath had never felt better after traveling in a sickened untamed land and walking around the city the whole day without a destination. You need to thank Melui for letting you take a bath and stay the night at his house. 

You leaned against the bathtub’s edge and stared at the ceiling, wondering about everything that had happened. It was no wonder so many things had happened. It's been over sixty years. 

How did you survive sixty years in ice? 

It was no mystery why Camilla would think you had died. You were certain you were dead too when those spirits caught you. You could still hear Camilla's scream at the entrance when the spirits froze your feet, making you unable to move. You could still remember reaching out to her hand before the ice froze your whole body and your mind got taken by the cold darkness. 

A tear fell from your eye when you thought about your friend. If it's been sixty years, then there was a high chance that Camilla had already passed away from old age. You doubt she could have survived as a ninety-year-old granny when Beleriand was in a state like this. She was smart and resourceful, but even she had limits. Not to mention, her family had some genetic illnesses that should act up during old age. 

You took a deep breath… trying to prevent yourself from breaking down in tears. 

You wonder how Maglor reacted to your supposed death. There was no doubt that he would have been devastated. After seven years of a happy relationship, you suddenly die of sudden circumstances. That would definitely have a negative effect on him. Could your death have taken a part in his spiraling to such a path? 

How would he think if he knew you were still alive? 

You shook your head and tried to stop thinking. You first need to ensure that the things you have heard about him are true. If anyone knew better what happened in Doriath– it would be Melui. In the meantime, you will also believe Camilla might still be alive, living in a lone cottage with a hundred cats, or something, until you learn more about her fate. 

After cleaning yourself, you arrive at the kitchen area, drying your hair with a towel and wearing borrowed clothes. Melui was preparing dinner and two vials of familiar-looking liquid sat on the table. 

Melui's home was big and rather nice. The kitchen area was attached to a large living room on the left while a set of stairs were on the right, leading to upstairs where bedrooms were located. The design of the walls and the colors were rather calm and different than what you were used to seeing in Himring. The house was empty since Melui’s family was away and Melui had stayed behind to watch over it. 

"Hey, (Name). How was the bath? Good I hope," Melui questioned after setting a pot on the table. You looked in and smelled something delicious, fish soup perhaps? 

"Yeah. It was good since it has been sixty years since the last time I took a bath," you said, making Melui release a chuckle. "You sure your sister doesn't mind me using her clothes?" you questioned as you adjusted the blouse and the dress. "It's fine. Those are pretty old so I doubt she even remembers having them," Melui said as you took the vials and drank the content. 

You grinched at the taste after drinking them both. "I never get used to this taste. Thank you for making them for me. The beast has been silent but I do not want to take any risks," you said and set the vials back down on the table.

"It's alright. I'm happy to help you with anything," Melui replied.

"Thanks... good to know you're still around at least. I don't know where I would be if you didn't find me," You smiled. Melui returned the smile. "Come on. I prepared some dinner and perhaps you can tell me in detail how you survived sixty years unchanged," he said and you both sat at the table to eat dinner. 

The dinner went smoothly even though you weren't a big fan of fish food. Melui had somehow made them taste delicious. You explained from the beginning how you and Camilla went to look for a rare herb in the cave and how you got attacked by the spirits, resulting in you freezing and somehow surviving until something broke you out. You even told him your theory of how you could have survived. 

"If my memory serves me correctly, I believe those spirits you described were Frost wraiths, spirits of the dead that had died under freezing conditions yet couldn't move on due to their hate," Melui explained. "They trap those who end up lost in their territory in ice and feed from the warmth of their souls until there's nothing left," he added.

"Sounds accurate, but I don't feel any different in my soul. How come they haven't eaten mine?" you asked while buttering your bread. "Your curse could be the reason. The beast is supposed to be affiliated with winter, right? So, perhaps it made your soul too cold for them to eat," Melui suggested.

"Maybe... but that doesn't explain the warm sensation I felt before I broke through the ice," you said. 

"Perhaps that necklace of yours could be the reason. Is that a dwarven rune you're wearing?" Melui pointed at the silver amulet resting against your chest.

"Oh, this?" you took hold of the amulet. "It... was a gift from an old dwarf who lived in Himring. It has some runes carved into it and is warm to the touch," you explained as the metal amulet warmed your fingers.

"Interesting-- I heard some dwarven runes may hold some hidden spells. Maybe that rune helped you break out from that ice," Melui stated.

"I doubt that. If it really worked like that then maybe it would have broken me out years ago," You chuckled and looked at him seriously, nearly worried to ask what you were going to ask of him. 

"Melui. I heard some things about Doriath and my lover, Maglor. I told you about him in my letters," you started and Melui nodded silently.

"I heard... he had committed terrible things and I want to know if they are true," you explained. "Were you still in Doriath when the kin slaying happened?" you asked carefully. 

Melui was quiet before looking at you. "Unfortunately yes," he answered. You stared at him before continuing. "So... all things of him and his brothers committing it are true?" you asked. "I'm afraid so..." Melui murmured quietly.

"I did not see your lover when it happened, but I did see how his brothers and their people came and started killing the people of Menegroth," Melui started. "They mostly kept their attention on those who willingly fought back, but then they started killing those who tried to run away," he explained. "I saw how the blonde one of the Feanorians fought the young king Dior in a deadly combat. They ended up killing each other. His wife perished in the attack and from what I have heard they left their twin sons to die alone in the forest. It was middle of winter as well," he explained and you nearly teared up at the thought of two young kids alone in the cold.  

"It was horrible," Melui nearly sniffed in tears. "And just when I and Nelle became engaged," he revealed and you felt light-hearted for a moment. 

"Oh, congrats. Is Nelle still around?" you asked. "No..." Melui shook his head and your smile dropped. 

"She was killed by one of the Noldor when she tried to defend one of the injured. It was not in her nature to harm anyone, so she didn't even try to fight them yet they still killed her. A sword through the abdomen," he explained. Your heart ached painfully when you saw his rather empty expression.

"I'm so sorry, Melui," you uttered.

He shook his head. "Don't be. It's been years now. I had family members to care for so I learned to heal from the sorrow," he explained. "And if Eru and the Valars are kind to us then perhaps I will see her again in the Blessed realm once my time to sail there has come," he said and took a drink from his glass. 

"I know it is not my right to tell you what to do next, but I advise you not to go to see your lover. He not the same elf you loved sixty years ago," Melui stated.

"Where is he and his brothers now?" you questioned.

"Last time I heard, they relocated to Amon Ereb," Melui answered. "It is not too far from here, perhaps a day's travel if you go on a horse," he continued. "I do not know what would happen if you go to him. I'm afraid you might receive an unpleasant reaction," he looked at you seriously.

"I get it... I think… I will concern myself with getting the necessary ingredients for my proper medicine. I don't think this would be the best time to show myself either," you said. Melui looked at you sympathetically. 

"I'm sorry things are like this," Melui said. "It's okay... I didn't expect much good when I first walked out of that cave and saw the world it is now," you reassured.

"If it's any comfort. I am willing to help you find the ingredients for the medicine," Melui said.

"Really? That would help a lot," you smiled.

"Of course, you're my friend. Just tell me what you need and I see what I can do," he said. 

"Well, the list is a bit long. I think we can find most of the ingredients in the city, but the Moonflowers are the most important," you said.

"Moonflowers? I do not think we can find any of them here, but I heard they are quite common at the Mouth of Sirion," Melui answered. "It will be a long travel thought," he added.

"That's fine by me. I can make the travel if I get a horse and some supplies to get there," you said.

"You can borrow one of my family horses, but are you certain you are willing to go back there?" Melui asked.

You smiled at him. "I will be fine. I did survive sixty years in ice and the trip here," you remarked, causing Melui to chuckle.

"I nearly envy your determination. Alright— Moonflowers grow in the nearby forest in Sirion, but there is also the Havens of Sirion. It is a city made up of refugees from Gondolin and Doriath. I have been there once. If you can't find any Moonflowers in the forest, you can go there and ask the people. They are helpful for those in need," Melui explained. "Nice," you nodded.

“Now let us eat. It will be a long day tomorrow,” Melui said and you two finished dining before retreating to the beds. 

The bed felt comfortable beneath you. However, you were not able to find sleep due to your mind being filled with thoughts on everything you had heard. Morgoth had taken over the world, you have survived living sixty years in ice, and now, Maglor and his brothers had gone down the path to commit horrid war crimes. It was a lot to handle, and you were not certain what to make of it. 

You nearly wanted to believe it was just a really bad dream. 

You brushed those thoughts away and closed your eyes. There was no use thinking and feeling sad about it. You needed strength for tomorrow to find the Moonflowers for your medicine. Maglor and everything can wait for later, even though your heart aches over everything that has happened. 

The morning graced the city. You were grateful to hear normal sounds such as birds singing in the nearby trees and the sounds of vendors as they opened their shops for the day. You would listen to them over the sounds you had heard lurking in the dark outside the city. 

You were patiently waiting at Melui's doorway, dressed in proper clothes for traveling and carrying bags for food and necessary items to collect herbs. You felt nervous to go alone but were confident you would be fine after memorizing the map and paths fully and prepared to deal with any situation possible. Technically, this was your first time traveling without Camilla. She never really trusted you to go alone without getting into some sort of trouble, especially since the incidents where you got accidentally separated. In your defense, you were in a difficult spot during those times and didn’t have the medicine to stop the beast from taking control of your body. 

However, this time you were not at the risk of losing control, so there was a high chance for you to avoid any trouble you might encounter on your way.

Melui approached you with a saddled white horse. You stood up, ready to leave for your trip. 

"This is Seastar. She has mostly been used for pulling wagons and carriages, but she's used to traveling alone with a rider. She will get you where you need to be," Melui handed the reins to you. You petted the horse, who seemed accepting of your attention. "Thank you. I'll make sure I bring her back safely," you said and climbed on the horse. You carefully handled the reins and then looked down at Melui. 

"Be careful... something unexpected might happen and I do not want to see you hurt," Melui uttered with worry in his eyes. 

"I know... but I am certain I can handle it. And to be fair a lot of unexpected things happen when I'm around, so it wouldn't be the first time" you said, making him shake his head with a smile. 

"Go now while you still have sunlight," he said. 

"Yeah, I might end up spending the night somewhere, so don't panic if I don't return," you stated.  "Okay, see you later. Take care,"

"Take care," Melui replied as you clicked your heels and rode away, eventually leaving the city. 

You rode through the safe path out of the city, into the wide lands that had not yet been infected with Morgoth's influence. It felt nice feeling the clean air brush against your face as you continued galloping. You made sure to take breaks and check on the map while letting Seastar drink before continuing your journey toward your destination, the Havens of Sirion. 

The sun had begun to settle when you finally arrived in the forest. You could hear the ocean in the distance and the air was chilly. It's been a long time since you've seen the sea or visited any beaches. Once you find the Moonflowers, maybe you could check the city after all.

You jumped down from Seastar. The forest looked too thick for her to get through. Uttering words in elvish, you told her to stay put and walked toward the forest, letting the white mare eat grass while waiting. 

The forest was thick, full of moss, and moist ground. Most likely due to being near the great river and the sea. Crows and Owls were hooting in the trees as it became rather dark for you to see. You checked the caverns and rocks, but no luck so far until you reached the last cave and noticed something glowing inside. 

You jumped over the fallen logs and saw white flowers growing on the cavern wall, glowing brightly as the moon in the sky. A victorious grin dressed your face as you took out a small sickle to cut them out. Your luck was finally looking up. 

You cut down a few of the Moonflowers and even a few with a seedling so you can grow them yourself. There were quite a lot of them. The place must have been fertile with light and songs for them to grow so many. 

After picking enough, you strapped the sickle back on your bag and prepared to leave until a strong smell of smoke filled your nostrils. Confused, you sniffed the air and then looked up to the sky, finding rising smoke pillars coming from where the city of the refugees should be. A deep worry settled within you while you stared at the smoke in the sky. Was the city being attacked? 

The scent of blood suddenly invaded your nose. You shut your mouth as you nearly gagged from the intensity of the smell, which confirmed your suspicions. The city was being attacked and it was a total bloodbath. It explained why you didn't encounter any patrols on your way even though Melui said the people of the haven were very guarded. 

Your ears heard something and from the corner of your eye, you saw a small shadow coming at you with a knife. 

"Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!" You stopped the child just in time before they could stab you with the knife. The child backed away still holding the knife toward you with terror in his eyes. "Easy! easy—! I'm not here to hurt you!" You held your hands up while staring back at the little elven boy. Your eyes then noticed another child, hiding behind a rock in the cave, he looked exactly like the child in front of you, so they must be twins. 

Worry peaked within you as you stared at them. They had blood on their clothes and didn't look older than a 6-year-old. Your mind quickly pieced the pieces and you concluded the boys must have escaped from the city during the attack. 

"Hey, it's okay," you kneeled, trying to make yourself look less threatening to them. "(I am a friend. You're safe)" you spoke in elvish, hoping it would calm them down. The boy in front of you seemed to calm down, cautiously keeping his weapon close to him and staring at you wearily. 

"What are you two doing here? What has happened?" you softly asked as the other boy slowly emerged from his hiding place. 

"You... you are not one of the bad elves?" He asked. His voice nearly came out like a whisper. 

You looked at him confused. "No. I'm a human actually," you pulled back your hood, revealing your ears for them to see. They seemed to calm more. "My name is (Name). Who are these bad elves you are talking about?" you asked. 

The elf boy began to cry. "They came out of nowhere and began hurting people..." he sobbed. "We came here to hide to wait for Naneth, but..." he sniffed. "I think they have hurt Naneth too!" he said and his brother began to sob too. Your heart painfully ached for them and a sense of protectiveness overtook you. 

"Hey..." you caught the crying boy’s attention. 

"It's okay. What's your name?" you asked. "El...Elrond," he said and you then look at his brother. "And what's yours?" you asked. "Elros," he answered, rather angrily. 

"Okay, Elrond, Elros, do you possibly know why these bad elves decided to hurt your people and Naneth?" you asked, having a bad feeling over the situation. 

"Naneth… she said they came because they wanted the stone in her necklace," Elrond answered. "A stone? As in... a silmaril?" you questioned. Elrond nodded. "That's what Naneth and Ada called the stone," he answered. 

You felt frozen for a moment. So the bad elves were Maglor and his brothers? They had committed another kin slaying for the silmaril? 

"Fuck—" you silently uttered and then you all heard a loud snap in the forest. Elros and Elrond automatically panicked. "They're coming!" Elrond said fearfully. You carefully glanced over the rock and saw elves in familiar Noldor armor coming toward you. 

"Quickly! Come with me!" you looked toward the twins. 

The Noldor soldiers came to the gave and investigated it. You and the twins were hiding behind some bushes, you listened to them talk and felt sweat forming on your skin. They were looking for the twins. 

You glanced at the twins hiding by your side. Elros looked angry and ready to fight, while Elrond sobbed silently, terrified of the situation. You couldn't bring yourself to leave them at the mercy of the Noldor soldiers, not after hearing what they had done to the last pair of twins Melui mentioned.

Your eyes quickly scanned for a route back to your horse then you grabbed a small rock off the ground. The twins looked at you carefully as you quickly tossed the rock in the opposite direction. The sound of the rock hitting something caught the elves’ attention and they quickly left to investigate the sound, taking the bait. 

"Come on!" you whispered, leading the twins out while the elves were distracted. Elrond clung to your hand as the three of you finally reached the edge of the forest and your horse.

You quickly picked them up one by one upon Seastars. "Okay. We're gonna go see a friend of mine. You will be safe and we will see if we can help you get back to any relatives," you explained after picking Elros on the saddle. 

Elrond's eyes widened as he looked behind you. "(Name)! Look out!" he shrieked as you felt a blade suddenly rest beside your neck. "You will remain still if you want to live," a familiar voice said and you slowly raised your hand in surrender. You remained deadly still and cursed within your mind. Shit, you really have a talent for getting into trouble when you're on your own. 

And you could recognize that voice anywhere. It was none other than Maglor, except his voice sounded more tired and less gentle than before. You now feared his reaction more than anything. 

"Turn around," Maglor commanded. "Leave her alone!" Elros snapped at him. "Elros. It's okay," you softly said. You took a deep breath before slowly turning around, avoiding making any sudden movement that could make Maglor slice your thought. 

You locked your eyes with him. His eyes nearly looked lifeless, most likely from the fight in the city and years of bad things happening all over, but when he locked his eyes with you— they were filled with shock. His hold on the sword began to waver and he backed away from you. 

"(Name)...?" he uttered as he stared at you like you were a ghost. 

"Hello, Maglor," you started awkwardly. "Long time no see," you said, waiting for what would happen next. 

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Here's an unusual home built in 1968 in Tucson, Arizona. It is insulated by thousands of glass bottles, that give it a colorful glow inside. It has 3bds, 3ba, and is priced at $432,500.

A large entrance foyer leads into the living room. The walls have clear glass bottles with amber glass arches.

The walls that aren't made of bottles are made of stones. The ceiling is whitewashed wood with log beams. The floors vary throughout the home. Note the freestyle fireplace and the platform that the sofa cushion is on.

This is a very large space.

Quite a deep fireplace.

The dining room has interesting cabinetry- it's made of saguaro cactus.

It appears that this handmade table will convey.

The eat-in kitchen is spacious and has regular cabinetry, but the walls are both stone and glass bottles. Pretty clear ones form arched windows over the sink.

The home has unusual rooms, nooks, and passages like this area.

One of the nooks is a home office. The rectangle in the wall above the desk must be a decorative feature. The ceiling is fabric.

The primary bedroom is very large and features a fireplace with patterned brick walls accented with bottles.

It has a long built-in sofa and the walls are made of green and amber bottles.

The bed is on a platform and that's the large bath on the right.

This is some stone bath. Don't slip in here, the walls will knock you out.

Look at all the walls in the garden.

There's also a guest cottage on the property.

This is interesting.

There are 2 bedrooms with platforms for the beds.

Not sure what this is.

A separate bath house serves as the 3rd bathroom.

Not sure, but I think he guards the bath house.

There's also an outdoor kitchen and several covered outdoor spaces. Love this handmade pool table.

It doesn't have a garage, but it has a double car port.

If you like the desert, the cacti garden is quite lovely and the property measures 2.53 acres.

[cheshanoneko-draws]

TWST OC: AURELIO

Hi hi so I’ve finally completed my first twst oc, it was really tiresome but I really like how he turned out. He definitely isn’t perfect and I’ll probably change some aspects in the future, but I think he’s okay right now.

INFO:

Name: Aurelio

Hobbies: taking long walks in the woods, cleaning, gardening and braiding Malleus’ hair

Family: he simply lives with his 3 aunts, he doesn’t know a lot about his parents

OC LORE:

Aurelio is a human born near Briar Valley, he lived in a secluded cottage located in the woods with his three aunts.

Always isolated, he often felt alone and lost. His only friends were the animals who lived in the forest, but even their presence couldn’t alleviate his loneliness, he dreamed of meeting someone special, someone who could be his friend. In a desperate attempt to run away from the monotony of his day, he started going for long walks, often staying even after the sun already went down.

Little did he know that his dreams would soon become true.

One night while strolling in the woods as per usual, he suddenly was met with something he had never encountered before: standing in the middle of the little path stood a tall figure, concealed by the pitch darkness of the night, he emanate an eerie aurora, but Aurelio could feel deep down in his heart that the man did not mean any harm, if anything he looked lost. He couldn’t help but approach him and as he slowly moved forward his eyes fell upon two long horns.

“ A child of man, aren’t you? I haven’t seen one in a very long time”

Aurelio flickered when he heard the man speak, shivers run down his spine, but he didn’t run away. His voice was hoarse as if he hadn’t spoken to anyone in a very long time.

“ Why are you here? I thought no one lived here apart from me and my aunts”

“ I just wanted a place where I could go to enjoy the peace of solitude”

The man said softly, turning around to face Aurelio. His glaze focused on Aurelio, a smile appeared on the man’s face, but he couldn’t help but notice a veil of melancholy in those eyes.

“ You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago…”

The figure however swiftly disappeared, leaving only a trail of fireflies. Aurelio remained still for a few seconds, unable to move as it took him some time to process what had just happened

“ His horns are so weird…. He feels like the man in my dreams”

Almost every night after that, the two would meet right where they had first encountered each other. They quickly became extremely close.

“ Malleus, why doesn’t anyone want to be your friend? You aren’t as scary at it seems”

“ It’s delicate matter….often people are scared of what they don’t know or can’t understand “

“ Like your horns? They are a bit weird”

Malleus turned around to face Aurelio. His eyebrows clutched, a pout appeared on his face, his stare hardening slightly, clearly annoyed at the other’s remark. Aurelio laughed at the man’s childish reaction.

“ Not everything revolves around my horns, Aurelio”

“ That person you always talk about also thought they were weird though. They even called you ‘Hornton’, didn’t they?”

The two of them stared at each other in silence, Malleus’ body stiffened up as if it still pained him to speak or even think about this one person, his mind almost drifting elsewhere as his eyes looked now as if rather empty.

“ Do I really remind you of them ?……They left a long time ago. Were you two that close? “

“ They weren’t scared of me just as you aren’t…. Our relationship was a bit complicated, but I think you could say that we were close”

“ But why would they leave you like this if you two were so close? Didn’t they know that they would hurt you?”

The looks in Malleus’ eyes immediately darkened, his glare moved away from Aurelio and traveled unfocused onto their surroundings, looking intensity at the darkness of the woods as if he could see that person in front of him now.

“ I don’t want to talk about that right now”

“ Hey Malleus…. Do you know what’s outside of Briar Valleys’”

“ Why are you asking that so suddenly?”

“ Just tell me, I wanna hear around your time at that college again”

Aurelio smiled, but he felt something tightening around his heart, hearing about what’s outside made him feel excited. He too wanted to know what was beyond this forest, he needed to see something new, something he couldn’t even imagine.

“ The outside world is unlike what we have here and every area has different cultures, customs and traditions. They don’t rely on magic as much as we do, in fact instead they use something called technology. There are also other species and not just faes or humans…”

“ I found this book in my aunt’s room, it talks about different landscapes all around the world…. I really want to see them”

Malleus immediately stiffened, he lowered his head as those worlds brought him in cold sweat, he swallowed hard, he felt as if he had a lump in his throat.

“ If I were to leave this place…. Would you mind it? I don’t mean to say that I don’t want to be your friend anymore but… I want to see what I dream about with my own eyes”

For once Malleus felt scared, he would be all alone again and so soon after having finally met someone who could cure him of his loneliness, he wouldn’t be able to go through it again, he had to do something. After what felt to Aurelio like hours of pure silence, the fae spoke again:

“ Aurelio… come with me”

It was wrong, he knew it. He should have just let him go but he couldn’t do it. He didn’t want to be alone again…..

“A-are you sure this is safe, Malleus?”

Aurelio’s voice trembled slightly, he felt that something was wrong, but he was quite sure of what, surely Malleus would never do anything to harm him, right? They were friends after all, weren’t they?

“ Of course it is….”

Extra:

[loganwalkerz]

Ajax x Rorke again,

I'm actually semi proud of this one and maybe will write a part 2? Depends on what everyone's thinkin

Tws: kidnapping, mentions of torture but none, mentions of blood.

Not fully proof read+I'm dyslexic so <3

Also, requests are open if anybody is interested. My inbox should be open, I haven't written smut before, but I can sure try lmao <3

Fic starts now:

Rorke, who doesn't kill Ajax but instead keeps him "safe," locked away from everybody, including the fellow federation who believe Ajax was disposed of.

Rorke has a secret cottage that's hidden from civilians and military because he kinda already planned to take Ajax away from the very first time he laid eyes on the smaller male.

He kept his intentions a secret, though, and just worked his way slowly into Ajax life day by day, making sure Ajax's tasks constantly surrounded the commander and no one else

It was clear ever since they started dating, Rorke became more and more obsessed with the sergeant. Keeping him on a short leash, literally whenever somebody asked about Ajax, it was common for Rorke to respond with "My Ajax is busy," like the man was some sort of possession.

So when it was spread that Rorke apparently shot him, no one thought otherwise. Maybe Rorke got bored of his toy? Maybe Rorke truly went insane and got blood thirsty?

But poor ol Ajax was stuck inside the cottage, one that would've looked like a fairytale if there wasn't for the large chains on the door that prevented Ajaxs escape. The freshlh planted and grown flowers around the front of the cottage, the newly painted white fence that was placed around the cottage. The interior decorations were something out of a dream. It was warm and cosy, just like a home should be, right? The tinted windows and the stained glass that glew as the sun hits it, creating colours on the wooden floor.

Ajax could break a window and run, but in reality, he knew there would be nowhere to go for miles. And he has a sneaking suspicion that anybody nearby probably was on Rorkes side anyway. They'd call Gabriel and give him Ajax location and he'd probably get there before Ajax escaped.

Even before he'd find people, Ajax would probably get lost in the woods that Rorke knew like the back of his hand.

He was just stuck alone until Rorke would come back and tell him all about the missions and how he's still hunting the Ghosts, how he's so close to being successful now that Elias is out of the picture. It almost makes Ajax wonder if Rorke was ever the person he fell in love with in the first place. But who knows? Maybe deep down, Gabriel Rorke was still that stern yet caring commander Ajax remembers all those years ago. Maybe it's all a plot for Rorke to take down the federation? Or maybe Ajax was just hoping for the best as perusal.

The next time Rorke came home, he had been gone for a good few weeks, and Ajax had been bored out of his mind. When Rorke comes in with blood, Ajax assumes he got hurt during a mission, or he somehow got punished by the Federation for screwing something up.

But what he didn't expect was for Rorke to reveal the most dreaded news Ajax could think of.

Rorke had been successful in capturing Logan. The blood didn't belong to Rorke, but the teammate Ajax used to care for like a little brother.

It made Ajax blood boil and feeling like he could vomit knowing exactly what was probably happening to the poor boy. He's read the files about what the federation done to Rorke. He had been there to comfort Elias throughout all the guilt and pain of the past. It was the same files Ajax had read every night crying, wondering if his boyfriend would ever come out alive.

And by the looks of it, Rorke didn't. At least not the Rorke that Ajax remembers, Ajax knows that man died inside that pit. The very same pit Logan was now stuck inside

But there was nothing Ajax could do or say that would change Rorkes mind. Especially not with how possessed Rorke is, like a different man wearing the skin of the commander. This new man was insane and crazy. He knew Rorke had eyes on him at all times. From security cameras placed outside the home in every direction to Cameras disguised as teddy's or other items around the inside of the cottage in every room.

But Ajax did have one idea, one that could possibly save Logan's life. It was a stupid foolish one that probably would end with hell rising and the end times staring, but Ajax didn't care. He was desperate for Logan's safety and return to his brother.

"Let the kid go, and I'll marry you, I know that's what you've been wanting. I've seen you looking at rings online. I've seen your diary and wedding planner, i know what you want." Ajax announced one day during dinner.

The two sat on opposite sides of the table, and a staring contest began as Ajax poked at the food. He's still nervous about eating in case Rorke laced the delicious smelling dinner with something

"Logan goes free, and you get me fully. We can have a big or quiet wedding. We can invite whoever you want and it can be wherever you want. But you gotta let that kid go"

Ajax says with a firm voice, the firmest he's sounded since he originally was trapped inside the cottage and was constantly fighting against Rorke.

And Ajax doesn't miss the way Rorke's eyes lit up as Ajax offers this new deal, cutting into the finely cooked steak with almost a smirk crawling upon the usually blank cold face.

"...I'll think about it,"

Rorke replied smoothly, acting like he wasn't bothered by the offer, like he didn't feel his heart pick up in beats or the weird giddy feeling in his stomach like a high school boy who just had his first kiss.

But Ajax knows Rorke's already made up his mind. He's just playing hard to get like always. Just like when they were younger. He knows Rorke is going to say yes. He also knows Rorke will need to plan this properly so the federation keeps off Rorkes back and clueless about the cottage and Ajax presence

"Well..don't keep me waiting"

Was all Ajax said as he pushed his plate away and simply walked to the bedroom, leaving the grinning commander behind

[maridemira]

William Braine: Before the Franklin Expedition

He was a marine, a seaman, a husband, son, a crew member....What was life like for him prior to the famous Franklin Expedition? Who was he?

In this essay, we're gonna look at the life of William Braine, who was famously one of the Royal Marines in the Franklin Expedition. In this post, we're gonna look at Braine's life before the Franklin Expedition. Now, a disclaimer here, most of the information comes from sources found by @radiojamming and @entwinedmoon , so shout out to them. And usually, what we all know is technically mostly about his death and post-mortem, but we do know what year he was born. So stick around as we dive deep into the life of William Braine.

William Braine was born in the village of Oakhill in Somerset on March 1814. He was the third son of Shadrach and Honor Braine (nèe King), and is one of 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl, though his oldest brother Thomas had died when he was two months old. He was baptised on May 28, 1815, in the parish of Ashwick. His father was a quarry worker and according to a biography of Braine, Shadrach Braine probably came to Oakhill to secure a job, and once he was able to and rent a two roomed cottage, he brought his wife with him to the village and thus, it was here that William was born. Almost nothing is known about Braine's mother, Honor, except for the fact that she died on August of 1823, when William was 9 years old and his father married a spinster named Elizabeth Bun. We also don't know anything about Elizabeth Bun either except for the fact that she became William's stepmother. We may hypothesise that Shadrach needed someone to take care of the children but whatever the reason may be, we'll never know.

William never had the benefit of schooling,this was evident when he came to Yeovil to join the Navy as a royal marine, instead of signing his name, he signed with an X. In fact, he left his home on late 1833 and arrived in Yeovil, Somerset to sign up as a royal marine private. The journey was rugged that time, according to Parson Skinner, the weather that December was incredibly snowy and rugged. Nevertheless, William and the other Marines who signed up travelled to Plymouth to begin their training. They would then be placed in Stonehouse Barracks where they would have been given their basic training.

On July 1834, 7 months after signing up and training as a Royal Marine Light Infantryman (RMLI), Braine was then transferred to the 8th Company Woolwich Division. This division reportedly was made of one battery, meaning troop, of the Royal Marine Artillery (RMA). However, according to the biography, Braine might have taken two routes to complete this journey, either by sea or by land, though the biography also sides with the former stating that it would have been a much swifter journey. It is certainly possible though, that in 1837, Private Braine had been involved in the burial of King William IV and the coronation of Queen Victoria. This same biography also states that Braine might have had the chance to see the action in the First Spanish Carlist War which happened in 1833 to 1840, though we are actually not certain if Braine indeed get to see the action, but he may probably have learned of it. In 1839, the First Opium War started and many detachments were sent to fight. It would be more possible that Braine was one of the detachments sent and may have fought alongside Thomas Hartnell Jr., John Hartnell's younger brother (Though really, they were probably on different ships and locations, and probably never met until 1845 in the Franklin Expedition). The British had won the war in August 29, 1842.

In October 31, 1841, 27 year old William Braine married Eliza Wood in Woolwich. We know very little about Mrs. Braine except for the fact that her father was William Wood. She too was illiterate, and by this point, both of the couple's fathers had been general labourers. There were no known children that resulted from their marriage, although it's possible that the couple did conceive, but they either had a miscarriage or their child was short lived and no information has survived, or it was probably because William was frequently away for them to be able to have children.

The years between 1841 and 1845 had been a peaceful time for William, except for the fact that according to Ralph Lloyd-Jones' paper on the Royal Marines of the Franklin Expedition, on March 9, 1844 William Braine had "Run from Furlough" which meant that he had exceeded a period of leave. We may not know why, maybe because of family affairs, we just don't know. But Lloyd-Jones suggest that this may be the reason why Braine, despite his 10 years of service as a Royal Marine Private 3rd Class, never received a promotion. One more fact is that he never appeared in any court martial or Defaulters book which suggest that he had a clean service record, but because the life of Royal Marines were not recorded until the 1880s, we may probably not know for certain what he had really done between 1833-1845.

In May of 1845, William Braine was one of the seven detachments of HMS Erebus of the famous Franklin Expedition. However, he never alloted his pay to anyone, not even his wife, but it is unknown why, but we may think that he probably is not on good terms with his family, or that something else was going on, either way may be a reason or it could be because of a completely different reason. Either way, we don't know. This is the final service that Royal Marine Private Braine would perform, because he died just after the first wintering of the expedition on April 3, 1846, at just 32 years old possibly of ailments unknown and was buried next to 20 year old Petty Officer and Lead Stoker John Torrington of the HMS Terror and 25 year old Able-bodied Seaman John Hartnell of the HMS Erebus in Beechey Island. As we know, the Franklin Expedition then sailed south to King William Land (now King William Island) which turned into a disaster and the rest is history.

William Braine was one of those who came from low backgrounds, yet made a significant impact in the history of the fate of the Franklin Expedition. Even though he is gone, he is not forgotten.

Sources: The Life of William Braine, The Royal Marines on Franklin's Last Expedition by Ralph Lloyd-Jones, Buried in Ice (1988)

[bluelightning16]

Hello! Love your latest drawing, is it possible to ask more about the witch au? I was staring at the lights until I looked close enough to see the human heart and the blood lol

Of course!! As with all the rest of my silly little AUs, it's a rather horrific one <3 Fair warning, I got a tiny bit carried away with my writing below…

Basically, Silver is an orphan belonging to a small, impoverished village located smack dab in the middle of nowhere, its only distinguishing feature being the vast amount of forest surrounding it. Though the locals there will never admit it to any foolish outsiders, many of them still believe in their ancestors' paranoid whispers of magic; so much so, in fact, that it's become a staple of their everyday life. Children are taught lessons through morbid fairytales and outlandish stories, miscreants pray desperately to be purged of their demons during Catholic mass, and the town gathers monthly to roast all suspected witches on a stake. Overall, having a holy, united front against the work of the Devil fosters peace and harmony throughout—unless, of course, one were to be born with the unfortunate curse of being different.

On his luckier days, Silver is simply ignored and left to tend to the church’s gardens on his lonesome (the job that has been oh-so-generously provided to him by the orphanage directors encouraging him to repent), with only an occasional titter about his “vacant, nixie eyes” to puncture the silence. However, more often than not, he is sought out by his more vengeful peers as soon as the lunch bell is struck, and beaten to a bloody pulp; their vapid, vulture-like mothers watch on, cruel speculation of his bloodline running as rampant as ever. His porcelain skin is surely vampiric in nature, they hiss between painted lips, those colorless wisps of hair a key part of his lycanthrope lineage. But, perhaps worst of all, are the rumors that deny him even the weakest links to being human—while the other creatures are still, at the end of the day, offspring of former mortals, he simply must be a changeling through and through, what with his unnatural irises, suspicious sleeping spells, and holistically predatory beauty.

…No matter their reasoning, Silver always ends up miserable and alone.

Thankfully, by the time he’s seven, salvation comes in the form of an unlikely trail of lights, bobbing about ethereally under the deep cover of night. Why he decides to promptly clamber over his windowsill—from which he had initially spotted the path, during his nightly Bible study—and venture after them, he doesn’t quite know… There’s just something so homely and beckoning about them, he supposes. (Later, he’ll chalk it up to equal parts desperation and childish fantasies, borne from the happy and friendly and good storybooks that the more mischievous choir boys have been stowing between pews like contraband.) The grass is cold and wet against his feet as he pads across it, pushing past the church gates to make for the dark, all-encompassing line of trees that he found so terrifying only hours before. Strikingly different from the huntsmen’s drunken tales of monsters and human-repelling growth, the forest swallows Silver with a quiet murmur of excitement. Unlike them, he is welcome here.

The lights lead him over a small brook and between luscious vegetation, pulsing brighter with every step he takes onward. At the very end of his journey, he finds a cottage tucked in the shadows of two large, wooded hills. Three figures stand before it, ready to greet him: a slight, beaming man, the horned silhouette towering above him, and a child his age leaning heavily against the former. The first ushers him in with the heady promise of pie, blankets, and crackling fire… and the rest is history.

From then on, Silver works tirelessly for his new family; in exchange for their love, provisions, and tutelage, he cleans up around their cozy little hut, despite any reservations his beloved Papa may have. It’s the least he can do, after all…! Eventually, this gives way to Lilia training him alongside Sebek, versing him in the complex albeit beautiful mannerisms of magic. (At some point, they had revealed to him that they are all a part of the Diasomnia coven; he can’t quite remember.) And although he may not be able to manipulate the delicate fabric of reality himself, he is instructed by Malleus to take pride in how quickly he’s taken to botany and navigating their inventory. Silver soon secures an oath to be taught the advanced art of potionology when he’s older—though he’ll have to be shown how they source their precious ingredients, first! (He assumes that some must come from his old hometown, or other adjacent ones. Why else would his father return smelling of iron and smoke and oil?)

All in all, it’s the most perfect, wonderful, idyllic life he could’ve ever hoped for. With the smooth, comfortable weight of a broom rolling between his palms, he begins to hum as he mops up their latest spill of crimson potion. Crystal stars glimmering overhead, scattering rays of brilliance against their floor with Malleus’ lights dancing in tandem, he pauses mid-task to grace his family—his world—with another smile.

.

..

…

(He was the right choice to make, after all. With a few more years of blissful, unwitting cultivation, they’ll finally have the elements they need: virginal blood, auroral eyes, and the purest of hearts.

And then he shall remain a part of their life force forever.)

[clintbartonswife]

i loved you like the sun

Pairings: remus lupin/sirius black Summary: remus centric fic on his history, reunification and future with sirius. Whumptober prompt #27 : scars / 'let me see' Whumptober prompt #30 : borrowed clothing Notes: descriptions of malnutrition and body mutilation (hello lycanthropy!), post-POA masterlist   || whumptober2023 || part two (coming soon)

Remus' heart clenched as he traced the ink lines of the marauder's map. If he closed his eyes and focused on the feeling of the parchment in his hands, he could almost hear James' laugh, Peter asking what was so funny as Sirius whispered sweet nothings in his ear -

He broke that line of thought with a scoff, rubbing his hands over his face. He had run out of tears long ago, instead left with a deep well of bitterness. The best part of his life had been shattered in one night. His best friends murdered, childhood stolen and love of his life arrested as their killer.

Remus had never believed he deserved good things. The marauders had taught him otherwise, surrounding him with blind acceptance and joy. Just as he finally started to believe in his worth, it had all come crumbling down. He was left alone, the way he always knew he was going to be.

Nothing lasts forever.

Movement in the grounds caught his eye. That was unusual, especially considering the late hour and school-wide curfew. Frowning, he took a closer look, blood running cold.

Without a second thought, he tugged on his coat and began running.

The whomping willow whipped around in a frenzy, freezing as Remus hit the notch with an immobulus charm. His feet followed the path that he had walked for years, remembering every dip and turn.

His legs weakened as he raced up the steps in the shack, heart threatening to beat out of his chest. He could hear voices faintly through the door, paying them no mind as he crashed into the room.

"Professor Lupin!"

The exclamations from the children flew over his head, eyes set on the crumpled man on the floor.

He was practically wasted away, swamped by black rags that made his pale skin look practically translucent. Even from his place in the doorway Remus could see his veins, entwining with each other like vines under his skin.

Sirius finally turned to him, connecting their eyes. Years of hate, regret, love and pain rushed back through him, overwhelming in their intensity. In that moment, staring into his storm-grey eyes, he knew: Sirius was innocent.

The urge to kiss him was overwhelming, but it was neither the time nor the place. Instead, he spoke.

"Looking a bit ragged, aren't we, Sirius? Finally the skin reflects the madness within."

Sirius' face, which had before looked frightened, lit up with a toothy grin. "You'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?"

Relief spread through him, stepping forwards and helping Sirius to his feet. He hesitated once more, before pulling him into an embrace.

The smaller man melted in to him, body sharp and frail. Remus' heart swelled, cheek against Sirius' temple as breathed words escaped him, "You're as beautiful as the day I lost you."

If only for a moment, everything was okay.

Of course, nothing in Remus' life could stay normal for long. Snape came storming in, Pettigrew escaped, his secret was revealed and Sirius was sentenced to death. He was left to once again pick up the pieces, hiding his grief from those around him.

------

He retreated; resigning from his position at Hogwarts and running away from society once more.

His cottage was his solace, surrounded by thick woods with a boundary enchanted to contain his movements during the full moon. The building was small but cosy, books lining practically every wall.

He had inherited it from his grandfather on his mother's side, located just outside of Powys in Wales. It was the perfect escape, granted to him at the height of the war.

He sighed, tugging on his jumper as he limped towards the kitchenette, fresh scars throbbing with a vengeance. Some sick part of him was glad for the pain, deigning it a punishment for letting the kids down, for letting Sirius down.

A knock on the door resounded through the cottage, Remus flinching at the sudden noise. His fist clenched around the wand in his pocket, instantly on guard.

The knock sounded again, this time followed by a voice.

"Moony, open the door I'm freezing my balls off out here."

His breath caught in his chest, rushing across the room and swinging the door wide open.

Sirius offered a sheepish smile, eyes tired. "Surprise?"

Remus' blinked. "You're here - how... how are you here?"

"Dumbledore may have mentioned a certain hidden cottage that you owned - hope you don't mind but I have brought company."

Remus finally tore his eyes from Sirius, registering the hippogriff lying on the grass behind him. "Uhh -"

"That's Buckbeak. She's a friend."

"Right. Does she... need anything?"

"Nah she's a tough girl - we're both outlaws. Running from the ministry... y'know. Tough stuff."

Remus felt a smile tugging at his lips, "Sounds very... dashing."

"What can I say. Once a rebel, always a rebel. If Minnie could see me now -"

"She still wouldn't agree to dance with you, that's for sure."

Sirius opened his mouth in mock-horror. "Now that's just low."

"Sorry, sorry." Shaking his head fondly, Remus stepped aside, gesturing for the shorter man to come into the cottage. "Welcome to my home."

He took in his surroundings, expression unreadable as the door closed firmly behind him. After what seemed like an age, a smile cracked across his face.

"It's very you."

Remus let out a laugh, "Oh really?"

"I mean - come on, Moony. It's a bookstore in here! And you got your cobblestone fireplace... it's just like..." Sirius cleared his throat, smile dropping slightly, "Like the home we talked about."

Remus dipped his head, cheeks pinkening. "It's not as big as you wanted... or near London. I tried to make the kitchen the way you wanted, but I -"

"You remember."

"So do you."

"Memories. They were all that kept me going."

Remus reached out slowly, allowing Sirius the time to move away if he wanted to. He didn't. Hand slightly trembling, he entwined their fingers, thumb rubbing over Sirius' cold hand.

The apology sat on the tip of his tongue, though he found himself unable to speak. Sirius seemed to understand, lightly squeezing his hand in response.

"So," he said, attempting to lighten the mood, "I don't know about you, but I'm sick of these robes - got anything I can borrow?"

Snapping out of it, Remus finally met his eyes, "Of course. You can have your pick. I doubt you'd be here for more than a day without stealing all my jumpers anyway."

Sirius grinned, walking deeper into the house, "They look better on me."

"Yes they do." Remus breathed, before raising his voice. "The bedroom's other way!"

"I knew that!"

-----

The two of them fell into a routine, comfortable enough, but the tension of unspoken words still hung heavily in the space between them.

Sirius was slowly getting better, regaining more and more of his old spark every day. There were still times when he would get very quiet, sitting in the corner of the front room and staring out of the window, eyes glazed over with memories. Remus would simply brew him a cup of tea, setting it down on the table beside him and gently coaxing him back to the real world with careful touches and hesitant smiles.

He would return the favour by helping Remus on the days when his joints were agitated, brewing simple drafts to help with the pain.

Some nights, when Sirius woke up in a cold sweat, he would curl up at the end of Remus' bed in his dog form. It didn't take long for this to become the norm, the sofa-bed disassembled and Sirius' few items moved into the spare drawers in the bedroom.

It didn't take long for Sirius to catch him half-dressed, eyes silently tracking the new array of scars that covered his torso.

"Let me see." He had said, voice hoarse.

Remus simply let his arms fall to his sides, closing his eyes as hesitant fingers traced over irritated skin.

The moment was suffocatingly intimate, an echo of nights long gone by. It was over far too soon, Sirius letting out an unhappy noise and retreating, transforming into Padfoot and waiting for Remus to get into bed.

"They're just scars," Remus had murmured, blinking sleepily as he finally tugged his tshirt over his head. "Nothing new."

Padfoot huffed.

-----

Writing letters to Harry seemed to help. Sirius would light up every time he received a response, reading them aloud with glee, feet resting on Remus' lap. If he tried hard enough, as he listened he could imagine that everything was normal. That Harry was writing from his bedroom in Godric's Hollow, asking when Uncle Pads and Moony were next visiting as James and Lily laughed downstairs.

The dream always quickly dissipated, replaced with the ever-present weight in his chest.

"I'm glad he's doing okay," Remus said, "Well... as well as you can be when staying with the Dursley's."

"Right?" Sirius exploded, "Petunia was always walking around as if she owned the Earth."

"Her husband's not any better. Do you remember that summer when we helped Lily move out of her parent's house and he called James a slur?"

"I would've punched him if Lily hadn't got to him first." Sirius paused for a moment, shaking his head as the anger built within him. "Miserable bastards didn't even come to their wedding, why the fuck were they given Harry?"

Remus felt a hot poker of shame shoved down his throat. "They wouldn't - You were his godfather, so I thought.. but I was ruled unable to take care of him."

"Rem -"

Shoulders hunching, he wiggled out from underneath Sirius' legs, retreating to the kitchen. The other man followed him.

"Everyone was either dead or gone. Mary... she wanted to be left alone, and I was too tired to even fight their decision. They - they made valid points."

"Moony -"

"They said I was a danger to him."

"You would never hurt Harry -"

"But I almost did! If you weren't there that night, I could've killed them."

Sirius grabbed Remus by the chin, forcing him to meet his eyes. "You are not the wolf. You are Remus. My Remus. One of the most loving, caring people I've ever known. A good man."

His next words were all but punched out of him. "Time changes everything."

Sirius' face hardened. "Not us. Not in any way that matters."

Remus let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding, and desperately searched the stormy eyes in front of him. "Do you mean that?"

"Yes."

Remus stepped closer to Sirius, hands coming to rest on his hips and thumbs hooking through his belt hoops. "Are you sure?"

Sirius' next response was breathier, his eyes focusing on Remus' lips with the desperation of a parched man staring into a stream. "Yes."

Permission granted, Remus leant in, lips slotting together like puzzle pieces. It felt like coming home, time apart meaningless as their bodies fell back in to the ease of melding together. Sirius' hands moved up into the taller man's hair, pulling a pleased groan from him as their bodies pressed together.

Sirius broke away from the embrace, resting his forehead against Remus' chest as tears wetted the grey t-shirt. The taller man instantly moved to calm him, stroking through his hair as he murmured reassuring words against the soft flesh of his temple.

"I missed you so much."

The whisper was almost unheard, a mournful admission spoken from the heart. All Remus could do was hold him tighter, as if he could protect him from the horrors of the world, and reassure him over and over again that no matter what happened he would never leave his side again.

The problem with promises of that magnitude is that they are incredibly hard to keep.