#moss introduced them too me

[noirscript]

serpent's claim

Pairing: Yandere Naga x Reader Description: You ran, but Zaeral always caught you. Now his egg rests deep inside, and escape is no longer what you crave. Warning/s: Yandere | Noncon/Dubcon Themes | Oviposition (egg insertion) | Breeding Kink | Forced Captivity | Obsession | Stalking | Predator/Prey Dynamic | Isolation | Escape Attempt | Psychological Manipulation | Forked Tongue (I HAVE TO) Note/s: Commissions are still open! Enjoy this Yandere!Naga. Lemme know what you think about it. btw. I'll try to add the tw tags later. I've been trying to add them but it's not getting added below T^T

Masterlist | Commission | Tip Jar | Dark Roast

The air was always wet down here.

Every breath dragged the scent of moss and something deeper into your lungs—something primal, slick with hunger. You didn’t know how long it had been since you’d seen the sky. Days, maybe. Weeks. It all bled together in this place where time was measured only in how long your heartbeat stayed fast and your skin stayed cold.

You didn’t fall into his territory. You wandered. That was your sin. You thought the shortcut through the canyon would save time. Maybe you didn’t want to go back at all. But now you were here. Now he was here.

You heard him before you ever saw him. A low scrape against stone. A hiss, too long to belong to any animal you knew. It slithered across the air like it was following you, not chasing, not yet, just… watching.

You’d screamed the first time he spoke. A whisper in your ear when you thought you were alone. "You breathe like prey." It echoed. There was no body to pin the voice to. Only dark, endless tunnels, lit by cold, phosphorescent light, where shadows stretched too long.

You ran. Of course you did.

But you learned quickly that you were never fast enough.

You never heard him move. Just the breath on your nape, the lightest brush of scales across your path when you thought he was behind you. The way rocks ahead of you were suddenly slick with moisture. A hunter didn’t need to charge when his prey was already cornered by instinct.

He introduced himself after the second escape.

Zaeral. His name slithered from his lips like a caress, like a chain sliding shut. When he finally showed himself—all of himself—you understood why you had no chance.

His upper half was almost beautiful. Tall, lean, chiseled in the way ancient statues are, timeless and cruel in their perfection. His skin was pale, barely touched by light, with veins like opal beneath the surface. Hair black as pitch hung past his shoulders, framing eyes that glowed faintly with a vertical sliver of gold.

And below the waist—no legs. Only an endless coil of thick, glistening muscle, wrapped in dark scales that shimmered with hints of violet and green, shifting with his breath. His tail could crush boulders. You knew because you saw the bones. He left them there, visible, arranged like a warning. Or maybe an invitation.

He spoke to you like a lover, not a captor.

"You belong down here," he’d murmur, coiling around you as you slept, his body a cage of heat and weight. "You’re so loud, little thing. Every heartbeat calls me closer."

You learned not to scream when he wrapped around you. Not to cry when he pulled you into his nest of damp moss and hollowed stone. It only made him hold you tighter. Only made him hum into your throat with something like joy.

"I adore when you squirm," he’d purr. "It stokes the fire in my belly. And soon, it’ll stoke more."

You never saw another person. You weren’t even sure anymore if the surface existed. When you closed your eyes, all you saw were tunnels, and the glint of his eyes in the dark, and the pressure of coils slowly winding up your legs. You tried to map the labyrinth. You tried to mark your way back.

He always erased them.

"You don’t need a way out. You only need a place inside."

Sometimes, he would leave. Hours, maybe longer. You never knew where. But you always knew when he was coming back. The air changed. Grew heavier. More charged. Like the earth itself tensed with your dread.

He would appear, gliding in with something clutched in his claws. Fruit from underground trees. Pelts that still smelled of blood. Once, a silk scarf stained with perfume—your perfume, long faded. You didn’t ask how he got it. You didn’t want to know.

"You are not the first I’ve chased," he admitted once, curling a length of his tail around your ankle. "But you’re the first to last this long. You burn brighter. You make me ache."

He said things in your ear that no one should say. Things about your body, and his, and how perfectly they’d fit. How your hips were made to take him, no matter the shape he wore. How he could mold himself around you, fill you from any angle. How he wanted to see your belly swell with his spawn. How he dreamed of it.

He wasn’t crude. He was reverent.

Like you were holy. Sacred. A shrine he wanted to desecrate with worship.

You told yourself you hated it. That your tears were from fear. That your trembling was because of the cold, not because of the warmth that bloomed deep, shamefully, when he wrapped his coils around your thighs and purred into your stomach, his tongue flicking lazily against your navel.

“You smell different when you’re scared,” he’d murmur. “But oh… when you’re not scared... that scent drives me to madness.”

He waited. That was the worst part. He was patient. He didn’t force himself. He didn’t need to.

He knew you’d give in.

He’d make you believe it was your choice.

You escaped once. Maybe twice. You didn’t count. Each time, the tunnels stretched longer than before. Each time, your body weakened faster. Once, you made it to a crack in the cave wall, and sunlight kissed your face.

And then his tail yanked you back, gentle as a lover’s hand tugging a hesitant partner.

"You tried," he said, brushing your hair back. "That’s why I love you. It means when you finally stop trying, I’ll know it’s real."

You screamed into his chest, and he rocked you like a child.

"I will never let you die here," he promised. "But I will never let you leave."

You didn’t try after that. Not seriously.

You thought you were giving up. But maybe you were just giving in.

You started to listen when he whispered to you. Started to ask questions. Small ones, at first. "Where do you go when you leave?" He’d smile. Never answer.

You started to watch his body move, the way his tail flexed and rolled over itself as he settled beside you. The power in him. The control.

You began to wonder—just wonder—what it would feel like if he really touched you.

He knew. Of course he did.

One night, as you lay in his coils, barely breathing, his voice dropped low.

"I dream of pushing you to your knees," he said, lips grazing your temple. "Of laying you out across my nest and feeling your body arch as I bury myself in you."

Your thighs clenched before you could stop them.

He growled. Low. Deep. It vibrated through your bones.

"You want it now, don’t you?" he asked, not mocking. Just… knowing. "Say it. Say it, and I’ll make it so you never remember the taste of anything but me."

You didn’t speak.

But you didn’t run, either.

And when his hand slid down your stomach, and he pressed his palm over your core, hot and possessive and unbearably firm—you didn’t stop him.

"You’ve already surrendered," Zaeral whispered, his tongue flicking your cheek. "Let me claim you. Let me fill you."

Your breath hitched. Your body burned. You hated him. You hated this.

But your hips lifted into his touch, and your thighs spread just slightly wider.

A hiss of satisfaction spilled from his mouth.

"That’s it. That’s my precious little mate."

The word mate tasted like ash and honey on your tongue.

You whispered his name.

Zaeral.

And he smiled.

TBC.

noirscript © 2025

Taglist: @hopingtoclearmedschool @violetvase @zanzie @neuvilletteswife4ever @yamekocatt @mel-vaz @vind1cta @greatwitchsongsinger @delusionalricebowl @nomi-candies @jsprien213 @kaii-nana33 @saturnalya @yandereaficionado @pinksaiyans @ivantillenthusiast @missybabes

[himasgod]

Hello!!! Please write a reader who is Lilia's adopted daughter. And she brings her boyfriend for the first time to meet him (It can be Leona, Jade, Azul, or anyone else you like) you can also insert the boys reaction, they are her brothers after all.

LEONA, JADE AND AZUL X READER

Where they are formally introduced to Lilia, your father, as your boyfriend

How would Leona, Jade, and Azul react if you brought them home to Lilia, your adoptive father, and Malleus, Silver, and Sebek as your "siblings," to be formally introduced as your boyfriends?

I had fun writing this I was pretty lazy so there are no long descriptions or anything, just a lot of dialogue. I hope you like it <3

“So let me get this straight…” Leona muttered, arms crossed and ears twitching with irritation,

“You’re telling me I’m about to have a formal sit-down with Lilia Vanrouge?”

You smiled, linking your fingers with his as you both approached the moss-covered arch that marked the beginning of Lilia’s garden. Hard to tell in Briar Valley.

“Yes. And be nice. You do know each other, but this time, it’s official.”

Leona huffed.

“Tch. Knew this day would come the moment I kissed you.”

Lilia waited for you on the porch of his quaint forest estate, wearing a deceptively sweet smile that even you knew meant mischief.

“Ah, there you are, little bat! And Leona Kingscholar, too, hmm?” he purred, eyes gleaming as he looked your boyfriend up and down.

Leona greeted him with a curt nod.

“Old man.”

Lilia clapped his hands together.

“Still so charming! You haven't changed a bit since NRC. I take it you're here to steal my daughter away, hmm?”

You elbowed Leona gently, but he only rolled his eyes and said

“Well, someone has to save her from your weird blood popsicle obsession.”

Lilia laughed. That bright, eerie laugh that echoed through the trees

“Fair point. Come in, come in.”

Sebek was the first to react.

“WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?!” he boomed, nearly knocking the table over. “He’s lazy, arrogant, and—AND—HE SLEEPS IN CLASS!”

“Sebek,” Lilia said calmly, sipping tea, “I slept through centuries and still managed to raise a well-mannered daughter, a son and a prince. Your argument is invalid.”

Silver, ever the neutral party, blinked slowly. “I always thought you two would end up together,” he said to you, tilting his head at Leona. “But I imagined someone who… gets up before noon.”

“Silver,” you said dryly, “this is not helping. Besides, you are not the one to talk-”

“Guess I’ve got something none of them have. Charm?”

“Or raw animal magnetism,” Lilia added helpfully.

You facepalmed.

Then Malleus entered the room.

The vibe shifted.

Leona sat up straighter instinctively.

“Ah, the second prince of the Sunset Savanna,” Malleus said, voice smooth but heavy. “We meet again. I understand you’re courting my dear sister?”

Leona narrowed his eyes slightly. “Yeah. Got a problem with that, Horns?”

“No,” Malleus said, and smiled slowly. “But should you break her heart, there might be consequences.”

A tiny bolt of lightning crackled behind him.

Leona blinked.

“…Duly noted.”

When everyone was gone, Lilia pulled you aside as the stars began to glow through the tree canopy.

“You really care about him, don’t you?” he asked softly, eyes not teasing anymore.

You nodded. “He’s… good to me, even when no one’s looking.”

Lilia was quiet for a moment. Then he gave you a fond smile, and gently flicked your forehead like he used to when you were little.

“Then that’s all that matters. But if he ever makes you cry—well, let’s just say I still remember a few curses that make hair fall out permanently.”

You grinned. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Are you sure about this?” Jade asked with a soft smile, his fingers gently brushing over yours as he held your hand. His tone was calm as ever—but you could feel the subtle tension in his grip.

“Of course,” you said, nudging him with your shoulder. “It’s not like you haven’t met them before.”

He chuckled, low and smooth.

“Yes, but this time, I’m no longer ‘just a student.’ I’m the man courting Lilia Vanrouge’s daughter. That… changes things.”

You smirked. “You’re nervous.”

Jade gave you a sidelong glance.

“I’d be a fool not to be.”

Lilia was already waiting at the table, sipping tea, dressed in something deceptively casual (yet enchanted enough to ward off curses, fire, and possibly suitors).

When Jade stepped in behind you, Lilia smiled wide.

Too wide.

“Jaaaade~! What a lovely surprise,” he said, sing-songy. “I didn’t realize we were hosting an eel today.”

Jade bowed slightly, lips curled in that signature polite-but-vaguely-threatening smile.

“Always a pleasure, Mr. Vanrouge. You have a lovely home.”

“Still trying to charm me?” Lilia asked playfully, resting his chin on his hands.

“Not at all. I’m simply being honest,” Jade replied smoothly.

You could feel the tension crackling like static between the two of them. You were about to speak when—

Sebek stomped in, sword at his side.

“WHAT IN THE GREAT NAME OF MALLEUS IS HE DOING HERE?!” he bellowed. “An eel? The brother of that... creature over Octavinelle? You dare present this to Lord Lilia as your consort?!”

You sighed. “Sebek. Calm down.”

Jade gave a small bow.

“I’m honored by your passion, Sir Sebek. I assure you, I’ve treated your "sister" with the utmost respect.”

“DO NOT ‘SEBEK’ ME! I'M ZIGVOLT FOR YOU”

Silver, half-asleep in the chair beside you, cracked an eye open. “...Didn’t he used to sneak mushrooms into Riddle’s tea?”

Jade smiled faintly. “For science.”

Then Malleus appeared. His eyes swept over Jade, calculating.

“You are... the Leech twin,” he said.

“Indeed,” Jade replied with a courteous nod. “And you are the Crown Prince of Briar Valley. A pleasure.”

They stared at each other. For a long, long time.

You held your breath.

Then Malleus gave a slow nod. “Should you break her heart, I will turn the coral into dust.”

Jade smiled, unshaken. “Then I shall simply have to ensure her heart stays whole.”

Once the chaos quieted and Sebek had stopped ranting in the background, Lilia pulled you aside with a sly grin.

“An eel, hmm?” he whispered. “Not the choice I expected, but... interesting.”

You raised a brow. “You hate him?”

Lilia hummed.

“No. He’s clever. I don’t trust him completely... but I do trust your judgment. Just be careful. He smiles like me, and you know how dangerous that can be.”

You grinned. “That’s why I like him.”

Lilia chuckled, fond and nostalgic. “You’re really growing up, little bat.”

Azul stood at the edge of the Vanrouge estate like a gentleman who wasn’t calculating every potential response in his mind. He carried himself as he always did—shoulders straight, coat perfectly tailored, his composure a shield no one dared pierce.

You stood beside him, warm and casual.

He would not embarrass you. He would not lose.

Lilia Vanrouge opened the door, ageless eyes alight with interest.

“Azul,” he said, smile sharp. “What a surprise. And here I thought I’d seen the last of NRC’s little loan shark.”

Azul inclined his head in a perfect bow.

“Good evening, Vanrouge. Thank you for welcoming me into your home. I’ve brought an offering.”

He handed over a bottle of rare merlot aged in abyssal coral—courtesy of the Lounge’s private vault.

Lilia raised a brow. “Careful. Gifts from businessmen often come with strings.”

Azul smiled.

“Only when the recipient is unaware. You, however, are far too old and clever for that.”

A flicker of amusement passed through Lilia’s gaze. “You do know how to flatter.”

“I know how to respect power,” Azul replied evenly. “And your daughter.”

He could feel your hand brush against his coat then—gentle, grounding. He allowed himself the smallest softening of his posture in response. Just enough to be human.

The rest of the family filtered in.

Sebek looked like he might explode.

“THE MERCHANT?! ARE YOU—?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! HE'S—HE'S A CROOK!”

Azul tilted his head coolly. “I assure you, all my transactions are legally binding.”

“That's the problem!” Sebek snarled.

Silver, relaxed, offered Azul a subtle nod. “You were always the quiet dangerous type. Honestly, I expected worse.”

Azul’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “How reassuring.”

Then came Malleus.

Azul stiffened—just barely. Enough to signal he knew the weight of this moment.

The air shifted as the he approached, slow and deliberate.

“You’re bold,” Malleus said, voice like rolling thunder. “Bringing intentions into my territory.”

Azul met his eyes. Steady. Calm.

“I didn’t come to posture. Only to be acknowledged.”

“You desire permission?”

Azul smiled thinly. “I already have her heart. Yours is merely… a formality.”

It was a dangerous thing to say. But Azul knew when to gamble.

A beat of silence. Malleus’s gaze narrowed—then moved to you.

“Does he treat you well?”

You nodded. “Better than I ever expected.”

Malleus didn’t look back at Azul. “Then I’ll allow it. For now.”

Later, Lilia poured himself a glass of that merlot, watching Azul with quiet scrutiny.

“You wear your nerves like armor,” he mused.

Azul didn’t flinch. “As one should. Vulnerability is expensive.”

“You love her?”

Azul didn’t hesitate. “I would remake the sea if she asked.”

Lilia tilted his glass toward him.

“Then I suppose I’ll keep my blade sheathed… unless you forget that promise.”

Azul met him, unblinking. “I never forget a deal.”

Lilia grinned. “Good. Because you’ve just made one with me.”

Azul only bowed his head, already planning what future dinners would look like.

[zorosangell]

I LOVE INN!!! I love devoted pathetic men! I need to see them during the time skip tho! What if during the two year training arc (idk who or what she trains under, you can make that up) she happens to stop by the same island zoro and mihawk where stopping by on their way back to Gloom island. It’s been well over a year since they’ve seen each other, and it’s been pure torture for them both (and also the inconvenience of zoro relearning how to properly shine his own swords and fold his laundry the special way he likes it). I’d like to see your take on this!

⛥ﾟ・。 bento

synopsis: part two of inn -- you and zoro have a heartfelt reunion on the sabaody archipelago... with the help of a kindly fisherman.

cw: fluffy fluff, comfort, zoro is DOWN BAD for reader, reader's a cutie, fools pining pretty much.

a/n: i love writing zoro like this

"Hey, gramps," Zoro started, yanking open the flap and entering Isamu's Fresh Fish tent, his eye snapping over to the old man hunched in the corner. "I'm lookin' to do some fishing."

Confused, Old Man Isamu halted his movement, looking up from his basket of lures to find the infamous, three-sword wielding pirate hunter.

Roronoa Zoro.

Of course, being a lonely old man who lived on the outskirts of Sabaody Archipelago, he had no idea who he was.

I mean, why would he need to know?

But even still, he couldn't help the shiver that rolled down his spine at the sight of the moss-head's scowl, its intensity sending a slight pang of fear through the man's old heart.

"No offense, young man, but I wouldn't exactly peg you as the fishing type..."

Zoro sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Normally, you'd be right... I'm supposed to be meeting some friends on this island, but they haven't made it yet, so I'm bored out of my skull."

Scratching the side of his face, he glanced out to sea, a certain sense of homesickness plaguing his chest.

"I used to have someone to do this for me... but she's not around right now. So I need something to keep me entertained while I wait."

It felt odd offering to do the fishing himself, as he could barely even remember the last time he picked up a fishing rod.

But the feeling was nothing new, as for the last two years the swordsman had been forced to take up the tasks that you had been so insistent on doing for him.

Fishing... Laundry... Shining his swords...

Even dressing his wounds, which, although Perona did for him, still didn't feel the same as when you did it.

It wasn't long before he realized how much he took you for granted, and how subpar his domestic skills were in comparison to yours.

He bristled, annoyed with the aching throb of his heart.

God, he felt pathetic...

A measly two years apart, and all of a sudden he was a ship without a rudder.

"So, you think you can help me out or not?" he asked, snapping himself out of his thoughts.

"Sure. I'll finish getting everything we need ready and then meet you on my boat right over there," Isamu nodded with a warm smile, standing to his full height and pointing toward a small fishing boat moored to the shore. "We'll have to wait a moment, though. A young woman is supposed to be joining me."

Zoro's brow raised, intrigued.

"Young woman?" he asked, expecting some elaboration.

"Why yes! She's been fishing with me for the past two days and is just such a sweetheart!" the old man gushed. "She went into town to go grab us some lunch before we left. Said something about picking up some polishing equipment, too."

That caught the swordsman's attention.

"Polishing equipment?"

"Yeah, for swords," Isamu nodded, leaning in a little closer to the swordsman and lowering his voice. "Between you and me... I think her boyfriend's a pirate. I always catch her lookin' out at the sea, like she's waitin' for something."

He gave Zoro a pat on the back with a small chuckle, a little sorry.

"It's a shame. If I hadn't known, I would've introduced you two. Y'look like her type."

Intrigued, Zoro looked down at himself, fighting off the thunder in his chest.

'Could it be...?'

"What'd she look like?" Zoro asked, straight to the point. "About this tall? (h/l), (h/c) hair? (s/c) skin? Nice (e/c) eyes? Pretty smile?"

Quickly, he shoved his hand into his robe, hurriedly rummaging around until his fingers locked on a piece of crumbled paper.

"Like this?" he asked, hopefully, pulling out your wanted poster and holding it up for the old man to see.

He'd managed to get his hands on it when he joined Mihawk on a grocery run and found it posted up on a fruit stall.

When no one was looking, he shoved it in his pocket, and kept it with him ever since.

Sure, it was a little stalker-ish, but when it came to you he didn't really care.

"Yes! That's her!" Isamu nodded, turning to the man. "She said she's been waiting for some friends to show, too!"

Instantly, the pieces clicked, the old man suddenly realizing your relationship with the swordsman.

He was he thing you were looking out to sea for.

With a knowing smirk, he gave Zoro a slight nudge, amused.

"Oh, ho ho! You must be the fella she's been searchin' for..." he grinned, almost as a congratulations. "You're a lucky guy! She reminds me of my Emi."

With a faint roll of his eyes, Zoro sighed, trying to muffle the burn of his cheeks by turning away.

That is... until a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Hey, watch it, asshole! That bento's for the old man!" you spat, the sound of a scuffle occurring in a nearby alleyway.

'(y/n)!'

An embarrassing amount of excitement soared through his chest, a certain glimmer returning to his eye at the sound of your voice.

Springing into action, he sprinted toward the noise, quickly drawing his sword.

Whoever was on the other side of the altercation wasn't going to be standing by the end of it.

"Wait, young man!"

But Isamu was too late, as the swordsman was already at the mouth of the alley.

Bring his feet to a screeching halt, Zoro lowered himself into an offensive stance, taking a gauge of the situation as he prepped his attack.

You were standing off with a large man, who was about five times your size, huge with muscles and practically cracked out on testosterone.

An opponent like him would've sent you running for the hills two years ago.

But you stared him down with conviction, a small smirk quirking on your lips.

And without warning, you broke into a sprint, charging the man head on.

You had to calculate this just right, or you were going to get squashed like a bug.

Zoro watched with surprise as you used your running start to slide between the thug's legs, nimbly scaling his body like a tree and swirling yourself around to pull him off balance.

"The hell?!"

He tried to grab at you, but your movements were too quick and it wasn't long before you were sat right on his shoulders, your thighs locking tightly around his neck.

"Gimme back the damn bento, you bastard!"

Effortlessly, you threw around your body weight, flipping both of you over and slamming his head into the ground, creating a small crater.

But you weren't done.

With a soft grunt, and a small jerk of your legs, you twisted his neck with a sickening crack—the action sending a warm tingle through Zoro's stomach.

He'd be a liar if he said he didn't find your demonstration incredibly hot.

You pulled yourself up off the ground with a chuckle, using your foot to poke the man, who was down for the count, before snatching the lunchbox back from his grasp.

"Have a nice nap," you wished, cheekily, pulling down your eyelid and sticking out your tongue.

But, when you turned your attention to the alley's exit, your eyes landed on a certain green-haired swordsman—the star of a multitude of different daydreams you'd enjoyed throughout your two years apart.

Time seemed to slow down as your eyes met, him having been staring at you since he entered the alley.

'Gods...'

He was huge, way more muscular than what he once was, and now donned a scar on his left eye, which was permanently shut.

His chest was exposed in his robe, showing off his big pecs, and his hair was still just as green and unruly as you remembered.

Lighting up like the world's brightest Christmas tree, you let out a loud, dramatic gasp, dropping the lunchbox in shock.

"Zoro!" you cheesed, completely forgetting about the bento as you rushed toward him.

"(y/n)! You made it!" Zoro broke into a wide grin, utterly relieved to see you were okay.

Launching yourself into his arms, you tackled him to the ground, pulling him into you as he let out a few laughs at your enthusiasm.

"Ah! Look at you! Those muscles! That hair! You look great! I missed you!" you squealed, ecstatic to see your favorite guy in the flesh.

Though, in your excitement, you had failed to realize you were suffocating the swordsman with your breasts.

"Mished you, twoo!" he nodded, muffled, frantically patting your back. "But yer killin' me!"

Finally noticing, you quickly pulled back, flashing him a sheepish smile.

Relieved, he took in an aggressive gasp, before turning to you with his grin once again.

"That was a new special move, huh? I've never seen you do something like that before!" he asked, eagerly.

"You noticed, eh?" you raised a brow. "Yeah, it's a maneuver my master taught me back on Kibi, a martial arts island."

A proud smirk rose to your lips, having waited to tell him of your success for so long.

"It was hard work... and I got knocked on my ass a bunch... but the monks at my temple managed to beat some kung fu techniques into me," you cheesed, cheekily. "I might not be on par with you yet... but it's only a matter of time."

His eyes found yours, and the way you were looking at him made his chest roar.

You were making it a bit hard for him to focus.

He was already holding himself back on a thread of sanity, and now he had to deal with the fact that you looked like a goddess in human form, and smelled of cocoa butter and vanilla.

Your curves were curvier, your hips were dippier, and you now had an unspoken confidence that could bring any man to his knees.

Literally and figuratively.

You had him like a hook on a line, only he didn't want to be set free.

You found his eyes, slightly confused, as his expression morphed into one you'd never seen.

"I. Love. You." he stated, firm and breathless.

Your eyes shot wide, a sharp tinge of red burning onto your cheeks.

The floodgates were opened.

There was no going back.

Without a moment's hesitation, he pressed his lips against yours, hard, unloading well over two years worth of pining.

You sank into it almost immediately, matching his fervor as you rested your hands on his chest, grabbing him by this robe and pulling him even closer.

The two of you moved together in perfect sync, fitting like puzzle pieces, as you kept up with his rhythm.

He grasped you by the small of your back, pressing you further into him and giving your hips a little squeeze, earning a quiet squeak.

Close wasn't close enough.

He wanted you even closer than that.

He wanted you so much, every part of him in contact with you was on fire.

But, alas, you two were human, and air would need eventually.

The two of you separated with a gasp, cheeks flushed and foreheads resting on each other.

"I don't think you have any idea how long I've been waiting to do that," he smirked, catching his breath.

You smiled, sliding your hands up from his chest to his shoulders.

"I think I do," you confessed, looking up at him with those sparkling, (e/c) eyes of yours.

'Fuuuuuuck...'

He leaned in closer, about to say something else when, of course, he was interrupted.

"Hate to break up a touchin' moment, kids..." Old Man Isamu chimed with a knowing smirk, the two of you snapping your heads up with surprise. "But might I suggest the inn across the street?"

You both separated, for real this time, and stood up, you straightening out the wrinkles in your clothes as you glanced at the building.

Without warning, Zoro scooped you up and tossed you over his shoulder, forcing you to yelp in surprise as he turned around to walk across the street.

"Zoro!"

"Thanks, old man!" Zoro waved with his free-hand, unable to fight the pep in his step as his grip tightened around your thighs.

He cracked a smile, glancing at you on his shoulder with an expression Isamu could only attribute to a man in love.

"Your bento's somewhere over there, sir!" you called, limp, and horribly embarrassed as your swordsman dragged you away. "I'm so sorry!"

"Don't worry, dear!" Isamu assured, waving back. "You kids be safe!"

It made his day to see two young people so utterly smitten with each other, as that seemed to be slowly becoming a rarity.

You both reminded him so much of how he and Emi used to be...

Even still, he couldn't help but dreamily sigh, watching as you two entered the inn, playfully bickering like an old, married couple.

'Ah, young love...'

[elliespassagerprincess]

Hi love would you mind making a part for professor!ellie where reader is pregnant again OR when their daughter grows up ?

Amazing work btw

Headcannons: professor!ellie williams x reader

masterlist

professor ellie masterlist

☆ Aurora’s favorite thing to do is sit on Ellie’s lap during her late-night grading sessions, asking questions like, “Are your students as smart as me?”

☆ She wears glasses just like Ellie now—reader thinks they’re twins.

☆ Aurora mimics Ellie’s mannerisms, like adjusting her glasses when she’s nervous or tilting her head when thinking.

☆ She already knows how to read short paragraphs and corrects people’s grammar—even Ellie’s, which makes her beam with pride.

☆ Aurora's drawings always include three people—Mama, Mommy, and her—but now a fourth baby blob is starting to appear in the corner labeled “Arny.”

☆ When you went into labor, Aurora tried to pack her own bag “to help,” which included crayons, a banana, and Ellie’s old lecture clicker.

☆ Ellie sometimes brings Aurora to campus events. She introduces her proudly with “This is my daughter. She’s smarter than my entire first-year class.”

☆ Aurora makes Ellie bracelets from string and demands she wear them even during lectures. She always does.

☆ Aurora asks science questions constantly. Ellie answers all of them with a whiteboard and diagrams.

☆ You once walked in on Aurora “lecturing” her stuffed animals, using Ellie’s tone exactly.

☆ Ellie writes down Aurora’s quotes in a leather-bound “Aurora Archive” journal.

☆ She refers to Ellie as “the smartest person alive” and you as “the prettiest.”

☆ Aurora’s handwriting practice turned into a full essay on why “Mommy Ellie is too bossy, but I still love her.”

☆ Ellie was obsessively thorough about the IVF process, reading every published study on embryo grading, success rates, and maternal health. She made color-coded charts for each clinic they considered.

☆ The decision to have a second child came after Aurora turned five, when she looked up at them one night and asked, “Why don’t I have a baby brother or sister?”

☆ Ellie wanted a boy this time, not because she loved Aurora any less, but because she was fascinated by how different he might be — still theirs, but uniquely his own.

☆ You carried Arnold, just like with Aurora, and Ellie was even more attentive this time—bringing snacks, checking nutrient levels, monitoring stress like a hawk.

☆ You used the same donor, ensuring Arnold and Aurora were biologically related, and Ellie cried when they found out the embryo had successfully implanted.

☆ Ellie held her breath during every scan, gripping your hand tightly until they saw that tiny heartbeat flicker on the screen.

☆ At home, Ellie converted her study into a nursery months before it was needed, painting it a rich forest green and hanging hand-painted space-themed art on the walls.

☆ She read academic articles aloud to your belly, mumbling about epigenetics and language development, hoping Arnold would be a little genius like his sister.

☆ Aurora would whisper secrets to her unborn brother, telling him what not to do so “Mama doesn’t freak out.”

☆ You and Ellie filmed short video diaries for Arnold, each one ending with Aurora saying, “Hurry up and come out, dummy.”

☆ Your pregnancy with Arnold was harder than Aurora’s — more nausea, more exhaustion — and Ellie handled everything from meals to laundry to carrying you to bed if you fell asleep on the couch.

☆ Ellie barely slept the night you went into labor, pacing in circles around their bedroom and triple-checking the hospital bag every 10 minutes.

☆ When Arnold was born, Ellie was the first to cry, trembling as she cut the umbilical cord and kissed your sweaty forehead, whispering, “You did it. He’s here.”

☆ Arnold was a quiet baby—unlike his fiery older sister—and when the nurse handed him to Ellie, he blinked up at her with wide, moss-green eyes.

☆ Aurora was the first to hold Arnold after them, sitting carefully on the hospital bed, her small arms wrapped awkwardly around her baby brother, declaring, “He smells weird. But he’s cute.”

☆ Ellie took an extended sabbatical from the university, something she never did for herself, but did without hesitation for Arnold and you.

☆ She kept a detailed baby log, recording every feeding, nap, and developmental milestone like it was groundbreaking research. (“He smiled at 4 weeks. Do you know how rare that is?”)

☆ You would often find Ellie in the middle of the night, swaying gently in the rocking chair with Arnold on her chest, whispering about constellations and music theory.

☆ Aurora helped with diaper changes, read bedtime stories to Arnold (whether he was awake or not), and told everyone at school, “I have a brother. He’s gonna be smarter than all of you.”

☆ Ellie constantly takes pictures of the three of you—you nursing, Aurora playing peekaboo, Arnold asleep on Ellie’s chest. She prints them, dates them, and keeps them in a growing archive labeled The Love We Made.

☆ Arnold has Ellie wrapped around his tiny fingers already—she holds him like he’s made of glass.

☆ She was an emotional wreck the day he was born, whispering “You’re here. You’re real,” over and over.

☆ Ellie sobbed in the hospital bathroom, clutching a photo of Aurora and trying to calm her nerves before holding Arnold for the first time.

☆ She made laminated feeding/diapering schedules and color-coded copies for both reader and herself.

☆ Ellie insisted on staying awake every night at first. You had to force her to rest by dragging her to bed.

☆ Her obsession with checking his breathing every 20 minutes has led to installing four different monitors.

☆ Ellie reads academic articles to him during nap time—“gotta start the kid early.”

☆ His nursery is space-themed. Ellie picked every star and constellation herself and even made a mobile from scratch.

☆ She prints out graphs of his growth and annotates them.

☆ You caught Ellie softly kissing Arnold’s forehead while murmuring, “I’ll protect you forever. I promise.”

☆ She calls him “my little theory” because she wants to “test how much love a person can feel before they combust.”

☆ Ellie holds Arnold for hours while writing lectures one-handed, content even if it takes twice as long.

☆ She talks about him constantly at work—“Sorry my email’s late. My son drooled on my laptop.”

☆ Ellie insisted on giving him a middle name that references a philosopher—Arnold Pascal Williams.

☆ She puts little leather-bound books in his crib for aesthetic photos.

☆ Ellie made a password-protected photo archive titled “Arnold Growth Logs.”

☆ She has framed side-by-side ultrasound pictures of Aurora and Arnold on her office wall.

☆ You found Ellie singing lullabies in Hebrew and Latin just for “academic diversity.”

☆ She’s more patient with Arnold than she’s ever been with anyone.

☆ Ellie’s phone is overloaded with baby pics—she has a folder just labeled “Arnsmol.”

☆ She wrote a 10-page email to the pediatrician just asking about sleep regression.

☆ Ellie gets extremely possessive when someone other than you or Aurora holds Arnold.

☆ Her glasses fog up when she gets overwhelmed watching both kids together.

☆ Arnold’s first smile made Ellie go silent for ten minutes, then cry like a waterfall.

☆ She lowkey competes with you over who Arnold calms down with faster.

☆ She stares at you when she’s breastfeeding, completely mesmerized.

☆ Ellie reads textbooks on postpartum care so she can understand everything reader is experiencing.

☆ She canceled her own faculty conference trip because Arnold had a cold.

☆ Ellie redesigned her lecture schedule so she never misses bedtime for either child.

☆ Ellie’s gone full mama bear—she snapped at a stranger who called Arnold “it.”

☆ She started a private blog documenting her “Motherhood and Academia” journey, but only you have the link.

☆ Ellie sometimes forgets to eat if the baby’s crying—but never forgets to feed him.

☆ You teases Ellie about her “unofficial PhD in parenting.” Ellie secretly loves it.

☆ Arnold’s first laugh made Ellie record five videos trying to recreate the sound.

☆ She leaves love notes inside your breast pump bag.

☆ She wants to homeschool both kids—your not fully convinced yet.

☆ Ellie smells Arnold’s head constantly. Says it’s “baby serotonin.”

☆ Ellie cried when Aurora said “Arnold is my best friend forever.”

☆ She’s started humming lullabies even while writing lectures now.

☆ She talks to Arnold about how they’ll build rockets or dissect frogs together someday.

☆ Ellie calls Aurora and Arnold her “entire thesis on love.”

☆ She still panics during diaper changes—even though she’s read three parenting books.

☆ Ellie smells like baby lotion, chalkboard dust, and coffee now.

☆ Her voice softens immediately when either kid cries.

☆ Ellie doodles tiny versions of Aurora and Arnold in her margins during meetings.

☆ Ellie sometimes stares at you and just whispers, “How did I get this lucky?”

☆ She tells Arnold he looks like you, then whispers, “thank god.”

☆ Ellie calls their family of four “the most important study she’ll ever conduct.”

[jscrawls]

Grave mistakes

Gotham City is full of a lot of characters, criminals, creepy clowns, man eating plants, eccentric billionaires. But all that rolled into one household?

Warning: contains mentions of poor mental health, death, general spooky stuff, it's an Addams reader they're gonna be freaky,

Part 1: digging dirt

🔹🔹🔹

Jason's having one of those days, his hands ache a little too much, his scars pulling a little too tight, the ringing of metal as someone worked on their car grit in his ears a little too loudly, It's overstimulating. he doesn't even feel Like…..a person right now, he feels more like a body caring for itself. So he did what he usually does when he's not quite all there, he walks. Wanders around until he finds somewhere quiet enough to stuff himself back into his own head, until his body feels like him again. And that's how he found himself here of all places, a graveyard, the graveyard. Someone's still taking care of it, it seems. The grass is neatly manicured and the stone is moss free, he hates that in a way. The stupid gravestone looks like it's been shown more care than he has. He hates that he can still clearly read it.

“What a dreadful graveyard, you must be very proud of it.” A mystery voice chimes from behind him, who the fuck snuck up on him?

Spinning around with a snarl on his lip, Jason's greeted by the sight of a….Goth witch? That doesn't bode well on Bruce's property.

“Who the ever loving fuck are you?” his hand rests on the grip of his gun, warning enough to not try anything too hasty. Damn what if they're a meta-

“oh excuse my manners, I'm your new neighbor.” The mystery goth steps closer without any hesitation and holds out their hand, their other hand holding a…casserole dish? Oh right, Alfred mentioned something about a neighbor…They introduce themselves as an Addams like they're not standing in a graveyard and he's armed, alright then…

“Okay…I'm Jason Todd...? I'm not your neighbor though, i don't live here.” He glances back down at the gravestone, his gravestone-

“Oh? Then i suppose you'll just be my new friend then instead of my new neighbor.” They glance down at the stone as well, noticing the obvious. “Oh is that yours? You have one already picked out and placed? How macabre!” They smile, Jason's gut twists at the sight.

“No it's not-that's just uhh…don't worry about it alright? I used it and then.. Got better?” Jason wants to bury himself Alive right now, what kind of an answer is that? They just had to catch him on one of his bad days.

“you know, my dear grandmama has done that quite a few times. The lady just can't seem to stay buried for more than a few weeks at a time. One of these days…” The goth sighs wistfully at that, seeming unbothered. Are they mocking him?

“I'm not on the mood for jokes.” He grunts out, shoving his hands in his pockets and going to step around them. He'd prefer to wallow in his fucked up mental state without an audience.

“Grandmama’s perchance for breaking the barriers between the living and the dead is no laughing matter my new-not-neighbor-friend, say do you know the man living here? I'd like to return this to it's rightful owner before the poltergeists smash it.”

Jason stares at them for a long, silent moment. They said all that with a straight face. Must be committed to their aesthetic to the nth. The thought of seeing Bruce right now sounds about as enjoyable as crawling on broken glass on his hands and knees, but they seem to expect something from him. God he hates social obligations…

“I'm not even gonna ask, give me the dishes and I'll get em back to Bruce.”

“Who is ‘Bruce’? I was under the impression the resident here was named Alfred.”

“No that's the butler- wait, you don't know who your neighbor is? How can you move in beside one of the wealthiest man in the country without knowing?”

“oh is Gomez here? That sneaky devil already bought property in this wonderful city without telling me? Oh I could die of jealousy!"

The goth seems…happy? Jason doesn't want to snap them out of it just yet. They're obviously crazy and he's not ready to deal with the fallout. He's ready to just say fuck it and leave, but he doesn't want to leave Alfred to deal with them…

“Gomez? No this is Bruce Wayne's house. You know, billionaire philanthropist?” he turns towards the back of the mansion and starts walking, ready to go drink until he can't see his reflection straight on. Who cares that it's only four in the afternoon.

“Wayne? Was he the one in Jersey shore?” They say with curiosity, stepping after him with casserole dish in hand.

that actually gets a startled laugh out of Jason, picturing Bruce on Jersey shore with Nikki and big Mike. “No, God no. That'd be a sight to see though…. You don't seem the type to watch that show, i bet supernatural is more your thing, what with the whole….goth thing.” Is he making conversation? Wow, go Jason i guess.

“i enjoy the chaos and violence.” Is all they say, following him to the manor.

“…alright fair enough.” He falls silent again, the only sound being the crunching of leaves underfoot. God he's not good at this, this feels awkward very quickly. At least to him, they seem intrigued with the sights of the graveyard.

“so how did you die, I'm assuming you used the gravestone in death. Yes? Not unless you enjoy a little being buried alive action, i dabble in it time to time myself so don't feel awkward. Do tell.”

Do they have to press on about that? What kind of freaky shit are they into- “you're fucking demented.” he hisses out before he can catch himself, wow way to make a nice impression on Bruce's new, probably rich if they're buying up land in this neighborhood, neighbor.

“Oh? Aren't you a romantic one, My new-not-my-neighbor-friend.”

“…that wasn't-can we drop this? You're driving me nuts.”

“You're very sweet, perhaps we can explore this another time then. Please tell Alfred the casserole was positively horrible! Toodles!”

And just like that they turn on their heel and leave, disappearing into the- wait why is it suddenly foggy? Jason shakes his head and briefly ponders whether any of that was even real, or if he's gone off the deep end this time. The weight of the casserole dish on his arm the only thing assuring him he's not full blown hallucinating like certain people he knows.

He gets a few steps closer to the manor when he pauses again, he feels…. Okay. Not great but…he feels like a human instead of a ghost occupying a body. Huh. Guess meeting someone crazier than you'll fix you.

🔹🔹🔹

M.list | prev | next

A/n: ngl I'm pretty happy with how this chapter turned out, Jason's fun to write! Any feedback is appreciated as I figure out how to write other ppls POV TYYYYY 🖤💜🖤💜

[twiniverse]

Extended Alternate Twiniverse!

Many years ago now I was a tiny au artist I had the idea "Hey, what if my AU but OTHER AUs?" It started with Bad Prediction Nora, since that was a pretty logical step! And obviously I had to do the White Diamond Nora using Earl instead of CGPearl, I mean, how could I not? Duh, right?

I always loved those designs, I don't know why. But they stuck with me. And some years later it happened again. I don't know why but I saw the Walk the Line comic and its sad old wet paper bag of a Steven and I just had to give him a Nora, too. And so Faerie of the Monster Line was created and the Alternate Twiniverse was officially born. It had gone from just a couple fun sketches to something recognisable. And the important thing to know about Walk the Line is... there's more lines. I was invested at this point... and with the backing of a very rabid fan named Nova I kept going.

So then came the idea... I already had Druid's Nora. I was halfway there. Next we needed Sven's Nora, named Noma Moss Universe. A daughter of not a Pearl, but a Spinel! And let me be frank, her design was fire. They all were. But none so much as the fifth entry into the Alternate Twiniverse...

Fate. A fusion of Faerie and Noma named Nova Universe after that megafan because I wouldn't have gotten there without him and it just made sense. I LOVE Fate's design. I can't tell you how much I love her design. She has some sort of control/cosmic entwinement with the mind butterflies in SU. Nugget and I both imagined her being able to move in a butterfly cloud like in Mindful Education where a bunch of the butterflies turn into one BIG butterfly. She can also use them like the canon Gem communicators.

So then there were five. Five Noras- well, three Noras, a Noma, and a Nova. And I adore them, I love them so much, they are so special to me. But something was missing...

A final piece...

So this piece is introducing the latest entry into the Extended Alternate Twiniverse: The Nora from Nova's own Astra AU. In this unfathomably far future she exists as an entity within a necklace that this Steven wears. Is she alive? Can she communicate? Is the spirit within it truly Nora or only a small piece of her? Only Astra knows.

I extend eternal gratitude to @nugatorysheep @thechekhov @jigokuhana & @wilted3sunflowers and @novantinuum for bringing their amazing worlds to our fandom and for inspiring me to grow Twiniverse every day.

Beneath the cut I'll include the reference sheets from the ones that have them. Astra's doesn't because... that's all there is of her, and Noma has 2 (ignore Star, Moss is the correct name). Enjoy!

[soapyblubbles]

*.•° 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 °•.*

pairings: poly!marauders x nymph!reader

summary: james introduces you to his two friends

warnings: implied “sharing.” do with that what you will.

a/n: who was gonna tell me that i actually have to check my inbox to know if i have asks 🙊 anyways this is set before pieces of me !! this is dedicated to the anon who asked me about nymph!reader back in august 😭

You tug roughly on James’ arm, mindlessly cooing as you pull him deeper into the cave.

He doesn’t understand anything that you’re saying, but still he nods along enthusiastically, intently focused on each syllable that leaves your mouth. You had been surprised when he showed up earlier than usual, especially when you realized he had brought others along with him.

The two trail behind uncertainly, their rising alarm resting sour on your tongue.

The long-haired one made you especially wary.

He doesn’t show any outward signs of being nervous but you sense emotions better than most. His wild energy puts you on edge. His aura is bitter, like the unripe fruit that dangles from the trees that tower over you when you journey into the forest. There’s also a hint of sweetness reminiscent of the nectar that the bees sometimes bring you.

If the long-haired one is the fruit then the tall one is the branches, balancing out his companions' wild nature with his never ending patience. That’s not to say he doesn’t have any chaos of his own. You can feel it writhing underneath his skin, especially when he shifts around every now and again, rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort. Though you think that it might be because of how he’s forced to hunch over every now and again, the tips of his hair brushing against the jagged ceiling whenever the floor of the cave gets too uneven.

The taste of honey dew makes your mouth water, along with a richness similar to the dark colored treats James brings you every once in a while.

“Are we almost there?” James’ hushes them and a frown forms on both their faces. You peer at them with interest.

“James.” The tall one scolds, his throat raspy with sleep. “Don’t ignore us.”

He rolls his eyes, “Yes, yes, we’re almost there. Merlin, all you have to do is wait a few more bloody minutes.”

“Well excuse me if I decide to ask a couple questions when you drag me in the middle of the forbidden forest at this hour.” The tall one hisses back, looking far more lively than he had moments before.

You tug on James’ sleeve, straightening up as his attention instantly falls back to you. “Yes, love?”

You gesture to the cave, turning back to stick your tongue out at the two behind you. Although they're infinitely confused, there’s no doubting the fact that you’ve piqued their interest.

“Bloody brat.” The two mutter in unison.

James ignores them, trying his best to listen to your incomprehensible, but excited mutterings.

“Found the poor thing bathing in a creek when I was roaming around as Prongs.” James sighs, clutching his wand tightly as he walks the familiar path.

They stop just as you reach the entrance to what looks like a house, gazing around in awe as the glass bottles and mason jars start to come to life, fireflies moving around in them restlessly. The unnatural glow coming from the small pond by the back alcove couldn’t be from anything but magic. You lead them further into the room, pointing to the small collection of rocks and other random items, sorted in a chaotic manner.

“Wow.” The shorter one whispers breathlessly.

You push James on your makeshift bed, made up of moss and hay. You sidle up to his side with a contented hum. “Brought her some stuff when I could. But for now I figured I’d share her with m’best mates.”

They both pause at that.

“What?”

“Trust me, the poor thing can barely even understand us.” He assures his tall friend.

Seeing how unconvinced they still were, he sighs and turns to you. You perk up at his attention, letting the small stones you were messing with fall to the floor as you give him a bright smile.

“You’re just a dumb little nymph aren’t you?” He coos down at you. You nod along eagerly, eyes shining with adoration as he mocks you.

“Such a dumb girl, who’s my dumb girl, huh?” His voice was not unlike the voice one would use when speaking to a puppy and you just smiled along, practically bouncing in place at his upbeat tone. You latch onto his arm, fiddling with the fabric on his jacket.

James sighs at your actions, pulling you closer into him, your teeth making a soft ‘click’ every time you bite down on the material.

Sirius gives Remus a heavy look, the long haired boy looking doubtful when Remus walks over, hunching over you. His slender finger trails up and down your calf. “Such a pretty girl.”

You must’ve understood what he said because no sooner did those words leave his mouth, did your legs wrap around his waist, pulling him forward harshly.

With a speed that surprised even him, his arms shot out to either side of your head, letting out a loud groan as a few small rocks dug into his palms, just barely managing to stop himself from crushing you.

You let out a series of loud clicking and chirping noises, unaware of how improper your actions were. He lets out a huff, rising to his knees as you continue to babble nonsensically. “You don’t do that. You understand? Tha’s not nice and someone could’a gotten hurt.” His tone is firm and you squirm in place, peering up at him with wide eyes.

James had never spoken that way to you before.

Bashfully, you turn away from him, hiding your face in the crook of James’ neck. “Hey mate, don’t be rude to my best girl. Just cause I’m sharing ‘er doesn’t mean you need to be a prick to the poor thing.” He grumbles, petting your head softly.

Remus just sighs, shaking his head at you two before calling out, “Are y’just gonna stand there all evenin’?”

Sirius, who was still wandering around the cave, shook his head, as if coming out of a daze. “Sorry mate, s’just cool in here.” He moves to sit down, but freezes when your head snaps to him. You bare your teeth, hissing with furrowed brows as you eye the way he’s just a little too close to James.

James lets out a booming laugh as Sirius’ features morph into a scowl.

Remus slaps James’ arm. “Be nice.”

[bunnyluvx]

You were asking about prompts for Richter and I have a two!! Richter x dhampire reader where they are introduced through alucard. Richter x Annette's sister.

in his arms. ♡

featuring: richter belmont x gn! dhampir! reader. (w/ alucard and annette!)

summary: you reunite with alucard, richter and annette after drolta has taken sekhmet's corpse, and someone is very happy to see you again.

warnings: minors and ageless blog dni regardless of content. season 2 spoilers.

tags: hurt/comfort | one-shot | fluff | physical affection | second pov | no y/n use | fatherly! alucard | sister figure! maria | a lot of other characters are mentioned

a/n: i hope i did you justice, moss! this fic is intended to be romantic, but can be interpreted as platonic too, so take it how you will! thank you to all of the wonderful people who've been giving me requests, i really appreciate you all and will get to them when i can! requests are still open and i do commissions! more info is on my profile. thank you all for the love, and enjoy! <3

date started: 7:05PM, february 6th, 2025.

date finished: 10:23PM, february 7th, 2025.

dc: @cafekitsune | ss: a1i.scenes insta | ib: @creativepromptsforwriting ♡ | wc: 2k | ao3

Sky which once warmly held the sun relinquishes her hold on her lover to make way for the night. They slowly slide out of one another's embrace, creating brilliant hues where they exchange their farewells. The clouds, ever the passers-by, assure the sky that the sun will come again, and remind her that tonight, she will get to hold another love, the moon. Below, Paris stone stands tall, proudly protecting its people and their creations. It believes that it will be able to endure what is to come, but the wind's silence leaves room to second-guess.

On their mission to retrieve Sekhmet's mummified body, Alucard, Richter and Annette entered France's capital with hopes of finding it before the Vampire Messiah's servants. Not even a minute after locating the goddess' remains, Emissary Drolta Tzuentes arrived with a hoard of night creatures, and in the midst of battle, Sekhmet's corpse was taken. Alucard tried to go after her to no avail, for he was quickly kicked into the river beneath them.

Frustration boils within the dhampir's blood as he emerges from the water, coming to a stand and taking a few steps away from the river's edge before pushing back wet white locks with one hand. A scowl scrunches onto a usually calm expression as he strides to regroup with Richter and Annette. The young revolutionaries hurriedly make their way to Alucard, and once meeting with him again, Richter is more than ready to start planning their next moves. "So, what do we do now?" The boy asks.

After hundreds of years of dealing with Belmonts' bad decisions, Alucard's patience has grown thin, so he's quick to snap at Richter, turning to face him with fangs bared and brows furrowed, "This would not have happened, Richter Belmont, if you hadn't told them where we were going."

The brunette's lip pokes out into a guilty pout after receiving this scolding, and Annette is quick to come to his defense, "It wouldn't take a sorcerer to predict we were going to Paris, Alucard. And we thought that Drolta was dead. We thought you'd killed her."

The dhampir's expression has calmed from its hostility rather quickly, and his eyes close while he lets out a sigh. Boots clacking upon the opposing side of the pavement interrupts Alucard's attempt to voice a new plan. All attention diverts toward the sound, in preparation for a fight, but the trio's shoulders relax once they see the source.

You. Alucard had introduced you to the group shortly after his arrival, knowing that you would be willing to help in any capacity that you were required. Seeing as you are a dhampir too, he believed that there was no harm in having more supernatural strength on their side.

Before the trio left for Paris, you agreed to watch Maria while they were gone. Only a few days had passed when you felt something pulling you out of Machecoul. It was an unexplainable feeling, all you knew was that you had to go. You informed Juste of what you were sensing, and he permitted you to pursue this calling, in trust of a reason behind your motivation. So, you began your journey, and apparently arrived just in time.

The three stare at you in wonder as you approach, like they couldn't believe their eyes. Alucard is first to speak up with asking, "What are you doing here?"

When your feet finally come to a stop, you lean over and lay your hands on your knees wearily. Your chest rises and falls with each heavy breath you take, eyes flickering from the floor to everyone else multiple times. You don't know how long you'd been running for, but you're glad that you got there when you did. "I felt like you needed my help," You explain, "So, I came."

"You're supposed to be with Maria." Alucard reminds you, agitation resurfacing in his tone.

"Juste said he could handle it." You insist.

"You left Juste, who admitted that he didn't know how to deal with teenage girls, with a teenage girl?" Alucard emphasizes, fangs poking out of the frown on his face.

"Fighting is pointless right now. We have more important things to worry about," Annette redirects.

Finally, you stand up straight and tilt your head up to the sky to take a breath. You look back at the group, resting your hands on your hips. "Annette is right. I'm here, that can't be changed, so let's move on."

For the first time in almost over a week, your eyes meet Richter's. He looks completely bewildered, lips curled up into a grin and bright blue eyes sparkling with joy. You didn't know each other for very long at all, so most of what you know about Richter has come from Maria. The girl most commonly describes Richter as an ungrateful wanker, often recounting memories of when he acted impulsively by jumping into fights that he couldn't have finished alone. Many of these stories ended with Maria saving him, and while she did enjoy embarrassing Richter, you knew that she admired him deep-down; She wouldn't say it aloud, but she didn't have to.

Based on the time that you were able to personally spend with Richter, you could tell that he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Carrying the Belmont name was no easy task, but being an older brother holds just as much weight. There was a lot of tension between Richter and Maria after her mother was turned, and it was evident to you that Richter blamed himself for that. Tera made the decision on her own accord to sacrifice herself to Erzsebet, he knows that, but Belmonts have always been protectors. He has fought a generous amount of vampires throughout his lifetime, and Erzsebet was the one enemy that he couldn't defeat. He believes it to be his failure, and it was a great price to pay.

Something else that you learned about Richter is that when things are looking dark, he tries to make light of it. Humor is his way out of despair, so when he was brooding by himself and you came to sit with him, he would crack a joke. You came to admire this about him rather quickly, and it became something for the two of you to bond over. You would go back and forth to try to make him feel better about their current circumstances, and when he walked away, he was able to do so with a smile. Both of you felt a little lighter after that.

You took turns listening to each other talk about your lives, and what got you to where you were. Richter spoke of his mother, and a few memories that he shared with her, and you spoke of your experiences living in this world as a dhampir. Richter gave you his undevoted attention when you talked about what things were like for you growing up and now. When he got the chance to listen to you, with everything that you shared with him, he became all the more awestruck. He had never met a dhampir before you or Alucard, so he was interested in learning about how different your histories' were. Unlike many in your past, Richter appreciated the diversity between you and was eager to learn more.

You don't consider Richter to be someone you're particularly close with yet, but you do believe that there is potential for something beautiful to grow between you. The expression on his face tells you that he feels similarly, God does he. While traveling alongside Alucard and Annette, Alucard often told stories of you and the many adventures that you had together. Learning about you through him only made Richter want to know more, to speak with you personally and listen to any tale you wished to tell. Admittedly, he was a little disappointed when you agreed to stay in Machecoul with Maria, but he knew it was for the better. You're magnetizing to him in a way that he can't explain, and here you are, standing in front of him.

Unable to resist the pull any longer, Richter leaps forward to wrap his arms around you. Your eyes widen at the sudden embrace and you remain still, unprepared for the contact but not willing to reject it. Strong, light arms encase you closely around your neck to his body, and he swears that you slot perfectly against him. Today marks the first day in history where a Belmont has prayed, because Richter is pleading to whatever will listen that he doesn't have to let you go. Would you have felt this way in his arms if he had held you sooner?

Alucard and Annette find themselves just as shocked as you are. They have noticed the softness that swims within his eyes when Richter hears or speaks of you, but they wouldn't have expected for him to spring to you like this. Fond smiles and knowing gazes quickly overtake their features while they watch you stand still as stone, dumbfounded. Your arms slowly raise to hover over Richter's back before they slowly rest there. The only words you can manage to say come out in a soft mutter, as your eyes slide to look at the boy hugging you so tightly, "Hey, Richter.."

A deep inhale sounds from Richter's nostrils as he breathes you in. Words could not describe the feedback that his senses received, but it's so uniquely you. In his mind, it is solidified that you are truly here, and he couldn't want you anywhere else. He wonders if you are always this warm, or if it is just the armor you adorn yourself in. He nestles his face into the crook of your neck and closes his eyes, a relieved sigh breathing onto your skin as he mumbles, "I'm so happy to see you."

Of all people, you would not have expected for Richter Belmont to display such a sentiment. It is far from unwelcome, though, as you find yourself able to relax in his arms. The tension in your shoulders slowly unwinds with the rest of the muscles in your body coming in-tide. Your eyes close as you nuzzle into his shoulder, savoring the connection that you have with Richter while you have it. He feels just as warm as you are, comfortably so, and you realize that you're asking yourself when the last time you felt so safe was. As you inhale, the aroma of familiar forests and a light hint of sweat greets your senses. You find it calming, giving you all the more reason to melt in his embrace. "Yeah..I'm happy to see you too," You agree tenderly.

You are permitted a few seconds longer to cherish this moment. You wish that it could last forever, but you know that there are other pressing matters at hand. You both seemed to forget that, for you collectively jump when Annette pipes up with, "Are you two done cuddling now, so that we can focus?"

Wide-eyed with rosy cheeks, you and Richter regrettably pry yourselves away from each other to face Alucard and Annette. You both nervously glance in opposite directions towards the floor, your hands fold in front of your body while Richter rubs the back of his neck awkwardly with the opposite on his hip. Annette shakes her head lightheartedly at the two of you while Alucard just smiles, starting to walk away as he gives you all instructions, "You three look for nests of vampires. When Erzsebet's army attacks, we don't want another front opening up into the city."

You all nod, which licenses Alucard to promptly make his getaway. There is a newly found trio now with you, Annette and Richter, and you all dash into the city to begin your search. In your rush, Annette turns her eyes to you and admits, "It is good to have you back."

You look back at her, and a smile blesses your lips. "Thanks. It's good to see you guys too."

"How is everyone back in Machecoul?" Richter asks, brows furrowed with worry.

You shrug and cast your eyes ahead. "Ah, they're coping. I'll tell you more later. For now, let's get to work."

@BUNNYLUVX ,, all rights reserved. do not copy/plagiarize any of my works or submit it into ai. any and all support is appreciated! <3

[mollywog]

Hi!

I can't stop thinking about this scenario i'm your complicated universe:

Burdock is now showing off his granddaughter.

Thank you for letting me know: I’m so tickled!! It inspired me to write a small addition.

For context, Complicated is an in-Panem AU where Mr. Everdeen lives and this would have happened anyway happens much sooner.

Shout out to all who suggested names for the Toastbaby girl for this universe!

Haymitch first saw the girl at the Hob when she was just a baby. Burdock was so proud of her, toting her everywhere. Katniss soon outgrew his arms, trailing behind him with her own scrawny squirrels on her belt, until she was striding beside him with just as much to show as her old man.

They’d never mended the old wound, he and Burdock, but he still paid particular attention to the Everdeens. That way, if Lenore Dove’s ghost ever came to him, he’d be able to tell her of her kin— at least that’s what he told himself.

And recently there’d been a new branch added to the family tree.

Haymitch had watched the girl— Katniss, over the last several months as her belly’d swelled near splitting, until he’d worked himself up worrying it’d be twins— but then he’d learned the father was one of Otho’s boys and her size had made sense.

He’s heard she delivered— a healthy little girl, but it’s just luck that he’s at the Hob today when Burdie arrives, his bundle in tow.

He doesn’t see her right away, just the unmistakable pride on his old friend’s face as he introduces her around.

Haymitch has no reason to linger, his business with Ripper complete, but he can’t resist the urge to get a peek of the girl and any information he can glean, so he sidles up to Sae’s stall and sits at the booth. He ignores the old woman’s raised brow, carelessly pulling a fistful of coins from his pocket. Gone is the bribe and the questioning looks as the bowl of something he rather not contemplate slides across the counter. He hunches over the stew, running his spoon through the sludge, straining his ears to catch crumbs as Burdock moves closer.

Bits and pieces of conversations float over the chatter and Haymitch’s chest tightens at the sound of his friend's voice, so achingly familiar and comforting despite all the years, until the girl’s name shakes him out of his revelry.

Olive?

He scoffs, frowning at Sae’s knowing smirk.

Like the food? He supposes it’s an improvement from the tuberous roots for which mother and grandfather are named…

But no, it’s not just a food. He turns the name over again. It’s a color— green— a dark yellowish green like the moss that’s begun to grow over Lenore Dove’s grave stone, though he doubts that’s what the happy parents were imagining when they picked it. Still a nod to Burdie’s family perhaps? But color alone does not a Covey name make. He briefly wonders if there’s a ballad of Olive Mellark.

He really hopes not.

But there’s still something that nags at the back of his muddled mind. He closes his eyes to clear his head, but instead an image floods his memory: the floor of a Justice building on his tour long ago— a mosaic depicting a bird with a bough — no, that's not quite right— a dove with an olive branch.

He breaks into a sweat and his stomach rolls. Unbidden, his eyes seek out the source of his distress; the tiny girl, swaddled in a dove colored blanket, with a muted orange ribbon accenting the scalloped edge.

It’s as if someone has walked over his grave— no, not his— Lenore Dove’s— but aren't they the same thing? They’re a matched pair, mated for life, more married than any piece of paper could make them. And that girl is his kin too. Beloved and endangered if he cannot fulfill his promise to Lenore Dove.

“Don’t you . . . let it . . . rise . . . on the reaping”

He stands abruptly, knocking the stool over in his wake. He gives the girl— no, Olive, one final look before retreating back to his house. He won’t waste another minute; There’s work to be done.

[lewismcqueen]

written in red. 01

vampire!lh44 x black!reader | intro | 02

summary: as you slog through a new assignment on an up-and-coming artist, you begin investigating Hamilton's old mansion for clues. a/n: next chapter i'm considering introducing one or two other drivers as cameos. let me know what you think! feel free to comment any feedback or theories :)

Smooth R&B music filled the air inside your car as you drove through a gloomy, brisk morning. The artist you were writing about—pretentiously named ‘VIII’ instead of just ‘8’ —sang of love lost in the midst of flashy cars and fame in a silky falsetto. He sounded too youthful to be worried about any of the topics he sang about, but that was usually the case, wasn’t it? 

At any rate, the song was catchy. You found yourself humming it as you hopped out of your car, which had been parked in front of the winding path that led up to the sprawling gothic mansion where Hamilton was last seen.

Years of rain and lack of care weathered and darkened the exterior; The building seemed to warn visitors away with its spiked roofs that looked like shadows across the sky. Dark green vine and a film of moss crept up the sides and even into a few windows.

A loud sound ripped through the air and startled you—the revving of an engine. You looked up and saw a helmeted figure in the distance riding on a light grey motorcycle, adding to the gloom. They wore a long coat in a creamy beige shade that fluttered behind them in the wind as they rode in a wide circle around the driveway. They didn’t look like a squatter, or any sort of maintenance guy. Could just be a motorist taking advantage of the abandoned area to go for a cruise. But on the off chance that they’d had the same idea as you did…

“Hey!” you waved your arms above your head as the motorist drew nearer. 

They had clearly noticed you with a brief turn of the head. But in a streak of grey, they zipped past you without a word. You sighed. This was going to have to be a solo investigation.

The once-glistening mahogany wood floors groaned beneath your feet, like an old man slowly rising from his rocking chair. Save for the dust coating every surface, the place felt like it had been frozen in time. A heavily-ornamented coffee table made from the same wood as the floor sat before a brown leather couch—modernity and antiquity combined. On top of it sat a green, heavy-looking book with no title, its gilded spine cracked. No bookmarks or tabs, but it seemed well loved nonetheless. There was nothing else on the table. The potential for clues was so obvious that the setup seemed staged. You picked up the book, coughing when you tried to blow the dust off of it like in mystery shows. Just before you could crack it open, your phone buzzed with a call.

Julie greeted you on the other line. “Wherever you are, honey, drop what you’re doing. I have some insane news.”

“What is it?”

“You don’t sound excited enough for someone who’s about to get their second assignment in months.”

You put on a comically-enthusiastic voice. “Golly gee, Julie, what amazing news have you brought me today?”

The rev of a motor engine sounded again outside. 

“VIII just called me, and he wants an exclusive interview. With you.”

It was lucky that Julie couldn’t hear you rolling your eyes.

“And it absolutely has to be me?”

“It was the one condition he gave. Look, he’s going on tour and coming to your city. You’ll interview him, then you get to go to a concert for free. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

You were silent on the line for a few seconds. Was it sadder that you thought you’d be doing more with your career, or that this would be the most eventful thing you had done for the entire year so far, second only to the stuffy abandoned mansion you were standing in?

“Alright, I’ll take it.”

“This’ll be good for you, I promise.”

With a sigh, you hung up and placed the book beneath your arm. By the time you stepped out onto the porch, the motorist seemed to have returned. They were still circling, but slower this time. As if they were watching. Patrolling. A strange feeling began to form in your stomach, so you speed-walked to your parked car as quickly as possible and pulled out of the driveway. 

The book remained on your desk, un-opened. Not only were you too busy (something you never thought you’d be able to say again), but a feeling of dread creeping up your spine stopped you from opening it immediately. You chalked it up to the fact that it likely belonged to a missing dead man, and you had essentially stolen it from his home after breaking in. Guilt. Surely it was only guilt.

Despite your lack of interest in Mister Fencing Mask, you still made an effort to clean up for the interview. You swiped a mauve-red lip color within the boundaries of dark lip liner like a coloring book. Not wanting to bother with contacts, a smart pair of solid black browline glasses perched on your nose. You went to the bathroom mirror to see what you were doing as you pulled your braids back into a half-up, half-down ponytail. You tugged the hem of a simple black blazer, worn over a plain white v-neck shirt that clung to your form. This wasn’t a red carpet.

You grabbed your beige leather purse from off of your kitchen counter, the same place you had last left it, shoving your laptop inside after extracting your keys. Julie had already emailed you the address. You punched it in as soon as you got in your car, ready to get this over with.

“Just letting you know now, this’ll be recorded.”

“Cool.”

You reached for your phone, placed right in the center of the long table where you sat across from ‘VIII’ himself. He was far more…normal… than you had expected. He had ditched the fencing mask for a normal black one, meaning the upper half of his face was visible. Wide, dark brown eyes with thick lashes considered you curiously. He wore neat braids that brushed his chin, dyed an almost platinum blonde. You didn’t think it paired well with the yellow undertones of his sandalwood-toned skin, but you weren’t his stylist. If you were, he wouldn’t be walking around in an all-black hoodie and sweatpants combo with nothing but a wristwatch to accessorize with.

“Right, so…the album. Let’s start there. You’ve stated that your new upcoming project would be more of a concept album. Can you give us a preview of what kinds of themes you’ll be exploring?”

His eyes seemed to lift in what looked like a smile. 

“Great question, first of all,” he began in a breathy, subdued voice that you didn’t expect to come out of him. You also detected a clipped British accent that wasn't there when he sang. “I won’t reveal too much, but it’s sort of an exploration of existing…in between things. Being on the cusp of something, like a new relationship, or on the edge of death.”

You looked at him with a little more interest now, surprised at how meticulous the answer was. 

“So being on the boundary line.”

“Exactly.”

“Sounds like you might be playing with a lot of opposites too, then. Life and death, starting and ending. Do you feel like being an artist involves a lot of that? A sort of duality?”

The man’s eyes suddenly became very somber. “Of course. No one even knows—y’know—what my face looks like. Or my body, for the most part. They just hear my music and they connect with that in a human way. So, me and the fans, we’re both close and incredibly distant from each other at the same time.”

You hummed thoughtfully. Maybe that concert wouldn’t be so bad. You glanced at the list of questions opened on your laptop.

“Moving away from the music a bit, I’ve been told that you don’t really do interviews despite essentially being the new kid on the scene. Is that you trying to maintain another boundary?”

He chuckled. It was a high, mischievous sort of sound.

“The media, they—they tend to ask the same questions over and over again? Not to be blunt, but I just haven’t got the patience for all that. I saw your article. You have a very unique way of writing about people.”

The compliment caught you off-guard. You pushed your glasses up your nose and glanced down at your keyboard.

“Wasn’t aware. Is that why you called up my editor last week?”

The man shrugged, like a child who had just been caught misbehaving but didn’t want to admit it out loud.

You left that interview with a few extra notes and an unexpected new appreciation for the singer. He was a little weird and intense, but whatever bit he was doing, he was committed to it in a way that you could at least respect. 

As you drove home, a light drizzle began—it had been raining all week. Little sprays of rain dotted your windshield, but not enough to warrant turning on the wipers. You glanced into your rearview mirror and caught a flash of silver: a motorcycle, not far behind you to your left.

You frowned, toggling between the road and trying to get a better look at the vehicle. It was the exact same model as the one you saw circling the mansion, only its rider was missing the trench coat. They instead wore a black leather jacket with billowing sleeves. 

Each time you turned a corner, you caught a glimpse of them not far behind. Dread crept up your spine after the third turn.

Once the traffic light turned green, you hit the gas as if you were racing, completely abandoning the route home. You were beginning to lose them, but you still heard the rumble of their engine. Eventually you got desperate, swerving at the last second into an empty street in a serene-looking residential area. With your heart in your throat, you checked the rearview mirror once again.

Gone. Thank goodness. But now, you were completely lost.

[littlefanficprincess]

Dancing across my mind

🎆One shot🎆

Pair: Tai lung x reader

Song: Someone to you (Banners)

"Dive and disappear without a trace, I just wanna be someone"

Important: (Y/A) = Your animal, ‼️Spoilers for Kungfu Panda 4‼️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It felt like it was ages ago when I had first met him, a life time ago.

I was about the age of eight, just moved to the valley of peace with my family. It truly lived up to its name, a lot calmer compared to the big city. A very welcome change.

A young (y/a) emerges from a building which was covered with posters. In her paws/feathers/claws were a (f/c) colored fan.

My mother was a traditional dancer, a famous one at that. She use to perform at theaters near our old home. I wanted to be just like her.

The small creature stumbles through the villages, watching as other pass by. Her (e/c) look up and latch onto a mountain with a Cherry Blossom tree on it.

Her eyes sparkle in fascination. She picks up the pace, and almost begins running. Unknownly, she almost jumps into a geese who was carrying a crate full of vegetable.

Finally after a few minutes was carrying herself up. She reaches the top of the mountain. It was really high, she could even see her house from here!

I sometimes wonder if I never went to the mountain on that faithful day, I most likely would've never met him.

The (f/a) moves to stand in the beginning pose, she in- and exhales like her mother taught her. She carefully moves her arms/feathers, feeling the wind flow past her form.

She couldn't imagine how amazing she looks as feels cherry bottom leafs flow through the breeze.

Her grip on the fan loosend and she accidentally drops it on the moss covered rocks. She was about to retrieve her when a pair of paws grab them.

She looks up, meeting two kind golden eyes. Those belonging to a snow leopard that seemed her age. He shyly bends down on one knee "I think you've dropped this" He holds out the fan for her grab.

(Y/n) reaches and takes it from him, feeling her wing/paw brush against his. "Thank you, um..." She says, not knowing his name.

"Tai...Tai lung!" He introduces himself, seeming to have trouble with his words. He seemed shy and excited at the same time.

There was something special about him, but (Y/n) couldn't place her feater/finger on it. "Thank you, Tai Lung" A smile appears on her face. "May I ask what brings you here?"

"I might have had a burst of anger and my jiaolian had send me over her to meditate and dim my anger" Tai Lung explains, akwardly fiddling with his paws.

(Y/n) resumes the begin pose, holding the fan tightly "Why don't join me, dancing always makes me relax"

Hesitantly, Tai Lung moves to stand next to the other. He copies the begin pose, looking at his arms and legs to make sure he was doing it correct.

His eyes watch (Y/n)'s movements, observing the dance. He follows her moves, soon they were moving in sync. Tai Lung realises how peaceful he felt, feeling the wind flow through his fur.

Not so far away stood Shifu, proud to see his student was able to calm the burning rage in himself.

For years, (Y/n) and Tai Lung met on the mountain. Dancing and training togheter, Tai Lung was even able to teach (Y/n) some fighting moves. (Y/n) became a better dancer and Tai Lung became a greater fighter.

But it came all to an end on the day he told me about his 'Destiny'.

(Y/n) sits calmly ontop the mountain, her eyes were shut. She in- and exhales through her nose. From behind she could hear someone approaching, she knew those footsteps all too well.

She turns just time to be grabbed by the waist and held up. The one holding her up was Tai Lung himself, seeming very happy for some reason.

(Y/n) couldn't help but let out an excited giggles, gripping into his strong arms as support "What has you so overjoyed?"

Carefully, Tai Lung places the (y/a) down back on her feet "The next time you will see, I will have the title of the Dragon Warrior!"

"Fancy title, will you get a metal of honor along with it?" (Y/n) Jokes, smiling at her companion.

Tai Lung chuckles, shaking his head, amused by her remark "Maybe, If I'm lucky. I know you'll be proud of me"

"I already am, I always have been"

After he left, I waited for him. It was so quiet underneath the cherry Blossom tree. I missed his laughter, his snarky remarks that would always brought a smile to my face.

(Y/n) looks at the letter she was holding, she was planning to give it to Tai Lung. She sighs and places it in a drawer, closing it after.

Rumors grew, stories about him destroying a nearby village. They would follow me everywhere, as many knew how close we were. Most of my shows had town.

Years past, the rumors became less and less. Until he left everyone's mind, but not mine. Fifteen years later, I had walked out of theater I usually perform at.

The infamous (y/a) strolls out of the building, holding her trusty (f/c) fan by her side. She pauses when she hears crashing nearby.

A figure gets flung infront of her, only a few meters away. They use their fist to bring their motion to a stop. It was Tai Lung.

As if feeling her presence, he turns his head to look at her gaze. Their eyes widen at the sight of the other. Tai Lung didn't get much reaction as he was punched in the stomach by Po, making him fly out of sight.

Scared, (Y/n) rush out, trying to find her old friend. She follows the trial of destruction, going all throughout the valley.

She found it stopped in the middle of the street, with a huge crater in the street. She turns to a pig standing nearby "Have you seen a snow leopard by any chance?"

"The dragon Warrior had defeated him a few moments ago, you just missed it" The pig explains to her.

Next to pig were three bunnies, jumping up and down, excitedly. "It was so cool, he went like pow pow pow!" "Then he did skadoosh!" "It was like send that cat to another dimension"

Hope dissapears in her eyes as the possibility of him being dead. After all these years she sees him finally, only to hear that he could already be dead.

A few years later

One by one, the old enemies return to the spirit realm. General Kai flies into the golden portal, leaving Tai Lung to be the only one left.

"Guess it's your turn now" Po turns to his old foe, holding his staff with a tight grip.

Tai Lung shakes his head "I won't, atleast not yet, Dragon Warrior. I have some businesses to take care of" He turns and walks up the stairs. The Bandits, along with po's dads stand aside to let him walk past.

"Should we just let him walk out of here like that?" Zhen asks Po, using her thumb to point towards the leaving snow leopard."I mean, what is the worst he can do now that he isn't out for revenge" The panda replies, shrugging his shoulders.

Meanwhile (Y/n) was in her home, pouring some tea in a small cup. She pauses when she hears rummaging, it sounded like it was near.

Turning around, she finds her old friend bend down on one knee. Tai Lung had his head lowered, not meeting her eyes.

"Tai Lung..." (Y/n) mumbles underneath her breath, taking the few of someone she hadn't seen for so long.

"I have down many reckless and irresponsible things. All I ask for you is your forgiveness, only if you think I deserve it" Tai Lung says, not moving an inch.

(Y/n) stays quiet, not sure what to say. The snow leopard takes the silence as rejection, he was about to get up and walks away.

When he was brought in to en embrace by one other than the (Y/a) "You don't know how much I've missed you"

"I missed you too, my dancer"

[salt-clangen]

Moon 7 2/2

Leaf Fall

Lynxpaw tried to keep conversation with Darkfold as they walked. She actually did have questions, but was trying not to reveal too much about Wolfstar or Snowspeckle’s states. But her nerves were making her jaw clench, she knew the rest of the patrol could scent her stress which only made her tenser.

“So with poppy seed use, I know cats can be reliant on them, what’s the best way to circumvent that?” She asked, happy to match the older molly’s slower pace.

“Try not to use it except in emergencies, and be prepared to hide it when you start to wean them. And never use it on yourself unless you have another cleric who can take you off of it. Just like kits nursing, you should slowly take away the poppies and introduce a safer herb for long term use.” Darkfold said very seriously.

“Do you think topical pain control would be enough or would it be smarter to use an oral type?” She pondered.

“I would say oral, but honestly both would be appropriate. I find that comfrey and dandelion tea mixes well with a poultice or ointment made of marigold.”

Thornstrike’s ears swiveled, trying to catch their low conversation over the sounds of the river.

“Thank you, we recently managed to get a significant amount of poppy seeds so I’d like to be prepared for using it.” Lynxpaw lied, hoping she sounded casual. “What’s your opinion on using cobwebs verses moss bandages?”

“Hmm I suppose I prefer cobwebs for stopping bleeding, it’s easier to see bleed through. But moss is pretty good at keeping topicals on the skin.”

Crossing over the fallen tree took a minute, Darkfold slowly ascending, unable to fully leap up onto the log. Thornstrike seemed to finally have some respect and let her brace again him to get up. Shadowpaw crossed through the river, showing off Lynxpaw assumed, racing ahead to let her use him as a step to get down.

Darkfold never acknowledged her pace or shortcomings, not even to thank the toms for their help. Lynxpaw supposed she didn’t want to seem weak, but she was dying to know what her ailment was. Despite that she kept her mouth shut and tried to ignore Thornstrike nearly shoving her off the log to try to beat her to the end.

She got there first, smug as she hopped down.

The gathering was just as large and overwhelming as she remembered. Though this time no one really batted an eye at them, taking longer to notice the pair as they arrived with the very strong scented Duskclan cats. Thornstrike shouldered past her, more forceful now, to assume his spot on the deputy’s rock, she snarled after him.

“Here, come wait by the leader’s rock. The gathering should start soon, Oakclan is still on the way. We can chat until it���s time for me to speak.” Darkfold instructed them, leading the pair to the shadow of the large stone. A few cats gave them wide eye glances but no one approached.

Jaggedstar and Rookstar were both lounging on the rock, the former watching them with sharp eyes. Her gaze narrowed as she realized Wolfstar wasn’t with them, but she didn’t call out to them.

“What do you plan to say?” Shadowpaw asked bluntly.

“You’ll see,” Darkfold answered, her tone was bored like she’d been asked this a million times already. “I did receive visions about your little group, but I’ve only told Jaggedstar, Rosedrift, and Mousefoot. Who relayed their dreams to me as well, Mousefoot and I will present them at the start of the gathering.”

The dark molly settled onto an exceptionally plush group of ferns and moss. Possibly her usual spot at gathering given her condition.

Lynxpaw shifted closer into Shadowpaw nervously, tucking herself against his side. He stayed still letting her shield herself from the crowd. After a moment he grunted at her, making her smile.

“I know Starclan is on our side, but I’m really nervous. What if something goes wrong? What if the clans decide to attack us.” She murmured into his fur, letting his salty scent comfort her.

“Don’t worry, Licks.” He answered simply. “Starclan will intervene on our behalf. I know it.”

Strangely his blunt, straightforward way of speaking was comforting for her. Though any words of reassurance probably would’ve worked on her. They settled into mirrored loafs, him facing the crowd while she was angled to face him and Darkfold.

That’s how they passed the time waiting for Oakclan to arrive. Lynxpaw trying to ease herself into glancing at the crowd of cats, all of whom seemed intent on staring. While she did that Shadowpaw kept his face blank, almost bored, a few younger cats gave him a nod as they walked by, but he didn’t acknowledge them back.

A young, familiar red tabby tom nervously stepped closer, a large burn covering the left side of his face. Lynxpaw was sure this must be Burnpaw, cleric apprentice of Duskclan and one of Wolfstar’s old friends. He glanced around nervously as he approached the front of them, almost like he was gonna talk to the pair, but he dodged around them in a jittery rush. Neither cat was subtle as they watched the odd cat approached Darkfold, he bowed quickly and whispered in her ear. The motion made her notice the bag around his neck, a small dark pouch likely leather.

Darkfold nodded then whispered back briefly, with a final nod he left the bag beside her and turned to go. He walked towards the pair again, eyes wide and he started to speak, zoned in on Lynxpaw. Her large companion stood up though, a low growl made the cleric apprentice pause. In another awkward rush of movement he turned sharply and walked away towards the crowd.

Lynxpaw purred and gave her clan mate a quick lick on his shoulder as he returned to loaf with her. The crowd was no louder or quieter than before, suprisingly.

It wasn’t much longer when Oakclan finally arrived, their shining leader, Archstar, entering first. Their long legs carried them at a breezy pace, their deputy and clan mates had to trot to catch up. They had managed to leap atop the leader’s stone before the final members of their clan had actually entered the clearing.

Lynxpaw watched Shadowpaw watch the crowd, curious to see who he knew. His face was blank, but his eyes were quickly scanning over each cat. Searching.

He let out a short huff through his nose when the final cats passed. Only one cat out of all seemed to catch his attention, a small lean black cat, somehow dwarfed by him despite being clearly full grown. Lynxpaw tried to see if the grey tabby that had abandoned him was here, but she couldn’t remember his face well.

The only cat to approach them was Mousefoot, the large wirey furred cleric, who ambled up to them. He splayed onto his side with a loud, but amicable, groan. Stretching his legs and toes, he gave the trio a fond greeting. He lay prone between them and Darkfold, much more lax despite his age.

Darkfold gave a brief greeting, while Lynxpaw only nodded.

“Shadowpaw my friend,” The old Tom chuckled. “Thought you were dog food, came running with a patrol when we’d heard about ya fight and found nothing but blood and fur.”

“Mousefoot.” Shadowpaw said, lips tight. Lynxpaw couldn’t tell if he genuinely hated the cleric or if he was just annoyed.

“Well I’m glad to see ya. Guess this means you won’t be coming back with us tonight huh?” Mousefoot didn’t seem sad though, his eyes shined with fondness. “Well can’t say I blame ya.”

“Let’s talk more after the gathering.” He dismissed, ears flicking.

Ah, mild annoyance, Lynxpaw thought fondly.

Mousefoot grunted an agreement and settled into a relaxed posture as the leaders called for the gathering to start.

The beginning of the gathering was… boring. Despite everyone’s anticipation to learn more about Saltclan and its legitimacy, the leaders seemed oblivious and went on with the standard announcements.

Honeyclan welcomes two new warriors.

Duskclan has a new warrior apprentice.

Oakclan just had two litters totaling in 6 kits.

Nothing interesting really, aside from warnings of a large dog around the carrion place, which was really just the one that attacked Shadowpaw and Wolfstar. Jaggedstar mentioned her clan took down a large boar and have began processing it, issuing an open invite to trade.

She got distracted watching Darkfold open her bag and begin to eat the contents. It looked like seeds, large spherical seeds with a rich smell. Mousefoot subtly lifted his paw to get her attention, shaking his head slightly when she looked. Admonished, Lynxpaw returned to watching the leaders.

The evening got a little interesting when Archstar brought up an issue concerning Honeyclan’s burial sites leeching into Oakclan territory, but it was shot down by Rookstar quickly. Archstar offered to discuss details in a smaller setting with mediators present which was accepted by the orange leader.

Finally when it felt like Lynxpaw was gonna rip her fur out and scream from boredom, Jaggedstar began to speak again.

She called for Darkfold to ascend the stone. Archstar, in turn, called for Mousefoot. Rookstar apologized for their lead clerics absence but gave no further explanation.

Surprisingly, Darkfold stood without assistance and climbed atop the rock quickly. Mousefoot followed at a leisurely pace, taking his time with the steps. When seated together, the older Tom crouched to allow Darkfold to speak first.

“I’m here to describe to you all the visions seen at the clerics most recent half moon gathering.” She spoke loudly and clearly. “Specifically regarding the new groups of cats, originally from Duskclan, claiming to be ordained by Starclan and calling themselves Saltclan.”

Lynxpaw flinched as Jaggedstar’s gaze dropped down to her. Shadowpaw didn’t move, despite her trembling.

“Many of you know that the three clans we have today weren’t born out of the dirt and mud, they were cats that were compelled to organize and coexist together as clans. Many, many seasons ago there was only Oakclan, lead by the first cat of nine lives Oakstar. Before the end of his final life another cat stepped out of the clan by Starclan’s will. This was Duskstar, who had been the original cleric and the first cat to visit the moon spring. Many seasons passed and again another cat stepped outside of Oakclan, driven by love and grief. She would be known as Honeystar and it would only be after she sacrificed her only life to protect her makeshift clan that Starclan acknowledged her leadership and gave her nine lives.”

She took a moment to pause and nod to Rookstar.

“It has been many seasons since Honeyclan’s formation, no cat alive today was alive when she was. So while there is precedent that new clans may form by splintering off their original clan, there is precedent for something much more sinister. Some of you may be too young, but I remember being a kit during Tall Water’s raids. A vicious tom cat named Talltail who believed he deserved to be leader and when rejected by his clan for his extremist views, took up with a group of rouges and exiles. He took the name Tall Water’s and hid amongst the rocks at the shore. He attacked without mercy and stole prey from our clans. His most heinous crime was kit stealing.”

A wave of murmurs and gasps broke out amongst the group, though quickly hushed.

“I myself was stolen and it was only after Jaggedstar, Moltenfeather of Honeyclan, and Mousefoot of Oakclan came together that I and many other kits were rescued. Those three brought a final raid again Tall Water’s group after finding his location following a vision Mousefoot received from Starclan.”

A few cats made sounds of cheer, again hushed by the deputies.

“Tall Water’s band claimed to be a clan, calling themselves Tallclan, but when Jaggedstar took his only life. It finally proved he was truly just a cat.

Tall Water was not the first cat to defect from a clan and claim to be following Starclan, only to go against nearly every law ordained by our ancestors in the warrior code. And he likely won’t be the last.”

Her gaze, like every cat in attendance, fell on Lynxpaw.

“I tell you these stories not to sway you one way or another, but to remind you what our history has taught us. Starclan has required several things from a clan to be gifted with their blessings. A clan must have a hierarchy, they must have their own land, nearly undisputed either by trial or by chance. They must be able to defend and maintain their borders, a clan who can’t keep their borders doesn’t deserve their territory. And finally, they must follow the warrior code to the greatest extent they can.

Our history has shown that if a clan follows these guides, then they are aligned with Starclan. If they don’t, eventually they will be eradicated by the true clans.”

Jaggedstar stood for a moment, letting Darkfold finish her sentence before stepping forward to command attention.

“Please Darkfold, tell us of the vision you received.” She asked.

Lynxpaw wasn’t sure if she was actually trying to hurry Darkfold along for the sake of time. Or if she just wanted to emphasize Duskclan’s importance in this situation.

“Yes, on the most recent half moon gathering, I met with lead clerics Mousefoot and Rosedrift at the moon spring. We all set our intentions to learn more about the legitimacy and future of Saltclan.

Rosedrift and Mousefoot have spoken to both me and their leaders, their vision was only of me. They saw me in a bright light, sitting with my back to them and my tail resting in a pool of water. The light slowly faded into evening and their visions ended.

After much deliberation we agreed that this is a sign that my vision, the only one that differed, was the true vision to be interpreted. This is why Mousefoot and Rosedrift, who was not able to come this moon, allowed me the honor of being the one to speak at the gathering.”

Everyone was waiting with bated breath for her next words. As she began to speak again the moonlight broke through the wispy clouds and bathed her and Mousefoot in a bright beam. A show of Starclan’s will, Lynxpaw audibly gasped.

“My vision showed me standing on a brightly lit beach, the sand was shining so vivid, it seemed nearly white. Everything around me was glowing and iridescent. The waves however were dark, nearly black as they lapped at my feet. As I stepped further away from the water, I watched as a set of paw prints began to appearing. It was as if an unseen cat walked past me, side by side with the waves. However when the water receded from the shore, the paw steps remained, unlike mine which had washed away as one would expect. No matter how far I looked or how rough the waves were, the paw prints remained.

I, and the other lead clerics, believe that this vision shows that not only is Saltclan blessed by Starclan, but it shows that they will remain steady and present even when faced with adversary.”

Lynxpaw heart felt light, she felt like she could breathe again. Against her side she could feel Shadowpaw’s rumble purrs. Tears nearly sprung to her eyes as she stared up to the stars with gratitude.

As the noise of the crowd swelled again, Lynxpaw could distinctly hear Thornstrike hissing at everyone to be silent. Somehow managing to be louder than most of the cats.

“Thank you, Darkfold, Mousefoot. You may both return to a more comfortable spot.” Archstar’s voice rang out like a bell, compelling the cats’ attention without shrieking. “I’m fully satisfied with the cleric’s interpretation of the vision.”

“As am I. Though I do think a meeting between clans to establish borders is necessary.” Rookstar agreed, glancing at Lynxpaw.

“And Jaggedstar?” Archstar prompted, an easy grin on their face to mirror the snarl on hers. “What do you say of the new clan?”

“I’m more than satisfied with Darkfold’s analysis.” She turned to face the crowd. “I would’ve like to have heard from the newest leader, but she seems to be absent. Would either you have an explanation?”

She glared at the pair of them as Darkfold final manages to get back to her soft nest, all her strength and vigor gone.

“I would be happy to.” Lynxpaw could tell she was shaky, but as a cleric she’d need to be used to speaking in tense situations. She just pretended she was practicing at camp with Snowspeckle. “Wolfstar sends her apologies. Our clan’s artisan has given birth recently and is much too weak to be on her own.”

She paused to try to manage her thoughts again, she didn’t like lying, but the truth was too dangerous to admit right now.

“I would’ve stayed but Wolfstar decide that between a leader and a cleric, it was smarter to send the cleric.”

“Even though it’s a cleric’s apprentice?” Archstar asked, a little playful tone to their voice, but it felt just shy of mean spirited.

“Even still.” Lynxpaw smiled widely, trying to match the flamboyant leader’s tone. “An odd situation for sure but I agree with her decision.”

“And why not leave the apprentice?” Jaggedstar asked, causing most of the crowd to really focus on Shadowpaw for the first time. He bristled slightly but didn’t move even as some cats murmured.

“Wolfstar has a lot of practical knowledge when it comes to healing, if I couldn’t attend I wouldn’t have been comfortable without her there to care for our first litter and queen. Shadowpaw has recently joined us since last moon. The large dog Oakclan had mentioned has actually been taken care of already.”

“You mean to tell us your clan took on a dog?” Rookstar gasped, disbelieving.

“No Ssfu, last month after returning from Capri’s post, Wolfstar and I saw the dog attacking Shadowpaw. Wolfstar went to help and the cat he was with left, she managed to keep the dog at bay enough for its two leg owner to recapture it.”

The realization that partial truths were easier to say than outright lies made her stomach twist. It felt like lying no matter what.

“I’m glad Shadowpaw survived this attack and while I’m not enthusiastic about departures, I understand if he chooses to remain in saltclan given this event.” Archstar announced, Lynxpaw caught some eye rolls, likely from Oakclan cats. Snowspeckle had told her loyalty to their clan ran deep.

“We’re more than glad to have him, he is an exemplary addition to the clan.” Lynxpaw chirped, her squeaky voice got high as she said it. She bunted her head against his shoulder.

Shadowpaw, for his part, just sighed through his nose.

Very mild annoyance, she thought.

“Thank you, Lynxpaw for speaking.” Rookstar said, blinking fondly at the apprentice, her kittenish behavior had charmed him. “If there’s nothing else?”

He glanced at his companions on the rock, neither spoke.

“Then we may close this gathering.” He announced and the crowd broke into chatter right away.

“Should we stay for the after gathering?” Lynxpaw asked, a little excited. Wolfstar had only been to one after gathering, but she talked of it fondly. Snowspeckle had been to multiple and told Lynxpaw about them often.

“It’s late, it might be a good idea to head back home.” Shadowpaw stretched, glancing toward the clearing’s exit.

“Oh it would be nice for you to stay though!” She said. “You could let your friends know you’re ok.”

“Don’t have any friends here, don’t wanna talk to any of those cats.” He snapped, Lynxpaw didn’t flinch, though she was surprised. He pressed his ears against his head, looking all the world like he’d been reprimanded. “Sorry.”

“It’s alright, let’s head out.” She bunted his shoulder again.

“You can’t go yet.” Darkfold called, still lounging in her nest. “Didn’t you have questions for the other clerics? Now would be the time to ask.”

“Oh! Yeah,” She glanced at him cautiously, but he just nodded. “Thank you, Darkfold. That’s a good idea.”

Darkfold didn’t get up from her spot, letting the crowd disperse a little first. Lynxpaw noticed that not everyone stayed for the after gathering. All three deputies departed with group of their own clan. Jaggedstar and Rookstar also left, but Archstar stayed behind. They had an easy way about them, it wasn’t hard to see they’d enjoy the peaceful environment.

Lynxpaw watched in a load as some apprentices pulled a large pot out from behind some brush. There were buckets filled with water already set aside and a fire was quickly started. The crowd was either very young warriors and apprentices along with very aged warriors, some could even be elders. The elders attended the pot while the younger cats gathered to show what they brought, Lynxpaw inched closer.

“I brought some extra rosemary I helped a cleric gather.” A flame point tom offered, dropping it into the pot.

“We brought some marinated rabbit meat.” A black and white molly said loudly, tucked behind her was an identical tom, looking much more nervous.

The meat was added by the elders, who stored the now boiling water gently.

One by one each apprentice and newly made warrior put forward a different ingredient. Thyme, honey, fish meat, sage, and even ground flax for thickening. Lynxpaw watched on, letting out a dreamy sigh.

“Shit, I wish I’d brought some salt.” She frowned, earning some odd glances. She flushed until an elder laughed.

“You sound like a loner over there little one.” A dark grey elder chuckled.

“I’ve been in charge of trading with Capri while our artisan recovers from birth.” She smiled widely.

“Ah she’s got some great goods,” Another elder, a blue molly, laughed. “A bit far for a young one like yourself.”

“It’s pretty quick, I just follow the shoreline and go around the two legs.” She shrugged the order cats nodded.

“Well that’s a lot faster than traveling from Duskclan I’ll tell ya what. But don’t ya worry about salt I already mixed in some colt’s foot for a bit of flavor.”

As the conversation’s focus left Lynxpaw she glanced back and noticed her large companion was missing. She tried not to look worried as she checked around the clearing. A gentle tap of a tail to her hip made her glance left.

“He- uh Hi.” It was the red tabby from before. “I’m Burnpaw.”

“I know.” She said, head tilted.

“Oh ummm yeah. I was friends with Wolfstar when she was in Duskclan.” He said.

“I know that too.”

He was visibly flushed.

“Listen… I know Wolfstar isn’t here because she on nurse duty.” He said seriously, ears flat.

Lynxpaw knew about his last confrontation with Wolfstar, the argument over what his dream meant and whether she should return to the clan.

“Your dream interpretation was off, she survived the dog attack.” She avoided admitting her lie. He didn’t seem surprised that she knew.

“But her neck was slashed, right?” He asked, letting the obvious diversion go. “She survived? Or she lost a life and came back?”

“She survived,” Lynxpaw said firmly, but they both knew he was right. “Why do you care? You wanted her to come back because she wasn’t strong enough. This is proof she can be the leader she deserves to be.”

“Can she meet me?” He ignored the dodge again, now she was feeling irritated, tail flicking. “I need to talk to her.”

“Why?”

“Just please, tell her. I’ll wait every evening, right at sunset, for her at the abandoned two leg nest. I’ll stay for as long as I can. When she’s well enough, have her come talk with me.”

“Lynxpaw.” Shadowpaw called out, her head snapped up. He was further across the clearing, half hidden in the shadows.

He stepped out into the moonlight, following beside him was the small black warrior from before. A molly with matching green eyes to his.

“What’s going on?” He asked, circling around the pair. The black molly stood waiting.

“Discussing clerical matters with a fellow apprentice.” Burnpaw answered tightly, face pinched.

Shadowpaw cut across his circle now, going between the two cats, his size caused them both to skooch back to avoid him. He continued his circling, now with them further apart, a very unsubtle move.

It made Lynxpaw smile.

“We were finished speaking anyways.” She gave him a head bump when he passed her again. Burnpaw quietly agreed. “Who’s this?”

“I’m Inkypelt, code keeper of Oakclan. I’m his older sister.” The molly answered for him.

“I’m Lynxpaw! It’s nice to meet you.” She smiled widely again, Inkypelt seemed as stoic as her little brother, she only nodded.

“Soups ready!” One of the elder called, pulling out bowls and ladles, the utensils all looking very well loved.

Shadowpaw sat between her and Burnpaw, sharing a bowl of the mixed soup. It wasn’t nearly as salty or fishy as she was used to. She would’ve called it bland but, while the broth was thin and simple, the marinades and fatty meats added a layer of flavor she hadn’t had before.

“Oh here, if you want it a bit spicier.” The flame point apprentice offered a small bowl. “It’s concentrated juniper broth, a little goes a long ways. Not everyone likes spicy so we bring this as a condiment instead.”

Burnpaw took the bowl and poured some into his soup, Lynxpaw declined. She was sharing with Shadowpaw and knew he dislike the spicy juniper berries. Perhaps next time she and Wolfstar could share.

In the distance she saw Archstar sharing a bowl with the older blue molly from Duskclan she’d talked with.

They finished their soup slowly, savoring the warmth as the evening chill deepened. Side conversations started up and died down as the moon reached its peak. Lynxpaw asked the clerics more questions, apologizing for seeming so uneducated.

“Nonsense!” Mousefoot laughed, some soup sticking to his thick muzzle fur. “You have no mentor, of course you’d have questions. In fact I was the one to train Fernstorm when they were a -paw.”

“That’s right, when I was an apprentice my mentor had died right after my ceremony. The other cleric of the clan fell gravely ill and wasn’t able to teach me much. Finally at a gathering I just asked Mousefoot right there if he’d help me. Him and Burdockpelt of Duskclan took turns mentoring me and helping Honeyclan while I learned.” A light gray gib, Fernstorm, spoke up. They recounted the story fondly. “It’s really not such a burden.”

“You’ve got quite a bit of knowledge already though. You ask complicated questions and know a lot of herbal uses.” Darkfold pointed out. “How have you been getting that training?”

It felt like a spot light was on her and she felt a little flustered.

“Well… Wolfstar actually knows a lot about herbs and how to gather them. She used to take me as a kit to help gather moss and she’d point out which plant was useful.”

“Yeah Wolfstar was always a good learner, she was great at remembering the warrior code and stories Ashenstep told.” Burnpaw chimed in, at first he seemed bright, talking about the past. “I’m not surprised she managed to learn a few clerical things before leaving…”

He seemed to dim now, hesitating as his sentence dropped off awkwardly, Shadowpaw huffed a little laugh at him, smirking into his bowl. Lynxpaw nudged him.

“Well I also had visions from Starclan cats.” Lynxpaw admitted, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence.

This got some attention, most cats in the circle pausing their meals.

“How so?” Fernstorm asked.

“Well it doesn’t happen as often now that I’m older, but when I was a kit I would see starry cats a lot. Especially while Wolfstar was hunting or patrolling. They’d show me which herbs were which that Wolfstar had gathered. And they’d teach me about different illnesses and how to treat them.”

“Remarkable.” Mousefoot smiled again, she felt a little relieved. “Kits are truly so connected to our ancestors, it’s wonderful they were able to help you.”

“Well I see them maybe once a moon now and it’s very briefly, so I feel like my training has stalled.”

“Well I can spare some time each quarter moon to fill in the gaps for you if you’d like.” Mousefoot offered. “We’ve got two clerics besides me and an apprentice, so I won’t be missed.”

“And I or Rosedrift can visit twice a moon for lessons as well.” Fernstorm added.

“That’s amazing! Thank you it would greatly help!” Lynxpaw purred.

The two clerics glanced at Darkfold.

“My apologies, but unfortunately I won’t be able to contribute.” Darkfold said politely. “I’m the only full cleric in the clan and I don’t travel long distances well. This is the first gathering I’ve been to in moons.”

“I understand completely,” Lynxpaw blinked fondly at her, the only acknowledgment Darkfold gave was a tail twitch. “I appreciate all the help you’ve given already.”

Fernstorm and Mousefoot agreed to a schedule with Lynxpaw as the conversation drifted to new topics. Once finished she settled into a relaxed flop and pressed against her clan mate. After a while Shadowpaw nudged her and they began to stretch to leave.

As they did a conversation caught her attention.

“So I hear you’re about to get a second apprentice? What’s the hurry?” Fernstorm asked Darkfold.

“Well Burnpaw is nearing the end of his education and the clan is large so it’ll be wise to have as many clerics trained as we can. Right now I’m borrowing warriors and gardeners to help gather herbs. I might even consider snagging a code keeper apprentice that I think would do well as a cleric. But we’ll see.”

“The evening was wonderful but I think it’s time for us to leave.” Lynxpaw announced, bowing her head in thanks. Shadowpaw walked over to his sister, they spoke in low voices before he gave her a head bump.

“Yeah you’d better go relieve that poor leader of yours from Nurse duty!” One elder joked.

“She’ll lose a life for each kit I’m telling ya.” Another laughed.

The crowd’s playful jeers faded as they left the clearing. Entering the swift river, the chill barely felt due to their thick coats, they let the current carry them home.

She missed the gathering, the first gathering as a true clan. Lynxpaw and Shadowpaw had to go alone.

Alone. Wolfstar wanted to wail, but her barely together throat wouldn’t let her.

She glowered in the dark, angry at herself and her wound. They’d left just before sunfall, making an early meal for Snowspeckle and herself.

The night dragged slowly, she kept herself entertained by slowly inching herself to the den entrance. Her upper body still protested the strain, any tug to her neck made her clench and twitch. Slowly she gathered her legs under herself, shakily she managed to take a few steps.

The walk, though agonizing, was actually great at relieving her mind. Forced to focus on each individual limb and her balance. The flares of pain occupying her mind, but she was determined.

She wanted to see the stars.

When the camp clearing finally opened up to her, she nearly cried. It’d been so long since she’d left the den. Lynxpaw, a young cleric with no mentor, was playing it safe with her recovery. Too safe. She needed the pain and activity, she needed to work towards something. If not, she was just wasting away.

The clearing was quiet, as expected, and the moon was at its peak. It had taken her nearly half the night just to walk out of the den. The sight was lovely though, the tide pools glowing in the full moon light, everything lit up some beautifully.

She settled into a loaf, such a mundane position caused her to put strain on her chest and abdomen. It was a bruising, but satisfying stretch, like how it felt after combat training or a long journey. When it became too much, she lowered her chin to the ground, resting her chest but now stretching the back of her neck and shoulders. She switched between the two poses, even stretching a paw out one at a time to get a new sensation.

Eventually her injury and exhaustion caught up with her and she began to doze. It was hard given that the poppy seeds she was given at meal time seemed to be fading now. She was tempted to just grab herself another dose, letting herself enjoy the buzzing comfort, but she wasn’t a cleric and had no business touching Lynxpaw’s work.

The moon dropped down low in the sky, not long now until the sun rises. Fear settled in her stomach like a stone.

Were they ok? Did the clans believe them? Or did they slaughter them? She shivered with distaste, it couldn’t be true, but where were they.

Tiny mewls drew her attention away from her worries. The nursery was just on the other side of the leader’s den, her den. Snowspeckle had moved there when she’d recovered from birthing the small litter. It wasn’t a surprise given how she’d basically set up the nursery to be one giant numbest for herself, pelts and fur everywhere. She’d even gotten Lynxpaw to bring her a blanket from Capri’s, the plush, softer than fur fabric had only cost a paw full of salt and a promise to bring the kits to see her when they were old enough.

Focusing completely on the mewls and soft singing, Wolfstar was almost asleep when Lynxpaw and Shadowpaw finally returned home. She jolted awake as Lynxpaw checked her over, worried about why she was out of her nest, let alone the den in such weather.

Wolfstar shivered as she noticed the chill for the first time, it didn’t help both cats hovering around her were still wet from their swim. She sneered a little as water dripped on her.

Slowly she managed to stand, pushing away overly helpful paws, and slowly made her way back to her nest. Shadowpaw stayed outside, checking the camp for any changes in his absence.

“What happened?” Her voice was creaky and she really wished she had some honey, but she spoke anyways.

Lynxpaw fussed over her as she sleepily retold the events of the night. Changing her moss and bringing her cool tea with herbal honey on the side. Wolfstar eyed the jar of poppy seeds, but Lynxpaw quickly moved it out of the way, giving her a bundle of herbs instead.

Wolfstar listened closely as the apprentice spoke, her worry ebbed away to joy as the story went on. She finished her tea and herbs just as Lynxpaw finished her recount, the two of them settling in to share a nest- typical.

“Sorry I left you here for so long.” Lynxpaw frowned, her nose buried in the fresh moss. “The after gathering was so much fun and I was learning so much… I didn’t wanna leave. I should’ve been back sooner.”

Wolfstar’s chuckle was a bit smoother now, she let it rumble in her chest just like her brother’s would.

“Don’t regret it. ‘m glad you had fun.” She purred.

“Oh… I almost forgot. I met Burnpaw.”

“Hmmm?” Wolfstar wasnt sure how she felt hearing his name, his indecisiveness and lack of faith in her still rubbed her the wrong way. But she remembered how truly nice it was to be around him as apprentices, someone quiet and agreeable.

“He said that he knew you were injured.”

A spike of cold shot through her heart, but Lynxpaw soothed her with a few licks to her face.

“He didn’t tell anyone. But he asked me to tell you that he wants to talk. Whenever you feel better. He said he’ll be waiting for you at the abandoned nest. He said he’d be there every evening, at sunset.” She whispered hurriedly, glancing at the entrance.

Wolfstar stayed quiet, mulling over her next move. In the stillness Lynxpaw began to fidget. The older cat shot her a sharp look.

“I… I didn’t tell Shadowpaw about this.” She admitted, looking so guilty for such a meager offense. “And I don’t think we should… tell Shadowpaw.”

Wolfstar cocked her head, eyes neutral, waiting for her to continue.

“I love Shadowpaw I do… it’s just I don’t think he’d let you leave. Like obviously you’re the leader so he can’t really stop you, but I feel like it’d cause a big fight.” She mumbled, worrying her lip. “He’s very protective of us, especially you.”

The way she said it made Wolfstar feel flush, it was true but she caught off guard by how Lynxpaw worded it. The younger cat continued on, not even noticing.

“You could tell him afterwards. He’d be annoyed but he’d be fine with it.” She sighed, Wolfstar smiled and gave her a few reassuring licks. The movement used to cause pain to flare up in her neck, but now it was just a slight stretch. “I feel bad saying this…”

“Let me think.” She murmured into her friend’s soft fur. “Don’t worry.”

Over the next several days, Wolfstar pushed Burnpaw to the back of her mind, only mulling his words over when it was late at night. Most of her time was spent working on regaining her mobility, stretching and low bouts of exercise throughout the day. Shadowpaw and Lynxpaw protested at first, trying to keep her in her nest longer, but she put her foot down.

Snowspeckle, ever the good natured cat, cheered and sang for her from the sidelines. Her kits mewled and crawled around as she stretched in front of their mother. Though the chill was unpleasant, on calmer days she paddled in the shallow waters, just deep enough that she could barely touch the sandy bottom.

Of course Shadowpaw supervised this particular exercise, either swimming along side her or watching from a tall rock closer to shore, ready to dive in to save her.

His attention made her feel guilty.

She was training so hard, not to get back to her duties, but to be able to visit Burnpaw. She wanted to know what he was going to say, what did he want? Their last meeting had gone poorly, he didn’t believe in her or Saltclan and why should he? But if he didn’t believe in them, why bother her at all. His vision, she realized recently, had come true. A wolf struck down with a red collar around its neck surrounded by shadows, it was about her first death and Shadowpaw joining the clan.

Maybe he was gonna rub it in her face, it was so unlike him, but she’d been gone a long time. Who knows what he was like anymore.

Her legs started to burn so she paddled closer to shore, ready for a break. Shadowpaw met her halfway to the shore, letting her lean against him for a moment as she shook her coat out. The pair walked back to camp together, it was late in the day and Snowspeckle would need someone to watch her kits while she cooked. Tonight was the night she finally announced their names and everyone was excited.

Rather than cook, Shadowpaw took over kit sitting, which he was actually very good at. Their eyes had opened up earlier today so their crawling had gotten more purposeful. Shadowpaw let them clamber over him as he sat quietly in the nursery’s entrance.

Wolfstar helped Snowspeckle finish the stew and roasted mackerel she’d been preparing. She was slathering the fish with a gravy, marinade thing she’d learned in Oakclan. Finally once everyone was gathered and the dishes were sat out, the clan began eating.

The group remained close to the nursery to watch the kits, two little toms, snoozing in their nest as the sun set. Everyone eyed Snowspeckle during the meal, anxious for her announcement.

The white molly played coy, of course, and kept eating and chatting like normal. Once everyone had eaten their fill, she plucked each kit to place the in from of the clan.

“I thought very hard about their names ever since I gave birth.” She started. “In oakclan I know I would’ve named them something else, Blackkit and Whitekit. Simple names that could become more when they become warriors. But now that I’m here, having the first litter of Saltclan, I don’t want simple. I don’t want names that would blend in with the other clans.”

She paused and broke out into a big teary smile.

“I want their names to make every single cat know where they come from. Even if they leave the clan, even if they pass before becoming warriors. I want these names to be special.”

She paused again to pull the white tom forward.

“This is Ripplekit, he was born first and as such his name is based on the ripples in water you see when there’s a change.” She gave the whiny kit a lick, then pulled her other kit forward.

“This is Otterkit, I named him after the water loving creatures that I was told about as a kit. It’s not as deep of a name, but I always liked those stories and I think he would too.” As she finished speaking she looked up at the group, eyes misty, and waited.

Wolfstar stepped forward a wide smile as she began chant.

“Ripplekit! Otterkit!”

The others joined in.

“Ripplekit! Otterkit!”

“Ripplekit! Otterkit!”

It was almost half a moon after the gathering when Wolfstar saw Burnpaw again.

She finally felt strong enough, both for the journey and to defend herself in case it was a trap. Something Shadowpaw had brought up when she told him.

She’d decided against not telling him or Snowspeckle about the meeting. Both had made good points against it, especially the large tom, but she wasn’t swayed.

No matter what, she needed to know what he was going to say.

The night she set out she gave everyone firm instructions, do not follow her. Lynxpaw was in charge and would spend the time preparing herbs, Shadowpaw was to help her. If he disobeyed, Lynxpaw was to run ahead and warn her so she could send Burnpaw off without a confrontation.

She arrived just at sunset, scenting the air for that familiar pine scent Duskclan cats tended to have. Up ahead she found him, pacing between the tree lines, behind him was a dark silhouette.

Wolfstar froze and almost bolted, she was sure that was Jaggedstar on the fallen tree. But a heartbeat later she realized, it was Ashenstep.

Her sibling didn’t greet her, didn’t look back as Burnpaw exclaimed as she came into the clearing. Just an ear twitch let her know they were listening.

“You came!” Burnpaw smiled, awkwardly shuffling his paws. His eyes caught sight of her scar. “That looks bad, does it hurt?”

Yes it did, but she wasn’t telling him that.

“No,” She dismissed. And it was mostly true, as long as she did her stretches and ate her herbs, she was fine, she wasn’t even taking poppy seeds anymore. “Why did you ask to meet me?”

“I wanted to know if you were ok.”

“That’s not why,” She scoffed, flicking her tail. “Why are we here? Why is Ashenstep here?”

The cat in question finally glanced over at her, eyes sullen and red. They’d been crying.

“They cover for me when I come here, it’s less suspicious.” Burnpaw said. “At this point though I think half the clan knows what we’re doing. No one’s said anything yet.”

“They probably wish we just disappeared.” Ashenstep said dryly, a quick huff of a laugh was the only sign they were joking… mostly.

“I’m here because…” Burnpaw paused glancing nervously around. “I want to leave Duskclan.”

That was a shock, despite the clan’s harsh culture, most cats didn’t want to leave. Even Wolfstar still missed the rigid structure some days. She took a moment to think before replying.

“Did you have a vision?”

“That’s the thing…. I’ve never gotten vision before… I’m not good at cleric work.” He shuffled his paws again, eyes downcast.

“What about you dream about a wolf and a red collar?” Wolfstar asked.

“That was Darkfold’s dream, she has me pretend to get signs so Jaggedstar would think my training is going well.”

“She’s been covering for him,” Ashenstep interjected. “Ever since the fire.”

“So she never had a sign that you should be a cleric?” Wolfstar asked, incredulous.

“No, she said that because she was worried I’d be exiled for my mistake. She thought I would learn, but I’m not getting better, I make the same mistakes, I’ve never gotten a sign from Starclan. They don’t even speak to me when I’m at the moon spring, except for last moon.” Burnpaw explained. “It’s becoming so obvious I’m not fit for this role, it’s jeopardizing Darkfold’s reputation.”

“What did Starclan show you?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Footsteps leading to sand… I figured it meant that… you know I should join Saltclan.” He trailed off, glancing nervously at her face as he spoke. “I can’t keep dragging down the only people that help me.”

He stared at Ashenstep now, their back still turned, staring off at the sunset.

“And what makes you think we’d take you?” Wolfstar felt a sick twist in her stomach saying that, his distraught face giving her a bit of satisfaction.

“But I-“

“Take him.” Ashenstep said with a level a finality that rivaled their mother’s. “If anyone finds out him and Darkfold have been faking signs, he could be exiled and so could Darkfold. You know she wouldn’t survive as a loner.”

Wolfstar sat in the uncomfortable silence, regretting her callousness, despite their recent disagreement she knew she couldn’t turn Burnpaw away.

“Meet me at the border after the next gathering.” She said. “You’ll need to inform Jaggedstar of your decision, you’re not running away, we’re gonna do this the right way.”

Burnpaw gasped aloud, nearly collapsing with relief and tears in his eyes. Wolfstar continued on, ignoring his outburst. He curled his tail around himself as he wiped his eyes.

“Tell her about your dream, you don’t need to confess to everything.” She sighed, glancing at her sibling again, hoping they’d speak up again. “Ashenstep?”

The older cat slowly turned and jumped down from their perch on the log. They gave her a cheerless smile, eyes misty in the low light. They sat a few tail lengths across from her.

“I’ll miss you.” They said.

“You could come with me.”

“No I can’t leave my clan, they need me.”

There was a long silence, the wind picking up and rustling the nearly bare branches surrounding them.

“I understand.” She finally said, bowing her head.

“From now on, when we meet, it’ll be as rival clans.”

“I know. I’ll still love you, but I’ll have to put my clan first. You’re always welcome.” Her head stayed bowed as she spoke, the world around them fading as the weight of their words sink in.

Ashenstep finally broke, surging forward to wrap their sister in a hug, tears silently falling as they embraced her.

“You don’t know how proud I am of you.”

They stayed like that until night fully arrived, chilly winds cutting through their thick coats. Burnpaw sat quietly further away, tired eyes watching the stars. Finally parting, Wolfstar squared her shoulders and left, not looking back.

Next

Prev

Moon 0

[adalynn]

So I’ve officially decided to decide that Seasons 5 and 6 are no longer canon with The Handmaid’s Tale. If I ever rewatch the show, I will only be doing Seasons 1-4 because all of those episodes are still the finest hours of television ever. However, the second Bruce Miller hired on new writers for Season 5 and stepped down as showrunner for Season 6, all logic went down the toilet.

- They made June into an even bigger idiot than usual.

- They gave Serena a redemption arc that was ABSOLUTELY not deserved.

- They introduced 400+ subplots into Season 5 that were never resolved and made no sense.

- They completely dropped Esther Keyes’s character halfway through Season 5 even though she was at her most important point (her tragic impregnation thanks to Putnam).

- They made Luke more unlikable and useless than ever (even when he actively joined Mayday in Season 6).

- The violence introduced in Season 6 was overkill and went into Terrifier level with the Jezebel’s massacre.

- The bond between June and Serena… why?

- Season 6 made it WAY TOO EASY for Mayday to infiltrate Gilead and cross the border. For four seasons, it was damn near impossible to escape or even to enter Gilead. THIS season, June’s just casually walking across the border over and over again without consequence.

- The dialogue throughout both 5 & 6 was incredibly unrealistic and stupid, while the dialogue for the first four seasons were among the best lines of television.

- 15 million fucking closeups of Elisabeth Moss’s stupid ass face.

- Speaking of Elisabeth, am I alone in believing that her capabilities as an actor completely went away with Season 5? She was so fucking over the top with her performance and she was laughable at times.

- I should have seen the red flags coming with the way they were taking Nick’s character since he was barely in Season 5 at all.

- Speaking of Nick, they absolutely decimated his character arc and made him the big bad villain in the final five episodes of the show for no fucking reason other than shock value.

- The part that sucks is that the first three episodes of the season were genuinely good and the way Nick was written was ACCURATE TO THE WAY HE’D BEEN WRITTEN FOR NEARLY A DECADE!!! ESPECIALLY in Episode 3.

- For the anti-Nick fans who believe that he was always a N*zi and for the patriarchy, let me run through a list that explains the opposite:

• He was lured into joining Sons of Jacob by Commander Pryce because he took advantage of Nick’s vulnerability because of his family problems. LURED. He did join willingly, yes, but without knowledge of how bad it would be. All Pryce told him was that they would “clean up the country.”

• The second that the first Offred committed su*cide, Nick immediately joined the ranks of Eyes to spy on Commanders. COMMANDERS, NOT HANDMAIDS OR MARTHAS. He used that to his advantage to join Mayday as well.

• When June came to the Waterford home, Nick immediately began to treat her like she was a human being and NOT a Handmaid, instantly being kind to her and even to Rita. He didn’t have to be kind but he was.

• When Emily was taken by the Eyes for being revealed as a lesbian, Nick was worried for June’s safety. He’d already warned her to not get too close to Emily because he knew that Emily would be taken for being gay and there was nothing he could do.

• Now, when it comes to Nick and June being forced to have sex in order to conceive a child… no, Nick DID NOT want to do this to June at all. You can see it all over Max’s face that he’s disgusted with what he’s doing. And he later tells June, “I couldn’t say no when Mrs. Waterford asked me. I’m sorry.” Key word: COULDN’T. Since the Waterfords didn’t know he was an Eye, to them, he was still just a Driver. Serena, as a result, was higher in power than Nick was. He HAD to do as she said, he wasn’t allowed to say no. He was below Serena in ranks.

• Let’s not even get into the several times Nick’s attempted to help June escape Gilead because we’ll be here all day.

• Now, when it comes to Eden. Keep in mind that Nick was FORCED to marry Eden against his will. And it was not a promotion, it was punishment for Nick being concerned for June’s mental health when she sank into the “Offred” role halfway through Season 2. Even still, he did his best to be kind and respectful to Eden even though he did not want to have sex with her because she was a literal CHILD. The only reason he ended up doing so was because June told him to do it or he would die and, even so, he was disgusted afterwards. People said he was an absolute asshole to Eden when he caught her with the Jezebel’s letters. And those people forget that it was because they were letters for MAYDAY. If Eden had actually read them, Nick and everyone who’d written them would have been utterly fucked. That was the only time we’ve ever see Nick outwardly being a prick to a woman but it was out of fear, not because he hated Eden.

• And now Nick being promoted to a Commander rank. It was punishment. Nick helped June and Holly try to escape Gilead (succeeded with Holly, failed with June) and held Fred at gunpoint so he wouldn’t report it. Because of this, Fred punished him by “promoting” him to Commander and sending him to the front lines to die. He failed miserably, of course, because fuck Fred.

• I know Nick arrested June in Season 4 but the reason he sent himself to do it was because he KNEW June wouldn’t listen to anyone else and would get herself killed. By sending himself and murmuring to her, “I’m trying to keep you alive,” he convinced her and she saved herself.

• The Chicago bombing. Nick was horror struck when Putnam ordered him to do that. Because he knew June was there, he absolutely did not want to go through with it. Also, when he was trying to figure out where June was through the two Marthas, he was kind and respectful to them and treated them like people. The Marthas, in return, did not fear him and talked to him casually and without worry.

• The second June escaped, Nick did everything he could and even risked his life to put together that file on Hannah even though he felt like he’d never see June or his daughter again. Keep that in mind.

• Nick HELPED ORCHESTRATE Fred’s murder with the prisoner exchange. Everyone seems to forget that.

• When Tuello came to Gilead with Serena, Nick immediately tried to get any information he could about June and Holly and, later on, when June was nearly killed by the truck, Nick broke and agreed to spy on Gilead for the Americans. Her near-death was his breaking point and he nearly got himself killed afterwards by punching Lawrence.

• When June came to Nick in No Man’s Land to plead with him to save Luke and Moira, he did so WITHOUT HESITATION. He literally shot down two Guardians just to save them and June even though he hated to have to do so (because he was NOT a violent and dishonest man as June said in 6x10).

• Oh AND when June called him and asked him to get the letters from Jezebel’s, he did so. Again, WITHOUT HESITATION. And that ended up being Nick’s downfall in the end.

But no, all of that is thrown out the window all because of one shitty writing decision to make him into a big bad villain in the latter half of Season 6 even though that is not Nick’s character at all. Now, he’s saying shitty lines like, “Guess you decided to join the winners,” and listening to Rose to “end her [June].”

That is not Nick Blaine. Nick Blaine is a man who would have done everything and anything in his heart to protect June and keep her safe, a man who was MAYDAY since damn near the beginning when the first Offred took her life, a man who spied on COMMANDERS and got them arrested often, a man who was nothing but kind and respectful to women in Gilead (even Serena), and a man who did not deserve the utter character assassination given to him in the final five episodes of the show.

Fuck Season 5 and ESPECIALLY Season 6 for what they did to the characters, logic, writing, and Nick Blaine. Fuck Bruce Miller and Elisabeth Moss for thinking it was a good idea. Seasons 5 & 6 are no longer canon in my eyes.

To those who were just as heartbroken as me by direction they took the show, you’re not crazy. You’re valid in having those feelings. The showrunners gaslit us into questioning Nick’s choices throughout the show but we’re smarter than that. We actually WATCHED the show and paid attention. We’re not stupid. If you ever want to rewatch The Handmaid’s Tale, just end it at Season 4. THAT was a good ending.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[mimorobo]

OK SOOO- since the deltarune chapter 3 and 4 have been announced, i feel like asking some questions because i think im hyperactive right now-

-what's your favorite deltarune character? -do you prefer chapter 1 or 2? -favorite deltarune song? -when did you find out about deltarune? -did you fought jevil or spamton? (and if so, was it hard?) -what do you think that's coming in the new chapters?

ok uhh yeah sorry bye-

RAGHHGFS IM ALSO SUPER EXCITED I DON'T BLAME YOU!!!

OKOK I'll try my best to answer these...

- fav character? That's a hard one... I love the main three a lot, Lancer too!! Also characters like Queen, Jevil and Spamton, they're so randomly hilarious and cool!! But I'd probably go for Susie or Ralsei? I can't choose!!!!

- ughhhggffdmmm hmmmm ok so I love how chapter 1 sets up the whole game and introduces everything, but I really love chapter 2 with all the cutscenes and new characters (Noelle and Berdy) in the darkworld!! I think I'll choose chapter 1 tho? It felt really amazing playing it for the first time! Also Suzie character development 👌

- NOT THE SONGS I CAN'T CHOOSE THEY'RE ALL SO GOOD!! Ok, BUUUUT, Beginning literally made me tear up, best intro song ever. Same goes for A Cybers World, the synced dodging and the beat drop stunned me like crazy... But then of course the boss fights!!? SO COOL!!? Also that one really short piece when Kris is sealing a fountain... I feel like I've been enlightened and have found pure awesomeness...

- ok and me finding out about Deltarune is pretty weird, confused memories. BUT I know I thought it was another UT AU! XD, I saw a comic and only now am I realising it was set in Deltarune!! Teenage Asriel was there, there was a mixed up Chara Frisk?? (Yeah Kris) Toriel and Asgore were still together and THEY WERE ALL ON THE SURFACE!?? Then I saw it was a real game and found it on steam and ACCIDENTALLY got it. Not even kidding I don't know how but it DOWNLOADED ITSELF I clicked something I don't know??? Was super scared and excited, especially with that starting stuff XD

This was definitely a good year AFTER I found out about Undertale I think...

- yes I did fight both of them!! So proud of myself cuz I didn't need to look up anything on how to fight/find them!! XD They were hard, but really fun too!! I have great memories from the Spamton fight cuz I was kinda stuck on him, then my sibling came and we joined forces to defeat him!! I was dodging the bullets, sib was shooting. I tell you that made it one of the best and coolest battles ever!! and we did it FIRST TRY!!! (We also kept having turns with the headphones to listen to the music!! I kept yapping that the Dummy theme was in there!!?)

- OK I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S COMING SERIOUSLY, with the new trailer tho, all I know is that it looks AWESOME!! (Of course it does!!) Buuuuut, i hope every chapter brings a new pair of characters into the darkworld (like Susie, Kris in chapter 1, Noelle, Berely in chapter 2) maybe more too!! I'd LOVE to see Toriel in the darkworld!! I'm almost 99.8% sure that she Has to be there in chapter 3... (Maybe Undyne too??) I think there might be a bit of insight into the whole Asgore leaving the police force situation, or I'd hope so... I doubt we'll get a Who's the Knight reveal yet.. :(

But apart from speculation I know there'll be epic boss fights, funny cutscenes, AWESOME NEW CHARACTERS AND MUSIC and moments which will probably make me want to rip my heart out and throw in a puddle and cry and eat chalk and moss for the rest of my life.

I CAN'T WAIT!! :D

[randomrecsknifedrawer]

OPLA Zosan Fics (P2)

Worse Fates by 9_of_Clubs

“Get out.” Zoro tries to snarl, but his voice trembles.

“Get out.” Sanji chortles, above him. Dark humor laces through the words, laughing but laugh-less, and worry drenches into them, doesn’t bother to disguise itself. “Can you believe this guy?” He asks the ceiling.

---

Or, often, pain gets worse at night. Or, can there ever be enough wound tending, really? Or, I read about Sanji's other backstory and couldn't resist a little kiss of angst. Another little coda to the OPLA finale.

Word Count: 1,763  - Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Wound Tending, Touch Starved, OPLA

orange peels and sips of gin by caddigan

"So it’s no surprise that Luffy eventually comes up with the idea of a crew bonding activity- truth or dare. Zoro manages to get drinks on the agenda as well, so now all five crew members lay spread out beneath the deck in the mess hall, lights dim and conversation raucous."

truth or dare is, in hindsight, a horrible idea.

Word Count: 4,003 - Fluff, Team As a Family, Truth or Dare, Bickering, OPLA

Not Special by socksock **accounts only

The Strawhats are a group of huggers. And Zoro's fine with it. Except when it's the waiter.

Word Count: 9,843 - Idiots to Lovers, Flirting, OPLA, Mature

You'll whisper lies to me (and one of them will be true) by Anonymous

Sanji introduces Zoro to Two Truths and a Lie. He only ever plays with Zoro, and all his lies are shit.

(Alternatively: Sanji subjects himself to the mortifying ordeal of being known by Zoro. He does everything in his power to ensure Zoro doesn't realize that's what's happening.)

Word Count:  5,277 - Drinking Games, Miscommunication, Getting to Know Each Other, OPLA

lovefool by olgaphobia

“You're trying to distract me,” Zoro says.

Sanji hums, drops his head onto Zoro's shoulder, and feels his own pain, feels Zoro's intake of breath. Sits there, kinda sleepy now, Usopp making snuffling noises horizonal on the other side of the table, and Zoro very warm under his cheek. Maybe he is too drunk, because his eyes are closing and his breathing is evening out, and the hurt isn't that much, anymore, can barely feel it at all.

“You little shit,” Zoro says eventually.

Sanji grins to himself, says more to Zoro’s neck, “You think?"

/ / /

The many loves of Sanji's life.

Alternatively: Of course he's fucking with him.

Word Count: 9,110 - Getting Together, Idiots in Love, Character Study, Food Metaphors, OPLA

Understanding by kairiSparda

Zoro still recovering from his injury doesn't really understand the Waiter from the Baratie.

Sanji the only one with some experience in injury treatment feels the need to help him recover, after all he can't leave his dear captain without his moss for brains first mate.

Word Count: 3,350 - Injury Recovery, Pre-Relationship, Character Study, OPLA

[flighter312]

I dunno if ya do asks or not. But, looking at your KronFau parents au with Ceci is just making me think of baby Ame just randomly coming home with an automaton

KF: whatcha got there?

Ame, half dragging a semi unwinded Ceci: mud!!

HI im late because i never really check tumblr, and i dont know how to do asks in general so i hope this works, but im taking a small break from drawing rn, HOWEVER i will give you this brainrot that turned out to be longer than i expected but i need to yap

an kronfau parents, baby ame au where maybe ame is very ""isolated"" from her peers (probably due to being constantly dirty and having a fascination with small living creatures and being a completely yapper over them(takes after fauna)), so shes used to playing by herself

you didnt specify what type of age cece would have, so im choosing to imagine she appears to be a few years older than ame (spoiler: kronii learns mechanics and always fixes cece up so she also ages with ame, but thats later on)

but maybe kfa moves to a secluded area because they are not made for the city (no matter how much kronii wishes they were), but fauna's happy because at least theres a cottage, and ame's happy because they live near a creek which means DIRT! AND BUGS! AND SNAKES- (and kronfau has a heart attack the first time ame brings one in)

but theyve gotten a little used to ame bringing in lots of creatures (which she eventually has to say bye bye to on the porch because kf is NOT hosting bugs in this home)

however, one day ame is following maybe a tiny spider and ventures off a little more than she's used to, narrating her whole journey, maybe like-

Mama said not to go too far without permission! BUT- she didn't specify who's! [in a high voice] "Ame, can i have YOUR permission to go off beyond the river? (a one foot wide stream of water)" [in a deep voice] "Why, yes Ame! But only if you bring back something fun in return!" [normal voice] "Well, if you say so!" and she skips along and splashes through the puddles

of course, the creek looks the same (but ame NEVER gets lost! right...?), and maybe ame shouldn't have lost track of the (tiny) river, but uh, its fine! eventually mama fauna will call out to her and she'll use her voice to come back home-

and then she trips on a rock.

but then its a very weird rock. like.. weeeiiiiirrd. like. a leg- OH MY GOD

oh no need to worry, its still attached to its person- OH MY GOD

ame probably hides behind a tree or something but after nothing happens, she decides to grab a stick and poke the person. still, nothing happens, so ame decides, yup! thats safe! and inspects it, and what do yknow? this person has "one of em windy- thingies" on their head, and ame knows what to do with that!

so she ends up carefully grabbing it, and then twisting it! or trying. but it doesnt budge. so ame thinks-

"Mum's super strong. What does she do before lifting heavy things...?" And she widens her stance- "ALL IN THE LEGS BABY-"

and the key finally budges and ame falls onto the person's lap. and when she looks up, the thing looks back at her and- OH MY GOD!!!

a friend!!

and ame introduces herself and the robot asks her if she could wind her more, but ame says its too heavy (she tries again, to no avail), but she knows someone SUPER strong!! (mum kronii, of course), and they can ask her for help!

"Where is she then?" "...Good question!"

but ame knows because ame NEVER gets lost and ... ames lost. but its okay! because right on time, fauna starts calling out for ame. however, it sounds like the voice is coming all around them, and.. it appears ame's plan is falling apart. but ame doesn't panic! she NEVER panics! especially when its gonna get dark soon, and ame's afraid of the dark, and shes all alone in this big forest creek whatever-

but she's not alone.

and when this strange person robot windy toy asks if ame is trying to find the voice, ame says yes, because her moms taught her to not lie (and she doesnt feel like lying right now).

so, moss peels away, cobwebs fall apart, and leaves rustle towards the ground - and ame's friend stands up.

next thing you know, kronii's getting ready to go out into the creek because fauna's getting worried that ame hasn't showed up, until ame calls out-

"MAMA! LOOK WHAT I FOUND!" "Oh, thank goodness, my heart- ... Amelia. What is that." and uh oh! fauna told ame to try and not get dirty today! (she says that everyday, but whos keeping track) but still, ame can't really lie in this scenario, so- "Mud!!"

and kronii and fauna just stare at this robot girl because. what. the fuck.

"Kronii! No cursing!" "I THINK THIS ONCE I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO."

and wouldn't you know it. kronfau adopts another daughter.

something like that :) hope this is fine! also sorry for being late, i really dont check tumblr but i should more often! this is fun haha