#myth of the five suns

[thedeceasedgod]

HOKY SHIT I ACTUALLY FINISHED A PROJECT also my effort on each drawing was directly proportional to how much igaf

Anyways I’m not sure if this counts as angst but LOOK PAPA TLALOC

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

I think awhile back you did glamrocks x child reader (platonic) saying their first words but I saw you didn't do the same with Sun and Moon,sooo could you possibly do sun and moon aswell pls?

-Greek myth anon 📜

Aw you remember those? They're ancient haha.

Here were those hcs for anyone who wants to read them

...........

Sun

"Sun! Bye-bye!"

At first, he didn't think much of it when you spoke, waving goodbye and going back to the tables after handing you over to your parent(s).

Yet they went up to him, and at first he thought they had a serious complaint.

Or maybe he accidentally gave them the wrong child.

But after revealing that you just said your first words, including his name, it clicks in his mind and he's SUPER overjoyed, bouncing on his heels and grinning.

"Oh my gosh I am SO proud of you, starshine!!" He coos, shaking your tiny little hands. "Keep up the great work!!"

If you ever come back to the Pizzaplex when you're older, he's never gonna let you forget that.

Moon

"M...Moon!"

"Yes, little firefly. I'm.....what's that look for?"

Moon stares at your bewildered guardian, who has to explain that they've been trying to get you to say your first words for weeks now, without much success.

You refused to say "Freddy" no matter how many times they've taken you to see him for photo-ops and events. Not even the bear himself could encourage you.

Yet within five seconds of meeting Moon for the first time...you said his name and were eager to go with him.

He's kinda shocked that you weren't immediately scared of him like all the other toddlers.

But he's happy (and definitely smug about it, bragging to Sun 100%).

"The children may like you more...but have any of them ever said their first word was "Sun"? I don't think so~"

[toastedclownery]

...Wait a second

[mythological-mayhem]

Tezcatlipoca: Is this a good idea?  Tezcatlipoca: Probably not.  Tezcatlipoca: Do I care?  Tezcatlipoca: No.

[nurizziee]

Hi, friend 👋

I hope you are well, My name is Janeursural from Gaza, with great sadness I am reaching you today to help move my family members from Gaza to Egypt, My family's situation is getting worse day by day. My mother has an injured foot and needs care and treatment. She has severe pain in her foot, but there is no treatment or care available, and my nieces need milk and food.

Death is facing us every moment😭, I have created a fundraiser to get financial  help, please Donate whatever you can if it is $10,$20,$30,$40,$50 it will make a big difference in our journey.

Spread my story, And Reblog it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart🙏🍉🍉🍉

Vetted by @fallahfag

🍉🍉🍉

[chase-omega]

Thinking about that new Journey to the West game about Sun Wukong made me remember that Scott Cawthon once made an RPG out of The Pilgrim's Progress. What Journey to the West was for Buddhism, The Pilgrim's Progress was for Christianity. I think with all of the experience Scott gained making all the FNAF games, he could remake his Pilgrim's Progress game into something really amazing today.

If not him, then perhaps a dedicated fan group could take a swing at it.

I can dream.

[proxycrit]

What if I redesigned some horses to fit MY favorite narrative trope: fallen gods and forgotten myths of old? Anyways.

Twilight’s mentor is a strange one. In a world of twilit planes forever shrouded in mystery, the older unicorn Lest and her adopted student Twilight are one in many common travelers, migrating the pitted wastelands and eeking survival within settlements that spring up around the glowing meteor shards. Despite living with Lest for the last four years, Twilight can’t help but seek answers to where her brother has gone— and in the process, perhaps dig a bit too deeply into the complexities of gods far older and dangerous then she can truly fathom.

On the otherhand, Celestia “Lest” Sol is having a terrible millenium. Her sister is no longer her sister, her student teleported herself halfway across the continent, and she got herself kidnapped by an old rival trying to attune with the elements of harmony to overthrow the current ruler of Equestria.

At least she gets a toxic yuri moment.

Meanwhile, Chrysalis is having a great time. She’s got kingdoms to conquer and people to feed and a waning god to taunt.

(The Selene Grace hates the sun monarch they deposed five centuries ago as they stay chained to their post, keeping the lunar and solar bodies from crashing into each other. Luna misses her sister, and the easier world where they haven’t hurt each other beyond reparation. Nightmare Moon misses their monstrosity, trapped in a host who’s grief has poisoned them with empathy.

Things are bound to tip. The celestial bodies are not bodies, but prisons, and the amalgamations we call alicorns the key. And something desperately wants to be freed…)

Anyways:

My mane 6 redesign here!

And my luna and celestia redesigns here!

[joonsytip]

Only for Love || Mingyu - Part 1

Pairings: Mingyu x Fem!Reader

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Smut, Husband!Mingyu, Cold Wife!Reader, Arranged Marriage au, Contract Marriage au, Divorce au

Synopsis: When an accidental discovery has your perception of happy married life crumbling down, you do what you think is the best for everyone involved. Naturally, your opinion of the best doesn't cater to your husband's. So what happens when things spiral out due to unforeseen events?

Warnings: This part is SFW, Reader is cold & blunt but also shy, Mingyu is gullible and impulsive, lack of communication, profanities, heartbreak, breakup alluding to emotional cheating.

Word Count: 6.5k

[ SVT Masterlist ] [ SVT Flick - Fic Masterlist ]

Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Epilogue

The sun is shining brightly in the clear sky with white, fluffy clouds drifting across in it. Just like the clouds, Mingyu has been drifting away in his pool of thoughts. As he sips his favourite beverage which he decided to get before starting work for the day, the smile on his lips never leaves.

Life has been good to Mingyu lately. His boss has boosted to him about the surety of him being promoted to the Head of Brand Marketing, a position he has been eyeing for a long time, which would also mean an upgrade in paycheck so he could contribute more in the care of his parents, pampering his sister a bit more even though they have always been content.

A notification breaks his blissful reverie and the contact name on the screen widens the stretch of his lips. It's a text from Sora, his girlfriend of five years. But his lips curl down as he reads the message stating she's extending her stay at her home for some reasons again, for the third time. A frown sits on his face at the thought of spending another series of nights in his empty shared apartment without being in the embrace of the love of his life.

Mingyu wears his heart on his sleeves. He can be defined as a pure romanticist, an absolute sentimentalist. He's liked by everyone. Apart from sculpted physique and height, he's lovable because of his nature as well.

It's a daily routine, he walks into his workplace and a swarm of bee like people come to greet him, some wanting just a glimpse of him, some wanting to get running guidance on how to maintain work-life balance, others just to confirm that Kim Mingyu isn't just a myth but an actual existence.

It's also evident that Mingyu is popular not only because of looks but also how he always helps his coworkers, a great leader to his subordinates, an outstanding resource to his bosses and a reliable asset to the company. The year-end performance evaluation knocks around the corner and everyone is busy to clock details, set the impression right. Mingyu has a good feeling about it.

He isn't much of a private person, he flaunts everything he is proud of, never to rub off arrogantly but with a sincere smile and soft eyes. But only his family and group of close friends know that he's planning to propose to Sora once she returns, that he has already bought the ring that sits hidden in his apartment closet.

After work, he decides to visit the Game Parlour where he can't be dimed as a regular but he definitely visits it often. Mingyu had a knack for gaming since childhood, he was a pro gamer during his university days often being called to participate in the championships, winning many of them. Though he would have loved a career in the gaming industry but that teenage boy wasn't courageous enough to take the risk.

The first thing he seeks after logging into his gaming account is for a specific Id. As soon as he sees the green dot beside he puts on his headphone and pings in the chatbox.

phoenix_726 is another gamer whom no matter what Mingyu is never able to beat nowadays. He always bags the second position and when they team up, it's a given no other can be the winner.

Mingyu often throws banter to the gamer, to whom he assumes is another closely aged man from the voice he has heard while gaming. They stay anonymous to each other and share bits and frustrations of life. No one else knows but Mingyu has another friend in form him, whom he ocassionally confides in, there's an sense of goodfaith. Having a great sense of humour and gaming skills, he definitely helps Mingyu shake off his worries and have a good time. So Mingyu casually slips that he's gonna propose to his long time girlfriend soon and invites him to the wedding already. All giddy, he says he can't wait for the day to come.

Mingyu is a crying mess when that day finally comes. He's inconsolable. He feels like his world has collapsed. Not only did Sora slap a rejection to his proposal, she also had admitted to emotional cheating on him before leaving. Another batch of fresh tears stream down his cheeks when he remembers her words from before.

"I'm sorry Gyu, I can't do this anymore.", Sora says urging him to be off his knees, closing off the ring box, "I don't love you anymore, I've outgrown you."

Mingyu stands frozen. He can't believe his ears, none of the people present believe what they're hearing.

"I had gone back home to take a break from everything, to sort out my feelings. Your presence was overwhelming, it was suffocating me.", she says tearily, "And I realised a lot of things. The reason I kept delaying my return is because I was preparing myself to tell you the truth."

Mingyu snaps out and quickly grabs her hands, "I'm sorry. Please give me another chance, I'll be better.", he swears in tears, "I'd not bother you much, let's start afresh, I'm willing to do everything you want me to.", he begs, "Please, just don't leave me. I love you, I can't live without you."

Sora's sobs echo throughout the venue, "I can't, I have developed feelings for someone else. So please let's end it."

That served as the last nail in the coffin. Mingyu stands straight looking at her and says in hollow voice, "Go. Empty the apartment before I get back. And never show yourself again."

"Come on buddy, let's go my to place.", says Jeonghan, trying to get Mingyu up but failing nonetheless, "What are you doing? Come help me.", he side-eyes and hisses at Soonyoung.

The said man quickly scrumbles on his feet and they both manage to take him to the car.

"Seokmin & Hansol have gone to drop uncle, aunt & Minhee. And now we'll head to my place not Jeonghan's.", Junhui says as he waits in the driver seat patiently for the other three to settle in, ignoring the protests from Jeonghan.

Mingyu takes a whole week off, which is something he has never done before. He also hasn't got his heart crushed before so....

The guys regularly check upon him, dropping by casually. There are some calls from his family and they always keep it short. Everyone hopes for him to be okay but the pain in his chest never subdues. The whole apartment reeks of Sora. The memories flash before his eyes and he hates that he wants them back, wants to go back to the time when they were happy, when there was only love and bliss. He checks his phone every now and then in hopes of getting a text or call from Sora saying it was a mistake and she wants him back but that never happens.

Mingyu thinks he might die from this heartache.

But he tries, tries his best to go on with his life. People notice the change in his demeanor but they don't pry because of the respect they have for him.

Seokmin, one of his closest friends and also colleague visits his cabin to check upon him.

"You don't have to babysit me, Min.", Mingyu sighs as he looks at the chocolate box, his friend places on his table.

"I'm not, Min. But you don't exactly look good currently and I'm afraid more people will come for me now that my rival is lacking.", Seokmin dictates dramatically.

Mingyu laughs, "Yeah sure. The throne is all yours. Don't you have work?"

To that Seokmin instantly deflates, "I'm knees deep in work.", and looks at him with expectant eyes, "We're gonna crash at Jeonghan's tonight."

"Oh, does he know that we're gonna crash at his place for the whole weekend?", Mingyu snorts already knowing the answer.

"Why does he have to know?", Seokmin says, "We're just gonna barge at his place, that guy's bitchless so that shouldn't be a problem--"

Seokmin bites his tongue but it's already late.

"So am I", Mingyu tries to joke smiling sadly and looks at him, "You don't need to feel bad, I'm getting used to it."

The second betrayal comes to him in succession and rather quickly after a month and half later, when in the year-end evaluation it was announced that it's not him but Kim Hanjun, the relative of someone who works in a higher slash powerful position, gets promoted as the Head of Brand Marketing. His hardwork and dedication gets defeated against connections.

Since that day, Mingyu is a changed person within the work space. Once a bubbly personality now is nothing but aloof employee who comes to office and is off his desk as soon as the work hours are over. He doesn't indulge in conversations or attend adhoc works. He already has a resignation letter drafted and saved in his laptop.

Kim Mingyu wishes nothing but misery for the people who have wronged him. He wants nothing but healing for himself.

Your trained gaze alone is enough to send the person lining infront of you six feet under.

"I gave you a whole month to come up with the concept of character design and you bring this to the table.", your tone is dangerously low, "Am I supposed to show this to the Design Director?"

The girl is sweating, as she manages to speak, "I-I'm sorry, I'll get back to you with new inputs."

"How long?", you ask.

"A week. I'll make sure to complete it in a week.", she says with scared eyes.

You sigh, taking your glasses off, "We have a deadline, keep that in mind. You can reach out to Kwon Soonyoung of Art and Naration Department for guidance. Don't bother him much, he's a busy man."

Before she leaves, you add, "Mail me the initial drafts and also coordinate with Dowon, the main characters should complement each other in the terms of their appearance, weapons etc."

Your walking out of the cabin, silences the whole office. As you pass by, all people do is bow to you, they never dare to look at you, nor do they dare to strike a conversation.

Neither are you interested in indulging in any kind of talks with these people who are plain gossipers and can only think of judging people by materialistic bases.

'Ice Princess', that's the cliche nickname you've acquired, which still confuses you but you could care less. All you could care about is work and getting it done.

The day continues and it's during the lunch hour that you get a call from your uncle. And you'd have never imagined, this meet-up would lead him to say something so bizarre, something that would change your life.

"You're getting married.", he says, with all seriousness making your stomach churn.

And before you could open your mouth, he continues, "Trust me this once. You know I would never compromise your happiness with anything less."

Next day, you suddenly find yourself sitting in front of the guy you're supposed to marry.

It's strange and beyond awkward, with neither of you clearly having no idea of what to talk about, where to start and above all how did it come down to something like this.

"Did my uncle threaten you to marry me?", you stay poised, voice stone cold, eyes looking out through the window glass.

Mingyu almost chokes on air but he's quick to regain composure, "Well hello to you too and no, he didn't."

"Then why did you agree on marrying a stranger? I'm sure you don't even know me."

Mingyu sighs, "You should know that your uncle is one of the Senior Executives in the company I work for and I respect him a lot. When he came to me with the proposal, I was taken aback but you sure are beautiful and independent and I have been also meaning to settle down so I couldn't find myself refusing it."

You scoff, "Do you know what you're getting into? I'm not easy to handle, I'm more than capable of making you rip out your hairs."

You continue further, "I don't treat the concept of marriage as some sort of joke or treaty where two involved parties would make a deal or whatever. Uncle has been nagging since forever asking me to get married but I have been pushing it back because...", your voice drops and gaze wavers, "Nevermind. I'm not doing it."

Mingyu gasps at your words before gruffing out, "No please, give me a chance. Look, I have been in a rough patch for past months. I want this marriage to happen just not to bridge connections or to push through any other motives, I want to start afresh."

You squint your eyes at him, "Doesn't sound sincere at all. But I trust uncle and he must have a solid reason if he chose you and you're good looking so it's a bonus. Hence, I'm willing to give it a chance."

You get up from your seat and walk up to him, one hand on the table, other on the armrest of his chair. Hovering over you say, "Kim Mingyu, I have already warned you, if I find any discrepancy after getting married, you'll be a dead meat. I can tolerate anything but betrayal."

Mingyu instantly breaks in cold sweat.

"You're gonna do what?", Minhee asks, in case she has heard it all wrong from her brother.

Mingyu sweeps his gaze across the faces of his parents, his sister and all his friends. They all echo the same expression, they all are utterly dumbfounded.

"I'm getting married", he repeats again, "to Lee Y/N."

"And who's that?", asks his father.

"What do you mean by getting married so suddenly?", this time his mother raises her voice, "Aren't you still silently moping over that girl?"

Silence falls upon the room, until Soonyoong's loud gasp erupts through the room.

That's not something abnormal for Soonyoung to do but Mingyu exactly gets the reason behind it and gestures him to keep his mouth shut.

"Do you know her--", Jeonghan gets cut off.

"Do you have a pic of--", Hansol gets cut off.

"Did you even meet her--", Junhui gets cut off.

"Does Y/N even knows that you're marrying her?", Soonyoung is the one who gets to finish his question.

Mingyu heaves a breath after getting bombarded with non stop questions. His head spins and he hasn't even started yet.

Seokmin is unusually quiet. There's seriousness ghosting him which is rare. Once Mingyu goes out to send off his family, it's Seokmin who tells the others about the whole situation because apart from Mingyu and your uncle, he's the only one who has the grasp of the situation to the fullest.

When Mingyu returns he sees a bunch of disappointed faces except one. Soonyoung is eyeing him with uncertainty, something one could mistake as remotely scare.

"I think Soonyoung needs a breather.", Junhui says, "Because he works with Y/N, not directly but he knows her well enough."

The said man throws a very curious gaze at Mingyu saying, "Nothing is making sense to me. You two are polar opposites, Gyu. And not the kinds that fit in the criteria of opposite attracts."

"I don't support it.", Jeonghan retorts, "This is wrong. If this ever gets out, you're so gonna regret it."

"I have made up my mind.", Mingyu tells him with all certainty, "This wedding is going to happen and I'm not letting anything get in the way to my happiness anymore."

And that's how the preparations of the wedding starts.

You and your uncle meet Mingyu and his family. Though you had expected it to be another one of the awkward meetings but it turns out rather pleasing. His family is welcoming, especially his younger sister, Minhee. While everyone inside discusses the date of engagement and wedding, Mingyu slips you out of the conversation.

You both take a stroll in the neighborhood.

"How was it, meeting them?", Mingyu asks.

You walk straight, not meeting his gaze, "I like them, they have an amiable aura surrounding them.", you suddenly halt and look at him, making him halt as well, "But not you."

Mingyu creases his brows, "You'll come to like me, that's me, I'm lovable."

You scoff, crossing over your hands, "We'll see about it."

The engagement date is set to a month later, followed by the wedding.

You gradually sink back into work and it's a relief that you don't hear from Mingyu but that's cut short when you receive a text from him a week later.

So that's how you landed in your soon to be fiancé's apartment. You sit quietly, gaze constantly sweeping back and forth on the new faces.

Mingyu takes a seat beside you and starts introducing his friends. The text Mingyu had sent primarily stated something along his friends wanting to meet you, which you had bluntly rejected. But when he called you immediately after, saying that they're his extended family and it's important for you and them to get along because it's them you're gonna have to deal with more than his own family, you scolded him for good five minutes for blocking your time during workhours before agreeing on a meet-up.

So far, you've learned that they all belong to almost same age group. Seokmin is a childhood friend who works in the same company as Mingyu, practically indicating that the two are inseparable. The rest are his friends from university days, some he acquired while playing tournaments, others from being a regular at the same game parlour etc.

Jeonghan is a lawyer and eldest among all. Junhui is a dentist and you're immediately setting an appointment with him. Hansol is a photographer who tells that he's gonna manage all the shoots starting from the engagement to the wedding.

And the last one is a very familiar face. You would rather introduce him well to the others because he works with you. And that's the reason he's seated stiff throughout.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?", you ask Soonyoung.

Yes, Soonyoung wants to say this but rather he settles with it a subtle shake of head. He breathes a silent sigh of relief when he feels your gaze off him.

"I guess Soonyoung has already made all of you aware of my reputation. But that's how I am at work.", you say smiling wide.

The rest all relax and exchange smiles before going stiff again when you add, "I'm exactly the same off work as well."

Mingyu nudges your elbow but you don't bother to look at him.

"Stop scaring them.", he says in a hushed voice and you quip back immediately.

"I'm just letting them know that I may not be the perfect sister-in-law they want or picturing me to be. When expectations are less, people on both ends won't get hurt."

The atmosphere turns rigid, the room turns silent.

"What about your parents, Y/N? Do you have any siblings--", Mingyu is late to hush Junhui's failed attempt to wave off the tension. Jeonghan is about to knock his friend's head when he remembers that Junhui was absent the last time when this topic was brought up.

"I'm sorry, Y/N.", Mingyu is quick to aplogize.

You look at a very confused Junhui and tell him, "My uncle is my only family. Sixteen years ago, I lost my parents, aunt and my cousin in a car accident. Since then it's me and uncle. We do have some distant relatives but they're not in touch. Hope this resolves your query."

Checking your watch, you get up, "I'll get going."

"So soon? Please stay till dinner", Seokmin requests, "We all have cooked for you."

Your eyes go wide for a brief moment, as you accidentally speak out your mind, "No one has ever made an effort to cook for me except my uncle."

And before you could slip out, you're almost being dragged into the dinning space. There's no denying that you haven't had this good food recently. And though you say that you've no shame but you don't meet anyone's eyes when you tell them to pack some of the leftovers for you.

You sit silently, watching the crowd, observing the people. You have just been engaged to Mingyu and though it was meant to be a private ceremony, you realised how you quantify it might be completely different from your fiancé.

The only person from your side who's attending is your uncle and it'll be the same in the wedding and all other ceremonies as well. But as you have counted there are a total of thirty people who can be deemed close by Mingyu and are attending the engagement ceremony.

And you can see that it's not a bluff. Everyone is smiling wide, dancing and singing to their hearts will. What made your heart swell once again is that you can sense how each one of them congratulated you both with goodwill and sincerity.

The corner of your lips are twitching to stretch in a smile as you watch your would-be father-in-law being successful in dragging your uncle to the dance floor. It's been long since you've seen him laugh heartily, enjoy wholly.

You wonder if that's what having a family feels like. To be always surrounded by the people you love, who loves you unconditionally. To always have someone to lean onto. The trauma has led you to suppress the memories but you do remember vaguely something similar, a familiar backdrop, smiling faces and warmth.

Your heart suddenly constricts within your chest and you find yourself in the balcony catching breaths. Staring into the abyss of darkness, you don't notice the tears those stream down your face.

"Found ya.", you hear your now fiancé's voice and as he situates beside you. You try to discreetly wipe away the tears but Mingyu sees it.

He doesn't evade your space though, he just stands beside you, speaking nothing which is unlikely but you get what he's conveying and you're thankful to him.

The pre-wedding shoot is a headache, you think. You should be working on finalizing the designs and launch dates of the game but rather you're here at a beach, all dolled up and in a beautiful dress, hues matching to the shirt Mingyu's wearing.

You hate how warm the weather is. You hate how calming the sounds of sea waves are. You hate how soothing the gentle breeze is. You hate how beautiful Mingyu is looking just donning a polo shirt and chinos.

"You're staring a little too hard."

You get startled and crane your neck to see Hansol now changing some settings in his camera with a teasing smile on his lips.

Clearing your throat, you ask, "How long would it take?"

"For how long do you want it to go on?", Hansol enquires back and you want to duck his water underwater for acting smart with you.

A lot of things happen during the shoot. The remarkable ones are you being too shy to hold an eye contact with Mingyu for which you knew you're gonna get teased. Mingyu being scared off by some bugs, shouting, cowering behind you which settles the score, neither of you are getting teased by the other. You are almost whacking Hansol every time he takes a little too long to click the shots when you both are posing, smiling ear to ear, arms linked or hugging each other.

"I'll kill your friend.", you say through gritted teeth while smiling.

Mingyu controls his laugh as his eyes turn into slits, "Be my guest."

Hansol suggests a shot where Mingyu is standing in the water as waves graze his feet while he's cradle carrying you in his arms.

"We're done for now!", Hansol shouts, "Let's get going to the next location."

You immediately link your arms strongly around his neck when Mingyu tries to settle you down.

"My legs are aching.", you say resting your face on his shoulder, so that he doesn't get to see your face.

Mingyu squints his eyes, saying teasingly, "I thought you didn't like me?"

"Correct. I don't like you", you tell him, "I'm tired. Plus what's the use of those muscles if you can't carry me?"

Mingyu doesn't reply rather he sprints towards the rest of the people making you scream for you life as you hold him tighter.

The whole team cheers and shouts and Hansol does what he does best, takes thousands shots of you both throughout.

You open your eyes to hushed murmurs and coos only to find all eyes on you as you wake up nestled in Mingyu's chest as he's still sleeping unaware of the disastrous, as you would state, state you both are in. Your gentle push wakes him up and they inform that they're at Mingyu's address and he drops off by asking Hansol to take you home safely.

"He's good guy, Y/N.", Hansol says as the van heads towards your location, "Not saying because I'm his friend but genuinely, he's keeper."

You just give a subtle nod, choosing not to say anything.

You hate your personal space being evaded but for some reasons it's tolerable as you watch your would-be mother-in-law cooking in the kitchen of your apartment while Minhee aids her.

You stand quietly by the counter, eyes quizzically moving along with the movements of the two people present along with you.

"I have cooked enough for you to last a week.", Mingyu's mother tells you, "Stop eating those instant, frozen, junk food.", she says unimpressed as she clears out the cupboards.

"Don't tell him that I said this but my brother's a great cook, have him cook for you both everyday.", Minhee telltales.

The three of you have chat where they're the ones mainly speaking and you become an ardent listener. It feels nice, you think, to have people care for you, to evade your space when you say you hate it but actually want them to have around you.

That night when they try to head off back to home, you don't let them go, rather you insist them to stay the night and they do stay back. It's not another usual lonely night at your apartment.

Your uncle gifts you both a new apartment, ignoring your protests. He insists, you both need to start afresh, on the right foot. Jokes about your own apartments to be cool off place to crash in if you both have fights.

"Why do I have to be here?", you ask sitting unfazed along with Mingyu's friends (yours as well but you won't admit yet).

Mingyu whines, "Who else would finalize on my wedding suit? They're of no use", he points at his friends who jokingly throw hurls at him, "And I don't trust her choice.", he says pointing at his sister who's too used to his antics to be bothered.

"Such a baby", you roll your eyes, "I have a meeting at 5. Be quick."

Oh you did well in muffling the gasps every time the curtains raised and Mingyu appeared in trying the attire.

Let me buy them all, is what you wanted to say. But sadly, you had to settle for one. But Mingyu doesn't get the privilege to choose your wedding gown.

He sees you walking down the aisle along with your uncle. Mesmerizing would be an understatement he's beyond that. He is nervous and shows. You're nervous as well but as always you're a master in hiding it. The vows are exchanged and as the crowd chants, your lips meet for a brief moment.

Your uncle starts off with teary speech, making you and almost all others cry silently. You walk up to him hugging tight because he has the only constant throughout your life, raising you as his own child, to be present and cheering on you on every important event of your life.

Mingyu has a long list of people lining up for giving speeches for him but what surprises you is even though they share tales about him, they include you in bits and your heart feels at ease thinking about how you might have found a family and people you can call them as your own. Which also leads Soonyoung to get too comfortable, almost getting an earful from you in front of the guests if Mingyu didn't intervene for daring to challenge you for a gaming match with all cockiness. Man lives as if he has nine lives.

You meet his colleagues and he gets to meets yours as well. Mingyu wonders, he has been wondering for as long as he has known you that where did you seek solace on hard days. How come you had no friends, not even one. Or maybe you had, but somehow you've lost touch. He can only speculate.

The first week for the newlyweds goes by settling into the new space. Everything sets in fine and you both divide the duties. Mingyu would be in charge of cooking, you'd do the groceries and he'd join in too obviously. You'd both would be aware of the each other's whereabouts and respect the spaces.

"I'm fine with everything and I want to make this marriage work.", Mingyu's tone changes to a defensive one, "Also, please never go to my office room, no matter what.", he says pointing towards the same, "It's a request and I hope you'd respect it."

You nod understandingly, you're also not a big fan of people messing or evading into your workspace so you agree.

Mingyu has gotten used to it but not the others so when his friends gather at your home one night to catch up they're gurgling out the drinks they're having when you hear you speak.

You call Mingyu, Husband.

"Husband!", you call him seated on the couch. Ignoring the turning of heads, as soon Mingyu comes in your sight, you say, "I have ordered the takeout, none of you needs to spend time in kitchen, rather spend time with each other."

Everyone smiles wide. The rest throw a knowing glance at Mingyu. You take it as a cue to give them space and get up to leave the room.

"I'll take a walk outside. Have fun catching up.", you say stoicly, already beelining towards the passage, "Will be back once the food arrives."

"You're one of us, Y/N. We don't need any space but if you do, then please go ahead..", Jeonghan says making you stop in tracks.

You turn back and sweep gaze among the faces, specially your husband's for any disagreement and when you find his pleading eyes, you see yourself beelining back to your seat.

Work's hectic as ever and you both try to adopt into the change of lifestyle. But what's not happening is work - life balance. With the new gaming launch event nearing, you are expected to stay in the office till late. It's nothing new but something is actually new.

And that's Kim Mingyu. You're still getting used to receiving texts asking about your expected time of return, extending the offer to pick you up if needed. It's also nice to have food served on the table when you reach home.

It's warm when you sleep into the sheets quietly but your husband somehow finds you, holding you in his arms albeit of his sleepy state.

"Why are you hugging me?", you ask with your voice muffled against his chest one morning.

Mingyu has just stirred from his slumber when your voice reaches him. He gets to look at the top of your head and cranes his neck to see the tangled limbs.

"You were spooning me as soon as I got into the bed.", you further add.

His eyes widen, as he tries to untangle himself mumbling apologies, "I'm sorry. I have a habit of clinging while sleeping. I'll try to be careful from today onwards."

And he misses to notice that one of his hands circling your waist is now in your grip, "Who told you to retract?", you down your head further into his so he doesn't get to see even an inch of your face, "I was just asking."

Mingyu goes silent. He's not in love with you and he knows neither are you. But moments like this make him realise something.

He reminiscences another fairly recent memory.

"There's something bothering me.", you come into his view as he pauses the movie he was watching.

Your eyes don't meet his, "I have noticed how your parents deflate whenever I call them uncle and aunt."

Mingyu listens, unsure of where this monologue is going.

You now turn to the front facing the television, your back facing him as your voice toning down as you continue, "I know being their only daughter-in-law they have some expectations. But I'm not good at coining terms, especially the terms like mother and father since I haven't... When I haven't--", you pause sucking in a sharp breath.

Mingyu gets up and turns you to face him, "You don't have to try so hard. Be easy on yourself. There's plenty of time and my parents do understand where you're coming from. And trust they're not disappointed or anything."

And he proceeds to do the most assuring thing, he knows of. He softly pecks your forehead.

Your eyes widen and you grab his arms gaping at him.

"Do it again.", you blurt out and though he smiles a grim realisation gnaws on Mingyu.

Many of the basic acts of proximity and affection, you're experiencing them for the very first time, hence it always comes to you as a surprise. Mingyu's heart constricts in the chest because as a person who has been surrounded by love and people, he can't fathom how you have managed to live on your own, in your lone company.

You're six months into the marriage and things have changed. Changed for good, you think.

You think being in the office and being at home are not the same anymore, it does make a difference. It's not bad, having someone checking upon you. It's not all bad having someone cooking for you. It's absolutely amazing to hear someone rant out, eating your ears off about work and whatnot and not expecting any words of comfort in return.

That someone being your husband. You think your husband is bearable, maybe a little more than bearable.

Mingyu sits still with the phone in his hand as his eyes trace over the photo repeatedly. There's an ache in his heart, he can feel his chest tighten. There are tears pooling in the corner of his eyes, throat closing up suffocating him.

During the lunch break, just to kill some time Mingyu decided to scroll through his abandoned social media account, the ones he hasn't bothered to check since the breakup. And he it turned out to be a mistake as the first picture that popped up on his feed was of the one Sora posted flaunting her new man.

And as he clicks on her account, it breaks his heart to see all of the photos they've posted together or if them clicked together were gone. As if it never happened, as if none of that were true whereas his account is still all about her and their memories.

"It's time for you to delete those pics as well."

He hears Seokmin's say.

"Are you seriously wasting your energy on her?", Seokmin takes a seat beside him, "When you're married and have a such a wonderful wife waiting for you at home?"

Mingyu gives melancholic smile, "Home? Sora was my home, Min. It was supposed to be her waiting for me at the end of day."

"You're sounding like a loser. And I might throw hands at you for uttering nonsense.", Seokmin gets up abruptly making the chair screech, "Don't ruin your present by living in the past."

Dealing with you is not easy and Mingyu had decided to marry you knowing all ifs and buts. At the start it felt more like living with an uncooperative roommate. Then, as days passed he became aware of your habits. Nowadays he thinks you've become habituated to him and it's a good sign but what tires him out is it's only him who's trying.

"I got promoted, Y/N!", Mingyu says all excitedly as soon as you're back from work and into his sight.

"Oh, congratulations.", you say plainly.

He waits with expectant eyes for you to say more but you don't. You don't pat him, neither do you smile. You just simply saunter towards the shared bedroom to freshen up. Eyes turned dull, heart heavy, dejected Mingyu goes to bed empty stomach, his appetite now gone.

You're still cold, to the extent that it's freezing a strain on the relationship. You don't open up, you never appreciate his efforts openly, neither are you interested in his matters. All that matters to you is work.

"Mom was asking if we could visit them anytime soon. As you know their wedding anniversary is approaching and I was thinking if we could spend some days with them around that time?", Mingyu asks you on a call one day when you had to work at office on a weekend because of some changes in timeline.

"You can go.", you tell him, "I don't think I would be able to attend the anniversary party."

"Could you please try? It would mean a lot--"

"Mingyu, you know I can't. I'm sorry.", you say hanging up.

Mingyu doubts if he'll ever love again, he doubts if he'll ever love you. And being a person who wears his heart on his sleeves, he wants being vocal and receiving affirmations, you do neither. Though he knows there are many things which you're experiencing as a first but that doesn't justify anything when he's trying, you should try as well. He contemplates every night if made a mistake by marrying you, if he was too much consumed by greed.

The company's hosting a dinner and everyone's expected to bring a plus one. Some take the opportunity to introduce their partners to their colleagues, for others it's free dinner and socializing. For the past years Mingyu attended the event just to flaunt his partner, Sora and make her aware how much he's looked upon at his workplace. He liked the way people worshipped them, deemed them as the perfect couple, he lived for the vibe of it.

But this year though there's a lot of anticipation about him bringing his wife, Mingyu attends the party alone. He hadn't informed you about the party, simply because he doesn't want you to be here. He's still disappointed at you, plus he knows you wouldn't even care to come even if he asked so to save his dignity from another rejection he decides not to inform you. And if your uncle asks, he'd make some excuse.

The dinner party swings on and it's kinda mundane for Mingyu with Seokmin also not attending because he's out of town until he hears everyone applauding. His gaze follows the crowd when he sees your uncle entering.

And he instantly freezes on the spot when he sees you walking behind.

→ Do not copy, re-post, translate, or share any of my works on other platforms! All stories are copyrighted, joonsytip. ©️

[ofmermaidstories]

SUMMARY: The call to be a Pro Hero has never been a question—not for Katsuki Bakugou, explosive and guarded, nor for Izuku Midoriya, protective and determined, and certainly not for Shouto Todoroki, who’s family legacy hangs over him like a shadow. Years after the War that upended Hero Society, these three men have helped rebuild a path to Pro Heroism for the next generation, tentatively heralding a new era of hope. But there’s danger lurking in this rebuilt world, danger that has the power to rekindle old fears and usher in new resentments, and as the trio branch out to find and end these threats, they each encounter a new challenge along the way—colliding with someone unexpected, and falling in love.

(A Pro Hero x Reader Trilogy; in which falling in love is a random chance all at once chaotic and exhilarating and incredible, for each of the Big Three)

The premise is simple: three heroes, three fics, and three different lives to live. Named for the Katy Perry song, The One That Got Away, the In Another Life trilogy was originally intended to be a series of five stand-alone fics that evolved, fairly quickly, into what we have today: three interconnected stories that let our Reader-inserts move throughout the My Hero Academia world, and eventually find where—and who with—they belong.

Started in 2020 when the manga was still on-going, the fics have diverged from the canon Horikoshi’s given us both in small and large ways. Despite where they separate (and where the fics have to stay faithful to their own canon, now), it’s always been my hope that they read like the love letters they are—to My Hero, to the boys, and to x reader fic at large.

i’m running to your side—flying my white flag

1. surrender (whenever you’re ready) [Explicit] — ao3

93k+

Bakugou Katsuki x Reader

COMPLETED ✔️

SUMMARY: You first meet Ground Zero when he's thrown, unceremoniously, through the glass window of your florist shop.

(In which Bakugou cannot stand flowers but finds himself coming back, anyway)

i’ve been reading books of old—the legends and the myths

2. something (just like this) [Explicit] — ao3

203k+

Izuku Midoriya x Reader

COMPLETED ✔️

SUMMARY: It probably says a lot about you that your first thought on meeting Deku, international Symbol of Peace, isn't something like "Oh, wow," or, "Oh he's so nice," but is instead the un-Plus Ultra thought of, "I definitely would've bullied him, in high school."

At least until those muscles came in.

(In which Midoriya is an absolute nerd for the release of his own hero-inspired comic book series—and the artist responsible for it)

all your flaws and scars are mine

3. still (falling for you) [Explicit] — ao3

TDB

Shouto Todoroki x Reader

WIP 🕙

SUMMARY: The first time you and Shouto cross paths, he nearly drowns you.

(In which Todoroki meets a jeweller by the sea, and learns the difference between the value of the lessons he's been given—and the precious things he chooses to keep)

🚧 UNDER CONSTRUCTION 🚧

i am actively adding to and editing this section, still. if you think something is missing, or you have something you’d like included, please let me know!!! i am going through all the posts and links i do have, manually, so i may still miss something and would love a gentle reminder. 🌷

🚧 🏗️ 🧱🔨🔧🪛 🚧

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] do u think bakugou ever gets so angry his mouth misses [Readers] when they’re making out?

Katsuki’s home for once, sleeping off the last few days in the darkness of his room, cocooned.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] what type of jewellery would Bakugou gift [Reader], if any at all?

The first gift Katsuki gives you after Christmas is a pocket knife.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] merms, what are bakugou and weeds up to this christmas? :)

Katsuki wakes up before his alarm, before the sun rises—the city spread out beyond his bedroom windows like a carpet of stars.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] i miss weeds and katsuki so much 😭😭

It will be proper twilight, when they leave together; Weed's hand in the crook of his arm.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] how are weeds and katsuki?

It’s a Wednesday, a normal day, and they are figuring it out.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] petition for you to write [Reader sending] bakugou horny tweets

light it up like an ELECTRIC STRIKE ⚡️: please please PLEASE Kacchan has blocked me and muted the groupchat PLEASE, I need him to see this, please just send him this ONE THING, PLEASE!!!!!

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] would [it] be important to bakugou for [his parents and weeds] to meet?

Masaru will just scratch the side of his nose under his glasses and think about a younger Mitsuki, who literally would not take no for an answer from him—and a younger Katsuki, who had the same laser-focus when it came to the things he wanted in his life.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] i am asking for royal au + florist au for [weeds/bakugou]

In his armour still, his forest-green cape, Ser Bakugou is dressed for war—solid and imposing as he stands on your threshold.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [SJLT] what does [Reader] post [to instagram]? + [SWYR] things weeds would post

The one consistent has been art, good, bad and middling.

[ASK/DRABBLE 📖] [IAL] it’s so cute that SWYR’s reader is a fan of SJLT’s comic

Kacchan has never asked for anything from Izuku—beyond that he doesn’t look down on him (beyond that Izuku live).

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] katsuki keeps a pot of strawberries for you in his kitchen;

When they finally fruit he’s disgruntled.

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] katsuki’s quieter than usual

So you wait. You let him have his silence, and you fill the space around it with your own presence.

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] he tells me he’s gentle when he wants to be—

The bed dipping under Katsuki’s weight wakes you.

[DRABBLE 📖] [SWYR] you and bakugou walk home in the rain

“Y’re meant to go home, dipshit,” he says, disapproving

[DRABBLE 📖] [SJLT] bad touch (you and me)

Minoru’s skeleton nearly fists itself out of his asshole when a voice behind him says, “That was a kindness you just did, for Midoriya.”

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] if you were to write surrender today, do you think anything would change?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] what would have been the moment bakugou knew he had it bad for surrender's reader?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] what do weeds and bakugou fight about? and how do they apologise?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] do you think bakugou ever feels like weeds would be better off without him? :(

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] have you ever written/imagined Kirishima’s POV [throughout the fic]?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] how does bakugou and haru’s relationship progress?

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] idk if you meant her to come off in this way, but [Reader] strikes me as [lonely]

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] i’m literally going to throw up from excitement if you actually make a bakuweeds oneshot collection

[ASK ❔] [SWYR] i am vibrating in my boots with excitement about the [SWYR] one-shot series!

[ASK ❔] [SJLT] did you have any inspiration for the kimono Reader is wearing in SJLT?

[ASK ❔] [SJLT] looking forward to our [gala] wear

[ASK ❔] [SJLT] could we have visuals of Reader’s outfits during the gala?

[ASK ❔] [IAL] double dates

[ASK ❔] [IAL] what city/prefecture does [the series] take place in?

[ASK ❔] [IAL] how [would] the Y/Ns react to fanfic about their heroes?

[PODFIC 🎙️] [SWYR] surrender (whenever you’re ready) — narrated by Chthonianqueen

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SWYR] surrender (whenever you’re ready) [plays on spotify]

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SWYR] and i’d give up forever to touch you: a suggested-songs playlist [plays on spotify]

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SJLT] something (just like this) [plays on spotify]

[PLAYLIST 🎧] [SJLT] like lightning: a suggested-songs playlist [plays on spotify]

[ART ✏️] [IAL] bakugou & weeds, deku and & scribbles & bakugou/weeds, deku/scribbles, monoma/reader — by @groshia

[ART ✏️] [SJLT] you get to witness, in real time, as [Deku] leaps from the now open door — by @getstarried

[ART ✏️] [SJLT] izuku, just izuku. just as he is — by @handlethegbread

[ART ✏️] [SWYR] when you’re bakugou katsuki, — by @okeydokiescribbles

[ART ✏️] [SWYR] haru + the flower shop signs

[MOODBOARD 🖼️] [SJLT] the moodboard trend inspired me to make this little thing

[MOODBOARD 🖼️] [SJLT] SJLT is my all-time favourite fanfic,

[MOODBOARD 🖼️] [SJLT] this is just […] a collection of things that reminded me of this story

[BINDING 📚] surrender & the widening sky — @ladybirdk

[BINDING 📚] surrender (whenever you’re ready) — @/captain-liar

[PODCAST 🎙️] Canonically Incorrect, episode 75, season 2: Surrender (Whenever You’re Ready) — 10 December, 2022

[ spotify | apple ]

[PERMISSION STATEMENT:] You are more than welcome to print out any of the fics and bind yourself a copy for personal use, or otherwise record a [non-AI] reading of them, or translate into another language—as long as my ao3 username, OfMermaids, is credited somewhere as having written it. 🥹📚 I also love, love seeing and hearing about the work that goes into the pieces you create for yourselves, so if you’re comfortable with it, I’d love to see a picture of (or get a link to!) your efforts!!

final note:

This series is the result of several years worth of love and work, and most importantly, encouragement from the people who have come along and read the stories in it. Whether this is your first time discovering the trilogy, or you’re otherwise revisiting the boys, this is a note to say thank-you for being here. Thank-you for reading, and for being apart of something that has been so much fun to create. Fandom and fanfiction has always been about sharing the excitement with other people—so thank-you for letting me share mine with you. 🌷📖

[failuredraws-exe]

Cadenza Zvahl, Queen of the Swamp.

The adopted daughter of Hayden-husband to the lord of Meteli, Joh- sister to Laurance Zvahl, Cadenza fancies herself a princess.

Though, *technically* speaking, she is, in a way. Her step-father is a lord beloved by all, and her father a well respected diplomat. She is high ranking in society, wears the latest fashions, pioneers for her people, has animal (chicken) companions, is kind, understanding, fun! Everything a proper princess should be! If only she didn’t live in a swamp.

Cadenza fancies herself a princess, whilst her brother fancies her a brat.

The only *society* Cadenza is high ranking in is the little plot of muddy land they call home. She wears the latest fashions but ventures town barefoot. She does pioneer for her people! When she isn’t sleeping the days away in fields of flowers. And don’t get him started on the chickens.

She’s kind but petty, understanding but blunt, fun but irresponsible. She is aloof, she is demanding, she is young. His bratty, kid sister. The Queen of the Swamp. A name he coined, a title she hates.

A *proper* princess would live in a high castle surrounded by gardens of roses and decorated with intricately carved statues of heroes from myth and gods and goddesses! A *proper* princess would be dripping in real gold, and her clothes would be woven from the finest of silk. Her hair would be combed and her skin would be smooth! A *proper* princess would never suffer from the heat and humidity, she would be wasting the hours away, lying on a cushioned seat and being fanned by servants! A proper, acceptable princess would be born in a place like O’khasis, not Meteli.

What her brother knows, and what Cadenza will not admit, is that she is not a proper princess.

Cadenza, in all her blazing glory, is indecent.

The clothes that she wears as if they were sewn yesterday, were fashionable seasons ago. The gold bangles that adorn her wrists and ankles are fake. She bathes in lakes, consorts with chickens of all creatures, and doesn’t even attempt to wrangle her hair. Her skin is bumpy and her legs are riddled with burn marks, scars she wears proudly. On a hot day, when work needs to be done, she’d be the first out in the sun and the last inside. She is bold and loud, opting to rather have her tongue be cut out than to ever hold it. In every way that matters, she is the exact opposite of a proper, acceptable O’khasis-born Princess.

And that’s exactly why Laurance loves her.

Through all the bratty bluntness, through all the demands stands proudly a young girl who cares with all her heart about the little plot of muddy, humid, damp land they call home. The Cadenza Zvahl he loves looks upon the world in all its horror and smiles at the atrocities when everyone else would scowl. There are so many things Laurance hates about Ru’uan, but for every terrible thing he could count, Cadenza Zvahl would count five times as many things that she loves.

The Epitome of Hope, her father would call her.

When Joh passed, when her father was presumed dead, each and every time her brother went missing from the realm; she never let her grief nor anger consume her. Even when it was all she wanted to do, even when she had every right to curse the world, when she had every right to hate, and hate and hate. She always chose to love.

Cadenza Zvahl lives her life with hope. A trait that never falters, and one befitting a title far stronger than Princess.

Indecent and fashionable, blunt and understanding, proud and kind. Meteli-born and raised.

Cadenza Zvahl, the Queen of the Swamp.

[apiswitchcraft]

the egyptian gods

MA'AT: the essence of harmony and balance

in the beginning, well, there were a lot of different beginnings,

AMUN/AMUN-RA: god of the sun and air, supreme king of the gods in some periods. some stories say that he created himself and then everything else in the universe

ATUM: sometimes considered another name for Ra, but when separated he represents the evening sun. he was the first of the Ennead to emerge from Nu, and was the supreme ruler of the gods, and creator of the universe and human beings

RA/RE: when separated from Atum, he represents the midday sun, but other stories say that his aspect changes as he advances his sun barge across the sky. also considered the supreme ruler and creator of the universe. later merged with Amun as he rose in popularity

PTAH: another creator of the universe, Ptah was lord of truth, and the patron god of sculptors and craftsmen (since he was considered to have sculpted the earth). he created the first mound of earth from Nu by imagining it in his heart and breathed life into things with his voice

KHNUM: said to have created everything on his potter's wheel. in a different story he created humans on his potter's wheel then raised them up to the sun so that Ra could breathe life into them

NEITH: a war and funerary goddess, she created all things from her innards. she invented birth, therefore considered the "mother goddess" and closely associated with life and living things

MUT: emerged from Nu and gave birth to the world on her own, or in other stories was the wife of Amun. she was a goddess of protection, guarding humans in life, and against demons in death

MEHET-WERET: celestial cow goddess that emerged from Nu and gave birth to Ra at the beginning of time. goddess of water, creation, and rebirth

then under Atum/Ra creation stories, there were the first gods, called the Ennead,

SHU: the primordial god of air, he was born from Atum/Ra with his sister Tefnut to create the world. it's said that after bein gone for so long, Atum/Ra sent the eye of Ra to search for them, and his tears of happiness at having them returned became humans

TEFNUT: the sister and wife of Shu, she was the primordial god of moisture and rainfall

NUT: child of Shu and Tefnut, she represented the sky, but her relationship with her brother Geb disturbed Atum/Ra so he pushed her high above Geb, decreeing that she could not give birth on any day of the year. however, Thoth then gambled with Iah (or Khonsu) winning five days of moonlight he transformed into days. On those five days, her five children were born

GEB: god of the earth and growing things

OSIRIS: child of Nut and Geb, he was lord and god of the underworld and afterlife. he was said to be the first god to die, after being killed by his brother Set, wherein Isis then resurrected him and they bore Horus.

ISIS: child of Nut and Geb, she was the goddess of the moon, healing, fertility, and magic

NEPHTHYS: child of Nut and Geb, she is the twin sister of Isis and wife of Set. she is considered a goddess of funeral rites, darkness (not in an evil sense), and protector of women.

SET/SETH: child of Nut and Geb god of war, chaos, and storms. although he was the first murderer, he was considered a necessary balance to the good of Osiris. he killed Osiris to usurp his throne, only to later be usurped by Horus.

However, sometimes Set was replaced with Horus in the Ennead,

HORUS: technically there were two Horuses, Horus the Elder, who was a child of Nut and Geb, and Horus the younger, who was the better known Horus. however, they ended up merging into one deity, a god of the sun, sky, and kingship

under the Amun (and sometimes Ptah) creation myth(s) there was the group called the Ogdoad, including Amun and

AMUNET: the female counterpart of Amun, together they represented forces unseen, including the wind and air

KEK: the god of the hours before dawn, he guided the sun barge of Ra from the underworld to earth

KAUKET: the female aspect of Kek, she represented the hours after sunset, and guided the sun barge of Ra into the underworld. Together these gods represent darkness (but not in an evil way)

HEH AND HAUHET: often not separated in any meaningful way, these two were the gods of infinity, eternity, and time

NUN AND NAUNET: personification of the primordial waters, from which everything was created. Naunet is only ever referenced when it comes to the Ogdoad

However, when Amun became revered as a god of creation, him and Amunet were sometimes replaced by

NIA AND NIAT: gods of the void

so then the rest of the gods,

THOTH: advisor of Atum/Ra, he was the god of wisdom, writing, and truth, and was associated with the moon. sometimes he is the child of Atum/Ra, other times he is the son of Horus. he gave humanity the gift of language and marked the passage of time

SESHAT: consort of Thoth, she was the goddess of writing, books, and measurements

ANUBIS: son of Nephthys and Osiris, he was the god of the dead and associated with embalming. he leads the souls of the dead to the Hall of Truth and weighs their heart to determine if they were good or evil

KABECHET/QEBEHT: daughter of Anubis and a funerary deity. she provides cool, pure water to the souls awaiting judgement in the Hall of Truth

BASTET: daughter of Ra, although her image has tempered over time, Bastet was often considered a defender of pharaohs and the hearth. goddess of cats, women, and fertility

SEKHMET: sister of Bastet, she was goddess of destruction, justice, and desert winds. after Ra became tired of the sins of humanity, he sent Sekhmet to destroy them. she ravaged the land until the other gods implored Ra to stop her, where he took beer dyed red (to emulate blood) and left it at Dendera. when she drank it, she fell asleep and woke as the benevolent goddess Hathor

MAAHES: solar god and protector of the innocent, sometimes the son of Bastet, sometimes Sekhmet

HATHOR: goddess of joy, celebration, love, women, drunkenness, and sometimes animals. in some stories she is the wife of Horus the elder, in some Horus the younger, and in some Ra

MA'AT: embodiment of the principle of ma'at, she was the goddess of truth, justice, and harmony

KHONSU: the son of Amun and Mut, god of the moon and healing

MONTU: a god of war and the vitality of pharaohs, he was later replaced by Khonsu as a child of Amun and Mut

TENENIT: goddess of beer and brewing, consort of Montu

HEKA: patron god of magic and medicine, but was also said to be present at the creation of the universe

HU: god of the spoken word, personification of the first word Atum/Ra ever spoke. represented the tongue

SIA: personification of perception and thoughtfulness who represented the heart

ANAT: goddess of fertility, sexuality, love, and war. sometimes she is a virgin goddess, others she is sensuous and erotic

APEP/APOPHIS: the celestial serpent that would assault the sun barge of Ra every night as it travels through the underworld

BA-PEF: god of terror

BES/BISU/AHA: god of childbirth, fertility, sexuality, humor, and war. he protected women and children, fended off evil, and fought for divine justice

TAWERET/TAURET: considered a consort of Set, goddess of childbirth and fertility. guarded children and invoked to help with pregnancy and birth

HRAF-HAF: the ferryman of the dead, he would carry good souls across the Lily Lake to the shores of paradise in the Field of Reeds

AMENET: consort of the divine ferryman, she welcomed souls of the dead to afterlife with food and drink

FETKET: cupbearer of Ra, patron of bartenders

MAFDET: goddess of justice, protected people from venomous bites, later replaced by Serket

SERKET: goddess of protection and funerals, protected people against venom

HEDET: goddess of scorpions and protector against their venom

IHY: son of Hathor and Horus the elder, he was the god of music and joy

IMHOTEP: the deified vizier of the king Djoser, god of wisdom and medicine

MESKHENIT: goddess of childbirth, created a person's ka (life force) and breathed it into them, creating their destiny

NEHEBKAU: joined a persons ka to their body at birth, and with the ba (winged aspect of the soul) at death. has always existed, and swam in the primordial waters before Atum rose

NEFERTUM: god of perfume and beauty, said to be born from the bud of a blue lotus flower at the beginning of creation. associated with rebirth and transformation due to his association with Atum

RENENUTET: goddess of nursing children and the harvest. she determined the length of a person's life and the important events that would occur, sometimes considered the mother of Osiris as consort of Atum

NEPER: son of Renenutet, god of grain and fertility

ONURIS/ANHUR: a son of Ra, god of war and hunting

SHAY: personification of fate, no one could alter her decisions

SHED: god who protected against wild animals and mortal enemies

SHEZMU: god of wine, perfume and plenty

SOBEK: god of water and medicine, namely surgery. lord of marshes and wetlands

SOTHIS/SOPDET: astral form of Isis, represented the star Sirius

SAH: astral form of Osiris, represented the constellation Orion

SOPDU: son of Sothis and Sah, astral form of Horus, guarded over outposts and soldiers on the frontier

TAYET/TAIT: goddess of weaving and associated with embalming

WENEG: held up the sky and maintained balance between the heavens and earth

WEPWAWET: the "opener of ways," a funerary and hunter god

KHENTYAMENTIU: the "Chief of the Dead," a funerary god believed to have created important funerary rites

and the sons of Horus, who get their own special spot,

DUAMUTEF: protector god of the stomach, he represented East

HAPY: protector god of the lungs, he represented the North

IMSETY: protector god of the liver, he represented the South

QEBEHSENUEF: protector god of the intestines, he represented the West

[ifishouldvanish]

I saw that split moment before the fame's engulfed Olrox. There was a look of fear in his face before he was burned by her fire. It give some insight of how he probably remembering his life before being a vampire?

Point is, he doesn't look happy or ready.

See like, I actually don't read the look on his face as fear.

This to me is like, grit. Anger. Determination.

The clenched teeth, the intensity in the eyes. This looks very much like the face of a person who is bracing themselves for something they know they're not going to enjoy, but not something they fear.

Without getting too into headcanon territory, there's some cool details though I wanna highlight re: the mythological symbolism:

Just before Julia blasts him with fire, we get this shot of his blood dribbling onto the ground. We know that in the 'Aztec' religion, offerings of blood were common, that blood was the ultimate offering one could make to the gods. There's specifically this notion that one's blood gets returned to the earth upon death, thus fueling the cycle of life and death and rebirth.

That Olrox's transformation happens on what I'll call "hallowed ground" by virtue of his blood having been spilled on it, is very interesting to me and feels significant.

Then we get this sequence of flickering frames as he gets roasted. So to me, as I mentioned in my earlier post, this is a clear nod to being burned alive in the sacrificial flame. The Five Suns myth tells us how a few deities have taken turns sacrificing themselves to become the Sun by throwing themselves into the old god Huehueteotl's fire.

I bring up the sun stuff specifically because these frames... They don't look like ordinary fire to me. They look like full blown solar flares.

(Edit: the face in this first shot doesn't quite look like Olrox; could it be Huehueteotl himself, who is often depicted as an old man—much like we've seen Papa Legba appear when Annette is tapping into her power??)

And as Olrox seems to recover from the agonizing pain, his crouched, bowled over posture becomes this like, revitalized thing like he's the damned little mermaid. And the chaotic solar flares become this much clearer, dare I say... rising Sun?

Idk where exactly I'm going with this but there are just so many details about this scene that I love.

So... depending on the specific ritual/deity being honored, sacrifices would have their heart cut out. So there's this wonderful poetic beauty to Julia being left with this single, clean wound right in her chest, and that we get this gorgeous shot of her laid out like this. You know, like a sacrifice.

But what also feels SUPER significant is that like... this scene is our INTRODUCTION to Olrox. A big, bad vampire. And yet when he kills Julia Belmont, he doesn't take a single sip of her blood, despite having this giant puddle of it.

It's almost like... It's almost like??? He's leaving it there on purpose. Like an offering.

Again i don't wanna speculate too much here, but... Maybe it's meant to repay the god-like entity whose power he just tapped into to defeat her. Or maybe, it's a gesture of respect—an indication that he saw Julia as a worthy opponent who is thus a worthy offering to the gods. Or like, both.

Idk man, but I LOVE everything about this scene and the animation team deserves all of the kudos on earth for putting this together it's a masterpiece 🙏

[mythological-mayhem]

Aztec Gods Incorrect Quotes 6

Tlaloc: You're just dating Xochiquetzal to fuck with me, aren't you?

Tezcatlipoca: Nah, I'm dating Xochiquetzal cause she's hot. Fucking with you is just a bonus.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Hey, I wanted to ask, do you have any tips for numbers and their meanings, For example: what does the number 5 represent?

Writing Notes: Symbolism of Numbers

In symbolism, numbers are not merely the expressions of quantities, but idea-forces, each with a particular character of its own.

The actual digits are, as it were, only the outer garments.

All numbers are derived from the number one (which is equivalent to the mystic, nonmanifest point of no magnitude).

The farther a number is from unity, the more deeply it is involved in matter, in the involutive process, in the“world.”

The first 10 numbers in the Greek system (or twelve in the oriental tradition) pertain to the spirit: they are entities, archetypes and symbols.

The rest are the product of combinations of these basic numbers.

Below are the most generally accepted symbolic meanings of each number.

ZERO

Non-being, mysteriously connected with unity as its opposite and its reflection; it is symbolic of the latent and potential and is the “Orphic Egg.”

From the viewpoint of man in existence, it symbolizes death as the state in which the life-forces are transformed.

Because of its circular form, it signifies eternity.

ONE

Symbolic of being and of the revelation to men of the spiritual essence.

The active principle which, broken into fragments, gives rise to multiplicity, and is to be equated with the mystic Centre, the Irradiating Point and the Supreme Power.

Stands for spiritual unity—the common basis among all beings.

Guénon draws a distinction between unity and one, after the Islamic mystic thinkers: unity differs from one in that it is absolute and complete in itself, admitting neither two nor dualism.

Hence, unity is the symbol of divinity.

Is also equated with light.

TWO

Stands for echo, reflection, conflict and counterpoise or contraposition; or the momentary stillness of forces in equilibrium; it also corresponds to the passage of time—the line which goes from behind forward; it is expressed geometrically by two points, two lines or an angle.

It is also symbolic of the first nucleus of matter, of nature in opposition to the creator, of the moon as opposed to the sun.

In all esoteric thought, two is regarded as ominous: it connotes shadow and the bisexuality of all things, or dualism (represented by the basic myth of the Gemini) in the sense of the connecting-link between the immortal and the mortal, or of the unvarying and the varying.

Within the mystic symbolism of landscape in megalithic culture, two is associated with the mandorla-shaped mountain, the focal point of symbolic Inversion, forming the crucible of life and comprising the two opposite poles of good and evil, life and death.

THREE

Symbolizes spiritual synthesis, and is the formula for the creation of each of the worlds.

Represents the solution of the conflict posed by dualism.

Forms a half-circle comprising: birth, zenith and descent.

Geometrically it is expressed by three points and by the triangle.

The harmonic product of the action of unity upon duality.

The number concerned with basic principles, and expresses sufficiency, or the growth of unity within itself.

Associated with the concepts of heaven and the Trinity.

FOUR

Symbolic of the earth, of terrestrial space, of the human situation, of the external, natural limits of the “minimum” awareness of totality, and, finally, of rational organization.

Equated with the square and the cube, and the cross representing the four seasons and the points of the compass.

A great many material and spiritual forms are modelled after the quaternary.

The number associated with tangible achievement and with the Elements.

In mystic thought, it represents the tetramorphs.

FIVE

Symbolic of Man, health and love, and of the quintessence acting upon matter.

Comprises the four limbs of the body plus the head which controls them, and likewise the four fingers plus the thumb and the four cardinal points together with the centre.

The hieros gamos is signified by the number five, since it represents the union of the principle of heaven (three) with that of the Magna Mater (two).

Geometrically, it is the pentagram, or the five-pointed star.

Corresponds to pentagonal symmetry, a common characteristic of organic nature, to the golden section (as noted by the Pythagoreans), and to the five senses representing the five “forms” of matter.

SIX

Symbolic of ambivalence and equilibrium, six comprises the union of the two triangles (of fire and water) and hence signifies the human soul.

The Greeks regarded it as a symbol of the hermaphrodite.

It corresponds to the six Directions of Space (two for each dimension), and to the cessation of movement (since the Creation took six days).

Hence it is associated with trial and effort.

Shown to be related to virginity, and to the scales.

SEVEN

Symbolic of perfect order, a complete period or cycle.

Comprises the union of the ternary and the quaternary, and hence it is endowed with exceptional value.

Corresponds to the seven Directions of Space (that is, the six existential dimensions plus the centre), to the seven-pointed star, to the reconciliation of the square with the triangle by superimposing the latter upon the former (as the sky over the earth) or by inscribing it within.

It is the number forming the basic series of musical notes, of colours and of the planetary spheres, as well as of the gods corresponding to them; and also of the capital sins and their opposing virtues.

Corresponds to the three-dimensional cross.

The symbol of pain.

EIGHT

The octonary, related to two squares or the octagon, is the intermediate form between the square (or the terrestrial order) and the circle (the eternal order) and is, in consequence, a symbol of regeneration.

By virtue of its shape, the numeral is associated with the two interlacing serpents of the caduceus, signifying the balancing out of opposing forces or the equivalence of the spiritual power to the natural.

It also symbolizes—again because of its shape—the eternally spiralling movement of the heavens (shown also by the double sigmoid line—the sign of the infinite).

Because of its implications of regeneration, eight was in the Middle Ages an emblem of the waters of baptism.

Corresponds in mediaeval mystic cosmogony to the fixed stars of the firmament, denoting that the planetary influences have been overcome.

NINE

The triangle of the ternary, and the triplication of the triple.

It is therefore a complete image of the three worlds.

The end-limit of the numerical series before its return to unity.

For the Hebrews, it was the symbol of truth, being characterized by the fact that when multiplied it reproduces itself (in mystic addition).

In medicinal rites, it is the symbolic number par excellence, for it represents triple synthesis, that is, the disposition on each plane of the corporal, the intellectual and the spiritual.

TEN

Symbolic, in decimal systems, of the return to unity.

In the Tetractys (whose triangle of points—four, three, two, one—adds up to ten) it is related to four.

Symbolic also of spiritual achievement, as well as of unity in its function as an even (or ambivalent) number or as the beginning of a new, multiple series.

According to some theories, ten symbolizes the totality of the universe—both metaphysical and material—since it raises all things to unity.

From ancient oriental thought through the Pythagorean school and right up to St. Jerome, it was known as the number of perfection.

ELEVEN

Symbolic of transition, excess and peril and of conflict and martyrdom.

According to Schneider, there is an infernal character about it: since it is in excess of the number of perfection—ten—it therefore stands for incontinence; but at the same time it corresponds, like two, to the mandorla-shaped mountain, to the focal point of symbolic Inversion and antithesis, because it is made up of one plus one (comparable in a way with two).

TWELVE

Symbolic of cosmic order and salvation.

It corresponds to the number of the signs of the Zodiac, and is the basis of all dodecanary groups.

Linked to it are the notions of space and time, and the wheel or circle.

THIRTEEN

Symbolic of death and birth, of beginning afresh.

Hence it has unfavourable implications.

FOURTEEN

Stands for fusion and organization.

And for justice and temperance.

FIFTEEN

Markedly erotic.

Associated with the devil.

OTHER NUMBERS

Tarot

Each of the numbers from sixteen to twenty-two is related to the corresponding card of the Tarot pack; and sometimes the meaning is derived from the fusion of the symbols of the units composing it.

There are two ways in which this fusion may occur: either by mystic addition (for example, 374 = 3 + 7 + 4 = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5) or by succession, in which case the right-hand digit expresses the outcome of a situation denoted by the left-hand number (so 21 expresses the reduction of a conflict—two—to its solution—unity).

These numbers also possess certain meanings drawn from traditional sources and remote from their intrinsic symbolism:

24, for example, is the sacred number in Sankhya philosophy, and

50 is very common in Greek mythology—there were fifty Danaides, fifty Argonauts, fifty sons of Priam and of Aegyptus, for example as a symbol, we would suggest, of that powerful quality of the erotic and human which is so typical of Hellenic myths.

Repetition

The repetition of a given number stresses its quantitative power but detracts from its spiritual dignity.

So, for example, 666 was the number of the Beast because 6 was regarded as inferior to seven.

Contained within a multiple

When several kinds of symbolic meaning are contained within a multiple number, the symbolism of that number is accordingly enriched and strengthened.

Thus, 144 was considered very favourable because its sum was 9 (1 + 4 + 4) and because it comprises multiples of 10 and 4 plus the quaternary itself.

Lastly: Dante, in the Divine Comedy, has frequent recourse to the symbolism of numbers.

Sources: 1 2 3

More: On Symbolism

Hope this helps, would love to read your writing if it does!

[barbatusart]

so back when we were wrapping up SAD SACK i hid a cypher in the final page that when decoded would lead to a carrd site with a bunch of strange writings for a fictional religion + conlang stuff, unfortunately i hid it too good & nobody ever found it LOL & now that it's been over 5 years im honestly fine to just post it! below is a creation myth for the mots from uhhhhhhhh 2019, it was fun to try writing in real Ye Olde style. if you follow along with my other comic prelims ive posted, some of these names might look familiar!

disclaimer also, the fake religion in question is meant to be a misinterpretation of old extinct canaanite creeds where the folks who made it only had limited access to the already limited source materials + other writings from around the time period from different regions, so there is a Lot of cultural mishmash in here that i thought would reflect how people would actually mix and match the elements, similar to some modern day religions. just heads up!

1 The Earth began as Sea, Moon, and Stars. 2 The Sun emerged from the Moon, as through a window, and the Sun was in truth the LORD, come from a distant place in Heaven.

3 The LORD was weary and stopped to quench His thirst in the Sea, but the brine was sour and caused Him to be sick in the waters. 4 From His gorge and out of the Sea rose His organs, and They took shape and walked forth as his Brothers.

5 From the Sea rose the first Brother, clothed in robes of peridot, and at His left hip a crimson khopesh. 6 He looked upon the infinite Sea, and He breathed forth life unto the waters - fishes of every color, sprawling flora, and the people of the deep. 7 The LORD saw the wisdom of Heaven in his eyes, and the LORD called His name: BAAL KHASIS.

8 Then rose the second Brother, clothed in robes of emeralds, and in His left hand a crimson skinning blade. 9 He looked upon the people of the deep, and he breathed forth land, to split the Earth into above and below, as is Heaven and Earth. The Sea birthed clouds that crowned the lands, clouds that raged and spit cacophonous lightning and fresh sweet water, and the people of the deep migrated landwards. 10 The LORD saw the Earth's newborn storms in His eyes, and the LORD called His name: BAAL HADAD.

11 Then rose the third Brother, clothed in robes of golden topaz, and at His left eye a crimson maul. 12 He looked upon the land, and He breathed forth time - the sunrise and sunset, the seasons, the years, and old age. 13 The LORD saw the encroaching night in His eyes, and the LORD called His name: BAAL SHALIM.

14 Then rose the fourth brother, clothed in robes of pearls, and in His left mouth a crimson saw blade. 15 He looked upon the night, and He breathed forth coherence to the stars, the mighty constellations, the waxing and waning of the holy Moon, how it pulled the Sea's tides and bathed the shores. 16 The LORD saw the light of the Moon in His eyes, and the LORD called His name: BAAL YARIKH.

17 The LORD's Brothers produced for Him clothing of citrine to hide His nakedness. 18 And from His mouth the LORD poured the Sun's fire which He would fashion into any weapon of His choosing. 19 The LORD's brothers saw the infinite of all in His eyes, and They called His name: BAAL MUTH.

20 Then the five LORDS stepped into the Stars aside the Moon, above the lands and Sea, and They anointed themselves the LORDS of the Earth.

21 The Moon reflected BAAL MUTH's light and bathed the Earth's newborn land, and the LORDS' Shadows were formed on the land - weak, foul, and frail, each with one eye and half blind. 22 It angered the LORDS to see weakness in Their shapes, and They made war with their Shadows.

23 The first Shadow was Cacrinolas, a wicked man-faced wolfdog with the wings of an eagle. He opened his mouth and projected forth curses at the LORDS. 24 BAAL KHASIS's Brothers fell upon him in fury to tear the wings from his back. 25 With His burning khopesh, BAAL KHASIS beheaded Cacrinolas, and He cast the head into the Sea, 26 and He placed his wings into the Stars, so that they would become the celestial Nabu. But his grasp was not complete, and feathers of Cacrinolas fell loose and landed on the Moon.

27 The second Shadow was Forai, a vile beast with the head of a bull and innumerable hands. He opened his mouth and projected forth pleas for mercy so as to make the LORDS have pity. 28 But BAAL HADAD's Brothers fell upon him in turn to cut out his pleading tongue and take his hands from him. 29 With his burning skinning blade, BAAL HADAD removed Forai's genitals, and with his own hands Forai's heart, and He cast the genitals, the tongue, and the hands into the Sea, 30 and He placed his heart into the Stars, so that they would become the celestial Inanna. But unsteady were his hands, and the heart's blood fell and landed on the Moon.

31 The third Shadow Botis, a man-faced wayward serpent with a mouth of viper's fangs and a tail of rattling swords. He opened his mouth and projected forth poison from his fangs so as to make the LORDS sleep. 32 But BAAL SHALIM's Brothers fell upon him a moment before, to feed him his own poison and to take his fangs from his mouth. 33 With his burning maul, BAAL SHALIM broke Botis' skull in twain so that his brains ran free, and He cast the brains into the Sea, 34 and He placed his fangs into the Stars, so that they would become the celestial Ugarit. But His aim was not true, and one fang fell and landed on the Moon.

35 The fourth Shadow was Tuvres, a chimera with the body of both man and warhorse. So profane and so powerful was Tuvries that BAAL YARIKH's four Brothers could only restrain the beast and take from him his voice before he could speak, 36 so that BAAL YARIKH Himself could wield his burning saw blade and open his equine body to remove his entrails. 37 BAAL YARIKH beheaded Tuvres, and He cast the voice and the entrails into the Sea, 38 and He placed his head into the Stars, so that they would become the celestial Suen. But His grasp failed Him, and the head of Tuvres landed on the Moon.

39 So engulfed with wrath was BAAL MUTH, to see the holy Moon's light dimmed by such heavy handedness, such clumsiness, such carelessness. 40 So enraged was the LORD that his fire burned so hot as to burn even his Brothers. 41 So loud His roar, as though meant to crack the walls of Heaven itself. 42 The LORD BAAL MUTH opened His endless mouth, from where all things come and where all things return, where sound and light extinguish, where time folds inward, and He consumed His Brothers one by one.

[cherry-burst]

Sylus x F! MC “My Fire In Your Blood.”

Alternate Universe | Dragon Shifter!Sylus

Love and Deepspace

Tags: Smut 18+ mdni | Dubcon | Size Difference | Biting/Marking | Outdoor Sex | Primal | Monster Fking | Telepathy | Monster Romance | 

WC: ~10,400k Words

Read On AO3

Summary: In a world overrun by dragons that invaded the planet from a portal in the sky, humanity's survival is a daily struggle. Cities crumble amidst the chaos and destruction of these feral beasts. However, one encounter with a dragon changes her perspective forever as the massive beast transforms into a human-like man and forges an everlasting bond with her.

Disclaimer: I wrote this BEFORE it was canon that he’s a literal dragon (I am still trying to process that!!!) so this has nothing to do with his myth. It’s a ‘dragon shifter’ fic with my own kinda lore. Also, he only has one dick. Please forgive me for my transgressions. 

A distant roar echoed through the afternoon sky prompting her and her traveling companions to seek shelter immediately. The dragons were known to cover miles of ground in only a few minutes so the group only had a short time to hide. 

She quickly extinguished the campfire, kicking dirt onto the red embers. Everyone stuffed their provisions into their bags and began helping others pack up their supplies. They worked like a well oiled machine, and in no time the campsite was dismantled. Their runner returned from their mission to find shelter and announced there was a cave not too far away with plenty of room to house everyone for the night. 

“Do you think it will even come this deep into the forest?” Tara asked her, an overstuffed backpack slouched over her shoulder.

She shrugged, her own bag heavy in her arms. “They can be unpredictable. So, who knows.” 

The group began walking through the forest towards the cave. It was estimated to be about a five minute walk so they didn’t have too far to go to safety. The dragons, though a constant presence in their everyday life, had yet to pose an immediate threat to them in the forest. 

The massive beasts usually flew in groups on the distant side of the valley beyond the ridge. This allowed the survivors to seek shelter under the humid canopy to gain some semblance of safety. They needed to hide though, since the dragons had an uncanny way of finding them out in the open despite the dense trees. They assumed it was scent because they couldn’t even stay in one place for too long lest they wake to a massacre of massive dragons devouring their friends and burning everything they own.

As the group approached the cave, a sound of wooshing air reached her ears, stirring her hair all around her face. Another roar, an all too familiar precursor to attacks, sent her heart into a state of panic. The dragon’s arrival was heralded by a massive shadow blocking the sun pitting their patch of forest into darkness all around them. An icy chill ran through her veins, propelling her into a frantic sprint toward the cave with the other survivors. Several people began to cry and scream while others left their gear behind on the forest floor to lighten their race to safety.

“It’s here!” Someone shouted. “Get inside, now!” 

Inhaling deeply, she surged forward pumping her arms with determination to the cave’s entrance. Another abrupt, ear piercing, roar caused her to stumble forward, fear making her limbs freeze up. Even one second of time loss meant death, she knew this. On the ground, she instinctively covered her head with her arms, bracing herself for the potential inferno that was sure to come. 

Only one set of wings flapped, which was odd. The dragon was alone despite them always traveling in packs. When there was no breath of fire to barbeque her alive, she hurried to her feet and began her sprint again. The rush of air from its flapping wings seemed to propel her forward along with a surge of adrenalin. She glanced around looking for the other survivors only to find herself utterly alone. Panic raced through her anew as her desperate gaze continued to seek someone, anyone. 

Betrayal cracked her heart into pieces. Being abandoned was practically a death sentence in these perilous times. The panic from the dragon's proximity must have sent people rushing in all directions, leaving her behind.

Tossing her heavy bag on the ground, she opted to take her chances and bolt toward the cave. She hoped that some survivors managed to make it so she wouldn’t be completely alone in this world. Her calves screamed in protest as she gained on the rock formation. A resounding thud behind her along with the earth shaking made her trip and fall again. She hissed as tree roots scraped her knees. Her teeth clamped on her lip to stifle any noise she may have made as a result of the fall.

The deep booming exhalation sound behind her caused her lungs to seize. The colossal presence loomed just at her back making its very existence feel like a weight on her shoulders. The entire forest fell into an eerie kind of quiet as if the very trees were holding their breath.

She remained immobilized by fear, unable to glance back at her soon-to-be killer. Her hands pressed against the ground began to tremble as the beast made a huff followed by a long sniff. She’d never encountered a dragon this close before. Her imagination conjured up an image of the creature, approximating its snout alone to be the size of a car. 

With a menacing snarl, it beat its colossal wings. Leaves whirled in the air and branches broke off the trees, falling and cracking when they hit the ground. She swallowed over her parched throat, her hands growing numb from holding her up in the same position for so long. 

Silence stretched for a long moment. She decided that now was the time to steal a glance at it. If these were her final moments, she wanted to quench her curiosity of what one looked like up close even if she wouldn’t be around to tell the tale. Yet, the instant her gaze landed on the creature, a wave of regret washed over her. 

The dragon was massive, much larger than her brain anticipated. A muscular, spiked monstrosity shrouded in sharp garnet scales loomed behind her. A single talon, the size of her entire body, was more than enough to eviscerate her. Her stomach twisted as her head slowly moved up its towering body, straining to see its face. A gasp escaped her lips when she locked eyes with its large slit-shaped pupils, their attention laser focused on her alone. Its eyes were a deep red, piercing through her very being with its intense gaze. They seemed to be set ablaze, glowing brighter, the second her eyes met them.

She recoiled as its maw parted, a plume of smoke unfurling from between its fierce jagged teeth. All in less than a second, she accepted her fate. There was nothing she could do, no maneuver she could pull to save her now. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was about to be blasted with the hottest blazing fire known to man. The very same fire that had wiped out entire cities in less than a day. She refused to close her eyes and instead stared down the gaze of the monster, facing death head on.

And yet, even after what felt like an eternity, the infernal blast did not come. She blinked a few times, disbelief etching her features. The dragon exuded an air of disinterest as it stared at her. Her brows pinched in confusion as it sat still, its massive spiky tail lashing behind itself. 

Its breathing was a low hum, in and out, filling the quiet forest with its resounding vibration. It moved its head to the side slowly, one eye focusing all its attention on her. It didn’t move much more than that and seemed to be waiting for her to make the first move.

After a long stretch of time, she relaxed her shoulders and took her first deep breath in a while. However, her body tensed right back up as the dragon began to stir, as if it were… shrinking? Her eyes widened in bewilderment as she watched the dragon change before her very eyes. She hadn’t ever seen this before. The only form the beasts had been in was that of a four limbed winged creature that breathed fire and craved the destruction of all that humankind had built. 

Her jaw was on the floor as the creature shrunk into the humanoid shape of a man. He ran his claw tipped fingers through his silver hair and blinked several times until his slitted pupils were round black dots. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to hers, an amused expression playing on his face. 

He took a step toward her and she took a step back, keeping her distance. The dragon was undoubtedly a ‘he’ made obvious since there was not a stitch of clothing in sight. She averted her eyes above the waist, observing red scales on his arms and chest that dissolved as he continued to transform, giving way to pale unblemished skin.

Tilting his head at the way she kept backing away from him, he unfurled his now considerably smaller scarlet wings. They were still massive compared to his size, which was also abnormally large for a human man. The veined wings were tipped in tallon-like claws. The light of the sun could be seen through the thin leathery skin, highlighting the many bones and veins running through them. His muscular arms opened like he was presenting himself to her.

After a long moment of her heart pounding in her ears, the shifted dragon took another casual step toward her. She, again, took a step back. His brows scrunched up, a look of confusion on his face. His wings stretched wider, looking more like a warning than anything else. It reminded her of male birds in the wild having bright obnoxious colors to attract a mate. It was almost funny to her, with that in mind, how he strutted over to her, confidence radiating off of him like steam. Almost. The reality of the situation still gripped her with fear preventing her from reacting.

She wanted to run, but didn't, knowing damn well that she’d never make it anywhere without him catching her in an instant. She kept her eyes glued on him, taking steps back as he approached.

His legs were much longer than hers, making him close the gap between them faster than she was able to move away. The closer he got the more obvious their size difference was. His human-like form was much larger than any average male. He towered over her, surpassing her height by several heads.

She took another step back but a tree halted her, causing her to startle. Jagged bark pressed into her back as she tried to shrink away from him. The dragon shifter eyed her quizically, looking up at the tree and then back down to her with a hint of his silver eyebrow rising.

“Um,” She cleared her throat. “Hello.” She said, breaking the silence in the forest. There wasn’t much else she could do at this point but try to communicate with it. 

When she spoke, his ruby eyes fixated on her lips. 

“Do you… speak English?” She tried again, her voice wavering.

The adrenaline rush that she’d been having was finally subsiding allowing her to feel the throbbing pain in her knees from when she fell. 

Amusement colored his features each time she spoke. His attention seemed to linger on her mouth as if he were intrigued. She pressed her back harder into the tree ignoring the poke of its texture. She quickly realized he had no interest in trying to speak with her. He didn’t even attempt to make a noise or respond in any language he knew. 

The method of communication among the dragons had confounded people ever since they arrived. It became evident that dragons separated by vast distances could still coordinate attacks or migrations despite never being observed having ever interacted with each other before. This mystery perplexed everyone leaving their communication methods shrouded in secret even after all these years since the invasion.

His breathing was deep as he drew closer to her. He leaned down and inhaled through his nose, then exhaled with a long pleasant sigh. As he got closer, his outstretched wings blocked her view of the forest. Her heart raced at the realization that she was essentially a mouse caught in a trap.

She swallowed over her dry tongue. “Hi.” She said a bit louder than before. With a wave of her hand, she recaptured his attention.

He reached out and snatched her hand, his brows furrowed as he examined her fingers. A crease formed on his forehead as he twisted her hand this way and that. She watched as his perplexity grew. 

“What?” She asked, hoping he’d finally speak.

The dragon lifted his own, much larger hand in comparison. It dwarfed hers by a considerable amount. His fingers were tipped with short clawlike nails. Her mind raced, wondering what he was thinking. Would he strike her down now? Perhaps a razor sharp nail to the throat where he would leave her alone in the forest to bleed out. She discarded that thought. He could have easily killed her 5 times over by now with even more efficient methods.

He glanced at her hand then back at his own then released her with a huff. His gaze shifted, moving leisurely up and down her form. She moved her hand back to her side and watched him. A thought occurred to her and she wondered if he was sizing up their differences. 

She decided to do the same, noticing that they had a lot of differences actually. Like the fact that she lacked garnet scales tipping her shoulders and fading into her chest. His scales disappeared nicely into his pale skin, fading out just before his abs began.

The wind picked up and wafted her hair around her face, making the dragon groan. He inhaled deeply once more, his face moving closer to her head. He was so close she could smell a dried rain and crisp leaf scent coming off him. He must have traveled far today since there had been no rain on this side of the forest for days.

His hand lifted, gently capturing a lock of her hair, being very mindful of his claws. She froze in place, watching him as he inhaled the scent of her hair. A contented sigh escaped him and he nodded. Dropping her hair, he moved his head to inhale directly by her ear. A shiver ran through her and she could feel the faintest graze of his tongue on her neck. She jerked away, but the man already looked pleased with himself. 

“That was, uh, something.” She said, her hand coming up to wipe the saliva trail off her neck. 

She opted to play nice since this man was literally holding her life in his hands. He was obviously made to kill, an apex predator above and beyond what her planet had ever produced. She wondered if they were at the top of the food chain from wherever the hell the dragons came from because, if they weren’t, she didn’t want to see what a dragon's natural predator looked like.

She jumped when his hand landed on her waist. Startled, she took several strides forward, distancing herself from him and the tree. 

“Woah, hah-” She struggled to contain her reaction, trying to avoid offending him. “That was,” She shook her head and buried her face in her hands. She couldn't wrap her head around what was happening. The shock had overwhelmed her ever since the dragon's incredible transformation before her very eyes. She wondered just how long these dragon invaders had been able to do that. Were they born with this ability? Could they all shift, or just a select few?

He frowned at her as she moved away. He faced her with new determination in his eyes and walked toward her again, slowly. She didn’t move, allowing him to approach as slowly as he was. It was less intimidating this time since his wings were mostly relaxed and weren’t wide open like before.

He reached out a massive hand to her face and paused before he met her skin. The warmth of his palm radiated onto her cheek as he narrowed his gaze down to her. He moved his hand closer, then away again, an expectant look on his face. It took a moment of awkward silence before it dawned on her that he was silently asking permission to touch her. 

She wasn’t sure if she had a real choice in the matter. He had all the power in this exchange and could easily kill her before her brain even registered that he moved. To keep the peace, she nodded and leaned into his touch. Once his hand met her cheek, he quickly tilted her face up to look at him.

A small smirk played on his face as his fingers began to travel down her neck and shoulder. She shivered as his clawlike nails gently scraped down her arm until his hand found hers. Heat radiated from his touch, leaving a lingering warmth in its wake.

His touch was very gentle… until it wasn’t. A shocked gasp escaped her as the world suddenly tilted and her cheek met the ground. She huffed into the dirt, leaves, and particles swirling around her.

His palm pressed on her head, keeping her face to the ground. She kicked out, but the motion came to an abrupt halt when he pressed his hips against her raised backside. Gulping, she gripped the earth tight in her hands.

“What are you doing?” Her voice was low, her squished face muffling the sound.

The dragon shifter huffed, drawing her hips back with one large arm and grinding against her. Her worn jeans were the only barrier between them. It wasn’t enough to dull the sensations, she could feel every contour of his growing erection. 

She yelped when his body folded over hers, his breath tickling her ear. He rutted against her while she pinched her eyes shut.

“What the fuck is going on?” She asked rhetorically, knowing the dragon would not respond.

He took another deep inhale from her neck and his heart pounded fast against her back. The more he ground against her, the harder he became. His massive frame swallowed hers. Muscular arms caged her in while he pressed his face into the crook of her neck. 

After a moment of her being frozen in place, the dragon finally pulled back. She turned her head to look back at him, wondering what he was doing. His eyes were half lidded as his chest rose and fell rapidly. He raked his fingers through his silver hair and huffed. He then gestured to her, then to himself, and waited while sitting back on his knees.

She didn’t move, cheek still pressed to the ground as she looked back at him. With a pointed finger, he indicated himself, then her again. He waited patiently, a juxtaposition to the unprompted grinding he’d just been doing.

Silence stretched between them, only broken by their heavy breathing. The dragon frowned, reiterating the gesture, jabbing his finger into his chest before carefully pointing at her from head to toe.

“I don’t get it… You…. and me?” She gestured to herself and then to him.

His eyes lit up then his gaze intensified. He grasped her pant’s waistband and, aided by his claws and strength, ripped the fabric away.

“Hey! Those were my only decent pair!” She yelled at him. “What are you doi-” Her words were cut off when his mouth went straight to her cunt. A long lick from top to bottom made her try to worm away from him. He yanked her back into place and continued his taste test of her most intimate place. 

“Oh!” Understanding struck her like lighting. “Oh no… we can’t. I-” 

Was the dragon shifter in heat or something? Did he just want something quick before flying off to wherever-the-fuck’s-ville? 

His hands carefully parted her cheeks as his tongue delved between her folds. “Holy hell… What is happening!? Do you want a hook-up? Is that it?” A yelp escaped her as his tongue circled her opening.

She wondered whether she should allow him to have his way, let him satisfy his desires. Maybe, when he is done, he will leave her here and fly back to whatever scorched patch of earth he came from and she can find her group again. The group that abandoned her… She rolled her eyes inwardly. 

“Fine.” The word was more of a moan. She bit her lip to stifle any sounds. “At least it's not death,” She groaned to herself. 

The cool breeze sent a shiver down her legs. He had pulled back, abandoning his ‘meal’ to point at himself again, then to her.

“Yes, yes! Go ahead.” She indicated, pointing at herself and then at him. “Might as well. It’s not like I'm busy or anything.” The fear was waning, being replaced by desire within. She was still scared of the unknown, but her brain was no longer focusing on an impending demise.

When she pointed at herself and then back at him again to reiterate, an actual smile graced his lips, and he appeared... quite attractive.

“Let's get this over with, yeah?” She exhaled, her body scraping the ground as he removed the remains of her torn pants and then her shirt.

He let out a low growl and placed his mouth back on her center. Years had passed since she last experienced the pleasurable touch of a man. A slap or a punch during a resource battle? Sure. But nothing that sent delightful shivers up her spine and caused her eyes to roll back.

“Damn,” She huffed, stirring up dust that settled on her face. She attempted to brush dust off her face but was caught off balance when he spread her legs further.

She thought of the cities and entire valleys that had been decimated by hoards of dragons and their molten flames. Her own town had been among the first to fall victim to the invaders many years ago, forcing her and her friends to become refugees, constantly moving from one place to the next to stay alive.

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling like a traitor as the very same enemy licked up and down the entire length of her pussy. Damn, being a traitor felt incredible. Of course, she was only doing this to create an opportunity to escape once he was finished... yeah... that was the plan.

His hands gripped her thighs and he pulled her legs apart. He purred against her slick cunt, vibrations making her squirm. How long was he going to do this for? This was looking less and less like a quick fuck and more like he was attempting to genuinely pleasure her.

“You can get on with it, you know.” She muttered, digging her nails into the forest floor. Predictably, he paid no attention to her words. After all, he hadn't uttered a single syllable, only making moans and groans of pleasure with his mouth.

His long tongue slid inside her entrance, the thick muscle stretching her out. She moaned and so did he, the vibration making her legs quake. His sounds of pleasure caught her off guard. She looked back at him, watching his silver hair catch the sunlight as he buried his face between her legs. She squinted against the sun's brightness, then shifted her gaze back to the dim expanse of the forest ahead.

It was maddening how pleasurable it all felt. She let out a soft whimper, her cheek pressed against the ground while his groans reverberated through her, setting her body on edge.

“No one is going to believe this.” She whispered to herself. Her legs were trembling and she felt the orgasm on the horizon. “Fuck,”

His tongue moved dangerously slow, swirling around her sensitive clit. His thumbs dug into her skin, holding her core open obscenely for the taking. She exhaled deeply, her muscles taut as the tension built.

"Alright!" she declared, pulling away before the inevitable and detaching his lips from her core.

The dragon growled and pulled her hips until his mouth met her clit again. He sucked hard, running his tongue in circles, ravishing her fiercely.

“Ah!” She moaned as the intensity of the orgasm throbbed in her cunt and spread over her body. “Oh fuck, oh fuck.” She whimpered, pushing herself back into his face, grinding eagerly. His hum echoed deep in his chest as his licking became sloppy.

The dragon moaned against her core, licking lighter and lighter until the touch was barely there anymore. Her legs quivered and her limbs shook as he released her, causing her to crumble onto the ground. Panting heavily, she tried to collect herself.

The dragon repositioned her hips, pulling her ass back into the air. Glancing back, she noticed the dilation of his pupils, his once red eyes nearly engulfed by the expanses of black. He pushed his knuckle against her core, keeping his claw at bay as he pressed into the slick hole. She moaned, voice strained when his knuckle entered her, stretching her so pleasantly.

His gaze narrowed, eyes locked on the wet mess in front of him. A blush colored her cheeks and she moved away again as a wash of embarrassment came over her.

She began to turn around. “Okay, okay,” She uttered. The dragon grabbed her hips, moving her back into place, on display for him. "Alright, fine! I'll stay like this," She huffed, rolling her eyes. "You're obsessed with this position, you know that?” 

For the first time, the dragon shifter took himself in hand. He pumped his length keeping his eyes on her spread pussy.

Glancing over her shoulder, her eyes went wide. “You're not putting that in me, are you!?” She blurted out. He was massive, much larger than any ordinary male should ever be. “It won't fit.” She added, starting to crawl away. “There’s no fucking way.” 

He grabbed her hip with his free hand, holding her in place. He pressed his cock against her pussy, coating her slickness all over the tip. The sensation of his warm tip over her entrance sent a rush through her. The intimate sensation was enough to fill her stomach with butterflies.

“That’s not going to help. You’ll need a miracle.” She pleaded. He pressed the tip against her opening and started to push. “There’s no way!” She yelled “There’s no-” The tip popped passed the tightness of her entrance and she squealed. Okay, maybe there was a way.

The look of determination on his face told her he wasn’t stopping at just the tip. His teeth were clenched, both hands holding her hips in a bruising grip. He was moving slowly, carefully, as a sweat broke out on his brow.

“Please be careful!” She moaned, feeling the intense stretch of her insides. “I can’t, I can't…” She whimpered. Yet, she could. Her pussy betrayed her, taking more and more of the dragon's cock until he was fully seated inside her. The uncomfortable stretch soon turned delicious and she cursed the pleasure sounds coming from her lips.

He groaned, thrusting into her until she took him as deep as she possibly could. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Her panting grew louder with each passing second. “It's too much… but…” She conceded, loosening her grip on the grass. 

He wasn’t moving after sheathing himself inside her. Instead, he breathed deep, hands gripping her hips tight like she may flee at any moment. A small groan escaped him when her body flexed around the intrusion. 

She felt utterly full, stuffed to the brim, unlike anything she’s ever experienced. It was overwhelming yet strangely addicting. He wasn’t moving, allowing her to accommodate his size. Despite her worry, her body accommodated him alright, faster than she’d like to admit. Her mind and body were definitely at odds as she wiggled her backside, pressing herself to his hips. She bit her lip, but that didn’t stop her from uttering soft whimpers.

He inhaled sharply, folding over her smaller frame once again. A low rumble resounded in his chest, vibrating against her back. She dared another wiggle, encouraging him to move. Instead, he grazed his teeth, no, fangs, over her shoulder to her neck. His skin had the warmth of a heating pad, making her break out into a light sweat despite the cool spring air. 

She took a deep breath, her inner walls tremoring as he stayed seated deep inside her. His lips moved down her neck and nipped at the skin just below her ear. 

Clearing her throat, she broke the silence. “I guess you could call this romantic," she attempted to joke. “But, we’re on the literal forest floor. Maybe if we were in a bed or-”

The sensation of sharp teeth grazing her skin sent a shiver through her. Her eyes widened when she felt them a second time. They were razor-sharp and far more pointy than his claws were. She wondered what he was doing. Should she be warning him that her skin was not as thick as a dragon’s was? She didn’t know how to warn him, but his peppering of kisses with his soft warm lips eased some of her anxiety. His hands slid up under her, holding her chest firmly and pressing her back against his chest in a tight embrace.

Pain suddenly erupted from her throat. A piercing scream tore from her as his fangs penetrated her flesh. The noise sent nearby birds scattering, their wings fluttering and carrying them away from the scene. Tears filled her eyes as her legs kicked. He held her tighter, keeping her in place below him. 

Betrayal washed over her despite having no idea what to expect from this chance encounter with a monster. She kicked again, so he bit down harder warning her to stay still. She stopped moving, fearing that if she kept moving it may cause more damage to her neck. And, if she were to survive this, she wanted to be intact.

He could easily tear out her throat or crush it in an instant. For the first time, limp and powerless between the jaws of a monster, she realized just how helpless she truly was.

A searing sensation like molten lava surged from his bite. She pleaded and begged for him to stop, but the scalding fluid seeped into her veins, causing her vision to blur. Her entire body slowly became a fiery inferno from within.

The burning sensation soon reached her heart. In her panic, the pounding muscle shot the molten lava out to her extremities. As it made its way up her neck, her lips tingled and burned. Soon, her hands were engulfed, feeling as if she’d placed them atop a red-hot iron. A confused whimper escaped her as the sensation reached where the two of them were carnally connected.

A sigh of relief resounded as the painful searing sensation began to dissipate. The heat felt comforting, almost natural, as it made its way to the tips of her toes.

All at once, his body stopped feeling like a furnace. The dragon shifter at her back felt normal, almost cool to the touch. Her sweat evaporated and the breeze in the forest became exceptionally refreshing. A deep inhale calmed her, and her flushed cheeks cooled. The bite felt… good.

With the utmost care, slow and steady, he unlatched his teeth from her vein. His lips engulfed the wound as he licked at it apologetically. He began to release her from the iron clad hug he had her in and allowed her to slope back to the ground.

A distant male voice reached her ears and she jerked her head to look in its direction. She wanted the help, sure, but what would a group of humans do in this situation? Also, her predicament was bizarre. The dragon’s cock was still seated inside her, she was naked, covered in dirt and the winged man licked at the wound he’d just given her.

She didn’t see anyone in the forest as she scanned the trees. Another male voice, much closer, caught her attention and she swiveled her head in all directions.

“Hello?!” She shouted. The dragon didn’t react to her outburst.

Someone was near, and she wondered why he was not on alert. Was he not worried about them being found? Or did he simply not hear them? With the keen senses she knew the dragons to have, the ladder sounded less plausible.

Heat rushed to the spot where she was bitten and the blood stopped trickling. She tried to look, only seeing one of the punctured holes from her view. It was mending itself and at a remarkable rate. Her eyebrows rose in astonishment. Even the scrapes on her arms and knees numbed, sealing back together in a flash.

"What was that just now?" She gazed into his eyes. His pupils were slits again, but he blinked until they were circular black holes.

The man's voice came again and it was right behind her. She jerked and instinctively turned her head, finding no one there. Fantastic, she must be losing her mind. Going insane seemed plausible, especially with how the current situation was playing out. Could this all be a result of hitting her head? 

The dragon shifter ran his finger down her neck and sighed happily. Her body had very well acclimated to the size of his cock by now. She felt a rush of endorphins race through her originating from her core.

“...like you were made for me.”  A male voice, clear as day, echoed within her mind.

She slowly turned her gaze toward the shifter. “Did you just speak?”

“I have been.” His lips didn’t move, but she heard his voice clearly. His red eyes went from meeting her gaze to flicking down to her lips.

There was a long silence as she gawked at him. “H-how are you talking without… your mouth?”

He grinned and pressed a kiss to the spot he had bitten. ”The Draconian are a telepathic species. You don’t need to worry.”

“What!?” Her mind raced. “Why couldn't I hear you before?”

His eyes shifted between hers, sporting an amused smirk. ”You are human.” The word “human” wasn't exactly what he said. But the image in his mind linked to the word conveyed its meaning. ”Humans aren’t telepathic by nature.” He adds.

“Then how can I hear you now?” She murmured.

”I gave you my fires. You have been changed from within. Transformed.”

The words ‘You’re mine.’ Weren’t explicitly stated, but it was heavily implied in his heated gaze.

Her walls fluttered around the intrusion inside her. “Oh…” She was too stunned to speak, her mind struggling to grasp the reality of it all.

“What are you called?” He asked, lips brushing against the shell of her ear.

A hiss escapes her as his fangs graze her sensitive skin. A surge of fear courses through her, yet nothing comes of it. He didn’t bite her again.

“Why does it matter?” She says between clenched teeth. Her body trembled beneath his, ensnared like a bird in a cage by his powerful arms. Despite herself, memories surface of her mother using her full name when she was in trouble, juxtaposed with the nickname her friends had coined, a name she much preferred.

”That’s a beautiful name.” His voice filled her head.

“What?! I didn’t say anything. I just… You can’t read my mind, can you?!” She looked back at him in disbelief.

The dragon chuckled, a deep and reverberating sound. Yet another noise he could make with his mouth. ”I like how feisty you are. Yes, of course. You have my fires, I can read your mind.” He inhaled deeply against her neck. ”You smell fantastic… I could sense you from miles away.”

His words were accompanied by images that filled her mind of flowers, dewdrops on crisp green grass, and flakes of ash floating from a raging fire. Those weren’t her thoughts.

“Can I read yours too?”

He vocalized a hum and spoke in her head with a low whispery tone. ”Only if I let you.” He smirked, eyes half-lidded as his gaze moved over her facial features.

“How can I keep my thoughts to myself?”

His eyes softened, and he finally pulled away. ”I’ll teach you… maybe.”

“Maybe? Teach me now” She encouraged.

”I will teach you, in time.” He pledged, his hand gliding down her spine.

She was quickly growing accustomed to his voice resonating in her mind. She glanced back, capturing his face illuminated by the sunlight streaming through the canopy. His fangs were only slightly longer than his regular teeth. Funny, they had felt much bigger when they pierced her skin. His eyes, a deep jewel red, were piercing in the best way. His face was striking. An angled jawline framed his perfectly symmetrical features. 

He smirked. ”You think I’m handsome?” His brows arched playfully.

She averted her gaze. “I’m not going to get used to the mindreading anytime soon.” Thoughts of how the mindreading would ruin her escape plans weighed heavily on her mind.

“Sylus,” His voice washed over her mind, drawing her away from her thoughts.

“What?” She scrunched her face.

”That is what I am called. Sylus.”

“Oh…” A tinge of remorse settled in for not asking.

”It’s all right.” His hands slid down to her lower back, breath quickening. ”Are you ready now? You aren’t making distressed sounds anymore.” He pressed his hips forward against her ass, pushing his cock that much deeper.

“Ah! Hold on," She gasped, pressing her forehead against the ground. "Maybe I should turn around first? Lie on my back, perhaps? This position... it's hurting my knees."

Sylus narrowed his eyes. ”But this is how you mount a mate to claim them.” He said, tilting his head in confusion.

“A what!? I am not your, your mate!” She spat, attempting to pull away but failing as his hands tightened on her hips.

"You are. Your scent is perfect, just what I've been seeking all my life." The voice in her head took on a soft tone. "And, you did agree."

“When!?” She asked, utterly flustered. A mental image that was not hers flashed before her eyes. She saw herself, dirt-covered face, hair clinging to her skin, pointing at him and then to herself. “The pointing? That was… it?” Well damn, it was her telling him to just fuck her already. But she hadn't exactly signed up for being mates! “I didn’t want a full-blown mate! I just thought-”

He sighed. ”I see what you thought. But, why would I want to do this…” He emphasized with a hard thrust. ”...with you only one time?” Despite the layer of disappointment he had with their miscommunication, she could feel his shining confidence bursting through.

She let out a soft whimper, her head spinning. “Okay, okay. How long do ‘mates’ last?” She asked.

The dragon let out a deep chuckle, leaning forward and trailing kisses up her spine while his hands moved up her stomach to cup her breasts. His fingers lightly caressed the soft skin, rubbing her nipples gently in small circles.

She pressed her forehead down to the ground, the scent of the earth filling her nose, and let out a long sigh. She just wished he'd started already. Her body was no longer throbbing at the intrusion and instead had prepared with extra lubricant for just the occasion.

”You’re so impatient.” His sensual tease echoed. ”But I'm ready to provide you with everything you desire, whenever you want.”

With a firm grasp on her hips, he withdrew and thrust his cock into her.

“Ah! Oh my fucking god.” Her moans vibrated into the earth.

“I love the noises you make with your mouth.” His voice sounded even but his vocal breaths told another story. He panted, pumping into her with slow deep thrusts.

”Feels so good… I’m so full.” She thought in her mind. She sensed the words extending, stretching like tendrils in the void until she visualized Sylus’s face. She recognized the instant the words reached him, slotting into his mind like two puzzle pieces finally clicking together.

He moaned, thrusts getting sloppy the faster he went. His red wings beat, creating a gust of wind that tousled her hair around her face.

An image of flying took shape in her thoughts, a sensation she’d never experienced before. Lush rolling hills filled with thousands of green trees, mist filling the canopy and rising toward the morning sun. 

Soaring high into the sky and the rush of diving back toward the earth, catching oneself on the wind with outstretched wings. With the rush coming from these visuals he was sending her, she knew he was growing close to release.

“You're too perfect.” His words touched her mind.

“Can we try the other position? Please. As much as I’m enjoying this-” She asked, knees pressing hard against the ground. “If you hate it, we can change back.” She sent him a vision of her on her back and him close enough to kiss her.

He said something explicit in his head she couldn't attach to an English word, pleasure washing over his mind at the idea of being so close to her. He pulled out, slowly, carefully.

”Show me.” He breathed heavily, waving his hand and gesturing for her to roll over. ”I will entertain my human mate’s request.” He added with a proud smile. The wonder of human customs accompanied his words. She realized he was more than curious about her kind now that he was mated to her.

She did, rolling until her back met the ground, feeling the tickle of grass and crushed wildflowers against her skin. She adjusted until her feet were pressing down, legs spread in front of him. 

“Okay, now… do it.” She urged, red coloring her cheeks.

He gazed at her with wonder. An image of herself flooded her mind. Seeing her own reflection through his eyes was otherworldly. It was as if he had a lens that made her look ethereal, illuminated by the sunlight, her hair cascading behind her. The line between his thoughts and hers blurred, and she marveled at how she appeared. She had never considered herself more than ordinary, yet in this vision, she appeared divine, like a goddess. Her breath was lost at the realization of how he truly saw her.

He carefully grabbed her thighs, lifting her legs off the ground as he moved closer to her. His gaze fixed on her with a sense of wonder, like a starstruck fan. He moved slowly, deliberately, lining his cock up with her entrance once more.

”Radiant, beautiful, gorgeous.” His thoughts enveloped her consciousness, painting a vivid portrait of admiration, sliding back inside her with minimal effort. “All mine”

She closed her eyes, his cock sliding and pushing against all the right spots. She tilted her head back and slid her hands up his muscular chest, loving the way he eagerly leaned into her touch.

”I like this position.” He thought. ”I like the human way.”

She let out a sigh, watching his face drawing nearer to hers. "Kiss me," she whispered. His gaze wavered, and he blinked in surprise. When he didn't respond she asked, "What? Draconians don't kiss?"

She projected an image into his mind of two people locked in a passionate kiss, followed by an image of him leaning down and meeting her lips. He blinked a few times and followed her vision, leaning down until their lips met. His movements were somewhat rigid and awkward.

She snickered, arms encircling his neck. "I suppose not. Here," she whispered, pressing her lips against his and repeating the gesture. He drank in the sensations and swiftly reciprocated the kiss. 

When her tongue ventured between his lips, he drew back, his gaze locked onto her mouth.

"Too much?" she inquired, concern filling her mind. She worried she’d offended him in some way.

"No." He shook his head, drawing a deep breath. ”I was surprised. Let’s try that again.” His heated gaze was back as he cupped her face with a massive hand.

As their mouths met, he immediately slid his tongue passed her lips. He rolled his hips, sliding deep, and pulling moans from her that he promptly swallowed.

She kissed him back passionately, fingers digging into his silver hair. He braced himself above her, his claws sinking into the soil. He thrust faster, rocking her entire body with the movement.

As his kisses became sloppy, their teeth collided, and she felt the sharpness of his fangs. She broke the kiss, her heart racing. But he lunged forward again, his lips meeting hers with urgency.

”I won't hurt you.” His reassurance echoed in her mind.

Using her mental voice since his lips were on hers, she responded with a mental image of the bite mark and the words ”You already did!”

”I had to do that, so my mate could survive this claiming.”

"What!" She pulled back from the kiss, breathlessly. "What does that mean? What are you saying?" She asked him to explain.

”You needed to be the same body temperature as me, otherwise I'd scorch you.” Lines creased his forehead. ”I won't let you die in my arms.”

“There you go saying ‘mate’ again. I- Okay we will circle back to that later. What would cause me to get scorched?” She kept her hands on his shoulders, fingers just grazing his lingering scales, holding his kiss at bay.

”My body, my fluids. Your body is incompatible with me unless we share my fires. Any injury I may cause would heal more quickly with my fires coursing through your veins.”

“Fires? Was that what was in the bite you gave me? I have so many questions…”

She let her hands drop from his shoulders to rub down over his defined abs. 

”We have all the time in the world. I'll happily answer your questions day and night. I promise. But for now-” He punctuated his statement with a thrust of his hips.

She held back a moan and nodded. "Fine, but I want answers. All of them. Deal?"

”Deal” His thoughts brimmed with amusement aimed at her. ”After.”

Shaking her head, she draped her arm over her eyes as he quickened his pace. He breathed heavily, peeling himself from her body and sitting back on his bent legs. He held her legs up, pushing his torso against her thighs.

”Do you like this? Am I fulfilling your human custom?” He teased, yet his gaze scanned her face with sincerity.

She peeked from under her arm. "Yes. Oh, yes. It's amazing." she whimpered.

Her legs trembled as he held them tight. She sucked in air through her teeth, hissing as he hit her in all the right spots to make her see stars. The slick wet sounds filled the air mixing with his low grunts. Every thrust, every pump pushed her body with such intensity that she felt like a ragdoll.

“So, so good.” Her feet dangled in the air while he supported her legs. Her stomach muscles tightened, and she reached out, clutching his forearm. Her nails dug in, and despite his humanoid exterior, she discovered his skin was much thicker than a human’s was.

“You’re enjoying this.” The mind speak drifted into her head. She was dazed, barely registering what he said. Her mind was fried as he pounded her senselessly.

“Close- I’m- Ah!” She moaned, core muscles flexing as her pussy throbbed around him.

”Yes. That’s it.” The voice in her head encouraged. He moaned, pumping faster while the orgasm had her gushing out onto the forest floor.

“Holy shit!” She exclaimed, locking eyes with him in a heated exchange. His eyes were mesmerizing, like precious gemstones reflecting the purest hues of a ruby.

”You look so beautiful under me, losing yourself.” He said affectionately, fingers pressing into her thigh, and sharp nails scraping lines on her skin. “You're so gorgeous. I’ll never get tired of looking at you.” He praised.

She wasn't attempting to escape out of fear anymore. She pulled away because he was buried so deeply within her, and her inner walls felt fatigued and overstimulated. “It’s too much.” She groaned, her entire body trembling like a leaf. 

”I’m close, hold on.” He warned. ”I’m so close” He kept the same intense rhythm, lowering her legs. He leaned over her form, his arms bracing on the ground on either side of her torso. His face hovered just inches from hers.

She stopped her escape and instead, let the overstimulation become her. Gasps and grunts passed between them, his face close enough to kiss if he wasn’t fucking her so fervently. Her eyes pinched shut as a second, weaker, orgasm pulsed in her core. She whimpered, almost crying as the friction became too much. If he hadn't wrapped her in his arms, the force of his hips would have pushed her away.

Sylus praised her for keeping up with him, whispering sweet words into her thoughts. His teeth gently grazed her neck, and his tongue traced along her skin. With a single flap of his wings, a gust of wind swirled around them. Sylus then thrust to the hilt, his body stilling. He held his breath for a moment, then his cock throbbed inside her. A searing heat filled her deep and she pinched her eyes closed, teeth gritting. His cum was like lava.

She gasped as the sensation rippled through her, her fingers digging into his back, cautious of where his wings protruded. She desperately pulled him closer, longing for the space between their bodies to disappear. His forehead pressed against hers, muscles twitching as his searing cum filled her to the brim, seeping out, and dripping onto the ground. He panted, arms holding her to his chest as he breathed through the last remaining throws of his orgasm.

“Sylus,” She moaned. No matter how she tried to relax, her muscles were forced to their limit with him still inside her. Her ears rang as her heart pounded in her skull. She was drunk on his scent, on his touch, on his cock. Her mind was full of just him.

He placed a trembling hand on her lower abdomen and pressed down. She gasped, feeling just how deep inside her he was. A whimper escaped her when he pressed more firmly.

“You're mine.” He nipped at her ear. ”I’m yours. And nothing-” he growled possessively ”will ever come between us.”

She cried out when he removed himself from her body. She choked on a sob, feeling her core muscles finally relax. Her thighs were covered in slickness from their combined fluids.

Sylus claimed her lips in a heated kiss, his newfound hobby. She kissed him back, sounds of pleasure still slipping passed her lips. His strong hands cradled her face as his tongue dipped into her mouth.

“Mm, wow.” She sighed, finally catching her breath.

Their mouths met with ferocity, lips pressing hard, vanishing the air from her lungs.

His hands moved all over her body, cupping her breasts with his massive palms. His thumbs ran over her nipples and she arched into his touch.

“I’m really sensitive right now.” she whimpered, placing a few soft kisses on his lips. His stamina was truly remarkable.

He smirked ”I see that.” He trailed kisses down her neck to her collarbone. ”I did that to you.” he stated proudly. 

"Yes, you certainly did," She agreed breathlessly.

“And, I’ll do it again and again and again,” He kisses her anew with each word. She giggled as his hair tickled her face. Sylus pulled back with a genuine smile.

She believed his promise since his mind was now filled with fantasies of her. 

”Time to head home soon.” He said, planting one final kiss on her lips before moving his head between her legs in a swift motion.

“What? Home? What do you mea-!”

His tongue ran down her slit, gathering their mixed fluids. He licked and sucked between her folds, cleaning up the mess he’d made. He hummed, burying his face as close as he possibly could.

“Ngh! What are you doing?” She gasped, a moan escaping from her increasingly raspy voice.

”Cleaning you up so I can take you home.” He assured her in his mind, tongue moving up and down her wet thighs. It was a mix of ticklishness and sinful pleasure. She indulged in both, relaxing back on the soft grass.

He focused on her entrance next, moaning into her cunt, devouring her essence. She could sense his immense pleasure from the delightful thoughts that floated through his mind. His tongue repeatedly brushed against her clit and she shuddered.

Her exhausted stomach muscles contracted, and she cried out, “Okay! I’m spent! I can’t… not another one. Please.” Her hoarse voice carried a pleading tone as she pushed down on his head, trying to move him away from her center.

He smirked, taking one final inhale before leaning back. His eyelids were relaxed, silver hair falling over his brow while he sported a very contented look on his handsome face. His wings folded against his back as he stretched his arms upward and to the side. He closed his eyes, savoring the stretch for several long moments. 

She shut her eyes, taking deep breaths to regain her composure. Her legs closed, and she could already feel the onset of soreness in her muscles.

Sylus reclined next to her in the grass, his arms behind his head and a contented smile on his face. “You're the most beautiful mate.”

“We’re going to need to have a long conversation about that.” She remarked.

Sylus chuckled and effortlessly pulled her onto his chest as if she weighed nothing. He brushed hair away from her face, allowing her to nestle into his larger frame.

His scent was comforting like a warm blanket and his presence put her at ease. Taking a deep breath and then exhaling slowly, her eyes fluttered shut, exhaustion taking over. 

“Do you ever use your voice to speak?” She asked, unintentionally yawning in his face. He appeared unfazed by her less-than-polite action.

She watched him as the silence stretched. His eyes squinted like he was about to sneeze before his lips formed the sound “Sshur,” He looked pleased with himself, smug even.

“That wasn’t a word.” She struggled to hold back a laugh.

”But I spoke it with my mouth.”

“Do you even speak any language?”

”I didn't know human mates had so many questions. I will be happy to answer them all but I can’t all at once.” He stretched, keeping her nestled against his chest. “So curious.”

“But you will answer them eventually, right?”

”Of course, sweetie.” 

“Do you know anyone else with a human… well, 'mate'?”

Sylus pat her back with a small smile. “That is another question.”

Amused, she chuckled. “Oh, sorry. Okay, I’ll zip it for now. I promise. I need some rest, now anyway.”

”First, home, then rest. After that, I will attempt to satisfy your curiosity. Though, it seems to know no bounds”

“Where is-” She paused. “Never mind. Another question.”

”This is our home.” He projected images into her mind. A mountainside with a massive cavernous opening in its flank appeared, shrouded in darkness from a large overhang from the mountain above.

“That's… high.” She gazed up at the sky, the images from her mind blending with the real world.

”Those humans you were with, they abandoned you.” His words were laced with annoyance. ”I will not do that. I won’t leave you here alone. Especially since you don't have claws to defend yourself.”

“How did you know there were other people?” She asked curiously.

”I could smell them nearby when I found you.” His eyes moved about the trees. “They are long gone now, leaving before I even transformed.”

Her face scrunched in annoyance. They were close by, after all, just hiding like cowards and leaving her to die. She honestly couldn’t blame them, unsure of what she would have done in that same situation. Still, it hurt that they didn’t even try to help her.

”I promise to take care of you.” His fingers tenderly followed the curve of her jawline. ”I will provide you with anything you could possibly need. And, I will strive to give you everything you want.”

Through their mental bond, she believed every word he said. He fed his fires to her veins, binding them mentally, emotionally, and physically. Now, their connection was complete, making her just as much his as he was hers.

With care, Sylus helped her sit up. He followed suit, rising to his feet. ”We both need to freshen up and have a warm meal.” He brushed dirt off himself and then off her.

The thought of food made her stomach rumble. “I’m starving.” She didn’t know the last time she had a proper meal.

His smile widened. ”I know. I've seen your thoughts full of bread and cheeses.” He extended a hand to help her stand. “We have plenty of that back home.”

“My clothes…” She looked around at the tattered cloth. “They’re unsalvageable.”

Sylus furrowed his brow. ”I will get you more.” He assured. ”Now, I must transform to take us back. Will you be comfortable riding in my hand?”

She looked down at his humanoid hand with uncertainty. “Um,”

Sylus's laughter resonated in his chest. ”My Draconian hand is much larger than this. You will fit in the palm of it. Don’t worry. Can I shift now? Will you be okay?” He shifted his weight to one leg, his gaze heavy on hers.

She could feel his worry clouding her mind. There had been a load of anxiety the last time she saw his dragon form.

She nodded finally. ”Yes. I’m ready.”

Sylus took several steps back, pupils changing to slits before his skin erupted into gleaming garnet scales. With a resounding roar, his body expanded, reshaping itself into the colossal dragon that had previously frightened her.

Fear gripped her, but words drifted into her mind.”You're safe.” He reassured her mentally. ”It's still me.” He took one large step toward her, the ground rumbling with the weight of his limbs.

She willed herself to stand her ground, reminding herself that this was Sylus, the man, or rather the dragon, who had claimed her, who had promised protection and care.

Sylus extended one massive, claw tipped hand, waiting patiently. His breathing was much louder, punctuated by intermittent gruff sounds.

Summoning her courage, she stepped forward, hand gliding over thick red scales until she nestled within his palm. He patiently waited for her to find a good position, securing herself in place by clasping onto one of his massive digits.

Sylus gradually closed his fingers, cradling her against his chest as though holding a precious jewel.

”Hold on tight.”

”Okay.” Poking her head out of his hand, she watched as he limped on three limbs to a clearing.

As the dragon prepared for flight, his wings unfurled with loud wooshing sound. Sylus’s wings stretched out with an astonishing span, each membranous expanse flexing as he eyed the sky. With a powerful thrust, he launched himself into the air. Each mighty flap of his wings sent shockwaves through the air, leaving behind a whirlwind that ruffled the trees. She held onto his digit, feeling safe and tucked away against his hard chest.

He broke through the canopy, leaving the spot where they met behind. In flight, his wings pumped fiercely, propelling them forward as his body cut through the air current. The wind howled in her ears the higher they rose. He adjusted fluidly, tilting to catch currents and riding the wind with ease. His body cast a massive shadow on the ground below.

As she peaked out from under his claws, she looked down. The height they soared at made her stomach drop. She gripped his fingers tightly, a chill rushing through her that had nothing to do with the wind whipping past. He sent her images of his home again, a large cavern in the mountainside. She saw a room with a large bed made out of piles and piles of blankets, a desk with books and quills, and a bookshelf stuffed with more trinkets than books.

The wind roared in her ears as they cut through the clouds. Pressed against his chest, she could feel Sylus’s muscles working with each flap of his wings, each beat pushing them into a forward surge, propelling them higher and higher. The landscape rolled and undulated beneath them. It looked fake, like something from a movie.

She felt weightless, suspended in his palm with every powerful stroke of the dragon's wings. A smile grew on her face as the rush of freedom overcame her. 

Gazing forward toward the mountains, she felt a sense of unity with Sylus in addition to the bond they already made. It felt like it was them against the world, and she was certain that the two of them would always win no matter what it took.

She marveled at the view. This was most certainly a perspective meant for the extraordinary. It hit her that this was a moment that would forever etch itself into her mind. There was uncertainty about the future, but she had lived in uncertain times for years now. It was easier to roll with the punches and adjust anew to what the world was presenting her at any given moment than to struggle against it. Sylus hadn't made that hard for her. She relaxed in his grip and smiled wide as the landscape rushed by them in a blinding blur.