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signedkoko · 11 months ago

Note

You are such a sweetie! Since your requests are open, if you feel inspired and motivated by this (otherwise you can 100% ignore it, writing is hard - I know), could I request a one-shot for Vox who falls in love with a imp!reader? Would love to see how you write their "forbidden" love, how would Vox feel and what if the other Vee's found out about it. It doesn't have to be a story, you can do it in headcannon format if you feel like it suits better! Just try to have fun ♡ -Nia

Intern [Romantic]

In which the techy overlord falls for one of his new hellborn employees, much to his dismay. Reader is genderneutral.

Song - Break My Heart by Dua Lipa

Any hellborn would die for the opportunity that graced you. Well, graced was not the right word; you fought for months against many candidates, beefed up your resume, and pulled some strings to get an unpaid internship for the Vee's. More specifically, a three-month internship at VoxTek with the potential to be hired in immediately after.

It was a position people could only dream of, especially hellborn. Sinner-based companies had a tendency to place sinners above hellborns, but you knew that and used it to your advantage. You couldn't go in as equal; you had to know you were less and make up for it.

The job itself wasn't all that bad, either. It was a lot of unpaid hours, from the crack of dawn to the dip of the sun or later, but it mostly involved the small details. Coffee, sorting, and delivering mail between sections were hard to mess up.

There was the rare extra task where someone messed up and they needed someone to cover quickly.

Today was one of those days. You were at the right place at the right time, sitting by the coffee machine, grabbing yourself your first cup of the day.

That was when he entered, his shoes tapping on the floor with confident clicks, and when he spoke it commanded attention.

Mostly because he spoke through every speaker in the building at once.

"Who here can follow me? No questions asked."

Before anyone could chime in, his monitor did a full rotation of the room, his eyes narrowing when they landed on you.

Your ear piece buzzed to life.

"You, follow me. Now." The overlord spoke directly into your ear using the device, and knowing this may be an opportunity of a lifetime, you followed.

There was no question about who it was: a monitor for a head, control of all technology, and a towering seven feet tall. Vox was the top of the top, and it was hard to believe you were allowed to so much as stand next to him.

It was hard to keep up with his speed-walking pace, but he eventually led you into the mail elevator, hitting the twelfth floor while he muttered something about incompetence amongst hires and how he always had to take control of every production if he wanted it done right.

With a ding and the slow release of the elevator doors, he took the lead once more, though this time he was walking slower and backwards, navigating with ease despite looking directly at you.

"Alrighty intern, ready for your shot at becoming something more? Because our previous voiceover person just walked out on us, and now you'll be covering for them." He stopped with his back against a door, grabbing the handle and awaiting your reply.

"But I only just spoke to..."

"You're cute, you know that? How many videos do you think are out there with your voice? I listened to them all the moment I saw you." Vox only smiled wider when his words sunk in; he saw the usual flash of embarrassment as you pondered what he might have seen. Without waiting any longer, he pushed the door open, spinning so he was finally walking normally.

It was a recording studio, and there were several other employees waiting, mostly those handling the recording equipment and some holding papers.

Vox sat himself in a comfortable rolling chair in front of the glass window that overlooked the recording studio, spinning to hand you some papers that he took from a demon next to him.

"Here is your script; all you have to do is read. Make it sound exciting! Something new, something beyond anyone's imagination, is now available to the public!" He put on a voice as he continued, demonstrating what he hoped you could manage. Someone ushered you into the booth and plopped some headphones over your ears.

"From the top! 3...2..."

The whole process was a thrill, but you managed to run over the script in three separate recordings, of which Vox cited them all as 'stunning' or 'absolutely perfect!', though the producer claimed to need multiple for any potential recording malfunctions.

For an overlord, he had been oddly kind and encouraging throughout the process, and he walked you out himself when everything wrapped up.

Vox continued to speak about what the script was for and how excited he was for the launch, all while leading you through parts of the building you had never been to before. You thought after that he would have sent you back down and forgotten everything, but eventually you found yourself in front of your supervisor.

"Vox! Sir- oh no, had our intern upset you?"

"No, no, not at all. Sorry, what was your name again? Ally? Yeah, listen, Ally, I need you to handle the paperwork they were assigned. Oh! And I want them promoted to my personal studio for tomorrow, too."

Before you or the sinner could ask questions, Vox was already out of there, chipper as ever.

That evening, you went home with an upgraded badge and access card, along with details on your new position and expectations. It was a lot to get through, but you felt extremely proud of yourself for doing so well. Hell, you met THE Vox, and he wanted you to be the voice of VoxTek?

While flipping through the pile of information, the most surprising aspect was the six-figure salary you were about to get started on.

. . .

Surrounded by monitors, Vox watched various camera feeds as they traced your steps home. Vox saw you smile from several angles, the electricity between his antennae flickering. Each monitor had some kind of file or piece of information on you, and he was only pulled out of his trance when he got a call from Velvette.

"Hello there, Velvette! What can I help you with today?" Leaning back in his chair, the overlord flicked his wrist, which shot the call from his monitor onto one of the many others displaying you.

"I need your guys for a sh- wait. Vox, what the fuck is all of that?" While the fashionista originally had her eyes elsewhere, her gaze quickly fixed on his background, which was quickly followed by all the screens going blank with his logo.

"That? Oh, oh no, its nothing at a-"

"That's the imp you were talking about last week! The one you were trying to get to apply to VoxTek!"

"Well, maybe, but-"

Once again, she cut him off with a gurgling groan.

"Listen, I don't care who or what you fuck; just get your camera crew here and we'll talk about this later. Kay? Kisses!" Before she abruptly hung up on him, he could have sworn he heard a small 'at least they're hot' before the call disconnected.

Tensed from the interaction, Vox could only groan and dramatically fall back into his chair, tapping his claws along the armrest.

So what if he scouted you out? You didn't know that, and you were happy about it anyway! One by one, each monitor opened back up on your data, the overlord grinning.

It was better this way; everyone would think it was the intern going after him, so nobody knew one of the top overlords in hell was dotting on some helpless imp.

Author's Note - I love Vox so much...hes so obsessive but he denies every accusation (its the same w Alastor lmao) like its going to hurt him! But thank you so much for the request Nia, I hope this interests you 🖤

Word Count - 1,219

#koko writez #hazbin hotel #helluva boss #hazbin hotel x reader #helluva boss x reader #reader insert #x reader #vox #vox x reader

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biblomaniac · 6 months ago

Text

Lena’s late.

In her defense, the conference call with Japan had been rescheduled twice and they were ready to pull out of the project if she didn’t speak with them directly.

So, Lena’s late to Al’s for the groups weekly hang out. She ended up coming straight from the office. She is definitely overdressed for the bar, clad in black red bottoms, a tight forrest green pencil skirt, a white silk blouse patterned with black triangles, and a matching green waistcoat. Her hair had been set loose from its tight bun two hours into the four hour conference call, leaving her inky black locks wavy.

Arriving at the bar, Lena thanks Frank as he opens the door for her.

“Thank you, Frank. You can have the rest of the night off, I will probably end up going to Kara’s after.”

“Thank you, Ms. Luthor. I will go home, but I’ll keep my cell on. I’d prefer for you to call me if you need a ride.”

Lena rolls her eyes good-naturedly, used to Franks protests of her finding other transportation.

“Good night, Frank.”

“Good night, Ms. Luthor. Have fun.” Frank tips his hat, waiting for his boss to enter the bar before returning to the drivers side and heading off.

**********

Lena enters the familiar building. It’s outside is rather unremarkable at first glance, which it should be for a business trying to keep a low profile.

Since the CEO has become a regular customer at Al’s, the general population has accepted her presence, or at least ignore it in favor of avoiding Kara’s wrath.

Lena navigates her way to the back, looking for any familiar faces on her way to their regular table. She doesn’t find any, but she does hears Kara’s characteristic voice calling her name.

“Lena! Over here,” she calls, waving her hand obnoxiously in the air. Kara is smiling profusely, perfect white teeth on display and cheeks a rosy hue.

“Stop that! You’re making a scene,” Alex scolds, trying and failing to pull Kara’s hand from the air. Kara ignores her sisters protesting, only ceasing her actions when Lena is near enough to grab.

Just as Lena starts to address the table, Kara pulls her in for a tight hug. One arm surrounds Lena’s back while the other pulls Lena in by the shoulders. The greeting is rather enthusiastic, even for the alien equivalent of a golden retriever.

“Lena! Hi! What took you so long?”

Lena is caught mildly off guard, but returns the hug anyway.

“Hi, darling. I got caught up in the office. Are you having fun?” Lena questions before releasing Kara.

“Yes! Nia got me shots of Aldebaran Rum to ‘loosen me up’, and she made Brainy try Xenorian beer. It tastes like smoked cotton candy!” Kara shares happily, entertwining her hand with Lena’s before the brunette can stray too far.

“Shots? How many have you had?”

“Three! Wait—maybe four. And a couple of those beers. They were really sweet!”

Interesting.

“Hey, Kara, why don’t you go get me a whiskey? Take my card and start a tab for the table.” Lena hands over her Platinum American Express card. She figures giving Kara and errand to run will allow her a few minutes to get to the bottom of what’s going on here.

“Okay! I’ll be right back,” Kara exclaims happily, pressing a kiss to Lena cheek before heading to the bar.

Read the rest on AO3 😉❤️

#lena luthor #supercorp #kara zorel #supergirl #kara danvers #kara x lena #headcanon #first kiss #alcohol #bar #super friends #fluff #love confessions #idiots in love #post canon #two shot

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lovezbrownies · 4 months ago

Note

Nia with a really clumsy reader, like when reader gets left alone for 10 seconds theyve already set something on fire and caused the death of 5 families (im exaggerating for dramatic effect)

everytime i see a nia request it always gives me so much joyndkjfnds theyre always so fire oomf thank yeww for this one

Oopsie! (Yandere!Queen x GN!Reader.)

Nia's Masterlist - General Masterlist

Synopsis: Nia meets a very clumsy yet endearing individual.

Nia Bloodwen x GN!Reader.

Warnings: 'Countel' used as a gender neutral term of Count/Countess, Reader genuinely doesn't know how to walk or talk at all, Reader is a nervous wreck in this, Nia is having fun.

Your marriage to Queen Nia was supposed to be one of convenience—for you, at least. As the clumsy former Countel of the L/N house, your title had been thrust upon you when your fathers, tired of the burdens of leadership, handed over the reins to their 24-year-old heir. And though you were earnest, you were terrible at it. It wasn’t that you didn’t try—oh, you tried—but the documents you signed often had to be rewritten, your speeches were filled with stumbles, and you couldn’t navigate noble circles to save your life.

So, you kept to yourself at parties, avoiding the judgmental eyes of other nobles, desperately trying not to trip over your own feet. Soon, you became known as the “mysterious Countel,” a title whispered among the court’s gossipers. The irony wasn’t lost on you—your mystery was born out of your desire not to make a fool of yourself. Yet, somehow, it only made you more desirable to certain women, drawn to your quiet demeanor. You always declined their advances, though. “I’m flattered, but at the moment, I have no interest in courtship,” you’d say, voice cracking just enough to make them more intrigued, though that was never your intention.

Then, one day, everything changed. You found yourself in the Queen’s presence, not through any special favor but simply through the necessary duties of noble estates. Queen Nia, however, was known for her reclusive manner—meetings with her were conducted behind a curtain, her assistant passing documents back and forth between you. As you fumbled through the mountainous folder of estate paperwork, you were, naturally, a mess.

“Err, the estate papers… Uh, I think it’s this one!” you said, rising from your chair to hand over what you believed to be the correct document. But as you stood, the chair screeched loudly across the marble floor, and your foot—of course—caught on one of its legs. You stumbled forward with a yelp, only to be caught by the horrified assistant. “Stop! Please, sit down,” she hissed, gently guiding you back into your chair, prying the file from your sweaty hands.

“Oh, sorry!” you muttered, flushed with embarrassment, your ears burning.

Nia, behind her veil of privacy, heard the commotion and couldn’t suppress her curiosity. She knew of you—rumors had swirled around court about the elusive and awkward Countel, but this display? The nervousness in your voice, the shuffling of your steps? It wasn’t what she had imagined. In fact, she found herself oddly charmed by the entire affair.

The assistant passed the file to Nia, and when she opened it, her amusement grew tenfold. “Countel L/N, are you sure this is correct?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement that was difficult to hide.

You froze on the other side of the curtain. “Um, yes?” you responded, only for her to hum softly.

“These appear to be your drawings,” she said, her tone now openly teasing.

“Oh gosh! Uh—y-yes, I mean, no! That’s not the—wait!” Frantically, you shuffled through your papers, your heart pounding in your chest as you realized you’d handed over your sketchbook by mistake. You found the correct file, nearly shoving it into the assistant’s hands, mortified beyond words. “I-I’m so sorry! Here’s the real one, your Majesty!”

Nia, on the other side of the curtain, had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. It was… endearing, really—your clumsiness, your flustered apologies. And those drawings? They were beautiful. There was something raw and unpolished about them that made her linger on each page, tracing the delicate, clumsy lines of birds and flowers, the intricate details you poured into sketches of the estate’s landscape. She wasn’t just amused; she was fascinated.

Your meeting ended in what you hoped was a neutral tone, and as you nervously stood to leave, you cleared your throat. “Um, c-could I maybe… have the drawings back?” you asked, eyes wide with hope.

“No,” came the sharp, definitive reply.

“Ah…” You left, defeated and certain this would be the end of you. Surely, she’d have your head for this embarrassment! You returned home that evening, declaring to your family that your beheading was imminent. They laughed, of course, as they always did when you overreacted. You, however, were already trying to figure out which of your younger sisters would be fit to take over your title.

Meanwhile, Queen Nia sat in her chambers, unable to focus on her usual duties. She tried, of course, to turn her attention to her work, but her gaze kept drifting back to your sketches. She found herself flipping through them over and over, a faint scent of flowers—perhaps from your preferred drawing spot—clinging to the pages. Each stroke of your pen had a life of its own, and it wasn’t long before Nia found herself daydreaming. How strange it was to miss someone she had barely met! The way you had fumbled, the way you had nervously stammered—it was all so utterly… adorable.

Within days, she began inquiring about you discreetly. She invited one of your admirers to her court, listening patiently as the young noblewoman gushed about your endearing quirks. Nia learned that you preferred to keep to yourself at parties, that you were fiercely protective of your sisters, and that you spent most of your free time drawing under the trees in your estate’s garden. A week passed, then two. Nia found herself thinking of you more and more, until finally, she couldn’t resist.

After months of orchestrated meetings and quiet observation, Nia had finally managed to break through your social barriers. You were no longer simply the Countel you had been before—now, you saw her as a friend. And you valued that friendship, even if it made you impossibly nervous. But then, out of nowhere, Nia dropped a bombshell.

“I want you to marry me,” she said one afternoon, her voice so calm and assured that you nearly choked on your tea.

“What?!” you sputtered, coughing violently as water sprayed from both your mouth and nose. You could barely breathe as you struggled to process what she’d just said.

Nia stood, her silhouette suddenly imposing as she stepped out from behind the curtain for the first time. She wasn’t in her usual royal attire—today, she was dressed simply, her hair loose and flowing, her eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that made your heart pound. “You heard me, Countel. I want you to marry me.”

“B-but, I—Your Majesty—I—!” Words failed you as you sat frozen, your mind racing with a thousand different thoughts. This wasn’t just a proposal from any noblewoman—this was the Queen. You couldn’t possibly refuse her, yet marriage had always been something you dreaded, something you weren’t ready for.

Nia’s smile was dangerous, predatory almost, as she closed the distance between you with deliberate steps. “You’ve caught my eye, Countel L/N,” she purred, her voice sending a shiver down your spine. “You’re charming, in your own awkward way. You’re clumsy, shy, and you never seem to know what to say, but it’s exactly those qualities that make you… irresistible.”

Your throat went dry as she leaned down, her face now inches from yours. You could feel the heat radiating from her skin, smell the faint hint of roses in her hair. “I’ve decided you’re the one,” she whispered, her lips brushing against your ear as you sat, helpless and breathless. “And I always get what I want.”

“I-I don’t know if—”

“Doesn’t matter,” she cut you off with a gleam in her eyes, wrapping her arms around you with surprising gentleness. “You’re mine now, Countel. And you’re going to be the perfect spouse for a queen.”

Before you could protest further, Nia’s grip tightened, her hands trailing down your back. You weren’t sure if you should laugh, cry, or pass out. But one thing was for certain—you were no longer the clumsy, awkward Countel. You were now the Queen’s clumsy, award partner, and there was no escaping her embrace.

The grand, sunlit halls of the palace stretched endlessly before you, the polished marble floors shimmering beneath the cascading light that filtered through tall, stained-glass windows. And in the midst of this royal grandeur, your hand was clasped firmly within Queen Nia’s—a gesture that had become all too familiar, though not for its elegance. No, she held onto you not out of decorum but to prevent your inevitable stumbles. Today was no exception.

“Honestly, my love,” Nia’s voice, a melody of amusement, slipped past her lips, the sound echoing through the quiet halls. She tugged you closer as you narrowly avoided crashing into a priceless vase, your foot—somehow—tangling itself in the hem of your elaborate royal robes. “How do you manage to trip over absolutely nothing? Do you have some sort of talent for this?” She was laughing now, the sound warm but carrying an undertone of possessive affection, as though she were the only one allowed to witness your constant mishaps.

You flushed, cheeks burning beneath her teasing gaze, and muttered an apology that she waved off immediately, her grip tightening on your arm. “Don’t you dare apologize,” she purred, eyes glinting as she looked at you. “You wouldn’t be you without all this.” Her free hand gently brushed your cheek, her touch lingering in that possessive way she always had—as if claiming you as her own with every small gesture, reminding you with each caress that you belonged to her and her alone.

Months had passed since your marriage, and though you had settled into your role as her spouse, you still hadn’t quite gotten used to the way she looked at you sometimes—those predatory eyes, always watching, always following your every move as though you were something precious and fragile, something she’d fiercely protect but never let go. There were days when you wondered if she’d ever stop teasing you, but you knew the answer before you could even consider it.

Nia enjoyed your clumsiness far too much, her laughter a constant reminder of her amusement—and her obsession. Every trip, every stumble seemed to end with her holding you tighter, her arms around your waist, her lips brushing your ear as she whispered, “You’re mine, darling. Always.” And though her words made you feel safe, there was something more beneath them—a fierce protectiveness, a possessiveness that never quite left her tone.

And yet, as the months passed, you couldn’t help but notice someone else’s eyes lingering on you—eyes that were far less welcoming, far less comforting than Nia’s. Isadora, Nia’s ever-dutiful assistant, had become a shadow in your life, always hovering just out of reach, her gaze too intense, too calculating. At first, you thought nothing of it—surely she was simply doing her job, ensuring her Queen’s spouse was well taken care of. But there was something different about the way she spoke to you now, the way her hands would sometimes brush against yours as she passed you documents, or how her eyes lingered just a bit too long when you tripped and Nia wasn’t there to catch you.

One evening, as you sat alone in the palace gardens, sketching nervously under the fading sunlight, Isadora approached, her steps almost too quiet for comfort. “Countel,” she greeted, her voice smooth as silk but laced with something you couldn’t quite place. You glanced up, offering her a polite smile as she stood over you, her shadow casting a long, dark line over your sketchbook.

“Good evening, Isadora,” you replied, your voice wavering slightly. There was something unsettling about the way she was looking at you, as if she were studying you far too closely. She crouched beside you, and you stiffened as her fingers brushed your wrist—just a light touch, but it sent a shiver down your spine. You didn’t like how close she was, how her breath seemed to warm the air around you.

“I’ve noticed…” she began, her tone far too intimate for your comfort, “that the Queen seems rather… fond of you.” Her fingers traced along the back of your hand, and you flinched, pulling away awkwardly, nearly knocking your sketchbook into the dirt in your clumsy retreat.

“I—um—yes, of course she is,” you stammered, fumbling with your words as you struggled to maintain your composure. “I-I mean, that’s not surprising, right? I—uh—she's my wife, after all…”

Isadora’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re quite the catch, Countel L/N,” she whispered, her hand ghosting over your arm now. “Someone as kind and charming as you… well, it’s no wonder she’s obsessed.” There was a sharpness to her words, a hidden bitterness that sent your heart racing in the wrong direction. You tried to step back slowly, awkwardly adjusting your sketchbook under your arm as you stood—nonchalant, you told yourself, just another casual movement. But as you turned, your foot caught on a loose cobblestone, sending you careening sideways into a nearby flowerbed, your arms flailing wildly to catch yourself.

You hit the ground with a soft thud, face flushed, flowers and dirt mingling with your robes. “Oh no! I’m fine!” you exclaimed, cheeks burning. You scrambled back to your feet, brushing off the petals and soil as Isadora chuckled softly, the sound laced with a mix of amusement and something darker.

“See?” Isadora leaned closer, a teasing lilt in her voice, “You really do need someone to catch you.” She reached out, her hand grasping your elbow, but you jerked away, panic rising as you tried to regain your composure.

“I really appreciate it, but I should go—like, um, really go tell Nia something! Important! Very important!” You stammered, your words tumbling over each other in your rush to escape. “I mean, it’s not that I don’t want to talk, but…” You stumbled over your own thoughts, the franticness of the situation sending you spiraling.

Isadora smirked, clearly enjoying your flustered state. “I think we’d make a lovely pair,” she persisted, her gaze piercing as you stumbled backward toward the palace, nearly tripping over your own feet again. “You don’t have to tell her everything, do you?”

You shook your head violently, feeling the weight of her words crashing down around you. “I-I really don’t think that’s a good idea! I mean, why would I—um, ah!” Your foot caught on the hem of your robe, and you tumbled forward, the world tilting precariously as you collided with a nearby garden bench, nearly tipping it over as you flailed to steady yourself.

“I’m—going to go—tell Nia!” you blurted out, the words tumbling from your lips in a rush as you managed to slip through the doors, leaving Isadora behind. Your breath hitched in your throat, and you wiped your sweaty palms on your robes, desperately trying to find Nia, trying to shake off the unsettling feelings that lingered from the encounter.

When you finally found Nia in your shared chambers, lounging gracefully on the edge of the bed, her expression softened at the sight of you. You could feel the tension leaving your body just by being in her presence. Her eyes lit up with curiosity as you approached—trying to steady your voice, trying not to make it seem like anything was wrong.

“What’s happened, darling?” she asked, her voice laced with concern as she noticed your hesitation.

You fumbled for words, wringing your hands together as you paced the room, trying to make sense of the mess in your head without alarming her. “I… um, I don’t want to make a big deal of this, but… Isadora, she…” You trailed off, feeling the weight of Nia’s gaze on you, and then took a deep breath, forcing yourself to say it. “She… tried to, um… make some sort of… move? On me?”

The room seemed to still. Nia’s playful expression froze, her eyes narrowing as she processed what you’d said. The air around her darkened, a possessive storm gathering behind her eyes. “What?” Her voice, though soft, carried an edge so sharp it sent a chill down your spine. “She what?”

You swallowed hard, regretting immediately that you hadn’t just told her straight away. But now, there was no going back. “I-I told her no, obviously,” you added quickly, feeling the weight of her possessive gaze on you, “but… I thought you should know.”

Nia rose from the bed, her movements graceful yet terrifying in their deliberation. The playful Queen was gone, replaced by something far more dangerous, far more protective. “Where is she now?” she asked, her voice cold, calculated.

Before you could answer, she was already calling for the guards, her voice ringing with fury. Within moments, Isadora was dragged into the room, her confident demeanor slipping as she was forced to her knees before the Queen. Nia’s eyes burned with possessive wrath as she stood over the trembling assistant.

“You thought you could lay a hand on my spouse?” Nia’s voice was deadly, her gaze unwavering as she stared down at Isadora. “You dared to think you could steal what is mine?”

Isadora stammered out a weak apology, but Nia wasn’t having any of it. “Your ambition blinds you,” she said, her voice low and sharp, like the edge of a blade. “You’ve miscalculated your position here.” Her gaze flickered toward you, filled with a mixture of concern and fierce protectiveness that sent shivers racing down your spine.

You stood frozen, caught in a whirlwind of emotions as you watched Isadora falter under Nia's intensity. “I—I didn’t mean to…” Isadora protested, her composure cracking as she looked up at Nia, desperation creeping into her voice. “I thought—I just thought…”

“Thought what?” Nia interrupted, her tone cutting through the air like ice. “That you could charm your way into my life? That you could take what belongs to me?” She stepped closer, looming over Isadora, who now cowered beneath the Queen’s wrath, her earlier confidence shattered.

The atmosphere in the room shifted, thick with tension, as you felt a mix of dread and relief. Dread for Isadora, whose ambition had led her to this moment, and relief because Nia was defending you, fiercely and unabashedly. But even as you felt that protective warmth from your wife, a small flicker of concern tugged at your heart.

“Nia, please—” you started, your voice hesitant as you approached her, wanting to defuse the situation. “I-It’s okay. I told her no. I didn’t want any of this—”

“Stay back, darling,” Nia interjected, her voice firm as she turned to you, eyes softening just a fraction as she glanced your way. “This is between me and her now.”

You watched, heart racing, as Nia’s expression hardened again. “You will not threaten my spouse again,” she declared, her voice unwavering. “Consider this your final warning. I’ll not allow anyone to come between us, Isadora. You may leave, but understand this: any further attempts, and you will regret it.”

Isadora’s eyes widened with fear, and she nodded rapidly, scrambling to her feet as she backed away. “I didn’t mean any harm! I was just—” But her words fell flat as Nia stepped forward, every inch of her commanding, fierce, and utterly in control.

“Leave,” Nia repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument. Isadora stumbled back out of the room, muttering half-hearted apologies, clearly shaken, her earlier confidence extinguished in the face of Nia’s wrath. The door slammed shut behind her, the echo reverberating through the silence that followed.

You turned back to Nia, who was now visibly shaking with the force of her emotions. The anger had left her, but the protective intensity remained, her eyes dark and swirling with unbridled feelings. “Are you alright?” she asked, her voice suddenly soft, the fierce Queen giving way to the concerned wife.

“I—I think so,” you replied, your heart still racing, a mix of exhilaration and anxiety coursing through you. “I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Nia stepped closer, wrapping her arms around you, her warmth enveloping you like a shield. “You have to understand,” she murmured against your hair, “I can’t allow anyone to come near you. You’re too precious to me.” Her fingers tangled in your hair, holding you tightly as if she were afraid you might slip away.

“I know,” you whispered, burying your face in her shoulder, feeling the comfort of her presence wash over you. “I just didn’t want you to get hurt. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

Nia pulled back slightly, her gaze intense as she searched your eyes. “You’re never trouble, my love. You’re everything to me. I’ll protect you, always.” Her voice was low, fierce, filled with an earnestness that made your heart swell.

As she stepped back, her expression softened, and the playfulness returned to her gaze, but there was an underlying tension still lingering between you two. “But I won’t tolerate anyone trying to come between us again. Not even a whisper of it.” Her lips curved into a teasing smile, but the possessiveness in her eyes remained. “So, just promise me—if anyone else tries anything, you’ll tell me immediately. No more hiding.”

You nodded, feeling the weight of her gaze pressing down on you. “I promise,” you replied, your voice steady. “I won’t let anyone come between us. Especially not Isadora.” Oof, best not to cross Nia, that is for sure.

Nia smiled, satisfaction flickering across her features. “Good,” she said, pulling you back into her embrace, her warmth grounding you. “Now, let’s put this behind us, shall we?”

In that moment, surrounded by her fierce love, you knew that no matter the challenges that lay ahead, you would face them together. And in the heart of the storm, you felt an undeniable strength—a bond that was unbreakable, forged in the fires of love and loyalty.

#yandere x reader #gn reader #yandere oc x reader #oc x reader #yandere oc #yandere x darling #x reader #tw yandere #yandere #gender neutral #female yandere #female yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere x y/n #yandere request #Nia Bloodwen #guys do u think i yapped too much in this

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water-melloh · 16 days ago

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╭ ݁ ⭒ NIA'S HEADCANON MASTERLIST

only agatha all along, now.

OUT

alice wu-gulliver

SOON

agatha harkness

rio vidal

lilia calderu

jennifer kale

billy maximoff ( special for LGBT men who like it!)

greenhouse academy

#nia's navigation #nia's headcanon #nia's post #agatha harkness #agatha all along #alice wu gulliver #greenhouse #the worst witch

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theloveliestembrace · 1 year ago

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𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 ✧

𝐡𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ⚡️ (discontinued)

𝐟𝟏 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 🏎️

#nia’s navigation #Masterlist

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anotherjheastan · 1 month ago

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Another Complicated Love Story

A Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley FanFic

Chapter 6 | Masterlist

CW arguing, yelling, suggestive, mentions sex

Chapter 7: Like I’m Gonna Lose You

So I’m gonna love you like I’m gonna lose you

I’m gonna hold you like I’m saying goodbye

Wherever we’re standing

I won’t take you for granted

‘Cause we’ll never know when, when we’ll run out of time

- Like I’m Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor

Jey was vibing with Naomi’s music so he left his earbuds out. The first 30 minutes of their trip had been smooth. He hoped it would continue to be smooth. He could hear Rhea and Jessica whispering and giggling. He couldn’t make out what they were saying though. Jey was feeling both happy and sad to be around her again. Her presence was calming and he felt the desire to hold her hand or put his arm around her growing. But underneath the surface was fear. He didn’t want to get hurt again, but maybe that was unavoidable. At least for now.

He had the visor down to block the sun, but he flicked open the mirror part. He could see Rhea and he smiled. She was beautiful. And he missed her. They were close together, but somehow still far apart. Rhea looked up and met Jey’s eyes in the mirror. She smiled. He smiled back. He broke eye contact first, fighting emotions and memories that were coming up. And fear came up again. Why was he so afraid? He wanted to pull that thread, but he had to focus. He had a show to do. They were gonna give the crowd some Jhea moments since their relationship was a part of the storyline. And it had to look like things were great between them.

“You doing okay, bro?” Naomi asked.

“Yeah I’m good. How are you holding up?” Jey asked.

“I feel good. Should be able to do the whole drive,” Naomi said.

“Good,” Jey replied.

They arrived at the arena in Jacksonville at 12:35 pm. Traffic had picked up, but they still made good time. They all ate lunch together in catering. Dom, Liv, and Raquel grabbed their food while they were there. Dom waved at Jessica and Rhea had to hold Jessica back from making good on her promise.

Before they knew it, it was rehearsal time. All the superstars walked through the show. Jey would come out after Rhea’s match with Raquel. Jey would look over to make sure she was okay and kiss her on the forehead. Rhea was timid towards Jey and it was obvious.

“You gotta be confident tonight,” Jey said. “I’m yours, remember?”

“Forreal or for the show?,” Rhea asked. She tugged on his shirt.

“Forreal,” Jey said, stepping closer to her. He didn’t care what any other superstars or crew were thinking. He gently caressed her face. Rhea started to talk, but Jey cut her off.

“No, I’m not just saying that.”

Rhea still had uncertainty on her face. He rested her forehead on hers. Rhea exhaled and closed her eyes. He felt her relax.

“Let’s lock in,” Jey said quietly. “You got this.”

Rhea nodded. They separated. Jey could see she was focused now. He smiled.

“Let’s have a great show.”

“Yeet,” Rhea replied, grinning.

“Yeet!”

***

Jey loaded up the bags while Jessica talked about how great the show was. Jessica took pictures with a few superstars backstage: Bianca and Naomi, Damien Priest, Bron Breakker. They all did well: Rhea against Raquel, Jey against Bron, Bianca and Naomi vs Candice and Nia.

“Who’s driving? I’m gonna knock out in the back,” Naomi said, holding up the keys.

“I can drive,” Jey said, holding out his hand.

Jessica yawned. “I’ll be in the back too. Nothing worse than a sleeping navigator.”

“Oh how convenient,” Rhea said.

“Time Zones and all that, mate,” Jessica said, shrugging.

“You don’t want to sit next to me?” Jey asked as he closed the trunk.

“I didn’t say that,” Rhea said, walking over to the passenger door and sliding in.

Jey smiled and took his place in the driver’s seat.

Sure enough, about 20 minutes down the road, Naomi and Jessica were out. Rhea didn’t have her headphones in.

“Can I ask you a question?” Jey asked, lowering the music a little.

“Yeah,” Rhea said, glancing at him.

“Why didn’t you reach out to me after the whole Liv thing?” Jey asked.

Rhea sighed. “I tried to text you. Everything I wrote sounded stupid. Especially after I realized it was a misunderstanding.”

Jey nodded, but didn’t say anything. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but resisted. Touching would lead to other things. And he didn’t want to just sex this issue away. He wanted to know they would be good. And he wanted to pull at the thread he was thinking about earlier to see if anything else was bothering him.

“So you weren’t mad at me the whole time?” Jey asked.

“No, babe,” Rhea said.

“Did you miss me?” Jey asked.

“I still miss you,” Rhea said, sadness in her voice.

He reached out and touched her thigh. A calmness washed over him. He could tell it had washed over Rhea too. She put her hand on top of his. They locked eyes for a few seconds, Jey shifting back on the road.

“I miss you too,” Jey said.

He felt a flash of fear and nervousness. What was up with that? He started thinking about where it could possibly come from…

When it finally clicked, he took his hand away from Rhea’s thigh and gripped the steering wheel. He was trying to play it cool, but he was angry. He loved and trusted her and when they had a problem, not to mention their first problem, she turned her back on him? Remnants of his feud with Roman flashed in his mind. Roman had broken him and something had already shifted with Rhea. He wouldn’t let it go any further. He couldn’t.

They made it back to Jimmy and Naomi’s just before 1 am. Naomi reminded them that they were welcome to crash at the house. Jey in the sunroom, Rhea and Jessica in the guest room.

“If y’all still needed space,” Naomi said.

Rhea looked at Jey expectantly. He had said they were good so of course Rhea wanted to be with him. And he almost wanted her to distract him from this mistrust growing toward her. He could get lost in her touch and smile and kisses. But that would only last for one night.

“I’ll take the sunroom. You and Jess can stay together.”

Rhea looked confused and a little hurt, but she just nodded. Jey went on to settle on the couch bed in the sunroom. Just as he got comfortable, his phone buzzed. It was Rhea. He sighed.

Rhea: I thought we were good? What happened?

Jey: We are good. I just need some space.

Rhea: Why?

Jey: Because I don’t want us to just fuck and forget this shit. We gotta deal with it.

Rhea: But we don’t have to fuck. We can cuddle.

Jey: We both know we won’t just cuddle.

Rhea: Does it matter what we do or don’t do, as long as we still work it out?

Jey: It does to me. Go to sleep, Rhea.

Rhea: Come put me to sleep. Or I can come down there.

Jey: You’re bold.

Rhea: And you’re still texting me.

Jey sighed and gave a half smile. Her confidence was back, but his confidence was floundering. Could he push past this fear? Did he want to?

Jey heard the sunroom door open and he sat up. Rhea quietly closed the door behind her. From the low ambient light, he could see she had a mischievous smile on her face. His anger flared. He stood up and held his hand up before she got closer.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Jey asked quietly.

“I thought we were flirting,” Rhea said quietly, stepping closer. “Are we not?”

“No we’re not. Stop!” Jey said, harshly.

“What’s wrong? I thought we were good,” Rhea said, crossing her arms.

“Rhea, the last time I saw you you told me to leave you the fuck alone and to go find Liv. You think I just got over that shit?” Jey said loudly.

“I know I messed up,” Rhea replied loudly. “But I apologized. I’m working on my shit. We basically said we loved each other this morning. Tonight, in the ring, you told me you're mine? That was a lie?”

“No, that wasn’t a lie. That’s the problem.”

“What? What are you saying?” Rhea yelled, frustrated.

“I’m yours. And you abandoned me!” Jey yelled. “I tried to have your back and you told me to fuck off because of something you made up.”

Rhea’s eyes watered, her mouth opened, but she didn’t speak. She exhaled a shaky breath.

“Yes, I overreacted,” she said slowly. “But you know why.”

“Yeah and your why is telling me I can’t fucking trust you,” Jey said loudly.

More tears fell from Rhea’s eyes. She dropped her arms. “So this is it? This is how we end?” Her voice dropped back to a whisper.

Jey shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“You weren’t a rebound, Jey. This was serious for me.”

“This was serious for me too. Why do you think I’m so fucking scared?” Jey asked.

Rhea wiped her tears away. Jey’s eyes started to water. Rhea put a hand on her stomach and a hand on her chest. She took some deep breaths and blew out slowly.

“Watching you pass out…broke something in me,” Jey said, quiet now too. “I hated not being there for you, but you turned your back on me. After everything we talked about with The Judgment Day and The Bloodline. And you didn’t ask me what happened. It was like your word was law. So I fell in line.”

Rhea nodded. “Sounds like you have trauma that you need to work out too.”

Their eyes met. Jey’s heart pounded.

There was a knock on the door. Rhea turned around and backed away from the door as it opened. She was close to Jey now. Jimmy walked in.

“I would ask if y’all are okay, but y’all woke up the whole house…” Jimmy said.

“I’m sorry, uce,” Jey said.

“I’m sorry,” Rhea said.

“If y’all aren’t gonna keep it down, I’d suggest finishing talking in the morning,” Jimmy said.

“We’ll keep it down,” Jey said.

Rhea nodded, looking at Jey.

Jimmy studied both of them. “Don’t make me come back down here.”

Jey smirked. “Yes sir.”

Jimmy closed the door.

“I can go,” Rhea said.

Jey took her hand. “Don’t. Stay with me.”

Rhea looked at their hands and looked up at him, heat passing between them. “I don’t want this to be goodbye.”

“We’ll make it work so it won’t be,” Jey said. “Like you were saying earlier.”

He pulled her close to him, his arms wrapped around her waist. Jey was tired of feeling angry and sad. He wanted to feel something else.

“Oh,” Rhea said, smiling. “You’re done being mad at me?” She reached up, her arms resting on his shoulders, hands behind his neck.

“Yeah,” Jey said. “Now I know what I gotta work on.”

Rhea pressed her body up against him. Jey bit his lip.

“See? We could’ve been on Round 2 by now,” Rhea whispered, her eyes shifting between his eyes and lips.

Jey smirked as he leaned in. “Greedy,” he whispered just before he kissed her.

Rhea smiled briefly before losing herself in the kiss. She held him tightly as she kissed him back. Clothes came off and kisses were planted in places other than lips. Their quiet moans filled only the sunroom. They made sure. And after, they looked into each other’s eyes, promising to make this work.

#jey uso #rhea ripley #jhea #wwe #wwe fanfiction #rhearipley #jey uso x rhea ripley #cw arguing #cw sex mention #cw suggestive #cw yelling #jey uso fic #jey uso fluff #another complicated love story

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itskiamini · 1 month ago

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summer is just getting started🌺meet yessenia "nia” foster

Yessenia has spent the entirety of her formative years playing tennis and deems herself ready to tackle going pro. She’s never traveled outside of the islands, but Nia plans to steamroll the mainland like she does everything else. Little does Nia know, that the mainland is a different beast itself and she’s but a guppy in a huge pond. She’ll have to navigate rough waters and overcome her opponents, on and off the court.

LOVE 22🌺

BEGINNING (you are here) {NEXT}

#AHHHHH im so excited for this lil thread series #im cooking trust #love22 #love22bykia #kiamini #kiaminiplays #the sims 4 #sims 4 #black simblr #simblr #ts4 #ts4 simblr #black simmer #sims #sims4 #sims 4 gameplay #sims 4 aesthetic #sims 4 screenshots #sims community

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nifaraswife · 24 days ago

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Tethered

Book: Blades of Light & Shadow

Characters: (F!Elf!MC) Reinys x Valax

Rating: T

Warnings: Fantasy violence, near-drowning

Length: 5.8k

Summary: Reinys and Valax navigate their way through the shadow realm after being bound to one another.

Tags: @mikaelsrose @watatsumi-island @steadycattaco @dutifullynuttywitch @luthorsxrojas @gaiuskamilah @niaerinisms @brycesgirl @harbingerofdespair @choicesficwriterscreations

A/N: Chapter 12-13 rewrite :)

Falling through the portal to the Shadow Realm had felt like stumbling into a dream.

She found that the landscape surrounding her was different than it had been when she first laid eyes on it for herself. Back then it was an infernal nightmare, with rivers of lava erupting into volcanic geysers and thick smoke so dense it obscured the horizon, concealing whatever horrors lied beyond it from view.

Now, it looked serene. Almost beautiful, even. The land still remained scorched black and felt rough beneath her hands like charcoal, and jagged rocks emerged from the surface in the distance to form sharp, unnatural cliff-faces at bent and uneven angles, but the sky above was illuminated with starlight. The hues melted from violet to indigo and then sapphire, adorned with stars shimmering like crystalline jewels among the celestial canopy high above.

She found herself struck with awe by the view, but that brief moment of peace didn’t last. Her companions soon tumbled onto the ground behind her, and she remembered where she was and who they were yet to face.

The Ash Princess.

Valax stepped through the portal behind them, her shadow panther snarling at her side and iron glaive wreathed in darkness. Her eyes locked onto Reinys like a wild animal about to seize its prey. The victim of another hunt, she had found herself caught in an endless chase across the realms, an eternal pursuit meant to end with her spilled blood.

Rage twisted Valax’s features, contorting her face into something sinister as her gaze burned through her, dangerously irate. At last, the huntress had reached her limit, finally weary of her target’s incessant toying.

“I’m growing tired of your games, Realm-walker.”

“And I’m sick of running from you.” Reinys scrambled to her feet as she reached for the chain at her hip fastened to her obsidian armour. “I won’t let you take my blood.”

The panther snarled from behind her and reared back as it prepared to strike, but she spun just in time to conjure an orb of Light in her hands. It seemed brighter in the darkness, almost blinding, and through strained vision she caught a brief glimpse of the panther’s pupils narrowing in fear before it hissed and went slinking off into the shadows.

Valax lunged to strike at her in retaliation before Tyril blocked her attack with his flame-wreathed sword. Reinys drew her blade, stabbing at a weak point in her armour until dark blood seeped from the wound that now marred her mottled skin and Valax whirled to glare at her. Nia moved to intervene but was thrown backwards into a nearby rock, clutching her head as she sunk to the ground.

“Nia!” Reinys moved to run to her, but her path was blocked as Valax continued to attack her companions. While the others kept her distracted with their weapons and magic, Reinys flung her chain forward, seizing Valax’s glaive. She pulled with all her strength until the pole was flung from the princess’s grasp, sailing through the air before embedding itself in the cracked ground several feet away.

“That’s it!” Valax snarled, and her body flared with darkness as tendrils of shadow emerged from her hands, reaching out towards them like vicious snakes. They wrapped themselves around her and her companions throats, forcing them off the ground as they struggled for air.

“Enough.” Nia rose from the ground, her skin turned grey and illuminated with the same dark energy Valax was wielding. She flicked her wrist and a bolt of shadow burst furth, circling around Reinys’s wrist and then Valax’s before forming what appeared to be a spectral chain. It snapped into place, creating a tether between the two of them before slowly fading from view.

“What is this?” Reinys asked as Valax watched on with unveiled contempt.

“I have bound her to you.” Nia said flatly. “If she tries to run or betray us, she’ll suffer like she has never suffered before.”

“Great,” Reinys sighed. “Because being bound to the murder princess is just what I need.” She tugged on the invisible chain just for the sake of it, and Valax speared her an irritated glare.

“You really think your meagre attempts at magic will stop me?” She sneered and attempted to send a blast of shadow towards Reinys, but fell to the ground as the chain pulled taut and she gripped her head in agony.

Nia nodded towards her crumpled form. “Now she has no choice but to help us.”

Reinys retrieved the glaive from out of the ground before kneeling down by her side, using the sharpened tip to lift Valax’s chin. She grinned and leant in closer, raven hair falling over her shoulder as she tilted her head. “Oh, I think I’ll be keeping this.”

Valax seethed and broiled with rage. “You—”

She turned back towards Nia and the others. “The next rift is in a place called Shroudwatch. This one will be leading us there.”

Reinys gestured to Valax, who scoffed at her words. “I would sooner lead you off a cliff.”

“Not if you want to make it back to your mother still in one piece.” She lifted her wrist to remind her of the chain. “You’re stuck with me, princess.”

Dawn had pierced the sky with pale light by the time they came across a worn-down village, the paths overrun with straggly weeds and nestled between buildings with cracked roof-tiles and walls of flaking paint. Not a soul was in sight, and Reinys felt a solemn sense of familiarity stirring deep within as she took in the town around her.

“This place, it can’t be…”

She noticed Valax was staring at her as if she had grown a second head. “You cannot possibly be familiar with this village.”

“It looks just like my hometown.” Reinys insisted. “Though it seems much worse for wear than…”

She trailed off as a strange-looking child came into view from around the corner, with ears akin to those of a sheep and a pair of antlers protruding from their head.

“Visitors! Mama, papa! Come quickly!” Just as suddenly as the child had appeared, they vanished into a nearby house only to re-emerge accompanied by an even stranger man and woman.

“Oh, it is good to see travellers again! It has been far too long.” The man spoke kindly, with even larger horns jutting from his head and dark hair worn over his shoulders in two thick braids. “I am Mithar. This is my wife Aderyn, and our child, Ellinae.”

Aderyn beamed, and Reinys noticed the golden feathers sprouting from her skin. “What brings you here to Ironbreach?”

“Ironbreach?” She echoed before shaking her head. “We’re just looking to reach Shroudwatch, we were hoping to find some horses here.”

“Well, we do have a few, but…” Mithar exchanged a glance with his wife.

“Our village is in dire need of repair,” Aderyn frowned. “If we could trouble you to spend just a short while aiding us, then you are more than welcome to take anything that would help ease your journey.”

“We’d be happy to help.” Reinys said, and Mithar led them all to the town square to show them the areas that needed attention the most. Nia stalked off as Tyril went to assess the vegetable gardens, while Mal and Imtura took to fixing the broken windows and fences, leaving Reinys with Valax to repair an old wooden cart.

Reinys ran her hand along the edge of the wheel. “Some of the spokes are rotten, we’ll have to replace them.” She noticed the wood was an unusual colour, a faded grey that matched the bark of the decayed trees surrounding the village.

“And you expect me to take orders from you?” Valax scowled.

“I think I’m right in assuming you’ve never had to mend a cart before, princess.” She said as she rummaged through the spare parts Mithar had given her. “But you’re welcome to prove me wrong. These are your people you’re meant to be helping, after all.”

Valax seethed with rage and conceded to handing her a small spanner, and Reinys found herself silently indulging in the fact there was nothing the princess could do to retaliate against her.

“You did not have to help them,” Valax said slowly as Reinys began dismantling the wheel’s rim. “They are defenceless villagers. You could have simply chosen to steal their horses and they would have been unable to stop you.” She tilted her head, studying Reinys like a puzzle she didn’t know how to solve. “But you still stayed here to aid them. Why?”

Reinys busied herself with inspecting the rotten pieces of wood. The cart hadn’t moved for a long time, and water from excessive rainfall had deteriorated the wheel, corroding it and making an ideal home for the insects she found festering within. “You still doubt my motives?”

“These are my people, Reinys. I don’t find it intrusive to question your intentions with them.”

She sighed and laid the spanner back down in the dirt. “It’s just that Ironbreach reminds me of my hometown, Riverbend. The people there took me in when I was a child who had nothing.”

“These are not the same villagers you grew up with.”

“I know, but it doesn’t make a difference. Even if this place had nothing in common with Riverbend, I’m not stealing from innocent people. Especially not when they’re struggling to get by as it is.”

Valax pondered that for a moment before turning her gaze away. The two worked on replacing the spokes and reassembling the wheel in silence until finally Reinys stood.

“There,” she grinned and patted the side of the cart. “Good as new.”

Just as Valax hauled herself off the ground, the winds around them began to shift and howl, growing eerie and cold. The sky turned dark almost in an instant as blackened clouds coalesced into a twisted, menacing omen of destruction, illuminated with sinister sparks of shadow flickering from deep within.

Mithar rushed towards them, panic rising in his voice. “Storm coming in! We need to get inside!”

“What kind of storm is this?” Reinys asked as she ran after him, shielding her eyes as harsh rain assailed the village from above. There had been no signs of it earlier, as though it had simply materialised from nothing.

“A normal one, here.” Valax answered, almost too calmly. “Storms in the shadow realm are caused by rampant magic, when wild and unrestrained they can cause great chaos.”

Mithar led them towards the Ashen family’s home for shelter, but as they arrived at the door Aderyn burst out in a hurry, her gaze frantic. “Ellinae’s not here!”

Reinys turned to peer through the darkness, wet hair clinging to the side of her face as she assessed the town for their whereabouts. “I see them by the riverbank!”

“But it could flood any minute now—“ Mithar said in alarm.

“You two just stay here, we’ll get Ellinae!”

She and Valax tore off running towards the riverbank, the rain only growing harsher until they were forced to shout over the torrential downpour.

“I don’t see them!” Valax yelled in frustration, but then a small figure appeared in their range of view, obliviously singing and twirling in the rain as a wall of water crashed around the river-bend.

“Look out!” Reinys called, but Ellinae didn’t hear. She leapt into the riverbed and grabbed the child, using all her strength to toss them up to Valax who still stood on the edge of the bank.

“I’ve got them!” Valax said as she caught Ellinae, and Reinys stepped forward to join them. Before she could even react, a towering wave smashed into her, sweeping her up in the raging flood as she stood in its path where Ellinae had been only moments earlier.

Reinys felt water roaring in her ears as the maelstrom enveloped her, and she found the world turning dark and cold around her as she was dragged helplessly to the depths below.

Reinys managed to breach the surface of the river just long enough to gasp in a deep breath before another wave sent her crashing under once more. As strong of a swimmer as she was, even she couldn’t escape the pull of the flood, flailing her way through the water as branches and debris scraped viciously at her arms and legs.

The next time she emerged for air, she thought she saw another figure fighting their way through the current amidst the rain and water, but when she sunk under once more, they were gone.

She felt her strength waning as the water chilled her to the bones and her muscles grew weak, struggling to stay afloat as mouthfuls of water invaded her lungs.

Just as she was sure she was going to drown, a familiar face carved her way through the water towards her, eyes brimmed with disdain. Valax gripped her by the arm and dragged her through the current, not releasing Reinys from her iron grip until the two of them had finally reached the shore.

Reinys collapsed onto the hard rock surface, barely conscious and unable to cough up the excess water. Valax loomed over her, face only inches from her own as her lungs burned and vision began to blur.

She gave a few quick, sharp prods to her chest until at last Reinys rolled over, expelling the water from her lungs as she heaved and gulped in her first deep breaths of precious air before lying flat on her back.

“That…feels better.” She spluttered, coughing.

“I would imagine so.” Valax said flatly. “Half the river came out of your lungs, after all.”

Slowly, Reinys hauled herself upright and leant against the stump of a fallen tree, head pounding. “How the hells did you just swim through a flood like it was nothing?”

Valax didn’t answer, refusing to meet her gaze as the river continued rushing.

“…Alright then, why did you rescue me?” Even after nearly drowning and now completely soaked, Reinys couldn’t conceal the smirk that curved her lips. “I thought you wanted me dead.”

“I do.” She snapped finally, raising her wrist where the shadow chain keeping them bound together was barely visible. “As you said, I’m stuck with you. If you die, I pay the price for it. Why else would I have dragged you from the water?”

“I don’t know,” Reinys grinned. “Maybe you’re starting to actually like me.”

“Ridiculous.” Valax scoffed. “You’re nothing but a nuisance to me, and have been ever since I started pursuing you.”

Her gaze softened slightly before she swiftly looked away. “Still, you saved an Ashen child. A life for a life, that is all.”

Surprised by the sincerity of her words, Reinys found herself speechless before they both shivered as the frigid winds around them froze their dampened skin.

“We need to seek shelter,” Valax said and stood to her feet, frowning as she glanced towards Reinys. “You don’t look well enough to travel, and we must make haste before the storm worsens.”

Before she could comprehend what was happening, Valax had hoisted her from the ground and tossed her over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes with ease.

From behind her, Reinys gaped. “What are you—”

“Don’t ask questions.” Valax snapped and briskly began walking uphill. “I won’t let you slow me down, and this whole ordeal would be a lot less taxing if someone hadn’t chased off my panther.”

“Yeah, you seemed pretty pissed about that.” Valax continued to carry her in silence, Reinys muttering under her breath the whole way until she was well enough to stand once more.

She followed Valax as she marched towards a series of jagged black rock pillars jutting viciously from the ground, surrounded by a copse of dead trees with skeletal branches and bark like charcoal, but Reinys nearly slammed into her back as the princess stopped abruptly in her tracks.

“Scorching suns.” She cursed lowly. “Shadestalker.”

“Aw, using pet names already, princess?”

“No, look.” She shoved Reinys forward so she could see the sinister shape emerging from the tree line. A monster of grey, scaled flesh, from which tendons and raw sinew were visible through ripped patches of skin beneath a mouth lined with several rows of sharp, deadly teeth.

“What the hells is that?” She whispered, almost too startled to speak.

“As I said, it’s a Shadestalker. This creature has been pursuing me across the Shadow Realm for the past year.”

“Sounds familiar.” She said, but Valax remained unamused. “And here I thought there was nothing you couldn’t beat.”

“I have defeated it countless times, but it always comes back. We need to leave.”

“Why not fight it together?” Reinys asked. “There are two of us, it’s outnumbered.”

Valax shook her head. “Perhaps the lack of oxygen you suffered is affecting your competence, but you are not fit to fight it in your current state. It will tear you apart before I can.”

“Alright then, let’s just…back away slowly…”

The two moved to step backwards, but the Shadestalker whirled as if already sensing its prey. The monster let out a bellowing roar that pierced the air around them, and even the winds trembled as Reinys clamped her hands down over her ears.

“Wait,” Valax tried to warn. “Don’t look at its—”

The golden eye in the centre of the Shadestalker’s chest began to pulse in time with her heartbeat as Reinys stared, entranced as it radiated a captivating, golden glow akin to warm sunlight. A beacon of light amidst the vicious storm, it emanated a gentle, lulling rhythm, one that filled her mind with beautiful music as it lured her under its control, calling her like a moth drawn to a flame.

She knew what she needed to do.

“Reinys? What are you—”

Her gaze turned towards Valax, irises lit up with an eerie, scarlet hue as she reached for the blade at her hip. “Oh, this will be fun.”

Reinys slashed at Valax, who narrowly sidestepped her attack, but she was far from finished. She struck again and again, with all the strength of the unrelenting storm that continued to assail them as lightning flashed each time she charged.

“Stop letting it control you!” Valax yelled over the torrent, deftly dodging another hit although several cuts now marred her arms.

Rainfall whipped at their skin and thunder shook the sky as Reinys thrust the knife forward, plunging it into her chest, but the princess barely reacted beyond exhibiting a short twinge of surprise.

She seized the chance to tackle Valax to the ground, and she clawed at Reinys’s arms as she struggled beneath her.

“Are you ready to meet your end, princess?” A terrifyingly malevolent grin lit up her face as she leered over her victim. “Will your mother be sad when she finds you torn to bloody pieces?”

“Reinys, snap out of it!” Valax grunted as she kicked and thrashed from below.

“It’s…” She came back to herself for a brief moment. “It’s not me!”

She felt that same, powerful force begin to take over once more, flooding her mind with visions of destruction and death until a sharp bolt of pain pulsated from her temple. When she opened her eyes there was blood trickling down the side of her face, and Valax was lying beneath her with a jagged, bloodied rock upturned in her hand.

“Ow,” Reinys groaned, feeling dazed as the scarlet hue faded from her eyes like mist. “That hurt, but it worked.”

“Good. Now get off of me.”

Reinys felt her cheeks grow warm as she realised she was straddling her torso, knife still raised above her throat. “Ah, right.”

They both scrambled to their feet as the Shadestalker approached them, and it snarled as it lashed at them with clawed hands and razor-like teeth. Reinys reached for her chain and flung it forward until it ensnared the monster, deadly steel blades embedding themselves painfully in its scaled flesh.

She held the creature in place until Valax plunged her shadow-wreathed glaive straight through its glowing, golden eye, and a sickly river of ichor ran down the Shadestalker’s chest before it teetered and fell to the ground, dissolving into a pile of blackened ash.

“It’s gone.” Reinys murmured, re-coiling the chain before fastening it back to her belt.

Valax stared down at it with disdain. “It will be back.”

The two turned towards the outcropping once more, wordlessly continuing their search for shelter as darkness shrouded the world around them.

The further they walked, the worse the storm became, and dark sparks and wisps of shadow streaked the air around them, flickering amid the wind and rain.

Reinys swore she could hear the distressed wails of what sounded like a small creature, the noise barely audible over the downpour cascading all around them. She glanced around the darkness until she found it, an owlbear cub huddled beneath a small, narrow overhang of obsidian-like rocks. The cub’s feathers were matted together, and he held his paws over his large, round eyes as he trembled in terror.

“Poor little guy, she murmured, turning to Valax. “Where’s his mother?”

“Owlbears don’t leave their cubs alone.” She said, and for the first time Reinys saw her eyes tinged with sadness. “She likely died defending him.”

Memories flashed across her vision as she thought back to her own parents, sacrificing their lives to save her own.

“I’m not leaving him here.” Before Valax could say anything, Reinys had vanished into the rain, realm-walking toward the rocks in favour of pushing against the winds.

“Hey, little guy.” She crooned as she knelt gently by his side. The owlbear cub shrunk back, feathers quivering, and she slowly held out her hand for him to sniff. Several minutes passed before he inched closer, cautiously clacking his beak before allowing her to stroke his soft head. “I’m Reinys. Wanna get out of this storm?”

“Quickly, I’ve found a cave!” Valax’s voice echoed over the winds, her silhouette barely visible through the dense fog. Reinys scooped the owlbear up lightly in her arms, causing him to emit a confused squawk before he nestled his head against her chest.

She followed Valax into a deep cavern just as bolts of shadow magic began to strike at the ground outside. “What the hells are those?” Reinys asked, and the cub tried to bury himself deeper into her embrace.

“Shadow missiles.” Valax said, a little too casually. “It is a good thing we found this place when we did.”

She shifted her gaze towards the owlbear cub Reinys still held in her arms. “If you are to keep him, he will need a name. That’s what parents do, give you a name and purpose.”

“I think his purpose is to be cute.” She booped the base of his beak. “And he’s doing a very good job of it.”

Valax scoffed. “You are impossible to understand.”

Reinys sat down against the cold cavern wall, running her fingers through the cub’s soft feathers thoughtfully. “What if I named you…Nox?” She watched him as he curled up in her lap, and he tilted his head to look up at her with large, shining eyes. “Would you like that?”

The owlbear chirruped happily, and Valax stared at her in confusion. “You would name him after darkness?”

Reinys shrugged. “He was born here, it suits him.”

Valax began scouting out the depths of the cave as Nox drifted off to sleep, but when she returned, she appeared displeased. “There is no wood here to start a fire, without one we’ll freeze to death.”

Reinys lifted her hand, conjuring an orb of Light that drifted into the air like a small sun, gently illuminating the cavern and offering a pleasant wave of warmth. Valax physically recoiled as her eyes widened, and she took an abrupt step back.

“You don’t have to be scared of it, you know.”

“I am not scared.” Valax’s expression twisted into one of contempt as she eyed the orb warily. “I merely know what that power is capable of. You are a fool for not feeling the same.”

Reinys was silent for a moment. “Power can be capable of anything, it just depends who’s wielding it.” She said eventually, after careful thought. “I’ve believed the same about Shadow for a long time.”

“And I’m supposed to believe this power is safe in your hands?”

She noticed Valax still hadn’t moved. “Well, you can either come sit here in the warmth or continue to freeze. It’s your choice.”

The princess glowered at her from where she stood on the opposite side of the cave before she begrudgingly moved to sit closer.

“You know,” Reinys continued, “I couldn’t help but notice that you rescued me again back there.”

“I’ve already said, you’re no use to me dead.”

“If that’s what you need to tell yourself.” She said smugly.

Valax scowled, dark lips curling into a scornful frown. “You get more infuriating each moment I spend with you. Not to mention you stabbed me twice.”

“One of those was an accident!” She said. “Besides, you spent fourteen days draining my blood, you don’t get to say anything.”

Reinys found her gaze flickering down towards Valax’s torso where dried blood surrounded the wounds she had inflicted, and glanced back to her face guiltily. “I suppose…I could heal them for you.”

Valax raised an eyebrow, her voice still tentative. “Heal? With the Light?”

“You were going to make a fire.” Reinys pointed out. “Aren’t they the same? They both have the power to keep you alive or destroy you. Unless you would rather bleed to death?”

Valax snorted. “That won’t happen.”

“You sound awfully confident for someone who was just complaining about being stabbed.”

She was silent as several seconds passed, before a strange flicker of vulnerability wavered across her features, illuminated by the orb of Light. “You asked earlier how I was able to swim through the flood when you could not.”

“Yes. You weren’t very subtle about brushing me off either, by the way.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.” Valax snapped. “I was able to do so because I am a construct. I’m not bound by mortal frailty as you are. I am my mother’s will incarnate.”

“Woah,” Reinys managed, unsure how to react. “So you’re, what, immortal?”

“I was designed to be infallible, yes.” She said, though her patience was beginning to strain.

“I guess that’s why it feels like you never stop hunting me.”

“Indeed. You can run all you like, Reinys, but there is nowhere in all the realms I won’t find you. You cannot outlast me forever.”

The words should have struck a chord of terror deep within her, but Reinys found her attention drawn back towards the princess’s wounds. “So your injuries are…”

Valax waved a hand. “Merely an inconvenience.”

“I still can’t imagine they’re particularly comfortable.” Reinys reached outwards to the exposed, firm muscle of her upper stomach, fingers gentle as they brushed against Valax’s damp, mauve skin.

“What are you—” Valax elicited a light gasp at the coolness of the sensation and found that her breathing grew shallower at her touch, watching entranced as Reinys began to imbue her fingers with Light. A delicate warmth danced across Valax’s skin as the wounds seemed to slowly knit themselves back together before her very eyes.

“Returning the favour,” Reinys said curtly before she gingerly withdrew her touch. “Not that you see it that way.”

Valax’s dark, sodden hair still clung to her temple, the faint white streak piercing through like a bolt of lightning against a storm-strewn sky. She pressed her back against the cavern wall and cleared her throat. “You are ridiculous.” Her voice grew soft as she glanced downward, avoiding her gaze. “But…thank you.”

Valax stared at her hands for a moment, as though uncertain what to do with them without a weapon in her hold. “You…seem less hesitant in the presence of Shadow than your companions, but yet you still wield the Light. Why?”

Reinys paused to run her fingers through Nox’s raven-blue feathers. “I was raised by a witch.”

“A witch?” She asked, unable to hide her intrigue.

“A rogue acolyte from the Temple of Light. She witnessed the horrors their priests deemed ‘righteousness’ and chose to flee.” Reinys mused. “Almost everything I know, I learnt from her.”

Valax’s brows furrowed. “Then why continue to wield the same power as her oppressors?”

Reinys found that the corners of her mouth curved upward slightly at the memory. “Defiance, mostly. She had spent most of her life being told how to use her power, so once she had her freedom she wished to take control of it for herself, even if that meant living outside of the law.”

“And what happened to her?” Valax asked.

“Eventually her Light ran out.” She answered. “Though she lived to be old. Normally that’s a feat within the temple only high priests get to obtain, hoarding their Light while forcing those beneath them to expend their own.”

“…My condolences.”

“It’s alright.” Reinys said. “She always said she’d prefer a natural death over being hanged in the city square.”

The Ashen princess scoffed. “You Daywalkers are as barbaric as I’ve always believed.”

“And what does your mother do with her insubordinates?”

Reinys looked at her pointedly, and Valax gave a defeated sigh. “She has them thrown into the moat.”

“Hang on, the moat of lava? Gods…”

From outside, the howling winds formed a haunting melody, and Valax was silent for a moment in thought, staring outside wistfully before she spoke once more. “Mother calls this ‘chaos’.”

Reinys glanced towards the cavern entrance, where darkness assailed the land beyond, and blasts of shadow magic fell swiftly like rain. “Certainly looks chaotic.”

“Storms like these are where chaos thrives. Shadow feeds on it, which is why overexposure corrupts the mind.” She continued speaking even as thunder shook the cave. “It’s a power that lurks deep within, often found within memories as a result.”

“Memories?” Reinys asked.

“Shadow is a tempest, chaotic and unrestrained. Memories are the greatest form of chaos, a shifting whirlwind of times long since passed.” Valax was quiet for a moment before she spoke once more. “Navigating them is often like trying to find your way through a storm. Do you not find your mind clouded by them in the same way?”

“Sometimes.” She admitted.

“The power to search through another person’s mind, their memories, is an ulterior form of shadow magic that we deem advantageous. If you know your enemy’s mind, you know how to break them.”

“Ominous.” Reinys muttered. “But I understand what you mean.” She looked back towards the cavern entrance. For a moment the passing shadows appeared utterly still, like darkened water unperturbed, before the maelstrom resumed devouring any remnants of tranquility still lying in its path. “And I see why you’re so fond of this chaos.”

“It’s the only beauty I have known.” Valax murmured. “Until I met you.”

Reinys assumed Valax spoke of the brief glimpses she had seen of the Light Realm between their sporadic hunts, but she still couldn’t resist the chance to tease her.

“Oh?” Reinys propped a hand under her chin, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So when you were chasing me through the Whimsywood, you thought I was pretty?”

“Hm,” Valax pondered, though her cheeks began to turn a deep shade of purple. “You are not completely repulsive.”

“How charming.”

“Don’t patronise me.”

Reinys leant back, grinning. “Wouldn’t dream of it, princess.”

The smile began to fade from her face as a heavy gust of wind surged into the cavern, bringing with it a biting chill that numbed her skin. With her strength fading, the orb of Light began to flicker and dim, taking the last remnants of warmth as it barely remained hovering in the air.

“What’s wrong with it?” Valax asked.

“It’s too cold here for me to keep it lit.” Reinys said. “We’ll have to huddle for warmth.”

Valax frowned. “I do not huddle.”

“Well, it sure would be a shame if I died here and all my blood went to waste before you could use it.”

“Fine.” She snapped, and begrudgingly inched herself closer, her arm barely brushing against Reinys’s own.

“You’re not very good at this, are you?”

“I’ve never needed to huddle because I’m not a frail mortal who could not even withstand a single storm.” Valax goaded.

Reinys began to sulk, but another gust of wind sent them both shivering, and they leant towards each other instinctively.

“Not a word of this to anyone.” Valax warned.

Reinys smirked. “Don’t want your generals thinking you’ve turned soft?”

“That is one reason, yes.” She shifted a little, seeming agitated by the close proximity. “But I cannot have anyone knowing I’m fraternising with an enemy of the empire like this.”

“Interesting way of putting it,” Reinys said. “But your secret’s safe with me.”

She looked back down at her lap, where Nox emitted occasional soft hoots as he slept, before returning her attention towards Valax once more. “You realise this only works if we’re actually close enough to warm each other up, right?”

Valax scowled. “I thought this was sufficient.”

“Sure, if you want to become an icicle by sundown.” Reinys tilted her head. “Unless…are you afraid?”

“You don’t know what nonsense you speak. There are far more terrifying creatures in this world than you.”

“Ah, like our creepy stalker friend.” She watched as Valax refused to meet her gaze. “You know…you don’t have to pretend you’ve never felt fear before.”

“I’ve already told you, I am not scared.” Her eyes burned with ire, but behind it she swore she glimpsed a tinge of apprehension.

“Not even of this?” Reinys reached over to skim her fingers lightly along Valax’s arm, the skin like lavender marble mottled with shadow, but she pulled back when Valax stiffened.

Instead, she settled down and wrapped an arm around her back, surprised when the princess slowly began to melt into her touch as several minutes passed.

“Fear is a weakness.” She said eventually, her voice soft but laced with sorrow. “One it seems even I am not exempt from.”

Reinys didn’t dare speak further, the atmosphere already far too brittle to risk interrupting the fragility of their embrace by enkindling the princess’s temper, a skill she seemed to have mastered as of late.

Valax leant her head on her shoulder, eyes blinking slowly, and Reinys found herself doing the same as her weariness finally caught up to her.

“I don’t trust you.” Valax whispered into the darkness.

“I know.”

“I’m still going to rend your limbs from your body.”

“If you say so.”

Reinys smiled softly as Valax yawned, their heads resting against each other as the wind and rain swirled in a destructive dance far beyond, until finally they found themselves lulled to sleep by the melodic song of the storm.

#this was way longer than expected 🥲#blades of light and shadow #playchoices #choices stories you play #cfwc fics of the week #valax #princess valax #valax x mc #choices fanfic

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