#of course she's scared and feels like she needs to ensure he loves her. even as a part of her feels like a calf being led to slaughter

[fellhellion]

genuinely don’t mean this in a condescending way, but i think it’s really valuable when building ur lit analysis skills to learn to sit with uncomfortable actions characters take and dwell on the implications of those actions. What kinds of people they were when making them and who they’ve become because of those actions. It’s a more comfortable reading to think they didn’t commit those actions at all certainly, but when context clues point more favourably to the idea those actions did happen, I think it’s valuable to dwell on what that means.   

Thinking specifically of the reading that nanami rev gal utena doesn’t kill the kitten here, and I can completely understand why someone would want to read that scene as having not been real, but dwelling on the idea it most likely is tells us some really interesting things about Nanami. 

Even at a very young age (she’s 13 in the show and this takes place prior), she’s deathly afraid of losing her brother’s love to something else, giving context to just how deeply her fears of being replacable run. 

She tapes the box shut and lets the river carry it away, not directly taking the kitten’s life <- She doesn’t want to directly harm an innocent, dependant creature (hm paralells) but she doesn’t want it to take something she’s scared of losing. She operates with a sense of plausible deniability (to like, a 10 year old’s mind or however young she is) to her sense of guilt.

But she lurches forward when she starts to see the box start to tip over the edge of the river and the kitten’s head starts to emerge from it, and you can tell via her expression she’s horrified and guilt ridden by what she did, that this wasn’t an act of thoughtless cruelty, it’s something she feels awful about. 

What can you read in how this experience has affected her when we see how determined she is to care for the egg she believes she unwittingly brought into the world, to the point where she actually defies Touga and refuses to abandon it.  

[mythicmanuscripts]

Hi! It's me again! 🤗

I was reading about the awful things that happened to Aegon in the brothel. Him so desperately trying to be taken care of and only finding more abuse broke my heart 🥺 and also got me thinking... What if he doesn't have a good, loving wife to make it all better? 😭 What if instead, one of the workers (Reader) finally takes pity on him and treats him the way he needs so much? Taking him away from the awful workers and under her wing? I imagine he would become instantly addicted. Never letting other worker touch him again. Only accepting her services. I bet he would get possessive as well. Paying an enormous amount of gold to be the only one that can touch her.

Do you think he would dare bring her to live in the castle? Or even more scandalous, actually MARRY her? Or he would be too scared of his pious mother's reaction (as well as the rest of the kingdoms') to a whore becoming queen? There is also the possibility of him just gifting her a big house with servants, close to the castle, so he can visit whenever he wants needs... Sooooo many possibilities! 😳

What do you think?

Oh my god. Are you sure you don't want to take over this blog because this is INCREDIBLE??? I am obsessed. I actually think I'm gonna tag this with 'subby Aegon!au' so that we can discuss this more and you guys can easily use the tag to find everything about this because I fear this may be my new obsession.

Anyway, NSFW sub!aegon that starts very angsty but has a happy ending under the cut!!

So for anyone who missed the post that inspired this, we were discussing how Aegon would know he was a submissive and go to a brothel to submit to the workers there. He desperately wants to just be loved and cared for and feel like a good boy but none of the workers will do that and he doesn't quite have the language to explain what he wants/needs. So instead he just ends up going through all this abuse and humiliation and degradation just to hear them say he did well at the end. He always goes into subdrop afterwards and he feels so terrible but he also can't stop going because it's the only time that he actually feels like he's good enough.

For this AU, I think it makes the most sense that you first encounter Aegon after he's had a scene with someone else? Cause Aegon always pays very VERY well and so the brothel workers who have dominated him always ensure that no one else can lay with him because they want all that money? Like maybe the madam of the brothel you work at has a very strict rule that no one other than her is allowed to lay with the king. Of course there's plenty of rumours going around the brothel about what he likes he and pretty much everyone knows that the madam dominates him.

You first encounter Aegon after he finished a particularly brutal scene with the madame. Half an hour later when the madam wants to use that room again he's still laying there? He hasn't even gotten dressed, is just laying there with a thin blanket wrapped around himself.

The madam does not want to deal with him because she knows from experience that he gets all clingy and weepy after a scene and so she sends you in to kick him out. Well, she tells you to kick him out.

But then you walk in and he just... he looks so small? You slowly walk over and gently place your hand on his shoulder. He jumps up and scrambles off the bed, mumbling apologies because he knows the madam told him to leave and he still hadnt.

You quickly tell him it's alright, that he's done nothing wrong and the look he gives you is just so heartbreaking? He's all wide eyed and shocked and there's a very very small smile on his face when he whispers, "Really? I... you're sure? I'm good?"

Which, yeah there's no way you're kicking him out now. You help him get back into his clothes and then take him to your private room. The rule is supposed to be no clients in the personal quarters, but this is quite literally the king so you don't see anyone complaining.

You keep an arm wrapped around his waist, guiding him like that and he just leans against you? You can't believe that the madam doesn't stay with him after she dominates him, especially because he's just so sweet? He's leaning against you, mumbling thanks and letting you lead him without complaint. He's so sweet and vulnerable and you can't believe the madam would leave him and not care for him.

He's so shocked when he finds himself in your private quarters, and he's even more surprised when you wet a rag and gently clean the tears off his face. He leans into every one of your touches, trying to soak up as much attention as he can.

You ask him if you can undress him again so you can clean him properly, and he just starts sobbing and throws himself in your arms because he can't believe how lucky he is. You just hold him and tell him that he's doing so good, that you just want to get him cleaned up a little more and then he can take a nice nap with you.

He closes his eyes and cries silently as you clean him. There are welts on his back from the madam's whip so you have to ensure you clean them properly or risk infection. You expect to have to clean dried cum from between his thighs but to your surprise there's nothing?

When you ask, he just wines and mumbles, "Wasnt good, couldnt cum" which just breaks your heart because you refuse to entertain any possibility that this sweet little thing wasnt absolutely perfect.

You finish cleaning him and you're about to help him get his clothes back on when he just kinda collapses onto the bed. You don't even bother with that then and instead you just get into bed with him.

"Come here," you tell him, opening your arms and he immediately dives right in. You hold him tight and when you press a kiss to the e top of his head he just melts into you.

When he wakes, he's hard. He tries to apologise for it but you won't hear it, and you ask if you can help him. He tries to shake his head and say that he can't go through that again, but then you interrupt him and promise him that you only mean helping him cum and do nothing else.

He's so sweet when you stroke him, mumbling how good it feels and begging to cum and after he does, he even takes your hand and licks it clean? He's just the bed boy and he's clearly trying so so hard to please you, so you make sure to praise him constantly because the poor thing deserves it.

The next time he comes to the brothel, he tells the madam to get lost and asks for you. He won't even consider another, not after you cared for him and praised him and made him feel safe. Of course the madam is not happy about this, but she cant stop him and so he goes to the room and waits for you.

When you walk in and ask why he's asked for you, he just says that he really liked you from before. And then he actually looks nervous? Like you might tell him that he has to go back to the madam.

You tell him that as much as you'd love to, you can't do what the madam does to him. You explain that you can't degrade him or slap him or anything like that. But then he just smiles even wider and tells you he doesn't want that, he just wants what you did last time.

He seems all blushy and nervous and there's a very obvious tent in his breeches. You smirk then and say, "Aw, do you want me to take care of you? Yeah? Let me do all the thinking and you can just be my pretty good boy?"

Instantly he's slipping from the bed and down onto his knees, kneeling and nodding comically quick because yes. That's everything he's ever wanted and more.

And he's just so good for you? He listens to every single order, and he begs so prettily and his sounds are just insane. When it's over, you pull him into your chest and kiss his head and tell him he did so so well for you. He's just on cloud nine, because this is absolutely everything he's ever wanted and more.

When he leaves, he pays you double what he pays the Madam and when you tell him that's too much, he says that there's no amount of gold in the world that could be enough to thank you for how you looked after him. He asks if he can come back, if you'll let him do that again and of course you agree to let him.

The madam isnt happy with you of course, but she can't exactly force the king to lay with her instead. For about three weeks things continue like that, with Aegon visiting every few days and paying you very very handsomely. He always stays for a few hours after this, just getting cuddles and kisses.

After a while, the madam comes to you and is unhappy that Aegon will not be with anyone else. Aegon pays very handsomely and he also lets them basically beat him up, so of course the madam is unhappy that she no longer get aegon's time. Aegon, meanwhile, will not even look at another.

The next time Aegon comes to the brothel, you're with another client? As much as you wish that you could just see Aegon, if you did that then the madam would kick you out. The madam is overjoyed when Aegon walks in and you're with another client, because it means she can swoop in and tell Aegon you're busy but that she'd be more than happy to do it instead.

And Aegon just... he knew that obviously you had other clients, but knowing and actually being there while you were with someone else are two different things. His smile falls instantly, and he says that he doesn't want anyone else. The madam tries again, maybe even touching him and telling him to think about all the good times they had, which prompts him to stumble backwards and very firmly say that he won't be seeking the services of anyone else.

He ends up leaving the brothel and then comes back the following night and is so so relieved to find that you are free. He's much more whiney and clingy than you're used to, to the point where he cries if you even let go of his hand. You end up having to pull away o ask what's going on, because he seems very distressed. You hadnt seen him like that since you took care of him that first night.

He gets quiet and then eventually asks how many other men you see every day. You sigh, because you knew this question was coming and you're not sure what to say to him. You end up just saying that this is your job, and that the madam is already upset with you for being the only one he goes to so you can't risk only seeing him because then you'd almost certainly be kicked out of the brothel entirely and have no wear to live.

Before you had even finished speaking Aegon had already made up his mind to give you enough gold that you never have to be with anyone else. You try to tell him that's not necessary, but for him it absolutely is. He will not allow the only person who makes him feel good in the entire seven kingdoms to struggle to earn a living when he is quite literally the king.

At first you turn him down, stating that you have to earn your own way and that you can't rely on him.

And then he goes quiet for a moment before he just softly says, "But, I rely on you? We can rely on each other?" Which is just the sweetest thing you've ever heard. You kiss his head and let him curl against your chest, giving him a little squeeze before telling him that you won't let him pay everything, but you will ket him pay enough to the madam that she will allow you to only take clients of your choice and also to set aside 4 nights every week that are just for him. It's not everything he wanted, but it's pretty damn close. And Aegon is so obsessed with you that he will absolutely take 4 days a week of your undivided attention.

It carries on like that for a while, with you and him being together 4 nights a week and he's just... he's so sweet and he's so perfect and he loves being with you so much. Maybe sometimes he doesn't even want anything sexual? Which yeah is wild cause Aegon is pretty much always horny, but when he's getting so thoroughly fucked every second day, sometimes he just wants to be with you.

Even when he doesn't want something sexual, that is not at all to say he doesn't still want to come be with you. Aegon would sleep in the same bed as you every single night if he could. He also just loves being able to talk to you about his day? You always listen to him and offer him advice. He's never really even able to feel like he can decompress at the end of the day, but now he's always able to with you. He knows that the moment he walks through the doors, you will know how to help him.

I think that eventually you'd accept his offer of him being your only client, and the day you tell him that he is smiling and giggling for the entire day. He definitely buys you a little cottage close to the keep, and as much as you try to say he doesn't need to, he won't hear it.

In fact he actually loves providing for you like that? You do so so much for him and he knows he'd never be able to function without you and so to know that he can do something to help you is just amazing and it makes him so so so happy.

I absolutely adore this concept!! This ask is already insanely long so I'm not gonna go any further here but if anyone else has thoughts about this let me know!!! I'd love to discuss it more :))

[noellefan101]

Too Scared to Let Go(To Lose You)

Characters; Lynette, Navia, Xiao, Scaramouche, Lyney, Kaeya, La Signora x gn Reader

Summary; they wont let go of you, no matter what. They can't protect you from harm when they aren't there, so they hold you close to ensure you're there. they've already lost so much.

Warnings; angst, maybe a little bit yandere,

Notes; i did the obvious like xiao, scara, signora and stuff but if i make a part two ill maybe put someone like barbara or nilou in, but that would just be them having intrusive thoughts... probably. will add diluc and venti there as well dont worry, love you

Lynette

She always thinks that you're going to die at some point, get kidnapped or just straight up leave, these thoughts come up once every week or so. But when your out and about or just working late, her thoughts run faster than ever. Of course she has lyney and the rest of the house, but she's just gotten so used to being with both lyney and you now that it doesnt quite feel the same. So her solution is often to hug you as tight as she can when sleeping, hoping you wont disappear in the morning.

And of course you try and help her as much as you possibly can, reassuring her that you wont leave and that youll find a way to get back to her no matter what happens when out and about, but that sometimes just doesnt cut it.

She doesnt cry often, but when she does its a lot, tears streaming down her face for an hour or two, and even longer if you, Lyney and Freminet aren't there with her.

Navia

She cant let go of you in the morning, it was always like that, but it had gotten so much worse after the loss of her two beloved bodyguards. She often mumbles in her sleep about you and how she wants you to stay. Something along the lines of:

“no… no, don’t go, stay… please!! Just stay with me!”

“please stay… stay with me… where did you go… no, come back, please…”’

“[name]… please stay with me… please… just stay…”

You have to wake her up when it seems like she’s panicking and try your best to comfort her, but sometimes she just doesn’t get any sleep because she wants to make sure you don’t disappear while she is asleep. She is of course the same shining Navia when around other people like the Traveler and Paimon, but everyone can see that she doesn’t want to let go of you at all, fearing you’ll vanish if you leave her line of sight for even just a second, its like you’re glued to her.

If people ever see you, they know for a fact that Navia is also there, no matter what. Oh, you want to go over and wish your friend a happy birthday, well she can carry a gift for them with her so you don’t have to. You wanted to cook something but is missing one singular ingredient, you can you go get it together, don’t worry she isn’t putting back anything for it (she totally is, and has multiple offers and such she should be taking a look at rn).

Xiao

He says he shouldn’t be near you all the time, but doesn’t let go when you make him give in to his desires. He’ll hurt you, and you know that, so why are you still here with him. Wait, no, he isn’t trying to make you go away, please don’t, ever. He just cares about you enough to not want you getting hurt because of his karmic debt, he loves you too much to let that happen. But the thought of you leaving him fills his mind more than the karmic debt at times, he dreads it, the fact that you’ll leave eventually, he doesn’t care if its by choice or fate, just don’t. please, please, please don’t leave, just stay with him, please.

He doesn’t want to let go, but feels he needs to, you tell him its fine yet he feels like it isn’t. it feels like he’s hurting you every second of being with you, yet he doesn’t try to let go, he doesn’t even give the thought a chance. you say you’re fine, yet he feels like you’re not. He

feels like hes hurting you, he’s hurting more because of it. But then why does it hurt more without you, why, oh why. What have you done to him, just what did you do that made him so addicted to you. Swear you’ll never leave him ever, and he will do the same, as long as you’re here with him he swears he wont hurt you, he’ll break the karma in half for you, he’ll do anything. Just don’t leave him, please don’t.

Scaramouche

Everyone would say he’s too cocky, confident, and mean. But that’s all because he doesn’t let them see the vulnerable side of him, the leftovers of Kunikusuhi, the side he only shows to you. He shows you they way he cries at the mere thought you could leave him one day, he sobs in your chest as you comfort him and let him focus and anything but the nightmares haunting his being. He wont ever be like that with anyone that isn’t you, he doesn’t give a shit about them they can do whatever, but you have to stay.

He doesn’t care about all the others as long as you don’t leave him too, he doesn’t care about anything other than you. So please, please don’t leave him, ever, he would watch the world burn over and over again as long as he has you.

If you ever told anyone that the 6th harbinger, scaramouche, cries at night just because you left to go get a glass of water, they would call you crazy, say he’s never cried in his life that you must have seen things. But you know its true, and he does too, even if he doesn’t like to admit it. He knows you wont go, you always say you wont, but he just cant let himself to believe you, not when he’s been lied to so many times. He worries too much about you and he knows that, but how could he not, he loves you, and will never let you leave him because you love him too, right?

Lyney

Although he may be the confident, charming and romantic magician Lyney everyday in public, when he finally lets go of the role at home he’s nowhere near that. He cries just because he wanted to see you and he finally did, he worries about not being able to save you someday. He’s a worrywart to say the least

If you were gone for too long, whether on a mission from father or anything else really, he would not be calm at all until you come back. he would only be rather calm after he got a letter from you or in one of his shows where he put too many layers of masks on to hide it. he wants to think that your ok, just as Lynette say you are, you're strong. but he still cant help but worry,and he ends up panicked and stressed, without sleep, too tired to think sbout anything else other than you. dont leave him, he wouldnt survive without you.

That's why you cant leave him. hell lose his mind, and destroy everything around him in the process. he cant let you leave, so please, please don't. his heart is already fragile, it beats only for you now, so don't leave. don't leave. don't... please... please don't, he cant handle that. so, please, don't leave him, ever. stay right here with him, forever.

Kaeya

He doesnt remember his birth parents, he hates them but a little bit, but mostly because they left him, he cant handle thinking about them. and it only made his pain worse when he lost the people he called his family once again, so he cant afford to lose anything else, not when he feels completely at home once again. you are his home now, his family, and his joy. so don't leave or he might lose his mind and start ruining himself from the inside and out.

He loves you, a lot, you're his reason to continue in life. so if he ever sees you leave he would cry, even if all you are doing is leaving his office after giving him his lunch, he would shed a tear at the sight. his heart is fragile ok? He can't bear to lose his life once again, not after his parents left, not after his adoptive family left too.

Don't go, stay, stay right here with him and everything will be fine. i will all be fine, you trust him after all, and he won't let anyone touch you, let alone hurt you. you're safe here with him, don't worry about them, worry about him. you've got him wrapped around your finger without even knowing, you could want a certain sweet from Inazuma and he'll get it as fast as possible. you can get anything you want, ok? The only condition is that you stay right here with him, and only him.

La Signora

She swore she wasn’t going to fall for anyone after her first lover died, so why did she fall for you, how did she fall for you. Honestly you don’t know and she doesn’t either, she doesn’t know how you were able to melt her ice cold heart back to normal, even if only around you and you only, if anyone else is around it freezes back quicker than lightning can strike. She thought she wasn’t able to love again after he died, but you proved her wrong, so you can’t leave too. She cant deal with the death of her lover once again, so don’t leave her, ever.

You hug her in the night as she cries a little, mad at you for leaving her in her dream, but still not mad at you, as her anger is mostly to the world for doing this to her. But don’t worry, she’ll fall asleep eventually as she always does, she does need her beauty sleep after all. But that doesn’t mean she’ll wake up and easily let go again or just get out of bed, she’s stubborn and want you all for herself a little longer. She makes you talk a little as you carefully brush her hair like she taught you to do, and she relaxes a bit when you tell her you love her while kissing her head.

As long as you promise you wont leave her, and keep that promise, she’ll love you forever, she cant bare to see you go out the door even if its just for groceries, someone else can do that don’t worry. Just come and relax with her in a bath, she can wash your hair and you can wash hers. She’ll take care of you like you take care of her, just don’t leave, please. If you ever left her alone for too long she would freak out, she does everything with you, baths, shopping, paperwork even, so she cant bear to be left alone for longer than 30 minutes or she’ll panic. So don’t leave her please, please, please don’t, she’ll even beg for you to not leave her, just stay here with her.

Thank u for reading this, i know this took a long time and I havent posted things these few like weeks I think but I may have writers block(idk why I say it like that) and this was made over like a few months actually heh, luv ya

You are welcome to reblog and like any of my posts, but you CAN NOT translate, copy or hate on anybody for liking my posts

[only-lonely-star]

Your recent fic of the Soda mishap is my new fav fic of the outsiders! It was so funny with just the right amount of angst!

Could I request a fic with a sister reader who is the youngest curtis and develops separation anxiety with Soda after the two of them were in a little fender bender? Neither were hurt but it brought up memories of their parents dying and she can't shake off the thought that Soda not being in her eyesight means he's gone too? She refuses to sleep in her own room goes with him to work (it's summer holidays so school isn't a factor) and anytime he showers she stands outsode the bathroom door asking if he's okay periodically. Just a big emotional breakdown if she happens to get separated from him? I hope that makes sense!

Thanks you!

☁︎ The Accident ☁︎

~ Sodapop Curtis ~

Warnings - Minor car accident, mentions of death, separation anxiety

Summary - You couldn’t imagine losing Sodapop.

Author’s Note - THIS REQUEST WAS MWAH!! CHEF’S KISS! 😽 I’m very proud of this one. It took me longer to write since I got a bit carried away, so I apologize for the long wait. I couldn't bring myself to make the ending sad, so I hope you all like how I closed the story. Thank you so much for requesting, enjoy it my loves !!

Word Count - 3.3k.

»——•——« »——•——« »——•——« »——•——«

You kicked back, finally able to rest after a long morning spent dipping in the lake with your older brother, Sodapop. It was summer break, so what better way to spend the day than being under the sun - swimming and shoving him around in the cool, crisp water? Your oldest brother, Darrel, still had work, even over the summer. Your third oldest brother, Ponyboy, decided he'd rather spend some time with his friends. Being the empath he is, Sodapop decided to drive you down to the lake to ensure you didn't feel left out. He loved spending quality time with you either way - he quite enjoyed your company.

Feet on the dashboard, you turned up the radio and sang along. You could practically feel the funky music thumping in your chest. The bass could be heard a mile away, causing Sodapop to let out a chuckle. "Havin' fun?" he asked, his eyes drifting to see you smile bigger than he ever had since the accident.

You nodded vigorously, a few stray droplets of water that remained on the ends of your hair flying onto Sodapop, dampening his skin. "Of course!" you beamed, removing your feet off the dashboard as you leaned back into your seat.

He gave a head nod of accomplishment at that. Sodapop was glad to have taken you out for a fun time for once. He would have to return to the DX again tomorrow morning, the cycle repeating all over again. "Glad we went swimmin', we could go next weekend or something too y'know..." he suggested, a grin on his lips not faltering once as he offered another trip down to the lake.

You gasped, already looking forward to it. "Really? Like - you'll actually take me again?" you asked, needing the last bit of reassurance before you could truly accept the offer.

He nodded once more, stopping at a red light to gently swat your shoulder with his knuckles. "'Course I'll take you again."

He earned another grin from you at that, proud of himself once more. Sodapop's eyes darted for the rearview mirror, noticing a red Pontiac Firebird riding up on the back of their car. "Well damn, you gonna slow down?" he asked aloud, a slight bit of annoyance in his voice. The car must have been going at least fifteen miles per hour right at the red light. You hadn't paid much attention to it until you noticed Sodapop's eyes go wide. The 'deer in headlights' gaze is the only right way you could describe it. Sodapop cursed under his breath once more, holding his hand out to press against your chest. The sound of screeching breaks against the road scared the both of you as you jerked forward. Sodapop's arm prevented you from moving around that much, but there was still an impact. You slowly opened your eyes, recovering from a wince you hadn't even realized was in effect.

"The fuck - ?!" he hollered, rolling down the window before slamming his hand onto the horn and holding it there to express his anger. Road rage was one thing, but this was totally different. Sodapop rarely acted out on his anger, let alone follow through with it and stick his hand out of the window just to flip him off.

You sat there, breath hitched in your throat as you momentarily dissociated whilst staring at the dashboard.

This was all too familiar for you. ‘The Accident’ is what still haunts the four of you to this day. Having both of your parents wind up in an auto wreck sure wasn’t on your bucket list at all.

It was the sound of the car nearly crashing that frightened you. The fact you could have obtained the same fate as your parents was such a big fear you’d been attempting to hide since the accident. What you dreaded the most was losing your brothers. Put in a life or death situation - you’d hand over your life in an instant if it would ensure your siblings would be safe.

It wasn’t until you realized you and Sodapop were pulled over with that same Pontiac behind you. Slowly returning to reality, the bearded man with salt and pepper-colored hair had his arms resting on the now rolled-down window. “She alright?” he asked, his eyes fixated on you. Your dazed expression had been permanently marked onto your face.

Sodapop scanned your face for any other emotion, but couldn't seem to detect any. He quickly turned back to the man, brushing him off. “She’s a little spooked, she’ll be alright.”

He gave a slight shrug and waved the both of you off. Sodapop immediately placed a hand on your shoulder and shook your upper half. “Gave me some cash to fix the damage…it ain’t too bad, the back is a little dented and some paint got scratched off - but that’s about it,” he explained in an attempt to snap you back to reality.

Your eyes scanned the road, still busy with vehicles buzzing around everywhere you look. Listening was easy, but trying to comprehend his words while your mind raced with panic was a difficult task.

“You sure look out of it,” he commented, moving the gearshift to head home. There was an underlying tone of concern you could easily hear in his voice.

Squirming around in your seat, you found a better position where you could see the road ahead, clear as day. Feeling paranoid was an understatement. “No, no, I’m fine,” you assured him, all the confidence you could muster coming into play. You couldn’t stand the thought of worrying him even further with your newfound state of shock.

The car turned at an intersection, a red Corvette coming at you from the left side. It was as if your body just knew what to do - curling up into a ball as your eyes closed shut. The car isn’t going to hit you. This is how normal cars drive. You weren’t hurt. Stop.

“Why are you all jumpy with me? You ain’t in any danger,” Sodapop piped up, noticing your flinch at the sight of the Corvette. “Calm down a bit, will ya?” he teased light-heartedly, unaware of the true conflict inside your mind.

“Sorry…” you mumbled in response, pushing down any remaining feelings of apprehension. “That car, Soda -…” the crack in your voice said it all, “Just scared me a bit, I guess I just don't want you to… to end up like Mom and Dad.”

The car became eerily silent, the only noise being the zooming of cars outside. The accident was a touchy subject for both of you - Darrel and Ponyboy as well. Just talking about it always darkened the mood.

“No. You’re safe, I ain’t ever gonna let anything like that happen to you,” he assured you, his voice thick with tension. He seemed to grasp onto the wheel tighter as he pulled over just outside your home. “You hear me? It ain’t happening.”

For once, he was stern. Sodapop was never stern nor agitated with you, he was always bubbly and grinning. You knew the mention of your deceased mother and father had triggered it. The accident may have been months ago, but the damage was nowhere near repaired.

“I hear you,” you mumbled shamefully, opening the car door and shutting it behind you swiftly. You stood with your hand rubbing onto your arm. The body language represented was one of dread and concern, but somehow relief. Relief that Sodapop was still standing before you - even if he was completing a mundane task.

Sodapop shut the car door as he hauled the bag of wet bathing suits through the gate and towards the front door. You followed, not once letting him out of your sight. You watched as he set the bag near the bathroom door. “Darry and Pony ain’t home yet, better shower before they come back,” he suggested, offering you first dibs with the shower.

You shook your head and stood underneath his arm, seeking some bit of comfort. “No, uh - I’ll do it later,” the words nervously fell from your tongue.

Sodapop ruffled his fingers through your hair, grinning like always. At least something felt normal. “Alright then, shower after me.”

With that, Sodapop waltzed inside the tiled room, unraveling an off-white and awfully tattered towel. Tossing it on the counter, he placed his hand on the doorknob and pushed it closed. You respected the privacy of course, but the pang of paranoia kicked in once more.

“Soda…?” you called out, the sound only a hoarse whisper. No reply.

It was strangely quiet on the other end of the door. No water could be heard running, no background noise of shifting clothes around, nothing. Your hand balled into a fist, the sound of three knocks beckoning him. “Soda, you okay?”

“Yeah…?” Sodapop responded with a confused tone, leaving the boy in deep confusion. “Are you?” he stifled a laugh at the question. He’d been gone a mere few seconds!

“I’m fine,” your voice quivered, exhaling deeply as you slid down the wall. You rested your arms around your knees and sat on the brown wooden flooring. You could practically feel the sadness washing over you. The corners of your lips seemed to subtly droop, your expression now a worried frown. A warm tear escaped from your left eye, leaving you to wonder why you were crying in the first place.

That car could’ve killed you. It could’ve killed Sodapop too - oh god, anyone but him. You couldn’t lose him. First your parents and now your brother - ?”

Wiping the stray tear away, you stood back to your feet and leaned your ear against the door, trying to make out any heavy breathing. The panic set in once more when the running water was the only sound coming from the other end of the door. “Soda, are you alright?”

The knob had been twisted, causing less water to flow from the shower head. “I’m okay - now what in the hell is up with you?” Sodapop demanded as his words echoed through your mind.

Sodapop beginning to feel a bit pestered by you didn’t seem to be an issue, you were at least grateful to have a response. “Nothing…sorry,” you spoke up, giving it a rest for the time being.

The eerie silence only led to the intrusive thoughts of Sodapop no longer being alive. This was torture at its finest. The shower seemed to drag on longer than you would’ve liked.

—————————————————————————

As the day came to a quiet evening, Sodapop had already climbed into bed for the night. Darrel could be found in the kitchen with Ponyboy baking a chocolate cake for tomorrow’s usual breakfast. Clutching your pillow and stuffed bear you’d had since childhood by your side, you crept inside his darkened room. He was lying on his front side, face buried in his pillow. A smile adorned your face once you saw him sleeping peacefully underneath the warm bedding. You tip-toed for Ponyboy’s spot in bed and lifted the corner of the sheets to slide in underneath them. Sodapop stirred and scooted further back toward his side of the bed. His eyes could make out your figure, halfway crawled into bed. “What’re you doin’?”

You were quick to reply, fully laying on your back now that he was awake. “I just wanted to sleep in here tonight…” you shrugged, the stuffed teddy a source of comfort against your chest.

Normally Sodapop would’ve urged it's best for you to not upset Ponyboy by taking his spot in bed. He felt tremendously guilty for earlier’s mention of the accident, it only made him want to ease your concern for his wellbeing. Sodapop could sense the constant fear nagging at you that if he wasn’t with you, he was gone as well. He wasn’t stupid - he was well aware. “Scoot over so there’s room for three,” he sighed softly before pulling your arm closer.

You could feel his lips curled into a loving grin against your hair. It was getting late, so it was a given that Ponyboy would walk in any moment now and settle down for the night. Your back against Sodapop’s chest provided a warm feeling inside. His arm was almost trapping you beside him from how tightly the embrace was. Feeling his heartbeat thumping against your back eased any nervousness that still lingered in your mind.

Sure enough, the hallway lights could be heard flicking off with a quick hit to the switch. A faint ‘goodnight’ was barely audible through the closed wooden door. Ponyboy twisted the knob and saw an unfamiliar shadow beside Sodapop in bed. He groaned once the realization swept over his head that it was you. “Alright, outta my bed,” he commanded with a rather sassy eye roll.

The sheets were flung off of your body as Ponyboy expectantly waited for you to leave. Sodapop squeezed you tighter against himself. “Pony, let her stay.”

Ponyboy scoffed and furrowed his brows in frustration. “Stay - ?! This is our bed, she has her own!”

Sodapop stifled a groan of his own, his hand extending to toss the bedding back over your body. “You’ve got room, either sleep with us or take her bed. It’s just for tonight...”

Ponyboy took one last glance at the two of you before plopping himself down in a huff. “You don’t even need to be here, it ain’t your bed,” he grumbled as he fiddled with the blanket that had been kicked to his side.

You felt guilty enough as is, but now the guilt had grown stronger. You exhaled softly and let your eyes drift shut. “I’m sorry,” is all you could manage to say in response before it turned to a whole meltdown on why you needed to stay close to Sodapop.

Ponyboy’s anger subsided to a calm and aloof demeanor. He was most likely too tired to even argue it anymore.

“I just can’t go back to my room…not when Soda’s all the way in here,” you explained, your voice kept at a quiet whisper. No response from either of them. That sickening feeling of loss had begun to eat you alive yet again now that you lay awake, speaking to your unresponsive brothers.

———————————————————————————

Morning came once again, except this time you weren’t woken up to the bird’s singing outside, or one of your brothers pouncing over your resting body. It was as if your mind already knew that Sodapop had left. Ponyboy too, it was nearly ten o’clock in the morning when the lonely feeling sank back in. You sighed and propped yourself up onto the pillows, using your forearms for support.

A muffled sound escaped your lips, immediately calling for Sodapop. Obviously, he couldn’t hear you behind a closed door. You sprung out of bed, the stuffed bear falling to the floor along with you. With a swift twist of the doorknob, you sprinted down the hallway to catch sight of Ponyboy in the kitchen.

“Soda - Soda - where’s Soda?” you asked frantically, no sign of your two eldest brothers being around.

Ponyboy bit into a mouthful of chocolate cake, not caring to finish chewing before speaking, “Leavin’ for work, why?”

You shook your head without another word and scrambled for the front door, pajamas and all. You saw Sodapop buckling in beside Darrel as he slipped on a shirt. You sprinted towards the car, shouting and pleading for them to wait.

“Soda, Darry!” you called out, your hand smacking the side of the car to stop the vehicle. Darrel looked beyond frustrated to see you causing such a scene. Sodapop was filled with great concern, even as the adrenaline rushing throughout your body masked your fear. He gave a head tilt to signal Darrel to let him handle this.

“I’m here,” he replied in an assertive tone, his empathic eyes feeling every emotion you’ve felt since yesterday’s accident. He understood you better than anyone. Reaching a hand out to pull you closer, his gentle grasp latched onto your wrist. He leaned closer to you and spoke lowly, “You alright, kid? You’re scarin’ us, y’know.”

You nodded. In all honesty, you were okay now that you’d seen Sodapop. It felt like every second spent away from him was hell on earth. He could be hurt, laying out in the street somewhere - dead.

“I’m coming with you,” you insisted, tugging on the backseat door behind Sodapop. It didn’t open. Instead, Darrel’s husky voice backed you away from the handle.

“Coming with us -? No kids allowed, be realistic for once.” Darrel gave you a stern warning that if you didn’t head back indoors then you would never hear the end of it.

Sodapop exhaled sharply and glanced between you both, trying to handle the situation. He locked eyes on you, giving you the same empathic look as before. “Just…” he gave Darrel a wince before facing you again, “You got five minutes to get ready and then we're leaving.”

Your smile reappeared yet again, immediately racing back up the stairs leading to the front door. The sound of your brothers’ voices grew louder even as the distance between you and the car grew. A glimpse of the two arguing caused a bitter pang in your heart. Pushing the feeling away, you darted for the bathroom.

———————————————————————————

“She can stay with me. The DX ain’t in a bad area, she’ll be fine…” Sodapop spoke softly to Darrel, trying to reason as to why you should come along to work with them.

You settled yourself in the vehicle as it began to propel forward. The tension of the previous argument still lingered, but at least Darrel kept quiet as soon as you were in a close enough radius to hear the bickering. He wouldn’t be caught dead speaking of you like that while you were listening.

———————————————————��———————

Taking Sodapop’s hand, he led you inside of the gas station in which he worked. You’d been here countless times before, bumming around with your brother’s friends as they smoked and attempted to sweet-talk any girl that passed. Sodapop and Steve never did, they would be fired after receiving complaints for doing such activities. Sodapop would always bend the rules, slipping a few snacks and whatnot into his pocket before leaving work. The DX brought back fond memories even as you stepped inside the front door, a small bell ringing overhead, indicating your entry.

“Now, I ain’t supposed to have company,” Sodapop spoke quietly, holding onto your shoulder and bending down a bit to be eye level with you, “But I couldn’t say no, I just couldn’t.”

Your eyes stung from the tears that dared to form during such a heartfelt moment. Sodapop was aware?

“Soda, I can’t lose you too,” your voice quivered as you quickly closed the distance between one another. Your arms wrapped around his neck, Sodapop immediately reciprocated the hug.

“I know, I know…” he replied as he softly stroked the back of your head, his fingers intertwining with your hair in a soothing motion. “You ain’t losin’ me anytime soon, I can promise you that.”

You willingly let the tears fall from your cheeks, landing on Sodapop’s shoulder which dampened the fabric quite a lot. He didn’t mind at all, in fact - he was glad you were no longer bottling yourself up. You squeezed him tighter, wishing the hug could ensure you’d never lose him. “I love you,” you spat out in a desperate cry.

Sodapop nodded along, the soothing motion of his hand still in effect. “I love you too y’know, a lot,” he said with a delicate tone, one he only used with you. You were his little sister and he would never let anything separate the two of you.

You just don’t stop living because you lose somebody.

It was as if the hug was the one thing you needed - the one thing that could ease your pain. Learning to cope with the death of your parents was by far the most difficult task you’d faced. Memories of the accident only strengthened your love for your brothers, clinging onto them as if you’d lose them next. Living in constant fear, dreading any separation was no healthy way to cope. The only way to cure the feeling of this overwhelming pain was to cherish your brothers like never before. And that’s exactly what you did.

[asmallmoon333]

Another Death Note AU I love to think about: Fem!Light x Male!L.

I adore these two in any form, but the potential of this dynamic in particular had me thinking plots that had my brain noodles excited since way back when I was in the middle of writing Time Speaks.

Now, L's gender wouldn't change anything about him, not really, but Light? Oh, it would be a whole new act for her to put on. And with L still male, it ensures it's not just a repeat of canon, but a whole new exploration of their characters, their dynamic, and the world they live in.

So in this AU, we have a Light Yagami who grew up in a society that told her she was lesser. That implied her gender was predictive of her place and abilities. But she wouldn't actually have a lot of anger about her gender I feel, since that goes against her natural feelings of superiority based on her intellect, so she'd just see it as the world being wrong as usual (rotten, if you will). She would look down on men for how easy they were to manipulate; not that anyone else would ever see these thoughts. Except Sayu, who Light raises with care.

Now, while said world would make it harder for her to rise up, Light is someone who gets what she wants and thrives on a challenge. She would use gender as her stepping stone, playing the "good girl" role to perfection.

And she'd be so very good at it. A much better manipulator than male Light.

Now, when she gets the Death Note, the story goes about the same at the start because Light Yagami is Light Yagami regardless.

Then in comes L, the first person who bested her, the first person she hates, and the plot changes. L is the only person, the only man, who looks at her and sees Kira. The only man who is deadpanned and blank to her "good girl" act and meets her provocation for provocation. Infuriating her every time they meet simply by being as smart as she is. By looking at her pointedly crossed arms, at her 'casual' forward-leaning posture, at her inviting smile--and blandly asking if her back hurts like his sometimes does.

How dare he.

How dare he see and value and fear her for her intelligence? He is certain she is Kira despite how aghast every other man and woman in her life is about the very idea of it.

They call L mad. Sexist. He ignores them and insists he's right, that no one else could be Kira but Light. That she's perfect.

And Light? She hates him for seeing through her. He scares her right back.

But she also can't stop herself from craving the acknowledgement.

The game between them would be so different and yet just as complicated this time, because while the two of them don't care about gender, they know this about each other, the rest of the world is not at their level and can't stop their bias about it. And Light uses that to her advantage; Kira will use any shield.

While L will do his best to strip her bare of all her lies.

So Light plays with the world's perceptions of womanhood in her war against L, using her 'weak' gender and 'need for protection' to manipulate the police against him. While L continues to pursue his Kira with a single-minded focus and certainty. He knows it's her.

But now he has to work even harder to prove it because no one is willing to listen to him. He has no proof, and in this universe, that means a lot more to the task force.

Light is smug about this, internally of course. She sweetly tells him to give up and start looking for the 'real' Kira.

L blinks at her and says he'll give up when she stops being a serial killer.

Light hates him.

But she also can't stop thinking about him. She can't stop revelling in how he sees her like no one else was ever willing to. And she eventually decides that she'll get him to give into her too, like she's gotten everyone else in her life. She'll make him admit he wants her, too. That he's human just like they all are, that he has feelings. (Just like she does).

She'll give him her attention in a way no one else has ever deserved. And L better appreciate it.

And after that? She'll kill him, of course.

She's Kira. She's pitiless. She plays to win.

But she might as well...enjoy L while he's here.

He's the only one she'd ever want to have in that way.

As for L? Well he's more than willing to play along, in any and all ways Light wants. He's seen her from the start, seen Kira behind her sweet smile, and he's entranced by her as always. He'd want her in any form, and gender is just one more tool of the brilliant mind he'll always be obsessed with, in any universe.

And he's absolutely thrilled at this game.

So, yeah!! I love this AU and one day, I'll write it, but for now thank you to the amazing artist @thanatelle who inspired these current thoughts! His work is so good <3

Fem!Light and Male!L are so very fun.

[starryevermore]

the house of snow (21) ✧ coriolanus snow

the house of snow ✧ a royal coryo au | pinterest board| ao3

pairing: king!coriolanus snow x fem!reader

series summary: the king of panem is in search of a bride. and, for reasons you can never understand, coriolanus snow has set his sights on you. it would never be a happy marriage, you’re sure of that. but none of that matters, because when snow decides he wants something, he will do everything in his power to ensure it is his. 

chapter summary: changes are coming.

word count: 2,010

series warnings?: 18+ MINORS DNI, royal au, regency au, arranged marriage, rivals to lovers, obsessive!coryo, jealous!coryo, protective!coryo, eventual smut, eventual pregnancy, more tags to be added later

chapter warnings?: implied smut, sickness, pet name (petal), not proofread

“I never imaged that Coriolanus Snow would be the sort of man to wrap himself around his wife’s finger,” Clemensia said, stirring her spoon in the china teacup. The metal clinked against the porcelain. She lifted the spoon from the cup and set it on the plate before taking a long drink.

You had invited her and Livia, among some other young ladies of the ton, for tea. The rest of the ladies had broken off in their own conversations while you remained with your friends. It was nice to see them. Though you loved your Coryo, sometimes it was good to spend time away from him. It reminded you of how much you enjoyed his presence. 

“I never imagined him married. I sort of thought he’d live alone forever. He never cared much for chasing after girls at the Academy,” Livia admitted. Her face paled as though she realized who she was speaking to. You almost laughed at the scared, mouse-like expression. “I mean no offense, Your Majesty.”

You waved her off. “You can speak freely to me. I must admit, it is nice to hear that someone didn’t think my Coryo to be the marrying type.”

“Oooh, your Coryo,” Clemensia teased, brushing her elbow against yours. 

“Oh, hush,” you laughed. “I thought I was truly blind when he told me he’s wanted my hand since we were fourteen. At least now I can say I was not blind, but rather that he was terrible at communicating his feelings.”

Livia’s brows raised to her hairline. “Fourteen? Really?”

“He’d been asking my father for my hand since we were eighteen,” you added. “My father refused until Coryo made a name for himself.”

“And of course he would take that to mean he must be crowned King,” Clemensia said. “He was never anything but ambitious.”

Livia smiled and reached for your hand. She gave it a squeeze. “That is so romantic. A man who will take a kingdom so he can earn his love’s hand. People write stories about that sort of thing.”

“That sounds like the stories you would read, petal.“

All other conversation in the parlor had ceased. You didn’t have to turn in your seat to know that Coryo was behind you. His firm hands came to rest on his shoulders, and he leaned down to press a kiss to your temple. A smile pulled at your lips. 

“Do you think all I read is romance?” you said. 

“Not all. But everyone needs something lighter after reading about history and politics all day,” Coryo said. His fingers trailed off the lace of your gown and to the exposed skin by your collarbone. A shiver ran down your spine. Why had you tortured yourself with this tea again? “Besides, you had to get the idea of a love match from somewhere.”

You watched as Clemensia leaned over to Livia. Her voice dropped to a stage-whisper as she said, “Aren’t they much cuter than her and Lord Plinth would ever be?”

Coryo’s fingers curled into your skin. It didn’t hurt, but it reminded you of how you and Coryo lost a friend. Even if Sejanus could leave the Peacekeepers and return to the Capitol, nothing would ever be the same. You couldn’t imagine a world where you all could be friends again. You reached up and took his hand, lifting it to your lips. He relaxed as you kissed his knuckles. 

“Much cuter,” Livia agreed. 

Clemensia’s eyes glinted with mischief as she turned her gaze to you and Coryo. “A shame he enlisted with the Peacekeepers. I wish he could see the two of you so sickeningly in love.”

“Perhaps that’s why he enlisted. Because he couldn’t live with himself if he wasn’t the one making her so happy,” Livia mused. 

Oh, that was such a romantic way to think of it. If only they knew it was because he was so in love with you that he begged you to run away with him. If only they had seen the King so red with anger, how you had thought he would have killed his once-friend with his bare hands. If Livia was writing your story, she would make it seem like Sejanus peacefully stepped out of the picture. She wouldn’t make it seem like the betrayal it was. 

You lifted your chin to look at your husband. While his face was painted to look calm, you could see the anger swirling in his pale blue eyes. You kissed his knuckles again and said, “Why he left doesn’t matter. Not when I have such a wonderful husband by my side.”

Coryo’s tight-lipped smile turned genuine. “And with that, I must steal my wife away. We have important matters we must discuss.”

You held onto Coryo’s hand as you rose from your seat. He led you out of the ignore, the both of you ignoring Clemensia’s giggled “important matters, hm?”. Your heart beat hard in your chest as you walked down the hall. He wouldn’t harm you, you were sure of that, but you didn’t like when he let the anger simmer.

Coryo took you to the office and shut the door behind you. Once alone, he tugged you against his chest and pressed his lips against yours. A gasp escaped you, allowing him the opportunity to slip his tongue in your mouth. Your arms wound their way around his shoulders. You hand tangled itself in his hair. Well, this certainly wasn’t what you expected, but you weren’t going to kick a gift horse in the mouth. 

“I would marry you again,” he grunted against your mouth. “I would marry you every day for the rest of my life.”

“What’s stopping you? You are King. The only person you let order you around is me, and I would never deprive myself of you again.”

Coryo pulled away. Before you could inquire why, he was sinking down on his knees. He pushed your skirts up, hooked one leg over his shoulder. His nose brushed against your clothed core, wet mouth pressing kisses. Coryo pulled down your undergarments and began to recite his vows. 

“I, Coriolanus Snow, take thee to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward…”

Your stomach churned as you ate breakfast. With every bite, it took tremendous effort to keep the food down. Even with a generous amount of water between bites, it doesn’t seem to help. Part of you wanted to believe it was because you would be meeting with the Electors for the first time since your engagement to Coryo. But you knew it wasn’t nerves. You had had a rare clear schedule two days prior when you found yourself knelt over a chamberpot, the remnants of lunch spilling out with no end in sight. 

“You don’t need to meet with the Electors if you are not feeling up to it,” Coryo said from the other end of the table. He had finished his own breakfast what felt like hours ago. In reality, it had only been a few minutes. Yet every effort to eat your own meal seemed to take eons. “I can meet them on my own, or we can reschedule. No one will fault you if they wish to live.”

The threat was meant to make you laugh, and you might have if the nausea didn’t overwhelm you. A Peacekeeper from the corner of the room raced over with a vessel for your vomit. You heaved until there was nothing left, barely noticing that Coryo had came around your side and was rubbing your back. 

“I take it back. You are not going,” he said. “They should be arriving soon, but I will inform them that we cannot take visitors at the moment.”

You lifted your head. Sweat beaded on your forehead, and you knew you looked as sick as you felt. Still, though, you argued, “I am fine now. I-I just need a moment to freshen up. Whatever sickness that was has passed. I am fine, Coryo.”

“Is that why you pretend I don’t know you have been sick every day this week?”

You had prayed he didn’t notice. A foolish thought, to be sure. But he never made a comment when you would slide out of bed or would excuse yourself from the office. 

“You never said anything.”

Coryo sighed. He ran a hand over your hair, careful not to mess up the delicate pinnings. “Nor did you. I thought you might have wanted space. If you do, I will continue to allow you it. But I will not let you go to meetings and make yourself worse. Go back to our chambers, take a bath, and I will have a physician sent up.”

“Coryo—”

He hushed you and pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Please, petal.”

You frowned, but conceded. When Coryo looked at you with that serious look in his eyes, it was hard to fight back. So you rose from your chair and retreated to your chambers. A lady’s maid was quick to help you out of your dress and undid your hair while another servant drew you a bath. Once in the bath, you tried to push your mind away from your sickness. It was easy to do until a servant came in to let you know the physician arrived. 

Rather reluctantly, you left your bath and slipped on a shift before letting the physician inside your chambers. You offered a tight-lipped smile as he gave a quick bow. 

“Thank you for your haste,” you said, sitting on the edge of the bed. The physician pulled the bench by your vanity over so he sat in front of you. “I am certain this will pass soon, but Coryo wanted to be certain.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said. “I am sure you would much rather return to your duties, so we can make this quick. Could you tell me your symptoms?”

You began to rattle them off, your heart sinking as you began to realize how much you had been sick over the last week. How had Coryo managed to stay silent this long? Did he realize how ill you had been? Judging by the on the physician’s face, you began to worry that you and Coryo had waited too long to do anything.

The door creaked open. Without really thinking of what you were doing, you stood up as Coryo entered the room. He nodded at the physician before coming to your side. You sat together. His hand instinctively took yours. 

“Is everything well?” Coryo asked.

“I will need to ask a few questions first, but I am certain all is well, Your Majesty,” the physician said.

“Ask away then,” Coryo said. 

The physical looked to you. “Forgive me for my bluntness, but when was your last courses?”

Your grip on Coryo’s hand tightened. When had that been? It felt like nearly a lifetime ago. How long ago had it been since you bled? You used to be so diligent about this. Your mother always stressed the importance of it. She would say it would be important when you were married, because that’s when you knew when you would have children. Children. Oh. 

You counted back the days and the weeks, your heart racing as you couldn’t pinpoint the exact time. “Right before the wedding,” you decided. “The day you threw the ball, Coryo.”

Coryo’s head snapped to yours. “That was nearly two months ago.”

The physician smiled. “Ah, well, then that’s likely what’s at issue. I have a few tests we can do to be certain, but I do believe we have found the source of your sickness, Your Majesty.”

Suddenly, you very much wanted to throw up again. Could it really be so soon? You tried to recall married couples that came before you. How long had it been for them? You wanted to say a lot longer. Certainly not a mere two months. 

“Congratulations,” the physician said. “Panem will rejoice when your babe arrives.”

You vomited on his shoes. 

[hopelessromantic5]

Merthur Drabble

Essentially, Gwen and Arthur have told everyone they're in love when really they both have feelings for people they assume they could never have.

Merlin had never run so fast in his life.

He was dodging worried looks from other servants in the halls, ducking under strings of garland being hung in the corridors and accidentally knocking trays to the ground but not having the time to apologize.

He ran so fast his lungs were having trouble catching up.

He’s running because something is wrong.

He was in the Great Hall with George, finishing preparations for the ‘big feast’ in honor of the ‘big news’.

He’d just finalized the food when he felt it.

Something deep in his chest caved inward. Forming a dark hole.

And he heard it. His own name being shouted by that voice, almost exactly the same as he’d heard it a million other times, but this one was panicked, scared.

It came from nowhere near him, it may not even have been a real noise. But it echoed in the manservant’s mind.

It was his King.

Something was wrong.

He ran before he could even think twice, dropping the lists, trusting George to gather them.

Oh gods, what is it? Is he dead? Please don’t let him be dead.

He’d never felt anything so hollow before. He knew it was Arthur, but he didn’t know what could’ve caused this damage in his own castle with Merlin’s own wards (unknowingly) protecting every square inch of the keep.

Merlin arrived at the right corridor gasping for air, but not stopping.

The door to the king’s chambers remained open, the manservant halted before he approached as he heard voices.

Arthur and Gwen.

“Shouldn’t they be more…I don’t know…bright. Happy.” That was Arthur.

“Arthur, every wedding that’s been held here for the last century was bathed in red and white. It’s tradition.” She scoffed a little but even Merlin could hear the sweet smile she accompanied with it.

“Of course.” Arthur trailed off, distantly. The deep dark feeling tugged at Merlin’s chest again, so hard that he had to close the few feet between he and the King’s chambers. If only to ensure that Arthur was, in fact, alright.

Merlin stood in the doorway, finally seeing Gwen at the desk, sorting through papers (the ones Merlin had just organized the way Arthur wanted them last week) and Arthur standing by the cupboard, leaning against it, more like.

The King was already staring at the open door when Merlin walked in front of it.

Their eyes met, and all at once the feeling in Merlin's chest dulled to a small ache. Closing up, for now, but still throbbing like a bruise.

Arthur sent him a small smile before blanking his face and officially greeting him.

“Merlin.” Causing Gwen to look up too.

“Oh, hi Merlin! How is everything coming along?”

The manservant finally forced himself to move into the room but only a few feet.

“The preparations are nearly finished.” He gave her a small bow of his head and a forced quirk of his lips. Still feeling odd and uneasy.

Arthur seemed to sense it, or maybe Merlin has that look on his face because Arthur asks with the most sincerity Merlin thinks he’s ever heard from him,

“Is there something you need?”

No venom, no insults lurking just behind. He was genuinely asking if Merlin needed anything.

“No, sire.” He shook his head, eyebrows furrowed before continuing. “It’s just…you didn’t call for me, did you? Just a few moments ago?”

Arthur mirrored his expression of pinched brows.

“No, I didn’t.” He shook his own gorgeous blonde head, chewing his lip in thought, but still watching Merlin with worry. “Why?”

“Nothing, honestly. Just thought I heard…” Merlin shook his head again to clear his mind of the thoughts, nearly giving himself a headache, and went to leave. “It was nothing, sire. Must’ve been my imagination.”

“It does have a tendency to get carried away.” Arthurs idea of a joke.

“Very funny, your majesty.” He answers dryly reaching for the doorknob. “Honestly, can’t believe it took you this long to find someone to marry you with that sense of humor.”

Gwen thought this comical and laughed, however neither Arthur nor Merlin laughed at his joke.

Both were out of sorts; Merlin didn't know Arthur's reasons in the slightest. With his wedding in a fortnight, the King should be ecstatic. Merlin should be ecstatic for him. And yet, here they both were. Not laughing.

When Merlin turned back, once more, to find Arthur’s eyes on him, with that indiscernible look, he forced himself to go. So that his imagination would taunt him no longer.

[justanerdy-gal]

An Ascendant’s Love

-> pairing: A!Astarion x Vampire!Tav -> content: fluff, emotional, pro Ascendant Astarion, vampire bride Tav, sfw -> summary: An ascended vampire’s love is obsessive. An ascended vampire’s love is possessive. But it is no less true. In fact, there was perhaps no truer love than that of the Ascendant.

-> notes: My firm belief has always been that Astarion’s love for Tav becomes so intense after his ascension that he does not know how to contain it. That he would go from the heavens to the hells to protect them, cherish them, and keep them by his side. To this end, I wanted to write a fic that briefly expositions how I think (headcanon ofcourse) Astarion feels about his love for Tav after he has ascended. Those who think ascended Astarion is abusive may not like this fic 🙈 But I hope you all enjoy it anyways ❤️

————

An ascended vampire’s love is obsessive. An ascended vampire’s love is possessive. But it is no less true. In fact, there was perhaps no truer love than that of the Ascendant.

Astarion ponders as he watches his love staring out the window of the palace, her skin as radiant as a pearl. As radiant as the day he turned her. He leans against the wall across the hall, enamoured by his consort’s beauty. She was wearing a ballgown he had specifically designed for her. He had made sure to spare no expense - much to Tav's hesitation early on. However, upon seeing Astarion's heady stare when she first put the gown on, she had decided that maybe it wasn't so bad.

It was hard for him to explain the feelings that turmoil through him when he stares at his beloved. Everything had changed when he chose to complete the Ascension ritual - for himself, not for his late master. Every sense, every feeling he had, had grown much more intense. It was almost too much for him to absorb at first. His edges had dulled over the past 2 centuries of slavery that he endured - and to just feel so much at one time - it was a feeling quite overwhelming.

And then there was her. His companion. His friend. His lover in a way that no past lover had ever been for… as long as he could remember.

Oh yes, he loved her before the Ascension - the first real connection he'd ever made in his life. The one who broke through all the walls he had built over the past two centuries, as if they were made with nothing but cardboard.

But it was as if his feelings before his Ascension were… minute. Puny.

They could not capture or describe the essence of what his little love truly meant to him. They could not do it justice.

She was the one who had saved him from his slaver - who had gone through thick and thin to ensure his happiness. Who never pushed him - not with intimacy, not with feelings. She let him make his own decisions. For the first time in his life.

When he first ascended, he had wanted to devour her whole. To devote himself to her, and have her devote herself entirely to him. Anyone else would have been terrified - scared off by the show of such intensity, such need for possession, a need to hold them close - in fear that in the blink of an eye, they would fly away, leaving a gaping hole in his undead heart.

But not her. Not the one who had opened her mind to him - allowed him to see himself for the first time. Who was locked by his side as he carved those wretched runes on the bastard’s back. It was an adjustment at first, but even without the tadpole in their brains, it's like they could read eachother's minds. It was not an intensity born out of control - Astarion had many things he could control, he did not need to control her. He did not ... want to control her.

It was a shock to him as well, to be frank. He was unsure how everything would play out after he had ascended - during that brief amount of time between his Ascension and before he had turned her. His mind was a whirlwind - the world moving too slow, his senses moving too fast. The strength of 7000 souls coursed through him, and his need to dominate was palpable. Intense.

But somehow....somehow she had seen through all that. Through the lust for control, for power, for revenge. She grounded him. Brought him back down to earth.

There was no doubt in his mind that he would have turned to the worst without her there. There was so much he was capable of - and the natural urges he had did not point towards good. But when he held her - when she melted into his embrace - he was reminded of that sliver of goodness, that had been the key to unlocking the world. He remembered their good deeds along their travels, the way he would fuss and fight, but would then softly smile as he saw the ones he helped thank Tav with joyous praises. He was enraptured by it. It made him wonder if maybe it wasn't so bad .... if he could make that smile appear on his love's face all the time.

It would take time, he found. As he settled into his new body, his new powers, his urges settled too. He found it easier to make good decisions over bad. His overwhelming desire calmed to an eternal adoration. Whenever he strayed in his natural urge to dominate, just a little nudge from his sweet was all it took to guide him back to the right path. Except for perhaps in their bed. It seems she rather enjoyed him dominating in that respect.

Time would never be enough for him to express his adoration of her. He longed to cherish her every moment of everyday. Hold her close as she blushed while he dragged his hand over her curves. To feel her shivers as he fed upon her blood. To lose himself in her lips, to ravish her with his touch, to feel her against him as she unravelled beneath him every night. To never let her go. He would never let her go.

He wanted to give her everything. He made her his bride. He would not allow her to suffer the torture he did. He would make sure she would want for nothing. Her every desire fulfilled. Her every need met. As long as she stayed by his side, he would give her the entire world.

He was now free to love her without fear - without fear of Cazador, without fear of the Absolute, without fear that he did not have the power to protect her. For the first time… he was without fear.

“What’s the matter, Astarion?” Astarion was taken out of his thoughts to see that Tav had walked over to him, her head quirked to the side as she wondered about what was bouncing through her love's mind at the moment.

“Nothing, my little love,” Astarion said, smiling as he pulled Tav in for a kiss. Tav was caught off guard by the intensity with which his lips met hers, almost set off balance as he crushed her body to him. He wrapped one arm around her waist, another lifting into in her hair, pulling her head in closer as he deepened the kiss for a moment, before he allowed her to breathe again.

“If that’s nothing, then nothing might have to happen more often,” Tav giggled, a blush creeping upon her face. Astarion face lit up with a grin at the twinkling sound of her laugh. He held her tight to him as he stared out into the setting sun.

You have given me everything.... thank you.

————

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@volturisecretary @myaastarionshenanegans @leatherboundriot

[stoneagedevil]

If you are still taking requests, I have one for you 🥺 how would Hannibal and Anton react to the reader having cardiomyopathy (aka a weak heart). Because of her condition reader faints a lot and is danger of going into cardiac arrest if she gets scared or frightened. If you don’t feel comfortable taking this request, please feel free to ignore it. Thanks, love your work! :)

IMAGINES/HEADCANONS: Anton Chigurh x Reader | Hannibal Lecter x Reader

Reader with a weak heart/fainting condition.

TW/CW: Fainting, death, guns, cannibalism, reader being described as pretty, medication, break in.

——————

HANNIBAL:

Because you’re so heavily affected when frightened, both would tread extremely lightly around you. Of course, there’s only so much one can do when you lead the lives Hannibal and Anton do.

Hannibal would do everything in his power to keep you from finding out who he truly is. His worst nightmare had turned from his inner circle becoming wary of him, to you finding out, leaving him, fainting, or even going into cardiac arrest. He’d kill anyone for you as to not actually kill you because of your condition.

If the chance comes where you do faint around him, he’s incredibly quick in noticing the signs. If he can smell cancer, he can definitely sense days when your condition is a little worse than usual. He immediately wraps a cautious arm around your waist when you mention you’re feeling lightheaded.

There was an incident where you fainted, nearly clipping your head on the sharp edge of his dining room table. If not your Hannibal practically diving to cup your head, there surely would’ve been a trip to the ER.

As a doctor, he reminds you of your medication, keeping an extra bottle on his person at all times as well. He picks up your prescriptions, always ensuring they’re the right ones, if there is a change in medication, he monitors you in order to make sure you have no adverse reactions to the medicine.

Hannibal takes great care in ensuring that there is no cross contamination when cooking his special cuts, and your dinner. Hannibal already has to be on his toes when seeing a doctor, as tests could reveal his prion disease, induced by his taste for human flesh. But Hannibal also has to be careful with how he feeds you. Hannibal already understands the risks of cannibalism, not particularly concerned about brain damage and the like, but with your condition, a prion disease could make your weak heart that much weaker.

Despite the fact that he enjoys feeding his victims to his inner circle of investigators, he’d sooner cut off his right hand than feed you people. After all, despite being animals in his eyes, no person could ever be good enough for you to eat….

lest it was him being served.

ANTON:

Anton shows his concern for you in a different manner. Under no circumstances are you allowed on his trips. Besides the chance of stray bullets catching in your flesh sending you into a panic that’s sure to affect your heart, you must be kept at a perfect temperature keep your heart healthy. Anton doesn’t let you leave in the cold. He doesn’t let you leave in the sweltering heat. If you need something, he’ll get it himself and probably get it done quicker too.

Anton keeps your medication stocked, checking over the expiration dates, questioning on whether or not you’ve taken your dose for the day.

Before tracking down a target, he makes sure you’ll be well taken care of while he’s away.

There was an incident where a target had managed to track down where you live. In a phone call, Anton felt the tables had been turned on him when his target said that he’d kill his partner. Llewelyn Moss might have failed in saving himself and his wife, but Anton would certainly not.

Your heart leaped at the sound of gunfire shooting out your lock, and you scrambled for the bedroom, quickly locking the door, opening the window, and diving under the bed. You sure as hell weren’t jumping out your window, as you were on the second floor. Your hyperventilating and rising blood pressure led you to feel light headed, your vision fading to black.

At the sight of the lock being shot into pieces, Anton’s chest tightened uncomfortably, and his brow scrunched almost imperceptibly. He kicked open the door quickly checking the corners of the house with his pistol. Of course, he’d navigated your home a billion times over, could even do so with his eyes closed. The man who’d promised to kill you didn’t stand a chance against him, but he wasn’t concerned about that. The concern was whether you stood a chance against the intruder. Checking the pulse of the man he’d shot, he quickly set off to find you.

He came to your bedroom door first, swallowing thickly when he saw the lock shot out as well. He drew his pistol, entering the room swiftly. He took notice of the window, rushing to it and looking down. Nothing. He closed his eyes, trying to listen for a sign of you - and wouldn’t you know it, he heard soft breathing from under the bed. He kneeled, peeking under the bedskirt, his eyes being met with your pretty face.

Of course. You’re smart, while you may not be able to fight very well due to your condition, you were incredibly sly and an excellent trickster. His lips quirked up slightly at the thought of the target looking out the window and deciding to turn back to the living room to find you outside, only to be met with the barrel of Anton’s pistol and a swift shot to the face.

He would drag your unconscious body out from under the bed, lay you softly down onto it, and time your pulse. After making sure you were truly safe, he’d shut the window, and turn the temperature dial to the right level for you and your heart.

He’d then take a seat next to your bed, watching your chest rise and fall until you woke.

——————-

Thank you so much for saying you love my work! I very much appreciate it. I hope I met/exceeded your expectations with this.

[milf-murdock]

My brain is literally overflowing with Ghost thoughts and I can’t decide what I want to write first. Here’s a quick summary of the different plots rumbling around in my head. Please help me pick one 😩

•Simon thinks his S/O went down in a plane crash in a mission gone wrong, only to find out upon return that she made it. The relief causes Ghost to finally confront his feelings about you and how much you mean to him. Delicious Smut and heartwarming fluff ensures.

• Things are strained between you and Simon as another female colleague continuously flirts with him right in front of you. Simon says he doesn’t see it and to just ignore it, leading to a small fight. After taking some space, you decide you’ll try your best to repress this new found jealous side and go to apologize to Simon for your behavior. However, things come to a head when you walk into his quarters only to find your colleague scantily clad and waiting in Simon’s bed—unbeknownst to him. You immediately assume the worst, and it’s up to Simon to reassure you of his love for you (and to put that bitch in her place of course). Fluff and smut ensues as Simon makes it abundantly clear that you belong to him and he absolutely belongs to you, and only you.

•Simon returns home to his civilian S/O to find another man in your apartment, relaxing on the couch, getting a movie queued up on the tv. Simon’s first instinct is to kick his ass, but before he can even get the words out, he hears your voice and another female voice coming from the bedroom. To his horror, he watches you make your way from the bedroom to the living room on a pair of crutches, half your leg covered in a brightly colored cast. You had a minor accident and of course didn’t want to bother Simon about it over letters or the few phone calls you two managed—he didn’t need anything else to worry about, you reasoned. And besides, you had your two close friends here to help you through. Unfortunately, Simon doesn’t see it that way. His heart aches at knowing you’ve been hurt and he hasn’t been around to take care of you. And to know that you kept this from him? He is devastated. Fluff and some very carefully managed smut ensues.

•lastly, not a full fledged fic idea here, but I am obsessed with the thought of Simon coming home last minute in the middle of the night, without enough notice to so much as call you and let you know. In his exhausted state, his only focus is on getting home to you as quickly as possible. The suddenly noises at your front door wake you from your sleep, and, terrified, you grab the handgun Simon insisted you keep in your bedside table. You creep to the bedroom door and gingerly turn the safety off before heading into the hallway to confront your intruder, nearly barreling right into Simon, who obviously scared the shit out of you. But seeing you ready with your hand gun just the way he taught you to do?? Oh that does something to him. “That’s my girl,” he mutters as he takes the gun from your hand and replaces the safety. “Just like I taught you.”

“I learned from the best”

[lovepotionsandlust]

Pt 9

CW: descriptions of panic attack/ flash backs

A full day had passed since your altercation in the woods, your wounds almost healed; you were finally feeling stable enough to join the group downstairs. Ginny had taken the key to your home, meant for Fred to gather a bag of your things, now returning with a backpack slung over her shoulder. The twins still glued to your side.

“Alright you two, you at least have to allow her to change by herself, out.” Ginny stated to her brothers handing you your bag. They both looked almost insulted by her escorting them out of the door. “Don’t worry, she is in good hands, I will stay with her. Go downstairs, we will be down shortly.”

Fred looked over at you, ensuring you were okay with them leaving. Giving him a smile and a nod, “I will be ok Freddie, if I can take on the Cruciatus curse, I can handle Ginny.”  

A scoff leaving George, “You don’t know Ginny that well then.” Ginny smacked him on the back of the head pushing him out of the door. “You see what I mean? The girls dangerous.”  

You giggled, watching the siblings interact with one another. Closing the door behind her brothers, Ginny turned back to you. For the first time, you finally had a moment with Ginny alone, she looked at you as if you were breakable. “How are you feeling?”

“For the circumstances, I am doing alright. All I have done is sleep, but I am still tired.” You extended your hands out, “whatever they put on these worked well, look no scarring.”

“Let’s get you in the shower; I love you but you’re looking a bit disheveled.”

You looked down at the borrowed and tattered, too large, clothes you had been dressed in. Quickly nodding you agreed, “yeah, I need to wash this day off of me.”

Ginny assisted you in and out of the tub as your muscles were still tense. Pulling on your clean pants and t-shirt, you were starting to feel more like yourself. Sat on the floor, with Ginny sitting behind you, she gently pulled a brush through your hair.

“Gin?”

“Hm?”

“You know, I have been thinking a lot about what happened.” Ginny slowed her hand to a stop, listening to you intently. “I don’t feel scared when I remember everything, if I am honest, I am more angry than anything. But I am not mad at her, I am mad at myself.”

“Why would you be mad at yourself?”

“If I had just waited for Remus to come back before taking a shower or remembered my wand-”

“You cannot blame yourself. You had no reason to believe that Umbridge would come after you, she had not even shown up at the Burrow yet. It makes no sense that she went to you first.”

You nodded, wiping tears from your eyes. “If anything had happened to any of you? I couldn’t forgive myself Gin.”

“Thanks to you, nothing happened to any of us. No one that I have ever heard of has been able to fight off that curse the way you did.”

Turning to face her, “I cannot thank you all enough, for taking such good care of me. My parents- oh no my parents!”

“Don’t worry, Mom and Dad sent an owl this morning letting them know you were with us. They did not tell them what happened. They wrote back that they would be extending their travels knowing you were not home alone.”

“Of course they did” you scoffed, “because when would they be home?”

“You can stay with us if you would like, we were talking this morning about where everyone could sleep.”

You shook your head, “No, all I want is to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“I would offer to come back with you, but I am sure I would have to fight my brothers in the back garden to have that honor.”

You both laughed quietly, “I get Fred following me around, but what does not make sense to me is George. He always seemed so mad at me, so distant, now he won’t leave my side?”

 “Maybe he just is grateful for what you did for us. I couldn’t understand those two if I tried.”

“Not that I am complaining, I just can’t grasp his feelings towards me.”

An uncomfortable smile filling Ginny’s face, “alright turn back around so I can finish fixing this mess.”

***

Making your way downstairs, Ginny leading you through the large house. The smell of food cooking wafting through the air. You entered the kitchen to find everyone around the table, Molly behind the group directing the hot pans in front of them. Quickly rushing towards you, Molly rested her hands on your cheeks, “How are you feeling dear?”

“I am feeling much better, thank you.”

“Let’s get you a spot to eat, a full tummy never hurt anyone.”

“That sounds brilliant.” Finding your way to the table, a seat had been reserved for you between the twins. Fred standing to pull your chair out for you, George filling the glass in front of you with water. Sitting in your newfound spot; Freds hand found its way back on your upper leg much like the last time you had sat around a table with everyone.

The buzz of small talk filled the room, the coziness of being surrounded by the Weasleys easing your nerves. No one had mentioned what had happened to you, or what was to come of Umbridge. You felt almost as if you were part of a family for the first time in your life. You watched as dinner rolls were tossed to one another from across the large table, Ron not paying attention, George hitting him on the side of the head.

“Hey! Watch what your doing!” Ron grabbed his spoon filled with mashed potatoes, ready to fling it at his brother. Molly with her back still turned to everyone piped up “Ronald Weasley you best put that spoon either in your mouth or back on your plate.”

Ron rolled his eyes, putting his spoon in his mouth, “I wasn’t going to do anything.”

George stuck his tongue out at him, causing you to laugh.

“After we eat, we can head back home.” Arthur stated, “I trust that you will be joining us?”

A shared glance between you and Ginny catching the twins attention.

“You are, aren’t you?” They said in unison.

“After everything that has happened, I truly would love to spend the night in my own bed.”

“Yeah, I was going to see if I could stay with her if that was alright. Don’t want her to be alone.” Ginny responded, looking at Molly.

“We can go with her.” Once again Fred and George said together.

“See, I told you.” Ginny stated under her breath just loud enough for you to hear, causing you to smile.

“Well, there are two us of after all.” George responded, “So what do you say? Two for the price of one?” He bumped your arm with his.

“As long as Molly is okay with it?” looking up to her, hands on her hips in true Molly fashion. You could see her mulling it over.

“Only if this is what would make you more comfortable, but you know that you are always welcome home with us as well.”

“I appreciate your offer, but truly would love to get back. Although, I would feel safer if Fred and George could join me.”

“Alright then,” she pointed at you giving you a serious look “if anything changes, you come straight back to the burrow. We have more than enough room for you dearie.”

“I promise, if anything changes, I will have them bring me straight to you.”

***

After eating, everyone departed back to their rooms to pack up their things. Sitting on the bed, you laced up the shoes Ginny had brought back for you. You were lost in thought about your journey home, you were unsure how to get there as your travel to the safe house was in the dark, the last half you were unconscious for.

“Just about ready?” You looked up, finding George standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the door frame.

“I should be soon, what do you have there?” Motioning towards the wrapped box in one of his hands.

“I had meant to give this to you before Christmas break, I forgot it was in my bag if I am being honest. When I was packing things back up, I found them.” He crossed the room, sitting next to you on the bed. “I figured now you may need them more than ever.”

Handing you the package, you could feel his nervousness. Unwrapping the gift, you found a beautiful pair of mittens. “Oh George, thank you so much!” You wrapped your arms around his neck pulling him into a tight hug. Releasing him, you quickly pulled them over your hands admiring how soft they were.

“Mom helped me make them.”

“How did you ever pick this color? I love it.”

“I- um, I tried to find a color that matched your eyes as closely as I could.”

“Georgie this is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. Thank you so much, truly.”

He simply nodded, trying to bite back a smile. “Now if any other evil wizards or witches happen to find you, please remember proper attire for the weather.”

“I will keep that in mind.” You gave his knee a push with your own.

***

Returning home, Fred and George at your side, they insisted on checking your house before you went inside. Fred remaining outside with you, George going in to check everything over. You rested your head on Freds shoulder, patiently waiting to be given the all clear. A small chuckle leaving Fred catching your attention.

“What’s so funny Weasley?” You looked up at him.

“It’s just, the last time we were standing on these steps, I was pouring my heart out to you. Now here we are only a few days later, and I feel like you own it. I can never begin to thank you enough for what you did for me, for my family. I will spend the rest of my existence trying to repay you.”   

“I didn’t do anything for you that you wouldn’t have done for me Freddie.” 

Fred placed a quick, gentle kiss on your lips, resting his forehead on yours. The sound of George clearing his throat catching both of your attention.

“House is clear, we can go inside now.” George motioned towards the door.

“Thanks Georgie, what would I do without the both of you?” you slid your way into the house, leaving the twins together on the steps.

“Really? You couldn’t let me have just a few more seconds?” Fred questioned.

“Well, I figured you were getting cold out here, didn’t want to leave you stranded.” George shrugged at his brother. Both following you inside, each double checking that the front door was locked.

***

Your room was exactly how you had left it, apart from your drawers having been rummaged through by Ginny. It felt odd being here again, memories of Umbridge flashing back to you. You could still smell her perfume in the air, you had not expected to still feel her presence. Anxiety had begun to fill your chest. Flicking your wand, you lit some of the candles around your room to rid of the scent of her, pulling open your windows. Cold air rushed in, blowing your curtains around you, the frigid air enveloping your skin. Suddenly it felt harder to breathe, your room was spinning. You wanted to call out for the twins, but your body wouldn’t let you, you wanted to walk out of the room, but instead your legs gave in. Landing on your bedroom floor, you pulled your knees to your chest. Hot tears began filling your eyes, you could hear her voice in your ear, “I have not been known to be forgiving… Don’t tell me who I am or what I am capable of little girl.”  Your heart was beating so hard you were sure it would give out, you hid head in your knees, hoping it would all stop.

You felt a pair of hands rest on your shoulders, startling you, you jumped back. Looking up you found Fred staring back at you. The look of panic on your face shocked him to his core. “George, she’s in here!” He yelled behind him; his hands found your cheeks pulling your gaze to his.

“It’s okay, you’re safe. What happened?”

You couldn’t speak just yet, hiding your face in his chest, wrapping your arms around his waist. Sobs escaping from you at an alarming rate. Fred gently stroked your hair, shushing you quietly. George rushing to your side, started rubbing your back. The twins exchanged a concerned look, both of their hearts breaking for you.

“Its okay, were here.” They stated in unison. Minutes passed like hours as they waited for you to return to them. Finally, you pulled from Freds chest, covering your face with your shaky hands, you took a deep breath.

“It smells like her in here, I tried to open the windows to let in some fresh air. The cold hit me, and it all happened so quickly. It was like she was still here.” Rubbing your eyes you looked up to find Fred sitting in front of you, George positioned behind you as if they were your own personal safety blanket. “I’m sorry I overreacted.”

“You went through a great deal, it is normal to feel scared.” George interjected.

“We will make sure there are no signs of her left here, George and I will go through each and every room with you to check. First things first, we are closing that window.” Fred went to stand, your hand catching his holding him in place. “it’s ok, ill just be a few feet away, George is right there.”  

You released your grip, leaning back slightly to allow yourself to rest on George. “There you go.” Watching Fred carefully, you observed as he closed your bedroom window, crossing to your dresser which held your record player. Moving the needle onto the round disk, he flicked the power button on, soft music filling the space around you.

“You never changed the record?” He turned to you, both of you recognizing the music playing through the speakers as the same song from first night he had stayed with you. You shook your head, “I couldn’t bring myself to put something else on yet.”

“Do I even want to know?” George rung out from behind you.

A soft giggle escaping you, pink flushing to your cheeks.

“Hey there’s our girl, first smile I have seen from you since we got back.” Fred crouched down in front of you. He extended his hand out to you, pulling you up from the floor slowly. George arose behind you, both brothers ensuring you were steady on your feet.  

Following your lead towards the bathroom, you paused in front of the door. “This is where she found me, I know my clothes from before the shower are still on the floor.”

“Why don’t you wait here, I can get them for you. Stay with Fred.” George stepped forward; you raised your hand to stop him.

“I have to do this, if I keep avoiding it, I will always be afraid.” You took a deep breath, “plus, I have you two here to protect me.”

“We’re right behind you.” They echoed each other.

Pushing the door open, it was as you had expected, your towel thrown over the counter, clothes strewn about on the floor. The feeling of panic had begun to rise back through your system; two strong hands finding either of your shoulders as both brothers reached out to you. “You can do this.” Fred said softly.

 Bending down, you collected your clothes, pulling your towel from the counter. You tossed all the laundry into the nearby hamper, along with the bathmat. Remembering how you had fallen to it in pain, you wanted to wash all of it away. The twins staggered themselves in the doorway, ensuring to give enough space between them if you needed to step out; not wanting you to feel trapped. You went to pick up the laundry bin to move it out of the room, George moved forward to take it from you. “At least let me do this for you, please?”

You nodded, handing it to him, your hands brushing for only a moment. “Down the hall and to the right.” George followed your instructions to the laundry room.

“How are you doing?” Fred asked.

“Grateful for you being here, I don’t think I could have done this on my own. For the first time in my life, being on my own scares me a little.”

“Hey, as long as I am breathing, you will never be alone. Even after that, I will haunt you, just to make sure you are never on your own.”

“Oh great, first a crazy witch, now I have a prankster ghost to worry about?”

“I would give Peeves a run for his money.”

A smile formed across your face, “you already do Weasley.”

“To be fair, you give me a run for my money. You amaze me with that quick wit.”

“Someone has to keep you on your toes Freddie.”

“Lucky for me, you knocked me right off of those toes, and I fell head over heels for you.”

Your head snapped in his direction; his eyes filled with admiration. “You’re falling for me?”

“Oh honey, I have fallen, even scraped my elbow, look.” He pulled up his sleeve, showing you his elbow, no bruises or abrasions to be seen.

“What are you saying?”

“This was not how I had planned on telling you. I had hoped for a bit more romance, or to not be in your bathroom.” He paused, “I love you. Since the day I saw you for the first time in the room of requirement, I have loved you. I fear that I can never go back to life without you. You’re stuck with me.”

“I love you too Freddie.”

[jahayla-parker]

Cannot Be Broken : Tom Holland x Reader

Description: 2.9k wc, reader is dating tom and get into a situation in which overly aggressive and/or eager fans end up hurting her and he has to help take care of it and her.

Warnings: I think two curse words, angry Tom, mention of broken bones and bruises, otherwise fluff

Prompt suggestions utilized or guided me: @corvase @creativepromptsforwriting @lyralit @vaememes @curiositymemes @adiposememes @leneemusing

“Love! I was just going to call you” Tom cheered as he answered y/n’s phone call.

“Tom…” y/n muttered in a hushed tone.

“Y/n? What’s going on? What’s wrong?” He responded, instantly picking up on her distressed tone.

“I… there was an incident with some fans” she explained quietly as she kept looking around to ensure no one else was coming.

“What? What do you mean? Where are you?” He panicked, beginning to list off the countless questions going through his mind.

“I’m in the park outside that little bistro we went to last week” she scrambled, still in a daze, “I don’t recall the name”.

“That’s okay, I know where it is” he assured her, trying to keep his voice soft as he rushed to the rental car as to not increase her stress.

“Can… I know you’re still on set … but can you come get me? Or send someone?” She begged with a sniffle.

Tom never thought it was possible to have his heart break over a sound when he couldn’t even see the cause for his angst but now he knew it was.

He pressed his lips into a tight line as he composed himself quickly, “yes of course love, I was planning on it already. I'm on my way”.

“Thank you T” she sighed.

“You don’t need to thank me, just stay on the phone with me yeah?” Tom requested, pulling out of the lot.

“Okay” she agreed, keeping her voice down to not attract anyone else.

Upon pulling up near the bistro, Tom threw the car into park and practically stumbled out of his car due to being in such a hurry.

He looked around rapidly, trying to see any signs of his girlfriend’s presence.

Once he saw what seemed to someone leaning against a tree by themselves, he bolted across the street and into the park.

As he neared the person, he noticed his gut feeling was right, it was y/n.

Pleased with the visual confirmation he sprinted the rest of the way and slid to his knees to stop as he finally reached her.

Y/n flinched slightly from his sudden approach before she saw it was Tom.

She then threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck as she tried to catch her breath.

“Shhh” he soothed, rubbing her back.

“I was so scared” she mumbled lowly, clinging onto him tightly.

Tom sighed and increased his grip on her, placing a soft kiss to the top of her head, “oh, y/n”.

She sniffled and leaned into him more.

Once she stopped shaking and her breathing steadied, Tom pulled back just enough to see her.

"Who did this to you? Where are they?" Tom asked, glancing around the nearly empty park.

“They’re gone Tom” she promised, squeezing his hand.

He sighed and looked back at her as her hand shook in his.

“Hey, listen to me. You're safe. Nothing and no one is going to hurt you, okay?” He swore, brushing her tangled hair from her forehead.

“Okay” she agreed, nodding minimally.

"I'm going to ask you how you are and I would like you to answer me honestly” he told her, letting of her hand as he looked her over.

She nodded, “not great. It really hurts”.

Tom clenched his jaw in anger that not only was she terrified but she seemed to be injured also.

"Show me where it hurts” he requested, grabbing her hand again.

“My leg mostly, I think I bruised a rib too though” she admitted.

Tom closed his eyes tightly and shook his head.

He opened his eyes as she squeezed his hand to calm him down.

“It’s okay T” she lied, still shaken up by it.

"No it’s not. I don't like seeing you in pain” he frowned.

“Let me see your leg hmm?” Tom requested, reaching for her shin.

She nodded silently and slowly moved her leg by using her arms.

“You can’t move it?” He panicked, looking back to her eyes.

“I can, but it hurts, this is better” she assured him.

He once again shook his head in frustration but reached down yet again.

“Here?” He asked as he tenderly set his palm down on her knee.

“No, lower” She corrected.

He lowered his hand but promptly pulled away as she winced upon his hand contacting her shin.

“Anywhere else?” He asked, looking back at her.

“My ankle is … it’s really bad T… I can’t put weight on it” y/n groaned.

Tom nodded slowly as he thought over how to handle this.

Fortunately y/n had pulled her hoodie over her so she hadn’t been recognized again since the incident.

Tom hadn’t even had a second to consider that, but the park seemed fairly empty and y/n had chosen a more hidden spot.

“I’m going to carry you to the car okay?” Tom asked, wanting to make sure she was okay with the plan.

“No, I just need you to help me walk. My other leg is fine” y/n countered.

“Are you sure? I don’t mind love, we just need to get you to a doctor” Tom explained.

“Yeah, it’ll probably draw more attention for you to carry me” she thought, “plus, my rib hurts when I bend”.

He frowned at the idea of her struggling to move to rest against the tree beside her.

Tom stood up and held his hand down to her.

As she stood up and balanced on one foot, Tom stood by her injured side and hooked his arm around her waist, "lean on me."

She nodded and slowly put her arm over his shoulder but kept her torso straight to not move her rib cage.

Tom noticed y/n nervously staring at a group of people at the edge of the park.

“Love, you’re gonna be okay, just hold on." He promised, squeezing her hip.

She looked up at him and nodded as she took a deep breath and walked with him to the car.

“Stay with me” he whispered into her ear as he took a less crowded pathway.

Once he got her into the car, she started silently crying, covering her mouth with her hand.

Tom noticed as he looked over at her the second he got into the driver’s seat, “oh darling! It’s alright... It’s okay... I’m here now. I’ve got you”.

She sniffled and wiped her face as he leaned across the console between them.

“I’m sorry, it just.. it was a lot” she mumbled, looking at her lap shamefully.

“Shhh” Tom cooed, holding her hands tightly, “you’re safe now. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe”.

As they neared the emergency entrance, Tom squeezed her hand before handing her a pair of sunglasses.

“Thank you” she whispered, placing them on over her reddened eyes.

“Always, stay seated, I’m getting a wheelchair” Tom said, not waiting to hear her argument he knew would be coming.

Within minutes Tom had exited the hospital with a wheelchair and a security guard next to him.

“Love, I’m going to help you into the chair, Serge here is going to help me keep you safe” Tom explained as he opened her door.

As the couple waited in y/N’s assigned emergency room, y/n stared at Tom as he glared at the floor.

“Tommy” she whispered, his eyes snapping to her instantly.

“Can we cuddle?” She asked shyly.

He nodded instantly but paused mid stance, “ Are you sure that’s not going to hurt?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know yet but I need your arms around me, I’m still …”

He nodded again and helped her move on the stretcher so he could embrace her.

Tom tenderly pulled her head to him so she was resting her head on his chest.

As she calmed down, she noticed Tom’s tension.

“I'm okay now. I’m safe. You don't have to be angry anymore” she told him, tilting her head to look up at him.

“You don’t know that, we don’t have the results yet” Tom argued, squeezing her waist closer to him.

“True” she admitted, “but we’ll get through this, together, even though I’m hurt”.

Tom smiled softly down at her, “of course we will. I’m not okay with that, though."

“Not okay with not letting them break us?” She asked, scrunching her brows slightly.

Tom chuckles and shook his head, “absolutely not that. No, I’m not okay with you being hurt”.

Y/n hummed and nodded, snuggling closer to him.

“I’m gonna fucking kill them” Tom growled, pacing back and forth in the tiny hospital room.

Y/n sighed, thanking the doctor for his diagnosis as he left the room to give them privacy.

Tom kept muttering under his breath as he clenched and unclenched his hands repeatedly.

Y/n glanced over at Harry who had since joined them and was supposed to be helping Tom calm down.

Harry shrugged, “this was excessive this time y/n”.

Tom glanced over with a firm nod, “that’s understating it”.

“Tooommm” y/n sighed, reaching her hand out towards him.

As he looked into her y/e/c eyes he paused his pacing and walked to her, taking ahold of his hand.

He sighed with an ever present look of worry on his face as he stood by her, “sorry love… it’s just I think about anything happening to you and I- I just… fucking lose it. And it actually happened!”

She nodded, squeezing his hand, “I know, but I’ll be fine”.

After a few minutes, Harry and y/n convinced Tom to sit down on the chair next to her.

He held firmly onto her hand as the doctor entered the room to give instructions on how to take care of her injuries.

While exhaustion made it hard for y/n to pay attention, Tom’s focus has never been better.

Harry suspected if it were needed Tom could’ve recited the doctor’s words verbatim.

“Waaaiit” y/n giggled, making Tom roll his eyes as he smiled at her.

“Whhhyy is this herrre? Itchhess “ She whined as she tugged on her IV.

Tom sighed, peeling her fingers away gently, “It’s for your pain meds love, don’t touch it”.

“Noo p-p-paaain” She mumbled with a shrug.

Tom laughed quietly as she batted her eyes at him, “That’s because the meds are working”.

“I’m serious Baz” Tom grumbled, watching as y/n rested.

Harry groaned, “mate I get it but it’s already over”.

Tom glared at him, “What stops it from happening again?!”

His brother shrugged, “nothing I guess. But there’s nothing you can do Tom”.

Tom bounced his leg anxiously as he continued holding onto her hand while thinking through his options.

“Harry, just hold it” Tom argued, glaring at his brother as he shoved his cellphone into his hands.

Harry groaned but nodded, turning on Tom’s camera.

Tom shook out his hands as he stared into the camera, “I realize I probably should not post this. As those of you who did this just want attention. But how are your actions even CLOSE to being proportionate to her taking a photo with fans?!”

Baz nodded in agreement as he signaled for Tom to continue, and Tom thought over the details of the instance she told him and what he saw online.

Tom sighed loudly, “I have seen some of you posting happy comments about it. You must feel like a real badass right about now, yeah? Yelling and frightening and trying to humiliate someone with more decency and respect than you. Except you're not a badass, you know. You’re just a coward”.

Harry’s eyes widened behind the camera but nodded again to show he agreed and encourage Tom to keep going.

“I can’t believe some of the comments are suggesting you did this to try and convince us to break up. That’s none of your business” he growled.

“Leave us alone, because you’re not going to break us. It is unacceptable to hurt someone to get attention or to get your way. We will be taking additional measures moving forward to ensure this cannot happen again” Tom concluded, a harsh look being sent into the camera before signaling for Harry to turn the camera off.

"Don't even think about trying to walk with that leg. If you need something, call me and I'll do it for you, clear?” Tom asked, taking y/N’s boot off for the night.

She nodded and leaned into the pillows he set behind her.

“Are you leaving?” She asks shyly.

“No, no, course not” he rushed out breathily, “I just need to call my agent to discuss more security for us”.

Y/n sighed and poured at him, “Toomm…”

His cheeks flushed, “you can call it overreacting if you feel inclined to do so, but I must look after your safety darling”.

“Okay, but don’t be too long please “ she grinned.

Tom chuckled, setting her pill bottles next to their bed, “be right back”.

“Better?” She asked as he came back in.

Tom chuckled and gave her a smile before crawling into their bed, “for now, I had to leave a message”.

Y/n nodded, tugging on his shirt to bring him closer.

“Hold on, easy” he said, delicately helping her adjust her position so he could hold her without hurting her bruised ribs.

“Comfortable?” He asked, his lips resting on her scalp.

She smiled to herself, “very”.

“The next episode is going to start Tom!” Y/n shouted from the couch.

“Watch it without me darling, just update me when I’m back” he laughed, making loud noises in the kitchen.

“What’re you doing?” She pressed, trying to see around the corner.

Tom laughed, “Sam may have taught me some things, no need to doubt me, thank you! I’m making us some lunch”.

Y/n frowned and tossed the blanket off her lap, moving her injured leg slowly to the ground.

She adjusted the straps and inflation to make it support her better before standing.

Y/n knocked her water bottle on the ground in the process.

She picked it up and as she turned around to walk to the kitchen, she saw Tom walking into the living room.

"What are you doing? Are you trying to make your injury worse?" He reprimanded, dropping the kitchen towel in his hands and walking her way.

“I feel like such a jerk, lying here on the couch while you do all the work. Injured or not, I should be doing something." She argued, walking closer.

He held his hand out to tell her to stop, “Darling, you’re not a jerk. I want you to rest your leg, now sit back down”.

Y/n sighed but complied as he came and tucked her in again.

"I swear, if you try and sneak out before you're fully healed, I'll strap you to the couch” Tom swore, kissing her forehead.

Y/n pressed her lips into a tight line as she suppressed a giggle.

He smirked when she nodded in compliance, “perfect, I’ll be done soon!”

Y/n rolled her eyes as his eagerness to take care of her as he dashed back to the kitchen.

As she waited, the tv paused so she didn’t get ahead of him in their show, y/n scrolled social media.

She saw plenty of comments from caring fans who were apologetic or worried about her.

But she also saw several who were attacking her or Tom, or their relationship.

This was not unusual but it related to her injuries this time mostly.

Saying things like this would be a major break in their relationship or that the fans were going to be responsible for her and Tom breaking up soon.

“Tommy, do you have the photos Harry sent to your mom yesterday when updating her on the situation?” She asked.

Tom peaked his head out of the kitchen with his eyebrow raised, “yeah, why?”

Y/n grinned at him, “I felt like making a post”.

Tom only raised his eyebrow higher as he stared at her.

“I know I know, I told you that you didn’t need to do that live you did. This is different… sorta. I won’t mention you in it” y/n said.

He laughed and rolled his eyes teasingly, “tag away my love. My phone should be next to the remote, password is Tessa and then your month and day of your birthday”.

Y/n blushed and nodded, thanking him as she grabbed his phone.

She aggressively typed a long winded message asking fans to leave Tom out of this and that what happened wasn’t okay but had nothing to do with their relationship nor would it impact so.

But, as she stared at her phone, she sighed and deleted it.

Instead, she simply uploaded the photo of Tom holding her hand while she was in the ER and the photo of her in the car with her boot on after the ER with a brief caption.

She typed, “May have broken a few bones 🙃 but you can’t break us ❤️” And tagged Tom’s Instagram before posting it.

She set her phone down just as Tom’s went off.

“Do you have notifications turned on for my posts?” She gasped.

Tom chuckled and walked over to the coffee table next to her, “Of course, not let’s see what you posted”.

As he looked at the post, his lips broke into a grin showing his dimples.

“We cannot be broken” He agreed, bending down to give her a kiss.

Tom Holland Navigation/Masterlist

Main Navigation/Masterlist (All My Works)

Tom Holland Tag List (to be added please comment here): @galaxyholland @bigbirdstwins @mcushvft @fishingirl12 @raajali3 @justapurrcat @natswifey @directioner5life @ell0ra-br3kk3r @laylasbunbunny

[astersatdawn]

FFXIV Write Day 5: Stamp

“You’re going on tour with your troupe, right?” Ellida asks.

Aze’a hums a quiet affirmative as he folds his spare clothes. Packing this up isn’t unusual, but it certainly feels more final, this time. He knows why, but also knows it isn’t the end, not really. But the last time anything like this had happened Aze’a knew when they would meet again, even if the last time had been they’d both unexpectedly found themselves in the Scions orbit and had been unwilling to turn away from the cause, instead of at home, where it was quiet, but safer, than the path they set out on. 

The two of them had been together, through all this. Traveling together, the same cities, the same roads. The separations had been brief, an unspoken promise of they’d be together again, just like the old days, where the two of them were crammed in a small room so that their younger siblings had more space, quietly whispering to each other in the middle of the night. 

Last night had been the last night of that; an inn room in Mor Dhona, shared, because even if their accommodations were paid by the scions the inn was bustling with adventurers traveling to and fro, still enamored with Mor Dhona’s potential. It had been an easy choice to room together, again, as they have plenty of times before, to ensure others could have space. 

“And… what about you?” He asks. There’s a part of him that wants to say “come with me” but he doesn’t voice it. It’s selfish, clingy, and the worst part is he knows Ellida would agree if he asked. 

If there is anything their time with the Scions has shown Aze’a, is that his twin sister had been more herself than she had been in their youth. He always knew she was longing for something, and after joining the Scions, it had been so obvious, in hindsight, that her longing was her desire to explore the world, quashed down by her obligations to the people she loved more. She had always been curious, and opportunity had come knocking over and over again, but she would always look back at their little cabin, at him and their siblings and their mother, and with a gentle smile, she would turn it down, and pretend she never thought of the what-ifs. 

The Scions had been a balance for that, because Aze’a was there, and willing, but now the Scions were formally disbanding, and he thinks, if he weren’t going on tour, they both might have chosen to go back home, regardless of the truth of their hearts. 

“I… I don’t know,” she replies after a long moment. But he doesn’t have to turn around to know she’s smiling, that her tail swishes back and forth with unspoken excitement. “Maybe… maybe I’ll go back to the Far East, first.”

First, she says like a plan is brewing, and he finally turns to look at her.

Despite everything, the happiness radiates off of her like blinding sunlight as she packs away the last of her things. 

“That’s a good idea,” he tells her. She needs to know, even if he isn’t sure she’s aware of why it has to be said. He hesitates, for just a moment, on a selfish request. “Would you… would you write to me?”

She stops packing to face him. None of that joy dissipates, if anything, she seems a little happier. “Of course! But you better write back… I’ll also want to at least see one of your shows.”

“You’ve seen us before.”

“And I’ll see one again,” she promises. 

He has to turn away, back to his own things, to hide the fact he might cry as a weight is lifted off his chest. Of course she’d make that promise. Of course they’d see each other again. It’s hard to part from his sister, and it's also a struggle to remember that part of why it’s taken her so long to fulfill the longings of her own heart is because she, too, is attached. 

They will see each other again. He doesn’t know how long it’ll take, and it might’ve scared him years ago to not know, but now, the reassurance is enough.

And so, he ensures the promise, “I will.” 

[battlemaiden13]

So I think it's been asked before, but I'm curious where the HND skeletons stand relationship wise with the Reader. A lot of them seem to be discovering their feelings a lot with all that's happened up to the most recent chapter 135 how do they feel about the MC romantically and such?

This is a lot of skeletons. AND I WANT TO ADD MORE?!? who hurt me????

Anyway the HND skeletons feelings towards MC as of Chapter 135!!

Sans -He has a crush on her, a pretty big one but he’s also not used to liking people like that. He’s had maybe one crush in his entire life before and that didn’t end well for him. He is also keenly aware of just how much his brother likes the human so he has convinced himself he’s happy to step back from this one. Basically he’s pushing his emotions down and it’s not working for him. It probably won’t hit him until he can’t see you everyday and he realizes that he likes you way more than he thought he did.

Papyrus-oh there is a plan in motion here. Papyrus doesn’t like wasting time after he realizes he likes someone and he isn’t. He just needs the best mood to ask you out officially. Your date to the anniversary celebration that he invited you to in chapter 110 will be the perfect setting for him to ask you to be his official date mate. He isn’t too concerned about the move and distance he knows when he wants to ask you out so it’s perfect. Of course if she asks him out before that he will immediately say yes. 

Red-He is full on in love with her but he isn’t asking her out. His low self esteem has him believing that someone like you still hates him and will always hate him to some extent. There is no way that you could feel the same so he’ll continue to watch from a distance. Unless you ask him out or someone else asking you out for him it won’t happen. He is so crushed about moving away from you but he is also fully convinced he’s love is unrequited and he’ll be lucky to have you lust after him. 

Edge-Completely in love with you but doesn’t think he deserves you. He wants to get better before asking you out as he’s still beating himself up over you getting kidnapped when you were so close to their house. He feels guilty that you trust him so much and he would love nothing more than to ask you out but he won’t until he thinks he can protect you. He wants to earn your trust before asking you to be his date mate. 

Blue -Literally could ask you out at any moment but also wants to be 100% sure that you’ll say yes. It’s the slow game for him and he loves it. He’s been in love with you for a while but is worried that you’ll see him as immature. Really Blue doesn’t mind waiting, he wants you to see all sides of him before he asks you out but he also won’t say no if you ask him. 

Orange - Is still feeling very embarrassed about the whole Myra thing. He wants to ask you out but he is so scared it would ruin your friendship that he is absolutely not going to do that. He values you too much as a friend. He is also keenly aware that Blue likes you a lot and he doesn’t want to stand in the way of that because of that even if you ask him out he’d probably say no but it would destroy him. 

Berry - In love with you and has been for a while. Him and his brother now have that deal though so although they are both actively trying to pursue you and stop the others from getting a chance to date you he has to take it slow to ensure you choose both him and Syrup as he doesn’t know how into poly relationships you are or if you’ll even go for it. It’s a slow build making sure you like both him and his brother equally. 

Syrup -Is really in the same boat as Berry. His feelings have grown so much with you it is almost unbearable and he finds himself doing stupider and stupider things when around you. The difference is if you asked Syrup out he knows he can convince you to date both him and Berry whereas Berry is scared you’d turn one of them down. Because of his brother's feelings Syrup will wait until you come to them. 

Axe-Definitely has a crush but because he hasn’t had one in so long it is really strong to him. It won’t be long until he falls completely for you. You also stuck in his memory which is odd since it’s not that good. He doesn’t remember your real name but he remembers you.

Crooks-Crooks has never really had a crush before and this is driving him insane. He wonders if it normally makes others do stupid things and feels as if he keeps embarrassing himself in front of you. He definitely likes you through and wants to spend more time with you. 

Nightmare-He’s fucked and he knows it. You are a lot like his version of you, the one he lost and it didn’t take long for him to fall. He isn’t using you as a replacement but it wasn’t hard for him to fall in love with you. He doesn’t want to go after you though in case you get hurt again. However if you keep being nice to him he won’t be able to hold back. 

Dream -He likes you a lot. The last time he knew a you he gave you to his brother but not this time. He feels as if this is his chance but he’s worried you won’t like him back or feel he’s trying to replace someone he didn’t actually know that well. He doesn’t really know what to do but he knows he likes you. 

Ink-Is struggling the most over the other version of you he knew and loved. He likes this you but he also feels like there's a lot missing, like your holding back. He’s starting to enjoy the new thinks he’s learning about you but is overall confused about his feelings. 

Error- Feels it’s inevitable he falls for you at some point but is trying his hardest not to. Being mean to you didn’t help and you seemed to push all of his buttons but he isn’t going to just give in. He’s pushing you to the back of his mind. Outta sight and all that. Too bad his bedroom is marred with pictures of you. 

Killer-Awe he likes you which is not the best. You have a weird effect over his shifts because of how the last you he knew died. He wants to protect you but he also wants to keep you away from everyone else and he knows he’s not the safest. Unless he gets a hold of himself and his emotions this could end badly. 

Day-Is staying true to his promise with Killer. He only wants to be friends with you. Of course he is madly in love with you, you’re his wife but he had that ending. He wants to give Blue and Orange a chance to have the happy ending he did. Of course if the others come to him for help he would also help them. As long as you are happy he doesn’t care who you end up with, even if it kills him inside that it can’t be him.

Mint-Thinks you are interesting and attractive but also a filthy human who should die. Don’t feel bad he doesn’t like any humans, not just you. You did make him falter a few times during your most recent stay at the hotel but it means nothing. Or he assumes it means nothing. Theres no possible way it could mean anything. 

Mango-Thinks you are amazing and wants to be best friends. It’s just a shame that he can’t seem to get up the nerve to talk to you. There is the beginning of a crush starting to form. Just a sliver of one barely at the surface. If he spends more time with you this will quickly grow. 

Roulette-Still doesn’t want to get involved because of his job and your connection to his boss. He knows that technically Damian has given permission on several occasions but feels like your brother isn’t thinking of your safety there. He still has a crush and still thinks your insanely attractive so of course there's no harm in looking but he won’t be actively pursuing you. 

Sniper-He feels like the time he got to spend with you during your birthday party helped strengthen your friendship and he realized he likes you. A lot. He is also aware that others like you a whole lot and isn’t sure where to go. His brother keeps talking about how getting involved with you can be dangerous and he sort of sees that but you can’t help who you fall in love with. He needs time to process his feelings and decide if he wants to pursue you. 

Colt-Damian gave him the go ahead and he has been in love with you for way longer than he’s actually known you. Skulls is a legend and he always thought they were amazing, meeting you he didn’t realize you could be even more amazing than he ever imagined. Having your older bro (and his best friend) seem to root for him is only spurring him into wanting more of a relationship with you. 

Musket -He fell hard and fast which he hopes he’s made obvious from the flirting. Just something about you was so enigmatic to him that he wants to know everything he can about you. Plus being in competition with his brother always poses a fun challenge. It’s too bad work is keeping all of the mafia busy.

Carbine -He has a crush and knows it, you're the only one who can really get him to stop working and he just can’t seem to say no to you. He loved having you as his assistant and would adore it if you did that more but he’s also talked himself into thinking that it’s a crush and nothing more so he will not do anything about it.

 Rifle - Likes you a lot. Like a lot a lot. He hasn’t put it together yet that it may be a crush or even more but he will listen in to any conversation that might be about you and will full on fanboy about you when he has a moment. He seriously thinks your amazing and he just wants to see you again.

[cycat-carisi]

Lonesome Superhero Part 4

Pairing: Gator Tillman x f!reader (not romantic)

Summary: Months after moving away from Stark County, things finally come to a head as you confront your fears and the Tillmans confront the law. How will Gator react and what truths will emerge?

Warnings: language, misogynistic themes from the show, mentions of DV

Length: 3.3k +

A/N: This one deviates from cannon. I had a theory while watching the show. It turned out to be incorrect, but I really liked it and had already used it as the foundation for this series, so I decided to run with it anyway. Tah-dah! This is kind of an AU, but I really like it!

| Series masterlist | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |

Fic below the cut or on AO3 here

"Batman. Superman. Spiderman. Ugh! It's always gotta be guys doing the hero stuff!" you huff, splaying out Gator's comic books that sit atop the cafeteria table.

"Duh!" he replies as you plunk yourself down beside the dark-haired boy. "They've got the superpowers; of course they're gonna save the day!"

"Yeah, but it's always about a guy, and the girl is the one that always hasta be saved. What you need is to read this one, Gate." You slap down an issue of Wonder Woman in front of your best friend. "Now she's a superhero!"

Gator stares skeptically at the bright yellows and reds that compose the artwork on the comic book cover.

"Go ahead," you grin triumphantly, "take it home for a bit. I personally guarantee that you'll love it!"

With his hardened frown dissolving into a warm smile, a twelve-year-old Gator Tillman peers fondly at his best friend next to him. Somehow you always managed to make him feel good: valued, accepted, and truly understood.

Nodding affirmatively, Gator then gathers the comic and tucks it in his backpack along with the others for the trip home. That, however, would be the last time you would see your issue of Wonder Woman. Days turned into weeks, and Gator claimed that he "wasn't finished yet". Excuses piled up until you eventually forgot that the comic even existed. In reality, however, it was Roy Tillman who ensured that the Amazonian heroine had no influence on his son.

-x-

The simple days of comic books have long since passed. Now, here you are in a completely different state, living each day by constantly glancing over your shoulder. Sleep eludes you despite the four deadbolts on your tiny apartment’s door. The smallest, most insignificant noises startle you, causing panic to seize your chest in a vice-like grip, terrified that he’s found you. Even your performance at work has declined, which is something that neither you nor your patients can afford. While you might have escaped from Stark County, the looming fear of Roy Tillman and his son follows you like the darkest of rain clouds.

A soft touch to your shoulder makes your body stiffen and your muscles jump. The echoes of beeping machines and the fluorescent lighting overhead reel you back to reality as the hand pulls away, startled by your reaction.

“Are you alright?” the head nurse speaks softly. “Mr. Patel’s dressing needs changing in room 305.”

As you turn around to face your boss, it’s clear your answer to her question is a resounding ‘no’.

The nurse’s features deepen with concern. “Darling, what’s wrong?”

You have held everything in for a couple months now, completely isolated and alone – too afraid to tell your truth in case the long arm of Roy Tillman’s law finds you. However, your boss is here in the present. She runs a tight ship at work, expecting your best, but she has also shown you nothing but kindness. And right now, her sincerity is breaking down the barriers that hold your fears tightly locked away.

Flagging down another nurse to cover the hospital floor, the two of you escape to a break room, where you find the courage to release your truths. You tell her about Gator and about Roy. You tell her that you are sorry for your inadequate performance at work but that you are just so scared. And instead of judging you, she holds you while you cry. She reassures you that you are brave and that she cares. But she also delivers the harsh reality that you can’t go on this way – that the only way to permanently end this torment is to go to the police.

At first, you recoil in aversion. The tendrils of your fear extend to the possibility that the Tillmans have connections across several state lines, yet the gentle encouragements from the head nurse help settle your unease. You know deep down that it is the right thing to do.

-x-

A loud bang on the door startles Gator awake. His head lolls towards his alarm clock, his eyes slowly peeling open. 1am?!? For Christ’s sake! Wiping the drool from his mouth, the Tillman son throws on a dirty white tank top to match his boxers and begins to drag himself into the hallway.

Another couple of loud knocks ring out amongst muffled shouts. Who the fuck is that, and what the fuck do they want?!? Gator seethes, patience worn thin.

BANG BANG BANG “North Dakota state police! Open up!”

Oh, shit! With his system now fully jolted awake, Gator scrambles down the hall. “Dad!” he yells frantically, open palm slapping against his father’s bedroom door. “Dad!”

The door swings open, and an angry gaze is immediately cast down over Gator. Roy towers over his son, nipple piercings glinting in the low light. “What have I told you about waking me, boy?”

Gator visibly shrinks, his face wrought with panic. “But dad, it’s the –”

BANG BANG BANG “North Dakota state police! This is your final warning! Open up!”

The two men’s heads whip towards the direction of the front door downstairs. Roy shoves his son out of the way, bounding down the staircase at lightning speed. Gator is left behind with his mouth gaping; a confused and sleepy Karen joins him at the bedroom entrance. She sleepily wraps her robe around herself, unaware of the events about to transpire.

The next several moments pass by in a hazy blur. Gator hears his father greet the police and listens as that deep voice raises in anger. The figures stir, and the next thing Gator witnesses is his father being forcefully cuffed and led out the front door. Karen shrieks, and her wails ring through Gator’s ears as she runs out of the house after her husband. Gator feels as though life is in slow motion; that the world around him is crumbling away. He barely registers what's happening thereafter until he feels the cool metal of a handcuff being secured around his wrist. He blinks slowly as his other arm is guided behind his back and a cuff cinches shut.

He should resist. He should be fighting back like the reptile he is named for…Yet, he doesn't. Instead of panic, instead of fear, a weird sensation akin to relief takes root and begins to blossom inside of Gator’s chest as he, too, is led out of his childhood home towards the blue and red flashing lights that pierce the darkness.

-x-

“I’m not saying a word. Not. A. Fucking. Word!” spits the Tillman son before harshly folding his arms across his chest and gluing his gaze to the metal table in front of him.

“Peter,” coaxes a female police officer. “We know you were there. Just tell us what happened.”

Gator doesn’t look up. He simply swallows thickly.

The middle-aged officer shifts from her place beside the table; her sleek shadow moves next to her in the dim lighting as she takes a seat across from the young man. Her voice lowers and mellows as she begins to speak. “You must really like her,” the officer pauses to allow her words to sink in. “You just wanted your chance to be with her. No one can fault you for that. But, she told us her version of that night in the parking lot, and now we need your side of it too.”

A brief flicker from hazel irises catch in the light. A thumb rubs anxiously back and forth along his bicep, and a pair of thin lips pinch together tightly. Yet still, Gator Tillman remains quiet.

The officer glances behind her and gives a nod towards the two-way mirror. Mere seconds later, the interview room door creaks open, and her colleague, a six-foot-something brick shithouse of a man, enters the room. His presence seems to swallow the entirety of the small space.

Gator’s gaze flashes up towards the large officer, brows knitting defiantly.

“Peter,” the female officer starts again, a soft tone still woven into her words, “we would like you to see something.”

-x-

“Sheriff Tillman,” chimes a female FBI agent, “things will be so much easier for you if you just tell us the truth. We have your son in the next room over. Tell us what happened before he does.”

“My son?” The man bursts out in bitter laughter. “My son is a waste of space. None of us would be here if it weren’t for him. He goes out and makes a fool of himself in front of some dumb broad, and then comes crying to daddy to help him win her over.”

The FBI agent plants her palms firmly on the metal table and leans in to stare her suspect down. “According to what our witness told us, it doesn’t seem like you set out to do any of that.”

Roy scoffs. “The only reason I went to chat with that young lady was because my so-called son was too much of a pussy to land the little whore on his own!”

Biting back a smirk, the agent presses on. “Your son seems to be a touchy subject for you, Roy. You hired him as your deputy, so he must be doing something right.”

Roy’s face contorts as if he has just heard the most outrageous statement imaginable. “The boy is a complete fuckup.” He grits his teeth. “It’s been that way ever since he took his first breath. All scrawny and weak. I thought a job on the force would toughen him up – make a man out of him – but he’s still just as pathetic as the day he was born.”

Even as he sits in police-issue sweatpants and t-shirt, Roy Tillman’s presence consumes the oxygen in the room. The resentment the senior Tillman holds for his son is reflected back at him in the two-way mirror.

Yet, just beyond that mirror is the face of a boy. One who has just been shoved headfirst into reality. He remains quiet, attempting to hide the emotions that course under his skin – afraid that somehow his father can see him watching on.

“Peter,” the officer speaks quietly from over his shoulder. “You don’t have to protect him anymore.”

Gator stares silently at his father. The Stark County sheriff looks like a caged beast that is aggressively pacing its confinements as it plots the best moment to strike.

“I can’t…” whispers Gator, the words catching in his throat.

A warm hand finds his shoulder. “You can, Peter. If not for yourself, then for her. You have the chance to make things right.”

-x-

"Mr. Tillman," bellows the prosecutor. Gator blinks, refocusing on the wood-decorated courtroom and the many faces that fill the rows of his surroundings. "You have testified here today on the many crimes – illegal weapons dealings, internal police corruption, and missing person’s cases – that Sheriff Roy Tillman is allegedly accused of orchestrating and or committing. However, there is one missing person's case that has yet to be discussed –"

"OBJECTION!" yells the defense lawyer, rising to his feet with palms slapping down against his desk. "This is new evidence that my council has not been informed of!"

A gasp resonates amongst the shocked crowd in the gallery.

The judge levels her gaze at both men. “Approach.”

"Your honor," explains the prosecution coolly as he arrives at the bench, "this testimony falls under the category of missing persons from Stark County which the state and the defense have agreed are admissible topics inside this court."

The judge silently consults her notes. It seems as though everyone in the room is holding in a collective breath. Finally, the judge announces her conclusion, "Overruled. I'll allow it. Please continue."

The defense attorney angrily sits back down, exchanging careful glances with his client as he does.

From his seat, Roy Tillman’s hardened eyes descend upon his son. In the past, that look always made Gator fold as easily as a house of cards. This time, however, Gator finds the courage to turn away. His hazel eyes seek out yours, and he finds you sitting quietly behind the prosecution, unwilling to allow any Tillman to witness the fear that runs through your veins.

"Peter," chimes the prosecutor. "Can you please tell the jury what you saw that day?"

Snapping out of his trance, Gator shifts to focus on the lawyer in front of him. He swallows thickly. It's now or never.

"I – I was five years old,” he begins. “One evening my mother came rushing into my room. She told me to pack my favorite toys into a bag because we had to leave right away. She never told me why; she just left my room in a hurry.” Gator’s expression suddenly changes. It appears as though he has been transported to some distant place in his memory. “Then… I remember hearing the front door slam and heavy footsteps pound up the stairs to my door. It was my father. He pointed a finger at me and told me to get in bed. To not come out. I remember being so confused as he shut my door and left. Next thing I heard was the yelling and shouting. Both my mother and father were screaming at each other. Again.”

“What happened next, Peter?” the prosecution coaxes gently.

“I – I was just trying to figure out what was going on.” Gator’s eyes squeeze shut at the memory. “I disobeyed my father and crept to the edge of the stairs. I sat just out of sight and watched it through the banister.”

“It? What was it that you saw?” the prosecutor prompts again.

“I saw my father swing and momma drop.” Gator’s voice falters, tone becoming boyish at the mention of his mother. “When she didn’t get up, my father picked her up and put her over his shoulder. I – I remember her hand dangling as he carried her towards the back door. I was so scared. I ran back up to my room and got in bed.”

“Peter, that must have been a very traumatic experience for you, especially at such a young age. But do you remember any other details about that night?”

“I remember seeing our shaggy white rug being stained bright red as my mother was lying on it. That rug was gone the next day.”

“Okay, good. Now, why didn’t you tell anyone? Why keep this a secret for so many years? You must have loved your mother, no?”

“Of course I loved my mom!” Gator’s voice cracks again. “But I never told anyone because I had disobeyed my father that night. I knew I would be punished if he found out.”

“Punished how, Peter?”

“The belt.”

The prosecutor nods somberly. “And what did your father tell you had happened to your mother?”

“My father told me – told everyone – that mom had run away. That she didn't want to be with us anymore. I spent twenty-some years convincing myself that his story was true."

As Gator concludes his testimony, you notice a shimmer in his eyes. He swallows hard to blink the moisture away.

On the opposite side of the courtroom, Roy's jaw clenches and unclenches, his features betraying his shock and anger. He clearly hadn't known what Gator witnessed all those years ago, and if looks could kill, Gator's body would already be cold.

The gallery remains eerily silent.

"Thank you, Mr. Tillman," speaks the judge. "Would the defense like to cross-examine?"

"We would, your honor," replies Roy's attorney through tight lips.

The stout man rises from his seat and buttons his suit coat. He clears his throat. "Mr. Tillman – Gator. “You fit to benefit from testifying against your father today, don’t you?" Before the Tillman son has a chance to reply, the lawyer opens his mouth again. "Is it true that you will receive a reduced sentence despite admitting to being a major player in some of the alleged crimes committed?"

Gator stares up at the defense attorney dejectedly. "Yes, sir," he admits. "Five years for accessory, plus psychiatric counseling."

You watch as some jury members knit their brows together. Prosecutors make deals all the time in exchange for testimony. This reveal shouldn't come as a surprise.

The lawyer’s smirk widens as he turns to the judge. "The defense rests, your honor."

Nodding towards Gator, the judge dismisses him, and a bailiff escorts him quietly towards the exit of the courtroom. As he passes your row, Gator cautiously meets your gaze for the second time that day. He merely gives you a solemn frown before once again bowing his head as he is led away.

Meanwhile, you are left standing there completely dumbfounded, your mind swimming with thoughts. Who would have known that this whole situation would unravel into something so sinister? You knew that Roy Tillman was a shady character. You knew that many in Stark County feared him, but you never could have fathomed the extent as to why. Neither could you have predicted how all of this had influenced Gator. Yet somehow, the pieces of the puzzle fit together seamlessly. The introverted boy from middle school. The bully from high school. The pompous ass you swore at outside of the retirement home. And even Roy's threat in the dark parking lot. It all added up. Gator had spent twenty-plus years harbouring a dark secret while his father attempted to mold Gator into a carbon copy of himself. The years of abuse, neglect, and conditioning… It didn’t excuse everything that had happened, but it certainly put it all into perspective.

-x-

In the days that follow, you attend each court session dutifully. You hear other witness testimony that incriminates Roy in a multitude of nefarious actions. You even hear from a young woman named Dorothy, who bravely stares down the sheriff as she recounts the abuse she endured by his hand.

Of course, the defense tries to weave the evidence into misconstrued accounts that shift the blame away from the senior Tillman. But as the trial wears on, the faces of the jurors drift from skepticism towards disgust. And, as the final verdict is read, tension converts to relief when Roy Tillman is found guilty on each criminal charge he is tried for.

You watch stoically as the disgraced Sheriff is led away, tethered in cuffs and chains, yet somehow this result feels partially empty. Countless lives have forever been altered by this man, and the weight of that grim realization smothers you. Your thoughts briefly drift to Gator and how he, despite everything he admitted to, is yet another victim of the corrupt county sheriff.

You shake those dark thoughts away as you file out of the courtroom amongst the rest of the crowd.

-x-

A couple months go by, and you finally allow yourself to breathe. Roy Tillman is locked away in a maximum security facility, never to wield his power again, while Gator has been sent east to serve out his time.

Back in Stark County, the harsh winter passes. Frigid snow retreats, allowing the landscape to blossom once again. And, just as spring rolls into the county, so do you. After all, your heart had always been at the retirement home, seeking to give back to the community you grew up in. Life even seems to return to normal as Stark County gradually beings to heal from the long reign of the Tillman lineage.

Then, on one beautiful spring afternoon, you return home from your shift to find a padded envelope resting against your door frame. Taking the package inside, you notice that the return address belongs to a federal correctional institution in New Hampshire. Your brow furrows in confusion as you open up the envelope.

Its contents make you gasp.

Bright yellows and reds catch your eye as a familiar image brings up forgotten memories. Attached to the front cover of the Wonder Woman issue is a sticky note that reads:

I’m sorry for everything.

                             - Gator

Thanks for reading! Feedback is loved ❤

(An epilogue is in the works!)

[life-winners-liveblog]

Shortening my reviews as well, so hopefully it won't take as much time. LimL!Cleo's backstory is so sad. Did you come up with it? I don't remember that being part of her series but maybe I missed it? The loop recap is wonderful... though I somehow missed a few? I think? Marigold continuing to not beat the Fae allegations. *crosses fingers* please let LimL!Scott be a necromancer. please let LimL!Scott be a necromancer. please let LimL!Scott be a necromancer. My boy has so much emotional trauma and baggage. Also I feel WC!Scott fits more similarly to LimL!Scott than Chromia!Scott does. He doesn't actually care about himself winning, only making sure his allies get as far as possible and his teammate (*cough* partner *cough*) wins. The betrayal didn't matter to him because he wanted Martyn to kill him anyways because he couldn't lose another person he held so dear to his heart. He did everything he could. Even destroying himself and effectively killing himself to make himself stronger so he could bring Milo back. A certain vein of Self-Sacrificing that we also see a lot of in LimL!Scott. If it wasn't him to win Witchcraft he would have wanted it, and even pledged that if he didn't win he'd ensure Cleo's victory instead. Aka, his closest friend and ally. Someone who he knew he could trust, and who trusted him in return. A connection stronger than most dedicating their loyalty to each other. Because both knew what it was like to hate what they saw in their reflections. Hate what they've become. Yet embracing it for the hope of a better future. A loyalty that continues into the games. Aaaand I've made this longer than I was planning too... anyways! I totally forgot Jimshie existed.... and he now has Ren as another father, of course. Of course LimL!Cleo's fav song is Addams Family (fun fact that was the spring musical we did my senior year of hs) Oh that's Cleo's actual canon lore.... holy shit. Why have I not heard about that before? Bel caught up. Maybe there is hope for me *stares at 3 months worth of posts*... hopefully. RIP Grian's pottery, as someone who also works with clay, I feel that pain on a deep level. I see what Bel has done and I send him a bit more clay, as well as a mixer and clay powder so he can recycle the clay when needed. And a refill of any glazes he may need. Oh! And a wheel if he doesn't have one already, as well as a few needed tools like sponges, bats for the wheel, some ribs, etc. LimL!Cleo is so Toriel coded. We love Goat Mom. Oh also, (this might have been answered already and I haven't seen it yet) but what faction, if any are Gem and the Scotts part of? Also possible Scotpulse? Perhaps? Scott²? Idk i love those 2 together, also Impulse was the only one to not betray Scott during the Boogey Infection sooooo. Lmao Cub is scared of ducks. L oh... oh. oh Pearl. Red and light blue huh? I totally didn't start tearing up. I didn't do that. No way. And thats the end of the May review! I mean't to make these shorter and I don't think I succeeded.. oh well!

-Xas

Ooh reviews are back, loved these!

And yeah, I actually found out that Cleo used to have a Tumblr blog where she stated that as her backstory!