#really glad i was not alone either time when it happened but lord

[alo-piss-trancy]

So... I might have to get off the w/ellbutrin entirely and try smth else 😬 I really didn't want to bc it was helping more than the ssri's I was on before I think, but last night I just had a serious medical issue for the 2nd time while I was on it so. I really shouldn't risk it again I guess. Seeing my doctor tomorrow so hopefully we can figure smth out.

[7seas-of-ryy]

Crestfallen - Part 5

Author’s Note: My plans got canceled last night so I ended up finishing this part earlier than expected!! Part 6 has already been started and will hopefully be out within the next 2 days! :)

Overall Summary: Although you were born in the Day Court, you've been living in the Night Court for a century. You're close with the inner circle but what will happen when a new healer is brought into the picture?

Part 5 Summary: After waking up, your fight has only just begun.

Pairing: Azriel x Reader

Warnings: talks of injuries

"I need Rhys or Feyre." You blurted.

Azriel just stared at you, looking confused yet relieved.

"Now!" You demanded once you noticed he wasn't moving.

His shadows swallowed him up taking him to find either of the two.

Feyre winnowed in with Az within moments, Rhys showing up separately quick after.

"Look in my mind" You panted, still out of breath feeling the new power thrumming through you.

Your High Lady and High Lord both looked in your mind as you replayed for them all you had been through. They saw how you were awake and felt everything. They saw how vulnerable and weak you felt. And they saw the mystery inside of you was definitely a new power.

"What was it, what power was that? I've never seen it before." Feyre muttered, confused at everything that was going on.

She was away meeting with a few other courts, Rhys had spoken to her letting her know what was going on and she came back right away. Thinking you were still unconscious, she began helping her mate research instead of visiting you. They were both holed up in the library when Az appeared bringing them here.

"I'm not sure. I can feel it but I can't access it, can't control it." You mumbled.

Az stood behind both Rhys and Feyre, watching you as if he'd seen a ghost. You noticed his staring and gave him a questioning look. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"You're awake." He stated simply.

Feyre, Rhys and you all shared a look with each other.

"It's just...you were unconscious minutes ago and Madja said we would need to figure out a treatment. And now you just...sat up and are talking to us like normal?" He elaborated.

"I don't really understand it either but I do know I was awake the entire time. I felt your shadows in my mind, I knew you were there." You uttered, "But I am still very confused on a ton of things as well."

"It was Clara.." Az mumbled.

More memories came flooding back to you. Everything Clara did replayed in your mind. You remembered the powder she blew in your face and most of all, you remembered how Az didn't believe you.

"We learned she wasn't trying to kill you. She was trying to make you sick to impress Az by helping you and making you better again." Rhys informed you.

"Oh that makes it all better, she didn't mean to almost end my life, just harm me severely. I suppose I should forgive her and pretend everything is fine." You snarled.

"I didn't say that. Cassian and Nesta are handling it right now. She will be held in the dungeon until she has served her time." Rhys told you with an understanding voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just overwhelmed right now." You apologized.

Rhys gave you a small smile and a nod, he didn't hold it against you. Feyre put her hand on your shoulder to show you she was there for you.

The pair were already thinking about this newfound power you held. They needed to make sure you were 100% alright and inform Madja about what had happened. They let you know what they were going to do and winnowed away to find the healer.

"I'm so glad you're alright. You have no idea how terrified I-" Az started to tell you.

"I have no idea how terrified you were? I was being poisoned, felt my powers draining and I told you. I told you and you didn't believe me. Do you know how scared and alone I felt?" You cut him off, "No you have no idea. I felt strands of my soul being plucked apart, venom being torn out of my very being because of her...and you...you told me my mind was playing tricks on me."

You finished your short rant with a sob, tears started to flood your face.

"I will never be able to make this up to you but I swear on my life that I will never stop trying. I am so terribly sorry for not believing you." He sobbed.

"No. I needed help, I needed you and you ignored me. Made me feel crazy. You do realize you held me down while she cut me open. I bit down on your belt while she sliced me with her blade." You cried.

Azriel was now on his knees next to the bed. His own tears matching yours, although he was not crying for himself. No, he was crying for you. Minutes past, the only sound in the room was the combination of your sobs, like a symphony of sorrows.

You sniffled, willing your tears to dry.

"You chose someone you've known for 2 weeks over someone you've known for 100 years," you croaked out, "and for that, I do not know if I can ever forgive you."

Azriel looked up into your eyes, truly realizing the extent of what he had done when the door suddenly shot open. Mor stood there looking frantic.

"There's a terrible storm outside right now. We need to take cover. The wards that are protecting this house should keep us safe but I don't want to risk anything with Y/N right now." She warned us.

"A storm?" Your confusion was evident on your face.

"Yes. Rain, thunder, lightning, tornadoes, the whole nine yards." She confirmed as she worked quickly to gather things you might need.

You tried to move from the bed but your wounds were deeper than skin level. Your soul had been wounded.

"I don't think I can move." You faltered.

"I got you." Az offered, starting to pick you up.

Quickly you flinched away from him, not wanting to be near him. There was a loud boom of thunder and you could hear the wind picking up. After hesitating a few seconds, you let him carry you out of there to a safer room with less windows.

The three of you made your way to a room downstairs and Az placed you on a couch nearby. Anxiety began to quickly consume your mind and Mor must have sensed it.

"Hey, don't worry. There's never been a storm that destroyed this house. The wards were placed by Rhys himself so we should be ok. This is just an extra safety precaution." Mor said with certainty.

You didn't think it was possible but after a couple minutes the storm seemed to pick up even more. The wind outside was so loud now you couldn't hear yourself think.

Mor sat on the floor next to you with her arm protectively over you. A loud crash could be heard and the sound of glass breaking was too close for comfort. The look on Mor's face did nothing to bring you solace.

Realization that they had never seem a storm like this hit and Az wrapped his arms around you and Mor, stretching his wings to surround the three of you.

It only lasted a couple minutes longer, then you could hear it starting to settle. Once it sounded like it was over completely, he withdrew his wings and the three of you looked around. The room you were in was untouched but you needed to check everywhere else.

"I need to go make sure everything is alright." Azriel stated.

"I'll stay here with Y/N and try to contact Rhys and Feyre." Mor told the male.

He gave her a nod and winnowed away.

"I've never seen anything like that. I can't imagine how hard the town was hit, I hope everyone is ok." Mor mumbled.

You felt what could only be described as waves going through your body. Unsure if it was anxiety or your power, you tried to calm it. Hours later, the feeling was still there and no one had shown up yet.

"I'm getting a little worried, no one is responding to me." Mor told you.

"I'll be fine, you can go find them." You reassured her.

Giving you a quick hug, she took off in search of your friends and family. She was only gone for about a half hour when she returned, her face pale.

Rhys, Feyre, and Madja were with her as well.

"Is everyone ok?" You asked hurriedly.

"Everyone is fine." Feyre whispered.

"That's a relief..." You trailed off seeing the looks on their faces.

"We need you to listen to what we say and understand that is doesn't change anything. None of us are hurt, Cass and Nesta are fine. Everything is ok." Rhys spoke calmly.

"If that's the case, why are you guys looking at me like that?" You questioned.

The four of them shared looks with each other and Feyre kneeled down next to the couch you were laying on.

"We think the storm might have been...you." She carefully informed you.

"What??" You breathed.

"We think your new power is somehow connected to the weather. Rhys noticed it first, there's no other way to explain it besides the wind felt like you. We all know you didn't do anything on purpose." Feyre continued to explain to you with a soothing voice.

"I did that?" You spoke in disbelief.

Mor tapped Rhys and looked around. They could feel the electricity in the air, another storm. This time, likely caused by the news you were recieving. They knew they needed to act fast.

"We know it's new and you can't control it. Please let me subdue your mind right now while we figure it out. If you unleash another storm, the consequences might be too severe." Rhys told you, tears forming in his eyes at seeing his friend go through this.

You agreed right away, nodding your head yes. You couldn't bare causing any more damage. Rhys gave you a small, sad smile and you could feel him at the gate in your mind, asking to be let in even though you just gave him permission.

"We will be right by your side the entire time." Feyre whispered to you.

You opened the gate for Rhys and sleep quickly took over. As soon as they were certain your mind was subdued, Mor spoke up.

"You can come out now." She announced.

Azriel walked out from his hiding place behind the door.

"I still don't agree with this." He mumbled.

"You saw what happened the last time she spoke to you. If she saw you, another storm would have been imminent." Rhys hissed at his brother.

"No I mean, I don't agree with keeping it from her. She deserved to know the truth." He retorted.

"The truth," Rhys huffed a laugh, "You think it would've been smart to tell her what actually happened? That the storm she caused destroyed many homes in town, injured over 20 civilians, and killed two of them? She's been through enough. She didn't need to hear that even if it wouldn't have caused another storm."

Azriel looked down at his shoes, guilty and crestfallen.

"We need to get to work right away. Create some kind of ward or contraption that can contain her power when we wake her up." The Night Court High Lord informed the group.

"I think I can help with that." A voice spoke suddenly from behind all of them.

They all turned to see Helion, the High Lord of the Day Court standing there.

"You know I love to make a grand entrance." He spoke with a grin.

Taglist

@rcarbo1 @acourtofbatboydreams @bravo-delta-eccho @tele86 @theravenphoenix26

@anoneyesee @ren-ni @kabekusa @isa1b2h3 @i-am-infinite

@historygeekqueen @mariahoedt @fr0stf4ll @chelsiemp @romantasyreader28

@kissesfromnovalie @plants-w0rld @halo-mystic @bookishbishhh

[lightdancingwords]

Come Find Me - Part Eight

Pairing: Beau Arlen x F. Reader

Series Summary: You are a new arrival to Big Sky, Montana, and found gainful employment with the local insurance department next door to the sheriff’s department. A whole new life with your past haunting you, while Beau is still dealing with the entanglements with his ex-wife. Can either of you succeed in overcoming your ghosts?

Word Count: 3,369

Tags/Warnings: Fluff, mentions domestic violence/intimate partner violence, mentions police work, a little bit of angst, communication problems, profanity, discussion of teen sex (18+ character)

A/N: Comments, Likes, Reblogs, Kind feedback are always highly appreciated. Please let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! Please see this post regarding future story posts.

Divider: credit to @tsunami-of-tears

Chapter Eight: A Bump In The Road

It had been almost a week since you and Beau went on your official ‘first’ date. Life complications kept interfering and being a sheriff meant Beau was busy, especially when he was coordinating calls about cars sliding off the road and citizens needing help.

You absolutely understood and had no problems waiting… because now you knew something was happening with him. Every time you flashed back to that kiss, to that restaurant, you felt your heart swell with love and adoration.

Doris caught you that Monday morning with the goofiest smile on the planet and keyed right in. “Well, it’s about damned time!”

You blinked at her, startled. “About time..?”

“Oh don’t get me started with your innocent look,” she said with a fond scoff. “Beau’s been walking about with the same silly smile.”

You couldn’t help it, you grinned. “Really?”

Doris rolled her eyes and smiled. “Yes, really. He isn’t on Cloud Nine. I think he’s in Cloud Heaven.”

Your smile warmed and widened. “We kissed,” you confessed. “He took me to Ciao Bella and oh, Doris… it was wonderful.”

“I’m glad,” she said, and there was a firmness to her tone that spoke volumes. “You two deserved some happiness.”

You paused, then admitted, “I didn’t think I could trust again, Doris. But every step of the way, Beau proved I could, even when I didn’t ask him to.”

“He’s a rare man,” she said with a nod. “Stubborn, Lord yes, but a good man.”

“I’m scared.”

Doris studied you for a long moment, then said, “It’s okay to be scared. Even when I knew it was going to happen, I was scared of facing this life alone without my Stan. I loved that son of a bitch and I also hated him. When he was gone and I was free, Adam snatching me up terrified me.”

“How… how did you get over it?” You dreaded asking that question. Doris seemed so strong, you envied her strength of character. You hated how you constantly felt weak.

“I did it anyway. That fear only works if it wins in holding you in place. So do it scared.”

You thought back to how you finally confronted Beau. It worked, because it gave him the kick he needed… and where your relationship was now.

“Do it scared,” you mused.

“Exactly.”

You thought about that all day as you fielded phone calls from clients who needed their insurance because they apparently forgot how to drive in snow. Just as you were grabbing paper from the printer, you heard the door chime. “Hi, I’ll be right with you,” you said absently, and then turned around.

With a start, you saw it was Emily! With a smile, you got up and greeted her. “Emily, hey! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”

“Hey Y/N,” she said with a shaky smile.

That cued you into realizing something was up. “Is everything okay?”

“Um… can I talk to you? A-and you won’t tell my dad?”

Your brows swooped up. Carefully, you sat back down and regarded this young woman. You recalled Beau telling you Emily had just turned eighteen, so legally, she was an adult. But she was also just a kid….

“I can’t make that promise, Emily,” you said gently.

“It’s nothing bad! I just… I can’t ask my mom because she’s my mom, but I also need to talk to a woman.”

Baffled, you stared at Emily. Alarmingly, you worried if it was because maybe she was pregnant and wanted a ride to an abortion clinic. “I… um…”

“C-can I just… tell you?”

You nodded, praying you wouldn’t be caught in a situation where you’d have to help someone in a difficult situation.

“So… I’ve been with this guy, Tyler, for a few months now. He… I guess he’s my boyfriend—”

“You guess?” you asked in disbelief.

“We never really made it official,” Emily said defensively. “He said he wasn’t ready and I didn’t want to be one of those girls who pressured the guy, you know?”

Oh God. You had an inkling where the conversation was going, and prayed you were wrong. “Yeah, I’ve… been there. Go on, Emily.”

“Well, Tyler wants to take me on this really romantic date and… I think he wants us to do it.” The way she fidgeted made you think of Beau, and you wondered if he was ever an awkward teenager.

“‘It’?”

She blushed, and looked away skittishly. “You know… it.” She dropped her voice to a loud whisper despite no one else was in the office with you. “Sex.”

You found yourself wishing a giant sink hole would form and swallow you up. You actually waited several seconds, before deciding you weren’t so lucky.

“Emily… are you a virgin?”

Her face turned redder and she ducked her head. “Oh God,” she said, rubbing her face. “I… y-yeah. I really want it to be great and I really like Tyler. I just… don’t know what to do!”

“Emily, this is really something you should talk to your parents about—”

“No, I can’t!” She let out a breath. “Dad would turn all red and stutter and mom… when she gave me the ‘talk’, she kept harping on how love is really special and…”

“You felt patronized and shamed at even thinking about sex without love,” you hazarded. For some reason, Carla gave you that impression. Emily confirmed it a moment later.

“Yes! And I just… oh God, this is so embarrassing!”

She had no idea. You took a breath and decided to do your best. “Emily,… I was in college before I slept with a guy. We were both rather drunk and it was so embarrassing, I ended up being single for a year after that.”

Her eyes widened at your bluntness. She leaned forward, listening.

“Sex… can be really great. Exciting, even, especially if it’s with someone you have great chemistry with… but you shouldn’t rush into it.” You tried to articulate your thoughts. “You shouldn’t have sex just to get it over with or think it’ll make the guy love you. You should have sex when you feel ready for it. Whether it’s a one night stand or the beginning of a relationship, you need to be the one who decides to take that step for the right reason.”

Emily pondered that, biting her lower lip just like the way Beau did when he was lost in thought. “Does it ever get easier?”

“Relationships?”

“Yeah. Like… it’ll get easier… right?”

“I wish,” you said with a rueful smile.

“Ugh. Great.” She fixed a curious look on you. “Is it getting easier with my dad?”

“It is, actually,” you admitted. It was so weird having this conversation with Emily. She was your—God, did you dare call Beau your boyfriend?—she was Beau’s daughter.

“Can I ask how did it change?”

You thought of a random text message that you boldly sent, of the way you confronted him after he began avoiding you. Of how he gave you the space you so desperately needed, that when it finally happened, it was perfect.

“I found my voice and I used it,” you said. “I took that bold step, put my heart on the line, and I got so lucky.”

“Wasn’t it scary doing that?”

“God, yes,” you admitted with a breathless chuckle. “Your father could’ve ignored me, turned me away, but he didn’t, because we were actually wanting the same thing. A relationship works when the two in that situation feel the same way.”

In that moment, you caught a glimpse of the person she might turn into. Wise, intelligent, with enough sense of humor to balance her out. “Thanks, Y/N… I really needed this.”

“You’re welcome,” you said kindly. “I hope your decision is, whatever it turns out to be, makes you happy.”

“Thanks.”

—

“God, darlin’,” Beau grumbled over the phone as you drove home Friday night. “It was supposed to be our third date and instead I have to cancel, again. I’m about to go mad.”

You chuckled. Beau sounded so frustrated, because even as he grumbled, he’ll do his job. He wouldn’t leave people without help. Oh, he could have assigned his deputies to it, and he was, but he was one of the rare specimens of leadership where he actively participated as well as ordered. He refused to sit in his warm trailer while people were out in the cold.

Montana had the rare bout of snow every night and chilly days that left slick patches of ice everywhere. Friday night was the first night in a week that didn’t have snow. However, there were issues with black ice and a particularly bad accident on a bridge led to numerous calls to redirect, assist, or otherwise manage.

“Well, TGIF? You can always stop by afterwards and we can at least see each other,” you suggested as you carefully turned a corner.

“Careful there, darlin’,” he said, and a trace of flirtatious energy came through. “I just might use that invitation to neck you all night.”

The mental image of your neck covered in hickeys had a flash of heat through your core. “That actually sounds like fun. I’ll pencil you in up until midnight.”

He groaned through the phone. “Christ, darlin’. Just midnight? I was thinkin’ at least ‘til dawn.”

“Someone’s ambitious,” you replied, your voice rich with humor.

“Someone has a gorgeous neck that I wanna—Jesus Christ, Pop!” You heard him cuss a blue streak, the phone held away. “Just five minutes, darlin’,” he sighed when he returned to the phone. “Just five goddamned minutes with my girlfriend. That’s all I ask. The universe is conspirin’ against me.”

Your breath hitched at being called his girlfriend, and smiled shyly. “No matter how late it is tonight,” you decided then and there, “I want you to come knock my door.”

“Yeah?” He sounded so hopeful, it warmed your heart.

“Yeah. Knock on my door, Beau.”

“And what will I get when I do?”

“The best kiss this side of the Mississippi,” you offered, pulling into your driveway.

“Now that, darlin’, will make putting up with this insanity worth it,” he declared. “Best prepare those lips of yours. I’m claimin’ them tonight.”

You grinned. “I look forward to it.”

“I gotta go, darlin’, but…” He paused and you wondered at the hesitation. “I’ll see ya tonight.”

—

It was supposed to be a quiet night. Some tea, maybe a book to read. A chance to spend a minute with Beau. Everything positively domestic, peaceful, something you needed after the weeks of heightened anxiety and the mess with Mark. Instead, you got a call.

From Emily.

Seeing her name pop up on the Caller ID surprised you. For a moment, you couldn’t recall why she’d be bothering you late on a Friday evening. Then you remembered it, her visit to your office.

“Hello,” you answered.

The sudden crash of sobbing and a partially hysterical Emily was not what you expected.

“Emily?” You sat up straighter in your easy chair. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“C-can you come get me?” she asked, hiccuping as she swallowed air to calm herself down.

Dread flooded your being. What if she’d been—You couldn’t even finish that thought out of dread. “Of course I can,” you said instantly. “Where are you?”

She rattled off an address. “I… I got into a fight with Tyler,” she said sobbing. “I’m at the gas station. He refused to take me home.”

Anger boiled in your belly. Tyler was definitely rapidly going down the list of men you disliked. “I’ll be right there,” you said firmly, getting out of your easy chair. “Just hold on, okay?”

“Okay,” she said, sniffling in the background.

You hung up and quickly grabbed your winter boots and coat. You barely paused to snatch up your car keys and headed out the door, the sound of her crying echoing in your mind. You should call Beau, you knew that, but he was busy and Emily… she needed a friend more than a parent.

It took you longer than you liked to get to the gas station due to the black ice. Your car barely crawled across the ice and you didn’t want to be added to the list of people needing help. When you got there, you saw her outside, eyes red-rimmed and puffy. At first glance she looked okay, but you had to make sure.

“Emily,” you said, getting out of the car.

She let out a sob and nearly bowled you over in a desperate hug. “I’m so sorry, I just didn’t know who else to call and if I told my dad he’d kill Tyler and—”

“It’s okay,” you said soothingly, cutting her off. You wrapped your arms around her and rubbed her back. “Just tell me: are you okay? He didn’t… he didn’t force himself or anything?”

“No,” she said with a firm shake of her head. You felt the knot of fear in you loosen. Thank God. It would not have been a conversation you’d want with Beau. “He just…. C-can we talk about it in your car?”

“Of course. Come on, honey,” you said gently, leading her to the car. Once she was in the passenger seat, you went to the driver’s side and sat down. You turned on the car for the heat, and faced her. “What happened?”

Emily sniffled, wiped her eyes. “We… we were at this party. He took me to one of the rooms, locked the door, and was all ‘I’m so glad you decided to do this, baby’,” she said in an approximate male voice, then screwed her face in disgust. “I actually felt like he… like…” She made a sound of frustration.

“Like you were a prize to claim?” you suggested, watching her.

“Yeah! It was like that! I felt so gross. I told him I changed my mind and he… he was mad, asking if I didn’t love him, and—and I just told him I wanted to go home,” she said, the distress leaving and anger took its place. “He said that because I wasn’t going to be a loving girlfriend that I should just leave. So I said fine! I’ll leave!”

You smiled, feeling a spark of pride for her. “That was very brave of you.”

“I just… y-you said that it should feel right. And it didn’t.” Emily looked at you beseechingly, seeking reassurance.

“Hey… if you weren’t ready, you weren’t ready. I’m not the one who gets to decide that, Emily, you are. Not Tyler, you.” You placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “That Tyler didn’t respect that is unfortunate. But you did the right thing by leaving and calling someone.”

She swallowed hard and rubbed her face. “I don’t know what to do, Y/N.”

“Tell you what… why don’t I take you back home with me, get you some tea, and then I can take you home?”

“Yeah…. Yeah, please?”

You nodded, started the car, and drove her back to your home. She rode the way quietly, calming down. At one point she looked at her phone, rolled her eyes, and turned it off. She said nothing, and you decided not to press the point.

However, when you got home, you saw Beau’s truck. He was outside your door and turned when he heard you pull into your driveway. “Darlin’, hey, there you—Emily?”

Beau froze at seeing his daughter come out of your car. He glanced at you, then at her, more than a little confused and uncertain. “Em, everythin’ all right?”

“Hey dad. Yeah, I’m okay,” she said. She was quite the sight, red-rimmed eyes and puffy.

He frowned and walked over to her. He put one hand on her shoulder and pulled her into a hug. “I’m here for you, honey,” he murmured.

Your heart ached at seeing the worry on Beau’s face. Maybe you should’ve made her call Beau, but you wanted her settled and feeling safe first. This kind of conversation would be a difficult one at any age, for any parent or child.

Beau gently pulled Emily away, and you heard them speaking in low, indistinct voices. You stood there, uncertain, and decided to just wait. Yes, it was cold, but you’d be okay. Right now, Beau having this conversation with Emily was more important. He was important to you, and by extension, so was Emily.

“He what?!”

You looked up, saw the fury on Beau’s face. Emily was desperately trying to calm him down.

“That son of a bitch—”

“Dad, stop!” Emily grabbed a hold of Beau’s arm.

“Beau,” you said his name gently. “Listen to your daughter.”

He closed his eyes, and mustered up his composure, his calm. He took a few breaths, let them out slow, misting in the cold air. “You’re right, darlin’.” He turned back to Emily, gave her a weak smile. “I’m sorry, Em. Just… God, I’m sorry ya went through that.”

Beau pulled his daughter into another hug, planted his lips in her hair. “I just want to protect ya, honey. I know there are some bad people out there.”

“I know, dad,” she said, clinging to him for a long moment. It broke your heart at how tender the sight was before you. “But… nothing bad happened. I left, I called Y/N….”

“Em, why didn’t you call me? Or your mom?” Beau asked, his puzzlement clear.

“I just…” Emily looked down and mumbled, “I was afraid you would get mad.”

“God, no, Emily, never,” Beau insisted, pulled her into another hug. “Mad at him, God yes. But never you. I promise, never you.”

Emily burrowed into her father’s arms, clung to him. You watched, absurdly feeling like an outsider in a family moment. Maybe Beau picked up on that, because he glanced over at you, and fixed an intense look of adoration on you.

“Thank you, darlin’,” he said quietly. “Thank you for being there for my Em.”

You smiled slowly, warmth blooming in your heart. “You’re welcome, Beau.”

He took Emily into his truck, planning to take her back to Carla’s home before he headed home. Once she was settled in the passenger seat, he came right over to you. Without a word, he pulled you into a passionate kiss that took you by surprise. Then you let out a soft sigh and melted, returning the kiss with fervor. He lingered, savoring the moment, cherishing you. When he finally broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against yours.

“So much for neckin’,” he whispered to you with a smile.

You let out a small laugh, your heart racing. “That’s okay. Maybe tomorrow.”

He met your gaze, pulled back enough to brush his hand across your cheek. Something flickered in his eyes and your breath hitched, wondering what it could have been. “Tomorrow, darlin’. Maybe lunch?”

You smiled, leaning into his touch. “Absolutely.”

He kissed you again, a quick peck this time. “Good night, darlin’.”

You watched them pull out from the curb. Emily waved at you from the passenger window, and you waved back with a smile. It made your heart ache to watch Beau leave. How did he become so wrapped up in your life that just him leaving made you miss him that much?

He called you his girlfriend. The thought still made your heart flip and swell. He was just so… you couldn’t even find the words. You smiled to yourself; the first throes of a relationship were always jittery, exciting, and full of energy that made you bounce everywhere. You definitely couldn’t get enough of him. It was different now than it was when you just went over to sleep outside his trailer.

You took a deep breath and went back inside your warm home, your heart full, even as you missed him. Just as the door shut and locked behind you, your cellphone pinged with a text message. Curious, you looked and your smile widened.

It was from Beau.

It read: I miss you already.

Tag List: @spxideyver, @deadlymistletoe, @bitchykittenconnoisseur, @aarpfashionvictim, @stoneyggirl2, @foxyjwls007

[meanbossart]

I gotta ask this has been rattling in my brain for a while.

How did your DU drow react when Astarion asked him for help with the ritual? What were his thoughts? Or was he simply like stop it, no, we aren't doing that. OH, How did you picture your Astarion and DU Drow react after he "died" and was brought back? I know that we don't really get that much dialogue or reaction from the companions when that happens (Praying they add something later down the line in another patch)

Again thank you for sharing your beautiful art and fanfic with all of us its so refreshing to see!!! :)

OHOHOHO I'm glad you asked. I feel like that first question is very revealing of DU drow's character and It was a fun moment to ponder upon, because I think much of his behavior might lead one to believe he would be willing to go along with whatever Astarion wants, instead of pushing back at all, at least on the surface.

There's two factors at play here - first, DU drow knows of his heritage at that point, and thanks to the blank-slate treatment of the tadpole he's gotten a brand new perspective on it by the time he learns of the truth. Prior to losing his memories, accepting the fate that Bhaal had bestowed onto him felt like a choice and the best thing that ever happened to him in life, a confirmation that he was special and destined for greatness instead of just damned to the lowly existence he had endured so far. After his brain is scrambled however, DU drow got a taste of what true freedom feels like while unburdened by his upbringing; he's strong, he's powerful, he's self-sufficient, he enjoys the fruits of his labor without appreciating what got him here - he does not feel like he needs Bhaal, and the fact he ever did is laughable at best and violating at worse. This leads him to abhor the idea of depending on higher power to succeed instead of just raising oneself up by their own merits, or abiding by any mentality where you take orders from a source.

So when Astarion speaks of ascension, and especially after he learns of the source of that power (Infernal magic) he's disillusioned by it. While his memories are still hazy, the situation still feels awfully familiar to him. He doesn't think Astarion needs that higher power because he doesn't, either, and to take it would surrendering to fear and giving away even more of his autonomy than he already has.

And if that sounds a little self centered and like he's missing some of the point, it's because he is. While DU drow has fallen in love with Astarion by that stage in the story and wants what's best for him (he actually entertains the idea of him ascending up to a point - he wants him to be happy) he still has a difficult time empathizing with others. Ascending feels like a bad choice, but he can only justify that feeling from his own, narrow perspective.

(I mused on about characterization for too long again. So more under the cut - the sky is blue the sun is hot etc.)

Then there's the uglier, far more vulnerable and knee-jerk reaction to it. Now that Bhaal is no longer his purpose in life or the gift he once felt it to be, Astarion has taken it's place. Bhaal needed DU drow, in his eyes, much like Astarion does now. And as much as the vampire might have told him that his feelings on the matter changed (and that he was no longer manipulating DU drow for his own ends alone) he can't fathom a reason to be kept around unless he continues to be needed. He has slotted himself as Astarion's protector and devotee, and a vampire lord does not sound like they need much of either.

As much as he would never admit to it, DU drow does not know a life where he doesn't pledge himself, body and soul, to another purpose. He seems like he's happy to barrel through life directionless, but he needs something that anchors him or he has an inexplicable feeling that something terrible will happen. And honestly, maybe he's right - for a man who loves killing, he has a much easier time applying some strategy to that desire as long as he's doing it to some an specific end. Without Astarion, he probably feels like his choices are to either submit to his hedonism entirely or just lie down and die.

I don't need to spell out that this is pure codependency at it's finest.

So, when Astarion asks for help to complete the ritual he is conflicted. He wants to do whatever Astarion wants, but his brain is setting off alarm bells that, if he acquiesces, this will be the end for them and for him. And whatever comes after is a terrifying void of nothing. While he loves Astarion and ultimately does the right choice in pleading with him to give up on this power, his motivations are far from selfless or pure, as much as DU drow may not yet realize it.

This is why, after everything takes place, and specially once he severs his connection to Bhaal and his mind clears a little further, DU drow would go on to grapple with a lot of guilt for taking this opportunity away from Astarion, as I have touched on in the fic and will continue to do so. He's happy to feel like he has a reason to be kept around, but the inevitable hurdles that Astarion must continue to face as a spawn are obviously painful to witness. This is why he dives full force into trying to "fix" his vampirism instead, following that.

NOW, FOR THE NEXT AND HOPEFULLY FAR BRIEFER ANSWER TO YOUR OTHER QUESTION (spoiler alert, it's not brief at all, god damn it):

Yeah everyone just standing around in that scene feels little weird LOL not that it took away too much from how dope a cutscene it was (I probably watched it with the attentiveness of a sport's fan witnessing a footbal game turning in the last 10 minutes of a match) but If I were to embellish it instead of just going with something like "everyone is shell-shocked and paralyzed", I would say Shadowheart is the first to rush over to see if there's anything at all she can do to help, and probably the first (and only, in that moment) to break down crying. I think she very quickly composes herself after he's brought back, tells him he gave her the scare of a fucking lifetime and that he's the luckiest idiot in all of the realms - but that she's glad he's back. No hugs for him though LOL

Astarion is pretty much the opposite, that he would stand there in shock feels kind of apt to me. Like, holy shit, what just happened? Did one of the only good things in my life really just get taken away in the blink of an eye? Am I just cursed to have everything snatched away from my hand as soon as I'm growing comfortable with it? Yes, of course I am. What else did I expect. When DU drow pops back up he's probably like "Oh yeah I knew it'd be fine" (plus the little Twee comment, that was very funny to me.) and DU drow is similarly going "Oh definitely, it was my plan all along to be killed and then resurrected by an ominous house-keeper skeleton this whole time. Anyway, smooch for a dead man?"

This... Clearly very traumatic little incident is probably addressed by them only later. He gets a kiss and a hug at camp and a very stern "if you do that shit again I'm raising you back up just to kill you myself" from Astarion and Shadowheart's just down to drink in celebration and drown her trauma away for now lmao.

OH YEAH AND GALE WAS ALSO THERE. There was a whole Gale debacle in my playthrough but, the TL;DR, is that especially towards the end of the game he was Not in the best of terms with DU drow. Still, I obviously think he's an empathetic person and had his own "oh shit" moment. I'd say he takes this opportunity to try extending a very sincere hand out to him later that day, both for his courage in defying a god and dumb-luck - which DU drow completely passes on like an asshole and just gives him a cold-shoulder about, leaving feeling even more dejected than he already was and probably further cementing his choice to pursue the crown of Karsus later, despite DU drow's disapproval. Good job buddy!

Thank you so much for the ask and for your lovely compliments!!! Sorry for writing you a dang ESSAY 😬

[eatyourmaker]

How about some burningholysacrilege if you have time ^^

I am definitely not the person that came up with that ship trust /silly

I just had to do this one, but I didn't know how to tackle it, so I just drew a snippit of a long going rp I have going on.

I'm glad you started publicly shipping these 3, bc I've been privately shipping them for around the same time I've shipped FieryFaith, but I was too anxious to even draw them let alone share any art 👉🏾👈🏾

While I'm here lemme share some hcs I've accumulated throughout the duration of these 3 living in my head rent-free

Hcs under the cut

(TWO OF THE HCS ARE SUGGESTIVE, I will mark them so you can skip them)

1. Ignacio and Skiddad were a thing before Ignacio got together with Gregor. They were always an open relationship though, so both parties were free to explore and experiment with others. At the end of the day though they'd do their own independent things, they knew they would always be together. They belong together. They're soulmates. Bonded for eternity, and it didn't matter what would happen, they would always find their way back eachother.

2. The aforementioned point is why Gregor entering the picture was really confusing for Ignacio at first. Skiddad is the one. So how could there ever be another? In my hc Skiddad died for a brief period of time and then was resurrected. This period of time is when Ignacio got together with Gregor. After the whole enemies to lovers type shit happened, he was confused by how well he was treated— how at home he felt with Gregor. It was the same feeling of safety he got from being by Skiddad's side. Very confusing, especially during his time of grief. Eventually he caved to loneliness and fell into Gregor's warm embrace.

3. When Skiddad came back Ignacio felt overwhelming anxiety about the two meeting. You know what the cult does to priests. But Skiddad is much more composed as calculating than lower ranking members. He wouldn't kill Gregor, especially if his soul mate has feelings for him. He'd simply convert him instead. It may seem crazy, but indoctrination is a slow process to begin with, and I hc that Skiddad also has a Christian background before the cult. With coming from the same systems of beliefs, and having the same interest in Ignacio's health and safety, conversion would be a cinch. He doesn't mind Gregor being a permanent addition to the relationship if it makes Ignacio happy.

okay now onto some some lighter hcs

4. Ignacio gets smothered with affection from both Skiddad and Gregor.

5. Gregor is probably the only person who could ever fluster Skiddad. Unprompted and genuine kindness is not something he's used to. Skiddad slowly becomes aware of why Ignacio likes his priest so much.

6. (SUGGESTIVE) Skiddad has definitely gotten a kick out of teasingly calling Gregor "father". Gregor praying that he don't go to hell good lord.

7. (SUGGESTIVE) Skiddad- Top | Ignacio- Switch | Gregor- Bottom/Service Top, and that's that on that ✋🏾

8. Skiddad tries to relate to Gregor a lot under the guise of "being a pastor too," which he's trying to use to desensitize him to the idea of the cult.

9. Skiddad and Gregor were both raised in a chruch

10. Skiddad and Gregor both speak Latin

11. Skiddad and Ignacio both speak Spanish

12. English is Skiddad's third language

13. Skiddad calls Ignacio "starlight" and Gregor "Amate" (love). Gregor calls Ignacio "Spitfire" and Skiddad "angel eyes". Ignacio is too embarrassed to call either anything besides basic terms of endearment NDNDNDN

Ok lemme end there, there's more but I've written literally so much.

[imtrashraccoon]

Edit: Future Tumble here! I just wrote a short drabble that is related to this fic. Check it out here!

Or check the rest of the fic out here.

The Nightmare of Apathy: Chapter 1

Word count: 4,712

Nightmare x Female Reader

く⁠コ⁠:⁠彡 ~ ~ ~

"Don't forget to refuel your lantern before you leave!"

You stopped abruptly at the door, groceries in one arm and your other hand on the knob. Glancing down at the lantern swinging from your hip, you saw that while the fuel was low, it wasn't dangerously so just yet.

Mrs. Jones appeared from the back of the shop with a child on one hip. She looked haggard and a rather thin considering she'd had five kids by this point, yet her face was stuck in an annoyed expression. "You know what will happen if you get stuck in the dark..." she warned, although the tone she used sounded like she was scolding a small child.

You shook your head, "Yes, I know, but it's fine. My home isn't far and I'll be able to get there quickly enough if I run."

The shop lady sighed and shook her head. She seemed a bit more stressed than usual and you knew she'd only reminded you about your lantern out of habit from reminding her own family.

"Right. May the Moon keep you..." She turned and returned to the back room to finish whatever she had started doing earlier before you'd stopped by.

You scowled and, more harshly than you should've, responded, "And may he guide you for the night..." You opened the shop door and left, the little bell signaling your exit.

While you knew in your soul that Mrs. Jones was only wishing you to be safe as was custom, you couldn't help but feel disgusted whenever anyone did so. Why should you partake in some stupid religious tradition when it had never been helpful before? You scoffed and descended the steps to the cobblestone road, before beginning to make your way home through the dim streets.

This whole world was cursed and you had been unlucky enough to be born into it. It was perpetually in a cycle of darkness and twilight, but never to be any brighter. Only the stars and the moon pierced the veil of permanent black and granted some relief to its denizens. It was often chilly, even in the warmer months, but the cold of winter was more often than not, deadly to any creature caught without shelter.

It was all you'd ever known and all you would ever know. You were unimportant and worth little more than the clothes on your back. No amount of hard labour could change that, which was a fact that everyone seemed only too glad to remind you of at every little opportunity.

You were lucky to have lived as long as you had. If not for your late grandmother, the darkness would've taken you long ago after your parents both suddenly passed. She was a kind and infinitely selfless woman, who cared for you as if you were her own child. But even she could only give so much and as hard as you'd tried, you were unable to save her when she fell ill last Winter.

Now, you were completely alone. While you were fortunate to have a job working at the local mill, it was hard work and you often had little time for anything else. The pay wasn't great either but at least you only had yourself to worry about. If you needed to, you could skip a few meals here and there to help save money.

You glanced up at the crescent moon and scowled again before quickening your pace. You needed to get home before your lantern did run out of oil or else you'd really be in trouble. While this town had lanterns on each street corner and at major intersections, the spaces in between were often large and nearly pitch black once the shops were closed.

You weren't afraid of the dark per say; you and every other child growing up had quickly squashed that fear early, but it was what lurked in the dark...or what could. While wild animals would certainly be something to fear, a far greater evil dwelled in the shadows. One who no one dared to speak his name carelessly lest his anger be turned on them.

Lord Nightmare.

Even just the thought of his name sent shivers down your spine, for good reason too. He was a god, the Lord of Dusk and Shadows, and the ruler of this cursed world. His word was absolute and he ruled through fear and an iron fist.

No one could stand against him, though countless fools had tried. Yet they'd only served as grim reminders of his absolute power. Not only was he physically powerful, but he was also prone to targeting the mind, even when you weren't anywhere near him. Indeed, constant nightmares were the norm for everyone and the only known temporary relief was by taking an expensive and highly dangerous drug, but when that wore off, the nightmares would only return in full force.

In the face of such bleak hopelessness, it was only natural that people would turn to anything that could promise them even a smidgen of hope. Enter the commonly held worship of the Moon. While you'd never been interested in the schematics of the belief, nowadays it seemed most worshippers only believed in spirit, rather than actively taking part in any actual worship. You only saw it as a superstition, like wishing someone good luck, and didn't actually believe the Moon had any power over someone as powerful as Lord Nightmare.

Of course, when the worship of the Moon came to his attention, he'd threatened to block it out entirely unless his demands were met. He really could block out the moon though, and regularly did so whenever the people were late with the yearly tribute that was really just a tax. Speaking of, he regularly demanded exorbitant taxes that were due each year once Spring had arrived. And if the tribute wasn't deemed good enough in his eyes? He'd lash out and punish everyone severely, be it in the form of increasingly horrible nightmares or whatever other twisted punishment he could think up.

Still, you had more immediate concerns to worry about, like getting home so you could refuel your lantern for one. You still had enough oil to last at least another day or two if you conserved it. For now, you would do what you'd always done, live one day at a time and not worry about things outside of your control. One day, you would save enough money to live in a better house and maybe after that, you could save enough to at least live comfortably.

You were in such a hurry that you almost weren't watching where you were going and you rounded a corner a bit too sharply, nearly barreling into someone. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't see you and I...." Your apology died in your throat as you regained your balance and saw who it was that you'd collided with.

The girl snarled and shoved you away from her. "Yeah, you'd better be sorry," she grumbled and very obviously looked you up in down, her ugly face curling into even more of a disgusted look.

The ever so wonderful, Catherine "Cathie" Lee, the mayor's daughter and your worst enemy. What you did to warrant her hatred? You still had no idea and you could only remember one time when you were both kids that you weren't able to go to a birthday party of hers. She'd seemingly hated you ever since and it had only gotten worse as you'd both grown up.

To top it off, she wasn't alone. Two other girls stepped around the corner and stood beside Cathie. Their tittering laughter only made you even more angry than you'd already been. Of course all three were wearing matching sparkly pink cocktail dresses and of course they looked like they'd just stepped out of an equally disgusting speakeasy. You could swear they stank of alcohol above all that perfume that was practically cascading off their skin.

You took a deep breath to try and remain calm. "Becky, Marcelle,...Cathie. Lovely evening to be out on the town I see..." You weren't even trying to hide your irritation but you were at least attempting to act civil, even if you were being snarky while doing so.

"Well it was, up until a minute ago," Cathie grumbled.

"Then, you know what, I'll do you a favour and remove myself from your sight," you muttered and rolled your eyes slightly. "Stars know my evening will improve drastically..."

You went to walk past them but Becky and Marcelle moved to block you. You narrowed your eyes at them and tried to go around but they blocked you again, this time trying to restrain you as well.

"Don't touch me!" you growled and yanked your shoulder away from their grasp.

"Do you ever stop talking?" Cathie hissed as she stepped closer to you. She shoved you roughly, causing you to stumble backwards into the arms of her cronies.

They grabbed your shoulders again, much tighter this time so you couldn't so easily pull away. Your bag of groceries you'd been carrying hit the cobblestone and the contents spilled out, much to your irritation. Once again, you tried desperately to pull away from them, but their grip held fast and your efforts were futile.

"You know what, your attitude reeks...must be because you spend all your time in the graveyard!" Cathie shouted in a mocking tone.

"I do not!" you shouted back. "Just because your parents are both alive, doesn't give you any reason to say that!"

Cathie growled and kicked the brown paper bag, scattering the contents across the street. There hadn't been much in it anyways, but much of it was fragile like fresh produce and eggs. She noticed this and made eye contact with you for a moment, before stomping and kicking everything until there was little hope in salvaging any of it.

You fell silent and just stared at her. This wasn't the first time her and her friends had accosted you, and likely wouldn't be the last. Sure, you could buy more food, but you still had to buy oil for your lantern. You weren't due to be paid until next week too.

Seeing the effect her actions had on you, Cathie grinned triumphantly and planted her hands on her hips. "Look what you made me do..." she grumbled and tried to wipe the bottoms of her feet against the stone. "My shoes are ruined, what do you have to say for yourself, Grave Girl?"

You stared passively back and refused to answer. Evidently, this only served to infuriate her and she backhanded your cheek in retaliation. This earned her a harsh glare and you spit at the ground in disgust.

"What do you want me to say? You did it to yourself, so why don't you go beg father dearest for new ones? Or has he finally smartened up and realized how much of spoiled brat you've become?"

Cathie scoffed and waved dismissively at Becky and Marcelle. They let go of your arms and you jerked away as soon as you were free, shooting a glare at them too.

"You worthless rat..." Cathie hissed under her breath as they started to walk away. "You'll pay for this..."

You tentatively touched your cheek and winced slightly from the stinging. That was probably going to swell up and bruise. You would have to deal with people being nosy and staring at you for a couple of days now.

With a sigh, you tried to salvage what you could, which wasn't much. Some of the vegetables could still be used and a small pouch of chili powder hadn't been burst open. Everything else had already mixed with the dirt of the road and by the sputtering of your lantern's flame, you couldn't afford to spend any more time trying to save anything else.

く⁠コ⁠:⁠彡 ~ ~ ~

You were woken rather rudely by heavy pounding on your front door and someone shouting for you to open up. The commotion shook your little shack and you worried they would knock your door off its rusty hinges if you didn't.

It turned out to be the Captain of the Town guard and with him were six heavily armed soldiers. Their weapons were drawn when you opened the door and they immediately set upon you. Roughly pinning you to the ground, they cuffed your wrists together and despite your protests about what was going on, hauled you off to the dungeon.

You were left to stew there for several hours. Your body ached from how rough they'd been with you, even though you hadn't even tried to resist. You probably had many more bruises to add to the one on your cheek now.

There were several questions that swirled in your mind as the hours stretched on. Why me? What did I do? Surely they'll realize this was all just a big misunderstanding, right...?

You were held there for several nights. While you tried to get answers from the guards, no one would explain what was going on and they treated you with the same amount of care as any common criminal. Yet you had committed no crimes so it made no sense.

Catherine Lee. This was her doing...it had to be! She must've gone crying to daddy and spewing lies, for them to treat you this badly. While you could feel the despair threatening to consume you whole, you also began to feel angry. It started out small but with each cold night that you spent rotting in the dungeon, your rage at the injustice of this situation grew more and more.

By the end of the week, they finally retrieved you, although they weren't much gentler this time either. Your wrists were once again cuffed and you were brought into the court house, again with a heavily armed guard as if they expected you to attack someone.

It looked like nearly the whole town had filled the room, save for the children and infirmed of course. However, it immediately became apparent that this was no trial. No, this was your sentencing.

"Ha...guilty until proven innocent? What a joke!"

They still hadn't told you what crime you'd committed and they wouldn't let you plead your case, let alone ask any questions. The only thing they were willing to discuss was the annual tribute.

"What do you mean there isn't enough?!"

"...it was raised last minute..."

"Well what are we supposed to do?!"

"There is one thing..."

They planned to send you as the tribute.

You were stunned.

"This can't be happening..."

Lord Nightmare was flexible when it came to payment, so long as it was on time that is. His subjects could give a majority of their livestock and harvest, which wasn't usually feasible after a hard Winter, or a hefty sum of gold, which was the preferred method. He had never accepted humans as tribute with the closest being the few times he'd accepted some of the best builders, artisans, or crafters to work on his domain. The last time this happened though was at least fifty years ago.

"At least she isn't completely ugly..."

"He's not human, there's no way he'll know any different..."

"...it'll be good to get rid of her...."

You were given a nicer dress and forced to wear makeup to hide the bruises you'd sustained during the arrest. After practically being threatened to go along with this for the sake of the town, you were shoved into a carriage for the several hour journey to Lord Nightmare's domain.

So much for being lucky...

く⁠コ⁠:⁠彡 ~ ~ ~

The forest was so dark. Only the lantern at the front of the carriage permeated a few feet into the inky black. The horses didn't care though and they continued to faithfully pull the carriage through the darkness.

You knew you were close by now. Your nerves felt frayed, like the slightest tug would cause you to unravel completely. You had to be strong right now though, for the sake of your people.

The carriage came to a stop and one of the horses whinnied softly. You could hear the two soldiers disembark and one came to open the door to let you out. You didn't need to be told twice and hopped to the ground with a small huff. The other soldier was talking with two guards in front of a massive iron gate.

You were ushered over to the guards and you could now see that they were far from human. They both towered over the soldiers by at least a foot and you estimated they were probably close to seven feet tall. They appeared like they were wearing plate armour, though it was hard to tell as they were covered in an inky black substance. Their heads seemed to be skeletal and they had sharp teeth as well as cyan pinpricks in their hollow eye sockets. Definitely fitting guards for Lord Nightmare if you were to say.

Frankly, you didn't pay attention to how the conversation went and you were unceremoniously handed over to the skeletal guards. Then the soldiers from your town got back into the carriage again. They left hastily, as if they were afraid Lord Nightmare himself would stop them if they didn't. You didn't blame them, but you couldn't help the wave of disgust that welled up inside you at their obvious cowardice.

You were guided through the iron gate and up a winding path to the castle itself by one of the guards. It was hard to grasp the sheer scale of this place because much of it blended into the night sky, but it was by far the largest building you'd ever seen.

The castle was made of large stone bricks but you weren't an expert on rocks, so they just looked like vaguely dark gray stones to you. Even in the darkness, you could see that the lawns were well manicured and there seemed to be some rather nice landscaping too.

The castle itself was decorated much more opulently than you'd initially expected. Numerous paintings and tapestry hung on the walls, depicting various scenes and themes, and you could tell the creators were far more talented than you could ever dream of being. The rooms were also lit with a variety of different light fixtures like lanterns or candles, but the flames were a light blue and most fixtures seemed to be made from gold.

The further into the castle you were led, the more expensive everything seemed to get. The floors were now covered in long plush carpets with intricate patterns, most of which seemed to be of the stars and the moon interestingly enough.

Finally, the skeletal guard came to a pair of beautifully carved wooden doors and with basically no effort, pushed them open. You immediately realized that this was the grand hall and also the throne room.

There were multiple stained glass window murals depicting what you recognized as the tale of how Lord Nightmare came into power. Weirdly enough, there were a couple of scenes and figures that you didn't recognize though. In the middle of the room was a long table that had room for at least two dozen seats around it, sporting an intricate black lace table runner.

But it was beyond the table that really caught your attention. There, casually lounging on his throne, was the god of this world and the one you now essentially belonged to.

Lord Nightmare himself.

Due to the consistent nightmares, everyone already knew what he vaguely looked like, but to actually see him in the flesh? Well, to put it simply, it was taking everything in you to remain standing and not drop to your knees right now. You could literally feel how powerful his aura was from here and he wasn't even trying to manipulate your emotions, yet.

Lord Nightmare seemed to be a skeleton although he was much different from a human one. Aside from being constantly coated in some sort of black substance, his bones appeared to be wider and thicker, giving the appearance of mass underneath his clothing like he actually had flesh. His phalanges were tipped with sharp claws and adorned with several gold rings, all of which had precious stones embedded into the metal.

On his skull was a circlet formed from gold with a black moon in the center. The black robe he wore was definitely made of the highest quality fabrics to be found and had been tailored to fit him perfectly. Underneath that, he wore a plumb coloured dress shirt with the top button undone, revealing his sternum and the top of his first pair of ribs. While his gray pants looked simple, you knew they were likely far from cheap, and even his shoes were made from a high quality black leather.

His singular glowing cyan eyelight narrowed as he leared down at you from his throne before he beckoned you to approach with a claw. Steeling yourself, you did so, although you hoped he couldn't see how badly your hands were trembling.

"What is the purpose of your visit?" he inquired. His tone of voice was low and it seemed to permeate into the very back of your mind before almost curling up inside. There was a general air of boredom about him at the moment and you really hoped things wouldn't get worse than that.

You took a steadying breath and bowed respectfully. "My Lord, I am here to present the annual tribute from the town Rynbarn," you answered. Your voice was higher pitched than it normally was and your palms felt clammy from how nervous you were.

His eye socket narrowed critically and you could feel the way his eyelight studied you. "Alright, where is it then...?" His tone suggested that he was unimpressed so far and it only caused your heartrate to increase further.

Realizing you should've been more clear, you quickly tried to course correct. "My apologies, I meant to say that they sent me as tribute..." You couldn't help the way your voice trembled at the end of your explanation.

He stared at you for a long time. You couldn't tell if he thought you were lying or if he was simply shocked by what you'd said. You subtly tried to wipe your hands on your dress and shifted your weight from one foot to the other.

He sat up straighter and rested his chin on one of his hands. He definitely didn't seem bored anymore, rather his demeanor seemed more confused than anything. "I see..." he murmured.

You swallowed nervously and looked down at your shoes.

He sighed and muttered under his breath. "Are they fools?" His tone suggested that the question was rhetorical and he continued speaking, rather than wait for you to answer. "Or do they care so little for you that they would rather give you away?"

"I wouldn't know really..." you responded quietly. Well, you had some pretty strong suspicions as to what had happened but you weren't about to complain in front of Lord Nightmare and risk upsetting him.

He made a quiet tisk sound and shook his skull. "I'm genuinely trying to understand the situation but frankly, I am more than a little bewildered." Tilting his skull, he studied you once more, trying to make some sense of this.

"Do you have any enemies or anyone that would wish harm on you?" he asked.

You hadn't been expecting a question like that and for a moment debated how you should answer. Ultimately deciding to be truthful, you took a deep breath and looked up at him again. "I'm afraid so, my Lord."

He raised a bonebrow at that and motioned for you to elaborate. "You hardly seem like the type to purposely make enemies. So, tell me why they sent you specifically."

You got the sense that he was only asking to satisfy his curiosity and not because he felt empathetic towards your plight. Nevertheless, you didn't really have the right to refuse him.

"Well... I may have slighted the mayor's daughter once when we were children and she's seemingly had it out for me ever since. I suspect she spread some sort of lie about me and turned the whole town against me," you explained.

For a fraction of a second, the corners of his permanent grin seemed to quirk up slightly before returning to a more passive expression. "A shame," he murmured. A moment later, his low tone shifted and he raised his voice slightly. "So, this whole situation was caused by a childish squabble?"

You shrank back at the sudden change in his demeanor and could feel the way his voice bounced off the walls. While he didn't seem angry per say, you could feel his aura had shifted to a darker emotion from before, which was concerning.

He calmed down again a second later, as if nothing had happened. "Ridiculous..." he muttered to himself and shook his skull. Looking back up, he frowned at the distance you'd created and motioned for you to come closer again.

Only once you'd done so did he speak again. "I am slightly insulted that they thought they could both get rid of you and appease my demands at the same time. However, I can't very well send you back now either..." He trailed off and studied you thoughtfully for a moment.

"Um, if I may..." you started to say, although you almost immediately regretted doing so with how sudden his gaze flicked to your own. "I can be useful...if you're willing to give me a chance?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "As you may have noticed, I already have my own staff, however, something about you intrigues me. Do you have any particular talents? Such as, baking or gardening for instance?" he asked.

You shook your head, but quickly tried to explain before he could become too disappointed. "My late grandmother taught me everything I know about baking and while I remember several of her recipes, I wouldn't say I'm better than any other person. And gardening was more of a hobby of hers but I helped out when she wasn't able to keep up anymore."

To your surprise, he seemed pleased by your response, although the moment was brief before his expression returned to it's previous passive state. "Very well," he hummed. "You will show me what you can do and if it is suitable, then that will be your place here. If not, well..."

He trailed off and held eye contact for what felt like ages. You didn't dare ask what he was going to say next, but it probably wasn't good. Still, you struggled to keep the staring contest going, although you quickly lost your nerve and dropped your gaze to the floor once again.

He reached out and tilted your chin up with a clawed digit, forcing you to maintain eye contact with him again. You hadn't noticed it much earlier, but now his expression was positively frigid. Even without words, his intentions were immediately clear to you now.

Entertaining this chance for you to prove yourself was him showing kindness, but, you only had one chance to do so. He had been far more civil and patient than you'd expected, yet he had no patience for fools or those who would waste his time. He held the power here and there was nothing you could do to change that.

"I expect utmost loyalty from my subjects and you are no exception. Do you understand?" he asked.

You swallowed nervously. "Yes... I understand very well, my Lord."

"Good." He let go of you and leaned back again. Changing the subject, he asked, "What is your name?"

"Aylin, my name is Aylin," you murmured.

His cyan eyelight seemed to glow brighter and a look of recognition flickered across his face. It was enough to send a shiver down your spine, especially when he let out a soft chuckle.

"A fitting name indeed..." he purred.

く⁠コ⁠:⁠彡 ~ ~ ~

Hey, Aylin is a Turkish name meaning "moon halo" or "the one who belongs to the moon". I wasn't originally going to name the reader but it is a very fitting name, wouldn't you say?

Updates may be slow but I intend to post a part two at some point.

[worriedvision]

Soulmate/Soulbound AU Angst

(Platonic or romantic) Reader and genshin character get along great. In a dangerous situation the genshin character only has time to either save their soulmate or someone very important to the country’s stability. Even the traveler themselves. They chose the latter.

The reader miraculously survives, but is shaken by their soulmates lack of hesitation. Extra angst if reader and important person doesn’t get along.

Doing this with Alhaitham lol, I saw the request and instantly thought of him. Gender neutral reader. Decided to go platonic here

--

You didn't know how you got yourself into this position. You had been walking alongside the traveler, Paimon talking like her usual self. A big hole suddenly formed underneath the both of you, and you both caught onto the ledge. Unfortunately, this must have been a trap of sorts. In hindsight, you should have been more observant.

Of course, all you could do was call for help. You feel your grip growing slack, and you look over to see the traveler in the same state. Paimon, thankfully, is not hanging on. She screams out for help as well, asking for a hand with getting the traveler up. You hear a familiar set of footsteps, and you let out a sigh of relief when you see Alhaitham.

"Help! Paimon insists the traveler needs help first!" Paimon states, yanking at the travelers hand as if that would do any good. As your grip grows more slack, fingers slowly losing their grip, you see the traveler get hoisted up, Alhaitham only then looking over to realise who the other person was.

You weren't bitter that he saved the traveler first because, really, the traveler had helped out quite a few nations with conflict. What did hurt, however, was when you see the look of indifference on his face as your grip finally slipped. The traveler had actually tried to grab your hand, at risk of falling overboard with you, but Alhaitham yanks them back to prevent the traveler from falling.

The hole seemed to be a bottomless pit. It felt like you had been falling for minutes, you have to close your eyes shut due to the way the wind hit your face as you fell. All you can do is think back on the good memories you had with Alhaitham, the times you felt like you were close enough with him to be considered a friend. Your lip quivers, you thinking about how Alhaitham was this brilliant, intelligent man to so many people. You had the privilege of knowing him, let alone being a friend of his, and admittedly you always did feel like you could have done better with your life. The unconcerned look Alhaitham gave chilled you, it told you that you cared more about the friendship than he did.

"Your time isn't over. Take deep breaths." You hear a young voice reassure you. You felt a strange warm feeling surrounding you, comforting you in a way, and you genuinely thought you were about to die and this was your body giving in. You follow the command, taking deep breaths, and you fall asleep after feelings the warm feeling intensify.

--

Your eyes slowly open up. Somehow, you were still alive. Master Tighnari had been tasked with looking after you, under the command of Lesser Lord Kusanali. Nobody else was allowed to know about your whereabouts until you were recovered, you discover after asking him what happened. He didn't know very much - he was informed that you had been freefalling, and you needed time and space to recover. After getting clearance to leave, you thank Master Tighnari for his assistance in getting you back to health before getting back to your home.

The walk there was uneventful, at first. You hear a gasp, and you look over to see the traveler running towards you to check this wasn't some mirage they had seen. They stare at you, clearly taking in the fact that you were still very much alive, and you had been miraculously unharmed.

"I'm..." They start, unsure what to say to you. "I'm glad you're well."

You couldn't bring yourself to hate the traveler. You saw the panic in their face as they reached out to you, screaming out when Alhaitham grabbed them and pulled them back.

However, one person you couldn't stand was Paimon.

"Hey, why did you leave? Oh, Paimon thought _ died." Paimon exclaims, not apologising for putting priority over the traveler. Paimon could have easily just called out for help, but she had to put lots of emphasis on the traveler.

"Be more sensitive, Paimon." The traveler tuts, Paimon crossing her arms and scowling at the traveler for their advice.

"Well, Paimon doesn't want to pass on a chance to get a meal from Alhaitham!" She pleads, dragging the traveler by their clothes. The traveler waves, saying they'll try to catch up with you later.

You get yourself home. You can't bare to see Alhaitham this soon, you were still processing the fact he was happy to let you fall to your death. Absolutely no remorse in his eyes. Yes, you knew he was a logical and rational person, but the way he didn't seem to feel any form of guilt really hurt your feelings.

Looking at the letter waiting for you at home, you were informed that you were no longer employed at your dead end job. You can't help but laugh, this was a horrible way of waking up. You didn't enjoy your work, but it kept a roof over your head.

Perhaps this was a good thing, though. You had enough saved up to keep the house while you went job hunting, and this gave you the opportunity to find a job you'd love doing. You would make a good name for yourself, and you would work towards perfecting your chosen craft.

[firawren]

"The Rose Brides" A Beauty and the Beast retelling fanfic

Chapter 10, “Escalation,” rated T, now posted on AO3!

Excerpt from Chapter 10:

He shouldn’t, but he really, really wanted to go with her. It was so boring and disheartening being alone in his room with nothing but the oppressive feeling of the spirits to keep him company. Belle’s company would be infinitely better. And at least he wouldn’t be alone with her—Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth would be there too, so nothing really intimate could happen between him and Belle again, like that kiss on his cheek that wouldn’t stop replaying in his mind. No, it would just be a casual game with three people who he all cared about equally and platonically.

“Alright, I’ll come play,” he agreed, and he made sure to take no notice of the way her face might have lit up in delight at that. The fact that his heart started thumping faster, as if in sympathetic delight at her delight, was just a coincidence.

Belle led him to the small sitting room with the music box in it. There was a cheerful fire crackling in the hearth, with two armchairs pulled up to it, where Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth sat chatting. They looked up toward him when he came in, and both smiled at him.

“Glad you decided to join us, dear,” Mrs. Potts said as he approached.

“Yes, excellent to have your company, sir,” Cogsworth said, much more formally, but still looking at him with as much contented fondness as Mrs. Potts was giving him. Even more of his tension about being with Belle drifted away under such welcoming looks.

He heard scraping across the floor and turned to see Belle pulling wooden chairs up to a small table. He rushed to help her.

“Where’d this table come from?” he asked.

“Cogsworth and I carried it in from another room.”

Adam frowned. “You should have gotten me sooner; I’d have brought it.”

“Cogsworth and I handled it just fine, didn’t we?” Cogsworth inclined his head toward her in confirmation, then Belle turned to Adam and held up her arm to flex her bicep. “I’m a strong, work-roughened peasant, remember?”

Her arms actually did look a little more hearty than when she’d first come to the palace. She’d been so skinny at first, but she’d put on some weight in her months here, and Adam was pleased to see it.

He smiled at her. “Oh yes, very impressive muscles, little one.”

She frowned at the tease, and Adam nearly reached out to pat her head to annoy her further, but then shrunk back, remembering that he ought to be less chummy with her. It was just so hard when she was so friendly and cute all the time.

Continue reading on AO3

Summary:

Lord Adam, born a beast from an ancestral and unbreakable curse, is determined to live in solitude so that his bloodline and curse will finally end with him. Yet magic intervenes and puts a young woman named Belle in his life, bound to his palace from an enchanted rose she plucked. Adam wants nothing to do with this woman who ruined his plans. He certainly is not going to fall in love with her, no matter how sweet and fun and clever he discovers her to be. Belle is not happy to be trapped at the eerie palace either. She had plans to become a famous author and travel the world. But she’s determined to make the best of her situation by making a friend, or maybe something more, if she can ever get this cranky yet strangely kind beast to open up to her.

Chapters 10/19 now posted | Belle/Beast | rated M overall

Other characters: Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, Maurice, minor original characters Key tags: Alternate Universe, Love, Happy Ending, Fluff and Angst, Eventual Smut, Shame, Self-Sacrifice, Magic, see full list of tags on AO3

[kauzebridgerton]

Kauze History.

Chapter 4: Cursed hair.

I'm glad Reiji took me away from Ayato, he said he wanted me to meet the other residents of this house.

— Reiji, do you like being an adult?

— Why this question? I must say that as we grow up we have more responsibilities, but I'm happy because we receive more respect too. Or at least we should.

— I never want to be an adult! Never!

— How foolish, do you want to be like Ayato?

— No! Not like him...! I want to be like Mr. Karlheinz, he is strong, powerful and has a really nice house.

— You'll have a long way to go then.

— I think the secret is to have really long hair.

— Hah, you and your foolish ideas. Come on, you're taking up all my time.

He then took me to the living room, and soon all the other residents appeared, even the silly Ayato, but I didn't pay much attention to him, as a guy with a teddy bear caught my attention, he had a very strange appearance, but his teddy bear was cool, but Batman was much cooler.

— This is Kauze, the boy the father mentioned earlier. — Reiji said in a loud tone. — He will live here, indefinitely.

— That guy said not to kill him or hurt him either. — a blond boy who was lying on the sofa said. — Hah, this is so tiring.

Well, at least he remembered that these guys can't hurt me! If not, Mr. Karlheinz will give them a good scolding.

— Tsk! Why is this brat here? What is that old man up to?

A man with white hair punched the wall, and it cracked, which left me completely terrified, I quickly ran after Reiji.

— Subaru, you're scared, this little boy, fufu~ Children can be adorable, I'm sure I can teach him a lot. — The man in the hat looked at me. — Have you picked a favorite yet? You haven't even met me yet.

—... I'm sorry... — he said awkwardly.

— This filth is wearing my clothes?! — And then that weird guy came at me. — Apparently he wasn't chosen because of his appearance.

And then everyone laughed, I looked at my body, and then I looked at him, how could this fool say such a thing? And he kept talking.

— He's just skin and bones, besides those freckles on his face look like some kind of disease. Maybe if we shave his head, he might be acceptable.

These nasty comments made me very sad, am I really that ugly? Why was he saying these things to me? I looked at the other people here, but no one seemed interested in what had just happened, I just giggled awkwardly, but still, I was very embarrassed.

Soon after that, Reiji introduced them to me, saying the name of each of the vampires in this room and saying who was the oldest to the youngest. As soon as he finished doing that, some of them left the place, and I went to my room.

— This Kanato is so annoying, he must think he is the lord of eternal beauty to talk about me.

I grumbled as I lay down on the bed, I tossed and turned a little trying to fall asleep again, vampires had some very strange schedules when it came to sleeping, when they slept at all. I think I must have stayed like that for a while, until I finally managed to sleep.

Well, that's what I expected at least, since it didn't take long for someone to wake me up, I felt a cold hand pressing my cheek, and then I opened my eyes and saw that it was Laito.

— Laito! — I smiled at him — Hmm, I think it's because I'm really sleepy!

— You better get ready, we're going to school.

— Oh! And that's why you're dressed like that, I hadn't noticed... I liked your hat!

— Nfu~ Did you like it? You are a very smart little boy. I'm sure you're trying to win over everyone with your compliments.

— Not even! I will never praise Kanato, he has a soul darker than a starless night! — I mumbled. — He should think carefully before talking about other people's appearance.

I crossed my arms in frustration when I remembered what that annoying person said, but then Laito chuckled and lightly flicked my forehead.

— Just don't be alone with him, you hear? Now get dressed.

He opened the closet and took out a uniform, but I immediately found something strange, how could adults and children have classes at the same time? That didn't make much sense to me.

— Laito, isn't it too late for me to go to school? You're an adult, so it's okay to be out so late, but I... What if Mr. Karlheinz grounds me for leaving home so late?

— You won't have class Kauze, we just can't leave a child alone here. — He threw the uniform on the bed. — Hurry up, Reiji doesn't like delays.

And then he disappeared, I really wanted to know how to use that kind of power! It looks so cool! But I also didn't want to be scolded by Reiji, so I got ready as quickly as possible, the uniform was very nice, it was black and had some silver buttons. I was really curious to see what my backpack looked like, but I guess I'll only find out when I go to school, I mean... My school.

— Hmm~ — I had a little trouble fixing my hair, but I hope to one day learn it, it was a bit complicated actually, as it was wavy and well styled, but I think that part of it being styled is my fault. for not knowing how to tidy it up properly. — Well, I'm a child, if someone talks about my hair, I can blame it on one of the adults.

I laughed evilly, that would be really funny if it happened, but I wasted no time and quickly went down the stairs and ran to the garden, getting into the limousine with the Sakamakis, after all I didn't want to get scolded by Reiji, who, by the way, looked me up and down , I think he was trying to see if I dressed up properly.

— Have you ever been to a school? — Reiji asked while adjusting his glasses.

— No... But I promise I'll behave! First I'm going to look for a really cool place to stay! But soon after I'm going to the library, as I never went to school, I think I was a little behind with learning things, but I have to make sure I can stay very smart so as not to disappoint my future sensei. Oh! Oh! Will I make friends? It would be so cool to have a group of friends! The name would be "group of heroes", pretty cool, right?!

— Tsc, this boy talks a lot. —Subaru grumbled. — He only asked one question, he doesn’t need to tell you all his plans.

— I'm sorry... — he said embarrassed.

After that, no one said anything anymore, it was like we were playing that game of silence, that was a bit complicated, because I really liked talking and I wanted to make friends with one of them, like Laito, Reiji and even Shu! They look really cool! It's a shame that Shu was cursed with the yellow hair issue, maybe I'll ask him later how he dealt with it

[bethinkingaboutu]

Legacy of fire

Zuko breaks. Simple as that. After a few easily avoided assassination atempts and being left alone in the castle by his friends - the war won't stop itself - he just. Breaks. Starts banishing staff from the castle, or imprisoning them for the smallest things, claiming they were with Ozai and wanted to kill him. Mai gives up trying to reason with him, they break up. She writes for the gaang to tell hem what's happening, and sends a search for Iroh.

Azula is being treated in her room, and hears nothing of anyone for a long time. She is still shaky after the breakdown, but doing better. In one night, Zuko invades her room and looks in shock to see her calmly laying on her bed. He babbles about her having to stop going into his room to taunt him. She hadn't been doing that. Azula frowns, and deduces what's happening. She teases him saying if she wanted the throne back she would just challenge him again, but she didn't. Zuko calms down, but is still restless. They bond over being left behind with the crown by who they love.

Things start to get better in the palace, the staff being able to hold their jobs for longer than a week before being sent away for 'attempted treason'. Azula is seen outside often now, either training or spending time with the firelord (aka convincing him that no, those gardeners are not going to use the scissors to try and assassinate him). They feed the turtleducks and talk about mom and dad, and how it wasn't fair. Azula talks about how Iroh leaving Zuko must feel the same as father leaving her in the day of the black sun, and Zuko has a meltdown after finally breaking through denial. Azula admits she accepted that Ozai never loved her after that day, and had the same reaction. They joke that at least he wouldn't be challenged to an agni kai in his own meltdown, and he apologizes.

Azula never allows Mai to tag allong in their bonding moments, but sometimes allows Ty Lee. Mai is livid, but won't admit. Ty Lee is just glad to have her friend back.

It's in the middle of a meeting when Zuko truly breaks down. He panics and attacks his advisors, screaming, breathing and kicking fire. Azula takes him down and when Ty Lee chi blocks him, Zuko goes limp. Azula is crowned as temporary fire lord and follows through with the plan to end the war since she doesn't really minds it anyways. She isn't following orders anymore. She does keeps some of their colonies though, and there comes the issue.

Aang couldn't stop what he was doing to go back at the fire nation because, quote, 'Zuko wasn't feeling well' as per Mai's words, but when the colony issue arrived, he changed his schedule and went to grab his friends to solve the problem. What a surprise when they see it's Azula giving orders, not Zuko. Ty Lee explains the situation and is supported by the Kyoshi warriors, but Aang demands to see Zuko. Katara is tense. Azula too. She denies them claiming her brother being too tired to be visited. Aang finds it fishy and keeps guard at night to try and contact Zuko by breaking in through his window (maybe Azula is holding him prisioner right?). Zuko is not only crazy and terrified, but also hallucinating apparently, and fights Aang until his eventual collapse, and Azula comes out of nowhere to help.

Azula: Can't get him to eat anything. Three of the last 6 attempts involved food, he hasn't had much since.

Aang:

Aang: pardon?

Azula: My brother is weak, avatar, would you leave us alone so he can keep at least a piece of his dignity?

Aang becomes number one member of the "let's give azula a chance" club. They all realize that it was deffinetly NOT a good choice to leave Zuko alone in the palace, and that Azula shouldn't be burdened with it either (and maybe, just MAYBE, they were a little too rough in the judgement of her). He calls Bumi and Azula agrees to let him help keep things in order until they decide what to do, but declines to have her position revoked.

I remember I had a vision with this but it was too long ago and I am currently working on another AU. I might come back for this one latter, though.

[the12thnightproject]

Chapter 51: Past Perfect -The gang's all back together again.

Shingen x OC; Kenshin x MC (Mai)

Previous Chapter: Here

Logline - Disguised as a boy, Katsuko finds herself working for Shingen, but her dangerous masquerade becomes difficult to sustain when she falls for the man with a fatal secret.

“The wormhole is manifesting.” Sasuke’s announcement was unnecessary. By this time, we all had been through a wormhole at least once. Even if we hadn’t seen the cloying grey fog, we couldn’t miss the thunder and lightning, let alone the rain that was pelting us.

Shingen tightened his grip around my waist. I had one hand hooked to the back of Sasuke’s kimono. None of us wanted to be separated. None of us wanted to be surprised by a bandit attack either, so our free hands were on our weapons. I wasn’t scared, exactly, but given what had happened the last time, I was apprehensive. Would we end up in the correct timeline? Would we end up in the correct decade?

Would there be dinosaurs?

None of these fears came to pass. The fog swept through us as unpleasantly as always, but the trip was mercifully fast. We stumbled out of the wormhole into a fresh pine-scented breeze. No bandits or dinosaurs attacked us. Instead, there was a welcoming shout from Yukimura, as he rushed to greet us.

“Yo! Bestie!” Sasuke yanked Yuki into a hug before either Shingen or I could react. Well, Sasuke had been the third wheel often these past couple months. I imagined he was relieved to have his bro back for company.

Once Sasuke let go, Yuki approached Shingen, and bowed. “My lord, you’re looking wel-” was as far as he got before Shingen also hugged him.

“Don’t be so formal, Yuki. It’s good to see you.” He punctuated that by ruffling Yuki’s hair in all directions.

Yuki stepped back, sputtering, but before he could recover, I grabbed him for yet another hug. Iekane’s actions had meant I had not been able to say goodbye or thank Yuki for traveling with me to Ikuno. He and Sasuke might be ‘besties,’ but in some ways, Yuki was as much a friend and brother to me as Toshiie. A hug was not adequate, but the only way I could say all that.

He embraced me briefly but fiercely, then stepped away. “So, you got eaten by the whole worm. Dummy, you have to be different, don’t you?”

“Yuki. Thank you for -.” I stopped. He knew why I was thanking him, and he never had been a words person anyway. “I’m sorry I made you worry… and glad that you survived those bandits.”

“Of course, I did.” He lightly punched my shoulder. “There weren’t that many of them, and once Iekane and you disappeared, they all turned tail and ran.”

“Oh! You brought our horses!” I rushed over to Moonlight, who promptly showed her displeasure at being left alone for over a year by trying to bite me. I jumped out of the way of her teeth, then turned back to Yuki. “Have you brought them to greet every wormhole?” I knew Sasuke had given him a list of potential dates.

“Eh.” He rubbed the back of his head, further ruffling his hair. “It was only a couple times here and once in Kyoto, so it wasn’t that bad. Besides, it got me away from Kenshin for a bit.”

Shingen mounted Good Horse, who as usual, was a lot better behaved than Moonlight. “Alright boys. Move ‘em out. If we hurry, we can be back before sunset.”

Once we were on our way, I hung back with Sasuke to let Yuki catch up with Shingen. It looked like their relationship had picked up where it left off a year and a half ago – and I knew that Yuki had been as worried as I was about being forgiven for sending Shingen through the wormhole. A long separation can make these things seem unimportant anyway.

I tuned back into their conversation when Yuki gave him a status report on the Oda. “He’s been kept busy with the Mouri – apparently Motonari came back from the dead, along with a heavily armed navy.”

“There’s a lot of back from the dead going around.” I elbowed Sasuke, wondering if he would make a zombie joke about that. “I’m really glad I’m not in charge of keeping the timelines str…”

As I trailed off, Sasuke and I looked at each other with probably the same thought. “Is that what Professor Yamaoka is doing?”

“I just got an image of the multiverse as one giant game of cat’s cradle and Aki with a big ball of wool.” He always had loved pulling strings. I glanced over at the mountain in the distance, where Aki made his home. Detouring there was tempting. But… I wanted to go home. Somewhere along the line, I had begun to think of Kasugayama as my home.

“That’s another thing we ought to ask him once we locate him.” Sasuke sounded like he was all in on this. Of course, Aki wouldn’t be his primary responsibility - Kenshin would likely have some things for him to do once he killed Sasuke a few times for leaving.

Shingen and Yuki continued to strategize. “If Oda is occupied with the Mouri, perhaps it would be worth pressuring him to cede Kai back to me in exchange for avoiding a war on two fronts.” He was clearly content to be back in his tactical element – and I was happy to see him so intent on his plotting.

“Kenshin’s not going to be pleased if you avoid a war,” Yuki pointed out, then immediately contradicted himself. “Although I know Mai doesn’t want him to attack her friends in Azuchi, so maybe he’ll be ok.”

“Thanks to Mai, he’s become more mellow?” I brought my horse alongside theirs to join in the conversation. “Does that mean we’re less likely to be killed on a daily basis?”

Yuki sighed and rolled his eyes. “No, he’ll still do that, and he’s been talking about how much he’s looking forward to killing Shingen, if he’s healthy.”

Shingen muttered something under his breath.

“You know, I would pay to watch that,” I told him. “Try to last more than ten seconds.”

He gave me a look… I was going to pay for that too. “You didn’t have any complaints last night.”

Yuki made a disgusted noise, then continued as if we hadn’t interrupted. “Thanks to Mai, he’s also learned more um, creative ways to punish people he’s unhappy with.”

“Please don’t tell me he’s picked up the habit of practical jokes.” Sasuke looked ready to take the next wormhole back to the future. “I imagine the fatality rate at Kasugayama has increased exponentially if that is the case.”

“No. He let Yoshimoto redecorate your rooms.” Yuki laughed at the look on Sasuke’s face.  Then he turned to me. “There’s a good surprise waiting for you, too.”

Kenshin lurked outside the gates of Kasugayama, sword in hand. Mai and Yoshimoto were ranged behind him, and they both appeared to be trying to reason with him. Suffice it to say, that did not look like a good surprise. “Who gave you permission to stay away for so long?” He might have been carved out of a block of ice.

I glanced at Sasuke. “Did you not visit him when you came through last year?”

“You ought to know by now that Kenshin doesn’t keep conventional time. As soon as anyone is gone long enough to be missed, it becomes too long. Usually that’s … a week, depending on the person.” He pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, cracked his knuckles, and said out of the side of his mouth, “I’m going in. Cover me, Porkins.”

“I’m right with you Red Three.”

He got off his horse and bowed deeply before Kenshin.  (I personally, would not have presented such an easy target for Himezuru Ichimonji.) “I am happy to have returned to you, my lord.”

“Hmph.” Sasuke began to get to his feet. Kenshin poked him with the sword. “Did I give you permission to move?” Sasuke stopped moving.

Kenshin stepped over him and approached Shingen. “Are you well?”

Shingen inclined his head. “I am.”

“Good. I look forward to killing you tomorrow.” He paused and shot a glance at me. “Do not think that I will forget to kill you too.”

Well, won’t that make for an exciting wake-up call. “Looking forward to it.”

“Katsuko!”

I whipped my head around at the sound of Toshiie’s voice.

My brother hurried up to the castle, followed closely by Hana – who was carrying an infant – and Nao…. who blew right past my open arms and attached himself to Yuki’s leg. “Uki!”

Sigh.

Toshiie pulled me into a hug. “As soon as we found each other, you disappeared again! What happened?”

As if it had been my fault. But brothers gotta brother. “It’s a long sto-.”

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

I was interrupted by an outraged howl from the baby in Hana’s arms. In fact, all conversation ceased. Baby had a healthy set of lungs on ….Him? Her? Them?

Toshiie took the baby from Hana. “Sorry. She’s teething,” he said, pitching his voice louder. “This is Mayumi.” Oh. He named her after our mother. I supposed Toshiie had less conflicted emotions toward her than I did.

I hoped he didn’t want to dump her in my arms because Mayumi did not seem impressed with me. Or with any of us.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Nao slapped his hands over his ears and yelled, “SHE DOES THAT ALL THE TIME.”

“Let me try.” Mai picked Mayumi out of Toshiie’s arms, cooing while she bounced her up and down.

Mayumi continued to howl like she was possessed by a demon.

I met Shingen’s eyes and pointed at Toshiie. “My brother,” I mouthed.

Shingen immediately made his way over, but introductions were impossible over Mayumi’s screams.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Kenshin leaned over Mai’s should and stared down at Mayumi. He gently touched her nose with his finger. “Hello little Mayumi. If you will please be quiet, I won’t have to kill you.”

Mayumi stopped mid-howl.

She blinked twice.

We all held our breath.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Yoshimoto eyed the baby like she was an unexploded bomb and edged himself away from the blast zone. Nao climbed Yuki like he was a tree (the climbing gene comes through!) then buried his face in Yuki’s shoulder.

Sasuke was still bowed at Kenshin’s feet. He started to rise, but Kenshin poked him again with Himezuru Ichimonji.

AAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Mayumi continued to make a noise that was probably causing them to take cover all the way down in Azuchi.

Finally, Shingen grabbed my banshee of a niece out of Mai’s arms and cradled her. “Hello Princess. Aren’t you the pretty one with those big eyes just like your aunt’s?”

Mayumi quieted instantly. Her little fists reached out to touch his face. He rocked her for a while longer, as she started babbling and giggling.

Of course.

Mai leaned over and said softly, “I think my ovaries just exploded.”

Toshiie sighed. “Mine too.”

I elbowed my brother. “You don’t have ovaries.”

“I just grew them. Then they exploded.” Yeah, and someone gave him medical credentials. Or whatever passes for that here.

Shingen very carefully put Mayumi back in her mother’s arms. “Here’s your little angel. If she grows up to be half as lovely as you, she’ll be spectacular.”

Even the self-possessed Hana blushed at that. “Thank you, my lord.”

“May I get up now?” Sasuke asked.

Being the only sober person at a party where everyone else rated on a spectrum from pleasantly relaxed (Shingen) to face down on a table (Toshiie) was one part isolating and one part amusing. I consoled myself with the idea that I might actually have a shot of winning a sparring match tomorrow morning.

Two more vassals slid to the floor.

Tomorrow afternoon.

Before he passed out after a long session of “cap the movie quote” with Sasuke, Tosh had told me he’d moved his family to Kasugayama. Not into the castle itself, as Hana didn’t think small children needed to be exposed to stabby people and weapons, but into the town proper. I liked that plan. My brother and his family would be close enough to visit as often as I wanted, but we wouldn’t be in the same thin-walled building at night. Some things siblings did not need to know about each other.

Though – and possibly because – Shingen had effortlessly charmed Hana and Mayumi – my brother was still suspicious of him. I suppose that relationship would take time. I’d let them work that out on their own.

Since Shingen was occupied with Kenshin and Yukimura, I made my way to the back of the room, where Yoshimoto was sitting by himself. He seemed to be gazing into his cup of sake as if it were a scrying glass, and something about that look and posture sent a shiver through me.

Taking a seat next to him, I watched as he transformed his attitude into the nothing-bothers-me indifference that he sometimes put on. “Good evening, honorary cousin. You ought to be with them,” he indicated Kenshin and Shingen, “celebrating your return.”

“So should you.” Er, that didn’t come out right. “I mean, there’s a place over there for you as well.”

He put his hand on top of mine. “I wanted a bit of quiet. Kenshin can occasionally be  - overbearing – in his impatience to see me take up arms again as the leader of the Imagawa. Though I was sitting alone, I was not lonely.”

I would have to take him at his word. Perhaps my experience with my mother made me see depression with every set of drooped shoulders. For now, I would drop the subject. “Thank you for screen and tapestry you put in our rooms.”

He inclined his head. “Though Shingen’s quarters weren’t as chaotic-” he winced for emphasis, “as Sasuke’s, I thought it would suit you to have a few feminine additions. Although I did worry a bit that you might prefer pick some things out on your own.”

I shrugged. “I might have done so eventually, but I wouldn’t have come up with anything as beautiful or tasteful as what you did.”

“Yes. That occurred to me as well.” He poured himself another cup of sake and winked at me over the rim.

“Shingen said that you mentioned having encountered another time traveler. I think it might have been my mentor.” I started to describe Aki, only to have Yoshimoto interrupt me.

“Not unless your mentor was a short Portuguese merchant with an impressive ability to mangle our native language in the worst possible way, at the worst possible time.” He closed his eyes at what was apparently a painful memory.

“Francisco Botelho.” It couldn’t be anyone else. My erstwhile Portuguese instructor was an “old friend” of Aki’s. It made sense he was also a time traveler. Did that mean Fume was as well? Why couldn’t she have been the one to have gotten stuck in the wormhole and punted into another reality?

“Katsuko!” Kenshin yelled across the room and gestured to his table. “Join us.”

I paused and gave Yoshimoto a look. “You’re coming with me – there’s room there for both of us.”

“As you wish, but if I expire due to overexposure to your and my cousin’s domestic bliss, it is on your head.” He languidly rose and followed me across the room.

“Katsuko,” Kenshin said again, as Sasuke filled his sake cup from a bottle that we’d brought him from the future. “Why do you not drink with us?”

“No insult is intended.” I scooted in next to Shingen, who automatically put his arm around me while continuing his conversation with Yuki. “Sake and other drinks give me terrible dreams.”

He drained his cup without blinking and held it out in front of Sasuke for another pour. “The solution to that is to wake up and drink more.”

I think he was joking. Probably.

“If you will not drink, then you must try these pickled plums.” A bowl of them was thrust under my nose. Yoshimoto and Shingen both recoiled at the sight of them.

“Ah yes, the ceremonial dish of foot-scented plums.” Yoshimoto broke out his fan and flapped the odor away.

“Eat with me.” It was an order from the Laird of the land.

Ah. I got it. As incredibly possessive as he was, Kenshin also wanted everyone to appreciate the things he loved (from a distance… a far distance… in Mai’s case). Since I couldn’t share his love of sake, I would instead be invited to partake in this culinary … delicacy? I eyed the dish hesitantly. I had eaten umeboshi before and thought it tasted mostly like salt, and if the modern version was mellowed out from the ones served here, I was risking a highly unpleasant experience.  “Thank you, Lord Kenshin.”

I reached to try the plums, conscious of Shingen’s reassuring pat on my back, and prepared myself to not make a face in case I put a saltlick into my mouth-

Huh.

Actually.

Ok, yes, I tasted salt, but the predominant flavor was sour. Very sour, kind of bracing, and not… bad.

“I… I… I like them,” I was able to say truthfully.

“Better than those too sweet chestnut buns Shingen’s always going on about?” Kenshin challenged me and unfortunately, it was during one of those conversational lulls that brought everyone’s attention to me.

Shingen tugged at my hair. He spoke loud enough for the entire table to hear. “I would think very carefully about how I answered that, if I were you.”

Hm. I was pretty sure I knew what my clever spymaster was doing and picked up on the cue. “Why? Will you punish me if I choose the plums?”

While Mai giggled uncontrollably, Shingen kissed my cheek. “Yes. I will punish you all night long.”

“Ah geez,” Yuki muttered.

“In that case, I definitely choose the plums.” I would have done so in any case… which Shingen had to have known. Sneaky tactician.

Kenshin held out the dish for me to take another. As I reached over with a pair of chopsticks, the sleeve of my kimono slid back, revealing the scar on my arm. Kenshin stared at it. “Tomorrow, I will kill you twice.”

“Thank you.” I wasn’t being sarcastic. He just wanted me to learn how to protect myself better. Of course, tomorrow, once I was in the middle of what promised to be a grueling training session, I’d likely be feeling a lot more sarcastic. But right now, I was happy that I was with my family – both the blood relative and ones that I had chosen.

By the time we’d been back for a couple weeks, we’d already smoothly picked up the threads of our Sengoku lives. I hadn’t realized just how much Shingen had been compensating for his illness before, and I soon got used to sight of his long-limbed form striding down the corridor,  enthusiastically sparring with Kenshin, or conducting long strategic discussions with visiting Daimyos.

I continued to perform the local message route – I liked getting out and about in the early morning. It was almost like going for an early run that woke me up… and got my blood going for the morning sparring sessions (where Kenshin continued to kill me… but not as easily as before).

Most afternoons Shingen would teach me tactics and strategy – it was fascinating how his time in the future had informed his decisions. He had made a good attempt to cram nearly five hundred years of politics, military history and domestic policy into a year and a half of self-learning. This man’s brain continued to fascinate me.

“You keep looking at me like that and we’ll never get any more work done today.” Shingen raised his eyes from the report he had been reading – the Mouri were still encroaching out of Chugoku, into the border regions, becoming bolder as they harassed Nobunaga. He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, then let his hand linger on my face.

I knew if I said the word, reports would be abandoned on the desk, and our clothes would be tossed on the floor somewhere between here and the futon. From the look in Shingen’s eyes, he knew that too.

Hm. He never had managed to ‘punish me all night long’ after Kenshin’s banquet the other week. Shingen, along with nearly everyone else in the castle, had stayed up drinking with Kenshin until sunrise. One of these days, I was going to cash that rain check in. But I knew that he still had a lot of work to catch up on, especially now that Chiyome had transferred authority back to Shingen.

I kissed the palm of his hand, then regretfully schooled my face back to a neutral expression and asked, “Which would be more advantageous in the long run? Offering aid to Motonari’s forces in the hope of breaking Nobunaga completely, or offering to help Nobunaga in return for him ceding Kai back to you?”

“There’s no denying I still want to take my shot against Nobunaga,” Shingen said. “But the latter option would be better for my people.”

If Nobunaga agreed.

If he then kept that agreement.

“What is Motonari like?” He might not be the type of person Shingen would want to ally with in any case. “Though if he’s mostly concerned with sea power, I guess he’d be more interested in using your mounted archers to attack Azuchi, than taking over Kai in Nobunaga’s stead.”

“There is that, true.” Shingen sifted through a few reports. “He appears to be two parts mystery and three parts loose cannon. I’d rather ally with smaller territories and put pressure on Oda in that fash-” His musing were cut off by a knock on the ceiling. Then Sasuke poked his head in and stared down at us.

“Sorry to disturb you, but a messenger dropped this off at the gate.” He executed a double backflip to the floor (I’d been teaching him some advanced tumbling moves for fun). “It’s addressed to all three of us.” He brought a thin packet to the desk.

I recognized the handwriting immediately – it was from Aki.

[ivycorp]

Tarn and his made up love triangle, because I need to talk about his crushes on Pharma and Megatron who most definitely are in love with different mechs sorry Tarn

As the mech turned, the doctor smiled and extended a servo holding a freshly removed t-cog, the other holding a cup of fuel.

"Ah, doctor, you didn't have to, you just gave me one this morning," the phase sixer said, nevertheless taking the offering with a pleased sigh. The melody caused the medic to shiver, as the shorter frame pressed itself against Tarn, warm and inviting.

Just as the DJD leader was about to respond to the hint to touch the mech, his comms burst to life - a priority channel.

Megatron was calling him!

"Doctor, a moment, I'll be right back, I promise," he said, extracting the delicate arms (such lovely servos, so fragile compared to his strength) and dashing towards an empty corner, opening the line.

"My Lord, what can I do for you?" Tarn asked, giddiness making his vocaliser glitch a bit.

"Always so direct, that is why you're my favorite, Tarn - don't tell this to Soundwave," he heard in response, excitement so high he wasn't sure he would not faint on the spot.

"Of course, my Lord," the phase sixer rushed to reassure, glad to be a confidante for his supreme commander.

"I have a task just for you, and I expect you to not disappoint me, Tarn," came a low growl over the comm, which made the mech's knee joints actually buckle.

"Whatever you need, my Lord, it shall be done," the tall bot confirmed, trying not to pay attention to the jealous looks Pharma was shooting in his direction.

"Great, I'll see you in my quarters in two cycles then," came the answer, and the line dropped.

Tarn was for yet again thinking about the tragedy of having two relationships at once, as Pharma approached to steal his attention again.

"There, done for today," mused Tarn, typing up his fanfiction as he was used to doing every delacycle or so. Since he arrived back at Nemesis to rendezvous with Megatron, he found himself with more time than usual.

His Lord was a very busy mech, he knew, but it was a bit saddening to not be able to talk to him for longer than a few clicks, as Megatron was recently under a horrifying amount of supervision.

Tarn hoped it wasn't anything bad, seeing how often his commander was in the medbay…

Yet thinking about medicine made him groan internally, as he would be reminded of Pharma, who was somewhere on the planet. He promised to find him once he gets a proper meeting with Megatron - to talk about the List, the mission, maybe he could do something else, closer to him perhaps? - but as the talk was not happening, he could not leave to search for the other.

He was sure the jet was missing him already, even if he did not say it the last time they spoke...

Additionally, with Soundwave's recent extreme adherence to inter-fractional fraternization guidelines (which right now have been shortened to a "Under No Circumstances", underlined five times, with seven exclamation points) he would not be able to call the medic to arrange a meeting without drawing suspicion to himself.

Tarn sighed, resigning himself to yet another vigil around Megatron's quarters, to possibly catch the mech alone to talk. When he tried the office, he found it has been filled with so many reports it was not possible to actually work there, so the chances of meeting the supreme commander there were slim.

He tried going through Starscream, as much as it pained him to do so, but the only response was "Megatron is not available, I will let you know when that changes".

He couldn't really trust the seeker to do it, so here he was, by the door, waiting patiently for his Lord to return.

*****

Meanwhile, in the conference room not far from Megatron's clogged office:

"Soundwave, I said I was sorry, I promise I won't call him ever again, please, don't make me read this!"

Megatron held no illusion of pride at this point, having been either prodded by Knock Out to get his entire medical file updated, as well as all maintenance and upkeep records checked and filled in - he even slept in the medbay, exhausted and tired from weird medications they made him take now that tasted horrible - but he has been forced into going through the report backlog that has gathered in his office.

He managed to stay compliant, as he could feel the punishment was relatively lenient considering the crime, but this?

This was torture.

A thin digit tapped the datapad again, allowing no argument.

Megatron considered just chewing through the pad to avoid reading it, but he had a sneaky suspicion Soundwave would just produce another instead.

And then another one, as punishment for breaking something of his.

The Decepticon Leader surrendered as he took the pad and started reading through "Lovers across the stars - a story of a devoted soldier, his charismatic leader, and their secret devotion" by MusicDrivesMeTowardsPeace.

Even he knew that was Tarn's pen name.

And just a few sentences in, he could already see the similarities in the characters on the page before him.

Stealing a look at Soundwave, Megatron knew the other chose this precisely because of that.

He could only thank the circumstances that he managed to get out of any actual conversation with Tarn so far - the only highlight in the Pit his life has become.

Focusing again on the page to not think about the reasons for all of this (as he suspected his TIC would somehow know if he even thought about Optimus), he started to read.

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

Last one prompted by this post of @paraxodicalundressing, related to the reason of megatron's circumstances and pharma's wherabouts

[juniemunie]

Hey! I'm loving all the rotbtd content! I was wondering if you knew any really good fanfics or have any recommendation posts for the fandom! I'm dying without content!

.... tumblr ate whatever I was trying to say before and it destroyed me. I'll try again sdfkjgbdslfkjbsl

Hiya! Glad to see you're enjoying the rotbtd I've been reblogging haha!

As for post content, it's been a long time (YEARS) since I've last been active in the fandom so idk any recent fanfics or posts lately but I'll scroll and reblog and tag any I can so you guys can enjoy if you go through my blog! You can also check out those I've reblogged, especially those that do edited gifs and fanart! I’ll try to contribute myself when I have the time!

-//-//-//-

As for fanfictions, I'll put links for the old fanfictions I've saved in my old Fanfictiondotnet that should earn me a veterans discount kdsjgbsdkf

These are really old, and honestly, I’m too lazy to check if they are any good to current me. My tastes and opinions of the characters have evolved and changed for all the characters, but younger me enjoyed them so I’ll add it here.

All of them I think are either Guardians of the Season AU, or a Hogwarts AU

Here they are, starting off with the Hogwarts AUs:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9490838/1/The-Big-Four-and-the-Wizarding-School

This is one I remember clearly because the clashing of opening narrations was hilarious

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9248460/1/The-Big-Four-Rise-of-the-Brave-Tangled-Dragons

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9710308/1/The-Big-Four-and-the-School-for-Witchcraft-and-Wizardry

Idk if this happened to any of the fanfics I linked but I remember this one Hogwarts AU fanfic where Jack, Merida and Rapunzel fight Pitch alone recklessly, and just as they were about to be defeated, Hiccup comes in to clutch because he’s the only one with the brain cells to go “Hm, maybe, just maybe, we need to go get Sandman and the others, you know, the ones that are better equipped to deal with this” and it made me laugh so hard that I still remember it today

Guardians of Seasons/Guardians AU:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9417735/1/Guardians-of-the-Seasons

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9658154/1/The-Four-Spirits-of-the-Seasons

MISC/Modern AU:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12155701/1/How-To-Tangle-Four-Brave-Guardians

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11259884/1/Lord-Of-The-Bots

-///-///-///-

Now for AO3, I’ll add along any fanfic I come across that is good to me, but currently all of them are quite old and very Hiccup centered, because I have extreme tunnel vision for my favorite characters!

seasons die before they are born    

https://archiveofourown.org/works/744682

the only one I think that gives everyone equal screen time but in angsty ways, as you can read from the title

it is the still and silent sea that drowns

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1360195

Sail

https://archiveofourown.org/works/802157

[rrxnjun]

it does fit him kinda but i also just can't imagine him just teaching someone maybe i just don't know awsten enough🫡WAIT HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THAT???? but this is my new fav fact about them wow🥹 wahhh tommy does deserve everything he is a savior for real🫡 my minecraft addiction is unhealthy istg i don't think i will ever be able to get out of the phase at this point it's a lifestyle ngl 🤣🥲but i'm glad to hear that u also had a minecraft phase it's just such a fun game!! ohhh i never really got into sideman but they seem very funny that's for sure!!! tbh the first time i ever heard of alex will and memeulous was through probs wilbur but i listend to their podcast in quarantine and they were very funny tbh so i understand the chokehold!!!

I DID SEE SO MANY CLIPS FROM IT IM AO EXCITED FOR THE ALBUM I CANT WAIT!!! NINGNINGS SOLO WAS SO GOOD SHE IS JUST SO AMAZING EVERYTHING WISE ITS CRAZYYY and i'm going to be very upset if the solo songs do not make it to the album they will hear from my lawyers for sure!

take ur time with it u have the all the time in the world to listen to her! my fav song from her is definitely you're here that's the thing, it's like the cutest song ever but i also really love apple cider those two would probably be my favs and also sunny day as well!!!

WE LITERALLY ARE 🫢 it has never really happened to me before as well so i'm very surprised! I LOVE THE DIRVER ERA DUDEEE🥹 SO SAME LOVE THE MAN SO MUCH i will always be thankful for austin and ally for introducing me to the amazing man ross lynch is🫡 i listened to wallows and they are pretty good definitely will listen to them more however nothing dethroned scrawny for me so i'm staying with my basic as hell fav song🫡 BAEKHYUN HOWEVER I FOUND ONE OF MY NEW FAV ARISTS I THINK!!! amusement park is just so me core i love it so much!! claiming it as my song hihi! but the whole ep was🤌🤌🤌(i still believe in u beating him one day!!!)

OH MY UR REVIEW JUST MADE MY WHOLE DAY MY GOD!!!🥹 IM VERY GLAD THAT U DIDNT REALLY DISLIKE ANY OF THEM AND THE FACT THAT SOME OF THEM MADE IT TO UR PLAYLIST IS JUST🥹🥹IM VERY GLAD THAT U ENDED UP LIKING SOME OF THEM🥹🥹🥹

lovely neighbor!!! hi!!🤭i think i knew that u were slovak but i kinda forgot:( HOWEVER I MIGHT ACTUALLY VISIT SLOVAKIA IN LIKE 2 WEEKS OR SO!! VERY EXCITED TO SEE THE COUNTRY!🥳(or more like the one city we will be visiting)

IM GLAD U ENJOYED!! I ENJOYED TALKING ABOUT MUSIC VERY MUCH AS WELL AND THANK U FOR LISTENING TO THE HUNGARIAN SONGS U ARE VERY LOVELY FOR IT!!! and also if u have any slovak song recommendation tell it to me pls as well!

LMAO NO PROBLEM FOR WRITING HER AS A CHEATER I KNEW THERE WAS PROBABLY NOT LIKE "ANY GOOD REASON" THAT U WROTE HER AS THAT BUUUT HAVING A CRUSH ON MY GF💔💔HOW COULD U /j

LMAO probably most likely it would be similar but i actually want to see them and like properly throw jisung up in the air like i still think about that every time i see jisung!! u portrayed it so well my lord!!!! oh my the renjun bathtub pics inspiring it just makes it even more perfect my god!!! THE LAST SCENE IS JUST SO SUPER GREAT IM VERY GLAD UR INNER JOHN GREEN PULLED THROUGH XD I LOVE IT WHEN MEN ARE SIMPS ITS SO RARE BUT I LOVE IIIT🫡 i wrote it right after i read it and my emotions were all over the place it showed very much i think xd AND THAT IS CRAZY WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT PLAYINGGGG (liebestraum anon💕💕)

no thats so valid i couldnt imagine him being a guitar teacher either LMAO. and tommy deserves the world for that song alone AHAH also i understand the minecraft lifestyle the other day i wanted to download it too but it didnt work and i am not paying for that game so i just gave up after a while lmaoo. sidemen are funny sometimes but sometimes they also miss w their humor so take it as you will AHAHA. i didnt listen to the eboys podcast if u mean that one!! i am not a podcast girlie tbh i dont enjoy listening to people talk jfkdals but their videos were honestly my favs. also i sometimes still watch george memelous drinking vids where they watch terrible movies because i just think that is peak comedy

MY GIRLFRIEND NINGNING DID SO WELL the solo is stuck in my brain i NEED A STUDIO VERSION ASAP. i honestly never really stanned any girlgroups but aespa have such a chokehold on me istg- my friend said its only bc theyre the girl version of nct sound-wise and i was like :D ok then.

I STILL HAVENT LISTENED TO BEABADOBEE BUT I PROMISE TO GIVE YOU A REVIEW OF THESE IN YOUR NEXT ASK

no bc when austin and ally aired i was fundamentaly changed as a human. everything about ross lynch was just- DFJKA i even watched the teen beach movie like three times because i had such a crush on him LMAO. i wasnt really ever big on r5 (however i still have some of their songs in my playlist) but the driver era are sososo good. scrawny is so good!!! i think my fav from wallows (at least atm) is definitely wish me luck. it has such a good sound and the lyrics are honestly sososo good ugh. YES CLAIM AMUSEMENT PARK!!! ITS ONE OF MY FAV SONGS EVER AHHH i personally claim bambi because it's my nickname irl and when he came out w the song i lost my shit so hard i made it my whole entire personality. (thank u for believing in me. rather than beating hyuck i now fantasize about us going to a baekhyun concert together in my dreams<3)

THANK U TO INTRODUCING ME TO HUNGARIAN MUSIC!! i really have nothing against trying songs in diff languages if thats what you were afraid of!! i really enjoyed all of the songs they were so vibey<33 your music taste>>> AHAHA ITS OKAY IF U FORGOT IM SLOVAK i mean i dont really talk abt it here as much?? on my main tho,,, i dont shut up about the fact i even shitpost in slovak sometimes bc i just can. slovak music recs are hard for me to give bc i dont listen to slovak music much?? and the ones i do listen to i would get clowned for in slovakia bc they are just objectively not good songs but theyre my guilty pleasure AHAHA but if you really do wanna listen to some i recommend my by yael (it was in my top 10 on spotify wrapped last year LMAO), vďaka ti by yael and puerto (which is a badbunny cover lmao but listen to the ver on youtube and not spotify bc the spotify one sucks ass), valeriya by samey (THIS is a guilty pleasure for sure. the rap is weird but the lyrics are beautiful), staré časy by medial banana, káva by medial banana, záverečná by iné kafe, nad prahou by zoči voči and včera som miloval by fishing strip (for some good slovak punk rock<3) ALSO WHICH CITY ARE U VISITING (if u wanna tell me ofc)

the renjun bathtub pics....altered my brain chemistry so much iykwim. like i knew my man was hot but i didnt know he could get THIS hot. AHAHA MEN BEING SIMPS IS RARE BUT SO FUCKING GOOD thats why i even started my series in the first place the original title was the simp diaries bc its all about men being simps AHAHAHA

[yanderelovlies]

✨Galaxy Anon ✨ here!

Thanks viví for understanding and no problem! Glad to hear that. You deserve the happiness.

I know, I get maybe the artstyle maybe not your cup of tea but that hard? I thought nick looked cute with his new outfit. True. Probably just didn’t like the artstyle and new outfits for some but dear lord overdramatic much?

Yes and even then sometimes they make you feel stupid that you don’t understand it. Yeah like sorry I suck at this subject but I’m trying. But sometimes I don’t blame the teachers since I was so paranoid even the nice ones I had a hard time even asking since I was so scared.

I get that but sometimes it isn’t your fault. You have the right to say no and they shouldn’t make you feel bad about it. I had to learn that and I still struggle with it but know sometimes it’s okay. Well I feel welcomed so I think you’re doing a good job at it.

No worries and yeah I don’t want people to know who I am unless I trust them and I mean when I’m very sure since I was a stupid kid back then and did some things that could’ve actually gotten me hurt. Makes sense at least you have some wall of privacy now. Was there one that made you laugh? Ooh please do one day I love to heat them that sounds interesting especially in her field of work.

I get that. Once I get attached it’s hard for me to break off a bad friendship or deal with a lose of one when we both drift apart. Yeah I get that especially now fearing to put yourself out there okay to get hurt again…it’s a terrible feeling and has messed with me for years. Are they trying to be friends with you again or trying to hurt you again? No worries I will anyway so you don’t have to worry if I left this blog again. Viví you’re too sweet stop it you’re making my teeth rot! I don’t usually get dressed up but I’m wearing my best outfit for that gotta look good! Get my good side lol.

You deserve all the happiness in the world 100% facts.

I don't get either. Don't get me wrong there is somethings that feels a bit off, but I don't think it was worth an uproar. I just hope Sauce and those working on the game remember to take care of themselves. The deserve all the rest they can get.

They do! Though I did have this teacher in high school was she seemed like she would have been over it, but was eager to help make sure her students passed she just had resting bitch face lol.

I have to remind myself too, and I'm getting better at it though sometimes I can't help it. I'm glad you feel welcomed cause that's one of two goals 💕.

Oh God me too I had unrestricted internet access. I thought I knew all and nothing would happen. Oops lol. As for funny stories from my mom mmm honestly I would have to ask her I have the memory of goldfish 👀.

Well, I originally broke off the friendship because they are very...toxic. It also didn't help that one person in the group made it seem like I was a problem even though I just wanted to hang out. Now only one of them tries to hang out, but I don't have it in me anymore. I'm tired of "being a problem" so I don't really respond and hope they just leave alone. Also I bet you look fantastic in whatever you wear so flaunt 💅✨️💕

[jade-masquerade]

With regards to "always loved a queen" what is Sansa endgame for Jon? So far, her actions have tormented him and it seems out of character for her to allow a stranger to take so many liberties with her; from being feed by him, to sitting on his lap during the feast and now to accepting and joining him in the godswood and possibly joining him in the hot pools. Will Sansa join Daario in the hot pools or will she rescind the offer to escort Daario, after Jon's reply? I always thought that the hot pools in the godswood, were something exclusive for members of House Stark.

Also, is Sansa acting like to with Daario, as a form of punishment towards Jon, for what he did with Daenerys? And will she ease her interactions and shows of affection towards Daario, considering what happened in the last chapter?

I do imagine that Sansa is (mostly) acting like a good host and doesn't wish to necessarily insult a lord/prince from another city/region, but it seems out of character for her to act like this and allow a stranger so many liberties.

The story has been great so far and i eagerly await the next chapters, as i want to see how it will further develop and how things will end.

I can guarantee there will be a happy ending for them! Next chapter Sansa and Jon will be trying to move on from the events of the previous few chapters so they won't discuss the situation with the hot pools directly, but I don't think Sansa would have gone with Daario since she was signaling to Jon at the end of the last chapter that she wanted him to go with her instead.

Sansa has definitely been acting in ways outside of her comfort zone throughout the course of the story. She is not really living the ideal life she foresaw for herself either, even if she thought at first that she had everything she wanted with being home and safe once again. Even being queen and having Winterfell and the North, she did not think she would end up alone, without her family or anyone truly by her side. She isn't acting here to punish Jon so much as in a last-ditch effort to try to make him see her in a way that is not familial, to want her in the way she wants him. She made attempts over the years to reach out to him and draw him back as the last closest family member to her and someone she had feelings for that she never had the chance to be able to express, and those feelings festered in their time apart. She discovers then that mentioning Daario is suddenly able to lure him back when none of her other missives did. Sansa is very astute at acting according to the situation--when her mentions and actions finally prompt a reaction in Jon, she continues along with them, even as they are probably more out of hand now than what she originally intended. Also, I think to an extent she too is intrigued by Daario considering he is someone quite different from most others she's met before and of course he has a prior connection to Daenerys, too.

As for Jon in this story, he is not always the most trustworthy narrator even though we are seeing things from his perspective. In real life, we misremember things. We misinterpret situations. We make incorrect assumptions. All of those things are affecting Jon's thoughts in this story, with his sense of self-doubt heightened after what happened in King's Landing (and even before then really, with the Daenerys situation and essentially losing the North to her) and after being in relative isolation burdened by guilt for so long. Prompted by Sansa's actions with Daario, he's also dealing with the realization that perhaps his feelings are not so brotherly after all, which will be referenced next chapter as well. He doesn't believe Sansa would want him that way--in his mind, who would?

Glad to hear that overall you have been enjoying the story so far!