#ren is providing for himself and his son as well as taking care of his sick mother

[hehosts-moved]

i need to write not only ren's relationship but also his mother's relationship with the welfare system because he is getting government assistance technically, as did his mother (in a way)

[lemonlover1110]

I get why satoru is upset but like... he made the conscious choice not to fully communicate his reasons for breaking up with y/n, he changed phone numbers, cut off any kind of communication, and instantly moved on to another woman, which from every standpoint (besides maybe himself and his mother) it gives the impression that he can't get away from her fast enough and that he wants absolutely nothing to do with her (even if it maybe wasn't true, that's how it appeared to y/n) so why would y/n try and further reach out to him if she's fully under the impression that he doesn't want her, and if he doesn't even want her, why would he want a whole ass baby that would anchor him down to her forever, someone that he was so adamant on proving that he wanted to stay away from.

Its easy for him to be angry now because he wasn't the one in y/n's shoes, but can he truthfully say that he wouldn't feel the same or make similar choices if the roles were reversed? from the very start of them even knowing each other, he's always had more power, status, and money than y/n, something that he never failed to remind her, even if it was unintentional sometimes.

its also easy to say "well Ren is a child so this is different, I would still tell him." but doing so would completely ignore all the details and context in the whole situation, not to mention ignoring the fact that both of them were like early twenties and nowhere near being fully emotionally mature!!

yeah I agree with y/n that it sucks that it had to turn out this way and that she did make some mistakes as well along the way but he hardlyyyyy has room to argue about making good, smart choices or taking the moral high ground, he was a huge dick about the breakup whether he or anyone else wants to admit it or not and went about it in an incredibly callous and cruel way, he made the one person he was supposed to love and respect above everyone feel like she was leftover trash, he's been actively cheating on his wife and not caring if he gets caught, and running around the office throwing tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants lol

sorry but im a y/n shooter through and through!!!!!!

I feel like people that hate/strongly dislike Y/N (maybe not on here but other people have on other platforms) don't put themselves in her shoes or just forget the fact that Satoru cut off all contact with her. You're right, he's a major dick. He does get to be upset but not at Y/N since she couldn't really reach out. Plus she's said it over and over again that she doesn't want her son taken from her when she can finally fully provide and give him the life that he deserves, and by telling Satoru she's risking getting her son taken away from her.

[hehosts]

incubus au: part 3 of 3

what about hina and kyosuke? hina is a human who is the mother of ren’s most current child that he is actively taking care of himself directly. she seduced him, not the other way around. kyosuke is a product of their affair, to which ren continues to see hina much the same way they do in their primary verses, but she doesn't torment him much the same way. he has more control here, and he thrives off her volatile energy and sexual nature.

kyosuke is (technically speaking) the first child that ren has actually been involved with outside of the creationary process. he is actively raising his son. there's just this bond they have, particularly in that kyosuke favors ren, who is seen to favor his mother by those that knew her (and his father by those that know him).

but let it be known: ren has many children. he will continue to do this over his lifetime. it's likely in the hundreds.

how does ren feel about humans? he likes them, probably more than he should. he’ll get attached, and is often fond of them, even if he doesn’t always understand them. he loves engaging in relationships with humans, though they are primarily sexual, but he does enjoy talking to humans, observing their behaviors, and learning about them. 

where is ren located? currently in the red light district of japan / the same general location he is in canonically. ren likes to be near people, and finds the cities to be the most profitable to him. he is in an apartment with his son, and is often found at the host club shining!.

how does ren afford a life among humans? he works as a host, not an escort. as a host, he gets the attention he desires, the funds he needs, and the ability to cover more ground for potential partners in the bedroom. he manages under goro’s leadership. in addition, he gets money and gifts, primarily from his male companions. his female companions provide him more emotional fulfillment, which is intentional. he sleeps with most anyone that he's attracted to.

why does he still go by ren? is his name yori? he’s had various names based on the locations he has lived, though his been primarily in the east his entire life, and has been in japan for the last 200-300 years. before then he was in china. he does use the same kanji [ 恋 ] as he does in his primary verses for ren, meaning love. he is currently using the public alias “hatanaka yori”.

what about ren’s mother? she was a human seduced by an incubus herself. that is what he knows and remembers. this explains his additional softness for humans. he favors them. it's not only in his nature but also his nurture. she died many years ago now.

what parts of ren’s personality are different from his canon? there is no ‘yori’ personality, only ‘ren’ exemplified tenfold. confident, seductive, and everything his canonical counterpart has crafted the personality of ‘ren’ to be is what this version of ren is, and genuinely so. his sole purpose and existence is derived in pleasure, primarily receiving, as well as giving. the biggest trait they share is the love they have for kyosuke. ren has many children out there both in past and present, but kyosuke is the first he has been so directly involved with. 

where is that man? where isn’t that man?? ren cannot confirm or deny that 'that man' is anything specific, not that he's ever encountered over his current lifespan, though they have known each other for a majority of ren’s time in japan. ren is convinced that man might actually be the devil or a very close associate. that man has never commented either way, remaining a mysterious stranger at best.

what about ji-hun?? an enigma. he is associated with that man. actually, in this verse, ren and ji-hun are in a somewhat similar circumstance to their origins. ji-hun is following ren, but what ji-hun is remains to be a mystery. he seems to have been humanoid in some way before his involvement with that man, but otherwise? he and ren typically do not get along.

and deng? much the same as he always is. ever unchanging.

[vacantgodling]

🎯 -What do they do best?

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

for Hya (I know you answered one of these for him already so you can just skip it) and Dave?

~ @void-botanist

thank you so much for the questions ;3;

🎯 -What do they do best?

hya -> if i'm being serious, he's very good with money, math and finances. its one of the few things, aside from his beauty marks, that he gets from his father bc despite everything else, clematis didn't become rich by chance, he actually built up his wealth and hya has the mathematical brain to do so as well.

dave -> aside from being a dad, photography. something he actually wanted to do before he had darren with liz was to be a professional photographer, whether that be sports, nature, news, etc. his parents never supported this vision, and after having a son he took a more lucrative career (being a lawyer) to provide for him. but, after everything is revealed and darren strikes out on his own, dave finally pursues his passion thanks to the encouragement of estel :)

🥊 -What do they love to do? What do they hate to do?

hya -> shop and read are his two main hobbies lmaooo. he hates to do a lot of things, however, i think any social gathering counts as his top 10 most hated things to have to do.

dave -> travel & take pictures (as per last answer), play board games, work out are his favorite things to do. he hates cooking (he's so bad at it lmao) and being confrontational--not that he can't be he just doesn't like when he has to be.

❤️ - What is one of your OC’s best memories?

dave -> the first time darren called him "dad" actually. tl;dr, dave always had daddy issues. he's the middle child of his family (elder brother: antonio and younger brother who is slightly more narratively important: abraham or "ham") and he was always judged the most harshly by his father. eldest son antonio could do no wrong, younger brother ham was lackidaisy and rewarded for it by their mother. but despite dave's (verbal) abuse from his father, he was still forbidden to call him anything other than father--not dad, not pa, not his first name. always father. to show the position that he held over him.

this made dave really... disillusioned to the idea of fatherhood, so honestly, when liz got pregnant he did have a bit of a crisis about that. and during that crisis he decided that he never wanted his child to call him 'father' because he didn't want to become like the father that his dad was.

fastforward to darren being born; dare his whole life has always called dave, well, dave. just like dave always deterred from calling darren by his name and called him champ. (he was never 'son' or anything positive to his own father, always david alone and harshly, so he decided he'd always call dare by a pet name to make sure he knew he was cared for). but the first time something negative happened in dare's life and he needed his dad, instead of dave, he called him 'dad'. dare had to be like, almost 10 at this point? so this whole time dave's never heard himself be called dad by his son but the second dare does it just... settles something in him. he realizes that despite everything, he raised dare to be someone who WILLINGLY called him dad. because he loved him and trusted him. and that moment has meant more to dave than anything.

obviously, the tradition still keeps up though, dare still calls dave "dave" most of the time, but whenever he's vulnerable, he calls dave dad and its really healing for both of them.

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories?

hya -> there's many, but honestly, the trauma surrounding why he hates showers is probably the Only thing he would begrudgingly agree he has ptsd around. he refuses to talk about it, to the point that i ren his whole creator, have no clue what happened. i have an Inkling? but not enough to put it forth as fact and tbh i don't think hya will ever tell me. but i do know that trauma did start him on the path to becoming as physically and mentally intimidating and foreboading as he is in general because he vowed he'd never let anyone hurt him like that again.

dave -> when liz left him after darren was born. part of the reason he and liz never get back together despite caring for one another is that the hurt from that moment was just too great for dave tbh.

[ironbloodcd]

It doesn't take a genius to know that there's more to this trip than Ren's desire to wander. It had been easy enough to procure a small vessel for them to take, as Kunihide was recognizable by most of the residents of Narukami Island - or at least his version of it. In many cases, the son of the Electro Archon need only ask for assistance, and his people were all too happy to provide it. It generally proved to be futile for him to try and pay for services, with many insisting that it was simply an honor to be able to help in the first place.

Such had been the case with the boat that they'd taken from one of Narukami's docks, though Kunihide had managed to slip some Mora to the owner when they hadn't been paying attention. Though he'd been ignorant to such things when he'd been first created centuries ago, the puppet had long since decided that he disliked taking advantage of the kindness of others. It was his job to protect the people of Inazuma, after all - not bleed them dry to satisfy his every whim.

Ren's vague response to his question has Kunihide sighing through his nose, a slightly frustrated twitch tugging at the left corner of his lip. He wasn't sure if Ren enjoyed avoiding subjects, or if it was simple a bad habit of his, but Kunihide had learned rather quickly that his fellow puppet did it often. It took all his restraint to keep from prodding further, knowing full well that it likely wouldn't get him anywhere, but that certainly didn't mean that he didn't want to.

"It seemed important," the gnosis vessel replied, his own indigo gaze remaining on Ren's back, "and... you don't seem like you really want to go... wherever it is that we're going by yourself. So I wanted to come."

Though as their course becomes clear, Kunihide feels a sense of unease building where his stomach should have been. The last time the puppet had visited Tatarasuna, he'd been much younger and still willing to believe that, perhaps, the Raiden Shogun could lead their people effectively - that she actually cared about those who lived beneath her gaze. It had also been the beginnings the truth becoming all too apparent for him.

Wordlessly, Kunihide disembarks from the vessel even as Ren speaks, and he finds himself wondering what his counterpart's connection is to this place. There's a heaviness that hangs between them, though something about the weigh that Ren slumps a bit leads Kunihide to believe that his counterpart feels it with far more intensity.

"... then we'd better get going." Offering a hand to the other puppet, Kunihide's gaze lifts to catch Ren's, hoping to impart one silent message, if nothing else - that he's not going anywhere, no matter how unpleasant this might end up being for the both of them. If Ren needs someone, needs Kunihide, in order to face whatever this desolate place means to him, then the shrine-keeper won't leave his side.

"This place... something happened to you as well, didn't it?"

@windsfavored

@ironbloodcd &&. said... you’re not gonna tell me where we’re going ? - from Kunihide

the  scent  of  salt  hangs  heavy  in  the  air  around  them.  he  can  taste  it  on  the  back  of  his  tongue,  as  if  he's  chosen  to  drink  deeply  from  the  sea  around  them.  ren  was  never  one  to  travel  by  boat  —  certainly  not  now,  when  the  gift  OF  FLIGHT  spins  going  from  one  place  to  another  into  a  trivial  affair.  yet  even  before,  in  that  past  life  wherein  he  was  rooted  to  the  ground,  he  always  found  it  detestable.  a  necessary  evil;  being  confined  to  one  small  space  with  little  else  to  do  than  wait  to  reach  his  DESTINATION.  the  fatui  had  an  awful  habit  of  insisting  he moved by ship  —  and  the  balladeer  oft  caught himself  wondering  whether  it  was  an  intentional  ploy  to  pay  back  what  grief  he  gave  his  associates.  he  preferred  to  simply  walk  whenever  possible;  at  least  that  provided  something  interesting  to  keep  himself  preoccupied  with, even if that something was mundane as sightseeing.  unfortunately,  that  wasn't  always  an  option.

it  isn't  in  this  case;  their  destination  is  surrounded  by  water  on  all  sides.  were  he  alone,  the  wanderer  would  take  flight  without  a  scrap of hesitation  —  but  he  has  a  companion,  and  the  thought  of  CARRYING KUNIHIDE  across  the  waves  (  presumably  by  the  scruff  like  an  unruly  kitten  )  is  a  little  too  EMBARRASSING  for  both  of  their  sakes.  thankfully,  it  isn't  that  long  of  a  trip  —  and  considerably  less  arduous  than  the  last  time  he  attempted  to  take  it by ship.

he  has  his  back  to  the  other  when  he  speaks.  the  wanderer  doesn't  reply  immediately.  he  doesn't  acknowledge  that  he  hears  him  at  all  —  gaze  fixed  on  their  destination  with  a  particular  sort  of  intensity  that  feels  a  bit  jarring  even  by  ren's  (  already  intense  )  STANDARDS.  ❝  ... you  didn't  have  to  come  along.  ❞   is  how  he  finally  chooses  to  reply,  frustratingly  VAGUE  as  always.  ❝  or  were  you  just  looking  for  an  excuse  to  go  on  a  little  trip?  ❞  they  haven't  actually  left  inazuma.  he's  uncertain  whether  kunihide  would  actually  be  able  to  —  surely not  on  a  whim  like  this.  yet  the  shackles  that  bind  him  to  ren's  former  home  sport  a  chain  long  enough  to  make  this  journey.  he  doesn't  know  why  he  invited  the  other  to  come  along  to  begin  with;  it's  awfully,  agonizingly  personal  —  and  the  wanderer  loves  placing  himself  in  a  VULNERABLE  POSITION  as  much  as  oil  does  water.  perhaps  there  is  a  part  of  him  that  wants  (  needs  )  to  share  this  with  someone ...  and  who  better  to  shoulder  the  burden  than  his  own  REFLECTION? though in that case, he's a bit annoyed with himself about it.

the  bottom  of  the  boat  scrapes  unpleasantly  against  the  sand.  they've  reached  their  destination.  wordlessly,  ren  hops  down  —  gaze  sweeping  to  and  fro  across  the  beach.  it's  eerie.  surely  he's  walked  every  inch  of  tatarasuna,  and  while  this  place  does  bear  resemblance  to  the  version  that  exists  in  his  memory,  it  feels  different  all  the  same.  ❝  you  can  stay  here,  if  you'd  PREFER.  ❞  the  wanderer  says,  bright  (  yet  unreadable  )  eyes  peering  over  a  shoulder.   ❝  or  take  the  boat  back.  i  won't  resent  you  for  it.  ❞  he  slumps  —  only  slightly,  as  if  an  INVISIBLE  WEIGHT  has  chosen  that  precise  moment  to  come  crashing  down  upon  him.  perhaps  it's  always  been  there,  growing  steadily  over  time.  ❝  this  isn't  going  to  be  a  pleasant  walk.  ❞

MORBID CURIOSITY

[uwuwriting]

Breaking in w/ Hawks, Shoto and Dabi

Request: I read another post about ppl breaking in your shared house with the boys not knowing that you are inside and hurting you and I was like well this would be interesting with their kids in the mix. So i'm here to provide you with the following request ppl breaking in and immobilizing you while you're still awake and they try to go into your kids’ room with Shoto, Hawks and maybe Dabi or Aizawa- anonymous 

Oh this is a nice little concept. It's very interesting. I’m happy to deliver. I have been devastated by chapter 290, if anyone hurts Shoto imma start a riot and if Dabi doesn’t kill Endeavor i will. I’m thinking of making a double post today so this one and a kny post but we’ll see. Love ya. 💖💖💖

masterlist

rules

warning: cursing, mentions of blood, crying but fluff in the end. 

Hawks/Keigo Takami

-You were waiting for Keigo to come home after a long day. 

-The twins were a nightmare to put to bed today and you were exhausted. 

-Both of them wanted Keigo to tuck them in for some weird reason and they just wouldn’t accept your cuddles or attempts. 

-So after a tiresome two hours of trying and failing to calm them down you called your husband on facetime and they went to bed. 

- “I’ll be home soon, do you want me to bring you anything?”

- “No, no just you.” 

-So after taking a shower and checking on the kids you relaxed on the couch, turning on the TV while scrolling though tik tok. 

-Not even half an hour later you heard jiggling coming through the door. 

-Assuming it was Keigo you got up and went to greet him but who you met at the entrance of your house was a complete stranger. 

-You and the two bulgars stared at each other for a solid minute before you scrambled to get to the kids’ room and lock yourself in there. 

-But one of them tackled you to the floor before you could reach the pastel colored door and pinned you down, binding your hands with a cloth. 

- “I thought you said he wasn’t here man? What is this?”

-They had tied your legs to a chair, putting a makeshift gag in your mouth so you wouldn’t scream as they bickered back and forth. 

-Your eyes kept darting from the front door to your kids’ room.

-He said he was almost home, he should be here at any moment. 

- “Just stick to the plan, she doesn’t change anything.”

- “Doesn’t change anything? You tackled the n. 2 heros’ partner and you think that nothing is gonna happen?”

-You couldn’t care less about their words as you saw the light of the baby monitor light up.

-Eyes widening, you tried to get out of your  restraints to turn it off but to no avail, the soft babbles of your son could be heard coming from the device sending the whole room into an uncomfortable silence. 

-Before you know it, the one that tackled you pushed his partner towards you. 

- “Keep her in check while I go pay a visit to the other room.” 

-Managing to get the gag out of your mouth, your eyes frantic, you tried to reason with him. 

- “I’ll give you whatever you want just stay away from that door, please.” 

- “The number 2 hero has plenty of money. I bet he would be willing to give a handsome amount for that brat in there. What do you say babycakes? 

- “Dude you’re taking it too far-” 

- “Stay away from them!” 

-You realized your mistake a little too late, the new information making the man's eyes light up.

-Two cries came from the twins’ room due to the commotion and your panic rose. 

-But then you saw it. 

-The single feather hovering over the mans’ head, as red and vibrant as ever. 

-You let out a sigh of relief as a wave of red feathers flooded your living room, cutting you free from your restraints. 

-Without missing a beat you sprinted to the door, stepping inside and locking it. 

-Both of them were awake and teary eyed but at the sight of you they calmed down a bit. 

-Taking them out of their cribs, you sat in the far corner with both of them in your lap waiting for the moment Keigo would knock on your door. 

-One would assume that being part of the hero industry, although you weren’t a full blown hero yourself, mere bulgars wouldn’t really faze you. 

-In reality you hadn’t been afraid for your own life, you couldn’t care less about yourself at that moment, but when you realized that they knew about the twins everything slowly fell apart.  

-After what seemed like an eternity a soft knock came from the locked door. 

- “Y/N, dove, open up.”

-Raising to your feet, you almost ripped the door handle out of position in your rush. 

-Once Keigo came into view you didn’t miss a beat before pressing yourself close to his chest, the twins just happy to see their dad. 

- “There are my favorite Takamis!” he said kissing their heads as his wings enclosed all of you. 

- “Dove they are gone, don’t worry. I’m here. We’re alright.” 

-The news report the next morning said that two men were found on the top of the police department butt naked. 

Todoroki Shoto

-Poor man had merely gone to get take out. 

-He hadn’t been gone for that long. 

-But apparently the villains had been waiting for him to leave the house so they could go in. 

-You were still inside with your daughters; the twins chasing each other in their matching onesies while you sat on the living room couch with your youngest.

-You heard the front door open suddenly and at first you assumed that Shoto had forgotten his wallet again.

-But the footsteps were too heavy and his voice didn’t echo through the entrance hall. 

-He always said something when he came in and his footsteps have become lighter ever since the girls were born. 

-Sensing that something was off you placed your toddler in her crib and motioned towards the twins. 

- “Stay with your sister and no matter what you hear you do NOT come into the hallway. Understood?”

- “But what-”

- “Rei do I make myself clear?” 

-Nodding their heads they took their seats in front of the crib, Ren squeezing her hand through the bars to gently grab her sister's chubby hand. 

-Taking a deep breath you entered the hallway and lo and behold, two strangers were staring back at you. 

- “Can I help you gentlemen?” 

-After a few seconds the one closest to the door flung himself at you while the other one started digging through his pockets. 

-Swiftly dodging the attack, you grabbed his wrist and swang him with incredible force to the wall, letting go of him as you turned your attention to the other one. 

-And then you felt a sharp pain course up your right leg as a heaviness settled on your chest. 

-The room began to spin while the air was knocked out of your lungs.

-You kneeled down, hand over your heart as you tried to use your quirk. 

-Nothing happened though; it was like you didn’t have one at all. 

- “Quirk cancelling bullets, aren’t they neat?” 

-The man stared down at you as ever so slowly your senses came back at you. 

- “I can still beat your ass even without a quirk.”

- “I don’t think you’ll do that.”

-Angry voices could be heard from the other room before the man you had slammed into the wall appeared again, blood dripping from his nose and onto the snow white hair of your daughter.

-Ren looked at you, tears forming in her eyes as a red flash of hair jumped onto the man. 

-Rei was having none of it.

-Taking that opportunity you kicked the one in front of you in the groin before separating the girls from the other, sprinting into the living room, closing the sliding doors behind you. 

-Laying the girls on the couch you grabbed one of the fireplace tools and got into a fighting position. 

-Soon enough the door opened revealing none other than Shoto himself.

- “Are you all alright? Did they hurt you?”

-He looked absolutely disheveled, his hair going in different directions as his gaze frantically scanned all four of you, his eyes lingering at your slightly raised leg. 

-The twins hopped off the couch and tackled his legs. 

-Shoto crouched down hugging them both tightly as they started to sniffle into their dad’s chest. 

- “T-they hurt mama and t-tried to hurt Ren.”

-He shot you a look but you waved him off, deciding to instead check on the baby before joining them on the living room floor. 

- “I won’t let them touch you ever again, even if it's the last thing I do.”

Dabi/Touya Todoroki *I ain't never letting this go*

-In reality the dudes didn’t know you were preggos. 

-You were too early on so you couldn’t tell you were preggo but still. 

-They knew that you had something going with Dabi and that’s why they wanted to fuck with you. 

-They thought that they would gain something from trying * key word trying * to take you.

-They were wrong though because a) they got their asses kicked by you and b) they got fried once Dabi found them. 

-You were chilling at Dabis’ while he was out to get you some mustard and a chocolate bar because cravings, when you heard the door open. 

-Immediately you knew it wasn’t Dabi. 

-You would’ve heard him grumbling under his breath about forgetting to take money with him * bc you have been pushing him to pay for stuff every once in a  while* or he would be shouting at you that your disgusting meal had arrived. 

-Neither of these things happened so something was up. 

-Not bothering to get up because you didn’t give two fucks, you waited for whoever stepped inside the apartment to show themselves. 

-You are a villain hun you ain’t about to stress over some crusty ass dude trespassing into your house because you could obliterate his ass from the face of the earth in negative five seconds. 

-Whispers and a frantic “But what if he comes back?” was all you heard before the ground breaking phrase left their mouth. 

- “Who cares? She’s a woman, how strong can she be anyways?”

-You were livid. 

-It might have been a mix of your hormones along with the fact that that was hella sexist but you were ready to beat some crusty ass. 

-Laying down on the couch and pretending to be asleep you waited for them. 

-And soon enough you felt the three figures standing over you. 

- “See easy as hell.” 

- “And hot as hell, please don’t forget that.” 

-All three of them stared down at you like that pikachu meme for a solid minute before scrambling to activate their quirks. 

- “We don’t wanna hurt a pretty girl like you so please don’t cause a fuss.” 

- “Oh baby you think you can hurt me? Please have you seen who I’m dating?” 

-Slowly standing up you flicked your wrist and one of them dropped to the floor. 

-You made your way to the kitchen pouring yourself a glass of water right when one of them ran into you, pinning you to the counter. 

- “Watch it there bud I’m carrying precious carg-”

- “Shut up you fucking slut! You’ll come with us whether you like it or not.” 

- “The only person who can boss me around is not currently in this room so I suggest you let go.” 

- “Yeah you should probably let her go.” 

-At the sound of his deep voice you knew that they were dead men. 

-The one basically on top of you stared at Dabi in horror as you pushed him off of you. 

-Making your way to your boyfriend you gave him a small peck while he rested a hand over you stomach as a silent ‘are you okay?’.

-Shrugging you took the bag from his hands and went into your bedroom, not caring to see what he was about to do to them. 

-You were hungry anyways. 

- “Now which one of you wants to be roasted first?”

TAG TEAM AY:

@the-arcana-fan-fic​ @angelwritings​  @axerrri​ @reinyrei​ @dnarez​ @bemorefiction​ @ezoyscorner​

[anxious-allie-ren]

I couldn't help myself from posting the next chapter already. I'm just too excited about this story and sharing it with you all! I hope you all enjoy this next chapter as well! It's probably my favorite thing I've written so far.

A few trigger warnings for this chapter: Violence, death, and childhood trauma.

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

Erota

Your majesty.

The invitation had arrived at his castle months ago. It sat open on his desk with no response for three weeks. He stares down at it as he finishes putting on his attire for the evening. It was a last minute decision to go. He still wasn't confident in such a decision, but it was too late to go back on it now. His aunt and uncle would be expecting him.

Ben had been a quiet boy. Growing up on the palace grounds was very secluded. High society members visited the King and Queen of Chandrila often. Balls, banquets, and glamorous events took place nearly every fortnight. But it was rare a child would accompany their parents. It was even rarer that Ben was allowed to attend such events.

His father was a strict man. He had married into power, Queen Leia taking control of the kingdom after her father had passed. He was anointed king soon after their marriage and took on numerous responsibilities. Most notable being the military and war plans. He was a courageous soldier, fighting in many of Chandrila's most notable wars. This tough exterior and pride carried into his parenting. Han pushed Ben to be just like him. He was to be strong, both physically and mentally. Any sign of emotion was seen as a weakness.

When Ben was just a boy, no older than four years of age, he had attended a hunting trip with his father and a few other noblemen. He kept to himself as he followed the men deep into the woods. He struggled to carry his bow and arrow, the weapon still larger than him. He observed the men bantering and preparing weapons of their own. He was much too young to understand what was to happen on this trip. But he would soon find out.

The group was stopped for a break within a small clearing. The men chugged bitter wine from their flasks and exchanged raunchy jokes. Ben was too busy watching a brilliantly blue butterfly floating about to absorb their words. He is ripped from his peaceful moment as his father quickly grabs his own weapon near his feet.

"Look across the clearing there, men. We've got a large one!"

Ben follows his fathers line of sight to a marvelous buck grazing the meadow in the distance. He was immediately taken with the animal. He had wooden toys of woodland animals just like it. A smile spread across his face as he watched the buck chew on blades of grass, its long antlers sat on his head like a crown. It reminded him of the crown his father was wearing now. Ben turns to look upon it just as his father pulls back the arrow and releases it. The buck is speared in the chest, just inches from its heart. It collapses in the grass, too stunned to take off. Han yells out in frustration.

"Motherfucker! That was a clear fucking shot!"

Ben's eyes water as he watches the buck writhed in pain, releasing wails that cut through the calm woods. Han looks to Ben and sees the tears trail down his chubby little cheeks. He rips his dagger from his boot and grabs Ben by the back of his collar, dragging him towards the wounded animal. Ben cries out in protest, trying to wriggle from his father's grasp.

"No father! I don't want to go near it!"

Han stops in front of the animal, shoving Ben in front of him and forcing the dagger into his tiny hands.

"Finish him off, boy. End his suffering."

Ben shakes his head, tears still falling from his eyes. He looks from the buck and back to the dagger. Blood is flowing from where it was punctured, creating a pool near his feet.

Ben sniffles and starts to back away. He lets out a small whimper and cries out, "I can't father! It was good! It did nothing wrong!"

Han growls in anger and pushes Ben closer to the animal.

"Do it, Ben! You need to stop being so fucking weak! Good or bad doesn't matter when you're facing another man's sword. All that matters is who comes out of the battle alive."

"But this isn't a battle! It's just an animal!"

Han's anger finally boils over. He grabs Ben's hand, forcing the dagger into his little fist and shoves it through the buck's heart. Ben screams in horror and fear as blood splatters onto his arms and chest. Han releases his grip on his hand, yanking out the dagger and wiping it on his pant leg.

"This kingdom has no use for a sensitive, spineless king. Toughen up, Benjamin or you will fail."

That moment had traumatized him. His father's words sunk into his soul, like a rock sinking to the bottom of the sea. He came back from that trip a bit hardened. As he grew, he continued to collect bricks of trauma, adding them slowly to the wall he hides behind. His fortress was solidified the day his parents passed.

He never got along with his father. His relationship with his mother wasn't good either. When he was an infant, Leia doted on him. She took on the responsibility of caring for him by herself, leaving her other duties to her advisors. She spent as much time with him as possible. But when Ben was about the age of three, she seemed to abandon him. Leia brought on nannies and wet nurses to care for him.

Leia was brought up as an independent, able lady. During her time in the ton, she was one of the most desired debutantes. But by the end of the season, she had chosen Lord Han Solo, the son of a Baron in Chandra. He was below her in status, but she was so enamored with him that they married quickly after meeting. Ben was born just ten months into their marriage. He provided Chandrila with its sought after heir. But a spare would still be needed in the event that tragedy were to strike. Leia tried desperately for another child, but nothing seemed to stick. She went as far as to bring in witch doctors and herbalists in hopes of success. The spare never came and the stress weighed on her greatly. The pain became too much to bear.

Leia returned to her duties and never spoke of children again. She distanced herself from the one she had as some way to cope with her failure. Seeing her living child grow only reminded her what she was lacking. They would remain separated for the rest of her life, only seeing each other at events.

Ben was only fifteen years old when his parents died. The king and queen were travelling to Chandrakant for a meeting with the Earl to discuss funding when they were attacked. Soldiers from a neighboring kingdom ambushed their carriage during the night. They were found in the morning by merchants traveling along that path. When their bodies were brought back to Chandrila and laid to rest, Ben was crowned as king.

During his coronation, he was given the choice to take on a reign name or keep his own. Both his parents had kept their names during their rule. His grandparents had as well. But he made the decision that day to let his past die along with his family. He would take on a new name and bring on a new era for Chandrila. From that day on he was formally known as His Majesty, King Kylo Ren of Chandrila.

Kylo had been living a secluded life for many years at this point. He preferred to stay introverted, doing what he had to for his kingdom and nothing more. The ballroom that was once filled with balls and galas had been retired. An event had not been held at the palace since his parents were alive. Meetings with nobility took place in the throne room. He did not travel. He did not leave the palace grounds.

But Kylo has now come of age, surpassed it by a few years even. His advisors were now beginning to push the idea of marriage on him. A heir and spare would be needed for the succession. Kylo simply brushed off their pestering questions during court. He would take a wife when he was good and ready.

But finding a wife meant leaving the grounds to search. This meant he must attend the events of the ton. Kylo had absolutely no interest in stepping foot in such frivolous festivities. When he decided it was time, he would simply have his advisor pick a lady for him. It's not as if the marriage would ever be anything more than a societal alliance. A way for both notable families to gain from the prospect. The notion of love was not even on Kylo's mind. He had lacked it all his life, never experiencing it to know what he was missing. A marriage and creating an heir would become another royal duty for him to fulfill.

He couldn't deny that he was shocked when the invitation was brought to him in his den. The King and Queen of Corellia had invited him to the first banquet of the season. It was to be held at their summer estate in the countryside of Corellia. He hadn't been there since he was a small boy.

During the nice summer months when the air was humid and the sun stayed in the sky long past his bedtime, his family went to visit the King and Queen. Uncle Luke was his mother's twin brother. They had both been raised in Chandrila and had been very close most of their lives. When they both came of age, it was decided that Chandrila would divide into two kingdoms. One for Princess Leia to rule, and one for Prince Luke. This is how the kingdom of Corellia was created. Ever since, Uncle Luke has ruled those territories.

Kylo had been fond of him when he was young. But when his parents passed and the responsibility of Chandrila was thrusted upon him, Uncle Luke never came to help. He didn't attend their burials. He didn't assist the young boy in the transition. He too, had abandoned him.

He realized on one late night, weeks after the invitation had arrived, that this was some sort of olive branch. A way from Luke to worm his way into Kylo's good graces. But this would not be enough for him. He wanted answers. He wanted justice. Overall, he wanted revenge. So he decided then to accept the invitation. Kylo would attend this banquet and get what he deserved.

But all those plans were put on hold the moment your name was announced to the ton.

Kylo had arrived about an hour ago. He entered through a back passage he remembered as a child, so as to not draw attention to his arrival. He had taken a glass of champagne off a passing tray and stood on the outskirts of the crowd. Young ladies gawked and whispered about him, giggling amongst one another. He paid them no mind, he was on a mission and he intended on completing it.

He was slowly making his way towards the back of the ballroom where his uncle sat when your arrival had been announced. He took no notice of it initially. But he stopped in his tracks as he got a glimpse of you through the crowd. Your deep red dress stood out against the pastels surrounding him. You were delicate in your motions, curtsying before your king and waiting for his command. He watched as Luke approached you, his uncle clearly as enamored with you as he was. Everyone in the room could hear his words as he spoke to you. Singing praises and compliments that undoubtedly made you beam with pride.

Your father had led you away after your interaction with the king. Kylo lost track of you as a group of gentlemen approached him to exchange pleasantries. He did his best to be polite, not wanting to draw more attention to himself than he clearly already had. He again tried to make his way through the crowd, only this time he was in search of you.

A petite young woman appeared in front of him before he could get his eyes on you.

She had shiny black hair, pinned up with elegant pins. Her dress was a nauseating pastel green and her jewelry constantly caught the light, nearly making him squint to look at her. She presented her hand to him and gave him a toothy smile.

"Hello, your grace. My name is Charlotte Ventress, the daughter of Lord and Lady Ventress. I saw you standing here all alone and felt so compelled to introduce myself."

Kylo nearly cringes from her introduction. Debutantes we're never meant to approach gentlemen. In fact it was the other way around. Her forwardness was immediately a turn off. It's unlikely he would have been interested in her, if he hadn't already been so taken by you. Kylo clears his throat and takes her hand, giving it a gentle shake.

"Hello, Miss Ventress. I'm humbled by your need for introduction, but I'm afraid you're using the wrong titles."

Charlotte looks at him confused, an eyebrow raising at his statement.

"Is that so? Well, then what title should I be using exactly?"

Her words were laced with attitude and sarcasm. Kylo smirked to himself, looking down at his pristine, shiny dress shoes. Did he look anything less than a king? He figured his attire would have given his status away, that's why he chose not to wear his crown. By her tone, he can only assume she thinks he's below her.

"The correct title would be your majesty, miss."

At this she tries to hold back a chuckle, placing her hand over her mouth to hide her amusement. Charlotte places a hand on her hip, her posture becoming more relaxed now. She thinks he's joking.

"Your majesty? Sir, I'm pretty sure the only royalty in this room is sitting over there."

She nods her head towards the back of the room, motioning to the thrones where his aunt and uncle are sat. Oh this poor girl has no clue.

"I believe you're referring to my aunt and uncle. I'm King Kylo of Chandrila, King Luke's nephew."

He watches as the recognition flies across her features. Eyes going wide and eyebrows raising in surprise. Charlotte immediately stands back up, making a poor attempt at presenting herself as dignified. It was much too late for that now.

"Oh, you're majesty! I'm so sorry for my lapse in judgement. How silly of me."

Kylo holds back his eye roll. Just another young woman fluttering her lashes at him for his titles. He nods to her and finishes off his champagne.

"Right, of course. You must excuse me, it seems my glass is empty."

With that he walks away from her, back on his pursuit to find where you'd gone. He comes to the outskirts of the dance floor, watching as lords and ladies waltz around in circles. A waiter begins to pass by and he is quick to place his empty flute on their tray.

Kylo stands in a relaxed position, hands clasped behind his back, as he watches the couples in front of him. He raises his eyes from the dance floor for a moment, hoping to spot your crimson colored dress amongst the crowd. That's when Kylo locks eyes with you from across the room. He takes in your features, admiring your beauty. He admittedly had very little experience with women. It was a rare occasion for him to speak with them. His interaction mostly took place with the ladies in court. All of them married and much older than him.

Kylo finally understood his uncle's words to you earlier. You held his intense gaze, allowing him to see the secrets held within your eyes. He felt like he was stuck in place, frozen in time with just your look. The moment ended abruptly as a ginger haired man stepped in front of you, blocking his view of you and cutting off your eye contact.

He instantly felt possessive. Kylo could see your discomfort through your body language. He kept watch from the side of the dance floor as you took the man's arm and joined him for the next song. He wanted your full attention.

Kylo decided then that he needed more of you. He wanted to know you, needed to know you. If joining the ton and surviving this season was what he had to do to make that happen, then so be it.

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

Poor baby Kylo! How are we feeling about Kylo's perspective? I'm hoping to include his view of things very often in this story. Please let me know what you think!

Love,

Allie

[lamelinam]

The maid and the Cat, Ren and Akira: some musings

What gloomy love brightened the half-lives of the Sohmas’ most Cursed ones?

I often wonder what the relationship between the former Cat and his attendant would have looked like, twisted and sad as it must have been. Precious little is shown about those two, and only through Kazuma’s pov. We know she took care of and pitied the Cat, to the point that she even slept with him and bore his child. This is not unlike Kureno’s relationship with Akito. She might have treated him with the same kindness and devotion, distant, perhaps harmful, yet selfless.

Selfless? I think another way to extrapolate on the story of Kazuma’s grandparents is with Ren and Akira’s relationship.

Many great meta writers have already pointed out that those who fill in the positions at the extremes of the Sohma hierarchy, the Cat and God, or in this case the Cat and the idolized, deified family head, are foils to each other and are the ones that are dehumanized and isolated the most.

But now I think that you can also compare the way the previous Cat and Akira both chose ("chose" being a relative term in the case of the Cat) a romantic partner.

(Akira wasn’t God, but as the family head, he was worshipped just like Akito. His sickness also contributed to making him stand apart. Not only was he kept inside the compound because of his frailty, the hold that death had on him blessed him with this ephemeral, divine aura. “Was it the sorrow that befell him at such a young age that gave him that otherworldly beauty?»)

Both Kazuma’s grandfather and Akito’s father were doomed, Akira to die an early death, Kazuma’s grandfather to live the life of a living dead. Both were buried alive in the Sohma estate, either at the outskirts or at the center of it.

Both reached out to their progeny. (But Kazuma rejected the offered cake, and will endeavour to atone and honour his grandfather’s memory. Akito clung to every memento she had of her father and will need to learn to let go of him.)

And both the previous Cat and Akira found some measure of comfort in the affections and arms of their female caretakers, Sohma servants who saw their loneliness and expressed their compassion, though not in a particularly healthy way: Kazuma’s grandmother acting out of pity, Ren out of obsessive love.

It’s interesting to me how their respective position was reflected in their partners’ feelings : the imprisoned, despised Cat, Kazuma’s grandmother looked down on. The respected, otherworldly beautiful Akira was adored by Ren.

Kazuma sums up his grandparents’ relationship thusly:

Those correspond to the main "duties" that a wife is traditionally supposed to provide her husband.

The day-to-day caring.

Childbearing.

Attending their husband’s deathbed.

Obviously Ren wished she could have skipped the second one and be there for the last one. (I headcanon that she had prepared her last words years in advance, finding small pleasures and comfort, on the back of the wave of despair anticipating Akira’s death, in rehearsing the declarations of passionate love she would address to the dying man.)

The Cat’s companion attended her partner’s deathbed, seemingly very composed, even cold, as seen in Kazuma’s memories, while Ren, deprived of her husband’s last moments, that she felt were “stolen” from her by Akito (in reality by the maids :@), was mad with grief.

"The only one who can save him"

Those parallels make me wonder whether or not the Cat’s companion might not have developed a saviour complex, like Ren, both believing that they were the only one able to save this lonely, condemned person they were taking care of, and relishing it.

“I love you” vs "I pity you"

On Ren’s side though, it seems that she believes she truly saw Akira, as the person hiding behind that otherworldly aura, filled with sadness and fearful of death. Seeing that Akira agrees with her ("Ren noticed I was lonely"), fought against the Sohma leaders and regretted on his deathbed that he and Ren couldn’t reconcile, I believe this is not a delusion of hers. Her love was genuine and passionate, and she and Akira were happy. Unfortunately, that happiness didn’t survive her pregnancy, for she was also jealous and obsessed.

Kazuma supposes that his grandmother believed that she was doing something good. I wonder at her expression. It is shadowed, enigmatic. Is it a smirk or not, is she sad or not? i wonder whether she was selfless in her pity, like Kureno, or selfish like Kagura, perhaps feeling better by «sacrificing» herself in associating with the Cat for the sake of a miserable soul.

(Whatever you can say or imagine about her, Kazuma doesn’t seem to suffer from the stigma of being the Cat’s grandson, nor does he bear any trace of an abusive upbringing - in fact, he was among those doing the abusing - or even the echoes of the previous generation’s, so my guess is that she was an okay mother and grandmother... which would have made Kazuma’s disappointment and hurt at her words all the sharper... Like Tohru thinking of the zodiacs members she finds so kind and adorable secretly looking down on someone else she realizes she cares about more than she thought.)

There is no way to know how the Cat reacted to a pity-love. But considering Kureno and Akito’s relationship, this might also have been but a superficial balm, and potentially just as hurtful. Then it depends on the interpretation. Kureno’s pity cocooned Akito and kept her from moving forward, but the Cat was condemned anyway to an eternity of imprisonment. Moving forward was forbidden to him. And if his self-worth was already completely destroyed as his role and his treatment are meant to do, he might have just felt grateful towards the attendant. There’s no way to say for sure whether he would have been hurt or not by the truth, and I don’t know which option is the saddest!

... but I know what could be sadder. Because is the maid entirely to blame? We know that in Fruits Basket, love requires a measure of selfishness. The one cursed with the Cat has no self, no existence, no wants and no future, and they accept this fate. They believe they deserve it. (Which is why the Cat's Room doesn't need bars in the manga, nor locks. Rin was under lock and keys because either Akito didn't completely trust her to keep her word or she didn't want someone to discover her.)

It would be very difficult for someone to fall in love with a person who has renounced to everything, perhaps including love. Because who's to say that the Cat loved the maid too?

Recognition vs indifference

How depressingly fitting that we don't even learn the Cat's name, while Akira’s is remembered by all and echoes back and forth in the later part of the story.

Ren marrying the Sohma family head was such a big political deal it provoked a family schism. The Cat’s story with the maid gets completely ignored. It is probably known, just not "officially recognized", says Kazuma. Like everything related to the Cat, it was relegated to the back of the minds, in the dusty closet of the things that are uncomfortable to think about but that you tolerate if it doesn’t upend your little world-view. Ugh, some maid is being inappropriate with that monster! Well, as long as she doesn’t free the loathsome creature, who cares. (And she wouldn’t, because she’s no Tohru.)

In contrast, the maids of the main family thought that Ren was stealing Akira from their grasp. Ren didn’t seem to care for the family, and in a way, her love allowed Akira to also escape from them, "snatched away" by "that woman”, for the old attendant. Unlike the Cat’s attendant, Ren felt like a threat to the Sohma strict hierarchical system. (Fortunately, God will be born to bring back the right order of things, phew! Certainly she he will accomplish what Akira-san was momentarily too misguided to do and rid us of that woman!)

Inheritance.

Both women's profession of their true feelings deeply marked their progeny and the way they view relationship, whether personal or not, romantic or filial.

While her mother affirmed that "a woman only needs one man", Akito leaned on the love of the zodiacs ; Kazuma viewed and loved Kyo as a human and dreaded that his son would find himself in the same situation as his grandfather but also with the same kind of companionship. (His reaction to Kagura speaks of a long-held anxiety). But Ren's hatred for Akito coloured the way Akito interpreted her words, while Kazuma’s grandmother’s declaration shook Kazuma, his personal relationship with his grandmother notwithstanding.

This comparison isn't about good or evil, neither to judge those characters. Furuba isn’t about that. Obviously, they are not blameless. But it is very difficult to say whether or not Kazuma’s grandmother was wrong to act out of pity if it provided a bit of comfort to a prisoner. And is it surprising that Ren developed this saviour’s complex when it seems she was the only one willing to breach Akira’s isolation bubble?

Anyway, Takaya-sensei is really good at making foils. Either because she does it on purpose or because her characters are so deeply intertwined with the themes of the series the parallels appear on their own. But in this case, I don’t think it’s for nothing that the chapters recounting Ren and the Cat’s attendant stories follow each other (chapters 114 and 115).

Of course, this meta is less an analysis and more suppositions and conjectures (frankly, I wonder if I might not as well have written a fanfic). From the little we see, the Cat’s companion and Ren work as distorted yin-yang mirrors, their differences highlighting the similarities of their situations, from the ugly effects of the inner workings of the Sohma cult to the messed up inner workings of the heart. Genuine but obsessed, jealous love... Pity, perhaps self-serving, in the guise of martyred love.... One thing I can say for sure is that these two both gave me chills in their own way.

[buglife]

Terra Lumina

A hollow knight au guide that I keep writing in. You can read all my writings and art stuff in the #terra-lumina tag. Mostly so I can just point to this post when explaining things awee. :3 Post subject to edits and changes.

Terra Lumina is an au where both Ghost (the little knight) and Quirrel are together and are the new rulers of Hallownest. So it's a royalty au! Pretty much it's slice of life where they do their best to be a better ruler than the Pale King ever was, ruling with kindness and intelligence. Seriously, like, the Pale King could have just talked to the Radiance instead of letting things snowball like they did. They both live in the new palace which is pretty much like the White House in that it's mostly dedicated to government with an apartment for the rulers to live in. It's where the old palace used to be, but now it's much greener and 100% less buzzsaws. It is post embrace the void ending and an everyone lives/nobody dies au where the only characters that are dead are those that were found so at the start of the game. Takes place about 5-7 years after the end of the game.

The two romantic rulers.

Ghost:Now taller than Quirrel and is the Shade Lord, god of void and dreams. Sovereign of Hallownest and rightful ruler due to king's brand. Can use telepathy but only does so with family/friends, as they are nervous about scaring people so uses sign language with them. Is very happy to have family/friends and overall liked by most folks. Is still scary to some and is sad about that. Married Quirrel. Considers Mato their adoptive father and calls them such. Still enjoys fighting (but for fun now). Since dreams are now their aspect, they gather up nightmares to help the population (and gives to their adopted grimmchild, Allegro, and Grimm themselves.)

Quirrel: Now called the Scholar King, rules alongside Ghost. He still has trouble believing that this is his life. Chaotic Good. Mostly deals with the logistics in running the kingdom. Adoptive mother is Monomon who found him when he was teeny tiny. Did not attempt to drown themselves, instead isolated himself when he thought Monomon was dead so Ghost had to find him. Still fights and can practically teleport. Spends free time in the palace library where a copy of all the surviving books were moved to and is free to the public to check out and read.

Family/Friends

Hornet: Still the Princess of Deepnest and was happy to have her mother Herrah rule again. Is officially Deepnest's ambassador and works closely with her sibling to be sure things that need to get done, get done. She won't admit it but she loves spending time with her siblings. Also randomly jumps Ghost to keep them on their toes and make sure they don't lose their skill. This can happen at anytime, anyplace. Is a close ally with the Hive and is helping the new Queen get used to her role. Also demands spars with Quirrel all the time because she does like her brother and law and the fact she doesn't kill him is proof enough in her eyes.

Mato: Dadmaster. Pretty much raised Ghost in between the end of the game to present day (and did a damn good job). Still lives in the Howling Cliffs and teaches students still, especially knight candidates. Is always on hand to cause trouble if needed. Is so proud you guys can't even. Keeps his home open in case Ghost and Quirrel need to hide for a bit. Officiated Ghost and Quirrel's wedding because of course.

Hollow: Part of the new great knights of Hallownest and is known as Hollow the Kind. Still likes to help people, and after having lots of care and therapy, is now more expressive and open. Is pretty much free to do what they please, and they choose to mostly patrol the kingdom and help when needed. Is constantly sneaking frogs into the palace because Hollow loves them. Can only use telepathy with other void beings and uses sign language to communicate otherwise. Is still missing an arm but had a magical prosthetic built. Loves to be in cuddle piles.

Tiso:Big brother figure and part of the new great knights of Hallownest. He is known as Tiso the Daring. Is actually a badass Captain America type fighter, just couldn't dodge a house sized mawlek and nearly died back then. Taught Ghost all the swears and often invokes 'Big Brother Rights'. Is also Captain of the Guard and has matured a lot since the end of the game. In a relationship with Myla and Cloth.

Cloth:Part of the new great knights of Hallownest and is known as Cloth the Strong. Makes sure people behave. Has healed from her near suicidal want to join her late lover, and now has a more positive outlook on life. Tends to organize tournaments that aren't fucked up and fatal like the Coliseum. In a relationship with Tiso and Myla.

Myla:Was saved from the infection, but it left her prone to sickness and a little weaker than most bugs. Compensates for still being cherry and wonderful to be around. Actually wicked smart and has helped Ghost restart the mining industry. Enjoys going to musicals/plays in her free time. Still loves being a geologist and provided most of the geological samples in the Capital's museum. Is in a relationship with Cloth and Tiso.

Ogrim: The only surviving great knight of old Hallownest. Is part of the new knights as Ogrim the Defender. Is the leader of the new knights and is a brilliant tactician. Has moved up from the Waterways to a new home and no longer lives in exile. Likes to plan parties and is generally doing better. He deserves it.

God Tamer: Real name is Xena (I seen it used around and I like it.) Part of the new great knights of Hallownest and is known as Xena the Tamer. Still works alongside her beast, ‘Pickles’. Has an uncanny ability to befriend dangerous beasts and pacifies them. Now has a small zoo’s worth of ‘friends’ that come and go for pats and treats. Dunks on Tiso a lot. Is surprisingly a conservationist. Will beat the shit out of people without hesitation if needed. Often fights new recruits to judge areas needing improvement. Has no tolerance for idiots. Was saved from the infection, but was not infected long enough to cause long term damage.

Allegro: The Grimmchild. Has chosen female pronouns. She is now past the grub stage and has left the kingdom to travel with her father, Grimm, to learn how to take over the Troupe. Still keeps in contact with Ghost through dreams and loves Ghost very much as their ‘Ren’. Was and still is, a little shit. Ghost misses them a lot but is comforted by her visits. Ghost saves nightmares to give to her so she can get big and strong!

Grimm: Considered a friend at this point, and taught Ghost about the dream realm. Visits through dreams. Ghost saves nightmares to give to him. Often has advice when needed.

Sheo/Nailsmith: Uncles. They both run an art school with Sheo teaching fine arts and Nail(Smith) teaching forging. They also run an art gallery. Are up to cause trouble whenever needed.

Oro: Uncle. The real sour one. Teaches new recruits and tends to weed out those that can make it from ones that can’t. Pretty much a drill Sargent. Ghost pays him not only in geo, but candy. Special, custom made candy just for Oro. It’s the only way they could get him to do this job. Oro won’t admit it’s also because he loves his former pupil no sir.

Monomon: Quirrel’s adoptive mother and currently is the royal researcher. Teaches classes as well. Ghost pretty much told her to do whatever as long as it will improve the lives of bugkind and she loves them for it. Is always down to cause trouble. Chaotic Neutral. Has some type of explosive with them at any given time. Tends to ‘vanish’ people who have wrong her or her son. Embodies chaos. Craves gossip. Former Dreamer and woke up when Ghost took the pantheon approach to defeating the Radiance.

Herrah: Queen of Hallownest and considers Ghost one of her children. Is happy to be Queen of her own people and is making up for lost time with her daughter. Likes to meet with the Hallownest rulers for a good shit-talking session. Is made of sass. Former Dreamer and woke up when Ghost took the pantheon approach to defeating the Radiance.

Lurien: Watcher of the Capital. Disaster. Will stay up for days on end working on things to accidentally invent new things in the process in sleep deprived delirium. Often gets drunk or high and contemplates the universe. Has the best edibles around I tell you. Is actually good at his job, which is finding suspicious things and investigating them. Former Dreamer and woke up when Ghost took the pantheon approach to defeating the Radiance.

Lemm: Runs the Hallownest museum and works in the back where he catalogs and studies findings and doesn’t have to talk to anyone and is the happiest he could ever be.

Seer: Holy shit she is old. Still lives in the resting grounds. Ghost visits often and brings tea and snacks. Grandma energy. Is currently working with Quirrel to recount as much as she can about moth legends and society so it can be preserved forever. It’s slow going because she is old, but it’s going.

The siblings: Are now at rest.

Everything else

White Lady: Is still alive and has left the gardens. She resides in a little hidden cottage outside the palace where she grows flowers. Is often called in to overlook agriculture efforts. Has long since revoked her crown and is content with a quiet life. Is not considered a mother by Ghost, and Ghost will not forgive her for her role in things. She is okay with this and hopes to atone someday for what she did.

The Pale King: Still fucking dead. Rest in Pieces you shit.

Eternal Emilitia: Is a member of the new noble class and takes her job seriously. She mostly keeps the other nobles in line when she can and helps delegate orders to places where they need to go. It’s like herding cats but she’s getting better with it the longer she’s around. Is respected by Ghost since she knows what it’s like to hit rock bottom and is quite sensitive to the needs to the people.

Radiance: Dead. Was going mad and in pain by the time Ghost got to her. Is now at rest.

Greenpath/Queen’s Gardens:Given back to the moss-kin and Unn. Unn has started to awaken more now that the infection is over and her children are freed from it’s influence. Is considered it’s own ‘kingdom’. Is in good relations with Hallownest.

Fungal Wastes: Still thriving. A hivemind made up of everything from microscopic spores to the entire fungal waste itself. The mushroom tribe trades with Hallownest and is in good relations with them. Still considered weird to most but they are good and peaceful people.

Mantis Tribe: Is in a good relationship with Ghost, Hornet and Quirrel, and not much else. Has complete independence but was asked nicely if they could help train the most dedicated of new guards/knights. Did not pass up the opportunity to be allowed to beat the shit out of willing Hallownest citizens who wanted to train.

Deepnest: Ruled by Queen Herrah and Princess Hornet. Good relationship with Hallownest and enjoys full independence. The beasts that reside are no longer hassled by Hallownest encroachment and thus does not push back into it. Exports silk products and is now a very prosperous nation.

Dirtmouth/Crystal Peaks: Still the same, but with now more people. All our favorite Dirtmouth folks are doing well. Elderbug is delighted to have a full town to be a mayor over.

City of Tears: Now called the 'Capital'. Plants are now on the ceiling to redirect water and stop the constant rain. It's much more pleasant now.

Colosseum of Fools: Left alone mostly. Ghost cannot stop people for wanting to go there if they are of sound mind to make the decision.

The Hive: Is now ruled by the new Queen Apis. Is fully independent and enjoys a cushy trade agreement with Hallownest and the rest of the various nations. She wonders if she will ever live up to her mother, Queen Vespa, but has many friends to help her grow into the role. Hive Knight is her loyal friend.

[victoriareyloficlists]

5 May 2021 Additions to Reylo Fluff

These fics have been added to the Fluff lists located in the following lists:

Fluff Part 1 Titles A-G

Fluff Part 2 Titles H-M

Fluff Part 3 Titles N-S

Fluff Part 4 Titlez T-Z

A merry Reylo Christmas by MeadowHayle (AO3 2018  Rated M Complete, 24 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey and Ben are roommates and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year together. For Rey it's the first real Christmas with friends and family and she wants to make up for all the things she missed as a child. Ben tries to help as best as possible, giving her a Christmas experience she deserves.) That's mine! by CrystalDen (AO3 2021  Rated E Complete, 3 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: When their new supervisor came from a different department, it had been a temporary solution to fix the swift exit of their boss. No one really cared that it was, well, a dude. A very tall, quiet dude with big features and a churlish expression. Gathering around the main hub of their floor to make introductions, Rey found herself mildly invested. He’d be around for a week, two. Maybe a month tops. It’s been three, and Rey just wishes he would go the fuck away.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 59 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2021  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: This chapter was born during a video about how pockets on women's clothing shrunk through history. Modern Rey would be outraged to know that womankind used to have pockets big enough to stash a loaf of bread. Imagine all the snacks they could fit! But she would have to make do with her boyfriend's pockets. Yep, that's basically the plot. Warnings: if Reylo babies bother you, you might want to skip this one.) A World Where There Are Octobers by Ben_Solo_Good_Boy_Sweater_Emporium (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, 12 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is a ranch hand helping Han when the prodigal son returns.) Deliciously Dateable by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2021  Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey hosts a Youtube show eating theme park foods. Ben is her producer and cameraman. The internet ships them thanks to their crazy chemistry even though Ben’s rarely on camera.) A Season of Frost & Warmth by shewhospeakswiththunder (AO3 2019  Rated T Complete, 6 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben and Rey attend a costume party and there is contention between them; also including descriptions of season-appropriate cooler fall temperatures, warm clothing, and pining.) Free Fallin' by SageMcMae (AO3 2018  Rated M Complete, 5 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: A modern AU with pilot Ben Solo and brewery owner Rey who meet with disastrous first impressions, but somehow find themselves unable to deny their intense connection. Taking a leap of faith is a gamble. Taking the plunge towards love is a free fall.) and they were roommates by myownlittleinfinity (AO3 2021  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: When Ben loses a bet to his roommate, Rey, he has to eat her out for 30 days.) Butter Crisp Sandwich by DarkMage13 (AO3 2021  Rated M Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: “Mr, I insist you join me for a tea party today, at precisely noon. My teddy will be there.” Ben glanced at the boring clock on the wall. Ten minutes until noon. He swallowed in fear. There was no escape.  Or: Ben Solo cannot say no to an adorable hazel-eyed little girl's request for tea.) the way I see you by ocjones (AO3 2021  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Historical AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben glides a finger over the painting’s shining face. It’s long since dried, having traveled the slow journey of hills between Naboo and Mortis, yet the varnish is so glossy it almost feels wet to the touch.And there she is: a soft-looking woman, her breasts pillowing over the top of her corset, her hair held lightly back with a band and flowing out behind her. Her delicate fingers grip a book, clasp it in her velvet-clad lap. The smile on her face is as gentle as her portrayal. His wife.) melting snow by makeshiftcandy (AO3 2021  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: “Rey?” Ben said, his voice suddenly right there, just in front of her, and no, oh no, he couldn’t be here, shouldn’t be anywhere near her because–“Alpha,” she whimpered, watching as the portion of his body visible to her froze.) Sweet Things by DarthBaker23 (AO3 2021  Rated E Complete, 3 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Alpha Ben enters a bakery and finds himself obsessed with a sweet scent. He's obsessed with the delicious smelling scent but can't find its source. He tries every pastry in the shop but eventually turns to the bakery owner, Rey, for help. When he finally meets her in person, he gets a big surprise.) Rey's Braids by Magdalane (AO3 2021  Rated M Complete, 6 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben's little girl falls in love with braided hairstyles. He watches video from the popular YouTube channel in which Rey teaches different braiding techniques. After weeks of failure, he DMs her on Instagram, desperate...) Cashmere by ladyofreylo (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: “Technically, Cashmere is a dating service. It’s for women who need escorts���literally, a date—to events. There are many women out there who don’t have partners or don’t wish to come out as lesbians—and they want to have a man on their arm. However, Cashmere is unofficially a place to find sexual partners who are vetted and cater to a variety of tastes.” Rose paused. “It’s great because they only hire the best-looking men, with great bodies and great sexual skills. It’s hard to go wrong. I’ve known a guy or two who worked for them. They are gentlemen and very skilled lovers.” Rey is looking for someone to take her virginity. When she calls Cashmere, they send Daddy Dom Kylo Ren...) Penetration Testing by SageMcMae (AO3 2019  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Tired of their difficult boss, Phasma, Hux, and Mitaka hire Rey to help their CEO Ben run a security test but forget to tell him. “Good morning, Mr. Ren. I’m Rey Niima. I’m here to conduct the penetration testing you requested.” "Excuse me?” “We will begin with a preliminary assessment of your system, conduct the initial penetration test, after which I will provide a gap analysis to highlight the areas requiring improvement. I’ll make sure to list them out in priority order so you improve your performance.” “My...performance?”) Lip Balm by Jammy_Dodger (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben HATES the lip balm Rey uses. He's been throwing it out, hiding it, trying to find ways to make her stop using it. So he ends up going to Sephora to buy her some new lip balm, but he comes out with VIB Rogue status, a curling iron, a hair dryer, a flat iron, heat protectant spray and a lot of stress. Ben hates shopping but he'll do it for Rey. Fluffy.) Homestead Fire by ladyofreylo (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Prairie AU, Quick Synopsis: In this story, Ben Solo is a homesteader trying to court O. Kenobi's adopted daughter whilst on the prairie. He believes he will make Miss Rey a good husband. He shows her how when he stops by to chop wood and build up her fire.) Coffee by Jammy_Dodger (AO3 2021  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey sits next to Ben in the coffee shop bc he doesn't talk or bother her. One day he doesn't show up. Rey waits for him. Someone else sits in his seat& hits on her. Rey is annoyed. Ben shows up late, tells the guy he's in his seat. The guy refuses to move. Rey gives Ben her Seat, and then sits in his lap. She continues to read her book and he reads his. She asks for his number. They date. He goes to the coffee shop bc he still lives with his parents. Rey's apt is going to be condemned. They move in eventually. She still sits in his lap.)

[lany-d-flow]

Thoughts: Barret as a Father Figure

I wanted to give my perspective on this topic, as it's one of many stigma-heavy thoughts about the actions of FF7 characters. I'll try to provide examples based on anecdotal experience and the circumstances surrounding Barret and Marlene's lives.

So, is Barret overall a bad father?

So, short answer: No, I don't think so.

Long answer:

Okay, anyway, anyone who has seen or played Final Fantasy 7 is probably aware of two characters: Barret Wallace and Marlene Wallace.

We first see their dynamic early in both Final Fantasy 7 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake. We also see a bit of this written in further works of the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 such as "On the Way To a Smile: Episode Barret and Episode Tifa".

On the surface, we see Barret's unconditional love for his daughter. So many quotes from the game reflect this:

"She's tougher than me"

"That's right, little angel, I am!"

"She's cute as a button, with the heart of an angel..."

...And many more quotes I could cite. As one more example, during the ending of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, we see a moment of Marlene taking care of reunion flowers while under Elmyra's care. After looking at them, Marlene and Barret call out to each other, foreshadowing a reunion in one of the next installments of Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

All right, so we see that these two love and think the world of each other. However, some view Barret as a poor father figure to Marlene for trusting her into someone else's care multiple times throughout the story, including but not limited to:

Having Tifa care for Marlene while AVALANCHE goes after mako reactors in Midgar; having Elmyra care for Marlene while Barret joins the crew to go after Sephiroth; and after defeating Sephiroth and Meteor, trusting Cloud and Tifa to act as parental figures to Marlene while Barret heads back to Corel to atone for his past and find a new purpose besides being a man with a weapon as his right arm.

All right, so based on these moments, one could argue that Barret is not being a good father due to how often he leaves Marlene in the care of someone else, and instead of truly settling down as her caretaker, pursues purpose(s) he thinks are more important.

However, I do not fully agree with this view, nor do I fully agree with other views that Barret's incapable of being a good father. Do I think he could be a better Father to Marlene? Perhaps, yes. Many of the roles that our heroes in Final Fantasy 7 have are not done perfectly. There are examples I could discuss now, but I'll save that for later. For now, I argue the reason Barret leaves Marlene in the hands of others is that...

Life’s answers for the greater good aren’t always as simple as they seem. To do what’s best for someone you look after--in this case, Barret’s daughter--there may come a time when someone else can fill in as a guardian if the person does not have enough emotional availability to care for an individual.

Allow me to demonstrate explain, first by starting with how long Barret has been her father figure in the first place: around 4 years. Barret adopted her to take his Dyne’s place as Marlene’s father figure. Dyne, his best friend, was lost when Shinra took their usual cover-up approach when a mako reactor incident occurred in Barret and Dyne’s hometown, Corel. Instead of owning up to their mistake, Shinra decided to destroy everything remaining in Corel, including its inhabitants. Barret tried to save Dyne, but his right arm that was holding Dyne was shot by a Shinra trooper, causing him to lose control of his forearm and leading to Dyne facing an unfortunate fall into the Corel prison. Among the inhabitants in Corel, Marlene was an infant when Barret took her in as an adopted daughter. Infact, here’s her character bio in a Final Fantasy Ultimania:

Barret’s four-year-old adopted daughter. She views Barret as her real father, having no memories of her birth father, Dyne (Barret’s old friend). Marlene is remarkably composed for a young child and even occasionally runs 7th heaven by herself. - Final Fantasy Ultimania Archive Volume 2 (Pg. 063).

So based on the context the story gives us, we can conclude Barret spent 4 years looking after Marlene while residing in Midgar. He was probably in the middle of taking on odd jobs during this time, of course, and could not see her 24/7. However, such action is necessary if he is to make a living for himself, and more importantly Marlene. Ultimately that part is up to interpretation. What’s not open to interpretation is when Tifa became a part of AVALANCHE, she was the one looking after Marlene during Barret’s missions with his crewmates (Wedge, Biggs, Jessie). While we know Barret was not always around to watch Marlene, we can conclude that he knew who to entrust his daughter’s safety towards, as someone like Tifa has many motherly qualities, and above many things, wants people to live, especially people she cherishes (And of course she eventually becomes Marlene’s mother figure along with Cloud acting as the father figure when Barret heads to Corel). Eventually, when the team decides to go after Aerith at Shinra HQ, Barret entrusts Marlene to someone else once again. This time. it’s Aerith’s step-mother Elmyra, who will continue to watch over Marlene until the end of our heroes’ journey. Perhaps we’ll get a moment of reunion near the end of Final Fantasy 7 Remake when the team returns to the people they are fighting for, but for the next month Marlene is without her father.

All right, we know the endgame of Final Fantasy 7. The team survives the Lifestream-Holy-Meteor clash and they are alive, but now they must find a purpose in their new lives. While Barret stays with Cloud, Tifa, and Marlene at edge for some number of months, helping to build a new Seventh Heaven bar and home for Cloud and Tifa, he eventually decides to embark to Corel and leave Marlene under the care of Cloud and Tifa.

Wow, what a way to not look after your child that you dote on so much, right? For being her adopted father, Barret sure does leave Marlene in the hands of someone else pretty often. For some people, this can lead to the conclusion that Barret is not a good father figure to Marlene and needs to learn how to settle down and act as a real parent for her. While it can be said that Barret’s not an amazing father, I believe what he’s doing does have a realistic approach. He has no job, he doesn’t feel fully available to watch his daughter, and in the midst of this there are two people who are more than willing--and happy--to look after the person he cares about so much. If Marlene can receive a better quality-of-life from someone close for the time being, isn’t it best to give her that better life for now?

Well, I want to get a bit anecdotal about this. I come from a family of 7 children so I got 6 siblings: 2 older half-sisters, 1 younger full-blooded sister, 1 younger half-brother, and 2 younger half-sisters (5 sisters, 1 brother). Well over a decade ago when there was 4 of us, my biological father and mother divorced, and the aftermath was extremely detrimental to everyone. My mother was in a heavy state of depression and lost a lot of money; there was very little food to come by; us children were pretty much doing as we pleased with little consequence at the time; and my birth father was hardly there to support anyone but my younger sister and me. 

So what action did my mother take for my older sisters? She sent them to another state for a year where our grandparents resided, as they were in a financially and mentally stable situation that could benefit my sisters for the time-being. 

I could be here all day talking about the outcomes in minute detail, but to make sure that doesn’t happen, I’ll give the general aftermath: Eventually my mother recovered, found someone who became a doting step-father for all of us, and has unconditionally supported all of us in what we do with our lives.

The point here is that life throws us in complicated situations, and parents sometimes hit said situations that involve their child(ren). Many parents will absolutely dote over their children. Barret absolutely dotes over Marlene and is extremely concerned for her safety. But like Barret, there arise decisions in one’s life that involve changing guardianship for children. Some people have to work overseas and cannot take their children with them, so for a little while they can entrust that duty to someone else they are close to. If I’m going to draw parallels from other games, then the Persona series is a good example. I’ll be more specific: Persona 4. The protagonist is sent to Inaba where his uncle, Ryotaro Dojima, resides with his daughter. This happens because the protagonist’s parents’ jobs require that they be sent overseas. But his parents do not have to worry about their son’s livelihood because he’s sent to be supervised under someone that they trust, and someone they’re related to.

Conclusion

Nobody is perfect, and life is complicated. Sometimes there are roles in our life that we want to accomplish, but when it involves someone you care about, especially your own child, you want to make sure they have the best life possible. Maybe Barret would love to spend his time with Marlene as much as possible, but before he can really do that, he needs to get his own life together first. When that happens, then he can return to the person he loves more than anyone else in Gaia. Let’s always remember: Children are brought into this world, and it’s a cruel world, just like the real world. We want them to be as prepared as possible for the challenges life throws at them, so while they’re still young, look for the greatest good they can get, like Barret does.

[hitbythunder]

Chandrilan Moons - 1

A Kylo Ren x Reader story with much angst, possessiveness and dark themes (warnings will be updated as the story progresses) –> Read also on AO3

Summary: Growing up under the loving care of your foster-mother, Leia Organa, there had been nothing for you and Rey to want for. Though not of kin, you loved Rey as your sister and spent a happy childhood with her on Chandrila. But when the boiling galactic politics demanded for Leia to take action, for the Resistance to rise and fight, the girls could no longer evade the cruelty of the world. Kylo Ren sought a map as a key to revenge, to freedom, and had no use for a force-unsensitive young girl like you. You were simply a means to an end. Until his darkness latched onto you, drawn in by your light as you were by the demon that is Kylo Ren - inevitably gravitating towards each other, bound to be one. Like the Chandrilan moons.

****

____________________________xXx____________________________ 1- Prologue

+On board the Finalizer, orbiting Jakku+

The echo of heavy footsteps, determined and ominous in their approach, were enough of an announcement to have each trooper filled with dread. While the prison sector of the Finalizer had rarely been a much frequented place, the imminent presence of the Commander had the corridors wiped clear of any living soul having lost their way here. Except, of course, for the poor sods assigned to guard the occupied cells, frozen in place as their superior rounded the corner. In a cloud of pitch-black cloth he moved, his long cape and flowing robes billowing in the wake of his powerful strides, almost seamlessly melting into the surrounding's black walls and floor. Only the stainless steel details of his helmet gave him away, glistening in the dim light. Like a demon, a creature born of darkness, he seemed to glide like an ominous shadow along the hallway, swallowing everything in his path. Even morphed into the blackness of clothes and interior, he was imposing in a frightful way and with the hood drawn deep over his unique helmet, the Commander appeared like a giant walking among men.

For many he was indeed an otherworldly creature, the heir of darkness as the direct descendant of the legendary Darth Vader and exceptional force-user, Klyo Ren. His name alone having grown men tremble in fear, striking terror among both enemy and his own men. Because no one was safe from his violent tantrums and unabashedly display of power. Though not even a handful of (living) people were acquainted with the scope of his abilities.

Kylo didn't acknowledge the troopers at the door, not beyond how one tolerates the presence of a fly but just barely so, and entered the prison cell holding the Resistance pilot. He too was just an insect to Kylo, a vessel which had no use apart from the memory-cells its brain possessed. Said brain cells held a clue to Skywalker's whereabouts, a vital piece of information which Kylo longed to obtain. To find his uncle, to confront him with all the hatred and rage Kylo had harnessed against him over the years since the fateful night at the temple, and to kill him slowly and painfully once in his clutches. Sweet and alluring, the prospect of revenge had been whispered to him in lonely moments, promising so much more power once the cursed Jedi ceased to exist. And Kylo craved that power, which would enable him to surpass and free him from his own master - a sadistic and foul creature that used Kylo like a trained dog, at his beck and call, while keeping his powers from further development. Although it had been Snoke who had led and taught him in the ways of the dark side, Kylo couldn't shake the feeling that his master had become envious of his capabilities as a force-user, thus putting any progress on hold. Apparently, a useful weapon ought to be powerful but not threateningly so, as to keep it under control and so that it didn't surpass its usefulness.

But Kylo had enough of it, growing hatred simmering in the core of his mind and blending so neatly with the cacophony of negative emotions there, that Snoke had not the slightest idea of his apprentice's developing enmity. The brunt of Kylo's hate translated into raw violence on missions, a welcome outlet whenever it all became too much for him.

Patience was a key to success in this case and so Kylo bode his time, gathering strength through his own training and through spilling blood in the name of the dark side. There wasn't a more beautiful color than the red liquid of life, bright and vibrant as it flowed freely, turning almost black when seeping into the earth. Just like Skywalker's blood would, once Kylo got hold of him and the anticipation thereof thrilled him to a point of barely restrained impatience. Translating in an even shorter temper and unpredictable moods these days. As well as zero tolerance for insects that dared to waste his time, like the pilot currently restrained in front of him.

"I will get the information I want." Kylo growled through the voice-coder of his helmet, a rasping and sinister tone in the otherwise quiet cell, and increased the onslaught on the pilot's mind without mercy. "Even if it means to pick your brain apart."

Unable to uphold the playful bravery, Poe Dameron's excruciating screams bled through the durasteel walls onto the hallway.

+++ +Two days earlier - Resistance Base on D'Qar+

"Rey, wait up! Rey!" I called across the hangar area, running towards a particular X-wing starfighter and its ready-to-board pilot. Heads turned as I passed them, but ignoring their perplexed stares, I made a zig-zag through the small crowd in my way. Rey turned to find me in front of her, slightly panting and cheeks flushed from the sprint.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were practicing the harpiton." Rey surprised us both at how reprimanding that came out and we bristled in unison at the notion of her sounding like our foster-mother. Rey seemed very excited, perhaps even nervous, about her very first flight in an X-wing starfighter, type 406-G with upgraded shoot-assistant and improved hyper-drive, based on carbo -

"D'Qar to Rey! Hello, is anybody home in there?" I waved her hand in front of Rey's face, far too long for her liking. She gently swatted my hand away, replied:

"Sorry, you were saying?"

"Stars, I guess I don't even want to know where you always drift off to." I sighed, but then continued with a fond smile. "I came to wish you good luck for your flight and to remind you to make me a holo-gram of the stars up there."

"Thanks and don't worry, little sis, soon you'll fly among the stars too." Rey replied as we hugged, then beamed with barely contained joy. "See you later, sis!"

I slowly made my way back to the entrance of the underground-base, one last look over my shoulder confirming that Rey had taken off for her flight-lesson into space - being among the stars literally! To play the harpithon (a mixture of a harp and a hang) seemed bland, if not ridiculous, in comparison and I highly doubted that my playing skills would be of any use in the war.

What a world it would be if music could bring peace., I mused as I strolled through the hallways of the ever bustling base, soon reaching the more quieter area where the private quarters lay. We girls shared a room, spacious enough to get along but still rather stuffy, especially with the unwieldy harpiton in the middle. I began to practice, my fingers gliding along the strings and drumming against the round metallic corpus at the bottom. Soon I lost myself in the soft tunes, for it always reminded me of my home-world Chandrila and of the many childhood-years I had spent there along with Rey - always with Rey. Though we were not blood-related, we had grown up together and became as close as sisters could be - perhaps even more so because we shared unknown origins - under the gentle care of our foster-mother Leia Organa.

Back then, when Leia had been a senator, she had participated in a charity-program for orphans and had taken us girls in. Little Rey had been about 3 years and I still a new-born then. Leia's position as senator had provided well for us, without wanting for anything, though Leia had never spoiled us. We had had a happy childhood, with all the ups and downs of family-life that made it worthwhile. And although we had learned rather early not to be of the same kin, we had grown to love Leia like a mother.

With Leia's husband, Han Solo, it had been quite a different story. We had rarely seen him, because of his occupation as smuggler Han tended not to remain in one place for long - and also, as we had always suspected, he had never approved of Leia's decision to adopt us. He didn't say so himself and Leia would never admit it, but the distinctly reserved manner in which he behaved around us - not unkind but also far from loving - which was often paired with an almost painful expression, made us doubt his affection towards us. Although Rey in her youthful optimism had always tried to reach out to him (thus perhaps her affinity for technology and ships), Han refused to become the father-figure we longed for. It was only us girls, Leia and her handmaid Gemma in a small but luxurious estate in Hanna City (capitol city of Chandrila).

Much later, when I was about 15 years old and Rey 17, we learned that there had been a child before us, a son of Leia' and Han's blood. The son whose loss - Leia never told us what had happened - had torn the parents apart and suddenly we understood both Han's reticence towards us and Leia's wish to save us orphans from an unknown future.

At about that time, the former Imperialists had spread the rumor that Lea was Darth Vader's daughter and further she had some affiliation towards Kylo Ren - the rising apprentice of the dark side - was her son. Leia had neither confirmed nor denied any of it and kept her secrets close, always avoiding our questions regarding that matter so that eventually it became a taboo among those surrounding her. But the rumors remained. Of course, these accusations - though unproven and doubted by many - had harmed Leia's position in the senate, enough to force her to resign her seat as senator. Ultimately, she decided to leave our home and travel around the galaxy in order to form the Resistance. Still teenagers at that time, we weren't involved at all and remained on Chandrila. It had been three difficult and sometimes lonely years for us girls, at the prime of our puberty. We both tried to find distractions for missing Leia: Rey in her training with the Force and an interest in technology; and I in acquiring a broad knowledge of the galaxy and its history, languages and customs, which in included the ways of the Jedi as well as their sinister opposite the Sith. Though the sources of information available to me at that time had been limited and always supervised by Gemma with a watchful eye. It had required quite some finesse of me to sneak even grains of info about Darth Vader or Kylo Ren past her.

Essentially we tried to be good daughters Leia would be proud of and when she finally allowed us join her here on D'Qar, we were happy beyond the moon. That was 4 months ago and while D'Qar didn't feel like home, I was just glad to be with Leia and Rey, my family.

Engrossed in both play and thought, I hadn't noted the knock on the door, nor the swishing noise as it opened and was rather surprised when Leia sat down on the bed to my left.

"You play very lovely, dearest." she said, a fond smile on her faintly highlighted lips. Despite her rank as General, Leia had always kept the regal posture and an excellent choice of clothes that stemmed from her royal upbringing. And in times as these, a tough but wise leader was exactly what the Resistance needed.

"Thanks, it's a song I've composed myself." I replied as I shifted my chair backwards, away from the harpiton, in order to turn my body fully to Leia. "Though I was wondering if ..." my eyes dropped to my lap, to the ceiling, anywhere but Leia's intense brown eyes. "...if there aren't more useful skills for me to obtain."

"___________..." Leia sighed, knowing even without the Force where this was leading.

"I could become a pilot - not of a starfighter but perhaps a freighter? Or I could-"

"We've had this discussion many times before, dear, and my answer hasn't changed." Leia put in with finality, not wanting to draw this out (yet again).

"But it's not... I feel miserable sitting here while Rey is up there-" I pointed to the ceiling, imagining Rey having the best time of her life while flying "-becoming an even better pilot than Poe." I huffed in annoyance, continued though with a calm yet sad expression: "I know I'm not as good as her at combat or piloting but there must be something I can do to help our cause!"

Leia regarded me for a moment, silently waiting for me to regain my composure and return to a sensible mind-state before she answered:

"Don't compete with your sister, dearest. Your capabilities might not be obviously useful as of now, but trust me they are of great value and one day the Resistance will need a smart, well-educated lady just like you."

"Mhm..." I nodded solemnly, unsatisfied by the answer given but unwilling to continue a lost discussion. As kind as Leia's words were, they only sugar-coated the fact that I would never be like Rey. Rey who was athletic and agile in her movements, cunning and brave during fights while also having a knack for mechanics and technology. And as if that wasn't enough, every-body's darling Rey was a decent Force-wielder too.

Since early child-hood, Leia had always watched out for signs that we may be connected to the Force, having us forgo some simple tests once in a while, and at the age of 13 Rey's powers had finally awakened. Well, no such luck for me though, because the Force seemed to shun me despite my best efforts to connect with it. Resulting in another shortcoming on my part in comparison to Rey and excluding me from the special bond Rey and Leia therefore built.

Leia's famous brother, Luke Skywalker, had already vanished into his self-imposed exile to stars-knew where. So in lack of a proper teacher, Leia had to manage not only her role as senator in a rather turbulent political period, but also her new responsibility to educate Rey in the ways of the Force. They had spent countless hours together and sometimes I had joined them to at least understand the theory of the matter, albeit unable to perform the practical parts. We learned of the eternal conflict between light and darkness in the Force, as well as about the Jedi order and its fight against the former Empire - a substantial part of galactic history which many thought of as legends nowadays. And although I knew that it wasn't anybody's fault but pure chance, I had always envied Rey and deep down wished to be just like her. Knowing that it never would be.

[azwriting]

The Ghosts of Truth (Forget Me Please, Kylo Ren x Fem!Reader) -Chapter Three - Part One

A/N: I’ve been so stuck in writing this, but I’ve decided to split this chapter in half because it’s been far too long since of I’ve updated! My sincere apologies and please enjoy this small chapter of pure angst. Here’s the Masterlist if you need to refresh yourselves or if you're new :)

Summary: Journeying to the Death Star wreckage, (Y/N) must confront the ghosts of the past she’s spent years running from. Meanwhile the Resistance three begin to realize the masked ally isn’t who they thought she was.

Warning(s): Angst, sad reader, 

Word Count: 2716

A scoff of disbelief echoed through the confines of the small faded mask. Of all the ships in the galaxy… The interior of the beat up old freighter had seen better days, it was worn and seedier than she remembered. The walls were discolored and overall, the ship just looked tired.

            Despite her outer appearance of feigned annoyance and mild disgust, (Y/N) felt faint. A cold sweat broke across her concealed forehead and dampened the rest of her skin. Her limbs tingled with the dull pain of numbness, leaving her immobile, and her mouth was drawn together in a pucker from the bitter taste flowing like venom on her taste buds. And she had barely set foot inside, the boarding ramp just behind her. She could not fathom taking another step further.

It was like looking at a life from long ago. No, she swallowed thickly, that was too hopeful. Her eyes flickered around, chest tight with resurfacing pain. Pain that she had tried to extinguish over the years, but to no avail. It was always there inside her and now it was awake.

“Hey, we got the landing gear in decent shape … for now. So ready when you are.” The man with the dark curly hair came around the corner. Poe, he had introduced himself as beneath the quiet winds of Endor. Grease was smudged across his one cheek and his eyebrows furrowed quickly as he took notice of the visor closed on (Y/N)’s mask. His startlement was quite easy to read. It was pleasing to witness the dawning of their realizations that she was not what they had envisioned for an ally. A Force user perhaps, but not her.

(Y/N) was no ally, she was no soldier, not anymore. She actively avoided this war, vanishing to a planet untouched since the end of the Galactic Civil War, a war she heard stories of since her youth. An old war that seemed to define the path of the future. She was determined to stay hidden, an unknown shadow in a forest riddled with remnants of old battles. This desire had almost allowed her to turn her back on the three young Resistance members, but then the melody filled her ears. The song that reminded her why she had disappeared in the first place and why she could no longer stay hidden. Nor could she avoid this fight forever, not when the Resistance stood before her at the request of their General. And as the three intruders began discussing the origin of the bird song, (Y/N) knew she needed to join them before their curiosity grew too much. If she could manage, if it was even a possibility, she would emerge from this fight with her secrets still intact.

“We’re ready.”

Gritting her teeth, (Y/N) glanced over her shoulder to glare at the young Jedi. Speaking of secrets… (Y/N) was still shaken from the memory Rey had witnessed when touching the one saber. She had observed as the events unfolded inside the young woman’s eyes and how horrified she had looked. (Y/N) knew the feeling… Still she was furious Rey had touched the saber and in turn revealed a piece of her past. A dark piece too. Worse, she resented the way Rey seemed to connect the dots, drawing together a small part of the truth.

(Y/N) had seen red when the girl voiced her awareness, the dread and sorrow dissipating from her entirely. She could barely control herself when she towered over the young woman and delivered her menacing warning. Rey knew nothing of her story, of her past. A simple glance into a nightmare of a memory did not provide total insight. And (Y/N) had intended for it to be that way, for the truth to be concealed, always.

Rey’s eyes flitted over to hers and the two women were mute, locked into each other, blind to the barrier of the mask. Rey was in shock as well, her telling eyes giving it away. Her mind frantically kept reviewing the night of the fire, replaying the words over and over again. (Y/N) could see the frightened brown eyes that had gazed so intensely down at her that night so long ago. Grimacing, she let the mask drop away from Rey, attempting to block out the image that haunted her for years. Rey’s sympathy and regret also oozed from her aura. (Y/N) did not want it.

Yet, beneath it all she could feel confusion. The girl obviously felt something, something she could not place, something between the two of them. The unsureness left Rey feeling upset and frustrated. She was… naive. Perhaps that was the wrong way to describe it, the girl was smart and resourceful, but with all that was transpiring it fashioned (Y/N) into a sullen creature who was not above being condescending.

(Y/N) was not ignorant though. She knew what the feeling was, it was something she had felt for most of her life until just before she went into hiding. It was a calling, beckoning them closer, a pure and rare connection. In the back of her mind she admitted that it was only appropriate. She knew Rey’s origin, the Force illuminating it so, and with who (Y/N) was it only made sense that the Force would connect them all. But she would offer no solace, she could not provide it, not like this, when she was drowning in anguish. And as she had so clearly stated before she was nobody’s hope, just a child of the Force, lost among the stars.

(Y/N) did not speak nor spare another glance as she turned to leave the two Resistance members in the corridor. “The main hold is just-” Poe spoke but she only raised her hand, efficiently silencing him. She knew where she was going. It was burned into her memory, leaving a scar just like everything else.

As she followed the curved path of the corridor, (Y/N) caught a glimpse of the cockpit just down the adjoining hall. Her throat tightened and a fiery ache erupted inside her at the sight, the quick movements of gold plating and dark brown fur coming from inside only added to the pain.

A day in the thick Endorian forest beneath the basking glow of the rising sun, resurfaced in her mind. (Y/N) recalled freezing in her tracks, her possessions slipping from her hands as unbearable pain bursted inside her. She had fallen to the moss covered ground, clutching roughly at her chest, tears stinging in her eyes. Through the Force she had felt pure agony, but she was uncertain if it had been the father’s or the son’s.

Tears pricked her eyes now and the ill feeling in her intensified. Stumbling forward, her legs felt twice their weight but it was an afterthought to the screaming in her head instructing her to get away. But she could not escape, not now. She was stuck on this ship, stuck with remembering.

The main hold came into view and (Y/N)’s knees gave out, dropping her into the rounded bench. The table before her used to host many games now it was just empty, abandoned. Much like the past and the future dreamt of. Her trembling elbows came to rest on the surface and she let out a breathy exhale.

Closing her eyes, she cradled her durasteel covered head in her clammy hands. It was as if she could hear the voices of the past: children running through the many halls, the motherly scolding to be careful, hiding in the smuggling compartments only for the hatch to be lifted and that familiar head of dark hair with hidden silver strands to peer down with that infamous smirk and coy laugh. That was all gone now, dead.

A shudder raked over her stiffened body. It felt as if she could not breathe, a weight pressing down on her lungs. Her dominant hand trailed down to her worn green tunic and pressed firmly against the indent of her sternum, seeking any relief to the pressure she could find.

The voices of the past seemed to louden, tumbling over each other until they turned into streams of noise, like a ship jumping into lightspeed. (Y/N) took a deep breath and mentally scolded herself. She needed to regain her control, she needed to focus on the task at hand so she could return to Endor as soon as possible. She already missed the lush greenery and the fresh air, the air she could breathe in, where the reminders of the past were not so painful. But it was not so easy, the noise would not quiet, and the torment would not subside.

This was looking death in the eyes.

“We’ll be your new home, if you’d like.”

“Found ya, kids. You know you two would make good smugglers one day.” “Han!”

“I’m not scared of you. I’m not B-”

A presence entered the area, pulling (Y/N) out from the labyrinth she had been lost in. She was unsure how long had passed, the snare in her mind too difficult to escape. The weakness growing inside allowed for all of this to slip past the barricades she had built. (Y/N) was almost glad for the interruption as it prevented the worst from slipping through. The very thing she had entombed deep within herself. The monster that would drown her.

She did not lift her head nor spare any acknowledgement to indicate she knew of the other person here. She did not want to be asked any more questions, not from her. The inquisitive girl was awfully quiet though…

From the corner of her eye, (Y/N) caught sight of Rey, who stood motionless on the other side of the small room. Her eyes were glazed over with rumination and almost entirely unfocused as she stared in (Y/N)’s direction. What was she seeking out?

Rey blinked returning from her deep trance with a look of somber falling onto her face. She looked down, seeming to be conversing with herself inwardly. Her hands danced around at her sides like she was playing an invisible instrument, it made (Y/N) anxious. It seemed as if the girl was debating over whether or not to say something. Rey’s fingers suddenly flexed outwards, reflecting the decision she had come to. Rey took a small step forward, lips parting to speak. (Y/N) winced in preparation.

“I can feel the turmoil inside you, the pain in remembering.” Her words struck a small match inside a dark hidden corner of (Y/N)’s mind. The giddy laughter of a boy playing in a meadow flashed across her mind. It was gone in a second, like a match dying out, but it had left its mark. (Y/N) staggered up, ignoring the dull ache that spread up her leg as she hit it against the round table. She could not breathe, could not find the strength to beg Rey to stop before she continued to harm her.

“I felt your fear on Endor.” Children, a boy and a girl, sat beneath the sinking sun imitating the call of the birds sorrowing above. A gasp tumbled out of (Y/N)’s quivering lips, her head furiously shaking and demanding for the brunette to stop.

“You must have hope…” A grand ball, swirls of gowns, and shared timid glances. Her hands flew to the sides of the helmet as if she could block out Rey’s voice and the misery that followed.

“Hope for this war…” Fire consumed the large divine structure of a temple. Closing her eyes (Y/N) whimpered, pressing a hand to her abdomen. She felt dizzy, her surroundings spinning as her mind did.

“Hope for him.” (Y/N)’s head shot up, her eyes snapping open. The words were barely audible as they escaped Rey, almost as if she knew how dangerous it would be to utter them. And indeed they were…

“No.” (Y/N) choked out desperately trying to suppress what memories were being illuminated by the match, but it was too late, the damage was done. The monster was free. Hair as dark as night, soft pleading eyes filled with sadness and adoration. Sweet words and caresses, comfort sought out beneath the starry sky, bright smiles by the glistening lake.

The main hold began to tremble, durasteel creaking as her hands curled into tight fists. Her vision transformed into the red hot fury it had on Endor when the girl had spoken of the memory. Anger coursed through her veins, her connection to the Force strengthening, and (Y/N) fixated on the foolish girl, ready to unleash.

“Hope?” She spit out in disgust. “I held out hope for so long,” (Y/N) took menacing steps forward as Rey retreated slowly. A hand outstretched, willing something roughly into its grasp. “Look where it’s gotten me!”

Before Rey had a moment to absorb the resentment in (Y/N)’s voice or question what she truly meant by her words, a beam of indigo illuminated the room. Lunging forward, (Y/N) hovered the blade of light an inch above Rey’s throat.

The naive Resistance member knew nothing of her, of where she came from, of what she faced, of who she truly was… No one did. And yet, Rey felt she could tell her to have hope. (Y/N) would have laughed if she could have. Hope was the reason she had ended up on Endor, hidden and carrying the burden of lies and death. Hope was for children.

Glaring down at the young woman, (Y/N) could feel the Force surrounding them blaze to life with such an intensity that she was forced to suck in a harsh breath. The vivacious current penetrated her and flowed through Rey as well, blindly connecting through energy, through life. It was overpowering to the senses but (Y/N) already felt numb. Nonetheless she drank in the feeling of connection. It reminded her of the whole and pure feeling she had felt her whole life before it had been torn from her soul, leaving a hollow ache that never faded.

Realization dawned upon her in the midst of all this and (Y/N) focused on Rey. Fear pooled in the hazel irises of the girl, mirroring the fearful brown eyes that had pleaded to her the night of the fire. Rey was the reason the barricades that protected her were crumbling down. She was why the memory of him was resurfacing. The reason why (Y/N) was crumbling down too.

“You’re no Jedi.” Rey breathed out, eyes cautiously flickering between the ignited lightsaber tightly grasped in (Y/N)’s dominant hand and the closed visor of the mask. A position she had found herself in for the second time that day.

Her words took (Y/N) by surprise, but she was not wrong. She could read Rey’s inner thoughts of confusion, the inability to fully understand the duality she felt surrounding (Y/N)’s aura. It was unlike anything Rey had felt and yet the girl’s mind knew the importance of it. Fear began to dissipate from Rey’s eyes instead being replaced by curiosity. But that was enough to douse (Y/N)’s temper. 

Curiosity was worse.

With a soft whoosh her lightsaber was turned off and sheathed back onto her worn leather belt. “No, I’m not.” Her voice was lower, but still taut. (Y/N) took a weak step backwards and only then did the last match flare up. “You and I were written in the stars, brought together by the Force.”

The rich voice echoed across her mind and (Y/N) had to bite her bottom lip to contain the sob threatening to rip through her. Oh how far life had strayed from those evenings in the meadow underneath the sky and the breathtaking colors of dusk. How far they had strayed from the ways of the Jedi. How far they had strayed from such an intertwined destiny. But it was the only way… to be shrouded in lies and deception.

“The Jedi are dead.” With that (Y/N) turned swiftly, exiting the main hold.

Taglist: 

@2heures​, @thephantomwriter​, @thefandomzoneisdangerous​, @carol-chann​, @gambitsqueen​, @pancakefancake​, @zaneholtzwrites​, @moonmama03, @siren-queen03​, @dixonsbugaboo​, @keithseabrook27​, @gentlymilo, @vampgguk​, @kalzzel​, @robindoesntloveme​, @dark-night-sky-99​, @cheeryara, 

[dudeandduchess]

Demon!Kyōjurō x F!S/O: Forget Me Not (Angst, SFW Scenario)

Summary: Wherein Kyōjurō tries to remove every trace of his existence in his wife’s life; if only to get her to finally move on from him. Part 3 of that fic where Kyō said goodbye to his daughter. Read Part 2 here. Note: I just had to get this last one out of my system. Enjoy, bbys. 😂💜✨

***

Warnings: Angst, Sad Feels

Day in and day out, everything was the same for (Y/n): wake up early to get her children ready for school, do the chores around the house, prepare lunch for herself, do some more chores, prepare dinner, get everyone ready for bed and— lastly— sleep. She had been stuck in a seemingly-endless routine; tethered there by her own will, so as not to clue anyone in to the grief she felt brewing inside her.

It was constantly bubbling up within her, always a feeling that she had to push back down in fear of making her children worry about her. Because it was her burden to bear; not theirs. And she wouldn’t have even dreamed of ever letting them know that, even after all that time, her heart still ached for their deceased father.

Every night, as she laid in bed, she would always say a little prayer; a small one, asking all the gods to look after her husband’s soul until they could meet again. And every night, it was inevitable that she would cry herself to sleep.

Since it was the only time when she could shed the tough front she put up along with the rising of the sun, she shed that façade when it was just her in the room that she and Kyōjurō used to share.

Sometimes she would give in and wrap herself up in one of his uniform jackets, if only to imagine him holding her in his arms— like he always did when she was sad. The feel of the rough garment didn’t even come close to giving her solace, but the knowledge that it had once belonged to the man she loved provided her some modicum of comfort.

“Please, Kyōjurō,” She would plead every night, as tears continuously fell from her eyes. At first, she had tried to wipe them away but, as time passed by, she had given up on willing them away— as only more tears fell when she tried to get rid of them. “Give me the strength to do this.”

Ever since her husband’s death, she would ask that each and every night. She would plead his soul for the strength she needed to keep on living for their children.

No answer came, but it always made her feel better to say her thoughts out loud. It made her feel that Kyōjurō was still there— even if only for a second.

But when she opened her eyes, especially in the stark brightness of day, she was constantly reminded of the fact that the person they were meant for hadn’t heard her at all; nor would he ever hear her words again.

Or so she believed.

Unbeknownst to her, Kyōjurō had been sneaking around their home for the past few weeks, ever since he had regained his memories of his human life. He took great care in leaving no trace, and remaining undetected, but he would be damned if he didn’t admit just how much his heart ached whenever he sat outside his and (Y/n)’s room— listening to her cry herself to sleep every night.

Because he couldn’t show himself to her. Ever. If he did, then she wouldn’t let him go— she would hide him within their home and keep him there, which was treason to the Demon Slayer Corps.

The last thing that he wanted was for his family to lose favor with any of his former comrades; as they were the ones that he expected to protect them, if they would ever need it.

So he chose to reign his own feelings in, and stayed rooted right where he sat on the engawa attached to their room— each and every night. Her quiet sobs and sniffles always had him close to breaking his resolve but, thankfully, he always managed to resist going in their room to show himself to her.

And when she did manage to fall asleep, he would silently open the door and sit down right beside her sleeping form; wiping her tears away, before simply cupping her cheek in one of his hands.

There were those rare times when he gave in to his own selfish wants and had gotten into bed beside her— wrapping his arms around her as lightly as he could, and burying his nose into her hair, all while pressing kisses to the back of her head.

It killed him inside that she had to suffer so much, and mourn over a man that was technically still alive, but he also knew that once he was done with his final mission, then he would have to leave. Permanently.

Kyōjurō couldn’t put her through losing him twice in one lifetime. He wasn’t that cruel and selfish of a man.

“I love you, (Y/n),” He would whisper as softly as he could to his wife each night he visited her. “You can do this without me. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

For all of his effort to console her while she was asleep, he wasn’t there simply for that, however. The reason that he kept on coming back to his old home was to get rid of all the traces of him in his wife’s life.

He couldn’t do it in one fell swoop, as it would be too noticeable of a feat to pull off. So, with every night he was there, he took his old things one by one, and kept them out back at the very back of their storage shed.

It started with his old reading glasses, and escalated to the pieces of clothing that were easy to take, as they had been stowed away in one of the unused built-in closets. He never found out what (Y/n)’s reaction was to his slowly disappearing things, but the more that his things disappeared, the harder that she cried.

On (Y/n)’s part, she hadn’t noticed her late husband’s things disappearing— not until she had entered their room one quiet afternoon and had noticed the empty, and somewhat cold feeling that surrounded the space.

She had even tried looking around for wherever his things might have ended up, but never found them. Hell, she couldn’t even ask her children if they had noticed anything else going missing— as she didn’t want to alarm them.

It was highly odd for only Kyōjurō’s belongings to have vanished but, no matter what she did— and no matter what lock she put on the doors— things still went missing; little by little.

Until all the remained in her possession was one of his old Demon Slayer uniforms; which had only survived the underhanded ransacking because she’d taken to holding on to it while she slept.

On the last day of his final mission, Kyōjurō stepped into his and (Y/n)’s room with the heaviest heart; he then laid down next to his wife and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Tears pricked his eyes, as he pushed her hair aside with his left hand— laying it on the pillow afterwards— while allowing his right hand to glide along her waist and hip; taking into memory how she felt beneath his hand.

Since it was going to be the last time that he saw her.

Kyōjurō then placed a chaste kiss against the nape of his wife’s neck, letting his lips trail up along the side of it, before stopping by her right ear. “(Y/n), you have to let me go.”

No words answered his soft plea, and even more tears began to pool in his eyes; spilling over just as a breathless sob broke free from his lips.

Slowly, he placed his right hand upon both of hers— which clung tightly to his uniform, even in her sleep. He tried to loosen her grip on it, but she wouldn’t budge.

It was true that he could easily take it out of her grasp, but there was a tiny part of him— a selfish part— that still wanted her to remember him, even after he was gone.

For all of his silent talks of erasing his existence from their home for her sake, he couldn’t bear to take away the one last item that would remind her of him. It was highly illogical of him to even leave it, after going through all of the trouble to make her let go of her memories of him, but he just couldn’t do it.

One simple mission, and he couldn’t even finish it.

His hands felt so numb, and his entire body felt so cold with guilt and sadness— yet he still stayed beside her throughout the night; wishing that their time together would last longer.

If he could, he would stay there forever. But it was nothing more than a selfish whim; so, when the chirping of the birds alerted him of the oncoming sunrise, Kyōjurō hugged his wife as tightly as he could without waking her up, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

His tears had long dried, but his heart still wept for the family that he had to leave behind.

For one last time, he went to each of his children’s rooms— merely gazing at their peacefully asleep faces at first, before giving in and pressing light kisses against their foreheads.

He’d thought that he couldn’t cry anymore, but the very moment his lips had brushed against his eldest son’s forehead, it took everything in him not to break down and cry.

But what hurt the most was going into Ren’s room and seeing her sound asleep on her bed; the western one that they had painted a ghastly shade of green and orange; ‘to match Giyuu-ojii san’s haori’ she had said.

The former Hashira sat down beside his daughter’s sleeping form, gently shushing her when her eyes fluttered open. “Tou-chan?!”

“Go back to sleep, baby,” He whispered softly, while caressing his daughter’s cheek and leaning down to kiss her forehead. “I love you. Always remember that.”

“I love you too, tou-chan,” Ran answered groggily; her voice sounding garbled more than anything— which had her father smiling a watery smile, as he tried to hold back more of his tears. “Goo-night.”

“Goodbye, Ran-chan.”

***

When (Y/n) woke up that morning, it wasn’t to her usual sight of her husband’s crumpled uniform beside her. Instead, when she laid eyes on it, her breath immediately caught in her throat, as breathless and choked sobs bubbled free from her lips.

Because right there, on the empty space where Kyōjurō used to sleep, was his uniform neatly folded up— and on top of that were three sunflowers; tied with Kyōjurō’s hair tie that she had kept in the uniform’s pocket, as well as a short letter in her late husband’s penmanship.

With a shaky hand, she picked the piece of paper up and silently read it.

‘I know that I should take this away, to let you move on, but I’m still a selfish man, and I want even the smallest memory of me to stay with you.’

(Y/n)’s eyes ran over the text, eagerly consuming every word as more and more tears blurred her vision. It didn’t even make sense how such a note could have appeared at that time, but she didn’t question it— couldn’t question it— what with all of the feelings that coursed through her.

‘Just so you remember that, even for a short while, there was once a man named Rengoku Kyōjurō that loved you more than his own life. I’m so sorry, (Y/n).’

[inheritedfang]

I tried something new and wrote a bio for Ling Tong. Would appreciate any feedback/corrections.

Ling Tong 淩統 (Gongji 公績) was fifteen years old when Sun Quan 孫權 (Zhongmou 仲謀) sent him to take over his father’s troops, after his father Ling Cao 凌操 had been struck by an arrow and killed in battle. Tong, despite his age, was well respected by many and Sun Quan 孫權 appointed him Separate Division Major and Acting Breaking Bandits Commandant. This was no doubt also due to Ling Cao’s 凌操 commitment to the state. During a campaign against the mountain bandits, Sun Quan 孫權 laid waste to the Bao encampment and left, leaving behind ten thousand troops to besiege the Ma camp. Ling Tong 淩統 was among these troops, and they plotted for the day of the attack.

Before the day of the battle, Ling Tong 淩統 attended a banquet alongside an officer named Chen Qin 陳勤, who was in charge of the banquet. Although, he abused his authority and dealt punishments without obeying the rules. Ling Tong 淩統 confronted him for this humiliation, however Chen Qin 陳勤 ignored him, furiously cursing him as well as his late father. Tong, though the insults and frustration had driven him to tears, offered no response. After the conclusion of the banquet, Chen Qin 陳勤 continued to furiously berate Tong on the road. By now his fury had gotten the better of him, so Tong drew his sword and attacked him. Chen Qin 陳勤 died from these wounds several days later, leaving Tong feeling guilty over what he had done.

When the time to attack the camp came, Ling Tong 淩統 decided the only way to pay for his crime was to die in battle. So, Tong rallied his troops and charged the enemy, avoiding flying arrows and rocks before quickly breaking through the opposing side. Once the officers behind him followed up on his assault, the battle was a decisive victory for Sun Quan’s 孫權 forces. Tong, believing he still had not paid for his crime, had himself bound and submitted to a disciplinary officer. Sun Quan 孫權 instead praised his conduct and pardoned him of his crime due to his achievement in battle.

Several years later, Sun Quan 孫權 campaigned against Huang Zu 黃祖 in Jiangxia 江夏 again, with Tong and his trusted warriors leading the vanguard. They sailed in a single boat, far ahead of the main army. Sailing into the western part of the river, Ling Tong 淩統 and his men beheaded the general Zhang Shuo 張碩 and captured all of his men, before reporting back to Sun Quan 孫權. At this time, Lü Meng 呂蒙 (Ziming 子明) defeated Huang Zu’s 黃祖 navy, and upon attacking Jiangxia, Ling Tong 淩統 was first to scale the wall and Jiangxia was quickly captured. For this victory, he was promoted to Chief Commandant and was present among Zhou Yu 周瑜 (Gongjin 公瑾) and others when Cao Cao 曹操 (Mengde 孟德) was repelled at Wulin. Following this, he defeated Cao Ren 曹仁 (Zixao 子孝), and was promoted to Colonel. 

Tong was still well respected among scholars several years after Sun Quan 孫權 had first appointed him; he obsessed little over his wealth and valued good conduct. In the year 214, six years after Sun Quan’s 孫權 campaign in Jiangxia, he lead an attack on Huan, Luijiang. Ling Tong 淩統 once again performed well. For his efforts, he was made the General of the Interior who Terrifies Criminals and was designated the Chancellor of Pei. Following Lü Meng 呂蒙, he conquered the three western commanderies and returned to Yiyang, before marching towards Hefei 合肥.

Sun Quan 孫權, following a brief skirmish with Guan Yu’s 關羽 (Yunchang 雲長) army over Jing province, had led an army of 100,000 strong to march on Hefei 合肥i, defended by only 7,000 men, for the second time. The garrison at Hefei was headed by Zhang Liao 張遼 (Wenyuan 文遠), Yue Jin 樂進 (Wenqian 文謙) and Li Dian 李典 (Mancheng 曼成), though they did not get along. Zhang Liao 張遼 led a decisive strike on Sun Quan’s 孫權 army, taking 800 volunteers with him. This small assault inflicted massive damage on the opposing army, with Liao personally charging the lines until he reached Sun Quan’s 孫權 personal guards, prompting Quan to withdraw.

 The siege continued for another ten days, though Sun Quan 孫權 made no progress and was forced to retreat, also in part due to the illness that had spread throughout his forces. The majority of the army was sent ahead, with a group of elite soldiers left behind to guard him. Zhang Liao 張遼 saw he was isolated, and struck again. Ling Tong 淩統 commanded three hundred of his personal troops and charged forward to protect Quan, breaking the encirclement. Tong escorted him from the fighting, to a nearby broken bridge where only a single plank remained on either side. Quan drove his horse to jump the gap, taking him to safety, and Ling Tong 淩統 then returned to the battle until all of his men had fallen, and he was badly wounded all across his body. Only when he had killed dozens of Zhang Liao’s 張遼 soldiers did he decide Sun Quan 孫權 had enough time to get far away, and so he tore off his armour and jumped into the river.

Sun Quan 孫權, who was safely aboard a boat now, spotted Ling Tong 淩統 in the river and pulled him free. Though he had survived, Tong was overcome with grief and wept uncontrollably at the loss of every one of his men. Sun Quan 孫權 wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve, and said, “Gongji, the dead are already gone, but with you here, what fear is there of lacking men?” He was kept aboard Sun Quan’s 孫權 boat and cared for by him personally, until he was healed. He was appointed Lieutenant General for his contribution, and the amount of troops under his command was doubled. 

About the same time, a man named Chen Xian was recommended to Sun Quan 孫權. He was said to be of great morality and more virtuous than Ling Tong 淩統. Quan’s reply was “Having one like Tong is enough.” Chen Xian was later summoned, though at the time of his arrival, Ling Tong 淩統 was in his bed. However, once he heard of his arrival, he got dressed and went out to meet him, leading him in by the hand. He showed great kindness to one he had only just met. 

Ling Tong 淩統 proposed the mountain bandits possessed many who were strong and heroic of nature, and could be brought into their service through rewards and martial prowess. This would take away the pressure put on their bordering territories, and provide them with allies. Sun Quan 孫權 accepted this proposal, ordering him east to take command and suppress them. He sent a decree to local administrators that all of Tong’s requests were to be fulfilled, and reported to him afterwards. Ling Tong 淩統 garnered much respect from the soldiers due to how he treated his men, and many flocked to volunteer for his service. He gathered 10,000 elite troops for this campaign.

Along the way, he passed by his hometown and walked into the local office. He treated the minor clerks and officials with utmost humility and respect, and greeted his old friends and family with great love and kindness despite having been parted for so long. However, once his matters in his home town were done and he had left, he suddenly fell ill and died at the young age of 29.

Upon hearing of his death, Sun Quan 孫權 wept uncontrollably for days, and his sorrow was endless. In his grief, Quan barely ate for several days, and had his official Zhang Cheng 張承 (Zhongsi 仲嗣), son of Zhang Zhao 張昭 (Zibu 子布), to write a eulogy for Ling Tong 淩統. His sons, Ling Lie 凌烈 and Ling Feng 凌封, were both of very young age when their father died. Sun Quan 孫權 brought them to the palace and cared for them is if they were his own sons, and he would introduce them to guests as “his tiger cubs.” Once they had reached the age of about 8 or 9, Quan ordered a man named Ge Guang 葛光 teach them how to read, and every ten days they would be instructed on horse riding. Due to Ling Tong’s 淩統 achievements, Ling Lie 凌烈 was made Marquis of Lieting and given command of his father’s troops. Later on, Lie was dismissed due to a crime, and Feng inherited his title and command of the troops.

[padme-amitabha]

Kylo stans are really annoying. They treat him like he’s an innocent baby like he didn’t slaughter a bunch of people in cold blood. Anakin stans don’t whitewash him and Vader actually deserved redemption

The entire sequel trilogy is disjointed to the point each movie contradicts the next so I don’t expect anything else. Considering the audience isn’t provided with an actual reason as to why he fell to the dark side, he was hard to sympathize with from the start. I am not really a fan of the “pull to the light/dark” concept. Another post mentioned Star Wars is about choices. This is important. Kylo chose to reject the light side twice whereas Vader chose to embrace the light side when his son needed him the most.

I don’t really think Vader was “redeemed” in the end; he chose to accept his mistakes and forgive himself and in turn was forgiven. A single choice cannot redeem someone. He can be the most loving father to Luke but that hardly cancels out his slaughter of the children, the sand people. You’re right, most Anakin stans don’t whitewash him; Anakin was never heroic to me. He was an incredibly complex character and though he wants to do good in the galaxy, movie!Anakin still had his self interests at heart. Which is understandable considering his past as a slave. He longed for a life of significance and respect (which ironically, he got in the end but lost everything else he cared about). His story also explores the complexity of the human nature, that no one is born evil. Evil is a choice. Even when he has everything, Anakin is not content. He admits that he wants more. Being the Chosen One doesn’t make him immune to ambition, greed and corruption; in fact, Lucas shows it makes him even more susceptible. Anakin is the Walter White of Star Wars.

He personifies the dark side in the OT but that’s more symbolism than anything else. The Jedi are associated with good but they tried to manipulate Luke to fight/kill his father (and the flaws of the order are expressed in more detail in the prequels). Luke understood this in ROTJ and in the end, stayed true to himself and became his own kind of Jedi. He didn’t do what other heroes did in their similar stories; he forgave, accepted and loved the villain in his story. ROTJ proves Vader’s human just like everyone else when the other first two movies tried to show he’s “more machine than man”. That he is capable of committing atrocities without displaying any emotions. Only when Luke disregards the Jedi’s advice, he can feel his father is a deeply conflicted man. Kylo already had a family but still I don’t think it’s completely implausible for a next generation of Skywalker to turn to the Dark Side but it has to have a rational explanation, like it could be due to a disagreement with the new republic and it’s policies, or even to save a loved one in a different way. Why Kylo fell to the dark side is never fully explored. 

Also, Kylo unapologetically slaughtered people like he immediately killed the old man in TFA. Which was probably the stupidest thing he has ever done because the old man had seen the map so why not interrogate him? Did Vader kill Leia in ANH because she dared talk back to him? He wanted the passengers alive so he could question them. His first priority was always his job. He didn’t care about blowing up Alderaan and he barely reacted to any of it. For most of ANH, he was an imperial doing his job and indifferent to any crime/atrocity around him. For the most part, Tarkin was the actual villain in ANH and the Emperor in ROTJ. The audience is led to believe that Vader must be the real villain because he looks the part and the mask conceals his emotions so we can’t see the depressed and broken man he is underneath. He doesn’t step in and do something heroic because he has no reason to. Kylo has not gone through any big loss in his life and he actively takes part in the crimes (to the point it jeopardizes his actual job) ; he’s not just indifferent or following orders. In ESB, Vader hunts down Luke but we also see shots of looking out into space, lost in thought. The only “evil” things he did in ESB was punishing/killing underlings who failed him and thus kept him from his goal of finding Luke and bringing him to the Emperor. The only time he acts of his own volition is when he offers Luke to rule with him and when he rejects that offer, he goes back to serving the Emperor. Him acting on his own where his son is concerned or his slight hesitance when the Emperor talks about Luke in ROTJ shows there’s always been good in him. Just like him shedding tears on Mustafar in ROTJ. These actions do not cancel out his crimes but it shows he’s not a complete monster. There’s so much more to him than that.  In ROTS, he had no other choice and during OT, he had become like unfeeling after years of guilt and crippling depression. That and his backstory makes him a character who can earn the audience’s sympathy. In the first two movies, Vader appeared more machine-like and distant not reacting to any crime or injustice around him because he chose not to. He decided to step in for Luke. Now I doubt he would have done it for anyone else who wasn’t his child so I don’t think “redeemed” is the right word here.

But at the same time, he is conflicted about betraying Palpatine in ROTJ. It took Palpatine almost killing Luke for Vader to step in. I don’t think Vader would actively seek to overthrow Palpatine but he did once he found out he has a son. And since he is Anakin, he offers him the same choice he offered Padmé on Mustafar. All of these conflicts and self-contradicting qualities make him so interesting and even his unmasking scene has significance. It changes the audience’s notions about him and helps us see him in a new light - see past the black and white nature of the trilogy. Kylo takes off his mask while interrogating Rey (which takes away the intimidation factor) and none of his actions feel significant, really. Vader choked Admiral Motti because he disrespected him and was doubtful of his “religion” and abilities. He didn’t kill every other officer in the room and unlike Kylo he didn’t destroy things here and there and he didn’t complain about it. The difference between Anakin and Kylo is that Anakin grew up; Kylo did not. So Kylo Ren can never be as complex or well written as Darth Vader.