#scanning the battlefield for any other threats

[thedragonagelesbian]

ontological evil is boring except for when its me thinking about cyrus being led to utter ruin by placing his trust and devotion in the hands of someone who wields him with perfect and devastating precision

[heliosunny]

OK so I know this isn't your cup of tea usually

But imagine you and Atsushi are out on a mission, and something goes wrong. You get hurt and unable to walk, and he gets drugged with something that messes up his senses and makes it impossible to distinguish between a friend or foe.

He's freaking out and a bit delirious because his mate is hurt in enemy territory and all of his senses are messed up. So he drags you off to a side room and places himself between you and the door and tries to kill anyone who comes in.

Dazai’s on the other side of the country right now, and it's gonna be hours until he can come by and try to defuse the situation. So you're just gonna have to wait the drugs out with Atsushi . Which would be a lot easier to do if he stops trying to lick your wounds.

So you knew but you requested anyway huh. How bold.

Atsushi x Reader

You and Atsushi had done this kind of thing before: Retrieve the stolen files, eliminate any threats, and rendezvous at the extraction point. Nothing you two couldn’t handle. The two of you worked well together. Even when the battlefield was drenched in chaos, Atsushi was a force of nature, and you were the strategist, balancing his strength with careful precision.

At least, that was the plan.

The night had started smoothly enough. The two of you infiltrated the enemy compound under the cover of darkness, the mission unfolding like a well-rehearsed script. Atsushi moved ahead, his heightened senses scanning the halls while you worked on disabling the security systems.

"We’re clear so far" he murmured through the earpiece, voice smooth and reassuring. "No guards. Feels... off."

You shared his unease but pushed forward. The stolen files were stored deep within the facility, and the sooner you grabbed them, the sooner you could leave.

But then, everything went wrong.

The ambush was swift and brutal. A tripwire you hadn’t noticed triggered an explosion, sending shrapnel slicing through the air. Pain erupted in your leg, and you barely had time to register the injury before gas flooded the hallway.

Atsushi choked beside you, dropping to his knees. His hands clawed at his head, pupils blown wide as he gasped for breath. You reached for him, but your fingers barely grazed his shoulder before he let out a low, feral growl.

"Atsushi?" Your voice wavered.

His body trembled violently, his claws digging into the floor. Whatever was in that gas, it was messing with his senses.

You had no time to think. Footsteps pounded toward you, enemies closing in. Despite the agony in your leg, you grabbed Atsushi’s arm, forcing him to move. He let you, at first. But his grip on your wrist was like iron, his body hyper-alert, as if he couldn't tell whether you were his ally or another threat.

You stumbled into a side room, barely managing to shove the door shut before he turned on you.

His breathing was ragged, his entire frame wound tight like a spring ready to snap. His ears twitched, tail lashing behind him. His eyes, usually so kind, were clouded with something dangerous.

"You're hurt...." he whispered. His voice shook. "They hurt you."

"I’m fine." you lied, pressing a hand to your bleeding leg. "We just need to wait this out. Dazai will—"

"No." His head snapped up, expression twisting. "Dazai’s not here. No one’s here. Just us. And them."

He turned toward the door, shoulders rising and falling with every sharp breath. His claws extended, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

Atsushi had always been protective, but this- this was different. The drugs had scrambled his mind, made him hyperfixate on the fact that you were injured, vulnerable. That he had to protect you.

And that meant eliminating anything or anyone that got too close.

A voice from outside called out. "Hey, we’re here to help!"

Atsushi’s body coiled like a spring, ready to pounce. But something was off. The voice... it was familiar. One of your colleagues. Relief flooded through you, until Atsushi lunged.

The door slammed open as he tackled the person outside, claws flashing. A strangled yelp—then silence. Atsushi panted above the unmoving body, eyes glazed with something wild.

He stepped back inside, locking the door with a trembling hand. "Fake!" he spat. "They were lying. Trying to take you from me."

Your breath hitched. That was a real colleague. One who had come to help. And Atsushi... You didn’t get to process it before he turned back to you, golden eyes locking onto the deep gash in your leg. His pupils dilated. His breathing grew heavy. Then, before you could even process it, he moved toward your wound, lips parting.

Realization hit you like a bolt of lightning. You jerked back, pressing a hand firmly over the injury. "No, Atsushi! Don’t!"

His body stiffened. "But... I have to fix it. I have to make it better."

"That’s not how it works" you said firmly, forcing his gaze to meet yours. "Licking it will only make it worse. You don’t want to hurt me more, do you?"

He froze, trembling, warring with instinct. His fingers twitched as though he was holding himself back from forcing your hand away. "No... never."

But something inside him snapped.

In a blur, he was on you, pressing your leg down, his mouth trailing dangerously close. His tongue flicked over the torn skin, slow and deliberate, a pleased growl escaping his throat as he took his time.

Heat surged through you, an unfamiliar tightness forming in your chest. You gasped, squirming, but his grip was firm. His breath fanned against your skin as his licks grew deeper, messier. His hands tightened around your thigh, thumbs pressing into sensitive flesh as he murmured something incoherent.

"Atsushi..." you panted, fighting the tingling sensation that traveled up your spine. "Stop..."

"Shh" he hushed, his voice husky, lips ghosting over your wound. "Just a little more... let me help you."

Your body trembled at the sensation, heat coiling in your stomach. It was overwhelming, the warmth of his mouth, the low growls, the way his claws flexed against your skin as if he was holding back something deeper.

His lips trailed upward, dangerously slow, his breath hot against your inner thigh. His hands gripped your hips tighter, fingers digging in. His golden eyes flickered up, something dark and dangerous swirling within them.

"Oya? Am I interrupting something~?"

Atsushi stiffened, his ears perking up. Your face burned as you turned toward the door, finding Dazai standing there, one brow raised, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

Atsushi snarled, his body still positioned protectively over you, but you took the chance to shove him off. He blinked, dazed, his expression flickering between frustration and confusion.

Dazai stepped in casually, waving a hand. "Now, now, Atsushi-kun, I know you’re dedicated to taking care of our dear friend here, but I think you’re getting a little... carried away."

Atsushi’s pupils dilated further, but you grabbed his wrist before he could react. "Atsushi, it’s okay. Dazai’s here now. We’re safe."

He hesitated, his chest rising and falling rapidly. But your touch grounded him, the fog in his mind slowly lifting. After a long pause, he exhaled shakily and slumped forward, his forehead resting against your shoulder.

"But.. I thought it'll take some time for you to get here." You said.

Dazai shrugged "I guess you underestimated me. Anyway, let’s get you both out of here before Atsushi decides he wants another taste."

Your face burned as you shot him a glare. "Not funny, Dazai."

But his smirk only widened as he gestured for you to follow him.

Finally, the nightmare was over.

[rainydaydream-gal18]

Oh! How would the Bad Batch react to their S/O protecting them or blocking an attack they didn’t see for them during a mission!

(The Bad Batch) You Block/Protect Him from an Attack

Hunter

There isn't much that this guy doesn't see, but every now and then, he finds himself a little preoccupied in the heat of battle. He saw the enemy taking aim with their blaster, but he was locked in hand-to-hand combat with multiple targets at the moment, mentally working out the details of how he'd get out of that one.

You saw your enemy's evil intent, heart pounding at the thought of any harm coming to him, and jumped in to quickly knock the enemy out before they could even take a shot.

While grappling with his opponent, Hunter's visor snapped toward you for an instant. If his helmet was off, you would've seen the gratitude in his eyes as well as the pride. But things were moving so fast that he couldn't afford to spare more than a glance in your direction.

A new resolve settled in his chest, and he overcame his opponent with a surge of strength. He had to end this fight.

It was later on aboard the Marauder that Hunter was able to truly express his feelings on the matter. In the quiet of the ship, he pulled you into an embrace that caught you a little off guard.

"I saw that," he murmured. "Earlier."

You smiled as you leaned into his chest, though you weren't entirely sure what it was about. "What do you mean?"

"During the fight," he continued, resting his stubbled cheek against yours. "You were there just in time."

"Oh, that?" Your heart picked up speed as you wrapped your arms tighter around him, chuckling softly. "Just doing my duty, Sarge. I'm always happy to help."

"Saved my behind is what you did."

You rolled your eyes playfully, pulling away slightly to kiss his chin. "You would've found your way out."

He smirked, tilting his head down so that his lips could meet yours. "I'm not so sure. It was looking pretty bleak."

Wrecker

During fights, this guy goes all out. Sometimes he gets caught up in the heat of battle, so it isn't entirely unheard of that he wouldn't see an impending threat creeping up on him.

You never strayed too far from Wrecker in battle unless you were given an order, so fortunately, you saw it coming. He was covering you, as a matter of fact, pulling a particularly large opponent away from you.

You planted your feet and took aim with your blaster, firing off a couple of blasts to take the approaching threat out.

Wrecker hadn't seen them coming behind him, but he heard the blaster fire. He turned around to see your position standing only a few feet away, gaze honed on your target, eyes alight with protective fire.

"Wow," he rumbled in amazement, helmet tilting as he admired you for a moment. His chest swelled with the reminder that you always had his back, and he dove back into the fray.

After the fight, Wrecker came up behind you while you talked to Hunter and wrapped you up in a giant hug, squeezing you until you laughed.

"You were great out there!" He boomed affectionately, bringing you closer his chest and resting his head against yours as if you were Lula. "Thanks for havin' my back!"

You happily accepted the kiss that he bestowed, melting into it and his gentle touch.

Tech

Tech was very capable on the battlefield. You'd seen it. He was smart, resourceful, and strong.

But sometimes, he had other things to do even in the midst of a firefight. Whether it was hacking, downloading data, searching his holopad for vital information, or using his custom visor to scan ahead. It was in those times that engaging in combat was put on the backburner, falling to the rest of you while he worked on whatever crisis was at hand.

This was one of those instances. Tech was knelt beside a panel, trying to hotwire a door since Wrecker was not there to bash it in. You and Echo were covering him. It was practically the two of you against an entire wave of enemies that were quickly approaching.

A shot was fired just past Tech, leaving a scorch mark on the door. He paused his work momentarily to steal a narrow-eyed look at the enemy. Heart racing, you jumped in front of him, swiftly taking aim and firing off several blasts.

Tech glanced up at you, brown eyes softening behind the clear visor, and coolly resumed his task.

"Thank you, my dear," he said evenly, though the gratitude was evident in his tone.

"Of course," you grunted back, ducking to avoid a shot and quickly firing back. Together, you and Echo were able to fight off the remaining opponents until Tech managed to get the door open.

Later on, when things calmed down, you and Tech hardly left each other's side even as you went about the mundane tasks of ship repairs, setting coordinates, checking supplies.

Out of the blue, he wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you in for a kiss. The gesture was a surprise, but a pleasant one. You sighed into it, and when he pulled away, you smiled. When you asked what it was for, he merely adjusted his goggles and replied,

"Consider that my expression of gratitude for earlier. Thank you for covering me."

"Oh," you chuckled. "Anytime."

Echo

You'd been separated from Echo on the latest mission, given orders to accompany Wrecker and Omega and meet the others at the destination. Of course you always worried about your love, but never in a million were you prepared for what you saw when you arrived at the rendezvous point.

In the middle of a fight, Echo was grappling with an enemy at the edge of a steep drop. His blaster was just out of reach, and the opponent had his arm pinned.

Your heart plummeted at the sight, and to make matters worse, another enemy was eyeing the situation from across the platform, possibly looking to aid his ally. The enemy turned his masked face toward you, and the both of you met each other's gazes in silent understanding.

You took off running toward Echo and his opponent, blaster in hand. You couldn't afford a moment of hesitation. Your rival was tearing across the platform as well, both of you intent in the race to help your comrades.

Fortunately, you made it there first, taking aim to keep him from getting any closer. In that instance, Echo managed to overpower his attacker, and knock him out. He looked up through his helmet visor to see you standing in front of him protectively with your blaster aimed at the one who had dared to threaten him.

He still made a move for his own blaster, so you stunned him.

Echo was at your side in an instant with his own blaster recovered. "Thanks," he breathed out through his modulator, still huffing from the effort his his wrestling match. "You alright?"

"Now that you are, I am," you replied, affection creeping into your tone as you stole a glance at him. "Don't do that to me again."

His voiced lilted with playful sarcasm. "I'll try not to."

Crosshair

He is always the eye in the sky. Crosshair is the one who looks after the others, including you.

But it isn't completely unheard of that his location is compromised.

You were down below, engaged in combat alongside the rest of the squad. You fired your blaster and ducked to avoid a swipe from a nearby opponent. As you took him down, you noted the fall of enemies all around you. Single, precise shots from afar. Your eyes travelled up to see the glint of armor nestled atop a boulder at the peak of a rocky slope.

You knew it to be Crosshair, so you gave him a nod of thanks that he would hopefully see through his scope. It always amazed you how far he could be, and yet how safe you felt knowing he was never too far.

Unfortunately, one of your enemies somehow managed to follow the line of fire. They stood at the edge of the valley, aiming their own rifle at Crosshair's position.

"Oh no," you whispered, muscles bunching as you prepared to break into a run. You lifted your blaster and fired a few warning shots, hoping to spook him out of it. Relieved that he turned his attention from your sniper and onto you, you barreled into him rather ungracefully and knocked him out with a harsh blow with the butt of your blaster.

No doubt that maneuver would result in a few bruises on your arm, but things were too crazy to dwell on it for long.

You didn't see Crosshair until after the battle when things calmed down. He met up with the rest of the squad, hovering near you like he usually did.

"Hey," you greeted, eyes brimming with affection and relief. He entered your space, regarding you with his own version of tenderness.

"Hey." His gaze didn't stray from yours for several seconds, a sign he was contemplating his next words. "Are you...alright?"

"Hm?"

"Before. You hit him pretty hard."

"Oh," you blushed, realizing he saw that. "I got a little banged up, but nothing major."

"That was reckless." His scolding was flat, but you recognized it for what it was. Even so, his gloved hand curled around yours.

"I know, I just... I got concerned is all."

"Concerned," he repeated with emphasis, leaning in. Before you could respond, Crosshair's lips joined with yours agonizingly slow, leaving you wanting another kiss as he pulled away.

"Be more careful next time," he murmured.

[caplanbuckybarnes]

Thunder & Vibranium (MK & MCU X-over)

Summary: When Bucky walks through a portal thinking it was one of Stephen Strange's doing, he meets with the Thunder god, Raiden in the Outworld.

Warnings: none :)

WC: 820ish

A/N: i've been thinking about doing this crossover for a lONG time now. I couldn't figure out how to do it until a few days ago. I d hope this makes sense to y'all. lol. Also, idk who to tag??? So i'm just tagging bucky & marvel & MK forever tags.

Read on AO3!

--

Bucky Barnes had faced many enemies—soldiers, HYDRA agents, and even himself. But as he stood in the middle of an unfamiliar, storm-torn battlefield, it was clear he was far from home as he glanced around him, slain bodies of all types. Some creatures held numerous limbs, others had bled green, purple, or even blue..

The sky above rumbled, thick clouds swirling with electric energy. The last thing he remembered was a portal opening up during his mission, a golden rift tearing through the air, something he’d assumed Stephen Strange had opened up. Now, he was somewhere else—definitely not Earth as he knew it. His metal arm buzzed in the charged atmosphere as if it could sense something, someone, watching him.

“Where the hell am I?” Bucky muttered, scanning his surroundings trying to find a person or creature who he could speak with..

"Earthrealm," a voice echoed, deep and booming.

Bucky spun around, coming face to face with a man cloaked in blue and white robes, eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. Lightning flickered around him, the energy crackling along his fingers as if it obeyed his command.

Raiden.

“I’m guessing you’re the one responsible for dragging me here?” Bucky’s voice was sharp, his stance tense, ready for a fight. He had heard of gods in myths but had never expected to meet one—let alone someone who looked like he could turn him into a pile of dust with a flick of his wrist.

Where the hell was this place?

Raiden stepped forward. His face was calm, though his presence demanded respect. “You were brought here for a reason, James Buchanan Barnes. Earthrealm is under threat, and your skills are needed.”

Bucky’s eyes narrowed. He had been manipulated before, used as a weapon by forces much stronger than him. He wasn’t going to fall for it again. “Why should I care about this ‘Earthrealm’? I’m not one of your soldiers. And i refuse to be soemone else’s pet for pleasure.”

Raiden’s eyes flashed as a streak of lightning split the sky. “Because Earthrealm’s destruction would mean the end of all realms—including yours. There is no choice, Winter Soldier.”

Bucky clenched his jaw. His metal fist curled into a ball, but he knew better than to fight against something this powerful. "Alright, Thunder God," he growled. "What's the plan?"

--

They were at the heart of the chaos, Raiden and Bucky side by side. The ground shook as monstrous foes from Outworld charged at them—creatures with tusks, claws, and powers that rivalled any Bucky had faced before. The Winter Soldier fired off rounds from his rifle, precision perfect as always, while Raiden summoned lightning, striking enemies with the wrath of a storm.

As another wave of foes came crashing down on them, Bucky found himself thrown to the ground. His weapon skidded out of reach, and his mind flashed back to countless battles, each moment forcing him to fight for his life. He couldn’t understand what he was fighting. And he fought aliens from space, which was saying something.

But before his enemy could strike, Raiden appeared in a blur of blue, lightning fast. With a shout, the Thunder God unleashed a bolt of pure electricity, frying the attacker before turning to help Bucky to his feet.

“You fight well, James,” Raiden said, his tone as calm as ever despite the battlefield around them. “But in this realm, power must be balanced with wisdom.”

Bucky grunted, wiping blood from his lip. “Wisdom won’t do much if you're dead.”

Raiden’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “Perhaps. But I believe there’s more to you than just the soldier. Your past does not define you here.”

Bucky looked at him, surprised by the words. No one had ever spoken to him like that—as they saw beyond the Winter Soldier, beyond the killer.

The battle raged on, but Bucky felt something shift inside him. Raiden wasn’t just a god wielding lightning—he was someone who understood the weight of responsibility, of carrying the burdens of an entire realm on his shoulders. In a way, it reminded Bucky of his own journey, trying to break free from the chains of his past while fighting for a better future.

Together, they were an unstoppable force. Raiden's lightning complemented Bucky's ruthless efficiency, each move calculated and lethal. They tore through the enemies like a storm sweeping across the battlefield, unrelenting and unyielding.

As the dust settled and the last of the Outworld warriors fell, Bucky stood beside Raiden, breathing heavily but alive.

“So, what happens now?” Bucky asked, looking at the destruction around them. “We just keep fighting? Forever?”

Raiden turned to him, his glowing eyes softening. “There will always be battles to fight, James Barnes. But it is up to us to choose which ones are worth it.”

For the first time in a long time, Bucky felt like maybe he had found a cause worth fighting for.

[the-big-boss-of-hell]

Aislynn’s Sacrifice

The air in Hell was thick with chaos. Bells tolled ominously, warning of the Exterminators’ sudden, early arrival. The once-lively streets were now battlefields, with demons scrambling for safety or arms to defend themselves.

Inside the hotel, pandemonium reigned.

Lucifer: Get them to the safe room—NOW!

He barked orders to anyone who could hear him, his wings unfurled in full display of authority.

Nearby, Alastor clung tightly to his teddy bear, his wide eyes darting around in terror. He stumbled behind the others, holding onto Husk’s jacket as if it were a lifeline.

Alastor: I-I don’t like this game… It’s scary…

Candy and Aislynn led the babies and Alastor to the safe room, weapons at the ready. They moved with precision, their eyes scanning for any threats.

The safe room was just ahead when the exorcists descended, their glowing weapons gleaming like stars in the dim light of Hell. A few exorcists managed to get inside, splitting the group apart.

Aislynn: They’re here! Candy, get them inside!

Candy nodded, her face pale but determined. She rushed toward Aurora, Lumiere, and Calliope, who were huddled together in a protective stroller. The exorcists spotted them immediately, their halos glinting menacingly.

Exorcist: The children. Eradicate them.

Aislynn’s eyes widened in horror as the exorcists charged.

Aislynn: Oh, no, you don’t!

She lunged forward, slashing at one of the attackers with her blade. Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, the sound deafening in the enclosed space. Candy stood in front of the stroller, arms spread wide as she shouted for backup.

Candy: Come on, you cowards! You’ll have to get through me!

Aurora wailed, her tiny hands reaching for Candy as the fighting grew closer. Lumiere and Calliope cried in unison, their screams piercing the air.

One exorcist broke through Aislynn’s defense and charged toward the stroller. Without hesitation, Aislynn threw herself between the attacker and her baby sister.

Aislynn: NO!

The blade struck her side, and she gasped, blood spilling onto the floor.

Candy: AISLYNN!

Candy screamed, tears streaming down her face as she fought to get to her sister. She managed to get to the stroller and block the attack, throwing them off and quickly began taking all of the babies into the safe room.

Her sacrifice bought them the precious seconds they needed.

Candy: I’m so sorry… Aislynn…

[summaryscar]

Ask game: Hero of Warriors?!?!!?! 👀

🤗

🍿

Oh, dang, this was from forever ago I didn’t think I’d see an ask for this game ever again. However, this was one that I wasn’t asked about that I really wanted to talk about, so thank you for asking about it!

I’ll talk about it for a bit first, then share a snippet of what I’ve got done, if that’s alright with you.

So, this is a fic I haven’t worked on in months because I kinda got distracted with other ones and haven’t yet had the time to go back to it. For those who have heard of Epic: The Musical (which I’ve come to realize is a lot of people in the LU fandom), the fic is based off of the songs Survive and Remember Them. I haven’t quite gotten to the part where these two songs actually come into play, but I’m extremely close to getting started on where Survive will happen, if that makes sense.

Besides the fact that I got distracted, another reason as to why the fic has been untouched for so long is because I’m unsure as to how much of the song lyrics and such to include in the fic. There are certain lines I know for certain that I will be including, because how could I not?, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to have the dialogue be the lyrics word for word, or if it’s better to skip over certain things.

This fic has also somehow managed to branch off into ideas for other fics titled similarly and revolving around the same idea for each Lu character. These ones are still completely unwritten, and I’m not planning on starting them until I get the one for Wars done.

(Okay, that’s a lie. I have, like, a sentence for two written for Legend and one of the others that I can’t remember which one it is, nor do I want to search all my docs at the moment)

Now for the snippet I promised:

“Well, I suppose we can lend a hand or two, what do you guys say?” Warriors turned around, addressing the rest of the Chain who had managed to cut down the surrounding monsters enough for them all to talk.

Wild’s immediate reaction was to run off and charge some nearby Bokoblins that had gotten too close to some of the soldiers. He was soon followed by Wind and Four, the two of them yelling some sort of battle cry as they slashed through any enemy that crossed their path. The rest of them were quick to join the battle, assisting soldiers who appeared to be in need of reinforcements.

After some time, the monster forces seemed to be dwindling, and while it took longer to kill these ones off, — Legend learned the hard way that they had infected blood — they were making more progress than the troops had been making without the Heroes of Courage.

“I think we’ve almost got them all,” said Twilight from across the battlefield. It was hard to hear him properly due to the sound of clashing shields and weapons, but the Rancher was loud enough that it sparked some hope in everyone present, giving them all the more reason to continue fighting until they no longer could.

“Well, that’s good,” breathed Hyrule from somewhere off to the side, treating Legend’s injured arm while still keeping an eye out for any threats coming their way.

Warriors looked around, scanning the area for the rest of his fellow heroes. He caught a glimpse of Wild running through a crowd of ChuChus, slicing them apart with ease, before he lost sight of the Champion. Sky wasn’t too far away from him, using the Master Sword to fight some Moblins from Wild’s world. He didn’t have time to worry about the fact that they were not only battling black-blooded enemies, but also ones from Wild’s era, some of the strongest they’d ever encountered even when not infected. From behind him, he heard Wind’s battle cries once more and came across the sight of his little brother caught in combat with an Aeralfos, the winged creature swooping down on him. That, however, didn’t appear to be a problem for the Sailor seeing how he just jumped out of the way before stabbing it with his sword

That brought the total up to six, seven counting himself. Only two others were left.

I (surprisingly) have a lot more than this written, it just might take a while to get out, but I promise it’ll come eventually

[shiorihyugawrites]

Diamond Of The First Water

In the aftermath of war, Paradis finds itself in need of powerful alliances. When Emperor Armand of Valoria offers his military aid in exchange for the hand of his daughter, Princess Solina, in marriage, Captain Levi Ackerman is thrust into an engagement that begins as a political strategy but soon becomes something much deeper.

Princess Solina, sheltered from the world and unaware of the realities of love and war, finds herself drawn to Levi—the man known as Humanity’s Strongest Soldier. As they navigate royal customs, public expectations, and the growing threat of Marley, the bond between them deepens into a genuine connection.

But neither Solina nor Levi are prepared for the challenges of a political marriage, the weight of intimacy, and the secrets that lie beneath the surface. As Solina enters a new life with Levi, her naivety is tested, and Levi faces a battle unlike any he’s fought before—the fight to protect his heart.

Can their love flourish in the midst of war, duty, and danger? Or will the forces conspiring against them tear them apart before they can find peace? (Levi x OC)

Chapter Twenty Seven

It’s been ten days since Levi and Solina left the lush rainforests of Montessa. They’ve visited two other stunning countries since then and are en route to the final destination on their honeymoon. 

The Valorian royal ship cut smoothly through the serene waters, leaving the vibrant shores of Androsia behind as the horizon revealed the unmistakable architecture of Hizuru. Delicate pagodas framed against snow-capped peaks grew closer with every passing moment. Solina stood on the deck, her emerald gown catching the ocean breeze, the sunlight glinting off the fine embroidery of golden roses adorning the fabric. Her hair, pinned back into a simple yet elegant style, shone in the light, and Levi couldn’t help but glance at her from the corner of his eye. She had been glowing the entire honeymoon, but something about seeing her against this backdrop of adventure made his chest swell with quiet pride.

Levi, as ever, was composed, though his sharp eyes scanned the dock ahead for any potential threats. Even on his honeymoon, his instincts as Humanity's Strongest Soldier remained sharp. He adjusted the cuffs of his tailored jacket, which bore subtle nods to his status as both a Valorian royal consort and a Paradis captain. Solina noticed his focused expression and gently touched his arm.

“You’re tense again,” she said softly, smiling up at him. “We’re arriving at Hizuru, not entering a battlefield.”

Levi’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Force of habit. And I’d argue, being married into your family sometimes is a battlefield.”

Solina chuckled lightly, shaking her head as the ship began its slow approach to the dock. The bustling port came into full view—a hive of activity with workers unloading cargo, merchants calling out their wares, and soldiers in pristine uniforms lining the pier. A line of officials dressed in traditional Hizuru attire stood waiting, their expressions calm yet expectant. At the forefront was the Shogun, his ceremonial robes flowing, flanked by Kiyomi Azumabito, who wore her usual reserved smile.

“Looks like they rolled out the red carpet for us,” Levi murmured dryly, his sharp eyes narrowing at the gathering.

“They’re friends of my father,” Solina replied, her voice calm but tinged with nerves. “He and the Shogun have worked together for years.”

Levi nodded, though his gaze lingered on Kiyomi. He hadn’t forgotten her how much helps she had been to the beginning of his engagement to Solina. 

As the ship docked and the gangplank lowered, Solina gracefully stepped forward, her hand lightly resting on Levi’s arm. The Shogun approached first, his smile wide and warm as he inclined his head toward Solina.

“Princess Solina, it is an honor to welcome you to Hizuru,” he said, his voice deep and resonant. “Your presence graces our lands.”

“Thank you, Lord Shogun,” Solina replied, her tone formal yet warm. “It is a privilege to be here. My father speaks highly of you.”

The Shogun then turned his attention to Levi, his gaze appraising. “And Captain Levi Ackerman. Your reputation precedes you. It is said you are the strongest soldier alive.”

Levi inclined his head slightly. “I just do what’s necessary.”

Kiyomi stepped forward next, her smile faint but amused. “Captain Levi, it’s wonderful to see you again, and an honor to meet you, Princess Solina. It’s been some time since I’ve seen such a... memorable pairing.”

Levi narrowed his eyes slightly, but Kiyomi turned her focus to Solina, who greeted her warmly. The older woman studied the couple for a moment before leaning closer to Solina, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“You must be some kind of magician, Your Highness,” Kiyomi teased, her eyes twinkling. “To have gotten the captain to fall for you. I never thought I’d see the day.”

Solina’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she glanced at Levi, who arched a brow at Kiyomi, unimpressed by her teasing. However, he didn’t refute her words, which only made Kiyomi chuckle quietly.

“Welcome to Hizuru,” Kiyomi added, her tone now more serious. “We hope your stay will be restful and rewarding.”

The formalities concluded, Levi and Solina were led through the port and into a waiting carriage adorned with Hizuru’s crest. The streets of the capital city bustled with life, but the couple’s itinerary was designed to give them as much privacy as possible. As the carriage moved through the city, Solina marveled at the architecture and intricate gardens, her face lighting up with childlike wonder.

Levi noticed, as he always did, how her excitement seemed to radiate outward, infecting those around her. He leaned back in his seat, allowing himself a moment of quiet contentment as he watched her take in the sights.

“You seem happy,” he remarked, his tone softer than usual.

“I am,” she admitted, turning to face him. “Everywhere we’ve been has been so beautiful, but something about Hizuru feels special. It’s hard to explain.”

Levi hummed thoughtfully, his hand resting on the hilt of the short blade he carried at his side. He wouldn’t admit it aloud, but he was also looking forward to their time in Hizuru. Though he was still adjusting to the role of husband—and Valorian consort—the idea of exploring a place so rich in history with Solina was strangely appealing.

The Shogun had arranged for them to stay in a secluded estate surrounded by cherry blossoms and bamboo groves. When they arrived, the air was fragrant with blooming flowers, and the gentle sound of a koi pond added to the tranquil atmosphere. Solina stepped out of the carriage first, her emerald gown catching the sunlight, and Levi followed closely behind.

“This place is stunning,” Solina breathed, her eyes wide as she took in the beauty of the estate.

Levi nodded in agreement, though his attention was drawn to the staff who approached with their luggage. He made a mental note to check the perimeter later, ensuring their security was tight.

As they were shown to their quarters, Kiyomi lingered behind for a moment, her gaze following the couple. She couldn’t help but smile faintly, shaking her head at the sight of Levi subtly holding Solina’s hand as they walked.

“Maybe there’s hope for him yet,” she murmured to herself before turning to leave.

In their private quarters, Levi and Solina found a quiet moment to relax. Solina ran her fingers over the intricate carvings of the wooden screens, while Levi unpacked a few essentials, including the cleaning supplies he always carried.

“I think I’m going to love it here,” Solina said, her voice soft but filled with certainty.

Levi glanced at her, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “As long as there aren’t any snakes.”

Solina laughed, the sound light and musical, and Levi felt something in his chest tighten. Everything just felt... right.

…

Later on at diiner time, the quiet hum of conversation and the subtle clink of porcelain against wood filled the traditional dining room as Levi and Solina sat cross-legged on mats before a polished, low wooden table. The room was intimate, with sliding shoji doors framing a serene garden illuminated by lanterns. A master chef knelt behind a small counter, meticulously preparing the evening's meal. The setup was elegant, a perfect blend of culinary artistry and cultural tradition, yet Levi felt more uneasy than he had during his battles against titans.

Solina, on the other hand, was already immersed in the experience. Her emerald eyes sparkled as she watched the chef’s skilled hands glide over the fish, slicing thin, translucent pieces of sashimi. She adjusted her posture gracefully on the mat, her delicate hands clasped in her lap.

“This is incredible,” she murmured, leaning closer to Levi. “I’ve had Hizuru’s cuisine before, but never prepared so personally. Isn’t this amazing?”

Levi glanced at the pristine, gleaming knife the chef wielded, then at the counter. His sharp eyes noted the spotless workspace, the perfectly arranged fish, and the fresh, shining vegetables. At least it’s clean, he thought.

“Sure,” he replied dryly, though his eyes flicked skeptically to the plate of raw fish being arranged before them. “But... is it really safe to eat something that hasn’t been cooked?”

Solina turned to him, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “Of course it is. The fish is incredibly fresh, and this chef is a master. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

Levi wasn’t convinced. The notion of eating something raw didn’t sit well with him. For someone who was particular about cleanliness and hygiene, the slimy texture of uncooked fish was... unappealing, to say the least.

The chef slid their first course onto the table: an assortment of sashimi delicately fanned out on a lacquered plate, accompanied by pickled ginger, wasabi, and a small bowl of soy sauce. The colors were stunning—pale pink salmon, creamy white tuna, and translucent slices of sea bass arranged like a blooming flower.

Levi’s sharp blue eyes studied the plate, his lips pressed into a thin line. He noticed Solina pick up her chopsticks effortlessly and take a small piece of salmon, dipping it lightly into the soy sauce before popping it into her mouth. Her expression softened with delight, and she hummed softly.

“It’s perfect,” she said, turning to him with excitement. “You should try it.”

Levi, who was still trying to figure out how to properly hold the chopsticks in his hand, mumbled, “I’m fine.”

Solina tilted her head, watching him with mild amusement. “You’re not sure how to use those, are you?” she teased gently.

“I know how,” Levi retorted, his ears tinging slightly pink. He quickly observed her fingers, mimicking her hold with subtle precision. To his relief, the chopsticks didn’t slip from his grasp, and he picked up a piece of sashimi.

But he didn’t eat it.

Solina laughed lightly. “You’re inspecting it like it’s a bomb.”

“Raw fish,” he replied, his tone flat. “It might as well be.”

Solina rolled her eyes playfully and took another bite. “You’re being dramatic. Here, let me help.”

Before Levi could protest, she picked up a piece of sashimi with her own chopsticks, dipped it in soy sauce, and held it out to him. “Open up,” she said with a soft laugh.

Levi scowled, leaning back slightly. “I can feed myself.”

“Levi,” she said, her voice softening as her green eyes sparkled with amusement, “please? Just try it.”

Levi hesitated, his gaze flickering between her earnest expression and the piece of fish hovering inches from his mouth. He sighed in defeat. “Fine.”

He leaned forward and bit the sashimi off her chopsticks, his jaw tightening slightly as he chewed. The texture was just as he feared—soft and slippery—but to his surprise, the taste wasn’t terrible. The soy sauce and fresh flavor worked well together, though he’d never admit it aloud.

“Well?” Solina asked, her voice laced with anticipation.

Levi swallowed and shrugged. “Not as bad as I thought.”

Her face lit up with a triumphant smile. “See? I told you.”

He didn’t respond, instead reaching for his tea to wash down the unfamiliar texture. When he set the cup back down, Solina was holding another piece of sashimi toward him.

“You’re joking,” he said, his expression flat.

“Come on,” she urged, her tone teasing. “You liked the first one.”

Levi pinched the bridge of his nose but relented, leaning forward once again to let her feed him. As he chewed, he found himself less focused on the fish and more on Solina’s radiant smile, the soft curve of her lips, and the way her joy seemed to illuminate the room.

After finishing a third piece—again fed by Solina—Levi leaned back slightly, shaking his head. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Guilty,” she admitted with a laugh. “But you’re doing so well.”

He smirked faintly, his sharp gaze softening. “If you weren’t my wife, I’d say you were torturing me.”

“And if you weren’t my husband, I’d say you were the pickiest eater I’ve ever met,” she shot back, her voice light and teasing.

The chef, who had remained silent but attentive throughout their banter, presented the next course: nigiri sushi. Solina beamed and clapped her hands softly, clearly delighted. Levi, meanwhile, resigned himself to enduring another round of her encouragement.

By the end of the meal, Levi had managed to eat more raw fish than he thought possible, and though he wouldn’t admit it, he found the experience more enjoyable than he’d anticipated—mostly because of Solina. As they prepared to leave the restaurant, Levi glanced at her, watching as she thanked the chef with genuine warmth and grace.

“You’re something else,” he murmured as they stepped outside into the crisp night air.

“What do you mean?” she asked, tilting her head.

He shook his head slightly, a faint smirk on his lips. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

Though he didn’t elaborate, Levi knew what he meant. She had a way of making even the most mundane—or in this case, uncomfortable—experiences feel worthwhile. And for that, he couldn’t help but feel grateful.

Their traditional Hizuru home was breathtaking, the kind of place that seemed plucked out of a dream. Situated on a hillside, it overlooked a serene valley blanketed by lush greenery. The home was crafted with expert precision, its polished wooden floors, paper-thin shoji doors, and intricately painted screens a testament to Hizuru’s craftsmanship. A gentle breeze swept through the open corridors, carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms from a nearby grove.

After dinner, as Levi and Solina were shown to their quarters, Solina marveled at the koi pond visible through the sliding doors. “This place is gorgeous,” she said softly, her voice filled with awe.

Levi nodded, though his sharp eyes were scanning every corner. “It’s clean,” he murmured, as if that were the only compliment that mattered. He’d been on edge all day, uncomfortable with the lingering sweat from their journey and eager for the opportunity to properly wash.

Finally, their attendant bowed politely and motioned toward a pathway leading outside. “This way to your bath,” he said, sliding open another door.

Levi stepped forward, curious, but froze as they reached the destination. There, nestled among natural stones and surrounded by lush foliage, was an onsen—a private hot spring bath. The steam rose gently from the crystalline water, the scene illuminated by soft lantern light. The peaceful bubbling of the spring was accompanied by the occasional chirping of crickets.

“This is… for us?” Solina asked, her voice tinged with nervousness. She was already starting to blush.

“Indeed,” the attendant replied with a bow. “The onsen is yours to enjoy. It is customary for couples to share the experience.” With another bow, he retreated, leaving them standing there in awkward silence.

Solina’s face turned bright red as the reality of the situation sank in. Levi’s stoic expression didn’t give much away, but the way the tops of his ears flushed pink betrayed his discomfort.

“A shared bath,” Levi said flatly, his tone a mix of disbelief and resignation. His mind immediately flashed back to the night in Montessa when Solina had slept topless next to him. He’d barely survived that, and now this? He cleared his throat sharply and gestured toward the bath. “You go first. I’ll wait.”

Solina hesitated, gripping the hem of her sleeve. Her face was still burning, but something inside her was urging her to be bold. After all, they were married now, weren’t they? It wasn’t inappropriate. “No,” she said softly, yet firmly. “I want to go in… with you.”

Levi blinked, sure he’d misheard. “What?” His usual monotone cracked just slightly, betraying his shock.

“I mean—” Solina’s blush deepened as she tried to steady herself. “We don’t have to… do anything. But I want to experience this with you. It’s… something intimate we can share.”

Levi stared at her, his gray eyes wide and unblinking. His brain scrambled to process what she was asking. The idea of sharing a bath—naked—with Solina, the woman who had been driving him mad for weeks now, was enough to make his throat dry. He swallowed hard, glancing toward the onsen and then back at her. She wasn’t teasing him or testing him; her earnest green eyes were filled with sincerity.

Finally, he nodded. “Alright,” he said quietly. “But I’ll turn around so you can get in first.”

Solina smiled shyly, relieved by his agreement, and turned to unfasten her obi. Levi spun around immediately, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he focused hard on the dark foliage beyond the bath. He could hear the soft rustle of her clothing being removed, and it was taking all his willpower not to glance over his shoulder. When he finally heard the gentle splash of water, he dared to look.

Solina was seated in the water, her arms resting delicately along the edge of the stone bath. Her cheeks were flushed from both the heat and embarrassment, but her gaze was steady as she looked at him. “Your turn,” she said softly.

Levi nodded and began removing his clothes, his movements methodical. He hesitated slightly as he unbuttoned his shirt, aware of Solina’s eyes on him. When he finally removed it, exposing his toned chest and scarred abdomen, he glanced toward her and noticed the way she quickly averted her gaze.

He quickly finished removing his clothing before climbing into the onsen slowly, the hot water enveloping him like a second skin. It was oddly relaxing, though his nerves were still on high alert as he took a seat across from Solina. The bath was large enough to give them some space, but the intimacy of the situation was impossible to ignore.

“This… isn’t so bad,” Levi muttered, breaking the silence.

Solina giggled softly. “No, it’s not.”

They sat in silence for a while, the gentle bubbling of the spring filling the air. The tension began to ease, and Levi found himself relaxing, the heat of the water soothing his muscles.

“Thank you,” Solina said suddenly, her voice soft.

Levi looked up at her, confused. “For what?”

“For agreeing to this,” she said, her gaze meeting his. “I know it’s… a lot. But I wanted to share something like this with you. I wanted us to be vulnerable together.”

Levi’s expression softened, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say. Vulnerability wasn’t something he was accustomed to, but with Solina, it didn’t feel like a weakness. It felt… natural.

“You’re braver than I am,” he admitted quietly. “But I’m glad we’re here.”

Solina’s heart fluttered at his words, and she smiled warmly at him. The heat from the onsen was palpable, wrapping around Levi and Solina as they soaked in the mineral-rich water. Steam rose in delicate wisps, curling into the night air. The atmosphere was quiet save for the bubbling of the spring and the occasional rustle of leaves in the surrounding foliage. It felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them.

Solina, seated a little closer now, had her arms wrapped over her chest. Her posture was one of modesty, but the movement inadvertently pushed her breasts higher, accentuating her already delicate form. Levi, trying his hardest to be a gentleman, was fixated on the lantern’s glow reflecting off the water. The muscles in his jaw clenched as he kept his eyes deliberately averted.

He couldn’t help himself, though. His gaze flickered for just a moment, and when he saw how her arms framed her chest, he gulped audibly, feeling the sweat bead on his brow. The heat of the water was nothing compared to the fire steadily building inside him. His throat felt dry, and the tips of his ears were practically burning.

“Levi,” Solina’s soft voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. “Are you okay?”

Her genuine concern only made things worse. Levi stiffened and turned his head sharply, his voice coming out too fast and an octave higher than usual. “Y-yeah! I’m fine!”

Solina blinked, tilting her head as she studied him. She wasn’t convinced. “You don’t look fine…” she murmured. Her tone was soft and uncertain. “Am I… making you uncomfortable?”

The question struck Levi like a thunderclap. His gray eyes widened, and he turned to face her fully. “No! No, not at all,” he said quickly, his tone carrying a hint of desperation.

Solina’s expression was hesitant, her green eyes flickering with doubt. “If you’d like, I can leave,” she offered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Levi froze. The thought of her leaving made something twist in his chest. He reached out instinctively, his fingers brushing against her wrist. “Don’t,” he said, his voice softer now, more grounded. “I don’t want you to go.”

Solina’s breath caught at his earnestness. Her lips parted slightly as she searched his face, the raw emotion in his gaze causing her cheeks to flush. “Are you sure?” she asked.

Levi exhaled sharply and nodded. “Yeah… I just…” He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling uncharacteristically flustered. Words weren’t his strong suit, but he had to say something. “You’re… very distracting.”

Solina blinked, her confusion evident. “Distracting?”

Levi cleared his throat, willing himself to continue. “You’re beautiful,” he admitted, his voice rough and low. “It’s hard to think straight when you’re sitting there looking like that.” His eyes flickered briefly, unable to help themselves. “But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to be here with you. I do.”

Solina’s face turned crimson, the heat from the onsen nothing compared to the warmth blooming in her chest. She looked down shyly, her curls falling around her face. “You find me distracting?” she asked softly.

Levi nodded, his expression more vulnerable than she’d ever seen it. “Yeah. A lot.”

A small smile curved her lips. “I find you distracting too,” she admitted, her gaze flickering to his chiseled chest and the faint scars that told stories of battles fought and survived. His pale skin glistened with water and sweat, the lean muscles of his torso shifting subtly with every breath he took.

Levi raised an eyebrow, surprised by her confession. “You do?”

Solina nodded, her cheeks still pink. “You’re… well, you’re very handsome,” she said, her voice soft but genuine. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who looks quite like you.”

Her words had an unexpected effect on Levi. For a moment, he forgot his nerves. The knowledge that she found him just as distracting as he found her made him feel… at ease, somehow. He chuckled quietly, the sound low and warm. “Guess we’re both in trouble then,” he said, his tone lighter now.

Solina giggled, and the sound was like music to Levi’s ears. Encouraged by their shared vulnerability, she shifted closer, closing the remaining distance between them. Their bare shoulders brushed against each other, the contact sending a jolt through both of them.

Levi’s breath hitched as he felt the warmth of her skin against his. His eyes were drawn to the bead of sweat rolling down her temple, tracing a slow, tantalizing path down to the curve of her collarbone before disappearing between the swell of her chest. He swallowed hard, his gaze snapping back to her face before he betrayed himself further.

Solina glanced at him through her lashes, noticing the way his throat bobbed with a swallow. Her confidence wavered for a moment, but then she felt a boldness spark within her. She wanted to kiss him. The thought had been lingering at the back of her mind all evening, and now, with the intimacy of the onsen surrounding them, it felt like the right moment.

“Levi…” she murmured, her voice carrying a hesitant longing.

Levi turned to her, his gray eyes locking with her green ones. The steam from the onsen curled around them, the world narrowing to just the two of them. “Yeah?” he asked softly, his voice tinged with curiosity and something deeper.

“I…” Solina’s courage faltered slightly, but the sincerity in Levi’s gaze steadied her. “Can I… kiss you?”

Levi’s breath caught, his heart hammering in his chest. For a moment, he couldn’t speak, his mind racing. But then he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yeah,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Solina leaned in slowly, her heart pounding in her ears. Levi met her halfway, his hand instinctively reaching up to cup her cheek. Their lips met softly, the kiss gentle but full of emotion. The warmth of the onsen seemed to fade as the world melted away, leaving only the two of them and the unspoken promise that they were in this together.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling. Solina’s smile was radiant, and Levi’s eyes softened in a way they rarely did.

“Distracting,” Levi murmured, his voice tinged with amusement and affection.

Solina giggled, her cheeks still flushed. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It is,” Levi assured her, his tone sincere. He leaned back slightly, his hand still resting on her shoulder. “A big one.”

The night air was thick with steam and the quiet hum of cicadas, but neither of them noticed. Levi and Solina felt truly connected, the barriers between them dissolving like mist in the warm onsen.

But just a few minutes later, Levi didn’t know how it happened. One kiss turned into another, then another, and before he realized it, Solina’s soft lips were moving against his with a fervor that made his mind go blank. Every lingering peck, every subtle shift of her lips against his, sent sparks racing through his body, leaving him struggling to maintain control.

Solina’s arms uncrossed, her hesitation melting away as she wrapped them around his neck, pulling herself closer. The warmth of her body pressed against his bare chest, and Levi sucked in a sharp breath, a shiver coursing through him. Her soft breasts pressed against his toned chest, and it took every ounce of his discipline to keep from groaning aloud.

His hands moved on instinct, sliding around her waist and resting on her bare skin. The sensation of her soft, smooth body beneath his calloused fingers made his head spin. He wasn’t used to touching someone like this, let alone his wife, and the intimate closeness sent his carefully cultivated self-control spiraling. Tentatively, he began rubbing slow, careful circles along her waist, testing her reaction.

Solina shivered in response, her breath catching. Her half-lidded eyes gazed into his before fluttering shut as Levi's lips left hers to trail a line of heated kisses down her jaw and neck. She tilted her head to give him better access, and the soft sighs escaping her lips only fueled the fire steadily building inside him.

“Levi,” she whispered breathlessly, her hands threading into his dark hair. The way she said his name sent a thrill through him, and he kissed her neck with more intent, letting his lips linger. He could feel her pulse beneath his lips, fast and unsteady, mirroring his own.

Solina’s body felt strange—warm and alive in ways she had never experienced before. The bubbling sensation deep in her belly made her heart race and her breaths shallow. Whatever this was, it felt good—better than good. She clung to Levi, her fingers curling into his hair as her own lips trailed down the side of his neck.

Levi let out a low, unintentional moan, his lips pausing against her skin as a flush of embarrassment crept up his neck. But Solina didn’t seem to notice, or if she did, she didn’t care. Her kisses became bolder, and he couldn’t stop the soft groan that escaped his lips when her teeth grazed his skin.

“Solina…” His voice was hoarse, his control slipping further as her lips continued their exploration.

Encouraged by the way Levi was reacting, Solina shifted her position. Before she fully thought it through, she straddled his lap, her knees resting on either side of his hips. The sudden shift made Levi freeze for a moment, his hands tightening on her waist.

Solina gasped, her cheeks turning a deep crimson as she felt something firm pressing against her thigh. Her wide eyes darted down briefly before snapping back up to meet Levi’s, her expression mortified. Lady Madeline had explained this to her, but experiencing it firsthand was far different than hearing a lecture.

Levi’s face flushed a deep red, his brows furrowing in embarrassment. “Solina,” he started, his voice gruff and uneven. “I—”

But before he could finish, Solina leaned forward again, silencing him with a kiss. Her hands cupped his face as her lips moved against his, pouring every ounce of her growing desire into the kiss. Levi groaned softly, his hands roaming up her back as his body betrayed his intentions to stop.

God, he wanted her. He wanted her more than anything. Her warmth, her scent, the feel of her soft body against his—it was intoxicating, and he was quickly losing the battle with himself.

Solina shifted in his lap, her core brushing against him, and Levi hissed, his head falling back slightly as a wave of pleasure coursed through him.

Solina pulled back, alarmed. “Levi! Did I hurt you?”

He shook his head quickly, his grip on her waist tightening. “No,” he rasped, his voice heavy with barely restrained desire. “It’s… It’s fine. I promise.”

Her worried expression softened, and she leaned in again, pressing kisses along his neck and shoulder. Levi’s breath hitched, his eyes fluttering shut as his hands slid lower, tracing the curve of her hips. He wanted this. He wanted her so badly it hurt, but a small, rational part of his mind whispered that this wasn’t the right time.

“Solina,” he murmured, his voice low and strained. “We… We should stop. Before this goes too far.”

But Solina wasn’t listening. Her lips found the sensitive spot just below his ear, and she kissed it softly, sending another shiver down his spine. Levi’s hands flexed against her hips, his breath coming out in uneven pants.

“Solina…” His tone was weaker now, his resolve crumbling under her touch.

Her kisses trailed lower, and Levi’s mind raced. He knew they should stop, but with her body pressed so intimately against his and her lips doing things to him he hadn’t thought possible, stopping felt like the hardest thing he’d ever have to do.

The heat of the onsen wrapped around them like a blanket, but Solina barely noticed it now. Her mind was hazy, clouded by the overwhelming pull of her desire for Levi. She knew she should be shy, modest even, but all she could think about was him—his lips, his hands, and the way his stormy grey eyes had darkened with barely concealed want.

Her hands rested on his shoulders, her fingers tracing the scars that littered his pale skin as she kissed him with a fervor that left them both breathless. “Levi,” she whispered, her voice shaky and filled with longing. “I don’t want to stop.”

Levi’s hands gripped her waist tightly, his nails digging slightly into her soft skin. His breath came out in shallow pants as he fought to keep himself grounded. She was making it nearly impossible. “Solina,” he murmured, his voice hoarse. “I—God, I want you too. So much.”

He closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers as he tried to steady himself. “But… this is our first time. I don’t want to rush it.”

Solina blinked up at him, her cheeks flushed and her lips slightly parted. She could see the conflict in his expression, the tension in his jaw, and the way his hands trembled slightly against her hips. It made her heart ache with both love and desire. “Levi,” she whispered, her voice soft but insistent. “I trust you. I… I just want to feel close to you.”

Her words shattered the last of Levi’s restraint. He exhaled deeply, his eyes searching hers as he made a decision. If this wasn’t the right time for everything, he could still give her something—something intimate and meaningful. He wanted to show her how much she meant to him, how much he cared for her.

“Okay,” he murmured, his voice low and steady now. His lips brushed hers briefly before pulling back. “Let me take care of you.”

Solina’s eyes widened slightly, and her breath caught as Levi’s hand slid from her waist, tracing a slow, deliberate path down her body. She shivered, her skin hypersensitive to his touch. When his fingers reached her core, her entire body jolted, and she gasped, clinging to him.

“Levi!” she cried softly, burying her face into his neck. The unfamiliar sensation sent a rush of warmth through her, leaving her trembling in his arms.

Levi tightened his hold around her waist with one hand, keeping her steady as he gently explored her with the other. His calloused fingers moved with an unexpected gentleness, circling her clit with slow, deliberate strokes. “You’re okay,” he murmured into her ear, his voice low and soothing. “Just let me know if it’s too much.”

But it wasn’t too much—it was everything. Solina’s breath came in uneven gasps as pleasure blossomed inside her, building with each careful movement of his fingers. “Levi,” she whispered, her voice shaky and filled with awe. “It feels… so good.”

Her words sent a jolt through Levi, and he swallowed hard, his own restraint slipping further. He kissed her temple, letting his lips linger there as he carefully slipped one finger inside her hot core. Solina cried out softly, her fingers curling into his shoulders as her body tightened instinctively around him.

“You’re so beautiful,” Levi murmured against her skin, his voice thick with emotion and desire. “I can’t get enough of you.”

Solina moaned softly, her lips brushing against his neck as her body began to move instinctively as she rode his fingers. The sound of her voice, the way she said his name like a prayer, sent a wave of heat through him. He could feel himself growing harder beneath her, but he forced himself to focus on her needs.

Levi’s thumb found her sensitive bud again, massaging it in slow, firm circles as his fingers moved inside her, exploring her warmth. Solina’s breathing grew ragged, and her moans became louder, more desperate. “Levi,” she whimpered, her voice trembling with raw need. “I… I can’t…”

“You’re doing so well,” Levi murmured, his tone soft yet commanding. “Just let go. I’ve got you.”

His fingers moved faster now, his thumb applying just the right amount of pressure as he felt her body tighten around him. The sound of her gasps and moans was intoxicating, pushing him closer to his own edge. Unable to hold back, he bit down gently on her shoulder to muffle the groan that threatened to escape.

Solina’s body tensed suddenly, and she cried out his name, her head falling back as waves of pleasure washed over her. Levi held her tightly as she reached her peak, his fingers slowing their movements to help her ride out the intense sensations. Her nails dug into his back, and her soft cries echoed in his ears, leaving him utterly captivated.

When she finally stilled, her body trembling slightly, Solina rested her forehead against his, her breaths coming in short, uneven bursts. She looked at him, her green eyes wide and filled with wonder. “Levi,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t know… I didn’t know it could feel like that.”

Levi’s chest swelled with pride and affection as he gazed at her, his own breathing unsteady. “You’re amazing,” he said simply, his voice full of sincerity.

Solina didn’t reply with words. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him, pouring every ounce of her love and gratitude into the kiss. Levi kissed her back with equal fervor, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her closer.

As Solina rested against Levi’s chest, her breathing finally beginning to steady, she became more acutely aware of him. The warm water lapped softly around them, but the heat between them was undeniable. Her cheeks flushed as she realized that Levi’s hardness was still pressing firmly against her thigh, a stark reminder of just how affected he was. The thought made her heart race, and a spark of courage flared inside her.

“Levi…” she murmured, her voice soft yet filled with intention. She shifted slightly in his lap, her hands resting gently on his chest. “You… you made me feel so good. I want to do the same for you.”

Levi’s breath hitched at her words, and his hands instinctively tightened around her waist before quickly loosening. He looked at her, his grey eyes wide with surprise, a faint pink dusting his cheeks. “Solina,” he said softly, his voice tinged with both tenderness and restraint. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to,” she replied earnestly, her gaze steady despite the flush on her cheeks. Her fingers lightly traced the lines of his chest, her touch featherlight but enough to make his pulse quicken. “I want to make you feel good too.”

Levi let out a shaky breath, his lips pressing into a thin line as he fought to stay composed. Her innocence, her eagerness—it was all too much, and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to give in. Not yet. He reached up, cupping her face gently with one hand as his thumb brushed over her cheek.

“You don’t have to,” he said again, his tone firmer but still gentle. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, lingering there for a moment before pulling back to look into her eyes. “It’s okay, Solina. I’ll be fine.”

Solina’s brows furrowed, her expression conflicted. “But Levi, you’re…” Her voice trailed off, her gaze flicking down for a brief moment before returning to his face. Her cheeks burned, but her determination didn’t waver. “You’ve been holding back this whole time, haven’t you?”

Levi gave a faint smile, though it was laced with restraint. “Maybe,” he admitted, his voice soft. “But that’s not what matters right now. This is all new for you, Solina. I don’t want to rush you or overwhelm you. It’s… It’s enough just to be here with you.”

His words made her heart ache in the best way. The tenderness in his tone, the way he looked at her like she was the most precious thing in the world—it left her speechless. She bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

“Levi,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “You always think about me first… but I want to think about you too.”

Levi chuckled softly, a low, warm sound that sent shivers down her spine. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a fleeting, tender kiss. “And you do,” he murmured, his forehead resting against hers. “More than you know.”

Solina’s hands rested on his shoulders, her fingers curling slightly as she tried to process the overwhelming mix of emotions inside her. She wanted to argue, to insist, but the look in Levi’s eyes stopped her. There was no frustration, no disappointment—only love and patience.

“But you’re…” she began, her voice faltering as her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.

Levi’s faint smirk returned, and he tilted his head slightly, his thumb brushing against her jaw. “I can handle it,” he said, his voice low but reassuring. “Trust me, Solina. I’ve been through worse.”

Her lips parted in surprise before she broke into a soft laugh, shaking her head. “You’re something else,” she muttered, though her tone was warm.

“And you’re stubborn,” Levi countered, his smirk softening into a small, genuine smile.

The playful exchange lightened the tension between them, and Solina found herself relaxing slightly. She leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder as her arms wrapped around his neck. “You really are too good to me,” she murmured, her voice muffled against his skin.

Levi’s hand moved to her back, tracing soothing circles there as he held her close. “It’s because I care about you,” he said simply, the words falling from his lips with ease.

Solina’s heart skipped a beat, and she lifted her head to look at him, her eyes wide. 

Levi met her gaze, his expression calm but earnest. “I mean it,” he said, his voice steady. “I care about you, Solina. More than anything/”

The sincerity in his voice made her eyes sting with unshed tears, and she smiled, her lips trembling slightly. “I care about you too,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Levi’s hand moved to cup her face again, and he leaned in to kiss her—slowly, deeply, lovingly. It wasn’t rushed or heated this time; it was tender, a reflection of everything he felt for her. Solina melted into the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as the warmth between them shifted from passionate to comforting.

When they finally pulled back, both of them breathing softly, Levi rested his forehead against hers once more. “You’re everything to me,” he murmured, his voice low but full of conviction.

Solina smiled, her cheeks still flushed but her heart full. “And you’re everything to me,” she replied, her voice steady and sure.

In that moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, the steam from the onsen swirling around them, they felt more connected than ever. 

Levi leaned back against the smooth stone edge of the onsen, his arms still loosely draped around Solina. The water rippled gently around them, the steam rising in ethereal swirls into the night sky. Solina's fingers lightly traced circles on his chest as her head rested against him, both of them basking in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

However, Levi glanced at her hands and then down at the water. "We're getting pruny," he said bluntly, his gruff voice breaking the silence. Solina giggled softly, lifting her own hand to see the faint wrinkles on her fingertips.

"I suppose you're right," she murmured, but she made no effort to move. She was too comfortable, too content.

Levi, however, was decisive. Without warning, he stood up in one fluid motion, scooping Solina into his arms as water cascaded off their bodies. Solina yelped in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck as she clung to him.

"Levi!" she exclaimed, her voice breathless and tinged with laughter. "You could have warned me!"

He glanced down at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You were too relaxed. We’d be in there all night if I didn’t move us."

Solina flushed but buried her face in his neck, hiding her shy smile. The heat from the onsen had nothing on the warmth blooming in her chest as Levi carried her with such ease and care.

He stepped out of the water carefully, the cool night air brushing against their damp skin. Solina shivered slightly, and Levi immediately set her down on a smooth, flat rock near the edge. Grabbing a nearby towel, he began drying her off with careful precision.

"Hold still," he instructed, his voice gentle yet firm as he knelt before her, the towel brushing over her arms and shoulders. His eyes betrayed nothing but concentration, but inside, Levi’s heart was pounding. He was finally taking in her nude form, and it was impossible not to marvel at how perfect she was. Every curve, every detail of her skin under the moonlight—she was breathtaking. He quickly averted his gaze, focusing on the task at hand, but his mind raced.

Solina, for her part, was equally flustered. Her eyes couldn’t help but drift over Levi as he dried her. It was the first time she was really seeing him in all his glory, and oh, how glorious he was. The lean muscle of his arms, the scars that told countless stories, the strength in his posture—he was magnificent. Her cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red, but she didn’t look away, despite herself.

Levi, noticing her wide-eyed gaze, cleared his throat, snapping her out of her reverie. “You’re staring,” he muttered, his ears tinged pink.

“I-I wasn’t!” she stammered, though the lie was weak. Levi glanced up at her with a raised brow but let it slide, a small smirk appearing.

Once she was dry, Levi wrapped the towel around her gently before grabbing another for himself. As he quickly dried off, Solina couldn’t help but peek again. She thought she was being subtle, but Levi caught her this time, and their eyes met.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. The vulnerability and trust between them were palpable, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It felt natural—like an unspoken understanding that this intimacy was part of their journey together.

Finally, Levi broke the silence with a low chuckle. “You’re not as sneaky as you think.”

Solina’s face turned crimson, and she looked down at her hands, fumbling with the edge of her towel. “I didn’t mean to—” she began, but Levi interrupted her by brushing a finger under her chin, gently lifting her gaze back to his.

“It’s okay,” he said simply, his voice steady and sincere. The way he looked at her, his stormy eyes soft, made her heart skip a beat.

Once they both had their robes on, they made their way back inside. The traditional Hizuru bedroom was simple yet elegant, with soft lantern light casting a warm glow over the space. The futon on the floor was inviting, layered with plush blankets and pillows.

They slipped into bed together, and without hesitation, Solina cuddled into Levi’s side, resting her head on his chest. Levi stiffened momentarily, still adjusting to the unfamiliar closeness, but he soon relaxed, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to pull her closer.

“Thank you,” Solina whispered after a moment of quiet.

Levi looked down at her, his brows furrowed slightly. “For what?”

“For being you,” she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. She tilted her head up to meet his eyes, her emerald gaze shining with sincerity.

Levi’s chest tightened at her words, and he felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through him. He didn’t know how to respond, so he simply pressed a kiss to the top of her head, letting the action speak for itself.

As the night deepened, the newlyweds lay side by side, their breathing in sync, the trust and affection between them growing stronger with every passing moment. Levi felt at peace, and Solina felt safe in a way she hadn’t imagined possible. The future was still uncertain, but together, they were ready to face it.

~

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[wqterlillypdfs]

cut me deep, leave me scarred

pairing: lo'ak x fem!omaticaya!reader

summary: what happens when your mate Lo'ak runs head first into battle, disobeying direct orders and almost gets himself killed? OR an au where Lo'ak was the one who almost died in place of Neteyam during the RDA raid in the first act of the film

word count: 1.6k

warnings: descriptions of blood and bruises as well as other injuries. talks about death and losing a loved one. lo'ak and reader are aged up (20 years old). one use of y/n. kinda just angst/hurt-comfort + fluff, i really don't know what this categorises as 😭

a/n: i honestly don't know if this is any good but i had so much fun writing it! i hope you all enjoy <3 also this is not super edited.

Another day, another war party. Or at least that’s how Jake liked to put it.

It had been months since the Sky people returned to Pandora, and ever since, it felt like there was this grey weight hanging over everyone’s heads. Fear that maybe Jake couldn’t save them this time.

But now the Omaticaya were stronger than ever. Years of training and a full generation of new warriors meant for greater success. Well… that’s what you liked to tell yourself.

You gripped the handle on your Ikran’s saddle tighter as you scanned the ground. Sky people in big gunships invaded the sky, but you along with other warriors found no trouble shooting them down. For now, there seemed to be minimal threat - many of the Na'vi war party was on the ground, collecting gear and raiding boxes of supplies. 

Lo’ak was meant to be here too, but you had lost him in the initial commotion of the battle. You tried not to plague your mind with anxious thoughts. There’s commotion on the ground to the left, and before you could react you heard a Na’vi imitate an intricate bird call. Your eyes immediately shot back up to the skyline, watching as a large gunship sped around a mountain, its big cannons lighting up.

You barely heard Jake’s cry to fall back before the ground was alight with fire from the explosion. Your eyes blew wide in shock, and you prayed to all things mighty that Lo’ak wasn’t down there.

The comms attached to your neck crackled and came to life, Neteyam’s voice filtered through your earpiece. “Lo’ak’s been hit.”

And your world came to a standstill.

“What!?”

Neteyam’s voice didn’t return, and you couldn’t wait for a response. Your ikran dove right onto the battlefield. You immediately slid off running through the debris on the ground searching desperately for your mate.

Fuck.

He was nowhere to be seen, nor was Neteyam or Jake.

You put two fingers on your com, “Where are you guys? Is Lo’ak okay?”

But your question was answered before the response even came. Lo’ak’s still body lay on the ground, you felt your heart drop. Neteyam was beginning to help him off the ground.

Immediately you were by their side, you ducked into Lo’ak’s line of sight, placing your hands on his body to check for any serious damage, “yawnetu,” you said, voice riddled with worry, “are you okay?”

His body was littered in cuts, but luckily none looked too deep. Still, he was bleeding and the sight made your stomach drop.

Lo’ak’s eyes were glazed with exhaustion and he looked like he might’ve toppled over at any minute. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could, Jake’s worried tone interrupted.

“Lo’ak? What the hell were you thinking?”

You heard Lo’ak’s deep groan in response to the lecture he was about to receive, and you stepped in immediately. “Ma Jake, he is hurt. Let me take him back. Please?”

Jake’s eyes flicked between you and Lo’ak, then back to Neteyam. There was no time for an argument, most of the Na’vi had begun to flee the battle site, and it would only be a matter of time before the second round of gunships arrived.

“Fine, but hurry.”

You nodded your head curtly as you slung one of Lo’ak’s arms around your shoulder and helped walk him back to his Ikran. “Can you ride?” You asked, trying to suppress the worried tone that was so desperately creeping out of your throat.

He coughed and nodded, “yeah.”

“That’s a no.”

You helped Lo’ak onto your own Ikran before climbing on yourself, his body was pressed against your back, strong arms latched around your waist as he clung onto you. You tried to ignore the feeling of his blood on your skin. Worrying now would not get you anywhere.

• ᣞ ˳ ꒪ ۫ ⁎ ♡⃝ ˳ ꒪ ۫ ⁎ ᣞ

The ride back to High Camp felt like hours and when the mountains finally came into sight you breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Are you okay?” You asked Lo’ak, partly to make sure he was actually okay, and partly to ease your heart with his voice.

“Never better.”

You could basically see the stupid grin on his face in your mind's eye.

When your ikran finally touched the cold stone grounds of High Camp, you made haste in helping Lo’ak off his ikran. He seemed to be able to walk better now, not needing your help as much. The second his eyes set on his father though, Lo’ak straightened his back and his gaze flitted to the ground. 

Neteyam along with his mother Neytiri were quick to dismount their ikran as well.

Neteyam stood beside both of you, but before he could even try to get Lo’ak out of his inevitable trouble, Jake flicked his hand and dismissed him immediately. Right now, Jake looked like someone who did not want to be disobeyed.

“This isn’t new,” Jake began, his voice tight and stern as he set his gaze upon Lo’ak. “You’ve flown these missions before. You’re not a child.”

Lo’ak mumbled out a yes sir, but his words were immediately overshadowed as Jake continued his lecture. “I let you fly the mission, and you disobey direct orders! Your job was to keep an eye out for enemies, from a distance.”

“Jake-” You tried to reason with your father-in-law, but there was minimal use.

“You could’ve gotten yourself killed. What would become of (y/n) if that happened? Did you even think about your family?”

You flinch at the impact of Jake’s words, they’re not even directed at you but you know they’d cut Lo’ak deep. You held onto his upper arm softly. 

“Jake,” This time Neytiri tried to reason with her husband. “Your son is actually bleeding.”

At her words Jake faltered, you could see his stern gaze softening. He let out a harshly disappointing sigh. “Dismissed, don’t do this again.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I mean it, Lo’ak.”

Lo’ak did nothing but nod. This whole time, his eyes were glued strictly to the ground, only looking at his father momentarily.

“Come,” you ushered him when Jake finally left, “let’s get you fixed.”

• ᣞ ˳ ꒪ ۫ ⁎ ♡⃝ ˳ ꒪ ۫ ⁎ ᣞ

You didn’t want to be angry at Lo’ak, especially not after the lecture Jake had put him through but you couldn’t help it. Lo’ak had put himself in danger’s way. Again. 

He had been stupid and brash just like he always was and it had scared you. When you saw his weak body covered in cuts and bruises, for a second you thought you’d really lost him. You couldn’t help the involuntary vexation that bubbled up. 

Lo’ak sat in front of you, his legs crossed while you knelt behind him. You ran a washcloth through a basin filled with warm water and brought the soft cloth up to swab at his bruised back. The bruises had already turned from red to a deep purple and there were more cuts than you could count.

Lo’ak lets out a low hiss when you pressed too hard at one of his cuts. “You’re upset.” He concluded from your actions.

“Yes.” You reply, your face holds no expression, but your tone carries the weight of your words.

“I didn’t mean to-” Lo’ak began to reason with you, but was quickly cut off by your words.

“Lo’ak, what were you thinking,” You hissed, quiet but stern.

“I was just trying to help out.” He tried again, words mumbled softly. Like if he raised his tone even an octave higher he’d set off something angry within you.

“You were reckless, Lo’ak.” You hesitated for a second before you said your next words. "You could’ve died.” 

Lo’ak paused for a moment at your words, turning them over and around in his head. “You need to think before you do.” You said as you smacked your palm against his forehead, enough that you got your message across but not to hurt him. “This isn’t just you anymore, Lo’ak. It’s your family. It’s us.”

You heard him sigh heavily as he rubbed his forehead. He huffed. “I don’t need you to lecture me too.”

“I am not lecturing you Lo’ak. I am not your father.” You sighed deeply, running the washcloth into the bowl of water. “I just wish you would think about the consequences of your actions more.”

There’s another long pause at your words.

You took one side of Lo’ak’s face in your hands, turning him so he’s facing you. “I am scared.”

And while you might not have known it, his heart shattered into a million pieces.

“I never want to feel the same way I did when I saw you like that. Lo’ak, I really did think I lost you.”

The image of Lo’ak’s body littered in scratches and bloody wounds flashed through your thoughts again. You shook it out of your head as quickly as it came.

Lo’ak had always been one to struggle with conveying any emotion that wasn’t fiery hot. So when he saw your saddened face, he couldn’t find the right words to express his distress. You however, his mate of almost two years, could tell just from the look in his eyes that he was more than sorry.

The pad of your thumb smoothed over his cheek. His mouth opened, he wanted to say something - express his sorry through a string of apologies, but you were quick to cut him off. You pressed your lips to his. Gently, tenderly. Lo’ak wouldn’t dare pull away from your delicate touch, he wrapped an arm around your lower back to pull you closer to him. Your hands still held his face even when you parted your lips from his, his electric yellow eyes swam with more emotions than you could’ve unravelled.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled, as you rested your forehead carefully against his.

You hummed, sighed and accepted his apology. “I know.”

“I’ll be better.” I promise. 

“I know.”

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[marimeeko]

Just for fun I ran to my desktop to aid me with Google translate, which isn't perfect. But given that I don't know Japanese myself....

Here's what I found; on my own, with only translate and my existing language skills.

This is wrong:

This is CLOSER, AND MORE INDICATED OF THE CORRECT SUBJECTS OF THE SENTANCE. :

While it isn't one to one, Japanese has a lot of feel and implication, from what I understand. There's a lot of context.

So I tried scanning the fan translations a few times just to see what it said on my own. I broke it down into parts:

AITSU: him, that guy (in this case, Izuku)

The "Nuguenee" part seems to mean "can't wipe it" or "to wipe away"

Kocchi- here

De nuguu - means something like 'take off with "

Eventually, I felt like it wasn't scanning off the screen well enough, and I actually WROTE THE KANJI in the translation of the panel out on paper, which was very interesting bc again, don't know or write Japanese.

But I scanned that:

(The word "if" is covered by the icon)

"IF YOU CANT WIPE IT OFF

I WILL WIPE IT HERE"

Shows that the verbiage used is "wipe," or "to wipe away," but it is SO MUCH CLOSER in spirit to "I'll step in for what he can't handle" and also the use of Aitsu indicated he is talking directly about Izuku.

I GET that the official translator's job is to try to capture the dialogue in a way that FLOWS for the new audience, since Japanese is a very differently constructed language than English.

They are supposed to find a way to translate certain things with keeping the mood and intent of the dialogue.

"OFA couldn't keep you in the ground, but we'll finish the job and then some"???

Where the hell did they get that???

I didn't dig any further back bc it might take a while but everyone has also pointed out that the original dialogue is a direct reference to the apology scene(I know it is in the fan translation but I think it is also being indicated that it is the same in Japanese as well? Pls fact check me of you desire)

So bc it was originally referring back to that scene, there is an added STING that comes with this official translation

And the ADDITIONAL BLOW that is katsuki once again being kind of...pigeon holed into the aggressive, more self-focused kid that he once was...a caricature of his former self, instead of his emotionally upgraded, self assured, "needing to help Izuku or he will perish" self.....instead of letting this moment be a crazy cool declaration about how HE is the one you fuck with when Izuku needs help.

Which like yeah, in itself is a little bit agrandizing, HOWEVER it is literally also serving as a vow or a completion of his vow earlier in the story that he will take on what he can't handle!

It's super important for Katsukis arc! It acted as not only a THREAT to anyone who give Izuku a run for his money and tests the limits of his OFA, but a VOW to Izuku that HE HAS HIS BACK.

He just YELLED ABOUT IT on a battlefield, while Izuku is probably still staring at him with heart eyes.

And ultimately, there is NO REASON THE ORIGNAL TRANSLATION, WHICH PLAYS OFF THE OFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF THE APOLOGY SCENE CANNOT BE USED OFFICIALLY.

It reads properly, and packs a HELL OF A PUNCH EMOTIONALLY. More so than essentially "I'm gonna put you in the ground bc Izuku CAN'T"

It seems like the fan translation kept the literal meaning but added the flavor to make it flow, such as "stepping in" "to handle" and calling Izuku a Nerd. But the official translation just tweaked it by too much to where it just reads differently and most importantly, doesn't carry that punch.

In conclusion, I did a little bit of independent research and decided that YEAH it doesn't make sense why they translated it so wildly different. Other than just wanting Bakugou to remain a frigging caricature, even in the Finale.

[countrymusiclover]

10 - Misunderstood Communication

Part 11

The Last Velaryon

Comment your thoughts and anything you’d want to see in this story

Tag list @rise-my-angel @cdragons @kmc1989

Robb and I did our best to rush into his war tent seeing that Chezney, Theon, his mother and the other Northern lords had already arrived pure his request. Robb rounded the table standing at the head with Theon on his right and I off to the side on his left. The tent flap was thrown open with a soldier informing. “We’ve captured a Lannister scout.”

“Don’t worry, lad. He won’t be leaving this tent with his head.” Lord Umber replied to Theon’s actions of flipping over the war map to cover the battlefield pieces they had set up.

Robb moved his gaze on the scout. “Where did you find him?”

“In the brush above the Encampment. He looked to be counting.” The lookout guard informed him.

Robb never removed his gaze from the young boy walking around the table and past the other lord until he reached him. “How high did you get?”

“20 thousand, maybe more.” He replied.

Another northern lord enters the conversation. “You don’t have to do this yourself. Your father would understand-“

“My father understands mercy when there is room for it. And he understands honor and courage.” Robb eyed the man looking over his shoulder at the boy. “Let him go.”

His mother rose from her chair to protest. “Robb.” But he didn’t dare look back at her to see her facial expression.

“Tell Lord Tywin Winter is Coming for him. Twenty thousand northerners marching south to find out if he really does shit gold.” Robb growls a whispering threat into the boy's ear.

The Lannister scout nodded, being dragged outside the tent in the next second. “Yes, my lord.”

“Leave us all now.” Robb spoke up in a gruff voice and his men followed. Chezney and Theon had left the tent but his mother lingered until he sent her a silent to go. Once she was gone outside he leaned his palms on the table flipping the war map back over scanning it another time. “Are you not going to say anything about what just happened?”

“As long as you hold Tywin's son he only has two options but to fight you in the field or accept peace terms if you have any of those in mind.”

He shakes his head no eyeing the map before him. “That’s not what I'm talking about.”

“You'll need ships to take Kings Landing. You have the loyalty of your men but you need more, especially ones who know how to fight and sail the seas.”

Robb sent me a glare raising his voice at me. “Haelesa, stop avoiding the conversation. Forget about the war strategies your father taught you and just talk to me!”

“I don't know what you want me to say, Robb.”

He moved away from the table and towards with his fur cloak swaying with his hips. “The kiss, Haelesa. That is what I am talking about.”

“I'm not sure what you want me to say about it.” I lied wishing I could tell him that I wanted to do it more. But I was married to the enemy he currently held prisoner.

Robb brought a hand to the bridge of his nose. “I want you to tell me how you felt about it. I mean I feel like an idiot for doing it, especially if you don't feel the same way.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel about the kiss, Robb. I'm not available in the eyes of the old gods and the new. Not after I declared vows to marry Jaime Lannister. I am his wife now and forever regardless of my feelings for you.”

His deep blue eyes brightened at those words and he took two long strides to me nearly closing the entire gap between our faces. “So you do feel something for me like I have been thinking you have.”

“Yes I have. What of it?”

He whispered a question. “How long?”

“Since the day we met at Winterfell.” I replied shifting my gaze up to his and the only sound you could hear was our breathing and the critors outside the tent.

Robb began leaning forward and I leaned up on my toes wanting to feel his lips on mine despite what my brain knew was the better option. We got so close to kissing with our lips brushing the other until Grey Wind came running into the tent getting in between us. “Grey! I - I should go. Goodnight Robb.” I shriek separating from his owner rushing out as fast as I could.

I wasn’t really sure where I was going until I halted in my tracks just outside Jaime's cage sucking in a shaky breath. I slowly walked forward standing outside the door seeing the lion lift his head up sensing my presence. “Lady Velaryon, what has you running off in such a hurry? Could it be that you've missed your dear husband?”

“I need to ask you something.” Thankfully there were no guards around as I removed the rope ties that were holding the jail door shut. Stepping inside I shut it behind me, lowering myself down on the ground to sit in front of him. “Would you do anything for a person you truly cared about. No matter the consequences or loyalty you have to another person?”

Jaime tilted his head as much as the chains would allow. “Are you saying you love me?”

“No.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I'm not.”

“Are too.”

I finally raised my voice at him wishing I could slap him across the face right now. “Jaime!”

“It's alright, little Velaryon. I already knew who's holding your heart.”

Knitting my brows at him. “You do but how?”

“After we left for Kings Landing from Winterfell my brother told me there was something obviously going on between you and the wolf boy. I may be slow but I can see it now after all, we don't choose who we love.”

Twisting the fabric of my cloak in my fingers I gave him a confused expression. “You’ve been in love before, with who?”

“How many first born sons have you known to join the KingsGuard and defend the very queen they’ve related to?”

The realization washed over my face and the eldest Lion son smirked seeing my reaction. “Cersei, Cersei’s the one you love. And - and that means that the Baratheon children weren’t Robert’s but in truth they were yours. That’s why Ned Stark was killed because he learned the truth.”

“You are much more than just the Last Velaryon daughter. Before you go and inform the wolf boy can I ask one thing of you?”

Shaking my head I wasn’t sure what he wanted from me. “What could I give you, Jaime. And why do you talk like this might be the last time we speak?”

“The second you tell him what I just told you I doubt I’ll have my head for much longer. My head will likely be sent to my father as a warning, so grant me one last request from you, Haelesa.” His green eyes locked onto my gaze with a gentle glow.

Tucking hair behind my ear I agreed. “Fine. What do you wish from me?”

“Kiss me. You may not be Cersei but you are the closest I have to die in the arms of the woman I truly love.” Jaime begged me with a horse's response in the back of his throat.

I should’ve slapped him across the face or left that cell without another word to him. Except that wasn’t the case when I did owe him a show of thanks for letting me not be hidden away in Kings Landing or Casterly Rock while he went off to war. “Just one kiss. That is all you get.”

“Unless you beg for more - ow!” He smirked, causing me to slap him on the cheek.

Glaring at him I leaned in forward creating a very small gap between us and our lips. “Just be quiet or you’ll get nothing.” He closed the gap between us and I shifted my body forward to deepen the kiss after we had been kissing for a good few seconds.

Hearing a deep growl of an animal behind me I broke the kiss, whipping my head around and squinting through the darkness to see Grey Wind standing up against the cell bars. “Robb?” I gasped seeing his face next to the burning torch he held in one hand.

“You’ll die for this, Kingslayer!” He growled like the wolf by his side stomping away without one word or glance to me.

Picking up the ends of my cloak I bolted out of the cell and after his heels as quickly as I could physically manage since he was taller than I was. “Robb! Robb, please wait. Ugh just wait - let me explain.” I felt a tightness in my chest where I was struggling to breathe yet I managed to snag his wrist in my two hands holding him from walking away any further.

“There’s nothing to explain. You betrayed me, Haelesa. For all I know you’ve been betraying me the second I allowed you into my camp.” He snapped at me, brown eyes darkened with vengeance and hurt all at the same time.

I croaked through tears with a raspy voice. “Robb, what you just say isn’t what you think it to be. If you just give me a chance to explain it to you then-“

“No Haelsa! I don’t want to hear anything from you. Just - just stay away from me for a little while. Come on, Grey.” Robb paused, raising his voice at me where I took a step backwards before he tapped his leg signaling for his wolf to follow him.

Standing frozen in my spot I was at a complete loss for words, knowing that I needed to find some way to tell him the truth. He needed to know that I wasn’t a traitor, not to him.

[llort]

Work Text:

As an affecter, Olistole’s influence was mostly a hit and hope type situation. He could not sense what matter contained what nodes but if he could spread the focus of his mental reconstruction over an object and detect a node, he could enact whatever sub-program was encoded into that node by an alter or by nature himself. Olistole enjoyed scanning inanimate objects as the environment was always adapting and exchanging nodes with itself. Sometimes he could get a pebble to float, a tree to hypnotically change colours, or for shits and giggles, activate the notification system on someone's mailbox and these were the three exact things that Olistole did on his way home. He passed by a small garden that his brother used to take Olistole to show him how to harness his affecting. Syn was older and a very seasoned affecter, he had already passed the trials with flying colours and was in some higher educational program in the mainland. Olistole looked up to his brother and was looking forward to his own trial where he resolved to create his very own powerful or high utility actuator pathway. Olistole actuated the lock on his front door and made it open for him. while daydreaming about his future and being relieved that no effectors seemed to catch him annoying his neighbours. He would rather be annoying his friends, he was late for his daily training session regardless. He hurried with the gait of a man who didn’t really care about arriving on time

Under the sky clocked green and orange auroras flaked with electric blinding networks of fractals. Five spectres embossed in impossible colours, waltzed and stumbled around amongst a flurry of flung meta-material manipulated with the synergistic team effort of an effector and affector pair, The stage of this intricate dance was an obsidian coloured rocky black battlefield serving as an arena. The foundation of their training zone was threaded with multicoloured fractures with blips of light that had a life of themselves zipped, pulsated, and strobes in response to and despite of the five influencers. These figures spun from place and be dancing and flitting between glossed tracers of energy. Olistole saw excognitive phosphenes representing Kela’s effecting outlying a prominent target and he utilized his effecting mentally and lifted a rock and propelled it toward/ Velor didn’t need Ikaria to see this impending collision to his temple and caught the projectile in mid-air, redirecting the geode..

Ikaria and Kela seemed busy supressing each others effecting, essentially muting precognitive intuition for each others effector/affector pair. Olistole and Velor had to resort to the metaphorical equilivent of slinging crap at each other, dumb non-precise missles. They were training for much more dangerous environments so the risk of acute blunt risk trauma wasn’t much of a bother.

The Wild Grid continually fractured back together physically, mentally, and cognitively regurgitating hazing memetic caustic embedded in cyberphysical substrates. To Olistole, this buzz on the periphery external environment intersecting with though fuzzy boundary of his conscious subjective non gestalt boundary of his mind/prefrontal cortex fizzled and spitted in a self same esq pattern that didn’t warrant any level of increased offensive meta awareness. Typically net lossless grid states didn’t indicate that there was no potential threat to Olistole as he walked through the cellular Autonoma machinated via infected programmable Pico nanomaterials Jungle that thrived on churning chaotic procedural generation clashing with itself with caustic, potent violations for variations of the laws of thermodynamics, game theory, and biological theorems.

After a few hours of the five influencers playing and training their influence for the upcoming trials they came to a natural rest and lay about idly on the landscape floating their various thoughts about. The eldritch entities that they do or do not know that exist but their belief is always wrong, observed the objective, subjective, and abstract external frame of the influencers internal subjective reality. These beings alone saw the total of potentiality across all probabilities.

Zeph rested on the side lines trailing his fingers through solid ground as the teams of an effecter and an affecter put their wits and their proficiency over their respective type of influence while he grafted the ground itself into intricate geometries while the lights seem to interact with his actions and thought only known to him, IIkaria and Kela, and god knows how many Friendly Local Neighborhood Effector Vigilantes prowling around to assert self righteous judgement and punishment

Their surroundings were dark, and it was hard to tell what flora or fauna was compared to the ever-shifting evolving landscape. The effector affecter teams from before were coupled up and talking, Zeph had his fingers knuckle deep into one of the glowing veins and was appearing to influence the ever shifting ever evolving nature of the area around him. As all things do, the social temporal superposition faded

The five influencers parted their ways after a while of idle chatting about the training session and the upcoming trials and shortly after Olistole found himself winding his way home. The darkness of the sky didn’t bother him, his eyes were adapted to it. Sometimes something malicious could be lurking in the. surroundings, internally or externally. Ever vigilant for a potential possible threat Olistole noticed a vague shape far above. The sky is aways cast in a mixed green hue of auroras and this object seemed to be ascending further towards these heavens. Olistole knew that this was likely to be Dayns, his anchorite friend. Olistole wondered if he could somehow get Dayns attention from where he was standing, as an affecter he couldn’t communicate at range, so he had no choice to use his affecting just to knock the object that Dayns was in to get his attention. Olistole focused his external matrix on the slim, apparently poorly made wicker basket hot air balloon. There was a sudden but ultimately not quite unexpected result of the structure collapsing and its occupant start to plummet to the ground of Epheosia.

Olistole felt a bit guilty, but he knew that anchorite’s internal matrix was their domain, meaning that anchorites could reinforce and boost their bodies natural abilities and resilience. Dayns appeared in a tumbled heap as Olistole approached. With a crack of his back and snapping stretch of his neck, Dayns said “you do realize that was my trial run, right? Forty days of fasting and meditation for preparation and crafting the most minimal possible wicker basket hot air balloon for my holy tempering and cleansing?” Olistole felt a bit more guilty. “Can you just resit with a few days of fasting and try again” he said. Dayns casually pointed to the faint glint of the fire that was fuelling his wicker balloon as the balloon drifted off somewhere to be reclaimed by the wilds and Olistole shrugged in apology and the two friends walked back to their village together.

Dayns affect perked up when he spotted his anchorite temple and asked Olistole if he would like to visit. Olistole agreed and they both proceeded through the temple courtyard, past living gardens the training grounds, and wicker balloon workshop, approaching the shrines entrance. Meditating in the shrine in front of an open hearth with black flames was Yan, the anchorite leader. “Ah, Dayns, you are back from your ascent pretty early, what happened to your balloon?” commented Yan. Dayns replied” I starved myself for forty eons before this idiot knocked me out of the sky, do I really have to fast again before I retry my ascendance?”. Yan unfolded his limbs with cat like grace and stood up with perfect posture and poise “Unfortunately it is our way Dayn, you will have to nourish yourself before fasting again and you will have no assistance from any alters in crafting a new wicker balloon”. At this point, Olistole did feel true guilt, he had gotten in the way of his friend's trial of sustenance. All Anchorites when they came of age were to construct their own method of reaching the skies and touch the auroras which would corrode their flesh then they would descend to rejuvenate and touch the auroras repeatedly, until they had tempered their bodies and minds and strengthened their connection with their internal matrix. Olistole did not really understand why they put themselves through all that, but then again anchorites were the only type of influencer who had no will over their external environment. It made sense that they would go to extreme lengths to make the most of their own abilities.

“Yan” said Olistole, “Why do you all undergo the tempering, it seems awfully inconvenient”? Yan looked to be no older than Dayns but he carried himself with grace and coiled lethality that betrayed his years and he remarked” Mastery over the inward is its own reward, you know that the anchorite's power is the inverse of the alters, we can have an enormous influence over our own internal physiology and psychology. I can, for example, sustain myself without matter or fluid indefinitely if I needed to, only to replace damaged or lost tissue and blood. We anchorites believe that the minimal viable unit is the one closest to perfection, but we also believe in maximising the creative and actualized self, so we train and temper our minds and bodies to simplify our matrixes but to maximize our potential number of actions that we can enact in any given moment”. Yan then proceeded to turn around and hold his hand outstretched in the black flames behind him. The fire started to consume the flesh around his fingers, smiling Yan pulled his outstretched arm from the flame and turned around to hold it upright in front of Olistole and Dayns. As the two friends looked on, the anchorites flesh began to warp and bubble as soft tissue, blood vessels, and skin flowed and reformed the damaged hand with no obvious signs of previous damage.

“The temperature of that fire isn’t typically hot enough to hurt me” said Yan “The auroras are a different beast though Dayns. It could be good fortune this eon is not the time that you fully attempt your tempering, I have been trying to pass through the auroras for as long as I can remember, and they just get stronger and more dangerous the more far out you go. Nobody knows what lies past the auroras and part of our anchorite philosophy is tempering and training until our matrix is resilient and lean enough to get through into heaven. Even the strongest effector cannot sense what lies beyond Epheosia’s upper atmosphere.” Olistole briefly wondered if he could benefit from tempering as well, maybe he would join Dayns on his next journey skyward. Olistole as an affecter could dimly sense nodes in his own internal matrix but they felt dull, blurry, faint, and imprecise but if he concentrated and focused hard with his mental constonstruction, he could sometimes achieve small feats like raising or lowing his pulse or blood temperature at will or turn his skin or hair a slightly different hue.

[theicescorpions]

Primal Fire Chapter Four: Skirmish

Wheeljack never escaped the Decepticons and was given to shockwave as a test subject, turning him into a Predacon.

Story inspired by @sugarand-everythingnice and her “of Flesh and Steel” AU

Master post

Chapter One

Previous

Wheeljack and Fablebreaker began traveling across the continent, keeping hidden from humans to avoid Decepticons, the other Predacon and even Wheeljack’s friends in the Autobots.

They roamed through forests and across desolate plains, always on the move to stay one step ahead of their enemies. Wheeljack constantly scanned the horizon for any signs of danger, his sensors on high alert. Fablebreaker, with her keen sense of intuition, would often warn him of impending threats before they were even visible. She had spent eons on this planet and knew many things about the world and how to navigate it without being seen.

One day, as they were passing through a dense forest, Fablebreaker suddenly froze in her tracks. Her flared out, making her puff up, picking up the faint sound of metal clashing and blaster fire in the distance. Wheeljack turned to her, his optics narrowing in concern.

‘What is it?’ he asked, knowing better than to doubt Fablebreaker's instincts.

‘I hear a fight.’ She responded.

Wheeljack immediately tensed, his circuits buzzing with urgency. his own armor flaring out much like Fablebreaker’s.

The two predacons went to investigate the war sounds. As they drew closer, the sounds of battle grew louder, echoing through the trees like a thunderous storm.

They hunkered down a safe distance from the battlefield to observe the fierce clash unfolding before them. Decepticons and Autobots were locked in a heated confrontation, their weapons blazing as they fought for dominance over an energon mine.

As the battle raged a familiar screech pierced the air and a massive form landed on the ground between the Autobots and Decepticons.

Megatron had sent the other male Predacon after the Autobots.

‘He’ll slaughter them!’ Wheeljack hissed

‘What do you want to do?’ Fablebreaker asked.

Wheeljack grit his denta, torn between his desire to help the Autobots and his need to stay hidden from both factions. Fablebreaker watched him closely, her glowing optics reflecting his inner turmoil.

He made a final decision and took a deep breath and let out a deafening screech, his a deeper pitch than that of the other male Predacon’s.

The other male Predacon and every other combatant froze. Wheeljack and Fablebreaker stalked out of the tree line, low to the ground. They walked around the Autobots, Wheeljack’s optics were locked on the other male.

‘I thought I smelled a failure.’ The other male hissed.

‘Funny. I’m not the one who turned tail and ran from our last encounter.’ Wheeljack snarled back.

‘Only because you cheated and had the female to help!’ The other male growled.

Fablebreaker's hackles rose at the insult, but she remained composed, her gaze fixated on the male Predacon. Wheeljack took a step forward, his stance aggressive and ready for combat.

‘I don't need any help to take you down, Ugly,’ Wheeljack retorted, his armor flaring threateningly before it crashed back down onto his frame, making him look more streamlined and making him have fewer vulnerable spots while also making an intimidating sound.

The male Predacon bared his sharp teeth, a sinister glint in his optics. ‘We'll see about that,’ he snarled before lunging towards Wheeljack with a ferocious roar.

Wheeljack met the attack head-on, dodging the male's strikes with lightning-fast reflexes.

Fablebreaker took the cue and left the males to their fight as she eyed the Decepticons before quickly lunging at a vehicon, her jaws closing on the mech’s head with a sickening crunch.

The battlefield erupted into chaos as Wheeljack and the other male Predacon clashed with brutal force, their metal frames colliding with resounding impacts. Fablebreaker moved swiftly among the Decepticons, her claws tearing through armor and her fangs finding vulnerable joints. The Autobots, momentarily taken aback by the arrival of Wheeljack and Fablebreaker, quickly rallied to join the fray.

Explosions rocked the ground as blasters fired and blades clashed in a symphony of war. Wheeljack's determination to take down his adversary burned bright, his resolve unyielding despite the ferocity of the battle around him. The other male Predacon fought with savage strength, matching Wheeljack blow for blow as they struggled for dominance.

Meanwhile, Fablebreaker weaved through the chaos with lethal grace, a force of nature unleashed upon the Decepticons. Her presence on the battlefield struck fear into the enemy ranks, her movements a blur of speed and precision as she targeted vital systems with deadly accuracy.

As the fight raged on, Wheeljack found himself locked in a fierce grapple with the other male Predacon. Each combatant pushed themselves to their limits, their struggle a primal dance of aggression and skill. Wheeljack's mind was taken over by primal instinct to protect his smaller companion and prove himself against his rival, his every circuit blazing with focused intent.

With a mighty effort, Wheeljack managed to gain the upper hand, using his agility and many years of combat experience to outmaneuver his opponent. With a resounding roar, he delivered a decisive blow that sent the other male Predacon crashing to the ground, defeated but not destroyed.

As Wheeljack stood victorious over his fallen foe, he sunk down low to the ground, a feral rattling hiss exuding from his frame. The other male struggled to his feet and quickly retreated.

Once he was sure the other male was gone, Wheeljack cast a glance towards Fablebreaker, who had emerged from the fray covered in energon and other bodily fluid. Together, they had turned the tide of battle in favor of the Autobots, their alliance proving to be a formidable force against their enemies.

With the Decepticons in retreat and the energon mine secured, Fablebreaker pranced happily over to Wheeljack and wound herself around him as she examined his wounds and began to tend to him as she had before.

The Autobots watched the two warily, though they quickly realized that the sounds they were hearing from the two Predacons was their version of language.

“Sounds like music almost.” Smokescreen commented quietly.

“Why did they help us though?” Arcee wondered. “They’re Predacons. Shouldn’t they be under Megatron’s control?”

As the autobots examined the two predacons they noted that the smaller one was grey, blue and green while the larger Predacon had an unsettling similarity to their missing friend in terms of coloration. Ivory, Silver and black with red and green accents and unlike the other two predacons who had yellow based optics. The white Predacon’s were a familiar shade of blue.

Bulkhead watched the predacons, a feeling of dread creeping up his spinal strut. “Jackie?”

The white Predacon froze, the song-like rumble immediately going silent. He turned his head slowly towards Bulkhead, his blue optics meeting the Autobot's gaze with a mix of wariness and recognition. The others tensed, ready for any sudden movements from the white Predacon. Wheeljack backed away from the group and let out a commanding chirp.

Fablebreaker looked at him then back at the Autobots before heeding the command and quickly disappearing into the trees.

Once she was out of sight, Wheeljack quickly followed her.

“Jackie, wait!” Bulkhead exclaimed before trying to follow, but the two predacons had been too fast for him and had completely disappeared.

The Autobots stood in stunned silence, their optics flickering as they processed the sudden departure of Wheeljack and Fablebreaker. Bulkhead clenched his fists, frustration evident in his stance as he paced back and forth.

"Are you serious?" Arcee's voice held a note of concern, her gaze fixed on the spot where the Predacons had vanished. “Why would you think that thing was Wheeljack?”

“It had to be! You saw how he reacted to the name! He came to help us and You saw how different his optics were from the other two and the colors matched Wheeljack’s! The Cons did something to him!” Bulkhead exclaimed in distress. “Jackie what did they do to you?”

Optimus Prime's expression was grave as he spoke, "We must give him space for now. If that was Wheeljack We cannot risk pushing him away by forcing answers. He will come to us when he is ready.”

Ultra Magnus eyed the carnage of the battlefield, a good swath of terrain had been torn apart by the two massive males and their continuing dispute and the absolute massacre that was mostly Fablebreaker’s doing. “Optimus, I question the wisdom of this course of action. Those are clearly rogue predacons. Nothing but beasts. We just got lucky this time, what is to keep them from attacking us next time?”

Optimus Prime relented, and acknowledged the validity of Ultra Magnus' concern, "You are correct, Magnus. In the event that the Predacon is not Wheeljack, We must be cautious with our approach moving forward. For now, let us focus on securing the energon mine and returning to base."

The Autobots sprang into action, cleaning up the debris and collecting the energon from the mine. Bulkhead continued to stare into the forest long after the predacons were gone.

Meanwhile, Wheeljack and Fablebreaker continued to run, creating more and more distance between them and the Autobots.

‘Primus damn it! I should have known Bulkhead would recognize me!’ Wheeljack cursed and scolded himself. ‘I should have left right after the fight ended! Stupid!’

As they ran, Fablebreaker shot a look of concern at Wheeljack. She knew he was struggling with his identity, torn between loyalty to his fellow Autobots and the instincts of his Predacon nature. With a gentle nudge, she guided him towards a hidden cave deep in the forest, a place where they could rest and regroup away from prying optics.

Inside the cave, the air was cool and damp, a welcome reprieve from the heat of battle. Wheeljack paced back and forth, his thoughts racing as he tried to make sense of the conflicting memories swirling inside his processor.

Fablebreaker let him pace while she fussed with stones, dirt and other debris to make a decent sleeping space. When she was done she approached him, her optics soft with understanding. She emitted one of her melodic thrums, a soothing sound that always calmed the storm within Wheeljack's spark whenever he had a panic attack.

She grabbed him by one of his horns and made him come lay down and she curled up with him.

They laid in silence for a long while, she continued to humm her soothing melody as she waited for him to talk about what was bothering him. Finally, Wheeljack spoke, his voice filled with uncertainty.

‘I don't know who I am anymore, Fablebreaker. I’m trying so hard to figure this out but… seeing them. Hearing Bulkhead… Am I an Autobot or a Predacon? Can I be both?’

Fablebreaker nuzzled his face with gentle affection, her touch grounding him in the present moment. ‘You haven’t been a Predacon for very long. It’s okay. I’m sure if given time you’ll be able to figure this out.’

Wheeljack looked into her amber optics, finding solace in the depths of her gaze. With a heavy sigh, he leaned into Fablebreaker's comforting presence, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. The weight of his internal turmoil began to lift as he realized he didn't have to have all the answers right away. For now, all that mattered was the bond he shared with Fablebreaker and the trust they had in each other.

Despite the uncertainty of his identity, he knew one thing for certain - he wasn't alone in this journey of self-discovery.

With Fablebreaker's gentle thrums lulling him into a state of calm, Wheeljack allowed himself to let go of the immediate worries and simply exist in the moment. The warmth of her body beside him, the steady rhythm of her thrums, and the knowledge that she accepted him unconditionally gave him a sense of belonging he hadn't truly felt in a very long time. There was no pressure to be something other than who he was. There were no masks required in this space, he could just simply be himself.

As he closed his optics and drifted towards recharge, a newfound resolve settled within Wheeljack's spark. He may not have all the answers now, but with Fablebreaker's unwavering support, he was determined to find his place in this world - no matter where it may lead him.

On the Decepticon Warship, Megatron was fuming.

“Once again your beast failed to terminate Wheeljack and the second Predacon destroyed my troops! How much longer before Project Predacon is complete?” Megatron demanded of Shockwave.

“Project Predacon is nearly complete, lord Megatron. With the additional predacons Wheeljack will not stand a chance, and we may be able to capture the female. A strong specimen like that could potentially be useful for breeding purposes.” Shockwave stated.

Megatron's optics glinted with malice at Shockwave's words. The idea of harnessing the power of not just one, but multiple Predacons fueled his thirst for dominance over Earth.

"Do what you must," Megatron commanded, his voice dripping with authority. "Accelerate the final phase of Project Predacon. Wheeljack may have eluded us for now, but he won't escape our grasp again."

Chapter Five: Closer

[caustic-splines]

The Balloon and the Five Buffoons

As an affecter, Olistole’s influence was mostly a hit and hope type situation. He could not sense what matter contained what nodes but if he could spread the focus of his mental reconstruction over an object and detect a node, he could enact whatever sub-program was encoded into that node by an alter or by nature himself. Olistole enjoyed scanning inanimate objects as the environment was always adapting and exchanging nodes with itself. Sometimes he could get a pebble to float, a tree to hypnotically change colours, or for shits and giggles, activate the notification system on someone's mailbox and these were the three exact things that Olistole did on his way home. He passed by a small garden that his brother used to take Olistole to show him how to harness his affecting. Syn was older and a very seasoned affecter, he had already passed the trials with flying colours and was in some higher educational program in the mainland. Olistole looked up to his brother and was looking forward to his own trial where he resolved to create his very own powerful or high utility actuator pathway. Olistole actuated the lock on his front door and made it open for him. while daydreaming about his future and being relieved that no effectors seemed to catch him annoying his neighbours. He would rather be annoying his friends, he was late for his daily training session regardless. He hurried with the gait of a man who didn’t really care about arriving on time

Under the sky clocked green and orange auroras flaked with electric blinding networks of fractals. Five spectres embossed in impossible colours, waltzed and stumbled around amongst a flurry of flung meta-material manipulated with the synergistic team effort of an effector and affector pair, The stage of this intricate dance was an obsidian coloured rocky black battlefield serving as an arena. The foundation of their training zone was threaded with multicoloured fractures with blips of light that had a life of themselves zipped, pulsated, and strobed in response to and despite of the five influencers. These figures spun from place and be dancing and flitting between glossed tracers of energy. Olistole saw excognitive phosphenes representing Kela’s effecting outlying a prominent target and he utilized his effecting mentally and lifted a rock and propelled it toward/ Velor didn’t need Ikaria to see this impending collision to his temple and caught the projectile in mid-air, redirecting the geode..

Ikaria and Kela seemed busy supressing each others effecting, essentially muting precognitive intuition for each others effector/affector pair. Olistole and Velor had to resort to the metaphorical equilivent of slinging crap at each other, dumb non-precise missles. They were training for much more dangerous environments so the risk of acute blunt risk trauma wasn’t much of a bother.

The Wild Grid continually fractured back together physically, mentally, and cognitively regurgitating hazing memetic caustic embedded in cyberphysical substrates. To Olistole, this buzz on the periphery external environment intersecting with though fuzzy boundary of his conscious subjective non gestalt boundary of his mind/prefrontal cortex fizzled and spitted in a self same esq pattern that didn’t warrant any level of increased offensive meta awareness. Typically net lossless grid states didn’t indicate that there was no potential threat to Olistole as he walked through the cellular Autonoma machinated via infected programmable Pico nanomaterials Jungle that thrived on churning chaotic procedural generation clashing with itself with caustic, potent violations for variations of the laws of thermodynamics, game theory, and biological theorems.

After a few hours of the five influencers playing and training their influence for the upcoming trials they came to a natural rest and lay about idly on the landscape floating their various thoughts about. The eldritch entities that they do or do not know that exist but their belief is always wrong, observed the objective, subjective, and abstract external frame of the influencers internal subjective reality. These beings alone saw the total of potentiality across all probabilities.

Zeph rested on the side lines trailing his fingers through solid ground as the teams of an effecter and an affecter put their wits and their proficiency over their respective type of influence while he grafted the ground itself into intricate geometries while the lights seem to interact with his actions and thought only known to him, IIkaria and Kela, and god knows how many Friendly Local Neighborhood Effector Vigilantes prowling around to assert self righteous judgement and punishment

Their surroundings were dark, and it was hard to tell what flora or fauna was compared to the ever-shifting evolving landscape. The effector affecter teams from before were coupled up and talking, Zeph had his fingers knuckle deep into one of the glowing veins and was appearing to influence the ever shifting ever evolving nature of the area around him. As all things do, the social temporal superposition faded

The five influencers parted their ways after a while of idle chatting about the training session and the upcoming trials and shortly after Olistole found himself winding his way home. The darkness of the sky didn’t bother him, his eyes were adapted to it. Sometimes something malicious could be lurking in the. surroundings, internally or externally. Ever vigilant for a potential possible threat Olistole noticed a vague shape far above. The sky is always cast in a mixed green hue of auroras and this object seemed to be ascending further towards these heavens. Olistole knew that this was likely to be Dayns, his anchorite friend. Olistole wondered if he could somehow get Dayns attention from where he was standing, as an affecter he couldn’t communicate at range, so he had no choice to use his affecting just to knock the object that Dayns was in to get his attention. Olistole focused his external matrix on the slim, apparently poorly made wicker basket hot air balloon. There was a sudden but ultimately not quite unexpected result of the structure collapsing and its occupant start to plummet to the ground of Epheosia.

Olistole felt a bit guilty, but he knew that anchorite’s internal matrix was their domain, meaning that anchorites could reinforce and boost their bodies natural abilities and resilience. Dayns appeared in a tumbled heap as Olistole approached. With a crack of his back and snapping stretch of his neck, Dayns said “you do realize that was my trial run, right? Forty days of fasting and meditation for preparation and crafting the most minimal possible wicker basket hot air balloon for my holy tempering and cleansing?” Olistole felt a bit more guilty. “Can you just resit with a few days of fasting and try again” he said. Dayns casually pointed to the faint glint of the fire that was fuelling his wicker balloon as the balloon drifted off somewhere to be reclaimed by the wilds and Olistole shrugged in apology and the two friends walked back to their village together.

Dayns affect perked up when he spotted his anchorite temple and asked Olistole if he would like to visit. Olistole agreed and they both proceeded through the temple courtyard, past living gardens the training grounds, and wicker balloon workshop, approaching the shrines entrance. Meditating in the shrine in front of an open hearth with black flames was Yan, the anchorite leader. “Ah, Dayns, you are back from your ascent pretty early, what happened to your balloon?” commented Yan. Dayns replied” I starved myself for forty eons before this idiot knocked me out of the sky, do I really have to fast again before I retry my ascendance?”. Yan unfolded his limbs with cat like grace and stood up with perfect posture and poise “Unfortunately it is our way Dayn, you will have to nourish yourself before fasting again and you will have no assistance from any alters in crafting a new wicker balloon”. At this point, Olistole did feel true guilt, he had gotten in the way of his friend's trial of sustenance. All Anchorites when they came of age were to construct their own method of reaching the skies and touch the auroras which would corrode their flesh then they would descend to rejuvenate and touch the auroras repeatedly, until they had tempered their bodies and minds and strengthened their connection with their internal matrix. Olistole did not really understand why they put themselves through all that, but then again anchorites were the only type of influencer who had no will over their external environment. It made sense that they would go to extreme lengths to make the most of their own abilities.

“Yan” said Olistole, “Why do you all undergo the tempering, it seems awfully inconvenient”? Yan looked to be no older than Dayns but he carried himself with grace and coiled lethality that betrayed his years and he remarked” Mastery over the inward is its own reward, you know that the anchorite's power is the inverse of the alters, we can have an enormous influence over our own internal physiology and psychology. I can, for example, sustain myself without matter or fluid indefinitely if I needed to, only to replace damaged or lost tissue and blood. We anchorites believe that the minimal viable unit is the one closest to perfection, but we also believe in maximising the creative and actualized self, so we train and temper our minds and bodies to simplify our matrixes but to maximize our potential number of actions that we can enact in any given moment”. Yan then proceeded to turn around and hold his hand outstretched in the black flames behind him. The fire started to consume the flesh around his fingers, smiling Yan pulled his outstretched arm from the flame and turned around to hold it upright in front of Olistole and Dayns. As the two friends looked on, the anchorites flesh began to warp and bubble as soft tissue, blood vessels, and skin flowed and reformed the damaged hand with no obvious signs of previous damage.

“The temperature of that fire isn’t typically hot enough to hurt me” said Yan “The auroras are a different beast though Dayns. It could be good fortune this eon is not the time that you fully attempt your tempering, I have been trying to pass through the auroras for as long as I can remember, and they just get stronger and more dangerous the more far out you go. Nobody knows what lies past the auroras and part of our anchorite philosophy is tempering and training until our matrix is resilient and lean enough to get through into heaven. Even the strongest effector cannot sense what lies beyond Epheosia’s upper atmosphere.” Olistole briefly wondered if he could benefit from tempering as well, maybe he would join Dayns on his next journey skyward. Olistole as an affecter could dimly sense nodes in his own internal matrix but they felt dull, blurry, faint, and imprecise but if he concentrated and focused hard with his mental constructional matrix, he could sometimes achieve small feats like raising or lowing his pulse or blood temperature at will or turn his skin or hair a slightly different hue.

[grey-gazania-fic]

Fractures

Celegorm saves Caranthir from death during the Nírnaeth Arnoediad. Written for a prompt: "Stay awake." Rated PG.

I don't think I've ever been as frightened as I am when I see Caranthir crumple under Ulfast's mace in the midst of battle. Even Beren's hands around Curufin's neck don't compare, because at least then we had only been facing two foes. Now we're surrounded, with Orcs and Men on all sides squeezing us like a vise.

Ulfast is preparing to strike a second blow, so I swing at him with my sword. He blocks, but it distracts him long enough for Bor's youngest to smite him from behind. I give Borthand a grateful nod. Maybe later I'll be able to figure out what the hell has gone wrong with this battle, but right now, I just don't want my brother to die. Reaching low, I haul him onto my horse with a groan. He's heavy in full armor and my horse is already tired, but I can hear Maglor yelling for us to retreat. Gliroch will have to manage until I can get us both to safety.

I turn to where the fighting is thinnest and start to hew my way through, striking with a fury at anyone who dares to attack, for my brother is supine and senseless and I will not see him harmed further. Others of our people are doing the same; I catch a brief glimpse of Amras as we push through the wall of Ulfang's treacherous kinsmen. Many of them have broken rank and are running now, and I let them go. They're no threat to me, and my brother's life is worth more than revenge.

Finally, finally, I reach one of our camps. It's chaos, with soldiers pouring in looking for help and people rushing to pack up and move further south. But it's safer than the battlefield, so it'll do for now.

I dismount and pull Caranthir from Gliroch's back. He's dead weight, his eyes half closed, and the only sign of life he gives is low moan. Getting his helm off without hurting him further is a challenge, as it's badly dented where Ulfast struck, but I manage. His hair and face are sticky with blood, which is still seeping sluggishly from the wound. I probe at it with my fingertips, keeping my touch as gentle as I can, but he still lets out a pained whimper. I can feel swelling. He needs a healer, and soon.

"Come on, Moryo," I say, slapping at his cheeks until his eyes open. "Stay awake. Talk to me. Tell me something. Tell me— Tell me the palindromic primes."

He blinks up at me blearily. "Palindromic primes?" he says, his voice slurred.

"Yes. What's the first one? Two, isn't it?"

"Two," he agrees. He frowns a little and then, slowly, says, "Three. Five, seven, eleven… Um. One-hundred-and-one…"

He keeps going, but I stop paying too much attention. I don't know if he's getting them correct — mathematics was always his and Atto's passion, not mine — but he's awake and talking, which is what I want. I scan the throng around me for a healer. Finally I spot Melloth, and I flag her down.

"Snap the shaft off and keep moving," she says, and it takes me a moment to realize that she's talking about the arrow lodged in my upper arm. I open my mouth to answer, but she's already turned to Caranthir, her deft hands and sharp eyes taking in his injury.

"Fractured skull," she tells me; Caranthir's eyes have fallen closed and he's biting deep into his lower lip, clearly in pain from her examination. "I can get him to the point where he'll be safe to travel without incurring any permanent injury, but no more than that. There are too many wounded, Celegorm, and we need to move."

"Do it," I say. "I'll take care of him after."

She nods and sets to work, and I breathe a sigh of relief. That's one brother safe and accounted for.

Now I simply have to find the other five.

[vvmylove]

We're in this together, remember?

Its just some fantasy story about Warren and Sally cuz I missed them. Warning: Angst (just a little tho) 2k words

"Get down, you fool!" A gruff voice bellowed over the chaotic din of battle.

Warren barely registered the warning, his focus entirely on the mechanical beast charging towards him, jaws gaping and gleaming with deadly intent. Sweat beaded on his brow as he swung the plasma blade in a graceful arc, the electric blue light leaving a trail in its wake. The creature roared, a mix of fury and pain, as the blade sliced through its metallic hide. It stumbled and collapsed in a shower of sparks, the ground trembling beneath its weight. Warren stepped back, panting, his eyes scanning the battlefield for the next threat.

On the other side of the city, in the relative safety of the tech hub, Sally's eyes narrowed as her boss spoke. Her fingers danced over the holographic keyboard, inputting data with the speed of a machine herself. She had heard the whispers about Warren, the legendary fighter from the East Side Resistance. They said he was reckless, a loose cannon who didn't play by the rules. But she knew better than to judge a book by its cover, especially in these desperate times.

Her boss, a stern woman named Crystal, leaned over her shoulder, her voice low and urgent. "Sally, I can't stress this enough. Warren is not to be trusted. He's dangerous, unpredictable, and has a vendetta against the very technology we're sworn to protect."

Sally paused, her hands hovering over the keyboard. "With all due respect, Crystal," she began, her voice measured, "without the East Side's firepower, our chances of victory are significantly lower. Besides, you know as well as I do that the intel he provides is invaluable."

Crystal's gaze sharpened. "That intel often comes at a steep cost. The lives of our agents, our resources... I can't ignore that any longer."

Sally took a deep breath, the weight of her boss's words sinking in. "I understand your concerns, but we need his strength, his... instincts." She glanced away, thinking of the countless times Warren's intel had saved them from certain doom. "Perhaps if we could work more closely with him, learn to anticipate his actions..."

Crystal's eyes searched hers, and after a moment, she nodded. "Very well. But you'll be the one to liaise with him. You're the best we have at reading people, and I trust your judgment." She handed over a small, encrypted device. "This is our newest communicator. It's linked directly to Warren's team. Use it wisely."

Sally took the device, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Thank you, Crystal. I won't let you down."

"See that you don't," her boss said, turning to leave.

Sally's heart raced as she activated the communicator, the cool metal a stark contrast to her clammy grip. She had always been the brains behind the operation, the one who figured out the puzzles and hacked the enemy's systems, but now she was being thrown into the fray, expected to handle the volatile Warren. Her mind raced with questions, but she knew there was no time for hesitation. The city was in dire need of a leader, and if Warren was the key to unlocking victory, she would have to find a way to work with him.

The first time she made contact with Warren, his voice was gruff and unyielding. "What do you want?"

Sally took a moment to compose herself before speaking. "Warren, this is Sally from the West Side Intelligence. I've been asked to coordinate with you on a mission."

There was a pause, and she could almost hear the surprise in his silence. "Why you?"

"I have a unique skill set that complements your... more direct approach." She chose her words carefully, hoping to appeal to his ego.

To her surprise, he chuckled, a sound like gravel rolling in a metal drum. "So you're the smart one they've been whispering about." Another pause. "Fine. But don't get in my way."

Their initial meeting was as tense as their first conversation. Warren's eyes raked over her, assessing and skeptical. Sally met his gaze, her own eyes a deep green, reflecting the gleaming tech around them. He was everything she had imagined and more: tall, muscular, with a scar that carved its way from his left eye to the corner of his mouth. His hair was a wild tangle of black and silver, a testament to the battles he had survived.

The mission was simple, or so it seemed. Retrieve a piece of vital technology that had fallen into enemy hands. But the enemy had anticipated their move, and the compound was a labyrinth of traps and guards. Warren took the lead, his movements swift and silent. Sally followed, her mind racing to keep up with his tactics. They clashed more than once, their styles so different it was a wonder they didn't trip over each other.

The tension between them grew with every step they took closer to their objective. Warren's brute strength was undeniable, but Sally's strategic mind was crucial in navigating the treacherous path. As they dodged laser beams and hacked through security systems, she found herself admiring his tenacity, his unwavering determination to protect what he believed in. And she knew, deep down, that despite their differences, they shared a common goal.

Finally, they reached the chamber where the tech was held. Warren kicked the door open, weapon at the ready, only to be met with a wall of fire. He bellowed a curse, his eyes flicking to Sally.

"I've got this," she said, stepping forward. Her fingers flew over a panel on the wall, shutting down the flames with a series of beeps and clicks.

As they claimed their prize, Warren's expression softened, just a touch. "Not so bad, for a tech geek."

Sally smirked, the first genuine smile she had allowed herself in days. "And not so reckless, for a fighter."

For a moment, as they stood in the heart of the enemy's lair, surrounded by the spoils of their victory, something shifted between them. It was the beginning of a partnership, an alliance forged in the fires of adversity. And though neither of them knew it yet, it was the start of something much more profound.

Their battles would continue, both with the enemy and against their own preconceptions. But as they faced each new challenge together, Sally and Warren began to realize that the other might just be exactly what they needed to survive in this unforgiving future.

In the days that followed, they found themselves thrown into a series of daring escapades, each more dangerous than the last. With every shared victory, every near-death experience, their bond grew stronger. They began to trust each other, to rely on each other's strengths to balance out their weaknesses.

One night, as they took refuge in the ruins of an old library, Sally looked at Warren in the flickering light of their makeshift campfire. "Why do you fight so hard?" she asked, curiosity and admiration mingling in her voice.

Warren's gaze was distant, his expression contemplative. "For the same reason you do, I suspect," he said, his voice gentle despite its rough edges. "To save what we can of this world, to make it a place worth living in."

Sally nodded, understanding in her eyes. They were two sides of the same coin, driven by a fierce love for their city and their people. Despite the constant danger, she found a strange comfort in his presence. His strength was a shield she hadn't realized she needed, and her intellect a beacon guiding him through the dark.

Their banter grew less hostile, more playful. They bickered over strategy, but it was no longer a clash of wills, rather a dance of two equals finding their rhythm. And as they danced, a spark of something more began to ignite.

One day, when they had successfully dismantled a particularly nasty enemy device, Warren turned to Sally, his eyes holding hers for a beat too long. "We make a good team," he said, his voice gruff but the smile on his face unmistakable.

Sally felt her heart flutter. "Yes," she agreed, her voice a little breathless, "we do."

It was a simple statement, but it held a world of unspoken meaning. They had become more than just allies; they were partners in every sense of the word.

Days turned into weeks, and their battles grew in number and intensity. With each victory, the legend of Sally and Warren grew louder, reaching the ears of those who had once doubted their alliance. They fought side by side, their movements in perfect sync, anticipating each other's next steps as if they were two halves of a whole. They scaled the heights of crumbling skyscrapers and delved into the depths of the city's underbelly, a whirlwind of intellect and strength that left their adversaries in disarray.

But no victory came without a price. During a raid on a heavily fortified enemy compound, Sally took a glancing blow from a stray energy bolt. She crumpled to the ground, her eyes wide with pain. Warren's heart stopped as he watched her fall, his body frozen with horror. Time seemed to slow as the distance between them grew wider, his legs refusing to move. He roared her name, but it was swallowed by the din of battle.

He reached her just as the world around them descended into silence, the last enemy defeated. His strong arms cradled her frail frame, her breaths shallow and uneven. He whispered apologies and promises, his eyes filled with a fear he hadn't felt since the day he'd lost his family. He had failed to protect her, the one person who had managed to breach the wall around his heart. The weight of his failure crushed him, a pain so sharp it threatened to consume him entirely.

Sally's eyes fluttered open, and she offered a weak smile, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "Don't... worry," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm... not... done... yet." Her words were slurred, but the fiery determination in her gaze was unmistakable. Warren's relief washed over him like a wave, mingling with his guilt.

They managed to retreat to the safety of the West Side base, Sally's injury more severe than they had initially thought. The medical bay buzzed with activity as the best doctors and med-bots tended to her. Warren hovered outside, his mind racing with what-ifs and regrets. Crystal placed a firm hand on his shoulder, her gaze sympathetic but stern. "You can't protect her from everything, Warren. She's a soldier too, and she knows the risks."

He nodded, jaw clenched. But in his heart, he vowed to never let her down again. To always be there, to shield her with his very being if necessary. The bond between them had transformed from one of necessity to something deeper, a connection that transcended their roles in the war.

The hospital was cold, sterile, and eerily quiet. Warren paced the floor outside the medical bay, the rhythmic thud of his boots echoing through the hallway. He felt out of place amidst the gleaming surfaces and medical droids, his battle-worn clothes a stark contrast to the pristine white surroundings. The minutes stretched into hours, each second feeling like an eternity. The tension coiled in his stomach, tightening with every passing moment. He checked the time again, his hand shaking slightly.

Finally, the doors to the medical bay slid open, and a doctor stepped out. Warren rushed to her, his eyes searching her face for any sign of good news. She offered a small, weary smile. "Sally's going to be alright," she assured him, her voice soothing despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "The damage was severe, but she's strong. And she's lucky to have you."

With those words, the anxiety that had held him in its vice-like grip for so long began to recede. He took a deep, shaky breath and nodded his thanks before pushing past her into the room. Sally lay on the bed, surrounded by a maze of wires and screens, her face pale but determined. The sight of her filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in years. He approached, his steps tentative, not wanting to disturb her.

Her eyes flickered open, and she managed a wry smile. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she teased, her voice hoarse from the ordeal. Warren felt his own smile spread across his face, his heart swelling with relief. He reached out, his hand hovering over hers, before finally allowing himself to touch her. The contact was gentle, almost reverent.

"I thought..." He trailed off, unable to find the words.

Sally squeezed his hand, her grip surprisingly firm. "You thought you lost me. But we're in this together, remember?"

Warren nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Always," he murmured.

-- Its been a while since I wrote anything

[imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese]

Destinytober24: Day 20 - Ghost

Link to Ao3 if you prefer to read it there

there is one thing that no one knows not even Eris Morn that at the end when all the other ghosts lifted up and gave of themselves channeling the light of the traveler to fight off the witness one ghost turned away

the cannibal the voiceless one lifted up itself to do what it was made for with all the others but it may have been a flicker of movement or perhaps one of the many voices inside of itself cried out it could have been any number of things which caused it to turn and look

and when it did it saw its chosen about to die the shadow of a weapon of sorrow from out of the crowd while everyone was distracted aimed to kill the man with no name

any other time the rogue lightbearer would have seen it taken out the threat asp-quick his own survival paramount above and beyond all things

but his eyes were elsewhere his gun, his trust pointed in the opposite direction protecting a ghostless Eris Morn

the man with no name had killed so many surely, he deserved it surely, it was an acceptable price to pay the life of a murderer, a thief, and a liar a reasonable cost to help save the traveler to fulfil one's ultimate purpose

the voiceless one the tainted one the nameless one felt the call to channel the light with all the other ghosts it knew what it had to do and it chose not to

it turned away it turned away

and flew down hard and fast drawing its crudely welded shell in tight as it had done long before becoming a living bullet piercing the would be killer right between the eyes before he could pull the trigger before he could send the poisoned bullet through the man with no name

its chosen who hated it who refused to fight who ran the other way who had at the end found something worth fighting for a reason to stay

more important in that moment than the traveler than humanity than anything

one ghost out of all the others turned away and chose its own lightbearer above all things

while all the other ghosts and their chosen were banishing the final shape vanquishing the first knife transfixed in brilliant exquisite heroism one ghost lay where it had landed after skittering along the stones of the battlefield splattered in gore and its red eye looking up watching all the others fulfil what should have been its own destiny

it lay there, then its misshapen shell coated in blood and brains having missed the moment it was made for its single eye blinking red then blue then red again heavy with the knowledge that it had not been with the others that in the end it had not done what it was supposed to do a failure a mistake from the very beginning until now nothing ever having gone according to plan

and then scarred and trembling hands grasped it lifted it held it close with a tenderness the nameless ghost had never known

sad eyes which had seen too much scanned it for injury and the face of one who had killed so many to survive looked upon his own ghost with surprise almost even gratitude

and as they sat together the nameless ghost and the man with no name while all around them the world was being saved both realized each had been so wrong about the other even after all this time

in the pale heart of the traveler at the end of the world in the moment of triumph one ghost made its own fate and from that point on everything was different

Link to the entire month's worth of prompts on Ao3, posted daily.