#she came on the second individual one when i had lost all hope

[wishcamper]

Nessian Week Day 5 - Behind Closed Doors

I meant to write a sexy, Casino Royale-esque poker scene but it somehow ended up as Cassian fangirling over his wife for 3k words so uh. Here you go.

Read here or on ao3!

High Stakes

A/N: This prompt really made me want to play with the idea of layers of intimacy in long-term relationships because a) I don’t think we have enough representations of healthy, fulfilling, functional monogamy and b) I‘ve always thought there was beautiful potential for Nessian to know and understand each other to the point where they can see all the layers of the other person, and be able to hold space for the other’s complexity. I’d just really like to believe that’s possible. So I hope that comes across. 

I’m exploring some of these same ideas in ACOVAV, my ongoing ACOSF fix-it. Questions around the character’s experiences and my own, like: what does it look like to build tension in a story and depth in a relationship without miscommunication or people treating each other badly? What if it’s two people trying their best to get close while also wrestling with their own individual shit in very real, understandable ways? What exists at that intersection between me and us? Something interesting, I think.

If that interests you too, you can read that fic on ao3 :)

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“Mr. Archeron.”

“Marlowe. How’s she looking tonight?”

Two males stood before the door of a long-vacant tavern, sweating slightly in the night air thick and lush as it only was in summer, Velaris bursting with vitality after dark. The cobblestone streets were full of revelers who passed by without a second glance, ignorant that beyond the hidden entrance lay a world where fortunes were won and lost, where the honor of courts rose and fell at the discretion of a female known only in whispers as the Queen of Cards.

A female who just happened to be Cassian’s wife.

“A strong start,” Marlowe said as he ushered Cassian into the candlelit basement, flickering shadows belying the bustling street above. “The High Lord from Autumn has cheek, though.” 

“Yeah, Eris gets like that when he’s losing.”

They shook hands and Cassian made his way down the dim hallway, the sounds of chatter and shuffling and clinking coins drifting toward him. He could hear Eris braying high above the others, Rhys’ smooth voice giving back just as good. When he reached the arched entrance to the playing room, everyone had their backs to him except Nesta, who glanced up from her three-card hand and smiled. 

She always faced the door during games, ready to protect her players’ privacy in case someone got past Marlowe, though it had the unintended effect of giving him a moment to take her in uninterrupted. Her gown was midnight blue tonight, long sleeves in tiers of iridescent silk like a dragonfly’s wings, hair cascading over one shoulder studded with opals that turned fiery in the faelights.

A glittering queen holding court. And damn if Cassian didn’t want to go to his knees before her, still, after all this time.

“Can we get on with it or do I need to send you two to time out?” she asked the still-squabbling High Lords without missing a beat, tossing her cards in and signaling to the silver clad dealer to begin the next round before. She threw in her ante next, silver bracelets chiming at her wrist with the movement.

With some grumblings the players turned to their hands, and Cassian edged along the wall to where Emerie sat at a high table on her own, grazing on the arrayed refreshments and accounting her winnings in a worn ledger. 

“I was up and didn’t want to push my luck,” the female whispered when he nodded in greeting, giving him a sly smile. Cassian smiled back - Emerie always came out on top. He suspected Nesta was subtly losing to her friend on purpose after the female refused to let her fund an expansion of her shop. And he suspected Emerie knew it, too, but both were too proud to say it aloud. She licked the tip of her pencil and made another note. “Plus, it’s fun to watch your mate knock a few High Lords down a peg.”

“Sometimes I wonder if that’s the real game,” he confessed, and Emerie grinned smugly, wings ruffling with delight.

They observed the game in silence for a moment, allowing Cassian time to survey the other players in attendance tonight. There was an endless rotating cast of characters at Nesta’s now-famous monthly games, the invitation so coveted they’d had all manner of bribes delivered to the House of Wind by very confused messengers. Thankfully all gifts were now rerouted to a third-party location, after a lesser lord of Summer sent a dozen peacocks they’d chased about the House for hours.

There were seven of them tonight as usual, including Emerie, all faces he recognized buried in their cards around the half-moon table. Granted, it helped that nearly half the players were his wife, her best friend, and Rhys, whose pile of coin looked so pitifully low Cassian couldn’t help but smirk when he caught his brother’s eye.

“We should raise the blind,” Rhys interjected. “What's the point of playing if you’re eschewing risk?”

It still surprised Cassian sometimes that Rhys kept coming back despite showing no taste for gambling in the past. But he supposed Rhys had always been weirdly competitive with Nesta, and even though they’d buried the hatchet long ago Nesta still loved winning her brother-in-law’s money fair and square. Which she did without fail, hand over fist, with a silent pact between them not to tell Feyre.

Neither of her sisters knew, by design he suspected, and Mor was off in Montesere ‘finding herself’ again, whatever that meant. Azriel had a brief, brilliant run before his competitiveness got the best of him and he was banned for brawling at the table, one of the only standing rules. Emerie and Eris were regulars, and he’d seen the others in attendance before: broad-shouldered Megrin Stonecutter of the Velaris maester’s guild and Nuan of Dawn, who perched cross-legged in her chair, a pair of elaborate spectacles whirring on her round face

Opposite Nesta tonight sat the High Lord of Day, still radiant despite having foregone his usual golden adornments. Helion looked nonplussed by his own losing streak as Cassian watched him toss his cards face down in front of him, leaving only Rhys, Eris, and Nesta still alive in the hand.

“I fold. You all are vicious. Are you not joining us, Cass?”

“And add one more body to the slaughter? No thanks.” He’d never had much interest, content to watch Nesta splatter egos against the wall.

Megrin grunted in agreement and slid her cards to the dealer past the large pile of gold in the center. “I’m out, too. Clearly someone knows something I don’t.”

“It’s yours to call, Eris,” Rhys said breezily. “Unless you’re waiting to ask your father’s ghost for permission.”

Cassian snorted, making eye contact with Rhys again, who shot him a shit-eating grin as Eris covered his mouth with a stiff hand, brow furrowed. 

To everyone’s surprise, Beron Vanserra had been felled two years prior by an ordinary fever. No one in Autumn nor elsewhere could make sense of it - it was as if one day the hands of hel simply reached up and snatched him back into the earth. So a court that had once been destined for a bloody coup passed the crown peacefully, which was a good thing all around, though Rhys loved painting Eris as a cowardly dawdler whose target put himself in an early grave just to end the waiting.

The Autumn lord sneered at the insult, still waffling. “Some of us prefer to think about our actions, Rhysand, instead of barrelling forward with whatever scheme will inflate our self-importance the most. Stealing things from other courts, for example, books, brides -“

Nesta glanced over at Cassian then, crossing and uncrossing her fingers where they lay against her cheek, and he had to stifle the laugh that bubbled forth at the private joke, just for him. It was her signal that sexual tension was present in the room, sometimes to indicate she wanted to leave whatever function they were at, sometimes so they could share a roll of their eyes. In this case he knew she meant the squabbling lords, as many a late night they’d mused that Eris and Rhys could get past their rivalry if they just had sex about it. 

“As much as I enjoy seeing Rhysand’s self-importance punctured,” Nesta drawled when the latter opened his mouth to retort. “You can’t delay your bet with old, petty scores. We’re all rather bored with it. If you’re going to cheat, at least use some imagination.” 

She sipped at her glass of pomegranate juice, a frequent gift of affection from Helion and a nod to the other rule: no alcohol. 

Rhys’ expression flashed briefly with betrayal, but he schooled it quickly, knowing better than to give himself away. But Cassian knew Nesta’s smoky eyes clocked it before they turned to Eris. 

“I remember you once tempting me with an invitation to Autumn, to see how a High Lord plays. Is this what you had in mind?” She gestured to the modest pile of gold in front of him. “I rather think I made the right decision, don’t you?”

Emerie chuckled beside him, and Cassian felt a thrill low in his stomach to see Nesta so self-possessed, lit from within. After everything they’d been through with the Trove, with their families, a part of him wondered if he’d ever see her ferocity again, if the sharp point of that viper’s tongue would smooth over for good. 

She’d become very soft for about a decade after the Blood Rite, and they’d taken long walks through the Illyrian Steppes and the Myrmidons, swam in streams and lakes and the oceans of Summer, watched the bees drift lazily from flower to flower in Elain’s gardens in Day. It was as if she’d needed to come completely to rest before deciding what to do next. And the solitude seemed to give her a sense of clarity, but he’d been glad as fuck to be an exception to that rule, to witness the private puzzlings and support her in finding purpose in her life.

They’d only just returned to Velaris the previous spring, when the threads of family and duty pulled them home at last. Their time away was intimate and lovely, some of the best years of his life, yet Cassian enjoyed seeing Nesta confident out in the world again. The poker game had been the first of many things to draw her out, and he couldn’t wait to see what she’d surprise him with next, his strong, clever, deadly little wife.

Eris grumbled and tossed a few coins in the middle. “Happy now? Or would you prefer to seduce it out of me?”

Cassian watched her swallow the barb, which would’ve sent her into survival mode in the past and now rolled off her with barely a ripple. Leashed his own instincts to leap across the room and tackle Eris to the ground, because Nesta wouldn’t hesitate to kick him out for breaking the rules too, mate or no, and he’d miss his favorite show.

“Your luck doesn’t extend that far tonight,” she said demurely, and Cassian knew the smug prick was too stupid to see her coiling up to strike when the time was right. Nesta won the hand a moment later to groans all around, her Winter flush beating Rhys’ three pixies and Eris’ two pair, nymphs and kelpies.

“I propose a wager," Nesta declared as the next hand was dealt, her voice velvety and inviting. "The victor of the evening wins one favor of their choosing...” Eyes lit up around the table, anticipation deepening. “...from my husband.”

They all turned toward Cassian where he was leaning against the wall with an amused grin now, and he raised an eyebrow at his mate. Her eyes flashed silver where she stared back at him, and he felt her send a soothing wave down the bond, assuring him of her intent. Inviting him into the ruse. Cassian made a show of looking chagrined, shuffling his feet as he looked down.

Rhys was the first to respond, smirking. “I’ll take that bet.” 

Cassian knew he was incensed at the idea of losing, wrongly fancying himself more clever than his sister-in-law. Nesta knew it, too, and that arrogance made him play more recklessly.

“Count me out,” said Helion, winking. “You’re pretty, Cass, but my minister of finance will have my head if I lose any more.”

“Ah, why not?” Nuan flushed, uncomfortable with the attention now drawn her way, and chuckled nervously. “Not sure what use I’d have for you, dear, but who knows what worth it may hold!”

Megrin pursed her lips, sizing him up. “He has a strong enough back I suppose. I’ve been meaning to rearrange my forge.”

“Any favor of my choosing?” Eris mused, and Cassian felt the Autumn lord’s gaze roving over his body and then Nesta’s, possessive and hungry. The years hadn’t changed everything. Nesta answered with nothing but a feline smile.

The next few rounds passed in a blur of bluffs and bold plays. Nesta remained composed even on the hands she lost, an almost bored air to the way she watched the males bluster and crow. Eris' anger grew while Rhys shot daggers with his glare at her every win, turning each hand into an unnecessary battle of wills that made him play sloppy. Nuan ducked out when it became clear the prize wasn’t hers, and Megrin hung on for a while longer, bluffing her way through until her luck ran dry, to Cassian’s relief. 

One by one, Nesta outplayed them, her composure never faltering as she watched her opponents fume, each loss reigniting their fervor to win.

At last the players were down to the final hand, and the air in the hidden basement crackled with anticipation. The dealer laid down the community cards as bets went around: a wyvern, a lord, a lady, and a cave troll. Each still in signaled for new cards, Nesta tapping once against the table, her face revealing nothing. Cassian could feel his chest tighten as they sized each other up before Rhys pushed all his chips into the pot with a confident smirk.

"All in."

Unfazed, Nesta called his bet, gesturing idly at her pile for the dealer to sweep into the center with his crook. That left only Eris to decide his own fate, as well as Cassian’s.

He puzzled for a long while with his head in his hands before he finally spoke, low and deliberate. "I’ll call."

Coins cascaded into the center, a shower of gold. Then the final card was revealed—another lady. All coins in the center, it felt like everyone held their breath as the three remaining players revealed their hands. 

Rhys set down two lords, the grin spreading across his face triumphant and sure, the poor bastard. Eris only clucked his tongue and revealed his full house, ladies full of wyverns, smug despite achieving it on the last draw.

But Cassian knew it wasn’t over yet. He turned to where his wife was toying with the edge of her hand, and he’d seen that pose too many times not to recognize it at once: You Have Just Royally Fucked Yourself. Silver rolled over Nesta’s eyes, and with prim efficiency she laid down the three remaining trolls in the deck, one after another.

The room erupted, Eris upending his chair as he leapt to his feet, Rhys shouting about cheating and Helion tipping his head back to let loose a peal of laughter soon joined by Emerie and Nuan’s, by Megrin’s groan. Cassian couldn’t help the dopey grin that spread across his face, how at home Nesta looked in the sea of chaos when she winked at him, calmly piling her coins into neat stacks.

Once everyone had regained their heads they all passed a lovely hour in conversation, the air hazy from the cigarettes Nesta usually smoked with Lucien at their gossip sessions disguised as afternoon tea. Rhys departed first, claiming a return to his fatherly duties, though they all knew he was off to beg Feyre’s sympathies while he licked his wounds for reasons he’d never confess. Emerie left with a tight hug and a promise to have them up to Windhaven soon to see her new expansion, and Eris gave Nesta a begrudging bow before Helion swooped in and kissed her on the cheek. He did the same to Cassian, and they heard his warm voice echoing down the corridor, giving Eris shit all the way up the stairs.

Alone now, Cassian came up behind where Nesta was tucking a handful of coins in a pouch for Marlowe, looped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. She batted at him but he felt her lean backwards all the same, cracking the door to that soft place within, that only her loved ones were allowed to enter. He knew she liked the affection, even if part of her still hated to admit it, if she only wanted it when it was just them.

“Wicked woman,” he teased, and he felt her smile against his cheek, the press of her nails into his forearm. “Were you seriously going to let Eris have his way with me?”

Nesta turned in his arms and he took her in close up for the first time all day, having left her snoring softly that morning when he departed for Windhaven. He warmed to see her face still relaxed and open, the ease in her posture. 

“If he won, sure.”

Cassian snorted. “I don’t know if that’s a testament to your confidence or your willingness to torture me.”

The candlelight flickered silver around them for a moment and he drew her close once more, breathing deep the vanilla and jasmine scent of her hair, the lingering smokiness. Nesta linked her hands behind his back and squeezed him hard, impatient.

“Can’t it be both? Now take me home, Lady Death is tired.”

“Is that your favor for winning, sweetheart?”

“No,” she said, eyes dancing and devious when he pulled back. “I’ve much bigger plans for you.”

And oh, she did.

They ended the night in Cassian’s favorite way, with him sprawled atop her, head pillowed on her chest, her long fingers working through the snarls in his hair he’d earned in their pleasure. The House dimmed the lights in the bedchamber that was once his, the door now warded to both their hands. Hands that bore twin golden rings and tattoos of an eight-pointed star, tokens of their promises, both his and hers.

“Goodnight, I love you.”

Nesta’s voice was thick and fuzzy, and he felt a quiet contentment on her end of the bond. It was rare for her to inhabit it in public as much as she had tonight, and Cassian remembered when her end of the bridge between them had been locked tight, impenetrable. He’d made a fool of himself trying to break through early in their love, using brute force to smash past her defenses, leaving her exposed. 

But now he knew the secret that should’ve been obvious, that he only had to knock.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

She smiled with her eyes closed and pursed her lips, kissing the air before sleep dragged her under.

[animecreator3000]

Cards I've gotten in less than 10 pulls (and I couldn't make any more than that)

[kimi240302]

Come back to me Part 2

A/N: Before you read this, I want you to know that my native language is different. So I am very sorry for any mistake. Nevertheless, I hope you will like my story and enjoy it.

A/N2.0; I have to confess, this part was finished yesterday, but I couldn't translate it into English because I had to cry for the first time with my own story.

Summary: The love story between Alec Volturi and Y/N Swan, was an unexpected one. Both didn't know what to make of each other when they found out they were soul mates. But they worked on it and created a beautiful strong love that not even Bella's hatred for the Volturi could destroy. But as in any good love story, tragedy was impossible to avoid in theirs. It came as unexpectedly as their love itself, and made the Cullens and Bella seem to win, while Alec and the Volturi were losing their light in the darkness.

Alec Volturi x Swan!Female!reader

Main Post / Twilight Masterlist / Come back to me Masterlist

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It all fell, it all fell down, it all fell down, eh It all fell down, it all fell down, it all fell down And all I gave you is gone it all fell down, it all fell down, it all fell down Thought we built a dynasty forever couldn't break up - Dynasty/ MIIA

Coldness Darkness Numbness

These were the first feelings that crept into Y/N's mind. She had the feeling that something was lying on her chest.

Something that prevented her from breathing.

Something that stopped her from opening her eyes.

Y/N tried to move her arms, to move anything, but the numbness inside her hindered her.

Voices around her grew louder, but she couldn't understand or recognize them.

Y/N tried to shout at them, to ask for help or simply to silence them, but she could do nothing.

Total helplessness spread through her, giving the darkness more power. The young girl tried harder and harder to fight the numbness, the darkness and the cold, but it didn't work.

She didn't know how long this feeling lasted, but she managed to open her eyes. She needed to blink several times to get used to the bright light. Groaning, she turned her head, paused and tried to move her hand to her throat.

"Don't."

A hand closed gently around her wrist. Startled, she flinched at the coldness of this hand. Her eyes drifted to the owner. He looked at her happily, which confused Y/N.

Carefully and thoughtfully, she let her gaze glide through the unfamiliar room. Y/N looked at each face individually, some familiar, others unfamiliar.

Her gaze returned to the man standing next to her. She looked at him closely. His black hair, his almost white shimmering skin, his red eyes that looked at her with so much hope.

Y/N released her wrist from his grip and opened her mouth,

"Who are you?"

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Alec didn't know exactly what he should be feeling right now. All he knew was that he had stumbled, or rather been thrown, from one nightmare into the the next.

"She can't remember anything?" Alec looked at Carlisle, who was standing in front of him. "Y/N recognized everyone just…" Bella interrupted him, "Except for you and your sister." She shrugged her shoulders. "That should be your cue to leave."

Jane stepped out from behind her brother, "Choose your next words wisely newborn or your eternity was only seconds after all!" Alec ignored them both and looked at the Cullen Doctor more sharply. "Y/N has been awake for less than 24 hours, I can't say with any accuracy what's going on yet." "Then make a guess." Alec looked at the blond vampire demandingly.

"It would appear that Y/N has lost part of her memory." Alec turned his head to the side and watched his mate, who had fallen back into a deep sleep. A window separated them, but Alec had the feeling that it wasn't just this window that separated him from Y/N, rather an entire universe.

"How could this happen, how could…" Alec had to collect himself for a moment and looked back at Carlisle, "You said there were no injuries that could have caused any major trauma, so what happened?" The man shook his head. "It could have been anything, the shock, the cold. I can't tell you. I'm sorry Alec." " Could her memories come back?" Alec looked at him hopefully. "I honestly can't say." Jane snorted, "Can you say anything at all about Y/N's condition?"

Bella stepped forward before Edward could stop her. "I'd show a little more respect if I were you. After all, it was Carlisle who saved her!" Jane looked at her angrily, "Careful…" Bella interrupted her, "Forget it. My sister was dying just a few hours ago and if I had to guess, I'd even say it was your fault." She turned to Alec, "Yours, to be exact." "How could it have been my fault?" Alec looked at her undefined. Bella shrugged her shoulders. "No one can explain what happened, why Y/N went off the road." Alec's eyes literally began to burn. "I would never…" "I'm not saying you did it, but you and the rest of your Volturi gang have enough enemies that were just looking for an opportunity to get their hands on Y/N alone."

Silence fell as Bella eyed Alec angrily. "You've never made a secret about her. Never hidden the fact that she is the 'sunshine of the Volturi'. But she was also never alone without one of you. This time she was."

"Enough Bella…" Carlisle raised a hand, but it didn't silence her. "Remember what I told her and you back then. Loving you will be the death of her and look where we've ended up. Look at my sister Alec, she barely escaped death." Bella took a few steps towards the black haired man. "I pray that Y/N won't remember you, because this way I can protect her from this world, this way I can protect her from your enemies." Bella turned and walked back to Edward, but paused once more, "If you truly love her Alec and want her safe, let her go. Let me take her away to where neither you nor any other can find her."

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"Alec?" Jane looked at him questioningly as she re-entered the hospital room. He was once again standing by Y/N's Bedside. " You would think, the way she's sleeping so soundly, that she's fallen back into a coma." He carefully stroked his hand through her hair.

"Are we just going to ignore what Bella said?" Jane looked more closely at her brother. Alec simply ignored her and gave Y/N his full attention. Jane snorted. "How about we just take Y/N with us. We can sort everything else out in Volterra and then…" Alec stopped running his fingers through Y/N's hair.

"She can't remember anything. No more of our time, no more of our world. That means Y/N is a normal woman again." Jane tilted her head. Alec gave her an annoyed look. "She can have everything I could never give her." Jane stood up straight again. "That would be?" "Children? Growing old? A life in the daylight!" Jane's expression changed to one of bewilderment. "If Y/N really wanted that, she would never have agreed to be changed." Alec looked at his sister. "Love blinds you to the things you've always wanted." Jane shook her head, "Alec…"

Alec lowered his gaze, leaned down to Y/N and placed a long kiss on her forehead. He separated his lips, remaining a few inches above her forehead. "I've waited so long for you, that I'm ready to let you go." The vampire stood back up, running his hand over his lover's cheek once more, "Find me in another life. In one where I get more time with you, in one where I can love you longer."

He turned away from the bed and tried to walk towards the exit, but Jane blocked his way. "If you do that, if you leave now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life." "And if I stay Jane? Then what?" Alec looked at Y/N again, "She got lucky this time. What if she's not lucky next time? I ignored it, for so long. But her life got more and more dangerous the closer I got to her." Jane shook her head, "Don't let Bella win. She's been trying to break you two apart since you got together." Alec looked down at his sister, "It's not about winning, it's about Y/N safety Jane. She's not safe with me or anywhere near her, no one is."

"What if Y/N wakes up one morning and can remember? She'll think you don't love her, she'll think you abandoned her!" Alec looked at his sister. "Jane…" "No!" the blonde vampire raised her voice, but Alec cut her off. "We're leaving Jane, my decision is final!"

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"Alec, it's been a long time since we've seen you in Volterra." Aro closed the book he had just opened and placed it on the table. Caius turned to the twins. "Is everything okay with Y/N?"

Demetri, Felix, Santiago, Afton and Chelsea looked back and forth between Jane and Alec. An awkward silence stretched out. Alec looked at his kings, "Y/N is awake."

No one said anything, they just watched the twins. Everyone realized that all joy was missing from Alec. He looked lost and Jane couldn't look at anyone. Her eyes were fixed on the ground, which was never the case.

"What happened?" Aro took a few steps towards Alec, but didn't want to touch him yet, he wanted to listen to his words first. "Y/N is no longer part of our world, she is no longer part of our lives. She can't remember anything from the last year." Alec looked Aro in the eye. "My mate woke up, but she woke up in a world I'm not a part of."

Caius stood up, "How?" Alec's gaze lowered to the floor. His voice broke, "Carlisle doesn't know." "Then we must bring her to us…" Caius wanted to continue, Aro silenced him with a raised hand. "May I see?" Aro held out a hand to Alec. The black-haired man immediately placed his hand in his king's.

After a minute, Aro let go of Alec's hand. "Is this the path you really want to take?" Alec looked back down at the ground. "You know she wanted to become one of us." Alec nodded and looked up. "She'd never be safe." "I know."

Aro turned and walked back to the table.

"Spread the word that Y/N is dead."

"What!" All the vampires in the room, excluding Jane, Alec and Aro shouted this at the same time.

"Our young friend has decided to give his mate, our sunshine, a mortal life. A life without the knowledge of the supernatural and away from our enemies. I support him and so do the rest of you."

Demetri shook his head and walked towards Alec. "You can't do this to us. Alec…" Alec looked at him blankly, "This isn't your decision to make." "How can you just let her go, how can you…"

Alec took a step towards Demetri, "Do you think this decision was easy? Do you think it's not tearing me apart? I love this woman with everything in my being, she's the other fucking half of my soul. Do you think the decision to let her go and know that she won't be in this world in eighty or ninety years was easy?" His voice broke and he shook his head. "Then you're an idiot, it's been the hardest decision of my life and I'll definitely regret it."

"Then why?" Felix looked at him questioningly, while others were shocked. No one had ever seen Alec get so emotional.

Jane gave a humorless laugh and drew attention to herself. "Because Bella managed to get inside his head." Confused, everyone looked back at Alec. He remained silent, but Jane continued, "She thinks that Y/N's car went off the road because one of our enemies made it do it."

"This is ridiculous!" Demetri tried to grab Alec's shoulder, but he slapped the blond vampire's hands away. "Really? We, the Volturi, have more than enough enemies. Everyone we care about has been killed. Think of the secretary who loved you Demetri and was killed because of it. The woman you loved Felix? Chelsea, why is Afton a vampire now? Why don't you ever let him go somewhere without you?"

Everyone looked at the floor.

"I thought so. Loving any of us Volturi is like a death sentence. I'm not willing to do that to Y/N when she's been given a second chance."

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A/N3.0: I'm currently writing a one shot for Paul Lahote, if you would like to be tagged there or would like to be on my tag list in general write it in the commis

Tag list: @alecvolturiswifeforever @rosedpetal @bofadeezs @xcharlottemikaelsonx @urgirlmoon @julesofvolterra @itsmytimetoodream @smiling2204 @demogorgon-master1

[ape-apocalypse]

There's been a lot of talk about Mae since Kingdom's release and she seems to be the character most people are split on, especially with the ending. After much pondering, here are my own thoughts about her, the alternate ending that almost was, and her path in upcoming movies. Spoilers ahead!

Straight to the point, I liked her character. In a lot of ways, she reminded me of Caesar. Her entire goal is focused on protecting humans no matter the cost to apes, much like what Caesar did to protect apes from humans. She has a no-nonsense determination to complete her mission and she doesn't trust apes, even Noa who she spends the majority of the film with. I watched Kingdom thinking it was odd that there was no real bond between Noa and Mae but I think that was on purpose. Though they both rely on each other to complete their individual missions and they concur that Proximus should not have access to what is in the vault, they don't fully trust each other. I know some people are upset that she brought a gun to her final meeting with Noa. Honestly, I don't blame her because they don't trust each other! 

Freya Allan revealed in a recent interview that the goodbye scene between her and the chimp was originally filmed differently. "In the scene that I shot, Mae was going there to kill him because he scares her. His intelligence scares her. Mae doesn't want to kill him, but she feels she has to... Originally, you actually see her pull the gun on Noa, but his back is turned to her. And so you think, 'Oh my God, is she about to shoot him?' Mae is crying as she's doing it... and then she doesn't. The minute he mentions Raka's name, she puts the gun down. But then in the edit, they wanted it to feel more subtle, and I honestly way prefer what they've done with it. It's so much smarter and really allows you to think more... so it becomes a very emotional goodbye, one with tragic, lingering doom."

I'm really relieved that they changed the ending. If she had actually drawn the gun on Noa, especially when his back was turned, I would have been pissed. But the ending we received, with an almost old school Western stand-off between two opponents, with them actually debating if this town - this planet - is big enough for the both of them, I think it perfectly sets up the tension between humans and apes heading into the next movie. 

Now I do wish they had done something to make her a little more sympathetic to hating the apes. There is the briefest mention that Proximus' apes killed the other humans she was traveling with but it's really glossed over. I wish when she and Noa were making the plan, Mae had mentioned the group again. Maybe that someone she cared about was killed or just how vicious the attack was and she saw terrible things. First, this would have connected Noa and Mae more because of the attack on Eagle Clan and the death of Koro, which Freya Allan confirms: "Proximus' apes killed her camp, similarly to Noa's, which is what's so bizarre about it". Second, it would have made Mae have some personal stake in the downfall of Proximus. This clearly was the intention because Allan says in defense of her character's actions, "She's gone through so much, she's lost all the people she cares about, which was a large part of how I justified everything she did." The backstory was there but a few extra lines would have made her thoughts clear and perhaps gotten more of the audience on her side. Allan elaborates that she even "...created a backstory that her parents had also gone off and tried to do the same mission, but they never came back and presumably died". I'm not sure if they were worried about the already long length of the movie that they felt the need to leave this out but I really wish they had added in even a few lines that would have allowed people to empathize with her.

Regardless of how she was portrayed in this movie, I'm already starting to theorize for the next film (with the hopes that Disney will announce its approval soon!). I think the next movie will have Mae fully on the side of the humans in her base/bunker and whoever they connected with. She completed her mission in Kingdom and there will be a new mission to recover the planet for humans that she'll be part of. She will be fully invested in it but something will change by the end of the film that will make her want peace between apes and humans. Then she'll spend the third film in the trilogy helping Noa to find a way to end bloodshed between the two species. 

There is a little part of me that wouldn't mind a female bad guy, because there hasn't been one in any of these films, even back to the originals. But honestly, I do want to see Mae and Noa reconcile and become friends and partners. Who knows, maybe Dichen Lachman's character Korina (the human in the hazmat suit who comes out to greet Mae at the end, who I adore in the TV show Dollhouse) will be the leader of the humans and the main villain of the next film, satisfying my wish for a female baddie? That would leave Mae free to have a redemption story where she helps Noa and works with him to protect apes from whatever the humans are plotting.

[juyeonszn]

THERE’S NO ESCAPE (YOU’VE TAKEN TENURE IN MY HEART)

PAIRING jacob bae x f!reader

WORD COUNT 3.38k

GENRES fluff ﹒angst ﹒smut

WARNINGS 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, mature language, mentions of toxic relationships. mentions of cheating, mentions of psycho girlfriends 💀, cobie being the most caring loving individual in the world, semi-public sex, car sex, little bit of manhandling, lots of desperation, little bit of nipple play, some dry humping tbh, no foreplay bc we ball like steph curry, unprotected sex (BE SAFE1!!11!!), marking 😹😹😹, um i lied… there is More than a Little manhandling, overstimulation, multiple orgasms, creampie lol, jacob is kind of insatiable, the end is cute

SUMMARY only jacob would tell you he’d just broken up with his girlfriend and comfort you rather than seek comfort for himself. only jacob could know exactly what you wanted and needed, more than you knew yourself.

MORE HELLAURRRR finally getting this bad boy out!! she’s the (not so) calm before the storm aka the fic before fawntober starts LOLLL anyway! this was requested by my lovely dearest moni <3 i hope it was everything u hoped it’d be!! prompts used are: 14, 20 💪

PERM TAGLIST @winterchimez @maessseongs @itsbeeble

When people say you’ll know when you’ve met The One, they’re lying. They’re lying straight through their teeth because they don’t know what else to tell you. Maybe they feel sorry for you. Maybe that’s what they were told when they were growing up. Whatever the reason may be, you knew it wasn’t true.

How could it be true?

You thought your boyfriend was The One when you first started dating. He did everything right. He held open doors for you. He walked on the side of the sidewalk closest to the street. He held your hand so you wouldn’t get lost in crowds. He learned what your favorite dishes were and brought them to you whenever you were stressed and needed comfort. He bought you flowers every time you went on a date, and sometimes even just because he felt like it. He was the perfect boyfriend.

Until he wasn’t.

You’d been together for three years now, and this past year had been a living hell. You’re not sure what went wrong, but eventually all those doting behaviors came to an end. He stopped opening doors for you. He stopped walking on the side of the sidewalk closest to the street. He stopped holding your hand so you wouldn’t get lost in the crowd. He stopped caring about your favorite dishes or when you needed comfort. He stopped buying you flowers because you stopped going on dates. He was no longer the perfect boyfriend.

You used to think he was The One because you’d been told that you would just know when you met him. And how could you not think he was The One after he did the textbook boyfriend things? But now you weren’t so sure. After all, if he was truly The One, he wouldn’t be treating you like you were a second option.

All of his attention seemed to be on work and going out with friends every weekend. It felt like he couldn’t give two shits about you, or if you stayed up to wait for him when he didn’t call. And perhaps it was your own fault. You let things get to this point and never spoke up. You bit your tongue when he mentioned he’d be working late, even if you knew there was no way his work required so much overtime.

The only reason you still stuck around was because you were complacent. You were scared of change. Despite everything about your relationship having changed since the beginning, it was still your relationship and leaving it would be a greater change. You couldn’t help that you were a creature of habit.

It was kind of funny though, considering the fact that your best friend was going through the same exact thing.

Jacob and his girlfriend got together similarly around the time as you and your boyfriend. She was sweet when you first met her, everything Jacob wanted in a partner. He would occasionally boast to you about how caring and compassionate she was. He even swore he would marry her one day. He was also the textbook definition of a boyfriend, but he never stopped his actions. And yet somehow, she too switched up.

She became controlling and possessive, like any girl who breathed the same air as Jacob was trying to steal him away from her. She read his text messages, she knew his passwords, she knew his work and school schedule. She even knew nearly as much about you as he did.

You found this out after the two of you went out for lunch one day. He was so frustrated over the situation, but couldn’t escape just like you. He was also afraid of the disruption to his life. Because she was pretty much stalking his phone activity, you planned a weekly hangout where you’d complain to each other about your respective relationships.

Tonight was one of those hangouts.

You’d met up at a cute little family owned Italian restaurant for dinner, both of you worn out from your deteriorating relationships. But the sight of one another was almost enough to ease the weight on your shoulders, to fix every problem single-handedly.

The lighting inside the restaurant is dim, every table adorned with candles and slim vases with a daisy. You hadn’t been here in years, the last time being when you and your boyfriend first started dating. It used to be one of your favorite spots to visit with Jacob, but you stopped coming together once you’d gotten into your own relationships. Being here with your boyfriend felt… off. So you never came back.

Sitting across the table from Jacob had your heart fluttering in your chest, a weird sensation you’d long forgotten. Despite the reoccurring thought about how attractive he looked tonight, you couldn’t help but notice how dejected he looks. He hadn’t said much, which was completely out of the ordinary. He always had something to say, always had a little quip prepared.

He pushes around the pasta on his plate, lips pursed as he does so. You let out a sigh, taking a sip of your wine and setting your fork down with a clack against the ceramic plate. “Are you okay?”

“Hmm?” He glances up from his food, like he’d been checked out this whole time. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”

“No you’re not, Cobie. You’ve been quiet since we got here and you’ve hardly eaten,” you say pointedly, crossing your arms over your chest. “Now, what’s up? Don’t forget that I know you like the back of my hand.”

He lets out a small chuckle, leaning back in his seat. (You ignore the way the action has that previous fluttering travel down into your stomach.) “Well, I didn’t really know how to bring this up, so I guess I was kinda in my head about that,” he turns his head away from you momentarily, wetting his lips before looking back at you. “I broke up with Kyunmi last night.”

You know your eyes are comically wide upon hearing this revelation, especially when Jacob has to bite his lip to prevent laughter. You definitely weren’t expecting him to say *that*. He’d shared with you numerous times that he didn’t think he could break up with her, too afraid to risk her having a meltdown over it. You could only wonder what made him change his mind.

“I’m glad you’re… out of that situation now?” You form it more as a question, not sure if he considered this a good thing or not.

“Thanks, N/N. I appreciate that,” he appears lighter now that he’s gotten it off his chest, indulging himself in his pasta finally. “It was a difficult decision to make, but it’s for the better. I felt suffocated, you know?”

All you can do is nod, too familiar with that feeling yourself. Jacob Bae was a brave man for being able to find his way out of such a toxic relationship. You wished one day, you could gather the courage to do the same.

As the thought resonates with you, your phone rings, as if reading your mind. Your eyebrows furrow at the caller ID, confused why he’d be calling you right now. You mutter an apology to Jacob, excusing yourself from the table to talk outside. With a roll of your eyes, you answer the call.

“Hello?”

“Where the fuck are you?”

His harsh tone and loud voice directly in your ear has you flinching instinctively, wincing at how pissed off he sounds. “I’m— um— out.”

“Obviously I fucking know that. I’m asking where. Why aren’t you home?” Okay, maybe you were just adding fuel to the fire.

“I’m having dinner with a friend,” you frown, kicking a pebble near your foot. “Why do you care?”

“Because I’m home and I wanted to have dinner with my fucking girlfriend. Is that too much to ask for now?” His voice just keeps rising in volume. “Are you with that guy you’re friends with? Jacob, is it? Can’t keep your goddamn legs closed for once?”

You feel like crying. You’re humiliated. How could he think so lowly of you? After all the nights you’ve spent staying awake until early hours of the morning, waiting for him to come home just to smell another girl’s perfume all over his collar. And he had the audacity to slut shame you? You feel the bile threatening to push from the back of your throat.

“Fuck you,” you bark, wiping your runny nose with the heel of your palm. “I’ve never once cheated on you, you fucking prick.”

“Likely story,” he scoffs. “You better get your ass home before you make me angry, Y/N.”

“Don’t talk to me that way. I’m not your property. And I’m sick and tired of being at your beck and call.” You think Jacob‘s newfound freedom rubbed off on you, encouraging you to speak your mind. You couldn’t keep holding in all the qualms you held with him. You couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

You can hear him gasp slightly, as if he’s appalled by your sudden ability to speak up for yourself. But before he can get anything else out, you hang up and set your phone to Do Not Disturb, tossing it haphazardly into your purse.

Your hands are shaking and you feel the dampness on your cheeks. You didn’t deserve to put up with this anymore, you deserved better. You wanted better. Being complacent was no longer sufficient for you. You attempt to make yourself look a bit more presentable, going back into the restaurant where you’re met with a concerned Jacob.

His brows are knitted together, forming an adorable crease in the center of his forehead. You almost reach across the table to smooth it out. The expression doesn’t go away, in fact it stays put as you down the rest of the wine in your glass.

“What happened?”

The server comes back and refills your drink, which was probably not a very good idea, but you digress. You shake your head, nearly finishing what had just been poured for you. The influx of alcohol in your system makes your head feel a little fuzzy, but it feels so much better than the dull ache from earlier.

“Eunho and I just had a fight. I’m so done, Jacob. I can't do this anymore.” You run a hand through your hair, resting your elbows on the table and cradling your head in your hands.

His lips curl downward. He pulls out a few bills from his wallet, tucking them under his plate before he stands, outstretching his hand to you. “C’mon, let’s go.”

You’re puzzled by his actions, but don’t question him, lacing your fingers together and following him to his car. He plays music from your favorite artists and drives to nowhere in particular, doing his best to get the situation off your mind. You nearly burst into tears again, because only Jacob could be this kind to you. Only Jacob could take care of you this well.

Only Jacob would have a playlist of all your favorite music prepared on his phone specifically for the times you rode in his car. Only Jacob would tell you he’d just broken up with his girlfriend and comfort you rather than seek comfort for himself. Only Jacob could know exactly what you wanted and needed, more than you knew yourself.

And you feel stupid. Stupid for not seeing it sooner, for not realizing sooner. For not realizing that it should’ve been Jacob all along. That it should’ve been Jacob who you’d given the key for your heart to. It should’ve been Jacob who laid in bed next to your every night, arms wrapped around your waist and breathing into the crook of your neck as you slept.

Because he’s always been this way. He’s always put you first, doted on your every need. Before either of you got into relationships, when it was just the two of you, he treated you as his number one. He did everything right. He held open doors for you. He walked on the side of the sidewalk closest to the street. He held your hand so you wouldn’t get lost in crowds. He learned what your favorite dishes were and brought them to you whenever you were stressed and needed comfort. He bought you flowers every time you hung out and sometimes even just because he felt like it.

Then you had to go and get a fucking boyfriend. And look where that got you.

“Hey, hey,” Jacob’s voice cuts through your inner monologue, causing you to blink and snap back into reality. “Why are you crying, sweetheart?”

Just great. You didn’t even know you were fucking crying. Or that Jacob pulled the car over. You were parked in the furthest, emptiest corner of a parking lot, the closest light post meters away.

“I… don’t know,” you answer, because truthfully, you don’t. “I just feel like an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot, Y/N. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. How could you ever think that about yourself?” He leans over the center console to swipe away some of your tears with his thumb.

“It should’ve been you all along, Cobie. I should’ve picked you.” You blurt, again, because you’re an idiot. You never know when to open your mouth and apparently you never know when to shut it either.

It’s silent for a few moments. You can hear your heart in your ears, pounding along with your pulse. You might’ve just royally screwed up your friendship too. But then you hear Jacob’s seat belt unbuckling and his upper half is folded over the center console completely, his lips finding yours.

It’s a sweet kiss, desperate in a way that you’ve never known Jacob to be, but you aren’t complaining. You free yourself from your own seat belt, hand coming up to cup the side of his face. Of all outcomes you could’ve predicted for tonight, this was nowhere near that list. Your mouths move together in perfect synchrony, like they were meant to do this. It was as if you and Jacob had kissed a hundred times in the past and you were moving on pure instinct.

When you part to gasp for air, he grasps your hips roughly, pulling you into his lap. Part of you is surprised you didn’t honk the horn with your ass, too preoccupied placing your lips on his again as he slides the seat all the way back. He bites and sucks on your bottom lip, tongue tangling with yours so messily you can feel the drool slipping down the side of your chin.

He grinds into you, fingers digging into your waist and bunching up your sundress. He trails his lips to your ear, nibbling the lobe as he whispers, “I could treat you so much better, baby. Let me treat you better.”

You can’t halt the whine that pushes past your throat, knee hiking up slightly to feel how hard he is, pressed into the heat of your cunt only covered by the thin material of your panties. You wanted that so badly. You wanted Jacob to treat you like his pretty little princess, to spoil you and shower you with his love and affection.

“Your dress got a little dirty, how about we take it off?” He suggests, though the sight of you in the flowy piece of cloth is enough to have him orgasming on the spot. Instead of removing it completely, you help him pull the straps off your shoulders, exposing your bare chest. His thumb circles your sensitive nipples, tweaking them until you’re shivering and squirming above him.

“Need you so bad, Cobie,” you whimper in the space between his collarbone and his neck. “Want you in me already, I can’t wait.”

“So impatient,” he chuckles, the sound rumbling underneath you as you claw at his pants to free him from its confines. “You want me to fuck you? Want me to mark you up as mine so you know just how much better I am? I’ll ruin you for anyone else, baby. You won’t want anyone but me after this.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” You raise an eyebrow, hovering your mouth over his and evening your voice as best you can. Jacob pokes his cheek with his tongue, his grip on your waist tightening. You groan at how attractive it is, rolling your hips experimentally in hopes it spurs him to get on with it.

“You’re so fucking lucky I want you just as much, sweetheart,” he speaks against your lips, aiding you in your nth attempt to push down his pants. “But just so you know, I’m not holding myself back.”

“Wouldn’t dream of anything else.” You reach down to pull your underwear to the side.

Jacob doesn’t even let you admire his cock before he’s thrusting up into you, lost in the pleasure as soon as it’s begun. You moan loudly, the noise reverberating around the car while he sheaths himself completely, your pelvises kissing like your mouths. He momentarily allows you to adjust to him, and then he’s driving in and out of your pussy as if it was a knife and butter.

Your cunt is so warm and wet, sucking him in so deliciously it clouds his judgment. His hold on your waist is bruising and he pounds into you unforgivingly, like he’s been waiting for this for years upon years. “Fuck, you feel so good around me.”

“Mmmmm,” you gasp when one of his hands tugs at your hair, baring your neck and chest to him. “Jacob, you’re so— God— you’re so deep.”

He starts to leave marks along the skin that shows, ensuring he stakes his claim in case your fuckass ex(?) tries to get you back. Jacob was far from insecure, he knew from the moment you followed him to his car that you’d choose him. But he wanted you to know he was serious, and if acting like your body was a canvas he was painting and copyrighting was the only way to prove that, then so be it.

“Yeah?” he separates himself from your jugular with a pop, rubbing his nose against your own. “You close yet?”

“Mhm,” you whimper, nails dragging under his shirt and scratching up his abdomen. “Need you to fuck me harder.”

“Your wish is my command,” his hands come under your thighs, bending his knees so he can plunge into you faster and deeper, the tip of his cock consistently nudging that sensitive spot inside of you.

He punctuates each thrust with a kiss to your lips, swallowing your pretty sounds. You feel the band in your stomach grow thinner and thinner, before it eventually just snaps. Your release coats Jacob’s dick, making it easier for him to slide in and out as he inches towards his own orgasm. You don’t have the energy to move, your body spasming with overstimulation.

Jacob’s middle finger circles your clit, causing your walls to clench around him and finally trigger his ejaculation, the sensation provoking another one out of you. You wail as you cream on his cock, feeling your sticky cum trickling down your thighs. He slowly continues his thrusts until he’s brought you back down from your high, both of you wincing when he pulls out fully.

You both notice how fogged up the windows of his car are, eyes meeting instantaneously and the two of you bursting out into laughter, still half naked. He brushes your hair out of your face with a dreamy sigh. “I meant what I said, by the way.”

“Hmm?” Your mouth forms a confused pout.

“About treating you better,” he clarifies. “You deserve the world, my Y/N. I wanna be the one to give it to you.”

You sniffle, full on ugly crying when the weight of his words sink in. Jacob was all you ever needed and more. How could you say no?

“You already have.” You say, no louder than a whisper, as if someone else could hear your confessions. He brings you closer to him, resting his chin on top of your head.

“Good,” he kisses your forehead. “‘Cause I don’t plan on letting go.”

© juyeonszn. do not steal, claim, or repost.

[cherrycola27]

false god

Series Warnings: Mythology!AU. Language, alcohol, drinking. Military inaccuracies. Mutual pining, unrequited love. Allusions to and eventual smut. Minors DNI. 18+. Individual chapter warnings will come as needed. Banner Credit @thedroneranger

Masterlist Previous Part Next Part

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Chapter 3: Roses and Gold

"Minthe? What are you doing here?" You repeat as you take a seat at your breakfast bar.

"I came to see you, silly!" She sing-songs as she flits about your kitchen.

"What's wrong? What bad news have you brought me?" You huff, hoping to get straight to the point. "Why do you assume it's bad news? Can't I just come to check on you. It's been a while since you've been home and Hecate, and I are worried about you. Now, where do you keep your wine glasses?" She pivots.

It's always bad news

"Second cabinet to the left from the stove." You instruct her. She claps her hands before bringing down two of them and pouring both of you a glass. "I know that mortal stuff doesn't do it for you, so I brought a bottle of Dinoysus' special blend." Minthe chirps as she sets the glass down in front of you.

You thank her and take a long drink of the maroon liquid.

"So, spill, I want to hear all about this Rooster you're crushing on." She presses you.

You almost choke on your wine when she says his name. "Bradley is a coworker of mine. A colleague. A friend." You tell her.

"A friend—huh. So, I guess you were just being friendly when you saved him today." Minthe chuckles. You glare at her.

Just a friend

"Come on, Hay. I'm your best friend, you can tell me." Minthe takes a seat beside you and hits you with her pleading puppy dog eyes.

"Okay, maybe I have a few feelings for him." You relent.

"Yes! I knew it!" She whoops.

"It's just—" you trial off. "It's just what? Hades you, more than anyone deserves to be happy, especially after what Persephone did to you." Minths grumbles.

"Minthe, I know you never liked her, but I'm the one who hurt here. You saw the burn marks yourself." You remind her.

"Yes, but I don't think Little Miss Spring is as innocent as she claims. She did something, I just know it." Minthe huffs out.

Minthe was nothing if not loyal. She'd been wary of Persephone since the first day she'd met her. Never fully trusting her. And after what happened between the two of you, Minthe was one of the few still in your corner. She and Hecate had been your support group, and they were currently watching over the Underworld in your absence.

"Minthe, do you really think Persephone had me burn her on purpose? Do you think she chose to be scarred for life? " You counter.

"I don't know. All I do know is you were so in love with her, and you had never lost control of your powers like that before, and you would never hurt someone you love." Minthe finishes before downing the rest of her drink.

"But, that's in the past. Tell me about Bradley." Minthe shifts the topic.

"He's kind, smart, and funny. He's genuinely a good person. He reminds me a lot of Persephone, in the best way. But at the same time, he's different. He doesn't shy away from the pain he's felt in life, he over comes it. He doesn't let his scars, mental or physical ones keep him from being his true self. Bradley is just—he's different." You sigh. It's been so long since you've let yourself feel like this.

"I think he sounds wonderful. Maybe he is your soulmate." Minthe takes your hands and squeezes them. The smile drops from your face and you pull away from her.

Soulmate, ugh, you hated that word

"Minth, he's not my soulmate." You tell her. "You know I don't even believe in those. Not after Seph." You sigh.

"Persephone isn't your soulmate. She wouldn't have said those things about you if she was." Minthe defends.

"Even if she wasn't, I've been wandering Earth for three thousand years. If I had a soulmate, surely I would have met them before now. 'Soulmate' is a stupid word made up by the Gods and mortals to give them hope that there is someone for everyone, when their really isn't." You almost shout at her. You sigh and take another drink. The wine warms you from within and calms you.

Good job, Hades, push away one of the only friends you have left

"Sorry. I just—" you shake your head.

"It's fine. You have strong feelings about it. You're allowed to have them." Minthe reassurances you.

There is a long pause. "Hades, I know you think that you don't deserve to be happy or have someone in your life who cares about you, but you do. If you like Bradley, you should pursue him." Minthe tells you.

"How would I even begin to explain to him what I am?" You ask her. "I don't know. But I'm sure you'd figure it out." Minthe offers.

"He's just so good. Too good for me. I'd never be able to live with myself if I hurt him. I mean, what if he saw my true form and it terrified him. I don't think I could live with him calling me a monster or being afraid of me." You sigh.

That would be a fate worse than death

"Hades, you can't let fear hold you back." Minthe takes your face in her hands and kisses your forehead before hugging you. You lean into the hug. It really is good to see her.

"Now for the bad news." Minthe says as she takes a step back.

Of course

"Ah ha! I knew it!" You proclaim as you jump up from your chair. "I knew you were coming with bad news. What is it this time? What's got Zeus' lightening bolts in a twist?" You ask her.

"It's not about Zeus or the other Olympians, Hades. It's about you." Minthe settles into a seat across from you with a serious look on her face. You sit back down. You've never seen her look like this. She almost looks afraid.

"You know how we have assumed that you were still immortal after being cast off of Olympus because you reincarnate every time you die?" Minthe began.

"Yes." You nod your head.

"Well—Hecate and I were visited by the Fates a few days ago, and they took us to the lifeline temple." She continues. "And the Fates showed us your lifelines."

"Lifelines? That's impossible. I only have one. Everyone only has one." You tell her.

"That's what we said. But apparently, when all the Gods were cast off, their lifeline split into thousands of pieces. Each time they died before completing their quest, a line would snap. But they would reincarnate because another line was there. When the Gods completed their worthiness quest, the lines fused back into one unbreakable line." Minthe tells you. The gears start turning in your head.

"And because I haven't completed my quest, I never got the unbreakable line of immortality. I've just been burning through the lifelines." You say.

"Exactly. And for the others, it wasn't an issue, but because you've been on Earth so long, you've used several of them. But that's not the bad news." Minthe cringes and takes a long drink of her wine.

"Well, what's the bad news?" You press her. She hesitates.

"You only have one lifeline left. Hades, if you die again, you become a permanent resident of the Underworld, and not as it's queen. Your death would be the end of the line for you with no chance of reincarnation." Minthe drops the news on you. You suck in a breath as the realization hits you.

You aren't immortal, like you thought. You'd been so careless for so long, and now you only had one life left.

"Okay. I guess I'll have to be careful then, won't I?" You say.

Careful, sure

"Extremely careful. Hades, the next time you're home, I want it to be because you're taking back your rightful place as queen. I know you said you were done trying to complete your quest, but you need to. Please." Minthe begs you.

You promise her that you will. She gives you a smile and hugs you once more before she leaves. After she's gone, the scent of mint still lingers.

"Well, you two, it looks like Mommy is going to have to tone it down." You say as you look at Cerberus and Hydra, who are curled up together on the ridiculous large pet bed you bought for them. Cerby cocks his head to the side, while Hydra holds eye contact with you. You throw your head back and laugh.

"Who are we kidding? We all know that I don't know how to tone it down." You shake your head laughing before going to grab them some food for the evening.

Maybe dying wouldn't be the worst fate

It might be freeing

You get Hydra squared away with her dinner before opening the pantry to get Cerberus his. That's when you see it. "Oh no, Cerby, it looks like you've got just enough for dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow. I'll have to head to the store across town to get you a refill tomorrow." You tell him after giving him a head scratch. Even though he didn't have three heads, Cerberus ate like he did. While your fur babies ate dinner, you decided on a quick bite yourself.

After all of you had your bellies full, you showered before tucking into bed. Hydra and Cerberus curled up at the foot of your bed and the three of you drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, you woke up early for a quick run. Cerberus came with you while Hyrda preferred to stay home. After a quick shower and breakfast for the three of you, you opted to slip on a simple blue sundress and tie your hair in a ponytail. You weren't in the mood to match pants and a shirt today. You slipped your feet into some sandals, grabbed your keys and headed out.

You made a day of your pet food run, stopping to get your nails done and to pick up some groceries. You were missing home a little extra today, so you decided to pick up everything you needed to make moussaka for dinner when you got home.

When you arrived back at the parking garage for your apartment complex, you knew you didn't want to make two trips to bring everything in, so, using all your strength you gathered all of your groceries and pet food and headed to the elevator. Someone had just gotten on, and the doors were about to close when you shouted, "Hold the elevator, please!"

You had a hard time seeing over the giant bag of dog food, but you could just make out a hand holding the doors open. You dashed through the doors and let out a sigh of relief as you leaned the bag against the wall. "Thank you so much." You breathed out.

"No problem, Hades." You froze when you heard his familiar voice. You dropped the dog food and turned around slowly.

"Bradley? What are you doing here?" You asked him. He chuckled and leaned against the wall. You gave him the once over. He was in gym shorts and an old UVA shirt.

"I could as you the same thing." He fires back. "I live here." You tell him matter of factly.

He nods approvingly.

"So I ask you again. Why are you here?" You asked, praying that his answer wasn't along the lines of him visiting his significant other.

"I live here too." He shrugs.

"Wait—what?" You look at him with wide eyes.

"So we've lived in the same apartment complex for almost two months and didn't know?" You're shocked.

"Looks like it. I live in 1113." He tells you. "No shit? I live in 1013. You're my upstairs neighbor." You both laugh.

Oh, good grief

"What are the odds. Hey, do you need some help with that?" He gestures to your things. "If you don't mind, that would be great." You say just as the bell to your floor dings. Bradley picked up the massive bag of food and follows you down the hall.

"So you have a dog." He says as more of a statement than a question. "And a cat." You tell him.

You pause outside your apartment door and unlock it. You're just about to tell Bradley to set the food by the door, but he marches inside right past you.

"Careful!" You warn him, but it's too late, Cerberus is bounding towards Bradley. You're waiting for him to start barking, but instead, you hear the sweet sounds of Bradley talking to him.

"Oh, who's a good boy, you are. Is that your food? No wonder it's such a big bag because you're such a cute, big boy, aren't you!" Bradley scratches Cerby's ears and pats his head.

Never one to be left out, Hydra weaves through his legs and begins to purr. "Oh, aren't you a pretty thing!" Bradley praises her.

Obviously, your animals like him, why wouldn't they?

You drop your keys on the table and chuckle at the sight.

"What are their names?" Bradley asks you as he moves to sit on your couch, and they both join him.

"Cerberus and Hydra." You tell him.

"You're kidding? Your call sign is Hades, and you have a dog and a cat named Cerberus and Hydra?" He laughs.

"Well, if you didn't notice, Cerby, my Rottweiler is a tripod, and Hydra is a six-toed cat. So, they fit." You laugh as you start putting up groceries.

"How long have you had them?" Bradley asks you.

"About three years. I was in South Korea on a detachment. One night, we went into the city and stumbled upon an animal fighting ring. We called the cops and helped get the animals safe and relocated. Cerberus and Hydra wouldn't leave each other, and no one wanted to take both of them, so I did. It cost me a fortune to get them here, but it was worth it," you say.

"Wow, that's amazing." Bradley says. He thinks that he likes you even more now. You shake your head and roll your eyes as you unpack your groceries.

"Are you hungry?" You ask him. "I could always eat." He responds truthfully. "Well, I'm making dinner. Would you like to stay? It's the least I could do after you helped me." You tell him.

"I'd love to." He smiles as he takes a seat at your kitchen island.

You begin to flit around the kitchen, chopping, mixing, and sautéing. Bradley watches you with wrapped attention. You grab a bottle of wine and pour a glass for each of you. Even if you can't get a buzz from it, you enjoy letting the fruity notes dance across your taste buds.

"So what are you making? It smells amazing." Bradley asks you as you're layer the dish into a pan to bake.

"Moussaka." You tell him. "It's Greek comfort food."

"Greek?" He quirks an eyebrow at you. "Yeah, I'm Greek. First-generation American. My whole family is from Greece." You tell him. It's not a lie, but it's not the whole truth either. "Kolasi is Greek for inferno." You continue.

"That's amazing. Is that part of the reason why your call sign is Hades?" Bradley asks. "That and I used to have a pretty fiery temper back in day." You reply.

Bradley nods his head and takes a sip of his drink. "So your whole family is from Greece. That's pretty cool. Do your parents live around here, or are they back home? Do you have any family around here, or is it just you?" He continues trying to make conversation. You stand in front of the oven and freeze. He sees your shoulders tense up and knows that this is a touchy subject for you.

Your voice drops. It's barely above a whisper when you say, "I—I don't have any parents, and I don't have any family around here. It's just me."

"Oh." Bradley breathes out. There's a pregnant pause. "I get it. It's just me, too. I lost my dad at three, and my mom when I was nineteen." He tells you. You sigh. Bradley thinks you're an orphan like he is. Maybe that's for the best. Honestly, he isn't totally wrong. You stay with your back to him for a long moment.

"I'm sorry if I upset you. I didn't mean to. You're just—an enigma, Hades. I feel like I only know you on a surface level. I want to know more about you. Especially if we are going to be working together." Bradley tells you.

No, you don't

"Well, there isn't much to know about me. I joined the Navy at eighteen, graduated at the top of my class in the academy, and in Top Gun. Thirteen confirmed kills, but I've never been in one squadron for too long." You sigh. "That's about it."

"If I wanted to know your Naval career, I could have read your file. Tell me something deep about you." Rooster prods.

"Deep? Hmm. I have a lot of tattoos. Does that count as deep?" You chuckle.

"I mean, it's not ocean deep, but it isn't as shallow as a puddle." You both laugh at Bradley's comment. "What tattos do you have?" He continues.

"I have the rose and dagger on my arm. Kardiá tis fotiás on my ribs. It means 'heart of fire' in Greek. I have a poppy behind my ear, and then I've got a thigh sleeve of every place I've been stationed." You explain to him. You decided to leave out the details about your last tattoo. You didn't need him asking questions about it.

"Is that deep?" You ask him as you take your moussaka out of the oven and grab a few plates.

"Yeah, and now I feel like mine is stupid." Bradley snorts. "You have ink?" Now it's your turn to quirk a brow at him.

"Yeah." He slides the sleeve of his UVA shirt up and flexes his bicep to show you the Roman numerals etched into his right arm.

You gingerly reach out and trace the black numbering. "Thirty-two?" You question him.

"My mom was into tarrot cards and fortune telling. Thirty-two is the number for strength. I got it for her after she passed. The last thing she told me before she died was that she loved me and to be strong for her." There's a thick tension between the two of you as his words settle around you. "I don't think that's stupid at all, Bradley. It's sweet." You smile at him as you rub a soothing hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks. I've shown you mine. Does that mean I get to see yours now?" And just like that, his somber tone is gone, and his happy personality it back.

"Rooster, are you trying to get me naked?" You joke with him.

"Only if you're offering." You smirks. You shake your head and shove a plate at him before you can do or say something stupid.

He digs in a groans when the food hits his tastebuds.

"This—this is one of the best things I've ever eaten." He tells you appreciatively.

"I'm glad, I think I do a pretty good job with it." You smile at him and revel in his praise as he scarfs down his first plate before sheepishly asking for seconds, which you happily give him. Gods know you cooked more than you could ever eat.

After both of you finish dinner and polish off the rest of the wine, you pack up some leftovers for Bradley. He insisted on helping you with the dishes, so the two of you found yourself side by side working on them. Well, if you were being honest, the two of you were goofing around and playing more than you were cleaning. You were blowing bubbles and splashing each other and giggling like children.

"I hope you know that you're not going to be able to get rid of me now." Bradley tells you. "What do you mean?" You ask him.

"I'm like the neighborhood stray. You've fed me twice. You're stuck with me now." He tells you with a goofy grin. You throw your head back laughing, and Bradley swears it's the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. He loves the way your wide smile curls over your face and how your nose scrunches up and how the tips of your ears turn pink. You look so at ease.

He could get used to seeing you like this. Happy and carefree. It's a stark contrast to the rigid pilot he sees at work.

Soon, the two of you finish up, and you dry the last plate off before handing it to him to put in your cabinet. You turn to toss the dish towel on the counter, but slip on some soapy water the two of you had splashed on the floor and lose your footing. Bradley immediately reaches out for you and grabs your waist to steady you. Your hands attach to his biceps as you regain your balance.

It takes you a moment to catch your breath, and when your brain catches up with the rest of your body, you realize what an intimate position the two of you are in. You can feel the warmth radiating off of him, and his plush, pink lips are right there.

It would take hardly any effort on either of your parts to close the distance between the two of you. Your heart is screaming for you to do it, but before you can, Bradley clears his throat and drops his hands.

"Are you okay?" He asks. "I'm fine." You say in a deflated tone.

"Well, it's getting late, I should probably get going. Thanks again for dinner." He says as you walk him to you door.

"No problem. See you at work on Monday." You call as he walks into the hallway.

"See you Monday." He chimes back as you shut the door and lock it. You press your back again the cool wood and sink to the floor. Cerberus and Hydra both walk over and look at you with knowing eyes.

"Don't look at me like that, you two. It's not going to happen." You tell them.

"It's not going to happen." You repeat, this time as a reminder to yourself. You could let yourself be friends with Bradley. You could even let yourself have a crush on him. But you could never let yourself cross that line.

It's better that way

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[iceunhie]

HEYYYYY congrats on 200 :3 such a huge milestone omg i am proud of u!!!!

for your 200 followers celebration event, may i please request a headcanon with a royalty au with ayato? with arranged marriage + strangers to lovers as romantic fluff?

thank youu 🫶

blooming camellia | kamisato ayato.

second submission for my event! admittedly, ayato is a good example of my almost fave characters. and im closing my event to jus 5 slots and extending the deadline of submissions and the event duration to october 3 since i was too busy to get to the requests.... i just love his personality hehe and i honestly hope he's characterized well here..... pls writing for other characters is so fun bc im. trying to escape my same fic syndrome (which i often feel) so this req is refreshing! i love strangers to lovers too tbh anon ur taste is 🫶

[2/5] ayato x noble!reader (royalty AU.) wc 1.4k, romantic fluff. strangers to lovers, arranged marriage trope. reblogs are appreciated.

As the child of one of the more prominent noble families, marriage is no indulgence for you. So when the Royal family of Kamisato had chosen you to be the Crown Prince's spouse, in truth, you had honestly expected it.

A background as a noble of quite an affluent family, not to mention a good link to the workings of high society due to your status, it was only natural.

On top of that, Crown Prince Ayato is everything you could ever ask for in your position. Handsome, good-natured, and steadfast — there's no doubt that despite this being an arranged affair, you both would at least be on cordial terms.

The wedding was a simple yet grand affair fitting for a Royal Couple, with an unspoken understanding forming to both the individuals for the occasion. Maybe not quite love, but perhaps a companionship was promised in your union. A slip of the ring, a beautiful shade of cerulean much like Ayato's eyes is put on your finger, a new bond made, for better or for worse.

Bells and sounds of merriment hang over the chapel, the silent cue for Ayato to approach you. Dressed in garb fitting of his spouse, he clasps your hand firmly in his, squeezing it with a steady and comforting smile. It takes a bit of hesitation, but you squeeze his hand back. There may be no current affiliation nor connection between you two as any other married couple do, but there are always lessons to be learned — and things to understand.

The priest finishes the procession, and with that came the kiss. The binding of your union. You two would be with each other in sickness and in health, ready to shoulder the burdens of the Kingdom. It is Ayato that leans in first, and you close your eyes. The kiss lasts only for a moment before you both pull away, the people in the hall all congratulating the newly-wedded Royal Couple.

Amidst the crowd, you only think of one thing you notice about Ayato.

You wonder if you didn't imagine the softening of his eyes, or the faint flush of his cheeks.

The consummation of your marriage was pleasant for you, for Ayato was straightforward and knew what he wanted from this marriage.

"There may be no love between the both of us, but I promise to treat you in a way that will never disrespect your title as my spouse. Rest assured, this responsibility and the weight of this decision is not lost onto me. I will take no affair nor infidelity in this marriage, and I can only ask for you to do the same." is his words, and you can only reply accordingly. Not that you would want to marry anyone else.

Ayato is a man of promise. He performs the duties of a husband well, and doesn't neglect nor treat you like any less. He indulges you when you ask about his day, his family, and his duties. While his responses may have been cordial at first, he never fails to meet his dues. Your married life is amicable, if not harmonious.

You mostly spend your days conversing with his sister Lady Ayaka. She, the ever beautiful soul she is, is one of the key reasons why your marriage with the Crown Prince is so successful, along with Thoma, their childhood friend and personal aide. They enjoyed conversing with you, immediately welcoming you warmly with open arms and smiles.

Ayato may not admit it, but he can't help but think that your compatibility with the people he cares for most is thawing the indifferent exterior he had donned for you. He was truly grateful that you were getting along with his sister and Thoma. He shows that gratitude in the form of gifts, a silent thank you for still being so patient despite his duties as a Royal.

Bouquets with bluish themes color symbolizing your married status to him, presents of jewelry that nobles, no, you would be fond of; a personal greenhouse constructed for you, adorned with arrays of camellias, roses, different flowers you can't even name all yours to hold.

First the bouquets of camellias and blue roses, then now this…? Ayato knows that what he's currently doing is far more personal than the duties what the duties of an arranged marriage permits, but he can't help it. You may not have noticed, thankfully, but he has been observing you for many, many days now. He doesn't know why your presence had now become more than just a spouse who he had to treat well, but the feeling is not unwelcome.

He thinks of the curve of your mouth when you smile, how you slightly tilt your head when you laugh at something Ayaka mentioned when he speaks with you, how he's associated the scent of blue roses to your arrival — you would always keep the bouquets he would deliver as keepsakes. When asked why, he can't help but admire the sheepish expression on your face. How cute. Faced with your words of 'I can't possibly accept this…' and 'Are you sure this garden is alright for me to have?' Ayato smiles again, lovely cerulean hues of his making your chest beat rapidly. His face wasn't helping your predicament at all.

What you don't know is that this smile is tinged with an emotion he can't identify yet, but would soon be enveloped in. "It's no big matter at all. After all, you are my spouse. This is just a small expression of my devotion."

And when he sees your cheeks darken and you look away from his words, Ayato's heart somehow skips a beat, and he fights the blush adorning his cheeks. The faint glow of the sun casts a light on your features, as the two of you bask in the comfortable silence.

The blooming of the camellias seem to cast a mirror image of the Crown Prince's heart.

There is little change in your routine when Ayato decides to truly accept you as his spouse, his equal, his other half. His love is quiet, and Ayato is a man of actions. So when he gives you more personal and more thoughtful gifts as compared to the normal jewelry and trinkets with sky-high prices, you hardly bat an eye, merely a small thank you and smile which makes your husband feel just a bit more enamoured with you.

Instead, the approach that beggars belief that the blue-haired man cares for you in a more intimate manner was when he asks you about yourself. Your hobbies, the things you enjoy, the questions that he always remembers the answer to, no matter how small. Ayato is not one to ask about others if he has not opened up to them truly.

It is Ayaka who brings this up to your attention, and with Thoma's guidance, the two plan their operation of getting the both of you see the feelings you two were developing for each other (without your knowledge) .... which doesn't go quite as planned?

Ayato cares for Thoma. Really, he does. He considers the emerald-eyed man to be akin to family, a close and trusted companion. One of the few he trusts wholeheartedly that are not of his own blood. But there's a sense of foreign possessiveness that's welling up in his throat when he sees you and him converse. This is relatively childish, Ayato knows that, he knows that, so why the hell is he being so worked up when Thoma's only being cordial and offered his hand for you to practice dancing with for the upcoming banquet?

A part of him wonders why you were considering Thoma as an option for a dance partner, even if for practice, when he was right there? But then he remembers the swamp of papers that encompassed his schedule, and he slightly deflates. How much of his daily routine and convictions have been shattered by you? He considers himself a man of fortuitous will, yet this was really…

The last straw was when Thoma spins you around in a manner a little bit too strong for you to follow the rhythm which makes you trip over your dress, leading to Ayato seeing it first-hand his spouse collapsing on his aide, your body on top of the blond's for a few moments before the both of you collect yourselves and hurriedly help each other out.

Just as you were about to let Thoma grasp you to pull him up, a gloved hand and Ayato's smiling face (is it you, or is a shadow crossing on his face?) stops you. Gently, he blocks you and instead helps Thoma up, before squeezing his shoulder a bit too forcefully, still smiling. When you look away from the two when his sister calls for your attention, his expression shifts to a dangerous one as he turns to his aide.

"Careful now. We wouldn't want others to touch what's rightfully theirs to hold, don't we?"

This story in itself is quite the funny one, and when you and Ayato's strange dynamic of a married couple had shifted itself properly, you often teased your husband for his weakness for you after you find out about it from Thoma. The teasing often backfires, for his reply never fails to fluster you.

"I don't see the shame nor the embarrassment in it," he would tell you, grasping at your chin and gently bringing it up with his thumb. His gaze is warm and brimming with affection, the oceanic depths of his eyes saying all the words his mouth cannot.

"Besides, you never seem to get enough of it anyway, darling."

The kiss he gives you is like the cool and all-consuming feeling of the ocean, enveloping you in the steady love and devotion this man reserved only for you.

© 𝐦𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐞𝐞𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 : do not repost, copy, or plagiarize my work. tumblr is currently my only site. dm if you see anyone impersonating me or using my work for their own content.

[backjustforberena]

headcannons on how Rhaenys would react to the events of s02 ep05-08 (esp. the dragonseed thing and mysaria x rhaenyra) from whatever afterlife westeros has?

By all means, if you want something a bit more serious and considered, do follow up on this answer - and thank you for sending this in. It's so fun. I've already spoken a bit about how Rhaenys would feel about the Dragonseed plot and the individuals involved and how she might have played a part or not, had she lived in an ask so go and check that out.

But I'm going to take this one with absolute levity and not be particularly serious because the idea of Rhaenys watching down from Targ!heaven is hilarious to me. I just picture her there, like she's in a really fancy chair with a goblet of wine, being omniscient and seeing everything and just not agreeing whatsoever with anyone's actions.

It reminds me not only of Rhaenys being just totally unimpressed by the tourney in Episode 01, but of Eve Best in the press junket, saying that she felt like she and Steve were the two old guys from The Muppets, looking down and heckling. And that makes me laugh. Rhaenys is looking down on it all and just yelling.

I'm pretty sure Rhaenys would be sort of tearing her hair out. I mean, she's dead for like, two seconds, and the team she's just died for is basically imploding.

She gets all the information about Daemon and watches that play out - that he's being terrorised by bad dreams and he's suggesting kids go out and smother their grandfathers, and that he's building an army for his sake and it's like all Rhaenys's fears are proven because he's just not being a team player and he needs someone to kick his arse into gear.

But no one in that situation is being a grown-up because Rhaenyra isn't willing to go and face the situation either, which is partly what leads her down the path that she does, with the Dragonseeds - she fears having lost Daemon when, actually, she has no proof either way: there's nothing to provoke that escalation other than Daemon's radio silence. Which, admittedly, is a big red flashing neon sign, but not conclusive, especially after having fought with his wife.

Like, guys, just SORT IT OUT. There are bigger things than your marriage potentially imploding - you didn't see Rhaenys fall apart when confronted with her husband's bastards, did you? No! You didn't see her command Corlys from her sight when he came to back her up! She kept him around - he's useful! You park the issue. The political comes before the personal. The most important thing isn't the marriage: it's whether you're getting an army.

Rhaenys'd approve of sending Broome. Make him feel useful and it is good to get word, but she'd hope Rhaenyra be a bit more aware of who she is sending and what she intends to get back. A vague message isn't going to cut it. To be honest, if it could have been spared, it might have been good to send Baela - not only is Baela fiercely loyal to Rhaenyra's cause, but she is measured enough to deal with Daemon, and a dragon is faster than ships and horses. But yeah, not bad, Rhaenys approves.

Mysaria, Mysaria, Mysaria. Damn, I wish that Rhaenys had been aware of your existence on-screen. That would have been interesting because they are polar opposites in terms of advising. First off, Rhaenys isn't going to go about snogging Rhaenyra (ew), but also Mysaria is feeding Rhaenyra everything she wants to hear. And it's coming from a good place, sure. But Rhaenys was forever guiding Rhaenyra in a way that keeps her in check - she doesn't see Rhaenyra as something perfect and blessed.

Rhaenyra needs someone who will tell her the truth as much as anything else and I think that, even though Mysaria believes what she is saying, she's not actually criticised Rhaenyra, I don't think. But as to her reaction to the snog? Throwing her hands up. Like come on??? Not the time! (Bravo on the smallfolk propaganda though. That's neat.)

Corlys... I love you but your wife is yelling at you from heaven. GET IT TOGETHER. I think she'd be heartbroken to see how heartbroken he is, I just know it. She's proud he becomes Hand, she's immensely proud of Baela (whilst also going: no, no, don't aim for death, that's not what I want - stop glorifying me, you're sixteen, stop thinking about dying).

And she's watching through her fingers every time Corlys interacts with his sons. Like, mate, make an effort. It's painful to watch but not for the reasons you'd assume. Just get on with it! Admit your mistakes, and apologise. Have the conversation! Talk to each other. Open yourself up to these family members, I know it's hard but Rhaenys wants to give you a smack upside your head and then a pep talk because you can do it! And, more importantly, you need to! I think she'd have many thoughts about Alyn's childhood.

I also think she'd be teary-eyed at him renaming the ship. I'm sorry, I know people will likely disagree but you can't tell me that Rhaenys wouldn't find the symbolism and the intent romantic as hell. "What I do now, I do for her." - Eve reacted to that line in such a Rhaenys way which was: "Aw, that's so sweet! You don't say that in my hearing, you bastard." AND YOU KNOW WHAT... FAIR! Absolutely fair reaction.

Gosh, what else? Dragonseeds. I mean, this gif is probably applicable:

Overall conclusion:

[theamberfist]

Writer's Block | Thoma x Reader

Romantic: Thoma x Author! Reader

(Notes: none) (gender neutral reader)

Description: When you're late turning your new draft in to Yae Miko, Thoma helps you hide from the kitsune's wrath.

It was late in the evening, almost night. The stars could be seen twinkling overhead, despite it still technically being twilight. Though darkness was coming, there was still just enough visibility that a few people went about their business in the streets of the city. Shopkeepers were just beginning to close up for the day, and families that were still out began making their way home. Crickets could even be heard somewhere in the grassy patches. The entire scene was very peaceful.

Well, until a certain h/c haired individual came thundering down the path, disrupting the calmness of the night. You were in quite a rush, and several people narrowly managed to duck out of the way before you ran right into them.

"Late again, Y/n?" A restaurant owner called as you passed him by. You nodded, a sheepish smile crossing your face.

"I may have forgotten my new draft was due today..." You replied before glancing back to see the very figure you dreaded most in the world was starting to catch up with you. "Gotta go!" You shouted, picking up the pace and throwing yourself down the nearby flight of stone stairs and plotting the best escape route in your head.

You easily ruled out some of the more obvious ones like gliding off the nearby cliffs or trying to escape into the field that eventually lead to Chinju Forst, mainly because they'd already failed you before.

Though startling to some passersby, the circumstances you now found yourself in weren't exactly an uncommon occurrence, especially now that you were a permanent resident of Inazuma. You'd never thought moving away to work on your career as an author could be so eventful.

Now, reaching the bottom of the stairs, you could hear her close behind you, and you didn't even dare to look back and confirm her proximity. Instead, you kept running, weaving between buildings in the hopes of losing her. Unfortunately, it did little other than slow her down a little, which wouldn't be enough to help you escape your quickly approaching fate.

Knowing you wouldn't be able to make it out of the city before she caught up, you opted for the less risky, but much more terrifying choice; hiding and hoping for the best.

As soon as you reached the outskirts of the city where the big Sakura tree was planted, you wrapped your arms around it and scurried up as quickly as you could, ignoring the small splinters you could feel entering your skin. After all, if you managed to escape, it would all be worth the pain.

Finally, you reached what you deemed to be a safe enough height that you wouldn't be easily spotted from the ground. Arms beginning to grow tired, you reached out and swung yourself onto a nearby tree branch, arms latching around it as the rest of your body lay atop it. You didn't dare to sit up yet. This way, in the approaching darkness, you might look like you were one with the branch, or at least, that was what you hoped.

Though, who were you kidding? Someone like Yae Miko, who had literal fox ears and kitsune powers, could probably see in the dark too. You were most likely going to be a lost cause this time, too.

You sighed, craning your neck to see if she'd caught up by now. Even though it felt like hours had passed, realistically, it had probably only been about thirty seconds.

"...Ahem." The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped you out of your thoughts and your gaze immediately darted over to the branch on the other side of the tree, where a familiar man sat with a cat in his lap. Seeing him, your heartrate slowed slightly knowing he wouldn't give you away.

"Thoma?" You whispered, "I didn't see you there." Though you were quickly losing light, you could just make out the little smile that covered his face.

"I could tell." He chuckled quietly. You rolled your eyes, but truth be told, you were smiling too.

"Well, at least that means this is a good hiding place." You breathed as the familiar head of pink hair finally appeared from behind one of the buildings nearby.

"Trying to avoid Yae Miko again?" Thoma asked. You just nodded, afraid if you spoke, her fox ears would pick up on it and she'd find you. He seemed to understand your position, because he continued just as quietly, "don't worry. I won't blow your cover."

You sent him a thankful gaze before freezing in place. She was standing right under the tree now, but she hadn't seemed to notice you yet. Her eyes squinted, as if trying to pick you out, but then she noticed Thoma first and a smirk appeared on her lips.

"Ah, Thoma," She called, moving over to the side of the tree his branch was on, "I'm once again searching for my dear employee, Y/n. Have you seen them anywhere? It's getting dark and I do worry about them, you know." You rolled your eyes at her attempt to appeal to Thoma's better nature.

Had he not seen you just now, he might have agreed, or even helped look for you. Luckily, he wasn't falling for it now.

"No, I haven't seen them at all today, sorry!" He replied nonchalantly, gently getting down from his branch and making sure not to let the little cat fall in the process. "But I'm sure they'll be alright. If they aren't here, then they probably wandered back into the city or to their house. They's been living in Inazuma for a few months now, so you don't have to worry that they'll get lost."

You smiled at his words. Not only was he not blowing your cover like promised, but he was even helping to cover for you. You'd have to find some way to repay him later for this.

"I suppose you're right." Yae Miko replied, visibly frowning at his response, "Well, thank you for trying to help anyway. I'll keep looking for Y/n. I'm sure you need to be getting back to the Kamisato Estate before it's too dark."

"R-right!" The blonde replied, gently setting the cat down with a smile, "It was good to see you, Lady Yae. And again, don't worry too much about them!" She smiled back, though to you, it was clearly fake. Still, she kept it plastered on until Thoma had walked far enough away that she could no longer see him.

Turning back to the city, the kitsune let out a sigh, placing her hands on her hips.

"You can run but you can't hide, Y/n," She said softly, "That boy is too kindhearted for his own good, but I suppose he did have a point. I'll check their house since they can't have gone very far..." With that, she went off in the direction of your home, just inside Inazuma City.

You stayed put for a few more minutes until you were sure she was gone. Then you gently lowered yourself to the ground and checked to make sure no one else had seen you.

"It's alright, she's gone now." A voice spoke from behind you, making you jump and whirl around to see Thoma standing there once again. He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just wanted to check whether you'd gotten away yet."

"I was going to book it back home, but she's checking my house now," You admitted with a sigh, "I'm not sure where I'm going to sleep tonight, but I guess that's what I get for having writer's block again." Thoma chuckled, having witnessed you and the kitsune's cat and mouse game several times before, he knew what you meant.

"Well, you're welcome to stay at the Komore Teahouse, if you want," He suggested, "I don't think she'll look for you there, especially after seeing me just now."

"You did give quite a convincing performance," You smiled, wondering whether he'd always been that good at lying. "But are you sure that would be okay? I can find somewhere else to sleep; I'm sure Yoimiya would take me in again...Maybe." Actually, after the last time, when Yae Miko had searched her entire house and everything in it to find you, just for you to have been hiding under the bed the entire time, you weren't so sure she'd be willing to help you.

"Don't worry, you hiding out at the teahouse for one night isn't going to hurt anything," Thoma replied, "Come on, I insist. I can't just go home for the night knowing you might not have somewhere safe to stay. And plus, I would feel bad if she found you. It sounded like she was really upset this time." Finally, you gave in.

"Alright, then let's get going before she comes back." You started leading the way before quickly stopping and turning back, "And thanks for all your help, Thoma." He just smiled back.

"It's no problem!" And with that, the two of you headed off to the teahouse, careful to avoid areas with light so you wouldn't be seen by your boss or create potential witnesses.

"So how overdue are you with this one? I don't think I've ever seen Lady Yae so determined to find you." Thoma commented quietly as the two of you walked.

"Actually, I was only supposed to have this draft in by the end of the work day, which was just a couple of hours ago." You defended. He raised an eyebrow. "Though, technically, today's due date may have come after three or four extensions already..."

"There it is," he replied with a chuckle, "But then again, I can't say that I blame you. It must be hard coming up with new ideas all the time, and every author gets writer's block occasionally."

"'Yet none quite as often as the infamous Y/n L/n,'" You quoted, "That's what Miss Yae always says. I'm probably the most troublesome writer they have at the publishing house. Sometimes I feel kind of bad about it."

"Maybe, but you're also the best writer they have!" Thoma quickly countered, "I've read your books, and there's a reason they sell so many copies each time. Plus, they didn't move you all the way here from Sumeru for nothing! That's something to be proud of."

"Thanks, Thoma." You smiled. Finally, the two of you arrived at Komore Teahouse and quickly entered in the hopes that no one had seen you.

"Woof!" A quiet bark greeted you both as you walked through the door, and your eyes brightened as you saw Taroumaru sitting on the counter like always.

"Hey buddy," You scratched his head, smiling as he wagged his little tail. Though you didn't get to come to the teahouse often, his presence always seemed to make your day better, even when you were taking refuge from your very angry boss.

"Y/n's going to stay here for the night, okay Taroumaru?" Thoma informed the dog, who let out a quiet bark in approval. You smiled before following the blonde man to one of the tearooms, where he prompted you to set your small backpack down and began setting up a few cushions as a makeshift bed.

"Sorry there isn't anything more comfortable to sleep on," he sighed, glancing around the room again for anything that might make a nice blanket. "When I stayed here during the vision hunt decree, Miss Kamisato brought me a mattress, blankets, pillows, and whatever else I needed, but I guess those have all been moved back to the Kamisato Estate."

"That's okay," You shook your head, "I really appreciate you letting me stay here, as it is. You could have just told me to suck it up and face the consequences of my own actions." Thoma laughed.

"I would never," he replied, "Especially when those consequences are Lady Yae herself. She can be pretty intimidating when she wants to."

"You got that right," You sighed, stretching your already-sore muscles. Now that you had the chance to slow down and be calm, you realized just how exhausted your body felt, and the idea of sleep became more and more tempting. "But seriously, thank you. If not for you, I'd be locked up in the publishing house and finishing the last two hundred and ninety or so pages of my book in one sitting."

You took a seat amidst the cushions Thoma had set out, relishing in their softness. Either the two of you had very different definitions of comfortable, or you were just tired enough that anything felt comfortable.

"Two hundred and ninety? Wasn't that book supposed to be three hundred pages? Y/n, you've barely started!" He replied in surprise.

"...Inspiration didn't strike!" You shrugged, feeling your cheeks get slightly red from embarrassment, "And plus, I was still feeling burnt out from writing the one before it!"

Technically, both of those things were true. You always had a such a hard time working around the many mental blocks that came with writing, and Yae Miko's pushing you to write so many books one after another didn't help with the burnout you'd been feeling creeping up for months either.

"You also like to procrastinate," Thoma added with a smirk, only making your face more red.

"Maybe that too," you admitted with a yawn, "But either way, I'll get it done soon. I just needed a little more time."

"I believe in you," Thoma replied as you nuzzled into the cushions, "You didn't build a career on this for nothing, after all. I have full confidence you'll finish this book soon, and that it'll be your best one yet. In fact, I look forward to reading it myself!" He glanced back at you, noticing that your eyes were now closed as you lay in the little makeshift bed.

"Uh huh." You uttered, now half asleep. He hadn't realized just how tired you'd been. A smile crept onto his face as he got up to leave. It was getting late, and plus, he didn't want to disturb your rest. Glancing back one last time, he was sure you were asleep now.

"I really admire you, Y/n." He whispered just before closing the tearoom's door, "I hope you know that."

[dailypositivequotes]

personal and long life update

I feel comfortable to say this now. This is going to start sad but get better.

TW: miscarriage

Two years ago was the worst summer of my life. I was excited and happy as school ended because my spouse and I found out we were expecting a child right before the end of the year. We initially didn't tell anyone, was going to wait. But then I started to have issues and I talked to my mom about it and my fears that something was wrong. My mom ended up letting me know she was having health issues and they found a mass. And on the same day my mom was diagnosed with cancer I miscarried. I will never forget crying and telling her on the phone and her sighing sadly and saying she had hoped one of us would have good news. I was traumatized. I felt betrayed by my body. I felt betrayed by the universe. I felt like a failure. I felt like it was my fault while knowing it wasn't. I lost a lot of faith in things. I was angry and grieving. I was terrified I was going to lose my mom like I lost my child. And then one of my siblings was in a major car accident (they're fine now but it was really scary and I thought I'd lose them too) and our beloved bearded dragon died. Loss was all around me. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't even say the word miscarriage for a whole year. Therapy was extensive on it among other traumas. And one thing that also sticks out from that summer is "Running Up that Hill" was popular cause Stranger things aired its new season. I broke down any time that song came down because of the line "I'd make a deal with God and I'd get him to swap our places" made me thing about my mom and my lost child. I told family members. We previously were having pressure from family members on children and the LAST thing I needed was someone asking me for the millionth time when I was going to have kids. Fortunately family was understanding and backed off on the topic. My one sister was pregnant at the time too and we bonded over the fact this was her rainbow child, something she had not shared with any family member and I was able to go to her for support that other family couldn't provide as they never experienced this. Another thing from that summer is disassociating because I love my sister, I was excited for her and her baby, but the topic was very raw for me. I know I attended her baby shower but all of it was blur. And the final thing from that summer / year was I was also obsessed with trying again and "getting it right this time" because I didn't want to face reality or the grief I was having, and honestly...every failed month was also extremely triggering (for reasons I hope are obvious enough for me not to say) so I'd spiral again. It's taken a lot for me to be where I am now.

Since that summer, we got a second dog. Trained our first dog so she is officially a therapy dog. We both were in therapy - individual and couples. We strengthened our marriage. My mom beat chemo and radiation. Currently, she does not have cancer. Discovered I have a medical anomaly, and learned it doesn't stop me from successfully having kids but I could have a trickier time getting there as there were other complications it brought into my life. (Which honestly discovering this, and that it was something I was born with, answered SO MANY questions). We worked out together and made healthy meals together. We stopped obsessively TTC and just focused on us, loving our life as is, and healing. We discussed in January of this year about seeing a specialist and possibly starting fertility treatments in the summer if we felt we were in a good enough place for that. It was a very good, chill and no pressure conservation. In Feb. was the anniversary of would have been due date and therapy, coping skills from therapy, and planned activities helped a lot of with my mental health that day. And then in March, after my dogs were acting weird about me and I was feeling off as well, I discovered I am pregnant. Sure some anxiety immediately spiked but I am doing okay. I think if this would have happened sooner I'd have not been okay mentally due to the anxiety of the past repeating, but I've worked on a lot of trauma from that awful summer and I decided I would celebrate every second of this and if its a shorter journey than I hoped, so be it. I did have an emergency session in therapy during the week of pregnancy that was the one I miscarried at previously since I couldn't quite shake the nerves then. However, this time and last are night and day. All tests and appointments have come back healthy. Symptoms are what they should be. Everything is looking good and I am thankful. I am filled with gratitude. I have a good feeling. My family and my spouse's family are excited, who we told in April as I learned I'd rather lean on people for support if I needed it than grieve or celebrate in silence. My students and co-workers just before the end of the year realized I was pregnant and both set of people were very excited for me. My students created a lot of cards for me. We are excited. I am halfway through the pregnancy. I have seen him (through ultrasounds). I've heard his heartbeat, and am so thankful that it is so strong. And I've felt him kick just now. I am at peace.

[incompleteth0ts]

You're too sweet for me

Part 1 of ???

Day 3 of Hadercy week

Prompts that will be used: Daddy issues made Percy a slut for older men and Hades Pining after Percy

The underworld was quiet. It was like all of Hades had held its breath.

In the private wing of Hades' palace, the doors to his study have frozen shut. Jagged pillars of black ice clawed their way from out of the ground, cross-hatching over the massive oak doors despite the rising temperatures inside the palace.

Behind the doors, Hades crested over his desk, clutching a pile of papers in his trembling fist.

‘Matter of Urgency’, stamped in red as bright as his wife's lipstick, ‘Your presence is needed on Olympus immediately. King Zeus, 6th born of Rhea.’

The onyx beneath Hades' feet cracked and splintered. The last time he had received a letter of urgency was when his son started a Blitzkrieg. The egotistic masthead even had the nerve to bring up mother. Between cleaning up the damage caused by Gaia and forcing all his staff to work triple the shifts to restore the already fragile balance of life and death, the last thing he has is time to travel to New York.

But a summons is a summons, and he doesn't have the time to upset his brother either.

The ice shattered, firing down the hallway once Hades slammed the frozen doors open.

“Finally worked up the nerve to go and see what the King wants?”

“I have no time for your nonsense, Hypnos.”

The primordial slunk around the corner. The wings that obstructed Hades from seeing his face gave an excited flap. For such a lazy god, he was as nosy as they came.

“Because his summons was just that urgent?” There was only a flap of wings in warning before Hypnos jumped to perch on Hades' shoulder. Hades couldn’t go to Olympus until he shook him off. Zeus was still mad at him and his son for their actions in the Second Titan War.

“Where is your brother, and why is he not holding your leash?”

Hades snapped at the primordial when he pulled at the length of his hair.

“I could say the same about your wife. She was supposed to get back yesterday.”

Hades scowled. His younger brother had held her back another day per the request of Demeter. He’s been in a foul mood since gaining the news. The invite to Olympus has done nothing but spark more irritation.

“Get off; you're making me late.”

“You say that like it means anything. You don't even want to go.”

“But must, so move.”

Hypnos’ neck turned a sharp 360° as he thought the order over. It was a shame that the owl was already Athena's sacred animal.

“When you come back, you must tell me what was said. I get so curious about what goes on up there.”

In a flurry of feathers, Hypnos disappeared from Hades' side, and he was alone once more. One of these days, he would have to try installing a personal space policy, but until then, he would have to carry a spray bottle.

__

“You don’t understand Hermes; you should have seen her in her little tutu; you would have cried too - ah!”

Hades glanced around his new location, less than impressed with what he was seeing. Behind him, Apollo clutched his chest and leaned his weight on Hermes, who was sinking to the floor in laughter.

“You got him good, Uncle!”

“Why do you do that!”

Hades ignored both of their comments to ask his own.

“This is not the throne room. I was hoping you would be in there already.”

Apollo slid his hands through his hair, putting all the individual strands back in place. “Why would I be in the throne room right now? Why are you trying to get there anyway?”

“Your father sent me a letter. It was one of urgency. I figured he would be inviting everyone if he were inviting me.”

Hermes and Apollo looked at each other. Their uncle's reason for being here was lost to them.

“We weren’t told about this. Maybe father just wants to see you.”

As if that possibility was any better than the one he’d come up with.

“I see. I will be off then.”

Hades turned his back to make his way to his brother. If he was lucky he’d run into his wife on the way or an excuse not to show up.

It took Hades longer than he’d care to admit to realize that he had a small party following after him. Turning around, Hades was faced with his nephew's winged shoes.

“What are you doing?”

“Accompanying you.”

Hermes flew a lap around Hades' head before landing at his side. Unlike Hypnos, Hermes was unfortunately able to travel wherever he pleased so if he wanted to listen in as his father rapidly aged everyone that would be present at the meeting, it was all fair game to him.

“What a shame. You make for terrible company.”

“The same has been said about you, uncle.”

Hermes cleared a path for them with a sweep of his Caduceus. The two twin snakes wrapped around it hissed at the crowd and each other. Hades could never be bothered to remember the names of either of them, even though his nephew insisted on everyone knowing the names of his most loyal companions.

‘Well, how would you feel if everyone forgot Cerberus’ name?’

‘Hermes I named my dog Spot.’

“So, what do you think my father has to say to you today? Maybe, it’s another custody battle.”

Hermes slowed his steps so he could walk in time with Hades. Hades doubted it was another custody battle. It’s been 200 years since Zeus humored Demeter with one of those. Hades mentally cursed at the vagueness of the letter. He could only hope that the matter at hand was important and wouldn’t be at his expense.

“Come on, Hades. Why so quiet? You never talk to me anymore; keep this up, and I’ll start to think you don’t love me anymore.”

Hermes stomped in front of Hades, halting his stride. Hermes looked at Hades expectantly with an urgent gleam in his eyes. Brown feathers had begun to sprout from the nape of his neck and arms. He looked like a monochrome parrot waiting for the praise of its owner.

“You’re rarely around to talk nephew. It is not me that’s been avoiding you.”

Hades sidestepped Hermes. He was almost to the throne room and had yet to run into his wife.

“Well, it’s not my fault. Father has been running me dry this century. After the stunt Apollo pulled last year he’s been climbing the walls in paranoia.”

Hades took a deep breath when they made it to the large double doors leading to the throne room. If Tyche was on his side, Zeus would overlook how long he took to get here, and the meeting would go over quickly.

Pushing open the doors, Hermes stepped in front of his uncle to formally announce his presence.

“Now entering Lord Hades, King of the dead, fourth born of Rhea.”

Way to do your job

The throne room was much emptier than Hades had expected. At the peak of the semi-circle that made up the Olympian thrones was Zeus. Sat next to his younger brother was Posideon.

Both gods looked troubled; it was becoming increasingly clearer that no one wanted to be here. The only thing Hades wasn't grasping was why.

Why were they so antsy?

“Hades, how kind of you for finally joining us. I do believe the letter I sent you informed you that the issue brought to your hands was to be handled with urgency.”

Hades would have rolled his eyes at his brother's backhanded complaint if he was a lesser God.

“Forgive me; I ran into many difficulties along the way. As you can see, I even brought one with me.”

Hades flapped his right hand in the vague direction of his nephew, who had made himself comfortable on his throne.

“Calm yourself, brother. The issue that has been brought to us isn't as urgent as you described it to be. Hades pace is the least of our issues.”

It was nice to be aware that even now, Poseidon would still work with him to knock Zeus’ temper down several pegs.

Instead of arguing an endless battle or kicking Hermes out of the room, the central table that was usually sunk to floor level rose and expanded, allowing Zeus to throw down three yellow files.

“These are complaints filed to me in the past four years in response to the second Titan war and the follow-up battle with Gaia, including all the damage created when Apollo battled Python.”

Hades reached forward to flip through the closest file. Papers overflowed through the seams ripping at the packaging. Most of the papers had the same signature stamped across the top.

‘R. Styx’

‘Charon’

Great.

“There is no reason why I should be receiving so many compliments from people who belong to your kingdom.”

“I have been busy restoring the balance of my home just as you have. I don’t know why they felt the need to come to you, but I suggest you take it as a hint to just how much my home has suffered in the last decade because of your careless actions.”

Hades stood up to leave the room only to be stopped by his other brother.

“Hades wait; there is another reason you have been called here.”

“And what is that?”

Hades turned to Poseidon, no longer wanting to be trapped in a stuffy throneroom with two men he couldn’t stomach. He ignored the way Poseidon tightened his grip on his trident. Hades has had lifetimes to make peace with what his family thinks of him.

“I’m here to offer you aid through my son.”

Hades couldn’t hide the shock that flashed across his face. To gain his brother's help was one thing, but to have him offer one of his sons up was another thing. Poseidon was just as overprotective as Demeter.

“Which one, brother? You have quite a few of them. Have you had any more recently that have a knack for problem-solving?”

Hades took petty joy in the way Poseidon’s jaw clenched and the side glance he threw at their younger brother. Hades could see himself looking out for another niece or nephew in the future

“Percy,” Poseidon said through gritted teeth. “Came to me yesterday asking to get in contact with you. He wishes to help the Styx ‘heal’,” Hades and Zeus rolled their eyes as their brother's chest puffed with pride, no longer caring about being the bigger god. “I think it is very noble of Percy to offer his services; he is truly a kind-hearted boy.”

Hades picked up the bright yellow envelope and weighed it in his hand. The underworld condition has steadily declined, with the rivers taking the hardest hits. If he didn’t find a way to save the prosperity of his home soon, his kingdom would fall apart.

Sighing Hades pinched at the bridge of his nose. “Tell your son. I will talk to Styx and get her opinion on his offer. If she agrees I’ll begin putting a schedule together for him. Once it’s made I’ll send it to you so it can be made to accommodate his everyday life.”

Zeus grumbled words of complaint under his breath that neither brother paid any mind to. He would get over it sooner or later; either way, it wasn’t Hades’ problem.

“I will let Percy know what you have said.”

Hades exited the throne room without a word of goodbye, slowing his quick stride so his nephew could walk beside him.

“You should let me deliver the schedule. It’ll excuse me to see Percy and my kids simultaneously.”

“That is exactly why I’m not letting you deliver it, you’ll get distracted before you even make it to his cabin.”

Hermes circled Hades, blocking his path and pausing him mid-stride.

“Uncle,” the way Hermes looked at his uncle from under his Petasos, highlighted just how cheeky he was when left to his own devices. It also accentuated the similarities shared between him and his sister. “Percy’s a good boy with bad taste, and we all know you have a type.”

“What are you trying to say, nephew?”

Hermes spun on his heel and disappeared down the hall.

____

Walking into the underworld, Hades made a beeline to the River Styx. The polluted water pounded on the shore, threatening to drag him underneath the midnight waves if he dared to venture too close.

On the horizon, Hades could make out Charon’s ferry parting through the River Styx like a hot knife through butter. Hades would need to talk to him as well.

“You are quite a walk away from the castle Lord Hades.”

Hades sidestepped away from the towering goddess before she could grab him. She was mad at him, just as she was mad at all his kin.

Gods are not known for their honesty.

She rose out of the diamond froth without actually leaving her domain. Her hair hung limply down her body like an oil spill. The two endless voids that made up her eyes bore unblinkingly down on Hades. She wore a necklace of baby rattles, college diplomas, and wedding rings. Hades tried his best not to stare at it.

The top of her head rubbed against the opal ceiling that made up the constant night sky. Hades could hear the sound of flesh ripping apart and bone against a wet stone.

Hades lowered his gaze and bowed his head. Out of respect or fear, it did not matter. Both emotions were the same as women as ancient as the Styx.

“You have no right to come to me without the Son of Posideon. You will fare well with keeping your distance until you bring me the assistance I seek.”

Like a whale putting on a show for oncoming boaters, she disappeared into the foggy water out of his sight.

The next few weeks were going to be long and taxing.

By the time Hades had managed to verify all the necessary information needed to ensure the safety of Percy’s safety, hospitality benefits, proper pay, health insurance, mandatory breaks, meal preps, homework help, and whatever time-consuming nuisance his younger brother could think of, Lady Styx had grown restless.

The sooner Percy arrived, the better.

Hades’ kitchen was overrun by Hermes and Dionysus, who were arguing about the preferred way to make a cup of coffee.

“What are the two of you doing in my house?”

Hades shoved the pair of brothers away from his coffee machine to refill the pot.

“We’re here to welcome Percy! It would be cruel and unusual to leave him to the mercy of you.”

Dionysus looked up from his wine catalog to glare at Hermes. “I thought you said we were here to bother Persephone when she got home?”

Hermes raised his hands in defense. “That too, but we are also here to show Percy our support for doing such a noble thing.”

Hades and Dionysus were not impressed with Hermes' reason for being here, both of them knowing that there was more to his theatrics.

“Just don’t get in the way and don’t fall into the river because I won’t fish you out of it, and I’ll tell Percy to leave you floating face down in it.”

Once Hades had refilled his cup, he left his nephews to their own devices. He knew that later on in the day they’d find him again and drag him into whatever nonsense trouble they had managed to stir up with his wife.

Hades knew Percy and his father had arrived when the castle felt like it was going to come crashing all around him. His overdramatic brother would have made less of a scene if he had yelled Hades’ name at the top of his lungs.

Phasing through the foundation of his home, Hades greeted his younger brother at the gates leading to his house. Poseidon did not hide the disdain he had for Hades’ domain. Underneath his arm, Percy was pressed tightly against his father.

“Perseus. Poseidon. Nice of you to finally make it. I apologize that Persephone isn’t here to greet you with me, but her mother isn’t bringing her home till later tonight.”

“Mhmm…”

“Umm…Thanks, Uncle, sorry for taking so long, but Dad wanted to make sure I was thoroughly packed.”

Percy rolled his suitcase around himself and tried to escape from his father's crushing grasp but was snapped back to Poseidon’s side.

“...”

Percy looked at his father in poorly hidden embarrassment, shoving his elbow underneath his father’s ribs. “Dad, come on, let go. I have to get going.”

Poseidon looked like the last thing he wanted to do was let go of his son, but Poseidon was only being welcomed into Hades home for so long.

Kneeling, a sight Hades thought he would never see, Poseidon held both of Percy’s hands and brought them to his chest where his heart would have been. “Stay safe, Percy. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is pray. I will be back next weekend to bring you home.”

“Yikes Dad, you make it sound like you’ll never see me again, I’ll be fine. I love you, see you next Saturday.”

“See you then.”

Poseidon gave Percy one last lingering embrace before he left in a gentle golden glow.

“Come inside Percy, I’ll give you a castle tour.”

Marching back into the castle, Hades slowed his stride to allow his sprinting nephew a chance to catch up to him.

“Thank you for giving me a chance to do this Uncle. I was worried you weren’t going to want my help.”

“I wasn’t too excited to accept your help in the first place, but no one else is offering me any help.”

Entering the guest wing of the palace, Hades stopped in front of a navy blue door. “While you are here, this will be your room. If you need anything while you are here let me or one of the staff know and it will be handled.”

Pushing the door open, Hades presented Percy’s bedroom. It was easily one of the most impressive rooms Percy’s seen.

Pushed to the center of the back wall was a California king bed fitted with navy blue sheets. The bed was elevated off the floor with marble steps leading up to it. On a lowered platform a ‘C’ shaped linen couch was stationed behind an oak coffee table. A TV was mounted to the wall beside the entrance. To the left and right walls of the bedroom were two floor-to-ceiling double oak doors.

The entire space felt very professional and unlived. Whether that was just the aesthetic that Hades carried or because he didn’t get many visitors, Percy was too afraid to ask. He’d only just arrived, he didn’t want to be rude.

“Um…thank you, Uncle. Sorry that Dad made you do all of this.”

The thought of his knuckle-headed brother making Hades do anything made the older man laugh. Being a family outcast and a King gave Hades an independence that Poseidon didn’t possess. There was very little Poseidon could make him do, underground.

“It was no problem at all, nephew. The Styx and your father demanded that I supplied you with nothing but the best my domain had to offer- and while I know you think that isn’t much-”

“I don't think that.”

Hades stared down his nose at Percy who was now on his knees pulling random assortments of clothing out of his suitcase.

“Pardon?”

“I think your home is plenty providing. After all, it provided me with Nico didn’t it.”

Percy threw a knowing smile over his shoulder as though he was sharing a lifelong inside joke with his Uncle.

Hades wasn’t sure what was so funny about the birth of his son, but maybe that was the joke itself.

“I’ll give you time to unpack. When I return I will give you a formal tour of the Underworld and take you to Styx. You won’t be working right away, but she wants to see you regardless.”

Percy nodded his head and continued unpacking his bags. Hades left Percy to finish unloading, closing his bedroom door soundlessly and walking down the winding hallway until he made his way to his private room.

Falling back on his mattress Hades sent a silent prayer to Clotho that he’d make it through the next several years. The longer he went without his wife the heavier the ache in his core became.

Percy Jackson was, ‘sin on earth’ as his son once phrased it. Having the little minx in his house was bad for his health.

“Having second thoughts, Uncle?”

Sitting up, Hades through his head in the direction of his on-suite bathroom. Peeking out from the crack in the door was headache #1.

“Dionysus, what are you doing in my room?”

Dionysus kicked the door open and walked out dripping in water and naked. Raisin purple hair stuck to his back and thighs as he lurked towards the bed. He looked the way he had a child. Smooth skin pulled taunt over long and knobby limbs. Feral and untrained, beyond ruined and beaten by life.

“I think this entire scenario is more trouble than it’s worth. That boy is trouble and you have weak willpower. I’d hate to have my favorite hangout spot flooded.”

Hades wiped his hands down his face, unbothered when he felt the bed dip beside him and the smell of Grape Fanta.

“You and your brother are getting ahead of yourselves.”

Hades paid little mind to the water that dampened his robes and sheets when his nephew fell into his lap. He was going to need a drink before dinner.

“I’m just looking out for you. And it is my job to make sure my campers don’t get into any trouble during the summer.”

“That only applies when they’re within the camp.”

“You are so unfun, Hades”

_

Hades left Dionysus tucked under the blankets of his bed. He would wake up when dinner was ready like the lazy bastard he was.

Knocking on the bedroom door that led to Percy’s temporary living courters Hades listened to the sounds of Percy bouncing around the room.

“I’m coming!”

The door was yanked open by a disheveled Percy, balancing on one leg to pull the rest of his sneaker on.

“I’m sorry, I was in the shower.”

Hades waved the thought of Percy spread out in the shower from his mind. Persephone would be waiting for him at dinner, which would be enough encouragement for the day.

“I’m going to show you all the more important locations in the castle, the bathrooms, the kitchen, exits, and bedrooms, then I’ll show you the gardens, Persephone works very hard on them, do not mess with anything out there, then I will allow Lady Styx to give you her run down. Do you have your schedule?”

“Yeah, I brought a calendar with me.”

“Good, it will make all of this easier for me.”

The tour through the castle was mundane and straight to the point. Every time they entered a room, Hades expected to walk face-first into Hermes, who was still roaming his domain, or Hypnos, who was as nosey as he was lazy.

Walked out the back of the castle Hades led Percy through his wife's prized garden.

“Oh my gods…”

“Beautiful isn’t it? My wife and her mother take great pride in it.”

Bending down, Hades picked a wild raspberry from the vine and popped it into his mouth. He would convince his wife to make a pie out of the freshly sprouted berries this weekend.

“Is that an orchard over there?”

Percy cupped one of his hands over his eyes and pointed off to the horizon where Hades knew rolling hills of green ran on for miles.

“Yes, apples of all varieties grow there, I would offer you one for hospitality’s sake, but I don’t think your father would take too kindly to my offer.”

Percy flushed a bright shade of pink, looking ashamed of himself.

“No! I was not implying that I wanted one, I've just never seen an orchard as large as that one before.”

Hades took note of the consistent nervous air surrounding Percy. He hoped that Percy would learn to relax more as time went on, it was difficult working with someone as stressed as him.

“Styx is waiting for you. Let's go, Percy.”

The river Styx protruded a foul stench that made Hades grateful that breathing was not a necessity for him. Beside him, Percy gagged on the thick fog that clung to the banks of the Styx.

“You’ve been here before, does her smell still bother you?”

Percy waved a hand around his head, trying to clear his head.

“The last time I was here I was so worried about Kronos killing me that the smell never even crossed my mind,” Percy choked on a cough, wiping at the tears that marred his vision. “Kind of wish I was going through the same danger right now.”

“Just don’t mention the smell or she’ll drag you under, and I don’t think you’ll survive the second round.”

“Noted.”

Reaching the River Styx, Hades braced himself for the arrival of the second most high-tempered woman he knew.

The surface of the river rippled like a stone had tour through the surface. Lady Styx lunged out of the water and threw her body against the shore, scaring Percy into hiding behind his uncle.

“Perseus! You have made me wait for you and now you hide from me? Show yourself!”

Hades stepped aside leaving Percy to handle the Styx's wrath by himself.

“My lady, I’m sorry-”

“Silence! I do not wish to hear your excuses! You,” The river deity pointed a long crooked finger at Hades. “Leave us, you will have your boy savior back when I am done with him.”

As awful as the idea sounded, Hades knew better than to argue with the goddess. “Please return him in one piece. His father will have my head if otherwise.”

The Styx paid no mind to Hades as she scooped Percy in her hands and flew across the water. Hades could only hope that she would return him alive.

__

By the time dinner came around Hades was beginning to think the Styx would never give the demigods back.

It would be a shame to lose a child as capable as Percy, twisted and reborn from the wrath of the Styx. Hades had meant it after all, he did not believe he would survive another swim in the Styx's waters.

Walking into the dining room and hearing the windy chimes of laughter was the first sign of life.

Speeding his footsteps Hades nearly collapsed at the sight.

Sitting at the head of the table was his golden Persephone. Her hair funneled like a fall tornado, a crown of strawberries lost in her auburn curls. Her brothers flagged her sides, asking about her travels, and teased her for her absence.

Demeter liked to hide her from the leering gaze of Olympus. They missed her too.

Demeter was not at the table but there was a plate in front of her chair nonetheless.

The room smelled of spring showers and golden apples, if Hades was not already married to her he would fall to his knees and ask again. He knew she would say yes she always did.

“Persephone.”

The sound was barely a breath of air. Distance made the heart grow fonder but it also made the body weak. Every time Persephone came home Hades was so sure he would never survive the next six-month absence without her.

If she left again he would die, this he was confident certain.

“Hades! There you are, I was beginning to think you would never show up.”

Having her in his arms again was liberating. She smelt of vanilla and cinnamon, it was impossible to imagine his brute of a brother making something so perfect.

“I missed you. I was starting to think your mother would never bring you home.”

“She's been upset about me coming back early so she wanted me to stay for longer.”

Hades paid little mind as his nephews gagged at their seats and made kiss faces at him.

Children the both of them, one of these days he'd kick them out for good.

“And I'll do it again next Summer, Hades,” Emerging from the kitchen like a bad omen was Demeter. “It is unhealthy for me sweet Kore to be down here for so long. It's unhealthy for anyone to be down here, I have no clue how those two,” she threw an uninterested and judgmental hand over her shoulders. “Can stomach being down here?”

“We love you too, Demeter.”

“If you truly feel this way, sister, then why are you still down here?”

ou here?”

Rather than answer the question, Demeter took her spot at the table and flipped through a farmers' magazine.

“So Uncle. When’s our guest of honor going to get here?” Dionysus flicked his nail against the rim of his mocktail, glaring down at the liquid like it was the source of all his problems.

“Guest of honor? Who have you let inside of our house while I was gone?”

From the dining table, Hades could see Demeter smirking over her magazine, ready to comfort her daughter and sweep her away from the ‘no-good cheating man’.

“Percy has offered us his services in cleaning the river Styx. He is currently with her.”

Persephone looked at Hades as though he was missing a head.

“Percy? That Jackson kid? There’s no way.”

Persephone crossed her arms and shook her head like the very thought offended her and needed to leave her mind. Hades didn’t let her go even as her curls whipped his face and got tangled in his own.

“It’s true. I was just as surprised as you, he’s been partially moved into one of the guest rooms, his father and Lady Styx were very thorough in making sure he had nothing but the best.”

“I hope the poor kid wasn’t disappointed when he saw what you had to offer.”

“Mother!”

Hades let go of his wife and allowed her to argue on his behalf. He could admit that he walked into the insult, and he could also admit that this song and dance of theirs was too old to humor.

“All of you, silence!”

Hades was going to have his dining room expanded if any more people joined for dinner.

Everyone watched as the river goddess squeezed her body through the tight opening of Hades’ dining room entrance.

“All you Olympians do is argue like fussy children, have you no shame.”

Perched on the Styx’s shoulder like an overweight parrot was a queasy-looking Percy Jackson.

“Honestly, aren’t they just the worst, my little champion?”

Percy smashed his lips together looking around the room as if hoping someone would stand up to the overbearing goddess for him.

“My Lady, I had not known that you would be joining us for dinner as well. What a pleasant surprise.”

In an attempt to ease the tension from the room when the ancient river entered the room, Persephone offered the deity a glass of wine. One of the better brands that had been created when Dionysus was in the prime of his worship.

The Styx gave a lazy swirl of the glass, not drinking it, but not throwing the wine glass to the floor in disgust.

“I am here because Percy is here. Say hello to him.”

The Styx presented the flustered demigod like he was a blue ribbon show dog. Percy, to the amusement of everyone else, looked the part as well. The clothes he now wore resembled the dressware of a Greek prince in the making.

The Styx had managed to wrangle Percy into a pure white chiton that fell apart into sea foam leaving Percy's legs dripping wet and leaving a mess on the floor. Clutched in his shaking hands was a golden himation that Percy desperately tried to throw over his lap.

A thin gold chain in his hair held a blue and orange jasper to Percy’s template. Matching golden bands squeezed his forearms and dangled off his wrists and ankles.

“Wow Percy, you look tasty.”

The Styx bared her fangs at Hermes, clutching the nervous demigod to her chest. “Perseus is my priest, he only wants to worship me.”

“Of course and it was foolish of me to think otherwise, forgive me, My Lady.”

No one could make fun of Hermes for wanting to move his chair as far away from Styx and Percy as the table allowed him.

“How about we just start eating? I haven’t eaten since I got down here.”

“You are not eating anything your uncle has to offer. Me and your father went through the liberty of making sure any meal prepared for you has been shipped directly from the surface.”

A brigade of skeleton chefs emerged from the kitchen, lumbering giant silver platers of surface food.

Pots of honey and olive oil, cutting boards layered with cheese and fresh bread, room temperature butter, and pitchers of water and ruby red wines that stained the lips of the clay jars.

Roasted boar and bleeding steaks passed between guests, cobs of corn being broken in half and shared from the hands of one person to another. Percy picked apart his plate when the Styx wasn’t rubbing her fork on his lips or refilling his glass with water. Conversation flowed over Percy as though he was a catfish in the Hudson.

Percy paid little mind to the new faces that would join to feast before being torn away from the table by duty and responsibility.

Once Percy felt as though his chiton could no longer contain his belly Percy tried to excuse himself from the table.

“Can I go back to my room, please? I don’t think I’m goin' to last much longer.” Percy rubbed wide circles on the underside of his belly to ease the tension. Wherever his dinner had come from was out of this world.

“Of course Percy. Do you remember where your room is?”

“I know where it is, Hades.” The Styx stood up from her seat and cradled Percy in her arms like he was her baby and not her ‘priest’. Hades watched as she phased out of the room like a phantom and tried not to rub at his nose. Having the Styx this obsessed with the newest and shiniest boy hero was going to be the downfall of his home.

“Hades, are you alright honey?”

Persephone grabbed her husband's wrist, peering at him through the gaps of his fingers.

“I need to start changing the lock in here more often.”

@hadesxpercy-events

I plan on posting the full thing on Ao3 once it's done but for right now all I have are snippets

[gofancyninjaworld]

(Almost) Everything You Need To Know About Pro-Hero Pay and Conditions in One Picture

This is the home of the second-ranked pro-hero, a much-lauded, hard-working hero and the de facto mainstay of the Hero Association:

I wasn't expecting a mansion but *this*?

Not only is it nothing much to look at, but she seems to share it with her sister.

This is as good as it gets. Want more? See below the cut.

Wherever those billions are going, it's not to the pockets of the heroes who risk their lives. We knew that heroes weren't well paid, at least at Class C, and that the Hero Association leverages the fact that it's a non-profit to shame heroes into not complaining. I'm remembering the shock Sonic had when he impersonated Saitama and discovered how little the dude was getting paid (Majin Drama CD 4). He just couldn't understand how anyone would risk so much for so little reward. On the good side, it did mean that Sonic stopped harassing Saitama while the latter was working.

Looks like the shitty pay goes all the way to the top.

This definitely adds a lot of context to individuals' decisions. A few to note.

It makes a lot more sense of why so many A-Class heroes have been moving into headquarters. The difference that not having to pay rent makes is large enough to be compelling. To the detriment of everyone who has lost their neighbourhood A-Class hero, but these individual choices are hard to fight.

Flashy Flash's remark about the mercenaries really resonates here. If money motivates you, this is definitely not a job for you. At any level.

It positively punishes anyone with caring responsibilities. Metal Bat drops everything to go pick Zenko up at the end of the school day? Why? It's not because he doesn't take his hero work seriously -- quite simply, he can't afford to hire a nanny!

It brings into sharper focus why, although Genos has come to accept being a hero, he treats the Hero Association like it's an expensive, vicious summer training camp -- because it's pure charity. His pay doesn't even begin to touch the sides of the costs of his hero work. As soon as he gets what he came for, he's gone. One can only donate for so long.

Along the lines of the numbers just not adding up, it makes a lot more sense of why Drive Knight is so careful about his engagements and tries to make sure that he gets something out of his efforts. Altruism is all very well but broken parts cost money.

Suiryu may have turned over a new leaf, but with pay as atrocious as it is, his love of money is probably going to keep him looking for alternative ways to be a hero. I hope we get to see the shock on his face when he finds out that, no, A-Class heroes aren't paid well. I think he's going to be horrified all over again to find that Sneck and Max put their lives on the line to help him for a sum that he wouldn't get out of bed for.

Altruism is all very well but baby has standards he's accustomed to

Hero work has been treated as a prestige job: one where the realities may be awful, but the social cachet makes it desirable anyway. We can't quantify it, but the awful pay in itself must contribute to why the Hero Association is always recruiting as good people find that they care, but just can't make the numbers add up.

It's a shame. Nobody needs heroes to live like sports stars, but of all the things the public would like to see, having pro-heroes at least have dignity across the board would be welcome, and no one would mind if at the higher levels the heroes can have nice things.

Can you say things are ripe for a shake up? I sure can!

[booksteaandtoomuchtv]

Burn The Ships (1/?)

THIS IS/WILL BE MATURE.

NOW WITH BEAUTIFUL COVER ART BY @snowbellewells

AO3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Summary: Pan and his pack of gruesome werewolves torment and put an end to individuals who find themselves unlucky enough to be a guest of Neverland. After being betrayed by her ex, Emma finds herself the game in this month’s hunt.

Captain Hook has never found the sport particularly alluring, preferring to spend his change far from Pan’s cruel crew. When he catches the scent of his mate, he is forced to join in the hunt to find her before the others can.

Saving her will mean betraying Pan and no one betrays Peter Pan and lives to tell about it.

@anmylica, @deckerstarblanche, @elfiola, @goforlaunchcee, @jrob64, @kmomof4 , @pirateswhore, @stahlopp, @teamhook, @tiganasummertreee, @undercaffinatednightmare, @xarandomdreamx, @zaharadessert

Author Note: This little fic is a birthday gift for the always encouraging and absolutely wonderful @kmomof4. I was initially drawn to Moonlight Sonata because it is also one of my favourites and the story behind the song felt like Killian meeting Emma for the first time. (I also love Für Elise but it doesn’t make me think of CS as much as Snowing and I cannot really explain that.) Then, I thought “oooh, CS PHANTOM OF THE OPERA?!” for about thirty seconds before realising that maybe I did not want to take that on while I was trying to finish up Witchy Woman and plotting the CS Miraculous Fic and that one Bridgerton-based CS Fic. But, then, I listened to Burn the Ships and read about the inspiration behind those lyrics and absolutely knew that was the one. What is more Captain Swain than battling demons (internal and external) and enduring together? Anywhoosies, HAPPY BIRTHDAY (this month)!! Thank you so much for all the flails, the sanity checking, the gifs, the cheerleading, and for just generally being one of the brightest lights in all of our lives. (Edit: atge birthday is on the 15th, I know. This whole thing happened where this was a two-parter and now it is a whole long thing and the posting schedule SHOULD work out so the whole thing is done by the 15th.)

Emma woke to the harsh sunlight infiltrating the discoloured curtains hanging limply over the large window her lumpy mattress had been pushed against. This was the worst part of her day - these moments in which the lie of her dreams, even the worst of them, gave way to the nightmarish truth of her reality. She fought against the dread seeping into her heart and tried to hold on to the last remnants of her dream, but it faded away as the scarred wardrobe came into clearer focus before her.

Despair, however, was less easily shaken. That endless emptiness accompanied her as she started toward the water basin to splash cold water on her face. Her gaze lifted to meet the empty emerald eyes she knew would stare back at her. She had watched helplessly as the hope drained from them, over the last several months, taking with it the anger and defiance that once glimmered behind them.

Fantasies, like hope, were for those with people or a pack, who cared. Lone wolves, orphaned at birth and betrayed to the monster who ruled this island by their shitty ex-fiancées, weren’t missed. And without any to notice your absence, who would know to rescue you?

“Cheer up,” a cheerful boyish voice chirped from behind her. She jumped and spun around - having your back to the demon was never a good idea. Pan was there, in the middle of the dreary room, looking at her with a dark sort of crazed humour dancing behind his eyes. That look meant he had a new twisted game to play. Her stomach fell and icy fear gripped her heart - losing came at a high price in Neverland and she always lost.

“As you doubtlessly know, the moon will be full tonight.” Pan paused and waited for her to respond. As if any wolf would be oblivious to the phases of the moon, she buried her annoyance at the patronising question and nodded for him to continue. “Tonight, I am letting you out of the garden. You’ll get to run the length of the island.”

Emma knew there was a catch, but after spending several transformations pacing the tiny gated garden, the prospect of running had her heart racing with excitement.

“As you lead us in tonight’s hunt.”

Her blood turned to ice in her veins. She was going to die tonight.

§§§§ §§§§ §§§§ §§§§

“OOOHHHH, CAPTAIN!” A sing-song voice called from somewhere high on the main mast.

“Pan, to what do we owe this unexpected visit?” Hook called back genially. He swept his arms out wide, in a welcoming gesture, discretely sliding the small vial into a hidden pocket of his coat.

Pan flew lower, hovering just above head height, forcing Killian to look up at him. A sweet scent filled the air between, something soft and warm. Killian couldn’t hear Pan's next words as the wolf within tried to locate the source of the scent. With the change coming so soon, Killian knew he would struggle to fight the impulses of the wolf. He had to get away from this enchanting distraction before Pan noticed his attention was elsewhere.

“Let’s discuss whatever business you have away from listening ears.” Hook gestured toward the ladder leading to his quarters, hoping the breeze would not penetrate the boards.

“As you well know, the hunt will be tonight. I do hope you and your crew will attend.” Pan started, as Killian filled a glass with rum in an effort to steady himself. The room around him was saturated with the warm - Vanilla? No, not quite. What is the point of being a bloody wolf if I can’t determine a bleeding smell? - scent. Could a scent be alluring and inviting? Because Killian felt an inexplicable sense of contentedness, something cosy he was drawn to like the heat of a fire, that seemed directly related to the sudden arrival of the scent. Was this possibly a new torture device derived from this cruel realm?

"What do you say, Captain?" Pan sneered, the last word sounding as an insult rather than a well-earned title.

"I'll not be joining your pack of savage, cruel beasts as they set out to torment an innocent you have captured for a barbaric ritual of bloodlust and cruelty."

"We're all wolves, Hook," Pan responded. "You can keep to your ridiculous code, acting as though you are a gentleman despite the tasks you perform in your service to me. But, you cannot deny that the same blood-thirsty animal lives under your skin. One day, you'll relish letting the darkness play alongside my pack. We're the same at the heart of it."

"I am nothi…"

"Ah, ah, Captain, you wouldn't want to say anything regretful, now, would you?" Pan smiled his cruelest smile and Killian swallowed down his annoyance. The last time Killian had crossed Pan still hurt as fresh as the night Pan’s pack had stolen Milah’s pup from his ship. Killian heard Bae’s weak howls from the depths of the Mermaid Lagoon and raced toward his ship as quickly as possible in the dense jungle. When his paws landed with heavy thuds on the wooden gangway, the overly sweet, coppery smell of blood filled the air - air that was notably barren of any of the sounds or scents that had made the Jolly Roger home. Without even a single survivor to share the burden of grief and burial, laying his sailors to rest had taken days - purging the Jolly of all evidence of the massacre had taken much longer.

“Aye,” Killian growled out.

“Good, lad.” Pan evaporated, leaving him alone in his cabin. The sweet scent that had entranced him moments before faded away. Realisation dawning, Killian swore but did nothing to soothe the sudden rage burning hot through him.

The bloody demon had his mate.

[spadecentral]

🐝 Uncorrelated Curriculars | Satan x Reader

>> commissioned!: by unnamed commissioner! >> a/n: thank you so much for commissioning me! i hope i got down all of the details and things you wanted :]

>> masterlist: obey me >> summary: you and satan both have different tastes in activities >> reader prns: she/her >> warning(s): second person pov; flirting;

You had no idea how you got to be so lucky as to date someone like Satan. Such a calm, collected individual dating someone like you was totally mind-blowing. But now that you and he were together, there was no way in hell–well, the Devildom–that you were letting him go.

But as you and Satan spent more and more time together, both of you began to see the differences between your two personalities. You were someone who was more outgoing and willing to try new things. You enjoyed doing carpentry and rollerblading. You really got into the more dangerous extracurriculars that were offered at RAD. And Satan, someone who preferred to sit inside with a good book and a cat on his lap. Someone who would rather sit inside all day or wander to find a street cat to adopt.

For your first date as a couple, you took him out to the beehives that you were taking care of. Unfortunately for Satan, you didn’t tell him where the both of you were going. So he had quite the shock when he saw the swarms upon swarms of bees. He had held your hand through the suits the entire time the both of you were there. He tried his best to care about the names of the hives and what you and your group had named the Queen, but he was too focused on the bees that were way too close to his face. Bringing up a hand, he had swatted a couple of them away from his face.

“Hey, don’t do that, Satan,” you reach over to grab his other arm. You could see the very visible scowl that was on his face.

“These bees are just… so damn…” his arm broke free from your grasp as he hit some of the bees in front of him, accidentally squishing one in his hands. “Annoying!”

Next thing you knew, the both of you were being pushed towards the exit by your group members. When you two were split to take off the bee suits, one of your group members came over to say one thing to you.

“You’re welcome here when crazy-guy over there,” she points to Satan. “Isn’t tagging along. Don’t ruin this project for us.”

Just because Satan was a demon didn’t mean he was inhumane. He felt embarrassed for embarrassing you, and he felt bad that he got you kicked out of your own club (even though he didn’t know that you were still in it). So as an apology, he decided to take you to one of his favorite places. A cat library.

Stepping inside the building, you were astonished by the hugeness of the building. You were mesmerized by the tall pillars and the stain-glass ceiling. You could feel as Satan’s fingers intertwined with yours. You looked over at him, making it easier for him to read the confusion set on your face.

“It’s easy to get lost here on your first time,” he smiled softly. And you could tell that what he was saying was more than just intuition. “This way.”

As the two of you walked farther and farther into the library, it seemed to get bigger and bigger. Soon, you could start to smell a faint scent of coffee and lemon cake. “Wha–”

“Shh…” he softly shushed you. “Wait for it.”

In a few seconds, you found out what you were waiting for. As you rounded the next bookshelf, you were greeted with a small cafe. “Woah…”

“I know, right?” he stopped for a moment before tugging on your hand. “C’mon.”

As the two of you stood in line, you stared at the menu before sighing and grabbing a water bottle from the front cooler. You knew that having coffee or tea or anything with caffeine, really, would not be beneficial for you in such a quiet place. When Satan ordered his frappuccino, you could feel the eyes of the cashier on you.

“Well, pretty lady,” he said as he handed Satan his change. “How would you like to go on a date with the best demon in the Devildom?”

Satan’s hand tightened on yours. You knew what he was thinking; how does this moron not see your hand in his?

“I’m doing that right now,” you gave your best fake smile, really rubbing it in his face. “Thanks.”

You could feel the judgemental stare from the cashier soaking into your body. “You sure?”

“She said no, dipshit.” Satan said. You could tell it was getting harder and harder for him to keep his cool. “Go make my coffee, and stop being a perv.”

The cashier scoffed and turned away to go make your boyfriend’s frappuccino.

“Thanks, Satan.” you smiled, kissing him on the cheek.

“Of course, honey.” he chuckled when he saw your face flush red from embarrassment at the nickname.

And when you heard that laugh, oh that laugh, you knew you wanted to be with him for the rest of your life.

>> obey me! taglist: @oseathepebble | @ventisaircurrent | @epelys | @pastelmages | @xphantasmagoriax | @atlasnessie | @divinesapph | @ze-maki-nin | @oepionie | @flqyd-is-lost | @kyraxiyn | @booming-spam | @ruggiethethuggie

[shepherds-of-haven]

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

Sorry if this comes across as rude, but is there a reason Tallys doesn’t just… hang out with other elves? I mean, she’s super proud of her heritage, plus we know there’s a whole borough of Haven that’s full of elves, and that her biggest fear is outliving her loved ones, so it kinda seems like a no brainer. Like, if your that scared, then just go live with the people who have the same lifespan and culture that are literally a block away lol

Well, I think it's important to remember that Tallys's entire community of friends, relatives, loved ones, and family members were slaughtered over the course of one night and she was left as the only survivor, so her emotional problems and fears are a bit more complicated than living with other Elves! 🤔 The thing is, she has tried living with communities of different Elves throughout the years after her clan was taken away from her: she tells you that she used to live in the Elven Quarter in that chapter (and is obviously familiar with many of the people there, like Ashaniel and Denan) as well as the reasons why she ultimately left, and she also traveled around prior to arriving in Haven, staying for a time with the Elves in an enclave called Silver Streams (only deducible if you read her mail in Shery's new day off) as well as working as a farmhand for Elven farmers in the Sun's Embrace (shown in her second day off interlude).

However, living in close proximity with other Elves ultimately was a painful reminder of what she lost: they couldn't replace her lost family and friends as individuals, so while it simultaneously eased her loneliness, it also created a sense of feeling adrift. She still lived and worked among them for decades, but always held herself slightly distant, not wanting to form new attachments that could either betray her lost loved ones or make Tallys feel like she was 'replacing them', or avoiding them out of a fear that these new relationships could be torn cruelly away at a moment's notice, just like her old ones had been. But this created a sense of purposelessness and lack of fulfillment.

So when she heard the Shepherds were being formed to combat the new Endarkened threat, she decided to join up to ensure that this state-sponsored police force actually extended its resources to protect the Diminished population of the city instead of only bothering to guard the wealthy Norms. Her fears about outliving non-Elven friends and loved ones only came about as a result of that decision; the fears didn't really exist prior to joining the Shepherds, though culturally, it's something all Elves are keenly aware of when associating with non-Elves. She just wasn't expecting to care that much once she signed up for the Order, since she went into it thinking she was just around to keep an eye on things and ensure that things were fair--not that she was signing up for a new family and would have to contend with all of the complicated feelings and future heartache that would entail.

Hope that all makes sense!

[panicked-herb]

Critique of Fionna and Cake’s Season Finale

It’s been a good couple months since the Fionna and Cake series finale came out. At first it felt lackluster to me, then it felt extremely disappointing, then gradually I felt more and more meh about it. I could see what they were trying to do, but it kept bothering me how bad the finale was in comparison to the earlier episodes.

Now I finally have time to write out my thoughts about it and make it everyone else's problem.

Important note before I start: All of this is just my opinions on a TV-14 show. If you disagree, that’s great and I’d be interested to hear why. Just please be respectful. 

What I Liked

The animation and visual storytelling was great. I liked that at the bus stop, they initially had Simon place Betty on the step below him, but later had him place her next to him. Too bad the writing doesn’t back this up (more on that later). 

The voice acting was good. This isn’t my forte, so no comments besides that. 

Most of the jokes landed for me. Especially Pawn Swan. He was easily the best part of Cheers for me. 

I loved the Lich speech to Glob

Blue Shift is such a feel good song it almost made me like the ending.

What I Didn't Like

Catharsis

My second biggest issue with these episodes is how little catharsis there was. We got to see Fionna get upset and cry, but that was mostly because the Scarab was kicking everybody's ass. I wished we got to see Cake get upset about how people don’t see her for who she is. Or potentially exploring her fears of going back to being a normal cat. 

I especially wished we got to see Simon ugly cry. This man has been through an apocalypse, lost his sanity, lost the love of his life, been depressed for years, and is now trying to curse himself. Dude literally said he missed being the Ice King because he was so out of it most of the time he didn’t realize how messed up his life was. He felt like almost everybody preferred him when he was cursed. Then he finally sees GolBetty after years of searching for a way to cure her, only to fail. There should have been some waterworks going on. 

Pacing

Generally, the pacing felt too slow for me. It made the episodes feel more like a second or third draft vs a finale result. The biggest offender to me was all the fights against the Scarab. Each individual battle was fine, but there were too many of them. We know the Scarab isn’t going to destroy their world in the end, so all the fights don’t do much besides look cool. Which would be fine, if they weren’t trying to make it emotionally impactful. 

This is relatively minor, but it bothers me that Casper and Nova are mostly in the episode Cheers when in basically all of the other episodes, the titular character(s) are the main focus for that episode. I think this could have been fixed, if they just cut back on the number of times they fight the Scarab. 

Pay Off

There were a lot of Chekov’s guns that either didn’t get fired or turned out to have only blanks (basically you could remove them from the story and it wouldn’t affect the plot much).

No Pay Off

Simon and Marceline’s phone call/ relationship: I know I wasn’t the only one hoping to see these two reunite after Simon tried to curse himself again. 

Dirt beet guys manuscript: This is minor, but I just feel like it would have been easy to fix. 

The time core: This is a classic case of Adventure Time world building, where they introduce a cool concept, but don’t do much with it. I don’t know what I wished they did with it. But I would have liked for them to do something.

Disappointing Pay Off

Cosmic entities that the Scarab imprisoned: Cake lets them go and they fight the Scarab. But that fight lasts for like a minute. We also see Kheirosiphon in the ending credits. But besides that, we don’t see much else. 

Everything in You song: The song is only used as a segway into the final flash back of Simon’s and Betty’s relationship. I’ll give it credit, the song is good and the scene is cute. However, you could remove it and there would be almost no effect. Considering Glob’s weakness is harmony (music), I really thought they were going to do something with it. 

Fionna’s top fantasy: Throughout the series, Fionna makes references to her dream fantasies (EX: castle made out of candy). We learn what her top fantasy is after their universe already becomes canon and they’re in their final (unnecessary) fight against the Scarab. Her top fantasy turns out to be turning into a giant woman. Ignoring the Totally Spies vibes that scene gives me, I think they really missed an opportunity to make this really sweet. In the final scene, instead of Fionna saying “Just a normal world.” She could have said something along the lines of, “This is my top fantasy”

Fionna and Cake turning things normal in other universes: Ignoring the Winter King, this plot point does almost nothing. Sure, Cake accidentally turns BMO into an alarm clock, but BMO was already dead. There’s also the Scarab’s speech, “All the worlds you've visited, all the people you've infected. Your little trip must have shown you the truth. It would be better for everyone if you were just gone.” But they themselves don’t ruin that many worlds. The only reason for them seriously thinking that is the Winter King. But he was a grade A asshole and removing his magic freed Princess Bubblegum from the madness he imposed on her. 

Casper and Nova

Before I start this section, there are two important things for me to mention

I should note that I've had over ten years to theorize about Simon and Betty. Naturally, I’ve probably forgotten some of my head cannons and character interpretations aren’t actually canon. Especially since we never really got much screen time for the two before Fionna and Cake. It also doesn’t help that Simon/ Ice King’s character arc hits close to home for personal reasons I’m not sharing in a tumblr post. But, it does mean that I’ve probably projected some of my feelings onto those characters at some point. 

I’ve never particularly liked how Betty’s been written. I wished she got more screen time in the original show and I STRONGLY dislike that they introduced the fact that she didn’t go on an expectation she was really excited about for a man she’s known for one day in one of the final episodes of the show. To me, it turned her character from an impulsive, headstrong woman who for all intents and purposes is stuck on an alien planet and the only person she knows who is still alive has magical dementia to a fucking manic pixie dream girl. She doesn’t need to have always been completely obsessed with Simon to explain why she’s going to desperate measures to save him. Once again, he’s the only person she knows in Ooo, but as the Ice King he’s basically a stranger. She also convinced him to give up his only chance to die as himself with the hope that she could save him. Finally, she loves him and doesn’t want him to suffer. 

Casper and Nova are pretty explicitly supposed to be narrative parallels to Simon and Betty and help show Simon the issues in their relationship. A lot of defense I’ve seen against criticism about this part of the story comes from a place of assuming the fandom is owo-ing the male character and doesn’t want to admit he has flaws. To be fair, it is a reasonable knee jerk reaction to have. Fandom has a LONG history of doing shit like this and villainizing women. But, at least in my case, this isn’t what's happening. 

Casper and Nova aren’t on equal footing because Nova keeps making unseen sacrifices for Casper and they always do things Caspers way. The moral that Simon is supposed to take from them is that he/ Casper should have realized how much Betty/ Nova was sacrificing for him all the time, stopped, and supported her. However, this isn’t the main issue Simon and Betty have. 

There are a total of two times where Simon does kind of stand to the side while Betty sacrifices herself:

The first trip planned to study petroglyphs in Australia: Simon jokingly offers Betty to go on his expedition with him. She accepts, which surprises him, and mentions offhandedly that she had another trip planned. Maybe he could have told her she could always go on another trip with him sometime else. But he could have just as easily assumed she wasn’t really interested in her original plan and if he asked if she was sure, it could come off as him telling her not to go.

The second trip planned to study petroglyphs in Australia: Simon stops Betty before she leaves for the bus and in the heat of the moment he says he always wants her by his side always. Betty still could have easily just given him his number and still go on her trip or they just agree to meet up later. Also, the show makes a point that Simon should have gone on the trip with her. I would like to note that Betty was planning to leave the day Simon realizes she has feelings for him. I don’t know how archeological expeditions exactly work, but joining so last second seems really rude to me. Also, he would have either needed to pack really quickly or bring nothing with him for a six month long trip. To add on, he won’t know what type of funding that trip was. For all he knew, it only had funds to send Betty over.

More often than not, we actually see Simon recognizing the sacrifices Betty is making and actively trying to stop her:

Betty time traveling into the future and away from basically everything she knows: Simon originally time travel calls her to apologize and tell her that he forgives her for leaving him as a way to allow her to move on. Betty chooses to jump through the portal. 

Dedicating herself to save him: Simon literally begged Betty to let him die rather than turning back into the Ice King. He only changes his mind after she begs him to give her a chance to save him. Everything she does afterwards, he’s either basically passed out or is cursed.

Merging with Glob: Simon begged Betty to forget the crown and escape Golb with him and Finn. Betty pushed him out of there and merged with Golb. Simon spent years trying to find a way to unfuse her with Golb. 

Not getting any acknowledgement for helping to find the Enchiridion: Simon wanted both of them to get credit. Betty told him that she wanted him to get all the credit. He awkwardly, but professionally, told her that she deserves the credit just as much as he does. She still turns down any acknowledgement. (I really don’t like this story beat because it could have been such a good chance to comment on how academia often discredits or ignores women)

We also have moments where they do things Betty’s way (or at the very least Betty does things her way) on their expedition together.

When crossing the river: Simon carefully walks across the rocks. Betty takes her shoes off and just walks through the river. Simon follows suit then slips and falls. I would just like to add that crossing a river without shoes on isn’t safe. It decreases trackson and increases your risk of cutting yourself in an open body of water. They should have just either dealt with the wet socks, brought a spare pair, or use water proof shoes.

When crossing an area full of snakes: Simon advises Betty to stick with the tried and true method for dealing with snakes. Betty decides to do the trick her mom taught her and runs through the area screaming. Simon doesn’t stop her. Instead once he sees that it’s working, he smiles.

As we see, with the exception of two instances (which could easily be changed without impacting the plot too much), Simon doesn’t need to learn the lesson that he should have supported Betty more and stopped her from sacrificing herself so much.

I think the bigger issue in Simon and Betty’s relationship is just how obsessed they are with each other. When the crown drives Simon insane and takes all his memories, the last thing Simon can remember is that he wants to marry his Princess. This leads him to literally kidnapping princesses. Betty time traveled 1000 years into the future after hearing Simon say he never saw her again after wearing the crown. In the process of trying to save him, she went mad herself. They’ve both spent years trying to save the other from and were willing to sacrifice themselves to do so (I’m fully convinced Simon didn’t have a plan for how to leave Golb’s dimension. I think the dude was just going to apologize to Betty then die).

Not Part of the Finale, But Still Bothers Me

Having Prismo be the one to actually write Fionna and Cake removes depth from Simon/ Ice King’s character. I liked how surprisingly good Fionna and Cake was and interpreted that as parts of Simon shining through. But they needed to have Fionna and Cake actually be real for the show, so they had Prismo make them. Instead of Prismo making them out of boredom, I think it would have been cool if he made them as a way to grieve Jake. Maybe after Jake died, Prismo turned to reading Fionna and Cake since his favorite person liked it and Cake’s basically a genderbent Jake. But, after reading everything the Ice King wrote he wanted more. Since he lives in the TIME ROOM, I don’t think it would be a stretch to allow him to interact with the timeline in weird ways (in fact I think we already saw this in the episode Is That You?). So, as a temporary solution Prismo made Fionna and Cake real and stores their universe in the Ice King’s head so he could get more stories out of them. Prismo meant to delete their world before the Ice King turned back into Simon, but he didn’t have the heart to. Also, they could have totally had Simon keep writing Fionna and Cake fanfiction like how he sometimes dresses up as Ice King. Except, this time, he writes them in his own modern day AU as a way to cope with how out of place he feels. 

Not part of this spin off, but it’s always irked me that Simon got to time travel to the past, but Betty didn’t. I get that Betty wanted to intentionally create a time paradox. But it still feels really hypocritical. Honestly, I think they should have just made Simon accidentally freeze her when he first puts on the crown. After Frost and Fire, when the Ice Kingdom got melted, have her thaw out and start researching ways to cure Simon. Then, during the episode she’s supposed to debut in, have her be the cause of Bella Noche. 

Conclusion

The finale had cool concepts, but it doesn't fully match up with everything that came before it.