#supreme x champion

[mariacallous]

The first thing to say about the hate and scorn currently directed at the mainstream US media is that they worked hard to earn it. They’ve done so by failing, repeatedly, determinedly, spectacularly to do their job, which is to maintain their independence, inform the electorate, and speak truth to power. While the left has long had reasons to dismiss centrist media, and the right has loathed it most when it did do its job well, the moderates who are furious at it now seem to be something new – and a host of former editors, media experts and independent journalists have been going after them hard this summer.

Longtime journalist James Fallows declares that three institutions – the Republican party, the supreme court, and the mainstream political press – “have catastrophically failed to ‘meet the moment’ under pressure of [the] Trump era”. Centrist political reformer and columnist Norm Ornstein states that these news institutions “have had no reflection, no willingness to think through how irresponsible and reckless so much of our mainstream press and so many of our journalists have been and continue to be”.

Most voters, he says, “have no clue what a second Trump term would actually be like. Instead, we get the same insipid focus on the horse race and the polls, while normalizing abnormal behavior and treating this like a typical presidential election, not one that is an existential threat to democracy.”

Lamenting the state of the media recently on X, Jeff Jarvis, another former editor and newspaper columnist, said: “What ‘press’? The broken and vindictive Times? The newly Murdochian Post? Hedge-fund newspaper husks? Rudderless CNN or NPR? Murdoch’s fascist media?”

These critics are responding to how the behemoths of the industry seem intent on bending the facts to fit their frameworks and agendas. In pursuit of clickbait content centered on conflicts and personalities, they follow each other into informational stampedes and confirmation bubbles.

They pursue the appearance of fairness and balance by treating the true and the false, the normal and the outrageous, as equally valid and by normalizing Republicans, especially Donald Trump, whose gibberish gets translated into English and whose past crimes and present-day lies and threats get glossed over. They neglect, again and again, important stories with real consequences. This is not entirely new – in a scathing analysis of 2016 election coverage, the Columbia Journalism Review noted that “in just six days, The New York Times ran as many cover stories about Hillary Clinton’s emails as they did about all policy issues combined in the 69 days leading up to the election” – but it’s gotten worse, and a lot of insiders have gotten sick of it.

In July, ordinary people on social media decided to share information about the rightwing Project 2025 and did a superb job of raising public awareness about it, while the press obsessed about Joe Biden’s age and health. NBC did report on this grassroots education effort, but did so using the “both sides are equally valid” framework often deployed by mainstream media, saying the agenda is “championed by some creators as a guide to less government oversight and slammed by others as a road map to an authoritarian takeover of America”. There is no valid case it brings less government oversight.

In an even more outrageous case, the New York Times ran a story comparing the Democratic and Republican plans to increase the housing supply – which treated Trump’s plans for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants as just another housing-supply strategy that might work or might not. (That it would create massive human rights violations and likely lead to huge civil disturbances was one overlooked factor, though the fact that some of these immigrants are key to the building trades was mentioned.)

Other stories of pressing concern are either picked up and dropped or just neglected overall, as with Trump’s threats to dismantle a huge portion of the climate legislation that is both the Biden administration’s signal achievement and crucial for the fate of the planet. The Washington Post editorial board did offer this risibly feeble critique on 17 August: “It would no doubt be better for the climate if the US president acknowledged the reality of global warming – rather than calling it a scam, as Mr Trump has.”

While the press blamed Biden for failing to communicate his achievements, which is part of his job, it’s their whole job to do so. The Climate Jobs National Resource Center reports that the Inflation Reduction Act has created “a combined potential of over $2tn in investment, 1,091,966 megawatts of clean power, and approximately 3,947,670 jobs”, but few Americans have any sense of what the bill has achieved or even that the economy is by many measures strong.

Last winter, the New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, who has a Nobel prize in economics, told Greg Sargent on the latter’s Daily Blast podcast that when he writes positive pieces about the Biden economy, his editor asks “don’t you want to qualify” it; “aren’t people upset by X, Y and Z and shouldn’t you be acknowledging that?”

Meanwhile in an accusatory piece about Kamala Harris headlined When your opponent calls you ‘communist,’ maybe don’t propose price controls?, a Washington Post columnist declares in another case of bothsiderism: “Voters want to blame someone for high grocery bills, and the presidential candidates have apparently decided the choices are either the Biden administration or corporate greed. Harris has chosen the latter.” The evidence that corporations have jacked up prices and are reaping huge profits is easy to find, but facts don’t matter much in this kind of opining.

It’s hard to gloat over the decline of these dinosaurs of American media, when a free press and a well-informed electorate are both crucial to democracy. The alternatives to the major news outlets simply don’t reach enough readers and listeners, though the non-profit investigative outfit ProPublica and progressive magazines such as the New Republic and Mother Jones, are doing a lot of the best reporting and commentary.

Earlier this year, when Alabama senator Katie Britt gave her loopy rebuttal to Biden’s State of the Union address, it was an independent journalist, Jonathan Katz, who broke the story on TikTok that her claims about a victim of sex trafficking contained significant falsehoods. The big news outlets picked up the scoop from him, making me wonder what their staffs of hundreds were doing that night.

A host of brilliant journalists young and old, have started independent newsletters, covering tech, the state of the media, politics, climate, reproductive rights and virtually everything else, but their reach is too modest to make them a replacement for the big newspapers and networks. The great exception might be historian Heather Cox Richardson, whose newsletter and Facebook followers give her a readership not much smaller than that of the Washington Post. The tremendous success of her sober, historically grounded (and footnoted!) news summaries and reflections bespeaks a hunger for real news.

[daddyhausen]

• acknowledgment — roman reigns •

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{ masterlist } | { wwe masterlist } | { roman reigns masterlist }

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{ summary } — your job was simple, acknowledge your tribal chief

{ warnings } — 18 + { minors do not interact }, oral sex { male receiving }, power imbalance, power play, asphyxiation, hair pulling, face slapping, tit slapping, pussy slapping, throat fucking, cumshots, facials, throat pie, size difference, penetrative sex, vaginal sex, unprotected sex, multiple orgasms, male + female orgasms, internal cumshots, vaginal creampie, squirting

{ word count } — 2.9k

{ pairing } — fem!reader x roman reigns

{ genre } — smut

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{ taglist } — @stxrrlightwrites13 @boutmachines @thewrestlingbitch @omg-im-such-a-masochist @baysexuality @legit9thlunaticwarrior @slut4kennyomega @wardlow @alexisquinnlee-bc @sammiejane22 @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @omegasluvbot @melissahausen @writtingrose @drummergrl1310 @unoficialy-married-to-ace-austin @baybay-boom @bonehead-playz @cherrytheeredheadmamaclaymore @crowleysqueenofhell @romanreigns-supreme @janetreader @thenerdybaker523 @sunshinevirus @nicoleveno14 @rubyred1980

{ comment if you want to be added to the taglist }

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it was a flurry of emotions after roman’s triumphant win over a now heartbroken cody rhodes. paul was spouting praises that fell on your deaf ears as you casually sauntered behind the pack of brothers known as jimmy, jay and solo, the youngest of the three remaining silent all with a brooding stare while his brothers cheered and celebrated their cousin’s big win.

“excellent job out there, my tribal chief! you were absolutely marvellous, cody did not stand a chance-“ paul’s albeit over the top praise of your tribal chief only offered an eye roll on your part. of course roman won, only your wished he had done it on his own instead of relying on the twins and solo to do his bidding. still…you were proud of him nonetheless and he was still champion of course and that’s all that mattered now.

yet roman remained stoic, barely acknowledging their presence for the time being, cody surely did put up a fight, even had you holding your breath in a mix of fear and anticipation, you’d never seen roman so desperate in a match before, and you knew that was eating away at your tribal chief.

“how should we celebrate, my tribal chief? i have a limousine parked out front, wherever you want to go it shall take you-“

“paul.” roman spoke sternly not even offering the wise man a mere glance in his direction, one that made mr. hayman’s blood run cold, his face had an unusual pallor to it, almost going grey in fear, the only word leaving his lips was a meek “yes”

“leave…” roman grumbled, placing his recently defended titles beside him onto the couch with a haphazard throw. “all of you”

you watched them all leave one by one. paul scurried out the door first, followed by the twins, jimmy first than jay. solo held back for a bit offering you a small parting glance as you held the door open for them.

“not you, y/n” roman’s voice shot up from the silence just as you were about to leave. his tone was stern and it left you, admittedly, a bit frightened. you closed the door behind you, quickly turning to face your tribal chief who had already made himself comfortable on the couch. his skin glowing under the warm lights of the locker room, still glazed over with perspiration, his hair slicked back into a haphazard bun, he sat back into the couch legs spread, his chest still heavy with laboured breaths. an inviting sight it surely was. you kept your head down to avoid his gaze, fearful of what your tribal chief’s next words.

“you seemed a bit quiet tonight.” roman simply remarked. eyeing you down curiously. “care to tell me why?”

you managed to gulp down the fear that rose in your throat, still avoiding your tribal chiefs stare.

“t-to be truthful, m-my tribal c-chief…” you began, already stuttering over your words “i was a bit worried that you would not retain tonight…”

“what do you mean by that? did you think that i wasn’t capable of beating some pathetic loser like cody?” roman’s demanded shifted slightly, he leaned forward, a single forearm upon his knee, staring you down, despite the distance in which he sat from you, it felt like his presence was looming over your figure

“no! that not what i meant at all, my tribal chief!-“ your words seemed panicked to roman’s ears which pricked up at your sudden hostility

“then what did you mean by it?” roman sneered, still feeling as if he was standing daggers through you. you stammered over your words, barely able to string a sentence together all in which made roman give up his interrogation with a scoff, resuming his original position on the couch.

“come to think of it, i don’t think i heard you acknowledge your tribal chief yet” he was right, you’d been so caught up today with all the cody drama that you had forgotten completely. you went to open your mouth to speak before roman cut you off again

“not like that, sweetheart” roman reached past the waistband of his ring gear, freeing his cock from the restraint of it. his half hard cock slapped against his stomach, tip glossy with pre-cum. your cheeks grew heated, never had you seen a more magnificent cock. roman was thick, much thicker than any you’ve encountered, his size was also impressive, an imposing nine inches at most, thick veins wrapped around his shaft.

“like this” he slowly began to stroke himself simply at the thought of ruining your throat, you gulped thickly, already feeling a tightness in your oesophagus.

“now…” be began, releasing the grip on his cock “come acknowledge me”

your movements were almost instinctual. just about to practically crawl on your hands and knees towards him if he so please before refraining for a moment. you gathered yourself, allowing yourself to collect your thoughts for a moment despite none of actual substance forming, your gaze merely fixated on roman’s size as he casually stroked the lower half of his shaft. you made slow, cautious strides towards him, his cocky gaze looming over your figure, a sliver of a smirk twitched on the corners of his lips. eventually you’d made your way between his thighs, kneeling before him as he stared down at you demeaningly.

“open your mouth for me” roman instructed, still lazily pumping his cock as you obliged. your tongue parted your lips, the appendage hanging out of your mouth, waiting for his next instruction. he shuffled his hips forward momentarily, hand still wrapped firmly around the base of his shaft, slapping the tip of his cock against the flat of your tongue a couple of times, droplets of his pre-cum mingling with your tastebuds.

his free hand snaked around the back of your head, fingers knotting in your hair, tugging at the roots as he pushed your throat down around his cock. you choked at the foreign feeling, a sound that only warmed his loins further. he gave a small gutteral moan, the vibrations of your throat caused such a delicious reverb around his cock.

“shit, babygirl…” roman muttered through clenched teeth as your lips enclosed around his being shaft “who knew you could suck cock this good…”

roman’s words were breathy and almost dreamlike as he continued to use your throat, not allowing you up for air for what felt like minutes at a time. he kept his hips still, the only movement being that of your head, he’d taken it between two hands effectively using your throat as a makeshift fleshlight, not that you cared you were just happy to please your tribal chief.

“mmm…such a good little whore for me…” roman’s eyes fluttered closed in his blissful state, simply basking in the feeling of your warm, wet mouth. the tips of his fingers, as rough as they held your hair, massaged your scalp with small circles. you peered up at him, the whites of your eyes slightly bloodshot and glazed over, the assault on your throat pricked them with tears, roman payed no mind to it, too wrapped up in his own pleasure to care. his cock stretched your lips, his thickness made it feel as if they were going to tear at the corners at any moment. they way he stuffed your throat, trapping the air in your lungs while you choked and gasped around him was nothing short of exhilarating.

“look at you…your little mouth can’t even take half my cock” roman mocked with a sly grin, an equally matched chuckle fell from his parted lips. he stood up, despite being flushed with exhaustion from his match, he’d obtained a sudden burst of energy, what from he dosen’t know, maybe it was the sight of you gagging around his length that got his adrenaline pumping. his grip still tangled in your hair, knuckles turning bone white at the tightness, without warning, he pushed your head further down, his cock sinking into the back of your throat, until the tip of your nose was nestled against the base of his shaft. he would not move, no matter how much you scratched and clawed at his thighs, so desperate for air.

“you need to acknowledge me, sweetheart” you stared up at him, almost a twinge of malaise in your glare but it was quickly dismissed by him. he knew you’d fall in line soon enough. he kept you there for a moment, simply enjoying your choked gasps and sputters, the sensation reverberating around his thick cock. he noticed your eyes beggining to flatter from your fixed gaze upon him, eyelashes starting to bat softly as unconsciousness was slowly taking over. you were just on the brink of passing out when he ripped his cock from your throat

you gasped and choked, finally able to get air into your lungs after what felt like hours, roman stared down at you with a malicious grin, his cock cascading a shadow over your form, his shaft glossed over and dripping with your spit.

“you gonna acknowledge me now?” his tone was dry yet, still held onto that sly flirtatious wit.

“fuck you-“ you did not mean to curse at him like that, let alone raise your voice at him. you hand reached around your throat to try and soothe the burning sensation within it. as much as you enjoyed the wonderful assault from his cock. roman’s gaze quickly turned cold, the once cocky smirk now replaced with a scowl, he barely gave you enough time to catch your breath before he interlocked both hands him your scalp, forcing his thick cock back down your throat for more lovely abuse to continue

“so you’re taking back to me now, huh? who gave you the fucking right to do that, you little whore?” roman’s cock slipped in and out of your throat with ease, desperate to ruin it, to make you choke on his cum.

“you’re only job is to acknowledge me, to take this cock like a good little slut, do you fucking understand me!?” of course you did, roman took the hint by the lack of claw marks in his thighs, the way you’d stopped resisting, not that you were resisting in the first place. the way you’d become completely absent to yourself, being completely subservient to him

roman came down your throat without warning, his hot seed filling your cheeks with warmth. you swallowed him greedily, an apology of sorts for speaking back to him, you showed him your tongue as he pulled out, an act of compliance of some sorts, he related what he had done previously, slapping the tip of his cock against your tongue some droplets fell atop your cheeks as he beckoned you to stand. you did, and with that he offered you a rough slap to your cheek, one that send shockwaves of arousal to your core. he cupped the skin as it began to redden, his thumb smoothing over the burning flesh

“don’t you ever speak to me like that again, otherwise i won’t be so easy on you” his fingers fell to the buttons of your blouse, unbuttoning the semi-sheer material all while keeping you’re gaze. you skin burned with heart, and no that was not the lingering effects of that previous slap, roman had a way of commanding people, making them feel small and helpless under him and by god it was surely working. he had removed your blouse with such ease that you had not even realised it happened before he reached around to unclasp your bra, not before groping your clothed breasts in his large palms.

he was quick to undo the clasps, letting the lace material fall to the floor, he admired your breasts for a moment, adoring them, he repeated the process, groping them, kneading the supple flesh, your nipples hardened at the contact, his calloused palms grazing against the swollen buds. without warning he slapped them both, the sensation made a small yelp of pain to leave your lips. he only chuckled at your reaction. he made his way behind you, impatient and needy as he unzipped your tight pencil skirt, throwing it across the room into the pile of clothes that slowly started to form near the door. roman stuck a large hand into your panties, his fingertips toying with your sensitive clit, marveling at just how wet he had made you.

“you’re such a little slut, you know that, y/n…” he smirked into the crook of your neck. “listen to how fucking wet this little pussy is for me”

he did not have to do much, simply part your folds with his fingers for you to hear that wet sloshing sound of your cunt, one that you adored so much. roman pried his fingertips from your panties bringing them to your lips for you to taste only for him to bypass your lips completely, bringing them to his own. he relished in your sweetness, a drawn out moan ripped through his throat as he licked his fingers clean.

“i might just have to devour you, babygirl” his words gave you a sliver of hope, a gasp help in your throat for a moment.

“but tonight is not about you. it’s about me” roman ripped your panties clean off, leaving your dripping cunt exposed to the elements roma have a harsh slap to your dripping cunt, one that made you wince in excitement. he grabbed your wrist, dragging you over to the couch once more. he took his seated position again, pulling you atop his lap, lining up his thick cock with you entrance. he gave you no time to adjust to your surroundings before he stuffed you full of him

“roman…” you whined, head thrown back in pleasure simply by being stretched out by him. he cocked an eyebrow accusingly at the use of his name.

“my tribal chief…” you corrected yourself quickly. noticing a satisfied smirk form across his lips. “y-you’re so big”

“i know” roman chuckled, beginning to move with slow, deep thrusts to set the pace. he kept his gaze on your breasts, loving the way they voiced and jiggled every time he fucked up into you, a singe hand place on your hip to guide your movements, the way you swirled and bucked against him, so needy and feverish to get him off.

“you look so fucking tiny on my cock” roman mocked, comparing your radical size difference. he took a mental note of the way his cock outlined in your stomach, each thrust made it bulge against your skin. your cunt was trembling around his size, taking each inch deeper and deeper until you were stuffed to the brim. as much as you did not want to admit, you enjoyed the way roman used you like this, his personal fuck toy. it beats doing his paperwork for sure.

your hips seemed to bounce absentmindedly, your mind too fixated in achieving orgasm that you completely forgot you have not acknowledged him yet. your body hummed with pleasure so close to the edge that you did not care if he didn’t cum, you just needed to.

“i acknowledge you, my tribal chief” you whimpered through small, breathless moans. he’d caught ear of your words, simply smirking to himself. he pulled your hips down with both hands, holding you down on his cock as he practically rearranged your insides. roman’s chest heaved with arousal, the force of his thrusts bucked you into his chest, your breasts pushed up against his solid frame. his large palms fell to your ass, gripping the pillowy flesh as he slammed into you with such delicious force. roman’s dementor shifted quite rapidly from before. at first he was insulting, demeaning, now he was attentive, respectful almost

“you gonna cum for me, babygirl” his words were soft against your skin, lips pressed into the crook of your neck. you meekly hummed in response, feeling the tightness of your stomach increase. he rested back into the couch, adoring the way your ass bounced back against his cock. he pried your face up for him to look at. he admired your beauty, they way you mouth hung open with breathless pants, eyes rolling into the back of your skull, completely fucked out

you came around him, the proverbial flood gates opening. nails clinging to his biceps, digging into the flesh as your slammed your hips down against his. he was quick to follow, pressing your hips against his, holding your waist tight as he emptied rope after rope of his cum deep inside you. his lips inches from yours, teasing you with faux kisses before planting open mouthed ones to the side and column of your throat.

“fuck-“ he groaned against your skin, still holding you still. his pupils were blown with a mix of adoration and lust. he peered down at you for a moment, noticing the redness still evident on your cheek, he cupped it again, your skin feeling so delicate in his palm.

“i’m sorry if i hurt you, babygirl…” he hummed softly against your cheek, pressing a soft kiss to the burning skin. you did not expect such a sensitive and compassion side from roman

“why don’t i take you back to the hotel? eat you out for doing such a good job huh?, how does that sound?”

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[muneca-lemon-steppa]

Elysium - Chapter 1

General Marcus Acacius x Reader

In Rome, three things are known. War must be won. Caesar is supreme. And women are useless if not bred and wed. Though you have been shielded from this longer than most, your clock has run out. You must be wed lest you be exposed to a life of poverty. You need a husband. And the General needs a bride.

A/N Hi Friends!!! I know the hype died down… but I’m still on it I’m sorry!!! Anyway I kinda miss this space. Hope you all are doing well!!! All my love!! -Mo

Before I was truly able to understand such things, I watched my father marry his second wife, Alba.

My mother died giving me life, and my father grieved for her for the first seven years of my little life. My tiny heart knew only of harsh words and tear filled apologies for those first seven years. But when Alba came, becoming the second wife, she became my first mother. The first soft smile and soft hand I knew.

I remember so clearly that day, when I snuck into Alba’s room to watch her prepare for her marriage to my father. We had only met each other once before, the morning she was promised to my father. She saw my timid eyes behind the door, and she laughed before calling me in.

Her laugh sounded like bells on a ceremonial horse. Light, tingly on my skin, and a harbinger of celebration. Her skin was , and still is, soft as silk and fragrant of rich lavender. She was draped in white linens and dripping in gold, with pearls strung in her hair.

She picked me up to put me in her lap, even though I was keenly aware of the wrinkles I would give her. She gently put a stray hair back behind my ears, “Thank you for letting me be your mother child. I want you to know that I am honored to care for you and your father in this life.”

Their wedding ceremony was a simple affair. I stayed close to Alba’s side, and never strayed far from either her or her friends who came to the wedding. I watched my father, who smiled and laughed when needed, but I could still tell there was an underlying ache. An ache which he would later… many years later… confess that he was worried about how I would respond to Alba… and if I would ever forgive him for the grief he allowed to eat him alive.

Alba was the perfect mother. An even better friend and wife to my father. She has actively campaigned for an extension of my maiden hood, to allow me to study and be youthful, to have those days she couldn’t have. And I thanked the Gods for a mother to take care of me for my time on earth.

In the garden, behind the grand house of my father, my mother Alba tended to wonderful flowers. Like diamonds they glittered amongst the vines and shady leaves. My father was never a man for many words, but he took care to bring back a plant from any foreign lands he visited on a campaign. Even if they couldn��t be planted, it was the sweet smile that Alba gave him that was medal and honor enough. I would often sit with Alba, reading to her as she tended to her garden, the fruits and flowers and herbs that created a beautiful tableau of creation. Alba could not read… she was not permitted to… and perhaps that was why she sweetly and quietly championed for my education to my father, placating him with sweet words and touches when he worried about my lack of marital prospects.

Now, Alba is not as youthful as when she came into our home. Her jet black hair has a small streak of gray, framing her soft face. There’s small creases in the corner of her eyes when she smiles and laughs. She is somehow more beautiful than ever before. But in recent months, she looks more somber…contemplating… wondering.

And it is in our daily strolls in her gardens, when she grabs my hand, stopping in the farthest corner, “Little dove… we have always been honest with each other yes?”

I pause, having to look down due to her short stature. “Yes mother, of course. Have I done something to upset you?”

She shakes her head vehemently, “No never my dove. But, there is something your father had asked me to keep from you but, I do not think I can any more. Not from you.”

I sit on one of the stone benches placed in the garden, “Mother, please, speak plainly. Are you ill? Is father ill?”

Alba looks around, seemingly checking for prying eyes in the garden, before turning to me, “Your father… he has-“

I hear my father’s booming voice from across the way, from the house. My head and Alba’s whips up, to see my father. Imposing and strong, with his large beard, threaded with silver and black. Beside him, stands a man who I’ve seen many more times in the past few months. General Acacius, one of the most decorated generals in the history of Rome, has become a frequent phantom in my father’s house. He has never said anything, or done anything more than nod at me when I pour his wine at the direction of father. When I play the lyre in the corner of the room, I feel his heated eyes on me , making me flush and sweat. He is handsome. Certainly. But he is more terrifying. He does not have the booming voice of your father. Rather it is the terse nature, the breadth of his form, and the low rumbling of his voice is what makes me gaze at him quietly, guarded and wondering.

Alba nods at me, single handedly holding a dam of secrets, close to breaking. We make it to the steps, and I am keenly aware of the subdued finery of General Acacius. I bow my head, “General Acacius, thank you for blessing my father’s house once more. It is good to see you. “

He bows his head, “It is an honor to be received here my lady. The blessing is mine… to see you.”

My head shoots up, unladylike entirely but the sudden lack of air that makes me want to claw at my neck. Something is wrong. Alba is gripping my father’s wrist and my arm. My father nods, “Let us go into the atrium, wine is served for our purposes today.”

General Acacius offers his arm, and I can’t help but feel I’m being brought to the slaughter. I’m lead to the atrium. There on the table, wine, fine cups, and jewelry. I am seated next to Alba, facing my father and the General. My father leaned forward, grasping my mother’s hand, “Smile child. This is a joyous day.”

I look to the General, who does not seem to share such a sentiment. To my father I say, “Forgive me father… I must be ignorant to the day.”

My father speaks, “It’s the day of your engagement, the eve of your marriage.”

I feel heat rush up my neck. The sweat beginning to trickle down my back. Marriage? To..

“My lady. This is indeed a rushed courtship. You will want for nothing. I have brought bracelets and pearls indicative of my intentions and surety.”

I glance at the table carrying wine. And surely… I have never seen such finery. It’s even more beautiful than the treasure of my mother’s. I look tentatively at the

General, trying to calm my heart, “General Acacius… I am flattered and honored by your gifts… but I did not think you knew me other than my ability to play music or pour wine.”

“Silence Child.”, my father booms, though I do not even look at him. General Acacius puts his hand up, “Peace Old Friend. Your daughter is right. And surely she is not a child anymore,” he turns to me, dark eyes boring into me, “… and she is right. I had yet to make my intentions known till this afternoon. My apologies.”

He shifts in his seat, as if adjusting his fighting stance, “My friend, and my lady, may I have a moment with my bride alone?”

My father and Alba nod standing to leave. My father nods at me, Alba kissing my cheek. They walk arm in arm out into the garden, leaving the General and I alone, save for the two servants in the corner. General Acacius moves with an otherworldly grace to stand beside my own lectus, “May I?”

I nod gently, keeping my eyes trained on his form, taking note of every move. Though I can hardly stand it. Like looking into the night lamps for too long. He commands the air around him, and suddenly I feel like I am lounging on his throne. He faces me, palms facing upward as if holding an offering for me to inspect.

“My lady. I wish to apologize. I did not make my intentions known to you before this day.”

Before I can reign it back into my chest my voice tumbles out, “You’re in need of a breeding mare Dominus?”

I snap my mouth shut, with my eyes bulging wide. To my horror and relief, a small smile shows itself on his face, causing creases in his eyes, a chuckle is coughed out. “Your father said you were a handful, I’m glad to see he wasn’t exaggerating.”

He faces me more, looking for my steeled facade to crack, “My lady… I am not here simply for children. I am reached an age of maturity where my lack of wife is troubling to my advisors and staff. I am in need of a wife to manage my properties. A intelligent person who I can trust. And… your father has described to me that you have yet to find a husband.”

My shoulders straighten out, a feeble attempt at taking up more space on this shared lectus. “Do you think I need a husband Dominus?”

“Would you rather I lie to you for your comfort?”

“No.”

“Rome will one day see no need for a woman to be married. I’ve known many a woman to be more competent than the men around her. Even I. But unfortunately… Rome has not seen that yet.”

A beat. A breath. General Acacius sighed, “I do not think you need me. Not really. If this was a different world. But as it stands… I need a wife for stability and you need a husband for security.

My lady… you will want for nothing in my house. The grounds, yours. The staff, yours. The title, yours. My wealth, yours. Continue to study in my house, and use your education to manage the house and money how your see fit. All I ask, is that you be loyal to my house.”

I feel a big swoop in my chest, like I’m standing on the ledge of a great precipice. I feel my skin on fire. Though he is this great man, a most decorated general… he kneels before me. He needs a wife.

I did not envision a husband for myself. I imagined myself passing under the eyes of any man who came across me, covered in a gossamer veil of anonymity. I did not ask for love. I did not ask for a husband. In the corner of the room, I see my father staring intently.

I may not want to be married. But I will be. One man or another. Rome does not deal with unmarried women.

General Acacius turns, and sees my father. He turns back to me. His voice rumbling like a summer storm, “The burden will be light. Though I cannot force your hand.”

Burning embers stare from behind thick lashes. I slide my hand into his waiting palms, “I accept your offer Dominus. May our union be merry.”

His whole body slackens, closing his eyes for rest that finally seemed to come. He reached to the box, pulling out a golf arm band, engraved with laurels and a mighty horse. He presents it to me, “The symbol of my house. Wear it, and all will know you are the focus of my eyes.”

I nod, and I gasp at his touch caressing up my arm. As if I am made of glass he slides the arm band up, cool and firm. Though I stare at the band and its subtle richness, I feel his piercing gaze on my face. I whisper, “Thank you Dominus.”

He stands, gently beckoning me to stand, my hands in his. General Acacius presses my knuckles to his lips, the softness surprising me, “Thank you.”

My mother and father approach, my father joyous and self satisfied at his match. My mother embraced General Acacius like a new son, before turning to me. She kissed my cheek quickly whispering, “You will be blessed. The Gods see you.”

In a solemn recitation of contract, and the sharing of wine, I am promised to General Marcus Acacius, most honored General of Rome. There is no laughter. No giggling and peeking behind doors. There is no one to share it with.

Once the contract is settled, we see General Acacius out. In swift and powerful motion, he mounts his horse. His gaze passes over my father and right to me, “I will be back in three weeks to fetch you. My servants will be here in a weeks time to assist in preparation for the marriage banquet. They will have my purse, spend whatever you wish. I will see you soon my lady.”

Without another word, he takes off with the speed of the wind. My father grunts walking inside, calling for his servants to begin preparing for my wedding feast. I hear Alba speaking, but it is all rushing water over me. All I can hear is the pounding of his horse in the distance. All I can see is my husband riding home. My new home.

[contemplatingoutlander]

Given what recently happened with the billionaire owners of The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times preventing their editorial boards from endorsing Harris for president, it seems this excellent column by The Guardian's Rebecca Solnit is quite appropriate. Here are some excerpts:

The first thing to say about the hate and scorn currently directed at the mainstream US media is that they worked hard to earn it. They’ve done so by failing, repeatedly, determinedly, spectacularly to do their job, which is to maintain their independence, inform the electorate, and speak truth to power. While the left has long had reasons to dismiss centrist media, and the right has loathed it most when it did do its job well, the moderates who are furious at it now seem to be something new – and a host of former editors, media experts and independent journalists have been going after them hard this summer. Longtime journalist James Fallows declares that three institutions – the Republican party, the supreme court, and the mainstream political press – “have catastrophically failed to ‘meet the moment’ under pressure of [the] Trump era”. Centrist political reformer and columnist Norm Ornstein states that these news institutions “have had no reflection, no willingness to think through how irresponsible and reckless so much of our mainstream press and so many of our journalists have been and continue to be”. Most voters, he says, “have no clue what a second Trump term would actually be like. Instead, we get the same insipid focus on the horse race and the polls, while normalizing abnormal behavior and treating this like a typical presidential election, not one that is an existential threat to democracy.” Lamenting the state of the media recently on X, Jeff Jarvis, another former editor and newspaper columnist, said: “What ‘press’? The broken and vindictive Times? The newly Murdochian Post? Hedge-fund newspaper husks? Rudderless CNN or NPR? Murdoch’s fascist media?”

[See more excerpts under the cut.]

[...] They pursue the appearance of fairness and balance by treating the true and the false, the normal and the outrageous, as equally valid and by normalizing Republicans, especially Donald Trump, whose gibberish gets translated into English and whose past crimes and present-day lies and threats get glossed over. They neglect, again and again, important stories with real consequences. This is not entirely new – in a scathing analysis of 2016 election coverage, the Columbia Journalism Review noted that “in just six days, The New York Times ran as many cover stories about Hillary Clinton’s emails as they did about all policy issues combined in the 69 days leading up to the election” – but it’s gotten worse, and a lot of insiders have gotten sick of it. In July, ordinary people on social media decided to share information about the rightwing Project 2025 and did a superb job of raising public awareness about it, while the press obsessed about Joe Biden’s age and health. NBC did report on this grassroots education effort, but did so using the “both sides are equally valid” framework often deployed by mainstream media, saying the agenda is “championed by some creators as a guide to less government oversight and slammed by others as a road map to an authoritarian takeover of America”. There is no valid case it brings less government oversight. [...] Last winter, the New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, who has a Nobel prize in economics, told Greg Sargent on the latter’s Daily Blast podcast that when he writes positive pieces about the Biden economy, his editor asks “don’t you want to qualify” it; “aren’t people upset by X, Y and Z and shouldn’t you be acknowledging that?” [...] It’s hard to gloat over the decline of these dinosaurs of American media, when a free press and a well-informed electorate are both crucial to democracy. The alternatives to the major news outlets simply don’t reach enough readers and listeners, though the non-profit investigative outfit ProPublica and progressive magazines such as the New Republic and Mother Jones, are doing a lot of the best reporting and commentary. [...] A host of brilliant journalists young and old, have started independent newsletters, covering tech, the state of the media, politics, climate, reproductive rights and virtually everything else, but their reach is too modest to make them a replacement for the big newspapers and networks. The great exception might be historian Heather Cox Richardson, whose newsletter and Facebook followers give her a readership not much smaller than that of the Washington Post. The tremendous success of her sober, historically grounded (and footnoted!) news summaries and reflections bespeaks a hunger for real news.

[izzabela]

Could you please write about earthrealm reader gets talked into by a few of the other champions to go back to outworld and when she does, she finds Syzoth at the entrance and spends the day with him and before she leaves he asks her to stay with him bc he loves her and wants to be with her?

Inter-dimensional Love - Syzoth x fem!reader

in which Syzoth falls for you at first sight

a/n: something something syzoth would be such a devoted husband

ship[s]: syzoth x fem!reader

warning(s): none, post kanon

"No, I'm not going!" you squeal behind your dorm door. Kung Lao and Johnny are trying to push in, though, shoulders ramming into the door.

"Come on, dragonfly!" Johnny draws your name out. "You have to go! No one'll be here since it's everyone's shooting day for my moooovieeee!"

You groan, weighing your options for your weekend plans. Yes, it would be great to train alone, even better without your idiot friends around. But, you're alone- and to be fair, it would be pretty fun to see the creative process of Johnny and his movies.

"Move out of the way," you tell them from the door. You can hear them step away, and you take this time to grab a little crossbody bag to shove some essentials in.

Opening the door, your hands are on your hips. Johnny is full on grinning, and Kung Lao is immediately behind you to push you to the portal.

"Finally! I am no longer a victim to Johnny!" he cries happily, and you roll your eyes playfully as you're being led.

You (joyfully) endure bickering between Johnny and Kung Lao before finally meeting up with Raiden and Kenshi. Raiden waves while Kenshi gives a nod of acknowledgement.

"Good afternoon, are you joining us today?" Raiden asks, and you sigh as you shrug.

"I was drugged and dragged out against my will," you feign depression and mimic a helpless maiden. Kenshi chuckles.

"As much as I hate shooting, Outworld is a beautiful place," all of you walk through the portal. "Just remember that it's temporary, and that we are just guests."

You nod, and the image of the maple trees and greenery of the temple transforms into white ceramic stone, beautiful blue skies, and foreign greenery and shrubs not known to you. It was intoxicating, Outworld mimicking a strong liquor that one gets addicted to.

In front of you, a woman in yellow and silver stands proud, along with other similar-looking women. A woman in blue and silver is present as well, and a man dressed in all green with lizard-like tattoos stands to her side.

"Welcome back, Earthrealm champions and warriors," the woman in yellow announces. "Though, I do not recognize you. State your business."

You gulp, explaining carefully to make sure you say the whole truth. How you were chosen as a champion, but due to your inadequate skills, you were benched for more intense training. How you avoided filming because you did not take part in armageddon.

"Basically, dragonfly over here won't do nothing but buzz, buzz, buzz," Johnny finishes for you, and you smile awkwardly.

"Accepted. I am Tanya, leader of the Umgadi, the Empress and the Princess's personal guards. Outworld welcomes you with open arms," her smile is cordial, but it isn't unkind.

"I extend my welcome to you as well," the blue woman steps forward. "I am Princess Kitana, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army." You bow in response.

You turn to the man in green, who just stares at you intently, his pupils growing narrow and his iris's taking over.

"Will you not introduce yourself?" you ask carefully. Both women look at the man, and the green-clad man only moves when Kitana gently nudges his shoulder.

"Ah! Apologies.... I am Syzoth, Royal Emissary to the Imperial Crown and to the Zaterrans." You nod, though your eyes still linger over him.

As Tanya leads the way again to the palace, you take in the surroundings of Sun Do. Once reaching the opening from the portal entrance of the city, you guys hop in a carriage, taking the scenic route to soak in the city.

You and Syzoth are paired together with Raiden and Kitana. You're not really sure where the others are, and not like you care, when you whip your phone to take photos for your friends and family to see.

"What... is that?" Syzoth asks, his face practically over your shoulder as you turn your head to meet his gaze.

"I-it's a cellphone," you answer bashfully, cheeks warm at the proximity. "I have not been here before, so I would like to cherish it."

Kitana removes her mask, her face scrunched up a bit as she also asks you some questions.

"Are you not here for the movie shoot? With Johnny?" she asks, and you shake your head before answering.

"Kung Lao and Johnny wouldn't leave me alone when it came to me coming to see Outworld. I caved, so now I'm here." Raiden shakes his head in disappointment, and Kitana chuckles lightly at the anecdote. Seems she knows Kung Lao and Johnny well enough that something like that would happen.

"Princess, if I may," Syzoth speaks. "I would like to show her places not just in the palace." Kitana quirks a brow as she flicks her leg over her knee.

"You will have to ask Tanya about this," she states. "Why the interest, Syzoth? She is here for the shoot..." You interrupt them.

"I mean, not necessarily. I don't mean offense when I say this, but I may be bored just hearing Johnny yell 'cut!' over and over again." Kitana flashes a smile in amusement.

"It can be tiring... Very well. When we arrive to the palace, you may explore the city with Syzoth," Kitana rests her hands in her lap again. "Just do not be separated under any circumstance."

You both nod, and you can't wait for the carriage to stop at the palace steps.

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

Once at the palace's staircase to the doors, Kitana immediately informs Tanya of the change of plans. Surprisingly, she does not reject the idea.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact your fighting skills lack.

Regardless, Syzoth immediately takes your arm and drags you around the bustling capital. The area closest to the castle is where the wealthy live. Huge, white stone buildings tower over the clean streets, and many of the stores are similar to the boutiques you see at home.

"This is where people in the court, merchants, or wealthy business owners live," Syzoth explains as the people wave and smile at you and him.

"Normally, they are not this kind to outsides. But, since you are with me, it is... manageable," you frown a bit, but you still take this time to look around and take pictures.

"You are nice, though, Syzoth," you offer a kind rebuttal. "Johnny talks about how adorable you can be sometimes."

Syzoth can't help but feel warm in his cheeks too, and behind him his tail is out and wagging. You look behind as well, and you cover your smile to take in the image of a grown man's tail wagging.

As you two walk, you don't realize that the crowds have grown a bit bigger, and there are definitely more people around. You can smell different foods in the air, different spices and herbs on sale, not forgetting the pungent smell of meat as well.

Voices shout in the distance, you can hear babies crying and children laughing too. The sizzle of oil on a hot pan, and the faintest sounds of music creat a harmonious symphony of natural bustle.

"This is the heart of Sun Do," Syzoth announces. "I prefer to stay here more so than the upper side of the capital."

"Why?" you ask.

"It reminds me of Zaterra, Zikandur province up north."

You listen to Syzoth talk about his life as a Zaterran shifter, how he was bullied and practically exiled. How he lost his family and friends, then gained some, and how his people look to him as a hero.

"And you? What is your life in Earth and Earthrealm?" he asks. You laugh nervously as you try to talk about something else.

You speak about your life as a training champion, how you work at a coffee shop, and how your life is incredibly mundane when not training or on missions. You mention your family and friends, and you show him pictures of them too.

"Beautiful..." Syzoth breathes, but he isn't looking at the pictures- he's looking at you. You turn away, hands cupping your face as you try to hide the obvious flush on your cheeks. However, Syzoth is trying to find your face, leaning over closer and closer to you.

"F-Food! Let's get food!" you exclaim, taking his wrist as you drag him to the nearest stall and push him in front to order food for you. You watch as Syzoth carries your food on a stick, and he carries a bag of... black chips?

"What is that? Chips?" you reach in to take one, and Syzoth is oddly excited.

"I did not know human can stomach insects and bugs," Syzoth said excitedly as he grabs a handful of his "chips". The insect is in your hand, but you turn to him with wide eyes and tears forming as you mumble a "what" out.

Syzoth sets his food down to try and calm you down, causing a little scene as your tears fall gently and slowly. His hands are calloused and slightly rough, but it's somewhat soft as he coos you and flicks your tears away.

"I did not mean to scare you! Please eat your food, it will make you feel better," Syzoth tries to calm you down, and you laugh wetly as you take a little bite.

Once calm, Syzoth loops your arm in his as you two walk together as he points out different spots in the heart of Sun Do.

He points out the spot where he helped Johnny and the others in escaping the General and Reiko. He shows you his favorite stalls for fried bugs and all things insects.

He also points out where he stays when he is not on emissary duties, a little room that's part of a huge building of small rooms. Kind of like an apartment complex.

You don't even notice the time pass, your only indication being the that the sky was now a dark navy, silver stars illuminating your scenery up above.

And another thing, Tanya and Kitana find you guys sitting together on a bench in front of the once busy street.

"There you two are," Tanya huffs. "The shoot has finished, and we are ready to escort you all back."

You and Syzoth nod, though you notice that Syzoth frowns a little more than smiles.

"The carriage awaits us, let us be on our way," Kitana says, hand out waiting for your acceptance.

You walk back with Kitana and Tanya as Syzoth sinks a little behind you three. You tell the princess and the guard of your experience, and how you wish to see more in the future.

The conversation continues on the carriage, and Kitana asks questions about Earth. Honestly, they were quite silly: questions about magic users, if people live long, and other childish questions.

Once at the path to the portal, Syzoth gets out first and comes to your side, hand out as a help for you to get down. You smile, stepping down gently as your eyes linger on him for a bit.

As you and your friends approached the portal, you can't help but look back continuously at Syzoth. Something about him made you want to stay- not go home.

"You comin' or not, slowpoke?" Johnny asks as the others walk in the portal. The words are stuck in your throat, trying to find a way to explain to them your change of mind.

"I think... I think I'll stay here. Just for another day," you say as you turn to look at Syzoth.

Syzoth is beaming, and he pulls you close to him as you and him run off together towards the carriage. Before Kitana, Tanya, or Mileena could say anything, Liu Kang interrupts.

"Let them be," is all he says, accompanied by his kind, signature smile.

You'd be back home, just... not at this very moment.

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

i wish syzoth was real

anyways, see yall in the next fic!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

The first thing to say about the hate and scorn currently directed at the mainstream US media is that they worked hard to earn it. They’ve done so by failing, repeatedly, determinedly, spectacularly to do their job, which is to maintain their independence, inform the electorate, and speak truth to power. While the left has long had reasons to dismiss centrist media, and the right has loathed it most when it did do its job well, the moderates who are furious at it now seem to be something new – and a host of former editors, media experts and independent journalists have been going after them hard this summer.

Longtime journalist James Fallows declares that three institutions – the Republican party, the supreme court, and the mainstream political press – “have catastrophically failed to ‘meet the moment’ under pressure of [the] Trump era”. Centrist political reformer and columnist Norm Ornstein states that these news institutions “have had no reflection, no willingness to think through how irresponsible and reckless so much of our mainstream press and so many of our journalists have been and continue to be”.

Most voters, he says, “have no clue what a second Trump term would actually be like. Instead, we get the same insipid focus on the horse race and the polls, while normalizing abnormal behavior and treating this like a typical presidential election, not one that is an existential threat to democracy.”

Lamenting the state of the media recently on X, Jeff Jarvis, another former editor and newspaper columnist, said: “What ‘press’? The broken and vindictive Times? The newly Murdochian Post? Hedge-fund newspaper husks? Rudderless CNN or NPR? Murdoch’s fascist media?”

These critics are responding to how the behemoths of the industry seem intent on bending the facts to fit their frameworks and agendas. In pursuit of clickbait content centered on conflicts and personalities, they follow each other into informational stampedes and confirmation bubbles.

They pursue the appearance of fairness and balance by treating the true and the false, the normal and the outrageous, as equally valid and by normalizing Republicans, especially Donald Trump, whose gibberish gets translated into English and whose past crimes and present-day lies and threats get glossed over. They neglect, again and again, important stories with real consequences. This is not entirely new – in a scathing analysis of 2016 election coverage, the Columbia Journalism Review noted that “in just six days, The New York Times ran as many cover stories about Hillary Clinton’s emails as they did about all policy issues combined in the 69 days leading up to the election” – but it’s gotten worse, and a lot of insiders have gotten sick of it.

In July, ordinary people on social media decided to share information about the rightwing Project 2025 and did a superb job of raising public awareness about it, while the press obsessed about Joe Biden’s age and health. NBC did report on this grassroots education effort, but did so using the “both sides are equally valid” framework often deployed by mainstream media, saying the agenda is “championed by some creators as a guide to less government oversight and slammed by others as a road map to an authoritarian takeover of America”. There is no valid case it brings less government oversight.

In an even more outrageous case, the New York Times ran a story comparing the Democratic and Republican plans to increase the housing supply – which treated Trump’s plans for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants as just another housing-supply strategy that might work or might not. (That it would create massive human rights violations and likely lead to huge civil disturbances was one overlooked factor, though the fact that some of these immigrants are key to the building trades was mentioned.)

Other stories of pressing concern are either picked up and dropped or just neglected overall, as with Trump’s threats to dismantle a huge portion of the climate legislation that is both the Biden administration’s signal achievement and crucial for the fate of the planet. The Washington Post editorial board did offer this risibly feeble critique on 17 August: “It would no doubt be better for the climate if the US president acknowledged the reality of global warming – rather than calling it a scam, as Mr Trump has.”

While the press blamed Biden for failing to communicate his achievements, which is part of his job, it’s their whole job to do so. The Climate Jobs National Resource Center reports that the Inflation Reduction Act has created “a combined potential of over $2tn in investment, 1,091,966 megawatts of clean power, and approximately 3,947,670 jobs”, but few Americans have any sense of what the bill has achieved or even that the economy is by many measures strong.

Last winter, the New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, who has a Nobel prize in economics, told Greg Sargent on the latter’s Daily Blast podcast that when he writes positive pieces about the Biden economy, his editor asks “don’t you want to qualify” it; “aren’t people upset by X, Y and Z and shouldn’t you be acknowledging that?”

Meanwhile in an accusatory piece about Kamala Harris headlined When your opponent calls you ‘communist,’ maybe don’t propose price controls?, a Washington Post columnist declares in another case of bothsiderism: “Voters want to blame someone for high grocery bills, and the presidential candidates have apparently decided the choices are either the Biden administration or corporate greed. Harris has chosen the latter.” The evidence that corporations have jacked up prices and are reaping huge profits is easy to find, but facts don’t matter much in this kind of opining.

It’s hard to gloat over the decline of these dinosaurs of American media, when a free press and a well-informed electorate are both crucial to democracy. The alternatives to the major news outlets simply don’t reach enough readers and listeners, though the non-profit investigative outfit ProPublica and progressive magazines such as the New Republic and Mother Jones, are doing a lot of the best reporting and commentary.

Earlier this year, when Alabama senator Katie Britt gave her loopy rebuttal to Biden’s State of the Union address, it was an independent journalist, Jonathan Katz, who broke the story on TikTok that her claims about a victim of sex trafficking contained significant falsehoods. The big news outlets picked up the scoop from him, making me wonder what their staffs of hundreds were doing that night.

A host of brilliant journalists young and old, have started independent newsletters, covering tech, the state of the media, politics, climate, reproductive rights and virtually everything else, but their reach is too modest to make them a replacement for the big newspapers and networks. The great exception might be historian Heather Cox Richardson, whose newsletter and Facebook followers give her a readership not much smaller than that of the Washington Post. The tremendous success of her sober, historically grounded (and footnoted!) news summaries and reflections bespeaks a hunger for real news.

Rebecca Solnit is a Guardian US columnist. She is the author of Orwell’s Roses and co-editor with Thelma Young Lutunatabua of the climate anthology Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility

[khyann]

I wish s1 scosage was more popular

Even without accounting for the classic human x elf dynamic and the possible drama with the fact they are both allied to an enemy of the other, the parallels between them are just delicious

Both their stories involve some form of duality or "darker version of themselves", in Sausage's case is of course his whole deal with Bratwurst/Sausage Supreme and in Scott's case is Xornoth and the Stag Gods that took them as champions and who they feel is their duty to bring down after the horrible actions they comited. Also there's fact they both serve as champions to someone, Sausage being Xornoth's champion while Scott is Aeor's.

Then you have the fact they both have struggled with power and ambition that has turned them cruel against their allies and friends. Bratwurst killed all the emperors and constantly went against his friends and allies, while Scott was 1 of 2 emperors to obtain the Crown via murdering the previous holder and arguably his closest ally: Jimmy (and I will die on the hill that Scott was being influenced by the Xornoth crystal cuz his character just became so cold out of nowhere, and no that wasn't a pun).

Then when they mess up. They both are very hard on each other for their past actions. Scott self-exiles upon realizing he is bringing the winter and after accidentally freezing Gem, one of his closest friends, while Sausage becomes all but a servant to all the other emperors as a way to atone for the crimes he comited as Sausage Supreme.

They both made sacrifices in order to protect someone they loved but in doing so they lost themselves and because they tunnel visioned on saving one person they didn't realize how everyone else would still suffer. Sausage in his constant attempt to save Pearl, dooming how many worlds to experience the Rapture again, while Scott kills himself in order to stop Xornoth, but the damage was already done, the empires are in ruins, burned to the grown or in the process of doing so, his death won't bring back what is lost, Sausage's dimension hopping won't bring Pearl back. They've lost what they fought to keep.

The only difference is how they try to protect others when they make mistakes. Sausage will keep those he cares for close, be by their side so he can protect them, while Scott will push them away, so they don't have to suffer because of him.

[pyrodolls]

heyy how are you ? i’d like to request some fluffy headcannons with kitana pretty please( gn or fem reader) ! nobody really writes for the females soo is it something you can do ? thanks in advance :)

kitana x reader hcs

warnings: none! just spoilers for mk1’s story mode.

summary: just some sfw hcs off the top of my head for kitana x gender neutral reader (which takes place during the new timeline) and reader being down bad for kitana (and i guess this is pretty long, idk i just wanted to feed the kitana fans. get it? fans? LMAO)

a/n: i’m doing great thanks for asking anon!! also, i understand you, i am a havik fan and i don’t get much content for my boy. in case you want more, i’ll happily write more kitana content !! :)

- let’s say this takes place during the new timeline, and you are one of earthrealm’s champions. you stepped into sun do, not expecting any excitement, until you and kitana locked eyes for the first time.

- it was almost cheesy, how quickly you fell in love.

- even when raiden had to fight li mei and reiko, you weren’t even paying attention to the fight. you just couldn’t help but look at kitana the entire time. she just looked so regal and beautiful on her throne.

- you even noticed she snuck a few peeks at you too, and always gave a small smile and giggled when she caught you.

- during the banquet afterwards, you immediately sat beside her and attempted to talk to her.

- key word: attempted. kitana was just so gorgeous and you felt as if you weren’t even worthy of being around her. because of that, you stammered a bit when you spoke.

- she didn’t mind though. she found you adorable, and never interrupted when you were struggling to speak. she even asked you a couple questions about yourself, having an interest in your skills and your hometown in earthrealm.

- you even went to sleep that night thinking of her, hoping you wouldn’t act like an infatuated fool the next time you spoke.

- what you didn’t know was that kitana would replace mileena to fight raiden the next day. you admired her strength and enjoyed watching the fight, even though she lost.

- “you fought very well, princess. it was very admirable.” you told her.

- “oh? i didn’t know my skills would pique your interest.” kitana replied.

- “you just fought so well and you looked great doing it, i couldn’t even take my eyes off of you during the fight. i mean, not in a creepy way, i swear…” you rambled.

- kitana smiled in response, surprisingly not creeped out by you. instead, her feelings for you grew larger.

- “well, i thank you for the compliment. you don’t look too bad yourself.” she winked, and walked away. her words repeated in your head over and over for the rest of your day. maybe you weren’t being delusional and she *did* have some interest in you..

- you fought side by side against shang tsung the next few days, and you just couldn’t help but fawn over her every time she fought. over the days that went by, you became closer and more comfortable with each other, but your feelings never shrunk. even though you were fighting for your lives.

- “if you don’t tell kitana how you feel, i will.” mileena teased, as you were taking a walk outside the palace. after defeating shang tsung and sindel passing away, mileena had inherited the throne and found it slightly exhausting, so you offered to walk around the palace with her.

- “what? what do you mean by that? what feelings?” you nervously laughed.

- mileena scoffed. “i can clearly see something going on between you two. it’s almost annoying how neither of you have said anything. but knowing my sister, i can imagine she has a lot on her plate right now. you should be the one who confesses. if not, i’ll have to do it myself.”

- so you confessed that night, and kitana fully reciprocated your feelings.

now onto the actual relationship hcs:

- kitana is the supreme commander now, so anytime she has to leave, she gives you a hug and kiss in case she passes away in battle. you always fear losing her so you don’t really want her to fight, but you understand that she is capable and most likely won’t die in battle.

- every night you go to sleep holding each other, not wanting to let go. she knows someday one of you will draw your final breaths, so she wishes to enjoy every second she has with you.

- on the rare occasion she has a day off, she always wants to spend it with you and her sister. she doesn’t have a strong preference for what activity you all do, as long as she’s spending time with you.

- speaking of which, mileena completely supports your relationship. she makes sure to look out for you since she sees you as family now. anyone kitana likes, she approves. she even makes sure you two have some time alone every now and then.

- but unfortunately, you’ll occasionally walk around sun do and be ridiculed for being an earthrealmer. sometimes you hear whispers such as: “i can’t believe kitana’s consort is an earthrealmer!” “kitana couldn’t choose fellow royalty?”

- but anytime you express your discomfort with those words, she immediately shuts them down.

- “don’t listen to the whispers of people who don’t understand you. i have no issues with you not being royalty, i love you for who you are.” she comforted, engulfing you in a hug. she never wants you to think she doesn’t love you.

- but since you’re still an earthrealmer and you get homesick sometimes, you like to tell kitana stories about your hometown or the food and people you came across. she would always listen intently, usually with you resting your head on her lap and she would run her fingers through your hair.

- in fact, she’d listen to you ramble about anything. petty drama you had back at home? your favorite foods and books? she can listen to you talk about anything for hours. as long as she can enjoy your company, it doesn’t matter to her.

- kitana just.. really loves you. a lot. she cherishes every moment she has with you, comforts you anytime you’re sad, makes sure you’re taken care of while she is away, and accepts you for who you are. she couldn’t ask for anyone more amazing and understanding. of all timelines she exists in, she knows she wouldn’t trade her current one with you for anything.

[thesupreme316]

hi i never requested before but how would aew boys react to you being in wwe and winning money in the bank and cashing in if you can can you add Christian Cage and Kenny Omega💚

AEW Stars React to: You Winning Money In the Bank and Cashing It In

Pairings: Christian Cage x Reader, Kenny Omega x Reader, Hook x Reader, Daniel Garcia x Reader, Samoa Joe x Reader, Ricky Starks x Reader, Eddie Kingston x Reader

Word Count: 1.3K

Supreme Speaks: hi anon and thanks to requesting (welcome to the dark side). I hope everyone reading this enjoys it. Please remember that you are loved and appreciated.

Warnings: not proofread, GIFS AINT MINE, mentions of reader are gender neutral until specified

Taglist: @wwenhlimagines @hooks-martin @hookerforhook @triscillal @sheinthatfandom @eddie-kingstons-wifey @cassie0sstuff

Backstory:

You worked all year long and you proved yourself to be strong and powerful enough to compete in the Money In The Bank (men’s or women’s; whichever you prefer)

So this first 20-minutes of the match was spent with you bouncing off of ladders, using weapons to your advantage, diving off the top rope onto your opponents, and making memorable moments for the crowd

Finally, after damn near thirty minutes, you climbed the ladder for the final time and pulled down the briefcase to thunderous cheers. You smiled so hard that your mouth started to hurt as you went to the back to watch the rest of the PPV

BUT THEN

You noticed during a championship match (although it was already over), that the champion was injured. You grabbed your briefcase and a referee and ran to the ring as your theme song played (and the crowd gave the biggest pop in your career).

You cashed in the briefcase as the champion looked at you in disbelief and disgust. As soon as the bell rung, you performed your finishing move and got the victory (pinball or submission; I aint picky)

With tears of joy, you received your newly won championship. You celebrated with the crowd and your family/friends who were in attendance before going to the back where someone else made their happiness for you loud and clear…

Christian Cage

THIS MAN IS BEYOND HAPPY

What really popped him was the fact you used his chair move to your advantage

As someone who helped popularize the use of ladder matches, he was subconsciously dissecting your match

He did get scared a couple of times, but he still had faith in you

When you cashed it in, Christian damn near screamed his head off

Luchasuarus had to keep himself from laughing as Christian damn flew off the chair

Immediately called you and told you how proud he was; sent you flowers that arrived seconds after he said it

“How did-“

“I decided on a neutral message just in case of things…don’t read the other side”

I honestly think that he would reference you in promos to show how good his life is

Ricky Starks

THIS MAN CANNOT BE STOP PART 69 (wink wink)

He actually came with you backstage and sat with Cody and Brandi as he watched you own the night

He was the first person you hugged backstage, he made sure of it

Ricky was more concerned about your health than you winning the matches, so he’s just happy that you’re okay

Posts a pic dump of you getting ready, you winning, y’all hugging and shit

Can’t shut up about it while also taking credit for some moves

“That spear off the ladder was my idea…what do you mean Edge did it first?….I told you that yo-someone has an ego problemm”

After you have relaxed and rested for a couple of hours, it’s time that you guys actually celebrate

Or as Ricky likes to call it “Stroke Daddy Time”

Kenny Omega

This nice too bean will always be supportive of you

Posted not-so-subtle pictures of him in your merchandise

Was the first one to congratulate you publicly and privately

Kenny is the one to also dissect your match but just looking for inspiration for future matches

Although he couldn’t attend, he was on FaceTime as you received your title plates and photoshoot (hyping you up all the way)

“LOOK AT Y/N! YOU LOOK GREAT, YOUR TITLE LOOKS GREAT-Is that Austin Creed near you? Y/N run away”

I think after Kenny would have (unironically) the customizable pants with your face everywhere on it

I also think that Kenny would have ring gear that refers to your historical night

Calls you his lil bout machine (aww, aint y’all so cute…throws up)

Eddie Kingston

Okay listen man’s is so damn proud of you

Like Kenny, he couldn’t attend (also, despite your matches, he didn’t wanna be in attendance) but he made sure that you knew how happy he is for you

Posted a pic dump of your wins with a simple caption: “They did it mothafuckas”

Eddie will spam you with texts ranging from congratulations to lemme hold the title

I also think it would encourage Eddie to work harder in the ring so both of you can be on top of the world

If you’re a woman (or go by female pronouns), I guarantee you (motherfucking guarantee you) he will make a post or a shoot interview about how important women’s wrestling is

“Did you see what Y/N did? That was revolutionary! See what happens when you support women’s wrestling….douchebags”

He would proceed to tell everyone…including Claudio…how you’re now the only person he likes and tolerates

Hook

Baby boy is looking at you with stars and hearts in his eyes

He was just so astounded that you were able to achieve two things within one night

I have this idea that Hook sneaks backstage (aka no one really knows when or how he got backstage; or when he leaves/appears) basically he’s Batman

So like no one saw Hook come backstage but two and two together when they saw you hug

Whispers to you when you’re close enough how much he admires you

“To be honest, you’re the coolest person I’ve ever met. And tonight solidified it.”

Doesn’t post a dump but will instead post a simple behind-the-scenes pic on his story

Expect him to tell the Lads….and then prepare for the Lads to post about you

Samoa Joe

HEHEHE MY MAN

As a man who was in WWE, he understands how important this was to you and is happy that you survived

I bet he would get you a shirt that says “I survived my first money-in-the-bank match”

Joe def cackled when you did his whole “walk away” shtick when someone was trying to dive off the ladder

“I TAUGHT EM THAT! I DID THAT SHIT! It’s funnier when I do it tho.”

I think Joe would also give you a heart-to-heart about the business and how much this will impact your career

Is excited to see how your character will evolve from here

Def gives you ideas to turn heel and become a menace in the division

Daniel Garcia

SOMEONE WOULD NEED TO TASE THIS MAN-

He would not be able to shut up; you would need to duct tape his mouth shut and then take his voice box

Spam tweets and deletes the ones where people would raise eyebrows at him

Pretends to be a crazed fanboy like how he is for Blackpink (or Twice)

“OMG Y/N! KICK ME DOWN THE STAIRS! SPEAR ME-“

For your celebration, I can see Daniel taking you to a nightclub with Isiah (you will be appearing on the vlog, you have no choice)

And then another club….and then a bar…yeah bruh you getting blackout drunk (or at least hyped if you don’t drink)

Is genuinely happy for you (a lil jealous) and excited to see where you go from here

Also, he quietly asks for you to make an appearance in AEW

[storiesoflilies]

Of Angels and Curses

Synopsis - In a world where Angels and Curses are locked in a never ending war, an unsuspecting seraph becomes entangled with the very thing she is fated to eradicate.

Pairings: Curse!Toji Fushiguro x f!Angel!Reader. Curse!Ryomen Sukuna x Reader. Angel!Satoru Gojo x Reader.

Warnings: General descriptions of violence and injuries, eventual smut.

A/N: Please enjoy this series! It’s the first thing I’ve written in many many years. Ko-Fi.

Next part — Chapter 1

-•-

Prologue

Angels and Curses are two sides of the same coin, flipped a thousand years ago.

Who is to come out on top when the coin finally falls? Perhaps it has already been decided, and the universe only makes it seem as if there’s a chance for things to change. But, in the end, it just doesn’t matter, as fate cruelly hands out its judgement regardless.

The coin continues to fall, each side turning over and over again.

On one side is Gojo Satoru, the strongest that would ever be of the seraphim, their champion Angel. Born to pull the threads of fate to their side, his very existence forces the coin faster to the ground. He is known as The Six Eyes, though his wings are dotted with hundreds of piercing blue eyes that are all-seeing. He knows of everything deep within every living divine soul.

On the opposite side is Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses. His fall from the Heavens had ripped apart the fabric of reality and revealed the imperfections of the divine Angels — who are not so holy after all. Sukuna embraced all the fire and chaos of his Curse, constructing the nine layers of Hell for his followers to reside and unleash their siege of darkness on the world. He alone reigns supreme in his Malevolent Shrine in the deepest first layer, sitting upon his throne amidst a sea of seraphim blood.

Who wins the toss of life?

There can only be one outcome.

To end in fire or light.

-•-

[supreme-xc]

L’un de mes meilleurs blouson Supreme x Champion

[linkemon]

Love on the low (Kaminari Denki x Reader) [Pokemon AU]

Friendly reminder that English is not my first language. You can check my Masterlists both in English and Polish here. Consider supporting me on Ko-fi. You can also check out my commissions if you’re interested.

Other oneshots can be found here.

ᴋᴀᴍɪɴᴀʀɪ ᴅᴇɴᴋɪ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ]'ꜱ ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀʟᴀʀ ʀᴇɢɪᴏɴ. ᴛʜᴇ ɢɪʀʟ, ᴀʟᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ʀᴇʟᴜᴄᴛᴀɴᴛ, ᴍᴜꜱᴛ ɢᴏ ᴏɴ ᴀ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ ᴀᴄᴄᴏʀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴀ ʙᴇᴛ. ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ɪᴛ?

[Reader] pursed her lips in anger. For the first time in a long time, she felt frustrated. She never thought today's match would end like this. She gave it her all. It seemed to her that she already had her opponent in her grasp. Meanwhile, her Inteleon was barely holding on to its long, thin legs. Its dorsal fin drooped. The Pokemon looked at her sadly. She knew she couldn't torment it any longer. His poor condition excluded him from further battle. He had held on for a long time just for her. He had been her friend since childhood. They had won championships together. Their hard training led her to the title of Galar Champion. People called her undefeated. She had reigned supreme for several seasons, never giving up victory to anyone.

And now this ordinary, average guy from Musutafu had destroyed everything. He had come and conquered gyms one by one. He stood before her with a wide smile. She couldn't stand him. Denki Kaminari might have looked good. He had golden hair that flowed gently in the wind and designer black clothes with a lightning bolt motif. Perfect for a coach who loved electric types but that didn't change the fact that his personality irritated the girl to no end. Unlike her, he enjoyed the atmosphere of this final. He didn't care about the crowd around them. He eagerly accepted every journalist in line. He was fiercely signing autographs. The bright lights of the stadium didn't blind him. He seemed to bask in them and shine. He loved the attention. It irritated her. If she could, she would want to play matches on regular grass. Without anyone's eyes judging her every step.

The teenager reluctantly reached into her pocket. She pulled the pokeball out in front of her. A bright light flashed for a moment. A moment later, Inteleon rested safely in the red and white ball. At the same moment, whistles and shouts echoed through the stadium. This time, not in her honour. They were cheering for the new champion and his Pikachu. The announcer announced the result of the battle. His words did not fully reach her but it did not matter. She knew what he would say. She quickly moved towards the goal. She did not want to look disappointed fans in the eye right now. Or answer the media's prying questions.

After she had handed her friend over to the nurses, she had hoped to get out of there as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it took a while. She listened patiently to the happy chatter of the women in pink dresses and aprons. She had taken the Pokémon as soon as they were done.  

She hadn't expected to see her rival in the lobby at all. She had been certain that he would be left to give interviews and bask in the attention he deserved. After all, he had won. And yet the boy was eagerly looking around for something... or someone. His head was darting left and right. He only stopped occasionally when someone passed by to congratulate him. Then little Pikachu would help him. The heroine of the day did exactly what her owner did.  

[Reader] adjusted Inteleon, curled up in her arms. He was definitely too old for this kind of fun but this one time she made an exception. She didn't want him to be in an even worse mood. He was as concerned about everything as she was. Maybe even more.  

She hoped to slip past Denki somewhere. She discreetly took a few steps. She turned her head, hoping that she would somehow manage it. Unfortunately, from behind her back she heard a cheerful voice:  

— There you are! I was hoping you hadn't left yet. You're very fast — the boy added. He was grinning from ear to ear the whole time.  

She would have given anything to wipe that expression off his face. It suited him. Happy, glowing. But for her it was too bright. It seemed to shine directly at her, a painful reminder of her defeat.  

Was he waiting for me? Strange — she thought. It seemed to her that he would hurry to enjoy his reward.  

— Are you a Lanturn? Because you are glowing!  

She grimaced. His list of pick-up lines was long. Each one more hopeless than the next. She had heard many of them. She knew he had served them to many women. The reaction of most was one of distaste. That would probably change now. Encouraged by the prospect of fame and popularity, they would surely flock to him.  

— What's the matter? — she asked, resigned.  

— I wanted to congratulate you — Kaminari extended his hand.  

— There's nothing to congratulate for — [Reader] said dryly, clutching his hand.

She wasn't happy with her performance. If she had worked harder, she would have won. She should have slept less and practiced more.  

— What are you saying! — Denki yelled in outrage. — You were as striking as Raichu!

He seemed extremely pleased with himself. She didn't know what to say, so she ignored his remark.  

— Is that all? — the girl asked, glancing towards the exit.  

— I was thinking we should set a date…— The teenager rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.  

[Reader] congratulated herself. It was idiotic of her to agree to this whole bet. She had lost and now she would have to have a meeting with him that she had no desire to attend.  

— Let's do it now — she sighed.  

She pulled him by the hand toward the cafe. She wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.  

— You're fast as…

She didn't let him finish. She pressed a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet. Unfortunately, it only worked for a moment. Better than nothing.  

She walked towards the counter. The room wasn't large. The glass windows showed the view in front of the arena. People were slowly leaving the building, heading to the streets of the city. Some were still waiting. Probably hoping to meet their new idol.

Some of the customers noticed who had come through the door. Kaminari gently waved them back. He didn't sign a single autograph. [Reader] gave him a questioning look.  

— I want to enjoy your company. You know... without distractions...— Red rose to his cheeks.  

The trainer turned her head. She didn't want to admit it to herself but it felt nice. He had given up what he loved to focus on her.  

She looked around. The pastel walls were decorated with photographs of previous winners. The light floor reflected the light. There were fresh flowers, napkins on the tables and small chairs. Quite cozy. Denki was deep in conversation with a girl behind the counter. His friend wore an apron as pink as her hair. She introduced herself as Ashido Mina. She looked from her to him with interest, scooping ice cream with a round spoon.  

— I can't believe that idiot managed to get a girl like that! — she said, handing over the cups.  

— We’re not…— [Reader] tried to correct that but quickly gave up. The energetic waitress had already moved on to a new topic, forgetting about her remark.  

Her companion's ice cream was yellow. That didn't surprise her. Orange, peach and mango. The perfect colours for him.  

They sat down at a small table against the wall. The former champion was poking around in her dessert with her spoon. She wasn't in the mood to talk. So she let Kaminari do all the work. He had enough energy to make up for her lack of enthusiasm. She felt a little embarrassed. She should have tried harder. In the end, she willingly agreed to the bet. In the meantime, she took the path of least resistance.  

At one point she felt something grab her leg. She squealed quietly, torn from her thoughts. She looked under the table and Denki looked with her.  

Pikachu wrapped around her calf. The yellow creature wore a funny black skirt. It was probably meant to be a set of clothes with her trainer. She didn't have one in the arena.  

The girl shook her leg slightly but the creature didn't let go. She snuggled up tightly, staring at her with round eyes.  

— Ummm… could you take her? — [Reader] asked, looking at the owner.  

— I can try but I don't know if I can do it — he said. — Listen... If you don't want to stay here, I won't make you. Pikachu hugs people she thinks are sad... Maybe I'm silly but I can tell when someone isn't having a good time around me. She'll probably leave you alone when you get out of here.

It was the first time in a long time that she had seen him become serious. It wasn't something she saw often. She had seen him a few times before the finale. But every time he had been goofy, flirty or both.  

Now he was sad. And that lack of upturned corners of his mouth somehow made her want to see them go up again.  

— You're right. — She put down her spoon. — I don't want to be here. — The light in his eyes seemed to dim at those words. But she decided to straighten things out. He deserved it. — It's about my loss. I guess I can't quite accept it. I feel like I've let everyone down. Starting tomorrow, everything will be different. It scares me. — Inteleon wrapped himself tighter around her neck. He could always tell when she was nervous.  

She was surprised at how much she had opened up to Kaminari. They hadn't known each other well or for long. His personality was completely different from hers. And yet, there was something about him that made her feel comfortable enough to share her concerns.  

Soon she would have to change her apartment. There was no point in renting a place so close to the stadium. She would no longer have to respond to challenges. No more being on the phone all the time, no more interviews, photos, autographs and meetings. Now everyone would ask questions. Will she come back next season? Does she regret it? What did she think of the championship? She didn't feel like making all these changes. Or the extra attention. She also had to decide whether she wanted to keep training. She could go back to work or start doing something completely new.  

Denki narrowed his eyes, glancing toward the hall.  

— Come with me. — He held out his hand to her.  

Hesitantly, she let him lead her. She didn't know what he was planning but he seemed confident.  

A small boy was sitting on one of the benches. He could have been only a few years old. His face was decorated with charming freckles. His green hair made him visible from a distance. He was furiously writing something in a notebook.  

— Hi, Izuku! — The Champion waved at him.  

The boy peeked out from behind the cover and widened his eyes. He must have been surprised. When he realized who was standing before him, his smile widened to its limits. [Reader] concluded that he must have been a Kaminari fan.  

— [Reader], this is Midoriya Izuku. Izuku, it's…  

— Oh my! Oh my! [Reader]! — he squeaked thinly. He stared at her with such adoration that she almost looked away.  

This surprised her. But she still wasn't sure why she had been brought here in the first place.  

Pikachu continued to stubbornly cling to her leg. Every now and then she would sigh quietly, "Pika, pika". Then she would go back to boring her cute little head into her body.  

— I'm your b-biggest fan... Oh, here... Here's your autograph. — He proudly showed a page from his notebook. — You played a su-super match today! And... I'm training with my Eevee too! I plan on defeating my friend someday. Katsuki wants to be a fire trainer, so I've been studying your water Pokémon techniques...

The flow of words continued. The former champion glanced away. Denki smiled gently.  

— You're not... you know, disappointed? I lost my title today. — She absently petted her blue friend.  

— Oh come on! — the boy protested. — You gave it your all. Everyone saw it. The people in the stands said you were great. And I think so too! — he added.  

[Reader] felt a smile spread across her face for the first time that day. A tiny smile but a smile nonetheless.  

The little clingy one slowly detached itself from her. It gave her a long look. As if assessing whether she was feeling better enough or if she should come back.  

— Pikaaa! — She wagged her tail, running to her trainer.  

— We'll be heading out — Kaminari announced. — See you at the next competition, kid. — He ruffled his hair.  

They headed towards the stadium exit.  

— Izuku! There you are! Do you know how worried I was about you? — A female voice reached the pair's ears.  

His mother looked just like him. With relief written all over her face, she hugged her son, scolding him fiercely.  

— Mom, you won't believe me...  

— I guess this is where we part ways, girl as beautiful as Galarian Ponyta — Denki announced.  

Another weak flirtation. She wanted to laugh to herself. It didn't seem as annoying as it had before. Even if she didn't resemble the pastel-candy horse at all.  

They were standing in the street in front of the stadium. The crowd had long since disappeared.  

The girl looked at the champion. He wasn't as bad as she thought. She realized that it was the bitterness of defeat that spoke through her. He was trying to make her feel better and he was able to stop clowning around when necessary. Besides, out of all the things he could have bet on, he chose a date. He must have really cared.  

— I guess so — she agreed.  

She turned around. She took a few steps. Suddenly she felt a pain in her ear. It was Inteleon who was stubbornly pulling on it. He even went so far as to get down on her shoulder and poke her cheek impatiently.  

She knew what he meant. His tail was pointing in the direction she had just come from.  

She sighed quietly. He was right.  

— Denki! — She ran back toward him.  

— You miss me already... 

She didn't let him finish. A kiss on the cheek effectively stopped his sentence. He blushed and looked away.  

— Thanks for today. For helping me and all. If you ever want to go out on a real date with me again... that would be great — she finished awkwardly.  

— Of course I will! — he replied enthusiastically.  

— Well then... see you then.  

Kaminari watched her leave. He unconsciously stroked the spot where her lips had been a moment ago.  

— You can't be so cute — he mumbled — or I'll fall in love with you.

[green-planets]

StEx Appreciation Month Day 15: Red Caboose!

🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌

Face Claim: Ramon Visser (the prettiest caboose fr)

Favourite Song/Scenes: Broadway Wide Smile!!!! Todd Lester put his whole cabussy into that performance!!! Elaborate handshakes with Electra, terrorizing Rusty (shout-out to Michael Eborall's absolutely deranged screaming and laughing), and there are a lot of really good Caboose laugh audios out there but Kapa Kitchen has some of my favorites

Favourite Costumes: His costume is sooooo so so good! There's little variation over the years but I prefer it when the actors can use their natural hair (some of those hair pieces are crusty af). Joburg caboose also has a really cute costume!

Favourite Ships/Friendships: Red Caboose x Greaseball x Electra. Dinah is his best friend, he can and will fight CB over that title! He is genuinely friends with the freight crew as well!! (even though he totally crashed them into that wall on purpose during Freight)

Headcanons: I call him Red because CB is the original trucker caboose to me :) He originally agreed to help Greaseball because Dinah's title as a champion was also at stake if GB ever lost (and because he has fun causing wrecks). He crashed Greaseball on purpose during the final to get back at him for how poorly he was treating Dinah. Electra was just collateral damage

Unpopular Opinion: I don't subscribe to the Murderboose headcanons (though I have joked about it before). Is he freaky and unsettling? Yes. Sadistic? Absolutely. But a killer? Nah.

🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌

Bonus Round part one: CB!

Face Claim: Michael Staniforth

Favourite Song/Scenes: There's Me, his Freight verse (the way he says "Hello!" lives rent free in my brain), CB, ORARTM (I love the way his voice squeaks on the last "Whaddaya say?!")

Favourite Costumes: There's only been the one, but he needs the moustache imo

Favourite Ships/Friendships: CB x Elton (Workshop Electra). Dinah is his best friend!  He's also friends with the freight crew!

Headcanons: His radio beeps always have hidden messages in Morse code. He uses them to communicate with Greaseball and the other Cabeese during races

Unpopular Opinion: The original CB is overall the most well-rounded version of the caboose character!

🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌

Bonus Round part two: Brake Van!

Face Claim: Tom Nihil

Favourite Song/Scenes: Anytime he's acting shifty, rubbing his hands together, etc! I love this little weasel! He's also fun to watch during Pumping Iron

Favourite Costumes: Once again, there's only been one but the two-toned gloves reign supreme!

Favourite Ships/Friendships: Brake Van x Elektra, Brake Van x Carrie. He's the only caboose that's not super close with Dinah. He is friends with Carrie and Brandi. Overall he prefers hanging out with the coaches or Elektra and the components over the freight crew (Krupp and Killerwatt do NOT trust him)

Headcanons: Unlike Red and CB, he has a lot of respect for Slick and her method of crashing trains (and the fact that she has lackeys to do her dirty work). He would definitely consider going into business with her

Unpopular Opinion: He's a fun spin on caboose and having some kind of motivation (even if it's just money) improves the character

🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌🛑❌

[rubberizer92]

🔥✨ Gentlemen, welcome to the Grand Final of OBEY Season 15! 🏆 The stage is set, and our phenomenal contestants have undergone the transformative Rubber Raindrop Reincarnation challenge, washing away their past lives. Now, they're ready to slip into the potentially winning Golden Gods look that will redefine history in our rubberized society! 🌧️👑

The power is in YOUR hands! Your interactions on Instagram, Tumblr, and X will decide who will emerge as the 15th champion of OBEY, representing and promoting our groundbreaking rubberized society like never before. 🌐✊

Now, let's focus on the magnetic contender from Saudi Arabia, the one and only Abdullah! 🇸🇦💫 Abdullah's journey has been nothing short of captivating, and tonight, he's set to unleash a performance that will leave you breathless. His Golden Gods look is a testament to his strength, charisma, and the power to command the stage. 🔱💥

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[izzabela]

I have a request, can you write a different scenario for the Lin Kuei trio x female reader where each of the brothers goes on a mission and part of their mission is to get close to another female person/outworlder to gain information and the reader stumbles upon it mistaking it as cheating and runs off heartbroken and each of the brothers tries to find the reader to explain to them what really happened?

That was a mouth full, sorry 😅

It's Not What You Think! - Lin Kuei Siblings x fem!reader (scenario fic)

in which you stumble upon each brother in a... sleazy scene, and you're left at a loss for words

a/n: OH THIS WILL BE FUN, i adore funny plots, so this is no different than my other fic

ship[s]: bi han, kuai liang, tomas x fem!reader (scenario fic), jenshi mention

warning(s): suggestive ending(s)? no "y/n" bullshiyet, anti-betrayal, post-story mode, johnshi mention

Bi Han

Bi Han was furious, to say the least.

Though it had been almost two years since the events of the timeline's intersection, both Shang Tsung and Quan Chi were still at large. They both fled to different areas all across the realms, and at one point, Shang Tsung had appeared in Earthrealm for a bit to try and thieve Sento from one of the champions that defended Earthrealm.

Liu Kang, distressed with this revelation, left for Outworld to speak with Empress Mileena personally, pleading with her to have one of his own people find Shang Tsung in a secret mission. Of course, Mileena agreed (with the promise it wasn't another secret espionage), and the Fire God immediately called upon Bi Han for this task.

While he was known to take a decent amount of time on missions, it was for the sake of meticulousness and being thorough. His tactical brilliance allowed his missions to end more cleanly, making sure no loose ends were out to bite him in the neck later, so Liu Kang knew he would be ready for anything.

Fuck. That.

His wealth of knowledge in stealth, skills in death, and the art of killing were minuscule against the situation he found himself in. Shang Tsung's trail led to the red light district of Sun Do, and he was in the middle of the grimy, sleazy streets where the lowest of both men and women worked for keeps. It sickened him that he would need to get intertwined with such people in order to learn more about the villain who had burdened him with more stress, but he had no choice.

He knew you would understand, as you saw how fierce he was for you and your safety. After all, you two had been dating for one whole year, your bond was too strong to be broken. He did his best to make you happy, keep you happy, and by his side- this would be no different. He let out an annoyed gruff, adjusting himself to make sure his arms were out, and his already low-cut attire was able to show more. He loosened his bun and walked into this newfound battlefield, hoping his ice would quell the horrendous fire of disgust that burned in him.

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

Although you were a mortal, you had many connections to the semi-immortal people of Edenia, many of them being royalty or figures related. Some names include: First Constable Li Mei, Supreme Commander Kitana, and the Matron Superior Tanya.

You remembered the first time you met them, all of them stumbling out the portal and onto the gravel of Wu Shi Academy. Unable to move them, you advised all the available healers and medics to set up camp right where they fell. Your talent in hydromancy was one thing, but your healing capabilities were another level of amazing. You were healing more people than most of the monks, and that gave you time to build rapport with these new faces.

That was two years ago, and now here you four were, in the busy streets of Sun Do, eating at a restaurant while talking about your lives.

Unbeknownst to Bi Han, you were drinking and enjoying the cheery atmosphere of the city, all four of you clearly having a blast to be away from the crushing responsibilities of life. However, your joy was short-lived when, past some restaurant-goers heads, you saw a familiar head of black hair, although his bun was loosely tied up and more of his hair fell over his face.

"Bi... Han?" You called out, abruptly standing up and following the familiar figure.

The man you have been dating for a year was in Sun Do, but not for leisure. You knew him a man rare with days off, so this was unexpected.

Li Mei and Tanya's head snap up, their vigilant eyes scanning the area, but you saw where he was headed. You decided to follow your instincts, and left the women clamoring your name as you pushed and shoved your way to where you saw him.

"Wait!" Kitana exclaimed, "Do not be so hasty, you do not have the means to defend yourself!"

Their worries and cries were drowned by the adrenaline building in your veins, and you turned the corner to quietly follow your dearest lover. Yes, you were a healer, but you were trained by Liu Kang as well, so you had some means to fight back. For this case, you decided to ensue a defensive position, watching him quietly.

You hid behind lazily stacked boxes, barrels, and the crowd that filled the street. Finally, the street cleared up, and you saw the most horrifying scene yet.

An escort in skimpy clothing, and her breasts practically about to fall out, was all over your lover. She lazily dragged her fingers across his chest and down close to his crotch, but it draws back to his black-silver mask. His eyes are hardened while she teases him amusingly.

"Everything comes at a price, cryomancer~" she draws out the "r" seductively, "If you so badly need it, monetary gains must be met."

Your breath hitched, and burning tears welled your eyes as anger began to affect your mastery of water. Your eyes began to burn, and blinking didn't help. You wipe them and rise from your hiding spot, but make a loud scene to reveal yourself. Both Bi Han and the escort lock eyes with you, and your tears began to leave your eyes. If Bi Han squinted hard enough, he could see vapors rise from where your tear stains were, your anger acting as a stove and reacting with your tears.

"Oh, how curious..." she drew out, "A lover, perhaps?" Her head rested on his chest and nuzzled into it.

Your heart shattered when Bi Han threw his arm over her shoulders, his other hand under her chin and turning her head away from you.

"A woman like her could not match my own status," and she smiles evilly at the response, taking his arm and leading him into one of the businesses that the escort worked.

Your cries echoed in the street, and you felt the warm arms of your friends pick you up from the dirty road. Your head immediately burrowed into the nearest shoulder, that being Tanya, who takes you into her arms and hugs you tightly. Li Mei glances at the opening in the wall, the "door" being a cheap beads and fabrics. She wanted to go after the Earthrealmer, but she'd have to leave a bookmark in this case.

"I don't want to be here anymore... but I do not wish to go home," you whisper hoarsely.

The women look amongst themselves and decide to take you to the palace, where Kitana explained to her sister and she graciously let you stay for as long as you need. While Li Mei could not enter further, Kitana took over completely as Tanya went to be by Mileena's side. You cry into your friend's lap, "why" and "how could he" leaving your lips angrily as you feel your grip on your magic grown unstable.

"My friend..." Kitana begins softly, "I do not know why Bi Han would do such a thing... but you must know that you are stronger than you let on. You defend your friends ardently and with loyalty, which is a rare type of strength unseen in many millennia, and I know you will grow stronger than this."

You continue to sob in her lap, and Kitana makes eye contact with her sister and Tanya, who stood outside of the room. They wanted to enter, but Kitana shakes her head and gently shoos them away. Tanya sighs, closing the door gently and leans on her lover's shoulder.

"It pains me to see her in such a state," she expressed, her hands locking with Mileena's.

Mileena was hurt seeing you in agony, but it hurt her more not being able to tell you the truth. She decides not to speak, your cries and sobs doing the talking for all four of you as the night let on.

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

Bi Han beat the shit out of the escort as soon as he got the necessary information out of her. Along with her, he made sure to leave every one of these disgusting lowlifes in the wake of the Sun Do police force, so they could arrest every single one of them for prostitution and harboring dangerous illegals.

He escaped to the roofs, watching the Constables bust through the opening and taking every person in the building into police custody.

"Round them up!" Bi Han heard Li Mei's command, "No one is above imperial law."

With this, Bi Han bolts to the portal at the center of the city, practically crashing through it to get back home. He missed you dearly, wanted to explain everything, and hold you in his arms again. He wanted to apologize, rub your back as you sobbed, and kiss your lips to wipe the dirt that covered his.

Landing like a uncoordinated goose, he's flat on his back and meets the eyes of his brothers and Liu Kang. The Fire God extends a hand to him, lifting him up back to his feet.

"An... interesting entrance from our most skilled Grandmaster," he noted, "But no less welcome, my friend. I assume you found something."

He doesn't bother answering to him, though, and he simply grabs Liu Kang's collar. Kuai Liang is quick to grab his arms and hold him back, while Tomas guards Liu Kang's front.

"Did you mean to tell me she was there as well?!" he practically screams, "She was in front of me, almost compromising me!"

Tomas seems to realize what his brother was talking about, quickly filling him in on information he clearly missed, "Did she not tell you she would be in Outworld that night? She wrote about it in her letter to us!"

Bi Han digs into his memory and remembers the paper that lay on his desk. The stress that ate him alive made him forget about this date you set aside, and the words you had used to describe how excited you were to see your friends again.

"Fuck..." he cursed softly.

Kuai Liang let go of his brother before he demands Liu Kang to open the portal again. He sighs, smiling softly as he waved his hands to open a fiery gate.

"Explain to me your findings when you come back with her," he says, mentioning your name, "It has been a while since I have seen her as well."

He nods and rushes through the portal, meeting the blue sky of Edenia and the entire Umgadi force surrounding him. He looks across the steps and sees you and Tanya hugging, talking about something before you let go from the embrace.

He called your name and your head snapped to his voice. Your eyes are wide and tears are threatening to fall, but you look away and turn completely away from him. Tanya takes this into consideration and glares at Bi Han, ordering the priestesses into a protective and offensive rotation.

"Recall them, Matron Superior," Bi Han demanded, "I would like to speak with her myself."

"That is for her to decide," she hisses, "She is a friend to the crown, and any threat seen against such will be treated as so."

The priestesses are ready to attack, but you slip away from Tanya and walk to Bi Han yourself. Bi Han and the other priestesses are still, and you close the distance between your lover with eyes downcast. He removes his mask and wants to hug you, but you hold your hand up to stop him.

"Tell me..." you begin slowly, your teary eyes meeting his worried ones, "What were you doing that night? With a woman like her... saying those, awful things to me..."

Bi Han doesn't know what to do with his hands, wanting so badly to take you into his chest and tell you what he said meant nothing, it was to keep his front up, to save you and Earthrealm. But he puts his hands to his side and begins to speak.

"Liu Kang had me follow a trail, one that led to Shang Tsung. That snake was out of my grasp, shifting shape and getting away. However, I got some information on him thanks to that... whore."

You take note on how disgusted he looked, his head turning away from you as his face morphed into something indiscernible. He looked lost, disgusted, and most of all, defeated. You frown at him and take his hands in yours, and he uses this to hold you in his tight embrace.

"I did not mean a single thing that night," he said, feeling your chin wobble on his shoulder, "You were the only thing on my mind, and you still are. You consume my very being, everything I do is for the sole purpose of your happiness- nothing more or less."

You nod slowly, your hand placed on his cheek as you rubbed your thumb softly.

"Your word is my code- and just one thing uttered from your lips will silence me forever," his eyes shone with unshed tears, trying to keep up appearances in front of Tanya.

You just hug him, quietly crying in his arms as he hugged you back, his grip tightening on your waist. The weight he had on his chest finally left, and your presence was like a cleansing waterfall that washed away his sins.

You hear Tanya recall the formation, telling them to return to their posts. You didn't care what was happening though, as long as Bi Han's arms stayed around you as your tears fell.

=====================

Kuai Liang

Kuai Liang sat in a booth seat along with Johnny and Kenshi, in "casual" conversation as they scanned the area for anything out of the ordinary in this tightly packed club. Music blasting, alcohol flooding his nose, and the feeling of sweaty bodies on him made him seethe with anger and disgust.

The three Earthrealm defenders were in a club in Los Angeles, your native town, and the last known location of both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. Ever since the timeline convergence, all the realms have been busy trying to clean up the miscreants mess; for some reason, it let them to this huge club on the West Coast of the United States.

Liu Kang debriefed the men, saying that one of the Sisters of Shadow were in Earthrealm, in bars all over California to take the naive souls of men and women alike to fuel the black magic that Quan Chi practiced. In order to get close to them, and perhaps find the sorcerers once and for all, Liu Kang sent the three of them on this mission.

It pained him to be in your hometown without your knowledge, and it hurt him even more that he had to get close with another woman for the sake of Earthrealm. But that was the main reason he was here, to protect your future with him and the future of Earthrealm- in order to ensure that you two would have a home to come back to in the end. In order to carry out this mission flawlessly, he did not tell you, and that killed him inside.

You two had met just a year prior, you being plucked out of fighting in illegal fight clubs to serve Liu Kang as a future Champion. You accepted rather easily, thinking this was all a dream, but as you trained with them, you realized it was anything but.

Kuai Liang was drawn to your fighter spirit and spark for protection, not to mention your flawless beauty and grace as you fought. He saw you as an equal, and you were touched on how he didn't look at you like a failure. Of course, due to your history of betrayal and mistrust, you didn't place your love or faith in him quickly. However, with every kind word, gesture, and gift he offered you, every look of concern and worry, and his attention to you, your walls melted against his fiery love and you gave yourself to him.

How he hated to break your trust after such a life of turmoil, but he hoped you would understand. You knew of his loyalties, his fierce protection and eager to serve Earthrealm. He prayed to the elder gods every night the mission's length increased, hoping you'd understand. Tonight, it was put to the test.

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

You sat at the bar alone, your friends having gone to the dance floor with a group of guys clearly fiending for one-night release. You sighed and swirled your drink in the cup, a mini vortex forming.

One minute, you were playing for keeps in illegal cage fights, the money barely enough for your shitty apartment in the bad side of L.A., now you were an elite fighter and Champion-to-be for a Fire God.

Crazy right?

Even crazier you found love in your master's great friend, Kuai Liang. You were already off-put on Liu Kang's kindness when he took you in, Kuai Liang made it no better. The way he took his time with training you, spending time with you, and waiting for you to trust him made your hardened heart soften. It had been a long time since someone was so patient with you, let alone accepted all of you.

So, when you recognize his iconic black bun in the crowded sea of sweaty bodies, you knew something was up. Kuai Liang was not one for the social scene, and clubbing was strictly off limits for him as a personal thing- what the hell was he doing in L.A. on a Friday night?

You decided to follow him, closing your tab and silently stalking him. From where you stood in the club, you could see where he sat. with Kenshi and Johnny in one of the booths near the dance floor. Your head followed his general path, and the sight before you made your heart stop.

Kuai Liang was letting another woman touch him, and her face was scarily close to his. She whispered something to your man, and he said something in her ear that illicit a horribly high-pitched giggle from her. You were fuming, and decided to confront them in the act.

"You bitch!" Grabbing onto her shoulder roughly, "The hell you think you're doing?!"

Kuai Liang's shocked face matched yours, but with his mission in mind, he grabbed onto the woman to protect her, not you. Was it possible a heart could break even more? Because if you thought it was broken, this completely shattered it.

"K-Kuai-," but all he does is huff and grunt at you.

"Who do you think you are?!" he shouted, people around you watched the scene unfold, "Creating a fucking scene..."

He never cursed, especially around you. He knew how to hold his tongue, and he never raised his voice at you even if he was pissed beyond the realms' saving. Your face morphed into hurt, betrayal, something Kuai Liang promised you to never do. Yet here he was, failing you.

"Silly girl," the woman hissed as she kicked your abdomen, "Leave us!"

You groaned as you picked yourself up, immediately escaping the messy scene and fleeing out of the club. Tears blurred your vision as you crashed into people on your way out, only having yourself to console the agony you were in.

Kuai watched as you left, and he swore he would make it up to you. No matter how long it took.

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

Kuai Liang was an assassin. He was trained in the meticulous art of killing people swiftly and without noise.

So when Johnny and Kenshi found him, blood all over his dress shirt and pants, the demon's mutilated body slowly dissipating, they knew not to push his buttons.

"All of the information I gathered has been written down," he said without turning to his friends, handing them some paper.

"A-alrighty then, Kuai..." Johnny said nervously, a chuckle matching his tone.

"Go back to the Temple, there is something I need to do before heading home," he said calmly as he cleaned up, "Do not wait for me, explain to Lord Liu Kang the dilemma as well."

Kenshi nodded, and the couple looked at each other before turning their gaze to the clearly pissed-off man, watching him storm out to find you. They had a feeling on what was happening, but they didn't press further as they set off for the temple. Kuai Liang was outside the club, searching recklessly to find you in the summer night. Just a couple of blocks away, he heard your distinct cries in an alleyway, and he followed them and up, your body curled up in the fire escape of an apartment building.

Quietly, he tries to get to you and be by your side, but his kunai drops from the hidden hilt in his pants, giving away his position and it scares you. Your head snaps up and you get into defensive mode, your brows furrowed in anger as you snarled at him.

"What in the elder gods' names do you want, Scorpion?"

His hands are up, but he still tries to close in on you by slowly walking to you. You're cornered, and the crying has made you too exhausted to move.

"I know what you saw was, to say the least, alarming..." he begins, "However, please allow me to explain."

More tears welled in your eyes, "I trusted you, Kuai Liang. You knew my story, I gave you my heart- I confided in your warmth!"

Kuai Liang squats to your height, arms down as he watches your tears fall.

"How could you..." you sob again, your head thrown up facing the sky.

Kuai Liang watches your tears fall, and he gently used his hands to wipe your tears. He's surprised you don't shake away from him, so he used this opportunity to explain himself to you. From Liu Kang's plan, Quan Chi's legion of deadly female demons, up to now, he explained in great detail and softness for you to register despite your wails.

"Oh darling," he begged softly, "You know my promises to you- they're written in blood. If you so wish it, I will shed it for you- if it meant see you smile once more."

You wipe your tears and ask him with shaky words, "Swear on your family, swear that what happened meant nothing to you."

His hand wraps around yours and your foreheads touch, his warm breath on yours, "I swear to the elder gods above and the honor of my late father- she is dead to me."

You smile almost evilly, "Prove it."

Safe to say, your evening ended with more cries, but not in pain this time. Still, Kuai Liang would do anything to never see you cry so sadly like that- even if it meant more blood being spilt in your name.

=====================

Tomas

Tomas, Kuai Liang, and Bi Han were in a neighboring village, just a mountain away near Fengjian, in an undercover mission that lead to Shang Tsung. Liu Kang got word from Raiden, who had visited home for a brief moment, that his people were talking about a strange man coming to and from the village for something unknown.

Not wanting to waste an opportunity, he called upon the Lin Kuei Grandmaster and his second-in-hands to try and apprehend him once more (not mimicking the Ying Fortress situation). What the brothers didn't know, though, was that the trail would lead to a small club, a front for Shang Tsung's hideout.

It was a music club, with weekly performances from many female singers and dancers from the neighboring villages in the region. Tomas, who knew you were an active and avid singer, hoped to the elder gods you weren't here to witness what he was doing.

In front of the long stage, he sat in a rounded booth seat with an "entertainer" by his side as she talked his ear off about every performance that went on. She was in a horrible costume, those Qipao costumes that the Westerners sold as costumes in cheap Halloween stores, her pale skin glowing softly under the warm light of the club. Tomas played into his role of a "traveling" foreigner, needing rest in this village and simply needing time to "destress" from his journey.

Tomas was dressed in some jeans and a gray shirt, a backpack on his other side to really sell the look. In his ear, provided by Sektor and Bi Han, was an earpiece to hear the commands of his brothers. He knew the woman next to him was connected to Shang Tsung, but all he was worried about was you.

He prayed to the elder gods that you would not worry. He prayed that you would believe in him, stay confident in him as he completed his mission, and hoped that you would forgive him when he eventually needed to tell you this entire debacle. He sighed, beginning to play his role into getting more information out of the woman.

He whispered dirty jokes, laughed quietly with her at her horrendous attempts of humor, and even held her close. While this was for the betterment of the realms, he would rather die than finish this mission. He was getting some useful information from her, and he could hear Kuai Liang and Bi Han talk to him over the earpiece, but his focus was brought away as he saw his prayers ignored.

You were here. Performing. In the middle of his mission as he was smack dab in the center of your sight. At first, he saw you smiling happily as your voice filled the room, but when your eyes met his, your will to perform left.

The Shang Tsung affiliate was all over Tomas (though you didn't know), kissing up his neck as he continued to hold her. People around you two were beginning to grow tired of the act, clamoring for you sing or begone. You tried to continue, voice slightly shaky as the lyrics left your mouth, but you were ultimately pulled backstage by the show manager. Behind the curtains, the sight broke your heart more and more.

Tomas's hand was locked in hers as she took him away, and a flirty smile was on his face as they both walked away from your direct line of sight. Too angry at what you witnessed, and growing depressed, you retired for the night and left to head back home.

Tomas was the most affectionate of his family, and you were drawn to his optimism despite the pain he had endured. Just like his brothers, he was loyal to an alarming degree, but you knew why. Having him lost his family, leaving his home country, and being put in a new place, he longed to have someone of his own.

Sure, his brothers were great, but you were the final piece to him. Your kind personality, joyful nature, and loving demeanor made him fall instantly, and you loved Tomas just as much. You were surprised to see how a man such as he, going through what he had gone through, still remained joyful and optimistic.

What he loved so much about you, though, was your talent in singing. Whether singing while cooking, bathing, or holding him, Tomas found your voice a safe haven. He vowed to always keep you happy, smiling, and most importantly, singing.

After this, though, he'd have a hard time hearing your bird song once more.

It was gone, along with your heart and the man you loved so dearly.

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

Tomas stood over the bloodied woman's limp body, hunched like a hunted taken-down animal. He called his brothers to enter the room, and they too were met with the horrendous sight.

"By the elder gods..." Kuai Liang breathed, "Tomas, what in Earthrealm-."

His pupils were dilated heavily, his grey irises overtaking his eyes. He was breathing heavily, and his grip on his karambit made his knuckles turn white. He was seething, his hunter's instinct turned on and on high alert. He shoved past his brothers, not without Bi Han stopping him.

"Foolish brother," he hissed, "Why did you kill her? Lord Liu Kang needed her alive."

He breathed calmly and turned back to his brothers, who both stilled at how calm his demeanor was speaking to him, "She is alive, brothers. Take her immediately to Lord Liu Kang, I have personal matters to tend to."

Bi Han grabs the collar of his shirt, shaking him, "We have our duties to fulfill. If you so wish to abandon your role, the Lin Kuei will hunt you- I will hunt you."

Tomas takes his brother into his knees, his blade gently pressing into the kill spot on Bi Han's neck. Kuai Liang's breath hitched while Bi Han shook his head to stop his brother.

"I will accept whatever may befall me, but I need to do this, Bi Han," and he turns his head to see his youngest brother's face.

"Please," he begged.

He nodded, sighing in relief as he bolted out of the back room. Kuai Liang scoops the woman into his hands, while Bi Han watched in awe at his brother's will. He left the back room to find you, hoping to set things right.

He searched the village for your house, and saw you crying in the balcony in the back. You were fiddling with a leaf that fell from the large tree that hovered over the balcony. To get to you, he had to climb to see you.

"Love..." you heard him say behind you. You gasp as you shuffled away from him, but he doesn't relent.

"Love, what were you doing there?" he asked gently, coming closer, but you held your hand up.

"No, Tomas," you said defiantly, "You tell me what you were doing there. With that woman all over you, with your hands on her equally as eager, with me right in front of you..."

More tears fell as you sobbed more, and Tomas's heart broke even more at the pain he put on your heart. He silently fell onto your balcony and sat with his legs crossed over themselves. He reached for your hand, and you surprisingly accept it. He gently rubbed his thumb over it, slowly explaining everything.

"So, the club I performed every couple of months, was a front for s multidimensional threat?" you asked gently, wiping your tears.

Tomas nods, his hand cupping your cheek, "My love, no one could beat you. Hearing your voice break, your eyes look at me like that..." your hand held his, "Everything about you controls me, your voice a siren's song."

You smile weakly and kiss his cheek, "Listen to me, then, as I call you to me."

You lead him into your bedroom, and your voice commands the rest of the night as you two stay entangled in one another.

=====================

guys my ipad is lagging after typing all this, long ass fic

still, i hope you enjoyed, especially you anon!

i'll see yall in the next fic!



[louisupdates]

FITFWT23: FASHION

EUROPE

Via LWTHQS

29 Aug - Barclays Arena, HAMBURG: [CDLP tank] [Saul Nash pants]

31 Aug - Royal Arena, COPENHAGEN: [Casablanca Casa t-shirt]

1 Sep - Spektrum, OSLO: [Nike shoes] [Commes des Garçons x Lacoste polo] [Adidas jacket]

2 Sep - Hovet, STOCKHOLM: [Stone Island t-shirt], [Stone Island pants], [Salomon shoes]

4 Sep - Ice Hall, HELSINKI: [Pleasures x Sonic Youth jersey]

5 Sep - Saku Arena, TAILLINN: [1017 ALYX 9SM t-shirt] [Nike Air Max shoes] [Nike Windrunner fleece hoodie] [Nike joggers] [Nike trainers]

7 Sep - Arena Riga, RIGA: [Champion t-shirt] [Supreme x Lacoste track suit]

8 Sep - Zalgiris Arena, KAUNAS: [Neill Barrett t-shirt] [Neil Barrett IG post and IG story] [Sergio Tacchini tracksuit]

10 Sep - Tauron Arena, KRAKOW: [VTMNTS t-shirt] [Stone Island hoodie]

11 Sep - Atlas Arena, ŁÓDŹ: [Leones The Band tank top] [Converse high tops] [CP Company pants] [424 Logo hat] [Salomon shoes] [Mastermind hoodie]

13 Sep - Wiener Stadhalle D, VIENNA: [CP Company pants] [Palace hat]

14 Sep - Stozice Arena, LJUBLJANA: [Wales Bonner tank top]

15 Sep - Budapest Arena, BUDAPEST: [Stone Island cap] [Stone Island pants]

17 Sep - Arenele Romane, BUCHAREST: [Burberry t-shirt] [Burberry cap]

18 Sep - Arena Armeets, SOFIA: [black tank top] [Nike pants]

20 Sep - Petras Theater, ATHENS: [VTMNTS t-shirt] [Sunflower Mike shorts]

1 Oct - Bilbao Arena Miribilla, BILBAO (VIZCAYA): [Calvin Klein white tank top] [North Face pants] [Nike shoes] [Adidas Y 3 track pants] [Han Kjøbenhavn hoodie]

3 Oct - Altice Arena, LISBON: [CP Company graphic t-shirt] [CP Company pants] [Asics shoes] [Palace hoodie]

5 Oct - Wizink Center, MADRID: [Fred Perry x Pleasures t-shirt]

6 Oct - Palau Sant Jordi, BARCELONA: [Moncler t-shirt] [Customized face all over Hawaiian shirt]

8 Oct - Pala Alpitur, TURIN: [Sunspel beige tank top] [Stone Island pants] [Y/Project hat] [Adidas x Wales Bonner sweater and pants]

9 Oct - Unipol Arena, BOLOGNA: [Nanushka tank top] [Stone Island pants]

11 Oct - Rockhal, ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE: [Stone Island t-shirt]

12 Oct - Sportspaleis, ANTWERP: [Wales Bonner jacket] [1017 Alyx 9SM Studio bomber jacket]

14 Oct - Accor Arena, PARIS: [Balmain polo shirt]

15 Oct - Ziggo Dome, AMSTERDAM: [Givenchy tank top] [CP Company pants]

17 Oct - Lanxess Arena, COLOGNE: [Ralph Lauren polo shirt]

19 Oct - O2 Arena, PRAGUE: [Junya Watanabe t-shirt] [Nike pants]

20 Oct - Mercedes Benz Arena, BERLIN: [Kith black tank top] [Stone Island track pants] [Axel Arigato shoes] [Fred Perry t-shirt] [Alyx Studio hoodie]

22 Oct - Olympiahalle, MUNICH: [Burberry polo shirt]

23 Oct - Hallenstadion, ZURICH: [Stone Island t-shirt] [Stone Island trousers] [Axel Arigato shoes]

8 Nov - 3Arena, DUBLIN: [CDLP tank] [Reebok sweatshirt] [Saul Nash pants] [Nike mock neck top] [1017 Alyx 9SM jacket] [Vetements cap] [Thames MMXX top]

10 Nov - Utilita Arena, SHEFFIELD: [Givenchy logo tank top] [CP company pants] [Aimé Leon Doré hoodie] [Palace trousers]

11 Nov - AO Arena, MANCHESTER: [Aimé Leon Dore jacket] [Nike shoes]

12 Nov - Ovo Hydro, GLASGOW: [Palace Skateboards shirt] [Stone Island pants]

14 Nov - Brighton Center, BRIGHTON: [Farragamo polo]

15 Nov - International Arena, CARDIFF: [Casablanca Paris top]

17 Nov - The O2, LONDON: [Saul Nash vest] [Saul Nash track pants] [Comme Des Garçons shirt]

18 Nov - Resorts World Arena, BIRMINGHAM: [Burberry t-shirt] [Lacoste top]

23 Nov - Camden Roundhouse, Rolling Stone UK Awards, LONDON: [Neil Barrett mesh jacket] [black vest] [Hugo pants] [Grenson leather shoes]

Photo via lbfcult