#the beast is child protective services

[whoisthatstrangeimbecile]

lantern custody

omg omg i had a stupid au idea i talked with a friend idk if thats you lmaoaom

where the beast really did put the woodsman's daughter's soul in the lantern and beast does try to help (hes still a fucking asshole manipulative bitch) and they keep fighting each other on who takes care of the lantern best insulting each other having divorce arguments its absolutely fucking buck wild

[loveinhawkins]

There’s perks to working a summer job where there’s seemingly no manager. Steve got an at most five minute interview with an overly smiley dude who said, “An independent workforce is very important to us,” and didn’t even check his references before telling Steve that he was hired.

So it’s down to him and Robin alone to open and close Scoops Ahoy. And the lack of any boss—not even a supervisor—is mostly great, means that no-one’s hovering over their shoulders droning on about ‘company policy’, means they can take their breaks as and when, and no-one’s tapping their foot with an eye on the clock.

But then there’s the times where it’s absolutely swamped with customers, and the statistical likelihood of having to serve an asshole skyrockets; and most assholes don’t tend to think of teenagers slinging ice-cream as being worthy of even the tiniest shred of respect.

“Are you wilfully this stupid, missy?” a douchebag snaps at Robin during the lunchtime rush, after she added chocolate sauce on his sundae instead of raspberry.

She remakes the order with a look that, if there was any justice in the world, would make him drop down dead on the spot. But instead, he just scoffs when she passes him the new sundae.

“Have a spectacular day,” Robin says acerbically, and if it was any other time, Steve would be ducking down behind the counter, pretending to check on stock levels so he can hide his laughter.

Except Robin’s also doing that thing where she blinks a lot, and Steve knows she’s fighting tears of frustration because he privately does something remarkably similar.

There’s a sinking feeling in his chest coupled with what’s becoming a steadily frequent flare of protectiveness. That one usually comes with the kids and The Upside Down—except Robin is a girl who’s round about his age, so he half-heartedly assumes it must be because he has a crush on her.

But he’s not even thinking about said crush at all when he gently bumps her towards the break room with his hip and says, “Take yours first, I’ve got this.”

For half a second, Robin’s eyes seem to shine in gratitude before she puts a hand over her heart and declares, dripping in sarcasm, “You’re a god among men, Harrington, I never believed what anyone said about you.”

“You’re wel—hey, what did they say about me?”

The door to the break room shuts, but not before he hears Robin let out a genuine snort of laughter. He smiles and pivots back to the register.

The line’s calmed down; Steve recognises a substitute teacher waiting to be served: Mrs Greeves, who’s been at Hawkins High since the sixties, at least. There’s no other adult in the shop, so it’s presumably her little granddaughter who’s running about the place, without so much as a glancing eye on her.

But Steve doesn’t have to worry about a potential lost child scenario, because a guy suddenly slips out of the booth he’d been sitting in, bending down to the kid’s eye level and subtly ensuring that she doesn’t hightail it out of there.

It takes a few seconds for Steve to recognise him; he’s still getting used to the whole phenomenon of seeing people without the high school setting behind them. Like, Robin used to be just a name from a class he can’t even recall, and now he knows her for her dry wit and love of cryptic crosswords.

And this Eddie Munson is sort of a different beast from the guy Steve saw stomping around the cafeteria tables.

He’s dressed pretty much the same, (Hellfire shirt sans the leather jacket must be the ‘summer look’, Steve reckons), but he’s quieter as he chats with the little girl, letting her try on one of his skull rings to distract from her obvious boredom. His grin is softer, too.

Mrs Greeves clears her throat, and Steve promptly puts on his vacant ‘delightful customer service’ smile.

“Afternoon, Mrs Greeves, what can I do you for?”

She orders a simple strawberry cone for the kid, Abigail, and two scoops of lemon and vanilla in a cup for herself—appropriate, Steve thinks, because her face looks like she’s sucking on a lemon half the time.

As he prepares the ice-cream, he’s quickly remembering why she’s on the list of substitute teachers that students dread, even if he’s only had the ‘pleasure’ of being in a class supervised by her once. He has vague memories of how she’d talk with other teachers in a scandalised stage whisper about students from ‘broken homes’—he’s pretty sure she’s still an austere teacher at the Sunday School, too.

“Abigail,” she says sharply, when Steve finishes the cone, and she finally seems to realise her granddaughter isn’t by her side, “what have I told you about—”

“Oh, it’s okay,” Eddie says hurriedly. Abigail hands him the ring back, very carefully dropping it into his palm, and he gives her a gentle smile. “I don’t mind—”

“—not talking to strangers?” Mrs Greeves finishes, as if Eddie hadn’t spoken.

“But,” Eddie says with tiny frown, “you know me, ma’am, I’m—”

“Let me be plain then, Mr Munson.” She finally turns to favour Eddie with a scathing look. “I meant that I don’t want my granddaughter around a corrupting influence.”

There’s an awful silence while Abigail collects the cone.

“Oh,” Eddie says, still crouched down by the booth. He sounds very small.

And Steve’s view of Mrs Greeves quickly turns from a general dislike to an icy hatred.

“And here’s yours,” he says, sliding the cup over.

She looks down. Her mouth goes all pinched in displeasure.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

“It’s your ice-cream,” Steve says, playing up a confused blink. “Is—is this not what you ordered? I’m terribly sorry for the—”

“Don’t be obtuse, Mr Harrington. These scoops are tiny; they barely fill the cup!”

Yup, Steve thinks with a savage satisfaction. They’re the size of a melon ball, and even that’s being generous.

“Mrs Greeves, I’m afraid it’s store policy. Nothing to do with—”

“What kind of policy could possibly justify—”

“Rudeness,” Steve says smoothly.

Eddie’s head jerks up at that, his mouth slightly agape.

“Mr Harrington,” Mrs Greeves says, her face turning puce, “I would like to see your manager.”

“The manager,” Steve says flatly. “Okay, sure. I’ll go get him.”

What he does next, compared to everything else that’s happened in his life thus far, isn’t all that stupid.

Well. Maybe a little.

It’s worth it though, to see the way Eddie Munson’s eyes widen at the sight.

Making sure to have zero expression throughout, Steve mimes walking downstairs, throws off his hat while crouched behind the counter, then re-emerges with a quick ruffle of his hair.

“How can I help you?” he asks, like they’ve only just met.

The cup of minuscule ice-cream is soon up-ended as Mrs Greeves storms out, barking over her shoulder, “Abigail, come here!”

Eddie stands to let the kid out of the way, who seems blissfully ignorant with her cone. Steve’s sure he hears him mutter under his breath, “Jesus, she’s not a dog.”

“I’ll be reporting you, Steve Harrington, make no mistake!”

Yeah, good fucking luck. I sure as hell don’t know who really runs this place.

“Uh-huh,” Steve says. “Looking forward to it. Harrington with two ‘r’s one ‘n’, ma’am.”

“Shit, Harrington,” Eddie drawls. He’s leaning next to the booth, hip cocked, and if it weren’t for the fact that he’d seen it himself, Steve might’ve been convinced that the Eddie from a moment ago was a different person. “That was not worth getting fired over.”

“I’m not getting fired,” Steve says—although honestly, if that had been a real threat, he thinks his actions would probably have been the same. Huh. “I meant it, dude, there’s no manager here.”

Eddie nods slightly, looks up at the Scoops Ahoy sign and grins. “So you and Buckley are the skeleton crew on this ship.”

“Uh, I guess?”

Come on, man, Steve thinks, as Eddie keeps up the wide grin like it’s a shield. This isn’t the high school cafeteria; I’m not about to hit your lunch tray or whatever.

Out loud, he calls into the back, “Hey, Robin, the chocolate’s low. I’m just gonna put in a new batch if you want some of the old stuff.”

The sliding doors open.

Robin sighs as if she’s just had a very relaxing facial, but she’s actually holding a folded newspaper with the cryptic crossword all finished.

“I am so chilled out,” she says, with a delivery that could rival Eddie Munson’s trademark dramatics.

“You’re so weird,” Steve says mildly while making up a cup with the leftover chocolate ice-cream.

“You’ve just got no taste, Harrington.” She waggles the crossword at him. “You should give ‘em a try.”

Steve wrinkles his nose. “I’m no good at that code-breaking stuff.” He passes her the cup, goes to start assembling his own and pauses. “Hey, Munson, you want some?”

“Oh, uh, I’m good,” Eddie says, sounding suddenly wrong-footed. “Sorry, I’m just, uh, killing time before my movie starts. The other stores said if I wasn’t buying anything I should get out, so…”

“So you’ve come to our oceanic sanctum,” Robin deadpans.

Steve rolls his eyes. “You know, just ‘cause you do crosswords doesn’t mean you have to turn into a dictionary. Ow.” He doesn’t quite duck in time to avoid the newspaper smacking him in the face. He turns to address Eddie again, who appears to be fighting back laughter. “What’re you gonna see, Munson?”

Eddie’s eyes glance away for a second. “Something very scary and befitting of my stature, Harrington.”

Robin, who’s made a habit of memorising the mall’s movie schedules, checks her watch and narrows her eyes. “Return to Oz?”

Eddie’s cheeks start to glow. “Fuck off, Buckley, I’ve never liked you.”

“You’re such a liar, I’ve heard your applause at band practice—”

“Okay, but,” Steve cuts in, jumping up onto the counter with one hand. “I thought the whole point was Oz was a dream. How can she return to—?”

“Christ, I don’t know, Harrington,” Eddie says. “I didn’t pick it for critical analysis; the poster had a dude with a pumpkin head on it, and I thought it looked cool.”

“Oh, I saw that,” Robin says. “Made me think of when all those pumpkins went bad. Like, imagine if they had faces.”

Unthinkingly, Steve says around his ice-cream spoon, “No way, I’m not dealing with that, too.”

“Excusez-moi?” Robin says.

“Hmm?” Steve says innocently.

“Hey, you missed quite a show earlier on, Buckley,” Eddie says. “Reckon Harrington deserves a tally in the ‘you rule’ column.”

Steve glares at Robin. “I told you to keep that outta view of the customers.”

“Ah, but I’m not buying anything,” Eddie points out, “ergo, not a customer.”

“Ergo,” Steve mimics.

“That board is strictly for romantic successes,” Robin says.

Eddie snorts. “Aw, that’s hardly fair. I think it should have more… rounded criteria.”

Robin’s eyes narrow again. “Eddie Munson, you’ve never complimented a jock in your life, don’t start now.”

“Hey,” Steve says, overselling a ‘wounded’ expression. “I’m more than that, y’know. I contain multitudes.”

“Sure,” Eddie says, smiling. “Folks, we’ve got Hawkins’s own Whitman right here.”

Steve flips him off and, on a whim, decides to channel his inner Dustin.

“Maybe I just see the world more clearly than you two ‘cause I’m free of societal constraints.”

“You’re working in a mall,” Robin says.

“High school societal contraints. I am unshackled and ergo, free.”

“Damn,” Eddie says, patting down his pockets for an imaginary pen, “I should use that.”

“Stop inflating Harrington’s ego and go catch your totally scary movie,” Robin says.

Eddie checks his own watch. “Oh, shit. Um.” And Steve thinks that it almost looks like he’s reluctant to leave. “Time flies, I guess. Better go ashore.” He catches Steve’s eye, gives a tiny little salute as he leaves. “May your summer continue to be mundane and manager-less.”

“You’re a poet, Munson,” Steve says, even though Eddie’s already out the door.

“So what was the show I missed?” Robin says. “I couldn’t hear anything back there.”

“Nothing that exciting.”

Steve tells her, and even though a smile tugs at her mouth as he re-enacts his mime, for some reason her eyes are kinda sad for most of it.

“Good job, Popeye,” she says thoughtfully—and though it directly contradicts her own words, she marks up a singular ‘you rule’ tally for the rest of her shift before wiping it off.

Eddie doesn’t re-appear after the movie—not that Steve’s keeping track of time, or anything—but at least they don’t have anymore nightmares for customers. As Steve mops, he thinks about how Dustin’s return from Camp Something Something is approaching—and the fact that he’s circled the date with a goofy smiley face is between him and his bedroom calendar.

He smiles to himself while clocking out of the now ghostly mall, recalling Eddie’s parting words.

The thought of a mundane, manager-less summer stretching before him sounds pretty damn good.

[wangxianficfinder]

In the mood for...

Nov 11th

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1. hi this is for itmf!

I'd like to request fics focusing on/from the pov of Nie brothers! anything like nhs conspiring to save nmj or nmjs thought process. would be nice if nhs was also friends with wwx and they were sort of working together!

thank you @bunnycoffeeumcat

The Threads of Fate by WaitForTheSnitch (E, 86k, WangXian, WIP, Time Travel Fix-It, Canon Divergence, Not Everyone Dies, Cloud Recesses Study Arc, Cloud Recesses Shenanigans, Good Uncle LQR, Protective LWJ, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Pining LWJ, WWX in WWX's Body, JC & WWX Reconciliation, is it reconciliation if WWX doesn't know they were estranged?, Oblivious WWX, WWX Deserves Better, WWX Deserves Happiness, Siblings JC & WWX, Supportive JYL, Protective NHS, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Comic Book Science)

This Time Around by KouriArashi (T, 83k, JGY & NHS, NHS & WWX, JGY & WWX, Time Travel Fix-It, Kid Fic, Families of Choice, Angst, Grief/Mourning, Politics, Class Issues, Past Child Abuse, Moral Ambiguity, Everybody Lives, Eventual Happy Ending)

Heart of the Beast by WaitForTheSnitch (E, 488k, WangXian, WWX Isn’t Adopted by the Jiāngs, Adopted WWX, WWX is a Niè, Canon Divergence, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Oblivious WWX, Protective NMJ, Scheming NHS, Protective NHS, Soft NMJ, NMJ is So Done, NHS Is A Little Shit, Pining, LWJ Has Feelings)

shades of grey spill from my veins (bleeding ink all over the page) by Reverie (cl410) (M, 58k, NieLan, WangXian, SangNing, POV NMJ, Canon Divergence, Joining the “Wei Wuxian raised by the Nie Sect” Club, Mentions of WWX’s life on the streets, Hurt/Comfort, Accidental Sibling Acquisition, Single Dad NMJ, NHS & WWX Friendship, Fluff, Humor, Happy Ending, Everyone Lives AU, Protective NMJ, Sunshot Campaign, Some angst, Blood and Injury, Kidnapping, Protective Siblings, Found Family)

Third Sun by PhantomWriter (T, 57k, NHS & NMJ, Canon Divergence, Time Travel Fix-It, Fake Marriage, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Crack Treated Seriously, BAMF NHS, Protective NHS, Protective NMJ, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, LWJ is a Wēn) Note that while one of the latter fics the the series explores true Niecest in a "what if" au, the brothers' relationship in the main story is purely platonic and co-conspiratorial.

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2. in the mood for maybe yllz!wwx suddenly time traveling/finding himself in a world that has cleared his name?

🔒Confusion by Vrishchika (Not Rated, 4k, WangXian, Time Travel)

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3. Hii! A) May I ask if you have any other aftercare wangxian fics ? Try a little tenderness was amazing! B) Also any fics with Wangxian cuddling or comforting each other when they cry or get sick (especially modern au). C) Also, anything modern AU to recommend? Preferably completed, though I feel like everything completed has already been recommended or mentioned before? Thank you SO MUCH!!

A Sure Thing by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 95k, WangXian, Modern, Sugar Daddy, Sex Work, Light Dom/sub, Aftercare, Semi-Public Sex, Exhibitionism, Bondage, use of sex toys, boundary setting, Relationship Negotiation, many baths, Barebacking) fits a, b, c

3C)

spoke like we meant it by BlackWiresOnHerHead (T, 10k, WangXian, Modern, 5+1, Fluff, oh my god they were roommates, Friends to Lovers, Getting Together, Pining, Cuddling, Accidental Confession, Humor, Abandonment Issues, Light Angst)

Many happy returns. by orange_crushed (E, 25k, WangXian, Modern AU, Mistaken Identity, Misunderstandings, Grief/Mourning, Loss of Parent(s), Implied/Referenced Suicide, Past Suicide of a Parent, References to Depression, Anxiety, Therapy, References to Anti-Depressant Medications, Escort Service, Loneliness, Everybody’s Abandonment Issues, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Angst with a Happy Ending, Domestic Fluff, Moving In Together, Oral Sex, Penetrative Sex, Hopeful Ending, Recovery, References to Escorting/Sex Work but No Actual Escorting/Sex Work)

Deep Dive by MimiSpearmint (E, 24k, WangXian, Modern AU, Twin Prides of Yunmeng Feels, Are Bad at Communicating, LWJ is a Panicked Gay, Therapy, Fluff and Humor, Getting Together, Angst with a Happy Ending, Career Ending Injuries, counsellor!lwj, give lwj friends agenda, background NieLan, Melbourne, Eventual Smut, Crack, Baby JL, domestic abuse is discussed but does not happen, Baby LSZ, Baby LJY, Anal Sex, Blow Jobs, Good Sex Practices, Implied Slight D/s, WangXian Have a Breeding Kink, Cameos by various minor characters)

Close to the Truth by Winglesss (M, 14k, WangXian, Christmas Fluff, Christmas Party, Ugly Holiday Sweaters, Romantic Comedy, Modern, Fake/Pretend Relationship, Fluff and Angst, Homophobia, Tooth-Rotting Fluff)

Ticket to Ride by mistresscurvy (E, 18k, wangxian, Modern, Online Dating, Road Trips, Service Top, Phone Sex, Dick Pics, Wedding Banquet)

Previously, on LEGO Masters by trippednfell (M, 55k, wangxian, Reality TV Show Contestants/Judges, Modern, Mutual Pining, Forced to compete together, strangers to reality show contestants to lovers, there's only one bed, Platonic Cuddling, Autistic LWJ, WWX Has ADHD, Grief/Mourning, Wangxian miss their moms, so much pining, More Pining than LEGO in this LEGO fic, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, POV Alternating, Lego Masters AU, Not YZY friendly, Dysfunctional Jiang family dynamics)

Just Ask Me To Stay by mrcformoso (M, 20k, WangXian, Modern AU, Former JZ/WWX, Minor NieLan, Minor XuanLi, No Powers, Dancer WWX, Musician LWJ, Roommates, Best Friends, Friends to Lovers, Break Up, Post-Break Up, Recovery, WWX Has Self-Esteem Issues, Fluff, Light Angst, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Oral Sex, Domestic Fluff, LWJ Has a Big Dick, WWX Has a Breeding Kink, Size Queen WWX, Belly Bulge, Porn With Plot, WWX Has Friends, LWJ Has Friends, Hurt/Comfort, A lot of comfort, Romantic Comedy, Cuter story than the summary makes it out to be, Feel-good)

The Art of Communication by mrcformoso (G, 4k, WangXian, Modern AU, College/University, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Meet-Cute, Engineering Student WWX, Music Student LWJ, Swimmer WWX, Martial Artist LWJ, POV Outsider, POV WWX, POV LWJ, Everything is Beautiful and Nothing Hurts, Communication Issues, But Wanxian Makes it Work, LWJ has limited words, WWX has too many words, Falling In Love, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Love Languages, Requited Love)

~*~

4. Itmf, A) untamed au (where wwx and xue yang are aprox same age), they knew each other as street children but lost contact when wwx was taken by the Jiang. Wether they were on good terms or not is up to you. They're reunited when xy is tied up and searched for the yin iorn. (Is xy still/became a villain? Or is there more going on/framed by the sects?)

B) untamed au (where wwx and xy are aprox same age). Diverging au where dif types of soulmates exist, wwx accidentally touches skin when searching xue yang, and a soulmate mark/reaction happens.

~*~

5. Itmf fics with good platonic part and plot along with ofcourse our dear wangxian as the mains. More specifically I'm looking for fics where there is huge platonic relationship in the plot . I want it between: Wei Wuxian with maybe Jiang cheng or Wen Ning or Wen Qing or any other character in the book. It can even be some oc. NO modern au please. @constellationdks

Episode 51 by Fool_on_the_Hill_2528258 (G, 27k, WangXian, Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, Feelings Realization, Happy Ending, Closure, Epilogue, The Untamed (TV) Compliant, The Untamed (TV) Ending, Post-The Untamed (TV), JC & WWX Reconciliation, POV LWJ, POV WWX, POV Third Person Omniscient, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, Oblivious WWX, Soft WangXian, Supportive LXC, Sect Leader JL, LWJ Has Feelings, Supportive JC) try my fic “Episode 51”! Wangxian is main but I deal a lot with Jiang Cheng/Wei Wuxian’s relationship too!

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6. Hi hi! Are there any spiderman! wwx or lwj fics?

let your colours bleed and blend with mine by ravenditefairylights (T, 13k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Superheroes/Superpowers, Spiderman AU, Secret Identity, Angst with a Happy Ending, Romance, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Crossdressing, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, There Was Only One Bed, Fluff)

wangxian spiderman AU by amisfitm (Not Rated, 1k, WIP, WangXian, smut, Fluff, spiderman au, spider wangji)

lookin' at you sideways by starries (T, 15k, WangXian, Modern AU, Superheroes/Superpowers, High School, basically spiderman!wwx, Fluff, Getting Together)

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7. hello! are there any fics in which wwx tells someone about the kiss on Phoenix mountain? like jyl or something? or at least him like, still thinking about it and trying to find the 'strong maiden' who kissed him.

the breaking of your soul (upon my lips) by sunsandships (M, 40k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Fix-It, Mutual Pining, Golden Core Reveal, Happy Ending)

There’s A Molester On The Loose At Phoenix Mountain!! by sweetlolixo (G, 3k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Humor, Crack, Romance) There's also this one if the requester doesn't mind a humorous story about the Phoenix Mountain kiss

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8. idk if this is too specific but itmf for old friends wangxian reuniting either due to the juniors/lan yuan or them being witnesses to it? but they didn’t know this wei wuxian guy is the person lwj has been missing and stuff? or vice versa? thank u !!

~*~

9. itmf wangxian modern royalty aus? would love the arranged marriage trope specifically but im open to anything!

(no jc/wq please) thanks for your help, always! <3

They aren't modern au, only royalty and sometimes arranged marriage. All very good though I recommend them:

To Deliver an Heir by cerbykerby (E, 49k, WangXian, slight dubcon/noncon but wangxian are into it, A/B/O, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Heat Sex, Knotting, Royalty Medical, Emperor LWJ, Physician WWX, Mpreg, Postpartum Depression, Breeding, Creampie, LWJ literally cannot stop himself from coming in WWX, Breastfeeding)

我的皇后是農民 | sowing seeds in the cold palace by sweetlolixo (E, 84k, WangXian, Imperial Palace, Emperor LWJ, Imperial Consort WWX, Farmer WWX, Angst, Romance, Wingman LJY, Wife-chasing-LWJ, Arranged Marriage, Best Boy A-Yuan)

願陛下 | by his majesty’s decree by sweetlolixo (E, 40k, WangXian, Imperial Palace, Emperor LWJ, Concubine WWX, Harems, Pining LWJ, LWJ is not a dragon in this one but he descended from them :), Childhood Sweethearts (sort of), Romance, minimal angst, Happy Ending, NHS & WWX are concubine BFFs, LWJ has NO EYES for anyone besides WWX don’t worry the harem is only for the plot setting, Fantasy, Pregnant WWX, Possessive LWJ, Fluff)

True Gold Fears No Fire by defractum (nyargles) (M, 75k, WIP, WangXian,  Royalty, Ancient China, Wuxia, Historical, Historical Inaccuracy, Arranged Marriage, Identity Porn, Mutual Pining, Emperor LWJ, Empress WWX, Eventual Happy Ending, Misunderstandings)

travelers through the empty gate by stiltonbasket (M, 112k, WangXian, royalty au, mistaken identity, emperor WWX, poor LWJ, forced marriage, (by LWJ himself), confused WWX, parenthood, misunderstandings, empress LWJ, fluff & humor, married life, angst w/ happy ending, WIP)

A Blade By Your Side by athena_crikey (E, 77k, WangXian, Historical, Royalty, Forced Marriage, Bodyguard, court intrigue, falling in love with the person you're married to, Hurt/Comfort, Misunderstandings, Politics, Drama, Compulsory Heterosexuality, Slow Burn)

Gotta die to come alive by Less_Ginger (M, 80k, WangXian, LWJ & LSZ & WWX, JC & WWX & JYL, WWX & WQ, LXC & LWJ, JYL/JZX, WIP, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death, Not Really Character Death, Misunderstandings, Post Mpreg, Parent-Child Relationship, Brotherly Love, JYL is great big sis, Not Actually Unrequited Love, emperor lwj, and his empress wwx, and their legitimate son A-Yuan, Heabvy Angst with a Happy Ending, Slow Burn)

The Mummified Emperor Wants To Marry Me by sweetlolixo (E, 74k, WangXian, WIP, Modern, Historical Fantasy, Royalty, Emperor LWJ, Mummy LWJ, Reincarnation, Size Difference, Archaeologist WWX, Simp LWJ)

🔒 of all the hands by Anonymous (E, 51k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, Canon Divergence, Emperor LXC, PTSD, Nightmares, Dual Cultivation, Mental Health Issues, Fluff and Angst, Dom/sub Undertones, Consensual Non-Consent, Bonding, Mutual Pining, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Politics, Improper Use of the Lan Forehead Ribbon, the get WWX some sleep agenda, yunmeng trio reconciliation)

~*~

10. for the next 'I'm in the mood for': I'm in the mood for a Wangxian fic where Lan Wangji is a ghost and Wei Wuxian just, lives with him and can see and interact with him? I would pretty much like that. @saiaisaiko

lovers be lost (but love shall not) by la_muerta (T, 13k, WangXian, Arranged Marriage, 1910s, Case Fic, Ghosts, Happy Ending, Background Relationships, Ghost Marriage)

Red Is Just Black Remembering by Zizzani (E, 41k, WangXian, Angst with a Happy Ending, Fluff, Homophobia, Necromancy, Ghosts, Modern, Cuddling & Snuggling, Sharing a Bed)

~*~

11. Hi :)) thank you for all of the hard work you have done for all of us who use your blog. I was wondering if there was a modern with cultivation au fic that has events similar to canon, or where there's a whole secret cultivation world and there's the sun shot campaign.

the journey is far from over series by thelastdboy (E, 164k, WangXian, WWX & Wen Remnants, LXC & LWJ, LWJ & MM, Madam Lan & LWJ, LXC & JGY, Modern Cultivation, Canon Divergence, Madam Lan Lives, JYL Lives, WQ Lives, Post-Sunshot Campaign, POV WWX, Slow Burn, YLLZ WWX, Recovery, Hurt/Comfort, Healing Is a Slow Process, therapy is good actually, All women deserve better, mlm/wlw solidarity, the mortifying ordeal of discovering you're into bdsm while you're caught up in political intrigue, Kink Negotiation, Kink Exploration, Not Everyone Dies, WWX Lives, Mental Health Issues, References to Depression, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Burial Mounds Ensemble as Family, Single Parent WWX, Selectively Mute LWJ, Eventual Smut, Light Dom/sub, WangXian Get a Happy Ending, es, LWJ & MM Friendship, Pre-WangXian, Wen Remnants Live, LWJ saves the Wēn Remnants, LWJ's Punishment, Whipping, LWJ Needs a Hug, POV LWJ, Neurodivergent LWJ, Stimming, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Coming of Age)

transmuter by WithLoweredVoices (Not rated, 113k, wangxian, Modern with Magic, Magical Realism, Angst and Fluff and Smut, Angst with a Happy Ending)

~*~

12. hello! I've recently got a craving for canon divergence fics where jyl doesn't manage to push wwx out of the way of that sword and dies OR he dies at qiongqi pass and jzx lives

Golden Phoenix by Alineko (G, 34k, WangXian, JYL/JZX, JL & WWX, JC & WWX & JYL, JZX & WWX, JL & OYZZ & LSZ & LJY & WWX, MXY & WWX, WIP, Reincarnation, Reincarnated WWX, Jin WWX, Child WWX, Minor WangXian but when he is older, Protective JYL, JC Gets a Hug, WWX is JL's Brother, Protective Siblings, Sibling Bonding, Cute WWX, Stressed JC, Light Angst, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Family Fluff, Protective WWX, WWX Shenanigans, Crack Treated Seriously, Golden Core Reveal)

in this place where we don’t have a prayer by Cerusee, Mikkeneko (T, 42k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, WWX dies at Qiongqi path, Demonic Cultivation)

To Be Named by Suibian_613 (T, 39k, WangXian, XuanLi, WIP, Canon Divergence, Out of Character, WQ is out of character, Everyone is probably ooc, canonical violence, Canonical Character Death, JYL lives, Somewhat Sentient Burial Mounds, WN and JC Rivalry, Sibling Rivalry)

ius in bello by Lise (T, 2k, JC & JYL & WWX, Canon Divergence, Tearjerker, Sad Ending, Heavy Angst, Grief/Mourning, Originally Posted on Tumblr, Not A Fix-It, POV JC, [Podfic] ius in bello by flamingwell)

後悔莫及 (Too Late for Regrets) by liverbiver9 (T, 20k, JYL/OC, WangXian, Time Travel Fix-It, Canon Divergence, JYL-centric, POV JYL, Genderqueer WWX, Trans Male Character, Kid Fic, Child WWX, Fluff and Angst, Family Feels, Found Family, WWX is a Wen, technically, Assassination Attempt(s), WWX Isn't Adopted by the Jiangs, Minor MianQing, No Sunshot Campaign, No Golden Core Transfer, Everybody Lives, mentioned minor character death, Gender Non-Conforming WWX, Trans WWX)

~*~

13. Hi! Thank you for your hard work! I am sending in a request for next In the mood for. I’m looking for fics that include

A) JinLing getting his parents (either or both) back (either by time-travel or fix-it fic or them coming back to live)

B) JinLing learning about his parents from JC and WWX.

C) LWJ and JC getting along

1 and 2 can be combined. I’d prefer canon era but okay with modern era fics too. Thank you! @bitemepotter

13A)

Time, Time, Time by skeletonofaplant (G, 44k, wangxian, JYL/JZX, LSZ & WWX, JYL & JL & JZX, LJY & LSZ, Time Travel Fix-It, Burial Mounds Settlement Days, Identity Porn, Identity Reveal, Angst, Fluff, Junior Quartet Dynamics, Time Travelling Junior Ensemble, Junior Ensemble Shenanigans, Humor)

❤️ Tragedy is Not the End by Hobbsy3 (T, 358k, wangxian, Time Travel, Torture, Hurt/Comfort, Golden Core Reveal, Canon Divergence from Qiongqi Pass, Angst with a Happy Ending, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Yunmeng sibling bonding, good dad wwx, good dad lwj, JZX Lives, JYL Lives, Junior Quartet Dynamics)

And They Lived Happily Ever After… by Morgana_avalon (G, 51k, WangXian, Zhuiling, Time Travel Fix-It, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Canon Universe, Canon Related, set before the ambush happens at Qiongqi Path, Canon Divergence, Bunnies, Good brother JC, Good JZX, CQL Verse)

13B)

Rotten Work by ShanaStoryteller (Not Rated, 63k, WangXian, WWX & JL, Post-Canon, Protective WWX, Protective JL, Yunmeng Bros Reconciliation, Reluctant Matchmaker JL)

climbing up that coastal shelf by Sour_Idealist (T, 15k, JC & JL & WWX, JC & JL, JC & WWX, JL & LSZ, JL & WWX, Post-Canon, Mutually Unrequited Forgiveness, JC & WWX Reconciliation, Family History, Generational Trauma, Discussion of Canonical Abuse, Awkward Attempts at Communication, mentions of past JC/WQ, Fairy is a good dog)

❤️ The One-Body Problem by metisket (T, 29k, LJY & WWX, LJY & LSZ, wangxian, possession, cohabitation, The One-Body Problem by SeaNoodle)

💖 Grey Area by pearliegloom (M, 31k, wangxian, yiling wei sect au, sect leader WWX, LWJ stays at Burial Mounds, found family, secret marriage, angst, eloping, reconciliation, fix-it) Chapter 15

13C)

Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji being bros series by JiangChengLotus (Mostly T, 99k, JC & LWJ, wangxian, JC/LXC)

found your writing on my wall by howodd5ever (T, 25k, WangXian, JC & LWJ, JC & WWX, Accidental Baby Acquisition, De-aged WWX, Post-Canon, Getting Together, Referenced Child Neglect, discussion of parental loss, child food insecurity, Case Fic, kind of, Nightmares)

Orchids in Lotus Pier by Vamillepudding (G, 21k, wangxian, canon divergence, romantic comedy, pining, protective JC, friends to lovers, misunderstandings)

~*~

14. Hi, you wouldn't happen to know of any fics where lan wangji defends wei wuxian. The persons he's defending wwx against can be anyone, but preferably an angry lan wangji rant towards jiang cheng or lan qiren/lanxinchen would be most interesting to me. Many thanks! @palmnix

~*~

15. In the mood for fic: I wonder if there is some fic with amnesiac Lan Zhan. It could be that by some spell or something Lan Zhan loses his memory (temporary or otherwise). I feel like there is a lot of amnesiac Wei Wuxian but I haven't found any with Lan Zhanlike that. Also please no modern au. Thank you.

Unavoidable by diamondbruise (T, 18k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Amnesia, Jealousy, lwj just is like that idk what to tell you, Misunderstandings, Falling In Love, Again, Happy Ending, it’s that thing where they’re married but lwj can’t remember wwx and they meet again)

These Two Most Powerful by stiltonbasket (G, 4k, wangxian, LXC & LWJ, Married Life, Family Feels, Parenthood, Temporary Amnesia, Time Travel, it’s amnesia but it feels like time travel to LWJ, wangxian have more babies, and they are the cutest buns, not your average amnesia fic? there’s no drama here tbh, just soft husbands carrying on with fatherhood, And loving each other, Mild Angst, Happy Ending)

Forget Me Not by Vamillepudding (T, 10k, wangxian, post-canon, temporary amnesia, romantic comedy, misunderstandings, protective JC, light angst) features both Wei Ying & Lan Zhan getting temporary amnesia but thinking they're at two different points in time.

the gift of sincerity by lariyats (T, 40k, WangXian, Fluff and Angst, Post-Canon, Amnesia, or more specifically, the lwj amnesia au, where he regresses back to the 13 year period, but actually, Surprise!!, Established Relationship, very mild angst, Implied Sexual Content, ok maybe it’s not as mild as i said it was but it’s still v fluffy, Hurt/Comfort)

💖 I would wait for a thousand years by bleuett (T, 10k, wangxian, Post-Canon, Canon Divergence, Memory Loss, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Reunions, Curses, Intimacy, Yearning, Happy Ending, Chinese Mythology & Folklore, Immortality, Fluff, Angst)

long have you been alone by martyrsdaughter (E, 56k, WangXian, Modern Cultivation, Amnesia, Curses, Hanahaki Disease, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Workplace Relationship, Light Angst, Sexual Content, Mild Painplay, Overstimulation, WWX Has a Breeding Kink, Light Bondage, Mild Gore, Mild Breathplay, Brief Mentions of WWX/Others and LWJ/Others, other relationships are past tense and off screen exclusively)

🔒💖 hello my old heart, how have you been? by ravenditefairylights (M, 10k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Temporary Amnesia, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Domestic Fluff, Trauma, Unreliable Narrator, Pining, Hair Washing, Hair Brushing, Hair Braiding, Soft WangXian, LWJ Needs a Hug, Sleepy Cuddles)

Blue water by huxiyi (E, 25k, wangxian, Post-Canon, Temporary Amnesia, Case Fic, Curses, Cultivation Sect Politics, Established Relationship, Angst with a Happy Ending, References to Depression, Discussion of Grief, Discussion of bodies, Explicit Sexual Content, Dom/sub Undertones, Under-negotiated Kink, Additional Warnings In Author’s Note)

🔒 Memories of Marriage by DC_Derringer (E, 15k, WangXian, Amnesia, handjobs, Kissing, Anal Sex, Very light angst with a happy ending, Loss of Virginity, First Kiss, Second-Hand Embarrassment, LSZ is the best boy)

I'll sleep when I'm dead by verybadidea (G, 2k, WangXian, Temporary Amnesia, Memory Loss, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Comfort, Post-Canon, Cuddling & Snuggling, Canon Compliant)

Falling in love with your Husband(Again) by ImTaakofromTV (T, 17k, WangXian, Temporary Amnesia, Fluff, Angst with a Happy Ending, they're in love, Case Fic, Falling for your husband after one day who you don't remember marrying)

tonight i can write the saddest lines by sarahyyy (G, 3k, WangXian, Post-Canon, Established Relationship, Amnesia, Falling In Love, Domestic Fluff)

(( Unforgettable…to me. by Liebing (T, 3k, WangXian, Fluff, Modern, Amnesia, wangxian footballers, college or university age wangxian, Soft, Sweet, Funny, Happy Ending, meddling LXC, small mentions of sex, One Kiss, Holding Hands, lots of time jumps backwards and forwards, teasing JC; LWJ is injured but he’s fine just some small memory loss, well technically an extra memory of a boyfriend he doesn’t have…yet, Canon WWX who thinks LWJ hates him…sigh) ))

(( 🔒 Overboard by celerydragon (T, 51k, WangXian, Modern AU, Misunderstandings, Temporary Amnesia, Comedy, hopefully, Fake Marriage, Fake/Pretend Relationship) ))

(( 🔒 The Heart Remembers by Setyourlazerstopew (G, 2k, WangXian, Soft, Temporary Amnesia, Memory Loss, temporary memory loss, Fluff, Modern, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, LWJ is a softy but so is WWX, they deserve each other, Happy Ending, not a serious injury don't worry) ))

(( Across the street to another life by danegen (M, 99k, WangXian, Modern AU, unleashed au, Family Fluff, Set in America, Hurt/Comfort, Past Child Abuse, Addiction, Crime, Amnesia, Ableist, Language, another fridged mother, POV Alternating, past wwx/ofc, past wwx/omc, Medium parent YZY, A-Yuan is wwx’s biological son, Musicians, Happy Ending) ))

(( voidable by sarahyyy (M, 2k, wangxian, modern, amnesia, misunderstandings, love confessions) ))

((🔒 remind me why I love you by AG1234VL (M, 44k, WangXian, Minor XiCheng, Past XiYao, Modern AU, Temporary Amnesia, Light Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, sort-of crack treated seriously, WangXian Pining, Except They’re Already Married, Hair Brushing, Childhood Trauma, Past Abuse L, Fluff and Angst, Crying WWX, Jealous LWJ, Forehead Kisses, Family Feels, Bottom!LWJ, versatile!wangxian, smitten!lwj, flirty!wwx, horny!wangxian, Mental Illness, Non-main Character Suicide, Non-Sexual Intimacy, but also sexual intimacy, brief discussions about grief) ))

~*~

16. Hey ,ITMF, a modern AU that is slow burn . I know my description is kinda broad and vague, but I'd really like something along those lines

Thank you!

Lovesong of the Square Root of Negative One by honeydrip (lmeden) (M, 55k, WangXian, JC & LWJ, JC & WWX, Modern, Blood and Gore, Elements of Horror, Elements of magical realism, Layered Narratives, A Story Within a Story, POV Multiple, Slow Burn, Not Everyone Dies)

he gets under your skin by Skadiseven (M, 87k, WangXian, XiXian, (sort of), Inspired By While You Were Sleeping (1995), Modern AU, Accidental Engagement, Chicago (City), lan typical communication skills, wangxian’s tendency to self-sacrifice, Christmas, Cats, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Angst with a Happy Ending)

Légèreté by perkynurples (T, 65k, WangXian, Modern au, Horse riding, Swords as horses, Crack treated seriously, Friends to Lovers)

Waiting for Spring by thievinghippo (E, 130k, WangXian, Modern AU, MLB AU, Baseball AU, Mutual Pining, Pining while fucking, slight angst, Happy Ending)

other earths and skies by binghecarer (T, 53k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, (but not in the typical way?), Slow Burn, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Canon-Typical Scars and Injuries, Curses, making a deal with a mysterious mountain spirit (?) to help your found family?, there was only one bed and it had narrative significance, (oh my god it had narrative signigicance), Hurt/Comfort)

like wildflowers (we grow) by moonsteps (T, 80k, WangXian, Modern, Teachers, Kid Fic, Single Parents, Slow Burn, Fluff, WWX & WQ are bffs, feelings and cute kids and softness and pining, Getting Together, Friends to Lovers)

The Simplest Way Forward by harriet_vane (E, 70k, WangXian, Modern AU, Accidental Baby Acquisition,Kid Fic, explicit in much much later chapters, green card marriage (but not really), pining for your own husband, endless pining, Slow Burn, Happy Ending, Nothing else bad or traumatic happens to the baby, [Podfic of] The Simplest Way Forward by knight_tracer, a Spanish version of the fic, Turkish translation, Translation into Русский availabl)

🔒 Definitely Unreturnable by 3neetee (T, 44k, WangXian, Modern, A/B/O, Omega Verse, Alpha LWJ, Omega WWX, Domestic Fluff, Angst, Adoption, Mutual Pining, Roommates, Slow Burn, Mentions of past child abuse, Eventual Smut, Mating Cycles/In Heat, A lot of hospitals, Slice of Life, Kid Fic)

~*~

17. Hello! For the next itmf I had some requests:

A) I was hoping for some recs in which wwx is sensitive after sex and someone is mean to him, making him cry/emotional

B) wwx going into subdrop, with wangxian being the main couple and the subdrop not tagged

C) some modern au's with wwx having depression but people brushing it off as laziness/not recognizing the signs until it's too late

D) wwx shaking, like, it could be after good/bad sex, being too emotional, being hurt, being cold after losing his core, etc.

For all of these wangxian has to be the main couple preferably but I'm okay with other people joining them (like nmj/nhs/etc) my only limit is Jiang sibs or lxc, thanks! @menimimimeni

17B)

The Damage You Do by stiricide (E, 188k, WIP, WangXian, Modern AU, Dom/Sub, Dark LWJ, Mobster LWJ, Possessive LWJ, Sex Worker WWX, Sugar Baby WWX, WWX adopts LSZ, Dubious Consent, each chapter has sex tag notes on it, BDSM, Sounding, Panic Attacks, Angst with a Happy Ending)

~*~

If you didn’t get an answer to your ask here, don’t forget to make use of @mdzs-kinkmeme and MDZS KINK MEME on Dreamwidth. Authors actually do use them for ideas. You may get what you order!***Your prompt doesn’t have to be kink! Fluff, crack, whatever - it’s all good!***

[peachdues]

anyways have some Levi angst from my upcoming secret pregnancy fic Coalescence

But Levi’s threat did not appear to ruffle Zeke in the slightest. “It must be difficult for you,” he said offhandedly. “All this time spent in service to an organization that’s synonymous with a death sentence —“

“I wasn’t under the impression you gave a particular shit.” Levi interrupted, bored. “Given your commitment to slaughtering us all.”

Zeke waived his bound hands dismissively. “Whatever our differences, Captain, I can appreciate the toll constant fighting and war can wage on a man.” He took a swig of too-thin coffee. “I’d say we’re more similar than you might realize, wouldn’t you?”

“The day I have anything in common with you is the day I stick one of my blades through my skull.”

With that, Levi rose and turned away, eager to put space between himself and the insufferable sack of horse shit he was forced to drag along with the rest of the Corps.

“No need to be so dramatic, Captain,” the blonde groaned. “After all, what would poor Y/N do, if you left her to deal with the trials of birth and child rearing all by herself?”

Levi froze mid-step, his heart skipping several beats.

“I can’t imagine how difficult it must be, leaving your pregnant girl every few days for hell knows how long,” Zeke shrugged. “Never knowing whether you’ll get to go back at all.”

Levi’s fists were clenched tight enough that his nails broke through the skin of his palms, his shoulders rigid as he worked to control his breathing. With his back turned away from deadly Beast titan, the Captain could not see the breezy smile which graced his lips, Zeke relishing his obvious stiffness.

“But do you know what I think the worst thing would be?” He continued, pulling a beaten, battered book from the lining of his jacket, idly flipping through its dog-eared and water stained pages. “I imagine it would be the constant worry of something horrible happening — not to me, but to her.”

Zeke shook his head, mournfully. “Or, god forbid, her and the child.”

Levi pivoted slowly on his heel back towards the blonde where he sat, pretending to read the very book he’d complained to Levi of having already read too many times just days before.

“What.” His voice was flat and harder than stone.

Zeke didn’t bother to lift his eyes from the pages of his novel. “Pregnant women are so vulnerable, you know. Not much they can do to protect themselves from harm that may come their way — even when they’ve trained under the brutal Scout regimen.”

“It must be torture for you to know that something could happen to her, and you would be unable to stop it,” Zeke finally looked up to behold the cold violence in Levi’s eyes. “To be utterly out of control.”

An poisonous smile unfurled across his lips. “I guess that’s why you’ve had her staying back at your old headquarters, no?”

[macsimagines]

Yandere toman [draken, mikey, baji, chifuyu, mitsuya] but everyone bar darling is an alpha.

Please forgive my lack of clarification 😅

(Ok so I'll do this because of all the confusion but next time, please read carefully because I did ask only three and i did ask you to specify multiple times. try to be courteous next time)

TW: ABO, Breeding kinks, Smell kink, Stalking and generally ruuuude behavior.

Alpha!Mikey

Smells like iron and blood. Others hate it but its such a powerful and intimidating scent that others know to back the hell off.

You were Mikey's first. He's a prime alpha and when he smelled you as a child when you first met he knew you were gonna be his it was like an unspoken rule.

Strangers are surprised he's a prime alpha with his baby face but Toman knew there was never gonna be any other way.

You being an Omega was also a no brainer. He'd been preparing you since your children to match his designation, he wasn't going to accept anything less.

Slowly he started to build his pack. It wasn't that he had any biases for the other genders, but he did have preference for alphas. Ruling over a powerful group of apex predators made him feel like a real beast.

Mikey isn't as possessive over you as one would think. Everyone in the pack belongs to him and therefore he groups you all together. He likes it when you smell like the others because he makes the others smell like him. All the scents mingling really pleases him.

Favorite thing to do is to hold you still while one of the other's scents and marks you. He wants you to smell like all of his men and he wants his men to smell like you.

Really likes watching you get drunk off the collective pheromones. Thinks your flushed face as you get high off of it is the biggest turn on.

You're such a good omega, your body knowing that your alphas are all gonna make you feel so good. And that's another big thing, his pack needs to be servicing you and him.

There's so much love to go around you'll never feel the need to leave...

He loves it when you nest and you've got two or three of his alphas there to protect you. Such a good pack looking out for the Omega

Alpha!Draken

Smells like fresh cut grass, so soothing and calming.

Submits to only Mikey. Everyone else can go die, but he does make an exception for you. He likes to let you scent him more than he does Mikey because you're so gentle when you rub against his neck.

Is very perceptive of smells though, the second he gets a whiff of someone not Pack on you he's quick to memorize the scent and wipe it away with his own.

That punk better hope to god Draken never finds him, Toman's Omega needs to smell like Toman and he's got no right to fuck with you.

Knows his place is keeping everyone in line, and keeping you pleased and safe, makes sure they all know that too. If you're feeling scared he's making sure that the Pack alphas have you surrounded and protected.

Makes sure you fulfil your job as well though. The Pack needs their omega ready for them and he's got you presenting and ready for whoever needs you. Makes sure to clean you up but also keep you stuffed.

Mikey likes to know Toman is taking care of it's sweet girl, and Draken is such a good boy he makes sure their leader can see that his Omega is well full of her alphas.

But this boy also takes his rewards too. He gets second dibs after Mikey when your heat hits and your nest is guarded and ran by him. No one gets in without Draken saying its ok and if you haven't earned the privilege then fuck right off.

Yandere!Baji

Somehow smells like a car crash. A huge warning sign about him.

Takes no shit type of Alpha. He very rarely submits voluntarily because he wants to be made to submit. You want to be in charge or on top then prove it to him.

Is constantly scenting you, and has gotten checked by Mikey and Draken multiple times. It's not his fault his scent is so strong right?

Needs his omega often. You're his stress relief and he's such a good alpha that he deserves it right?

You want a knot? He's there to give it. Also gets into trouble for not asking permission to have his way with the omega.

Can't stand other alphas outside of the pack being near you, nearly tore off Pah's arms for holding out his hand to you when you tripped.

Gets into huge trouble for not asking permission to be in your nest. You've bitten him multiple times and Mikey's kicked him across the room for not listening.

Subconciously scents everyone's possessions. Everyone's bikes, their jackets and bags. Everything. He needs people to know who they're dealing with.

At least he's good at warding people off.

Alpha! Chifuyu

Smells like citrus. Lemons and Oranges so fresh and clean.

Suuuuuch a good boi. Always chirping after you, making sure you've got food and blankets for your nest.

Very responsible alpha! Also very good at submitting to the others. Knows his place and sometimes is rewarded with second dibs during your heat. (Mikey is always first)

BUT he is also the residential snitch. Caught you scenting someone else? He's telling the others immediately, doesn't matter if it was your kid cousin thats NOT ok.

Has got a tracker on your phone, and makes sure the other's can see where you're going.

Finds out you're alone and without one of them and makes sure he's there or one of the others knows you're unsupervised.

Goes crying to Baji when you try to give him the cold shoulder for being a good Alpha, then lets Baji talk him into knotting and scent marking you to teach you a lesson in loyalty.

Really like's it when you scent him, and when you don't he eats you out so he can smell like you for the rest of the day.

Really really really like eating you out after everyone else got to have you. Especially licking you clean after Baji. You all taste so good he can't help it!!

Alpha!Mitsuya

Very weird smell of clean linen and paint chemicals, but it works.

Makes a lot of your sweaters and when he doesn't do that he's approving of your wardrobe first before you wear it. He wants to make sure your clothes are comfortable and markable. Certain fabrics retain their smells longer.

Is in charge of your nesting materials and makes sure it gets delivered and scented by all the alphas before giving them to you.

Has on occasion helped build your nest. Mikey and Baji get jealous but Draken actually defends him stating he know what he's doing.

Has the most important job of panty patrol, where he takes whatever undies you've been wearing that day and delivers them out to the other alphas.

Mikey gets first dibs on the one's when you're about to go into heat because those are his favorites.

Feeds you often like a good alpha should, after making dinner for his family and of course you.

Usually takes you to the other alphas because you can't be trusted to not wonder off and they're not reliable about sharing you with each other.

He's got the biggest breeding kink out of all the others though. Seeing you with his sisters makes him want puppies out of you the most...

[multidimensionalguidance]

Anuradha - The Bridge To All Paths Pt.2

Services

As mentioned in the first part, the light aspects of Anuradha are almost always easy to identify through films or by paying attention to the major themes in their life. Now, with all Scorpios there is always a much darker side despite the already observable shadows.

Scorpio placements always carry an intense and intimidating aura, yet out of all the nakshatras the one that carries the most harsh attitude and presence is Vishakha ruled by a male tiger. Both Anuradha and Jyeshtha are ruled by the deer, which makes them more skittish, sensitive, and paranoid.

An observation was made by a fellow astrology account "v1rginldy" on Twitter, and I wanted to expand further on it because it speaks volumes of this nakshatra. They pointed out how there seems to be a connection between Anuradha and demonic possessions, specifically in a context with nuns or women getting pregnant by evil forces.

Anuradha is the only female yoni nakshatra among the others, so perhaps this is why there is such an association with gestation and birth. The corruption comes in from the shadow that speaks and lures in Scorpio placements.

All Scorpios seek power in some way, and in this nakshatra they attempt to obtain it by becoming devoted and subservient to a goal or individual that can give them the authority they seek. Their much softer, innocent, gentle, and servicing nature makes them an easy target.

There seems to be a pattern of young girls who wish to devote their love and energy to God, divinity, or a mystical force yet get deceived to unwillingly participate in dark rituals. They are used as a vessel who is willing to sacrifice anything in order to achieve what they consider to be their inner purpose.

Sydney Sweeney from "Immaculate" plays a young novice nun, who basically ends up getting possessed, lied to, and manipulated to carry the antichrist. She has her Ascendant in Anuradha.

Nell Tiger Free from "The First Omen" plays a young woman who is also a young nun that is selected to bring about the birth of evil incarnate. She has her Moon in Anuradha.

Juliet Mills from "Beyond the Door (1974 film)" has Sun in Anuradha and played the role of a young pregnant woman in San Francisco who is going to have the devil's baby during her strange possession.

Laurel Vail in Delivery: The Beast Within has Moon in Anuradha and plays as a young couple documenting their first pregnancy for a new TV show discover that a malevolent entity has taken control of their unborn child.

Laura Harris from The Calling (2000) has Sun-Mercury in Anuradha and also plays as a young woman who has her child under abnormal circumstances. She pieces together clues that lead to one conclusion, her son is the Antichrist.

It seems that the pure intention and services of these natives are often misused by those who have hidden agendas. They push the narrative to Anuradha natives that suffering for love is the ultimate expression of devotion.

This is why the long term alliances they choose to make are essential not just for their future, but safety. It is the guidance and protection of those who are their partner/s, friends, family, and even coworkers that keep ill willed individuals at bay.

The nun and religious associations are very interesting considering that their whole life journey is about devotion to a higher calling, and it is the corruption within these institutions that take advantage of their natural gifts.

Hope y'll enjoyed these observations, and if I encounter more patterns with this nakshatra, I'll be continuing further.

[sapphicrow]

The choices for the side enemies in each section of resident evil was very deliberate, and shows off both what Mother Miranda thought the lords deserved and what suits their characters. This may have been for difficulty purposes for each area, but still. I think it is a nice tidbit of flavor to our characters even if it’s indirect. Also I have brain rot.

Moreau doesn’t have any mobs. His reservoir is uniquely isolated. It’s evident from the way the other lords treat him that this is how they feel towards him as well. He isn’t a popular fella. As such, Mother Miranda granted him no special protection or privileges. Besides, I’m sure his bile would repel any creature, even a zombie or moroaica.

Lady Dimitrescu has many creatures within her castle because she interacts with more people on the regular. It’s canon that she had a whole service of female servants who were regularly harvested and experimented on. These subjects are later turned into one of two things: moroaica (the on ground creepy crawlies), or samca (the harpy looking things on the roof). Though we know Alcina isn’t Miranda’s favorite, she’s still pretty high up there. She had to make these critters herself still. Plus, her castle is huge and it only makes sense to have scattered security. I’d say Alcina’s daughters count as a high honor and another reflection of the characterization of Castle Dimitrescu.

As for Lady Beneviento, her situation is an interesting one. Angie doesn’t quite count as a mob, since she is technically an extension of Donna’s consciousness. This is obviously part of her as a person. Disregarding Angie, Donna has no major creatures. I say this because I don’t believe her dolls count as beasts bestowed upon her by Miranda. They’re handmade. She had to harness the skills of cadou experimentation, combined with the craftsmanship of doll making. This reflects Donna because she is isolated, but skillful enough to combat it unlike Moreau. She’s delusional, but evidently not to the same degree as Sal. She copes in her own fucked up, crafty way.

Last but not least, Heisenberg. Now, Heisenberg is Mother Miranda’s established favorite. The golden child. The sun of her sons. It’s also established that Mother’s fondness is by no means requited. Heisenberg loathes her. But nonetheless, even with his absolutely meh loyalty, he has a fair deal of power bestowed upon him. Disregarding his cadou abilities, he has the entirety of the lycan pack. That is no small force. Miranda practically trusts the most dangerous lord with an army. I’d like to believe she isn’t stupid enough not to realize his faulty loyalty, but I feel as if she treats him like a second true child. He’s the son that could’ve been Eva’s big brother should everything have worked out. Love is blind, and Miranda’s too busy to question cutie Karl. Karl also has the Soldats that he’s made himself. This is an intriguing view of him in my opinion. Karl lets Ethan slaughter Miranda’s creation because the entire time he’s been using the powers she gave him to oppose her. Silly guy moment.

Mother Miranda herself has no side mob which is very purposeful as well. She works alone. Her sidekick is the cadou, which we see in the form of all those root looking appendages bursting forth from the ground later in the game. Unlike Moreau who’s isolated due to his insufferable and odorous nature, Miranda is alone by choice. By grief, more accurately. Why bother with companions when Eva isn’t back yet? For her shattered mindset, I’m sure the thought of her daughter is companionship enough. Even with the mold making an appearance, Ethan only has to engage in combat with her herself. This is because even with the mold present, she’s still the vessel. It’s illogical and unnecessary for the megamycete to risk itself when Miranda is right there and so willing to take the blunt of the force.

The megamycete’s side mob is every single thing infected with the mold.

Thank you for reading :) hope it was coherent

[mouldycakes]

TRANSLATION:

Danny: I'm going to ask you to sit in silence and give this cinematic masterpiece the attention it deserves. Yes? Can you do that? Steve: Yep. Danny: Thank you~

Steve: Ugh, that's disgusting! ... Are you okay? Danny: Eh? Steve: Do you want a tissue or something? What's wrong?

Danny: Nothing's wrong, dear (!!!) . Weren't you moved by this moment in the film? This scene? Steve: Evidently, not as much as you.

Danny:I'm sorry, ok? I'm sorry I was captivated by a beautiful film about sacrifice and friendship. I'm sorry. Steve: That dude gave birth, I'm just sayin

Danny: He's an alien! They have different plumbing in their planet, alright?! I don't know, they're hermaphrodites or something.

Steve: I just don't get why you're crying, alright Danny? Sorry!

Danny: I'm not saying- you know what? Forget it, forget it, you don't know what it's like to be a father. You'd never understand. You know what? I'll put some cartoons. Steve: Speaking of cartoons. You plan to bring Grace here? Because if so, as an officer of the law I'll have to call Child Protective Services. Danny: Oh, you think you're funny! Half a point. Steve: Yeah, whatever you say. Danny: You're cultureless. Steve: Shh-shh-shh. McGarrett. Danny: Damn beast. Steve: We're on our way. Put your shoes on.

(!!!!) I put it as dear, but 'cielo' in Spanish means 'sky/heaven'. LatAm dub man *sigh* even though they unfortunately replaced a good amount of 'babe's' with 'buddy/friend' I'm happy they added these other unscripted endearments. Also! Danny calls him a beast instead of animal lol

@joudan-janai creo que esto es relevante a tus intereses? Según tus tags en el otro post XD Uno de estos días voy a mirar la serie en su totalidad en latino y me voy a hacer una listita con todos los nombres de cariño que Danny usa con Steve (y viceversa). TRES episodios he visto y la lista ya contiene: amor, cariño y cielo. Sobreviviré? Deseame suerte

[whinlatter]

Hi! Just wanting to say I adore Beasts. Well- I adore all your fics that I have been making my way through, but Beasts has just been marinating in my brain quite happily lately! I enjoy how you don’t shy away from the complexities of what it would be like for our characters in post, pre, current, and then post again war time conditions.

I was wondering since you brought up the McGonagall vs Kingsley or more specifically Hogwarts vs Ministry and who is responsible for the youth or the abuse that said youth experienced- how would that impact the canonical abuse/neglect Harry experienced both at the Dursleys but also the fact that he had an attempt on his life every year he was at hogwarts. I have always wondered in that ever really coming to light- who would the public be saying should be held responsible? I know people in fandom tend to place all the blame neatly on Dumbledore (which I personally disagree with) but how about the ministry? Child services?

Would his abuse by the Dursleys cause an upturn in anti muggle sentiment? I remember in the fourth book when Hermione was receiving hate mail in regards to her “hurting” Harry she had people simultaneously supporting Harry for stopping Voldemort but also being wildly blood supremacist towards her in the same breath. I could imagine for Kingsley, trying to face a wildly anti muggle status quo culture, if it got out the nature of Harry’s relationship with his muggle relatives people might actually riot.

Along with the “telling each other things” part of their relationship and Harry realizing how he needs to be better at providing more emotional support for Ginny and how much support Ginny already provides for him- if the nature of his abuse or even mentioning the cupboard ever came out how that could potentially shift things. The fact that we never know for certain if Harry ever even TOLD anyone about the cupboard in canon actually blows my mind

thank you so much for this interesting question, anon, and for reading beasts and and enjoying it and having a good ol think about it (every fic author's dream, having your story camp out for a bit in someone else's head - makes me beam). have tried to answer said interesting question - on what harry’s friends, family and a wizarding public would make of his time at the dursleys, and broader wizarding cultural ideas about child welfare and protection - below!

TW: generalised, non-specific references to child abuse and neglect

your question is interesting because it raises the question both of wizarding perceptions of muggle child-rearing and norms in wizarding society about the idea of child protection. i've written a bit before about how i tend to think about harry's abuse at the hands of the dursleys, which to try and put it in context as a literary trope in a particular genre (eg. the dursleys as roald dahl-esque pantomime anti-orphan villains) that the series outgrows and then tries to sidestep dealing with. harry's abuse at the dursleys is one of the most glaring examples of the series' tonal shifts and muddy, dissatisfactory space between genre conventions: a series that begins with harry as a matilda-esque figure dealing with pantomime cartoonish child-hating baddies and by the end is busy heavily implying the fact of egregious, gruesome violence against children (ariana dumbledore, for instance). morfin gaunt's violence against his daughter merope, as depicted in HBP, is absolutely not supposed to be farcical quaint slapstick, and as such it jars with the way harry's relationship with the dursleys is depicted early on in the series, which is a much more light-hearted story of ten years of dodging frying pans wielded by baffoonish, ridiculous cariactures of suburban english tories.

the dursleys exist for the young reader to jeer at and immediately hate rather than be taken seriously as portraits of child abusers. that somewhat colours how i personally tend to approach writing about harry's views of his upbringing - eg. don't spend too long trying to make the dursley plot consistent because the author certainly didn't.

i also tend to take cues from how harry the character canonically seems to reflect on and process his upbringing (ie. he recognises it was abuse, but he also recognises he didn't deserve it, and while he is certainly shaped and affected by it, he is not singularly traumatised by it, particularly relative to all of his other terrible teenage experiences). i think harry isn’t hiding the dursleys’ treatment of him from his friends. but nor is he talking about it all the time. as of book 2 the weasleys have decided his treatment is horrific and worthy of a jailbreak, which doesn't suggest they're all in the dark about it ('they were starving him, mum!') - i think they follow his cues on how much he wants to talk about it and have filled in the blanks well enough.

what a broader wizarding public would make of harry's treatment by the dursleys if they knew about it is tricker to think through, and asks us to read between the lines of the text re wizards' expectations/understanding of child welfare and children's protection, and how they might collide with wizards' varying attitudes to muggle culture, which range from polite fascination all the way to wanting to slaughter muggles en masse and hunt them down for sport.

(here's miss trunchbull from matilda, fulfilling genre conventions as only she can, also demonstrating what is likely a popular wizarding pastime: yeeting children).

on the one hand, there doesn't seem to be any kind of child protective services in the wizarding world or responsibility on the part of the state for child welfare. when it comes to children’s health and wellbeing, the wizarding state is hands off and happy about it. a few examples:

bob ogden's visit to the gaunts, for instance, ends in arrests, but seemingly not for child abuse - morfin and marvolo go to jail for attacking muggles and ministry employees, not for abusing merope, suggesting at a minimum there isn't much appetite for prosecuting child abuse or, in an unlikely but still possible reading, there are no express laws against abusing children in the wizarding world under which marvolo and morfin could have been charged.

muriel is critical of the dumbledore family's treatment of ariana ('though to take it to the extreme of actually imprisoning a little girl in the house and pretending she didn’t exist - '), but in the same breath also reveals that ariana was never examined or treated by any healer working at st mungo's, suggesting a distinct lack of scrutiny over children's health and wellbeing.

filch, longstanding school caretaker kept on under dumbledore (who, for all fandom’s ire at him, is a progressive among wizards on all sorts of things including on education and child welfare), frequently expresses a desire to 'whip students raw' and string them up by their ankles. the day umbridge tells filch she's going to sign an approval for whipping is clearly the happiest of his life, and filch exits the text having been outdone as a child abuser only by the carrows (eg. the two who literally encourage child on child torture), which is saying something. mcgonagall calls him a 'fool' (what are you like, argus!) and then lets him supervise the evacuation from the castle. just caretaker things!

does this mean witches and wizards don’t care about child abuse? i don’t want to say a flat no to that. as the muriel point on ariana suggests, even old-fashioned wizarding elders seem to think there is a right and a wrong way to care for children, and believe there are lines that can be crossed in terms of what’s fair and right to do to children under your care. umbridge cites a concern for the vulnerable children of hogwarts in making her case for more ministry interference at hogwarts, a case that makes her popular with many in the wizarding public, which implies some cultural sense of children as innocents who need to be protected. at the same time, though, we also see even progressive witches and wizards use corporeal punishment (the weasleys smack their children for particularly severe transgressions, as many middle class british families did well up to the millennium), and poor neville gets dangled out of a sodding window and his family are supposed to be kind of goodies. as we’re also told in canon witches and wizards are hardier and more durable physically than muggles, we also might expect that may shape wizarding attitudes to what you can do to a child in punishment without lasting damage or moral qualm. so it seems that wizards do have a cultural understanding of child abuse, even if they’re a bit hazy (or more forgiving) in what counts as abusive.

but. the example you mention - a wizarding public who are happy to hate harry but also happy to ride to his defence if they think a muggleborn tart has wronged him because of their kneejerk blood supremacy - is a really good one. canon is clear that hypocrisy is wizarding's britain's bread and butter. so i can absolutely see a right-wing commentariat doing what right-wing commentariats love to do most, which is selectively care about imagined or real violence against children only when it suits their political agenda. given the wizarding press canonically implies dumbledore has sinister intentions with harry potter the troubled youth (nonce allegations abound), i don’t think it would be a surprise if an anti-dumbledore camp seized on knowledge of harry’s experiences at the dursleys as proof of dumbledore’s hypocrisy, cruelty and dishonour.

as you mentioned ginny i will indulge myself and say a few remaining words about our girl. the question of how ginny would think about harry’s upbringing, and specifically what she would make of dumbledore leaving harry to the dursleys’ neglect for the greater good, is - i’m afraid - very interesting to me. ginny lives out ‘for the greater good’ in her war in lots of different ways; for one, she has to accept the likely prospect of harry’s death because of it. now, we know ginny names her son after albus dumbledore. i don’t think this is an act of charity, but a statement of how she and harry come to think of dumbledore and the sacrifices his plan demanded of them and others around them — ie. ultimately, they accept and support them, even if they acknowledge the terrible cost incurred. it’s not a particularly popular view in fandom at the minute, because (understandably and not entirely wrongly) audiences now see the surrendering of a very young child to abusive parents as part of a broader political and military strategy as perverse. that’s a changing-cultural-tastes-genre-trope issue as much as anything. but any of our revulsion at the idea is not how these characters - or even a wizarding public en masse - would necessarily would come to think of dumbledore’s decision to leave harry at the dursleys. (thinking of sirius’ very sad, very important line from OotP here: that ‘there are things worth dying for’).

[arisenreborn]

The Tramont Family

Time for me to scribble down my thought-thinks about Olivia's family that have been kicking around in my head!

Lord Matthias Tramont. A stodgy man rumored to have once-upon-a-time been quite charismatic, but Olivia can’t believe that. He is all about maintaining the families position and adhering to tradition - or whatever Queen Regent Disa tells him will help their position. The family ascended to nobility through a history of service in the military (along with a few clever marriage arrangements), but in the recent past they took a slip down the political power ladder, which seems to have influenced him. He is at regular odds with Captain Brant and Watchhead Gregor. He took great pains to arrange a potential marriage to Regentkin Sven for Olivia, only for her to spurn those efforts and, to his mind, make an utter fool of him. As such, their relationship is quite rocky at the moment. Her becoming Arisen has in some small way ‘mended’ that, but now everything he’s worked for and the connections he’s made are being tested as Disa would rather be rid of Olivia, having seen how her bullheadedness makes her unpredictable and troublesome. So, Matthias presents an air of the most detached support; giving her the most cursory and basic of protections from the Tramont family, but nothing further, while biding his time looking for the most rewarding opportunities.

Lady Claudia Tramont. A noblewoman whom Matthias was arranged to marry by his father, she is the perfect image of a true lady - carefully concealed warts and all. She is deep down a little more understanding of Olivia’s desires to break out on her own and do what she wants beyond her fathers wishes for her. Yet outwardly she goes along with Matthias in all things, and regards Olivia coldly for acting out - something that may stem from a root of jealousy. She dotes endlessly on Ephraim and (not-so-)secretly loathes her youngest son being marched off to battle. Similarly she takes great pride in young Abigail for being everything Olivia failed to be.  As for Oliver… Yes, a mother should be so proud to have such a successful and formidable son… And she will say as much to any who would broach the subject of him, but there is a marked way in which she otherwise avoids ever talking about him that would suggest some level of discomfort. Perhaps even fear.

Oliver “The Bull” Tramont. As a child, Olivia idolized him; he was a strong and powerful knight who protected the people and would slay dragons, to her mind, and she would one day do the same. Now, however, the naivete of childhood is long gone, and she knows him to be little more than an opportunistic mercenary who upholds everything she hates about the nobility.  While his father prefers to bow and scrape to the other nobles, Oliver prefers a more hands-on approach, proving their indistinguishable value through the wholesale slaughter of any enemies. He is equally feared and revered on the battlefield, a beast of a man who sends monsters fleeing before him. While he gets his men out alive (and mostly unscathed), he will also hire Pawns for particularly dangerous work and bears them only the least amount of respect afforded them in Vermund, often enough using them as fodder.  While he seems to care only for battle, however, he secretly has designs on the throne, throwing in his lot with the likes of Allard… He also holds great disdain for his elven heritage, going so far as to cut the pointed tips of his own ears off, and 'encouraging' Ephraim to do the same.

Ephraim Tramont. Though your classic sickly Victorian child in his youth, he is now training to follow in his fathers and older brothers footsteps as a soldier in the Vermundian military. Perhaps needless to say, Olivia couldn’t help but to be jealous and bitter towards him for this, though she’d never actually act out in such a way towards him. Indeed they were very close, and in his youth she would often bring him trinkets and gifts when he was confined to his bed. Alas, eventually he started parroting Matthias and Oliver by telling her she needed to simply accept her lot in life - in part out of his love for her, and in part his jealousy. As much as he loves her, he also hates her for being so ‘free-spirited’ about everything. (By then, however, she was already enlisting under their noses.) He’s a rather weak-willed sort, doted on endlessly by his mother and not at all cruel at heart, but desperately tries to make up for his shortcomings by emulating the strength and demeanors of those around him.

Abigail “Abby” Tramont. The youngest of the Tramont’s and Olivia’s favorite. She is everything her older sister is not and more than happy to follow in her mothers footsteps, enjoying all of the dancing and needlework and such. But she loves her big sister dearly, ever enamored by the tales of adventure Olivia would put her to bed with, and Olivia’s romantic dreams of the ideal knight.  After Olivia’s return as Arisen, she would send her letters or even sneak to her house to visit her, gifting her embroideries she made. She loves to listen to all of Olivia’s own adventures now, while sipping on tea and the tasty treats she brought that she knows Olivia loves so well. And while she had next to no opinion on Pawns before meeting them so much more up close and personal through Olivia, upon doing so she’s quietly disturbed by how her eldest brother speaks of them in comparison to the reality she sees. She is very fond of Emrys and somewhat unknowingly regards him like a big brother - she’s certainly never had a brother like him, who is actually fun to be around.

[traintrainingmontage]

So the Story Goes

"Hmmm, so you want to know the true story of Lady, or as we call her, the Lady of Gold? Well, alright. I'm not in steam yet, so take a seat and listen. But I warn you, this is the oldest known version of this legend, and I'm sure that it will be quite different from what you've heard..."

The Lady of Gold is the patron saint of not just engines, but all living vehicles. The engines, the coaches, the lorries, and even that helicopter... all of us owe much to the Lady. But long before she was a saint, she was actually revered as a goddess.

Yes, ancient people, including many on this very island, worshipped her as a goddess of fire and travel. It was her flame, her lamplight, that saw weary travelers down long and winding roads, day or night, and protected them from the beasts and much worse things that stalked the darkness.

You see, dear, the Lady loves people. All humans and their creations are of great interest to her, and that's why she watches over them on their journeys, always eager to see where they go and what they will do when they get there. However, because fire is her very nature, it is best that she watch, and never touch. As a younger goddess, this bothered her so, but thanks to a certain event, the one in this legend--yes, the one I am getting to right now--she has come to accept it.

One day, a certain smith--he'd be called an engineer, now--caught her attention. He'd been devoted to her since his youth, just like his parents before him, and he made carriages. Well, the smith had recently lost his wife, and his child had left to find more work, so he was all alone. He wept bitterly for several days and nights, the ashes of his forge cold and his workbench dusty.

One night, the goddess heard his weeping. The depths of his sorrow pulled at her heart, and as she looked, she could see that this was the house of one of her faithful. Curious, the Lady descended. She crept down his chimney, igniting his forge as she settled into it, and asked him, in her sweet voice, "I greet you, dear smith. I have heard your cries from even up in the heavens. Please, my dear, whatever is the matter?"

The smith looked over in shock, and for a long moment, his great sorrow was overtaken by wonder, for his dark forge was now aflame in a golden glow so beautiful that he thought he was dreaming. "I... I..." he stammered, willing himself to speak before the one he knew to be the goddess he served. "My good Lady... my wife has left this life, and without her, I am but a wretch. I have no inspiration, no dream... I am no longer fit to be in your service!"

At this, the smith wept once more, and the Lady's heart ached. She wished that she could reach out and console him, but alas, she could not... unless.

It was at that moment that the Lady had an idea. "Oh, dear smith, your loss brings great sorrow. However, I beseech that you not retire yourself from my service just yet; instead, I would ask something of you, something that I believe you can do."

"Make for me a metal body," the Lady commanded, "one that can contain my fire, such that I may travel this world alongside you all. It has long been my fondest wish. I shall help you to the best of my ability."

The smith's interest was piqued, and for the first time since his wife had died, the desire to forge something stirred in his heart. "As you wish, oh Lady," the smith replied, his tone reverent. "I shall do whatever you ask."

Time passed, and the smith toiled away at his goddess's request. As he worked, the smith found that his heart had become light with renewed purpose. While he missed his wife still, the Lady's request reignited his passion, and he vowed that he would do her proud.

Hm? What did the Lady look like? Well... nobody knows quite what her body looked like. Some say she was shaped like a steam engine; others say she was more of a bipedal, vaguely human-like giant. However, everyone agrees that whatever shape her body actually was... she was beautiful.

The smith finished his work, and it was the best that he'd ever created. The Lady was just as pleased, and she settled happily into her new form, overjoyed at the thought of finally being able to meet the humans she'd only been able to watch from afar. She carefully moved herself from the forge into her metal body, and began to test it. To her delight, it worked just as she wished, and she and the smith soon set out on a journey to see the world. Wherever she went, gold dust would appear in her wake, serving as a blessing for all who stumbled upon the paths she treaded.

However, the good times could not last. You see, there is one more character in our story, and he is one to be wary of.

There was another man in the smith's village who loved the smith's wife. He had requested her hand in marriage, but was rejected. Despite this, he continued to watch her, always begrudging the fact that she had married the smith.

After she died, this man was also burdened by immense anger and grief. He was roaming around, trying to find an outlet for his pain, when he stumbled across the smith's workshop. Expecting it to be empty, he was instead shocked to see that the smith was creating something far beyond his ken, something... divine.

The man, overcome by anger, gave in to utter foolishness. Skulking away from the workshop, he headed for a clearing, where he called forth a demon--a demon of envy, no less. He promised it his soul if it could sabotage or destroy the smith's work, and the demon readily agreed.

Demon and fool followed the smith and the Lady as they roamed the world. While the fool attempted to gather gold dust, it only served to burn his fingers, and the demon merely laughed a terrible laugh as he continued his pursuit.

Finally, after many months of traveling, the Lady and the smith arrived at an incomparably beautiful meadow. It was lush and green, with flowers blooming everywhere the eye could see. The Lady closed her eyes, taking it all in, when suddenly, she turned to look behind her.

However, she was a step too late. A terrible claw grasped her, and crushed her against the dirt, causing the smith to stare in wide-eyed horror. Above her, the demon grinned, looking down on the Lady as the fool ran up, cackling madly.

"Man, that was too easy," the demon grinned. "Look, it's nothin' personal. But this guy wants revenge, and I wanna be a god. So, if I kill ya, he gets what he wants, and I get your divinity. It's a win-win. You get me?"

The Lady's anger was clear. The meadow was rapidly wilting beneath her as heat rolled off of her, but the demon didn't let up. Instead, its claw only clenched down harder, causing her to groan in pain as the metal began to deform. "How... how did you..."

The demon grinned its toothy smile. "You didn't think twice 'bout sealin' yourself in some moving metal box. You could never sense me while stuck in somethin' like this!" Once more, the claw clenched around her, piercing the metal. "Now... any last words?"

"Yes..." the Lady murmured, and instead of anger, there was only sorrow in her voice as she looked over at the smith, who met her gaze with one of worry and confusion. "I'm... so very sorry..."

And just like that, the Lady's mortal form burst apart, with a glorious wave of heat and light overtaking the entire meadow as her true form appeared once more.

---

"Wait, wait, wait!" 12-year-old Bethany Rushen, who had come to visit the Skarloey Railway with her grandmother, held up her hands in protest, causing the old engine to pause. "Skarloey, are you seriously telling me that Lady just... exploded?"

"That's what happened, yes," the No. 1 replied with a grin, rather enjoying the look of stupified disbelief written all over the girl's face.

"But what happened to the smith? And the fool? And... and the demon?"

"Well," Skarloey smiled sadly, "about what you'd expect. The demon didn't die, but he was terribly injured. As for the humans, they died instantly. The Lady felt so terrible about what happened that she vowed never to take mortal form again, and that she would do everything in her power to prevent such a tragedy in the future."

Bethany nodded sagely. "That makes sense. So what did she do?"

"Like I said in the beginning, she was a goddess of fire and travel. Over time, humans figured out how to make engines like me, and when they did, that's when the Lady had another idea. When vehicles are made, she gives every single one of us a spark of her divine flame. Then, she gives some of us her blessing, and that's what gives us faces and protects us and all of our passengers and crew from being hurt in accidents."

Bethany frowned, the wheels in her head turning. "But... if you all have her blessing, why do accidents even happen?"

"Remember what I said about the demon?" Skarloey replied. "As the story goes, he didn't die, but he was weakened, and he's been trying to get revenge ever since. Legend says that much of the troubles on railways and roads are his doing. A lot of trucks, and sometimes other engines and coaches, have his blessing instead of the Lady's."

"I see..." the girl hummed, shifting in place as she processed the story. "Then... what about the vehicles that don't have faces? Like your twin?"

The old engine smiled, happy that Bethany was taking such an interest in an obscure legend of the railway. "They just decided that they didn't want the Lady's blessing. After all, it's a lot of responsibility. Having her blessing means that... well, certain things take notice of you."

"Like the demon," Bethany whispered.

"Yes, like the demon," Skarloey echoed gravely. "Some engines prefer to not call the demon's attention, along with the attention of... other things, to themselves and their railways. Other engines would rather accept the Lady's blessing and be strong enough to protect people themselves, come what may."

"Wooooooow..." Bethany murmured, clearly impressed. "But... wait. Isn't the Lady of Gold a saint? She's the patron saint of all of Sodor's railways, right? How did that happen?"

Skarloey made a huffing noise, like he was trying to find the right words. "After the events in the legend, the church declared that the Lady wasn't actually a goddess at all, but a Saint. Over time, though, they decided that they weren't sure about her sainthood and took her off the official feast day calendar. However, Sodor and much of the rest of the UK still celebrate her, and on her Feast Day, it's said that you can find gold dust on the tracks as proof that she still watches over the humans and their creations."

Bethany squinted her eyes and pursed her lips together, seemingly displeased. "Well, that's dumb! Goddess or Saint, she's still super cool, and I'm glad we celebrate her anyway."

Suddenly, her expression shifted from annoyance to a more thoughful look. "But when you said that her story was different from what they showed in the movie, you really meant it, huh? I can't believe how much of her story they got wrong!"

Skarloey simply laughed in response. "Well, you're a smart girl. I'm sure you understand why they wouldn't want to show children a movie where one of the main characters blows up and people die in the end."

His young listener sighed in resignation, kicking her feet as she stood up from her seat. "No, I guess not." She then looked up at the old engine, a smile spreading across her face. "But thanks for telling me the real story, Skarloey. I'll be sure to remember it!"

The crimson engine grinned and winked at her. "As you should! It's thanks to her that we can all do what we do!"

As Bethany waved good-bye and headed off to find her grandmother, who was no doubt catching up with the now-retired Refreshment Lady and her own granddaughter, Skarloey hummed comfortably and waited for his turn to be steamed up. "It's a good story," he mused, "even if there's a lot that I left out about the Lady. That said..."

"I'll save my tales of the fey for another time."

[zeravmeta]

the battle in 5 seconds after meeting manga is one that i was never able to stick with even though it compelled me but the peak of that manga will always be the fight between oogami and yuri and the arc they share

just. the parallels and interplay of the vastly different but so equally damaging forms of dehumanization in both their lives. oogami who was forced to become a monster to protect himself and the other orphans from abuse, leading to a lifetime of nothing pure violence done in the name of his childish dream of a utopia, yuri who bore the brunt of her mothers disdain for her father leaving, needing to raise her little sister because her mother abused and beat them as well and always internalizing all the rage she felt because she know it wasn't her sisters fault, neither of them considered themselves human, just a monster or a tool to be used for the sake of someone else, the ability "five times" just being a multiplier of their base attributes something they share because they've been hollowed out into nothing but the service they provide, the contrast between a huge muscular beast of a man and an average but lonely highschool girl who above all other share the same type of pain

it didnt matter the stone facade they shared, both of them deep down were nothing more but scared and hurt children, who in this moment fighting for their lives found an equal, someone who they could admit to about the pain they felt, to whine and cry about how unfair their situation was to someone who would truly understand. they see (and are) kindred spirits, but where oogami sees someone just like him prone to becoming a monster due to how little people ever reached out to him, yuri just sees her little sister, a child who was never allowed to grow up safe and happy because they weren't protected. so she will reach out now, and hear his pain. even if only one of them can walk away from this death game, oogami will know that someone reached out to him and heard his pain, that yuri's own pain was equally as acknowledged and accepted.

it's why shes so infuriated when oogami's body is reused by leonhart's zombie infection.

NO ONE WILL EVER HURT HIM AGAIN. THEY ARE HUMAN, DAMMIT. NO ONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE ANYTHING LESS. THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR PAIN ARE REAL.

[i-am-beckyu]

My Monster to Slay

WOOOOOOO! I DID IT! 8K+ WORDS! Here it is! My 100 follower fic special! Thank you all for 100 followers on my blog! I love you all so much and can’t believe we actually hit such a big milestone! You guys all mean so much to me and I love that you guys like what I create!  So without further a do, enjoy! cw: abandonment, child abuse, minor gore scene but no one dies (just a rando animal), fear, fear of death, panic and anxiety, fluff, hurt/comfort, and happy endings (you know me ❤️) word count: 8856

Disclaimer! This story is based on the characters of the Dream SMP and not the real life content creators. Anything that occurs in this story is purely fiction and should be treated as such. Thank you.

It was common knowledge that no one was to enter the Forest on the West end gate of the Village. Those who went in, never came out. What was beyond the shadowy cover of thick foliage was unknown, and those who dared enter were considered dead. So of course Tommy took an instant interest, when it was sung by a bard at the Winter Festival.

  Within the forest of the dark twisted wood,  A place no one can go, or ever should.

Lies a creature of mischief, filled with dire deceit,  Who wanders the woods, hunting to eat.

To the people who enter, full of pride and valour,  Though they see themself brave, will all hide and cower.

For the creature that lurks knows your presence is near.  It finds all who venture, through the smell of their fear.

And as it speaks, hot breathe spilling from their chin,  You know you’ve lost from its treacherous grin.

So listen to my tale, I tell all to thee   Leave the forest alone, let what’s within just be.

For all who enter have never come out.  Each one a strike, in the beast's victim count.

 Well if one song could scream ‘danger’ it was this one, and danger was Tommy’s middle name! The boy at 12 years old knew an adventure when he saw one! A strange unknown setting shrouded in mystery with a potential target to slay? Oh what a perfect opportunity to prove himself to the people of the village if he could bring back the head of whatever lived within the Forest. He’s seen many hunters bring back the heads of deadly creatures from beyond the village walls, and be praised for their services and bravery in protecting the village. But to bring back the head of a menacing monster, preventing the village from expanding their assets to the forest would surely result in an entire parade to celebrate his conquest! 

 The young boy had eagerly gathered his satchel and a wooden sword before rushing to the West end gate. He would prove his worth, he would!!! For no one is greater than the one and only Tommy Danger Kraken Innit! But of course a quest for glory was not one so simple. The West end gate to the Forest was sealed off and had been un-open nor used for a long time. Heavy reinforced iron gates were chained and locked at their operating point, to prevent anyone from venturing out, or anything from getting in. But would this stop the great Tommyinnit? NO! Using all his might, he tried to break the chains, pouring all this strength into breaking the chains with his wooden sword. But after the 13th or 14th try, he decided to spare the chain and look for an alternative exit. 

 “You win this battle chain…” the young boy had muttered, as he began to search the surrounding walls.

 One benefit of the West end gate being so unused was that the walls weren’t attended to or maintained as well as other sections. So it wasn’t long before Tommy had found a gap just big enough for him to squeeze through and onto the otherside. Before him lay the Forest, the tree cover casting an eerie dark shadow. A last chance effort to keep intruders away. Repositioning his satchel, Tommy took a deep breath in and marched forward into the forest's depths, ignoring how his heart pounded as he began to journey deeper into the heart of the Forest. He would find the Beast, and he’d kill it.

 After walking for a while, the thick foliage began to even out and soon light was pouring through the treetops, giving its surrounding a soft, almost magical glow. Seeing this himself, Tommy’s heart slowed as he relaxed and found himself enjoying his new found surroundings. What a wonderful place this would be for the villagers to explore when he returned a hero! When he found a wide enough open clearing, only then did he stop. He’d heard hunters say the best place to find creatures or monsters to battle would be to lure them out into a big open space, and create a false sense of security of having their foe in the open, all the while preparing a surprise attack themselves. When he felt he was ready, Tommy raised his hands to cup around his mouth before shouting:

 “HEY! BIG UGLY MONSTER!!! HERE I AM! COME FIGHT ME!!!”

 He waited a moment, listening intently for the inevitable sound of the monster approaching, but was met with silence. Well that’s okay. They’re probably doing Monster things and are busy. Tommy could wait. He’d be patient if it meant he’d get to make the village proud.

 But as the minutes ticked by, Tommy’s calls were all but left unanswered. He didn’t understand. What could a monster possibly be doing that was more important than battling him? 

 “HELLOOOO! MONSTER?? I’M WAITING FOR YOU TO COME FIGHT ME!” He called again. 

 Suddenly a crack sounded from behind him, and Tommy whirled around to face the direction of the noise, hands perched on the hilt of his wooden sword prepared to draw it at a moment's notice. 

 “FINALLY! I’ve been waiting ages for you to show up!” He said in relief before his eyes settled upon a figure.

 Before him stood a tall man with curly brown hair in a long worn trench coat. Upon his nose were gold circle framed glasses that highlighted his sharp glimmering amber eyes.  

“You’re not a monster.” He stated blankly, as his face crinkled into confusion. 

 The man gave him a crooked smile. “I’m afraid not.” He said, his voice melodic in a way. “What are you doing in the Forest little one?” 

“I’m not a child and I’m here to battle the monster. Isn’t it obvious?” Tommy said huffing, crossing his arms in annoyance. The man looked him up and down before a smirk appeared on their face. 

 “I’m not sure a wooden sword is going to be very effective then.” they mused. “Unless the monster you plan on battling is a rabbit.”

 Tommy gasped in offense. 

 “You dare underestimate the power of the Great Tommyinnit?” 

 “Well I’m just not sure it would be very effective on anything else.” The man replied, stepping more into the clearing. Tommy drew his sword and raised it pointed at the annoying man, as he spoke with confidence. 

“It’d be pretty effective at beating up a Wrong-un like you.” 

 The man burst out laughing as he doubled over slightly clutching his middle as he did so.

“What on earth is a wrong-un?”

 “People like you thinking amazing people like me are weak. I’ll have you know I’m the strongest man alive d*******.” Tommy squawked in retaliation to the still laughing man as he tried to compose himself. 

 “Sure sure. You’re definitely the greatest man alive!” The man said as he began to calm down. 

 “I’m sorry for thinking otherwise.” 

 “As you should be. No one messes with Tommy and gets away with it.”

 Tommy re-sheathed his sword as the man continued. “So why are you in the Forest to battle a supposed monster? I thought no one was allowed in here?” 

 “If I kill the monster and bring back its head to the village, I’ll be treated as a hero and praised by everyone!” Tommy replied eagerly, striking a heroic pose as he did so. 

 The strange man's brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Tommy in concern, but Tommy didn’t notice as he continued on. “Then people will like me and I won’t be alone anymore!”

 “Did they send you in here?” The man asked.

 “Nope! I snuck out here all on my own! I had finished all my chores for the day and I wanted to prove myself!” Tommy said proudly. “Why are you out here though? Wait, are you here to battle the monster too?”

 “No, I actually live here.” The man said, raising an arm to scratch the back of his head as he looked away sheepishly. 

 “You live here???” Tommy replied eagerly, practically bouncing on the balls of his heels. “Have you seen it?” 

 “Once.” The man began, eyes drifting down to look into the boy's sparkling wide blue eyes. “It’s not safe to be out here, but I’ve lived here a long time and know this area well. The monster does not come to this part of the forest often.”

 Tommy’s heart sank. He’d spent so long waiting and the monster barely ever even came to this area? How could he fight them if they never show up? And he couldn’t really journey much further than this either or he would be unable to get back to the Village. 

 “Oh.” He said flatly, his shoulders deflating at the realization. The man came forward towards Tommy, stopping till he was just in front of him. They towered over the small boy.  

 “I guess the monster might come back one day..” They sighed. Tommy’s face lit up. 

 “Really??” he said brightly. “You think so?” The man shrugged his shoulders, giving him a knowing smile. 

 “Can I keep coming back until it does?” Tommy asked. The man thought for a moment, looking as if they were debating heavily with themself.

 “I guess so.” Yes! Success! He still had a chance then. With that answer settled, Tommy gathered himself up and turned to leave. 

 “I will be back tomorrow then!” He declared proudly, a bright determined smile plastered across his face. 

 “See you tomorrow then Tommy.” The man said, turning to watch the small boy leave. 

 “See you tomorrow uh, um. What’s your name?” Tommy asked, embarrassed that he hadn’t asked sooner.

 “Wilbur. Wilbur Soot.” The man- Wilbur replied.

 “See ya tomorrow Wilbur!”

 As promised, Tommy returned to the same clearing upon finishing his chores and waited for the monster to arrive. Just as before he called out for them and waited for them to appear. Nothing. That’s okay. Wilbur said they didn’t come around alot. He could wait. He would slay the monster! 

 A little while later, Wilbur appeared. Almost a little shocked to see Tommy at all, as if he didn’t expect them to return. But upon seeing the excited young boy, joined him in the clearing to wait.

 “Any sign of them?” Wilbur asked.

 “Not yet.” Tommy replied, as he scanned the surrounding tree line once more.

 “HEY MONSTER! IT’S ME! TOMMYINNIT! COME GET ME!” he yelled once more.

 “Ouch. Give a guy a little warning before you do that.” Wilbur yelped, clutching his ears. “I’ve got sensitive ears.”

 “Oops. Sorry. I’ll try to remember next time.” Tommy replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

 “So how do you plan to beat this monster?” Wilbur asked inquisitively. 

 “Well when they get here, I’m gonna cuss them out for taking so long! Then I’ll draw my sword and slice them into tiny little pieces!” Tommy stated proudly, drawing his sword and posing dramatically, his weapon held high in the air. Wilbur laughed at the funny sight before him, as Tommy turned around to face him, stomping his foot in annoyance.

 “Oi! Quit laughing ya b****!” he said, as he marched over a little way away from the man, stopping next to a tree to sit on the mossy ground.

 “So, what's your favourite colour?” Tommy asked, wanting to change the topic.

 “Blue. Yours?” 

 “Red.” They sat in comfortable silence for a bit.

 “You got a favourite animal?” Wilbur asked.

 “Cows are pretty cool.”

“Cows? Seriously?” Wilburs face contorted into an amused look.

“Hey cows are pretty intelligent alright? What about you? It’s probably something dumb like a squirrel.”

“Mmm no but I like rabbits. They taste pretty good.” Tommy turned to Wilbur and gasped.

“I meant that you like to look at or find interesting! Not to f***** eat!!!”

“What! I’m just being honest.” The man said at least looking a little guilty. “I’ve gotta eat something out here! Besides, it's not like you don’t eat cows!”

Tommy fake gasped. “I would never eat a sweet innocent cow. They’re so endedible and loveable!”

 “I bet you’ve eaten beef in the last week.” Wilbur said, giving Tommy a knowing look as he rested his head into his hand, propped up on his knee.

“No…. I definitely didn’t...” Tommy said looking away, face going slightly red as he fiddled with his hands. 

 “At least I don’t think it was beef…” Wilbur just grinned.

 “Alright alright. How about an animal you dislike? Mine’s an Anteater.”

 “What’s wrong with Anteaters?” Tommy questioned.

“Oh Tommy. What’s not wrong with Anteaters?”

        (\_(\           (\_/) ?         (ง•-•)ง    ? (•-• )     ?       o/    |            |    \o ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It continued on like this for several days. Tommy would finish his chores around the village, then journey into the forest clearing and call for the monster where he waited. And not long after calling for the monster, would Wilbur appear and help call for the monster too. When they weren’t doing that, most of their time was spent chatting. Well mostly Tommy, with his rambles as he practiced his sword fighting skills, whilst Wilbur watched the wild child wave his treasured wooden sword around. Sometimes he would relax and nap in the warm sun's rays as the child spoke whatever was on their mind. Occasionally, Wilbur would manage to get Tommy to come sit still with him and would hum a melody or sing and a made up song, whilst running a hand through his blonde curls. The man had a soothing voice and it was almost hypnotic in a way. Tommy wished he could listen to it forever.

 Days turned to weeks and soon Tommy was spending almost all his time in the Forest, and while he still called for the monster to fight, he found himself going for a different reason. Wilbur. Tommy had become attached to the man. The man had a gentle presence and treated him in a way that not many in the village did. He treated him with kindness, joy, caring and what could almost be affection, from how often the man insisted they hug before he left after coming to know him. But he couldn’t complain when secretly he loved it. Part of him almost wanted to stay with the man and never leave. But that could not be. He had a mission! Kill the monster and return a hero! That was his mission, his quest! But maybe when he did, Wilbur could come too? 

 He’d asked the man once before about it, his answer being that the village didn’t really like people like him, so he chose to stay away. Tommy wondered if it was because maybe he’d messed up too many times and the villagers had kicked him out? When Tommy made mistakes, he’d get punished pretty badly. Some nights he’d go to sleep covered in bruises and dried blood. But that’s okay! He’d complete his quest and return as a hero and then never be punished again. But if that was the same reason why the village didn’t like Wilbur, he thought that returning a hero with him would perhaps fix all that? Yes! That would definitely fix everything. How could it possibly not?

 It was just another normal day for Tommy, as the young boy made his way to the usual clearing. He'd brought a pastry with him today that the nice baker lady had given him, for him helping her bring the flour bag order into the shop. He set his satchel down and cupped his hands around his mouth as he hollered his challenge to surrounding forest foliage. 

“HEY MONSTER!!! IT’S TOMMYINNIT! I’M READY TO FIGHT YOU B****!” 

 He was about to call again when a rustle of leaves from behind him had him turning on his heels. 

 “Wilbur!” He called cheerily, not expecting the man to appear so soon. 

 “You’re here ear-ly…” The words died in the boy's throat as his eyes widened to see not Wilbur stepping into the clearing.

 Stood before him huffing in a steaming cloud of rage, was a giant black boar with piercing red eyes. Tommy drew his sword, hands tight around the hilt, trembling slightly at the fierce animal before him. He could do this. He’d been waiting for a monster after all. This was just a uh- a warm up! Yeah a very big, scary looking warm up. But as the boar let out a menacing growl, and Tommy’s fear growing by the second, he took a step back. He-he couldn’t do this. Tommy’s hands loosened on the wooden sword, allowing it to drop to the grass floor below him. The boar taking this moment as its time to charge. Tommy sprinted for dear life. What was he thinking? That he could take on what was supposed to be a terrifying man eating monster alone and win? He’d bought a flippen damn wooden stick to a boss fight! And he wasn’t even trying to escape the supposed monster. It was just some ugly Boar!

 Tears began to stream down Tommy’s face. He didn’t know what to do. The Boar was quickly gaining on him and he had no idea where he was going. He didn’t have a decent weapon and he was getting tired quickly. So he did the only thing he could think of and screamed.

 “WILBUR! WILBUR HELP!!!” He shouted over and over again, in hopes the man was somewhere nearby and would be able to help. 

 “SOMEONE?! ANYONE?! PLEASE!!!” 

 Tommy kept running. He could feel the hot breath of the Boar growing on the back of his neck as the sound of hooves got closer and closer. He was managing to dodge his way out of the approaching jaws of the furious animal, but for how much longer?

 Tommy’s luck seemed to have run out, as he soon found himself cornered at the bottom of an overhanging cliffside. He scrambled about looking for a way up, someplace to hide, ANYTHING to help him escape his impending doom, but ultimately was left with nothing. The Boar slowed its approach, knowing its prey had finally been caught. 

 “WILBUR PLEASE!! WHERE ARE YOU?!?” He shrieked in desperation; one last time. 

 “Please.” he barely whispered as he backed himself up against the cliffside wall, breathing heavily as he braced his arms against the rocky stone walls. He heard the Boar grunting and scraping the ground, a sign it was about to charge and deliver the final blow. He scrunched his eyes firmly shut and braced for the end. He didn’t want to see it coming. 

 Suddenly something hit the ground with a heavy thud, creating a small shockwave, causing Tommy to be knocked to the ground from the impact. A blood curdling shriek along with terrified squeals were sent into the air, instantly followed by the sound of several loud cracks and hissing. Tommy lifted his head up and wiped his face of dirt from the ground, slightly dazed from the harsh fall. Tommy’s eyes widened in terror. Before him was a giant brown and yellowish scaled tail. His head followed the scales up, anxiety growing of what was to come as he looked on to where the tail turned to the back of a human torso, of a man with curly brown hair atop of their head. Tommy’s heart stopped as realization struck him.

 A Naga.

 That was his monster. 

 But before him is Wilbur.

 Wilbur was a Naga.

 His Monster is  Wilbur.

 The monster he’d been calling for and patiently waiting all this time to come, had been Wilbur the entire time.

 There was no doubt in his mind that now that the secret about Wilburs’ true form was out, would have them turn tail and devour Tommy alive. After all, that must be why he had come. They probably didn’t want their free meal to be snatched up by some other predator. The Naga had known the entire time why Tommy was in the forest. They knew Tommy wanted his head for the glory it would bring, but had indulged in his wild fantasies. They were probably letting him live till they got bored. That made the most logical sense. Besides, everyone always gets fed up with him eventually. It's how he ended up an orphaned street rat in the first place. People just put up with him till they’re sick of him, then make him get lost. It's why this hurt so much more. Because instead of being abandoned, Tommy knew he was going to be devoured.

 Slowly, Tommy struggled to his feet. He had to get out of here. He couldn’t die. He had to escape! He just had too! The Naga was still turned away from Tommy, the now dead Boar hanging limply in its grasp. Ever so quietly, Tommy crept along the side of the cliff wall, around the Naga. He couldn’t afford to be seen. He kept his head and shoulders down and tried to blend in with the wall, doing his best effort to be as unnoticeable as possible. He was almost in the clear when he glanced back at the Naga. He froze in place. Tommy watched as a giant fist raised the dead Boar up in the air, as the Naga opened its giant mouth. Sharp fangs glistened in the sun as he watched them drop the entire dead animal in the awaiting maw, only to snap it shut and swallow the entire thing whole. Tommy watched in horror, as the large bulge of the boar traveled down the Nagas throat. A thin pink tongue slithered out of its mouth and licked its lips in satisfaction. Oh Prime, he needed to leave NOW. 

 But one wrong step was all it took for a twig to snap sharply beneath Tommy’s foot. The sound rang out loudly in his ears. He didn’t need to look down to realize his mistake. Oh so comically slowly, Tommy turned to face the monster. The Naga’s head had snapped to meet his own, its amber eyes nothing but thin slits. However, upon seeing Tommy, their gaze softened. 

 “Thank Prime you’re okay.” the Naga said, releasing a heavy sigh. 

“I was so worried when I heard you calling that I-” They began to say as they turned to move forward. 

 Tommy bolted. 

 “WAIT! TOMMY!” The Naga cried as he lunged for him with an outstretched clawed hand, the small boy just narrowly dodging the giant appendage before the Naga crashed into the cliffside missing. 

Tommy booked it for the tree line. He needed to get back to the village. He wasn’t going to just wait to be caught and die!! Wilbur had said he lived in the forest and was the monster. 

 This was their forest.

 Its  domain .

 He wouldn’t be able to hide anywhere and not be found. It wouldn’t matter if he’d had a 100 meter head start, the monster knew where to go, where to look. Prime! It probably even knew what he smelled like and could track him! Tommy’s only hope of survival was to get back within the Village walls. He took every tight, confusing, twisting path he could take, ducking through small gaps that blocked off openings for larger creatures, praying that somehow this would slow the Naga down. Tommy could hear them approach from the sound of leaves crinkling from beneath the weight of the serpent that was giving chase.

 “TOMMY, PLEASE! COME BACK! LET ME EXPLAIN!!!” Tommy heard the Naga plea, as he squeezed through the gaps of several fallen trees, stopping the naga effectively as they were too big to follow. 

 “COME BACK!” 

 They were so close. But he couldn’t stop. He had to get to the village. Had to get back home. He just had too!

As Tommy ran through another thicket of bushes, he stumbled into a clearing, tripping over something, falling to the ground harshly and scraping his knees against the rough surface. He cursed to himself as he looked over the now slightly bleeding scrape, eyes narrowing on whatever he tripped on. 

 It was his wooden sword. 

 He paused as he processed his surroundings; recognition sparking in his head. It was the same clearing he’d first met Wilbur in. It’s a bit ironic? The sword he wanted to use against the big, bad monster used against him. Tommy felt tears bud at the edge of his eyes. It just wasn’t fair. NONE of this was fair. This was the spot he had met his first real friend. The first time he’d had a real connection. The first time he hadn’t been kicked out for being himself. The first time he had felt like someone actually cared, and it was all a lie. 

 “Tommy? Are you alright? That must have hurt.”

 Tommy whipped his head around to see the now human version of the Naga standing behind him. He turned to run again, but he was no match for the Naga’s speed as they shifted form and snaked around him, effectively trapping him within the giant coil walls. He ran to the edge of the coils and tried to climb out, but the end of the snake's tail trailed its way up the boys torso, wrapping itself around his frail form semi tightly and lifted the boy into the air. “Please Tommy. I just want to talk.” The naga said as Tommy began to thrash in attempts to  break free. Instinctually, the tail tightened around him, squeezing the air out of his lungs, causing him to cease his thrashing. Oh Prime! He was going to be squeezed to death! His lungs began to burn from lack of air as the pressure on his ribs slowly constricted tighter. 

 It  hurt . 

 It  hurt so much . 

 He let out a strangled whine of pain.

 “F***!” the Naga spoke above him as the tail immediately loosened, releasing its death hold around the boy, as they greedily gasped for air.

 “Oh Prime. Oh S***. I'm so sorry!” The world lurched as Tommy was lifted and placed on a rough, warm surface. He blinked his eyes open, trying to focus on his surroundings between black splotches from the lack of air. 

 Oh.

 He was in it’s hand wasn’t he? 

 “S***! Tommy! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to squeeze you like that!!! Are you alright?” concern lacing the giant's voice.

 Now didn’t that just make Tommy’s heart ache. The jig was up! He knew what Wilbur was. This sick game or whatever it was was over. He had literally just tried to squeeze him to death. Why were they still pretending to care? 

 “Tommy? Please talk to me!”

“Don’t eat me!” Tommy pleaded, tears freely dripping down his face.

“Eat you?” the Naga breathed, taken aback.

“I don’t want to die!” Tommy cried, as he curled in tighter on himself. He didn't want to see the hungry look of the predator.

The Nags’s eyes widened in disbelief as a gasp escaped him.

 “Tommy! I’m not going to eat you! How could you think such a thing?”

“Because you will! You almost squeezed me to death just then!” Tommy wailed as he began to tremble.

They glanced away. At least they had the decency to look guilty.

 “That was an accident. I didn’t mean to and I’m so sorry I did!” he paused. “But I saved you from the Boar. Why would I want to eat you if I did that?”

“Because you lied.” Tommy whispered, the Naga taken aback; hurt by the statement.

“Please… I just- I can’t- I don’t want to die Wilby.”

 Why did Wilbur have to keep delaying the inevitable? Why did it have to be the first person he’d come to love like that was to be his demise? Why had he been so foolish in believing he could succeed in defeating a monster like him? In a way he’s lucky he hadn’t been devoured sooner. He’d practically been dancing with death every day for weeks. It's not like anyone would even care if he disappeared. No one had cared when he’d disappeared for hours at a time as it was. No one liked him. No one truly cared for him. No one loved him.

 “Tommy, sunshine. Look at me.” The Naga asked softly. Tommy lifted his head slightly as he sniffled more wet tears into his knees. 

“Tommy. I’m not going to eat you. You mean so much to me. I could never imagine hurting you on purpose.”

  What?

 “Sometimes, my instincts get the better of me. I didn’t mean to squeeze you like that, I swear.” The Naga spoke gently. 

“I came to save you from the Boar because you needed help. Not because I was afraid he’d eat you before me or anything like that that you might be thinking, but because I was terrified I’d lose you.”

 Tommy’s whole body stiffened.

  He thought he was going to lose him?

 “Yes Tommy, you.” They chuckled almost as if he read the blonde's mind. 

“When humans enter my forest, I usually just leave them alone because I know they're afraid of me. But that day you came into the forest, I couldn’t help myself. I’d been alone for so long, and you seemed so determined to battle a monster, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by you.” 

 Tommy uncurled himself to get a better look at the Naga, them taking it as a cue to continue.

 “And when you found out it wasn’t around, I didn’t want to ruin that precious smile across your face. So I lied about the monster.“

  He had lied because he would have been upset about no monster?

 “I didn’t think you’d come back in all honesty. But when I heard you calling for me the next day and you kept coming back, I couldn’t stay away.” Wilbur lifted his hand up to his face so that Tommy was now at eye level.

“I care about you Tommy. 

 Tommy lifted his head fully, eyes wide looking at the Naga.

 “Really?” voice wobbly, he asked.

 “Really.”

 Tommy’s breath hitched in his throat, eyes scanning the Naga’s face looking for any sign of they were lying. 

 But all he saw was the man he had come to love. Despite everything, despite them being a Giant Naga, a Monster: It was still Wilbur. Still his friend. 

 Tommy let his tears pour as Wilbur began to gently stroke his back up and down with his thumb in reassurance. He was okay. They were okay.

    __       /) /) (\ (\   | ♡  >  ( ›.‹) (⋅.⋅ )           o( づ♡  ⊂)o ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tommy continued to visit Wilbur even after the incident. The two became closer despite the truth coming out, and they couldn't be happier. Wilbur could be honest about his true self, and Tommy had someone he could depend on. Tommy would still call for the Naga though. While he knew that he didn’t need to (since Wilbur revealed he knew when Tommy entered the forest everytime by his scent and how he walked from his crazy good hearing) he still did it as a sort of tradition. It felt wrong not too. 

 Although, some of his calls were a little less than polite…

 “HEY B****! I’M HERE!!” The 12 year old hollered for the snake.

 “Where the heck did you even learn to curse like that?” Wilbur laughed as he slithered into their clearing. 

 Wilbur didn’t shift to his human form a whole lot anymore either. There was no real need too now that Tommy knew. He would occasionally at Tommy’s request, but the boy rather liked the Naga at his giant size. He’d crawl all over the man’s coils and slid down his tail like a slide. Sometimes he’d laze about in Wilbur’s fluffy hair and ramble on while the Naga lazily dozed in the sun listening. Other time’s when Wilbur was being clingy from instincts, he’d hold Tommy in his hands close to his chest. Tommy would complain, scratch and bite for him to let go, before eventually submitting to hand cuddles in defeat. He’d never actually admit that he loved them though. It’s not like it made him feel completely safe surrounded in the comforting warmth of his hands or anything. Nope! Not big Man Tommy liking some silly hand hugs. Nuh uh. Not him!

 “So what are we doing today Sunshine?” Wilbur asked, as he lowered a hand for Tommy to step onto.

“Something awesome.” Tommy grinned mischievously as he stepped on and was lifted to sit on the Naga’s shoulder.

“Awesome or hey-OW! TOMMY!” Squawked Wilbur, as the boy launched himself off of his palm, grabbing onto one of the longer curls of his fringe, tugging it down as Tommy swung around wildly.

 “Let go, you Gremlin.” 

 “NEVER!” 

 “You are such a little menace.” 

 “Little??? I’ll have you know I’m the biggest man alive!” The boy pouted, as giant fingers gently pulled him away from the man’s face, dangling him in the air briefly before placing him back on the ground. “Yes, I’m aware Tommy. You’ve said so many times.”

“So you’ll let me back up on your shoulder then?”

“Ha! No.”

 It was moments like these that really made Tommy want to stay with the giant snake and never return. But despite the bond he and Wilbur had formed, Tommy couldn’t stay with Wilbur forever. He understood why he couldn’t, but he wanted to stay. Wilbur had told Tommy how much he cared for him and he knew that he did, but despite this, Wilbur still made him go home. The forest wasn’t safe for him even with the Naga’s presence, which was made very clear by the boar attack, and Wilbur voiced that he should stay with people of his own kind, within the Village walls where it was safer. He was still so young and he needed the care human’s provided him. Tommy of course had yet to tell Wilbur that he slept in an alleyway alone and all, but that’s okay. He didn't need to worry him like that. What could the Naga do about it anyways?

 Although while he couldn’t stay, Tommy would be in the Forest every chance he could! The villagers, of course, now seemed to take notice of their dear little street rats’ disappearance. They didn’t like how their source of free labor was suddenly not around so much. Didn’t like how they suddenly didn’t have a personal punching bag for when they were upset. Concerned their little orphan wasn’t around to control anymore. So of course, they started to ‘inquire’ about it.

 “Where are you off to?” The Fletcher asked him one day, as Tommy was leaving after helping sharpen the flint for the arrow heads. “Just going to practice my sword skills.” He replied simply as he turned and walked off.

“Disappearing to the West End District again rat?” The Butcher provoked. Tommy tried not to pull a face as he walked passed. 

 He hated that name. “What are you doing down there? Don’t you know what lurks beyond the walls?” “I like that it's quiet sir. Good place to practice my sword skills.” Tommy yelped in surprise, as he was suddenly grabbed by his shoulder. Pointed fingernails dug into his skin, as he was twisted around to meet the Butcher's face and a sharp cleaver poised dangerously close to his neck. “Make sure you stay within the walls, Rat.” Tommy’s eye’s darted from the Butchers knife to their piercing gaze. “When people go into that Forest, they don’t come out. Would hate for something to happen to you.” With a sharp blow to his back, Tommy stumbled forward out of the man’s grip and sprinted for the West End Gate, desperate to get away. He ran all the way to the gap in the wall and crawled through. 

 He didn’t tell Wilbur why he had run to the clearing that day or what had happened to cause the now-forming bruise between his shoulder blades. Simply lying instead about how a heavy book had fallen off a shelf that morning when he helped the Librarian. Wilbur had given him a concerned look before Tommy changed the subject to talk about cows. Tommy hoped that the odd interaction from the Fletcher and Butcher was a one time thing.

 But it continued to happen. 

 Everyday, a different member of the village would question him about where he was going and why. Some would get a little aggressive like how the Butcher had, but he managed to get away with just a mild bruise or graze. He tried to cover them up best he could before visiting Wilbur. The Naga was beginning to get increasingly worried about how many injuries Tommy was showing up with. “Tommy, are you sure you’re alright?” They had asked him one day, when he’d appeared with a poorly wrapped cut across his forearm (a cut he’d unfortunately been unable to avoid from the Cartographers drawing compass).

“Yeah I’m fine Big Dubs. Just got a little reckless with some of the other kids in the village playing swords.” Wilbur raised a brow. “Just, promise me to try and stay out of trouble Toms? I don’t want to keep seeing you show up covered in fresh injuries.” “I promise.” Tommy promised nervously. He hated that he had to lie about this to Wilbur, but it wasn’t worth worrying them over a little scratch.

~~~

 It only seemed to grow worse for Tommy as time went on. He’s not 100% sure, but he swore that he’d seen someone following him. Whenever he started to approach the West End District, it felt like holes were being burned into the back of his head. He had started to take back route alley ways to the gap in the wall after that, trying to avoid whatever had been tailing him. But you can only avoid certain things for so long.

 “Haven’t seen you around all that much lately, rat.” The Blacksmith stated, when Tommy was unloading a metal order for him one morning. “What are you up to?” 

 “Nothing of importance sir.” Tommy replied as he kept his eyes trained down. He knew not to establish eye contact. He’d had too many slaps to the face recently to forget that. “Just keeping to myself till needed.”

 “Hmpf. I know you’re up to something rat.” The Blacksmith said, stepping closer to the boy. “We know you’re sneaking off through the West End Gate.”

 Tommy’s neck bristled, as a shiver ran down his spine. So he’d been right. 

 Someone had been watching.

 “No sir. I would never do that.”

 “DON’T LIE TO ME RAT!” The Blacksmith yelled, grabbing Tommy by the collar and yanking him into the air. 

 “WHY ARE YOU GOING INTO THE FOREST? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?”

 Tommy grabbed uselessly at the back of his shirt in hopes of getting free, as the Blacksmith held him high dangled in the air. 

 He couldn’t tell them about Wilbur! If they knew he’d been going in there to see him, they’d go after him! They would hurt him!

 “NOTHING SIR!” He cried desperately.

 “LIES! NO ONE THAT GOES IN THAT FOREST COMES OUT! HOW IS IT THAT YOU, A USELESS CHILD HAS!?”

 The Blacksmith flipped him around and threw him harshly to the ground and into one of the furnaces. Tommy jerked his arm back, hissing in pain as it came into contact with part of the hot metal, the skin on his arm immediately turning an angry red. The Blacksmith trudged forward, pressing a heavy boot onto his frail chest.

 “I’ll ask you again. Why are you going in the Forest?” They threatened, venom seeping into every word.

 “I’m not sir! I know not to go in! I never do!” Tommy wailed, as tears streamed down his face. 

 “Fine. Be that way.” they hissed, stepping off his chest.

“We’ll get the truth out of you eventually.” They raised their leg back before kicking him harshly in the stomach winding Tommy, before swiftly walking away. 

 Tommy didn’t visit Wilbur that day. 

 Or the next. 

 For 3 days he stayed huddled up, hiding in the shadows. He was in so much pain that he couldn’t even bring himself to move, let alone leave his little shelter in the alleyway .

 But even after he felt fit enough to move again, he didn’t return to the Forest. He was too ashamed of what Wilbur would say if he saw him covered head to toe in bruises and fresh wounds. He’d be so disappointed in him if he did. He was supposed to be looking after himself and staying out of trouble. Being good, and making Wilbur proud. Instead, he’d had to spend the  afternoon trying to find a shirt with long sleeves that he could use to cover his arms, and hide the would be scars from the Naga, only managing to find a slightly too small red sleeved shirt that was in semi okay condition.

 He was such a disappointment.

 ~~~

 The next morning, Tommy helped the farmer. He didn’t want to go back to the Blacksmith. His arm was wrapped loosely in a makeshift bandage beneath his new shirt and it hurt like hell. He was still finding it slightly difficult to breathe, but the villagers had work for him to do and they wouldn’t take kindly to his ‘excuses’. Especially after vanishing for a few days…

 The Farmer wanted him to harvest some of the carrots today. Normally, he’d be allowed to take a few of them when he’d finished the job, but today the Farmer had come as he was finishing up and was holding the small pile of carrots Tommy had set aside for himself in their grasp.

 “I hear the Blacksmith had a chat with you the other day.”

 Tommy stiffened.

 “Yes-yes sir.” He stuttered.

“We don't take too kindly to liars boy.” The farmer threatened. “So make this simple for both of us and tell the truth.” “But I’m n-not going in, sir. There’s n-nothing in the Forest!” He stuttered, taking another step back. 

 “WE KNOW THAT’S NOT TRUE! WE’VE SEEN YOU SNEAKING THROUGH THE GAP IN THE WALL!” The farmer accused stepping forward, raising their pitch fork up. “YOU EVEN DISAPPEARED AFTER SEVERAL DAYS AND TURN UP ACTING AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED!! TELL THE TRUTH! HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?”

 “But-but I-I didn’t go in!!!” Tommy stammered, his voice wavering as he spoke. “I was in my alley trying to rest from my injuries!”

 “B*******! You expect me to believe that?” They spat. “Even if you were, that doesn’t explain why you’ve been going in!!!”

“There’s no rules that say I can’t go in! I’m just going there to practice my sword skills with a friend.” 

 “A friend?” The farmer asked incredulously. “Who on earth would be spending their time with a ratty orphan street kid like you? Stop making things up and tell the truth.”

 “BUT IT IS THE TRUTH! ” Tommy pleaded in desperation. “WE JUST HANG OUT AND TALK!”

 “B***S***! JUST TELL THE TRUTH!”

 Tommy pushed himself up off the ground and away from the Farmer as they made a move to grab him, and high tailed it for the West End Gate. He couldn’t take this anymore. He had to get out of the Village NOW. He had to leave. Had to get out!

 Even if Wilbur wouldn’t take him in, he had to get out of there. It wasn’t safe.  

 He ran through the streets, the sounds of angry villagers emerging from their homes to come after him and bring him back, trailed after him, growing in volume. He knew what they wanted him for. They didn’t love him. They didn’t actually care. They just wanted to have control over him. He hadn’t realized it at first, but after meeting Wilbur, he’d begun to recognise the choke hold they held over him. Making him work for approval. Making him work to prove his worth when it would never be enough. Using fake praise followed by belittling comments to control his feeble mind. He had thought that if he came back a hero, they would finally actually want him, accept him for him; not just claim that they ‘cared’. 

 Wilbur had shown him what being cared for truly looked like. And he’d take that over the s*** the village dished out any day.

 He ran and ran till he reached the gap in the wall but skidded to a halt when he realized what the villagers had done.

 They’d sealed the gap.

 He pounded on the freshly dried layer of concrete sealing the gap over, desperate to break through before eventually giving up. He turned and sprinted for the West End Gate exit and tried to break the chains once more on the operating point. 

 But it was futile. The Chains remained locked tight, and despite the little bit of muscle he’d built up by practicing with Wilbur, he still lacked the physical strength to even leave a dent in the chains.

 The sounds of angry villagers continued to grow louder as they approached and soon Tommy was surrounded on all sides.

 “Awwww. The little rat wants to go into the Forest.” One woman snickered.

 “Don’t you know you belong to us!” Another spat.

 Tommy turned and ran to the iron gates and began to climb his way up. If he could make it over, he’d risk the broken bones the fall down would cause. “Where do you think you’re going?” The Weaponsmith snapped, grabbing Tommy’s ankle, yanking him back down to the ground. 

 He tried to climb up again reaching for the iron gates but was torn away with a yelp.

“Uh uh uh. You ain’t going nowhere. Not until you tell us why you’ve been going into the Forest.” 

“LET ME GO A******!” Tommy shrieked as he struggled to get out of the Weaponsmith’s hold. 

“Oh we’ll let you go alright. Right after you tell us the Truth. No one goes into that Forest and comes out alive. We’ll find out what you’re hiding: even if we have to break you.”

“SOMEONE PLEASE! HELP!!! ANYONE!!!” Tommy thrashed about, desperate to break free. He felt helpless. No one in this damned village would help him no matter how much he pleaded. He didn’t understand why the villagers were treating him this way. They had never cared about him before, but now that he had entered and emerged from the Forest unscathed they cared? What the F*** was wrong with them???

 “LET ME GO!!” He screeched in vain, as he was dragged along. 

  Why won’t anyone help me? He didn’t deserve this. He just wanted- he just wanted…

 “WILBUR!” Tommy screamed out of desperation. “WILBUR PLEASE!!! HELP ME!!!”  

 He knew the Naga wouldn’t be able to hear him, but he wanted his brother. Even if Wilbur didn’t feel the same, he wanted to be swept up in the giant’s gentle hands. He wanted to be held close to their comforting chest. He wanted to hear Wil’s rhythmic heartbeat and soothing voice. He wanted to feel Wilbur’s fingers card through his hair, as he whispered sweet nothings. 

 He wanted to be with Wilbur. 

 He wanted to be loved.

 “WILBUR! PLEASE!!!”

 “Your imaginary friend is going to come save you rat.” The Weaponsmith mocked. 

 “You belong to us and we will do to you what we see fitting-” The words died in their throat as a thud was heard from behind. A flurry of hushes were sent amongst the crowd, as all turned to face the West End Gate. They watched in anticipation as another loud thud hit the gate’s door causing it to creak, as dust floated down from the upper walls like snow. 

 Something was trying to break in.

 “Oh Prime.” the Weaponsmith whispered, as the sound of hissing began to fill the air.

 “Go-go, GO! GO NOW!” 

 The villagers began to disperse into panic, as the thudding increased and the Gate began to cave in on itself, whatever beyond the entrance desperately trying to break in. 

 “YOU!” 

 Tommy tried to fight against the Weaponsmiths hold as they pulled him to their face. 

 “WHAT DID YOU DO?”

 But before he could answer, the Gates flew open, debris flying everywhere. Tommy tried to shield himself best he could, as bits of concrete were flung in his direction. The crowd went deathly silent. 

 Standing tall menacingly within the rubble, was Wilbur; hissing threateningly.

 “Where is he?” The Naga demanded.

 “Wilbur. WILBUR!”

 “Shut up.” Weaponsmith hissed as they shoved Tommy away from the direction of Wilbur.

 “WIL! I’M HERE! I’M MPHF” Tommy tried to call, but a piece of fabric was stuffed into his mouth, muffling his cries.

 But the Naga heard it all the same. 

 “TOMMY! I’M HERE!” Wilbur yelled, as worried amber eyes searched the crowd.

 The Naga’s eyes locked onto Tommy’s form, a warning hiss filling the air.

 “Give him to me now, and I’ll spare you.” 

 “Never.” The Farmer spat. 

 “Have it your way.” 

 Wilbur slithered forward, not caring for who or what was in their way. The villagers scattered beneath him, screaming in fear to avoid the giant snake's tail, some not being so lucky. Wilbur’s eye’s turned to slits, as they let instinct drive them forward. The Naga bared their fangs and hissed in warning as they approached closer. The Weaponsmith trembled as Wilbur raised his torso up, poising themself to strike. Fear had the Weaponsmith turn tail and run, as they hurled Tommy forward trying to put as much distance between him and the boy. Tommy stumbled forward, Wilbur shooting his hand out beneath him to catch him. The Naga’s eyes dilated as they brought Tommy up to their face, eyes searching every inch of the boy. Their frown deepened at the sight of every new bloodied spot, as Wilbur removed the makeshift gag. 

 “What did they do to you?” Wilbur whispered, voice tight as he gently ran a finger over Tommy’s forehead, brushing the hair out his eyes.

“Wil. I, I-I’m so sorry.” Tommy whimpered.

 “Shh shhh. It’s alright Sunshine. I’ve got you.” 

 Tommy felt himself being moved as Wilbur began to slither away. He kept the boy close as they moved through the Village and back to the Forest, Tommy clutching onto Wilbur’s giant fingers tightly the whole way. 

 “I was so worried about you Toms. When you stopped coming, I thought something horrible had happened to you.” Wilbur said, as he stopped to rest in their familiar clearing.

 “I’m sorry.” Tommy whimpered softly. “I tried to stay out of trouble like you wanted! Really! I did! But the villagers were so convinced that I was doing something wrong in the Forest because I came back! I didn’t do anything wrong Wil! I swear I didn’t!”

 “Oh Tommy sweetheart I know. I never should have sent you back. I thought that it would be better if you remained with your own kind. I thought humans looked after their young. But they hurt you. They hurt my Little Brother.”

 Tommy’s whole body stiffened.

   Little Brother?

 “Yes, Little Brother Tommy.” They chuckled, as if he read the blonde's mind. 

 “Every time you went to leave, I didn’t want to let you go. I just wanted you to stay with me. It was so hard to not just reach out and pull you back into my arms.”

 “I thought you didn’t want me.” Tommy sniffled as he looked up at the Naga in disbelief.

 “Oh Tommy! How could I not want you?” I love everything about you! Your smile, your laugh, your personality, EVERYTHING. I want you to come home with me. I want to hold you close,  protect you and never let go. I want you to be my little brother.”

 Tommy could feel tears budding at the edge of his eyes.

 “I love you Tommy.”

 And Tommy? He broke. Sobs ripped from his throat as he threw himself at the Giant Nagas nose as Wilbur brought his hand up to hug him back in an awkward way. 

 He  Loved  him. 

 Wilbur actually loved him. Finally, someone really loved him!

 “I-I love you too Wilby!” Tommy wept, clinging to the giant's nose. “I love you so so much Wilbur. You’re my big brother! No one has ever cared about me like you do!” 

 They stayed like that for a while before Wilbur pulled Tommy back from his face, tears threatening to fall from the giant's eyes as a fond smile grew wider across the Naga's face.

 “Let’s go home.”

            /)/) (\(\            ( . .) (. . )         o( づ 💗⊂ )o ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Within the forest by the West end Gate,    Journeyed a boy, led in by fate.

A monster they went a looking for.  A monster he found, but was not so sure.

Some say the monster took them to eat,  Other’s say the boy still searches to beat.

A once monster, fabled in fear,  But not to this boy, who holds them most dear.

For while glory they went, a looking for,  Instead they found something worth much more.

Within his forest home, the boy now sleeps,  With their monster brother, safe he keeps.  There they stay loved, never a part.  The boy who claimed the monster's heart. ❤️❤️❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! I KNOW SO MANY WORDS BUT I HOPE YOU ENJOYED!

[red-garden]

Young Gods, Old Blood

ROTTMNT AU by Red Garden

Setting

◦ High Fantasy

◦ Magic, mythic creatures, alchemy

◦ Warlock magic system: mages make deals with gods, devils and beasts to use their magics

◦ 7 (6) continents known- Aldera, Kufyteu, Ignosios, Y’Theaka, Mbano-o, Kibuxia, Unock

◦ Kingdoms, empires, feudal states, tribal leagues, and anarchistic communes

◦ Main characters- April, Casey, Casey Jr, Sunita, Draxum, Hueso, Piel, Hypno, Warren, and Big Mama

Overarching plot-

Casey is out to destroy the Foot with the power of the dark armor. Little does she know that the Spider Empress is looking for the same relic so she can extend her empire across the globe. There are forces far greater than they can imagine wrapped up in the dark armor- old gods waking from slumber, ancient warriors hidden away, and at the heart of it all, The Crying Titan.

Characters

Casey Jones

Any pronouns, 26, 5 6”, ronin

No magic; lightning long sword, Morningstar gauntlets

Born to the Foot clan in Ignosios, she was raised to be a samurai. But the Foot hides many secrets. After years of service, she was confronted with her actions. She killed a child in a village raid. It wasn’t the first time, but it would be the last. They left the Foot at 20, searching for the relic that could wipe away the Foot with a singe stroke- the dark armor.

April O’Neil

She/they, 25, 5 2”, martial warlock

Magic pact with the Four Pillars (the turtles), uses elemental magic; wields iron knuckles, mostly used martial arts Her family granted shelter to Yoshi and the turtles after they fled Kibuxia. She grew up along side the turtles and trained with them to protect her village from Kibuxia raiding forces. The Four Pillars (the turtles) have been keeping the empire from spreading further north, but they can’t last forever. April needs to find and destroy the dark armor before the empress gets her hands on it and can use it against them.

Sunita Pandit

She/her, 25, 5 10”, paladin

Magic pact with River Bottom; blessed silt spear

River Bottom is being intentionally poisoned by the Kibuxia Empire so they can invade the land. With her god weakening, Sunita joins April and Casey on thier quest to find the Dark armor. Secretly, she wants to provide River Bottom with the armor so it many grow unbeatably powerful.

Casey Jr Jones

She/her (later he/him), 11, 4 8”, apprentice

Learning to wield a bow

To prove herself useful enough to Casey that she’ll keep her around.

Baron Ganzaya Alazar

He/him, 53, 6 4”, artificer

Pact with Ashpush goddess of the forge; wields an artificer’s hammer

Searching for his estranged sons, The Pillars, who he lost when they fled Kibuxia. April promised to bring him to them if he could help them find the dark armor.

Hueso Rivera

He/him, 40, 5 8”, Twin sea spirit

Can create whirlpools; Bone whip

Wants to find his son and let him know he’s still alive.

Piel Rivera

He/him, 40, 5,8”, twin sea spirit

Can summon waves; Sabre

Since the transformation, Piel has lost most of his motivation, and is content to follow his brother.

Ihaka Atama (hypno)

He/him, 31, 5 9”, prophet

Signed a pact with Y’Kana, god of prophecy

Part of the deal with Y’Kana was to sacrifice the only he loved most after 10 years. It’s been 9 years, and since then he’s become best friends (and maybe more) with Warren. He hasn’t told Warren about the deal, and is determined to break his connection to Y’Kana to save his ‘bestie’. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is with extremely powerful magic, such that that only relics like the dark armor could offer him.

Warren Stone

He/him, 36, 5 3”, bard

No magic, no weapons, he’s not even very good at barding

Happy to go where ever Ihaka goes. Not a thought behind those eyes.

Empress Sen Motsu Kumo (Big Mama)

She/her, age unknown, size varies , 1,000 Hands Spider Goddess

She’s a spider goddess, she has spider powers (miles morales?? 😳)

She’s a colonizer. She wants her empire to conquer all, extract their resources, and make her the more powerful/wealthy being on earth.

Ocean (Leo)

He/him, 23, 7’, artificially created water god

Can control water ATLA style; wields a double katana

To stop the empire from spreading no matter what.

Mountain(Raph)

He/him (?), 24, 15 7”, artificially created earth god

Can control earth ATLA style; wields twin sai

To keep his family safe, no matter what.

Wind (Donnie)

They/he, 23, 8 1”, artificially created wind god

Can control wind ATLA style; wields bo

To create a weapon powerful enough to wipe out the empire.

Fire (Mikey)

Any pronouns, 22, 5 7”, artificially created fire god

Can control fire ATLA style; wields dual nunchaku

To find a way to stop the war.

Hamato Yoshi (Spinter)

He/him, 54, 5 1”, Martial arts master

No magic, just punches

To keep his family hidden from the empress.

Usagi Yuichi

He/him, 23, 5 10”, samurai

Pact with martial goddess Yama which gives him bursts of extreme speed, strength, and agility- but he passes out from exhaustion immediately after (shonen ass); wields a katana

One of the only surviving samurai from the conquest of clan Usagi in Kibuxia. He ran away from the fight, and carries the shame with him. Now he wants to fight alongside the pillars to maintain the norther border of the empire (it certainly helps that Ocean is easy on the eyes too).

Kitsune Kanoe

She/her, 27, 6 1”, mage

Pact with the illusion god of clan Kitsune, Red Mist- she can cast complex illusions with extreme concentration, as well as shapeshift into a fox

Her clan was conquered by Kibuxia as well, scattering or imprisoning any survivors. She got away, but unknown numbers of her family are in imperial labor camps. She wants to become an illusion master so she can free them, but is terrified of facing the empire again.

Tora Chizu

They/it, 30, 5 11”, brawler

No magic, no weapons, just fists and anger

Fled clan Tora when it was young, and has been running ever since. They’ve been homeless for the past 6 years, picking fights where it can and getting paid when it wins. After being given food and medicine by Kitsune, they’re entranced, willing to follow wherever she goes.

Ashigawa Gen

He/him, 32, 6 8”, Calvary soldier

No magic; rides a great horned beast and wields a metal club

He defected from the Kibuxia army, heading north to escape execution. After Usagi told him of the Four Pillars he decided to follow the same path and hold the border with them.

Tora Hana

She/her, 14, 5 2”, apprentice

No magic, wields a wakazashi

She’s another runaway from clan Toru, with nowhere to go. Usagi found her while heading north and took pity on her. She wants to impress him, and later Chizu, and learn how to defend herself.

The Metal Man(Repo Mantis)

He/him, age unknown, height changes

Pact breaker curse- he’s covered in metal and spikes, half living half dead, doomed to do the bidding of Wheynin, the collector god, until he’s destroyed

He has no motivation, he is merely a husk at the whim of his master, no longer alive but not dead either.

Hunger (Meat Sweats)

It/it’s, age unknown, size indeterminate

It’s comes to you in a haze. The Hunger. It must feed.

There is no running. There is no resisting. There is only Hunger.

The General (Rocksteady)

He/him, 51, 6’, knight

Powers unknown; wields an axe

Full obscured by his armor, he rides that great horned beast… he comes and goes as the empress pleases, rolling over the land like a tide, leaving the earth soaked and trampled. The only thing he wants is to dominate.

The Scout (Beebop)

He/him, 29, 5 5”, ranger

Made a pact with the goddess of the hunt, Heart Beat- can go invisible for up to a minute,moves exceptionally quietly and has a keen sense of smell; wields a bow

Always at the side of The General, The Scout is sometimes called the Harbinger. He wears all black, coming and going like an insect through walls. He never shows his face- some believe he bears a curse on it, some believe it’s because he was horribly mangled. Neither are true. He does as The General commands.

Brek Oso (Razar)

They/Them, 55, 7 6”, man hunter

Rumored to have made a pact with a devil. Wields a spear.

They chase gold. No one gets away.

More lore to come…….

[hopepetal]

Another wip of the AU I'm working on with @stiffyck!! Go check out their amazing art for this, it makes me insane /pos

---

"Filthy animals." The words were spat out at the two chained up as though they had a disgusting taste. Pearl snarled as their captor took a step forward, tugging against her chains as warm blood trickled down her wrists and neck, leaving a trail that turned cold in the freezing temperatures of the room. She had long lost her voice from all the screaming, but she still had enough in her to warn their captor to 'back the hell off'.

Their captor glared at Pearl, giving her a snarl of their own. "Absolutely disgusting. I'm doing a good thing by getting rid of you both." With a sharp crack, they slapped Pearl across the face, the strike stinging deeper because of the cold.

Pearl's snarl was cut off into a soft whimper as she shrank back, and now it was Scar's turn to growl, pressing against Pearl in a way that let her know that he was here, he was here and he'd protect her. He could feel the way she shivered not just from the cold but also the fear which she desperately tried to shove down. He tucked her head under his chin as he turned to silently glare at their captor.

"Don't look at me like that," their captor snapped, "I'm doing the world a service. Without people like me, monsters like you would roam free and hurt all the innocent people out there."

"That's not true," Scar rasped out, his own throat raw from use, "you know nothing about us."

Their captor- Pearl and Scar had given them the name 'Billy' as a joke, but now it had stuck- rolled their eyes. "What I know is that you are predators- dangerous, feral beasts. And that is all there is to you. Nothing more."

"You," Scar began, his one open eye narrowing, "you absolute-"

Pearl let out a soft whimper, pressing herself against Scar and nuzzling him. Scar took a deep breath, letting himself calm down from the blood boiling rage that burned in his veins. Billy watched with a skeptical glare, tapping their foot against the cement floor. "What was that?" they asked, looking down at Scar with all the air of a mother scolding her child.

Scar grit his teeth. "...nothing," he muttered, the feeling of Pearl's warm breaths against his skin grounding him and keeping him from losing himself to the rage. "Absolutely nothing."

"Mhm. That's what I thought." Billy took a few steps forward, before beginning to unchain Pearl from the wall. Tugging on the chain that connected to the collar around her neck, they yanked Pearl away from Scar, who lunged forward in an attempt to get back to her. He failed, choking and spluttering as the chain connecting his collar to the wall went taut.

"Let go of her!" he cried, thrashing wildly, "please, please not her, you've hurt her enough PLEASE!"

Pearl had already started to cry, wildly trying to escape even as blood ran in rivulets down her neck. The skin around her gills was sensitive, and it hurt Scar like nothing else did to see how much she was suffering. Billy didn't even care, tugging on the chain once more to force Pearl to her feet as Scar screamed.

Once again, Scar was too helpless to do anything as Pearl was taken away. He was left alone with the echoes of his screams and the cold ache of loneliness.

[ellilverse]

MORION

Illustrations by @tururv

Editor and translator by Swissy Knife

Morion is the largest kingdom on the continent, whose core calling is combat. It was formed as a result of faith in the gods of destruction, Pyrope and Ruben. According to legends, the Morionians got their bright red eyes from the goddess of hunting herself.

Since its formation, Morion has been a closed kingdom, and opened its borders only after the end of the last war. Escapes from Morion have long been quite frequent, despite being punishable by law in this Northern kingdom. Those who manage to commit this betrayal act become enemies of the nation and are never allowed to return to their homeland, it is believed.

Due to the harsh climate, agriculture is not well developed in Morion. Morionians are mainly engaged in hunting and extracting animal skins from their rich forests. This place is known as a stronghold for excellent hunters who can defeat anyone, whether it's a ferocious beast or an unfortunate victim.

Every Morionian is sent to the army at the age of 75 regardless of gender, and the service lasts for 50 years.

The mountains of Morion are rich in minerals, including a wide variety of precious stones. Because of this, blacksmithing and jewelry making are well developed in the kingdom. Despite the fact that Morion just recently opened its borders, it is a well known fact that the best jewelry on the entire continent is made here. It's no secret that their jewelry carries special powers within itself.

In the Northern lands, you can often see many wooden totems that protect local villages and sacred places. Morionians are worshipful about woodcarving, believing that it is precisely because of the durability of wood that the deities are able to grant them safety, and they, in turn, honor them with their wooden images in that way. In many families, wood carving is considered as a traditional craft that passed down from generation to generation. Many amulets and wooden toys decorate the houses of people of the North.

The Nation

Due to the fact that Morion has been closed to outsiders since its foundation, its people considered themselves superior to the rest of the Ellilians. The Morionians treat outsiders with disdain and disapprove of any contact with other people of the continent. Any intimacy with a representative of another nation was unacceptable and socially punishable for them, and any children who appeared as a result of such unions were disposed of at the egg stage.

There are small communities on the lands of Morion that have settled away from towns and villages. Some of them lead a barbaric lifestyle and attack civilians of the North. They worship their own deities and perform rituals that are unacceptable to both the civilized Morionians and the Ellilians in general. They are no strangers to sacrifice, cannibalism, mass murder and other practices that are considered inexcusable. And although the kingdom is trying to deal with this centuries-old problem, the barbarians are still a huge issue for Morion.

Morion's families are often patriarchal. However, there is a common wedding tradition in which a couple must fight for dominance in their future family. In some villages and communities, there is also a tradition of stealing brides and fiances.

Any trait that is not typical of the original image of a race frightens Morionians. Hatching a white-haired child is a rare phenomenon, interpreted as a curse and misfortune for the entire family. For this reason, the Morionians have a dubious attitude toward the newly-made wife of King Norman, Queen Justine. It is unknown which nation the woman belongs to, but it is surely not acceptable to spread rumors or openly discuss such delicate matters — there is a high chance of becoming a traitor of a nation and losing one's head.

Morion and Sunstone have been allies since the ancient times of Ellil. The history of their origin union is unknown, but when new rulers ascended the throne, these kingdoms repeatedly swore oaths of loyalty to both of their nations' rulers. This alliance obliged them to help each other in times of wars. As part of this agreement, Sunstone sent its best healers to Morion. These healers are considered untouchable in the Northlands, and anyone who dares to harm them will be punished.

Religion

Faith in Morion flows in multiple directions. Most people in the North believe in their current king, while some are more keen on the faith of the Destruction gods. There are also pagan cults that worship local deities in barbarian communities.