#the Flangst is strong in that one | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

almondmilktargaryen · 1 year ago

Text

Duty & Sacrifice (Part One)

Summary: Aemond is married with two kids to Floris Baratheon, as it was his duty. But it's when he ventures into Flea Bottom in the night that he faces his sacrifices.

Couple: Aemond Targaryen/Fem!Reader

Category: Flangst

Content warnings: Cheating, mention of dead children

Word count: 2k

Also on my Ao3

Part one | Part two | Part three | Part four ✍️

The memory of Aemond’s mother holding a blade inches from Rhaenyra’s eye pops into his head whenever he plans to head into the city. His mother’s thirst for justice and balance, for the sake of him, is an image he has never shaken.

“Where is duty!” He remembers. “Where is sacrifice!”

And years later, with the Greens victorious and the Blacks slaughtered, sacrifice reveals its head here. As Aegon takes rule on the Iron Throne as the one true king (according to future history books, not the people), and Helaena’s ashes rest in the sept with Jaehaerys, Aemond takes on his own sacrifice.

Well aware of his brother’s ineptitude (and reliance on the milk of the poppy), their grandsire assigns Aemond responsibility for helping train the Royal Army with Ser Criston, as well as command the City Watch. As much as Otto claims not to care for it, Aemond and Daemon were shockingly similar. So there was no better person. Aemond agrees with his grandsire but knows he only won the dragonback fight against his uncle because he was more disciplined. He flew away on Vhagar unscathed in comparison because of his discipline.

Because Aemond understands duty and sacrifice.

And like his mother, he understands his role in the family and takes it seriously.

He wears his typical black leather attire whilst eyeing the hood in his wardrobe. He’s even just about to grab it before his chamber doors groan loudly, the force of his two boys clamoring through to see him. Baelon attacks his legs while little Daeron stumbles behind, forcing Aemond to submit and fall to his bed. Aemond’s laughter mixed with the squeals of joy. Before Baelon can sit on his chest again, he quickly sits up. “Is it almost that time?” He asks them.

“Yes,” Baelon says. Aemond rises further and the boy rests against his father’s arm. Aemond is sure that if he blinks, he’ll find his oldest suddenly tall enough to rest his head on his shoulder. “Mother says I still have to go to bed when Daeron does.”

Aemond shrugs with an amused sigh. He had learned through his oldest how much time children have to argue and dwell on their smallest of issues. “Your mother’s rules are your mother’s rules.” He simply says.

“But I’m much older than Daeron.” He has used this argument multiple times on his father, yet Aemond remained delighted as his lips curled. Aemond places a hand on his boy’s head and brushes over his matching Targaryen locks. He’s letting them grow past his ears now. Aemond has also learned his eight-year-old bends his will effortlessly, something powerful men with the most fearsome reputations and twice as many battle scars could not even dream of. Meanwhile, his son achieves it with his mother’s eyes and little effort.

“I will speak to your mother about it tomorrow.” He grabs Baelon by the waist and lifts him to let his feet land on the stony floor. “But for tonight, you must return to your chambers at the same time as your brother.”

“But Papa,” he drags out the last syllable.

“I will not hear it. Your mother--”

The doors echo again, and Princess Floris Baratheon steps in like she was summoned. Her belly has already started swelling with their third child. Despite what handmaidens and wet nurses have prepared her for, Floris has yet to discover any dreadfulness during her pregnancies. Bards have written songs about her and each birth so far, claiming the Baratheon strength eases the process, and the camaraderie between her and her sisters ensures strong sibling bonds for House Targaryen. Aemond cannot disagree with the first, holding her hand throughout each labor. Baelon took seven hours, and Daeron took four. Not a scream, but Aemond was sure he’d witness her clenched teeth reduce to dust before the babies took their first breaths. He brushed the hairs sticking to her brow and kissed her head and cheeks when she could finally sleep. She deserved those songs, every lyric.

He has reason to doubt potential bonds, though, considering his relationship with Aegon. His hope remains strong for his girls.

“Say goodnight to Papa, boys,” Floris says.

“But Papa thinks I should stay up late--”

“I said nothing of the sort.” He responds matter-of-factly. “Listen to your mother or lose your negotiation opportunities.”

Baelon groans while Daeron giggles, following him out into the hall.

“Stay with Ser Criston, boys,” Floris tells them. Her hands rest naturally on the bump as if her wrists missed it. “I will be out in a second.”

When they disappear, Aemond keeps his expression light. She still beams, and it helps. “Best to head to them before the handmaidens snatch them up.”

“Yes.” She replies. “Though I’ve told them time and again to leave bedtime for me.”

Aemond puts a hand on her forearm and the other on her belly. “You go on. I have a meeting concerning the City Watch. I won’t be back until later.”

Floris maintains a radiant expression while nodding, despite the noticeable swallow in her throat. When the door closes and he hears scampering pairs of feet grow farther in distance, he briefly questions going out, aware of his wife’s subtle yet looming suspicions. But by the time he finally reaches out for his hood, he has already pushed the thought back.

Aemond follows the hills and dips of the cobblestone roads whilst keeping his head down and royal roots securely hidden. He turns some corners sharply and holds his breath before advancing toward others. He knows his path through Flea Bottom well, but the odors of sweat, rotting meat, as well as discarded piss and shit (in buckets and sometimes small piles) are all elements he has yet to get used to. It would be a more straightforward path if he took the Street of Silk, but they both agreed they would never return there again if they had the choice.

The roads were dimly lit, and though dangerous men lurk more prominently at this late hour, one stare down from Aemond and a good view of his eyepatch gets the message across that he is not one to be trifled with. Not to mention his skills with a sword. He claims not to care for his appearance, but hot-tempered or drunk men hesitate to come close when they see him. It saves him time.

Aemond looks around for lingering faces in nearby windows before repeating the special rap at the door: three times, then two, then one. He opens it, unlocked to his dismay, but his arrival was expected. He enters anyway and moves the heavy metal bolt to secure it after an audible shut.

The small home is dimly lit, with barely room for a stewpot, let alone one bassinet. Aemond can see a single flame burn near the bedside. He follows it with the sound of his own name, as it’s spoken so sweetly from around the corner.

Radiance fills Aemond's sight: a mess of copper curls and a nightgown, and two swaddled babes in her arms. An exhale leaves his lungs and nose as he comprehends the familiar sight. “Welcome back.” She says softly, not to disturb the girls, or likely from her own lack of sleep.

“You know I hate it when you leave the door unlocked,” Aemond tells her.

“It’s too early in the night to worry about that. They are all at the taverns and whorehouses.”

One of the girls starts fussing.

“You cannot be too naïve. If I’m not here to protect you like what happened at--”

“Oh, hush and get over here. Hold your children.” She tries to sit up properly.

Aemond presses his lips together and takes a seat on the small cot, bumpy and unpleasant, nothing he’s been unfamiliar with in the past eighteen months. The comfort settles in him like a kindling fire when he gets to gaze upon his two girls. United since birth, it is hard for their mother to nestle one while Aemond cradles the other. But with every visit, they learn and adapt. Now is no different, as Aemond reaches for the one closest to him: Alisha. He’s studied the difference between them, staring at them still in the hours of the night, observing from the floor while their mother rested. Small strands of white peek through the auburn, already beginning to curl. Alyssa's hair is a blazing hue of ginger.

Aemond gives Alisha time to adjust in his arms. She fusses but eventually settles. Her eyes open gently, a dull brown. Nothing special. Nothing Targaryen. Alyssa is safe too. And her mother keeps her close with two arms now rather than one. “Are you staying the night?” She asks Aemond.

“I certainly can.” He scoots closer, meeting her hip. He brushes some strands behind her ear before cupping her face, bringing her in for a kiss. It was gentle, and the longing was the same as their first night together where nothing more happened other than this; sitting and kissing. They did not feel the need for anything else right away, understanding what the other had been through amidst long talks in the dead of night. When things escalated, she showed him patience and love, despite his fears and questions.

Now he’s more confident with movements, as his hand traveled to the back of her neck to keep her close. The brown eyes she blessed their daughters with stared back at him. Her breath smelled like bowls of brown, and he did not mind. “You know what I think you deserve?”

“Hmm.” She looks up toward the ceiling as she ponders. Brown seeps from the corners, and Aemond has hesitated to ask. She puts a hand to his face, just below the scar. “I’m sure you’re eager to show me.”

“A house.”

“Oh.” She pulls back as her brows quirk. “But I have a house, Aemond.”

“Not one you deserve, though. This was just temporary, to get you off the Street of Silk. You deserve comfort. A home where the girls can run around outside and fall asleep at night in proper beds. Where danger doesn’t loom just outside that door. No one would ever hurt them.” He kisses her again, and he feels her hesitate.

“How do you know no one will hurt them? Will you be there?”

“Not all the time. But more than I would be now. That I can promise.”

“Aemond--”

“I can assign guards to protect you when I’m not there. Servants that understand discretion. The girls will be happy and safe, well-provided for.” Prisoners in the black cells live more comfortably than she does, with space to move and leftovers from royal dinners served to them (that was Helaena’s biggest request as queen, and Aemond pushed it on Aegon as an attempt to honor his late wife). When he visits, Aemond sees how little she moves. She hurts from sharing such a horrible cot with twin babes, and Aemond cannot do anything about it here. “Please, my love. You’ve done so much for me. Taught me so much. Let me do this for you.”

“You know what will happen if they find out.”

“Nothing will happen.”

“The last war was about bastards taking the throne. People have been finding your brother’s bastards on the street. They butcher any boy or girl with silver hair like livestock, left to rot in dark corners alone. I know you’ve seen them.”

“And I would do everything in my power to make sure no one touches you. I have a lot of power. And will. I’ve protected you from horrid men before. You cannot doubt I won’t do it again.”

Water lines her eyes. It glistens painfully in the candlelight as her palm falls from his face, his shoulder, and then his chest. She keeps her voice steady. “You can’t have lost one eye, be so intelligent yet so blind,” she says. “People see. People talk. Even in the fields where nothing happens. It only gives them an excuse to be more vigilant. To see a whore just show up from the capital with guards, servants, and two girls. One with some silver in her hair and another with a purple eye. What else would they think?”

Aemond pulls back. “Purple?”

She gives Alyssa her full attention once more, coaxing her to open her eyes.

“No, last time I was here, they were both brown. Like Alisha’s. Yours.”

“This happens with babies sometimes, Aemond. This is only month three.” She tries to keep herself together. “The gods are in their right to punish us. For what we’ve done here. In here.”

“No,” he simply says. “The gods have tested me before we met. I’m used to their tests. And I’m used to prevailing, eventually. I will do it again.”

“You can’t--”

“I will.” A surge runs through him, nothing dissimilar to when he went to war. The simplistic instinct that comes with the will to survive. When he was at war, there was one he relied upon from beginning to end, and even years before that. Aemond is gentle as the surge flows through his veins. “I can’t stay tonight.” He tells her.

“Where are you going?” She doesn’t try to hide the stress.

He gives her time to take Alisha back. Alisha protests, but only momentarily. With a flat palm on each, he brushes over the heads of the twins. His gaze meets hers and he notices tears streaming halfway down her face. He brushes them away, planting a kiss on her lips again, holding her by the neck once more. He doesn’t speak a word until she looks him in the eye. “I love you.” He’d say it with more of a tender demeanor if time was not of the essence now. “With all my heart, I love you. You made the grave mistake of letting a royal war hero fall in love with you, my dear. The determination to keep you safe comes with that territory.”

Her head drops as tears finally do the same, dripping off the edge of her chin. Aemond kisses her nose.

“I want to make you a home and keep you safe. That’s not possible here. But it is possible. For you. For them. It is possible. I just need you to trust me.”

“I’m scared.” The whisper shakes from her, like dead leaves against the winter wind. “Don’t leave me yet.” She holds the babies. She can’t reach out to touch him, yet her arms try.

“I’m not leaving.” He kisses her lips again as if each one was a grant of safety from the gods. He gave each one to her willingly, frivolously, like he was a god himself who had the power to control such things. Because he did. He was a Targaryen. It was close enough. “I will be back, I promise you.”

She still cries as he stands. The babies too. And he cannot show how it breaks his heart, not now. If he gives in and does what he truly wants, it will only be a problem when he wakes up here the next morning. His eye stung with its own unshed tears, but he turned away regardless. He took a long, steadying breath before heading toward the exit. With a grip on the bolt, he commanded, “Lock this door.” He tried keeping his voice firm. “And do not open it unless you know it’s me or a man named Ser Criston Cole, you hear me?”

She nods, and he can feel a tear slide down his cheek, mirroring her own. He took in the image of the three before slipping out. The door closed and hearing the heavy bolt provided some relief.

Then he stood there, longer than what was safe, yes. The cold of Flea Bottom wrapped around him almost instantly, a biting chill of the desolate streets while the soft glow of candlelight shut out from him on the other side, as it was not his to bask in for too long.

But even in the nearly black darkness of the narrow streets, he could spot one of them; a tiny figure huddled in the corner of a nearby alley, a broken skull with hair shorter than Baelon’s. Royal blood left to soak into the cobblestone under his feet. Bones exposed and rotted in the dark, forever cold, soon forgotten.

Aemond made haste to vanish into the shroud of night, swallowed by the fog. Criston would be in his quarters at this hour, surely. It was a straightforward path back if he took the Street of Silk. And he didn’t have a choice.

796 notes · View notes

unabashednightmarepizza · 1 year ago

Text

This is so sudden brainrot but imagine... That You, the Creator, are married with one of the Archons.

But the people never really saw You.

Warnings: Too much cheesiness in Venti's and Zhongli's part, only sadness in Ei's part, flangst in Furina's part, "Being human" problems in Furina's and Ei's part, Ei and Scara's "toxic" bond, slight mentions of abondenment, the reader being referred as "wife"

In Mondstadt, much like other nations, people had never seen their Creator. There were many monuments and statues all around their city, and they knew for a fact that there were even more in other ones, and people worshipped your name alongside their Lord Barbatos with pride, gratefulness and love.

The tale of your adventures together, the many battles you both fought side by side and brought their ancestors to victory, the way you both saved Mondstadt from the vengeful God Decarabian and later the corrupt society... But above all, the strong and unbreakable love you held for each other for centuries were told all around the city's lively streets.

Many stories, paintings, books were written in both of your names; told as both a warning and a heartwarming message.

Once, and even occasionally now, they were heard through their murmurs of praise and the Wind you and your beloved controlled.

Alongside that bard's tunes and melodic lyre where he declared his "unyielding and ever-strong love" for the Creator.

Blasphemous, really.

But the people just left him be. After all, if he trully angered You and Lord Barbatos, the bard wouldn't even be standing alive and rather striken down by bolts of thunder rather than being drunk all the time and sing songs about his devoted love for You as he was ready to give his all.

Diluc was trully going to strike him with his own claymore even if his beloved Creator didn't, and he would have the support of the whole city for doing so as the bard only giggled and played with the ring on his finger, one that was adorned with many jewels unknown to humans...

Which made people question Venti whether he robbed someone rich or he had someone rich buying all that stuff.

Basically a sugarmommy or something. One that needs to be either a God or, as absurt as it was, the Creator Themselves since he was living somehow a luxurious life with all those exclamations and all his debt to Master Diluc was suddenly payed.

Because come on,who would... Exclaim such vulgar and intimate things about Their Majesty, when They already have a husband?

The husband who very much so adores and worships the ground his spouse walks on, who is also very horny for Them and regularly makes love with Them which ends with two slightly exhausted but very pleased Gods wearing giddy smiles as giggles leave them, their hands still touching and proding against the other's body... There was a reason A Thousand Winds were important for the nation of freedom-

But, two things were enough for them to reconsider their decisions one day and send them into a heart attack that surely would put them in their grave early.

One: The fact that the Creator, not that they knew at that time, was drinking coffee happily while eating Mondstadt Hash Brown and Nothern Smoked Chicken in the Good Hunter while conversing with people normally as if they enjoyed hearing Diona complain about their alcohol and how bad it was for the health, all the while bouncing a very happy and excited Klee on Their knees as she rambled about her Dodoco.

And Two: Venti running up to that person, you, with a wide grin and kissing you while exclaiming a happy "Windblume, you are here! I missed you so much!"

Now, it wouldn't have been a big problem and shock. You see, it was two lovers happily hugging and greeting each other, exchanging loving kisses and stares as even the hearts of people around them were shook by how intense and strong it was. The elders were cooing at the cute scene, the shorter and petite looking bard hugging a tall and strong-looking person, a show of their contrast yet harmony as the person lovingly patted his head and kissed his soft cheeks like usual...

Had they not known Venti was their Archon Lord Barbatos who was married with... The Creator, like he exclaimed so in many of his drunkard monologues, and suddenly his pretty ring and life made sense as Jean fainted from witnessing the Holy love of her Gods and the truth behind Venti's real marriage to You, Lisa's eyes widened as a blush overtook her face and...

Well, chaos ensured.

"Windblume! You are here!" Venti exclaimed happily with reddened cheeks, both from his excitement and drunk self. You could only sigh softly at the fact that he once again drunk himself away, a tad bit disappointed at hım failing his promise once again even though he made great progress, yet you still caressed his face with lithe fingers as softly as possible with a frown.

And did Venti hate that sight with a burning passion.

All that mattered was you, for him. The You who still loved him despite his mistakes in the past and the hollow feeling that followed hım everywhere. The You who always reassured him that he deserves the happiness he now lives...

And He couldn't be more grateful to have it with you, for you to accept his love all those years ago, way before even humans were created.

And to his happiness, you finally came back after he spent painful years alone since another world needed your assistanfe. Sure he was "sleeping" while he was actually taking care of your daughter, playing with her all day to make up for the lost time and teaching her about the wind but you didn't have to know that!

You sure as hell did, and was getting ready to scold the shit out of him later for allowing and teaching your precious child foul words to insult people Barbatos didn't like.

"Yes, my beloved husband... Unforfunately, one of the universes needed my assistence immediately and another once-water-dragon needed some teaching. Poor boy, judged because he is the reincarnation of the previous Imbibitor Lunae..."

Venti only hummed thoughtfuly as he sat down next to you, twirling a Cecilia between his fingers with a soft smile since the once depressing sight of the flower was now of a happy and joyful sight that reminded him of hope, love and... Babypowder.

But there was also the fact that you had way too many adopted children. He liked your soft heart for children, he really did and he was also the same as you as he too "adopted" kids...

But was it not getting out of hand?

"Another one we're adopting? Don't you think-" he sweated nervously with a tilt of his head, pouting in thought at yet another sad child in his home though he didn't really hate the idea, not at all.

But the havoc caused by all the ruckus caused by them and his precious flower who loved those big brothers and sisters she had was giving him white hairs since he couldn't do something that would erase her cute smile, like getting angry at her and them for having fun and being free. What kind of father and God would he be then?

You saw the reluctance in his eyes as clear as the day, and you understood why he felt that way. At first, you also were reluctant to do what you have been doing for years now but one look at their sad and lifeless eyes that held no childlike wonder...

And you were suddenly hugging them all to your chest, swooping them up and giving them the best life possible.

Besides, you also learnt how to get under Barbatos' skin too!

You pouted at him cutely, getting closer to him and nuzzling your face to his neck teasingly as you landed a soft kiss to the juncture of his neck, softly nimbling on the tender skin as he groaned out and lightly threw his head back.

"You are making me crazy, Windblume..."

"Hmm, but you like it~ Besides, I know you like me happy and this kid also commands Wind-"

"Consider it done,Windblume! I wonder how Cecilia would react though."

Gotcha.

Just as quickly, he fell apart and his fake reluctance was replaced with fatherly affection at having yet another wind user at home to teach new skills as his hand thightened over yours and he stared at you after you lifted yourself from your place on his neck.

You smugly smirked with a hint of affection for his soft side as you kissed his lips softly, leaving him in a daze as he looked at you with a lopsided and lovesick smile.

That was why you loved him so much...

You laughed to yourself happily at how easy it was for him to accept anything and nothing that came from you, especially when it included mistreated children's care who was blessed by the wind.

Besides, he had a really hard time saying no to both you and those he considered as his children who had his vision... His own child wasn't an option because he never said no to her much to your dismay.

"Hmm? She is a lovely and friendly girl, she even befriended Neuvillette and adores when Zhongli tells her stories of the ancient times! I'm sure everything would be fine!"

Venti groaned at what you said, because though Zhongli and him were not on so good terms... It seemed his own daughter stabbed him from the back by liking her uncle Li's stories as much as her dad's and his own wife took great satisfication from making fun of him for it while drinking Osmanthus Wine as if the situation wasn't bad already.

Barbatos was just being dramatic in your opinion since your daughter generally loved reading and listening to other people's stories. Besides, Cecilia had a very big Dvalin plushie alongside the friends that shaped Mondstadt to its recent version, and refused to sleep without having them close to her and if that didn't say enough, her wearing the same clothes as his and even sometimes imitating her father did.

Which often ended up with a bawling Barbatos as he nuzzled to her, her doing the same to hım as they resembled a mama cat and her kitten.

"MAMA, PAPA! MAMA CAME BACK!" A shrill, excited cry came from the Gates as everyone's attention was turned for a second to the little toddler girl who suddenly zoomed to where you and Venti was, clinging onto you and nuzzling her face to yours as you laughed fondly and stared at her with eyes identical to hers that she inherited from you...

The stars that would always follow the Princess and the sign of Teyvat, on her inherited eyes shone the brightest as the people of Mondstadt met their Creator in the most affectionate way possible: Showcasing of the motherly love You held for the baby in your arms as Barbatos walked around the city you two built with the help of your now deceased friends proudly.

Proud for he was able to give Cecilia a future to hope for, a place for her to grow up without knowing the harshness of this world and how much blood was spilled for her and the future generation to grow and flourish, for them to never know tyranny and pain.

And that was also the day, the people of Mondstadt met the Priincess Cecilia of their Creator and Archon.

A lovely toddler who was loved and adored by Teyvat and all the universes.

A toddler that had the same love between her parents reflected in her eyes and smile.

And apparently, a toddler who loved apples as much as her dad, if not more, as the gremlin they were together.

"Cecilia, how many apples have you eaten today?" You raised your brows at her suspiciously innocent face, questioning her enormous pocket which you were sure held many apples for her to eat with her dad.

"Only 3, mama!" She smiled widely at you, unaware of the pocket dimension which seemed huge to the eye of a God, the one you added behind her dress because she loved picking things up and storing them as keepsakes.

"Besides the other 100 ones you have in your pocket dimension??"

A poignant silence settled between the three of you, as cricket sound was the only thing that could be heard. You stared at your daughter whose eyes widened at your question, shocked at how you knew of her secret stash, fondly and amused.

Poor baby, she still couldn't understand that you were the Creator of All and knew pretty much everything.

"...... I can explain, mama!"/ "Windblume, you can't punish her! Look at her cute face, and how adorable she is while holding the apples!"

And yes, indeed, you couldn't punish them because of how much you loved them both as Cecilia offered you two apples rather than one like she did to her dad, who only smiled and nodded as she said she loved you so so much, while you two walked out of the city to go and visit uncle Dvalin and you only shook your head in fake disappointment at he silliness of both your husband and daughter.

He agreed on that fact of Cecilia without complaints as he stared at your etheral smile. After all, Mondstadt was the epitome of his love for You.

Even if you didn't allow him to eat more apples-Besides, the artival of a New Princess would surely be rnough for hım.

With Liyue, it was way different.

Morax, or Zhongli as he now called himself, had begged you to take some days off with himself away in your lovely and cozy home on the outskirts of Liyue, away from the bustling crowd so that both him and your daughter could freely let go of their human appearance and waffle around with their dragon features.

A big contrast to the home he once had as Rex Lapis.

Now, there were two reasons for him wanting you have some rest. One, because he missed you. He missed those good old times when he would always sit with you in your balcony and watch the sun as his black and scaled hands clasped around your middle with your back resting on his chest, inhaling and exhaling softly to which he did the same.

He missed the days he got to spend with you as himself, not the human one but the true him. The dragon him, with amber horns that shone with each light hitting them. Tail so large and big yet also soft that it was a great blanket for you and Zhi.

His little girl, the one who showed the world of the love shared between the Creator and Rex Lapis, the fruit of thousands of years of love and marriage which was fated to continue to grow and get stronger.

You insisted that, at the time when you were pregnant upon your stubborness because you wished to experience it rather than just creating your child out of wisp, whatever gender the baby would be... They would be named after him.

He disagreed on that at first, to his and your shock since he never did such thing before even when his ideas and yours were completely opposite of each other.

To him, he was a monster that shed way too much blood. A God of War that killed many Gods, a God that was too harsh and even rude sometimes... Once a sinner that dared to challenge the Allmighty Creator of All.

And for all these reasons and more complicated ones, he always felt unworthy of the happiness and serenity he now has. He felt the guilt of his past actions often pricking at his mind at the deep of the night, all the screams and tears he made others let out plagued his already fragile mind as the others surrendered to the sweet embrace of sleep and he laid awake beside you, who only wished to take his pain and self-loathing away so that he could finally start living.

But for the longest time, you were unable to make him see the beauty of life and above all, himself.

However his little Zhi changed it all for him, with her fat cheeks and chubby arms and all smiles at him even when she hadn't opened her eyes to the worlds that waited with batted breaths yet.

Both Teyvat and that time's Liyue were so excited at the news of their Archon and Creator having their own child, true embodiment of love and power. Teyvat was sunny and shiny for days, and even if it rained, it was always a soft drizzle and never a hurricane.

And your people? They were so ecstatic as the city bubbled with life and happiness, with everyone preparing offerings, clothes, jewelries and toys for the uncoming heir. Rex Lapis toys, story books about you and your husband's adventure, teething toys (you didn't understand at first but now blessed the makers eternal happiness in the after life for it because boy, was it bad), you name it and the list went off.

As if all the gifts stopped there... All the Adeptus and even the level-headed Guizhong literally raced to be the baby's favourite auntie/uncle with the gifts or clothes or their plans of playing with them while you sat there next to your husband with an awkward smile, him stroking your bloated belly with a fatherly love as the baby kicked his hand happily, knowing it was the sweet hold of its dad...

All the while Alatus and Bosacius butted heads for what food and game were the best for the baby, Guizhong and Streetward Rambler sketched new toys while Menogias and Cloud Retainer already started their clothing plans to sew for later.

And the baby wasn't even born.

He still remembers the days he spent silently crying while holding one of the toys which was gifted from his people for his baby after it was declared that their nation would be blessed with a child of their Archon and Creator, holding onto the doll and imagined a daughter who played with it with a huge smile.

He knew any child of a loving marriage such as yours would be a blessing, especially since they would have your lovely features that he fell for a long time ago and still did, too. But his heart couldn't help but swell whenever he thought about having daughters who looked at him as if he hung the stars and tried to imitate you.

And no, his dragon instincts weren't playing a crucial role in his sudden need of many children and the thightness he felt in his pants whenever he saw you, his wife, walking around with a child between your arms in his and your land, with his wedding band that he crafted on your finger-

Yes, he wanted a girl to cuddle with and dote on so badly- even when most "men" only wished to have sons at an age when it was the expected behaviour and Zhongli never fit in, being "ridiculed" for his wish for an healthy child only, even if ridiculing him wasn't possible since he had a very sharp tongue when he wanted and he didn't care about fitting when he was the one who made the land, being the dad of his little girl was the greatest honorary title he ever .

And when little Zhi was born, with eyes wide with curiousity and wonder for the world around her, a smile wide enough to lighten up the whole universe as she gazed between you and her dad who was just sobbing at the innocence on her face and the cute baby fat all around her body as he held his whole life between his arms...

Morax made the biggest and most important contract of forever, after his promise to forever love and cherish you.

To always be there for his girl and protect her from any harm, so that the smile she wore the first day she was welcomed in Teyvat as it rejoiced at the arrival of the little princess, would forever remain on her face.

And the second reason was... Well...

"Let me get this straight: You wanted to retire for good and therefore faked your own death, are now a funeral consultant who happens to have met with one of my vessels from another world and all of this mess happened right before Zhi started showing her dragon side and saw her dad 'dying'?"

You deadpanned at Zhongli as he winced awkwardly from the loud cries of his precious baby daughter who clinged onto your legs, drawing slight Holy Golden Blood that belongt to you. He felt like the filthiest lower form on the surface of Teyvat as tears fell down her cheeks in huge globs, her whimpers filling the empty room as the sky roared angrily outside with its harsh wisps of storm and rain hitting the windows as if they wanted to get inside and punish him for making "the Princess of Teyvat" cry as the people outside tried to find a shelter.

And was the ground shaking or was it his imagination?

Even though her claws hurted your human skin and caused you to hiss in pain, you couldn't care less since your daughter was the most uncomfortable she had ever been, with her cheeks wet from the tears for her "father's death"...

Even with the cute little horns and claws, alongside the huge slitted amber eyes she definetly inherited from her father that you loved more than anything made her impossible to resist, you were still angry at Zhongli and neither her nor his puppy eyes would work on you.

"I understand your need for rest but we need more than a vacation now, Morax! We need therapy! She thinks you're gone and-" you frailed your arms around angrily while pointing between her and him, when you were interrupted by your daughter's soft voice and hiccups.

"Māma? Bàba is gone? He won't c-come?" Zhi whimpered as she clutched the plushie of the dragon form of her dad thightly to her chest, the item being her only comfort at the moment as your heart broke for the tears falling down her amber eyes as stars dimmed inside of them.

Heh, at least she has that feature from me even though she is a replica of her dad...

"No, love... Bàba isn't gone, he is just being silly." You gritted your teeth slightly to Zhongli as you led Zhi away while looking over your shoulder at him threateningly.

A glare that sent chills down his spine, as Zhongli knew the hidden meaning behind it even after thousands of years being together

You better find a way to fix this or else...

And you know what they say: Happy wife, happy life.

And in Zhongli's case: Happy wife, happy child and happy universes...

With Fontaine, it was after Focalors' plans were revealed to the people and Fontaine was saved with Your and Focalors' combined powers and help. The people lived, the children and friends you had made were safe and all of them were alive as they hugged the closest person to them happily, praising your and Focalors name as they prayed and thanked you both...

At the cost of your lover's life.

You humorlessly chuckle as rain falls down your face and mixes with your tears, head hung low on the last stage you two could ever have as the heaviness of the situation slowly dawned on you.

It seems loosing who I love the most is a frequent occurance.

Now, one might question why the All-Creator wasn't just simply bringing her lover back to life or just not will her death to stop. As the Creator, you were supposed to be that powerful and nothing should disobey you... Well, they were all true facts about your being but you couldn't just do it because you promised her.

After everything was over, and the time you dreaded which was the end of this masqurade had finally come... She said she was just too exhausted to continue as an Archon beside you and asked if it was allright to rest.

Maybe as any other person would do, but not as an Archon... She couldn't keep going anymore.

Besides, Fontaine no longer needed an Archon. They were strong on their own as well, and she knew that if Celestia dared to go against your command once more... You would protect them and the rest of the Teyvat fiercely.

"I wish to rest, my dear... If you will be allright without me and there wouldn't be a problem?" She asked softly with her much smaller hands gently caressing your saddened face, wiping the few stray tears that fell down on your cheeks. Your heart hurt way too much, at how easy it was for her to recognize your tears from the heavy rain that poured down, at how soon enough... You would loose the person that knew you the best, always stood next to you at harsh times and put a smile on your face with her antics.

Teyvat cried alongside you for the pain their Creator felt as the guillotine that would take her away from you floated above you.

It was ready to destroy itself if you commanded, that magicial execution weapon didn't like the idea of killing its Archon and the beloved of the Creator, even though you weren't at your full power...Any being, alive or not, bent the knee to you after all but, if there was something stronger than the Will of the Creator...

It was the wish of Her lover, whom She was ready to do anything for and who wished to depart with an excellent last show.

After all, how could you resist her when she asks you so sweetly with her loving and different-colored eyes?

"Then, as your lover... I shall make your wish come true. You may rest, my love, until your soul is ready to come back to the world I created with so much love." You tearfully exclaimed, hands coming up to take a hold of hers as your lips locked with her own and then landed on her forehead tenderly for the last time. As the fact that this was the last time you would stare at her eyes, witness her dramatic plays, see your reflection in her eyes filled with love for you finally dawned on...

You silently broke.

You had this much of previlege, right? Who said the Creator couldn't grieve? Maybe you couldn't outwardly show weakness to your people, but at least you had Teyvat reflecting your true emotions...

But just as you were suffering, there was another one who had been suffering for 500 years in silence. From having to pretend as someone she wasn't, putting on the mask of the strong Archon who did her best to entertain her people so that they weren't worried about the prophecy...

But above all, from pretending not to be in love with the one person she wasn't supposed to fall for.

"I have loved you for this cruel 500 years, Your Grace. Even when I knew your heart belongt to another, one that I pretended to be for many years in hopes to have you..." she hung her head down in shame and sadness as she whispered to the wind, unaware of you listening to her with a thight heart as she stood on the balcony that looked at the horizon of Fontaine.

Though a part of you still loved Egeria and Focalors, grieved their death and often refused any exclamations of your obvious love for the "puppet" version of her...

Now, you couldn't help but agree with everyone and even Focalors, as you stared at Furina's back with a saddened yet soft smile.

"No, I don't have feelings for her, Focalors!" You denied her obvious teasing, although she raised a brow at your flushed face with a smirk.

"It's okay to have feelings for two people at the same time, love! Even more so when It's you, the All-Creator!"

"Focalors!" You bursted out with a hand clutching your chest in embarrasment, dress flowing behind you with each movement as you ran away from her teasing remarks as she laughed at your misery which put a smile on your face even when your body said otherwise.

What a good melody it was as her light laugh resonated in your Chambers...

"What? I'm sure there are others who wish to be your consort so badly!" She rolled over on your bed, laying on her stomach as her feet kicked back and forth happily, her fingers twirling her hair as she gazed at your back, biting her lips but mind actually busy with... This new revelation.

Focalors had always been a different kind. When all the other Archons were either greedy or keen on fighting, she loved scheming her plans and watching in silence from the shadows. That way, most thought of her to be powerless and not strong enough to be an Archon... Unaware of the fact that sometimes brains was much stronger than brawn and they were being imbeciles by not noticing this.

And that fact was what attracted you to her in the first place, eventually resulting with a happy and Holy unity of two person in love much to Focalors enjoyment as she rubbed it on her fellow Archons' face.

But in this new case, although she was surprised by the turn of events, she was fine with sharing You... With her humane prototype Furina.

Someone she was very fond of, even though she was created to act like the Hydro Archon herself... Someone Focalors was proud to create who was slowly becoming what she always aspired Furina to be.

Human.

"Alright, fine! I get it! So what if I have feelings for her? It's not like-"

"You should confess to her."

You still remembered how Focalors smiled softly at that time, no hatred or dislike or even jeaolusy evident on her face as she encouraged you to follow your heart, knowing the truth behind your protective stance concerning your feelings for Furina.

She knew how this plan would end, deceiving the rogue Heavenly Principles never came without a price... And she didn't want you to be alone when it happened, didn't want your kind heart to harden with grief and loneliness.

Furina would be much better of a wife for you, than Focalors could ever be. After all, what kind of wife would give up on her own spouse just when they would have their happily ever after?

At that time, such absurdity repulsed you.

You, having feelings for another? Yet alone someone who was created to deceive your traitor of a first creation Celestia?

Ridiculous.

Not that you thought of her to be ridiculous because she was obviously adorable whenever a new human invention or music excited her and she came to you, begging you to accompany her so that she could understand humans better since you were the one who created such complex yet intriguing beings.

And definetly not that you decided that blue suited her well, when you introduced her to new clothings that complemented her in the best way possible.

"Now, I see that I could never be that... If only true love was enough..."

But poor Furina, now completely human and free, didn't know about any of this. She still was a prisoner in her own cruel mind which yelled self-deprecating and harsh words to her, mocking her for falling for her God.

It wasn't even her intention to be created that way. She didn't mean to fall for your kindness and unconditional love, not when she knew she received them because she was created to replace your lover as the Archon of Fontaine. She knew you only spent time with her because Focalors probably asked you to, because you and her had to get along well for the next 500 years as Focalors remained in shadows for the plan you two made to work.

She knew she would be thrown aside as soon as her part of the play was over...

Yet, her heart still beated hard whenever your eyes found hers and she held onto your hand at times she was afraid.

She still fell for you hopelessly whenever you patiently watched and listened to her plays and antics, and even cracked a smile whenever she forgot what she was supposed to say.

And whenever she saw that smile and hear that laugh, it was like she had become more human as more time she spent in your presence.

But defeated she was, she knew it was impossible to have you for real. At least now that she lost all of the godly power she held and Fontaine was safe from the evil clutches of Celestia as you prepared to go and face Them.

Your Shades.

But, as the once-God-of-Justice... She was wrong about one thing, one thing you felt guilty about: The fact that she thought of herself to be unworthy of You, when it was possibly the other way around.

Indeed, if only she knew the truth... That You held her at the highest position in your heart, which had been the case for 500 years unknown to both you and her.

"I doubt she is strong enough for all these, Focalors... However, such fragile thing yet even if she faces many hardships, she is perfectly human." You idly traced patterns on her arm as she laid next to you in your realm, humming quietly while she relaxed back onto you. You couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her kitten-like behaviour, nuzzling to you while you inhaled her flowery scent...

Though your thoughts were cut short when another set of heterochromatic eyes came to your mind, the same color as the one between your arms... But more humane, more expressive... One that made you fall in love and gaze at for a long time as the sun framed her face in the most ethereal way...

You froze when you realized an affectionate smile lifted your lips up, shaking your head as your heart started to pick up. Suddenly, her excited smile whenever you brought another set of sweets from another world for her to try, or the rare curious and not teasing stare while she munched on food as she listened to what you said with passionate eyes, as if she wished to hear more of you, be in your presence more...

Or that one time when she was just so close for you to lean down and capture her lips-

And the woman next to you heard the exact moment you realized your feelings in your heart.

As if she knew your inner thoughts, she slowly rose up and stared down at your thoughtful eyes with loving ones as her hand caressed your cheeks, making you close your eyes in peace with the calming sound of water almost lulling you to sleep. "Is she weak in your eyes for it?"

Focalors was an Archon, blessed with just a tiny part of your power, but she was able to see right through you. She knew you had been harbouring some kind of... Attraction towards a certain eccentric one that was also too bad at hiding her own feelings as she quite literally hung off of you every chance she got, much to her amusement.

What was even funnier was the fact that you too, though the Creator, were quite bad at hiding your feelings as well and if she needed to be the one to step up and make you realize them soon, Focalors was going to make it come true in one way or another.

"She simply... Amazes me with the strength of her will." you stopped to ponder for an answer for the best words to describe your thoughts, without showing much of your raging emotions. It wasn't a lie after all, the way she sacrificed herself for her people simply amazed you and made your affections grow for the girl. Knowing this, Focalors only giggled knowingly as you rolled your eyes at her when a question whose answer was very obvious and tenderly uttered by you, left her lips.

"And what would you do if all of this ends one day?"

"I'd still be there for her until the end of time..."

"I know you're listening, Your Grace..."

You chuckled under your breath at how she still held some powers of her, though you weren't surprised since she was the secret beloved of the Creator and therefore, the world still blessed her with powers; as you stepped away from your place in the shadows, heels slowly clicking against the marble floor. You soon came to a stop next to her, looking at the rejoicing people of Fontaine who were praying to and thanking both her and You, staring at the horizon together.

Dreading what needed to be said, even if the harsh truth would break her heart, as you looked at her from the side.

"I loved and still love Focalors, Furina."

She sniffled, nodding her head in understanding. She already knew that and prepared herself for the rejection she would have to face. She was happy that her people was safe and happy, that the prophecy didn't happen and destroy her nation...

But, did she not deserve happiness too? Didn't she shed enough tears silently by herself? She didn't even know what she was supposed to do with her new life given to her, a free life for her to enjoy and do as she liked...

With the person she loved the most.

Your heart twisted painfully at her crystal eyes glossing over, which made you question yourself for a second if that was the right way to confess. You were so sure Focalors was laughing her ass off at one point up there, watching this comedic scene quite amused but right now, you needed to take a step to both of your's happiness and make things right as you took a hold of her hand that stood next to her side idly and sighed.

Here we go...

"But I also love you." She whipped her head as soon as she processed your words, eyes immediately focusing on your form that was just a few feet away from her. Her eyes noticed you wearing the Hydro Sigil Necklace she specifically gifted you with, different colored blue hues mixing together in harmony as the stars of Teyvat complemented your face alongside that necklace that shone with the light of a new day in the most perfect way.

The necklace which was the proof of her first doing as Furina and not the Hydro Archon, without any saying from Focalors.

"Y-Your Grace? W-What does it-"

"Did you really think I didn't know the truth about your and Focalors plan? I was the one who suggested it and she was the one who progressed it!.. It seems I truly have a weakness when it comes to Hydro girls!" You joyfully exclaim with a giggle, watching as her face turned pale before a deep crimson took over. Her mind turned to literal mush, unable to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

Was this one of her wild dreams where she was just... happy with you? No consequences?

But no, this was very much so real as she looked down at your joined hands together and stared into your eyes.

" You have always wanted to have someone listen to your struggles, your pain and burdens, right?" Furina couldn't help the squeak that left her, hurriedly nodding her head as she allowed her tears to fall freely after your next words, hugging you thightly as her tears soaked your gown.

"After years of watching you grow in yourself as the woman who loves all kind of sweets and a knack for being dramatic... The innocent human who endured everything we have planned, unfortunately... I can't help but confess that I had fallen deeply for you."

"Therefore, I shall be that person. Forever, if you wish?" You gracefully took a hold of her slender and smaller hands, finger tips caressing her smooth and soft skin as if it was a fine china. Her heart, now human heart that was free of its shackles, swelled with love with each stroke your hands did.

And her heart caved in, her tears falling down on her cheeks and down to your palm gracefully as she gave a sincere smile amidst her own pain and relief, a smile of the happiness she was starting to have.

"I... That would be a great happiness, Your Grace." You chuckled affectionately, stroking her cheek with the tip of your finger as you landed a kiss on her forehead.

"None of that now... Y/N would do just fine." She beamed visibly at you and nodded, looking at the people below with a new kind of hope blooming inside her chest.

Maybe things would be better from now on?

"By the way, short hair really suits you well, love." You cheekily exclaimed with arms around her waist, hugging her from behind as you stared at the redness coating her cheeks.

Oh, yes... Everything would definetly be better for good.

With Inazuma, things weren't so good unforfunately because of the tense and rocky relationship You and Ei had.

When you had to go on a long work trip where you were to see from close how other universes were doing, not seeing your innocent and loving son with your wife wasn't on your "Top Ten Things to See When I Return" list.

Neither seeing the hunted Visions on your Statue was, as your children were in pain, crying and begging for you to come back and kneeling in front of...

"What's the meaning of this, Ei?"

When the citizens of Inazuma heard their Creator's voice as warmth and comfort engulfed them and freed them from the shackles that kept them bound to the ground, they failed to notice the edge in your tone or rather chose to ignore it.

The angry, scared yet disappointed edge as Teyvat rumbled beneath the feet of people and sky roared above them... All the while Ei stood in front of your shrine with an unreadable and cold face.

This, wasn't Ei... This couldn't be the woman you loved and had a child with...

Child... Baby... Son... Kunikuzushi...

Your eyes widened in fear for your little son, as there was no sight of him and you couldn't feel his presence in the city anymore. Panic overtook your face, heart dropping to your stomach at the possibility of Ei doing something she would regret later and guilt filling your every part at not being more mindful of how she was before you left.

It couldn't have been that bad, enough for her to do something stupid to him... Right?

Damn, you never imagined her hurting Kunikuzushi... She always seemed so loving and affectionate with him, perhaps she was a good actor.

"Ei, where is my Kuni? Where is my son?"

Ei continued to stare at your face as you begged her for answers desperately. Though it was another puppet of her, you could always sense and feel Ei in her and right now, you knew that behind the cold and irritating stare...

She, too, was breaking apart.

But surprisingly enough... You didn't care much about it, your only concern right now was your son. You didn't care that you referred to him as only your son and not hers.

She lost that previlege a long time ago, it seemed.

"He was too human..."

And that was enough to tell you what Ei had done.

You staggered back with a sob, eyes filling with scorching tears as your heart suddenly stopped from the spikes threatening to tear you apart. Even as a God, you weren't pain-proof and at that moment, you wished nothing more than not being able to feel that crashing pain.

Your hand instinctively went up to the necklace your baby son gifted you after a merchant saw him looking at it with huge amazement. Now, the old lady wasn't a fool as to not know who the boy that held stars in his wide and innocent purple eyes was.

Many even wondered where that kindness,sweetness and innocence came from when their Archon was usually... Aloof.

But they agreed that it must have come from you, his other parent and the one he loved and clinged on the most... The Creator that created the worlds with utmost love, selflessnes and kindness unmatched.

And they were right, as Kunikuzushi pointed to the purple and dark blue pendant with a loud coo and wide smile as his cheeks-still filled with baby fat- was reddened by the weather made him look even more cute and made the passerby's eyes fill with tears at the cute display, he kindly asked how much he needed to have the necklace for his mama. Some clenched their hands in cuteness agression, wanting to hug the baby thightly and pinch his cheeks...

But they knew they would be striken down by the Shogun if they did it... Though some still dared to pat his purple tufts of hair, knowing that their Creator never minded and rather loved the affection Their people gave to Their son, the Prince of Teyvat.

"I bough' fo' you, mama! How does it looks?" Kunikuzushi innocently asked as Ei and you looked at the toddling baby fondly who showed his newest treasure proudly with a shy smile, yet a bit insecure since he took a look at the many jewelries you had at home and thought you wouldn't like his gift.

You tenderly smiled from your position on the bed with hugging Ei and let him plop down on your lap, nuzzling to your chest like a kitten as he stared up at you with fullblown eyes, especting an answer from you with his little heart pounding in his chest excitedly.

He only got a tearful smile and a heart filled with unconditional love for him.

"Perfect, my lovely Kuni... Mama loves you so much... So, so much..." You hugged your son thightly to yourself, your heart constricting painfully for some unknown reason as if something bad was bound to happen...

But you foolishly didn't listen to your heart that told you to take a good look at your wife, who looked at the smiling toddler on your lap with somewhat sudden, cold eyes...

Though both of you shared the same parental love for the boy, unforfunately for you and Kunikuzushi... Ei had more plans for him and therefore wanted him to be perfect for it but his humanity was making him unperfect, whereas he was already perfect in your eyes for his humanity...

For his love and wonder for the world around him, his love for you in the most simple act you did... Fear for the unknown but feeling still safe because he knew his mama would be there to protect him from any bad guys and danger! You did it many times with the treasure hoarders, or the Hilichurls and assassins!

So, where were you? Why did you not come when he needed you, called for you, cried for you to save him from this so-called Doctor? Did you too abandon him because he made you upset?

In the end, you failed Kunikuzushi... You failed in every possible thing about him when you couldn't protect him from his own mother, the one who should have loved him and did everything in her power to keep him happy and smiling wide.

You failed at noticing Ei not being in her right mind and at being there for your family.

And now, you all were paying the price.

"And that is why he was perfect... I guess, just not for you." you gritted out angrily as you too pulled your sword out at the same time as she did, not seeing the tears that shone on her porcelain skin and regret for what she had done all those years ago washing over her.

Your disappointed face right before she scumbed to your power and will was only the cherry on top, as she kneeled on both knees in front of you, her hand discarding the katana that slained many living beings as her whole life slowly was torn apart by none other than her destructive hands and doings.

"I trusted the mother of my son... Just for you to abandon him and make him also believe I abandoned him too in this already painful life... Because I thought no harm would ever come to him, least I thought it would be from my own wife."

It seemed that your Ei had become someone else, and she held no value to neither your son who was the happy outcome of your marriage with her, nor You anymore... And even if she cried tears of river, she would never be able to convince you otherwise.

"I will find him and beg for his forgiveness..." you muttered weakly before you turned your back to her for good, at least until things calmed down, as you descended down on the shrine that once witnessed both your union and also the creation of your son...

And now, your departure.

"My love..." Ei weakly mumbled from behind you, finally realizing the severity of what she had done and now, lost... as your emotionless eyes found hers from below the stairs, dress dancing through the wind as if to mock her for her mistakes and failures, she understood that maybe it was her fault.

First her sister, then her friends, then her son and now... You.

The one she always loved from the beginning and swore herself to for Eternity...

She ruined everything, every good thing that ever happened to her because she was either late or didn't see the true value of those in her life...

Like the family you two had created, what should have been a new purpose and a second chance for her was now only another regret in her list of numerous mistakes.

"I'm not going to let him walk down on this path alone... Goodbye for now, Ei." you willed yourself not to look at her shivering form, you knew you couldn't take the sight in. Though you acted cold right now, a part of you still loved her deeply. That part still yearned for her and her heart that she insisted she buried a long time ago, that part still wished to see the small smile as you gifted her with yet another treat and kissed all over her face, later showing how much you truly loved her...

They all seemed so far away now, all those happy days were long gone...

Neither you nor her turned back to take one look at the other as she too retreated back to her Plane of Euthymia, or thought back to the abandoned dreams you both had as all the good memories suddenly started to fade away and you disappeared in front of her eyes to find your son, as you made it clear, and she didn't hold any grudges for the way you angrily spitted out for she too, felt ashamed for what she had done.

And perhaps you both always walked on different paths from the beginning...

She, to a path of Eternity in which she lost herself.

And You, to a path of mending whatever was left of your family and hoping to find your son.

589 notes · View notes

optimist-pine · 1 year ago

Text

Mercy

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader

Warnings: Animal death

Summary: Daryl watches you hunt and he's left with a question he can't answer.

Era: Season 2, the farm

A/n: Haha this was supposed to be fluff under the title Archer. It's flangst now... Whoopsie.

Daryl doesn't know what drives him to do it. Maybe it's simply boredom. More likely though, it's his growing desire to learn - to study you, study your technique. Maybe he's already impressed and all that's left is to see you in action.

That's how he finds himself following you into the woods on this freshly arrived morning. He keeps his distance but it's not very difficult to keep track of you, your pace and direction consistent and reliable. When you do stop he finds himself watching with rapt attention.

The way you wait is as reverent as a prayer. Your stance never shifting, arms steady and strong, posture perfect. Images of those ancient marble sculptures cross his mind, their bodies crafted into fine-tuned instruments. If he didn't know better, he'd say that the forest has gone still; nothing - not even the breeze - makes a move. The world has gone quiet, like even the animals are holding their breath.

Then your arrow flies and the earth returns to life in full force, that is, everything except for one rabbit who has become quite still. Your arrow has pierced its eye with extreme precision, but he's not surprised. Every piece of game you've ever brought back has been taken down that exact same way.

You collect the rabbit, removing and cleaning your arrow before continuing on deeper into the woods. Daryl doesn't mean to follow, but something spurs him onward. He's never really cared much for art, but if that's what you are, call him a damn aficionado. He's fascinated.

It takes a little while, but you suddenly pause. He spots the reason why - a large gray squirrel clings to the bark of a nearby tree, tail twitching. You take aim, graceful and smooth. But then, like last time, you hold your stance for one breath, then a second, and suddenly the squirrel quirks its head and bolts. He expects you to show at least some disappointment, but you simply let down your bow and continue on.

This happens a few more times; you find your prey, ready your bow, and then wait. Sometimes you loose your arrow and other times you practically allow the animal to get away. This time you have your aim trained on a rather large rabbit, probably a buck. It turns, ready to run, and Daryl can tell you aren't going to shoot this one, so he does. As soon as his bolt hits its target your entire body pivots.

He immediately finds himself at the business end of your bow, but the sharpness of your glare currently feels like the larger threat. "Are you following me?" You ask, lowering your weapon. The glare remains, although it seems to be softening.

You'll know he's lying if he says he isn't, but he doesn't want to admit that he is. "Why d'yuh wait, when ya got'um in your sights?" He blurts out.

You place the arrow back in your quiver with a sigh. "You are following me."

"Jus' curious." He shrugs.

You look up to the sky. "Dunno... Don't like killing things." Your gaze lands on the dead rabbit laying a little ways away. "Figure I'll give 'em one last chance to keep on livin'."

He lets out a snort. Hunting is a way to secure a meal, not some moralistic nonsense. "So, yer like a damn fairytale princess or somethin'?" He asks. "Bes' friends wi'the woodland creatures an'all that?" He waves his hands around for emphasis.

Your face hardens. "It'd be different if we really needed the food." You say sternly, turning to stalk away, back towards the farm. He grabs the now-joined rabbit and bolt and jogs after you, but you're moving at a surprisingly quick clip, dodging branches and roots with ease.

When he's nearly caught up, you stop suddenly and he barely avoids plowing straight into you. You whip around to face him and he instinctively takes a step back. But you're not angry, at least not in the way that he was expecting. He'd been prepared for a slap in the face, not the deep sadness in your eyes. "Feels like some sorta mercy I guess." You say quietly.

He doesn't feel bad about what he said, but your answer catches him off guard. The world is as cruel and as harsh as it's ever been. It doesn't care who lives and who dies, and it sure as hell isn't handing out second chances. "Not much'a that goin' around righ' now." He replies solemnly.

"I don't wanna turn into someone who loses that." Your voice is soft and almost pleading and it pulls at something buried within him.

With a jolt he's thrown into his own past. He knows what that loss does to a person, how much of his life he's spent terrified of becoming that. You're beginning to make a little more sense now. "Yuh, won't." He assures.

---

As time passes, when you do desperately need the food and mercy is barely a reality, Daryl finds himself fighting to protect yours. When the two of you hunt, he insists you take point, that you stick to the way you did things that day at the farm. He'll be right behind you, your backup, he'll do what you shouldn't have to. That part of you - that's something that can't afford to ever be lost. He'll do everything in his power to see to that.

#twd #the walking dead #daryl dixon #daryl dixon x reader #twd season 2 #optimist pine

229 notes · View notes

madschiavelique · 2 years ago

Note

Hi! This is my first request, sorry if it isn’t that coherent. Is it cool if I send a hurt/comfort drabble request with gn reader x Miguel?

Maybe something where an enemy takes advantage of Miguel’s lack of spider sense and is severely injured to the point where he can’t keep up his tough exterior anymore. He’d probably dread how vulnerable the situation made him and would want the reader beside him for the next mission, as some kinda filler spider sense after he recovers (or just has them there for comfort but doesn’t wanna admit it LOL)

hiya anon !! this was coherent don't worry hehehe

summary : miguel gets severely injured on a mission and wants you by his sides for all the upcoming ones

content warnings : blood, cuts, miguel almost dying (he doesn't dw), flangst (?), this turns sweet, no use of Y/N, gender neutral!reader word count : 2,2k

tag list : @fandom-ash

Miguel found himself alone on the field. This wasn't usually a problem, as the number of individual missions he'd carried out before forming his entire Spider Society was vast. It hadn't always been easy, of course, but he'd always managed to pull himself up, like a true Spider-Man would.

The rain clattered against the pixels of his suit, thunder rumbling between the dark clouds where skyscrapers sank like daggers into a black cotton belly.

He was out of breath, the anomaly he was facing was the typical weak point of his mutation: it was invisible, and extremely fast, which didn't help as Miguel's Spidersenses were profoundly insignificant, or even to put it simply: non-existent.

If he could get a visual on his target, everything would be perfectly fine. He could carry out his mission like the usual without a care. But invisible? That was undoubtedly his Achilles' heel in anomalies.

His hand was pressed against one of his bleeding sides as he stood breathless on a rooftop. The anomaly kept using its invisibility and speed to make unpredictable sprints to cut him from side to side.

He muttered an insult under his breath, his shoulders, arms and legs riddled with cuts of varying depths that were causing severe pain all over his body.

The anomaly was taunting him, laughing at one corner and then the next second calling out from another. The situation was becoming far too complex, and he could feel that the loss of blood from his body was starting to have an impact, weakening him enormously in this fight. It was more than a weakness actually, it was a real danger.

His eyes were looking in all directions, turning in on himself. Silence and the inability to know where his enemy was had never frightened him so much. He knew very well that the invisible things were just as dangerous as the visible ones, if not more so.

You don't always see love when it's coming, and you sometimes fail to recognise death when it arrives.

Call for help? Yes, perhaps that would be best, no matter how proud he was and how independent he wanted to be. Trying to regain a less shaky breath, he swallowed as he brought his lips to his watch:

"Lyla call the-" but he was cut off instantly by the anomaly that came at him in a flash, slicing into the back of his leg with such power that he fell to his knees with a grunt. The puddle into which he had fallen became darker, the red of his blood mingling with it under the light of one of the neon advertisements on an adjacent building.

He groaned in frustration, bringing the watch up to his mouth again.

"Lyla-" he breathed a little louder, but the anomaly cracked the silence with a high-pitched laugh as he cut into his back with a straight, deep line of his own.

Miguel arched his back, a growl mingling with a cry of desperation and terrible frustration as he lay on the ground.

Was it the rain, or was his vision becoming blurry ?

The anomaly materialised before his tired eyes, kneeling beside him, tilting its head to one side.

"All so," he laughed horribly, "big and strong and muscular." the anomaly grabbed his arm evilly, squeezing his hand over a cut that was burning hellishly, and Miguel let out screams through his teeth.

"But I'll tell you something, big buy," the anomaly said simply, moving a little closer to Miguel, who was beginning to find it harder and harder to stay awake. "In the end, we're all made of flesh that can be cut, and bones that can be broken."

He held up his knife, which the raindrops were cleaning of Miguel's blood, still glued to the blade. He then placed it against Miguel's cheek, his vision completely blurred.

"Lyla," he whispered, barely audible, using what little strength he had left to cry out for help.

He saw the knife rise, thinking to himself, this is it, it's over, he thought.

He murmured something, just something ? No, it was more important than that. He murmured your name.

He wanted, no, needed to see you now. Hear your voice, see you once more before… he just needed you by his side.

He felt so lonely.

He could’ve chosen anyone to be by his sides, heck someone was literally by his side at the moment and it was an anomaly, so he wasn’t exactly alone. But still, still, he wanted you.

The knife elevated, ready to strike him down, the sound of the anomaly’s laughter echoing in his mind in a numb way. And that’s when he saw a bright orange in the reflection of the bloody puddle, and lost consciousness.

He awoke in the infirmary, his eyes gradually adjusting to the whitish light. The aseptic air caught his nostrils, his lips were dry and a slight headache tugged at his skull.

He was lying on a stretcher in a position somewhere between sitting up and lying down. As he tried to straighten up, he was immediately stopped by an intense pain, and immediately tensed up.

"Hey hey hey, easy, easy."

He knew that voice, very, very well indeed. He opened his eyes again, slowly.

You were there, at his bedside, just above him to make sure he didn't try to get up again. He inhaled slowly, breathing hurt a little, and he wrinkled his nose in pain.

"How long was I out?" he asked, his first thought always remaining on the subject of organisation.

"Three days," you replied, standing next to him, arms folded.

"Three d-!" but the rise in his tone made his whole chest ache.

"Hey shh shh shh," you soothed, coming to rest your hand on his cheek to provide a point of anchorage for him in the middle of all of this pain.

"Three days," he breathes against your touch as he squirmed around trying to find a comfortable position without feeling like his whole body was on fire. "It's too much wasted time, I have to go back-"

"You're not going back anywhere for a little while, Miguel." you cut, voice calm.

"But I have to-" his breath came a little sharper.

"Miguel, you're not going to do anything at all except rest." you reiterated.

"Listen to me-"

"No, you listen to me," you interjected this time in a much less calm and more strict tone, which surprised him enough to stop him from continuing to fidget and breathe almost frantically. "You had a near-death experience, Miguel," your words were categorical. "And I refuse to allow you to not recover from that properly just so you can kill yourself at work instead, because... fuck, I was so scared." your voice had trailed off on the last word, broken.

Your eyes avoided his, looking up at the ceiling, biting your lip as your gaze fell back on the countless cuts he had strewn across his body. Your hand, previously on his cheek, came to rest beside him on the stretcher.

And you could feel his eyes on you, expecting your next words.

"When Lyla appeared to us... I had never seen her so serious and anxious at the same time. I have always seen her as playful and," a sigh, "sassy. But then, what she said made my heart drop," you admitted, looking him in the eye, trying to articulate.

A tear rolled down your cheek, and you immediately brushed it away, trying to pull yourself together.

"When we arrived, you were in an indescribable state, you were motionless... gosh Miguel I've never wished so much to see someone make just one movement," you breathed in, wiping away the other hot tears that wanted to flow further down your cheeks. "You can't imagine the relief I felt when they stabilised your state."

He looked at you, lips parted as he listened intently. And he thought of how he had wished you in death to bring him life and how you had wished him in life to stay away from death.

"I stayed, you know? By your side. Days, nights, whenever I could," you smiled, a small breath living your lips as you sniffed.

His heart was overflowing with emotions, all the sensations and thoughts that had taken hold of him during his confrontation with the anomaly coming back vividly to his mind, and yet he felt it all squeezed into his chest.

"I..." his voice grew small, and he swallowed to try and make his throat more cooperative to make the lump that was forming in it disappear.

"I thought... I'd never get to see you again," he admitted, inhaling softly.

His hand came to rest on yours, his fingers gently caressing your skin as you took it in yours.

"I..." his eyes were veiled by a curtain of tears that stung his nose, and he bit the inside of his cheek, looking down at your hands interlaced.

He thought back to the rain that kissed him goodbye, to the thunder that rumbled through the dark clouds as if to lecture him, to the feel of the sharp blade on his skin and the life that was gradually leaving him. But above all he remembered his vulnerability, and the possibility that this moment might be his last.

"It was so cold... I just," a tear finally rolled down his cheek, "I just wanted you to be here," his eyes returned to yours, "with me."

You could see it in his eyes, the fear, the dread that something like this could happen again. You bit your lip, your chin trembling as you gripped his hand a little tighter in yours.

"I need you by my side," he declared.

Your free hand gently wiped the tears from his cheeks, his lids closing.

"I will be by your side," you whispered, "I will protect you."

He breathed in gently, his eyes meeting yours again.

"From now on, everywhere I'll go, you'll go with me," he concluded, and you squeezed his hand in yours again.

"I'll go with you," you agreed, wiping the last tear from your cheek, the salts of your two cries combining on the back of your hand like an oath.

Miguel had recovered well. At first he'd inevitably flinched at the fact that he'd let everything be controlled by someone other than himself, but in the end he'd let it slide.

You came to visit him every day, not only to make your report but also simply to spend time with him. You always brought him empanadas from the cafeteria, knowing how much he loved them. It has to be said that if there was one thing you could often bribe Miguel on, it was empanadas. That and maybe stroking his hair...

When he finally came out of the infirmary, a tiny celebration was held. He didn't like the idea at all, but you knew deep down that the intention behind it warmed his heart.

Life went back to what it used to be, with of course a slight change that surprised everyone.

As agreed, wherever he went, you went. Every spiderperson in the Society had obviously noticed the sudden change. From one day to the next, Miguel couldn't go anywhere without you by his side.

You went on walks with him in the park, you would always eat with him at the cafeteria, you were in his office whenever he was, and it felt to most spiders now that you two would eternally be inseparable.

The time finally came for Miguel to go on a mission, where you would work with him to catch the anomaly but above all to lend him your Spidersenses, which were working to the highest perfection.

The portal formed in front of you, Miguel tensing slightly. You put your hand on one of his shoulders and he turned to you.

"It's okay, I'm here" you remarked.

This simple fact lifted a weight from his shoulders as if by magic. He smiled at you before you put your mask on, his own mask pixelating on his face, and you stepped through the portal.

You reached a rooftop, the gate closing behind you. Silence fell and Miguel tensed. He had no idea where the danger might be coming from.

"Hey, look at me," you said simply.

He turned to you, still as uptight as ever.

"Just breath okay?"

He breathed in gently, relaxing his shoulders as he listened, a little more reassured by your simple presence.

You waited patiently, not moving an inch. And what if you couldn't feel certain sensations either?

But he had nothing to worry about, because you immediately took him by the arm and drew him against the wall of the roof exit, pressing your body against his as next to you a kind of big multicoloured puddle burst violently onto the ground right where you previously were.

He was breathing heavily, his back pressed against the wall, while you were as calm as when you had arrived. His head turned towards yours, your two masked faces immensely close.

"I meant it when I said I would protect you."

He chuckled.

Wherever you go, I'll go with you.

481 notes · View notes

thepenultimateword · 2 years ago

Text

Writer Intro

Hello, I’m thepenultimateword (the penultimate word) or Pen for short. I’m a twenty-something year old English Grad and writer. I’ve been writing for probably 15ish years, and I hope that once I finally get around to finishing the zillion WIPs in my brain I can someday get something published.

My favorite genres to write are sci-fi and fantasy, however, my most popular genre on Tumblr is Superhero fiction (or Supervillain fiction—I have an obsession for bad guys). Off Tumblr, I’m a novel writer, but on Tumblr I mostly write mini series, snippets, and prompts. This is also a SFW blog. The only thing that may come up now and then is gore and violence, but I try to content warn for that sort of thing.

Some things to expect from my blog:

Lots of romance. Sorry, I can’t help it, I do have some platonic stories, but I’m a sucker for romance plots even if I’m not in the habit of reading romance books.

Flangst (fluff + angst). I rarely end things angsty, but you better believe there’s gonna be angst in order to make that fluff super sweet and satisfying.

Long snippets. I have a habit of writing long, so most of my snippets are usually at least a couple thousand words. This is either a good thing or a bad thing for you depending on what type of reader you are, as well as how invested you are in my stories.

Arranged marriage, fake dating, enemies or rivals to lovers, strong woman x weaker guy, slow burn (These are among my favorite tropes).

Sometimes slow response to asks or continuations. As much as I love writing, I’m pretty slow because I’m meticulous. It usually takes me about 3 hours or so to write one snippet, which can delay me for several reasons.

That’s about all I can think of for now! But let me know if you have any questions! And check out my masterlist for my work! (It’s ordered from oldest to newest.)

P.s.

I’ve been on Tumblr for a little over a year now, so part of me felt like it was too late for an intro. But I never gave one when I first joined and new people are still finding my blog all the time, so why not, who’s stopping me?

#writer intro #intro #writblr #writeblr #writers of tumblr #writing community #hero x villain #fantasci #humans are space orcs #writing #creative writing

77 notes · View notes

queengiuliettafirstlady · 2 years ago

Text

AHAHAHH MO I swear I have no words to express how much I am HAPPY to see you commenting on this fic 🥺🥺🥺🤩🤩🤩

Ehehheh and with such meaningful gif no less, 🤭 still I will do my best to answer you 🧐

I am always eager to surprise my reader, or pranking them with angsty story for suddenly gifting them a sugar sweet happy ending 😏😆

I am glad you liked his MC, and Clavis characterization on top of it I managed to work with him to show both his sides,the insecure one he keep hidden on the inside and the strong one he show as a mask with everyone.

We will call it flangst, cause afer the angst it is time for fluff 😏

Oh please honey Thank YOU for your lovely comment �� It is always nice to receive such compliments about writings 🥺🥺😉😉

Portrait of a Gentleman in Love

Fandom: Ikemen Prince

Pairing: Clavis x MC

Prompt: 9. "Are those hearts in your eyes that I am seeing?"

Part of Be my valentine content creation challenge hosted by @xxsycamore and @chaosangel767

Tag: Locked in Confession of Love Kisses Fluff

Word Count 2.757

Author’s Note: A joke of fate bring the two prankesters of the palace together for a whol afternoon, few hours that unbeknownst to them will chane their lives brnging to the surface emotions deep hidden in their heart, linking them together much to their happiness thanking fate for that strange yet pleasant prank who was played on them brightening their path with love. 😉

Tag list

@kissmetwicekissmedeadly @lordsisterxotome @rhodolitesrose @aquagirl1978 @violettduchess @atelieredux @klutzyrosesy @scorchieart @randonauticrap @thewitchofbooks

You can find me on AO3 as QueenJuliet 😊

Thank you for everyone who will like, reblog, or comment please be gentle with me english is not my first language so please do not leave rude comments I apologise for eventual errors I hope you will like it 😊

It was a frizzy winter morning in Rhodolite, but alike the previous days the sun was hiding shyly behind the grey clouds gathered in the sky, foretelling a storm soon to come making the few people sill in the streets to rush their duties and go back home, safe from the cold rain that after few hours begin to patter lightly on the ground, pitapatting lazily against the windows of the palace, the atmosphere unusually quiet eliciting delight and worry alike among its staff, concern coming from the secret whereabouts of the hellcat and of his lovely accomplice unaware they were still in that palace but unable to spicy up its atmosphere with their pranks, due to being locked in a forgotten storage no one seemed to have knowledge and use for the whole day.

Their breaths the only things breaking the still air of the room before a sudden gust of wind from the seeming miniscule window make the fire in the candle holder flicker feebly at his mercy before shutting off completely, immediately her finger fretted over to find an anchor clutching his jacket tightly as she leaned her head on his shoulder, welcoming with open arms the jolt of warmth that intimate gestures brought to her.

“Clavis … I am afraid.” her voice barely a whisper enough to make his heart clench painfully for her, darkness towering over them trapped in the narrow space with only one another, ships anchored together amidst the stormy seas of emotions raging inside rival to the one outside, feeling her shaky sighs drowned on his shoulder he tighten his arms around her, holding her close to his chest his fingers diving in her soft hairs as he engulfed her little body in his embrace

“Why so ?” concern dripping over his words murmured gently while his fingers kept rubbing soothing circles on her back, a light smile curled his lips at the sound of her ragged breath gradually returning steady

“I see … you are so scared of doing what you should not with the most handsome prince in the Kingdom.” his breath warm on her skin, speaking of sensual and forbidden desires she would have been coaxed to give in … if she was any other girl, luckily for him she was not, for his sensual propose was met with light chuckles escalating in a soft clear laugh as she hide her face in chest, seeing a smile on her lips was more than enough for his heart to swell with love, vibrating in sync with her hearty laughter pride surging in him, for once, to know he was able to dissipate her fears away with his antics

“Do not be afraid no one will ever find out.”

their carefree laughs melting together, the sound of happiness resonating in the room narrow but not so dark and gloomy as it seemed to be, not anymore, lit by the flame of something burning bright in their core bolder at each passing moment, the bud of something long hidden in their hearts deepening its roots with that sudden and heartwarming moment of intimacy.

Her heart beating way too much fast for her to still cling to the idea he was merely an acquaintance because he was not, not anymore, the same realisation sinking in his heart leaving him astounded, taken aback by the sudden and unexpected turn their friendship has just had, carefully he took her hand, brushing his lips tenderly on her knuckles hoping for his kiss to be enough to convey all the feelings he could not said with words, self loath and doubts holding him back from expressing it to her for fear she would have rejected him like he already was countless time in the past, yet he felt that this time was different, for he was most certain his heart would have shattered beyond repair, his love for once true which, despite his attempt to avoid it, had already taken roots in him too deep to be forget

“You are freezing.” his voice dripping with concern as he cradled her hands in his warming them up

“Do not worry.” she shook her head, feeling suddenly self conscious at that contact feeling heat rising on her cheeks despise the lower temperature of the room

“Dearie me, a gentleman can never leave his lady to freeze.” His he said but she was not, not yet and maybe never but his heart Oh this was truly irremediably Hers forever, even when she would have went away and forget him he would have not, he would have still loved her all the same with that familiar warm passion he has ever felt for her and her alone, light amidst darkness love of his life the mere idea of seeing her with another broke his heart in tiny little pieces that could have easily slipped through the eye of a needle but not through the neck of an hourglass, never through it for his love would have remained steady fast and ever vivid, never fading not even after thousands of years his heart would have be complete again without her love, dependent despite his attempt to avoid it, a girl he could not even hope to hold on to cruel joke of a fate ever averse to forbidden love stories of all kind.

Swiftly he took off his coat draping it over her shoulder, basking in the bright smile appearing on her lips

“You will be the one to catch a cold now.” he shook his head brushing his thumb over her cheeks, her words moving his heart melting under the smoldering warmth of her affection

“Please I am not such a weakling to get a flu so easily, do not concern yourself unnecessarily.”

“But I do.” his amber gaze seemed troubled for a moment, a crooked almost pained expression took over his smile usually composed and impassible, enough to let her see a crack through his mask but not enough to ruffle his composure regained in the blink of an eye leaving her astounded by the sudden change of his expression even more determined to discover everything about that man behind the hedonistic trickster he proclaimed himself to be, to choose a good King she kept telling herself even though her heart knew far too well why she was interested to know so deeply only Him

“I care for you.” a forlorn glimpse flickered in his eyes dripping over his smile, lightened only by an edge of tenderness as he murmured to himself,

“No one ever did.” the sadness in his gaze was unbearable, making her heart clench painfully for him, she not hesitated to curl in his embrace placing a side of his cape on his shoulder

“I want you to be warm too.”

“I already am.” he smiled tenderly at her, feeling her love melting his heart as a pleasant tepid warmth begin to spread in his whole body from his heart beating way too fast for that whimsical kind girl that for once showed him the bliss of love and being loved above anything else, moved by her affection he let an achingly soft kiss on her forehead noticing in the dim light of the room a light blush on her cheeks while a shy smile curled her rosy lips.

“Thank you my little rabbit.”

After a while, her soft voice spoke again asking such a candid question to bring a smile on his lips, to hear the unstained innocence and complete trust she bestowed upon him

“You are a magician with locked doors. Are you sure you did not play this prank on purpose ?”

“Without traps of any kind ?” he shook his head

“It is not my style, moreover I could not enjoy their reactions if they were locked in here without me.” she nodded absently at his honest answer, curling her fingers over his chest revelling in his warmth seeping through his clothes and into her skin,

“I wonder if anyone will find us here, like someone surely will notice our absence.”

“Trust me no one will … miss me.” he did not plan to sound so weak, not with her, but he did his words betraying him before he could stop them, a forlorn shadow fell on his lips a dark clouds covering the sun in his usually bright golden eyes, feeling her arms wrap around his chest, not reaching his back still leaned against the wall, hoping for him to not find her behavior inappropriate her soft voice ringing in the room brushed away all the gloom from his heart making the sun shine bright in him once more as she murmured

“I will.” hesitant and feather like was the kiss she left with trembling lips on his cheek

“If I was not with you that is.” she chuckled lightly “I would feel the palace to be way too empty and quiet without you.”

Softly he cradled her face on his chest leaving an achingly tender kiss on her hair speaking of all the love he had hidden deep in his heart like a treasure he would have not shared with anyone else but her, his fingers moving on their own accord brushing on her cheek gazing intensely at her

"Are those hearts in your eyes that I am seeing ?” a sheepish smile on her lips she lowered her gaze on her fingers still curled on his jacket trying to make her voice sound detached but failing at concealing a flicker of her emotions coloring it, betraying the truth only her heart know of, she would have not told anyone else but him.

“Keep dreaming.”

“Oww you wound me now that I was beginning to hope you had come to love me.”

A rosy blush begin to spread on her cheeks she fretted over to hide in his chest before she looked up tentatively at him, something warm flickering in her gaze make his heart gallop in his chest hope and despair melting into a raging storm setting disarray in his whole body, for the longer he looked at her the more she saw that flicker becoming a bold flame shining bright in her eyes as shyness was took over from the burning passion of a sheer emotions so raw and true to be hard to tame, anxiety drowning her heart with crescent waves engulfed more and more at each minutes going by as they stared at one another, fear of mockery doubts and insecurities of sort messing in her heart she was about to give up to lower her gaze and suffocated the tears threatening to spill on her cheeks for the humiliation of that moments but he was faster he cupped her face in his hands looking straight into her eyes for a second longer enough to placate his own doubts as he melted his lips on hers feeling her fingers grip tightly his jacket, hope shared in their hearts for it not to be a lie otherwise it would have destroyed their hearts shattering them beyond repairs, feeling her soft lips move on his kissing him back for the first time he felt his heart enraptured in the pure bliss of love she so freely was showering him in.

Reluctantly and breathless the pulled away only to remain close their lips almost touching if not for few inches he took advantage of brushing some rebel lock away from her gorgeous face, his heart pushing him to confess first as a proper gentleman, daring to step out of his comfort zone for the sake of the love of his life, the one and only girl who had caught his attention from the first moment he saw her in town gazing defiantly in his brother’s eyes as no one ever did.

“I love you so much, my little rabbit.” a soft smile she gifted him as her bright gaze glimmered with a tender affection leaving him speechless and he could swear in that moment she has never looked more beautiful to him, her soft lips begging to be kissed curled in a smile so bright to shadow over the sun hiding shily behind a cloud, her cheeks painted with soft shades of pink, her gaze utterly enraptured by him, even though he felt she was the one who held him captive under spell she casted on him unbreakable and infinite, the one and only who could make entire empires rise and fall pushing King and peasants alike on their knees for when it was casted there was no going back and no one was immune for there was no boundaries for the powers to the spell of love.

“I love you too, my leopard.”

A gentle smile curled his lips showing the depth of an happiness until that moment he merely dared to dream of, leaning his forehead to hers holding her close blushing as he felt her soft lips brush a gentle kiss on his cheek, cradling his face in her hand she caressed his cheeks feeling his hand cover her own as their heart beated in sync with one another, only sound in the now warm and cozy room they ended up for a funny twist of fate trapped in for a whole afternoon that had the power to change their entire lives upside down bringing them closer than ever much to their pleasure.

They were lost in the moment, a bubble of love keeping them away from the noise of the palace fading out into the distance deaf to the metallic click of the lock being unlocked, unaware of the gaze of the Prime Minister taken aback by the sudden discovery of the two prankster turned lovebirds in the span of few hours much to his happiness one could say if not for the slightly sensation he had that the traps in the castle would have been the first to multiply between their inventive and wicked minds, a public menace he could do nothing to banish but enjoy, reluctantly, the ride of all the pranks they would have invented strangely so the knowledge he would have not be the only one to bear their mischief was refreshing, noiselessly he slide away leaving the door slightly ajar, not daring to disturb the, for once, carefree smile curled on the prince lips.

The sun has completely set by the time they noticed the door was now opened, thanks to a certain devil minister they would have properly thanked with a batch of his favourite liquor, though the idea they had to part ways brought them both a sense of regret for the time that too fast went them by, that afternoon sounding almost like a dream now as they walked hand by hand through the halls directed to her room, sharing one deep sweet kiss before reluctantly pulling away to get ready for the evening meal, basking in the lovestruck glimmering in her bright colorful eyes, savouring her sweet voice making his head dizzy with affection

“I am looking forward to our thirst tomorrow morning.” his gaze alluring as he mindlessly laced his fingers with hers.

“I can hardly wait to see what you will prepare for our breakfast.”

That word Our will make his heart swell and throb with love as an heart melting smile curled his lips before he could kiss her knuckles in a gentleman way bidding her goodbye at least until dinner was ready, a spring in his step he slide in his room thinking of all the dishes she loved the most and how to recreate them as faithfully as possible even if he knew she loved him for all he was he wanted to see her happy above anything else, for this this would have raised at the first light of dawn to cook so many delicious looking things to surprise her at breakfast giggling for once carelessly at the image of her smile shining bright for him alone as she make her way to him ready for a lavish banquet They would have eaten together sharing idle chats and hearty laugh, flirting gazes, gentle touches his heart swelled and rolled in his chest for how much he loved that peculiar girl, who alone believed in him so much to bind her heart to him, the first meal as lovers they would have had of many more to come, soulmates bonded together for eternity, walking hand in hand in that bright path they found for one another filled with love.

19 notes · View notes

justlookatthosesausages · 5 years ago

Text

“Lift the Spirit” :: a fluff/angst post-Frozen 2 Elsamaren fanfic

=======

Chapter 6: Every inch of me is trembling

=======

The Northuldra tied ropes around Victor’s wrists in a firm tug and pushed him through the Forest. Elsa had warned Arendelle through a message from Gale, telling them about the outcome of the battle, and asking to summon soldiers at the Elemental Stones as soon as possible. They would all go back to the kingdom with him as a prisoner.

The Sami warriors were walking with their weapons pointing at Victor, who was complying and silent. Some Northuldra were muttering insults towards him for his actions, and poking at him with their staff. However, Victor didn’t get angry nor struggled. He had surrendered long ago.

Elsa looked at the battlefield, and sent a mental note to Nokk to erase all the traces of her ice shields and arrows with a magical wave. The Water Spirit nodded internally, taking this opportunity to congratulate the Snow Queen on the issue of the battle.

She then turned to her family. Because of their injuries, most of them had trouble moving and they needed to be healed urgently. Elsa asked Pebble to pick them up and bring them to the camp. Thankfully, the Giant hadn’t been far, as he always was in the vicinity of the Dark Sea to play with Nokk.

Elsa helped her family members to keep their balance and stand in his palm as they were rapidly transported. If she weren’t deeply concerned about their wounds, she would have laughed hard at how they were all holding tight to Pebble’s fingers. Ryder had panicked yelps as they were moving fifteen meters from the ground. While the others had hands on the rock fingers, he was clinging to it with his legs as well, ignoring his pain in profit of safety.

When the adorable Giant softly put them down on the ground near the camp, he made Elsa promise that she would never make him live that again.

The Snow Queen chuckled, but then her expression changed. She gestured to the Northuldra for immediate help, and quickly explained that she needed people to heal wounds and others to go get the reindeer and horse mounts further in the forest. Jongu confirmed the orders, obeying to the Fifth Spirit.

=======

“Ready? Hold on to my hand if you need to squeeze something.” Invited Elsa.

Honeymaren sulked. “But that will hurt you.”

“I don’t mind.”

She watched the healer come close to the bed after she poured some liquid on a cloth. The blonde gulped at the amount that she had put. Agat was the oldest Northuldra healer, but also the most ruthless. The leader wasn’t scared anyway. Or at least, she pretended not to.

At the light of the lanterns in the hut, Agat bent over the brunette and pressed the cloth on the wound of her hand. Honeymaren wanted to look, but at the second the liquid penetrated her skin, her eyes flew up to the ceiling, and she groaned loudly in pain. She however forced herself to not squeeze Elsa’s hand, and the blonde shook her head at how the moment was inappropriate to be her well-mannered self.

“Good, good. It’s done.” Said Agat.

She started bandaging Honeymaren’s hand as the latter breathed heavily. Elsa passed a hand in her dark hair, as to congratulate her for going through this. She placed the bangs aside and even tied it in a pretty braid so she could see the even prettier face of her lover completely.

They exchanged a smiling gaze, and Elsa took some steps back to let Agat to her work. While the healer took great care of Honeymaren, Elsa started to stare at her in anguish.

“I hate that.”

The leader frowned, puzzled.

“What?”

“Seeing you injured.”

Honeymaren observed her wife. Elsa now was standing near the bed and crossing her arms, slightly curled on herself, like she was folding in fear. The brunette knotted her eyebrows in a sad and worried expression.

“Hey. Snømus. I’m okay. It’s just a--”

Elsa gave her a look. Honeymaren gulped.

“Yeah, I was about to say ‘it’s just a scratch’, but you’re not gonna buy it, uh?”

Elsa’s eyes filled with sadness and worry again, and she curled up even more, avoiding to stare at her.

“But it’s being taken care of.” Assured Honeymaren, tilting her head to search for her gaze, a technique she got from Anna. “Also, you’re not the reason behind it. Uncross those arms, please.”

The blonde did a pout, and Honeymaren encouraged her with a smile. Eventually, Elsa’s muscles lost a bit of tension, and she relaxed a bit, standing up normally.

Honeymaren lifted the hand that wasn’t bandaged to put it in Elsa’s. “We’ll all be okay. You don’t have to worry about us.”

“You really shouldn’t move”, commented the healer when she saw her doing an effort.

Honeymaren frowned to her. “I’ll touch my wife if I damn want.”

Agat gulped and returned to her attentions, not daring to contradict the strong leader. Elsa’s lips stretched in an amused smile. When she saw that Honeymaren caught it, they softly giggled, and the blonde stepped forward to hug her. That way, she avoided her wife to make any movement, and the brunette felt like she was instantly healed at the scent of Elsa’s skin in her neck. Her hair also smelled divine. How come it smelled divine? Why did it smell so clean even though they all sweated like hell during the battle?

“That’s unfair.” Mumbled Honeymaren with a smile against her neck.

“What?” Asked Elsa as they parted.

“Nothing.” Grinned the brunette.

The Snow Queen then sighed. “It breaks my heart, but I’m gonna leave you for now. I’m gonna check the others’ state.”

“Alright.”

Elsa leaned down for a soft kiss, like she always did, but Honeymaren grabbed her ice fabric collar to bring her closer and kiss her deeper, like she always did as well. The kiss however was abnormally long and full of tenderness. Agat blushed as she forced herself to look elsewhere and pretended that the basin behind her was very interesting. When the two wives parted, and slightly gasped, Elsa looked into the two hazelnut irises with emotion.

“Honey, I…”

“Just go. We’ll talk about it later. We’ll have plenty of time.”

Elsa’s face went sad, and she gulped. “Okay.”

A thumb stroking her cheek as a warm hand cupped her face made her stir away from her thoughts. She smiled, and kissed Honeymaren’s palm.

“See you.”

“See you.” Smiled the brunette.

She watched her leave the hut, and when she did, both Elsa’s and Honeymaren’s smiles vanished.

No, healing from what had happened on the Dark Sea shore wouldn’t be easy.

Elsa fidgeted with her hands as she walked away from the hut, feeling bad about leaving her wife’s side for the first time since the event. Because she knew, even if Honeymaren didn’t talk about it yet, that she had thought for a moment that she died on the shore. She could almost feel the gaze of the brunette in her back, as it surely didn’t leave the door, still concerned and thinking about her even if she left the room.

The blonde took a long inhale, trying to change her mind. The closest hut had Kristoff and Ryder in it, and she smiled as she entered. Kristoff had been taken care of and he was asleep, knocked down after the strong medicinal herbs he had been given to cope with his head injury. She went to his bed and placed a hand on his shoulder, inspecting his face with sad eyes. He had a calm resting face, but Elsa was perpetually worried. Of all of those who had helped Elsa facing Victor, her brother-in-law had the worst wound. However, the healers attested that it wasn’t a lesion, and that he would be okay in a few hours. Turns out that he, indeed, had a think skull; it wasn’t just a manner of speaking. Elsa smiled at that fact, and turned to the same healers she has been talking to earlier, who now were taking care of Ryder. One of them lifted his head.

“Kristoff will be fine.” Smiled Nainnas, a botanist who was crushing herbs in a mortar for his fellow Northuldra, lying on the other bed with his pants off. “However, I need your help for Ryder.”

Elsa blinked. She knew very little about healing, and as her wife had underlined it for the past years, she very easily faltered and despaired when she saw injuries up close. The amount of times she fainted or nearly did when trying to assist the Northuldra healers every now and then was almost comical, but Honeymaren would never discourage her. The Snow Queen frowned with determination, and nodded anyway.

“Sure. What do you need?”

“It will take me a few minutes to prepare this concoction. But Ryder’s knee has swollen due to his injury.”

“What?? It has?!” Panicked the Northuldra, seating up on the bed with wide eyes to look at his knee.

“Stay down.” Groaned the other healer, keeping him down firmly, and Elsa smiled at his scold.

It clearly wasn’t the first time of the night Ryder was told to stop moving, and the blonde was amused to see the similar nervosity between the two Nattura siblings.

“As I was saying…” Sighed the botanist healer, “We need to seal off the injury before it gets too infected.”

Elsa gulped. ‘Oh, for Ahtohallan’s sake, please don’t make me sew the skin back together’, she thought, feeling blood leaving her face. She had purposely avoided to look at Ryder’s knee until now for this very reason.

“Do you want me to freeze it?” She asked, her voice slightly trembling, hoping this is what Nainnas needed her for.

“No, quite the opposite. We need fire. Heat is a very helpful way to scar over.”

Elsa took a long moment to understand what it had to do with her then. Her speciality was cold, not heat-- Oh.

Nainnas gave her an amused smile, but didn’t say anything. He knew that everyone still was in shock, and it might take a while to think.

“You want me to call the Fire Spirit.”

“Yes, please.” Smiled the man.

Elsa internally sighed of relief. She closed her eyes to search for Bruni’s soul, and she felt him several meters away in the camp. He was playing with some children to appease them now that the danger was gone, and helping them go to sleep as time now reached almost midnight. Elsa smiled at the little salamander’s kindness and care, and called him through a mind nudge.

Bruni jolted up, and beamed - quite literally - at the idea of joining her. The children laughed as he dashed through the camp in zigzags, and almost barged in the hut, his tiny belly waving as he breathed rapidly in excitement of helping Elsa.

When he saw her standing near one of the beds, he squealed and ran to her feet, where he rubbed and cuddled like a cat. He then climbed along her leg and jumped in her open hand. With happy grunts, he curled against her fresh skin, and exhaled a lot of joyful energy, which warmed Elsa’s heart in every way.

She smiled. “Yeah, I’m happy to see you too, buddy. Look, I called you for a specific reason.”

She kept him in her hand and turned to Ryder. “See that injury?” She pointed, talking with a voice similar to the one she used to talk to young children, and Kristoff would have made the remark if he were awake. “Could you burn Ryder’s skin, very softly, to help seal his wound?”

Bruni made an approving peep. Ryder didn’t really like the way she had stated that out loud, and gulped when he saw Elsa approach her arm with him in her palm. But at the sight of the salamander’s adorable eyes, he giggled.

“Okay, are you sure about this?” Asked Elsa.

Ryder nodded vividly.

“Are you ready?”

Another nod.

Elsa put down the salamander on his bare leg, and the tiny Spirit pawed his skin in an appeasing gesture.

He gave Ryder a sorry look, then it became a determined one as he looked down at the knee. He spat a long but soft burst of fire, his flame licking the skin of the injury.

The Northuldra screamed loudly then hissed, startling, but Bruni held firmly to his leg.

Elsa passed a hand along his arm. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, and he’s sorry as well. He is. But we have to do this.”

“I know…” He whined through gritted teeth.

Finally, the Fire Spirit was done sealing the wound, and it looked better already. While the healers took care of his leg and bandaged his knee, Bruni jumped back in Elsa’s offered hand, and climbed to her shoulder to observe the man too. Ryder’s eyelids soon felt heavy, a result of both the relief of pain, the soothing care of the Northuldra, and the tiring day. Even Bruni yawned, and Elsa found it adorable.

“You were amazing.” She whispered, too scared to wake up the two injured men now. “Thank you.”

The salamander squeaked happily, and curled to sleep on her shoulder, lulled by her natural cold.

Next, Elsa went to the neighboring hut, also used by healers. Eydis was sleeping on the first bed she saw, and she noticed that someone had untied the young blonde’s dutch braids so she could sleep better. The princess had a patch applying ointment on her skin where she had been touched by the dark magic, at the top of her shoulder.

Elsa smiled as she approached her niece, and bent to put a kiss in her hair. At the touch, the girl stirred, and Elsa jumped up and worried, thinking she shouldn’t have done that. However, Eydis smiled and turned slightly to fall back to sleep. The Snow Queen had been standing still with her mouth pressed in a thin line, not daring to breathe to make sure she didn’t wake her up. She exhaled discreetly.

“You’re ridiculous.” Came a smiling voice on her right.

Anna was looking at her from the bed she was laying on, wearing the same infirm tunic than her daughter. She had asked that Eydis and her would be healed in the same hut, so she could keep an eye on her daughter while she slept.

“And you look very epic with that bandage.” Replied the Snow Queen.

Anna grinned proudly, looking at her battle injury in her elbow pit. “Thanks.”

She then stared at her sister meaningfully. “You’re complimenting me to hide your worry about my health, aren’t you?”

Elsa sighed as she walked to Anna’s bed. “You read in me like an open book.”

“What can I say?” Smirked the redhead with a shrug. “Kristoff doesn’t call me book lover for nothing.”

There was a silence. Elsa seemed bothered by the topic, and therefore Anna decided to talk about something else.

“Did you know that the elbow pit also is called antecubital fossa? Awesome, uh? Remind me to add it as a word for charades night.”

It managed to bring a smile to Elsa’s lips. “I forbid you to do that. Besides, now that Eydis is playing with us, it will be impossible to guess.”

“The joke’s on you, she is the one who taught me that earlier.”

Elsa blinked. They turned to the princess, who was sleeping peacefully. When she turned back to Anna, she was beaming with maternal pride.

“She’s a real genius.”

“And she fought really well.” Added Elsa. “See? I told you we wouldn’t regret to bring her along.”

The Queen rolled her eyes. “It shows that you’re not the one who raises her. Do you have any idea how many times she scared the hell out of me doing dangerous stuff?”

“Well, just like her mother does with me.” Grinned Elsa.

She sat on the bed to wrap her arms around her sister. “I’m so glad that you’re okay.”

The Queen melted in the hug, closing her eyes with a soft sigh. She was just upset that she could hug her with only one arm.

Anna felt something warm against her neck when Elsa was against her, and smiled when she recognized the familiar sensation of scales. She parted the hug with a chuckle.

“Hey there little guy.”

Bruni blinked tired eyes open, and yawned, then grinned happily when the redhead scratched his head. He however went back to sleep afterwards, and Anna observed him tenderly.

“Long day, uh? Being a Spirit doesn’t prevent from tiredness.” She said, pointedly, staring at Elsa.

“You’re right.” Said the Snow Queen, and she gently took Bruni off her shoulder, then put him on a fresh spot on a shelf, so he could be comfortable in his sleep. He mumbled a happy squeal.

“You did well”, chuckled Anna. “Having a salamander on your neck while you sleep isn’t the best option.”

Elsa frowned in confusion at her sentence, but also at the gesture she just made, moving aside on the bed as if she was giving her space to lay down.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he’s adorable, but he would have bothered you, no? Isn’t it why you put him aside before going to bed?”

“I’m not going to bed.”

Anna’s eyes widened.

“Wait, what?!”

“I just put him aside because he was tired. You were right, being a Spirit doesn’t prevent from tiredness. Gale and him did a really good job, guarding the camp for so long. He deserves some sleep.”

The redhead looked at her in utter bewilderment. “And don’t you think that you deserve sleep too??”

“What do you mean?” Frowned Elsa.

“WHAT DO I--” She scolded, angry, but immediately lowered her tone to not awaken her daughter. “Elsa, for the love of gods, do you hear yourself? You need to go to sleep too. It’s late, we’re all tired… Come lay down, you dummy, I don’t even know why I’m explaining this to you right now.”

She lifted her hand to grab Elsa’s arm, but the elder stepped back to avoid it.

“I’m fine.”

“What the hell are you doing? Come here, you infinite dork--”

The blonde stepped back again when she tried to reach her, and Anna was too tired and wounded to stand up from the bed.

“I wouldn’t be able to find sleep anyway.” Said Elsa. “You all got injured somewhere, and I didn’t get anything… I feel very bad about it.”

Anna groaned. “Oh my goodness, Elsa, that’s--”

Someone knocked at the hut, and they stopped talking to turn to the entrance with a synchronized blink.

“Come in.” Invited Anna.

To their surprise, Honeymaren entered, and she closed the door behind her. The brunette saw Eydis sleep and she smiled.

“I just wanted to say goodnight to Elsa.” She said, keeping her voice down to not wake her up.

Anna snorted in a puff. “Oh, well, good luck with that, because that idiot refuses to sleep.”

The blonde twirled to her younger, and gave her a deathly stare.

“What??” Said Honeymaren, walking to them.

Her wife sighed longly, and that sounded more like a grunt that anything else. However, in opposite to Anna, Honeymaren didn’t get angry, and placed her hands gently on Elsa’s arms, looking at her with soft caring eyes.

“Love, you should get some rest. You’ve been through an exhausting process.”

“You two as well.” Retorted Elsa. “And you know I won’t go to sleep as long as you don’t rest first.”

Anna snorted. “And we know that you won’t go to sleep at all if we do that.”

Elsa pouted. She had been busted.

Honeymaren kept her hands on her wife’s arms, and smiled tenderly to her. “You have to rest, now.”

“I’ve been resting long enough when I was unconscious.”

Anna and Honeymaren snapped wide eyes.

“You can’t be serious!!” Exclaimed her sister.

If she physically could, she would have accentuated it with a movement of the arms.

Honeymaren sighed. “Look, it’s past midnight. We’ve had a very overwhelming day.”

“Yes, which is why you two have to go to sleep.”

“You need it as much as we do.” Insisted the brunette.

“No I don’t. You’re injured, and I’m not.”

The Queen scoffed. “You almost died!!”

Elsa didn’t react, so Anna massaged the top of her nose with an upset grumble. Honeymaren looked at them two with a sad smile.

“We can’t change her mind, Anna.” She stated. “You and I both know how stubborn she is.”

Anna sighed heavily, and laid down the bed. When she saw the space that remained, the leader approached timidly. “Can I sleep with you?”

“Oh, yeah, sure.” Invited Anna.

“That way, Elsa will be able to keep an eye on us both. Happy?” Smirked Honeymaren as she went under the pelts next to Anna, making sure not to hurt her or herself while she did.

Elsa nodded quietly with a soft smile.

It didn’t take long for the two women to fall asleep, they were truly exhausted.

When Anna started snoring and Honeymaren was so deep into slumber that she had that adorable face that Elsa loved, the blonde sat down on a stool and observed them.

However, as they sadly expected it, Elsa didn’t rest at all for the whole night. She spent the next hours wandering back and forth between each hut to check on the wounded, and talking with the Northuldra in charge of standing guard.

=======

After spending the day waiting for Arendellian forces to arrive, the Sun started to set over the Forest.

Victor limped as the soldiers led him to the prisoner cage they had put on a wagon. He was still injured at the foot, a pride that made Ryder and Eydis exchange a smirking gaze when he passed by them.

Honeymaren went to the center of the Northuldra camp to talk to her tribe.

“The danger we had been living in for the past days is no more.” She announced, her voice strong and powerful. Elsa admired her from where she was, laying against a tree.

“The enemy has been defeated. The battle is over. We won. Each of you had been of precious help, and I would like to thank the Spirits as well. Thank you all. I will go to Arendelle to attend Victor’s trial, as the representative of the Northuldra. He will face justice and pay for his crimes, I vow to it.”

Several Sami cheered, and others clapped.

“Now, may you all find peace until I return. I leave my brother in charge.”

Ryder blinked. “Wh-what??”

Anna was surprised to see he hadn’t been warned in advance. When Honeymaren walked to the little group ready to go, he went to his elder sister. “Are you sure about this? I’m injured at the knee, I can’t really be of much help...”

“I’m sure. And you will be a great leader anyway, Ryder, don’t you worry about it. Besides, since when does an injury prevent you from herding?”

Ryder blinked, and the others were confused too. “Are you saying that managing a tribe is the same thing that taking care of a reindeer herd?”

Honeymaren smirked as she put a hand on his shoulder. “Now that we’re all safe, the whole tribe will celebrate with a big feast and a ceremony. In that situation, it is exactly like keeping an eye on a herd.”

They laughed, and she nudged him before leaving to join Anna and Elsa.

“Take care.” He said to Kristoff.

“We will keep you informed.” Smiled the King.

Eydis waved goodbye to him happily, and they all walked away to the wagons, surrounded by Arendelle guards.

Anna walked with her sister and Honeymaren on each side, distracted by the visual of their shadows moving in front of them on the flowery ground. They were long and stretched by the lowering light of the sunset that warmed the back of their necks.

“What a week, uh?” She joked.

Honeymaren nudged her shoulder against hers. “That’s for sure.”

They chuckled together, and the brunette felt Elsa’s shoulder against her. She thought that she was nudging her as well, but in fact, Elsa was losing her balance.

Anna saw her shadow swaying on the side, and both turned to the blonde, whose eyes weren’t really focusing anymore.

“And you had quite a week indeed.” Smirked Honeymaren. “Let me hold you.”

“I can walk.” Mumbled Elsa.

Anna and Honeymaren exchanged a smile. Not only that was a sentence they now knew meant exactly the opposite, but Elsa’s voice had just betrayed her. She even was rubbing her eyes. It reminded Anna of her son when he refused to want to go to bed.

“Hmm, I don’t believe the ‘I swear I’m fine’ speeches anymore.” Said Honeymaren. “I’m gonna carry you to the wagon.”

“Honey, this won’t be necessa-AH!!” Suddenly yelped the blonde, as her whole body had suddenly been taken off the ground.

Anna laughed as Honeymaren easily swift her off her feet and put her on her shoulder. The brunette giggled as Elsa struggled to break free from her strong hold, and they walked to the wagon where Kristoff and Eydis awaited.

The man and his daughter laughed at their arrival.

“I didn’t know we had to deliver a sack of potatoes.” Teased Kristoff.

“I hate you…” Groaned Elsa weakly, upside down, in Honeymaren’s back. “All of you.”

Anna faked an offended gasp. They all boarded in laughter, and the Northuldra leader softly placed her wife on one of the benches, next to Anna.

“Maren, there is no need to be mollycoddling me.” Grumbled Elsa in her tired voice.

“Holy-molly-what?” Said the woman.

“Yep, she’s delirious when she’s tired.” Added Anna, shaking her head.

“I’m not! You two are constantly taking too much care of me.”

Anna passed her arm above the edge of the wagon and leaned on it to look at her amusedly. “And did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, you deserve that care?”

Elsa mumbled again, this time inaudibly.

Anna nudged Honeymaren. “Perhaps we holly molly her too much.”

The brunette cackled, and nudged her back.

“You two have bandages on the arm, you shouldn’t be doing that.” Frowned Elsa.

“Oh my gosh, she is right!” Exclaimed Anna, and the others could hear that she was being sarcastic. “Do you know what it means, Maren?”

“What?” Smirked the brunette.

“We’re bandages twins! Bandages buddies! Budd-ages!”

Honeymaren laughed loudly.

“I really hate you.” Mumbled Elsa.

It was an obvious lie, especially since her wife’s laugh, echoing in the woods to her ears, had made her heart feel like it was floating above the clouds. She smiled softly as the wagons departed.

=======

They had snacks aboard the wagon, and Honeymaren noticed that Kristoff and Elsa passed each other some bread without even consulting each other, in a simple stare. She had noticed this before on a Friday night.

“You two make quite a team.” Grinned the brunette, pointing at them. “Are you sure you didn’t meet before Anna introduced you? Your alchemy during game nights is unfair.”

“I know.” Sighed Anna dramatically. “When we pick the teams randomly and they are together, I always feel like it’s doomed.”

“Not always.” Chuckled Kristoff. “We’re really not good at classic charades. Drawings, however…”

“Yeah, no wonder why you guess them so easily, though.” Sighed Anna. “Have you seen the amount of details Elsa puts in her drawings?! Who the hell takes the time to do perspective and shadows?!”

“And how come you can’t get points when you’re teaming up with her?” Asked Eydis, because her argument was weird.

“I’m too busy admiring them to actually guess.” Mumbled Anna.

They laughed.

“To be fair, our team is only good in family games nights because we balance each other’s skills. That’s all.” Shrugged Elsa.

“The legendary ice bros.” Smirked Anna. “I’m proud of that nickname.”

“I like it.” Complimented Honeymaren. “And I’m sure it will stick.”

“It sure will.” Grinned Kristoff. “Just like ice.”

He laughed, and Elsa as well, then they fist bumped right in front of Anna.

“Oh my gods, you didn’t…”

“We totally did.” Grinned Elsa.

The redhead sighed. “That’s like, the hundredth ice pun this month.”

“And not the last.” Giggled Kristoff.

“I swear, Maren, they’re unbearable. Now you understand why I named them that.”

“Oh, three puns a week is nothing compared to the jokes this dork does each and every-- ouch!”

They laughed when Elsa tapped her arm.

“I like those puns.” Smiled Eydis.

“No, not my niece too!” Whined Honeymaren, and the princess giggled. “I swear, her plays on words could make people run away. Oh, we should have used that as a technique against the monsters!” She falsely exclaimed.

Anna laughed out loud.

“Do you want me to make it hail on you two?” Smirked Elsa.

She then remembered the fight. “By the way, Anna, for a moment there, I thought you were counting down the number of creatures you took down.”

The redhead shrugged, not actually denying that accusation. “Doubting of my stamina?”

“Certainly not. I recall you were having some fun while you fought.” Smirked Elsa.

“I’ve often heard the Queen saying that everything is a competition.” Said Honeymaren.

“And it is!” Proclaimed Anna, stubborn.

Elsa rolled her eyes. “No matter what, I’m proud of you.”

“No matter the score?”

“No, I meant that I’m proud of you all.”

“Hmm… That sounds like someone who slayed the least monsters.”

Some gasped and some laughed, and they continued to argue about that topic playfully. The sister cuddled in a shared laughter. The discussions went about different things on the road, until Anna felt that Elsa’s cuddle had gone heavier. She turned, noticing that her sister had been silent since a moment. The blonde’s eyes were closed. Her head had tilted to her shoulder, and she had just fallen asleep. Anna smiled tenderly.

“She hasn’t slept at wink all night, uh?” Guessed Kristoff, staring at her with a smile.

The other nodded. The Northuldra melted at the sight, then unrolled a blanket from the wagon to put it on her wife’s relaxed body.

“Sleep well, you ethereal selfless dork.”

=======

When Elsa woke up, she was blessed by the sight, feeling and presence of Anna sleeping in front of her, and Honeymaren’s arm going around her waist while she was spooning her from behind. The Snow Queen sighed of content. Now that was the best way to wake up ever, surrounded by the two people she cared about the most.

Apparently, they had put Elsa in bed when they arrived in Arendelle on the following afternoon, and ended up taking a nap along with her. With a happy quiet squeal, she rounded her back to cuddle closer to Honeymaren, placing her arm above hers, and looked at her sister.

“What would I be without you two.” She whispered.

She then felt Honeymaren stir, and turned around to her.

“Hey.” She greeted when she saw the brunette blink.

She smiled when she saw Elsa and started to stretch, though still remaining laid down.

“Hey you.”

Honeymaren was delighted to wake up in front of her wife, especially when her two azure blue eyes were staring at her this lovingly.

“Did you sleep well?” Asked Elsa with a tender smile.

“I should return the question to you. You were a real sloth yesterday when I took you out of the wagon and to this bed.”

“I was deep into slumber for this long?”

Honeymaren grinned and nodded on her pillow.

“Since when do you know about sloths?” Chuckled the blonde.

“With a sister like yours?? It’s impossible not to have heard a thousand praises about sloths when one knows her. Anna constantly talks about how much she loves them.”

They laughed, but it was softly to not wake the redhead up, as she was sleeping right next to them. In fact, they had been talking in whispers, making sure to not disturb her sleep.

Elsa turned to watch Anna. She wasn’t graceful at all between her tangled hair, her absurd posture and her open drooling mouth, yet the elder’s face lit up with happiness.

“I’m glad to see she’s okay.” Sighed Elsa, seeing that her bandage wasn’t red with blood, even though it was dated from the previous evening.

Northuldra’s medicine and care was efficient, and the Snow Queen was thankful.

“How’s your hand?” Inquired Elsa, turning to her wife again, her natural concern not leaving her.

Honeymaren smiled to that trait. “I’m fine. Better.” She could even wave her fingers a bit, and she showed it. “There’s one sad thing about this wound, though.”

Elsa’s heartbeat got faster. “What is it?” She worried.

The brunette grinned. “I want to kiss you deeply, but I only have one hand to cup your face.”

She moved closer, and closed her eyes as she softly held Elsa’s cheek to land her lips on hers.

Elsa’s heatbeat got even faster, but for a different reason; a blush filled her cheeks, and she felt flustered. The kiss was long and intense, and she closed her eyes too. Damn, that touch meant so many words. So many emotions. She could feel how much they had to talk about. How the event on the shore still marked Honeymaren. The kiss was warm with joy to finally be reunited, yet it was frigid with all the sadness still present in the brunette’s heart.

That didn’t take away any of the passion in the kiss, and soon Elsa returned it with equal force. She moaned on her lips, leaned her body in and grasped Honeymaren’s long thick hair.

“Holy Odin, what time is it?!” Shrieked Anna suddenly, and she jolted upright behind Elsa. The latter almost had a cardiac arrest at the sudden shout, and she startled away from the kiss.

Apparently, Anna had been waking up without them noticing, then immediately realized by the light bathing the room that the afternoon already was well under way. Honeymaren laughed out loud when she saw Elsa switch from tenderness to letdown, then laughed again when she saw Anna jump up, stumble and fall to the floor a few meters after the bed.

“I’m fine!” She yelped, standing up swiftly. “I need to go at once. I have a meeting with the staff at 5, then I have to meet Mattias at 6, and the warden for Victor’s cell in the prison, and, oh my goodness I’m so super late… I’ll see you later bye!!”

She left the room in a storm, rushing to her dressing room, yet she gently closed the door behind her. Now that the old bedroom of their parents had been turned into the guest bedroom that Elsa could use when she visited, Anna took extra care of its state.

The Snow Queen blinked confusedly at Anna’s sudden and loud exit, staring at where she left, then she laid back down next to the Northuldra leader, her head elbowed on the pillow.

“So, where were w-- Wait, I smell really bad!” Suddenly noticed Elsa, now that her nose was near her skin. “How the hell can you kiss me in those conditions?! Gosh, I haven’t washed in days!” She exclaimed, shocked and also alarmed to see that Honeymaren wasn’t saying anything.

The brunette puffed. “You always smell like licorice mint, love. What are you talking about?”

Elsa grabbed her pillow and threw it to her. “Stop it! You incorrigible flirt.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Whatever. I’m going to the bathroom. I’m feeling like I need to shower.”

Honeymaren rolled her eyes as her wife quickly stood up from the bed, and urged to go to the other door of the room, that led to a private bathroom. Less than a minute later, water was flowing, and could be heard from the bed. Honeymaren sighed. Now the sheets felt really empty.

She shrugged; at least now she could spread her legs and arms all she want. One thing she noticed and always struck her was how, even if she had a starfish posture and stretched all she could, she didn’t reach the ends of the bed. How big were those Arendellian beds? That was crazy.

Yet, she couldn’t tell if she preferred the overlarged bed of the castle or the smaller one in their hut. Both were great for cuddles, in their own unique ways…

She rolled above the sheets for a moment, listening to the sound of water pouring in the next room behind the wooden door, then she stood up and walked around.

Honeymaren blinked at the sensation coming to her as she did. It had been a while since she last visited Arendelle, even more sleeping there, so she had to get used to it again. Elsa was right when she said that the brunette hadn’t come in a long time; she was so busy with Northuldra leader duties that she only hoped in some Fridays for family game nights, and never stayed much longer. Now, it was like she discovered it all for the first time.

The castle’s interior truly drove all of her five senses crazy. How come everything, absolutely everything, smelled so nice? Did they wash the chairs with lavender?? For the sheets, towels and even curtains to be perfumed, that, she could understand. But why, and how, can a pedestal table released such a fragrance?? And it wasn’t due to the flower bouquet that was placed on it and changed with fresh flowers every day, she could tell.

And yet, all of this was only smell. Sight, hearing, touch and even taste were going through a whole experience as well. She felt the light bathing the room, giving the place a surreal atmosphere with its dust floating in the warmth of air, that she could sense on her cheeks, where she could also sense the humidity of the fjord that was passing through the open window. She felt the distant sounds of merchants from the Arendelle village mixed with the distant sounds of sailors loading and unloading their ships or chatting joyfully with their peers. All of this was overwhelming, and Honeymaren could perceive on top of everything the delicious smell of kransekake getting baked downstairs in the kitchens, invading her palate in the best way and almost making her drool.

Honeymaren blinked in utter astonishment, and shook her head. She apparently had been daydreaming for a long time, because the bathroom door opened behind her, and she talked to her wife without looking at her, busy inspecting the breathtaking details of the painting frame on the wall.

“Elsa, I never got to ask you, and sorry for being so blunt, but… How in Spirits’ names did you live like this?”

She turned around to get the answer from her lover, when she got struck by a sight that propelled all of her previous emotions away in a flick. Elsa appeared like she was walking right back from the heavens.

The blonde was drying her hair with an embroidered bath towel. Its bright white cotton and purple and green motives seemed to glow as she rubbed her bangs with it in the daylight. Elsa’s neck and cleavage still were a bit wet, water drops rolling down along her body, stopping to another towel that was tied around her chest and pouring until her ankles.

Honeymaren stared at her with wide eyes, her hazelnut irises inspecting every single inch of perfection that was offered to her in this moment. Somehow, a flash of the very first moment she had talked to Elsa came to her mind, seeing her younger face next to a campfire. A confident, strong woman, who exhaled a goddess aura, but who also showed traits of a vulnerable and quiet character; giving Honeymaren the immediate feeling of Elsa being the most balanced person she had ever seen. The first minute the blonde had started talking, she showed both great intelligence by her words and eloquence, and genuine curiosity and naivety with her questions and interest for the Northuldra culture. And in that very moment, Honeymaren swore to herself that she would always protect her no matter what, just like she knew that Elsa would surprise her countless times.

The brunette realized that she hadn’t been breathing since she turned around, and gulped to avoid choking on her own saliva.

What was she saying again? She lost track of her own thoughts - and even the possible existence of her brain - when she saw Elsa approach. The blonde looked like the most attractive divinity with shining white-gold hair and a single towel on her body that seemed like a toga. With her seductive walk and slightly swaying hips, Elsa seemed to have come down from above and beyong to judge her sins.

Honeymaren blinked, and her mind returned to its previous state. Soon the smells, noises and all the rest came to her senses again, putting her back in the uneasy feeling. The Snow Queen noticed it when she was close enough to see her face.

“What is troubling you?” She asked in a soft voice, her eyebrows knotting with worry at the discomfort of her wife.

“This castle… It’s overwhelming, with all its features. I can’t believe you used to live here for so many years. How did you not go crazy with everything? It’s all so… Overly perfect.”

The blonde has a chuckle. “Well, it helped as a distraction from my powers when I was younger.”

She shrugged, and she did it so exaggeratedly that her towel shifted with the move. Honeymaren’s eyes snapped wide and she rushed to go forward and grab the top of it, above Elsa’s breasts.

The blonde startled. “Uhm…? What are you doing?”

Honeymaren’s lips pressed in a thin line. “I don’t…”

She was about to say ‘I don’t think I can survive seeing you naked by accident right now after all the emotions that went through my body and mind, because such a final sight could easily kill me’, but she settled for a simpler explanation.

“I worried that your towel would fall”, she mumbled, her cheeks burning with blush as she put her hands away.

“Oh, don’t worry, it’s fine. We have pins in the bathrooms that are here for this purpose.”

She showed where the pin was, firmly tying the towel around her chest, but Honeymaren preferred not to look lower than her neck. She nervously looked away, and pretended to smooth her beige tunic.

“Honey, are you okay?”

“Uh?”

When their eyes finally met, Elsa was grinning openly. “You seem… Distracted.”

“I’m good.” Gulped Honeymaren. “Really good. A bit hungry. Are you hungry? I’m hungry. It’s hungry. It’s a snack. Like, it smells like… It’s nice… Snack. I…” She sighed, both to take her breath and because she was aware that her ramble was filled with slips. She tried to focus and talk normally. “Can you smell that delicious baking? We should go down for a snack.”

Elsa smirked but bit her lip to force herself not to comment on the behavior of her wife.

“Sure. I’ll just change first, and then we can go.”

“Change?”

She was surprised to see Elsa grab an actual dress and go behind the screen. It had been set there on a hanger, and Honeymaren thought until now that it was Anna’s, because it was deep red.

“I’m not gonna use ice. Anna ordered this dress for me last month.” Elsa explained, her voice masked by the panel. “She talked about it a hundred times in her letters. I want to make her happy and try it out today.”

The brunette heard her fumble behind the changing screen. “Ahtohallan, why does this have so many ribbons?” She muttered. “Ah, there. I have to get used to loops again. I feel like a child trying to remember how to tie shoelaces. There.”

She turned around the screen.

Honeymaren was so wrong to think that a naked Elsa would have been the reason of her death that day. She hadn’t seen her wife wearing actual fabric in a long while - which she really didn’t mind at all - and when Elsa walked to her, all her mental connections ceased to function.

Above it all, she was astonished to see that cherry red suited her so well, and judging by Elsa’s unsure expression, it was the very first time she was wearing such a color. The dress had a simple corset base, but a lot of beautiful enhancements had been added. First, it had many ribbons that fell and looped and seemed to float here and there. Second, it was elegantly cut at the hips, which enticed Honeymaren to no end. In Elsa’s typical style, it was was floor-length, though the brunette’s eyes stopped at the hands of her lover when she saw that she had joined them nervously in her center, keeping a regal posture.

Elsa really shouldn’t feel any hesitation about this dress; she looked utterly stunning. She turned around so her wife could judge the back as well. Honeymaren gasped silently when she saw that the dress was a bit open in the back, from the middle to the kidneys, revealing her silky skin.

Elsa finished turning, and looked at Honeymaren timidly.

“How does it look? Does it fit me?”

The leader blinked. Of course Anna knew Elsa’s measurements perfectly. Of course she did. Now that was just unfair. Honeymaren however felt like all of her word lexicon had just been tossed by the window. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

The Snow Queen giggled. “A bit slow after naptime, uh?”

Honeymaren frowned. That insult brought her right back on Earth. “No. I’m not. It’s just… YOU!” She suddenly exclaimed, pointing at Elsa with both arms.

The blonde grinned bashfully. “Don’t say anything then. I got it from your expression.”

=======

At the end of the afternoon, Elsa walked around the castle, searching for her younger sister. It was raining heavily outside, so she knew that it’s not where she would find her. Even if rain wasn’t an obstacle to fun when she was younger, and Elsa often found Anna running in the puddles in the courtyard, the Queen now preferred to listen to the sound of raindrops from indoors.

When the blonde saw that Anna was neither in her study nor the kitchens, she had a thinking pout as she listed the remaining places.

“The library.” She suddenly said out loud with a grin.

But her smile vanished away. Anna went to the library alone only when something was wrong.

She went to knock to the door, and a distant voice invited her in. Elsa was happy to see the redhead sitting by the window, but she closed the door behind her.

The room was a bit dark, for the Sun was hiding behind the clouds and the sky a strong grey. Anna was sitting in the alcove and looking outside. The floating dust of the room, which normally matched really well with the color of her hair and the clothes she wore, made the atmosphere gloomy and sad.

“Are you alright?”

Anna turned and forced herself to smile, which Elsa cleverly noticed. “Yeah, why?”

It would have been blunt to say ‘You’re obviously lying’, so the elder simply approached, joining her hands in front of her. She wasn’t sure if Anna was in the mood for touch, so she only smiled.

“You know, we didn’t really get the time to talk about it.”

The redhead gave her a quizzing frown.

“About what happened on the Dark Sea shore. What you felt when I passed out, and… To put it in your words, when I almost died.”

Anna gulped audibly. But, in opposite to her elder, when a question was making her emotional, she didn’t look down or away; she kept her eye contact with Elsa, but with an bigger weight to it.

“It… Felt terrible. I was terrorised.”

Her voice was weak and cracked. That visibly was what she had been thinking about before she arrived. Elsa’s face twisted in a sad and sorry expression. “I know. I mean, I imagine. I can’t know, but I…”

She gulped, in lack of speech. Her younger looked at her silently, and Elsa felt her throat tightened.

“I can’t know. Excuse me for bringing the topic, I shouldn’t have--”

“No, Elsa, it’s fine.” Smiled the redhead. “Well, it certainly wasn’t, but I’m glad that you want to talk about it.”

The Snow Queen realized that Anna’s smile now was sincere. It was like all she needed had been for Elsa to mention it.

“I’m happy to see that you are not afraid to ask me.”

Elsa’s expression melted. It’s true, she had changed. A few years ago only, she wouldn’t have dared to open such a discussion, especially about death. It took them ages to finally sit down and talk about their parents.

She had a soft smile, and walked further to sit and cuddle with her next to the window. “Of course I want to talk about it. I want to know how you feel.”

She then briskly moved away. “Sorry, maybe you need some space.”

Anna grinned and grabbed her wrist. “Come back here, silly. Of course I want you to stay close.”

They smiled and sat against each other, watching the rain drops fall along the window. It reminded Elsa of the times when they would have rain drops races, and she caressed the glass with her fingers.

A silence passed.

“I already addressed the topic with Honeymaren earlier. Can we talk about it, please?”

Anna put her head on Elsa’s shoulder.

“Only if you promise me one thing.”

“Sure, what it is?”

“That you won’t judge me if I start crying while I talk about how I felt.”

Elsa missed a heartbeat at that sentence. She gulped, and held her sister tighter.

“Of course I won’t judge you.”

“Good.” Said Anna’s voice, and it was firm and strong. “Because it’s important that you realize I saw you faint and not respond to my calls two times in one day.”

The blonde felt like she got punched right in the guts at the highlight of Anna’s point of view on her behavior. She detached from the cuddle to look at her sister. “Anna, I…”

“You what? You’re sorry?” Finished the redhead, not detaching her eyes from the window.

Elsa’s eyes sparkled with sad tears. “Yes. A thousand times. And I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like for you.”

“Yet it wasn’t your fault.”

“Excuse me?”

“Okay, going to Ahtohallan and go through those repressed memories was a really dumb decision of yours, especially when you stubborn ass decided to go on your own with no backup. But the fact that the previous Fifth Spirit had this many hidden memories? Not your fault. You couldn’t have predicted it, and that’s why it was this much to take for your body and magic. And, speaking of magic, that’s why it also wasn’t your fault about what happened on the shore. None of us expected that, once your magic is taken away, you risk hypothermia. Well, to be fair…” She added, rolling her eyes to the ceiling, “This wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t that extra and didn’t craft a perfect armor. But I’ll never criticize you on that, quite the opposite. And of course, the magic extraction was not your fault. You did all you could to prevent it. In fact, it’s with your argumentation that Victor changed his mind and came back on his acts. So, I should actually be thanking you.”

Elsa startled of disbelief. Her younger now was grinning, which contrasted with the expression she had at the beginning of the conversation.

‘Thanking me??’ She thought, stunned.

“No, wait, this is not going the direction I wanted it to go…”

Anna smirked. “Why? What were you expecting?”

Elsa was now pouting. “You’re not supposed to defend me! You’re supposed to scold me! Tell me I was wrong, doing all that! Tell me how hurt you are! You… You’re not supposed to be your… Open-minded and gentle and caring self!!”

The Queen grinned. “So, from what you’re saying, I shouldn’t be myself?”

Elsa blushed out of frustration. “I didn’t want-- I mean, of course I love it when you’re like that, but-- I didn’t want you to be… So nice! I had meant to console you, to soothe you, not…!”

She was at loss for words now, and sighed. In fact, tears had started filling her eyes, and Anna tilted her head in sadness.

“Aw, you tiny thing. You really thought I was going to blame you, uh?”

The blonde shivered as she inhaled, trying her best not to ironically be the only one to cry. “I thought you were going to be angry at me, to be sad, to… Damn, Anna.”

The latter chuckled at how overtaken Elsa was. She put a hand on her shoulder. “Need I remind you that I’m the mother of two children? I’ve been through an infinite number of discussions like those. To balance things out has become a second nature to me.” Smiled the Queen.

Elsa blinked longly, and her tears got chased away. Anna continued.

“My mind is still filled with sadness, and my heart is still heaving with sorrow. Yes. I can’t deny it. But I never felt any resentment towards you, silly.”

The elder looked at her like she was a living miracle, and had a heavy sigh. “I owe you so much, Anna, I swear on Ahtohallan.”

The redhead playfully shrugged. “Meh.”

Elsa chuckled, and bent to kiss her sister’s forehead. Anna smiled tenderly at the sensation, closing her eyes.

When she opened them, Elsa was looking at her with a grin. “Can I ask you something? Something that may change your mood?”

Anna saw where this was leading, and chuckled. “The answer is yes. You want to ask me if I want to build a snowman, right?”

Elsa suddenly widened her eyes. “OH MY GODS.”

Anna frowned. “What, you’re genuinely surprised that I found out? That’s really easy--”

“No, I mean, Olaf!! I just thought about Olaf!!”

Now Anna blinked, lost. “...And?”

Elsa suddenly stood up, standing away from the alcove, and she started pacing around, her hand passing through her hair. That was an alarming mannerism, and Anna’s eyes widened. Elsa couldn't believe she only realized that fact now.

“I have to check on Olaf! To make sure that he didn’t melt when I lost my magic! Oh, who am I kidding? He surely melted. Oh gods…”

“No, wait, Elsa…”

The Queen was about to reassure her in saying that her magic didn’t go away during the transfert, just like her weapons additions and clothes didn’t disappear. Olaf was certainly safe. But it was too late; Elsa was frowning in that specific way when she mentally conjured her magical creatures.

In a little gust of snow, Olaf appeared right in the middle of the library, in between them, falling from mid-air on his butt. He bumped on the floor in a mix of yelps and tinkling metal, his backpack bouncing with him. His tiny pan, that hanged to a fastening, tinkled against the floor as he finished his roll face down in a flat stop.

“Ouch.” Winced Anna, her outstretched arms closing in fists.

“OUCH!!” Exclaimed Olaf, standing up and rubbing his head, placing his carrot nose back. “Waow! What the heck just happened?!”

He looked around, first recognized the Arendelle castle library, went ‘hey!’, then saw Anna and went ‘hey!’, then saw Elsa and went ‘HEY!!’

The last exclamation was filled with anger.

“Olaf!” Smiled Elsa, sighing in relief. “I’m so happy to see that you’re okay…”

“Why did you teleport me?!” Shouted Olaf.

The two women startled at his reaction.

“I was right into an important exploration! And I had just found the perfect camping spot for tonight! AGGHH!”

He let out a long and upset whine, and picked up his fishing hat from the floor to put it back on his head.

Elsa was confused, but above all, sorry.

“Olaf, I didn’t mean to interrupt you, I… Look, I can bring you back exactly where you were at. Do you have the location?”

The living snowman stared at her like she was totally dumb. “No, I don’t, that’s the whole purpose of exploration! I went at a place where no one thought of tracing a road, I only know that it’s down West!”

Elsa blabbered as she confused herself in apologies. At the corner of her eye, she saw that the Queen was gripping her mouth not to burst into laughter.

“WHY did you teleport me?!”

“I’m so sorry, Olaf, I just wanted to know if… If you were okay, and…”

He saw the weather through the window behind Anna, and let out a long grunt. “Ahhhhhhgh, and it’s RAINING here? It will take me forever to go back to that place!!”

Anna grinned behind her hand. “Yeah, it’s a good thing you have this fishing hat to protect you from the rain. Where did you get it anyway?”

“That’s a long story. And it includes poker techniques I’m legally not allowed to disclose yet.”

Elsa was set aback. “Excuse me?”

“Elsa!” He exclaimed with a grunt, pointing at the blonde with one of his twigs, turning completely to her, so Anna took it as an opportunity to laugh even more. “You shouldn’t have done that!! I’m a grown-up now!! I’m independent!! I can live my own life!!”

The Snow Queen was overtaken by the situation. “I…”

“Awww, look at who’s rebelling against his mother.” Cackled Anna.

“I’m not his mother!” Blushed Elsa.

“I’m not her son!” Blurted Olaf.

Now Anna laughed even more. She had to hold herself to the edge of the alcove not to fall.

Olaf and Elsa argued for a long time until, in a huff, the snowman picked up his stuff, set his backpack, and walked past her to open the door and go outside.

“I got a lot of walk to do now. Bye.”

He slammed the door, and could be heard mumbling as he went down the stairs in a sound of metal tinkles.

Anna wiped her tears as she stood up, still wheezing. Elsa was still standing up in front of her, and was stunned.

“Now you know how I feel with Eydis.” Grinned the Queen.

=======

“You think I didn’t hear when you called me ‘tiny thing’?” Smirked Elsa. “I’m two years and a half older than you!”

Anna laughed in the corridors, and her laughter echoed against the walls. “I couldn’t help it. Did Maren ever say something about that adorable pout you make when you’re upset?”

The Snow Queen sighed. “About a hundred times, yes.”

“There.” Winked Anna.

Her expression then changed as they were walking.

“How did it go, with her?” She asked timidly. “The conversation about that time we all thought… You know.”

Elsa had a sad smile. “Just like she understands me like no other does, I know her like nobody else, so it was easy to start talking about that topic after our snack. But that doesn’t change how hard it was to address her feelings, and how the whole moment traumatized her.”

Anna gulped. She walked closer to circle her elder’s shoulders.

“Elsa…”

“I’m okay. We’re okay. One thing I’ve learned from all of this, is that I need to show you how alive I am.”

The redhead smiled. Her sister’s tone had been playful, but also sincere.

“I want to spend as much time as possible with you two, and actually the whole family, to forgive myself for that heartbreaking moment. And help you heal from it.”

Anna’s face melted in a touched expression. She slid her hand in Elsa’s, which the latter appreciated, and she squeezed it.

They kept walking on the carpets. The gloomy weather outside gave a dimmed natural brightness, so the staff had lit the lamps on the walls. It particularly enhanced Elsa’s red dress.

“It looks good on you!” Complimented Anna, her cheeks full with her big grin. “I’m so happy to have ordered it this perfect.”

Elsa looked away bashfully. “I don’t know… It looks a bit too red, no? Its color remind me of blood.”

Anna puffed. “Calm down, drama queen. It’s just that you’re not used to wear warm colors.”

The blonde had a wince. “Maybe that’s why I’m feeling so uncomfortable.”

Her sister’s eyes widened. “Hey, if it’s scratchy or too frivolous or anything, feel free to change, Elsa, please.” Insisted Anna, her happy voice switching to care.

“I’m fine.” Lied Elsa. “This dress is too gorgeous to take it off.”

Anna smiled. She loved the adjective.

Elsa felt conflicted as they walked together to the lesson room to talk to Eydis and Isak before heading to the dinner table. She genuinely appreciated Anna’s gift, and the dress was really beautiful, but she felt weird in it. And yet, weird wasn’t really the word… It was like she had a queasy feeling, like she was not feeling herself. She shook her head to dismiss that sensation, and smiled to her nephew and niece when she entered the room.

Elsa barely had the time to salute the smiling tutor when Isak jumped from his chair and ran to her to tackle her waist in a hug.

“Auntie!! I’m so happy that you’re back!!”

“Me too.” Smiled Elsa, brushing his hair. “And I almost didn’t make it…”

Anna gave her a strong look that meant ‘Don’t you dare joking about it this early’, so she stopped.

“You smell nice!” Complimented the boy.

“Why, thank you.”

It was a natural reaction from the child, because Elsa had taken a shower a few hours before. However, what was strange is that she didn’t feel more clean than before. She did smell nice, but it was just a fragrance. In fact, she felt like she was still dirty, and didn’t notice until now because she got distracted by her discussions with Honeymaren and Anna. Now, she was dying to run back to the bathroom and rub all of her skin severely.

Elsa detached from the children after greeting them, trying to change her mind by observing the room. She smiled at what surrounded her. The royal children had lessons in the room where the portrait of her father was hanged, representing him in official outfit as he lifted the orb and scepter during his coronation. She lost herself in the memory of a younger self, on the morning of her own coronation, when she had trained to do that very gesture without losing control over her power and freeze everything.

Before leaving, the tutor had opened the doors of the balcony to let some fresh air come in. Two children racking their brains doing mathematics problems could produce a lot of heat. While they were busy chatting with their mom to talk about their lesson, Elsa walked on the balcony, humming in joy at the welcome damp of air. She loved how the specific smell of the fjord reminded her of Arendelle, and brought a feeling of warmth within. It also reminded her of the salty breeze of the Dark Sea every time she would go to Ahtohallan, so in all cases, the sensation caused by rain in the distance and the smell of petrichor always filled her with delight.

“It’s great to have some rain.” Said a voice behind her.

Only a voice could be this positive about a type of weather that many despised; when she turned, she smiled to her sister.

“It will make the farmers up the hills happy. Crops needed this.”

Elsa grinned as she put her forearms on the railing, still sheltered by the roof. “I love that you think about all those little details. You make a remarkable Queen. Our old geopolitics teacher must be pale with envy to see your talent.”

Anna giggled at the compliment. “He actually retired. I saw him in the village not so long ago. Besides, talent is passion with practice. I simply like it when farmers are happy. Good soil also means more food, and better food.”

“And you love food.” Smirked her elder.

“Yep.”

They laughed for a moment. Elsa passed her hand on the railing. “I remember that this balcony was the very first place where I saw the guests coming to my coronation.”

The redhead smiled, looking at the gates below. “This is a really great spot to watch the kingdom indeed.”

“I was mortified with fear, though.” Chuckled the Snow Queen nervously. “Waow… This feels like a century ago. A lifetime, even.”

“It is, in a way.”

They observed the rain together, until Eydis’ voice resounded behind them.

“Mother, can we play with Aunt Elsa before dinner?”

Both women turned around. “Oh, sweetie, no. We have to go. We came here to walk down with you. It will be served soon.”

“Please, please please!” Begged the teenager.

Anna put her arms on her hips. “Wasn’t the level of adventure those last days enough to satiate your adrenalin?”

Eydis giggled. Isak intervened with a dramatic dismiss hand gesture. “It’s okay, ‘dis. I’m sure that Auntie cheats at games anyway.”

Anna scoffed, and Elsa blinked in surprise at his nerve. But quickly, she remembered that Isak was a very sore loser, even worse than her sister. With a mother like theirs, it was no wonder.

“Elsa never cheats at games.” Chuckled the Queen. “She’s even very bad because of that.”

Elsa looked at her with a raised eyebrow, wondering if that was defense or mockery from her part.

“It’s obvious that you all have never played kyykkä with her.” Scoffed a voice at the entrance.

They turned to see Honeymaren leaning on the door frame, her arms crossed with sarcasm.

“She keeps tickling me so I miss the throw when she teams up with Ryder.”

“Wait, you cheat?” Blinked Anna.

Elsa bit her lip. “Maybe…”

“You’re aware that the best cheaters never let you know that they cheat, right?” Underlined Honeymaren.

Anna’s jaw dropped like she just realized a lifetime trickery.

“Wait, what the heck is kyykkä?” Asked Eydis.

“A game with wooden pins. It’s a combination of chance and skill, which your aunt both have, and it’s a nightmare for me when I’m not in her team. By the way, I’m certain that when Ryder and her are together, they plot against me. Even if we’re seven teams to play, they still do their best so I gain zero point.”

The children giggled in unison.

“Anyway, what are you two devils waiting for? It’s dinner time!”

They all walked down to the dinner table. While they set the excited children down, Elsa chatted a bit with Kristoff, thanking him for everything. To ease her worry, he joked on how deeply asleep she was when they arrived in the early afternoon.

“We’ll have to make sure that she actually sleeps tonight”, laughed Anna, who naturally had been eavesdropping.

Honeymaren added a mockery as well once they sat down. “Jongu told me that he saw you wander here and there all night. Even the Spirits tried to put you to sleep, but what can they do when their unifier is stubborn as brass, uh?”

“Stop it.” Mumbled Elsa as she helped herself with lamb.

She then went in a very bad mood for the whole dinner.

Elsa started seeing defaults about everything. The messy behavior of Isak at the table when he played with his food, the way Eydis toyed with her fork, the way Anna tapped with her knee against the table, the loud talks Kristoff and Honeymaren had, everything made her go nuts. When the staff arrived with new courses, Elsa saw mannerisms in Ronny’s moves that she started to hate, she noticed how the food wasn’t perfectly symmetrical in the dishes, and she kept being distracted by the coughs of the maid who was serving wine. The blonde also observed elements of decoration that she never criticized until now, and that she, suddenly, couldn’t bear to see anymore. It all made her nauseous, and she had to force herself to eat.

Elsa was actually surprised by her own temper when they all finished dessert. Why was she acting like that? They only had been joking when they talked about her sleep, and their remarks were just tease, she knew it. Then why was she so grumpy? Why did she only see what’s bad?

She was on her nerves, and something was up. But what?

The conversations continued between the members of her family, but her mind had gone elsewhere.

=======

Elsa kept pacing back and forth in the guest bedroom. She was conflicted, questioning herself, and her thoughts were bouncing around in her brain in unstoppable hops.

She sighed heavily as she came to a stop, realizing she better do so or the flooring would be pressed where she kept walking.

Then her fingers fidgeted on their own accord, and she grumbled when she noticed; she had to put an end to that behavior.

The Snow Queen had pretended to go to the bathroom while the others were having tea in the living room after dinner, and now she had spent too much time here… They would soon find it suspicious.

But before returning to them, she really wanted to understand what was going on, and why she was feeling like this.

As she closed her eyes to focus, she could tell it was linked to magic. It wasn’t related to the Spirits, though, for she could feel their common joy as they rambled around the Forest, even from the Arendelle castle. So what was it related to? Ahtohallan? No, it was easy to tell that it wasn’t about the ancient glacier. Was it her ice and snow magic, then?

She opened her eyes, and conjured some snowflakes in the air from her left palm to test it out and see how she would feel. In the split second before she did, Elsa realized that she hadn’t been using her magic for the last two days, simply lacking of opportunities. When she projected the snowflakes, they floated as usual, but an odd sensation roamed her entire soul. She felt oddly filthy. That same sensation of dirt she had experienced before came back immediately. It was like she was covered with mud, or marked with soil, or even mucky. Yet she knew that her skin was cleaned, and her dress was entirely new. She looked down at her body, touching the outfit at parts. No, the whole fabric exhaled nothing magical that could make her feel that way. But damn, did that color started to piss her off. It really looked like blood.

As she absentmindedly made her snowflakes twirl around her fingers in a flick of the wrist, an habit she had while she was thinking, a more precise sensation came to her mind. It was like she had sticky fingers. She vanished the magic with a frown, and rubbed her skin. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

“Then why do I feel like that?” Muttered Elsa out loud. “This is driving me mad!”

She clenched her fists and stretched her arms down in frustration. An outburst of magic came from her core, so sudden it surprised her; it also had a very specific vibe that Elsa had never experienced before, even when she discovered herself new ice and snow skills. It snapped in her like she had triggered something, and it felt like she had unclogged something deep inside.

The very millisecond she felt it pass her wrists, she hurried to bring all her focus in her palms to stop the magic in its race. The weird magic obeyed, and she begged for it to retract and dissipate.

Once done, Elsa’s eyes were wide open in panic, and she panted as her heart beats rose in speed. That wasn’t magic that coursed that fast through her arms. Or rather, it wasn’t…

She suddenly twirled around, grabbed the door handle to open the door and ran in the corridor. She almost fell in the stairs with the speed at which she was going down; but she didn’t care. She grabbed her dress up to run even faster, grabbed the handle of the living room door, ran to her sister, but didn’t grab her. She even briskly put her hands along her thighs, doing all she could to absolutely not touch anyone.

“Waow, Elsa, are you okay?” Blinked Anna.

Eydis turned around in a happy jump from the couch where she was sit on her heels.

“Ah, here you are! Papa is talking about a machine in America that allows you to talk to someone who isn’t even there. That’s totally not true, right? That can’t exist, right? I’m sure that the word tell-a-fun isn’t even real. He’s messing with me, right?”

“It’s pronounced ‘telephone’”, corrected Kristoff as he rolled his eyes. “And it’s very real.”

“You can’t believe everything that the newspapers say, Kristoff.” Laughed Honeymaren.

“Is it magical, then?” Asked Isak to the brunette.

She heard his question, but didn’t respond. She had just noticed Elsa’s sudden entrance, and clear distress. She frowned as she tried to understand what was wrong with her wife. Elsa had isolated Anna in a corner.

“You look like you have seen a ghost.” Worried Anna.

“I need to talk to you. Please. Alone. Right now.”

Everything stopped in Anna’s brain at those words. The last time Elsa pronounce those exact words, with this intensity, with this alarmed eyes, was a lifetime ago. And it was right before her coronation party went upside down. Anna had always wondered how different things would have been if she hadn’t been a recalcitrant idiot and accepted to follow Elsa, because she would have revealed everything about her 13 years of secrecy and silence.

The redhead instantly put her cup down, and nodded firmly. She invited her to lead the way, already following her nervous wreck of a sister in another room. As they went out under the others’ confused gazes, Anna gave a look to Honeymaren. Nevertheless, the leader nodded wisely, not insisting on following them. If Elsa insisted on the privacy, she was willing to respect it.

Anna closed the door behind them as they entered the council room, thinking it was best to not go to her study upstairs. It was too far, Elsa’s concerning behavior needed to be taken care of immediately.

As soon as she turned to watch her elder, she saw that Elsa was in a state of complete stress. The redhead rose her hand as she came closer.

“Woaw, woaw, hey hey hey, Elsa, look at me. Breathe. Try to breathe.”

Elsa was panting heavily, switching in between clenching her hands, stopping to watch her sister, then pacing in the room, then stopping to watch her again.

“Elsa, hey, no matter what it is, I love you, okay? Try to calm down. Look at me. There. Great. Keep your eyes on me.” Indicated Anna, smiling as she followed her instructions.

Elsa closed her mouth and continued to breath heavily through her nose, but she followed Anna’s steady nods that helped her catch a regular breath. Finally, she settled to a calm attitude.

“Theeeere. Better, uh? Relax.”

Anna smiled and was about to step closer to enlace her, when suddenly Elsa took a step back and clenched her hands together.

The blonde clenched her eyes shut and closed her mouth in a thin line, shaking no with her head. She was in a lack of words, or rather, she didn’t want to say ‘Don’t touch me’.

“Oh.” Reacted Anna, and she felt like her heart sunk in her chest. “Okay.”

She accepted that choice, but she didn’t like it at all. She didn’t like what that meant, and she didn’t like the state it was putting Elsa in. She reluctantly took some distance.

“It’s alright if you don’t want to, Elsa. I understand. I’m staying by the door, I promise I won’t move. But I support you. You can tell me anything.”

The blonde opened her eyes and looked at her in a mix of sadness, worry and thankfulness.

“I… I know why I feel weird.” Stated Elsa in a croaked voice.

“Okay?” Said Anna, not understanding what she was referring to, yet listening closely and encouraging her to continue.

Elsa had stopped touching her hands to put them along her body next to her hips, trying her best not to clench her fists.

“At first, I felt dirty, even after I took a shower. Then I was feeling odd about the color of this dress… That I can’t dissociate from the concept of violence. I felt really uncomfortable with my own body, like I was out of my shoes, though not literally, you know? And I kept having this sensation of filth, of grime… It’s like my whole body and mind is sticky with a matter I can’t figure. I felt nauseous during meal, and I kept reproaching stuff to everyone and everything. In general, I’m not feeling myself at all. Anna…”

The redhead was devastated by Elsa’s confessions and analysis, and gave her an interrogative look.

“What?”

“I think that Victor gave me all the magic he had in him. I don’t only have my ice magic back. I have dark magic too.”

Anna’s teal blue eyes widened in terror, and she gasped.

Elsa twisted her face in a sorrowful expression, and she lifted her arms, then regained the angered state she had been in when she was in the bedroom. Instantly, the same horrible feeling roamed her veins and raced up to her open hands.

Ink black goo slowly spilled out of her palms and fingers, thick and sticky. It fell to the floor and splashed heavily at her feet.

Elsa gulped and took a breath to avoid crying.

“I have dark magic too.”

*******

HIATUS

*******

25 notes · View notes

kaylasficrecs · 1 year ago

Text

carmen berzatto recs

god's plan pt 2 | two shot, angst | @queers-gambit

more, more, more | one shot, smut | @atrwriting

baby? | drabble, angst | @thetealsky

you're so mean to me | imagine, flangst | @writers-hes

lovesick | drabble, fluff | @violentdelightsandviolentends

make my heart surrender | series | @nolita-fairytale

doesn't show up for a date | imagine, flangst | @irndad

yes to heaven | imagine, fluff | @heretodestroyou

to carry and to bear | one shot, flangst, comfort | @neonovember

sardines | one shot, flangst (more fluff) | @laiiaaa

neon sticky notes | imagine, fluff | @queers-gambit

(not) strong | imagine, flangst, comfort | @lskisms

gf's feeling insecure | imagine, fluff | @laiiaaa

sleepless nights | drabble, fluff | @flavor-of-the-week-writing

always have but never hold | series | @bubbles-for-all-of-us

coffee addict | drabble, fluff | @gxtitobxby

robbery of a heart | one shot, flangst | @theonewiththefanfics

the resolution | one shot, flangst | deactivated blog (tw)

cooking up speculations | one shot, flangst | @ticktokrobotsnot

office doors | one shot, trifecta | @neonovember

golden boy | series | @neonovember

eat my love | imagine, fluffy flangst | @lskisms

back to work | drabble, fluff | @gh0stsp1d3r

the bear & the fox | series | @thatone-brightstar

sydney saw if first | one shot, fluff | @writers-hes

where there's smoke | one shot, flangst | @thebearer

trying to go to bed mad | imagine, flangst, comfort | @laiiaaa

cinnamon sugar | imagine, fluff | @laiiaaa

stressed cranky gf | imagine, fluff, comfort | @laiiaaa

rosé flown with your chosen family | imagine, fluff | @thebearer

talking you through it | drabble, smut | @thebearer

waitress at the bear | imagine, flangst, comfort | deactivated blog

kiss me and apologize | one shot, fluff (some angst) | @allbark-no-bite

wrinkled cotton | imagine, fluff, comfort | @veryberryjelly

chicken soup for carmy pt 2 | two shot, flangst, comfort | @d3add0vedonoteat

the light that always goes out | imagine, fluff | @veryberryjelly

one step at a time | imagine, flangst, comfort | @springtyme

our compliments to the chef | imagine, fluff | @pearlzier

new recipe late at night | drabble, fluff | @gxtitobxby

bad day | imagine, flangst | @fooled-around-and-fell

not so secret | imagine, fluff | @violentdelightsandviolentends

roommates | series | @violentdelightsandviolentends

follow me pt 2 | two shot, fluff | @thebearer

confectionary clash | one shot, angry fluff, comfort | @newtkive

in a world of boys he's a gentleman | imagine, fluff | @wannabeschyulersister

nothing in the world belongs to me | imagine, fluff | @thebearer

take the upper hand | one shot, flangst | @wtfsteveharrington

alarm | imagine, fluff | @veryberryjelly

burn your hand | drabble, fluff | @ohcaptains

the bear and the bee hive | one shot, fluff, smut | @nicksolemnlyswears

#carmen berzatto x reader #the bear #masterlist #fic recs

925 notes · View notes

jawritter · 2 years ago

Text

If It’s Meant to Be Pt. 3

Summary: Bad things happen to good people, that’s just the rule of thumb. But sometimes, things happen for a reason, and that reason is so you can find the person you’re meant to be with…

Pairing: Alpha!Beau Arlen x Omega!Reader

Warnings: Alpha in Rut, Language, Angst, maybe even flangst? Cliff hanger ending!!! (Y’all gonna @ the fuck out of me lmao)

Word Count: 2K

A/N: This fic is completely unbeta’d, so all mistakes are mine! Please do not copy my work! Enjoy!

My Masterlist Series Masterlist

Y/N’s POV:

Y/N sat for a long, long time just staring at the silver Airstream trailer at the end of the driveway in the middle of the woods, one that seemed to lead to nowhere, with her heart racing so fast she could feel it in her ears.

She made sure to stay downwind of him, so that the likelihood that he’d catch her scent before she was ready to deal with him face to face was very unlikely, but it gave her time to think, and to weigh her options.

Of all the places she thought she’d go in life, of all the things she had planned to do, finding an Alpha was not one of those things. It just wasn’t in her plans. The likelihood that Beau was her Alpha was greater than him not being her Alpha, and that was terrifying to her. It meant no longer just having herself to worry about. It meant being bonded and tied to someone. Somemuch so that their wellbeing mattered, and not just her own, and that wasn’t something she’d prepared herself for mentally, or physically for that matter. It meant no longer just thinking for herself, but thinking for him too. It never really mattered to her if she didn’t have enough money to pay the phone bill, or if she didn’t have enough money to go to the doctor if she got sick. But what if Beau got sick, and she didn’t have the money to take him to the doctor? That meant more to her than herself, because whether she liked it or not, his well being really mattered to her more than her own, elsewise she would not be sitting here at the bottom of his driveway, watching the light from the TV flash in the small window, weighing all her life options that lead her to this moment in time.

She was scared.

The Omega in her, she wanted to go to the Alpha just up the hill. She wanted to make sure that he was okay. She wanted to give in, and let him make her his own. She wanted a life with a family and security that an Alpha would bring. This was what biology intended, and that’s what she needed out of her life.

Y/N wasn’t totally in agreement with her own nature. If she took him on as her Alpha, whether she consented to the claim or not, she was no longer her own person, via Montana state law, she was his property. He had the final say over everything about her. From medical decisions, or God forbid something happened, and she wasn’t able to make decisions for herself. He could have her put away. There would be nothing she could do about it, she knew that. It scared her because she did not know Beau Arlen. Sure, people say he’s this great, upstanding citizen. An officer of the law, bound to serve and protect. But what if he was all that in public, and a real dick behind closed doors, like all those horrible Alpha horror stories parents told their Omega children to make them weary of things they might get themselves into… Was it a risk she was willing to take?

Just then, a breeze blew her way, and she caught his scent for the first time through her suppressants, probably because it was so strong due to his rut. He smelt like home. A scent she hadn’t smelt in a long time. There was a comfort there in it. There was a hint of pine in it, and a strong, deep amber whiskey, with the warmth of a december campfire against the bitter cold, it made her shutter in her seat. The hint of his scent only made the pull that much stronger, and she gripped her steering wheel tightly, forcing herself to stay seated until she was absolutely sure this is what she wanted to do, because something in her deep, deep down, deeper than biology, told her once she took that step, there was no going back. Not now, not ever. She debated on this, knowing that she couldn’t even walk away now if she wanted too. But in her mind, it was HER decision, and not biology. She prided herself on being a strong, independent Omega, giving up that independence, even for someone as handsome as Beau, wasn’t going to be easy.

Finally, Y/N, still somewhat indecisive, swallowed thickly as she put the car in drive, and started to make her way down to what Beau considered his home.

Most people would not have found this little place he’d created himself much of a home, but the quiet little trailer and patio, with his string lights and chairs sitting about, it was more homie than she thought she’d find it when she finally discovered where it was. She might have even stopped to appreciate it more, had her nerves not been bouncing around in her head like a rough ping pong ball.

“You can do this Y/N,” she coached herself as she put the car in drive with her eyes glued to the closed, silver door. “He’s not a mean Alpha, he’s a sweet, caring Alpha. One you’ve even waited on a handful of times since he’s become Sheriff. It’s going to be okay.”

Even she didn’t believe herself as she opened her car door slowly, and on shaky legs stepped out of the car, and slowly made her way up to his patio and door before coming to a halt. Surely, he could smell her, and her suspicion was proven correct when a loud, deep, warning growl sounded from just on the other side of the door.

“Go away Omega,” he warned, sending a shiver down her spine at the use of her title in his voice. “You’re not safe here.”

Now, normally, that would have sent her running, screaming in the other direction. But she was nothing if she wasn’t stubborn, and fuck if he didn’t smell amazing, and the way his deep voice rolled over made her heart hammer so loud against her ribcage that she seriously thought he could probably hear it through the door. There was no way she could run now if she wanted to. The Omega had gotten his scent, and she knew what she wanted. She wanted her Alpha. Beau was her Alpha, she knew it, she just knew it.

“Alpha, please, open the door,” she pleaded and he whined as she placed her hand on the cold silver steal of the door. “Jenny said you’ve been sick for days now. I can help. Just let me in.”

“Darlin, you don’t want to be tied to a man like me, and if you come in here, I’m not gonna be able to stop. Leave, please, while I still have the composure to let you,” he tried again, and she flinched at the rejection in his voice.

He was standing closer to the door now, probably leaning on the other side, because she could swear that she felt the heat of his body coming through the thin steel.

“You’re not gonna scare me off Beau,” she stated matter of factly, rooted in her own stubbornness. She never was one to give up very easily and walk away, especially not when it took all the self convincing to even come all the way out here to see him.

“I’m not trying to scare you, I’m telling you the truth,” he growled through the door. “I’m telling you the truth. I’ve got more baggage than I can even handle on a good day. My job is dangerous, I’m more likely to die on the end of some asshole’s gun than I am to retire. I’ve got a child with another woman. I live in a goddamn tin-can that I call a trailer. I’m old enough to be your dad. I’m action packed with issues you will hopefully never see. I’ve got trust issues, and separation anxiety. I talk to fucking much. I promise you Omega, you don’t want me. No one does.”

Y/N leaned her forehead against the cold door, and closed her eyes to fight against the sudden pit that had begun to form in the pit of her stomach. His scent had changed to an almost sour, oppressively sad scent that could have been suffocating, and it told her that he believed every word that had just come out of his mouth. It made her heart ache for him. No one deserves to feel that way. No one deserves to be that alone.

“Beau,” Y/N tried again, there was something deep down inside of her that wouldn’t let her give up, she just couldn’t walk away from him. “I got to work every day at a restaurant owned by a fucking drug cartel, and you know that, I’m not stupid.” She was met with a deep, agitated growl on the other side of the door, but continued anyway.

“It’s likely that I might end up dead one day because of it, because all it will take is one pissed off supplier to walk in, and we’re all done for. I don’t care that you have a child with another woman, or have had a life besides me, that child is a part of you, and I’m going to care about her just as much as you do IF you will let me. I’ve met Emily, and she’s an amazing kid with some of your best qualities. That isn’t gonna send me screaming in another direction. Your place here is gorgeous and peaceful. Honestly, I don’t need a lot, you’re more of a home to me than a building and four walls, I know you can sense it too. I really could care less how old you are, I never liked guys my age anyways.”

Y/N side down the trailer door and sat on the step, leaning her back to it as she continued. His scent was overpowering, and honestly, her legs were shaking so hard it was getting hard for even her to stand as the first signs of those ever so familiar heat cramps started to roll in. His scent was starting to affect her more and more the longer she was there, but she didn’t care. She just wanted him to open the damn door.

“I’ve been on my own since my dad kicked me out of their house when I was sixteen years old. So, I got my share of Abandonment, and trust issues. But if we’re gonna be alone, might as well do that together, because I know you feel the pull Beau, or else you would have run me off for real. As far as you talking too much? Well, I’m so shy half the time and intimidated by things that most people don’t even notice or care about that I can’t get a world out edgewise, and it would be nice to have someone around that knows what to say when I just don’t. I promise you Alpha, you would be the best thing that’s ever walked into my life if you’d have me, whether you believed me or not.”

For a beat, neither of them made a sound. The only thing she could really hear was the sound of her own heart racing, and the crickets off in the distance, and she thought maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t going to ever open the door. That maybe he didn’t want more baggage. He’d said he’d already had enough, and maybe she was wasting her time and no matter how bad it hurt, it was either leave him here to go feral and die alone, or sit here and die right along with him…

Until she heard the latch unlock on the door….

Forever:

@as-lost-as-sams-shoe

@jensenslady79

@wittysunflower

@spnwoman

@stoneyggirl2

@unabashed-lover-of-fictional-men

@deanssliceofcherrypie

@stixnstripesworld

@fullwattpadmusictree

@nancymcl

@christycreature

@whiskey-infused-dreams

@supernatural79impala

@deandreamernp

@forgetthisbull

@miraclesoflove

@slamminmine

@deanwanddamons

@rvgrsbrns

@chevyharvelle

@i-love-superhero-movies

@lyss-dw79

@magssteenkamp

@lemondropirwin

@squirrelnotsam

@hobby27

@spnbaby-67

@mrsjenniferwinchester

@defenderrosetyler

@thecreatiivecorner

@vicmc624

@busy-bee-angel-misska

@justanotherwinchester

@brilovesdeanwinchester

@idksupernatural

@lyarr24

@emoryhemsworth

@dean-winchesters-gardian-angel

@flamencodiva

@itmejado

@supernatural3002

@teresa-67

@thoughts-and-funnies

@hearteyes-j2

@peaches007

@bobbie3939

@vulgar-library

@writercole

@fairlyspnfanfic

@sexyvixen7

@spngi

@b3autyfuldisast3r

@donnaintx

@maliburenee

@the-family-business67

@agirlwithdemonblood

@captainsoldiergirl

@twinkleinadiamondsky

Jensen and Dean’s Babes

@impalaslytherin

@perpetualabsurdity

@msmarvelouswinchester

@akshi8278

@love-jackles

@irmcpar

@pink-sparkly-witch

@siospins2 @herstarburststories @mimaria420

@deanwinchesterswitch

@shawnie74

@charred-angelwings

@pascal-rascal424

@myloversgone

@fortheloveof-jackles

@eevvvaa

@bts-spnlvr12

@jxackles

@lassie-bird

@samsgirl93

@slytherinlyn314

@kaz11283

@mlovesstories

#beau arlen #beau arlen x reader #alpha beau arlen x omega reader #alpha beau arlen #omega reader #abo #abo fanfiction #abo fanfic #x reader inserts #beau arlen x y/n #jensen ackles #jensen ackles x you #jensen ackles x reader #if it's meant to be #jawritter

169 notes · View notes

waynes-multiverse · 2 years ago

Text

Bad Reputation – Chapter 8

Pairing: Soldier Boy x Reader

Series Summary: In a world full of careless supes, powerful people, and corruption on all levels, Y/N’s the typical millennial, trying to make the world a better place one good deed at a time. As a civil rights lawyer in New York City, justice, kindness, and selflessness are her motto. Her patience is tested, however, when none other than America’s ass himself shows up on her doorstep and needs help.

Warnings: +18, strong language (please mind the fandom), flangst, PTSD, drugs, drinking, mentions of death, a bit of crack

Word Count: 4.5k

A/N: Bottle chapter! We’re stuck in a room together for character development & some bonding! Woooo! 😂

Feedback is my fuel, so please let me know if you enjoy this part! 🖤

<< 7 || Series Masterlist || Main Masterlist || Tag List

Y/N can barely concentrate on work as she ruminates in her office in Chinatown. She chews on her pen, squints her eyes at the bright computer screen, and tries to ignore the hollering from the illegal casino next door. But her mind keeps reverting to Ben, the mission, and his revenge plans.

No matter what she tries, it’s hard to deny that she’s caught feelings for the ancient supe. At least she’s willing to admit that she cares about his well-being. Sue her, okay? She cares about people, even evil people with a high death toll. Apparently, her heart doesn’t discriminate.

One thing is sure, though: Y/N doesn’t trust Butcher in the slightest. Knowing the Brit’s goals, she’s aware he probably doesn’t give a shit about Ben. All the guy sees is a convenient weapon to further his own revenge. And once the thorn in the British man’s eye is dead and gone, she knows Soldier Boy becomes useless to him and is just another threat that Butcher needs to exterminate like a cockroach. So, she figures the Boys probably have a contingency plan in place for Ben as well.

See? She is a fucking good lawyer. But what the hell is she supposed to do with that information now? Painfully aware she’s only human, Y/N knows there’s really nothing she can do. She’s completely powerless in a world full of maniacs.

However, there are some things she absolutely can do, which leads her to call her brother for help. Currently, Soldier Boy is a ragingly hot PTSD mess. Y/N spends a lot of time with vets whenever she visits her grandfather at the retirement home. She can’t even count all the stories she’s heard about Vietnam at this point, and from her innumerable chats with the nurses, she knows about all the signs – the nightmares, the blackouts, the paranoia, the flashbacks, the substance abuse. Ben’s like a poster boy of symptoms.

It’s past 10pm when she finally comes home, finding the apartment surprisingly empty for once. Her heart does its weird little sting again as if she’s missing the fucking supe, and Y/N’s sure by now that she needs extensive therapy when all of this is finally over. On top of that, she decides to cook dinner like a goddamn housewife, mostly to distract her mind from Ben’s whereabouts, and switches on the TV as background entertainment.

The distraction doesn’t last, though, because soon enough, the rerun of The Office is interrupted by a breaking news report of a massive catastrophe in Vermont. Her heart drops to the Earth’s inner core and melts into a scorching lump of coal as the images of destruction, devastation, and death flicker across her eyes. It only takes one glimpse for her to know that it’s Soldier Boy’s signature. And then a broadcast of Starlight’s social media feed appears on the screen, the beating muscle in her chest only rebelling harder against its cage.

“I’m in Montpelier, Vermont. Twelve heroes and civilians are dead, a lot more are wounded. Now, Homelander and Vought are going to tell you that it was the Supervillain and that they have it handled. They don’t. It was Soldier Boy.”

“Shit,” Y/N curses under her breath and accidentally cuts her fingertip while preparing vegetables. Putting the pad in her mouth, she sucks on the wound, her tongue meeting tastes of metal as her eyes are fixated on the screen.

“I know I sound insane, but... Soldier Boy doesn’t care about protecting Americans, and he probably never has. Most heroes don't care about you. They only care about their image, and... Homelander is the worst of them. He’s hurt people. He’s done something to Maeve. I don’t know what they’re gonna do to me for telling the truth, but I’m going to keep doing it, and I should’ve done it sooner…”

The front door abruptly swings wide open, heavy footsteps entering the apartment as the supe plants his bowlegs on the hardwood floor, softly closing the door behind him in stark contrast and leaning his shield against the wall. Their eyes meet, and her heart suddenly begins to beat exceptionally faster, the sound hammering in her ears. His stern gaze drifts to the TV screen. His Adam’s apple bobs as his green eyes absorb the same images she’s only witnessed minutes before. One look at his broken demeanor is enough to tell her that he hadn’t planned any of this.

That’s when she shuts off the TV, his confused gaze briefly wandering to her before she bolts into his embrace and wraps her arms around his torso, burying her head in his solid chest. Soon enough, his large palms land on her back and the top of her head, holding her just as tightly. It’s not comfortable, but Y/N supposes his suit is only equipped for combat and not for hugs. She can tell by his reluctance that the supe is as bewildered as she is by her behavior, causing her to awkwardly step back from him and let go of his frame.

“Hey,” she says softly as their eyes find each other.

“Hey,” he gulps, his brow knitting in an attempt to read the situation.

“I-, uh, I made meatloaf for dinner,” she swallows and simultaneously questions her sanity.

His head bobs with carefulness as he replies, “I could eat.”

“Okay, uhm, take a seat. I’ll be right with you,” she tells him and hurries back into the kitchen, mostly to take a deep fucking breath.

As Y/N saunters back into the main living area, the supe has settled down at her meager, barely-a dining table, his eagle eyes watching her from his periphery. Placing a plate of food in front of him, she sits down next to him and grabs the wine bottle. A part of her wants to keep her manners and use the appropriate glass that’s right in front of her. The other part, though, the one that’s freaking out, pulls the cork out and downs the red alcoholic liquid straight from the bottle. While Ben is observing her with a slightly raised brow, he opts not to say anything and instead quietly digs into his food. After his first bite, however, every muscle in his strong body stiffens, his pupils widening as he almost chokes on his meal.

“Is it… good?” she asks warily, already suspecting the answer, and takes a bigger gulp from her wine bottle.

Ben agonizingly swallows his bite down, acting like it costs him all the strength in this world to do so before gripping his temple and banging his fist on the wooden table. “Dear fucking God… It’s worse than what the Reds served me,” he croaks.

Y/N chokes on her sip of wine as she snorts, starting to cough. Clearing her throat with a fist to her chest, she suppresses the laugh and steals a bite from his plate. “Oh, c’mon! I’m sure it’s not so ba–… Oh my God! Why the fuck is it still raw?! And so salty!” She spits the food into the nearest napkin, vigorously shaking her head. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I probably should’ve warned you that I can’t cook for the life of me.”

His chuckle is warm, the sound soothing her anxious heart. “You know you’re supposed to cook meatloaf for a few hours, right?”

“Wha-… hours?! Who the fuck has time for that?” She throws her arms up, puzzled, ridding herself of the gross taste with more wine. “How do you know that, though?”

“My mother used to make them every Sunday before she passed,” Ben shares and clears his throat subtly, a trace of sadness shimmering in his orbs.

“Oh, uhm… well, Sundays are a good day for it. Do you still remember the recipe? Maybe we can try together?” Y/N suggests with a smile, receiving one in return. Determinedly, she rises from her seat, announcing, “How about I’ll order us some Chinese for tonight, though? When’s the last time you had that, huh?”

“It’s been a while,” he nods, smiling. “Do they still have orange chicken?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t they?” Y/N chuckles as she opens the food delivery app on her phone and places an order.

“Well, Hughie said Vought-a-Burger got rid of the Chop Socky Oriental Sauce,” Ben explains and raises his broad shoulders in disbelief.

“Yes, for good reason,” Y/N replies mindlessly, still concentrating on her phone screen.

“Hughie said the same shit, but no one will fucking explain to me why,” the supe grumbles and even seems close to desperation.

“Because it’s racist. Do we really need to have a discussion about racism, too?” Y/N sighs deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose as she meets his bemused stare, “Never mind. I already know the answer. I’ll find you a documentary later… Just maybe as a general rule of thumb, treat people like you wanna be treated, okay?”

“Oh, so you want me to fuck everyone I meet on the street?” Ben smirks cunningly at her, to which Y/N slaps his arm. “Ow!”

“Oh, please,” she rolls her eyes back. “I know that didn’t hurt you.”

“No… But I know it was supposed to.”

“So, what? Are you a European soccer player now? Stop faking it,” she counters, giggling at his silly antics as she turns back to her phone, feeling his green eyes on her.

“Hey, come here for a second, angel.”

Ben doesn’t wait for a response. One strong hand clasps her wrist, swirls her around, and manhandles her swiftly onto his lap, her hands reflexively bracing themselves on his muscular shoulders as she straddles his thighs.

Feverishly claiming her lips, he kisses her deeply, his palms on her asscheeks pulling her against his crotch as his tongue licks into her mouth. The outline of his firm cock already stretches against his tight pants, the pressure on her pussy opening the floodgates, but instead of going further, he draws back from her and sends her a lazy smile. “Sorry. Had to get rid of the taste in my mouth, too.”

Y/N snorts, her cheeks flushing red. “I’m sorry I almost poisoned you, okay? I really tried. Look, I even cut my finger. That’s a real battle wound right there,” she says and proudly shows him the minor injury on her digit. Surprisingly, he even curiously ogles it.

“Christ on a cross,” he huffs under his breath, shaking his head.

Amused, she arches an eyebrow, “What?”

Exhaling a deep breath, he licks his lips and piercingly looks into her eyes, his calloused thumb tenderly caressing the apple of her cheek. “Nothing. Just-… humans are so fucking fragile, especially you.”

Y/N narrows her eyes at him. “Thank you?”

Sighing, Ben lets his head fall back for a second. “It’s not meant as an insult. It’s just-… It is what it is.”

“So, uh, can you even, like… bleed?” There’s a beat of silence between the pair as their eyes connect before Ben casually hauls an army knife from his pocket and cuts into his palm without a single flinch or wince, a few drops of red, sticky blood drizzling onto the table surface as he shows it to her.

“See? Happy now? Still a human.”

Debatable, Y/N thinks but keeps it to herself.

“Does it hurt?”

He shakes his head at her question, “No. At least not this.” Swallowing thickly, she nods in understanding, but Ben apparently feels her hesitance. “This freaks you out, doesn’t it?”

She scoffs his concerns away, lying, “What? No.”

“It’s okay,” Ben smiles softly, his large palms rubbing up and down her thighs in a calming motion. “Freaked me the fuck out, too, in the beginning.”

“So, how does it work? Did they just pick you like a tribute lottery or…?”

“No, uhm, I went to my dad’s golf buddies. They hooked me up,” he explains patiently and seems to even enjoy her line of questioning, hints of intrigue etched into his smile.

“Why would you do this to yourself? What if something went wrong? You could’ve died, right?”

Ben nods and swallows lightly before answering, “Didn’t really care about that part at the time. I guess I just-… wanted to be someone, you know? Do something important with my life, no matter what it cost me.”

Curiously, she tilts her head, “Why?”

Ben wets his lips in a failed attempt to hide his enthralled smile over her interest. “A part of me wanted to make the old man proud, you know? After my mother died, he didn’t really want anything to do with me, just send me away…,” he trails off, the hurt on his face more like a fresh wound and not an ancient scar.

“Hm, yeah… parental pressure is still a thing nowadays,” she shares, nodding.

“Well, your dad seems nice,” Ben notes.

“Oh, he’s the best, but not everyone can be as awesome as my dad,” she grins, and he matches her smile. “Did it work? With your dad?”

Ben’s gaze wanders to their connected laps as he clicks his tongue and quietly breathes, “No.”

“I’m sorry,” Y/N says and strokes his bearded cheek until he glances up at her. “His loss… and his failure. It’s not that hard to love your own kid. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s the easiest thing in the world, second to breathing air. It’s really all you need to do, you know?”

Ben doesn’t respond. His lip quivers, but she’s not sure if it’s a smile that wants to form or sheer sadness.

“What was the other part, though?”

“Hm, what?”

“You said one part was your father. What was the other one?”

“Oh, uhm…” The supe swallows harshly and averts his gaze for a moment before his green eyes find her again. “I lost someone else, and, uhm, then I just… I don’t know.”

“You wanted to find something meaningful to hold onto, mostly as a distraction from the pain,” she mumbles, more as a realization to herself than an answer to him. “I get that.”

“You do?” Ben stumps a little, blinking at her.

“I do,” she admits softly and bites her lower lip. “You know, since you always think I’m a bad lawyer because I don’t have any money, I’ll have you know that I actually quit my well-paid corporate job six years ago to help people instead of being on the bad side of things. And I’m talking six figures a year, baby. I already had our house picked out in Long Island. It was a nice one.”

Ben dubiously lifts an eyebrow, “Really? What company did you work for?”

“Pharmaceuticals. A bunch of kids died. They didn’t care. Just wanted the lawsuits to go away. I just-… I didn’t wanna be involved in that and shove a few bucks at parents of a dead kid just to make them sign an NDA.”

“You know you’re fighting a losing battle, though, right?”

“I know,” she admits and shrugs, “But I still wanna fight it.”

His head bobs, lips pursing, “Alright. I can respect that.”

Doubtfully, she lifts an eyebrow, “Really? You?”

“Yeah, kinda admire it, actually,” he gives her a small smile. “So, Long Island, huh?”

“What? It’s got good schools,” she defends upon his judgmentally raised eyebrow.

“So you wanted kids?”

“Uhm… I guess I wanted kids with the right guy, you know?” she replies suspiciously. Is he playing 20 Questions with her? “Before you got here, I was actually considering getting a shelter cat, but now I know that I’m not ready for this much responsibility at the moment. I mean, I can barely take care of myself.”

“That’s true,” he agrees cheekily, earning him a playfully sharp look from her.

“So, where did you meet her? The girl you lost?” Y/N changes the subject, her curiosity unhinged. But Ben is an open book for now, and she can’t resist devouring every page of him there is.

“How do you know it’s a girl?”

Lightheartedly, she rolls her eyes, “C’mon, it’s always a girl. Don’t disappoint me now. Give me a story.”

Chuckling, he contemplates, “Alright, let’s see… It was a long fucking time ago, you know?”

“Like prehistoric?”

Clicking his tongue, he laughs lightly, “I think that wine is getting to your pretty head, angel.” The supe then inhales deeply and exhales a long sigh, “Uhm, apple picking.”

Y/N’s brows quirk together, “Apple picking?”

“Yeah, our boarding school had an orchard. She was on a ladder and fell, so I caught her,” Ben shares his romantic tale with a simple shrug.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa… back up,” she blinks at him in confusion. “You went to boarding school? So that whole story about you growing up poor…?”

“Poor boy with a heart of gold? Oh yeah, that’s all bullshit,” he snorts, laughing. She purses her lips and squeezes her eyes shut for a beat, shaking her head in disbelief. “Wait… That was the only thing you liked about me, wasn’t it?”

“Nooo… But it was one of the things I liked,” she admits and takes another sip of wine. “God, I knew I should’ve listened to my gut. The moment I met you, you were giving me some intense frat boy vibes.”

That’s when Ben bursts into loud laughter, his whole body shaking as he buries his head in her chest. The food then arrives, the two of them moving the conversation to the couch. Y/N turns on Breaking Bad because, obviously, Ben’s never seen it before, which is mind-blowing. Everything about him truly is.

Halfway through their boxes of orange chicken and a few spring rolls, Ben steers the lively conversation about TV shows of recent decades back to earlier topics. “So, what happened to all that money you made? You gotta have something saved, right?”

“Nope, donated it all,” she replies casually and stuffs her mouth with more chicken.

“I’m sorry, what?! That’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard,” Ben scoffs, shaking his head as his eyebrows draw together. “You know what? I take it back. You’re not a loser. You’re just fucking bad with money… which isn’t uncommon for women,” he mutters his last little insult.

“Wha-… Don’t make me hit you again,” she chides only half-serious, pointing a warning finger at him.

Instead of a clever retort, however, Ben grabs that same finger and pulls it closer to his face, his eyes focusing on the small bandaid that covers her cut before he unceremoniously lets it drop again. “How’s the ankle?”

“Fine. Jake came by and gave me some meds. The wine helps, too,” she sasses and takes another sip, hiding her grin behind the glass.

Ben nods thoughtfully, picking at the food with his chopsticks, “You know, I probably could get my hands on some Compound V.”

Warily, her eyes narrow, the feeling that’s spreading in her belly of an eerie nature. “What for?”

“You,” he says without missing a beat.

“Fuck no! I’m not Bella, and this isn’t Twilight. I don’t wanna be a fucking vampire,” she strongly protests his suggestion.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

She groans loudly, “Ugh, I don’t wanna be like you.”

“But–”

“No!”

Ben lets out a deep breath, probably as frustrated as her. Licking his lips, he swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Homelander was there today,” he quietly informs her then.

“Yeah? How did that go?” More wine. Honestly, there’s not enough booze on this planet for this conversation, though.

Ben forgoes answering her question and chooses to throw a confession at her as their gazes lock, “Y/N, I know about your Ben. I found the box in your closet. Butcher told me the rest.”

Great…

“So?” She brushes him off, shrugging in feigned carelessness, and busies herself with her food while she marinates on the best method to murder that British asshole.

“Why didn’t you fucking tell me?”

“Because I don’t have to,” she snaps defensively. “Why do you have to snoop through my shit all the time? It’s none of your fucking business.”

His tongue darts out to wet his lips as he ponders his next move like a chess match between them. “What was he like? Your Ben? I’m curious. Just… please. Pretty please?”

Y/N lets out a long, frustrated sigh, swallows her apprehension, and starts her trip down memory lane. She then tells him how her Ben was honest, how his voice would actually go up a whole octave every time he tried to lie – like that time he planned a surprise graduation party for her and sounded like a schoolgirl during the whole car ride to the restaurant. She tells him about his kindness, how he always stopped on the street to help when he spotted someone with moving boxes, an old person at a crosswalk, or women with heavy grocery bags, even once bringing home a pigeon with a broken wing, which stayed in the apartment for three months till he had nursed it back to health. There’s a proud smile on her face when she tells him how smart her Ben was, always knowing everything about everything and constantly winning trivia nights and having his nose buried in a book.

“Sounds like a nice guy,” the supe comments pensively, licking his lips. “Why don’t you want me to kill that asshole? Butcher says you do.”

Y/N scoffs, rolling her eyes, “Of course that dick would claim that.”

“So, it’s not true? Or is it true, and you just don’t wanna be a bad person?” She gapes at him for a moment, her heart skipping a few beats. Fuck, that little weasel is good at manipulating. “You know, if that Homelander guy is as bad as you, Butcher, and the kid say he is, he’s gonna kill more people. So, really, your nobility is only ending more innocent lives.”

She squints her eyes at him, a knowing smile shaping on her lips, “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?”

“Well, yes,” he smirks cockily, showing his shiny teeth.

“Alright, well, I think if you could beat him, he would’ve already died today,” she counters just as cleverly. This has never been a simple date conversation – it’s always been a cross-examination from the start. Needless to say, she’s treating the witness as hostile.

Ben purses his lips and averts his freckled face, choosing not to reply again, which is simultaneously the loudest answer he could give.

“Look, even if you could kill him, and you wouldn’t risk your life like a fucking moron… I could and would never ask that of you,” she confesses and finally meets his green eyes as he dares to look at her again.

“It’s okay, angel,” Ben nods reassuringly. “You don’t have to ask. That’s what I’m here for.”

To say she feels torn would be the understatement of the century, but she supposes he has a point. Nothing will stop Homelander unless someone stops him. So, the only question that remains is: does she care if Soldier Boy dies or not?

“What happened today? Did you really do all of this?” Y/N is finally brave enough to ask the question that’s been on the forefront of her mind and on the tip of her tongue since he set foot inside this apartment a few hours ago.

“I think so,” he says after a heartbeat of tense silence.

Lifting an eyebrow, she inquires further, “You don’t know for sure?”

“I know it was me,” he responds slowly, avoiding her eyes at all costs as he stares at the shaggy rug under the coffee table. “But I don’t remember it.”

“What triggered it?” Her witness seems to cooperate until he doesn’t.

“Fucking nothin’, alright?”

“Ben, denying it isn’t gonna make it magically disappear, you know?” With a deep sigh, she grabs her purse and fishes out a pill bottle, shaking it in her hand before tossing it to him. “I think you should take these.”

Ben instantly reads the label, his head snapping to her, mouth ready to provide a defense, “I don’t fucking–”

Y/N cuts him off, “Just stop, okay? I don’t care if you have PTSD or don’t. It doesn’t change anything for me… But not dealing with this issue is not gonna help you and will only make you weaker. Not to mention, what if I get hurt? Ever thought about that?” She waits for a calculated beat and only continues when she sees him swallow, his Adam’s apple trembling in his throat. “So, you can either keep pretending you’re completely and totally aces and continue to suffer through a painfully long existence all alone, or you could take one tiny pill, get fucking rid of it for good, and actually be in control of yourself like a real man. Your choice.”

Y/N has thoroughly prepared her closing argument all afternoon. Can you tell?

A moment passes between them as the defendant contemplates his options before he returns with a verdict. “Alright,” he grunts and grimly pops a pill. “This is not a fucking admission, though. I wanna make that clear. I’m just experimenting if I can get fucking high from these, okay?”

Y/N raises her palms in surrender and assures him with an inner smile, “Oh, totally. Wouldn’t have thought anything else. It’s very clear.”

There’s a long pause before Ben quietly mutters, “Thanks.” It’s barely audible, but she knows he still wanted her to hear it. “You know, I only suggested the fucking V thing because I don’t want you to get fucking hurt… especially after today.”

“Yeah, I gathered,” she smiles cheekily. He’s honestly cute when he thinks he’s not transparent as fuck.

“They’re all fucking coming after me,” Ben grumbles, and she’s not quite sure if it isn’t just his paranoia talking, but she supposes there’s an ounce of truth in his words. Judging by Annie’s national broadcast, people are at least aware of Soldier Boy now. It’s just a matter of time until his enemies locate him in Greenwich Village. “I wouldn’t even give you the shitty stuff Butcher and Hughie are using, y’know? I’d ask around my old contacts. Get you the good OG shit.”

“I think it’s safe to assume all your old contacts are dead,” she retorts and then furrows her brow suspiciously, “What do you mean by ‘the shitty stuff Butcher and Hughie are using’?”

“Oh, you don’t know?” he beams giddily. “They’re shooting some green shit or whatever. Man, the kid’s powers are fucking hilarious. He’s–”

“Yeah, yeah, I don’t care about that part,” she interrupts him and steers him back, “They’re using Temp V? You sure?”

“Yup,” Ben replies promptly and coolly pops a spring roll into his mouth.

“Man, these fucking idiots! I have three wrongful death lawsuits of test subjects’ families on my hands because of that shit,” Y/N huffs, greatly irritated.

“Well, idiotic of them but fucking useful to me,” the supe grins cunningly while she sighs defeatedly in return.

As Y/N mentioned once before, she’s fucking powerless in a world full of maniacs.

Chapter 9

Oh, I’m gonna make you fall so hard for this guy, you won’t even know it’s Soldier Boy who hit you over the head... 😝🖤

Tags:

Real Heroes (Dean/Jensen Tag): @deanwanddamons @flamencodiva @panicking-outside-the-disco @deandreamernp @avanatural @eevvvaa @writercole @gshade22 @poptart06294 @supraveng @sexyvixen7 @lyarr24 @msmarvelouswinchester @akshi8278 @spnbaby-67 @xlynnbbyx @mimaria420 @thoughts-and-funnies @dark-night-sky-99 @wittyboldsoul @awkward-and-indecisive @dean-winchester-is-a-warrior @imherefordeanandbones @mrsjenniferwinchester @snowlovespie @leigh70 @maggiegirl17 @perpetualabsurdity @globetrotter28 @jassackles @foxyjwls007 @extraterrestriali @parinarain @justrealizedimmascifygurl @tristanrosspada-ackles @sunshineandwings86 @eggbertsworld @djs8891 @chriszgirl92

Blackhearts (Series Tag): @impalaslytherin @b3autyfuldisast3r @siospins2 @xxlaynaxx @maximumcoffeeme @sukunalvr @ladysparkles78 @angrybuttooshorttofightyou @futterwacken @stoneyggirl2 @pallographsunspot @yvonneeeee

If you’re crossed out, tagging didn’t work for some dumblr reason! Sorry!

#bad reputation #soldier boy #the boys #soldier boy x reader #soldier boy fan fic #the boys fan fic #soldier boy x you #soldier boy reader insert #soldier boy x female reader #soldier boy imagine #the boys imagine #the boys season 3 #soldier boy series

189 notes · View notes