#the other part knows ill have to accept hes gone eventually.

[your-dazzling-sun]

...

[delulujuls]

the right one | jacaerys velaryon

hi, here comes the pt2 for the other one because i think i might actually be falling in love with jace lmao.

for the first time on this blog i tried not to use y/n mentioning because i know that not everyone is a fan of it so yeah, i hope i did well

also i know that the tension is immaculate here so i might write a smutty smut in pt3 eventually so lmk what you think!

summary: the hardened and hateful heart of the future king of westeros is no match for the tender and loving heart of the young prince of dragonstone. so it's not difficult to guess whose heart belongs to the young targaryen princess

warnings: swearing, mentions of threatening with a knife

pairing: sister!targaryen reader x jacaerys velaryon (ft. best-uncle-in-the-world daemon, aemond and this little menace to humanity aegon)

taglist: @gorlillaglue25 @aegonswife @fallout-girl219 @lyssaluvs @briefwinnerpersonaturtle @aleemendoza2425-blog @darkgvk @faeoffaith @slayraxes-blogs @lolilkkk

The young princess sat at the table, but her mind was elsewhere. She didn't participate in the lively conversations, nor did she laugh and joke as she had the previous evening during the feast. Her gaze was fixed on her wine goblet, from which she had not taken a single sip. Her silverware was also untouched.

The girl's behavior did not go unnoticed by those present. Jacaerys, who sat across from her, immediately noticed something was wrong. He didn't have the courage to ask, so he was relieved when the king took that burden off his shoulders.

"Is something troubling you, dear daughter?" he asked, addressing her. The princess didn't hear his question at first; she only came to her senses when Helaena nudged her arm.

"I must have caught a chill," she replied, adjusting her high-collared dress. "My throat hurts."

Aegon wished he could sink into the ground. He remembered the events of the previous night vaguely but knew what had happened. He knew what he had done. He sat next to his sister just as they had been seated the day before but he saw her pull her chair away. She had every right to. He had gone too far.

The king didn't notice Aegon's broken nose, which had been tended to by a maester that morning, nor did he remark on Jacaerys' bruised brow, which he tried to hide under his dark curls. Small scuffles between the boys were normal, and since everyone was sitting at the table eating together, he figured nothing major had happened. He was, however, worried about his daughter.

Daemon was not as blind as his brother, who might have been somewhat blinded by his illness. Viserys, however, had long failed to notice what was consuming his family. Perhaps he simply didn't want to see.

"A sore throat?" he asked as they both left the dining room. "Really?"

"I don't know what you mean," she replied, avoiding his gaze.

Daemon, however, watched her closely, and her reaction only confirmed his suspicion that something was wrong.

"I'm sure I have something for that," he said, nodding towards the corridor leading to the right. His look indicated he wouldn't take no for an answer. The girl followed him without a word. When they were in Daemon's chambers, the princess knew that lies were unnecessary. Her uncle must have seen through her at the table.

"So?" he asked, closing the door. "I'm all ears."

"I don't want to talk about it," she said, looking at him. The prince now saw even more clearly her puffy eyes from crying and her chapped lips. "Besides, it's nothing significant."

"Nothing significant, yet you wasted a night crying," he observed, pouring wine and offering her a goblet. She shook her head, so he took a sip himself.

The princess looked at him silently. She had no arguments. Daemon knew this perfectly well.

The young girl sighed, accepting her defeat. She lowered her gaze and unbuttoned a few buttons of her collar, which was fastened up to her chin. She parted the fabric to reveal her fair skin, marked by a thin, bloody cut.

Daemon took a sip from the goblet and set it down, approaching his niece. He pulled the fabric aside a bit more, looking at her neck.

"Care to share how you got that?"

"Aegon is a maniac who should be locked up in the Sept and treated," she said bitterly. "A drunk who thinks he's the lord of the world, to whom everyone must bow."

"So, I hope you taught him a lesson in humility?" he asked, moving to the table and picking up one of the ointments. He unscrewed it, returning to the girl and taking some on his finger.

"He has the same mark on his neck."

Daemon chuckled, shaking his head.

"You are impossible, I swear by the Seven," he scoffed, applying the ointment to the cut on her neck.

"They attacked Jace. I couldn't let that happen," she said, frowning. "Those fools think they can terrorize anyone they want. It's not true!"

The prince smiled, sitting down after a moment and taking the goblet in his hand.

"You defended Jacaerys?"

The young princess blushed and looked away. However, she nodded.

"Then it's clear," he answered, crossing his legs. "Aegon is jealous."

"He's a complete idiot!" she said angrily, pouring herself some wine. "Maybe I won't marry him after all, and what then? Maybe they'll find me another husband?"

"I'm afraid the decision has already been made, little bird," he said, looking at her. Her pale cheeks were flushed with embarrassment over her lover and anger at her brother.

"We're connected only by blood and name, nothing more," she cut bitterly, taking a sip of wine. "I will never love someone with such a hardened heart."

"Not like Jacaerys, right?" he asked, glancing at her. He was smiling, but it was a sad smile. All he could do was pity his niece.

"He's a good boy," she said, pressing the cool metal of the goblet to her lips. "His wife will be the happiest girl in Westeros."

This, however, could not be expected by Aegon's future wife. The young prince hadn't learned much from the previous night's events, as he refrained from drinking only at breakfast. But when only the maids remained in the dining room, he emptied almost half a jug of wine himself.

"Will you tell me what happened last night?" Aemond spoke from behind him, causing the elder brother to almost spill his wine. "I know you didn't go straight back to your room."

"Are you following me?" he looked at him nervously, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I was checking if you could make it back to bed in your current state."

The maids, who were cleaning up after breakfast, glanced at each other out of the corners of their eyes. Aegon felt their gazes on him.

"Get out!" he shouted, gesturing for them to leave. Shortly after, the brothers were alone. Aegon sat heavily in one of the chairs and rubbed his face with his hands.

"I threatened her with a knife," he said quietly, feeling his confession burn his throat. "I threatened her with a knife while Helaena was asleep inches away."

He shook his head, reaching for the wine goblet. "If I had been more drunk, Helaena might have woken up in a bed full of blood with a corpse next to her."

Aemond only needed the first sentence from his brother. He took the goblet from his hand and threw it across the dining room. Aegon froze.

"This has to stop," Aemond said quietly and calmly, but sharply and firmly at the same time. "This has gone too far, Aegon."

The young prince rubbed his face with his hands and leaned on the armrests, pressing his joined fingers to his lips. His younger brother was right. He had crossed the line.

"You know I'm always on your side, but you threatened our sister," he shook his head. "I can't agree to something like that."

Aegon gritted his teeth and lowered his head. He felt tears in his eyes. He felt anger, regret, and guilt. But he wasn't angry at himself; he was angry at Jacaerys. He believed the fault lay with him, and if he hadn't been hitting on his sister, nothing would have happened.

"You're right," he sniffed. "I should kill that mongrel."

Aemond clenched his jaw. He didn't recognize the person before him. Had he been so blindly devoted to his brother all these years that he hadn't noticed what a monster he had become?

"You want to...kill him?" he asked, looking at him. He wanted to make sure he understood correctly.

Aegon nodded.

"It's all his fault!" he slammed his hands on the table. "If it weren't for him, none of this would have happened, and I wouldn't have raised a hand against that bitch!"

Aemond now saw before him not his beloved brother but a maniac wrapped in alcohol, hatred, and delusions. Tears were streaming down Aegon's face, but it was hard to tell their nature. Sorrow over hurting his sister? Anger? If so, at whom? At Jacaerys? At his sister? At himself?

However, Aegon wasn't the only one crying. In the doorway of the dining room stood their sister, who, drawn by the sound of the thrown goblet, had quietly peeked her head in. She had heard the entire conversation between her brothers and was devastated.

"You really are a monster," she said in a trembling voice. Two pairs of eyes turned towards her. Aegon hastily stood up, wanting to approach his sister, but Aemond firmly held him back, keeping him in place.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he sobbed, falling to his knees. Aemond still held him tightly, not wanting to let him do anything to their sister. Aegon was now unpredictable and had shown he posed a threat.

"Please, sweet sister!" he shouted, trying to free himself from Aemond's embrace "Please!"

The young princess took a step back, shaking her head and causing another cascade of tears to run down her cheeks. She couldn't believe what her brother had become.

Aegon fell at her feet, apologizing and begging for forgiveness, but she quickly left the dining room. She began heading towards Jacaerys' chambers, hoping to find the young prince there. However, he was busy searching for the girl just as she was.

They met by chance, bumping into each other on one of the staircases. Seeing her tear-streaked face, Jacaerys didn’t even have time to ask what had happened before she threw herself into his arms. He hugged her tightly, pressing her face to his chest.

“Hey, it’s alright,” he whispered, holding her close. “I’m here, it's okay.”

“Take me away from here,” she managed through her tears. She didn’t have to ask twice.

Not long after, they left the castle walls, which seemed to suffocate her. It wasn’t until the cold wind dried the tears on her cheeks that she was able to breathe. They walked along the stone wall towards the beach, not saying a word. The young princess clung to her nephew’s arm, who glanced at her from time to time, sincerely worried.

When they reached the beach, they sat on a salt-worn log cast ashore by the sea. Jacaerys pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the girl. She wiped her tears, staring at the waves angrily crashing against the shore. After a moment, she turned her gaze to the boy’s face, which looked at her with concern.

“Will you run away with me?” she asked, her voice filled with sorrow. “Far from here. Where the map doesn’t reach.”

The young prince smiled warmly at her and raised his hand, touching her tear-stained cheek and gently caressing it with his thumb.

“I haven’t been to the end of the map yet.”

The girl sniffed and lay down, resting her head on his lap. Jacaerys leaned down and kissed her cheek. He began to stroke her head, gently running his fingers through her hair. He wanted to ask what had happened when he found her crying. He wanted to ask if her mood at breakfast was really due to a sore throat. But he knew his questions were unnecessary and only thing that mattered was the comfort he could offer. The young princess gratefully accepted it.

She closed her eyes, listening to the whistle of the wind and the roar of the waves. After a while, the sound of the sea began to blend with the sound of the boy’s fingers gently moving through her hair. The girl’s bitter face took on a calm expression, and the tears on her cheeks dried. Jacaerys smiled softly to himself. He had calmed a dragon.

“Aegon threatened me with a knife,” the girl spoke after some time. Despite the heavy confession, her voice was calm. “He came to me at night, completely drunk, and tried to intimidate me.”

The young prince clenched his jaw, his whole body tensing. But he didn’t stop stroking her hair. The princess opened her eyes and turned her head away from the sea, fixing her gaze on him. A piece of her dress’s collar had shifted, and Jacaerys noticed the cut on her neck.

“I’m afraid to have someone like him as my husband.”

He cupped her face in his hand, leaning toward her.

“If you have fears, I’ll speak to the king myself,” he said calmly but firmly. “Either he will shake some sense into Aegon, or someone else will seek your hand.”

“No one will be brave enough, Jacaerys,” she shook her head, looking away. “They’ve already announced the news of the upcoming wedding to everyone.”

“I will be,” he said, capturing her violet eyes with his own. “I’m ready to fight for you, princess.”

The girl looked at him in shock, surprised by his words. She didn’t know what to say, but she knew what to do. She entwined her fingers in the prince’s dark curls and pulled him towards her, kissing him tenderly. She poured all the love she had inside into that kiss—a love that would never be given to the right person.

“And if they don’t want a fight, we’ll run away,” he continued, whispering into her lips.

“We’ll run away to where the map doesn’t reach.”

[gay-dorito-dust]

Hello! Thank you for your work!🔥

How would Bi Han react in the event of his beloved's fatal illness? 💔

Thank you for reading them! (Even if I like to think half of them are shit.) and thank you for the request! 🦦

Bi-Han would be broken, shattered, lost and so full of anguish and all that was locked away behind a stoic facade upon hearing the news of potentially loosing his beloved forever.

He would try to find a way to combat against it to save his beloved, even despite being told by the best medics possible that there was only so much they could do before it inevitably became out of their power.

You; the reason that he dared to smile, the reason he dared to laugh despite attempting to hide it in his scoffs and grunts. You were even the reason he dared to love in the first place, gifting him the safe space to be open and vulnerable. And yet he was meant to reconcile and to accept the fact that he now had to bear the burden of living a long life without his beloved.

Bi-Han would blame the cause for your unfortunate circumstance on everyone else.

He wanted to point his finger at someone so badly as to not sit in his feelings, for he knew that he would only be crushed beneath the weight of his repressed emotions. Bi-Han didn’t want to feel anything during the hardest moment in his life, especially as he tried so hard to act indifferent towards the whole thing on the outside, whilst on the inside he was breaking.

Everything within him was breaking but the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei wasn’t allowed to express his grief other then behind closed doors. Bi-Han would sit by your side for long periods of time, refusing to depart from you for a single second for fear that any moment he wasn’t present would be your last. Bi-Han didn’t want to fathom you being alone in your final moments, it was disrespectful in his eyes for you deserved to pass away know that you were extremely loved.

He would eventually grow irritated and temperamental, snapping at everyone at every minor inconvenience made and is more ruthless then before, so much so that Kuai Liang would have to pull his brother aside and make him see reason in that you wouldn’t condone this sort of attitude. Kuai Liang understood that Bi-Han was in a bad state but wasn’t going to stand aside and allow him to treat others poorly.

Bonus: Kuai Liang was also grieving the fact that he was destined to loose a close friend but he wouldn’t resort to taking his frustrations out on others. It wasn’t fair on those who weren’t aware of the current situation. Tomas was also grieving the fact but did so within the privacy of his own room.

Needless to say that Bi-Han would come out of this a much more colder, unfeeling, vengeful, ruthless and dangerous man then ever before. His beloved was going to be unceremoniously taken from him and he was helpless to stop it and so when you do pass on, he would truly have nothing left to lose -outside of the Lin Kuei of course- and that would only make for Bi-Han to become even more of a threat.

His heart would freeze over into a literal block of ice because his heart would only belong to the one person who managed to melt it in the first place.

Never again would he ever entrust his heart to someone else no matter how hard they tried. To Bi-Han, no one could ever take your place and would even kill those who even dared try.

Bi-Han would even try to forget about you but that was proven to be a difficult task as he found himself unwilling to part from the last remaining things he has of you. So he would lay there at night remembering how he failed you, whilst reaching over to your side of the bed that had long since gone cold, a tear silently sliding down his cheek before his face naturally contorted into anger; the only emotion he felt nowadays.

[wildpeachfarm]

I met up with a friend of mine today for some Coffee and cake. I told her about the gogcident, the whole timeline, all streams, all 'proof' and what other CCs said. Also what happened afterwards and how it is right now.

That friend of mine has zero connections to the community and only on about Dream Team from me and only know they play minecraft. Said friend has also been a victim of SA ever since she was a young teen and goes to therapy and has been healing for years while also having been a victim over and over again.

She agreed with what most people here on your block said but added some more stuff. Basically said that many if not all people accidentally overstep boundaries. Rather we like it or not, everyone has overstepped someones else's boundary at some point in our lives. And it's the job of the other person to tell us when we do so. We can't know about boundaries when we don't get educated on them by the affected person. Especially not when hookup culture is a thing with lots of non verbal consent while also being drunk.

She also said the thing that made the situation and shows that George is not an assaulter is that, when Caiti eventually did show her boundaries at the elevator, he stepped back and let her. He didn't try to convince her, didn't keep flirting and let her move away without a fuss. Which is something an assaulter, specially when they habe already gone through cuddling and flirting all evening, simply wouldn't do.

And especially the last part is where I mostly stand as well. The way he acted at the elevator is what was most important and that was him accepting Caiti backing off from his flirting and leaving for his room alone

Yes I definitely agree and it was something I brought up on twitter but maybe not here recently: party culture is THIS unfortunately. It's well-meaning people people mistaking advancements and fumbling through awkward social interactions on the cusp of intimacy. Unfortunately if you don't verbalize your boundaries, there is no way for anyone to know otherwise especially in a situation like this with positive nonverbal cues. And that's typically why people get a bit of grace during this stuff if there was no verbalization of boundaries being crossed.

And you're right, the fact that he left her at the elevator when she verbalized her disinterest and even said in his response "i left after the obvious sign of 'no'" means that he had no ill intent or planned on taking advantage of her, or is an assaulter. It just seems that the stuff before was muddled in signals and drunkenness that it created that faux pas for him in the room.

Those are things that it seemed like people at first didn't want to give him understanding for, and I have to wonder how many of those people had ever been to a bar or a house party where someone just mistakes the signals and its awkward at best, not necessarily assault.

[deadthemind]

A Personal Reflection on Guilt and Repression

James Sunderland’s story in Silent Hill 2… I can’t help but see a bit of myself in that. The way he’s drowning in his own guilt, unable to face the truth—it feels familiar. I haven’t gone through anything as extreme as he has, but that feeling of burying pain, of repressing emotions because they’re just too hard to deal with… I’ve been there. It’s like, sometimes it’s easier to pretend things didn’t happen, to numb yourself, because facing it head-on feels like it would destroy you.

James killed Mary in this moment of desperation, but it wasn’t out of pure malice—it was exhaustion, grief, maybe even love twisted by too much pain. I can understand that—how, when you’re worn down to your core, you do things you regret, things that stay with you. And just like him, I’ve had moments where I didn’t want to face what I’d done, or how I felt, so I pushed it away, hoping it would stay buried. But it doesn’t. Just like James, the more you try to ignore it, the more it festers. That guilt, that pain, it finds a way to surface, sometimes in ways you don’t expect. The way he was haunted by monsters—my version of that might not be so literal, but it’s the same idea. The longer I run from my own feelings, the more they twist and distort until I can’t escape them.

James’s mental state in Silent Hill 2 is a mirror of how unresolved trauma and guilt can take control. His dissociative amnesia is his mind’s way of protecting itself—he can’t face what he’s done, so he convinces himself that Mary died of her illness. It’s like his brain has this wall, trying to keep the truth from breaking him. But his repression doesn’t make the pain go away; instead, it shows up in other ways. The whole town of Silent Hill becomes this reflection of his inner world, full of distorted, terrifying versions of the things he’s trying to bury.

And then there’s Pyramid Head—this manifestation of his desire to punish himself. It’s not just a random monster; it’s the part of James that knows he’s guilty, the part that believes he deserves to suffer for what he did. It’s like every time he tries to move forward, his mind forces him to confront that guilt. The same way I can’t shake the feelings I try to suppress, James is haunted by his own mind, constantly dragged back to the truth he doesn’t want to face.

His emotional numbness and depression feel familiar, too. He’s going through the motions, almost like he’s disconnected from the world, unable to really feel anything because he’s so overwhelmed. I’ve had those moments, too, where you’re so buried in your own head that you can’t feel anything but this dull, empty ache.

And it’s not just James—it’s me, too. I guess, like him, I’ve got this internal struggle going on—denial versus acceptance. I can keep running, keep numbing myself, but deep down, I know I’ll have to confront it eventually. It’s just… how do you face something so painful without it breaking you? And when you finally do face it, will it destroy you, or will it set you free? That’s the real question, isn’t it?

[especiallythewomenandthechildren]

As If Destiny (part seven) 🌹

Part Six🌹

Warnings: Terminal illness, parent death, death and brutality (it is the hunger games after all) characters may be ooc. I read the book a while ago but don't really remember much of Snows way of thinking (I mean I know its toxic and insane but yk the other things) so I will mostly be basing off the film and my own thoughts. Also I can't spell for the life of me so be prepared for bad spelling and grammar. Enjoy loves!

⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆

The vast hallways of the academy seemed longer today, while time seemed to speed up. With each step taken, more students seemed to file out of the halls. A quick look at the gold watch on their wrist, and their legs seemed to carry them out from under. In full force, the pristine doors of the academy classroom burst open, revealing a panting Sejanus.

His classmates seemed surprised by the sudden entrance, but more surprised by the fact that he was on time—or he thought he was. The boy took a step inside right as the bell rang, and with nothing more than a sigh, Dean Highbottom notified that "on time" meant being in your seat. Sejanus, still attempting to gain even a breath of air in his lungs, accepted defeat.

As he trudged to his seat, his eyes locked with the blonde boy one desk away. Your absence was all-consuming and isolating. Coriolanus noticed that the dark circles underneath Sejanus's eyes had still not left. They had been there the two weeks you've been gone and they don't seem to be going away anytime soon.

Most would assume that his lack of sleep is connected to the lack of your presence, but Coriolanus knew better.

Tomorrow is Reaping Day.

Sejanus has rarely shown his face most years, and if he has, you have always been by his side. But this year, there is a great understanding if he skipped out. However, you were conflicted whether or not to go. You felt the obligation to Sejanus due to the dark day for him, and you knew he had to be there for the Plinth Prize announcement.

And the announcement was your other felt obligation. You wanted to be there for Coriolanus when he won.

How Snow knew all this was in part due to Sejanus. The two have grown unexpectedly close these past two weeks. They bonded over your absence initially, and it eventually grew into a natural friendship.

Sejanus had always considered Snow a friend; truthfully, the only other person in the Capital besides you. But Coriolanus had been wary of the Plinth boy. He knew his distaste for the Capital, which is obviously not good company to associate with. He couldn't risk his reputation, no matter how sweet he was and the rarity of his character.

But something changed. He cared less and began spending more time with Sejanus. He knew he could trust him, and that was probably the quality he appreciated the most.

No wonder you were connected at the hip with the sweet boy.

He told you so after you ranted about the obligations you felt regarding Reaping Day last night.

You both ranted on and on nearly every single night. While you might not be at school, that doesn't mean you don't go out.

If going out means running in the dark streets of the Capital, only to reach the Snow door breathless and red, painting your features that were broken with a blinding and giddy smile.

A smile, that no matter what was discussed or how many tears were shed just prior at the Plinth house, always appeared. Every day, you did school work dropped off by Rhayen until mid-evening. You then spent a few hours calming and listening to Sejanus ranting on the Hunger Games and inhumanity. You agreed with him that they were cruel and brutal. But you kept the parts you disagreed with to yourself.

The parts that told you that they deserved it. That they needed a punishment just as bad as the one you suffered. They may be innocent but weren't you and the rest of the Capital children in the Dark Days?

These haunting thoughts lingered in your mind until you showed up at the cracking yet comforting ancestral Snow home.

Coryo, even as he studied and completed his assignments, always listened to you. He was the one who reassured you that you were not a cruel monster as you began to believe yourself to be but rather an unfortunate victim of war horror.

He was the one you confessed to about your fears of becoming bitter and cold after your mother's death.

You were in his room as he was working on the paper you long finished. The room, even with the constant dust and mold coating the walls and ceilings, had a fresh aroma due to the open window. Coryo knew you liked the smell of the flowers outside that only seemed to be grown on his side of the city. The breeze lightly moved through his curls, golden-kissed from the sun. It continued on through the portion of hair hanging off his bed where you rested.

The confession wasn't meant to be dramatic or any warning sign. In fact, you didn't even realize what you said until the smooth sound of Coryo's pen ceased to be. Your head lifted from the sunken yet rose-scented pillow. The sight before you was a stiffened Coriolanus with an analyzing expression covering his face as he was turned towards you in his chair. His mind seemed as if it was racing hundreds of miles a minute while you stood still in confusion.

You knew he was far too lost in thought to come out by himself. His eyes snapped back to reality as you sat up from your laying position to face him. You tilted your head in question to his actions and his pondering.

"That's not going to happen. Don't even spend time on that thought because it's not happening." His eyes were hardened by determination. You softened at his concern but you couldn't stop the argument slipping from your mouth.

"You can't say that, Coryo. This world doesn't really have the factors for the kind-hearted to survive. It either hardens or stops beating."

That only seemed to agitate Coriolanus into convincing you further. His legs pushed his chair and himself forward in your direction. He was now situated right in front of you, leaning inward slightly into your space which made it hard to look away. What made it impossible was the evening sun pouring through the window and reflected perfectly onto his mesmerizing eyes.

"You are not going to become cold. I promise you, I will take every hit and scar before you have to harden yourself to the world."

His oath was met with nothing but with searching eyes. They search for lies or hesitation but there was not a single speck of doubt in his golden-filtered blue orbs.

Your body leaned forward in response, with gratitude and tears dancing in your eyes as they also began to be lit up by the sunlight flowing through the window.

Your eyes were locked while emotions and unspoken words flowed between the gaze. It became too intense and you turned your head the split second before Coryo began leaning in. You seemed oblivious of his action as you stared out of his window. A favorite past time of yours it seemed when in his room.

His cheeks were flushed with slight embarrassment and the sight before his very eyes. The sun began to lower and while it still lit up the room and your features. It's rays were intensified on the shimmering diamonds of the silver ring around your neck.

He noticed it the very first night you showed up to his door after the night of your father's wrath. You came to apologize for his actions and plead for forgiveness but there was nothing to forgive, something both Coryo and Tigris assured you.

But as you paced back and forth that night, the dim light of the kitchen caught the small, brilliant blue stones. He saw the other two rings after your mother's funeral but that ring was new.

As you came around more, he swore it looked like snowflakes and felt a little smug but was never sure and never pressed you about it.

However, something overtook the teenager as he took the ring that has puzzled him for weeks. The movement caused you to look back at him. The proximity causing you to nearly smash your head into his.

You angled your head to take in his expression as his fingers grazed over the snowflake-shaped diamonds. You were so glad you did as you got to witness the smile spread across his face. If you had to choose what was more valuable to you: the moment or the ring, you would be tearing yourself in half for a decision.

"Snowflakes."

He peaked up at you beneath his blonde curls with his pearly whites.

Oh never have you made a decision between two things so fast.

The blush that spread across your cheeks was impossible to hide as you avoided his gaze. But it's not like you had anything to hide. The reason you wore the necklace was that it was your mother's.

The reason you wore the necklace was that it was your mother's.

The reason you wore the necklace was that it was your mother's?

"Rhayen told me it was gifted to my mom when she was our age. So-uhm, here it is!"

You never wanted to smack yourself more. Your voice cracked an impossible amount of time for such a few amount of words. You stuttered and acted as if you stole the necklace yourself from Coriolanus's family.

But he didn't see it that way in the slightest. He found it quite endearing and it was an obvious ego boost.

Sure, the reason for you wearing it may have nothing to do with him, but doesn't erase the fact that you are wearing his house ring.

You found his silence nerve-wracking and couldn't help but shrink under the pressure.

"Do you want it back? It's clearly the Snows so it's totally in your right!"

You began to move to take it off and managed to unclasp it before Coryo could stop you. But when you started slipping out the other rings to give him the one in the middle, he put his hands out over yours in a motion to stop.

Once again, the space between you two was quite thin.

"It was a gift to your mother, right? If so, then that means it's yours. And besides, it looks better on you than it would anywhere else."

He attempted to reassure you but you weren't convinced.

"Even so, you know this is worth a lot of money, Coryo. A lot of money that can help you and your family."

He knew this but refused to let it sink in. He was not going to take the one thing he could give you.

"Not ours to sell. It's yours."

The "as it should be" ran through his mind but never past his lips.

Your hands were still being held by the tall boy when he offered to place the necklace back around your neck.

You agreed and turned, moving your hair out the way and stared at the setting sun and brilliant hues decorating the sky. You could feel the cold metal slide back in place and as you felt the metal secure, Coryo moved your hair back in place.

Everything was back in its proper place. Your necklace, hair, and location. You and Coriolanus alone together watching the Capital in all its beauty. As if it all moved to your will.

Reluctantly, you turned your head to once again be met with the intense stare of enamored Coriolanus Snow. And once again, your faces were just mere inches apart.

But the ever-continuing staring contest was broken by the quick knock of Tigris.

"Y/N, Coryo, time for dinner!"

Her voice was slightly muffled by the door but you could hear the exhaustion in her tone. You took a huff of air as you gave a look back to Coriolanus as you got up.

The door opened up to a clearly tired Tigris. But her face no longer sinks in on tireless nights such as these.

And no matter how little she sleeps, there is still a smile gracing her features.

Much of it is due to the constant food and drink you bring whenever you come (nearly every day), lighting the load on her shoulders.

Said food was neatly prepared and smelled delicious. Because of your constant supply of material, Tigris has been able to try out some new recipes and enjoy meals instead of simply eating whatever is necessary for survival. You were even able to smooth-talk your way into Ma Plinth's secret recipes for her.

But it was all food you could not take from. This meal is a crucial part of their survival and you were fortunate enough to be able to have one the same size at home.

That is why you began excusing yourself as they began to settle in. Your excuses of needing to go home and rest did not convince Coriolanus in the slightest.

"Y/N, it's okay to eat. It's the food you brought over anyways!"

He had moved from his position by the table in order to come and take your hand. He saw the slightest hesitation in your eyes and took his chance and began lightly dragging you to the table.

You would have fought back but the delicate figure of his grandmother stopped any sort of action. You didn't wish to be seen as rude and when she noticed you and your hands intertwined with her grandson, you couldn't argue with her sweet smile.

And that is how you ended up at the dinner table with the last remnants of the House of Snow.

Tigris was explaining the new method of clothing construction that is going to overtake Capital fashion when the sound of her ancient grandma'am perked up.

Grandma'am was often silent in meals with a faraway look glossing her aged eyes. She never even seemed to take notice of the conversation nor who went or came. And especially not what anyone wore. But today seemed a day of surprises.

"My, how is the way I find out!"

The three of you all turned to figure out what the cause of her shriek was. Tigris asked what the matter was and the older woman disregarded her question and moved to situate herself right next to you.

You felt small as you sat in the chipped chair while she loomed over you. You shared a look with Tigris, who motioned to wait on any actions. You both needed to let it play out to inform what to do next.

A wrong move and the sweet woman in front of you would be transformed into the vile monster of fables. You've experienced it firsthand.

"What have you found out Grandma'am?" The term came naturally to you as it would have felt too odd to call her "Mrs. Snow" as she is only spoken as Grandma'am now-a-days.

She quickly clicked her tongue and feverishly shook her head. Her wrinkled hands took the silver ring as she analyzed it.

"I thought you were going to go with the one with the big diamond. And dear, it is far more suitable to wear it on your hand. How else will anyone know you are set to marry?"

The silence was strangling. Everything felt so unnatural. Grandma'am's oddly intense smile, a confused and seemingly horrified Coriolanus, and of course, you.

Mistaken to marry.

Marry Coriolanus Snow.

The only one who seemed composed was Tigris. You quickly gave her a look and mouthed to her "news?'

She gave you a quick nod across the table. The small and minute interaction was not lost on Coriolanus, even though he himself was lost. You followed orders and brought up the new renovations of the Capital park.

"The pond is stunning! The ducks are coming back naturally. And the flower garden is such a magnificent sight! You must go, Grandma'am. I could take you there if you wish?"

You finished off with an awkward smile. The panic surging through your veins made you accidentally offer to take her out for a day. Something you knew Coriolanus wished not to happen.

He fears what damage it would cause to his reputation if his grandmother was seen out and about in clothes that dated before the war. Tirgis could likely make something more modern out of those old dresses, but she knew her grandma'am would refuse wholeheartedly.

However, grandma'am quickly took the bait, and the previous topic was long forgotten. She seemed eager to see the flower garden, and your little adventure out. You hoped this would be forgotten just as quickly. By both her and the analyzing Coriolanus.

But if there is one thing about Coriolanus, it is that he never forgets.

So as you both cleared the table later that evening, his stare kept on locking into your moving figure; assuredly, in question and suspicion. He wasn't going to engage first, however.

His mind was making a thousand reasons and explanations instead of simply asking. You didn't wish to leave it to Coriolanus Snow to make assumptions.

"I would recommend having your eyes on the knife when cleaning it, Coryo."

His attention once again had drifted to your side profile as you were drying the dishes he was cleaning. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, he turned off the water and turned his whole body to you. You put the plate in your hands away and mimicked his position.

He didn't say a word and just took you in. His silence and constant picking apart began irritating you.

"Just ask me your questions. I don't like being watched and judged. Who are you, Arachne?"

You had moved around him and began doing the dishes he had neglected. His stare never once left you as he finally shared what was on his mind.

"Would you be ashamed of marrying me?"

You were grateful that you were washing a fork and not a plate because you were sure it would have been dropped in shock. Instead, you let the water run absentmindedly and held the fork so harsh that your knuckles turned white.

Coriolanus didn't know what to make of your reaction. How absent you've become. He feared he just confirmed your answer.

He moved to shut the water off after a few seconds. After all, every drop of water counts.

Is that why you wouldn't want to be with him? Was it his lack of money? That he could (hopefully would soon) change. Or was it him? Was it his family? Was it your family? Would you listen to your father?

Coriolanus also seemed to shift into his universe of panic, eventually mimicking your hold on the fork, but his was the faucet handle. It must have been quite a sight for poor Tigris to walk into.

"Are you both alright?"

She questioned the two teenagers holding onto the objects for dear life and burning holes into the nearest walls with their eyes.

The sudden intrusive voice caused you both to jump, then the realization of the other caused another jump.

Tirgis laughed at your reactions and shook her head. You two were surely the oddest people she knew, and that's saying something.

Or maybe it's what one of you does to the other?

She moved to grab the dusty cabinet handle and clutched a chipped cup. Her every move being watched by you and Coriolanus.

She turned around to the sight of you both wide-eyed and watching her. She felt quite uneasy and now was sure she interrupted something, no matter how strange it seemed to be.

The young adult moves to the sink to fill up her cup, and you both quickly part to give her room. The sound of the water filling up the cup also filled up the stifling silence. Once filled, she took a sip and glanced to her left at you and right at Coryo.

Did both of you lose the ability to blink?

She knew whatever she walked into was most likely Coriolanus's fault, but if she told him as much, she knew you would hear.

And probably the entirety of Panem judging by the quietness of the moment.

She cleared her throat and bid you both good night as she quickly walked and turned the corner. But not with one last look at the two teens doing anything but look at each other.

After she had left, you had gone back to washing the dishes, and Coriolanus drying the dishes. Roles essentially switched as you were now the one staring at him. Trying to find some sort of answer. He didn't know what you would find so he tried to give one of his own.

"I only asked because when grandma'am started talking about the ring and marrying, you looked to Tirgis. You both looked like you were expecting it. I didn't know what to think of it."

You've seen a lot of Coryo these past weeks but seldom has there been a time when he has looked vulnerable. Coriolanus Snow usually knows all and can read people so easily. But being left out of the loop by the closest people he has horrified him. Enough to make himself look like a fool, he thought.

You knew he didn't like feeling these emotions, much less express them. So you paired your explanation with an understanding smile.

"Sometimes when you have to finish up projects or had to run out, grandma'am comes and joins me and Tirgis. I don't mind it really and she usually just sits for the company, not the discussion. But sometimes, she uhm- she thinks I'm someone else. Like today. And me and Tirgis have a little list of topics to bring up when she starts going down that path. Just distract, not refuse."

Coriolanus let it sink in for a moment. He knows his grandmother's dementia overtakes her most of the time. He also knows that while she is mostly non-aggressive, her fury can come to the forefront. Well, she can be happy when lost in her mind; her fury can make an appearance as well.

It saddens him, however, that not only didn't you come to him about it, but Tirgis didn't either.

You noticed his facial expression and tried to assure him that there was nothing more he could have done. He nodded reluctantly and unsure.

"You don't have to take her, you know. To the park, I mean. She forgets everything but whenever you mention flowers, her memory is as sharp as can be."

He mumbled his words; the way his grandma'ams memory worked never ceased to surprise him. With the events and people it forgets and remembers. Especially when it came to you.

You promised it was not an issue for you if it wasn't for him. It might even be nice spending time with her out. The thought of being so close to Coryo's family that you would be taking the most secluded member out made you blush.

By the time you both finished, it had become quite late, and you needed to get home for enough rest. Tomorrow would be the first day you would officially come back to society after the funeral.

If that wasn't exhausting enough, Reaping Day comes with its own load.

Coriolanus, as always, offered to walk you home, but you persuaded him to stay and get as much sleep as possible. Which wouldn't be much due to his nerves and thoughts racing through his system.

You finished putting on your last shoe as you looked up at him. "Meet you here then walk together, right?"

You both talked about the heightened anxiety tomorrow, and if each has the other, the load would feel a little lighter. He nodded in assurance, and you opened the door ready to leave.

But something made you stop, so you couldn't move in the door frame. You turned your head to his face, lit up by the warm and dim lights of the apartment.

"Hey, Coryo?"

His eyes slightly squinted in confusion but waited for you to elaborate.

"I wouldn't be ashamed. Not in the slightest."

You had to duck your head to hide your teeth-bearing smile. You were scared of his reaction, so you quickly shut the door behind you and made your way back home.

In the apartment you left behind, a shocked Coriolanus stood. The shock quickly morphed into a smirk and pride.

When he turned around, donning the brightest smile, a smirking Tigris awaited him. Leaning on the corner wall in dusty pink nightwear, she had observed your little goodbye.

"Seems like you already won the prize, Croyo."

And with that, she leaves the head-over-heels boy in her wake.

He wasn't sure if your confession would give him the best sleep of his life or keep him up all night in thought.

Whatever the outcome may be, the reality of your presence tomorrow would be greater than any dream.

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The girl staring back in the mirror felt foreign, a stranger really.

You haven't changed much these past few weeks physically. A little bit of lost weight and slightly paler, but nothing unless you look for it.

But something behind your eyes was a calling sign of a shift. The last wish of your mother's came rushing back.

Don't change.

The reflection showed your straight posture while you donned a black midi dress with elegant blouse sleeves and sleek angular trimming on the neckline. Your hair was styled neatly with dainty pearl earrings and, of course, the necklace of rings.

Have you changed?

The ever-present little voice says that's not even a question anymore. The relevant one is how much?

You checked the small clock on your desk and noticed you needed to leave, or you are gonna end up running to Coriolanus's home. You check your reflection one last time, debating whether or not to display the rings.

Well, that ring. You would have enough eyes already; you didn't need any other unnecessary gossip.

You picked out obsidian black shoes to match with your dress. You were finishing up the last strap when the front door opened hastily.

The sight of your disheveled father saddened you on this already difficult morning. You haven't seen him since his outburst on the day of your mother's funeral. He has spent the last two weeks in near confinement at his office in the defense bureau.

Wonder where you got the trait of throwing yourself into work from.

If he isn't there, he is most often at his sister's house, your aunt Aeris. He came back to the apartment that seems to haunt him with memories as pale as a ghost. He wanted to get out of there as quick as possible. The only reason he came was that he had forgotten a few important papers. His haste was so intense he nearly missed your presence.

It wasn't until the sound of your hard shoes hitting the marble floor that he was alerted. You both acknowledged each other, but the air was stuffed thick with uncomfort.

Of all the days to reconter each other.

You coughed awkwardly, trying to figure out something to say. Your father seemed to do the same. The silence simply became too much, and you broke.

"You look well."

He didn't. You both knew he didn't. But instead of calling you out, he did a slow nod of acknowledgment. You huffed out a breath and grabbed your small purse as you got ready to walk out.

"Tell Aunt Aeris I hope she is well! Take care, father."

The word felt foreign. Sure, you would always describe him as your father around others, but that was normal in the Capital. You always called him dad. You assumed that you two had a relationship better than most father and daughters in the city but once your mother got sick, he shrunk into himself. The memories and love seeming to dissolve with him.

You opened the door and already had one foot out when he called for you. "Happy Reaping Day."

You paused and turned around, an emotionless expression on your face. You hate that he said that. You hated it because your mother hated today and all the Games stood for. But a significant part of you hated it because of the reminder that the bitterness her death has caused you.

Caused you to start warming to the Games. That's what you hated the most.

"Really, take care of yourself."

You didn't mean it in a harsh way as your tone was soft, but you said it with meaning. He couldn't take care of you, and there would be no reason for him to try to at this point.

You closed the door and left the already broken man to crumble like his life.

The timing of your arrival at the Snow penthouse matched perfectly with Snow's descent outside.

He looked as if an angel had descended from the heights of the universe, in a beautifully designed and crisp dress shirt, no doubt masterfully crafted by Tigris. His golden curls were lightened by the warm morning light. His eyes shined with determination that somehow made him even more handsome.

It took a second for Coriolanus to turn your way and realize your being, and it took a couple more seconds for him to recompose himself while he took in your appearance. You couldn't help but giggle a little and walk over to him. You adjusted the red rose on his vest that had been moved due to the strap of his bag.

"You look even more handsome than I thought possible for one man to be." Coriolanus is used to girls trying to flirt with him and his good looks, but all those compliments can come across shallow, a means to an end.

But yours was completely authentic. The grin that spread across his face was unable to be stopped. He offered his arm, which you gladly took, and began on your way.

He bent over to whisper into your ear as you passed a group of older women who smiled at the pair of you, a sign to them that happiness is an opportunity for the youth now, that even Dark Days haven't stolen that.

"I've stopped being surprised by your beauty. I am just thankful that I'm graced with it."

Oh, the charm of this boy.

The closer you both got to where the festivities would be held in Heavensbee Hall within the academy, the stiffer Coriolanus's arm got. You stole a glance at his face, hardened in worry.

"You do know you are going to win, right?" He seemed to snap out of his thoughts at your words.

"We both know it isn't certain. Maybe if we had a dean who didn't despise me, then maybe I could rest easy. But Highbottom is going to do anything to make sure we don't see a cent of the prize."

He hung his head low, and his shoulders showed a feeling of defeat. This look wasn't normal for Coriolanus Snow and unimaginable to nearly all others. But lately, as you've shown him your vulnerability, he has reciprocated.

You squeeze his arm a little, causing his concern-filled eyes to flutter to your own.

"Nothing is going to stop you from getting the prize, okay? If I need to break into the house of whoever Highbottom wrongly awards it to and steal, I will do it with a smile on my face. You deserve it, Coryo. You've earned it."

He smiled softly at your words and wondered how far you really would go for him.

If only he knew.

"And how are you going to do that? Climb tens of stories and smash through the window?"

He teased you on your ability for malice. You were known for being an unusually sweet person. The image of you trying to rob someone made him chuckle.

As he was laughing in your face, you rolled your eyes.

"I can be very threatening, you know!"

He laughed even harder. Even bending over in laughter. You had enough and immediately stopped, causing the blonde to slightly jerk forward due to the sudden pause.

You grabbed his arms roughly and forced him to look at you. His laughter died in an instant when he saw the seriousness within your eyes.

"Coriolanus Snow, you are going to win the Plinth Prize, and I swear if I hear one more doubt about it, I will be feeding you rat poison myself."

There have been very few times Coriolanus Snow has been wrong, but with the look in your eyes, it was clear that you would be able to carry out your threats.

Once you were sure he got the message and your ability, you let go and started up your walk. He grabbed your arm, pulling it through his and regaining your prior position.

"You know if I don't win, I deserve an apology for the threat." You turned to him with a deep glare and scoff.

"Didn't I literally just say I don't want to hear doubt!"

You were met with a series of heartfelt chuckles. His voice got an octave deeper as he got close to your ear once more.

"I'm not very good at listening to instructions, darling."

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The academy was filled with lively chatter and elegance on every possible surface. Only a few steps in when a certain dark-haired girl stopped in front of both you and Coriolanus.

"Y/N! I didn't know you were going to be able to come!"

Clemensia excitedly said as she moved in for a hug, which you returned. You smiled at your dear friend.

"Ah, well, I couldn't miss the victory gloat of this one."

You slightly turned back to Coriolanus, who softly scoffed at your words. It helped inflate his ego but also your argument about the size of it.

"Well, when you he does, remember I was the humble class partner."

He gave her one of his notorious charming smiles, but internally he was rolling his eyes as dramatically as possible.

The only work Clemensia did was write her name and look pretty.

Coriolanus wondered how things would be if you were his class partner instead of her. If he just said no and rather asked you.

Then again, you had instantly chosen Sejanus as yours. You always stood by him ever since that first conversation. And today was no different when you spotted him on the other side of the hall with his ma.

You bid your goodbyes to Clemmie and Coryo, assuring the latter you would meet up later before the announcement. Even as he locked his arms with Clemmie, who led the way and conversation, he watched you.

He didn't like that you were walking away; the feeling of someone else's arm in his felt like a crime.

But you were completely oblivious to the enamored boy's feelings as you smiled to the Plinths. You were quickly barged with a hug and motherly affection by Mrs. Plinth. As she enveloped you in the squeezing hug, she complimented you endlessly in ways that made your heart warm due to her affection.

Once finally freed, you turned to her sharp-looking son. You gave him a quick hug and assured him of his appearance, which he thanked.

"However, I would rather be wearing rags and be covered in filth than be surrounded by these pig-" the rest of the insults were cut off by your sharp jab done with your elbow into his side.

A group of powerful politicians and businessmen were right in front of you and began engaging in conversation with his mother. You two were unfortunately forced to stand there and be the example of future prosperity they talked so estimably about.

Across the hall stood the ever-judging gaze of Arachne, Festus, and Felix. The group, who stood in the middle, were soon joined by Coriolanus.

"Finally, some viable competition," Arachne admitted as she took in the newest addition to her clique. "Hmm, snazzy shirt. Is that tessare?"

He smiled that irresistible smile. "Huh, so that's why it reminded me of the maid's bathroom."

The red-headed girl looked him up and down in analysis as the other two chimed in.

"Have you tried this lamb? It’s scandalous," a munching Felix added over his plate.

"Ugh. Only the vulgar eat with their fingers, Felix," Crane rolled her eyes at the disgusting display.

"What, Daddy not teach you table manners?" Festus added.

"Maybe he would have if he wasn’t so busy running the country."

Moments like these make Coriolanus question why he was even worried he wouldn't win when he is surrounded by blabbering idiots.

But They had the option to be idiots. He didn't.

His attention was snapped back by a venomous scoff by Arachne.

"She's been back for what? Five minutes? And we don't even get a greeting while she contaminates herself with the likes of them."

Her poisonous gaze was trained on you, who seemed to be charming a group of older patrons and leaders of the financial sector of Panem. Coriolanus didn't like her tone directed to you nor her implication.

"She already said hi to Clemmie. Besides, she came here with me."

That last line caused the group of complicated adolescents to pause. Each turned, with a wrinkle in their eyebrows, to stare at the smirking blonde. His eyes were on your smiling face but didn't waste the moment to turn that smirk on them as assurance.

And just as suddenly as the situation occurred, it was ended with your entrance into the group; which, of course, was right by Coryo's side.

"I hope I didn't enter at too bad of a moment."

You said smoothly and in your tone that no one could ever seem to refuse. There was no hint of inner conflict nor unease in your body language nor voice.

You sure were giving Coriolanus a run for his money in the art of acting.

Felix, Festus, and Arachne shared a collective look of conspiracy. But for some reason, whether it be a feeling of celebration of Reaping Day or to be pocketed for later, they let it drop for now.

"Hey, they called us here for the Plinth Prize, right? Because I heard Dr. Gaul’s in the building."

You looked around and noticed all the key figures who aid and conduct the Hunger Games. It confused you on why they would celebrate the Games here, in the middle of the Capital academy. But the subject changed just as fast as the Capital's attention span.

“Plinth.”

They all turned their heads to snort in his direction, and you refused to follow their gaze of displeasure.

"I mean, look at his spawn."

"Who would have thought that you could buy your way into the Capitol?"

"Well, you can’t buy class."

You've given them enough time to snub him when you perked up.

"Clearly, you all are experts in the lack of class, are you not?"

Instead of the usual nasty retorts and efforts to convince of his lack of worth, Arachne laughed as if you were a misunderstanding child.

"Oh, Y/N, you need to learn to let him understand his place in this world. Besides, you are clearly moving on to bigger and better things."

Her smirk was odd but so was her blatant glance at Coriolanus as she shared her thoughts no one asked for. You looked to the handsome teen who locked eyes with you.

The others continued their attack on the Plinths' entire existence, but you were too focused on the blue orbs that seemed to have stiffened. No words were spoken, but the message was clear.

Let them speak their minds.

It will only hurt to refuse. Hurt you and Coriolanus.

Sejanus has lived long enough with the whispers about him; he can deal with it.

But the wrong whisper about Coriolanus? It will ruin everything he was worked a decade for. And you wouldn't even risk the slightest crack.

"Did you see his mother’s outfit? Sorry, his 'Ma’s.'"

You had more than enough insults about the teasing boy's own appearance, but your tongue had to be bitten.

"Dress a turnip in a ball gown, and it’ll still beg to be mashed."

You had to gulp down your emotion and nausea as Coriolanus joined in the fray.

"Don’t do that. We all know that you like him."

Arachne countered him. You were grateful for it, even though you knew it did not come from a place of compassion.

"I don’t like him, Arachne. I tolerate him. He’s district."

But the sneering girl wasn't looking at him when he responded. Her interest lay on you and your mediocre attempt to hide your opposition.

Who would have thought the mighty Vaun heiress would have a weakness in the form of charming, young Snow?

It didn't surprise the teetering Casca Highbottom, who watched the two with a keen interest from the back of the room. He continued to watcg as the very boy Festus Creed discredited appeared by the snubbing boy's side.

"Sejanus, you made it to the Reaping for once."

Sejanus stood on your other side as he turned his wit towards the curly red-headed boy.

"And you made it to graduation, Festus. We’re both shocked."

You were glad Coriolanus joined in your laugh at his jab. If there was one thing to say about interactions where Sejanus has to interact with the snobbing clique, it was entertaining.

But Arachne was not in the mood for a show.

"Spill it. Who won the prize? Is Y/N the winner? Is that why of all the days to make her reappearance, it would be the day she gets her shiny prize?"

You do question why you are still friends with someone who is so quick to jump to conclusions sometimes.

But Sejanus was quick to step in and put his hand out in front of you as a sort of protective force.

"Oh, no, I’m not gonna ruin my father’s big day. No one here actually likes him, but they do love his money. You know what that’s like, don’t you, Arachne?"

Oh, yes, so so entertaining.

Well, to everyone but the brunt of the joke.

"Funny."

The sound of magnificent music filled the hall, signaling the attendees to take their seats. You moved to a near seat by Coriolanus as the one by Sejanus was already taken. Sejanus seemed to be explaining something to Coriolanus, but you couldn't hear what. But seeing the color drained from his face assured you that it was nothing good.

All questions were cut off by the booming and crawling voice of Dr. Volumnia Gaul. As she addressed the crowd in her odd manners, you began to wonder what role she is playing in the Academy today. Maybe even the Plinth Prize?

She introduced Casca Highbottom, the constantly intoxicated Dean of the prestigious academy. And the creator the very inventor of the event this "holiday" was created to commemorate along with the Capital victory.

He draws on about the Hunger Games and the students' eagerness for the Plinth Prize winner, but he would never inform of the victor.

No, to your horror and Coriolanus's frustration, there would be one final task to determine the winner.

"But by who is the best mentor in the Hunger Games."

Best said by the creator of the bloodbath. You were meant to create children of your same age or younger into spectacles to win the prize. They didn't have to survive for you to succeed.

The realization that this will only amplify the widespread thought among your peers that districts were subhuman, hit you at once. Second class citizens.

They are to parade around in their last moments, all in mercy of their puppeteers: kids their same age. It sickened you.

But if it sickened you so much why does that voice still keep telling you that at least they have a chance to win? More of a chance then they had given you all.

The continuation of your moral conflict was paused as you tuned back into the words of your stumbling Dean.

"Your entire future rests on this last project. Oh, and I must tell you that anyone caught cheating to give their tributes an unfair advantage… will just have no future at all."

His words seemed a bit targeted and enjoyed too much. Nevertheless, the ceremonial music initiating the Reaping Ceremony began.

As each name from the districts was announced, so was the accompanying mentor. Anxiety began surging through your veins as it finally hit you that you will be an integral part of this year's games.

Blood will be on your hands.

You didn't know what to think when the district one tributes you were announced and your name was absent.

Should you be upset that the likelihood of a successful tribute is going to dwindle the further down the list goes?

When it was district two's turn, you hoped that neither you nor Sejanus are named. You knew he was going to suffer most regardless, but having to mentor someone from his own district was its own special punishment. All hope was crushed, however, when Highbottom opened his mouth.

"How apt. Boy goes to Sejanus Plinth."

The crowd applauded, but the sound of blood in your ears drowned it out. You instantly peered around Coriolanus to look at Sejanus. But his gaze was glued to the floor in front of him. Due to your now-close proximity, you could hear the talk between the two boys.

"You got the pick of the litter."

"You forget. I’m part of that litter."

The grave tone in Sejanus's voice wasn't one of surprise. But rather one of understanding. Understanding why him and why the tribute he landed with.

The tributes and districts kept on coming and coming. But not a singular mention of either you or Coriolanus.

It had gotten to District Ten and yet nothing. You turned to look at him and found him already staring.

That mask was fixed perfectly for all else. But the mask could never mask his eyes.

His now dull blue eyes filled with fear. And Coriolanus Snow showing fear was enough to ensue new waves of emotion in you.

You had the same mask plastered on, but you couldn't stop yourself from fishing your necklace out. You grazed your fingers across the cold metals of all three to calm yourself as District Eleven was finished up.

Your hand dropped to your side and was quickly grabbed and given a squeeze of reassurance by Coryo. Maybe even a transfer of bravery.

You both knew what was to come now. Who was to come.

However, you were too quick to judge.

"Twelve! Boy, Y/N Vaun!"

Maybe you were imagining things or letting your mind play tricks on you, but Highbottom's voice sounded as if it was laced with a slight enjoyment.

However, your attention was turned to the boy appearing on the screen. Jessup Diggs. He was tall and broader than you would have imagined. His face was stone cold and lifeless. A mirror of yours. How odd.

The moment to analyze was over as soon as it started when Highbottom began again.

"Oh. You’ll be happy about this, Ms. Crane. The “runt girl” from District 12, she belongs to Coriolanus Snow. Lucy Gray Baird."

The whole room seemed to freeze as a girl in a beautifully designed colorful dress walked solemnly to the front. A boy seemed to try to talk to her, but her eyes stayed forward with her hand clasped behind her back.

"What is that dress? Is she some sort of clown?" Arachne mocks, but you found it fascinating.

"I think it's beautiful."

Your genuine and soft admission brought back Coriolanus Snow's senses. But they were reinvigorated when a red-haired girl began shrieking in the crowd. It made him stand up in fear and shock. The mayor's daughter, apparently.

Others in the hall seemed horrified and disgusted. Especially with Lucy Gray's musical performance and ending line.

According to Arachne, she was mentally ill. But to you, she was fascinating.

While everyone began getting up, you leaned over to a still-shocked Coriolanus. "Even when all the odds were against your favor, you still seemed to bag a winner."

You really believed she had a shot at winning. She already had attention and clear potential. You could tell Coriolanus was thinking the same thing, but his hope was not fully shared with your amount in the girl. Lucy Gray is clearly outgoing and has, at least, the ability to charm. She is going to need a lot more than that, but fortunately, she has a clever mentor.

You stated as much in an empty hallway that you shared with Coriolanus. He was racked with stress and purpose as he paced back and forth the space.

"You know he purposely gave me the weakest tribute. He is doing all he can to stop me from moving forward!"

He took a strong bite of the crackers that he sneakily grabbed from the table of food earlier. You leaned on a pillar as you let him rant.

"Let him do all he can! Fate seems to have different plans. And was it that you always say? 'Snow lands on top!' "

He stopped his pacing to land in front of you. He had a few crumbs on his shirt that you instinctively brushed off without thought.

His glance back and forth between your features and hand on his chest.

"And besides, the future president of Panem is gonna deal with a lot of petty men like him. You are just getting early practice."

Your optimism showed through your pretty smile. You peeked up at him, and the intensity of his eyes had you bite your lip in nervousness. Maybe you stepped over the line? Maybe you got too comfortable? Maybe—

All thoughts seemed to dissipate the instant Coryo leaned in.

You didn't know what to do and were doing your best not to freak out. It's not like you didn't want to because that would be the biggest lie of your life.

But you've never kissed anyone before. And what if he was just wrecked with nerves?! What if it meant nothing?

What if it meant nothing.

But as Coriolanus was a millimeter from your lips, the clearing throat paused any further action. You quickly turned your head as the blonde opened his eyes and followed your gaze.

Oh, had he wished he didn't.

There stood the cursed Dean. A look you couldn't decipher expressed on his face.

"President? Well, my oh my. Ambitious, just like your father."

You glanced to your right as Snow now stood next to you, with a guarded yet confused look.

"Oh yes. He and I were best friends. Once."

Highbottom's targeted gaze fixed on you. "And your dear mother. I was so saddened to hear of her untimely passing."

His tone, however, felt anything but. He turned his attention back to the heir of House Snow.

"Enlighten me, Mr. Snow. What are your plans after these Games?"

"And if you fail to win the Plinth Prize, what then?"

"I hope to go on to the University, sir. Naturally." Coryo answered as if it was the most preposterous question in the world.

"We’d pay the tuition, of course."

Casca Highbottom's sunken eyes seemed to shine as if he had caught fresh prey.

"Look at you. Your makeshift shirt and your too-tight shoes. Trying desperately to fit in when I know the Snows don’t have a pot to piss in."

Both you and Coriolanus had bewildered looks gracing your features on his knowledge. The boy's breathing deepened as he tried to calm himself, but you could see the small sheet of sweat building on his face and neck.

Highbottom was already satisfied with his effect on Crassus Snow's poor offspring. But what more could a little fun hurt?

He took calculated steps towards you, and Coriolanus took a noticeable step forward, as if a shield from the hollow man's words. The dark-haired man's eyes seared into the ever-attention-getting silver ring. His smile made your skin crawl.

"And here I thought you would be smarter than your mother. But of course, the Snows are known to be entitled."

And with that, he turned his back, making his grand exit. He didn't even turn to give a look as he addressed Coriolanus.

"Good luck with that poor little songbird."

Once assured he was truly gone, you and Coriolanus shared a look. A look of horror, anger, and determination. Determination to make Highbottom wish he ate his words.

He may have thought he put you both in the worst positions possible. But there is a thing about two people put in a corner.

They can create quite a stir.

And there sure was a storm brewing.

Your anchor and lifesaver being the retreating blonde with a straightened back and a purpose never more solidified.

⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆

A/N: AND ITS FINALLY OUT! pls don't send me into the arena🙏 I know I said it would be out DAYS ago (maybe even a week ago im sorry!) But I didn't like my original draft as it seemed just too rushed. I don't wish to post bad writing just to be timely. I hope you guys enjoyed the newest chapter and please let me know what you guys think and if you enjoy the longer chapters! Pls lmk guys I have been awake nearly 24 hours. Much love❤️

@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹@mindymeeksmartinsgf 🌹@dilucpegg3r 🌹

[saey707]

Crazy in Love

✿ Prompt: You're the only one on Kayn's mind ✿

♡ champion focus: kayn ♡ tw: mental illness ♡ Fem reader

Author's Note: I felt inspired by something I wrote with my best friend a while back! Note: this piece is going to be a modern au and the reader uses she/they pronouns! (๑>؂•̀๑) Please also take into account: what I write is not an absolute and entirely accurate depiction of schizophrenia. I wanted to try and aim for how Kayn perceives the world in accordance with his lore. Hope you enjoy!

Every day, after a long and hard day at school, Kayn made it his priority to see you. As worn and tuckered out as he was mentally and emotionally, Kayn somehow always found time to meet you outside of your classroom.

You studied in 2-A, the exact opposite end from where his classroom was in the school. While it was far, Kayn didn't mind the walk, so long as he got to see your radiant, smiling face. It was the one thing he looked forward to every single day!

Roughly turning the corner at the last turn in the hallway, Kayn clamored his way down the hall, huffing for air as he stood tall, slicking his hair back with his free hand and smoothening out the front of his uniform. He wouldn't want you to think he neglects his appearance!

"Babe??" He called out looking around the empty hallway. But, seeing how you weren't outside your classroom, he began to make his way before the 2-A sliding doors.

He heaved the door open, looking around the classroom with a great, excited grin on his face... "Babe?"

Kayn noticed your absence, and his smile turned into a confused pout. How strange... You weren't outside of the classroom... And you weren't inside either. You couldn't have possibly gone home early today either! That's irregular!

Sure, it has happened a number of times... He remembered when you explained to him you had matters at home you had to take care of. Not to mention, you were a part of multiple clubs at the school so they sometimes pulled you away for emergency meetings... But even then, you made time for him like he did for you!

Consumed in his own thoughts, it wasn't until Kayn felt a tap on his shoulder did he abruptly spin around. However, as he turned, his braid nearly smacked you in the face, Kayn sheepishly smiling.

Staring down at the top of your head, Kayn knew: It was you! He always found it endearing how much shorter you were compared to him...

Then again, Kayn was pretty big, compared to all of the other students at Ionia High, but that was only because he was adopted from a foreign country.

"You're here. Where were you? I thought you had something come up today." Kayn admitted, placing both of his hands on your arms.

"Sorry, baby," You apologized with an exasperated sigh, Kayn sinking into your touch when you placed your hand on his cheek, "I went to the vending machine to get us both a drink!"

Kayn watched as you reached into your bag, revealing a bottled tea for yourself and canned coffee for him.

"Thanks, but you didn't have to get me anything... I have money you know." He pointed out, nevertheless accepting the drink when you held it out to him.

"I know! I just thought you should have something special before your dad picks you up." You informed him, Kayn clutching the can with a nod. He would be sure to save it for when he gets home!

"Okay, but tomorrow I'm buying!" He declared, chuckling when he noticed you laughing delightedly at his decision.

For the next half an hour, Kayn was content to discuss your shared plans for your next date night, allowing you to go into great detail about what you wanted to do with him. At least this would give him something to look forward to during the weekend!

And eventually, Zed arrived to pick up Kayn, pulling open the sliding door to classroom 2-A, noticing his son sitting at a desk today. He knew if it wasn't a desk, Kayn was either curled up in a corner or sitting outside the classroom.

"Kayn? Are you alright?" He asked, Kayn turning around. While it delighted Zed to see how happy his son was, at the same time, he couldn't help but feel like something was... immensely wrong.

"Dad! You're here!" Zed smiled at the boy, striding over to him and touseling the young man's hair.

"What are you doing here all alone again? I was waiting in the car for you, but you never came down..." The older man inquired cautiously, placing his hand on Kayn's shoulder.

"Oh, my girlfriend just left... I was really hoping you could meet her today, but you're too late again." Kayn rambled with a pout, standing and passing his bag to his father's open arms. Before he could forget, he plucked up the can of coffee you gifted him.

"Oh? I'm sorry. I'll get you sooner tomorrow then."

Kayn hummed, walking out of classroom 2-A alongside his adoptive father, checking his phone with his free hand to see if you sent him a message. But, when he saw nothing but a reminder for him to take his medication, he slid the reminder off his lock screen and pocketed his phone.

Zed shot a nervous glance up at his boy, Kayn beaming and looking down at his... empty hands.

"Uh... So, don't forget that you have therapy today before we go to the dojo and train." Zed interjected, noticing how the boy wasn't listening to him.

"My girlfriend got me this canned coffee today... I think you'd like her." Kayn commented, Zed tiredly exhaling. "She must be really special to you."

"Dad, are you kidding? I'm crazy about her! She's always on my mind! She gives me things to look forward to and... I just feel so much better with her around..."

"You know you'd feel better if you took your medication..." Zed retorted, Kayn huffing and crossing his arms stubbornly.

"Yeah, but she's real. The both of us are real."

With how happy Kayn seemed, Zed really wished you were real.

[obxsideblog]

SEASON 4 RAFE/KIARA FIC RECS

—

eating and being eaten belong to the terrible secret of love by gabrieeella

"Hey, can I help you?"

Her hair's pulled into two fitful braids. There are wild curls springing out from her bandana. Everything about her is always so rebellious, so tediously uncontainable.

"I don't know, can you?"

Her eyes flick up in alarm at his voice. He smiles. He likes that he can make all that warm, sanctimonious blood freeze.

Or, now that Ward's gone, Rafe accidentally telescopes his toxic devotion onto someone else.

—

Polaris by krystalssclear

Revenge.

Can it be achieved without changing a person completely? Kiara wasn't sure, and at that moment she sure as hell didn't care. Her mind is set on one thing and one thing only, taking down Chandler Groff.

And who better to help her on this journey then the self-proclaimed killer, Rafe Cameron?

—

forever young by Hollidayy

“Alea iacta est,” Pope says. It’s all over. They’re just six shadows on the pavement. The sirens are like a ghostly howl now, the blue lights so far that it feels like the streets have fallen into a starless night. John B furrows his brow. “What did you just call me?” “It’s Latin. The die is cast,” he explains gloomily. “It means there’s no turning back.”

(i.e. the aftermath of 4x10.)

—

better man by yanak324

“It’s fitting,” he laughs, a loud cynical sound.

“A tiara for a princess.”

Kiara wants revenge. Rafe is more than happy to oblige. What they find is altogether different.

—

Anything But Your Enemy by DramioneShipperz

Revenge was a double-edged sword. It's a poison that eventually dissolves into regret. Ill-gotten satisfaction was fleeting afterall.

One year after J.J.’s death, Kie struggles to cope with blood-stained hands as she finds relief and acceptance with the one person she had sworn she would always despise. Rafe Cameron. A broken entitled Kook and a murderer.

Between chance encounters, Rafe finds he can’t ignore the distinct feeling of guilt driving him to protect Kiara Carrera from the Kooks and herself. He never expected to learn his attraction for her wasn't as one-sided as he thought. Even if she was part-Pogue.

Kie and Rafe find they could help each other. What better way to cut through the feeling of being numb and alone than to sleep with the enemy? Literally.

—

I now know the depths I reach are limitless by Summertime_saddness 

“I know what this is.” Rafe pulled the shirt over his head, his toned torso didn’t contain a single scar. In another life, Kiara might have been self conscious, instead she did the same, revealing the same stained bra she’d been wearing for weeks.

“You’re sad about your boyfriend,” he continued, pushing her down against the makeshift bed, reaching out to finger the yellowing strap of her bra, “and that bitch Sofia screwed me over.”

—

PROACTIVE by pennedbylisse

There's a lot of things wrong with Rafe Cameron. For starters, he's emotionally volatile, cognitively unstable. Then, there's the whole era of being a junkie, followed shortly by his murderer phase, then by his greedy man-of-the-house, ends-justify-the-means-entrepreneur thing he had going on when he melted a historical artifact and sold it out. There's a lot more wrong with Rafe Cameron than originally thought.

It's exactly why he doesn't mind soiling his hands a little further. Not if it means he can preserve Kiara Carrera's innocence.

Try as he might to explain the protective impulses he has over his sister's childhood best friend, he falls short of answers. He'd kill for her, that he knows, on this primal level. He will kill for her.

—

It gets better with time by Roses4Mai

Two years ago, JJ Maybank died in the Moroccan desert. Two years ago, his friends had to get used to the fact he was gone forever.

Two years ago, Kiara Carrera lost her soulmate.

Two years after, she's finally healing.

She has moved on.

Too bad JJ didn't get the memo.

----

JJ comes back to Outer Banks two years after his "death." When he arrives, he realizes things have drastically changed.

—

last updated: december 12 2024

[shiorimakibawrites]

Idea: A Fragile Thing (Daredevil)

Brainstorming notes - Thoughts, comments, suggestions and other feedback are welcome.

Warning: Spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame - Temporary Character Death - Pregnancy Fic - Kid Fic - Grief - Eventual Happy Ending

A Fragile Thing

Matt Murdock / Daredevil x Reader

Title Inspiration: Hope can be a fragile thing seems to be a general phrase, not a specific author.

Possible Ch. Titles –

You are married to Matt Murdock / Daredevil.

You haven’t been feeling very well lately – very tired, achy, nauseous and vomiting, odd or increased sensitivity to smells . . . you are pretty sure that you have the flu but Matt (the hypocrite) wants you to go to the doctor.

But WORK is very busy and the last thing you want to spent your energy and limited time on, is going to the doctor.

(1) Compromise by promising to talk to Claire. Who agrees that it could be flu but also asks if you are sure that you aren’t pregnant.

(2) Makes the appointment because you know that look, Matt was not going to let this go.

(3) Combination where on Claire’s suggestion, you take a home pregnancy test but go to your doctor for confirmation.

Either on, on the day you were sure, you go home to tell Matt but before you can tell him that he is going to be a father, the Snap happens. Matt turns to dust.

Neither Karen or Foggy were dusted.

Rest of the story is trying to get through your pregnancy and raise your daughter Hope without your husband.

You name her “Hope” as reflection of that your hopes that Matt wasn’t gone forever, that one day Matt would get to meet his child . . . and little Hope wouldn’t just know her father only from stories and pictures.

The sheer unnaturalness of Matt’s ‘death’ makes it very difficult to accept as permanent – it feels more like he’s missing rather than dead.

You want to believe that you’ll get Matt back but it gets harder and harder with each passing year.

You understand that some encouraging you to move on are just trying to help but particularly if they don’t lose very much, part of you just wants to punch those people. Hard.

Maybe the only person whose sympathy doesn’t feel like pity or seems best understand your combination of anger and helpless from watching your husband disappear in front of your eyes is Frank. Absolutely no romantic feelings for Frank – your relationship is entirely platonic. He’s like the big brother you never had.

You love Hope fiercely but she reminds you so much of Matt and you can’t stay that it doesn’t hurt.

Maybe as part of your attempts to maintain hope, you make a memory box for Matt. Like maybe a recording on Hope’s heartbeat during your pregnancy, swatches from her favorite clothes, molds of the her little hands and feet – you take pictures too and write things down so when (if) Matt comes back, you can give him as much as that missing time as possible.

When Matt comes back, he is very confused. One minute, he was hearing people start to panic – then he suddenly feels weak and ill – he fell to his knees – the last thing he heard was your pained, terrified voice saying ‘no, no, Matt, please . . .’. The next, he’s standing in his living room – feeling fine – hearing the city erupting into chaos – you are clinging to him sobbing – there is a little girl calling you ‘Mommy’ he doesn’t know in the apartment . . .

Maybe as the happy ending, about nine months after Matt’s return, you and Matt have another daughter named Joy.

[mothergold]

Disabled!Reader Headcanons with some of my genshin favs <3

Warnings: minors please do not interact, Reader is physically disabled, Reader is mentally ill, Reader is gender neutral, Reader uses a mobility aid (cane and wheelchair), Reader has chronic pain, he/him pronouns for Albedo, Diluc, & Kaeya, she/her pronouns for Kokomi, Candace, Hurt/Comfort, Reader is implied to have agoraphobia, 1.2k words, anyone can read but please be respectful, any ableists will be blocked on sight!

Characters: Albedo, Kokomi, Kaeya, Candace, Diluc

A/n: This is just a little self indulgent thing i wrote for myself, because I needed the pick me up to be honest. Please know I am writing from my own experiences as a disabled person and that these experiences may not be universal, so please don’t get upset if you can’t relate, because again these are from my own experiences. Other than that please be respectful and abeists fuck off thanks <3

Albedo

Albedo is probably more sensitive when it comes to your disabilities. He helps you up and about through the day whenever you need the extra boost, or grabs your aid for you if it isn't within reach. You were a little embarrassed to use your aid in front of Albedo, purely out of bad experiences with past partners, but he made you feel at home in your body in an instant. He respects your boundaries, watches you to make sure you don’t overwork yourself, and goes above and beyond for you in every single way imaginable. Albedo vowed to protect you as much as possible, knowing you didn’t have that ability in the same way he did. Bedo even put some research into your disabilities hoping to find ways to help you live a happy and painless life. Albedo was good to you, almost perfect. He never judged, said a hurtful or ignorant word, and always, and I mean always, loved and cared for you no matter what state you were in. At the end of the day he just wanted you to be happy and cared for, and if you were? Well, then Albedo was happy, too. 

Kokomi

Everyday Sangonamiya Kokomi would start the day early with a nice walk along the oceanside, picking up any shells and pearls she found along the way, placing them gently in her bag. All so she could bring them back home to you as a gift before she had to eventually part ways for the day to do her work. She’ll leave a note for you to read once you’ve woken up, knowing that you’d oftentimes sleep in late and wake up when she was long gone, but thankfully that meant you would see her sooner. Or at least that’s what you told her jokingly whenever she gently suggested you go to bed earlier. When you’re in pain Kokomi will try her damndest to heal you, taking her hands and hovering it over the wound with a concentrated face, until either the pain slightly subsides or you ask her to stop. You know that not always will her healing help you, but you accept it regardless with a smile on your face. 

Kaeya

People always say laughter is the best medicine and Kaeya would agree with that sentiment. Whenever you’re experiencing a pain flare up Kaeya is quick to get you whatever you need in a timely manner, but he’s also known for cracking a few lighthearted jokes to distract you from the pain. He loves to tell you how beautiful that smile of yours is and how sorry he is that you’re suffering so much, and how he dearly wishes he could help. You’d smile back at him and assure him his presence was the only thing you needed on your bad days, and of course your usual pain regiment. He’d come home from a long day at work to tell you all about the sights he saw and the stories he heard and everything he had witnessed. It was his own little way of bringing you along with him on his journeys knowing you couldn’t always leave the house so easily as he could. Kaeya wanted you to feel the joys of life, even if some days had to be spent indoors. So, every day he made a goal to make you laugh or smile each day, and not every day did he succeed in that, but he tried his damndest regardless and that’s all that mattered to you. 

Candace

She takes good care of you, brings you your medication and aid when you need it, holds you when things are too much on you, and lets you cry all your pain out on her warm shoulder. She’ll hold you close as you cringe in pain and sob in her arms, humming a sweet lullaby to soothe your pain. Candace is sweet and motherly, and will protect you from any potential harm that comes your way whether it’s real or imagined. After a long day of protecting the village she adores coming home to you, bringing you flowers and fruit as an offering for being gone for so long, but you’d wave your hands and assure her that no apology was necessary. You’d only wish for her warm embrace and soft hums to get you through the remainder of the night. Mornings with Candace were your favorite. You’d wake up to a table full of wonderful smelling food and afterwards she’d take you out for a walk around the village. The two of you would chat up conversations with villagers and friends alike, until you grew too tired and needed to go back home to rest and take it easy. It’s moments like those that you realize just how much happier you are with Candace in your life, you wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Diluc Every day Diluc makes sure you are doing your exercises, encouraging you with a gentle tone to slowly get up for the day and do your daily walk and physical therapy exercises. He would press the back of his palm to your forehead to check your temperature, urging you to get up for the day. He knows it’s your least favorite part of the day, but both of you knew it had to happen regardless. After he made sure you had your breakfast and done your exercises, and even finished your walk with him; he’d bring out your wheelchair and take you into the front of the winery, letting you soak in the sun and sights as he talked to you about his plans for the days ahead. He might even surprise you with a new outfit to wear on a day out to the city of Mondstadt. Watching with a tender smile as your face lit up at his words when he explained the surprise and what exactly it entailed. You were grateful that Diluc wouldn’t let you stay holed up inside all day, even if some days you wished he’d just let you wallow, you were glad he took such good care of you. And if there was one thing you knew about Diluc it was that he was sure to take the utmost best care of you and would for a very, very long time.

[dahliarose2]

KINDRED SPIRITS - PART 7

summary: negan brings carl back to alexandria as he spreads his anarchy even further. rick and the group gather allies and meet king ezekiel. meanwhile, you deal with the frightful consequences of helping daryl and sherry escape before a certain confession from someone changes that

daryl dixon x reader

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6

Negan and Carl had arrived on their surprise trip to Alexandria, immediately heading straight to Rick's house where Olivia was watching Judith, Negan interrogating her over where Rick was as she insisted she didn't know. He had hassled Olivia until she was in eventual tears, making Carl give him a grand tour of the house. While Rick and many of the others were gone, he waited for Rick, voting to play house while Rick was away, playing darts, making spaghetti. Carl felt ill as he watched the man who killed people he cared about, sit down in his house, in his dad's chair at the table, and pretend everything was fine,

Soon after, Spencer called around to the house, seemingly offering a friendly drink and a chat, which made Carl stare on in confusion and anger at Spencer fraternizing with their enemy. Negan accepted of course, even playing a game of pool with him to hear what he had to say, as everyone watched. He listened to Spencer ramble on and on about how he should be put in charge of Alexandria, never really liking Rick all that much. "Rick is not the one you should be putting your trust in here. His ego is out of control. He isn't really much of a team player," Spencer revealed as he took his turn, Negan watching him closely,

"And you're proposing, let me guess," Negan starts, hitting one of the balls succesfully into one of the pockets on the table, "that I kill Rick and put you in charge." Spencer nodded, as Negan threw his head back a little, letting a loud laugh erupt from him. "See, the thing is Spencer, Ricky boy is out there scavenging for me to save everyone's sorry asses here. He is swallowing his hate and getting shit done. That takes guts," he spoke with a wide grin. Negan strolled nonchalantly towards Spencer, who was disappointed by not getting the response he wanted from Negan. His plan to manipulate Negan into killing Rick and doing the dirty work for him, had fallen flat,

"And then there's you. Waiting for Rick to be gone before you sneak up and ask me to do your dirty work for you. Why not just do the damn thing yourself. Kill Rick. Take over," he suggests, but the tone he's using is making Spencer and everyone else uneasy. He's smiling but his voice makes it evident he doesn't like to be manipulated, especially not into doing anyone's dirty work. Spencer began stuttering as he tried to deny wanting Rick dead, but it was too late for that. "You wanna know why I think you didn't do that?" Negan asked, clearly rhetorically, now in front of Spencer's face intimidatingly, "because I have a brilliant guess. You have. no. guts,"

Without warning, Negan drove his bat threw Spencer's stomach who stood there mouth agape. Multiple gasps could be heard as Negan only smiled wider, tugging Lucille to the right, as Spencer's guts began falling out freely from his frame, as he landed in a pile on the floor. "How embarrassing," Negan tutted, gazing down at Spencer's form, now covered in blood himself from dealing the blow. Everyone stood in shock, some people crying. Rosita's face twitched in anger as she stared in disbelief as Negan continued to taunt people. "Someone better get up here and clean this shit up. C'mon, finish the game," he ordered with a laugh, Rosita coming closer to her breaking point,

"I'm winning," he chanted, before Rosita had pulled the gun so quick, no one had noticed until it was too late and she had fired the bullet that Eugene had made her, as she panted angrily. "Shit," Negan yelled, louder than anyone had heard him yell, usually laid back in his wickedness, "what the shit?" He began waving Lucille around wildly, seeing the bullet that had gone clean through the bat, as Arat, one of the Saviors tackled Rosita to the floor. Negan stormed over, yelling in Rosita's face, whose only care was that she'd missed, not caring what would happen to her now. "Who made this?" Negan seethed, as Arat's knife moved to rest not so gently against Rosita's cheek,

"It was me," Rosita gritted out, but Negan immediately shook his head, clearly not believing her. "Nope. Now I think you're lying," he stated coolly, "Arat. Kill someone." She wasted no time, much to Rosita's loud protests who now had a long gash on her cheek from the dagger, pulling her gun out of her holster aiming straight at Olivia as she landed on the floor in a dead heap. Everyone gasped once again as they watched 2 of their people being killed in the same 5 minutes. Just as people began to sob, and stare blankly at the scene, Rick rounded the corner, a wounded Aaron in tow, courtesy of the Saviors, as he stared dumfounded at the situation that had unfolded,

"Rick, you're back," Negan fake cheered, as Rick stormed towards him, "I was just very lenient with your people here. You know, people have been having a hoot while you were out on your scavenge for me." Rick stared at him confused, as Negan pointed at Carl who was crouched beside Olivia on the porch, in shock. "Your little boy snuck into one of my trucks, killed a bunch of my men and I returned him home safely and even made him some dinner. Another one here wanted me to take you out for him and put him in charge. Did you a favor. And lastly, this one here tried to killed me, and shot Lucille, so I gave you one less mouth to feed," Negan explained loudly with a shit-eating grin as Rick reeled from the scene, looking between the bodies and Rosita kneeled on the floor, who looked furious,

Rick looked up at Carl angrily for his recklessness as he turned back to Negan, biting his tongue. "Your shit is at the gate. So just. go," Rick practically growled as he stood as intimidating as possible, in front of Negan who only laughed in his face. Negan ignored him, swinging Lucille in his gloved hand. "I mean, attempted murder by 2 Alexandrians in the same day. I must have 9 lives or something," he joked, as Rick stared at him confused. "What do you mean 2?" he asked gruffly. "Oh silly me, you wouldn't have known about the first one," Negan stated as if it wasn't obvious, throwing his palm to his forehead dramatically, acting as though he forgot, "my wife tried to drive a knife through my heart earlier today. Isn't that the most Shakespeare shit you've ever heard," Negan quipped with a booming laugh as Rick's confusion leaked from his face, making way for an angry expression, as he knew Negan was talking about you,

"But don't worry, we're sorting that out back at the Sanctuary. It was quite the fiasco this morning," he laughed, as Rosita's rage only grew as she heard him use you to taunt them even further, wishing she had asked Eugene to make 2 bullets, so she could have another go right now. Rick struggled to bite his tongue at the mention of you, hating that you were still being used as leverage against them, wondering if Daryl was okay too. "Now before I go, I want the guy or gal who made this bullet here," Negan demanded in a sing-song voice, twisting the bullet casing in his fingers as no sooner than he'd said it, Tara had stepped forward, refusing to let another person get murdered over it,

"It was me," she shouted fiercely, but Eugene interrupted her. "No it wasn't. It was me," he sobbed like that of a child. Once he began to explain how he made it through shaky cries, Negan listened intently, before walking away, harshly swinging the bat upward making everyone around him flinch. "Lucille give me strength," he whispered with his eyes closed, before turning back around to Rick who was practically emanating rage at what Negan had just done. "I'll be relieving you of your bullet maker Ricky boy. And everything you just scavenged? Not enough. You are on probation after this," Negan threatened, before waving his men down, one of them grabbing Eugene forcefully, "now let's move out. I'll see you next time. I'll tell Y/N and Daryl that you send your love,"

Rick held himself back, angry tears pooling in his eyes as he watched the Saviors leave. Little did Negan know, that was the last straw, and he had just incited a war. When Michonne returned from her mission of her own, she found Rick who hugged her close. "We have to fight back," Michonne whispered, as she ran her hands through his hair. "Yeah we do. I know that now," Rick confessed, sounding much less placid than before, done peace-keeping and bowing down to Negan and the Saviors. He vowed then and there that no matter how long it took, he was going to save you and Daryl, and he was kill every single last Savior for what they had done to his family, knowing where he needed to go now,

---------------------

Maggie climbed the wooden ladder, stopping at the top of the lookout spot to see people walking towards the gates. She squinted for a moment, before her heart warmed as she rapidly descended the steps, running to the gate to see her people walking in. Rick immediately greeted her with a warm hug, before whispering something to her. She pulled away, not being able to hear him as she stared at him confusedly. "You were right the whole time. We have to fight back," he agreed with Maggie, who had been frustrated with their lack of rebellion and action. Maggie smiled at his words, before hugging Michonne as people had their reunions, Rosita and Sasha sharing a respectful nod towards one another,

"There's someone you should see," Maggie said a bit more serious now as Rick glanced at her bewildered as he followed her over to the double wooden doors next to the building leading to the basement. Jesus glanced at Rick and Maggie nervously as she nodded, he opened the doors as Rick tried to look in, walking down the steps. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Daryl, but he was equally shocked to see him tied to a chair, writhing around in his spot. Once Daryl, had spotted Rick, his thrashing stopped. "Rick?" he asked gruffly, as Rick couldn't come up with any words to say, dumbfounded, as he felt a few tears well in his eyes,

He looked back at Maggie giving her a look that told her to explain. "Jesus was with Carl when they hid in the truck. He only wanted to make a trail to the Sanctuary but Carl didn't jump out of the truck when he was supposed to. He was deadset on going to kill Negan. Jesus went looking for him and found Daryl on the way," Maggie explained, as Rick and Michonne listened, while Jesus stood a bit further back. "Tell 'em the rest," Daryl grunted out angrily. glaring right at Jesus, which Michonne noticed, looking at Jesus who stared down at the ground bashfully, looking almost fearful,

Maggie sighed, as if she didnt want to say the next part. "Daryl managed to get out, thinking Y/N was already out and wanted to go back in and save her. Jesus knocked Daryl out to get him back here. Y/N is still at the Sanctuary," Maggie said regretfully, as Rick's gaze alternated between a nervous Jesus in the corner and a furious Daryl. "He refused to stay here, insisting on going back, so this was the only way," she stated as she pointed to the ropes keeping him constricted. At the sight of Jesus, Daryl began to move around in the bindings once again, wanting to strangle him for what he did. Rick looked at Jesus who began to stutter,

"I-I didn't know what else to do. If we had've gone back in, we never would've made it out safely without being seen," Jesus reasoned as he held his hands up, not wanting to be blamed. "Then you should've left me there. You could've run off like the little coward you are. You lied and told me you had her safely in the car. And you can't keep me tied up in 'ere forever. So you better hope you're far away when I'm not anymore," Daryl seethed threateningly as Rick intervened. "Alright. That's enough," he raised his voice slightly, "Jesus just get out of here." He nodded hesitantly as he left the basement, feeling Daryl's menacing stare on him the entire time, making him feel uneasy,

"Daryl, I'm gonna untie you, but do not leave the Hilltop. Negan doesn't know yer gone yet. And when he finds out, when he gets back to the Sanctuary, he's gonna have his people out lookin' for you. You can't leave the Hilltop. The only way you're going to be able to help save Y/N, is if you're here, not locked back up in the Sanctuary," Rick persuaded sternly, seeing Daryl's face shift slightly, knowing Rick was right. Once his anger had dissipated into his usual, normal anger-like state, Rick moved to cut the ropes as Daryl stood up. "What's the plan?" Daryl asked immediately, "how're we gonna get her back?" Rick put his hand out towards Daryl. "We can't make a move just yet. We have to be smart about this," he argued, as Daryl began to get riled up again at everyone's lack of action on the subject,

"We will save her soon I promise you t-" Rick started to assure Daryl, placing his hand on his shoulder, but Daryl shrugged it off, Maggie and Michonne watching him pace a little now. "Nah you don't get it, do you?" Daryl yelled, getting up in Rick's face, "she's the one who got me out of there. She saved me. Because I was too useless to save her. And now, she's stuck there. You don't think he's gonna know it was her who helped me escape? You don't think he's gonna hurt ‘er for it?" He raved and ranted, as Rick went silent, looking down, knowing the last part was probably true. Daryl's heart broke in two, thinking of you being punished for his disappearance,

"You ain't got a clue, man. You don't know what it's like in there. How scared she was. How scared I was," as he pointed at Rick accusingly, who just listened, Michonne's eyes filling with tears at the thought of what you both had to go through, and what it would be like for you alone now. "If it were any one of you in there instead of her, and she was here? She'd be making a move now. She'd be- she'd. Hell she'd be doin' somethin'," he fumed as he rambled, the others just letting him, as his resolve started to crumble slowly, as much as he tried to keep it up. "So, we've gotta. We've gotta save her- we've gotta...," he trailed off as tears welled in his eyes, trying to push them down, turning his back to his friends, as he tried to hide his grief,

He felt guilty. He just wanted you here, safe. He flinched as he felt a hand on his shoulder, turning to see Rick, who used the grip on his shoulder to pull him in as he stood, not wanting to reciprocate the hug, not wanting to admit the pain he was feeling, still trying to convince himself that he didn't need comfort; that he didn't deserve it. He was safe back at Hilltop, and you were still imprisoned in the Sanctuary, and he was the one being hugged and comforted. He felt pathetic as Rick held him tighter, making his tears fall faster. "We're gonna find her. I promise you. We're gonna figure this out," Maggie promised from where she stood, and she meant it. Daryl knew that she meant it. After seeing what Negan had done to Glenn, Maggie would do anything to prevent Daryl going through the same pain if he decided to kill you in a fit of rage upon seeing Daryl's breakout,

Rick pulled away from the hug, as Michonne stood next to him, both offering Daryl sympathetic glances, Michonne's gaze having a bit more conviction, as she would be ready to fight for you whenever the time came. You were one of her good friends, and not only that, but you were good. You were a good person. And Michonne wasn't going to let another good person suffer at the hands of Negan. "Let's gather everyone. We'll start planning now," Rick suggested, as he offered Daryl a small smile, who wiped away the few tears that had managed to spill out, giving a forceful nod in his direction, as they all walked out of the basement, gathering the others for a meeting,

---------------------

Gathered now in Gregory's office, chaos began to ensue at the hands of Gregory's cowardice and refusal to fight. "How many people can we spare? How many can fight?" Maggie asked sternly as she placed her hands on either side of the desk, looking at him at eye-level as he scoffed, leaning forward. "We?" he laughed, as the others began to grow angry. "We're gonna win," Rick forced, as Gregory rolled his eyes. "These are killers. We have farmers. They don't know how to fight," Gregory quipped, before Rosita piped up. "Give me a week," she promised, meaning it. "That was rhetorical," he corrected sassily,

"What happens out of my purview, stays out of my purview," he stated smugly, as Daryl jumped forward from his spot leaning against the wall, trying to walk towards him, as Rick stopped him forcefully with a hand to his chest. "You on our side or not?" Daryl yelled, not having time or patience for Gregory's dawdling. "I think I've made my stance pretty clear. You can go back to your little town now." Everyone rolled their eyes as Tara scoffed in disbelief, your group storming out of the room. "This is a joke," Tara complained. "We don't need him anyway," Daryl retorted as Enid rushed into the room, eyes darting to her in panic at her speed,

"Enid, what's wrong?" Maggie asked worried, but when she saw Enid's smile, she knew there was nothing wrong. She led the group outside, showing them the people who had gathered. "We want to help you fight Negan and the Saviors. Do you think we can win?" one of the women asked, as Rick nodded. "I know we can," he stated assuredly. Everyone smiled at the fact that they had more numbers now, as they started walking towards the front gate of Hilltop. "We're still going to need more people," Rick said as he walked, "we have to get back to Alexandria. If they come looking for Daryl, that's the first place they'll look and we need to be ready,"

"What if you didn't need to get back?" Jesus suggested, as Daryl still tried to contain his anger at the sight of him and everyone halted in their movements looking at him confused. "I think it's time to introduce you to Ezekiel and The Kingdom," he smiled as Rick looked at Michonne, unsure of who he was talking about. Within a few minutes, they had arrived at the Kingdom and were being questioned by two of the Kingdom's soldiers, as they requested an audience with King Ezekiel. "We're going to need your guns first," one of them said. "We only have two," Rick said honestly, handing them over. The two soldiers led them through the Kingdom, as they observed people chatting, gardening and running drills, training,

"Morgan?" Tara asks in disbelief, as a smile breaks out on her face, as she walks over to hug him, Rick smiling as he saw him, both of them reuniting. Morgan explained to a disappointed Daryl that he had brought Carol to get help here after a nasty run-in with the Saviors, but that she had gone on her way after that; a lie. Rick nodded as they made their way to see the King to convince him to join their fight. "Ezekiel, I bring like-minded friends from another settlement, Alexandria," Jesus greeted the King, doing a small respectful bow, as he turned to the others who were stood a bit away, cautiously eyeing the tiger that Jesus regretted to tell them about as he muttered an apology to them with a laugh,

"I welcome you all to the Kingdom, good travellers. What brings you here?" Ezekiel welcomes warmly as Ricks steps forward to plead his case. "King Ezekiel, Alexandria, The Hilltop and The Kingdom all have something in common; we're all controlled by the Saviors. We fought them once, and won. But we didn't know then that it was only an outpost. We know of your deal with the Saviors. So you know they rule through fear," Rick explained, but Ezekiel's face contorted with anger as he glared at Jesus who nervously spluttered. "I only told them of t-" but the King interrupted him. "We told you of our deal in confidence. Why did you break it?" he asked accusingly in annoyance,

"I want you to hear Rick's plans," Jesus reasoned. "And what plans have you, Rick Grimes?" Ezekiel asked, willing to hear him out. Rick looked around as the others nodded, turning back to the King. "We want you to help us fight the Saviors, to get freedom for all of us," Rick stated matter-of-factly as Ezekiel looked with worry and skepticism. "What you're asking is very serious," Ezekiel replied, as he seemed to contemplate Rick's offer. "Our people, good people, were murdered brutally by the Saviors," Michonne said sadly, as she walked to stand beside Rick, holding his hand in support,

Morgan's face hardened, as he looked over to Rick and Michonne curiously. "Who?" he inquired, as Rosita spoke up. "Glenn, Abraham, Spencer, Olivia. They kidnapped Eugene. They took Daryl and Y/N, he managed to escape, she's still being held at the Sanctuary," Rosita listed with a touch of spite, "you going to tell us you were right?" Morgan stared at Rosita in disbelief, immediately shaking his head feverishly. "No. I would never. I'm just real sorry they're gone," he said sadly, as Daryl began to pace nervously upon hearing your name, being constantly reminded of the fact that you were still in trouble. And every second the group spent here, was a second lost in getting you back home safe,

Ezekiel sat with a quizzical brow, taking in what everyone was saying slowly, as Sasha explained what they'd done to Glenn and Abraham. "We have strong people, but not enough people," Rick confessed, as Richard, Ezekiel's right-hand man looked between the group and his King. "We have people, and weapons. If we strike first, together, we can do it, Your Majesty," he pleaded, seeing the urgency of the situation. "You have given the King much to ponder, I shall give you my decree in the morn," King Ezekiel announces, as he stood. Rick nodded appreciatively, hoping he would accept their offer,

The morning after, King Ezekiel told the group that he couldn't offer his soldiers or his help, but could offer Daryl asylum, leaving the group angered and dismayed, Daryl more so than anyone. "You call yourself a King, but you sure as hell don't act like one. You not hear what we just told you? About our people? About Glenn and Abraham? About Y/N?" he yelled as Ezekiel looked down, shaking his head. "I can't risk my people's lives," Ezekiel argued, as the group walked off towards the front gate as they grumbled. "I ain't stayin' here," Daryl grunted, as Rick moved to put his hand on his shoulder,

"You have to. We can't have Negan finding you. If you're here, you can try convince Ezekiel," Rick urged, as Daryl fumed, but didn't argue. "We'll be back soon. I promise," Rick assured, as Daryl didn't reply, watching as the doors closed, his group now out of his view,

--------------------

On their way back, Rick and the others had come across a trap that the Saviors had set for a herd of walkers. It only took one glance between Rosita and Rick, for them both to know that they needed these explosives and they could be a real advantage to them. While Rosita got to work, trying to disarm the trap, a message came through on the long-distance radio that Jesus held belonging to the Saviors, as Negan's voice boomed on the other end, unaware that the Alexandrians were listening on the other end. "Simon, get your ass to Alexandria. Tear that place apart until you find Daryl," he demanded as the group looked at one another. Rosita stood up, having successfully stopped the explosives from going off and dismantling the bomb, explaining to the rest of the group what to do and how to do it. "We need to unwrap these explosives as quickly as possible and get back. Let's move," Rick said hastily,

Everyone worked at a quick pace in gathering the explosives, as a herd began to make it's way onto the highway. After a plan set out by Rick, the group had successfully gotten the explosives and managed to keep the herd on the highway, Rick insisting they might need it to their advantage at some point. As they drove away, the group laughed breathlessly as they all panted, amazed that they had pulled it off,

The group arrived back in Alexandria just in time, seeing the Saviors' vans pull up, driving into the settlement as they began to get out, circling the group. "Hello again," Simon greeted, as Rick walked towards him, pretending to be oblivious as to why they were here. "We'd thought it'd be a little longer before the next collection," Rick stated, referring to their supplies. Simon scoffed as he placed his hands on his hips. "We're not here for a tribute. We're here for Daryl," he laughed. "He's not here. We didn't even know he was missing," Rick lied, pretending to look confused as Simon waved towards his men,

"I'm sure you won't mind if we take a look around then. Everyone grab a buddy," Simon hollered, as he grabbed Carl's shoulder, as the group made their way around Alexandria, watching the Saviors loot the place and turn it upside down in search of Daryl. As they walked back to the front gates, after scoffing at the empty pantry that surprised the group, it having been fully stocked before they left, Simon spoke out. "Sorry we couldn't stay but we have a litany of other shit to attend to," he apologized with mock sadness as he walked towards the van, hopping in to close the door,

"Oh and Rick?" Simon asked, as Rick looked up, "if Daryl does turn up here. Let him know Y/N's getting a little lonely on her own." Rick's jaw clenched as he forced himself to nod at Simon's statement. Behind him, Carl stepped forward angrily, but Michonne grabbed his forearm, pulling him back as he breathed heavily at the mention of your name as Simon saluted, driving off with the rest of his soldiers. Rick looked at the others who looked just as angry and worried as Carl had been, noticing the urgency to get you back home safe; and soon. Rick huffed, having to deal with a missing Gabriel and a missing food stock,

-----------------------------------

MEANWHILE.....

You shivered as you hugged into the wall as much possible, trying to generate some warmth. You hadn't eaten since they had put you in here 2 days ago now. At some point throughout that time, you struggled to know when, Sherry whispered through the door on the changing of the guards at your cell, that she had managed to get Daryl out. You thanked her profusely, putting your trust in her now as you beamed brighter than you had in a while, happy that Daryl was hopefully home safe by now, though you knew he probably hated you for trying to play the hero, and staying at the Sanctuary. You didn't care, you'd rather see him angry, than see him in his cell any longer, than see him with new fresh wounds courtesy of Dwight,

Before you knew it, the door to your cell swung open, as you covered your eyes shakily, half from the shock of the door opening, and half due to your lack of food and water. Your vision blurred as a figure walked in, gripping your arm roughly, harshly hauling you off the floor as you cried out. You struggled to stay upright as you were dragged into a room finally, being thrown to the floor. You looked up to see Simon who was the one who had dragged you here. You stared up at him angrily, as he smirked. Before you could ask him anything, the door creaked open, as Negan entered, making you cower slightly, as he sauntered into the room with one Savior next to him,

"So how's my favorite wife doing? You enjoying your new room?" he taunted mockingly, as you stared at the floor from where you were sat, your dress from 2 days ago pooling over your legs, filthy. You didn't reply, as your lip twitched in anger. He walked towards you, as you refused to look at him, as he took your chin in his hand, gentler than you were expecting, as you flinched from his touch, but didn't move away, trying not to agitate him further. Your body shook from both the cold and from dread as he ran his leather glove-clad thumb, over your lip, swiping softly over the stitch that Sherry had done on your cut you had endured from his hit the days previous,

You hissed at the feeling of the rough leather catching in the stitch slightly as he only laughed at your reaction. "Now, back to business," he hollered, as he let go of your chin rapidly, making your face fall down as your head hung low. With a nod given, Simon pulled you up to your feet as you struggled to stay up, as he stood next to you ensuring you wouldn't fall down. You looked up at him now from where you stood, as he paced the room, Lucille resting heavily on his shoulder. "What I wanna know, is how you helped our little buddy Daryl and one of my wives, Sherry escape," he whispered menacingly with a wide grin. You knew he'd eventually come asking you about it, but it didn't stop your blood running cold at the question,

"W-what, I-I don't know what you’re talking about," you replied through shaky breaths, as you stood a bit taller, pretending you knew nothing about them even being gone, which was half true, as you didn't know Sherry had managed to escape after she came to tell you she had freed Daryl. Negan lumbered towards you ever so slowly, unsatisfied with your answer, as he leaned down slightly to be at your eye-level, smirking at you. After a moment of silence, and him staring you up and down, in one swift movement, he had stepped backwards and clicked his fingers. Before you could move, the Savior next to you had kneed you in the abdomen as you let out a pained cry, but closed your mouth quickly, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of hearing you cry. "I-I don't know anything," you repeated, more sure of yourself now. You had thought about it, being logical. 'If he's standing here asking you what you had to do with it, then he really has no proof at all. He doesn't know anything. He’s bluffing,’ you told yourself, maintaining your strong facade as he squinted, analyzing you more closely now, before he nodded again,

You braced yourself this time, seeing the soldier pull his small knife from his sheath, slicing you just at the edge of the skin on your forearm in a long jagged line. You immediately yelped from the cut, bringing your right hand to hold your wound, trying to stop the blood that flowed from it. You went to fall, but Simon only grabbed your forearm, dragging you back up. "I'm gonna ask you one more time. Don't make this harder on yourself, sweetheart. Daryl is gone, Sherry is gone. You were the last person she talked to. And suddenly, they're both missing," Negan's voice boomed, though you knew him better than he thought, and his voice faltered, clearly having no real evidence that it was you who had helped Daryl escape. You didn't know Sherry was planning on escaping, but after she confided in you about the life she lived as one of Negan's wives, you could understand why she fleed, not about to rat her out. She had helped Daryl after all, even when she didn't have to,

You felt one tear fall from your eye from the piercing pain in your arm, grateful that the cut hadn't been deeper, but still biting your tongue to keep your muffled cries under control. "So what. do you know about it?" he growled out, accompanied by a wicked smile. You lifted your head to look at him. "I don't know how they got out. I swear," you promised, putting an innocent, tearful look on your face. He shook his head angrily, looking for a confession from you. Negan nodded once again, as the Savior approached you once again with the bloody knife. You tried to get out of Simon's strong grip, as he moved to hold both of your arms now, as you fought back, thrashing around as much as possible with your fatigue and your wound that was now bleeding profusely,

"No please. I don't know anything," you begged through your tears that started to fall now, as he neared you with the knife, holding it to the bicep of your other arm, beginning to pierce through the skin. You let out a rough, pained scream as he began to cut your skin. "P-please, I don't know anything. You have to listen to me," you yelled through strenuous sobs. Negan seemed to have actually listened to you, as the soldier stopped just as he began to cut deeper, as you were left with much smaller, bleeding cut than on your other arm. Your hair stuck to your forehead from sweat as you panted rapidly now, looking at Negan, who was now leaned against the shut door of the room holding his bar. He stayed silent as he stared at you, intrigued,

You didn't wait for confirmation you could speak, grabbing your opportunity with both hands. "D-don't you think that if I had helped them escape that I would've left with them? I didn't even know Daryl had left, til just now," you weeped, looking at him with pleading eyes. He tried to make it look as though what you were saying didn't make sense, and that he wasn't letting it in, but you knew by the way he was silent, that he was most definitely hearing you out. "I-I mean, Daryl left me?" you asked, your voice cracking as you played your part once again, trying to ignore your blood dripping on the floor as you clutched your arm. You could tell Negan was being convinced, it was working. You just really had to sell it now,

In the silence, as Simon and the Savior shared confused perplexed glances at Negan's lack of speech and his surprisingly calm demeanor, his anger having completely melted away now, as his serious expression remained, but without the animosity it had moments prior. In a bold move, you walked towards Negan, as he waited a moment, before nodding at Simon, who reluctantly let your arms go. "Daryl left me here. He's not who I thought he was. I-I have nothing for me in Alexandria anymore," you croaked out, disheartened, as your tears continued to sting your cheeks. "He abandoned me. I-It's made me realize," you started, now in front of him, gazing up at him with water-filled eyes, as you moved your hand not covered in red to touch his arm. He flinched slightly, wanting to pull away completely, but he didn't,

That let you know that it was possible to sway him now. "Y-y-you were right the whole time. He doesn't love me. I-If he did, he would've rescued me. B-but he didn't because he doesn't care about me," whimpered out, as your fingers begin tracing small soft circles on his knuckles now. "B-but you do. You care about me. D-don't you?" you asked nervously through your sobs, as you looked up at him expectantly as you could see his stony exterior begin to crumble. In a final attempt, you broke down in tears, your hands shaking as you tried to hold your wound tight, crying for a few moments before finally, in the midst of your tears, you felt arms enclose your body as you gasped, but he held you tighter,

You allowed yourself to fall into his hold, wanting it to seem convincing. Your weak arms encircled his waist, as his hand reached to bring your head tighter into his chest as you cried, not caring that blood from your cut was now getting on his jacket. As your emotions began to die down, and your crying stopped, you were brought back to the fact that you were injured. "Shh, it's okay angel," he whispered, and you forced yourself not to smile smugly, at the fact you had fooled him again. You sniffled as you felt your body finally crumple, from exhaustion, from emotion, from blood loss, you weren't sure. He watched your eyes begin to flutter open and closed, blinking slower than normal, as he lifted you up, holding you bridal style now,

"What do we do?" Simon asked annoyed at his leader's naive fondness towards you, as Negan began to walk out, stopping in his tracks at the question. "Get Dwight into a cell. I'll be down to ask him a few questions in a bit," he replied nonchalantly, his signature smile back on his face. You stared up at him from where you lay in his arms as he gazed down at you, wanting nothing more than to push yourself out of his hold, and force yourself to crawl if you had to. But you couldn't, you could barely move from tiredness as you felt your vision darken, black darkness now surrounding you as you passed out. Before you knew it, you felt a cushiony bed beneath you as you opened your eyes fully with force, seeing a man looming over you. In a flurry, seeing him as a threat, you grabbed the first thing next to you, sitting upward rapidly to attempt to strike the individual as you released a loud outcry at your action,

But before you could, your wrist was caught by a strong hand halfway through the motion. You blinked rapidly, everything around you become clearer as you saw a man in a long white coat staring at you, with a scared, fearful expression. You turned your head to the right to see Negan clutching your wrist as he began to laugh amusingly. "Easy now, pocket rocket. This is Dr. Carson. He's just going to bandage you up," Negan explained with a toothy grin as a few pieces of your hair had fallen in front of your face, as you calmed your breathing, letting the syringe, being the first thing you grabbed from the steel table next to you, drop onto the bed as your posture slackened, easing as Dr. Carson shakily continued, finishing his bandage job as he looked at you startled, fearful you would have another outburst as you eyed him warily,

"Atta girl," Negan chanted, as he smiled at you, as you stared now at your bandaged arm. You swung your arms over the side of the medical bed now, looking at the patchjob and the small plaster on the smaller cut on the bicep of your other arm. "C'mon," Negan murmured, as he guided you off the bed. "Thanks," you grumbled to the doctor, as you walked out, his hand at your back, leading you down the hallway. You zoned out as you walked, before he coughed. You stopped and looked up, seeing the door to the same cell you had been in for the last 2 days. You gazed up at him in confusion, as your breathing quickened, dreading going back in there,

He must've sensed your apprehension, as he put his hand on your shoulder, turning you towards him now. "I know, I know. But I need you in here until I find out who helped Sherry and Daryl escape. I know it wasn't you. But I can't let you out until I figure out who it was," he comforted as you wanted to scream 'fuck you' in his face. He knew it wasn't you, despite the fact that it actually was you. But was still keeping you in here anyway. You faked being accepting, as you sent him a slight smile, trying to tell him you understood, even though you wanted to scream, as he placed a soft kiss on your forehead as you cringed at the action. You walked into the cell, sitting down again. "The second we find who did this, I'll come back and get you. I promise," he assured with a smile, as he closed the door, locking it behind him,

After a few minutes of silence, you let out a pained grunt, hitting the wall next to you in anger. As you sat in the darkness, you were unaware of what was happening down the hall in one of the other cells,

---------------

MEANWHILE.....

Negan strolled up to the cell that Simon had Dwight thrown in, after giving him quite the beating, leaving a nasty gash on his forehead. Without warning he began using Lucille to bang loudly on the cell door, making Dwight jump on the other side of the door. "Just as cozy as you remember, sunshine?" Negan asked tauntingly through the steel door, "you'll be surprised to know that when we went on a little search for your failed project, Daryl, I got back to find I was missing a wife. Or then again, maybe you're not surprised about that." Dwight looked confused as he hadn't known about Sherry escaping. "Hell of a coincidence that is, Dwight. Only reason I could think of is that you've moved to the wrong side of the tracks again," Negan suggested, as Dwight's heartrate quickened at the accusation,

"No," Dwight insisted, denying the accusation that was dealt to him. "Who are you, Dwight?" Negan asked after a pause of silence. "I'm Negan," he insists. Negan unlocks the door, as Dwight squints from the harsh light. Dwight stood up, staring Negan straight in the eye, who leaned against the doorframe, Lucille swung on his shoulder, as he noticed Dr. Carson out the corner of his eye. "Daryl ain't like you, Dwighty. So either he's on his way home, or he's on his way back here to get his girl and kill a bunch of us, mainly me and you," Negan explained, thickly, as he grinned at Dwight, who nodded, knowing what he was about to ask him to do. "Either way, you'll find him. And Sherry. You think you can handle that?" Dwight swallowed thickly, before his expression hardened, nodding at Negan,

"Brilliant," Negan cheered, as he stood up from he was leaning against the doorframe, "Carson, fix what you can." Dwight followed Dr. Carson, who stitched up some of his wounds, before he left, grabbing his weapon and some supplies to head out. On his way out, he headed to your cell, telling the guard that he was sent by Negan, who opened the door as Dwight walked in. The cell you had been put in this time had a window, so you looked up to see Dwight as he closed the door. Your expression darkened as you watched him walk towards you. "What do you want?" you asked angrily, as he crouched down in front of you, placing a plate with a piece of bread on it. You looked down at it, sneering at his attempt of a peace offering. You noticed the wounds he had on his face and the bandages he donned, knowing now that if Sherry had gone missing, Negan had suspected him and taught him a little lesson,

"You were the last one to see Sherry before she escaped. What did she tell you? Did she say anything to you?" he questioned with a stoic expression. You only stared back at him blankly, as you watched him get frustrated by your lack of speech. "Answer me," he growled out, trying to sound intimidating and threatening, "answer me or I'll tell Negan you won't talk." You laughed in his face gleefully, letting your head fall forward as you chuckled. He looked at you confused, and angry, as he glanced at the door every few seconds. "If Negan really had sent you, you wouldn't be looking around at that door every few seconds, as if you’ve just shot someone and tossed the gun," you grunted, laugh gone now, but replaced with a sinister smile, knowing he was in deep shit if he was coming to talk to you,

Dwight's lip twitched as he rolled his eyes at you, scoffing slightly. "My bet is, Negan doesn't know you're here?" you asked rhetorically, already knowing the answer from reading his body language. You watched him with fury, as you struggled not to lunge at him for the shit he had done to Daryl. "If I were you, I'd get out of here and count your lucky stars if I don't tell him about your little visit," you seethed, as you came closer to his face as you said it, clearly not meaning your threat lightly. Dwight rose to stand as he began to pace, still not leaving the cell. "Look, just quit being a stubborn bitch, and tell me. What did she say to you when she was in here? Did she mention anything?" he yelled, but not too loud that the guard outside would hear,

You thought for a moment, furrowing your eyebrows. "Now that I think about it, she said... she said something. She told me... she mentioned," you contemplated, trying to recall, as Dwight stepped a bit closer trying to hear what you had to say as he gazed at you curiously now,"that... you were a massive jackass." You shouted the last part as your thought-induced expression fell from your face as you now glared at him angrily. Without thought, Dwight swung his hand back, hitting you across the face as you breathed out a bit, before laughing as you touched your lip, taking your finger away to see fresh blood; he had reopened your lip stitch,

For a second, he looked scared at what he had just done and what it might mean for him. "If I were you, I'd get the fuck out. Now," you started venomously, your voice just above a whisper, as you growled out your words in fury, "by the looksof it, you have a hell of a lot more to lose than I do. And if Negan hates one thing, it's people touching his things. So I'd skedaddle before he gets here, and I tell him just about how and why I'm bleeding again, and who exactly was the cause of it. So. Get. Out," you yelled in a fit of fiery rage, cheeks red from anger, as you took the plate of bread, hurling it in his direction as you panted, his face looking a bit shocked and almost scared, dodging the paper plate. Your breathing was fast, and rage coursed through your veins. Knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere, he walked towards the door,

Just before he walked out the door, he heard your voice speak, turning around to look at you stoically and annoyed with your lack of information. "I hope you never find her. People like you don't deserve happiness," you stated angrily, as he stormed out, slamming the door. Your anger fell, as you smirked, happy to have one up on him as you wiped the remainder of the blood from your mouth. Though it wasn't bad enough for you to need another stitch which you were grateful for. After a few hours of sitting in the cell, your door was opened, as a Savior walked in. "Negan requires you in the communal area," he stated authoritatively as you nodded, getting up to follow him as he escorted you there,

Once you got there, you realized that all of Negan's people had gathered already, kneeling down as he stood next to the furnace, as you noticed Dwight was back from leaving to find Sherry, though you didn't see her anywhere. You walked nervously as Negan's eyes landed on you as you strolled towards him. "There she is," he reveled as he took your hand, placing a kiss at the top of it before leading you to stand next to 3 other women, who were all dressed the same. You figured in your head that they were Negan's other wives. You turned to one of them, who smiled at you nervously as you smiled back, both of you, and everyone else, unsure of what was happening,

Negan still had his eyes locked on you, as he smirked widely, making you uneasy. "You're gonna want to pay attention to this," Negan's voice boomed as he pointed his bat up to the stairs behind you. You turned as your eyes widened in horror, seeing a panicked Eugene standing on the stairs next to Laura, one of the Saviors. His eyes locked onto yours as you sent him a fearful look, as tears filled his eyes out of pure nervousness. You turned back to see Dwight heating the hot iron in the furnace, as Negan paced in a circle painfully slowly, as everyone watched on. "I have done the honor of finding the individual who helped 2 of my prized prisoners to escape," Negan announced wickedly, as your heart practically stopped,

'That's why he wanted me here. Fuck,' you thought to yourself, closing your eyes, preparing yourself for your fate of a melted-off face. Without warning, 2 soldiers grabbed Dr. Carson who you remembered from earlier. You couldn't help but look confusedly at the scene, wondering why he was being grabbed as he yelled and cried out in protest. "No, no , no! I didn't. I-I had no part in it," he pleaded truthfully, but Negan sent the top of his bat into his abdomen harshly as the man doubled over. You winced and your heartrate quickened as you watched a man be punished for your crime. "Found this tucked away in your desk," Negan spoke proudly, as he showed a note. You craned your neck to see the words 'goodbye honey' written on a piece of paper,

"You helped Daryl and Sherry escape, because you knew she hated him being held up here. Didn't you?" Negan asked cheerily, though it wasn't much of a question. The doctor shook his head vigorously, denying the accusation as he tried to speak but was still reeling from the pain. "Sherry told Dwighty boy here the whole story before she was ripped apart by walkers," Negan stated bluntly, pointing at Dwight who kept his eyes fixated on the fire in the furnace as he heated the iron. You fought the urge to gasp as you wondered how much of it was true. 'Is Sherry really dead?' you thought to yourself sadly. But you noticed Dwight's guilty face. You were the only one who knew he was lying about Dr. Carson helping Daryl and Sherry escape, because you were the one who had,

And if he was lying about Dr. Carson and Sherry's affair, seeing as he had planted the note in his desk, he could be lying about Sherry, knowing that he still had feelings for her. He was keeping Sherry safe by lying, throwing Carson under the bus for a crime he didn't commit, lying about Sherry being killed. As you were thinking, you were brought out of your thoughts, by the clanging sound of Negan grabbing the iron holding it ever so closely to Carson's cheek as he wept, begging for him not to burn him, as he thrashed around in the grip of the 2 Saviors. You felt guilty but reminded yourself if it wasn't going to be him, it was going to be you getting the iron. You stayed silent. "Tell me you did it. Admit it. And all is forgiven," Negan stated calmly, as Carson began apologizing profusely, admitting to the whole thing,

You were cleverer than Carson. You knew Negan had no plans to forgive. Negan dropped the flaming hot iron to the floor, dusting off Carson's shoulders as he nodded. Suddenly, in a split second movement, Negan had tightened the grip on the man's shoulders, all but throwing him in the raging furnace. You couldn't help the gasp that left your lips and the sick feeling that grew in your stomach at the sight. You weren't the only one to have gasped as you heard one of Negan's wives sobbing into the arms of another. You looked back at the scene, tears filling your eyes. You were a bad person. You couldn't help but feel guilty. Because you should. Dr. Carson had died because of you. Tears poured down your cheeks freely,

"Never should've doubted you, Dwighty," Negan laughed coolly, as he slung his arm around Dwight's shoulders, "Sherry was one of my favorites, I'm sorry." Though there was no sympathy in his voice. "I'm not," Dwight bit back cruelly, as Negan laughed at his coldness, though you read straight through it. You watched as Negan dismissed everyone, people scattering to go back to their work, and the wives back to their room. You stood still, unsure of where you were supposed to go, back to the cell. Did he want you to work for him now like the rest? Negan strolled towards you, seeing the tears running down your face,

His hand reached out to carress your cheek, guiding your chin up so that your teary eyes were now locked onto his face, struggling to see through your blurred vision from your tears. "C'mere," he drawled dramatically, again unsure if his sympathy was real or not, as he pulled you into him, as you mindlessly let yourself be guided down hallway after hallway, feeling his gaze on you every once in a while. Before you knew it, he opened the door to reveal his room, walking you in before closing the door behind him. Your crying had eased slightly, looking up at him in confusion. "I told you once I'd found the culprit, I'd come and get you," he repeated what he'd told you earlier, as he smiled at you, though you just stared at him with a blank, saddened expression, tears still flowing from the scene that you couldn't get out of your head, unable to escape the truth of knowing it was your fault it had occurred, but you wouldn't tell him that part,

"Oh honey," he consoled, as he moved to wrap his arms around your shaking frame. It didn't take a genius to see that you were a shell of the person you were when you'd arrived here. You cried even more as he smoothed your hair with his hand, making you want to push him off, but knowing you'd probably be thrown back in the cell, so you relented. He had hit you, he had watch you be tortured, he had you in a cell with no food or water for days. Your heart split in two as you thought of the only person you wanted to see in this moment; Daryl. "I'm sorry angel. I mean I had reason to suspect you. But I am sorry, for it all," he apologized as he held you,

You forced yourself to look at him, knowing what he wanted to hear you say, you may as well get it out of the way. "I-I'm sorry," you choked out giving you an expectant look that told you he wanted you to continue. "F-for trying to kill you. I-I'm sorry. I don't know what I was doing. It was a terrible lack of judgement. I-I guess I was trying to protect Daryl," you sobbed through your apology, but his icy glare told you to keep going. "B-but I know now, that he doesn't care about me like you do. He doesn't love me like you do," you whispered nervously, as he seemed satisfied, pulling you closer to him as he shushed you mockingly,

Your crying had ceased after a few minutes of standing like that. Eventually, he pulled away to look at you. "C'mon sunshine, give me a smile. I apologized. You apologized. It's forgotten. I hate to see you like this," he smiled smugly, wiping your dried tears with his thumb. You bit back every bit of hate you had, giving him a smile in return. "There's my girl," he cooed, as he stared at you. "Why don't you go take a shower? Get yourself cleaned up? Then we can go to bed," he whispered into your ear, as he kissed your cheek lightly. You nodded quickly, to get away from his lingering touch and partly because you wanted to be clean. He winked at you as you smiled, practically running into the bathroom,

You shut the door, turning on the shower as you quickly ripped the 3 or 4 day old dress off, but you couldn't be sure how many days it had been now. All sense of time had gone completely out the window as you stepped under the water, instantly beginning to scrub harshly at your skin, trying to avoid the bandage around your arm and the bruises that littered your skin from the beating you had took from the Savior as you were interrogated. You cried under the water, allowing yourself to fall apart, as you tried to wash yourself of any dirt, any memory, any feeling of his touch on you. You had held up your strong front for so long, as you finally allowed yourself to let go for those short few minutes that you stayed in the shower. You would've stayed longer, but you couldn't keep yourself standing for too long without needing to fall asleep, completely drained from the events from the days passed,

You dried off your hair as best as you could, before pulling on a pair of loose clothes, feeling claustrophobic even from your own skin right now, not needing anything constricting you. You took a deep breath, looking at your clean, but energyless body in the mirror, your eyebags dark and accentuated from the lack of sleep. 'You can do this. You're going to get out of here. I don't know when. But you will. You're going to survive this,' you told yourself, not allowing yourself to back down, to accept your fate. You were still going to do whatever you needed to do to make it home. You just had to stay sane. You took a deep breath once again forcing yourself to walk out of the bathroom, not wanting to keep Negan waiting or anger him further, having seen first hand once again what happened when that happened,

As you walked out, your nose smelled it before your eyes saw it; a tray of assorted food sitting on a trolley as he grinned. "Ta da. Realized you might have been hungry after the few days," he revealed, much too arrogantly for your liking. 'Might be hungry?' you scoffed to yourself. But your thoughts were silenced by the loud grumbling of your stomach. You smiled weakly through your fatigue as you made your way to your side of the bed where the trolley was situated. You sat yourself on the edge of the bed, relishing in the feeling of something soft after so many days of being stuck in that cell,

You turned around for a moment, watching as Negan lay sprawled under the covers on his side of the bed as he grinned at you, giving you a nod. You didn't need any more confirmation than that as you began to tuck into the food, not caring about being ladylike about it, only now realizing the weight of the hunger that you had been suppressing. As you ate, you felt Negan sit up in the bed but you didn't care why, as you felt his hand caress your shoulder. Your breath hitched, but you forced yourself not to flinch, letting him lean down to kiss your shoulder as you focused on the food. He did this until you had stopped eating, all but taking your last bite, before you practically collapsed into the bed, the lack of sleep hitting you,

You were so tired that you fell asleep almost instantly, not being able to notice or do anything to stop Negan from pulling you close to him to cuddle you; not that you would. To gain his trust back, you'd have to let stuff like that slide and engage in it yourself too if you wanted to survive this. You hated this; feeling useless. You wanted to help your group. Little did you know, they were slowly planning their revolt as they gathered numbers, meeting Ezekiel, making a deal with a new group run by a woman called Jadis, Daryl reuniting with Carol in The Kingdom, Rosita and Sasha coming up with a plan of their own, ready to execute it. All the while, you sat here, unable to do anything to stop any of it

PART 8 COMING SOON ;) let me know if you want to be added to the taglist <3 hope you enjoyed

TAGLIST: @onlyheretoread2 @lothiriel9 @iheartyouyou @catisnotademonn @goosegorl

[thefiercest]

TMNT OC Shredder 2.o

Little Background

Meet Shredder 2.o also known as...Hattori Hiroto. (I know in the comics, he is Shredder's son but you will get the reason why I made him Tatsu's son in a second...)

Hattori Hiroto is the son of Hattori Tatsu and also...Karai's first love. Hiroto met Karai in his teens, when his father forced him to join the Foot. He was personally introduced by Shredder and his two daughters. Since Shredder had no son of his own, Tatsu saw it a perfect opportunity to get Shredder to see his son, as his potential heir but Hiroto had no interest in being the next Shredder.

However, Karai did which is why she threatened him when they finally were alone and that is how Hiroto fell for her. It took a long time but eventually, he won her heart, only for him to break it, again...and again. Basically, he and Karai were a constant on and off thing until finally...Hiroto ran away, never to see Karai again until...many years later.

A couple years after Tigerclaw called a truce between clans, Karai got word that he was challenged and overthrown. Scared of who was now ruling the Foot, Karai went to meet him, only to be completely shocked when she saw it was Hiroto.

She would have killed him right then and there but luckily for him, Pimiko was there and explained everything. She said that they had no intention of causing another war, but it was said on Shredder's will that if his eldest daughter, Karai is proven unworthy to rule the Foot then the clan is to be given by the son of his right hand man, Hiroto. Which is why he challenged Tigerclaw for the throne.

Karai, of course, was still confused since she remembered Hiroto never wanting to be Shredder but then he explained that Pimiko was the one who sought him out, and convinced him since Tigerclaw was proving to still be an untrustworthy leader.

Karai had no idea why her sister thought Hiroto was more trustworthy than Tigerclaw but she trusted her so, she agreed with her choice even though she had her doubts. Besides, despite their past, she knows that Hiroto would never go into war with her.

However, even though she knew that, others did not. The two clans still feared war and honestly, no one could blame them since the war has gone on for 500 and almost 20 years. Karai and Hiroto both knew it was only a matter of time before someone does something dumb and causes another bloodshed which is why...Karai wanted to make a treaty.

Karai accepted a long time ago that there was no getting rid of the Foot, no matter what, there will always be someone who wants the power of the Kabuto and even though she hated him with a passion, she would rather that power be in Hiroto's hands than anyone else.

She knew that the only way to end the war was a small alliance and she knew exactly how to do it. Truthfully, it was no plan of her's but it was a good one.

Truth is...Karai needed an heir, and a child with another clan is physical proof of no ill will towards each other.

She needed an heir, Shinigami always wanted a child, Hiroto needed security and both their clans needed the reassurance, it seemed like a win-win for everyone but Hiroto, of course, was reluctant until Karai convinced him.

So yes, that is how Yoshi and Amai were born, children that were born to keep the peace between two clans. Sadly, Hiroto did not want to be part of their lives but he did make them their pendants, since apart of him did feel guilty. He could not give his children a fatherly role model but he thought he could at least give them something that came from him...

Physical Appearance

Hiroto is a tall, muscular Japanese man with long black soot colored hair that he wears in a high ponytail, tan-skin, and hooded shaped gray hazel eyes. He has a scar that goes across his nose. In public he is seen wearing silver armor and a helmet which was a cheap version of the Kuro Kabuto. But mostly, He wears a long studded leather jacket, blackish-gray t-shirt, black jeans, leather knuckles gloves, and a black dragon pendant that is similar to the ones he gave the twins when they were born.

[zinkadear]

This is an angsty idea I've had for awhile that deals with Lorenzo's fear of Midas leaving him.

First off, I started playing the game several years late and don't know most of the lore before Chapter 4: Season 3. So if time travel was ever part of the story before Kado Thorne, I'm not sure and am ignoring it for my AU.

The angst starts after Kado's time machine was moved to Frenzy Fields and accessible to everyone. By this point, Midas and Lorenzo had been together awhile.

I've gone more in-depth about Midas's past before, but long story somewhat shorter, he was married to a woman who died a decade prior due to an illness. He got the Golden Touch because he needed money for a treatment, but part of the curse was that his wife wouldn't be able to get better. So she ended up dying soon after Midas got the power, and since he was unable to control the ability then, couldn't even hold his wife in her final days.

Jules blamed him for her mom's death, and Midas didn't feel fit to raise her, both because of guilt and not wanting to accidentally turn her to gold. She went to live with other relatives, and Midas became extremely depressed. He was alone for a long time, and it wasn't until years later after The Agency had been around for a bit that he was finally able to control the Golden Touch.

He eventually reunited with Jules, and had become best friends with Meowscles, so at that point he was much happier. But it wasn't until Lorenzo came around that he really became like his old self. He hadn't been in love with anyone other than his wife until then, and had been afraid of relationships after her death. But Lorenzo turned everything around, and they've been extremely happy together.

Once Kado's time machine was taken though, Lorenzo starts to worry. He knows how much trauma Midas has been through over losing his wife, and wonders if he might try to go back and change what happened. He loves Midas with all his heart and is terrified of the past being altered so that they'd never be together.

He's disgusted with himself for even thinking selfishly like this. Midas would have every right to go back and save his first love, and it was horrible for Lorenzo to want things to stay the way they were. He knew he wouldn't remember Midas if the timeline changed anyway, but he couldn't help it. He was scared and heartbroken, just absolutely certain that Midas would leave him to be with his wife in another reality.

Midas starts to notice that Lorenzo seems off, and he asks him about it. Lorenzo pretends like nothing is wrong for awhile, but eventually he breaks down and tells Midas everything. He apologizes for being so selfish and wants Midas to be happy, even if that's without him. He understands completely that this life wasn't what Midas wanted, and accepts that he'll never be his true love.

Midas is completely shocked when he hears all this. He starts to cry and practically knocks Lorenzo down as he lunges forward and wraps his arms around him, holding him tightly. He tells Lorenzo that he'd never change the past, and that he means everything to him. Years ago, he might have tried something dumb like messing with time, but he wouldn't even consider that now. Things happened the way they did, and while his wife will always have a special place in his heart, he wouldn't change a thing.

Lorenzo is his world, and he won't ever leave him. The two end up crying and holding each other for a long time. Midas repeatedly whispers sweet and comforting things to Lorenzo, kisses his cheeks and forehead, runs his fingers through his hair, and rubs his back soothingly. He just wants to cuddle with him and make him feel loved all night.

They fall asleep in each other's arms, and when they wake up, both are feeling so much better, and closer than ever.

[svnbrn]

tonight, KANG JIEUN of clan SALUBRI hunts for their next meal. the 11TH GENERATION + ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN year-old cainite, embraced when they were TWENTY-FOUR, will use their disciplines of AUPEX and FORTITUDE to make quick work of their prey. JIEUN has pledged their loyalty to NONE, and in the wake of the prince’s announcement, they’ve chosen to HONOR the fragile peace he cemented so long ago. 

hey yo, everyone! this is sky (sh/th, 21+) and i'm here to present you kang jieun, salubri clan whip! she was born and raised through the japan colonization of korea and ended up losing her parents pretty young. thankfully she got adopted by a salubri vampire (that later on became her sire), probably because of the combination of a promise they made probably out of their compulsion + pity for the poor orphan girl that seemed to have too much of a kind heart for the world she was born in; tl;dr basically a soft girl raised in a country in war (little do they know that people pleasing and caring for others is how she copes with ✨trauma✨). discord is available by request and pls drop a little ♡ if you'd like me to pop up in your dms for some plotting 💕

past. (tw: death, terminal illness)

born a little before japan (and the camarilla) imposed their control over korea, but her first memory is when their power was cemented so she feels like a daughter of those times anyway, (TW STARTS) even more so when her parents were revolutionaries and ended up losing their lives when she was around twelve. (TW ENDS)

got adopted by a salubri vampire who knew her parents and ended up promising that they'd look after their daughter if something happened to them.

had a lot of questions about their lifestyle, but never really asked them out loud and instead just went with the flow not only because the only person that she had after her parents were gone, but also because her parents were always telling her about being understanding/accepting of the way people are different from her so she just rolled with it.

surprisingly was kept away from the conflict filled part of her (soon to be) sire's life (thankfully because she hates conflict) because they did promise to her parents they'd protect/look after jieun and throwing her in the middle of the storm wasn't exactly doing that, but then there's a limit to how much she could be sheltered and even though she couldn't fully understand the complex social (and political) scenario around her, she didn't need to be super smart to see how some most people were miserable.

even before turning into a vampire, she felt a little compulsion to help people or at least cheer them up/not add to their already existing misery.

(besides her parents always told her that she was the warmest ray of sunshine in their lives and maybe she wanted to hear those words again even if it they weren't from the people that she wanted to hear them the most.)

ends up being offered immortality when (TW STARTS) she's diagnosed with terminal cancer (TW ENDS), says half joking half serious that she said yes because her sire looked very upset about the idea of her dying, but it was also because she wasn't quite ready to leave them either.

led a very lowkey life as a vampire until she's eventually invited by the camarilla to join their court; ends up accepting it, because even though she was raised mostly in an anti-camarilla environment considering her background, it's exactly because of said background that she joins them. she already lost her parents by trying to oppose them + she likes the sense of peace that has under the camarilla control.

doesn't mean she's necessarily loyal to them; in the end she'll always choose the side that seems to be killing less/that she feels the safest and if that changes from the camarilla to the anarchs or even if it's neither of them, so be it.

personality.

a little honda tohru from fruits basket coded, iykyk.

was stupidly naive when younger, but then with now centuries on her back, jieun did grow up to a little more distrustful with people and not to let her guard down that easily, even more because of her clan ban, but it's still not very hard to gain her trust or to have her believe in whatever bullshit someone is spilling.

there are even times that she can sort of tell when the other person is trying to take advantage of her, but then just lets them anyway because she believes that they might have their reasons for it + the bullet point below.

has a very kindhearted nature that comes from mostly overly attaching herself to people because she's scared of being left alone/feeling lonely + the little cliche of it being easier for her to not focus on her own problems when she's focusing on someone else's + her clan's compulsion as the very red cherry on top of the cake.

besides her parents always told her to be kind (and then her sire really doubled down on that), because someday the universe would have that kindness returned to her and holding onto those words also feels like a way to also holding onto her parents/to feel close to them.

holding grudges? being petty? don't know her.

not a very good leader, but a very good follower, very hardworking and diligent. also great listener and gives some decent advice even if not always.

always finishes what she starts kind of person, regardless if at any point it stops being worth of all of her effort and time.

is very much into crochet + an absolute plants mom (yes, she makes little sweaters for her plants 🥹); always carry some crocheted animal keychain around to give people if she senses they're sad/need some help and if that doesn't really at least cheer them up, then well, now she'll have to go through hell and back to help them, i guess 😔

might look like an airhead, but is very much attuned to the people around her and what is happening; the type to remember a comment someone made even if they thought that no one was paying attention to them at that time.

[ffxivaltaholic]

Prompt #30: Two Heads Are Better Than One

#FFxivWrite2024

TW: Mention of death/trauma/miscarriage

'I am truly blessed.

There was a time I had thought myself truly cursed. My home was gone, my husband slain, and my parents executed. I was suddenly the Matriarch of a small group of survivors, a position I had been still very much in training for, and I was only eighteen at the time...

I had at least saved you.

It was not easy starting over, as the surviving numbers dwindled. A few would return to the main Ejinn Tribe in the Great River, some would die of illness or their injuries and others would cast their name aside and seek a new tribe to assimilate into. I was certainly no leader, but I did my best for them with my limited knowledge and no resources. Eventually, it was just us that remained, heading to a new world together across a great ocean to Eorzea. But now it is so much more than I could have ever dreamed of in those early years, when we simply kept trying to just survive the day. Now, you have flourished, my precious Shurenn, a powerful healer and gifted shaman. I am so proud of you; Mother and Father would be too. When I married you were there to do all of the parts of the ceremony our family couldn't, and you cheered louder than any Xaela in the crowd when we made our oaths. You held me when I suffered great loss, knowing I would never successfully bear a child. Always, you were there, no matter how wonderful or devastating times could be. Always.

And now... You have given me the greatest of gifts. You gave new life. I could not conceive a child, something I intended to come to terms with in time, but you knew it was what I had desired more than anything in life. It was in my nature to be a mother, and that had been taken by a cruel twist of fate. I tried to be alright with it, to simply continue on as a warrior and go about my life, but my heart was truly broken. I expected your unwavering support, as you always found a way to be at my side when I needed you most, but I could not have anticipated what you were going to say when you came to me that rainy morning,

You offered to carry a child for me... I declined at first, no matter how grateful I was for the gift you were trying to give, as I could not imagine you risking your body like that, especially without even knowing whether you could conceive either... We are twins, physically identical at that, and there was no promise you would fare any differently than I. I didn't want to put you through that sorrow.

You would not back down though, and you have never been a dominant personality. I was always the loud and demanding one. It left me surprised by your tenacity. Kind, sweet and gentle would be more suitable descriptions for you... But this time, you were beyond stubborn. It was the evening after the day-of-remembrance for our family when once again you approached me, taking my hands in yours and offering one final time. I cried in your arms for some time and then finally I accepted. My main concern was now to ask of my husband if he would be comfortable with this. It had to be a decision made together with no regrets.

He was unsure initially, understandably, asking for time to think about it and to speak to us individually. I understood, it was difficult to make such a decision and he had to consider his own comfort level with the idea. After a few days to mull over it he spoke to me, and asked me only one single question.

'Are you completely sure you will never regret this?'

I had expected more questions to be honest, but I merely nodded and took his hand in mine, meeting his sharp gaze. "I will never regret my sister's kindness, nor will I ever resent any of you or the child." That seemed to be the confirmation he needed to finish making up his mind.

Hakan, our son, was born on the last day of summer, when the air started to cool and Nhaama reigned longer than Azim in the sky. The elders named him, as was my husband's Dotharl tradition, by peering into his eyes and seeing the soul that had returned. I look forward to learning of the past lives he had, the person he was and seeing who he will one day become. Hakan and my sister were healthy and strong, her time carrying him pleasantly smooth, aside from some very odd food cravings... I of course fretted constantly over her the entire time... It must have drove her mad to deal with me.

I do not know how I could ever repay such a gift, as I gaze upon my sleeping husband and son, my perfect, healthy, family. It is all thanks to you Shurenn, your gift of life. I will cherish it until my last breath.

Always, I will be there for you, as you have been here for me.

Together.'

~A memoire to my sister

[lwjsbedtime]

Omega clan leader LWJ x Very Pushy (confused) alpha WWX - Part One

Omega LWJ, who has lived in seclusion his entire life due to being an omega, takes over as the Lan clan head when his elder brother, LXC, falls ill after a night-hunt gone wrong. 

Naturally, there are many people - mostly alphas - within the clan who oppose the idea of an omega doing anything but maintaining a home. LXC, however, trusts no one else to replace him. Lan Qiren is off collecting rare texts for the clan library, and their next blood relative is…well? He's not the brightest star in the sky.

The point is, Wangji is available, knowledgeable, and - Lan Xichen knows - utterly uninterested in marrying out. Or at all, really. He'll be the perfect leader for the next five years - the amount of time it's estimated before Lan Xichen will be recovered enough to retake his mantle.

Honestly, he wouldn't mind co-heading the sect afterwards, either, but he knows saying such a thing would cause his brother to look at him with utter betrayal. LWJ simply has different priorities in life. Far be it for an alpha like him to try to understand. 

In the end, there isn't much anyone else can do about it. LWJ walks into a sect meeting one day, takes his brother's seat at the head of the room, and starts giving orders. The rest of the alpha council would never admit it, but LWJ is…intimidating - for an omega. They don't dare disobey him to his face.

Some of them speak up later about how unfit he is to lead, citing that his 'maternal instincts' could come into conflict with what is most righteous, should a hard decision have to be made. LWJ sends them to be punished for conjecture and gossip-mongering. They become oddly silent after that. 

Eventually, most of the dissidents realise LWJ is not entirely unfit for the position of clan head. The ones who still think he's unworthy don't have much room to complain, unable to find any sympathy amongst their peers. They instead fall back upon complaints of other sects witnessing their humiliation with glee - a ridiculous claim.

Since the great war several centuries past, CR has remained stubbornly cut off from the rest of the cultivation world. Hence, Lan Qiren journeying far and wide in search new cultivation texts, instead of simply asking other sect leaders for their opinions on the latest theories. He'd rather test these new techniques out for himself, thank you very much.  

A year into LWJ's tenure as leader, a letter comes from outside, from another sect. It is a proposal.

There are rumours of another war brewing, and the Jiang sect hopes to make an alliance with the mysterious Lan clan, who are said to have wards capable of fending off an entire army - they offer a marriage alliance in return. 

They are offering their firstborn to the Lan leader in exchange for aid - a highly desirable young maiden by the name of JYL. She is, according to the letter, the very image of a perfect omega, docile and well-bred. The Jiang clan seem so certain of the Lans' acceptance of this proposal that they've already begun preparing winter clothes for her stay in the mountains.

LWJ stares at the letter for a long time before writing back his own letter of refusal. Really, how presumptuous! LXC, the previous head, is already engaged, and as current head, LWJ has no need of a spouse at all, much less another omega. He sends the letter on its way, quickly forgetting of its existence at all as sect issues crop up before him, stealing his attention away. 

----

WWX is enraged. How dare the head of the Lan clan reject his shijie? And in such a rude manner, too! What does he mean, he thanks them for their offer, but it is extremely misplaced?! A lack of interest in what?! What about JYL isn't good enough for an alpha? He just knows by the tone of the letter that Lan zongzhu must think omegas are below him. That bastard probably already has his own harem, hidden up in the Gusu mountain peaks! 

WWX knows in his heart that this alpha would make a horrible spouse for his shijie. He wants to protest it. Unfortunately, Madam Yu is really pushing for the alliance, and has already penned another letter to Lan zongzhu in response to his own. She asks WWX to deliver her missive personally, in hopes he'll be able to report what the alpha is like - his weaknesses, and what he finds most appealing in an omega. She wants him to interrogate the man, if he must.

Yzy: That foul mouth must be good for something other than angering the Wens. Lan zongzhu will be more open to speaking with another alpha on these matters, so you must present your best self! 

WWX doesn't need to be told twice. He's going to meet this rude alpha and give him a piece of his mind. What kind of disturbed person wouldn't cherish JYL?!

----

When he gets to CR, he's met with a snag in his plan. The guards won't let him inside the sect! It's unbelievable.

He follows the wall encircling CR around and sneaks over that instead. He's thoroughly unimpressed by the ease with which he managed to trespass into the sect. So much for the Lans' so-called impenetrable wards. He didn't feel so much as a nip of pain crossing through them!

He's just wiping the dirt off his knees from his harsh landing onto the forest floor, when a blade is pressed to his throat.

Wwx: Uh…

Lwj: Who are you?

WWX looks up to find a very attractive man pointing a sword at him. The wind shifts, and he realises the man is an omega. WWX suddenly feels guilty. This poor, defenseless omega has been startled by his presence. How terrible. 

WWX raises his hands in submission, hoping to calm the person before him. He releases a soothing scent.

Wwx: I have a letter.

The omega frowns.

Lwj: A letter?

Wwx: For Lan zongzhu.

Lwj: You have a letter for the clan head and you thought the best way to deliver it was by breaking into CR?

Wwx: …

Wwx: Upon consideration, perhaps not. But the guards wouldn't let me in!

The omega lowers his sword slightly, his expression appearing vaguely annoyed.

Lwj: Why would they? It's a letter. A disciple could deliver it.

WWX slumps forward, huffing lightly.

Wwx: Because I'm meant to speak with Lan zongzhu! Madam Yu said!

WWX explains the reason for his visit with the omega listening intently. 

Meanwhile, their thoughts:

Wwx: This poor omega, stuck in a sect with such a mean alpha leading it! What if Lan zongzhu tries to claim him as his concubine?! I ought to bundle him up and take him away!

Lwj: Why is the Jiang sect sending their alphas here to barge in? Are they the ones starting the war? Do they want our land as well? And why is he drowning me in his scent? Does he...want to claim me as his prize? 😳

----

I remembered I wrote this a while back. I was sure I put it under the omegaverse tag in my notes, but when I searched for it again I couldn't actually find it, because:

So, I went and rewrote (part of) it. ���