#the valiant never taste of death but once

[frogshunnedshadows]

Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. – Julius Caesar, Act 2, Scene 2.

[dwaekkicidal]

got me feral for the seungmin munch post.

I’m chewing on the bars of my enclosure ngl

i’d love a Han one maybe??

wait STAWP im gonna get shy i love ur posts 😖 munch hannie coming up! also this for some reason made me think about munch felix AND hannie at the same time

fem!reader | warnings: lowkey desperate!ji, messy oral (f receiving), overstimulation

Munch Masterlist

Munch!Han who literally gets down on his knees and begs you to let him eat you out. No matter what your relationship is; if you're his girlfriend, wife, bestie, etc. No matter where you are; the studio, the practice room, your apartment, or even his occupied dorm: he's begging for it

Munch!Han who puffs out his big cheeks and those pretty pink lips in a pout, glossy brown eyes filled with the promise of a good time and to "send you to cloud 9"

Munch!Han who eventually convinces you and impatiently spreads your legs, barely giving you enough time to pull your bottoms down before he's settled between your thighs

Munch!Han who, if you're wearing a skirt or dress, makes you keep it on. One you agree he's pushing you onto your back and flipping the flowy fabric up, instantly diving in and giving you no time to undress

Munch!Han who licks you through your panties first, wanting to get a experimental taste, but ends up wanting to see your pretty panties soaked from his saliva

Munch!Han who eventually does pull your panties down. leaves them to hang on your ankle while he's busy resting his cheek against your thigh

Munch!Han who stares at your pussy in awe, letting his pointer finger trail through your wetness and moaning at the sound it makes when he pushes the tip of his finger into your hole

Munch!Han who stays like this as long as it takes for you to grip his hair and pull it, almost grinding against his mouth desperately as you whine for him to hurry up

Munch!Han who eats you out like a starved man. uses those pretty hands to keep you spread wide for him as he eats you like it's his final meal

Munch!Han who licks long stripes top to bottom until he gets addicted to your taste and shoves his tongue into your hole, fucking into it as deeply as physically possible

Munch!Han who squeezes your thighs tightly when they start to push back against him. he revels for a moment in the way the fat there spills between his fingers and pushes them back towards you

Munch!Han who moans into your folds embarrassingly loud once you cum into his mouth, to the point where you would think he’s the one getting head

Munch!Han who basically IS getting head with this. he finds so much pleasure in eating you out that he could, and will, cum completely untouched as long as he can continue to shove his face between your legs <3

Munch!Han who cant bring himself to be nearly as mean as his other members when you try to scoot away. why should he? to him it's an HONOR to be able to taste you. and besides he has other ways of making you sit still

Munch!Han who uses the muscles he's secretly been working on to grab your wrists, pulling you back towards him to make you sit in place as he goes for seconds

Munch!Han who chases your hips when they manage to jerk away from him, even going as far as to lift himself off the floor/mattress in order to avoid his lips disconnecting from you

Munch!Han who would never complain about your thighs suffocating him half to death. how dare you assume such a thing? he'll have you know that he can breathe just fine! and even if he can't, he wouldn't let you keep him from such a valiant death

Munch!Han who only pulls away after one of your wrists escaped his grasp and tightens into his hair, desperately dragging him away from your puffy skin

Munch!Han who finally reluctantly pulls away, but not before leaving a kiss to your pussy lips and thanking them

Munch!Han who leaves a wet kiss to your inner thigh before pulling away and admiring his handiwork: your shaky legs and soaked pussy. leaving you to admire your handiwork: his messy, almost nappy, hair and chin that drips with your cum <3

Munch!Han who: "So... Again?"

[inarticulatechoes]

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.”

— William Shakespeare

[iwriteasfotini]

Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

-William Shakespeare Julius Caesar, Act II, scene 2, lines 34-35

Sirius - 

the brother, the protector, the prankster, the friend, the betrayer, the dog, the alpha, the lover, the soulmate, the best man, the godfather, the prisoner, the fugitive

Severus - 

the friend, the inventor, the soulmate, the strategist, the betrayer, the potioneer, the lover, the death eater, the spy, the broken, the protector, the tired

James - 

the son, the prankster, the friend, the chaser, the optimist, the boyfriend, the stag, the lover, the soulmate, the rock, the light, the broken, the father

Regulus - 

the brother, the protector, the friend, the potioneer, the powerful, the seeker, the boyfriend, the lover, the soulmate, the soldier, the death eater, the canary, the brave

Remus - 

the wolf, the son, the friend, the betrayed, the heartbroken, the powerful, the lover, the mate, the soulmate, the soldier, the abandoned, the lost, the found, the partner, the father

Lily - 

the sister, the friend, the witch, the Gryffindor, the powerful, the advocate, the athlete, the soulmate, the potioneer, the lover, the light, the dark, the soldier, the mother, the only one he ever feared

Barty -

the son, the lost boy, the disappointment, the caretaker, the Slytherin, the ashamed, the desperate, the tag along, the beater, the boyfriend, the friend, the lover, the protected, the targeted, the broken, the villain, the lost soul

Our Love is Written in the Stars

[sugar-coated-prat-dragon]

Title: Magic spells are an elemental power that called to the earth, air, water and fire. 🔥 Then it extracted some of the sorcerers energy in return

Episode: "The Poisoned Chalice" questions #4

Questions by @tansyuduri

Tagging: @miyriu

Books used for reference: Valiant, The Poisoned Chalice and Episode “A Lesson in Vengeance”

Question: Uther: "What's the point of having people to taste for you?"

Okay... I think this is a reference to the actual historical job of taster. I think it kinda implies that Uther might have someone (and yet we see multiple times that Arthur in fact does NOT).

My answer: I agree.

I definitely think Uther has a taster since one of the books describes Merlin serving a plate of cold meats to the banquet table and having it intercepted by one of the kings aides.

Obviously, the words “taster” are never used, but it pretty strongly implies that Uther has specific aides who put his food in front of him and one reason for that could be that he has a taster.

Unlike, the Camelot knights and the visiting ones who were simply served anything on the platters that was placed down in front of them by the servants.

1. On the other hand, Arthur doesn’t seem to have a taster as a prince, since Cedric brought him bowls of fruit, platters of sliced meat, freshly baked rolls, eggs and cheeses for breakfast without any issue, despite not bringing his personal servant.

2. However, when Arthur is king, he does seem to have a taster (or at least at that point only Merlin and Gwen are allowed to touch his food.) Since when he’s poisoned (S5; E7), possessed Gwen is quick to point out that it has to be someone who has access to the king's food and that he’s only one in that position to handle the finished product.

Book description:

- Merlin was ushered quietly to one side and the plate he was carrying was whipped from his hand by one of the king's aides. Merlin stepped back into the shadows of the room, watching and listening carefully.

- It wasn't too difficult for a servant to show up at the palace kitchens and collect a few scraps of food. The plate in Gwen's hands did not bear a meal fit for a prince, but it ought to pass muster as prison food.

- Merlin scampered up a winding staircase and into a room bustling with cooks preparing a meal for the assembled knights. He slipped into a line of servants all waiting to be given something to take to the king's chambers.

A plate of cold meats was thrust into Merlin's hands and he was shooed away impatiently

- GWEN: One thing I know for certain. That whoever did this lives among us. Someone who is free to roam the Citadel as they please, someone who has access to the King's stables, the King's prison, even the King's food. There is only one I know of... Merlin.

Question:

Magic Rule Established: Potions/Poisons can be more potent if magic is used in their preparation?

My answer: Yes. Nimueh herself even used a drop of her own blood to reinforce the death bound up in the spell and worsen the deadly effects of the Mortaeus flower as she added it to the goblet.

Book description:

Delicately, between two fingers, she picked up the flower that lay on the rim of the basin. Her pricked finger enriched the yellow of the petals with a faint bloodstain.

The minutest drop of her own life, to reinforce the death bound up in the spell. The devil truly was in the detail.

Question: So if a potion is made using magic then the antidote may also need magic?

My answer:

Yes. It seems to be that way and that makes sense, given how most magical creatures themselves can only be killed using magic.

Gaius compared using a spell to saying a prayer, but that “prayer” wasn’t directed to a deity like a normal one.

A magic spell called to the earth, to the air and water - and of course to fire. It was an elemental power.

Once a spell was spoken, a sorcerer would feel the “power” (aka magic) answering, and then those energies would course through him and into the potion mixture.

Gaius described it as a torrent of emotion flooding his thoughts. “…It was not rage or love or hate - it was no feeling that had a name - but it was raw and powerful like them.”

In the aftermath, the potion was frothing and bubbling, almost alive with energy.

The spell itself had exacted a price from him (as it would any sorcerer) by drawing a measure of its energy from him.

So it seems like a normal magic user (excluding Merlin; which is in a league of his own) has to use some of their inner energy as payment to draw upon the magic of the spells they use.

Book description:

Cupping the pestle in his hands, Gaius raised it and lifted his head. He closed his eyes, as though offering up a prayer to the heavens.

In a way, a spell was like a prayer, but it called more to the earth, to the air and water - and of course to fire.

It was an elemental power. In the wrong hands it was something to be feared. But above all, it was something to be respected.

- As he spoke, he felt the power answering, the energies coursing through him and into the liquid mixture.

It was like a torrent of emotion flooding his thoughts. It was not rage or love or hate - it was no feeling that had a name - but it was raw and powerful like them.

- Opening his eyes, he set the pestle down on the bench and stared at his handiwork. The viscous green liquid was frothing and bubbling, almost alive with energy.

Gaius felt faint. The spell had exacted a price, drawing a measure of its energy from him. But it had worked. It had infused the antidote with magic.

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Angst Masterlist

Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.

Hero x villain (nb/nb)

Snippet #4

Prompt Fill #2859

Snippet #12

Snippet #14

Song prompt

Supervillain abusing villain

Identity reveal: pt. 1, pt. 2

Villain’s scars

Villain gets scared when hero snaps

Suicidal villain

Hero drinking in the bathtub

Hero being tortured in front of villain

Hero x Villain betrayal

Hero x arrested Villain

Poor Hero x Millionaire Villain

Touch-starved Hero x Villain

Hero hurting their friend

Villain embarrassed of their scars

Captured Hero with Henchman as sibling

Villain having a breakdown

Villain showing up at hero’s doorstep

Hero x possessive Villain

Hero x self-destructive Villain

Hero x Villain betrayal (again)

Hero’s kid replacing them

Sunshine Hero x Grumpy Villain

Hero x Villain confession: pt. 1, pt. 2

Another Sunshine Hero x Grumpy Villain

Tired Hero x Villain

Sidekick hurting hero

Hero finding Villain in Supervillain’s lair

Evil Hero x good Villain

Vampire Hero x Human Villain

Hero x Hurt Villain

Snowy’s ask

Devastated Hero x Possessive Villain

Married Hero x doc!Villain

Hero x abusive Villain

Oblivious Hero x protective Villain

Hero abandoned Villain

Hero slowly turning into the villain

Villain lashing out at Hero

Suicidal Hero x Villain

Enemies with benefits

Hero making Villain cry

Villain breaking Hero’s heart

Sidekick harming themselves

More childhood friends angst

Prompt Fill

Hero x Villain betrayal

Amnesiac villain

Terrified Hero x kind Villain

Hero x Villain who lost their memories

Villain forced to kill their own sidekick

Didn’t know where else to go trope

Terrified hero x kind villain

Memory loss

Didn't know where else to go

Continuation villain whumpee

Sleepless hero x sleepless villain

touch-starved hero

Reckless Hero x worried Villain

Prophecy snippet

Hero fails to kill villain

Other

Spoil-of-war prince x prince: pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3, pt. 4

Hero x villain sleep paralysis (f/nb): pt. 1, pt. 2

Hero x Villain (mlm)

Childhood friends (mlm)

Angel x Demon

Heroine x Villainess (wlw)

Prince x knight (mlm)

Hero x Villain (mlm)

[recmroom]

Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.

— Cillian Murphy as Josef Gabcík in Anthropoid (2016)

[saiyansimp]

Dating (some of) the Z-Fighters…

Goku:

You probably met while training! Maybe you met at a tournament and put up a valiant fight against him, or you ran into him in a remote yet gorgeous training spot outdoors. Either way you hit it off immediately! If you aren’t a fighter, then you probably were set up on a blind date through Bulma lmao

You aren’t able to spend much time together, but when you’re on dates or training together you feel like you’re in heaven. He makes you feel so incredibly special: I like to think that since the Cell Saga, he’s learned that not everyone is inherently a fighter and that’s okay! He makes sure to take an interest in your interests no matter what they are 

Cooking. Lots of cooking. Or eating takeout. I’d say you can look forward to leftovers but I doubt there’ll be any lmao

Lots of laughter, whether intentional or not. Mans is a huge goofball and always tries to make you laugh, but some of his funniest moments are just him acting as his usual self hehe, he's so nonchalant when telling you stories about his past you can't help but laugh at how casually he describes getting shot and dying lmao

His love language is definitely touch! He’s very clingy so get ready for cuddles in the middle of the night after a looong training session, arms wrapped around your waist as you cook breakfast, or even just holding your hand as you walk down the street together!

I feel like he’d absolutely LOVE theme parks as a date, but he’d definitely force you to go on the biggest rollercoasters / death drop rides so be warned

Also enjoys any type of outdoorsy activity with you! Rock climbing, nature walks, even just fishing with you! Be ready to cook whatever he catches though

Despite not always being present he’s a 10/10 BF hehe

Vegeta

Cracks knuckles

You’d probably have to be the first one to make a move if you saw him at a coffee shop or a party and found him cute, even after you give him your number he waits like two weeks to text you

Once you two start dating though he switches his attitude REAL quick

He’d never admit it, but unlike Goku, he definitely prioritizes your dates and pleasing you over training. He’ll be in the middle of sparring with Goku and remember that you two have a date soon and make up a lame excuse to leave (probably claiming he’s hurt Goku enough for the time being or something along those lines) before dipping lmao

I love the headcanon that Saiyans love strong women because even if you’re not physically strong, if you’re snarky enough you and geets are gonna have LOTS of fun

Bullying is his love language.It’s constant but if you try and return it at all he’ll get all defensive and pissy 

Can talk about your inferiority all day but you make a single height joke? Nope. He’s done he’s out go apologize to him Right Now

Actual love language is quality time! He’s not great with words or PDA but will always go shopping with you or take you out to eat. And don’t you dare think about paying how could you even think to damage his ego like that

Very cuddly in private though, won’t ask for it he’ll just sit at the edge of your shared couch/bed and stare at you until you go over to him and wrap your arms around him, running a hand through his hair. 

If you’re an artist do NOT draw him/paint him/etc. unless you want his ego to increase exponentially

Krillin

I feel like If You Are A Woman, then you’re Krillin’s type. 

Absolutely the type to make you food / homemade gifts to express affection even if they’re not great. You love them all anyways! He tries to make your favorite meal one day and it tastes burnt and raw but you can’t let him know that so you eat absolutely as much as you can without puking

You probably met by both being friends with either Bulma or Chi-Chi and therefore spent a lot of time at Kame house. Definitely a friends to lovers situation

Which adds an even more stable ground to your relationship! You’ve got friendship and history that makes your relationship even better, inside jokes that date back to before you were dating

Like Goku, he’s also a huge joker. Probably even more than Goku, but definitely more purposeful with his jokes and with

One of his go-to jokes is trying on brightly colored wigs and it never fails to leave you howling

Will literally do anything you ask him to, he just wants to make you happy. You need him to drive you somewhere? Hes on his way. You need cuddles? Always. You need to vent? Hes all ears.

pleasepleasePLEASE dont take advantage of this trait

Piccolo

HEAR ME OUT HEAR ME OUT…. Even though Piccolo is akin to plants in that he’s green and only requires water to survive, there are certain types of plants that do reproduce sexually! 

Piccolo absolutely values intellect and morality over looks but hes a tough nut to crack so you’d better be in it for the long haul

Lots of your dates are just sitting under trees together meditating, reading or sitting in silence 

Piccolos love language is absolutely gift giving and hes amazing at it. He knows what you want/need before you do. You wake up one morning and think to yourself about how you could use a cute new outfit and by the end of the day there’s a new dress on your bed that looks amazing on you. He also LOVES making you breakfast in bed, or any meal really if you’re too exhausted from your day to cook.

Don’t get me wrong, he can be intimate. He’s just emotionally constipated alright ! But when he opens up you better be ready to listen bc not many get that privilege 

Absolute freak in bed 

You have to be willing to get along with Gohan. Non-negotiable. If you start dating while Gohan’s a kid, you absolutely go on dates together with Gohan tagging along like your adopted child. If he’s older, then the three of you regularly get together to catch up and maybe act as adoptive grandparents to Pan!

[amodernhumanonearth]

A Coward's Death

‘Cowards die a thousand deaths, but the valiant never taste of death but once.’ proudly proclaimed Shakespeare’s Caesar. In this piece, I outline one of a coward’s many deaths, one I claim is a hella lot cooler than getting stabbed by your best friends.

Read on here.

[ellekhen]

Hand, Hearth, and Home

Chapter 61 - Take Flight

Chapter Summary: After a terrifying brush with death, Church and Astarion escape to find Halsin and Thaniel. The Raven Queen has a proposal.

Pairing(s): Astarion x Male Tav (Main); Past OC x Male Tav Rating: Explicit Length: 317K+ words; Chapters 61/?? (Master Post)

Excerpt below:

“No — no! You can’t die — wake up, damn you!”

The tiefling inhales sharply, his eyes flying open to ogle at the anguished face hovering above him.

“Oh—!” Astarion gasps, falling back upon his heels in a daze. 

He looks normal. His eyes are no longer sunken, his cheeks are fuller, and his ears are tinged with pink from drinking the same blood that has smeared and trickled down all over his mouth, chin, and throat. He wears his black padded armor once more — the raggedy illusion of a year of torture gone. 

Aside from being encrusted with the dirt of the Shadowfell, the elf’s fingers are still perfectly manicured — and whole.

“Hello, you,” Church rasps. “You alright?”

“Am I—? AM I ‘ALRIGHT?’” Astarion snarls. He gathers the tiefling up into his arms, shaking him. 

“Fuck you!” the elf bellows. “I hate you! I hate everything about you!”

And yet he buries his fingers into the tiefling’s hair, yanking him into a desperate, clumsy kiss that still tastes of Church’s blood. He then pulls the dazed tiefling away from him, eyes furious. 

“Why did you do that?” Astarion exclaims hysterically. “Why the hells would you let me do that to you?”

Church sighs an exhausted laugh, leaning heavily into his touch.

“You know why,” he says softly.

And by the terrified, confused look upon Astarion’s face, the tiefling knows he truly does.

—

It takes some time for Church to get his bearings fully. By then Astarion calms down somewhat, although his expression is still resentful as he surveys the tiefling for further signs of injury.

“You… you’re all healed,” Church studies Astarion with relief. “Thank the gods.”

“No thanks to the gods, I’d say,” Astarion retorts. “None of that… none of that was real, after all. Well. Except…”

He grimaces, yanking Church towards him to examine the intact, unbruised skin and tendon of his neck. The only scarring left is that of the shadow gate’s corruption.

“...except…?” Church prompts him.

“Well,” Astarion clears his throat. “I drained you dry. I… I was so hungry — I thought I was starved, but I didn’t—!”

“I know, love. It’s alright,” Church pulls away his anxious hand and kisses it, reveling in how full and soft the slender fingers feel compared to the skeletal ones that had gripped his throat. “I’m just glad it worked.”

“What? Making me kill you?” Astarion sputters.

“Yes, well,” Church winces. “It wasn’t supposed to go that far. I just thought a taste of breaking Cazador’s commandments would be enough to snap you out of it. Or at the very least you’d recognize my flavor, or something…”

Astrion scoffs. “You saw what I was. I was the furthest thing from reasonable. You should’ve just… ugh…”

Church watches as the vampire spawn covers his mouth, looking vaguely nauseated.

“Cazador used his magic to compel you,” Church explains, clutching Astarion’s hand. “Whether it’s through our tadpoles or the Weave… I never want to do that to you. I never want to take that control from you. And I thought of an alternative, so… I risked it.” 

He shrugs, smiling ruefully to himself. “And it worked, didn’t it?”

Astarion says nothing to that, refusing to meet Church’s eyes. 

“That said, how am I not dead?” Church asks, making a valiant attempt to stand.

“I assumed Tavi somehow kept you alive once again,” Astarion says blandly, hauling him to his feet.

Church shakes his head. “I don’t think he can even reach us on this plane. Maybe it was part of the illusion?”

“More Raven Queen mind-fuckery, no doubt,” Astarion mutters. 

“Yes, of course. She likes making mortals face their fears.” Church looks up, sighing. He knows very well that she’s listening. 

“I’m not mortal, and I don’t need to face my fears,” Astarion snips. “I hate this wretched place. How the hells do we get out?”

“We still need to find Halsin,” Church reminds him.

“Forget it! The druid is lost — we’ll never find someone in this bloody maze!” Astarion exclaims.

Church looks steadily at him, drinking in the sight of him healthy and whole. “I found you.”

Astarion fumes.

“Fine!” he grumbles. “Then what do we do?”

“Well… we seem to be missing an exit from this place,” Church observes. “Maybe if we focus ourselves again on our intentions…” 

He runs his fingers absently over his craggy, scarred face as he scans the round, doorless room. It appears that as soon as he had stumbled upon the tomb and the rest of the illusion, the black glass of the gallery walls sealed behind him, trapping them inside. 

Astarion lets out a short, harsh laugh. “I just killed you and you want me to focus,” he sneers.

“I… I know.” Church wraps his arms around the elf, squeezing him as he takes in a shuddering breath. “Astarion.”

It’s his name — a simple thing that is so beautiful on its own. But for Church, it’s a prayer upon his lips, and he hears the elf shiver when he says it. 

“I don’t want your pity,” Astarion says hollowly. “It’s bad enough knowing that you saw me in that pathetic state…”

But he doesn’t push the tiefling away. He relaxes as much as he can into his warm embrace.

“Good gods, get ahold of yourself,” he chides him half-heartedly. 

“Hells, Astarion… when I saw you there…” Church chokes, unable to shake the image of the nearly-skeletal spawn — starved, filthy, and feral — sealed inside of that crypt. “I thought you were dead too.”

“Well I certainly wished I was… for months.” Astarion scowls. “I never told you about that little stint in the darkness, did I?”

“I saw glimpses of that memory,” Church reminds him. He holds Astarion away, searching his eyes. “I want to know the story — when you’re ready,” he adds hurriedly as his expression turns dark. “I want to know exactly what I’ll be punishing Cazador for when we destroy him once and for all.”

A smile twitches to Astarion’s lips. “Such a sweet-talker. If only the Raven Queen wanted to take that memory of mine.” He hesitates. “Perhaps, if we must focus, I could tell you a bit more context. At the very least I will get it out of my damned head.”

Church smiles encouragingly at him. “It might help us get out of this room too,” he suggests, gesturing at the doorless walls. 

Astarion nods, eyes troubled as he finds his words. “Alright, well… once, in the first decade of my slavery… I found a… darling boy.”

As he speaks, whether through their tadpole connection or some other trick of the fortress, Church finds himself sinking into Astarion’s mind. Somehow, he tastes cheap wine. He smells the wet leather of muddy boots sitting in the corner. But closer than that, he smells… what is that? A bit of tuberose? Over-brewed coffee?

…and he sees soft, voluminous coils of black hair over a bright smile. Warm, brown skin illuminated with traces of gold in the semi-darkness. He was the quietest bard the vampire spawn had ever met. He said that he had always been on the road, but his career was only getting started.

He was a model target. He smiled too easily. Laughed too readily. He was too eager to bring Astarion to bed but was gentle. Generous. He asked him about his hopes and dreams. He told him he had a musician’s fingers, all the while interweaving them with his own.

He said he wanted to write a song about Astarion.

It was wonderful.

It was pathetic.

Astarion’s voice shakes. “I couldn’t bear to bring him back to him. So… I ran. Instead of hurting that sweet man.”

The memory fades from Church’s mind, and he feels Astarion’s hand back in his as they stand together in their prison. The elf clears his throat and continues. 

“After Cazador caught me… the bastard sealed me starving inside a dusty tomb all on my own for an entire year — a year of silence. Months of scratching my hands raw trying to carve my way out.”

He glances down at his flexing fingers, as if to reassure himself it was only a nightmare. 

“...and then even more months of not moving at all. Months wishing only for death. Complete solitude for the crime of being disobedient. Sealed. Buried alive. Voiceless. I had no way to count the days, so I… I lost track of time. I thought it might be forever. 

“Then when he released me, I vowed never to disobey again,” he finishes, face hardening. “I was the dutiful spawn, bringing back souls nearly every night for his insatiable appetite of sadism, lust, and blood.”

Church listens and nods along throughout his story. When he looks back up at Astarion, there are tears in his blazing, smoking eyes. 

“I will destroy him for what he did to you,” Church vows. “I’ll help you get your revenge. Whatever it takes. We won’t just kill him. We’ll make him suffer tenfold for what he did to you.”

“I believe you, darling,” Astarion huffs a laugh. “But he’s in Baldur’s Gate, and we are here now. Let’s get your druid and plot our bloody revenge later, yes?” 

He pauses to ponder to himself for a beat.

“Does that mean you’ll try to get out of this place alive after all?” Astarion asks pointedly. “No grand gestures of self-sacrifice this time?”

Church nods, rubbing at his smoking eyes. “As I said… whatever it takes.”

Astarion returns his tight smile. “Wonderful. Oh, look at that — there’s the door,” he says blandly.

Indeed, a door formed out of knotted, golden wood seems to have appeared out of the corner of their eyes, nestled into the obsidian walls as if it had been there the whole time. Greenery coils out from its seams, moss spreading like a welcome mat to wherever this hellish place hopes to take them next.

“Alright, then,” Astarion sighs. “Shall we, darling?”

He flourishes out his hand and Church gratefully takes it. He bitterly wonders if the Raven Queen has been getting some amusement out of watching their ordeal from her omnipresent throne.

He pushes the thought out of his head as he reaches towards the door, pushing it open with a resonant creak. Unsurprisingly, they find another infinite hallway on the other side.

“So how does this work?” Astarion prompts the frowning tiefling. “Shall we meditate upon that enormous druid of yours and his… friend?”

“Thaniel,” Church reminds him. “Who I’ve never even met and know nothing about, so how the hells am I supposed to…?”

The smell of lavender.

Church turns to Astarion. “Humor me, love?”

“What?”

“Close your eyes?” Church asks him nervously. “Keep tight hold of my hand, and I’ll do the same. I promise. But we’ll keep walking, alright?”

“Gods, this place is a hellhole of insanity. But we may as well, I suppose,” Astarion grumbles, interlocking his fingers with the tiefling’s. “Just… don’t let go this time, alright?”

Church keeps his promise. He holds tight to Astarion as he leads them onward along the echoing hallway. The two close their eyes and walk carefully — and then purposefully — forward. Surprisingly, even with the intensity of their stride, they don’t run into any walls.

The shadows part willingly for them, their hunger sated. 

…for now. 

Start from the beginning!

[mio-nika]

Before I went to sleep I remembered!

About part 3 of disgusting. One of the reasons why this idea even went to my head.

If we looking at Phantom story. The only way for him to atone. And like. Prove that he wants to change. Is for him to die.

Saving either Simon or Athena.

For the guy who's always exchanged other people's lives for his safety. Choosing to die for someone else is like BIG DEAL.

Especially if no one asked him to.

Like. I don't think Simon wants him dead. Not only because Simon is a good person. But also. The death is a quick way out. It's much worse to rot in the jail living a half of the existence.

Anyway.

Cowards die many times before their death. The valiant one never tasted death but once.

[richo1915]

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;

The Valiant never taste of death but once."

William Shakespeare

Their Name Liveth for Evermore.

Lest We Forget.

11 Nov 2024

[inarticulatechoes]

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never tastes death but once.

Of all the wonders that I yet have heard, It seems to me most strange that men should fear; Seeing that death, a necessary end, Will come when it will come.”

— William Shakespeare

[silverskye13]

i was going to write the hels!joel oneshot in a journal while watching a livestream but realized im moving out of college on may 4th and my mom might see it 🙏🙏

Woe the baneful specter of parental judgement!

Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Caramel, is not in our stars But in ourselves, that we are underlings.

Yond fears have a lean and hungry look: They think too much: such things are dangerous.

But, for mine own part, it was nothing to me.

Let's carve these words as a dish fit for the gods!

When beggars die there are no comets seen: The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of writers.

Cowards die many times before their deaths, The valiant never taste of death but once.

Et tu, Caramel? -- then fall the pen.

Cry havoc, and let slip your words to page!

[possessiveandobsessive]

"Cowards die many times before their deaths;

the valiant never taste of death but once."

-William Shakespeare

[jackiesarch]

— UQUIZ DOUBLE FEATURE

tagged by @corvosattano to run some awful children through these uquizes. my favorite nightmares, on display for you here, macy.

tagging @unholymilf @adelaidedrubman @shallow-gravy @chuckhansen @leviiackrman @queennymeria @risingsh0t @loriane-elmuerto @confidentandgood @roofgeese @shellibisshe @nightbloodbix @florbelles @indorilnerevarine and anyone else who wants to play!

— THE SUPPORTER

oh gentle comrade, you know what it takes to make others shine. you live your life assisting others to reach their goals, but many say you are lackluster and unnecessary. but alas, do we need the stars any less for their dim light helps the moon glow brighter! you are warm inside and out, perhaps made of sunshine one might ask? but I can see you are as weary and worn as the hero you so desperately cling to. your purpose is to serve? Is it not? it's those moments of undying loyalty that make your bones ring true with honor. "I am right beside you," you whisper, for unlike the ones who lie through their teeth you will be with your ally through joy, through heart ache, through death. it is a difficult thing to gain your trust back if one has shattered it though, you are forgiving yes? you give many chances, but alas, one can only look away from a wrong doing so long. you can't exactly turn your other cheek as once wrings a blade through your middle. you are made of a steadfast heartbeat and a tired, knowing smile. you bring solace to the aching, and comfort to the wronged. but what happens when your protagonist loses? what happens when your valiant heroes fail you? will you pick up a sword and vanquish their enemy or will you wait patiently for yet another savior to appear and save the day? one must live long enough to see their heroes die. but are you brave enough to take their place? the only strings that bind you to your oaths of subservience are your own doubts. "am I good enough?" they whisper in your ears. you answer that yourself love. for the only difference between the paladin and the stable boy are mettle. it is not the question of can you be a hero. it is simply, will you be?

THE LATE NIGHT TALK

Oh. you figure it out when you realize just how vulnerable they are willing to be with you. it isn't everybody who could or would stay up talking into the night with you, not with such affection or easy familiarity. it isn't everybody who is so understanding of you. it isn't everybody who could bare their soul to you in return. that kind of intimacy... it means deep foundations. it means comfort. it means trust. maybe it's a secret, maybe it's a story, maybe it's something you just never thought of before -- but they say something, late at night, and you realize all at once how remarkable they are, and how special it is to exist in the same time and space as them. "oh" indeed.

— THE RISING UNDERDOG

why hello again dearie, I see you managed to help those frogs those children were kicking, hm? oh how much I can emphasize we are but the ghosts of our childhood passions. and, unsurprising enough, the hero to the trodden little creatures of the earth is now a rising golden savior to the masses. oh love, I said you'd go far, didn't I. for the good always prevail in the end, somehow, they do. you lived a difficult life, I know, but you never let that get you down. you took beatings with a grin, and dished back kindness in return. inequality and injustice made you outaged, and you strove to assist the hurting and abused. oh shining dragon, you are bathed in golden light. please keep being true. you have tasted blood and death, but you refused to force it down the throats of others. and that alone proves there is inchor in your veins, demigod. you will be struggling until the very end, battling for your comrades, your people, and yourself. never lose sight of your goal my dear. sometimes you needn't have one, except see the good, and protect it. that is all my advice can tell you. I implore, protect the goodness in yourself with everything you have, but never refuse to share it also. young hero, you are growing. you are destined for wonders even I may not live long enough to encounter. keep up the good work, and keep your head held high. you are bound to do the impossible, all because you see the truth. there is good in the world, and it deserves to be found.

— THE KISS

you typically wait until the last second to believe the truth--because it would destroy you to believe it, and then find out it was a lie. you are someone who has never wanted to want, but has rarely been able to do anything else. the idea that you might have to break down your walls for the sake of someone else, someone who could easily decide they don't like what is on the other side, is harrowing. why let people get close enough to be rejected? you are enough for yourself. and you tell yourself that every time you catch yourself staring at their mouth, smirking at their joke, finding a reason to flick their shoulder. until the kiss. that's when the flood of want, want, want bowls over you and you realize that you are torn between two ways of living. Oh, you think. because despite how complicated you have made it, the moment you kiss, somehow, things seem incredibly simple. they won't be once you start thinking again, but for now, for this moment, you live in the quiet peace of revelation. Oh.

— THE ANTIHERO

ah yes, hello edge lord. it is lovely to see you again. you my dear, are the incarnation of duality, and you might think of claws and venom mixed with grace but alas, nothing near as poetic. you my friend, are mixture of what is seen as right, and what is questioned. you follow the path of your own two feet, you know the twists and turns of life's forests quite well if I do say so myself. and you can meander along them wonderfully. you strive to stay true to a certain sense of principles you might call your code, but whereas in reality, those would be your morals. people tend to see you as strange. sharp edged and glinting you hide behind a cloak of chain mail but really you just prefer to show off your imperfections first. unlike many who scramble to make it as if their flaws never existed, you proudly raise yours up. saying, "this is me, this is the worst of me, now you know what to expect." and might I say, it is quite an intriguing mindset, for truth be told, the ones that love your spikes and craters are the ones who appreciate your softness the most. you wish not to be loved as something lovable, but as a monster. for aren't we all just beasts in human skin? you are brave, but you are lonely. you know quite well how to scare off most, making even the heroes with the boldest bravado creep away with their tails between their legs. you are not a villian, sometimes you play the part a bit too well. but nevertheless you are no hero either. you put yourself first, but if one wins your trust then may the gods have mercy on those who might wrong them. you long to be a poetic mess of sorts, and well, if the ink sets in long enough you might just become that sooner or later. but for one who is so dead set on truth you sure do hide a lot don't you? please, step out of the shadows, there is a difference to not making your flaws visible and to simply acting as if you're the most despicable person in all the realms. it's because you're afraid of attachment is it not? well let me tell you a little secret, everyone is. you say you wish to be left alone for eternity but than why are you craving connection. you wish to be known and understood truly, but you snarl and push the ones that might be trying away. please little wolf, accept you are lovable. you are not some ravenous beast that terrifies the multitudes, sure, you are not for the faint of heart but that does not make you an inkling less perfect as you are. young antihero, step into the sun. you would do better actually reaching for the things you want rather than pining for them in the darkness.

— THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY

this one comes with a pang. it is the wrinkled brow of something unpleasant sinking in. they've left to find some new adventure. or they've met someone else. and you have only just begun to understand their true importance to you. you watch them drift toward a future without you, and in that stark numbness of their absence, it hits you. Oh. oh, you want them close. you hopelessly, selfishly want them all to yourself. you'll support them no matter what, but you don't want them to want a future that doesn't involve you. you want them to read the near-invisible signs of your love and decide to take a chance on you. you never want to say that you *used* to know each other. so what are you going to do?

—THE FALLEN PRODIGY

hello old friend, it's been a while hasn't it? I remember when you were just a child, gape-smiled and beaming like the sun. where have you laid your youth to rest my love? is it buried beside your heart perhaps? I know how deeply life has wounded you, it took away everything, didn't it? oh poor soul, you held onto happiness with bloody, shaking hands but still fate ripped even that away from you. your past lovers are dead or did some betray you? turning away in fear of what they once admired. your comrades have been slain, or their priorities shifted. I've heard you too have changed your way of thought. the people fear you know, do they normally cower at the sound of your name? ah don't fret, that makes two of us. the masses tend to despise the things they do not have the will to comprehend. the villian finds sympathy for you don't they, well I could have seen that from a mile away. you two are the oldest friends, you made a deal with them correct? to save your late love, they tried to hold their end of the bargain, really, but I fear you are cursed to forever be despondent. oh what a sad and miserable life without love. is that why you chase loneliness? for is it truly a life of sorrow if you yourself has chosen it? but don't become bitter from the pain. trust when I say I have seen wounds unfold a man, turning the gentlest spirits into seething beasts. please, keep seeking love, even if it seems you are forbidden from it. you are the master of your own fate, I see how tired you are. the scars never healed, they twist and wrap around your entire person. your eyes are dark and lifeless, rest. but keep fighting, not with the sword you have forsaken so long ago, but with your heart. I'll be rooting for you my friend.

— THE EMERGENCY

something goes wrong. there's urgency. everything gets turned upside down, and you have to grab for the things that matter most-- Oh. suddenly, there's perspective, and at the worst possible moment, the moment when there is so much else going on, you realize that you have been breathless with want for so, so long. you want everyone to be safe, but please, please, you want them to be safe. you want everything to be okay so that you can have another chance to get things right. a chance to start over. and everything will be okay, of course, because you've made it through bad moments before, and that foundation of trust is there, even if you've never quite acknowledged it to its full potential. you trust them. you need them. Oh.