#there are beautiful moments that nourish hope but it can leave you wondering if its worth it if it never bears fruit. like eating a candy

[jnpje]

on the subject of meet cutes. and my own self ship analysis. i present you with the "true" way we met. not rebloggable bc i would rip into shreds everything i ever made if people reblogged this just because he said fuck

[insert-something-funy-here]

PHIGHT OR PHLIGHT

This is part 2!! Part three is in the works!!

Part 1 || Part 3

I hope yall know it makes me so happy to know people are interested in this HEHEHEGRHEJHEGEHRGR,,,,

Anyway, enjoy!!!

What a wholesome moment.

A ship kept safe by its anchor, the ocean nourished by the sand it wears at. But there’s a storm rolling in, one that will force its light upon this resonant scene. 

Steps echo in the alley, a slow clap accompanied by thunderous laughter. 

“Wonderful job my beautiful creation! I expected nothing less of you!” Shocked expressions made they way to Medkit’s and Biograft’s faces upon hearing Subspace’s voice. 

Anxiety greets them both in Subspace's presence, for one it's an old friend, and the other, it's something entirely new. "What? Did you really think I didn't know know this would happen?" He sighs, good thing this experiment has served it's purpose. "You've changed from how I designed you, and look at how you've been dulled."

"I knew Meddy would never let me close to him outside of a phight, but then you presented me a new experiment to run! As tough as he may act, I know he feels some guilt. Enough to see you at least." Even with his mask and eyepatch, it was easy to see Subspace’s smile. Finally, after spending so long trying find Medkit, he would get his chance at vengence. "Come now my dear creation, help me finish this, and we'll-"

"No."

"No? What do you mean no?" Some defiance was to be expected with this. Allowing this variable to grow within him. But he's being led astray, and I have a parently duty to pull him back. "I was fine with a little disobedience, it served a purpose, but it seems you've strayed too far from my brilliance." He reached into a pocket and pulled out a remote. He sighs, "It's alright though, because unlike that man there, I can fix you!"

That remote. One of the emergency shut downs for Biografts. This one specifically was made for gen## Zeta Biografts. In Subspaces mind, Blackrock could handle the hit in security for a bit. Anyone who's worth something has a personal Biograft not connected to any of the servers one of those remotes would shut down anyway. And with one press, Biograft fell apart, "Well, isn't this familiar?" His laughter brought back memories, and it was sickening. Medkit felt himself back in that SFoTH forsaken lab, back against the wall, a deer in the headlights.

Though Biograft had fallen apart, there was a few seconds before his software finished shutting down. In these precious moments he saw a version of himself standing before him.

"Leave."

"If I do that we'll be back where we started."

"We're not the same anymore. You've changed your directive. Follow it before he makes you like us again."

A slight pause. "You're not yourself either."

"I'm surprised your body is still holding up." A desperate attempt at keeping composure.

"You didn't do that much to me!!" Evidence of how he's failing. "Him on the other hand," He looks at the fallen Biograft and back up Medkit. He steps forward, using mist walk, he clears the distance before Medkit could react. Biograft was supposed to be here to help, but perhaps Medkit watching his last chance at some sort of temporary catharsis die will put him at enough of a disadvantage.

Grabbing him by his tie Subspace shoves him into the wall, "Brings back memories doesn't it? Don't worry, you won't have to remember for much longer!" His other hand hovering dangerously close to Medkit’s last eye. Subspace's freezes for a moment, feeling Medkit’s revolver against his chest, and begins laughing. "What do you think you're going to accomplish with that, hmm? You use that to heal people remember? It's the only reason you keep it after all-"

"What do you know?" His grip tightened, "These bullets can end lives as quick just as they can save them."

"Oh please," Subspace moves his freehand to grip Medkit’s gun, "If you had the strength for that," he pulls it closer, "you would've shot me already."

In flash of teal light, Subspace is on the ground and Medkit has been freed. A familiar alarm blares in both their ears. Subspace sits back up and stares in shock, but before he can call out to the newly reformed Biograft, he's already left with Medkit.

"My creation... my once beautiful invention... my son..." it doesn't take long for this Biograft’s absence to eat away at him.

Biograft runs as far as he can, Medkit in his arms. He makes wide jumps across rooftops, no real direction other than away. Away from Subspace, away from his 'siblings', away from Blackrock. He's overheating, he's going to collapse again.

"Go left here."

Which meant they needed somewhere safe to go, and to follow the quickest directions there. Medkit knew somewhere they could stop, the two of them just had to hope Biograft could make it that far.

[blossom-hwa]

hey lina!! happy four years and may your blog continue growing and for you to keep producing amazing works!!

i was wondering for your drabble requests, can i ask for yunho+yellow with the title “sunshine meets sunflowers”? congrats again for hitting four years!! 💞

hi love!! thank you so much for your kind words and for this request, it's so cute <3 I hope you enjoy it!

4 year anniversary drabble game: send me a Stray Kids/The Boyz/Golden Child/Ateez member + a prompt (check out the post for ideas) and I’ll write a drabble for you!

ok looking back gina, this was so much fun to write - thank you thank you THANK YOU for requesting it!!!

~

Title: Sunlight Meets Sunflowers

Pairing: Yunho x gender neutral!reader

Word count: 1.1k

Triggers: none

~

Some days feel like they're caving in on you, the sky crashing to pieces on your head and slamming you down every time you try to get up. It hurts - those moments when you almost forget to pick Yuna up from school and have to make a frantic U-turn to get to the school, those moments where you're behind in work and can feel the looks of your coworkers searing into your back even if they don't exist as you frantically try to catch up after a late night spent trying to get your daughter to go to sleep.

You love her. You love her to the ends of the earth, your beautiful sunflower with the loveliest petals and shining face - more than once, you've held her in your arms and sworn to any being listening in the heavens that you would do anything to keep her safe. But you're only one person tackling a job meant for two, and sometimes, the nourishment you can provide your sunflower's roots just doesn't feel enough.

Because a flower can't only bloom with soil and water and nutrients. A sunflower, especially. It's in the name - the blooms follow the sun from east to west, tracing its path across the sky, and if there isn't enough sun...

The flower won't survive.

You do your best. When the petals begin to wilt with sickness or tiredness or just a little pout on your sunflower's lips, you do your best to soothe them, to help them recover their previous brightness. Sometimes it's hard, though - you can feel yourself wilting on the inside with every day that passes, and sometimes even Yuna's giggles and smiles and shouts of "Look what I just did!" can't fully soothe the knot of exhaustion growing in your chest. It’s not enough, you think, whatever you provide isn’t enough for a growing girl who needs more than it feels like you can give her -

Then you spill coffee all over yourself and another poor man at seven in the morning in the cafe just down the street, and that's how you meet the sun.

Yuna avoids all the mess - she was on your other side and thank god for that, or coffee would've stained her clothes and that would've been a nightmare to sort out - and by the time you've found the napkins you always keep at the bottom of your bag, she's already chattering away with him about the new dress she's wearing, the dress that's pink and purple and oh, Mr. person whose name I don't know, isn't it pretty?

It takes a lot for you to not scream into your hands at the moment, though the urge to scream is less out of frustration than sheer embarrassment - the man, whose name you don't know yet, is awfully handsome and has been listening to your daughter so attentively with a lovely smile on his face, so he gets double the bonus points for that. But he's laughing and complimenting her dress, and as he takes the napkins you hand over in apology, he introduces himself as Jung Yunho.

"I want to see Mr. Yunho again," Yuna announces as the three of you step out of the cafe, you having paid for a second drink to make up for the one Yunho lost. "Can I? Please?"

You cast him an apologetic look. "That depends on what he says, sweetie," you say, trying to figure out how to word this so that she won't cry. "I -"

"It's alright." Yunho says, and even though the sky is gray and covered in clouds, the smile on his face makes you feel like the sun is shining down on your skin. "I'd be happy to see her again." His smile turns a little sheepish. "She's adorable."

"Oh," is all you can manage at first, taken aback both by his willingness to give in to your daughter's demands and the fluttering feeling in your chest. "I - that would be nice, if it isn't too much trouble for you -"

"It's no trouble at all." Yunho looks down at Yuna, then back at you with that same smile never leaving his lips. "If you’d like, we can meet here again next week?"

The coffee shop becomes the regular place where you meet with the sun, letting the rays of his smile spread over your sunflower as she chatters away about anything and everything all at once. And as the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months...

You might say that with every time Yunho reminds you that you’re doing well, that Yuna loves you so much and that you’re enough for her, the dull ache in your chest has begun to heal, too.

Slowly, Yunho integrates himself into your and Yuna's lives, first as a passing acquaintance, then as a friend, then as something other than a friend, someone who sometimes stays into the late hours and refuses to take your bed when you insist he spend the night, opting instead for the couch that's much too small for his body. You alternate days for picking Yuna up from school. You sometimes stay over at his apartment. Yuna calls Yunho "Papa” on accident, again on accident, and then on purpose, again and again and again -

"Papa!" you hear Yuna yell from inside the apartment as you climb up the stairs after a long day at work, exhaustion weighing down your feet. But with the shout and the ensuing muffled giggles, you feel lighter and lighter with every step you take until you're just outside the door and can hear the chaos inside more clearly than ever.

The keys jingle in your hand as you pick out the right one to insert in the lock. You open the door, shut it behind you, and -

A shriek of delight sounds in the next room just before your sunflower comes bounding into your arms, before you even have the chance to take off your shoes. "You're home!"

"Yes, I am, sunflower." You kiss her forehead. "Did you miss me?"

"We both did." The sun appears next to the sunflower, kissing your forehead when you turn to him.

Holding your sunflower and being held by your sun, warmth blooms in your chest and you almost feel like you could fly, past the sky and past the clouds, light, free, ready to face anything in the world so long as you have them by your side.

You smile, and if there's a tear in your eye, neither of them says anything. "I missed you too."

[21burritoseavey]

moonlight pt.3 (d.s.)

a/n: hey, I really hope you enjoy this one, even though it says ‘pt.3′ you can read the parts on their own if you wish:)

summary: daniel takes you to his hometown to meet his family + some other stuff happens. inspired by all too well (taylor’s version) Pt.1, Pt.2

wc: 3732 - i really did that😌

Your love was like the moon. It was eternal. Sometimes dim, other times bright. And much like the faithful moon, love was always there through your relationship, the best, the worst and even the moments where it was hidden in the darkness.

Daniel wasn’t sure if he would ever find another place on Earth that matched the beauty of his hometown. Autumn was prospering effortlessly, as if the town was lit on fire. It donned vibrant colours of red, orange, and yellow on freshly fallen leaves instead of the green that dwelled in summer and fostered a misty dew upon trees that lined streets. Daniel watched you soak in all the wonders of Washington since it was your first time there. He loved the way you appreciated every fleeting image of mother nature whizzing by the open car window. Your hair whirled in the wind as if it was having its very last dance and you reached your hands out through the open window to feel the hazy atmosphere cool your hands. Your carefree spirit even inspired him to feel more excited. Washington was’t as glamourous as his new place of residence but provided he didn’t have to work, trips back there allowed him to break out of his bubble of familiar city life and step back inside a world nourished with memories of his childhood and feelings of his younger self. Life in his hometown was much slower than L.A. and going back there always felt like a daydream. 

He had driven down the road leading to his childhood home many times before, but it felt different this time. There seemed to be a new meaning to this trip, like he was revealing a hidden piece of his heart with open arms and the hope there wouldn’t be any judgement, just love and appreciation. But that felt like a big step from prior months of happy-go-lucky summer romance so the drive was quieter than usual, but still comfortable. There were low tunes playing from the speakers and only a few moments of lingering conversation, but Daniel kept one hand on top of yours resting on your thigh the whole ride. He would give your hand a little squeeze every once and a while. 

You were in his old neighbourhood when the phone rang. The vibrations of his phone tucked in the cup holder in the console between them had you and Daniel both glancing down at lit screen, and Daniel muttered a “Can you get that please?” for you to answer it. 

You nodded with a smile in response and picked it up, seeing an unknown name on the screen. “Jonah?” You peaked a brow.

“Jonah?” He repeated excitedly, the name resonating in his mind with a sort of uplifting familiarity. He ushered you to answer it, his gaze flickering between the niegourhood street ahead of him and the phone you held below his ear. Daniel pulled over just as the phone line cracked and you heard Jonah’s muffled voice. A few animated greetings. Lingering small talk. Some eager ‘yes’s. And then the call was over. You waited silently with your own smile in excitement for him even though having no idea what those two boys were just talking about. Daniel was the most extroverted extrovert you knew. He never objected to any plans to hang out with his friends and at times, he’d just think up random reasons just to see them. He sincerely would not act the same if he had to go a day without talking to others. 

Daniel whipped his head over at you, holding out the phone for you to take once he drove onto the road again, his open mouthed grin waiting expectantly to spill out all the details of this phone call. 

“Who was it?” You asked, leaning towards him in your seat. 

“Jonah,” He glanced at you. “An old friend. We used to hang out all the time when I lived here. I told him I just got here, and he asked if I could hang out sometime during my stay.”

Your smile grew bigger, and you rested a hand on his arm, “That’s great! You’re going, right?” 

He turned to you with furrowed brows. “Of course! I’d be crazy not to.” He said matter of factly. 

“So you two used to hang around here, then?” You regarded the houses and streets out the window. 

“Yeah, he used to live a few blocks away.” Silence fell as he unlocked the memory, giving you a tight smile before turning to the road once more. Your grinned and turned contently to your window. 

You focused out the window as Daniel pulled into the driveway of his former home. The garage was wide open, and you saw two other cars settled inside that you guessed belonged to Daniel’s siblings. The moment the car ignition turned off; you were starting to feel a twist of nervousness grow in your gut. Daniel felt your grip tighten on his hand unconsciously and he looked at you with a smile. 

“It’ll be fine, Y/n. My parents will love you.” He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss on your cheek.

“I hope so.” You mumbled, only glancing back with a forced smile before opening the door. You lowered yourself out of the car seat onto the driveway. The suitcases and bags you brought for the stay were in the trunk and Daniel met you at the back of his car to bring them inside. 

With his backpack slung over his shoulders and his suitcase rolling across the gravel, he locked your hand with his. He barely had a moment to even knock on the lacquered wood before the door was whipping open to reveal his mother.

“Daniel,” Keri sighed gladly, standing on the threshold of the front entrance, outstretched arms ready to embrace her youngest son. 

“Hey, mom,” Daniel obliged quickly, letting himself relax in his mother’s arms after the flight and long drive down. Keri pulled back and brushed her palm across his cheek. “I missed you.” 

She caught a glimpse of your fall sweater billowing out with the breeze behind him and was quick to pull you in a long hug, her hands rubbing affectionately over your back. 

“I’ve heard lots about you, Y/n.” She beamed. Although you couldn’t see her grin, you could sense her joy in her tone. Just by her sweet voice, you let out a breath you hardly even knew you were holding in. It was nice to already feel that motherly love from her. 

“Hi,” You bit your lip against a smile in nervousness, “It’s so good to finally meet you,” You glanced at Daniel over Keri’s shoulder, meeting his goofy smile and his reassuring thumbs up. You couldn’t help but giggle at him. 

“I’m so glad you came up here,” She grinned, pulling back to get a good look at you. “Come in,” She waved you in. “The food’s ready and everything.” She stopped in her tracks to look back behind her legs. “Finn’s excited to see you too.” The energetic Goldendoodle skidded towards you from behind his owner, his little paws tapping against the floor, and he gave you lots of welcoming kisses as you crouched to the floor. 

“That wasn’t so bad.” You whispered excitedly to Daniel while you washed your hands in the half bathroom. 

“I told you,” He rolled his eyes playfully as he dried his hands. 

Daniel’s immediate family had come together and withdrew from their separate conversations to have dinner. Anna noticed you as you walked in from the half bathroom and didn’t hesitate to greet you after Christian and Tyler. The place was warm - bright accent colours dusting the cabinets and walls and scents of home cooked dishes worked in perfect harmony to create a welcoming setting for the family dinner. After seats were taken and blessings were said, they began plating their own meals themselves and started with light conversation. 

You were close with Daniel’s siblings due to your shared residence back in L.A, but Keri and Jeff Seavey were quite a different story. Daniel always reiterated their unwavering kindness towards any of his loved ones so you guessed meeting them would be easy. And it was. From first glance, you could see a little bit of Daniel that lingered in their mannerisms to their voices to the way they tipped their heads back when they laughed. There was never a moment where you felt out of place, and they were keen to learn more about you. It was easy to feel at home. 

For old times’ sake, Daniel’s mother had brought up the topic of past family memories, eagerly telling you stories of family shenanigans that nearly made her sons and daughter cringe behind bites of their dinner. A photo album sat on the table as Keri flipped through the plastic protected pages, each filled with memories over the years that she treasured dearly. 

“Oh, take a look at this one,” She chuckled, pointing a finger at a vividly rendered photograph. 

She picked up the album and angled it towards Daniel, taking pride in the precious moment she was able to capture. You leaned on his shoulder to take a look as well and Anna, Christian and Tyler did the same. Out of the four, the sibling in the picture was Daniel. 

“Aww” you pouted sweetly, pressing a hand on Daniel’s arm beside you. 

He wore navy blue shorts that reached his mid thighs and a slightly oversized red sweatshirt, sitting on his white and blue bicycle with an expression you couldn’t quite put your finger on. The background was just the same; lush greenery behind a brilliant white fence, and flowers growing slightly over the concrete. Daniel felt more embarrassed with every second your gaze lingered on the photograph, his flushed cheek squished against your shoulder and his awkward smile hidden in the material of your fall sweater. The vivid blue of his eyes wasn’t quite captured by the camera, but that part of him hadn’t changed over the years. His eyes were still as beautiful and shone with the same, if not more, happiness he always had inside him. You could stare into them for ages. 

“You look like a pro athlete there, baby,” You joked, grinning down at him. He merely sunk his head further into your shoulder with a laugh, and you brushed a hand through his brunette hair. Daniel’s three other siblings didn’t hesitate to make their own jokes and comments known on the other end of the dinner table. 

“I remember you used training wheels for the longest time,” Anna chimed in. 

“But you would always get back up after you fell, trying and trying again.” Jeff spoke proudly behind a forkful of his dinner. 

“Yeah, I remember that. I’d love riding that bike to school.” He chuckled with a light-hearted shake of his head

“Oh look, here’s one from American Idol!” Keri gushed excitedly from her spot. She whipped the photo book around to show her kids, not quite getting the same heartfelt reaction she expected. The Seavey siblings all broke out into laughter at the sight of young, emotional Daniel and his flushed cheeks. (a/n: sorry I had to haha)

The victim of embarrassment himself groaned loudly, raking his hands over his face. “Where did you even get that?!” His siblings only laughed harder at his reaction.

Jeff looked up from his plate to see what all the fuss was about, his glass of water pressed to his lips. Through a sip, he gazed at the photo, his mind barely processing the image for a moment until he spat the water out again from shock. He pressed the back of his hand to his mouth and laughed through his numerous coughs. Keri glared right across from him. He raised both of his hands in defence, and he mouthed a ‘sorry’. 

“I don’t know,” Keri softly replied through a frown, facing the photo album back to herself so only she could admire it. “It’s been in here for years,”  

“Years?!” Daniel’s eyes widened. 

“Oh my gosh, I’ve got to tweet this.” Christian chuckled and pulled out his phone. 

You kept your own giggles in for the sake of helping Daniel not just burst into a mess of utter humiliation amidst his siblings and even his father’s laughter. You leaned in and tried to pull his hands away from his face, “Dani,” You bit back your smile. “It’s okay, you look cute there,” 

He dropped his hands and stared at you; his eyes boring into yours blankly. “I look like an idiot.” 

“A cute idiot.” You smirked, leaning in to brush your nose with his. Daniel finally smiled and snaked an arm around your waist to keep you next to him.  

Despite the glimmer of embarrassment that came with reminiscence, Daniel couldn’t deny the warmth in his heart that derived from family homespun memories. They reminded him of his appreciation for his loved ones, and you, whom he was able to share them with. He averted his gaze, past his joking siblings, to the dark wooden dresser occupying the wall across from him. His eyes wandered along the line of picture frames on the sideboard. They always sat there, growing in age yet growing in appreciation. On the left were young versions of his paternal grandparents rendered monochrome on their wedding day: The past. The next frame: his parents standing in casual street clothes with their new Goldendoodle puppy held in their arms: The present. The last one was empty. Keri still had yet to pick a photo that best fit the vacant spot. But Daniel already had his ideas. You and him: The future. Just as in love as the rest of them. 

The group’s conversations lasted longer than the actual eating part of dinner as empty plates and cups sat in front of you, but once stars dotted the blanket of darkness stretching to infinity and the moonlight poured in through the undrawn curtains of the veranda door, the family began shifting out of their seats and cleaning up. You looked so magical bathed in the shaft of moonlight and Daniel couldn’t help but whisper a compliment to you. 

“You look so beautiful,” He murmured right into your ear so his siblings wouldn’t hear, his thumb brushing underneath your chin to pull your gaze to his. He pressed a lingering kiss to your lips. 

“Thank you, baby. You look so handsome,” You returned, kissing him a couple more times before having to get up and join in on the cleaning up. Daniel was so enthralled by you, your every word and touch. It was surreal how everything fell into place, how dreamlike everything felt with him. Daniel hardly paid any focus on placing the crockery in the dishwasher as his gaze was plastered to you, doing the simplest task of drying the dishes yet looking so wonderful doing it. 

You noticed his lingering stare when you looked over your shoulder. “Daniel?”

The dishes clattered as they fell onto the rack and Daniel snapped back into reality at the noise. “U-uh…yep. Yeah.” He stuttered, looking away from you. 

“Alright.” You dismissed it with a chuckle. 

 Daniel’s family had moved their lives to the backyard, taking advantage of the calm autumn night around the firepit. The two of you stayed in the kitchen for a moment before joining them.  

“Thank you for coming with me tonight.” Daniel placed a hand on your back from behind. “It means a lot.” He kissed your cheek. 

You turned to him, a cheerful smile stretching across your face, with an easy “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” 

The backyard was adorned with fairy lights in early preparation for the holidays, and on one of the outdoor sofas sat Tyler, his guitar sitting on his lap as he plucked the strings messily. 

“Play a proper song, can’t you?” Daniel rolled his eyes light-heartedly as he emerged from the indoors. 

“Sure, I can. Just didn’t want to outperform you.” Tyler spoke back, shooting his brother a smirk which earned gentle laughter from the rest of the group. Daniel merely shrugged off his comment like it was nothing and snatched the bag of marshmallows playfully from his younger sister, plopping one in his mouth.

“Hey,” Keri scolded gently, plucking the bag from his hands which startled her youngest son. “Those are for s’mores.” 

Daniel pouted. 

You came sauntering across the patio just in time and he welcomed you to curl up beside him. “Here you go,” He passed you a skewer and a marshmallow. You thanked him and let your head rest on his shoulder while the fire warmed your cheeks.

As the small group roasted their marshmallows over the fire, Tyler did in fact, start playing some of his favourite songs on his guitar, sending waves upon waves of peace over the group while the full moon created dappled shadows and the fall wind stirred around you. 

“Alright, we’re heading to bed.” Daniel’s mother and father announced, and they pulled themselves up to their feet. After some goodnights and loving hugs, they went back indoors. 

Having driven a long way, Daniel started to feel himself dozing off beside you, his eyes falling closed before he would open them up again. On the other hand, you wanted nothing more than to get up and move around. You looked around to his siblings, Anna was merely focused on her book, Christian was on his phone and Tyler was busy with his guitar perched on his lap. 

“Daniel?” 

He stared at the bonfire, listening to the crackling of fire in front of him as the warm toned flames reached higher and higher into the atmosphere. Your soft voice pulled him out of his little trance, and he looked down at you at the mention of his name. 

You shifted onto your feet slowly. “Want to go for a walk?” You asked. Daniel glanced down at your outstretched hand for a moment and then back up to you, his lips tugging up into a smile with the same adoration as you did for him. The way your eyes shimmered against the firelight gave him instant butterflies.

Daniel hesitated for a moment but with an “okay,” he placed his hand in yours so you could pull him up to his feet. Amidst the overhanging trees at the edge of the backyard, fall leaves carpeted the grass, and you would’ve loved to just fall back into the piles and piles strewn along the fence the second you noticed them. Daniel stopped his strides across the expanse to peer towards the heaps of leaves sitting only paces away as if they were inviting him to jump into them. He slowly turned to you. 

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” 

You nodded quickly, catching on without an ounce of hesitation. “Yeah,”

So, with your hands interlocked and childlike adventure coursing through your veins, you and Daniel almost ran towards the mountainous pile, your feet recklessly skidding along the damp grass. Daniel looked back just as the pair of you were about to fall in and he tugged your wrist gently so you would fall safely in his arms. With a muffled thump, the two of you landed, leaves tumbling up around you. Brown. Red. Yellow. And like confetti, they fell again. Daniel broke out into giggles at the silliness of it all.

“That was it?” You asked disbelievingly with a glance over your shoulder, a tinge of disappointment in your tone. “I thought it was going to be more fun…” Daniel only laughed. 

“We should do that again!” You proposed, getting up off his lap. 

Daniel whipped his head at you and got up, wiping excess leaves stuck to his clothes. “Hey, hey, hey,” He stopped you, both hands resting on your arms and with a cheeky smile he said, “I don’t think my mom would be very happy if we did that again,” 

“Oh, yeah.” Your expression melted into a serious one. You looked down at your body, your clothes damp from the dew and leaves clinging to your clothes and hair. “We are a bit messy, huh?”

Daniel nodded with a chuckle, “I don’t mind.” He only stepped closer, tucking his head into your neck with a tired sigh. “I’m so tired,”

“Me too.”

The two of you just stayed in each other’s warm arms for a moment, beside the silhouettes of the trees and the mess of autumn leaves. Daniel lifted his head from the crook of your neck to look at you, and you peeled your eyes open to look at him too. “I love you,”

“I love you,” You beamed, the three words rolling off your tongue easily. You moved your hand to his chest and tugged the loose front of his sweater to push his lips onto yours, his heartbeat right against your palm. Daniel smiled into your kiss, his soft lips caressing yours, warm and lingering. Even once you pulled back, the two of you stared silently at each other, your own thoughts dancing slowly in your minds and shared love bursting in your hearts. That was, until Daniel felt a feather light ‘thud’ of a marshmallow smack his arm. 

He turned to the supposed direction of where it came from and strained his eyes to finally catch sight of Anna and Christian. “Get a room, you two!” Anna called with a laugh from her spot across the yard. She reached further into the half empty marshmallow bag to chuck more at her older brother. 

“Ow! Wha-...stop!” Daniel stuttered, stretching his arm out towards his younger sister as he tried to grab the pink and white marshmallows darting towards the both of you. 

“Oh, gosh,” You breathed, trying to hold back your own laughter with your palm as Daniel tried to dodge the marshmallows ruthlessly coming your way. “Dani, they’re just marshmallows.” 

He stumbled towards his siblings in his haste. But once he grabbed a hold of that bag himself, he began throwing the rest at his siblings too, his infectious chuckles filling the air as they tried to avoid the marshmallows. You and Tyler exchanged shocked glances at their behaviour as you made your way over to the firepit. 

“What is going on here?” The veranda door slid open, and Keri stood in place, her robe dancing with the breeze. Almost instantly, Daniel, Christian, Anna and even Tyler, who was simply strumming his guitar, all looked over at their mother with shocked expressions. 

“Just get inside. It’s getting late.” She called with her arms crossed over her chest, expecting nothing less ridiculous from her kids. 

 Her stern motherly voice had them all walking indoors with bowed heads in single file; Tyler. Christian. Anna. At the sight of Daniel, Keri frowned. His dishevelled hair and slightly damp clothing had her disappointed frown deepening. As he slipped past her, she plucked a stray leaf from his arm, and she held it in confusion for a moment. And as you walked after him with even more leaves stuck to your clothes, she sighed in realisation and peered at the sunken pile of leaves near the fence. She hid her own gentle laughter at the mess of marshmallows strewn around the firepit and slid the door closed. 

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[forever-rogue]

Hi Patricia <3 i saw only 1 Pero Tovar on your list but I love it. I'd like to send a request. Pero taking care of you when you're sick/injured (cold, twisted ankle, something minor) full worry mode and a bit in over his head.

This is just some softness 🥺💕 I hope you enjoy!

Pero Tovar x Fem!Reader ; warnings: none

Pedro Characters Masterlist 

»»————-　♡　————-««

You sighed heavily as you listened to the roosters and other nesting birds start to rustle around. Your whole body was tired and acting, your nose was stuffed, a deep cough lingered in your chest, and you just felt so run down. 

It was likely just a cold, something you were often plagued with during the colder months, but usually worked through them. Today was no exception - there was much to do around the farm and the house and it allotted almost no down time. A storm was coming as well and you wanted to make sure that Pero had as much help as possible.

Reaching for the glass of water at the bedside table, you quickly downed it all in go. You hadn't remembered leaving it there the night before, meaning that Pero must have heard you tossing, turning, and sniffling throughout the night. Taking a moment to close your eyes, you willed yourself to gather up all of your strength to get out of bed and go about your day.

"What are you doing, mi amor?" at the sound of its warm, soft voice, your eyes snapped open and met the gentle, brown eyes of your husband. He came over and knelt at your side, his large hands finding your face as he looked you over, "you must go back to sleep and rest."

"I can't," you insisted meekly as he pressed a kiss to your forehead, "we have work to do, and I don't want you to do it all."

"Nonsense," he insisted softly as he tried to push you back into bed with a firm, but gentle touch, "you are exhausted and you need to rest. You won't do anyone any good while you feel and look like death."

"Thank you for your kind words dear husband," you managed to laugh momentarily before it turned into a coughing fit. He raised an eyebrow as if to say 'see' and you rolled your eyes dramatically, "fine. I will stay in this bed only until I feel better since I appear to look like death."

"Even in such a state you are more beautiful than all the stars and moon," he pulled the thick down blanket over you before tucking it around your shivering form, "now I just want you to feel better. Please rest for me?"

"Are you going to dote on me like a mother hen the entire time?" you teased lightly as it was his turn to roll his eyes. For how rough and gruff he appeared to be, he always managed to have a soft spot for you.

"If that's what is required for you to rest so you can get better, then yes," he brushed some of the stray hairs off your face before using the back of his hand to feel your forehead, "now get some rest. I will fetch you some breakfast and then tend to the chores. There is no rush, but you must take it easy to get better. Yes?"

"Yes Pero," your eyes felt like they were already getting heavy as you laid against the soft pillows and relaxed, "I love you."

"I love you," he replied with a gentle touch to your cheek, "I'll be back shortly."

»»————-　♡　————-««

"Come on," he whispered softly when he came back with a tray of breakfast in his hands. You offered him a sleepy smile before sitting up and scooting over so he would have some room. He placed the tray on your lap before giving you a curious look, "what are you doing?"

"Join me," you insisted as he laughed lightly before getting into bed next to you. Normally you'd be nervous about him catching whatever you had, but if he were to catch it, he would have already done so. The man had a strong immune system it appeared, unlike you, "eat with me."

"You're the one that needs to eat," he reminded as you scoffed and took a piece of bread, and stuffing it gently into his mouth before he could argue.

"As do you," you grabbed a spoon of porridge, "and don't argue with me. I know you have not yourself broken your fast."

"And just how do you know this?" he grinned  through a mouthful of bread layered with butter and jam.

"I know my husband," you reminded him, "am I wrong?"

"Of course not," he said softly as you laughed at him, "you always did know me like no other."

"That's because I am your wife - and I love you," you grabbed another spoonful and continued eating. It didn't take long before you were done and there weren't even any crumbs left. You hadn't realized just how ravenous you were, but apparently your illness had really taken everything out of you.

"Have you had enough?" Pero offered you a questioning look as you nodded, "even though I took half of your food?"

"You made plenty and then some - don't worry mother hen, I am adequately nourished."

"Good," he kissed the top of your head, "now back to rest, I am going to bring you tea and water. Later we can have a hot bath. How does that sound, mi amor?"

"That sounds perfect," you mumbled as you burrowed into the pillows and blankets, "thank you for taking care of me."

"I would do anything for you," he promised as you gave him the sweet, saccharine smile he had fallen in love with, "now stop talking, and go to sleep!"

»»————-　♡　————-««

Pero spent the next several days closely tending to your every need and whim. You felt bad that he had to deal with everything around the house and small farm on his own, but he didn't even complain for a moment. It was hard work, surely, but he didn't mind doing it. If nothing else, it reminded him of how hard both of you worked.

He'd get up before the sun, start work and then stop to prepare breakfast for the both of you before going back to work for the day. Pero would make it a point to come in and check on you and see if you needed water or anything else. 

Because of all the rest and careful looking after, it wasn't long before you were feeling better, and far away from death's door.

At the end of the long week, you finally felt well enough to get up and around to tending to some of the house chores. You spied your husband outside, feeding the goats and sheep as he appeared to sing to them. You'd heard it before, well aware of his soft and gentle demeanor, but he'd never admit it. It was still endearing.

A warm settled over your heart as you started to gather items to make his favorite meal for dinner; it was slightly more tedious and sucked up lost of your energy, but you were glad to do it. He had looked after you so well, you wanted to give him a little something in return. 

»»————-　♡　————-««

"What in the heavens?" Pero was hit by the smell of delicious cooking as soon as he walked in and found your busy setting the small table, "my sweetest wife, what are you up to? You should be resting!"

"I am feeling much, much better, mi amor," you beamed as he pulled you into his arms and pressed a kiss to your temple, "all because of your wonderful care. I couldn't help myself - I wanted to do something special for you too."

"You didn't have to," his expression softened as his eyes crinkled in the corners in the way you adored, "this is…"

"I wanted too, Pero," you insisted with a soft kiss to his plush lips, "you always take such good care of me, let me take care of you too. And don't argue with me for once in your life!"

"Alright," he agreed with a quick peck, "but tell me what I can do to help."

"Since you are so insistent," you pointed at the small stove, "start plating up the food. Afterwards, I have one more surprise for you!"

»»————-　♡　————-««

"Pero? Where are you my love?" you'd just finished pouring hot water in the tub and perfuming it with soft oils. Your own body was aching and screaming for the relief, but you wanted your husband to join you first.

"Coming!" you heard his quick footsteps coming towards the bathroom, hoping he wasn't worried that you'd done something to hurt yourself. He almost burst into the small bathroom, a worried expression that quickly turned to surprise coloring using features, "what's this?"

"A surprise," you grinned, pointing at the tub, "for both of us. I thought we could both use this."

"A perfect end to the day," he melted under your watchful gaze. You started to pull off your dress, feeling his eyes on you. He motioned for you to come closer, to which you easily complied, before tenderly helping to strip you of your garments, "such grace and beauty."

"You flatter me," you sighed contentedly as he kissed along your bare shoulder, "I'm starting to feel tired again and the hot water is calling my name. Here - your turn."

You turned him around and slowly - reverently - started to strip him of his clothing. Bit by bit until all clothes were on the floor and the two of you were as bare as the day you were born. He held your hand and helped you into the tub, quickly stepping in after you.

Pero laid against the back of the tub before pulling you against his chest. You eagerly settled against him, and he wasted no time in wrapping his arms around you. Moments like this, where it was just the two of you, quiet and gentle, were your favorites. Because they didn't happen incredibly often, you'd learned to cherish them.

"I love you, Pero," you whispered softly as your eyes closed you listened to the soft beat of his heart, "thank you for everything. You always take the best care of me and you mean more to me than you will ever know."

"I love you, mi amor," he agreed, "I've always got you. Rest now, my sweetest wife."

And so you did; it wasn't long before your eyes were closed and you were fast asleep. Pero let you sleep for a little while before he gently washed your body and hair; you were half aware of what was going on, a small smile tugging on your features. When he was done and you were dried and dressed in clean clothing, he brought you to bed, tucking in you before getting into his side and doing the same. Before he did anything else, he pulled you into his arms and you fell asleep on his chest.

"I love you so much, mi amor," he whispered as he started to fall asleep, listening to your soft snores, "always."

»»————-　♡　————-««

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[hanibalistic]

#17E8D3 | HAN JISUNG.

genre | fluff, nature-like, (may consider it a) magic au

word count | 1664

warning | none

tag | @fluffyskzclub​

note | i just wanted to write about love for a little.

the surface of the lake water waved up to only half of your head. it tickled the back of your neck, wet your hair, and flowed into your ear—all of which were uncomfortable sensations, but ones you could tolerate just to be one with nature.

it was quiet and peaceful until jisung entered the forest ground with his minty, saddened scent. his tantrum-like footsteps were loud compared to the chirpings of the birds and butterflies, as well as the waddling of tiny elves rushing to prepare for their mushroom festival.

you said nothing when he entered the open lake. his feet kicked against the water carelessly, causing ripples after ripples of movement. you signed when the peace was disrupted, but mostly you disliked the itching of your skin where the water brushed against.

jisung stood before your head when he approached you, his own arched down to stare at you, conveniently blocking the sun from your eyes. you opened one eye at him in dismay when you felt a sudden dim of the sun; it would be a pain to readjust to the light again after he removes himself from your view.

"your footsteps sound as childish as ever today, jisung."

wronged tears brimmed in his eyes as he pursed his lips together. his usual urge to retort with wit was long gone after the argument he had with his parents. all he felt was faulted and unworthy at the moment, and it seemed that you could smell the ghastly scent on him because your brows furrowed and you opened your eyes with a kind grimace.

"your heart is full of anguish," you said with concern, then you gestured to your side and smiled softly at him. "come, lay with me on the water."

he did so after accepting your invitation. stepping to your side, jisung carefully knelt on the lake after much consideration. his heart relaxed when he did not fall.

he was supposed to be past the point of being surprised by his ability to walk and stand on water. he was not supposed to feel doubtful when the water allows him access to its vulnerable skin because it will be mistaken as ungrateful. however, still, the belief he grew up with forced him to hesitate each time he steps foot on a deep lake.

the coolness of the water held him in its warm embrace when he laid down on top. he felt like he was sleeping on solid ground, on his cozy bed, but he also felt as if he was floating in clouds, swaying on the ocean floor. the ambiguity of the physical touch tickled his soul and made him laugh in breathlessness.

"give me your hand, ji."

your voice snapped him out of his trance. he continued to giggle hoarsely, his voice giving away that he had cried before entering the forest, and he turned to look at you.

his mind went blank as the birds panicked from afar. a cherry blossom tree has sprouted from the ground somewhere in the forest, courtesy to the pure affection that tinted his shy cheeks when he turned to find you staring with him—the gloss in your eyes reflected the clear water that kissed your face, and petals of flowers draped over your hair to make elegant beds for the sunset spirits (tiny lights, like fireflies, but they move like small giggles) who would soon fall asleep.

he was reverted to a simple boy—a simple boy who blushes when he sees someone pretty, a simple boy who gets nervous when he is to hold hands with someone, a simple boy who is shy enough to avoid eye contact but brave enough to steal glances at his secret crush.

(the forest knows of jisung's romantic affections for you but it chose not to tell.)

"my–my hand? my hand!" he fumbled with himself before he politely reached one hand out to you. his eyes looked down at the water and his voice was an endearingly timid whisper. "here you go."

the redness in his cheeks flamed when you grabbed his hand and locked your fingers through his. he heard you shift, and he felt the back of his palm being engulfed by your other hand. your interlocked hands were placed between your heads then, and when jisung finally mustered up the courage to look at you, you had your eyes closed in a praying manner.

"mother, mother, heed my wish, for a burden to be lifted from a friend fallen," you said. "in return, he will enrich the lake with his tears, and he will feed the wind with his words."

jisung waited respectfully for you to finish. despite having spent a lot of time in the forest—he could back that up with his friendly bonds with the animals and his impressive garden on the floor of your treehouse—most of the time, he has no idea what you were doing.

the forest's ever-changing ways are not something he should question.

"now you can rant about what happened. the forest will lift your worries and feed it to the ground as nourishment," you said, smiling at him.

"nature builds on human emotions," he recited the time you explained to him the connection between the forest and one's soul. he squeezed your hand, your skin brushed against his, and he sighed with a beat of his heart. "we are all connected."

jisung bashfully chuckled when you blinked in pleasant surprise.

"you have good memories, jisung," you said. "i can't believe you remembered that."

he laughed. he would not tell you he only remembered because he liked you enough to.

"anyway, feel free to talk about anything now," you said. "remember to only tell the truth."

everything listened to him. the water listened, the sun listened, the trees and the flowers listened, the elves and the fairies listened—you listened.

what he once thought was unworthy of telling, what he once thought was unjust of complaining, what people once told him to stop talking about—he spilled out all his sorrows in fast and honest words and he could feel that they were received well.

his parent's negligence? the trees demolished them. the unruly expectations he has to meet? the wind carried them away. the hate he felt for the person reflected in the river? the water washed it away.

and, finally, his loneliness of being unloved by people?

tears rolled down his eyes and he sighed at you, hand clutching yours as he wondered.

his honest words bounced back into his ears, giving him a clear perspective of his problems, as well as forcing him to wonder if everything has been his fault after all.

it all went back to square one, it seemed. it all went back to his incompetence at the end because he could not meet what was expected of him, which caused his parents' disapproval, which led to his self-loathe and ultimately, the silhouette of loneliness.

the awful cycle has no end no matter how hard he breaks way for one, and whose fault was that ultimately?

you watched with silent eyes as he smiled at the sky. "i should have been made to be good enough of love, but god has abandoned me before i was even born."

there was a chill in the wind. you were disagreeing with him.

"people can never be made to be enough," you said after laying on your back. you spread your limbs and laid freely on the trembling water; it was beginning to feel the pressure of your bodies upon the releasing of your emotions. "the concept of worthiness does not exist in love."

jisung tilted his head. the sunbeam caught his eyes like a reflection of his soul—so bright but too far. only its warmth could reach his body, and he thought perhaps that was all the sun could afford to do now.

"but people–"

"–don't value foolishness enough," you cut him off calmly. "only fools fall in love with anyone, which is the only way for it to be."

love is not an equation to be solved, or a thesis to be proven by evidence disguised in human traits and success, as most people have made it out to be. love is not complicated like that. it is just bottomless and wide. it reaches everyone without regard—like how the forest loves everyone who touches its ground no matter the murders and sins they have committed.

flowers bloom and leaves sing—simple things that make jisung think of you, the gentle glow of your hair and the smooth touch of your skin.

spirits fly and elves march—playful things that make jisung think of you, when you hold his hand across weak wooden bridges and when you splash water at his face in the deep lakes.

morning rises and night sinks—beautiful things that make jisung think of you, when he twirled you amongst the starshine butterflies and when he foolishly fell in love with you that night.

he squeezed your hand and turned his head to look at you. water seeped into the corner of his eyes, fogging his sight barely as he realized that love is dumb, but it is also great, and there is never worth because nobody gets to choose. love bangs and it is just here, and it will not leave until after you take it the first time.

"i am sorry about your parents," you muttered after a moment. "i am not sure i could help but i hope it works out for you."

"ye–yeah," he nodded, "me too."

"you can stay the night if you want," you said as you shifted on the water. "but it is time for us to take a nap. leave quietly if you do."

jisung hummed to himself. you looked at him before you comfortably closed your eyes. his watched you with ease—his heart was hammering, love is banging at his door.

[madmansan]

28 days

Fantasy au - Demon!San x F!Reader

Trigger Warnings

Blades, scars, gore, violence, blood, swearing, death, murder, kidnapping, slight mentions of suicide.

Day 2

.

Your eyes slowly opened as the blazing sun rises above the walls of the Labyrinth. You shuffled slightly, trying to stretch out your limbs, when you heard voices behind you, and instantly retracted them, hoping it just seemed like you were moving in your sleep.

"The child you took yesterday. The one from Aldbarrow. That's her sister." That was San's voice, but the other was completely unfamiliar.

"You're going against your duty, San." The other voice belonged to someone more soft-spoken. It was cold, sinister and, despite the aggravation in their words, very calm.

"I'm aware of that, your majesty." San responded. Your majesty? You stayed completely still. You thanked the Gods that they hadn't realised you were awake. "She was so confident I almost felt bad for her, so I gave her a chance, but she most likely won't make it."

"I think it's a dumb idea." Another voice piped up. This one was slightly higher, and a lot closer to you. "You could have just stuck to your job, but you can't even do that, can you?" He let out a gentle laugh, his voice a lot closer than before. Slowly, you opened one of your eyes to see him leaning against the tree in front of you. He was just as beautiful as San, with a jawline so sharp you were sure it could do some lethal damage. "Although," he laughed to himself, "it's not like we haven't seen you do it before."

"Shut it, Wooyoung! Not everyone's job is as simple as kissing the ass of the king." San said, the more vicious tone he took completely paralleled his usual teasing one. The demon against the tree, the one you assumed was Wooyoung, laughed loudly at San, and flicked his longer black hair out of his face.

"That's enough." The Demon King took control of the two bickering boys, masterfully, yet his calm tone never strayed. "San. If she's yours and you want to play this little game with her then go ahead. But don't you dare let her step foot near the castle. Do everything you can to prevent it."

"I will, your majesty." San said, his voice a lot lower than before.

They weren't going to kill you. Not now anyway. You could only assume it was because of the demon's etiquette San had told you about. However, if he was going to start trying even harder to stop you from getting to the castle, you were going to have to be more resilient.

Footsteps moved towards you, and you watched as Wooyoung turned to join the Demon King. The two of them walked ahead of you, towards the wall and you could only catch a glimpse of the King's huge hooded robe before he disappeared in a cloud of dark smoke, followed swiftly by Wooyoung. It gently floated to the ground before fading away, leaving you and San alone in the clearing once more.

                                      ❁

You lay "asleep" for a little while longer, making your act more believable.

After slowly opening your eyes, you stretched your limbs and sighed satisfactorily. San sat against the tree trunk by your legs, staring blankly at the wall. You wanted to tell him you heard everything, but you didn't know what he would do if you did. You decided not to risk it.

You sat up and shuffled next to him. "Encounter many demons last night?" You asked, leaning forward to face him. Of course you knew he had met the king and the other one, but he surely had to have seen more whilst you were asleep. You didn't ask this just out of curiosity, you may just find out what you're up against in here.

He didn't take his eyes off the wall, but he did respond. "No. There was a mob of humans at the entrance, so they were all gathered there. Being the main guard, I did have to leave you for a moment to go and see what was going on. I saw a huge crowd with torches, guns and daggers. One called out for you and Roslyn." Your eyes widened. It was stupid of you to think they wouldn't come for you.

You moved yourself across the floor so that you were now facing him. His gaze only drifted to you for a moment before returning to the wall. "She said she was your mother." He let out a muffled giggle that eventually turned into hysterical laughter. "And here I was thinking no one cared about you! Your whole village came out to find you!" His laughter continued when he noticed how quiet you had become.

The whole village had come out to look for you. The. Whole. Village.

The whole village that said you were the reason for Roslyn's disappearance. The friend that stopped you from saving her. The mother that blamed you, hated you, and didn't want to believe you even existed. They all came for you.

You couldn't help but wonder if Hongjoong had joined them.

"She was looking for Roslyn not me." You said, bluntly. You knew she wasn't looking for you. She may have tried to stop you from entering the Labyrinth before, but after her outburst you could hardly say she still cared about you.

His laughter began to fade being replaced with confusion. "You seem so sure of that? Do you not like her or something?"

You didn't know how to answer. You hated her for blaming you, for ripping up your work and ignoring your grief. But you didn't hate her, you couldn't hate her. She was still your mother.

"It's complicated." You mumbled, looking away from him.

"How so?" San's tone was less condescending. He sounded genuinely interested.

"She blamed me for Roslyn's disappearance. She blamed me for it when it wasn't my fault at all. I was just as heartbroken as her but she didn't care."

"Aha!" San cheered, a smirk crawling onto his face. "So that's why you're here! You're trying to prove her wrong! Die a hero and she'll respect you again." He sighed with a triumphant smile, "I knew no one in their right mind would enter here just to save someone they thought was dead."

"That's not true!" You said in protest. "I was going to enter the Labyrinth whether Roslyn had gone in or not! I always wanted to see what it was like. I'm writing a book, remember?" Fury bubbled inside you at his cockiness. "And, by the way, if I was so keen to die, do you think I would have made this deal?! Do you think I would have come this far?!" San nodded his head in thought, contemplating your argument. You took a deep breath in an attempt to calm your rage, "I know no one in their right mind would do this. But I'm not in my right mind, I never have been. I was desperate to enter the Labyrinth, my mother called me crazy. I wanted to save Roslyn and my best friend told me to give up; to stop being an idiot." You sighed, "I'm here because I felt guilty and I was confident enough in myself to save Roslyn. I'm not giving up. Not now. Not ever. It's all for her sake."

Your shoulders slumped, your eyes suddenly finding the floor the most interesting thing to stare at as they filled with tears. A gentle hand was placed on top of yours and you looked up to be met with the softened gaze of San.

"Wow.", he said, "You really are bat-shit crazy." He smiled at you, but it wasn't teasing or evil, it was tender and comforting.

He stood up abruptly and pulled you up at the same time with complete ease. "Alright then, my lovely heroine, you lead the way."

His grin had returned to his usual flirty one, but the memory of that moment you shared didn't fade. His gentle hand on yours, the sympathy in his dark eyes and the welcoming smile all remained inside your head as a symbol of hope in the death trap that you had found yourself in.

                                       ❁

You prepared yourself for the next leg of your journey, the image of San smiling genuinely through your tear-blurred vision not leaving your head for a second.

He stood at the entrance to the clearing, as you searched through your bag, making sure he hadn't stolen anything from you. Especially your dagger.

Several impatient huffs left him. "Oh look! Is that the blood moon rising!"

You rolled your eyes at his petty sarcasm. "You can't be too sure." You smiled to yourself, "Especially when it comes to you." You lifted your gaze to see his sharp glare before returning it to your bag, a proud smirk on your face.

That's when you spotted the food you gathered before leaving for the Labyrinth. "Huh?" Eating hadn't crossed your mind since you entered, you hadn't even felt hungry. "San." he looked over at you, "Why don't I feel hungry?"

He closed his eyes with a sigh, resting his head against the wall, "Haven't I told you enough about demons? Are you not satisfied?"

You shook your head with a wide smile, "A few random facts aren't going to make a very informative book."

He sighed again, "Without your knowledge, and without even sensing it, you are already under my control." You raised a brow and cocked your head, prompting him to explain further. "No matter how much you say you're not interested in me or how much you think you're in control, you're lying. It's human nature to be completely and utterly submissive to us, to the point where we are the only thing that can nourish you." Your cheeks started to heat up with embarrassment, which, much to your disdain, made San grin from ear-to-ear. "I take away your hunger, I take away your thirst, I stop you from getting ill. I stop you from dying from anything that isn't me. Remarkable, don't you think?" It was his turn to cock his head, waiting for your answer.

"Remarkable indeed, if not slightly disturbing." You said, suddenly very uncomfortable with not being able to feel normal human feelings.

San gently laughed, "I think it's rather romantic."

You looked at him like he was crazy, but he only smirked, his eyes half-open and still managing to stare right into your soul.

You sighed heavily, turning around to find the tree gone and in its place two doors. You walked up to them to inspect their intricate details. One was a deep red, with spirals that curved around the golden door handle and around the edges. The other was made out of a rotting wood, the mossy green paint hardly there as most of it had chipped off.

You tried the handle of the red door but it wouldn't open. You tried again with the green door but it had the same result. "What?! They must be here for a reason? Why can't I open them?" You tried to use the handles of both doors again but neither of them opened.

"Aaah! Those doors? You have to knock to open them." San said over your shoulder. You whipped you head around at him with a questioning glance before returning your focus to the doors. You knocked gently on the red one but it didn't open. You turned back to San as you gestured to the door with a face that said 'See? Didn't work.' "Well, you have to knock harder than that! You think demons are that polite? No. We command doors open with our knocks."

You huffed, turning back to the doors once more. You made a tight fist and slammed it down on the door three times, before it flung up, a freezing cold wind rushing from behind you and down the long, dark corridor in front of you. You placed your hands up to the door frame to stop yourself from being pulled into its depths.

The wind faded as it wailed further down the hall, leaving you breathless and shivering. You swallowed hard and turned to the other door, knocking harshly and then leaping to the side to avoid another onslaught of wind. However, you were surprisingly met by welcoming birdsong.

You looked up to San who looked at you slightly bored and you cleared your throat, moving back in front of the doors.

On the other side of the red door was a dark, thin hallway, with a leaking roof. The small broken windows on the one side reflected a white light onto the wooden floorboards below. The cold chill returned as you stared into its unending passageway.

You slowly pulled your eyes away and looked into the other door. It opened to a beautiful forest, the trees taller than the Labyrinth walls, a stream gently running through them, the calming birdsong. It all felt too inviting. Far too inviting.

You looked back to San, "It's a trick, isn't it?" You asked.

He shrugged, "All I know is that if you enter through one of the door ways, you won't be able to come out again."

You looked back to the doors, eyeing each one cautiously. "But, I'm guessing both lead to the castle, right?"

San was silent for a moment before he piped up. "Depends on how you look at it. For example, one way could lead you straight to the castle and the other could throw you off track for a bit but then it's up to you to get to the castle. But if what you're trying to say is that they both lead somewhere in the Labyrinth then, yes, they're both still within the Labyrinth walls, and will most likely, I suppose, lead you to the castle."

You sighed, "You made that far more complicated then it needed to be." You didn't have to look at him to know he wore a prideful smirk. "Okay, so it's a battle of wits. That's fine. I can do that."

San scoffed, but you paid him no mind. "Okay. The spooky corridor seems to be the one that people would most likely avoid, but then that would surely seem too obvious, so that means that the spooky corridor would be the right choice, but then again that could be a double bluff....ugh!!! This is so irritating!" You groaned, giving up quicker than you had hoped.

San started laughing at you as you slumped to the floor. "Y/n, you're overthinking it."

You stood up again and looked at both doors, "Can you give me a hint?"

San rubbed his chin, humming in thought. He walked up to you and placed an arm over your shoulder, "What will I get from helping you?"

Now, it was your turn to think. "Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

San laughed, taking his arm off your shoulder and walking up to the doors. He leaned against the wall inbetween, "Take a look at them, and decide which one you think is safer. As simple as that."

"As simple as that?"

"As simple as that."

You thought for a moment. If he was trying to stop you from getting to the castle before, he would be trying a lot harder now. After his run in with the king he is going to try and throw you off track at every chance he can get. You were sure of it.

Nevertheless, he did say that both ways would inevitably lead to the castle, one taking a lot longer than the other, but that wasn't really that big of a concern. You were only on day two after all.

"Very well." You strode up to the green door, looking into the gentle forest environment that lay beyond it. "I'm going in here."

Before you could step inside, San grabbed your wrist. "Are you sure you want to choose this one?" He leaned in closer to your ear and whispered, "You might just regret it."

You shoved him away with your free arm, "I'm going. This is the door I have chosen. Feel free to follow me. I won't be bothered if you don't."

He let out a small frustrated huff, as he followed in behind you.

You admired your surroundings, it was just as beautiful as it seemed from the other side of the door. Your happiness soon faded when you turned around to see that the door had disappeared. Leaving San laughing to himself so hard it echoed through the surrounding trees and off into the wilderness that lay ahead.

"I can't believe you actually chose this door!" His statement was followed by more laughing, "The other way would have taken you straight to the castle in under two hours! Now look who's the idiot!"

Were you annoyed? Yes. Extremely so. Were you going to let him know that? Not a chance.

You smiled, "Oh well, we'll have to go this way then. Come on." You started to walk away, humming to yourself, but it was soon interrupted.

"What?!" San roared from behind you. You let out a small laugh to yourself. "Are you seriously not annoyed?!" He yelled at your back.

"Should I be?" You shouted back over your shoulder.

"Of course you should be!" He stomped up next you and stared you right in the eyes. "I tricked you! Outsmarted you! Why are you not angry?"

"You didn't trick me. I made the decision. That was my bad. I'm not gonna be angry at you. Besides, I'll still get to the castle. Might take me a bit longer, but it's best not to dwell on it." His jaw dropped in utter disbelief, and, with a slight surge of confidence, you placed your finger under his chin and closed his mouth for him.

You walked away giggling to yourself, as he swiftly followed behind you, mumbling curses and mimicking your previous comments.

                                       ❁

You had been walking in the forest for a couple hours, whenever you tried to ask San something he just ignored you. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If anything it was quite relaxing.

The stream rushed passed as a gentle breeze rustled the branches above. Little balls of light with lacy wings darted passed you, and inbetween the trees. You longed to know what they were, but you knew San wouldn't tell you in his tantrum state.

You looked over your shoulder at him, and he quickly looked away from you, rather flustered. You smirked and looked back in front of you, catching the shimmering stream in the corner of your eye. You knew it would be best if you didn't irritate him further, but there was something so entertaining about it.

You placed your bag down on the ground by the stream and sat against a tree close by. You reached into your bag and grabbed some of the food, unwrapping the cloth and taking a bite. You weren't hungry, you actually felt very full, but you still forced yourself to eat it. You were rejecting San's power over you.

"What the hell are you doing?" San finally said, glaring down at you with deadly eyes. You only saw it through the corner of yours, refusing to give the attention he seeks.

"Finally talking, are we?" You replied calmly.

San sat down in front of you and you further craned your neck to watch the stream instead of him. "I'm eating whilst admiring the stream. Is that such a problem?"

"No. But why are you eating?" He muttered, trying to cover the rage that was building up inside.

"A girl has to eat, has she not?"

Suddenly your eyes were pulled away from the stream by San's forceful grip on your jaw.

"Spit it out." He said, punctuating every word. His eyes were darker than you had ever seen them, "Spit it out!" He yelled, but you unconsciously swallowed it, no one had ever yelled at you like that and your heart beat started to race.

He threw you to the floor, leaving you a shaking, spluttering mess. He breathed deeply, "How dare you mock my power?" He crouched down by your head, before grabbing a fistful of hair and pulling your face up to meet his. "Why won't you just submit to me?!" He moved closer, "Huh?!"

You had to get to the castle, that's why you couldn't submit. Wait, why am I going to the castle again? Your eyes widened, and you only managed to slip out a small 'Roslyn' before he dropped you to the floor again. You clutched at the grass underneath your palms at the thought of her. She was slaving away to a powerful demon, whilst you were just messing with one. You hated to admit it but you were having fun and getting him angry was making you feel certain feelings for him that you had only felt briefly with Hongjoong, except this time it was in overdrive. You had submitted to San but not in the way he expected. It had happened again. You had forgotten about Roslyn, but you weren't even in a trance this time.

No more games. Roslyn was all that mattered, and you had forgotten about her all because you wanted to tease a demon. You should have been at the castle straight away. You shouldn't have played San's pathetic games. You shouldn't have forgotten that all he sees you as is food, and not a potential love interest. You were appalled, but only with yourself. Fighting against his demon nature and his starvation must be so hard. Where has your compassion gone, you fool.

"I'm sorry, San." You whimpered from the floor, as tears started to roll down your cheeks. "I'm really sorry. I forgot all about Roslyn. I just wanted to mess with you since it was so fun seeing you get worked up. Yet, you still held back from eating me even when you could have." You clutched your hair desperately trying to cope with your realisation. "I never even thanked you for making this deal! I'm just as weak as all the other humans. I'm sorry for thinking I was better than you. I'm really not. Not at all."

"No. You're not." San replied calmly. You unclenched your hands and steadied your sobbing slightly, looking up at him the same time he looked down at you. He sat on the grass next to you and motioned for you to get up with his head. Your arms pushed you enough to sit up without the support of the them, but your shame made it hard to look at him. "However, you're not like other humans. Not at all." Your eyes widened and you cautiously raised them to his. "The amount of people that come to the gates from other villages and instantly submit to me is practically uncountable. They don't try to strike up a deal or fight back. Sure, it's nice, but it does get boring. Y/n," he placed a hand on your jaw and gently caressed the new bruises with his thumb, "I haven't met anyone who has made me feel so angry and threatened before. You were so determined, and no matter how much it pissed me off that you stabbed me, I couldn't deny that I was impressed." He took his hand from your face. "That's why I made this deal. I gave you this chance and best be sure that I'm gonna keep my end of it, having been starved and all. So, don't you dare give up now."

"Thank you, San. And, once again, I'm sorry." He nodded his head, but he wasn't being rude. It was more of a "no problem" nod than an "as you should" nod.

You sat in a heavy silence for a moment, the air so tense, it was almost suffocating. You felt the need to break it, but San's hand flying up into the air stopped you. He caught one of the little flying orbs by the wings.

"Heal her." He commanded, letting go of the wings and letting it flutter around your head. The pain in your jaw eased as you watched it zoom off into the woods once more. "Don't think I did that because I like you. I just knew you wouldn't stop complaining about it if I didn't heal it."

"What was that?" You ignored him, eyes trained on the pathway it left on, and mouth wide open.

San followed where you looked before returning his gaze to you. "One of the many types of forest sprites. Those ones heal." He laughed gently, "Let me guess? Remarkable?"

"Quite so." You said, in awe of the lack of pain you felt.

In the reflection of the stream, you saw a red blob surfacing. You looked up to see that the moon was entering the sky.

You stood up immediately, "What?! How can that be possible?!"

San joined you, squinting at the new blood moon growing larger over the tree line. "Huh. Looks like it's becoming night."

How could the day have gone by so fast? You looked at him completely perplexed but your face soon dropped when you saw how scared San looked like he had just seen some sort of untold horror. You grabbed his shoulders and made him face you. "San. Why is it night?"

He looked up at you, "I-I think we should find you somewhere to stay." He started heading off and you quickly caught up.

"San, you can't just say that. You have to tell me why the day has just vanished." You yelled, but it didn't seize his walking. "San!"

"The Demon King knows you're here. Of course he does. But he doesn't want that. So he's pushing forward the days so that you have less time to get to the castle. Or ... at least that's what I think."

You sighed, still pushing your legs to their limit to catch up with his pace. "Surely that would be a good thing for you?-"

"No." He sharply cut you off, stopping in his tracks. "If the King knows where you are then all the other demons are going to know where you are, and that means that we're gonna have quite a few guests tonight and I'm not dealing with that. So you better start moving your ass or I'm gonna start dragging you."

You quickened your pace rushing after him.

                                       ❁

It wasn't long before you stumbled upon a small wooden cabin in the middle of some larger trees. The sun was setting fast and you instinctively ran up the creaky staircase to get to the door.

San almost materialized in front of you. "No. Not this one." He whispered.

You stared at him in utter bewilderment, "You have to be the most confusing person I have ever met!" He shushed you with a finger on your lips.

"Quiet. She'll hear you." He said quietly, but this time with more emphasis.

You slapped his hand away, "So first you wanted me to find a place to stay. No. To hide. And now you're telling me I can't when there is a perfectly good place right here."

"No, y/n, you can't go in there! I won't be able to protect you!"

"That's enough. This my best shot at surviving right now. So, I'm entering!" You gestured to the right with your head, "Move." He did.

You knocked on the door, the shrill of the night time bugs echoing through the trees. It was darker than the first night, only a few beams of deep red penetrating the canopy.

You looked out in to the black wilderness. Demons could be watching you right now and you would have no idea.

The door opened gently. On the other side stood a small old woman, her long messy hair was tied in a loose ponytail that draped down her back, which was clad in a tattered knitted cloak.

"Good evening, ma'am. I'm ever so sorry to intrude, but me and my fri-" you looked over to see that San had gone and you quickly looked back to the old woman, "uh ... I need somewhere to stay for the night." She eyed you with caution and you knew you would have to find a way to convince her. "I have demons after me and need to escape."

She opened the door a bit more and stood slightly taller, "And how do you know that I am not a demon?"

"Hope, ma'am." you said, "Only hope."

"Very well," she said, "And how am I to trust you?"

"You are just going to have to, ma'am. I have no way to prove myself, so if you don't trust me I won't force you."

She smiled, and opened the door fully allowing you to enter.

Inside the room was a bed with ragged sheets, a wooden table with a single chair, and a large expanse of cupboards hanging open on broken hinges.

Inside them were varying bottles full of different coloured liquids and other types of herbs and spices. There was no sign of real food, which meant that she was still affected by the demons within the forest. That, or she fed off humans. No. She wouldn't have questioned me intensely if she was. She's obviously scared. Best make a good impression.

"So, how long have you been in the Labyrinth." You asked her as she fumbled with some of the things in her cupboards.

"About seventy years." She said, quickly turning around to face you. "What about you?"

"Two days. How on Earth did you survive all that time here?" She looked worried, and she went back to fixing the jars and bottles. "Why did the demons not kill you?"

She was silent, you thought you had pried too far, when she slowly looked over her left shoulder. The shoulder that held a bite mark that you hadn't noticed before.

"There are many weird wonders in this world, and I have been subject to many. But the worst has been that boy."

Your interest was definitely peaked, but you tried hard to suppress it, and covered it with a more sympathetic look.

She continued, "I entered the Labyrinth in hopes of dying. I had no friends, and my family hated me. There was more to it than just that, but I'll keep it short. I wanted nothing more than to get rid of that suffering. But that boy ... he knew. He knew I wanted to die and so he ... "

You placed a hand on top of hers, "Take your time. You don't have to tell me if you don't wan-"

"No!" She yelled, slapping your hand off of hers. "That boy took a bite out of my soul that I will never retrieve. He took my humanity and my small chance of happiness. This-" she pointed to the bite mark, "This converted me into one of them. However, I did not obtain their abilities, only their thirst. He banished me to the woods, knowing that no human would ever get this far, for me to quench that thirst, or-" she pulled the dagger from your bag, "to end my suffering."

She placed the handle of the dagger in your hand and the blade to her neck. You looked at her horrified. You couldn't kill someone, not even if they were begging for it.

"No way! I can't just kill you!" You yelled, trying to pull the blade away.

She held your arm firmly, causing you to stumble back into the cupboards and a jar to fall down and smash on top of your hand that lay on the desk below. You pulled your hand away and fell to the floor. There were shards of glass sticking out at jagged angles from your skin, your blood covering the rest of it.

You looked up at the old woman to see her staring at your hand, her eyes turning from her warm hazel to a bright red.

She pounced on to you, pinning you to the floor. Panic rushed through you body as she tried to reach for your bleeding hand, her jaw dislocating so she could gape her mouth even wider.

You stared into her eyes and saw her plee, her desire to die, and the pain she was going through by not having control over her actions. It was unbearable.

You grabbed the dagger and stabbed it right into her neck, watching as she fell backward choking and spluttering on the blood that gargled in her throat. Tears fell from her eyes as a peacful smile graced her face. She dropped to the floor, completely lifeless, but the joy she felt was still present in her eyes.

"What have I done?" You whispered, completely horrified. "Please, forgive me."

A slow clap sounded from behind you, and you swiftly turned to see the demon from the clearing. Wooyoung.

"What a spectacle! I think I might just shed a tear." His laugh echoed around the small cabin and you stiffened with fear.

Your breaths quickened as he took slow steps towards you, crouching down and taking a good look at your face.

"You're such a pretty thing, I'm so annoyed San got to you first."

San. Where was he?

You swallowed, "Where is he?" You asked, pulling your face away from Wooyoung's as he inched closer.

"He ran away as soon as you entered the cabin. Couldn't bare to face her again." Your heart started racing. Was San the boy that made her suffer like this? "Or should I say isn't allowed to."

You took a heavy breath, the whole situation hurtling you into an almost unbearable state of fear.

"You know, if I knew any better, I'd say you actually like him." He teased, his body never stopping from following you along the floor, trying to get as close as possible, only to have you shuffle away.

"Well, do you?" You asked, feeling quite perturbed by his baseless assumption.

"Do I what, baby?"

"Know better?" He laughed at that, moving in closer and smirking when you tried to move back and were met with the wall.

"I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a human attracted to me by my demon charm. However, since I hardly ever get to see any, save the children the Demon King enslaves, I've never got to experience it."

He moved in closer to your face, his lips grazing yours. You looked away, "Why don't you see them often? Don't you work at the gates?" You knew he didn't from the conversation he had with San in the clearing, but he couldn't know that.

"I did, but the King was so impressed by the state I put that old hag in that he invited me to join his royal guard." He said, grabbing your chin, making him face you again. You were oddly relieved that San wasn't the one that ruined the lady's life. "Come on, baby. San is a weak guy. I'm so much better than him."

His lips came in contact with yours for only a second before a familar voice, and one you have been waiting for, piped up from the doorway.

"Wooyoung." His head whipped around and you could only move your eyes to see San as your jaw was still in his grip. "I don't remember giving you permission to have a taste of my girl." Wooyoung laughed, standing up and walking over to him.

San stood only slightly taller than Wooyoung, his demeanour powerful and raging. "I'm glad you could join us, Sannie!" He grabbed his cheek and San quickly slapped it away.

"I'm sure you wouldn't like the King to find out that you forgot about our little demon rule?" San said, his eyes narrowing with a sharpness you hadn't seen before.

"The etiquette? It's more of a guideline, don't you think?"

"No, I don't. I don't think the King does either." San's voice lowered, "I also don't think he'd like the fact that you said that."

Wooyoung laughed again but it soon faded when he noticed that San's seriousness was unchanging. "He wouldn't believe you, San." He teased him, but he remained unphased.

"Of course. Why would the King believe the all seeing guardian of the gates, hmm?" Wooyoung's confidence started to falter and San's teasing smirk disappeared, "Get out."

He didn't need to be told twice, as he barged past San's broad shoulder to leave the cabin.

You sat in silence, watching as San crouched down to the old lady's body. He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled, "May you rest in peace, you will suffer no more."

You moved your body up next to his, "Wooyoung said you knew her." San didn't take his eyes off of the body.

"I lost my job in the royal guard because of her. I said that Wooyoung should have just eaten her, and let her die. I suppose I thought it was too cruel. But my opinion went against the King's and I was forced into Wooyoung's previous job. I'm sorry I left you, there was a charm placed on this cabin that made sure I couldn't enter. They knew I would go and kill her. Didn't mean that I couldn't see her, of course. All the pain, the teasing of other demons. I even tried to bring her parts of my kills to try and nourish her, but they always faded to nothing outside. But, hey I tried, right?" He let out a sad laugh, before looking at you. "You probably think I'm soft now, and you would be right." He looked at the ground shamefully.

"Don't say it like it's a bad thing. I think that's a beautiful trait. I love people like that."

You took his hand and placed it in yours. You didn't know what you were doing, but comforting him just felt right in that moment. "You did the right thing, San."

"So did you. Thank you, y/n."

He looked down and noticed the blood still dripping from your hands. "I'll heal that. Then, I'll clean this up and you should rest."

Your eyes followed him as he went into the cupboard and grabbed one of the bottles, opening it and pouring it onto your hand. The blood cleared up and the glass came loose falling to the floor. The scars, however, still remained.

San took your hands in his and lifted you from the ground. Your legs felt slightly weak and you took hold of his arms firmly.

He placed you gently down on the bed before heading to the lady on the floor. He picked her up and left the room, only to return later without her. He looked different though, his skin wasn't as pale, his eyes less dark. He looked almost human.

When he went to go and clean the blood and glass off the floor, he had returned back to his normal look.

Whether it was just your mind tricking you or not. San definitely wasn't as evil as you thought. His personality shifts so drastically, yet his softer side seems more genuine. You couldn't wrap your head around it.

"Let's not make it a habit to stare at me before you go to sleep. It makes me feel too exposed." He said, stoically, turning back to his work.

You managed a small apology, relaxing back into the bed more.

You let your eyelids fall closed, but sleep didn't seem to take you as quickly this time. There was far too much to recover from. Physically and mentally. You don't understand anything well enough to overcome it. However, there is one thing you know for certain.

This Labyrinth is going to make you lose your mind.

.

To be continued

.

Author's note: HOLY LORD! This chapter is very long, so thanks for sticking with it to get here! Thank you very much for reading! ❤❤

[onlydarylnormanfic]

All of You - Part 9 (The Test)

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Part 8]

Summary: The people of Alexandria are still uneasy with her presence, despite now being Daryl’s wife. So, the Reader is determined to go on a run with Rick, Michonne, Aaron, and Daryl. She is determined to show the group that she can be of good use and try and calm the tensions between them. She goes on the run with them, despite feeling very under the weather, and helps the group salvage food and supplies from a nearby farmhouse. When she returns to Alexandria, Daryl insists on her going to see the doctor to see what is wrong. She finds out why she has been feeling under the weather, much to both of their surprise…

-----

You awoke to the sounds of the birds chirping and the town rising. You could hear voices here and there outside of your open window. You tossed and turned a few times, stretching out and groaning with discomfort as you felt your sore muscles. And then finally, you reluctantly opened your eyes.

“Ughh…” you groaned, closing them again and pulling the covers back over your head, trying to fall back asleep despite the sun rays beaming directly at you through the open window.

You heard Daryl’s footsteps walking down the hallway towards the bedroom. You heard the doorknob rattle and the door creak open. And then you heard a chuckle from Daryl’s throat fill the bedroom.

You forced your eyes open and flung the blankets down off of your face and upper body. You looked over at him with cranky, tired eyes.

“What?” you asked, with a slight edge in your voice.

This made Daryl chuckle again as he walked over with a cup of water for you to drink and a bowl of something else in his other hand.

Daryl shook his head and smiled, setting the glass of water and bowl down on your nightstand beside you.

“Nothin…” Daryl said with a knowing smile as he sat down on the bed beside you.

“What?” you asked again, smiling up at him as you started to awake to the dream that was your reality now, him.

He shook his head, looking away, unable to shake his smile as he watched you fall in love all over again with him as you slowly awoke.

It happened every day, and every day he wondered how he had gotten so lucky.

“Nothin’, it’s just…I never knew until we came here just how much you were *not* a morning person,” he said, chuckling again to himself.

You rolled your eyes and smiled sheepishly back up at him, pushing your arms to the bed and finally sitting up.

“Fine. I’m up. Happy?” you asked with another pout over at him.

He laughed softly to himself and nodded.

“Always,” he said reaching over and grabbing the bowl from the nightstand.

He grabbed one of the fresh strawberries inside of it and brought it to your lips.

“Here I brought ya some breakfast,” he said, gesturing to you to open your mouth.

Your lips smiled at him first, causing him to look up into your eyes again and admire the twinkle in them.

“You’re so sweet,” you said, looking over at him with thankful admiration for another few seconds before you focused on the strawberry and bit into it.

“Mmm…” you moaned happily to yourself as you closed your eyes and tasted the sweet fruit with a content smile on your face.

You swallowed it down and opened your eyes again to see Daryl smiling over at you with the sweetest smile on his lips as he watched you enjoy the fruit.

Life had been so damn good since you two had been married and settled down in Alexandria. Your dad had made good on his promise and let Alexandria survive on its own without his intrusive presence or demands.

You two had spent one full week in honeymoon heaven before starting your new life in this new community.

Since then, you had been trying to do as much as possible to prove your worth here. You couldn’t stand anyone thinking that you somehow thought you were above anyone or above the same hard work everyone else had to do to maintain this paradise in the middle of a deadly storm everywhere around you.

You grabbed a few more strawberries and popped them eagerly into your mouth, your stomach now alerting you to how famished you were.

You chopped away on them, grabbing more and popping them into your mouth. After you swallowed those you reached over, grabbed the water, and chugged it down. When you were finished you put the glass back on the nightstand and burrowed back down into your sleeping position. You looked up at him with a tired, but satisfied smile as your stomach and your eyes silently thanked him for the nourishment. But you couldn’t help but yawn, still feeling so tired.

Daryl looked over at you with concern for a moment. He brought his hand to your forehead, trying to feel if you had a fever. But you felt normal to him. So, he sighed with relief. He put the bowl down and walked around the bed, slipping into his side of the bed under the covers. He laid his arm out on the pillow above you.

You immediately lifted your head long enough to let him lay it beneath your head. You then laid back down and scooted into him, laying your arm over his chest as you settled into him.

He kissed your forehead a few times, smiling to himself as you turned into his body and cuddled into him. You two fit together like the perfect puzzle you were.

You smiled happily to yourself, closing your eyes as you burrowed into his neck, loving the scent of him.

Daryl wrapped both arms around you and held you close to him, watching as you closed your eyes and smiled, relaxing happily in his arms.

“You’ve been so tired lately,” Daryl said, kissing you on the forehead again and nuzzling into it as he closed his own eyes and held you tight.

“Maybe ya should stay here today and rest,” he said with sweet concern.

You shook your head, which laid on his chest, and nuzzled further into him, wrapping your arm around his body, underneath his arm.

“No, I can’t. I need to prove my worth here,” you said, opening your eyes and starring over at the open window opposite you with a wary look in your eyes.

As much as you did, you couldn’t help but feel like people were always judging your worth or your motives. You didn’t know if that was in your head or reality. All you knew was that’s how you felt most times you walked around here. The new world that you had desperately wanted for you and Daryl for as long as possible was turning out to be colder than you had imagined. Despite all of the anxiety you had for your own safety and insecurities you had pushed on, every single day as hard as you could. You did it for him, for your future together, and for the future of this safe haven.

“Ya don’t need to prove nothin’, Y/N. I’ll protect you,” Daryl said, hugging you as he said it.

He wanted nothing more than for you to finally be accepted her and put your mind at ease.

You smiled wider at his words, nuzzling into his neck and kissing it a few times before settling back into the crook.

“I know you can, baby. I just…I just need to prove myself as an equal here too. I have to,” you said, looking up at him with determined eyes.

Even though you didn’t often announce this worry out loud, he read it on your face every single time it crossed your mind. Which was more times than he had ever wanted when bringing you here. He wished like hell he could flash forward to a time when the people he knew and loved here would see how great you were. But all he could do was endure the first weeks of this new deal and hope that you and his family outside of you could somehow find common ground.

He looked back down into your eyes with worry, until he saw your resolve and nodded. He understood completely what that feeling was like and he admired how much you wanted to do this on your own merits. How could he say no?

So, he nodded, leaning down to kiss you softly. When he was done, he kissed your nose, then nuzzled it with his own, finally submitting to you.

“Alright. But, how about I let ya sleep a few more hours before we have to leave?” he asked, looking you over with loving concern again.

You looked up into his eyes and nodded, closing your eyes and then nuzzling into his body again, clinging onto him as if he was your only safety.

“Only if you stay here with me,” you said, starting to fall back asleep in his relaxing and loving arms.

Daryl smiled and settled his body further into yours until he was comfy, settling in to sleep next to you.

Once he did you smiled, and your eyes closed again. Daryl watched you fall quickly back asleep in his arms silently and contently. He dosed off soon after you did and you both fell into a peaceful slumber...

-----

You awoke before Daryl about an hour later. You had tossed and turned until your brain finally woke you up. You sat up and covered your mouth, feeling your stomach turning like crazy. You quickly ripped off the blanket over you and ran to the bathroom, where you hit your knees right in front of the toilet. You gripped it just seconds before you threw up the water and strawberries you had just eaten not too long ago.

“Ugh!” you groaned with disgust, wiping your mouth clean and quickly flushing the toilet.

That’s strange. You thought to yourself. You rarely, if ever, got sick. Maybe the strawberries had been bad you thought as you stood up and walked over to the sink. But your stomach did seem to be more sensitive the past week or so. You ran some cold water and splashed over your face, trying to cool it down.

“Y/N?” Daryl called out from the bedroom.

“Y/N, you alright?” he asked, looking over at the open door with confusion.

He had heard and felt you spring out of bed to the bathroom, waking him from his slumber.

“Yeah!” you shouted back, grabbing your toothbrush.

“I just wanted to make sure we weren’t going to be late!”  you shouted back, shoving the toothbrush in your mouth and washing it clean.

Within seconds Daryl was at the doorway of the bathroom.

He leaned up against it, looking over at you with an in-awe smile as he took you in. Even doing such a basic thing you looked like the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

You leaned over and spit, rinsing your mouth, and then looked back over at him.

“What?” you asked self-consciously as you watched him take you in, hoping you looked better than you felt.

He walked over behind you and wrapped his arms around your body, looking at you in his arms, through the mirror in front of you two. He smiled to himself at the image of the two of you bonded together as if you were one. And from now on you were. He loved that. He still couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have you all to himself, forever.

“I was just thinkin’ about how happy ya make me,” Daryl replied with a smile over at you through the reflective mirror.

You smiled back at him, your heart melting at his words.

“Really?” you asked, nuzzling your head into his as you stared back at him through the mirror all feelings of discomfort leaving your body as suddenly as they had come on.

You wrapped your arms around his, that held you so securely, leaning back into his body with complete loving security as you fell back into him.

“So, you’re not sick of me yet?” you asked, looking up at him in the reflection with a happy, amused smile.

He leaned over and whispered into your ear.

“Not possible,” he said, focusing his eyes on yours this time as you two pivoted together.

“Yeah?” you asked as you turned around and into him.

You wrapped your arms loosely around his neck, smiling wider as he wrapped his arms protectively around your waist and pulled your body into his.

He smiled back at you, leaning over and nudging his nose up into yours, his lips ghosting yours as he stared deep into your eyes.

“I’ve never loved you more,” he admitted with a smile of pure admiration.

He then closed his eyes and pushed his lips to yours.

You sighed happily as he kissed your lips gently a few times and then pushed his tongue into your mouth. You melted into his kiss as his tongue swirled passionately around yours, feeling instantly better at the feeling of him.

His hands immediately started to roam your back as he kissed you with more hunger.

You could feel how hard he was as he walked the two of you back into the counter behind you. As soon as your ass hit the edge of the counter Daryl brought his hand down in between your legs. He pushed his hand down into your panties and began to rub your pussy up and down.

“Ohhh, baby…” you whimpered at the feeling, pulling your lips away from his as your body fell back at his touch.

He grunted to himself, rubbing his leg up and down your inner thigh, trying to give his hard cock some relief. He was always so ready for you.

You groaned with confused happiness as you felt his hard cock running up and down your thigh, turning you on even more as his fingers played with you.

He pushed his lips to the side of your neck and began to harshly kiss it.

“Daryl…” you whimpered, closing your eyes and smiling to yourself at the feeling of him loving up on you.

He pulled his fingers out of you and ran his hands over and cupped your ass, under the fabric of your nightshirt, pulling your core into his.

“I need you, baby,” he whispered into your ear as he ran his hands eagerly up and down your ass with pure need.

“Do you think we have time?” you asked, trying to stay logical while he drove you fucking crazy for him.

“They can wait,” he said, leaning back over and pushing his tongue back in your mouth. He grabbed ahold of your tongue and began to swirl it around as fast as he could this time, causing you to moan happily into his kiss, completely submitting to him.

He knew that was all the convincing you needed. He brought his hands to the sides of your panties. He pulled his lips from yours long enough to step back and push them down to the ground.

He brought his hands to his pants, unbuttoning and unzipping them in front of you.

You stepped out of your panties and watched as he popped open his pants and pushed them to the ground. He stood back up and your eyes went wide with excitement as you watched his throbbing cock pop up to the middle of his bare stomach.

No matter how many times you two were together you were always amazed at how much he always wanted you and how good he always felt inside of you.

He walked over to you and pulled your shirt up.

You quickly raised your arms and allowed him to pull it up and off of you.

He then slammed his hand down on the counter beside you, silently ordering you to hop up.

You obeyed, quickly hopping up onto the counter. You spread your legs and brought your hands to the sides of his body. You stared down and watched as he grabbed his cock, stroking it a few times before bringing it to your pussy.

He ran it up and down your folds a few times and then swiftly pushed himself inside of you.

“Ah!” you cried out in pure pleasure as he shoved himself inside of you so quick.

His hands came quickly to the sides of your hips and ass. He gripped them tightly and began to thrust into you with full fervor.

You leaned into him, wrapping your arms around his neck and your legs around his lower back as quickly as you could to endure the brunt of his excited cock. You looked into his eyes with pure happy disbelief as he started to fuck you the way only he could.

His jaw clenched at the pure look of loving desire in your eyes as he started to thrust harshly into you.

You whimpered and locked eyes with his, looking back at him with happy disbelief at the feeling.

He got lost at the look in your eyes, and how beautiful you were loving every second of him inside you. He stopped his cock’s motion just as suddenly as he had started it. He then wrapped his arms firmly around your body and pulled you up into his arms.

You quickly adjusted, wrapping your arms tightly around his neck and resecuring your legs around his waist as he picked you up off the counter into his arms, still deep inside you.

“What are you doing?” you asked with a happy smile as he started to walk you out of the bathroom and back to the bedroom you shared.

“They can wait a few extra minutes…” Daryl said sweetly, walking you both back to your bed and laid you down onto it.

You two climbed up the bed in perfect unison until your head was back on your pillow and he was back on top of you, just the way you loved it.

He looked over into your eyes with a soft-hearted happy smile, pressing his lips sweetly to yours a few times before finishing his thought.

“…I wanna love my wife down right, just the way she deserves,” he finished with that sweet smile you loved so much.

You smiled back up at him, running your hand softly up and down his neck as you took him in. He was the most amazing man you had ever met and sometimes you still felt like meeting him had all been just a dream. But here he was every day reminding you that he was oh so very real and so very much in love with you. You felt the exact same way and you couldn’t believe that you had found such a love in the strangest of times.

“I love you, Daryl,” you said softly and with pure sincerity in your eyes, wishing you could freeze this moment in time forever.

His smile widened, and he nodded, nudging his nose up into yours and ghosting his lips with yours as he looked deep into your eyes.

“I love ya too, Y/N… Always,” he whispered, looking down at you and getting lost in all that you were and all that you had brought into his life since knowing you.

He couldn’t wait to spend every second of every day with you. He knew he would never get tired of having you by his side. You were his love, his rock, his everything. And he still couldn’t believe that he got to keep you for the rest of your lives.

You ran your hands down to the sides of his neck and placed them there, rocking your hips up and down his with a playful smile on your lips as you goaded him forward.

“Good. Now fuck me, baby,” you said with a slight whine in your voice.

He cocked his eyebrow at this as his eyes turned dark with desire for you again.

“With pleasure,” he said with another dark smile and then began to thrust his cock in and out of you again.

He started fast, hitting into you with pure driven lust-filled passion.

You moaned loudly, running your hands down to grip his shoulders as his cock pushed your body up and down with pure pleasurable force.

“Yeah? Ya like that?!” He grunted with pure excitement as he watched you loving his cock.

“Yes! Don’t stop!” you cried out loudly, rocking your hips up and down with more need as you felt your high coming.

He could tell you were close, so he sped up and increase his pressure on your core, just the way he knew you loved it.

“Ohh…Yes!! Don’t stop!” you moaned happily with every hit from his amazing cock.

He gave you everything he had, slamming harshly into you faster and harder until your hips locked up into his and you came so fast for him.

“Oh, God!? Yes, baby!!” you cried out as you hit your high, closing your eyes with a smile on your face as you enjoyed the amazing feeling buzzing through your body.

“Damn, girl!” Daryl grunted at the feeling of your pussy convulsing happily over his cock and the look on your face.

He sped up his cock, jackhammering into your hilt as fast as he could until he slammed into you and exploded deep inside you.

“Fuck!” Daryl growled, clenching his jaw shut and glaring you down as he came so hard because of you.

He growled again, slamming his cock into you again, pushing your threshold, prolonging his high.

You smiled up at him, bringing your hands back to his hair to massage it as he collapsed on top of you, burying his head safely into the side of your neck. You nuzzled your head into his lovingly, running fingertips softly up and down his back.

He was panting away his high into your neck, causing shivers of bliss to breakout across your skin.

You two enjoyed the post-coital bliss for a few minutes in happy silence. After a few minutes of silent bliss, he began to kiss your neck repeatedly, silently thanking you for the amazing feeling you had just given him.

You lightly patted his back.

“I think we should get going, baby. I don’t want to be late for my first run,” you said reluctantly.

He nodded into your neck, kissing your neck a few more times before leaning back to look back into your beautiful eyes.

“Are ya sure I can’t convince ya to stay here?” he asked, knowing the answer, but needing to ask one more time anyway.

You shook your head.

“I am coming with whether you like it or not, Dixon,” you said with a resolved smile.

He nodded, reluctantly, knowing that that would be your answer.

He then pulled himself out of you and rolled over onto his back. He watched as you got up off of the bed and walked over to your dresser. He watched as you pulled out an outfit to wear. He smiled to himself, rubbing his stomach absentmindedly as he watched you put on your panties, jean shorts, and your favorite black tank top. You looked over at him as you grabbed a pair of socks, noticing the dumfounding look on his face, watching you as you got dressed.

“What’s that look?” you asked curiously, hopping up onto the dresser as you put on your socks, looking over at him curiously again when you were done.

“Nothin’, it’s just… If it’s possible you look more beautiful than you ever have this morning,” he said looking over at you with pure loving admiration in his eyes.

You smiled and rolled your eyes, hopping off of the dresser and putting your hands on your hips.

“Don’t think that sweet talk is going to make me change my mind, mister,” you said with a pointed smile over at him.

He laughed and nodded in agreement. He got up and walked over to you, putting his hand on the side of your face as he looked over at you.

“So, damn, stubborn,” he said with a smile.

You brought your hands to rest on his hips and leaned into him.

“We wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t,” you said with another pointed smile, leaning up to kiss him.

You were swirling your tongues passionately around one another, getting lost again in one another when there was a rap on the front door. You pulled your lips from his.

“I told you!” you said, turning to walk towards the bedroom door to answer the front door.

You turned back around and looked his naked body up and down with admiration one more time before turning serious as your eyes came back to his.

“Get dressed, Romeo. We’ve got to get going,” you said, giving him another smile before turning and walking out of the door.

You walked down the hallway to the front door. You opened it to find Michonne standing on the other side of it.

She nodded a stern hello to you. She, along with most of Daryl’s family still hadn’t warmed up to you much since you had moved here. You guess you couldn’t blame them after what your father had done to them. But still, you were hopeful that one day they would accept you as one of their own. At least for Daryl’s sake.

“You ready?” Michonne asked, pure business on her face.

“Yeah, just give us a minute. We’ll meet you at the gate shortly,” you said with an apologetic smile.

If Michonne noticed, she didn’t let on that she did. She just nodded militantly and turned to walk towards the gate, her sword secured tightly on her back.

You grimaced and shut the door.

You turned back around to see Daryl now fully dressed, walking toward you with an awe-filled smile still on his face after your wonderful morning together.

You forced a small smile, trying to deny how nervous you were about today.

Daryl noticed the change in your demeanor and the look on his face turned to concern. He walked up to you and brought his hands up to cup your face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked with worry on his face.

You shook your head.

“It’s nothing…It’s just I don’t think they’ll ever accept me, Daryl,” you said looking up at him sadly.

He shook his head and then planted a few loving kisses on your lips before looking back into your eyes with resolve.

“Hey, don’t say that. They will. They just need time,” he said, trying to reassure you.

You looked away and shrugged, your confidence in that ever happening was obviously not very high.

“Y/N, they will come around. I know it. But right now? I need you to be focused on the job at hand. Because there is no way I’m allowing you out there if you aren’t focused on staying safe,” he said, dipping down and forcing your eyes back to his.

You smiled and nodded in agreement, taking a deep breath before answering him.

“You’re right. Alright, I’ll get my boots on,” you said.

Daryl nodded in agreement, breathing a sigh of relief. It was bad enough you insisted on coming out there where there was danger around every corner. He couldn’t have you distracted.

You two put your boots on in silence.

Daryl grabbed his crossbow, slinging it over his back, securing the strap around his chest. Daryl handed you your belt, which had two knife holsters on it. You quickly slipped the belt around your belt loops, buckling it tightly. He then handed you two knives that he had welded for you. You grabbed them and holstered them securely on both your sides.

Daryl brought his hand to your chin, grabbing it securely, and then looked seriously into your eyes.

“You stay by my side at all times, got it?” he asked, worry flashing across his face as he thought about all that could happen to you, the most precious thing he had ever cared about.

You nodded, smiling up at him with reassurance.

“I promise,” you said, knowing how worried he really was to have you out there.

You? You couldn’t wait to step foot outside and finally be free from any kind of walls. But you also didn’t want to die either. So, you would do as Daryl said. Even if you usually would fight him on it. You didn’t want to mess up anything. You wanted to be with this man, here at his home, for as long as you could. Hopefully, forever. So, you agreed to his terms with sincerity.

Daryl searched your face with worry on his, trying to find any ounce of defiance in his order in yours. When he was sure there was none and that you had fully agreed he took a deep breath and nodded. He dropped his hands from your face and grabbed your hand, holding it tightly in his.

He nudged his head towards the door.

“Come on,” he said and then pulled you away with him out of the house.

You shut the door behind you and then walked hand in hand with Daryl down the steps of your house and the streets of Alexandria.

You looked around nervously as you locked eyes with people as you passed. Most gave you a look of unease, some even hid their children behind them protectively as you walked past them.

Daryl noticed, his heart pinging with sadness at the look of uneasy sadness on your face as you tried your hardest not to feel it fully.

He nudged your shoulder with his.

“Hey,” he said, waiting for your eyes to come back to his at his behest.

“You here with me?” he asked with concern.

You smiled over at him, getting lost in his eyes as you always did, and nodded. You leaned your head onto his shoulder and squeezed his hand tightly as you forced your eyes forward towards the gate.

“Always,” you said, smiling genuinely as you remembered the love you had for this amazing man and why you chose to endure this.

You reminded yourself that nothing and no one would ever get in the way of you two being together.

He smiled happily to himself, kissing the top of your head sweetly before forcing his own eyes ahead to the gate and to the group you were going out with today.

You and Daryl walked up to Michonne, Rick, and Aaron, hand in hand. You straightened out as you grew closer to the group, noticing their wary eyes as they took the image of you two together in.

Rick was the first one to walk towards you two, looking over at Daryl and nodding seriously over at him.

“You ready?” Rick asked him,

Daryl nodded, squeezing your hand with silent support for you.

“Yeah, *we’re* ready,” Daryl replied, emphasizing the fact that you were also here to help.

Rick nodded again, looking over at you with a hard apology in his eyes and demeanor.

“Y/N,” he said politely and then turned and walked back towards Michonne and Aaron.

You looked over at Daryl with unsure eyes again, your nerves getting the better of you.

He leaned over, kissed your forehead, and then cupped the side of your cheek with his free hand before speaking to you again.

“Don’t worry, Y/N. Just stay with me,” he said with a comforting smile.

You smiled back, relaxing a little at just how much you loved this man.

“Okay,” you said, nodding in agreement back to him.

He nodded back and then you both gave your attention back to the others. Rick and Daryl nodded to one another and then Rick began to tell you all what the plan was for today’s run.

“Alright, today’s mission is like any other, to get as much supplies as we can to bring back for our people. Michonne and I found an old-abandoned farm not too far from here. It is fenced in and as far as we can tell is free from walkers. We have spotted a big garden with plenty of food on the vines. It looks like this place has been well-tended to up until now. Not sure what happened to the people living there, but we are going to use their absence to our advantage. Aaron, Michonne, and I will take the truck while Daryl and Y/N, follow behind us,” Rick stated, looking over at you warily for a moment and then over to Daryl.

“Daryl your job is to make sure you give us a heads up if you see anyone coming, dead or alive,” Rick ordered.

Daryl nodded in agreement.

“Keep your walkies on at all times. But only use them if you have to. We don’t know who’s out there listening,” Rick instructed everyone.

He reached into the back of the truck and pulled out a walkie, bringing it over and handing it to you.

You took it and secured it behind you, clipping it to your jean shorts.

Rick then looked around at everyone with his ever serious eyes and tone.

“Let’s get out there and start re-building what has been taken from us,” Rick said, clenching his jaw and resisting the urge to glance back over at you with his comment.

That didn’t stop Michonne though, she looked straight into your eyes with a wary harsh glare.

You looked away, trying to ignore her glare and focus on the mission at hand. Which would hopefully begin to earn you some trust with these people.

“Alright, let’s head out,” Rick said, twirling his finger around in the air as he walked over to the driver’s side door.

He opened it and hopped inside. Aaron went to the other side and hopped in. Michonne climbed up onto the back of the truck bed, sitting and leaning against the back of the truck’s cab. She slammed her hand on the window above her, signaling to Rick that she was secure and ready to go.

“Come on,” Daryl said and pulled you over to his bike.

He dropped your hand and slung his leg over, sitting easily on the big piece of metal.

You followed him and slung your leg over, settling in behind him. You put your hands on his sides to secure yourself to him and the bike.

He looked back at you silently asking you if you were ready. You nodded and looked forward towards the gate with resolve.

Daryl kicked up his kickstand and pushed his foot harshly down onto the pedal below, igniting the engine with a loud roar.

You quickly wrapped your arms around his body and leaned yours into his with slight fear. You had never ridden his bike with him before. So, this would be another new experience for the two of you.

Daryl felt your tight grip on him and looked back at you with a smirk.

“Hold on, darlin’,” he said, his smirk widening at the sight of you, of all people, being so nervous.

“Shut up and drive, Dixon,” you said with a playful smile, trying to ignore the butterflies in your stomach.

Daryl smiled sweetly back at you as your spitfire nature returned to your being.

“Yes, ma’am,” Daryl said with another sweet smile over at you before turning his eyes and attention back to the road ahead.

The bike jolted ahead, and you watched as you both followed the truck to the gate.

The gate opened and away you all went. You held onto Daryl tightly as you took off together after the truck. You looked back and watched as the people quickly closed and locked the gate behind you, but not before you saw the look of anger on Sasha and Rosita’s faces as they did so.

You forced your mind and attention forward to the task at hand, ignoring the sudden urge to throw up again at the look on their faces. You took a few deep breaths trying to calm your upset stomach as you tried to focus on the mission at hand.

Daryl noticed your wavering body behind him, your grip loosening for a moment before you gripped him even tighter than before.

He looked back at you with concern.

“Ya alright?” he asked with a look of worry on his face.

You gulped back the sensation to puke because of your nerves and nodded over at him with a look of resolve on your face.

“Yeah. I’m okay, let’s just get this over with,” you said, your voice breaking at the end of your sentence, now wishing you hadn’t agreed to come out with him, but knowing you needed to prove your worth to the people your dad had wronged so deeply.

He looked you over with concern again and then nodded, turning his head and mind back toward the mission, knowing how important this was to you and the group.

You held on tightly to him as you all drove forward on the dirt road. You looked around and noticed a few walkers staggering slowly toward the sound of your vehicles far off into the distance. Your heart started to race as you watched them stretch out their arms following you. You shivered a little at the sight. You hugged Daryl, laying your head on his back and closing your eyes, trying to calm your nausea at the sight of the monsters.

You kept your eyes closed, hugging him tightly as the bike sped along, turning here and there until you felt it come to a stop.

Daryl kicked the kickstand down and the bike leaned to the side as it settled into its parked position.

You opened your eyes and noticed a big white farmhouse to the right of you. It was at least two stories with an attic. It was fenced in by a beautiful wooden fence that wrapped all the way around the property. There was a big red barn behind the house with a huge overgrown garden. From here you could see ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, and what looked like squash growing under the massive vines.

You smiled at the sight of what looked like a glimpse of the old world. You imagined children running around playing in the yard while their parents watched them from their rocking chairs that now were empty on the front porch.

“We’re here,” Daryl said, looking back towards you, noticing you were still hugging him so tightly.

You rested your chin on his shoulder and looked over at him with the same happy smile.

“It’s beautiful here,” you said to him, a glimmer of hope filling your eyes at your vision of the future.

Daryl smiled softly back at you, knowing that look in your eyes by now.

“Yeah. It is,” he said softly, getting lost in your eyes for a moment until he heard the sound of the truck doors slamming shut.

“Come on, Y/N. Let’s get this done so I can get you back home,” he said with a nod of his head.

You sighed, slumping a little but nodded in agreement.

You let unwrapped your arms around him, bringing your hands up to his shoulders to brace on them as you swung off of the bike. Once your feet hit the gravel, your head started to spin a little, causing you to brace your hand on the side of his arm for a moment.

“What’s wrong?” Daryl asked, looking you over with concern again.

He had never seen you so off-kilter as you had been the past few days. He was starting to worry there was something wrong with you. And that worried him more than anything else in the world.

You shook your head, closing your eyes as your dizziness slowly subsided, bringing your hands to your hips as you steadied yourself.

“Nothing. I’m okay. I must just have some vertigo from the bike,” you said, trying to shake the dizziness from your being.

Rick, Michonne, and Aaron walked over to you two as Daryl swung his leg quickly over his bike and came to your side.

“You two ready?” Rick asked, looking over at the state of you, and then looked over at Daryl with confusion in his eyes.

You nodded, forcing your eyes to Rick’s.

“Yeah, we’re ready,” you said with hard resolve in your eyes.

You looked back at Daryl with a reassuring yet weak smile.

Daryl narrowed his eyes, looking you over with uncertainty. If it was up to him, he would have taken you home this instant to get you checked out by the Doc. But this was important to you. So, he nodded back to you and then forced his eyes back over to Rick’s.

“Yeah,” Daryl concurred, nodding over to Rick.

Rick looked you over again, noticing how sickly you looked, and then looked over at Aaron.

“Why don’t you two take the garden. Aaron, drive the truck up to it and you two can start filling the buckets with any vegetables you can find,” Rick instructed.

Aaron nodded, looking over at you with wary but kind eyes.

You looked over at Aaron and then back at Daryl with unease. Daryl noticed and leaned over to kiss your cheek and then whisper into your ear.

“It’s alright, Y/N. Aaron’s good people. I trust him with you,” he whispered, looking over at you with another reassuring smile.

You smiled back and nodded, taking a few deep breaths of courage before looking back at Rick for further instructions.

“Michonne, Daryl, you’re with me. We’re going to case the house and if it is empty, we will scavenge everything useful we can find. Grab the bags from the back of the truck and let’s get going,” Rick ordered with another hard nod at Daryl and Michonne.

They both nodded back. Michonne went to grab a couple of big duffel bags from the back of the truck.

Daryl looked over at you unsurely one more time before walking in front of you, turning his back on the others. He looked you over as he cupped your face, softly caressing the sides of them with his thumbs as he leaned down to kiss your forehead sweetly.

When he was done, he leaned back, his hands still securely hold onto your face, and spoke.

“Ya need anything, just call,” he said with sweet concern in his eyes.

You nodded, bringing your hand down to pat the top of his walkie on his hip as you answered.

“I will. I promise,” you said, leaning up to give him one last sweet kiss on his lips before dropping back to your feet.

“Be safe,” you said, your turn to think about all the things that could go wrong here.

“I’m comin’ back to ya, always. I promise ya that,” he said with nothing but pure love and admiration in his eyes as he looked you over.

Even after all this time, you were still the most beautiful thing he had ever laid his eyes on.

He nodded slowly, dropping his hands reluctantly from you after one more sweet kiss on your forehead.

You two nodded your silent goodbyes to one another and then Daryl turned back towards the group.

Daryl looked over at Aaron silently telling him to take care of you.

Aaron picked up on it right away and nodded back to him, showing Daryl that he would do whatever he could to make sure he kept you safe.

Once Daryl was convinced, he took one more loving look at you and then walked to the truck, grabbing two more duffel bags, and followed Michonne away towards the house. Rick nodded a polite goodbye to you and Aaron before grabbing two bags himself and following the other two.

You watched them all easily hop the fence and walk towards the farmhouse. Daryl looked back at you several times before forcing his focus forward.

You watched him walk away from you with nothing but a sad longing in your eyes. Every step away from you made your heart ache more.

“Well, I guess we should get started. Rick really does run a tight ship,” Aaron said, looking over at you with a reassuring smile.

You looked back over at him and noticed his pleasant demeanor toward you.

You offered a small smile back and nodded in agreement.

“Why don’t I open the gate. You can drive through, I’ll close it, and we can head over to the garden,” he suggested.

“Sure. Sounds good,” you agreed.

You started to walk over to the driver’s side door of the truck when Aaron placed his hand gently on your shoulder. This caused you to stop and look over at him curiously at his touch.

Aaron smiled over at you again.

“For what it’s worth? I feel the same way every time I have to leave Eric behind,” he said with a nod of his head and dropped his hand.

“Thanks,” you said offering him a sweeter smile this time at his olive branch towards you.

He nodded again and began to walk towards the gate of the fence just a few yards away.

You followed suit and walked over to the driver’s side door. You opened it and climbed inside, shutting it and starting the ignition. As you did so, you looked out your window, scanning the area for any signs of danger. You saw none. Instead, all you heard was the peaceful whipping of the wind and the cawing of birds in the air above you.

You started the engine and put the truck into drive, looking over and watching as Aaron opened the gate.

He ushered you and the truck over with his hands.

You stepped onto the gas pedal and slowly drove the truck over and into the property. You pressed your foot onto the brake pedal, holding it there as you watched Aaron shutting the gate in your side mirror. After he was done, he walked over to the passenger side door and swung it open. He climbed easily up into the cab and sat down, shutting the door and then nodding over at you.

“Alright, let’s get us some food,” he said with an easy smile, looking happily over at the overly plentiful garden ahead of you.

You smiled over at his easy nature and nodded in agreement, your stomach growling at the thought of food. You pressed your foot to the gas pedal and drove the truck right up alongside the overgrown garden.

You two looked over at it with happy smiles on your faces.

“Wow! Look at all that!” you said with enthusiasm.

Aaron nodded in agreement.

“Looks like we will eat well tonight. Let’s start gathering,” Aaron said, opening the door and quickly climbing down to grab two of the buckets from the back and then walked over to the garden.

You did the same, climbing down from the truck, grabbing two buckets of your own, and following him into the generous garden. You were careful not to step on the vines and the plants as you made your way inside of it, behind Aaron.

You stopped at the tomatoes, putting your buckets down, careful to move the plants aside to do so. You began to pick them, placing them carefully inside the bucket. You looked over with worry every so often at the house that Daryl had disappeared into with Rick and Michonne.

Aaron went to work picking the cucumbers, looking over at you curiously every so often. He noticed your obvious worry and love for Daryl, shaking his head and smiling to himself as he bent down to pick a few more.

“You know…Not to brag. But I am an excellent judge of character…” Aaron started locking eyes with yours as you two worked together.

“…And I think people are wrong about you,” he finished with a smile over at you.

You looked over at him, surprised by his words, but smiled graciously back over at him before responding.

“Really?” you asked with a surprised smile over at him as you continued working together.

Aaron smiled again and nodded.

“Really,” he said, turning his attention back to the task at hand.

You smiled over at him one more time before doing the same. You two picked veggies together in comfortable silence, filling up bucket after bucket under the hot Georgia sun. You started to feel faint again after a while and stood up, putting a hand on your forehead. You closed your eyes and focused on your breathing, feeling nausea hit you again.

Aaron noticed and immediately came to your side.

He looked you over with concern. He leaned down and grabbed a ripe tomato and handed it to you.

“Here. Eat somethin’,” Aaron said as he offered you the tomato.

You opened your eyes and nodded, gratefully taking the tomato and biting into it with exhausted hunger.

“Thanks,” you said before taking another famished bite.

“Here, why don’t you sit down,” Aaron said, taking your arm timidly and guiding you to a nearby gardening chair.

You obliged, your head spinning again.

Aaron helped you sit down and then walked over to the back of the truck. He pulled out a bottle of water and brought it quickly back over to you.

“Here, take a drink,” Aaron said, kneeling down and handing it to you.

You took it, quickly opening the top of the bottle and guzzling it down quickly.

You pulled the bottle from your lips and wiped your mouth with the back of your hand, taking in a few deep breaths of relief as your body thanked you for the nourishment. You smiled to yourself at the sense of satisfaction a moment before remembering you weren’t alone. You looked up at Aaron with a grateful nod as you handed him back the nearly empty bottle back.

He held his palm out at you.

“No, no. It looks like you need it more than I do,” Aaron said looking you over with concern again.

“Have you been feeling sick?” Aaron asked as he took in your state.

You shrugged, gulping down the last of the bottle before resting your arms on your thighs and responding to him.

“I’m alright. I’ve just been a little dizzy and sick to my stomach lately,” you admitted to him, looking longingly over at the house where Daryl was busy at work, wishing he was here to comfort you.

Aaron followed your lovesick gaze and smiled to himself before looking over at you again.

“Well, I don’t want to tell you what to do by any means. But I’d definitely pay a visit to the Doc when we get back,” he said.

You looked over at him quizzically.

“Why? I don’t have a fever or anything. Maybe just some vertigo,” you said, looking up at him with question.

Aaron laughed a little to himself again and then looked over at you.

“There might be more than just a fever you should know about,” he said looking pointedly at you before walking back over to continue his task.

You looked back at the house, wishing you would see Daryl emerge already, completely confused at what Aaron meant.

You felt better after having something to eat and the water. After another few moments of rest, you walked back over and helped him finish salvaging the garden.

After a while longer, you looked up at the house and noticed the trio finally exiting the house, Daryl following Rick and Michonne out with what looked like full duffel bags in each of their hands.

You breathed a sigh of relief, standing up and smiling happily to yourself at the sight of him walking back to you.

He walked down the steps with the two bags in his hands and looked over at you from the distance between you two.

You quickly put the last few squash on the vines below your feet into the bucket beside you and walked over to him.

You ignored Rick and Michonne’s eyes on you completely as you two walked into the middle of the yard, finally reunited with one another. You walked swiftly into him and hugged him wholeheartedly, loving the feeling of your bodies and souls being reunited after what had seemed like forever to you.

He dropped his bags just in time, and wrapped his big, beautiful arms around you, lifting you up into him for a great big bear hug.

You wrapped your arms around his neck as he did so, hugging him tightly as you kissed his neck and then rested your head on the side of his shoulder. You held onto him tightly, tighter than you ever had as you smiled to yourself at the feeling of being back in his arms.

He dropped you back to your feet and you looked up at him like he had been gone forever.

“I was only gone a little while,” he said with a small smile at the look of pure love in your eyes for his return to you.

“I know. I just missed you,” you said with a sweet smile, your nerves finally calming at the sight of him safe and okay.

He smiled sweetly over at your relief to have him back with you. He brought his hand up to cup the side of your face, silently telling you how much he loved you too with only his eyes, and then kissed your forehead.

“Come on. Let’s go home,” Daryl said with another sweet smile.

You nodded, trying to fight your nerves as you turned around to face the group again.

Daryl picked up the bags and followed you over to the truck parked near the garden. You looked over at Aaron and smiled gratefully over at him for being so kind to you today.

He smiled and nodded a silent your welcome before loading up the last two buckets that were filled with veggies from the garden.

Daryl, Rick, and Michonne all dropped their filled bags into the back of the truck. Rick looked over the harvested food and the filled bags with a hopeful smile on his face, the first time in a long time he had been able to do that.

He looked over at you for a second. He had to admit that all of this was theirs to keep because of you and what you had done for them and their community. He nodded a silent thank you to you, much to your surprise.

Daryl walked over and grabbed your hand holding it in his as he stood there protectively by your side.

Rick noticed this and nodded over at Daryl with a silent apology.

Daryl nodded back.

You watched as the two men made their apologies in complete silence, smiling to yourself as you watched Daryl’s shoulders relax a bit afterward.

“Alright, let’s get this back to Alexandria and start going through what we’ve found today. Good job, everyone,” Rick said, looking over at you with one last polite nod before he turned and walked to the driver’s side of the truck.

Michonne climbed into the back of the truck reclaiming her position at the back of the cab. Aaron was about to get into the truck when he looked over at you and Daryl.

“Daryl, you have a second?” Aaron asked him.

Daryl looked over at him curiously and nodded.

Daryl’s hand dropped away from yours and you watched Aaron and Daryl walk a few feet away from everyone. You couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they both looked over at you with concern in their eyes as they began to walk back over to the group. Daryl patted Aaron on the shoulder and then walked back over to you.

“Come on,” Daryl said, grabbing your hand and walking you back over to his bike.

“What was that about?” you asked as you walked away with him.

He looked you over with concern again before bringing his worried eyes back to yours.

“Aaron said we should get you to the Doc when we get back. Said he was worried ya might have somethin’,” he said.

You nodded in complete agreement with him for once. You held your hand to your stomach as another wave of nausea hit you.

“Yeah. I have been feeling pretty sick lately. Maybe that’s a good idea,” you said, taking a few deep breaths as you tried to calm your stomach.

“Ya alright to ride back with me?” he asked, noticing you were sick to your stomach again.

You nodded.

“Yeah, let’s just get home,” you said with a weak smile.

He nodded, looking over at you with concern again before forcing his eyes and feet forward. He walked you both back to his bike and slung himself over, sitting down on the seat. He moved forward to allow room for you and nudged his head back to you.

“Get one,” he instructed as he kicked up the kickstand and revved the engine to life.

You quickly got on behind him, wrapping your arms securely behind him and resting your head on his back. You closed your eyes as the bike jolted forward. You tried to focus on the cool air that blew across your face as you two rode back to Alexandria, following behind Rick and the truck.

When you got back to Alexandria, you opened your eyes, watching Daryl idle watching impatiently for the gate to open. Once it did, you all drove through. You heard the gate clink shut from behind you. Daryl drove you right up to the Doc’s house, parking the bike on the side of the road.

You sighed in relief at the feeling of the bike coming to a halt. Daryl put out the kickstand. You brought your hands back to his shoulders and braced on them as you weakly got down off the bike. You stood there in a haze for a moment before your hand came to your mouth and you gagged. You quickly walked over to some nearby bushes and threw up the water and tomato you had eaten.

“Ick…” you muttered to yourself as you wiped your mouth, your eyes watering with sick pain in your eyes.

Daryl was beside you in an instant, rubbing your back softly as you purged your system.

You looked over at him with an embarrassed smile.

“Well, that’s a new milestone for us. I’m sorry,” you said with another weak smile as you clutched your stomach.

“Don’t be. Let’s just get you in there and see how the Doc can help,” he said with nothing but sympathy for you in his eyes.

He didn’t like seeing you in pain or discomfort.

You nodded, letting him take your hand and walk you both to the front door. Daryl knocked loudly on the front door, pounding on it until it opened.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming,” the Doc said as he swung the door open, looking at Daryl with slight annoyance.

He then looked over at you and noticed the state of you. Your face was clammy, and you looked like you were about to fall over.

“Come in. Come in,” he said stepping aside and ushering you both inside.

Daryl helped guide you inside of the house, following the Doc as he walked you both to the backroom that was frequently used for examinations.

“She’s been feelin’ real sick lately, Doc. You’ve got to look her over,” Daryl said looking you over with worry again.

You noticed this and smiled up at him reassuringly.

“I’m sure it’s fine, Daryl. It’s probably just a stomach bug,” you said, squeezing his hand tighter.

Daryl licked his lips and nodded repeatedly, trying to believe that it was something minor. But in this world, he was too scared of losing you not to go to the extremes inside his head.

“Daryl, why don’t you wait outside while I look her over,” the Doc said, putting his black stethoscope around his neck.

“Go ahead, Daryl. I’m okay,” you said, noticing the look of defiance in his eyes.

He looked you over to make sure you meant your words. When he was sure you did, he nodded again and kissed your cheek.

“I’ll be right outside those doors,” he said, cupping your face as he stared deeply into your eyes.

You nodded, smiling sweetly back at him.

“Go,” you said softly, squeezing his hand one more time before dropping it from his.

He nodded, looking over at you warily one more time before he dropped his hands from you and turned to walk out the door. Before he left, he looked back at you again and said, “I’ll be right here.”

You nodded, smiling happily back at him before you turned your attention to the Doc. You heard Daryl close the door as you smiled politely over at the Doc.

“Why don’t you come sit down and I’ll take a look,” the Doc said, gesturing with his hand to sit on the cot set up in the middle of the room.

You obeyed and sat on the cot with your hands in your lap.

“So, how have you been feeling lately,” he asked, taking a look into each of your eyes before moving his hands down to your neck, checking your lymph nodes.

“I guess I have been more tired than usual, and I’ve been really sick to my stomach lately,” you said.

“Mhm,” the Doc said, putting the stethoscope earbuds into his ears, bringing the flat plate over to your chest.

“Take a few deep breaths,” he said, placing the plate on your chest.

You took a few slow deep breaths as he placed the plate around your chest, listening intently.

After a few more deep breaths, he dropped the plate and took the earbuds out of his ears, hanging it back around his neck. He brought his hands to your stomach, pressing on it near your side.

“Does this hurt?” he asked, checking the area where your appendix was located.

“No,” you answered.

“Have you been having any aches and pains lately?” he asked.

You shrugged.

“I mean aside from the usual wear and tear I guess my body has seemed more tender than usual,” you said.

“Where has it been tender?” he asked you.

You looked up at him embarrassed as you gestured to your breasts.

He nodded again, walking over to a big cabinet, opening the doors, and grabbing something inside of it.

“Any motion sickness?” he asked, holding something in his hand as he walked back over to you.

“Yes, definitely,” you said, nodding as you peered curiously over at whatever was in his hand.

“Here, I think you should take this test,” he said and handed you a box.

You took it from him and looked over at it curiously.

It was a pregnancy test.

You looked up at him in pure shock.

He laughed a little at your reaction.

“I don’t see any symptoms of inflamed lymph nodes or an inflamed appendix. The symptoms you are describing can also be the symptoms of a woman’s first trimester,” he said, matter-of-factly.

You stared down at the box in your hand and nodded, still in shock at this.

“When was the last time you had your period?” he asked.

You searched your mind.

“I guess it has been quite a while,” you admitted, just now realizing how late you were.

“You can use the bathroom back there if you would like,” the Doc said, gesturing to a door behind you.

You looked over at the closed door where Daryl had exited, wondering if you should tell him. You decided to wait until you yourself knew for sure. You slowly got up and walked over to the bathroom door in a haze.

You walked inside, closing and locking the door behind you. You unbuttoned your jean shorts and pulled them and your panties down as you sat down on the toilet. You opened the box, taking the test stick out from the packaging. You read the instructions carefully, one line meant no, and two lines meant yes.

You brought the stick down, shifting awkwardly as you tried to line it up, and then began peeing. You took the stick out after you had wettened it and set it on the edge of the sink next to you. You wiped and got up fastening your shorts and walking over to the sink. You stared at yourself in the mirror as you washed your hands clean.

Were you really ready to be a mother? You wondered. You looked up at the clock on the wall, marking the time. The box said you had to wait five minutes. You walked over at sat down on the edge of the tub to wait, staring at your hands as your mind raced with so many thoughts and questions.

You tried to stay calm, reminding yourself that it could be negative. Then your thoughts turned to Daryl. You smiled to yourself at the thought of him holding your child making them laugh or smile. You thought about how much you had wanted a family with him. You just didn’t know it would happen so soon. Although would you really be that surprised with how active you two had been since day one?

You stared up at the clock every so often, lost in your confused thoughts until it was time to look.

The clock ticked to the five-minute mark. You ran your hands up and down your thighs a few times before you took a deep breath and got up. You walked over to the sink and picked up the stick.

It was Positive.

Your stomach did a flip at the sight of the positive result. You felt like you were in a dream as you set it back down on the sink and walked back out into the Doc’s exam room.

From the look of shock on your face, the Doc figured out the answer.

You didn’t even look at him as you slowly walked over to the door and opened it.

Daryl quickly rose to his feet, looking you over with concern. His hands came to your body, bringing them back to your face to cup it.

You had the strangest shocked look on your face, which immediately made him think something was wrong.

“What’s wrong, Y/N? Is everything alright?” he asked as he checked you over with anxious panic now.

You slowly nodded, bringing your in-shock eyes back to his.

“I’m-I’m pregnant,” you said, looking over at him in pure shock as you pushed out the words.

Daryl’s hands dropped from your face and he stepped back a bit, looking over at you with his own pure shock in his eyes.

“What?” he asked, feeling like he had misheard you.

“I’m pregnant,” you said with more conviction this time.

Daryl stared over at you in disbelief for a few seconds before walking into you and wrapping you up into his arms, giving you a big hug.

You smiled and laughed a little at the sheer force of his happy hug. After what seemed like a five-minute hug, he finally brought his hands to your shoulders, pulling you two apart just enough to be able to see your face again.

He had the happiest smile on his face that you had ever seen. You even thought you saw a few tears starting but he quickly pushed them away.

The Doc came over with a happy smile.

“Congratulations you two, you’re going to be parents,” he said, reaching his hand out to shake Daryl’s.

Daryl took it shaking it firmly as he brought his attention to the Doc.

“Is she gonna be okay? How far along is she? What do I need to do for her?” Daryl asked, suddenly having a million questions running through his mind.

The Doc chuckled a little before responding.

“She’s going to be just fine, Daryl. We’ll set up a weekly appointment for her to make sure we catch anything that could be problematic. In the meantime, she will need lots of rest. So, I would suggest no more runs for her unless it is absolutely necessary. Times have obviously changed. The body can fall prey easier to pregnancy without technology to help guide us. So, the less strain she puts on her body the better,” the Doc said to Daryl.

Daryl nodded, already making a list in his mind of all of the things you were no longer going to be doing.

“As for how far along, if I had to guess I would say you are around 5 or 6 weeks pregnant,” he said to you.

You looked down at your stomach, placing your hand on it. It was mind-boggling to you that you had been with this child for so long already and didn’t know it.

“Get plenty of rest and I’d suggest more soup-based meals until your morning sickness subsides. Your body will tell you what it needs with your cravings and we will do the best we can to accommodate that. I’ll also put prenatal vitamins on the next run list for you,” the Doctor said to you both.

“Just tell me where to look and I’ll get them,” Daryl said to the Doc.

The Doc nodded back to him.

“Very good, I’ll plot you out a map of places that could have them and get it to you by the morning,” he replied.

He then looked over at you two with another smile.

“I’ll let you two settle into the news. But if you have any more questions you know where to find me,” he said, nodding politely again before walking back into the exam room and closing the door behind him.

Daryl looked back at you.

You both stared at each other in shocked silence for a minute before you spoke, still holding your hand protectively over your stomach.

“Are you…okay with this?” you asked with slight worry on your face that he might not be.

He cupped the side of your face and looked lovingly back into your eyes.

“Are ya kidding me, Y/N? I can’t wait to meet our little creation,” he said with a sappy smile on his lips.

You smiled back up and him and nodded, imagining the spitfire that you two probably created.

“Ya just keep surprisin’ me, Y/N…” he said, tenderly caressing your cheek with his thumb as he looked at you in complete awe.

“I love you, Y/N. And I’m gonna love this kid just as much,” he said, with a happy dumbstruck smile.

You smiled sweetly back over at him. The look of pure love in his eyes squashed any doubt you had in your mind about this being a mistake. He was going to be a great dad.

“I love you, too, Daryl,” you said in awe of him, even more so now than ever before.

Whatever came next, you knew he would take care of you and this child so damn well…

—–

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[baoshan-sanren]

Chapter 14

of the wwx emperor au that’s now more like the terrible horrible time the Lan Sect is having ugh

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 Part 1 | Chapter 8 Part 2 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13

It does not take long to leave the noise of the disciples and their game behind them.

The path around the mountain is wide, and appears to have been well tended throughout the warmer months. Still, the evidence of the recent autumn storms is everywhere, frequently forcing them to detour around fallen branches and uprooted brush.

The first time Nie MingJue offers him a hand in assistance, XiChen nearly trips over nothing but his own feet. Although they hardly come upon any obstacles that require such attention, XiChen accepts each time, and each time the anticipation of the next seems to grow.

XiChen’s hands are not soft by any means. His calluses are not only present on the areas so frequently affected by sword practice, but years of playing the guqin have hardened his fingers as well. They are not hands that must be treated with care, yet Nie MingJue does, his grip light and gentle. Each time, the warmth of his palm inevitably travels to XiChen’s face, and XiChen very much hopes that the color in his cheeks can be ascribed the cold mountain breeze instead.

“How do you like the Peach Blossom Pavilion?” Nie MingJue says, and XiChen finds himself surprised by the question.

For all the insinuations the Royal Companion had made about Madam Yu being attentive to their accommodations, at no point has anyone actually inquired after their comfort. XiChen is fairly certain that most of the guests are unaware of the Lan Sect’s current residence in the Immortal Mountain City.

It is logical, that the General of the Emperor’s army would keep a close track of everyone’s accommodations, and express some interest in the matter. Still, XiChen so rarely considers his own comfort, that it takes him a few moments to formulate a response.

“It is peaceful,” he says finally, “I like it very much.”

It is far removed from the palaces usually occupied by distinguished guests. It is also small, and does not require a sea of servants to maintain. These are all welcome things to the Lan Sect, who do not want to be in close proximity to the others, and place great value in peace and silence. However, XiChen does not know how to voice any of those benefits without making them sound like grievances.

“It is one of the oldest structures in the Immortal Mountain City,” Nie MingJue says, “do you know the story behind the name?”

“Only that the Empress Immortal had settled there upon first arriving to the Immortal Mountain.”

Nie MingJue nods, and helps XiChen navigate two crude stone steps, worn down by centuries of wind and rain. The path evens out again, but the incline is now noticeable. The air is so rich here, that XiChen can almost taste the coolness of it on his tongue.

“At the time, the Empress Immortal was only a rogue cultivator,” Nie MingJue says, “A capable one, but not yet renown enough to form an Empire. It is said that she could feel the inherent power of the Immortal Mountain, and had chosen to settle here precisely for this reason. I, however, am more inclined to think that she was simply searching for some peace and silence.”

The words are followed by a small smile in XiChen’s direction, and XiChen cannot help but smile back.

“The Peach Blossom Pavilion is named for the peach tree that grew in its place. The legend states that the Empress Immortal spent her first night underneath this tree, and that the tree bore fruit the next morning to provide her with nourishment.”

This part of the story is unfamiliar to XiChen, and he listens attentively, wondering where it could possibly lead.

“She built her first home next to that same peach tree, and when the autumn storms took it down, her second and her third. Although she still traveled far and wide, the Immortal Mountain became a place she considered her own, a shelter from the rest of the world.”

Ahead, a small pile of rocks obstructs their way. Larger boulders had dislodged at one point, but the majority of them had rolled past the path itself, crumbling into the fissure below. Still, when Nie MingJue offers his hand, XiChen takes it.

“Eventually, the peach tree died. Most commonly it is said that the Immortal Empress was gone too long, and found it already withered on her return. Some prefer to think that a storm had uprooted the tree, a lesson on the inconsistency of all living things when faced with the might of Heavens. Others say that enemies of the Immortal Empress destroyed it on purpose. The details vary from one region to another.”

At one point, Nie MingJue’s fingers had tightened around his own, and now, XiChen cannot seem to shake the tingling sensation that envelops his hand from fingertips to his wrist.

“The story is always clear on the aftermath, however. The Empress Immortal was still young, and already extremely advanced in cultivation. She had not yet learned that spiritual power has its limits, and that the natural progression of life cannot be altered without consequences.”

The path is steadily rising now, curving more sharply around the mountain face, the trees growing scarce.

“She was determined to have her peach tree. In order to accomplish this, she sunk all of her power into the mountain soil. She exerted herself to such an extent that her death should have been the outcome. And although she lived, nearly half a century would pass before her spiritual power recovered.”

The next curve stops XiChen in his tracks.

The mountain face is steep here, but not so steep that it cannot support growth. A field of grass and wildflowers stretches in front of his eyes, waving in the mountain wind. And in the middle of this field, dozens of peach trees stand tall, each one in full bloom.

They are beautiful. The color of their blossoms is so vivid, it seems painted on with a heavy hand, the innermost flowers so dark, that they resemble droplets of blood. The breeze easily snatches their petals, carpeting the field in an ocean of pink and white.

They are lovely, and yet, the longer XiChen watches them, the more unsettled he feels. It takes him a few moments to pinpoint the source of his unease, and then it is so obvious that he feels foolish.

It is late autumn. No peach trees bloom in autumn.

“They bloom all year long,” Nie MingJue says, “They never age, and they never bear fruit.”

“Oh,” XiChen says, more of a breath than a word, and easily lost in the wind.

They are not real.

There are so many wondrous things one can accomplish with spiritual power, but no amount of skill or strength is capable of creation. Spiritual power cannot turn back death, and it cannot give birth to new life.

XiChen remembers this lesson so clearly, that for an instant, he is back in the Library Pavilion at Cloud Recesses, hearing his uncle’s calm voice, smelling the gardenias growing by the pavilion windows.

All things are born, and all things must die. Even the greatest cultivators in the world, those who reach immortality, will one day be nothing but bones and dust in the earth, their last purpose to nourish new life. He had committed the lesson to memory then, but he does not think that he fully understood it until this very moment, faced with a dozen blooming peach trees in the late autumn.

Frozen in a moment, forever unchanging. Beautiful to see, but lacking everything that makes them truly alive.

A deep, inexplicable sorrow envelops him, and he feels his breath stutter in his chest.

“I have upset you,” Nie MingJue says, voice heavy with concern, “Forgive me. That was not my intention.”

“No, I--“

XiChen does not know how to explain himself. His happiness or melancholy are so rarely addressed in words, that he does not possess the vocabulary necessary to speak of them.

“I am not upset, I am only-- sad for them, I suppose.”

He cannot meet Nie MingJue’s eyes. He feels silly, and wonders if the man thinks him ridiculous.

“You must think me foolish.”

“I do not,” Nie MingJue says.

He sounds upset at the implication, but whatever other words he may have to say never come.

There is an unexpected noise behind them, a sound of many boots traveling the same path. XiChen turns to find a dozen men in the uniforms of the Imperial Guard.

The man leading them, a tall youth XiChen does not remember meeting before, bows to Nie MingJue and addresses him directly.

“General Nie, forgive me. I have been ordered to take Young Master Lan into custody, and escort him to the Jade Sword Palace.”

XiChen feels every part of his body turn numb at the words.

“Into custody?” Nie MingJue says, “For what reason?”

“For the attempted murder of the HeJian Fan Sect Leader.”

[cummingforkylo]

Hi sweetie, I was just reading your Ben fic and I was absolutely smitten by it, I came to your page to read some more of your work; and I see you take request and I was wondering if you could possibly write one based on the last scene of tros where reader and ben are the dyad in the force instead and reader sees Rey kiss ben and she leaves, but he comes looking for her at the resistance base? If you can’t, I totally understand but still thank you very much!!

I’m so glad you enjoyed my Ben ficlet. I really hope you like this, I promise I bullshitted most of this annnd maybe its just silly and not what you were looking for buuut here you go(fair warning: i gloss over a lot of movie stuff annnnd it doesn’t TOTALLY make sense especially with canon)

You had always been connected to Kylo, you had alway felt it. You dreamt of him, you spoke through The Force. You understood him, you knew there was more to him than his darkness but you didn’t push it. You didn’t push him. You stayed beside him, you trusted him, even if you disagreed with almost everything he chose. You tried to tell him he could be better, he could be more if he could overcome his fears, overcome the pain from his past. He didn’t listen, but it didn’t matter, you stayed by his side, providing him the nourishment and love that he refused to believe he was worthy of. It was painful for you, he hurt you in every way you could think of, he let you down but you trusted more than anything else that deep inside there was good and even if it never came out, you would love him through it.

When Kylo Ren died and Ben Solo was reborn, he found you on the Supremacy as soon as he was back. He spoke quickly and earnestly, staring into your eyes the whole time, clutching at your hands. He told you to go to the resistance base, bring them information about Exegol and stay there and wait for him. He had to go to Exegol, he had to help Rey. You hated that his thoughts lingered on her, you hated that he thought this connection with her was more than what it was with you, because it wasn’t true. But you left him anyway and went to the resistance base. You helped in everyday you could but you had that nagging fear, fear for Ben, for his life. So when the resistance left for Exegol you went with them, you were going to find him and make sure he was alive.

It took you most of the battle to get to the surface of Exegol and by then you were desperate, you needed to see him, you needed to find him. You raced through the Sith Temple, searching, listening, waiting and reaching out for him in the Force. When you reached the hall, it was half collapsed and quiet, you were about to call out to him, shout his name and run to him when you saw her with him. They were sitting close together, she was staring at him like he was the most beautiful thing in the world. She suddenly leaned in and kissed him hard on the lips. You stared, you felt like the world had been ripped out from under you. She was allowed to do what she wanted, she was allowed to feel what she wanted but she wasn’t supposed to do that with him. Not him. Not your Ben. Not the Ben that you had finally gotten back. He was Ben, finally. Your Ben. You had been with him through it all, through Kylo Ren, through the suffering and pain, while everyone else abandoned him, you were there. You deserved Ben. The pain wracked through your body and if he had been paying attention, he would have felt it in the Force. He wasn’t though, he was looking at her now that she had pulled away. You turned and ran, not looking back.

When you got back to the resistance base you couldn’t focus properly. Everyone celebrated, screaming, cheering, crying, kissing. But not you, you focused on Ben in the Force. He was supposed to be coming home to you, he had promised he would come back. He had promised. You knew he was alive still, you could feel it. But was he alive with her? Was he alive and wrapped up in her? You felt ill. You were here surrounded by people you only barely knew and your one steady rock was with another girl. Amidst the partying, a last ship arrived. You watched it descend, you heard the cheers for Rey, her friends shouting for her and then the silence as he came out as well. Nervous chitters ran through the crowd, you stayed turned away, not wanting to see him, not wanting to see them together. Rey spoke quickly to people, explaining. They were wary of him, they stayed away and you felt him searching for you, he reached out in the Force, he stared around the base.Then he found you, you turned to look at him finally and he was striding towards you. Ben’s smile was brilliant, beautiful and it broke your heart.

You couldn’t stay away, you rushed forward as soon as he was close enough to read. You threw your arms around his neck, so thankful just to see him alive. His hands caught your hips and he lifted you up to meet him, kissing you hard on the lips. You couldn’t help but kiss him back, you needed it and his lips were so gentle and soft. Ben. Ben. Ben. His name echoed in your head but then the image of Rey kissing him burst into your brain. The instant you saw it in your mind’s eye you knew that he saw it too. He ripped away from you and he let your drop back to your feet,

“You were there?” he asked, his brow furrowed. You stepped away from him and your eyes flicked to the ground.

“I couldn’t leave you there and just wait, I needed to be with you. I kept feeling you in the Force.” You tried to explain, shaking your head. You were angry at him, and yet you felt like you needed to explain yourself.

“You shouldn’t have come…I was okay! What if something had happened to you, I would have been…been devastated!” He said. This was the most honest he had ever been with you, and you could feel it in his soul, you could feel the truth, power, love radiating off of him. Your connection pulsed in a very real way, you could feel it in your chest, you could feel it in the air around you. It pulled you together, like it always had.

“I would have been devastated if something happened to you and I wasn’t there!” you argued. You were devastated, you were devastated that she had kissed him. His eyes searched yours and you saw some recognition in his face,

“You are devastated.” He offered. You swallowed and looked down at the ground, not wanting him to notice the tears in your eyes. “It…it wasn’t anything! That kiss with…with Rey! She kissed me, it was just… a moment. And, I don’t feel any connection with her anymore. There is nothing there. I can barely feel her in the Force anymore, no more than anyone else.” Ben stared into your eyes, his brown ones soft, warm, comforting. You could cry.

“Ben, don’t just say that-”

“I’m not. You’ve been there for me, I’m not Ben without you. I’m Ben, because of you.” He said quietly. He glanced around as if he didn’t want anyone else hearing him being so vulnerable. You stepped towards him again, closing off even more from the party going on around you.  You let a smile spread over your face and you reached up, cupping his cheek with your hand and kissed him softly. His lips were gentle but persistent, he tugged you into him and deepened the kiss. There was a lot to figure out, a lot to be done, but you would continue to fight for your Ben like you always had.  You didn’t know what was to come, but for now, because you were together, everything was right.

[thehellcatcroons]

An Ordinary Woman

Summary: Left alone for the weekend while Dante takes a job out of town, Trish gets a call from Lady inviting her over for dinner. This short story explores Trish’s thoughts and feelings as she wrestles with her identity and the idea of friendship. 

The idea for this kind of loosely came from an episode of Inuyasha, where Kikyo explains that without the shikon jewel, she’d be free to be an ordinary woman, and that’s all she ever wanted. I wanted to apply the idea of just wanting to be, or even just feel, like an ordinary woman to Trish, who I think probably questions her identity a lot. 

Characters: Trish, Lady- Mentions of Dante

**Brief mentions of drinking wine**

Also up on Ao3 (Tumblr mucked up some of my formatting.)

   Glittering reflections of flickering lights danced in the quickly puddling streets of the city as a tall, flaxen haired woman sauntered down them; the usual song of the city night masked by the heavy and steady beating of the rain. Trish had found herself growing a fondness for it, and tonight it proved to be welcome company on her walk to Lady's apartment. It was summer now, a season that could have contended with Hell's own fires, but the showers themselves were cool as ice as they fell from the night sky and caressed her overheated skin. She took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the humidity that hung heavily in the air.

  Dante had gone out of town on a job, and the phone hadn't rung in days; Trish had grown tired of sitting around the shop by herself waiting for work. She had managed to find some little ways to keep herself busy here and there. She'd tidied the office and cleaned the spoiled food from the fridge, she'd even hung a few devil arms on the walls to get them off of the floor, since everyone at the office seemed to have been tripping over them. But she'd finished cleaning up a day ago, and today she'd realized that the television in Dante's office didn't operate the way he said it was supposed to. Supposedly it showed moving pictures, but all she had gotten from it was static; no matter how many buttons she clicked or positions she twisted the antenna into. Come to think of it, she'd never even seen Dante use it before, how could she be sure it even worked at all? Thankfully, Lady had called to check in on her just as she was tempted to zap the damned thing with her lighting.

  It was the first time Dante had left her alone at the shop for more than a day. It had only been a year since they'd returned from Mallet Island, and there was still a lot about the human world that puzzled Trish. Though, she was never shy about the things that she didn't understand, she knew that if she was going to be living in this world, she'd need to learn a great many things about it. But much to her disappointment, Dante seemed clueless about a lot and Trish found herself talking to Lady more and more as of late. She'd been grateful to hear her voice on the other end of the line after her few days of solitude.

  “Leave it to Dante to take the only paying job around! Why don't you close on up and come over here? I could use the company. I'd offer to pick you up, but I just started cooking. Guess I didn't really think about that one...” Trish remembered hearing her hearty laugh through the receiver. “Then again, I guess you'd get wet either way since all I have is the bike!”

  “Oh, a little rain won't bother me! Besides, I think I'm starting to like it.” She'd said before eagerly hanging up and shutting up shop for the night; the rain wasn't the only thing she'd been growing a fondness for.

  She and Lady had very much gotten off on the wrong foot when they first met. In fact, they'd tried to kill one another. When they later found out that the incident could have been avoided if Dante had just introduced them, they'd both laughed if off, and laughed at Dante. In fact, since the incident (and much to Dante's dismay,) the two of them had seemed to bond a great deal over poking fun at him.

  Sirens wailed in the distance, cutting through the drumming of the rain and interrupting Trish's thoughts. The strange sounds of this world were another thing that Trish had found herself slowly growing used to. The demon world had been a strangely quiet place, while the human world was just the opposite; the streets were always alive with the sounds of horns and hollers. She'd remembered Lady telling her that it wasn't like this everywhere, that there were some places in the human world that were quiet and still.    

 How dull they must be. She thought, smiling at the buzzing neon lights of the bars and shops that lined the streets.

  This world was a fascinating place. There was so much to see, so much to do, so much to know. Trish had already learned a great deal of things in just her short year here. But despite all of the wonders of the world that she was in now, what she was learning the most about was herself; who she was, and who she wanted to be. She'd been born of malice, hatred even, created by a monster for some sick revenge.

  “But that's not who you are.” Dante had told her when they'd returned from the island. “You saved me, and instead of returning to the demon world, you chose to come back here with me. That's gotta count for something, right?”

  Maybe. She thought, recalling the memory. But then, what does that make me?

  She knew that she wasn't evil, she just couldn't muster the hatred for it. She was more concerned with who she was, and constantly grappled with her ideas about her identity. After all, nothing was truly hers, everything she had belonged to someone else at one point or another. Her face and her beauty both belonged to a woman long dead. Her guns, Luce and Ombre, had been given to her by Dante. Her strength, her powers, all given to her by her creator, nothing earned. Even her life had belonged to someone else at one point, someone who had cast her aside without a second thought the moment she had failed him. She supposed her name was hers, she'd chosen it after all. But was that it? Was that all she had in this world, after all she'd been through?

  The glint of the small silver speaker box that hung outside of Lady's building caught Trish's eye, it was sweet beacon of light to her, casting aside her doubts and replacing them with a strange sense of hope. Her pace seemed to quicken as she approached it, one finger already extended and ready to hit the little button next to Lady's apartment number. A short moment after, she heard the static of the other line picking up through the speaker box.

  “Oh! Jeez, you sure walk fast!” She heard Lady's cheery voice on the other end. “I'll buzz you up!” The line clicked off and Trish heard the obnoxious buzz of the main doors being unlocked. Perhaps there were some noises in this world that she didn't care for after all.

  The inside of the building was an entire world brighter than outside, though Trish credited most of it to the gross overuse of the color white. The paint on the walls was almost as glossy as the tiled floors that made up the lobby. The florescent lighting was almost blinding, and Trish had to let her eyes adjust for a moment before heading to the elevator.

“Good grief.” She muttered to herself as the cabin creaked and groaned its way down to her. “Why are human machines so noisy?”

  As the doors opened, a small hoard of adolescent girls pushed their way out, chattering excitedly about junk food, movies, and something called a 'sleepover.'

   “God Jenna, you're so lucky your mom leaves you all of this money when she goes away, we can get whatever we want from the corner store!” Trish heard one of them say.

   “It's only because I hate her new boyfriend, she's just doing it so I'm not a bitch to her when she comes home.” Their giggles were cut off as the elevator doors finally slid shut behind Trish.

  It seemed to Trish that a decent amount of human rituals involved food. Not only did they need it to nourish themselves, but they used it as a way to bond with one another as well. Though she didn't exactly need human food to sustain herself, she did enjoy it from time to time when it wasn't pizza for the fifth night in a row.

  The cabin jerked slightly as it reached its destination, the doors struggling to part ways. The third floor hallway was a welcome site, its interior much duller than the florescence of the first. Soft gray carpet padded the floors, while the walls were bound in a calm blue wallpaper. Trish didn't have to walk far before she found herself outside of Lady's door.

  She hesitated for a moment before she knocked, almost nervous to be spending time with Lady by herself. After the events of their first encounter had blown over, Lady had always seemed kind towards her, but Trish could always tell that there was something else there. There was an underlying uneasiness that kept Lady tense and on edge around Trish, and even Dante sometimes. Though, it did seem like Lady tried to hide those feelings from them both. Trish was honestly surprised that she had even invited her over, but she was thankful all the same.

   “Hey- woah, ok....how are you not soaked?” Lady asked when she answered the door. Trish shrugged as she walked in, her heels clicking against the floors once more as the terrain changed to hardwood.

   “I can use my powers for more than just fighting.” She replied, innocently.

   “Well, I suppose having demonic powers would come in handy for all sorts of things.” Lady said as she closed the door behind them and shuffled to the kitchen that was just to the left of it.

  She wasn't dressed in the normal attire that Trish was used to seeing her in. Instead, she was sporting soft black shorts with white polka dots, and a baggy gray tee shirt that hung off of her shoulders. Trish looked down to see that she was barefoot, and had a multitude of rings wrapped around her toes.

   “I hope you don't mind spaghetti, it's just about done.” Lady said, picking up a wooden spoon and stirring the contents of a large pot.

   “What's that?” Trish asked.

   “You've never had- oh gosh!” She said, realization suddenly dawning on her. “You probably don't even need to eat, do you? I didn't even think about it.” She almost sounded disappointed.

   “Well no, but, I like it. Trying new things has been....an interesting journey for me.” She smiled at Lady as she took a seat on one of the tall steel bar stools that sat next to the counter.

   “I'm sure you're really expanding your pallet living with The Prince of Pizza.” She joked as she plopped two glasses onto the counter in front of Trish and filled them with wine. Trish noted that there was something different in the way that Lady was acting, she seemed far more relaxed than she normally was.

   “It was kind of you to think of me.” Trish chuckled at Lady's jab at Dante as she grabbed one of the glasses and brought it to her lips.

   “I figured you could use a friendly face, being all alone in that office can't be much fun.”

   “No, but I did manage to get some cleaning done without Dante there.” She sighed. “He never wants anyone to touch anything.”

   “Always says he'll get to it, but never does?” Lady quipped as she sauntered back to the stove. “Been there, done that. I offered to help clean up about a thousand times when we first met. I guess all men are destined to be stubborn, demon or not.”

   Trish laughed as Lady spooned the food she'd made out onto some plates for them.

   “In any case, I'm glad you're here to give me some company. And that you're willing to humor me and eat my cooking.” She made her way back over to the counter and placed the plates down between them.

   “Well, what do you think?” Lady asked as she watched Trish take a bite. “This isn't the first thing you've had besides pizza, is it?”

   Trish covered her mouth as she stifled a laugh, still chewing.

   “I've tried other foods!” She managed to quip back once she finally swallowed. “I do like this though, what's it called again?”

   “Spaghetti.” Lady laughed. “And I'm glad.”

   “I heard some girls talking about something called a sleepover when I was getting on the elevator. What is that?” Trish asked suddenly after they'd spent a long and comfortable silence enjoying their food.

   “A sleepover?” Lady asked, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. “I've never really been to one myself. But, it's when kids, er- friends, get together and spend the night at each other's houses. They usually stay up all night doing stuff like watching movies, painting nails, telling scary stories, eating junk food.”

   “How come you've never been to one?”

   Lady looked down into her glass of wine, as if the answer was at the bottom.

  “Well...” She began, she looked up at Trish nervously. “My parents were both a bit overly protective when I was really young, so I was never allowed to stay over anyone's house. I think my mom knew my father was....off, so she never let me have any friends over our house. I ran away from home after he killed her, dropped out of school, stopped having friends.” Her voice was suddenly a whisper. She sighed as she took a long sip from her glass.

   “I'm so sorry....” Trish replied. She'd almost forgotten, Lady may be human, but that didn't mean she was normal by any means.

   “It's alright.” Lady replied. “I guess some human experiences are unfamiliar to me too, the ones I was robbed of anyway.” She half laughed.

  Trish looked down at her plate as she took another bite, thankful for something to keep her mouth occupied. She hadn't meant to upset Lady, and she'd forgotten how easy it was to stir up bad memories with just a few small words. She found herself feeling strangely disappointed. Lady had only just started relaxing around her, had she ruined that already? Did she break a trust that they were only just starting to build?

   “Hey, you know what?” Lady chirped suddenly. “We can have one tonight!”

   “Have what?”

   “A sleep over. I've never been to one, you've never been to one. Let's have one here, I have a bunch of movies we can watch, and I'm sure I can dig up some pajamas that'll fit you. Well, maybe, you're awfully tall.” She laughed.

   Trish smiled, eager to feel a little bit more normal. “You're sure you're ok with me staying here?”

   Lady hesitated before answering. “Why not? It'll be fun! We're already eating and drinking anyway, that's about half of the activities right there.”

  Trish was taken back, Lady was clearly wary of demons, yet it seemed like she was going out of her way to extend kindness towards her. Why? What had she done to deserve it? She hadn't saved her life like she'd saved Dante's. Still, Trish couldn't help but smile at the gesture.

  It wasn't long before the two women found themselves sitting on Lady's couch, laughing at an old movie and working their way through their second bottle of wine. With each passing sip the world around Trish was becoming more and more intriguing. Lady's laugh was a sweet symphony in her ears, harmonizing perfectly with the rain that was battering hard against the many windows in the apartment. The continuous waves of laughter that passed over her were giving her a feeling that she found herself wanting to chase.

  Was this why humans kept company with each other so often? This feeling? Being at the shop with Dante wasn't like this at all. They mostly worked, and when they weren't working, he was mostly drinking and moping. She didn't like to be around him much when he got heavily depressed, she didn't like the look in his eyes when he looked at her, like he was being tortured. It was hard not to feel out of place when someone was constantly looking at you as if you were a ghost, haunted by your presence. Though, it wasn't like that all of the time, and Trish had to admit that he seemed to getting a bit better about it as of late. Still, it was nice to be around someone who didn't make her feel that bitter uneasiness at all.

  As the screen on the television went black, Lady pushed herself off of the couch.

   “Well, what did you think of your first movie?” She asked eagerly, pulling the tape from the machine that rested beneath the television.

   Trish nodded through her fit of giggles. “That was funny.”

   “Another one then?”

   “Another one!” She replied, zealously pouring herself another glass wine.

  As the opening credits began to make their way across the screen, Trish found herself feeling oddly comfortable, like she was no longer out of place. It was as if she wasn't sitting in an apartment that belonged to someone she'd tried to kill half a year ago. No, instead she was starting to feel like she was sitting in an apartment that belonged to a friend. It was almost a strange thought to have, half a year ago they'd been ready to fill one another with bullets. Tonight, they sat together laughing over wine.

   “Can I ask you something?” She suddenly asked before she could even think about the words she was saying.

   “Sure.” Lady sounded almost curious about the question.

   “Why did you ask me to come over here?” Trish asked, fixing her eyes to the remaining liquid in her glass, swirling it around with anticipation.

   “What do you mean?”

   “Well, you seem very wary of demons, and I sense an uneasiness from you when I'm around. I just wasn't sure what made you want to invite a demon into your apartment.”

   Lady shifted in her seat, looking up from the television and over to Trish. A nervous expression crept across her face.

   “To tell you the truth, if I'd met you ten years ago, I probably wouldn't be so kind. Demons and I have an unsavory history, my father was obsessed with them, and that destroyed my life. I didn't even think that I'd end up working with Dante after we met to be honest. I didn't really trust him for a long time, but giving him a chance showed me that all demons aren't the same. There are some out there who fight against their own kind, and I'm starting to believe that it might be worth it to give them a chance.” Lady took a sip from her glass before continuing. “You've kind of helped reinforce that idea. You're a full blooded demon, and you choose to stay here and help humans.”

   Trish almost didn't believe what she was hearing. “Me?”

   “Well, yeah. Dante told me you were created just to kill him, and now you're here helping him hunt your own kind. I think that's pretty amazing.” She laughed. “Come to think of it, when I invited you over I almost forgot you were a demon. I was kind of just thinking about how nice it'd be to spend time with another woman. You know, have some quality gal time? I haven't had too many friends outside of Dante, this life doesn't really allow for it.” Lady was talking a bit faster than she normally did, a side effect of the wine.

   She thinks of me as just another woman, she thinks of me as her friend. Trish thought to herself, utterly stunned into silence.

  The life of a devil hunter was a lonely one, Trish had noted that even Dante didn't have many friends. He seemed to go out of his way to live a solitary life, admitting to her once that he'd left behind someone he loved for this life. He was even cold to Lady from time to time, keeping her just at arms length, despite the fact that they had a lot in common with one another. Trish had always thought that he didn't act that way with her because she reminded him if his mother, but now she was thinking that perhaps it was because she wasn't human. He didn't have to worry about her getting hurt the way he would with a human companion. Perhaps that's why hunters flocked to one another so much, they'd all chosen this life for one reason or another, and perhaps even a solitary lifestyle left humans craving some form of connection.

   “Can I ask you a question?” She heard Lady ask before she even had the chance to respond.

   “Well, I think it's only fair since I just asked one of my own.”

   “Have you ever painted your nails before?”

   “What?” The question seemed so off topic and out of place to Trish, but perhaps this was another side effect of the wine.

   “Your nails!” Lady help up her hand so that Trish could see her finger nails. They were painted a sparkly black, chipped here and there from working and wear. “It's something people do at sleepovers. I was going to repaint mine, I could do yours if you want. I have a red that'll really match that lipstick you always wear.”

   She laughed. “Sure!”

  Lady's eyes lit up with excitement, making Trish smile even wider. She seemed so excited to do something so small, so ordinary; but her enthusiasm warmed Trish in a way that she found hard to find words for in the moment. She watched as Lady bounded to her room and back, retuning with a few small bottles and a roll of paper towels.

   “Ok!” The brunette said spiritedly as she plopped back down onto the couch and crossed her legs beneath her. She began to shake one of the bottles vigorously. “Give me your hand.” She said as she extended her own towards Trish.

  Trish turned to face her and held out a hand, surprised at how soft Lady's were as she gingerly held her wrist with one hand, and began to paint with the other. They spent so much of their time handling guns and various other weapons, how on Earth were her hands so soft? Was it magic?

   “Your hands are so soft.” She found herself blurting out, an almost childlike wonder peaking through in the tone of her voice.

   Lady laughed. “If there's one thing I learned in this life, it's to find one little luxury worth spending a little extra on. Something that makes you feel like you're still human, some semblance of normalcy. For me, it's occasional manicures and very expensive lotion. It helps remind me that I'm more than just a demon hunter, that I'm still....a lady.” She giggled at the last part.

   “You know, I kind of feel like that when I put on make up.” Trish admitted. “I like the way it feels.”

   Lady regarded Trish with a surprised smile as she released her hand. Trish brought it closer to her face and wiggled her fingers, watching the shiny red polish glint in the light.

   “It's still wet, so don't touch them, or anything else for a few minutes.” She reached for Trish's other hand and began to paint the nails on it.

   Trish smiled as she moved her fingers around, admiring the way they looked now that they were painted.

   “Wow, this really is pretty, and it does match my lipstick.”

   “Toldja.” Lady quipped, winking. “You know, I don't use this color much if you wanna borrow it. Unlike Dante I trust that you'll actually give my stuff back.”

  The pair erupted into a fit of giggles, the movie they had put on was slowly becoming white noise in the background, their camaraderie almost drowning it out completely.

   “How come you two don't get along?” Trish asked when their laughter had subsided.

   Lady looked like she was caught off guard. “It's not that we don't get along. We don't dislike one another. It's just that...” She trailed off, looking down at the couch as she thought. “I met him on the second worst night of my life, the night I killed my father. My father was an evil man....if you can even call him that. In the end he was something else completely. He had to die, if not for what he did to my mother, for what he was going to do to others. But, that doesn't mean it still doesn't haunt me. I had to do it. I had to take his life, with my own hands. It's hard not to be reminded of that when I look at Dante. We have a lot in common, way more than I'd like to admit, but no matter how much time passes I'm still reminded of that night when I'm around him. Maybe that's why he's cold to me at times, he lost Vergil that night. Maybe he can't help but to remember that when he looks at me too.”

   “That's terrible.” Trish whispered, she was slowly beginning to realize that painful memories could be dredged up with just a simple question.

   “Oh, it's ok. We get along just fine when we need to, and I still consider him a friend. But I suppose we'll never be that close, and that's ok.” She smiled up at Trish. “You know what's kind of funny?”

   “Hmm?”

   “Despite the fact that we're both demon hunters, and that we tried to kill each other when we first met, tonight is the most normal I've felt in a long time. It's nice to spend time with someone who doesn't bring up bad memories for me, doing normal things that everyday people do.” She mused.

   Trish returned the smile, beaming from ear to ear. “I feel the same way.”

  And she did, realizing in that moment that she had finally earned something for herself, Lady's trust, her friendship. She'd done it without having to save her life, or double cross her creator. She'd earned Lady's trust simply by following her own path and choosing to fight against evil. By listening to her rant about Dante, by joking around with her when she'd needed it. It wasn't one big moment that brought them together, like with her and Dante. It had been all the small moments, all the gestures that Trish had thought nothing of at the time that made their friendship blossom.

  She could feel a deep, yet unfamiliar warmth spreading within her, her smile becoming unyielding in the face of her new realizations. She had a friend, a friend whose trust she'd earned all on her own. For the very first time, Trish felt just like an ordinary woman, and she had to admit, it felt like a breath of fresh air.

[jarienn972]

La Sirena - Chapter Three

Captain Swan Supernatural Summer

My intent had been to post this latest chapter update for @cssns​ yesterday, but neither Tumblr nor my internet at home wanted to cooperate so Chapter Three was a little bit delayed. I decided with this chapter to jump a few days ahead so that Killian was partially recuperated and able to start exploring his new surroundings.  He’s discovered that his “angel” is a mysterious, lonely woman who has been stranded on this stretch of shore for a very long time and he wants to learn more about her.  Will he get more than he bargained for though?

I have to say thanks again to @courtorderedcake​ for her beautiful artwork featured here and to @kmomof4​ for being an amazing beta reader!

The first two chapters can be found on AO3 and FF.net or here: One  Two

Chapter Three: A Glimpse of the Unknown

By the third sunrise since arriving on this distant cove, Killian was at last feeling recuperated enough to venture beyond the protected thicket. He'd been gratefully accepting Emma's offered sustenance and had enjoyed the few, brief conversations they'd shared. The fruits she'd brought had served to nourish his weakened body, especially after a week or so subsisting on the unidentifiable gruel the pirates had shoved at him. More so, her pleasant words may have been few, but they had helped ease his troubled mind and he hoped to entice her into talking more now that he had recovered enough to carry on an intelligent discourse.

What had brought her here to such a seemingly lonely place? Was she truly alone here or were there others living nearby? He had no inkling whether she'd answer him, but with little else to do, he'd relish the challenge.

For now, he was anxious to stretch his legs and discover a bit more of the isle he'd landed upon. Using a nearby palm tree stump to aid in keeping his balance, Killian found his footing and pushed himself fully upright for the first time since he'd escaped the doomed pirate ship. He'd crawled about the clearing as needed and he'd of course been able to sit cross-legged in the sand to eat, but standing suddenly felt foreign. His legs protested the exertion, although not nearly as much as his throbbing head. He had to pause for a few seconds to allow the dizziness to pass, but he pressed forward despite the realization that he'd likely underestimated the severity of the blow he'd taken from the ship's rigging.

It was also at this moment that it dawned on him what a fright he must look. His uniform had been torn to shreds in battle, made worse during his imprisonment, and now hung in tatters on his gaunt form. The relentless waves had shredded the fabric even further but had barely touched the dark stains. His current state was completely unbecoming of an officer but he was a long way from a tailor so he'd have to make due. He was determined to do one thing to improve his outward appearance - bathe. He'd not bathed properly since he'd departed Liam's ship nor had he shaved. His chin itched of several days' growth of whiskers and he found himself idly wondering if his lovely companion might have soap or better yet - a straight razor - in her possession.

Taking each step slowly and deliberately, he followed a narrow, well-trodden path through the patch of cycads, emerging onto a pristine expanse of shoreline. The sand squishing between and beneath his toes was warm, but not uncomfortable as he trudged toward the water's edge. He'd not yet seen Emma this morning. Perhaps he'd risen before her? He was tempted to turn back towards the rocks and search for her, but he knew she'd come find him in time. Right now, he was eager to wade into the crystal clear bay that stretched out before him as far as the eye could see and allow the seawater to wash away the grime and ease the aches in his joints.

And if the fair maiden wasn't around to see him, he could shed his torn, bloodstained linen shirt and the stiff, uncomfortable wool uniform trousers. A least for a few minutes…

The scratchy trousers were the first to go, followed quickly by his shirt. He'd not even bothered undoing all of the buttons as several were already missing. By the time he reached the water, he'd left a trail of clothing behind but as long as he was still alone on the beach, his dignity remained intact.

He waded into the surf, noting that the shallows extended only a short distance from the shore before dropping into unknown depths. At least the waves were calm as they broke against his legs. He dared only to venture in waist deep, not prepared to test his swimming ability so soon lest Emma need to rescue him again. As he bent his knees to lower his torso into the cool, salty water, he watched the little fish darting around. He cupped water in his open palms and splashed it onto his face, careful to avoid the gash on his forehead as he scrubbed away layers of grime. His wound still stung enough without introducing more saltwater to it.

He wasn't normally a contemplative person but even he had to recognize how recent events had altered his perspective. For days in captivity, he'd had nothing but time to think about those he'd failed. His crew. His brother. Himself. Maybe he lacked the necessary skills to be a proper leader. He'd sailed his crew into certain death and yet, here he was - left to wallow in guilt. Liam would have fought harder. He wouldn't have allowed his crew to be taken prisoner.

And yet Liam was the one who'd given the order to scout the uncharted island. The order had come from him. He was the Captain. Liam had imparted this fate upon them with his order…

Killian squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his head, willing himself to banish those thoughts. No, Liam was a good captain. He would never knowingly endanger his crew, especially not with his younger brother leading the expedition. It had been an unfortunate series of events that Killian alone had survived to lament. Fortune had intervened and spared his life, bringing him here to another uncharted, idyllic locale. The cove and its beguiling inhabitant were both ripe with beauty and intrigue.

At some point, his senses became aware that he was no longer alone. He didn't know how long she'd been watching him but he couldn't halt the flush of embarrassment from darkening his cheeks as he splashed an abrupt about-face in the water.

"Apologies," she shouted from the shore. "I didn't intend to startle you."

"'Tis alright," he replied, stupidly arguing with himself as to whether he should cover himself.

"I followed your trail from the grove," she began, waving an arm in the direction of his discarded clothing littering the beach. "If I had known you wished to bathe, I would have recommended the spring-fed pool inside the cavern as being more preferable…"

He chuckled to himself as he gave his head a little shake. Of course, it would have been… "I'll remember that for future reference."

"I am pleased to see that you're feeling stronger today," she smiled while a breezy tradewind fluttered the hem of her tunic, giving him a glimpse of her pale but enticingly shapely legs.

"Yes," he gulped, suddenly even more aware of his current state of undress. "I am feeling much better this morning…"

"That is wonderful. I've refilled the carafe for you back at the grove and brought you some fresh fruit. Is there anything else you might need?"

"You wouldn't happen to know where a man might get some new clothing and perhaps a straight razor around these parts? Is there a town or village nearby where I might find such things? My former uniform is rather an unacceptable mess at the present."

"I'm afraid that the nearest place you'd call a village is more than a day's trek up the peninsula from here and it's certainly not a place where you'd find such goods."

"Ah, pity. We truly are quite isolated here, are we not?"

"Afraid so, but you might be surprised by what this bountiful cove can provide. I believe I may be able to locate some clothing for you and perhaps some personal implements as well. Come join me in the cavern and we can take a look?"

"Ehh…," he stammered, blushing an even deeper shade of crimson. He'd not thought of himself as a prudish person but he was far from a brash braggart who would dare reveal his nudity to an innocent maiden yet. "That sounds like a wonderful idea…"

She seemed a tad confused when he didn't exit the water but after a moment, she understood his hesitation. "Ah - I am truly sorry… I have had little need for modesty in my solitude. I'll leave you be and meet you back beneath the trees in a few minutes."

"Much appreciated," he responded as she turned toward the swaying palms, all the time hearing the ghostly echo of Liam's laughter ringing in his ears.

**********

After ensuring that the coast was clear of prying eyes, Killian padded self-consciously out of the sea. He collected the remnants of his threadbare shirt and used it to give himself a precursory drying off as he fetched his trousers. He would have preferred to burn them rather than don them yet again, but with no other option for clothing presently available, he'd have to suffer and make due. He didn't have the foggiest notion of what Emma had meant when she spoke of the provisions of this bountiful cove, but he had to trust her. He was the outsider here and even though he still knew little about her, he doubted she would have mentioned anything if she couldn't be of assistance.

He chose not to bother putting what remained of his shirt back on as he followed her footprints back into the cycad grove where he'd spent nearly every waking moment since being marooned on this shore. The canopy had provided shade and shelter to him, although he was thankful the skies had been fair. He'd spent the past decade and a half aboard various ships, his leave in port usually brief so this was an unfamiliar experience for the seasoned mariner.

Not necessarily an unpleasant one though, he thought to himself as he arrived to find Emma kneeling in the sand, splitting apart a fig. She silently offered him one half as she bit into the other. Killian accepted it with a nod, popping it into his mouth before realizing she was staring at him with her intense green eyes.

"Have I done something wrong?" he queried with a furrowed brow, concerned he had offended his host with either his actions or his partially clothed form.

"No, no…" she assured him, averting her eyes with a hint of shame. "I was just admiring your pelt…" Her face scrunched in disgust at her errant choice of words. "No, that's not the right word…" She shook her head, trying desperately to come up with the proper term as Killian looked on in confused amusement. "I was drawn to the dark hair that covers your limbs and your torso… The males of my people, they simply do not possess body hair in such patterns."

"Your people don't have body hair?" he asked, incredulously, lifting a curious eyebrow as he wondered how they'd gotten to this conversation.

"Not to the extent of yours… They are able to grow facial hair but only fine, pale hairs adorn their bodies…" Her attempt to explain what she meant only began to exacerbate her awkwardness. "A thick coat of fur is not needed for warmth in our land so I have never seen anyone with such an impressive display of hair…"

"Well, it isn't really for warmth where I come from either. I inherited it from my grandfather, I believe…," he realized he was blushing while he rambled on, suddenly wishing he had something to cover his bare chest.

"Please - do not be embarrassed. I had no intention of shaming you and I should not have been staring - it's not polite - but it has been a very long time since I've been this close to anyone."

"How long?" he caught himself asking, cringing immediately as he blurted out the insensitive question. "Forgive me, please. That wasn't proper for me to be asking."

"It's no matter. We've both made our blunders, have we not?" She mused with a shy grin, the first time he'd truly noticed her smile. It was only visible for a split-second as she abruptly changed the subject, reverting back to her stoic front. "You should come with me to the cavern now. I believe you shall find some of what you seek there."

"Inside the cave?" There was a heavy dose of disbelief in his voice. What on earth would be inside that cavern that would be of use to him?

"Please, just follow me. You will see."

He might have still been skeptical but he was also of the opinion that if a beautiful woman asked you to follow her, you followed her. He'd be damned if he wasn't going to do as requested.

The mouth of the cavern was deeply recessed into the jagged outcrop, making it virtually invisible from the bay. It was dark and uninviting but as they made their way over the ridge and passed into the void, Killian was pleasantly surprised to learn that the interior was relatively well illuminated. Streams of sunlight filtered in through cracks in the cavern's ceiling and he also recognized the acrid scent of smoke lingering in the tempered air, likely residue from the series of torches and lanterns lining the rock walls that Emma used to navigate the tunnels.

With Emma leading the way, they rounded a shadowy corner in a dim passageway that became ablaze with light as they neared. Emma was only a few steps ahead of him, but suddenly there were torches roaring to life. He'd not seen her stop to light the flames, but he shook it off as a trick of his weary head. His injury must be toying with his imagination.

The chamber they'd now entered was clearly Emma's living quarters and Killian swallowed back a swell of unease at invading her private dwelling, although she didn't appear fazed. He noted its simple furnishings as they passed, this not being her intended destination. Tucked away in an alcove, he saw only a mattress fashioned from woven raffia grasses and a series of colorful ceramic carafes like those she'd used to bring water to him. She seemed to have little need for creature comforts or material goods, so different from the women he'd encountered in various ports around the realm.

"Just a bit further," she stated, drawing his attention away from her dwelling and back to the passage. He noted the trickle of water off in the distance, likely a stream or brook formed from the spring she'd mentioned earlier. They pressed forward into another chamber that again seemed to illuminate as they drew closer. The experience was a tad disconcerting to Killian but he was determined to keep his mouth shut - at least until his jaw fell slack by the revelation of stunning wonders all around him.

The narrow corridor weaving through the rock opened into a broad, expansive subterranean room, awash in brilliance from its own natural skylight which opened directly above a sparkling pool. Faint tendrils of steam arose from the surface. This must be the spring Emma had recommended for bathing and it looked incredibly inviting.

"This is the spring you spoke of earlier?" he queried.

"One of them. This is the mineral hot spring. There is also a cool, sweet water spring around the bend. It feeds into this pool as well as one deeper into the cavern," she advised.

"This cavern… I've seen others similar on my many adventures. It's an old lava tube, is it not?"

"Very astute and yes, this entire cove was formed by an ancient lava flow."

"It is quite a lovely place and I see now many of its provisions, but I still fail to see what assistance this is to be for me…"

"It was not the cavern itself that I was referring to. This happens to be where I have stored some unusual items that originated in your world."

"My world?" he asked, confused as she lowered herself to her knees and lit a lantern conveniently sitting at her feet. When she raised the lamp, he could now make out the objects she'd been so cryptically taunting him with - four large marine chests in varying states of decay.

"Are these not from your world?" She brought the lantern closer to the nearest chest. It was covered in faded, cracked leather and decorated with ornate brass fittings and latches that were marred with heavy patina. He surmised that there was once a matching padlock that was lost to time but there was no evidence that it had been removed by force. The whole thing had seen better days, bearing extensive visible water damage. Depending on how well it had been constructed and the quality of the leather casing, it could potentially still be watertight. "I find these washed up on the shore from time to time."

"They appear to be merchant chests, used for transporting goods. We had many like these on my ship, although these appear to be much older."

"I assume they came from ships that have sunk in the treacherous waters surrounding this land."

"Around this placid bay?" he scoffed. "These waters are far too tranquil. These must have traveled here from afar…"

"Do not allow the tranquility of this cove to fool you. These waters are teeming with untold dangers. Your very survival was nothing short of miraculous!" Even in the half-light cast off by the flickering lantern, he noted the stern admonishment that spoiled her visage before she hastily turned her face away from his view. She paused with a haunting silence as she calmed herself before continuing with the prior topic. "These chests, I have searched through them, though they contain little to serve my needs, save for the bits of fabric and notions. I do believe that you will find objects that will conform to your needs so please, feel free to peruse their contents at your leisure. I am going to return to the bay so I may find some shellfish for our next meal. If you need my assistance, just shout. Voices carry well in this cavern and I have excellent hearing."

She extended her arm towards him, offering him the lantern she held. She wouldn't require it to make her way out of the cave. He took hold of the handle as she pushed herself back to stand. Emma paused momentarily as Killian crouched, flipping open the latch on the first chest to uncover the hidden treasures beneath.

"Thank you. This was not at all what I expected…" he said as he poured over goods that had survived their journey well. He glanced over his shoulder with a wide grin crossing his lips, one that instantly faded when he discovered she'd already departed.

How? He'd barely averted his attention for a minute or two… How had she vanished so rapidly and so stealthily? One more mystery to add to his growing list…

When he emerged from the cavern, he sported a billowy black silken tunic featuring tiny mother-of-pearl buttons and linen trousers that were the color of the sand. He'd needed to draw the laces quite tight to prevent them from sliding off of his slender hips, but they were exceedingly more comfortable than what was left of his woolen uniform pants. He'd fretted over not finding a razor in any of the chests although he did locate a short-bladed cutlass within a chest full of treasure, likely once the property of a long-dead pirate. It didn't sit as comfortably in his grip as his service rapier but it was a solid, capable weapon. It would certainly prove useful to split a coconut or filet a fish.

He tucked the blade back into its scabbard as he caught sight of Emma on the horizon. He was prepared to thank her for the clothing he'd found, but there was something about the expression on her face… She looked worried, even frightened and she was running toward him.

"Emma? You look vexed, love…"

"Get back inside the cave!" she ordered. "There's a storm coming. It isn't safe here…"

Killian's brow lifted in confusion as he glanced skyward, seeing only a few sparse, puffy clouds against the azure backdrop of the heavens. There was no foul wind blowing to indicate an impending storm. Whatever was she talking about?

"What storm? There's no sign of rain clouds above…"

"Killian…," she pleaded, catching his arm as she hurried past him and tugging him back to the shelter of the cave. "Don't argue with me. Just return to the cavern, back to the pools. You can not be caught up in this…"

"In what?" he pressed for more information while trusting her judgement and retreating beneath the rocky overhang. He expected that she would remain here with him for the duration of this coming storm but once he was safely out of the elements, she released her grasp and scrambled back toward the ridge. "Emma? Where are you going? I thought you said there was a storm coming? That it wasn't safe?"

She stopped at the crest of the ridge and lowered her head. He wasn't sure what to make of her body language or the consternation etched into her face as she glanced over her shoulder.

"It isn't safe for you," she replied sternly. "but this storm - it's here for me."

[bayardboy]

God Told a Good Joke Today: On Being Present (tw pet death)

“We often feel helpless in the face of suffering, especially the suffering of those closet to us, and we wonder how we can help. Simple acts of kindness are so meaningful... food can be so much more than physical nourishment. Or perhaps you offer a flower from your own garden, or just listen to the fears and feelings of someone who is suffering, so they know they are not alone. Sometimes just being there with an open heart and a presence grounded in peace and serenity is enough.” - Ram Dass, Polishing the Mirror, 2013.

If you’ve read the trigger warning, you may get a sense of where this story is going... but I would encourage you to laugh with me, in good faith, at what transpired this weekend.

My house has been talking about getting a cat for sometime; Sierra wants an orange kitten named Ichigo, after the Bleach character. Gabby tells us their friend is looking to rehome his old cat, who is being bullied by the other (4!) cats in the house. So, on Saturday, I come down the attic ladder to see Woolie standing on the woodwork.

This cat is beautiful. Purebred Himalayan with sky shining from his eyes and fur like fog. A tuft of fur off the tip of his tail, dark ears that flatten when he asks for his head to be pet, a tiny pink mouth with a mrowl that echoes. 14 years old, moving so gently his footsteps don’t seem to make sounds.

This cat is stressed. We did all the wrong things bringing him home; immediately introducing him to a dog, moving his litter box four times, feeding him brand new treats, and dropping him in the house without a safe space to call his own. Half of our roommates didn’t even know he was coming, until three days before!  Having rehomed a friendly cat Leo in August (a story for another time), I had read some of the tips, so I sit with Woolie as he spun around me and became more familiar with my scent. Then, I let him call my room, his.

Over the next few days, he does not eat; just sleeps in the sunshine on my lofted bed, and asks me to pet him mid-night. He ventures around the kitchen and living rooms, occupying all chairs at one point or another, encouraged to explore. He loves music, looking especially relaxed listening to Bruno Major and Haley Heynderickx. The Book of Love by Magnetic Zeros made him set his head down in the sweetest way.

The other roommates notice his stomach contracting and pulsating in a concerning way chalked up to stress. By Tuesday, I decide to call the vet. Adam, who has had this cat its whole life, offers to pay for the vet visit.

Wednesday, we think he is doing better. He has not eaten. He is a great addition to the house, helping us avoid our existent tensions by talking about how cute he is. He is inquisitive, but never adventurous.

Thursday, we wake up early to drive him. I hope to avoid the visit when he eats some wet food for the first time, but Adam encourages us to go anyway. We put on Bruno Major in the car while driving past my old apartment. The receptionist tells us he is due for many types of tests, so we go down the street to a familiar cafe. I take one bite of my burger before getting the phone call: “Yes, the stressful breathing is compensation for not getting enough air to the lungs, so we’ve taken an x-ray. This cat has cancer.”

I call Adam, cognizant I’ve never heard his voice before. After phone tag with the clinic, he tells us he can’t be there when they put him down, because his sister is having a baby today! He asks us to have the remains sent to his house. 

So, Vic and I go back into the office, and they allow us to stand in a tiny room, double-masked, to pet him and see him off. We cry, a lot, but when they ask us if we want to be witness to his passing, we both say yes. 

I am reminded in this moment of a Ram Dass quote: “To learn how to die is to learn how to live, and the way you do that is by living each moment by being here now. The moment when the soul leaves the body is palpable and deeply profound. To share consciousness with a person who is dying is one of the most exquisite manifestations of service.” He was referring to humans when he said this, but in the moment when Woolie looks out the window at the pink spring blossoms, I am shaken by the feeling to mourn, and to celebrate. I say a silent prayer for God to bring this soul back into Adam’s life, and for his passing to be peaceful. We say goodbye to the body.

We sit by the Willamette river, Vic & I, and I have a Regina Spektor song in my head, “Laughing with God”. Throwing stones in the river, we talk about how to break the news to our roommates: in that moment our phones buzz, and Gabby has already screenshotted Adam’s mourning instagram post to the groupchat. 

Home is dark and quiet tonight, with grief lingering in empty hallways like a stench. 

So why do I think this story is funny? Come on, it’s a little funny. To meet a kitty, get him accustomed to our house, build a relationship, then see him through the end of his life in five days? To do everything wrong situationally, then for life to win out and take its natural, God-given course anyway? He was a sick cat when we got him, and there was no way to know. 

Spending the last few days of Woolie’s life with him was such a gift. I can’t help but think we were collateral damage in God acting in Adam’s life, although I can’t begin to guess at God’s plan. Bringing comfort to this animal with all the attention he asked for! Being finally attentive to his compounding health issues! Being present for his cat’s death, as Adam is called to celebrate the birth of his sister’s child! 

When I first encountered this particular Ram Dass text, I was able to sit with it; I was on a road trip, and over the course of ten days I read these many speeches. I learned to be patient with elders and my self, and that only the body dies and becomes cadaver. 

Returning today, I am reminded today that matter can neither be created, nor destroyed; but everything dies. We are witnessing the suffering of our entire world, but there is a chance for a peaceful death, and somehow I feel comforted, even consoled, by that. 

Death is treated as something morbid, something to be avoided, but we must be aware of it if we are to live. We should be grateful of the moment we go to sleep even as we are afraid of the next morning. I am smiling as I write this. I was of service to an animal that brought love and light into my life for a few meaningful days.

Of course I am smiling with tears cascading down my face. I will acknowledge here that I am not sharing my feelings I believe could bring harm to someone reading this story. My intention is to heal with words, both myself and my reader. Healing is non-linear, but in this moment of being ALIVE, we can choose to release our anger, our grief, little by little, like air from a pocket.

Be Here Now! Use the time you have to LAUGH and RELEASE! to experience the depth of emotion in the moments every human knows. 

 Being aware of our heartbeats is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves. A moment of recognition that we are on this Earth; You Are Here! Be Here Now!

And isn’t it funny, that after all this, we’re still fucking here? and if we’re lucky, we’ll be here tomorrow? And the next day? and the next day... if we’re lucky.

[azerothpeacecouncil]

At the end of the blessing ceremony, all those who brought offerings and tokens to place under the tree where given the chance to have their emote forever on display, just as it will be beneath the tree. Here are some of the few items our wonderful attendees of Return to Honor put under the tree, who has grown quite a lot in its two years alone and grew even more that night with our combined powers.

Name:  Glynindra Breezebend Race:  Kaldorei Item:  A carving of Teldrassil with small details of Rut'Theran, homes spiraling up the trunk, along with gems that fill the branches to mimic the light of Old Darnassus. Emote:  Glynindra Breezebend isn't sure if she's talking to herself or the tree, "I carved this out of a small log that I had carried in my bag since the Tree fell. This log came from south of Dolanaar. I hope that this wood from Teldrassil itself can carry its spirit into the new tree." She digs into the dirt a little bit, planting the Teldrassil carving next to the roots. Name:  Arielen Dreadtalon Race: Blood Elf Item: A golden chain, hosting a beautiful wedding ring Emote:  Arielen Dreadtalon plucked a long chain from her rig. A glittering and no doubt expensive ring dangled from it. She drifted forward, catching the chain with both hands and winding it around a branch. "I pray that you'll finally find your peace here, if nowhere else." Arielen Dreadtalon brushed her fingers along the chain, clasping her hand around the ring briefly. Her chin dipped as she offered up her prayers and eventually withdrew. Name:  Naimai Race: Kaldorei Item:  3 golden headpieces Emote:  Naimai withdraws 3 golden headpieces from her satchel, identical to the one she currently wore and approaches the tree. She sets down the three headpieces, touching each one. "Merianda. Elora. Kelesth." She stood and looked up the thick trunk of the tree and sighed. "Rest in the solitude." Name:  Baoshii Tumblebelly Race:  Pandaren Item:  The remains of Bao's former walking staff, charred by lightning that it protected him from. Emote:  Baoshii unfurls an old wrapped staff, split and charred down the middle. "May this staff nourish n' protect you like it did fer me." Name:  Dragov Race:  Forsaken Item: Drinking Horn Emote:  Drago returned later in the evening after all had gone and laid an old drinking horn at the base of the roots, something he'd gotten from a dwarf while he was alive. Hopefully he'd be able to buy another one from the same fellow one day. Name:  Lyastei Race: Kaldorei Item:  Crescent-Moon Pendant Emote:  Lyastei ventures forward, digging around in her purse for something.  Eventually, she removes a small, crescent-moon pendant and places it at the base of the tree.  Thankfully, her cane could find that.  Lyastei utters a small blessing in Darnassian, speaking of forgiveness and unity, before she rights herself. She leaves her hand on the tree for a moment, just to feel it.  Also, it told her which direction to go.  She turns and walks opposite its face. Name:  Nattilain Gorstav Race: Undead Item:  A contemplative, quiet wish. Emote:  Nattilain Gorstav stood before the tree as the denizens all left the meeting area. His violet eyes looking over the lavish petals, charms, notes, and belongings rested at the tree's base.  His eyes moved to a child's doll rested at the tree's base. With nobody listening.. he uttered lowly to himself and the tree. "I doubt much peace will come for us. It will come long beyond our lifetimes. But I can only wish that my people find a home among life. The rift comes bigger, deeper, and there's no certainty we'll ever find respite.. But I wish that you grow deep and your roots bridge this mighty divide... One day." He returned to a formal posture as Gotosh and Zargaron made their way back to the tree. Leaving the area without much else said. Name:  Caleb McSwain Race: Undead Kul’tiran Item:  Sheathed dagger Emote:   Caleb laid a sheathed dagger at the tree's roots. "Be warded from the gale. She will let no harm come to you." Name:  Grinthey Skystrider Race: Half-Elf (Gnome/Kaldorei) Item:  A small cloth satchel with various herbs and crystals she was told would be appropriate. Also, Grinthey sprinkled water from her homeland by the roots, hoping that the peace was really "something in the water." Emote:  Grinthey Skystrider nestles a cloth bag, still tied up, by the roots. Humming thoughtfully a moment, she pulled a waterskin out as well, sprinking a fair bit on the ground near the roots. Name: Shaureyne Razorleaf Race: Night Elf Item:  Shaureyne summoned a small amount of divine magic and used it to aid in the blessings of the tree. Emote:  Shaureyne's brows knitted as she thought. Softly, hardly a whisper, she retrieved her necklace from beneath her gaiter and uttered a short Darnassian word. A soft flicker of silvery-blue light generated at her fingertips, and she gently guided it toward the tree. Name:  Haikili Thunderhorn Race: Tauren Item:  A Picture of his Family, during one of their first outtings through Darkshore. Emote: Haikili peers from seed, to satchel, to tree. Unsure of what to give, at first, he rummages through his satchel for a picture. A small image of his eclectic family on their way through Darkshore in a much more pleasant time. The backdrop wasn't the original intention of the image, but it's a snapshot of tragically bygone days, in retrospect. Gingerly, he nestles the picture in one of the budding boughs, snugly, firmly. Name: Navataai Race: Draenei Item:  A cancelled concert poster advertisement of the Idol Girl Navataai that was actually supposed to happen near Orgrimmar for the many fans of her's that are of the Horde side. This was dated right a month after the burning of Teldrassil that obviously didn't happen. The poster has an autograph of her's with the following comment, "... to live in one heart in common together ... dedicating all my concerts for peace and unity." Emote:  Contemplation Name:  Dean Amaranthaea Crowelley, Ph.D. Race: Worgen Item:  Seeds from her home/personal gardens, a Harvest Witch/Druidic blessing. Emote: Amaranthaea dug into the soil with her claws, making a shallow home for the seeds from their personal gardens.  She sprinkled the seeds then covered them over, patting the earth before whispering a soft, unintelligible blessing to aid the seeds' growth.  "Keep this tree company, little ones. Keep the Hope strong alongside it."

[i-write-nsfw-sometimes]

Prinxiety - A Fantasy pt. 1 (dark nsfw)

Prince Roman has everything he ever wanted... except one thing, the servant that his brother decided to steal away from their home. Roman will do anything to get the dark elf by his side.

Dark elf!Virgil, human!Roman, human!Remus, fantasy au, unsympathetic!Roman, yandere!Roman, dub-con

Virgil Angel Raven... the most beautiful dark elf, neigh, most beautiful elf, neigh, most beautiful thing Roman Excalibur Swan III had ever had the pleasure of seeing, but they were under the horrific control of his brother. Roman first saw Virgil when he was around 10, Virgil must've been at least 4 at the time, but finally Roman's parents died, they were the last thing in the way of Roman taking Virgil for himself.... well besides Remus, but he wouldn't be difficult to deal with. Virgil had just turned 17, soon they would be getting suitors, Roman had to turn down all of his, as the current king it was hard to avoid it, especially since he was 23, but Roman had to wait for Virgil.

"Y-Your Highness?" Speaking of which,

"Yes my dear? Is there something you need?" Virgil looked away

"Duke Remus Reginald Swan has requested your presence in the parlor." Roman nodded

"May you walk alongside me?" Virgil nodded, not like they could say no to the king

"Of course your highness." Roman tilted Virgil's chin up

"I am sure you don't call Remus that, so why refer to me as such?"

"With all due respect, your highness, I have known your brother for significantly longer, we began as friends outside of work." Virgil was tense under Roman's fingertips, Virgil's ears were down in fear, Roman believed it was from anticipation, possibly for a kiss.... it wasn't.

"Ah yes, but I still encourage you to call me Roman." Virgil nodded, leading Roman to the parlor

"Remus, brother, is there something you needed?" Roman smirked, holding Virgil close to him, staking a claim

"Roman? Oh yes, Virgil stand outside the door until you are needed, this is private business." Virgil smiled at Remus and nodded, turning to leave, closing the door behind them

"I've seen the way you look at them y'know, you aren't exactly subtle." Remus glared

"Who said I was trying to be?" Roman smirked

"You don't have to be jealous you know? Just because I'm someone's favorite for once doesn't mean you have to strut in and try to take the only person who actually likes me." Roman chuckled

"They were never yours to begin with." Remus' blood was boiling, he stood, getting in Roman's face

"Tell that to Virgil's virginity, and their first kiss, and their first boyfriend... Cause guess what? none of them were you" Roman glared

"What?" Roman stepped forward, Remus glared, crossing his arms

"You really think you're the first one to lust after Virgil? Buddy there's a line of people who want that ass" Roman growled

"I don't lust after them and I may not be the first but I'll make sure I'm the last." Remus rolled his eyes

"Whatever, just stay away from them, they don't belong to you." Remus left the parlor, bumping Roman's shoulder, "Come along Virgil." Virgil walking beside him. Roman watched the two leave, Virgil seemed more at ease around Remus, even going so far as to hang on his arm, Roman needed that, needed to be close to them... even if Virgil wouldn't let him willingly.

"Hear ye Hear ye! King Roman Excalibur Swan III has an announcement!" Roman smiled, now was the moment, they couldn't possibly say no to the King.

"Most of us reach a point in our lives when we fall in love! I have reached this point! After all this time I have waited for them to come of age! I have chosen a lover!" The kingdom went wild, wondering who it was, yells and whispers, hopes and dreams of bachelors flew like wildfire

"Now all that is left is to let my affections be known!" Remus rolled his eyes, whispering to Virgil

"I won't be doing this when I propose by the way." Virgil smiled, elbowing Remus in the side

"Virgil?" Roman smiled, holding a hand out "Join me up here for a second, yes?" Virgil crept towards Roman, accepting the hand. Roman went down on one knee, Virgil's eyes went wide as Roman slipped a ring on their finger

"Not like you can say no." Roman stood, brushing the hair out of Virgil's face, Roman leaned forward, catching Virgil's lips in his own. Virgil looked to Remus, tears streaming down their cheeks. Roman pulled back, smiling.

"Now you will be truly mine, I shall plan the wedding, just promise you will not run off in the meantime." Virgil nodded emptily. Roman smiled, pecking Virgil's lips once again, turning and leaving

'R-Remus..." Virgil stared at Remus in horror, Remus' face was full of shock... neither knew how to react

"So thats when the senators tried to convince me that going to war would be a good idea, such idiots." Roman and Virgil walked along the gardens,

"I agree your highness." Virgil held Roman's arm loosely

"Please call me Roman, we are getting married there is no reason for such formalities."

"Your high-... er... Roman, may I ask a question?" Roman shivered at the sound of his name in Virgil's voice

"Yes of course you may, Starlight" Virgil looked away

"Remus told me that.... thatyoujustwantedtofuckme."

"Pardon?"

"Remus told me that you just wanted to fuck me.... is that true?" Roman choked on air, clearing his throat, he was not expecting his starlight to be so explicit

"Well, he isn't exactly wrong." Virgil looked away

"Thats.... Thats fine then... we can go back to before....we don't have to do this... and we can just go back to before.... you can have what you want.... we don't have to get married then" Roman stopped turning Virgil towards him, Roman tilted Virgil's chin up

"Starlight, I am not marrying you to merely bed you!" Roman smiled at the small shaking body in his arms

"Then...Then why?"

"You're so cute my love, ultimately...." Roman kneeled, taking Virgil's hands in his "I don't want you to be a mere bedwarmer, I want you by my side, my lovely Consort." Virgil gaped

"But... but you don't know me!" Virgil blurted out "And I don't.... I don't know...you...” Roman stood pulling Virgil close and swaying slightly

"I know you, I have watched and fallen a little more in love with you with every passing day." Roman sucked in a harsh breath "You may not know me yet but I intend to spend the rest of my life wooing and nourishing your heart." Virgil was trembling, ah his love must be cold!  There could be no other reason! Roman removed his cape, draping it over Virgil's shoulders

"Now I hate to cut our walk short, but I have to make some arrangements within the kingdom, please feel free to walk around the castle, I shall join you shortly." Virgil nodded, Roman kissed their forehead before whisking himself away, Virgil walked through the gardens, moving to stand in the shade under a tree

"Remus? You aren't going to scare me." Remus dropped down from the tree

"Dangit! I almost had you that time y'know!"

"As if!" the two laughed, their laughs dying off

"We... we can't avoid this...." Remus sighed, holding out a hand "Want to sit?" Virgil nodded, sitting under the tree with Remus

"Do...Do you want to marry him?" Virgil gasped

"Are you serious?! No! I.... I want to marry you, I don't love your brother..." Remus smiled

"Phew, sorry I just... it is hard to comprehend... you and my brother... has he said anything to you?"

"Well he spouted a lot of shit, most of which made me extremely uncomfortable, not to mention he really likes talking about sex... more specifically what he wants to do to me."

"Earlier I may or may not have told him that you weren't a virgin...."

"You didn't mention yourself did you?!" Virgil's eyes went wide with panic

"No no no no no no, I don't have a death wish... I....I think he might exile me... I overheard Roman speaking of exiling someone from the royal family.... and since Roman and I are the only ones left...."

"No... he can't be that cruel... right?" Remus just looked at Virgil. The two sat in silence, Virgil picked a wildflower from the grass, studying its petals, Virgil shivered

"Something wrong?" Virgil stared at the flower

"I had a vision..."

"Ah Remus! Just the man I wanted to see." the two looked up at Roman as he approached

"What do you need?" Roman smiled

"You knew this was coming... I expect your things in your carriage by tomorrow morning, the guards will accompany you to your new home." Virgil shook their head in disbelief

"No....no he can't...." Virgil whispered, the flower in their hand decaying as their remorse drained its life-force, the flower turned to dust in Virgil's hand

"Of course.... even though I'm your brother... but I get it, you're afraid that my best friend here will like me more than you" Remus shrugged, smiling at Virgil's snort, Roman rolled his eyes

"Starlight?" Roman held out an arm "I have a surprise for you, come along now." Virgil looked at Remus, not wanting to leave his side

"Virgil...." Roman's voice had an air of command. Virgil stood, linking arms with Roman. Roman led them to the throne room, sitting them on the queen's throne, moving to sit on his own

"Bring in the accused!" The guards drug in a robed figure, ripping their hood off

"R-Roman? Who is that?" Roman smiled

"I knew you wouldn't recognize him, he's the noble that attempted to court you while you were under Remus' care, he threatened your life and to blackmail me if I didn't give you to him... little did he know, I couldn't care less about how the public sees me, as long as you are by my side." Virgil was trembling

"You are a disgrace to the throne! Courting a dark elf!" Roman flicked his hand, an action he had seen his father do many times, but one he had never been able to do as king... until now... The man was kicked in the side, he doubled over, coughing up bile. Roman noticed Virgil's breath quicken, of course, how could he forget? His love was fragile, what damage this could do to their delicate psyche! Roman stood in front of Virgil

"What are you going to do to him?" Virgil's eyes were wide with worry, Roman smiled

"Close your eyes my love, this man needs not to give you any more trouble." Roman went to deal with the scum, but was held back by Virgil's hands wrapping around his wrist, seemingly anxious, they pulled their hands back to their chest

"Sorry-"

"No need, we are betrothed my love, you may touch me whenever you want.... where ever you want." Virgil blushed. Roman grabbed their hand, turning to face the guards, shielding Virgil's view

"Get rid of this welp."

"You are disgusting! Dark elves need to stay in the Underdark! This land belongs to u-" Slice

"Clean that up"

Red really was a beautiful color

Roman turned to face his love, who's naturally purple face had a hint of green, their other hand covering their mouth... all that from the sounds alone? This is why they needed Roman to protect them, the thought made Roman's privates stir. Roman lifted Virgil into his arms, laying their head on his chest. Roman convinced himself that they found comfort in his heartbeat... he hoped... no... he knew they did.... they had to!

"Shh my love, he will never bother you again." Roman carried Virgil out of the room and into his- er- their now shared bedroom.

"The servants will let you know when your bath is ready, some nightwear is in the bathroom for when you are clean. I have some work to attend to, but I will be back to lay with you." He could feel his love tense

"Not in that way I assure you! I want our first time to be special!" Roman set Virgil down on the bed

"Until then... I have a present!" Virgil froze, they really hoped it wasn't like the last one... Roman passed them a sketchbook and pencils

"I was informed of your love of drawing! So I found the best of everything! Just for you my love." Roman kissed Virgil's forehead as the other looked at the supplies

"Thank you Roman...." They said breathlessly, Roman shivered, still not used to Virgil using his name, especially not his named used in a completely entranced way

"Of course my love, though I would appreciate something as compensation." Virgil tensed

"No no no! Not that! How about.... you tell me you love me?" Virgil gulped

"I-I love you." Roman sighed, his body relaxing

"I love you too dearest, see how easy that was?" Roman smirked

"Excuse me your majesty? The bath you requested is ready." Roman stood

"Good, please ask all servants to leave the bathing chambers, no one is to set eyes on my betrothed unclothed but me." The servant nodded, heading back into the bathroom

"Now, my love, go in and relax, there are clothes for you in the bathroom, I will see you soon my love" Roman bent to kiss Virgil, whisking himself out of the room. Virgil sighed, stepping into the bathroom

"Remus? How-"

"You should know better than to question me my little spider" Remus was naked in the tub, smiling at Virgil

"Come on in, the water is great."

"Why are you here? You know how much trouble you'll get in if you're caught?" Virgil whispered harshly

"Well I guess you better get in here quickly then." Remus smirked, winking

"Dork." Virgil stripped, climbing the tub, snuggling up to Remus

"You love it." Remus chuckled

"You're right, and I love you.... so much." Virgil straddled Remus, who looked at them concerned

"Are you ok my little arachnid?" Virgil reached up, tears streaming down their cheeks, the black inky substance coating their hand

"I just.... I need you to know that I love you so much, I hate that I have to marry your stupid fucking brother... I want you." Virgil launched forward to kiss Remus, who quickly kissed back

"My little arachnid... I... I have a plan... it's crazy and if it doesn't work... you'll never see me again..."

"But if it works?" Remus sighed

"If it works we will be together, marry each other and spend the rest of our days together." Virgil panted

"What is your idea... I'll do anything..." Remus smiled a sad smile

"I'm leaving for exile tomorrow morning... there is a small clearing in between my new home and the kingdom... after your wedding night... meet me in that clearing... and we will leave for Uquzia Empire, ok?" Virgil nodded

"Why can't we leave sooner?" Remus sulked

"It hurts me too, knowing that Roman has to put his hands on you before we leave... but he needs to trust you won't leave... or you won't get the opportunity to." Virgil nodded

"He made me kiss him... and I almost moaned your name..." Remus chuckled

"That'll break his trust real quick... so let's avoid that, eh? I prefer you to moan my name when I'm there thanks." Virgil snorted

"Now let's get you nice and clean, inside and out" Virgil chuckled

"I like the sound of that" Remus smirked, allowing Virgil to sink down on his cock, rubbing shampoo through their curls. Virgil closed their eyes, finally relaxing.

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(Roman's ending)

Roman was infuriated. Remus was trying to take what was Roman's, Roman didn't care if Remus was his brother... he'd kill him.... He didn't care about waiting until the wedding night anymore... Roman would fuck Virgil when he damned well pleased... when his impure thoughts occurred he planned on acting on them, the next time they were sitting in the garden, their braid flowing in the wind, Roman would act on his desire to take them among the flowers, pollinating them in his own way, the next time Roman slaughtered one of his enemies, he would take Virgil in his throne, the adrenaline forcing Roman to pound them into the ground... the next time Virgil leaned on the balcony, staring at the moon, Roman wouldn't stop himself from pulling Virgil's dress up and eating them until they couldn't fucking stand. Roman growled, running a hand through his hair. No... he had to contain himself... he had to prove his worth to Virgil.... this was obviously a test... yeah a test! Virgil seduced his brother to see how far Roman would go! Of course! Roman would intercept their little runaway and slay Remus, then ride back to the palace with his queen, he would lay his queen on the bed and show them exactly what happens to angels who don't follow rules. Roman smirked, yeah... that would work. Roman left the room to continue his work.

[moonlightstars16]

Psssst....Hey y’all......Bonus Chapter ;)

YEP AND ITS ALL THANKS TOO @thepurecinnamonroll and her amazing fan art of my story! (🚨PLEASE DO NOT STEAL HER FAN ART OR REPOST WITHOUT HER PERMISSION🚨)

So enjoy this weeks bonus chapter!!! :)

Chapter 6 ~ Preparations

The next few days for Connie were just studying gem royal history and the strict rules to follow. In her off time, the library became her sanctuary of sorts. There she could read and get lost in her daydreams. From time to time she helped her newly found gem friends with their work around the castle. It was slightly surprising to find a kitchen full of, as normal as one could expect, human food and nourishment necessary for survival.

Lapis explained that part of it was making sure the humans in the zoo wouldn't starve to death. Mainly, however, it was used for Steven's purposes. Though part gem, he needed his nutrients for his human half sometimes. Even some of the gems shape-shifted their forms similar to humans to experience the pleasure of digesting food...and other things. Some actually found enjoyment in it, making it a hobby of sorts from time to time. It was quite bizarre for her to process.

Not that she truly cared where he was or what he was doing (other than the fact of the deal to not harm anyone, so long as she kept her end of the deal). Mostly work consisting of plans for earth's demise and keeping to himself(Pearl informed her upon asking since she technically hasn't seen him since before her studies began). Her heart sank every time she thought about what she agreed too. Her future to live in this horrid place and be his bride.... Though unfathomable to grasp, it wasn't like she could go back on the deal. It was her life or all of humanities on the line. No matter what she thought, she would end up losing. At least humanity will have diplomatic immunity from being destroyed. How could she turn her back on them? It wasn't like her life was worth saving aynways....

One day before the first meeting with the Diamonds to talk about earth. Connie decided to ease her worries by relaxing in the library during her break. However with the situation at hand it was hard for her to concentrate on anything else. A loud clashing sound soon interrupted her thoughts. Looking up she walked towards an open window to where the sound resonated from down below. A purple gem, though a bit shorter than the others and Pearl dueling with swords is what she had only begun to witness. Peaking her interest she sat on the windowsill to watch. The idea of them sword fighting, even though they have magic, puzzled her. And though she was on the second level, she could hear the conversing during their battle.

"Come on Pearl don't hold back! I am a gem solder for Mr. I-am-no-Diamond himself, I can handle you!" The purple gem with silver hair tied up in a ponytail shouted. Just barely dodging her attack, though she missed an opportunity to take down Pearl when the opportunity was wide open. Making Connie wonder if Pearl left herself open to attack on purpose.

"Amethyst, your footwork is still sloppy and you have no coordination! Being random can't be you're only plan of attack, sooner of later you'll need a battle strategy." Pearl moved with such precision and elegance, it was mesmerizing to watch. In just a few quick motions and effortless dodges, she pinned down Amethyst with her sword pointing towards her throat. They stood in silence until Amethyst pushed her away and stood up. Walking away in anger and grumbling under her breathe. The intense staring from before said a lot between them.

However Connie couldn't pull away from the scene replaying in her mind. Looking down at her own hands she thought about her current situation. Having a few good fighting skills could be useful, certainly she couldn't hope to have someone there to hide behind. Even back on earth she felt uncomfortable going outside to take out the trash at night. Though pepper spray in hand is nice and knowing she could run for long distances was good, but now it wasn't enough. Especially in a place where she was beyond out of her element. 

That evening, while she prepping for tomorrow's important meeting, Pearl knocked and entered the room. Slightly pleased to see her studying and memorizing all the information given. Shaking her head, Pearl cleared her throat and maintained her composure.

"Steven, has requested your presence in the dining hall for supper this evening." It was quite shocking to say the least, and a tad nerve wracking since the last time she saw him was when he took care of her headache. It was odd. One minute he was a tyrant, the next caring and then back to being cruel. Just that alone wasn't making sense and made her head spin just thinking about it.

"Why me? Why now?" She asked standing up from the vanity chair and mirror. Pearl only shrugged slightly whilst shaking her head.

"It's difficult to understand him and for now, better not to question so." Her statement made less sense about the whole situation. Still she had a point. Connie gulped remembering the deal with him. If she were to step out of line then more lives would be taken, their blood on her hands as well as his. Without another word she  followed Pearl to the dining hall. Her light green dress' skirt swaying slightly with every step she took. Stepping through the doors, she instantly felt the intensity in the air. There he was with his back facing them. He was lost in deep thought until he sensed there presence. Lifting his head up slightly he felt the warmth of her presence as it surrounded the entire room.

"As requested, Steven." Pearl spoke with her hands behind her, back straight. It reminded Connie of the way solders on earth would stand when called to at the word 'attention'. Her thoughts soon returned to the man standing before her as white butterflies swirled around her mind.

"Good, now please leave us alone." The words hit Connie like a fist punching her gut. What was about to come made her uneasy. Both herself and Pearl looked at one another, Connie's eyes pleading for her not to leave, or at least not be very far. While Pearl's gaze was calm as if to say she was alright. Leaving the room with a gentle sound of the huge double doors shutting close. Connie stayed in place not knowing what to do.

"M-My Diamond" her voice squeaked(which she hated) whilst saluting and bowing slightly. A deep chuckle soon turned into a roaring laugh. the sound surprised her enough to jump a tad a the outburst. Steven breathed in deeply to stop himself as he placed a hand over his chest.

"The Diamonds are not around. You may address me as Steven, in fact I insist upon it." Slowly but surely Steven turned his attention towards her. His gaze a tad less intimidating than before. Stepping closer till he was two feet away. Extending his leather black gloved hand. "Come" Hesitantly she raised her's, trying hard to hide her trembling and failing at the same time. Her gaze held into his outstretched hand until the soft and gentle tone of his next word surprised and compelled her. "Please" instinctively their eyes' matched one another's, only this time his was less intimidating and more inviting; Her's still confusing as ever. 

Finally she accepted, feeling his grip wrap around hers as he lead them both towards the table. Decorated in candelabras, and a vast array of fancy food. The scent intoxicating as she felt her hunger grow. He lead her towards the chair in a corner position right next to the head seat, which she assumed was his. Once they both sat down, Steven gestured for her to dine on the food set before her. After a long moment she began eating, it was her first official meal  since arriving on the planet. Not feeling really hungry other than a few scraps she found from the kitchen. With her predicament, no one could really blame her for not wanting to eat.

Steven watched her as they ate in silence, her hair had fallen to the side of her face that sort of hid her from him. It was surprising, knowing himself. He basked in her natural beauty for a moment. Causing him to slow down and almost stop eating himself. But he was part Diamond, long periods without food was normal for him. However she needed to eat, and he needed to make sure she had the strength to deal with the Diamonds. On instinct he reached out brushed away her hair tucked behind her ear gently. Feeling her jump at his sudden touch.

"Are you afraid of me?" He asked watching her look upon him since they sat down.

"I'd be a fool not to be." Her reply was honest without having to say the actual word yes. "If I may" Connie began "Why don't you use other titles?" She waited till he gave a slight nod for her to continue. The look on his face puzzling as his right brow slightly raised up. "You've made it clear you don't like being called-... well you know." Carefully avoiding the phrase as best she could. "But why not any other formal titles?"

"I would rather have others address me without hiding behind formalities. Especially if one chooses to defy me, I want to hear them say my name." It was almost like he didn't want to be mistaken for anyone else other than himself. "I'm sure you have more questions... I suggest you choose your next one a bit wisely." Connie gulped and nodded her head. Her next said question was one that she had since Pearl informed her of this situation right before. Wanting to know why he needed to see her. Putting her fork down on her plate and her hands folded together on her lap. Focusing all her attention on him.

"There must be a reason you wanted me here."

"You must regain your strength. I cannot allow you to falter from lack of nourishment in front of the Diamonds tomorrow evening. Besides the complete humiliation, you won't be able to hold up your end of the deal." Steven spoke whilst grabbing a glass full of red wine, taking a sip.

"And why do you care?" Her voice low and full of annoyance. "I would suffer the most, yes, but I don't see how this affects you."

"There is not enjoyment if all I can do is easily win, I prefer a challenge after all. Besides you are to be a apart of my royal court. Whatever happens to you doesn't reflect well on me." He paused for a moment smirking "Not that it matters to me personally." He chuckled slightly as she gazed downwards yet again. It was simple, she was a pawn in his sick, twisted games and nothing more. It pained her heart deeply though she couldn't understand why. "Don't fret my dear, I am only wanting to make sure you're alright."

Once more taking her hand in his, bringing it to his lips as he placed a gentle kiss, careful in not wanting his mask to touch her. Looking back towards him, his eyes watched hers the entire time. Setting his hand down while not letting go of hers, caressing the back of her hand with his thumb. The sensation oddly calmed her, yet making her inhale inwardly.

His eyes now held a depth she never saw before; it was calm, inviting, and intense in a way that she didn't shake with fear. Steven gazed into her eyes, almost getting lost in them himself. 'Snap out of it!' his inner voice shouted before he blinked and soon let go, clearing his throat slightly before instantly regaining his composure.

"Tomorrow you will accompany myself and Pearl to meet with the Diamonds to discuss matters about earth. Are you fully prepared?" Connie nodded slowly still coming out of the brief moment that had just occurred.

"Yes, Steven, I am prepared." The next day was going to be intense for her, the cruelest thing he could've done was not say anything more than what he already warned her about. She would soon see the depth of how truly horrid they were.

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The following day, Lapis spent the hours preceding the upcoming Diamond meeting getting Connie to look presentable. A long soak in the bath making sure her skin was clean, light amount of makeup, hair done in braid adorned with jewels and a few curled locks that framed her face. And an outfit that the material it was made from was almost uncomfortable to move in. The corset underneath was no help.

The color a deep blood red dress, off the shoulders with long sleeves coming to a point against the back of her hand. The outer regal layer of the sleeves almost touched the ground. The neckline a cross between a low swoop and a sweetheart design. Both front and back. The belt had a Diamond design, and golden, all over it as it wrapped around her lower waist; while it tied to one spot and letting it drop all down her skirt towards the floor. The skirt itself gave her maneuver to walk around effortlessly but the length(hemline on the neckline and bottom skirt were black) was almost impossible to ignore. Her shoes resembled ballet flats as the color scheme matched her dress.

Though attending as nothing more than a servant, she was still supposed to look presentable. She was about to meet the Diamonds in person. Lapis could sense her nerves as she placed a black laced choker with A red pendant in the middle and three red diamond shaped jewels dangling in the front.

"You look beautiful, Connie." Lapis stated with a smile looking at their reflections in the mirror. Connie weakly smiled back weakly, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Though she had every rule and etiquette mesmerized by heart backwards and forwards, it was hard to stop from her heart beating wildly.

"Lapis is right!" a voice which belonged to a certain Peridot exclaimed as she and Bismuth entered the room. A box wrapped in a bow in hand. Connie smile widened as they handed it to her.

"We wanted to give this to you before you headed out." Bismuth said with a proud gleam in her eyes. Connie adjusting her grip began to unwrap the bow.

"Oh you don't need to do that. It's just a box lid made too look like it's been carefully wrapped." Peridot said before getting elbowed in the gut by a glaring rainbow haired gem. "Ow-Hey! She would've found out anyway!" Connie began to laugh and the rest of them followed in suit. Opening the box she gasped and was surprised to see an almost mystical like journal, quill pen and ink. It wasn't advanced compared to gem tech. But for Connie it was perfect.

"We all thought it would be nice for you to have something more...traditional. At least for when you have free time." Bismuth explained as Peridot went into telling her how they made it and where the quill feather came from, and not to get her even started on how long the ink took to make. Which earned another elbow in the gut. It brought tears to her eye briefly before blinking them away.

"Thank you, I am truly lucky to have friends like you. I hope one day I can return you're kindness."

"We'll just say you owe us one." And that statement earning a third punch in the gut.

Pearl came to fetch her soon after. Herself dressed a tad more formal than usual with her cape flaring in a more Diamond shape. Bringing Connie to the launch pad where they we're greeted by Steven, dressed in a black suit with a red shirt underneath, his blood stained black cloak with a gold chain attached this time and more leather like black gloves. A dark pinkish red cravat accentuated his jacket and his silver mask a bit more polished than normal.

Upon seeing Connie, his eyes widened. The dress she was wearing revealed how beautiful she truly was. As she entered the room, nobody could tell she was a few days ago just carrying herself like an earthling. Revealing the true young woman, kept hidden from even himself, she now presented herself like a gem. Perfect and radiant. In his eyes rivaling even the elegance of the Diamonds themselves. Closing his eyes briefly, maintaining himself yet again.

"There is no turning back, from now on you are a member of my court. Temporary or not, do you understand my dear?" Connie nodded mentally preparing herself for what was ahead.

"Yes" Soon they were on the warp pad ready to transport to the grand Diamond palace. Steven held out his arm towards a slightly confused Connie.

"Unless you want to arrive at the grand entrance landing flat on your face, I would suggest you hold on tight." She complied without hesitation. Once he felt her tight grip, he looked at Pearl with a nod as they were ready. In a flash of light and the feeling of being elevated off the ground they were off and within moments, stood before a grand Palace. Had it not been for his insistence, she would be laying on the ground in pain. Connie breathed in sharply for a moment, gasping at it's exquisite beauty that captured her eyes. Then remembering where she was brushed herself off and tried to maintain a regal state.

“I suggest you be a bit more careful next time." He spoke coldly.

As they began walking, Connie noticed Steven still had her arm tightly around his, with no intention of letting her go anytime soon.