#there was so much being set up! especially towards the end when the moon was getting closer and jeff the minions control over ex (and exs

[templeofelysium]

worshipping the chthonic gods

first, a note on cthonic vs ouranic: the line between these gods is one that is not really as stark as it can be portrayed. many gods have both ouranic and chthonic aspects, and neither make them any more "good" or "bad" than the other. chthonic gods are not evil gods, at least no more than any ouranic god. all deities have the capability of doing good and evil, but are largely ambivalent in nature. the advice listed below is not set in stone, simply provided as gentle guidance. if you have suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments/reblogs! :)

LIBATIONS/OFFERINGS

In Ancient Greece it was very common for offerings to the chthonic gods to be given in the form of libation--a drink (or any liquid) poured into the ground. Solid offerings, like food, were often burned in their entirety to ash or left to rot, instead of being partially shared by the offeror. Incense was not as commonly used since the smoke travels upwards, towards the heavens.

I suggest disposing of/keeping ashes and rotted food outside or burying them, seeing as chthonic sometimes refers to "-of the earth." This would be similar to how curse tablets were treated in Ancient Greece, as Hermes, messenger of the gods, would deliver them unto their underworld-ly receiver from there.

If you can't do that, consider pouring your libations down the sink or flushing them down the toilet (ONLY do this with water-based liquids, oil and honey will clog up your sink in no time flat). It's not ideal, but it gets the job done.

Common libations include: coffee, blood (animal or your own, we'll get to that at the end), honey (instead of wine), milk

Common offerings include: meat, barley/grain, oil, cheese

PRAYER

In many cases, prayers to ouranic deities are directed upwards, into the sky or delivered unto the wind by voice, song, or some sort of poem. In the case of the chthonic gods, we should be directing them downwards, towards the underworld where they reside. This may include extending your hands with palms facing down, putting your head down, or just imagining your prayers being sent below. The only exceptions to this may be Persephone, who resides in the heavens for half of the year, and Hermes, who can be considered both ouranic and chthonic.

Other recommendations I can make are: light a candle, even if you're not going to use it for pyromancy; light some incense (I do this for focus and cleansing, not so much for the deity); and perform it at night. It's not mandatory, of course, to perform your prayers at night, it's just that in antiquity ouranic activities (festivals, prayer, etc.) were done during the day and often directly enshrouded in sunlight. We can assume, therefore, that a chthonic prayer or festival should occur during the night, especially if being directed towards Hekate or Nyx.

ALTARS/SHRINES

In Ancient Greece, temples to the ouranic gods were constructed so that their doorways would directly face the sun, thus illuminating the inside (and often the main statue(s), too). We can assume, then, that our chthonic altars/shrines should be located somewhere out of the direct sunlight. This can be in a dark spot, like a closet or isolated room--or it can just simply be in a corner furthest from the sun's rays.

Again, there may be some exceptions to this: Hermes, under his ouranic epithet(s), Persephone, for her time in the heavens, and Hekate, for her association with the moon.

DIVINATION

For the most part divination with the chthonic gods is conducted in much the same way as with the ouranic. Of course, when calling upon these deities you'll want to face towards the ground, and perhaps even conduct these sessions in partial darkness. Again, maybe you could light a candle or even pour a libation before a really big reading.

I mostly use pendulums and tarot, but I've been experimenting with meditation and have had some luck. What works for ouranic deities should work just as good for chthonic, you just might have to shift your approach a little.

Some good tarot spreads for working with chthonic deities:

"Fork in the Road" spread-- for Hermes or Hekate

"The Tower" spread-- for Hermes or Hades

"The Self Exploration" spread-- for any

"The Bat" spread-- for Hades or Persephone or Nyx

EXTRAS

--Consider offering blood if you're able! Animal blood that is sourced from ethical farms is neither morally reprehensible or illegal and can be sourced from a variety of places. Offering your own blood is also a possibility, but for this I would not recommend more than a pinprick. There are limits to how much pain you should be incurring on yourself for your deities. If you have to check your blood sugar often, maybe you can soak up excess blood with some cotton and bury it outside. Make sure to always clean your wounds properly and do not engage in this behavior for the purpose of self-mutilation. That, I can assure you, your deities would not appreciate. Don't be stupid.

--Snakes are commonly associated with almost all chthonic deities, or just the Underworld in general. We see this the most with Hermes, who is pictured with two snakes wrapped around his caduceus. The god Asclepius is also pictured with a staff with a single snake on it. Asclepius is the god of medicine, and (before being deified) was killed by Zeus for making people practically immortal.

--Chthonic deities are the best places to turn to for spirit work, protective, and baneful magic. You're looking to contact a spirit? Turn to Hades. You're looking for protection against spirits/demons? Turn to Hekate or Hermes. You're looking to cast a curse? Turn to Persephone or Hekate.

dividers by @vibeswithrenai

[ophelia-writes-fics]

i love everything you do [10th doctor x reader - 18+]

It had all started off innocently enough...

Tags: fem!reader, smut, romantic smut, fluff, multiple orgasms (fem!receiving), praise, lots of praise, the doctor has a praise kink, mild hair pulling (it's 10, i had to), a little bit of gentle biting, bed sharing

Word Count: ~1.4k

CWs/TWs: none, this is super fluffy and sweet :)

It had started off innocently enough. You and the Doctor had been flirting all day. Teasing banter, quick glances, hands brushing every now and again — nothing you hadn’t done a million times before.

The day had been miraculously tranquil. You’d gone and explored the ice caves on some distant planet with a name you couldn’t pronounce, and you two had shared a kiss as you watched the two suns set and the three moons rise over the horizon before climbing back into the TARDIS. 

Somehow, all the flirting and long conversations had escalated, much like they had on several occasions before, and you had ended up bent over the ship’s console with the Doctor’s hands tangled in your hair, getting absolutely fucked out of your mind. 

He pulled your hair, making you whine and arch your back into him, desperate for more. 

“Oh, there’s my girl,” he grinned, leaning forward to plant a kiss on your shoulder. “You love this, don’t you? You’ve practically been begging for it all day, it’s adorable. Although, to be fair…” He snapped his hips forward, one hand moving down to grasp your waist. “You’re not the only one. I’ve been waiting for this for ages.”

You exhaled a laugh followed by a breathy moan. “Oh, c-come on, we did this last night, didn’t we? I haven’t — fuck! — kept you waiting that long, have I?” 

“Well, I suppose not, no,” he responded, sounding almost nonchalant despite being buried as deep in your cunt as he could possibly get. The hand that was clutching your waist wandered upward to toy with your breast. He groaned softly, his pace quickening. “Still, feels like ages when I’ve been waiting all day to have you like this again,” he sighed, pulling you closer so that your back was pressed against his torso, wrapping his arms around you and gently kissing your neck. 

“Such a romantic,” you teased. 

“Mmm, you like it when I get all romantic with you, though, don’t you?” It was a question he knew the answer to well, especially as you practically melted in his arms at the feeling of his lips brushing against your ear. 

You craned your neck, trying to get close enough to kiss him the way you wanted to, but before you could, he quickly pulled out, turned you to face him, and thrust back into you before you could protest. You gazed up at him, eyes practically heart-shaped with adoration. 

“Kiss me,” you murmured, leaning upwards a bit. 

He met you halfway, his soft lips colliding with yours. You choked out a moan as his tongue brushed against your lips, then against your own tongue as you opened your mouth into the kiss, desperate for more of him. He ran his fingers through your hair, hand coming to rest on the side of your face as he kissed you and kissed you for what felt like an eternity, still fucking into you as deep as he could with every thrust.

Your orgasm hit you before you even realized you were close, and you broke the kiss with a gasp, wrapping your arms around his slender shoulders and holding him close. He watched you as you came, drinking in every detail of your face, your voice, the way you moved. He grinned when you looked back at him, that same charming smile that had made you fall head over heels in the first place. 

“God, you’re gorgeous,” he sighed, slowing down to give you time to rest as your orgasm subsided. 

You turned your gaze away, feeling suddenly shy despite your intimate position. “Shut up,” you muttered, smiling, trying to hide the way your face flushed at the praise from him. 

He took your chin in his hand, turning you back towards him. “Never,” he grinned, pulling you in to kiss your forehead. 

You sighed blissfully and leaned into him. “Want to keep going?” 

“Are you sure? It won’t be too much, will it?” 

“I’m not going to break, Doctor. I can take it.” 

“Well, then, if you insist…” He gave you a quick kiss on the nose before pulling out halfway, then slowly starting up his thorough pace again. 

He gasped as you tightened around him, tilting his head back slightly, and you took the opportunity to lean in, running your teeth over a sensitive spot just beneath his jawline. 

You knew every inch of him at this point, but you could never get tired of this - having him deep inside you, body pressed close to yours, your arms around each other. You could never get enough. 

You ran a hand through his hair, tilting your face upward towards his ear to whisper to him. 

“You’re always so good for me, Doctor.” 

Your words immediately had the effect you wanted. He bit his bottom lip, trying unsuccessfully to stifle a groan. 

“God, don’t say that, you’ll make me cum straightaway,” he panted. 

“Why not?” you teased, your nails gently scratching at the nape of his neck, just how he liked it. “You don’t wanna cum? You don’t like hearing how good you are for me? How wonderful you feel inside me? How no one else has ever made me cum as hard as you do, my beautiful, brilliant Doctor?” 

His mouth dropped open with a moan, hands tightening on your waist. “Oh, fuck, please…” he gasped, followed quickly by a whine of your name when you nipped at his earlobe. You could tell he was close, and you could feel your own orgasm building as he fucked you with reverence, his hands still moving restlessly, caressing and clutching at every part of you he could reach. 

“Doctor,” you panted. “I’m close. I want you to cum with me, darling, can you...?” 

He nodded vigorously, too drunk on your praise to catch his breath and answer. One hand moved between the two of you to rub against your clit, the other wrapped around your back, holding you as tightly as he could. His eyes were half-lidded, thoroughly mesmerized at the sight of his cock sliding in and out of your dripping cunt. 

You tugged at his hair, desperate to see his face. His gaze immediately met yours, and anything you were about to say left your mind. 

He was a sight to behold like this, with his hair ruffled from your grasp, his eyes wide and dark with lust, his lips parted and flushed pink from kissing you over and over. The look in his eyes, however, was what made you fall silent. You’d never seen such a lovestruck look on anyone, alien or human, and it made you feel so vulnerable. 

A tidal wave of emotion swelled in your chest as your orgasm hit you, the overwhelming tenderness of the feeling making you tear up.

You clung to him as you came, burying your face in the crook of his neck, an endless stream of "I love you, I love you, I love you" falling from your lips over and over again. He came inside you seconds later, his hands buried in your hair, holding you close, keeping you safe. You saw stars, mind blissfully drifting away into the clouds.

As you both came down from your high, your exhaustion suddenly hit you, your body going limp in his arms. 

“You alright, love?” he murmured, gently rubbing your back. 

You nodded against his chest, eyes closed, the pleasure still overwhelming you. 

“You want me to take you to bed?” 

Again, you nodded, and he gently picked you up, carrying you through the halls of the TARDIS to your bedroom. 

He laid you down softly on your shared bed, tucking you under the blankets before crawling into bed himself. He cradled you close, his tall frame against yours, and pressed a kiss to the crown of your head. 

“I love you,” you murmured sleepily, giving him a warm smile. “You’re so good, Doctor. You really, really are.”

He smiled softly, tucking your hair behind your ear. "Oh, darling, you're wonderful," he sighed.

“Will you stay here? I know you don’t sleep much…” 

“Of course I will, darling,” he whispered, wrapping your hands in his. “I’ll be right here in the morning, hmm? Now let’s get some sleep. We’ve got another day of adventure tomorrow.”

You certainly did. 

A/N: sorry this took forever!!! i promise i'll be more consistent now that the holidays are over :) i'll have some alec smut and/or fluff coming out in the next day or so, but until then, i hope you enjoy this fic! any and all feedback is welcome, and requests are still open, so feel free to like/rb/comment/follow/send in asks/whatever you like! love you all, and thanks again for your patience!

[punksocks]

Astrology Observations No.26

(Just based on my opinions, only take what resonates)

-Aquarius mars can denote a career around trends, tech, and social media. It can also denote your career taking off during times of social progress or spearheading social progress. (John Boyega’s career took off when he became the face of a much more diverse Star Wars, and a lot of his most celebrated roles have a social consciousness to them, pretty great if I do say so myself)

-Virgo venus gets the reputation of being picky in relationships (and they are) but I feel like Sagittarius Venus can be more fickle. Virgo Venus natives have a set of standards and attributes they’re looking for, but Sagittarius Venus natives will put you on a pedestal then knock you off of it when you do something they don’t like.

-Underdeveloped Gemini Venus will ghost you in the middle of a crisis (man Pisces Venus too, but they may feel bad about it lol)

-When it comes to a sense of justice, I feel as though (developed) Scorpio moons give everyone a run for their money

-I feel like Aquarius in big 3 (sun, moon, rising) can often find themselves being forced to be humanitarian/being made to work toward the greater good in some situations (to lend others money, to take care of friends/family, to befriend someone lonely, etc.) I feel like these placements often can be forced to give more of themselves than they are comfortable with (developed ones will often find a great sense of joy in connecting with others through care though)

-On the other hand I feel like Leo in the big 3 can find themselves being forced to pay attention to themselves/become the center of attention (elevated at a job for their hard work, given unexpected attention for a talent, etc.) With Leo placements I notice that in their home life or childhood they may not receive the attention they need, but early on they get attention from outsiders. So they end up going through this arch of getting more comfortable with their sense of self and being in the spotlight.

-Aries placements can often be the first in their family to do something (go to college, start a business, etc) without more long term oriented placements things like businesses may not last though

-Virgo/Gemini/3rd/6th house placements and having an absolute weakness for stationary lol (I have a 3rd house Stellium and I have to force myself not to buy a sketchbook or notebook every time I’m out, with a 40% success rate lol)

-I always expect Libra placements (especially sun/Asc/Venus/mars) to have a very blonde/fair/delicate features naturally but a lot of Libras have this gothic look, like raven hair ivory skin classic beauty (and a lot of PoC I follow with Libra placements can be much darker skinned, which is also a beautifully classic look)

-I think Jupiter and Saturn count towards your personality, but since they’re slower moving planets I view them as the bridge between the asc/sun/moon/mercury/Venus/mars placements that really directly define your personality and the generational planets that show up in traits across people in your age range (but effect everyone differently because of house placements and aspects)

-Do a lot of people get sick during Scorpio season? Or is it just me ?? (During the last week of Scorpio season like 6 people I knew got sick at the same time and I had a medical thing, wtf it’s uncanny)

-I think Neptune in Capricorn is a big reason that depression became such a focal point for younger millennials and elder gen z- well that and late stage capitalism but yknow. (Capricorns being prone to depression, and Neptune ruling over mental illness)

-You may show more of the traits of the sign in your 12th house when inebriated (like sun in 12th may be more outgoing when they drink, moon in 12th may be more introverted/emotional, mercury in 12th may be more chatty and inquisitive, Venus in 12th may be more charming/romantic, mars in 12th may be more aggressive/antagonistic/s*xual)

-Mars in 12th/Pisces mars may find that unresolved tension sits on their subconscious and makes it hard for them to do other tasks

-Cancer over the houses can show where you feel at home (cancer in the 4th is super loyal to their family/mother, cancer in the 7th means you feel at home with a nurturing partner, cancer in the 9th means you feel at home abroad and traveling and with other communities or with religion, cancer in 11th means you feel super at home with your friends.)

[jasmines-library]

Hii! I’m the anon who requested the Remus with the heightened senses thing. I have another significantly LONGER one. I apologise in advance.

Going to the forest during the full moon becayse you don’t know that Remus Lupin is a werewolf, but then you see his post-transformation, scarred, bruised, blooded and whimpering form on the ground, surrounded by Sirius, James and Peter. You can’t help yourself from pulling him away from them and into your arms, cuddling him and petting his hair, fully believing that it was them who hurt him.

Eventually; they convince you to let them take Remus to the hospital wing, that they’ll explain when you get there, and you agree. So long as you can hold Remus’s waist, to make sure your culprits don’t hurt him. When you get to the hospital wing, you’re so incredibly clingy with Remus, even when he wakes up. the boys explain his lycanthropy, and Remus is convinced you won’t love him anymore. Quite the opposite. He’s just earned himself a few more weeks of tireless protective clinginess.

Miscommunication

⛤⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽⛧☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⛤

Note: Thanks for another great request!

Warnings: post full moon Remus, swearing

Word Count: 2k

⛧ MARAUDERS MASTERLIST⛧

⛤⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽⛧☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⛤

The Forbidden Forest was not somewhere you wanted to be. Especially at night. The trees were uncomfortably large with claw-like branches, and the thicket made it disorientating to navigate through the maze of trees. The moon was big and bright, and would normally have illuminated the forest ground, but the trees and the mist allowed no luxury of light. You didn’t want to be there, not in the slightest, in fact the chances of getting a detention for being out here were extremely high, but you were following Remus. 

At the end of each month you would hear the door to the dormitories creak open. It was followed by the patter of footsteps and hushed whispers. But there was no one to be seen. They took their leave with James cloak, though they needed to work on their subtlety. The thing was, despite the noise they made as they crept down the stairs, as soon as they entered the common room, they fell silent and vanished out of the portrait and through the castle walls: invisible and nearly impossible to find. 

You knew you should have. You should have respected his privacy, but Remus and his friends were being shifty. It felt almost as if they were avoiding you. It had been going on for months now; at the end of the month they seemed to get shifty, slinking off without so much as an explanation. So, although it made guilt bubble up in your stomach, you couldn’t help but follow them. 

You finally decided to follow them when you lay restless at night. You found your mind wandering and the little sleep you got came uneasily to you. So you swung your legs over your bed, and crept towards the door. You take extra care to not step on the creaky floorboards to make sure you didn’t wake your roommates. Then, it was across the hall and down the stairs to the dorm you knew so well. Often, you spent more time there curled up in Remus’ bed instead of your own. You expected to hear a shuffle of footsteps before the door unlocked moments after your knuckles rapped on the wood. But instead there was nothing. So you tried again.

Nothing. 

Using a simple ‘alohomora’ the door swung open with an eerie jerk. Inside was the sound of nothing but silence. 

The marauders were up to something again. 

Illuminating your wand, you began to rummage around James’ trunk until your fingers grazed the crisply folded parchment. You pulled out the map, unfolding it until you could admire the delicate lines. It had taken the boys hours as they hunched over desks, but the results were completely worth it. It took you a minute to find the boys, but there, scrawled out in their best hand writing were their names, and four sets of footprints migrating toward the courtyard just outside of the forbidden forest. Cursing, you pocketed your wand and replaced the map back at the bottom of James’ trunk before following them. 

It took much longer than you thought it would to reach the forest. With nosy portraits hung around each corner, you did well to make it out without being spotted and earning yourself a week's worth of detention of scrubbing toilets. However in the time it took you to reach the forest, it had gotten much darker and you now struggled to see where you were going. 

The forest was daunting during the day and twice as much at night. Strange noises ricocheted through the trees and an unsteady breeze whipped through the air. You tugged the sleeves of Remus’ jumper over your fingers. Being alone made you jumpy. Each snap of a twig or rustle of leaves made your head whip around in alarm. You had considered turning back…but you had already come this far you were too stubborn to turn back now. 

It felt like you had searched every inch of the forest. You had begun to grow sore, and the biting cold was beginning to get to you. It was when the thought of turning back crossed your mind again that you saw him. Well, you heard him first. 

A whimper. Low and desperate. It was painted and cut through you like a knife because you knew that tone. Remus. You pushed your legs toward the sound until you could make out the dark, cloaked figures huddled around him. 

He was curled up on the ground, bloodied and bruised. Fresh scars oozed blood on his forehead and he seemed to be clutching his left arm as he writhed in pain. His friends stood over him in a circle, their wands poised above him. Threatening him. 

Your wand was in your hand in seconds, the carvings so familiar to your hands that it was almost like an extension of your own body. You didn’t really think in the moments that came after that. Supposedly it was because you were shocked. Your body was filled with an anger and protectiveness that you had never felt before as the marauders stood over your boyfriend. His own friends. 

“Remus!” Your voice cut through the silence as you crossed the last distance toward them. Sirius had taken a step toward him, but you blocked his path as you practically dived in front of him, scraping your knees on the ground as you raised your wand protectively in front of you. 

 “Get the fuck away from him!” You demanded, causing the skulk of faces to snap toward you. 

Sirius stumbled backward, caught off guard by your sudden appearance. Your eyes were wide as you watched cautiously, moving your wand hectically between the three of them. Not taking your harsh stare off of them, you gathered Remus up in your arms. 

He seemed so fragile in that moment, his body bloodied and scarred. His chapped lips moved as he tried to form words that only came out as strangled whimpers. Your hand ran over his air, smoothing his curls as you whispered to him softly. 

“Shh, I’ve got you Rem. It’s okay.”

He seemed to protest at first, hand wrapping weakly around the arm you used you clutch him to your chest, but at the sound of your voice he closed his eyes and sank into you. 

“Y/N?! Merlin, what the hell are you doing out here?” Sirius spoke first: panicked and confused. 

“I could ask you the same thing.” You glared at him, scowling with your eyebrows. Your hand was shaking, your body too. You weren’t sure if it was anger or fear. Peter stiffened, his eyes widening as he went white as a sheet. 

You shook your head as your eyes brimmed with tears. You couldn’t believe this was happening. Remus was lying scared and injured on the floor surrounded by his friends who had- You could practically see it in your mind; Remus being chased down by the boys he believed were his closest friends…

Clenching your jaw you spat at them. “You’re supposed to be his friends!” 

James furrowed his brow, staring wide eyed at the end of your wand. “W-what?”

“He trusted you!” You yelled at them. “He trusted you and you treated him like shit!”

“Y/N… whatever you think is going on here isn’t.” Peter spoke meekly, distancing himself from your piercing gaze. 

“I can’t believe he trusted you! I-”

“You have to let us explain!” James protested “It’s not what it looks like!”

“Don’t you think you’ve already done enough?”

Sirius was about to open his mouth to reply when Remus let out a whimper, trying to shift his weight only to end up putting weight on one of his wounds. The five of you fell silent. 

“We need to get him to the infirmary.” Sirius stated. 

You clung to him closer. “You’re not taking him anywhere.”

“Y/N please…” James begged “Let us help him. We’ll explain ourselves I promise. But he needs help.”

You glanced at Remus. His pain-dazed face made your stomach toss and turn. Swallowing thickly, you nodded hesitantly. “Fine.”

Letting out a sigh, Sirius moved to Remus’ right side, helping to haul him up onto his feet.

“Alright, Moony. Let’s get you to Poppy.”

Once Remus was back on his feet, the five of you made your way back to the hospital wing. It was a slow walk, and you kept one hand wrapped firmly around his waist as you helped support him. Although you had pocketed your wand, that didn’t stop you from sending warning glances at the other boys. You were still unsure. The three of them seemed to know what they were doing; they moved with the coordination of a group of people that were experienced and moved more like one force than as a group of separate people. 

When the pristine walls of the hospital wing came into view, you did well to hide your surprise. It seemed almost as though Poppy had been expecting the five of them to bring Remus to her. You also didn’t miss the frown she gave you which was followed by a questioning look to James who dismissed it with a wave of his hand as he tried to focus on Remus. 

When he was situated in a bed and Madame Pomfrey had finished hovering over him, you took a seat next to Remus with one of his hands in yours. His face already looked better, and with help from a potion seemed to have fallen into a dreamless sleep. 

~

It felt like forever before Remus woke up. You had fallen asleep hunched over on his bed and awoke to someone stroking the top of your hair. Blinking slowly, you lifted your head and came eye to eye with Remus. 

“Hey you.” He mumbled, his fingers trailing to under your chin.

“Rem?”

He smiled at you weakly, clearly still tired despite the fact that he looked much better “Hey.”

“Oh Rem…” You wrapped your arms around his neck, hesitant in case you hurt him. But he hugged you back tightly. 

“I’m so sorry…” Remus bit his lip nervously. He looked anxious and it made you wonder how long he had been awake before you finally opened your eyes. 

“What are you sorry for, Rem?”

 You could sense the taller boys lingering by the curtain. When it slid open, you felt your hand tighten around your boyfriends. The other three boys stood there equally as nervous. 

“Explain.” You said. 

“Y/n…” Peter started, unsure how to explain.

“What’s going on? I’m sick of being lied to. Just tell me the truth.” You told them, smoothing the skin on the back of Remus’ hand. 

“Its not that simple…” James told you. “I don’t know if Moony is ready to-”

Remus nodded his head slowly, twisting his gaze ever so slightly away from you. “It’s alright James. You can tell her. She deserves to know.”

“Do you know why we call him Moony? Y/N?”

You replied with a simple shake of your head. 

“It’s because Remus is…” Sirius took a deep breath. It was much shakier than he intended it to be. There was no easy way to say it. “Remus is a werewolf.”

Remus had expected you to laugh. To run off or to angrily accuse him of lying as you shoved him away. Albeit instead, you were quiet as you slowly pieced things together. It made sense. The scars, the disappearances each month…you were surprised you hadn’t figured it out sooner. You hummed. When you made eye contact with Remus, his eyes were frightful. As your hands moved to trace the scars on his face as you had done many times before, he leaned instinctively into your touch.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” You whispered. 

“I was scared.” Remus admitted truthfully.

“Of what?” You knitted your eyebrows together, scrunching up your nose. 

“That you wouldn’t love me anymore.”

Your face softened.  “Oh Rem. I could never stop loving you.” He smiled softly as you leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “This doesn’t change a thing. I will never stop loving you.”

⛤⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽⛧☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⛤

MARAUDERS TAGS:

@xxrougefangxx

⛤⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽⛧☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅⛤

[wobblesthecowgirl]

I'm No O’Driscoll!

Chapter One: Rescue Mission

Tags: Arthur Morgan x Femreader, enemies to lovers, O'Driscoll reader, game plot, Arthur doesn't have tuberculosis, eventual smut, age difference, 18+, mild gore

Word Count: 1.7k

A/N: This is my first rdr2 ff! This is also my first time posting ff on tumblr so I hope it's set up nicely! I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading! I hope to make this a long series.

Chapter Two

Despite being a part of the gang, Y/n hated the O’Driscoll’s. Except for Kieran Duffy, who acted like her brother, like her partner in crime. Which was how she found herself in Horseshoe Overlook after following the Van Der Linde Gang.

She used her binoculars to get a better look. It was nighttime, so the only light she had was the moon and the warm glow of the campfire. She pinpointed Kieran, who was sitting on the grass with his hands tied behind a tree. He looked malnourished and weak. The anger upon seeing his sorry state only worsened for the woman, as she sat to think of a plan. She groaned in annoyance. This wasn’t what she usually did. I’m a sniper, she thought to herself, not a stealthy hero.

There were too many people around for her to use her actual skills, so her best bet was to sneak behind the tree and cut him loose without cause a scene. Shoving her binoculars in her satchel and making her way over with her knife in hand, she was able to get to the tree.

“Kieran!” Y/n whisper shouted, causing the poor man to jump out of his skin. He turned his head around, and his eyes widened when he saw who it was.

“Y/n? What are you doing here?”

“Getting you, dumbass.” She already started cutting at the rope, which was too thick for her knife.

“Leave me! This gang is real scary.” He pleaded, “If they catch you, you’ll end up like me…or worse!”

She ignored his pleas for her to abandon him and focused on getting the rope loose. She was halfway there, the rope almost freeing him, when she got caught.

“Hey!” The voice was low and gruff. Y/n snapped her head up to see a tall, broad man with a beaten cowboy hat on, pointing a pistol right at her. She moved away from the tree slowly, but before she could make a run for it, he shot her in the thigh. She instantly fell to the ground, screaming in agony as she held the wound in hopes to stop the bleeding. The fabric of her jeans didn’t help ease the pain as it was now sticking to her wound.

The man ran towards her, pulling her up harshly and propping her up against the tree next to Kieran, who was calling out to her, as she was tied up. He was right, she was now in the exact same position he was in. 

The man who shot her was glaring as others from the gang showed up. 

“Dutch!” The man called out for the ringleader, who jogged over.

“What is it, Arthur?” 

The man she now knew as Arthur gestured at her sorry state before replying, “We have another O’Driscoll, I caught her trying to free our friend Kieran.” 

Everyone was staring at her whimpering state. Her hair was messy from the journey over, her black button up top had been untucked from her jeans, her satchel and belt were barely intact, and her wound was only getting worse. 

“Well now, she doesn’t seem like that much of a threat!” Dutch chuckled, earning a glare from Y/n.

“You shot me!” She hissed at Arthur, who seemed surprised by her feisty nature despite bleeding out; she knew it was a risky move, especially as she was becoming lightheaded. 

Arthur pointed at her, his eyebrows furrowed, “Of course I did. You snuck onto our camp, trying to free our prisoner!” He then turned to a woman with black hair in a messy bun.

“Abigail, will you please tend to her wound. Can’t interrogate her if she dies on us.” 

Abigail nodded her head as he thanked her, and she soon returned with medical supplies. Everyone kept a close eye on her, hatred in their eyes. An older man with a grey hair spoke up to Dutch, “Are you sure it’s wise to have another O’Driscoll on camp? Having too many may cause a riot.” 

“I think this is a great opportunity!” The gang’s leader said, “She came all this way for him, so they must care for one another. We can use that against them when getting the information we need on Colm.” 

Y/n’s eyes were going fuzzy, and Kieran’s cries were starting to sound far away. Abigail made her way over with the med kit; she seemed to be talking to the wounded O’Driscoll but was ignored as she began to pass out. 

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨♡୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

When she awoke again, the sunlight blinded her, and every inch of her body ached. Her arms were cramped, her neck snore, but the biggest pain was her thigh, which felt like it had been beaten and set on fire. She looked down to see the wound had been disinfected and sewn up, and the fabric had been cut a little to get to it, leaving her thigh exposed. 

“Y/n! You’re awake! Oh, I was so worried!” Kieran’s voice caught her attention, who sighed with relief; he was stood up, most likely to stretch his legs. 

“I’m sorry.” Were her first words to him, she stretched her legs out in front of her and winced as a sharp stabbing pain went up her leg. 

“No, I’m sorry. It’s my fault you got shot, and now you’re a hostage too.” He also apologised, a sympathetic look on his face which matched that of a kicked puppy.

“Hey, don’t go crying now.” She warned him, rolling her eyes like she always did. He nodded his head but looked away, probably to go against her request. However, her attention was diverted to the very man who shot her, as he strode over to her. 

“You’re awake.” He stated, standing in front of her, making her look up at him from her seating position. He must’ve been at least six two and built like a brick house. Either way, she wasn’t winning a physical fight against him any time soon. 

“I appear to be.” She stated, deciding to be cocky. If she was going to die, she wanted to die with her dignity and sarcasm. He clicked his tongue, clearly not impressed with her quick remark. 

“I wouldn’t get smart if I were you. Someone in your position can’t afford to be arrogant.” He folded his arms as she scoffed, shaking her head.

“My position? You mean shot in the leg and tied up? If anything, I think this calls for sarcastic remarks towards the very man who put me in this predicament.” 

“I hope you talk this much when I ask you about Colm.” He sighed, rubbing is eyes and placing one hand on his hip. She went quiet, realising being shot and tied up were probably the start of a long, antagonising death. 

“Well don’t get quiet now.” Arthur snapped, but she looked away from him, receiving a small groan from the older man. 

“We can start of easy.” He began, “What’s your name?” 

Still facing away from him, she replied, “Why should you get the honours of knowing that?” 

“I can see that wasn’t an easy question.” The irritation was laced in his words as she refused to cooperate. She looked up at him again, who had an impatient look on his face. It seemed he wasn’t going to leave till she answered.

“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” She mocked, the same irritation in her words. He shot me, why should I make this easy for him?

“Are you a child?” He scoffed, his eyes narrowing but still answered her, “Arthur. Arthur Morgan.”

She hummed after hearing his name, and then fell silent. The wind picked up, causing Y/n’s hair to get messier, and creating goosebumps along her skin. The man sighed before walking towards Kieran who instantly cowered. Her once bored attitude was no more, now she was on high alert.

“Look,” Arthur began, “I ain’t gonna hit you, I don’t hit ladies. But I do hit men, and you clearly care for this one. If you don’t start talking, he’s gonna get hurt, and you don’t want him to get hurt, do you?” 

She watched as Arthur swung his leg back and kicked her friend hard on the shin, causing him to crouch down in pain and wriggle his bound wrists. 

“Alright! It’s Y/n L/n! You asshole!” She spat at him, trying to get the man away from Kieran. Arthur smirked and made his way back over to the woman. Oh, how I would love to smack that smug look off his face. 

“There we go, that’s much better. Well Miss L/n, you wanna tell me where Colm O’Driscoll is hiding?”

“I don’t know. He doesn’t care to share that type of information with me.”

“Is that so?” He raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing a word she said. All she could do was nod her head, not bothering to develop her answer further. Arthur shrugged his shoulders, “Suit yourself. The longer you put off telling us, the longer you go without food.” He stated before turning around and walking off back to his tent, leaving Y/n to glare daggers at his back.

“This is real bad. I’ve gone days without food, I can’t take it much longer.” Kieran made sure Arthur was gone before her conversed with her. She tried moving her leg again, but the pain was unbearable.

 

“Just you wait Kieran. We are going to get out of here, and I’ll make sure I snipe that man right between his eyes. Whatever you do, don’t tell them anything. We won’t be able to go back, we’d be hung for selling Colm out.” 

Kieran rested the back of his head against the tree, looking dead ahead.

“I don’t think I want to go back.”

“We don’t have a choice,” She exhaled, “We would be hunted down if we tried to be lone wolves. We are bound to the O’Driscoll gang till we die. Let’s just make sure our death is merciful.” 

With that, the two captives fell silent, watching the rest of the campers go about their day: eating, doing chores, and laughing with one another as the days ticked on. 

[talonabraxas]

"The infinite is an arrow in the shaman’s quiver and his aim is true."

Jean 'Moebius' Giraud

Intuitive Astrology Forecast December 2024

As we move through the final month of 2024, our hearts may be in a reflective mode thanks to Mercury and Mars being retrograde in unison. We may feel the busy pace of the season too exhausting this year and find ourselves seeking comfort in a slower and more relaxed end to 2024.

Mercury and Mars retrograde together can create a general sense of sluggishness, lack of motivation, and a feeling of climbing uphill. With this cosmic energy at play, we would be wise to take it easy, not take on too much, and prioritize self-care. December can be a stressful month for many with holiday travel and family plans, but if you needed any excuse to keep it low key this year, these two retrogrades are a good one!

While we do have Mercury and Mars both slowing down our cosmic airways, we also have this theme presenting of wrapping up the past. Issues that we have been dealing with for the last 6 months may begin to settle or resolve. We may start to realize the bigger picture or begin to see new truths. This will especially kick into gear as Neptune stations direct on December 7.

December is also a special month as we are gifted with a Black Moon. This occurs when we have two New Moons in the same calendar month. December 2024 opens with a Sagittarius New Moon on the 1st and ends with a Capricorn New Moon on the 30th.

New Moons represent new beginnings and the start of a new cycle, so it seems we will be welcoming something new in the month of December. We may feel a burst of inspiration or fresh energy flowing our way, or we may decide to plant some new seeds for the months ahead.

Sagittarius is an adventurous sign, whereas Capricorn is ambitious, so we have some adventurous ambition on our side when it comes to creating new goals and laying new paths. Use this energy to your advantage by setting intentions on each of these New Moons, and watch how those seedlings sprout as we move into 2025!

December also brings the Solstice, a powerful day for our life-giving Sun. On this day, we celebrate the light. Whether experiencing the darkest or the lightest day, we are reminded that life always flows in cycles.

As we wrap up the year, perhaps it is worthwhile to honor the cycle you have journeyed. Even if you are not happy with where you have landed or if 2024 has brought some incredible struggles, this, too, is just part of the whole. Allow the cycles of our sun, moon, and stars to be a reminder that nothing stays the same for long and eventually, just like our Sun, we will enter a new phase of being.

Here are the key astrological dates for December 2024-

November 30/December 1- Sagittarius New Moon

We welcome our month with a new lunar cycle, a reminder that it is never too late to begin again. The adventurous and playful energies of Sagittarius will help us to make our mark. Represented by the arrow of the archer, Sagittarius reminds us that when we put our mind to something, when we take aim, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Plant some ambitious seeds under this New Moon, allow the prospect of these seeds to fill you with wonder and awe. Think big! And then watch how these seeds take hold in the new year. This New Moon also falls directly opposite the planet of optimism, Jupiter, so wherever you have found yourself at this point in your life journey, look for the silver lining – you will most certainly see it!

December 2-4: Antares Stargate Portal

Antares is known as one of the four Royal stars and during this time period, the Sun conjuncts with Antares, activating its energy and beaming it straight into our beings. Antares is known as the heart of the Scorpion, and this energy can open our own hearts. We may be feeling more abundant and creative. We may be feeling more compassionate and supportive towards ourselves and loved ones. In some cultures, Antares is considered the resting place for souls after they depart their bodies and make their way to the afterlife. It is under the energy of Antares that they can weigh up their regrets, triumphs, and memories. We don’t have to wait till we are on our way to the afterlife to do this. Take some time under this Star portal to reflect on the course of your life. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to call? How can you use this energy to bring yourself into a state of peace with all that has unfolded?

December 4- Retrograde Mercury Opposite Jupiter

Mercury has been retrograde since November 25, and now it aligns directly opposite Jupiter. Jupiter can expand whatever it touches, and as Mercury Retrograde is linked to miscommunications and delays, we may be experiencing our fair share of these today! Mercury Retrograde however, is also a highly intuitive time, so we may find our intuition peaking. Trust your instincts, especially when it comes to the timing of your life.

December 4- Sun Square Saturn

A potentially challenging day where you may feel tested, prodded, and pulled! Pay attention to what is happening around this time, as it will serve as a guide for where you need to set your boundaries and manage your time and energy levels throughout the month.

December 5- Sun Conjunct Mercury Retrograde

This is a power day in the Mercury Retrograde cycle! Known as Mercury Cazimi this is when we start to see a turning point in whatever miscommunications or inner wisdom Mercury Retrograde is trying to bring to the surface. It is at this point that we may start seeing things with clarity. Just be patient however, and give things time to reveal themselves. Don’t rush ahead and be extra mindful of your personal belongings- Mercury Retrograde can sometimes turn us into scatterbrains!

December 6- Mars Retrograde

It’s one of the most critical cosmic events of the year! Mars Retrogrades the least out of all the planets, so it is definitely one of the most consequential retrograde cycles we can experience. Mars Retrograde helps us to redefine how we are choosing to spend our energy. It can adjust what motivates us and help us to reorganize and reprioritize what we choose to give importance to. Mars Retrograde can create a sluggishness when it comes to our motivation and feelings of energy, but this is all part of the re-harmonization process. Mars will begin its retrograde in Leo before making its way back into Cancer. Both of these zodiacs are very heart-led, so we may find our focus on matters of the heart. Mars Retrograde through Leo will focus on self-love and our authenticity, whereas Mars Retrograde in Cancer will turn our attention to our home and family lives. Mars will remain in Retrograde until February 2025. You can learn more about this potent cycle here.

December 6/7- Venus Conjunct Pluto

Venus moves into Aquarius where it will align with Pluto. This planetary duo can bring up power struggles in our relationships, but can also boost the intensity. If you want to get your way, focus on your feminine powers.

December 7- Sun Opposite Jupiter

The Sun moves directly opposite Jupiter, the planet ancient astrologers considered the lucky planet! Lucky rays may shine upon us, but in the words of Deepak Chopra- “luck is simply opportunity meeting preparedness.”

December 7- Neptune Direct

Neptune ends its retrograde, bringing clarity and new insights our way. Neptune Retrograde can open our third eye and help us to access portals of higher dimension with greater ease. Now that it is stationing direct, we are guided to work with the transmissions we have already acquired. Chances are, some new information may have come to light, or perhaps we are now able to see the world or a situation in a different way. This is a day to honor our authentic selves and to trust our intuition.

December 12- Venus Opposite Retrograde Mars and 12:12

The two cosmic lovers rest on opposite ends of the zodiac. It is time for them to go their own separate ways before returning together again. How can you use this symbolism in your own life? Venus and Mars on opposite ends of the zodiac wheel can help us to balance our masculine and feminine. We may find that the feminine presence of Venus helps us to slow down and savor what we have achieved instead of reaching for more.

It is also the 12th day of the 12th month, giving us the number code 1212. 12 is a powerful number of completion. Sometimes it is only at the end that we are able to understand the whole and to see the bigger picture vision. Hold space for these ideas on this day.

December 15- Gemini Full Moon and Mercury Direct

It’s the last Full Moon of 2024 and it falls in the sign of the Gemini twins. The story goes that one twin was mortal, the other immortal, and together, they create the balance of what it means to be human. We are both a soul and a body and during our time in this earthly realm, it is our job to honor both sides of the equation. The Gemini Full Moon also represents a powerful point of completion and endings. If there are things you want to do away with and not bring into 2025, this is the perfect time to set those intentions.

Mercury also stations direct on this day, allowing our minds to move into a new clarity. Pay attention to what messages come your way at this time, as they are likely divinely inspired.

December 18- Sun Square Neptune

Neptune has just stationed direct and is now coming into a tense alignment with our Sun. Any lessons or gifts that the retrograde was supposed to deliver will be brought to the surface now. Trust your intuition and stand up for yourself if something feels amiss. Be mindful not to move through the day with rose-colored glasses. Don’t give the benefit of the doubt unless they truly deserve it.

December 19- Venus Trine Jupiter

A beautiful planetary duo! This harmonious combination of planetary energy will shed good fortune on this day! This is a great day for creative projects, socializing, and shining bright! Make use of this day by doing something you love.

December 21- Winter Solstice/ Sun enters Capricorn

Welcome to Capricorn Season and the Solstice! Here, we celebrate either the longest or shortest day of the year. But, no matter where we are on our great cosmic cycle, we won’t stay here for long! Things are always moving and shifting, and nature is a great reminder of that. Capricorn Season is a time to honor our innate gifts and to celebrate ourselves for all that we are. It is an ambitious sign that can give us the stamina to make it through the holidays and into another year!

December 27- Venus Square Uranus

Venus square Uranus can be a potentially volatile combination. Perhaps use this as an excuse to have a low-key day where you are able to focus on the things that you really wish to do. Instead of saying yes or trying to please others, please yourself!

December 29- Chiron Direct

Chiron ends the year with a power move! Chiron stationing direct represents a new turning point when it comes to finding peace. We all have wounds, and Chiron gifts us with remembering that our wounds can lead to beautiful openings and a deeper authenticity. As it emerges from retrograde, we too, can emerge from some painful wounding of the past. Perhaps we can create space to realize that even though we are wounded, we can still lead a beautiful life.

December 30- Black New Moon in Capricorn

We end the month like we began it, with a New Moon! The second New Moon in a calendar month is known as a Black Moon. This is perfectly timed with the start of the new year and is a great way to set intentions for the new chapter ahead. Capricorn is a very ambitious sign, so set some big goals for yourself- you may just surprise yourself on what you can achieve!

[brooooswriting]

Hello! I’m sorry to hear you got writer's block :(

May i request “Wait a minute. Are you jealous?”, with Jenna Ortega please?

I hope it helps! 🫶🏼

Funny story

Jenna Ortega x reader

Being an actress in a relationship with another actress isn’t always the greatest thing. There are fans, paparazzis, other celebrities and more things that will try to pull you apart but sometimes our self destructive minds are enough to do that.

The moment you and your girlfriend, Jenna, heard that you were cast in the same movie you were over the moon. You’ve always loved the scream movies and playing in one was a dream come true, especially since you have already met a big part of the cast due to Jenna.

The ‘over the moon’-phase was over when you got the script, you were still unbelievably happy but the fact that you’d play somebody else’s love interest wasn’t ideal. You didn’t really mind that much and Jenna, well she acted like she didn’t, but deep down it nagged her.

You’d play ‘cute girl’ (you’re taking cute boys place), Sams love interest from next door. You were happy to work so close with Melissa as she was incredibly nice and thoughtful making the whole filming a great experience.

“Y/n, wanna hang out later? We could run some scenes and get to know each other better, it makes the whole filming easier” Melissa said as she sat down on her chair next to you, “sure, Jenna is filming late today anyway” you quickly texted your girlfriend to let her know where you were before grabbing your jacket and walking with the older woman.

After you guys were out to eat you went to a small park where you ran some lines, practiced some movements and arrangements until it was completely dark. “Shit, it’s pretty late. I should get going, I bet Jenna’s waiting” you said your goodbye and hugged her before walking to your car.

“Baby, I’m Home” you called out when you entered the apartment but you didn’t receive an answer. “Baby?” You called out again as you went into the bedroom where you found your girlfriend sleeping with your pillow in her arms. You cooed before you got ready for bed and went to join her. She grumbled when you pulled the pillow out of her grip but shut up when she noticed your present next to her.

The next morning was like every other morning, you guys woke up, got ready then made breakfast and quickly ate before driving to the set. “So, where were you so long yesterday?” The brunette in front of you asked as you drank a sip of your coffee. “Oh, Melissa and I went to eat something and then we ran some lines” you answered with a small smile before asking how her day had been.

The moment you arrived on set Melissa pulled you away to discuss something causing Jenna to scoff before making her way to the makeup department. Jenna didn’t see you until you had to film a scene where Tara, Sam and their friends were in their apartment and you had eye contact with Sam from your window. While your girlfriend was already walking towards you to greet you with a kiss, the director had different plans as he immediately send her back so they could start filming.

She hated this, all of it. She hated the way the actress looked at you and even worse, she hated how you looked at and smiled at the other actress, it seemed too real. So the moment the scene ended she sprinted towards her trailer leaving everybody confused.

As it was your last scene for the day you had enough time to look after Jenna. “Jen?” You carefully whispered when you entered her trailer to see her sitting on a chair in the kitchen. “What’s wrong hun?” You wrapped your arms around her shoulders and kissed the back of her head causing her to melt into you. “Nothing, I was just a bit overwhelmed” it wasn’t hard to see that she wasn’t 100% truthful but you decided to give her space.

“Jenna, we need to film the next scene. Oh and y/n, Melissa wants to see you” Jasmin yelled from behind the door causing your girlfriend to jump up and walk off. But you quickly grabbed her wrist to pull her back into your arms, kissing her softly, before letting her walk away. You followed behind the two to find Melissa.

The filming has been rather weird, you barely saw Jenna as either you were spending time with Melissa or she was off doing who knows what. She barely talked to you at the moment, making it hard for you to concentrate and even worse, it made you crave physical touch. You missed her hugs and you missed the cuddles, the kisses and holding hands.

People on set seemed to notice that there was something wrong as especially Melissa and Jasmin offered you a whole lot of hugs whenever you wanted. It did ease it a bit but it was nothing compared to Jenna.

After barely seeing you for two weeks the small brunette finally decided to watch one of your scenes, possibly the worst scene she could have chosen. It took place after Tara’s and Sams fight where the older girl sat in the lobby waiting for you.

Melissa sat on the stairs playing with the rings on her fingers while you got yourself ready behind the door you’d walk through. Jenna sat on a chair behind the cameras.

As soon as the mark came you pushed the door open and went to get your mail, counting to five in your head before you made your way toward the older carpenter sister. You walked past her in a normal pace and slowed when you reached a certain mark on the floor, it gave Melissa the time to reach for your wirst and pull you back. Once you were situated in the right place she nearly threw herself at you, her hands on your shoulders pushing you against the wall while yours landed on her waist. In a matter of seconds her lips landed on yours in a aggressive and passionate kiss, you loved Melissa but it was uncomfortable. You could feel Jenna stare right through the woman.

When you parted you saw Jenna fuming and as soon as the scene was over she grabbed your hand and pulled you away. You were deeply confused by her behavior, not just today but the last weeks.

And then again you were pressed against a wall with someone’s hands on your shoulders, but this time it felt like home. Sure, the kiss wasn’t gentle or anything, it was rather the opposite. It was like she was trying to show anyone who could kiss you like that and god, did she know your buttons. In a couple of seconds your knees were bucking and you had to suppress your moans which was when she started to attack your neck.

In that moment Jenna wasn’t completely focused on you, she was making sure that Melissa saw how you melted under your touch, grinning when she was how the woman looked away embarrassedly.

You lightly pushed her away, “let’s get to my trailer okay?” This time you grabbed her hand and pulled her away. Her eyes were focused on Melissa, a wicked grin sporting her face while the other actress was rather confused.

As soon you entered the trailer she was on your neck again, biting down to leave a mark. “You’re mine” was the only thing she whispered against your neck and at that moment the lightbulb on top of your head lit up. “Wait a minute. Are you jealous?” You giggled as the other woman only grumbled.

After a small moment of silence she finally spoke up as she threw herself onto the bed. “How couldn’t I? She’s been taking all of your time, I barely saw you, people have taken pictures of you wan started shipping you and you guys have to kiss, like constantly” she was throwing her hands around as she was clearly frustrated.

You felt sorry for her, you didn’t know that she felt like that. You sat beside her and pulled her into you. “I’m sorry you feel that way, I didn’t know. When you distanced yourself I actually felt rather lonely and Melissa was there so I guess I used that. But I love you more than anything else, Melissa is just a friend and who cares what the fans think? I love you and that won’t change”

“I love you too”

@yourinstagramname

@yourinstagramname: the only love of my life ❤️

The next day Jenna said sorry to Melissa before making it clear one more time that you were hers. “Jenna we talked about this, and she has a boyfriend” Your girlfriends face fell and turned red. “Why didn’t you tell me before?” Let’s just say Melissa couldn’t stop laughing.

At least it was a funny story.

[skipper19]

I've dug two graves for us, my dear..

Dabis scowl was reflected off the street lamp, and his blue eyes reflected his anger. His arm raised, palm extended towards the man he had cornered in the alleyway. In these certain situations, Dabi was used to your voice in the back of his head. You were the pacifist type, even if you were a villain.

Being a part of the League meant you saw violence and gore every day, especially since you were their medic. You didn't want to cause harm, but you also knew you weren't on the heroes side. So you settled with helping the villains behind the scenes. Hence, how you met Dabi.

..Can't pretend that I was perfect, leaving you in fear.

You and Dabi were polar opposites (at least personality wise), and others often teased you both for it. Dabi didn't care. He never has cared for others' opinions, other than yours. You were attached to his hip, following him around like a lost dog most times. It irritated him at first, until it didn't. He would look for you in a crowd, set his hand on your lower back as you walked next to him, and check in with you during the day. It became routine.

And one night, you both grew even closer. You whispered dreams and shared secrets that night, forming a bond even tighter than before.

And you always bugged him about the same things. He was too mean, too cruel, he killed too much, he needed to be nicer to rookies. The same things every day, and Dabi began to listen eventually. It was difficult for him, but he knew you had the best intentions at heart. He especially acted right when you both went out together.

Oh man, what world, the things I hear..

It was often that you took walks at night. You had trouble sleeping without Dabi by your side, and Dabi often had nightmares that kept him awake. So it wasn't uncommon for you both to take walks through the city as the moon shined in the sky. Some days you would talk about anything and everything, and others you would walk in silence.

Obviously, seeing as it was late at night during these times, you both would see some horrible things. A mugger stabbing an old woman for her purse, dogs feasting on the remains of some unidentifiable animal, lost kids digging through dumpsters for some food. You began to carry food and cash with you during these walks in case you did run into the unfortunate souls living off the street life. You were never scared. You knew you were safe by Dabis side. Most citizens knew Dabis face. He was a well renowned villain, after all. So the more dangerous people at night avoided looking in your direction.

Until one night.. it all just had to go wrong.

..If I could act on my revenge, no, would I?

It wasn't supposed to end this way. If Dabi hadn't listened to your dumb pacifist self, then none of this would have happened. He knew the streets. He knew the dangers of money hungry people. He knew scum like this guy. He should have scorched him alive the moment the bastard laid his hands on you.

But no.. you wanted Dabi to spare him.

"No! Dabi, you promised you wouldn't kill anymore! You promised.." Your words were muffled behind your hand, blood oozing from your nose. The bastard Dabi was glaring at kept his gun aimed at Dabis head, while Dabi kept his own flames ready to ignite. Dabis rage was palatable, but he gritted his teeth and shook his head. Grunting as he lowered his arm.

Some kill, some steal, some break your heart..

The last thing Dabi expected was for a bullet to whizz past his cheek, the bang momentarily deafening him. Dabi could feel the blood dribble down his cheek to his chin, and his finger came up to swipe the blood from his skin. But he didn't have time to process this turn of events as he heard a prominent thump behind him.

Dabis head whipped back, only to find you lying on your back, the water from the cement ground soaking your his jacket. Dabi felt as though time stopped. He didn't pay no mind to the burglar as he booked it out of the alleyway. Your name tumbled out of Dabis's lips as he took a step forward.

"Sweetheart?" His voice was weak, muffled by the ringing in his ears. Your name, again, exited his mouth as he dropped to his knees next to your body. He desperately wiped the blood away from your face as he cradled your head in his hands. The look on your face was soft as you blankly stared up at the stars.

..and you thought that I would let it go and let you walk?

Dabis own tears dripped on your pale face as he shook your head, gently at first, only to harshly grab your shoulders and shake you again. "No..not you, anyone but you. You're not allowed to leave me, you're not allowed to fucking leave me like this!" He shouted at you. Anger lacing each word. His nails dug into your shoulders as he lifted you up and pressed you into his chest. "Wake up already, you pacifist little shit!" No response, but he wouldn't accept it. How could he?

"Just fucking say something! Tell me I'm being mean, tell me to calm down, call me your Touya and say it's alright, goddammit!" His voice echoed throughout the alleyway, lights cutting on behind the curtains in the apartments above. He paid no mind. His gaze stared at the bullet wound in your forhead.

Broken hearts break bones, so break up fast..

He wheezed and coughed for air as he choked on his own sobs. It felt as though his heart physically hurt. His stomach churned. Was he going to puke? His warm skin contrasted greatly to your cold self. He could warm you up. You always loved to cuddle into him. Despite his complaints, you would lay yourself in his lap and take up all of his personal space. "I won't complain.. I won't shove you off anymore. If you just..wake up." How could he have ever even mustered an argument with you about these habits? He craved every bit of you.

He attempted to ignore the sirens quickly approaching his location. Fuck these nosy citizens and their stupid fucking morals. He didn't want to leave you. He felt as though he would pass out. "I shouldn't have listened to you, you idiot." He mumbled into your hair, drawing in a sharp breath as even more tears escaped his eyes.

He slightly pulled away and brushed the hair away from your bloody forhead. His lip trembled as he broke even more at the sight of you. He leaned down and placed his trembling lips against your own, remaining their until his own sobs broke the desperate act of affection. "I love you.. I love you damnit. Come back to me sweetheart, love me again. Please.."

And I don't wanna let it go, so in the grave, I rot.

Police quickly entered the alleyway, their guns raised and ready to fire. All they found was a young girl, maybe 25, lying in a puddle left from the rain earlier in the day. Blood pooled under her head as a bullet wound painted her forehead red. Her eyes were closed, and her jacket was zipped shut around her.

It was reported on the news the next day that the infamous medic for the league of villain was shot and left to die all by herself.

I've dug two graves for us, my dear..

Dabis scowl was reflected off the street lamp, and his blue eyes reflected his anger. His arm raised, palm extended towards the man he had cornered in the alleyway. In these certain situations, Dabi was used to your voice in the back of his head. You were the pacifist type, after all. But you were his angel.

He didn't care about the heroes yelling at him to surrender, his focus was set on this motherfucker before him. The one who took you away from him.

..can't pretend that I was perfect, leaving you in fear.

Dabi didn't allow himself to cry, not after the weeks of tears he's already shed. No one bothered to comfort him in this time, not even Shigaraki. Toga attempted.. but she was only met with silence as she stood outside yalls his bedroom door. He wouldn't eat, he wouldn't sleep, hell he had to force himself to use the bathroom.. but he never even tried to wash himself. What was the point anymore? Who would he shower with? Who would apply the ointment to his burns before bed? Who would cradle him against their chest as he listened to them talk about their day?

There was no point in anything, not anymore. Dabi made sure to find the asshole responsible for your death. That's all that mattered to him now.

Even if it did put him in a position like this, cops and heroes waiting for him to exit the alleyway. He was cornered, but he didn't give a shit. The man's trembling did little to satiate Dabis' thirst for blood.

Oh man, what world, the things I hear.. if I could act on my revenge, no, would I?

Neither did the man's screams as his skin melted off of his bones. Dabi let his footsteps echo off walls as he lazily walked out of the alleyway. Despite the yells around him, the drop of the man's body to the floor, sirens wailing and firetrucks blaring, Dabi was still stuck in that day. The way your cold body felt in his arms, the sound of the gunshot, or the way it sounded when the bullet pierced your skin.

Dabi stepped out of the alleyway, and his bloodshot eyes dragged over the walls of men and women, ready to take him down. Heroes that he recognized and cops he's seen sometimes. Some citizens stand nearby as well, looking on in fear and horror as Dabi extended his arms out to his sides. Arms raised to present himself to all.

Some kill, some steal, some break your heart, and you thought that I would let it go and let you walk?

Dabi smiled at the crowds of people, stepping in a slow 360° before facing them again. "Put your arms down and surrender calmly!" Do these people know how idiotic they sounded? Dabi chuckled as a memory flooded his mind. The first person you ever killed was a cop. You were protecting Dabi, but it broke you.

"What would you say if you saw me now?" He mumbled under his breath. "We will shoot!" Dabi only lowered his head and took a slow step forward, cocking of guns filled his ears and he smirked.

Broken hearts break bones, so break up fast..

Headlines on newspapers and whispers around the city spread like wild fire. Hundreds of people, cops and heroes alike, burned alive before they could let their bullets rain on Dabi. Buildings and wildlife nearby turned to ruin as blue flames engulfed them. It took firefighters all night to relinquish the flames and clear the debris. They still haven't collected all the remains from the scene.

A week later, and one thing was for sure, Dabis body wasn't amongst the hundreds. Only ashes remain.

The League sat around as they silently mourned the loss of their companion. In the past two months, they've lost two of their most loved members. Shigaraki didn't join them all in this time. He sat in his office, staring down at the picture on his desk. He ignored the tears in his eyes as he picked up his stamp and pressed it against the photo. The red letters "deceased" partially marked through your forhead and Dabis face.

..and I don't want to let it go, so in the grave, I rot.

[kimetsu-no-yaiba-writings]

Lol headcanons for Douma and Akaza pregnant demon wives being besties? Like Akaza hated Douma but the wives are like best friends and often go get tea? Like headcanons

The idea of Akaza sat (absolutely fuming) watching his wife having fun with Doma's - both of you laughing and drinking tea like no ones business - all the while, Doma's sat next to him yapping away, genuinely makes me giggle.

Akaza sat there with a face of thunder while Doma's all smiles (≧▽≦) and the wives sat enjoying themselves

Also for those who haven't read the headcanons about the pregnant S/O's both can be found on my masterlist but for ease I've linked them HERE (akaza) and HERE (doma) and while you don't have to technically read them to read this set of headcanons, please give them a read if you want!

I'll be starting with Akaza's reaction first and end on Doma's (^ω^.)

P.S I will be adding more stuff to this later but where i am is currently going through a heat wave and its causing me to melt (T^T) so i'm not running at full capacity

Doma and Akaza's pregnant S/O's being friends - Headcanons:

While Akaza's happy for you (his wife) to have a friend - especially someone who understands on a physical and mental level what its' like being pregnant and is going through the same experiences you are (even if they do differ slightly) - he's just not happy that it's doma he has to hang around with on occasion...

Now, Doma's wife is lovely so Akaza has no problem with her - always respectable towards her (as usually) and she's always a delight to talk too

Plus she's your best friend so it's safe to say that Akaza's always welcoming with her

It's just Doma he has a problem with....

More so than usual..

Always having to tag along when his wife comes over for one of your daily catch-ups especially the further along the both of you are with the pregnancy...

And while akaza understands the need and want to be near his spouse, it had to be fucking doma that was your friends spouse

Your best friend (absolutely lovely) and Doma (her husband) is a combo he hates

Genuinely when its one of your tea "party" meet-ups, Akaza wants to pull his hair out and break Doma's face because he just doesn't shut up - like, at all - once he starts talking

You'd have thought he'd have built up a tolerance for Doma earlier - especially with upper moon meetings and all - but surprisingly he hadn't until now

75/100 Akaza's in protective husband mode

Greatly amused and very happy!

Happy that you - his pregnant wife - have a friend who's going through the same labor of growing a life form inside of you AND it being Akaza's kind wife

Honestly Doma didn't really care who your friends (and their spouses) were until hearing its your bestie and her husband Akaza

The it became a whole other ball game

A game which he absolutely makes the most out of it

Did try to butter-up your bestie to get info on Akaza (for blackmail) but all that happened was they became friends too - Now those two are the one's with all the gossip.... A scarily large amount of gossip...

You see his eyes light up with glee whenever a friend date's been organised cause he knows that Akaza's gonna be there with your friend - at least he's out of your hair for an hour or two even if poor Akaza's the one he's now annoying

God forbid you start making plans in front of him with your bestie

Much like an excited puppy he sits there patiently, listening, waiting for the time to strike to slip in a simple, "Oh why don't you just stay for dinner? Possibly even the night?" - you'd be surprised how many times he's suggested this

There's a 50/50 that he goes off to bother Akaza, ends up in a fight and gets being brought home by your bestie (and akaza) just because you haven't seen her in awhile (and he wanted to bother akaza..)

[anonymous-dentist]

A snippet from the Star Wars AU:

-

Cellbit, first off, doesn't even know what the Force is. It's an abstract concept, like childhood. Or peace. Or the moons.

Cellbit's home planet of Favela had five moons. By the time he was launched across the galaxy into the war, Favela was down to three.

Now, as Cellbit slits yet another throat under the too-warm Favela sun, there is only one moon left, and it's set to be demolished by the Empire in a week's time.

Grimacing at the smell, Cellbit powers off his knife and tucks it away. He drops the corpse unceremoniously, wrinkling his nose at the way its fingers limply cling to the front of his jacket. He brushes them off; gross.

The job was supposed to be a simple one: meet up with Forever and drop off a ROM for him to deliver to the Resistance he definitely isn't part of. From there, Cellbit would pick up Richarlyson and get him off-planet just in case the Empire's laser causes more destruction than anticipated.

But, well, news travels fast, especially when it comes to Cellbit. Because everybody on Favela's heard all about the young Jedi apprentice who went to war a child and came home a Sith Lord, and Cellbit really doesn't know how to tell them that he's never even held a lightsaber. Honestly, he doesn't know how the rumor started, but it's fucking annoying because he can't so much as breathe in his home planet's direction without getting a laser rifle pointed at his face.

Cellbit picks up the dead man's rifle off the ground and slings it over his shoulder. It's empty, but Forever's a bit of a collector; if he doesn't want it, his "friend" The Demon will.

There's a rustle from behind a nearby building. At the same time, Cellbit's comm rings.

A simple man, Cellbit opens the call in his earpiece.

"Gatinho!" he hears, and he smiles despite the gun starting to peek its way into the street aimed towards him.

Cellbit pulls his knife back out and powers it back on. It hums in his hand. His fingers start to tingle; he needs to get Mike to reseal the handle again, the laser's starting to leak through.

"Guapito," he cheerfully responds, "how are you?"

"Fine, fine, I just had a question about the flowers."

The flowers, right. For the wedding.

In two months, Cellbit is going to get married to the love of his life. He and Roier already have the venue booked, and now they're working on the rest of it. Cellbit has a suit fitting booked for a week from now, and Roier supposedly already has his picked out.

The color scheme is red and white. That being said...

Click!

"What about amaranths?" Cellbit suggests.

He ducks just as the rifle fires. Its bullet singes his hair, fucking asshole.

Scowling, Cellbit charges the bastard and swings at them with his knife. They just barely dodge out of the way. The knife cuts through their pristine white helmet, revealing a scarred smile and blank, empty eyes.

"I mean, yeah, obviously," Roier scoffs. "But what else? Roses, maybe?"

The soldier butts the end of their rifle into Cellbit's stomach and pushes him away, and then they pull their rifle back and level it at his face and they pull the trigger and-

"I don't know, aren't those kind of cliche?" Cellbit asks, tumbling to the side and just narrowly avoiding a laser to the face. He falls into a roll and ducks behind a wall. "Like, they're fine, but I think your dad would kill me if we went with something cheap."

"Roses aren't fucking cheap, man. In this economy?"

Cellbit lets out a labored breath, and it's just a bit too loud because Roier goes deathly quiet on his end of the line.

"Fine," Cellbit pants. "Roses are fine. I said they were fine."

Another volley of bullets pepper the wall behind him. A few go right through the wall and mark the building opposite with smoking black dots.

A beep from the comm marks the end of the call. Fuck.

Cellbit adjusts his grip on his knife.

"You know," he calls, hoping the Empire soldier can hear him, "you're going to want me to kill you now."

No response. Figures. It's kind of hard to speak when you were born without a mouth.

One more round of gunfire, and now they need to reload their gun and-

Cellbit leaps out from behind the wall with an animalistic snarl, pouncing upon the soldier and knocking them to the ground. They twist in his grasp, kicking and punching with the hand not holding their rifle.

He presses his knife to their throat, and they freeze.

"You know who I am," he says. "Nod for 'yes'."

The soldier nods. Good. So they can hear.

"You're one of Cucurucho's," Cellbit says. It isn't a question; he could recognize one of Cucurucho's personalized clones from a light-year away.

Another nod, this one more frantic.

"Is Cucurucho on-planet?"

A shake of the head.

"Did Cucurucho send you?"

Nothing.

Cellbit presses the knife in enough for it to start cutting through the soldier's armor, melting it. No response. Seems they've accepted their fate, then.

There's no higher honor for a soldier than to die in the heat of battle. Cellbit may not respect the Empire worth a damn, but he respects the art of war enough to let a soldier die the way the universe intended.

Cellbit drags his knife across the soldier's throat and watches the little life left behind drain out of their eyes. Once they're dead, he stands, and he pulls out his comm to call his fiancé back, his back turned to the dead soldier.

Roier doesn't pick up, but-

PEW!!

Cellbit gasps a scream as a laser shoots through his shoulder. Instinctively, he drops his knife to clutch at his arm, spinning around to face the soldier he had just killed with wide confused eyes, what the fuck?

"You're dead," he tells them. This is new. "You're- hold on."

Entirely disregarding the rifle pointed at his chest, Cellbit struggles to pull out his camera from off of his belt. He could use this! Maybe it's just a fluke, but maybe Cucurucho finally-

"Get away from my husband, you piece of shit!"

Cellbit looks up just in time to watch a red beam of light stab right through the soldier's chest. Over their shoulder, he can see the messy, annoyed face of his very handsome fiancé, who was supposed to stay on the ship to finish getting it ready for Richarlyson.

Roier pulls his lightsaber out and spins it once in his hand before powering it off and tucking it away. He spits on the soldier's corpse as it falls, and then he kicks it for good measure. His eyes almost seem to glow gold for a moment, for just a second, but then he looks up at Cellbit and his face melts into a smile.

"Gatinho!" he cheers.

He jumps over the body and tackles Cellbit in a hug, picking him up and spinning him in a circle before setting him back down and proceeding to lightly smack the back Cellbit's head with a frown.

"You said you would be fine on your own," he pouts.

"I was fine!" Cellbit protests. But he can't hide the wince as Roier's hand brushes against his shoulder, and he can't hide the scent of burning flesh.

"Uh-huh," Roier flatly says.

Cellbit rolls his eyes and shrugs his way out of his fiancé's hold. He bends down to pick his knife up and frowns at the new dent in its handle. Mike's gonna kill him...

"I guess you'll just need me to protect you from now on," Roier sighs.

"My knife..." Cellbit whines. He looks down at it sadly.

"Fuck your knife, it couldn't even kill that guy!"

"It tried its best!"

"Just get a new knife. That way you won't get shot like an idiot the next time you go out on a job by yourself."

Roier grumbles and swoops Cellbit into another hug, this time not letting go as Cellbit squirms in his arms. He mutters loving insults into Cellbit's hair and pinches his ear once before letting go and taking his hand, allowing Cellbit to put his poor dented knife away.

It's only then in that moment of quiet that Cellbit realizes something.

He looks down at Roier with a wide grin. "You called me your husband."

Roier's cheeks redden just slightly. Just slightly, barely noticeable under the red Favela sun.

"I was just practicing, you know?" he says. "For later."

Cellbit's heart skips a beat. He can't help it. He kisses Roier, and he laughs into Roier's mouth as Roier starts swearing at him about PDA and not kissing in front of dead bodies.

"I love you," Cellbit whispers.

Roier pulls his face free from Cellbit's and puts his lips next to Cellbit's ear: "I know."

And that's all Cellbit needs to know.

[selfindulgentpixies]

The hands that hold you

Part 7 of my SatoSugu x Gn!reader series is here! And yes it finally has an official name!

I'll put together a masterpost with links to all the parts and the title soon and have it linked in my pinned post. This is another soft chapter. There was more I was considering including but I really wanted to get this update out here. There's also art to go with it that will be at the end that you'll also be able to find on my art blog when I post it. For now enjoy a really fluffy chapter before things get rough again. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

CW: Reader is referred to with they/them pronouns, chan is sometimes attached to reader's name. Polyamory though that's part of why you're here i'm sure

------

It’s been roughly two weeks since the failed mission when you find yourself called into Yaga’s office. When you make your way in and sit in front of him he places a new ID in the middle of the desk and pushes it toward you. You blink at him in confusion before taking it. It’s just like your curren’t ID until you notice a key change. “Wait… I’m being promoted to second grade sorcerer?” You look at him, surprise pushing your eyebrows toward your hairline. 

Yaga sighs but then smiles. “After that last mission, despite it ending how it did, Suguru and Satoru recommended you for promotion. Apparently you managed to impress them which is uncommon for the two of them” 

You turn the ID in your hand before slipping into your pocket. “I suppose it is.” 

Your hand is in your pocket thumbing over your new ID as you walk. In theory you should be happy about the promotion but you wanted to be sure you actually deserved it. You weren't sure you did honestly. You wonder if you should text either of your boyfriends about it. Your boyfriends… you feel your face heat up and you stop walking and lean against the hallway wall. You were not used to being able to think of them that way yet. It was so new. It was also the source of your current worry of whether or not you actually deserve the promotion. It felt a little too much like nepotism that the two of them endorsed your rise in grade.

Suddenly someone’s arm is resting on your shoulder and you and you don’t even need to look to see who it is. “Goodmorning, Haibara-kun.” You smile. 

He leans forward with a grin. “Good morning! It’s good to finally see you up and out of bed.”Nanami and I were starting to wonder when you’d be joining us again. “

“You know how Yaga is about me. He honestly made me stay on bed rest longer than I needed to be. At least I think so.” You push off from the wall and from under Haibara’s arm. 

“It’s good he cares so much though. It’s better to be safe than sorry by going out into the field before you’re ready,” He reasons. 

“I suppose… but it was painfully boring. Especially when everyone else was busy. I hate staying still for so long. Even if it was kinda nice to catch up on playing games…” 

“You were playing harvest moon or drawing most of the time when Nanami and I would come in and visit.” 

“Speaking of.. Where is Nanami? Normally the two of you are like a set,” you prod despite knowing its potential to backfire. 

Hairbara hums. “I’m actually about to go meet him. There’s a new bakery opening up he wants to go to. Wait, I know! How about you go with me. He’ll want to see that you’re up and moving around too.” And oh no he’s looking at you with those excited puppy dog eyes and you can’t find it in you to say no. Besides, you'd missed hanging out with your friends. 

“Yeah okay, I’ll go with. As long as you don’t think Nanami will mind.” 

Haibara gives a lil cheer and gives you a thumbs up. “Like I said, he’ll be glad to see you up and on your feet again.” 

Which is how you found yourself in a cozy little bakery, decorated in warm and earthy tones. The smell of all sorts of baked goods floating through the air. “You know you didn’t have to pay for me, Nanami.” 

He gives a small huff, his bangs coming loose and falling in his face so he has to push them back. “It’s fine. Think of it as a ‘glad you’re doing better’ gift.. Or something.” 

Haibara pipes in. “See I told you he would be glad to see you.” 

“That you did,” you say with a small laugh.  

“Annnd now that you’re fully recovered, on the note of I told you so’s…” Haibara’s grin threatened to split his face.

“Oh no..” You feel your face heating already knowing what he’s going to say. 

“So you’re really dating both Geto-senpai and Gojo-senpai now? I knew they liked you!” 

You groan. “Yeah yeah, you were right and I was oblivious.” You pointedly take a bite of your sandwich to try and spare yourself from saying more on the topic. 

Nanami makes a small sound before speaking up. “I mean I get Geto-senpai but I’m surprised you like Gojo-senpai too. Is it just because they’re a package deal or-” You cut him off, a small flare of irritation sparking in your chest as well as another emotion you can’t quite place in the moment. 

You swallow your bite a lil too soon so you can interject. “I like them both.” 

It must be something in your tone or the look on your face, you’re not entirely sure, but Nanami rubs the back of his neck glancing away, suddenly looking abashed. “Sorry.” 

“It’s-” you sigh “It’s fine. Just.. Don’t insinuate that I shouldn’t like Satoru just as much as I like Suguru okay?” Your shoulders sag slightly.

Nanami nods and Haibara looks between the two of you with a bit of confusion.”Am I missing something?” 

You shake your head. “No everything is fine.” You pause. “Actually can I get your guy’s opinion on something?” 

Both of them look at you. “Of course!” “Sure…” 

You take your new ID out of your pocket and place it in the middle of the table. “I uh.. Got promoted. Apparently Suguru and Satoru made the recommendation. But it just feels kinda off since I’m dating them now. I’m not sure I actually deserve it-”

Nanami shakes his head. “I doubt that. Why would they recommend you for something that would put you in more danger if they didn’t think you could handle it?” 

You blink. You hadn’t thought of it that way. “I suppose that makes sense...” 

Nanami folds his hands on the table next to his half eaten lunch. “Think about it. Being a second grade means that you’ll not only take on harder missions but will also be sent on some solo. If I cared about someone I wouldn’t recommend them to do dangerous things they couldn't handle for what.. A pay raise? Clout? If they recommended you be promoted that means they think you deserve it and more importantly can handle it.” Haibara is nodding along enthusiastically as Nanami talks. 

You nod, your doubts about the situation lifting. “Yeah that.. Thanks, Nanami.” 

He shrugs. “Just telling you what makes the most sense.” 

“We should go do something to celebrate your promotion!”

“I mean we’re already out to eat…” You feel a bit bashful at the idea. “And Nanami-kun already paid for lunch for me because of my recovery.” 

“Well then I can like.. Pay for ice cream ooor… we could go to an arcade! We should do something before you start getting sent out more.”  Haibara suggests while giving you his best puppy dog eyes. 

You sigh and smile. Really how can you say no to those big brown eyes and that pout. Nobody had bigger golden retriever energy than your friend. “Yeah okay, we can go to an arcade and maybe get a treat after.” 

Haibara cheers and pumps a fist into the air. It draws the attention of other patrons and Nanami lowers his head looking a bit embarrassed but still has the slightest smile curling his lips. 

The arcade is all lights and chimes of game music, the chatter of teenagers filling the space. The three of you lose several hours there with even Nanami being full of his share of smiles and laughter. How often do the three of you get to just be young like this? Not often enough surely. Never enough.  The three of you are contemplating where to go for icecream when you spot the claw machine. It was a nicer one, charged a bit more than the others. That’s not what caught your attention about it though. 

You wander over to the machine and almost like they were meant for you to see there’s a white cat plush with a blue ribbon and a bunny that’s such a dark shade of purple it’s nearly black with a gold ribbon opposite it across the machine. You’re taking out your money without even thinking about it. 

Nanami cuts into your thoughts. “You know it’s probably rigged right? In some of these machines the claw only properly grips things after so many attempts before it resets.” 

You turn toward him with a pout. “I wanna try anyway.” 

The blonde boy lets out a sigh. He knows that look on your face. You’ve already decided to throw your money away at this machine to get whatever it was you were fixated on. “What are you gonna try to win anyway?” He raises a brow when you suddenly look away from him bashfully and focus on putting in your money. “Well?”

“It’s two things actually” Oh so they were probably gonna be here for it a bit. And then you point at the white cat with blue eyes and bow then towards a similar dark purple rabbit with a gold bow. 

He blinks slowly, gears turning in his brain leading him to a conclusion that Haibara voices. “They kinda remind me of Gojo and Geto-senpai!” 

The silence is deafening between the three of you as you duck your head and send the claw toward the cat, the machine making a low buzz with the movement. The claw lowers and grips the cat by the bow, it raises, the machine buzzes lowly as it’s brought toward the chute and dropped in. You quietly lean down and take it out, and you hide your face in it. 

“That’s exactly why you want them, isn’t it?” Haibara nudges your shoulder with a smile. At your slight nod he speaks again. “Well I think that’s super sweet of you.” 

You glance at him for a moment, he doesn’t seem like he’s making fun of you, though being Haibara he’s never made fun of you in a way that would actually hurt. Just light teasing. His smile is earnest and you decide he means it. You hold the cat plush out to him. “Can you hold this while I win the other one?” 

“Of course!” He takes the plush. He can understand why you wouldn’t want to set it down anywhere in here. It’s a pristine white. 

The rabbit is harder to get unfortunately. You manage to pick it up several times but the claw always loses its grip or your aim is just slightly off. It’s been a half hour of attempts and you’re low on change and the energy around you is getting increasingly gloomy. Nanami hates being right sometimes. Which is why he gently nudges you aside. 

“Here let me try for it.” He doesn’t look at you as he says this but he still catches how your face lights up out of the corner of his eye and can’t help but smile a little. 

When he gets the plush on the first try and successfully drops it down the chute he is not expecting you to jump up and hug him. His cheeks go pink and he stands rigid. “H-hey-” 

“Thank you thank thank you!” You chant as you hug him tight before letting go and dropping back down to retrieve the rabbit. Haibara is laughing at your antics and Nanami gives him a half hearted glare. Truly it was nice for them both to see you so excited after everything that had happened recently. You bounce on the balls of your feet and retrieve the cat plush from Haibara. “Sooo icecream?” 

The sky is painted in brilliant hues of oranges and pinks as you and the other two first years finish ascending the steps to jujutsu tech, the summer heat having only broken somewhat by the time the three of you had to make the climb. You and Haibara collapse shoulder to shoulder on the ground. Nanami looks at the two of you as if to say ‘really?’ even though his bangs are clinging to his face with sweat and his face is flushed. “I really hate these stupid stairs.” You say this and there’s multiple reasons why that’s the case but at the moment it’s because of how much worse they make the heat seem.

The three of you rest in silence for several minutes before you speak up. “Thanks a lot for today you guys.. I had a lot of fun.” You stand and brush yourself off. 

“Of course! We’ve all been so busy lately and you were stuck in bed so long we needed to get out and do something fun.” Haibara says as he hops to his feet. “Hopefully we’ll get a chance to do it again soon.” 

“Preferably without you throwing your money at a rigged machine next time.” Nanami prods but you can tell from his voice he’s only teasing you. You stick your tongue out at him and shortly after you part ways from them.

It’s only after you’ve showered and placed a gift each in Satoru’s and Suguru’s rooms that you finally flop into your bed dramatically. You were exhausted. Today was the most active you’d been able to be in two weeks. You wished that even one of your boyfriend’s were on campus so you could curl up with one of them but they’d both been being sent on back to back missions after those first couple days of your recovery. Summer really was a terrible time for sorcerers. It didn’t seem fair that the two of them were tossed right back into the field. 

You pout and roll onto your stomach. You only got to see either of them in passing when they’d stop in to check with you between missions so you could physically see they were both alright. Otherwise you’d just been texting or calling when they had the chance. 

You perk up slightly when you hear a knock at the door, and now that you’re looking for it you feel Satoru’s energy. “You can come in ‘toru.” you’ve hardly finished speaking before your door slides open and Satoru enters your mostly dark room. He closes your door as an afterthought before making his way to you. Before you say anything else he’s flopping all of his lanky weight on top of you. “Satoru, you're too big for this! Ahh! Did you just get out of the shower?!” You try very hard to squirm away from him.

He ignores your protests and squishes you against the bed, his hair dripping water onto your face and pillow as he kisses your cheek obnoxiously and laughs when you try to shove his face away. “Stooop at least go dry your hair off first!” 

“I don’t think I will~” he sing songs though there’s a slight tiredness to it. He squishes his cheek against yours, his wet hair rests against your face and pillow. 

“Satoruuuuuu” You draw out his name in a whine. 

He hums and props himself up on an elbow, just looking down at you with bright eyes. Even in the moonlight you can see he’s tired though. He sets something on your chest you hadn’t noticed him bring in before given how he’d immediately smothered you in his affection. “Found the gift you left for me.” 

You feel your cheeks heat slightly as you scoot to sit up, catching the plush cat before it can tumble off your chest. “Do you like it?” You worry that the gifts you got for Satoru and Suguru would be seen as too childish despite your earlier determination and enthusiasm to get the plush toys. 

Satoru begins to tangle his legs with yours and curl around you. “Of course. It means my sweet ___-chan is thinking of me while I’m gone.” He takes the plush cat and places it on the bed next to you as he drags you down. “It’s cute. Also liked the box of sweets you left with it.” 

“..Did you eat the sweets already, Satoru?’ 

“I was hungry when I got back…” 

You sigh heavily but smile a little. “Well, I’m glad you liked what I got for you.” you bask in his presence before you speak again. “Two things though, you’re going to make us both sick by laying in my bed with soaking wet hair, and two my bed really isn’t big enough for both of us. You’re going to fall over the edge and drag me with you.” 

“What a romantic way to go then. Falling to our doom tangled together,” His tone is dramatic but there’s a boyish grin splitting his features, teeth bright in the moonlight.  You swat him on the chest drawing an “Oof!” from him as well as a laugh. It makes warmth bloom in your chest. 

“I mean it. We should either go to your room or to Suguru’s room so we’re there when he gets back. Also let me dry your hair if you’re too tired to do it.” Because honestly you’re pretty sure that's why he hasn’t done it yet.

He hums, seemingly considering your suggestions. “I suppose.. “ He pecks your lips before disentangling himself from you. Really he’d never turn down a chance to have you take care of him, and you do take care of him. You direct him to your blow dryer and you spend the next stretch of time drying his hair into a cloud of fluff, gently running your fingers through the strands and massaging his scalp. When his weight settles heavy against your legs from his place sitting with crossed legs on the floor you wonder if he managed to doze off. You click off the dryer and set it aside, continuing to card your fingers through his hair. 

“You still with me?” Your voice is soft and filled with affection. 

He nods and then yawns. “Yeah I’m awake.” He tips his head back to smile at you tiredly. “You sure we can’t just sleep in here?” 

“My bed is way too small for you even if you were alone let alone with us both on it. So pick, your room or Suguru’s? I’m sure he’ll be glad to see us waiting for him even if he shoves us over to get in bed.”

Satoru huffs. “You mean shoves me. He’d never push you out of the way and you know it.” 

You smile. “I know.” You lean down and rest your chin on top of Satoru’s head. “So what’s the verdict?” 

“Suguru’s room is closer than mine,” he states sleepiness lacing his words. 

You nod before sitting up straight and giving him a nudge to get up. You don’t point out how the difference in distance isn’t that much. Satoru stands and turns toward you with a long and languid stretch, his t-shirt riding up to expose his stomach. You poke his stomach making his muscles jump. When he glances down at you with narrowed eyes you blink up at him innocently.

You know what he’s about to do so you quickly swipe the cat plush before darting around him to the door. Unfortunately for you in the time it takes you to open the door he’s got you and the two of you tumble into the hall with him viciously attacking your sides with tickles. You squeal and kick trying to escape. 

“And what are the two of you doing?” A tired voice yet still amused voice drifts over the two of you. 

You’re still wheezing with giggles when both you and Satoru look up to see Suguru standing in the hall with a towel and a set of clean clothes over his arm. One can only assume he was on his way to the showers. His hair is half free of its bun and on the side where his hair is falling loose his face is smeared with grime. 

“Suguru!” You cheer, or are you pleading for assistance? 

“They’re being punished for the most grievous of crimes.” Satoru says all too seriously as he lets his face fall to your soft stomach drawing a grunt out of you. 

“I poked his stomach while he was stretching.”

This makes the dark haired boy snort. “Guess you get to deal with the consequences then.” He says with a smile as he steps around the two of you. 

“Noooo Suguru! Save me-” You’re cut off by another fit of laughter as Satoru resumes his assault. 

Suguru throws you a wave over his shoulder, leaving you at Satoru’s mercy. Chuckling when after he turns a corner he hears Satoru yelp indignantly. “You bit me!” 

“I-I” you gasp and giggle. “-I couldn’t breathe!” is the last thing he hears before he’s out of earshot. 

—

When Suguru returns from his shower it’s to Satoru sprawled half on top of you across his bed while you sit up playing on your phone while propped up against his head board. Apparently Satoru had forgiven you for biting him if the way his face was pressed into your stomach was any indication. 

You stop what you’re doing to greet him. “Feeling any better after your shower?” You were glad to see there was only minimal irritation on his face where the grime had been.

Suguru makes a noise that you interpret as confirmation. His hair is half wrapped in a towel as he makes his way into the room. He’s going for his blow dryer. At least he intended to dry his hair before bed unlike someone. 

“Do you want me to do it?” You ask, you’re tired yourself but for fun reasons unlike either of your boyfriends. 

Satoru whines, surprisingly awake. “Nooo then you have to move if you do that.” 

“Or I can just sit on you,” Suguru says dryly. 

“You wouldn't.” 

“Oh I wouldn’t just like __-chan wouldn’t bite you.” 

Satoru turns his head and narrows his gaze at Suguru for a moment before making a grumpy sound and rolling off you so he’s no longer sprawled across you and the bed, allowing you to shuffle to the edge. You repeat a similar process to what you had with Satoru, though Suguru’s hair takes more time since it’s longer and because you work some product into his hair. You lean down and kiss the top of his head once you’re done. “All set.” 

Suguru turns on the floor and wraps his arms around your middle before pressing a kiss to your sternum. “Thank you,” the words are murmured gently against your sleep shirt and you card your finger through his hair. The soft moment is only somewhat broken by Satoru snoringloudly on the other side of the bed. Suguru rolls his eyes and then stands. He urges you toward the middle of the bed so he can flop in, slinging an arm across your middle. “You didn’t have to wait up for me, you know?”

“But I wanted to,” you half cut off at the end in a yawn. 

You think Suguru sighs before he presses a kiss to your hair. “You’re too sweet, you know that?” 

You hum sleepily, not confirming nor denying. “Did you see your gift when you got back?” 

“I did, it’s cute.” He smiles against your hair. 

“Not too kiddish of a gift?” you ask shyly. 

Suguru squeezes you with the arm he slung across you earlier. “Not at all. Definitely helps prove my point that you’re too sweet. Saw the stuffed cat too when you and Satoru were flailing around in the hall. So you got us matching gifts. Did you get yourself one?” 

You shake your head. “No, just for the two of you. I gave the machine enough money as it was.” 

“Hmm?”

“Ah, I uh won them from a claw machine game today while I was out with Nanami and Haibara. I got the cat pretty easy but you can ask Haibara and Nanami how well getting the rabbit went. Nanami felt so bad for me after a half hour of failed attempts that he actually won it…” you trail of embarrassed. You’re not sure why you admitted that. 

“Went to all that trouble to make sure I got a gift too.” He kisses your forehead and gives you a moment to react and close your eyes before kissing your eyelids, then gently kissing your lips which you reciprocate, smiling into the kiss.

“Of course, you deserve it.” You glance away from him and he feels warmth swell in his chest. He gives you another gentle kiss before shuffling down the bed slightly so he can lay his head on your chest above your heart, listening to how it beats rabbit quick at his actions. He falls asleep like that, not even caring that it leaves his feet partially hanging off the bed. You absently card your fingers through his soft hair as you lay there, waiting for sleep to take you as well.

Art by me of the stuffed animals reader won. My art account is @rossithepixie

___

And here it is! I hope you guys enjoyed this one. It was getting pretty long and I really wanted to get out the next chapter since it's been a couple weeks because I got too sick to write very much. I've already started on chapter 8 so hopefully as long as my health holds there won't be as much of a delay.

Tag list: @strawberrystepmom @nanamikentoseyebags @gojoest @icy-spicy @sleezzsister @moonsua1 @yuuuumii @yokaimoon @chibiizzy @porridgesblog @suhmie @defacatestenderly

[cheerycherrycandy-resurrected]

Hunter's Moon (Medieval AU pt. 2)

Chapter 2

Mountain thinks back on his life before the pack and meeting Aether. He and Swiss make plans to clear the air between them.

I'm glad to see several of you were happy to see this back!! I plan to have this finished by the end of the year, then I should have more time to dedicate to writing my thesis Lee's fandom mini bang! That's not to say I won't post any more ficlets in this universe if I have ideas, more just to set your expectations for this not being another 100k monster!!!

Rating: T Content: past discussions of nasty familial expectations Words: 5031

@ashthewaterghoul @bloodfin @cosmicseafoam @everybodyshusband @jazz-bazz @karmicbias @kentuckyfriedsatan @midnight-moth @nefariousghoul @papaslittlesunshine @zombiequeen777 @0-miles-away please message me if anyone wants in/out of the tag list!! I won't be offended, I know notifs can be overwhelming, especially in stressful times <33

Links to full fic: Tumblr | AO3

Read below, or on AO3!

Swiss and the ghoulettes reached the Abbey a short while later, and were soon directed by an officious quintessence ghoul to start unfolding tables to lay food out on. Grumbling slightly at the boring task, they each hefted a piece of hinged furniture up from a pile and began dragging them outside. From Swiss’ position setting up, he had an almost direct line of sight to Mountain. The earth ghoul was sweating slightly, arm muscles flexing as he continued to drag the countless hay-bales around. Swiss desperately tried not to stare – he was supposed to be upset with the earth ghoul after all – but struggled to tear his eyes away.  

However, Sunny chose that moment to let the table she was setting up purposely fall to the ground with a tremendous clatter, making all the ghouls around turn to see where the noise was coming from. All except one. Mountain's eyes remained fixed on the bale in front of him. That confirmed it: he knew Swiss was there, but he was purposefully ignoring him. 

Swiss finally got the latch on his trestle table into place, and with that stomped back towards the Abbey, ignoring the calls from the quintessence ghoul in charge that he wasn't finished here yet. Sunshine gave chase, growling slightly at the ghoul as she passed. Swiss paced aimlessly along the hallways of the Abbey, heading nowhere in particular except for away. 

Mountain could see Swiss in his peripheral vision. He had appeared in the clearing not long ago, flanked by ghoulettes on all sides like a protection detail. The stony faces they wore only worried him further – what could Swiss have possibly said to them? He wished the festival was being held inside; it would be so much easier to continue avoiding Swiss in the maze of hallways and passages of the Abbey. Alas, Cirrus had predicted fine weather a long time ago, and so outside they were.  

Across the wide-open space, Mountain thought he could see Swiss watching him. He didn't dare look up, not even when a table near him collapsed with an almighty crash, but his skin still burned with the intensity of Swiss' gaze. Mountain didn't know if he wanted him to be watching him or not. 

He considered going over and speaking to Swiss – he wouldn't normally think twice about doing so, seeking the multi ghoul out at every opportunity – but his tongue suddenly felt too big for his mouth, like it would choke any words that attempted to pass it. The pack of ghoulettes surrounding him certainly didn't help; a pride of hungry lionesses he was sure would eat him alive if he said something wrong. 

Coward, he thought to himself. For being from a tribe that prided themselves on their bravery, he really wasn't acting like it today. Although he had long since left them, travelling far, far away with no intention of ever returning, the niggling feeling that he was disappointing his ancestors right now gnawed holes in the back of his mind. He couldn't find it in himself to resent them, even having left like he did, still holding a grudging respect for them and their chosen existence. 

Mountain had been travelling for most of his life. Prior to his own nomadic existence, he had grown up constantly on the move around the southern plains. His tribe were small by earth ghoul standards, but large enough that when they moved it was as though a small village were passing through. In addition to the constant movement of the pack, they had a tradition that, when they came of age, the male ghouls were to leave for a few years to hone their skills alone and prove themselves worthy of caring for a mate.  

Having grown up hearing tales from the older ghouls of giant bears fought in forests and big cats fended off in distant desert lands, Mountain had always wondered where he would choose to explore. He had always liked the thought of exploring his namesake; large, rocky mountains full of thick-furred beasts. Living in the southern plains however, where the land was flat for as far as the eye could see, mountains often felt as fictional as some of the beasts rumoured to inhabit them rather than real and tangible landforms. 

As he grew older and approached the age where he would be expected to leave, he began to have his doubts about going at all. Most the other ghouls around his age had already wooed a prospective mate, someone for whom the journey was less about exploration but about demonstrating their worthiness to. Mountain had no ghoulette to court, nor a ghoul for that matter. He had no real desire to either – he was content with his life as it was, with no desire for things to change.  

He held out for many seasons past when he had been expected to leave. Most of his closest packmates had long since left, returned, and settled into raising their kits amongst the clan. Before long, the tribe was beginning to talk: why hadn't he left yet? He may not have had a mate to court, but plenty of other ghouls who left for their trials in the wilderness did not. They encouraged him, spinning tales of the glory he would return to when he returned without a mate patiently waiting – he would have his pick of the tribe, surely. The gossip began to spread like a fire through a dry forest. Could it be that he wasn't leaving because he was afraid? Cowardice was not tolerated amongst the clan: they could not survive the way that they did if it was. 

Eventually, Mountain had left. There was not much else he could do, he reasoned. If he stayed, he would only bring dishonour to his closest family until the whole pack eventually ostracised and then exiled him. As he said a final farewell to his parents, them wishing him luck and promising to have found him the perfect match in a mate by the time he returned, he saw only one clear emotion in their eyes: relief. There was no sadness at his coming absence, or pride for what he would hopefully achieve, only thankfulness that their son would no longer be the black sheep within the tribe.  

He hadn't looked back as he left. Not for days. As he crossed the first hill, just knowing that he was out of view of the clan's camp was enough to quiet his restless mind some and allow him to truly appreciate the beauty of his surroundings. So trapped had he been within the prison of expectations, he hadn't stopped in years to truly recognise what a solo expedition could entail. There was no hum of chatter drowning out the birdsong, no rumble of a hundred footfalls to ward off the larger animals who took an interest in him. All felt calm. 

Despite the sour feeling he had left with, he had never felt closer to his ancestors from the pack. This was what being an earth ghoul meant; the deep connection with nature he could only feel by being truly reliant on his surroundings for survival. This was what his tribe's traditions were founded upon. His progress was slow, but not for any reason besides him lingering at every turn to investigate a new plant or follow an animal's tracks back to its den out of sheer curiosity.  

Slowly, over many months that slowly became years, he headed northeast. Away from the plains and through a densely forested area, he emerged into a lush wilderness of rolling hills. He had found a new purpose to life in travelling the forest and learning its secrets, and before he even realised he was thinking about it, his mind was made up: he was never going back to his clan. They had strayed so far from their roots, and Mountain wanted nothing more than to return to them. The hills and valleys were his home now, the tall trees of the forest were his family. 

That was, at least, until he had met another ghoul. It had been years since Mountain left his clan and many months since he had seen any signs of life outside of what lived and grew in the wilderness. Spotting a small plume of smoke curling upwards in the distance, he had found his feet heading towards it without any conscious effort. 

Beneath a rocky overhang he saw a small, makeshift camp. Just outside of it, likely guarding the camp from the hungry wolves that roamed at night, was the fire that had signalled him closer. A large figure sat hunched beside it, stoking the flames. As Mountain grew closer, he allowed his footsteps to becoming less stealthy, purposely stepping on and snapping a loose branch – he didn’t want to scare the camper, have them react defensively to a perceived attack. The crack of the twig reverberated around them and purple eyes snapped up to meet Mountain’s green. It was a ghoul. 

At the same time as Mountain realised this, he also realised what a foolish situation he had plunged himself into: he had encroached on another ghoul's territory, unannounced, while they were vulnerable and unprepared. This ghoul had every right to defend his patch with all the anger and hellish power he could summon, and Mountain would deserve everything that came his way.  

Panicked, he instantly began backing up. The ghoul by the fire made no move to get up from the floor however, tilting his head with curiosity as though he knew Mountain bore him no ill will. As Mountain continued to pivot between curiosity and the urge to flee, it finally dawned on him that the ghoul did not resemble any other earth ghoul he had seen before, from his clan or any other. The violet eyes were the biggest giveaway, and he realised that this was a quintessence ghoul – that would explain how he knew Mountain's intentions; he could sense them and had probably felt him approaching too.  

Wary that despite his apparent quintessence abilities, the ghoul may interpret too much eye contact as a challenge, Mountain flicked his eyes up from the ground only briefly to examine the expression on his face. To his surprise, he saw a curious, almost bemused, smile. The ghoul seemed to be waiting for him to approach, intrigued by why he was hovering; frozen like a deer poised in an archer's sight. 

“I don't bite,” he said lightly, still sat on the ground and clearly sensing Mountain's wariness of such an apparently fearless creature, “do you?” 

After what was probably too long of a pause, Mountain shook his head dumbly. 

“Good, good. Will you join me?” The quintessence ghoul gestured to the fire, where he appeared to have a large number of mushrooms, tubers and other plants grilling over the flames. A small pile sat next to him, waiting to be skewered and cooked. Mountain took a cautious seat across the fire, the smell of cooking filtering through the smoke. 

“I'm Aether,” the quintessence ghoul smiled as though this were a perfectly normal scenario to meet another ghoul in, rather than the ambush Mountain could have easily twisted it into, “it's been a long time since I met another ghoul, let alone one without a pack.” 

“Mountain.” The earth ghoul grunted back, forcing his tongue which felt alien with disuse to form words. 

“It's a pleasure to meet you Mountain. Mushroom?” Aether held out a stick. The smell made his mouth water. Mountain accepted cautiously, sniffing the mushrooms tentatively and eyeing it closely before biting into them. Even cooked, these were recognisable and safe. As he chewed, his eyes drifted to a second, smaller pile of mushrooms beside those Aether had returned to threading onto sticks. Those were very much not safe, he realised. Although similar in appearance to the others, the telltale shape of the stem and clour of the gills confirmed his first thought. Aether seemed to be avoiding them, yet was that because he knew, or was he simply working through his piles in a methodical order? Worse still, had the ones he fed Mountain been a trap? 

“Those will make you sick.” He croaked out, his mouthful turning to rubber on his tongue. 

“I know,” Aether replied, looking up with a serene smile, “they're not for eating though. I make a tincture out of them, to pull the evil out of wounds.” 

Mountain still looked sceptical. 

“They're bitter; you'd know if I gave you one.” He shrugged at Mountain's face, with his cheeks slowly puffing out as he considered the risks of swallowing. With a gulp, he did. Aether looked delighted, as though he had passed a test of trust neither was aware was transpiring until now. 

That trust had continued as the pair found themselves travelling together in a similarly spontaneous fashion, contrary to the usual routine and planning of both ghouls. Mountain remained wary for weeks to come, yet hadn’t found it in himself to leave. Aether’s campfire was warm, as was his company, and Mountain began to realise that the solitary life he had been living wasn’t as well-suited to him as he had thought.  

The quintessence ghoul was knowledgeable and more than happy to share such knowledge with Mountain. In return, Mountain shared his own experience with the wilderness and the pair had found themselves becoming a team. With one ghoul always available to keep a lookout, their lives became safer and easier, and Mountain found himself able to relax in a way he hadn’t for years. His knowledge of the wild meshed perfectly with Aether’s ability to tap into a deeper layer of nature. They had each other’s backs; a fact that became especially important as winter began to creep in and all the living beings within the forest became increasingly desperate for a meal. It was colder up here than Mountain remembered it being on the plains, and even after several winters he still wasn’t used to waking to find the dew in his hair frozen solid. 

While in these early weeks together Mountain had been outwardly reluctant to follow the quintessence ghoul, the company began to rejuvenate him. What had started as simply an alliance of convenience became a friendship before he realised what was happening. For a while, they would have called themselves companions; never too close, but with an understanding that they relied on each other and their mutual trust. Mountain realised well past the point of no return that they had become their own small pack.  

With that understanding, and the acknowledgement of how much more comfortable his life now was, when Aether had first suggested that they attempt to settle in a human village to prepare for the coming winter Mountain had been somewhat open to the idea. He still wasn’t keen: the thought of denying his nature and hiding behind the glamour that all ghouls had but few enjoyed using filled him with a mild revulsion, but the comfort of having four walls around them when the frost began to develop had won out in the end. With the pair’s talents being perfectly utilised by their new lifestyle, it was mid summer by the time Mountain realised they had long outstayed their proposed single season.  

As such, when they had discovered Dewdrop late into the autumn, their decision had been made: they would stay amongst the humans indefinitely, until such a time came that they all either needed or wanted to move on. They had stayed as they were for long enough that even Mountain had begun to relax his most wild ways, giving in to the creature comforts civilisation provided. 

By the time Swiss, and later Rain, had joined the pack, there was very little of the nomadic earth ghoul left within Mountain. At the time, he hadn’t even cared that he was becoming domesticated as Aether had once jokingly called it when he automatically kicked off his boots before entering the farmhouse. Only once they had been thrust back into the forest, dependent on their skills for survival once again, had he lashed out at the loss of his old skills. 

Thinking of the time between leaving his clan and meeting Aether, Mountain couldn’t help but laugh coldly at how much his life had changed. He had first felt freedom in the forest, unchained from any expectations of pack and utterly reliant on his own instincts. How different things were now. The call of civilisation, of a mate, was one he had shunned for so long that his desperation for it now blindsided him. A small voice in him, the stubborn one that caused him nothing but problems, wanted to resent Swiss for changing his priorities so completely. The rest of him was more rational, and knew that that was entirely out of the multi ghoul’s control. Hell, he hadn’t even known Mountain in his wilder days, only once he had long since fallen into the comfort of life at the farm with a small pack, so the idea that he had changed him in any way was laughable.  

With hindsight as clear as day, he realised that it was his own feelings of inadequacy at something which had once been his forte that had inspired such hostility towards Dew in their early days of travelling north. Recognising his flaws was the first part of addressing them, or so Cirrus had said when he confided in her. And he could clearly recognise that he was taking his anger at himself and his actions that morning out on Swiss – a mistake he was desperate to avoid making twice. He needed to clear the air, before it was too late. 

~~~~~~~ 

Back inside the Abbey, Sunny had followed Swiss until they ended up in a small inner courtyard, surrounded on all sides by tall ivy-clad walls. With a loud huff that was almost verging on being a shriek of frustration, Swiss threw himself onto a bench facing a tiny water feature.  

“How’s everything gone so wrong?” He lamented loudly, more to himself than Sunny. She hummed sympathetically nonetheless.  

“You know, I thought you’d been together a while already,” she mused, more thinking aloud than expecting a reply, “what happened? You looked so happy yesterday.” 

Swiss snorted, whether in derision or to hold back more tears it wasn’t clear. 

“I thought we were happy too. Mount clearly doesn’t want the same thing as me though!” 

He flopped onto his back, landing his head in Sunshine’s lap where she began lightly running deft fingers across his scalp in small, soothing patterns.  

“You don’t know that until you talk to him,” she pointed out, trying hard to inject as much kindness into her usually joking voice as possible, “why don’t you start from the beginning, then we can work out what to do?” 

Swiss did the best he could to explain; going back as far as him first joining the pack all those years ago. He described how Mountain had seemed distant compared to the rest of the pack at first, before Swiss came to realise that he was just naturally quieter than the others. He’d opened up eventually like a slow-blooming flower, the pair becoming friends. Their recent closeness had felt like a distinct development to Swiss though, a notable difference to their usual interactions. He knew how he felt, knew what the familiar tingling in his gut meant for him, but for Mountain? He had no idea what his recent behaviour meant. Was he feeling it too, or was this just a deeper kind of friendship to him, forged through the chaos of their trip north? 

“Oh you are in a pickle!” Sunshine tutted softly, continuing her small scratching motions to keep the ghoul in her lap from getting too worked up again. 

“How did you get Mist?” He asked, turning his head to look at Sunny instead of staring straight up. 

Sunshine giggled.  

“I just asked her, silly!” Her delicate peals of laughter made Swiss smile despite himself.  

“I practice what I preach, you know?” She continued with an exaggerated, sanctimonious nod, finally eliciting a small laugh from Swiss. 

“It sounds like that's what Mountain needs too, you're both too far gone for subtleties at this point.”  

“What am I even going to say though?” Swiss could hear his voice getting whiney, but Sunny seemed to have infinite patience with him. His head was still pounding; that would have to be his excuse. 

Sunshine hummed contemplatively. 

“I don't know, you know him best. You just have to be open with him though, say that you don't know why he's ignoring you, and it hurts. You don't have to put your whole heart on display right away, but you need to be somewhat open if you want things to stop festering between you.” 

She was right, of course, thought Swiss. If he wanted to at least repair their friendship and have Mountain talk to him again, he needed to make a move and do it properly – make his hurt feelings known. 

“Yeah...” he muttered, feeling his confidence and conviction growing as he imagined the conversation. He wasn't going to beg, he had more self-respect left than that, but he wasn't going to let Mountain bury his head in the sand and throw away years of friendship over a drunken mistake and a misunderstanding. 

“You can ask why he left this morning, but you need to listen to him too, let him explain even if you don’t like the answer.” Sunny’s words were firm, but her tone was kind. 

“I know.” Swiss nodded.  

“Don’t look so glum! Everything isn’t lost yet, he might be stressing as much as you are about what to say, y’know?” Shifting him up as best as she could, Sunshine pulled Swiss into a hug and whispered conspiratorially in his ear, as though the walls might be eavesdropping. 

“If you two are even half as bad at communicating with each other as Mist says Dewdrop and Rain were, then of course everything’s a mess right now! “ 

Finally, that drew a small giggle from Swiss. The pair sat in comfortable quiet for a while longer, listening to the gentle bubbling of the water feature behind them and the whistling of the breeze filtering past the stone walls above. The sun passed overhead, the shadows shifting like they were turning their backs on the ghouls. 

“C’mon,” Sunshine sighed eventually, reluctant to move but all too aware that it was already mid-afternoon and they had a busy evening ahead, “let’s go and get ready for the ritual now, then you don’t have to run into Mountain in the Den if you aren’t ready to. 

Although they were prepared to sneak into the Den if necessary, it seemed to be completely empty when they entered. Swiss felt a pang of guilt that they had avoided the majority of their tasks for the day when everyone else was so hard at work, but really they were the ones who would be working later while everyone else was listening to them and having fun. The perks of being in the band, Sunny had quipped. He quickly found the scattered pieces of his uniform and got changed. Unable to resist, he gathered up Mountain’s too and hung it on the front of the wardrobe before leaving to meet Sunshine in the common room.  

When there was nothing left for them to do but wait for night to fall and their guests to arrive, they slowly headed outside. With any luck, they could make themselves look busy enough that no one would impose more work upon them. To Swiss’ relief Mountain was nowhere to be seen, giving him some time to finalise what he would say. While he psyched himself up, Sunny stuck next to him like a living shield; her loud and buoyant attitude keeping Swiss afloat in the tumultuous sea of his thoughts. As the time approached for them to start performing, Mountain was still nowhere to be seen. Swiss supposed that was for the best – what could either of them possibly say in the short time they had left – but the part of him that cared endlessly for the ghoul hoped he would appear soon, before Papa would need to chastise him for his tardiness. 

~~~~~~~

Inside the Abbey, Mountain had also been skulking along the corridors trying to pretend to be busy. He had eventually been released from outdoor work and had no intention of returning until the last possible second. Mountain put off returning to the Den for as long as he could in case he should run into Swiss or any of the ghoulettes that had spent the morning sending him a mix of glances that could have been either concern or anger, he wasn't sure. When he finally entered, with barely a half hour until he was supposed to be onstage with Copia and the others, the Den was completely abandoned. He supposed everyone who wasn't performing tonight was already out enjoying themselves. 

Entering their room, he was surprised to find his uniform already hanging up waiting for him. He scratched his head, certain he had left it on the floor like everything else when they returned last night. Could Swiss really have done that for him? Even such a small gesture made him wonder if all hope wasn't lost. He suddenly regretted hiding away all day; if Swiss really had been wanting to reconcile, Mountain hadn't helped himself. With very little time until they were due to perform, he wouldn't have a chance to clear the air beforehand. He cursed himself for making yet another cowardly decision that hurt not only himself, but Swiss too.  

Mountain shimmied into the black clothes, suddenly feeling so much more exposed in the tight waistcoat than he had the night before, especially compared to the floaty linen he had been wearing all day. The mask felt heavy on his head as he adjusted the straps, restricting his vision and making him feel like a prey animal. He could only hope that Swiss wasn't out for blood. Finally, he stuffed his feet into his polished leather boots. Copia had acquired them specially for the three ghouls in his little band from a cobbler several villages away, and they felt expensive. Yesterday they had made him feel important, but today they felt claustrophobic, squeezing his feet and holding him down like lead weights. 

Walking along the empty corridors towards the party outside felt like walking to his doom. The rational part of him understood that the only things he was really approaching were his pack and the ghoul he loved, but the few difficult conversations that blocked his path felt like insurmountable barriers. As he turned the final corner to the outside and the dim light of the early evening, the gargoyles perched above the door seemed to leer down at him mockingly. Mountain tried to ignore them, took a deep breath and set his shoulders back, summoning the confidence he had felt the night before on stage. 

All that shattered around him however when he broke through the crowd around the edge of the stage and saw Swiss waiting there, talking with Sunshine. Mountain's mouth ran dry and any words he had on his tongue disappeared as he saw Swiss stood there in the flesh, highlighted by the orange glow of the setting sun. Were his tail not glamoured away – for the time being at least, until the humans present had enjoyed enough blackberry wine to convince themselves they were seeing things – he felt it would have been firmly between his legs.  

He stayed frozen to the spot until a piercingly expectant gaze from Sunshine pulled him forward to heed Copia summoning them onto stage. Mountain stumbled up the few makeshift stairs, eyes locked on his feet. Sitting on the crate he used as percussion he felt grounded, less like he would float away at a single glance form Swiss. The multi ghoul seemed to be doing a very effective job of not looking at him either, leaving Mountain no trace of a clue about how he was feeling.  

They had two sets to play this evening; this one now, as the sun set, and another later once night had truly set in. As he tapped out a beat to begin their first song, Mountain felt his movements were stiffer than normal, stilted even. His beat was always rigid, but this felt awkward and forced rather than steadying. If Copia could tell, he gave no reaction from his position at the front of the stage.  

Under the bright light of several enchanted torches and lanterns blazing down on the stage from above, Mountain was finally able to lose himself to the music. It was almost enough to distract him from the fact that Swiss was standing as far away from him as the stage allowed, Sunshine acting as a buffer beside him. The whole set passed in a daze for Mountain. It was over before he realised, Copia chaperoning his ghouls off stage to enthusiastic cheers. As soon as his feet his solid ground again, Mountain felt a tentative hand on his elbow. 

“Are you alright, my ghoul?” Copia asked him, mismatched eyes filled with concern. He must have felt the awkward atmosphere after all, Mountain regretted.  

“Sorry Papa, I'll try and play better next time.”  

“Not at all, my ghoul! We still performed admirably,” Copia squeezed Mountain's arm encouragingly and gave him a knowing smile, “I hope you can sort what is bothering you though, yes?” 

Feeling bolstered by Copia's comments, Mountain gave him a shaky smile back. The man clearly cared so deeply for his ghouls as well as his church. Especially with so many visitors here, Mountain didn't want to let him down with a bad performance. 

“I will, I promise.” 

With a final nod from Copia, Mountain turned and plunged into the crowd in the direction he had last seen his bandmates go. Finally, he thought he had the last shred of courage he needed to talk to Swiss. 

[visionofvoid]

How the Drivers React to Seeing/Meeting You For the First Time - Part Two

George Russell:

“They’ll let anyone in here.” Lewis joked to an unknown woman beside George as they walked through the hall to make it to a strategic meeting and expectations on the track for the new year. Lewis was a legend in the game, quite literally a world champion though they needed to work harder if they wanted to earn Mercedes the title of Constructors Champion and get points for the new season. George? He was still newish, he was still trying to navigate his way through his role, especially when his teammate was the one and only Lewis Hamilton. 

“Lewis!” The girl seemed as if she was full of energy, Toto nodding at his two drivers in acknowledgement before looking back to the strange woman, a fond look on his face. “It’s been so long!” She had a slight accent, reminiscent of Toto’s. She seemed warm, like she cared to make a positive impact with everyone she had ever met. She had this radiant energy that George felt drawn to, and he wasn’t too sure how to feel about that given she was a stranger to him. 

“Well maybe if you visited your father more.” Toto jokes, the girl rolling her eyes as Lewis chuckled and embraced her.  

“Father?”

“Ah yes, you must be George. I’m Olive, Olive Wolff.”

Valtteri Bottas:

Tiffany Cromwell and Valtteri Bottas were a well known couple in the Formula One world, so, when the two decided to end their relationship everyone was shocked. It was rather amicable but Valtteri spent a lot of his free time healing, beginning to get used to being alone, and starting to fall in love with himself more. The two had remained close friends; nothing would ever change the love the two shared for one another, they just wished for different things in their lives and that was normal, that was okay. So, when Valtteri decided he wanted to put himself out there again, he called on for some advice from the closest female he knew that wasn’t family; Tiffany. 

Valtteri stood on the podium, his first P3 of the season in the third race of the season and he felt absolutely over the moon. He was in a new car in a new team and was just thrilled. He felt as if there was some luck out there for him, someone there to cheer him on. After all the interviews and the post race press conference he finally had some time to celebrate with his friends, team and everyone that worked behind the scenes and other celebrities that were in the city. 

“Valtteri!” The Finnish man turned, hearing the familiar feminine voice over all the others as he walked into the bar. Tiffany, with a drink in her hand, bounced on her feet towards Valtteri, leaving a friend awkwardly standing to herself. She embraced him, clearly a couple of drinks deep but excited to see him nonetheless. He chuckled as she pulled away, a pink flush on her cheeks. “I’m here to set you up with my girlfriend! You’ll love her!” He turned to the female that was making her way over, her cheeks also flushed but from the embarrassment of Tiffany’s statement. Valtteri noticed she was wearing a casual dress, not overly dressed up like everyone else in the bar. Just comfortable, though she still looked gorgeous, that much he knew. 

“I’m so sorry! I tried to get some water into her.” The friend apologised, taking the drink Tiffany was waving around out of her hand. “I’m not some groupie, by the way. Tiffany has made it her mission to find me someone. God, that makes me sound so desperate!” Her cheeks continued to flush a rosy colour, even under the dim lighting of the bar. Valtteri had he fair share of women clinging onto him for their five seconds of fame but this a thousand times different. “We were there, cheering you on. Though I must confess I wasn’t too sure what was happening. Tiffany, come on, everyone wants to say hello to hi-” Tiffany rolled her eyes, taking the drink back. 

“May I buy you a drink?” Valtteri chuckled at the duo, interrupting the woman’s nervous but rather cut rambling.

“Yes, of course she wants a drink, Bottas.”

Mick Schumacher:

To Whom it May Concern

Mick rose an eyebrow as he sorted through his mail, spotting a handwritten note. He didn’t believe it to be fan mail as it all got sent to another location that he picked up on a fortnightly basis and he kept his private life and address very out of the limelight, so he continued reading.

I am your new next door neighbour. My name is Josephine Kruger, I have all the horses you can probably see shitting in the field. I’m writing this note to apologise in advance if you hear my new pup barking at night or if he gets out into your property, the bastard is an escape artist. 

Here is my number if Nigel (the dog, a black labrador) gets out and wanders onto your property. I’m working on it. 

Apologies in advance.

Mick chuckled at the note before leaving it on the bench to sort through the rest of his mail. He made himself busy around the house before he decided to take some trash out to the bins, opening the door to see a black labrador puppy sitting on the top step, his tail wagging happily. His tongue hung out his mouth sloppily and his ears looked much too large for his head. He still had a lot of growing to do. Mick chuckled as he bent down, holding out his hand for the pup to sniff before he deemed Mick safe enough to jump up, asking for pets and scratches. 

Mick didn’t have pets of his own, especially when he travelled so much for work so he embraced the love he was receiving from the pup, picking him up. Nigel looked minuscule in his arms, twisting around so he was on his back, his paws in the hair and his tongue, once again, hanging out of his mouth. 

“Nigel? Oh goodness!” Mick looked up as he heard frantic yelling, the female presumably his new next door neighbour that he was yet to meet. He walked down the steps, looking down at Nigel whose ears seemed to perk up when he heard his name called by his owner. 

“Let’s go find your human.” Mick mumbled, walking down the path that led to his horseshoe shaped driveway, the sound of shoes hitting the pebbled driveway, coming closer with every second. Mick glanced up as he saw the figure of Josephine round the corner, her hair up in a rather messy bun that looked more like a mushroom cloud than anything else. She had a helmet in one hand and a leash in the other. 

“Nigel! God, I am so sorry!” Josephine was embarrassed to say the least. Her next door neighbour was gorgeous and here she was in a pair of riding boots, a dirty shirt and shorts with sweat dripping off her, running after her escape artist dog. “I cannot apologise enough.” Nigel almost seemed as if he was ignoring his owner, turning in Mick’s arms and hiding his face in the gap between his arm and chest. 

“No, no! It’s not a problem, honestly. He’s welcome here anytime. I’m Mick, I’m not home much.”

“I’m Josephine. I’m home too much.”

Pierre Gasly:

You've got a new match!

Serena looked at the notification on her phone, sliding it open to see what new man she had matched with now. She was in sunny Australia, having just finished an extra credit trip to help assist Indigenous Australian elders, archeologists and anthropologists in rural Victoria unearth the remains of a small family or tribe and now she was in a hotel in Melbourne flying out back to gloomy England in two days time. She had some steam she needed to blow off. 

She scrolled through the profile, noticing that the man she matched with was not from Australia which was perfect because it made one night stands just that much easier. His photos consisted of him in what looked as if to be luxurious sports cars, with his friends drinking wine in fancy restaurants and lots of motorsport pictures, not that she cared about the sport in the slightest. His profile had no other bio except for ‘In Melbourne for the weekend’. So, she bit the bullet and sent a message. 

How far away from the Pullman Hotel in Albert Park are you?

She waited no more than a few minutes to get a response. 

Pierre weighed up all his options before coming to his final decision. She could be a massive fan girl for all he knew, but then she could also be someone that was oblivious to who he was. She was stunning, that much he could tell from the photos. She didn’t appear to edit them at all. They were mainly images of her with what he assumed to be her dogs, her family and friends and photos of her travelling. He would be happy to spend a few hours with her. Quickly googling the hotel he found that he was only a five minute walk away. 

Five minute walk, give or take. 

I’m room 412. Message me when you get here.

Say less, Pierre thought. 

Kevin Magnussen:

After three seasons away, Nico Hulkenberg was back driving for Haas alongside former rival, Kevin Magnussen. It also meant it was three seasons since Nico’s younger sister was at a Grand Prix and back behind the scenes helping her brother. She was last to be introduced to everyone, this time as someone on Nico’s PR team rather than his little sister, and she was the last to formally meet Kevin.

The two had both undertaken a number of changes since the last time they were at the same event. Kevin was now divorced, a devoted father and now a close friend with his teammate, Nico. Lena was now a university graduate, just getting over a heartbreak from a stupid boy and was much more mature, both in her mannerisms and in her appearance. She seemed like a whole other person, at least to Kevin. 

“I look forward to working alongside the team, alongside Guenther, the engineers, the event planners, the mechanics, everyone. Thank you, Nico, for this opportunity and Kevin?” Kevin looked up from his beer, offering a sly smirk to Lena as she stared down at him. She looked ravenous and it was dangerous that the sole purpose of this dinner was to celebrate the start of a new season with an open bar. God, the things he wanted to do to her. He nodded, waiting for her response. “If you get into another PR nightmare like in 2017 with Nico, respectfully, suck my balls.” She sent him a wink that was enough to make Kevin feel hot, slightly turned on. Guenther let out a roar of laughter, everyone holding up their drinks to cheer. 

He was in for a long night.

[who-knew-a-sheep-can-write]

Grievances: Gladiolus Amicitia x Reader

You woke to the feeling of a cold and empty bedside. You sat fully up in the bed, the thin cotton sheets falling into your lap as you did your best to look around the small bedroom for your boyfriend, but you couldn’t find him. In fact, the sheets beside you were even made despite him getting under the covers with you just a few hours ago. Looking to the small end table, you saw the time on the little alarm clock - 3:46 in the morning.

You swung your legs over the side of the bed and got up onto the creaky old floorboards, wincing at how loud they were just from your slight movement. You did your best to creep out of the room without making too much noise to wake the others (although you’re sure Ignis had already woke from you getting up). You toed on your shoes and grabbed your jacket before making your way down the aging steps.

You all had just arrived at Cape Caem yesterday afternoon, rolling up to the old farmhouse by the sea to set off for the prince’s wedding soon. It had been a trip and a half so far, with Galdin being out of the picture and Lestallum being a pitstop and a half with all of the little side things you had accidentally picked up as a party, it was nice to get a whole evening to yourselves and rest. You and Gladio had been given one of the solo bedrooms, a queen-sized bed fitted with crisp white sheets and a baby blue comforter with distressed white wooden furniture. It would be a lovely bedroom to take home.

But Gladio wasn’t around.

You looked around in the kitchen and on the porch but didn’t see him, afraid of opening other doors that could lead into bedrooms full of sleeping people. You split open the vintage curtains in the front window to look outside, squinting into the darkness as you looked around in the near-darkness for any signs of him. It wasn’t like Gladio to just disappear, hell, he’s a mountain of a man! How could you miss him? How could you not wake up to him getting out of the bed?

You nearly closed the curtains to look somewhere else when you caught a glimpse of someone in the darkness over by the cliff’s edge. You opened the door and quickly stepped outside, the cool sea air blowing past you, nipping at your skin and leaving goosebumps down your body. The air was cool and crisp, it smelled of the salty sea and of the churned earth behind you full of fields of crops. Crickets were chirping in the grass, you heard the rustling of small animals in the bushes, in the distance you heard wild animals howling in the night to the moon. You slowly walked towards the figure, already able to make out his broad shoulders covered in a jacket and the fluffy hair that needed a good trim before the wedding. You’re not sure if he heard you coming, but if he did, then he didn’t say anything to you. He was sitting on one of his camping chairs, back to the farmhouse as he looked over the sea and the moon. There was a book on the ground, one of his favorites, it looked like it had been tossed without a care in the world down.

It was when you were standing right next to him did he acknowledge your presence, only giving you a slight glance before turning back to look at ocean. He was kind of hunched over in his seat, almost as if he was trying to make himself look smaller. It was almost like he felt vulnerable, especially before you.

You gave him a few moments, hoping that with you being next to him that he would open up to you, maybe give you a glimpse as to what was going on, but he didn’t. His lips were sealed.

“Are you alright?” you finally asked quietly, breaking the tense silence between you two.

Your words hung in the air around him like anvils, they swaddled him up in a suffocating grip and refused to let go. Your words, those three little words, make the king’s shield start to tremble.

Gladio’s breath was shaking, hitching in his throat as he tried his hardest not to start breaking down in front of you.

You placed your hands on his shoulders and rounded out in front of him, crouching to meet his eyes. His face was already wet, tear tracks slightly dry and they looked sticky, he must have been crying earlier. His eyes, bright and full of life like a roaring fire, were dull and diminished. He looked exhausted, he looked miserable.

“Gladio…” you murmured.

Suddenly the shield pulled you in close, forcing you to stand or else you would have head-butted right into him. His big and burly arms wrapped tightly around your waist as he yanked you in close, burying his head into your stomach. You felt a warm wetness start to form against your shirt. His grip was crushing against your back and hips, but all you could do was try to comfort him.

He didn’t sob, he didn’t moan or heave or scream. He sat in the chair and trembled, crying softly into your stomach.

You didn’t rush him, you didn’t say anything to break the silence, you simply placed one hand on his brawny shoulder and the other became carded into his soft hair. You had to admit, it was a shock to see your partner cry. He was always one for being stoic and in control of himself - except for anger sometimes - to the point that you wondered when the last time he had cried was. Even now, he was still controlling himself, pulling back on showing how truly upset he was as he clung and shook under your hands.

“I miss him.”

Those words hit you deep in the gut as he whimpered them out into your shirt.

His father.

His father had passed in the fall with the king. He and Iris were on their own now, their mother having passed about a year after Iris was born from what Gladio had told you. It was just him and his little sister against the world now.

All of his life was spent to be like his father, maybe even better while still holding his father is high regard. He was going to be like his father, be a shield and protect the king with his life. Gladio loved his father, and now he’s finally allowed himself time to grieve for his loss. What hurts even more is that there probably isn’t a body to bury back in Insomnia either, only twisting the knife in his chest.

“Oh Gladio,” you murmured. You rubbed both of your hands along his shoulders, rubbing soothing circles into his back as you pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “Everything will be alright.”

[xcyphoz0a]

When the night stole you away

Gender neutral reader, angst TW/CW: mention of death Character(s): Tighnari Word count: 912 Proofread: n/a | He disliked the night. Especially when you disappeared in the darkest times within those 24 hours. | A/N: …hi. also i'm supposed to go sleep but i needed to get this idea out before i lost it :)

Spirit Borneol–an incense commonly used for meditations practised by Sumeru scholars.

Tighnari would never think he’d be using it–for this particular manner.

Yet he couldn’t help but find his hand subconsciously reaching for the little metal carved bowl of incense, as he finds himself drifting towards his own utopia–a world of something that was catered to his own tastes, his own, his likes.

He’d find someone waiting for him in the cool, yet warm forest–standing or sitting on one of the rocks next to the tree that he walked up to.

He noticed how his downturned ears and lifeless tail would spring back to life as he’d nearly bound over towards that someone, eyes given back life as if water had been poured on a dying plant, waiting for the water that it so desperately needed.

It felt as if the darkening circles of accumulated pain and loneliness had been lifted off of his eyes and skin.

Yet when the incense’s effect lightened and dissolved into nothing as his utopia began to fade, he’d feel the weight of his reality come crashing back down, the reality that he desperately ran away from, avoided, hid from.

It would come running, hunting him, the hands of the cursed shadow of reality that took him by his ankles and pulled him into constant turmoil and isolation.

Tighnari would let out a quick huff–the irony of his life being the bane of his own existence, he honestly couldn’t believe it. Yet he felt it now, it was overwhelming. It forced his soul down towards the ground, waiting for him to break, crash, fall, shatter.

He knows why he’s like this now.

He knows all too well.

He thinks he could’ve done something to prevent it, no, he knows– he’s sure he could’ve done something.

But he was too late.

He’d like to blame the traveller, the city and the Akademiya for taking so long, he wants to blame the illness for being too hasty, to take someone’s life…

Though he knows that there’s no one to blame except for the fate that life throws on to people once they’re born.

It only pains him that this was the end.

Tighnari remembers the day when you disappeared, with only the husk of your physical, tangible form left for him to grieve.

He remembers when he had crashed open your door at the darkest night with the traveller and Collei, only able to find you on the bed, alone, a smile left on your face as he ran over, shaking you and checking for any signs of life.

He can recall vividly how he felt the tears fall down like heavy rain before he found you, he can recall the anguished choked sounds of his own breath on that day, he could hear Collei’s gasp, her tears, the traveller’s neutral yet teary expression, Paimon’s own tears.

Your own house had filled with the cacophony of anguished weeping and crying.

The young girl–Collei– held on your hand, your hand, the dark, hardened scales that decided to take your life before it was eradicated.

The traveller and Paimon could only stand and feel the tears slide down endlessly from their eyes to the floor.

But all of them knew it was him that hurt the most.

Tighnari’s heart could rival a breaking glass as he felt his heart be crushed by the steel hammer of your death. When he had finally heard that the damned illness was gone for good he was ecstatic– he watched with happiness as the city burst to life with the news. But you weren’t there–where were you?

Perhaps, he’d think, you were just tired, he didn’t think much yet when you didn’t appear at all until the sun had set and the moon had woken, the eating worry led him to your house, running and breaking open the door.

He could recall the feeling of the hard scales that took over your hand, the scales that covered your once soft hands and touch.

The scenes from your lying form to your funeral runs around in his mind playing ring around the rosie as he watches, eyes losing its vigour.

The night that blanketed over Teyvat had such bright, twinkling stars–the moon seemed to have smiled, the subtle white light of the moon’s reflection of the sun shone over your sleeping features.

You looked beautiful, as always.

But the eerie silence and lack of breathing stole it away as it rendered you to nothing but a lifeless husk of your tangible existence.

The night that stole you away had a star. A lone star that seemed to twinkle and shine brighter than the others.

Tighnari wishes. He thinks that it’s you–watching over him.

Yet in the end he’d be coming back to this meditation–where he’d be able to find you waiting for him, smiling blindingly bright and happy as the two of you stayed in each others’ arms, watching the butterflies dance, the birds coming to rest on your shoulders and head.

And when it all came to an end and he’d leave with tears, the night came back to greet him.

The night that reminded him of you.

He wishes it a scornful goodbye as he moves to go on his patrol. The distaste on his face hides the sorrow and anguish of his grief.

And when the moon shines its subtle white silvery light on his face, a teardrop falls.

He loathed the night.

Taglist: @chaoffee @scribs-dibs @solstarz

[spindle-girl]

Daybreak 1.3

as always, it's really fun when Wildbow describes a sixth-sense power. it'd be cool to see a Crystalclear interlude

Parahumans are definitely possible, except I’m not sure how using parahumans squares with the sentiment toward parahumans.” Fume Hood spoke up from the background.  “Set us against each other, they benefit either way.”

i don't think Fume Hood's guess is good, for a couple reasons, but the main being that parahumans fight all the time. you don't really need to set them against each other. that's the norm

“I hurt a pregnant lady and she lost her child and I don’t even feel that bad about it,” Fume Hood said. ... “I’m pissed,” she said.  “People are making such a big deal over this, and I can’t bring myself to see it their way.  It was an accident.  I told the civilians to sit and stay put, and this stupid-”

i actually really like this as a character trait. being pissed off at someone you killed because you didn't want them to die, but you're still the one who killed them. and her continued monologue seems like it affected her a bit besides being pissed

“The heat got too much, like I said.  And- and I was tired, you know?”

doing cape stuff starting at sixteen until you were twenty-four, yeah not too surprising

Jail isn’t fun, but it was what I needed, I think.”

not too surprising to see this, Taylor said a line not too dissimilar. it's a shame Sophia never got a chance to talk much after her imprisonment. or even the Birdcage capes like Lung, especially since he got imprisoned twice

Actually, i take that back. i think we got Teacher mentioning how the Birdcage kind of drove him mad or something in his epilogue, but i think it gets treated as different from regular jail since it's the classic Super-prison that's Always Terrible in comicbooks

“You said before that you have real regrets,” I said.  “And you can call yourself selfish, but I think the dots connect here.  Your reasons, your regrets.”

probably true, but I do hope that anger shows up. makes her more interesting for me at least

“It can,” I admitted.  “I’m spooked at the idea it will.  For now, just… be a hero,” I said.  “Don’t walk away from this sort of thing for good.” “You guys keep saying stuff to me, like, don’t run off, don’t sacrifice yourself, be a hero, as if it’s implied I’ve got ideas I haven’t said out loud.” “You’re a self-described shitty person and an ex-villain.  We’re not allowed to be suspicious?” I asked.

gonna have to come back to this once i finish, heroic sacrifice talk and all.

She threw the ball to the right, but instead of smacking into her palm, it curved in the air, orbiting her hand in a long ellipse as a moon might a planet.

fun with powers :)

I marched toward the bus, glaring at the first person in my way.  I activated my aura.

not so much fun with powers

I threw up my personal forcefield, shielding Jasper, my arm out toward the windows the other two were looking at.

why did i think Victoria couldn't dismiss her forcefield? like, it makes since she can put it on and off, but in my head i just thought it was permanent for some reason

End thoughts:

i see we're starting off what will become a theme of master-class villains. explosion of gore with control on whoever the blood touches is cool. i'm liking Fume Hood and Crystalclear for the most part too.