#they could've really had something if they let go of their second place status

[the-siren-queens-lover]

This is what I am saying this whole thing. The quest for power and resorting to violence.

(You know this, Riko looking at Neil's dad and seeing 'power' and Neil as Nathaniel in Major816s fic Innominate where Nathaniel looks at Kengo, Riko's dad and how he never raises his voice but you can feel his power and control and how Nathaniel wants that for himself) like dude.

I hate Riko as much as any aftg fan, and none of what I'm about to say changes that, but how much more difficult would he have been to hate if we knew what his childhood was like? we make fun of Neil's rant at the winter banquet because he verbally destroyed Riko, but do you ever stop and wonder how much of it rang true? Neil doesn't just insult people, he picks them apart because he can see exactly where the fractures are. 'always a commodity, never a human being'? that shit must have hurt so badly because it's true, isn't it? Riko is praised, has been since he was a child, but not for who he is. the love he's always received, the admiration and the fame, it's all conditional. and I'm sure that despite being the Raven King, the Nest wasn't easy on him either. we just didn't see that because Neil is an unreliable narrator. does that excuse what he did? the torture, and asking others to rape Jean, and breaking Kevin's hands? no, it doesn't. but it does make me wonder if he, too, was broken as a child. was he always this psychopathic or was it caused by trauma? was there once a child begging for someone to save him where Riko now stands?

[esamastation]

Shizuroth, part nine.

-

"He's been a busy boy, our great Hero."

Angeal looks up from the Buster Sword. Genesis is leaning against the lockers, scrolling through something on his PHS. "That's how you greet a friend returned from a dangerous mission - with gossip?"

Genesis glances at him and then looks him up and down. "You're fine, your report was exemplary, and you're not yet ranting about honour and integrity. Your mission went fine, but it wasn't memorable," he says dismissively and waves a PHS. "This is much more interesting."

Angeal quirks a smile at that. "You should still ask. It shows you care."

Genesis rolls his eyes. "Very well, Angeal, tell me something about your mission I don't already know. I'm all ears."

"Why thank you for asking, Genesis, it went fine," Angeal says, arching his brows. "I'm fine, the farm is fine, the Midgar Zolom was put down. It turns out it had been injured by something prior - probably while fighting another Midgar Zolom - and it was the pain making it lash out and attack people. There was no way around it, so I had to put it down."

Genesis gives him a derisive little clap. "Marvellous, truly a tale fit for a hero - almost exactly word for word copy of your written report," he says. 

Angeal grins at that. "Genesis, don't be an ass."

"Was there really any question about how monster extermination would go? Sending you out was overkill - the Seconds could've handled it," Genesis points out and waves his PHS again. "In the meantime Sephiroth bought a couch."

… Okay, that is interesting. "A couch?" Angeal repeats.

"Along with," Genesis turns his eyes to the PHS, "Order of some kind of household linens, at least one carpet, some kitchenware, and at minimum a dozen new shirts."

Angeal's eyebrows climb up. "He's… redecorating?" he asks slowly. 

"That implies he ever decorated in the first place," Genesis points out - which is a fair. Angeal is pretty certain everything Sephiroth owns was already there when he was assigned a room, and he's not bothered getting anything new since.

Angeal finishes the wipedown of his sword and then stands up. "Does this have something to do with his stay at the labs?"

"Does it indeed," Genesis says and snaps his phone shut. "Turns out, that prolonged stay at Injections was because he was given a triple dose and died. Our famed Hero is operating now with an unknown level of memory loss and who knows what else."

"... Sephiroth?" Angeal asks incredulously. "They overdosed Sephiroth?"

"Mm-hmm," Genesis agrees grimly. "And afterwards he holed himself up in The Restroom because he forgot how to find a way back to his rooms or how to use keycards. Scared some poor Third witless. And now he's taking up home decoration."

Angeal runs a hand over his face. "So he doesn't feel comfortable at his home," he muses.

"I honestly don't know how he ever did, it can hardly be called a home, but that's a fair guess," Genesis agrees and puts his phone away. "He didn't even seem to recognise the place yesterday, though he was rather out of it. He's had a day to sort himself out since."

"And he's been ordering furniture," Angeal clarifies and folds his arms, thinking. "Taking command of his surroundings and exerting control."

"A basic coping mechanism," Genesis agrees. "He's been given a three day leave - two days left of it now. Lazard wants us to evaluate his status, and the sooner we do it, the better."

"Hmm," Angeal agrees and nods. The sooner they did it, the sooner they'd know what Sephiroth would need to recover. Or, failing that, how to cover up the loss. "Very well. Let's go see how he's doing."

Genesis bows him to go ahead and then follows Angeal out of the locker rooms and to the elevators.

"Never thought I'd be evaluating Sephiroth, of all people, for whether he's fit for duty or not," Genesis comments while hitting the button for the right residential floor, sounding almost resentful. "He's the SOLDIER."

Angeal hums in agreement. He honestly thought Sephiroth was above the usual side effects of Mako injections - he never seemed to have any issues… or maybe he was so used to it that he didn't even care anymore.

No one could call Sephiroth well-adjusted even in the best of circumstances.

"We'll do what we can to be there for him and help him out," Angeal says firmly. "As his friends it's our duty to see that he recovers."

"Yes, yes, it's the honourable thing to do, and so it goes," Genesis says, waving a hand dismissively and leaning back against the elevator wall with a sigh. "I just have to wonder, what will the labs do with us, if they're starting to take risks with him? And why? Why risk overdosing Sephiroth, of all people? He's already the strongest of all of us - why the rush to make him even stronger?"

Angeal folds his arms. That… is a good point. "Maybe the situation in Wutai is escalating," he comments.

Genesis scoffs. "There's more of us SOLDIERs than ever before, and still they stuff all their eggs in a single Sephiroth-shaped basket."

Angeal gives him a look. "That's not Sephiroth's fault."

Genesis shakes his head in disgust and then looks up as the elevator comes to a halt. "Well then, let's see if our Hero is worthy of the honours he's afforded."

Angeal elbows him admonishingly and Genesis elbows him back irritably, and together they walk up to Sephiroth's door.

Sephiroth opens on the second knock and looks out hopefully - only for his face to fall at the sight of them. Angeal carefully keeps his face in check and doesn't just gape like an idiot at him, but it comes very close.

Sephiroth's is wearing a t-shirt and - are those… pyjama pants?

"I'm guessing you're not here with the food," Sephiroth says, sounding disappointed.

Genesis is fully gaping at him. "You ordered fast food?" he demands. "What, did you forget where the cafeteria is?"

"... I can't order food now?" Sephiroth asks evasively, looking away.

"... You did, you absolutely forgot where the cafeteria is," Genesis groans, running a hand down his face and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why didn't you - no, never mind. Did you eat at all yesterday? And are those pyjama bottoms?!"

Sephiroth looks down at himself. "It's… my day off," he says then. "I'm not going anywhere and I want to be comfy."

"I didn't even know you owned pyjamas," Genesis says, somewhere between horrified and impressed.

Sephiroth makes a face and shrugs. 

Angeal mouths comfy to himself, and then schools his reaction. Clearly - clearly Genesis' concern is warranted. This is… very out of character for Sephiroth. "Everyone deserves to be comfortable in their own homes," he says and elbows Genesis again. "But perhaps we would all be more comfortable inside, rather than in the doorway?"

Sephiroth hums in agreement. "Fine," he says and steps back. "Come in, then."

Sharing a look, Genesis and Angeal step into what no longer even feels like Sephiroth's apartment. Everything has been rearranged, the bed, the desk, the table - there is a new couch facing the room and a carpet in front of it, and the whole room feels very different. It's not a huge difference, but…

It looks very… comfy.

"Oh my Goddess, the memory loss turned Sephiroth into a real boy," Genesis mutters and elbows Angeal urgently. "He has curtains now."

He does. They're translucent and green.

-

SY isn't missing Qing Jing Peak at all and doesn't know what you're talking about.

[umitsy]

Hihi so something just really brings out another side in me when I see a really high status attractive girl (like peach Salinger in you) finds a medium ugly Person attractive

Hello! I'm so glad to announce you're my first request on this account! thank you so much!

I hope I'm getting it correctly, if not, please let me know as well!

warnings: gaslighting, stalking, minor nsfw refferences, threats, love obsession

reader's female

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who didn't care for dating ever since entering medium school were theyd notice girls would even cringe by looking at them, so they'd keep all to themselves.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd meet you one of their many days spent scrolling on social media. Falling immediately for you. Following every and any account you may have and why not, these days work's been really stressfull, so they'd give themselves a little treat while looking at your photos.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd see you from afar, dressed up as royalty, getting all the fame you so deserve by all your hard work for the past years.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd crave to see you in person one day, who'd follow you every step hoping they'll someday get the chance to.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd, after almost going broke for how much you traveled, finally got to meet you in a public interview you manager had arranged for all your fans to ask about your latest work.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd catch your attention when they get to ask you a question; "Would you go out in a date with me?". Now, even they don't know where ddi they gather the courage to ask that in front of hundreds (if not, thousands) of people, but was beyond happy at your nervous smile and chuckle in response, followed by a quiet yes. Which everyone could've sworn you didn't say, but the way you waited for your camera mans to go and get in contact with them told them otherwise.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd let you choose your date's place, not caring about the money at all (even when they almost go bankrupt in another country). Their heart swelling when you said you wanted something simple to not make them pay too much, or offered to pay for both, and go to somewhere quiet to do not be disrupted.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who'd definetly ask for a next date and when you agree, hugs you tightly to make clear their content.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who enters in a killer mood when they start seeing with different eyes (their obsession growing by the second) the way people get close to you, ask for pictures, etc. they know it's because of you pyshique, you're basically built by gods, and they can admit they fell for it first too, but as they get to know you more personally, your day by day when stalking coincidentaly bumping into you following you to your house; they get mad at the other people with their rude and mindless behavior.

Somewhat attractive Yandere! who when being officially a couple, and moving in with you, would ask "subtly" for reassurance of your love for them. And since your work keeps up most of your together time, all your nights most be focused on them if you don't want any changes on your reputation from high status attractive girl to heartless crazy bitch with one simple headline on the newspapers done by tomorrow…

"𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵. 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯? 𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘵, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶! 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦! 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦".

There's now a new character to write about ��� ～('▽^人)

[my-favourite-zhent]

New Tricks - Chapter 12

Status: Work In Progress

Version: 1.01

Pairing: Rugan x AFAB!OC

Rating: NC-17 (This chapter R)

Genre: Adventure/Romance

Summary: Misadventures of Rugan and the original Zhentarim Gate's crew before and during the year of three sailing ships.

Notes: Big shout out to @fistfuloftarenths for beta reading this one for me. It would've been a lot more confusing otherwise and have a bit less kick.

Table of Contents

Read below the cut or on AO3

New Tricks - Chapter Twelve

Isolde sighed as she stared at the ceiling. The man grunting on top of her didn't seem to notice. She had thought him charming enough with that nice northern accent she’d recently grown fond of. He was handsome enough too, eager enough, too eager it had turned out. He had thrown her on the bed and gotten to rutting without any preamble. She could've done with a bit of preamble.

“Does that feel–” She had started.

“Don’t really like to talk during, thanks.”  Her brow twitched but she bit back a reply.

He continued on with what Isolde considered half-hearted thrusts. It wasn't uncomfortable per se, but it really wasn't doing anything for her. 

Just as this thought flitted through her mind, his angle shifted to something much more pleasing. She sighed and arched her back. Maybe this wouldn't be a total loss- 

The man gave a loud groan and Isolde felt something hot and sticky hit her thigh. He rolled off her without another word. She laid there in disbelief for several long moments before she heard the snores begin.

She felt her brow strain in irritation.  “Fantastic.” She muttered to herself before rising to make her way over to the washing basin at the other end of the room. 

She cleaned herself off the best she could in the dark room before dressing and heading back down to the main hall of the inn. She spotted a short woman with long curly red hair sitting by herself, and made her way towards her.

“Back so soon?” Corra chirped as her friend approached the table, handing her an uncorked bottle.

“Don't look so smug about it.” Isolde shot back. She grabbed the bottle by the neck and gulped down what remained. 

The hired bard was playing a rousing rendition of Red Roofed Girls to the excitement of the crowd. The entirety of the place was raucous with the sounds of music and laughter.

“No fun to be had then, I take it?”

Isolde swiped a dribble of wine from her mouth with the back of her hand and gave a sigh. “I can't tell if the men are getting worse or I'm just getting worse at picking them.”

“Might want to rethink your hunting ground for starters.”

“What's wrong with festhalls? They're lively, no one takes notice of what you do.”

“First of all,” Corra began and Isolde was already rolling her eyes knowing what was to come. “we call them taverns here.”

“That is the opposite of what every other country, nay city–”

“And second of all, they're all young pups here, overconfident and easily excitable. Should go to some place quieter, a proper Crimmor club, take your time, have a little chat.”

Isolde winced at this, the only person she wanted to chat with was– well it didn't matter.

“I'm not looking for a conversation partner. I want to get straight to the point.”

“I'm sure that's what your friend upstairs was thinking too.” Remarked Corra with a waggle of her eyebrows.

“Gods above.” Eyes clamped shut, Isolde pressed the heel of her palm to the bridge of her nose. “Fine. You may have a point about festhalls.”

“Taverns.” Corra corrected.

Isolde let out a sigh of frustration and set the bottle down. “Doesn't matter, I've somewhere to be anyways.” She lied, truthfully she just needed a break from the noise.

“At this hour? Not finally going on a proper date are you?”

“Hah? Me? No, I've got some work to do.”

“Translations can wait for the morning, you're gonna ruin your eyes reading by candle light.” Corra chided, she was used to playing mother hen to her impetuous companion.

“I’ve a ring for that now.” She waved off Corra’s concerns. “Besides that, what are you still doing here if the swiving is no good?”

“Unlike you I actually enjoy the company of others. Also dancing.”

“I like people.”

“Name five.”

Isolde pursed her lips, trying to think.

“Hah exactly.”

Somewhere amongst the crowd the bard moved onto another song, a merry jig that made Corra’s eyes sparkle.

“Oh this is a good one!” She gave Isolde a little pat on the shoulder before grabbing another patron from their spot leaning on the wall.

Corra turned back to yell as she dragged the poor sap onto the dance floor. “Have fun with your work or what have you!”

Isolde shook her head, equally in amusement and for pity of Corra's poor dance partner.

Pulling her cloak around herself she pushed past patrons and stepped out into the cool night air. 

The rain had finally stopped but that meant the city smells had returned, and the whole of Crimmor stunk of ox dung and tannery piss. 

Isolde wrinkled her nose but continued on foot to the Purse Ward. The Theater of Joy was an old amphitheatre come temple, dedicated to not one but three goddesses: Lliira, Milil and Sune. It was open all hours of the day but this late at night all church services would be dedicated to Lliira. 

She supposed it made sense that the services of the goddess of joy were held at night, what with all the taverns about the city. 

Lliira would've been a fitting god for Corra, but ever the hedonist, Izzy preferred to give what devotions she could spare to Sune, goddess of beauty and passion.

She entered the temple and sought out the shrine to the lady of love along the far wall. The shrine was simple but crafted of fine material, beautiful just as Lady Firehair herself. 

Isolde considered her reflection in the shrine’s polished mirror before adding a small kohl pencil to the collection of donated toiletries. She felt that there was something she wanted to ask of the goddess yet the questions would never form properly in her mind. Instead she merely offered a prayer of thanks before taking her leave.

It was as she stepped out back onto the street that she saw a familiar silhouette clad in a yellow scarf with a mess of black hair. He was casting about as if looking for something.

“Olly?” She called to the figure and he turned to her in surprise.

“Izzy!” The shock and relief was painted so clearly on his face even in the dark of the twisting streets. He trotted over to her without a second thought.

“What are you doing here by yourself at this hour? I know Crimmor’s a sight safer than Waterdeep but can't be much fun on your own.”

“I was looking for the temple.”

“Adherent of Lliira are you? Wouldn't have figured that. They're having services now till dawn.” She nodded her head back towards the building behind her.

“No uh, I'm looking for a shrine to Tymora if they've got one.”

Izzy pursed her lips and hummed. “Mmm no you'll want to go the All Hands temple for that, they handle most of the less popular deities in the city.”

“Ah, that's my blasted luck, I've been asking about a temple and the innkeeper sends me here.” The boy's head hung low.

“I can show you the way Olly, it's not far.”

“If it wouldn't be a bother.” He was so sincere that she had to resist the urge to ruffle his hair.

“It's no bother, come along then.” She turned to lead him down the street. Luckily enough all the temples were here in the Purse Ward.

Izzy looked over her shoulder at the boy, to take stock of him, his expression was utterly miserable.

“Had a bad spot of luck and looking to turn it around?” She asked gently, she was curious but didn't want to push too hard if it was a sensitive topic.

“I did something foolish and now Rugan's fallen ill.”

Izzy froze in her tracks, she whipped around to face the boy. “Ill?”

“We think it's Winter’s Chill but the others say we can't wait it out more than another day or two.”

“Sune’s sake Olly, forget the shrine and take me to them.”

+++++

It was Sal who opened the door when Olly rapped.

“Bout time you got back, who's this then?”

“Oh this is Izzy, Rugan's uh friend from Waterdeep.” Olly scratched his head nervously, unsure how to proceed.

“Izzy?”

“Short for Isolde.” She said extending her hand in greeting.

“Hah bet I can guess who gave you that nickname. I'm Sal, short for Salazon.” He accepted her hand and gave it a quick shake. “You the one the sending was for?”

“Sending?”

“Ah nevermind, he didn't have the coin anyways. Where’d Olly pick you up from?” Sal was opening the door now to let them pass.

“I ran into her looking for the temple.” Olly supplied.

“Temple?”

“He thought Tymora might lend us a little luck.” Izzy stepped into the room and caught sight of Rugan for the first time. She felt her chest tighten and a lump form in her throat. The man was deathly pale and his breath came in rapid shallow breaths.

“You were just going to leave him here alone like this?” She couldn't suppress the accusation as she took the seat by Rugan's bed.

“It's not like we have much choice,” Sal started as he shut the door. “we're already behind schedule as it is.”

“Where the hells is everyone?” Came a shout from the other side of the door. 

It burst back open as Bellar barged in. “I thought one of you idiots was supposed to come down drinking with me.” He took stock of the scene before him. “What's she doing here?”

“Olly met her at the temple, she's a friend of–”

“Yeah, yeah I know who she is. I was there.”

“Hello Bellar.” Izzy forced a polite smile despite her annoyance.

“You smell like a whore house.”

“Remind you of your mum then, bell end?” She sneered all pretense of politeness dropped.

“A bit actually, yeah.” He smirked.

“Olly says you're set to abandon him to his fate.”

“We're not abandoning him–” Sal began.

“Shipment’s gotta arrive on time.” Bellar cut in. “Too many days late, too much cargo lost adds up over a career. And sooner rather than later management decides to cut more than just our pay.”

Izzy took his meaning, though she wasn't happy about it. She turned back to Rugan’s prone form. 

He would have the most mistakes under his belt just as a matter of course. Rugan also had the most seniority, most responsibility, by virtue of those two facts alone he had the most to lose if the shipment was late.

“Don't wait the two days. I'll stay with him.”

“You expect us to leave him with you? Just like that then?”

“You were already set to leave him here for any tavern girl to rob.”

“Well but that's different then, can always burn the inn down later. You, you can abscond without a care.”

“You still have my ring don't you? Or have you already pawned it?”

Bellar produced the ring from his pocket with a practiced flair.

“Consider it collateral.”

“Well if that's the case maybe it's to my benefit if Rugan's stood his last watch.” Bellar mused with a grin and Izzy could feel her jaw clench in silent rage.

“Bellar!” Cried Olly in dismay.

“Oh quit your bellyaching Olly, I'm sure the jammy bastard will pull through and catch up with us in Athkatla.”

“We can send word when we get there,” Sal directed this at Izzy. “let you know what inn we’re at.”

“Thank you Sal.”

“Suppose you'll be wanting coin for the the stay here.” Bellar's tone was indignant as if he was the one being put-upon rather than Izzy.

“Doubt you have enough.” She bit back without thinking, then restraining herself added. “I have a friend I'm staying with here in the city. Let me speak with her tomorrow morning, see if she's willing to put him up in her house.”

“That's very kind of you Isolde–” Sal began.

“Must be a nice house, what's your friend do for a living?”

“The Shadow thieves of Crimmor execute anyone who steals within city walls.” Isolde replied bluntly.

“You've got me all wrong.” Bellar replied in faux indignation.

“That's too bad, I was hoping to see their handwork.” Acid dripped from her every word before she turned to Sal. “Is he the one in charge with Rugan out of commission?”

“Afraid so.” Sal offered a regretful smile. Bellar was grinning broadly.

“Fantastic.” She muttered feeling another headache brewing.

Eyes closed she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. “If I get her permission will you be able to transport him?”

“We can carry him on a stretcher if it's not too far.” Olly volunteered and Sal was nodding along.

“You can't carry anything heavier than a watermelon Sal.” Bellar snorted, then with that same put-upon tone. “I can help the boy.”

Izzy took one last look at Rugan, and gave his hand a squeeze. She had to bite back a whimper when she felt how hot his skin was to the touch. She needn't have bothered, the distress written on her face was plain to everyone present.

She stood abruptly and turned towards the door. “I'll speak to my friend tonight and return in the morning. Try to keep him alive till then.”

She stalked out of the room, not wanting them to see the beginnings of tears prickling her eyes.

[giggly-squiggily]

came in second place at the board game but my dad came in last so that's a win in my book hehe

ANYWAY. eizen x jikka. hear me out.

they both join the asaemon at a rather young age and they leave one hell of an impression on each other. eizen for one is so cool, he's got an eyepatch for christ's sake, jikka is immediately enamored. and jikka is so amazing too, he's so quick, eizen could never be this quick, his mind is absolutely blown.

and as they get older, there's more impressions of each other, impressions that are correct right away and impressions that get proven wrong down the road. eizen seems dense at first, but jikka soon realizes that he's not too dumb to notice the small details, he's just smart enough to not blurt them out immediately. jikka seems like he has his head up in the clouds all the time, but eizen has to admit to himself that jikka sees so much more than eizen ever could (pun intended). but jikka is so pretty and eizen is so beautiful, that they notice right away and that much remains true.

and the impressions just keep piling up because they watch each other so much and they catch each other staring and jikka loves how eizen blushes when he does and eizen loves how jikka stutters when he calls him out on it and before they know it they're behind the shrine and kissing like there's no tomorrow, because well maybe there won't be, you never know.

but jikka knows that this is right. eizen is jkka's first kiss that makes him feel anything other than mild intrigue, jikka is eizen's first everything and it's a good feeling to be one to give him all of these new impressions because eizen should learn to live a little, he really should. and with jikka he comes alive, or at least that's the impression jikka gets because suddenly eizen is laughing and smiling and it's the greatest thing in the world and jikka loves the glances they throw each other because they make him feel like he's special, like what they have is special.

turns out it's not. or not anymore. now there's something else that's more important, more special. this thing had been going on for nearly twelve years and of course jikka always knew that it'd never be more than a secret but he would've hoped to be dropped for something actually important. not for duty. not for that self-righteous construct of honor and status that eizen has made up in his thick head that makes him act like he's got the biggest fucking stick up his- eizen doesn't let him finish that insult, but jikka does get to tell him that no one cares as much about eizen as eizen does and that might have just been the absolute worst thing to say. doesn't matter though. not like he could apologize if eizen doesn't talk to him anymore. (he shouldn't apologize, he should take it back altogether. it was a lie. jikka does. jikka cares, more than anyone in the world.)

eizen doesn't let him take it back and jikka stops trying after a while. he finds new people, beautiful people, but none of them are as beautiful as eizen and none of them ever will be. not the stoic women that fall for the same sweet talk eizen fell for and not the thick men that don't catch onto his seduction until it's too late in the same way eizen never caught on. it's just not the same. not even with the woman he's supposed to marry, with her beautiful red hair. jikka likes the red hair of the woman whose name he doesn't know.

does it even matter? there's no space in his head for such trivial information. he fought gods, he traveled to the edge of the world, he lost the only people he could've ever called family and he didn't even mourn them, there's just no goddamn space. (he tried to mourn them, he really did, but he couldn't do it. eizen would be so disappointed.)

he also really tries not to think about eizen because if he does he also thinks about how eizen's last words to him were "until then" and if jikka had known that until then would be until never he would've... done something. grabbed eizen and kissed him in front of the goddamn shogun and everyone who was watching. yelled at him to stay. yelled at him to not be such an idiot. yelled at him that he loved him. said goodbye. done literally anything but smile his stupid fake smile and say "save travels", because that's a stupid thing to say to someone who's going to sell to the edge of the world and that stupid fake smile is worthless to someone who's seen the real smile. eizen always said jikka was much prettier when he wasn't trying to look like someone else.

but he's smiling that fake smile while standing next to the woman he'll marry, the woman he's marrying right now, because he wishes he was someone else. a different jikka who would've gone with eizen right away, who would've managed to convince eizen that his precious rules were stupid and his beloved duty was hollow and that they could've been free if they had just let themselves be. but he's not that different jikka. he's the jikka who let eizen leave like a bloody idiot and now he's standing next to a woman he doesn't want to know and recites a vow he wrote while thinking about someone else. someone who should be by his side but isn't. someone he would have followed anywhere, had he just been given a chance.

(that got so long i'm so sorry, if this doesn't convince you i literally don't know what will because i just poured my SOUL into this)

Is it bad my first thought upon reading that ship pair was “Oh that’s hot” 🤣🤣🤣💀 But no seriously- I ADORE???

No cause seriously I love love LOVE the impressions of one another and how the relationship started out so wonderful- and then the angst- Rey the ANGST you really had to rip my heart out like that the way it just faded off and despite Jikka surrounding himself with beautiful people it will never be Eizen and how he wished he could have done something else in those final words of goodbye and the hair thing THE FUCKING HAIR THING ARE YOU KIDDING ME THAT- AHH! Oh my god this was deliciously angsty and beautiful and perfect and my freaking HEART AHHH!! REY!

This was delicious and beautiful and perfect and both broke my heart and sold me on this ship I love it GAH! Thank you for sharing!

[oogaboogaspookyman]

SO I GOT BORED ONE DAY BWAHAHA

[HI! MY NAME IS SUSAN!]

[STATUS: KNOCKED TF OUT]

She gasped as she sat up. The reboot had finished. She's sat on a bed... Whose?

That got answered when she heard a voice. Two voices, actually.

"Are you sure about this, Susan? She's still a Murder Drone..."

"I'll be fine, you've seen me with the shotgun."

Click. The door opens.

"Hey there, murderbot– put the claws away, you're safe here." The Murder Drone did in fact pull her claws out, and put them away after further reassurance.

The Worker Drone sat down next to her, and the Murder Drone just now noticed the mug on her hand. "Want some? It's borrowed from some nice enough kid."

"Is that oil? Darlin', i'm not vegan, i only get oil fresh from your folk..." She quickly leaned closer to the Worker, startling her "So stand still if you really want to be good for me~"

The Worker, once again, felt her core flutter at that. Is she into that shit?!

"Stop being flirty and take it, creep" she hissed

"Heehee alright alright, i'm kinda hungry anyway" and that she did, she grabbed the mug from the Worker and drank from it.

Holy fuck it was so delicious.

"hmph- still not as good as Worker oil!" The Worker just glared. Oh she knew.

"Why do you even keep me here in the first place??" The Worker was asked, and second thoughts came in her head... No she's not into her, she shouldn't be. She's straight.

She has to be...

"Payback for keeping my ex as a pet, you live here now" she deadpanned...

"Oooh your ex~?? What happened, hmm~? Second thoughts~?"

LOTS OF THEM

NONE OF THAT

"Let's not get into my love life, flirty creep..."

"Aww it sounded so spicyyyy!"

"Personal information is not some toy!" She growled, startling the Murder Drone.

...

...

"Feisty~"

HHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

"WE'LL TALK TOMORROW YOU LIVE HERE NOW" and with that, the Worker got up and began storming off–

"Oh wait, i didn't get your name!"

...

She sighed. "This is the last thing i'm telling you before i go..." She said under her breath.

"My name is Susan... I know, a basic name, my parents weren't the most creative"

...

"Serial Designation R. That's my name..."

"Well that name sucks, i'm gonna call you Ren from now on"

... A real name.

"Thanks" Susan felt her core flutter at the earnest tone in her voice...

What the hell is happening to her..?

Click. The door is closed.

"How did it go? I don't see any scratches so i'm gonna assume the best..." Sean spoke, worried yet optimistic.

"Could've been better, she wouldn't stop flirting and teasing–"

"THE MURDER DRONE WAS WHAT"

She sighed "Sean no–" oh boy here goes...

"NO NO NO I WANNA WORD WITH THAT LASS SHE CANNOT SPEAK TO MY EX LIKE THAT" Sean began storming off into the room, until something stopped him.

"Key word being EX, SEAN now leave her alone please–" Susan was holding him back, turns out. Sean has a newfound beef and Susan does not care for it.

"NAWWW I'M NOT GONNA STAND BY THAT SHIT NO SIR I WOULD LIKE A WORD–"

"SEAN!!"

He was startled into submission...

"Sorry..."

Another sigh, she sighs a lot this day is wearing her out. "We'll deal with her tomorrow, for now let's focus on our own day..."

For now...

[willel]

WillEl + Henry's Connections

A week or so ago I ran a poll to see how other people felt about Will's connection to all this. Here are the results:

Seems like most of you are on the same page as me. For a while the "it was planned before the gate opened" was winning and that kinda surprised me. The result is still pretty close too.

With the release of the play, it gave me more thoughts about this. I won't be going into detail about the play but if you're still avoiding any details about it, you can skip this post.

Generally, the play revealed to us that this Upside Down thing has been going on for a while. Not just that, but the Mind Flayer has been playing a long game with Henry as his main pawn.

I'm not really sure what they're intending to say about Henry's involvement in all this, but I personally view it this way: The Mind Flayer heavily influenced Henry's mind leading up to him killing his family. There was a turning point where he could've overcome the Mind Flayer, but he gave into the urges and hasn't looked back since. Right now, Henry and the Mind Flayer are of one mind and body. Maybe that will change in the future, but as Vecna, I think this is pretty obvious.

That leads me to El's place in all this. We're told in the play that he, in a round about way, is the source of the rest of the kid's powers. His blood in particular is special and by injecting pregnant women with it, they will also gain power.

I'm on the fence about this as well, as I still believe powers can exist out in the wild, just nothing as ridiculously strong as Henry, El, or the rest of the children.

Anyway, Henry saw something in El that I guess he didn't see in the rest of the children. It brings me to wonder, was it Henry that saw something in El, or was it the Mind Flayer?

My idea is that: Henry and the Mind Flayer had entirely different goals but El was key to both of them. In El, Henry saw her potential and wished for her companionship to "reshape" the world to their liking. Was it her potential power? Was it her status as an outcast like him? Was it her creativity that couldn't be stifled by the sterile environment? (we haven't seen too much of El's art but I'm convinced she's a crafty gal)

In El, the Mind Flayer could maybe detect her sleeping power to tear holes between the realms. This is key to the Mind Flayer taking over our world and killing everyone after all.

Whether El lived or died, Henry and the Mind Flayer needed her and they eventually got what they wanted. A way to open the gates. A way to destroy/reshape the world to their liking.

And so, this brings me to Will. How does Will fit in all this? There are so many questions surrounding his kidnapping and possession so let's revisit them again one by one.

Pre-gate opening 1979: So here's the thing. Leading up to El opening the gate in 1983, I feel like we're lead to believe Henry (and the Mind Flayer) were completely cut off from the real world. No scanning or peeking in or anything. Just trapped in an alternate dimension. Eternal solitude. Enough to drive a mad man even madder.

Then when El accidentally opened the mother gate in 1983, I feel as though Hawkins changed forever. Even after the gate closed, I think the Mind Flayer and Henry could now see into the real world whether a gate was open or not. The ending of season 2 with the Mind Flayer overlooking Hawkins Middle School seems to support this.

HOWEVER, the play suggests the Mind Flayer could always peer into the real world and influence people. Specifically, despite there being no open gates, "possessed" Henry did not die and could be influenced and controlled from the other side.

So, this makes both the top poll options potentially true.

Maybe before the mother gate opened in 1983, the Mind Flayer already knew about Will and was waiting for a chance to kidnap him? The question would be WHY though?

The second option is Will wasn't in the picture until after the mother gate opened and he either became a target right as he left the Wheeler's home or right when he met the demogorgon face to face in the street. The question would still be WHY though.

My guess as to why? I believe leading up to Will's kidnapping, El was still the desired target. They had one gate open sure, but that would be suboptimal for a whole army. El's power to open gates was even more critical to obtain now that they could physically reach her again.

But it's not a good idea to pull all your eggs in one basket right? Maybe like Henry way back in 1950 something, Will as a person made an excellent puppet? His personality, his disposition, his emotional history and social outcastiness made him a perfect Henry sympathizer.

By that I don't mean Will is a Henry fan, but more that due to their similarities, someone like Will would be easy for someone like Henry to project onto. Possibly literally.

But that can't be it, right? We saw in season 3 that the Mind Flayer could pretty much possess and use anyone he wanted? I mean, he killed all those people to make the Meat Flesher but he didn't HAVE to do that. Or did he? Can only some people handle being possessed by the Mind Flayer? Is there some kind of special fortitude needed to make one a viable host?

The show writers have hinted out and outright stated that Will will play a big role next season, but if Will was nothing but a host, then why would that be?

There must be something about Will that puts as big of a target on his back as El. There must be something deeper in that brain of his that has Vecna and the Mind Flayer still chasing after him all these years later.

They're on the verge of winning and have a whole army ready to go... but for some reason Will is near the center of this conflict and may play a big role in this?

So yes. Those are my thoughts on the matter. Feel free to chime in if you like.

To summarize, I think El is/was their ideal candidate to help destroy/take over the world, but El is a sweet bean despite all the hardship she went through. Henry and the Mind Flayer created their own worst enemy.

Will is like their secondary candidate or something. They've either done something to him or still need him for something and that something is the big secret of all this. If they needed El to open the gate, then they needed Will for something else and who knows that that "something else" is.

[nerdyporcelain]

°THE ABANDONED°

Okay, so my character almost died last session.

Our group and a guest player were sent on a mission to retrieve information about a transport of 30 statues (they are a mischievous thing of the past world in this setting) that was coming to town. We go there and it's a shack full of big ass crates with some random kids at the guard and three more people inside. We lure the kids away, because there's no point in fighting them and after our barbarian, Gotylda, gets brought inside after some unsuccessful seduction attempts, we go in to rescue her, guns blazing.

Now, it was a sturdy building with no windows and no way in other than the front door, so after four attempts at getting in peacefully or stealthily, we decided to fuck it, we ball. My character swings the doors open with thaumaturgy and the combat begins. After some rounds my cleric successfully brings down the Tabaxi, which just so happens to be the wife of the 'main boss' of this encounter, Captain Amarena. After seeing her love die she naturally zeroes in on Licricia, super ficking enraged (our DM loves Undertale so it could've gone two ways).

Fast forward and she fires three attacks at my girl with her great crossbow, and they all fucking hit. Our characters are only lvl 5 at this point, and DM rolls very high damage, so the second shot brings Licricia the fuck down. After that, Captain deals the damage from the last shot and two of my death saving throws automatically fail. If it wasn't enough, I'm next in the innovative, so it's time for my (possibly) last saving throw. I had inspiration so I was prepared to re-roll the dice if need be. Thankfully, I rolled a 15 and a healing potion from our guest Rogue that went next patched her back up to 6 hp before I could roll any more DST's.

For me personally it was fucking stressful (I was shaking, felt sick, couldn't look into anybody's eyes and couldn't feel my fingers) because Licricia is a character that I hold very close to my heart, I've been building her existence in my head for almost a year and half that long in the game. She's my first dnd character that's been given this much life, but her story is just beggining, so grieving her loss would be absolutely heartbreaking to me. I know if I asked, our DM would do everything in her might (that would fit the narrative) to let the players try to bring her back, and she doesn't usually try to kill us off on purpose (that being said I actually really enjoyed the aspect of a crazed lover trying to avenge her wife, very relatable). However, it still would leave the possibility of failure and ultimately having to say goodbye to my beloved character, which is scary as hell.

Now, Licricia on the other hand was fucking terrified because of couple things. One, obviously, being that she almost fucking died, and that hadn't happened in like ten years (she's 47), and that alone is freaking scary. Two, as a Death Domain Cleric she can sometimes hear the dead (something funky I came up with and DM agreed to), especially freshly after they died, or if their spirit is tied to some place. It manifests in various ways, but this time, after all the fighting has been done and Amarena died, Licricia heard a meeting between their souls, like an unexpected greeting between loved ones after years, overwhelmingly lovely in the face of death. The DM described to me that Licricia feels overwhelming sense that they have something that she won't, not in a while anyway.

Now that, that was just the most perfect cherry on top of a character insight that I've been slowly baking.

Licricia had lost her lover, Ophelia, in a rouse roughly ten years ago. She watched her get hanged and could do nothing about it, except for running away and disappearing from society for eight years. She lived through her grieve long and hard, harbouring pain and loss and learning how to live without her other half. It was the hardest period of time in her long, painful life, and when she came out at the other end of it eight years later, she believed herself to be okay. She met people and cought meaningless crushes, she trusted some for a while, she got betrayed like so many times before, she lived on. And she truly believed herself to be content, to have made peace with Ophelia's loss.

But throughout the two years she's been back in the society she drunkenly looked for blue tieflings in the crowds, listened put for a gentle melody of a harp in city squares and subconsciously wondered what happened to the engagement ring that she ordered all those years ago, but never got to pick up. She always thought herself ready to die, because it was the most natural thing in the world, and it might be a chance for them to reunite, but now that she actually saw what it could look like, everything changed. Would she meet Ophelia like that, even though she died so many years ago? Would it be like meeting an old friend or would she be angry with her for not making it to that platform in time? For the first time in a long time she knew that not only does she not mind not dying, she doesn't want to die. She got reminded first hand actually how close death is and how scared she was of letting go. Shes always believed that she'll meet Ophelia once more, but when she saw a reunion of love, she felt it's importance and she didn't want it. She felt the weight of the grieve she thought she managed to let go of, she saw her friends loot the bodies and take the rings from their fingers, and truly understood that she'll never let go, not until she gives Ophelia a proper burial, even if only symbolic.

It was unnerving, guilt ridding, she never expected herself to feel this way, to actually want to live on, to move on from Ophelia, but that is the truth staring her square in the face. She can't ignore it, she can't pretend to not want a life, a deeper meaning in her existence, a night when she could simply enjoy music without her heart sinking, a deep connection with someone, even after all those times she's been betrayed.

She is naively in love with life, still. After all those years, that wonderlusting part of her soul is still there. It's beautiful, it's terrifying, it's hopeful. Shell always love Ophelia, but she still has more love to give, to be herself truly and explore her own soul.

At the end of the session she just stood there and listened to lovers reunite, feeling, searching inwards, terrified of her new discoveries. What a perfect way to progress her story.

[9voltt]

The Seven Churches

> The first church was big, imposing, but having visited the rest on my trip I'd say it was more average sized than it first seemed. The walls were made of polished stone, with some sparse bronze decorations and a couple framed paintings on the walls. Two halls to either side of the main space housed different altars depicting various religious figures.

I sat down in silence, contemplating my surroundings amongst a crowd of around 20 people. Everyone listened intently to the red-robed priest's sermon, though I didn't get to listen to it all. Regardless, the first step of a journey is always special, notwithstanding of if it truly stands out - but I cannot say much else about this one.

> The second church was by far the largest of them all, it almost felt like a museum. Many paintings with golden frames and other such decorations adorned the veined marble walls, much like the different statues, carvings, altars and other such artifacts encased in glass. The structure was largely the same as the previous one, but even more rooms and wings were accessible from the sides, some with beautiful stained glass windows. One such room housed a stone bath for baptisms too.

There were more people in this one, yet nobody important was currently talking. A crew appeared to be setting up some cameras at the front of the main hall, so perhaps something would be going down a bit later on in the day, but I wasn't going to be here to find out, my journey had just begun after all.

Despite the wonder I felt while on my little exploration of this place, the sterile white walls and the silent atmosphere made me feel somewhat detached from everything. It was majestic, but the majesty felt cold.

> The third church, in contrast to the previous, was probably the smallest one, though that might not say much considering they're still relatively large buildings. The outside and surrounding area looked a bit worn down, but I've found it's not really what you find on the outside that matters. I'll say the same for all the other churches too.

Stone walls, marble pillars, a couple stained glass windows here and there, It felt almost quaint. No side halls either. The ceiling had a carved pattern but upon closer inspection it turned out to be flat, an optical illusion pasted on, which I found funny. Couple that with the, frankly, low quality fresco at the end of the main hall and low number of people to get what one would assume to be a subpar experience. But you'd be wrong, for no other reason that they were playing music.

A simple uplifting song, a woman's soothing voice and the silent prayers of those present. I took it all in for a moment, letting tears well up in my eyes. It's always been my weakness really. I left before anyone noticed me like that and dried my eyes with my sleeves outside, planning the route to my next destination. I wish they were all like that.

> The fourth church I have to say was my least favorite of them all. Before entering I was stopped by a couple of homeless people asking for money, had I had spare change I'd happily oblige, but I did not plan ahead and politely had to refuse. Then, once I entered, the irony of the situation just made me straight up angry.

Unadorned marble walls, with a few bronze chandeliers, but many wooden seats, as if their regular affluence of churchgoers was way more than average - and it truly felt like it, there were a lot of people inside, more than the other churches at least. Instantly, two printed signs caught my attention on a notice board, asking for donations, as maintaining a church is hard work.

A priest was issuing a sermon, but the whole aura of the place felt oppressive in a way it's hard for me to describe. A couple old men walked around the seats with hemp baskets, wiggling them over the believer's faces, who happily dropped multiple wallets' worths inside. One walked up to me, but I declined, had I had spare change maybe I could've given them something, but no, probably not. So I quickly left the place behind, I did not feel at peace at all.

> The fifth church was probably the standard I envisioned before starting my journey. A large, pristine white marble space with opulent golden decor, majestic ornate chandeliers, intricate mosaics and brilliant natural light coming through the colorful stained glass. Many altars housed many statues and depictions of different religious figures, each accompanied by a framed painting. There was a certain calmness in the air, of people preparing for the sermon and sharing quick pleasantries.

It seemed I was here just in time, as everyone quickly shushed when a red-robed old man prepared his microphone and promptly flipped through the pages of a book. He started reading aloud, but in my heart of hearts I could not bear to take him seriously, his voice was simply too nasally, he slurred some words and was generally difficult for me to understand.

I stared absentmindedly at the striking art pieces as the man's voice droned in the background, not quite paying attention to what he was saying. I quietly nodded to a man standing by as guard for the experience, but swiftly headed out, the sermon was not for me, and I did not wish to stay any longer. Lest I actually started giggling.

> The sixth church was my shortest visit, but not bad in the slightest. I arrived at the site just after pretty much everyone had left, with just about 5 other people inside, probably on a visit just like mine. They seemed to be closing too, so I had to make it quick. But oh, how I wish I had more time. This was probably the most stunning one of the churches.

An unassuming front housed a grand marble interior, but each pillar had a somewhat orange/golden protruding side that made them stand out. The altars were made of masterfully carved marble, painted a brownish gold, with simple but striking patterns and golden decorations. At the center of the main hall, a massive fresco adorned the ceiling.

But the most impressive of all was the lighting. Incredibly, no lights were on, save for a couple candles, but almost the entire place was illuminated by the golden rays coming in from the dome at the end of the main hall. I looked up to see an incredible yellow spirograph pattern covering the entirety of the dome. It was simply breathtaking, as if I had caught a mere glimpse of heaven itself.

And then I noticed everyone else was leaving, so I followed suit, looking back for a second before stepping back into the colorless streets and starting the final leg of my journey.

> The seventh church was not unlike the fifth, but less decadent and what I'll set my standards to in the future. Marble, dark wooden and bronze altars, painted ceilings, orange and blue accents, and paintings and chandelliers and etc, etc. The truth is, the experience in this church came not from the place itself, but rather those inside.

I sat down with the rest, and was offered a card by a friendly old man, with a certain saint and a prayer on the back, which I now have on my shelf. The red-robed priest wasn't particularly having a sermon, rather he was talking about the planned activities for the upcoming weekend. But for some reason I felt like I had known this man for my entire life, it was down to earth, genuine. He even made people laugh at one point.

A few prayers later and then everyone got in line to revere a wooden cross they took out, as a small choir sang in tune to an acoustic guitar. So, given everything, and the music, I almost, ALMOST cried again. But I didn't. I closed my eyes, thought about nothing, listened for a bit, said my thanks, and then left.

My journey was now over, and I felt fulfilled to a degree. But still, I had a long way to go back home, so really, did it ever really end?

[lepusrufus]

Double edged scalpel ch. 7

Ch.1 ch.2 ch.3 ch.4 ch.5 ch.6

Summary: in which Cassandra gets bullied and other sappy shenanigans

---

"Oh Nicole dear, so happy to see you again!" Duke's voice was cheerful as ever, tone masterfully crafted over years of being a businessman.

Nicole, taking small steps inside the ornate and now full of items room, greeted him with uncharacteristic giddiness.

"Duke! How's business?"

"Same as always, I'll be heading to Beneviento later tonight to deliver some tools for her," he took a long drag of his cigar and, noticing green eyes scanning over multiple items and said, "I also have your order."

With a childish grin on her face, she approached him, hands shuffling inside the small bag attached to her belt that all staff members had. She pulled out the money owed for her package and, in return, the Duke placed a decently sized box in her arms. With an oof she shifted it in a less precarious position, it's heavy contents seeming to plot against her small frame.

"Unfortunately I can't stay, duty calls. But thank you Duke."

"No worries, I do understand that your employers can be quite," he took another drag of his cigar, looking for the right word. "...demanding"

Nicole chuckled. That was one way to put it.

"Well until next time dear. Or if you find yourself in need of something else, I'll be here until six."

---

She was only wearing a long white towel when she heard a knock on the door. Assuming it was another maid, or even Anita inquiring about whether or not she'd be joining the rest of them for dinner, she opened the door just a crack.

It was a surprise to see none other than Cassandra standing there, her elegant frame in odd contrast with the modest corridor. She flung the door open, letting the brunette inside and took a quick glance down the hall, making sure no maid was on the floor after fainting due to fright.

"What are you doing here?"

"Aw, are you not happy to see me?" She was pouting, but her tone was joking.

Nicole rolled her eyes, but the small smile on her lips betrayed that she was indeed happy to see her. Cassandra only laughed instead, a beautiful melodious laugh, so unlike the dark cackles heard by prisoners down in the dungeons.

"Just sit down, I need to get dressed," Nicole pointed to the bed before moving to the small dresser and pulling out a clean uniform.

Cassandra went to sit on the slightly disheveled bed, eyes following the redhead's form as she let the towel drop to her feet and started to put on the various layers of her uniform. Then golden eyes darted to the box sitting on the bed. The tape sealing it had been cut not long after Nicole brought it back to her room to make sure all its contents made it safely. Not that she didn't trust the Duke, but postal service was postal service.

"What's this?" Cassandra inquired, trying to read the label but having no success as it had been scribbled over with a marker.

Nicole stilled for a moment, hands frozen on her white button up. She cleared her throat and shyly admitted:

"Actually that's for you. Do open it if you want."

Cassandra's eyes widened, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. The gesture had really caught her off guard. She gingerly lifted the lid, inspecting it's contents for a moment and then hummed.

"And here I was thinking you like my hair. With how much you love to pull on it and all that."

Nicole, now fully clothed and sporting a deep blush, marched to her and plucked the two boxes of red hair dye from gloved hands. She placed them on her nightstand and, with her voice just slightly more high pitched, she turned to the brunette.

"Those are mine, I meant the rest of it." And, after a chuckle, "I mean have you seen my roots? They're horrible!"

Cassandra only gave her a deadpan look and, after a long moment, said: "I think your hair is beautiful."

She didn't wait for a reply, not that it would be anything more than a stammered mumble of course. Instead she chuckled and returned her attention to the box. She examined the rest of its contents and then gingerly lifted one of the few tomes inside. The cover was glossy and malleable, it's pages shiny and with a distinct typography smell to it. It was so unlike her other books, it's pristine white state making it feel extremely out of place in the castle. She glanced at Nicole inquisitively.

"I do appreciate the gift, don't misunderstand me, but surely you know there's a small bookshop's worth of medical books in this castle."

"With all due respect, from what I've seen most of them are at least somewhat outdated. Interesting, yes, but I thought you'd like to learn something more...modern." Then she pulled out another book. "This is the same one I used while studying forensic pathology. It would make teaching you some things easier. Uh… assuming you want that."

Nicole averted her gaze, suddenly unsure of the usefulness of her gift. Cassandra however grabbed her chin between two fingers and pulled her gaze back on her. She smiled, finding the shy demeanor beyond endearing.

"I'd love that."

A small smile appeared on thin lips and Nicole leaned in to kiss Cassandra. It was soft and short, but no less intimate than the deep kisses they shared so many times in Cassandra's bed.

They had to go anyway.

---

Let's go to the library, Cassandra said. It'll be empty, she said.

When Cassandra swung open the intricate door, only to find the other two sisters lounging on one of the couches, it's not like they could do a one eighty and leave the room. That would've been both impolite and highly suspicious.

Instead, Cassandra grabbed her arm protectively and led them to the reading spot farthest from the other two. They placed one of the textbooks on the small desk and Cassandra took out a notebook. This would've been a lot more fruitful with an actual body on hand, but there were still a couple days until the human flesh supply had to be replenished and Cassandra was beyond eager to start on some things. So, for now, they had to settle for theory alone.

It took all of five minutes for the other two sisters to make their way to their desk. Daniela had a giddy yet curious expression on her face, while Bela seemed as unreadable as ever, if not for a glint in her eyes that betrayed her interest.

"Whatcha dooooing?" Came Daniela's voice, who cocked her head not unlike a curious puppy would while looking at the book's contents.

"Working," Cassandra replied, a slight growl accompanying her words.

"Could've fooled me," Bela spoke from behind the youngest sister, eyeing the hand protectively placed on Nicole's waist.

Cassandra snapped her eyes at the blonde, looking ready to throw her notebook at her head but Bela ignored her sister's ire and addressed Nicole instead.

"What are you studying?"

"I uh- just some basic anatomy concepts. Thought it would be a good idea to start with the things that the older books in the castle don't cover."

Bela only hummed, grabbed an ornate chair nearby, and plopped herself at the desk, opposite from the pair. Daniela mimicked her sister, but instead chose to sit down right by Nicole on the small couch. It took more willpower than she would admit not to glue herself to Cassandra's side when Daniela's face came uncomfortably close so she could look over the book's diagrams. She stood still as a statue though. After a couple seconds of silence and Nicole trying to figure out what she was supposed to do, Daniela drew her head back, looking at her with what was possibly the most serious expression she had seen on the youngest sister.

"You do realize we're not going to hurt you right? How could we lay a finger on our dear sister's lover hmm?"

Nicole's breath caught in her throat. She wasn't sure if it was due to the word used to describe her or how Daniela apparently knew that she was utterly terrified of her. Cassandra sighed beside her and, seeming to at least partially read Nicole's thoughts, clarified:

"Your heartbeat."

Oh. Yeah. Yeah her heart was beating a million miles an hour. And apparently the other three vampiric occupants of the room were able to hear it loud and clear. It did very little to ease her mind.

"Please do calm down, it feels like someone is having drumming lessons. Bad ones," Bela complained, head resting in one of her hands like she was already bored.

"Then shove a sock in your ears," Cassandra snapped.

Bela simply leaned back in her seat and stretched her arms above her head. "And risk not hearing my beloved sisters sing along to some pop song?"

Cassandra shut her mouth, a blush now slowly spreading across her cheeks while Daniela burst out into laughter. Even Nicole couldn't help betraying the brunette and letting out a giggle.

"I didn't know you could sing."

"I can't."

"Au contraire dear Cassie! Should I remind you of the last time Dragostea din tei came on the radio? The pathos!" Daniela reached over Nicole's lap to lightly shake her sister's knee through her giggles.

Cassandra only let out a long groan, face now hidden in her palms. "I hate you both."

"Mhm, we love you too," came Bela's reply, accompanied by a chuckle.

Nicole couldn't keep a small laugh while she snaked her arm behind the brunette to show some form of support against the merciless assailants. Maybe not a complete betrayal.

The scene really had something deep within her heart aching beautifully. It reminded her of the countless times she and Alex would mercilessly tease each other, but still have each other's backs through thick and thin. And for this familiarity to come from people that any sane person would consider bloodthirsty monsters? Hell, maybe they should start considering her a monster too, for the only word she could use to describe them in that moment was endearing.

"So," Bela lightly clapped her gloved hands. "Now that your pulse isn't giving me a headache anymore, what are we doing?"

She had a confident smirk on her face, but her eyes betrayed curiosity. Same for Daniela and, although mixed with a hint of annoyance, Cassandra. She opened the book in front of her, one of general human anatomy, and decided that the digestive system would be a good enough starting point.

---

Their little impromptu lesson didn't last more than two hours. Two hours that proved to Nicole just how oddly human all three sisters can be. Of course she had gotten familiar with Cassandra, intimately so, but the other two still felt like two looming monsters hiding in the shadows. At least up until now.

Bela seemed oddly intrigued by Nicole's explanation, although unlike Cassandra, she seemed to view it more like a story than anything. Daniela seemed slightly more interested, asking questions here and there and even starting to giggle like a middle schooler when they got to the rectum section. That got an eye roll from the other two. Nicole just laughed, finally understanding Mrs Hawkins, her private biology teacher from before she was allowed to step foot in any public school.

After they were done, Bela simply stood up and bid them good night. Danila instead excitedly proposed the skeletal system for next time and picked up the books she abandoned earlier. Then, with a small tower of tomes she went through a door tucked at the very back of the room. Her study, Cassandra had pointed out as they made their way out of the library.

"I didn't know your sisters were interested in medicine too." Nicole kept her voice low, almost as if talking too loudly would disturb the shadowy hallways.

"More or less. Daniela likes it and has a bit of hands-on practice but she has her nose in romance novels more often than not. Bela finds it interesting but botany is what she really loves. That and classic lit." She added the last part with a grimace and Nicole had to wonder which author had offended her personally.

Before she could continue that train of thought though, her gaze moved to the windows, the cloudless sky beyond thick glass panels full of twinkling stars. Her mind kept going back to a few hours earlier and at what Daniela had said. Lover. Did Cassandra truly see her as one or was the youngest sister just being her over the top self. Did she see Cassandra this way? Nicole had not allowed herself to dwell on that up until now, the idea that the brunette saw her as more than an over glorified lab partner with whom she occasionally scratched an itch seemed almost laughable. But the small gestures of affection shown in ways Cassandra seemed to know best were undeniably there. And the familiar flutter in her chest at each of said gestures was also undeniably there.

"What's wrong?"

Cassandra's voice, accompanied by the slight echo through the empty hallway, snapped Nicole out of her thoughts.

"Oh um- nothing." She sounded as convincing as someone trying to sell you a fork while showing you a spoon.

And Cassandra didn't seem to buy it. She moved in front of the redhead, walking backwards with no concern over possible furniture to collide into along the way.

"You always get this… face when something's bothering you."

"I do not-" the indignation in her tone was weak, little more than an attempt to change the subject.

"Mhmm you do. You normally look focused. Kind of like, if someone tried to scare you by throwing an eyeball at you, you'd laugh." She would. "Now? Now you look like a rabbit that has no time to run and is just laying low hoping whatever's hunting it passes by."

Nicole shut up for a moment, only looking at the brunette in front of her incredulously. Maybe she was far more attentive than she gave her credit for.

"Uh. Just thinking." At a raised dark eyebrow, the no shit went unsaid, so Nicole tried to elaborate. "About earlier. When we were with your sisters and Daniela uh- Daniela called me your lover."

Saying that the words felt awkward on her tongue was close to the year's biggest understatement. It felt like pulling out teeth would be an easier task. Nicole had never been good with her words, having learned since childhood to keep her mouth shut. But the fact that Cassandra seemed to share her struggle brought some semblance of comfort.

"And?" As if they were talking about the weather.

"And… was she right in describing me as such?"

She couldn't help a small gulp when the brunette stopped walking, looking at her with a frown. Any sane person would be at the very least somewhat afraid in this situation. Sanity however was scarce these days as Nicole was afraid, though not of the bodily harm that may come from her inquiry, but rather of Cassandra's answer.

"Nicole, your tongue has been in my mouth." Amongst many other places.

The redhead's cheeks turned a slight shade of crimson and she mumbled for an answer. She wasn't sure how to tell her that sleeping together did not automatically make them lovers. But then again, Cassandra's thoughts remained a mystery more than anything.

Thankfully the brunette took the metaphorical reins of the conversation and stepped forward. She wrapped her hands around Nicole's arms, gentler than one would imagine possible from her, and bent down to whisper no more than an inch away from her ear.

"I'll have you know, I'm not particularly fond of letting anyone I don't deem important touch me. Especially not the way you do."

The words made something flutter in Nicole's chest, an unfamiliar and comforting warmth. Said warmth got chipped away at the slightest bit when Cassandra pulled back to look her in the eyes.

"Should I take it that it's not mutual then?" Cassandra's tone was nonchalant, almost as if she didn't truly care about the answer. She could keep doing whatever she wanted either way, afterall who was going to stop her? But to someone who got familiar with all her small quirks and habits, the waver in her voice was more than clear.

"No." The world slipped from her lips with no hesitation.

No hesitation, because the more she thought about it, and she didn't need to think a lot mind you, the more Nicole realized that she couldn't remember a time when she felt the way she did here. Sure the initial threat of death looming over her head was anything but pleasant, but once that melted into affection and nights spent in Cassandra's arms the thought of leaving didn't as much as graze her mind.

"No, no. It is," she repeated, more certainty making its way into her tone.

At that Cassandra smiled. A small, almost shy one would say if they knew her well enough, smile. Her shoulders seemed to lose some of their tension when she leaned down again, her lips stopping not even an inch away. Nicole wasted no time leaning forward, their mouths meeting in a kiss that mixed softness and need beautifully. Their lips slid against each other until, surprisingly, it was Cassandra to pull back and sigh.

"Come sleep, we have some cutting up to do in the morning."

Nicole frowned. "Tomorrow? Wasn't that supposed to be due in a few days?"

A devilish grin appeared on black lips, fangs shimmering ominously in the low light. "Bela caught a foolish man-thing sneaking around the forest on the castle grounds. She's really excited to turn this one into a nice steak."

The redhead only let out an oh in acknowledgement. Foolish indeed. At least they could finally put into practice a few autopsy tricks Nicole had been itching to show her.

She let herself be guided back to Cassandra's chambers and into her bed, that she had grown intimately familiar with. The last thing she felt before falling asleep was the brunette's cool skin, pressed against her own. A welcomed comfort among the myriad of soft pillows that surrounded them. Nicole wondered briefly if being undead meant it was hard to keep yourself warm, but the thought quickly slipped away as she fell into a dreamless sleep.

[janshu]

In The Shallows...Part One.

Summary: @hanji-is-life more merman!Bakugo and so I shall provide! I was hoping to get this out much earlier, back in may because MerMay but better late than never I suppose! You, a marine biologist, take a scuba dive to see the local fauna off coast and you find more than you ever could've bargained for...

Word Count: 1.5.

Warnings: None but minor curses, mentions of the ocean, an illusion of drowning. Viewer discretion is advised at least.

How did you manage this?

You hadn't walked on the beach, much less roll around in the coarse substance. So how did it manage to get into your pockets? This was a new jacket so how?

A short walk from the parking garage to the pier was all it was, no beach travel involved yet it had wormed its way into your pockets, in between your toes and nearly everywhere else. 

Your team chuckles at your discomfort finding your squirming the funniest thing on the planet as they loaded up the sizable vessel for the day on the water. For the past several weeks you had been cooped up in a lab studying the samples others brought to you but now you were given the green light to head out into the field yourself. Your goal for the day was to gather samples, check on the status of the coral nursery, and a checklist of other menial tasks. A full plate all things considered, much better than getting a migraine staring through a microscope at sea water until you either give up or get sent home. 

Waves battered against the hull of the boat while you and your fellow colleagues suit up in scuba gear. The goal wasn't to go to the bottom of the ocean, far from it, fifteen meters was the maximum for today so simple snorkeling hear wouldn't cut it. You didn't get your diving certifications to be stuck in a lab. The salt spray refreshing against your skin for the few seconds it was vulnerable while you changed from your outfit into the designated wetsuit. Not the full suit that covered your body from head-to-toe, just a body one to keep your core warm when your swimsuit didn't offer much protection.

The boat came to a stop right around where the GPS locator dinged where the nursery site was and the captain gave everyone a thumbs up as you and your fellows attached their fins, tanks, SPG's and all the other necessary equipment. One-by-one each of them held their regulators to their mouths and fell back into the blue ocean below until it was your own, to which you received a wink instead while everything turned upside down.

Ten, twenty, thirty, a hundred. Regardless of how many dives you've had you'll never get over the beauty of the reefs. Each time serving something new, change was ever present in your line of work. Never seeing the same specimens twice to witnessing a rare species and everything in between. The sunshine overhead casting glittering ripples on the sandy floor, catching your eye on the schools of fish that swam by as their scales gleamed in different patterns. This was the closest feeling you had ever come to your childhood dream of becoming a mermaid. When you wished on your birthday candles and shooting stars to holding your breath underneath tub water in hopes gills would magically appear. That's what started this career. Maybe it was a long forgotten portion of your evolved brain from life's time in the ocean but you felt at home, a familiar sense of belonging that you didn't have on dry land. This was where you were meant to be but sadly your wishes had never come true and you were cursed to remain a land-dwelling mammal.

The beeping in your ears ripped you from your fantastical daydreams to remind you of the harsh reality. This is as close as you were going to get but that wasn't so bad, it was better having a little than nothing at all. Looking at the gauge meter it showed that you have roughly an hour left of oxygen which meant you had been in the water for an hour already. How time flies when you're having fun, absorbed in your daydreams, and checking on coral and taking samples.

"Hey, could we switch our tanks out without getting oxygen narcosis or are we screwed in that department?" Your voice came over the radio built in the full face masks everyone in the diving team used no doubt scaring those who were lost in thought as you just were. 

"Y/N...do you really want to stay out here longer? Shitting Christ, you should be glad you're out here in the first place!" The captain's voice responded from the safety of the boat. "Now get your asses back up here n' we'll head on ba-...what was that?"

"What was what?" 

A chorus of responses chimed in immediately after, some crackling from the distance they were from the source and others sounding as if they were a foot away.

"Nothing, never mind, must've been a Manta Ray. Forget about it. Just get your shit and come back, I'm gettin' hungry and its close to lunchtime so hurry up." The static cut off as he put down the radio and looked out into the churning ocean. The massive shadow he had just seen passing by the boat putting him on alert, he didn't want to witness any reef shark's feeding frenzy.

"We can come back tomorrow, Y/N. Nothing's stopping us from that, right?" Another voice, one of your favorite colleagues suggested. That was right, you were there and your boss hadn't explicitly said that this was a one time thing. Another visit would do some good to see if the biometrics have changed in a span of twenty-four hours.

"Alright, okay, we'll come back later for a differential test."

The group had a collective sigh of relief. You were notorious for loving the ocean to such a degree you'd do anything to stay in a while longer, they were all content with leaving now and coming back later if it meant they wouldn't see your sad pouting all the way back to the van. Picking up their equipment and vials everyone began swimming back to the boat now most of them making small talk and discussing their plans for the weekend while you were once again lost in your thoughts.

Something impossibly dark darted through your vision. Blocking out the beautiful view of the turquoise water and colorful life like an angry, ominous storm cloud. A blanket of blindness shrouding all light for a moment but it felt like an eternity as dread sunk in the pit of your stomach, anchoring you to the spot. The warm water now felt cold, goosebumps running up your bare arms and thighs like pinpricks. The heart that had been so calm in the home of your ribcage now pushing adrenaline through your bloodstream, adjusting to a state you weren't acting on. Fear. That wasn't a Manta Ray or a comically large Stingray that was something else entirely. A predator that crashed against the fragile cage of safety, security and believing you were untouchable in shallow depths.

You were reminded of the psychologically scarring and irrational fear of one's ankles being grabbed particularly in the ocean by a shark, the part of your lizard brain firing signals all across your synapses to detach the leg. If only. A fair trade, being left alone at the price of a limb but unfortunately humans couldn't detach or regrow whatever they lost.

That fear was horrifically evoked when something far more firm than a limp leaf of seaweed wrapped around your ankle. Slimey, cold as death and tipped with five sharp points. Reminiscent of a hand, a very large hand. Expanding across your bare skin like a calloused cuff that threatened to break the skin, sink into the meat and tear your foot off entirely. However, that didn't seem to be happening. No cloud of your own blood instead the safety of the boat got further and further away, turning into a speck barely seen in the shallow water.

"Wait, wait no! What the fuck?! Let go! What the hell?" When your brain managed to get over its fear and shock of the situation your fight-or-flight instincts kicked into high gear and your body began to thrash around against the hold. If it was a shark hitting it in the snout and eyes was imperative to get it to release but what if it wasn't? What else could possibly have your leg in its grip with a goal of pulling you away from the boat?

A flurry of indistinguishable voices and noises came over the radio. From yelps, screams and to curses but the thudding in your ears and the furious splashes drowned them all out, everything became topsy turvy, what was the bottom of the ocean and what was the surface became an abstract concept. The primal urge to escape was ripped away when the respirator giving you oxygen was unceremoniously and harshly ripped from your mouth, the hand that had done it orange and black. The water was salty, like you had dumped an entire container of table salt into your mouth and you washed it down with a sip of water. It was invasive, slipping down your throat into your lungs as they tried to gulp air instead. The more you inhaled the harder it was to move. Your limbs becoming as heavy as cement bricks. Unconsciousness began to consume everything, your body down to your mind. The eerie sensation of falling was the last thing before everything faded to black...

[paperstarwriters]

I just checked the blog and they pretty much just skipped out on Muriel which; unfair tbh so for the sake of both my birthday and Anon's birthday I'm gonna fill in that gap lol

(of course with way more extra 'cause I love Muri way too much for my own good lmao)

I will admit, being out in the forest and keeping to yourself most days, i'd imagine it's pretty hard to keep track of time, but maybe Asra stopped by recently to tell him, or maybe MC keeps track of the days somehow, or maybe you're able to approximate the day based on the flowers and herbs that you collect those days. Who knows?

Either way, Muriel finds out eventually, and knowing that elsewhere, with others you could've gotten cool expensive gifts, he puts a lot of time and effort into preparing something nice for you, as if he needs to pay you with gifts and presents for sticking around him, as if you're sacrificing a lot to be here with him, as if you couldn't just go into town if you really really wanted to...

Anyways, he starts with baking you a cake. his fireplace isn't really suited to making baked goods, and though he asks Asra for some help, they don't exactly have an oven themself. They eventually find Portia though who eagerly helps Muriel with the process. She offers to make it for them entirely, but Muriel is insistent on doing it for you. The cake is a little wonky, especially for his first time, and since he doesn't want Portia to basically make it for him, they skip out on any possibility of fancy piping on the cake. Instead Portia fetches some edible flowers and fruit from her garden and offers them as decoration, it's still wonky, it's still sloppy and simple but hey at least it's got some pretty flowers and fruit on it.

I can't help but imagine the others catch wind of it too and everyone ends up adding to the little cake in some way hoping to "help" Muriel and all that, still unhappy with the kind of sorry state of his cake, he accepts their help and ends up with something.... almost worse. He kept asra from adding something really weird onto the cake, but Nadia added sugar pearls or sugary glitter, Julian added some of those plastic-like-cherries that he probably got from some drink at the rowdy raven, and Asra added something that Muriel's never seen of or heard of before, but it's sweet and seems to taste good, so he lets it slide.

The cake looks like a mess by the end of it all.

He puts more effort into making a beautiful little carving for you, one of your favorite animal perhaps. I can't help but imagine he carved two little statues, one of your favorite animal and another of a bear, curled up around it, like him and you. He doesn't give you the second half of the gift right away though, feeling like it was a little bit selfish and self-indulgent.

So at the end of the day, he finds himself with a messy, messy cake, and half of a carving. It feels like it really shouldn't be enough for you.

But you do end up liking it.

The cake tastes amazing (of course, without any of the extra additives that you maybe didn't like, Muriel is willing to eat that in your stead.) but the cake is delicious, even if it looks a little sloppy, and you love the carving that he had given you.

It's only as you're rubbing your hand over the texture he's carved into the wood, that you find little flat planes where Muriel cut away his own part of the carving. You ask about it, and bashfully he reveals the carving of you and him represented as animals, curled up together. You love the gift, as simple as it is, and though it's possible for the two figurines to sit apart, you never dare separate them, making sure the little wooden paws are in their little wooden place snug and cozy against each other <3

Im not sure if requests are open, so if they’re closed just ignore this lol

Today’s my birthday! How would the M6 help MC celebrate?

(I love you sm big brother <3)

-🌙

I checked back through the old ask arcana posts - and it turns out there's an official answer for this one! ^.^

[astro-rain]

delicate; b.barnes

chapter eight - “hovel, sweet hovel”

delicate masterlist

word count: 2k

synopsis: bucky and y/n arrive the shelter and take a look at what it has to offer.

pairings: bucky barnes x fem!reader

[A/N]: what would you like to see happen next? let me know! (p.s. this is what i pictured the shelter/hovel to look like)

"I think this is it," Bucky said, looking forward at the structure in front of them.

"That's the 'shelter?'" Y/N huffed, hopelessly annoyed.

They had been walking and jogging on and off for forty-five minutes straight. Her feet killed.

"We're... gonna die."

"We are not gonna die, Y/N."

"Look at it! That is a hovel!"

"Well, inside's better than outside," Bucky retorted. "At least no one will see us if we're in there. It looks abandoned, they'll assume it actually is.”

She sighed and followed behind Bucky into the shelter. It was a one story stone structure that looked so old and weathered. It... looked like a shed. An old ass stone shed. She briefly wondered if Wakanda had a storm season because she was almost certain this thing wouldn't withstand it.

The door let out an anticipated squeak, and she was just as disappointed to see the inside as she was the outside. Bucky put the bags down and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah... this... isn't great..."

It was just as small as it seemed. And empty. Mostly. There were a few withered shelves with dusty pots and bowls, and an even more withered attempt at a table. There was what looked like a furnace in one corner with old, rotted wood in it. The wooden floor creaked under their steps.

The whole place felt like a ghost: desolate, ancient, and lonely. Except for one peculiar thing...

"Bucky?" she beckoned.

"Hm?"

(Y/N) hadn't noticed it when she first entered, but in the middle of the table sat a small, shiny, black panther figurine. It posed on all fours, looking ferociously up at her. It looked so out of place in contrast of the eternal layer of dust on everything else.

"What is this?" she asked reaching for the one thing that didn't match.

When her hand wrapped around it, energy surged into her skin. It felt almost... alive.

"(Y/N) what-" Bucky was cut off by a sound that startled them both.

In the corner across from the furnace, a section of the floor starting moving. Wood on wood on stone was not a good sound. Nonetheless, in mere seconds, there was an opening, and if (Y/N) leaned forward, she could see stairs!

Both of them remained still, feet planted on the creaky floor. They immediately looked at each other.

"What did you do?"

"I'm... not sure. I think I opened it."

(Y/N) smirked.

"What?" Bucky asked, confusion clearly evident in his tone.

"I should've known," (Y/N) shook her head. "Shuri wouldn't have led us here unless there was something more."

She held the panther figurine as she walked towards the opening.

"Wait," he grabbed her arm. "We don't know that Shuri knew that was here. What if it's a trap?"

"A trap from who? I don't think anyone knows we're here except Shuri."

"I don't know. J-Just let me go first."

"Alright. After you, oh wise one," she acquiesced, voice sarcastic but endearing all the same.

Bucky tried to suppress a chuckle. "Smartass. You're the wise one."

She tried to go down the stairs, letting him go first, but apparently that wasn't enough.

"Wait, just let me go look around and I'll holler when it's all good."

"Holler? Who says holler?"

"Me. Wait here."

"Fine," she made a show of pointedly plopping down on the top step, still and waiting as he requested.

It only took about ten seconds.

"Woah..." his voice came from far away.

"What is it?!" (Y/N) leaned forward.

"You were right! Come down, you gotta see this!"

She wasted no time... and standing beside Bucky, her jaw dropped.

"Holy..."

Beneath the ground was a significantly larger, way more modernized, and highly advanced survival shelter. All equipped with smaller versions of a table, chairs, and cabinets, along with a compact freezer and miniature stove, a chest, a closet, and two sets of bunk beds. Everything was clean and looked in optimal condition. There was even a rug.

"Shuri definitely didn’t leave you with nothing," Bucky commented, still taking it all in.

"-us with nothing," she corrected, retreating back up to the shed to get the bags.

-

Later in the day, (Y/N) got a handle on the panther key and how to use it to open and close the entryway to the bunker. Once she figured it out, she kept it closed, ensuring their concealment and maximizing their safety.

Bucky had found his way into the closet, listing off the contents to (Y/N) who sat on the floor, back up against one of the bunk bed legs. She was exhausted. Her body had been assaulted by adrenaline and strenuous mortal-danger-physical-activity. Bucky seemed to be fine, though. Curse that super soldier serum. His energy was always so high.

"...oh, and here's the bedding stuff. I don't know what this is, though."

(Y/N) lethargically leaned her head over to get a good view of the closet.

She chuckled. "That's a space heater...Oh! And next to it - that's a portable AC. Makes sense. I doubt they could get electric or plumbing out here."

And her head rolled back to center, eyes closing, body exhausted.

Bucky seemed to notice. "Hey, if you're tired, I can make the beds...or at least yours if you wanna sleep now."

(Y/N) stretched her legs straight out in front of her. "No, that's okay."

She wasn't about to force her one armed friend to make a bed for her. That's just rude. Especially after he carried those bags. She felt bad; she wished she had done more.

"Nah, I don't mind. It's not like I got anything else to do," he insisted, bringing the bedding over.

(Y/N) stood, body internally complaining in aching protest. She didn't really have the energy to expertly persuade him.

"Buck, it's fine." Her voice was faint.

He didn't even stop to hesitate, seemingly determined on the task. She thought it better to just give up and let him do his thing since he was so set on it. However, the sheet was fitted and there were pillow cases, not really one-arm friendly assets. He was struggling... very clearly. (Y/N) felt even worse.

He started moving quicker, frustration jerking his arm in quick, irritated bursts as he was trying to get the sheet to stay. There was still no success.

She stepped forward gently. "Bucky..."

"Damn it!" he hissed, slamming his hand on the bed frame before forcefully standing up. His hand went to his forehead, rubbing his eyes in disappointment.

(Y/N) was a statue. She had never seen him mad before; she had no idea what to do. Don't get her wrong, she wasn't scared, she just wasn't sure what to say.

"Can't fuckin' do anything," he muttered under his breath.

She finally moved forward. "Hey, forget the bedding, it doesn't matter-"

"Yes it does," he turned. "We're hiding from a collapsed regime and I can't even make a damn bed. Plus you've done so much for me, I just wanted to help with something. I just wanted to be able to do something."

Oh. Suddenly, his anger was gone. It was replaced with a miserable helplessness. It made her chest tight; she needed to fix this.

"Buck, you don't owe me anything. I'm here because I wanted to help, not because I was expecting anything in return. And I don't know what you've been paying attention to, but I watched you carry the majority of those - heavy - bags the entire way here while simultaneously figuring out the way to the shelter while my brain was momentarily smooth. You were the voice of reason in that chaos we just escaped from, and it's a damn good thing you were so calm because I don't know if I could have handled the panic of the both of us."

"You could've," he murmured. "And I wasn't calm, I'm just used to this. I was trained for situations like this."

No, she wasn't going to lose to deflection.

"Regardless, you were a huge help. Seriously."

He still didn't look convinced.

"In fact, I feel more safe here with you than I would with Shuri and the Queen. You're like a super soldier body guard."

A look washed over his face that (Y/N) couldn't quite place. He looked at her quizzically, like he was trying to figure something out.

"You... feel safer with me?"

"That's what I said, yes."

"You're not like... worried about..."

"The Winter Soldier? No."

He sighed. "How can you be so sure? You have no idea if or when I might... you know."

"We are literally the only people here, and I don't plan on saying the trigger words. So unless you plan on saying them, I don't really think we have anything to worry about. And, even if you did 'you know,' you could definitely get away with it and no one would find the body."

He turned bright red. "What?!"

"I'm kidding! Sorry. But Bucky, you've been doing so well with me and Shuri, and honestly the Hydra programming might not even be there anymore."

"But we don't know for sure!"

"Bucky..." she pleaded, turning her head slightly as to say what is this about?

"I can't trust my own mind," he sighed looking at the floor. "I just don't wanna do anything bad. It's just - weird that you don't seem to be worried at all."

"Why is that?"

"Everyone sees me as a monster."

The room was dead silent. He wasn't looking at her, but if (Y/N) looked at him any harder, she was sure she'd burn a hole through his head. How could anyone see this man as a monster? Logically, she understood what other people saw. But personally, she couldn’t find it in her to perceive him like that. It just didn’t work. All she could find was gentleness, compassion, and sincerity.

"I can't see you as something you're not," she said, whisper soft. "I don't care if you hands are 'scarred from murder' or however you said it a few sessions ago. I trust them entirely."

He finally looked up at her, his face filled with something she couldn't quite place. It looked a bit like disbelief and then it changed into relief and then something else entirely. A slow smile crept up on his lips.

"...hand."

"What?"

"My hand. Singular. Not hands."

A deep, deep smile - to match the one on Bucky - grew on her face just before the pair started cracking up ridiculously. Perhaps this was an odd way of releasing the tension, fear, frustration, and exhaustion of the day. Nevertheless, laughter was cathartic. It was so cathartic that eventually (Y/N) could hardly catch her breath and Bucky's stomach hurt. This went on for several minutes.

In time, they both calmed down. She didn't remember when exactly it happened, but they were both sitting on the floor now. They sat in between the two bunk beds, facing one another, each back leaning against a respective bedpost.

The atmosphere was different now, but not in a bad way. It felt like 2 a.m. at a sleepover, when the conversations get drowsily deep, with slow voices and honest confessions. It was heavy eyelids and low inhibitions.

A fresh wave of exhaustion washed over her. She let her head fall slack against the bedpost, resting.

"Bucky, what were sleepovers like in the forties?" she asked softly, eyes closing ever so delicately. 

"Well," he started, getting into a story of his past with Steve and the couch cushions.

And that's how she fell asleep. Sitting on the floor, leaning against a bunk bed, and listening to his voice fade out into the background of her consciousness.

If only she knew how she would wake up: laying comfortably on one of the beds, with one blanket on top of her and another below her because he couldn't get the sheet to cooperate. With the pillowcase carefully draped atop the pillow instead of enveloping it because that's what one hand would allow. With the bed next to her being slept in with no blanket because he used his as the replacement for the sheet he couldn’t get to cooperate.

[gl0rious-purpose]

Exciting and Fast Things (Loki x TVA!Reader)

Summary: Life at the TVA was boring. Of course, Loki had to be the one to spice up life there, specifically yours.

Word Count: 3214 Words

Author's Note: There is implied sexual content and light swearing, but there's not really a lot of details.

The TVA. The infamous Time Variance Authority. It was the only thing you had known since you were born. Or at least you were taught that. A man by the name of Mobius M. Mobius, who was obsessed with jet skis, had raised you as his daughter. He was kind, gentle, and very much dad material. You never really went to school, the knowledge just magically showed up as you got older. While you got older, your dad had discovered a variant. The variant had been killing minute men all across the timeline, causing a huge disruption in workflow.

The disruption mostly affected you. You worked as a file keeper and you had to constantly keep updating files as the minute men and women were killed and new ones were trained and brought in, minds clearly wiped. Well, in a sense. As far as you know, you were the only one who had been their your whole life, besides Mobius and Ravonna. 

While you were working one day, an alarm started going off. It was on that didn't go off as often, but it piqued your interest. The light would flash whatever color an identified variant radiated. This one radiated green. Those who radiated green tended to be perfectionists, analytical, conceptual, cool, calm, inventive and logical. They could even be mischievous. The green ones were always rare, or at least that's what you thought. You've never met one. Well, that was until Mobius had identified the variant killing all personnel. 

It was a Loki variant. Out of curiosity, you looked up the Loki variants on your computer. Most of the variants you saw were apparently "pruned." The one they had identified apparently was unlisted because you couldn't find on that was female, but seeing that all of them were fluid with sex and gender, you thought they had just shifted to a different form. As you scrolled through the files, one caught your eye. Loki Laufeyson, Timeline: 2012. You pulled the file up and scanned it. 2012? There's no way they're here now. As you read further, you found the status area. In bright red lettering read 'In Process Of Capture.' 

Your thin brows furrowed lightly before returning back to their relaxed position. We capture them? You inquired mentally, not wanting a response. You shook it all off before closing down all the files and clearing the history. That was the number one rule when it came to computers in the TVA. You log in, get the information you require, and then you would clear out without a trace. You truly hated it, but it wasn't your place to complain about an extremely reasonable rule. Closing the area completely and locking it, you stared into the now dark area. I wonder if I'll ever meet on of these green Loki variants. You mused mentally, sighing as your keys bounced against your thigh as you made your way to your shared apartment with Mobius.

  Several Months Later...

Months had passed since the Loki variant was identified. You've never seen your dad more excited than that moment. Well, besides when he met you and he got new jet ski magazines. You only got them because they made him happy, but you were more into motorcycles. Running the risk of getting thrown off an open bike at high speed just appealed to you. Maybe you liked the idea of it. Or maybe it was the thrill. One of these days, you were determined to ride one at least. 

Today, however, was not one of those days.

A week ago, the minute personnel was able to capture the 2012 Loki variant. While The Avengers going back in time to break the timeline was fate, Loki escaping with the tesseract was not. You stood by the docking bay, waiting eagerly to see the green variant. Your dad had been so excited about this, he wanted you to be there. He wanted you to see that all the hard work paid off. Of course, you had to stay in a corner, far out of harm's way. As the portal open up, the minute personnel pushed the variant through. Your breathing faltered as you took him in. He was menacing, but in a good way. He was extremely tall. If he were to stand by you, he would've loomed over you like a giant. The idea made you shiver, not with anxiety, but with.. anticipation. You wanted that to happen. 

A loud clink caused you to focus back in on what was happening. The personnel was unlocking his chains, leaving his mouth guard for last. As they dropped the chains, they looked at the guard before deciding to leave it on until they got to booking. You stared intensely at the variant. The almost viridian green suit flattered his form quite well. Instinctively, your mouth turned up into a smirk at his appearance, eyes flickering to the sudden movement. Mobius had walked up to the variant, clearly pleased with himself.

"Loki Laufeyson. Glad you could be here." Mobius spoke courtly to him, which caused the man in front of him to roll his eyes. If you didn't know Mobius, you would've thought he would've pruned him right there and then at the action. But that's the thing – you did know him. Mobius would rather work along side this variant and understand him better in person than removing him from the timeline completely. Mobius gave a smile and stepped aside to let the guards through. They walked swiftly, afraid that Loki might try something while not locked up. You staring must've been felt because suddenly his eyes flickered over to your location. If you weren't mistaken, you could've swore you saw a hint of mischief glimmering in his eyes. Once he was out of sight, you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. Oh my god...You couldn't help, but mentally swooned over the variant. You had to manually take care of your breathing as you tried to compose yourself as Mobius came over, huge smile plastered on his face.

"Wasn't that awesome?!" Mobius spoke in a breathy voice, overwhelmed by the encounter. You shot him a small grin, happy that he finally got what he wanted. He pulled you into a huge, bear hug, rocking you back and forth. Mobius pulled away, pressed a kiss to your forehead. He shot you a toothy grin before glancing at one of his own personnel. They gave him some type of gesture, you believe it was to indicate that the variant was ready to be interviewed and he nodded before looking back at you.

"Well, I better go over the variant's history. I'll send my findings up to be filed in a bit." You barely nodded at him before you saw him basically run out of there to get to the interview room. Back against the wall, you stood there for a couple minutes. You would've spoken to Mobius instead of giving simple gestures, but it felt like Loki had stolen your voice. Clearing your throat, you pushed yourself off of the wall and walked out of the docking bay to the files room.

As you got settled in and started to dive into your work, your mind kept wandering to the variant. He was just so hypnotizing and he had you spellbound. Without moving your head, your eyes glanced up at the personnel walking by as you remember somewhere in the file that said his mother – well, adopted mother – had taught him magic. Had he casted an incantation on you? You pondered on this for a while before rolling your eyes.

"We all know magic is incapable of use here." You muttered, internally scolding yourself at the thought. You reached over to grab a file you had to digitize and placed it in the scanner. As you watched the devices bar of light through the closed lid, you realized that you weren't going to get a moment without thinking about the variant. You groaned, sitting back in your chair as you waited for the scanning to finish. You thought this was going to be a long day like the rest. However, it was starting to change. A long day? This was going to be a long week.

  Every work day went the same way, but it appeared Mobius was spending more and more time with the Loki variant. Please let Mobius get his work done with Loki. You internally pleaded this for several mornings as you watched him rush from the apartment to meet up with the God. You placed your hands on the counter as your hung your head, mentally exhausted from thinking about Loki. Maybe you should talk to him? You suggested to yourself as you took in a deep breath, looking up. As you looked up, a magazine caught your eyes. You slid your body over the counter as you reached for it, smiling at the motorcycle on the front. 

"Great," you started, slightly sarcastically. "An excuse not to have to file dad's notes yet. Score!" You celebrated a little before grabbing your things and walking down to files. You were going to file those note whether you liked it or not, you were just going to make it the first thing you did. Walking out, you locked the door, juggling the items you had in your hands. As you swung your bag over your shoulder in the hall, magazine in hand, you heard minute personnel talking behind you, boots rapidly hitting the ground loudly. 

"Did you hear? Mobius is actually trusting the Loki variant to roam the place." The first one spoke, clearly astonished. The other one scoffed behind you.

"I think he's definitely gonna help." The second one's snide remark made you pick up the pace a bit, eager to get away from the negativity.

"Yeah, help himself." The first guard replied in a snarky manner before they both let out demeaning giggles rang out, nauseating you. You swallowed the feeling as you picked up the pace and made it to files. Looking up at the clock on the wall, you saw you were extremely early. Maybe I can get more work done. You mused to yourself as you got the area unlocked and ready for business. Dropping into your chair, you turned on the computer and logged in. As it logged in and took you to the homescreen, you zoned out. Was Mobius really letting Loki walk around freely? You pondered on what the hunters had said, jumping at a file being dropping on the counter. You looked at the guard, who in turn looked at you apologetically, muttering a 'sorry' before scurrying off to their post. You shook your head as you grabbed the file and placed it on the scanner. By the way it was going, you could already tell it was gonna be a long work day.

As hours passed, by the fourth hour of work, you had already gotten all your work done. Even though time moves differently here, it could at least speed the fuck up. You thought, grumpily. Normally at this time, you would have more files coming. You had gotten a notification that no more files were going to come until tomorrow due to printing error. As you sat there, wondering what to do, you remembered your motorcycle magazine. Grabbing it gleefully, you eagerly started to flip through the magazine. As you read each page, you basically checked out if the world around you. In fact, you were so engrossed with the magazine, you barely noticed that Loki had walked up to the counter in front of your desk. He leaned over the desk, examining you, waiting for you to notice his presence. His eyes raked over your body, enticed with what he was seeing. You were the most ravishing person he had ever had the pleasure of laying his eyes on. Gods, the things he would do to you if he had permission. He leaned further, not realizing you hadn't seen him. After a couple minutes, he decided to clear his throat to catch your attention. The sound startled you as you quickly closed the magazine and threw it under files, looking at the person briefly. As you adjusted yourself, you did a double-take of the person leaning comfortably across from you. You gulped, hoping your sudden nervousness wasn't apparent. He gave you a smile as he caught your eyes, easing the tensions, but causing your stomach to twist into knots. A sailor's knot to be specific, and it was quite uncomfortable. You turned your body more towards him, not realizing it allowed him to take you in fully. His blue eyes flickered down before they rose slowly back to yours.

"Hello, Loki Laufeyson." You spoke slowly, hoping your voice was as steady as you tried to make it. He hummed in response, scanning your chest for a name tag. 

"Hello..." His voice trailed off, realizing he couldn't find your name anywhere.

"..None of your business." You finished his sentence, wanting to mess with him before you actually let him know your name. You couldn't imagine how wide his eyes would be when he learned who your dad was. You watched him suck in his cheeks, trying to figure out how to respond. His eyes closed as he head leaned back fully, allowed your eyes to slowly trail from the underside of his jaw to the bottom of his throat. It was the strangest thing, but you thought it was attractive seeing him like that.  I'd like to see that more often. You chewed on your lip as some questionable thoughts came to mind. His head fell back down, face covered with determination. 

"Excuse my manners. You know my name, but I don't know yours. What is your name? A woman as ravishing as you must have a lovely name.." Loki's voice seemed to grow deeper as the sentence trailed off, flicking his out against his bottom lip as looking you up and down again, hoping you noticed. Without warning, your cheeks grew a little hot. Your eyes flickered down as you tried to make your cheeks go back to their normal hue, mentally scolding yourself. Loki smirked mischievously at your reaction. He watched your head turn back to him, ready to respond.

"It's Y/N. Y/N Mobius." You paused as you watched the gears turn in his head before his mouth formed an 'o' shape. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. That was definitely not the reaction you were expecting, let alone the one you wanted.

"He talked about you. I didn't connect the dots that you were his daughter until now." Loki shrugged nonchalantly, giving you a warm, cunning smile. All you did was nod in response. Now that these foolish semantics were done, you decide to find out why he was really here.

"Anyway, why are you here?" You inquired, reaching over to clear the computer before logging off. You won't remember to do so after this conversation. You glanced over at him as he quickly put his words together.

"Well, Y/N, I came to see the prettiest person at the TVA." He stated his true intentions, watching your face intently for a reaction. As he watched you stare blankly at him, he realized you might've been oblivious to his flirting attempts. This is going to be harder than I thought. He grumbled internally, throwing a mischievous smile on.

"That would be you, darling." The nickname rolled off of Loki's silver tongue, making your stomach twist tighter. Ignoring the internal war, you have a quick smile before going back to just staring at him. Your unimpressed look threw Loki off completely. He breathed in deeply, realizing he'd have to change the subject to keep this interaction going. He needed this to work.

"Um, anyway... What were you reading? You know, before I distracted you." He wiggled his eyebrows at you, watching your eyes flicker to the finish pile of files. Sighing, you dug out the magazine and tossed onto the counter besides Loki's arms. He eyes the magazine, taking in every detail.

"It's a motorcycle magazine." You explained blatantly, knowing he knew what it was. He hummed in response before chuckling. 

"Your dad likes jet skis and you like motorcycles. Huh." He pondered for a second before continuing. "How interesting." One of his brows raised as he looked up at you, intrigued.

"What can I say? We both are drawn to exciting and fast things. It's our passion." You explained, hoping Loki was going somewhere with this conversation. If he wasn't, you were very much prepared to go home and sleep. He looked down as he licked his lips, eyes peering back up at you through his brows.

"You know, I'm very exciting." Loki stopped his sentence, hoping he had captured your attention. Your attentive eyes stared back at him, head tilting slightly to the right. Make this good, Laufeyson...You internally urged him, eyes squinting slightly.

"And I can go as fast as you like." His eyes flickered to your lips before moving back up, sending you a quick wink as he laughed darkly. You laughed nervously, biting your lip as you brought your hand up to the computer, turning it off. Well, if he's interested. Loki watched you push yourself away from the computer desk, eyes dropping down to your thighs. As much as he tried to stop himself and half some self control, he stared at them, sizing you up a bit. He nodded as his eyes trailed back up your body again, this time he did it seductively, causing your breath to hitch in your throat. You walked over to him slowly, hands slowly sliding up his body before settling on his chest, palm towards him. Loki watched you, eager for your next moves. You moved your right hand to grab his tie, gently tugging him towards you. Leaning your mouth up against the corner of his, the corners of your lips turning up teasingly, eyes fluttering closed.

"If you're so confident about that, let's find out." You whispered to him seductively, reaching out and biting his bottom lip. Loki growled at you, roughly grabbing your hips as he hungrily pressed his lips to yours, his tongue making it's way quickly into your own. You moaned as he continued to battle your own tongue, wrapping your arms around his neck. His tongue grazed against the inside of your mouth, exploring every inch. Suddenly remembering you were out in the open, kissing a variant, you pulled away for air. As you briskly locked everything up, leaving the magazine on the counter, you grabbed Loki's wrist and dragged him back to the shared apartment. You looked behind, winking at him before he hurried to walk beside you, slipping an arm around your waist. The slyness? The mischief? The analytical skills? Loki was without a doubt a green variant, and you were sure his personal skills were going to keep proving that.

You weren't entirely sure of what was going to happen tonight, but you were very eager to let it happen. You just hoped Mobius was so busy talking shop with Ravonna that he wouldn't be coming home.

You can also read this fic here <3

[aceofspadegrass]

A little thing, since why not. I have cats on my brain again (When do I not.)

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

" So, mind telling me why you have..... seven kittens on you?"

Last Boss doesn't even bother to respond, briskly walking past Niragi. Hell, he doesn't even ask why Niragi is in his apartment in the first place.

True to the ball of black licorice's words though, there were seven kittens on him.

It was a simple explanation, really. He was going out on his very, very minimal walks around the neighbourhood ever since he was practically forced out of his apartment by the rather eccentric man with the plant husband next door every week, when he came across very faint, pitiful meowing. Of course, he could've went ahead and ignored said meowing, but he had a spot of curiosity for life when he didn't have to think about responsibilities of basic living.

The meowing, obviously, came from a kitten. A little tabby with little white socks and tummy, along with a second near identical kitty who was more busy trying to eat grass than scream its little lungs out. A mother was nowhere to be seen, and as the call of adorable kittens tend to do, he gave each one a little pat on the back and head.

He did leave shortly after, but kittens are little shits when they wish to be, and not even a minute later Last Boss had tiny paws pitter-pattering behind him. He didn't stop to pick them up until later, when he came across even more kittens. Yet another two kittens, one of which immediately ran up to him and bonked its orange face against his leg. The second, a little calico with a dainty strut, only followed and settled on social distancing from the tall artist-statue shaped man.

Of course he gave them silent pats as well before continuing on, now with more. By this point he had realized that he now had three tabbies and a calico playing the train game with him, and he wasn't going to make them walk in a blistering heat (He knew that the toe beans could get hurt on hot rock slabs), so he scooped up the kittens and settled them on his person, a kitten each on his shoulders and the last two cradled to his chest.

The last three simply appeared from nowhere, Last Boss making his way up to the apartment building. It was like the four kittens he had already obtained on his trek summoned them, and he wordlessly scooped them up as well, making sure none would fall off and get hurt.

Which led to now, as he settles the seven kittens on his floor and let them sniff around, the orange one deciding it much rather bonk against his leg again than leave to do anything else. His cat Cabot only looks up at him from the pile of newspaper she was laying on when she saw the new arrivals, although didn't bother to claim her territory from the little intruders.

Of course, in response Last Boss say nothing to plead his case. There was no case to plead.

Did he have the time to foster seven whole kittens? Yes, it's not like he does anything else. Did he need seven whole kittens? Legally, no. He had Niragi if he wanted something to watch break glass cups.

Was he going to attempt to play Jenga with little kittens before being a decent human being and sending them off to a better place? Absolutely.

" Hey, I'm gonna eat your last slice of cake Last Boss!" Niragi calls out outside, and Last Boss quickly pardons himself from the kitten squad to go win his cake back with a broomstick.

[flameo-firelord-hotman]

Part 1

Pairing: Zuko x Fem!Reader

Genre: angst

Warnings: none

Words: 2.1

Summary: to everyone she knew, [y/n] was a peasant, destined to be a servant just like her parents. To Zuko, however, she was his best friend. After losing his agni kai and being exiled, [y/n] was devastated. She thought she would never see him again. Three years later, she almost wished he never came back.

A/N: it’s finally here! So sorry for putting it off for so long. I felt unmotivated and like this wasn’t very good? But I’m posting it now, so there’s no going back lol. Enjoy! And please give me feedback :)

Part 1 -> Part 2

Series | Masterlist

Despite being a lower class citizen, [y/n] was very familiar with the halls of the Fire Nation Royal Palace. Her parents had been working as servants for the royal family since she was a little girl. Her mom was a housemaid. Her dad was a groundskeeper. To be a servant for the royal family was an honor, and [y/n]'s parents instilled this in her. Sometimes they brought her to work to teach her the skills she would need to become one as well.

Yes, her parents fully expected her to become a servant. Doing so was typical for citizens of her status. Specifically, though, her parents expected her to follow in their path and work for the royal family. Perhaps that would change when she met Zuko.

"Hi! My name's Zuko! What's yours?" A bubbly boy asked [y/n] one day. He was eight years old, the same age as [y/n]. His dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and he had bright, amber eyes. Back and forth he rocked on his feet, anxiously waiting for her answer.

It was rare for [y/n] to see the royal family, and it was unheard of for one of them to speak to her…until that day.

"M-my name is [y/n]. It's an honor to meet you, Prince Zuko," [y/n] replied bashfully. She bowed carefully to show her respect for the Firelord's grandson, as her parents had taught her to do.

"You don't need to bow to me. You're my friend now!"

[Y/n] quickly straightened up. "But, but--"

"Will you play with me?" Zuko asked eagerly. [Y/n] turned to her mom, who was washing linens. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to.

Her mom quietly said to her, "if the Prince wants you to play with him, then it's okay." [Y/n] turned back to the young boy and nodded.

From that day on, they became best friends. Previously, [y/n] never looked forward to coming to work with her parents. It was boring, and the palace and everyone in it seemed so intimidating. Since meeting Zuko, it became the one thing she looked forward to.

They often played games in the palace gardens, or played hide-and-seek inside the palace with Zuko's mom, Lady Ursa. On occasion, they would play with his sister Azula and her friends Mai and Ty Lee (but only when the princess let her).

Eventually, instead of waiting for [y/n]'s parents to bring her to work, he would invite her over for playdates. Even as they approached their teen years, Zuko continued to invite [y/n] to hang out. As they matured, they grew closer. [Y/n] didn't realize it at first, but gradually she realized: she had feelings for Zuko.

Then one day, the invitations abruptly stopped. [Y/n] could never forget. The last words Zuko spoke to her on that day would echo in her mind: I'll be fine, [y/n]. Don't worry. I've been training for years. I'm sure I can take on this guy!

She didn’t get to watch the agni kai, and she was glad she didn't. She overheard all the palace staff whispering haunting rumors about it afterward. If only she could've been there for him. [Y/n] begged the guards outside of the infirmary to let her see Zuko, but they wouldn't.

Then, the next day, he was gone. And so [y/n] grieved the loss of her best friend and crush, so sure she would never see Zuko again.

"Momma! Papa! I'm home!" [Y/n] called as she walked into their apartment, returning home from a long day of work.

Three years had passed since that fateful day. During that time, [y/n] slowly adjusted to her new life: one without Zuko, as well as one as a housemaid. At thirteen, she began working for one of the Fire Nation's many rich, noble families. Soon she would gain the experience and expertise to become a servant for the royal family…though she was not fond of the idea of working for the family that Zuko was no longer a part of and in the home that Zuko no longer lived in. The thought of it was dreadful.

"Oh, [y/n]!" Her mom cheered as she jogged up to her. "You will not believe what I heard at the palace today!"

"Momma, please, you need to get a new hobby," [y/n] said.

Her mom was always eavesdropping and gossiping with the other servants about the royal family. [Y/n] couldn't blame her though; it was the only fun thing to do at work.

"Oh, this isn't a rumor, [y/n]. It's real," her dad chimed in as walked into the room.

[Y/n] chuckled. "Well, if dad says so, then I'm curious. What is it?"

Her parents looked at each other and grinned before turning back to [y/n]. "Prince Zuko is coming home!" They exclaimed.

[Y/n]'s jaw dropped. She was speechless. No way. They're not joking, right? They wouldn't. That would be a cruel prank. But still, Zuko was given an impossible task. That can only mean…

"Sweetie? Aren't you excited?" Her mom asked with concern. "Are you okay?"

[Y/n] nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah. I just don't believe it. It's too good to be true, you know?"

Her mom clasped [y/n]'s hands in hers. "Well, sweetie, it is true. Please tell her, honey, so she believes me!" She turned to her husband and laughed.

"We had a large staff meeting about it today," her dad explained. "We were told that he and his sister, Princess Azula will be here in about three days."

"Wow…this is really happening, isn't it?" [Y/n] asked.

"Mhm. Now, your mother and I are going to be working hard to welcome them home for the next few days. Don't be surprised if we return home late, okay?"

"Okay, papa," [y/n] smiled, trying to contain her excitement.

"And don't worry, we'll make sure you get to see him when he comes home." Her mother winked, making [y/n] giggle.

Over the next few days, [y/n] prepared for her reunion with Zuko. First, she made sure to have the day off. Second, she used her savings to buy a nice outfit. Third, she gave her hair a trim. Finally, she rehearsed everything she was going to say to him: that she missed him so much, how sorry she was for not being there for him, that she wished she could've gone with him, and that she was beyond excited to be with him again…perhaps she would confess her feelings for the prince too.

And when he returned, [y/n] was ready. She wore her new outfit: a short, rose colored tunic and sash over a long, maroon skirt. Her [h/c] hair was styled half-up, half-down with a top knot. It was a simple look, but she thought her best friend would like it.

A massive crowd gathered outside of the palace. Just about everyone living in Royal Caldera City was there. [Y/n] and her parents got as close as they could, which was unfortunately quite far away. They could barely see or hear Li and Lo speaking from the balcony…something about Azula invading Ba Sing Se and taking down the Avatar with Zuko.

"Now, the heroes have returned home! Your princess, Azula,"  shouted the two old women. Right on cue, the princess strutted out to the edge of the balcony. [Y/n] squinted her eyes to see her. Everyone around her cheered and clapped.

"And after three long years," they continued, "your prince has returned…"

This was it. This was the moment [y/n] had been waiting for. Her heart pounded in her chest, her jaw tightened, clenching her teeth, and her palms began sweating. The anticipation was killing her.

"Zuko!" Their voices boomed over the crowd.

And there he was: the banished prince, approaching the balcony's edge. [Y/n] stared in amazement. It really was true. Zuko came home! She jumped and cheered and clapped with the rest of the crowd.

After the public announcement, [y/n]'s parents brought her into the palace "to help with housekeeping." Yes, it was lie, but the palace guards believed it. They were very familiar with [y/n] and her family after all. Quickly, she strode through the halls of the palace, going to the one place she knew she would find him.

The hall opened to a large garden behind the palace. Beautiful flowers and bushes surrounded the area. Stone steps and tōrōs led to a large weeping willow next to a pond. The willow's long branches draped over the edge of the pond, the tips of its leaves tickling the water's surface. Beneath it sat the boy she was looking for. He was feeding small chunks of bread to a family of turtleducks.

It was like a dream. For the first time in three years, [y/n] was looking at Zuko's face. A large, patch of rough, red skin covered the left side…a remnant of his agni kai. It was shocking yet saddening. However, Zuko was still very handsome. His dark hair was pulled back into a top knot and decorated with a regal hairpiece. He had grown taller, his jawline was more defined and he had become more muscular. Zuko was no longer that little boy [y/n] remembered, which begged the question: did he remember her?

As [y/n] approached the prince, Zuko noticed her and made eye contact. His body froze and eyes widened.

"Hi, Zuko," [y/n] greeted him anxiously.

He immediately stood up and dropped all the bread chunks. The turtleducks took advantage and gobbled up every last crumb. "[Y/n]? Is that you?"

"Yeah! You remembered me."

Zuko beamed and opened his arms to [y/n]. They hugged each other tightly. [Y/n] felt three years of stress and tension in her body dissipate as she relaxed into his embrace. Not only was she seeing Zuko again, she was hearing his voice (which had deepened), she was feeling his warmth, and she was remembering what he smelled like.

"Of course I remember you," Zuko said, "how could I forget my best friend?"

"It's silly, I know…but it's been so long," [y/n] replied. They separated and looked at each other. Those amber eyes still shined just as they did when she first met him. [Y/n] felt her cheeks turn rosy.

"You're right. I'm really glad to see you again. I've missed you."

[Y/n] smiled. "I've missed you too. I have the day off if you want to hang out and catch up!"

"I'd love to," Zuko started, "but I can't. I'm going out with Mai today."

[Y/n]'s smile faded. "M-Mai?"

"Yep, he's taking me on a date today," a familiar voice from behind [y/n] said.

[Y/n] turned to see Mai approaching them. She gave Zuko a sweet smile, which Zuko reciprocated. Then, she clasped her hand in his and wrapped her other hand around his bicep. She rested her head on his shoulder and looked at [y/n]. [Y/n] felt her heart drop to her stomach.

Mai was as gorgeous as ever, not to mention she was wealthy and noble. Of course, Zuko would date her. [Y/n] suddenly felt stupid for even considering telling Zuko about her feelings. Why would a prince go out with a commoner? Why would a prince fall for one in the first place? Why did she think she had a chance?

"It's about time, if you ask me," another familiar voice interrupted [y/n]'s thoughts.

Azula, someone else she hadn't seen in years, strutted into the garden with a hand on her hip. As a child she was quite bossy and intimidating. From the rumors [y/n]'s mom told her, she never grew out of that behavior. Even now, she was giving [y/n] a dirty look.

"Oh please, Azula. It's been three years, and I just got here," Zuko scowled at his sister.

The princess scoffed. "Everyone knew Mai had a crush on you. Well, everyone but my idiot brother." Mai blushed and gave Azula a look, while Zuko groaned and rolled his eyes.

[Y/n] felt very out of place and uncomfortable. She wanted to leave. She wanted to run away. She wanted to go home. She wanted to lay in her bed and curse herself for thinking this was a good idea. Sure, [y/n] was beyond happy to see Zuko again, but she was also crushed knowing that his heart belonged to someone else. Moreover, being in the presence of Azula made her feel threatened. [Y/n] knew the princess despised her.

"Well, um, I'll leave you all to it. Have fun today…" [y/n] quietly said, smiling weakly.

"Okay, it was great seeing you again, [y/n]!" He said cheerfully.

"Yeah, it was good to see you too."

No…no, it wasn't.