#they’ll forever think they’re in the right so you’re just wasting your time

[feartheoldblog]

idk who is sending hateful anons to my friends but it’s getting pathetic at this point <3

[riainceol]

Dia daoibh, is mise Riain Mac Aoidh, I’m an independent musician from the North of Ireland.

Today is Bandcamp Friday and whilst I don’t have anything new to share today, did you know that my back catalogue contains a bunch of cool songs, and if you’re reading this post it’s about stuff you probably also care about?

Let’s take a look at a couple of my personal favourites.

Damocles is a song about the struggle of living under a society that wants you dead, as if the inevitability of the world turning on you is a constant pressure. I specifically wrote about my own experience with autism but we’re far from the only people who live with that pressure and doom.

Quite An Experience To Live In Fear was written about the “trans panic” in the UK and the US. While it is difficult to live with that spectre looming over you, the title is actually a reference to the people pushing transphobia. People like JK Rowling who have so much money and are granted ultimate security by capitalism are wasting their days in a quixotic campaign against normal people just trying to live their lives. They’re fascists, and fascists are ultimately cowards. They live in fear and drown in hate.

Dead Trees is a song about the older generations and their refusal to pay their lives forward to everyone coming after them. They stand towering over us in society in terms of wealth and influence and they might think they’ll be in that position forever, like towering pagodas, but wooden towers are just dead trees, and everyone dies.

The Kobold stands between you and your goal. He alone holds the key and in order to defeat him you must speak his name aloud for names have power, yet Kobold’s lie. I admit the dungeon music is very out of step with everything else on this list but it’s so fun to make.

I would have loved to have some new music available today but I recently relocated and am not set up to work. In fact I’ve been in this transition for a good couple of months now. If you’ve never supported my music before, now is a really good time to do so, as it helps this process go smoother for me and gets me back on track as soon as possible.

You can find these tracks and loads more like them here.

And if you can’t afford to buy anything right now, all of my music on my Bandcamp page has unlimited plays.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus Bandcamp Friday shona daoibh.

[faiirybread]

the bottom ; liam lawson #40

childhood friends are hard to break off. but when she’s dragging his name through the mud he might have to put his foot down.

inspired by the bottom by gracie abrams

tw!! major alcoholism, you’re an asshole for a good 2/3rds of this

part of the shriveled roses series

yourusername just posted!

night out with the girls got a lil too crazy

liked by liamlawson30, landonorris, and others

user01: oh so they were DRINKING drinking

user02: they’re actually so iconic for that

user03: nothin iconic about alcoholism babes

liamlawson30: i see that promo

yourusername: u know it 🤭🤭

user04: shes just a party girl in a boring world!

yourusername: u know me so well love

user05: it’s so weird how she has alcohol in every post.. just promoting alcoholism at this point

yourusername: girl gtfo, just because i like to drink doesn’t mean im an alcoholic. you know jackshit about me, stop acting like you do, you crusty bitch

user05: i say something about worrying about you and your automatic response is to call me a bitch? reall mature

yourusername: i dont need you to worry about me. im an adult, i can do whatever the hell i want.

user05: well when your posting your life on social media your gonna get judged

yourusername: it’s a post about me going out and partying. i'm an adult who likes to drink. there’s gonna be fucking alcohol you dumb twat.

user06: damn her whole attitude is just bad huh

user07: gonna talk about making out with lando soon?

f1gossip just posted!

BREAKING: LANDO NORRIS AND YN YLN SEEN MAKING OUT AND LEAVING PARTY IN MONACO TOGETHER

user01: liam seeing this like 😧😧

user02: who is she?

user03: liam lawson (redbull reserve driver)‘s childhood best friend. she’s known for partying a lot but lately it s gotten a lot worse 😬

user04: wasn’t she running her mouth about lando a few weeks ago??

user05: wait what spill

user04: a fan came up to her a few weeks ago and asked what she thought of some of the other drivers like lando, and she said he was a shit driver and should retire so liam gets a seat

user05: whattt that's so messed up. Who does she think she is??

You woke up with a headache, wrapped in sheets to your phone going off with a call. With a groan you grabbed your phone and answered it without looking at who it was. “What do you want?” you slurred, and was answered with Liam yelling at you.

“What the fuck is this?? You made out with Lando after saying some shit about him to a fan??”

You groaned, rolling over in bed to find your latest hookup gone. “Liam, it doesn’t matter. I’m fine, ok?”

“That’s not the point! You can’t just say whatever the fuck you want to people who are recording you, and you especially can’t bring me into it!” he ranted, and you could hear him pacing in his house. “Honestly, saying Lando should retire so I get a seat? Are you crazy??”

You sat up, rubbing your head. Hangovers were the worst thing in the world. “God, Liam, just loosen up! It’ll all blow over, ok? Don’t worry. I’ll lay low for a while, stop posting and shit, and they’ll forget about me.”

He answered immediately at that, quick to shoot it down. “No, no! You can’t just sweep it under the rug! This isn’t the first time you’ve done this, and it’s fucking with my career. Helmut’s talked to me about you, and about how you’re screwing up my chances for the Redbull seat.”

“Helmut’s a prick.”

“Maybe, but he’s right!”

“What the hell?!” You couldn’t believe what he was saying! Of all the times to call, the morning after you get shitfaced? You hadn’t even done anything bad. Yeah, you drank a lot. Who cares? You’re an adult, doing adult things.

“It’s the truth! You always get wasted, say some shit to media, and make me look like a fucking jerk! I'm tired of it, ok? It’s like you’re on a mission to fuck up my life! But I can never get mad at you because I’ve known you for forever and my whole family knows you and your whole family knows me and they’d crucify me if I ever made you sad or shit. Because you’re a spoiled brat!”

You sat there shocked at the outburst, opening your mouth to respond but he wasn’t done. A spoiled brat? Since when?!

“Ever since we were kids you’ve had someone like your brother, or your dad, or me to fix everything that you’ve broken. And it’s tiring! I’m not your nanny!”

You stood up at this, frustration turned up to the max. “I’m not asking you to be! I’ve never asked you to do that for me!”

“It’s not about you asking, it’s about you fucking my shit up and leaving it. It's like when you broke that vase at my parents house and didn’t say anything! I had to clean it up. I always have to clean it up. On Thursday I'll probably be asked about your behavior and have to make some answer to clear your name and make me look like I'm not a total prick.”

He stopped, and you could hear him breathing heavily. Shocked, you just gaped at the phone before saying calmly, “You could’ve told me this. Anytime before this you could’ve told me to shut up, to calm down, to do anything.”

“Oh, my, god. Are you fucking stupid?! Did you listen to anything I said?! I shouldn’t have to tell you not to talk to media! I shouldn’t have to tell you not to make out with my competitors! You’re an adult, so fucking act like one! Think a little!”

With that, he disconnected the call, leaving you bewildered, in an empty bed with an aching headache.

yourusername just posted!

mornin after

Liked by landonorris4, user6, and others

user01: girl.. we need a response

user02: no liam like 😮

user03: he probs got tired of her running his name

user04: soo what were you saying about lando being shit??

user05: i am SO here for the yn slander yall dont know how long ive been waiting for this

It was a few hours after the call, when you had taken a shower, had a meal, and worked off your hangover when you decided to call Liam. I mean, if he could yell at you like that then you can too, right? Honestly, him bringing up stuff from your childhood was so uncalled for. That was in the past, so leave it there!

You sat down at your kitchen table with your phone, took a deep breath, and pressed the call button on his contact. It rang once, twice, a third time, then went to his voicemail.

An automated message began playing, and you pressed the button to hang up. What a jerk! You tried to call him again, and again, and again, but each time it went to his voicemail. You got dressed and went outside, deciding to take a walk around town outside.

It had been a few hours before you had decided to call him again, this time with a notepad of all the points you were going to make to prove him wrong. Tapping a pen against the pad, you pressed the call button on your phone, then the speaker button. It rang once, twice, a third time, then went to voicemail. You hung up and tried again. Again, and again, and again until you got a different answer. Your head laying down on your arm, you reached out and tapped the call button again, and it rang once, then went to voicemail.

You sat up. One ring? Did he seriously block you? You tried it again, hoping it was just an error. One ring, then voicemail, over and over and over. What an ass!

yourusername just posted

don’t need your bs

liked by user1, user2, and others

user1 ‘don’t need your bs’ and it’s friends being concerned about her

user2 oh.. another party

user3 is it just me that’s genuinely concerned?

user4 nono me too, liam and lando both stopped liking and she seems like she’s just drinking away

user5 and the answers from liam during the press conference,, like somethings wrong..

liammm🏎️

hey, are you alright?

this isn’t me forgiving you for anything im just worried about you

party animal 🎉

fuskkc off

liammm🏎️

are you at a party rn?

party animal 🎉

no

art s parlk

jus me amd a borttle

liammm🏎️

love cmon

you can’t keep doing this

party animal 🎉

i kmow

but idk

yiu should get bscl to work

liammm🏎️

send your location please

party animal🎉

no

you werr rifht

i’ve been using you

im sirry liam

liammm🏎️

love please just send me your location

i want to make sure you get home safe

we can talk more in the morning

party animal 🎉

im sorry liam

*location*

You were sitting on a bench, a bottle of korean soju next to you. It was halfway drained, but when Liam texted you it reminded you of everything that had happened and you couldn’t bear to drink more. Staring out at the playground, bright colors muted in the dark light of the moon, just thinking. About your life, your choices, your family. About Liam. It really wasn’t his fault, everything that happened. He had been right. You did use him as a nanny, badmouthing coworkers and dragging his name through the mud. Even now, he was picking you up in the dead of night because you chose to go out and get drunk by yourself. It wasn’t like there was anyone who wanted to drink with you anymore.

You turned around when you heard your name called, to see Liam jogging over to you. “Are you alright?”

You nodded glumly, looking up at him with tears in your eyes. How could you do this to him? He looked tired, and disappointed. You’d seen that look in your other friends, but in Liam it hurt so much more.

“C’mon, let’s get you home,” he said, reaching for your arms and gently pulling you up. “I’m sorry Liam,” you said, looking at him, slightly dazed. Why were you doing this drunk? Why couldn’t you do this sober? A pit of guilt grew and grew in your stomach as he ignored what you said, grabbing the bottle and beginning to walk you to the car. Of course he ignored it. This wasn’t the first time you said this. But this was the first time you meant it. Or had drunk you said that before? You stopped.

“Liam, I’m serious.”

He sighed and looked back at you. “I know.” Somehow that made it 10 times worse, and with a wobbly lip, you asked, “Have I said that before?” He nodded, then started walking with you again. “Let’s talk more in the morning.” It struck a cord, how quickly he shut it down. All of this had happened before. How did you not remember? How much of your life had you given to alcohol?

Liam helped you into the passenger seat, and started to help you buckle up, but you stopped him. You wanted to prove that tonight was different. “I got it,” you said quietly. He nodded and walked around to the driver’s side, driving you back to your apartment. The whole time, you were racking your brain for other times like this, just a little bit that you could remember. It hurt your head, and when you came up empty the pit in your stomach deepened.

“How many times have I done this?” you asked quietly as he pulled into the parking garage. He took a second to answer, and said, “I lost count.”

Fuck.

He parked and you got out on your own, stumbling a bit but refusing his help to the elevator and up to your apartment. Was this new? Was he impressed, did he see a change? Or were you thinking like this every night he came to pick you up? You unlocked the door and let the two of you in to the front room that had bottles and trash scattered everywhere, but Liam stopped in the doorway. You turned to look at him.

“I’ll come back in the morning with some food, we can talk then. Are you alright?”

You nodded, and he nodded, then he closed the door behind him as he left. You began cleaning yourself up, washing your face and taking a shower, then cleaning your apartment. It felt like you had been floating in the apartment, not really paying attention to it. You cleaned through the night, not wanting Liam to see the apartment like this when he came back. You had brewed yourself a strong coffee by the time he knocked on your door, and you took your time answering, scanning the whole apartment to make sure it was clean. It was, so you opened the door.

Liam was standing there with takeout from a nearby bakery. He already looked tired. Did he get any sleep last night? Could he see that you didn’t? You have a small smile and stepped aside to let him in. As he scanned the apartment, you took the food and began plating it. Leading him to the kitchen island to eat, he started talking.

“Do you remember last night?”

“Yes.” He didn’t seem convinced.

“I was at the park drinking. You came and picked me up, I asked you how many times you had to do that, you couldn’t remember and wanted to talk about things today. You dropped me off here and said you’d be back in the morning with breakfast so we could talk. Now it’s morning.”

Surprise flashed behind his eyes for a second, but just as quick he steeled himself.

“Did I remember it before?” you asked, looking down at your plate.

“No.”

Just one word told you everything. You had gone too far too many times. “You don’t have to do this Liam. I don’t want to drag you back to me like this.”

He didn’t speak, just ate his breakfast. It was sausage and eggs, with a side of fruit. Yours was a chocolate croissant with some strawberries. You couldn’t eat it.

“Do you want any of mine?” he asked, not looking at you. It was as if he was reading off a script. You shook your head. He sighed, put down his fork, and leaned back.

“You seem more aware this time. Did you not drink as much?” You shrugged. This whole thing felt awkward, like he was your dad after a bad night out when you broke curfew. Except that’s exactly what this was, except he was your friend.

“You were right when you called me. I’ve been using you.” “Was that why you were drinking?”

You shrugged again. You both knew it was a yes, but you couldn’t bring yourself to say it.

“You want to get better? Throw out your alcohol. Go to every bar and club around here and tell them to deny you entry no matter what. Stop going for drinks with your coworkers. I’d even consider rehab. You’re addicted, ok? I want you to get better.”

He was looking at you now, but you couldn’t meet his eyes. You just kept staring at the croissant. He sighed, and reached for your plate to switch your meals, but you stopped him.

“Can you come with me?” your voice was stupidly shaky, and you cursed yourself for it. “I’ll do all the talking, I just want to make sure I get all of them” He nodded. “Eat first. Did you sleep at all last night?”

You hated how you felt like a little kid, shaking your head before picking up the croissant and taking a bite. “Once we finish that, can we talk more about this? I just feel like I woke up to everything I’ve done, you know?”

“Sure.” it was a short, curt response that you knew you’d just have to accept.

A few minutes later, you finished the croissant and coffee and went to your room to change. You put on a simple outfit that would still make you look out together, but didn’t bother with makeup. Hopefully this would be over fast.

You and Liam set out around town, first going to your favorite club, The Eclipse. As you walked up, you felt your hands getting sweaty, and clenched and unclenched them until you felt Liam slip his hand in yours and give it a gentle squeeze. “You got this. It’s the first step that’s always the hardest.” You nodded, and walked up to the bouncer. After explaining to him your situation and how you were trying to quit drinking, he agreed to turn you away and call a cab for you if you turned up at the club. After thanking him profusely, you and Liam went on to the next club. And the next. And the next. It was not a short experience as you had hoped, it was long and embarrassing and tiring. Eventually you reached the last bar and confirmed with the owner that you wanted to be on the no-serve list, then turned to Liam.

He was smiling at you. It was a soft smile, but still there. You could see the pride in his eyes as he held out a hand to you, and you gladly took it, a small smile on your face too. “You did good. I’m proud of you.” He said, walking back to your apartment. “Thank you. I’m sorry it took me so long, and I'm sorry I didn’t listen to you before. I just feel so stupid for letting myself get to this point. And I feel so bad for hurting you and your career.”

“This is where you show it. Ok?” He said, shaking your intertwined hands and looking at you. “This is you showing me that you’re serious about everything you’re saying. Now you just need to stick with it and prove that you’re serious.”

You nodded, meeting his eyes with a watery smile. “I won’t hook up with Lando Norris again.”

He rolled his eyes, letting go of your hand jokingly. “Too soon, man. Too soon. Ugh. I got so many calls from Christian that day.”

“I’m sorry, truly. And I was such an ass when I answered you. And when I was like, trying to call you back. God, I just fucked up for the past 6 months. And I can’t even remember it at all! I just lost so much of my life.”

“But you’re pulling yourself out. And that means a lot to me. I’ve tried to get you to do this before, you know? You always dragged your feet and stuff.”

“Really?” You asked, looking at him with wide eyes. “See, this is what I’m talking about! I have zero recollection of that!”

He chuckled, and swung your arms as you walked. “This is a new chapter for you. I believe in you.”

FIN.

authors note.. bam! done! thank god, im so sorry this took so long.. i do have another still in the works that hopefully wont take as long but yeahh this series is gonna take forever.

[jamietarttsnorthernattitude]

"Ah, ah, ah I wouldn't do that if I were you"

But I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Nobody wants you.

Ted and Ari’s words rattled through Jamie’s head like thunderclaps as he walked from the Crown and Anchor. 

He should have known it was too much to think that one pass would’ve been enough to show Ted he had changed. Apparently, Ted meant all that winning isn’t everything shit he tossed around last season or he would have known Jamie would help them end their series of draws. Or maybe it was just more mind games. Or maybe Jamie just wasn’t good enough. 

Good enough on the pitch.

Good enough as a teammate.

Good enough as a person. 

Maybe he didn’t deserve a team. 

Maybe he was useless.

Maybe his father was right. 

Jamie hastily wiped a tear away he felt fall from his eye and willed his eyes to stop stinging. Too soft to take rejection of his own creation. 

“What the fuck did you think you were doing running off like that? For an ickle tv show? You think they’re going to sit around and wait for you? You think they’ll keep your seat on the bench warm? Christ, Jamie, you only played because they already had the title sewn up. You know you had to work harder to make it, but instead, you fucked off to Ibiza or wherever the fuck you were. What a waste of what little talent you have.”

That was the first voicemail. He shouldn’t have listened to it. And it defintiely shouldn’t have listened to the second.

“You think you can last one week working like I do? Cause now that Manchester City kicked you to the curb, you’re gonna need a real fucking job. All you can do is kick a fucking football around, Jamie. Too dumb, too weak to do anything else. Pathetic, that.”

He didn’t listen to the other fifteen messages his father had left for him. There probably would’ve been more but the mailbox filled before his father got a chance. Jamie regretted not blocking his father’s number when he left for Lust Conquers All, but part of him wanted to hear how angry Jamie made him. 

He should probably block it now that he was back in England and his father wasn’t a safe distance away in another country. Now that he was kicked off Lust Conquers All too. Jamie couldn’t even fuck right apparently. His strategy gone up in flames after jacuzzi sex with Denise. 

Now, no other team wanted him. Not even relegated Richmond wanted him. They would rather stay in the Championship than let Jamie Tartt back into the changing room.

Jamie couldn’t blame Ted. He only makes things worse. His Mum’s life, Keeley’s, hell there was no one at Richmond that was better for having spent time with him. His Mum would be better off without having to worry for him, without him holding her like an anchor, forever connected to James Tartt. Keeley was successful and happy without him.

“Watch where you’re going.”

Jamie hadn’t noticed the pair of men he bumped into until he bounced off the solid form of one of them. 

“Yeah, sorry, mate,” he mumbled, without looking up. 

“Aren’t you Jamie Tartt?”

That got his attention and his head snapped up to scan their faces. 

“Nah, just look like him,” Jamie deferred and tried to step around him. 

“Nah, I’d know that fucking face anywhere.”

Jamie tried again to step around to no avail, one forcibly moved his body in Jamie’s path. 

“Ah, ah, ah I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jamie was so fucking sick of these two, of this night, of this week, of this fucking year, of his fucking life. 

He was done with it all.

“What the fuck you gonna do about it, pretty boy?” the other said, shoving Jamie roughly with two hands.

Jamie should’ve taken the time to realise both of these men were bigger than him in height and pure body weight. He’d lost muscle mass and strength already during his time on Lust Conquers All; he was skinner than he had been in years. He should’ve taken the time to realise he could turn heel and run, and neither of these fucks could have caught up with him. 

But Jamie didn’t take the time to think about any of that. 

Jamie punched one of the men instead. 

He was quick, dum dum one stumbled back caught unawares by the attack, holding his bleeding nose between his fists. Jamie was fast, but the other man was faster. Dum dum two’s fist connected with the side of Jamie’s jaw before he had time to react. His head whiplashed to the side, and the man followed it up with a punch to Jamie’s ribs. Jamie reared back an elbow, connecting with a crunch to dum dum number two’s nose. Jamie grinned, even as pain shot through his jaw. 

Dum dum one though was just reorienting himself and swung out at Jamie, who ducked it easily. Jamie came back up swinging, connecting with number one’s mouth, Jamie’s ring stinging as it bit into his skin, but Jamie knew from experience it would inflict more damage on the person on the other end. Dum dum two though had recovered enough to lower his body weight and tackle Jamie, american football style. 

The move startled Jamie, and he hit the pavement with an oomph as the air was violently pulled from his lungs. He was still coughing when a fist connected with his face, forcing his head to bounce forcibly off the pavement. A rough kick to his ribs had Jamie trying to curl in on himself, but the weight of number two was enough to keep him firmly on his back. 

“Take his wallet,” Jamie heard vaguely through his ringing ears. 

His hands instinctually went to his pocket, and he fought for hold with dum dum two. Eventually, he was overpowered, his wrists held in vice-like grips of number two as the other pulled the wallet roughly from his jeans. 

“Fuck off,” Jamie said, spitting at the one holding him down. 

A kick to his ribs met his futile act of resistance. Two, still straddling him, wiped hastily at his face. 

“You’re gonna pay for that, prick.”

Jamie spit at him again, bucking his hips, trying to throw the man off him before dum dum one plated a boot painfully on his shoulder. “Ah, ah, ah, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

And as the rest of the hits rained down on him, like a downpour on a hot summer day, Jamie had just enough time to think at least he wouldn’t have to explain this to a coach before he lost consciousness.

(Outnumbered in a fight)

[sl-newsie]

Spelled (Carlos de Vil x Sanderson Daughter) Descendants 3- Ch. 5: Never Different

I blur back and forth of what’s between a dream and a nightmare. One moment seeing peace and tranquility across a hopeful sunrise, and then being distraught with fear, anger, and failure.

“What a waste…”

“Such a disappointment…”

Taunting voices project their pity and dissatisfaction directly into my heart, and when I open my eyes I don’t even know which reality I’m part of.

Trying to regain my strength, I scan my surroundings and find myself at the bottom of a muddy ravine. The shadows of the forest tell me it’s past midday. 

Magica.

My heart jumps at the sensation of Carlos’ thoughts, recollecting my empathy link with him. He must be looking for me, me and-

I gasp. Audrey! 

I frantically search for the pink-haired witch, but she is nowhere to be found. That’s right… she vanished. How long have I been unconscious?

With what strength I can muster, I crawl across the mud and use a nearby tree to prop myself up. I need to get back to the city, I have to warn Ben… How am I possibly supposed to conjure up enough magic to get back? 

Trying to think of a plan, I look around to see if any of the students have woken up. I can only see a few at the top of the ravine, and they’re still asleep. But I do see a window of opportunity: the Enchanted Lake. The ditch I’m currently lying in is connected to it. After what seems like forever I get to the edge of the lake, dipping my hand in to feel part of my energy returning. Still not enough to fly or teleport, but that’s not what I’m looking for.

I dip my face under the cool water and speak into it: “Uma, where are you? I need help.”

The water goes eerily still, then the current seems to snap. I remember Uma telling me about how she could sense things in water, messages. All I can do is pray she can hear me from the lake. My mind becomes more relaxed when I watch with hazy eyes as the sea sorceress herself comes striding through the water.

“You’re lucky I wasn’t busy. What’s up?” She gets closer and sees what condition I’m in. “Sparky? What happened?”

“Uma, it’s- I- It’s a big mess! Audrey’s got the scepter, and she’s cursing the whole kingdom so she can be queen!”

“Sounds like a villain. Isn’t that our job?”

“Your job. I- I just wanted-!” What do I want anymore? “That doesn’t matter now. Audrey zapped me with the scepter and drained part of my magic just like my aunt tried to.”

Uma gives an annoyed sigh. “I guess if we don’t stop her then we’ll eventually have to deal with her too. Alright, let’s get you outta here.” She grabs my arm and starts helping me stand. “Up up up!”

“I’m in no condition to move. How can we get back?”

“I know a way!”

We both look up to see Jane standing on top of the ravine soaking wet.

“Jane! Thank goodness, you’re ok!” I cry out as she comes bounding down. “I- I am so sorry… This is all my fault. If I hadn't been so, so selfish, none of this would be happening.”

Jane’s face shows both hints of anger and confusion. “What did you think was going to happen? What is it that you want?”

I look past her to grasp that answer, only to come away empty-handed. All I can do is shake my head.

“I don’t know anymore. What I do know is that we need to warn the others about oncoming attacks. Audrey’s spells are only going to get worse. You said you know a way back?”

I can tell Jane wants to continue the conversation, but we all know now’s not the time. 

“Yes. Up the hill, there’s a path that leads straight to town.”

“Good. We can warn whoever’s close by, then head for Ben’s castle.”

“What about Mal and the others?” Uma asks.

The memory of their shocked faces flashes in my mind, reminding me of Audrey’s spell.

“Mal’s been cursed, so more than likely they’ll travel to the Isle for some way to fix it. We’ll have to meet up with them when they return.”

I begin to start staggering up the hill, making the pressing matters a reason to ignore my weak state while Jane and Uma rush to help me.

“You know if you go to warn them then you’ll have to see Carlos again,” Uma whispers to me when Jane goes forth to scout ahead.

“I know, but my own broken heart can’t get in the way of saving Auradon.”

“Why not? You are a VK after all.”

“Only half. If I let this happen, it’ll only prove they were right, that I am a wicked witch.”

As soon as we get back into town, we start calling out for people to find shelter.

“Everyone, please! You need to stay inside!” Jane shouts into the streets, causing people to come out and gives us baffled stares.

“Why? Queen Mal would alert us if there was something wrong.”

Mal, Mal, all about Mal. They forget that Ben is the king.

“Queen Mal is busy with other matters,” I explain. “We have sighted Audrey, the one who stole the scepter. She’s cursing the kingdom into a sleeping spell, and we are here to warn King Ben. You must get indoors!”

“Why should we believe you?” One man asks accusingly. “The law says we should report you to the Royal Family!”

Uma gets in his face. “If she were evil, why would she be here, in broad daylight, trying to save all your behinds by warning you?”

The man is speechless when Uma pushes past him, with Jane and I following. By now some of my strength has returned so I’m able to walk alone. 

I turn to Jane with a solemn expression. “You need to stay here and keep spreading the word. There’s safety in numbers, and as soon as we warn Ben I promise we will come find you.”

She gives a shaking nod and runs off. Once Uma and I reach the bridge to the Isle, I can already see there’s a conflict breaking out near the barrier.

“Uma, can you get closer?”

“I’m on it!” She calls as she dives into the churning ocean.

As quick as my jelly can carry me, I attempt to sprint towards the group across the bridge. When I get closer, I see it’s the original VKs having an argument with Harry and Gil. Just before I make myself known I see a blue stone being tossed over the bridge, only for it to be caught by Uma.

“Hey Harry. Hey Gil.”

They both blank out of their quarrel and their eyes widen when they see me.

“Hiya, gorgeous! Long time no see.” Harry winks.

Gil breaks into a smile and squeezes me into a hug. “You’re back!”

Meanwhile Mal continues to argue with Uma.

“I need that to break a spell!” Mal begs her.

“Audrey’s spell?” I speak up in a small voice.

By now everyone sees me and Mal looks furious.

“Yes! No thanks to you!”

“Sparky ain’t kidding around,” Uma points out from the water, holding the rock. “I might not give it back, see what happens.”

“This isn’t a time for games!”

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Mal huffs and points at the blue stone. “That’s Hades’ Ember. I need it to break Audrey’s curse!”

“If we need it-” I look down at Uma. “Could you please give it back?” 

Uma seems to think it over and gives Mal a pointed stare. “Guarantee me that every villain kid who wants to can get off the Isle. And that you’ll lift any charges on Magica and release her father.”

I give Uma a grateful smile, thankful that she’d put my small demand among her conditions with Mal.

“You know I can’t do that.”

Uma smirks and dangles the glowing stone over the water. “How ‘bout now?”

Mal panics at the sight. “Deal!”

Uma gives Mal a doubtful look and slips the rock into her pocket. “I still don’t trust you, so I’m keeping this for now.”

I now find the courage to look over at Carlos, who keeps avoiding my eyes. Remember, he chose this. I know I’ve messed up, but I’m still upset at losing my true love.

“We can go back to hating each other when this is over,” I hear Jay whisper to Mal.

Gee, thanks. It’s good to be wanted.

“Fine,” Mal grumbles with her arms crossed.

“Here’s a thought- we could try to be friends,” Evie proposes. Keep wishing, Evie. “Put our history behind us and celebrate our differences? Hm?” In a perky effort she pulls out a pouch. “Who wants gum?”

The 3 pirates share annoyed looks. “Let’s go.”

Before I turn to leave, I hear a familiar voice call out from the border.

“Esmerelda! Good to see you, cousin.”

The green witch offers a warm smile as she approaches the golden barrier. “Good to see you too. I’ve been hearing about how you’ve turned evil.”

“No no, it’s not like that,” I try to explain. “I tried to- It’s just…” I hang my head. “Alright, I admit it. I did want to turn evil. Just a taste of it.”

She squints her eyes. “Why?”

“Because I’m tired. Tired of trying to be someone no one will ever see me as. You know as much as I do about appearances. People will always see us as wicked witches.” I lift my head up. “But that doesn’t mean you have to be trapped here.”

Esmerelda shakes her head. “Magica, I need to go home to Oz. Mother and father probably think I’m not even alive anymore, so I need to leave. Please understand that.”

“I know. I will speak to Fairy Godmother about your release. Ben’s going along with whatever Mal says, so he won’t listen to me.”

I dare not promise. My promises are worth as much as the dust on the ground.

“Trixie! Ya coming or not?” Jay calls.

“Coming!” I turn back to Esmerelda. “I’ll do what I can. Even if no one will listen to me, I’ll be desperate enough to break you out of here myself. First you, then my father. Goodbye!”

I sprint back to the VKs, where Mal makes Uma wait and takes the lead.

“Now’s not the time for arguing,” I say to her. “Uma’s done nothing wrong, but I promise I will turn myself in after this is over.”

“You better,” the future queen says firmly. “You’ve challenged Auradon’s security by being involved with Audrey, and you’re lucky I don’t-”

“What? Have me locked away like my father?” I ask darkly. “Remember you’re not exactly perfect either, queenie. Be glad my conscience sets me apart from being a real Sanderson. The only reason I’m helping is because I want to earn respect, not take it. You best keep your promise to release my father, or there will be Hell to pay.”

Mal keeps a straight face and keeps walking, so I drift off to the back to walk with Jay.

“How’ve you guys been? By the way, sorry for losing my temper earlier.”

He cocks his head. “You seem to get confused. First you want to prove you’re good. Then you turn evil. Seems contradictory, doncha think?”

I bite my lip and look away. “I admit I’ve made mistakes, but none that would hurt anyone like Audrey’s will. People keep asking me, but I… don't know what I want anymore.” I’m almost too afraid to ask. “How’s Carlos?”

Jay stifles a chuckle and points to the dog boy up front. “That’s something you can discuss with him.” With that, he gets behind me and gives me a small nudge.

Now that I’m walking next to Carlos he seems to soften up a bit.

“Nice jacket.”

“Nice hair.”

I shrug. “A little dark, but that’s how my life’s been.”

“You chose that, Magica. But it’s my fault too.” Carlos sighs and takes my hand, making my pulse race. “You tried to tell me, but I didn’t understand.”

“By the way, Jane’s safe. She went off to warn people about Audrey. She’ll be safe, I promise.”

Carlos gives a sigh of relief, and I'd be lying if I said it didn’t tug at my heart.

“I’m sorry about what I said before. You’re not selfish. It’s because of us that you felt pushed away. But maybe,” he gets a bright smile. “Maybe you could help out with the next VK Day!”

His promising words spark hope inside, but then a deeper meaning behind them begins to bleed out. 

“‘VK Day?’ So now you trust every VK except me and Uma’s crew.” I pull my hand away. “You’re using the freedom of Auradon as bait, like a prize to be won in a twisted game show.”

Carlos’ brow burrows and he gets defensive. “What are you talking about? You were the one who wanted more kids to visit!”

“No,” I shake my head. “That’s not how anyone sees it. According to everyone else, it was Evie's idea. She wanted more kids to visit, I wanted the barrier opened. But, as usual, I was pushed aside. At first I was mad, but moved past it and tried to keep to myself.” I glare at the ground as my power begins to boil. “If it weren’t for my father, I would be fine. I wanted a normal life, but for now I will settle for having my old one back at the cottage.” I turn my head to face Carlos’ soft eyes. “I shall help with Audrey, but afterwards I want no part in whatever type of kingdom Mal is planning to run if this is how she treats people.”

Carlos stays silent, and we both know it’s for the best if he lets me sulk. By now we’re off the bridge and I walk over to Evie.

“I’ll go on ahead to warn Ben. I’ll meet you guys at his castle once you’ve checked out the school.”

Mal frowns. “How do we know you won’t turn traitor and go running to Audrey to warn her about us?”

I shake my head and shrug. “You don’t. You’ll just have to trust me.”

“Why don’t you just teleport us there?” Jay asks.

“I can’t. Even if I was strong enough there’s no way I could teleport all of you. I’ll just have to stick with my broom.”

As I speak, a broom appears in my hand and I mount. As I rise into the air, I take another look at the freckled melancholy VK. Since Carlos left me, it feels as if every dark and cruel thought has surrounded me and keeps closing in, drowning me in despair.

I thought this time was different.

Why did I think he'd be different?

But it's never, ever different!

[lovecolibri]

I find it really interesting and off-putting, the way some in the 911 fandom act like if you’re not liking the current season you’re just stupid. You just don’t Get It. You just don’t understand and you have a short attention span. Okay. Like it’s a bad thing to expect a piece of entertainment media to… entertain us? Like I hate to break it to them, but this isn’t exactly a world-changing piece of narrative fiction, it’s a commercial product designed to make money and once it becomes unprofitable it will end. The writers/producers have one job and that’s to keep the audience they have as they’re unlikely to bring in much new after six years. They are manifestly not doing a great job of that right now, as evidenced by the growing discontent in the audience and the declining ratings. Obviously not everything needs to be fanservice, but it’s also a lot like they’re taking for granted that they’ll *have* the time to tell these precious long-form storylines. You can’t take the audience for granted, and you cannot expect every actor to stick around forever. The plot has to move, it can’t just hang out in a holding pattern until the last handful of episodes in the season. And I just think the way some refuse to see this and act like we’re the crazy ones for seeing the problem… is mostly rooted in denial. They don’t want to be wrong, and they don’t want to have wasted their time getting emotionally invested. It’s also a simple fact that the number of shows that ended well are greatly outnumbered by the number of shows that ended badly, so it’s reasonable to start preparing ourselves. Ships or no ships, this many annoyed people didn’t just come out of nowhere and we’re not out of line for saying “hey this isn’t the show I used to love anymore, it’s changed and not for the better.” Not everything needs to be fanservice, but you do ultimately need to serve your fans or they won’t stay fans.

Absolutely, Nonnie, well said! I'm not going to hate on people wanting to be positive, I get that! I'm still enjoying aspects of the show and some of the moments we're getting and I find the investment in the show still worth it (for now).

But you touched on something that I think is important. "Like it’s a bad thing to expect a piece of entertainment media to… entertain us?" This right here is where myself and a lot of fans, and honestly a lot of the general audience is struggling. The emergencies aren't just...not as good as they used to be, they also aren't tying into the storylines like they used to. Like I said in this post, emergencies were often used to trigger a heart-to-heart talk between other characters so we the audience know what is going on in their heads, and it made the audience feel like there was a purpose to those scenes besides just filling up time in the episode because they helped move the plot forward! Now, since they aren't using a brief emergency scene to wow the viewer PLUS trigger a scene that pushes a character arc forward, they don't have any deep character driven moments to...drive the plot forward. So how do you fill up that time gap? Longer set up, longer emergencies has so far been the answer BUT because they aren't really driving the story forward they just feel too long and pointless, and the little bits of plot feel like they're just in a holding pattern and dragging out forever, or not getting the time to SHOW us on screen what is going on or what the characters are feeling. Because they're not talking to each other! Like you said "The plot has to move, it can’t just hang out in a holding pattern until the last handful of episodes in the season."

I also think it's important to point out that this is NOT just a fandom or just a "Buddie" fandom issue, it's across the board coming from fans, people who don't ship Buddie, and casual viewers alike! Even the lady I share an office with who is a casual viewer and thinks Eddie and Carla should get together, came out and said (before I said anything about what I thought of 6x09) that the episode was so boring and felt more like a silly Halloween episode instead of a good Christmas episode, and why didn’t they resolve anything like the thumb or the who the car belonged to, and why hasn’t Wendall come up before, and why is this sperm donor thing still happening. She said it was the worst episode she’s seen and it was boring and not at all like the show used to be, and she can't even remember character names half the time. But she's been watching every week since the show started and it's now been regulated to "watch the next day or sometime during the week" because it's not holding her attention anymore. The show has CLEARLY changed how it's doing things and it's NOT been for the better. It doesn't make you stupid to point it out, especially when so many people are saying the same things, PLUS the dwindling number of viewers (yes, demo matters more but going from 1.6 in key demo to .6 and dropping millions of viewers) is LOUD, especially for a show airing against sitcoms not even other procedurals.

Do I think the show can recover? Yeah, I do! Plenty of shows have a bad season or even two. I'm not sure this show can afford 3. And it's extra frustrating because this isn't a new show trying to find it's feet, and it isn't a show that's been on for 18 years and has one original character left who is unrecognizable and they're doing wild things for shock value. This is a show in it's PRIME. A show that was unlike a lot of other shows because it was rooted in HOPE, and in found family supporting each other, and characters leaning on their support system, and things working out well! This show provided something the world really needed at the time. Seeing the show's collapse away from that good, tight, deep but still lighthearted and hopeful at the core type of storytelling is crushing. Being able to so easily pinpoint where the issue is coming from (if you have a showrunner who admits to consistently struggling with basic pacing and plotting out stories, you will have a subpar plot and consequently subpar season) is at least helpful in knowing what kind of noise might make TPTB pay attention, but honestly if they haven't done anything before now, I doubt they will. (Unless they decide to pull the Buddie plug to get ratings back up meaning Tim comes back to get credit for that event.) You're right, you can't take the audience for granted and right now, 911 has been squeaking by with the good will it earned in previous seasons, but if the comments surrounding 6a are anything to go by, that good will has dried up. Tying up a fan and GA favorite character (Buck) into SEVERAL failed plotlines (tay kay/BT was unpopular, L was so hated they had to cut her out of almost all the promo ad severely cut her scenes for the rest of the season and so far she hasn't come back, and people are already sick of the sperm donor plot), while continuing to isolate him in those plotlines with side characters and away from the group (not just Buddie, but Buck/Maddie and ESPECIALLY Buck/Bobby which is a big fan favorite dynamic as well), and not even giving the audience familiar dynamics and interactions, or any depth of storytelling to hold on to, has further burned through the viewers good will.

"You do ultimately need to serve your fans or they won’t stay fans." Couldn't have said it better myself.

[aj-ds529]

Dress - WLW

Secret Relationship, Confession, WLW Couple

The school's gym was crowded, yet I still feel alone. I’m surrounded by my friends, they’re laughter attempts to fill my ears, but it doesn’t go through. I look around trying to clear my head, but instead, I see her and her eyes lock with mine. All the air in my body leaves me. It’s a typical reaction, her beauty has always left me breathless, and her personality fueled the dwindling fire to become a better person.

No one knows about us. Our moments are our own. I’m out, she’s not. The perfect girl with the perfect grades. I always understood why she was scared. It was just plain obvious to me. But the way she smiles makes it all worth it. It makes me feel like she's right by my side, hand in mine.

After looking away, I fix my hair for the umpteenth time today, trying to hide the mark that's yet to go away. If my friends see, they’ll get suspicious and interrogate me. The worse part is I might just crack.

We have a few classes together, that’s how we got close. It started with English class, then math, next our language. Those were the three times I saw her and it wouldn’t be weird. The first time she was over was for a project but it never got done that day. We clicked and our lives changed forever. But now, the silence in the room, the anticipation of what’s to come, makes my hands shake. I wish the clock would go faster.

I finally zone out and time goes by just a little bit faster. I don’t take notes, I just get them from her later. It’s like a trade-off, she does the notes, I do the work. I don’t notice the bell, maybe I fell asleep again. I just hear my name and the world falls into a blur except for her. It brings me back to the time I confessed.

“ Listen, I know you probably don’t feel the same way but I can’t just be your best friend anymore. I want to be something more.”

In random places are the names of the people most special to me. My friends' names on the closet door, my siblings' names on the door frame. The day she said “I love you” back, was the day I carved her name into my bedpost.

It was almost impossible to keep her from my parents. My mom is always snooping around and my dad is the most observant person you’ll ever meet. They make a great pair when looking into their children's lives. They lived in France for a while and brought back some traditions. We’re allowed to drink small amounts of wine at dinner, our meals can be hours upon hours long. My parents trusted me too. She was always allowed to stay over when being home was too much.

One night we had too much. We’re wasted. We ended up in the bathtub, spilling the bottle of red all over us. She kisses my face like it’s the last time she’ll ever get to. It’s cute. I worry that this is temporary. But if I get burned, if I get hurt, at least it was electrifying.

Prom was the first time we were out as a couple. She was finally ready. She was stunning. She called my name from the top of the stairs and my heart stopped. She was breathtaking. I remember the time we first met. Her short hair, my hair bleached. We proved to each other that even in the worst times, we saw the best in each other. I think about the relationships I went through, the mistakes, the lies I told to hide myself. She saw the truth in me. Thank god I woke up in time.

“ My one and only, my lifeline. I woke up just in time. Now, I wake up by your side…”

My hands are shaking now. I can’t explain it. She says my name and time stops.

“ I don’t want you like a best friend.” We confessed.

“ Only bought this dress so you could take it off.” The prom was magical.

I wake up every morning, there’s an indentation in the shape of you. Our wedding band sits on my finger. It hasn’t left it spot in years. You walk in and you’re wearing a gorgeous dress.

“ I only bought this dress so you could take it off.”

[alyjojo]

Thinking of You - August 🏖️ 2024 - Pisces

Whole of their energy towards Pisces: King of Pentacles rev

Feelings: 9 Swords

Intentions: 2 Wands rev

Actions: King of Cups

Character Card: The Witch & The Enchanter 🧙🏼‍♂️✨

You are being taken for a ride with this person, a liar and excellent manipulator, even if they’re a good person - I assume you think so. They could be someone that’s into witchcraft or I’m hearing “Wicca”, they practice that kind of stuff. If so, they’ve absolutely tried to put some bs on you - and I don’t ever say that, I don’t do or subscribe to this kind of thing. But - with Witch, Enchanter (trickery), 7 Swords, and Magician rev (especially), I can’t deny that bad intentions or dark magic is here, attempted, intended, something. Or you/they could feel like they have some kind of manipulative power over you. Maybe they have before. For someone this is a clear side-person situation, they think they got you dickmatized or something, they got you in the bag. Oh boy.

Greedy and manipulative af, they may lie about what they do or how great it is. Heavy masculine energy, for some it’s both of you that are masculine, and like…when I say manipulator, it can range all sorts of kinds for me really but here, no - they’re good at it 💯 They’re believable. They do this a lot, it’s partly who they are. Leave it to Pisces to love them 🙃 Or be them, for a crosswatcher. Or they love you, or they say they do anyway. I can see this is over or you’re waking up to their bs. They’re terrified, 9 Swords can’t sleep at night, they’re worried, upset and anxious that you know the truth and they will or are failing at whatever they’ve set up or planned for you. I’m just…I hate this reading.

Their intentions are to not do any of the shit they’re saying they’ll do, or are doing. It’s The Devil we’re talking about, so they’re not quitting that substance or toxic thing in their lives. They have no intentions of reciprocating your energy or doing what you want, they have an agenda and are bs’ing you to get you to cooperate with them. Aka a fuckboy. In action they intend to “act mature” and be loving towards you. King of Cups is coming at someone in the right way (manipulator, this is not a rookie). They’re defensive over why you ended this charade they’ve been performing - that’s how I heard it. Queen of Cups rev at the bottom is hysterics, full on tears, proclamations of love, they’re going to give it all they’ve got before they just lose you - I’m getting this person doesn’t lose very often.

Advice for Pisces dealing with this person: The High Priestess, stay quiet. Your intuition is already dead-on with this person, you’re aware and Spirit is saying you’ve got this - or you know/will know what to do.

Messages:

- I’ll wait forever.

- I can’t love you in public.

Possible signs:

Gemini, Taurus, Leo & Capricorn

If you’re dealing with:

The Moon is your own energy of feeling unsure of where you stand with people, fearing the worst, jumping to conclusions or kinda having to answer things for yourself with what you do know, and there’s a lot you don’t. Or vice versa. It’s also your intuition, knowing things without clarity or going off of “vibes”. Could also be assumptions or projections - we don’t know and so are fearful of the unknowns.

Aries - telling you the truth, even if they’re an asshole about it

Taurus - bitter, angry, probably likes to talk shit, kind of a bitch - is there a reason idk

Gemini - healing from something serious when it comes to medical procedures or surgery, they’re on the mend ❤️‍🩹 or coming around

Cancer - defensive over wasting their time or you are, nothing is going anywhere new

Leo - there’s love here but no passion or motivation

Virgo - one of you feels like the other is never going to get their shit together, very judgy 🙄

Libra - loves you unconditionally, you could be family, they’re ride or die for you 👯‍♀️

Scorpio - alone but it’s not over, they feel that way, or they know they’ll see you again - it’s temporary

Sagittarius - abandoning a broken home or feels abandoned by one, you could be friends with this person or reuniting for a holiday

Capricorn - “The Emperor returns”, idk what’s going on with Cap this month but they’re oozing authority, they have a certain level of expectations & rules or you do - if it’s romantic hello 😍

Aquarius - waiting for a date or something that’s planned that’s fun, like a concert; they want to have fun with you ☀️

Pisces - hasn’t healed from something sad in their life, could be literally mourning for some 😔

[the-firebird69]

LL COOL J - Headsprung

The song is extremely rude and is extremely dead I'm tired of listening to these idiots who are not actually African American singing all this stupid **** that they want to say as other people and we know who you are and we know where you are at this very second we know about you getting arrested yesterday we're fighting the helicopter over a populated area no the newer you're doing and we're going after you for it right now you're gearing up to get in fights with your own ranks and try and whittle them down for what the empire wants and you are a despicable loser and the foreigners don't want you to infect them and the max due so we are going to take you down eventually the Max C reason these people pointed us out by accident kind of and they keep doing **** like that and they don't listen to any threats whatsoever they hit you with nuclear weapons in like three places and wiped out your force and you got worse and so they know what that means and our son and daughter has seen it too it means you're spent and it's time for you to go

Thor Freya

We have seen it and I've seen it a little in what we're doing no it's pretty much exactly what they do and they burn out everyone has a better plan and he says we're stupid people how can our plan be better there are some clans who are massively lethal like his and they've been practicing and working having people like us do stuff for a long time using costumes like people's bodies forever and we were not we're not very good at it they say and they were hidden and they did their mannerisms their language their customs they knew secrets and their personality and their history and we don't know anything. This is the suckiest day in my life to hear this but it's true and we've seen it before and they just go down on fire and when we're on fire it's just like what the max did before they got hit it's really disgusting but with that's what we're doing. We have a little bit left and we're gonna try and take some stuff but we're spread all over the place and it's dumb.

trump

Usually I'd say it has something but people are down there in New Zealand and Antarctica and other places and they're on top of him. You're gonna find out that he is very close to some very secretive weapon systems and big stuff and new things he doesn't have it and he can't shut up and he's getting himself killed and that's part of what it is. The other part is he's trying to force his people to blow up some stuff and he's very loud and mean and arrogant and dumb as hell and yeah he's gonna ruin himself shortly next few days then he'll be gone. Last night he had about 0.5 percent and they went in and died. That's what we said now he's got about 0.8 percent and yeah he's going to try and go down again and it's not focusing so he went off island from about 4.4 percent to 3.9% and yeah minor death until now and our son just keeps pushing because you're being an **** you're wasting your time with your routine which which says you're huge still which is not true. The end of the day today no maybe the next few hours sometime you'll be in 3.1%. It's getting to the point where you will not have sufficient defenses of your stashes and caches and you plan to say because your robots are going to use the hardware. You know we don't think so. And what's gonna happen is not very pleasant to you. Experienced your young and you're an amateur at best and you're going to be very ugly about it because you're spoiled as hell by the max who knew they could do it to you. It's gonna be nasty you gonna drop the 3.1 percent or lower you get mad try and toss them at them and we think you lose another percent off island and what he says is he might not just he might not stop and it's true. but we think you will slow after two percent is realized your island will be embroiled they'll probably be at 2% in the next few days. And you will try and grab your stashes and cashes and then it's lights out and you will get your stuff out probably half of it after a war and we think you'll lose another percent or 1.5 percent throughout that excursion and then you're half a percent and people will go after you until you're gone no matter what you do and those in the island are trapped there they're kind of keeping pace with loss and it's an ugly thing but when you're that small dja will start to go out your caches and stashes much harder and he gets trapped there somehow so it looks like you're winning shortly after you start a deep decline and that's after planning the apes. Then you start to go in and out of different bodies rapidly every day it's like two or three bodies and your beat the hell and your brain is sick and you finally start to try and slow down and you can't and you try and do maniacal things say you have cover to everyone and you can't get here. It happens to the future and not so far in the future we think it's like a week or a week and a half you'll finally be outta here and what a nuisance you are your whole army has to go for you move out of a single apartment where you're a nuisance what a **** joke you are joel Watts and what a heads up to we had to go in and do some people like you not as addicted and not as powerful but our people have rank like lieutenant and major and corporal as but our people have rank like lieutenant and major and corporal as well and we just had to wipe them out they're all dead from this asinine attitude it is training and it comes in handy but it did not help in the case of your clan and you're very young and your guys are younger and didn't know what to do. Right now we're taking over the Midwest and we're moving up shortly after today we will have those three areas in the bases below and we will have the states that we mentioned and we will move upwards and then that would be Kansas and over in Nebraska and South Dakota and that would be Friday Saturday but today and Thursday part of Friday will be taking the southern portion and up and into Tennessee the northern portion of it and across the board parallel and across the world. We have huge projects and we need all that area and we're getting a push and it is very helpful it is very wise to organize this. And something we don't like because we have some trip in ranks but it actually makes more ranking Officers and gives more opportunity to rise and rank what our son and daughter say is practically every single one of us is going to be a king or emperor who's alive right now right down to the child who is going to be sweeping the factories with us so keep it in mind when you're training and working that the universe will keep expanding and you will be a leader exal that the universe will keep expanding and you will be a leader exalted high and thought of in the best way it is a tough standard to live up to she says you have to be very strong in the face of emotional problems and diversity that you can't even imagine how hard it is but doing the work and doing the job and having a good work ethic and working with us in forest is a sturdy foundation. Hera says this. Yeah it sounds like one of our kids. Already know that and I taught that no well there's others there listening and they're actually in awe and we're going to print.

Thor Freya

Olympus

Zues Hera

[libramonthlyhoroscope1]

Characteristics of contemporary literature

Angel numbers are your guardian angels’ way of communicating with you. They offer you guidance when you need it most.

When you see an angel number, it’s like having a guardian angel appear before your eyes to send you a message of love, hope, and support.

However, every angel number has a different message, and that’s why I have written this guide to angel number 1101.

1101 meaning bible

What does angel number 1101 mean?

Whenever you see 1101, it’s because your angel wants you to be accepting – yet optimistic. Things may not be going your way right now, but everything will be better if you use your rose-colored glasses.

The number also keeps on showing to remind you to trust your gut feeling. They’ll guide you towards the right decision – the way your angel does!

In addition, 1101 is also a symbol of motivation. It wants you to grow yourself – so you can recognize (and work) on your life’s mission.

All things considered, 1101 is also your angel’s nudge to use your skills wisely.

What 1101 holds for love and relationships

1101 is not only good for your personal growth – it’s significant for love as well.

It’s a sign that you’ll be seeing things clearer. You’ll finally get what you want from your relationship.

So if you’re seeing this number everywhere, it’s a reminder from your angel to reflect on your love life.

Do you really want to stay in your relationship? Or are you just afraid you won’t find somebody else?

It’s time for you to sit down and talk about the future. Stop playing relationship chicken – it’s not doing you any good.

On a similar note, 1101 wants you to trust your intuition as well. So if you have any doubts about your relationship, it’s high time you let go of them.

It’ll hurt, I know. But you need to accept them – for it’ll do you good in the long run.

Remember, when one door closes – another one will happen. Who knows? This may be the ‘break’ you need to find your one true love.

Do you see 1101 when you’re thinking of someone?

If you’re single – and seeing 1101 whenever you think of someone – it’s your angel telling you to trust your intuition.

Is this the person you want to be with forever? If your gut says yes, then have a go!

Your angel wants you to know that they trust your decision. They understand that this is the person you’d like to be with for a long time.

That said, they want you to be extra-prudent. Don’t rush into things, but don’t be afraid to go out and meet people!

1101 is there to remind you that If things are meant to be, they’ll fall into place – at the right time.

Love. Need answers?

It’s also possible that seeing angel number 1101 is a sign you should speak with an impartial third party about where your love life is going.

While a relationship coach is always a great option, I personally prefer someone with more intuition.

After I got a love reading from Psychic Source, everything changed for me. The insights I gained helped put me on the right path when it comes to love.

Instead of trying to solve all your problems on your own, speak to a gifted advisor who’ll give you the answers you’re looking for.

Click here to get a personal love reading.

What’s the significance of 1101 for soulmates?

1101 is quite clear with its message: it’s your angel telling you to trust your gut.

And yes, it’s precisely what it wants you to do about finding your soulmate.

Do they feel like they’re the person meant for you?

It might sound silly, but in my case, I knew. But it’s not without help, though.

See, we often waste a lot of time and emotion on people we’re not suited for. Recognizing your soulmate isn’t always straightforward.

But what if there was a way to remove all the guesswork?

I’ve just stumbled upon a way to do this… a professional psychic artist who can draw a sketch of what your soulmate looks like.

Even though I wasn’t sure at first, my friend convinced me to try it out a few weeks ago.

Now I know what my soulmate looks like exactly. The crazy thing is I’ve known them for years.

If you’re ready to find out what your soulmate looks like, get your own sketch drawn here.

What does 1101 mean for twin flames?

As I’ve said, 1101 is a sign that you’ll see things in your relationship clearer. This is particularly significant when it comes to twin flames – whether you’ve met them already or not.

Twin flame union

If you’re still looking for your twin flame, seeing 1101 is good news. It’s a sign from your angel that they’re about to enter your life.

See, your angel can only give you symbols such as��angel numbers. It’s up to you to pay attention to the other signs, such as:

Twin flame dreams

A feeling of nearby energy

Twin flame telepathy

The ‘silver cord of connection’

An established connection during meditation

A confirmation from your psychic

Likewise, 1101 is a reminder for you to trust your intuition. When you meet your twin flame, you’ll feel the connection automatically. Should you ignore this, you might miss the opportunity to be with them – at least for this lifetime.

Twin flame separation

Since 1101 is all about realizations, it’s often a sign of a pending twin flame separation.

Listen: mirror souls usually separate because they get overwhelmed with the relationship. Many tend to run away because the relationship exposes their old wounds and bad habits.

The good news is that 1101 is the same number that can’t help you get out of this. As I’ve mentioned above, it’s a sign of personal development.

If you want your twin flame relationship to continue, you need to improve yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re the chaser – the rules remain the same.

Remember: this growth is what you need to achieve to enter the next phase – twin flame reunion.

Twin flame reunion

I’ve said it multiple times: 1101 symbolizes realization and personal growth. They’re all about being aware of your fears, flaws, and insecurities.

So if you’ve listened intently to this message, seeing 1101 repeatedly may be a sign that a reunion is underway.

So how do you know if a reunion is indeed in the works? Well, you can expect the universe to send these symptoms:

You’re no longer insecure (see how personal growth works?)

Your habits have changed

You feel excited for no apparent reason

A lot of things remind you of them

You keep on dreaming about them

You’ve forgiven them for the bad things they did

You know in your heart they’re coming back

Is 1101 a spiritual number?

Yes, and very much so. When it comes to spirituality, 1101 talks about two important things:

Enlightenment and awakening

1101’s spiritual message is clear: it’s time to change your ways and put out the real you!

It’s no secret that the journey to spiritual awakening and enlightenment is quite frightening. It’s just like your path towards personal development. You’ll be met with feelings of anxiety, upheaval, and resistance.

Heck, you may even end up sabotaging yourself.

What 1101 is trying to say is that everything will be worth it. You may hurt or suffer now, but everything will look better in the future.

There’s no need to worry, for your angel is right behind you. You’re never alone! In fact, they’re guiding you through every step of the way.

The bottom line here is that you listen to them – and your heart, of course. With an open mind, you’ll easily achieve your spiritual purpose.

Positive energy

Remember when I told you about 1101 and thinking positive?

Well, it’s one of the best ways to boost your energy.

As an old adage explains it: “Think positive, be positive, and positive things will happen.”

If you’re pessimistic, don’t be surprised if only bad things come your way.

It’s more or less the law of attraction. If you want to invite an abundance of blessings – and love – then you need to remain steadfast in attracting them.

Why you keep on dreaming about angel number 1101

Dreaming of numbers – especially 1101 – only means one thing: you’ve got an important message from your angel!

See, they’re trying their hardest to show you the sequence. Unfortunately, you’re just too busy to take note of it. That’s why they’re invading your dreams instead – it’s when your brain is more relaxed (and receptive.)

So what does 1101 mean in slumberland, exactly? According to experts, it could mean any of these things:

The number 1 (shown thrice) is your angel’s way of encouraging you to step into your personal power.

Eleven, a master number, is a remarkably intuitive message. It’s telling you to use your universal insight – and shine your divine light.

Reducing 1101, you’ll get three. According to dream interpreters, it’s a nudge for you to dream big and create new possibilities.

What does 1101 mean in numerology?

The number’s meanings are based on the two digits that form it: 1 and 0.

Number 1

In a nutshell, having three 1s means independence – and the need to mold/grow yourself.

To begin with, one is the ultimate symbol of beginnings and fresh starts. It’s also connected with happiness and positive energies.

Since the number 1 appears thrice in this sequence, its power is obviously multiplied whenever you see it.

Number 0

While 0 might mean literally nothing, it holds deep symbolism in the sequence 1101.

It represents infinity, universal force, and the power of choices, after all.

Entrenched with three 1s, the zero points to two key 1101 meanings: intuition and spiritual growth.

Number 10

The number ten in 1101 is all about your divine faith. It’s telling you always to trust your angel. They’re here to motivate you, empower you, and help you reach your goals.

Number 101

As a symbol of continuity, the 101 in 1101 is a message to stick to your original plan. Things may sway you along the way, but they’re just deviating you from your goal. It’s a reminder to stay focused – especially if you want to achieve your dreams ASAP.

The meaning of 1101 in the Bible

As an angel number, it’s no surprise that 1101 holds a lot of biblical meanings.

It has always been associated with Angel Baraquiel – who is associated with life energy.

In Hebrew, his name literally translates to “Divine Energy.”

So if you keep on seeing 1101, it’s a reminder for you to recharge your positive energy. It’s representative of spiritual awakening and enlightenment, after all.

Keep on seeing 1101? Here are 6 reasons why

1101 keeps on appearing wherever you go (your dreams included) because your angel wants to tell you these:

1) Be accepting (and realistic)

Let’s face it: S#!t happens. This is the core reason why your angel is sending you 1101. They want you to be more realistic – and accepting of things.

You won’t win every day, and that’s fine. Life is fraught with challenges and obstacles. Even if you lose, what matters is how you take the losses in stride.

Remember, though, that there is a big difference between accepting and surrendering. Your angel doesn’t want you to stop fighting for – say – love. Instead, they want you to accept your fate. However, they’re motivating you to do whatever you can to improve things.

2) Think positive

Here’s the deal: you’re seeing 1101 all the time because your angel wants you to be more optimistic in life.

Sure, they want you to be realistic and accept your destiny. But at the same time, they want you to think that the best will happen – instead of the worst.

It’s not only good for your soul – seeing the glass as ‘half-full’ comes with many health benefits as well.

For starters, being optimistic will help you enjoy the following:

Improved physical and psychological well-being

Lowered pain levels

Reduced depression

Lowered risks for cancer, infection, and breathing disorders

Increased longevity

With all these benefits, it’s no surprise why your angel throws 1101 wherever you look!

3) Trust your intuition

If you’re having doubts – or can’t seem to decide – 1101 is your angel telling you to trust your intuition.

It’s the feeling you have in your midsection – hence its moniker ‘gut feeling.’

While you may not readily believe in intuition, the fact of the matter is it’s no mythical thing. In fact, it’s based on three solid factors:

Coherence and insight – your IQ, no less

Implicit learning – you’ve picked up patterns along the way

Subjective intuitive abilities – what you gain from your intellectual curiosities

See, it’s not just something you pull out of the hat. Your intuition is a result of years of experience.

So whenever you see 1101, it’s because your angel knows how reliable your intuition is. What they’re asking you is to trust your gut, for it’ll always help you make the right move.

4) Work on your personal development

If you feel stuck – and static – 1101 is a sign for you to work on your personal development.

Here’s the secret: it’s your angel pushing you to move out of your comfort zone. Sure, it’s not ‘comfortable’ – but there’s no progress without challenge.

To grow as a person, it’s time to look at your strengths and weaknesses.

What are the areas here that need improvement?

Is it the way you work – or the way you handle relationships?

Once you know what needs to be addressed, addressing them will be much easier.

Whenever you find yourself confused – know that your angel is guiding you through the process. Just do what you need to do, and they’ll help you make one solid decision at a time.

5) Focus on your soul’s mission

Each and every one of us has a ‘special’ mission on earth. So if you’re seeing 1101 everywhere you go, it’s your angel howling at you to focus on it!

So what is your soul’s mission, exactly? According to experts, it’s basically the answer to these poetic questions:

Why are you here on this earth – at this given time?

What are your dreams and aspirations?

What makes you happy?

What are you good at doing?

While you may not discover your purpose right away, your angel is here to help you achieve it.

In fact, they’ll let you know once you’re done.

Before you know it, you feel as if everything’s gone right. You have a sense of harmony – bliss you haven’t felt before.

6) Use your talent and skills

We all have talents and skills, even though we don’t think of them as such.

Here’s the deal, though: what you have is golden, that’s why your angel wants you to utilize them fully.

What 1101 is trying to impart here is that you don’t necessarily have to write or dance well. You have ‘normal person skills’ you can put to good use.

Maybe you’re a social butterfly who can make people in care homes or rehab facilities feel better.

What’s great about using your talents is that they won’t only make you feel better. They can also help you discover (and fulfill) your life’s mission, which is coincidentally one of 1101’s angelic messages.

Other angel numbers related to 1101

Good things come in threes (or more, even.) So if you keep on noticing 1101, then you need to keep your eyes peeled for these sequences as well:

The number 1 starts all numbers, so it’s no surprise that angel number 11 stands for new beginnings. Like 1101, it’s a message for you to be mindful. It also wants you to prepare yourself for a much-needed spiritual awakening.

Angel number 111 is a reminder for you to be grateful – ALWAYS. It’s also a sign that new chapters will unfold in your life and most of them for the better. You’ll achieve professional growth – and you’ll become the person you ought (and wish) to be.

Angel number 1010, like 1101, is a nudge for you to trust your intuition. It also wants you to keep going. Your angel is inspiring you to discover things you wouldn’t have explored usually. Should you feel alone, 1010 is proof that your angel is behind you every time, all the time.

Just like 1101, angel number 1111 is a sign for you to stay positive and have faith in yourself. Additionally, it wants you to be in tune with your intuition. 1111 also refers to spiritual awakening and enlightenment, which makes it very similar to 1101.

As with 111, angel number 1122 means that fresh beginnings lie ahead. But if you want to reach them, you need to let go of the past and grow yourself. If you’re an artistic soul, 1122 is a reminder for you to explore your imagination!

Angel number 77 carries an important message about your life purpose. Your angels want you to tap into your empathetic nature as well as trust your intuition.

Angel number 1144 is like 1101 in the sense that it doesn’t want you to give up right away. Instead, it wants you to accept the challenges ahead of you with open arms. Look: when you approach things differently, you’ll come up with solutions you wouldn’t have thought of before.

You keep on seeing angel number 1101…what now?

Well, your angel is showing you 1101 (among many other numbers) because they want you to do something.

They want you to be accepting and realistic – but they want you to remain optimistic along the way.

They’re telling you to trust your intuition whenever you feel torn about making decisions.

On a spiritual note, 1101 is a sign that you’ll experience profound personal growth. You’ll eventually fulfill your soul’s purpose by making use of your God-given talents and abilities.

[amywritesthings]

CHAPTER ONE: THE EXCHANGE.

The POINT A TO POINT B series.

gif credit @ sith-maul

Pairing: Din Djarin x Female Reader

Rating: E

Word Count: 2.2K

Summary: Escorting a former Empire prisoner of war to a Rebel Alliance safe zone? It should be a piece of cake. Absolutely no problems whatsoever.

A/N: Welcome to my first ever Mandalorian fic! This is a multi-chapter slow burn of Din/You, set somewhere in an AU in the vastness of The Mandalorian S2. The first three chapters are currently available on AO3. 

Next Chapter. | Series Masterlist

“He’ll be here any moment.”

That’s what they’ve told you for approximately an hour now. Your escort to the rendezvous point seems nervous. It’s in the way they bounce on the balls of their feet, shifting to check that you’re still sitting uncomfortably atop a toppled sliced boulder. Like you have any other place to run, hide, when they’ll always just find you again. That’s what the Empire will do and has always done: find people. In every crevice, in every corner; finding people is what they are good at, but according to whispers, they have never found him.

You should enjoy the fresh air because you may never feel it again. After being cooped up in the belly of an Imperial ship for however many years it’d been, the Earth beneath your boots should feel comforting, freeing. Sterilized hallways, blinding prison cells; the scent of death without the visual confirmation is burned into the very center of your nostrils, possibly forever. 

Legend has it the Empire will keep prisoners of war for decades. You’re lucky they found you when they did. Lost individuals that the rebel cause deems important so rarely make it out alive. From the privates to the convoy royalty, the Empire gives little thought to who wastes away aboard their vessels. Somehow with the right time and the right place, you will not follow the nameless faces so courageous in their endeavor for freedom. 

Yet you still feel nameless, faceless, while you await like living cargo in this indistinguishable forest. You shift your left foot, digging the toe of your boot into a clumped pile of dirt in hopes of finding ways to ground yourself before the ship arrives — before he takes you away — because all of this is temporary. 

Soon enough you’ll be on yet another clump of metal floating through the vastness of space. 

Point A to Point B.

“Do all Mandalorians not know how to tell time?”

Your escort scowls. “Child, I beg of you to be reasonable.”

“I’ll be reasonable when he learns to be punctual.”

“He’s a busy man.”

“He’s a busy bounty hunter.” 

As your gazes connect, your correction weighs heavy on your tongue. Rebel, Empire, for money or glory; they’re all the same. A spineless job, if you were to ever have an opinion on them. Selling oneself to the highest bidder and thinking nothing of the consequences that lay around them in the aftermath. War isn’t cheap, and there’s plenty of money to be made in the exchange of transporting precious cargo from this wasteland of an outer rim moon to Coruscant. Not all bounty hunters are made of legends, however, but this one?

There are stories about him. That much you do know.

Cunning. Ruthless. Doesn’t talk much if he can stand it, keeps to himself so much that no one knows who he really is, but a man of his word nonetheless. Something about beskar. Has more successful bounties than any other hunter on the market.

Some say he’s even honorable, but bounty hunters and honorable can never go in the same sentence if ‘cannot be’ isn’t present in the middle.

The rumbling overhead of a nearing ship halts your train of thought. Your escort stands at attention, fumbling with their hands as though riddled with nerves. You wait on the rock with mild interest as the ship descends towards the reddened dirt for landing. 

The wind picks up, forcing the stray hairs from your mangled braids to lick at your chin, the sides of your face. You wipe them away with a careless hand, squinting against the dying thrusters as they steadily decrease in strength. As the cargo bay door opens at an angle and burrows heavily into the earth, you stand to get a better look ahead.

What greets you is something you’ve never seen before.

A tall silhouette covered in silver armor slowly descends from the mouth of the ship. His chest plate shines in sections where the sun meets the branches of the towering trees, leather gloved hands balled into fists at either side. On his belt there’s a blaster, grapple wire, tap-activated bombs, and a heavy satchel. His boots, scuffed and unclean, shuffle the dirt beneath him as he nears your escort with silent purpose.

He has no face. 

The most feared bounty hunter in every quadrant throughout the galaxy stays completely hidden by a helmet forged in beskar.

And when he finally stops walking and turns his head towards you, you wait for him to reach up to remove it.

He doesn’t.

“Do you have the credits?”

His voice is deep, a gruff baritone that fights against the helmet’s modulator. Whatever you expected to hear, it wasn’t that. Although you’re certain his attention is pointed towards you, you have no answer to his question. Standing from the rock to dust off your clothes, you open your mouth to answer his abrupt inquiry with a question of your own.

“Of course! Of course.”

Your escort gets there first. 

Patting down their jacket, it’s met with a short aha! as a hefty sum of credits comes tumbling into their hands. They hold it out timidly, but the one they call the Mandalorian continues to watch in your direction. You shift your weight from one leg to another, crossing your arms over your chest as you stare back.

“And the coordinates?” he asks.

“Yes, right here.” Your escort goes to reach for the information, but he nearly fumbles with the credits still sitting there. “Oh! Take these.”

The Mandalorian finally considers what’s beneath him with the tilt of his helmet, grabbing the credits to place inside the pouch at his right hip. Your escort goes off on a tangent of the agreement already made from the holovideo transmitted to him from a previous day, but you don’t care to listen. It’s the same story, different tune: once in woe, another in pity, but this? This was their opportunity. 

Safely transport a princess of value from this godforsaken moon to the city of Coruscant, and you’ll earn your other half there.

Your legs start to make their way towards the exchange on your behalf, curiosity getting the better of you as you continue to stare at the sleek appearance of his armor. Maybe the helmet was in place for anonymity, a smart decision in any case. You picture someone angry under the beskar, torn from war and cantina fights. You’d wager a scar here, a scar there.

“...and under no circumstances should harm come to her, is that understood? This is your most valued jewel. I’ll see to it that your ship receives the repairs needed on Tatooine, and the rest?” 

The escort finally draws in a long inhale, nose flaps elongating and contracting. 

“The rest I leave in your hands.”

“I’ll need to make a few stops along the way,” the Mandalorian says, hand falling to his hip.

“I’m afraid you don’t have time for that.”

“Did she pack a months’ worth of food?”

It’s the first time he’s suggested your presence. Both you and your escort look at each other for the most polite way to say no .

“Then those stops will be necessary.”

“But you know who—”

“The Empire isn’t that close,” you interject, starting on a walk past your escort and the Mandalorian towards the resting ship. “The more we talk, the more we’re wasting time. We can stop for supplies.” 

At the squeak of protest from your escort you turn on a heel to raise your brows, unimpressed. 

“The rest is in his hands, right?”

The helmet cants towards you, but you don’t wait for his response as you turn to walk up the landing ramp. There’s no need, not when your fate is sealed in Empire signatures and Rebel-ladened credits. Even if you wanted to run back into that underground bunker your escort calls home, there wouldn’t be enough time to rip open the hatch and touch the ladder before the bounty hunter dragged you to his ship.

Stories are stories for a reason.

The hull of the ship is busy, crowded and full of strapped cargo and supplies. While the floor is clean, most of the space on the walls are designated for storage. The opposite of an Imperial warship; where those are clean and sterilized to the point of lifelessness, his ship is too busy. Crowded with supplies and half-muddied weaponry, pieces of various jobs and rewards in scattered piles, it’s as though he’s hoarding a bountiful cautionary tale. 

From the inside of a prison cell to an oversized storage tank. How lovely.

“Don’t you want to say goodbye?”

The Mandalorian’s boots carefully step with purposeful weight up the ramp behind you. Continuing to keep your arms crossed, you blink to view the peering escort standing in the dirt below you stumbling over their own two feet. Maybe it’s right then that you realize this will be the last time you can say you have ever been to this moon. Maybe it will be the last time you see your escort, though you can imagine the relief they’ll be in once you’re gone. 

Hopefully the Empire really isn’t that close — for all of your sakes.

“You were late,” you challenge, finally saying the one thing you wanted to utter since he’d arrived. The helmet stares motionless at you, unapologetic. “We can’t afford to waste more time.”

He hums, though whether it’s with disdain or in agreement you can’t tell. Not with the way the modulator fuzzies his entire voice. It’s disembodied, disingenuous. Like he really is just a lifeless hunter out for blood in the middle of the galaxy and not a person. Maybe that’s why everyone tries to hire him for their worst jobs. He’s yet to motion to remove his helmet, so you stay put as he mulls around the hull and presses a button to drag the inclined ramp towards the belly of the ship for departure.

One final look at dirt. At swaying trees and thick trunks etched with so many lifetimes. A swell of sadness, hopelessness, clutches at your heart — until the bay doors close and it’s just you, a crowded ship, and a Mandalorian.

“You should rest.”

Craning your chin towards the sound of his voice, you hear the thumping of his boots as he climbs up the flight deck access ladder. 

“It’s a long journey.”

“To Coruscant?” you ask, tugging the brown robe closer to your chest. Suddenly unwilling to be alone, you follow his lead and climb, careful not to slip. 

As you peer from the top ring of the ladder, the door to the cockpit slides open as he enters. If the ship was crowded in the hull, then it’s even worse up here.

“To Tatooine, then Naboo, then Coruscant.”

“How far are any of those planets from Coruscant?”

“There’s a spare room for you to sleep in through that door.” Entirely bypassing your question, he gives a brief nod to the closed door at the edge of the cockpit. “Keep left.”

“That’s it?” you ask as you stand in your robes, taking in the tiny blinking buttons lining the walls and consoles of the ship. The Mandalorian takes a seat at the pilot’s chair, pulling in a console to tap in coordinates. “You’re not going to tell me how far we have until we make it to Coruscant?”

“We can’t afford to waste more time.”

You still as a wave of uneasy anger hits your empty stomach when your hasty words are thrown back in your face. The engines roar to life as the ship breathes out an exhale, readying for the journey ahead. The bounty hunter continues to function as though you are a ghost, nonexistent in his presence as he begins the protocol to ascend from this moon. 

Like the credit exchange today and the prisoner rescue before it, it was never about you. It was about the principle of safely escorting precious cargo in the name of doing something good. A pawn of the republic. Old habits die hard.

One last look at this moon from the visor of a ship. 

Watching the way the blinking green lights shimmer off the dome of his helmet, you feel a heaviness hit you. It’ll take some time getting used to the gentle turbulence and disturbances that come with floating through space, breaking atmospheres and gliding past stars. Maybe you’ll never get used to bouncing from place to place as there is no end in sight. Coruscant is the hope; a safe haven. After years of living amongst silent metal, it almost sounds too good to be true.

You begin to leave, opening the door that leads to the mess section of the Mandalorian’s ship, yet a question flickers over your mind. 

Before you can stop yourself, you ask it.

“Are you really as ruthless as they say you are, bounty hunter?”

His glove stops mid-reach across the co-pilot’s console. For a minute, you think he’ll take off his helmet and confirm he’s as scary as the rumors that landed him this job. Instead he recovers, pressing a button that lifts the ship off solid ground. 

“Get some rest.”

[mypoisonedvine]

vignettes of a bond || alpha!bucky barnes x omega!reader

I originally wrote this in two parts for my sleepover but after I realized how long it accidentally became, I've reformatted it, added/changed a few things, and made into a oneshot!

word count: 3.1k

warnings: smut, angst, knotting, violence

June 2nd, 1943, 11:43 p.m., James Barnes’ bedroom

“I wanna do it, before I go,” he whispered against your skin. “But I know it’s wrong. It’s too cruel.”

“No, please,” you whimpered, “I want it. I want your mark.”

Bucky pulled back for a moment and you examined your Alpha’s face carefully, knowing it might be the last time for a long time. “I couldn’t bond to you and then leave you. It wouldn’t be fair… you deserve to find somebody who can stay, and be with you, and protect you.”

“All I want is you,” you whispered. “Please, Alpha… bite me.”

You saw him hesitate for a moment before he leaned in and sucked at your neck, building the anticipation before he finally sunk his teeth into your skin and you cried out, one single tear rolling down your cheek. “Mine,” he growled against your skin as he lapped at the healing wound, “my Omega. Forever.”

“Yours, only yours,” you agreed eagerly.

It wasn’t the first time Bucky had taken you, but that night he really and truly claimed you, left you a desperate begging mess, stretched out over his knot as he filled you over and over.

The next morning, you were still sore between your legs as well as on your new mark, and it took everything in you to be strong as you saw him off at the train station, waving goodbye and praying that your Alpha would return to you soon.

November 9th, 1943, 2:24 p.m., undercover SHIELD facility

“You promised Bucky you’d take care of me,” you reminded him with a little smile, wiping a tear from your cheek.

“I know,” Steve relented, “but we both know I can’t do that. Not in this state. But maybe I can protect you if I do this. Maybe I can protect my country. I owe it to everyone, especially Bucky, to try.”

You nodded. “But I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too. Come see me before I ship out for good, alright?”

“Of course,” you agreed.

December 27th, 1943, 8:32 a.m., your front porch

“You’re lying,” you gasped as you shook your head. “You’re wrong, no, it’s not true.”

“It is,” Steve promised as tears welled in his eyes, “I’m so so sorry, I saw it myself, I had to watch him fall…”

“It’s not true! He’s not dead!”

“I know he loved you so much. He talked about every day, he couldn’t wait to come home to you,” Steve remembered, choking up noticeably. “But he won’t. He’s gone.”

“You don’t understand, I know, okay? I know.”

“You’re in shock, I understand, it’s hard to lose your mate—”

“You’re a beta, you wouldn’t understand,” you dismissed; sure, he looked like an alpha now, but it didn’t make a difference. “Omegas, we know when our Alpha dies, we feel it, it kills us. He’s far away, but he’s still there, I still feel him!”

Steve held you as you sobbed, your body crumpling into his arms. Sometimes you thought maybe he held you too tight on accident because he was still getting used to his new strength; other times you thought he did it on purpose.

February 3rd, 1944, 12:00 p.m., undercover SHIELD facility

“Even when I had nothing, I had Steve,” you recalled shakily, “and now he’s gone too.”

“Is that why you’re volunteering?” Agent Carter asked you. “Because you’d rather sleep for a hundred years than live without your mate and your best friend?”

“I’m volunteering because my mate and my best friend died for SHIELD,” you corrected firmly, “and if I’m not willing to also, then I’m admitting I think they went to waste.”

“Steve told me you didn’t think Bucky was dead,” Peggy remembered.

You winced. “I’m not sure. But I know he’s not coming home again. I came here to give whatever I could to help find him… I was asked to participate in a cryogenics research study. If it helps him, then I’ll do it.”

She was about to get up, apparently satisfied with your final interview, but you stopped her.

“On one condition,” you added. “If James Barnes is found, alive or dead, wake me up to see him.”

She nodded, stepping out of the room and leaving you alone again.

May 8th, 2012, SHIELD headquarters

“Can you hear me?”

You slowly blinked awake, your vision taking a moment to catch up with your mind. You saw tubes coming out of your arms; you saw Steve above you, looking like the day you saw him last.

“Did you find Bucky?” you asked instantly. Why else would they wake you up?

“No,” Steve answered, seemingly a bit disappointed that that was your first and only question.

“Then put me back to sleep,” you demanded.

“It’s been 68 years,” he told you. “You’ve slept for 68 years. It’s time to wake up.”

And you did, more than you ever wanted to, because you realized you couldn’t feel him anymore. Your Alpha was gone. Worse, he probably died while you were asleep; he probably died alone.

One more time, like he had 68 years ago, Steve held you while you sobbed.

August 1st, 2014, 2:11 a.m., Avengers compound, Steve Rogers’ quarters

You ran into Steve’s room barefoot and still in your pajamas, barreling through the door and right into his bed.

“Steve, I feel him!” you rushed.

“What?” he groaned sleepily, looking up at you as he blinked in confusion.

“I feel him again, he’s alive,” you explained. “I know it. He’s weak… he’s hurting… but he’s there.”

“That’s impossible,” Steve shook his head. “It’s been too long, he would’ve died of old age anyways.”

“Don’t you want to believe it? Don’t you want to think he’s out there?”

“Do I want to think he’s alone and I didn’t save him?” Steve hissed. “No, I can’t say that I particularly do!”

“But we still can, Steve, we just have to find h—”

But before you could finish, the feeling left you, and you were just half of something again.

“Oh,” you breathed.

“He’s gone again?” Steve realized.

You nodded, biting your lip as it started to quiver. He sighed and pulled you into a hug. “If I could just see his body, and know it was over,” you whispered, “if I could just bury him, have a funeral…”

“We’ll have one,” Steve decided, “after this mission. We’ll put him to rest. He deserves that, and so do you.”

You nodded into his shoulder. It shattered you into a million pieces but it was still the better option, to try to let him go in whatever small way you could. He would always, always, always be your Alpha, nothing could change that, but a funeral would at least bring some closure.

That would have to wait until after your next mission though… and it was going to be a big one: tracking the elusive Winter Soldier.

August 3rd, 2014, 1:14 p.m., Lower East side

You were a few blocks away, helping civilians escape the firefight, when you felt it.

For one impossibly brief moment, you felt him, stronger than you had in nearly 80 years. He was here.

You instantly got up and ran like you’d never run before, finding the Soldier and Steve locked in a brutal showdown— but his mask was gone now, and you nearly fell to your knees at the sight of him.

“Bucky!” you yelped, but you knew he wasn’t there or you would’ve felt his presence. Your Alpha was somewhere underneath the shell that wore his face, and you needed to find him.

You ran forward just as Steve made a break for it, getting to him just in time to stand between the Soldier and his mission.

“Alpha, please,” you whimpered, clutching at his chest. A metal hand backhanded you to the ground.

“Out of my way, Omega,” he growled, stepping over you, but you grabbed at his ankles even when he tried to kick you away.

“My mark,” you explained hastily, pulling your shirt down some to make sure it was visible. “It’s yours. Do you remember? You gave me this. This is your mark on me.”

He stared down at you, seeming to be contemplating it, and you scrambled back to your feet and faced him.

“I still feel you,” you whispered. “I knew you were alive, I knew you’d come back to me. I could feel you, right here,” you explained as you took his hand and placed it on your chest. “Could you feel me? Did you know I was waiting for you all this time?”

His eyes were watering but he still seemed confused— stunned, more specifically, as you placed your hand on his chest.

“I’ll always be yours, Bucky. I’ll always be your Omega, no matter where you are.”

A stun gun took you down, an array of masked men appeared, and before he could really see you for what you were, he was dragged away and taken to be erased again.

August 3rd, 2014, 9:04 p.m., Avengers compound, medical bay

“I can’t believe we let them get away,” Steve lamented, resting his face in his hands. “I can’t believe they took him again…”

“They’ll be back,” you promised sternly. “They’re going to figure out what I am to him. They’re going to realize I could break his programming. And they’re going to come for me.”

“And when they do?” Steve pressed.

“We’ll be ready. And I’ll get my Alpha back.”

August 3rd, 2014, 9:04 p.m., temporary HYDRA operations facility

"The woman on the bridge... the Omega..." Bucky mumbled. "She knew me... she had my mark."

"No she didn't."

He furrowed his brow. "She showed me..."

Pierce sighed, glancing over to the HYDRA scientist who looked back at him sternly.

"She's too dangerous to be left alive," the man sighed, shrugging in his lab coat. "We can't deprogram a bond like that."

"We'll take care of her," Pierce promised.

Bucky launched from the chair, snapping his restraints like paper. "Touch her and I'll fucking kill you!" he bellowed, tackling his handler to the ground.

Pierce just laughed as another scientist jabbed Bucky with a needle, dosing him with something strong enough to kill any other man but just enough to knock out a super soldier. Pierce stood up and dusted himself off as he watched Bucky go limp and be lifted back into his chair.

"I can see the fight in your eyes, Soldier," he taunted as he leaned into his face. "I know you really would kill me, if you could. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, right? But don't worry about your mate, we'll make it quick and painless. Hey, maybe beforehand me and a few of the other Alphas will show her a good time, poor thing's been without her mate for 70 years... I bet she's raring to go."

Bucky's arm twitched as his eyes started to fall shut, a tear falling down his blank and motionless face.

"Wipe him," Pierce instructed to the scientist, turning and walking away as the electric whirr of the machine charging up filled the room.

August 11th, 2014, 3:53 p.m., SHIELD headquarters

Steve was impressed with how accurate and imminent your prediction was; HYDRA was hot on your trail and desperate to eliminate the biggest threat to their Asset. Knowing they were coming made it easier, but it was still a brutal fight.

You and Steve tried to stay together, but they were smart, they used the perfect bait to lure you away.

"Tell me where he is," you demanded from the HYDRA agent as you held a blade to his neck, "then I'll kill you."

"Isn't it supposed to be 'or I'll kill you'?" he frowned.

You shook your head. "Not the way I operate."

Opposite to the reaction you were expecting, he grinned widely. "He's here."

Your heart stopped.

"On the roof. He's here to kill you."

You dropped the knife and ran straight for the stairwell, ascending them like they were nothing and calling out for your Alpha.

You found him there, waiting, gun trained on you. Raising your hands in surrender, you yelled to him again.

"Bucky," you called across the windy roof, eyes nearly blinded by the bright afternoon sun. "Alpha."

"I'm not who you think I am," he yelled back. "I'm not your Alpha."

It hurt to hear it in his voice, but you knew it wasn't him. Cautiously, you stepped closer. "Before you left, you told me you didn't want to mark me and leave me behind," you recalled. "But I wanted it. I wanted to be bonded to you more than I'd ever wanted anything."

He could clearly see you were coming closer, he even tightened his finger over the trigger of his weapon, but he was waiting. You kept walking to him, slowly.

"I've never regretted it," you continued, "not even when I thought you were dead, not even when I had to spent a lifetime-- more than that-- apart from you."

Finally you were face to face, and you stepped closer until his gun was pressed right into your chest.

"You can shoot me now and I still won't regret it," you promised. "I love you."

Shakily, he lowered his weapon. "Omega..." he breathed.

"Your Omega."

He pulled you into him and you sobbed as you felt him come to life in your arms-- the real him, your Alpha, your Bucky. He held you close and breathed against the top of your head and it was like a dream coming true decades after you'd forced yourself to let it go.

But you'd never given up. And now you had found him again.

Agents started to come onto the roof and Bucky spun the two of you around, firing with his right hand and using the left, metal arm as a shield for you.

He carried you and you didn't even know where he was taking you, but it didn't matter. In his arms, you were home.

August 12th, 1:03 a.m., Avengers compound, your quarters

You hadn't stopped coming or crying for at least an hour. Bucky had all but split you open on his knot all night and he didn't show any signs of stopping.

He apparently intended to make up for lost time. And you'd lost a lot of time.

"Just one more, I know you can give me one more," he groaned furiously rubbing your clit as his knot began to swell again.

You could give him anything, as long as he asked for it like that.

You'd lost count of how many times he'd told you to come for him, and how many times you did it immediately.

"I can see how full you are," he whispered as he rubbed your stomach gently. "So much seed in you that your body can't hold it all."

You looked down and yep, you were distinctly bloated from his come alone; it made you a little dizzy to even look at it.

"The idea of you alone during your heats, no one to protect you, it kills me," he explained with a growl. "I won't let you go again. I can't."

"Then don't," you sighed. "Never leave this bed, fill me with everything you have."

"Did anybody ever help you through them? The heats?" he asked. "I wouldn't blame you, they can be so painful... I just need to know so I can make sure you forget about them."

"No, Bucky, never— I never let anyone touch me."

"Steve could've helped you, at least some..."

"He wouldn't have, he loves you too much. And I wouldn't accept anything less than you, ever. You're my Alpha. We're bonded. There's never anyone else."

That didn't seem to satisfy him, his eyes darting away as he swallowed. Your gut sank with the realization he probably wasn't being totally honest about why he asked.

"Your ruts," you gasped. "Were you alone for all of them?"

He shut his lips tighter.

"Bucky, it's okay, just tell me. I was asleep for 70 years, I skipped most of them, but you... you had to live through them all."

"They gave me betas, and omegas," he mumbled, "but I don't... I don't really remember. I know they wanted me to. They threatened to hurt me if I didn't, because they knew I'd go crazy after so many ruts alone, but I can't remember if I really did it. I remember... I remember crying, and begging for you."

"Alpha," you breathed as you felt new tears run over the stains of your old ones. "It's okay. Whatever happened, it's okay now. We're together again. Everything's okay."

You wiped his tear away with your thumb, holding his face tightly, weaving your fingers into his long hair.

"I'll always be your Omega," you promised.

He leaned in closer to you, kissing your cheek before pulling back a little. "It's faded," he whispered as he ran his thumb over the mark on your neck. "The last time I saw it, it was still fresh."

"It's older, sure, but it's stronger than ever, Bucky."

August 14th, 10:12 a.m., Avengers compound, residential area kitchen

Steve's eyes went wide when he came into the kitchen for breakfast and found you there, steeping your tea. "Surprised to see you out of the love nest so soon," he smirked.

"It's been three days, I don't think that counts as soon," you scoffed.

"It does to him," Steve frowned. "He's asleep, isn't he?"

"Yep."

"I know he wouldn't let you out of his sights if he was conscious," Steve chuckled.

At that moment, you heard Bucky call your name and run out into the hall, only a bedsheet covering his groin as he appeared in the doorway. You spun around and smiled when you saw him come running towards you, embracing you with his free arm.

"You should've told me you were leaving, I got scared when I woke up without you," he admitted weakly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry!"

He pulled back and clutched your face in both his hands. "I'm waking up next to you every morning for the rest of my life, you understand?"

You nodded dutifully. "Yes, Alpha."

"One hand on the sheet, please, Buck?" Steve winced, looking away.

“Whoops,” Bucky groaned, reaching to cover himself as you laughed softly.

“Let’s go back to bed, baby,” you decided quietly, taking Bucky’s (free) hand in yours and waving goodbye to Steve, who was already making his way as far out of earshot as possible.

[kaunis-sielu]

Fire Dogs: 4

It turns out that you didn’t break anything just deeply bruised. Steve brings you home and you feel terrible that he’s wasted his whole night on you and your drama.

“Do you wanna stop and pick up something to eat?”

“No, I’ve got dinner planned. As long as you’re okay waiting for dinner.”

“You’re supposed to take it easy.” He reminds you gently.

“Yea, it’s just Spaghetti. Easy.”

“Come on Fawn, you heard Dr. May, you have to take it easy.”

“I’m right handed, I’ll be fine to put some noodles into hot water and heat some sauce.” You argue and he sighs heavily as he slows to a stop at a stoplight.

“Can you just humor me for one night?” He asks giving you some serious puppy dog eyes. You feel that little prickle of an Alpha command but he doesn’t, like he’d promised.

“Fine. But you don’t get to pay.”

“Woah woah. Now that’s not the deal.”

“That’s the deal.” You argue and Steve glances over at you with an affectionate glare.

“Fine. Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy for an Omega?” He sighs heavily before asking, “What do you want?”

You end up picking up burgers at a little takeout place called Stan’s and eating them at home. Dinner with Steve is fun. He’s smart and charming and you enjoy spending time with him. When you’re done with dinner you grab your Stark Pad and head up to your room. You hear Steve in the shower and you manage to struggle out of your shirt and into your pajamas. You’re supposed to take some painkillers but you’ve got to be up for Sam in a few hours so you don’t.

You’re in way more pain when you wake up at 3:30. You wrap your robe around yourself and open your door. Much to your surprise both Steve and Sam are waiting outside your door.

“You owe me twenty bucks.” Steve says uncrossing one of his arms and holding an open hand out to Sam who pulls his wallet out and slams a twenty into Steve’s hand.

“Um, what?” You ask blinking at the two.

“I bet Sam that you’d be up to make him breakfast and something for Bucky before he goes to bed. Which also means that you didn’t take any pain meds.”

“I’m fine Steve.” You tell him trying to skirt past him.

“Uh, uh, uh Honey.” He pauses you with an arm in front of you, “I know you asked me not to but I wanna know why you need to do this? I just want what’s best for you.” You know he’s talking about not Alpha commanding you, part of it is a simple answer, the other part, not so much.

“Steve, I can’t just not do anything. Okay? I can’t.” You attempt to reason with him, “You guys are out there laying down your lives to help protect my home. I need to do something!” He studies you silently for a moment, just long enough where you’re almost uncomfortable.

“Okay Omega, but the second it’s too much take a break okay? And maybe take half of one of the pills Dr. May gave you. Just to help with the swelling.” He called you Omega again, not that you can lie about it now that Grant had called you an Omega bitch right in front of him. When Steve calls you Omega it’s, nice.

“Will you cut them in half for me before you go? I don’t have much range of motion in my left arm yet.” You ask softly, you have this weird feeling he might like to help take care of you as much as you like helping care for him, Sam and Bucky.

“Yea, I’ll cut one now and do the rest before I head out. If you’re too tired to get up with me please don’t okay?” You nod then follow him down the stairs.

Sam’s breakfast, and Bucky’s dinner, is a little more difficult with your aching body but if Steve notices any of your wincing he thankfully doesn’t say anything. You take the half pill that he offers then with Cooper on your heels trudge back upstairs. It takes you longer to get comfortable this time, you’re still awake when Steve and Bucky come to bed. You hear them talking quietly, you can’t really make out what they’re saying but Steve sounds annoyed. You can feel his irritation through the door and you’re worried you’ve done something. Hopefully you didn’t get him into any trouble with the other firefighters for leaving early.

You end up falling into a half sleep as the sun rises in the sky. You still hear everything going on around you but you can’t react, it’s a terrible way to sleep. You’re pretty sure you hear Steve open the door to check on you at some point, his scent invading the room when he cracks the door open. You relax further and finally fall into a restful sleep.

You wake up around one, Cooper is still laying at your feet when you stretch but he hops down and makes his way to the door with a wagging tail. You groan softly as you sit up, then make your way slowly to the door. You let Cooper out then struggle into your robe your arm aching. You make your way down to the kitchen to feed Cooper and find your bottle of pills full of halves. It makes you smile to see that Steve had taken the time to cut them, you take two of the halves, you’re not going anywhere today so you don’t need to be especially awake.

You do some drawing for your new book, it’s almost done and you couldn’t be more excited. Your deadline is in three days and with only two pages left to draw you’re feeling pretty good about everything. You’ve even decided what your next book is gonna be about, the therapy dogs that are coming in for the firefighters. You won’t use Cooper or any of the other dogs real names but you’re going to share the story.

You must fall asleep on the couch, when you wake Sam is in the kitchen humming away as he cooks. A warm ice pack falls off of your shoulder as you sit up, you grab it then move slowly to your feet. When you wander into the kitchen Sam gives you a broad smile,

“Mornin’ sleeping beauty. How do you feel?”

“Sore. Do you want me to take over?”

“Nah, Fawn. Buck said you didn’t even move when he let Cooper out and left. He did make sure you were breathing and put the ice on your shoulder. He said he wants to check it if you’re okay with that tomorrow before he leaves.”

“It’s just a deep bruise.”

“Yes but our Alpha told us to take care of you so we will.”

“Your Alpha? But you’re all Alphas?”

“Steve is a True Alpha.” Sam explains, “I thought he’d told you.”

“No, so he’s like, the leader of your pack?”

“Exactly.”

“What exactly does that mean?”

“He’s the boss.” Sam says with a shrug, “you like gumbo?”

“Can he Alpha command anyone?”

“Yea, but he wouldn’t. Not without good reason.” You’re almost positive that Steve must’ve Alpha commanded Grant.

“But he can.”

“Yes, why?”

“I think he did.”

“Who?”

“I mean, other than me. I think he Alpha commanded one of the doctors at the ER.” When Sam glances at you over his shoulder you look down at the warm ice pack you’re still holding. “Grant Ward, he’s my ex. He wanted to mate me but I just couldn’t, and he’s been making my life hard ever since.”

“You’re not a Beta are you.” Sam says softly and you look up at him in surprise.

“What do you mean?”

“Steve has been off, like he’s protecting an Omega but Bucky and I couldn’t figure it out because you smell like a Beta.”

“Please don’t say anything. If the town finds out I’m going to have every stupid Alpha at my door.”

“Not with Steve here you won’t.”

“You’re not going to be here forever. When you leave they’ll be all over me.” You tell him hurrying to his side, “Please don’t say anything!”

“I won’t, none of us will.” He promises and you give his arm an appreciative squeeze.

“Thanks Sam. And I do like Gumbo, thank you for cooking.”

“Of course Fawn. If you wanna keep working on your book I can let you know when the food is done.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yup.” So you do as he says and get back to work on your book. You’re on the last page when you hear him call for you.

“Thank you again for cooking. It smells amazing.”

“If I let Carol cook we’d both die.”

“She’s not much of a cook?”

“No, not at all.” He admits with a laugh, “I love the woman but she can’t cook.”

“Is it hard being in an Alpha-Alpha pair?”

“I don’t think so, but it’s definitely a choice we make to make it work.”

“Sorry, that was a very personal question.”

“I don’t mind, I’d imagine things are pretty traditional here.” You nod, “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure.”

“Why aren’t you mated?”

“I’ve dated but after the shit with Grant I think I’m just scared. All the Alphas around here want an Omega and they think I’m a Beta so they don’t really look my way.”

“Are you just waiting for an Alpha?”

“No, if I met the right Beta that would be fine too.”

“Which of us smells best?”

“Nope,” you tell him with a laugh, “I’m not going there.”

“I had to try.” He tells you with a grin of his own.

“All I’ll say is that none of you smell bad. All comforting.”

“Good.” Sam says with a nod and you finish the meal in comfortable conversation. You shoo him out of the kitchen when you’re both done. Insisting that he go to bed so he’s rested for his morning shift. You take another half of a pain pill then start doing the dishes. You finish your last drawing then send everything to your publisher so they can check it over. By the time that’s done it’s nearly ten and Steve should be home soon.

You get off the couch and follow Cooper to the back door. When you open it Coop doesn’t move, just stares out into the darkness.

“In or out Coop.” You tell him and he ambles out into the yard. You close the door and head back to the kitchen to grab a bowl of Gumbo to start heating for Steve. You go back to the back door and when you open it you find Cooper isn’t alone in the backyard.

“Hi Omega.”

“What.” You gasp as Brock moves closer to your house. “Cooper!”

“I think he got out.”

“What? Cooper!” You call shutting the door in Brock’s face you lock it and hurry into the living room. The front door opens and Steve comes in, Cooper trailing behind him. “Oh, oh thank god. Oh Steve thank you.”

“He was hanging out in the front. How did he get out?”

“I don’t know.” Steve tenses, “Brock is out back. He apparently knows I’m an Omega.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” He goes to go past you and upstairs when you catch his wrist with your right hand.

“No! Please make him go away. I don’t know how he found out I was an Omega but he did. I don’t want him here Steve.”

“You want him gone?”

“Please Alpha.” You whisper and Steve nods before going to the back of the house.

Tag list:

@memyselfandmaddox @thefanficfaerie @patzammit @dsakita @dramadreamer14 @killcomet @thesassmisstress @andahugaroundtheneck @loving-life-my-way @thefridgeismybestie @dumblani @im-just-another-monster @mywinterwolf @giggleberts @biskwitmamaw @geeksareunique @paintballkid711 @lumar014 @also-fangirlinsweden @connie326 @inkedaztec @eralen @valsworldofcreativity @strangersstranger @blackwidownat2814

[fe-fictions]

Do you have anything but really ANYTHING with Saizo ? 😭 I miss my ninja boi so much ;-)

(How about very pregnant corrin needs to be protected from an invasion!!! ;;; A ;;; )

There was such joy in everything Saizo did. Ever since you told him you were with child, he’d  changed every aspect of his life to reflect his happiness.

He went on and on about how the next in a long, proud line of Saizo’s was on the way and he could hardly wait. It made you laugh when he said firstborn, as if suggesting the potential for more along the way...you needed to make sure he didn’t get too far with those family expansion plans.

You were due any day. He became more doting, taking time to accompany you  in lieu of guarding Ryoma.

You guessed it was because Ryoma told him to stick with you, considering you were his heavily pregnant wife. But, you could feel his eyes on you even when he was supposed to be focused on Ryoma.

He was longing to be with you even when ordered not to be. It was cute, seeing how protective Saizo was. 

It made you relieved to know the baby had a wonderful father. But every now and then, you did have to put some limits on his doting privileges.

Such was the topic of conversation you shared with him that afternoon, as he helped you into your seat while Jakob prepared your tea.

“I think we ought to consider giving you more time to work, my love. You seem to be using an awful lot of personal days I don’t think any of us knew you had.”

“Taking care of you and the baby is more than enough, right now.” Saizo assured you, “I’ve worked long enough; right now my time is best spent with you.”

“I know, dear, and it does make me happy to know you’re eager. But you dont’ have to be here with me if you have duties to perform.”

“I already cleared it with Kagero and Lord Ryoma. They’re taking the necessary steps to keep him safe during my absence. Besides, it’s not like it’ll be this way forever. You ought to enjoy it while it lasts.”

“It’s not that I don’t enjoy it,” You told him with a soft smile, and placed your hand over his. “I just want to make sure you’re not feeling cooped up or as if you’re...wasting your time.”

“Making sure you are safe and healthy is the furthest thing from a ‘waste of time’, Corrin.” Saizo told you firmly, “I promise you, there’s nowhere I’d rather be. I’ll stay as long as I can.”

“You really think they’ll be okay without you?” You asked honestly, “I didn’t realize you were capable of putting that much trust in other people.”

“Well...I’ve learned a little bit more about trusting other people, recently.” He replied to you with a tender expression, drawing your hand to his cheek before linking his fingers with yours. “You’ve done more for me than you could ever know, Lady Saizo.”

“Yes, well...the Lady Saizo is feeling a bit hungry, as is Little Saizo.” You told him, resting a hand on your baby bump.

He pressed a chaste kiss to your growing bump before rising up and giving you a more proper one.

“I’ll be back with some breakfast from the kitchens. I’ll have Reina make your favorite.”

“Ooh, yes please.” You hummed happily, catching that grin on Saizo’s lips before he turned and drew his mask back up.

You settled back into your chair, feeling a little foot tap against your skin. You had been dealing with uncomfortable cramps and pains all morning, costing you a good bit of rest.

The baby had been a lot more active than usual, and you weren’t entirely sure why. A small part of you worried that the baby was planning on coming sooner than anticipated; granted it was only a week or so from the suggested delivery date, but still.

There was a lot that went into having a child, and you were nervous about going into it unprepared or at a moment of vulnerability.

If only you realized how grounded and real those fears were, when you dismissed them that morning. If you’d known what was coming, you never would have let the thoughts wander away.

Yet, you did.

The reality of the situation wouldn’t hit until moments later.

Saizo had tasked himself with helping Reina prepare your breakfast, making sure to slip in a few ninja nutritional powders that would help keep you nice and strong and birth a healthy baby. 

Of course Reina didn’t need to know this, since she’d probably scold him for tampering with the food (as if it wasn’t completely safe. Tch).

The two of them had barely gotten through plating the food before the alarm sounded.

Saizo froze when the horns of war blasted through the camp, dropping the food and sprinting out of the kitchen with Reina right behind him.

“An enemy ambush has been spotted! They’re coming for the Castle!” A guard announced, throwing the rest of the place into preparing for battle.

Saizo started for the barracks, then stopped, looking back to your room.

They were close. Too close. You were in danger. The Castle was supposed to be a safe place, but there wasn’t anything he could do if they were encroaching on the safe territory. 

There was nowhere else he could hide you. There wasn’t enough time.

An arrow whistled through the air, catching the shoulder of a soldier up on the castle’s outer walls. His heart dropped. They were already here.

“Saizo, you need to get to Corrin somewhere safe.”

“They’ve already breached the castle,” He forced out, “There’s nowhere to take her. There’s no safe path if they’ve closed in.”

“There must be some place besides that tree, Saizo. She’s in no condition to fight, let alone be in any form of danger.” Reina reminded him, as if it needed to be spoken.

Saizo grit his teeth, scanning for alternative hiding places. Perhaps his old room. It was close, but inaccessible to the general public.

An enemy soldier wouldn’t think to look in a servant’s little corner in the back of a giant compound. Saizo turned on his heel and sprinted for your room, hearing the shouts of the enemy get louder by the second.

This was a nightmare scenario. He couldn’t believe this was happening. All that work he put into keeping you safe and it was already being threatened in a matter of seconds.

He cursed to himself as he launched himself up, climbing up the tree and bursting through the door with no hesitation.

“Corrin, we have to go.”

“S-Saizo? Ah…”

“I’m taking you to my quarters- you’ll be much safer there. I’ll have Oboro stay close until everything’s finished, and then-”

“Saizo, stop!” Jakob’s voice snapped him from his beeline towards you, and he started to realize that something was off. “We can’t move her.”

“Why not?” He demanded, urgently impatient.

“She’s going into labor, you dolt! Can’t you see that?!”

For one full second, Saizo’s brain stopped working. 

He stared at you, seeing how you grasped your side and clung to Jakob for all you were worth. There was a pain in your expression, your entire body tense.

 Your strained whimper drew his thoughts from his shock.

“She’s what?!”

“She started having contractions just after you left- I was going to come for you but there wasn’t time! She’s not in any state to move!!” “She’s a primary target staying here, fool!” Saizo snapped at him, coming to your side and taking you into his arms, “We have to get her out of here before it’s too late!”

“S-Saizo, it’s already too- ugh!!” He instantly had eyes on you the second you cried out, feeling your fingers dig into him as another wave of pain hit. Dread filled him faster when he realized this was serious.

You weren’t going anywhere. You physically couldn’t.

For once, Saizo was powerless.

“What do we do?” Saizo finally asked, looking up at the butler with a reluctant compliance.

“Get her to the bed and remove all the blankets. Flora and Felicia- we’ll need them to help with the delivery! Can you find them?”

“I can.” Saizo grunted, lying you down as if you were made of glass.

Gods damn him.

“Hurry- I’ll take care of her until you return. Go, quickly!” Jakob told him, and with that your husband was out the door, leaping into action.

There were hundreds of soldiers that were flooding into the Castle, despite the best efforts of the royals and the Hoshidan army to keep them back. He swallowed a lump in his throat, forcing the panic back to keep from being completely overwhelmed.

He couldn’t be weak at a time like this. He had to keep it together and fight his way back to you so that you could at least make it through the delivery safely.

He slashed his way through the enemy lines, clearing the path for Felicia and Flora so they could hurry to your aid. He blazed ahead, covering the girls’ backs to prevent the enemy from taking them down.

He was breathing heavily by the time it was done, and he wasn’t sure what had him so out of sorts. It was normal for him to take on entire battalions on his own; he had to protect Ryoma, after all. 

Yet there he was, barely keeping it together as he tried to protect his own wife.

Ah. That’s what was different.

He was panicking over your safety.

Saizo cursed to himself, clearing as much of the field as he could before he pushed it back far enough to let others take over. 

Kaze jumped in without a word, nodding to his brother. He knew what was going on.

He knew where Saizo needed to be.

The red-haired ninja leapt away from the battle and returned up the tree, panting as he tugged his mask away and re-entered the bedroom.

The scene had devolved from panic to utter chaos in the span of an hour.

Saizo stared as the two maids scurried about the room, Felicia at the foot of the bed while Flora prepared cold water and Jakob remained beside you, grasping your hand tightly as you rode out contractions.

You were crying out, practically wailing in pain as another one hit. Everyone was talking loudly and Saizo couldn’t focus on any of it.

“Saizo, come here!!” Jakob called to him, “Take her hand while she tries to deliver- I need to check on the dilation-”

“S-she’s getting close, Jakob! We n-need another healer!”

‘We don’t have time for that! No one can help until this battle is finished. They can’t afford to lose anyone!!” Jakob exclaimed in a flurry. Saizo came to your side, sitting beside you and wrapping his arm around you, giving you his trembling hand to hold.

“Corrin- are...a-are you all right?” He asked you with a choked voice, barely able to form a sentence of his own. 

He grimaced when you squeezed his hand particularly hard, another contraction hitting as you slammed your head back into the pillows.

“It h-hurts so...so bad, Saizo...I don’t w-want to do this…!” You whimpered, tears streaming down your face, intermingled with sweat.

He nodded silently, the guilt overtaking his adrenaline for a split second.

“I know, Corrin. I’m sorry. I-I’m so sorry. Just hold on. It’ll be over before-

“Aaah!!”

He jolted when the window shattered across the room, a stray arrow flying through and lodging into the ceiling.

Saizo jumped from your side, anxiety back full force.

“They’re closing in again?!” He swore, “What are they doing, down there?!”

“They need you!” Jakob told him, knowing you needed him just as badly. “They’re already short handed without us- but we can’t abandon Lady Corrin!”

Saizo clenched his hands into tight fists, trying not to scream. He needed to be with you. But he needed to protect you. You needed him.

“Saizo…S-Saizo...!” You groaned, breathing heavy as you reached out, searching for his hand. He returned silently, taking it with a tight squeeze.

“Corrin, I have to go. They’re close.” He told you quietly, brushing back the hair from your face. You cracked an eye open to look at him, begging him to stay. “I’m sorry.”

“J-just...hurry...b-back, okay?” You whispered weakly, making his heart twinge with guilt. He nodded, kissing your forehead before he drew the mask up.

“I’ll be back.”

Saizo intended to make good on that promise. He jumped from the treehouse and found himself surrounded. 

They wanted the throne room, and they were going to destroy whatever they had to in order to get there.

His knives were driven in before they knew what hit them.

They weren’t going any further. Dozens cried out when they saw the blazing ninja blast through lines of men, setting fire to anything in his path.

He would protect you. He would protect his family.

“Saizo!! You’re here!!” He heard Ryoma’s relieved exclamation a few meters away, “Where’s Corrin? Is she all right?”

“She’s in her room-” Saizo informed him, cutting away more men before he united with his liege. “I tried to move her, but we can’t.”

“What?! She’s in the middle of the battlefield!”

“She went into labor before the invasion- it’s too late to move her, now!”

“No! She’s really-?!” He stared at Saizo in shock, driving his blade through another. “Gods, damn this- why now?!”

“It’s out of our control, but these bastards aren’t getting any closer.” “Agreed.” Ryoma glowered, “We’ll take care of this before they have a chance to go near her!”

Saizo had never been more proud to be Ryoma’s retainer than that moment.

They tore through the invaders without any semblance of mercy, gathering together as they thinned their numbers.

It wasn’t long before they had been overwhelmed, those who hadn’t been felled retreating back in a panic. Saizo hit the ground as soon as it ended, utterly drained.

He had used every ounce of strength to keep the enemy at bay, and poured all his anxiety and protectiveness into keeping you safe.

The relief he had felt at the end of the battle was almost immediately evaporated when you crossed his mind, again.

He jumped up from the ground before the healers even got to the man, stumbling into a run as he hurried back to your room. 

He hadn’t seen anyone come close to your quarters, yet he was so worried you hadn’t made it. He pulled himself up and practically fell through the door, dropping his weapons.

“Corrin, are you-?!”

“There he is.”

Saizo paused at the notably calmer tone of voice you held, finding Felicia and Jakob leaning against each other on the floor, looking exactly like Saizo had mere moments ago.

It was Flora who smiled, wiping her hands with a towel before she passed one to him. “You ought to clean up. Your son’s waiting to meet you.”

“My…?” Words died in his throat, looking past the maid to find you lying in bed, clean blankets drawn, and a bundle in you arms.

His heart skipped a beat.

“Y-you...?” He asked in naught but a whisper, pulling the mask away and tugging off his armor. You beamed at him and nodded, nudging your finger into the little bundle. He perked at the soft squeak he heard.

“I...was just telling him about how Papa kept him safe.” You replied, gesturing for him to go to your side.

Saizo wiped down so quickly he was bloody and sweaty in one second, and perfectly clean the next. You couldn’t help but giggle when he rushed over to you.

His expression was that of sheer awe when he peered into the blankets. Sure enough, that was his little baby boy in the blankets. That was his son.

“You’re really...here.” He murmured, running his hand over the blankets. His hand stopped at the baby’s face, lightly grazing the soft, pink skin.

He had never been more proud than in that moment. 

Maybe it was the exhaustion that had him emotional. He drew you into his arms, kissing your cheek and forehead and anywhere else that he could reach.

“S-Saizo, you’re--” You laughed as he showered you in affection, his hand covering yours where it held his son.

“I’m happy. I’m so...glad that you’re all right. That you gave me this little one. Saizo the Sixth...hah, he’s really here…” “I wouldn’t have made it if you weren’t there.” You leaned into his chest as he came onto the bed. “You kept us safe.” “I did what I could. I wish I could’ve got you somewhere safer. When that arrow came, I thought...I was too late to drive them back.”

“But you didn’t let anything happen to us.” You mused, gently settling the baby in Saizo’s open arm. He gasped softly, gripping the bundle tight and secure so that he wouldn’t disturb his son’s rest.

“I wasn’t going to allow it. Not when this little fellow needed us.” He added with a warm grin, “He’s already got the Saizo hair…” “He certainly does. I’ll bet he’ll take after you in many ways.” You added, settling against his chest and nudging your finger into the newborn’s tiny hand.

His heart warmed, watching his son grip you tightly, squeaking and mumbling in his sleep. What a precious child you gave him. His precious family.

He would always protect you...no matter what.

[lloydskywalkers]

salt

i’ve been incredibly absent and beyond behind on the show but i happened to glimpse the season finale and i. ah. hm. have yet to process my feelings but i’m tired and kai and nya deserve better so here is a humble offering of pain 

(spoilers for s15 finale!! big spoilers)

Kai’s never liked the taste of salt. Not the bitter, acrid kind that comes with seawater, stinging and choking as it fills your lungs, burning your nose when you gasp for air. Not the dry, sandpaper-aftertaste that lingers on your tongue for hours after. Not the hot, slip of salt that sticks to your cheeks and leaves your eyes red and aching.

He swipes angrily at the fresh burst of warmth that slips free from his eyes, cursing under his breath as he sniffles thickly. The last rays of the sun on the horizon feel like they’re slicing into his eyes, making his head ache further as he desperately squints at the horizon. It’d be easier to look down, away from the brightness of the sun. He knows that.

But he won’t. Kai’s not going to give the sea that satisfaction. He’s not going to even acknowledge it, the ocean where it churns below, the sound of the crashing waves just barely audible from the roof of the abandoned building he’s picked to hide on. The ocean can go on like that, endlessly chasing the shore, and Kai’s not even going to look at it. Never again. He’s hated the ocean for so long, a little longer is—

Forever is—

His breath catches on the edge of a sob, and Kai chokes it back, burying his head in his arms where they’re braced atop his knees. Forever. He’s stuck with the ocean forever. Stuck with the memory of everything that was saved and lost, all at the power that lies beneath the waves.

Kai hates it. He hates it. The ocean can’t make bad tea with him after nightmares in the night. The ocean can’t come up with stupid jokes to pass the hours with. The ocean can’t tease him with a fire that burns brighter than his own.

Even if he did try not to hate it, tried to love it — the ocean can’t love him back.

Something clenches terribly in his chest, like a twisting of a particularly sharp blade, and before the burn in Kai’s eyes can win out again, he grabs the nearest piece of debris, chucks it at the ocean, and screams as loud as his rasping lungs will let him, as if howling out the horrible ache inside him with lessen the pain.

It doesn’t. All Kai is left with is aching lungs, a pounding head, and more hot, salty tears staining his cheeks.

He hates salt. He hates it so much.

Footsteps rustle from behind him, slow enough to consciously let him know he’s being joined. Kai slumps, his legs giving out as he collapses back on the rooftop. There aren’t a lot of people that’d come after him when he’s like this. There’s only one that walks with a barely off-beat gait, the remnant of another injury Kai couldn’t prevent.

“Stupid, isn’t it,” Kai mutters, painfully conscious of how his voice croaks. He gives a ragged, bitter laugh. “At least it’s not a bar this time, right?”

Lloyd says nothing, merely crosses the remaining distance between them to carefully sit beside him. Drawing his own knees up, Lloyd raises his hand, offering Kai a scrap of something white. It takes him a moment to realize that it’s a tissue.

Kai gives a thick snort, this one less bitter. “Thanks,” he says, shakily accepting it. He blows his nose once, twice, wincing at the throb in his head. Lloyd remains quiet, staring out at the horizon. Kai takes a shuddery breath, exhaling as he wipes at his eyes. They sit there in silence, the only sounds the repetitive crashing of waves on the shore below, slow and mocking.

“It’s funny,” Lloyd finally says. His voice is quiet, but Kai can pick up the rasp at the edge of it. Lloyd’s eyes aren’t exactly dry, either. “Back when we thought we lost you all — when Harumi took the city — she was so strong. Said all this stuff about how we couldn’t give up. How we had to keep on living, even without you guys.”

Kai bites his tongue until the sharp burst of copper floods his mouth. He can only find it in himself to be relieved that it drowns out the taste of salt.

Lloyd shakes his head, the watery sheen at the edge of his eyes gleaming. “I keep expecting her to come back and scold us for being like this, you know? But she’s not coming back, is she.”

It’s not a question. It’s a hollow statement, bitter and empty. Kai swallows.

Lloyd makes a choking sound, turning it into a strangled kind of laugh. “Are you going to leave again?”

Kai blinks, long and slow. It’s tempting, he won’t lie. To run from the idea of going back to some semblance of normal, when everything they’ll do will be stained with memories. The idea of even trying without her, when she’s been such a steady presence. The idea of moving on, like it’s possible.

But memories of Nya are going to follow him wherever he runs, and what’s left of them is so fragile — Kai can only find it in himself to cling tighter to his team, before they leave him, too.

Lloyd speaks up again, before he can reply. “Because I’ll come with you, if you want to,” he says, his voice suddenly hot. “I’ll leave. We can both leave, we can all leave. Let’s — let’s leave.”

Kai falters in surprise, and finally glances at him. Lloyd’s gaze is steady, but there’s a manic glint in his eyes, a kind of resolve that might scare Kai had the situation been any different.

“You’re the Green Ninja,” Kai tries.

The glint grows harder. “I’m Lloyd, first,” he says. “I want — I want to be Lloyd, first. Nya—” He cuts off, exhaling shakily before continuing. “Nya wanted to be a samurai. Not a ninja. And now…”

He shakes his head, barely rustling his salt-crusted hair as he glares outward, his eyes fixed on the ocean. “I don’t want that. I want to be Lloyd. Not — not—”

Lloyd’s voice finally wavers, catching on the edge of grief, but Kai gets it. He’s been thinking much the same, after all. If their powers only lead them to this — if he’s doomed to watch Cole fade to the earth, to watch Jay vanish on the crack of thunder, to watch Zane slow and stutter to an icy halt. To watch Lloyd fizzle out on his own crackling energy pushed too far. If he himself is only doomed to burn himself out to the end of his match, to flicker out like a flame in the night.  

He doesn’t want to burn out. He doesn’t want to lose anyone else. He tells Lloyd as much, his voice wavering.

“We can’t leave,” he whispers. “This is — it’s all we know. It’s all we have. And I can’t—” Kai’s eyes are burning again. The ocean’s too close, too loud. “I can’t lose anything else.”

Lloyd’s expression spasms, the hard glint vanishing for something softer, something that looks more like Kai’s little brother. “Oh,” he murmurs. “Oh, Kai, I’m so sorry.”

Kai shakes his head, trying to wipe away the tears before Lloyd sees them, but Lloyd’s already snaking his arms around his shoulders, holding Kai tightly.

“I won’t leave,” he says, fiercely. “We’ll stay. We’ll — we won’t let it go to waste. For her. We’ll stay, for her. If that’s what you want.”

In another time, Kai could laugh, at how easily Lloyd would leave the team for him, now. In this time, Kai could scream again, rage against the setting sun and how the ocean looks beneath it, steady and present and there, always there.

Not like Nya. Not like his sister.

Instead, Kai crumples, buckling against Lloyd as hot, salty tears make tracks down his cheeks. He swallows thickly, his vision blurring over as he watches a wave crash onto the shore.

The taste of salt still lingers on his tongue, like drowning, like death.

Kai hates it.

[songbirdsingingthings]

You and Your Everything - Shouto Todoroki x Reader

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, they belong to Kohei Horikoshi

MHA Masterlist - Main Masterlist

WARNINGS: Your parents being the absolute worst, a few minor curse words, a lil angsty

Requested by Anonymous:

HI i love your writing and i saw that your requests were open? i was wondering if you could do like a shoto x reader but instead y/ns parents are like the opposite of shoto and endeavor? like for an example how shoto wants nothing to do with his dad and and all y/n wants to do is please her parents or make them happy since they never pay attention to her like that? both house holds are still toxic but i feel like thatd be an interesting dynamic

A/N: This was so interesting and cool to write! Obviously, the subject matter was much angstier and sadder than a lot of the stuff I have written, but I found writing this, like, entire paragraph of dialogue of Shouto (you’ll know it when you see it) to be so entirely incredible. I just kept on writing. Thank you so much for this awesome rec!

Word Count: 1.8K

“You’ve reached the voicemail of Kana Y/L/N. Please leave a message. BEEP”

“Hi Mom, it’s me again. Just calling to remind you that third years are allowed to reserve a box for their parents in the Sports Festival arena! I saved one for you and Dad in the front row, which are the best seats in the whole place. The Festival takes place tomorrow, as I told you guys about three months ago so you could put it on your calendars. I’m, uh, looking forward to seeing you again! Love you, bye!” Pressing the red circle that represented an “end call” button, you heaved a sigh and looked through your recent calls. Nine recent calls that your mother had missed within the last three days. Ten that your father had. They’re just busy, you tell yourself, trying to ease your mind. They’re just busy right now, but they had said that they’d come. They’ll come. Your thoughts had consumed you to such a point you didn’t even register the little nudges to your side.

“.../N? Y/N?” You blinked quickly to rid your consciousness of its prior dilemma and turn your head to the side. With heterochromatic eyes blinking fondly at you matched with a slight frown of concern, your boyfriend prompts the same question that had earlier feel upon deaf ears. “Y/N, I was asking if you are alright. You seemed a little… not here when I asked you just a minute ago.” Shouto’s voice, like always, is level, however little hints of emotion always tend to slip in between the cracks of his pronunciations. Like now, for instance, you hear the traces of worry cling onto his words.

“Oh, sorry, I was just leaving a voicemail.” You say simply. The sentence that left your mouth would seem normal to any person that you were friendly with. However, Shouto knew the implications. His shoulders seemed to tense as he took your hand. You squeeze his hand to reassure him. “Don’t worry Sho, they’re just really busy people. I’m sure they definitely carved time out of their schedules to come and watch me. I just need to make sure I get into the tournament round so I don’t waste their time.” You say, laughing a little dryly. Shouto doesn’t smile at the joke you made at your own expense.

“I just don’t get it.” He says, which makes your smile drop into a frown. “Why do you try so hard for them.” Your spine straightens at his words and your grip on his hand loosens. “Y/N, they’re awful people-”

“They’re my parents and I want to make them proud.” You say swiftly, a slight grimace on your face. Silence settles between the two of you, that is, until you feel your phone vibrate in your pocket. Jumping up immediately and grabbing your phone, you take a glance at the caller ID. Your heart sinks as you see it’s a random telemarketer, and click decline call. You look back to your boyfriend, which was a mistake, because his eyes pooled with pity. Not feeling quite right in the space you were in, you grab your school bag and stuff your phone the furthest down it would go. “I’m going to go freshen up before dinner.” You decide, nodding towards Shouto and walking away a bit.

“Do you want me to come with you?” His suggestion on a normal basis would make your face flush and your heart beat a bit faster, however today you just wanted to be alone for a bit.

“No, it’s okay,  I’ll see you at dinner.” You say quickly.

“Y/N.” His grip came softly around your wrist, tugging you back a bit to face him. “I’m… I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I just love you,” he said those last two words a bit softer than the others, “and I want to see you happy.” Butterflies took flight in the pit of your stomach as you held Shouto’s gaze, his heartfelt and earnest words weighing heavily within your heart. Your frown wobbles into a smile as you lean in to place a quick kiss to his cheek.

“I know.”

“Did you see me out there?!” You cheer, careening down the arena hallway towards where Shouto was waiting with open arms. You leapt directly into them and was quickly picked up and spun around in a little circle.

“I did, you were incredible.” Shouto gushes, his cheek squished against yours. You laughed joyously as you felt his arms squeeze you closer to him, your heart racing with both leftover adrenaline from your second round tournament match and the feeling of love from your boyfriend. However, your laughter and the embrace you were tucked into died down when you heard the faint clearing of a throat, causing both of you to turn towards the sound. If you were looking into a mirror, you’re sure you would see your eyes grow to the size of saucers and your jaw dropping just a tad at the sight before you. There, standing about ten paces away, were your parents. Your mother, with her hair tied back in an uncomfortable looking bun with her freshly pressed pencil skirt and matching career jacket. Your father at her side, his suit and pants looking as sharp as ever. And the expressions they held…

“M-mother? Father? You two made it?” You stammer out, dumbfounded at their appearance. “But I, uh, didn’t see either of you in the stands.” You admit, earning a nonchalant expression from both parents.

“Well, with that lackluster performance that you executed, did you really think we would want to show our faces? It’s bad enough our colleagues know of you and all your little failures that you like to categorize as triumphs. Honestly, you really thought that we would want to be on camera for the entire world to see?” Your mother’s bored tone and biting words struck you hard. You felt your spine straighten and your hands stick to your side as you bit the inside of your cheek.

“But… I won.” You said, so soft that the sound of someone’s heartbeat could overpower it. If your gaze wasn’t stuck to your parents’ forms, you would have seen Shouto’s eyebrows narrow, awaiting for the oncoming onslaught.

“Good Lord, you want to call that a win? It makes me wonder how you ever got into this school or passed any physical examination in your class.” Your father’s tone, just as bored and apathetic as your mother’s, sent trembles down your spine. You clenched your fists and jaw to try and prevent crying. But, of course, it was of no use. The tears trickled their way, one by one, down your cheek like raindrops on a car window.

“And you’re crying now. Fantastic.” Your mother retorts, turning her to your father now. “I told you we should have sent her directly to the Hero Public Safety Commission. Would’ve toughened her up in no time-”

“CAN’T YOU SEE SHE’S UPSET?!” You almost didn’t recognize his voice. The soft spoken, pensive Shouto Todoroki that you knew to be your boyfriend rarely got upset. When he did, it was almost always in the middle of a battle or fight, just as he was about to use a special move. But this time, it was pure rage and anger that clung onto his words. Your parents, now sprouting an expression of slight surprise turned their attention to the seething red-and-white haired boy at your side. “All she ever does is work to make you happy. Day and night, twenty-four seven, it’s for you. And now here you come, strutting back into her life with some agenda on how she should fight and how much of a so-called failure she is?! Well screw that! You don’t get to have an opinion when it comes to her! She has been trying to get a hold of both of you for months on end and getting no more than the same damn message from your voicemails, telling her that you’re too busy for her!” Shouto’s face was red now. His fists were balled up and the tiniest flecks of flames were flaking from his left side. “And then, you’re now finally here, and you come with this holier-than-thou attitude! Y/N L//N, your daughter, is the most incredible and capable person I have met in my entire life. The fact that a person like her can rise like a phoenix from the ashes that is your attitudes and parenting styles is a miracle, because in every way, shape and form, she will forever be a marvel. To me, to our classmates, and to the entire world. I just can’t wait to see the look on your sorry asses when the time comes for her to give her thank you speech after becoming the number one hero, and you don’t hear either of your names mentioned once.” The silence is deafening after Shouto finishes speaking. You feel your whole body trembling and can recognize that there are tears falling down past your cheeks, but nothing else. Nothing else, until that constricting feeling that you felt bound to you to your parents’ approval starts to loosen the moment Shouto takes your hand in his. 

“Let’s go.” Your words, merely more than a whisper, is all it takes for Shouto to wrap and arm around your waist as he marches past your dumbstruck parents, towards a private room. The second Shouto clicks the lock shut, you let yourself break down. Sobs racked your body as you clung onto his shirt, his arm, and his love. “They’re supposed to be my parents. How… I can’t even do anything.” You hiccup into his tear-stained gym uniform, the one identical to yours (without the blotches of tears).

“Hey, shh, you’re okay. You’re fine.” Shouto says, his reassuring words grounding you. “You will get through this whole… mess, okay? I know you can. All you need to do is take it one day at a time.” You nod into his chest and let your head lie there as the tears finally started to cease from falling.

“You, uh, probably have to get ready for your match, right?” You sniff, moving one of your hands up to your face to rub at your nose.

“I’m fine here.” Shouto says, wrapping his arms around you. “Y/N, you really were incredible out there. Do not let them make you think otherwise.” You nod again as you feel Shouto begin to play lightly with your hair. “You are enough. More than, in fact. They might think otherwise, but I don’t. I love you, and your smile, and your everything.” You were too fried emotionally to say anything back, but Shouto knew. He knew that it would take time to finally break from your parents’ psychological hold over you and that he would always be there at your side.