#timber treads

[ecotimber3]

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[merwilson]

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[nostalgicnarrator]

Over Hill and Under Mountain

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Word Count: 9,586 Parings: Thorn X Bilbo Description: as Thorin and his Small company make their way though the wood, Thorin is met with problem after problem, he just wants to see his hobbit.

Chapters: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Note:

I’ve rewritten this five times, and this is the chapter filed down and useless info removed, and it still feels wrong and kind of empty and honestly I think I fumbled with the characters in this chapter but I really don’t know how to fix it and if I don’t post this now it will forever be stuck in limbo. So I’m sorry I did my best, here ya go.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

The hours passed slowly as the group continued, till they came to a bridge that was supposed to be there, and granted it was, sort of.

With its timbers rotting and broken, it wouldn’t have even supported a hobbit or an elf. it cracked and creaked dangerously as wind brushed against it.

‘This is definitely the wrong path’ Thorin thought but- it would take too long to trace back-‘ a voice interrupted his thought.

“We can’t cross here,” Dwalin said, frowning at the collapsed structure. “We’ll need to find another way.” Dwalin looked at Thorin.

Thorin nodded, his jaw set. “We must find a different path or make our own…move carefully. Stay alert and stick together.” Thorin commanded.

the group forged around in a familiar fashion. Dwalin took the back Nori was behind Thorin as the two younger found themselves in the middle of the group.

Thorin spurred his pony forward, she reared up when he tried to get her to leave the path. But after a bit of coxing the pony’s begrudgingly tread off the path.

the dense forest seemingly closed in around them. They moved slowly but not quietly, fallen leaves crunched and rustled under hoofs.

Thorin couldn’t help but feel more uneasy than before, sick almost. He glanced back at the others, they seemed to feel similar by the looks on their faces.

Suddenly a quick rustling snapped the attention of the whole company. Thorin looked just in time to watch a spider knock Nori from his pony and throw him to the floor.

The dwarf was barely fast enough to push the venomous jaws of the spider away, he kicked and flailed somewhat helplessly in his panic before a war hammer found its mark on the spider’s head.

The spider went flying away from Nori as Dwalin swung again and smashed the head of the spider.

Nori scrambled up and pulled his mace from its hold and he slammed it into the very next spider that dropped on them-Thorin drew Orcrist and joined the others, his sister’s sons not far behind.

The company fought against the onslaught of spiders, Thorin hardly remembered there being this many spiders before. He turned and sliced the head of one spider in half.

Kíli gets pinned by another spider, Fíli stabs at its abdomen, and Kíli is able to kick it away. Nori was watching the back of Dwalin horribly mangling any spider that got close.

The battle felt long though it truly wasn’t, as Kíli ran out of arrows, Fíli had lost a sword seeing as Kíli left his on his poney who had run off with the others when the spiders attacked.

Thorin’s jaw set once again, he looked around, ‘this is it, I failed, i failed my family, my friends- I failed Bilbo’ Thorin squeezed his eyes shut at that thought ‘I failed Bilbo’ he looked around desperately at that thought 

‘I can’t! No I can’t fail him now I can’t-‘ but his thoughts are interrupted by a flurry of arrows whizzed through the air, striking the spiders with a deadly precision. 

He looked at Kíli who was shakily welding one of Fíli’s twin swords. ‘Then who-?’ A blond and very familiar looking Elf comes into view, he slides to a stop near them, he releases arrows as fast as he drew them.

Before even a moment had passed, most of the spiders were dead, the others fled away deeper into the shadows of the forest, the sky was darkening slowly.

The blond elf spoke haltingly, “Do…do you… need help?”, he asked Thorin. Thorin watched as the elf’s gaze turned from himself to the rest of his group. Thorin eyed the elf suspiciously.

Thorin could almost recall the name of this Elf, he was sure it started with an L, he was the elven king’s son. He knew that much anyway, he also remembered how they had met, under unsavory conditions.

Thorin had also been introduced to him formally in court of course but he really couldn’t remember the elf’s name. Was it Leg? Leg something. ‘I wonder if I asked, if that would be considered rude..?’ He thought.

Apparently, Thorin had been quiet for too long, and somewhat glaring at the elf in question. So much so that Dwalin had answered for him. “Aye, we do.”

After a long moment, the elf gestured for them to follow him. Thorin felt the eyes of his small company find him, he nodded and followed after the elf as he led them away deeper into the darkening forest.

“Where are you taking us?” Thorin asked, The elf looks back at them and then straight ahead again.

“Uncle don’t worry!” Kíli said while smiling. He clapped Thorin on the back “I’m sure he’s not taking us to a dungeon again.”

“Ugh! Don’t even joke about that- that was horrible” Fíli whines as he puts his swords away.

“That it was” Nori agreed as he nodded, Thorin looked back at the Elf. He really rather not be locked away again.

You never know with the temperament of elves, even though Thorin assumes he’s in good graces with the elves he could be wrong. Well, maybe not good. 

And maybe even especially with this elf in particular. The prince had been the one leading the group that captured them the first time. And Throin does openly insult the boy’s father. This could be a trick.

Dwalin, again, after a long silence, cleared his throat, getting the elf’s attention. “So, what’s yer name again lad? Aren’t ya the elf king's son?”

The elf blinked at them but decidedly remained silent. Thorin really couldn’t help the thought that came to his mind. ‘Does he know common?’

Thorin looked up when the elf answered the first of Dwalin’s questions “Le-…Legolas.” The boy said in an unsure tone while shifting his eyes away to the tree line.

Kíli pushed ahead to be beside the elf. “That’s right! Do you remember us? You kinda locked us up for being in your territory! Your guard captain helped me when I was poisoned!” Kíli said, far too cheerily.

Legolas looked down at Kíli and rolled his eyes as he looked away. ‘So he does know common?’ Thorin thought. 

Kíli continued to try and speak with Legolas as they continued through the forest but the elf seemed uninterested, while Kíli continued to talk, nonstop. Thorin was a Kíli question away from having only one hire.

Sometimes Kíli would get “yes” or “no” to questions, which only seemed to fan his flame.

Legolas led them to a different path deeper in the forest, one that was a bit better kept than the other 

Once they made it to the path, Legolas seemingly disappeared. Kíli looked around for the elf he was just next to but found nothing. 

Thorin didn’t see much of a reason to worry, the business of Elves was none of his, though his sister’s son seemed to think otherwise.

“Uncle! Legolas disappeared!” Kìli cried, stating the very obvious. The lad looked out into the forest as if to find the elf.

Fìli looked at his brother when he cried out, he whipped his head around also looking for the elf. Fìli’s eyes found his uncle. “Why do you think he-.” But Thorin didn’t even let the question fully settle in the air.

“Lads, he is an elf, I am not his king or his father. I have no reason to worry.” Thorin grumbled, he was not in the mood at the moment. 

They had lost all their supplies, the elf was gone, and they very well could starve here.

“But uncle-“ Kìli whined. Thorin interrupted them again, he was starting to get frustrated with his sister’s sons. He had far too many other things to worry about, he did not have time for a stupid elf.

“THAT IS ENOUGH.” Thorin yelled, the two boys immediately shut their mouths, all questions quickly lost before they could be asked.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the whole company. Thorin sighed and rubbed his face, a sudden exhaustion washed over him. 

Dwalin was the first to break the silence by clearing his throat, Thorin peeked over his hand that was covering his face.

“Thorin, the ponies had our supplies.” Dwalin stated and Thorin had to almost fight himself not to roll his eyes. He was very aware of what was happening. “What should we do?” Dwalin asked after a moment.

Thorin dropped his hand from his face. “We’ll make do with what we have.” Thorin crosses his arms. He looks around and then looked back at Dwalin 

“Dwalin, go with the boys to gather things for a fire, maybe you will find something to eat.” Thorin suggested dully, Dwalin nodded and left with the boys.

Thorin watched them for a few minutes before turning to his spymaster. “Nori help me make a list of everything we have.” Thorin nearly demanded.

Nori nodded, and the two of them dug through what little supplies they had. Aka the two backpacks. One was Dwalin’s and the other was Fíli’s Nori had a side back and Thorin had a few things in his pockets

Thorin felt himself almost pale at the prospect of how little they truly had. He felt even more so when not much wood was found for a fire that night nor food.

Thorin did not sleep. Morning came and went. After a bit of debating on which direction to take, the smaller company began to follow the new path that they were set on by Legolas.

As much as Thorin didn’t want to, he'll have to thank the lad when he sees him again. If he saw him again.

Suddenly there was a soft rustle of leaves, everyone drew their weapons and formed a circle quickly. Thorin whipped his head to the left of the path where the rustling was coming from.

Suddenly, Legolas emerged from the trees. Beside him were two of the small company’s missing ponies, Thorin’s very own and Dwalin’s old pony. 

They trailed in, looking a bit battered and beaten. The ponies somehow kept they’re owners' packs on them.

“Oh! That’s where you went!” Kíli said excitedly, Thorin raised his brow at the sound of relief in his sister’s son’s voice.

He did not know this elf well nor did they meet in good will, the first time anyway, yet Kíli sounded relieved that the elf came back. Did they seriously not trust him to lead the company out of these cursed woods.

“How did you find them?” Throin heard Fíli ask, Throin watched as Fíli huffed when Legolas offered no answer.

Legolas decided to simply stand there, as if he’s waiting on something. Thorin’s theory of Legolas not knowing common was relit at his lack of response.

Nori wasted no time, immediately going through the packs on the ponies to check them. Dwalin took the reins from Legolas, offering a curt nod of thanks while waiting for Nori to confirm what they had recovered.

Fíli looked Legolas over quietly, Thorin began to wonder if Fíli felt offended when Legolas did not answer him. Fíli was used to receiving respect as the heir and crowned prince. The boy's words carried some weight among his own people. But not here

Here Fíli’s words meant as much as an elf’s would in theirs. Thorin was very sure that being ignored so casually, by an elf especially, most likely stung the princeling’s pride, and if Thorin really looked he was sure he could see frustration beginning to bubble over inside the princeling.

He had seen a similar look when they were captured the first time though Thorin was sure it was more over being manhandled by elves. Thorin opened his mouth to say something but was instead interrupted “Only two?” Fíli asked.

Thorin watched as Fíli’s eyes scanned the woods as if hoping more ponies might emerge from the shadows. Legolas only nodded.

Dwalin grunted, “The spiders most likely got the others.”

Kíli gasped, “-no! Not peanut-she was really sweet.” Kíli whined. He looked at Thorin as if asking if it was true.

Dwalin huffed and grunted, “Not much you can do for it now lad.”

“- I think that’s mostly everything we might need, we might be a little low on food and comfort.” Nori said seemingly unaware of the other conversation he was interrupting.

Thorin stepped forward to take the reins of his own pony. The animal snorted softly, almost like recognizing Thorin. He noticed a freshly treated cut across her cheek and gently petted her snout, murmuring words of comfort. 

“Thank you,” Thorin mumbled to Legolas. Apparently, the gratitude did not go entirely unheard like he thought. Thorin could feel the rest of the company look at him. 

Dwalin cleared his throat and Thorin looked at him, the confused crinkling on his friend’s brow wasn’t lost on Thorin.

“Remove the saddles.” Thorin began, he turned to the rest of the company. “What we can’t burden ourselves with, the ponies will carry.”

Nori and Dwalin took to removing the saddles and dropping them to the sides of the path. They won’t be needing them.

Kíli took a pack off the ponies, Kíli and Fíli moved to carry them but Dwalin took Kíli's pack, Thorin took the other from Fíli and everything else was situated on the back of the two ponies.

When the dwarves were ready, Legolas began to lead them once more. The trek through Mirkwood was slow and difficult, especially with unwilling ponies and heavy packs. 

It wasn’t made any easier with the foul air of the forest. Thorin began to allow his mind to wonder once more. ‘Has Óin faced similar perils?’ ‘Is he delayed in getting to Bilbo?’ Bilbo. 

Now that’s something that takes the mountain kings mind quickly. He hasn’t thought too much on Bilbo since he received word about what happened.

‘How hurt is he?’ Thorin pails at all the images that run through his head after that thought. Thorin had to remind himself to breathe, ‘perhaps, It's best not think about it…’

Thorin looked at their elven guide, and decided to wonder over to the elf instead. ‘I wonder why he has decided to stay with us.’ Thorin casted a glance at Kíli and Fíli who were talking to the elf guide.

Thorin briefly thought of asking the elf, but as Thorin watched Fíli look up at the elf expectingly only to deflate with faced with no answer, he decided that if he did ask Legolas would probably not tell him.

So Thorin resigned himself to following this quiet elf. Dwalin, Nori and himself try to avoid talking to the elf as much as possible. Kíli and Fíli kept trying to talk with him.

But as much as the elf try, it seemed it was almost impossible to ignore the two young Durins. Not even an elf prince who acted as cold as stone could out will them.

“Perhaps a funny story will lighten you, Legolas” Kíli suggested.

“Oh, I have a good one Kíli. Once my mother, our uncle and us were walking through the stall markets in a man city.” Fíli said, he looked to his brother and grinned at him

“Fíli! No-ow!” Kíli cried and tried to cover his brothers mouth

Fíli shoved Kíli away and bounced in front of the elf prince- who started to fight a creeping smirk on his face.  “Hush nadadith, the adults are talking, so Kíli and I were near the fountains where some Dwarowdams were and, he tried his hand in flirting-lets just say it ended horribly- mother showed up and-“

“FEE! Shut up!!” Kíli yelled, Thorin had to stifle a laugh as the boy stomped his foot. Almost like a child not getting his way.

“-And-ah! Uncle help!!” The two boys crashed to the ground making the ponies whiny in slight panic. Thorin chuckled as he and Dwalin calmed the ponies. But almost immediately everything fell deftly silent as Legolas snorted, a sound that Thorin didn’t know an elf could make, the elf prince began to laugh.

Thorin looked up in shock, it was the first time Legolas had anything but a blank face or an annoyed look. As the elven prince calmed he had to cover his mouth but Thorin saw it, the smile the lad held. Then surprisingly, the elf spoke with a humored tone.

“Father said you are all pig headed people that hate other races, that you and your people are violent and untrustworthy, that i should avoid talking-“

Kili interrupted him with a loud “Hey!”

Legolas shook his head but showed his smile “I am beginning to think that he was wrong, at least somewhat.” That raised a chuckle from Dwalin.

Fíli got up and smiled up at the elven prince. “Maybe you’ll answer my questions now?” 

Kíli jumped up and joined his brother. “To think all we had to do is tall a story-“

Fili nodded, then offered his brother a bobcat-like smile and elbowed him before saying “hey how about I tell the one about-mmph!”

Thorin knew the story the lad was talking of and promptly put a hand over his mouth and glared at Kíli who just looked lost.

Thorin huffed and opened his mouth to yell at Fíli, then the elf prince spoke up “while I … love stories, perhaps, we should continue?” He waited a moment and when Thorin nodded the elf continued to lead the way. Legolas began to gladly talk with the boys, though he was a little strange toward Kíli for a while. 

After that day each evening after they made camp, Legolas would disappear into the woods, only to return with game or other food. Then sit and spend almost hours talking with the boys.

Thorin found himself very grateful for it, it kept the boys distracted and they at least had something to eat. He also, for some reason, was beginning to feel very proud of Legolas, that the boy was to be the future leader of his kingdom.

Though he doesnt think he’d ever say that out loud, Dwalin had taken a bit of a liking to the boy too, mostly because of the princes who would occasionally drag him into the conversations.

Nori had taken a liking to the elf, but for a different reason, he saw him as a personal challenge. Nori tried to steal from the elf a few times-and each time was caught.

Thorin was grateful that the young prince took it in good humor, he’d rather not have to go explain to Dori how his brother tried to steal from an elf prince then was arrested, or try and beg the elven king to let him free. They were already on a time crunch as is.

When they finally neared the edge of the forest Thorin was not surprised when it was Kíli who lingered, “Thank you, Legolas,”

Thorin knew it was a silent goodby to the lad. He and the rest of the company waited at the end of the forest now. 

“You are very much welcome my friend, you are all welcome back here by my invitation any time.” Legolas offered kindly.

“Really?” Kíli asked as he raised an eyebrow. 

“Yes of course. You know there is a guard captain I know, she talks about a-“ Legolas stopped and looked up at Thorin then smiled back at Kíli. “Her friend. Perhaps we can all get to know each other better”

Kili smiled and nodded. He turned to Thorin, who was very certain his sister’s son’s face might just split in half.Thorin sighed and nodded to the elf.

Legolas left them a moment later. The company paused to make sure they were ready, then the company set off once more, the shadow of Mirkwood slowly fading behind them. 

Thorin’s mind, however, was already on the path ahead, focused on the time they had already wasted getting lost. Not to mention his hobbit. Bilbo was waiting for them in Rivendell.

The company had trudged along the rugged path, their footsteps began to slow as the hours passed. Thorin walked at the front now, his gaze fixed on the horizon, his mind still churning with worries. 

They only had two ponies, and the meager supplies they had left wouldn't last them long.

"Beorn’s house is not far from here," Dwalin called from the back, his voice breaking the silence that had settled over them like a thick fog.

Thorin glanced back at the older warrior, then at Nori when he nodded in agreement. "Aye, Beorn," Nori added. "We all know he’s not one for guests, but he might make an exception for old friends… especially old friends of a hobbit in need…”

Thorin’s jaw tightened. He knew they had little choice. It was truly their only option if they were to see Bilbo.

The thought of his hobbit paled face, his labored breaths growing weaker was enough for Thorin to swallow pride. "Very well," he muttered. "We head for Beorn’s."

And the journey to Beorn’s cabin, though a little off track, wasn't more than a few hours away. It was silent as Thorin walked ahead, footsteps being the only noise. 

With little else to do, Thorin's thoughts drift back to Bilbo. Thorin wasn’t sure when but he had come to admire his hobbit's courage and cleverness. Yet now, Thorin felt a strange ache in his chest when he was without him.

By the time they reached Beorn’s cabin, the sun had dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing. The cabin stood sturdy and strong, an almost comforting sight. Almost.

Thorin’s eyes scan the surroundings for any sign of the skin-changer. A low growl from the woods made them all tense, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons. 

But before they could do much else, a massive familiar figure emerged from the trees. Beorn, the skin changer was in his man form. towering over the dwarfs, glaring down at them intimidatingly.

“What brings you here?” His voice was a rumbling growl, deep and dangerous like thunder rolling through the hills.

Thorin stepped forward, his jaw clenched, and forced himself to bow his head slightly. Swallowing his pride was like swallowing broken glass, and he could feel the weight of the others’ stares on him. 

“We need your help once again, Beorn,” he ground out, his voice tight. “We are short on supplies, and… Bilbo is in trouble. We must-”

At the mention of Bilbo, Beorn’s expression softened, just a fraction, and he grunted, crossing his arms over his chest. “What’s wrong with the little bunny?”

Thorin’s frustration flared, a bunny his hobbit is not. “We received word he was hurt. We need to get to Rivendell.” Thorin all but growled out.

Beorn made a noise, something between a grunt and a scoff. “The elves will heal him better. What do you and your people expect to do?”

Thorin’s fists clenched at his sides, fury bubbling to the surface. His teeth ground together as he glared up at the towering man. How dare he? He was Thorin Oakenshield, not some wandering beggar!

“If you will not help us, then we’ll be on our way,” Thorin snapped, his voice sharp with barely restrained anger. He turned, ready to lead his company away. His pride had been battered enough for one day.

Beorn raised a bushy brow, clearly amused by the dwarf’s outburst. He grunted again before speaking. “You may stay, Thorin called Oakenshield, son of Thrain. But I’ll hear the whole tale. Start from the beginning.”

Thorin’s mouth was a thin line, his pride warring with the reality of their situation. He needed Beorn’s help, no matter how much it burned. “Fine,” he bit out. “Yes, Thank you.”

Inside the cabin, the company settled in quickly, grateful for the warmth and food Beorn had provided. But as much as Thorin should appreciate the food, and the warmth around him, he could not.

Thorin glared at the food Kíli had given him, he couldn’t eat as His stomach still churned with frustration. He felt his anger still simmering under his skin like a restless flame.

Thorin left to sit near the fireplace. The crackle of the fire did little to soothe him. He grabbed his pipe and began to pack it as he glared into the dancing flames. 

He spilt some of his tobacco, and Throin felt his anger flare again. ‘Why must everything be a battle?’ He thought angrily. 

The words of Beorn earlier still echoed in his mind. The skin-changer’s casual dismissal of them grated on his nerves more. Just as the smoke began to curl around him, Beorn sat near him. 

“Tell me, Thorin,” Beorn rumbled, his voice still deep, he sounded curious as he spoke. “Why do you insist on traveling to Rivendell? The bunny is safe there.”

Thorin inhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around his pipe. He didn’t want to have this conversation, not now. Thorin huffed and looked up at the skin-changer. 

“He called for me… for us,” Thorin said, he couldn’t tell his tone was harsher than he should have used. “I sent Óin ahead. If you don’t remember him, he was the healer who traveled with us before-“

Beorn interrupted with a grunt of recognition. “Oh yes, I saw him from a distance. He was being escorted by a few elves, and passed through not too long ago.”

Thorin’s irritation faltered for a moment, as relief began flowing through him. He hadn’t realized how worried he really was until that moment. He exhaled, a small but genuine sigh of relief escaping him. “Good,” he muttered, nodding. “Good…”

But Beorn it seemed was not done yet. Thorin watched as the sink-changer crossed his arms. “You didn’t really answer my question. Why do you need to go? The elves are more than capable.”

Thorin gritted his teeth, feeling the urge to snap again, but something in Beorn’s eyes warned him off. He didn’t know what it was but the creature had an air about him.

“Because he asked for us,” Thorin repeated, more quietly this time, an uncomfortable feeling settled its way under Thorin’s skin now.

Beorn snorted. “Don’t lie to me, Dwarf. I may not know much about you, but I know when someone is lying.”

Thorin froze, caught off guard. He wasn’t lying, not really… So what did Beorn mean? Thorin felt his chest tightened as he looked up at the skin-changer. 

He forced himself to look away, feeling heat rise and settle in his face. ‘Where is that pesky wizard when he’s needed?’ Thorin cursed silently.

“…I…” Thorin started, but the words caught in his throat. Why was he so intent on seeing Bilbo himself? And Thorin couldn’t answer that question, he couldn’t, he didn’t understand it himself, Thorin just needed to, he wanted to.

He tried to think of something to say as his hands fidgeted. ‘The truth, the real truth.’ Thorin did not know, he grit his teeth and sighed. 

“I care for him,” he finally pushed out. “He is… my friend. I need to see him safe, with my own eyes.”

Beorn raised a bushy brow, then let out a rumbling chuckle that filled the room. “Ah, I see now,” he said, shaking his head as if amused by some private joke. “I will never understand that bunny or the company he keeps, but it seems dwarves hold just as many surprises.”

Thorin huffed, feeling the tension in his chest finally ease. He wasn’t sure what Beorn understood fully, but it didn’t matter. He kept his eyes trained on his feet.

Thorin tried to stop his hands from fidgeting so much. He tried to take a deep breath like Bilbo said to do when he got frustrated.

“He is more than he seems,” Thorin felt his mouth say, he couldn’t stop himself as he spoke. “Far more, I care for him, more than anything.”

After that Beorn left, and Thorin found himself alone with his thoughts once again. He stood and made his way outside to the garden.

He passed the flowers that were strangely enough still in bloom, Thorin was pleasantly surprised when they got to the land around the Cabin, it felt warmer than the area they came from.

He plopped himself down on a bench, he stared up at the stars that dotted the night sky. His thoughts raged loudly in his mind, and despite everything he had to think about, his mind decided on Bilbo. He felt his face warm once again.

His hobbit, when had he started calling Bilbo ‘his hobbit’? Does Bilbo think of himself as Thorin’s hobbit? Or does he think of Thorin as his Dwarf? 

Thorin huffed and rubbed his face, he was sure if one could see him his face would be entirely red. Thorin leaned back against the bench and blew a smoke ring.

Bilbo had shown him how to do that, his hobbit was quite proud to show off and Thorin couldn’t help but find his hobbit so cute.

He didn’t want to admit it then, but now Thorin didn’t mind, he loved his hobbit, Thorin tried to remember when he had begun to think of Bilbo as cute too.

And in that moment, Thorin felt a strange sense of peace, a warmth spreading through him, then it hit him like a stone to the head. 

He loved him, the feeling that had been there every moment he was with his hobbit, the loneliness when he wasn’t. He loves him, and he wasn’t going to let Bilbo go again once he had him back.

A day or two later the company was ready to leave Beorn’s house. It was decided that the mountain pass was too dangerous for Ponies.

Though without them the whole of the company would move far more slowly then they would like, but they would rather not have a repeat of Mirkwood. 

When they left they’re packs full of provisions, Thorin hoped it was enough to make it to and through the mountains.

He looks to The Misty Mountains in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist given her namesake Thorin thought this not strange. The company trudged on.

The wind howled through the jagged peaks of the Misty Mountains, carrying with it the first icy bite of snow. Thorin Oakenshield narrowed his eyes against the biting cold, the chill seeping through his fur-lined cloak.

The mountain range loomed above them, her sharp, reaching peaks cutting into the billowing stormy sky. The path that lay before them was narrow and treacherous, snaking its way along the mountain, slick with a thin layer of frost.

Behind him, Dwalin and Nori trudged through the frigid winter that settled over them, their breaths coming as clouds in the air. 

Thorin could feel a weight in his bones, a weariness that clung to him like the deep chill of the lost caverns beneath them. The cold nipped and bit at the small company like hungry wargs

Dwalin grunted as he tightened his cloak against the chill, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of one of his axes. “This weather’s turnin’ foul, Thorin,” he muttered, glancing up at the darkening sky. His voice was low, laden with concern. “We should find shelter, now.”

Thorin nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. His thoughts churned almost sickly ’We’re moving too slowly, far too slow…’

‘Each moment lost in this storm brings us closer to danger, closer to the possibility of failure.’ He grit his teeth in an almost snarl The possibility of dying out here. Of never seeing his hobbit again.

The wind picked up, stinging his face with its icy flakes, it tore at his skin like vicious claws, Thorin had to squeeze his eyes shut tightly against the sudden blast.

His boot slipped and Thorin felt his stomach lurch as his eye snapped back open despite the sting. He caught himself just in time, gritting his teeth again as he looked ahead for Fíli and Kíli.

His sister’s sons had pushed ahead. Thorin felt his heart clench as he struggled to spot them. ‘I can’t let them get too far ahead,’ he thought. ‘The last thing we need is to lose one another in this cursed weather.’ He opened his mouth to call out to them, to demand they fall back, but before he could, Fíli stopped and turned to look at him.

Seeming to understand Thorin’s unsaid command, Fíli reached out, grasping his younger brother’s shoulder to halt him. Thorin felt a spark of pride toward the boy.

Kíli frowned, seemingly not like the idea of stopping, but a few whispered words from Fíli was apparently enough to convince him. They waited, their figures barely visible through the swirling snow.

Nori, who had, at that point, fallen toward the back of the group, pulled his hood further down, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Or what little he could likely see of it. 

Nori’s shoulders squared and he glared much harder, Thorin began to wonder what Nori saw. “Aye, this storm’s no ordinary flurry,” Nori muttered, his voice tight with palpable unease. “It feels cursed.”

Thorin’s grip tightened on Orcrist’s hilt, he looked ahead in a silent agreement to Nori’s words. ‘We need to find cover before we’re caught out in the open,’ he thought grimly. 

He turned his head back slightly, calling to Dwalin and Nori. “You’re right, we cannot push on like this. We’ll be buried if we’re not careful.”

As the words left his mouth, the wind rose to a furious howl, and the sky unleashed a torrent of snow. Thorin’s eyes widened in alarm as the storm escalated from a mere flurry to a blinding blizzard. 

It took less then a moment and now thick and fast snowflakes attack them in, the ice whipped around them with a fury that made it hard to breathe, let alone see.

“Fíli! Kíli!” Thorin’s voice was nearly drowned out by the roar of the wind. He knew they were somewhere ahead, but the storm swallowed them in its blanket of white. 

Panic clawed at him as visibility dropped, the path ahead disappearing into a white blur. The snow was falling so thickly now that it felt like they were being buried alive.

“Don’t move! We’re coming to you, understand?” Thorin shouted, his voice hoarse with desperation. For a moment, there was no response, only the relentless howling of the wind and the sting of ice against his face. 

Fear tightened in his chest, the thought of losing his sister’s sons in this frozen wasteland unbearable. He almost trudged himself forward into the flurry.

Then, finally, a voice cut through the storm, it was hardly more than a wisper to Thorin over the howling wind and cutting ice. “Okay-okay, Uncle, be careful, the path gets thinner.” Fíli’s words, though strained, brought a flicker of relief to Thorin’s heart. 

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as his hands stopped shaking ever so slightly. Thorin looked back at his two friends then nodded.

The group trudged forward, the snow crunching beneath boots. Thorin pushed through the biting cold and the unforgiving wind. 

Thorin kept an eye on his other companions, he noticed how their movements were beginning to look sluggish, but they couldn’t stop, he couldn’t stop and his companions wouldn’t let him run off alone.

Thorin’s heart pounded in his chest, louder than the wind howling in his ears, as he finally caught sight of a large rock jutting out in the path ahead. 

It loomed like a dark sentinel in the white expanse, the path that he saw the boys take was barely wide enough for his toes to fit on and the rock looked slick and smooth, the edges of the path crumbling and slick with snow.

He reached for the only hand holds he could find, his hand finding perches as if second nature, began to inch his way past the jut of rock, his boots found precarious positions on the narrow ledge. 

The ground beneath him felt unstable, threatening to give way at any moment. Then, without warning, his foot slipped, and he barely caught himself on the edge of the snow-covered ledge, his fingers digging into the icy ground.

Thorin’s hands struggled to find purchase, to grip onto the ledge, “Thorin!” The alarm in Dwalin’s voice was unmistakable, even as Thorin was dangling off the edge with wind making him haft deft.

Dwalin rushed forward, and dropped down the best he could on the narrow path and grabbed Thorin’s arm. With a strength mostly born of desperation, Dwalin heaved him up.

Thorin could distantly hear his sister’s sons calling out for him as they made their way closer.

Thorin’s heart raced as he was hauled back onto the path, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. For a moment, he stayed as flush to the stone as he could manage, the cold seeping into his bones, before finally pushing himself to the other side.

Fíli and Kíli hovered over him as he stumbled to the other side, their worry etched in their faces. Thorin turned to the two boys and caught them both by the back of the head.

They both gripped his arm, “Uncle, are you alright?” Fíli asked, his voice tight and wavered slightly. Kíli, too, looked shaken, his usual bravado replaced with fear.

Thorin forced a reassuring smile, though his heart was still pounding and his hands slightly shaking. “I’m fine, lads,” he said, his voice unreasonably steady. “But we need to find shelter now.”

He brought their four heads to his own in a silent promise that he wouldn’t let anything happen to them. Reluctantly he relinquished his hold and the two boys 

The boys kept hold of him though. “Fíli, Kíli- help Dwalin find us a spot to make camp. Nori and I will gather what we can for a fire.” Thorin said quickly he nodded the boys off and watched them leave, Dwalin patted his shoulder as they passed.

Nori and him moved not too far behind Dwalin and the two boys as they scouted ahead, as time went and Thorin was nearly certain that they would find no place of relief.

Their movements were beginning to turn sluggish and the snow fell thicker, faster, Fíli called out to the rest of the small company, there, nestled in the large cliffs faces was a small concave in the mountain. It wasn’t a cave truly but it did block the harsher winds.

As they worked to set up a makeshift camp, Nori had somehow managed to get a small fire lit before the world around them had been completely swallowed by white. 

The Misty Mountains had truly turned foul, she had turned and now their only hope was to wait out the storm, while being buried alive in the unforgiving snow.

Thorin wasn’t a fool, he knew they might just die there, Thorin might never see his hobbit again, Bilbo might believe that Thorin simply doesn’t care for him- such thoughts made Thorin almost feel sick.

It had been almost a week of this, of cold nights and finding something to keep the fire alive, of Thorin watching as the snow fell relentlessly, piling higher, nearly burying the company in a cocoon of white. Effortlessly trapping them along the rock face.

Of the winds that howled like hungry wargs, Thorin thought it an almost mournful sound that seemed to seep into his bones, sapping what little warmth he had.

It was a particularly strange night as Thorin stood, he felt something was to happen. Then again maybe it was just his fatigue. it was well past any hour someone should be awake but he found himself unable to sleep, his mind wouldn’t allow it.

He walked towards Dwalin, the dwarf who had volunteered to keep watch that night, that placed him outside the range of the little fire they were able to keep.

He placed a hand on his cousin’s shoulder, “I believe you should take my place, I can watch” Thorin said quietly so as to not wake anyone.

Dwalin huffed at him, he rolled his eyes before saying, “Thorin, you need to rest, I said I can-“

Thorin put up his hand to silence the warrior. “I’ll stand guard for tonight.” Dwalin crossed his arms and looked back out into the icy void.

“I don’t like this Thorin, I feel like-“ Dwalin began to say but Thorin interrupted.

“Like something is going to happen? I feel it too…I will stand guard tonight, go” Thorin said, nodding to the camp when Dwalin looked at him.

“Thorin” Dwalin grumbled, but they looked away from each other when they heard voices.

“Uncle, what are you even watching for…?” Kíli whined, rubbing the sleep from his eye.

Fíli was already sitting up watching the two older dwarfs. He nodded at what his brother said before adding “nothing with haft a mind would come out in this.”

Apparently, Thorin wasn’t as quiet as he thought, “the lad’s right,” said Nori, he got up and walked over. He looked the two of them over. Thorin could at that moment truly see how he was related to Dori.

“You two should come away from the edge, warm yourselves and actually eat something“ Nori finally finished, he had his arms crossed.

“Man, Master Nori, you’re starting to sound like Master Dori!” Kíli said, apparently Thorin hadn’t been the only one to notice the family resemblance either.

Nori whipped his head around and glared half heartedly at Kíli. “Don’t ya dare joke about such a thing lad.” Nori said as he moved his hands so they were resting on his hips instead. 

The boys laughed and Thorin smiled lightly, he looked back to Dwalin and nodded to Nori with a raised brow. Dwalin sighs when he gets up.

“He said it to both of us Thorin” Dwalin grumbled, he crossed his arms, Thorin patted his shoulder and pushed him towards the group.

“I’ll be fine, I’ll join you in a moment.” He told Dwalin who was already making his way into their makeshift camp.

Thorin sighed and sat, he dug around in his pockets pulling out his pipe, he huffed at his low supply of pipe weed. 

Thorin packed and lit his pipe as he watched out into the abyss of white that swallowed the mountain side. His eyes narrowed against the blizzard that raged outside. 

He had barely slept, his mind as consumed as the world outside.  But his laid blank with worry, worry of food and freezing but worried thoughts of Bilbo weighed heaviest in his mind.

Thorin’s gaze drifted to the snowy expanse beyond their shelter then drifted further, as far as he could. ‘Has Óin found his way to Bilbo?’ Thorin wondered as he puffed on his pipe.

The pipe brought little relief to the cold of the storm, Thorin’s focus began to come back as he  stared at the blinding cold, then a distant dark shape, barely visible through the snow came to view.

It moved erratically, struggling against the wind, the closer it inched the bigger it got and more Thorin was able to make out

Thorin squinted, his heart skipping a beat as he recognized the shape. It was a raven, but not just that, it was Hugin. He stood dropping his pipe not that cared for the moment and pushed himself outside into the storm.

‘Somethings terribly wrong.’ Thorin’s thoughts offered, ‘he should not be out in this- had he even made it to Rivendell?’ Thorin thought as he watched the raven.

Hugin’s flight was unsteady, Thorin could tell with no misplaced horror, that Hugins wings beat frantically, and that the raven may not know where he is, the young raven hasn’t ever flown in this type of weather before, most ravens refused such a fight.

“Hugin!” Thorin cupped his hands around his mouth as he called to the raven. He stepped farther out into the snow, his hand reaching out now for the young Raven. Hugin snapped his head up at his name.

A gust of wind pushed Hugin aside, and he struggled to recover but when finally reached Thorin, he ignored the hand as he crashed against Thorin’s chest in a flurry of black feathers. 

Thorin caught the bird, cradling the raven close like a babe. He was suddenly struck by a memory remembered of when he was lad.

Thorin would often, when he had nothing to do, go and watch the ravens, his father had given him his own to watch after when his mother had gone.

It was that raven who had entrusted Hugin to Thorin, who he had promised that the raven would be kept safe in the shire, he shook his head and hurried back into the camp.

“Dwalin! Nori! Get some food and water!” Thorin commanded quickly as he laid the exhausted raven near the small fire.

He heard the others digging through packs to find something for the raven, Fíli and Kíli had moved to Thorin’s side to look at the raven, the lads hadn’t seen many of them yet. Or at least not close up.

Hugin’s feathers were ruffled, his eyes half-lidded as he panted heavily, Thorin could see a desperate gleam in them that sent a shiver down his spine. ‘Have I led this Raven to as worse perils as my kin?’ Thorin thoughts began to swirl.

But not for long as Dwalin was at Thorin’s other side, a strip of dried meat and a small bowl of water in hand. Thorin was focused on the word in front of him once again.

He took them quickly, offering them to the raven with a gentle care he had not used in a while. “Hugin, here, eat and drink,” he urged, his voice soft.

Hugin hesitated only for a moment before he began to eat, the raven’s movements were labored. Nori had come close finally and offered a blanket to Thorin.

Thorin waited for Hugin to take his fill of food and water before wrapping the raven in the warmth of a blanket, Thorin rubbed the bird's head gently.

“What, is a raven doin’ so far this way?” Dwalin asked

“This is Bilbo’s personal Raven, Dwalin he was meant to be in Rivendell, he was to deliver a letter, warning everyone of our arrival” Thorin felt himself say. He gently petted the raven.

“What? Uncle, what do you mean? If that is so why is he-“ Fíli asked quietly.

“I do not know…” Thorin hummed just as quiet.

Nori sighed and looked at the raven “Hugin?” He asked softly “What has brought you here?”

Hugin lifted his head, his beady eyes looking at Nori then locking onto Thorin. “Gandalf… Gandalf sent me,” Hugin croaked, his breath labored gasps “Bilbo… he’s not well. Óin says he’s not well, Gandalf sent me the second time they lost his pulse-he said, you’d be here in the mountains on the western face!”

Thorin’s heart lurched. Bilbo, his Bilbo, was sick and getting worse. The news struck him like a sword though the chest. For a moment, he could only stare at Hugin.

“Bilbo…” Thorin whispered, his voice barely audible. Thorin wasn’t sure if he was breathing, he wasn’t sure if he knew how, he felt very, very far away.

Thorin wasn’t quite sure how long he stood there- till Nori was bracing his shoulders, Thorin couldn’t make anything out really but he knew Nori’s lips were moving  and that someone else had a hand on his black and chest.

All he could understand was ringing in his ears, and suddenly Thorin was getting shook. He followed the arms that were shaking him. 

Dwalin raised a hand to pat his cheek, as his voice cut through the ring, “Thorin, just breathe lad, breathe-”

Thorin grabbed Dwain’s arm and squeezed it almost desperately, his head stopped spinning so much. “W-We have to move,” Thorin heard himself say, though his voice didn’t feel his own anymore. 

Dwalin furrowed his brow and looked over Thorin’s shoulder behind him, “But the storm,” Dwalin looked back at him then to the boys Thorin knew weren’t far away from him.

Thorin forced himself to stand up to his full hight, he felt a bit of a dizzy spell hit him. “I won’t leave Bilbo alone-,” he replied, 

“He’s not alone Thorin, Óin and Gandalf is with him, you heard Hugin”

“Dwalin- i refuse to leave Bilbo to suffer without me there, he never left my side, I should have never left his”

There was a moment of silence, the only sound Thorin could make out was his own heartbeat in his ears. Then, slowly, Dwalin nodded his head.

“Okay, alright we’re right behind you.” Dwalin looked up behind Thorin and nodded to everyone else. “Gather what you can,” he ordered. “We leave as soon as Hugin is strong enough to fly.”

Hugin let out a weak caw, making Thorin turn to look at him, the bird shook his head. “No… I’ll fly now. I’ll guide you through the worst of it,” he rasped.

Thorin hesitated a moment before he nodded. “Very well, Hugin. We’ll follow your lead.”

It took them only moments to pack what was necessary and then they found themselves back outside, facing the icy cold and harsh conditions.

The storm raged on as they all but dug themselves out from the snow that had basically buried their camp. It was grueling, each push, each step, each curse.

Thorin’s breath was coming in heavy puffs of steam that froze right back onto his face as he pushed through the blizzard. The cold was biting his face raw and the wind wailed in his ear, but he barely felt it.

“Keep moving!” Thorin shouted over the wind as the others followed him not far behind. “Stay close, and help each other through the drifts!”

The path was barely recognizable, buried under a thick layer of snow, but they pushed on, even as they basically sank into the snow with each step. 

The wind tugged at Thorin’s cloak, the snow stinging his face, Dwalin and the others followed close behind him, helping each other as they struggled through the snowdrifts. 

It was slow going, the snow was up to their knees in places, to their chest almost in others, but they didn’t stop. They couldn’t, even if they found somewhere to rest.

Hugin flew above them, his dark shape barely visible against the white sky. The raven fought against the wind, guiding them through the worst of the storm.

Hours had passed by the time, the sky began to darken and the last homely house of the elves came into view. 

Thorin quickened his pace, his heart pounding loudly in his ears and as they crossed the bridge leading into Rivendell, the storm seemed to ease, as if the very presence of the elven haven was enough to push the raging storm away.

Throin did not slow though, even as he heard the others stagger into a heap in the courtyard, even as Thorn felt his legs want to give up or how his fingers were so cold it hurt to move them.

He was making his way up the stairs in front of him to look for Bilbo, he didn’t know where his hobbit was and he did not have time for any elven nonsense. 

He was stopped abruptly by an elf with flowing robes, he couldn’t place the name and he honestly didn’t care to. The elf was followed closely by Tharkûn. 

The elf offered a graceful bow that got Thorin glaring dangerously at the elf, “Welcome to Rivendell, Thorin Oakenshield. We’ve been expecting you-“

Thorin brushed past and interrupted the vaguely familiar elf, his eyes scanning the buildings in sight frantically for anything familiar. 

“Where is Bilbo? Where is my hobbit!?” Thorin demanded loudly. He whipped around, glaring at the two immortals before him. “You called for me, and I am here. Now, where is he!”

“Thorin…” Gandalf began, stepping forward. His voice was unusually soft. “You cannot see him right now, he has fallen gravely ill. Please, trust me-”

“Tharkûn!” Thorin cut him off, his voice cracking as he looked desperately at the wizard. “Gandalf, do not lie to me. If-” His breath hitched, Throin balled his hands up into a fist as he let out a shaky sigh. “If my hobbit is dying, please, please, let me see him!”

Gandalf lowered his gaze, his silence more damning than words to Thorin. Gandalf sighed heavily. “Thorin…”

Before he could speak further, a sudden flutter of wings interrupted the conversation.

“I know the way, my king!” Hugin cried as he swooped down, he landed on the railing of the staircase. The bird was still panting from the fly down the mountain. “I’ll lead you.”

Without hesitation, Thorin rushed to Hugin, extending his arm for the bird to perch on. The juvenile raven’s talons gripped Thorin tightly as he took his place.

“Thank you,” Thorin muttered. “Lead the way.”

Thorin’s boots echoed loudly then he liked on the stone flooring of Rivendell as he followed Hugin’s directions, the dim halls casting crawling shadows. 

Thorin could feel his heart in his throat as he ran down the incredibly unfamiliar halls, finally, they reached a door, Thorin seriously doubted if he would have found this place by himself.

Hugin flew from him and perched on the doorframe. “Here, here! I remember him being here.”

Thorin was quick to shove the door open, hard enough he was sure it would have broken. Inside, the room was dimly lit by a single lamp. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and medicine.

Óin, looking up quickly from leaning over the bed, glaring at whoever just nearly broke the door down, Throin briefly wondered how much the healer had slept or if he had at all. 

“Mahâl Thorin!” Óin shouted. “You can’t be in here!” But Thorin barely heard him. His gaze was fixed on the small shap lying in the bed, nearly lost beneath the silky white sheets. 

Bilbo’s face was deathly pale, his brow damp with sweat. The golden caramel curls, usually as neat as one could keep curls, were tangled and unkempt, and there was a bandage wrapped around Bilbo’s head. 

Thorin’s chest tightened painfully. “Wha-? What happened?” Thorin demanded as he stepped forward to go to his hobbit.

“Thorin,” Óin warned, raising a hand as if to ward him off. “The lad’s been through it. He’s got a nasty head wound from a fall, and it caught an infection. He needs rest.”

Thorin’s fists clenched at his sides, every inch of him was  screaming to be at Bilbo’s side. He took another step forward.

Óin moved to block his path more, he glared up at Thorin. “I mean it lad, listen to me Thorin, If you care for him, you’ll keep your distance.”

Thorin opened his mouth, to yell at Óin to get out of his way, but a faint voice stopped him. It weak and so soft Thorin was sure he misheard. Then he heard it again.

“Thorin…?”

It cut through Thorin’s anger like a hot knife. He pushed past Óin, reaching Bilbo’s side before the older dwarf knew what was happening. His hobbit’s eyes were half-open, glazed with fever that left his face red, Bilbo reached a hand up as he searched for him.

“I’m here, Bilbo,” Thorin said, his voice softening as he knelt beside the bed and gently took Bilbo’s hand in his own. The hobbit’s fingers were cool to the touch, and Thorin felt his heart ache. “I’m right here.”

Bilbo’s lips trembled into a faint smile. “Thorin… you made it,” he murmured. “I was worried… you wouldn’t.”

“We’re here, and we’re all safe,” Thorin reassured him, squeezing Bilbo’s hand lightly. “You’ve nothing to worry about now.”

Thorin glanced up at Óin as he made his way to the foot of the bed. “He’s fought hard, Thorin,” the healer said quietly. “… I had moments I thought-well…, he needs rest lad.”

Thorin nodded, though he didn’t take his eyes off Bilbo. “You need to sleep, Bilbo,” he urged gently. “Rest now, and I’ll be here when you wake.”

Bilbo’s eyes fluttered as he tried to resist, his grip on Thorin’s hand tightening ever so slightly. “Promise… you’ll stay?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Thorin’s chest tightened once again. “I promise,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Thorin’s words seemed to ease Bilbo’s mind, and slowly, his eyes drifted closed. Thorin watched Bilbo’s breathing evened out, his soft features relaxing. 

After a while, when Thorin was sure that Bilbo was truly asleep, did he finally allow himself to breathe easily. 

Óin approached quietly, placing a hand on Thorin’s shoulder. “You should rest too lad.”

But Thorin barely heard him. He was too focused on Bilbo, his heart still pounding. Unfortunately, exhaustion began to catch up with Thorin, the adrenaline ebbing away.

Thorin shifted to sit more comfortably beside the bed, his hand still holding Bilbo’s. The sheer relief of finally being at Bilbo’s side, washed over Thorin in waves, and before he knew it, his eyes began to droop.

As he drifted off to sleep, Thorin’s last conscious thought was of the hobbit beside him, ‘he’s safe’ his mind happily supplied, and to him now, that was all that mattered.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Last chapter really was supposed to go at the tail end of the second chapter but I didn’t want it to be that long and I had to split one chapter into two so think of it as a filler while I make sure that this chapter was really to go.

but also this chapter got out of hand but I can’t post this chapter in twos because the next chapter is the last of it and I really hope this chapter is good enough for now, I'll probably have to fix this later but whatever. Anyway, Have a good day/night.

@m4yh4ps @bllbabaggins

[ecotimber3]

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[anemonelovesfiction]

5~ Tied up

Jake x Fem! human! reader

warnings ⚠️: tied up, P! In V!, unprotected sex

Not Proofread

MDNI 🔞

This took me a little to find my groove in writing so I hope you’ll enjoy it!

Translation Station

Tewng: Loincloth

Word count: 1.5k

The way his tongue was sticking out from the corner of his mouth was telling me just how hard he was concentrating at that moment, his eyes would rake down my body without stopping at any particular spot while tucking and curving the vines around my body wherever he saw fit. His hands rarely skimmed my skin as his focus took them toward tying the vines together before finalizing the last knot on the front of my knee’s, connecting it toward the rest of the longer strands.

“Are you ready?” His voice held a steady timber that managed to make my already aching pussy begin leaking once more. I noticed his nose slightly flaring, his eyes dipping down low before making their way back up to meet mine, his gaze was intoxicating and I couldn’t force myself to move my lips, settling for a nod, remembering at that moment that he was one for verbal answers.

“Yes sir.” I answered in an almost breathy tone as my own voice shook from the excitement, his only response is a grunt and a slight not of his head before he tosses the vines over the lowest hanging branch on the tree, hoisting my body up as I tensed at the sudden movement, remembering to not fight it as the vines slightly tightened on my body as they bear my weight, attempting to go limp to make the job easier for him.

Both my wrists lied flat against my lower back as he had tied them next to one another, the vines on my chest tied in a way to make my breasts pop out more than normal and it didn’t surprise me any as he was a tits-kind-of-guy, my knee’s almost met my chest as my legs were hoisted in such a way to reveal my aching cunt, I’d been placed at the exact height I needed for him to give me a ‘proper fucking’, his words not mine. It is now at this time that he takes a second to wrap more vines around the arches of my feet, taking his time to tie them in a way that spread my legs further apart.

“I think I prefer seeing you like this, all tied up, and already so needy for me- how are you this wet already?” I’d failed to notice his fingers trailing alongside my inner thighs and working their way toward the wetness that had settles between my legs. His finger just lightly adding pressure to my outer lips, collecting the slightest bit of moisture on his finger.

_________

I had slowly brought my finger in toward my mouth and couldn’t help but groan at the taste, allowing my eyes to close as my taste buds danced around the familiar flavor on my tongue, she was the sweetest berry I could have ever tasted and I didn’t want anyone else. I was tempted to have another taste or even shove my fingers into her needy cunt before another thought crosses my mind, my hands quickly grasping her plush thighs, squeezing lightly.

“I’m going to taste you babygirl.” I respond as I get on my knee’s onto the forest floor, placing my hands on her thighs, not expecting an answer from her- nor caring for one either- and inching my mouth closer to her core.

Her smell alone was intoxicating and made me feel light headed in a good way, allowing myself the pleasures of treading my tongue along her wetness and finally closing my eyes to enjoy her taste on a deeper level. Her gasp resonating in my ears yet somehow sounded further away than what she was. I enclose my lips around her bud and give a few good sucks listening to her breath hitch and feeling her moving her legs lightly.

“Jake, oh God that feels good,” Although she was stuck up in the air her hips were bucking along with my mouth on her, not caring enough to forewarn her and shoving two of my thick fingers into her precious cunt. Her squeal was a tell tale that she hadn’t been expecting it, but her cunt squeezing my fingers told me she was enjoying it.

“S’not fair!” She whines, I’d opened my eyes and found her delicate face hanging in defeat, I could see her arms twisting against the vines in an attempt to free them but I knew I’d tied them well enough to prevent that from happening.

“If you keep doing that, I’ll have to stop, is that what you want babygirl?” I asked as soon as my lips were off of her sweet cunt, her eyes shooting open and looking right at me, holding a slight bit of fear in them at the threat of me stopping. She shakes her head and immediately stops moving her arms.

“No sir.” She answered sternly I’d almost forgotten I’d had my fingers in her. I take them out of her and place them into my mouth, groaning at the taste of such a sweet flower being all mine. I take the moment to stand and see her eyes flash with worry.

“Don’t worry, babygirl, I ain’t done with you yet.” I attempted to ease her worries as I stood, placing my hands on her thighs once more and squeezing lightly, enjoying how the soft skin was like putty in my hands and I couldn’t help but enjoy every second pf my hands being on her body.

I didn’t bother taking my tewng off as I knew it would be a hassle, so I pushed it off to the side and watch as my cock comes up to slap the underside of my belly, a dab of precome having stuck onto my skin, I grasped myself in my hands and give a few good tugs, ensuring to wipe the head off its precome and spread it around the rest of my shaft, groaning a bit as I did so. I looked up and notice her sweet eyes are watching my actions, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, and her desperation apparent.

“You want this in you that bad?” I ask her, knowing what the answer would have been already, hearing the words fall past her lips as she nods once, looking up at me past her eyelashes.

“I want it more than the air I need to breathe.”

“Careful now, or I might just be tempted to take that mask off your face, sweetheart.” I joke but can feel my cock stirring to life as it pulses in my hand.

“Yes sir,” She responds again and I can’t stop myself from allowing my hips to guide my cock into her warm cunt slowly, groaning upon the tip sliding into her tight heat.

“You feel incredible,” I nearly wheeze out but find a bit of composure to sound decently shaky, grasping her hips and pulling her closer onto my cock, her legs immediately wrapping themselves around my waist as I continue making my way into her.

“Oh fuuuuck-“ She drags out as her head lulls back, her hair falling past her shoulders and down her back, her little hips.

“Don’t hold back, babygirl, I want the whole forest to know who you’re getting fucked by. And we both know I always get what I want.” I murmur in her ear before sliding out and slowly sinking myself back in, being careful not to hurt her, feeling my own eyes roll back in my head.

“J-jake, I’m feel so f-full,” I can hear her stutter as I swing my hips back toward her, snaking my hand over her nub and skating across it with just the right amount of pressure.

“You feel so good, you look so pretty when you’re full from my cock.” I compliment her as she struggles to keep her own eyes open, by this point I’d decided to set my own pace, grasping her hip desperately with my free hand and rubbing circles on her clit with my right hand.

“Uuuhhh,” She wildly bucks her hips with poor attempts as I pull her closer from her backside, enjoying the way her ass jiggles with every thrust.

“I’m close, sir-“ She gasps in loudly as another moan rolls off her in desperation to hold off, but I wasn’t planning on keeping her from achieving her orgasm this time as I too was close and wanted to come inside her.

“Come for me, fuck!” I growled as I felt her tighten her cunt onto my cock, her feet were behind me but I knew she had been curling her toes like she usually does, feeling my powerful hips snap into her and I could feel myself just about to snap.

“I’m coming!” She announces rather loudly, loud enough to let anyone nearby know what we were doing, my hips snapping into hers making an obscenely squelching sound, but that gave me the push I needed to get closer to my own orgasm, ensuring I was pulling her by her hip at the right pace before coming in unison.

[sendforhelp]

Contemporary Bathroom - Bathroom

Mid-sized modern sauna design with a dark wood floor and gray walls, glass-front cabinets, light wood cabinets, and wood countertops.

[lavendercowboyart]

pwease dont tread on me 🥺🐍👉👈

Let's talk about the original Gadsden flag design. The well-known yellow flag showcases a timber rattlesnake poised and ready to strike. This snake has a history of being used to represent unity in the early days of America. I'm sure you've seen the "Join, or Die" illustration? That's supposed to be a timber rattlesnake, too.

On the Gadsden flag, the snake is whole and connected-- united. The flag was flown during the revolution to assert that we were united and ready to strike against coercion and willing to fight for our liberty.

I love the flag design, but I think it's interesting how many members of a party of the least threatened people in America have adopted this flag as their own, while simultaneously trying to take away liberties from other Americans.

What exactly do they believe they have that is at risk of being "tread on"? What liberty do the white cishet men of America worry about losing? I think it's absurd. It's giving... "pwease dont tread on me 🥺 I'm big and scary and need to be in complete power to make sure we are never equals 🥺👉👈". So, I redrew the flag for them.

There are marginalized communities in the country who are better suited to be flying the Gadsden flag. We deserve liberty. We deserve equality.

This second design is also tangentially inspired by Jefferson's "Join, Or Die". The particular phrase "United we stand, divided we fall" has been used by Americans for centuries to drive feelings of unity, with the purpose of reminding folks that a divided community is weaker than a connected one. This phrase even appears on the Missouri state flag and on the seal on Kentucky.

And yet, we see so much division (particularly both against and within the LGBTQ community). Everyone within the queer community is at risk of losing rights and it won't do anything to protect those rights if we divide amongst ourselves with the hope of being "the good gays" to the bad guys. We need to remember that the community as a whole is at risk. United we will stand, but divided we will fall. We keep each other safe. Stand together.

I designed these two as stickers for my laptop, so I figure I'll make them available on my shop as well in case anyone else feels similarly! Idk! I just know I'm tired of being tread on.

[astoldbyaja]

Fire on Fire -Ch.1 -AU JJK-

Delilah Hawthorne briefly meets a young Nanami Kento during her visit to Tokyo Jujutsu High. This was their first and last conversation before she had to return to America. She returns to Tokyo to continue business with the higher ups that she was supposed to take part in when she was still a teen herself. Unbeknownst to her Nanami Kento, whom she reconnects with, and also still very smitten with her from their first five minute meeting, decides he won't let Delilah slip through his fingers again.

"I'd rather live in your world than live without you in mine." he said breathlessly before crashing his lips into mine.

Warning: Smut, MDNI +18

2006 – Tokyo Jujutsu High

I followed behind my brother, Cassius Hawthorne, silently listening to this teacher, Yaga, discuss the sorcerers in this school. I had never been to Japan before, so my eyes were roaming all over the place. Although my body and remained very still as I moved.

“Many sorcerers, even students are called on missions to kill lower grade curses. It helps them learn and grow their skills for when they’re in the real world.” he explained.

“What are the ranks of the majority of your student body?” Cassius asked.

“The majority are Grade 3, a pretty average rank.” he explained.

“What would my sister and I be ranked if your higher ups ever acknowledged us as sorcerers?” Cassius asked with a low timber like tone.

“You would be Grade 1 and for your sister… due to her technique she would automictically be seen as a Special Grade due to her technique.” he said glancing back at me. I gave a polite smile remaining quiet, my lavender eyes hidden by my black cat eye sunglasses. Yaga was impressed by my abilities, one by one I was asked to show my ability to each grade of cursed spirit all the way up to special grade.

“And your strongest student?” Cassius asked. The older man paused in his walk and so my brother and I did as well.

“There’s only one… he’d no doubt be a special grade.” Yaga merely replied. I could hear chatter coming from the end of the hall. Someone was rounding the corner. Cassius and I looked ahead noticing four students turning the corner. All of them wore uniforms, the three men wearing pants and the one girl wearing a skirt. She’s a brunette with short hair and tired eyes. The tallest was a darker haired boy with hair pulled back and beside him was a boy with snowy white hair and black sunglasses. On the very end, looking disinterested with a blonde-haired boy who looked to be brooding about something.

“That mission was too easy! What were the higher ups thinking!” the whited haired boy asked with a laugh before they all finally saw us. They looked at us curiously and stunned.

“Hey Sensei, new students?” the white-haired boy asked. Cassius and I looked at each other immediately. Was that a stupid question? The higher ups would never allow African-Americans in their organization unless they stood to gain something from it, like the deal we had struck with them. Yaga grunted.

“This is higher up business. This doesn’t concern you.” he said. The blue-eyed boy seemed even more interested now leaning into my brother to look him up and down.

“Oh come on, I’m going to find out eventually. You might as well tell me now!” he swooned. What a pest.

Now his eyes came upon me, and they seemed to sparkle, purple staring at blue and he made a move to lean into me. I stiffened.

“And who is this cutie?” he asked.

“Satoru.” The dark-haired boy warned. Immediately, I felt my brother’s arm wrap around my shoulder and pull me into him, frowning heavily at this Satoru boy.

“Learn some boundaries… I’ll only advice you once: Respect my sister.” he warned. This Satoru snorted as he leaned back.

“Boy you must not know who I am.” he said as if amused. Cassius stared at this Satoru.

“Yaga… is he your special grade?” he asked, causing Yaga to look at him, with a grimace. I knew my brother was treading into unwanted territory, so I kept my eyes down as to let him continue to lead the conversation.

“Let’s continue our tour shall we. Don’t mind my students, Satoru Gojo is harmless.” he said. My brother’s ear twitch, a sign his ears picked up the lie in the man’s voice. Satoru smirked triumphantly and Cassius looked him over once more, already not impressed and his face showed it which made Satoru’s satisfaction drop immediately.

“Yes, let’s continue our tour.” Cassius said and Yaga nodded and looked at the other students.

“Get to class.”

And with that he began to walk on. Satoru Gojo just huffed at my brother and my brother just pulled me along with him. As he did, my eyes lifted to meet the hazel-colored eyes of the blonde boy. He wasn’t looking at me at first, but when he caught my eyes, his entire body stiffened, his eyes widened some and a shade of pink came across his nose. His eyes were… different than any I had ever seen. He seemed to be looking at me, really looking at me. Could he see into my soul? His gaze was strong even for eyes so shocked. My heart fluttered.

I couldn’t help but smile at him before my brother led me from the group.

“Who is that obnoxious punk!” Satoru purposely yelled as we rounded the corner they had come from.

Five days later

There was a small fountain outside the school yard, and I sat alone, reading my book as I waited for my brother to conclude business with Mr. Yaga. Japan was a very beautiful place, definitely felt like I had stepped out of another world. As I read, I noticed a pair of feet slowly creeping up in my vision and I looked up with a gentle, yet curious gaze.

It was him, the blonde boy from that group of students we met a few days ago. I blinked some wondering what it was he could want.

“Uh…” he said. He looked and sounded flustered honestly. I looked him over and gave a polite and curt bow.

“Hello.” I replied kindly and he tensed a bit before looking down at the ground. He seemed to want to say something, but he looked to be having difficulty. Now as if realizing I had greeted him, he jumped as if startled and bowed.

“Hello.” he said awkwardly. He seemed to have a permanent gloomy face. “Uh… um... ‘m Kento… Nanami.”

Suddenly, a form appeared from behind him, a hand gripping his collar and spinning him around. Holding him up was an angry Cassius.

“Hey punk what are you doing bothering my sister!” he snapped. I frowned and stood up.

“Cassius!” I snapped. “Leave the boy alone.”

Cassius squinted pointing in Kento’s face.

“Don’t you think of trying anything on my sister!” he snapped.

“What are you even doing out here?” I asked.

“Came to check on you when I saw this hoodlum approach!” he said. I scoffed.

“I am fine. Please finish with your discussion with Yaga so that we can go.” I said. Cassius huffed, and Kento just frowned at my brother before he was put down and he adjusted his collar. My brother placed two fingers on his own eyes before pointing them at Kento. He then backed away and turned moving back into the school. I approached Kento with an apologetic gaze.

“I’m sorry about him. My brother can be a I bit overprotective. Are you alright, Kento?” I asked. Kento looked at me and tensed, his face seeming to grow a shade of pink, he silently nodded. I smiled and nodded. “That’s good. I’m Delilah Hawthorne. It’s nice to meet you. Was I in your spot?”

I turned to look at the stone seat thinking that’s why he was here.

“Uh n-no I um.” he stuttered, and I tilted my head at him wondering what it was that was wrong with him. He was looking at my hair, eyes all the curls I had pulled up into a high pineapple ponytail. Now he looked at my eyes then my arms and his head were just lulling forward until he was staring at my ankles, eyeing the silver anklet I had on my leg.

“Are you alright?” I asked worriedly and he seemed to still be visibly tensed. He nodded immediately.

“HEY NANAMI!” I could hear the familiar voice of someone who I felt was moderately annoying. Kento immediately frowned as a white-haired form approached behind him wrapping an arm around his neck with a big grin.

“Hey, hitting on the cute new student, very bold of you!” he said which made Kento groan.

“It’s not like that.” he said. I visibly gave a gentle pout.

“Oh really, that’s sad for me then.” I said with a gentle tease, hoping to lighten the mood since the teen was still very tense and uncomfortable. I wonder why he chose to approach me. Maybe he was just trying to be a friendly face since our first meeting with a bit tense. Kento’s eyes widened at my words and Satoru grinned.

“Oh hoo.” he teased.

“Satoru will you stop being a pest.”

I looked around the two boys to see the young girl and the dark-haired boy from before.  She looked at me with a polite smile.

“Hello. I’m Shoko Leiri.” she introduced. I smiled at her.

“I’m Delilah Hawthorne. Nice to meet you.” I replied before looking at the last boy who nodded.

“Suguru Geto.” he replied.

“And this handsome devil is Satoru Gojo!” Satoru said loudly. I gave a gentle smile.

“Charmed.” I replied.

“You from America?” Suguru asked. I nodded.

“Yes. Just visiting with my brother Cassius. The higher ups invited us.” I replied.

Satoru scowled.

“So that’s his name huh! The guy was such a jerk.” he said. Suguru scoffed.

“Shut up, you were the one being rude out of nowhere.” he said.

“I was not!” the other boy replied. As Shoko jumped in to add her opinions to the conversation, I just looked at Kento who seemed to be looking away as if annoyed. However, his eyes caught mine and once more I felt a spark shoot up in my body. Why this was I had no idea. I noticed a small smile crack in the corner of Kento’s lips.

“Anyways, so Lilah you going to be attending Jujutsu High? I hear you’re a pretty strong individual! You think you can beat me?” Satoru asked standing over me with a smirk. I looked up at him before looking him over for a second.

“I do not think I could… I know I could.” I said in a matter-of-fact tone. Immediately the blue-eyed boy’s face twitched into an unnerving smile.

“Oh, do you!” he said now leaning forward into me, both our shades were lowering to the bridge of our noses, shimmering purple eyes meeting deep blue orbs.

“You all definitely don’t know who you’re messing with.” he challenged, his smirk evident in his face. I smiled some and gently raised my hand to caress the boy’s cheek. His face leaning into the softness of my touch. I leaned forward, my lips inching into his and he seemed ready to accept whatever it was I was going to do to him. But instead, my cheek pressed into his cheek so that my lips were inches from his ear. I spoke, but my words were muted, and I felt Satoru’s body still as I spoke calmly. His friends watched me, curious of what it was I was doing, and after a few seconds, the blue-eyed boy’s body was slumping onto the ground as if were a puddle.

His glasses were tilting crookedly, and his eyes were now swirling as if he were in a trance, and he started to babble some. Shoko, Suguru and Kento looked completely taken back and I stepped over the puddle known as Satoru Gojo and stood before Kento as the other two went to check on their friend. He approached me for a reason, but it seemed his friends ruined whatever reason he had. Kento looked from his friend to me bewildered, before finally his body seemed to relax. He wasn’t so tense as I expected from standing inches from him. I just smiled at the realization. I may be young, but I knew attraction when I saw it. I gently raised my finger up and placed it into Kento’s cheek. His face showed caution since I had obviously done something to his friend, but his body still remained relaxed. Teasingly I traced little circles into his cheek which was my little way of flirting and the boy’s face turned as red as a tomato.

“Maybe we can hang out sometime before I have to go back to America.” I offered. His eyes widened and his chest looked to tighten before he finally looked away another gloomy look on his face, eyes planted to the ground.

“O-okay.” he said.

“Okay maybe we need to get him to the nurse!” Suguru said.

However, my brother was stomping forward, a look of disappointment on his face. I looked up at him as he approached.

“We’re leaving back home.” Was all he said. I was thrown off by his command knowing that home meant never coming back. I looked down with disappointment before looking up at Kento who seemed utterly hurt. I was not expecting to see such a deep look on his face. But I smiled and he looked at me catching my smile.

“Maybe if we meet each other in another life, we can hang out.” I said. He looked me over some wanting to say something before looking away with a slight groan.

“Promise?” he asked. I could hear the hint of desperation in his tone. I was stunned by his question, not expecting to have to formerly seal my statement away to this boy. I mean he’s only officially met me five minutes ago. But I nodded.

“I promise. Goodbye Kento Nanami.” I replied softly. He winced sadly before giving a small, genuine smile in return.

“Goodbye Lilah- I mean Delilah Hawthorne.” he said. I smiled.

“I like it better when you call me Lilah.” I replied, and his smile widened a bit more before I gave a gentle wave and turned moving around the group of students. Shoko was trying to slap Gojo awake. Odd, I didn’t even use my technique on him.

2018 – Tokyo

I stepped inside the bakery, my cell to my ear.

“Yes, Yaga, I landed yesterday, and I’ll be at the school tomorrow. I plan to relax today before coming in to talk. I am surprised your higher ups wanted to see me again after all this time.” I replied.

“Well, your abilities have been monitored as I am sure you know, and they have… accepted that they should not have let you and your brother walk out on the old terms we made. But things have changed. We would like you to stick around so we can study your technique. You are offered room and board, a debit card that has no spending limit, full immunity from any past or future uses that involve you using your technique.” he explained. I scoffed thinking of that obnoxious boy.

“Past uses? Is he still saying I did something to him?” I asked.

“Well let’s just say he was very vocal about you returning to Japan. First, he was upset, and now he’s giddy to have a rematch. But we’ve made it very clear you are not to ever fight against another sorcerer. No sparing, no training nothing. If you take up arms against any sorcerer or student that is not in clear self-defense it would call for your immediately execution.” he explained clearly. I rolled my eyes.

They could try.

“Understood. Anyways I’m picking up a pastry and will meet you tomorrow to discuss our first order of business.” I replied.

“Okay. See you tomorrow.” he said and hung up. I ordered and grabbed my food before turning to leave the bakery and as I stepped out, my chest hit the broad chest of a man. I blinked heavily looking at tinted green glasses of a tall blonde-haired man. Black sunglasses shined at these glasses. This man was in a formal business suit that was a blue dress shirt underneath a tan blazer with matching slacks and light shoes. Around his neck was polka dotted tie.

“Oh, pardon me.” he said respectfully, his voice deep, smooth and composed. I shook my head.

“No, you’re good, please excuse me.” I replied and now he seemed surprised, and I blinked rapidly looking somewhat off myself as his feet did not move from in front of me. My glasses were pushed up, so my eyes were not showing. He seemed to be looking my face over, and I took a few seconds to do the same. He suddenly shook his head bashfully.

“Uh- I’m sorry you must forgive me; you have a very familiar face.” he said. I leaned back some wondering how that could be when this was only second time in Japan. But I leaned forward just a bit, not enough to invade his space, but enough I could really get a look at him. Blonde hair. Now I raised my fingers to my face to tilt my glasses down so my lavender orbs could shine a bit and now the man’s entire body tensed, eyes slowly widening some.

“L-Lilah Hawthorne?” he asked. My eyes widened on his face now as I slowly smiled, my name rolling off his lips in a way I remember liking.

“Kento Nanami?” I asked nervously and he nodded, now smiling warmly at me. I covered my mouth in shock. Why though? I had only met this man once years ago as a young gloomy teenager and now here we both stood again before each other. Was this fate? I’m not sure.

Maybe it was bound to happen since I was returning to Jujutsu High. I couldn’t stop my finger from gently moving toward his cheek, his jawline looked strong. But I softly placed my pointer finger against his cheek, and I felt it, a jolt of electricity moves through me. He let out a gentle sigh of relief, content. Why did it feel like we were the only ones standing in this town. Buildings and people disappeared around me and I smiled more as he smiled more. I finally began to circle the spot on his cheek from our first ten-minute interaction. Flirting. That’s right.

“I am glad to see you again.” he said warmly snapping me out of my trance and I removed my finger.

“Sorry about that.” I replied, a bit embarrassed, and he just chuckled and shook his head.

“No, it’s alright. I… I can’t believe I’m looking at you again after all this time. You have grown so much.” he said. I smiled and nodded

“Back at you. You’re even more handsome than I remember.” I said sweetly. That familiar shade of pink spread over his nose, and he bit his bottom lip and looked away.

“I-uh- um th-thanks.” he stumbled over his words.

“Hey buddy can we go in?” an annoyed passerby asked. That’s right we’re standing right in the doorway of the bakery. We bashfully stepped aside and apologized and finally looked at each other again.

“What are you doing back here in Japan?” he asked. Even his voice was different, so deep and mature.

“I’m here to work with Yaga and the higher ups. Unfortunately, I can’t say much more on it, but I’ll be here for a while.” I replied noticing his eyes lit up at my words.

“I see. When did you get in?” he asked.

“Yesterday. I don’t have to head back to the school until tomorrow.” I announced and he nodded just staring at my face now with bright eyes.

“I see…” he said his voice trailing off now and now we were both awkwardly staring at each other. Why does this moment feel familiar? We realized we were both just staring at each other before we gave shy chuckles. Kento rubbed the back of his head, and I just looked down at my feet some.

“Well… you seem to be going somewhere important; I don’t want to hold you up.” I replied. Kento seemed to be snapped out of his trance, and he cleared his throat and nodded.

“Actually, I am just running a few errands. Um Lilah, if I’m not being too forward, I was wondering, if you’re not too tired from traveling, but maybe I can take you out some time and show you around Japan once you get settled. I know the last time we met we had… distractions.” he said. My eyes lit up at his offer and I smiled and nodded.

“That would be lovely Kento. I mean I did make a promise that if we saw each other again we would hang out.” I replied remembering the words of our first and last time speaking years ago. Kento nodded his smile never leaving his face.

“I can’t believe I made you promise me. I was such an emo kid back then.” He said. I giggled.

“I just thought you were shy… Here why don’t we swap phones and place our numbers in the other?” I asked pulling me phone from my purse. The tint of pink shade around his face darkened and he nodded.

“Sure.” he replied reaching into his suit pocket and we both handed the other their phones and began to briefly type our numbers in. After a few seconds, we handed each other the phones back.

“Great. I look forward to us picking up from where we left off, even if it was only a five- or ten-minute chat when we were kids.” I said with a soft chuckle, and he agreed.

“Yes agreed… um would it be alright to message you in my free time, only if you’re free too I don’t want to put you out!” he said quickly. Strange, he came off as so professional minutes before we remembered each other and now he seems to be flustered just like when we were kids.

My smile only grew, and I nodded.

“Yes Kento, feel free to message me whenever you have time.” I said gently raising my hand to wave my goodbye. “Until later, Kento.” I gave a gentle curt bow of my head.

He returned the gesture with a warm smile.

“Until later, Delilah.”

[kookieswan]

Black Poison Blood

Human!Tae + Demon!Yoongi

Word Count: 1.2k

Warnings: Pretty heavy religious themes, horror themes, talk of blood/grotesque imagery, corruption, non-sexual finger sucking?… Just tread carefully with this one.

Notes: Not a pairing story.

AHAHAHA sorry this took forever to get out my life is out of control right now. Btw this is named after a song by Kill Hannah. Give it a listen.

Requested by @sweetestofchaos ♥️ I kind of took it and ran with it, I hope you like it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He knew he fucked up as soon as he stepped into the house.

It’s the shit from legends he thinks; an old abandoned house on a rainy night. Plenty have died here, plenty more will. There’s been mentions of endless entities roaming the grounds… Ghosts and perhaps something more sinister.

Taehyung is currently finding that out the hard way.

He’s been wandering for a bit now, going into this room and that. It’s as if the house was left in a hurry, everything still placed where the previous owners had put it. He sighs, holding up the flashlight on his phone to shine it across the dreary room.

The man can only assume that the former owners left everything behind; the house is still fully furnished. Well, to a degree. Squatters have been in and out, certain things out of place with spray paint on some of the walls. As interesting as it is… Taehyung doesn’t plan on staying long enough to see much more.

It was originally a dare from one of his friends at the party he attended last weekend to stay the night. Taehyung would never dream of backing out of it, not when he can shove it in Jungkook’s face tomorrow. The thought makes a smile twitch to his face, but it quickly disappears as he entered a new room.

With every turn of his head, he swears he sees something. Always evading him, always in the corner of his eye. It’s starting to feel unlikely that he’ll actually see anything, even as something seems to flash by again.

There’s noises as well, creaking and groaning and everything else, and it has Taehyung’s hairs standing on end. It’s natural for a house as old as this to talk, but not this much…

Another creek causes for some alarm, but he doesn’t expect to see it. No, he doesn’t expect to see a a figure standing in the doorway, deadpan as it stares back at Taehyung. Said man stops, a massive feeling of anxiety washing over him like a tidal wave.

“W-who are you?” It’s got the appearance of man. That’s what the thing wants Taehyung to believe but he knows better. There’s no way anyone else came in here, not willingly and not after he blocked the door on the way in… This must be an entity of legend, one of the ones that send people running for their lives.

The man…? He steps forward, shorter than Taehyung but not any less terrifying because of it. There’s just enough light shining through the windows the properly see his face… He’s almost angelic. Perfect. Too perfect as he cocks his head to the side with a cheshire smile. It’s nearly familiar.

Dark hair falls in front of his face, the smile gummy and almost inviting. It draws Taehyung in, and he nearly takes a few steps forward. To stop himself, he places a shaking hand against the wall and glues his feet to the broken floorboards.

“What do you think I am?” It’s a deep timber, calm as it echoes throughout the room. Taehyung does not like it.

He steps back as the man starts to stalk forward, unsure of how to answer. His eyes close, a mistake, and then the man is on him. He’s shoved violently back by strong hands, his body slamming into the wall with a loud thud. Groaning, he allows himself to slide down the wall, eyes cast upwards, clouded with uncertainty.

The angelic smile is gone, replaced with a gnarled frown. The entity stares down at Taehyung with cold eyes, looking less than impressed. If looks could kill…

“Too slow, try again. What. Am. I?” The words are harsh, almost like a growl as they rip out of the man’s chest. Taehyung nearly whines, his throat unwilling to let him speak. As he tries to curl into himself, a whisper leaves his shaking frame.

“A-an angel…?” A shot in the dark, but maybe he’s not in grave danger. The man crouches down then, the frown twisting upward yet again as a finger reaches out to lift Taehyung’s chin. He leaves it there as he begins to speak, deep voice filling the silent house.

“Once upon a time…” The slim finger runs along Taehyung’s chin and up his jawline. It stops by his ear as the man hooks it inward ever so slightly. Taehyung gulps.

“There was an angel that fell from the heavens above…” It caresses his cheekbone with a gentle scrape, so soft that it’s like a feather. It would be comforting in almost any other situation. Taehyung grimaces.

“He walked the earth, bound to the dirt and mud, forced to reside with humans.” He quickly stands as he says it, nail scraping harshly against Taehyung’s cheek. It’s not for certain, but he thinks he can feel blood trickling down. He doesn’t dare check.

The entity turns his back to trembling human without a word. It’s calm for a moment, only a moment, a moment the trembling man misses so terrible. Taehyung screams.

He screeches as beautiful wings crack out of the man’s back, a pure white that screams back at Taehyung’s watery eyes. He squints as the cracking noise continues, the man’s voice dropping to an even deeper tone.

“The silly humans thought it fun to try and call to the fallen angel. They thought it would be wise to call into the darkness without a name.” He turns back around then, neck popping grossly as Taehyung tries desperately to sink into the wall behind him. As the man crowds in closer, his legs crack unnaturally as he drops and crawls to be at eye levels. Taehyung attempts to speak properly, finally, but it’s soon cut off.

The man’s mangled hand slaps agains his mouth roughly, a grunt leaving Taehyung as his head bangs against the wall. He slowly opens his eyes to make some sort of eye contact, wide open on shock as he chokes down his terror. The darkness stares back at him, the depths crooning at him to join in.

“Do you think yourself wise, human?”

The demons face morphs slowly into something that can only be described as grotesque. His eyes darken with decay, his skin peeling in places to reveal a bloody mess of flesh underneath. Bones splinter as his body changes into something that causes the alarm bells in Taehyung’s head to ring. He doesn’t think he’ll ever forget this twisted smile, not when it’s calling out to him like a memory.

The damned man gags at the sight, trying desperately to stop himself from emoting. He knows now that any wrong move will likely lead to his death… Maybe it’s something he should thrive for at this point. The hand stays in place as a the other comes up to the entities mouth.

He pricks a finger almost gently with a canine, black blood slowly oozing out. It drips down his finger, and Taehyung can do nothing but stare as the thumb against his mouth starts to sneak in. The demon raises the other finger to his lips.

“My name…” The mangled whisper leaves him and the blood drips into Taehyung’s mouth. It tastes so sweet, so sweet as he wraps his lips around the man’s finger to taste more. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get enough, no, never enough-

“… Is Satan.”