#twig is melting her little heart

[lachlame]

My kitties!!!!! Who hate each other (one sided hate)!! I caught them cuddlin!

[nana-luvy]

. 𝐇𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐠 .

warnings: cheesy dripping in sugar fluff, high school!Luke Castellan, afab!reader, reader is apparently a little obsessed with pink

In which you should've talked a little quieter.

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

You know that myth that high school girls use weird nicknames instead of actual names to talk about people behind their back ? That was far from a myth to you.

"Pikachu ? Who the hell is that one again ?" you asked your friend, visibly confused.

"It's the new guy, Harry, remember ? You know, Harry Potter to thunderbolt to Pikachu," Silena tried to explain without getting too annoyed about having to repeat herself for the nth time. The nicknames weren't always the best idea when one of you two had really a short-term memory.

"Oh, right, right..."

The two of you had nicknames for almost everyone in the class. You had to --you loved a good gossip session at the back of the class during econ, and there were plenty of people to talk about. And Silena, committed as she was, had a new crush every week who required a nickname of his own.

"But, wait- Didn't you talk to me about spider just a few days ago ?" you asked, furrowing your eyebrows.

"Nah girl, spider is so last week... Plus, I saw his arms were as thick as twigs under his hoodie. That's a no-no for me, babe." Silena flicked her hair behind her shoulder sassily.

"Amen, sister," you added, initiating your iconic 'Legally Blondes' handshake.

“Anyways, I have chemistry right now, see you later ~”

“You’ll tell me everything about lab coat right ?” you yelled as your frend left in the other direction.

“And you about hedgehog !” She answered, turning around the corner.

You chuckled to yourself, putting your earphones back on, laughing softly at the mere thought: to have something to tell, you'd need to have any sort of interaction first...

Hedgehog was the nickname Silena had given to your own crush, Luke. Well, little... You had been pretty head over heels for months, now. But, in your opinion, he just had the whole package: curly hair that always looked effortlessly perfect, brown eyes like molten chocolate that drew you into their comfortable warmth, an athletic build after years in the fencing team, a charisma that shone through his every action, and a mischievous smile that could melt the coldest hearts.

He was in most of your classes, including math, were you were headed to at the moment. He usually took the seat in front of yours, and some days you had to put in the extra effort to not get distracted by the soft scent of his cologne or the overpowering of his radiant aura.

And apparently today was one of those days, as you heard his laughter resonate through your ears as soon as you sat on your chair, one you could hear even over the music still blasting in your earphones. You tried to ignore the soothing sound and simply unpacked your stuff, organizing your desk for the hour to come. But you didn't expect a discreet knock on your table, slightly startled by the movement in your vision, and expected even less to see Luke looking back at you when you looked up.

"Ca..row y...en?"

For a second you just looked into his eyes, incredulous, diving into the amber you worshiped so much, before he tilted his head to the side questioningly, a perfect curl falling perfectly on his oh so perfect face... Realization hit you and you instantly took the earphones out of your ears, your music still blasting.

"Sorry, couldn't hear you. You said ?" you rushed, clearly nervous despite your best effort to hide it.

He chuckled, a melody shooting straight to mess with your thoughts. "Yeah, that's pretty loud.." He motioned to your earphones. "Is that really Ayesha you're listening to?" he added, hint of a laugh in his voice as he quirked his eyebrow.

And you couldn't stop the light blush dusting your cheeks. "And unironically."

"Not bad." Luke said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Anyway, I was asking if I could borrow a pen ? I forgot half my stuff this morning and... yeah.” he explained, like trying to justify himself.

“Oh yeah sure, let me just-” you immediately delved into her case, trying to find something other than pink inked pens. Finally, you handed him one. “That should do it. Sorry it’s pink, it’s the only one I have I think… but it’s supposed to write in black, don’t worry.”

“No problem, I think I noticed you didn’t have much other color in your stuff anyways.” he chuckled, before delicately taking the pen you were holding, fingers brushing ever so softly. “Remind me to give it back at the end of the class.”

When he turned back to the board, the teacher now finally in the class to begin class, you were totally red. As cool and normal as it might've been to Luke, that slight, barely there contact had you in total panic mode, hand almost shaking, your fingers hanging in the air as you scrutinized every inch of skin that just touched his.

Finally, you would have something to tell your best friend after all.

--

The bell rang and you bolted out of your seat: you needed to find Silena and take your mind off what had happened just an hour ago. Quickly putting everything back in your backpack, you sprinted out of class, greeting the teacher before going out the door and practically running into your friend, that was apparently already waiting for you.

"The teacher let us out earlier than planned." Silena explained before the question even came up.

"Something happened." You said, wide eyes looking into nothingness. You grabbed your friend's wrist, quickly urging her to the other side of the hallway, not to stay at the entrance of your class.

"With.. who I think something could happen with?"

"Yes."

"Girl, we have five minutes before the next class, so you better make them count." she seriously replied, obviously wanting to know every single detail of the experience. An experience that just remembering had you dizzy and shaking from how unreal it was.

You explained everything, in detail as Silena expressly asked for an in-depth commenting, while going towards the next classroom for Lit, which you had together.

"I swear to goodness it felt like out of a fanfiction..." you whined, still having that tingling feeling in your fingers where Luke had brushed.

"I totally get you, I mea- Those fudging ashes." Silena glared at the two abyss creatures that had taken your usual spots, in the front row, before pouting dramatically. "I don't wanna seat at the baaack..."

You lead her to the back of the class, or more like dragged her, before taking seats next to each other on the last row.

"Could've been worse, we could've been separated." you stated seriously, though a small grin tugged at your lips, because it was a serious matter indeed: there was no way you could sat away from your best friend, how could you pass time in class if you did ?

"Right." You both sat down, putting everything you needed on your desks. "But I can't believe we didn't even have time to talk about lab coat, that boy is really taking over your thoughts... Dang, he's stealing my girlfriend." Silena shook her head from side to side disapprovingly, hugging you from the side in the clingiest way. "You know, I'm really starting to hate hedgehog for that, that little dwarf..."

You scoffed at her statement, before sighing dreamily. "Nah, you can't possibly hate him, he's too cute for that..."

"Why, thank you ~"

The boy in the seat right in front of yours twisted, a large grin on his face as he spoke those words, and you realized you should've paid attention when you took a seat. Because of two simple, common words. But two simple words spoken by Luke, that made you go pale and Silena stifle a laugh behind her hand.

He turned back to the board and away from you and your best friend in the same second as the lesson began, the two of you looking at each other with two purely different gazes. If one of you was clearly entertained by the interaction, a spark of mischief dancing in her brown orbs, the other looked like she wanted to get immediately buried alive 6 feet under. You wanted the ground to split under your chair and swallow you whole.

Silena just nudged your arm with her elbow, before going to listen to the teacher like nothing happened.

Meanwhile, your brain had probably never worked that hard and that fast to come up with a reason as to why in the world and how in the world he knew, all the while trying not to both gush like a crushing thirteen years old or burst into tears from the embarrassment.

The bell rang again and she had paid little to absolutely no attention to the lecture, words written on the white board completely meaningless to her, except maybe the 'cemetery' that did have a certain charm to it in this instant.

"Silena ? I'm going to the toilets. Meet me there." you said to your friend, keeping your sentences short. Your eyelids flickered in shock and panic after what had occurred just an hour ago, again, blinking repetitively. You plastered a small smile on your face before picking up your bag and going out of the classroom.

Once in the school's bathroom, you waited a good ten minutes for your friend, and Literature being your last class of the day you had time to waste. You paced the room, trying to clear your mind, thanking waterproof makeup when you splashed cold water on your face multiple times to try and ease the raging blush of your cheeks.

A few more minutes passed by, and Silena still hadn't come in yet. Actually, the door hadn't opened once since you'd come in; yes, a lot of people had class at this hour, but still, it felt weird. Curiously, you peeked outside of the room, wondering if the bathroom had been closed for public while she was in there for no one to come inside. And when you opened the door, stepping outside, you stumbled upon Luke, looking at his phone, leaning on the wall between the two bathroom doors.

But by the time he looked up, his eyes catching a movement, you had ran back behind the door, your back pressed to the stiff material while your chest heaved up and down quickly, in full blown panic mode again.

"Hey, you okay ? You don't sound well." You could hear his muffled voice on the other side, his worried face immediately conjuring in your mind.

"I"m good! I'm.. I'm good. Fine. Really. Don't worry."

"Very convincing..." You could just imagine his pretty brown eyes squinting with an amused expression on his face.

"What are you even doing here, lurking outside the toilets?" you asked, trying to calm your breathing while still sounding as unbothered as possible.

There was a short moment of silence. "I didn't give you your pen back, earlier."

Perfect, just perfect. "Luke, you can give it back tomorrow- you know what, just keep it, i have plenty of pens. Just go home."

A new silence. "You don't wanna know how I know ?"

You hesitated for a few seconds, pondering what could be the smartest choice, but ultimately opened the door a little, passing your head out.

Turning in your direction, Luke couldn't help but grin, weakly attempting to suppress a laugh at the scene and taking a deep breath to contain it. "Sorry, I'm not mocking you."

"Sure." you mumbled, finally going fully out of the bathroom and standing in front of the door, a few feet away only from the curly haired boy. "So ?"

"Well, I'd say you should pay attention to who's walking behind you when you describe a situation thoroughly, even when you use 'hedgehog' instead of a name." he simply replied, his characteristic smile dancing on his lips as he shrugged like it was obvious.

And you mentally face palmed, because it was obvious. Your eyes widened noticeably and you froze, a simple "Oh" the only breath that made it past your lips.

For a moment you stayed silent, completely frozen on the spot, your brain completely out of service.

"Y/n ? Is there someone behind your eyes ?" Luke joked, shaking a hand in front of your eyes in search of a reaction of some kind.

A name. Your name. In his mouth, rolling of his tongue, crossing his lips, like the only word that should ever exist. And it brought you back to the front of your mind.

“Yeah I- uh- how much did you hear, exactly ?” you asked, scanning his face.

“I’d say…. since the beginning until the end ?”

“Okay well then this is the moment where I tell you to please, please, forget all about it, it is no useful information to you, and I’m now going back inside the bathroom until you leave, bye.” You replied in one go, closing your eyes through it all to not have to face Luke's judgmental gaze, before reaching for the door knob.

But just before you opened it, the boy caught your wrist, your head snapping in his direction in confusion.

“Don’t you think it might be a bit dramatic ? I mean, maybe just forgetting about it isn’t the best solution.” he hinted.

You squinted your eyes at him, annoyance almost taking over your shyness. “Well, seeing as I don’t really feel like dealing with the problem in the logical way, I think my way is actually pretty good, saving you the hassle of the nice rejection and all...”

If you didn’t know better, you could’ve sworn you caught a glimpse of deception flashing behind his amused expression, his smirk faltering for a split second.

There was another moment of silence, before Luke replied. “I mean, is it really good to make assumptions like that ?”

“Actually it is, helps face reality when you already have it all figured out before it happens, you know ?”

The amusement on his face was slowly laced with confusion. “I really don’t get how you’re so smart yet so… not.”

“Uh… Ouch much ?” you replied, slightly offended.

“No I mean- To tell you the truth, i did forget half my stuffs today, but i totally had a bunch of pens in my bag.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Then why would you ask for one ? You wanted a pink one ?” you laughed, trying to ease the growing tension building up in you again, for some reason.

“My friend said it’d be easier to talk to you that way. And I mean, it indeed is since I'm pretty sure I'm talking to you right now.” he said with a little laugh, that sounded more anxious than intended.

You looked at him in disbelief, arching a brow. “Why ?”

Luke finally let go of your wrist, hand coming to scratch his nape awkwardly. “I don’t know… I just wanted to talk to you ?”

“Exactly, why ? You give really little information, you know ?”

“I mean, you looked cu-ool.” he said, tripping over his words a little, his eyes visibly widening.

“Cyool...?” you squinted, confused, before shaking your head to just dismiss it. “Congrats, that makes you one of the two only people who think so, first is my mom.”

“Oh, come on, smartass, don’t make me say it.” he shut his eyes for an instant, nervously sliding a hand through his messy curls.

“Say what ? If you got something else to say, better make it quick before i go back to hide from my embarrassment, that I definitely did not forget about like i’d like to.” you urged him, smiling sarcastically.

Luke looked back in yourr eyes for a moment, the brown of his almost covered by a cloud of hesitation, before he finally parted his lips. “I obviously wanted to say cute, not cyool.”

As expected, you simply froze again. Not even blinking, just staring straight in his eyes, though as if you looked into nothing.

“And I thought it would be no good to just forget about it simply because it’s the perfect occasion to finally ask you out on a… date.” he nervously continued, muttering the last word.

His eyes searched yours for an instant, darting from left to right and looking for a reaction, or even just a connection, before you finally snapped out of it. You blinked repetitively, eyes darting everywhere but on Jamie, before literally pinching herself, ensuring you weren't just daydreaming and wouldn't wake up in math class.

“Waw, uh, okay, I don’t think I ever got that far in a fake scenario. Uhhh…” You just opened and closed your mouth multiple times without even letting out a sound, completely overwhelmed by the current situation. “Hey you know what ? I- um…” You cleared your throat, somewhat hoping it might help clear your thoughts, and finally looked at the boy in front of you. “I’ll text you.”

And you ran off towards the school’s main exit, bag and pink pen in hand.

Stunned for a few seconds, Luke just picked-up his own backpack off the ground and started walking in the same direction, laughing softly. “Weirdly, that was kind of expected..”

Just a few minutes after you left him, he received an instagram notification from what he knew was your account, an audio message. ‘Well, that on the other hand is unexpectedly quick.’ he thought, opening it.

“Yo ma boyyy, it’s Silena ! Soooo… your girl is um… out of service for a little while, I think.. Girl you okay ?? But I’m telling you, she’s totally on for the date thinggg ~ Just text her the details and I’ll personally make sure she makes it in time and place, do not fre- env- do not worry, wow, I can’t even speak properly anymore, I'm turning into you. Anygayssss, maybe don’t text her today though, y’know ? Cause she’s like, freaked out as hellll, but um, yeah. See ya !”

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

'thank you' part on a tiktok kicking my feet like crazy, felt like I had to write it ~)

But yeah, hope you guys enjoyed reading, I love you allllll

Nana <3

[little-star-library]

Headcanons: Playing with Astarion’s Hair

Summary: Just some soft and fluffy headcanons about playing with Astarion’s hair. That man deserves to be coddled and pampered with all of the affection.

At first, Astarion didn’t care for anyone to touch his hair other than himself. After years and years of seducing so many people to lure back to his former master, there were plenty of people who had tangled their fingers through his hair and he developed a feeling of disdain and loathing at the sensation whenever someone got too close, like a hot brand that persisted until he was numb from the pain because none of it was ever real to him. It was all an act that he had to endure. But somehow that wasn’t the case when it came to you. You were different from everyone else. And it was frustrating beyond measure to accept the fact that he began to accept your touch more and more as the two of you grew closer.

It started with small, fleeting brushes of your fingers when you noticed the leaves and small twigs that got caught in his hair after a run in with some goblins. He hesitantly let you pluck out the debris and a twinge of warmth emanated from his undead heart at your gentle ministrations.

From then on, he would purposefully dishevel his snow colored waves and come to you with the excuse of the lack of his own reflection, saying that he only trusted you to fix it because Karlach would surely singe his hair by her own touch and Halsin’s hands were too large and would crumple his hair even more. You knew what he was doing, but secretly you didn’t mind at all.

“There we go, good as new.” You would say this every time with a smile and even though you would love to keep stroking his hair, as soft as it was, you would never cross that boundary unless he expressed his full consent to do so. You knew of his past and empathized with him not being comfortable with non-sexual intimacy because it was a foreign concept to him. He never got to personally experience something so simple and loving as that. And gods help him did he want you to keep going, but never really knew how to ask without embarrassing himself.

Luckily for him though, he didn’t have to wait too long before the opportunity arose. It was after the first time he convinced you to sleep with him and the two of you were laying in the grass under the starry night sky and he was nuzzling against the crook of your neck, trying to catch his breath even if it wasn’t really necessary. You were caressing his shoulders and your hands began to wander up to the curls at the nape of his neck and tentatively pet his hair , but you pulled away briefly so as not to upset him.

“No, don’t stop…please.” His voice came out as a soft whisper and he tightened his grip around your waist like you were going to disappear if he let you go and it made you melt from the inside to see him like this, and you didn’t need to be asked twice. You went back to entangle your fingers through his hair once more and lightly scratched at his scalp and he let out a hum as a silent ‘thank you’ and practically started purring when you kissed the crown of his head. The world around you began to blur until it was just you and him and there was nothing else that mattered other than this moment, and he silently pleaded for the sun to never rise so he could bask in your embrace just a little longer.

And after that night, he was hooked. Every night he would actively search you out and you would never turn him away. By now it was a common occurrence to spend the night in the privacy of your tent in comfortable silence by each other’s side while the rest of your traveling companions were asleep, usually with him reading a book and you playing with his hair as he rested his head in your lap.

One of his favorite pastimes however was when you would offer to wash his hair. You always thought he looked ruggedly handsome and carnal when he was in his element. You know it’s kind of off-putting to be attracted to something like that, but the sight of him when he had blood splattered across his cheeks and twisted into crimson ribbons throughout his hair was downright breathtaking. But you knew from your own experiences in battle that after a while, the blood cools and congeals into a sticky, wet mess on your skin and it was awfully discomforting after walking under the hot sun all day. Although Astarion would rather prefer an actual proper bath compared to scrubbing down in a freezing lake, he still insisted on using these special soaps and pomades which he may have acquired not so honorably stating that he wouldn’t be caught red-handed walking around smelling like ‘orthon roadkill’

He would give you detailed instructions on which products to use as you went and you dutifully complied just to see his expression turn to one of instant contentment as you scrubbed gently at his scalp to work the soap through the strands until the blood washed away and he was slowly oozing into a puddle of relaxation, almost slipping away into a short trance to rest his weary body. He would gladly return the favor in kind, making sure to wipe every patch of dirt and grime away until you were clean, his dexterous fingers feeling like an absolute godsend as they nimbly stroked thoroughly in your hair and he would smirk with pride when he had you moaning so sweetly just with his delicate touch.

He always enjoyed these small acts of intimacy that you shared with him and you helped show him a side of affection that was completely different from what he knew. There were no strings attached, no obligations he had to fulfill because there was no need for that. You were just expressing your care for him and you didn’t need to be repaid, always insisting on doting on him with your kindness and that made him nervous. He thought that after years of torment he would never actually catch a break or deserve any sort of reprieve after all of the awful things he went through, but you were his saving grace, the light at the end of the dark tunnel of his lonely existence. But as long as you were there, holding him in your arms and indulging him with your soothing touch, he felt like he could get used to this.

“You are worth so much more than you think, Astarion. I know it’s hard to see that, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to show you that.” Your hushed words struck him to his core and he desperately tried to contain the tears welling in his eyes from falling, pulling you closer to him as you both laid in your bedroll and left a chaste kiss on your lips in reverent gratitude. Although you two had only known each other for a short time now, you had already fallen for him and vice versa. There was no need to come to terms with your relationship until he was ready and if playing with his hair had been the beginning of your virtuous tenderness towards him, then he could not wait to see what else you had in store.

[azzyydoll]

MINE.

AYANO AISHI X FEM! READER

Summary: Ayano's moved on from Taro and now has a weird obsession over you and would do anything to make you hers.

"You going to the party tonight?" You ask your bestfriend, Amai and she raises an eyebrow slightly.

"The one Taro's hosting?" Amai's sweet voice questions and you nod your head with an 'mhm'.

Amai giggles at you and you feel your heart melt at her sweetness. Sometimes you wished you could be as perfect as her.

We can't always get what we want though.

¡ţ§ ţhə çømpłəţə øppø§¡ţə føř ªyªňø whəň ¡ț çømə§ ţø yøü

"Of course I'm going! You know how much I like Taro!" Amai said sighing at the end of her sentence and you smiled at her.

"I do." You giggled at her and suddenly stopped when you heard something rustle in the bushes. You felt eyes on you making you uneasy.

Luckily, you just arrived at your house— so you said goodbye to Amai and quickly ran inside your house.

You go upstairs to get changed when suddenly your doorbell rings. Your hesitant to answer since your parents aren't home and your alone.

You open the door and look around.

Nobody.

You look down and see a big white stuffed bunny and a note.

You raise an eyebrow and pick them up while smiling a bit. You walk inside, shutting and locking the door behind you.

You tear the note off of the bunny and read it carefully.

'FOR MY PRETTY GIRL, Y/N L/N'

Red ink.

Fancy.

"Wow, I wonder who gave me this.." you mumble with a slight giggle and head upstairs to your room.

You look at the note again and then look at the bunch. "It was probably Amai! She was the only one outside my house." You beamed.

"She's such a sweetheart!"

Oh how stupid you were.

So stupid.

T¡MƏ §K¡P.

You walked outside. It was currently 9:00 pm, time for Taro's party. You saw Amai waiting for you infront of her pastel blue car.

You immediately ran up to her and gave her a hug. "Amai! I thought we were using my car!" You giggled and Amai shrugged.

"I didn't wanna put you through all of that driving, ya know? And gas prices are high so consider it a favor!" She winked and giggled while you giggled with her.

"Yeah. Oh! And thank you for the gift earlier! Your so-" "Gift?" Amai cut you off in a confused tone

"I thought you got me that huge bunny with the note?" You say growing a little concerned. Amai was the only one at school who knew where you lived.

Or atleast that's what you thought.

"No? Did your parents come home early?" Amai asks sounding worried aswell.

"No, their in Vegas and they would've told me." You say and start to feel someone watching you again. "Let's get in the car..please "

Amai nods and you both quickly get in her car, chatting about how fun the party is going to be to get your minds off of whatever happened earlier.

T¡MƏ §K¡P.

God, it was a bad idea to come here.

It's loud.

Everybody's drunk.

And you can't find Amai.

You walk outside and sit against a tree. You stare at the empty sky, feeling the wind pick up as you call out for Amai once more.

You sigh, getting frustrated. A twig snaps behind you and you sit up immediately.

Another snaps, causing you to stand up fully as your heart speeds up.

It goes quiet for a second before you hear fast footsteps running towards you.

Oh hecks nah. (Coryxkenshin reference)

You begin to run the opposite way of the footsteps as you hear them coming louder and closer. You begin screaming as tears flow down your face and fear rushes through you.

Suddenly, your pushed down and you begin to sob harder. "Get off me!" You sob and a cloth is put over your mouth and nose.

Your screams are muffled as your vision begins to fade as you hear a feminine giggle.

"Calm down, pretty girl." A sort of deep, female voice says and your heart quickens at the words 'pretty girl'.

Pretty girl.

The same words written on the note.

You look up, vision still fading, seeing a familiar face.

Ayano Aishi.

The quiet girl at your school.

Why is she doing this?

Why you?

Ayano giggles once more before kissing your forehead. As you feel yourself go unconscious, the last thing you hear is:

"Your mine now, pretty girl."

Note: Wanted to make a story that was about something other than creepypasta.

I think I should just stick to creepypasta 🥲

[kaeso4ka]

You're just walking with Optimus through the winter forest. And your heart seems to be melting

Pairing: yandere Optimus Prime x reader

You looked around with bated breath. Snowflakes swirled in a slow, chaotic chorus, falling on the towering snowdrifts, the bare trees, your hot face….

You couldn't remember the last time you'd been this cold. The Nevada desert didn't allow snow even in her mind, but here, thousands of miles away from Jasper, winter was in full swing. You liked it.

Optimus, in his mass-shifted form, stood nearby, but paid no attention at all to the beauty of the winter forest. You had his undivided attention.

“Don't stare. It's indecent,” you smiled weakly, meeting your gaze with the blue optic, ”better look around. It's so beautiful!”

The mech obediently looked around the forest around them. Optimus' audio sensors registered many different sounds: the crackling of twigs, the rustles made by various animals… Yes, Cybertron was much quieter than Earth.

As Optimus turned his faceplate back to you, returning his attention to you, a hastily made snowball hit the area between his eyepieces.

“I told you not to stare,” you were hastily molding snowballs without letting Prime out of your sight, ‘are you always so lofty?’ the mountain of snowballs was growing rapidly, and you moved behind the nearest snowdrift, preparing to hold your defenses.

“What are you doing, my Spark?” as another snowball folded into a ball and crashed into Optimus' chestplate, Prime decided to repeat your actions as well. A very large snowball quickly formed under his metal palms.

“Obviously: declaring a snow war. But seriously, it's just a child's winter play,” you poked your head out of your hiding place, trying it on, ”and so far you've been hit in the head and chest. You should… “Before you could finish, Optimus's snowball hit you in the face, and you fell into a snowdrift. Your nose hurt, “ouch. Calculate your strength!”

“I'm sorry, my Spark…” as soon as Optimus took a step towards you, concerned about your condition, you almost completely jumped out from behind the snowdrift, launching all the snowballs you had managed to make at Optimus by then. And another. And another.

The mech froze, letting you use up all your snowballs.

“There we go, fifteen to one in my favor. I win,” you could feel the melting snow prickling your red cheeks, the moisture slowly creeping through the thick layer of clothing, but you were in no hurry to get up from the snow. “Actually, in case you've forgotten, back in Antarctica, you promised me a game of snowballs. And you never did until I dragged you down here myself.”

“I thought you were genuinely uncomfortable spending time with me.”

You froze. Your palm clenched on the snow, and you realized your mittens were no longer saving you from the stabbing cold.

“M-huh?… Well, yes, but… Actually, you could spend a little more time with me normally…. Hell, no. Forget it,” you pulled off your soaked mitten with irritation, blowing on your blushing palms, ”what a fool you are, do you even know about this?”

Optimus approached you, getting down to the same level as you. Gently he took someone else's wrist, covered the other's palm with his own. The warm metal, against the logic of the surrounding temperature, grew hotter with each passing moment. You smiled relaxedly.

“I'd be glad if you could point out what I should do more often. Sometimes I don't understand you at all,” Optimus lifted you out of the snowdrift a moment later, cradling you against him, ”but I really want to understand.”

You smiled duskily. Sometimes you didn't understand yourself.

She didn't understand why or why not she pressed herself harder against Optimus, responding to the hug.

Inwardly, you agreed that it was just the atmosphere of the winter forest that was affecting you.

[sunraies]

rafe request — can you please write about reader getting into an accident after a fight with race and rafe getting worried but make it really really dramatic like car accident life threatening, i wanna cry and feel angst 🫢

I mean this in the nicest way possible. I hope this is angst enough to make you cry. If this doesn't work, watch Daisy Jones and The Six. That made me cry today or the Notebook. We all need a good cry sometimes x

You Can Go Your Own Way

Rafe Cameron x Kook!Reader

Warnings- Angst. Car accident. Argument. mentions of a pregnancy scare. Talks about future. Hospital. Coma

As requested above.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

It wasn't even that big of an argument. At least wasn't meant to be until you told Rafe, you couldn't do it anymore.

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" He frowned, hurt flooding his eyes that you loved so much.

"I just. We keep going round in circles" You began gathering your things dotted around his room.

"Baby, stop" He tried to gently stop your hands before you moved away from him and continued "Baby, fucking stop!"

"Rafe, it just isn't going to work" You could feel the tears burning in your eyes as they threated to fall.

"It will! I promise" He tried to pull you closer but you resisted, knowing the minute you were in his arms, you would melt.

"Don't make promises you can't keep" You whispered before cutting off his reply "god, Rafe. I love you but we want different things. I'm off to college, and you'll be here, working for Ward."

"I never said I didn't want you to go," He frowned. "All I said was let's get married. "

You looked up to the ceiling before back down at him. "Because of a scare fucking pregnancy, Rafe" You pointed to the test thrown in his bathroom bin, only moments ago "God, your face when you were hoping it was positive. I can't do that. I don't want that. Not right now."

"I know, baby, I know." He ran a hand through his hair, "but I meant it, I would marry you. Not because of a baby but because I fucking love you"

You shook your head and swallowed "I don't want to be some tropy wife. I've seen how it broke my mother. She had so many dreams and I do too. You can't come with me and I can't stay here"

You had always wanted a life bigger than Outerbanks could give you. Collage in New York was that chance. Your heart was torn in two, all because you had fallen in love with Rafe Cameron.

"I love your dreams" Rafe looked like he could cry too. "I want you to live them, baby"

"I can't do that as a married collage student with my husband half way across the country. All I'm asking is that we wait. I can't give you the future you want right now"

"Why wait? It's just a ring. It shows that you are mine." He sighed before your eyes widened. It suddenly twigged, the other reason he had asked you.

"That's it! Fuck Rafe, do you really think that little of me? I'm not going to sleep around!"

"No. No. It's the guys I don't trust" He desperately tried to reach for you as you nodded and picked up the last of your things. "Baby, please"

"I'm not something you can fucking own, Rafe"

You had been together for two years and it was wonderful. Rafe was kind, caring, protective but the one thing that always caused a problem was when the protectiveness turned into possessiveness. A little you could handle, an arm around you at a party, a kiss on temple as you talked to another guy but the fighting, the anger at someone for even looking at you the wrong way, it was too much.

As you stammered your car door and locked it. Rafe ran out to you and hammered on the window. He called out to you, but you drove away, leaving him cursing barefoot in the driveway.

You weren't sure where to go. You couldn't go back home right a way. The moment your mother saw you crying, it would feel too real. Your best friend was most likely in The Cut, and again, if you fall into her arms, it would be too much to bare. You loved her brother so much, it hurt. So you drove into the night to clear your head.

It happened quickly. They say things can change in the blink of an eye. That life is made up of split seconds.

You had been adjusting the volume on the radio as 'Go Your Own Way' by Fleetwood Mac played. It seemed like the sky was crying with you as it began raining heavily.

Your phone lit up with a message distracting you.

Gorgeous 👑 - 'Call me or tell me when you are home safe...'

The rest of the message was cut off.

The name you had given him made you smile at the memory of him finding it. It was a few months into your relationship, even after the years together, you hadn't changed it.

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

"Why gorgeous? And a crown. " He frowned as he stared at your phone

"Because you're my gorgeous king." You kissed his cheek

"That's fucking cheesy as shit" He teased before you grabbed his phone

"Oh yeah, what's yours, then, huh?" You opened it, smiling at his lock screen of you before finding the contact and laughing "Baby with a red heart? And mine was cheesy"

"Shut up" He blushed before pining you down on the bed as you laughed.

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

When you glanced back up at the road, all you could do was gasp as yellow headlights blinded you. You tried to swerve but you just felt the car spin out of control on the wet road before the impact of metal hitting metal, the stretching, the boom of air bags, the smell of burnt rubber and the iron taste of blood.

Every nerve in your body screamed as your head felt heavy. Somehow, you ended upside down. You could hear a strangers voice, muffled like it was under water. A buzzing caught your attention as your phone lay broken on the road. Rafe’s face appearing on the screen, his gorgeous smile, broken and cracked as it showed he was calling. It was the last thing you saw before losing conciseness.

*-*-*-*

"Who the fuck are you?" Rafe asked as a male voice was on the other end of the phone.

"Calm down, son." The officer, on the other end, replied, "I'm officer Warron, now I need you to remain calm for moment."

Rafe dropped to the floor, holding his head as Officer Warron told him you had been involved in a road traffic accident and that you had been transferred to the General on the main land in crucial condition. They had contacted him as your mother had told them too, he needed to know. She couldn't bring herself to do it, and he was the last call on your broken phone.

He got to the hospital as quickly as he could, taking the Druthers as fast as it would possibly go. He almost forgot to pay the taxi before following the instructions your mother had messaged.

"Oh, Rafe!" Your tearful mother embraced him as he entered your room. He gently patted her back as he looked over to you.

You looked so broken and fragile in the bed, hooked up to a million machines. He just stared feeling completely numb.

"I know, it looks scary, but they said the surgeries went well. They put. They put her in an induced coma to, to help the healing." Your mother stumbled over her words. "She can hear you"

All Rafe could do was nod before your mother gave him a sad smile. "I'll give you two a moment," she moved to kiss your cheek before speaking to you. "I'm just going to update your dad, sweetie. Rafe's here. He's here."

They both could have sworn your heart beat raised a little at her words before she left.

Rafe stumbled into the seat next to your bed and shakily took your hand. "Shit, baby. I don't. I don't even know what to say, " He whispered. "I'm so sorry. Fuck..."

He suddenly broke down, his head on your arm as he sobbed. The only sounds filling the room were the beeping of your machines and his broken sniffles.

[cailinsblog]

Puppy Love in the Snow-Clayton Keller

Clayton Keller x reader

Masterlist

The first snow of the season had come overnight, transforming the quiet Arizona neighborhood into a winter wonderland. Snow blanketed the streets, rooftops, and trees, making the world look like a scene from a holiday postcard. The air was crisp, and the early morning sun glistened on the fresh powder.

Clayton Keller and his girlfriend, Y/N, stood by the front door of their cozy home, bundling up in layers. Today wasn’t just about enjoying the snow—it was about making memories with their new addition to the family: a golden retriever puppy named Sammy.

Sammy was a ball of energy and fluff, his soft golden fur standing out against the stark white snow. He bounced excitedly at their feet, his tail wagging furiously as he pawed at the snow piled up on the porch. His little puppy barks echoed in the stillness, filled with pure joy and curiosity.

Clayton chuckled as he pulled on his gloves, watching Sammy attempt to bite a snowflake. “I think he loves the snow more than we do,” he said, his voice filled with warmth.

Y/N laughed, her cheeks already rosy from the cold. “I think you’re right. He’s been waiting for this moment since the day we brought him home.” She crouched down, gently ruffling Sammy’s ears. “Ready to go on your first snow adventure, buddy?”

Sammy responded with an enthusiastic bark, his little body wriggling with excitement. Clayton reached down, clipping the leash onto Sammy’s collar. “Alright, let’s hit the trail,” he said, holding out a hand for Y/N.

She slipped her gloved hand into his, and together, the three of them set off into the snowy wonderland.

The neighborhood was quiet, with only a few other brave souls venturing out into the cold. The snow crunched beneath their boots as they walked along the tree-lined path that led to the nearby park. Sammy trotted happily beside them, his tiny paws leaving a trail of prints in the fresh snow.

Every few steps, Sammy would stop to investigate something—a twig poking out of the snow, a bird fluttering in a tree, or just a particularly interesting patch of snow. He’d pounce on it, his little legs flailing as he tried to dig or chase whatever caught his attention.

Clayton couldn’t stop smiling as he watched their puppy explore. “He’s got so much energy,” he said, squeezing Y/N’s hand. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this excited.”

Y/N nodded, her heart melting at the sight of Sammy’s playful antics. “It’s like he’s discovered a whole new world. Look at him—he’s so happy.”

At one point, Sammy decided that Y/N’s boots were the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. He pounced on her feet, barking and wagging his tail as if inviting her to play. Y/N laughed, bending down to scoop him up into her arms.

“Sammy, you silly pup,” she said, cradling him against her chest. His warm little body contrasted with the cold air, and his soft fur brushed against her cheek. “You’re already the highlight of this walk.”

Clayton leaned in, gently kissing Y/N’s temple. “I think he’s got some competition,” he teased. “You’re pretty good company yourself.”

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling with happiness. “Well, I think we make a pretty great team—all three of us.”

As they reached the park, they let Sammy off his leash in the designated dog area. The puppy immediately took off, bounding through the snow like a little golden blur. He chased after snowballs that Clayton tossed, his joyful barks filling the air as he leaped and twirled in the snow.

Y/N pulled out her phone, capturing videos and photos of Sammy’s playful antics. “We’re going to have so many memories from today,” she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Clayton came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as they watched Sammy play. “I wouldn’t want to spend this day with anyone else,” he said softly, resting his chin on her shoulder.

Y/N leaned into him, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against her back. “Me neither,” she whispered. “This is perfect.”

They stood there for a while, wrapped in each other’s warmth, as the snow continued to fall gently around them. Sammy eventually tired himself out and trotted back to them, his tongue hanging out and his eyes sparkling with happiness.

Clayton knelt down, scooping Sammy into his arms. “Alright, buddy. You ready to head back home?” Sammy licked Clayton’s cheek in response, making him laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

As they walked back, Sammy nestled comfortably in Clayton’s arms, his little head resting against Clayton’s chest. Y/N reached over, stroking Sammy’s fur gently. “He’s going to sleep like a rock tonight,” she said with a smile.

“Same,” Clayton replied, grinning. “But first, we’re making hot chocolate when we get home.”

“And cuddling on the couch with Sammy,” Y/N added.

“Absolutely,” Clayton agreed. “Best way to end a snowy day.”

By the time they reached their house, the snow was beginning to taper off, and the sky had taken on a soft, golden hue. Inside, the warmth of their home greeted them like a comforting hug. Clayton set Sammy down on his little dog bed, and within moments, the puppy was fast asleep, his tiny body rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

Clayton and Y/N curled up on the couch, wrapped in a soft blanket, their mugs of hot chocolate steaming in their hands. They watched the snow continue to fall outside, their hearts full of love and contentment.

“Today was perfect,” Y/N said softly, leaning her head against Clayton’s shoulder.

Clayton smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Every day with you and Sammy is perfect,” he said. “I can’t wait for all the adventures we’re going to have together.”

And as they sat there, with their little family complete, they knew that this was just the beginning of a lifetime of love, laughter, and snowy memories.

[afreakingdork]

Writing Request: OC x Raph Pampering ❤️‍🩹

Next up we got @eeveetrevelyan who's heart went out to Weak Spot Raph, especially after the fiasco of chapters 38-40. They wanted their OC, Theresa to have a little protective sess with him and get his number!

Takes place in the Weak Spot universe after the events of chapter 40.

Since the poll closes in the AM, I'm about to close up shop seeing as I'll have sleep until then, but please, keep sharing and voting Hassan/Mikey in this poll. Tell all your friends! Fandom or not!

ᴰᶦˢᶜˡᵃᶦᵐᵉʳ: ᴵ ᵃᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶦⁿ ᵃⁿʸʷᵃʸ ᵃˢˢᵒᶜᶦᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵒʳ ᵉⁿᵈᵒʳˢᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵉᵗᶦᵗᶦᵒⁿ ᵒʳ ᶦᵗˢ ᶜᵒⁿᵗᵉˢᵗᵃⁿᵗˢ.

A cute PG protecc and meet below:

“Can I get the pastrami?” Raph stared at the menu board that was almost at this eye level.

“We’re out.”

He openly hummed. “Turkey pesto?”

“We have chicken.”

Raph looked down at the petite cashier. “Should I… you know? Go… somewhere else or…?”

She stared back evenly. “We welcome mutants, we’re just out of stock right now. Manager went to get emergency stuff from wholesale. Something about not paying on time.”

“Yikes.” He grimaced.

“I better get a paycheck.” She responded dryly. “I’m supposed to be pretending nothing is up.”

“What do you got with the chicken?” He pointed.

She looked a little like her soul left her body. “Just chicken.”

He gaped. “No… bread…?”

She shook her head.

“Salad?”

“Just chicken.” She pleaded to him with her eyes.

“Just chicken.” He repeated with the same exhausted tenor.

Today was not his day.

This was not his week.

The month was something he easily wrote off.

He might as well excavate the year from existence.

Family. “I’ll take the chicken. Is there…?”

“No sauce.”

“Just chicken.” He decided and still paid an exorbitant price.

She better be getting that paycheck, he thought as he meandered toward the empty dining room. He minded his tail as he slipped between seats that were fall too small to fit his frame. They would snap like twigs if he tried so he didn’t. He stood still and in stasis as he tried to piece his life together.

Late night patrol with the team.

Leo pulling his usual stunts.

Obsessed and exhausted, his little brother was long past burnt out. He was somewhere charred to a crisp and still roasted. He refused to turn his own burner off and had long melted into the pan. Steel wool and acid wouldn’t scrape the Leo residuals off and the worst of it was Raph had to watch it all happen.

If he tried to even approach the subject, Leo either ran or shut him down with pulled rank.

He didn’t understand it.

They were quickly becoming the villain’s Leo so detested.

Or at least the one villain.

The singular villain that was the only one to get under his brother’s skin.

Raph still wasn’t sure how he not only survived a scrape with Donatello let alone doing so after having  kidnapped his partner. That whole day at the farmer’s market still haunted Raph and he very much wanted to put it behind him.

They all did in one form or another, except Leo.

Leo was still vigilant.

Leo ran laps around the lair still convinced it was somehow bugged and compromised. He kept them all up and he simply portaled away when anyone tried to catch him. He ripped food stuffs out of their hands to analyze them and bounced of veritable walls whenever they tried to walk through more than two rooms in a row.

If Raph had to hear his brother one more time say something about taking bearings he was going to scream.

So, he got out.

He left just as Mikey had a couple days ago.

The youngest texted and Raph wished he had that kind of freedom.

No, someone had to watch Leo.

Someone had to keep dad company.

He was exhausted.

Raph wilted right there and out of his nostrils came a decompressing whistle. With Leo’s nightly raid, he probably hadn’t slept more than a few hours in a week and it was wearing on him. He didn’t have the same stamina as he used to and years of battering his body certainly didn’t help.

Raph scratched the back of his head.

Just chicken sure was taking while.

He peeked over his shoulder to see how it was going and saw a neat looking to-go box sitting right there on the counter.

He hadn’t ordered it that way.

The cashier wouldn’t look at him.

He was back to wondering if this place was actually anti-mutant and scolded himself for fall for the girl’s lines.

Was he that tired?

He turned with the intention of getting the box and his tail twitched out.

He winced before the destruction came.

In a single swipe, he knocked one lightweight chair over and it dominoed into the others. One by one the spindly tables caught and clattered to the ground in a way that was thunderous in the small café. Raph was stuck, still, in the epicenter of the carnage and watched as the cashier looked at owlishly.

“What did you do!?” She hissed.

There it was.

He wasn’t even surprised.

He guessed in a way he had been waiting.

“I did what you asked! You get in! You get out!! What the fuck!?”

“Me, yeah.” Raph bit sarcasm.

He moved forward to grab his box and leave.

There was no point in trying to set everything right.

Just like Leo, it was a lost cause.

His hand had almost touched the cardboard when she snatched it from him.

“You know what, you monster?!” She held it high.

He watched on with dying light in his eyes.

In a overhand toss, she threw the box on the floor.

He watched with a slow rotation as the chicken inside slid out onto the floor and immediately stop as it was so dry it created friction.

“Eat it like you deserve, mutie.”

“Very professional. Spectacular service.” Raph clicked his tongue and went to leave.

There was some kind of board to report this too.

This seemed egregious enough to bother.

He had to find the digits without Leo freaking out.

He’d probably think this was somehow Donatello’s fault too.

“You eat it!!”

Raph blinked and turned to find a woman he hadn’t realized was there scoop the chicken puck right off the floor.

She then threw it in the general direction of the employee where it missed so completely that said girl didn't even flinch.

It soared behind the counter and everyone watched it plop to the ground.

Raph felt a hand on his and turned to find the vigilante woman tugging him. "Let's go!"

He sort of managed an agreement as he was tugged straight outside. "Uh!"

"Just a bit more...!" She seemed to have a destination in mind so Raph stumbled after her.

Behind him there was a scream that sounded a little too much it belonged the shop girl. "Ma'am...?"

"It's alright, sweetie! Just around here."

She turned a corner and made sure he was behind it before she peeked back out.

He stood blinking at the curvy powerhouse with poor aim.

"Coast is clear!" She turned to him with a jovial smile.

"From what exactly...?" He couldn't help but ask.

"This!" She gestured for him to hold his hand out.

He did so.

She deposited a small wad of bills into his hand.

"O-oh!" He quacked. "I'm sorry. I can't accept this. These things happen, I just-"

"It's from her tip jar!"

"What?" The sound popped right out of him.

"A refund." She curled his fingers over the money and patted them. "You deserve that much."

"Uh lady, er, ma'am, that's..."

"Oh." She scolded him with a little wriggle of her body.

He cracked a smile.

"It's like nine dollars tops. How much did you pay?"

"Twenty-three..."

"Sweetie."

"Plus tip."

"Sweetie, no. That's it. I know a good place. Come on!" She caught his closed fist and tried to lead him.

"Ma'am!" He easily held steady.

She turned on him. "How old are you?"

"36."

"No more of that ma'am stuff then." She gently tapped him.

He got her insinuation and nodded.

"I'm taking you to lunch. What were you trying to get? Was that chicken? It didn't feel like it. I can't believe her."

Raph took a testing step forward and she started walking on her own.

He smiled as he followed and she continued on. "People like her give humans a bad name! We aren't all like that. No, sir! She's young. Impressionable! Someone, the owner maybe, filled her head with that. Can't have that. I'm going to make up for it."

It was nice in a way.

He still felt like he was taking advantage of her kindness, but when the was the last time someone doted on him.

Even Mikey had been distant lately.

The stress of the lair had been too much.

Work had been busy and a lot of kids in this generation weren't as eager to learn.

The parent's complained of their work ethic even though Raph tried his hardest to make martial arts interesting.

It was nice.

Nice to be seen.

Nice to be taken care of in this small way.

A kindness.

"Oh, what am I saying!?" She turned to him while still walking. "Theresa, by the way! I can't believe I forgot introductions! Here I am kidnapping you and you don't even have my name."

"Raph, or Raphael, but really Raph."

"A long one." Her eyes crinkled.

She had him. "Raph." He spoke sternly.

"Raph. Nice to meet you." She held her hand out.

She squeezed him good for the shake.

He appreciated that and together they veered a few streets while she went on about mutants. She clearly had great intentions in mind, but she saw how she could be a little pushy. It seemed she had her fill of rude people with her profession. Since she worked at a Dentist's office, which already wasn't folks favorite destination, she had seen her fair share of nasty patrons.

She would have loved to change them through kindness, but being on the nicer side of things was getting harder.

Raph couldn't sympathize more and found himself skirting the line in talking about his family life. He geared it more general, trying to talk about how his bulky size made him a burden and found it was a sort of simile for how he felt in the family. He represented this huge presence in the lair and even after all these years he was still taken for granted. Ever since he had been told he was no longer leader, he was forced to take all the care he shouldered and instead make himself small.

Theresa watched on with honeyed eyes as they got in line at a different cafe. An eclectic bunch were sitting at the tables, including a cool looking lizard mutant. Everyone around them chatted genially and Raph found he could relax into his conversation with Theresa. The fine lines around her eyes spoke to her good nature and he found himself trending more toward that attitude.

He couldn't remember the last time he had really let loose.

"Chicken?" She pointed at the menu.

"Not a chance. Pastrami." He jumped at the menu option.

"We've got that in mini, regular, large, and maximum."

Raph lit up at the final choice that, for once, looked like a meal that would fit his hands, but he was on someone's dime.

He subtracted the nine crumpled bills from his old total and that left him at a regular. "The second size, please."

"For me." Theresa cut in. "I'll get the same and a maximum for him."

"Theresa." He loomed over her.

She wasn't the slightest bit perturbed by his size. "Wait until you see the seating area."

it seemed like the stage moved around him and he was spoiled for choice.

There were chairs for the tiniest of butts, all the way to ones that dwarfed even him. He all but danced in their direction and felt his tail smack something. Just as before he closed his eyes before the ensuing crash, but all that happened was the people continued to chat around him.

Raph cracked his eyes open to find nothing had fallen.

The chairs were both of decent quality, but also adequate heft.

Even the tables looked like they'd survive a flood through the New York streets and Raph almost sobbed as he plopped down in a chair that was just right. It even had a slot he could tuck his tail through and there was something so comforting about just having place that he did allow a few shiny pricks to dot the edges of his eyes.

"You are breaking my heart..." Theresa mooned.

"Sorry, sorry..." He sniffled down at her and found she was holding out a tissue from a portable pack. "Oh man, you are spoiling me."

"Seems like no one else has. That bugs me."

He chuckled and patted his cheeks dry. "It's not biggie. I'm the big brother in my family. We had it rough and I did what I could."

"And since then?" Theresa tilted her head.

"Since?" He looked at her earnestly.

"You've made time for yourself since?"

He blinked.

She stared back.

The food arrived.

Neither looked.

Both thanked the employee.

"I know we just met. I don't want to be intrude, but... you do take time for yourself now, don't you? Or are you still...?"

"I mean they need me. Especially Leo, he-" Raph cut himself off. "No. That's not for me to talk about."

He turned down into his sandwich and saw how it was just his size.

He took his time in getting it into his hands.

He relished how the bread crunched, but had soft give.

There was a mountain of meat inside.

He could, for once, easily check off his daily intake of protein.

He bit into it and positively melted.

It just a few chews all his worries had melted away.

"Pretty good!" Theresa chirped a slight contrast.

Raph laughed. "Pretty good! This is amazing!"

She giggled.

Another carefree note that sweetly coaxed him.

It was unlike Mikey's detachment.

Where the littlest disassociated in his supposed freedom, the woman sat across from it oozed it naturally.

She was the definition of airy.

She was a warm summer's breeze.

A soothing brush to clear out stale air.

"I'm sorry for prying." She confessed from behind a napkin.

"No, you didn't." He shook his head.

"I did force you to eat."

"I needed to." His lips sat in a lazy smile. "It feels good. Talking to you. You letting it go. You minded me. It's all... nice. Just nice. Really nice."

She grinned. "We could do it again."

"Huh?" He had his jaw unhinged to take another bite.

"Get lunch. Again, no judging, but you really needed this lunch break. Let's do it again. I know I could!"

"Did it... help you?"

She hummed as she juggled the thought. "Maybe not how you would think. It's nice to just talk to another decent person!"

"I feel like I haven't said much..."

"I don't know. There's a lot you didn't say."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." She smiled down at her plate and those crow's feet tickled her eyes. "You took the street side when we walked. You got the door for me when we walked in. You tried to get the smaller size since I was paying. You're clearly protecting your family and I still don't know how you were just going to walk out of that other place empty handed."

"It wasn't worth it."

"It should be."

His lips parted.

She looked right at him and he felt a little jarred by the intensity. "You should be."

He wouldn't cry.

He cried over smaller things.

Like how tiny baby ducks in the park were.

When a two people fought in a movie and made up.

The moment he bit into a perfectly warm pastry.

No, for her he felt something else.

He didn't have a name for it yet, but he wanted to find out.

He allowed himself to.

"Wanna exchange numbers?" Raph was already going for his phone.

"Sure!" She went for her own and started on about her work schedule and how they could figure something out.

Raph was sure they would.

[marilynthornhilllover]

When you call my name. do you think I'll come running? { chapter 6}

+ my heart skips a beat at once

+ when did it end? All the enjoyment...

+ I'm sad again

Alcina dimitrescu x fem!reader

Warning: kidnapping, broken bones , anxiety, depression, implied pain, chronic pain and depression, heavy violence, grief, regret, anger, frustration, sadness, depression. etc HUGE PLOT TWIST. HUGE CLIFFHANGER. read chapter 5 here!

Reader's pov*

You felt as if you've been running for hours on end. Your chest was raising and falling heavily with every breath you took. Your heart was pounding against your chest so hard you thought it would eventually rip itself out and run away. You stopped and held onto a tree, taking a large capacity of air into your lungs - man did it feel nice. You dropped your bag of supplies and sat down on top of it. You looked up at the sky and sighed. Luckily for you, you've made it to the middle of the forest called middle crew, mainly from lyans always hunting in groups and only reaching as far in the middle before hunters killing them off..but you haven't had any encountered any lycans or worse - mother miranda.

You took out some water and began to gulp it down rapidly. After drinking the entire bottle you threw the bottle away but that's when you heard a branch crack. Your entire body froze as you listened again.

Crack

Another twig crunched. At first you thought It was the bottle you threw but now it's clear that it's not. You slowly slid yourself up the tree while getting up - this way you won't make any unnecessary noise to inform your predator what you were doing. You remember alcina saying that lyans can smell fear, it's a natural instinct of them. Since..well before they died fear was all they knew.

You grabbed your bag and pulled it over your shoulder. You looked back and saw no one. You carefully started tip toeing away from your current position. That's when you heard another twig crack, so you immediately froze once again.

" y/n" you heard. Your eyebrows quirk as you dropped your bag. Was your brain playing trick on you? Or was it really alcina? Even if it was why would she call your name so loud, knowing the situation.

"Y/n!" You heard her whisper, but it was almost like a shout. You emerged from behind the tree and saw alcina standing some good distance away from you.

" alcina?" You called out looking at her weirdly. Something about the way she looked made you scared to your bones. Your gut was telling you to run for your life and never look back.... but why?.

Each step you took backwards she followed.

" what are you doing here?" You asked slowly looking for ways you can escape. She chuckled softly and took three steps towards you. She sighed as she looked at the mixture of confusion and fear on your face. She placed her hands behind her as if she was a shy little kid and looked up at you through lidded eyes.

She chuckled again and stood up straight. That's when she gaved you the most sinister smirk and your heart dropped. Alcina started to melt and reform. You watched in horror as her eyes disappeared and her body moved like a snake trying to find its home.

Suddenly miranda appeared infront of you. Needles started piercing through your skin as realization hit you like a moving train at 100 miles per hour.

Miranda can shape-shift....

You didn't know whether or not to run, hide or fall to your knees and beg the earth to save you by opening up and swallowing you - but neither one couldn't save you....

Your breathing started to get expeditious as your body was still trying to process what's happening or rather... what's going to happen.

" Oh little lamb... are you scared?" She asked in a caring voice, almost mocking really. She faked a pout as she took a step closer to you, but stopped dead in her tracks when you backed away. Tears began to form in your eyes as you shook your head in disbelief. You mouthed the word 'no' and miranda let out a squeal of a laugh.

" you didn't really think I was alcina, your so called lover did you?" She asked and when she saw that fear started take it's rightful place in your eyes as your breath got faster she took a step closer to you. Tilting her head to the side, studying your expressions.

" when you call her name.... do you really think she'll come running?" She asked softly walking up to you, until your back hit a tree.

" Well well, dimitrescu really has you under her love spell doesn't she" she chuckled walking around the tree, leaving cravings with her sharp deadly golden talons. She stopped right in front of you and looked at you dead in the eyes. You could feel her blue eyes piercing into your soul, ripping every good thing that was felt in you.

" who is lady dimitrescu?" She asked, her voice now high pitched, startling you. You were basically shaking with fear. No one wanted to die by the hands of miranda. Matter of fact no one wants to die.

" she's not a monster" you whispered, looking at her from head to toe. Dressed in her long sleeve, floor length black dress with a sliver and black cloak with bits of gold across her shoulder that had her coat of arms on it. You realized that her feet could not be seen, there was thick layers of feathers covering them entirely. Although her cloak has a hair vail, you were still able to see her golden blonde-ish grey-ish hair.

" to whom do I speak to?" She asked her voice probably colder than Antarctica and sharper than Russian blades. Miranda spoke in a way that was soft, yet she demanded an answer, she allowed you time to answer, yet punishment for hesitation was always given.

" alcina is not a monster..." You whispered, finding the last bit of courage you had in you to use against the black god standing before you. You would always defend alcina, even though she was who she was. You didn't care if miranda kills you for her, even though you don't want to die you'd take your death. You loved alcina. And you hope she'd do all the things you do for her for you.

" telling me who she isn't, doesn't tell me who she is, a smart girl like you should know that. What are you on earth for? pretty looks? That you certainly don't have? I don't even know how alcina could defy me for you.... your as worthless as Heisenberg.... oops don't tell him I said that. Matter of fact, do tell him. I mean what is he going to do? Hit me with his hammer?" She asked her voice raspy as she laughed like a crazy person.

" how am I going to tell him that?" You asked sarcastically. Miranda stopped laughing and looked at you seriously, before laughing again before it came to a halt.

" That's right little one. Your a nobody, to some you exists and to others you weren't even born" your blood boiled as you looked her dead in the eyes.

" fuck you miranda" you spoke before running off. You didn't know what made you think it was possible to out run mother miranda even though you were a fantastic runner. A super natural force lifted you up off the ground and slammed you against a tree, repeating this process until you were weak.

She grabbed your limp body before it was able to fall to the ground and held you up. She allowed you to fill your lungs with air for a while before she started choking you, lifting your body high above the ground all together. Miranda threw back her head and laughed in your face. You quickly grabbed her hand that was around your neck, slightly pulling it down with any strength left in you, this way she wouldn't kill you on the spot from strangulation.

" why are you running from the heat in the kitchen when your the one that volunteered to cook?" She asked smiling at you innocently. She smiled as you started to trash against the tree, loosing air more quickly than she thought you would.

" you can run but you can't hide, you should know that" she spoke, her voice dark and sultry.

She dropped you. You gasped for air as your body fell from the air but mid way she grabbed a tree trunk that was suitable for her hand and slammed it against your stomach. You felt the impact and screamed. When you fell to the floor that's when you started feeling pain. The pain was unbearable. You thought you were going to die on the spot. For sure she had a broken rib cage. You protected your stomach by wrapping your arms around yourself.

You started crying.

" weak!" She screamed. She angrily picked you up and threw you against a tree. How the fuck did she get this strength you didn't know because if you did you'd go sign up to get it too. You sobbed as you whimpered trying to crawl your way from her.

" YOU HEAR ME?! YOUR WEAK" she screamed more, making the birds that were sitting on the trees fly away as she stepped on your arm breaking it. You cried out very loudly. Miranda froze as she felt the scream in her bones.

" ah yes. The scream of love.... your calling for your lover..... but she's not here is she?" She mocked you as she knelt to be on the same eye leavel as you. She took a strand of sweaty hair that was sticked to your face and placed it behind your ear. She 'tsk' in a cooing way.

" worthless, weak and desperate.... if alcina loved you wouldn't she be here? Oh wait! Let me rephrase.... would she have sent you out here knowing well enough I would be lerking in this forest?" She smirked. " I told alcina theses same words.... with blood and sweat i will find you..." She whispered before standing back up straight.

Your vision started to get blurred as you were starting to lose consciousness. The pain was becoming too much. But upon remembering how much you suffered when you were once in Miranda's captive you tried the fight the pain... and the unfightable force to.. sleep...

" don't fight it my love.... everything will hopefully be alright" that was the last thing you heard, along with seeing miranda's ugly face before you passed out.

Alcinas pov *

Alcina was waken by a sudden loudness of a heartbeat - your heartbeat. She squinted her eyes to see what time it was on her digital clock. She sighed and sat up against her headboard. She looked around her room darkness prorated her eyes. The other side of the bed was cold as ever, regret started to fill her cells in her body, realizationhit her just as it had hit you. The call was late.....

Why hadn't Donna called her yet?

Alcina flew up from her bed and immediately ran out of her room, maids jumping as they moved out the her way as she walked quickly towards her study.

She opened the door, almost pulling off the handle.

" good morning my lady, your up quite early!what would you like for breakfast-"

Slam

Elizabeth stood there stunned but she sighed and went downstairs.

Alcina moved quickly towards the phone in her study and dialed Donna house number.

" PICK UP THE FUCKING PHONE DONNA" she shouted putting one hand on her hip as she held the bridge of her nose with the other. The phone rang for another minute before Donna picked up. The lady one the other line had only gotten up a few minutes ago to get an hour of meditation before sitting down to have her morning tea with her doll, before a ringing of a phone interpreted her peace.

She groaned as she walked swiftly towards the phone and picked it up.

" hello-" before she could answer properly and ask who it was alcina was aleady shouting at her.

"WHERE IS SHE?" alcina shouted through the phone making Donna pull it away from her ear with a whine, from the loudness of the phone.

" good morning to you too alcina, look i'll go look for her later today and bring her to you, i was tired i-" alcina cut her off shouting again.

" LATER TODAY? ITS 2:45 AM DONNA! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE FOREST SINCE MIDNIGHT, SHES SUPPOSED TO BE CROSSING MIDDLE CREW NOW WHERE MIRANDA LERKS-" alcina was cut off by a blood curling scream.

Only she heard it. She felt it in her heart, she felt the pain, the distress, the confusion, the betrayal, she felt everything you were feeling. She immediately knew mother miranda had already gotten to you. Alcina hang up the phone with Donna and immediately called Miranda's lab line.

The Phone rang out and went straight to voice mail.

"FUCK! ANSWER THE PHONE YOU BITCH" she mumbled to herself. Alcina could feel her very own heart racing from out of her chest. She needed to know you were ok... that you were going to be ok.

She called again and finally miranda answered.

" I knew I would receive a call from my dearest daughter-" before Miranda could go on alcina cut her off.

"WHERE THE FUCK IS Y/N! I SWEAR MIRANDA IF YOU HURT HER I'LL - " alcina stopped as miranda spoke.

" YOU'LL DO WHAT?!" She screamed through the phone. Alcina fell silent knowing there was little to nothing she could actually do, because miranda has you under lock and key protection. Tears started to form in alcinas eyes as she held her forehead in her hands, crying - sobbing.

" Well will you look at that.... the big bad wolf actually crys" miranda said, her voice cracking exposing the sympathy she had for alcina deep down inside. As she spoke up again it disappeared just as it had appeared.

" I told you alcina..... many years ago..... if you can still remember the pain I HAD TO PUT YOU THROUGH.... I told you If you ever dared to go against me that I WOULD TAKE WHAT EVER IT IS THAT YOU LOVE MOST! now your lucky I have compassion for thoses girls and am proud of the young women they became because I gaved them to you and I would not hesitate to cut them down!" She shouted and alcina sobbed into her hand.

She couldn't risk the girls she loved them.... but she also loved you.... your the first person she had ever loved in over a thousand years.

" I want to test her, to see if she can be evas vessel... if not she'll probably turn out like you..." She said coldly but with a hint of of that you'll be Eva's vessel.

" MIRANDA NO PLEASE! SHE'LL DIE IF YOU TEST ON HER! THE MOLD WILL KILL HER ON THE SPOT.PLEASE DON'T HURT HER PLEASE! I'LL GET YOU SOMEONE ELSE FROM THE VILLAGE! I'LL DO ANYTHING PLEASE! I'LL TAKE HER OUT OF THE COUNTRY NO OF US WILL EVEN REMEMBER SHE WAS HERE!" Alcina protested.

" no alcina. I gaved you a chance to get rid of her and you DISOBEY ME! ME!!!" She screamed at the last word as if she was insulted.

" BUT THATS NOT FAIR SHE WAS HALF WAS ACROSS! YOU STOPPED HER!" Alcina shouted.

"TO WHOM DO YOU SPEAK TO!? AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR YOU! YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME! YOU UNGRATEFUL PIECE OF SHIT!" miranda shouted. Alcinas heart stopped as she got flashbacks.... that was a sentence her mom used to say alot. Alcina didn't want to become the next reigning queen of the village she wanted to play jazz aboard, but of course that was below her mom's standards for her.

" mother please...." She whispered her voice breaking as tears overflowed her eyes and clouded her vision.

" I love that girl mother...... just as you loved eva" alcina whispered. Hoping in her heart that miranda would give her a second chance or even give you a second chance, it was rare but its also possible.

" I'll take her stand, please mother just don't hurt her...." alcina whisper again.

" she's my one chance of survival and happiness..." alcina muttered choking on her tears.

There was a long silence over the phone of Miranda's end .... alcina thought that miranda was thinking about it.

" NO! I GAVED YOU MANY CHANCES! MY DECISION IS FINAL THERE WILL BE NO ARGUMENT! YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT IS DUE" miranda ended the call and alcina fell to her knees crying and choking on her tears. Alcina felt her heart rip in half.... it had no use now.... it might as well come out of her chest and leave her heartless....

Alcina couldn't stop thinking of you..... she did this to you.... she brought danger to your door. She hurt you. She made you feel pain that you didn't even think was possible to be felt. Alcina felt like she should die.... if your hurting because of her she deserves to die.

Meanwhile you layed on the lab bed in Miranda's personal lab as she stood above you....

She was talking.... you were hearing her, something about was she was about to do would hurt but you weren't listening.... you didn't care. You wanted to die.... you wanted to see alcina one last time before you do. Wanted to hear her voice tell you it's going to be ok but truthfully it's not. Hear her say she loves you.... she misses you.... she just wants to hold you... hear her sing songs in Romanian til you fall asleep... help you pick roses from the garden and kisses your finger when you get pricked.

You knew if she got a chance to speak to you one last time that everything would be lies. Alcina said she doesn't want to hurt you but the phrase ' I love you draga mea' alone has caused you so much pain and hurt.

You felt weak as miranda injected you with some greenish brownish substance.... you couldn't fight it.... you wanted to but why bother.... as miranda said Your a nobody, to some you exists and to others you weren't even born.... there's something called fight or flight.... and right now you were willing to risk it all and chose flight....

You were done fighting.... done loving....

You started twitching and shaking on the table as miranda mumbled 'shit' or and over again as she tried to hold you down but it wasn't working.

" please y/n! Shit! Hey! I can't lose you! Alcina can't lose you! Fight it! Do it for alcina please!" She shouted as she tried containing you but nothing worked. Tears formed in her eyes as she realesed you. With alcinas already raging anger plus this happening miranda was sure that alcina would surely find a way or even strength to kill her....

The heart line went flat, ringing in Miranda's ear ad your body laid there unmoving......

Tag list: @willalovexx @ilovehugslikealotalot @milkiedimitrescu @willowshadenox @heidsworld @enchantressb @moistblobfish @nclgsticore @vampire-s61914 @snkskyler15

[sapphicdroid]

It's a cold and scary winter night and you are all alone in your cabin in the woods. It's snowing outside and you can see the drifts starting the build up. You have the heating turned on though so it's nice and warm inside with a cup of tea in hand and cozy sweater on. Pure bliss.

The cabin was your grandfather's. He built it by himself in the 50s as a safe haven away from the bustle of the city after he bought the plot of land off of a friend he knew once upon a time. Your father was actually born in that cabin on a similarly snowy night like this. You had always imagined the fear that must've been in your grandmother's heart on that night and it would grip you like a cold claw through the years that divided you. They had been snowed in and the roads had been closed so when she felt the pain, they knew there would be no help coming. You have the luxury of knowing it turned out alright that night though and that your father was born into the world with the smell of pine and fireplace wafting through these same rooms, bundled and safe.

The cabin feels stuck in a place beyond time. You can feel the years swirling in the air and each breath melts you into them. You can hear the screams of joy from your baby brother when your parents took all of you up here one summer. The dent in the floor from when your father tried to move the couch and dropped it. A gentle sound of phantom scratching from the bats that lived in the space between the walls that drove you crazy one year. It's so overwhelming that it soothes you.

But this time, you are alone. You came up here after a long, tiring year. You just couldn't handle stressor after stressor parading into your life and it felt like the only way to get it to stop was to come up here and spend a weekend curled up by the fire. Your wife was supposed to come with you but last second she had to stay behind because of a work obligation. You told her you would be okay staying with her but she insisted you go alone. She knew it's what you needed but that doesn't stop you from missing her so. You think about her for a moment and you feel that familiar longing love that you hold with you always.

And then, ever so softly, you hear a scratching knock at the door. You could barely even call it a knock. It sounds like a twig blown against the door but the sound is too intentional to be coincidental. A familiar shave and a haircut rapping pattern. You just stare for a moment, unsure of what to do. Putting down your tea, you figure that you might as well investigate. With each step forward, you listen for any more signs of life but it's silent aside from the haunting howling of the wind outside. Hand on the knob, you turn it. And when you open the door you finally see what made the noise. Revealed to you, shivering and small, on your doorstep, it is a rat.

His little hands are trembling and almost purple. He looks up at you with two big, black eyes amongst a sea of light grey fur. They seem to be pleading with you. Do you let him in?

i let in that fucking rat and i tell him about my crazy cabinman dad who was born from a woman and then from a cabin. i let him in and tell him about my wife i'm doing some sapphotype yearning for. motherfucker in a scary spooky cabin? this rat is my best friend. this rat and i are closer than siblings. this rat and i are doing some lighthouse shit together

[reining-disaster]

(My hand slipped.) It was quiet. Night watch was seldom quiet. Beatrice set her jaw, trying not to become paranoid. She expected this sort of silence in Menzoberranzan, the city of the drow before the start of a house war...but not here; this was the heart of a forest. Not so much as a croak of a frog nor song of a cricket met her pointed ears. She hadn't given her concern much thought until she noticed Scratch was on alert now, sniffing the air uneasily. Something must be about, but what? Shifting from her post, the rogue moved to climb to a scouting position to perhaps qualm needless nerves if it happened to be a bear or something, only stopping at the voice of her newest companion, Rein. "I'm also afraid of ghosts but that's a little much isn't it?" With a soft tut, Beatrice began scaling silently up the old oak, just high enough to be a head taller than the shorter trees. On the branch just under her, she heard Rein join her in the tree, hanging upside down doing sit ups. It was new having company that wanted to spend time with her, but she strangely welcomed it. Nothing seemed amiss until some birds flew hastily from a nearby tree only a few yards away, how hadn't anything set them off before now? The only warning she heard was the snap of a twig within earshot and the pull of a bow string.

Catching the glint off the arrowhead in the moonlight and gauging the general direction it was aimed, the half-drow jumped from her perch, landing in a roll near Rein, as her daggers deflected a few gnarled looking arrows aimed at the barbarian's vitals before they could hit. A single cackled laugh turned into a chorus, one that sound like it was slowly surrounding the camp. "Gnolls? how didn't I smell-" Her question cut short as the skeletal form of a gnoll, a Witherling, sauntered into view, followed immediately by several gnoll hunters running in their direction. "Well, you weren't far off about ghosts!"

Rein was pretty happy to just spend time with her. Taking. Moving. He didn't really sleep much, so her company out a d a out was refreshing. He didn't have to spend the night alone.

It wasn't until her reaction where she blocked the death blow that he knew something was even up, "Nice save!" He flipped to the ground and landed on his feet, cracking his knuckles. He pulled the halberd from his back and moved it in front of himself in a defensive manner, "What brought them here!" He shouted, hopping to the side to avoid another arrow. Fucking Gnolls. He looked in the direction, but he didn't have very good dark vision. He had a little, but he wasn't exactly the person the call when there was a battle at night. Still. He stood with an wide stance. Waiting. Watching.

When the creatures came into view, he pulled a face, clearly disgusted, "That's... Not a ghost. More like a zombie. What the fuck are those?!" It was clear he wasn't well versed in the subject of the undead, "They look like Gnolls... If their fucking skin melted off. Like ugly werewolves."

Was he... Roasting these creatures?

"Yuck! Anyway we can fight these uggos while making sure I don't have to smell them?"

Yeah. He was roasting them.

As one of them howled, he winced at the sound, "Do we... Have a plan of attack or are we just winging it?" Rein was more close combat. His eyes began to glow red, waiting for an order before raging. Wanting to apply it before he lost his cognitive abilities.

@immortallaughter

[rileytwenty]

Leyra || the Albino Na'vi

(Neteyam x OC)

MASTERLIST/PLAYLIST/PICS

Chapter 1

Out in the forest, it was too easy to pretend that everything was perfect. Within the Nantangs' calls and the Ritis' chirping and the Pa'lis stamping about, peace was not hard to find.

Leyra could forget about her life in the village for a few fleeting seconds here and there. But then the little reminders, such as her particularly makeshift bow, or her ratty clothes, or her unusual white skin, would send her crashing back into her reality like a tidal wave.

Said reality included spending most of her days alone, with trees for friends and bugs for company. Her father, the only clan member who would willingly converse with her, spent all his days hunting or planning hunts as Jake Sully's--the Omatikaya Olo'ektan's--second in command.

Sometimes she liked her father's position. She'd get a heads up on where not to go to avoid the hunting parties and training sessions, and he'd occasionally come home with interesting drama for her regarding the other clan members.

Her mother had died on the frontlines of the Battle of the Tree of Souls. She had been an amazing warrior, well-renowned in the clan. Leyra's father won't say it outright, but her mother had been devastated when she was born. A perfect warrior giving birth to an albino freak show. She didn't have to live with the shame for long, as she died only one month after Leyra had been born.

Her father had been an amazing parent to her, supporting her and taking care of her the best that he could under Mo'at's rules. He brought her portions of the meals to eat separate from the clan so she could avoid the stares and whispers that still occurred even though she was bordering on seventeen.

Over time, the forest had become her safe space where she spent most of her time, despite the amount of times it had almost killed her. Though, she had learned a lot through experience and developed her own way of surviving in it.

Currently, she was perched in a tree beside some harmless little birds and was watching the Pa'li stampede around and drink nectar.

The sound of twigs snapping caught both her attention and that of the Pa'li. Another crunch had the horse-like creatures herding themselves away from the source of the sound. Leyra leaned back to look around the tree and see what animal had made the sound, only to find a young Na'vi boy stumbling his way through the underbrush.

He must be lost, she thought. Hopping down from the tree soundlessly, she approached the young boy.

"Hello," she spoke softly, startling the boy only a bit. "My name is Leyra," she flicked her finger away from her face in Na'vi greeting, "are you lost?"

Unbeknownst to them both, Neteyam had already spotted them, but kept his distance as he was surprised to see such a different-looking Na'vi teen.

The little boy returned the gesture sheepishly and muttered a, "yes, very."

She let out a small giggle at his honesty. "What were you doing out this far in the forest in the first place?"

"Neteyam agreed to take us kids out to see the hunters train, but I got distracted by a bug and was separated."

"Ah, I see. Would you like me to take you back to the village or to the training grounds?"

"You know the way?" He was bewildered. Leyra found it refreshing to speak to someone who had no hatred or pity or really any opinion of her at all.

"Yes, of course I do. I am not lost at all, I never am."

"Wow. But how? The forest all looks the same everywhere!"

"There are differences. I can teach you once you're older, if you want. That way, you'll never get lost again."

"Yes, please! Umm, could you take me back to the village? I sure would like to see my mom."

"Of course. It's this way, let's go."

The kid grabbed her hand, and it startled her. No one had made skin to skin contact with her in a long time. She tried to play it off and gripped his hand in return, which made him smile at her. It all but melted her fragile heart.

"There you are, Zi'um!" Neteyam finally emerged from the brush, a serious look on his face meant to scold the boy.

"Neteyam!" The boy leapt into the future Olo'ektan's arms. Neteyam chuckled, picking him up and holding the youngster over his hip.

Once the boy had comfortably settled, Neteyam's focus drifted to Leyra. He kept asking himself, since when had there been a white Na'vi in the clan? Had he really been so busy as to not notice such an extraordinary being? "Hello."

His presence was making her sweat. Her father always told her to avoid unnecessary attention, and here the future Olo'ektan was, trying to hold a conversation with her. "Hello, Neteyam."

Her voice was softer and nicer than he had been expecting from such an unusual creature. "Do I know you?"

"Oh, uh, no. I don't think you would. I just know of you, with you being the up-and-coming Olo'ektan and all."

He cursed himself for assuming they had met before and making things awkward for her. He had forgotten that his name was a well-known one. "Oh, right, yes. I think I would have remembered someone who looks like you."

A light blush tinted her cheeks in embarrassment and she looked down. Even the Olo'ektan's son was making fun of her. There really was no end to it all.

Neteyam took her blush to mean that his half-flirting attempt at pointing out her Eywa-given beauty had worked, and that she was flustered by his charm. He was, on this rare occasion, very wrong.

"Walk with us back to the village?"

Leyra was puzzled by him offering this after he had just insulted her, but she knew better than to try to disobey him. "Alright."

The three started off towards the mountain village entrance. Neteyam shushed at Zi'um, who was now whimpering about seeing his mother and apologizing for wandering off. Neteyam reassured him on both accounts.

Leyra enjoyed getting to see the soft interaction between them. People usually reserved their worst selves for when she was near.

Not long into the journey, the emotionally exhausted child fell asleep in the warrior's arms.

"What were you doing out in the forest, all alone?" Neteyam questioned her in a whisper once he was sure Zi'um was going to stay asleep.

"Oh, I-" she wasn't sure of what response he was expecting, "I was exploring, like usual."

"So, you spend a lot of your time in the forest, then?"

Yes, her father dropped her off to the forest floor on his ikran each morning after breakfast and picked her up each evening in time for dinner. "Yes, practically every day. I like having only the forest for company."

Neteyam hummed, intrigued by her response. In his eyes, the forest was a beautiful ecosystem best watched from afar. Too many dangers lurked just beyond one's line of vision. It was definitely a great circle, one that he was a part of, and it provided the clan with shelter and food. Though, he much preferred to look down on it from his ikran rather than from on the ground.

Leyra resisted the urge to ask him what exactly his indistinct hum had meant. Silence fell over the pair, and Leyra savored the adorably relaxed expression on the young boy's sleeping face.

She was smiling at the boy's face when Neteyam turned to look at her, wondering what she was thinking about in the silence. She averted her eyes upon making eye contact with him, the smile quickly fading.

Though, not before Neteyam saw it. And he decided he liked her smile.

They continued until they reached the bottom of the cave entrance and Neteyam called for his ikran to take himself and the boy up to basecamp.

As he mounted himself and Zi'um onto the animal, he opened his mouth to say something to Leyra, but nothing came out.

He didn't want her to walk off again and continue being alone in the forest. He knew firsthand how dangerous that was. Though, he could tell by her slightly turned away body that she had no interest in returning to the base with them.

"Be safe," he settled on, accompanied by a sturdy nod.

She smiled at him, but it wasn't like the smile he had gotten a glimpse of before. This was polite, obligatory.

"You too, Neteyam."

[girl-daigo]

Dallon

A poem about me

as well as a few other girls probably

Deep within me

That thing resembling a heart 

Twists

Just a little

And it’s a betrayal of my mind,

Though that’s betrayed me too

If we’ve gotten this far. 

And now my brain and my heart

and my hands and my noses

have betrayed me so what 

grounds have i

To claim that i am still here?

To claim that i am not this wrongness

This betrayal this 

Reality.

And somewhere

Along the way 

It stops being convenient

To stop each time and clarify

My traitor brain

My traitor heart

My traitor hands

My traitor noses

And you have to ask

What is it that they have betrayed?

For there is nothing tangible

To the idea that

This

Should not be me.

There is nothing tangible

To the feeling of a weak snap

like a twig

Being trampled on

When i am reminded

Once again of my form.

But what i fail to realize

Trapped within myself 

Is that there is

A tangibility

Within the nose

Of the whole

Self of the future

And that when She

Comes to be

Her nose

Will at once exist with exquisite tangibility unmatched by any other beauty on this earth

And melt away

Unnoticed

In the same way

My hopes do now.

[idiotwithanipad]

Gore Au: A Look To The Past

(Sequel to Witch and Nobelman, where Humphrey gets to see Amy's childhood)

The last thing Humphrey remembered was the twirling little tornado of smoke billowing into his brow, then followed the sensation of falling. Falling straight downwards very fast. His stomach flipped and he couldn't resist the urge to fling his arms forward to catch himself before he could hit the ground.

But he collided with nothing. His feet were still planted firmly on the ground. But beneath them was not leaves and twigs like he remembered there being. Instead, beneath his feet was carpet. Or more accurate, a rug. It coated the floor or the thin hall he stood in. The walls a light beige, poorly painted. The hall was so narrow that he could lift both arms at his sides, without even straightening them, and press his palms flush against each wall.

This was hardly a house, it was tiny, cramped, dark and cold. Mould coated almost every high corner and chipping paint and slight impressions of dirty handprints were smeared in random spots. It wasn't a building he recognized at all. In childhood travels to the city, he'd seen a public privy bigger than this.

A slight murmuring sound caught his ear. Off to his right, a battered white door sat in his eyeline. Halfway down the door was a dent, chipped and splintered. Clearly someone had tried to put either their foot or knee through it.

The murmuring was very quiet, a mere lilt. Humphrey couldn't make out what was being uttered, it wasn't a voice he'd heard before. Seconds passed and he heard the muffled pitter-patter of feet beyond the door, followed by what sounded like another door closing.

His brow furrowed in confusion, and he felt compelled to inspect. He pressed his palm to the door and pushed it open. The handle flopped downwards with a squeak as it swayed lifelessly towards the floor. Broken.

Inside the room was drastically different from the hall. The walls, a baby lilac, little heart stickers decorated the chipped skirting boards. White curtains, slightly moulding at the hems. A little blue plastic table and chair set by the wall with pages of doodles and scribbles in cheap felt tip pen. The smallest little bed he'd ever seen lie lopsided and slightly bent by the wall, with what looked like a princess decorating the sheets.

Clearly a little girl's bedroom. Though he'd never seen such colours and materials in his own time.

A sound knocked him off of concentration. A tiny fumble which sounded similar to someone accidentally knocking their arm against the side. It came from within a small wardrobe in the left corner of the room. He kept his eyes on the two doors fixed crudely in place; one good push and the whole structure would plumit to the floor.

"Who's in there?..." He asked aloud, mildly unsettled. After a pause, one of the doors to the wardrobe creaked open with a droaning wail. A little girl. Just a little girl. She sat, tucked up tightly inside the wardrobe. Her flesh pallid and lightly freckled. Her ebony hair which just barely reached the center of her back was pushed back by a thick plastic mauve hairband, save for her fringe. Her clothing looked big on her, loose, baggy and not very remarkable at all.

A long sleeve white shirt with thin horizontal black stripes and a pale purple denim dungaree dress which ended just above her knees.

The sight of the little girl staring up at him from inside the dark wardrobe made him melt with sympathy, but also made him shudder with unease. The girl's eyes were puffy and redened, and it showed greatly in the dim light. Her bottom lip trembled at she met his eyes. Humphrey held up his hand and stepped closer.

"What you doing in there? You alright?"

The girl rubbed her sleeve under her eye and grotesquely snorted back a glob of snot. She didn't answer him, but regarded him curiously, like she'd seen him somewhere before. Her big eyes blinked and darted towards each detail of his attire.

Without any time to think of another question, the girl let out a squeal and jumped out of the wardrobe. She sped over to him like an unsteady foal and clung to his legs. She giggled and clung to fistfulls of his cloak. Humphrey felt the air leave his lungs and his limbs turn to concrete as the little child fussed at his knees.

She looked up at him and smiled, some teeth missing from her gums. He gingerly reached down and stroked his palm along her hair, confused but enamored by her cuteness. Why was she so familiar all of a sudden?

She released him but kept gripping the end of his cloak in her fist.

"Where'th mummy?" She asked pitifully. A heavy lisp whistling through her teeth.

"Mummy?..." Humphrey repeated, unsure and on the spot. The girl nodded.

"My mummy. She went out'thide a long time ago and she hath'nt come back"

Humphrey looked to the window. Pitch black outside, all he could see in the window was his own mirror reflection staring back at him.

He crouched.

"When'd you last see 'mummy' ?"

The girl's eyes drifted from his, an unnaturally solem expression for a girl her age melted onto her face.

"Mummy wa'th talking on the phone. She th'aid... 'I'm on my way'...and she hath'nt come home yet"

There was an innocent ignorance in the girl's eyes as she swayed shyly in her spot and continued to hold onto the bottom of his cloak. Humphrey already didn't like the sound of this.

"How long ago was that, Poppet?" 'Poppet'? No. He shouldn't call her that. He only calls his Amy tha-

His gut dropped.

She pointed to the window.

"It wa'th th'till daylight out'thide"

Humphrey remembered the darkness beyond the glass, that that mattered very little to him at the moment. He drew in a hitched breath.

"Is your name 'Amy'?"

The girl nodded.

His heart felt like it could burst. For a second, he'd forgotten that this was all the Witch's work. She'd sent him back to a time when Amy was still small, like he'd requested. He wanted to see her past, if all that the Witch was saying was true, he needed to see it for himself. Regret pinched at his heart. But it immediately dispersed when he remembered the little tot at his feet, looking up at him begging for help.

He placed his hand on her shoulder softly.

"It'll be okay, Poppet"

The girl's brow scrunched in confusion and she blinked.

"Juth't have to wait until Mummy come'th home" The girl shrugged sadly. She turned away from him and darted back to the wardrobe. Humphrey feared that she would climb inside and shut herself away again, but instead, she reached behind the door and brought back with her a stuffed tiger. It's once fluffy fur reduced to matted clumps.

"This i'th Billy" She proclaimed, holding up the little toy for him to take. Humphrey glanced down at the teddy and gently took it in hand. It was covered in ink stains and slightly torn at the joints. It reeked of stale tobacco and felt almost damp to the touch.

"Ah. Well he's something, isn't he?" Humphrey gave a smile, hoping he didn't look too appalled. The girl wasn't focused on him, in fact, she hand already crawled beneath her bed and pulled out another toy. A little wind up toy no bigger than the girl's hand. A cheeky looking mouse with floppy ears and plastic whiskers.

"This i'th Cheese" She smiled, once again, handing the toy to Humphrey; He hoped he wouldn't have an armful of them by the time she was done.

The sound of uneaven shoes ascending the concrete stairs outside made Humphrey look back to the broken door.

The girl's happy grin dropped and she rushed to Humphrey's side.

"It'th Mummy"

Humphrey went to place 'Billy' and 'Cheese' down onto the little table, but the girl was quicker. She hurriedly began to push at him, herding him into the wardrobe.

"Amy? What-"

She brought her finger to her lips, fear in her eyes.

"Shh. Mummy will be angry if she see'th you. Shh" Amy closed the wardrobe door, sealing Humphrey inside. Sections of his cloak remained jammed in the door, so she poked and pushed at them to fit them into the wardrobe out of sight.

She rushed to her bed and climbed inside, hiding under the sheets.

From inside the blackened wardrobe, Humphrey could still hear the shoes outside. A bundle of keys turned in the front door and what sounded like a very slow grumble filled his ears. Quiet and barely noticeable at first, but quickly, it rose in cadence and stretched into a thunderous frustrated roar.

Humphrey held his breath. He could only imagine the state that the little girl was in. HIS little girl. Not- whoever that was. A strict tutor maybe? The guards didn't come until Amy was older.

The footsteps made their way through the hall, up to the bedroom door and flight it open. He could hear the heavy breathing, the rustle of a waistcoat, and the scent of alcohol filled his senses.

Amy must've been good at pretending to be asleep, as soon afterwards, the light in the room was turned off and the door pulled shut. The woman was gone from the room. Humphrey waited until he could no longer hear the woman outside the room anymore before he even contemplated moving. But he didn't have to.

The wardrobe door creaked open. Amy stood there, little torch in hand. It's beam was pink, clearly just a toy torch, not a real one. A deep sadness lingered on her face. Humphrey opened his mouth to talk, but the girl, surprisingly, stepped into the cramped wardrobe with him and slithered her arms around his legs again.

Humphrey yeilded and, to the best of his ability, ducked down in the wardrobe. He brought the little girl into an embrace and rocked her slowly. He could feel that she was crying.

"I don't like when Mummy'th angry" She said, her voice muffled by his cloak.

--

The smoke retracted from his brow. He took in a gasp like he had been holding his breath for hours. He was back in the forest, back home. The Witch and her daughter stood before him. The Witch's dull eyes stared at him in somber sympathy.

His palm pressed against the spot on his forehead where the smoke had been. His flesh was unscathed and normal. His surroundings became clearer and all sensations returned.

Clap

He looked down. Amy was still wrapped in his cloak, except this time, she was how he'd always known her. Older, but still youthful, sickly, mute and shy. Her bulging eyeballs stared up at him, curious and worrisome.

'You okay?' She signed with her hands.

Humphrey's heart cracked. The Witch was right. Such pain.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm alright, Poppet..."

[jjungkooksthighs]

“Does a goddess thank her servant, my lady?” He raises a brow, turning them around so he can deposit her on the four-legged bench of black ashwood, its arms and body completely covered with the thick wool of sheep’s fur. He sets her down gingerly, as if she might fracture if he isn’t careful. When he’s sure that she’s safely sat on it, he takes her hand in his, bringing the back of it to his lips as he says, “Surely not. So, you need not thank me. I am simply treating you as you deserve to be treated.” His lips are so soft against her skin as he utters, “Like a deity. Like my divine queen.” He lays her hand on her lap, watching the subtle twitch of her fingers in her attempt to reach for him despite the ache that has seized her limbs from overuse. Though he’d been very meticulous in his massage of her earlier, the reminder of his roughness would remain for a few days. 

“Does a goddess thank her servant, my lady?” He asks, not really expecting a reply based on how the line makes her blush as he sets her down on the bench, the cool surface of the wood making her shiver in delight. “Surely not. So, you need not thank me. I am simply treating you as you deserve to be treated.” Surely not? She giggles a bit, thinking back to the contrasting behavior she was met with not so much an hour ago, the beautiful blemishes of red, purple, and blue blotting her skin enough proof of it. “Like a deity. Like my divine queen.” He completes, seeming to have caught on to her thoughts, for now, the smirk has returned to his face, determined to set her ablaze with how fucking hot he looks. Oh, what has she done to be worthy of being graced with such a beautiful mate, his heart so sincere and sweet it makes her melt at the very thought? As he moves her so she can sit more comfortably, he's oh so very gentle about it, as if scared the slightest movement could break her. Again, funny, isn't it? This man could snap her like a fucking twig, and yet, he chooses to worship her. To serve her, and to love her like no one ever has before. He moves with the grace of swans she'd been lucky enough to see waddle their way in the lake she'd so often spent time by near a clearing in the forest, the muscles in his arms and chest the very definition of strength and endurance, and yet.. he was here, tending to every little want and need of hers without so much as a frown on his face. He wanted to do this, for her. The muscles in his arms flex as he carries the water-laden earthen pot to the tub, the veins bulging deliciously as he sets it down on the white stone next to the tub before glancing at her one last time as if seeking her approval. All it takes is a simple nod of her head and a smile for him to turn the knob at the top of the cauldron, stepping away as the hot water spills into the tub, the steam warming the room as goosebumps trail their way up her arms at the sudden change in temperature. As if on command, he's kneeling in front of her on one knee, eyes swimming with concern and utter adoration for the girl sat before him, his hands enveloping her much smaller ones before he speaks. “What else do you desire, pretty girl?" He asks. She can't help the blush that creeps its way onto her face at the name, averting her gaze shyly, for she might c o m b u s t if not. "How else can I take care of my beautiful mate tonight and make her feel loved?” It isn't the way he words his sentences that make her heart swoon, rather, it's the sincerity that fuels them, as if ready to bring her the moon and the stars if asked. "There's nothing special for you to really do to make me feel loved, alpha." she giggles, pressing yet another kiss to his cheek in the utter devotion that fills her at the sight of him. "You do more than enough already." "And, truly speaking, you don't need to do anything for me to feel loved, alpha." she shakes her head as she pours her heart out to him. "Just.. stay by my side as you are." She leans down so she can be just an inch closer to him, her forehead now pressed against his, an act of complete trust and submission for the man in front of her. "You, alpha." She whispers, her hands now holding onto his for dear life. "That's all I need. That's all I want."

His lover gazes at him like he’s all that matters, her voice light and airy as she gives her answer to him. 

“You, alpha.” Her smaller hands thread more insistently through his own. “You’re all I want. You’re all I need.”

He rubs the tip of his nose against hers, that endless emotion in the depths of his being somehow deepening the longer he looks upon her. The longer that her words join the steam that has since filled the air as it becomes hazier with the spillage of it from the cauldron. 

Despite the fact that her speech is made quieter from the rawness of her throat, she still voices herself to him.

Despite the fact that her muscles have become sore and ache from how rough he’d taken her, she still tries to curl those little fingers around his.

Despite the fact that she usually would be looking away out of embarrassment, she does not.

Despite the fact that her typically shy self would be clamoring for any excuse for clothing right now, she does not.

She does it for him. To please him. 

Affection swirls in the pits of his being, and he faintly recalls the memory of her here, in this chamber, when he’d come back late from a hunt.

It had been the first night of her monthly bleeding, and she had been seized by a strong craving for rabbit.

So he’d waited until she’d fallen asleep in his arms on their bed, only leaving her side when he’d kissed her between her brows with the muscles there relaxing as if he’d dispelled her pain so she could turn to her dreams.

He’d been sure to tuck her into the nest of pelts and pillows she’d made earlier, mindful of the fact that she liked to make something of a cocoon for herself because of the heat and warmth that it provided. He’d left her a note by their beside, aware of the way she would worry if she woke and did not find her mate next to her where he belonged. 

He’d gone when the moon had been cresting the mountaintop in the distance and had returned the same hour, knowing that the longer that he remained away from her, the likelier it became that she would wake and discover his absence before immediately panicking. 

It had brought a smile to his face when that thought had found its way through his mind, the truth of it evident in the whines he’d hear whenever he left her side. 

When he had returned to their den with twelve rabbits tied around the leather belt he’d put on over his trousers, he had found their bed empty, its sole occupant recently departed based on the heady scent that had been left behind. 

It grew thicker and stronger with each step to their bathing chamber, and as soon as he’d turned into the hallway and followed the beams of golden light flickering along them all the way to the familiar figure in the bronze tub in the middle of the chamber, that sight had taken his breath away. 

She’d had her back turned to him, her hair held up with the large, golden clip he’d made and given to her after the Iaelia as part of a promise he’d made to be the one that would hold her up with the strength of the fire he’d fashioned it from.

The metal he’d chosen to have the same hue as his eyes glinted brightly in the firelight, the precious stones he’d set within its claws that gripped her hair glimmering as she had lathered herself in the warm water he’d left in the cauldron atop the slab of stone before the tub.

Its flow was slow as it fell from the lip of the cauldron he’d put atop of the slab after she’d been whimpering about pains in her lower abdominal area earlier. 

She had not just come to their bathing chamber.

She hadn’t wanted a bath earlier. Perhaps because she had wanted to eat something sweet instead. 

But when he’d found her in that tub, her hands running down her body as the water poured over her?

Simply breathtaking. 

And when she’d caught the whiff of his scent…oh, gods. How helpless he had become to his baser being when her head had turned, but only just, so she could give him a sideways glance with a whine on her lips. 

His body had begun to move without even thinking. 

“Very well,” he breathes in her air, “If it is me you desire, it is me you shall have.”

[em-writes-stuff]

Fever

day one of @whumpcember

564 words

warnings: freezing to death, illness

~

Ok, first recorded non-birthed magician. Translated from ancient Agilomian to…several other languages, to well, you get it. Found buried in one of the books in Terilace’s library in the…cooking section. Whoever put it there must’ve seen the fire on the seal and stupidly assumed it was a recipe. 

Whatever. Here we go: 

Raz’s whole body shakes from the sick deep in her bones. She bundles the blankets around her tighter, hoping that they keep her warm. 

In front of her, the fire slowly dies, feasting on the last of the twigs and branches Raz had been able to find around the cavern. With effort, she scoots closer to the fire and gently blows on the embers, trying to coax a little more life out of them. 

She’s overtaken with a fit of coughing, effectively dousing the starved embers with phlegm. Their light dies and Raz sinks forward, her forehead resting where the fire had burned hottest. The heat from the stone beneath her feels cool compared to the heat in her, so she melts into it, closing her eyes with a sigh.  

The exhaustion takes over and Raz sleeps, inhaling the rising smoke from the snuffed out embers. It fills her lungs and makes it harder still to breathe, harder to stay alive. She fights, even in her sleep, Raz fights. Like she’s always done, like she’ll always do. 

Raz doesn’t wake up, she just suddenly is again. The stone beneath her is cold and the air in her lungs is hot when she breathes out. The ash that was on the ground is gone now and Raz can taste fire in the back of her throat. She inhales deeply, the sensation of her lungs expanding nearly knocking her over in pain. . 

The flesh under her chest heats and Raz grasps at her shirt, tearing it away from her skin. With her exhale, smoke comes from her mouth and nose, filling the cavern with haze. She coughs and more smoke comes out of her, burning her throat and mouth. 

She clasps her hand over her mouth and breathes in again, feeling the uncomfortable heat rising within herself again. She holds the breath in as long as she can, until the heat dies down and she breathes out, trying to control the smoke. 

Years later, Raz travels the countryside, looking for lost travelers like herself. They all know of her, the girl who died and came back with fire in her heart. She saves their lives so they don’t have to endure what she did, the feeling of her life leaving her and coming back something different. 

~

Yada, yada yada. 

Personally, I never liked the tale of the non-magician turned immortal fire being, no matter the context or how they spend their eternity, but to each their own. The scroll will be reshelved in the magic section and the audio recording will be filed according to the overly complicated system Ezran came up with. 

As for the story and how viable it is that Raz was really the first known immortal who wasn’t born with magic…it’s very unlikely. I suppose if the cave had been enchanted and the magic tied to it was…caring for her…it could’ve bonded with her as she inhaled the smoke and ash and binded with the lobes in her lungs…making it possible for her to breathe fire. Yeah. It’s a stretch.