#what do you think of my petty pride now???? HELLO

[shoukohime]

[icyg4l]

PAC: Your Upcoming Semester

hello beautiful people! alright so… i lied about not posting the other night. my bad!!! but i hope this makes up for it. i’ve been getting ready for school and i am so excited about this new transition. soon, i will make readings available for sale again. i also have an announcement to make regarding readings for sale soon as well! i hope you guys enjoy the reading! without further ado, please choose your pile!

top left-to-bottom right: (1-4)

pile one: mentally, you’re not prepared to be back in school. pile one, i’m not going to lie. it will take you a while to adjust to the new semester. this summer was definitely vacation time. you took the time off to just relax and do you, but it’s time to put in that work now. do you have your things together? are you registered? have you signed up for classes? if not, you need to do so! once you get the hang of this, i feel like the semester will fly by. i feel like some of you will get into arguments unfortunately. it could be over something small but don’t let it blow out of proportion. i heard “the future looks very promising”. you have to learn how to look on the bright side sometimes to avoid losing your mind. it’s best that you spend time learning a new language or skill. it’s also best that you get involved with the earth club if that’s something you’re interested. i thought of the everest college commercial lol (if you know, you know). don’t waste your time focusing on the small stuff. look at the bigger picture, pile one.

cards used: 7 of wands. 4 of swords. 10 of wands. 8 of swords. 3 of wands. the star. 8 of wands.

extra messages: petty arguments. solo. snooze button. cotton ball. coraline (2009). prove it. plea.

pile two: it feels like you are redeeming yourself, pile two. it feels like you failed your last semester or had the bare minimum grades to pass the last go around. but you don’t have to do anything to prove to anyone but yourself at the end of the day. there is a chance that you could be in front of the cameras during the semester. if you are interested in journalism, now is your chance to get involved. if you want to switch your major or join the broadcasting team, then go for it! you have to learn school-life balance. you have struggled with this in the past. know when you can handle something & know when to take your L, which brings me to another thing. this semester, you should know when to ask for help. if you need a tutor or extra help, you know where to find resources. use them! you cannot do everything by yourself. i see some type of celebration happening. if your birthday is in the first semester, happy early birthday! but this could also mean that you are celebrating a hard and long semester. take pride in your accomplishments because no one can take them away from you. maximize their importance! maximize your importance!

cards used: ten of swords. the hermit. 6 of discs. the emperor. 5 of swords. knight of swords. 4 of wands.

extra messages: vintage. playing cards. coolio. parlay. late night studying. destined to be. rewards. partial completion credit. i’ll take it. osmosis jones. snacking problem. cheez-its. love island voter. kiss me by sixpence.

pile three: this pile is for my people who desire to be in the healthcare industry. i think that this semester will fly by. you have always been on top of your game when it comes to school. you knew that you would do well before you even clicked on this reading. however, i think you will be putting more of an effort to get yourself out there. the dating scene will be improving for you to get in. someone will ask you out on a date. it feels like you’ve been waiting for this to happen. do not let this turn of events distract you from what really matters which is your educational endeavors. this is very specific, but if there is someone you date that is well-connected, utilize their connections to your benefit. make sure that you can get something out of all of your contacts. don’t just let people take up space in your life. this is definitely for my college babes, maybe high school seniors too. just be open to fun and don’t carry shame for wanting to have fun! you deserve to have a life too!

cards used: the tower, queen of wands, the high priestess, the empress, 9 of cups, prince of wands, the hermit, the emperor.

extra messages: veterinarian. crest toothpaste. toenail jam. worms. marine biologist. dental work. boogeyman. letting your hair down. toes in the sand.

pile four: you have a lot of stuff on the line, pile four. there will be so many things available to you that weren’t before & it would be a shame if you didn’t take advantage of that. however, you do not want to do anything that would take away from your drive, finances, goals or educational career as a whole. there are lots of temptations coming up for you this semester. some of you could just be entering undergrad, perhaps grad school too. you will have a lot more control of your life than you did before. but with great power comes great responsibilities. your energy is similar to pile three in the sense that fun is on the way. but you have the tendency to overdo it. if you’re sexually active, then you need to not engage in sex too much. if you drink, then do not engage in drinking too much. it will become a distraction, and then eventually a problem. distinguish who is supposed to be in your life and who isn’t. you have a bit of naïveté about you. lastly, if you are asked to do something that sounds like it would be risky to your academic career/your life in general, DO NOT DO IT! it is not worth the irreparable damage. bending your morals will not work in your favor.

cards used: 9 of cups, death, the magician, 10 of swords, the moon.

extra messages: call home. out of bounds. melodrama (2017). record scratch. debrief. gaining pounds. life hacks. selenite. prozac. potty mouth.

[xx-lemon-drop-xx]

HI! IVE BEEN READING THROUGH YOUR BOLG RECENTLY AND ITS MADE MY DAY!! I was wondering if I could request the DormLeaders with an Mc who asks them to turn the light off during Seggs because they are insecure?

-Galsscup Anon🥃

Hello! I'm so glad you like my blog! I only did a handful of the dorm leaders because I only write for characters that are 18+. Nonetheless, I do hope you enjoy your request!

Warnings: Vil being petty, gn reader, talks of insecurity, body worship, praise.

Request: Yes.

Words: 607.

≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾

Leona Kingscholar

He literally stares at you for a minute with an unreadable emotion on his face. He looked a bit amused, in fact. 

"Herbivore, you do know I can see you clearly even with the lights off, right?" 

Leona is one to tease you about it lightly, especially since he can easily see in the dark being a beastman. Though he won't fight you against turning off the lights. He's too lazy too.  

And, if it makes you more secure he'll let you too. As your boyfriend, it's his job to make you feel comfortable. At least, most of the time it is. 

He mixes in slight praise with degradation when you have sex, as well as some slight body worship. 

He's going to try to change your mind about being insecure about your body, by showing you every single area he loves. I hope you're in for a long night. 

Vil Schoenheit

What?

He stares at you, almost with a gaze that makes you uncomfortable before just shaking his head no. Absolutely not. Vil has high standards. 

And because Vil has high standards he's not going to sit around letting you be insecure about yourself. This man cares for looks more than personality I feel. He flat out says he wouldn't be with you if he thought your body was ugly. 

Now your about to fuck in front of a mirror. 

Vil painstakingly shows you over the course of hours whole fucking you how good your body is and just why you should hold pride in your looks. After all, you are the most beautiful person he's ever laid eyes on. 

And he will make you feel just that. He'll stop at nothing to absolutely vanquish any bad thought you have about yourself. Because you are perfect. And you aren't allowed to think otherwise. 

Idia Shroud

He's also insecure. He was probably going to ask you first anyways lmao. You're both insecure and awkward. 

Very awkward sex. That's pretty much it. All you both really do is test each other's bodies. 

Of course, once you get into it he's probably going to fuck like a rabbit. He's whimpery too, and he hides his face in your neck in embarrassment too. 

I imagine his hair is a reddish color too from how flustered he is during this whole ordeal, though in the end he is a bit more confident and he hopes you're also a bit more confident. 

Afterwards there's a lot of cuddling, and mumbles between the two of you. In the end, he is happy you both had sex. 

Malleus Draconia

He's flabbergasted. This man is shocked beyond comparison. His brain is literally buffering as you said this. Throws him into auto drive. 

You're.. Insecure? About what? Your beautiful body? 

He's immediately praising you, and while he does turn off the lights, unlike Leona he doesn't say that he can see you- even though he can. Very clearly actually. 

This man has stamina beyond everyone else. He also worships you and your body like you're a queen. Because to him, that's exactly what you are. 

He fucks you dumb and makes you call yourself pretty, and beautiful, and amazing, and then praises you for that too. He wants you to feel special. So special. Because you are special. 

He does this all night until you're whiny under him. 

[respectthepetty]

Pride Petty Watch (SOTUS) 1/5

The crowd picked two blacklisted shows for me to watch during Pride, which were Love in the Air and The Untamed, and so even though I finished the first, I've stalled on the second, and it's all because of the beast named SOTUS. I watched this show when it aired in 2016, but I don't remember any of it. All I remember is that I'm very mad at it, yet this was the wild card show that was unlocked during the voting, so instead of fearing this show so much that I cannot bring myself to finish The Untamed, I'm going straight to the big boss, and fighting this demon NOW!

It's me and the gear in a battle until the very end, and even though I cannot remember a single thing about this show, as soon as I pressed play, all the hate in my body rose to the surface, so I already know this is going to be a ~journey~

First and foremost, I'm going to give this show and Krist a compliment because I HATE Arthit, which is exactly what I should be doing in the first episode. He is 🎶The Worst🎶 and he leans all the way into it. He snarls. He yells. He forces a girl to give him her number through mere power dynamics and sexism, and this isn't just 2024-me thinking this. 2016-me knows that this character is written well because the worst thing Arthit can think of doing to another man is making him say he is gay.

Then to casually whisper in that man's ear that he could find him a skirt to wear . . .

Arthit really is the epitome of the homophobe-to-homo character and I can't believe that it worked in 2016 since I feel that was late for a character like this to still be a love interest, yet it's still working so well in 2024 because here I am, pissed, pressed, and ready to fuck him up for being the douchiest bro in this damn cafeteria. It's refreshing how much I'm allowed to hate him.

Because even the way he screams Kongpob's name with his student ID every fucking two seconds is setting me off.

And I'm very disappointed in BL Land for only ONE video existing of him screaming Kongpob's name, and it's only the times from the first half of the first episode. Thanks, OP, but we are slacking!

But, honestly, if I had a boy who looked up at me like this every time I screamed his name, I'd probably be a lot worse than Arthit. You know, instigating fights and hands on me or something like that.

And now I'm questioning this series because if these two would just choke each other out then kiss, I would be fully for it and enjoying all my snacks along the way. I'd be fine with Kongpob telling the entire room he would make Arthit his bitch, but Kongpob instead says he'll make Arthit his wife, and . . . the vibe is not as kinky as I need it to be to support all that is being thrown at me from these two.

Which is why I'm heavily shipping Kongpob with M! Kongpob got in trouble for having two books, one which was M's, and had to say he liked men. Now, they are drunk at this table with homophobe Arthit and the hazers are staring them down while Kongpob is just holding M's face.

But let me actually rewatch this show instead of reflecting on how GMMTV messed this enemies AND lovers premise up twice (looking at you, Dangerous Romance) because right now, this show is trying to make me believe the girls would not wave hello to a babyface Off.

Once again, back to the actual rewatch, and because I don't remember a thing about this, I don't know if Wad is good or bad, but him busting out this move when Prem told him to apologize was equivalent to an older white Southern Christian woman telling someone to have a blessed day, so I felt that shade through the screen!

And I'm not victim-blaming, but I do actually think Kongpob and Arthit are trying to push each buttons to see who will break first and fuck (up) the other one because this is not a sane answer to "why did you stay?" when the possibility of the hazers physically harming someone is extremely high.

I only see my Kongpob and M ship now because when Arthit asked if anyone knew M, Kongpob immediately stood up and knew his entire life story. I have known my best friends for decades, and I still could not recite half of that information. Kongpob, what are the heterosexual reasons for you know any of this information about M?

JAN!

Once again, Arthit is 🎶The Fucking Worst🎶 because instead of just taking his L, he made Kongpob say everyone's damn name, then ripped up May's name tag, only to scold Kongpob for giving her his, and now the kids are passing out from his ridiculous physical activities! As a member of a Greek-letter organization who was hazed because that was the culture of the time period, Arthit is being soooooo messy!

Hear me out - Kongpob and M would be so good together! Arthit is the antagonist. Kongpob is the protagonist who meets a sweet quiet boy on his first day of orientation. He helps the sweet quiet boy come out of his shell and watches over him. He cares for him. THEY FALL IN LOVE!

But instead I'm getting a love interest who nominated Kongpob because he knows he is cute, yet can't admit it because ~internalized homophobia~ Ryan from The OC would have never treated Seth this way, and they were in the early 2000s. What is your excuse, Arthit?! The show wants me to hate you, and for that, I'm thankful.

But I could never hate Minnie! Arthit came up quick like he was protecting the boys from Minnie being a predator, but Minnie would NEVER! I could never fear Minnie with the bisexual scarf? And now MDL is telling me the actor has only acted in one other series and that series is Deep Night. Gold star resume, and I truly mean that.

Look at them. LOOK AT THEM! Tell me they don't look good together. Tell me they wouldn't have wrecked every other ship. This is why I need GMMTV to let these MEN (no longer boys) kiss their homies. Kongpob x M. Singto x New. I ship it.

*punching walls and ripping doors off hinges* Kongpob gets kicked out the group and the FIRST one to stand up for him is the boy he loves (it's canon to me and IDGAF what the story's gotta say about it). Quiet and sweet M finds his voice just so he can ask to have Kongpob back. THEY ARE IN LOVE!

Arthit is wildin' out here trying to gaslight Kongpob with this bullshit of "if you keep helping out your friends, then they'll never stand on their own." Sir, you wanna fuck Kongpob so bad, you look stupid.

AND KONGPOB SAYS IT!

I cannot stress enough how kinky this is and could have been if 2016 BL Land was allowed to lean into this because Kongpob has already established through his actions that he likes showing up for the punishments, and here he says the quiet part very loudly - Arthit likes punishing him.

Taking a break from the kink to point out that GMMTV was always going to get My Love Mix-Up because in 2016, May's friend said that "In Japan, if you write down the name of your crush on an eraser and use it, that person will love you"

Then we have May asking for an eraser and keeping it just so she can write Kongpob's name on it. But who gets upset about it? M! Because he loves Kongpob and I'm not accepting that he likes May just like Atom realized he liked a boy instead of girl eight years later. M loves Kongpob. That is my truth!

And here comes the kink lite again! Kongpob could leave. He doesn't have to take this verbal abuse from Arthit. He doesn't have to eat that damn spicy ass plate of food. He doesn't have to finish it either because Arthit gets up and leaves, yet HE DOES! Because he likes this treatment. This makes sense if it's sadomasochism, and that will guide me through these next couple of episodes.

Because the decision to make Arthit the one who likes pink milk is a choice, and now I want an entire TED Talk on how Arthit is probably the most well done homophobic bully with internationalized homophobia falling in love with the boy he is bullying.

Because, joke's on him, the guy he falls for is into that kind of shit.

And all of this happens so we can end with Kongpob getting pink milk for himself after he finished an entire spicy meal that he didn't need to since he enjoys being punished should make me so happy, but the show is trying to lighten Arthit's behavior by having him pay for the bill (and get the freshmen food, and having been hazed himself, and blah blah blah) instead of just letting the toxicito be toxic and Kongpob being into it.

I never thought I'd write this, but I don't want Arthit to be tamed. I want him to be so much worse.

[hood-ex]

hi hi :] for the fandom asks:

🌻 - List three positive things about your fandom right now

🎨 - Compliment someone else in your fandom

🛸 - Advice for taking care of yourself in fandom spaces

🦋 - Describe yourself using 5 emojis

🍿 - Your top three favorite Fics atm

hope you have a good day !!

Hello!

🌻 - List three positive things about your fandom right now

Happy to see people giving the stink eye to Nothing Butt Nightwing. I feel like many of us are well beyond tired of the ass jokes, and it would be nice if DC could realize that. But, in general, I'm happy to see people criticizing the web comic instead of blindly praising it.

I feel proud when other Dick stans make compilations about him or use panels to defend a certain stance about him. I'm not sure how frequently that happens for other comic characters, but I do feel like, at least in the Tumblr space, Dick does have a decent amount of metas compared to some other characters.

People can be pretty helpful when panel or fic hunting. I've had people help me out to find a certain panel, or I see posts where people are asking for help to find a specific fic, and people will chime in with what they think the fic might be. It's nice to see us come together in that way.

🎨 - Compliment someone else in your fandom

I feel like @/bigskydreaming's posts really made me think about certain comic situations in a deeper way. I might have thought about something on a surface level, but Kalen would bring in a different perspective that I never even considered, and it made me change my opinion on a certain stance or situation.

🛸 - Advice for taking care of yourself in fandom spaces

Getting into ship wars isn't worth it. It's draining and frustrating and nothing gets resolved. Just interact with the people who like the same ship as you and do your best to ignore the antis and their spaces.

When you make a mistake, own your shit. There have been a few times where I've had to grip my pride by the throat and just be like, "I was wrong about so-and-so situation or character." People will respect you for taking responsibility and for putting the truth out there.

Try not to engage in petty fights or opinions. If you're really mad about it then write why you're mad in a journal and let that shit go. It's annoying to give your power away to someone else and to let them dictate how you're feeling. So try and recenter to more positive thoughts and remember that the random internet stranger's opinion really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. (I struggle with this one myself, but I've gotten better at it over the years.)

🦋 - Describe yourself using 5 emojis

👌😆✨⚖️🦉

🍿 - Your top three favorite Fics atm

look back in anger by vechter

Who is Donna Troy? by Luvo

it builds and builds and builds by vechter

[streamdotpng]

My brain is bored and my mind is thinking

Say, we all know that Wednesday is lowkey spoilt right? She always expected things to go her way, you can see it in the way she barges into Weems office or how lil care she has whenever she shoves orders at the sheriff's face

So imagine what happens when someone ghosts her

It'd strike her pride because well, Wednesday is the best and she knows this. There would be no reason for why someone wouldn't listen to her nor would there be a reason for someone to... Ignore her like this either

Now that we got that, lemme set the scene

They're adults, no supernatural, just a completely modern au

Enid is an accountant. It's boring, not at all what she expects from when she was younger but all she has to do is calculate money and it's monotonous enough that she can go through days absolutely no thoughts head empty

It's not the future she wants but it's the future she got

Yoko, her lovely coworker notices how not so firey her seatmate is and offers a new chat app because nothing is as fun as deciding to troll random people

Enid squints at the name. "are you seriously telling me to E date right now?"

"pshhhh, ofcourse not!" yoko says unconvincingly. "just get on and play around with some people, maybe talking to someone other than boss and me could liven you up :D"

Enid stares, wondering how tf did yoko do that before sighing and downloading the app. "if I get doxxed, you're helping me move to a new house."

Yoko waves a hand before twirling back to her cubicle. "thank me if you find a sugar daddy!"

Enid flushes. "you know I don't swing that way!"

Yoko laughs.

The blond grumbles before tapping at the recently downloaded app. It's literally like tinder and Enid knows that this is a dating app trying to hide as something else

So in payback, Enid starting basing her profile of yoko. She wasn't petty enough to snap a Pic of her best friend so she went to Google and kind of try harded in making her profile look like an emo girl's aesthetic board

Huh, maybe yoko has a point, this is pretty fun

Oh for the days where Enid could make things, maybe she should pick up crocheting again. Tempting, she'll do that when she gets home

As soon as she was done, Enid began randomly swiping right with absolutely no care at all.

Enid still places her name as enid because.. Why not. By the time she finished her bio, she got too lazy to create a new name so actual name it is!

It takes a bit because apparently no one in this app likes edgy girls who enjoy dark walks, cadaver dogs and wine so dark red it looks like blood. Enid only liked one thing in that list and she wonders how did she become friends with someone with such concerning interests.

Honestly, now that Enid is think about it, her profile kind of sounds like a serial killer's. If they were dumb and was way too open about their interest, so it was no wonder no one was swiping on her

But as she was about to put the phone down and have some faith in people's taste in women, a match was made

Okay, concerning

Time to have some fun.

Immediately, Enid knew this must be some satire account because really? Wednesday A? Very interesting because she too didn't have pictures of herself, instead it was pretty good shots of a Gothic looking house, a lion?? A graveyard and a typewriter

Clearly they were trying to be all Dracula up in this place.

In the bio, it simply said

> author

Enid nods, she can respect sticking to the bit. She lowkey expected a historian but vampires being authors felt fitting aswell

Well, no time like the present! Why not do some classic rp for the shits and giggles

So they start talking

Wednesday types like she doesn't know how to use simply words and well, Enid would've loved to reciprocate because damn the amount of immersion is impressive but after the fifth typo, Enid gave up

And oh, she's a woman

Enid kind of expected a dude to be trolling but when she went "hello good sir, what are you doing this fine day?"

She kind of chokes on her water when Wednesday replies with a "Its ma'am and the day is going quite horridly, the weather where I am at has the temper and I can not wait to experience it first hand."

Who in the nine hells says horridly??

But hey, Wednesday is rping a vampire, Enid can't be all pissy when she's good at it

So they text and they text for days. Maybe it's been a month and Wednesday is just as weird as always, no breaking of character at all and Enid can respect the dedication. Call it escapism but enid has fun acting like she totally would not grimace at the sight of a dead body when Wednesday talked in detail about her novel. From what she's sees, Wednesday sounds like she probably didn't have much friends due to her interests and Enid gets that, so there's no harm in indulging

Until one day, she gets invited out to hang with yoko for the weekend and since she was in such a hurry, she kind of left her phone in her house

Wednesday, old money and living in seclusion, Addams isn't taking that so well. Finally after decades, someone takes her being wholly herself and doesn't seem disgusted. Normally she didn't care, she joined this app simply because her parents insisted for some sort of social interaction outside of family

But enid was different, she didn't try to change the subject, instead she oohs and aaahs at any info Wednesday gives. It's.. Intoxicating when Enid points out how smart she must be to know these type of things. Actually! She wondered more about her family history and didn't sound at all surprised when Wednesday mentions their odd background.

"it's fitting," Enid types. "that you would come from such a strong family, I'm sure they're proud to have someone like you."

It makes a part of Wednesday soar so mayhaps she was going through something when Enid doesn't reply one day.

It goes like this

- Enid - Enid answer me, I know you never go about without your phone - Enid did someone kidnap you? I've gone through channels and none of them match your description - Have I done something wrong? Perhaps a slight that I did not know was a thing? -

"pugsley," Wednesday says, pushing open be door to his room. Her hand is tight on her phone before she slides it over with a tense jaw. "I need you to do find the location of this woman."

Pugsley peers at the screen, raising a brow at the rather nondescript pfp. In bold letters is the username: Enid

the brother agrees and just like that, Enid fate was sealed. The blond was absolutely unaware of what she just got herself into, far too busy spending time with yoko

[geowrites03]

An ounce of regret

Teen Titans!Dick Grayson x Wilson!Reader

I FINALLY MADE A PART TWO TO SLADE’S DAUGHTER!

Part 2 of Slade’s Daughter

Summary: While looking for her father y/n gets caught by some of her mothers henchmen. Now the Titans and Slade have to work together to get her back.

Robin’s POV~

It’s been 336 hours, two weeks, since y/n and i fought. 335 hours since she left for good and destroyed all my information on finding her father. 334 hours and 40 minutes since the Titans found out. 334 hours and 20 minutes since we all lashed out at each other. 333 since we all decided to calm down and talk it through. And 332 hours and 35 minutes since we came to the conclusion of disbanding.

The Titans were already treading on thin ice with each other for some weird reasons nobody could really remember. Guess y/n leaving was finally the straw that broke the camels back, the thing to make the whole team collapse. She was the glue holding this team together, without her? We all fall apart.

I wish I could take back some- no, all of the words I said to her. I feel terrible and I just want her back in my arms and back with the team, eating victory pizza, or playing video games and getting interrupted by villains terrorising Jump City.

I hate the reason I even got petty and started the fight. All because she wants her fathers tracker back in her arm so he can protect her. I should have just put it back in without being an asshole, I know her farther can protect her better than me, but I let my pride and ego get in the way.

I’ve been trying to get ahold of the trackers coordinates, at least to see if she was somewhere safe, but it seems that Slade must have encrypted it somehow. Either that or something terribly bad has happened to her. I couldn’t imagine her being in any serious trouble, in need of help, and I can barely do anything.

The security system went off as the tower’s main computer received a call. I pressed the answer button.

“Slade…”

“Hello, Robin. It’s been awhile.”

“Where’s y/n? Why isn’t her tracker working?”

“That’s what I called for. Y/n’s seems to have been destroyed. I think her mother has her.”

“Then why haven’t you done anything!?”

“Because, as much as I hate to say this… I will need the Titans’ help. Her mother has requested help from Red X, and now they’re working together.”

“I’ll get the others. When are we going to save her?”

“Meet me at this location in one hour.”

He sent the coordinates and I forwarded them to the Titans, explaining that we need to help get y/n back.

~

We all met at the location that was sent out. The Titans didn’t seem like talking to me, but Raven asked what we were going to do to get her back. I didn’t tell the about Slade yet so they were all shocked when cut my answer off as appeared from the shadows.

“We need to infiltrate m/n’s base.” He continued to explain the plan to us as we were scouting out the base from our hiding spot across the road from the base.

~

Our plan of sneaking in and quietly taking y/n without minimal fighting guards had failed so far. Beast Boy and Cyborg high-fived too loud when we got to the room that y/n tied up on a chair in.

The high-five alerted all of the guards and they were closing in around us. We all started fighting, I quickly knocked out someone as a different person caught my attention.

Red X came running toward me and tackled me to the ground. I punched his nose and kicked him off of me. We both immediately got back up and continued fighting. Luckily for us his gadgets weren’t working because he is out of the power supply for them.

With one last uppercut he fell to the ground and my sight locks in on y/n. I rush over to her side to untie her but my hands went through her and her body started glitching. It’s a hologram.

y/n’s POV~

I readied my bow and aimed at Robin I then signaled to RedX that I was locked on Robin and ready to take the shot. He jumped down to the rest of the Titans ready to attack but a sword pierced his torso.

Since when was my dad willing to work with the Titans? I gasp and accidentally fired my bow, the arrow going through Robins shoulder. Shit! I quickly ran into another room and threw my bow on the ground in frustration.

A figure came through another door with their arms crossed, she shook her head and spoke, “I’m disappointed, you had the shot on him, on the boy who hurt you, why did you miss. If you were truly my daughter you wouldn’t have missed.”

“No, no. Please I’m still your daughter, let me make it up to you. Please. Don’t stop being my mother. I need you to be here, what can I do to make it up to you?” She looked at me with disgust.

“You can stop whining like a little bitch for starters. Look how desperate not having a mother made you, you’ll do anything just for me not to abandon you again.” She chuckled and threw a knife at my head.

I dodged the knife and caught it, I threw it to the other side of the room as she got into a fighting stance. l didn’t want to fight, I got into a defensive stance. She swung at my face but I blocked it, she then tried to kick my legs out from underneath me but I blocked that too.

“Mother, please. Stop!” She punched my eye then kicked my ankle. I let out a loud scream as she stabbed me in the stomach. She pulled out the knife and pushed me to the ground as the door got kicked down.

“Don’t you dare hurt my daughter.” My father was the first to enter the room and lunge at my mother. The Titans were in fighting positions ready to assist, besides Robin who instantly ran to me and kneeled at my side.

“Y/n, hey, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry my love.” He ripped off a bit of his cape and held it on my stab wound. He wrapped his other arm around my shoulders. “I am so sorry. I wish I could take back what I said. I’m sorry I love you so much.” He kissed my cheek and I smiled up at him.

I went to apologise for the things I said but he shushed me. “Save your energy.” I looked down and saw that I had lost a fair bit of blood, a puddle on the ground where I was laying and on Robin’s suit. His green glove had almost completely turned red, I let out a really faint chuckle.

“Hey, stay with me now.” My vision was darkening and he looked into my eyes. I smiled up at him as my vision fully clouded into black.

~

I woke up later in my father’s safe-house. I was in the med room and he was checking my vitals next to me.

“Thankfully, you are my daughter, so you healed rather quickly. I’m glad you okay.” He gave me a hug. “The Titans are at the tower if you want to go now.”

“Are you sure? Wouldn’t you want me at a closer distance now?”

“I trust you’ll be safe with them. Mainly Robin.”

~

I walk out of the elevator in the tower and immediately greeted by hugs and warm welcomes. I look at Robin and smile, a tear ran down my cheek and he wiped it with his thumb. He kissed me on the lips, disgusted sounds came from the other Titans as well all walked to the large sofa.

[lotusconstellation]

Hello there! If you are still up for requests, may I ask for Wukong x reader scenario. Idea is, Wukong is trying to get readers attention, but they are so easily spooked that he needs to be so extra careful not to make them anxious around him. Hope thats makes sense!

You asked and you shall receive. Thank you so much for the request!! I really liked your idea and I had a fun time writing it

Also I’ll always be up for a request 😌 so don’t be shy to ask!

This is my first time writing in X reader so I hope I don’t do too bad 😭

Pairing: Sun Wukong x GN Reader

Tw: None

Summary: Wukong wants to talk to you, but he didn’t realize how quiet he was until he accidentally kept scaring you.

-I like to think Wukong is a naturally quiet person. Like, you cannot hear him at all when he walks, runs. Hell, even when he’s on his cloud. You somehow don’t hear him coming

-Bro is like a cat, he just appears 🧍

-He’s always been like that though, even before journey to the west, he’s had a natural talent with the arts of appearing out of nowhere

-However, that’s not to say he’s not loud

-He may be silent physically, but you could hear his voice from a mile away

-He doesn’t really understand volume control. He never realized how loud he can be sometimes until he met you

-Wukong has had an eye for you for a while now, you two met during the events of LBD

-You were the first one to ask if he was okay after everyone just witnessed him and MK crash onto the ship

-Wukong was both shocked and a little confused, no one usually asked him if he was okay, or worried about him

-At first he didn’t believe it, but the genuine concern you expressed about his well-being and immediately started tending to his wounds…

-You peaked his interest so to say

-You two started talking, bonding over shared stories and laughs. Wukong honestly enjoyed his time with you during the whole event, the conversations you had really put him at ease.

-So, after the events of LBD he wanted to try and put himself out there more. Ya know? Try to get more of a social life instead of only talking to MK and the monkeys

-Most were still on the fence with him, which he understood-

-But there was one person he knew that didn’t entirely hate him!

-You!

-“Heeyy, Y/N!!”

-“AHHH!”

-“….”

-“….”

-“Oh, Hi Wukong. Sorry, you scared me :)”

-He felt really bad for scaring you- like, real bad.

-Was he really that quiet? Or was he just really that loud?

-Whichever one it was, he still decided to be more careful with you.

-But whatever attempts he made he still managed to scare the living shit out of you

-He would tap you on the shoulder

-You jumped and was very quick to turn around with your hands up, ready to fight 👊

Wukong: 👁️👁️💧 ….

Y/N: Oh! It’s just you Wukong, what’s up?

-He would make a noise before a approaching you, like stomping his feet on the ground when he landed, but that still made you damn near jump out of your own skin

-He was at a loss by this point, Wukong can be very intelligent yet very dense at times. So he went to go and ask for some help

-HE’S NOT GIVING UP ON YOU!!

-Feel special too because the person he asked was Macaque

-Man’s sucked up every single drop of his pride and went to go ask the one man he knows he doesn’t get along with for help

-He thought Macaque would know what to do because of his sensitive ears (I mean he wasn’t wrong-)

-After some petty bickering, Wukong was finally able to get some info

-He learned that he needed a more gentle approach to things

-He learned that he couldn’t just pop out of nowhere like he normally does, he also learned that he couldn’t be so loud and also keep a little distance between you two. Respect your personal space

-He practiced a bit with MK with how to properly approach you

-Awwe :(

-When the day finally came, he was a bit nervous

-Actually, scratch that, he was hella nervous

-What if his approach didn’t work? What if he still scared you? He doesn’t want you to fear him in any way

-Wukong shook away the thoughts and walked into Pigsy’s noodles

~

~

“Hey everyone!” The great sage greeted, making sure he wasn’t too loud. Everyone greeted him back, but his focus was on finding you. His eyes scanned the room until they eventually landed on you, you were listening to music with your headphones on and didn’t hear him walk in. He took in a deep breath before walking over to you. Wukong reached out his hand and tapped his finger on the table, making sure his finger was in view of your peripheral vision. You noticed, and took off your headphones, smiling up at him softly. “Hey Y/N,” Wukong spoke softly.

“Hi Wukong, how was your day?”

“Eh, it was alright. Better now that I’m talking to you”

“Oh, haha,” You both chuckled while Wukong sat down across from you. Satisfied with himself that he finally found a way to approach you.

The End! Sorry if it wasn’t that good, This was my first write :,) but I hope you at least enjoyed it!

That is all for today, I hope you are having a good Day/Night/Afternoon and I will see you all in my next writing, au revoir!! 💜💜💛💛

[kocherry]

⟡ Truthful Adoration in False Illusions ⟡

Pierro x Isekai!Reader

(Part 2/3)

Hello everyone we're at the second part of the and if you haven't read the first half just click this -> Part 1/3 and it is also available on my AO3!

This fic is inspired by Petty Desire by @shumidehiro and Disjecta Membra by @jessamine-rose + Pierro being a soft and needy malewife husband is inspired behind the wall of falling snow we love by @pearlywritings (Please check them out first they're fantastic writers!)

TW: Murder, Death, Blood, Suicide, Mental Instability, NSFW implications, this also has some fluff don't worry xD

< 18k words under the cut for Acts: IV and V >

⟡ Act IV: All I Ask of You ⟡

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Say the word and I will follow you

Share each day with me

Each night, each morning

Say you love me/You know I do

Love me, that's all I ask of you

Anywhere you go, let me go too

Love me, that's all I ask of you

•••••

Year 0

“Khaenri'ah has fallen.”

You narrated with tears flowing nonstop while you stood by and watch as the gods unleashed their wrath to the nation.

Khaenri'ah is burning to the ground by the Heavenly Principles that was awakened from Celestia. An inevitable outcome in your perspective since you were the daughter of King Irmin. You witnessed everything in a front row seat how they have ignored the precautions. There is a particular silver haired Royal Mage that shared the same sentiments about the outcome of their continuous practice of the Art of Khemia.

The people turned into monsters, unrecognizable to the point where the Princess doubted if they were truly humans to begin with.

Cursed with immortality, you ran away from the devastation. Turning away in denial of what had transpired to Khaenri’ah, your despair consumed you. And away you go to the hill where the view of the fallen nation that humanity had prided themselves in.

On that hill, your vision is clear as day. Despite being away from the sea of flames that consumed your nation, you burn with them all. A pathetic sob is the only thing that you could hear. Your own cries are the one that is loaded than the screams of the people of Khaenri'ah.

All hope seems to be lost when your diamond shaped pupils dilated when you spot a familiar streak of silver hair and the blue cloak of a Khaenri'ahn royal mage.

With a streak of blood smeared all over.

You shout his name in a fearful voice, hurriedly running towards him. A hand is place on his bleeding chest and your vision start to blur. “Don't die on me, please, you're the only friend that I have left.”  The despair you felt is filled with a brim of an angry hope.

“P-Princess (Y/N) y-you a-are the f-future of our nation, you should r-run...” The silver hair mage started to cough up blood cutting the conversation short.

“Shut up!”

“Don't speak as if you would say goodbye to me!” You cried as you put pressure onto his bleeding chest not caring if your hands started to stench with blood. However, it would seem his bleeding had stopped, you didn't think of it any further. As long as the mage continues to breathe that's enough for him to live.

Running away from the carnage of the gods rained into your nation. A difficult choice is laid upon the Princess of Khaenri'ah. A choice to guide the remaining survivors that fled from the wrath of Celestia or save the royal mage the one you had loved the most. Lifting your claymore, you look at the weapon crafted by the finest smiths and trained by Captain Dainsleif, the Twilight Sword, how to fight.

Without any hesitation you dematerialize the claymore and chose to save your friend. The one you had loved the most.

Away from the wrath of the gods and the carnage they had left, you lead the mage into a secluded area far from the kingdom itself. Into a place, where the flower called Inteyvat, used to bloom in a vast field that seems to have no end.

Now the flowers are completely extinct and so is the Eclipse Dynasty of Khaenri'ah.

However, that didn't matter to you even if you’re the Princess, at least not yet. You already knew the cursed is laid upon you, bearing its marks on your arms. Which would mean that you are the last descendant of the royal family. At first you couldn't bear its sight but as you saw that the Mage also had the marks... somehow you could at least look at it and be glad that you are damned forever with the person you love the most.

The Mage is already conscious, the two of you sat side by side. His on top of yours that lay on his broad shoulder. Hands intertwined and gripped together tightly afraid that if someone let go of the other, they'll be gone forever.

“They’re all gone… the people… those children we took care of…” His voice is hoarse letting out a shaky sob unable to finish what he wanted to say. You could see his tears as he lets out a strangled cry, you couldn’t hear him of course because you were sobbing unconsolably as well.

The tears dried out after a few hours but the pain didn’t.

No words were spoken between the two of you and silence is better than hearing the screams of the people in Khaenri'ah.

“Why did you choose to follow me instead of going with the Alberich Clan?” The Mage is the first to speak again, despite the hoarseness of his voice he wanted to know why you chose to save him. “Anywhere with them is better than with me here. The curse laid upon us won't affect the injuries I sustained earlier so your help is quite useless on me when there are survivors out there who needed you more." Such a hypocrite he is, you could feel his hand grip yours tightly again. He knew that anywhere isn't better without you.

“Does it really matter?” You turn to him, a hand on his cheek gently caressing the skin covered in his own dried blood. “I chose to save you with or without the curse laid upon us. I would always choose you above anyone else... Khaenri'ah is already damned before I was even born and if I were to die it would be at your side.”

You feel nervous because this is practically a confession that you love the Mage. Along with the feeling comes with guilt because you prioritized to be with him rather than escaping with the survivors. Besides... What more could you lose if he did not feel the same?

The Mage held your hands that were also covered in his dried blood. He nuzzles his cheek onto the palm of your hand. His gaze never looked any more intense than ever. “I would have done the same Princess, even if I could hear the children screaming, you were always the one on my mind when the gods showered hell onto us.” His voice didn't waiver like how yours did earlier, his feelings is clear.

The Mage loves the Princess as well. You then both pressed your foreheads against each other. Closing both of your eyes and relishing that you two are still alive.

However, that moment of serenity between the two of you didn't last long.

An overwhelming cold presence made you shiver. The mage's gaze widens at the sight of the one who disturbed the two of them. With his catalyst summoned he protectively stood in front of you blocking your whole view.

A figure of a woman who is enclosed in the power of cryo stood before you two. This one is a god, her clothing is filled with human blood. Yet her eyes are filled with an emptiness as the lines of her dried tears are imprinted on her soft cheeks. The look of someone who had lost everything, the despair in witnessing everything, and the rage that started to stir within… she had the same expression as you and the mage.

“How dare you come before us goddess...!” You could feel the pits of your stomach swirling in anxiousness as the Goddess of Love and the Cryo Archon stood before the two of you.

“I know I have no right to ask this of you but perhaps we can come to an agreement, Princess and Royal Mage of Khaenri'ah.” Her tone sent shivers down your spine as it is as cold as her gaze.

“What do you want from us?” The mage asked despite feeling enraged by the presence of the Cryo Archon.

“Let us burn the old world together.”

Her words are ignited from the flames born from the burning nation of Khaenri'ah.

You look at the mage, both of your eyes had looks of determination. Or rather had the gaze of vengeance. If the Cryo Archon herself sought the both of you out. Then it is fate that she would choose specifically the ones who are cursed with immortality. The ones who failed to protect their fallen nation. The Princess and the Mage, the two souls who bore a deep grudge against the Heavenly Principles.

The ones who would burn... burn away the Old World with Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa.

•••••

Year 5

“Princess if you truly cared for your people, you would not have abandoned us for a mere Royal Mage.”

“Sir Ivaan Alberich, I did choose my people. He is one of my people too... I tried to save many survivors that day but everyone had turned into the monsters of the Abyss.” Of course, that was the complete truth of the matter. When you said that Khaenri'ah had fallen, the people were already forming into monsters of the Abyss. That was when hope didn't seem lost when you had spotted Pierro alive. “Lord Harbinger may be a royal mage of Khaenri'ah but we formed the Fatui in order to strike back against Celestia.”

As of this moment there were only the founding members of the Fatui Harbingers which is the Cryo Archon herself, the Royal Mage who calls himself the Jester, the Princess who calls herself the Scapino, and Columbina who is the one they call the Damselette. You four were the pillars of the Fatui along with the newly recruited soldiers that hailed mostly from Snezhnaya.

Although as good as your proposal it sounds, the current head of the Alberich Clan isn't so pleased with the former Princess of Khaenri'ah. You had come back with a much more dignified influence and a mere royal mage becoming the most powerful man in a nation that wasn’t his homeland. Yet for Ivaan Alberich, he doesn't want anyone from the Eclipse Dynasty to lead them again.

“Princess, I'm afraid I cannot accept your proposal to join forces with the Fatui. Why should we place our hopes to one of the descendants of the Eclipse Dynasty? Was it not your father's shortcomings that our nation had fallen?” Ivaan's words stung, every word he uttered is a jab towards you and your self-worth.

His reaction to be an expected reaction but you slowly realize that there is more to his refusal. And by the tone of his voice, it would seem he bears a grudge against your family.

Pierro remained silent during the entire exchange despite his efforts to negotiate, the Alberich clan wouldn’t even recognize him. Let alone hear out his proposal that’s why all efforts were shouldered onto yours and now you were burdened with it. All he could do for now is stay at your side, watch your back so that you may be able to lean onto him if you would ever need his assistance.

Under the negotiating table, your hand unconsciously grabbed Pierro’s pants tightly. Your hands were balling into a fist not knowing how to respond to this cold shoulder they were all giving you. Now this was the reason why Pierro chose to come because he did anticipate the scornful words from the survivors and he’d be damned if you faced them alone. The other reason is because he too is to be blamed because he did not gain the sages’ favor enough which lead to the nation’s downfall.

His large gloved hand intertwined itself with yours squeezing them gently, “We only act what is best for Khaenri’ah’s interests and so we are obligated to act against the Heavenly Principles so that our nation may rest knowing that we had ended the reign of the gods. The Princess and I would shoulder this burden for centuries until it is time to bypass the checkmate of this chess game against them.” You could tell that this was a closing statement.

Ivaan's heart had already closed itself the moment he saw you walking towards their poorly built houses even if you both had provided aid to them for the past few years. “It is best you would leave now Lady Scapino and Lord Jester.” The title came off from Ivaan's lips with a clear mock in his tone. “You both are no longer welcomed as a respected figures within the remaining survivors of Khaenri'ah.” He only shared the same sentiments with the people, and they desire to no longer be held in the decision of anyone from the Eclipse Dynasty.

You were utterly shock by how the atmosphere suddenly changed. In all honesty, you blamed your own pride for hoping to reconnect with the survivors. Along with being blinded also by the fact you thought they thirsted for vengeance.

The second mistake is mentioning the Tsaritsa and addressing Her Majesty with respect.

The third mistake is going in full of yourself that they would listen to a descendant of the Eclipse Dynasty.

And the very first mistake which you had overlooked is that you openly turned your back to the survivors just to save Pierro.

But you wouldn't change the decision you had made 5 years ago. Without Pierro at your side, you would not have endured the harsh and cruel build-up of the Fatui. The Tsaritsa had a plan and you wish to be part of it as well. You only wanted to share such objective to the survivors of Khaenri'ah.

So, without the help of the Alberich Clan, Pierro would have to recruit interesting figures such as the heretic scholar expelled from the Akademiya and the Crimson Witch from Mondstadt.

Now that negotiation had been declared a dead end one sided. You stood up thanking the entire Alberich Clan. You put up your mask that is the same as Pierro’s but yours only covered the eyes, which is a good thing so the Khaenri'ahns won't see the devastated expression you had.

Once your back is turned, Pierro place a hand on your back looking at Ivaan with a disappointed glare but it is already expected of him. Five years had passed since the fall of your nation and he would understand why the surviving Khaenri’ahns would hesitate in joining forces with the Fatui who had a goddess as their leader.

You and Pierro pass by the makeshift houses of the surviving people, yet despite some of them being glad to see you, most were shooting you with looks of disappointment.

“Is that the Princess who abandoned us for that Royal Mage?”

“Why is she here anyway? Shouldn't she be ashamed of what her father had done?”

“After the gods destroyed our nation, she allied herself with one... disgusting.”

“What a despicable woman she is.”

“Look how the last of the might Eclipse Clan had fallen!”

The sound of the hatred and disgust didn't go with deaf ears. Every one of them didn't shy away in expressing their hatred towards the Princess. It’s not like they had anyone to blame, of course you knew that they have a point. Even with 5 years had gone by the wounds of what Celestia had done hasn't healed.

As the matter of fact, you doubt it would ever heal at all.

Your ears may have heard their furious words, your eyes may have seen their utter look of disgust, but your soul absorbed it all. What they said continued to play in your mind even when you had returned to Snezhnaya empty handed. Despite the comfort Pierro had offered you continued to wallow in your self-pity as he reported to the Tsaritsa about what had transpired.

The Zapolyarny Palace looks desolate as ever and your expression is solemn. Her Majesty is merciful as she had anticipated the resentful response of the survivors. Although despite her forgiveness to your failure, you continued to torture yourself with the Khaenri'ahn's resentment.

“Your soul is tormented Lady (Y/N), do you continue to blame yourself?” In truth Columbina looked worried she holds your hand as she came to your comfort while Pierro is talking to the Tsaritsa inside the throne room.

“…”

“Oh~? Are you not going to talk? That is fine I understand why you are sad." Columbina tilts her head looking at you with closed eyes. “Shall I make those people cry before they die?” Then her eyes dangerously open itself slightly, there is a glint of murder in her gaze.

Sometimes Columbina could be adorable but other times she scares the living hell out of you. Despite the fact she treats you like a friend, it can still be unnerving to hang out with her.

“Hush now Columbina, they are Khaenri'ahns, they lost their nation of course they would naturally pin the blame on me and besides we still need them when the time comes.” You scolded her with a frown on your face.

“You finally spoke~! Heh~ Fret not dear (Y/N) I just wanted to hear your voice~!” Columbina closed her eyes again as she lets out a soft playful giggle.

Again. She is scary.

Thankfully for your sanity, Columbina never spoke again, the soft hum of a comforting tune is the one that replace the silence of Zapolyarny Palace.

After a few minutes of waiting, Pierro came out from the two giant doors, Columbina pats your head as she hands you over to him, the two silently nodded at each other as if you were the topic of their nonverbal communication.

“Come (Y/N), you should rest in our quarters.”

Pierro suggested as he accompanies you to your shared bedroom that Her Majesty provided temporarily until an estate could be built. You two always had shared a bed ever since Her Majesty took you both in Snezhnaya, it was mostly out of fear that you would lose each other. The other reason is because of the nightmares that plagued both of your minds. Sleeping in each other’s arms were the best comfort the of you could offer each other.

Now you lay on the soft mattress of the soft bed. Hot tears streamed harshly from the sides of your face and soaking the soft pillows. The cold air of the harsh winter gave you some sense of comfort. It reminded you that you didn't burn with the fallen nation.

And yet the resentment of the people is what let you to burn yourself in deep sorrow.

After all it is your first time to fail a mission.

“I do not need your lectures.” You said pulling the comforters over your head not wanting him to see the disappointment look he would have, he did witness the entire exchange after all.

“You are mistaken my dear (Y/N).” Pierro pulled down the comforters and his gaze only soften when he saw the wet pillow. “I only wish that you would not shed your tears behind the mask.” He slowly removed the mask that covered your tear stained and puffy eyes. “It is only I who is here with you and there is no shame showing your tears to me.”

You let him strip your mask away from your face, “I know.” He also sheds away his own mask granting you a view of his handsome face.

Both masks that represented how you viewed yourselves is place gently onto the table beside the bed.

“I was there too (Y/N),” His tone is soft and calm as he gently wipe the tears under your eye with his thumb. “I saw them scrutinize your decision to save me. “I heard them voice out their blames towards you even when the fall of our nation is not your fault.”

Knowing you, he already could tell that you continue to blame yourself for what had happened to Khaenri'ah. “They are fools who allows themselves to be blinded on the greater good of our endgame.” The sharp gaze of his blue eyes and the way his diamond shape pupils dilated, you could tell Pierro is furious... But not at you, never at you.

“Then I am a hypocrite too Pierro because look at me...” You sat up and gestured towards yourself, a pathetic powerless Princess of a fallen nation. “I couldn't handle such harsh attacks of mere words towards me. I am glad that I named myself Scapino because I did escape my responsibilities as the Princess.”

“If you are a hypocrite then so am I, behind this mask is another foolish man." He reaches out for the black mask that covered half of his face to prove a point.

“Yet despite the fact that our nation had fallen.” He hovers his mask over his face covering half of his handsome features. “We do not dwell on the past but towards the future on where us humans would no longer be at the mercy of the gods.”

Then he places the Mocking Mask back to cover his face. “Do you understand me (Y/N)?” Pierro asks as he gently caress your cheek wiping the tears that kept flowing. He admits he lacks the emotional capacity to utter sweet words. Yet those are anything but illusions to cover the real truth.

“You are strong woman and despite our initial hesitation we built a new organization that would lead us to a checkmate against the Heavenly Principles.” Now his words were not kind nor they were harsh, they were just realistic. “Without you at Her Majesty's side... and at my side we would not have gotten so far in our progress for the past five years.”

Pierro lets go of your face, he then grabs your own Mocking Mask, the one you call The Escapist, despite all the cowardice you still try to be a good-hearted and help everyone. “Cease your crying and stand tall, you are not going to be held down by their falsified blames.” Now this time he was back with his strict and harsh demeanor.

You let out a fond chuckle as you lean onto his palm, your cheek could almost cover his entire hands. “And here I thought this wasn't a lecture...” The sheer size difference between the two of you is one of the factors that contributed why you let him continue with his lectures. You held his large calloused hand with your smaller ones you grab the mask and put it over your eyes.

“Thank you…” You utter his real name which surprises him as it had been too long since you have called him by his name.

Pierro presses his forehead against yours and closed his eyes. He could feel your erratic heartbeat starting to relax. With a smile on his lips, he is relieved that he made you feel better.

“I may be the Tsaritsa's right hand but I am your royal mage and most loyal friend first. I would not watch this world burn without you at my side.”

There is comfort in his words, at the very least someone is there to keep your mind and soul to continue setting sights on the grand scheme of this game.

•••••

Year 15 

Dead people everywhere and their blood splattered on the ground, it dripped from the claymore that you had held. A cold chill in the air not only froze the dark cave but also your compassionate heart. You had just murdered punished those who had tried to betray the Fatui and it all started because a certain Doctor could not keep his laboratory well protected.

One way or another, someone is about to be dismembered. Bless the soul whoever had gotten to one of the projects. Some of it unimportant but one of the projects involved a certain papers related to an abandoned puppet and the tree of knowledge, Irminsul. The other papers were already recovered by the other Harbingers, and if one were to decipher those research papers… Snezhnaya would be done for good if other nations were to open their eyes about the Fatui involving themselves in acts of blasphemy.

You turn to the soldier who had started this ordeal, “Had you not stolen those papers we would not have this unfortunate turn of events Lieutenant Dominik.” You dematerialize your claymore since Pierro and Dottore had specifically requested to have a survivor to interrogate them.

“Lady Harbinger, you may as well kill me.” The fatui soldier clench his jaw as he replied with spite.

“I will let the Doctor deal with you, he and his other selves holds a grudge.” You brush off his threats not wanting to have a conversation with a traitor.

“Do we mean nothing to you?” His question made you finally look at him, “All of us were once under your care and yet we make one mistake, you would kill without hesitation. My child was with the Doctor and he demanded a sum of mora to be able to pay for my son’s surgery. I brought all I had and when I got there? I found out that he used my child as a test run for the delusions that you Harbingers had manufactured.” His voice started to shake not out of fear but out of anger that despite the fact that he would be at the receiving end of your wrath. Yet all his hopes were placed onto his son, a son that you knew very that was used for testing the delusions.

When you saw the lieutenant mourning for the loss of his child, you wanted to just die with the rest of the soldiers right then and there. “Your child served Her Majesty.” Your voice starts to waiver but you cannot bring back every blood you had spilled.

“And you call stealing a mistake? You know very well that those papers would cost Snezhnaya’s future, if it would reach outside this nation, they would awaken once again. The alchemy on those papers… they were once the reason why a great nation once fell at the hands of Celestia.” Your words were so cold but your tone is hollow you started realizing the grave sins you had done to others and the pain that you had inflicted to them.

“Does your grand scheme of plans would be able to save Snezhanaya? Or are you… the Jester… and the Tsaritsa trying to save yourselves instead?” The soldier clenched his fist, his teeth grit as he had heard this explanation before you had killed the soldiers in this cave.

“I think we linger in this cave long enough Lieutenant Dominik.” In all honesty you had started to smell the stench of blood and the rotting of the dead corpses, you had gone too far this time and now it was suffocating you.

“Kill me yourself, I’d rather die fighting than be left at the hands of that mad doctor.” He replied determined to fight you as his cryo vision strapped on his belt started to glow.

“No.” You answered.

“Then you’re a coward, Princess of a Fallen Nation.” Your eyes widen as icicles began to form on his back ready to attack you, “Perhaps it was your own cowardice that led to the destruction of your own nation. I would gladly not see Snezhnaya fall because of a foreigner, it was nice serving the Tsaritsa before you and the Jester had arrived.”

Your claymore materializes itself and blocked the attack.

Blood splattered on your face as Lieutenant Dominik had killed himself using his own cryo vision, the ornament on his belt glowed bright and it was quick to die down. The icicle pierced his own heart as he choked on his own blood, scattering it in the dark murky cave with all the blood of his comrades that you had killed earlier. He saw the despair and horror in your eyes as you watch him breathe his last breath.

He had the last laugh at his death and forever cursing your mind that you led him suicide as his only escape for the Harbingers’ wrath.

The incident left you running away from that cave and into the nearest abandoned adventurer camp, the trail of blood followed after you until you throw your boots and strip your armor burning it. But that wasn’t enough to clean the blood, there were still some on your face and arms.

You spot a river stream nearby.

“Please disappear…” You whisper at the dried blood of your comrades that stuck itself on your hands, you started to sob as the water won’t wash it away. “Please disappear… disappear… please… please… disappear, disappear!” You scratched your palms violently your blood started to seep out of your skin yet you did not flinch at all.

“Disappear, disappear disappear disappeardisappear disappear… DISAPPEAR!!! PLEASE GET OFF!!!” 

Roaring in pain as blue wisp surrounded your hands stopping from inflicting the wounds that you were causing to yourself. You didn’t use your power so it must be Pierro who used the blue wisp since he may have been looking for you since the rendezvous with him had passed by an hour ago.

“Princess (Y/N)…”

“Pierro help… I couldn’t wash it out.”

You were utterly a horrid sight, there were blood stains all over your inner clothes now, your face still had the dried blood but your arms and hands were already cleaned from the moment you had dip your hands into the running cold water.

Once your tears stop you could make out the figure and the man who called out your name wasn’t Pierro. “Captain Dainsleif… please help me.” You whimper out a cry for help.

Dainsleif had a lot of questions from why were you here in the outside borders of Snezhnaya, to why were you covered in blood that wasn’t your own, and most especially why were you crying. He knew you were the one who created the Fatui with Pierro and the Tsaritsa.

Yet he could not help himself to rush at your side. Despite of his disapproval in your journey to fight against Celestia, all he saw right now is not an infamous Fatui Harbinger but a child princess who once asked him for help when she couldn’t lift up her claymore.

Dainsleif’s hands were warm on yours, he had cleaned the blood of your skin, the injuries you caused to yourself already healed but what he could not clean is what you have done so far. His gaze is mixed with pity, disappointment, and compassion. Although you may have changed for the worst, he could not unsee the innocent small little girl he had once met.

He scavenged of what was left in the adventurer’s camp and luckily for you, there are some spare clean clothes he had found. “Here you should go change Princess (Y/N).” You didn’t accept the new clothes.

“It’s okay I think I’m okay Captain, you should not have seen me like that.” You try to compose yourself but despite smiling your eyes looked so sunken.

“May I ask what happened Princess? So that I may understand what transpired you to hurt yourself like this.” Dainsleif places the clothes down and his hand were on your shoulder rubbing it gently to soothe you.

“I killed them…” You whisper. “I killed those soldiers because they were going to betray us… One of them hated the fatui so much and he took his life right before my eyes.” Your voice quiver as your tears started to fall again as the scene of Lieutenant Dominik using cryo icicles to stab himself to death played in your mind over and over again.

Dainsleif’s eyes widen as he was taken aback, he did not expect that you had done all of that only to regret it yourself. He grits his teeth and he is furious at you, “So that’s why you were crying? You killed the people who were under your orders and you blamed yourself for their deaths. How far had you gone Princess (Y/N)?” But are you really to blame for all of the bloodshed that the Fatui had done? “Or did your mage force you into this life?”

Both of his hands were on your cheek afraid that he might’ve been overlooking the Fatui too much unaware of the pain it caused to his dearest apprentice. He basically had done more than your father to season you into the Warrior Princess that Khaenri’ah had come to admire and look up to. Now you were a Harbinger that humans were afraid of, because instead of protecting them you had started to use them.

“What? No, no he didn’t, we started the Fatui together with Her Majesty.” You began to get defensive, many Snezhnayans had thought about that way because despite the fact that you were ruthless, people see you as the opposite of the Jester.

The children loved you, teenagers look up to you, and the adults wished to be like you. The only ones whom saw you as a monster were the ones you had killed, they could not spread that rumor because they were dead before they can send the message.

“Do you truly think you have no way out of this?” His question surprised you.

“I do but Captain… despite this guilt I would not leave the Fatui.” It was true, this was probably the first mentally exhausted experience so far but quitting was not on your mind.

His hand was on your hair, he softly brushes them with his fingers as if letting you remember that you could trust the man who was like a father to you. “What if I ask you to come with me?” Dainsleif became clearer with his intentions now, he didn’t have any ulterior motive all the man wanted was to give you an option, and the safest one was to be under his care once again.

Oh, dear Tsaritsa, the offer is so tempting to accept, you really missed the warmth that his hands offered. You could vaguely remember the nights you two had camped together after a long day of training, he would brush your hair as he hums a lullaby to help you sleep.

“Dainsleif. I think it is time for you to leave.”

A familiar voice came behind you, but before you could whip your head to see Pierro, Dainsleif pulled you back as he stands before you, he was now an obstacle that the Jester must face.

“The timing of your arrival is not coincidental, you only showed yourself when I would take the princess away from you.” Dainsleif’s eyes narrowed at Pierro who had a scowl on his expression.

Rarely you had seen him using his catalyst these past decade and he now materializes it in his hand “I advise in refraining from touching what is mine Dainsleif.” Your eyes widen at that because your relationship with him had never been official. “You may have been her teacher but she is no longer requires your protection.” Pierro had never been more furious, he is fully aware of the carnage you had left in that dark cave and what had transpired is already clear. What he didn’t expect is how you had handled the mental toll on it, when you had started screaming earlier at your bloodied hands, he was running as fast as he could only to find Dainsleif at your side first.

He watched behind the trees and could not bear how his heart clench when he saw you contemplating in accepting Dainsleif’s offer.

“Princess (Y/N) will have to decide that for herself, if she chooses to come with me, you would not let us leave without a fight but do you think you can win against both of us?” Dainsleif materializes his longsword in his hands as he bends his knees down slightly and his other hand glowed with blue wisps. “She would not be forced to do anything at my side and all I ask is that you would let me guide her that she would not give up on herself.” He tells Pierro as if asking him to be your guardian once more.

Pierro didn’t seem to like that at all, “If you ask her to betray the Fatui, she would not have peace at your side. Her Majesty would order for her execution and despite the fact that I love (Y/N)…” He looks at you with a hardened gaze, “I will not hesitate to let her perish at my hands.”

Despite the fact Dainsleif comforted you, it was surprising to say that despite the fact you had become a monster he would still stand by your side. Pierro on the other hand… You had cried for strangers and yet this man would not hesitate to kill you if you would betray the Fatui. The way he would not give up the goal for you somehow made you blush.

The two were ready to fight each other and you haven’t really thought about your answer because why should you even think about it? You had started your training to protect the people of Khaenri’ah with Dainsleif but you failed… So you started the Fatui with Pierro to destroy the gods for the ones who you had failed to protect. It had been a mentally, emotionally, and physically tiring as it all took the last remaining peace of mind you had. That is why you already have an answer in mind and it was answer that you would probably regret later on.

“Dainsleif…”

Pierro’s breath hitch because you had not uttered his name first because that would mean-

“I’m sorry and thank you for taking care of me and comforting me earlier but like I said I would not quit the Fatui.” You could tell Pierro had relaxed now, you turn to Dainsleif.

He had a neutral expression, he already knew the answer of course, though let his glare linger a bit longer towards Pierro as he turns to you. “You haven’t changed little one, when you set a goal, you would always push through it despite the hardships. I would fight you on this one but I will not win against both of you.” He pats your head and smile sadly.

“Farewell Dain… I think… this may be the last time we would ever see each other.” You wrap your arms around his shoulders and hugged him tightly.

Dainsleif notices you had grown taller now, last time he received a hug from you was when you were a teenager and you could not reach his shoulders. He nuzzles his cheek onto your hair as he wraps his arms around your waist and closes his eyes. “Goodbye Princess (Y/N).” And just like that he lets you go after he kisses your forehead softly.

The Twilight Sword never looked back because once he did, he would not hesitate to fight you and the mage if it meant saving you from the pits of hell that you would swim with Pierro in the future.

Snow had once again started to fall from the sky, you let out your hand to catch a snowflake, your palm had been wiped clean of blood. Although the same could not be said for your inner clothings. You were about to look down when a larger coat is wrapped around your smaller figure.

“Thank you Pierro.” You snuggled onto his coat inhaling his musky scent, slowly forgetting why you didn’t have your armor on. “You know… you could have seduced me to come with you and not start by wanting to kill me. Because what if I did come with Dainsleif huh?” You teasingly ask while raising an eyebrow at him.

“Do you think I would have let you?” He still seems frustrated base from his tone.

“You just said you would let me and then kill me after… wait a minute did you just get jealous because he hugged and kissed my forehead?” Although you were pretty sure he definitely would have killed you if you had defected, he would be way past that now since you didn’t end up leaving the Fatui. “Kidding aside… I heard what you said earlier.” You place your cold hands on his arm that is about the size of your thighs, oh… you definitely wouldn’t mind getting choked to death by them.

Leaning your forehead as it touches his chest, your lips quirk up, “I love you too.” For the first time since Khaenri’ah had fallen, Pierro had seen you smile again.

This time you smiled because you genuinely love him and that is something he would want to see everyday when he wakes up in the morning.

Pierro removes his mask with his hand as he pulls you close with the other, your lips finally met after two decades of pinning for each other. The kiss is searing hot and far from being innocent despite this being the first time you two had kissed each other.

All those declaration of love throughout the years came to act. His kiss is domineering as if he wanted to devour you whole and you would let him as your tongues clash passionately and desperate to taste each other. The kiss is so overwhelmingly intense that you had to pull away, your arms were still wrapped around his neck. Pierro could tell that he might’ve gone a bit overboard so he instead kisses the tip of your nose.

“Staying at my side is something you would surely regret, I am asking you to stain blood with your hands again, if not us then who would cleanse this world anew?” He leans down to your height pressing your foreheads together his eyes closed as he let himself drown in your arms as you embraced him tightly.

“Anywhere you’ll go I’ll go too, forgive me if I would cry sometimes but I’ll share one loving relationship and one lifetime of damnation with you.” And that was true, the two of you would continue to love each other as you both watch the old world burn itself to the ground.

You two share another kiss but this time it was just a small peck on the lips.

“If that is the case then I suppose our marriage would not pose any problems, we already share the same estate so you have no reason to object.” After mentioning the word marriage Pierro pulls himself away from your embrace, he balls a hand into a fist as he covers his mouth over it while he places his mask back to cover half of his face. “Regarding the matters of your next mission I believe it is time we have to open business trades in other nations so that we may be able to establish bases of operations.”

He immediately debriefs you of the next mission not even letting you recover from the overwhelming emotional rollercoaster you had just experienced in one day.

“Ye-” You were surprised at the change of topic because you had just started to process that he was already asking you to marry him. “Hey don’t change the topic you just asked me to marry you-wait are you embarrasses is that why you’re not looking at me?”

You let out a series of giggles as Pierro purse his lips trying to contain himself from blushing too much but alas you already saw his cheeks darken. “Alright please continue with the mission debrief my dearest husband.” You didn’t tease him any further and let yourself indulge with the fact that you’re marrying your royal mage.

“As you wish my wife.” He replies with a softer tone leaning down to your height as you two shared a short and gentle kiss.

•••••

Year 25

The day after the proposal, your marriage with Pierro became official, at that point both of you didn’t bother to have a ceremonial marriage. Nothing really had changed much between the two of you, from the beginning you have always shared an estate with him. Along with sharing a bed sometimes because of the nightmares from what happened during the Cataclysm. And the only comfort you could feel when you’re with Pierro.

His presence always reminded you that you haven’t lost everything. And though he may never verbally say it, you’re fully aware that he too finds comfort in cuddling you to sleep.

Now that the papers stated you two are married, there is a difference in sharing a bed to cope versus sharing a bed with your husband. You really couldn’t get used to it, because despite being burdened with being the heads of the Fatui and the unforgettable tragic incident of your homeland… you were still able to find serendipity in marrying the grumpy royal mage you always pinned for.

Your cheeks became red again at the thought of what had happened during the officiality of your marriage 10 years ago and the night that preceded it. Instead of reading the reports for this week’s accomplishments in improving Snezhnaya economy and the other are reports for the underground work of the Fatui along with the files of a newly recruited woman that hailed from Mondstadt… you were giggling like a teenager in the small office that is connected in your shared bedroom with Pierro.

Aside from the papers another proof of marriage is the diamond shape earrings, you had a pair and you gave the other piece to Pierro who wears it on a daily basis. As for your husband he had a chained brooch that had a pair of a diamond shaped jewel, he gave the other jewel to you and crafted it into a necklace. You both had a piece of each other as proof of your union in marriage.

The necklace hanged around your neck and you always had the habit of gently caressing the jewel.

“If you would be so generous enough to lend me my shirt back, I have urgent matter’s to tend today.”

At this point you were really used to Pierro suddenly appearing when your back is turned. That's why you weren’t really surprised when he suddenly waltzes in without knocking. He always seems to be so light on his feet despite being huge and having a well-built body.

Needless to say you were quite embarrassed this time because you were wearing nothing but his dress shirt exposing your body with littered bruises and hand marks that he imprinted himself last night.

Your cheeks darken when you saw how his eyes stare at you with heavy lust and you unconsciously rub your thighs together out of anticipation.

“Don’t you have a lot of similar shirts? I wanted to keep this one for myself.” 

Pierro strides forward his hands slamming down his hands onto the desk trapping you in between his arms, you were surprised by how energetic he is so early in the morning. “I want to wear this one.” He whispers leaning close to you and kisses the tip of your ear, his hands were slowly unbuttoning his shirt slowly revealing your naked body to him. When your skin is exposed, he lowers his lips kissing the space above your breasts, his hand is on the diamond shape jewel he held it in between his fingers as he continues to nip your soft skin.

“H-Haven’t you gotten enough of me last night?” You slightly whimper as he began to nip at your exposed neck that still had bruises from last night’s session.

He lifts you by your hip and places you on top of the desk, he maintains eye contact as he kneels down while grabbing your thighs with his large hands. “Blame yourself for walking around wearing my dress shirt and nothing underneath.” He slowly spread your legs open and you complied your breath getting ragged as he kisses your inner thigh trailing his lips upwards.

You let out a soft whimper as his beard tickled your soft skin while lips touches the litter of love bites he had left on your thighs last night. “We’ve been married for a decade and yet you are so easily flustered.” He smirks as he saw how you were already shaking with just kissing.

“That's because I'm still sensitive from last night!” You cover your face with both of your hands embarrassed that he would see you again in such lust-filled daze.

He stands up and grabs your wrist prying them away from your face. He softens up when he looks at your blushing cheeks then kisses your forehead sweetly. Although seeing you in his dress shirt that is too big for your size that it reached down to your thighs. He really couldn’t be sweet and gentle to you after that.

“Perhaps you just need to get used to this.” Pierro hotly whispers into your ear as he grabs your wrist and pins them down on the desk slamming you down onto the wooden surface. His knee kept your bare legs open and his lips found its way onto yours kissing you with much passion.

Needless to say, your morning has gotten so better, although the same can’t be said to the desk you two copulated in.

Humming in delight, you drape your cape with golden plate shoulder pads around your body, your inner clothing has three layers to compensate for the harsh winter. Though it isn’t really that cold since the estate is regulated with the right temperature and your office in the central city has a fireplace in it. You went downstairs and saw your husband talking to the newly recruited woman from Mondstadt.

From what you can see she is holding out her cryo delusion most likely to suppress her flames, and her expression looks frightened. Pierro is somewhat scrutinizing her for coming into the estate without notice. And to ease her mind you place a hand on Pierro’s shoulder which halted him to stop talking.

“Finally, we meet at last Rosalyne, I am (Y/N), did you come here because the delusion hurting you somehow?” She is surprised to have met the Second of the Fatui Harbingers who immediately know the reason why she had come “Forgive us but it is not a power we can so easily tap into, if you would like I can help you get used to it and the pain will numb.” That was quite true because the Delusion is something only a few possess since it's quite difficult to manufacture.

Rosalyne pursed her lip, she didn’t expect that you would treat her so kindly she more or less expected you to be like the Jester. “Thank you, Lady Harbinger, but if I do lose control, I would not be held responsible for what could happen to you.” She replies firmly.

You already like Rosalyne because she has some bite in her words. When you sat beside her and rest your hands onto hers, she still held the delusion tightly as if afraid of letting it go. “I heard from Her Majesty that you were quite eager to start working and what better opportunity it is to come with me, you might pick up a few skills and I can take you down if it comes to it.” Giving reassurance that you could fight made her sigh in relief.

“Rosalyne,” Her head suddenly jerked up to the Jester, “You are quite adept in numerous languages since you hail from Mondstadt and studied in the Akademiya. Having to learn the art of Diplomacy from my wife, you would gain valuable skills that would be needed in the future.” His tone is rigorous as ever, everyone could be easily intimidated by his voice but for you, it's like music to your ears.

“Then I am in your care Lady Harbinger.” Rosalyne replies as she eases her mind that she would be under your care. Her stiff shoulders began to relax, at the very least it would seem she had immediately become comfortable around you.

Turning to Pierro he gives you a nod of approval at stepping up in having Rosalyne under your care. “I shall see you for another few days Dearest, have fun with the Doctor.” You bid him farewell while smiling and holding his hand.

Starting the morning with a great exercise Pierro is eager to work. He wanted to kiss your cheek but you both had no privacy at the moment. He could only offer his thumb gently rubbing your forehand then left without so much saying a word. Your touch is enough and besides you both have long centuries together before the plans would be set in stone.

When your husband left, you turn to Rosalyne holding out your hand for her to take, “Come I have a lot of things to teach you.” She takes your hand eagerly as you were delighted about that. Today is a good day and you hope that it would continue until the day of the rebellion against the divine would come.

•••••

Present time

You open your eyes and saw a familiar dark blue ceiling, your entire body is resting on a mattress that is soft as a marshmallow. She must’ve moved you to a bedroom but the bed is too large to be slept with one person on it. It was obvious that this bedroom is the one you had shared with Pierro where the nights you two had spent is now encased in a small container of memories.

“I think we should take a break for now (Y/N).” Columbina stated as she places the container on the tableside.

“Columbina… how could I have dare to forget this memory?” You just noticed that you were crying as you touch your cheek.

Her eyes were still closed as she lets out a small sigh, “Should we continue, you would find your answers later on which is precisely why I stopped.” She puts a warm wet towel on your forehead to let the soothing feeling of warmth relax your mind to let the blood flow correctly. “I know you are a cursed immortal and won’t easily die but that doesn’t mean your soul would not forget how it feels to be in pain.”

Columbina did have a point, the consequences of immortality is trying to stay sane now look where it had gotten you? Reduced to being a damsel without realizing she is in distress.

“Where is he?” You asked.

“Outside the bedroom door, would you like him to come inside?” She tilts her head wondering if it’s a good idea to ask that.

“Not yet, I don’t want to face him only remembering a fraction of our lives together.” You purse your lips because you definitely want to see him so badly because you had caused him to feel solitude upon your disappearance.

“Very well (Y/N) after I hum a lullaby to relax your mind and we will continue putting back your memories.” Columbina sits beside you as she picks up the container again slowly caressing it as she lets out a soft chorus of hums as if it was sung by an angel.

Outside the bedroom door, Pierro leaned back closing his eyes, he could not stand seeing also. What you had done hurt him as well but if you were willing to try again, he would have no reason to deny having him in your arms again.

If you do accept these memories then he it would mean you would still be willing to continue playing the chess game against Celestia.

Yet right now all Pierro could think is he would once again ask you lead him and save him from solitude, he hopes that you would say you want him, beside you once more, that’s all he would ask of you.

⟡ Act V: Point of No Return ⟡

Past the point of no return

No going back now

Our passion play has now at last begun

Past all thought of right or wrong

One final question

How long should we two wait before we're one?

When will the blood begin to race?

The sleeping bud bursts into bloom?

When will the flames at last consume us?

•••••

Year 35

Pierro is experiencing a migraine, you could tell from the way his hand would often press against his forehead. He had been in that state since last month but of course knowing him he would not disclose his predicament. He would brush it off as something trivial and unnecessary to worry about.

After speed running the necessary work for today and tomorrow’s agenda, you hurriedly went back to the Zapolyarny Palace and invaded yourself in his office. He didn't acknowledge your presence as he continues with his paperwork but it’s alright you already know he’s quite busy. You then place a picnic basket on another table nearby. You quietly prepare him a cup of coffee and pastries that you baked at the orphanage. After preparing him an afternoon snack you place it to his desk then stood behind his chair.

Arms wrapped around his neck as you kiss the side of his head. “I hurriedly went back but don't worry my work is finished earlier than expected. I'm quite worried about you, your headache has been recurring non-stop this month.”

He turns his head but before he can say anything you already jumped to it. “Don't be ridiculous (Y/N)—what? Surprise I can guess what you want to say? You do realize that even if we're immortals we can still feel pain, right?”

Your husband glared at you clearly not amused with your scolding mixed with teases, “I'm fully aware, now leave.” And once again you beat him to what he wanted to say.

“Are you done mocking me?” He asks with clear annoyance.

“Not if you would just give me your time for just one hour and let me take over your paperwork.” You were now serious this time and Pierro could tell that you were no longer be playful if he wouldn’t listen to you.

Pierro sighs heavily he wasn’t in the mood to argue back so he caved, “One hour.” He grumbled dropping his pen onto the table and let his head rest by leaning onto his soft chair.

When he finally gives in to your request, you dim the lights in his office to set a relaxing mood. You brewed him some coffee and prepared the pastries you had baked earlier in a small plate. Eyeing Pierro you saw him dropping his mask placing it on his desk as he closes his eyes. It made you smile in relief that he actually listened.

“Caffein will help ease your migraine and I also baked pastries earlier.” You those to him and he hurriedly took a sip of the warm beverage.

Your husband stares at you with a much more relaxed expression, his hands were on top of your squeezing them gently. “Thank you, I truly need this.” He brought your hands to his lips and kissed each tip of your bare fingers, “(Y/N), you truly are the only good thing in this world.” He sweetly says those words with one final kiss onto the side of your wrist.

With a flustered expression and eyes widen at the 180 degrees turn of the rigidness if the Director of the Fatui Harbinger to your loving mage husband. You squeeze his hand back, “You’re welcome, now let me take care of these they only need your signatures, right? No one would even bat an eye if I forged it.” You tease your husband but he just garnered a confused expression.

“Your signature wouldn't pose any problem, you have much authority as I have in the Fatui.”

Well now that your joke is soiled you pouted, “You’re no fun did you know that?” You tell him but he just let out an amused hum as he takes a bit of the crisp snack you gave him earlier.

As you let Pierro rest, the stacks of paperwork were an easy task to do since that was mainly your job as the current Mayor of Snezhnaya. You were sitting on top of his desk signing non-stop but of course you also read the contents of what you were signing. The paperwork caught your eye is the incident involving a tragic accident regarding the new batch of recruits fresh from the orphanage that was sent on an expedition to investigate an archon residue detected in an inhabited island.

This happened a year ago and you could vividly remember the faces of those new recruits. All because they were the one who often helped you in the kitchen when you visit the orphanage. You purse your lip as you currently over their files, it turns out that they all survived the god of that island because they were spared but they were all subjected to help in Dottore’s laboratory.

“Pierro why didn’t you tell me all of these?” You ask your husband with a shaky voice.

His migraine started to attack again as his finger rubbed his forehead, “They were under Pulcinella’s care, it isn’t relevant since you do have your own subordinates.” He nonchalantly stated as if he didn’t care what happened to those children. The ones you would bake pastries with or occasionally train, he just discarded them because the delusions needed to be produced massively for the growing ranks within the Fatui.

“I watched those children grow up and their lives were just used for an experiment?” Your voice began to break as you remembered the smiles and giggles of those children, now you won’t be able to even see or hear them again because they had perished.

“Indeed, but their sacrifice contributed in making sure the delusions to perfect the Cicin Mage’s prototype.” Your husband’s tone changed, it’s as if it was the Jester speaking to you, not him.

“Did you ever regret it █ █ █ █ █ ?” You asked in calm anger.

“Regret what?”

“What we became.” When you replied that, Pierro’s diamond shape pupils dilated as if studying your facial expressions because your question poses a threat to everything you had built for Her Majesty, the Fatui, and Pierro. Your anger turned into a fake smile not wanting the argument to escalate any further.

“Ah never mind don’t answer that just rest, okay? One hour and I’ll finish all your task then go to my office because Rosalyne is returning today from her mission.”

You quickly change the topic but Pierro grabbed your arm before you could even stand up. “What do you suggest to do then?” He wasn’t going to let this go but he would like to know if your stomach could handle the blasphemous acts of the Fatui.

“Use the criminals or traitors then, we have no need for prisoners they take up a lot space and resources.”

And he will take your word for it.

You were going to regret this but for the sake of those poor children in the House of Hearth you have to pay blood with blood. Pierro is surprised that you have suggested that in the first place. Although it would indeed be practical, if the traitors would plot against or even think of leaving them… what better way to put an end to it by subjecting them to Dottore’s care instead?

How horrible you had become, you bit your lip and rested your head onto his shoulder. “Pierro I’m sorry for lashing out perhaps I shouldn’t let myself get attached to those children.” You wrap your arms around him hoping a hug and an apology would be enough for him to forgive you.

“I will look for a new headmaster who could train them at a very young age so your attention wouldn't be divided.” Pierro didn’t condemn you nor did he verbally say you're forgiven and you’re afraid to even look at his expression since you really didn’t want your husband to be cross with you.

“Alright but do that after another hour of rest.”

The topic has ended and you kiss his forehead softly while you gently brush his hair with your palms and let his head rest onto your soft chest. For a while you let yourself enjoy the serendipity of your married life. You just begin to imagine that your husband is different to the Jester. After all, it was easier to delude your reality into an illusion just to give you a false sense of security. Perhaps this would at least retain your sanity until the rebellion against the divine would come.

•••••

Year 50

Your entire body is aching.

How could it not when you had fractured your ribs?

A gaping wound on your stomach could also be added to the list along with multiple bruises on your entire body. Defeating a god with little followers on a secluded island was no easy feat, especially when Pierro wasn’t here to assist you but then again mission success so you had no right to complaint.

“I suppose you have my gratitude.”

Okay maybe you have one complaint since you hate to go on missions with Dottore’s most arrogant segment, the Omega build. He held up an archon residue container that sealed the body of the dead god inside. You didn’t dare look at it because you would remember how that god begged for mercy… not to himself but to his followers.

“This amount will suffice until my experiment is a success. You were the one who killed this minor god right?” Dottore grinned which made you feel uneasy.

“A fine observation Doctor, is the blood on my claymore not enough proof?” Your blood pressure is rising and you were itching to kill this annoying little shit with your own weapon. The adrenaline from fighting earlier hasn’t died down yet, as the matter of fact being provoked made you twitch.

The Doctor chuckles deeply, he put a hand on his chin as if thinking of something, your diamond shape pupils narrowed down at him. You ignored the people on the background crying in hysterics mainly from the miasma they had inhaled when you killed their god. Though they were all rendered helpless as your subordinates sedated them one by one.

“Oh no no, I'm just curious since you do know the consequences of killing a god. The people are plagued with madness already so I thank you for saving me the trouble of finding new test subjects for the archon residue you had collected.” You already know that but his sarcasm made you angrier.

“Do not test me Zandik. Get to the point.” Every word you had uttered, especially his real name is a warning, you were already gripping your claymore to the point the veins on your hands were protruding.

Dottore suddenly laughed, “Hahahahah! Hah. It's just amusing that you once called me a monster but are we really so different Princess (Y/N)?” His words hurt more than the minor god’s attacks, he was calling you a hypocrite and right in front of your subordinates no less.

But he was right, to deny such accusations is laughable on your part. You have done unspeakable things for this rebellion against the Divine. You were a monster.

Now you will show Dottore what you can do.

A claymore enclouds in sharp blue wisp is swung right at him, the tip of your claymore is then stopped by a white gloved hand. A booming sound is heard as the hand stopped your attack before it could truly behead Dottore. Your view is blocked from him none other than your husband who just arrived in time to save a fellow Harbinger.

“Move Pierro, I want to give more results to Zandik’s wonderful conclusion.”

Pierro didn’t flinch when you scowled at him, the claymore is still moving but with his strength he is able to subdue it easily. He turns to the one who pissed you off, “Doctor, I suggest you take the archon residue and your test subjects to your laboratory before I lose my temper as well.” He ordered impatiently.

“Of course, Jester.” Dottore lowers his head a bit, base from his expression, he didn’t expect that the Jester would actually come and see the conclusion of their raid in a small island not far from Snezhnaya. “I will send my child segment, the Zeta build, to tend to the reports he gets along with your wife.”

Pierro then grabbed your blade not caring if the blood from the god you had killed stained his glove and sleeves. He then flipped your claymore so he would be the one wielding it, “Are you done with your tantrum? I hope you realize that petty words are not worth to eliminate such an important asset.” Considering his reasoning you were indeed on the wrong side of this argument, you should have not lost your temper. Then again you and Dottore do get along fine but when it comes to philosophical ideals you two never get along.

“When we return to Zapolyarny Palace I will thoroughly remind the Doctor about overstepping his boundaries.”

Okay you were satisfied with that for now.

The claymore dematerializes from your husband’s hand as you feel relaxed at least this is settled you really didn’t want to stay any longer. Not when the sight before you are a devastating carnage you had left when you killed these people’s god.

“Let’s just go-nnghk!!! ” A sharp pain attacked the gaping wound on your stomach.

Pierro hurriedly caught you in his arms, “What are you standing there for? Get a medic.” He shouts at the nearby elderly female soldier who hurriedly called for help but you didn’t miss the way she smiled when you coughed up blood.

You groan in pain as you rest your head on your husband’s shoulder clutching your stomach to put pressure on the wound. As your breathing became ragged you try to calm yourself down to concentrate on the wounded spot and to let the curse of immortality heal your wounds.

“Eyes on me (Y/N).” His gloved hand was on your cheek while the other is pressing onto your wound to put pressure on it because the more you bleed out the more your body gets affected by the miasma.

In all honesty, you deserved this. Oh, how you were careless in fighting just so you can feel a deserving punishment. The god who lets the flower bloom in the harshest weather was a weak opponent but you let yourself get wounded. You were sure that the miasma is based from wolfsbane flowers that the god grew on the island.

An island that’s full of green lush and colorful flowers despite the winters of Snezhnaya reaching far beyond the borders and now all of those beautiful plants and flowers became brown and withered.

You can endure this pain, it will heal slowly and with time your body would forget what the wound looks like. No wonder Dottore scrutinized you earlier, he had seen through the fake façade you put up. You could have easily ended that god but chose to harm yourself in exchange for what you would do to the people of this damned island.

This is karma for what you had done and you hope you could still stay sane until rebellion against the divine.

•••••

Year 65

Ever since the incident of battling the god of that small island, you never had been assigned missions outside of Snezhnaya. Pierro had every reason and right to ban you from expeditions, you were putting yourself in danger deliberately. And your relationship with him started to strain but with time you try to make it up to him.

Although your husband will always trust you as wife… but the Jester isn’t able to do so but a decade and half passing by, he is able to trust you as the Scapino again.

At present, you were currently on an inspection because there are reports of sighting that there's a spiraling darkness lingers in a forest east from the capital city.

“My lady once this inspection is over, I would like to formally hand over my resignation letter, I am far too old now.” The subordinate who navigated the area is an elderly woman who had always been under your care for 50 years.

Her timing is really poor since you both were in front of the Abyss portal.

“Alina, I’m sure your family would be delighted so of course I would let you retire.”

“My Lady they have been dead for 50 years.” She replies coldly sending shivers down your spine.

“Oh… I’m sorry to be so insensitive.” You slightly bow your head apologizing for your carelessness.

The elderly female soldier smiles hollowly, she had been your subordinate for the longest time, though you never did grow close like friends. She seems too formal and kept her distance, you respected that and she was the one who help you recuperate from your injury from the god you had killed some time ago.

Now you begin to understand why she kept her distance. “Why do you feel sad My Lady? Do you have any right to feel that when you killed my husband, Dominik?” That person is someone you could never forget and even his loved one never did, now she's here to avenge him.

That man killed himself because of you.

Your legs began to wobble as you suddenly see blood around you and the gaping hole of Dominik's chest open by the power of a cryo vision. And his eyes that is filled with so much hate that if it could kill, you would have been slaughtered mercilessly.

Your heart began pounding loudly against your chest as the old lady grab your wrist, “Why are you so kind and empathetic to your subordinates knowing you lead them to death? Do you know how hard it was to endure 50 years to serve the one who killed my family?” She began shaking you while your head is floating in the clouds trying to keep yourself remain conscious of what was happening in front of you.

“I didn’t mean to… I… didn’t know he would…” Your voice trembles as you close your eyes shaking your head like a child guilty of candy theft.

“You didn’t know that he would kill himself? Is that what you want to say? But who was the one who lead him to take drastic measures?”

‘Me… It was me…’ You whisper to yourself and your eyes bulging while you grip onto your hair and your entire body started to shake.

“That’s right and you’ve been doing these to many families.” The old lady caresses your cheek while wiping your tears away. “What’s worst is that you set sights on an orphanage to produce soldiers for the Fatui. How many of them reached my age? How many died in glory? In battle? In vain?”

You feel lightheaded and nauseous.

“Can you make it up to me? To us? The people you have caused nothing but pain?” The old lady never stops staying condemning words and you made no effort in stopping her because she had a point. You were the mayor of Snezhnaya and it would do your reputation no good as you had vowed to listen to every citizen’s problem. “Will you let me push you into the Abyss so that my soul would finally be at peace?”

Then you shakily inhale because if you were to fall into the Abyss, there’s no telling how much time would pass on the outside world. “But my husband… he would worry…” You whimper as she digs her sharp nails onto your skin.

“What about my husband? Lieutenant Dominik and I could have been living peacefully with our son but you took that away from us.” She pulls you closer to the portal as her nails teared the surface of your skin causing you to bleed.  “And your own husband… I’m sure Lord Jester married you so that the Fatui wouldn’t fall early since you are after all, a founding member.”

Your heart stopped at her words.

Little did you know that it was the nail to the head when Anila started to talk about Pierro, her 50 years of labor under your lead began to grow into a delicious fruit. The look of despair in your eyes when she had finally start to break your soul. She would relish it until the day she dies.

“Stop lying… he always had loved me… before Khaenri’ah fell… he told me himself.” 

You sounded so helpless.

“Poor Princess (Y/N), your own husband lied to you so please…” Her grip onto your wrists loosens up, “Let me relieve you of your pain.” She didn’t used much force to push you into the dark spiralling portal.

And now… you were falling into the Abyss.

The last thing you ever saw is Alina laughing until the darkness of the Abyss consumed your entire body. You close your eyes as you brace for the impact of your fall, perhaps this was for the best. All those people you have caused so much pain and loss, they did deserve some comfort in their lives that their vengeance had been fulfilled by the loved one of the first person who cursed and hated you.

And as for Pierro… ‘Is his love all a lie to keep me around?’

You deserved a punishment such as this and when you landed, you could feel every bone in your body shattering. Having multiple fractures wouldn’t kill you anyway so you might as well try opening your eyes. And when you did the first thing you ever saw is a series of events that hasn’t happened yet…

In the land of Freedom, one must force its way to get what is needed.

The oldest of the gods can be persuaded through the honor of contracts.

The Crimson Witch of Flames turned to ash, Rosalyne’s sacrifice is worth the cost.

To obtain something of equal value must be lost, Dottore knows no bounds after all.

Justice is inevitable but is it honorable when it is only served in favor of the most powerful?

Fire fueled by the blood spilled, the most powerful Captain lays his life for the rebellion

The endless neverwinter is desolate and harsh but as this nation endured for all time, every lives that were lost would have a final resting place in the entirety of the old world.

A female blonde traveler dressed in all white is accompanied by her little fairy guide is now face to face with their net obstacle. Me.

“Are you satisfied now Lady Scapino?” Lumine’s tone is cold towards me unlike her soft-spoken tone during the time we spent together for a short while. “Does your rebellion against the divine truly worth the lives you took. All of these bodies, they are the Fatui… are their lives meaningless to you?”

I grip onto my claymore but I had no more reason to fight, the game against Celestia had reached its conclusion.

“They were not meaningless to me at all, if not for their sacrifice we would not have come so far. If I were to be reborn again, I would have chosen your role Lumine, a traveler who sees the world with hope and a little companion would also be nice… but alas I was born a Princess of Khaenri’ah. I was doomed from the beginning and therefore I accept my eternal damnation.”

Before Lumine and Paimon could reply you were pulled back into the light.

Pierro is the first thing you ever saw since he held your semi-conscious body, you could feel his hands shaking as he cups your cheek. His one visible eye glistened in painful relief as he stares at your battered body.

“I thought I lost you to the Abyss, my love.” He hugs you tightly but you were confused as to why is he relieved.

Wasn't he the one who lied so that you wouldn't abandon the Fatui?

“Where is she?” You refer to the elderly who pushed you down.

There is a flash of anger in his expression, “She died after you fell, she planned it all so that we may never find you but she failed.” He seems to be hiding the whole truth but you didn’t dwell on it as long as Pierro didn’t admit he tortured the poor old lady as punishment for your disappearance.

“I see… at least she didn’t suffer any longer.” You sigh in relief.

“Why are you concerned about her? You should take a look of yourself my love, your eyes are sunken and your dress is ruined, you’re also filled with scratches and bruises.” Pierro is back again with his soft tone, it’s always that loving and gentle tone whenever he’s with you but not to others. Now… you were also beginning to doubt his sincerity.

“Do you truly love me?”

You had to ask that above anything else, you were stuck in the Abyss for an hour and all you saw is how horrible you had become. Because of what Anila had said you just need to know if what Pierro made you feel is real. If it proved to be true you don’t think you can ever go on living again.

“Did Anila tell you that I only married you so that I can continue to use you?” Pierro places you down gently, he was sitting on the snow and you were sitting on his lap. He cups both of your cheek and kisses your forehead. “She couldn’t be more wrong, like I said before, I would not rebel against the divine without you at my side.”

Base from his breathing, you knew he wasn’t lying and that made you tear up because Anila probably only told you those lies to catch you off guard.

You could feel his lips peppering kisses all over your bruised face, it didn’t hurt as his lips only put light pressure. “That and you are the only good thing I have left, we’ve been through so much and though it pains me that you doubt my love for you.” He brought your hand to his lips, his one visible eye stare at you with a loving expression that he only shows when you two are alone. “My heart and soul always belonged to you ever since the day you fell through the muddy garden of the palace.” That made you giggle because you could vividly remember the day you asked Pierro when was the first time he realizes he loves you too and it was one of those nights where you both sneak out to spend time together.

Although your smile died, ‘But Pierro, what if I don’t want to be at your side anymore whether you love me or not?’ That’s what you had wanted to ask but kept your mouth shut, it’s the least you could do after he confirms that he does indeed love you.

“Ahem… this is a very touching reunion but we need to move Lady Scapino to a much better facility.” Dottore coughs as he awkwardly stood with his child segment Zeta and Columbina who were watching the entire time. Signora is surprisingly there as well but she remained silent as her expression is hardened but her eyes express great relief.

‘What the hell I didn’t even notice they were there?’ You were shocked because your senses were usually sharp but then again you just fell into the Abyss and came back.

“When is it my turn to hug her Jester?” Columbina pouted as she crosses her arms.

“Yeah! Don’t be greedy you’re only her husband but we’re her friends!” Zeta frowned as he pointed a finger at Pierro.

Your husband glares at them both as his arms wrapped itself around your waist, “I was her best friend first and she doesn’t need you both.” He scowls at the two who then look at each other then at Pierro but before they can even run towards your direction, Dottore grabbed them by the back of their shirts.

Signora steps forward as she wraps a coat around your body, “Welcome back Lady (Y/N).” She gives you a rare smile as she steps back again to respect Pierro’s wish to give you some space. And your heart feels warm knowing that your comradea do care about you.

If you could just close your eyes for the sacrifices being made, you could try and be blind for all you care… All for your husband and friends. At the very least you can still fulfill your role in the Fatui until rebellion against the divine.

•••••

Year 75

Two decades had passed ever since you fell into the Abyss you had an obsession with the memories of the future and what better way to know everything through experiments? Having spilled too much blood you subjected yourself to be the lab rat instead of using who would tamper with their mind. And Pierro is once again furious about your recklessness in using the Art of Khemia to play with your brain.  The proof of it is by locking you up in your shared estate and letting all your things from the mayor’s office to be delivered here.

“Have you lost all senses? Do you know how dangerous it is to tamper with your own memories?!” Pierro saw the alchemy notes you had drawn into an orb-shaped capsule made from an automaton and it contained your memories of your time in the Abyss. “Your obsession with the Abyss is dangerous, the darkness tapped into your darkest fears (Y/N).”

“If we could avoid making mistakes then maybe there would be less casualties, those people who we killed for this ridiculous plan against Celestia-”

“You dare ridicule our entire lives’ work?!”

Pierro raised his voice at you, he grabbed your shoulders and tightly gripping them making you wince in pain. He shook you slightly not hiding the fact that his anger towards you. It was the first time you had ever seen him lose his temper and you were the one who caused this.

But his wrath is far more acceptable than the ones you had seen in the Abyss.

What you saw in the future were all fragments but you could put together of what had happened, the Fatui had all the Gnosis but at the cost of many comrades’ lives. Having to witness a vision such as that became your newest curse as you couldn’t bear to see your comrades dead. And they were all gone because of you… and you didn’t even finish the outcome of the future because Pierro pulled you back.

“After all these years why have you begun to regret what we had done? Do not forget that you were the one who started this with me.” His grip onto your shoulder started to hurt and you were sure it will leave bruises for days right there.

You purse your lip not wanting make him angrier but Pierro doesn’t understand because he turned a blind eye to the blood that the Harbingers and the Tsaritsa wrote.

“I wish I did forget all of this.” How you wish you could have prevented yourself from ever seeing those memories from the Abyss but it does also count as a blessing.

“It’s time to end these foolish theatrics (Y/N), if you wallow in your delusional fantasies then you will truly succumb to madness.”

Pierro scolded you as he lets go of your shoulder, he gives you a harsh glare as if daring you to oppose him. He had enough of your games for the past few weeks, you were really believing in the Abyss when such memories can be a reality but it’s the Abyss who showed you those memories and you were not going to risk it by thinking it was all fake.

“Then so be it, █ █ █ █ █.”

You don’t think you can stay sane but you were past the point of no return now, at the very least you had to fulfill your role in the Fatui until rebellion against the divine.

But you don’t think you could continue to bear to see the blood you had written for this to happen.

•••••

Year 85

A decade had passed ever since the huge argument you had with Pierro, it took you both five months before starting to talk again. Your memories of the time in the Abyss started to fade, without the help of Dottore and Columbina you could no longer tap into that spectrum. Pierro had strictly forbidden you from ever using the Art of Khemia to tamper with your memories and preserve them in a capsule.

You did wonder what happened to those memory capsules that you did create.

No matter, you were far too busy being occupied by a new hobby aside from baking, it was reading fictional novels. You absolutely adore the way it perfectly captures your attention since is vastly different from reading mission reports or those educational books about Teyvat. Though, Pierro once expressed his distaste with fiction but you quickly jump into defense that it helps you sleep when he isn’t home… and of course he caved in as usual.

“Lady Scapino, are you listening?”

“Yes, I am Pulcinella.” You set down what you were currently reading after being broken from thought by a fellow Harbinger. “About those noble families, of course it is given they want to expand their influence to the Fatui. They are deluded with the mere fact they once had power over Snezhnaya. However, we could use their ambition and turn it against them, Her Majesty is the reason why they haven’t even tried to usurp the Harbingers.” You were incredibly tired at the internal conflicts happening within the nation it’s really been difficult to handle which is why Pulcinella being promoted into a Harbinger really relieved some of your burdens.

“I must admit it is rather adorable of them to think they can usurp us it just takes a matter of little persuasion to my end to stop their stupidity from spreading.” He disappointedly shook his head since it’s a waste of time to handle childish conflicts but for the sake of Snezhnaya’s prosperity, he will do what must be done.

“You know Pulcinella you could be mayor instead of me, you’re rather good dealing with the people.” Suggesting this wasn’t a joke on your end, he would be a better mayor than you, besides setting this up would be easy on your part once you depart.

“Hoh hoh. I might take your offer one day Lady Scapino,” Pulcinella then stands up, his eyes stares at the doors of your office a bit amused. “Did you know the Jester is standing behind you all the entire time of our conversation.”

You manage to let out an amused huff, “I know he’s always been like that, always there behind to support me when needed and vice versa.” You look at Pierro who was leaning against the door frame with his arms cross as he waited for you to finish talking with Pulcinella.

“Ah young love…” The elderly small man lets out an amused laugh.

“Aren’t we older than you though?” You tilt your head in curiosity.

“Hoh hoh hoh, I shall tell you the truth some other time Young Lady Scapino.” Pulcinella’s teasing made you pout, “I believe your husband waited long enough.” He leaves your office still amused with your husband’s odd antic of always standing behind your back.

Pierro is still leaning by the door frame and without anyone that could disturb both of you he smiles, “You look divine tonight.”

Suddenly all your walls shatter as you became shy because when you look at the mirror on your desk, you look really horrible. Eyes sunken, hair slightly messy, hands stained with ink, and poor posture. Yet despite looking like that Pierro remain by at the door frame looking at you as if you’re the most beautiful thing he had laid his eyes on.

“I truly don’t know if you’re just being a tease or telling the truth.”

“A bit of both.” Pierro closes the door and strides forward to grab your hand and place a kiss on your knuckles. “How are you faring these days? You haven’t gone home for three weeks now my love.”

You were absolutely but nor really shocked about that the evidence is already your messy appearance, “Shit really? No wonder I look like trash.” You held Pierro’s hand tightly and squeezes them. “Darling, I’m really sorry I thought that if I go home, I wouldn’t finish any work done and my perception of time is incredibly poor.” In all honesty you just didn’t want him to see how you had grown mentally and emotionally unstable.

“Do you even sleep?” He asks worriedly.

“Sometimes I do but…”

“The nightmares.” Pierro finishes your sentence, he already knows how the nightmares never stopped because the same could be said to him. He pulls you into a tight hug as he rubs circles onto your back and you sink into his touch as his beard tickling your forehead as he leans down to your height to properly cuddle you.

“It’s not really that bad anymore, ever since those memories of my time in the Abyss started to disappear, I feel lighter...” ‘Best to avoid telling him that I still feel like I want to disappear crap, he seems too happy to see me right now.’ “Anyway, did you really miss me that much that you would personally come and fetch me?” You pull away from the hug poking his cheek .

“Our bed feels cold without you there.” He replies seriously which made you pout.

“Ah you just miss my body?” You ask teasingly.

Pierro place another kiss on your hand, “I miss your presence at my side (Y/N)…” Then another kiss on your cheek, his lips trailing up to your ear. “And you’re right I do miss seeing the look of your face curled in ecstasy.” He huskily said while blowing warm air onto your ear causing you to turn extremely red as you step away from him flustered.

“Damn it I’m suppose to be the teasing one in this relationship.” Grumbling under your breath you grab the novel you were reading earlier then covered your blushing face from his gaze. “I think I would rather have this book between our faces you don’t get teased so easily anymore.”

“Take it from experience of being married to you for 70 years now.” He gently pushes down the novel as he gently flicks your forehead.

“You say that as if it’s a bad thing getting married to me.” You stick out your tongue at him.

Pierro removes his mask while placing a hand under your chin moves closes to your lips, “On the contrary, I truly have no choice because you truly have bewitched me.” You both share a sweet kiss and he pulls away a bit curious about the book you were holding. “Now would you kindly tell me what you have been reading lately? I look forward to your questionable taste in novels.” He raises an eyebrow in amusement as he is rather intrigued with your poor taste in fictional literature.

“Here I’ve been reading this one and it’s a comedic adventure story~!” You held the book up once again and showed him the title.

Pierro had to double take as he grabs the book clearly bewildered by the lengthy title of the novel. “Isekai? Reincarnation? That is ridiculous and it definitely doesn’t seem to be well written base on its title.” He had a look of disgust in his features which made you giggle.

“It isn’t so bad and besides I think it’s funny that the title of this novel is ‘This is a story after I died in the real world then getting isekai'd into my favorite board game but why the fuck is the Demon Lord who greeted me instead of a cute fairy guide?!’ It’s creatively eye catching.” You grab the novel back feigning offense to his reaction.

“I would close my eyes.” He firmly stated.

“Ugh come on don’t you find it funny?” You held novel back up again to his face and clearly trying to annoy him.

Pierro sighs as he shakes his head and closes his eyes, even though he disapproves of your choices in novels he still lets you read it. Baking is a hobby you once developed to stimulate your senses and keep your brain active. And now with your newly discovered hobby, which is reading, it really did improve your mood for the past few years. You weren’t prone to hysterics and you slowly discarded the memories you had of the future.

They were a curse after all.

But little did your husband know that the heavy burden you felt remained despite the memory being gone. Can you truly be with Pierro until the day of the rebellion against the divine?  

•••••

Year 100

The past few years were torture as you were allowed to have missions outside Snezhnaya, Her Majetsy had interfered with Pierro to let you out in the field. It did improve your mood sometimes but most often you didn’t want to go because it will lessen the time you had left with Pierro. And as much as possible you want to be with him until everything would be settled when the day comes of your long absence within the Fatui.

Which is why you were here in his office.

“Don’t you have a diplomatic mission in Sumeru?”

Pierro wonders why you weren’t on a carriage ride to the harbor and wasting your precious time in going to his office.

You purse you lip guilty of what you were about to do, so you pretend to shy your head away. “Ah… well I just want to see you one last time my dear husband��” There weren’t any lies to your voice but the way you spoke seems to alarm Pierro as he immediately stands up from his chair to come to you.

“Is that why you came to annoy me so late in the evening? You know you could have just asked, we’ve been married for decades now and you’re still shy as ever (Y/N).” He tested the waters of your mood but you just hugged him really tight and your face is buried on his chest.

Your grip around him tightens, “Yeah… I know… I just really wanted to see you, █ █ █ █ █ .” You whisper to him as if you were afraid to leave him all alone.

Pierro isn’t really sure about why you’re suddenly so clingy but he won’t complain if you embrace him like this. He removes his mask along with yours to place a kiss on your forehead, “I know it’s been a long time since you would be sent on missions outside our nation.” He then place both hands on your cheek pinching them slightly while kissing the tip of your nose. “Maybe getting out in the field is a good exercise for your battle instincts…” Then another kiss on your right cheek. “And having a high ranking member in handling diplomacy would surely give us a presentable image.” Then another kiss on your left cheek.

You sigh dreamily as he finally kisses you on the lips, “I will miss you too my lovely wife.”

“I hope you don’t miss me that much though~” Despite your tone being playful, you could tell that Pierro oddly feels like there’s some implications of your words and odd behavior lately.

And he was right.

Five months had passed since your farewell to your husband and you were sure that the Fatui is looking for you ever since you disappeared in Sumeru. The secret establishment of a base of operations within Sumeru, Liyue, Inazuma, and Mondstadt along with gaining connections to people with high position in their own nations. At the very least you could leave a great gift of compensation for what you were about to do.

You do hope that every trace of your journey wouldn’t be easily recognized since you were sure that the spies Pierro had sent had been tricked into going to Fontaine and Natlan.

Although you did wish Pierro never loved you and just used you. It would be easier that way because as you stood in Starsnatch Cliff, you were hesitating to erase your memories once and for all. How poetic it is to seek your own freedom in the land of the Anemo Archon… you weren’t a worshipper of gods but every time you see people who do… most of them were living a life of bliss.

A novel is being held by your right hand and the other held an orb that could contain an archon residue.

“I guess this is cheers to my new life.”

A bright light engulf the orb and the novel’s printed pages began to disappear, your eyes were widen open as markings of an alchemic formula surrounded your forehead. Much to your relieve the process is really was starting… You couldn’t handle the burden of being one of the ringleaders in the Fatui just to plague the lives of others. You saw the outcome of the future, and though you may forget most of it, you couldn’t forget the way you hated yourself.

The Tsaritsa and the Fatui would be much better without a thorn to their side.

Pierro could do so much better if he wouldn’t worry about you 24/7, he’s more of leader than you and if you could turn back time you would have chosen to die during the Cataclysm with the other people. But alas you couldn’t die… so what better way to end your misery by erasing your entire memory and replacing them with new ones?

“(Y/N)!!!”

A roaring voice startled you but the process of ending your misery can’t be stopped because you made sure of it.

“I see you really worked hard to find me huh?” You turn to Pierro.

Expecting to see him angry is a mistake because you saw the tears of agony streaming down the side of his uncovered face. That made your heart clench, you weren’t the only one hurting yourself, you were also hurting him. ‘It’s okay he can live without me… he did mention if I ever defected, he would personally kill me…’ You try to reassure yourself as you dropped the novel and the orb.

Then you lost balance and one step backwards you were once again falling.

‘But how come I don’t feel free of my burden?’

‘Burden…?’

‘Oh, that’s right my thesis…’

‘Wait… Why is the house burning?’

Your vision is being flooded of unfamiliar images of infrastructures that reaches the skies, transportation boxes that uses wheels, and a small rectangle gadget. They were unfamiliar to you… a faint voice could be heard… yelling at your name… but you could see your feet running towards a sea of flames that engulfed a small unfamiliar house.

When you gasp for air, you realize that you were no longer inside the burning bedroom and your injuries were non-existent as you look at your hands. Although between the spaces of your fingerds you see a figure of a man standing in front of you.

‘But why does he look in so much pain’

“You're—wait wait don't kill me I'm not a threat!” You yelled at him with a groggy voice as if you had just been crushed by an overwhelming weight.

“Princess (Y/N) I advise that you remain calm as you had just woken up after falling from Starsnatch Cliff.”

‘Why do you look like you wanted to say something Pierro?’

You choose to ignore the gut feeling of something being wrong because how could it feel that way when you’re finally inside your favorite game? And the rebellion against the divine is but a forgotten memory… and so is the years you’ve spent with your husband Pierro.

The fake memories in your mind could never erase the feelings of your soul. Despite having thought of meeting the Jester for the first time your truthful adoration towards Pierro already started to seep through the false illusions of your lies the moment he opens his hand towards your direction.

•••••

Present Time

When you woke up again Columbina is longer at your side, she already had suspected all your memories had returned. At first you didn’t respond to her but eventually she lets you gather your own thoughts and left you alone. Well maybe not alone… Pierro had finally entered your shared bedroom but he kept his distance as he stands by and watches you from the edge of the bed.

“I truly am pathetic, aren’t I?” You bitterly chuckle and he didn’t respond to that. “I don’t want to live knowing I ruined lives, maybe if I were just a mere traveler, I would not hate myself this much.” You began to sob desperate of wanting to hurry the process of wiping your entire brain clean of everything. “I couldn’t do it anymore █ █ █ █ █, I’m not like you…  I can’t pretend to be cruel for the sake of our goal.”

Pierro didn’t step forward just yet, he tore away his mask as you both look at each other’s exasperatedly tired expressions.

“You always had a kind heart Princess (Y/N), you care for everyone even though not many had love you back. You always love the people of Khaenri’ah that’s why you learned how to wield a claymore for you to be able to protect them. Though you may act like a princely knight in shining armor, you were always fascinated with domestic bliss such baking and always wanted to open your own store.”

As he began to recall his own memories of your time before the Cataclysm, you find it surprising that he actually remembered all of it. He treasures the time you both had spent together as much as you did as well, your kindness was always your weakness. You know that but Pierro talks about it as if it was your greatest strength.

“Not only you were kind you were also the brightest light in my life, which is why I always loved you since the day you fell into a muddy soil and demanded me to call you ‘Your Mud-jesty’.”

The sudden confession surprised you because that incident happened months after you both had just met, it would seem that he was the one who had fallen for you first. You remember making that bad pun when you tripped into the mud after sneaking out with him late at night to play chess in the gardens. And despite feeling numb of your senses and emotions, Pierro managed to tug your heart from his admittance.

As fast as his fondness came, his face is pained with lament of the past and mourning to the people you both once were. “Those joyful days cannot be taken back now (Y/N) but those memories are there for a reason, it’s what kept us going.” He moves closer to you his hand on your cheek wiping your tears. “We’ve crossed the threshold and past the point of no return, no matter what you do we can’t change the past. Isn’t that why we’re working with the Tsaritsa to once and for all end their control in this world?”

Despite everything that happened, you could feel that his wrath hasn’t been quenched… And neither did yours.

The thing that held you back is you directed that wrath to yourself which led to your almost downfall. But still you couldn’t turn blind eye for what you have done. “What then? What happens when dust settles and Celestia had fallen… can we really go back to the way we were?”

“The bridge is crossed, so let us stand together and watch it burn.” Pierro is finally able to hold both of your hands, he really does have some odd way of proposing to you. “We cannot go back to the way things were, we’ve already decided that didn’t we? At the very least we would still have each other by the end of everything we had done.” That was he always had envisioned back then and even now, letting the entire world collapse so long as you watch it happen with him.

When he implies that he wants you back at his side you were taken aback, “You would still want me despite what I have done to you?”

“You have no idea what you had done for me before all of this, I truly adore you (Y/N), like I always said… you are the only good thing I have left in this world.” With that Pierro had said his spiel, these were his genuine feelings, you could even see the traces of the royal mage he was once. He never shows that side to anyone else but you, for what reason could he even show them his soft side? His heart always had and always will belong to you.

“Will you let me earn your forgiveness before you could accept me again.”

You couldn’t accept his willing forgiveness without penance for hurting him by almost killing yourself in the process. What’s worse is that you deliberately erased your memories with him and replaced them with fake ones. Someday you would want to hear why he loves you to the point he would forgive you almost immediately.

“Of course.” And Pierro wishes to honor your decision.

As for the Fatui and Her Majesty… Their forgiveness will be a challenge to earn as well and it won't be an easy road to walk into. There is still some lingering darkness on your mind directed towards yourself. But if your husband isn’t one to give up, you shouldn’t either. You decided it was time to stop being short sighted because if you do… it would dishonor the promise you made that day when the Tsaritsa found the both of you huddling in a hidden location.

As for the people you and Pierro had used and will sacrifice… you both vow that their final resting place would be the entirety of the old world. Beyond the past the point of no return, Pierro is standing there with you as the world will soon plunge into chaos that you two would start in a few centuries.

Although you save those thoughts for tomorrow because for now all that matters is in front of you.

“And if you truly insist on asking me for forgiveness, would you join me for a round?” Pierro asks holding out his hands to yours.

You happily intertwined your hands together and finally look forward on the days, months, and years ahead of you both.

~ End of the Second Part of Truthful Adoration in False Illusions

A/N:

So yeah uh about the rankings with reader being number 2 instead of dottore, it will change for canon reasons just let it be for now xD I hope you all would look forward to the Interlude chapter where the story is told from Pierro's POV and the Epilogue!

Also im sorry if this got delayed i accidentally deleted part 2 and when i retyped it i feel like I messed up but I still tried to replicate my lost work :<

Again sorry for scamming everyone thinking this would be an isekai reader when it's most definitely not XD Also should I post what Princess of Khaenri'ah Reader what I imagine would look like? but id rather not cuz i want you guys to imagine yourself suffering like that with pierro /j

Anyways that is all I hope you guys enjoyed the fanfic and look forward to the 3rd part~!

[dovithedarklord]

Age of Monsters - Chapter Six

Pairing: OFC x Simon "Ghost" Riley, OFC x König

Tags: Slow Burn, Slow Build, Enemies to Lovers, Alternate Universe, Blood and Gore, Blood and Violence, Eventual Romance, Eventual Smut, POV First Person, Not Beta Read, Medical Inaccuracies, Military Inaccuracies, AFAB OC

Trigger Warning: The story will contain violance, blood and smut in detail. Please, keep that in mind!

⚠️MDNI⚠️

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Author's Note

Leona has a nice adventure in the forest.

Hello!

This chapter has a Trigger Warning! There will be blood, violence, gore, and aggression, so please read accordingly! I know it's in the tags, but I'd rather write it down here too.

Have fun! :D

I.M.L. - Infected mammalian lifeform

if you're interested you can find the story on AO3: Chapter Six

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I wipe the drops of sweat forming on my hairline with the back of my hand, and I find it quite surprising that, despite the fact that most of the sun's rays are captured by the foliage of the trees, a clammy warmth sits in the air. Although every elementary school student learns about what a forest is like, what cute little animals lived in it back then, and how it was a home of undisturbed peace, nothing prepared me for how stressful the desolate quietness that settles in it actually is. It's been hours since I set off after my pleasant parting and goodbyes with Riley, and since I haven't encountered a death trap or a bloodthirsty monster panting at my heels just yet, I've had just enough time to think about what led up to my current uninterrupted wandering. Apart from the obvious facts.

And during this time, I’ve run through the long thread of my memories that have been created since I drifted into the unit. The fresh forest air seems to have pushed my brain to the brink of enlightenment, because I slowly began to realize why all of a certain Hunter's verbal attacks had found their target so far. I've had to think a lot about why it irritates me so much that he says the thoughts in my head out loud, other than it makes me feel like I'm not nearly as mysterious as I'd like to seem. And I came to quite surprising conclusions on my little health walk. Now I know what was bothering me until now, and what made me continue to provoke him even though I knew sooner or later his patience would reach its end, and he would show what he could do with those hands. The cold contempt that emanates from him evokes the visceral anger in me that I have successfully suppressed with my pride and arrogance. I never accepted people's one-sided and foolish attempts to anger me, and never allowed my perfect mask to crack and reveal my true thoughts, motivations, and self to others. But for some reason, this man cuts through the walls built over the years like a sharp knife, and every single cold look and disparaging comment is another punch to my stomach. And I know that what makes him different from the bastards who tried me countless times in my life is that I know my repertoire is not nearly enough to challenge him. A seductive smile, a witty remark, or clever manipulation won't be effective enough for him. And this encourages me to be much meaner and take our little game seriously. Because I want to prove to him that he is not better than me. No matter how much he despises me, no matter how he takes on this rigid persona, he is no different than me. He's just as cowardly, vindictive, and petty as I am, so he has no reason to look down on me from his high horse. It urges me to show him that he cannot trample or intimidate me, or chase me away. And nothing verifies my theory more than the fact that he brought me to the very edge of the yellow zone so he could reveal with a survival test, that he is capable of playing dirty to prove his point and to break me, with just as much eagerness as I have tried to sink my little teeth into him and find his weakness until now.

And I'm not so conceited and stupid to not know, that his dislike and doubts about me are not unfounded, and from his point of view it was probably a completely logical decision to take me on this excursion. In addition to the fact that he wants to demonstrate his considerable advantage over me, he also wants to show me that he is not afraid to make tough decisions if it serves the interests of his team. And there is nothing wrong with that, because if I were him, I would also try to get rid of that foul and rather dangerous element who only dropped into his little unit to cause trouble. He probably also considered how much of a disadvantage it would be, if my nifty little ability disappeared following my death, and even after this dilemma he thought it was better to carry out his plan. Because this whole situation can only benefit him. If I die or maybe take flight, then he won't have to endure my constant provocation, my behavior, or my little trick to try to get under his skin every given moment we spend together. Worst case scenario, they will just consume a couple more Healers. If I pass the test, he still expects me to understand the essence of the lesson given to me and finally learn to get in line and do my job without a fucking word.

And in light of this, I might as well just give up. After all, the most obvious decision for me would be to take myself and my little package and head towards the nearest colony. And if karma were to forgive me and I was lucky, I would probably find a group of traders along the way who would take pity on me for a leisurely ride, and voila, I made it. But there is something deep in my subconscious that does not allow me to play with this seemingly realistic plan. Because, when even for a minute it occurs to me to leave behind this sadistic brute and his nice little team, my stomach jumps with an unpleasant tug and the stubborn desire to prove myself is revived. And this pants the thought in the depths of my head, that giving up the adventure is not an option, because that would only confirm what Riley believes. That I am a criminal who continues her spineless hiding from duty and fate, which I have perfected throughout my life. And I don't understand why this would be a problem, since it is the truth. Although of course, I do not agree that I am a coward, but rather opportunistic and selfish, however there is no lie when it comes to the hiding part. And nothing would be simpler than returning to my old habits and continuing my peaceful life, free from monsters, Hunters, and Healer obligations.

Still, I have a motivation that definitely drives me forward, and I have only one goal in mind: to get out of the forest. My burning anger and stubborn resistance to the man might even explain why I want to pass the test so fervently, but it wouldn't be enough of a motive to override my selfishness. Because I have enough sense to choose my priority goals instead of my temper. My highly suicidal idea of escaping is also not entirely to be dismissed, because as a good girl, I would solve it so that I don't end up as monster food until the next safe place. That's why I don't understand what's holding me back from grabbing my belongings and dragging myself as far as humanly possible. I can't fathom what gives me that desperate, hardened determination that drives me forward like a complete idiot. Because it belies my nature not to choose myself.

I fish out the communicator from my pocket with growing irritation, to divert my attention from the sea of thoughts fighting in my head, and I pop up the map of the forest with a few button presses. And as my modest self appears on the hologram with a flashing red dot, I quickly assess how far the safe house can be. The little icon blinks about ten kilometers from me, and at this point, I start to worry about the realization that although my pace is not terrible at all, and I can maybe actually complete this insane mission, still I haven't managed to find a single trap in the last few kilometers. I've been in the thick of the wilderness long enough to know that it would be too tame for a Hunter training site if I didn't encounter any difficulties other than mosquitoes and the ever-increasing heat. And Riley wouldn't have brought me here if he didn't expect me to have to work for survival.

The sun is already high in the sky, and although I still have plenty of time to comfortably force myself through this goddamn jungle, the instinctive tightening that is slowly taking space in my stomach suggests, that this all seems far too easy to not take a turn to the worst in an instant. And I have an inkling that this bad foreshadowing feeling that has just appeared will attract trouble to me like a magnet. That is why I decide not to wait until negative thoughts direct the problems towards me, and continue on my cautious path.

Slipping my communicator back into the protective depths of the pocket on my thigh, I prepare myself to leave, to continue my walk in the direction I had previously located. The twigs and leaves crunching under my boots provide the only background noise for my journey, and instead of easing the anxiety raging in me, it encourages me to examine every square centimeter of the wilderness around me with even greater care. I could be thankful for the fact, that my depressing attention to detail finally diverted my attention from my musings on the motivation to complete the test, but it does not cause me joy that a much more burning and life-threatening paranoia has now taken the place of thoughts analyzing my relationship with the Hunters. And suddenly I start to miss the feeling I experienced during the regeneration, because then finally, if only for a short time, the thoughts that were constantly buzzing in my head disappeared.

And with that, my train of thought jumped back to the starting point again, and I only reward the cunning maneuver of my brain circuits with a rather frustrated sigh. Because it doesn't seem to be able to let go of the bizarre situation I'm in right now. I should flee, I should escape, I should cut and run, but no matter if I say it in a hundred different ways, it doesn't make any sense that I'm still moving toward the fucking finish line. I could try to drift as far away as possible from the whole complicated and unreasonably adventurous life situation I've fallen into in the last month and a half, but I won't. And the voice in the back of my skull keeps whispering in my ear that I can’t fail, because causing disappointment is not an option. But why? Wouldn't everyone's lives be easier if I disappeared? Sure, obviously Laswell and Price would be pretty annoyed at losing an investment that wasn't even close to paying off, but what else? Would it change anything if I didn't return to base?

And the thought that my death or disappearance would not leave any lasting mark on the life of Unit 141 somehow brings back a bitter taste to my tongue. I, too, am surprised by the force with which my chest tightens as the faces of MacTavish and Garrick flash before me, as the fanboy role they played with me is revived with someone else, after I have long since faded into the shadows of the past. Price, too, will continue to play a father figure to his students and toss his wisdom-wrapped praises to others, and he will not waste a single brain cell to maintain my memory. And the possibility that all of this could happen forms a lump in my throat, that threatens to burst out at any minute, and this feeling has been visiting me all too often lately.

And unwillingly, the idyllic moment spent in the gym appears before my mind's eye, and the words that the Hunters spoke at that time echo in my ears more sharply than anything else. I thought a lot about how seriously I could take their little confession, and although I came to the conclusion that I have to treat the whole discourse with skepticism, for some reason, now I want their words to be true more than anything. And for the first time, it enters my head that maybe this has something to do with the fact, that every part of me is protesting with vehement disgust against the idea of running away or failing.

But before I could dig deeper into what I want to say to myself with this, a soft, yet completely different click from the noise of the forest that I have experienced so far hits my ears. And I immediately know why the voice sounds so suspicious, because a can-like object suddenly emerges from the ground, which almost instantly presents me with its contents. Thick smoke is released around me with a speed that in all likelihood defies the laws of physics, and I am suddenly unable to move even a muscle out of shock. My eyes begin to burn excruciatingly almost right away as the first suffocating clouds of smoke reach me, and I instinctively close them, but it's too late, because the stinging pain brings tears to my eyes. Everything becomes blurry in front of me in an instant, as the mixture of smoke and increasing tears fills my vision, and when the pleasant surprise of the first trap I found in the forest reaches my lungs, in the middle of a coughing fit, I try to pull myself together and flee somewhere to escape from the fog of toxic fumes around me. No matter how much I pull my turtleneck up to my nose, it doesn't calm the stomach acid pooling in my throat, which, as a result of my very enthusiastic suffocation, is about to make its way to the outside world after flaying the top layer of my esophagus. And then I know that I didn't push the sinister feeling far enough, and finally, the traps I've been missing so fervently have made their appearance.

Ignoring the stinging pain in my eyes and throat, I stumble forward, and after a few excruciating seconds, I start running, because the reflex of flight that awakens in me works much faster and more efficiently than logic. And soon the decision that it is a good idea to continue walking blindly revenges itself, because my ankle gets stuck in something in the next few meters. It doesn't take much intelligence to grasp that I met a rope with one of my pretty legs, and when something on the tree sprawling in front of me snaps with a cracking sound, I don't even have the time to register what's happening. The thing whizzes over my head at an amazing speed, and I can only thank my modest height that the unexpected attack only brushed my ponytail and didn't help my head to degrade into a smashed melon. But with the unstoppable tears coming from my eyes, I don't have a chance to defend myself against the next surprise coming my way, and I immediately feel what it was that I narrowly avoided before. All of a sudden, all the air is forced out of me, as the rod freed from the trap meets my chest with brutal force, and I fall back on the damp ground, staggered by the force of the impact. I don't even notice how loudly my head hits the hardened layer of mud on the ground, because the pain shooting across my ribs cuts through my body as if a tank had rammed into me. For a minute, I'm unable to breathe because of the ache, which pulsates with persistent force, immobilizing all my limbs, and then I begin to gape silently with the elegance of a fish, hoping that the stupor caused by the agony will soon subside and I won't accidentally suffocate from shock.

Tiny colored spots float into my field of vision, and it takes me a moment to understand that I've probably acquired a very nice potential concussion in addition to the broken ribs. And minutes pass until the nausea finally somewhat lessens, and I am able to wriggle myself into a fetal position with slow and clumsy movements. My disoriented mind tries to understand the series of previous events, but the throbbing ache spreading through my body does not let my mind clear itself. That's why the movement is reflexive, with which I try to soothe the consequences of the assault on me, and as one of my hands crawls under the thick material of my turtleneck and smooths over the line of my ribs, following the gentle touch of my fingers, another wave of nausea runs through me. I forcefully swallow the bursting acid, because somewhere in the depths of my mind I know that I cannot waste my chances of survival by releasing the contents of my stomach and becoming dehydrated by that. Clenching my teeth, I press my palm to the place where the rod hit, and I can almost see in front of me how my skin little by little starts to glow in angry red and purple colors. Gathering all my remaining concentration, I push the small waves of my energy under my fingers, and as the sparks pulsing desperately all over my body gather there, I let out a relieved sigh. Slowly but surely, the stinging aching under my palm subsides, as my clever little skill does its best to solder the broken bones together and heal the bruised tissues and muscles. I also send a small pulse of energy towards my skull, because the pain still dully throbs there. And as soon as the crippling suffering that kept my body immobile and my brain in a hazy confusion alleviates, I find the ability to think again.

The smoke is already beginning to clear, and as it rises into the sky between the leaves, it blocks the path of the sun's rays breaking through the leaves. The whole unfortunate situation could hardly have lasted more than a few moments, but it knocked me off my feet with cruel efficiency, and I have to admit that the garbage of a person who set up the trap knew what they were doing. If it weren't for my rather useful gift, I would almost certainly pass out and spend the afternoon here having a pleasant siesta. And although a Hunter would probably have suffered less damage than me, it would have effectively slowed them down as well. But I don't have the time or desire to let some forest booby trap get the better of me.

Groaning, I rest my hands on the ground, not caring that the pain is eating into every part of my being like a familiar friend, and then I force myself onto my knees. I helped my problem just enough so that seemingly serious injuries wouldn't hinder me from progressing on my journey, but with foresight back in my head again, no matter how much every area on my back hurts, I can't afford to waste my strength. Because now it is absolutely certain that I have run out of luck that helped me divert my path from the traps, and the misfortune is catching up with me in full force.

I clumsily fish out the small water bottle that Riley included in my scout pack from my bag, and as I snap the cap off, I touch the cold metal to my mouth and take a sizeable sip, the cool caress of the water calms my burnt throat nicely. I have to be thrifty with this too, because now it has become quite a firm conviction in my head that, confirming my first intuition, it will not be easy to get out of this goddamn forest. In one piece and relatively undamaged.

I slide my water bottle back into the bag and struggle to a standing position by holding on to one of the tree trunks with my hand. When I'm sure that my feet are stable enough, I slowly search for the communicator from my pocket to check how far I managed to drift from the target direction due to the previous complication. And as soon as the holographic map appears, even I'm surprised by how skillfully I was able to keep myself relatively close to the right path, and at least that doesn't increase the annoyance that arises in me. Because I am filled with immeasurable frustration, now that I have the opportunity to realize how primitively and stupidly I walked into the first trick that popped up in my way. I'm almost certain that if I hadn't been reflecting on how the fear of losing my relationship with the funny little Hunter team was driving me forward, I would have had the brainpower to notice that I was marching into fucking danger. Then my attention might not have been distracted so far from reality that I would have remembered to pay more attention to my surroundings, which I was sure from the beginning holds sweet little thrills for me.

It seems that my newly found anger gives me enough impetus to overcome the ache that settles in his body, and I take advantage of this momentum to set off in the right direction. I don't give myself time to dwell on my foolishness, but I turn every single one of my senses towards the forest that looks more and more suspicious in front of me. I can't allow myself to be enriched with more of these amazing experiences through some obscure invention, because the idea is taking increasingly bigger space in my mind, that the purpose of these is not only to slow someone down, but rather to eliminate the unfortunate participants in the test.

I proceed with cautious steps, almost paranoidly measuring every single branch and twig that is even slightly suspiciously placed on the ground. All my nerves are focused on the outside world around me, and now I understand why they chose a forest to perform a test of this caliber. Because if the goal is to weed out the weak links among the applicants, then I will take them to a field where it will be revealed how well they can deal with the frustration of the unknown. Those who enter here not only have to worry about whether they will survive if an obstacle crosses their path, but they also have to endure the fact, that although they know that they will surely encounter danger at some point, they can't foresee when and how. And this plants the kind of tension in the depths of one's consciousness, which slowly consumes their sanity. And Riley very cunningly thought that this would be the case with me. The bastard knew very well that it would be enough for me to come across one of the probably thousands of life-threatening small toys in the woods, and it would hinder me just enough that I would try to avoid the others by overthinking my every step. And for some reason, it gives me evil satisfaction that, if it hadn't been clear by now, he analyzed me at least as much as I dissected him.

I don't have to wander far, and my precaution is already paying off, because the slyly hidden wire swims almost imperceptibly into my field of vision, and stretched out between two tree trunks, it is waiting with open arms for me to run into it. I stop for a moment as I take in the thin line of the cord glistening with a metallic shine, and even I'm taken aback as I realize that this seemingly harmless, fine little wire could slash up its unsuspecting victim if they move towards it at the right speed. I'm starting to question more and more why anyone would feel the need to go to such hazardous lengths to test the Hunters' suitability, since it doesn't seem very expedient to want to make sliced-up salami from those whom I want to use for monster extermination. They are outnumbered compared to the number of mutants anyway, so why are they trying to butcher them before the energy and money invested in their training can pay off?

I keep my eyes on the area that stretches out in front of me because it seems too simple that this tiny little inconvenience is the only thing trying to thwart my survival. And I don't have to be disappointed, because the moment I take a closer look at the rather harmless bushes located next to the tree trunks tied together with cable, I realize that on both sides of the trap, there is a nice little package waiting, in the form of the smoke bombs I now know so well. How cunning. If someone doesn't fall for the wire, no matter which side they want to avoid this from, they will definitely walk into another trap. And I'm also absolutely sure that a surprise awaits beyond the cable if someone tries to hide under it.

It seems almost comical that the creators of the training site concentrated all their creative little creations in the middle of the forest, because it seems disturbingly clear that the goal was to distract the bastards who wandered in, and then surprise them later. And I would rather smash my head against one of the tree trunks because of the knowledge, that this tactic worked quite beautifully on me as well.

Putting aside my frustration at my own stupidity, I search for a possible gap where I can cross the area in front of me more safely, and when I see the broad trunk of a tree stretched out on the ground not far away, I decide to give it a go. I carefully move closer and comb through every small crack in search of a device of dubious origin. But when I find nothing, but ivy's tendrils winding peacefully along the grooves of the tree trunk, I'm relieved for a minute that maybe I won't be stuck here, since no fucking route seems safe enough. With quick movements, I hop on top of the wood, and for a second I carefully measure the bare site in front of me, still spying on which blade of grass is bent even in a slightly suspicious manner to hide another danger behind it. And the restlessness revives itself in me again when I can't find anything, because at this point I already expect to step into some funny little structure every second.

I jump off the log with such limber movements that belie the pain running through my body, and the branches break under my feet with a soft crunch as I hit the ground. I proceed carefully, and in the meantime, my eyes scan the bodies of the trees with the attention of a predator searching for prey, to see if fate brings me back to one of the ankle-breaking and neck-slitting traps I've seen before. It paints a deceptively gentle picture in front of me, as a warm breeze dances the leaves of the trees golden from the sunlight, but I do not fall for the apparent peace. Because the strings of my nerves that are strained to the point of breaking tell me precisely, that every fucking square centimeter holds another damn risk for me.

But despite all my awareness, despite every step taken with increased caution, and in spite of the fact that I searched every hidden nook and cranny, my ears are hit by a crack louder than any before, as a twig drifts under the sole of my boot, and I don't have the slightest chance to avoid what follows. Because two bent, metal rods swinging out of the forest floor covered with mud and weeds are closing around my left leg sooner than I have time to process it. And the pain that rushes in my body from the force of the metal pressing on my flesh through the fabric of the pants, elicits a loud cry from me. The instinctive desire to escape awakens in me, and I try to pull my legs out of the straps, but they lock around me like a vise, and with every movement they only send new waves of misery over the bruised muscles.

But, if this wasn't a disturbing enough development in the next stop of my leisurely stroll on the soft lap of nature, a sharp sound goes off out of nowhere, surpassing my panting echoing in the wildness of the forest. The whistling screams at such a deafening volume, that I freeze in fear in the midst of my attempts to escape. A sharp pain rips through my ears, and I instinctively press my hands to them and start searching for the source of the sound. My eyes jump wildly in the tangled mass of trees and vines, and it takes a few agonizing moments before I find the tiny little device attached to one of the tree trunks, from which an enthusiastically flashing red dot points at me. I follow the line of the structure directed towards me, and as soon as I see the flashing red dot on my chest, I immediately understand that the metal enveloping my legs in a friendly hug is not my only problem. Whatever it is that the high-frequency screeching is trying to lure here, it won't do me any good to wait until it gets here. That's why, I double the energy that I've spent on my attempts to break free so far, and I try to remove the bars from myself even more vehemently.

But even the ringing in my ears is penetrated by the crackling sound that suddenly appears in the hidden shadows of the forest, and I reflexively turn my head to the source of the noise. All my muscles go rigid and I become completely immobile as my gaze finds a dark shadow, blurred by distance, approaching with jerky movements in the direction where my humble person has frozen into a statue. And it becomes clear what the series of clever little traps I discovered earlier served, because I now recognize that even though I thought I had suddenly advanced to become an expert in forest traps, every obstacle that appeared up until now wanted to lead me here. No matter where I would have stumbled into this whole damn pile of shit, probably every small structure on the way to the safe house would have directed me here. Because by being a survival trial for Hunters, the goal all along could have been to end up here and find myself face-to-face with a monster. And I feel incredibly stupid for thinking that this would not happen. I should have known that Riley wasn't giving me the fucking gun as a decoration.

As if a divine spark had just ignited in my brain, I break out of the paralyzed anticipation, as my heart desperately tries to pump the adrenaline in my veins, revived by the terror. I hastily tear the backpack from my back, and with clumsy movements, I start to search its depths for the gun that Riley gave me, because, like a real idiot, I forgot that I had it at all. Nothing is more proof of my arrogance and blindness than the fact, that I hoped even for a brief moment, that it would be in a better place at the bottom of my bag than in my hand, because I wouldn't be needing it anyway.

And when my fingers find the cold metal among the many tiny survivor items, I don't get to enjoy the small success, because a bone-shattering roar soars above the deafening noise of the still enthusiastically whistling device. Frightened, my hand clenches around the pistol's grip as I turn my attention back to the unknown creature, and my blood runs cold instantly, as what the noise lured here emerges in front of me. Due to the coverage of the bushes, I can only see a large back covered with sparse, dark hair, and the deformed extensions of the vertebrae rise like sharp spikes along the spine, which are stained dark by the dirt and blood that have dried on them. The I.M.L.'s milky white eyes appear with an almost unnatural glint in the shadow of the canopy, and I forget to even breathe as I survey the monster, which could once have been a wild boar. And it doesn't take much intelligence to figure out that if this huge, bloodthirsty beast with bulging muscles ventures closer, I will not survive that encounter.

The realization is enough to wake me up again from my petrified state and trigger the survival instinct in me, which immediately tells me that even though I have the gun, I don't have the slightest chance of taking down this scumbag in such an open field. Because I can't waste my ammo and pump it full of bullets, because there's a chance that it has a few more buddies who will want to show up if I manage to escape this situation alive. Therefore, I tuck the gun into the waistband of my pants, yank my bag onto my back, and desperately grab the shackles that hold my legs with my hands, and clenching my teeth, I strain against them with all my might. A blinding agony rips through my back from the effort, but I pay no attention to it, but rather use the suffering to fight on, knowing for sure that if the beast gets here, that will be the end for me. And this is enough motivation for some foreign strength reserved in the hidden depths of me to emerge, which almost makes my muscles swell with unknown power. And as soon as the metal bars let go of their hold even for a little bit, I quickly pull my leg out of the trap.

I only take one last alarmed look at I.M.L., who moves out from among the branches, and turns its huge head, distorted by ulcerated bumps towards me, and as I assess the tusks probably as thick as my forearm protruding from its mouth, I don't wait any longer. I start running at such a speed that even my two cheerleader boys would erupt in ecstatic joy. The pain hits my left leg like a hammer with every movement, which continues to radiate into all my joints, but due to the adrenaline raging inside me, my brain only perceives the ache as a dull, distant feeling. Branches tear my clothes and get caught in my hair as I sprint frantically, but I don't care about anything else than getting as far away from the monster as possible, whose pounding steps, for now, reach my ears only from a distance.

In the middle of my panic-stricken rush, I try to go through the possible plans in my stressed brain that can help prevent me from becoming a mangled corpse. Even though the pistol digs into my waist with seductive hardness, I know that, unlike my trainers, my aiming skills are not half as developed that the fired bullet would stray close to the beast while running, let alone hit a vital organ that would lay it flat after one shot. However, the incessant throbbing in my leg reminds me that I can't just flee forever, because this enraged behemoth will catch up sooner or later, and I shouldn't wait for it to impale me with its tusks. And it's not a solution to mindlessly launch into the unknown landscape of the forest, because there's a chance that I'll stumble into a nice little trap again, which will definitely not end well. My only hope is that I can find some hideout and maybe I'll be lucky enough to surprise this bastard and hit it with a bullet while I take cover.

And, as soon as the idea forms in me, I start a desperate search for a nook and cranny, for anything that would be able to conceal me from the swine breathing down on my neck. But no matter how hard I look, the landscape slips past me too quickly for my gray matter to grasp any detail of it, or to identify a potential hiding place, since it's too busy leading me out of the mouth of danger. The thunderous sound of the feet behind me, which is getting louder and louder, doesn't help either, because it only increases my heart rate, which is already soaring to life-threatening heights, which, pounding on my eardrums, provides the only rhythm for my sprinting. I can almost feel the I.M.L.'s breath smelling of decaying flesh on the back of my neck, and every little hair rises from the sensation, and the cruel fist of fear closes around my stomach.

I don't dare to take my eyes off the rapidly changing forest scenery in front of me for even a moment, because the panic is working inside me, that says if I am careless even for a minute, the earth will open in two and swallow me, making sure to prepare me nicely for the monster's arrival. My lungs burn desperately as my accelerated breathing tries to get oxygen into my body, and I surprise even myself with how easy I seem to run without stopping. As if the fatigue had magically left my tormented limbs, and now some completely new force was driving me forward, which wouldn't let me give up or stop even for a second.

Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, the end of the forest floor appears in front of me, and I quickly realize that my survival is facing an unexpected obstacle. But as fast as the complication arrive, I decide my next step with the same speed, and without any hesitation, I throw myself down the steep hillside that emerges. Falling on my side, I slide down, and the sharp pain caused by the roots and stones hitting my body does not arrive at my brain. I quickly reach for the pistol that is slowly slipping out of my pants, and firmly wrap my fingers around the grip, and I stick out my free hand through the cloud of dust raised around me to dig into the ground, trying to control my body as it drifts down the hill.

And as I hit the bottom of the small chasm, I give myself a fleeting second to finally find a shelter, which can give me the opportunity to get rid of the beast that is slowly catching up with me. As if it were a gift from God, a pile of fallen trees towering over each other appear not long before me, and I'm filled with wild joy at the knowledge that I had finally found the perfect place. I immediately swing towards my makeshift fortress at breakneck speed, and the screeching howling from the top of the hill only motivates me to hurry. And when I reach my destination, I tear off my backpack with hasty movements and drop to my stomach to pull myself into the very narrow gap that opens under the trunks of the trees and the ground. The smell of musty, rotten leaves and wet earth fills my nose, and I clench my teeth and swallow the painful moan caused by the rough surface of the tree barks scratching my back, which is already full of injuries.

But before I can get into the right position for the attack, the trees resting above me creak with a loud crack, and I struggle onto my back in fear. And as I find myself eye-to-eye with the monster through the gaps filtering through the trunks, every part of my body freezes with icy fear. The milky white, worldless eyes stare at me, the stench of death and carrion emanating from the huge mouth fills my nose, and the otherworldly growl that erupts from the mutant echoes in every corner of my consciousness. With a loud bang, its heavy head collides with the logs protecting me, and with each movement, splinters of wood fly into the air following its attacks.

And I'm petrified, trembling, waiting to wake up, because the whole situation I've fallen into seems like a bad dream. My brain can't process how close death has come to me, and not a single nerve in me gets a spark from the shock of the realization. A single thought flashes before in my mind as the mutant methodically destroys my cover, that I can't end up like this. I can't die in the middle of a desolate forest, alone, by a damned mutated boar. I can't let myself become a pile of mangled guts and bones. This shouldn't be the last memory that is left of me. I can't let THEM remember me as the girl who got mauled by a fucking pig. I CAN'T DIE.

I have to realize that I have never experienced such terror in my life, and the dread brings a whole new side of me to the surface. And this self of me clings to every fragrant thread of life with its teeth and nails, and invades my body with such determination that it unexpectedly breaks my consciousness out of frozen shock. Such anger and poison ripple through all the fibers of my being, after which my energy boils up in my veins like hot lava, and suddenly all my senses are sharpened and focused on one single goal. My hand no longer trembles, as I raise the pistol clutched in it and load it, and all doubts about whether I will be saved disappear. The barrel of the gun is pointed confidently at the head of the wild animal raging above me, and even though it struggles with the thick tree trunks and gets closer to me, by now every drop of uncertainty has left my body. And as soon as I see the pus-oozing ulcer bulging between its two eyes in the aim, my finger pulls the trigger without hesitation.

The gun fires with an ear-piercing bang, and it doesn't bother me at all as the noise gets louder due to the insulation of the ground and trees around me, and my ears start to ring. Because it fills me with much greater joy when the mutant bastard staggers over and its huge body falls to the ground with a thud. Whining, I turn onto my stomach again to crawl out of my hideout, because the excitement and adrenaline pounding inside me tell me that it's not over yet, I still have to fight.

And when I emerge from under the tree trunks, I throw the pistol on the ground and straighten up to get around the pile of wood, and approach the beast lying on the other side with decisive steps. I had a good guess that a bullet wouldn't be enough to kill these bastards, because the virus that deforms them is famous for making its victims surprisingly durable if it can keep the host alive longer. But this little pig is out of luck, because the energy bubbling inside me gives me a determination that it will most certainly not survive. Bending down, I weave my fingers on an arm-thick stick, and my every muscle is filled with murderous rage as I gallop closer and measure up the monster writhing in the dirt. Black blood is bubbling from the gunshot wound on its head, its legs are twitching wildly as it tries to recover from the shock so that it can stand up and attack again. But I'm already there by its side, and it has no chance to pull itself together again.

I hit it with such momentum that when the piece of wood comes into contact with the beast's body, the force of the impact resonates through my arm almost painfully. But the cruel temper works much more strongly in me, which urges me more and more to continue what I have begun. My hand rises again and again, and with each blow stomach-churning crunches and splashes erupt from the mutant. A loud roar escapes from my mouth as I deliver blow after blow to my enemy who is slowly becoming motionless on the ground, but even then the immeasurable anger raging inside me does not subside. Because every single one of my frustrations is pouring out of me now, which was only reinforced by death coming within a hair's breadth. Gritting my teeth, I slam down without stopping, and I don't care about the gnawing ache in my back, nor the pain straining my palm. And I don't stop my rampage until the branch breaks in my hand and the other end lands on the ground, in a pile of mutilated flesh beyond recognition.

I bend down on my knees panting, and for the first time, I really take a look at what I have just done. And as I survey the ground soaked with dark blood, the brain coils lying in small pieces through the shattered skull, I am filled with a strange satisfaction. Because the image flashes in my mind that if I hadn't been the stronger one, then I would be lying in the mud in the same way now. And even then, I don't regret the brutality with which I executed this vermin, when the red clouds of rage clear from my brain, and the mixture of adrenaline and energy pulsating in my veins finally begins to calm down.

And as the impulse that had kept me moving lessens, I feel every stab of the pain radiating through my body again, but the knowledge of how my desperate struggle for survival has amortized me doesn't dampen my mood. Because I recall again the image that danced in front of my mind's eye when, like a switch, the terror in me turned into brutal anger fighting for survival. And even I am surprised when I realize how deeply I was affected by the humanity and trust shown to me by the small group of Hunters. Because in the throat of death, among others, the faces of MacTavish, Garrick, and Price appeared before me, and the realization that I could not lose what I had just tasted drove my body towards fighting more vehemently than anything else in my life. And although I still think it's pathetic to admit, I can no longer deny that the reason I rejected the idea of running away and pushed myself forward was the fact, that I've already sampled what it's like to be one of them, and I'm willing to fight tooth and nail, so that I don't experience this for the last time. Because no one has ever, not even once, turned to me with as much compassion and warmth as these people in their own way, and there is no power in this world that can divert my selfish desire to continue enjoying this exceptional treatment. And an amused laugh breaks out of me when I realize that even Riley won't stand a chance, and I'm willing to stroll to the safe house to throw this in his face. On second thought, I should be grateful to the man for bringing me here. Because I suspect that I would not have reached this enlightenment without a near-death experience.

I stand up with renewed motivation, I turn around and start searching for my scattered equipment. And when my eyes find my bag lying on the floor, I pull a small smile on my face and smoothing my hand on the back of my head, I start to heal the bruises and deep cuts running along my back. I will need all my strength and all my equipment, because I will not stop until the end, even if I have to chase myself until my last breath. And when I reach the finish line, I will pass on all the lessons of my new discovery to the Hunter.

* ⃰

Exhaustion weighs on my legs like a heavy burden, and even though I've healed most of my injuries, there's just enough aching left to remind me that I can't stop. And it wouldn't make sense to get rid of it anyway, because I can already see the wretched shack appearing behind the thinning line of trees, for which I crossed this goddamn forest. The fiery rays of the setting sun paint the tin roof of the shabby house orange, and this diverts the attention from the fact that the whole shanty is probably only held together by the Holy Spirit. It may have once been used by hikers to rest on their way after a long adventure, and at the time it may have seemed more suitable for this purpose. Still, this crumbling cabin is the most beautiful thing I've ever had the pleasure of seeing in my eyes now. Because limping towards it means I've done it. I survived the ordeal I thought was impossible and passed the test, which I suspect neither I nor Riley, who is waiting for me at the cottage, expected with full certainty.

My hand looks for leverage in one of the tree trunks as I step forward from the woods, and my gaze almost automatically meets the man's, who merely pushes himself away from the wall of the safe house upon my arrival. And I'd be lying if I said that it doesn't fill me with ferocious joy when I can feel the mild surprise emanating from him even from a distance, since I know that even if he counted on the possibility that I would get out of this affair alive, he also assumed that my path would not lead here. The dark eyes run over me in a split second, and I feel them taking in every available surface of my battered, dirty and blood-stained form, and I have to hide the evil little smile that wishes to come on my lips, when it occurs to me, that the state of my appearance might give him reason for concern.

And when he steps off the small porch of the shack, I, accompanied by a weak moan, let the fatigue and the throbbing ache in my limbs take over and help my body fall to the ground with a dull thud. After the trials of the previous hours, I can accept the feeling more easily as I meet the hard ground, and it even feels a little pleasant, as I enter a state close to resting for the first time since the previous night. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to finally relax for a few moments after the hellish lesson I've been through, and it doesn't bother me at all that I'm stirring up and inhaling the dust below me with my slow breathing. Thanks to MacTavish and Garrick's clever little ideas, I'm almost used to this experience.

But my attention doesn't waver despite my seemingly unconscious state, because I keep my ears open and listen as the Hunter's heavy steps get closer and closer to me, thus leading him into the sneaky little trap that I had time to devise while running the last few kilometers. The shadow of his tall figure looms over me as he stands in front of me, and I can almost feel his searching gaze burning my back, as he surely checks for signs of life on my limp person. His unmistakable spicy scent creeps into my nose as he crouches down next to me, and I feel one of his big hands spreading across my back. The touch with which he pulls aside the fabric of my torn turtleneck to examine my injuries is light as a feather, and I continue to let him explore with the calmness of a fainted victim, even though the worn skin tingles in the wake of his probing.

And the possibility probably fills him with sincere uncertainty that he might have really succeeded and killed the new little helper of his team, because he doesn't even notice the way one of my eyes opens and assesses the person crouching next to me. His left hand is resting on one of his bent thighs, and his tattooed skin peeking out from under his rolled-up sleeve is calling me almost seductively, offering itself to be the protagonist of my little action. I let him estimate the damage for a few more moments, and when his hand slides from my back to my shoulder to reach under me and lift me up, I know the moment has arrived to strike. Using the momentum of the power left in me, I suddenly reach for his free hand, and my fingers lock onto his upper arm with such speed that he doesn't have enough time to free himself from his musings about my battered state. The muscles under my palm tense up as I channel the first sparks of my lightning-fast little energy into him, forcing a momentary confusion on the Hunter in a vile way.

And as he sways for a minute and loses his rock-solid balance, I seize this opportunity to spring up and push into him with my full weight, grabbing his shoulders and almost throwing myself at him. He falls on the ground with a loud thump as a result of my unexpected action, and I am on top of him in a second, and with skillful movements I unfasten a large knife from the tactical vest on his chest in order to point it at his neck and stop him in any kind of opposition that might arise in him. During the journey there, I had plenty of time to imagine how I was going to carry out my little revenge, which I would use to reward the hostile little words addressed to me as a farewell. But I have to say, as I kneel over him, the sight before me is far beyond my imagination.

As he wakes up from the shock of the moment, his brown eyes jump to my face and are filled with honest surprise as they take in the situation and the triumphant smile on my lips. He tries to move under me, but I only press the pretty little blade that I have just so deftly stolen from him to his throat a bit harder. And that familiar tremble appears in my stomach again, as the line of his jaw shifts in frustration when he realizes what a clever little trap I've lured him into with my award-winning performance. And I remind myself to mention to Price later, that he was wrong about that I can't always rely on distraction when I attack. Because I managed to catch even the strongest Hunter in the unit unprepared with the neat little trick.

"Looks like I won." I sprinkle in my comment, and I don't even try to make the superiority that moves into my voice disappear, because, after the day I've been through, I'm finally going to have some fun. And since my goal is to further enhance the already interesting situation, I lean closer to him with my free hand sliding to his chest so that I can study and enjoy every available change of his face from a safe distance. And I pull a smirk on my lips when I note how his body tenses under me, but he continues to wait with deliberate immobility to see where my little activity leads. Although I know that if he wanted to, he would throw me off of himself like a rag doll. "I hope you haven't forgotten what you promised if I manage to touch you with even a finger."

With this, I really manage to catch him off guard for a moment, because I can recognize the process even from the coverage of the mask, as he furrows his brows in confusion. I ponder on the idea, that up until now he could have been preparing for the fact that I would end his career on earth now out of revenge for this whole torture, but fortunately, the enlightenment I experienced in the forest diverted me from this path for some time now. Although it is true that it has crossed my mind a couple of times to inform him of my discoveries in a more uncomfortable and bloodier way than what my present actions convey. But since I am determined to return to the base, even though I need him as a driver, it is also a non-negligible aspect, thanks to my newly found sympathy, that his absence, presumably, would deeply sadden his little team. And maybe my everyday life would become much more boring without our little games.

"I didn't think you’d be able to do it." He says, breaking his silence, and it's not entirely clear whether he's talking about my escape or my little revenge maneuver, but whatever he means, the breath of playfulness in his deep voice gives me satisfaction. Because this is the first time that his speech directed at me doesn't ring with hostility or harsh bluntness.

"I hope you can get over it." I reply to his comment with unbroken cheerfulness, since I really hope that he can put aside his disappointment caused by my survival for the sake of our future relationship. As things currently stand, my plans include spoiling the air of unit for the foreseeable future, and perhaps this outing in the woods has diverted both of us to the path where the atmosphere between the two of us will become somewhat more livable. Of course, it doesn't even occur to me that we'll be best friends, because I don't plan to hold back a single remark from my sharp little tongue, regardless of what revelations I've made in the heat of the fucking life-threatening danger. And I suspect he will feel just a little bit less motivated to break my neck. But that's perfectly fine. If our little duel didn't continue, I'm afraid my life would become too boring and gray. After all, what would I do in my spare time if I couldn't think of creative ways to piss him off?

"We'll see." He reacts to my little suggestion quite casually, and for some reason, I particularly like the way he is stuck underneath me, between my thighs, and lets me enjoy every little moment of my victory. Interestingly, this position suits him surprisingly well, where he's robbed of control by someone taking him to the ground, which I suspect is not a common occurrence. And this is starting to soothe my soul somewhat after today's sea of shit.

But as his dark eyes leave my face and move on to my figure pinning him to the ground, the superiority I just felt suddenly diminishes. And the excited little sparks under my skin shouldn't arise by the way his gaze glides over me, because now I have the upper hand, and in this situation, my morbid little joy should be the cause of the tingle appearing in my stomach at most. But now a new feeling rears its evil little head inside me, prompting me to retreat quickly, because this intimate moment has the potential to take an unknown turn if I stay in it. And as much as I know that the man sprawled beneath me is probably just looking for ways in his indifferent mind to torture me later as a reward for my little move, I still can't get rid of the thrilling excitement that moves into my limbs.

Therefore, I rather decide that it is time to return to the base, because the imaginations in my head are rampant in increasingly wild ways due to fatigue. So I easily give up on my little mission, since I am too worn out and exhausted to burden my already frayed nerves with such complicated thoughts and observations. I push myself away from him with quick movements, giving myself momentum with my hand resting on his chest, and standing up, I take a few steps back to give him a chance to gather himself.

"You could take me back now." I raise my free hand towards him, putting all my indifference into this small gesture, even though I know that this is my first move towards him, in which no insidious, sly ulterior motive is hidden. "I'd kill for a shower." I add a rather realistic reason to my wish, because the only thing that can help my current state is a good bath and my hard little bed. And while before I would have accepted it cynically if the enjoyment of such simple pleasures arose in me, after wrestling with mutants, I somehow re-evaluate how uplifting the feeling can be when I'm allowed to just simply exist pleasantly.

A few torturous moments pass, but finally, he firmly wraps his long fingers around my outstretched hand, and regaining consciousness from the shock of my attack he sits up, and I, accompanied by the screams of my tortured muscles, pull him up so that he can tower above me again. I'm sure that he would have been able to do this stunt on his own too, but the fact that he accepted my hand instead of killing me on the spot, fills me with a breath of contentment that I wouldn't admit out loud, even if a cute little piglet would want to murder me again.

"Remember that you owe me a wish." I remind him, as I tap his vest with the knife I had sneaked away from him, and I can't hold back the cheeky grin curling at the corners of my mouth, which appears on my face at the mention of my reward. If he thought that one of the forest traps would make such an impression on my mind that I would forget his irresponsibly sarcastic little remark, then I'm sad to say, that he played with the wrong person. Because unfortunately, my memory is even better than my survival instinct. "I won't let you cop out." I promise him, and despite the insolence in my voice, my intentions are really serious in this regard, because he can be certain, that I will save up this opportunity for a very sneaky moment. Those who have an irresponsible mouth will have to suck it up and follow through.

"Let's go." He cuts my little threat short, while taking the knife I got from him and sliding it back into one of the intricate pockets of his vest with practiced movements. He gives me another meaningful look, and he doesn't have to voice what his message is to me, because I can decipher it myself quite well. And as the coldness in the dark eyes moderates somewhat, I realize that from now on he wants to chase me away from his team a few degrees less. Because my return was a clear answer to the question that had probably been on his mind until now, and now that he can rest assured that I will not stab him in the back, he will be calmer to let me live.

He walks towards the jeep with comfortable steps, and I follow him, accompanied by a tired sigh, but still keeping my lightness. I don't spare a single glance at the forest behind me, which is slowly fading into the evening, even though it has become the scene of fateful memories. And although the events that took place in the abundance of nature resolved many of my stormy emotions and thoughts, I can't wait to leave the fucking home of life-threatening adventures behind me. Because I am much more interested in how my life at the unit will continue after this. And something tells me that the real excitement will only follow after this.

[ask-serendipity-sky]

That thing with Holland is so sick. I've been seeing armys do bs for a long time but this genuinely made me ill.

Harassing a queer idol because the fetishizers in your fandom won't stop harassing him? Of course he named them, he's obviously getting requests from one group the most. They're so proud of being the biggest kpop ship - they should own this too. Why act innocent and naive now? And they all managed to completely ignore the point he was trying to make about how insane it is that these people are trying to forcefully out their faves even if they were actually not straight.

I just unfollowed every army I used to follow. They're either shifting the blame onto him or staying silent. They'll speak about a bunch of things when they need to virtue signal and it costs them nothing, they'll get into fights about the most stupid stuff with other fandoms, but the moment you can actually use your clout for something and speak on how awful it is that your fandom is essentially bullying a gay artist who we know has gone through so much - literal hate crimes - because he came out, you're completely silent? ARMYs have lost all sense of proportion, logic and morality.

The hypocrisy also strikes me because they'll go around naming pjms every day of the week. They always drag Jimin into fanwars. I don't see anyone saying let's not use his name then other than by solos themselves. But this isn't even the first time they've shielded tkkrs. They'll drag up random accounts with hardly any followers and a handful of likes and talk about solos infecting the fandom but god forbid anyone talk about tkkrs unless it's in the most general way so that you can sweep it away as a shipping thing.

And this discourse about namedropping is also ridiculous. They have 70K+ Jimin anti tkk shipper and 300K+ tkk shipping porn accounts running around freely. They tag JK in all their gross edits on Tiktok. We all saw them waving around the tkk banner during Jimin's bday event. Nobody had much to say about it except Jimin biased.

Plus do they actually think Tae and JK don't know? They just need to look at their comments during their lives to find out what tkk is. What are they even talking about? They've nursed these Jimin anti delusional shippers in their fandom for years but the problem is when others point that out?

I actually prided myself on following a variety of people so I'm never too enmeshed in any one group think. I used to follow ARMYs, shippers, solos and other KPop fandom accounts from my main but I'm done now. I was actually so proud that the fandom was being so active in speaking up about the Palestine cause but if your sense of mortality can't tell you how wrong what is happening now to Holland is and if you are too scared to sacrifice clout to speak up for him, then I can't take anything you say seriously. Sorry to bring up a serious real world issue in the midst of all this but what happened yesterday just tells me that if you can't stand up for a queer idol for petty bs fandom reasons or because you don't want to get involved when you know it's wrong (because I was very careful in curating my tl so I know the armys I used to follow at least have that much sense) then there's no way you'd actually do anything if were to cost you something in real life.

So yeah I still listen to BTS, I still like all the members but I'm done with 'army'.

Hello,

This was a tough read.

I can feel your anger and dissapointment and the only thing I can say is that I feel the same way.

It's "small" things like these that tell you who people really are and they are a sign of the person you could become. It may seem silly because it's kpop but it's real people with real struggles with real hate.

You don't have to be army or pjm or a shipper. None of those names mean a thing at the end of the day. Support what you want and stand up for what you believe.

I get you 🫂

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[fuckingfinwions]

"What the hell are you two doing?"

Curufin looked up from where his cock pounded into Fingolfin's ass. The king's arms were tightly bound, and Celegorm has holding his head down besides. There was little chance he'd escape while Curufin talked with the new arrival.

"Hello Maedhros. We're fucking the usurper, obviously. He's far better at taking cock than issuing commands, and it's only right for him to serve-"

"Stop talking right now, and stop touching the king of the Noldor."

"Easy enough," Celegorm said. "Father's been dead for years."

"Don't joke. Out! I'll meet you in my quarters - give your weapons to my valet."

Curufin pulled out - he wanted to come, but him being knotted to Fingolfin would make the next part more difficult. Celegorm let go as well, and Fingolfin immediately rolled over onto his back, to better protect his ass and to see what was going on. Curufin couldn't be sure, but Fingolfin's cock seemed slightly smaller than a few hours ago.

"If you wanted to join in, all you had to do was ask," Celegorm said on his way out of the room.

Curufin thought that was laying it on a bit thick, but he said nothing.

When they got to Maedhros's room, Curufin and Celegorm both dutifully handed over their weapons to the confused valet. Celegorm then picked up one of the many knives Maedhros had hidden around his room, and began twirling it idly.

"I can't believe you talked me into that," Celegorm complained.

"You certainly seemed to enjoy it at the moment."

"Yeah, but there are plenty of people I can fuck way easier, even alphas I could bitch without getting arrested by Maedhros with my dick out!"

"We haven't even been sentenced yet, it's far too early give up hope."

"Hope for eventually your schemes to work, sure. But it's going to be something boring and tedious like confinement to quarters, not a quick beating that could be over and done with."

"What, would you rather be executed for attacking the high king?"

It was at that moment that Maedhros once again intruded on their conversation. "Again, I would like an explanation."

"How is our dear uncle faring?" Curufin asked.

"Terrified and suspicious and likely to go into heat before sunset. Did neither of you consider the ramifications of turning the highest ranked alpha in the land, before getting your petty revenge? I expected at least Curufin to think through the consequences."

"Hey," said Celegorm. "I resent that remark! I do think through the consequences - you'd hear so many more complaints about me if I didn't know how to avoid getting caught."

"And yet, you got caught in the act this time."

"Well yeah, otherwise Fingolfin might think you arranged it, and not let you become king."

"Excuse me? This is sounding more like a scheme to fragment the Noldor out of misplaced pride."

Curufin said, "Not to fragment the Noldor, to unify the kingdom. With a good reason why Nolofinwe can no longer rule, and his greatest rival having just mated him."

"Why would Nolofinwe have me share his heat, out of anyone on the continent?"

"You did just heroically burst in and rescue him. He'll want someone of appropriate rank, and none of our cousins can get here today, nor can a message reach Doriath to suggest a marriage alliance. He could either go with a random soldier, you, or his own eldest son. Or I suppose Celegorm or I, but he must thoroughly hate us now."

"You are planning a lot for me without consulting me at all. Need I remind you who is the eldest of our house?"

"You would've called it treason and not agreed, and even if you had he wouldn't trust you if you'd help rape him. As it is, you're merely making the best of a bad situation."

"A situation that you deliberately engineered, by raping the person you've sworn allegiance to."

"I could have tried the old wives tales about putting semen in his breakfast, but I'm only in the city for a month."

"Less than that, I expect."

"Oh, are you exiling us from Ethel Sirion?"

Celegorm muttered, "If only we were so lucky."

Maedhros ignored him. "King Fingolfin is going to sentence you once he recovers. In the meantime, as head of house and your liege-lord, discipline falls to me. You two are confined to quarters, and guards posted at the doors."

"For how long?" Celegorm asked.

"Until the Fingolfin is fit to pass judgement."

"He's an omega bitch now, he can't recover from that. He no longer has the balls to make tough calls, and he won't ever again. Me sitting around isn't going to change that."

Maedhros glared. "He will be done with his heat in a week. If he is still unsteady then, or wants more time before he has to look at your faces, I can take you back to Himring and throw you in the cells there. They've been cleaned adequately since he last time I held an orc for questioning."

[whit3-lotus-fac7]

Alright so this is my first post hello!

These are fanaspects but gonna bffr the only reason these are being crated is bc I was annoyed some were making a 7 deadly sins but wouldn’t make all of them so I’m here (so couple things 1 i haven’t read any of the others so if any of them sound similar to another 7DS fanassprcts it’s bc we’re doing the same words and concepts, 2 sorry for any misspelling I’m dumb) ok imma just explain how there gonna be formatted

7DS aspect

Main thing, secondary thing (like how light is luck, knowledge (I know there’s more I just see those as the main things)

(One bard explanation (I like bards), one other aspect explanation)

Wrath

Pain, vengeance

( like a bard with neglect the pain they went through sort of like coping or disassociating from it, and or invite people to destroy because of their pain, they might neglect the feelings of hate they get from not getting something like their vengeance until they eventually explode and go gamzee, or invite people to do whatever it takes to get their vengeance, and a sylph might heal peoples pain, whether mentally or physically or heal a lack of pain (I know this sounds like doom, but it’s more like torture bc it’s just pain), or my work through somebody not getting there vengeance sort of like a therapist, or heal somebody’s lack a vengeance getting them to get their vengeance (closer to doom as this could involve murder)

Greed

Possessions, literal greed

(Like a bard would let There possess either or be destroyed without putting up a fight, and there greed for others would destroy there social life or like make the person affected do bad, like petty theft, or something of the sort, and a Thief would litterly be a Theif, maybe they would be able to steal items from someone to there advantage like “lol I have your weapon now tf you gonna do” or “lol I have your diary now time to expose your ass)

Lust

Obsession, needs

(Like a bard would like neglect them selves/things are supposed to take care of or etc. for obsession/what their obsessing over mediate might be like they would ignore everything in the outside world for what they’re obsessing over sort of like a hyper fixation, a mage would have a bad experience with obsession and/or needs, like may be a stocker or hyper-sexuality, or something like that)

Envy

One’s desires, litterly envy

(like a bard will neglect what they want or neglect, their feelings of envy towards others, , or a hier would naturally gravitate towards the things they want,and envy would mean that especially at the start they don’t get the things they want, but they’re surrounded by them, sorta)

Sloth

indolence, ideal

(Like a bard would well be more of a bard they’re already naturally lazy but now there lazy to a point where things were like start being murdered and destroyed, and they just wouldn’t care to much effort, and they were just to believe everything is going to work out, and a prince would be like a drill sergeant destroying indolence, and

Would destroy peoples ideals or something like that)

Pride

Self/ego, honor

(Like a bard would neglect their honor as they think they are too important to do whatever it is that’s going to damage their honor, they would basically think everyone to bellow them, a knight might be extremely self doubting, or self hating but disguise it with a false ego to not seem lesser or to not let people know there lesser and might not have a lot of respect to them or their name but basically would reject that may be a parent was a Lying scumbag and now they’re like trying to fix that, and after God tearing the more sense of self-worth they have and like the power/honor behind their name could create like weapons or shields, or etc.)

Gluttony

indulgence, excessive

(Like a bard would neglect indulgence to explain that better instead of having too much they would have to little by choice or if they feel like fulfillment, they might have like imposter syndrome about it and wouldn’t have anything more then the bare minimum, maid would start out relying on others for what they need or what they want, but eventually, they will become indulgence they will become the sense of gratification they will do what they want when they want and they would never do anything in moderation, the more the better like instead of, just killing you, they’ll kill your entire family, and basically whatever they were leaning on for help will now become excessive like if they were leaning on somebody because they could never get something they want now they’ll have an excessive amount of everything they want)

Yea so that’s it hope you enjoy, I’ll probably make colours and sign for it sooner or later, if you wanna know how it would work with another class do ask

Love you, have an amazing day/night

[nimbus-cloud-90]

Hey sheepoles, I've got something I hope you enjoy:

Prologue-ish:

“Well, this sucks,” I say to myself as I shoot all of the birds that landed on my property. I know they’ve never said anything about animals catching the thing but I like to be careful about stuff, and this is no different. And like I expected anything different they sprung up and flew away like it was no problem.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “THIS IS THE BIRD APOCALYPSE! HITCHCOCK PREDICTED ALL!” and while I appreciate your creative thinking folks, that’s not what’s happening. And to be fair that’s what I thought at first too, y’know the birdpacolypse. Being a duck hunter and all, I thought the gods were finally getting their revenge against me for interrupting the ecosystem with my guns. But it happened to the whole world, so that theory ended pretty quickly.

Things just won’t stay dead. Animals, humans, and all of the tiny bercerita crawling on your skin right now, are staying alive, and aren’t dying. At first I thought it was the usual god temper tantrum, which usually lasts about half a year if you do what they ask. But this has been going on for two years now, and there has been no signs of it letting up.

Wait, are those birds coming back-

Oh shit.

Chapter One:

A God Said What?

So that’s why I’m now busy putting hydrogen peroxide on my scratch wounds. And of course, we can’t regenerate or heal, no matter how extreme or miniscule the injuries are. We had to figure out how to cope with that alone. And modern medicine only scratches the surface of the problem.

“Hold still Jake.”

“Mom.” I groaned like some of the things out there.

“What were you thinking, going out this time of night?”

“It’s barely sunset thou-"

“It’s still too dangerous out there!” She shouted, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

“Mom, I’m sorry.” I say and hug her tightly, my pride falling despite my best efforts.

“I just wish you were a little more careful about this.”

“I know, I just-” She pulled away, and put her hands on my shoulders as she stared into my eyes.

“J, you know that trying to keep you safe isn’t a punishment right?”

“I know Mom, I know.”

“Who knows who they’re coming for next, infact who knows when something happens to you and this curse that has been afflicted upon our land is gone, and then-”

“Mom, Mom, MOM!” I say and grab her face gently, “Listen, I’m not going anywhere, I’m staying right here, with you.” She sobs even more and falls to the floor, face in her hands as she cries harder. I get on my knees and continue to hug her.

And that was my breakfast for this morning.

——————————

There are three figures inside a fancy hall, watching the events of the Earth on a gigantic glass globe.

“Is this because of the party?” A voice as light as air asked.

“What party?” The figure said, unconvincingly and rather defensively as well.

“Oh. my. Me, you guys are so fucking petty.”

"Look we just wanted one day-"

"You mean Death wanted one day, and you want to be able to get away with your bullshit like you did once upon a time." A bold and fiery voice said.

“Oh, fuck you Phenoix.”

“Hmm, you know what I’ll pass on that offer.”

“Why you little-”

“Shut up!” Windy said and seemed to be listening around them, “Okay, so, the other gods are looking for you again.”

“Oh Me damnit.”

“Yep, so I’d start hiding if I were you.”

“YA THINK!!!” The raspy voice successfully yelled and took off.

“So….how long until the gods find and punish him again?” The one that’s Phenoix asked.

“I’m going to say a millenia.”

“It’s probably going to be something shorter, like a century or something.”

"Whatever it is I'll be laughing the whole time." Windy said and breathlessly laughed manically.

——————————

Mom went to attempt to go to the store today so I’m alone for the first time in a few months.

Then out of nowhere a blue fire started on the floor, in the middle of the room, on the fucking carpet, ‘Shit it’s been too long since I’ve done this.’

"Excuse me?"

‘Oh, hello young lad, I have a favor to ask of you.’

"Why?"

‘Good question, you’re going to do something for me.’

"Again why?" The voice whined and groaned, and complained about the growing intellect of humanity and their need for questions.

‘Okay so, you’re going to have death stop their pity party and have them do their fucking job and kill people.’

"WHAT!?!?"

‘Yep, and I’d leave a note for your mom before you go.’

"WHAT!?!?"

‘Okay, buh bye then!’

"NO WAIT WHAT!?!?" And just like that the fire went away, no burn marks whatsoever on the carpet, and the voice was gone.

What the fuck just happened?

——————————

“J, I’m home,” I heard Mom’s footsteps walk into the kitchen counter, “I see you’re finally taking the gods seriously.” Looking at all of the books strung across the table, most if not all of them have to do with gods seaking out mortal help.

“Something like that.” I mean, she’s not wrong.

After the fire thing I did some research and there were two possibilities, one, I’m insane and a bit schizophrenic, or two, one of the gods put me on a quest like they used to back in the olden days.

Like they did with Dad, before the whole no deaths thing.

“Honey, it’s getting quite late, you should probably sleep.”

“Oh, okay then.” I don’t feel like arguing with her so maybe I am a bit tired.

——————————

As I slept I entered into this weird coma dream-like state. Y’know, where you can feel everything you’re experiencing but still understand you’re in a dream. I saw a beautiful pink tinted meadow with a tall golden tree. In this fantasy world I walked closer to the tree, noticing the blue, red, and yellow flowers and fruit growing on its branches. I stood on one of the tall roots and almost ate one of the fruits, but someone put their hand on my shoulder and said, “Yeah, I wouldn’t.”

I then jumped back in fear and almost fell off of the root, but a hooded figure, with seemingly long nails steadied me before I stumbled back any further, “Who the fuck are you?!” I asked, adrenaline still flowing in my veins.

“That’s not important, what is important is you have to do this.”

“Do what?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’t play dumb with me.” I just sighed, “Look, my dad is going to be pissed when he finds out what’s going on, so for the sake of everyone on this planet, please take up this quest I’m begging you.” I didn’t answer, I stayed silent. “Give yourself a couple of days to think about it then, okay?”

I felt the winds rustle the leaves on the tree.

“Looks like dad’ll be home soon so I’m just going to drop this call.”

“What?” And then just like that I was back inside the house, in my room, alone. Except for one white flower on my chest. It looked like a rose. I brushed my finger against it, ‘Eat these if you need me okay?’ The voice at the tree as the blinding moon shown through my window.

So a god begged me to go on a quest for them huh?

__________

Well there it is, I hope you enjoy it.

Also: @computerglitch306 @shadie-cat behold my glory.

[journeyintofiction]

hi can u do an overprotective Shuri x reader? Like one of Shuri lab members have been bother the reader verbally then they get physical.

A/N: Hello there! It took me a few days because I was with my family and enjoying the holiday season ;). Look at me posting twice in one day 😏. This request was really interesting to write because I could vividly imagine this whole thing playing out in my head.Hope you enjoy it!

Word count: 1.2k

As always, Happy reading :)

“Griot, is Shuri in the lab?”

Griot immediately replied, “No Ms.Y/N, should I request for her to meet you in the lab?”

I hum and respond, “No, that's alright, I’m sure she will be down here soon.”

I walk down the stairs leading to the lab and when I look through the glass I see one of the lab assistants named Malia. She, for some reason, doesn’t like me and tends to respond to any questions I ask with a very clipped and short tone. I have tried to be diplomatic for the sake of her job because if Shuri ever found out… let's just say Malia would be searching for work elsewhere. In fact, she would be lucky if she wasn’t blacklisted and never able to find work if Shuri had her way. But, I pride myself on not being petty and childish so I have actively chosen to take the high road instead of calling her out.

Once I enter the lab I realize that the two of us will be alone until Shuri gets there. I internally sigh and pray that she gets there quickly before Malia and I get into it. I clear my throat, politely say hello, and walk over to my workspace which is right next to Shuri’s and begin working. As I start messing with my current project Malia walks over and waves to get my attention. I looked at her confused as to why she came over to me when we had nothing to discuss and we were working separately.

Malia crossed her arms, “What are you doing here?”

I raise my eyebrow, “I’m working on a project… is that a problem for you?” and she goes silent for a moment as if she’s stunned I would respond to her with the same energy she gave me.

Instead of walking away and saving any ounce of self-respect she had, she placed her hands on my table, looked me dead in the face, and responded. “You don’t deserve her and you most certainly don’t deserve a space in this lab.”

I glare daggers at her but before I can respond the door to the lab swings open and Shuri walks in looking at Malia and me suspiciously. Based on the acidic looks that we were throwing at one another it was obvious we had an exchange but Shuri just walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek before dragging me away from the lab. On the way out Malia gave me a dirty look again and I gave her the finger in response.

A few days after this incident Malia was back to her shit of treating me like I was an inferior being. Only this time she had another lab assistant that was older than her by the looks of it but just as bitter and close-minded.

They approached my work area and once again started taunting me, “When will you learn you are no match for the princess, huh? What will it take for you to see what everyone else sees and leave?”

I took a deep breath because I know for a fact that they caught me on the right day. I don’t have the patience nor the fucks to give about what I say to them right now because they have been harassing me every time I’m in the lab. I have tried everything from being overly nice, to not talking, to even flat-out ignoring them and they keep bothering me. I’m done playing nice.

I push my chair back and get up, “When will YOU two learn that your work is sloppy, half-assed, and needs improvement, huh, when will you get that?”

Obviously, they didn’t take kindly to my words because Malia steps up to me and stares me in the face. I look her up and down because what does she think that she could possibly do to me that would result in anything but her getting fired. What she chooses to do surprises both of us, and she shoved me.

I look at her menacingly, “Don’t. Touch. Me.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Okoye and Aneka silently making their way down the stairs of the lab. They must have been alerted by Griot and I knew if they had been alerted, that Shuri was definitely on her way to us right now.

The other lab assistant that Malia ganged up on me with was pissed and started to walk over to me like she was gonna do something. I started to step backward, not because I was scared, but because I knew if I retaliated they would be seriously injured. The lab assistant grabbed my wrist to stop me from moving away and as I’m about to rip my wrist from her grip I hear the lab's glass door slam closed.

“What's going on here?”, Shuri asked with a hard edge in her voice.

Okoye and Aneka flank her as she walks over to my workspace and Malia looks at Shuri like she shit a brick. The other lab assistant quickly let go of my wrist as if it makes her look less guilty of putting her hands on me.

I look between the two of them and say “go ahead, tell her what you told me. I’m sure she would love to hear your thoughtful discourse about me and my work.”

The two of them glared daggers at me and Malia spoke up first, “we were trying to correct her work.”

“And that requires putting your hands on my partner?” Shuri asks with a disgusted look on her face.

“No your highness, we just-”

“YOU two are jealous and insecure then decided to act like immature children by getting physical with MY partner in MY lab.”

At that, the two of them have the decency to look down with shame and don’t attempt to refute what Shuri was saying to them. She motions for Okoye and Aneka to take them from the lab to deal with them later and Shuri walks over to me and looks me over. She gently lifts my wrist to inspect it to make sure there won’t be any bruises.

“Babe I will be fine don’t worry”

“No. This is not ok and I am disappointed that they thought they could do this to you and get away with it. How long has this been happening?”

I wince knowing she would be pissed with the answer, “ three or four months.”

She paused massaging my arm and looked at me before resuming and sighing. “ Why didn’t you say anything until now? I could have helped you and stopped this early on.”

I nod and hesitate before asking, “What are you going to do to them?”

“They are getting fired for one, and two they will be arrested for assaulting you.”

I nod and yawn despite trying to hide it.

“Are you tired my love, we can go lay down?”

“I think I want to take a nap but … don't you want to go to work?”

Shuri looked at me and deadpanned, “ Babe you just got assaulted, I think I can snuggle with you for a few hours.”

I snort and drag her out the lab doors, "god I love you.”

[beomoa]

req !! ; ,Hello I’m not aware if your requests are open but if so id like to request how you think the OM brothers would be like in the aftermath of an argument with mc? ^^ if your requests are closed I’m sorry 🙏`

vys note ; im back from the dead yall also i cant do all of the brothers. im doing lucifer first !!

cws !! , LUCIFER BEING AN ASSHOLE UGH, english isnt my first language, ill leave the clothes to u! gn!reader small argument lolz, lucifer being possesive

~ not proofread.

PT 1 || PT 2

≥ （*＾ワ＾*）

LUCIFER, he thought he could never lose in a fight, his pride just boost up everytime you try to win an argument. being with him is hard, he′s possesive, kept controlling everything you do, its humuliating whenever you make a mistake in public, but you love him anyway, every night you melt in his arms, but your also tired being controlled like a puppet!

that night, you said everything that you felt, how its embarrassing for you when he just, laughs or maybe just a chuckle and treating you like an complete stupid, idiot. “your being dramatic again mc, if your not gonna say anything else, please leave, im busy.” there he is again, saying that im dramatic. “fine, guess im cancelling our date for tonight. Since your so busy.” “mc dont be petty. im not that busyー” you stood up in your chair and made your way out. honestly you cant believe him. making your way out of hol. "now what can i do with this outfit??" you thought. you got an idea.

‖ time skip

lucifer looked at the clock “12 ; 35 am..” he got up from the chair and made his way on the door. he thinks your asleep, waiting for him to tuck you in, or maybe your still awake waiting for his goodnight kisses. he wanted to apologize, after you went out to that door he felt nothing but regret. he didnt meant to be that mean.

≥ ur pov ;

you went home..tipsy, you opened the gate and walked towards to the door. “ah!- THANK YOU RANDOM DEMON!!” you thanked the demon for taking you home safely.. they smiled at you and waved goodbye.