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miss-bvnny · 3 years ago

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Yet another fan tweaks up TLK 2 and TLG: The Squeakel.

Im bored and in a lil pain. time to jot down all my personal ideas/headcanons for how I'd polish up TLK 2 and TLG to fit with the first movie a bit better, and create something more cohesive since like only about 3 people on the TLK2 and TLG teams paid attention to the first movie. I've seen a lot of hedcanons and AUS and whatnot in my day so I've kinda got a good idea of what i like and what I think might work better. Veteran TLK creators please interact with me and gib feedeback on my sick tricks

Uhhh TW for abuse and cub death

So...while there's TECHNICALLY nothing I'd change about the first movie, as it's pretty much done and solid, I wanted to play with my ideas for Zira's backstory.

YES in my version it'd be a one-sided love, kinda like how DemiiDee on dA and Silver-Wolf-17/@mask-of-prime see it, Scar knew she was obsessed with him since the day she met him as a cub, and took advantage of that. After he became king, he wanted loyal lionesses just in case Sarabi, Nala, Sarafina and the others got wise and rebelled. Zira and her pride sisters were all starving, and he knew that. He welcomed them in, promising food and comfort in return for their loyalty. Zira didn't hesitate to agree, and Scar loved her blind adoration of him. He WOULD have liked it if someone like Sarafina was so blindly in love with him (Scar had a gross unrequited obsessive crush on Sarafina growing up, and he constantly held it against her after she chose to be with Nala's father Mega instead. This is another reason why he was so hard on the hunting parties. He used his position as king to get petty revenge on childhood bullies and the like). Scar decided Zira would be his queen but like...ONLY because Sarafina had already made her choice. Zira didn't care, and knew she'd make Scar proud and produce a lot of wonderful heirs for him, in order to repay him for ''all he'd done for her'' (A very thin and insincere ''all'' if you ask me). So, Zira gets pregnant with who will eventually be Nuka, but...Rafiki takes a look at her and sees she's very weak and will probably only have one cub. Oh well. Let's just hope this one son is a suitable heir in Scar's eyes.

....Well-

Nuka's born. Weak, unfocused, and not at all what Scar wanted or was hoping for. He TRIES to teach Nuka and raise him as an Heir, but...it just doesn't work. Scar believes he was destined for greatness and for a prosperous, strong lineage. Nuka is none of those things, and it seems Zira will never be able to give him another heir (I KNOW the ''This woman can't have kids'' trope is icky but HOLD ON wait until you see where I'm going with this) Scar disowns Nuka and scolds Zira for disappointing him. Zira begs for his forgiveness, and swears on her life she'll find a way to make things worth Scar's while.

During this time, several of the male cubs who were born around the same time as Simba are being exiled. Scar doesn't want any males around to threaten overtaking him, and nips the problem in the bud before it ever becomes an issue. Many pride sister saw him doing this, and while they disagreed with it...it DID offer one bonus: Trustworthy males were leaving for better lands. They could take the new young cubs with them, since none of the sisters wanted their children to be raised in Scar's Pridelands.

Surprisingly, one of these lionesses trying to save her cubs...was Zira. Within the last few months, she'd...began to realize perhaps she was looking at Scar with rose-colored glasses. She was beginning to wonder if perhaps she was wrong to worship him the way she did. The thoughts were still kinda...new, and she wasn't sure what to do. But, during all her confusion, she DID happen to meet another male lion. Mpendwa, (Swahili for ''Honey'') was an old friend from her teenage years who was a wanderer by nature. Zira was VERY happy to see him again, after all these years. She met with him in secret, when Scar and the Hyenas weren't looking, and began to fall in love with him. REAL love. Mutual good love, where he loved her for who she was, and NOT what she could give him. Even Nuka seemed to like him, too! And...by some miracle, Zira and Mpendwa had a secret litter together! Four beautiful, healthy little cubs! It was perfect. SO perfect. Perhaps the problem had lain not in Zira, but in Scar the entire time. It served as more confirmation to Zira that...perhaps she was in the wrong to love him. Mpendwa asked her if she and their four cubs would come with him. Somewhere far and somewhere safe, where they could be happy together. Zira...was hesitant, afraid of disappointing Scar further, and even more afraid to leave her pride sisters behind. They were in this because of her, and...there were so many of them that it'd be impossible to get all of them out without Scar seeing something was up. Nevertheless, she knew she had to think about the future of her cubs, and NOT about Scar. She agreed, and plans were made for Zira and Nuka to meet Mpendwa at the border with her four cubs. In the dead of night, they'd leave using the rest of the evacuating males as a cover so they could make a clean getaway.

....Well...to make a very heartbreaking and gruesome story short...Scar knew about Mpendwa the entire time. And of course he saw Zira was pregnant. He overheard their plains to escape, and prepared accordingly. Mpendwa and three of Zira's cubs were killed as punishment for her disloyalty and attempt at mutiny. He lets her keep the youngest one alive as a reminder of her shortcomings, but ONLY if she'll swear her loyalty to him once more. With nothing else left to do, she swore her allegiance to him, and returned to the Pridelands with only Vitani and Nuka left of her family. In the coming days and months, Scar turns up the charm to further entice Zira, making sure she and Vitani are given the best of everything and taken care of, to ensure she feels terrible about what she did and she never acts out again. Sadly, it works, and Zira falls back in love with him, realizing SHE was the one in the wrong, and was an utter fool to betray Scar. Things are....steady for a while. Not bad, not good, but...steady for Zira and Scar. He of course ignores both cubs, and Zira has to reach out to him pleadingly if she wants to connect with him. Zira works as a willing mouthpiece to spout propaganda tot he rest of the pride, assuring then Scar is a GREAT king, their ONLY king, and that he will usher in a new golden age for them all. It pleases Scar and he is sure to...ever so slightly reciprocate his gratitude to her. If only to keep her totally convinced to stay with him. Zira can see he's...flaky and not too sure about her, and decides she MUST act fast to show him she is worthy.

She MUST somehow produce him a viable heir. And quickly. But with all the other males gone, there's not a whole lot of cubs being born. And her beloved Mpendwa is long dead. So...she has to figure something else out. One day, while hunting for Vitani and Nuka on her own, she runs across a skinny dark brown lone lioness taking a dead zebra somewhere. She tells Nuke and Vitani to wait, and begins to stalk this female, named Jibu (''Answer'') Jibu takes her kill to a secluded spot, and Zira notices she's having trouble catching her breath. It doesn't take Zira long to see...Jibu is pregnant. VERY pregnant, and close to giving birth. GIVING birth, actually! She's going into labor. Jibu cries out for mercy, knowing she is alone and there is no one around to help her. Zira, in a moment of maternal instinct and compassion, helps her. She, along with Nuka and Vitani, stay by Jubi's side as she gives birth to one little brown cub. Then, Zira gets...a really really REALLY terrible idea, just looking at the little cub. Calmly, she tells Vitani and Nuka that Jibu will need some water, and that they need to bring some back for her in some fresh moss. It's a big job, and the cubs are BOTH very willing to help. Vitani and Nuka leave on their big mission, and then Zira, Jibu, and the new cub are left alone.

Zira is quick about it. Merciful, even. By the time Nuka and Vitani get back, Jibu is dead. Zira sorrowfully tells the cubs that...the birthing process was simply too much for a weak and skinny loner like her, and that there was nothing at all that could have been done. Nuka asks what they're going to do with the cub, and Zira says she SUPPOSES they could take it back to the pride, as well as the zebra Jibu just killed. They return to the pridelands with food, and...Zira presents the cub to Scar. She tells him that his mother gave birth on the edge of the territory, before succumbing to her dehydration and fatigue. Scar looks the cub over, and is overjoyed. He declares THIS cub, this Kovu, WILL be his heir.

So, time passes, and before you know it, Simba returns. The TRUE Pridelanders rise up and reclaim their land. In the wake of his return, Zira's pride sisters see the error of their ways, and oppose the hyenas in battle. Scar is overthrown, and Simba takes his place as King. Zira is of course horrified, outraged, and...filled with a turmoil of emotions about it. Some part of her feels...free that Scar is gone, but the rest of her was so twisted by his words that she doesn't want to admit she's happy he's dead. She chokes those feelings down, trying to sit still and look pretty for Simba as he moves in. Nuka, Vitani, and little Kovu are doing well, and...as a mother that's all she should care about, really. But...deep down inside, there's a growing, growling, burning need for revenge in her soul.

As Kovu grows a little bigger and the pridelands heal more, Simba and Nala announce the birth of their OWN heir.....Kopa. Yep. Yes. That's right, I'm a Kopa theorist. Upsetting, I know. But like....it makes sense. Look at how overprotective and suffocating Simba was to Kiara in TLK 2. Almost like he'd dealt with tragedy in relation to a cub before, and vowed to never let it happen again. Huh. If YOU'RE reading this and you have no idea who Kopa is and the drama behind his very existence, first of all God I wish I was you, secondly, go here to learn what then entire TLK fandom is divided over:

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Kopa

Anyway, Kopa is begins to grow and learn as the next king of Pride Rock, good friends with Nuka and Vitani, and even their cute little brother Kovu. He's not...VERY old right now, but he'll grow and be able to play with them one day! Their mom, Zira, seems....a little upset about stuff. She always watches them from afar, never engages with the rest of the Pride, and doesn't seem to like Simba. Kopa, as a young kid determined to be a great king, takes a note to keep an eye on this. She might be really old, but she's part of his father's kingdom. Everyone else is happy and healthy, she should be too, right? Simba and Nala seem...worried about her as well. For different reasons, but yeah.

Ever the hunter and woman scorned, Zira has been...studying Kopa. He's young and naive, but...eager to learn and take over for his father. He's studious and intuitive, often finding trouble without meaning to, because he was trying to solve a problem or get involved in pride politics. Of course, all the other lions and creatures love him, and are eager to see him grow into a fine future king. There s NO doubt he's a jewel in his family's crown. But...he is still a cub. Zira remembers how devastated she was to lose Vitani's three siblings, and knows that Simba and Nala will be equally devastated if....something happens to Kopa. She knows exactly how she's going to avenge Scar now.

Simba and Nala were out on a little moonlight hunt together one night, like they enjoyed to do together. They were coming back to Pride Rock afterwards, only to hear a terrible commotion. Zazu rushed to meet them, telling of something terrible that had just happened: Zira tried to assassinate the young prince. Her pride sisters were now in arms against Sarabi and her pride sisters, trying to stop an attempted uprising. Simba and Nala quickly joined in to fight, Simba finding Zira with Kopa in her jaws. He stops her, and Timon and Pumbaa are quick to get Kopa to Rafiki for healing. Simba and Nala face off against Zira while she gives her side of the story. telling about how she's tired of being docile and pretending her heart isn't broken after Simba and Nala both took everything from her. Simba and Nala both see she's still...terribly twisted by Scar's words, trying to be patient but firm with her as they attempt to talk her down. She won't have it, and leaps at Simba, Nala gets involved, and they fight her off. Simba calls for her banishment, and she is thrown out of the Pridelands with the rest of her followers, and her three cubs.

During all of this, Rafiki is attending to Kopa and his injuries. They're...bad, but not fatal. With time, he'll be just fine. Zira left him blind in one eye, gave him a terribly ripped ear, nearly tore his tail off, and he's got a deep throat scar that will alter his voice quite a bit. With time he'll be alright physically, but...I'm not so sure about mentally. Kopa has...a LOT of PTSD over it. blaming himself for how he thought Zira was a friend he could help, wondering if he was stupid for never seeing her anger sooner. He begins to question his abilities as a future king. Yes, he's still young, and accidents happen, but...this event has left him a bit jaded all the same. Simba and Nala see it, and...want to do the best for their son. They can see the enthusiasm in his eyes to one day be king fading. It's devastating. And...while Simba isn't about to give up on him, he doesn't want to force Kopa into something he...clearly doesn't want to do anymore. On top of that...Simba fears Kopa may not be safe in the Pridelands anymore. Zira and her followers ARE in the Outlands, but...Zira is bold and full of hate. There's no telling what she could do next. After a lot of deliberation, meeting with Zazu, Nala, and Kopa...the king comes to a conclusion. He strips Kopa of his title as an heir, and sends him to live in the Oasis with Ma, Uncle Max, and the rest of Timon's family. He'll be safe and well-fed there, far away from Zira. It'll only be for a while, until the trouble with the outlanders settles down, and until Kopa is ready to return home. Kopa agrees to the idea whole-heartledy, and departs for the Oasis as soon as he's fit to travel. It's...painful and hard, but it's the best option for their son's mental health. Simba and Nala do visit often, and are glad to see it DOES seem to be working.

Okay. So Zira tried to kill Kopa in the name of Scar, got herself booted, and the origins of her three cubs have been dealt with. That's all the Zira/Scar and Kopa backstory stuff done and dealt with. I'm gonna cut it right here since this is gettin awful lengthy, and continue with TLK 2 and The Lion Guard in a part 2. Keep an eye out for that one.

#the lion king #the lion king 2 #neato after dark

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daebakinc · 7 years ago

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We Make the Kingdom - Pt 10

Image by silverdagger865

Pairing: Yongguk x OC Genre: Fantasy, with Angst and Smut Summary: After a vampire attack leaves you almost dead, you are rescued by a group of werelions, powers long thought to be extinct. Upon discovering the same magic flows in your blood, you join their fight against encroaching vampires and another, very human monster, to save the kingdom. Previous parts:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9(M), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16(M), 17, 18, Final

Sunlight washed silver by the rain mingles with the muted orange light of the fire inside the shelter. You lie on your side, tucked against Yongguk with your head on his shoulder. His arm hangs low to encircle your waist. The other supports his neck. Yongguk had initially stiffened when you’d pulled him down next to you and snuggled into him. You stayed silent, waiting him out. Gradually, your calm seeps into Yongguk’s body so he is completely relaxed.

Still, you are afraid he will close in on himself again if you say what you most want to. Like with a skittish colt, you cannot brashly approach Yongguk head on. Instead, you need to carefully and gently come to him from the side until he is comfortable enough not to run away.

You trace a finger over the ink on his chest, trying to follow a single line through the maze. “Why did you get tattoos when magic has no effect on us?”

Yongguk wriggles at your ticklish touch. “The king may control my body, but he does not own it. Nor does he own my will. It was more to prove it to myself than anyone else. My own quiet rebellion.”

“There cannot be many around here who do them.”

“I had to sneak down to different harbor towns.” Yongguk’s hand hesitantly trails up to your hair to let it cascade through his fingers. When you murmur happily, he starts combing his fingers through your locks. “Lots of sailors get them as drowning protection or luck charms, but others want tattoos to commemorate different voyages. It wasn’t hard to find a charm seller willing to do a tattoo without the magic. Less work, they said.”

“Sneak?”

“We are not supposed to leave the keep during daylight hours. The king doesn’t want to risk someone discovering us.”

You humph. “Because he knows the people would rise up because of how he treated you all.”

Cynicism creeps into Yongguk’s voice. “You really think beasts would be welcome in polite society? We weres passed into neglected legend. Our prestige and rights went with it.”

“Don’t.” Propping yourself up on your elbow, you tap his heart. “You denied the king the power to corrupt this.” Then you touch his forehead. “You should not let him have power in here. The king regards us as animals valued only so long as we are useful, but, powers aside, we are human. We are human, Yongguk. Worthy of love and dreams and lives of our own. One day, we will have it.”

He says nothing. The doubt in his eyes is so deeply ingrained he probably does not even know when it took root. Or that the power to destroy it still resides in him. You can see that glimmer of hope for better is still alive. That spark of righteousness that saturates his voice when he speaks of justice for others. So long as that survives in his heart, you will have hope as well.

“You know,” he says quietly, lifting a hand to your cheek, “when you say it, I almost believe it.”

“Then I will ensure you see my words fulfilled with your own eyes so you have no choice but to believe.” One way or another, you will have Yongguk feel true joy of life again. Even if his happiness costs you your own. “Yongguk, before we go back, there is something I must say.”

“Yes?”

You draw in a deep breath. You know your mind, but to make yourself so vulnerable still makes your stomach flutter. “I want to be clear: I do not want us to return to how we were before. I love you. Though we do not know what our futures hold, I want to be by your side as long as you will have me.”

For the second time today, you see pink bloom underneath Yongguk’s cheeks. He sits up as well to look into your eyes. “That is what I wish as well,” he replies earnestly.

You bite back your smile, continuing, “But some things must change if we are to be together.”

He frowns but nods. “Such as?”

“You will need to trust me, Yongguk.” You shake your head when he opens his mouth to no doubt object he already does. “You need to trust me to take care of myself. I know you want to protect me, but you cannot do that by shutting me away. I will bleed and I will be injured, that is the reality we live in. But I am a capable fighter, as are you. How would you feel if I told you not to hunt because you may never come back to me? Or if I recklessly sacrificed myself for you?”

“I understand,” Yongguk says grudgingly after a few moments. “A relationship must also be a partnership between equals to exist healthily.”

“Yes. As partners, we must also tell each other how we feel. No more only keeping our own council. If you are worried, tell me. If you are angry, tell me. And I will do the same for you.”

“I cannot promise I will immediately, but I will try.”

He says it so solemnly you have to smile. You kiss his cheek. “You are a very strong man, Yongguk, but sometimes I worry you are too strong for your own good. Those who love you want to share your burdens. I am not asking for you to entirely adjust within a day; no one is capable of that. I just need you to try.”

“I will.”

“I know. And I believe you.”

Leaning down, you brush your lips against Yongguk’s forehead. Unsatisfied, you dip your mouth lower to his. The kiss is soft and draws a sigh from your chest. You want nothing more but to sink into Yongguk all over again. But you cannot always have what you want.

You break away and bite your lip. “We really should go before I seduce you again.”

Yongguk’s hand goes to your neck. The look in his eyes has you inwardly groaning at your resolve. “Just one more.”

Chuckling, you oblige him. You pull back. “Unless there is anything you wish to ask of me? I don’t want to make all the demands.”

“Just be patient with me and don’t be reckless to prove yourself,” he says after some thought. “We all know you are a lioness.”

“And do not forget it.”

You hurry off the mattress before Yongguk can tempt you more. Sorting your clothes from Yongguk’s, you feel his eyes on you even though you hear him sliding his pants back on. He glances away immediately when you look over your shoulder. The confirmation makes you giggle. Never would you have imagined the alpha to be so rattled by the sight of you undressed. It is adorable and only serves to make you love him more.

When you toss him his shirt, you notice purpling bruises along his neck and chest. Perhaps you were a bit too enthusiastic but another part of you is quite proud to have marked him so. But with their locations, they do raise a new problem despite their already fading color.

“Will we tell the others about us?” you ask, dusting off your shirt. You keep your eyes down to spare Yongguk any embarrassment. “They will not miss your- my… bites.”

He looks at you, confused, so you tap your chest so he looks down at his own. To your surprise he chuckles, albeit awkwardly. “These should be gone by the time we get back. If I wrap my bandage I should be able to cover some as well. As for the others… I think I would like some more time to treasure what’s happened just between us two.”

You smile. “Yes.” You know his wish to wait is not because he is ashamed. Your feelings and knowledge of their reciprocation are still very new. You and Yongguk need more time to become accustomed to each other again. And something so precious is not always something easily shared.

The sun still has much of the sky to cover before it retires when the keep comes back into view. As he had predicted, visible evidence of the love marks on Yongguk’s skin are gone. It gives your nerves respite. Now to try to act normal when your world has been tossed on its head for a second time. Hopefully the resolution of your inclusion in the hunt will be enough to distract the other men from any self-consciousness you or Yongguk exhibit. Even though you would not recant your sentiments, you are a little worried about how the others’ will react. Will they be happy for you? Jealous? Uncomfortable?

Your uncertainties ease a hair at the smile Yongguk flashes you before you ascend the hill. When Noir and Rose trot through the gate, the courtyard appears abandoned. But they must have been watching because as you ride into the inner keep, Himchan steps out of the door. The others are cautious shadows behind him.

“Glad to see you both came back alive.” Himchan smiles brightly, but his eyes still carry a bit of watchfulness as he examines your faces. His smile becomes genuine when he finds none of the earlier anger. “We had bets. My money was on Ness. Sorry, Yongguk.”

Jongup walks around him to grab the reins as you both dismount. “I bet on you killing each other.”

“So sorry to disappoint both of you,” you tease. When you move past Jongup, he gives you an odd look, but says nothing, so you don’t ask.

Youngjae, Daehyun, and Junhong come forward as well at the sound of your easy tone. The relief is clear on their face for a few moments before their expressions change to something else. Puzzled, you glance at Yongguk but he looks equally confused. Looking more closely, you notice Himchan’s nose flaring.

Yongguk elects to ignore their odd behavior and grins as he comes beside you. “You did flay me alive with your words though. Maybe it will count in Himchan’s favor.”

“Let the gamblers take care of judging their own.” Your hand itches to burry itself in Yongguk’s when it brushes his.

“You didn’t go into a town, did you?” Himchan asks suddenly with a frown.

You and Yongguk share a look. He answers, “No.”

“Run into any other people?”

“No. Why?”

Himchan shrugs, failing to make the gesture appear casual. “It’s just-”

From the doorway of the stable, Jongup bluntly says, “The two of you smell funny.”

A discreet sniff of your shirt finds nothing. “We did have to take shelter in the half-way point,” you offer. “Maybe we smell like the wolves? “It’s not wolves. It’s different. It’s almost like-”

Youngjae’s muffled squawk sends all gazes to him. His eyes widen as they dart between the two of you. “You- You two- No. You didn’t.”

“Did what?” you ask cautiously.

“You laid together!” Junhong bursts out.

Your heart skips a beat. How…? You take a deeper sniff and suddenly it hits you. Both you and Yongguk are still covered with the smell of sweat and lovemaking. You’re so saturated with it neither of you noticed. From the panicked look on Yongguk’s face, he finally smells it too. Color flares in your cheeks as you try to find the words to explain. And anywhere to look but their eyes.

“Enough!” Himchan claps a hand over the youngest’s mouth and pulls him down to his eye level. “That isn’t our matter to discuss.”

“But they did.” Daehyun grins. “About damn time.”

“What?” you squeak. Amusement of varying degrees reflects in the others’ eyes when you meet them.

“We are not stupid. Yongguk may keep his own council, but you always have big calf-eyes when he is around and you think no one is looking,” Jongup states.

Junhong pushes Himchan’s hand aside to add, “Yongguk is just as guilty. His eyes are always on Ness.”

“But you did not understand why until now,” Himchan scoffs. He glares at the other men before smiling at you and Yongguk, continuing, “We are obviously very happy you finally understand each other and can spare us any more lovers-not-lovers spats over silly things. I cannot promise I can make these children refrain from well-meant but merciless teasing, but I will attempt it. Now, come. It is time to eat.”

Reaching up, he grabs Junhong’s ear, then Daehyun’s, and pulls both of the protesting men back into the hall. You can hear him berating them for being crude and to mind their manners from now on.

“Yongguk.” Youngjae offers a small, genuine smile to you both. “I am glad you are not wasting this opportunity to be happy. You too, Ness. Goddess bless.” He walks back into the hall.

“Go on,” Jongup says from behind you. His mouth curves with the twin of Youngjae’s smile. “I’ll rub the horses down. Shouldn’t take long.”

You smile helplessly at Yongguk and shrug. There is some relief in the decision to hide your new relationship being taken out of your hands. The other weres too seem to have been expecting it and will need little to no time to adapt. Their approval means much to you. “I suppose our plan was for naught.”

“It would appear so.” A wryness gleams in his eyes as they remain on the doorway. “I oft forget how well our friends can read me after so many years together.”

“I guess that means I wear my heart on my sleeve that they so easily perceived me.”

“I would not have it any other way.” Yongguk sighs, takes a deep breath, and smiles. “Well, since there is no need for subtlety.” He extends his hand towards you but hesitates.

You readily grasp it and move closer. Yongguk’s heart jumps when you lift your face close to his. Taking pity on him, you simply kiss his cheek. “Perhaps we will still have need for a little subtlety.” You laugh when his eyes widen and tug him forward.

The man is too easy to tease.

The other lions already know this weakness and exploit it mercilessly when Himchan is not near. Daehyun and Youngjae are the worst offenders, making cooing noises the instant either of you show physical affection. They thankfully seem to consider the bed a neutral zone, for they make no comment when you cease sleeping alone and instead sleep in Yongguk’s embrace. He graciously endures, though at first, he remains shy so you must initiate such actions.

Setting food by his side when he works through the day with a gentle hand on his shoulder to remind him to eat. Carding his hair with your fingers just because you can. Kissing him fiercely but briefly in the shadows before the hunt. But gradually, he is the first to reach out to hold your hand during meals, to absently run his fingers along your back as he reads, to press a fleeting kiss against your cheek for no reason at all.

Himchan, and surprisingly, the two youngest lions, seem to appoint themselves the role of providing plenty of chances for the two of you to slip away alone. Bless them, they are not delicate about it either, but it is something for you and Yongguk to laugh about in private. And you do take advantage of more than a few of those chances. By unspoken agreement, you abstain from making love again, perhaps because to do so would attract unavoidable attention. A few stolen kisses and rare moments of merely lounging in each others’ arms are the most you limit yourselves too. They are more precious to you than any jewels or gold the king may possess for they remind you how loved you are. And every time is another reminder for Yongguk he is beloved as well.

Yet opportunities of all kinds fade in the next three months. The greedy night gobbles more and more hours of sunlight, its frosty fingers coating the ground. By some luck there is no snow yet. Vampires take full advantage of the extended night so you stay out on hunts longer and longer. No large groups such as the first you faced emerge but the wolves report more vampires passing through the mountains each night.

Yongguk is sure the identity of Lamia is vital to discovering why the vampires are increasing. With your memories of her evil and her power, you must agree with him. Most of your waking time not spent in training is devoted to scouring the library for mentions of her. Everyone helps, taking shifts between reading, practicing, and sleeping. You share your time with Yongguk, some part of your bodies always touching to take comfort in each other even in work. His added warmth is welcome as well in the chilled air.

On a particularly cold day that has you glued to Yongguk’s side from heel to shoulder, luck favors you.

“I found her!” Youngjae springs from his perch by the window with a ragged manuscript in his hands. “I found Lamia!”

Himchan and Daehyun rise from bed while Junhong and Jongup stand, all drawing closer and crowding the table.

Yongguk immediately sets aside his book. “Where?” he demands.

“In the werebear’s journal.” Youngjae sets the book down carefully even though his hands tremble with excitement. You shift over so he can sit beside you.

“She is an old vampire then.” Yongguk’s brow furrows. “What does it say of her?”

Youngjae clears his throat and reads, his finger following the words. “Three nights ago, we cornered the one called Lamia and her remaining seven companions to the caves near the northern village of Chunggan. Upon interview with a villager familiar with the area, we found the vampire’s den was luckily a shallow one. Only one entrance and no access into the deeper heart of the mountain.

“We struck at dawn for although the darkness of the caves is their ally, we did not want them to escape out of the entrance in the frenzy. The vampires were hungry and weak; they should not have been a difficult kill. But their desperation gave them strength for they knew this was their end. We fought with tooth and claw and wood and steel. I thank the Goddess we are immune to all magic for Lamia was so despairing she tried her craft on us like a coward while her minions fought. At last we cornered the survivors in the back of the cave. Then we sprung our true trap.

“As the lions and the bears had attacked, the wolves had filled the cave with brush and wood and planted explosives among the piles. At their signal, we fell back and ignited the fuses. My last glimpse of those horrible creatures was of their gruesome faces screaming in the agony they deserved. At last, our kingdom is safe. Our people are free.

“Yet our great victory came at a price. We lost one of the wolves and two of my bear brothers. May the Goddess light their way to the afterlife and reward them for their sacrifice.”

A cacophony of pained, warning howls raises the hair on the back of your neck. Your heads all wrench towards the door. No more than one wolf is needed to deliver messages. Ever. But the howls are those of a pack. Chairs haphazardly smack the floor in your rush towards the gate.

The wolves bound up the hill as if hell itself was on their tails. They meet you at the inner gate. Some drop the instant they stop running, still in their wolf forms. Their sides rise and fall harshly in pants of air. Those with strength enough to change stand on weary legs that tremble. More than a few lean on each other to prop themselves upright. You gasp at their appearances.

Each one is covered in blood still scarlet from recent shedding. It matts both fur and cloth. Most comes from the men’s clearly visible wounds, but some is not their own. It is black and thin. Vampire.

“Yongguk!” Junmyeon’s face is gray as he limps forward from the back of the pack. One hand clutches his left arm. Dark blood drips between his fingers.

Yongguk rushes forward to grab the other leader by his shoulders, steadying him as his knees give out. “Junmyeon, what happened?”

Grimacing, Junmyeon grips Yongguk’s arm so hard his skin turns vampire pale against tan. “It is happening. We are overrun.”

Previous Chapter, Next Chapter

Kingdom Map, The Keep Map, Weres scale, Were Guide

#yongguk scenarios #bap scenarios #b.a.p scenarios #kpop scenarios #kpop au #bang yongguk #bap yongguk #b.a.p yongguk

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dfroza · 6 years ago

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the True nature of the Scriptures are a conversation

of words inspired by the Spirit speaking to the heart to reveal our Creator and the Source of grace.

A point made in Today’s chapter of the New Testament from the ancient book of Acts when Paul was in Athens:

[Athens]

The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got—all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols.

He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: “What an airhead!” But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: “That’s a new slant on the gods. Tell us more.”

These people got together and asked him to make a public presentation over at the Areopagus, where things were a little quieter. They said, “This is a new one on us. We’ve never heard anything quite like it. Where did you come up with this anyway? Explain it so we can understand.” Downtown Athens was a great place for gossip. There were always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest tidbit on most anything.

So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

“God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”

At the phrase “raising him from the dead,” the listeners split: Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said, “Let’s do this again. We want to hear more.” But that was it for the day, and Paul left. There were still others, it turned out, who were convinced then and there, and stuck with Paul—among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.

The Book of Acts, Chapter 17:16-34 (The Message)

to be accompanied by its paired chapter in the book of Job when God directly addressed him:

God Confronts Job

[Have You Gotten to the Bottom of Things?]

“Why do you confuse the issue?

Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about?

Pull yourself together, Job!

Up on your feet! Stand tall!

I have some questions for you,

and I want some straight answers.

Where were you when I created the earth?

Tell me, since you know so much!

Who decided on its size? Certainly you’ll know that!

Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?

How was its foundation poured,

and who set the cornerstone,

While the morning stars sang in chorus

and all the angels shouted praise?

And who took charge of the ocean

when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?

That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds,

and tucked it in safely at night.

Then I made a playpen for it,

a strong playpen so it couldn’t run loose,

And said, ‘Stay here, this is your place.

Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.’

“And have you ever ordered Morning, ‘Get up!’

told Dawn, ‘Get to work!’

So you could seize Earth like a blanket

and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?

As the sun brings everything to light,

brings out all the colors and shapes,

The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked—

they’re caught in the very act!

“Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things,

explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean?

Do you know the first thing about death?

Do you have one clue regarding death’s dark mysteries?

And do you have any idea how large this earth is?

Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.

“Do you know where Light comes from

and where Darkness lives

So you can take them by the hand

and lead them home when they get lost?

Why, of course you know that.

You’ve known them all your life,

grown up in the same neighborhood with them!

“Have you ever traveled to where snow is made,

seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,

The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness

for times of trouble and battle and war?

Can you find your way to where lightning is launched,

or to the place from which the wind blows?

Who do you suppose carves canyons

for the downpours of rain, and charts

the route of thunderstorms

That bring water to unvisited fields,

deserts no one ever lays eyes on,

Drenching the useless wastelands

so they’re carpeted with wildflowers and grass?

And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,

the mother of ice and frost?

You don’t for a minute imagine

these marvels of weather just happen, do you?

“Can you catch the eye of the beautiful Pleiades sisters,

or distract Orion from his hunt?

Can you get Venus to look your way,

or get the Great Bear and her cubs to come out and play?

Do you know the first thing about the sky’s constellations

and how they affect things on Earth?

“Can you get the attention of the clouds,

and commission a shower of rain?

Can you take charge of the lightning bolts

and have them report to you for orders?

[What Do You Have to Say for Yourself?]

“Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis,

and storm-savvy to the rooster?

Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds

or tip over the rain barrels of heaven

When the earth is cracked and dry,

the ground baked hard as a brick?

“Can you teach the lioness to stalk her prey

and satisfy the appetite of her cubs

As they crouch in their den,

waiting hungrily in their cave?

And who sets out food for the ravens

when their young cry to God,

fluttering about because they have no food?”

The Book of Job, Chapter 38 (The Message)

and a few lines from Psalm 40 for the 40th day of Spring:

[A David Psalm]

I waited and waited and waited for God.

At last he looked; finally he listened.

He lifted me out of the ditch,

pulled me from deep mud.

He stood me up on a solid rock

to make sure I wouldn’t slip.

He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,

a praise-song to our God.

More and more people are seeing this:

they enter the mystery,

abandoning themselves to God.

Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,

turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”

ignore what the world worships;

The world’s a huge stockpile

of God-wonders and God-thoughts.

Nothing and no one

comes close to you!

I start talking about you, telling what I know,

and quickly run out of words.

Neither numbers nor words

account for you.

Doing something for you, bringing something to you—

that’s not what you’re after.

Being religious, acting pious—

that’s not what you’re asking for.

You’ve opened my ears

so I can listen.

So I answered, “I’m coming.

I read in your letter what you wrote about me,

And I’m coming to the party

you’re throwing for me.”

That’s when God’s Word entered my life,

became part of my very being.

I’ve preached you to the whole congregation,

I’ve kept back nothing, God—you know that.

I didn’t keep the news of your ways

a secret, didn’t keep it to myself.

I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.

I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth

For myself alone. I told it all,

let the congregation know the whole story.

The Book of Psalms, Song 40:1-10 (The Message)

my reading from the Scriptures for Sunday, April 28, day 40 of Spring and day 118 of the year

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