#why can't you have 2 healers....

[breezy-cheezy]

Trigun Stampede (+Milly) x FFXIV rambles

Vash:

Preferred job type: Healer (Sage)

Flex-

DPS: Machinist

Tank: I'd say Gunbreaker but I think he'd be drawn to the Paladin vibes ngl.

(the rest under the cut, this got LONG)

Viera, talks like a sprout/newbie even though he's been here forever. He's just so friendly!! Says hi!! And does a funny dance when queuing into any instance!! Always resurrects a downed party member, regardless of if they got there by being stupid or not. No matter how many times they die. He WILL raise them. He also maybe cries when someone falls off the stage (while everyone else laughs). Excellent healer, very attentive and knowledgeable about mechanics. Very encouraging!! Might get overwhelmed, even if very good at adjusting. Do Not Yell At Him He's doing his best.

Insanely good at DPS for some reason. He never wants to be the DPS. Heck if there wasn't a JOB depending on damage to heal, he'd do no damage at all. :/

Meryl:

Preferred job type: DPS (Monk. Punchy. Also Black Mage.)

Flex-

Healer: Sage (she's WAY too big on the DPS part. Opposite of Vash where if this didn't heal she'd do no healing....)

Tank: Warrior (so powerful, basically self sufficient)

Miqo'te Keeper of the Sun or Lalafel. Not sure, LOL. Always down to raid, especially if it's with friends!! Tends to jump the gun and trigger boss fights before tank is ready. She's lucky her tank (Milly) and Healers (Vash, sometimes Roberto) go with her anyway and don't let her die (like I would kJHSJDKLHF). Vash will start explaining mechanics and she'll just YEET into the room. Mechanics are for cars!!! Healers have to use Rescue on her alot....

She is, while blunt, still very kind to new people. She’s also always worried she isn't doing enough, so she throws herself into another fight before ready, MERYL NO-

Milly:

Preferred job type: Tank (Paladin, Gunbreaker)

Flex-

Healer: White Mage (simple, extremely effective)

DPS: Bard or Summoner (she loves playing the instruments! And the little friends from summoning :>)

Highlander Hyur. Always there if anyone wants to do anything, very easygoing and vibes with many different parties. She’s not....the fastest Tank (she’s not one to pull mobs from wall to wall) but she’s good at getting between the threat and her friends, and that’s what matters. As a tank she’s supposed to be leading but when Meryl’s in the group, she’s usually seen closely tailing her instead....also keeps putting the “Cover” spell (Take all damage intended for another party member as long as said member remains within 10 yalms.) on Vash even when he insists he can handle the damage.

PLEASE (politely) remind her to turn her tank stance on. She will forget.

She might get a little lost in admiring the scenery of the dungeons, or. Lost in general (as I have done hhhsdkj). Gently redirect her and you’ll be fine. Doesn’t quite know the mechanics but somehow does a great job anyway!

Roberto:

Preferred job type: Healer (Scholar. His weapon is a freaking newspaper.)

Flex-

Tank: Gunbreaker (please don’t make him tank, he is very slow, you’ll be there all day)

DPS: Black Mage (don’t have to move much, better on his back, big damage)

Highlander Hyur. Grumpy healer!! Very tired, but still very good at his job, always there when the going gets tough, no matter how much he complains. He’s given up on resurrecting downed party members when Vash is in the party because that kid is always on it. SOMEONE has to cover the healing when Vash inevitably runs his mana reserves dry doing this. Says he’s too old to raid, and yet has a surprisingly solid grasp on the mechanics. He does his research. Whether he takes the time to explain them though is another issue entirely....he will do callouts if needed.

Also has Rescue on a hotkey for Meryl, sometimes Vash. Will make fun of people for dumb deaths, might play limbo with health sometimes, but he’s reliable. He’s alert, and there are very few deaths on his watch. (Mainly because they don’t want his world-wary lecture, but shhhh)

Wolfwood:

Preferred job type: DPS (Reaper. because Undertaker. get it? haha. ha.)

Flex-

Tank: Dark Knight (giant unweildy weapon?? Angsty origins? Eyup.)

Healer: White Mage (He sucks at it, don’t make him heal. He just keeps using Glare and Holy.....)

Miqo’te, Keeper of the Moon. Used to be a tank main (and really enjoys co-tanking with Milly!!) but found Reaper worked for him really well. He’s the type to keep an eye on the healers, and is the first to run down wayward mobs that escape the tank’s notice. This is especially important with Vash, who gets so focused on healing he doesn’t realize he’s getting hurt. Plus, the faster they can kill stuff, the safer everyone is. Win-win.

Likes to pull crazy stunts, has accidentally Engressed off the stage. Several times. Sometimes gets the Rescue Leash (just not as often as Meryl). Constantly bickering with Meryl over everything, who did the most damage, annoyance for running ahead (when he’s doing the SAME THING), scuffed mechanics, etc. Thinks stupid deaths should be left alone but....

“No Needles they need to learn their lesson, leave them-”

-rez sounds-

“Nevermind.”

Knives:

Preferred Job Type: DPS (Ninja, Dancer. Both throw very sharp objects. I think Dancer would be nice for him since it deals with Dynamis, and expressing emotion in alternate ways, etc. Bard for the piano playing.)

Flex-

Tank: Dark Knight

Healer: Astrologian (He likes the strategy of it.)

Viera, very rarely talks in chat. Does not emote often, but when he does it’s....rather extreme. Vash does alot of talking for him really. (”Nai said thanks!” “......”) Just wants to get the duty over with. Honestly doesn’t show up often but when he does, it’s clear he’s done extensive research so he does it near perfectly every time (he got lost in a beginner dungeon ONE TIME....). If someone fails a mechanic and dies they deserve it. As healer, plays limbo with the tank HP (unless the tank is Vash).

Do Not get between Knives and his uptime. Just don’t. He knows what he’s doing (Milly as healer used Rescue on him ONCE before he was ready, and he’s never forgiven her lmao. Then there’s Wolfwood and Meryl who do it on PURPOSE...please don’t make them heal). 

He has entirely too many weapons. Millions, you could say. His glam chest is FULL of them.

[astuteology]

🌡~My take on scorpio placements ~

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

☆ scorpio in the 7th house- usually get cheated on by their partners. Go through Toxic/ narcissistic partners at some point in their lives. 3rd party situations. Partners lying and deceiving you.

☆ scorpio mars- usually center of attention (attention grabber not seeker). Females with this placement tend to attract jealously from their so called friends or just other people in general. Men tends to sexualize them alot, May have spread rumors about them at some point.

Men with this placement, if underdeveloped, tends to be toxic af. The need to control everyone and everything around them is just awful. Fuck around a lot. Sleeping with different different people.

If developed, good achievers. Very strategic mindset. Usually get what they want in life. Bulletproof mindset. Very good at talking to people but still maintaining boundaries. Loyal.

☆scorpio suns- idk why and how, but when people get to know that someone is a scorpio, they get weirdly attracted to them??? Like staring at them, wanting to know them. Intimidated by them.

☆scorpio sun/moons- have a good sense of humour. They can make anyone laugh. And with this, they tend to attract alot of people who wants to be in a relationship with them.

☆scorpio venus- won't say a loyal lover HOWEVER when they love love, they are loyal 100%. Underdeveloped can lie about being in love.

☆retrograde scorpio venus- feels unlovable. Extreme trust issues. Highly sensitive. Very very very high on trust. You know how they say scorpios take tests? With this placement? Tests x 100. Don't give 2nd chances. It's very very difficult for them to be vulnerable. People have rejected them alot. May have been body shamed or criticised for looks. They feel like they don't deserve to be loved.

☆scorpio stellium in the natal chart- highly intuitive. Usually sees things beforehand. POWER. THE DARKNESS. THE EYES!!! Very beautiful people inside out. However they don't trust easily but if they do, for the love of lord, don't break it cuz you'll be coming back again and again to win them over.

☆scorpio moon- been through some serious shit. Been through hell and back with themselves. They understand people very well. However, they don't get the same understanding in return. They can see right through you so don't f with them. Hate mind games.

☆scorpio rising- very very intimidating. Females with this placement tends to attract jealousy in any form. People want to dominate you so bad. People telling them to tone it down. Basically people don't like your mindset, it triggers them cuz they can't have power over you. Hates 2 faced people. And the irony is, they usually deal with 2 faced people.

☆scorpio lilith- highly seductive. Very attractive. Sex appeal. Feelings run deep for them. Had people who wanted them only for sexual pleasures, wanted to touch them in any way. High vibration scorpio lilith is THE HEALER. also I've seen yall had some near death experiences?? Or witnessed someone dying in front of you.

☆ scorpio mercury- moves in silence. Very strategic and careful. Committed to anything they put their mind into. Always ready to be one on one while fighting. Their way of talking is very intense and mysterious which makes people wanna know how do you think like that. When they say something they really mean it. They take their time. Expects the worst. They figure things out so fast so don't even think of gaslighting them.

☆Scorpio in the 10th house- achievers. From a young age they had an insight of what they will become. Hold power in their work environment. If your a student, your classmates want to steal your notes, they feel envious that you make pretty good notes of whatever you're studying cuz yall go in depth and make pretty good observations of the topics. Authority figures.

☆scorpio in the 5th- gets extreme reactions from people. Ofcourse with any other placements, attracts jealousy. (Bruh I don't get it, what's with the scorpios dealing with alot of jealousy???? Like that's tiring) Grabs attention in parties, get togethers or any form of social gatherings. May have dealt with people wanting to take your partners. May have overly strict parents or very fucked up family issues.

That's it for now🫶🏻

[heli-writes]

A dragon's heart, part 11.

Pairing: Barbarian!Bakugou Katsuki x female!reader

Summary: The dragonblood tribe is known for being cruel, barbarian warriors that slaughter, loot and rape all places they pass through. They are feared among the villagers and even bigger cities. Having lost most of their women to a plague, they're trying to ensure their tribe's survival by kidnapping women from other places. However, they're not the only monsters in human form out there. When y/n experiences this first hand, she has no choice but to ask for help from no other but the barbarian leader Katsuki Bakugou himself.

Disclaimer: mentions of injuries, mentions of rape and abuse, mentions of breeding, mentions of death

[Please don't read if you are sensible to or triggered by the topics mentioned above.]

Note: Things are about to take a turn, can you guess what's next?

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12

Series Masterlist

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

„Well... that sure was... something.“, Mitsuki says while staring after y/n.

„Tsk, I've told you she's got fire.“, Katsuki tells her smugly.

Part of him understands y/n's anger. Hell, he's angry with his mother too. He can't imagine what it must be like for y/n when people talk over your head. Katsuki knows that y/n isn't stupid. He's sure she figured out that this argument was about her. It's not like his mother tries to hide her disgust about y/n.

Suddenly, the entrance to the tent shifts and Katsuki half-expects y/n to enter the tent again. However, it's Kirishima who pokes his head into the tent. The red-haired man seems to shrink a bit when he spots Mitsuki.

„Uhm, hey chief, hate to interrupt but our scouts have returned from the kingdom. You might want to hear what they have to report.“, Kirishima informs Katsuki.

Katsuki gives him a firm nod and follows him outside. His mother is close behind him. Together they walk to the war tent. It's where the maps are and where the tribe plans its raids and strategic maneuvers. On their way there, they come face to face with multiple injured men. They're taken to the healers. Many of them are unconscious or clutching very bloody wounds.

„What happened?“, Katsuki wants to know but Kirishima only shrugs.

„Don't know any specifics only that the mission must've gone wrong.“, the man tells his leader. Katsuki scoffs. While his men often got injured due to their reckless fighting style, the sight is worrying.

Upon entering the tent, the men inside stiffen and give Katsuki and Mitsuki a sign of respect. Nobody dares to say a word.

„So?“, Katsuki barks, „What happened? Why are my men bleeding to death out there?“

A man in dirty armor stands up. He's not looking too good, actually. Katsuki guesses he's been with the scouts.

„We've been scouting out an area East of the mountains. It was a bit more inland, deeper into Todoroki's territory than usual. It's a rural area far off from any havens or big rivers so we didn't expect to run into any trouble. We were looking for small settlements that we could attack in the next few months.“, the man explained.

„And let me guess, you did run into trouble?“, Katsuki follows up and the man nods.

„Yes, we've just scouted out the area and landed to discuss which settlements would be the best to attack during our next flight when we were ambushed by Todoroki's soldiers. In all honesty, we didn't see them coming. They were hidden from the sight above and even upon landing, our dragons weren't alarmed.“, the man continues.

Katsuki furrows his eyebrows. Their dragons usually can smell prey from miles away. It's strange that none of them sensed the enemy. Moreover, it's quite the same as when y/n and him were ambushed by those bandits. Is this a coincidence? Or is there a connection between the two incidents?

„And then what? Don't tell me our mighty dragon warriors lost to a few mere human soldiers?“, his mother interrupts his trail of thoughts. The scout suddenly looks really pale.

„Well, there were just too many of them. We have no idea where they suddenly came from. We tried to fight them, but it got clear pretty quickly that they overpowered us in numbers. That's why we retreated.“, the man explains in a squeaky voice.

„Retreated? Since when do we retreat? We fight till death! We are warriors!“, his mother's voice booms to through the tent. All men looked at their feet not daring to meet their former chief's eyes.

„We've lost enough people the last few years. We can't afford to lose further tribe members by being reckless. You made the right call.“, Katsuki tells the men and indirectly puts his mother into her place. His mother scoffs and mutters something about cowards under her breath.

„So, how did the king know we'd send scouts to this place? Do we have a traitor among us?“, Kirishima changes the topic.

„The question is did he know or is he simply strengthening his forces?“, another man chirps in.

Katsuki isn't sure about that. They already noticed that there is a stronger military presence throughout the kingdom. He's sure that his tribe's attacks play a significant role in that. In the past few years they've raided more paces than they usually would. They've grown bolder, more desperate, and moved further inward. It might be that the king mistakes their raids for attempts to see how far they can get, to see if they can weaken the kingdom and overtake parts of their territory. Maybe the king doesn't see that these riots are due to the weakened state of the tribe, to ensure their survival.

Or maybe the king senses an opportunity to end the Dragonblood tribe once and for all. Strategically speaking, it wouldn't be a bad idea. The tribe lost strength and if there would be a fitting time to get rid of them once and for all, it would be now. Katsuki did his best to keep the plague a secret and make the tribe look strong on the outside. However, somehow some information must slipped through the cracks. It might be due to outside contacts like Deku or Uraraka. Katsuki refuses to believe there might be a traitor among them. The last thing they need is a riot.

Katsuki's quiet while his men start yelling and fighting in front of him. His mother nudges him. Waking out of his trance, he notices how his men are almost about to start a fistfight.

„Silence!“, he yells and his men freeze before letting go of each other and straightening their posture. 

„How many did we lose?“, Katsuki asks calmly.

„About 13 and counting. We don't know how many make it through the night.“, the scout tells him.

An eery silence befalls the tent. It's too many lives lost. Not even four children have been born this year to replace them. Plus, these children were born weakly and maybe won't live until adulthood. If this rate continues, the tribe will be gone before the end of the next decade.

„We need to bring in more women.“, Denki says into the silence. 

„Why that? These women only give us weak children! If any at that!“, another warrior comments. Some murmur in agreement. Kirishima looks conflicted and is very careful when he starts speaking.

„Maybe we should consider hiring men from other tribes. If they and their families settle with us, it will improve our situation from a strategic point of view.“, Krishima carefully proposes.

Immediately, men start speaking over each other.

„Bring in outsiders? No way, we can't trust them!“

„These outsiders can't compete with our strength!“

„They will piss themselves just at the sight of our dragons.“

„Silence!“, Katsuki yells once again. The volume comes down again and everybody looks at their leader expectantly.

„We're of dragon blood.“, Katsuki declares, „It's already humiliating that we have to mix our blood with those of commoners. At least that offspring will have some of our ancestors' strength in them.“

„Then what do we do?“, another man asks. Katsuki staightens his posture and lets his eyes wander through the tent.

„We lay low for a while. Scouts will fly in smaller groups. We stay on the outskirts of the Todoroki kingdom. Also, we should scout other kingdoms as well, such as the Yaoyorozu kingdom.“, he declares.

„What about raids?“, a man asks.

„We only hold small raids. Our focus will be bringing in as many females as we can. Leave gold and treasures behind. We only focus on the resources we really need.“, he tells them.

A murmur goes through his men. They don't like holding back. Katsuki understands them. There's no feeling more empowering than letting fire rain on an enemy and taking their treasures. But for now, they will have to focus on more important things.

„Kirishima, send a small scouting party to the Yaoyorozu kingdom. And get me that damn Deku here, goddamnit!“, he orders and pushes himself off the table he was leaning on.

„Now, get the hell out of here!“, he yells at his men. His men rumble and reluctantly leave the tent. Kirishima gives him a worried glance before leaving his friend and his mother alone. When they're alone, Katsuki turns to his mother.

„Do you understand now, Mother? Why I can't wait until one of our own is of age?“, he tells her.

Mitsuki stays silent in response.

~*~*~*~

Y/n's a shadow. She slips in between the tents trying to stay out of sight. Somehow it feels forbidden to seek out another woman. Luckily for her, the warriors of this tribe seem to hold a conference. It makes it easier for her to find her way back to Nadia and it also means that Nadia's husband won't be looming over her and they might just have a minute to talk.

When y/n found her way to Nadia's tent, she stands in front of it inconclusively. She's not sure how to make herself noticeable. It's not like they have a doorbell. Y/n takes a deep breath and decides to carefully enter the place. She pushes the fabric at the entrance away and pokes her head into the tent.

„Nadia?“, she softly calls out to the other woman when she can't see the other woman in the darkness of the tent.

Suddenly, there's rustling and the shuffling of feet. Nadia's face appears in front of y/n and she immediately grabs y/n's arm pulling her into the tent.

„What are you doing? Are you crazy? You can't just walk around in the middle of the day!“, Nadia whispers. Y/n gives her a bewildered look.

„What do you mean? Are you forbidden to go outside?“, she asks the pale woman.

„Aren't you?“, Nadia asks back carefully. 

Y/n thinks about this for a moment. Actually, she's not sure. It's not like she could understand Katsuki even if he told her about a rule like that. Then again Katsuki didn't seem too pissed when he saw her walking around earlier. He didn't even chase after her when she left his tent. Y/n shrugs.

„I don't know.“, she answers the other woman truthfully.

Nadia shakes her head in disbelief.

„You need to be more careful.“, Nadia tells y/n. Y/n furrows her brows.

„Why? What are you afraid of? Does your husband really forbid you to go outside?“, y/n rambles desperate to get some information out of Nadia.

Nadia looks into y/n's eyes for a few seconds silently before stating: „You really don't know anything, do you?“

It sounds accusing as if it's somehow y/n's fault that nobody tells her anything. At least not in a language she doesn't understand. Also, she doesn't think that Katsuki is the explaining type of guy.

„No.“, she tells Nadia calmly, „That's why I'm here. I don't understand what is happening. Please tell me everything you know.“

Nadia sighs deeply and then waves for y/n to sit down at a chair. She makes some tea before joining y/n. The women stay silent for another moment. Y/n is itching to pressure Nadia further. Before y/n can open her mouth, however, Nadia carefully asks:

„Do you know why they've brought you here?“

Y/n looks into her tea cup. It's a difficult question. She assumes that Katsuki brought her here because he liked her. A dreadful feeling starts to form in her stomach. What if that's not all? What if Katsuki has further plans for her?

Nadia takes y/n's silence as the answer.

„They brought you here for breeding.“, Nadia tells her without any emotions in her voice.

„E-excuse me?“, y/n asks taken aback. It's a word she has heard farmers use for cattle but never in the context of human beings.

„Have you seen any women around here? Probably not. It's because they're all dead. They bring us here so that we bear their children.“, Nadia explains.

Y/n stares at the woman. She puts down her tea cup. That... can't be right. No, Katsuki wouldn't do that. Of course, there was some tension between them and she's sure that if she'd let him, Katsuki would fuck the living daylight out of her but... not because of that. Because of... what actually? Love? Y/n almost has to laugh at that ridiculous thought. They've known each other for a couple of days. She's sure Katsuki is fond of her, but it's not love. Yet, a hopeful little voice says in the back of her head. Y/n shakes her head to get the thought out of her head.

„That's ridiculous.“, she tells Nadia. The woman leans back in her seat.

„A normal person might think like that. But these aren't normal people. They're monsters, barbarians who don't care about anything but themselves.“, Nadia answers. She sounds bitter.

„I'm sure Katsuki doesn't think that way“, y/n thinks out loud. Nadia's head whips upward.

„Katsuki? As in Katsuki Bakugou? Don't tell me you'll be married off to him!“, Nadia says in horror.

„I'm not sure about the marrying off part...“, y/n trails off.

„Did he put you into fancy clothes and paint and showed you off?“, Nadia asks. Y/n nods silently.

„Then he takes you. For himself or for one of his men, I don't know. Not that it would matter anyway. They're all the same.“, Nadia states.

Y/n crooks her head.

„Tell me Nadia, what did these people do to you that you think so lowly of them? So far, Katsuki wasn't cruel to me.“, y/n asks carefully. Nadia swallows hard.

„They attacked our village. When they've slaughtered most of the men, they rounded the women up. Some of us were chosen and taken to their camp. The others... I don't know raped or killed or both.“, Nadia says in a shakey voice. Clearly, the memory is hard for her.

„You've been taken here against your will?“, y/n asks even though she should be able to guess the answer.

„You weren't?“, Nadia asks again in disbelief. Y/n shrinks under her gaze. She feels as if she should feel ashamed for going with Katsuki.

„I didn't have much of a choice.“, she decides to reply. Nadia starts looking at her hands.

„Neither did we.“, she continues, „We've been brought back here. The men who chose us presented us to the chief who... I don't know, gave them his blessing or something like that. And then...“

Nadia doesn't finish the sentence. It sounds as if she's choking. Y/n doesn't see any tears glimmering in the dusk of the tent.

„Then what?“, y/n whispers breathlessly. She wants to know, even if it's horrible

„Then, the man who chose me took me back here. Violated and abused me right there on this bed.“, Nadia whispers back and points to the bed on the other side of the tent.

„Ever since then, I'm forced to live here as his wife or something. He continues to hurt me, to... He's not a kind man. I'm scared of him. Of him, of this place, of everything.“, Nadia whispers. 

Now, y/n sees the shimmer of tears on the other woman's face. She's at a loss for words. What can you say to a woman who is a victim to such terrible crimes? Y/n just bows her head and stares onto her own hands.

She's been blind. Blinded by Katsuki. By his strength that saved her. By the security his presence promises. She's heard the stories of the Dragonblood tribe. Was she really stupid enough to believe that they were all lies? She's seen what Katsuki can do to a few grown-ass men. Murder, abduction, and rape are all she connected to this tribe for years. After a few days with Katsuki and y/n lost all common sense. Mostly, she feels ashamed for not questioning this whole thing further. What kind of person just rides off with a strange man and his firebreathing beast? A stupid one.

„I'm really sorry.“, y/n whispers and takes Nadia's hand. Nadia grips her hand tight.

„Don't be. It's better you're prepared for what happens next.“, Nadia tells her.

Y/n doesn't have the courage to tell her that Katsuki isn't like that. Then again, could she say these words with confidence? She starts to realize that she doesn't know Katsuki at all. Maybe he is that kind of person. He seems to allow his men to commit these acts. So he either approves or doesn't care. Either way, it's bad.

„How many others are there? Women they've brought in?“, y/n asks Nadia. Nadia shrugs.

„I barely leave this tent. I'm too afraid and it's too cold out there anyway. The others probably feel the same, so there is no real way of knowing.“, Nadia tells her.

„You can't just rott here!“, y/n exclaims, „We should contact the other women. It's best if we stick together.“

Nadia looks up at her with tired eyes. Her posture is slumped. Y/n thinks that she looks a hundred years old right now even though she's not much older than y/n herself.

„Y/n...“, Nadia starts, „I can't. I'm too afraid and too tired. You don't know what it's like to do this day in and day out. Never knowing in what kind of mood he comes home.“

Nadia looks exhausted. As if she's already given up on everything and anything.

„Nadia, I'm sure we can do something!“, y/n tries to motivate her. 

The pale woman doesn't answer her. She just stares into her tea cup. Everything about her looks dull, y/n thinks.

Suddenly, there's clamoring outside. Voices of men and clashing of metal can be heard. Nadia bolts up.

„You need to go. You can't be here when he comes back!“, Nadia panics and grips y/n's arm. She pulls y/n onto her feet and starts pushing her out of the tent.

„Wait, there's still so much...!“, y/n starts and is interrupted by a sharp hiss by Nadia.

„You need to leave. Now. Or we're both not safe. Don't come looking me for a while. It's too dangerous. I'll find you soon“, Nadia spits out and pushes y/n completely out of the tent.

Y/n stares at the fabric in front of her. The last part sounded like a lie. She's sure Nadia won't try to find her and start something. She's too much in survival mode.

~*~*~*~

It's already dusk when y/n is pushed out of Nadia's tent. Men light torches next to their tents and along the paths around the settlement. Keeping Nadia's words in mind, she tries to avoid the men. Most of them, however, don't pay attention to her or only give her curious looks. No one yells at her or tries to drag her back to Katsuki's tent. It makes her wonder how seriously Nadia's explanations should be taken.

Y/n wanders aimlessly around until the sun has set completely and only the torches illuminate the settlement. Men retreat to their tents and the smell of food lingers in the air. Just then, y/n notices how hungry she is. She only had a small breakfast before the presentation. She was too nervous to get much down. Nevertheless, she doesn't want to return to Katsuki. At least not yet.

Her head is pulsing with information she can't really process. She hoped that visiting Nadia could help her navigate this place somehow, to better understand Katsuki and the others. However, Nadia confused her more than it helped. Her own perception of Katsuki and the tribe is so different than Nadia's. 

Y/n considers trying to find other women. There must be others that speak her language. Nadia said that multiple women from her village were taken. But since most men returned to their homes, y/n doesn't dare to just open a random tent and peek into it. She promises herself to look into it tomorrow.

When her hands and feet grow too cold, y/n decides she must go inside soon. Somehow she's not ready to find Katsuki yet. Sleeping a night separate from him would be best. Close proximity to Katsuki makes her mind and emotions unpredictable. She needs to clear her head and find a focus.

Unfortunately, she doesn't know any place to go. She considers looking for the tall red-haired man but then again it's likely he settled down for the night as well. And there's no way of telling what his tent is. 

So, the only place she does know is the great red's den. Y/n shudders at the thought of having to cross paths with all the other dragons in order to get there. Y/n figures that if they didn't attack her earlier, they probably won't attack her now. She's probably just a fly to them.

The path to the dragons' living space is not as lit as the rest of the settlement. Y/n steals one of the last torches at the outskirts of the settlement. The path is uneven and y/n stumbles over her feet a couple of times. The darkness doesn't bother her. Her people often camped in forests or mountainsides. She's used to hearing strange noises at night or walking in the darkness of the night in order to pee. When she's at the gorge's entrance, she halts for a moment. In contrast to earlier, the place lies in absolute silence. Maybe all the dragons are asleep?, she thinks before taking a deep breath and entering the dragon-occupied territory. 

Luckily, she remembers the path to the great red's den well so she walks at a fast but quiet pace. She keeps her eyes low, focused on the path. It's best not to make any eye contact with a dragon. Especially not one of the scary black ones. Her eyes flicker up when she's close to the den. Y/n lets out a shaky breath in relief. She made it!

Suddenly, a hot stenchy breath hits her shoulders and face. Y/n freezes in her step. Don't look, don't look, she tells herself. Another hot steam hits her face. It's hotter than before and closer. The dragon must be right beside her. How did she not notice a giant lizard crawling up on her. 

Y/n hears the giant creature shuffle closer. Go away, go away, she prays in her mind. A huge, scaley snout shoves her shoulder. The pressure pushes her over and y/n lets out a loud yelp before dropping to the side and letting go of her torch. Instinctively, she tries to shuffle away from the creature that now completely comes into view. It's a green one. Y/n is sure that the beast must have a bilious green shade in broad daylight. A color as poisonous and deathly as the breath y/n is forced to smell. 

The dragon is smaller than the black ones, maybe even than the blue ones. In contrast to those and the great red, it has no horns at the side of its head but a row of sharp spikes from the middle of its head all the way over its spine to its tail that is crowned with two longer, crescent-shaped spikes. Cunning red eyes watch y/n's every move. If y/n wasn't panicking, she probably would've thought that they looked similar to Katsuki's eyes. The pupils of the dragon are formed into fine slits and y/n is sure it is focusing on its prey right now. The prey being her of course. 

The creature snarls at y/n and snaps at her. It's enough to make y/n yell out in fear. However, it's clear that the dragon did not intend to truly catch her in between those sharp teeth of its mouth. It's playing with me, y/n thinks. But not in the cute way that the small ones did earlier. More like a cat playing with a mouse. Making it dance and bleed before snapping it in two. It's cruel and befitting for a dragon, y/n thinks. 

It kind of makes her angry, too. Clearly, this is an intelligent creature. It makes her sick to the stomach thinking about that this is how she's supposed to die. I can't fight it, y/n figures. And I shouldn't provoke it either. My only chance is to make a break for the red one's den. 

Y/n tries not to advert her gaze. If she looks into the direction of the den now, it'd be a dead giveaway. She tries to collect herself, to even her breathing. She closes her eyes for a second and tries to set her intention. When she opens her eyes again, she's met with the burning red ones of the dragon. She gives it a determined stare. I'm not going to back down, I'm not going to die, she recites in her mind over and over again as she slowly stands up keeping her posture bowed and small. She takes one deep breath before starting a sprint in the den's direction.

She can hear the yelping sound of surprise behind her and the massive stomps of the beast following her. Suddenly, electricity lies in the air. For a moment the air seemed to become cooler. Y/N's heart starts racing. She's felt this before. Right before the great red burned that man into ashes. That's it, y/n thinks while quickly sliding down in a sad attempt to dodge the fire.

However, the flames don't reach her because suddenly the great red is standing right in front of her spewing its own fire. Y/n turns back and sees the fire of the green one meet the red one's in a firestorm. Seeing it side by side, y/n thinks that the green dragon's fire has a hint of blue in it in contrast to the red one's fire which is just a glowing red and orange. The green one cannot keep up with the red one's firepower and retreats. The red one throws an eardrum-busting roar after it. Y/n's hands race up to her ears protecting herself from the sound.

Small fires still smolder on the ground when the red dragon resumes its fighting stance. It turns to y/n and she's sure the look the great red gives her is angry. She's so sure about that since Katsuki has the same wild, untamed look in his eyes when he's angry. The red one snarls at her and retreats into its den. Y/n doesn't wait a single second to follow it inside.

„I'm really sorry for just showing up here, you know“, she rambles, „I don't want to go back to Katsuki and I didn't know where else to go. You see the situation is really complicated and...“

Y/n stops her spewing of words mid-sentence. What even is she doing here? Talking to a dragon? Y/n drops her arms to her sides. Suddenly, she feels exhausted and desperate and just... done. This day has been so frustrating. Y/n stares intensely at the ground.

What am I even doing here?, she thinks. Like literally, what am I doing? Following a total stranger who has a terrifying reputation back to his tribe of brutes and warriors? Walking straight into dragon territory? It's like all my logical thinking has gone out of the window since the moment I met Katsuki.

Y/n feels hot tears pour out of her eyes and down her cheeks. 

This is so stupid. I'm so stupid.

Maybe it's wrong to blame Katsuki for this. Maybe her making bad decisions started when the world started to fall apart. When the sickness took first her mother and then her father. When her brother left. Why didn't she follow him? Maybe she couldn't have joined the military but she would've made a fine nurse. Why on earth did she think she was better off alone?

Her tears hit the ground. She tries not to let out any sobs. Somehow showing weakness in front of the dragon is humiliating. Nonetheless, she can't help but cower to the ground. She remembers the first day with Katsuki. When she was all alone in the woods and the weight of everything that had happened started to crush her down. She feels the same right now. Only like ten times worse. At least back then she could've had the chance to return to the kingdom, find her brother, do something.

Right now, she's stuck. Her actions are so very limited. She can't tell these people what she wants or doesn't want. Also, she's sure that Katsuki and that blonde woman couldn't care less about what y/n wants. Katsuki didn't even ask her if she wanted to come along. He just assumed and put her onto the back of his dragon. He also didn't ask or even attempt to explain to her what happened this morning. When suddenly three strange women stripped her down and dressed her up like a playdoll.

Maybe Nadia's right. These people do not care about her or the other women. Maybe they do only care about producing children. Maybe that's what Katsuki wants. Maybe him liking her is just a plus point. A little extra he gets because he's the big scary leader.

Y/n pulls her hair at the roots. She lets out a choked scream. She's angry and desperate and so, so frustrated. 

Suddenly something nudges her foot. It's one of the little red dragons from earlier. It looks up to her with almost puppy-like eyes and it nestles its head against her leg like a kitten. Y/n lets out a raspy breath she didn't notice she was holding. Furiously, she rubs her eyes.

How silly, she thinks, it's not like crying will help it. She pats the little one's head and suddenly another little one appears on her side. Before she can help it, she's getting tackled again. This time, they're softer than before. Competing for head pats rather than trying to sink their baby teeth into her arms and legs. It's like they are sensing y/n's bad mood and trying to cheer her up.

A giggle rises in y/n's throat and she tries to swallow it down. As she tries to give each of them a head pat, the great red moves over to her and nudges her with its snout as well. Y/n knows better than to touch it without permission. She gives it a small smile however and she believes seeing something like content in its eyes.

Eventually, the little red ones grow tired of tackling y/n and set to rest against the great red. The bigger dragon shifts its wing like it did when y/n and Katsuki looked for shelter under them during the rain. Y/n takes it up on the invitation and slides in between the little ones. She leans against the red's tummy. While the little dragons fall asleep around her and even the great red's breathing starts to slow down, y/n stays wide awake in the darkness.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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[Please comment beneath the last update if you'd like to be tagged in future chapters]

[illubean]

HIHIHI!!! I've been following you for a while and i recently saw your toph! reader HC and I've been wondering if I could request for a katara! reader who's really good at waterbending and specialises on healing and blood bending? Could the characters be Gon, Killua, Illumi and the phantom troupe? Hope you eat well and stay healthy!!!

HXH W/ a Katara!Reader

Characters: Gon Freecs, Killua Zoldyck, Illumi Zoldyck, The Phantom Troupe Type: Headcanons, Fem!reader, Platonic

tried making this gn but then I ended up using fem labels a lot >.< also when I see "the phantom troupe" in headcannon requests im just going to write them collectively unless otherwise specified

Warnings: None

Gon Freecs

your older sister/eldest daughter syndrome is very evident around him

he probably doesn't pick up on it but everyone else sees how fiercely protective you are over him

you have a soft spot for children and Gon is literally the sweetest ever so you can't help but want to keep him safe

before the hunter exams, the only role models Gon has ever had in his live have been maternal figures (Mito and his grandma)

you end up becoming another one

which may also be part of the reason he is so respectful and kind

he's ok with your motherly nature mainly because he's very used to it and he can understand where you're coming from

he cares for you as if you guys were blood related

when he went cray in chimera ant arc you were the first person Killua and Leorio thought to call

yk because of your healing ability

you healed him the best you could before Alluka showed up

and scolded him immediately after he recovered

Killua Zoldyck

he likes someone with Toph's rebellious personality but you?

you're a total wet blanket...

your such a stickler, always trying to stop him when he's feeling mischievous

you remind him of how things were back at his estate...

you are not his mother stop acting like it

but whenever you protect him from getting seriously hurt or heal him he's reminded you have good intentions

he knows you're not trying to be manipulative and controlling but god pls loosen up

despite how distant he might present himself he can't help but grow a little emotionally attached to you

he's never had a healthy relationship with his mom...

you are the only normal motherly figure in his life

he acts like he can't stand how you fuss over him but in reality he cares for you deeply and kind of likes that you feel the need to be protective over him

Illumi Zoldyck

unlike his brother, he likes you a lot more than if you were to have Toph's personality

because you remind him of his mother

he doesn't mind your protective nature as long as you don't get in the way

your 'blood bending' technique is of great interest to him..

you are able to use it on normal days and don't have to wait for a full moon because this is my fanfic and I said so

it just happens to be at it's strongest on full moons

he probs starts keeping track of the moon cycles just to take you on missions and see you in action

with the blood bending technique you could literally stop any enemy

a very OP ability indeed....

which is why he keeps you around

you're strong and have a pretty normal personality so there's really no reason for him to dislike you

The Phantom Troupe

it's pretty 50/50 with them

and by that I mean some of them don't mind your motherly personality while others think it's annoying...

mainly Phinks and Feitan; they feel you're too bossy

but the entire troupe can agree that your nen is impressive

1) they have a healer now and 2) your blood-bending is some sort of secret weapon

you get along well with Nobunaga, bonding over your shared soft spot for children

Chrollo probs personally recruited you for your abilities seeing as he couldn't really steal them..

Machi likes having you around because now she has to stitch people up less often

when Kalluto joins, he becomes the one you're most protective over

the younger members see you as an older sibling figure

aka Shizuku(18) Kalluto(12) and Kortopi(he has no canon age as far as I know but I like to imagine he is a child rather than a small adult...)

[pvrkacciosan]

Kicks and Kisses

Summary: After the readers run-in with Xaden's training methods, Bodhi isn't in any rush to let her back on them defenseless so takes it upon himself to teach her a few things.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Pairing: Bodhi Durran X Marked Fem! Reader

Word Count: uncounted

Warnings: Suggestive, swearing, fighting training, Mature language content

☽⋆❈⋆☾

With the valiant help from a group of young healers you were released from the prescribed rest, and were able to get yourself back up and moving within a week.

You were still tender but your breathing wouldn't cut out on you and the blinding pain was no longer erupting behind your eyes rendering you useless in ever sense.

But still Bodhi had refused to let you return back to your own dorm in that time. Even when you had a perfectly good bed there.

Those beds are un-comfy and you know it.

You rolled your eyes at Asra, whether she could sense your attitude, you were hopeful she couldn't,

I don't understand why he won't let me go back to my own bed. That chair can't be very comfortable. You stared at the chair positioned on the far side of the room, the one Bodhi had been sleeping in whilst you took his bed. You didn't understand why you were entertaining such topics of conversation with her. Talking with Asra had always come naturally, like a sister you could confine in, and the subject of Bodhi Durran left your chest feeling warm in a rather pleasant way.

So Invite him into the bed with you.

It wasn't difficult for you to sense every dripping pulse of Asra's amusement, you gawked at her words in your head.

I can't do that. Won't it be awkward You couldn't help but contemplate the outcome.

Don't be foolish girl. You're a dragon rider, start acting like it. If you want something you might just start acting like that Riorson boy, heys taken the silver one to bed.

You didn't want to know where she had got that piece of information. But the notion of what she was speaking... There was a difference between asking Bodhi to share his bed and committing to taking him in his bed.

When Asra laughed in your head, you clamped your knees together, trying to ignore the heat that was building there. As you ripped the covers of Bodhi's bed from atop your body, you could't stop the swirling of those blood igniting thoughts. Couldn't decide what you would want more, to have him sleeping in the bed with you, or having him take you in the bed you had come to love.

The quilt scented of him. A deep smell that you hadn't noticed the first night you slept, it lingered on everything in this room.

His scent has been all over you. Asra's voice in your head, you only assumed she was referring to when you had gone flying yesterday, trying to ease yourself back into training once you got the all clear from the healers.

Bodhi and Cuir had flown with you both yesterday, positioning himself slightly below you, to catch you should you fall off Asra's back.

I would have caught you. Asra's voice was dripping with some tone you couldn't place, Laughing lightly in your own head you shot it down the bond. She didn't respond beyond that of a gentle huff.

Closing up the wall between you. Moving to begin gathering ouself from the room. Bodhi was supposed to meet you down at the mats for an initial round of training, trying to strengthen the muscles and reconditioning them to get back to what they had once been.

And as usual, you were running late. At least you could use the excuse of your lingering injuries. They weren't as painful, just uncomfotable. Especially your shoulder, a mender had reattached many of the tendsons and ligaments in your shoulder, but you still have only light movement in the joint.

Moving down through the halls, you rounded into the training room. The mats laid out as per usual, there were a couple cadets scattered around each pair training away from one another in private lessons.

Strolling in softly you glanced around and spotted two famiar bodies. Sauntering closer you watched them, matching hit for powerful hit on one another.

Bodhi and Xaden often never sparred with each other. Garrick was the usual go-to. The third boy was on the side of the mat, arms folded as he watched the cousins spar. You moved to stand beside the giant.

"Hey Y/n" He offered you a small smile.

At the sound of your names, Bodhi glanced up, un-focusing the fight at hand. It landed him a stiff jaw from the next punch Xaden landed. Blinking to look you over once, Bodhi dodged out the way of his cousins next hit.

You watched from the side returning Garrick's smile with one of your own before turning back unaware of the excited glances Garrick was switching between you and Bodhi.

"Garrick.," Bodhi warned as he dodged a swing from Xaden before getting a punch in at the Wingleader's ribs.

You glance questioningly up at the boy beside you, Garrick coughed, covering his smirk with a hand.

"They are sparring to burn off...Pent up...emotions"

You frowned at him, that definitely was not what Garrick was entertaining in his thoughts. You squinted at him before glancing to watch Bodhi swing hard and fast for Xaden. What Bodi lacked in size against his cousin and Garrick he surely made up for in speed. His exposed muscles rippling with each movement. Your gaze zones in on the sweat gleaming, coating every inch of his skin.

What it would be like to have his body pressed against you own on that bed, having him above or below you, At each others mercy.

You're drooling

You went to snip back at Asra but she hid behind your mental shield straight after her own words.

Paranoia took hold, Twisting away from Garrick slightly you wiped at your lower lip and chin with the back of your hand. You weren't but you still sense Asra's lingering amusement at your sudden panic.

Turning back to watch, Xaden and Bodhi panting hard as they finally parted from one another on the mat. Bodhi gave Xaden's shoulder a rough shoves but they were both smiling as they stepped back.

Xaden initially avoided your gaze. You hadn't seen the Wingleader since the day of your injury. Besides once when he had tried to come see you. Bodhi had refused to let him in then and you could still recall the sound of them arguing outside the bedroom door.

He tried now to get out of the way, Slipping from the room. Bodhi folded his arms across his chest clearing his throat, Xaden froze. Pivoting to meet your stare.

"Y/n I'm sorry for putting you on that mat" His tone was so awkward even you didn't know what exactly to say. Bodhi rose his eyebrows when Xaden cast him a sidelong glance.

The Wingleader sighed, "It was clear you didn't want to fight, I shouldn't have made you and it won't happen again"

Bodhi was grinning like an idiot in your direction when Xaden finally rose back to his full height. Bodhi watching you intently, waiting for you to acknowledge his efforts in making his cousin apologize. Something about the way he smiled at you made the strings in your heart cinch. Asra slide into your mind, her presence alone snapping you from watching Bodhi.

Glancing to Xaden, "I'm fine Xaden. I'm alive am I not?" The Wingleader waited. Attention flicking to Bodhi, You warily followed his stare. A muscle beneath Bodhi's eyes twitched, Garrick caught it after seeing the expression on your own face. Spinning himself into the middle of the two and clasped Xaden roughly on one shoulder.

"Right we're off to find your opponent from that day. Try and make sure Imogen hasn't gutted the girl for her slander against you" Garrick's usually stoic face was set in a grin, you had a feeling he might sooner set Imogen on the girl first before saving her hide.

Garrick and Xaden stalked from the mats, leaving the room entirely within a few long strides,

When you turned back to obverse Bodhi, heat bloomed in your cheeks to find him already watching you.

"Right" He shook his head, these dark curls shaking to cover his brow bone. "Let's get started."

After running through a quick warm up with him your skin had already formed up quite a sweat. Many of the other cadets had vacated the training room, probably to attend to other daily duties.

Bodhi had been wary of your shoulder joint and coached you through each movement, sometimes he would place a hand against your body to steady the off balance the injuries had given you and It was becoming increasingly difficult to focus.

Moving off the mat to grab a quick drink of water you tried to organise the shambling thoughts which flushed your flesh to the core.

"We will move onto some evasion techniques and manoeuvrers to get yourself out of someone's grip."

You nodded, taking a quick final gulp of the water, evasion and defensive practise that would be fine. You had done this before.

You turned to move back onto the mat when your thoughts finally processed what you were getting yourself into. There was only a few ways to actively practise these sorts of manoeuvrers . Ones that involved lots of bodily contact.

You blinked as Bodhi shook his muscles, rolling each of his joints, The silence prompted him to look up

"I won't bite" there was a boyish smirk gracing his lips, it was an expression you had seen on him for years since knowing each other, often when causing mischief. The only form of consistency it offered you now was that it caused your heart to hammer harder against your ribs.

Pull yourself together. You were reducing yourself to no better than a teenage boy seeing a women naked for the first time in his life. Sighing deeply you moved onto the mat.

Bodhi stilled hands clasping together, allowing you to come closer, he watched carefully, assessing you.

"How is your shoulder feeling?"

Prompted by his question you rolled the ball and socket joint, easing deeper into the muscle there. They ached slightly but nothing more beyond overexerting the shoulder.

"All good" smiling softly you ignored the joint focusing now as Bodhi began to prepare himself.

"We are going to start with something simple. If someone tries to grab you from the front."

He waited for you to nod before continuing, "I'm going to grab for you and all you have to do is get me off you. We will critique everything once we've gone through every scenario "

He didn't wait for your acknowledgement now, unprepared you stepped back when both of Bodhi's hands came up towards you. As his body followed through your own muscle memory kicked in, grabbing his right wrist you jammed a thumb into the pulse point there and twisted— hard.

Bodhi let loose a grunt as he moved with the twisting limb, following so you wouldn't break his arm entirely. You only let go once his limb was flush unnaturally against his back.

"Good." He turned shaking his wrist lightly "That was perfect. Could be a little quicker with your reaction time, but we will work on that in our next session"

You nodded, worriedly glancing at his wrist perhaps you had been too forceful.

"This time we are going to run with the scenario that I actually got a hold on you"

Bodhi closed the gap separating you both, slowly raises his hands, hesitating with them hovering your body, noting their destined locations you gave Bodhi the go ahead. He rests his hand on your left shoulder the other at the base of your neck.

"Right.." Bodhi cleared his throat, "I'm going to pretend to be trying to push you back as if to get you.. against a wall. Get out of my grip."

Nervous, you glance at him, he offers an encouraging smile, nodding softly you tried desperately to ignore as his grip squeezes lightly against you body, try to ignore the pander of heartbeats that flutter in you.

When Bodhi began to push back you resisted, planting a foot behind to stabilise the weight of you. The muscles in the back of the leg stretching with the pressure. The result of Bodhi pushing you however; his hand pushing into your windpipe, slowing the flow of air to you with dizzying affect and not from the lack of oxygen.

Relaxing the breaths you took, You made quick work of trying to lessen his grip. Pressing your finger into his wrist's pulse point.

"Find somethinng new. That's not going to work a second time"

Frustration grew like a building short circuit. You knew strength wasn't your biggest fighting factor, it was instinct at this point born and bred as a female to go for a man's weakest point and it was taking everything within your resolve to not kick between his legs.

Pressure point began quizzing through your mind. Bodhi watches as your eyes flicked across his body ravaging at the sight of your attention on him. Felt the heat of it across every inch of his aching skin, tensioned for the need of touch, your touch. You were simply looking for his weaknesses, ones you could reach from the position you were currently in.

Shifting your weight into the side he held a hand to your throat, you rammed your thumb under his arm, nail digging into the soft flesh there.

Bodhi loosens his grip enough for you to duck under the other arm and release yourself. Bouncing back on the balls of your feet, you teetered towards the edges of the mat.

Bodhi rounded with a smirk, shooting a quick wink your way, "Atta Girl." The genuine pride and excitement in his tone made your cheeks flush.

Any focus you had fought to obtain since the beginning of this session slipped entirely away from you in that second. Shallow breathing, you shook yourself off the rising tension with it.

"Again." Bodhi gestured you back for the middle of the mat, "This time I'm coming at you from behind"

The air hauled in your throat, gulping quickly and moving back to the centre. Bodhi stepped up behind you.

He gave you even less warning. Albeit you could have used one this time unexpecting of his arms to latch themselves around your torso.

You needed to focus, focus on getting yourself out of his hold, but the only thing swirling in your mind was how close his body now was to yours, you could feel the rippling warm muscles on his chest against your back.

His arms tightened and you gasped lightly when you felt the sensation of his palm brush up the side of your breast, the material of your clothing ruffling as he righted his grip

A pulse of fresh warmth coursed through you, blooming from your core. It was almost painful as the material brushed the peak of your nipple.

If this was how your body reacted to his unintentional intimate touches you could only imagine what he might do to you intentionally.

"You seem distracted." the heat of his breath fanned your neck when he whispered the words against the shell of your ear, close enough you swore on your life that was his lips brush the curve.

Nerves rippled against him. You needed to get your shit together, but. . .

There was a smugness in his tone. That bastard, was he potentially... teasing on purpose to distract you? You swallowed a scoff. Two could definitely play at this game.

Grabbing his elbow you made an attempt to lift his arm up over your head, the well tones limb didn't move, but you couldn't resist the smile, for it was a cover up.

Rolling your hips and pushing you ass back against him. With the shared closeness he had created you heard his breath stuttered behind your ear and felt his pulse skyrocket.

Who was the distracted one now, driving the heel of your foot into the top of his, you heard the oxygen whoosh into his lungs as he hissed. Elevating the foot ever so slightly.

You wouldn't have the strength to throw him over your shoulder but if he was off balance as he was now. Gripping both hands as far up his arm as you could reach you twisted sharply into his unbalanced side.

Feeling his weight falling against you own you planted both legs to limit the chance of you falling too.

When Bodhi hit the ground you were diligent, moving quickly while he stunned to recall his senses.

Swinging one leg you planted yourself above him to pin him below you.

There was a second were you hadn't thought, just did. Hadn't realised what you were doing until you did it. Hadn't realised you now straddled his waist, hadn't realised you might have miscalculated the extent of your teasing until you felt the growth hardening beneath your ass.

Bodhi blinked at you in wild surprise as though he too now realised what had been done.

Had he not been thinking just as you hadn't? Simply following movements and feelings that felt so inheritable right until there was an irreversible shift between you both. Bodies welded together from where you sat atop him.

Every nerve in you was jackhammering in your heart, blood thrumming against your hearing. An unmistakable ache was growing between your legs, one which could and would lead to decisions you knew were irreversible.

Perhaps Bodhi had been teasing you simply to district, there was nothing attached to that. No emotion or feeling.

Foolish girl. You hadn't realised Asra had been listening into your thoughts, Had failed to notice she had lowered her shield. Is that how distracted Bodhi had made you?

You went to move from his lap, but Bodhi groaned, the sound low and guttural from deep at the back of his throat, head falling back with his eyes squeezing shut. Without looking his hand found your thigh, squeezing to hold you in place,

"Don't move." The guttural throaty sound in his voice blinded your every sense, glancing to his veined hand you couldn't rip your attention away until Bodhi blinked at you startled, a muscle in his jaw twitched as his eyes darkened.

Within the next second you attempted to lift yourself back off him, in one swift movement, Bodhi pushed himself up with a hand behind him. Using the grip on your leg to keep you on top of him, the positions now pushing you to sit further onto his growing erection.

It wasn't until he rightened himself that Bodhi released his grip only to move it across your body, you felt it clasp the back of your neck as he leaned closer pulling you with him and wasted no more time of colliding his lips with yours.

You stilled, stunned as his lips moved against your own, Asra's presence stroking against your mind prompting you from the stupor, her rebuilding her shield was enough of a hint and approval.

Softening your tense muscles you wrapped both arms to encircle around his shoulders, pulling your chest closer to his. Letting one hand slip to cup the back of his head. Fingers threading his dark curls.

Bodhi continued denying himself breath as he smiled, feeling you finally give in. Letting yourself match him. Giving and receiving the hot kisses, fast and swift.

They continued, hungry for more. Starved for the touch of one another. It was a sensation you didn't know you wanted — needed.

The heat encased between your bodies made your heart hammer into overdrive, Lifting your weight and then lowering it with a roll of your hips, causing friction against the now obvious erection beneath you.

Bodhi exhaled sharp and hot against your mouth, pulling from your lips. Once more his eyes squinted shut, brow furrowed.

You couldn't pry your attention away. The expression on his face alone set you emotions spiralling. It was the perfect mix of pain and pleasure rolled into one.

Wiggling your ass down, Bodhi groaned louder this time. His eyes snapped open to level with your own, within that hungry fire that was beginning to demand more of you: a desire you would happily indulge.

Even within that burning, there was still a softness to Bodhi, he was still the same man you grew up with, a comfort you had come to depend on.

He grinned as he watched you, eyes flicking to scan every inch of your face. You shivered as Bodhi dragged a hand across you collar bone, up your neck to cup the line of your jaw. Thumb rubbing into your now swollen lower lip.

He leaned so close once more that you now shared a combined airspace.

"We shouldn't continue" the smirk growing on his lips said more. The growing heat within you was answer enough, rubbing a hand into his jaw, for the thrill of it you shook you head leaning closer still. "We shouldn't"

Tightening your grip at the back of his head, fingers twisting into a strand of hair, Bodhi dipped his head to yours, lips a whisper apart.

"Kiss me again" His voice turned throaty, the blood in you warming at his touch, "Please" the shift in his tone was astonishing.

Giving yourself over, leaning to rejoin him, a coil of tension grew in the core of your chest. You kissed him fully, Pulling Bodhi into you.

Bodhi broke the connection after a second, "Atta girl" he was already smirking by the time he kissed you again.

That coil continued to tighten. This was an irreversible decision, this pairing. It could easily cleave you in two.

But this moment as Bodhi began to lower his kisses flowing down the column of your throat, you couldn't bring yourself to give a flying fuck.

[channelinglament]

Aeon of Unity.....the first aeon....they were there since the beginning they gave life to all and showed every life they created love and protection but when a threat known as honkai arrived they gave there life to seal it away in another world unknowingly becoming the object of its obsession now millions of years later you've returned and your already showing your creations that love and protection they missed oh so dearly but it seems your divine power has weakened so it's only natural your creations offer some hell right

Low on credits not anymore cause Asta, herta and Himeko have generously donated millions to your mailbox

Not enough resin to continue farming calyx for material's don't worry gepard and bronya have already sent the silvermaine guards to farm as many supplies as you need

Simulated universe giving you trouble well guess what now you can pick 2 paths and you get a bonus curio named [Divinity derived from unification] that buffs all characters depending on how devoted they are to you (you one shot gepard twice with Serval)

Even though they've given you all there love and you give it back 100 fold they still hear you speak of other worlds.....what are honkai, what's a archon and why does the broken claymore in herta's collection give himeko an uneasy feeling and make yoy cry the first time you saw it while saying "your sorry"........they may never know that your loved by not just them but beings of elemental and universal divinity.....maybe one day you'll meet all of them you are the great unifier after all

WOWIE

This is a big brain moment here

This is amazing

Also I think I accidentally altered it a bit- while I was writing- I was rereading it and just noticed that, so I am sorry 🙇

You had all three games installed. You played all of them. Everytime you saw a reference to the previous game, you either squealed of happiness, either cried if sadness.

They all saw you as their Aeon. Aeon of Unity. At some point it is true, as they exist ONLY on your device. Only on your account. Nowhere else. Whatever you do with them, will be there permanently. You can kill them, by deleting your game. You have all 3 games. All the universes. You "unite" them all. So, in a way, what they call you is not a lie.

You gave them life when you downloaded the game.

When you first installed Honkai Impact, you didn't expect Honkai to do...all that. Then you payed Genshin. All that amde you feel sad. Considering they all are alive (well...not exactly-) you can't help but feel sympathy towards them.

You gave them your everything, your love and affection. You did truly love them. At some point, you couldn't continue helping them out. No matter what you do, new "bosses" and enemies get in. They get injured, they die, they revive, and the cycle continues. No. That's not what you want. You want them to be free. To be happy..

So you did what you thought was best. You decided to free them from this "nightmare".

You deleted this games

You did regret it, you felt bad, but.. You reassured yourself that it was for the better.

Plus, now that they're.."dead". When you tried downloading again...they were just a bunch of codes. They weren't themselves anymore. They were not aware.

"I'm so sorry"

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

Later, new game came out.

Honkai: star rail

You downloaded it.

They became aware aswell..simialrily to previous game.

The guilt of.."killing" their other counterparts..or their other selves was eating you away. They WERE alive. And you had "unalived" them.

So you promised yourself to not repeat this mistake again. This time, you will talk to them and explain your worries. They could help you, while you help them.

You don't need to worry about them dying anymore, as your healers, Bailu and Natasha have the best healing light cones and artifacts. You don't need to worry about damage aswell.

You don't need to worry about them dying because of a string enemy. You can easily ascend them, because you always have resources now.

If in the past you never talked about this and tried to farm it all by yourself..now

Now, that you talk to them about it.. they help you out with it.

You need credits to ascend something? All donated to you.

You want another character? The crystals are donated aswell, while during the ten pull you get to E6 them. You get their light cones. And 4* are coming in aswell.

You need materials? Silvermane guards are doing it for you, and your characters are doing it aswell!

You make them all strong. You make sure they're able to defend themselves in a fight, while staying at full health.

You've seen video of a person who defeated Kafka without even giving her a single turn? Yeah that's how the fights go without you. While you're here, the game doesn't always let them do that (meme teams are best trust me-)

Oh, the SU is too hard? Dw they got you!

You grace them with your presence, you make them healthy, you make them strong, you CARE about them. You LOVE them

So all they ask of you is your eternal love and attention. Though, you already give it to them.

Sometimes, they hear you crying behind..whatever separates your..worlds

You say sorry, when you look at strange glider. Or a broken claymore. Some feel stable emotions looking at it. (Welt and Himeko)

When Traiblazer hears a strange female noise coming from nowhere saying "Let's explore this area later" you laugh..and cry a bit?

You laugh, and it flutters Trailbazer's heart!

But when you cried? They were confused. Didn't you laugh a moment ago?

Anyways, they're bathing in your attention and affection. They will give you their everything, just ask them!!

Ah, how they wish you came to their world!

Well, it's not a problem anyways..Herta and Aeons found a way to bring you here..

for now, you will see them when you're asleep. For them, you're in SU, but to you..you're just dreaming..right?

They never keep a secret from you, but.. no

This isn't a secret..this is a surprise! You will be happy aren't you oh dear Aeon?

Soon, you will finally be united with them.

Meanwhile the..other worlds..

They are not exactly "dead", since they were never quite "alive" to begin with

They're stuck in some void...

They've seen your attempts to come back to them, and they're grateful for it. They know your reason for..."killing" them

And right now, they're trying to find a way to contact you..you seem to be moving on from them, focusing on other world. Oh nononono...

That's not how it supposed to be..focus on ALL of them..

It seems they need to pay hsr a little visit... hopefully, you will smile at them the way you always used to

[hotch33tos22]

Ahhh, I love your writing hotch33tos! May I request a fluff between Tomura Shigaraki x fem reader who's quirk is healing. One night she's healing Shigaraki and she just can't stop looking at him leading her to blurt out if she can do skin care on him. That or just a fluff scenario between him and a fem reader healer🫶💛

Thank you sm for my first Request! You asked and will receive! (Hopefully it’s to your liking🫶🏼)

Shigaraki x Reader Healer

“Skincare”

🌙scenario

"What- What the hell? It's 2 in the morning What are you doing in my room?!" Tomura looks up from his gaming set he was surprised to see you up so late.

"Hey... I noticed you had some scars that needed healing and I thought I might come check them" you softly replied as you walked in closing the door behind you as you turned on the light.

He flinched as the light turned on, the brightness was unexpected for him. He sat up on the edge of his bed, looking at you.

He rubbed his neck, his eyes looking you and your hands up and down.

"You- You want to heal my scars?"

"Shigaraki im the leagues healer it’s my job remember" you laughed softly.

He rolled his eyes as you spoke as if he could've forgotten that, a hand going up to rub one of his scars.

"Yeah yeah I know idiot, but can you heal all of this? I have a lot of scars you know..."

"I'm sure I can" you walked over to him, "can I sit down?"

He nodded, shifting over slightly incase you wanted to sit on the bed. He eyed your hands, still unconvinced you could heal any of his scars.

"Go on... Try it. You probably won't heal anything anyway..."

He smirked, a bit of skepticism in his voice.

"Are you doubting me?" You chuckled as you looked at his scars on his arms.

He chuckled back, letting you get a good look as you came closer. He held out an arm, waiting for you to try and heal it.

"I'm just saying, ive had these for quite some time though they haven’t healed. I doubt a healer would be able to do anything about them now. Go on, try."

You picked up his hand gently as you traced your finger over the scar before leading it do your lips giving it a soft kiss.

To say he was surprised at the kiss would be an understatement. His eyes widen, face turning slightly pink as he stares at your lips for a few seconds.

"Wha- What are you doing...?"

His voice is quieter now, trying to hide the surprise. No one has ever gone so far as to kiss his scars, let alone kiss him in general...

"Healing you" you chuckle before you noticed his scar was gone you looked up at him admiring his other scars they made him seem like so much more...

His eyes widen again as he looks down at where the scar once was, watching as the skin completely healed over, as if the scar was never there. He glanced up at you in disbelief, almost not believing what just happened.

"You- You actually just healed it... I can't believe it. Can you do the others too?"

You nodded as you traced and placed kisses on the other scars and injuries on his hands, you felt yourself blush a little you finally stopped to admire his face... it look okay right now it wasn't the best skin he's had which made you think of something... skincare.

With each kiss that healed on of his scars, his face got more and more red. He was starting to get flustered from all of this affection, glancing down as you finally stopped. Seeing you studying his face, he raised an eyebrow, looking curiously at you

"Why are you looking at me like that? What is it?"

"Can I do a skincare on you!?" You blurted out as your ears turned red "ah.! Sorry i didn't mean to-" you waved your hands trying to take back what you said.

Shigaraki blinked, completely taken aback by the blurted question. His cheeks were a deep blushing red at that point, but he didn't hate the idea at all...

"Uh... Yeah sure... Go for it I guess. Just don't make me look like some damn doll, got it?"

You chuckled at his doll comment,

"I won't" you covered your mouth with one hand trying to lower your laugh.

He gave a small pout at your laughter, crossing his arms in a jokingly upset state.

But he was secretly enjoying the attention you were giving him. He tilted his head at you, his messy hair covering his left eye like a curtain

"What? Why are you laughing at me? Just do your damn skincare already, woman."

"okay 'll be right back" you got up in a hurry to your room while you were walking you wondered why he had agreed it seemed odd but you were glad he didn't decline your sudden offer

He sat there on his bed, watching you run out of the room in a hurry.

He still questioned himself on why he agreed to letting you even touch him, even more so with the thought of doing a skin care routine on him. Shigaraki shrugged, sitting back in his bed and waiting for you to return.

As he sat there waiting, he let his mind wander to his feelings towards you. He had to admit, you were attractive. But he never thought he would ever get any affection from you, yet here he was, agreeing to you to do a skincare routine on his scars and skin. Shigaraki leaned back in the bed, thoughts of you still in his mind...

A few minutes later, he heard your footsteps approaching his room.

He slowly sat up, waiting for you to come back in. He was still questioning why he was letting you do this to him, but deep down, the idea of having your hands touch his face excited him, just a bit.

You opened the door, holding your skincare products in your arms. You looked up to see him leaning back on the bed, waiting for you with a neutral look on his face. He glanced down at your arms, looking over the products you brought with you.

"Looks like you brought a lot of stuff...Are you gonna put all of that on my face?"

"Well if I want your face to be smooth and glowing yes!" You chirped as you placed everything in the bed in order.

He rolled his eyes at the thought of his face being 'smooth and glowing.' He had never had a full-blown skincare routine before, so he had no idea what was coming for him.

He looked over each product you had laid out, seeing so many creams, lotions, and other stuff.

"Yeesh... You need all of that to fix my skin or something?"

"Just to make it better trust me you'll relax just lay back on the bed and let me handle you" your lips Curley into a smile as your cracked your fingers, one thing about you was out LOVED doing skincare's and when you did them you always did them right.

He flinched slightly, hearing you crack your fingers. It seemed so... Professional? He let out a low sigh, laying back on the bed, his head laying comfortably on the pillow. He closed his eyes, preparing himself for whatever you were going to do to his skin.

Despite the skepticism about the skincare, in the end, he just wanted to have your hands touching him...

As you begin to work your magic on Shigaraki, he can feel the various creams being applied to his face, followed by the gentle feeling of your hands rubbing his skin. As much as he wanted to act cold and distant, your touch was soft and gentle, making it impossible not to relax and enjoy the feeling of your hands on his face.

"Damn... Your hands are softer than I thought they'd be..."

"Well ill have you know I do hand-care too" you softly spoke as you applied a cleansing cream rubbing it over his safe as you waited a couple of minutes before wiping it with a damped towel

As you gently rub the cleansing cream on his face, he couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief. The cream felt cool and soothing on his skin, and your soft touch made the entire experience even more pleasurable. He couldn't believe he was actually enjoying something like this

"Hmph, you seem to have a lot of knowledge on this stuff... Where'd you even learn all of this from anyway?"

"I watch a lot of videos and before I joined the league I did not have this pretty face" you smirked

He raised an eyebrow as you mentioned not having a pretty face before. He found that hard to believe, as his own opinion, you were very attractive. But he was curious now about what you looked like before.

"Oh really? Well, now I'm interested to see what you looked like before this 'pretty face.' Got any old pictures lying around?"

"Maybe I'll see if I can find any later" you wiped his face before turning in the air mister you had

He watched as you turned on the air mister, the cool mist spraying lightly on his face.

The sensation was unexpected, but not unpleasant. He closed his eyes, enjoying the coolness as the mist touched his skin.

"Hmph... I guess this stuff isn't half bad. What else you gonna do to my face?"

"Well I'm going to hydrate it,moisturize, pluck any hairs,massage it..."

His eyes widened as you rattled off the list of things you were going to do to his face.

Plucking, massaging, what the hell did you have planned on doing to him...

"Plucking hairs? And massage? You gonna turn my face into rubbery mush or something?"

"Just close your eyes and relax" you huffed as you started to place under eye and mouth hydrating patches.

He gave a slight eye roll at your comment, but closed his eyes nonetheless, letting you place the patches on his skin. He had to admit, the feeling of the patches was slightly soothing, almost like a small massage of sorts.

He let out a small sigh as he laid there, wondering if all these products were actually necessary for a skincare routine.

You took out your phone raising it up as you took a picture quickly putting it away

The sudden sound of your phone camera clicking made his eyes shoot open in surprise. He turned to glare at you, a small pout forming on his face

"Hey, what was that for? Were you just trying to snap a picture of me with this stuff on my face?"

"no! just shush!" You closed his eyes as you grabbed your eyebrow pluckers.

Shigaraki grumbled, but obediently closed his eyes once again. He knew there was no point in arguing with you when you were so determined. He held still as you picked up the eyebrow pluckers,

"Damn... You really gonna pluck my eyebrows?"

" you know you talk to much" you giggled as you began to pluck his eyebrows but you realized... he had none...

He rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but chuckle a bit at your comment about talking too much. As you started to pluck his eyebrows, he noticed that there was nothing there to pluck.

"Uh, you do notice that I don't have any eyebrows, right? What's the point of plucking something that's not even there?"

"Shigaraki... I just noticed." You busted out laughing.

He looked at you, his face a mix of confusion and annoyance. But seeing you laugh so openly made it a bit impossible to stay frustrated with you. He sighed, crossing his arms in a pout

"Well, I'm glad you find humor in my lack of eyebrows, but seriously, what were you planning to do to my nonexistent eyebrows anyway?"

"Okay okay let's just move on to something else oh I know let's take off your blackheads!"

His face twisted into a look of discomfort at the mention of blackheads. He hadn't even thought about the possibility of having blackheads on his face.

"Yeesh... You sure you're gonna find any? I don't even remember the last time I looked at my face up close in the mirror..."

He laid back on the bed, resigning himself to letting you do whatever you wanted. He just hoped the blackhead removal wouldn't be too painful, especially since he wasn't sure how many there were on his skin...

You placed a nose patch in his skin and waited for it to dry before peeling it softly

"okay we got some just need to take off the rest..." you mumbled as you started to press down his nose with a blackhead removing tool

Shigaraki watched as you placed the nose patch on his nose. He wrinkled his nose at the feeling, but said nothing. Once you started to press down on his nose with the tool, he flinched, feeling the slight pressure of each blackhead being removed.

"Damn... that feels weird. How many of those are you gonna get out..?"

"Just a little more..." you mumbled focusing

He huffed in slight annoyance, but he knew better than to question you when you were so focused. He closed his eyes, letting you continue to work on his nose. The feeling of each blackhead being removed was... strange. It wasn't painful, but it wasn't pleasant either.

"Hurry up... I'm starting to feel weird just laying here."

"Okay okay I'm done" you replied as you cleaned his face with a makeup remover and removing all the hydrating patches you had placed on his under eye and lips

"Wow your lips look just a bit better but it’s missing something.."

He opened his eyes as you removed the last of the patches, feeling a bit lighter now that all the products were off his face. He sat up slightly on the bed, his hand coming up to touch his cheek.

"Huh... I have to admit, that actually did feel kinda nice. And you really think my lips look better already?"

"I'm not done yet!" You pushed him down softly as you began to grab your watermen lip mask and spoon some out gently rubbing it on his lip

He grunted as you pushed him back down, a small pout forming on his face. He watched as you rubbed the watermelon lip mask on his lips, the cool sensation on his skin feeling surprisingly refreshing.

"Hmph... This stuff better be worth it. My lips better be as soft as yours by the time you're done with me."

"Yeah yeah well I'm trying my best" you huffed as you took a bad and opened it revealing a face mask

He chuckled at your huff, knowing he could get under your skin with just a few words.

As he watched you rummage through the bag to pull out a face mask, he raised an eyebrow

"Are you seriously putting a face mask on me too? What the hell is the point of that?"

"Don't worry just know you'll skin will feel much better" you smirked as you placed it over his face

He let out an exaggerated sigh, but remained still as you placed the face mask over his face. He had to admit, he had never done anything like this before, and having you take care of his skin felt a bit nice.

"This is so ridiculous... I feel like a damn doll being pampered right now."

He laid on the bed, his face covered in the mask, feeling completely ridiculous. He could faintly smell the scent of the face mask, a bit of chamomile and lavender.

"You better hope this stuff actually works, or I'm gonna look like a complete fool for letting you to this to me..."

"Well don't worry about it just relax.!"

He rolled his eyes, but he had to admit that the face mask actually felt somewhat nice.

He closed his eyes, trying to relax as you instructed.

"Easier said than done... When will you take this damn thing off my face anyway?"

"Just 10 minutes even tho it's suppose to be 15 but you get impatient"

He sighed in annoyance, not wanting to admit you were right about him being impatient. 10 minutes... he could handle that.

"Hmph... fine. 10 minutes, but I better be getting something good at the end of this. Better be some smooth skin at the very least."

He laid there, feeling the minutes ticked by slowly as the face mask stayed on his face.

He tried to distract himself by thinking about other things, but every minute felt like an eternity.

"Ugh... How much longer do I have to keep this thing on? It feels like it's been 10 minutes already..."

"It's barely been 3" you chuckled

He grumbled at your comment, feeling even more impatient now knowing it had only been three minutes.

"Ugh, seriously? Only 3 minutes? I feel like I've been laying here forever. I don't even think this damn thing is doing anything to my skin anyway..."

"Oh my god okay well just leave it for 5"

He huffed, but resigned himself to waiting another 5 minutes. He knew resisting would be pointless, especially when you were so determined.

"Ugh, fine. 5 more minutes. But if it doesn't do anything, I'm never letting you touch my face again."

You huffed in annoyances as you waited for 5 more minutes to pass, after they did you took off the sheet mask and began to massage his face with cream

He grumbled as he lay there patiently, time seemingly dragging on forever. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, you removed the mask from his face.

He opened his eyes expecting to see the same old dry skin on his face, but instead, his skin actually felt surprisingly smooth and supple. The texture was completely different than what he was used to.

"Wait.is this real? My skin feels different... Did the face mask and cream actually work?"

"Well just a little you don't care much for your skin huh" you messaged his face softly

He chuckled at your comment, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah, I guess you can say l've never really paid much attention to my skin. I've always just thought it's skin, why worry about it? But I have to admit, it feels kinda nice having you take care of it like this..."

He let out a small hum as you continued to massage his face, the feeling of your fingers on his skin was surprisingly soothing. He closed his eyes, letting himself relax into the comfortable rhythm of your motions.

"You sure know what you're doing. My skin feels so much nicer than before. I might have to let you do this more often..."

You chuckled "well l'd be happy, to I enjoy these kinds of things anyway..."

He smiled slightly, feeling surprisingly relaxed with you taking care of his skin.

"I have to admit, I didn't think this whole skincare routine thing would be so... nice.

I always thought it was just for girls, but having someone pamper me like this feels kinda good."

He opened his eyes, looking up at you as you continued to massage his face. The feeling of your fingers on his skin was strangely comforting, and he found himself wanting the moment to last longer.

"You know, I never would have thought that l'd be the kind of person to enjoy getting pampered... But here I am, lying here letting you touch my face and treating me like royalty."

"Well you have to take care of yourself now and then" you smiled softly as you finally stopped

"god my back hurts..." you whined as you sat back all the standing up while bending your back did a number one you

He sat up as well, noticing the tired look on your face.

"Hey, you look like you're exhausted. You were standing over me for like an hour, no wonder your back hurts."

He couldn't help but chuckle as you complained, but he still felt somewhat guilty that you were tired out from pampering his skin.

He patted the empty space on the bed next him, gesturing for you to join him on the bed.

"Come here, sit down for a bit. I feel a little bad that your back is so tired because of me..."

"It's okay this is the pain of a successful skin care routine " you laughed as you laid down on his bed enjoying the softness

He chuckled at your comment, feeling slightly guilty but appreciative nonetheless.

"Yeah, I guess that's one way to look at it. But still, you worked hard pampering my skin, the least I can do is let you relax a bit on the bed."

He laid back on the bed beside you, feeling its softness beneath him. He looked over at you, admiring your tired but satisfied expression.

He reached out a hand and gently touched your hair, running his fingers through it.

"You look exhausted, but happy. I guess pampering my skin really was that much fun for you, huh?"

You felt yourself shiver from his touch enjoying yourself get pampered by him now

"pampering me now Mh?" You softly spoke as your eyes closed

He chuckled softly as he saw you shiver slightly from his touch.

"Yeah, I figured I could return the favor and pamper you for a bit, since you did such a great job pampering me."

He continued to run his fingers through your hair, his touch soft and gentle, enjoying the way your eyes closed in contentment.

He leaned a bit closer to you, his hand moving from your hair to gently caress your cheek.

"You know, seeing you so relaxed like this is... nice. I never would have thought doing something like this together could feel so good….” He mumbles before he notices you drifted off to sleep..

[readychilledwine]

Beauty in Pain Pt 2

Summary - Losing your wings may have been the best thing to ever happen to you

Warnings- mentions of trauma, mentions of therapy, blood, normal happy marriage discussions

A/N - I kept this short and sweet (1000 words) as a kind of like closure moment for those of us who wanted and needed it. ❤️ Also part 2 of the Death of Peace of Mind is still going up tonight. I just didn't want to give you all whiplash since that Eris is so different from drabble Eris 😂

You would never get used to waking up on your back. It was never possible before the incident. You had always slept on your stomach, Azriel's large wing over the top of your smaller ones, your hands and possibly a leg touching. 

Since losing your wings 6 months ago, though, sleeping has changed significantly. It happened one night on a whim, Azriel laying between your legs on his tummy while you played with his hair. Between the warmth and weight of his body on yours, you had fallen asleep after he had. It had become almost nightly now, you falling asleep on your back, basking in the comfort his body weight brought you. 

Azriel shifted above you, sensing you were awake through the bond, and snuggled in tighter. "5 more minutes," sleep laced his deep voice, causing it to be slightly graveled. "Then kisses."

"What if I want kisses now?" Azriel seemed to instantly perk up at the question, his eyes suddenly wide and alert. 

He moved so he was directly above you, a scarred finger coming to trace your cheekbones. "Then who would I be to deny such a beautiful female her morning kisses?" Before he could act on the request, your bedroom door slammed open and a body dived into your bed, shaking it slightly. 

Azriel glared towards your older brother, "What, Cassian?"

You felt Cassian wiggle a hand between you two, finding your waist and pulling you over to him. "You're late for training, she is late for her meeting with Madja." 

Meeting was a polite way to put what you did once a week with the elderly healer. Once a week, you two sat with tea and talked. Sometimes it was about life, sometimes it was about what happened. Sometimes you just listened to her speak about healing, an unexpected career change you recently began going through. 

Azriel buried his head into your shoulder, sighing deeply before getting up and grabbing clothing to change into. Cassian held you close, softly kissing your temple as he dug his body into your bed. "Sorry, Sissy. He's been late the past 5 days."

You didn't have the heart to tell Cassian why. Azriel was ready to settle down to start a family. He wanted late mornings in your bed, and early nights turned in before the sun had fully set. He wanted to know you were safe, no longer a target, and that he'd be with you at all times instead of away for weeks. Azriel was ready to start a family. Cassian had, now the proud dad of a newborn girl. Rhysand had the proud father of a tiny Illyrian male. Azriel was ready for the same joy they had, and you were ready for it, too. 

"Maybe he needs a vacation," you replied. Cassian shrugged. "Or maybe he needed those morning kisses you interrupted."

You two heard Azriel yell in confirmation from the bathroom, and both chuckled. "Madja is waiting for you. I know you don't like these sessions, but they have been good for you."

You stared at him, blinking slowly. "I can't really get out of bed with you here."

"Why?"

"She's naked," Azriel appeared, wearing his training leathers. "Let's go, Cass." Cassian's face flushed before he got out of the bed. "I'll tell her you're on your way." Azriel leaned down, kissing you gently. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Rhys and Madja sat downstairs. They were sipping tea and whispering softly regarding your progress. "She's wonderful with children especially," the old healer said as she added another spoon of sugar into the tea. "They love her and respond to her very well."

Rhysand shifted. "That does not surprise me. Nyx and Emmy both love her. How is she mentally." 

"I'm okay," you moved into the room and sat in the third chair. "No nightmares for the past 3 months." Rhys nodded, reaching for your hand. "Azriel and I talked about starting a family."

They both immediately straightened up, Madja's eyes beginning to sparkle in excitement. "That is a big step, y/n. How do you feel about that?"

You smiled. "We've both always wanted kids. It's just the natural progression at this point. I do not have to work, we technically own the cabin we'd move to outright, we are financially secure."

"But are you ready?" Rhys asked softly. "There's a 100% chance of wings, if it's a girl-"

"She would be loved regardless of what happened to me and protected by her father." You looked firmly at Rhys. "We want this. I want this."

He nodded, rested his forehead against your hand. "Then I want it for both of you as well. Nyx has loved being a big cousin."

Madja trailed back. "Do you not want to work, y/n?" 

You shook your head. "I do until I am pregnant. Once I have a babe, though, I would like to enjoy a stay at home mother role." 

Madja nodded, her smile still firm on her face. "I believe you are healthy enough to have a child. You have my approval as your healer."

Rhys looked towards the door to the training area and sighed. "Cassian is bleeding. They're on their way in." 

Azriel walked in seconds later, a sly smile on his face as he supported Cassian. "Idiot zigged when he should have zagged. Flew straight into a kick." Cassian huffed out a laugh as you moved to allow him to take your spot and went to Azriel's side. 

His arm wrapped around your waist, "You are happy."

You kissed his cheek, smiling as you rested your head on his shoulder. "Happiest I've been in a while."

Azriel leaned into you, whispering into your ear. "Did she approve?" You nodded, feeling his grin grow. "And Rhys?" You nodded again. "Then we should start trying. Now."

"Now?" You looked at him, eyes wide.

"Now," he confirmed before pulling you up the stairs, the two of you laughing with each step. 

[minhosimthings]

The French Quotes Series ft.Enhypen

The five kings of various kingdoms over a lush piece of earth in the vast land of Paradoxica. Each ruled over their own share of land, passed on to the from generation to generation. Brothers by heart, and not by blood, they often met, one king going into the kingdom of another, drinking and merry making all day, before going back to their duties. The same old schedule, some blood here, some flowers there, and some weddings here and there. But sometimes Cupid takes pity on humans. And luckily for the Kings, he did exactly that.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Dances Avec Les Etoiles ft. Heeseung

English translation: Dance With the Stars.

Kingdom name: Tarnow

Part 1 || Part 2 || The wedding

Plot: God how boring is love? For Lee Heeseung, it was perhaps the most boring thing in this rotten world. But for his parents, it meant buisness. And buisness meant getting Heeseung married off to a princess from another kingdom. And when the princess shares a peculiar interest, Heeseung starts to believe in Cupid again.

Status: Completed

A La Folie ft. Jay

English translation: To insanity.

Kingdom name: Vadronia

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || The Wedding

Plot: Wounds came and went. All in the circle of life am I right? The greatest warrior among all the kings, Park Jay. For him, seeing blood was like seeing the sky. It was a daily routine which he could not escape. Yes sometimes he had grave injuries, which he wouldn't stop to take care of, with him being a workaholic. But sometimes healers do more than heal physical wounds, and for Jay, you did exactly that.

Status: Completed

Mon coure t'appartient ft. Jake

English Translation: My heart is yours.

Kingdom name: Crasmere

Plot: Young love was so beautiful. And Jake believed in it so much. He believed in love perhaps a lot more than his brothers did. And it made sense, when you looked at his kingdom, which housed the most happiest people in the land. Unfortunately, Jake's best friend, was a sceptic, refusing to believe that love existed, even though she had hidden her feeling since the age of eleven. Well I wonder what Cupid has in store for these lovesick idiots.

Status: still loading......

Avec toi, je suis moi ft. Sunghoon

English translation: With you, I am me.

Kingdom name: Isernia

Plot: Ice Prince. The coldest person in all of the land. Sombre expression on his face, cold eyes always present. No one could really read Park Sunghoon. Well almost no one. And when you came into his life, a kind of warmth wrapped around his coldness, and to his surprise, it felt good.

Status: still loading.....

Le monde est a nous ft. Sunoo

English translation: The world is ours.

Kingdom name: Lanark

Plot: Why must love always be so slow? Why can't it be completed In a fraction of a second, like a firecracker bursting? That was the question forever present in Kim Sunoo's mind. Yes he believed in love, but he never really understood, that it wasn't all roses and chocolates and kisses. Until you, the bane of his existence came into his life and taught by, second by second, what it meant to love a human, like a human.

Status: still loading.....

Tags: @amazzwon @heeseungshim @kvmariii @mwahvvis @hottiewifeyyyy @sacrificeatmeup @perfectnighttt @yawnzzhoon @niinjo

Thank you to @sumaneun-stars @candewlsy and @yunabi436 who have listened to me rambling about this genuinely thank you for keeping me same

[loudclan-clangen]

Alright, now I'm curious, what are the rules of StarClan's Oneway Dunktank? Are there cats who can't touch it (mediators for sure but anyone else?) Do healers meet there every half moon? They can sacrifice a life to speak directly to StarClan but what about other times?

(Also you're not gonna believe this, I looked up effects of crude oil exposure and studies indicate it may cause Anemia and low white blood cell count, so maybe she got a bleeding disorder because she can't stay out of the Forbidden Jacuzzi).

VERY LONG, LOTS OF TEXT, SORRY I GOT EXCITED TO LORE DUMP

The rules/powers of the Black Water Pool and Starclan are intentionally very nebulous. 1. Because I think starclan is more effective as a mysterious force than a clearly designated entity, and 2. Because I would like to have some flexibility going forward in the comic regarding the powers/rules of starclan. Here's what's clearly defined:

Any cat can touch the oil, like physically speaking. They will not just drop dead unless something else is going on that is worsened by the experience. But something may be worsened by the oil, especially if they are deeply exposed to it, like swimming in it or ingesting it the way one might if they weren't specifically trained in how to interact with it safely (like a healer or a leader). This leads to rumors of cats being cursed with terrible visions (hallucinations), disease (coughs caused by respitory damage), or wounds (chemical burns from prolonged exposure) because they touch the Black Water without permission. These could be actual curses from starclan, or they could be biological reactions to the oil, but that doesn't really matter because the cats believe that they are curses. (If that makes sense). For this combination of reasons, (religious belief and biological evidence), cats with open wounds, bad coughs, or who are actively pregnant are absolutely not allowed to touch the oil and are encouraged not to be near it. (Excluding dried oil worn by healers, we've covered in an earlier post that that is a stable form that isn't going to pollute others). This is justified by the healers as being times when one does not want to tempt death, and that being near the pool brings one's spirit closer to the dead, which is good for communing with them or asking them for favors, but bad when you are fighting for/actively creating life.

All of the leaders and their leadership teams have meetings staggered throughout the moon. Leaders and deputies meet on a full-moon, healers meet on a half-moon, and mediators meet on a new moon. (Gatherings also happen on full moons, just later in the day/night. The clans meet the leaders at the gathering place.) Healers might meet at the Black Water Pool but they do not always. Specifically, the Freezingclan healers refuse to meet at the Black Water, so if they want all of the clans' healers to meet they have to pick another place, usually the gathering place for simplicity. Since the healers can only commune with Starclan by sacrificing a life, they don't do it on a monthly basis and not meeting at the Black Water isn't inconvenient for them.

The healers (and leaders) can only speak directly to Starclan by sacrificing a life period. One of my biggest issues with the actual books is that speaking to Starclan is so casual that they constantly have to justify the cats not being able to in order to maintain any form of mystery or miscommunication, or risk making beloved characters look like jerks for not telling the living cats something important/make the entirety of Starclan look less powerful by claiming that they just "didn't know". My very simple solution to this is to put a layer of separation between them. In order to talk to the dead you have to die. This means that characters will only do so if they feel it is VERY important and they are certain that Starclan will give them a helpful answer, which they will not always do. (Why doesn't Wildfirecry ask Starclan how to cure Rosehippaw? Because he knows that there is a very high likely hood that the answer is "you can't" and then he'll lose both his daughter and a life that he could have used to help his clan in a more effective way).

Circling back to how normal cats are meant to contact starclan if they aren't allowed to touch the Black Water Pool by themselves, we finally get to talk about Loudclan burials! (This idea has been rattling around in my brain since the bonus art for Moon 18!) Okay, so: When a cat dies, the ground on the mountain is too hard and shallow for them to really be effectively buried. Due to this, the body is placed into a shallow dip dug into the ground and then covered by a pile of heavy stones in a make-shift cairn. The cairn discourages larger scavengers, like foxes or ravens, who might carry pieces of the deceased away, but allows smaller scavengers like mice and insects to eat away the fleshy bits. After a few moons, (during which family and friends are encouraged to keep their distance and learn to live without the deceased) when the scavengers are finished and all that is left are clean bones, the body is exhumed and repositioned so that the skull is left exposed outside of the cairn that covers the rest of the body. This is meant to allow cats to speak directly to the spirit of specific dead clan mates, though there is, of course, no expectation that the spirit speak back. (This is what we see Fiercestripe do in the Moon 18 Bonus Art). All burials happen in a field of forget-me-nots (small, blue. five petal flowers) as they cover the scent of decay, and therefore the cairns/graves are often decorated with them, along with other flowers or plants that may have been special to the deceased. Less commonly, a family member may ask to take a piece of the deceased from the cairn, such as a small tail bone or claw that they will wear to "carry the deceased with them". This is only allowed if the cats are known to have a close relationship, and is very frowned upon if the requestor is not a close family member or lifelong mate.

The major exception to all of this "Starclan is nebulous and distant" stuff is when I draw ghosts (like Bluepaw talking to Owlstar, which, admittedly, I drew before I had a good grasp of what I wanted to do with spirits and starclan). I know that it sort of negates that distance but... I just think it's fun. I think it's more fun to see what the spirits have to say (on occassion) than strictly sticking to never seeing Starclan outside of the Black Water Pool. So for those instances just remember that you, as the audience are getting sort of a third person omniscient view. You can see the ghosts but the characters in the story cannot (unless it is stated that they can due to like ghost sight or something).

Of course, as I said at the beginning, I'm trying to remain flexible, and I'm sure I'm going to break all of these rules at some point, but if I do my job correctly, then moments when these rules break should be important, and not just because I'm disregarding or forgetting them.

On a completely different note: You're not gonna believe this but I actually did know that! I did a decent amount of research into the effects of oil exposure when i was thinking up the Black Water Pool and yeah! It absolutely has played a part in Eklutna's condition. She's had hemophilia since birth, (which very simply means that her blood doesn't clot very well (for all of you biology nerds out there yes i know that it is rare for a cis female to have full hemophilia but it is possible if both of her parents had it)), but that has 100% been worsened by her love of swimming in "the forbidden jacuzzi". As long as we are sharing fun facts: exposure to crude oil while pregnant, while not always, can occasionally cause birth defects like weak lungs!

[hd-erised]

We are over halfway through @hd-erised—isn't that exciting? It's been another fantastic week filled with art and fic and, as always, we hope you've been enjoying the fabulous submissions!

We hope you'll  take a moment to check out anything you might have missed this week, and don't forget to check our Week 1 and Week 2 round-ups for even more goodies. And, of course, please don't forget to leave a comment for our lovely artists and writers who make this fest the incredible experience that it is!! <3

Art:

Unemployed and On Guard for @makeitp1nk [T]

No One but Me for justlikewriting [M]

Fic:

Second Chance Resort for @elizah321[E, ~42,800]

A holiday forced on him by his friends after the latest in a long string of failed relationships might be a chance for Harry to relax, but all that is thrown up in the air by the appearance of one newly divorced Draco Malfoy. Mainly because they had been together almost fifteen years ago before Draco broke it off to marry the woman his mother chose for him… Feat. a matchmaking hotel, a spa day, an all-knowing Weasley, and friends who do try their best, but can get a little distracted.

Seven-and-sixpence for @oknowkiss [E, ~35,700]

The entire plan of Harry’s life had been defeat evil, become an Auror, marry Ginny. Not necessarily in that order, but it seemed to be going that way, the first two managed and the third in easy limbo. He can be better, though. He can be more. Draco will see to it.

Slip Slidin’ Your Way (In a Land of Fire and Ice) for @frm9pm [T, ~9,800]

How does a war-scarred young wizard recuperate and create a new identity? Harry opens himself to the magic of the land. Draco learns to wonder at the humblest of creatures. Years later, Magigeologist Evan Jameson and Malacologist Derek Black begin an enthusiastic correspondence. They’re in for a shock when they finally meet. Or: Science nerds go to Iceland and fall in love. Or: Why should kelp have all the fun?

Pillar of Salt for @agentmoppet [E, ~62,200]

From the lake in the Room of Hidden Things, Draco knows three things: 1. Mirror universes exist, and he’s going to find the best one—the one where he did the right thing. 2. Harry Potter and him are awfully cosy in some of these other universes, whereas Potter in real life is starting to act very odd around him indeed. 3. Draco’s reflection—the mirror version of him, the worst version of him—seems to be growing crueler. And stronger.

Prescription for @fantalfart [G, ~2,600]

Draco couldn't say he hated his job, not really. In fact, he loved it⁠—and wasn't that something surprising, a Malfoy being a Healer, when most of them hadn't worked a day in their lives?—and most of all, he loved knowing that he was helping people heal, above anything else. (And if there was a part of him that craved the normalcy of something that helped instead of what he had been taught to do his entire life? Well. That was between himself and his journal when he remembered to write in it.) (And maybe there was another reason too.)

Old love don't rust for @drarrydoodles [E, ~20,600]

“Why do you keep coming?” Malfoy asked at last. Harry mulled over the question. For a moment he debated trying to turn the tables and asking Malfoy the very same thing. But this time he didn’t want to hold back. “Because I can’t stop,” Harry said.

Equipoise for khalulu [T, ~88,200]

Ten years of peace have settled over the wizarding world, leaving Harry Potter feeling strangely adrift. Teaching Defense at Hogwarts is fine and all, but when mysterious magical blackouts start sweeping across the country, he can't help but jump at the chance to investigate. It would be the perfect outlet for his restless energy - if he didn't suddenly find himself tangled up in an elaborate charade, pretending to date the Prophet's most illustrious journalist, Draco Malfoy. Between hunting down the cause of the blackouts and maintaining their ruse, Harry's beginning to think that peacetime might actually be trickier - and far more surprising - than he'd bargained for.

Victory Lap for @traylalascrisis [E, ~4,700]

“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to eat first.” For emphasis, he pinches the skin at my waist. I want to cover myself in him. I want to roll in him like a dog. I want to devolve on top of him. And he wants me to sit nicely and use a knife and fork first?

[retiredteabag]

The Open Window Lets The Rain In

pt. 1 - pt. 2 - pt. 3

pairing: satoru x reader (semi suguru x reader)

synopsis: Your time at Jujutsu Tech was something of a sanctuary for you. The position you were born for did not allow you wishes of your own. Resigning yourself to your destiny, you savor the moments you have with your friends. And don't dare to wish for more.

tags/warnings -angst to eventual fluff, multi pov, canon compliant, series, mentions of child abuse, manipulation, malnutrition, violence, injuries, and smoking-

〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰

In your younger, and more venerable years, you would have never left the estate unattended. Maybe that is why, after everything that unraveled today, the lingering thought on your mind was how strange it felt to not fear solitude unchained.

"Do you ever feel like...she's not fully there?" Suguru murmured, filing through his bag, unpacking into his dorm once again. The boys had just made it back from the bullet train to Tokyo.

The summer break had been a nice respite for the two strongest, but there was nothing they enjoyed more than being in school, cracking jokes, and wasting time together.

"Huhh? Suguru, you seriously think too much." Satoru rolled his eyes beneath his glasses. He was splayed across Geto's bed, staring at the ceiling. "What does that even mean?" He giggles.

"Just-" Suguru sighs, "I don't know." He shakes his head in a 'never mind' type of way, and pulled out his uniform jacket, going to hang it up in the closet.

"Ughhhhh don't do that Suguru, you know you get in your head, right? Just say what you mean." Satoru pulled himself up and took off his shades, watching as Geto stretched his jacket onto a hanger.

Geto pauses to think, "You remember when Shoko was talking about marriage and stuff?" He began.

It had been in the middle of second year, the group had just been getting to know you. You had been starting to feel at home in Tokyo. One warm day, you and Shoko were laying out in the school yard, sunbathing and giggling about nonsense.

"They're trying to pull me away from missions, ya know? Totally sucks, I feel like I'm gonna be missing out." Shoko sighed, her eyes closed.

You both were on your backs, you turn to face her and grin, "You're just too important Ieiri, can't be loosing our precious healer!" But Shoko doesn't laugh.

"I just hate all this 'duty stuff'. I don't want to be...I don't know..." She runs a hand down her face. "Holed up in a lab all my life while my classmates eliminate curses and- and save people."

You continue to stare in her direction, hoping she'll meet your eyes. "You are saving people E, you must know that. Don't let the fomo get to you."

"I do, of course, but... I don't want to be valuable like this. I want... ugh" She cuts herself off as the two boys in your class make there way into the courtyard. Satoru takes gaping steps in the grass.

"What do you want Shoko? Hmm??" He squats down and hides her face from the sun. She attempts to shove him back but infinity gets in her way and she grimaces. "I want you to mind your own business, Gojo."

"Awe you're no fun." Gojo pouts. Plopping himself to your left. "What are you girls whining about anyway. It's so somber out here."

Neither of you said anything, you didn't want to speak about something Shoko didn't want to share. "Are we discussing our dreams, ladies?" He turned to look at you but you just roll your eyes. "Suguru?" He calls in a high pitch voice, "Suguru, have you got a dream?"

"Screw off, Gojo." Shoko sat up and threw Satoru a dirty look.

"Just askin'. I'll have you know I dream about my Digimon trading collection all the time."

The four of you sat in silence for awhile. It was strange, being amongst a group friends and not feeling left out. Eventually Shoko turned to look at Geto. He was always kinder.

"Have you got a dream?" She asked.

Gojo made a puking noise, "Oh my goooooshh not this again, I was kidding you know."

Suguru rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I guess I do, if you're talking about outside of the Jujutsu world."

"Do share with the class." She smiled. Satoru threw a silent tantrum, pulling up a chunk of grass at your side.

"It's pretty typical. Get married, fall in love, the normal stuff."

That really sent Satoru over the edge. "You've GOT to be kidding me." He wheezed. Suguru just raised an eyebrow in his direction. "Oh, you are soooo cringy." He plopped himself back on the grass and made one of the blades into a kazoo.

"Don't listen to him Geto, he's immature."

"AM NOT!"

You all chuckle. Eventually Shoko nods, "Yeah. That sounds nice." The two of them share a moment of ease before she finishes, "Sounds...normal."

You can hear Gojo mentally plugging his ears at this discussion. But eventually Shoko looks down at you. "What about you," she calls your name. "Do you want a family and all that?"

You were hoping she wouldn't have said anything. You were content to hear them speak about their perfectly attainable dreams. But you weren't sure if you were comfortable enough to bear your true feelings out in the open like this.

"Ummm..." You mumble. Having also taken up anxiously pulling at the weeds in the lawn, you fiddle with some between your fingers. "Meh, ya know?"

You shrug, twisting your lips. Shoko does look at you this time, "Meh? Really? I would have though you would be a total romantic!" She pushes at your shoulder and you smile.

"Well, I don't know..." You wish the boys weren't there to hear about all this, but they had gone silent. Listening intently. Even Gojo appeared to have his eyes closed, not interrupting this time.

Shoko pokes at your side, "What do you mean you don't know.... oh my gosh don't tell me-" She gasps, covering her mouth with her hand, "did you get your heart broken over in Kyoto?!" She leans in closer to grasp your shoulders, shaking you violantly. You break out in giggles at the thought.

"No! N-no, Shoko!" You laugh.

"Well what is it? Even the big guy over here got all cheesy." She pulls back and smacks Geto in the chest.

In the moment of light humor, you puff out a breath, "It's not that, its just..." You try to find the words. Knowing they wouldn't understand but hoping they might. "That type of stuff isn't really in the cards for me."

It took a moment but it seemed as though time stopped. It got quiet and Shoko hesitated before laughing. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The sun suddenly feels too bright behind your eyelids, you lift yourself up, crossing your arms over your knees, grateful Satoru is still laying prone on the grass below you. "I'm not really..." you hesitate, trying to be nice, "The same at you guys."

Shoko laughs again but it's clear she's confused. She yanks at your ear, and you pretend to smile while tugging her hand away. "I have a...I don't know...I have a life laid out for me, right?" You turn to your right and see Shoko and Geto staring at you now, brows furrowed.

"No, no, no, its not- ugh this is coming out wrong..." You giggle, adjusting your hair, suddenly flustered by their avid attention. "I just... hate the idea of loving someone and then...dying, right? That would be pretty bad..." You mumble off.

There's silence and it's starting to feel awkward again, just as you're about to break it and apologize, Suguru speaks up.

"You can still marry though. I mean...your life isn't just Jujutsu."

You smile at him. "Right..." You agree, but you know he's wrong. They would never understand. The only person who might is Satoru, and he wouldn't talk about it, even if he wanted to.

Because, Suguru is wrong, your life IS Jujutsu, it was what you were born and bred to do. The scars on your neck stand as proof. You were nothing more than a weapon.

And wishing for more would give you nothing but unnecessary hope to eventually be crushed under the weight of reality.

--

That had been almost a year ago now, Satoru couldn't believe Suguru was still thinking about that time. Gojo hates thinking about it, actually. And he certainly didn't want to be talking about it right now.

"Yeah. I remember, why are you bringing that up?"

Suguru puts his clothing into the closet and kicks a pair of shoes under a desk on his way back to his duffle. "Just that, I don't think she really confides in us. I feel like she's being used by the higher-ups."

Gojo stops flipping his sunglasses around in his hands and shoves them up on top of his head. "Really, Suguru." His voice is lower than usual. He's looking directly at the boy before him, and he shoves himself off the bed as he proclaims, "You're an idiot if you think she's the only one."

--

While you're classmates were unpacking at school, you still had to wait the full deration of break before returning to your sanctuary. You had spent the day meticulously preparing your few items for the return journey. Moseying throughout the establishment you had been raised in.

Today you would be seeing your one and only friend that knew you fully.

You had always felt comfortable in the silence with Kaito. In your first year back from school, the boy wanted nothing more than to hear of your adventures learning your technique, of your daily life, of the friends you had made.

It was not uncommon for the pair of you to fantasize of a life beyond the boarding you grew up within, but as your naivety fled from you, so too fled the wishful dreams you carried in your youth.

You had always assumed Kaito felt the same...

It started the night before summer breaks end. Kaito told you to meet him in the far gardens that next morning. Him, unwatched as an unskilled member of the staff, you, now too important to be enslaved to the ring. You were thrilled to be able to have a moment alone. To feel normal, to feel like friends... like kids.

Kaito seemed off even then. Asking you with a far away look about your time in Tokyo. About the sorcerers you met, about your new life.

Hours later, you would sit, alone in the garden playing back the words you had shared.

"They work us to the bone, Kai, sometimes I wish I was still here with you." You had said.

You hadn't meant it. Every day you were at Jujutsu Tech was an insurmountable gratitude. There was almost nothing you would give it up for. But Kaito was still stuck at the estate, only a few months left in his contract, and you didn't want to flaunt the joy he had yet to experience away from the place.

"Can't be that bad..." He gave you a faraway smile.

"I'm serious" you fibbed, "It's like I'm always on a mission, and when I'm not, I'm stressing over all the homework they give us." You roll your eyes, not looking back to the boy fiddling with his hands.

He looked so much like a man now. "You would probably do well there, Kai, you were always smarter than me." You make to look at him but notice he's fallen behind, focused on a patch of weeds growing behind a fence.

You make to call for him but he beats you, muttering your name, and some unintelligible phrase.

"What?" You turn fully now, taking a step towards him.

He swallows. "You don't have to go back." He says with more finality.

And you don't know what to say.

He can't be serious. You were well past pretending to have a life of your own. You chuckle, thinking he must be joking. "Why, should we run off and join the circus?"

There is nothing but humor in your words, but his eyes are more serious then you've ever seen them. And suddenly you know what was coming. Perhaps it had always been there, but you simply could not allow him to say it. You're filled with panic at the thought.

Later you would sit on a stepping stone, pulling up grass like Satoru once had, knowing that there had been nothing you could have said to have prevented it from happening, but at the time, you couldn't help but try.

He says nothing. Looking at you with intensity.

"No." You want to turn away from him. Shut the whole discussion in a box and never think about it again. But you stare at him with might. Begging him to see the severity of your expression. "No. Kai, no."

"Please." And then he's begging you. Just like he used to when you would tell him to not patch up your wounds. Like he used to when you would give him too much of your food. Like he used to when the teachers would torture you for something so trivial. He says your name again.

"Please." He calls to you, "Don't you see, it's always been you. You're all there is for me, you're all I want." And though you hear his words, you have already deigned to ignore them. Still, he does not stop.

"You have to know." He keeps calling your name, hoping you would soften, "I would do anything." "Stop." You've chosen a new tactic. Perhaps if you are mean. Mean to him and he won't say it.

But he says it anyway.

"You're all I have ever loved."

And there it is.

"Kai." You close your eyes. Hoping this is a nightmare.

"I've already thought about it!" He's known you long enough to tell you are attempting to block him out, "We could do it. I've saved up, and I'm of age now, listen-" He smiles painfully "-you don't have to go..."

He's coming closer to you but you're stumbling back. Refusing to allow yourself any comfort.

You have to try, "You don't... get it." You whisper.

"I do. I do!" He raises his hands. "I promise you, we could do it. Come with me! Let me...let me show you." He reaches for your hand but you spin from him, stumbling.

"Please stop... I can't- I can never- you don't see." You are unsure of how to say it. This has all come as a shock.

But then he's grabbing your shoulders and spinning you around. He's looking you dead in the face. Those words coming from him like a dam you cannot contain. "I love you. I am in love with you. Please. Please don't go back. You don't have to fulfill-" He laughs, feeling enlightened, "Sorcery. You don't have to do it."

Even through his laughter though, you know. He knows. You both do. That there might have been something there. Maybe because you shared each other's struggles. Maybe it was strung in after all those hours together in that hell... but you both also know it would never work.

Because your destiny has already been chosen for you. And you were not made to love, or be loved.

"We could be married. And be done with it." He looks so certain and there is a tiny, muted part of you that wants to believe him. "Don't go back..."

And despite your knowledge of that muted space in your heart, the overwhelming response has been waiting for him to finish.

"We can't." And a stupid part of you wants that to be enough. For him to turn from you and never speak of it again.

But Kai has always been resilient in his own way.

"We can! I love you.... do you hear me? We can-"

"No. Kai. Stop." You pull your hand to put distance between you two.

And after years with the boy, you can see the emotions raise in him. "Is there someone else?" His gaze falls, "Someone... at that school?"

And this being his reply draws out the most ridiculous laugh from you. Does he think that is why you're turning him down? That you've fallen for some other man?

"No! Kai, please. No." But the humor is far from your voice.

The silence that follows is painful.

"This is so-ugh...Kaito. Don't you get it?" You're looking at him, gently now, but he just seems incredulous.

"Don't you see I can never marry?" There.

And oddly enough, though you were certain you had come to terms with it, it feels good to say it out loud.

"I have a path laid out before me." Before he can interrupt you shove out your hand, "And I care too deeply for you to put you in a position like that."

You're resolved. And maybe he's finally seeing it now.

"I'll never be able to live that way. God, Kai, I thought you knew!" You roll your eyes. Hoping to play the whole garden fiasco off but he won't turn from you.

"No." He's shaking his head. And suddenly he looks more like a boy than he has in years.

"Yes. Kaito. You will find some girl and love her, and live long lives together, and be happy. I am certain. But that life... we are different in this way." He hasn't stopped shaking his head.

"You're wrong. You don't see it now... but you will." And for the first time this evening he isn't making sense to you, "You will find it...and live that way. I'm sure."

"Kaito..." You sigh. But he's done now. And it has ended poorly for both of you it seems.

He's turned from you.

"You're leaving. Today, aren't you, on the train?"

You swallow thickly. Nod, and finally say, "Yes." Instead of 'I have to".

"There's nothing." His shoulders shake. And he hiccups. "There isn't anything I could say. To change your mind, is there?"

Everything in you is saying to follow him now. To wrap your arms around him like you did when he was a small child. To say something about your duty to make this a little better.

But if you are kind now, perhaps he will never let this go... and that, that is more cruel than anything you could say. So instead of being kind, all you say is,

"No. There's nothing."

And then he's gone. And he's left you alone in the garden.

It takes hours for your first tears to fall.

And you miss your train.

--

Four and a half hours away in Tokyo your friends eat dinner.

As they eat, they wonder where you are and why you haven't come.

〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰〰・♡・〰

taglist @giyuuuuuu4ever

[lavender-butterfly-cookie]

I meant the isekai x self-aware fic with the team that you would never fight. I love it and want to see a part 2 of it. (sorry if I worded my previous ask incorrectly and confused you into thinking I was talking about another fic!)

OH- Butterfly- be more specific next time. I got around 3 different self-aware crk au's going on and you ought to specify which one you're referring to. I'm gonna mix them up if you don't T T Anyways, part two coming right up

Previous part

The ball's in your court pt2

While the battle between the heroes and Shadow Milk cookie raged on, Y/N cookie was just chilling with the kids and watching from the side eating popcorn (From where? nobody knows). The fight was pretty much still a 50/50 battle since neither team was taking enough damage for defeat. When did Shadow Milk cookie become THIS resilient??? Oh well, provided you got the healers doing their job and everyone else is holding up it would be fine.

Gingerbrave: So...

Strawberry cookie: The baker, hm?...

Wizard cookie: I thought you'd be bigger...

Y/N cookie: the feeling is mutual. And take as much time as you need to come to terms with it.

Strawberry cookie: And those cookies- the ones you brought to fight. Are... they the really like the ones we know? As in- the white lily cookie and dark cacao cookie. I don't know who the other two are.

Y/N cookie: Yes and no. Unlike the cookies of this universe, these ones are solely brought in to fight the enemy on my command. And if they crumble it's not a permanent death. They'll always come back provided I choose to use them for battle again. And even if I don't, they're on standby. Though I don't exactly think I'll need to put any of them on the bench with how well the battle is going.

Y/N cookie looks back at the fight, which hasn't calmed down in the slightest. But at least they were slowly getting the upper hand. The three other cookies looked at each other before looking at the baker.

Wizard cookie: So you're saying that anyone you choose to fight for you can and will appear?

Y/N cookie: Yeah, but that'll probably only be possible once I beat this boss or they lose.

Gingerbrave: Wow! This is so cool! It's like some awesome video game in real life!

Y/N cookie:... riiiiiiiiiiiight......

Strawberry cookie: I have a question.

Y/N cookie: Ask away.

Strawberry cookie: Earlier you said something about... Elder Faerie crumbling?... I-is that really gonna happen?

Y/N cookie: Uhh

Wizard cookie: Oh so I wasn't the only one who heard that.

Y/N cookie: Well-

Gingerbrave: Wait- he's gonna crumble?! When?!

Y/N cookie: Ok just calm down so I can speak, geez!

All three cookies go silent, looking up at Y/N cookie with visible concern as they sigh.

Y/N cookie: So originally, he supposed to die. I'm not gonna go into too much detail cuz that's way too many spoilers but yeah, he dies. I was admittedly hoping it wouldn't come to that since a whole lot of dialogue was changed, but I guess there odds of the story changing were pretty low.

Gingerbrave: W-when does it happen?! Maybe we can stop it?!

Y/N cookie: Considering how long the fight's been going I'd say right about-

Just then there was a yell of pain from the battle grounds, causing all the cookies to look at the source. Surprise surprise, Elder faerie was dying.

Y/N cookie: Now...

The four went to the scene. (skipping the whole using the guardians strength part because it's gonna take forever for me to finish this story if I don't.)

Y/N cookie: Can't you heal him or something, Mystic flour cookie?

Mystic flour cookie: No.

Y/N cookie: Why not-

Mystic flour cookie: I'm not about to interfere with a canon event.

Y/N cookie: Ah- fair.

Burning Spice cookie: And so the old fool dies. And yet, I still feel nothing.

Y/N cookie: Wait is that a ref-

White Lily cookie: WHY ARE YOU GUYS SO NOCHALANT ABOUT THIS?! I JUST BECAME A GUARDIAN FOR TREES SAKE!

Moonflower Faerie: You'll get over it.

White Lily cookie: Wait- really?

Moonflower faerie: No- that's gonna haunt you for weeks to come, trust me.

White Lily cookie: oh-

Dark Cacao cookie (Dragon lord): Now, let us make haste and seal that wretched beast once and for all.

Y/N cookie: He's gonna be back in- like, Beast yeast episode 7

Burning spice + Mystic flour: What?-

Y/N cookie: Nothing- let's just go!

[ancientgoddessofegypt]

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PURPOSE? WHAT ARE YOU MEANT TO DO? WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR?

From Left (Pile 1, 3) Right (Pile 2, 4) Middle (Pile 5)

PILE 1 - 'HEALERS OF THE NILE, PROTECTORS OF THE EVE'

Psychic Tarot - Heartache & Loss + Sacrifice + Self-Master

Heart Oracle - Balance + Joy & Stability + Choose Your Battles + Sadness & Isolation

A lot of this pain you have transmutes itself into laughter, joy, and appreciation for life itself. A lot of people adore you and enjoy being around you because you heal them with just being who you are. You guys may of had a childhood that separated you from others. You could of been bullied, or felt like an outcast in some way. Some of you could have also dealt with depression or some sort of heartbreak that made you who you are today. You are a beacon of joy to others and without you a lot of people wouldn't have been able to see the light. When you feel like you're hiding there is always something that forces you back into the spotlight. You are like the sun and you've been brought here to show people what its like to live in your power, your truth and exploring the gifts God gave you. A lot of people who are depressed themselves, carrying pain and trauma will see your light and we'll see that there truly is hope in this world. You remind people that giving up is not an option, and you yourself get up everyday trying to make the world a better place to exist. So if no one ever told you thanks for all you've done, all you've been for them. I'll say it for you. You're efforts have not been unnoticed, and in due time you will see that the healing work you've put in will be another persons story that gets them out of bed. I'm not joking.

You're made for so much more, and you know it. Allow your vibe, your presence to be the journey. You don't have to do anything more. Just being yourself in this world is enough.

God bless you.

PILE 2 - 'GIVERS OF SUCCESS. MORPHING INTO YOUR TRUE REALITY.'

Psychic Oracle - Truth (Sideways) + Firm Foundation.

Heart Oracle - Seek the Truth + Win or Lose + Master + Victory & Success + Daydreams & Decisions (Sideways).

You guys are a big deal in the astral realms. You guys have an infinite connection to the spirit realm but through out life you guys weren't sure how to build that relationship with the divine. Some of you are a bit stubborn, hard headed, and even a bit arrogant. But it takes time to surrender to the divine. It takes patience, practice and diligence to agree with your life's purpose. With that being said, a lot your gifts are calling you to be an influencer in some way. Yes, I said it. You're called into the spotlight, but in a way that benefits the community and society as a whole. You guys are starlight with this alien consciousness that deserves to be noticed by the masses. People can't get their grip on you, and that's okay. Your purpose is equipped for bigger things, big magic I call it. Your called to be at the top love, do what you will with that. You came here already knowing what's within, I apologize if anyone or anything convinced you otherwise. You'll have that on your road to success. They'll never get why it was them who had to wait for the success they looked for, craved even. But you, never showed despair or an angst for not getting what you wanted. It was simply just not your time. Divine purpose is in letting the brain connect to the physical realm and find things to create during that time. You have big dreams kid, so let your voice, your mind, and your presence be the movement. Everyone will open their hands in order to help you guide the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Influential Order. Dynamics Changing. Opening Doors To New Paths. There Is One Way, And It's Yours.

Take this time to learn yourself, you have more gifts and abilities than you know.

God Bless.

PILE 3 - THE SIREN. THE EMPRESS. THE KING. THE WITCH. THE POWERFUL MATRIX ASCENDER.

PsychIc Oracle - Accelerated Motion + Movement, Choices, Decisions + Passion Ignited

Heart Oracle - Dreams Coming True + New Vitality + Crown Chakra

There's power in your name. Your voice holds energy that can't be mistaken as weak. You have abundance written all over you, yet you still don't see your purpose. What makes you love your life and what is meant for you. A beautiful life. A world meant to be enjoyed and embarked on with full autonomy and free of the judgement of others. There are times where you wonder what roads to take, but there are none. It's just you, living, breathing, succeeding and just being in love. You have 'no purpose' to fulfill. Your purpose is to just be in enjoyment of the world and to view the stars as a magical infinity where all your dreams can come true. You have to learn that not everything is about you in this lifetime, that your world isn't like others. So don't make it out to be. You're blessed in areas that others work hard to get. Please remember that you're a goddess, a god, a king or queen or whatever you choose to label yourself as. You don't have to work hard in this life, let me remind you, you came here to succeed NATURALLY.. That is a gift. You're honored in past lives and this one you're honored in this one. You just have to make way for yourself to receive. Be open to the divine and what its promised you. Just take time being seen for all that you are, and watch how things come for you with ease and grace. No distress. Just practice gratitude in this life, thats literally you're calling. Special Presence. Love & Life. Appreciation Of The Stars. The Most High Watches Over You. Joy In Your Flesh. Being Present For The Moment. Enjoying Wonders Beneath The Soil. A Garden Awaiting To Bloom.

God Bless.

PILE 4 - LOVE & BALANCE. SPIRITUAL HEALING. MORPHING INTO ONE.

Heart Oracle - Spiritual Union + Balance + Master

Bonus Reading: New Vitality

A love from the Gods. Creators of the Promise Land. The adams and the eve. The Apple & The Tree. The Great Awakening. A spiritual love that surpasses time. A love worth dreaming and waiting for. Your higher-selves needed this. So you could show the world what is true. There is a billion stars in the horizon, but yet you two showed the world that the universe lives in you.Theres so many realities one could take, yet this is the one for you. You've been called, chosen for this. Your calling is connected to your romantic lover. Its graced with protection, love, grace, connection, authenticity and a reality that no one knew was possible.

The energy is felt across thousands, and this love is worth a million times more than that. You'll be protected in spaces that are deserving to see you and come in contact with you guys grace. Always remember to keep quiet about your union as some people's evil eye can try to infect itself into you guys love. Not all has to be private, but again, not many souls can view this perfect union. You are God's Angels on Earth.

You are connected to a higher love, a union that meets pass social standards and beliefs. God Bless.

PILE 5 - PERFORMING FOR THE UNIVERSE. STARS. CALLING AWAITS YOU ON THE LARGEST STAGE OF GOD.

Psychic Oracle - Firm Foundation + Memories Of Love + Stand Your Ground

Heart Oracle - Shine + Hope + Heal

A God Or Goddess that's been called to be on stage in some sort. Artistic abilities are strongest when you show them to people. You might be a leo or have leo placements. You might have 5th house placements. You might have neither. Either way, you have a destiny that makes you shine like one, thats for sure. You have been given the grace to keep these efforts flowing. Sure the humble beginnings made you feel like this was going no where, and there could of been weight you were holding that kept you beneath waters. You have to give yourself time to see yourself in that light again, thats ok. Feelings of being ungrounded might of been common in the past, but now you are more aware of your talents than ever before. And that counts for something. You've been given the green light to be a star since birth. You didn't know at the time, but at some point it became apparent. Give yourself time to grow in your talents and gifts. The stage is awaiting your gracious gifts. We really get a kick out of it. Also the number 17 in tarot is significant. 17 came up twice for you and its a simple of hope and making a wish come true. You can have the world if you asked, don't forget it. Always be you in a world that tells you otherwise. If you ever felt scared of your own gifts, now is the time to cast out that vibration. You're meant to be seen in all your glory. Remember it.

Unique talents will be what gives you the greatest joy & its what keeps you feeling alive.

Ase! God Bless.

[foundtherightwords]

Fallen Empires - Chapter 3

Pairing: Geta x OFC

Summary: Having done the unthinkable to secure his throne, Emperor Geta rules with ruthlessness and paranoia. Now, after escaping an assassination attempt, a badly injured Geta is saved by Daphne, a young widow, who takes him back to her remote village without knowing his true identity. As Daphne nurses the former emperor back to health, attraction blooms between them, and Geta discovers a soft side he didn't know he possessed. But can their love survive his thirst for revenge and his desire to reclaim power?

Chapter warnings: stillbirth, mentions of surgery and blood

Chapter word count: 4.6k

Prologue + Chapter 1 - Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Geta's convalescence was a long one. Though the fever had broken, he was still frail, and even the slightest exertion left him breathless, his chest cramping painfully. He had never been ill in his life. While on campaigns, even when the army had been struck down with plagues, he had remained in good health. He had never even been injured, save for the one time in the Circus Maximus when he'd broken his leg for a foolish dare. He always saw it as a sign of the gods' favor, and this unaccustomed weakness infuriated him. For days, he lay tossing and turning in bed, cursing the traitorous Martialis for wounding him, cursing his body for its slowness to heal, cursing the army and the Senate for their inactivity and stupidity. Useless lot! They were probably running around like chickens with their heads cut off while he lay here rotting, while his enemies might be creeping closer, and he was helpless to defend himself.

It didn't help that the healer, Daphne, was always reminding him of his helplessness. Anything he wanted to do, she would say he was not well enough. He was tired of the constant thin gruel and broth that she was feeding him? He was not well enough for solid food. He wanted a bath? He was not well enough for a bath. He wanted some privacy to relieve himself? He was not well enough to get out of bed on his own.

It was this last thing that made him lose his temper.

"This is intolerable!" he shouted, though in truth it was more like a gasp. "Can a man even take a piss on his own?" He kicked at the chamber pot, which toppled over. Luckily, it was empty, and his leg had no strength, so the pot didn't even break. He remembered all too well that it was pissing on his own that had landed him here. This only incensed him further.

"There is no need for that kind of behavior," Daphne said, calmly picking up the chamber pot and setting it upright. "Now are you going to let me help, or are you going to stay there until you piss yourself?"

There was nothing he could say to that. Grimacing, he allowed her to put her shoulder under his arm. For all her thinness, she was strong and had no trouble lifting him to his feet.  

"If you don't stop working yourself up like this, you'll never recover," Daphne said, once he was done.

"I can take care of myself!" he snapped. He managed to get back into bed, where he lay panting and wheezing.

Daphne shook her head, clearly exasperated with his stubbornness but not wanting to agitate him further. "I'll bring you some valerian to help you sleep," she said, covering up the chamber pot.

"No! No more of your witch's brews!" Those made him feel like his head had been stuffed with wool and brought his ghosts back with such vividness that he feared they would step out of the shadows and into the waking world. "I don't want to sleep," he continued. "I want to see something that is not these cursed walls. Open that window," he ordered, though the window was so high up that he knew he couldn't see anything but the sky through it.

"It is open."

"Then why is it so stuffy in here? I can't breathe!" He clawed at the neckline of his tunic.

"It's not the room. It's your lung. The wound must be deeper than I thought." Still, she obliged him by throwing open the door and keeping it open to let in some air and light. "Let me see if I can find some mullein for that," she said, bustling out.

She was always bustling. In and out of the room, bringing him medicine and food. In and out of the hut, fetching water and firewood, drying herbs, mixing her concoctions. She hardly seemed to sleep. Even on the rare occasions she sat down by his bed, she was constantly moving, checking his forehead for signs of the fever returning, checking his pulses, changing the dressing of his wounds, or waving a fan over him to chase away the flies.

Always talking as well, though often not at him. He had been quite alarmed one day when he heard her shout, "Amalthea! Get out of the garden!" until he realized she was talking to her goat. The goat bleated in protest, and she responded, "And none of your lip, thank you very much. You know you're not allowed in there." It embarrassed Geta to realize she was talking to the goat much in the same way she talked to him. Her chattering, mixed with the bleating of the goats, the braying of the donkeys, and the buzzing of some insects, grated on his ears, making it impossible for him to focus on more important matters at hand—namely, how to return to his army, discover who was behind his assassination attempt, and exact his revenge.

But even at night, when it was all quiet, he couldn't think of anything to do other than to find his way back to Edessa as soon as possible and hope that the army was still there. Strategizing had never been one of his strengths on the battlefield; he'd often relied on brute force to catch his enemies by surprise. But how can one fight an unknown enemy? He tried to come up with a list of people who might want him dead, but it soon became too long to keep straight in his head. And so he continued to agonize in futility over his own helplessness, without making any progress at all.

Another thing that annoyed him was Daphne's calmness. No matter how much he raged at her, she remained unflappable, the slightly dour expression on her face never changing, like a weary mother used to dealing with her child's tantrums. But she wasn't a mother. As far as Geta knew, she had no family and lived alone, save for her animals—the donkey and a couple of goats.

For a healer, she received remarkably few visitors. Rather than wait for people to come to her like most healers, she would, every few days or so, pack two saddlebags full of herbs and potions, put them on the donkey, make her rounds in the village, and not come back until late in the afternoon. Geta supposed he should count himself lucky, for the remoteness and loneliness of the hut meant fewer chances of his enemies discovering him. However, since Daphne always took care of closing the door to his room and warning him not to make a noise whenever she went out, it only made him feel like a prisoner.

When Daphne returned from the village, he always asked if there was news, and she always shook her head. "But we're only a little hamlet," she added apologetically. "News takes a long time to reach us." It did nothing to reassure Geta. And, because he couldn't think of anyone from his circle to pin his suspicion on, he turned his suspicion to Daphne herself. True, she might have saved him out of the goodness of her heart, but who knew what she could have heard during her travels? She might have learned his true identity already. She might be in contact with his enemies and was waiting to hand him over to them.   

These suspicions took over his mind until he could no longer rest. He started to refuse his food and medicine until she tried them first, which she obliged grudgingly. He questioned her incessantly every time she went out, hoping to catch her in a lie, but she never slipped up. Eventually, he decided he needed to look through her possessions to make sure she wasn't hiding anything from him.

One day, after Daphne had packed her saddlebags and the clip-clop of the donkey's hoofs had faded down the hill, Geta carefully sat up in bed and put his feet down on the floor. Even this simple act made his head swim, so he had to sit on the bed for a while. Once the dizziness passed, he pulled himself up. Then, holding on to the walls for support and dragging one foot after the other, he made his way into the front room, which, during all his time in the hut, he had only seen in brief glimpses and glances.

It was not much larger than the bedroom and was as crowded as the bedroom was sparse. True, there wasn't much furniture—only a rough wooden table and a few stools by a window opposite the hearth, and a little cot in the corner—but the rest of the room was taken up by shelves upon shelves of amphorae, jars, bottles, vials of all shapes and sizes. A large stone mortar and pestle sat on the table, and bundles of herbs dangled from the low ceiling, giving off their bitter aroma. In the tiny hut with its dusty walls and floor, baked by the sun, the smell was suffocating.

Any of those containers could be hiding the evidence of her treachery. Geta picked up a jar closest to him, opened it, and recoiled as the pungent smell of vinegar hit his nostrils. It would be impossible to search them all.

As he stood looking about in confusion, not knowing where to begin, his attention was drawn to a shuffling sound outside the door. One of the goats? No, it was footsteps. Somebody was coming.

With a speed he scarcely thought possible, Geta turned and ran—or rather, staggered—back to the bedroom. He shut the door behind him just as the front door of the hut creaked open.

Clamping a hand over his mouth to stop his wheezing breath from echoing through the small hut, he put an eye to a crack in the door. An enormous woman, with a torso like a barrel and arms like tree trunks, was pushing her way into the hut. She had to bump the door open with her wide hip because her arms were laden with loaves of freshly baked bread. Their warm scent wafted toward the bedroom door, making Geta's mouth water.

"Daphne!" the woman shouted, making the hut positively tremble. "You here?" Then, although it was clear there was no one in the hut to hear her, she continued, "Just taking some stomachic, all right?"

The woman dumped the loaves into a basket by the hearth, where they would be kept warm, and took down a jar from the shelf with a practiced air. She decanted a concoction from the jar into a smaller vial, put the vial in a pouch on her belt, and went out again, leaving the jar on the table.

Geta knew he should go back out and resume his search, but the incident had left him exhausted. He sat down on the bed again. I'll rest for a bit, just until I get my breath back, he thought and fell promptly asleep.

A clatter woke him. The little patch of sky outside his window was tinged with purple and Daphne was bringing him his dinner on a tray as usual. Geta was enraged, mostly at himself. A whole day, wasted. He would have to wait for the next time she left.

"I heard a woman come in today, while you were out," he mentioned to Daphne, trying to sound casual.

"Oh, that would be Tatia, the baker. She brought the bread."

"She took something as well."

"Yes, I know. She left the jar on the table."

"So you just leave your hut open for people to come in whenever they want and take whatever medicine they please?" he asked, baffled.

Daphne shrugged. "That's how we do things around here."

"But—what if they take something they shouldn't? What if they take without leaving the container out? How would you know? What if they use your herbs to harm others?"

She fixed those inscrutable eyes on him. "Are you always this suspicious?" she said.

"Are you always this naïve?" he countered.

"I'm not naïve," she said calmly. "These are my neighbors. I know them and trust them. That's different than being naïve."

It was on the tip of his tongue to point out to her that the people one knows and trusts are mostly likely to betray that trust, but he stopped himself in time. If her conviction had served her well thus far, it wouldn't be his responsibility to open her eyes.

"But how do they pay you?" he asked.

"With their own products," she said, gesturing to the bread. It was true that he had seen her return from her rounds with amphorae of oil and wine, jars of olives, and even a length of linen. "We have little use for coins around here," she added.

Geta could well believe her. He had a coin pouch on his belt, containing a handful of copper asses, a few brass sesterces, and a silver denarius, as he always did whenever he went out. One never knows when the occasion may arise to play the part of a magnanimous Emperor by tossing a few coins to the plebs. But Daphne hadn't touched it. All the better. If she had, she would have recognized her patient's face stamped on the coins.

Daphne may have little use for his coins, but still, it didn't mean she was trustworthy. And so Geta bid his time and waited until she next left for the village, so he could have a thorough search of her things, not only make sure she was not in secret correspondence with his enemies, but also to determine what kind of person she was.

Before he could carry out the search, however, something occurred to answer the question of Daphne for him.

That night, he was woken by the faint but frantic ringing of a bell, which he'd never heard before. He bolted upright, and for a moment, thought he was back in Rome—although it had been four years since he was last in Rome—and the bell was the fire alarm sounded by the Vigiles. Then the door burst open, and Daphne came in, silhouetted against the light from a lamp in the room behind her.

"There's an emergency," she said, throwing a mantle over her tunic. "I may have to go into the village, or the person needing care will be brought here. Either way, I need you to stay in this room and stay quiet." Without waiting for an answer from him, she went back out, shutting the door behind her.

She hadn't been gone for long when he heard voices, low but urgent, coming in from the outside. One was Daphne's. "Put her here," she was saying.

"I didn't know what to do," a male voice said, sounding close to tears. "She's bleeding so much—I shouldn't have moved her—but I was afeard that if I went and got you, it'd be too late—"

"Shh," Daphne said, her voice reassuring. "You did right to bring her here, Habib. Now light all the lamps and put on some water to boil for me." 

Geta crept out of bed and looked through the crack in the door. In the fitful light of the lamp, he saw Daphne bending over a figure on the cot, which had been pulled to the middle of the room. It was a woman, Geta could see that by her long dark hair and the swell of her belly, which Daphne was feeling with a practiced hand. A young man, his chubby face barely covered with dark fuzz, was lighting more lamps with trembling hands. His features were Syriac, though he was speaking Greek with the same strange accent as Daphne's. There was a large red stain on the front of his tunic.

The figure on the cot moaned.

"You said she fell?" Daphne asked the young man, who was busy stoking the fire.

"It was my fault," Habib said sorrowfully. "I should've helped her bring the sheep in... but she insisted on doing it..."

"Don't blame yourself," Daphne said. "It was an accident." She gestured toward an amphora on the table. "You've done what you can for her. Take some wine and go outside for a breath of fresh air." Habib hesitated, his eyes lingering on the figure on the cot, but Daphne gave him a little shove with her foot. "Go on," she said. "I will do everything I can."

After one last look at his wife, Habib reluctantly took the amphora and left the hut.

Daphne turned back to the cot. Her face was somber as she measured a few drops of milky liquid from a vial into a cup and held it to the woman's lips, and her voice was firm but gentle as she said, "Drink, Lenia. It'll help with your pain." Geta recognized her tone. She'd spoken to him the same way during his fever.

To his surprise, Daphne went to the bedroom and opened the door. "I need your help," she whispered.

"I don't—"

She pressed the vial into his hand. "Here. Just watch her; if she stirs, put a drop or two on her tongue. That's all. Quickly."

Geta followed her into the front room, where the patient, Lenia, now lay motionless. A spoon had been wedged between her teeth to keep her mouth slightly open. Daphne set about cleaning her scalpel and making the first incision on Lenia's belly. Geta watched, fascinated. He was no stranger to blood. On the battlefields, he had seen surgeons remove arrowheads, amputate damaged limbs, and sew up cuts and gashes, but those had always been brutal, filthy scenes, full of not only blood and other bodily fluids but mud as well, accompanied by much shouting and cursing, with the surgeon acting as a butcher as much as a healer. Never had he witnessed such a silent operation, where the surgeon was so tender and meticulous. Once or twice, Daphne gestured for him to drip the poppy juice onto Lenia's tongue, or to hand her this or that tool. There was no sound except for their breathing—Daphne calm and almost inaudible, Lenia shallow but steady, and his own wheezing one—and the soft clattering of the tools Daphne put down on the tray next to the cot.

As she worked, Daphne's face grew darker and darker, while Lenia's grew paler and paler. Geta didn't know that a woman could bleed so much and still live.

For some reason, his thoughts wandered to his father's first wife, Paccia Marciana, who had died in childbirth. Some even said she was his true mother, and that she had died giving birth to him and his brother. Geta never had any reason to believe it was the truth, but now, in this small room, in the fitful light of the lamps, surrounded by blood and grim-faced women, he was struck by a sense of superstition. What if he had killed his own mother? That would be another victim waiting for him in fiery Phlegethon.

A movement from Daphne drew his attention again, cutting off his dark thoughts. She was leaning over the pregnant woman, whispering, "Lenia? Can you hear me?" Lenia made no sound, gave no indication that she was even conscious.

"Daphne?" Habib's diffident voice came through the door. "How's it going in there? Do you need any help?"

Daphne's mouth trembled as she looked from Lenia's white, sweat-drenched face to her still-swollen belly.

"What is it?" Geta asked under his breath.

Daphne shook her head at him and bent over Lenia again. "I can't save you both," she continued, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. What do I do? What do I do?"

There was no answer from the patient. No one heard Daphne's anxious question, save for Geta.

Finally, Daphne seemed to have made up her mind. Pressing her lips together, she took a deep breath. "No, Habib," she said more loudly, her voice steady. "It's all right. Just... stay out there." She took up her scalpel once more.

Geta looked away, the vial of poppy juice forgotten. Was it simply because it was a woman and thus her predicament felt worse to him, or had his own brush with death made him soft?

When he looked back, Daphne was finishing stitching Lenia up. Something small and gray and red lay on a blanket on the floor. "What have you done?" he mouthed, horrified.

Without answering, she ushered him into the bedroom. He tried to look over her shoulder at the blanket, but she blocked it from view. Once the door closed behind her, Geta put his eye to the crack. Daphne's shoulders were shaking with silent sobs as she rolled up the blanket. "I'm sorry," she whispered, though it was to the woman on the cot or the bundle on the floor, Geta could not tell.

Then she sniffed, composed herself, and opened the front door. Habib burst in. It was clear he had been waiting right outside the whole time.

There was no need to say anything—one look at his wife, now sleeping quietly on the cot, and the bundle on the floor, and the young man understood.

"Boy or girl?" he asked Daphne, his voice trembling.

"Girl." The young man's chubby face crumpled. "Lenia is resting now," Daphne continued. "You can come back for her in the morning. Bring a cart."

Habib nodded and rubbed his eyes like a child. Daphne gave his shoulder an awkward pat. "She's young and strong, so there shouldn't be any—issue in the future," she said. "I'll stop by in the next few days to see how she is."

"Thank you," said Habib. He touched his wife's cheek briefly, picked up the bundle as if it were the most precious thing in the world, nodded at Daphne, and left.

Daphne returned to the cot. She wiped Lenia's face, changed the sheet on the cot, cleaned her instruments, mopped the floor, and put everything away, before bedding down herself in a corner, wrapped in her mantle. Soon, both women were sound asleep, leaving Geta the only one awake in his dark room. Realizing he was still clutching the vial of poppy juice, he put it down on the table. His hands were shaking, though it had less to do with his weakness and more with the confusion of thoughts and unaccustomed emotions swirling through him.

He must have fallen asleep as well, for when he woke, bright sunlight was streaming through the window. He dragged himself out of bed. A hollow-eyed Daphne was sitting at the table over some bread and a jug of milk she wasn't touching. The cot was empty, Lenia apparently having been picked up by her husband.

Seeing Geta hovering at the doorway, Daphne turned to him with a tired smile. "Good morning," she said and got up, her movements slow, like those of an old woman. "Stay there, I'll bring you some water to wash."

Geta was now well enough to no longer need her help with his morning routine, though he still had to rest several times between washing and getting dressed. Daphne brought in a tray with bread and milk and a bowl of goat cheese. "Sorry, there's no porridge," she said. "I forgot to put the oats in to soak."

"This is fine," he said, more gently than usual. Somehow, he felt it would be rude to demand that she wait on him hand and foot after the night she'd just had.

Daphne sat down next to him. "Thank you for your help last night."

"Why didn't you ask the husband?" Geta asked, voicing the question that had been bothering him since the previous night.

Daphne mistook his meaning. "And let him see his wife like that? He would've been no help at all."

"No, I mean... when it came down to either saving the mother or the child, why didn't you ask the husband?"

She looked at him once, then turned away. "It wasn't his decision."

Her offhand tone astounded Geta. "It's his wife!" he said, unable to stop the accusatory note in his voice. "His child. Whose decision was it if not his?"

"Habib is a good man," she said. "A good husband."

He looked at her in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Daphne turned to face him fully. "So you believe I should force that nice, kind boy to decide which one to kill, his wife or his child?" she asked. "And force him to live the rest of his life knowing that he's condemned one of his loved ones to death?"

Her words hit Geta like a whip. He didn't know how to answer. He had never thought of it like that. In Rome, a father would think nothing of leaving his newborn child to the feral dogs if he didn't want to raise it for whatever reason, but clearly, they were more sentimental here in the East. Or perhaps it was only Daphne. When he remained silent, a look of contempt came over Daphne's face. "You're a soldier," she said, in a tone that implied it was the worst of insults. "All you do is follow orders and kill. What do you know about the choices we have to make every day, just to live?"

Geta wanted to shout at her, to tell her that he, too, had had to make difficult choices of who to kill and who to spare, and that those choices still haunted him to this day. But he couldn't do so without exposing his true identity, so he bit his tongue and swallowed the bitter taste at the back of his throat, shamefaced.

Daphne was still staring at him, her eyes hard. She picked up a piece of bread to taste it.

Perhaps a woman who saved the life of a stranger, a woman who talked to her animals like they were children, a woman who wished to spare a grieving husband a difficult choice, would not be the kind of woman who could betray or poison someone.

"It's all right," Geta said, putting out a hand to stop her. "You don't have to taste it. I trust you." And to prove it, he took the bread from her and ate it himself.

A look of surprise passed across Daphne's face, softening it. She stared at him for a moment longer, and then, without another word, she went out.

After Geta had finished eating, Daphne didn't come back for the tray or bring him a drink of water as she usually did. Wanting to test his strength, Geta picked up the tray with one hand, and, holding to the wall with the other, went to the front room himself. He found Daphne asleep sitting up, with her head on the table, pillowed on her folded arms. Now would be the perfect time to search the hut. Daphne was sleeping so soundly that she probably wouldn't wake even if he dropped a clay amphora in front of her. But he made no move to start the search. His attention was on Daphne.

With her usual dour expression now wiped clean by sleep and exhaustion, and those sharp eyes veiled by bruised lids and dark lashes, her face looked younger, more vulnerable, like that of a girl, except for a deep line between her eyes. Reaching out, he ran a finger lightly over that line, smoothing it away. Daphne stirred in her sleep but didn't wake. Geta stood looking at his finger for a moment as if expecting it to sprout wings and fly away. What on Earth had compelled him to do such a thing? He couldn't think of an answer. After a while, he, too, went back to bed, and for the first time in weeks, he slept the peaceful sleep of the exhausted, without nightmares of Tartarus and lemures to disturb him.

Chapter 4

Septimius Severus' first wife, Paccia Marciana, who died of natural causes, was rumored to be Caracalla's real mother. This seems to explain some of the animosity between Caracalla and Geta, but there is no proof of it (Marciana died in 186, Septimius Severus married Julia Domna in 187, and Caracalla was born in 188, so clearly he was Julia Domna's kid.)

Ancient Roman physicians did perform Caesarean section, though only in extreme situations.

In Ancient Rome and Greece, unwanted babies were often left exposed to the elements. Some lucky ones may get picked up to be adopted or raised as slaves (not much better, but at least that way they'd live!)

Taglist: @sheneedsrocknroll92, @justnobodynothingmore, @barcelonaloverf1life, @myotakureprieve (if you want to be tagged, let me know!)

[weirdsht]

Disillusioned 9 . Nothing More, Nothing Less (2)

a/n: ngl i really want for reader to start calling rosalyn as big sis but idk if i should use noona or unnie... why can't there just be a gender-neutral honorific for older siblings

tags: everyone is a gossip girl, hans the no 1 reader supporter, feelings in progress

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Constructive criticisms and any kind of interaction are more than welcome

Requests are currently closed but my ask are still open (read pinned)

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All good things must come to an end.

That’s the truth that Cale tries to deny. However, it’s something he must face because he is set to go back to the Jungle to heal the fake holy maiden.

And that means leaving _____ behind.

Not that it matters much, in Cale’s opinion, it’s just that leaving _____ made him realise that he must work again.

Nothing more, nothing less.

"She is reaching the intermediate stages, but she is not there yet. However, it is still dangerous." 

Cale felt a momentary relief that he left _____ back at the villa, he felt like he made the right decision. He quickly shivered at his line of thought.

'Why did I think that? Am I actually concerned? No, I'm just glad there are less troublesome things to think of.'

The thought left as fast as it entered Cale's mind as he shifted his focus back to the task at hand, and that was saving the swordmaster, Hannah.

At the underground villa.

The healer that occupied Cale’s thoughts is having a friendly conversation with Hans.

Honestly, it's more like Hans keeps asking questions, and _____ just willingly answers. Like a one-sided game of 20 questions.

“Young master _____, why did you agree to heal young master Cale back at the capital?”

“Hans I told you, I’m not a noble anymore so it’s inappropriate to refer to me as young master… but regarding your question, honestly aside from me never refusing to heal someone, it was also because Tasha-nim was the one who asked me to heal Cale-nim.”

Maes, who’s taking a short break from training with Lock, glanced at the two people talking and shook his head. Hans has been talking nonstop ever since Cale left the villa.

“Young master _____ is a young master so as a butler I must refer to you as young master.”

The young wolf could see _____ dazedly nod at the deputy butler’s confusing but logical (? Even Maes isn’t sure) argument.

“However young master, when you and young master Cale met again did you immediately know that you were going to be together?”

The wording used was… weird, but it’s not like Maes has a say since his only eavesdropping.

“You mean teaming up together? Honestly no, there are already so many capable people around him.”

“But young master _____ is special!”

Maes could see _____ stop eating the caramel bar Beacrox served to give Hans a confused stare. The deputy butler ignored the look and continued on his agenda.

“Anyways! The young master and you are quite close nowadays, right? Do you enjoy spending time with him?”

Ah, there it is— the million gallons question.

From the start of the conversation, the young boy knew what Hans’ goal was. Not only he, but everyone in the villa knew the deputy butler was trying to gauge the relationship between the two.

The wolf could only smile as he silently wished the healer to survive Hans’ interrogation.

“Really? I didn’t really notice. However, now that you mention I’ve been spending almost every day with the young master.”

_____ laughed awkwardly.

“I enjoy his company. Back when I was working for the public as a healer I never really had the chance to talk to someone as leisurely as I do with him. Uhm don’t get me wrong, that was also very rewarding. Nonetheless, the tranquil moments I spent with the young master are very special.”

After hearing the healer’s answer Maes went back to training. In the corner of his eyes, the other people that sneakily gathered within hearing range also dispersed. 

In one corner he could see the two kittens ‘napping’ (Maes saw their ears twitch the moment Hans asked the golden question). Rosalyn is ‘talking’ to Choi Han about some sort of energising potion (they haven’t said anything for the past 5 minutes). Beacrox is ‘fixing’ a wheel on the food cart (Maes was most definitely sure that cart was brand new, he heard it was ordered by the countess herself so there’s no way it’s broken already). 

Safe to say that everyone in the villa is curious about the young master’s love life.

The deputy butler and the healer continued talking. Their topics vary but somehow Hans always managed to circle it back to Cale.

Maes isn’t sure if his amazed or scared at the deputy butler’s abilities.

Contrary to what everyone else thinks, Hans isn’t asking simply because his curious.

Sure he is, but there’s another reason he is inquiring this much.

He has a duty to report to the count about the young master. If it looks like the young master is on the path of romance then surely it’s his job to update the parents on the matter.

That and he must vouch for _____.

Not that he thinks the healer will have a hard time getting the Henituse’s approval.

The count already knows of their circumstance (Cale had informed him when they went back to the castle a while ago), they are technically still noble, and their reputation back then was far from bad.

But on the off chance they didn’t approve of _____…

Hans vows to do his best to make them give their approval.

Is the deputy butler getting ahead of himself? Oh definitely.

Does he know he is? Oh definitely.

Will he stop? Oh, definitely not.

It certainly did not help Hans’ delusions when Cale immediately looked for _____ as soon as he arrived even when the healer was at the very back.

When Cale got home he came back with new additions to their group. _____ didn’t know who these twins were, but the power of the Sun God could be felt from them.

The Medicus was both astonished and confused. Astonished because of the holy powers the man is emitting. Confused because the woman has both light and dark attributes.

_____ decides to not question it.

Nevertheless, that night Cale found himself explaining everything to the healer. He explained everything from their encounter at Hais to what happened in the Jungle. He really has no reason to do so. He barely explains unnecessary things to his people, so he can't understand why he's doing the opposite for _____. 

But he can't deny the relief he feels when he sees the healer nod in understanding.

Maybe it was because he felt responsible. After all, all three of them have abilities related to the Sun God.

Nothing more, nothing less.

The weeks after that were lenient on the redhead’s schedule. He spends his days watching everyone train with _____ by his side. Sometimes he lazes around the marble floors with _____. Every so often he has tea with _____.

At this point, the only time the two are separated is when they have to go to their respective rooms to sleep.

That and when Cale had to attend the alliance meeting. However, immediately after he went to seek out the healer. Complaining about how he had to be surrounded by so many vicious people for hours on end, and how fresh air is always the best.

_____’s confused look tells everyone that they didn’t know they were the ‘fresh air’ Cale was talking about.

Not that they need to know for now. They have a lot of time. Even if they don't, everyone in that villa will make sure they do.

The two spent the rest of the summer and the start of fall spending more time with each other. 

Some days they would chat, on others they would simply lounge around and bask in each other's presence. This does not go past the observant eyes of everyone else in the underground villa, and all of them are happy to see Cale finally being close to someone his age.

But of course, every peaceful moment must reach an end. 

This time that ends manifested itself when Toonka updated Cale about the war going on between the empire and the Whipper kingdom.