#yes 'our fearless leader' is absolutely melting my heart

[not-so-mundane-after-all]

All the messages 🥹 the fact everyone signed it 🥹 that cover!!!! This is the funniest, sweetest gift!!!

[dragonrajafanfiction]

Tokyo Tower (Part 2) The New Head of the Japan Branch

ITT: Caesar gets taken to task by Ruri Kazama and a familiar face appears before his eyes. @rurifangirl

Ruri Kazama had expertly hidden in plain sight, acting as a waiter right in front of the men. Now he sat down next to you, occupying the spot between you and Caesar, playing with a silver spoon in his hand.

Lu Mingfei was so shocked that he almost jumped up. The bar was located near the dance floor, illuminated only by a few bright green LED lights, and as a waiter, Ruri was in the darkness, his eyebrows picturesque, his clean brow reflecting that green light. He looked just like Chisei Gen, the leader of the Hydra in this light.

 Caesar pressed on Mingfei’s shoulders and slowly lowered him back into the seat: "It's okay, this isn’t the brutish one, this is the more delicate one. Do you need me to introduce you to him? Or would he like to introduce himself?" Caesar was looking at you, suddenly cut off by a man who had expertly escaped his notice. 

You sip your tea but your black eyes glitter with resentment. Did he really think you were still on his side?

 "Ruri Kazama, my real name is Chime Gen, the Dragon King and number two in the Devil Clan. Chisei Gen is my twin brother." The waiter said slowly, "Everyone should still call me Ruri Kazama, as my stage name.”

This was actually the first time you had heard of him as the twin brother of Chisei. But you weren’t exactly surprised.  Chisei mentioned that he had a brother that was ‘probably dead’ before.  After all, you were able to pick up on the close relationship between Z and Mingfei. But twins… that was even closer than ordinary brothers! You glance up at him, examining his face for even more telling similarities. It turned out that Chisei and Chime did look exactly alike, but it was Chime’s expressions and mannerisms that were completely different. Other than looks, there was nothing similar about the two.

The atmosphere at the table instantly cooled to freezing point. And no one broke the silence. The back of Chu Zihang's hand was so tense you could see the veins popping on his fingers. The palm of Caesar's hand hovered over the Desert Eagle at his back. The mixing spoon spun into a shifting silver light between Ruri Kazama's fingers. The speed of it was threatening.

You’d seen only a glimpse of Chime’s power on the street and he was no less of a monster than his brother. Even this spoon could be turned into a deadly weapon in his hands.

Kazama Ruri suddenly flipped his wrist, grasped the silver spoon firmly in his palm, and gently placed it on the table.

 "I… can I continue to eat?" Fingel said warily.

 Caesar froze for a few seconds, and his face turned furious as Ruri just turned back to Fingel, ignoring him.

 "Of course. You want soy sauce?" Ruri smiled and put the porcelain bottle containing soy sauce in front of him.

 "And are there fried garlic slices?" Fingel cautiously requested.

Caesar silently leaned his forehead on his hand.

Chu Zihang put the glass jar containing garlic crisp in front of Fingel. A few moments later the sound of someone eating noodles and drinking soup in a big bowl echoed around once again. Lu Mingfei reached out for a fried shrimp tempura only for Caesar to slap his hand away.

“Show a little professionalism and pay attention!" Caesar whispered.

The sudden display of temper out of Caesar made you look up. Caesar no doubt felt humiliated by Ruri Kazama’s ability to hide in plain sight. But there was more to it. By sitting between you, Ruri silently staked his claim and blocked his view of you. Caesar mentioned that he felt annoyed by the ease by which Ruri Kazama had been able to reach your heart. Now Kazama was physically separating you.

"It’s fine, let Heracles-san keep eating so we can get to the point." Ruri Kazama smiled, smoothly honoring Fingel as a member of the male escort community. As the King of such a community, his word was law and Fingel was officially knighted Heracles from now on.

Caesar and Chu Zihang looked at each other, the veins on the backs of both hands slightly subsided, and the frozen atmosphere melted soundlessly at the mention of food.

"The throne of the world of performance came to the store to do the waiter's job? How many days have you been here?" Caesar stared into Ruri Kazama's eyes.

 "I'm helping out in the kitchen, and this is the third day. I'm good at acting. With a simple change of hair and makeup, I can transform myself into another person." Ruri Kazama said, "Mr. Whale and the others didn't recognize me."

 "You were spying on us?"

"No, this way it’s easier to contact you guys. My brother knows I'm back, and he's looking for me, ready to send me back to hell. I have a famous face so if I come and go openly in Shinjuku district, there will be Hydra members ready to greet me, right?" Ruri Kazama laughed, "That wouldn't be good."

 "You were able to find Fingel. I guess the Devil Clan has long been aware that the principal had sent someone to infiltrate the Japanese, right?" Chu Zihang said.

 "Yes, but we can't conclude exactly how many people Principal Anjou sent." Ruri Kazama said, "I asked Mr. Fingel to come to the store to confirm something. The principal of your school has also been preparing to make a move against the Hydra. He realizes that there is some kind of instability within the ranks.”

"Tachibana Masamune?" Caesar asked.

 "Soon we'll know the truth," Ruri Kazama glanced at his wristwatch, "Three hours ago, the King General made a move. That viper is coming out of its hole, and our chance to join forces has come. So we need to show a united front." He looked back up. “Don’t you have something to explain to MC?”

The look in his eyes was always cold, but now that temperature has reached absolute zero!

Caesar’s expression became guarded and he glanced at you. “I will talk to her in private.”

Ruri Kazama let out a small breath. “I’ve been here three days. So I was here for the finale of the MC contest and heard her words at the end of the contest. You were working so perhaps you were distracted when she declared me the winner. What you say to her, you can also say to me.”

“But if you’re still hesitant, I’ll tell you what I know. Last night, there was a report of a rampaging Deadpool, A-rank level. I was in the area at the time, so I went quickly to investigate, but MC was already there. Her ability to dispatch a deadpool nearly ten times her size was a wonderful sight to see. But her fearlessness was extraordinary even among Elite members of the Execution Department. Unfortunately, my brother's men arrived and I had to pull her out of the fire. Which I was happy to do.”

“Before we get started on the current situation, I’d like to know… where were you?” Ruri Kazama turned to them and waited.

Chu Zihang hung his head. He looked devastated.

You can’t even look at Caesar. Your hair was up, so you couldn’t hide the hurt in your angry eyes. And that anger only grew as Caesar’s silence grew.

After a moment to give him a chance to explain, Ruri added. “If you don't answer, I will have to accept her impression of matters. To use her words: ‘You and Chu Zihang couldn’t bear her presence any longer.’”

Fingel’s spoon clattered as he dropped it and Ruri kindly patted his back as he choked, all the while, not breaking eye contact with Caesar Gattuso. “In that case, I will be happy to accept her as a member of the Devil Clan, if you’re going to relinquish custody and let her wander the street to die. She seems ready to go.”

Caesar sighed deeply. “Fine. MC, I had no intention of abandoning you on the boat. It was an act. In truth, I wasn’t sure what to do then. But Lu Mingfei had a look in his eyes. It wasn’t a look of someone who had any intention of doing anything so crass as leaving you to go to China.” 

He took a cigarette from his pocket and lit up, leaning against the table. “I was curious what he had in mind, so I decided to push him. Make him believe that I was serious, even to the point of giving him a gun to do the deed himself. The last thing I expected, though, was for you to turn on me too.” He grinned bitterly. “You were right. I was acting like Herzog. I read the files you gave me and, given the assholes in my family, it wasn’t hard for me to get into the head of someone like him. I thought, ‘MC knows me well enough by now to see through it as a bluff.’ But by the time I realized my mistake, I was already committed to the act and had to see it through to the end. I knew I was hurting you and ticking you off. I figured it would work out and we could talk later.”

He exhaled a puff of smoke. “But… I may have miscalculated that as well.”

Silence descended again.

Ruri Kazama finally looked down at you. His voice was very quiet. “Did he?”

It was always like this with Caesar. He established a little trust with you and then would simply break it, either intentionally or by accident. You’d seen this behavior before, particularly in the elevator when he pretended to be ready to shoot Chisei Gen for being a White King descendent who was more dragon than human. You really believed he would pull the trigger. So much that Chu Zihang had to whisper in your ear that he was bluffing.

You took a breath and speak. “After Lu Mingfei took me to the mountain and I calmed down, I figured you had some sort of plan. Maybe the boat was going to just stay off shore, or there was some secret scientist on the boat that would help my bloodline problem. But I still believed you would send me.” Your voice was low and sad. “I imagined those things to comfort myself so I wouldn’t focus on the fact that if I left Japan, I would die. So I reconciled in my heart that you really meant at least some of what you said. After all… I have never been anything but betrayed by every other man in my life. Why not you too?”

Caesar bit down hard on his cigarette. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

“So what are you going to do? Are you going to stay with them? Or come with me?” Ruri Kazama asked softly.

“We’re both staying in Club Takamagahara right? Can you arrange a room for me? Since we’re dating, I shouldn’t stay with them any longer. Instead, I should have my own place.”

“I can do that.” Ruri nodded.

You take a shaking breath. “We can talk a little more Caesar. Once I get a little sleep, I should be ready for that.”

“Sure… take your time.”

Ruri lifted his hand and traced it down one of the hanging strands of hair next to your face. When you get back to your room, the red ribbon that you tied to your thigh was gone and your face flushes as red as the ribbon was.

Because he was such a well known performer, he was able to provide you with one of the premier suites in the professional quarters of the Takamagahara. You went back to the old stuffy closet to collect your clothes, jewelry and shoes in a box. You then picked up the Sailor Moon doll still unopened in the box. Caesar had always been extremely kind to you. But he hadn’t been able to completely wash away the lingering distrust in your heart. It was probably going to be a lifelong battle against it and perhaps now, he learned that he couldn’t be so careless.

He knocked softly on the door and you nod to let him in.

“I wanted to apologize again, for hurting you.” He said. He was still in his work clothes, but he looked nothing like the suave debonair Basara King. He was just a young man. 

You were all young.

“Thanks.” You say and put the doll away.

“There’s more to it. I wanted to tell you before you made a decision. I was… extremely impressed by your defense of Erii.”

You lift your head again to him. He was leaning against the door frame and staring at the floor, his bangs shadowing his blue eyes so that they sparkled in the dark.

“With so little information and time, you came at me with all the force and fire of a true defender of justice. It was extremely hard for me to stand up to it. I was actually relieved when you left the room.” He huffed a laugh. “So I wanted to change our proposal that we talked about in the Sushi restaurant.”

You raise your eyebrows in surprise.

“I know the original plan was for you to run off with Ruri Kazama and his little traveling circus, but now, I’ve changed my mind. I want you to convince him to at least stay in Tokyo.” His face is full of sincerity as he speaks and his voice is soft and firm. “And I want you to take over the Japanese Branch.”

Your jaw drops. “Are you serious?”

“Hear me out.” He raises a hand. “I know you’re just a freshman and you haven’t taken a single class and, technically, you shouldn't even be allowed in the Academy. But none of that matters! What matters is that you were willing to take all three of us on to defend a girl who was dying and who you never met. You never met her, MC, but you immediately understood that what I was telling Mingfei to do was wrong. You said it was cruel. That we should know better.”

He paused and his voice dipped to a near whisper. “You have no idea how rare and precious a quality like that is.”

You’re speechless in shock. You thought Caesar was abandoning you. But he was admiring you!

“This place sorely needs someone who can stand up in defense of the weak and the helpless against the deep seated bloodshed and corruption. You personally know the men responsible for turning this place into such a hellhole… your qualifications speak for themselves.”

“But what about my bloodline problem?”

“I’ll write in the report that you don’t have one while we investigate a solution.” He said. 

“Everyone will know that’s a lie.” You chuckle.

“Who cares? I’d like to see them tell me to my face that I’m a liar.” Caesar raised his chin up.

You slide off the bed and walk over to him and pull him into a hug. “I talked to Erii. I already know the solution.”

He broke out of the hug and looked down at you with wide eyes. “Seriously?”

“Yes. It’s the deadpool. The blood of the deadpool fetuses has a purifying effect.”

Caesar grimaced. “That… will be a little difficult. But I’ll see what I can do.” He huffed. “Alright, I’ll finish helping you pack. You really like that Ruri guy huh?” He looked over to the shelf and then he stared. 

The photo of Renata was still pinned where you left it. He stared at it for a long time.

“That’s Renata.” You say. “She’s pretty right?”

“Yeah.” Caesar shrugged. “It’s funny. She looks a lot like a girl I know in the Student Union so I did a double take. When this is all over, I should introduce you.”

[tsuki-kirigakure]

My Top 10 Voltage Men

I had a really hard time in doing this I can't choose. 😥 I'm probably gonna shuffle this again next time I do this because there are still tons of guys I haven’t added. 😅 I also took hours in making this because Tumblr is being a btxh and won’t let me save nor post this. 😒

Thanks for the tag @mandyinwonderland ♥

10th: Riki Yanase ♡ [Love Letter from Thief X]

Riki is one of the guys I've been very addicted to.  I would spend my days (if I'm not at school) and nights reading his stories. He kinds of come out as an arrogant guy but he's really sweet and loving and passionate about the people he loves. He would always make them happy and safe and would put them and their happiness first. 

9th: Huedhaut ♡ [Star Crossed Myth]

When I first saw the summary or the preview for Hue’s story, I knew that I had to read it and I wasn’t wrong. This guy is a snarky hot and smart guy which rules the Zodiac sign Aquarius. He makes the best wines and all but he’s broken and refused to acknowledge love again after losing you, the previous goddess of fate, the love of his life. He sacrificed one of the stars in his life to make sure that you live. His sarcastic and funny comments would make you laugh, his painful past with the goddess of fate would make you cry, but his sweet and flowery words and gestures would definitely make you swoon. I swear.

8th: Ryota Mochizuki ♡ [Our Private Homeroom]

Before I played this story I had reservations about playing this game. Since I wasn't fond of teacher-student relationships and only went for student-student and teacher-teacher types, but boy did this story proved me wrong. I was practically smitten with him for being such a cutie and A MATH TEACHER. HE LOVES MATH AND SO DO I. We instantly clicked y’know? What’s better is that he’s kind to all of his students and cheers them on and just shows how damn good of a teach he is. Then he can like see and recognize your hard work and would totally cheer you on when you’re losing faith on yourself. He would also prioritize you, your dreams and your happiness above anything and would sacrifice his job that he loves and fight for you.

7th: Kyohei Rikudoh ♡ [Scandal in the Spotlight]

BBY KYO ❤ THIS GUY MAKES THE ABSOLUTE BEST FRIED RICE APPARENTLY HEHE JUST A FUN FACT. It was love at first sight with this guy. He’s the sexiest man alive I think? Well that’s true for me at least hihi. Kyohei loves to tease you and do sweet things for you. He would sacrifice everything for you and always put you and your happiness first. He loves seeing you blush and smile and make all those “cute expressions”. He would protect, care, love and cherish those important to him. He’s strict with work but that’s because Revance is really important to him. He’s hot and he knows it. He loves spending time with you especially alone times hihi 😉 He may come off as arrogant to other people but really, he’s just a handsome and easily jealous cutie pie. ❤

6th: Toma Kiriya ♡ [Irresistible Mistakes]

HERE COMES ONE OF MY SNARKIEST MOST SARCASTIC BUT LOVING AND SWEET AND UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTIVE CUTIE. He loves sugary drinks tbh he says it gives his brain the energy it needs. He loves to work and he’s good at what he does, usually handpicked for big projects. He’s unstoppable with MC beside him hihi. He’s so cute when he blush like he’s such a cutie pie. He’s probably the best guy to have a conversation with, like literally he cracks me up every time and makes me happy every time I see his face. I’m in love hihi. WHY CAN’T TOMA EXIST IN REAL LIFE?! HE’S JUST SO PERFECT.

5th: Tsumugu Kido ♡ [Our Two Bedroom Story]

Here comes my awkwardly cute, blushes easily when he says or does something sweet or bold or when MC does the same, king of tightwads. He’s what you would call stingy but it’s just because of how hard it was for them in the past. He’s good with his work and has a “split-personality” hehe when he’s at work and at home. He loves the MC so much and knows how hard she works as well as how good she is at work but would never openly admit it in normal times. He’s such a cutie pie who loves strawberries and HIS SIBLINGS ARE SO CUTE AND PRETTY, sazuku being the cute and sakura and mizuki being the pretty ones. I love his puns and jokes. He loves seeing you happy and would be happy knowing that you are. HE’S SUCH A CUTIE I SWEAR BRO.  

4th: Izaac Martin ♥ [Gossip Girl Party]

YOU GUYS, DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN KNOW OR REMEMBER GOSSIP GIRL PARTY? BECAUSE I CERTAINLY DO. THIS GAME IS STILL AND WILL FOREVER BE IN MY HEART AND MIND AND NOTHING CAN EVER MAKE ME FORGET THIS ESPECIALLY MY BABY IZAAC. Y’KNOW SEEING THE FAREWELL MESSAGES THEY GAVE US WAS DEFINITELY HEARTBREAKING. I WAS FREAKING CRYING THE WHOLE ASJAKDDGDSNVKDJBVUD TIMES I READ THAT MESSAGE. WHY DID VOLTAGE HAVE TO REMOVE IT FROM GOOGLE PLAY? WHY CAN’T WE JUST KEEP THEM EVEN IF THEY WON’T UPDATE IT ANYMORE? 😭💔 But okay let me just say that Izaac is my forever babe even if I hated one of his stories that led me to uninstalling the app and reinstalling it again right away hehe. He’s like perfect. He would tease you with his words but would also say and do the sweetest things. He loves you so much and knows you so well. He’ll support you in the things you wanna do and he’d be really proud of you. I love this guy so much you know and I miss him so bad 😭💔

3rd: My Forevs Inspiration and Smexiest Cool Baby, Kiyohito Shirakami ♥ [Kings of Paradise]

OMG BABY KIYO OKAY HERE IT GOES WE’RE DOWN TO MY TOP 3. Kiyo is what would seem to be cold and indifferent. He would also be considered as strict and is like a robot who constantly works and doesn’t feel or show feelings at all. That’s what I thought at first too but his harsh words are actually very sweet in his own ways because he believes in you. He doesn’t want you to be sad and wants you to regain the confidence you lost. His story has inspired me to overcome my anxiety and do my best in the things I thought I couldn’t do. He would tell MC to decide on her own and he would grade her as well as to go beyond because she can. The story doesn’t just revolve around sweet stuffs tbh it also includes growth in both Kiyo and MC and it’s one of the best y’know. Kiyo also loves it when MC is being honest with him and is greedy with him as well. His ways have truly changed MC and you guys his story is really meaningful. And bro age doesn’t really matter here. I even forgot that Kiyo is younger than MC. hihi. 

2nd: My Precious Hot Ninja, Saizo Kirigakure ♥ [Samurai Love Ballad Party]

OKAY LAST TWO WOHOO HERE COMES MY BABE SAIZO!!!!! Okay so this guy is one of the best. He freaking write smuts HAHAHAHAHAHA kidding aside you guys saizo would seem like a cold, heartless killing machine but that’s because he was trained to be like that. He was trained in Iga to be a fearless killing machine that would carry out missions without feeling anything. But HAVE YOU GUYS EVER READ HIS POVS?!?!?!?! BRO THAT IS NOT HOW AN EMOTIONLESS KILLING MACHINE IS BRO HE’S SO SWEET AND PRECIOUS AND WOULD GIVE AWAY HIS LIFE FOR MC EVEN IF OFC WE DON’T WANT THAT! I WOULD NEVER WANT TO SEE MY BABY DIE LIKE I WOULD CRY AND MY WORLD WOULD STOP SPINNING AGAIN @voltageparty pls don’t do anything stupid. And so Saizo loves his little lady so much even if he doesn’t say it often but he would let you feel it. Your smile would brighten up his day and maybe even his life. You’re the only reason he wants to live because he wants to go home to you. He always wants you to be safe and happy. Baby ninja, always remember that the moon is beautiful. ❤

1st and would probably be always my first, the King, Eisuke Ichinomiya ♥ [Kissed by The Baddest Bidder]

AND HERE WE ARE TO MY FOREVER BABE EVER SINCE IT WAS RELEASED. Yes you read it right, I just fell in love with him before the game was released because at that time I thought that game was too mature for my age when I based it off their trailer. But I still tried it hehe Eisuke is known as the “King”. He owns the Tres Spades Hotel and the head of the Ichinomiya Group. He’s aloof, bossy and isn’t the type to be full on honest but he has a kind heart. He’s DEFINITELY HANDSOME and is a great leader and businessman. Despite his heartless facade, women would always surround him and beg for his attention even if he wouldn’t pay attention to them. He’s easy to misunderstand for being cruel and ruthless, but don’t be fooled, he’s doing things for a good reason.During his first season tho, he thought of you as a pawn, just something that he owns to be used, but the character development after passing through that phase was definitely tear-jerking and heart melting, all in a good way of course.  Another thing that I love about Eisuke is how his stories understands and helps solving one of the social problems in the world, shaming people, both physically, emotionally and also mentally. It has helped not only me, but many other people out there to love and accept who they are and that they don’t need to change and just be themselves. I’m really glad that I got to meet and fall in love with Eisuke for this long. He has and will always have a special place in my heart. The moon is beautiful, Eisuke and it will always be. ❤

I'm still wondering why people hate Eisuke like why

[dfroza]

Today’s reading from the ancient books of Proverbs and Psalms

for Saturday, february 27 of 2021 with Proverbs 27 and Psalm 27, accompanied by Psalm 69 for the 69th day of Winter and Psalm 58 for day 58 of the year

[Psalm 27]

Light, space, zest—

that’s God!

So, with him on my side I’m fearless,

afraid of no one and nothing.

When vandal hordes ride down

ready to eat me alive,

Those bullies and toughs

fall flat on their faces.

When besieged,

I’m calm as a baby.

When all hell breaks loose,

I’m collected and cool.

I’m asking God for one thing,

only one thing:

To live with him in his house

my whole life long.

I’ll contemplate his beauty;

I’ll study at his feet.

That’s the only quiet, secure place

in a noisy world,

The perfect getaway,

far from the buzz of traffic.

God holds me head and shoulders

above all who try to pull me down.

I’m headed for his place to offer anthems

that will raise the roof!

Already I’m singing God-songs;

I’m making music to God.

Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:

“Be good to me! Answer me!”

When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”

my whole being replied,

“I’m seeking him!”

Don’t hide from me now!

You’ve always been right there for me;

don’t turn your back on me now.

Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;

you’ve always kept the door open.

My father and mother walked out and left me,

but God took me in.

Point me down your highway, God;

direct me along a well-lighted street;

show my enemies whose side you’re on.

Don’t throw me to the dogs,

those liars who are out to get me,

filling the air with their threats.

I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness

in the exuberant earth.

Stay with God!

Take heart. Don’t quit.

I’ll say it again:

Stay with God.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 27 (The Message)

[Psalm 69]

For the worship leader. A song of David to the tune “Lilies.”

Reach down for me, True God; deliver me.

The waters have risen to my neck; I am going down!

My feet are swallowed in this murky bog;

I am sinking—there is no sturdy ground.

I am in the deep;

the floods are crashing in!

I am weary of howling;

my throat is scratched dry.

I still look for my God

even though my eyes fail.

My enemies despise me without any cause;

they outnumber the hairs on my head.

They torment me with their power;

they have absolutely no reason to hate me.

Now I am set to pay for crimes

I have never committed!

O True God, my foolish ways are plain before You;

my mistakes—no, nothing can be hidden from You.

Don’t let Your hopeful followers face disgrace because of me,

O Lord, Eternal One, Commander of heaven’s armies;

Don’t let Your seekers be shamed on account of me,

O True God of Israel.

I have been mocked when I stood up for You;

I cower, shamefaced.

You know my brothers and sisters?

They now reject me—they act as if I never existed.

I’m like a stranger to my own family.

And here’s why: I am consumed with You, completely devoted to protecting Your house;

when they insult You, they insult me.

When I mourn and discipline my soul by fasting,

they deride me.

And when I put on sackcloth,

they mock me.

Those who sit at the gate gossip about me;

I am shamed by the slurred songs of drunkards.

But, Eternal One, I just pray the time is right

that You would hear me. And, True God,

because You are enduring love, that You would answer.

In Your faithfulness, please, save me.

Pluck me from this murky bog;

don’t let it pull me down!

Pull me from this rising water;

take me away from my enemies to dry land.

Don’t let the flood take me under

or let me, Your servant, be swallowed into the deep

or let the yawning pit seal me in!

O Eternal One, hear me. Answer me. For Your enduring love is good comfort;

in Your great mercy, turn toward me.

Yes, shine Your face upon me, Your servant;

put an end to my anguish—don’t wait another minute.

Come near; rescue me!

Set me free from my enemies.

You know all my opponents;

You see them, see the way they treat me—

humiliating me with insults, trying to disgrace me.

All this ridicule has broken my heart,

killed my spirit.

I searched for sympathy, and I came up empty.

I looked for supporters, but there was no one.

Even more, they gave me poison for my food

and offered me only sour vinegar to drink.

Let them be ambushed at the dinner table,

caught in a trap when they least expect it.

Cloud their vision so they cannot see;

make their bodies shake, their knees knock in terror.

Pour out Your fiery wrath upon them!

Make a clean sweep; engulf them with Your flaming fury.

May their camps be bleak

with not one left in any tent.

Because they have persecuted the one You have struck,

add insult to those whom You have wounded.

Compound their sins; don’t let them off the hook!

Keep them from entering into Your mercy.

Blot out their names from Your book of life

so they will not be recorded alongside those who are upright before You.

I am living in pain; I’m suffering,

so save me, True God, and keep me safe in troubled times!

The name of the True God will be my song,

an uplifting tune of praise and thanksgiving!

My praise will please the Eternal more than if I were to sacrifice an ox

or the finest bull. (Horns, hooves, and all!)

Those who humbly serve will see and rejoice!

All you seekers-after-God will revive your souls!

The Eternal listens to the prayers of the poor

and has regard for His people held in bondage.

All God’s creation: join together in His praise! All heaven, all earth,

all seas, all creatures of the ocean deep!

The True God will save Zion

and rebuild the cities of Judah

So that His servants may own it and live there once again.

Their children and children’s children shall have it as their inheritance,

and those who love His name will live in it.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 69 (The Voice)

[Psalm 58]

For the worship leader. A prayer of David to the tune “Do Not Destroy.”

Can you, panel of judges, get anything right?

When you judge people, do you tell the truth and pursue justice?

No, your real selves have been revealed. You have wickedness in your heart,

and many people have suffered by your hands.

Evildoers are naturally offensive, wayward at birth!

They were born telling lies and willfully wandering from the truth.

Their bite is painful; their venom is like the deadly poison of a snake;

they are like a cobra that closes up its ears

To escape the voice of the charmers,

no matter how enchanting the spells may be.

O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths!

Render the young lions harmless; break out their fangs, O Eternal One.

Let them run off like the waters of a flood,

and though they aim their arrows, let them fly without their heads.

Let them melt like a snail that oozes along;

may they be like a stillborn that never catches its first breath, never sees the sun.

Before your cook pots know the furious flame of a fire of thorns—

whether green or burning—He will blow the wicked away.

Cheers will rise as the right-living watch Him settle the score,

their feet washed in the blood after the onslaught of the wicked.

And it will be heard, “Those who seek justice will be rewarded.

Indeed, there is a God who brings justice to the earth!”

The Book of Psalms, Poem 58 (The Voice)

[Proverbs 27]

Never brag about the plans you have for tomorrow,

for you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring to you.

Let someone else honor you for your accomplishments,

for self-praise is never appropriate.

It’s easier to carry a heavy boulder and a ton of sand

than to be provoked by a fool and have to carry that burden!

The rage and anger of others can be overwhelming,

but it’s nothing compared to jealousy’s fire.

It’s better to be corrected openly

if it stems from hidden love.

You can trust a friend who wounds you with his honesty,

but your enemy’s pretended flattery comes from insincerity.

When your soul is full, you turn down even the sweetest honey.

But when your soul is starving,

every bitter thing becomes sweet.

Like a bird that has fallen from its nest

is the one who is dislodged from his home.

Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy,

for good friends are like the anointing oil

that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.

So never give up on a friend or abandon a friend of your father—

for in the day of your brokenness

you won’t have to run to a relative for help.

A friend nearby is better than a relative far away.

My son, when you walk in wisdom,

my heart is filled with gladness,

for the way you live is proof

that I’ve not taught you in vain.

A wise, shrewd person discerns the danger ahead

and prepares himself,

but the naïve simpleton never looks ahead

and suffers the consequences.

Cosign for one you barely know and you will pay a great price!

Anyone stupid enough to guarantee the loan of another

deserves to have his property seized in payment.

Do you think you’re blessing your neighbors

when you sing at the top of your lungs early in the morning?

Don’t be fooled—

they’ll curse you for doing it!

An endless drip, drip, drip, from a leaky faucet

and the words of a cranky, nagging wife have the same effect.

Can you stop the north wind from blowing

or grasp a handful of oil?

That’s easier than to stop her from complaining.

It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade,

and so one person sharpens the character of another.

Tend an orchard and you’ll have fruit to eat.

Serve the Master’s interests

and you’ll receive honor that’s sweet.

Just as no two faces are exactly alike,

so every heart is different.

Death and destruction are never filled,

and the desires of men’s hearts are insatiable.

Fire is the way to test the purity of silver and gold,

but the character of a man is tested

by giving him a measure of fame.

You can beat a fool half to death

and still never beat the foolishness out of him.

A shepherd should pay close attention to the faces of his flock

and hold close to his heart the condition of those he cares for.

A man’s strength, power, and riches will one day fade away;

not even nations endure forever.

Take care of your responsibilities

and be diligent in your business

and you will have more than enough—

an abundance of food, clothing, and plenty for your household.

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 27 (The Passion Translation)

[redwine-house]

Golden Years Ch.16 (Negan x Reader)

Sympathy for the Devil

Summary: You explore the infancy of your relationship with Negan as your drug operation takes off. Life is good until the satellite outpost is attacked. 

(Ao3) (Wattdpad)

(Masterlist)

Words: 1,945

As a recovering drug addict, it was obscenely ridiculous for you to be driving down an empty road with a few grams of heroin left in your bag, just itching to be shot into your bloodstream. However, this was the end of the world and you had to fight for every scrap of food and every sip of water that kept you alive. The old rules were a thing of the past and you had to do anything that kept yourself breathing.

You and Dwight had been sent out on the first heroin run and had been on the road for two days. Already the flatbed of your pickup truck was filled with canned goods, water, and even weapons. People had given up protection for drugs. Not a single bullet or drop of blood had come from either of you, and you were just under 20 miles from the Sanctuary, which meant that you were within radio distance.

Dwight picked up the two way radio, making sure to keep one hand on the wheel. “We’re about out. I think we’re going to head back and see if we can push the rest on our way.” There was a beep as he let go of the button. The response was almost immediate.

“See, I knew you two would kick ass!” Negan’s voice was static-y as he shouted into the speaker. “Come on back and we can talk shop. Now how much are we hauling?”

You took the radio from Dwight. “You’re gonna need a bigger truck.”

There was more static as Negan laughed. “Now you’re just whispering sweet nothings into my ear, sweet girl.”

Your cheeks dusted a light pink as you felt Dwight’s eyes briefly fall on you, and you were acutely aware of their scorn. It had been four days since you had first kissed Negan and it had been far from a one-time occurrence. The sudden outburst of emotion had spurred a romance between you and your fearless leader and it was both overwhelmingly exciting and bizarre. You quickly learned that Negan had invented PDA; he had absolutely no qualms with pouncing on you in the hallways. But for how tarnished his reputation was and how roaming his hands were, he never did anything without your permission.

You remembered your first day at the Sanctuary, when he showed you the rapist who had been condemned to the walkers’ yard and how disgusted Negan had been. It was confusing, how someone could be so adamantly against something while coercing five women to marry him.

You had decided to focus on his soft touches.

The part that had truly shocked you was the reaction of your peers. Suddenly there was an air of fear around you. Conversations would hush when you walked into a room and eyes were adverted when your gaze shifted.  Evidently, being the object of Negan’s affection put you in a place of authority. If anything happened to you, Negan would be furious, and no one wanted to step on your toes.

But what had changed the most was Dwight’s attitude towards you.

You slammed the radio onto your thigh. “Okay. What is your problem?”

Dwight looked back at the road. “Nothing,” he muttered.

You barked. “No. You have been glaring at me like I pissed in your cereal. Either knock it off or tell me.”

The Savior’s grip on the wheel tightened. “He’s a monster.” Dwight’s voice was dark.

One of your hands clenched into a fist. “You don’t know him.”

With a screech, Dwight stomped on the break, sending you flying against your seatbelt. He turned to you and you immediately shrank. There was a fire in the man’s eyes that you had never seen before. “I don’t know him? You’ve only been here a few months and you think you know Negan? That man is the devil.”

A need to protect your more-than-friend was overwhelming and Dwight’s words made you grind your teeth. “Why, because he kills people?  Just because he’s more…flamboyant about it-”

“He likes it.”

At that, you had no justification.

“He took my wife.”

It was as if the breath had been taken out of you. “What?” The truck continued to hum idly as Dwight gathered the strength to talk.

His words started off slow. “My wife's sister, Tina…she was diabetic. Obviously her insulin was hard to come by and it cost a lot of points. She ran out and Negan gave the option of marriage. We decided that running away would be a better option.”

You blinked. “That’s why he burned you.”

“I’d be dead if my wife hadn’t offered to marry him in Tina’s place.”

You turned and looked out the window. “Let’s go home.”

“So you’re just going to sweep this under the rug?”  Dwight’s voice had raised in volume and ferocity.

“Drive!”

You fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Negan and several cronies were outside waiting for your return. It took everything in you not to jump out of the truck like a bat out of hell, but you were able to maintain your composer and slid out onto the tarmac.

“Well, tickle my pickle!” Negan boomed as he crossed the yard. “That is one serious haul!” He leaned over to examine the goods and looked to you. He sent you a charming smile. “Did you find it?”

Dwight and his accusations melted away at Negan’s toothy grin. You sent one back. “Yes, I did.” You stepped onto one of the back tires and began to rummage through the supplies. You felt a pair of hands take a firm hold of your waist. Negan didn’t want you to fall.

It took you a minute to find what you were looking for, so you felt triumphant when your fingers finally wrapped around a jar of apple butter. “I got it!” You hopped down and handed over the jar. “I doubt it’s good.”

Securing Lucille under his armpit, Negan unscrewed the top and smelled the jam. With a gag, he closed it. “It smells like ballsack.”

You held your hands up. “I told you. I don’t know why you want it so badly. It’s a perishable. I’ll keep looking for it, but I doubt I’ll find something that’s edible.”

He wrapped an arm around your waist and brought you to his chest. “Because I’m a Virginia boy. I’d blow Dwight here for some soft serve from Carl’s Ice Cream.”

If Dwight heard Negan, he ignored him as he continued to unload the truck.

Negan pressed a kiss to the burned area of your face. Although you couldn’t feel it, your heart fluttered. “How can you stand it?” you questioned.

“You’re like a goddamn toasted marshmallow.” He lifted your chin, looking sly. “Everyone who’s old enough to jackoff knows those are the best kind.”

You pressed your fingers to his lips. “How many women have you kissed today?”

At this, Negan’s eyes narrowed and the corner of his mouth quirked upward. He looked impressed by your awareness of the situation. “None as pretty as you.” When you still looked unimpressed, he huffed. “Or smart? Jesus.”

“Smooth.” You smiled smally before touching your lips to his. Early on you had decided that Negan had to work for affection. Sure, you could accept the whole package, but you weren’t going to easily be like one of his wives - just another woman, an option he could choose like an outfit off a coatrack.

You slid your arms underneath his jacket and wrapped them around his chest. He was warm from the sun and heavy material. Somehow Negan always managed to smell good and it only made you pull him closer.

Negan sighed into your mouth. “Shit. No one’s kissed me like this in years.” He squeezed your hips.

“You mean I’m doing it on my own free will?”

Negan’s eyebrows shot up as he held you back. “Excuse me?”

Your heart skipped a beat as you desperately racked your brain for a cover. You ran your fingers through his hair, touching the hint of grey. “I just mean that a lot of women aren’t always so confident in their decisions.” You waited anxiously as Negan analyzed you, clearly still suspicious. If he didn’t believe you, he didn’t give any indication.

He ran his knuckles down your cheek. “Calm down, sweetheart.”

“Negan!”

You all turned at the sound of Simon’s roar. With a screech Simon pulled through the gate and jumped out of the van just seconds after it stopped moving. Slamming the driver’s side door shut, he stormed over to you.

Although Negan stepped away, he kept a hand on the small on your back. “What’s going on?”

“My men are gone!” Simon’s face was beet red as he shouted. “They’re dead! Every single one at the satellite outpost!” He formed his hand into a gun and touched it to his temple. “Fucking shot in their sleep!”

You heard the leather of Negan’s glove squeak as his grip on Lucille tightened, but it was the only thing that gave away his fury. “Get Gavin and Regina and go to the conference room. We’ll talk in ten minutes and if you get there after me, you’re late.” He looked at Dwight. "Dwight, follow Simon."

As Simon rushed off, you spoke. “Who would have the guts to make a move like that?” You were truly stunned and from the looks of things, so was Negan. “Certainly not Gregory.”

Negan ran a hand down his face. “Guy’s busy diddling kids or running around in some clothes that make him invisible.”

As stressful as the situation was, you couldn’t help the smile that blossomed on your face. “Hans Christian Anderson.” For a moment you had forgotten just how well-read Negan was and your attraction for him surged. Placing a gentle hand on his cheek, you left a soft kiss to his jawbone.

He pulled you to his side. “You’re coming. It’s a real dick disco in there and sometimes I think it becomes more about who is right than an open discourse about the most effective action.”

“Do you think they’ll be apprehensive?”

Negan snorted. “Perhaps you haven’t seen how things work around here…” he let his sentence trail off as the snarls of the walkers wafted into the air. Stepping aside, he opened the door to the Sanctuary for you. “They won’t even look at you wrong, now that they know we suck face.” He followed you inside, triumphant by your obvious embarrassment.

As you expected, the entire council was present and accounted for and as Negan said, none of the members batted an eyelash at your presence. Silently taking the furthest seat from Negan, you waited patiently for him to settle at the head of the table. Rather than sit, Negan placed Lucille on the table and gripped its edge with both hands. For a few seconds he stood there with his head bowed.

“I can’t think of an easy way to say this, so I’m just going to spit it out.” Negan looked up, making sure to catch the eye of each Savior. “Simon has informed me that someone has mercilessly taken the lives of some of our own.”

Regina was the first to speak. She jerked forward and slapped her palm on the table in fury. “Who?”

Negan sighed and shook his head. “We don’t know. But whoever it was, they’re cowards. Everyone was slaughtered in their sleep. They couldn’t even face us like men!” His shout echoed off the walls. “Now, we’re here to figure out who these people are and how we’re going to make them pay.”

“Well, how we’re going to deal with them isn’t really a debate, is it?” Simon asked. He leaned forward. “They murdered my men! So we kill every last one of these pricks!”

“You know that’s not how we do things here, Simon,” Negan said firmly.

You shifted in your seat. “These people killed a whole outpost of Saviors without detection. We could use them.”

Negan smiled. “That’s my girl!” He looked at Simon. “We make these pricks piss their pants. When they go to sleep, I want them to see this handsome face in their nightmares. When people are scared, they do what you want. It’s basic Machiavellian politics.”

You covered your mouth and looked at your lap, trying to hide your blatant admiration. Whether your comrades knew about Machiavelli and The Prince, you didn’t know, but Negan certainly did.

Simon sucked at his teeth, clearly biting back words. “I’m just…concerned.” Simon’s words were slow and well thought out. He knew he was dancing with the devil by questioning Negan’s judgment so blatantly. “This was a pretty fearless move.”

Negan grinned. “Oh, Simon,” Negan said softly, “everyone’s afraid of something.”

Let me know if you want to be tagged. I haven’t thought of it until now because this isn’t my primary posting website.