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lunajay33 · 2 months ago

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Desires

•🤎🩰🪽•

Summary: Y/n is a simple girl from a small town but when her child hood friend moves back to town with her dad, her desires grow, feeling new things for this gorgeous man, she’s sheltered and doesn’t know much but Negans there to break her out of her shell

Warning: Age gap, reader is early 20s, Negan is late 40s, Smut

Pairing: Negan Smith x f!reader

Inspired by @lanadelnegan @pretty-circa006 @naughtyneganjdm

•Masterlist•

When I heard my childhood best friend was coming back to my small town I was over the moon, she was the only friend I had here when we were little but then her parents split up and she moved away to a farm with her dad, she visited sometimes to see her mom and we always called each other but I still missed having her in school

She came back to see my graduation and now I work at the local diner, but now she’s coming back for real and I’ll finally have a friend again, being in this small town made it hard to make friends especially when the girls were so mean and ridiculed everything I did and the boys never showed interest so I guess I missed out on everything that comes along with the high school experience

And that’s being me to today, waiting on my door step waiting for Penny to show up for our sleepover, we had so much to catch up on, I had the whole night planned, pizza, Lana Del Rey music, gossip and everything

Then that familiar scream, I look up seeing Penny screaming with the biggest smile as she runs to me with her overnight bag in her arm

I jump up screaming in excitement and throwing my arms around her, I missed her so much

“OH MY GOD I CANT BELIEVE IM BACK” she screams as we finally get into my house away from the prying eyes of my nosey neighbours

“I know I’m so excited we have so much to talk about let’s get started right away” I giggle like a little girl and turn on my Lana playlist as we sit in the couch

•

The night went on as we munched on pizza and danced around to the music until we settled down getting into the deeper part of the evening

“Soooooo tell me all about the guys you’ve been with, I wanna hear everything girl” I blushed immediately at her words, embarrassed at not having any experience

“Oh ummmmm….. about that” I stutter as I try to eat more pizza to avoid the question

“NO WAY……how is that possible you’re gorgeous not even a kiss?” I shook my head feeling the embarrassment set in even deeper

“Nope, no one ever showed interest and I guess no one’s ever caught my eye”

“Well then what’s your type girlfriend, I’ll try and set you up”

“Oh I don’t know” her eyes were wide

“Girl you need to get out there and find your man once you find him you’re in a world of new experience trust me” she smiles

“Well how do I know when I like them”

“Trust me you’ll know when you feel it, how about you come to my house tomorrow evening and we’ll go through everything”

“Okay can’t wait!”

•

She went home the next morning after I made us strawberry pancakes, she told me to come over at 6 to start out, as she put it “make me into a new woman” she told me to wear my cutest pjs to get into the vibe so I packed my over night bag, straightened my hair, put on a baby pink bra and pulled on a thin white tank top that stopped right under my belly button, with some light brown flare pj pants and headed over to her place

Getting out of my car I feel the autumn breeze blow through my hair helping calm my racing heart, this is a whole new territory for me and I have no idea what she’s got planned for me

I suck in a deep breath trying to build my confidence and knock on the door, waiting for a second until I hear footstep approaching the door, expecting to see Penny I’m shocked when the most gorgeous breath taking man is stood infront of me, jeans with a Scorpions Band shirt, short sleeves showing off his defined arms and tattoos, scruff on his face with speckles of grey, he made my knees weak and this strange feeling in between my legs

I’m snapped out of my daze when he smirks and chuckles only making the feeling become strong, I don’t remember Mr.Smith being so handsome but I guess I never saw him much as a kid

“Well hello sweetheart, Pennys upstairs you can head on up” the smirk never leaving and it killed me to rip my eyes away from him

“Oh ummm thank you” I finally spit out as I walk in and head up the stairs

My mind in a haze, the smell of his cologne still lingering and I grip my bag trying to control myself, from what? I don’t know

I hear music coming from down the hall and head that way until I see Penny laid on her bed flipping through a magazine, I finally let out a gasp of air I didn’t even know I was holding until I closed the door

“Woah what’s got you so flustered hun?” She asked as she pat the bed infront of her

“I……I don’t know I have this weird feeling…..it’s kinda embarrassing” I say as I sit infront of her avoiding eye contact

“Come on I’m your best friend you know you can tell me anything, that’s the point of this whole night now spill”

“My heart is beating like a humming bird and my knees are weak and there’s this ache between my legs”

“Oh you’re so cute, you’re horny whoever you saw has got you like jelly, this is the feeling I was telling you about when you know you’ve met someone you want sexually”

Oh no…..I can’t tell her that it’s her father for god sake, it feels so wrong but he look so right I’ve never seen someone so…..so mouth watering

“Soooooo who’s the guy?” She pushed my arm encouragingly

“I saw this guy at the diner at my shift that’s all” I lied and I felt so awful lying to her

“Ooooooo next time you see him give him your number then you can go and experiment”

“But I don’t know how to do anything” I say fiddling with my fingers

“Don’t worry when you meet the right man he’ll treat you right and guide you through everything and if he’s an ass about it, ditch his ass” I nod trying to shake off both the embarrassment and the feeling from Mr.Smith

We gossiped about our favorite celebs and showed eachother our Pinterest boards for fun until there was a knock on her door and my heart immediately sped up

“Come in!” Penny exclaimed

The door opens and there he stands in all his glory, I can already feel my cheeks flush as the scent of his cologne reaches me, already becoming my favorite smell

“Hey girls I made spaghetti you can come down if ya want any!” He smiled as his eyes linger on me a second longer before he leaves again

“Thanks dad!” Penny calls out

“You hungry?” She turns to me and I quickly clear my throat and nod, she grabs my hand and we run down the stairs to the kitchen

We sit at the island as Mr.Smith scoops some spaghetti onto two plates and lays them infront of both of us

“Thank you” I say quietly still not being able to find my voice around him

“I don’t remember ya being such a church mouse sweetheart” he chuckles again as Penny laughs along with him

“Oh she’s a little innocent thing it adorable really” I look at Penny with wide eyes as I poke her side

“Penny stop, you said it wasn’t a big deal” I whisper but I could tell Mr.Smith heard

“It’s not I just think it’s sweet” she said as she shovelled the spaghetti into her mouth

“Got some trouble hun?” He asked with curious eyes

“Oh it’s nothing….” I spit out quickly as I fan my face

•

After supper we sat with Mr.Smith and started watching a bunch of movies until Penny said she wasn’t feeling good so she went to bed and told me I should stay and continue watching, so here I am sitting with the man that’s making me feel all these new urges that I don’t know what to do with them

“Ya tired sweetheart?” He asks from beside me as he moves closer, our thighs almost touching

“Oh I’m fine Mr.Smith, I really like this movie” he said it was called Lost boys from the 80s and so far it was amazing

“You can call me Negan hun, why’re you so nervous? Anything you need to talk about?” He asked almost concerned

“Ummm there’s just been new things happening to me lately and Penny has been helping me with it” I don’t know why but he was giving me a comforting feeling like I can tell him anything

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Well Penny said that I’ll learn when the right man comes along and shows me things and how to deal with this feeling I get between my legs, I’m not entirely sure what that means though”

“Oh honey I can help ya, you’re a grown woman and shouldn’t miss out on the wonders of sex”

“Okay but can we keep this between us while I’m discovering these things? I can’t deny this feeling I have for you I’ve never had for anyone and I can’t lose penny”

“It’ll stay between us Angel now come on you’ve got a lot to learn” he smirks as he stands up and leads me upstairs, we walked past Pennys room and I wanted to stop and just go back in and sleep with her but when I feel him squeeze my hand I know my want for him right now is stronger, we walk into his room and he shuts the door locking it

He lifts me up with no effort and lays me gently on his big bed, the smell of him is all around me, he crawls above me, his on hand rest beside my head the other lightly tracing my cheek down my neck to my chest only adding fuel to my fire

“Tell me how far you’ve gotten Angel” his voice much huskier now

“I…..I haven’t even had my first kiss”

“Well shit, how can a pretty lil thing like you get no guys, they should be all bowing down to you” he says his lips brushing against mine

I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer until our lips were flush together, he was slow with me, gentle little kisses for me to get use to it until I feel his tongue swip against my lip, he squeezes my tit and I gasp as he slides his tongue in, I eventually get us to the feeling and our kiss becomes more rough, I’m a whimpering mess just from him making out with me, gripping his hair as his fingers slide under my tank top pulling it further up

We separate for a moment to rid me of the shirt, he tosses it behind him without a care as he stares down at my body, his finger caressing my my waist making my skin shiver at the touch, it was cool but left a trail of fire at his touch

“You’re beautiful sweetheart” I tug at his shirt wanting to see more of him, he took the hint and tossed his shirt just like mine, I dragged my hand up his chest over his tattoos he was glorious and it made a whimper slip out

“Like what you see” I nodded excited

“I want more please” he continues to talk me through as he rids me of my pants and hooks his fingers in my panties

“I hate to take these pretty pink panties off but I think I’d like to see what’s underneath more” he smirks as I nod in agreement soon my bra following, now I’m laid completely bare to him

“Hot damn” he growls as his eyes seer into me

“Come on your turn, take your pants off” I tug at his belt quickly ripping it off, I suck in a deep breath when his dick pops out smacking his stomach

“Wow, I don’t know what the normal size is but this has to be huge right” I say hypnotized by his girth and length

“I don’t wanna brag but seeing as you’re wanting to learn, yes he’s pretty big” for some reason all I wanted to do was drag my tongue all over him

“What do we do now?” I ask feeling the nerves set in a bit

“You can just relax this is all about you Angel” he says as he pushes me to lay back as he traced kisses down my body till he reached right above my pussy, his big hands took my thighs and spread them apart, feeling his warm breath against my core sent a new wave of sensation

I sit up on my elbows curious to watch his every move, slowly his tongue comes out and flicks against a sensitive part making me gasp and buck my hips

“I liked that……more” he laughs and continues harder sucking and licking I was on cloud nine and it was so hard not to scream

Soon I feel his finger push into me, I hiss at the stretch everything was so foreign

“Just breath and relax baby girl” I lay back in the bed feeling everything

The soft sheets beneath me like I was laying on a cloud, the smell of him like cigarettes, amber and woods, the tingling in my core, his mouth eating me like a he was starved for me, soon a strange feeling building in my belly

“Something feels different” I gasp as his finger curls and his other hand pushes down on my lower belly, I let out a quick scream as I see stars all my senses on over drive, every nerve on fire

“What was that?” I moan feeling an extra burst of confidence

“That was your first of many more orgasms, it’s nice right” he groans as he bites on my neck

“Really good, is that all we do? Is there more”

“Oh there’s more and better but I think that’s enough for your first night Angel, let’s get you in the shower and relax, next time I’ll show you everything okay”

“Okay” I giggle excited as he leads me into his shower, he got in behind me turning the water on holding me from behind, it was nice just relaxing in the silence, I never would’ve thought this was how the night would end but I almost feel like a new woman

“Is there anything I can do for you?” I ask looking up at him over my shoulder

“Being with you is enough, god I don’t know what I’ll do without you now that I’ve had you”

“You can have me whenever you want Negan, you know where to find me”

“Don’t wanna get caught just yet, you remember that old barn in the woods behind the house?”

“Yeah”

“Meet me there tomorrow night, 10 o’clock, I’ll be waiting for you” I nod excited, how could he be interested in me he’s so hot and I’m just me

“I should probably head back to Pennys room before she wakes up and wonders where I am”

“Wish you could stay the night in my bed, but I understand, she’s your best friend” he smiles as he takes a towel and dries me off and ruffles my hair with the towel making me laugh

I found my shirt and pj pants and pulled them back on deciding to ditch the bra and wet panties, I reach the door but stop and turn around one last time seeing he’s right behind me

“Goodnight Angel” he bends down placing one last gentle kiss as he brushes back my hair my heart leaping

“Goodnight Negan, thank you for tonight”

“Anytime darlin”

•

I wake up feeling the most rested I’ve ever felt, turning over in bed I notice Penny scrolling through her phone

“Morning” she yawns as she lays her phone down and turns back to me

“Morning Penny, sleep well?”

“The best with my best friend next to me even though you came to bed pretty late”

“Sorry I just uh….really liked the movie” I feel so guilty for doing what I did with her dad but…..I’ve never felt like this about anyone before and she told me to experiment and she’s a laid back person maybe she’d understand

“What’s that look you have? You look stressed” she poked at me her eyebrows furrowed in concern

“Oh nothing I’m just starving….” I say trying to brush off the feeling and sit up rubbing my eyes

“Are you sure? You know I’m here for you”

“I know I’m just still getting use to all this……stuff, these new feelings are a little confusing and a bit overwhelming”

“I get it, just be gentle with yourself don’t push anything you’re not comfortable with, if that guy you like treats you with respect then you’ll be okay”

“Well what if it’s someone I probably shouldn’t be doing stuff with would you still be my friend?” I ask as I bit on my worried lip

“What of course, I’ll always be your friend, now come on we’re suppose to be having a fun time let’s go make waffles!” She smiles as she hops up and we head down stairs

I sit at the island again as she whips up the batter and starts pouring it in the waffle maker, as we wait she stares at me from across the island

“So dish girl, tell about this guy”

“Well he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, he’s nice but has a truckers mouth sometimes…..I kinda like that, he likes a lot of stuff I like and he’s gentle with me”

“Sounds like a hell of a man” I hear that deep voice that makes my knees weak come from behind me

I turn feeling my heart thump so hard I’m sure they could both hear it too

“Dad don’t embarrass her” Penny giggles at my red face

He chuckled as he rounded the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee, leaning back on it as his eyes stayed on me, with a glint of amusement

“So what’re you girls up to today?”

“Well we’re gonna have breakfast then maybe go shopping at this little boutique”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out $50 laying it on the counter

“Here buy yourselves something nice on me” he smile as he came back around his hand skimming against my thigh before he was gone back to the living room

“We definitely have to get you something cute for this new man” she smile excited

•

We got ready for the day and were now inside the boutique, I was expecting my her to bring me clothes shopping but this is all lingerie I didn’t even know where to start

“Look around find what suits you!”

I rounded a table seeing a pair of baby pink Lacey underwear with a cute white bow at the front, with a matching unlined see through bra

“That is adorable that’s gonna drive him crazy” Penny said from beside me

“Really? You think so?”

“Oh definitely and it’s so you, come on let’s pay for it and get you all dolled up, your meeting up with him tonight while your confidence is high” little did she know I already had plans with him, to me up with her father in the barn behind her house

Part 2 coming soon, comment if you wanna be in the taglist🤎

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janitorhutcherson · 12 days ago

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it would be cool if you wrote an angst/smut mike one shot inspired by casual by chappell roan :)

Casual (Mike Schmidt One Shot)

oh buddy do I have a treat for u guys with this one. im gonna do a part 2 with actual smut, but for now, enjoy some angst...... :p super long, I got carried away, so i give u: this based off of casual.

word count: 1,933

cw: sexual themes mentioned, lots of angst, cursing

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

Mike Schmidt lived his life the way you may describe a flickering neon sign that sat above an old, run down gas station — dim, unstable, and always on the verge of going out. He carried a sort of energy that just radiated detachment, one that caused people to hesitate to bother even asking him another question after getting too many vague answers in a row. His days were blurred together, only filled with dread created by sleepless nights from his dead-end night shift security guard job and the occasional hopeful moment with his little sister that was more like a daughter. During his off nights, he'd fill them with mindless quick fucks to block out memories he didn't want to relive. He didn't want to be an unkind person, nor did he want to be a difficult person to talk to, but he was guarded. His dark eye bags that rest under his eyes held baggage from years of exhaustion and regret.

Relationships were never quite Mike's thing. Too much risk for what had a tendency to be too little reward, and on top of that? It was far too much effort for what little time he had. It was easier for him to get a quick fix, to let people come and go without having a chance to leave an impression. That was, of course, until you came along. You weren't supposed to be any different, just another warm body to keep him satisfied until the next. Even so, Mike couldn't deny it. There was something different, something special about you. Maybe it was the way your laughter filled the dull spaces between conversations, or maybe it was your gaze that felt too knowing, too dangerous, like you could see right past every wall Mike had ever built.

Even though fear plagued his every thought as he inched closer and closer to uncharted territory, Mike kept calling you anyway.

The whole thing started as something simple — a quick swipe on an app, that stupid "It's a Match!" sign popping up. From there, it was the usual "You up?" texts sent late at night under the guise of boredom. To Mike, they held no weight, no promise or commitment. Then, it delved into hanging out well into nighttime, bare skin pressed against each other as the sun hiding on the horizon dared to share the unspoken words Mike had, a signal to pack it up, and a promise that the moon would hide them away again a couple of evenings later. Mike continued to tell himself it was nothing, that you were simply two people filling silence with each other for a while. It was a temporary fix, like a piece of tape against a crack. It wasn't meant to be a permanent solution, just something to help get by.

Although on the surface it was nothing more but a simple fuck buddy situationship, on a deeper level Mike could tell there was something different about you. He felt exposed, like you had pulled back the curtains and could see every crack and crevice he'd worked so hard to cover. It unnerved him. He hated it. It made him feel like he had an exposed nerve that was constantly being picked at, and yet, he couldn't seem to stay away. You had a way of forcing the darkness to feel less suffocating, your laughter cutting through the agonizing static that played on for hours in his head. Your touch was calming, grounding him in ways he never knew and would never admit he needed. It was terrifying and it went against everything Mike believed when it came to human connection.

But every time you lingered around a little too long or said something that felt a little too real, he felt himself pulling back, retreating even further into his shell than before.

He'd push you away with some sort of careless joke, or a cold dismissive tone, leaving you almost always looking like a wounded puppy. It hurt, but it was safer this way. He'd convinced himself this was the way to prevent any pain. The first time you'd called him out on it was in the dim haze of his small bedroom, the sheets tangled around your bodies as no sound but the hum of an old fan in the corner filled the room. It smelled vaguely of cigarette smoke with a hint of laundry detergent. The air was thick. Maybe it was from the dust circulating off of the metal blades that hadn't been cleaned in god knows how long or maybe it was something much more complicated. Mike had just had you pressed against him moments ago, his mouth attached to your neck like a hungry vampire, hands gripping your hips so tight you'd think he'd die if he let go. As the high began to fade, so did the facade that this was anything more than a fleeting moment. You could sense it, watching him turn away as he retreated back into himself, leaving you stranded in some sort of uncomfortable silence.

"Why do you always do that?" you asked, your voice soft but insistent, breaking the fragile quiet.

Mike didn't look at you. Instead he looked up at the cracks in the ceiling, finding them strangely reminiscent of the ones he felt he was hiding. "Do what?" he muttered, but the tension in his jaw said he already knew.

"Act like you don't care," you pressed, popping yourself up with one elbow as the sheet slipped to your waist. Mike felt irritated as your voice cut through the interference in his head, like it always did, a blessing and a curse he couldn't appreciate quite yet. As your fingers ghosted against his shoulder, the same shoulder you'd been grasping, biting at moments before, more words spilled from your mouth. "You just, pull me in, make me feel like I'm the only thing you've ever wanted, only thing you've ever needed, then it's.. it's like I'm not even here."

The corner of Mike's lip twitched up, but it wasn't a smile. No, it was the ghost of something far more bitter, something he didn't want to name. "Because I'm not acting," he finally said, his voice rough and bitter with a hint of detachment. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed as he sat up, his back facing away from you as he continued to speak. "Whatever this is? It's just physical, casual. It's what we agreed upon and it's what it'll stay."

Your chest tightened as the words cut deeper than they should've. "Casual," you echoed as you sat up, the dull ache between your legs acting as yet another cruel reminder of just how close he'd been only moments ago. "You really think that's all this is?" you scoffed out, shaking your head in disbelief.

Mike turned his head slightly, just enough for you to catch the conflicting emotions flickering within his eyes. "Yeah," he said as flatly as possible, but his voice wavered, betraying him.

A cruel frustration took over your body as you leaned forward, your hands sliding over his bare shoulders, your breath ghosting against his neck. "You don't mean that," you whispered, your voice showing mixed emotions of anger, desperation, and regret. "If it was just casual, you wouldn't hold me like that. You wouldn't touch me or kiss me like you're afraid you'd die without me," you pleaded out.

His head dropped, a low, humorless laugh escaping him. "You're making this a hell of a lot harder than it has to be," he muttered, but his voice was strained, his body tense underneath your touch. He adjusted a little as he took a deep breath, building up the courage to fight back, to keep his walls from crumbling. He glanced over at you, his eyes practically begging for you to let him melt into you, to let go of his fears, but his facial expression remained the same guarded, mean person he was trying to be. He gently shrugged your hands off of his shoulders. He couldn't handle your touch right now, it was too much. "I told you it was nothing more but physical, that it would never be. It's gonna stay that way."

You blinked, stunned for a moment as he completely shoved you off, anger finally starting to bubble under your skin. "Bullshit," you snapped with a dry laugh, throwing the sheet off of you as you stood. "If this didn't matter, Mike, if it was only physical, only casual, you wouldn't keep calling. You wouldn't look at me like that, like you're terrified I might actually give a shit about you," you argued.

"Don't," he warned, his voice getting dangerously low.

"Don't what, Mike?" you shot back, stepping even closer to him than before. "Don't tell the truth? Don't call you out for being a coward?"

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, it seemed like he may say something real, something filled with honesty rather than the cold facade he always put on. But instead, he scoffed, letting out yet another humorless laugh as he shook his head. "You don't get it, do you?" he said, his voice rising. "I'm not some guy who's gonna ride off with you into the sunset, alright? This was never, ever, ever supposed to mean anything. You're the one trying to make it into more."

His words hit like a slap in the face, and for a moment, all you could do was stare at him. Your chest tightened as you stood there, feeling more exposed than you ever had, tears threatening to pool down your cheeks. "You're such a fucking liar," you said, your voice trembling with anger. "You can pretend all you want, but you're not even half as detached as you think you are. You're just scared."

"Maybe I am," he snapped, standing now as his voice remained harsh and cutting. "But that's not my fucking problem, is it? It's yours, you knew what this was from the start."

You felt like the air had been knocked right out of you for what felt like the hundredth time tonight, but you refused to let a man who'd never be vulnerable with you see you break. "You're right," you said, your voice wavering as you gathered your clothes off of the floor and slid them on with shaky hands. "I did know what this was, I just didn't think you'd be this much of a heartless asshole about it," you quipped with a bite to your tone, your eyes glazed over with tears. You had to fight it, at least until you walked out of this apartment.

His expression flickered, showing what seemed to be regret, but only for a moment, but he didn't stop you as you moved towards the door. "Don't call me again," you said over your shoulder, your voice barely able to escape below a whisper.

The door slammed behind you, leaving Mike alone in the silence. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands as he yet again felt like he failed another person in his life. The words he wanted to say stayed stuck in his throat. But Mike didn't move, he didn't call after you, nor did he pick up the phone to text you, even as the sound of your footsteps faded into the night. And as the silence swallowed him whole, Mike realized far too late that the emptiness he thought he wanted felt so much heavier without you in it.

#mike schmidt x reader #mike schmidt #mike schmidt imagine #mike schmidt fluff #mike schmidt angst #mike schmidt one shot #fnaf one shot #fnaf x reader #fnaf imagine #angst #mike isn't so great of a person in this #reader gets hurt #oneshots #josh hutcherson #josh hutcherson angst #josh hutcherson x reader

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sasster · 18 days ago

Text

Renovations

Hey guys! Hi! [doc]

—

Were he a notch higher on the go big or go home scale, and if the universe would have allowed for it, Persep might have blown his dreadful apartment building and all of the poor bastards it housed off of the face of Alternia.

They’d probably have thanked him for that too, but something about the smothering desperation that the place was steeped in made it difficult to actually want to do away with. It would have been enjoyable, even, if he weren’t just as miserable as the rest of them.

Instead of putting them all out of their misery once he’d had enough of the place, he instead decided to go out and set some much neglected plans in motion.

Finding a hive in his preferred setting, a heavily forested area as far away from civilization as to not be an inconvenient trek back as he could get, was the easy part. Apart from city-dwellers, trolls tended to want their territories a decent distance from other trolls. As far they could get them, really. And after a handful of perigees as a city-dweller himself, he would have found a way to put his new hive on the green moon if it meant never seeing another unwanted soul in his space again.

That would have made the next phase of his plan way too difficult though and he always prided himself on his ability to remain practical.

Persep had hoped that the hive he found would be an abandoned one, considering that his change in status from ghost to reaper meant that killing anyone was a new and frustrating impossibility, but scaring the former owner away was easy enough. He was young and, by his own admission once Persep’d bared his fangs, didn’t want any problems.

The hardest part was getting the structure up to the standards of his old hive, the beautiful and towering omen that it was before that party of ingrates reduced it to ash. It was a marvelous place of stone and nightmares. Edgy by anyone else's standards. This new one was much smaller by comparison, hidden amongst the cover of the treeline instead of standing dauntingly above it. The mid-blood he menaced out of it had neither the funds nor ambition that he’d had when it was time to construct.

There’d be no room for a gruesome collection of lifesized 1:1 ration puppets or a maze of halls within to stalk and disorient his guests. Not even any space for a vivisection table without disrupting the delicate balance of the hive's two bedrooms and living room.

Much of the hive was decorated to his tastes, at least. His collections of old artifacts weren’t what they used to be, but he made do, and of course the look wouldn’t be complete without the porcelain dolls he loved so much that made direct eye contact with the observer from whatever angle they approached from. Those soulless glass eyes painted the rooms and halls a shade of dread that cured his heart of the homesickness plaguing it since his return.

The renovations were not fully complete until he finished the second bedroom, though: soft pastel walls peppered with floating shelves full of books that staggered along a wall to a window he’d made certain to force and break the lock on. His plan required that his guest be comfortable after all, but in no position to make daring escapes.

Persep admired the circular bed and its canopy that rested near the window, delighted with the fruits of his labor. A bedroom that came to him in a dream, now complete and waiting for its occupant to come and make use of the vanity, dresser, and table he’d painstakingly arranged from memory.

A thank you would be appreciated, he thought, once his guest arrived.

Thumbing the glassy rock in his pocket, he smiled to himself, satisfied that he’d taken all of the necessary steps to see a deal fulfilled at long last.

And so he left his new home, stopping once he was outside to take in the exterior of all his hard work, then headed off toward the House of Restoration with an uncharacteristic pep in his step.

—

One of the better results of having a vagabond soul meant that traveling by the cover of Alternia’s blistering sun was of little consequence to him. As much as he enjoyed creeping in the shadows and flirting around the fringes of the consciousness of the layman, he didn’t fancy the idea of moving about in conditions that provided for that irritating Roatus kid to be up and about, making things much more difficult than they had to be. He liked the idea of Arkiro being fast asleep or otherwise occupied with whatever the daylife had to offer him.

Persep arrived at the church steps as the sun was approaching its apex, painting the landscape in its eye-searing rays. Just as he was going to learn how good the building’s sun-proofing systems were, the ornate handle on the front door turned and it was pushed slightly ajar from the inside. Someone carefully stepped out into the light, making certain not to open the door too wide as to let in too much sun, then closed it gently behind herself to mitigate any slam.

Persep felt himself grin at the familiar sight of her tail, fanned out as she closed her eyes and soaked in the warmth that the sun bathed the world in.

What luck.

He bounded forward eagerly, grin only widening in his fervor, to stand directly between Nymira and her sunbath.

She furrowed her brows first at the sudden shade, then frowned. When she opened her eyes again horror joined the symphony of emotions clouding her features. If he had to guess, he would think she’d wandered out here in some sort of daze.

The corners of her mouth twitched, and she had enough sense to focus her gaze beyond his face despite the obvious discomfort stirring within her.

He said nothing for a moment, basking in the situation for just a short while.

Nymira took the time to try and get her way back into the church, only partially getting the door open before Persep made quick work of leaning forward with a hand pressed firmly against it, letting his own weight force it shut.

“Why the rush, Dreamer? No time for an old friend?” As soon as he broke the silence, her attention snapped back to him, still focused on anything but his eyes.

Smart girl.

“Why are you here?” She questioned, no doubt fighting to keep the fear out of her voice.

“We’ve much to discuss. Business matters to attend.”

Nymira sniffed, a small indignant sound, and crossed her arms over her chest. “I am not looking to bargain with you again.”

“No?” He practically laughed, his mirth only barely held back. “Good thing you’ve yet to fulfill your end of the last one.”

He watched her resolve waver, his statement lingering in the air between them. She furrowed her brows again, horror quickly replaced by bewilderment, and dropped her hands to silently count her fingers by tapping them against her thighs.

“I went home,” she finally said, “Our dealings are finished.”

“‘Whatever you want,’” he echoed her promise. “I have yet to receive what I want, Godling.”

She hesitated, then made to take a step back, only managing to press herself against the door. “That is not what I meant… You know that wasn’t what I meant..”

“I’ll be collecting now.”

She made herself small against the door, voice ever smaller. “No…”

“That really isn’t how this works.” He warned, leaning in to further loom in the space she left behind.

Like a wild animal, her eyes darted around from his face to the space behind him either searching for an exit or someone to call out to. Then, with no warning at all, she reared back and drove her foot directly into his shin.

The smug look left his face in that instant, he hissed some expletives under his breath without letting up from the door, so she took her chances darting down the church steps, away from him.

Persep recovered faster than she expected, letting out another string of curses before giving chase, and tangling a hand in her hair to pull her back just as she cleared the bottom step. “I see you weren’t raised to play nice.” He gritted, fighting to get the fidgety goddess under control. “Will we be doing this the easy way?”

Nymira, stubborn as she can be, kicked back as hard as she could, striking him in the same leg as her first assault. When his grip loosened up, she made another run for it.

“Shame on me for being polite.” He bemoaned, making quick work of running after her as she put distance between them and her only solace. Disoriented by fear though, she did not get very far before he was able to get his nails into her shoulder and turn her back to face him with such force she had no choice but to stop.

The purple light emanating from his eyes spilled a ross her face and poisoned her features as they finally made eye contact. “The hard way it is.”

#persep #long post #coko writes sometimes #first drabble of 2025 and its persep :(

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doomtrooper77 · 27 days ago

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Some of these new Merc were terrifying. Back in 2080, some countries, fuck call them what they were now, fucking conglomerate states, tried fielding robotic soldiers on the field. They were devastating at first. More than a few countries fell to wave after wave of unthinking killing machines. But here's the thing, no programming, no AI is going to ever beat a THINKING KILLING MACHINE. During that time, companies/countries started integrating tech into their soldiers. It was still supposed to have been against international law., but the human race had devolved into purely might makes right.

It turns out that humans blended with tech are far more efficient and deadly killing machines. The human mind has always been geared toward using tools. Now that these deadly tools were blended directly with human anatomy, the machines didn't stand a chance. But then, neither did your everyday human.

Its 2145 technology has humanity flowing into the solar system, with cities on the Asteroids, the Moon, Mars, and Europa. 100 years ago, TV shows had humanity step into the stars as a unified civilization. Reality is nothing like that. Conglomerations are the governments. The riches of the solar system allowed them to branch out and grow at exponential rates. Most people live a good life, but military strikes and wars between companies are common. Sometimes, it is over territory, a new asteroid, or a new spot on the moon or Mars. Or over tech and knowledge.

That's where I come in. They attacked about 12 hours ago. They didn't know what they were looking for because it was actually a who. Me. They have been scooping up all the tech they found, but it turns out they were looking for the guy who had been developing a new way to generate encapsulated plasma. I was that guy. It could be used for a lot of things, but one of them was weaponry. I didn't tell anyone, but I was much further along in my research than I had told my bosses. I had figured out how to use this tech in everything from handguns to ship-mounted cannons. Somehow, someone outside of our company found out, which is why they attacked.

I recognize this gear. These guys were from the heavy weapons company Blackblade Heavy Weapons and Industry. They were from their mercenary wing, Doomtroopers. Some of the tech they integrated and carried was beyond anything I had ever seen. Doomtroopers weren't just your average mercenaries. As far as we can tell, only 10 attacked the base. We had over 200 security personnel onsite. They cut through them like butter.

The three trying to get me to a shuttle were smeared across the broken and crumbling building. They told me to hide, but it was too late. Hiding under a desk in the shadows of the room did nothing. I could see the glow of his cyber eyes as they locked on me. The ground shook as his massive armored form swaggered to where I hid.

"I found the target. We are in building 7G. Converge on me." He said out loud. "Loud and Clear, Major, we are headed your way." was the reply. His face split into a grin, "Now, why don't you come out from under there, little man. We're gonna take you to your new home. Lots of new tech for you to play with and lots of new toys you'll make for us." he said hefting the massive assault rifle he carried easily. "You can come along nicely, or I can beat you into compliance. I'd rather you come along nicely."

I did the only thing I could; I stood up from under the desk. The smirk on his face said he was a man who was used to getting what he wanted. Today, he wanted me. It wasn't until I was standing next to him that I realized how big he was. Fuck, he was easily over 7 feet tall. He had massive musculature; I could see the armor and tech integrated over his frame. A small part of me was screaming this was a monster from a nightmare, but the analytical part of me was already thinking about what could be done to improve it.

His eyes seemed to assess me even as mine assessed him. "Good choice, Doctor." He said. Getting back on channel with his men, he said, "Doomsquad 9, clean up any security on your way to building 7. Dropships, meet us outside section 9, lay waste to anything on air or land that moves in our direction." Weapons fire could be heard in the distance and growing nearer. He growled, "Music to my ears."

#ai muscle #midjourney #enforcer #mercenary

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shadowviixen · 10 months ago

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Embodying for Manifestation and Confidence Pt. 1

A little disclaimer again... I am in no way a professional astrology reader however I do my research and take into account my personal experience and observation... so some things may vary for others, but I hope a part of this post can also help you. To begin I want to highlight that this is focused more on our physical appearance... I will probably get into further sections over time...

We'll get into two things: Ascendant and Venus Sign As individuals, our sun, moon, and specific planets will give us our own personal fingerprint which at the end of it all will definitely be unique and different from others' experiences. So simply having the same sun or moon or rising sign will not be duplicated by others. But I want to touch more into the Ascendant and Venus sign.

The Ascendant sign (Rising Sign) is the expression to which we have become an independent existence in this world. It is also the behaviors and characteristics that enable us to cope with unfamiliar territory.

It is responsible for our self-awareness, identity, and our self-sufficiency. Furthermore, it reciprocates our goals, objectives, personal philosophy, mannerisms, physical appearance, etc. And our Ascendant is how we PROJECT ourselves to the world.

The Venus Sign is what we are attracted to in all senses. It rules... our nature of LOVE and LOVING... Our Venus sign shows us what we desire personally. It is our aesthetic. Our ALLURE. Our natural affection and beauty. At the same time, it reflects what we give importance to and how we take care of and prioritize ourselves. I believe that how we love others by nature-- is also a reflection of how we love ourselves.

HOW I USE THE ASCENDANT AND VENUS SIGN

We should understand that manifestations come at a different pace for each one of us. But the more comfortable you are and trusting with the universe, the easier you manifest. This is relational to what we want and who we want to be...

Wear materials that you can combine with your Venus and Ascendant... For example, I am a Capricorn Venus and Aries Ascendant. I like wearing Capricorn Venus-esque clothes: clothes that look smart, professional, girl-boss, mature, elegant, and timeless. However, I would choose colors that reflect the nature of my Ascendant... so powerful colors especially and specifically DEEP RED(s).

I apply the same rule to makeup and accessories!

Intuitively, our Venus is not only what we are attracted to but also how we attract things, relationships, and experiences from the universe, and our ascendant boosts our power without compromising our safety and comfort.

The only way we can ever feel confident... is when we understand ourselves and what benefits us without compromising who we truly are.

I want to get into each sign via Ascendant and Venus but that'll be in a separate post. So I'll see you guys on the next reading.

References: Woolfolk, J. (1982). THE ONLY ASTROLOGY BOOK YOU'LL EVER NEED.

Images:

First three (top) - Pinterest. Belongs to respective owners. Last two - Mine lol. (literally Cap venus and Aries Asc vibes)

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icequeenlila · 1 year ago

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Geto is jealous (SatoSugu)

Working title- 'Cold Slug' (makes sense in the end of the fic)

"Satoru?" And he made his voice extra soft at the name, letting his elbow grace Satoru's arm.

An annoyed grunt. "What?"

He still didn't look his way, but Suguru could see him glance at him out of the corner of his blue, blue eyes.

"Are you okay?" His voice was still soft at the question, but he fixed the boy with an earnest expression, making sure Satoru understood he would only accept the truth.

A sigh. Satoru's shoulders deflating the smallest bit.

"I already told you", he mumbled. "I'm fine."

"You know I'll get mad if I find out you lied to me." This time it wasn't a question, and it made a small smile creep onto Satoru's lips.

"Ooh, I'm so scared."

Suguru poked him in the rips, fast enough to take a hit before Satoru could put up his Infinity.

"Ah- haha!" Satoru jumped to the side, getting some distance between the two of them. "Unfair!"

"Totally fair", Suguru replied, a pleasant smirk on his lips. "If there is anything not fair here, it's your Infinity."

They started bickering after that. Suguru didn't bring up the topic again. He could swallow his anger if it meant Satoru was smiling again.

He let it rest and Satoru was hopping alongside him, blabbering like his old self. None of them suggested to fly back, silently deciding to take the train. Satoru was pretty in the moon light falling in through the window. They sat next to each other and it was warm inside, compared to the cool night air.

Satoru's cheeks were pink from the cold, the tip of his nose dusted in a sweet red. He had taken off his glasses as the metal had turned too cold on his skin, and Suguru was mesmerized.

The ride home was about an hour and they spent it talking and teasing and poking at each other, and everything was fine. Satoru was talking about Digimon (Suguru had no idea how they ended up here) and he was fine and he was smiling and everything was okay.

Only it wasn't.

Suguru was only half listening to Satoru, nodding his head despite not hearing his words. He only saw his pretty lips moving and imagined how they would feel on his own. And then his gut caught fire again as he realized that fucking guy from earlier knew exactly what they felt like.

His evil mind didn't stop there. No, it even showed Suguru pictures of Satoru being held by the guy. One of his sticky hands on the back of Satoru's neck, holding him in place, pulling him closer as he forced his tongue between his rosy lips.

Did Satoru like it? He did not look like it when Suguru had found him fleeing the bathroom. Had that asshole forced himself onto him?!

Suguru would kill him. He would find him and he would kill him and he would do it with his bare hands.

"- you good?" A light shove against his shoulder snapped him out of it.

"Huh?"

He blinked against his confusion, schooling his expression when he realized the light strain between his brows from squinting them too much.

"You look like you have a stomach ache or something." Satoru was eying him scepticaly, one shoulder pressed up against the seat, head tipped to the side and arms crossed. "Are you good?"

"Yes", Suguru answered.

Except for the fact that I can't stop thinking about you and bitch boy, swapping spit with each other, he added mentally.

"Okay, so what did I just say?" Satoru looked at him with a quirked brow and half a smirk on his lips.

Suguru stared back at him with wide eyes. "Uhm..."

Satoru's half smirk turned into a full one. "Knew it."

He leaned in closer to him, his six eyes hopefully not catching the way Suguru's ears started burning as his heart thundered inside his chest.

"What'ya thinking about, Suguru?"

He said his name in that playful tone he always used when teasing Suguru. When he was trying to provoke some silly fight.

Normally, Suguru would jump to it, happy to blow off some steam. But this was dangerous territory.

"Nothing", he said, sitting more straight in his seat, acting like he was reading the name of the next station on the little screen hanging over the sliding doors. (He would look outside, but he'd left the window seat to Satoru.)

"Oh, come on", Satoru teased, leaning in even closer. No sense of private space, as usual. "I barely see that expression on your face, except when I put it there myself." He chuckled, cocking his head and trying to catch his eye. "Who got on your nerves like that?"

Suguru glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Nobody", he muttered, a picture of that guy plopping up inside his head. The fucking way he'd smirked at Suguru. The way he'd known.

Suguru's fingers dug into the flesh of his arms, as his mind once more showed him HD-quality pictures of the guy's hands all over Satoru. Satoru inside his lap, eyes closed, sighing sweetly as fuck face deepened the kiss.

Suguru could hear his own blood pumping through his veins. Another hot wave of rage washing over his senses, driving him almost mad. He was so riled up, he was sure he could rip out an entire row of passanger seats with his bare hands right now.

Then the picture changes and suddenly Satoru is trying to push him away, fighting against the guy's hold as he doesn't let him leave.

And the worst part was, Suguru didn't even know which option he found worse. And he hated himself for it. And it made the churning sensation inside his stomach so much worse.

"Hey, Sugu-"

"Just leave it!"

Oh fuck.

The words came out way harsher than he had meant to.

Satoru's eyes went wide with shock, the hand he had reached out towards him stopping in mid air.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

"Sorry." Satoru found his voice before him. And it was small. Stiff.

His hand retreating. Body turning away from Suguru.

"No. Satoru." Suguru reached out a hand for him, only to find his fingers stopping short before touching Satoru's shoulder.

Infinity.

"Nah, it's okay", Satoru said and his voice was lighter now, indifferent.

Fake.

"Guess we're both in a bad mood today." Satoru didn't even look at him, chin resting in his hand as he stared out the window.

"Satoru."

"Let's just talk tomorrow." He still wasn't looking. "Or not."

The last part was muffled into his palm, as he closed his eyes pretending to rest.

Suguru let his hand drop, a defeated sigh escaping him.

"I didn't mean to yell", he said in a soft voice, letting his head fall back against the seat.

Satoru's eyes remained closed. The boy escaping the conversation in pretending to be asleep.

So, Suguru closed his eyes too.

"It's just hard to explain." Voice so soft it was barely more than a whisper. So soft he could barely hear his own words over the static roar of the train rushing over rails. "You wouldn't understand."

Their friendship would be over.

A glance at the screen told him that there were still over twenty minutes left. He sighed in his misery.

The rest of the ride was quiet.

Working on a lil treat. It has a happy ending, no worries. I'm just a sucker for jealous Geto.✨

#satosugu fic #satoru x suguru #satoru gojo #satosugu #gojo satoru #gojo x geto #suguru geto #geto suguru #jujutsu geto #ao3 #ao3fic #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu gojo

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sunnyfoxsstuff · 4 months ago

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Hey guy's! >:D New chapter today cuz i decided its Time that i right lol

Chapter 7:(idk tbh)

Qingxuan had went outside to take some fresh air After lastnight, walking more away into the forest

He xuan on his side was making breakfast being a bit distant thinking he caused this nightmare to him he may be dead and a Ghost now but it wont erase what he went through because he xuan's and shi wudu's action's

After some hour's around in the afternoon he xuan decided to talk to him but not about what happened but about more Ghost stuff

SQX:"what? You're gonna teach me? Teach me what?" Tilting his head confused After all he's a grown man

HX:"yes, i dont know if you noticed but pretty much any ghost's have something..'special' like their animal features or well for me controlling water ghost's usually find out what their 'special' thing is soon after having their body's materialised but since you're kind of, a peacefull Ghost." Crossing his arm's shutting his eye's "we'll have to find it by trying anything out After all a Ghost life isnt all happy one day you'll probably get attacked and i cant Always bé there," he stopped looking at sqx

SQX:"why would you want to always be there for me he xiong? Im sure i can learn it easy it'll be a piece of cake!" Lifting his fist's to his chest enthusiast and sure of himself

He xuan looked away to think, qingxuan creeped closer poking his cheek like old time's

SQX:"what are yooouu thinking?"

He xuan just turned his head looking at him "nothing, stop poking me its not Time for this." He sighed while sqx chuckled with a bright smile

HX:"what's so funny?"

SQX:"your face is funny, and squishy"

This Time he xuan grabbed his hand so he stops poking him continuing with "i think we should go shopping again"

Looking confused "sure if you want"

With that he xuan dragged sqx by the hand back to the market where jewel's and clothe's sort of thing's are

SQX:"y'know you Can let go of my hand i wont trip my leg doesnt hurt and its not like i'll run away either, also why are we back here"

Hx ignoring continuing to walk stopping infront a fan selling shop "choose one think of it as like a gift from me"

SQX:"he xiong you're acting weird today are you ok? Do you have a fiever?" Gettin infront of he xuan putting his free hand on his forehead

HX:"i aint sick i just had an idea beside's you're not gonna refuse a fan right? I know how you loved to use that thing everytime you would dance to summon the air"

SQX:"fine but let go of my hand"

After that sqx looked at all of the fan's he loved some but nothing felt like his past fan's he would buy some pretty fan's use them one Time and go back to the fan him and his brother had it was the only one he needed the only one he wanted but that same fan had got teared up by the same person that's right beside's him

SQX:"i dont really want any of them..i liked the old one"

HX:"you still like it even After your own brother who gave you it tried to kill you?"

SQX:"maybe he had a good reason?" Looking at he xuan which he Saw scoff probably by annoyance

Since sqx refused to buy any they had went back home After a walk around for the next day's he xuan would be busy going back to his territory sqx would wonder why he goes away for so long but he didnt dared to ask and just stay silent he still had xie lian's company he also counted hua cheng but it was clear as day that he was around only for his majesty

That night After walkin home sqx saw from a far he xuan's silhouette in the filled full of flower's with the full Moon and their house behind it seemed like he xuan had been waiting him

SQX:"what are you doing here at this hour alone? I mean beside's me i Always see you alone hehe-"

HX:"i just thought you'd be home more early and i got a gift for you" handing a fan with black silver ish detail's

Sqx took the fan openning it seeing that its his old fan a bright smile grew on his face hugging he xuan out of happiness

SQX:"ah sorry no hug's" he said but he xuan hugged back a bit which surprised sqx

HX:"..sorry for last time at the market when i got mad you're just really annoying sometime's"

SQX:"he xiong! That's not a way to apologies!..but its fine i forgive you dont worry about it your really silly sometimes he xiong" laughing

HX:"im not silly, anyway's i made diner alone since you werent there yet Come on"

Yoooo! I loved writing this chapter he'll probably will never have a title i Hope you all will love it just as much as i did!

#fanfic #he xuan #shi qingxuan #tgcf #mxtx tgcf #xie lian #beefleaf #hua cheng

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clangenrising · 2 years ago

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Month 3 - Newleaf

Prev | First | Next

Goldenstar stalked along the EarthClan border, mouth open to scent the air as she searched for the next border mark. Pantherhaze and Russetfrond padded behind her, discussing twoleg traps.

“What do you think they’re trying to catch?” Pantherhaze asked, “Prey? Us?”

“Maybe,” Russetfrond hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe they want our territory.”

“They wouldn’t have to trap us like that to take the territory,” Goldenstar huffed, lifting her head to look back at them. “They’d only need to set their monsters on us and we’d have to run.”

Russetfrond huffed right back, frowning. “You’d just let them?” One ear twitched, annoyed, and Goldenstar raised one brow at his tone.

“What would we do to stop them?” she shot back, “rub up against their legs like kittypets and beg them to leave?” Russetfrond’s hackles rolled irritably and Pantherhaze glanced back and forth between them with a sudden nervous energy.

“It’s not worth fighting, guys,” he tried but Russetfrond continued.

“We could get all the Clans together,” he said, “drive them back by the will of StarClan.”

Goldenstar let out a short, harsh laugh. Yeah, like StarClan’s will alone could stop them. Scorch came to her mind, and she had to focus on the conversation at hand to avoid drifting away into thoughts of the things Smokyrose had told her on the rogue’s behalf.

“Don’t be stupid,” she said, picking up their pace again. “You’ve seen what a monster can do to a cat without even thinking, we wouldn’t stand a chance if they were hunting us.” That seemed to be enough to shut Russetfrond’s mouth. Good, thought Goldenstar, I’d hate to have to pull rank or something. They continued on for a little while, winding along the border and remarking it when needed.

Her mind began to wander back to Scorch. The concerns she had voiced had troubled Goldenstar, to tell the truth. The worst part was that they all made sense. Now that she had been made aware of them, she wasn’t sure if she could continue living her life as she did. Sometimes, she had found, knowledge was more burden than blessing.

“Heads up,” Pantherhaze suddenly hissed and Goldenstar’s ears flicked forward, her gaze snapping back from the fog they had fallen into. Coming over the crest of the next hill, on the EarthClan side of the border was a small patrol. Goldenstar smiled as she recognized Orangestar’s bright pelt weaving through the grass beside her new apprentice, Toadpaw. Goldenstar raised her tail to greet them and Orangestar did the same. The patrols met halfway and Goldenstar smiled at her friend.

“Oragnestar,” she purred, “good to see you! Prey running well?”

The ginger she-cat purred in reply, feathery tail swishing back and forth. “Yes, what about you?” Beside her, Toadpaw stepped anxiously from foot to foot, a grimace on his face. Goldenstar hoped she wasn’t the source of his nerves.

“Likewise,” she nodded. “Although I could do with a bit more rain, if I’m being honest.”

The last member of the EarthClan patrol, a fluffy white queen named Bogmist, spoke up, posture calm. “Stormwhisper says we shouldn’t have to wait long. Next moon should bring plenty of rain.”

“Good to know!” Pantherhaze grinned. Russetfrond flicked his tail, less enthused.

A thought struck Goldenstar. “Uh, Orangestar!” she said without thinking, causing Toadpaw to flinch and Orangestar to blink and then chuckle.

“Goldenstar!” she joked in kind.

Goldenstar blushed and licked her whiskers. “Sorry,” she laughed, “but um, would you mind talking with me for a moment? I have some thoughts I’d love to get your opinion on.”

“Really?” asked Orangestar, blinking in surprise again. As the youngest and least experienced leader, she must not have considered that someone almost two years older than her would want her advice. “Um, sure! O-of course!” She turned to Bogmist and added, “Do you think you and Toadpaw could finish the patrol without me?”

“Sure,” Bogmist smiled and bumped her head against Orangestar’s shoulder. “Come on, Toadpaw.” The apprentice stayed rooted to the spot for a moment, seemingly loathe to leave his mentor behind, but eventually ducked his head and slunk after the warrior. Goldenstar caught a nervous glance back at her and the other RisingClanners.

“I’ll catch up with you guys at camp,” she said to her warriors. Pantherhaze nodded dutifully and Russetfrond puffed a bit at the chance to take charge of the patrol.

He flicked his tail across the small black cat’s side and headed off. “Let’s go, Pantherhaze, we’re already behind as it is.”

Pantherhaze blushed and bounded to catch up with him. “S-sure thing, Russetfrond!” Goldenstar watched them go with a bit of a chuckle, before returning her attention to the expectant smile on Orangestar’s face.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” asked the younger cat, brimming with curiosity.

“It’s a bit of a long story,” Goldenstar admitted bashfully. “See, we took in a rogue last moon-”

“A rogue?” Orangestar cut in, shocked, “Really?”

“Yeah,” said Goldenstar, sitting down. “Her name is Scorch and she’s been considering sticking around.” That wasn’t exactly true. More like Goldenstar had been trying to convince her to stay. Orangestar settled down on her side of the border, mouth agape. “But she’s got some… concerns with the way we do things. Smokyrose has helped her bring them to my attention and now I’m… not sure what to do.”

“What kind of concerns?” asked Orangestar.

Goldenstar chuckled. “She says we’re a cult.”

“A cult?! That’s ridiculous!” Orangestar curled her tail firmly over her paws and shook her head.

“Maybe,” Goldenstar said, less sure. “She says we remind her of other groups that were… designed to keep the cats inside them from leaving. I figured I ought to hear her out.”

“I suppose…” said Orangestar, ears flattening like an apprentice being scolded for a foolhardy battle tactic.

“Like, she says the way we talk about StarClan - like they’re the be-all, end-all - rubs her wrong. She thinks Sagetooth and I just claim to talk to them in order to gain power.”

“Okay, but that is ridiculous,” Orangestar said. “We both know exactly how real they are.”

“True,” Goldenstar ran a paw over her forehead, remembering the burning sensation she had felt when Sunstar’s nose had touched it and her ninth life had flooded through her blood like fire.

That life had been for curiosity. Never stop asking questions, Sunstar had said. You will never know everything and accepting that is the first step to being a good leader. No one knows everything, not even me. Not even StarClan. The words had gone unsaid, but Goldenstar knew her mentor well enough to see them in her eyes.

“But StarClan are just cats,” she continued. “Just like us. Maybe we do abuse their name sometimes. I mean, how often does invoking StarClan end an argument? Isn’t it concerning that if we wanted to, we could just pretend they agreed with whatever we already wanted to do?”

Orangestar winced. “Yeah… I guess that’s a good point…”

“She says the fact that cats change their names when they join a Clan is manipulative too,” Goldenstar continued, finally letting all of these thoughts spill out of her. “Says that the way we talk about kittypets, that we don’t really talk to anyone outside of our own Clans, it’s all designed to keep us from seeing new ideas or deciding to leave.”

Orangestar’s ears were back against her head again. “What else are we supposed to do?” She asked, anxious frustration pulling at her voice. “Go be kittypets?”

“No, I don’t think so but… I think maybe we shouldn’t run them off on sight. Maybe she’s got a point, maybe we should… listen to them, see what they can teach us.”

Orangestar shook her head. “I don’t know… Our laws keep us strong. Without them, the Clans would fall, wouldn’t they?”

“We don’t know that,” said Goldenstar, “We don’t know anything except what we’ve already tried.”

“It sounds to me like you’ve already made a decision,” frowned Orangestar and Goldenstar’s stomach sank when she realized her friend was right.

“I guess so…” she sighed. “Thanks for letting me ramble anyways. I hope you’ll think about what I said though.”

Orangestar stood, paws shuffling awkwardly. “Yeah… I’ll bring it up with Stormwhisper at least.”

“Thanks,” said Goldenstar, rising to her feet as well. “I’ll see you around.”

“Sure thing,” Orangestar nodded, seeming distant, and turned to head after her patrol. Goldenstar sighed. That could have gone better. Perhaps she was talking to the wrong person. Heading home, she resolved to ask Sagetooth about a trip to the River of Stars.

#clan gen #clangen #clan gen oc #clangen oc #warrior cats #warrior cats oc #warriors #warriors oc #Goldenstar #Orangestar #Toadpaw #Pantherhaze #Russetfrond #Newleaf #clangenrising

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mackjlee9 · 1 year ago

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I am literally scouring the internet for ruze fics rn!!! That collab gave me major brainrot for some reason, could we do some fluffy jealous!ruze x reader please :,)))

Oooh~~ nice!

I decided to split this is into two parts so the next one will probably come in a few days~!

Crimzon Ruze x Male!Reader [?]

Warning; uh... Maybe lore inaccurate and ooc!ruze. Ruze if you find this, no you didn't.

Masterlist.

VTuber Holostars EN/ Armis

A heavy sigh left his mouth as he wiped the sweat off his forehead, the red fabric of his jacket turning a slightly darker colour due to his action. With a grunt, he pushed his sandy blond hair away from his face.

He was about to take off his mask and relax for a moment before heading back to the Criminal's Cut, hoping he could maybe continue reading in peace and there wouldn't be any more corruption beasts coming out of their territory, but the movement of his hand halted when he heard something.

It was a faint sound, one which he hadn't been able to hear before due to the roaring of the beasts and his unstoppable laughter, but now, in the eerily silence of the Badlands, his ears twitched slightly at the sound.

He frowned and gripped Zephyr tighter, steadily making his way toward the sound. Considering where he was, the possibility of the sound coming from another corruption beast was the only option that came to his mind, so he got ready to strike the beast and kill it with one swift swing.

However, he found something else. Something that wasn't a corruption beast. It was... A person.

A male.

His purple eyes inspected the state of the guy, his breathing was ragged and he was drenched in sweat, barely moving as he had found shelter in a rather small cave. He was severely injured, and upon a quick inspection, he was surprised the guy had managed to stay alive, specifically when he caught sight of a blood trail and faded footprints on the sand.

He took a deep breath and lifted Zephyr over his head, determined to put this poor soul out of his misery...

But he couldn't.

The blade shone under the sunlight as it stopped less than an inch away from the guy's neck, and he watched how his brows furrowed, mouth open as he struggled to breathe.

An annoyed sigh left him, and he watched the guy.

He didn't have a reason not to kill him, but he didn't have a reason to kill him either, so maybe...

"You owe me," he muttered to himself before carefully leaning Zephyr against the cave and dragging the guy closer to him, by doing so, he noticed the bloodied cloth wrapping around the guy's stomach, and could see that the wound was a claw scratch from a beast, as the cloth didn't quite cover the entire length of it.

He had more wounds, but they had stopped bleeding for the most part.

His eyes looked at the wounded man again, trying to understand why hadn't he killed him but he couldn't find it in himself to answer his own question. He took off his jacket and made the guy sit up, putting the heavy red jacket around his shoulders and securing the straps so it wouldn't fall off, and decided to pick him up.

He carried the man on his back and picked up Zephyr before making his way back as fast as he could, watching as the sun began to set over the horizon, giving way for the moon to shine as the night dropped.

///////

Closing the door behind him, purple eyes were locked on the guy he brought over to his home.

He had made a makeshift bed for him, had put his jacket away to wash the blood before it stained, and had fetched some stuff to help with his wounds.

Just the thought of having to take care of another person was beginning to irritate him and he was beating himself for bringing an injured man over, but... Too late now.

He made his way to him and knelt beside him, taking out his dagger to cut the bloodied cloth and get to work quicker.

Cleaning the wound was the first thing he did and thankfully he had cloth around to clean all the diluted blood as he gently poured water on the open cuts. The guy's reaction was as he expected, he frowned and hissed in pain, even while still passed out, beads of sweat rolling down his face and neck, a sheer layer of sweat on every visible patch of his skin due to the high fever.

He did what he could with what he had, was used to patching his wounds by himself and was fairly knowledgeable when it came to sewing stitches on deep open wounds, he just sort of hoped the guy would wake up soon enough.

"Yeah..." He mumbled into the quietness of the room he was in, leaning against the wall by the male's head, "You definitely owe me," he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, keeping a tight grip on his dagger, trusting his mind to keep him alert even in his sleep, just in case anything happened.

And right before falling asleep, that same wondering thought came across his mind.

Why didn't I kill him?

///////

Hours went past and the guy wasn't showing signs of waking up, however, he seemed to be getting better, slowly but surely, he wasn't looking as dead as he did, or well, he didn't seem like he had one foot in the grave anymore.

And maybe three days after finding him, he woke up. He couldn't do much besides lie down, his whole body was sore, throbbing from the pain and he had a massive headache, one like he'd never had before.

He frowned and tried to open his eyes, dreading the pain that would shoot through his head the moment he saw light, but that didn't happen. The room he was in was in complete darkness, and it felt warm, something that definitely put his senses on alert. This was not the cave he had managed to find while out in the desert, so... Where was he?

Slowly, he tried to his body around, but the stinging pain in his abdomen stopped him, making him lean back on the warm and comfy surface he was lying on and take a few deep breaths, struggling to ignore the pain and get his body to move. The situation was unknown and he didn't like being somewhere foreign, he couldn't shake the thought of having been captured after running away, so all he could think of was moving and leaving the place he was in.

Pushing through it and letting out grunts of various volumes, he sat up against the wall, feeling the sensation of his muscles constricting around his ribs, making it hard to breathe properly, but he had to move.

"Fu..ck.." His voice broke as it got out quiet and meek, his throat sore and parched definitely due to lack of hydration, and he cursed to himself. Both of his hands pressed down next to his hips, determined to get himself up on his feet and run away as far as he could once more, but...

The door opened.

Light from the outside invaded the space he was in, blinding him and making him cover his eyes with his arms, groaning at the sharp pain shooting from his eyes to his head.

"Holy fuck, you're awake," the voice he had was gravely and raspy, unlike any voice he's ever heard before, "Wasn't expecting it, honestly," feeling curious about this strange yet weirdly charming and soothing voice, he lowered his arm and looked at the stranger man standing in front of the door.

His body was surrounded by the evening orange glow of the sunset, making it seem like he had a golden aura around him, but thankfully, he closed the door behind him, and now he was able to observe him better.

He had messy yet well-kept hair, and it was two-coloured, something he didn't find strange anymore, he had a broken mask on his face which he didn't really pay close attention to. A big red jacket hung on his shoulders, reaching a few inches below his knees, and unzipped, revealing a toned body covered in scars, or so he guessed, judging by the visible ones on his chest.

But something about him seemed... Familiar.

His eyes trailed up and observed the mask a little bit better. Red jacket, broken mask, a... Great axe...

"Crimzon... Ruze..." He mumbled to himself, recognizing the man in front of him as what the people of Southern Elysium had called, the Greatest Monster Hunter.

The man turned to look at him, and for a moment, he froze in fear. He looked intimidating, although it probably was because he was still sitting on the ground while being stared down by someone as known as Crimzon Ruze.

He was expecting an angry response, as he always imagined the male being high and mighty due to his title, if not that, then maybe being ignored, but he didn't expect to hear him... Laughing.

"I don't need to introduce myself anymore, eh? That's great!" Surprisingly quiet footsteps approached him and he was suddenly crouched in front of him, "So, what's your name?"

He hesitated for a moment, staring at him and noticing the purple colour of his eye, showing through the opening of the mask, "Uh... (M/n)..."

He said as loud as he could, his throat itching and burning as he desperately needed water, but he was distracted by that thought as he watched Ruze reach his hand up to his mask, taking it off.

"Welcome to the Criminal's Cut!"

///////

Weirdly enough, (M/n) found himself having fun next to Ruze, even if all the hunter did was play pranks on him by getting inside insanely small spaces just to scare him. It was a nice time.

His injuries took a while to heal, but he got better after a week or so and now, he was dreading having to leave. To where? He didn't know, but he couldn't stay, and Ruze knew that. They had gotten closer and were what one would call friends, even though Ruze liked to say he didn't have friends and hated everyone equally, his actions showed how he cared for those close to him.

(M/n) had told Ruze the story of how he got lost and injured in the desert, how he had run away and wished to get anywhere safer than where he was, then he encountered corruptions beasts and without anything to defend himself, he ended up getting injured, despite managing to kill the beast that attacked him.

He had walked hours to get to that cave and that was the last thing he could remember, he even mentioned how he was sure he was gonna die, but... Here he is now, right? Alive.

Sharing that story made them feel close to each other, and Ruze warmed up to him enough to tell him the stories of a few of his scars, how they represented his wins and losses, how they showed mistakes he had done in the past, making him swear he would never let them happen again.

And even though they found some sort of comfort in being together as they had similar opinions and ways of living, (M/n) began to worry about staying so long in the tavern Ruze liked to crash in most days, he had mentioned something about knowing the owner and sort of working as a bodyguard for him whenever things got rough in the tavern with the drunkards during the day.

He was in almost perfect condition and didn't need to be taken care of anymore, his first thought was leaving and not to inconvenience anyone again, and especially not Ruze.

Many times before, he had stated to (M/n) that he "owed" him for saving his life, to which he would immediately laugh and say he didn't mean it, that he didn't owe him anything when he rescued him because he just couldn't let him die all alone in the Badlands.

And time and time again, (M/n) always responded to him that he didn't mind repaying him any way he needed, he didn't like owing anyone anything, so he was open to doing whatever Ruze told him to if it came to it.

Which takes us to now.

Ruze sighed as he heard (M/n) say the same thing again, and he placed his "stamina potion" down on the bar. He turned to look at the (h/c) haired male, who looked determined and happy to oblige to whatever Ruze may tell him to do, and knowing this, the bounty hunter stood up from his wooden stool, downed the last of his drink and grabbed his jacket.

"Come on," (M/n) blinked a few times and drank his water, getting up and silently following Ruze out of the tavern.

They walked for a couple hours, and (M/n) gave up asking where they were going after Ruze refused to tell him but the walk over wasn't bad, they were dressed appropriately to walk under the scorching sun out in the desert and Ruze always brought water with him, despite arguing that he barely ever drinks it.

He heard Ruze sigh and saw him tilt his head down, the tall neck of his jacket hiding half of his face and (M/n) wondered why that was, when he noticed a couple of lights in the distance and... A faint scream too?

What was happening over there?

#holostars en #holoarmis #holoarmis x reader #armis x reader #crimzon ruze x reader #holostars armis #holostars ruze #armis #holostars en x reader #male reader #x reader #reader insert #.mackjlee9 writes

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takaraphoenix · 4 months ago

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fun

Thanks for playing, Cupcake! ^-^

From my upcoming Stydiackson fic Back Against the Wall:

“Jacks is gonna be so mad he missed this,” Stiles gasped, arching his back. “He loves watching you fuck me. Now I feel twice as bad, like early training with Derek isn’t bad enough-” Before Stiles could continue rambling did Lydia cut him off with another kiss, much more demanding and fierce than the last, leaving Stiles moaning and desperate beneath her. It was flattering, just how strongly he reacted to her. But then he had been in love with her for like a decade. That kind of devotion? It showed. Smiling, Lydia kissed down Stiles’ throat. “Don’t worry, Jackson will have his fun later,” Lydia whispered promising.

“Besides,” Jackson whispered. “Why do you think Lydia plugged you? So we could have some quick fun between classes, without having to waste time on thorough prep work.” Stiles made a small noise. That did make sense and also explained the evil in Lydia’s eyes. Alas, most days, Stiles had stopped questioning the wickedness in his girlfriend’s heart. Maybe it would be safer to go back to being concerned about it, at least some times. The breath got knocked out of him when Jackson grabbed him by the thighs, pinning him against the wall and essentially carrying his entire weight. Fucking werewolf strength, why was it that hot?

From my upcoming Stetalion fic Their Little Red:

“Couple months ago, my best friend got bitten by an Alpha,” Stiles offered, stirring his drink. “Kinda turned our lives upside down. I kinda fell down a research rabbit hole of figuring out everything I could about werewolves, you know, like, what the fuck was happening, how to make him stop flashing his eyes at every minor inconvenience, how to stop him from hurting anyone on the full moon, these kind of fun things. And yeah, kinda, came across the club during that.”

“He doesn’t have an Alpha,” Stiles offered a half-shrug, taking a deep gulp of his drink. “We were out camping in the woods when he got attacked by a rogue Alpha. The Alpha ran off afterward, never saw them again. Next morning, my friend woke up naked in the middle of the woods. It was a fun camping trip for everyone. But yeah, we were left figuring this shit out on our own.”

Cora looked at him for a long moment, calculating, before she nodded pleased, got up and walked away. Stiles’ eyes followed her as she went to a table where a guy their age with blonde curls sat together with a guy who was a couple years older than them, dark hair and stubble. Huh. Guess he passed that test, then. Erica grinned, slapping him on the shoulder before getting up. “Yeah, you’re fun. I hope you stick around,” Erica winked before walking away.

“You look lovely today, darling,” Peter's voice was a low purr. Stiles loved when his voice sounded like that. It made him feel so damn appreciated and desired. In a way he'd never felt before. He'd been seeing Peter and Deucalion for about a month and a half now but neither was anything serious and he hadn't really told either that he was also spending time with someone else, they had agreed to not be exclusive. He knew alphas could be territorial and while he was still getting the hang of things, he didn't see why he should ruin two good things. He was just having fun. He was twenty-one, he was allowed to have fun, right? Two handsome alphas spending time with him, buying him drinks and paying him compliments, listening to him willingly. Quite frankly, Stiles wouldn't know how to choose between the two. Deucalion was so sophisticated, they could talk about books for hours with time just flying by and he never seemed annoyed by Stiles' ramblings. There was also something so utterly charming about the British gentlealpha. Peter on the other hand was snarky and had a wicked sense of humor that made it so much fun to gripe with him about movies and other things. On occasion, they'd even talk about Peter's cases – no details about the clients, but Stiles had quickly figured out that Peter was very weak to Stiles' big, brown eyes so a hopeful look from him could get the man talking and it was so exciting to see this side of the law.

From chapter three of Sugar for the Secretary:

“Ah,” the woman nodded with a bright smile. “Your sons are moving out at home? It is so nice to see parents who take care of their children even after they move out!” She’d started walking and the four of them were following her, but at her words, Stiles nearly belched. Sons. She thought Stiles was their son? Sure, he was aware that from a mathematical angle, age-wise, that would check out, Allison was literally his age, but damn no. And the assumption also rubbed Stiles the wrong way. He hated when people assumed things they knew nothing about. Time to have some fun. Putting on a cheerful smile, he walked ahead so he came to walk in front of her and then turned around, walking backward so he could face her and the others. “Oh, they are not my fathers,” Stiles assured her. “They’re just my sugar daddies.”

SEND ME A WORD AND I’LL POST A SENTENCE FROM A WIP

#Stetalion #Fic: Their Little Red #Stydiackson #Fic: Back Against the Wall #Stetopher #Fic: Sugar for the Secretary #WIP Word Game #send me asks #Teen Wolf

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crusty-chronicles · 2 years ago

Text

The Moon and Sun (Big Sib Reader x Gon/Killua)

Ch 10: Into The Thick Of It

Synopsis: Congratulations, you've just entered the NGL!!!! A place of isolation and now Chimera Ants 😃 Your first task, try not to break down and snap with all the bodies you come across. Good luck and may you keep your promises🤝

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

You weren't too happy to say the least. Once again, you had all piled into a jeep that was much too small for the amount of people riding in it. Smooshed in the front with Kite and the driver while the others were elbow to elbow in the back.

On the bright side, you didn't have to worry about being drooled on. But you did have to deal with two very pouty boys who weren't happy about the new seating arrangement.

"Why can't one of us just sit on your lap?" Gon suggested.

"Kid, I'm not a chair. And it's stuffy already with just three of us in the front. No way in hell I'm having another person next to me and one more on my lap." You were quick to shoot the idea down.

"Then sit in the back with us." Killua said, scooching over to make room.

But there was no way you were gonna sit in the back with four more people.

Nope.

Not in this heat.

"You two can last one car ride without me. You're big boys, aren't you?"

A huff of irritation from the small assassin and a grumble from the boy in green.

To your surprise, a certain silver haired hunter decided to join in on the banter.

"Don't worry. I promise to take good care of them up here for you."

And the small, offended gasps from the two of them was enough to make you laugh. A bit of peace before the inevitable descent into the NGL.

So pouty and upset, they begrudgingly sat in the back. Not without making sure to poke you every now and then, just to get you to turn around.

The ride itself wasn't too bad with the driver making idle conversation.

"You heading to the NGL, huh? You know they believe that the best way to live is as naturally as possible."

Ah yes, you all totally didn't do any research whatsoever before coming here.

You really shouldn't give him any shit for that. He was just trying to help fill the silence. It's not like many people visited this place anyways. So to him, it was probably strange to see ten people asking to go all at once.

"They're pretty weird for living out there, but you folks are even weirder for wanting to visit em'."

Before you could question him on that, he continued on.

"I don't have a clue what's going on there, but I've already driven in about 10 big groups just like you guys today alone."

Perhaps more hunters who heard the news of a giant Chimera Ant? Still, ten groups of people? It was strange.

"Did you say ten?!?" Gon exclaimed, popping up from his seat behind you.

"That's right," the driver confirmed.

You, however, were a little concerned with something else.

"Seatbelt!" You scolded.

"Oh, right! Sorry." A small 'click' sounded off.

God, you really were starting to sound like a parent. What were you, Safety Sal? You really should stop babying them.

"So if most of the other groups are already arriving, then we're among the last." Kite noted, effectively snapping you from your thoughts.

"At least we'll have some help," you mumbled.

Oh how wrong you were.

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

They weren't kidding about the nature part. The entrance to the NGL itself was a pathway between two giant trees. You could sense people moving about inside them. A river separating the two territories.

A beautiful sight if you had to say. But there was that nagging feeling reminding you of how strict these people could be. Well, the government they had.

"Prepare yourselves everyone," Kite warned.

"The ants are a concern, but the NGL isn't the eco-friendly group it claims to be."

Right, the drugs. And where there were illegal drugs, there were probably illegal crime bosses. Thank goodness you didn't have to deal with that type of hell growing up.

Approaching the first tree, you already didn't like the men that greeted your group there. Smiles fake and disingenuous. Auras gross with deceit and annoyance.

"May I ask what brings you here?" Defensive too. About their people or secrets, you couldn't tell.

"We're on a hunt." Kite stated before continuing.

"A biohazard-class insect might have infiltrated your country."

The man let out a hum before answering.

"Well, if you're professional hunters, I'm certain you're aware that we cannot deny you entry into our land."

Ah yes. You were all totally hunters. Yup. Each and every one of you. Bonafide hunters.

You thanked whatever greater being was up there that nobody had outed you.

"Right this way." One of the men turned around and led your group in.

Like you expected, the Big Wigs in charge didn't enforce their rules onto themselves. Inside were various people typing away on computers. And if you had to guess why, it was most likely due to a loophole.

"Wait, you're using computers and machines here?" Killua confronted.

"We are not technically within the bounds of the NGL proper yet." One of the men answered.

And there it was. Five seconds and you already decided you despised this place.

"This area is used for diplomacy and trading information."

Diplomacy???? Didn't they communicate through letters??? And what other country would they be feuding with to need diplomacy? Weren't they isolated?

One look at this guy's aura and you could tell he was lying. Still, it would do nobody any good to call out their hypocrisy. You'd just have to suck it up and let it go.

"I see. Are there similar facilities within?" Kite questioned.

"No sir, not a single one. No machines of any kind are allowed inside the borders of the NGL." One of the guys answered.

"Of course, visitors aren't allowed to bring technology in with them either. We're very strict about that kind of thing." Another spoke up.

Wow, it was almost like they killed someone over that exact thing. Who would've thought?

God you hated primitive societies. Your respect was dwindling by the seconds.

"Which means you must remove metals, petroleum derived materials, and the like. Anything of that nature on your person before you can enter." The same man informed.

So long shitty sneakers and hello paper thin shoes.

"D-d-do you mean l-like my glasses!?!" Lin asked.

A shit eating grin on the man's face. Like he was purposely trying to get rid of as much people as he could with technicalities.

"That's right. If your clothes, belts, shoes, even your underwear contain any plastic, chemicals, or metal, you must remove them." He said eyeing the two girls.

"That isn't funny!" Spin snapped.

"You want us to strip naked!?!"

You stood protectively in front of the boys, sending a glare towards the man. Would you kill him depending on his answer?

Yes, yes you would.

"That's not necessary. All-natural clothing is available for purchase just upstairs." He said pointing to a small staircase.

You should have guessed they would've been money hungry. How else would they be able to afford all this nice stuff while their people suffered beyond the bend.

"And if there are any implants inside your body, dental implants, for example, made of gold, silver, or even silicon prosthetics that cannot be removed... I'm sorry to say, but you won't be allowed to enter."

Discriminating, are we? Wow, these guys are even worse than the shit you had to put up with.

"You understand." His smile was fake, aura cocky now that the size of your group was cut in half.

You know what? Maybe you should start rooting for the ants at this point.

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

You were in a bit of a dilemma at the moment.

You'd chosen clothes that were as close to what you were currently wearing as possible. So far so good, right? Welllll, the issue was just how the hell you were going to pay for them.

Truth was, you had not a cent to your name. Not even a flimsy wallet to open and have a fly come out of. Up until now, money had never really been a point of focus. Or at least up until two years ago.

Goddamnit.

You couldn't even afford shit clothes to bypass the NGL restrictions.

Which meant....

"Guess I have to stay behind after all."

How pathetic were you.

Unable to afford a basic 'necessity'. How the hell did you plan on taking care of two kids when you couldn't even take care of yourself? It was quite frankly disgraceful.

Unbeknownst to you, curious eyes watched your internal struggle. Everyone else was ready or close to being ready, and there you were clutching a shirt looking like somebody died. Dark circles impossibly darker.

Then he heard it.

"Guess I have to stay behind after all."

It immediately put a frown on the small boy's face. Gon just couldn't wrap his head around why you would say a thing like that. You'd all agreed extensively to come, so why were you backing out?

You'd been so adamant about coming, excited even. (Which was rare.) So it didn't make any sense. At least not until you mumbled out something else.

"Maybe I should've been a hunter. Least' then I'd have a few bucks to spare. Damn."

Was that what you were worried about?

You should've just asked.

It's not a big deal anyway. It was certainly nothing to be ashamed of considering he didn't get his first phone until Leorio bought him one. And it's not like him and Killua would say no if you needed help to pay.

The three of you were supposed to stick together. Were supposed to help each other. You were the big sibling and they were the little brothers.

He may not have been as well off as Killua, but he was still a hunter with plenty of funds to spare. Especially since beating Greed Island. If you needed something, he would gladly get it for you. Just like if they needed you, you would always be there.

Before he could pitch the offer, someone else approached you. Someone who he was getting the feeling liked being in your presence as much as you did his.

And Gon wasn't sure he was okay with that yet. But he appreciated someone looking after you. Someone his own father had trusted and now you did as well.

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

"Something wrong?" A familiar voice sounded from behind you.

Realistically, you should've sensed Kite's presence. But the stress of figuring out a way to pay had distracted you from everything else going on.

"Um... No?" Your voice cracked at the end. God, even you knew you didn't sound convincing. Even if you did, Kite could see you. He knew you were hiding something, and you knew that he knew.

It took him all of five seconds to figure out what was wrong. You hadn't made a move to change into NGL appropriate clothing. You were looking down with gears turning in that head of yours. And your aura was upset with disappointment.

You were a stubborn one alright.

"Here." A card was placed in front of you.

Your tired eyes widened. What was he doing? You looked up at him, mouth open and ready to protest because wow.

You didn't like asking for help. Didn't like owing people. Didn't like how they always seemed to expect something back in return for their good deed.

"Don't worry about it. We need all the help we can get, remember?" And you were completely flabbergasted by what Kite said next.

"Don't let a few travel expenses get in your way. Plus I don't think those boys of yours would be too thrilled if you couldn't go."

A smile and a small pat to your back.

"We'll be waiting for you when you're done."

There was no ulterior motive.

He'd done it simply out of the kindness in his heart.

You were not used to that. Not used to others doing things for you. It had warmth spreading across your face and you were glad the others couldn't see you. Getting all embarrassed over something small like this. (It wasn't all that small to you)

"I'll pay you back for this one day."

You'd mumbled it to yourself, but he barely caught it as he descended down where the rest of the group was.

And like before, he wouldn't mention it. But the soft smile he had was a telltale sign he'd heard you all the same.

----------

Your group of ten had dwindled down to six. You and the boys and Kite with Podungo and Stick. Ever a growing pain in your ass, the NGL authorities ran several tests on all of you.

Past the first tree and into the second, where a lady informed the group of what was to take place.

"The inspection area is over there. Of course there's a physical exam, as well as an interview."

Sounded simple enough until she kept talking.

"Then once those are completed, there will also be X-rays, ultrasound, and metal scans."

You hated this place.

"Ultrasound? The hell are they gonna find with that. Surprise, guess who's pregnant?" Your comment was heard by the lady explaining things, who promptly laughed.

"Yes, well you'd be surprised by what we're able to pick up with that."

As long as they were just scans, you supposed it wasn't too outrageous. Now if they started poking and prodding, you'd break a machine or two.

"Security's rather tight," Kite noted.

The lady flicked on a light switch before continuing to speak.

"It is... because people have smuggled guns in by hiding the parts inside their bodies. We often find cameras or cell phones in people's rectums."

Your face scrunched up in disgust. Who the fuck was shoving a gun up their ass???

"Some have even trained animals to carry laptops across the border once they themselves were inside."

Okay now that one made more sense.

After the woman finished explaining, the testing began. Scans of your body and brain were taken. Some blood work was done, much to your dismay. And last but not least, the interview, which mainly consisted of questions about health and any possible criminal background.

It was draining, but you were somewhat glad the boys were fascinated by it. They got to have some fun despite the unusual circumstances.

"Well it looks like all of you are clean." The woman announced.

The same men from earlier were waiting by the exit as you all approached.

"Thank you all for your patience. You may enter now, and godspeed."

"Welcome to the NGL!"

The first thing you noticed was the air. It somehow felt cleaner. The second thing you noticed was the land outstretched before you. It seemed never ending. From the oaks down below to the prairie just before you. It was peaceful. Like home. (But you couldn't really call it that anymore, could you?)

Eagerly, your eyes scanned as far as they would go. So much to see with not enough time to enjoy it. No auras besides the one's next to you. Faint traces from the woodland creatures hiding away. Quiet too, but not eerily so.

Serene was the word for it.

You take it back. The NGL wasn't so bad afterall. Just the people in charge. It had you thinking back to kid with boots five sizes too big and a hand stitched shirt that was falling apart at the seams. A gap-toothed smile as they cartwheeled over an open field, laughing with another like the rest of the world wasn't there.

Your first stop in the NGL was a small barn for suitable transportation. Honestly, you should've known a monetary transaction would be involved. And yet it still surprised you.

12,000 jenny for just one horse. For one day.

You tensed up once more, trying to figure something out. You'd already wasted enough money that wasn't yours. You didn't want to waste anymore.

And yet.....

There was Kite, once again taking the brunt of the expenses.

Not because anyone asked him to.

But because he wanted to.

Justifying it with 'It's not a problem. We need a decent form of travel that won't drain us. Three should be just fine.'

It was mind boggling how nonchalant he was being about this. The same question of why. He didn't gain anything from doing this.

So why?

The same reason he had made you a real promise.

He was a good person.

You were not.

But you would try. You'd pay him back in full if it was one of the last things you ever did. He deserved that much at least.

Upon entering the stable, all of the horses trotted towards Gon and Kite. Neighing and making little content noises. Seems the part about animals liking hunters was true. It was an endearing sight, if you must say.

And that small part of your brain that liked to tease, just couldn't resist.

"Hey Snow White. Leave some horses for the rest of us, will ya?"

A light shade of red consumed Kite's face upon hearing you. The shade darkening as Stick spoke up with a 'Hahaha! I get it!' and Podungo with a 'I've never seen him this embarrassed before.'

You were going to be a distraction. (A pleasant one, albeit.)

You'd approached and lifted Gon up, helping him onto the horse that liked him the most. The other boy following close behind you.

"I'll be taking my dwarf back, thank you." Eyes crinkled with mischief and aura playful as you spoke.

"Yeah, so does that make you the wicked witch or something," Killua directed towards you while you lifted him up.

To which you responded by letting go and dropping him.

"Hey! I was kidding! Y/n don't be mad. Big siiib!"

"Don't you 'big sib' me, young man! And don't think for a second those puppy dog eyes will work on me! They're not nearly as powerful as Gon's!" You lectured with your hands on your hips. Scolding demeanor melting away at the sound of the other boy's voice.

"Please, Y/n. Help Killua." Honey colored eyes staring wide up at you. And he may or may not have done it to see if it was true.

"Gah! I hate it when you two work together against me. You little ghouls." You grumbled, lifting up the small assassin once more. Who seemed very pleased by the outcome.

It was funny in a way. How you could never really say no to Gon. It made him feel special. But he did wonder why. Did he remind you of someone you used to know?

You stared at the horse in front of you, who was already not liking you. And you didn't want to upset it further by attempting to hop on it.

"You've never ridden a horse before?"

You were once again too lost in your thoughts to notice Kite's presence. He was two for two today. In both surprising you and figuring out what was wrong.

"Course' not. Do I look like a cowboy to you?" Not only had you never ridden a horse before, you were also not the best with animals as it would seem.

"You know, I do kinda see it." A teasing grin of his own on the taller male's face. He was starting to get the hang of dealing with you and your smart aleck remarks.

"Har har. Now help me up this thing, Ranger Rick. If I try to get on by myself, I'm 80% sure it'll kill me."

"Only 80?" Kite hoisted you up, and for a split second you were surprised by his strength.

"Gotta give myself a fighting chance. I'm not a complete wimp." You gave a small pat to the top of the horse's head once you were seated.

"Could've fooled me." Kite had effortlessly climbed on behind you. The smell of pine and artificial sweetness filled your senses, the same way the scent of fresh rain filled his.

"Everyone ready!" Kite called out.

A resounding 'yes' from the five of you.

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

It was odd, what you were feeling. When you thought you'd sense a sizable amount of bloodlust, it would be gone in an instant. Making you wonder if it was even there in the first place. And just when you thought you'd managed to sense a person, the aura disappeared.

It didn't help that the NGL was so big. It didn't make things easier for you to assess. And you didn't want to sound the alarm for things that weren't there.

But you were suspicious.

Your eyes were never wrong. Your ability was never wrong. So just what the hell was happening, you couldn't be so sure. Maybe you were having an off day? The things you sensed were far away, too far for you to make an accurate assessment anyways.

Goddamnit.

At least the company was great. Stick and Podungo behind with Gon and Killua next to you. Kite seated behind you with the reins of the horse you dubbed 'Gordy.'

A very thicc boy who had warmed up to you after petting his head a few times.

There was, however, uninvited guests as well. Two 'translators' who as far as you could tell, were lying. They probably wanted to see if your group had managed to smuggle something in.

You could feel unease from Kite the deeper you descended into the NGL. He could probably sense it too. That something was off.

And while you didn't want to disrupt his train of thought, the tension radiating off of him was making your own anxieties flair. It was too early to panic and too early to worry. Nothing solid had been found yet.

So did what you had been wanting to do for a while. Now that his hands were occupied, you made a swipe at his hat, one that he didn't see coming and couldn't really stop.

"Told you I'd take it from you." Your smile was triumphant as you readjusted yourself and plopped his trademark hat on your head.

He was stunned for a second, processing what the hell just happened. Shock replacing the unease.

Did you just?

He looked down at you, noticing your smug expression as you twisted yourself to meet his eye.

"You don't play fair." He said at last.

You'd successfully distracted him once again. A bashful expression on his face.

And now that you could see him properly, an embarrassed one overtook yours as well.

Why was he so pretty?

Unawares of the thoughts going through his mind. The ones that said you looked nice with his hat falling down your face and covering your eyes. A familiar playful smirk right under them.

"Wow, pretty shady under here. I can actually see without the sun burning into my retinas. I hope you know I'm not giving this back."

A huff of amusement was heard.

"You're trouble, you know that?" He shouldn't be letting you distract him like this. He should be focusing on the current task at hand.

And yet, the playfulness from your aura kept pulling him in. Your crooked smile that was quickly becoming a favorite. That he had no idea wasn't there before.

"If I'm so bad, you would've stopped putting up with me at the airship." You did still feel a little guilty about that.

The exchange between the two of you not going unnoticed. A pair of icy eyes glancing over and frowning. Choosing to sit down properly since you hadn't noticed he was standing. Upset at the fact that your attention wasn't focused on him or Gon for once.

Killua was hesitant to let new people into his circle. He and Gon were best friends, and when that girl Ritz had tried to join, he hated it. He didn't like how easily she got along with Gon. Didn't like how he felt inferior in her presence because she was more helpful in 5 minutes than he had been the whole day.

But he was never forgotten or pushed away. Never disregarded. Only feeling insignificant because his family told him he would never have friends. That they would all leave him. But Gon had stayed.

Now there was you. You were a part of that circle now. And back at YorkNew, it was okay. You were happy in a way that was rarely seen. You'd all gotten swept away in the presence of new people. He minded a little, but let it go.

Because Killua was okay with friendship. But he was not okay with whatever this was. The cheeky smiles and blushy faces. He'd joked about it that first day you all met Kite. Teased you for it because he knew it would get on your nerves. But now that it was actually happening....

You'd forget about them if this continued. Leave them behind for him. You'd already refused to sit next to them in that car. You didn't offer to ride with them at the stable. You didn't even ask them for help when you couldn't pay. (Thanks Gon, for filling him in.)

It wasn't fair.

But he knew it wasn't really his decision to make. Wasn't really his place either. You'd already made up your mind the second you made that promise back on the airship.

Well fine. Then this guy would just have to prove himself if he was gonna take you away. And it would take a lot to impress this Zoldyck. Selfish or not, you were his big sibling. The first real one he had. The first good one. If he was being honest, you and Alluka were the only real family he had.

And the off chance you were just being friendly, that you didn't see Kite in any other way, then he'd back down. But the way you would just smile that crooked grin and tell him your secrets, said otherwise. The way Kite had started to subtly check up on you told him otherwise.

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

It'd been hours since you started the search for the Chimera Ant, but there was no luck. No sign of anything out of the ordinary. So begrudgingly, you all stopped to take a break and rethink things.

You joined Gon and Killua on the ground as they figured out alternate routes to take.

"I think we should follow along the coastline and check out all the villages. If we search them and nothing unusual turns up, then it's probably not even in this country." Gon speculated, pointing towards the map of the NGL.

It was optimistic at best to assume the ant wasn't here. Too much didn't add up for you to believe otherwise.

"Yeah, maybe. But that's assuming those guys were telling us the truth back there," Killua said in reference to the men back at the NGL border.

The ones who said they hadn't heard any news about a giant ant. The very same who said that if they had, their people wouldn't care.

Eyes fell on you for confirmation.

"They were not. But it's not like they could really do anything about the situation. Not as long as it didn't directly benefit them." You answered.

"And you didn't pick anything up?" Killua asked.

"It's hard to say and that's what worries me. Things keep appearing and disappearing. And everything I'm getting is very faint."

A beat of silence.

"They're still following us, aren't they?" Gon questioned.

The translators that had followed you here stood a little ways away from the expedition team. You thought they would've quit by now.

"Unfortunately. But try to ignore them, okay?" You gave a ruffle to his hair, feeling his mood lighten a little.

"They say they're here in case we meet unknown tribes and need interpreters or intermediaries. But they're obviously spies." Killua grumbled.

"My guess is they're hoping to catch us with technology so they can kick us out." Or execute you, but you wouldn't put that idea into their heads.

You sensed a familiar calm aura approach. You were glad you caught it this time, not wanting to be caught off guard for the third time today.

"Well I never expected the people here to be of any help," Kite admitted, catching the attention of both boys.

"But my instincts are saying... it's here somewhere." The three of you tensed at his words.

"And how accurate would you say your instincts are?" You lightly challenged. You didn't want to push, but you didn't exactly like the odds of anything that was less than certain. Not in this scenario.

"As accurate as those eyes of yours."

Damn.

You were starting to have a bad feeling about this.

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

The six of you were back traveling on a rocky path. There was nothing you could do besides continue on, hoping for a lead since Kite had been so sure.

Another flicker of aura before it disappeared. Too far to tell if you were imagining things. But a sick feeling settling in your stomach said differently.

You couldn't tell if people were being killed or knocked out. Woken up or being born. Couldn't exactly see how many there were. Your eyes were becoming strained the more you pushed, so you eventually gave up.

You leaned back onto Kite who, surprisingly, made no move to take his hat back. A part of you was satisfied by the fact. The bigger part of you, however, was concerned.

He was serious now that his suspensions were confirmed. But underneath the calm, was a festering worry. Safe to say you both felt everything was not what it seemed.

You chose to divert your attention elsewhere, for the time being. Opting to check up on the others. Gon's aura was determined as always. He was okay. Killua's was starting to radiate unease. But the leading emotion was confidence. He was okay.

Podungo and Stick were nervous, and you couldn't really blame them. From what Kite had told you, they weren't the best at combat. If you did manage to confront a Chimera Ant, things wouldn't go so well for them. However, you could feel their trust as well. Trust that was most likely directed at Kite's ability to keep them safe.

You didn't bother with the two translators tailing the group. They weren't worth the effort. They hadn't necessarily done anything wrong, but their intentions were clear as day.

You sighed and focused your tired eyes up ahead. A nap was very much needed.

'Zzzzz!'

That noise...

It was loud.

And heading right towards your group.

Your face scrunched up at the small swarm of bees. They had traces of nen on them. How bizarre. Did they belong to a Chimera Ant?

Not likely.

There were no traces of malice or bloodlust. Just frightened desperation.

A scared nen user?

"Stop."

Your command had everyone reaching for their horse's reins. Your tone was one that left no room for argument.

The bees in question came closer, small bundles of paper clutched in their little arms. You could feel sadness from them.

Could insects be sad?

It seemed like it as they dropped the folded paper into Kite's hand, then one in Gon's. Kite opened up the small letter in front of you.

He leaned over your shoulder to read the message, aura growing heavy with tension.

'H E L P! C H I ME R A AN T N E S T

R o C K Y AR E A

N O TI F Y H u N T ER A S S Oc I A T I On!'

A pit formed in the bottom of your stomach as you finished reading.

It was red ink, you told yourself. Just red ink. (Pens were not allowed in the NGL)

A hand reached for yours, folding your fingers to make signs.

'Not good. Dangerous. Can you three handle it?'

You were grateful for the temporary distraction this silent conversation gave. You didn't want to dwell on the 'red ink' for much longer.

'No backing out. My boys are strong. Can handle it. Ask yourself.'

Your signs were faster, but there was a noticeable tremor with your movements. And he briefly wondered what the cause of it was. You weren't scared, were you?

Kite would leave it for now. No point in putting more stress onto whatever had you feeling that way. So, he glanced over at the two boys who were watching with keen interest at your interaction.

"It'll be risky." He warned.

"You sure you wanna come along?"

The image of a small family torn apart because of hubris. He didn't want to see that. So Kite would confirm as many times as it took until he was convinced the outcome wouldn't happen. That these boys were tough and wouldn't die. That you would be strong enough to protect them and look after yourself.

"Yeah."

"We're professionals, aren't we?"

You were right. Those boys didn't hesitate to give their answer. Resolve that almost mirrored your own in their eyes.

It would be enough, for now.

"Miss translator, I'm sorry. But we really must hurry." Kite informed one of the uninvited guests.

A small smirk made its way into your face at the implication of his words. Maybe just this once you'd show off.

"I'm sure the horses can gallop a bit faster if it's necessary." The translator offered.

"Sorry, sweetheart." You said as you dismounted from Gordy.

"I'm afraid we're gonna have to go on foot for this one. Sturdy as they are, the horses won't nearly be fast enough."

You walked over to Gon and Killua and helped them down. Both of them grinning up at you in anticipation.

You could hear Kite from behind you address Podungo and Stick. Letting them know to meet up with the rest of his team and inform the Hunter Association.

You could feel the fondness from his aura harden as he turned to face you three.

"Keep up or I'll leave you behind." Kite warned, who was surprised to see the boys already stretching.

"Yup, and right back at you." Killua said.

"Okay, I'm ready!" Gon added.

All three of you looking smug, like there was a secret just between the three of you. And there was. One that was sure to leave the silver haired hunter speechless.

You might've been a little rusty, but damnit if you weren't competitive. Especially with your little sun and moon egging you on.

"Ha! Watch it, princess. You're the one who's gonna have to keep up." Your aura was cocky.

Were you challenging him?

"Boys, what's step 3 of my ability?"

"Speed!!!!" They cheered as they finished stretching.

"Heck Yeah! So how's about I give you a head start? Let's see the progress you've both made since Greed Island!"

"I bet you'll have to use your nen this time!"

"Yeah! We won't make it easy for you to keep up!"

You crouched down to their level with a wide grin.

"Oh yeah? Tell ya what, if I can't catch up to you guys, then I'll carry you anywhere you want for a whole week."

"Deal!"

Kite watched the interaction a little flabbergasted. You were testing the boys at a time like this? No, that wasn't right. You were playing with them in a way that felt like training.

Giving incentives for them to do better.

How completely odd.

But he couldn't deny the way your interactions with the boys had him softening.

'They'll grow on you.'

Yeah. All three of you were growing on him. Ging's son, the Zoldyck boy, and their protector.

"Let's go!" Kite took off with the boys hot on his trail. But not before stealing back his signature hat while you were distracted.

You let out a protest of 'Hey!' as they shrank away from your line of sight.

Their speed was decent, but not enough to give you any real trouble. You'd have to use nen. Just a smidge though. A damn shame. You were hoping to break in a good sweat.

You'd give them five more seconds to leave your base line of vision. You crouched down in a starting position, letting nen coat your legs for the first time in months. (Thanks for that Razor)

"You're not worried about them?" Kite questioned the duo.

"About Y/n? You've got a lot to learn about them." There was pride in Killua's aura as he answered.

"They're so fast, that even Genthru couldn't land a single hit with their leg broken." Gon bragged.

Both boys seemed to light up at the thought of you. Well your prowess, more like. But there was a swell of affection in their aura as well.

They really loved you, didn't they?

Kite's thoughts were cut short by a blur zooming by. A familiar tired presence accompanying it.

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

You could smell it before you saw it. A metallic coppery stench that stopped you in your tracks. All mirth gone from your expression. Like your very soul was taken from your body.

You didn't know exactly what was beyond the clearing, but you knew it wasn't good. You expected the possibility, but you didn't expect to come across it so soon. You weren't too sure if you were prepared mentally for whatever lied ahead.

You could sense three familiar auras approach, having caught up at last. Temporarily unaware of the sight they were about to see.

"Ah damnit, they beat us here!" Killua whined.

"I thought we really had them this ti- Y/n? Are you okay?" Concern quickly replacing the bright expression on Gon's face.

Your demeanor was stiff. Head hanging low and hands clenched. You didn't say anything, just pointed forwards.

What could you even say?

It was then that the scent of blood finally reached their noses. Kite was the first to enter the clearing, not wanting to waste anymore time if it was the worst-case scenario.

Killua was second, casting a regretful glance towards you before he left. There was nothing he could do that would make things easier for you.

Gon was the last, not wanting to leave you by yourself in case something happened. Your limits were understood and respected. He wouldn't push you to see if you didn't want to. And if you needed a moment to gather yourself before heading forwards, then you would have it. So he waited a little longer before Killua called out to him.

Disgust, shock, and anger.

Very different reactions you were sensing from each of them. Seems you were right to hang back. And yet, there was this nagging feeling telling you this wasn't right. You shouldn't be sitting back like a coward.

You had a job to do: track down the ants.

And no matter what, you had to follow through. You didn't want to be a burden. Didn't want to hold anyone back. There were temporary solutions to your little problem that would be wise to exploit right about now.

So you closed your eyes as you stepped forward, heading where the scent of blood was strongest.

You were used to the dark. Senses attuned to navigate it. And it wasn't like you would be completely lost, so long as you could sense the aura of the others. It would be enough to lead you for now.

"This is a bullet casing." You recognized the voice as Killua's.

"But I thought anything mechanical was forbidden here, isn't it?" It was Gon who spoke up next, aura radiating anger.

"Just because it's forbidden, doesn't mean it's impossible for things like this to exist here." Your tense demeanor hadn't changed, but you were there nonetheless. The feeling of eyes on you as you emerged from the underbrush.

"And it means the underground rulers of the NGL weren't only manufacturing drugs, but weapons." Kite confirmed.

The swirl of anger only increased in Gon's aura at the news. Seems you weren't the only one who hated the NGL.

"Hey, Killua. Give the bullet here for a sec."

You rarely called him and Gon by their names. Which meant.... Things must've been a lot worse than he thought.

He placed the casing in your outstretched palm. Your fingers traced around it, the tension on your face changing into shock.

"An automatic?!?" Not good. Horrific in fact if an ant had been the one wielding it.

"You're able to tell what gun it was?" Killua asked.

"I used to know a guy whose ability was a bullet that never missed. My best friend actually. Safe to say I know what I'm talking about. I'd give a visualization, but..."

"It's fine." You were doing what you could, so he and Gon would do what you couldn't.

You crouched down towards what you assumed was a puddle of blood. You activated your nen and placed your hand on top of what you realized was a lot more liquid than you were expecting.

It was just water. It was just water. It was just water.

Warm water that had been out in the sun for a while.

Water that stuck to your skin and stained it red.

Just water.

"Whoever this was stood no chance. If they were even human." You noted.

"Yeah but, judging by this...." Killua trailed off. Unease taking over the previous confidence.

"This wasn't a human's doing. Most likely, it was a Chimera Ant." Kite's words left no room for doubt.

Great. Now you had to deal with coked up ants wielding weapons. Just fantastic.

"If my instincts are correct and the Chimera Ants are using firearms now.... I hate to say it, but it's possible the NGL'S underground rulers have already been fed to the queen."

Fed?

It was then that everything clicked for you. Everything you'd been picking up wasn't a strange coincidence.

"So my senses weren't off then."

"You mean the things disappearing and reappearing, right?" The anger from Gon was slowly dissipating, but still very much there.

"Yeah. People have been dying...And the Chimera Ants have been rapidly reproducing. If we don't pick up the pace, things are going to get worse for everyone." With that said, you made a small circle with your unoccupied hand, coating the space with your nen.

You wouldn't be able to stare head on at what happened here, but someone else could.

"Kite, let's confirm those suspicions here and now. Be my eyes for a bit and tell me what you're able to deduce."

It wasn't that you didn't trust the boys, but Kite had the most experience out of the two of them. He would be able to pick up on things they wouldn't have. And right now, you needed to be as precise as possible. No more messing around.

You felt a hand guide your wrist upwards. The disgusts from Kite's aura doubling at what he saw through your little spy glass.

Your ability had highlighted the scene in a way that felt more horrific than the carnage already there.

Small fragments of bone and bullet casings hidden away by the blood. Traces of saliva with a faint feeling of bloodlust. The most notable was a trail of dried bloody footprints leading away from the site.

Footprints that weren't human.

Your ability was proving to be more precise than his En. Whoever had trained you did a hell of a job. It was only a matter of how long you'd be able to hang on with your hemophobia. (Which wasn't hard to deduce from your reaction towards both the note and sight in front of you.)

He let go of your wrist, you and the boys waiting for his assessment.

"What'd you get?" You asked wiping your bloodied hand on your slacks. The nen you summoned long gone.

There was no beating around the bush. The ants were here, and they'd already begun consuming humans. Inheriting their brutality from the Underground rulers.

What was it you said?

If the ants had complex human thoughts, it'd be a lot harder to track them down?

"This will be an unprecedented biohazard."

All of you would have to be on guard.

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

Fun Fact #12: Y/n's favorite animal is the capybara.

MASTERLIST

Tage: @fandomhoe101 @justxiao

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

An: Originally, this chapter was gonna go all the way to the dreaded episode 86, but something happened and I'm going to need to take a short break from writing. So I figured I'd give y'all a shorter version of what I had planned. I'll only be gone for just a few weeks until I can sort myself out, then I'll be back stronger 💪💪 I just don't want to force myself to write and it doesn't come out good. So for now-

TEMPORARY HIATUS

#hxh #hunter x hunter #hxh x reader #hunter x hunter x reader #hxh x y/n #hunter x hunter x y/n #gon x reader #killua x reader #mayhaps a kite x reader???#big sib reader #older reader #found family #x reader #platonic

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acourtofthought · 1 year ago

Note

Hi I was wondering if you still think eluciens book is next after hofas?

Even after HOFAS, I still think Elucien's book is next especially because as of HOFAS, Az still does not seem to give credit where credit is due in terms of Elain.

SJM gave Chaol a book but not at the expense of Aelin finding the person with whom she was meant for.

I like Chaol very much but I don't think it can be denied that he was unable to truly embrace Celaena for everything she was. Dorian once said to him that he didn't get to pick the parts of her that he loved and it was true. He struggled with thinking she was assassinating people at the Kings orders though that is what she was hired to do. He struggled once he found out she had magic. He struggled once he found out she was really Aelin.

So imagine if SJM gave Chaol his HEA with Yrene before Aelin fell in love with Rowan? It would send the message that "hey, it's cool you had prejudices and here's your reward in Yrene!"

People in the fandom go gaga over Az. They either moon over his interactions with Elain or over his interactions with Gwyn.

But his attitude towards both Elain and Lucien often gets swept under the rug unless it's being addressed in a post trying to prove why he and Elain aren't endgame. There's a sense of "he doesn't respect Elain and therefore will not end up with her" and then many move right on to how he and Gwyn would be great for one another while completely skipping over the fact that he probably needs to learn a lesson or two before that ever happens.

It would be like SJM giving Tamlin his HEA with someone before Feyre ended up with Rhys. Or Tamlin getting his HEA before Lucien.

I'm not saying Az is exactly like Tamlin but there are similarities there and I think it's odd that we would all probably agree Tamlin should not have gotten his HEA before Feyre or get one before Lucien because of the way he treated them while some believe Az, with the way he acts towards Elain and treats Lucien, should get his HEA before them.

Az's behavior is problematic but many want to turn a blind eye, believing that as long as he is with Gwyn, he'll be a better male.

To me, Az's true growth will not ring as true until he sees that Lucien is in fact good enough for Elain, that she does in fact have interest in him, that Elain and Lucien are in fact just as powerful and capable of Az himself and him feeling happy for them, him being able to acknowledge he was wrong.

Az finding his mate in the next ACOTAR book and him suddenly being gracious as a result is not a lesson learned. "I got my mate so now I can admit you're a good guy Lucien, sorry about that."

It rings insincere. I think that as we just got the first hints of a Gwynriel mating bond introduced in SF, it's not crazy to think that SJM will give their story a little more time to cook while Elucien's mating bond is first dealt with.

Beyond that, I don't think a Gwynriel book at this time moves the plot forward with Koschei, Beron, Tamlin, Vassa, or the peace treaty.

Suddenly drawing the current "villains" into Night Court territory drama with the Illyrians, the Valkyrie or the Prison lands doesn't make a lot of sense to me because then, Elucien's story would be set in the NC.

I think it's clear that the current main issues in their world exist outside the NC borders.

Beron wants Spring lands and the NC needs Springs armies as an ally yet Tamlin isn't getting better.

Koschei wants to free himself of the lake to become master of their world (not just one territory).

The fae in Vallahan want to move into human territory.

Vassa's curse takes her back to Koschei's lake on the continent.

The Valkyries and the Illyrians have nothing to do with these plots. People claim that Koschei is connected to the Illyrians because of the Rite but that was Briallyn's plot for Nesta because she needed to wear Nesta's powers down. "Your power is too strong - throwing you into this primitive spectacle wore you down". It really had nothing to do with the Illyrians themselves.

I also don't believe that SJM is going to heavily tie Merrill and time travel into what's going on across the continent and Spring. I think SJM laid the groundwork for her future series which I imagine will deal with more crossover plots, Merrill as a villain and world walking but the Valkyrie storyline which consists of building up an entire legion of elite female warriors is not something I see happening within the same year that the idea of the Valkyrie being reborn took place. And there's no point in suddenly tying the Valkyrie / Illyrians to Koschei and the peace treaty in a single book when we know Elucien's book will not take place in the NC. It makes no sense for SJM to turn Beron's attention to the NC when Rhys remains the most powerful HL and could easily wipe Beron off the map if he dares to enter NC territory. The reason Beron is looking to Spring is because of it's weakened state.

I once called it a marble run but SJM recently used the airplane taxiing metaphor.

Yes, Gwyn talked of wanting to leave the library but Vassa has been trying to free herself from her curse for much longer.

Yes, Gwyn and Az have both been given mysterious backgrounds but both Lucien and Elain have had unexplored powers and Lucien's still hasn't learned of his real father for a much longer time.

Yes, Gwynriel had the first hints of their mating bond established but Elucien's "will they / won't they?" has been one of the main questions of the ACOTAR series since ACOMAF.

Yes, Gwyn has her own story to tell but Elain is Feyre's sister and she's been waiting to tell her story for much longer. And I do think the underdog deserves her chance to shine when SF continued reminding us that there are still some who feel it's alright to speak for Elain and who don't believe her capable.

This series is not going to end up only being about the Archerons, I imagine SJM will continue on with Mor's story, Gwynriel's story, and more on Nesta's journey outside of Feyre and Rhys.

But to me it doesn't make sense that she would skip over Elain to tell Gwyn and Az's romantic arc first, especially when Az is one of the guilty parties of underestimating Elain.

SJM herself spoke of how her stories revolve around the female's journey and while I admit she also writes books that start off because of a male's journey (Chaol), I think Az getting a book before Elain would completely go against the foundation of what she typically writes. A problematic male character's happiness gained at the expense of a female character's happiness (and an unproblematic male like Lucien) would not be a very Girl Power message.

But of course, that is only my opinion and I have no idea whether SJM sees it that way or not.

#elucien #pro elucien #elain archeron #lucien vanserra #anti e/riel #pro lucien vanserra #pro elain archeron #Azriel critical

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smittywing · 1 year ago

Text

Ficbit 8: Jason Todd/Tim Drake

Previous parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Possibly Bernard is not just cannon fodder.

Jason laid low for the next few weeks. There was a world-ending event that he noped out on and he entirely skipped one of the Riddler’s rampages by volunteering to substitute for Dick on an off-planet Titans mission. Dick and Tim got a lot more fun out of the Riddler than Jason ever did.

But eventually, Tim called for help and Jason was the closest.

Insectoid, three of them,and Robin was backed onto a roof by two while the other one poked holes in the asphalt below.

“Were these people?” Jason asked, landing on the rooftop and firing some rubber bullets in a gap between the carapace. One of the insectoids shrieked.

“Nope,” Robin replied. “Feel free to use the real things, but I need you ground level, this was some kind of restaurant experiment gone wrong and there are people down there.”

“Sure you’re okay up here?” Jason checked.

“Bernard’s down there,” Tim said, and oh. Of course.

“On it,” Jason said crisply and fired off a rappelling grapple. He swung easily to the ground and shot the knee out of the rampaging ant-thing on the ground. Well. One of the joints in one of the legs. Close enough. He didn’t actually have regular bullets on him because Gotham crime tended to be human-on-human or sometimes sentient-meta-on-human. But he certainly didn’t feel bad about using the rubber bullets at close range.

“On your six!” Great, citizen participation.

“Get down!” Jason roared and then spun on his heel to -

See Bernard Dowd, formerly known as Cannon Fodder, connect a solid roundhouse punch into the side of the insectoid’s leg joints.

What the actual shit.

“You just,” he gasped out with no idea how he was going to finish the sentence.

“I’ve been practicing!” Bernard called, his sneaker connecting with another appendage. “Keeps me in shape!”

“Great. Don’t die,” Jasons called back because Timmers would fucking *kill* him.

No wonder Replacement was so over the moon for this guy. Bernard was actually useful. Yeah, he wasn't going up against Shiva or taking the World’s Most Awesome Axe to any parademons, but Bernard was sufficiently competent to keep himself and some bystanders alive while Jason cleared the deck.

“Nice job,” he said reluctantly when the identified threats were down or in retreat. “You should get to safety though.”

“Nah,” Bernard said *right to Jason’s fucking face. “My boyfriend, Tim Drake, will be back in a minute. Nothing's going to happen to me when he's around.”

“Uh.” Jason was speechless. Quipless. Wordless, even. “Okay?”

Was Bernard legit telling Jason that he knew Tim was Robin?

No.

Yes?

Jason tilted his head.

Bernard blinked. He looked calm and confident.

No.

“Bernard!”

And sure enough, there was Tim Drake, jogging up to them.

“Okay,” Jason said to Bernard. “I’m out of here. Scream like a girl if you need me.” Tim gave him the hairy eyeball and Jason, who hated Bruce's disappearing bullshit, went with his grapple gun for the quickest possible exit.

“Hey, your internalized homophobia is showing,” Tim greeted Jason about three hours later.

“Huh?” Jason asked eloquently. Replacement was in his territory this time and his only reason for being there seemed to be policing Jason.

“Scream like a girl?” Tim prompted.

“No.” Jason stared at him. “You know I said that long before you came out. You do not get a buy for being gay.”

“Bi,” Tim corrected, smirking. Jason let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. “I get a buy for being bi.”

“Also,” he said, and smacked Tim upside the back of his head.

“Hey! What was that for!”

“You let me call your boyfriend Cannon Fodder for *months* and you knew he could fight!”

Tim grinned, and again Jason wondered at how talking about Bernard lit up his face.

“Yeah,” he said, sounding like a complete and total sap. “I mean, he doesn't have our training but he….” Tim fucking *blushed.*

“Oh my god, stop,” Jason said, because vicarious embarrassment was apparently a thing that affected him for the first time ever. “I’m just saying, he’s not complete Cannon Fodder.”

“He's been kidnapped four times,” Tim said matter-of-factly. “I’ve started calling him that in my head. Don't tell anyone.”

“Anyone?” Jason asked after a beat, because Blondie would *love* this.

“Don't even think about it,” Tim warned. “You know Steph would sell me out in a heartbeat.”

“How did you know I was talking about Blondie?” Jason demanded.

“Who else were you going to tell?” Tim asked. “Bruce, Tim let me call his boyfriend Cannon Fodder even though he can probably beat up the Riddler.”

“Did he beat up the Riddler?” Jason asked, because the Riddler *had* been rampaging last week and at this point, he’d believe it.

“No,” Tim said and then blushed. “A couple of his goons, yeah. He solved some of the riddles, too, which was fun.”

“Huh. Didn’t realize he knew the Secret. Does he know who I am?”

“What? No, he doesn’t know I’m Robin,” Tim said. “Riddler did the thing like in Keystone City a few years back and just airdropped a bunch of riddles on Midtown. So I picked some up and we figured them out, but he just thought we were doing it for fun.”

“Are you sure?” Jason asked, thinking of their most recent interaction. “Because I think he knows.”

“Wow,” Tim said with a sigh. “My life would be so much easier if he did.”

Turns out Bernard knew exactly who Tim played dress-up as at night. He spilled the beans by rounding up Batman and Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl, Spoiler and Orphan, and half the marina to save Tim and Kate from the weird cult they’d infiltrated.

Jason wasn’t invited.

It was fine.

It wasn’t actually fine. Tim’s pupils had officially gone heart-shaped and being around him made Jason want to throw up a little bit in his mouth. He and Bernard did a lot of canoodling on the boat and Tim didn’t seek out Jason to discuss investigations or be extra muscle on his cases.

Jason missed Tim.

It wasn’t exactly something he was going to advertise so he kept to himself and patrolled his area of Gotham without venturing into anyone else’s territory.

Some people didn’t have the same compunction.

“You’re not coming to Tim’s birthday party?” Batman demanded. Because of course Bruce got dressed up in his scariest costume to come harass Jason about his social calendar. “I thought you were working to integrate more closely with the family.”

*I thought you were trying.*

“Maybe that was a mistake,” Jason said roughly. “Maybe I fucked up, old man.” He stared out over at the city, a collage of lights and shadows, beautiful and deadly, and superceding everything else, *home*.

“Hrm. Oracle. Is this roof blacked out?”

Jason didn’t hear the answer but a second later, Bruce pushed the cowl back. Jason turned his head automatically, like he was compelled to make sure it really was Bruce under there.

“Tim’s disappointed we haven’t heard from you. He assumes you’re not coming.”

“Good detective work on his part.” Jason approved. “Because I’m not.”

“When I was your age,” Bruce said, and then winced. “This is making me feel old.”

Jason tossed him a look that was meant to mean, *get on with your point or get off my roof* but may have included some, *there’s some self-awareness for you.*

“Anyway. I had a crush on someone I shouldn’t have,” Bruce confessed. “Someone married, actually. He wanted to stay in the closet. And he did. I never told him how I felt. And I lost him.”

Bruce put his hand on Jason’s shoulder and Jason felt like his insides were caving in.

“I have a lot of regrets,” he said. “Don’t be me.”

“So you’re saying I should just barge in and break up Tim and Bernard,” Jason asked, letting go of all his secrets. After all, who was he, trying to hide something from Batman?

“No,” Bruce said. “But I’m on your side, Jaylad.”

“What?”

“You heard me,” Bruce said, pulling his cowl back up. “I don’t want that kid to be cannon fodder but he’s really intent on putting himself in the middle of everything.”

“You’re never on my side,” Jason accused.

“How are you always so sure which side I’m on?” Batman asked, and stepped onto the brick wall lining the roof. He shot a grapple and paused before jumping. “Don’t let this be the thing that defeats you.”

And he was gone.

#batbrats #jason todd #red hood #tim drake #red robin #jason todd/tim drake #red hood/red robin #jaytim #batfam #batman #bruce wayne

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