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twitterpated-passion · 1 month

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Change | Monster Boyfriend

You weren’t a fan of change. It was just something new to get used to, and you didn’t see the point of changing your schedule when it already was fine. But then you were broken up with, and a morning text turned into silence, a midweek date after work turned into eating at the diner alone, and every little thing that reminded you of him was either returned to him, or thrown in a box that was shoved deep into your closet.

You weren’t a fan of change. But you were forced to become one. Because if you didn’t, you’d still be stuck in the past, and you didn’t want to think about him anymore. Even if you two did still live in the same small town that the both of you grew up in.

🌩--🌩--🌩

Your hand came down on the alarm, shutting up the annoying beeping that was the only reason you bought the thing in the first place. Taking a breath, you rubbed your eyes, sat up and stretched, feeling your bones pop and crack as you moved the blanket, turned your legs off the bed, and stood up, albeit begrudgingly.

After a shower and getting dressed, you went into the small kitchen of your townhouse, making yourself a bowl of oatmeal to at least eat something before you went into work. You got used to leaving your phone by your bedside table, preferring not to use it in the morning anymore, since in the beginning you’d wait like a dog does its master for that simple ‘good morning’ text. You shook your head free from the thought before you went down that rabbit hole, eating your somewhat bland breakfast, washing up the dishes and setting them aside to dry.

You slipped a pair of shoes on, and then grabbed your bag, going back to your room to grab your phone. Shoving it into your pocket, you made your way out the door and into your car, even though it was only ten minutes away if you walked. Still, you drove to your place of work, a quaint little pop and pop florist shop, owned by an older couple who used to babysit you when you were a kid.

You walked in, hearing the bell and going into the back to clock in, then going out to flip the sign to show that the shop was open and you found your seat behind the counter. Hearing steps behind you, you glanced back, smiling when you saw Laurie and Samuel. You saw the Dwarf and Elf smile back at you, and you leaned against the counter when you turned the stool to look at them. “You two are down here early, what’s the occasion?”

“Nothing,” Laurie was quick to dismiss, but the glance down to his husband was more than enough to tell you that it wasn’t just nothing.

“You’re still a bad liar, Laurie,” you said. “You two gonna tell me the truth or what?”

Laurie grimaced, but much to his visible relief, Samuel started speaking, voice gruff, like he just woke up, which he probably did, the Dwarf was never an early riser. “We thought you’d do better in tha’ back today, hm?”

“And…why’s that?” You asked, brows knitting together. You never went in the back, ever. It was always something Samuel took over because he liked the gardening aspect, while Laurie was the star seller out of the three of you. “Did I do something?”

They shook their heads quickly and Laurie took back over. “No…just…you know how this town is, people talk.”

“Right, we live in a small town, what’s going on?” The Elf took a breath, biting his lip.

“We know how hard you took the breakup, and we didn’t want you to be upfront if Callum comes in today,” he said after a moment. You tensed, but managed to ask one thing before your mind went blank.

“Why would he even come in here? He’s like the last guy that would come in here…” Trailing off, your heart clenched, but you weren’t going to show what you were thinking, not if it had the chance that you were wrong.

The two, however, noticed, reading the way your hands clenched your knees and how your shoulders got stiff. “...It’s going around that he’s going on a date with a new hire at the garage.”

You tried not to react, you really, truly did, but no matter how soft Laurie’s tone was, you still bit back the urge to tear up, your fists clenching against your legs. It had only been three months since the break up, and while you knew that he was allowed to move on, start dating again, you couldn’t help the way that the thought of him dating someone else made you feel. It was only natural, the two of you were dating for almost five years, starting right after the two of you graduated high school, and he moved on after three months.

You snapped out of your thoughts when you felt their hands on your legs, and you shook your head, forcing yourself to act normally. “I’ll be fine,” you started, a bit weakly, “we’re not together, he can do what he wants.”

Managing a smile, you breathe out a huff, and turn back to the front door of the shop, knowing that if you looked at them and their sympathetic expression, you would’ve broken down.

You could handle it. You were going to have to.

🌩--🌩--🌩

The shop never got many customers during a work day, most of the customers coming right after they get off for a date night, an apology bouquet or just something for their partner. Your foot was tapping against the stool the entire time you were sitting, and you could help but pace around whenever you had to get up. You hated the fact that the thought of him coming in made you this nervous, but you had good reason to when the bell rang, and Laurie failed to greet the heavy steps.

You didn’t look at him for a while, keeping your back facing him as he talked quietly to Laurie, getting a bundle of roses and carnations, pink and red. Your hands trembled, and you turned in the stool to price the bouquet, never meeting his gaze when he placed the flowers down beside the old monitor you and the other two used to check people out.

“Hi,” Callum said after a couple seconds of tense silence, his low voice more familiar than anyone else’s in your life. You looked up at the Minotaur, your eyes meeting his brown gaze, the fur on his face still slightly dirty, and his hands stained from his work at the garage.

“Thirteen-fifty is your total,” you said in response, almost bitter in your lack of wanting to make small talk with him. It pained you to be cold to him, but he didn’t say anything else to you, simply handing you his card and letting you read it in the machine, handing it back to him with a receipt seconds after. You let Laurie give him the ‘have a nice day’ shtick, walking back to ‘help’ out Samuel, even though the work day was over in an hour and a half.

You heard the bell to the door right as you walked back, and your back hit the wall, getting Samuel’s attention right as tears welled in your waterline, your bottom lip trembled and you sniffled, shutting your eyes tightly to stop yourself from crying. But despite your efforts, the tears ran down your cheeks, and soon you had both men trying to comfort you, holding you in both of their arms to offer any form of solace.

They closed the shop early, something you tried to argue with, but you learned quickly that you couldn’t really speak while crying, so it didn’t work other than making you seem like a mess, which you admittedly were. And when the sign was flipped and the door was locked, the blinds sitting over the windows, they all but dragged you up to the apartment above the shop, the home you practically grew up in with the amount of times that they babysat you. It was to keep you from being upset and alone at your own place, you knew that, they sure as hell knew that. You didn’t blame them though.

Laurie made dinner for the three of you and Samuel settled beside you, rough hand holding onto yours as he let you flick through movie after movie until you settled on one you considered one of your favorites.

As the movie played and the three of you were gouging on carbs, you sat off to the side, letting the couple sit beside each other, even though at first they were hesitant to not have you in the middle. You were better tucked into the arm of their small couch though, it let you think and drown out the movie you’ve seen more times than you can count.

Seeing Callum earlier both made your heart race and stabbed it with a knife at the same time. He wasn’t there for you, like he was times before, and if you knew why the breakup happened…if he would’ve given you at least some closure, you would’ve been fine- happy for him even. But it was only three months since it happened, and you still had no idea what happened to cause him to want to break up with you. It was like a switch flipped and suddenly you were single.

You closed your eyes once you were done eating, setting your empty plate aside and dragging a hand down your face to get you out of your thoughts. You were just going to have to accept it. That was the only thing you were able to do at that point.

🌩--🌩--🌩

It was four months since the breakup, and three weeks since Callum came in last. He hadn’t been in since, which didn’t exactly mean much, since he never really did flowers unless it was a birthday or anniversary, and even then he focused more on interests than just flowers. But you hadn’t heard anything else about his date with the new hire in his garage. You had practically bullied Laurie and Samuel into telling you anything, and it came up to nothing, so you chalked it up to nothing being shared, or nothing happening between the two.

You felt weird, being so into your ex’s personal life, but if anything, he invited you into it by going to the shop he knew you worked at to buy flowers for them. No- that just felt petty.

The shop’s bell ringing snapped you out of your thoughts, petty and otherwise, and you looked up, parting your lips to speak, before you snapped your mouth shut when you saw that it was the Minotaur you were just thinking about. You looked down at papers, acting like you haven’t seen him and silently wishing Laurie was still out here instead of in the back with Samuel. It meant you actually had to talk to him.

You glanced up when you heard him say your name, and after breathing out a sigh, you got up from the stool, walking over to the flowers. “Roses and carnations?”

“No, actually. I’m not here for flowers…” There he was. There was the Callum you knew. “The shop closes in an hour, yea?”

You nodded. “Like it normally does.”

He paused for a moment, and nodded, walking up to you and reaching out to brush his fingers against your arm. “Do you wanna go to Izzie’s after you’re off? Our usual table? I need to talk to you.”

It sounded serious, and you didn’t miss the way his soft voice made your heart flip. “...About?”

“...I really just want to tell you then…so…please?” He was begging now. He was actually begging. You closed your eyes for a few seconds and you nodded, looking up at him when you opened your eyes.

“Fine…fine, I’ll go,” you said. Your expression softened when you saw his deep brown eyes light up, the evening glow coming in through the windows making the color look like it had golden flakes mixed with the brown.

“Great- perfect, thank you. It’s my treat, so don’t worry about whatever you get.” Your brow twitched and furrowed, but you nodded again, teeth digging into your bottom lip.

“You don’t have to-”

“Don’t,” he said, lifting a hand. “Just- just let me treat you, ok?”

“Ok,” you breathe out, watching him with a sigh.

The last hour went by slowly, feeling like it was an entire day, and the moment the clock hit seven, you raced out with barely a ‘see ya’ to Laurie and Samuel. With your bag gripped tightly in your hand, you unlocked your car and threw it into your passenger seat, getting into the driver’s seat afterwards. You pulled out onto the road and began driving across town to Izzie’s.

When you pulled in, you managed to pull in beside his van, the nostalgia and familiarity of the late nights in it sending you whirling, but you got out of your car, locked it up and headed straight into the front doors. You were sure you looked desperate, wanting something akin to how you were back when you were with Callum, and you knew you should be trying to move on…trying to get over him, but gods, did you not want to do anything resembling moving on when he asked you to the spot you guys had weekly date nights at.

And when you saw him, your heart started racing, seeing that he was sitting in the booth the two of you used to sit in every wednesday. You forced yourself to slow yourself to a walking pace, making your way over to him before slipping into the booth, sitting across from him as if you didn’t care for any of this.

He smiled when he saw you, and pushed his menu over to you. “Pick what you want. Even if it’s your usual.”

“You know you don’t have to pay for me,” you said after taking a quick glance at the menu. You knew what you were getting, it was all you ever got when you came here. Nothing could go wrong with a vanilla shake and loaded fries in your mind.

“Yea, but I want to,” he responded, waving the thought of him not doing it away. “I invited you out, I’ll pay.”

You let out a breath, but nodded and set the menu down, pushing it away. Your leg bounced, not stopping until a large hand touched your knee and your eyes met his. “Why’re you nervous, Moonlight?”

You could barely process the pet name, tensing under his touch and staring at him with furrowed brows. “...We’re exes…why wouldn’t I be nervous that you wanted to talk?”

Something flashed in his eyes, something that you thought looked akin to hurt the way his lips pursed a little, and he moved back, moving the long hair from his eyes, then on the normal chain he wore on his horns after he got off of work. “Do you want to start talking now or after we get food?” “Now, please…” you said. He nodded and moved his hand from your knee, then held his hand out, palm up. He left his hand there, even after you didn’t take it, keeping the offer there.

“Right…right…” Callum breathed out, his bullnose ring glinting in the light. “I regret breaking up with you…”

You tensed again, your thoughts spinning around you, and it felt like the world around you went silent. He…he regretted it? “...You regret it?”

“Yea,” he started. “...If…if it’s alright with you…I’d…I’d like to try again…maybe?”

Your lips parted and you gave him a look that just screamed confusion, mixed a hint of disbelief. “You want to…try again? After breaking up with me out of nowhere and going out on a date with someone else?”

He flinched at the questions and gave you an apologetic look, trying to grab your hand. “...Let me explain…-”

You smacked his hand away and stood up, holding your hands up in mock surrender. “Let you explain what? Why you want me back, or why you broke up with me?”

He glanced around and tried to usher you back in the booth. “Moonlight, please sit down,” he said softly.

“Or what?” He took a pause, sighing and standing, grabbing your arm before you could pull it away and guiding the both of you outside and to your cars, lifting his hands when you settled against your passenger’s side door.

“Please, don’t fight with me,” Callum said after a moment. “Let me explain…whether you accept it or not is up to you, but please just hear me out.”

You took awhile to answer, and you didn’t even do it verbally, offering him a single nod and a hand wave. He sighed again. “I know saying that I want to try again after going on a date with someone else is…not the best thing to hear…and I promise it’s not because the date didn’t go well. I genuinely regret breaking up with you and I’m such an idiot for doing it.”

“Then why did you do it?” You asked, not trying to fight, or to respond sounding like an ass, just…wanting to know.

“I didn’t want you to hate me,” he responded.

“What? Why would I hate you?” Callum slowly reached his hand out, waiting for you to grab it and his expression softened when you did.

“We got together out of high school…we were our first actual relationship and…I didn’t want you to start resenting me for holding you back in the future…and I…I knew it wouldn’t happen, but the possibility of me feeling the same made me want to die…I just thought we’d be better if we explored…” He trailed off when he was done, waiting for a response from you, his nerves apparent.

It took you another long, drawn out moment before you finally replied to him. “And you regret doing it now?”

He nodded. “Yea…I was regretting it when I did it…but I thought it’d get better, that if I just held out you’d be happier. And I went on the date…I can’t say I hated it, because they were nice, but I was thinking of you the entire time, how you’d react if I took you there…what you’d wear, which place we’d go to after, what movie we’d inevitably fall asleep to…”

Your heart was pounding again, a slow but loud sound hammering away at your ribs. But he spoke before you could. “I still…- you’re the person I think of when I wake up, and you’re the person I think of when I go to bed and I hate that I ruined us when I still constantly think about how much I love you.”

“Callum…” you said softly, squeezing back when he squeezed your hand. “Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“...I don’t know…I thought you’d think I was ridiculous or something…”

“So you went straight to break up with me?” You pushed up from your car, taking a step towards the Minotaur. “You should’ve talked to me.”

“I know I should’ve. And I regret that I didn’t, but I don’t want what we had to end…will you at least think about giving me a second chance?”

You didn’t have to think when you nodded, grabbing his other hand and squeezing them both. “...I’ll think about it. But you have to earn that, alright?”

He managed a smile, nodding back at you firmly. “I’ll make you weak in the knees faster than you can blink.”

And to tease him, you blinked, grinning when he laughed.

🌩--🌩--🌩

It was exactly four months later, but you were three ‘second chance’ dates in with Callum, finally folding after he consistently made an effort, constantly threatening being late to his shift at the garage to drop off a coffee, tea or pastry at the shop, and to occasionally earn a kiss on the cheek after he kissed yours. Laurie and Samuel were practically sick at seeing the two of you, despite the amount of PDA the couple were giving each other at every possible opportunity.

At that very moment though, you were relaxing on the worn couch in Callum’s home garage, watching him work on his van and all in all, enjoying your day off.

“You’re awfully quiet, Moonlight,” Callum said, wiping his hands off with an old rag. “What’s on your pretty, little mind?”

Your cheeks warmed, but you rolled your eyes. “Just admiring, Sunshine.”

“Yea? You still into something you’ve seen for five years?” He asked, teasing tone blatant.

“Obviously,” you chuckled. “I’ll still like this fifty years from now.”

He hummed and walked over to you, lifting your legs to settle beside you, resting your legs over his. “You really think so?”

“I know so, Callum.”

You didn’t like change, but you could get used to this…instead of sticking to how it was before.

95 notes · View notes

its-actually-minicika · 1 year

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Hi, love your works so much! Can't wait for more updates 🥰🥰 I was wondering maybe you'd like the idea where book!Aemond and Velarion!(Strong?)Reader are in an arranged marriage. But Reader just knows what to say and how to act so that Aemond is wrapped around her finger (kinda thought of Margaery and Joffrey situation, she was such a talented schemer, worthy of winning the Throne 😭). I don't really know about the setting, like if it's before, during or after the Dance... just thought it'd be interesting to see this kind of plot with our beloved Prince 🤴🏼🐉

If you don't like it, just ignore me 🙈

Dragon Sickness (18+)

Pairing: bookcanon!Aemond x Strong!Niece!Reader

Warnings: No usage of (Y/N), Greens win AU, bookcanon Greens, the obvious Targaryen incest, mentions of major character deaths (we're entering spoiler grounds, but not really), blood, gore etc.

Word Count: 3.5K+

Author's Note: I fell in love with this idea the moment I saw it! I ended up altering the plot line for this one-shot a little bit - the reader will definitely grow into the Margaery architype, but today you shall see her as she was when she just learned how to make ends meet with her newfound life at Court.

I don't know if I should turn this into yet another series, but if you guys enjoyed this, let me know

Also, thank you so, so much for your kind words ♡ i'm hugging you to the moon and back!

PART 2 IS OUT NOW ♡♡♡

Who could ever blame you for your indiscreet acts? Alliances change when the world you know suddenly turns upside down.

She remembered how weak she was. How scared she had been.

How her eyes widened into two brown specs of uncertainty, how her mouth fell agape, as she mulled over Alicent’s words.

‘You shall marry Aemond within the next moon turns. For the good of the Realm.’

The Dowager Queen had openly admitted to being against the match – of course, the prospect of her perfect son, married off to a lowly bastard of Rhaenyra's (otherwise said, her last surviving child), didn’t specifically thrill her. Much less her demanding and scornful father.

Still, it couldn’t be helped. And if the Velaryon wanted to keep her head away from a spike, she had no other choice but to comply.

Although… she wasn’t a Velaryon now, was she? Aegon the Usurper made sure of that.

His final gift to her was to strip her of all her titles. She had been openly declared a bastard – before the masses, before the Court.

With a wide smile upon his burnt lips, the “King” had told her she’d be a Targaryen instead. Driftmark wouldn’t matter, her legacy wouldn’t matter. Aemond would inherit the seat with the Usurper’s blessing, as a homage brought to his able fighting and his shown bravery on the bloody battlefield.

Never mind that he’d never partaken in a fight; save for the one that killed her stepfather, Daemon, and sent her poor mother in a downward spiral. Aemond had chosen his adversaries wisely, and managed to go through the whole war without as much of a scratch upon his silver armour.

‘I shan’t marry your son. Not now, not ever.’ Her own voice rang out.

‘You will do exactly as demanded.’

‘I would rather die than bear the treacherous children of that monstrous beast.’

A monstrous beast. That is what Aemond was.

And that is what he shall remain. No matter how many gifts he brought to her. No matter how many hours of their days and days in their weeks and weeks in their months they spent promenading those ghastly gardens.

‘You will if you know your best interests. Your own head may hold no value to you, but a single swing of my son’s sword would be enough to bring forth the ruin of House Blackwood.’

At first, she’d been restless in her attempts to escape the Keep. Her every waking hour was spent shamelessly inside the Sept, where she prayed not for the safety of her brothers’ souls, but for revenge against the mutted Greens.

The slight breeze of the cathedral mended her flesh from the heat of summer. And no one dared to approach or talk to her. The quietness was a welcomed deed.

During the first night of their betrothal, her glossy eyes scanned Aemond’s face. His hands wantonly gripped at his thighs and a slight twitch of his mouth, accompanied by an elongated hum escaped his lips.

There was no other discernable expression. And when he led her to the chambers of her early girlhood, he merely bowed and kissed her hand.

She spent the first night of their betrothal scraping her knuckles so harshly, that they broke and cracked under the stimulation of the cold water.

Her thirst for vengeance ceased after the first two months. Her wedding date was approaching swiftly, and she found herself faced with the abhorrent truth. She had no allies. No more friends at Court. The girl had shut herself in her tiny room, losing her mind with the pain and grief that flooded her at night: the faces of her mother, her brothers, her father. The sound of their screams and their endless pleas for help.

Every night, without a fail, she woke up tormented by nightmares – her throat burning with absolving shrieks of fear, exacerbated breaths of air and flimsy nightdresses, damp throughout by breaks of sweat.

The first night she lashed out onto her bedding was the night she found out Aemond had moved his Quarters next to hers. He yanked the door open and stepped into the light of her candle – looking ravished, completely out of breath and startled. Started not for his own accord and safety, but for the state that his future wife had been in.

‘Shit, it’s alright, I’m here–’

The echo of his mellow voice deterred her to let out a blood-curdling scream, that would have rivalled even the one of the late Queen Rhaenyra, after Aegon the Usurper ceased her at Dragonstone, and reeled his dragon to eat her whole.

‘Get the fuck away from me! Get the fuck out of my room!’

Her sobs pierced into the man’s heart, but his hurt expression was masked quickly with one most bitter and taciturn. He clenched his fists ruefully by his side, and spat out an apology in a low and dangerous tone.

‘As you wish.’

And how dearly he loved those words:

‘As you wish.’

'As you desire.’

Even though nothing had been, or ever will be, as she achingly wished them to.

“You could at least attempt to look happy.” His chastising tone rained upon her, as his Lady remained hammered in her seat. Maids flocked to her like lost chickens to their cock, arranging her hair and picking out dresses fit for their engagement parade.

Her face contorted into the mirror, and a faint sigh beleft her lips. Carefully she turned around, reflecting his stance with a subtle arch to her shapely brow.

“It’s bad luck to see your bride before the wedding ceremony.”

“An old wives' tale. And one that applies only on the day itself.”

“Perhaps we should encourage tradition more. Make it so we don’t cross paths at all til then.”

Just as fast as it came, the feral look dissolved over his tired face. Aemond heaved out a heavy exhale and merely settled to growl at her maids.

“Leave us. Now.”

A discontented look painted over her fair features. His niece opened her mouth in protest, to try and stop the fleeing girls from truly making their escape.

“I must remind my Prince that the engagement assembly will be held in less than an hour. I believe I should like them to stay.”

The gathered women exchanged lost and protruding glances, until the former King Regent spoke again.

“They will leave us at once.”

“They’ll do no such a thing. They must make haste to get me ready. We wouldn’t want to upset your mother.”

“I’m more than capable of lacing up a loose bodice.”

The tight expression on her face deserted her features with the leave of his smug retort. She swallowed thickly in enraged abandon, and silently beseeched her ladies not to leave her all alone.

Still ravishing her with his bold stare, Aemond stepped another foot into the cosy confinements of her tidy prison. “If I’m to turn around now and find any of you standing before me, I’ll arrange that you’re all flogged and defiled beyond the utter of salvation.”

Brisk footsteps swallowed the room, echoing wildly through the narrow dark hallways. The former Velaryon shook her head in disarray, and graced her soon-to-be-husband with a tight smile and a nod.

“Congratulations.” She uttered humorously, “I should enjoy looking like a fool tonight much more than being proper by your side.”

As if drowned below a trace, Aemond took another step in the direction of the frowning Princess. His face remained impenetrable, but as he opened his mouth to speak, his voice ran meek, unsure and hoarse.

“Turn around.” He commanded her gently, whilst grabbing a deep green garment from the cluttery made on her bed. Despite her lack of desire to abide by his request, the woman turned her back to him and muttered slowly, though much softer than intended.

“I don’t like that one. It’ll make the skirts look out of place.”

“Which one do you want, then?” His whisper had made her draw in a sharp gasp; the warmth of his breath fell soothingly over the nape of her neck, caressing her delicate skin in a way she hadn’t known was possible.

“The red one with black lacings.”

His hand came to spin her back around, and their noses nearly touched together. A smile tugged at the ends of his upturned lips, but the look inside his eye remained frigid and unforgiving.

“Your petticoat won’t be those colours.”

A conceited scowl graced her face. She reached her hand behind him and skillfully snatched one of a different design. “Fine. I want to wear this one, then.”

The obnoxious blue and silver danced across her paling skin. And if Aemond weren’t so dazed by their proximity and lack of air, he might have laughed at her feeble attempts of vexing him.

“Those are Velaryon hues.”

“Perfect. I shall honour my house well.”

“You are not a Velaryon to grace them with such a feat.”

“No, you are absolutely right. Your brother did name me a Targaryen.”

Their faces were so close to each other, that their moving lips were almost touching.

“Yet I can’t wear black and red either.” A prompted look disarmed the Prince, “It is all very confusing.”

His lone orb descended to her puffing bosom, but Aemond soon directed himself upon a more elusive image. His fingers twitched with the need to grab a hold of her – to pull away those last pieces of cloth that shielded her away from view.

“You know full well why I can’t allow that.” He hummed in unmoving disapproval, “As much as I enjoy your voice and the raptures of your closeness, I must say this conversation bores me.”

“I should be able to wear what I want.” Came her prompt and swift reply, “But of course, Your Grace, forgive me. ‘Tis not for men to pounder on laces and brims.” Her palms took to rest upon his bulging chest, and the girl nearly removed them at once, as the thrumming of his heart enterlaced with her slim fingers. Still, she furrowed her brows in a most perplexed of mockeries, and insatiably drove on, “Indeed resilient men such as yourself occupy their time much better.”

The callouses of his hands fell heavily upon her cheeks.

“Fucking their ways through brothels, getting their pricks wet, and fantasising about wars.”

The harshness of his next tug nearly broke her brave facade – her eyes widened in mistrust, and a slight recoil braced over her straightened back. Her small fingers clasped over his shaking wrist, which held onto her face with a gentleness untoward; one completely mismatching with the predatory glimmer in his eye.

The man he was, and the man he was trying to be would surely never mend to one.

A Kinslayer. A monster. A divergent freak.

Nothing more, and nothing less.

His thumb played absent-mindedly at her lower lip, and the young Princess tried her damnest not to bite him. “Did I strike a nerve with that one?”

“You are as imprudent as you are beautiful. A family trait, I assume.”

“You have my gratitude for the flattering commentary. I’m very proud of my heritage.”

His lilac orb bore into her, and the man let out a reserved laugh, “Your bastard brothers were ample proud. Look where that brought them.” The rough end of his hand gripped her own painfully, before she could make for a swing at his handsome face. “Lost in the seas, rotting at the bottom of an ocean, nestling inside Sunfyre’s belly.”

While her hands were clasped together, her mouth wasn’t sown shut. With a single and effective move, she spat harshly in his face, eliciting a groan from her broader perpetrator.

Though his nostrils flared up in disdain, the man graced her with a calculated smirk. “Did I strike a nerve with that one?” He mocked her with feigned interest.

“Fuck you,” She hissed out slowly, “Don’t you dare talk of my family – my brothers were ten times the man you are.”

“Oh, but I have every right to talk about your family. Given that I will be all yours shortly.” Once more he forced her to turn around, and kneeled over to her spasming form, to begin dressing her up; in nought else, of course, but the mundane silks of his choosing.

"Doesn't the prospect thrill you? To become my lady-wife, to finally bear a true Targaryen inside your royal womb?"

So hopeless and defeated she felt, that the youth jerked herself relentlessly, while repeating him the same plethora of words. “You cannot force me to be your whore. You cannot force me to wear this. I will not bear your Hightower green.”

Aemond could feel his patience running thin – and when her foot came into contact with his setting knee, the man let out a ferocious growl, and promptly trapped the girl in his arms, with the aid of a nearby wall.

“So you want to be difficult? You don’t want to wear this? Hmm? Well, who am I not to abide my Lady’s burning wishes?”

The sharpness of his dagger came into quick contact with the milky skin of her thighs. And she might have almost screamed, if Aemond didn’t immediately pull himself away. His hard chest grazed hers for but a moment, as the Prince cast his attention to her moving shadow.

“If you wish not to attend our engagement parade wearing the clothes I’ve chosen for you,” He muttered against her face, a scorned look adorning his own, “Then you won’t be wearing anything at all.”

She huffed out a dispensing pant and pursed her lips into a tight line.

She remained rigid and poised, until a spark of amusement swirled into her eyes.

The first crack was that of a lax smile. The next, a tremor to her lips. The calm before the storm approached, until all rattled down with a mirthed laugh cascading from her reddened lips.

“Do you mean to frighten me with this promise?” She asked through the arch of an uncertain brow, “As if every man in this cursed Keep won’t get to watch me whore myself out to you anyway, when our wedding night will come?”

His face suddenly hardened at the notion of their reality – as if he didn’t give much thought to the bedding ceremony. To his Lady being watched by a thousand other eyes but his.

Aemond suddenly darkened, and his fist came into contact with a near spot on the wall, so awfully close to her frightened, paling face.

She watched with wide eyes how his stare contorted from one of realisation to one of fury. He stiffly peeled his body away from hers, and strained himself to leave her be. The jealous and possessive knots that churned painfully inside his stomach burned his skin upon the surface, and constricted the air he brashly took in.

He nodded to her in a spry and calloused manner, and brought his hand out to touch her cheek. His knuckles had begun to bleed, busted by the force of impact that his fist had faced for him. Behind his eye danced a look of seldom shame – he gnawed harshly at his bottom lip, and pondered, for a while, on apologising to his niece; for his lack of princely conduct, for his show of impropriety – for his inability to keep himself at bay.

Still his thoughts failed to merge to words, and so the man ran his eye one final time over her defensive pose, and merely left her standing there.

As if turned into a statue, the girl barely registered the lethargic closing of the door, the hurried and heavy footsteps that travelled further and further away from her quaint and cluttered space, and the animated curse that slipped past her uncle's throat.

Did he just dare to leave her there, with her petticoat half up her legs, in nought else but a flimsy nightdress?

At first she thought that his avoidance was a blessing in disguise.

For after clashing wits with Aemond, and after his swift hurried departure, the man had barely graced her with another word.

His hand held onto hers for the whole duration of the procession. He wordlessly forced her to dance two dances, and led her to her Quarters as soon as she mentioned that she was tired.

But his palms didn’t linger on the shape of her narrow waist – his lips barely grazed her knuckles, and Aemond turned with lest a word to add after their fake sympathies were exchanged.

Had he gotten bored of her? Realised what a terrible match they made, and begged his mother on his hands and knees to break off their ill engagement?

For the first time in a while, a new notion of fear engulfed her.

The Greens couldn’t kill her. Of that, she was almost certain. It wouldn't be a wise move, and it would anger the North beyond the power of salvation. The war had had its say on every army that fought into it, yet the Crownlands were especially weak.

But if Aemond were to sever their solidary alliance, then her future would be most uncertain.

Otto Hightower would make her join with an old and withered Lord, no doubt – one with more than enough sons to further on his pesky line. One who couldn’t even get it up to her, who’d never procreate and mend their blood, who’d make sure Rhaenyra’s line would end with her.

Or perhaps she’d be sent to join the Faith – become a Septa or a Silent Sister, among the infamous Maris Baratheons of the Realm. Yet another girl who wouldn’t keep her tongue when asked.

And history might remember them as ‘the women who couldn’t be tamed’, but their lives would be thrown to ruin. Their existence would remain a sham.

No, she had whispered to herself, as she writhed into the soft bedding. If she still thirsted for revenge, she would have to marry Aemond. Keep him interested and relaxed – yearning for her voice and company.

… And if she had to whore herself to him to do it, she would obediently assume her role.

“I beg your pardon?” Aegon asked through another gulp of bitter wine, “Gods be good – I believe that now I’ve heard it all.”

Aemond paced about his brother’s room, with his hands clasped behind his back, and his face set into a deep grimace. He hummed in admission to his brother’s words, and glanced his way with the instance of a hooded eye.

“There is to be no bedding ceremony.” He repeated himself with ease, “I frightened her enough already. The girl will be plenty uncomfortable without the aid of chafing eyes.”

His brother smiled and raised his brows in nothing else but blinding wonder. A small shake of his head indicated his perplexion, and a sharp inhale his drawn decision.

“Mother insisted upon it. You know that well.” The man steadied himself in his chair as he spoke, whilst letting out a small grunt at the contact that the wood made upon his burnt remnants of skin. “I don’t see any reason to annul it. Especially now, an eve before.”

Another sip of the stinging liquor interrupted his smooth and ready trail of thought. The Targaryen brushed off Aemond’s concerns, and gleefully bided his teasing.

“It’ll do the two of you good – you’ll get to see she’s as pure as a bastard girl can be; and she’ll have no deniability that any of her future heirs are yours.” He pointed his weary digit in the direction of his stiffened form and swallowed down a hefty laugh. “Not to mention that Lord Redwyne and Tarly already placed bets on the state of her maidenhead. Would be a shame to disappoint them both, don't you think?"

“What mother thinks is of no consequence. And the amusement of the Realm matters not to me. There will be no bedding ceremony.”

“Nonsense, Aemond. It is our duty to upkeep the Realm – and to entertain its inhabitants if need be.”

When his reckless teasing was met with glacial silence, Aegon sighed as he briskly leaned forward. He watched his sibling with an indiscernible expression across his scorched veneer, and yawned greatly at his indisposed behaviour.

“Of course, we’re here to talk it out. But after so much time spent in your company, I fail to see the necessity for such a thing.” A sly smirk danced across his puffy lips, “Are you concerned that she won’t bleed? Or that you’ll be too cunt-struck by her to last enough to make a statement?”

Aemond’s fists descended upon the polished wood of Aegon’d desk. He thrashed his brother with a defiant glare, and hissed through his gritted teeth, and tight-set jaw.

“There will be no bedding ceremony for my niece and I. Tell that to every Lord that wishes to glance upon my wife – if they do so much as to cast their hands on her, they’ll be fucking their own wives with a wooden cock.”

Amusement laced with grave concern – the finality of Aemond's words ought to have vexed him, irk the King in his sibling's weighty insolence. Instead Aegon nodded, pushing back the feeling of dread that settled deep within his bones. His head jerked towards his closed oak door, signalling to his brother that his visit had been overstated. “What sort of brother would I be, to not grant you with this simple whim?”

The younger Targaryen mirrored his stance, and turned abruptly on his heel after a low grunt of gratitude.

His hand reached for the golden handle, but Aegon's words deterred him to a halt.

“But be careful with that one, Aemond. She’s brash and wholly unpredictable. Make sure the blood that stains your sheets come morning isn’t somehow your very own.”

Perma Tag List: @welcometothelioncage @kravitzwhore ♡

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christinebloodwrittings · 13 days

Text

To hunt or be hunted #8

Pairing: Alastor x Fem!Reader x Lucifer Summary: The revelation that pulled off bits of your armor. Warnings: Song fic, violence, mental breakdown.

Hazbin Taglist: @sakuraluna2468 @boogiemansbitch @mysterypotatoink @sibsteria @cherry-cola-100 @readergirlstuff @phoenixica24 @martinys-world @alientee @jellyroom2 @jewelsrules @ladyzaunis @zealousllamawolf @kittycat246 @shamblezzz

(Picture belongs to Vivzie) (I’ll Never Smile Again, by Tommy Dorsey)

After taking a deep breath, you opened the duffle bag. A brown leather bag containing the clothes you died in, a man’s hunting attire you borrowed from a dead man, and your axe. You smiled, remembering when Charlie tried to lift it, the metal of the blade being far too heavy to carry, even with both her hands.

In yours it weighed a lot, but that gave you always the necessary momentum to cut a skull in half.

For this event, you would have to look like the Axe-man, for that you used the black corset, had a plaque of angelic steal embedded under the fabric. On top of the white dress shirt, your brown vest and long black coat. On one thigh you strapped your dagger and on the other a small pistol, both covered by the long brown skirt that matched your vest.

As you made your was back to the parlor, your serious aura called the attention of the members in the room, “Someone’s gonna die” Angel partially joked, essentially because your pupils weren’t dilated and you looked armed to the teeth.

“Oh darling, now that is how we kill in style” Alastor brought your eyes to him by directing your face with a finger under your jaw.

“Hopefully we won’t have to, but it doesn’t hurt to be ready” You noticed Alastor’s bow tie was slightly out of place, so you took it upon yourself to pull him to lean a little, undo it, and tie it to perfection all over again. He had left his tie crooked on purpose so you would fix it.

“Uuh, smiles got a date” Angel winked at you, “This will be more fun than a that, won’t it, Alastor?” he put his hand on your shoulder smiling sweetly, “Indeed chérie”, maybe you’ll admit to him that you adore the way he speaks French to you, one day.

“Be careful, with whatever you guys do” Charlie felt some of your pain, it would weight on her far too much if she did entirely. The thought of not seeing you again hunted her as the months got by, would never say that directly to you.

“We will princess, don’t fret, I would never risk an asset as priceless as our dear chef” he made you laugh, “Asset?” you playfully hit his side, “I mean it in the best of ways, sweetheart” in a way to fix his dumb joke, he took your hand and kiss your palm.

“Going out?” Lucifer walked down the stairs, you noticed he was fresh out of the shower, given hoy fluffy his hair looked, oh how you wanted to pat his head. “Y/n and I will be addressing a loose end, nothing that your royal highness should worry about” you rolled your eyes at the bitterness in the words ‘your royal highness’ coming from Alastor.

“Just visiting some mobsters, we will be back soon, my lord” he frowned, but he smiled through his discomfort. “Can I go? Maybe I can be of assistance, no one would be stupid enough to cross me” He tugged at the lapels of his jacket with pride, winking at you with a sly smile, ‘Would it offend him if I say no because I want to command respect for being me?’ you thought.

You ended up feeling guilty for even thinking that, so you just caressed his cheek, “Maybe next time?” he nodded into your hand, then repeated “Next time”.

“Shall we, my dear?” Alastor’s voice behind you reminded you, “Right, don’t wait up, okay?” Lucifer took your hand before it leaved his skin, “Be safe” he kissed your knuckles, “We will, I promise” the little king enjoyed to no end the angry face Alastor made when he smiled into your hand during the small kiss.

Alastor didn’t moved around town in conventional ways on his day to day, but for that occasion he got a sweet deal on a red and black Model T Ford, to take you with style to the meeting. “Al, sweetie” At some moment you just couldn’t hold your laughter, “Yes chérie?” his prideful face made your laugh worse.

“I love the intention, but it’s a shit car” you felt the need to caress his arm, but given the early morning activities, you decided to give him some space. “No it’s not” he opened the door for you, as the lovely gentleman he is, “Sugar, even if they made the pieces down here, which they don’t, it’s a shit design, you got scammed” he made a few old timey showbiz laughs as he materialized inside the car.

“You forget I’m the Radio Demon” he put in the key, the engine sounded like a rooster with asthma, something must have gotten stuck between the spark plugs because the hood popped and smoke clouded the windshield.

“DON’T you say it” he warned, annoyed when he heard your mocking laughter, “I told you” he was not having it, “Want me to fix this?” he groaned. He saw you tinkering the engine for a few minutes, then come back inside the car. He tried the key one more time, when it ignited, the purr the car made was similar to a Lamborghini’s.

“I learned that in a convent” he was flabbergasted, “I even fought a nun; I was such a rebel, hit her with what I thought it was a crucifix, turned out to be a satanic church” he chuckled, not saying a word because he still couldn’t believe what just happened.

“Ha! Now that I remember, Lucifer would faint if he saw how they portrait him” you looked into the glove box finding a pair of sunglasses, “Boy you do not wanna know how high I flew out though a stained glass” you stopped talking seeing his eyes shining, “What?” he chuckled, “You keep on amazing me” how you blushed made his heart sing.

Standing on the sidewalk in front of the building, you were out of breath for a second. “Nervous?” Alastor took your hand, helping you to regain some composure, “Either that or my corset is too tight” that too, but mostly nervous. “Just breathe darling” easy for him to say, “I haven’t done anything like this in thirty years” he pulled on your hand, hugged your whole body with a good loving squeeze and a twirl. “You’ll be great darling, just be your adorably deadly self” if you had your soul you would feel it swoon, “Thank you for supporting me on this” after a little kiss on your cheek he hooked your arm with his heading for the door.

“I will be out here if you need me” You appreciated his gesture, it was clear that he believed in your abilities and your strength, but that he would be there for you if you needed backup. Well if that didn’t made you confident, nothing will.

“Miss Axe-man! Wha-what-” one mobster shark shook in his seat after you kicked the door open, “Tony Redstone, my name is Y/n Lionheart” The office, a long room with a table of the same length in the center, mobsters of every caliber you can imagine sitting along it. At the end, in a leather chair, a man, a big man with a mustache so Italian that it said mamma mía by itself.

“The Axe-man of Louisiana” some of the men whispered, air caught in their throats as they processed the facts. “I gotta say kid, you got some nerve to stand here today alone” the raspy voice of Tony made it to your seat at the other end, “You sure have some nerve to receive me without a single pint or jazz playin’” one mobster ran to the cd player, making sure Miles Davis played in the background.

“I thought the murderer was a well, a man” laughed one before your axe went swiftly though his head and back to your hand, “Let’s get down to business, why are ya’ here for?” he played no mind to his comrade’s death, it made you laugh a bit.

“Does James Alden ring a bell?” his name on your tongue was like acid, “How could I forget? Poor fucker sold his own daughter to pay off his debt, what about him?” the spell you put around you was growing weary, the one that hides the corruption away.

“This is more about the child” now that raised suspicion, “What did you do with her?” there was some laughs at the table, “What is it to ya’?” asked one, “You’re exhausting my patience” you whispered as the multiple man started to question your intentions and seriousness.

“Look, it’s none of your business whore, now get outta ‘ere” you took a deep breath, “This will be the last time I ask politely” you never bothered to sit down, however that was the moment you did, making the chair squeak against the floor as you dragged it back enough to sit, “What did you do with my daughter?”.

“Alden married the Axe-man? Lucky bastard” again with the whispering, you lost a nerve, threw the axe around again, killing two more, “What did you do with my daughter?”. “YOU CRAZY BITCH!” yelled the next one to die, “What did you do to her? She was innocent, just a babe!” your voice started to pick up some volume.

“I wanted to raise her as my own, but my wife, she drowned her in the river” Tony blatantly said, ever so calmly.

As the sounds of breaking bones, screams and violence escalated, Alastor put the newspaper he was reading aside, regretting having done so when he opened the door to the room.

A chimera, or at least it seemed like one, had its horns destroyed, the tail of a normal lion instead of a snake, and the goat that should have been the second head did not exist. The noise that the creature's hooves made as it destroyed everything inside the office made goosebumps into his skin.

When the bat wings moved, Alastor had a clear view of your completely red eyes, completely animalistic face, a lion in all your glory, your roar silenced the static of his shivers.

That was the monster that terrified both Louisiana and hell before his arrival.

“I tried to stop her, I swear to god” you stomped on Tony’s legs again, “I TOLD YOU, I TRIED!” he screamed, making you smile, “What kind of monster accepts children as payment? I HELD HER ONCE, ONCE!” one last roar that pulverized his whole body.

“Al…Alastor” your distorted voice address to him, “I’m right here” he managed to say without choking on his own voice. Your body decreased in size as you approached him, breaking one or another skull that was on the ground, “Let’s go”, he nodded, following you to the street.

Neither of you said anything in the 15 minutes since Alastor started the car, driving around the city without necessarily getting anywhere. With his gaze he examined your body but everything was so perfectly covered, he didn't know whether to ask you if you were hurt or if you needed something, or what was going through your mind.

So he decided to drive towards Cannibal Town.

You didn't argue with him, when he parked the car and opened the door for you, offering his arm at the same time, you took it and walked together through the town.

“Would you like to eat something dear?” you shook you head, “I’m losing my mind” “I know a place that serves the best venison in hell, maybe just a bite, you didn’t touched your breakfast this morning”

“I held her once, Alastor, I’ll never get that back” your eyes tung, briefly the tears rolled down your cheeks, "I thought I could get fixed, with this the last piece of my fucking puzzle, to maybe die with some peace, yo know?" He opened his mouth to ask what were you talking about, but you didn't let him.

"But I felt nothing, just anger and emptiness, my daughter didn’t even had a chance at life, how is she going to answer for herself in purgatory with three days of being born?!" You let his arm go, to hug yourself, "Or maybe they waited a bit before they drown her, who the fuck knows?" He noticed your knuckles had gone white and your claws were sinking into your arms.

"Why God? Why! She was innocent, at least give me a sign she's there with you" you yelled to the sky, your vision clouded with tears.

"Why, if I tie everything together? I have tasted every drug ever created, met all the celebrities I wanted, had my fill of every kind of demon in hell, and I'm still missing something!" In a moment your fist made it to a wall, making a big hole where your fist landed and lots of cracks.

"I will die and I'm still...looking for something I have no idea what is" broken sobbing mess, that's one way to put your mind in, with cannibals looking at you like you had gone insane and Alastor not knowing what to do.

He made himself appear in front of you, offering his hand to you. Looking up to his unreadable face, you took his hand.

You were going to die? He thought, that sentence alone took something alive that grew next to his heart and rip it apart, how? Why? Was it related to your deal to the princess? If yes could he ask the princess to change it? To make it void? What could drive you to kill yourself if it didn’t?

He continued walking, he attempted to go to the gardens, but then had a better idea.

The shadows surrounded you and Alastor, movement seemed to pass through you, but when everything stopped and your feet hit the ground again, you were deep into what it looked like a swamp.

Alastor's bayou.

"Alastor?" you called for him, his hand was still in yours, but he didn’t faced you. "Is it your choice, to end your life?" no answer, just a nod on your part, "Why?" in simple words, "I can’t bear the pain anymore" he finally put two and two together, "Is that why you didn't wanted to talk to me? To be alone with me?" he carried pain on the word alone, "I didn't wanted to hurt you, and as of this morning I went a little selfish there".

"Y/n" he didn’t knew what to say, how could someone How could he help a suicidal person, when he’s brings death to others? "I gave a lot of thought to find a reason to live, after a while it became senseless" he turned around to see you, "Well I don't mean to be that kind of person, but...how about me?" his free hand made your skin melt, "You don't know what you're asking for".

"Or maybe you underestimate my understanding" despite his adorable face, you had heard that before, "Here we go again, don't try to tell me that suddenly you love me or anything" your laugh only made him scoff.

"Would it be too hard to believe? I do not love you as a fact, I have never felt such a thing except for...my mother" hugging him was the perfect move after mentioning his mother, even knowing how much Alastor appreciates her, even in death.

"Nonetheless, I enjoy being with you, being under your culinary care all these time" not that he knew who cooked, but he always thought it was specially made, "You would eat nothing but rotten meat if I didn't" he lowered to your ear, "I also don't sleep much, so there were a few moments in which I saw you turning my radio studio off and place a blanket over my shoulders" the way he felt you tensed up made him laugh.

"I just… I care too much" he circled your waist, "And this morning, was that just caring too much?" he really needed an answer, as to not regret it. "I told you; I was selfish...I just wanted to feel-" he interrupted you, his breath hitting your lips, "Loved" you went forward, pecking his lips, "Like someone cared for...me".

His staff made a static noise, then music played, the melody brought you a longing feeling, of a time when you waited patiently for his segment at the radio.

“I'll never smile again, until I smile at you” he begin singing, “I'll never laugh again, what good would it do?” he twirled you around, your back then pulled against his chest, “For tears would fill my eyes, my heart would realize, that our romance is through” his voice had moments without his static, sending a thrill down your spine.

“I'll never feel again, I'm so in sync with you” you followed the next line, his cheeks blushing as you did, “I'll never thrill again, to somebody new” he sang, placing a kiss to your temple, “Within my heart, I know I will never start” he turned you around waltzing you around “To smile again, until I smile at you”.

“Within my heart, I know I will never start, to smile again” your voices harmonized, “Until I smile at you” he joined his forehead with yours, “Until I smile at you” then he kissed you, the music turning into soft jazz.

"I hope I laid my intentions properly" he whispered against your lips, "Are you still staying with the king?" Due to his aversion to contact, he didn't really mind you having the extra attention, what did sting his pride was if he tried to win you over.

"I made him a promise so, yes" he hummed, "Is that wrong?" he shook his head, "How about we see to lunch? We can go out or I can cook for you" his alluring tone made you want to strip him, "It's almost dinner time, we might as well cook something for everyone, don't you think?" cooking with you? His tail almost broke a hole into his pants due to all the wagging, "Unless you don't want to" he chuckled, "Lead the way" he placed a kiss on your neck, night on where he bit earlier.

"You're testing my respect for your boundaries sir" he looked at you almost innocently, "Am I? I haven't noticed" you hit him gently on his arm, "Whatever you say, radio love".

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

Part 9.

Stay tuned ;3

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thesharktanksdriver · 1 year

Text

Thunderbolts and lightning, very, very frightening me (platonic)

Prologue,

Tagged: @the-dumber-scaramouche (asked to be tagged and I shall do so for the next parts)

Gonna do a chapter for each round of Ragnarok

Within an arena that touches the clouds

Ancient stone’s that laid untouched for centuries and stood strong against the tests of time

Lays the new battleground that shall determine humanity’s fate

And in it is also you

There’s still at least a month of preparation and training before the events actually start but despite that it’s filled with hustle and bustle

Gods and humans fill the halls

Some of who you even recognize and give you happy waves and pull you aside for saying hi

It’s surprisingly nice despite the circumstances

It’s been so long that people of all kind had been gathered to such an occasion

But as minutes ticked on

And you got some of your favourite snacks due to the large concession stands with various amounts of food from various places

You end up heading deeper into the building

It thins out and you end up at the area for the human fighters

And then you open up the door to the lounge area where you see the faces of several people you recognize

And a few you hadn’t had the pleasure of yet meeting until this point

“Hello everyone, some of you may recognize me and some I haven’t yet met. I’ve gone by many names but just call me y/n”

Of the few you didn’t initially recognize in the man with shirt golden hair

Oh and no clothes with only a leaf covering his di-

Unlike the others you weren’t really shaken by his lack of clothes

During your long life you’d seen much of the human body

Your desensitized to it so you go up and give the man a hardy handshake and he does so back

Turns out he’s Adam

The first human

Father to the entirety of the human race as you knew it

Adam in all ways encompasses what you believe are humanity’s strong suits

He is kind and compassionate

Along with determined to protect not only his people but also his family

Your upfront with not being a human and being created by a god but Adam doesn’t see you any differently

Your like him and Eve

Created by the gods themselves

The only difference is that your creator cared

You didn’t notice it at first but he slowly finds himself caring for you as if you were is own child

A sentiment that had surprisingly has only happened till now

Despite your thousands of years of living this is the first time you’ve been adopted

Like there was one time you were training with Lü Bu and got injured

You were in the process of healing it before he stopped the fight and pulled you aside to check if you were ok

He seemingly forgot you can’t really die and had panicked thinking the wound would kill you

Even started getting out the gauze and glaring at the laughing general before you explained you were alright

He isn’t embarrassed though

Even keeps wrapping the wound just in case

It feels nice to be cared for in such a way

You love your father Hephaestus very much but it’s also nice having another father figure in your life

Both treat you in a caring and gentle way

As if you were glass or some ancient artifact

(Technically you were one and so was he)

Adam also introduces you to his Wife and Sons who welcome you to their small but loving family

Eve is affectionate and loving

Always showering you with praise as you show off your abilities or knowledge

She makes sure your well fed despite not needing food

And she can’t help but pinch your cheeks

As the only mother figure in your long life she takes it in pride

Oftentimes dragging you away from training to smother you in care and compliment about how your such a brave soul

Despite replying you don’t have one she disagrees

Saying that in her mind you don’t need one to have one (if that makes any sense)

You’d rather not admit it but you melt at her affection

She’s in every sense of the word warm

It reminds you of those cold winters night where you’d end up by the fire

Or a nice summer’s breeze

Adam seems to find the sight funny since your a immortal being

One who’s walked the earth for more years than people can imagine and yet his wife was reduce you to figurative mush when she pays your head and calls you a nickname

Someone that has seen both the good and bad of humanity time and time again

That is now helping her bake a pie as his sons argue about what was a better nickname for you

It’s odd to people looking in but makes sense to everyone in this small bubble

Cain and Abel are rambunctious but loveable brothers

They like to cheer you on and playfully fight with you

One or the other usually has an arm wrapped around your shoulder as they laugh at some joke the other made

The two have a lot of petty squabbles that you now end up being in the middle of

It’s fun

Especially since most conflict in your time has always resulted in heavy bloodshed

Whilst theirs is light hearted and leads to one proclaiming victory as the other sulks in the corner

Both love hearing your stories

Even more so about how the world has evolved so drastically

It’s fascinating to them both especially as so many places developed their own cultures that are so different from the others

As the arena begins to fill and time ticks down for the event to start the three of you end up buying shit tons of food

All of which are from different times periods and places for them to try

It ends up becoming a fun game for them as they guess the Irgun of which country the snack came from

Which leads to you then explaining its history

Neither would admit it but both had glared at quite a few people when they stared at you with a certain gaze

It happens enough times that both kinda now go on figurative guard duty when walking about with you

Admittedly they know you can definitely handle yourself

But your now their big sibling

And that means no creep is gonna be messing with you

Especially since you seem to attract quite a few weirdo’s due to your ageless beauty that leaves you stuck looking at least 25

You definitely pull the “older sibling card” a lot on their asses

Which makes both their father and mother laugh

They are the complete family you never had

Full of warmth and laughter as Adam looks on with a proud smile

Though Adam hates the gods he finds Hephaestus to be an exception once he does meet the man

For your father is cordial and kind to both him, his family, you and the other fighters

As you, Cain, Abel and Eve cook dinner he pulls the god aside

And both talk as they look upon the sight of Abel and Cain having a playful battle as you laugh with Eve

It makes the god tear up a bit

Happy that the man had given you what he couldn’t provide you with

Adam in return thanks Hephaestus for creating such a wonderful person and caring for humanity

And Hephaestus thanks Adam for giving you the full family he couldn’t provide

It’s something odd to say the least especially as Adam can’t help but give him a handshake and invite him to stay for dinner

Your father agrees, sitting down beside you at the dinner table as Eve pulls out his seat for him with a kind smile

Cain and Abel immediately begin asking the forging god questions making him laugh at their enthusiasm

They make him feel welcome

At home

Who knew that away from his lonesome forge would he find a place that accepted him

Humanity’s first humans to be even more ironic

Adam offers the god an apple which appears from the sky and he accepts it

Soon laughing as he bites into its flesh saying that it’s a bit bitter for his taste

Lü Bu had been a figure you had heard about but had actually never had the chance to meet

So it’s safe to say your rather excited

And he doesn’t let you down in any shape, way or form

He’s battle hungry just like a certain Norse deity who you luckily hadn’t run into yet

He makes for a good training partner

Especially since he pushes you to your limits and has you focus on your main strength without relying on your powers

It often leads to many cuts and bruises but a sense of accomplishment filling you

Something that hadn’t happened in a long time

And you suspect it hadn’t happened to him either from the barbaric smirk that stretches across his face

100% the dude who breaks down your door at 3 am to ask you about stuff you’ve seen or experienced

You don’t really sleep so you don’t mind but you are concerned for poor Cheng who was dragged along half asleep

He finds your stories of war fascinating especially at the mention of things like guns and cannons

You feel as if compared to the rest he doesn’t care about how things had advanced

If it isn’t weapon related

It’s odd to you that he’s purely driven by battle

But you aren’t the one to judge so you stick to what he likes

Some part of you keeps your friendship with him at a relative distance

Partially due to your experience with befriending men like him

Those who are hungry like him are always unsatisfied

It leads them to more and more bloodshed

And though your are no innocent person you don’t like battle that includes bystanders

His army on the other hand are some that you befriend

Cheng especially since despite being a solider he is a man of good heart and honour

How the young man found himself in Lü Bu’s army

Unlike his superior he finds your stories of the future fascinating

Especially as the world leads to more peaceful times

You drink with him and the other soldiers and sing songs with them that had long been forgotten

Kojiro is actually someone you’d only met once but it’s certainly a sight to see him again

Despite how everyone else appears as younger versions of themselves he’s old and grey

A sight of which makes you giggle a bit as you greet him once again

Despite meeting him once you both greet each other like old friends

Which others look your ways confused especially as you both explain that he asked for a battle and you royally kicked him ass

You both can remember it like yesterday

A lone mountainside road on a mid autumn’s day

A breeze making the veil trailing you flutter in the wind as you ready a weapon against him who smiles

Knowing he’ll lose but elated anyways

And when he fell against the ground with a few seconds of challenging you he laughs with that of pure joy

You both went your separate ways afterwards and now reunited

Like that day oh so long ago the two of you train often

Helping him brush up on his skills and get better as he sees how much you’d experienced since then

All these battle leave you and him winded but smiling

Laughter filling the training ground as the two of you sit down and have some tea

Adam patching up the old swordsman as you share stories to distract him

Fresh brewed tea being sipped as techniques of how he could improve are shared

Most would find this somewhat demeaning but he just smiles

Saying how he’ll take it to mind next time or chuckling as he says “I knew I should’ve used a better stance”

He ends up hanging around the other Japanese contestants quite a bit

Partially due to the shared culture but also since he can better recognize their fighting

But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t mingle outside them

Qin shi Huang is someone he ends up befriending along with Adam and Simo

He enjoys modern day snacks and foods but holds a soft spot for spicy foods

Which leads to you and him having competitions as Eve makes some extra spicy foods for the two of you to gobble down

He won’t admit it but he finds it nice that you remembered him of all people

You’d met so many amazing and interesting people in your life yet you greet him like a friend despite meeting once

Despite him being the best known loser in history (a title in which you argue with him over)

Out of most of them your actually quite happy to introduce him to you father who he regards with respect

The grey haired man greeting the ash tinged and ember trailing man who created you

Both eat sweets with bean paste and talk as you leave them to their own

Much like mythology and history both are looked down upon and both have taken different ways to deal with it

You now find the older appearing man conversing with your father or getting him some food he’d thought he’d like

It’s sweet

The moment you introduced yourself to the newcomers and walked through that door Qin shi Huang is basically throwing himself at you

Your welcome your old friend with open arms

Letting him swing you around in joy as the former emperor and you laugh in joy

His eyes traveling down to the bracelet still tethered to your wrist, as beautiful as the day he gifted it

Throughout the entire tournament and it’s wait time your old friend sticks with you

Much like his time alive he is boisterous and prideful but his company was one that you had missed for many millennia

Through you he learns of what happened to his empire

How it continued on into a nation that still lasts even today as other crumbled

How his army of terracotta soldiers still stand to guard him in death and the wall despite its age has yet to fall

Now a wonder and landmark that many travel just to see and walk along its path

He learns of its misdoings as well but he knows many were made by his influence

By his decisions of bloodshed that still seems to stain the remnants of his aged empire

The emperor also learns of your travels since his death

How you sailed the 7 seas and ran your own ship, climbed the highest mountain in the world and stood at its top, swam to the deepest depths of the ocean where light had never touched its sandy floor and ventured through the harsh jungle terrain into unknown territory

It’s honestly Aw inspiring to him how much you’d done

Sure you had done these feats over a thousand or so years giver or take (along with nothing being able to kill you)

But it’s still amazing to him how much you’d seen

How much you could do within the span of eternity

But with that comes the realization that eventually you’d run out of things to do

But he brushes the though aside as the two of you engage in a feast with him and the other emperors that came after him

You sit the closest at his side and the others stretched along a long table filled with foods ranging from his time to later on

Sometimes for fun the two of you wear your clothes from when he was still alive

You wear your old robes as does he

And the the two of you prance around the coliseum as he points at something and has you “explain!”

The two of you always end up laughing until crying by the end of the day

He’s basically attached at your hip but you don’t mind at all

You’ve missed him for so long

Dinners with Adam’s family end up frequently with Qin joining as well

He ends up getting along well with Cain and Abel

The three of them joking as Eve and Adam place down a fresh meal

His whole “I’m emperor” thing can sometimes get on people’s nerves so you sometimes have to end up being a middle man

He does it partially to piss people off and cause he thinks it’s fun

It kinda is

Until he wants to pull that shit on the gods and you have to drag his ass away from their area of the arena

His is basically jumping for joy when Chun Yun gets to finally meet you

For a long time you’d only ever hear stories of the fiery woman so meeting her is actually really intriguing

Especially since she jokes that you must’ve had your hands full with dealing with him for years

That in turn makes him whine as she gives you a handshake that return wholeheartedly

She’s his only other impulse control other than you and by god does he need it

Unlike you though she’ll chew him out for doing something stupid, you call it a mom thing

When you talk with her in private she tells about how she raised him

And how she’s glad he met someone like you who became a true friend to him

Something he always needed

In return you thank her for making sure he made to actually survive

your father definitely meets the two of them at some point with how close they are to you

He’s pleasantly surprised with how the two greet him with normality

There’s respect but no formality that he got from Kojiro that would eventually fade as the two got closer

It’s just off the start they treat him as if he were a normal person

He appreciates it along with the fact they don’t stare at his deformities

Nor do they think of him lesser because of them

In fact it seems they think of him higher because of them which initially confuses him

So when he asks about it both the emperor and his past body guard explain where Qin grew up

How on the streets of a place now long changed many people were born had later gained disabilities and survived anyways through their strength and determination

Qin always respected them despite the fact they still hated him

Perhaps because just like him they persevered despite how others wanted to push them down

In many ways the two bond over the fact they were (and in some ways still are) considered useless

How they were repeatedly kicked down over and over yet got us just to spite them all

Hephaestus finds Qin to be fucking hilarious and the two find themselves cackling over stupid shit your father would make

Chun Yan also gets close to your dad as does her child whom spends his time playing with the toys your father makes for the young lad

It’s fun especially for Hephaestus as he makes small little wind up gadgets and toys

Qin now gives your dad ideas that somehow turn out really well which is funny to see

Especially as his ideas are “you know what would be cool?, a giant flying lamp for moths to follow” and Hephaestus is like “bet”

When seeing Jack again the English gentleman offers you a polite wave as Qin excitedly hugs you

It’s later on that he comes to you and the two of you share a nice time alone

Unlike the others Jack is nocturnal partially due to his uh…hobby so he spends the midnight and early hours with you

It’s was during those times you’d always felt lonely so you enjoy the company

He makes some tea and you both end up talking for hours

Topics ranging from the competition to what you did after he died

What you’ve seen

Who’ve you met

It’s all good fun especially as you explain your “wild days” in the 70’s or 80’s when you’d met and toured with some popular bands and singers

Sometime he talks of what his afterlife was like

It intrigues you a log since you can’t exactly experience death

The one place you’d never get to explore

A place where everything was eventually supposed to end up at yet you were the exception

Even gods could die yet you couldn’t

You remain like a stubborn sore

Out of the human fighters your kinda the only person who talks to him

Everyone else kinda gets creepy vibes from him

And it only gets worse when they find out he’s a killer

He also plays into that imagine as well so…yeah your the only person not fucking terrified of him

He doesn’t mind though

Quality over quantity as they say

May or may not watch Shakespeare movies with you

He hates the 90’s Romeo and Juliet film with decaprio

Doesn’t make it better when you mention the fact the actor dates girls who could potentially be their father age wise

It reminds him too much of the grimy old men who would prey on young and impressionable girls

Something you have to sadly explain still happens much to his displeasure

One thing he does enjoy though is how accessible stuff like imported foods and goods are

He now has the chance to try the various tea’s and treats from other countries that used to be fairly expensive

What makes it even more fun is that you usually have some fun story to go along with said treat

Probably ends up enjoying stuff like phantom of the opera and silence of the lambs

But to be honest he has a soft spot for stuff like low budget horror films

Just the low quality gore and bad acting makes him chuckle

Especially as you tell him the “rules” of a horror film

The two of you now make a small tradition as the days tick down for the tournament to start by watching a film a night

Your father finds Jack to be an odd fellow but one who engages in interesting conversation

Someone who was also looked down on in life

Hephaestus knows he isn’t the best person

He’s made mistakes

Been complicit in his brethren’s bloodshed of the humans he had come to love

So in some sense finding someone who is also not a good person but in some sense tries to do some good is therapeutic to him

That he is equally flawed inwardly just as humans are

Cause unlike other gods he had come to realize how both are more alike than they are different

“Gods?, I don’t exactly like many of them. But perhaps meeting them in person could shape my view”

Loki is one god whom seems to find you by complete accident yet seems to find amusement in trying to fool you

It doesn’t work

And that leads to him trying harder and thus not leaving you alone

You swear that he sticks to you like fucking super glue

Doesn’t help that he keeps nagging about how the gods are better

Your a feeble human

Blah blah blah

Your soooo ready to defeat a gif in battle just to see his expression

And how he had be intentionally annoying someone who could easily deck him across the world with a simple slap

Though despite that he is somewhat fun company

Despite how annoying he can be he also gives you ample opportunity to see the view of the other side

And it leads to discussion between the two of you as you move a chess piece across a board

Your knight taking one of his pawns as he makes an annoyed scowl

He makes a comment about having the power to take you out with a snap of his fingers

But you remind him that he won’t

And that makes him grumble as he makes his next move

It’s odd…but you come to enjoy his company just as you do with others

Perhaps at some point he began enjoying yours since he invites (more like drags) you to the god portion of the arena

Into his current room as he bitches about Odin and nephew Thor

The mention of which makes you hold down an amused chuckle

His room has a lot of snake imagery

Along with snacks as he sits down on a chair and rips open a bag of chips

Continuing on his argument about how Thor is such a sour puss and that if he has to deal with odins ravens again he’s gonna-

He pauses when he hears you laugh

for once he goes silent

You ask what’s wrong and he replies that he’d never heard you laugh before

Let alone seem amused by him

You simply reply that you wouldn’t hang out with him if you didn’t enjoy his presence

No matter how annoying he could be when breaking down your door at random times

You think that you may have fried his brain from saying you voluntarily wanted to be around him

Perhaps he feels as if people put up with him rather than enjoy his jokes and jabs

You can’t help but notice that insults towards you have steadily stopped after that

You swear Thor saw you once and then he’s on you like a bloodhound

Brunhilde had to help you after you were hiding from the red head via hanging onto a chandelier hoping he wouldn’t look up

And now that he knows your seemingly “revived” for the competition he’s hunting you down

He wants to fight you again

To feel that rush of finally having a good battle

He now looks for you in the crowds of humans and gods

Looking anywhere for your signature hat and trailing veil

Not knowing your hanging out with Loki who has a room beside him

He swears to his father that he’s gonna get that fucking battle with you

His fathers crows tease him about this

How set he is in fighting some random human he met centuries ago

But he doesn’t let up

You spend a majority of the waiting time for the tournament sneakily slinking through the halls of the colosseum

Trying to get to the human only training area where he would not be permitted into

You don’t think that would really stop him but you know for a fact Brunhilde would be pissed if he did so

Is gonna be reallly mad to find out that he ain’t the one fighting you

The time for battle now approaches and the first fight is soon to begin

Near Brunhilde and Göll you sit in their shadow covered private area for watching

Looking out onto the crowds of people who cheer

#platonic #ror x reader #records of ragnarok x reader #ror thor x reader #ror loki x reader #ror jack the ripper x reader #ror qin shi huang x reader #ror adam x reader #ror lu bu x reader #ror Kojiro x reader

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george-weasleys-girl · 5 months

Note

Yule request - I really like Aftermath and the Next Level, so as a follow up could it be the first Christmas after the war, and Fred proposes to reader whilst they have Christmas at the Weasleys? Reader doesn't have a family (well she does but they treated her badly so she was brought up by Shacklebolt which is how she works for him so he's her foster Dad or something?) so every year since she became adopted (a baby as Shaklebolt found her as a baby in Diagon Alley left in a bad way) she has spent it with Shaklebolt and the Weasleys as Shaklebolt and Arthur are best friends. ❤️

❄️Yuletide Celebration❄️

A Christmas Proposal

Fred Weasley x fem!reader

The sound of drunken Christmas carols echoed through the Burrow. "Oh, is it that time already?" Y/N laughed as Arthur and Kingsley Shacklebolt staggered around the corner into the kitchen where she and Fred were helping Molly finish up the baking.

Molly rolled her eyes. "I'm taking that bottle of mulled wine away from you two."

"She says that every year," Fred whispered to Y/N.

"And she never does," Y/N giggled and shook her head. "It's hard to believe those two are actually responsible adults. 'Cause right now, a good stiff breeze would blow them right over."

It was at that very moment the wind picked up, rattling the windows. "Shall we open the door and find out?" Fred waggled his eyebrows at Y/N.

"Be nice," Y/N elbowed him playfully in the side. "Though it is tempting," she added with a grin.

~•~

Every Christmas since Fred could remember, Y/N, along with her adoptive father and Arthur's best friend, Kingsley Shacklebolt, spent Christmas at the Burrow.

He and Y/N had grown up together, becoming best friends and confidants. Then, somewhere along the way, he fell for Y/N, and she fell for him. Though, it took a couple of years and a near-death experience for them to finally admit it to each other.

Fred kept a close eye on her as she made her way over to the sofa. Y/N had been using her cane quite bit recently and a few times had needed her wheelchair. The colder months were hard on her, causing the damaged nerves in her back to spasm relentlessly.

She hid it well, though, all smiles and laughter, and waving off her pain as if it was nothing. But not with him. Never with him. When the two of them were alone, it was only then that she let the mask fall away. So many times over the past months, he'd held her as she cried in pain or in frustration at all the things she could no longer do.

It broke his heart. She'd been through so much already. As an infant, she'd been left to die on Diagon Alley in the dead of winter by her worthless parents, and then they rejected for a second time when she reached out to them several years ago.

And now this.

"Hey, love," he slid in beside her on the sofa. She shuddered, closing her eyes for a moment. And he knew.

Fred stretched. "I think we're going to call it a night," he announced and stood.

Y/N smiled at him. "Thanks," she said once they were alone. "You always take such good care of me."

"And I always will," he pushed a stray hair behind her ear. "Now, let's get you in bed."

~•~

Fred waited until all the gifts were unwrapped before he announced there was one more. He glanced over at Shacklebolt, who smiled and gave an almost imperceptible nod. Then he turned and knelt before Y/N, holding out a small box containing a diamond ring.

"My dearest Y/N, you are the light that has brightened up my life in ways I never knew were possible. Together, we have shared so much, both good and bad. Even on the worst days, every day spent with you has been a gift. I can't imagine growing old with anyone else, nor do I want to. Will you marry me?"

Tears flowed down Y/N's cheeks. "Yes! Yes, Freddie! I'll marry you!"

The room erupted into cheers as Fred gathered her into a gentle embrace. "I love you, Y/N. Always and forever," he mummered, his own tears mingling with hers.

"I love you too," she smiled. "Always and forever."

~•~

@milivanili99 @fancy-pantaloons @turvi @zvummyummy @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @georgie-weasley @nighttimemoonlover @jsjcue @wzrd-wheezes @fredweasleyyyyy @hufflepuffie @alexistonks @anvaaryn @samshifts @asuperconfusedgirl @superduckmilkshake @mysticsheepsoul @gemofthenight @1lellykins @junerprsh @sierraluvz @wolfkill16 @smallsweetvanillabean @costheticbabe @thatonepersonwhocantwrite @charmedfandomgal @loveosewood @hanne-montana @rhunew @greenapplegrass @lizzytrees @spididerman

#fred weasley #fred weasley x fem!reader #fred weasley x y/n #fred weasley x you #fred weasley x reader #hp fandom #hp universe

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onlylovingstrangers · 2 years

Text

HOW THEY RESPOND TO “Why do you like me?” FT. KUROO & BOKUTO

You're out at girls’ night, and for once nobody’s up for getting trashed. Possibly cause for once, the four of you are simultaneously in happy, stable relationships. Instead of going through the ritual of pre-gaming, bar-hopping, and regretting it all the next morning, you visit the same k-bbq restaurant that you’ve been going to since your college days and gossip over soju and pork belly.

And because for once, the four of you are simultaneously in happy, stable relationships, the topic of your partners comes up. Of course it does; how could it not?

Yukie comes up with the idea. Text your boyfriend one line: “Why do you like me?” and put your phones in the center of the table. Whoever gets a reply first picks up the bill. It’s so cheesy, you all want to die from the middle school relationship-esque cheesiness, but on the flip side you all are equally invested. “This better not be the reason for any break ups,” your roommate Mikan warns.

Why do you like me?

Kuroo stares at the message for a few seconds, confirms he’s read it right, and throws his head back to laugh goofily. He stops, checks his screen again. The words remain unchanged. Another silly, stupid laugh wrestles its way into the world.

“Anything you want to share with the rest of us?” Kenma remarks placidly. “This is a company dinner, as you know.”

The words go in one ear and out the other. Kuroo thinks. There are so many reasons why he likes, no, loves you. The way you sleep like a Rockette frozen mid step. The way you manage to get rice grains stuck on your cheek every meal. The way you pretend not to be jealous when girls check him out at the gym. The way you get so excited at online shopping sales, even though he tells you every time that you’re only saving a few dollars.

How shall he respond? Which answer would please you the most?

“Ignore him,” Kenma says to the table. “Just go on eating.”

At the restaurant, the anticipation is killing you all. “What the hell is he doing,” Hotaru mutters. “Certainly not saving the world?”

A phone dings. The four of you leap into motion. “It’s yours,” Yukie says, half admiring, half jealous.

“That took what, like a minute?” Mikan says, laughing.

The girls crowd over your shoulder to read his response.

Tetsurou: Cuz you’re pretty. :)

You’re bored. Dangerously bored. As in, the last time you were this bored you cut your own bangs, and let’s just say for the subsequent six or so months going out was physically painful.

The thing is, it’s way too late to go out but way too early to go to bed. In the past you’ve been able to stave off boredom by binging your favorite series or reading a book, but you’re still waiting for all the episodes of the new season to come out before you get emotionally invested, and your oaf of a boyfriend, lovable as he is, spoiled the ending of the novel you were reading and now you simply can’t move on.

Wait.

“That’s right,” you say out loud. “I have a boyfriend!”

Let’s see, you think. What should you say? What are you curious about?

“Why... do... you... like... me,” Bokuto reads aloud, then clutches his phone to his chest. His heart melts. So does his face.

“Aww,” Hinata melts a little too.

“Bet ya that was from his girlfriend,” Atsumu says, stretching the syllables. “Bokkun, that was from yer girlfriend, right?”

“You’re a genius,” Sakusa remarks drily.

“Hey! Don’t think I can’t understand yer sarcasm!”

“It’s a bonus when you do understand.” “What are you gonna say, Bokuto-senpai?” Hinata asks.

Oh right, he forgot to reply! Bokuto quickly rearranges himself so that he is looking at the screen once more. Hmm, what should he say? If it were Akaashi, he would recite some fancy-shmancy quote that expressed poignant feelings of love. If it were Tsukishima, he’d be all prickly and say something snarky that still conveyed the depths of his emotion. But he’s not Akaashi or Tsukki, he’s Bokuto. And you aren’t Akaashi’s or Tsukki’s, you’re his.

The thought of you being his — in his bed snoring, in his boxers making breakfast, in his family home joking around with his sisters — positively melts him once more. He can almost grasp the images to come, the pictures that flirt right at the edges of his mind, making him reach: you in a wedding dress coming down the aisle. You holding a baby that has your eyes, his hair. You waiting on the porch swing as he brings out mugs of steaming hot tea and a blanket, watching the sunset.

Your phone pings. It’s been a few minutes. You figure Bokuto’s been typing a whole essay. But instead, just one line of text appears. One line of text that makes your heart flutter anyways.

Koutarou: Let’s get married.

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fiction-box · 11 months

Text

To End Where You Started

GN!Reader x Dimitri

This is a response to a request for a GN!Reader who was childhood friends with Dimitri before switching sides once it came time for the war. This one took me much longer to write because I wanted to better establish the circumstances of the work. Hopefully, you love it all the more! If you like this, there is another I wrote for the same prompt with Felix on my page!

Requests are open. The story will continue under the cut.

You’ve always valued human life.

So when you saw Dimitri in the Holy Mausoleum, his mind lost and his lance bloody, you weren't sure what to do next.

It seemed no one knew what to do next. Felix was standing in front of Annette, glaring daggers at the blond. Mercedes slowly shifted toward her friend as Sylvain and Ingrid exchanged worried yet knowing looks. Dedue stepped forward, though he had no words. Even the professor seemed to be at a loss.

Dimitri, however, just began laughing again and shouting nonsense.

“No one will rest until Edelgard and the rest of the Empire force are burning in hell.”

“Your Highness-”

“Did I stutter, Dedue? Or perhaps you are considering turning your back on me now?”

“Snap out of it, Boar!” Felix growled. “We’re not going to-”

“Then leave! If you no longer see me as your leader, why not go join her?’

Silence.

You could only watch as Dimitri’s eyes scanned the faces of your allies, daring your friends to take a step in either direction. No one spoke, but there was a palpable tension in everyone’s body. In the way that Mercedes and Annette clung to each other, in the way that Felix kept his hand by his sword, Dedue kept silent and steady, and Professor Byleth did not intervene. In the way that Sylvain grit his teeth, Ashe pursed his lips, and Ingrid practically strangled the pole of her lance.

In the way that you stepped forward, quiet yet resolute.

“I won’t be treated like this.”

Dimitri scowled, “You’re a soldier, aren’t you? You signed up for this the moment you joined the Blue Lion house.”

“I signed up to fight in the hopes of protecting Faerghus and its people! I signed up to honor my family and keep the ones I love safe!” you shouted over him before bringing your voice back down. “There is no honor in this.”

“And you would not serve your future king? Where is your honor in running away?”

“I would not bow to those corrupted by their emotions! No one who would act in such a manner ought to represent Faerghus!”

“Then go to her! Run off and join the scum of the earth that march under that woman’s name!” he spat. “But mark my words, when we do meet again, I shall meet you with the fate of a traitor. There will be no mercy even should you beg for it. Do not expect remorse from any of us when your head, too, rolls upon the dirt.”

You did not allow your face to betray any emotion at all. You would show no sign of anything, despite the way his words cut through you. How could someone you practically exalted, someone you had become so close to over the past several months, turn around and talk to you like this.

Maybe your friends weren’t strong enough to stand up for themselves. Maybe they had too much to lose; people to protect and family to remain with. Ideals, relations, and possessions that could only be secure if they sided with Dimitri. A few had said as such, declaring their belief in Dimitri as their future king.

You loved them dearly, but there wasn’t a single one among them that you would allow yourself to be treated this way for. Especially not now, when none cared to stand up for you.

Finally, you clenched your teeth. If that was how he really felt, and if your friends were letting him speak for them, then that truly was the end of it.

“Maybe I will go. Edelgard would at least pretend to care whether I live or die, and the Black Eagles are actually bold enough to stand up for what they believe.”

Spinning on your heel, you left the Mausoleum alone.

In truth, you had no intention of joining the empire. At least not at first. Once you arrived back home, you informed your parents of the prince’s delusion. They seemed to be proud of your decision, and as proof of their support, chose to become a neutral faction in the war.

The amount of prestige and connections that came with that sacrifice…you were torn between being moved and remorseful. While it was true that your family had not lost too much power, as crest wielding houses tended not to do, there was still a great sacrifice made in keeping you safe from the Kingdom’s demands.

That was not the only change, however. It turns out that news travels fast when the family of a veritable noble house defects from their allies. People were stopping by left and right, bargaining troop stations, land usage, resource management, and all the other things that would keep your mother and father busy. You chose to focus on defending your land, though it did not consist of much work while both the Alliance and the Empire found it so valuable.

Needless to say, you were more than curious the day your mother called you into one of the drawing rooms to meet with one of her guests.

“Mother, what is this about? You know I prefer not to attend these sorts of things.”

“Oh, I know very well, darling. This one is a bit different, though. Someone has requested to confer with you directly, and I would have been in a bit of a tight spot to say no.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is no secret that we have been both opening up to and prospering from negotiations from several sides of this war. There have been enticing offers to nullify our neutrality and pledge allegiance here or there. You know this.”

“Oh,” you were beginning to catch on. “So then someone must have made an offer that you liked?”

“Just…promise me you’ll keep an open mind.”

“Of course.”

With an odd tension about you, you braced yourself for whatever would be found in that room. Your mother was not usually one to be so cryptic. A quiet sigh left your lips as you turned around.

The doors opened in front of you.

“Ah, I see you made your way here without much trouble.”

…what?

“Lady Edelgard? What are you-...Shouldn’t you be heading the war effort somewhere?”

What was this, really?

Remembering yourself, you lowered yourself in greeting, “Forgive me, your Imperial Majesty.”

You rose, trying to process the image in front of you. The Emperor of Adrestia sat poised on the sofa with a cup of tea your mother had no doubt been the one to offer. At her side stood Hubert, dutiful as he was so often described.

Soundlessly, she set down her cup, “Everything I do is for the future. For this war to end. I took notice that you were not among your former classmates’ ranks and grew curious. Needless to say, I did not need to look far to find you.”

“It was not my intention to run and hide,” you stated, taking a seat on the couch across from Edelgard.

“I never meant to imply as such,” she began. “On the contrary, I believe you still have a place in this war. If you left for the reasons I believe you did, that is.”

The conversation that followed consisted of platitudes and ideals; the type of which you both seemed to agree upon. You found your own ideas of the values of talent and human life to be eerily similar. It was decidedly reassuring that she had come to you directly, so that you could see them reflected in the leader of the Empire firsthand.

In time, you would join the Empire’s ranks under a woman named Cornelia while your house remained neutral. It would not have been in the best interests for a house so distant from the Empire to declare fealty, after all.

~~~~~~~

Several years later, you would be uncertain of your decision.

After everything you had witnessed Edelgard do up to this point, you weren’t so sure she viewed your ideals in the same light. Crest beasts, experiments, secret treaties, and deals made in the dark of night…you couldn’t get behind it, but your family had already made its decision.

Even so…

I agreed to fight for the empire, you reminded yourself, not for this woman.

Right now, you were being assigned to defend the Kingdom’s capital in an effort led by Cornelia. Ironically, the sorceress seemed to be the epitome of everything you stood against, yet here you were as her ally.

How far you had come from home.

She had positioned you between a pair of horrifying machines; two technological terrors known as viskam.

How low you must have come from your initial meeting with the Emperor.

You watched as your previous house leader’s army dispersed. Some soldiers veered left, others went right, but Dimitri’s main force charged up the middle, directly at you and the mechs Cornelia had placed.

Watching diligently, you noted how the Kingdom soldiers would take on multiple of Cornelia’s fighters while Dimitri would sneak past.

Well, as sneaky as someone with a bright fur cape and a target on his back could be.

A thought came to mind with every step forward he took. It came slowly, not sudden in the slightest, but sure.

If I were to kill Dimitri, all of this would end.

It was true, you knew. You were unsure how you felt about it, though you deduced that part of that uncertainty came from your past friendship with the prince. But had he truly reverted from the monster you left in the Holy Mausoleum?

There was only one way to find out, you supposed. You would face your past friend head-on. If he turned out to be the same man you saw that day, you would not hesitate to kill him. Anything to end this war.

Just as he made his way to the staircase, you walked forward, blocking off the top.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Dimitri’s eyes went wide, but you didn’t buy it. He had a clear view of you positioned just below Cornelia since the moment he walked into her sight.

So what, then? Were you to believe his surprise came from the idea that you were actually trying to stop him? You’d be lying if you said that wasn’t the slightest bit insulting.

“It’s you…but why-”

You threw a dagger at him, which whiffed as he sidestepped, “That’s all I get? It’s you? After all those years, not to mention the amalgamation of everything you said and did once the Flame Emperor unmasked herself, you cannot even say my name?”

His eyes softened as though hurt, “I didn’t think I had the privilege, anymore.”

“Then fight me! You have always given yourself the privilege to take the lives of others,” another dagger, this one closer to hitting its mark before Dimitri barely moved out of the way, “Do not let mine be any different.”

“I’m sorry,” he approached you, climbing the stairs, “I understand why you left, but know now that I do not wish to hurt you. Just step aside so-”

“And then what? Let you kill Cornelia? Condemn thousands of others in some future conquest?”

What were you doing? This version of Dimitri was worlds apart from the boy you left in the Holy Mausoleum.

So why were you still fighting him?

A loud noise disrupted your thoughts. You turned to face it, noting that Dimitri paused, as well. Farther away, Cornelia let out a dark cackle.

“Wonderful job getting the poor princeling right where I need him. Your death will not be in vain.”

You did not allow yourself to fully process her words as a bright light shot out of the viskam that had made that awful noise, earlier. With the future king just paces away, you could guess where it was going to land.

But Dimitri had turned to face Cornelia.

It appeared you had a choice to make.

“Don’t resist,” you closed the distance between yourself and the Kingdom's rightful heir. He had grown since your last encounter; holding this grudge could only do more harm than good.

Maybe that meant you would not survive this, but in that moment, what was your life next to his?

So, in the second before he could react and before the viskam struck, you pushed Dimitri down the stairs.

And it was when the world went from bright white to pitch black that you knew your death would not be in vain.

~~~~

“A…ing…rk?”

“We…bre…ag?”

“I bel…sh…wake up in…!”

Everything ached, and you couldn’t move. It would probably hurt if you tried, anyway.

At least you could feel something, right? At least you were alive. Though if you had to go through life like this, then perhaps you were better off dead.

But then a cooling sensation began to make itself known throughout your body. It was strongest in your head, torso, and legs, though you could feel it spreading and connecting in your arms and neck.

Tentatively, you allowed your eyes to open.

“Oh, thank goodness! Mercie, we did it!” Annette beamed from her position at your head.

Felix scoffed, “About time.”

“How do you feel? Are you alright?”

“I can’t feel my legs,” you managed, surprised at the strength of your own voice, “and…I cannot move.”

Scanning the area with your eyes, you realized you hadn’t been moved, either. You were still lying on the floor by the stairs; exactly where you remember being struck down.

“Is Cornelia…?”

“Dead,” Felix confirmed.

“And I remember pushing his Highness down the stairs. It was the best I could do with my own strength…” you had known you weren’t strong enough to normally push him far enough out of the way nor to pull him far enough before he instinctively resisted, ”but he isn’t hurt too badly, is he?”

“Oh goodness, no! Annie told me she saw the whole thing. Apparently, Dimitri caught himself rather quickly.” Mercedes reassured you.

Annette frowned, “I’ve never had to spend this much time on an injury, and certainly not while working with others. I’m surprised it’s taking this long.”

“I’m surprised you’re alive.”

“Felix!”

“What? You and I both saw that thing,” he turned from Annette back to you. “If you had sustained any other injuries before getting hit by that thing, you’d have been dead on the spot.”

Annette and Felix continued their banter as you shut your eyes and listened. Finally, you began to feel your body coming back to life; stronger and back into your control.

“Okay, I think that should do it! How does that feel?”

Annette waited another moment for your response before calling your name in confusion.

“Oops,” Mercedes giggled, “I think the magic might have lulled them to sleep. We did go a little overboard, I suppose.”

“Is everything alright?”

The group turned, looking up at the new voice that joined them.

“Prince Dimitri! Yes, everything is fine. They should be all better upon awakening.”

“Ah, that’s good. I am sorry to have left you all here for so long. Sylvain, Ingrid, and myself were working on reconciling with the remaining soldiers.”

Felix raised a brow, “Then where are they?”

“Once the issue of alliances was out of the way, Ingrid told me they could handle the rest,” Dimitri directed his eyes down to you. “Sylvain…said it might be best if I came to check on them.”

The swordsman’s expression didn’t change, “Well that doesn’t make any sense. There’s already three of us-! Hey!”

Dimitri balked as he watched Annette get up and drag Felix with her. Mercedes followed close behind, smiling back at him.

“Let us know if they need any more help!”

“Y-Yes of course…” he stammered, confused.

“Of course what?”

Shocked to hear your voice, the Blue Lion’s leader dropped his gaze unto where you had been resting on the floor, “Ah! You’re awake!”

You made a small noise, blinking against the light of the sun as you began to sit up.

“Mercedes told me to fetch her if you were having any issues. Are you alright?”

Methodically, you tested each of your limbs, “Yes…Yes, I think so.”

“Good,” he sighed, and you swore you saw him relax the slightest bit.

The ensuing silence was uncomfortable, to say the least.

“Forgive me for this. I know you’ve just recovered, but I’d like to thank you for saving my life.”

“You're welcome,” you said, “but why are you apologizing for that?”

He maintained eye contact with you, “Because I would also like to ask you why you did that.”

At first, you didn’t really have a response. The more you thought about it though, the more clear everything felt in your head. There was really only one answer.

“I just did what I thought was right.”

“But I was terrible to you!” Dimitri didn’t hesitate, “I said horrible things to you, and I treated you like…”

“Like I was worthless?”

It was as though all the words left Dimitri's mouth. After another moment of silence, he finally averted his gaze, “I do not deserve your forgiveness.”

“No, you really don’t, do you?”

…no reaction. So he was telling the truth.

“But, if you were to apologize, I might forgive you.”

He looked to you slowly, a look of timid surprise written on the blond’s face, “Surely, it would take more than that…”

“It should not take more than that if you are genuine,” you painted your face with a small frown, in conflict with yourself, “You’re not the same person you were 5 years ago, Dimitri. I am not about to make a habit of forgiving people just because some time has passed, but I know that many more people can be helped if we clear the air right now.”

“Right,” he swallowed, extending his hand down to you. “In that case, know that I am truly sorry for the way I treated you, both within the Holy Mausoleum and the several days before. I also apologize for the effect it has had upon both you and your family, though it seems you have found a way to make the most of your situation.”

You laughed a bit at that, accepting his offer to help you to your feet, “I suppose you could say that.”

Now it was the prince’s turn to frown, “I am being serious. This will not happen again. I promise to respect and honor both you and all that you do for the Blue Lions.” He paused, suddenly unsure, “If…you do choose to come back, that is.”

Turning away to hide the small blush that appeared at his phrasing, you looked at the stairwell, “It would be thoughtless not to join, seeing how I almost died for you.”

At the feeling of his hands on your arms, you turned back to him, surprised.

“You must promise to never do that again. Do you understand me?”

“I…you know I could never promise that. You’re too important.”

“Swear it anyway,” he pleaded.

How uncharacteristic, you wondered.

“Really, Dimitri-”

“I don’t care if it’s a lie,” he let go of you, taking a step back while never wavering his gaze, “Just…”

He seemed to have run out of words, and all the two of you could do was stare at each other. Eventually, you broke first with a sigh. You couldn’t bear to maintain eye contact knowing you could never rely on your words alone to determine your future. Regardless, you spoke.

“...I…promise…that will not happen again.”

A grimace appeared on Dimitri’s face out of the corner of your eye, but the two of you spoke no more after that. Wordlessly, you left to go find Mercedes and the others. Where Dimitri went in the moments following, you had no clue, but the conversation would stay in your mind throughout the rest of the war.

Only time would tell if your promise was kept.

#fire emblem #fe3h #fire emblem three houses #fiction #fe x reader #fe3h x reader #fire emblem x reader #x reader #fe dimitri #fe3h dimitri #dimitri fe3h #dimitri fire emblem #dimitri x reader #dimitri alexandre blaiddyd

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witchofthevale · 7 months

Text

↷ september '23 fave fic recs!⋆☂｡☽˚.

Okay, okay here we go! This nearly killed me to make, so you better read them.

I'm kidding... I think.

Gentle reminder that what I consider 'fave' is by my own personal tastes and preferences, and you might not agree with them and that's okay! These are very lovely authors you can peruse on your own to find the right fic for you, and there are always the tags + algo. Just because your favourite fic isn't here doesn't mean it's not good; it could be potentially for a variety of reasons (I haven't read it yet, I have just not this month, I don't vibe with that character, etc).

That's what I love about the individuality in fandom and writers— there will always be that right fic from that right author that just hits all your good spots.

This is mine. For the month of September. If you find your next favourite fix here— I'm glad! If not, that's still swell! Hope you find it!

To the writers— thank you for writing such brilliant fics! I struggled setting this up because of how many I enjoyed 💝.

Anyways...

More quick reminders!

This is set chronologically; both by character name and by fic title.

If you are familiar with my blog, you will mainly see HOTD, some TLK, then random characters.

There may be smut! There may be dark fiction! I support and consume both! Please read trigger warnings actively! You are responsible for your own person! Community Labels ruin fandom ecosystems, stop snitching! Ignore or block at bloody will!

There are no series parts here. That is in a different display post that is still being processed lol.

If you see repeated author names, it can be numerous things— mostly, they're just that good, okay? Okay.

These are only for September 2023. I've read about 500+ on this account alone, and would die if I tried to go back before then, sorry. You can still check them out through tag navigation here!

I've also added some of my works that I enjoyed writing for the month, because why not.

Now that's fucking over, I hope you enjoy!

ABRAHAM (Grantchester)

*Untitled Piece by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

AEGON TARGARYEN II

Ceilings by @sapphire-writes

Lemon Cake To My Tea by @darlingofvalyria

Merciless or Ruthless? by @lovelykhaleesiii

Moan for Me by @st-eve-barnes

AEMOND TARGARYEN

A Mutual Feeling of Hate by @fan-goddess

Gelato by @oneeyedvisenya

Hell Hath No Fury @fromforeigntofamiliarity

His Love by @valeskafics

I'm A Fire, And I'll Keep Your Brittle Heart Warm by @randomdragonfires

Revolution by @valeskafics

The Black Stag by @darlingofvalyria

Til Death Do Us Part by @asumofwords

Unnerved by @dulcewrites

*Untitled by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

*Untitled by @missglaskin

Vulnerability by @valeskafics

ALDHELM

My Heart by @silens-oro

BILLY TAYLOR

The Perfect Send Off by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

BILLY WASHINGTON

Lonely This Christmas by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

DAEMON TARGARYEN

Ask, and You Shall Receive by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

A Thousand Words by @arabellasleopardcoat

Capital by @arabellasleopardcoat

Curse of Womanhood by @just-some-random-blogger

*Untitled by @barbiedragon

Valyrian Bride by @cryingforlife

HARALD SIGURDSSON

A Political Arrangement by @valeskafics

JACAERYS VELARYON

In Bastards of Blue, Wager in War by @darlingofvalyria

MAEGOR TARGARYEN

Little Lights by @dreamsofoldvalyria

OSFERTH

Lacnunga, Or, Remedy by @assortedseaglass

SIGTRYGGR IVARSSON

Little Warrior by @ewanmitchellcrumbs

SIHTRIC KJARTANSSON

Hours by @valeskafics

It's Urgent Darling by @sihtricfedaraaahvicius

Take No Wife by @valeskafics

TOM BENNETT

A Good Wife by @valeskafics

Rest by @fidelias

VISERYS TARGARYEN III

*Untitled by @barbiedragon

MULTIPLE CHARACTERS

Conquerors Reborn by @undertheorangetree | Helaena, Aemond x Reader

El Tango De Roxanne by @valeskafics | Jace, Aemond x Reader

Royalty Fucked by @oorhaellaoo | Baelon, Alyssa x Reader

#fanfiction recommendation #hotd x reader #tlk x reader #vikings x reader #abraham x reader #billy washington x reader #asoiaf x reader #tom bennett x reader #2013 💋 Fic Recs #💋 September 2023 #the witch's fic recs 💋

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bigball-thefrog · 3 days

Text

The Mighty Sand Dragon And The Maiden:Crocodile X Reader pt3

______________________________

Pt1 Pt2

The third and final part of the dragon Crocodile series. This was probably one of my favorite things to write. I hope everyone enjoys it and I'll be back again next week

Warnings/Tags:

Fluff

Mentions of blood and injuries

Mentions of cauterization

Fantasy AU

______________________________

Reader POV

It had been a year since I first fought Crocodile and I have been training hard to finally take him down. I have been thinking about our previous fights to try and think of what his weakness could be and I think I might have figured it out. It must be water! Because of his powers as the sand dragon, he can turn into sand, and water makes sand clump together and makes it harder for the sand to move around so freely like it does when the wind blows! It must be he weakness as well. So for my journey I packed my usual supplies but this time I also kept a secret bottle of water under my clothes so I could catch him off guard.

I made it to the entrance of his cave and put my bags down, gripping my sword and keeping the bottle of water strapped to my leg I walked closer. I was about to call out for him when I heard sounds of a struggle coming from inside the cave. I put away my sword and walked inside. Not too far from the entrance I saw Crocodile on the ground, bloodied and bruised, and a knight standing in front of him. I walked closer and spoke up, "What the hell are you doing?!" I shouted at the knight. He was startled with my sudden presence behind him but spoke, "Ah, young maiden. I am just slaying this dragon that has put you under his spell!" "Spell?! What spell??" "Oh, you poor thing. Everyone in town has noticed your disappearances every couple of months and everyone has noticed that you always leave in the direction of the Sand Dragons cave. So you must've been put under his evil spell and for he past year, have been forced to do his evil bidding!" "BULLSHIT!!! I'VE BEEN COMING HERE TO DEFEAT THE DRAGON MYSELF BECAUSE I WANT TO CHANGE MY OWN DESTINY OF BEING A POOR HELPLESS MAIDEN!!!" The knight was shocked at my reason for coming here. He then started laughing right in my face, "That is hilarious! See, you are clearly under the dragons spell, no maiden has the strength to defeat a dragon!~ Worry not maiden, I shall defeat the dragon and escorts you back home safely, maybe you can even reward this handsome knight by being my little bride~" The knight winked at me and held up his sword to deliver the final blow to Crocodile. Quickly taking out my sword, I got in front of him and blocked his attack. The knight looked shocked again and became frustrated, "Stand down maiden, stop defending this evil creature and let me kill it!" "No! This is my destiny and I am not going to let you take it away from me!" "This behavior is traitorous! I'll have you executed with this dragon!"

Crocodile POV:

I layed on the ground, holding my wounds as I watched the maiden take on the knight. They are a brave one for risking being a traitor to their kingdom just to kill me. Something in me felt uneasy seeing them in a serious battle this time, all the times I fought them I just did it to amuse myself, but now this was an actual battle, one that could end in their death. I didn't like the fact they could die but the pain from my own injuries prevented me from getting up and helping. But then that damm knight raised his sword and slashed them across the face, and that made me see red...

Seeing the maiden fall to the ground and crying out as they held their bleeding face gave me a burst of rage fueld adrenaline, I got up and growled. Sand surrounded me and I transformed back into my dragon form. Once the sand disappeared I roared loudly and caused the ground to shake, the knight fell and looked up at me in fear. He didn't even have time to gain his confidence back before I stood on him and crushed the lower half of his body. He screamed in pain but I didn't move, I began to use my powers to suck every last drop of moisture out of his body. His body slowly began to shrivel up, all the moisture in his body gone like rain on the dessert sand. Within a matter of seconds his body was nothing but a husk and armor, I stood over him and this time I completely crushed him, when I moved my hand there was nothing but dust, I bent down and huffed and the knight was gone...

I looked back at the maiden, still bleeding and my face softened a little and I turned to them. I transformed back to my human form and knelt down next to them, I used my hand to hold them up and wiped their little tears away with my thumb. I looked down at the injury and smirked a little, a scar right across the face, just like mine.... Hearing their soft cries of pain snapped me out of my thoughts and made me start to think of how I could help, I looked at my hook and got an idea. I brought the hook up to my face and gently began to blow fire on it to heat it up. Once it was red I looked back at the maiden, "I'm gonna help, but it's going to hurt like hell, do you promise to try and keep still while I stop the bleeding?" the maiden nodded and gripped onto my arm for support. I carefully placed the tip of the red hot hook on the cut and started to cauterize the cut. They screamed and cried more but thankfully didn't move much as I continued to stop the bleeding. I managed to stop the bleeding on her face and removed the hook. They stopped crying and was just breathing heavily now. Seeing them no longer injured I let out a sigh of exaust and collapsed next to them.

Reader POV

My eyes widened when I saw Crocodile collapse next to me, they look exhausted and were still injured as well, if he didn't receive any medical attention soon he might die. Remembering my supplies I brought I quickly ran out the cave to grab my bag. I kneeled back down next to him and got out all the medical supplies I brought. I took the water bottle out from under my clothes and used a towel to clean him, ironic that I brought this extra water to kill him and am now using it to save his life. After cleaning him I took out a needle and thread, disinfecting ointment and began stitching up what I could. He grunted, feeling the needle piercing his skin and looked up at me, "What on earth are you doing? Isn't this what you wanted? For me to die.." "Well yes but I wanted to kill you myself remember? I didn't want some stupid knight to do it... So I'm saving you know so I can kill you properly later.." He chuckled and leaned his head back to try and relax while I stitched him up. "Thank you... For rescuing me from that knight." "No problem. He had no right to injure a maiden such as yourself.." I smiled a little and spoke again, "Kind of ironic that it was the dragon that saved me and not the knight." we both chuckled and went quiet again. After patching him up he sat up again and we just stared at each other, eventually I got the courage to ask a question I've always wanted to ask, "Why is it that dragons always kidnap maidens? And they usually come back unharmed, even after days of being with the dragon, why is that?" Crocodile pondered for a second then sighed, "Truthfully, we're lonely. Creatures are scared of us in our dragon form, and in our human form we're still fear because of the wings and tail. Other dragons are assholes and we don't get along with each other.. We're usually just looking for a companion that won't leave us... That's why we go after maidens because they're usually described as kind and loving creatures..." my heart went soft and I got closer to him, "How come you haven't taken a maiden? Aren't you lonely?" He scowled, "I don't need a companion. I've learned to not let people come close to my heart..." I frowned and looked down, "How about I stay with you?" He looked at me confused and was about to say something but I cut him off, "I stay here and train to fight you and you don't have to worry about getting close to someone because you already have a heads up that we're going to fight. That way you know not to get attached and you have some company!" Crocodile looked at me still skeptical so I added in, "Also, if I go back home without the knight, I'll probably be executed so you're stuck with me." He rolled his eyes and sighed before muttering out, "fine..." I raised my hand to shake his and he gripped my hand tightly and shook it, "You have now officially been taken by the dragon, it is now your duty to set yourself free from my clutches or else you'll be mine for the rest of your life, deal?" He asked. I nodded, "Deal!"

And so started my new life with the dragon I was going to kill..

______________________________

I'll post next week and to those that have made requests I'll get you next week probably but I promise you I will write your request and post it, it just may be a week or two before I get to it. I love you all and see you next week

Kelly🐸

#one piece #one piece anime #oneshot #crocodile one piece #crocodile x reader #one piece x reader #one piece x y/n #one piece x you #op crocodile #crocodile op #one piece crocodile #sir crocodile #crocodile x you #crocodile x y/n

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geraltofriviacollection · 11 months

Text

Chapter Six

Paring: Geralt x Reader

Summary: Reader is thrown into the Witcher’s world. Will she survive? Eventual smut may come about😉

A/N: This is the first part in a series. I have not edited or proofread. Please do not repost, translate or copy my work without permission. Please leave comments! ❤️

Things seem to settle into a routine. Ciri spends most of her days training with Geralt when she’s not watching me train with Vesemir. I can hold a steady orb of energy and bring it forth with ease. Tapping into the power I had the night I killed Eskel……

The knot in my stomach tightens watching Ciri train. I fear Geralt may not be enough to pull her back from the edge. Seeing her on the obstacle course makes me nervous. Watching her fall off and stand back up in pain makes me proud of her endurance. Geralt walks with her disappearing into the keep.

A short time later I start to enter the room where Geralt is bandaging her up but ciri comes flying from the room like a bat out of hell. I start to ask if she’s alright but before the words have left she is already far down the hall.

I turn going into the room and see Geralt kneeling by the bed and he sighs. “Do I want to know what that whole thing was about?” I ask walking further into the room. He sighs again at my question. “So I am going to take a shot in the dark and guess that you tried to show that you care by imparting a valuable lesson and ended up saying something stupid with all 10 words you use. Did I miss something?” I challenge.

“Must you always be like this? Such a pain in my ass.” He growls.

“Well I haven’t made any plans on changing but we shall see where the day takes us. Now spill, what did you say to her?” I ask to get back to the point.

He looks at me for another moment before sighing and moving to sit on the bed. “I told her that she is not a Witcher and that great fighters all end up dead in the end.” He explains looking up at me. This time it's my turn to sigh. “I only told her the truth.”

“Next time less truth would be good.” I say moving to sit next to him I gently place my hand on his as he doesn’t move it from mine. “You may have told her the truth but you also managed to tell her that you don’t believe she can do it.” I told him.

“I do believe that she will die if she doesn’t understand she isn’t a Witcher. I will not have her die to prove a point.” He says.

“Geralt, She has lost everything she has ever known in a matter of months. She is trying to figure out her new place in this world. This is not Ciri proving a point, this is Ciri figuring out who she is again. Our job is to keep her safe while she does that. We won’t let anything happen to her. You just need to learn how to be a tiny bit softer with her.” I tell him. He sighs and squeezes my hand. “Now my next piece of advice is that you go and maybe try to talk to her again.”

A few days later I wake up with a strange pit in my stomach like something is about to change. Almost like smelling the wind before rain. In the afternoon I’m still with Vesemir practicing. I’ve learned how to throw balls of energy in my hands at a target. However my aim still has much to be desired so hitting the target is not going well.

“Lass, I don’t think I have ever seen someone so bad at something.” He frowns at me stroking a hand down his face.

“You say that and yet I know how you feel when Everard tries to cook a meal.” I joke wiping sweat from my brow. He laughs as he hands me water. I hop up on one of the benches in the lab. “Ves?”

“I thought we agreed that name would not be spoken aloud again.” He mumbles working on something next to me.

“I agreed not to speak that name aloud in front of others, since I am your new favorite you have agreed to indulge me.” I grin at him. He rolls his eyes at me.

“What is it you want to know, Lass?” He smirks.

“Why aren’t there any woman Witcher’s?” The question hangs in the air before he responds.

“Over the years since the Witchers came to be, women have been put in the trials. Not a single one of them have survived. Deglan believed it had something to do with the-“

I tense as I feel something in the air has shifted.

“What is it, Lass?” Vesesmir interrupts himself.

“I don’t know. Something has shifted. I can’t tell much more than that.” I stumble through my explanation. Vesemir comes in front of me and tilts my head side to side. Just then my stomach rumbles quite loudly. He smiles.

“I think we may have found the problem.” He laughs. We walked down to the great hall only to find Lambert there. Vesemir walks over to talk to him and I naturally go in the other direction considering…. Well everything.

The door opens and Ciri comes in first with a red headed woman behind her and Geralt coming in last. She looks familiar and very pretty. I can seem to place her name.

“I brought dinner," he says with a dead boar on his shoulders. The rumbling in my stomach halts like a foot slamming in the brakes looking at that thing. A very familiar feeling arises down south the longer I look at Geralt holding that boar.

“More than that.” Vesemir says breaking my creepy stare and He glances over at me before turning back to the woman. “My child, what a surprise.” He walks to her and she kisses his cheek hello.

“Oh hell, haven’t even had my fill of grog yet and ,already the women are tripling.” Lambert says. “Merigold.”

“Lambert, I see your wounds have improved but your manners have not.” Light laughter fills the air.

“I wish you had come sooner. We all could have used you.” Vesemir says to her. Sorrow and guilt make my throat and chest tighten.

“Hopefully, we still can.” Geralt says, turning to look at me. I’m not at all fond of that problematic transition. Her eyes follow his and she sees me standing there. Ciri sees me for the first time and comes to join me at my side. I smile down at her before looking back up at Geralt and my eyes move back to the red headed woman.

“I’m Triss. Geralt has told me about you on our walk here.” She smiles at me. I smile back at her.

“I imagine it couldn’t have been very much, considering that he mainly communicates in grunts.” Ciri and Tris chuckle.

“I think I might like her.” Tris says, looking at Geralt and them me. He rolls his eyes with a slight uptick in my mouth. “It’s very nice to meet you.” She smiles again at me. “I’ll go and dress for dinner. I assume you’ll want to wash up as well?” She says to everyone. Chuckles go around again. She takes that as a no before leaving the room.

Ciri takes a seat. “So, How do you know her?” She ask Geralt. He sighs and I smirk before intervening.

“I'm sure he will tell you all about it after you have washed up.” I tell her. She gives me a look that calls bullshit. “Okay maybe not but that does not change the fact that if you sit here much longer you might smell worse than that boar.” Ciri grunts in discontentment before leaving the room as well. “You know she gets that from you.” I smirk at him. He rolls his eyes again before walking off leaving me.

Dinner with Triss is a rather uneventful occasion. I learned enough to know that I like having another female in the keep. Even though we are still woefully outnumbered, the energy has shifted into peaceful uncertainty. Something still feels like teetering on the edge of chaos like a shoe waiting to fall.

I leave the table first, stealing myself away to the armory. I stay there practicing controlling this power to avoid sleeping. The nightmares for killing Eskel haunt me when I close my eyes. Watching the life drain from him is the only part that seems to be crystal clear in my memory. My only hope at night is to push myself hard enough to have dreamless sleep.

My fear of dreaming is not the only thing that keeps me awake at night. The longer I stay the more I have begun to feel some of my memories of the storyline fade. Not big things but smaller details. I can’t help but to feel purposeful.

It’s late into the night by the time I leave to head to my room. I am about to turn the corner when I hear voices across the way.

“If it’s up to me, everyone will know their names.Perhaps they can live on in our memories. Perhaps something more.” I recognize Triss speaking. “You witchers pretend not to have emotions, but you do. I know you feel it too. All of it. Normal love, normal hatred,normal pain, normal fear and regret, normal joy and normal sadness.” I peak around the corner and across the courtyard I see Triss taking Geralt's hand in hers. “Stay with me tonight.” She says. Geralt starts to talk but Triss cuts him off. “Only stay. Let’s not be alone.” she says.

‘Nope, don’t like that.’ I think to myself watching this unfold in front of me. I try to suppress my inner psychotic dialogue and try to attempt being reasonable. Geralt probably is lonely and Triss is sad and beautiful. Maybe he should take her up on her offer… Yeah fuck that I’m still not liking it. Just as I’m about to run over to break up whatever the hell this is, Geralt takes his hand from Triss.

“I’m sorry.” Geralt says before walking away from her. Triss stands there a moment before walking away. I let out a sigh of relief when I heard a voice behind me and nearly hit the ceiling at the abrupt sound.

“So are you going to tell him?” Vesemir ask once I have calmed down from my near heart attack.

“Damn it Ves! I almost woke up the whole keep with you coming behind me like that.” I whisper yell at him.

“From the looks of it you were about to wake the keep by fighting one of the best mages I know.” He said teasingly.

“I don’t know what you're talking about, old man.” I say lying like a rug through my teeth and starting to turn back around.

“You and I both know you have feelings for him. I think he might return them if you tell him.” He says, causing me to pause. I nod my head before going to my room.

The next morning I leave the keep on Roach to find a berry patch. I’ve managed to half way fill the basket when I feel the string between ciri and I tighten. The feeling travels through me so abruptly I drop my basket berries and the glow starts. I leave the basket and mount Roach and we rush back to the keep. When we finally make it back I push the reins into Lambert's hand rushing in not even hearing what he says. I run through the halls and find her in her bed. Geralt standing next to her and Triss sitting on the edge of her bed.

“I felt it. What happened?” I ask them but panting.

“She went into some weird trance and passed out a second later.” Geralt explains.

“What do you mean you felt it?” Triss asks me.

“How long has she been like this?” I hiss looking between Geralt and Triss.

“Not long.” He tells me. I lean down and the second my hand brushes her cheek her eyes open and I jump a bit at the movement.

“Cirilla” Geralt calls out to her moving closer. I back up and give her room to sit up. “

“I’m fine. I’m fine.” she repeats covering her face with her hands. Geralt looks at Triss before looking between Ciri and I.

“Ciri, look at me.” I say to her firmly but gently. “You need to tell us what happened.” I say moving to wrap an arm around her. She leans into me but stays quiet. Geralt comes even closer.

“You are brave. But let us help.” He says looking at her. She finally moves her hands from her face.

“All right.” She sighs. “When the black Knight captured me..I was scared. I screamed.

And that’s when the monolith cracked and fell.” She pauses and looks up at Geralt. “I toppled it.” I hugged her closer to me. I can feel the way she trembles as I hold her.

“How can that be?” Triss ask looking at Geralt.

“I don’t know.” Geralt replies. “I need to see it for myself.”

“I really didn’t mean to do it, Geralt.” She says pulling away from me and I can see the tears in her eyes. My chest tightens at the sight. “And if these monsters are my fault…” She trails off looking at me.

“Ciri, Nobody blames you. It was an accident.” I tell her pulling her back to me and she fully sinks in my embrace. A lone tear streaks down her pale face.

“It’s alright. We’ll fix it.” Geralt says placing a hand on her arm not cuddled into me. She nodded her head before closing her eyes as a few more tears fall. I look up at Geralt and the look on his face tell me we need to talk. He walks out of the room.

Tris leaves shortly after. Ciri and I sit together until the trembling stops and the tears have dried. I stay until her breathing has evened out and her eyes have closed. I pull away from her as gently as I can so I don’t wake her.

I leave Ciri to find Geralt only to overhear another somewhat intimate conversation.

“You are important to me, Triss. You always will be.” He says. I decide that is a good time to make my entrance because well I have heard enough of that.

“Care to fill me in on what you plan is big guy?” I ask him walking in and effectively smashing whatever fucking vibe was just in the air.

“You’re going to Cintra.” Vesemir says, rounding the corner behind Geralt.

“Cintra?” I question.

“You said you’d never go back there.” Vesemir says to Geralt.

“Cintra holds the answers that I need.” He says, looking at me. “Besides, no Witcher has died of old age lying in his bed dictating his will. I have a girl to protect. I can’t just stay here.”

“I have a friend who studies monoliths. I can portal you to him.” Triss offers.

“Portals are no fun.” Is all Geralt says.

“Do you think you could excuse us for a moment?” I ask looking at Vesemir and Triss. They both nod before leaving us. “How long will you be gone?” I ask him.

“Not long enough that you will not be annoyed with all my grunting when I come back.” He says with a slight uptick in his smile as he takes a couple of steps closer to me.

“Under different circumstances I might not mind your grunting so much.” The words fly out of my mouth before I can catch them. I feel my face get hot. I take a look at Geralt to find an amused sort of smirky smile on his face. “I mean I wanted an answer in hours to days.”

Geralt is close enough that I can feel his body heat as he looks down at me. “A few days. Less than a week.” He says softly.

@freegardenbanananeck

#geralt of rivia #witcher geralt #geralt x reader #geralt imagine #geralt x y/n #geralt fanfic #Geralt and Ciri

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synxxie · 3 months

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It's time to post my first TOH fanfic (yea ik, kinda crazy that over never done this before.) I hope you all enjoy!

What if Belos Won (starting after he gets squashed by the collector)

POV: Belos

‘That pesky god of a child, the collector threw me into my own walls. I can barely feel anything, my mind is slipping, I need at least a small part of me on someone or I'll die forever. Oh yes, I know, Hunter.’ A piece of Belos goop falls on to the shoulder of Hunter, it absorbs itself into his skin but only for a little while until they go to the human realm, there it falls off of Hunter's body and is left on the side of the road. I am free once again, I need a body soon. ‘Anything will do. Even that rabbit over there’ he thought to himself. The goop moved towards the unsuspecting animal whilst the kids went inside the Noceda household. Belos consumed the rabbit's mind with ease, taking over the fluffy body and turning it into a green horned monster. “Ah, this will have to do for now. Luckily there are plenty of vermin such as this. I can use these bodies as I grow my strength back, I just have to make sure those children don't realize that I am still alive.” He hopped across the road and to nearby trees where he was able to just barely see through a window of the Noceda household, Hunter's face looking outside the window, upset. Belos didn't say anything. Instead he only tilted his animal head and hopped away to find his next victim, the small vermin could only last him a day at most so he needed to begin his search already.

He was now in the forest alone and he had been searching for any small animal to replace the rabbit with as its skin started to decay, after all, Belos was practically possessing a corpse at this point and it wouldn't last much longer. Unfortunately for the forest critters Belos spotted a squirrel attempting to find nuts. The squirrel was distracted and now was the chance so he leaped his goopy body out from the mouth of the rabbit and attached itself onto the squirrel. The fluffy vermin squealed in pain before becoming quiet as soon as Belos had full control. ‘I can already feel myself growing, ever so slowly, soon I may be able to possess a stray cat. Now that shall last a decent bit longer.’

About a month had passed and he had finally been able to grow strong enough that he was now possessing deer and bucks. They still only lasted a day or two but better than nothing. As he walked across the side of a road a strange vehicle passed by, it was loud and like nothing he had ever seen before. Up until now he was just staying away from civilization, building up strength, but today he decided to move closer. The vehicle almost rammed straight into Belos, that surely would not have been good but luckily he managed to dodge out of the way of the swerving vehicle and quickly leave the deer's body, leaving nothing but a skeleton in his wake. Additional horns still intact. He stood inside the shadow of the trees as the little girl and mother talked about what they may or may not have seen with someone they call an officer when suddenly another vehicle passed by, this one with a very familiar human inside of it. ‘Perfect, now I just need to follow down this road and find that vehicle again. That Luz is going to lead me right to Hunter and I'll finally be able to kill that wretched failure like I did many times over.’ His plan was vile but correct, following the vehicle will lead him right where he needs to be. Hunter will finally be his again.

If you would like a part 2 please let me know!!

#emperor belos #toh belos #toh #luz noceda #belosfanstakeover #the owl house belos #fanfic #writers on tumblr #hunter toh #hunter noceda #the owl house

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oh-goddess-of-chaos · 1 year

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hi can you make headcanons about yandere klaus mikaelson(romantic) and female reader please

⠀ 𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 – 𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞!𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝒙 𝐟𝐞𝐦!𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ✧‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ (navi. & masterlist. & tag. )

「 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 」 general yandere themes such as stalking, toxic relationships, manipulation, murder, threatening of loved ones, vampirism (i mean, it's klaus guys), kidnapping, gaslighting, etc.

「 𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 .⁺ ˖ ⌒ klaus mikaelson is the love of my life. i shall love him, always and forever. this was really fun to write, so if anyone else wants to, send in more requests for this guy! reader is a human at first - somewhat naive too.

You're flattered by Klaus's interest in you, at first. You'd never had a very good track record in terms of relationships, so, when you quite suddenly catch the eye of a very attractive, alluring, and charming man, you are, to say the least, delightfully surprised.

Your relationship moves slow, but your heart rate when you're around him doesn't. Klaus is sweet and tender with you, too, not doing anything that you'd potentially oppose before consulting you. The perfect man, it seems. Dutiful, tactful, kind, he's everything you could ever want in a partner.

He's most certainly the type to shower you with all kinds of gifts - jewelry adorned with your favorite gemstones, the most luxurious of chocolates, gorgeous, expensive dresses - anything of the sort. If, however, this doesn't at first allure you, Klaus starts leaving intricate drawings of you and heartfelt poems on your doorstep - more personal and romantic that the first option.

With all of these gifts, of course, he always leaves a new love letter for you to read daily. They're always filled with romantic promises and burning desires, from smaller things such as "you looked exquisite today" to "I promise to show you all life has to offer" and "you are what gives me purpose, your light is the only thing able to outshine my darkness."

When the two of you become official, Klaus is elated. He never keeps his hands off of you when you're in public, always finding some way to touch you - whether it be subtly by placing his hands on the small of your back or intertwining your fingers together to move outward gestures such as squeezing your thigh underneath the dinner table when you're out eating with friends.

Whatever it is, you can never quite keep your face straight around him, the faintest blush and a smile always finding a way to creep up onto your face.

When the two of you are alone, matters are even more heated. Klaus, being the gentleman that he is, is perfect at complimenting you and bringing you to your knees, quite literally. Offering you gentle praises in bed and the softest of kisses, it's no wonder that you find yourself falling for the man.

And, with things going so perfectly between the two of you, you don't even think to notice Klaus's increasingly possessive and downright obsessive behavior.

It was right under your nose that Klaus would track you at all times with his hybrids or would ensure of your safety by following you himself. He even went so far as to slip in trace amounts of his blood into your morning tea and coffee to ensure that, should anything unexpected happen to you, you couldn't die on him.

About a year into your relationship, in an ever so coincidental occurrence, you lose your job the very day Klaus's mansion is ready to be lived in. You look everywhere and anywhere for another job to ensure you can at least pay the next month's rent, but when no such options arise and an eviction notice is bound to appear on your doorstep any day now, you ask Klaus if you can move in with him.

Klaus is excited that you turn to him so quickly, and already seems to have extra room in his bedroom for you to stay. Although you feel guilty taking up residency in such a beautiful home, Klaus reassures you that whatever is his is yours, and that, if anything, he is happy with the turnout, if it means he can spend more time with you.

Klaus only tells you of what he is when he's truly sure that you'd never leave him for such a thing, though leaving out crucial details such as his ability to compel people or the fact that vampires must drink human blood in order to turn. After all, he'd never do such an evil thing! All the blood that he drinks is exclusively from animals and other vermin!

If, however, you don't believe him in that instance, he'd simply compel you to think otherwise. Although he prefers having you being perfectly… you, he doesn't want to have to hurt you to ensure you won't tell anyone else or to not be afraid.

Things grow even worse when Klaus starts controlling where you are allowed to go. During the day, Klaus complains that you don't give him nearly enough attention, causing you to spend your afternoons spending time with him, while in the late evenings, Klaus provides you with pure ecstasy all night long. And while, yes, it is all quite enjoyable, you find yourself growing unhappy. You could hardly remember the last day you'd talked to your friends over call or had texted for more than a couple of minutes - or the last time you'd gone out, for that matter (as Klaus was so worried that you'd cheat on him).

It was also quite odd, you found, that every man you'd spoken to - other than Klaus's brothers, of course - mysteriously disappeared, and that your cars keys and credit card had been lost for a long time now, though you'd always been quite good with ensuring they were where they were supposed to be before.

It was for all those reasons, then, that you tried to finally break up with Klaus, but he didn't seem to appreciate the gesture. So, Klaus did whatever he could to keep you from leaving - namely, locking you in his bedroom while he'd gone out for the day. The room, once full of warmth and familiarity, filled with the remnants of Klaus's cologne and your perfume mixing in a fit of passion, was now cold and foreign. It was more a prison than your bedroom, a place that you'd once found comfort in - though you supposed a similar thing could be said about Klaus.

When Klaus returns, he attempts to soothe you into falling asleep. You thrash and fight against him, not knowing what he was planning on doing with you and not wanting to know all the same, but your efforts are pointless as he eventually chooses to compel you into doing so.

Klaus relocates the two of you to a remote cottage, already prepared with new furniture, clothing, and other necessities. It makes you sick to your stomach, thinking that Klaus had potentially anticipated that something like this would have happened (he tells you that he was planning on bringing the two of you here as a surprise vacation or something of the sort, but you know better than to listen to him now).

In the beginning, Klaus is careful with you, offering a caring persona as he provides you with solace when you cry, knowing very well that the very reason that you are doing so is because of him. He doesn't seem to care, however, as he strokes your hair softly and whispers you words of encouragement and false promises you know he could never keep or fulfill in your ears. And yet, in spite of it all, you still find yourself unable to detach rationality from your emotions, and must constantly battle your conflicting thoughts that beg for you to simply let Klaus in and stop fighting.

Over time, Klaus manipulates you and tortures you with his mind games. In your isolation, it is easy to convince you that the ones closest to you have faults too large to ignore. And, with Klaus's skilled mind, he is able to make you believe the worst of your friends and family. He focuses on what they lack and spins them into monsters worse than even he. And you, slowly, believe him - though could anyone truly blame you? Your mind is not as it should be, and all you've seen and thought about is Klaus, Klaus, Klaus for who knows how long. It only makes sense that you'd at some point succumb to his persistent manipulation - after all, you were only human.

Klaus remains patient with you for the longest of time, knowing that it would soon pay off. And, although it's difficult to resist the temptation of returning to him and forgiving his past transgressions, if you manage to do so for an extended period of time, he takes it upon himself to speed up the process.

He throws enraged fits and grows increasingly angry with you as the days go by. He guilt trips you, too, convincing you that you're ungrateful for not accepting his undying affection. He's given everything to you - so why can't you just accept it and return his love?

If you still refuse to appease him, Klaus threatens your friends and family's lives. And, though at first you may just think he's bluffing, he's doing nothing of the sort. You know this the day he surprises you by turning up on the doorstep with your closest friend, dead, on the ground. And you crumble. Yes; it was true that he'd been able to make you think ill of her for so long, but seeing her in such a state? You cared for her immensely - you'd never wished for such a fate to fall upon her.

Although it is not explicitly at this moment, there comes a point where you decide to finally submit to Klaus's will - not because you want to, but simply because you're so mentally exhausted. Your mind is so tired of fighting him off, and all you truly want is to give in; so, you do, falling delicately into Klaus's carefully formulated trap.

It's only when you allow Klaus to share a more intimate experience with you once more that he knows that he's truly won you over, and what a pleasurable experience it is. Klaus rewards you in ways you could not describe with mere words, but his own desires are reciprocated, too, when he finally hears your gentle voice moaning his name and your fingers digging longingly into his skin.

Life after that is as good as you can be. You lie to yourself that this is what you want, and even though it isn't, you at times find yourself believing your own lie.

Klaus makes sure to make you know exactly who you belong to, ensuring your dependability on him with a myriad of pleasantries, kind compliments as well as promises that he truly plans to realize that he whispers into your ears when you're only half awake that he

There's a chance that, after Klaus knows that you're now absolutely dependent on him, he'll relocate the both of you. Maybe to the city, maybe to New Orleans, or maybe to somewhere else where his family is.

But where is is doesn't matter: you'll be by his side no matter what.

But just remember: wherever it is, one thing will always remain constant - try to escape him, even succeed - run, hide - but you both know that, in the end, one thing will never change:

You'd never be able to stay away for long, for you are completely and utterly his.

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rxgirlie · 3 months

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The Girl Next Door part X

Pairing: Jeryd Mencken x OFC

Warnings: dubious content, alcohol consumption, physical violence, mentions of affairs, morality issues, my improper use of commas. MDNI!

A/N: this is the end, my friends. As quickly as it began, so it shall end. Thanks to everyone who stuck around and read this. Y’all make my heart smile. And to @vivalafae and @runningwiththefoxes for listening to my neurotic ass.

WC: 1801

I managed to make it through dinner without a crack in the facade I had delicately manufactured for the sake of my family and friends.

They sang happy birthday with a sea of waiters piled around the table, their faces blurring along with the rest as I blew out twenty-three candles placed intricately around a pearlescent, heart-shaped cake.

I pushed the food around on my plate to make it seem like I had eaten, choosing to fill up on half a bottle of wine while everyone bantered back and forth from their respective seats, their cheerfulness making me want to scream at the top of my lungs.

One day I would realize that the world never did revolve around me. However, that day was not the day.

The entire affair had lasted five weeks and three days. My mental math gave way to a sea of memories, some pleasant, fleeting, while the others threw up a barrage of red flags, making me wonder why I had been so blind, so careless with a man I didn’t know. Even then, with the information I had, I didn’t know him. To add insult to injury, the logical part of my brain, a part long dormant where he and I were concerned, chastised any part of me that felt heartbroken and confused, citing time, or lack thereof, as a point of weakness. Five weeks is merely a blink of an eye, a flap of a butterfly’s wing. But empires have fallen in a shorter amount of time, and the thought alone made me feel somewhat better. A modicum of reprieve as my thoughts came in waves, battering down on me, sweeping me further and further from the safety of the shore.

_________________________________________

“She’s going to be looking for that note until next Fourth of July,” Heather murmured into my ear, leaning against me from her spot at the stool to my right. The Annual Star Spangled Karaoke event had kicked off and with it came the usual bards and minstrels, drunk and howling away at whatever song was chosen for them by the patrons of The Marina. To be quite frank, none of them could carry a tune in a bucket. You’d think the lightness and fun the setting provided would have made me feel better, but it didn’t. I was drunk and irritated by something as simple as the wind blowing my hair into my face.

“Why do we torture ourselves with this shit every year?”

“Oh, it’s torture, huh?” She turned completely around to look at me, her knees knocking into mine as we came face to face. “Do you have something else you should be doing besides this?”

She cocked her head at me, her eyebrow threading upward as she waited for my response.

I shook my head at her.

“It’s a tradition, Livvy Lou.” She patted my knees, turning her attention back around to the DJ.

“When do we let traditions die?” I asked her, feeling sour and dried out as I finished my second Mai Tai. “Particularly this one.”

She turned around quickly, her expression lost between anger, disappointment, and sadness.

“It’s not like you haven’t blown me off every week for the past month,” she spat, eyes narrowing at me, mouth twitching in a way that let me know she wasn’t quite done with her verbal lashing, but also wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue.

My mouth was bone dry from anxiety, the sudden rising of guilt in my chest from being a terrible friend. A terrible person.

“You know what,” I stood up, the barstool scraping unceremoniously against the tile flooring, “Fuck this.”

She turned back around, unbothered by my outburst, arms crossed snuggly across her chest as I grumbled to myself, retrieving my bag and keys before walking away from her entirely.

On my way out of The Marina, I managed to snag a fifth of Jack from the bar, my way of sticking it to Heather since her family owned the restaurant. Eventually I would replace the bottle, never telling anyone what happened to it originally, though I suspect they never even noticed it was missing.

My entire walk home I replayed the scene from Mencken’s car in my head. I rewound it, stopping and going over each word, pausing, seething, the sloshing of the whisky in its bottle in my fist becoming the background track to my dramatics.

Dodging the passerbys, the ones with enough sense to stay sober as they parted the crowds, each of them marching like worker ants towards the center of the village, ambling towards the best vantage point for the annual fireworks show.

And there I was, no regard for public drunkenness or the mess the sidewalk was making of my bare feet, stomping recklessly towards home for no reason other than not being able to stand myself, wanting nothing more than to rip my skin off piece by piece to give way to the rage boiling right under the surface.

Like he knew, like he could predict my arrival, he stood on his front porch, leaning against the railing with his hands hung over the edge, watching as I edged my way closer to the driveway.

“Happy birthday,” he said as casually as one announces the weather.

I threw my hand up, waving him off, “Fuck you.”

I kept walking, hearing his footsteps bounding down his front steps, doing my best to ignore how close on my heels he was getting.

When I fell—busting my ass with no ounce of grace—as I descended the hill that led to the dock, he grabbed hold of my shoulders.

“Don’t fucking touch me,” I shook him off, clawing at the earth to get my bearings, to will myself to stand up and put some much needed distance between us.

He grabbed the bottle I had dropped, tipping it upside down, the amber liquid watering a particularly brown patch of grass that had died somewhere in the peak of June’s heat.

“Think you’ve had enough of this.” He said, chastising me with a raised eyebrow.

“Think I’ve had enough of you.”

I was able to totter successfully onto the dock, walking carefully down at the edge, linking my arms across my chest like a brooding child.

“Shouldn’t you be inside taking care of Rosemary and her fucking baby?”

That earned me a chuckle, an earnest one, as he came to stand beside me, gazing out at the water before his eyes finally landed on me.

“You can’t get mad at me over the natural order of things, Olivia.” His tone was softer than I expected, though I hadn’t expected him to follow me to the dock at all.

“The natural order of things?” A sardonic laugh slipped past my lips, “You tell me she will wise up and leave you in a few years, and then, surprise, she’s pregnant.”

He shrugged. “Is it hard to believe you can dislike someone but still fuck them?”

Once again, I chuckled, “I’ve been doing that very thing for weeks, so.”

A smirk played up behind his knowing smile. Like he was privy to information I didn’t know and most likely would never figure out. It was always like that with him; one step forward, two steps back. “You’re a hypocrite, you know.”

“Can you please just leave me alone?” I pleaded, searching his face for any cracks below the surface, any indication that he was hurting like I was, any indication of humanness underneath his steely exterior.

“What do you want from me?” I asked with a resigned sigh, “Do you want me to march into your house and tell her what’s been going on?”

He stayed silent, his smirk widening, eyes dancing cruelly across my deranged features as I continued, “or better yet, let’s just get her out here for the show. Hann-,”

Before I could finish her name, his palm slapped against my mouth, his other hand curling around my wrist to jerk me towards him.

“Shut the fuck up, Olivia.” He gritted, jerking me closer to him for further emphasis.

I was quick to wriggle out of his hold, shoving him with two hands planted on his chest.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” The impact of my shove sent me reeling, stammering backwards as I watched him fight with gravity.

He recovered, stalking over towards me, gripping my shoulders with a slight shake.

“There’s a streak of cruelty in you that I’ve chosen to ignore, but now that you want to play games, I suppose I should remind you that if you want to destroy me, I’ll destroy you too.” His tone was quiet, but laced with effortless venom as he lowered himself to be level with my face. His grip on my shoulders never loosened as he sloshed me back and forth. The idea of him laying our secret bare mingled with the way he gripped my shoulders, kneading into the bony flesh, bore an anger in me that I had never experienced.

When I hit him, with little to no hesitation, delivering a right hook to the crest of his left cheekbone, I immediately regretted my decision. A flitter of fireworks set off above us as if to mark the tumultuous scene, their ranging colors of royal blue and scarlet red maring with the inky blood oozing down his cheek and onto his chin.

“You hit me.” His face was blank, his phrase almost coming out as a question. For some reason, I expected him to hit me back. I had leveled the playing field with my punch, canceling out gender roles when it landed, shocked when he didn’t send me reeling with a blow of his own. He stammered forward, hands reaching out for me, and I swatted them away, eventually landing weightless hits and dull thuds against the hollow of his chest.

His bloody hand smeared against my face as he pulled me tightly into his chest, pushing my tangled hair away from the tacky sweat on my forehead. I contorted myself against him, pulling and pulling away to no avail. He held me tightly as the night sky exploded above us. My voice was a symphony of weak cries and crackled sentiments as I whispered, “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” over and over again until my voice grew hoarse and any resolve I had to get away from him in that moment simply faded away as I wore myself down.

The perfect ending for a nightmarish fever dream—fireworks, a fistfight, a bloodied mess— but nothing could have made it better when he sighed, pressed a kiss to my temple, and in two simple words, he let me win.

“I know.” He said. Nothing more, nothing less.

Then he walked away.

Tag list: @aurorag98

#the girl next door #jeryd mencken x oc #jeryd mencken fic #jeryd mencken fanfiction #jeryd mencken x ofc #jeryd mencken x original female character #jeryd mencken imagine #jeryd mencken x reader #jeryd mencken #justin kirk

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echantedtoon · 6 months

Text

Demon Bride Ch33 Bride Of The Kizuki

(This will HEAVILY reference s3 ep1 of Demon Slayer.

WARNINGS!!!:Gore, fighting , decapitation, limbs being cut off, some innuendos, blood, threats, cussing, and Enmu,Karaku, and Douma ARE their own warnings.

IMPORTANT INFO!!: I should've mentioned it earlier but Yahaba, Susamaru, Daki, Nakime, and OBVIOUSLY Rui and Zohakuten will NOT be a part of the love interest roster!! However Daki will be a wing woman to Gyutaro. And the place Y/n and Rui will be staying is in this beautiful mansion here in the picture shown above.)

"WHAT?!"

Your head turned to Kaigaku who now decided to raise his head and looked a mixture of shocked and raged at the sentence that left the red eyed Demons mouth. You just sat there..your brain spaced out and there was a ringing in your ears as you blanked. Around her different demons had similar reactions to the news. Akaza only looked more shocked than he ever did I'm his life. Enmu lit up with a smile. Five brothers looked wide eyed and jaw dropped. The platinum-blonde demon blinked and hummed in slight curiosity. And other demons had similar reactions ranging between shock or just blank staring. Except for the tall demon with the ponytail. He stayed absolutely still, still facing away from you.

"I know. I know." This Muzan man raised a hand with a sigh. "All of you were expecting me to banish her or perhaps make you sever any ties you may have with her but I have decided to take my wife's advice and let you all be happy. But I don't want to see anymore mistakes."

"Oh, darling." A soft hand reached to caress Muzan's cheek. "I'm so happy you're taking this so well. Now doesn't this save so much time and energy?"

He smiled almost smugly at his mischief leaning into her touch. "Yes. And everyone will be happy to know that I blessed their happy engagement."

"Well I hope they just know that they have my blessing too."

He smiled wider. "I'm sure they'll be so happy to hear that. Why don't I take you both out for dinner now that I have more spare time?"

"Oh, that's a wonderful idea."

"YYYYAAAYY!!! I wanna go to that restaurant with the giant mochi cakes!," The little girl cheered throwing up her arms.

"Hmhm. Whatever my princess wants. You all are dismissed for now. But come back here in three months time on June first. That's when Ill be holding the initiation ceremony for our new Kizuki members. However the child and your...fiance shall stay within the infinity castle to better care for the boy. Kokushibo." Said tall ponytail wearing man tilted his head at Muzan. "See to it that the necessary arrangements for their stay are made, and over see the repairs to the Tsuzumi Mansion. And most of all make sure that the five responsible for it's destruction help rebuild it. I want the job completed before next month is over."

"Understood."

"Then the rest of you are dismissed and are to go back to work immediately. Nakime, you know where I want to go."

S T R U M!!

In an instant the entire small family unit disappeared and left everyone standing there in absolute shock... before Yahaba huffed and crossed his arms.

"Well I for one have no interest in the poverty poor! You all may have the honors of having her!"

"Yyyeeahh." Susamaru agreed next to him with a bored look. "Romancing doesn't sound very fun, besides she doesn't even look strong."

''On top of that we have no time with our very important job. Nakime, if you could do us the honors of sending us to the same location as our Lord?"

STRUM!!

In a blink of an eye two more demons disappeared by the strum of the black haired demon's biwa. "I also respectfully decline the offer. I see no need to pursue."

"I understand...I will make Lord...Muzan aware of your..choices.."

"Mother?" A small hand gently poked your cheek as Rui managed to wriggle from your grasp and stand. "You look as if you're going to die. Are you alright?"

Your thousand mile stare finally slowly refocused. "Oh. Yes. I'm alright......WHAT THE F U C K JUST HAPPENED?!'' Everyone except for the ponytailed demon turned to look at you as you jumped to your feet furiously. "ONE OF YOU BETTER TELL ME I DIDN'T HEAR THAT RIGHT!! KYOGAI!!" Said demon jumped being addressed. "Tell me I was hallucinating and I heard him say it wrong!!"

"....You...and we..did not hear it wrong," he settled on saying which made your jaw drop as he slowly stood back up. "Our Master has officially arranged an engagement between you and me..'' He then looked confused and slowly looked to about everyone else. "And Kaigaku I guess?..And.. everyone else here."

You could only stare at him jaw dropped. ..No. no. NONONONONONONONO!! N. O!!! THIS COULD NOT BE HAPPENING!! YOU DIDN'T WANT TO GET MARRIED!! YOU RAN AWAY FOR THE SOLE REASON YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO BE FORCED INTO A MARRIAGE!!!....OK. GRANTED. An engagement is a lot different from a marriage and it's not like you would have to do anything anyone says. BUT YOU WERE ENGAGED TO MULTIPLE OF THESE DEMONS?! WAS THAT EVEN ALLOWED?!

"ALL OF YOU BACK OFF!! SHE WAS MY FIANCE FIRST YOU CREEP!!" Kaigaku hissed again and once again blocked Enmu whom had the most love strikken faces you'd ever seen on a man.

"Oh Y/N-CHAAAAAANNN!!"~," Enmu called out to you waving an arm, pushing against the growling Kaigaku. "My love, my begonia, my FI-AN-CCCEEEEE!!~ I can't wait for you to get me in your arms once again!!~"

"Cut it out!!"

"ENOUGH." Both struggling demons stopped and looked up at the ponytail wearing demon whom still hadn't moved from his spot but tilted his head at them. "Both of you...are causing a disgraceful...scene. I recommend you stop."

To your surprise they did stop albeit Kaigaku reluctantly removed his hands from Enmu's front with a scowl. You only shook your head and reached a hand up to rub your temples. Great. Just great! Now you went from misunderstandings to being engaged to multiple demons. How could this get any worse-...A blast of cold air hit you as a shadow blocked out the light above you. You froze as something very large towered over you and made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Ever so slowly you looked up meeting a red shirt, and continued up, up, up until you met rainbow glassy eyes. And you felt your body going rigid as a pair of sharp nail lightly touched your cheek near the ear.

"Well I must say...When I was called here I was expecting a slew of things-," he spoke in a low, cool voice that sent a shiver of creeps down your spine."-but I wasn't expecting that I would meet my future spouse.~" He felt that shiver of disgust your body gave and smiled wider, sliding those nails along your jawline until his cold knuckles pushed your head up further to face him. "Aw. Look at that. We haven't even spent our wedding night together and already you're shivering.~ I seem to have that effect on so many people.~''

THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD.

Many eyes turned and watched wide eyed as a powerful driving force began stepping over towards Douma's exposed back. Veins popped up along strong arms as fists clenched up and an fluffy pink eyelid twitched as narrowed eyes focused all his rage on one individual.

"...Are you serious?," You asked deadpanned frowning. Your blunt words caught the blonde demon off guard whom blinked and it made the demon with the long ponytail tilt his Head your direction. "This is the first time we met and you insinuate your perverted fantasies of me in front of my child?!" A small smack sound sounded as your hand made contact with his knocking it away. "How dare you?! You perverted piece of glass!!" A finger harshly poked him in the chest making him blink down at where you poked him. "Someone ought to teach you a lesson!!"

His smile temporary disappeared as he blinked curiously at your hand, and tilting his head like a puppy. As if he was unsure what to think of the action... before smiling way too wide and friendly for a normal person. "Oh I get it. You want to be courted first. After all, women love to be showered in affection and swooned." His eyes became half lidded. "I can't wait to-''

CRACK!!

Blood spattered. Talking stopped. And half of the blonde demon's head was completely gone. Behind him Akaza held his other fists was again covered in blood that dripped down his arm. You just froze again at the sight...but not being sick to the stomach at this anymore.

"She just told you she wasn't interested," Akaza spoke slowly to the frozen body standing. "Now back off before I tear-"

SHING!!

More blood gushed from Akaza's now decapitated hand as it fell to the floor with a thud leaving the pink haired demon looking slightly shocked at what happened... before he turned his head to the new figure next to him. The demon with the long ponytail. He held out a long blade that dripped red and still had his back turned towards you. Wait.. Where'd be come from?!

"Akaza," this new demon spoke lowly, "You always go too far..."

"It's alright, Lord Kokushibo," Douma's mouth spoke before with a crackling sound, his head regenerated completely and a smile was sent their way. "I don't mind in the slightest."

"It's not for your...own benefit..that I speak." With a clink noise his sword was resheathed. "He disrupts the hierarchy...which in turn gives...way to insubordination amongst...the ranks. It's unacceptable."

"...Oh. I see!," Douma spoke.

"Akaza...If you're unsatisfied with the ranks...then why not back up your...words and challenge him to a battle."

"Aw. C'mon. Cut him some slack. It wasn't that serious," Douma spoke waving a hand, "You know as well as I do that if he challenged us, he'd only embarrass himself. Look he's only angsty that's all. Probably because I became a Kizuki after him, and still got promoted before him. I'd be upset too if I were in his shoes. Don't be so hard on him. I mean besides I didn't dodge his attack on purpose. It's harmless horseplay. It's our way of nurturing our friendship. Those on top shouldn't be giving out subordinates a hard time. Don't you think-"

"Akaza," the samurai demon spoke completely ignoring what Douma said, "From here on out...you are to show some respect...Do you understand?"

"Oh I understand." Akaza stiffly looked over his shoulder at the demon heaving. "I understand that I'm going to kill you if it's the last thing I do."

"Is that so?...Then I wish you the best....Now we will get this situation settled."

"What matter is that?!," Akaza growled.

"The legal start of courtship." About everyone froze at his suggestion but he continued on. "Those who don't wish to court the human....should say so now and eliminate themselves. If you do...then present her with a courting gift. Those who do shall be...seen."

You saw the monochrome demon huff in annoyance before leaving and some woman's voice came from above.

"Like I'd do that."

Then there was silence as everyone looked at one another seeming unsure... before Kaigaku spoke up.

"I already staked my claim," he spoke firmly and pointed right at you, "That magatama around her neck is mine. She's wearing it right now showing her choice."

There was another pause as again everyone looked at one another before something came down over your head. You flinched and looked up but stopped when Akaza stared back at you. You stared as something smooth was slid along your neck and left there. Your hand immediately reached up to touch it and met smooth beads, immediately you looked down and saw one of the beaded ankles Akaza always wore gone.

"Here! Take this as a symbol of my love, Begonia!" Enmu suddenly appeared before you and held out a-

"A bottle?," Kaigaku scoffed crossing his arms, "Seriously the best you can come up with?"

"Ah. You undermine me, Deal Kaigaku. This happens to be the best fever medicine for children~," Enmu bragged with a smile on his face making Kaigaku paused as he held it up to you. "It's guaranteed to cure the boys fevers instantly.~ Just be sure be doesn't take it on an empty stomach."

You stared in awe at the bottle of medicine.. before deciding to take it. For Rui not yourself.

"I'm not about to be out done so easily! I called dibs first anyways!!"

"No you didn't, Urogi. I called dibs wwwaaayyyy before you did if she was cute and she is.~"

"H-Hey. I-I-I want to be the o-one to have her h-hand.''

You blinked and looked up as not one not two not three but FOUR of the Hantengu Brothers came rushing over towards you and you jumped as you were bombarded with trinkets from the three shoved into your arms. A long pretty feather plucked from Urogi's wing. A leaf fan summoned from no where and shoved into your hand by Karaku who was specific to say-

"Even if you flap this fan nothing will happen. It's simply a dud and just for show, just in case so ya won't get blown away.~"

Gee. How considerant. The blue eyed demon, who introduced himself as Aizetsu, timidly offered just a simple chain of dark blue rope he cut off from the thick blue rope on his shoulders. His hands were trembling as they held it out to you. But you were really surprised when the red eyed demon stood there glowering at you... before just tossing a gold ring from his jingling staff at you and turned his head quickly with a growl.

"I'm only interested in making sure a strong mate is secured into my family, and you somehow saved two of my bumbling brothers! So I should at least give something in return!! ITS NOT BECAUSE I LIKE YOU AT ALL LET'S GET THAT CLEAR!" He wouldn't tell anyone he was enticed by your pretty purple eyes or how nice you smelled or when you didn't take his shit when you gave him a deadpanned look.

"...I'll accept your apology but if you ever try taking Rui again-," you growled making him lean back. "-Is will kill you! And be nicer to your brothers!! Dammit you remind me of a headache I used to have."

"WHAT?! IM GOING OUT OF MY WAY TO BE DECENT AND YO-"

"Shush." Your soft hand pressed to his mouth. "You stress too much." You removed your hand as he just stared at you.

He sputtered. "I-...WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!"

You rolled your eyes. "Should I kiss you and make it feel better?"

"YES!!" Sekido yelled at your face angrily heart beating. You blinked as he snarled at you angrily...before Karaku snickered beside him making him pause. "...Wait a minute. I MEANT NO!! STOP MESSSING WITH MY HEAD!!"

"Aw. Do I need to kiss that better too?," You asked him raising a brow.

"I-.... RRRRRRAAAAAUUUUGGH!!! THIS IS HOPELESS!!!" He then turned and stomped off past his brothers two of which burst out laughing at his reaction.

You only sighed struggling to hold all the items given to you, only added to when Kyogai timidly offered you a drum and you noticed the one from his right shoulder missing. He looked so red when you brushed against his hand taking it from him. Although you tried to back away from Douma who just forced a...piece of ice shaped like a lotus?? Into your arms and looked pleased with himself.

"I don't think we've been introduced.~ I'm Douma and my aren't you radiant.~ I'm so glad the Master gifted me such a delicate smelling lotus flower.~," he purred making you deadpan. "Anyways. I don't think I got your name Miss??"

"Y/n." you stated flatly, "And thank you for the compliments-"

"Ah thank nothing of it." He flashed a fanged grin at you, "I know how it can be sometime meeting an Upper Moon and all that but it really is no big deal-"

"Oh you're right about that." He paused stopping, blinking wide eyed at your deadpanned face mouth agape in a smile as he processed what you had bluntly but politely stated. "You do seem REALLY nice and I really appreciate all the nice things you said to me but I'll have to stop you right there with the flirting. No offense to you of course, and I don't mean anything by it." You turned from him. "You just aren't my type. I'm sure you'll find a nice person soon tho with your looks and charms. So you might as well take back the ice."

Every. Paused. At what you just said...

Did...Douma just get..rejected? By a woman?...DOUMA?! WITH HIS GOOD LOOKS AND CHARMS AND HOW MANY WOMEN AND EVEN MEN SWOON FOR HIM?!?! Douma stood there blankly pupils small, mouth wide open still in a dumb smile, and mind reeling from being rejected so fast. This...had never happened before. No one spoke a word. There were no sounds-..Wait. There was one sound. The sound of someone chuckling amused.

"I see she....at least had..common sense. Now...if there's no one...else who will be joining then-"

FWUMP!!

You jumped as something red and black fell on your face and you blinked one uncovered eye at everyone else as some kind of cloth feeling thing fell directly on top of your head. Akaza was the one who took it off of you seeing as your arms were full and you finally got a good look at the thing, a smallish circular piece of cloth that reminded you of a headband that was mostly red but had a black vein-ish pattern to it. You all stared at it before Akaza looked up and so did you, all the way to the two people still on the ceiling. Hey. That was the skinny guy who told you to bow earlier. The man looked mortified while the woman next to him crossed her arms giving a 'are you happy now' look. You narrowed your eyes and noticed the man wore the same red garments on his arms.

"Very well....If anyone else does not have anything...to say them we are...finished here."

''Wait a moment," you spoke up arms still full and staring at the back of this man. "I didn't agree to any of this! I hardly even know more than three of you here. Surely this type of thing isn't legal." In desperation you turned to Kyogai. "Right?"

Kyogai hissed through his teeth and looked unsure. "I am...unsure at this moment. The Master has the power to engage whom he wishes-" You frowned harder at him. "B-But I can look over the laws concerning this sort of thing and get back to you on the matter!"

"Which will be...after repairs are made.." The samurai demon spoke. "For now...if all your concerns are addressed....I will show you where... you shall be staying.."

You slowly looked back to the demon, frowned, and spoke. "Yes. I do have one concern. I didn't hear you apologize."

Silence.

No one reacted at first but slowly shocked faces looked to you like you were crazy. Well everyone except for Douma who looked mildly curious at your blunt statement. The samurais stiff form did not change.

"....Of course," he finally settled on in that monotonous voice that made you feel a powerful pulse behind it. This man was obviously very powerful in some way you didn't understand. "You probably were startled...by our sudden presence....If it brings comfort....you need not fear them...nor myself-"

"I'm not scared of any demon here! Which includes you!," You spoke feeling anger bubble up from your chest, "And you apologize shouldn't be directed at me, it should be towards Akaza!"

Akaza looked like he was about to die as he paled and again everyone looked between you and the samurai.

".....I disagree....He knows better too...strike a higher ranking moon...if he wishes to insinuate a fight...then he should do so by Blood Battle..."

"I don't think you understand what I'm saying."

"Y/n," Akaza gave a small warning look which you blatantly ignored.

"I don't want you to apologize for stopping them from fighting, I want you to apologize for insulting Akaza for defending me from the blonde pervert over there." You rose your head with a look that'd put a haughty rich noble to shame. "I thought he was doing me a grand favor. Next time I would prefer him NOT to be so bloody about it-" you have Akaza a look. "-especially in front of my child, but I appreciate his efforts nonetheless."

Everyone looked at you.... before simultaneously turning their heads to the tall samurai who still didn't move. As if thinking.

"....I will...take that into consideration... however Akaza..." Said pink haired demon glared back at him. "..next time you wish...to challenge a rival...suitor...do so by proper battle...and not mindless violence...that angers Lord Muzan...Do you understand me?"

"....SURE," Akaza hissed out clenching a fist making it pop in anger. "As long as he doesn't provoke me." Douma cooed in response making him hiss back.

"ENOUGH. You two...return to your duties...as well as the rest of you..." A single hand pointed out at the five Hantengu Brothers. "You five however...remain here along with Kyogai...we have to fix..the Tsuzumi Mansion.."

"That's it? You won't apologize?"

"They were already warned."

"That's bullshit. Kaigaku defended me from Enmu's advances and you're not going to give him a lecture for Enmu being a rank higher than him?"

Kaigaku now looked pale but the samurai spoke again. "They were also warned...if it...happens again then there....will be greater consequences.."

"....I owe both Kaigaku and Akaza an apology then. THAT'S the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

"Hmm.... Normally others wouldn't talk...like that to me. ..Where does your... respect go in my presence?"

"I don't know what you mean. Respect is earnt not given. I can respect you for your difficult position but I won't just blindly give all my respect to a man who acts perverted to me upon first talking to me." You GLARED at the blonde demon. "Or those who tried to kidnap my child." You then glared at the Hantengu Brothers. "Or someone who disregards my concerns even if he does it in a respectful manner." You then glanced back to the samurai. "Going forward I hope you can show me you can get me to respect you not by intimidation, but by mutual respect."

".......... Interesting....I have never...been threatened by that ... before..."

"It's not a threat but an offer. I would like to get to know you in a respectful manner. Let's start by our names. My name is Y/n. What is yours?"

"..... Kokushibo."

"Kokushibo?...That name suits you. It sounds as powerful as you look."

He still didn't turn to you before he spoke again. "If there is nothing else...I will show you to your room."

"Sensai," Kaigaku spoke up with a serious frown, "I want to discuss something with you involving Enmu."

"..Very well...both of you...wait here with the others...The rest of you go...the human and child follows me."

You stood there for a moment before looking around you at everyone around her... before sighing deeply and starting to walk off after the tall samurai. Rui blinked before looking at Akaza.

"Good bye, Father. Come visit soon. Mother still needs to be proposed to," he spoke making the pink haired demon freeze as the pale demon scampered off after you.

Everyone slowly turned to the frozen demon.... before a hand with blue nails cooed and pinched his cheek. "Akaza.~ I didn't know you were planning on homewrecking us all.~"

"IM GOING TO MURDER YOU SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY!! GET OFF!!"

You turned your head only once seeing Akaza about to strike the blonde demon again and you turned back around continuing to follow Kokushibo across a bridge away from the platform you were all on Rui right behind you. The lay out of this place was so baffling. There was more stairs here which was connected to more halls there which was right by a giant moving building there-You blinked as a massive square pillar of rooms, doors,and windows lowly moved passed you. From inside the rooms you could see a MULTITUDE OF DEMONS. But they looked.... different....more...

Fancy.

The men looked to be adorned in beautifully hand tailored clothes, but the woman looked even MORE fancy all dolled up in the level of oirans with layers of beautifully patterned silks and jewelry and expertly applied make up dripping from their faces. But that wasn't what creeped you out.

They were all staring right at you.

All of them gave you strange, curious, or outright sneers. You gave a frown back as the building passed and you looked at Kokushibo.

"Those people were staring at me."

"When a member...of the Twelve Kizuki...is engaged to it is announced...to the other nobility here....No doubt someone..has already spread the rumors." He sighed. "This will...no doubt...cause problems I will have...to fix later. Your new placement...above them...will no doubt...anger a few..."

You stared at him wide eyed. "New placement? What on earth do you mean by that?!"

"You are now above them all...being the bride of the Kizuki...I can imagine how they will...take it. It would be best...to just keep to yourself..until I get this ....sorted. However do not be... alarmed... nothing shall happen to you...it would be stupid to...try anything to...a bride of more than one... Kizuki."

"Oh well thank goodness for that." You frowned. "I was hoping I'd get chased by women in so many layers of silk they'd trip and make me die laughing .And men so full of hot air that they'd use that hot air of there's to cook me alive. I always wanted to be bored to death by rich people talking about how much better they are because they use gold coins to wipe the gold nuggets they s-...?!"

You suddenly stopped just in time to not run into Kokushibo who stopped. "Do you... always show such disrespect?"

"I show what respect is shown me. If someone thinks they're better simply based on money then they have more problems then just getting my 'disrespect'." You frowned.

"... Interesting....What would you say would...make someone better?"

"I don't think anyone is better than anyone else unless they chose to be a bad person." You rose a brow. Why was he asking you this? "I don't think I'm better than you or Rui or anyone else because I'm human. Just like I don't believe Akaza believes he's better than humans because he happens to be a powerful demon. It's not that simple either however."

"..... Explain...."

"I just said it's not easy to explain. You may have a higher position than someone like the other Kizuki or any other person but I would still treat you as an equal and with respect as long as I see you treating others with the same respect and equality. If you believe something like strength or wealth makes you better then that's your own flaw." What would be a good way to explain this in a way A demon could understand A human? "...A painter may not have the strength of a blacksmith but that doesn't mean they both can't create beautiful masterpieces. A florist may not know how to till the land like a farmer but that doesn't mean they can't grow beautiful plants. A teacher may not be able to win against the strength of a sumo wrestler but that doesn't mean their different skills makes one more important than the other.," You explained making Rui look up in awe at you and the man tilt his head in your direction. Not turning fully around, but enough to know he acknowledged you're talking. "You can lose skills, you can gain skills. There's always going to be people that do things better than you, and there's always going to be people that do things way worse than you. But that shouldn't define the worth of a person. Whether it be a man, woman, child, or even a demon."

The head turned more and you could make out a mouth turned sideways but the long bangs blocked out the sight of the rest of his face. "Then...how do you...define...who is a good person?"

"That isn't as simple either."

"What do you mean?"

"Some people are just good. Some people are just bad....But a lot of times it's subjective to different people. Good people can do bad things especially if they think what they're doing justifies the greater good. Bad people can do good things if they want to, whether that's because they still have some kindness or because it's to get what they want I can't say. ...But most people I believe aren't inheritantly bad or good. Most fall in a place between." You winced pulling the things in your arms closer to yourself when you thought about the bad things you did. "I know I've done bad things. I've lied just to get away from a bad situation and I probably left a lot of people in trouble and angry at me. I got a friend of mine in trouble for convincing her to sneak out with me recently...I'm not really proud of it, but I won't deny what I did was wrong. That'll only make it worse."

"Then....What traits do you...use to judge others...if you yourself..have done wrong?," The mouth spoke to you.

You blinked surprised at all the sudden questions from Kokushibo but it was a nice change of pace from what he said earlier. "Well...Firstly Id admit what I did was wrong and not deny it. Secondly, I would judge someone else by what makes up that person." You gestured at him. "Their actions, their words, their morals, their personalities, and how they apply all of those things when interacting with me or anyone else. I'd also think about their point of view if I thought it would help me know how or why they would treat someone in a way."

There was silence afterwards for a long, long moment. You could feel him looking directly at you from behind the bangs calculating, as he was trying to figure out how he felt about what you just said to him.

"Hydrangea."

You blinked. What did he say?"What?"

"Your scent has changed to...that of a hydrangea flower... suddenly....Hmm....Rather strange...for a human."

"I know," you said with a nod acknowledging what he said. "You wouldn't be the first one to say that..." Your head tilted and you could feel he was watching your every move carefully.

However he turned his head back around and continued walking. "Come...I have much work to do."

You all began to walk again and you fell quiet as he lead you past other confusing layouts. Every so often you'd see more demons in rooms, most of those demons were dressed fancily and carried an aura off 'I definitely think I'm better than you'. But most of the demons you saw here and there were servants of all kinds. There was a man serving food to what looked like a wealthy blue skinned demon couple. A maid sweeping the floor of a hallway you both walked through but bowed as soon as she saw Kokushibo. Another maid was polishing a nother hallway UPSIDE DOWN directly above you as you all walked by and you gazed up in awe at her. Not even the literally bucket of water was spilling as she continued working. You all didn't stop until you all rounded a corner...and you stopped at what you saw.

Darkness.

Everything was much darker than before but a blue hue of light gently lit up the giant thing before you. It was a mansion-...No. Not a mansion. IT WAS A BLOODY PALACE!! A giant palace like building stood before you smack dab in the middle of a glowing blue lake filled to o the brim with lilypads and lotus blooms floating in the water. Docks darted all around the water leading too and from the building in the center. The building itself must've been at least four stories tall with pure white walls and darkened tiled roofs, it was even bigger than the tall buildings in the Red Light District. Rui also looked around in awe before pointing.

"What's that building for?"

"It is the home...for the families...of the Kizuki...so far you...are the only one...who is living here. The other Kizuki... currently have no other...family that would..live here."

"Mother," Rui said tugging on your kimono. "We'll have this entire place to ourselves."

"Not entirely...This is also...the home of the Kizuki whenever...they stay within the Infinity Castle. Come...I'll escort you...To the doors."

You still followed him across the docks towards the palace gazing down into the glowing blue water. Inside swam-

"Look, Mother. There's koi fish in the water," Rui said pointing out the many beautiful fish swimming in the water.

They shimmered in the light and seemed like beautiful ghosts in the heavens. They also reminded you of Eri's fiance. You just continued to follow Kokushibo across this maze of docks until you reached the giant double doors and stopped. Looking up the shadow of the building loomed over you seeming threatening. Not as quant or as comforting as Kyogai's mansion. You just stood there until the door creaked open making you flinch and an older man in fancy looking black silk robes and a...too big smile on his face and at least one giant eye green blinking right at you.

"Lord Kokushibo, we've been expecting you!," He spoke in a fancy nasally way as he bowed making you cringe at the sound of his skeezy, spoiled voice. "And this must be the Lady we've all heard about.~ Such lovely eyes.~ " You couldn't help but grimace at the words he spoke making your dislike clear, but if he did see it he ignored it. "Will you be coming in to inspect the magnificent Kizuki Dwell? Or maybe you'd like some tea before you leave?~"

"No....I must be on my way...You will be able to care for them?"

"Oh absolutely! Lest my head he lobed off my Lord Akaza."

"Then I'll leave you with him." He again turned his head towards you. "This is...there I leave you....If there is anything else....you request please let me..know." he then turned to the left leaving you to stare at his back again.

"Wait!" You shouted and would've held a hand up if you weren't carrying so many things, and he instantly paused. "I don't want or need anything materialistic from you, but I would like to request you to do one thing and it'll only be this once."

"Name it."

"I want to see your face. Especially your eyes."

The skeezy demon only blinked in confusion and intrigue as he looked between the two of you. Kokushibo remained cold, calm, still. Not responding or saying anything at all. You thought maybe perhaps you offended him for a moment before a small footsteps sounded out and the large body slowly turned. Slowly, slowly, slowly. You saw the side of his face. Silently, silently, silently. His whole front chest stood before you. You looked up at his face.

Six eyes stared back at you.

Red sclera. Yellow irises. And the symbols of Upper Moon One printed right across the middle of pair as all six stared directly at you veins similar to Akaza's sprouted all over the sclera. On the upper left of his face and lower right of his chin had strange flame looking markings you hadn't seen any other demon have and his face was framed by long reddish-black bangs. Power. Lots of it. All of that radiated from him...but there was something almost...human about it underneath it all. He remained silent in your silence..

".... You're different from all the others." He visibly stiffened at your words. "Your structure is beautiful that way."

He stopped fully just ... looking at you yellow irises expanding wider.

You smiled. "Just by looking at you, you're very powerful. I guess that's why you're the top Kizuki." You then bowed. "Thank you for honoring my request. I think our first impressions have gone well."

He continued to silently stared at her bow as if shocked... before relaxing and feeling one pulse from his chest to make a choice. ".....Three weeks."

You blinked looking back up. "Pardon?"

"Three weeks...Give me that time...and I will make proper arrangements...for me to start courting you properly." You stood there stunned as did Rui when a hand grabbed your own and lifted it up slowly shifting the objects in your arms until he held it up high near his face before bowing and pressing his forehead to your knuckles eyes closed as you stared at him wide eyed. "I will speak with..Lord Muzan about permanenting our... arrangements....In mean time..wait here." He slowly lowered your hand back and slowly releasing it. You stood frozen still as he wondered something first. ...And a hand gently grabbed your chin tilting it up to make your eyes meet his. "I have nothing to give...as a proper gift...but this should... suffice...for now..."

You still remained frozen as he leaned forward.

As he closed the distance.

As he almost touched your face.

As Rui peered around. And his eyes went wide. And he pointed. "Look, Mother! Father's here!"

"UPPER MOON ONE. I CHALLENGE YOU FOR THE RIGHT TO HER AFFECTIONS!!"

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popculturebuffet · 5 months

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Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Retrospective: Rememberance Day (Issues 12-16) (Patreon review for Brotoman.Exe)

Hello all you happy autobots! And welcome back to my long retrospective of Transformers More than Meets The Eye: The greatest comic about robuts in the known universe.

After a long road, a beetle themed detour and tons of tie ins, one shots and other needed stuff, we're FINALLY almost at the end of Season 1 and to help speed things along, Brotoman gave me some extra money to get through Dark Cybertron. That also means we have a pretty baked in schedule through april so here it is: After this review i'll be covering Remain in Light, the season 1 finale, next week. January is a recap of MTMTE's sister series Robot's in disguise. I volunteered for this one as I felt with Dark Cybertron relying heavily on RiD's history, I should reaquaint myself with it.

We'll then take another break for a Fizzarolli retrospective in Feburary, and then begin dark cybertron in may, with the plan to have it in two or three parts. After that barring any other side trips or what not, it's SEASON 2 BABY, the series best. It also means easing up a bit on the sidetrips: there's still two whole minis to go into and a christmas special but both are shorter and with our two issue schedule the pacing won't be as nettled.

As for the present these two arcs represent MTMTE hitting it's stride: The books always been good and these reviews have been almost two years of gushing. I have ocasional gripes but overal the series is just pure excellence. This is simply the best of the best: all the character and plot setup for the season paying off in the most awesome, heartbreaking and horrifying ways possible. These arcs are great, but I dreaded getting to them as they will rip your heart out of your chest guaranteed.

See while John Roberts built up an impressive cast of characters, almost all from characters' whose history before this could best be described "That one guy over there in the background" or "That transfomer you got at a yard sale that was a bitch to identify", he wasn't afraid to say goodbye to his creations, even the main characters, and got that this story.. needed life and death stakes.

It's how death SHOULD be handled in comic books: not a publicity stunt done half assed and undone in months, not a massacre to "raise stakes", simply when the story calls for someone to die.

So the question to those of you who haven't read it is simple: who dies tonight? Well i'll tell ya'll under the cut.

Before and After

Admitely these first two issues are less an arc and more two more standalones. As usual for MTMTE these are ripe for setup and Before and After feels like an out and out prelude to Reemergence Day, so the bundling fits.

Before and After has a unique structure, flashing both to the Autobots preparing for a strike on a Decepticon fortress on Sensenica. It's the first real Autbots Vs Decepticon battle we've seen: while there was one in Ratchet's arc, it was more a smokescreen for Pharma and Fort Max took them down quickly and messily.

Here it's an actual battle: a bunch of decepticons who shall remain nameless and largely unimportant to the overall scheme of things have been bleeding organic's dry for energy, so our heroes go down to stop it. For the sake of clarity i'm not going ot be covering the issue as structured as it's a lot.

The good news: our heroes are able to take the fortress, free the organics, save the day. The bad.. is there is a lot of injuries in the process, and that's the real intresting part of this issue: while the battle is neat, I often forget it and it really just kinda comes and goes: what's important.. is the after effect: Swerve, Rewind and Cyclonus were all horribly injured and we don't find out why till the tailend of the issue for the latter two.

For swerve.. he shot himself in the face while trying to figure out his gun while Chromedone and SKids fought a giant dinosaur. This guy is snapdragon and yes I looked him up on the grounds he fought two characters while transformed and apparently bathes in the blood of his enemies when he can't find sludge as he has a senstive butt.

So while this goes on it's down to Rewind and Tailgate. Tailgate is, allegedlys, a bomb disposal expert, and thus has to take out a bomb hooked to the organics with Rewind's help. Also of note is that Rewind and Chromedome are fighting.

Rewind is PISSSEEED Chromedome keeps hacking heads, while Chromedome is mad Rewind won't stay out of action. So naturally it's the perfect time for Rewind to go boom as the two little guys simply can't stop it. Rewind stays to mitigate the blast... and Cyclonus tosses Tailgate out taking the blast himself.

The prognosis for both.. isn't good. Rewind is a tiny bot.. and that means it's harder for him to bounce back from this, with Red Alert floating his Spark Jumping idea from his intro arc, a nice call back I honestly forgot about. Of course it'd crop up again and naturally, Chromedome is a spark type match for Rewind.

While Chromedome recovers from it as the process.. isn't exactly plesant. So while he recovers he talks to Tailgate. Chromedome admits when he's told Cyclonus still survivied that it's a shame... though what I like is when Tailgate asks him fi he really meant that.. he admits it.. but also admits he shouldn't of said it to Tailgate and apologizes, admitting thigns are just stressful. Tailgate calls rewind Chromedome's best friend

That flub aside, Chromedome admits that he's not #1 in his boyfriend's heart.. there's someone else, just above him.

So we get Rewind's backstory which as usual is important for later: Rewind was a member of what was called at the time "The disposable class". There aren't many left and it's easy to see why as the disposables were basically slaves, with Chromedome flat out admitting that's what they'd call them now. It makes him one of the oldest and is why he has a memory stick of all alt modes: he was made for just one purpose and that purpose was being a comically large usb drive.

This changed when Rewind met Dominus Ambus, Scientest, Doctor, Author Explorer and that one ex of your partners you can never live up to. Tailgate for his part says he hates the guy. That's a good friend tailgate.

Anyways Ambus used Rewind as a memory drive but treated him kindly, giving him premium energon instead of the cheap stuff and realizing in the process that the disposables were just autbots and just as sentient as any other, and started campaiging for their rights. He seemed to succeed but trying to find a cure for Cybercocis he and Rewind left to find Luna 1, Cybertron's missing moon because like any missing thing of legend, you just gotta assume it has the cure for anything.

They failed, and what's worse they came back to a planet at war. All hell had broken loose and the two underwent the right of the autobrand.

So cut to years later in the war and Chromedome, already not having the best mental health for his years in psi ops and other traumas, has decided to unalive himself. Which is harder than it sounds for a transformer: their bodies are built to be nigh on indestructable and Chromedome can't really try sucicide by comabat as it'd put others in whatever unit he was in at risk. So instead he went to a relinquishment clinic, with what clinics left offering assisted suicide.

This ends up saving Chromedomes life as he hears a scream.. and it turns out to be Rewind who was checking the bodies. And that, dear readers is the main reason Rewind's on the lost light, the reason for the snuff film footage he got earlier: he's been looking for Dominus anywhere there's bodies in hopes of getting closure with Chromedome along for the ride. Dome assumes that's why he goes into battle.. but Tailgate has a more optimstic take: Rewind loves him and simply wants to be there to support him.

Either way things aren't looking good as it turns out chromedome's spark has a low yield. As he stated earlier he was born dry and thus dosen't hae a lot of ennermost energon. Ennermost energon is a brilliant concept: it's the energon closest to a bot's casing, their essence. Being robots, Cybertronians naturally run into a ship of thesus paradox oftne with most of their original parts long gone. The innermost energon is the part of them that's always there, the one part that, along with the spark itself, will always be then

So as a gesture of love when someone is dying, possibly may survivie may likely not, a bot puts a portion by them. Tailgate hearing this.. decides to do the same for Cyclonus. This being Cyclonus he's not only not quite dead, but an asshole about it, saying he dosen't care about tailgate they don't have a bond, etc... but in a touching moment instead of keeping up his abuse of the poor guy after smashing the jar.. he goes to help him pick it up. Despite trying to distance himself, despite trying to push Tailgate away.. they have a bond. And he can't deny that.. I mean he will, it's Cyclonus, he has the emotoinal maturity of a very angry stump, but he's at least TRYING to not be as closed off.

As for Chromedome he's not doin so hot and in his lowest moment a mysterious voice says something VERY prowl like: the decpitcons are still a threat and this proves it and there's something Chromedome can do to help. He wants to show him something in the basement.

Thankfully Rewind's alive, and of all people it was whirl who donated.. and whose uncharcatristically nice. It's almost as if he's hiding something and.. yup as we find out in the final pages turns out he locked the door to attempted murder cyclonus and Rewind got caught in it.

Cybertronian Homesick Blues

CHB is a fun issue, what SEEMS to just be some fun shenanigans and an excuse to make human forms for the cast.

So Mags is wound tighter than usual, having thrown several people, Swereve included in the brig for general nonsense.. which as Rodimus notes is all kinds of fucked up. I mean it'd usually just be two or three kinds, but they have dangerous criminals down there now along with Fort Max, who is dangerous but isn't out to hurt anybody anymore, so he's not exactly going to prison shank anyone.

Rodimus can see a problem coming and decides to help: the Lost Light's approaching Hedonia, a vacation planet ala Risa from Star Trek, but saying the quiet part loud. He asks Swerve to take him to relax, threatning the bar if he dosen't, and Swerve to his credit genuinely tries to bond with Ultra Magnus, bringing most of his close friends to help with the task: Rewind, Rung, Skids, Tailgate and Whirl. Whirl isn't exactly a close friend but you try telling Whirl he can't come and see how many limbs you have left.

Due to anti robot prejudice , our heroes can't enter EVERY section so they set up Holomatter Avatars to go into those sections and drink it up, having disabled Mags DiD chip. Said chip keeps fuel from hitting transformers at full impact, i.e. keeping them from getting plastered unless they WANT to get plastered.

Naturally as you can imagine Mags is going through something and is thus a pretty depressed/angry drunk and has a full on breakdown

It's very obvious that Ultra Magnus.. is having a crisis of faith. His whole point is to be unflinching unchanging and as seen in the Annual the idea of NOT being that is propsterous to him.. and now we see that even with his acceptance in that story.. ti's not easy. Change.. often involves a lot of backsliding first. Personal growth is not easy, take it from me, so naturally the idea of being more than the tight ass he's SUPPOSED to be is tearing the poor bot apart. He also takes it out on swerve saying people like him because he's funny and that he's shirking his responsibliteis iwth the bar plan, not beliving Swerve's half hearted defense of it... causing the little guy to open up.

It's a deeply painful sentence.. and one that's all too damn relatable. I often feel this way wondering if people like me for anlysizing shit and being mildly amusing or for me.

MOst of the rest of the issue is holomatter hyjinks, as our heroes are forced to cary Magnus, who accidently drank something REALLY strong across a human section in their disguises. The disguises.. are really neat, with special note to Tailgate as a baby, Rung's neat hat, Whirl as a murder child and my faviorite, Magnus.. using Verity's likeness. A nice little nod, make sme hope the two do actually meet again.

At any rate our heroes succeed, but we have some important story stuff before we move on to the main event: first I forgot how the story really started.. with Drift busting in to stop Cyclonus from.. singing. Turns out no one was in danger, it was just ancient cybertronian and beautiful, with Rewind recording it.. only to be hastily shouted to get out.

While this seems lke Standard cyclonus.. he was covering. Turns out Tailgate's stories about being in the primal vanguard, being important, all his big puffed up stories are a lie. He wasn't even bomb disposal, he's WASTE disposal, he was just able to bluff himself through the bomb just enough. It's all a lie. Yet it wasn't to feel special or anything.. it's for much more tragic, entirely understandable reasons.

It's a painful moment.. and an understandable one. He should've been found easily.. but got lost for CENTURIES.. and no one cared. No one noticed. It's not hard to see why the little guy didn't want to admit that. While cyclonus is right Tailgate can't keep lying forever.. he sees why he started it and sees that Tailgate might be the ONLY person who understands his pain, the only person who knows what it's like to wake up in a world that just left you behind and dosen't seem to have a place for you. So he teaches Tailgate how to sing cybertronian.

And from that heartwearming moment.. more depression as this issue was Swerve trying to commuincate with Blur.. only it turns out like Tailgate that was a lie. The two never knew each other, swerve only met him once with a plan and the bar is sipmly.. trying to fill the space with something. He also offers Ultra Mags to be roomy.. but Mags coldly shoots him down, saying their not friends. It's a pretty solemn ending to what SEEMED to be a wacky one off... and it's only going to get worse from here.

Rememberance Day:

We begin wtih the story of Overlord's birth. Two hapless minors find his, call it in and their superior calls for someone to come down. That someone is Three of Twelve, one of the functionist council, a loose council that preached functionism, aka alt mode dictates class, the kind of prick Dominus Ambus was rallying against. These guys will be important next season but for now he's just here to point out how important that is, give the guy who called it in an award and tell the miners they have 6 hours to live from the radation.

Overlord is a point one percenter. A point one percenter is a green spark found in the tiniest fraction of the cybertronian population. Said sparks are treasured and their wielders are often the toughest, most nigh unstoppable bots out there. It's why Overlord is such a juggernaught and why it took so much to bring him down on Garrus 9, as well as a retroactive reason why the deceiptcons he had under his boot didn't just revolt. Other phase sixers for scale include Fortress Maximus, Ultra Magnus, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Scorponok, Shockwave, Tarn, Roller and of course, He, Grimlock, with Megatron weaponziing this fact, hence why so much of this list is purple.

We then cut to the finale of Last Stand of the Wreckers, just before overlord went boom.. and find an univitied guest; Chromedome. Turns out he's been going into Overlord's mind looking for something, and makes the fatal mistake of telling him about it, mostly becaues he needs to rummage. Overlord is a Phase Sixer, what Megatron would call in to finish off a planet along with most of those guys mentioned. As a result the only person whose really easlily pummled overlord.. is Megatron himself.

After a few more cups of punch to the face we find what Chromedome's after: the memory of Overlord's true birth. He was put in Megatron's fucked up super solider program, using a very unstable very rare Ununtrium, the same stuff used to make Sixshot. While Rossum, the tech and likely the person responsible for naming Rossum's trinity, pumps him full of goo. Megatron isn't AS suicidal as he sounds doing this sort of supervillian origin story, having had SHockwave throw in a killswitch. Overlord awakens.. and takes after his new dad, smashing Rossum's head as his first act of new life.

This seems to be the end: Rossum warned during the procedure the heat could kill him and the substance itself could kill Megatron: While he's currently assumed dead by the crew, Chromedome is sure he'll come back.. and is right as he returned towards the end of RiD season 1 and plays a key part in both Dark Cybertron and this series from Season 2 onward.

Then.. things take a turn. Overlord remembers where he met Chromedome before: the New Institute. Turns out Chromedome was a brainwasher, with Zeta Prime redubbing the insittute.. but not really changing it and using it for the same brainwashing. Overlord broke in in the early days of the decepticons and stole Trepan, who we met in Shadowplay.

And that theft is WHY Overlord now has taken control of the situation and is going into Chromedome's memories instead: turns out Overlord tried to dabble in mnemosurgery, thinking he could use it against shockwave and undue the killswitches. Megatron isn't stupid though and the second he got wind of what was going on killed Trepan. So while Overlord can't hack int oa mind, he learned enough to take it over, not helped by the fact that Chromedome is scared shitless of the guy , as anyone would be and despite his attempts to hide it, overlord easily picked it up.

So we instead go back to the day of loading.. and a conversation we hadn't seen. In a twist i'd honestly forgot but is entirley brilliant.. Prowl had already MET with Chromedome... and it was about Overlord. As for why he's in tact, Bumblebee has mercy and didn't want to abuse POW's, so he rebuilt the body.

Prowl's intrest is in making their OWN phase sixers: while most Autobots, Chromedome included, assumed they were just freak accidents of nature, Prowl is right about something for once: there's so many that are decipticon, WHY is that. So he wants to find out why, and wnats Chromedome to do it despite being a MASSIVE risk.

Chromedome, as you'd expect tells Prowl to go fuck himself in the poltest manner possible: the war's over, this really isn't necessary, and Rewind really woudlnt' want him doing this. Prowl then enters peak dickhead.. and for once actually suffers for it.

It's a horrible act that has legit consequences over in RID, leaving Prowl free to be brainwashed. Yet.. it's hard to feel too bad as Prowl was trying to blackmail his ex to do something highly shady and ENTIRELY not approved by the rest of Autobot High Command, something that would've likely destroyed Cromedome's relationship anyway. So it's a bad act.. but it's on a deserving victim and seeing Prowl crying no as he's abotu to be brainjacked is just.. so satisfying.

We then finally get the face behind this conspiracy: Drift. The last person you'd expect as he takes Chromedome to talk to Brainstorm. Brainstorm made the cell and is in on it.. but unlike Drift knows what a stupid idea this was, calling it project: total insanity and project :end in tears. Both accurate. The only people who know about this , as far as Drift says, are in this room as Shock and Ore did the loading but as we know both died horribly. Drift is the one who suggested the idea nd brings up the slow cell, Overlord's prison that slows down time for the user.. and that despite his best efforts to stop it, Chromedome's memory shows Overlord how to unlock.

Overlord locks Chromedome in and since, as Overlord figures out, Chromedome did this without anyone else knowing, Overlord now has a lead to go kill people. As he chillingly puts it "Run as fast as you can Chromedome, your already too late".

Under Cold Blue Stars:

Before we get to the tragedy above.. we have to get to the tragedy bellow: Chromedome escapes.. but thanks to the slow field it's been half an hour... and what he finds...

Yeah our heroes.. aren't doing so good. It's something that, despite reading this comic twice before this... had never registered; Overlord.. is strong enough to take on the ENTIRE lost light and WIN. It's taking EVERYONE they have just to hold him BACK. It does make perfect sense: not only is overlord a literal monster, able to tank hits he's spent his career wiping out planets and autobots and his last experince before this was months as the horrifiying dark god of his own planet, most of which was a game of "how many ways can I have my minons creatively murder and torture autobots?". Our heroes, despite their ragtag nature on paper, are GOOD, but their in tight quarters trying not to hit each other while overlord would gladly use one of them to smash through the others omniman style if he had a way to. He wants to kill EVERY , LAST, BOT simply as a warmup. He COULD leave to go find megatron, maybe by killing everyone on cybertron and using the bodies to spell out "HI DAD". But he just can't resisit the torture it'd put chromedome through. He's a sadist... while his main motive may be

He has hobbies.

So you may say to yourself: well, how did we get here, so we go back 30 minutes to the start of this rampage. We see Pipes again, who I honestly forgot existed and whose asking blaster if commuincations are back with Cybertron yet, and since Pipes intended recipient is a friend of Blasters, Blaster goes ahead and forwards it while Whirl, whose naturally there to blow shit up, mocks him.

I didn't think much of this... till Pipes runs into someone.. overlord, who gladly squishes him under his boots with Pipes getting a fairly effective and horrifying death: bleeding out, scrunched to hell.. he uses what little spark he has left for one last push to do the one thing he CAN do to warn everyone else

It makes me tear up.. and again, I FORGOT THIS GUY EXISTED. Roberts is just that good a writer, taking a character whose last major part in things was back in issues 3 and 4 and then NOTHING, and making you feel gutted the poor guy is dead... using what he had left to warn everybody.

So we then rewind again to where everyone was when the emergency alarm went off:

We start naturally with Rewind, whose worried about Chromedome and came to Brainstorm's lab to talk to him. Swerve's just here to accidently activate a meta bomb that gives him forth wall powers. Or make him thinks he has them, like with Deadpool it's left vauge. Rewind is wondering where his boyfriend is and is suspcious of Brainstorm since CHromey keeps saying Brainstorm's name.. though not in a sexy way but in a screaming it as he wakes up way. Brainstorm for his part, while very good at subterfuge to a point. .blabs about a secret project, wtih Swerve distracting them before the alarm goes off.

Rodimus is having Perciptor, the less fun genius aboard look at the map to the knights of cybertron and after having him dumb it down a few shades we get to the point: the thing can't be copied. This setup with the finale is interupted and we go to Rung, whose gone to Visit Fort Max. Max invited him down.. to apologize, planning to give a speech but realizing that was more for him and admitting the shock, waking up after garrus 9, he was in bad shape and genuinely asks if Rung can forgive him. And Rung.. instantly does. Not only has Rung been around for eons.. but he's a therapist. He spent the whole hostage situation trying to talk max down best he could. He can forgive.

Finally we have Skids wondering why Cyclonus is on the warpath.. thankfully JUST a metaphor, otherwise there'd be more than two corpses today, but he's mad Tailgate is hosting movie night at their place.

We end this catchup with Ratchet, whose pissed off Rodimus is being caviler about this, both because these don't go off for some reason.. and he made a joke about Ratchet's hands. Come on rodders.. that's way too easy. You can do better.

Drift is out and about to investigate.. and happens to benearbye as both bots see Overlord. We also get a really nice moment of bonding with the two, showing tha tbeneath their constant bickering.. they care about each other. More over time but we'll get to that. When Drift tries to get Ratchet to barricade himself in.. he refuses. He'll lock down the clinic.. but they fight and if needed die together. Ratchet calls Rodimus to get EVERYONE down there and tells him if he dosen't make it.. tell first aid he's ready and tell all his patients they'll have to make new apointments.

Thankfully one of the best characters in this comic dosen't go down swinging as everyone arrives to throw down. They do their best, but naturally their best bet is the only other .1%er they have... Magnus. And while he SEEMS to do well, pounding Overlord's face in as he heavily regrets not being there on G9 when everything went to shit.. only for that classic reveal that always means your fucked.

IT's a shocking, horrific moment as one of the main cast, one of their leaders and seemingly their best hope.. is down. Magnus hoped to make up for Garrus 9.

It's also why I feel last stand is necessary to read these books after this read througH: while you CAN without it, Overlord's appearnce just dosen't have the same impact till AFTER this.. and just how badly Magnus falls here dosen't. After feeling he was slipping more and more.. he once again fails.. this time in a way he simply can't cope with. And the consequences.. will not be great.

And not suprisingly "Sword through the chest" seems incuriable: his spark is detaached and while First Aid can slow it down.. he can't stop it, and while everyone else is trying their best.. they can't do much. So drift has Swerve give him the com to call for backup.. the one person whose NOT here.

So just as Overlord has Rodimus by the throat he makes the mistake of asking for last words.. as the natural "Till All Are One" you'd expect... sends him panicking .. and leaves him wide open for..

God that felt good. It's not remotely over though as we find out why Fort Max had this opening: turns out Domey , while recklessly charging into a known mass murderer's brain, was still JUST smart enough to leave a trigger in there in case Overlord got out, something that would make him feel he was loosing which , since Overlord is deathly afraid of defeat, would send him spiraling. And in one of the best uses of a gag as a chekov's gun i've seen, only topped by something in next season's finale, he made it till all are one because Rodimus won't stop saying it.

As Rewind lays in shock,w ondering what the helld omey's been up to, Chromedome inacts plan b, asking Fort Max to drag overlord over yonder back to his cell. While Prowl is many things, most of them varations of rat bastard motherfucker, he IS prepared and made Overlord's cell detachable for if, or if your smart like Brainstorm WHEN this stupid plan backfired. Problem is there's a sword jammed in the way of the hatch... someone has to go pull it out.. and rewind is small enoguh, brave enough, and sad enough to pull it off, saying a tearful goodbye to cromedome as the pod detaches. To make matters even worse... Cromedome then has to blow the fucker up as he'd rather not leave the love of his life who was just about to leave him anyway with a sadistic murderer. And all that's left.. is

IT's one of the saddest moment sin the whole comic, and trust me there will be more and one of the best character death's i've seen. A big as screwup as bringing overlord aboard, a bigger one of him getting out.. it needed weight. LIke I said, Roberts knows it's best to kill a character when it's NECESSARy.. and Rewind going out lik ea hero sacrifcing himself so his friends and lover can escape, sadly bidding farewell knowing he's about to go through hell? It's a lot. It's a perfect sendoff to a great character, and a truly painful moment. Also if your wondering about the blood, Rewind took Chromedome's arm along with his heart.

The Gloaming

The gloaming starts with foreshadowing for the next arc: we see a bunch of ops with Ultra Magnus from the war.. but two things are off. The first is that he looks slightly diffrent each time.. and the second is he looks very dead at the end of each one.

This will make sense later but for now we're in the aftermath of overlord's attack: Drift is being repaired, and Ratchet is TRYING to repair mags.. but it dosen't look good. Using a death clock, a device that predicts how long a bot has left, he only has ten days at best and poor Tailgate breaks down over how unfair it all is: one friend is dead, another close to it...

And there aren't easy answers for everyone else either: Chromedome responds a little to Skids but it's very clear he's not remotely okay, while Rodimus has torn up his office. Rung tries to help.. but he's held back by the fact he dosen't know why Rodimus is REALLY upset: Rodimus thinks it's magnus, Rung thinks it's because he lost.. which is a good guess.. but it's not the right one. We'll find out why next time but for now with Rodimus launching an investigation into the incident.. he and Drift need to have a talk.

After that we get the funeral: Rodimus gives a wonderful speech as he's returned to the stars spock style pointing out how EVERYONE he met was better for having known him. Except Prowl, nothing can make that guy better> it's a sweet earnest speech.. which makes it odd that Rewind's actual partner.. can barely say a sentence.

Brainstorm notices.. and goes to confront dome. Not about the speech, most bots would likely chuck that up to bottling up his grief. But it turns out these two go back a ways.. and as a result we find out just WHY Chromedome has so little innermost energon and I really wish I could share the full scene as it's powerful and shows a more emotional side of the usually flippant Brainstorm we haven't seen till now: He knows what Chromedome's abotu to do and to prove it rattles off a bunch of names. All ones Chromedome dosen't recognize.. because they were all former Conjux Endura's. And after they died he wiped his memory of them to not deal with the pain. It's a hard reveal, and a well done one and throughly proves Rewind right about mnemosurgery being an addiction for him: After all grief is hard, loosing someone even harder.. if you had the option to just make that pain temporary it'd be incredibly tempting, near impossible to turn down. You loose the person.. but you also loose the knife in your gut every time you think of them and realize their gone. Sure you could say "Well i'd want to rmemeber them i'd want the pain" and the strongest among us probably could turn that down.. but it's harder when you have that option. It's why i'ts such a comeplling hook here and why the next part hurts so damn much

It fleshes out their friendship and Brainstorm a lot: he's had to watch his friend erase those he loved again, and again and again, tried and failed to talk him out of it time and again. All because he KNOWS what it's like to loose someone.. and that while the pain never goes away, it's better to have them with you. We'll get into how he knows that pain next time. For now the slug is the only reason history may not repeat itself.

So we get two scenes intercut: One is Rodimus before the rest of the crew.. as Drift takes full responsiblity for what happened and is stripped of his autobrand, banished and boo. It's a loss that hit harder this time as i'd gotten more attached to the guy, seen him nearly sacrifice himself, his deep faith, his argument flirting with ratchet.. it's hard to see him go even if he damn well deserves it after all this cost. There's no.. joy in this.. no catharsis. he screwed up, sure.. but it dosen't bring Rewind or Pipes back. It dosen't undue the pain and grief everyone has or fix anything. It's simply assining blame. I'm not saying Drift or a certain someone else we'll get to next time shoudln't be held acountable, but it dosen't make it easy to see him go.. or see Ratchet be the only one to comfort him showing that despite arguging constantly.. they ultimately were close as anyone could be. With this... Rodimus is alone, his command staff gone and it's not going to be easier to wear the crown going into the finale.

The other is a touching moment I can't really share in full here, two page spread and all, btu Rewind pieced together a message for Chromedome, knowing what he'd do if he was gone. He begs his partner to go on without him, that injecting will kill him.. and that he deserves to be happy. The New Institute isn't him anymore. And as one last note because he dosen't say it enough

It's a scene that's now become one of my faviorite: while it's hard to follow because of the various footage, when you put it all together.. it's a message of courage. Despite the guilt, despite the pain, despite al lthey went through.. rewind loved chromedome, as he was, for who he was.. and wants him to stay that way. To keep him with him. And so .. Chromedome , for the first time, sheethes his claws.. and chooses to live with the pain.

We then end on a cliffhanger: Ultra Magnus.. is missing. Someone stole him, he's just gone.. and if that wasn't enough.. Tailgate goes under the death clock light.. and dosen't have much time left.

If it wasn't obvious by now I love these issues: their heartbreaking, well done and read even better this time around: It's a tragic loss that's expertly crafted, and used entirely to push the characters forward, to really push them with one forced to leave, one seemingly kidnapped and one facing his own crippling issues.. .and finding the courage to live

Next Time: We finish season 1! If you thoguht things coudln't get worse for the lost light.. your wrong as they face an attempted genocide , a character we've seen named a lot but not actually met till now, an old foe and a cool as hell new one. Until then thanks for reading

#transformers #transformers more than meets the eye #comics #idw #james roberts #rewind #chromedome #rewind x chromedome #overlord #rodimus prime #ultra magnus #swerve

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