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oneweirdbookaddict · 5 months

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Hello Anon! Sorry this took so long! Hope this is ok, I had a lot of fun writing it!

1918 words

Warnings for injuries (not explicit at all, just mentioned), implied torture (again, not described, just implied), manipulation (kind of?), and mentions of trusted people hurting you (but it’s not real). Stay safe, and let me know if anyone wants anything else!

~~~~

For now, the Skyloftian sleeps soundly at the edge of camp. Slowly, he’s starting to trust them again.

It’s been a long and very, very bumpy road.

But they’ve been making progress.

Sky sits with them, eats with them, walks with them… doesn’t seem to think they’re going to hurt him anymore.

The younger heroes are sleeping as well, blankets and bedrolls used to fight off the chill.

Legend and Hyrule are cuddled together, the veteran’s arms snugly around the traveler.

Four is curled up close to the fire, a little too close for his comfort. One shift the wrong way the smithy’s gonna get burnt. But no one takes the risk of moving the sleeping teen. Everyone values their hands too much for that.

Wild is tucked into Twi’s pelt, curled into the rancher’s side in a very cat-like manner. He’d actually fallen asleep first, a rarity among them.

Wind is in Wars’ lap. The sailor had been taking this the hardest, having trouble sleeping and pacing around constantly, so he’s glad he’s finally getting some rest.

Twi sits to his right, looking like he’s going to join the teenagers in dreamland soon.

The rancher had probably made the most progress with the Skyloftian. Treating him gently, never pushing, always making an effort. He’s proud to be able to call Twilight his descendent.

Wars sits near Sky, leaning back against a tree. Wars had also been an absolute godsend, keeping the others together, talking Sky through flashbacks and panic attacks, patiently answering any questions Sky might ask.

“Get some rest, Twi.” He says quietly, putting a hand on the rancher’s shoulder. “You need it.”

Twi doesn’t protest, a testament to how tired he is. Just nods, carefully shifting the champion into his arms and laying their bedrolls out before falling still.

It’s been an exhausting couple of days for all of them. The fight to get Sky back, realizing that Sky no longer trusts them, is afraid of them hurting him, on top of dealing with the injuries they all sustained?

They’re all exhausted.

He gazes into the fire, letting the unpleasant memories come back to him again.

Wars and Legend take Dark Link as they go through monster after monster just to get to Sky.

Twi takes a hit hard enough to send him to the ground, where he doesn’t get up for a long moment.

Wind’s face is bloody and there’s a glossy look in his eyes that he really doesn’t like.

Four’s kneeling next to Hyrule, forcing a potion into the traveler’s hands as Wild covers them.

But despite it all, they made it to Sky’s cell.

It’s so much worse than they could’ve imagined.

The skyloftian is barely recognizable.

Bruised, bloody, filthy… and terrified of them.

Huddled in the corner, shaking.

It was horrible to see. Sky… would never hide like that. Ever. He was a hero of courage, one of the strongest people any of them knew, always one to stand for himself and fight despite impossible odds.

“Sky?” Wind had said, shocked, stepping towards the skyloftian.

“I didn’t know. I didn’t know. Don’t hurt me anymore. Please. I didn’t know. I promise.” Sky had pleaded, and they’d all frozen.

“Sky… hey, no one’s going to hurt you… you’re safe now. We’re gonna get you out of here.”

He’d ushered the others back, out of the cell, taking a knee near but not too close to Sky.

But before he could say anything, the skyloftian had punched him across the face and booked it.

Out the cell, out the hideout, out into the forest.

Where they’d later found him passed out in a small clearing, regrouping and setting up camp.

“He really owned your ass, Old Man.” Leg says flatly, peering at the bruise on his cheek.

The veteran is faring much worse than him, sporting a nasty concussion and a decent slash on his stomach.

“Blind sighted me.” He jokes, smirking when Legend snorts.

“Literally. That’s your- the side you can’t- that was a bad one, Time.”

“Ah, but you’re laughing.”

And he is.

Despite the crummy mood, the silence hanging over them, Legend is laughing.

“That was bad. It was bad. I’m laughing because it was bad.” Legend insists, still snickering.

Then takes a breath, letting it out in a sigh.

“That sucked. Anyone know what’s wrong with him yet?”

And just like that, they’re back to the somber, tense silence.

~~~~

It’s a slow morning.

The boys are all up late, even Wars and Twi.

He’s the first one up, not unusual.

But once the sun is well risen and both Wars and Twi are still asleep, he has to admit to himself that’s odd.

There’s no need for concern, though. Wars is up soon enough, slowly detangling himself from Wind’s limbs, stretching and moving over to him.

“Hey, Sprite.” The captain sighs, taking a seat.

“Morning, Captain.” He says back, glancing up from his letter.

He gets a small smile. “Always writing home, huh?”

He has to smile back. “Gotta keep the wife happy somehow.”

That gets a soft laugh, Wars shaking his head and pouring a cup of tea.

“Must really suck being away.” Wars notes offhandedly, and he nods, humor slipping.

“Yeah. And it only gets harder.”

Then an idea sparks in his head, gaze flicking to Sky.

The captain gives him a knowing smile.

If he were ten years younger he could pull the captain into his arms and noogie him. But he has to settle for a joking slap on the shoulder, side eyeing his friend.

“You took your opportunity and ran, didn’t you?”

“It’s how you win battles, Old Man.” Wars smiles.

He has to laugh, even as he sighs.

“Get him to talk to his Zelda. I think it’ll help.”

“Us? Or him?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Both.” Wars answers, stretching out with a sigh.

“There’s a lot of what ifs.”

“Always is, dealing with heroes.”

He has to smile at that. “It’s a good idea. I’ll see if he wants to. I won’t push him, Captain.”

“You’ll never hear me say you should. Just suggest it. Ten rupees says he’ll do it.”

“We both know he will, I’m not taking that bet.” He says, and that gets another small laugh.

Some day, he wants to hear the captain give a real laugh. Uncaring, unstrained, actually happy laugh.

Maybe he’ll be able to hear that before their adventure is done. But for now, he accepts what he’s got.

“What about you, Captain? You ever write home?”

He gets a smile for that. “When I need to. Don’t play my own games with me, Old Man.”

That makes him chuckle again.

It’s not long before the other heroes begin rousing, slowly drifting to the remnants of their fire, and ending their conversation.

Sky’s up, too, sitting next to Four, Rulie on his other side. And today, Sky accepts food without hesitation, eats without argument, and even accepts a second helping from Wild.

He smiles to himself, meeting the captain’s eyes next to him. They both remember the struggle it was to get anything like that to happen once they got Sky back.

It’s a long process to convince Sky to take a potion, accept a bit of food and water, to get some sleep.

At first, it’s all they can do to keep him from running away again.

It takes them all setting down their weapons, their shields, taking any magical item off, and Sky to have the master sword tightly in his grasp for him to slowly sit.

And for him to become physically ill for him to accept some food and water.

And another few hours for him to let the smithy- probably deemed the least likely to harm him without a weapon- to slowly get a potion into him and tend to the injuries that hadn’t been entirely healed.

Four’s quiet nature probably relaxes Sky more than the rest of them do.

They all act like they’re not watching as Four gently bandages a lingering cut on the knight’s arm, inspects a bruise on his face, hands slowly brushing Sky’s cheek.

The skyloftian flinches.

Four pauses. Slowly moves his hand. “Sorry. Blacksmith’s hands, I know they’re rough.” The smith says softly.

Sky looks confused.

Four looks confused, blinking at Sky. Then awkwardly shows him his hands.

“Calluses. Burns. Makes skin-”

“You’re sorry for hurting me? You’ve never said sorry before.” Sky blurts.

Four falters. “Wh-”

“Why are you all being so nice now?! You all hurt me for… for so long and now- you’re being so nice? You guys used to be nice before, too… you’re just going to hurt me again aren’t you?!”

“What? No, no, Sky, we’re not going to hurt you. Do you remember what happened? Dark Link took you.” Four says quietly, gently, slowly taking Sky’s hand.

The knight scoffs at that, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah? Sure. Ok. Whatever.”

But now the others are all openly watching. “Did… did we hurt you?” Wind asks.

Sky’s eyes find the Sailor’s. “No, I did this myself.” The knight says, uncharacteristically sarcastic.

“Who did this?” Legend asks, eyes narrowed dangerously. Sky seems to realize they’re not acting.

Looks around at all of them, eyes still full of suspicion and distrust. “All of you. You all… you guys did.”

But now it sounds like a question.

And that was the beginning of rebuilding the trust.

~~~~

He looks up from his letter, sighing slowly.

Signs his name, folds it up, setting it down next to him and stretching out in the grass.

His eyes linger on Time, flick to Wars, then to Twi… before reminding himself they weren’t the ones that hurt him. Only something that looked like them.

A smile flits across his face when he catches Four and Wind tumbling down a hill, loud laughter crossing the field as they roll.

Despite their ferocity in battle, it’s ridiculous to think that they would’ve hurt him.

Four, the steady, unwavering support that never faltered. Wind, the energetic and positive energy that always knew just what to say.

Legend’s dozed off in the grass near him, Wars and Rulie snickering as they remove the veteran’s boots.

Ever playful and never having any malicious intentions towards anyone in the group.

Including him.

Wars and Rulie would never hurt him.

Wild cooks dinner at the fire, lightly swatting Twi and Time away from ‘helping.’

“You guys are banned from my cooking pot! Scram!” The champion laughs, giving another light wave of the spatula he’s using.

Twi laughs as he leaves, taking Time’s arm and dragging him away. “Guess being a menace in the kitchen runs in the family,” the rancher is laughing.

He smiles again, shaking his head to himself. Meets Time’s gaze, smiling wider.

The old man smiles back, still half laughing with the rancher.

“I, for one, would prefer an edible dinner.” He calls jokingly before he can think twice about it.

For a second, fear flits through him, but then it’s gone.

Time looks jokingly offended, but Wild and Twi both burst into laughter.

The sound wakes Legend up, scaring the crap out of the captain and the traveler, who both sprint off, screaming as Legend chases them.

Wind and Four, having rolled down the hill for the fifth time, both stand unsteadily, tottering around as they laugh.

So much laughter.

No one in this group could ever hurt him, he remembers.

They’re family.

And his family would never hurt him.

~~~~

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #linked universe fic #Lu Sky #Sky lu #linked universe sky #sky linked universe #time Lu #Lu time #since most of it is in his pov #I have a version that’s not jumping back and forth between time periods #if anyone wants it just lmk!#book’s writings

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metatronhateblog · 5 months

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Duck Duck what the Fuck pt. 2, Featuring Not to Be a Bearer of News

Okay in my previous post [link here] we talked about the appearance of ducks and ducks with accordions in the opening sequence. Now I didn't really have too much to say except fucking weird, right? But now I'm going to start digging around in this a bit more.

Welcome back to what is the big deal with ducks.

To start off, ducks are verbally mentioned in this show... 4 times. (I'm pretty sure it's 4 but it's highly possible I'm missing something.)

Our first case is in Season 1 episode 1. At approximately 26:45 we see a transition to the park where Crowley and Aziraphale are having a meeting. The quote here is stated by none other than our narrator God. She states...

"Everyone knows the best place for a clandestine meeting in London is and always has been Saint James' Park. They say the ducks are so used to being fed by secret agents that they've developed Pavlovian reactions to them. The Russian cultural attaché's black bread is particularly sought after by the more discerning duck. Crowley and Aziraphale have been meeting here for quite some time."

This quote has always been...a little sus to me. Now if you aren't entirely sure what Pavlovian effect is, I direct you to a situation that you quite possibly experience yourself. Have you ever heard the sound of an alarm clock, or the sound you set your own alarm clock as playing outside of a setting that isn't meant to wake you up? Have you had this knee jerk reaction where you feel yourself tense and need the sound to stop and maybe even feel a little bit more awake because of it? No? If not you are beyond lucky.

A Pavlovian reaction is a conditioned response to something, in my known knowledge I think it's generally accompanied by a sound (apologies for explaining this so poorly, if anyone wants to hop in the comments and explain better I will love you so much.) For example, some farmers ring a bell or something to let their cows know it's time to eat. The cows then associate that noise with food and will probably expect to be fed upon any point of hearing that bell.

So in this case...ducks hear the whisperings of secret agents and know that it means they get fed. The more recognizable the noise, the better the bread. Hence the line that the more discerning ducks go towards the Russian cultural attaché. Kinda fascinating right? And also a weird way to describe the ducks...

Moving on the second time ducks are mentioned is by Crowley in season 1 episode 2. He makes a comment in regards to suspicions about him saying something along the lines of suspicions slide off him 'like water slides off of....what does water slide off of?" And then later on at some random point (pretty sure it's in the same episode) yells 'DUCKS! That's what water slides off of.' (I'm paraphrasing here because this isn't a quote I needed to look up cause I knew it in my soul.)

Now the phrase 'Like water slides off a duck's back' generally tends to mean that someone is unaffected by something. Whatever it is, they are unperturbed. Okay...another interesting way to look at ducks.

Our third quote is in season 1 episode 3. Crowley once again speaks to us about ducks when he's talking to Aziraphale about ✨insurance.✨ No not that kind of insurance I'm talking about the Holy Water. When Crowley and Aziraphale meet in the park in their little top hats in 1862 the conversation goes something like this...

Crowley - "If it all goes wrong, I want insurance."

Aziraphale - "What?"

Crowley, handing Aziraphale a piece of paper - "I wrote it down. Walls have ears. Well ,not walls. Trees have ears. Ducks have ears. Do ducks have ears? Must do. That's how they hear other ducks."

That's...and interesting little throw away line right there that Aziraphale ignores to tell him no. And maybe it is a little throw away line...or maybe we're meant to pay attention to it. Why else would they continue talking about something if they don't want to emphasize it. Twice is a coincidence but threes a pattern.

Which leads me to our fourth quote (continuing our pattern) being from Season 2 this time in which Crowley (I'm slowly seeing a pattern of how it's almost always Crowley talking about ducks, and who's the one who tells Aziraphale when they're being watched???) yells at some agents not to feed the ducks bread. Shax then asks him what you're supposed to feed ducks, and once again it isn't until later on in the conversation that Crowley says 'Peas. You give ducks peas.'

Feeding ducks bread is not good. But I'm not sure there's any other little meaning in here.

Now that we've got that out of the way. I want to mention The Other times ducks are mentioned, and to me it only seems to get weirder.

The first appearance of a mention of ducks in season 2...is the first time we meet Mr. Brown (of Brown's world of carpets.)

In our second episode, Crowley and Aziraphale have a meeting at the PuB in which we meet Mr. Brown (of Brown's world of carpets) who corners Aziraphale about holding the Whickber Street Traders and Shopkeepers Association monthly? meeting. Buuuuuuut. We actually first see him BEFORE he comes over to Aziraphale. (Don't even get me started on the weird shit in the PuB)

Even here we can see he's got a something in his arm, which we quickly find out is a newspaper.

But notice how....whatever angle we're seeing him from, we can see the front of his newspaper? It's like a big flashing sign that says 'HEY LOOK AT ME!'

We even see him right here, moving towards Aziraphale while Crowley orders drinks. And what do we see? The front of the newspaper.

And he

spends

every

moment

showing us that newspaper.

And even better, tell me why it appears that Aziraphale is looking at the paper and not him?

And I know this shot is blurry but even as he leaves the PuB, he's still holding that newspaper towards the camera.

And then he's literally holding it in front of his face

Even when we see him days later!

So for starters. Why...why does he have the same newspaper over a span of multiple days. And more importantly. Why on Earth does it say 'Nebraskan Woman Taught Duck to Play Accordion.'

Now you might say it's dumb and unimportant. And normally I'd agree...if he wasn't flashing that newspaper around like a billboard.

It leads me to believe it's really important, but why I don't know. @lady-of-the-puddle and I are still agonizing over ducks and have yet to really figure out what significance there might be.

The only thought I have had....which seems so far-fetched I'm embarrassed to say it almost, is who, off the top of your head is the one person you can think of that would have the power to teach a duck to play an accordion considering they don't have posable thumbs....or hands for that matter?

If you said God then I feel a little less ridiculous...but also why would God teach a duck to play accordion. So not having anything to back that up or anything to further explore it with....But I feel like that might be thinking of the duck thing from the wrong angle since our most common discussion point about ducks seems to be them hearing things and all around being suspicious little feathered friends.

I have to say I am quite clueless on the matters of ducks but I feel they have to be important....

And don't get me started on newspapers...

#good omens #good omens 2 #ineffable husbands #good omens season 2 #good omens meta #accordion ducks #guess what though #the next part of this post series is ALL about the newspapers #because theres some fucky shit going around

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winderlylandchime · 4 months

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Hello and happy new year, i hope you’re doing good and that you had a good NYE.

Here are just some highlights from what you’ve missed in the latest episodes of ‘My brother is an idiot’.

In case you wondered how we spent NYE, let me tell you that originally we were gonna go to a bar with our neighbor and socialize but she got sick, so my brother changed plans and made her watch 3x08. That’s right, he calculated when to watch the episode so that Britin reunion happened exactly at midnight. We entered 2024 with Lover’s spit, ngl it was both amazing and impressive. And the clock went midnight right as the song started/their iconic reunion happened and we all yelled ‘AYYYEEEE HAPPY NEW YEAAAAR’ He also showed her 3x14 and not to anyone’s surprise, the ending still makes him cry.

Also a very important update: THE CAST IS OFF!! He walked out of the office and literally put a fist into the air like a dumbass and then looked at THE ENTIRE WAITING ROOM, pointed to his fist and went ‘I’m back, baby!!’ And then to me ‘I almost put that Proud song on to play it so I could walk out all dramatic and put my fist in the air like in that movie.. But I’m too fucking traumatized by that song cause of the finale so just imagine it for the experience okay?’

Btw our dad is coming in on Wednesday so that he can spend some time with us and then go home with my brother. So naturally my brother has spent the last day and a half going through episodes to decide which ones to show him. I fear my dad might strangle him when he realizes he’s being tricked into watching qaf. But i am curious what his reaction is going to be and which episodes he picks.

And the most important thing that I actually thought will be avoided: about 2 days ago, I left him at 10.30 pm to go to sleep. He was reading fan fiction and at the same time watching fan videos of Gale and Randy which…okay, go off. Please try and guess what the fuck happened next because i can guarantee you, you’re gonna be wrong.

He came into my room and woke me up out of nowhere and i asked what’s up, thinking it’s some emergency. And i can see on my clock that it’s like 4.45 am and he’s crouching next to me, holding the laptop, turns it towards me to show me some random site while almost blinding me and then whisper yells at me ‘this Hal dude is or was a fucking prick! What the fuck did Gale and Randy ever do to him? And why the fuck did those two old dudes hate Randy?!’ And then he just got up and walked out (leaving the door open because of course) and just says to himself or me ‘they did nothing and he’s acting shadier than a fucking palm tree!’ I woke up the next day, genuinely sure that I dreamt that and I come to the living room and he’s in the same position as I left him in and he goes ‘oh this dude is lowkey annoying, i just read this post from a convention and he doesn’t know how to let other people talk, why did he answer a question about gays and his gay friends when Randy was asked as a gay man? And I didnt know those writers sucked so much, they looked like they got along at that gay panel but apparently they hated each other? By the way do they still do these conventions?’ All this was said to me in one long ass breath, right as i woke up. Felt like a fever dream ngl. He was practically bouncing off the walls because of how much coffee he drank because he stayed up all night reading up on Gale and Randy and anything qaf related he found. He even found old Gale interviews from The Advocate and later found out Gale was also in a motorcycle crash and he texted that to our mom saying that clearly that means they’re soulmates of some kind and she just replied ‘or that you’re both stupid <3’

He said that after he finished his fics, he started watching videos and then he went to check bts videos and interviews and he looked all that up and got war flashbacks because they just asked whatever they wanted in the old 00’s tabloid era. And that somehow lead to him finding a link to a fan forum or something and then he just spiraled. He said that when he saw Hal being shady, it was either wake me up and tell me OR wake up our parents..

oh and during this all nighter he also put together a playlist that he named ‘Bri Bri in a nut (ha) shell’ and it’s songs from the show that he thinks fit Brian best. So now he goes back and forth between the playlists depending on his mood and how much he misses Brian. I created a monster and you all helped me. Thank you very much

Dear sweet anon!

I am so sorry for the delay in responding. I haven't been on tumblr because the new stuff at my job is cutting into ALL MY PRECIOUS SCROLLING TIME.

(And fic writing, so sorry everyone!)

NGL I am high key impressed that he figured out how to time the episode so that Lover's Spit was playing when the clock struck midnight. That is some dedication. What time does one need to start the episode for that to happen?

Congratulation to your brother on getting the cast off! I'm so glad he can return to making the ally fist.

But oh nooooo, he has fallen down the rabbit hole of the bts and what has been shared and pieced together and what can be observed. But couldn't he have sent you a voice memo rather than waking you up?

I'm curious if he has any fic recommendations for the fandom? And, also, what is in his Bri Bri playlist?

I like your mom's response to your brother's belief that both him and Gale being in motorcycle accidents makes them soulmates. Maybe they could be soulmates for another reason. Your brother could kiss Randy, for instance.

I hope your 2024 is lovely so far! I can't wait to hear your dad's reaction to being ambushed with QAF.

#ask winderlylandchime #dear sweet anon #queer as folk #a straight man watches qaf in the year of our lord 2023 #now 2024 edition

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burningablaze · 1 year

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Mirio x Reader - It Helps to Let it Out

A/N: I had to post this fic again because at one point, I changed my name and posted it so when changed my name back, I wouldn’t be able to click on the link in my masterlist because it was under a different name

Summary: When something was wrong with Mirio, your always there to determine what happened and comfort him for as long as he needs it

Warnings: Mentions of death and heavy crying

Lee: Mirio

Ler: Reader

Words: 2,380

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Has anyone seen Togata?" You asked, looking around the living room only to see Kaminari playing a video game, Midoriya writing in his notes, and Todoroki next to Midoriya reading a manga series.

"Nah, we haven't seen him in ages,”" Kaminari said as he button-mashed his controller. Midoriya looked over the couch to make eye contact with you. "I know! It would help if you talked to Hado and Amajiki." You nodded. "Right, thanks."

You checked your phone to see if Mirio had gotten your text, but you frowned when you saw he didn't read your text. You kept wondering why Mirio didn't answer yet, but you hoped it wasn't too serious.

You went outside and walked around the school campus, hoping you would run into the rest of the Big Three. It was very convenient to see Nejire and Tamaki sitting together under a tree's shade, playing war.

"Hey, guys." You said, making yourself known as you got closer. Nejire was the first to look up, and her eyes widened with excitement. "Hey, Y/N!" She said and waved her arm. Amajiki shyly looked up as well. "Oh, hi, Y/N."

"I wanted to ask if either of you has seen Mirio. I texted him earlier, but he didn't answer me, and I'm a little worried, is all." You confessed. Nejire pointed her finger to her chin. "Well, I haven't seen him all day either," She turned to her shy friend. "Have you seen Togata at all, Amajiki?" She asked. "Nothing really," Amajiki answered softly.

"Maybe you should check his room? He should be there. That's where I saw him last time, and I'm sure it's nothing! He's probably working on something and doesn't want to be disturbed, so he'll turn his phone off." Nejire said. "But he would've said something before." You left them to let them continue their game. "Thanks anyway."

"Happy to help! Hey, don't look at my cards!"

You remembered where Mirio's dorm was since it was a while ago the first time you met up with him. You took in a soft breath and knocked on his door. "Mirio? It's me, Y/N. I just want to know if you're okay. Is the door locked? Can I come in?" You knocked again, but this time the door slowly moved.

"Mirio?" You pushed the door more and saw nothing but complete darkness. "Why is it so dark in here?" You asked in a whisper. You took out my phone and turned on the flash. "Mirio? Are you in here?" You called out.

"Hmm, oh, hey, Y/N! I didn't hear you come in!" You heard Mirio's voice, but you didn't know where it was coming from. "Why is your room so dark?" You asked.

You seemed surprised to find Mirio's room so dark. Usually, he lets natural light shine in his room unless he is taking a nap, but he never allows his room to be completely opaque.

"Oh, right. Here, let me just-" Slowly, the sunlight peeked through the curtains until Mirio pulled the curtains all the way. You turned off the flash on your phone. "What were you doing?" You asked.

Mirio rubbed the back of his neck nervously. What does he have to be nervous about? "Oh, uh, I was, uh, just thinking. It helps me think about stuff."

You couldn't help but feel something was wrong with him, and you were right about the first thing you saw. "What, why are your eyes red?" You asked and leaned forward to get a closer look at his face. His eyes and nose were red, and his skin was pale. You also saw faint tear stains on his cheeks.

"Oh no! I was just having, uh, allergies!" He forced a smile, thinking you would buy his lie. "You never told me you had allergies." You said. "I didn't?" Mirio said.

"You've been crying, haven't you?" You asked. Mirio went quiet for a short moment before nodding softly. "Yeah,"

"Why did you lie?" You asked. Mirio ran his fingers through his hair to sweep it back with a frustrated but soft sigh. "I don't know. I'm just... upset, is all." He sat on his bed with his head down low a little. "You didn't need to lie to me, Mirio."

You sat down next to him. "I know, and I'm sorry." "Do you want to talk about it?" You asked gently. "I guess so," Mirio muttered sadly, but you heard him perfectly.

"What's going on, Mirio? You know I'm here if you want to talk about anything." Mirio gave you a gentle warm smile. "I know, and I appreciate it, but I thought I would handle this on my own."

You rested your hand on his back and comfortably ran up and down his spine. "Sometimes, it's not always good to handle stuff like this by yourself. It's just not healthy. It can make you feel overwhelmed sometimes, and it can feel like the world is crashing on you. I get you want to be brave and try to fight through this, but it'll be those times that it's too much to handle. Those kinds of feelings can come out of nowhere and bring you down. I would be more than happy to help you when you need it."

Mirio snorted softly. "Wow. Your starting to sound like me." You smiled. "I learned from the best." You nudged his arm gently. "Heh, thanks. The thing is... I don't usually let things get to me, but something like this really scared me." Mirio frowned. "Was it bad?" You asked.

"Worse than that. Earlier today, I felt a little tired, so I took a nap. All of a sudden, I had this horrible dream. It felt so much worse than a nightmare. I was watching Midoriya and... Sir Nighteye was fighting Overhaul, and Eri was behind me, but I couldn't move."

Mirio gulped when he had to mention his recent mentor, Nighteye. Losing Nighteye was the worst thing that ever happened to him, but he wanted to keep a happy face. He wanted to let everyone know that he was alright, even if he had to lie.

"I was so helpless, and that's... when it happened. Sir got severely injured, and it was like on a loop. It was replaying Sir getting hurt over and over again! All I could do was scream, but it was silent! Nothing but silence! I couldn't do anything!"

Mirio forced himself not to get ahead of himself as he hid his face behind his hands. You continued to rub his back, then pulled him slowly towards you, and he immediately wrapped his arms around you tightly.

"Oh no, honey. It's alright. Try to relax, okay?" You said, trying to comfort him in any way you thought of. He buried his face in your shirt, getting your shoulder wet with his tears, but you didn't care.

Mirio sniffled in your shirt. "Oh god. I just miss him so much." He whimpered and squeezed you a little tighter. "I know, sweetheart, I know." You said, rubbing his back more.

"I wish he was here right now. If only I could've done something, he would still be here."

"Mirio," You pushed Mirio away to cup his cheeks in your hands. His blue eyes shined from his tears. The redness around his eyes grew worse. "You have to understand that his death wasn't your fault. It suddenly happened, and we couldn't predict it."

Mirio moved his face away from you and mumbled, “But I was-" "No, none of that,” You brought his face towards you. "You couldn't have known about that, and he will always be with you, but not all the time cause he'll make be like a creeper." You joked.

As you expected, Mirio chuckled softly. You were glad that you got Mirio to laugh. "See?" You wiped the rest of his tears away. "And he wants you to smile. Just like how you want to make Eri smile; otherwise, he'll put you in that tickle machine."

Mirio snickered. "Oh yeah. That was the worst." He said, rubbing his neck.

After a moment of settling down, you and Mirio had been quiet. You hadn't left his side ever since; you wanted to be sure he was okay. "Feeling any better?" You asked.

"I guess a little. Thank you. I think I needed something like that." "I'm glad I got to help. The next this happens, I'm always a phone call away, and I'll come running to your door with a bunch of snacks!"

Mirio snorted. "I'll remember that." "Do you want to do anything?"

Mirio hummed and quickly looked at you with a slight smile. "A movie would be good right now."

"That sounds good, but I'm picking." "Fine by me." You didn't expect Mirio to give this sort of answer. You thought he was going to talk back.

"I was only joking." "I'm serious. It's a little something to return the favor after you helped me." Mirio smiled widely. "Alright, if you say so."

So you decided to watch The Jungle Book on Mirio's laptop. Mirio nestled himself comfortably between your legs and used your stomach as a pillow. You twirled his soft blonde locks around your fingers. You smiled as you thought to yourself that moment would never last.

"I thought you were talking about the new one," Mirio said, glancing up at you. "No, I meant the original." You said. Mirio shrugged his shoulders.

A little later, you smirked at a familiar scene and looked down at Mirio; thankfully, he hadn't noticed yet.

The scene Mowgli was tickling Baloo gave you an idea. You slowly snaked your arm down towards Mirio's side, very carefully lifting his shirt a bit, and used your nail to scrap lightly on his soft skin. You felt his body twitched away from your finger, and you decided to keep going.

"Hehehehehey, what're you dohohohoing?" Mirio giggled and pushed your hand away, but your other hand went around and squeezed his other side. "I don't know. Why don't you tell me what I'm doing, huh?" You teased.

“Ehehehehehehehe!" Mirio squirmed side to side and tried to block your tickle attack.

"Hey, Mirio, can you keep your voice down? I can't hear the movie."

"Buhuhuhuhut your tihihickling mehehehehe!"

"Oh, is that what I'm doing? Then I guess I'm doing it wrong because THIS would be tickling you!" You dove your hands and wiggled your fingers straight into Mirio's belly, which happens to be one of his biggest tickle spots.

"NOHOHOHOHOHO! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Mirio brought his knees to his chest and kicked his feet. You giggled at Mirio for how much he was making an adorable scene.

"Mirio, if you keep laughing, I'll miss the entire movie." You said and kept tickling his belly. "BUT YOHOHOHOHOHOU'VE SEHEHEHEHEN IT BEFORE!" "But I love that movie! And you know I don't miss any part!"

Mirio continued to wiggle around and push your hands away or pin them to his sides with his arms. "STAHAHAHAHAHAHAP IT TIHIHIHIHICKLES!"

"Pfft, please, you know that I know that you love being tickled. I mean, how can you not? Your so ticklish!" You stated, making his face turn redder.

You hummed as you thought up an idea. "Let's get these arms out of the way." You said and used all your strength to get his arms above his head and sat on top of them.

"Wait, wait, what're you doing?!" "Trying something new, duh!"

Starting from his elbows, you very lightly wiggled your fingertips down his biceps, getting close to his partly exposed underarms. Mirio squirmed and twitched a lot more than he did before and shrieked.

"No, no nohohohoho! Ah, quihihit ihit! It's so much wohohorse!" He tried to move his arms away from your fingers, fighting off the itchy but very ticklish feeling from his arms.

Once you got very close to Mirio's underarms, you skittered your fingers back up to his elbows and left him laughing silly. "NO, NO, PLEHEHEASE! Please, not my armpits! It's so bahahahad!" "You mean when I do this?" You did the same thing again, slowly spidering your fingers closer to his underarms and then pulling away.

"Yes, thahahahahat! Dohohohohon't!" "Do it?" "NOHOHO!" "No?" "NOHOHOHO!" "Then yes?" "NO!" "You are very confusing. Which one is it, yes or no?" "NOHOHOHO! STOP DOHOHOHOING THAHAT!" "Yes, do it? Okay!"

That kind of teasing you pulled made Mirio's squirming a lot worse, and his laughter erupted more. You tickled his soft biceps a little faster but still slowly going down. "Oh, Mirio, I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha! I'm gonna tickle tickle tickle you!"

Mirio arched his back and moved himself down, hoping it would set him free. up "Nohohohohoho! Dohohohon't!" He twisted to the side, so he was partially lying on his stomach. "You can't escape the tickles, Mirio!"

You suddenly went for his underarms and dug your fingers into the hollows. “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA STAHAHAHAHAHAHAP! GET AWAHAHAHAHAHAHAYEHEHEHEHEHE!"

Mirio turned back onto lying on his back and squirmed like crazy. You scratched, poked, and wiggled into his underarms in any way.

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA STAHAHAHAHAHAHAP PLEHEHEHEHEASE! NAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Finally, it was time to let him go. You got off his arms, and he immediately cradled himself in a ball, breathing heavily and snickered. "Jeez, you don't hold back, do you?” Mirio asked, with tears in his eyes. You raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think that wasn't holding back?"

Mirio widened his eyes and gulped. "In that case, allow me to not hold back and tickle you for real this time." You turned your hand into a claw and wiggled menacingly, making Mirio giggle and push your hand back. "Dohohohon't! I've had enough tickles for one day!" "Alright, alright."

You pulled your hand back and held Mirio's head in your lap. "Thank you, Y/N. I wouldn't know how to feel better after that mess." "I promise to be with you when everything falls apart around you." Both of you smiled, and you looked at Mirio's laptop. After all that tickling, the movie was really far.

"Great, now I have to go to where we were!" Mirio laughed, but not for long. "If I remember correctly, we were at that tickle scene. Right, Mirio?" You said and scribbled Mirio's neck. "Hehehehey!"

#mha tickle #mha tickle fic #mha tickle fanfic #mha tickle fanfiction #ler!reader #mha togata #mha mirio togata #lee!togata #ticklish!togata #togata x reader

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summertimemusician · 1 year

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*reading the Four Swords Manga to refresh myself after taking yet another break from the Minish Cap figurine hunt, does a double take and almost drops coffee mug*

So was anyone going to tell me Four is the only Link with at least one alive parent still around who actually did something , or was I just meant to find this out by myself when going on a Zelda binge in preparation for TOTK?

Like, this man is a knight that gets captured and brainwashed by Vaati, duels his son thinking he is Shadow, but manages to snap out of it by throwing a dagger at Vaati while disguised as Zelda. He tries to curb Four's reckless tendencies and to remind him not to rush headlong into situations without his allies and to keep a cool head, it's not much but let that sink in like holy mother of Farore-

He couldn't have know that Link was really himself, he couldn't have know that Vaati wasn't actually the princess, yet he actually takes the gamble because even if he is exasperated by his son and isn't around much he actually cares. Honestly it arguably may not be much and their relationship will likely have some strain due to the brainwashing deal but it's something.

Just, let that sink in. Four is shockingly lucky in that department so good on him, him, Twilight, Time and Legend were arguably the luckiest in the parental figure/role model department (if we count Sir Raven for the time he was around after Link's uncle is gone, which I am doing so by the way, Legend really looked up to him and he's his ancestor and actually very hands on with helping him in the Oracle of Ages manga, a rarity in Zelda in general really and his uncle was also really nice. The only one who was quite as lucky to have a parent/role model actually help a lot in the plot was Twilight, because Time's Deku Tree dies pretty early in during Ocarina of Time after raising him with the Kokiri before the quest and thus can't offer him support and is, ya know a tree, kind of limited in action there). Maybe Wind too if we count Linebeck (this man stabs Bellum for the kid even though he's terrified and is disgusted with himself after the brainwashing for attacking him, honestly props and respect to the sea rat), I think we can also count Spirit if he's around due to Alfonzo? Though I haven't played Spirit Tracks in a bit so I could be wrong. Anyway, he's pretty darn decent and involved in the plot rather than just shoving it onto the Link's shoulders for one reason or another (unlike SOME PEOPLE. *Side eyes Gaepora in Skyward Sword for doing the bare minimum even though his daughter is missing and he's implied to have raised Link/Sky with her, side eyes King of Red Lions, side eyes BOTW's King Rhoam because he really wasn't helpful at all to either Zelda or Link and only did the bare minimum for the later, side eyes OOT's king for not believing is own daughter until Link/Time was already traumatized by the events of the game and coming in to spill the tea, side eyes- actually no, Dot's/Minish Cap and Four Swords' Zelda's father is actually half decent.), They could form a little support group or something.

... Now I want a fic where the Chain actually meets the guy and just, gets a lot of whiplash that "Wait a second one of us is NOT an adopted orphan in some fashion?", That or he just immediately integrates himself as a secondary father figure for some of the Chain members, give Time a bit of a break for a change in wrangling these chaotic green clad menaces (affectionate), someone to bond with Rusl and we can know someone other than Twilight has a decent father figure still around. That or the bigger and arguably more comedic whiplash of meeting Sir Raven, who looks like a young Time with hints of Sky what with the cloak.

#loz #linked universe #link #lu chain #lu four #link's dad #rusl #Sir Raven #loz sir raven #Summer's Sleep Deprived Rants and Ramblings about Zelda/LU #let the links have good parental figures/role models in their lives that they trust and rely on #and who aren't willing to let them do everything all alone without barely nary a back up even if they can't do much #or so help me I'll do it myself

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theratboyking · 1 year

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Softly Into The Night

Chapter Four: If You Choose To Run Away With Me.

Pairing: Cardinal Copia/Reader/Papa Emeritus iii (this will also have eventual Copia/Terzo but that won't be for a while)(This is also a slow burn so it's gonna be a while until we even get here)

Word Count: 5.9k

Summary: Demons are real, angels exist, and my father is the Prince of Darkness. A dream I can’t seem to wake up from. And two mysterious strangers that seem to have a connection to me. What could possibly go wrong?

Chapter Summary: The bench sat underneath the huge tree that was situated in the middle of the abbey, calling my name. Flopping onto it, I startle Jasper, who lands on the spot next to me. I stare up at the sky, letting my mind escape from the expectations that have been placed on me. Closing my eyes, the cold winter’s air hit my face, wishing Terzo or Copia were here; maybe I wouldn’t feel as lost as I did.

“What’s this?” A newcomer broke the garden’s silence, accent thick, “A visitor?”

Warnings: 18+ (this is going to get be a wild ride folks,) Slow burn, Idiots in love, kinda soulmates? poorly translated Italian (I am sorry to all the Italians out there) fluff, angst, this is a ghost fic so you know religious trauma, some chapters will like get kinda deep in the religious philosophy but maybe not depending on the direction this goes, eventual smut (Chapter will be labeled) This chapter has some horror elements and is kinda graphic, there is also some smut in this one so buckle up folks.

AO3 Link

<-Previous____Next->

I forgot, I made a playlist if anyone interested :)

Gasps and labored breaths fill the small space. We were an entanglement of limbs. I could not tell you where we started and where the other ended. Each touch was possessive, desperate even. Afraid that the other would disappear if we stopped. It was only growing with intensity as time went on. They were both lazily thrusting into me. Terzo’s lips found their way to mine, quickly taking charge as his tongue explored my mouth. I could feel Copia kissing up my neck, biting at the exposed skin. I couldn't help the shameful moan that left my throat.

“Ahh cara, always so good for your papas.” Copia’s hot breath on my ear caused shivers down my spine. The knot in my stomach grows with each thrust they do. My hands made their way into both men's hair, already messy from the previous night.

“Are you close amore mio? So desperate for us to fill you up with our seed? Aren’t you bellissima dea?” He thrust into me harder, his cock twitching with each snap of his hips.

I break myself from Terzo’s grip to face Copia, smashing our lips together. His thrust falters for just a second as he moans into the kiss. Terzo growls, taking Copia’s place, leaving as many marks in his wake as possible. His hot breath sent chills down my spine.

“Cum for us, tesoro. Cum all over my cock.” The sounds escaping my mouth are downright sinful.

By now, both men had picked up speed, losing the rhythm they had previously set. They were close, and fuck. I was not far behind. I was entirely at their mercy and loved every second of it. It was too intoxicating. They filled me in a way I didn’t know was possible. There was no way everyone in the Abbey didn’t know what we were doing. The sinful moans escaping each of us were only getting louder the higher we got.

So fucking close…

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The blaring sound of my alarm clock snaps me out of my slumber. Bells sound off from the tower, thundering throughout the abbey, waking me from my restless sleep. A deep need for release rested in my stomach. Groaning, I roll over. This was the third one this week. My dreams seem to alternate between the nightmares I’ve had since I got here and the kind of a more sinful nature. After what happened in the garden, they seem to be the ones that have taken over my subconscious lately. Always ending right before the climax, leaving me breathless and needy in the morning light.

Not that I was complaining. No, that was the furthest thing. It was getting harder to look Copia and Terzo in the eyes without blushing like a schoolgirl; it was getting worse than it was already. In my time here, our relationship had only grown, and it was getting harder and harder to pretend I wasn’t absolutely in love with them. It’s just that the longer I stay here–stay with them–the more I can’t help but wish that they were just more than dreams.

A groan escapes me as I flop onto my back. Still trying to catch my breath, debating if I had enough time to do something about the need I was feeling between my legs or not. The morning sun was beginning to stream through my window. The cold January air overtook my room since the fire died the night before. My body felt like it was on fire. I couldn’t help but let my thoughts wander back to them; what we would get up to on mornings like this. My hands start to make their way down my body.

A frustrated groan escapes me at the sound of someone knocking at my door.

“Your Highness? Are you up?” the muffled voice of Nova. “You’ll be late for your lesson if you don’t hurry up.”

What time is it? Looking towards the clock. 6:02.

“Fuck. Coming. I’m coming!”

Shit, Secondo is gonna kill me if I’m late again. Falling out of bed, I go around the room, looking for everything I need for the day. I have a little over ten minutes to make it over to the other side of the Abbey where Secondo’s office was.

“I’m late, I’m late,” I repeated over and over, trying to make myself presentable for my lessons. I could practically feel my grave being made. I gathered my bag and shoved the heavy books Secondo had assigned me to read into it. I rushed out the door. Nova followed quickly behind, laughing at my antics.

The relationship between Nova and me had improved drastically. He had somewhat turned into an older brother I didn’t even know I needed. I sure as hell didn’t want it, but he had warmed his way into my heart. I like to think I did the same for him.

The faces of siblings blurred together as we ran down the halls, many laughing at the sight before them. It was starting to become a common thing to see us running through the halls. Trying not to face Secondo’s wrath. You would think the supernatural powers would help, but no. After that night with Terzo, many of the superhuman qualities I could do ceased. In fact, it felt like most of my progress had stopped altogether.

I was having a hard time keeping them under control. I couldn't tell you how many things I had broken around the abbey. We won’t even mention when I accidentally set the curtains in Secondo’s office on fire. I can still see his face lit with rage as I desperately tried to put it out. I’m honestly not sure if I ever will get it under control, and I was exhausted from constantly using them - trying to control them. It was really starting to show how burnt out I was.

The final chime of the bells hung heavy in the air as I rounded the corner. Secondo stood in front of his office door, arms crossed over his chest, an unimpressed look on his face at the sight of me. “I’m here!” I’m out of breath when I reach his office doors, Nova stopping behind me.

“You're late.” His arms were crossed over his chest, face unreadable. “Good morning, Nova.”

“Good morning, sir.” I could see him waving out of the corner of my eye. “Good luck,” he grasped my shoulder, shaking me slightly as he began to walk away, not wanting to be around when Secondo began his usual rant. I shoot him a pleading look, hoping he will take pity on me. He only shot me a thumbs up as he rounded the corner shouting over his shoulder, “I will see you at lunch.”

I look back at Secondo; he has not looked away from me. A stone-cold glare sends a shiver down my spine, and I gulp. “Actually, I was here before the final chime, so therefore, I am, in fact, on time.” my weak attempt to defend myself fell on deaf ears. His expression remained unchanged as he walked into his office.

“Did you even do the reading I had assigned you last night?”

Maybe I can play this off? “I’m hurt, Papa; truly, you wound me.” I gasp, faking hurt. He looked at me suspiciously, head tilting slightly as if to say ‘really.’ Fuck he isn’t buying it. “No, I didn't.” My body deflates as I sigh in defeat, preparing for him to give me my scolding.

It wasn’t like I didn’t try to do the reading, but when Terzo offered to walk through his brother’s garden, I just couldn’t say no, especially when he gave me his puppy dog eyes that made it almost impossible to say no. Copia is no help, either. In fact, he somehow got pulled away from his paperwork to join us as well, also falling victim to Terzo. When we returned to my room, I was practically dead on my feet. All the early mornings and the intense training were starting to catch up on me. I couldn't help the yawn that escaped me.

“Are you even listening to a word I am saying?” Irritation is evident in his voice. He is starting to get angry.

“I’m sorry, I really am. I’m just exhausted. It won't happen again. I'm sorry.” I really was in no mood to argue. Quite honestly, I just wanted to get the day over with. At least then I could spend some time with Copia and Terzo. Another yawn escaped me as I weakly tried to cover it up.

He looks at me for a moment. His gaze softened slightly before sighing, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You have been working hard, given the circumstances. Perhaps I have been too hard on you, piccolo.” he seemed reluctant to continue, “You're free to go for the day. Go get some rest.”

Was I hearing him right? This had to be some kind of test, “Are you sure? I’m fine, really I am…”

He cut me off, moving to sit at his desk. “Yes, I am sure. Go and rest. I will let the Cardinal know where you are when he comes.”

“Thank you, Secondo.” I exhaled, beginning to exit the room.

He only grunts, waving me off, his attention going to the papers stacked neatly in the corner of his desk.

I sigh, closing the door behind me. My feet dragged me through the Abbey, unsure where I was heading. As much as sleep called my name, I couldn't bring myself to make it back to my room.

The remaining siblings of sins bowing as I pass them by. It’s something I think I’m never going to get used to. To many of them, I was a sort of god. They had been waiting for the prophet, but it wasn’t that to me. I was just, well… well, I was me. I was my mother’s daughter. I don’t think I will ever be my father’s princess.

I don’t know what led me outside. It felt like my feet were moving on their own as I wandered out the abbey doors. My feet led me down the now familiar trial. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the vague figure of Nova and a few other ghouls doing chores around the Abbey.

He must have noticed me, calling my name. He shoots me a thumbs up. One I can only respond by mouthing, ‘Day off.’ He didn’t seem convinced, but another ghoul grabbed his attention before he could do anything about it. Giving me enough time to sneak away. My thoughts were running wild.

Was I really the one everyone said I was? I can’t even manage to catch a single candle on fire anymore, let alone protect myself from whatever was out there. Was I really the daughter of a king of hell? I sigh, kicking a pebble along the stone passageway. Maybe I really should go take that nap. I could practically hear the worry of both the boys if I showed up in the state that I was in—telling me how I was working way too hard.

The sudden cry of ravens interrupted my thought, startling me from my trance. Finally, looking up. The bright colors of the oldest Emeritus brother's garden were covered with spots of midnight blue—a swarm of ravens took residence around the gate.

I cautiously walk to the gates–my curiosity getting the better of me. The cries of the birds getting louder the closer I get to them. Only quieting when I reach the gates, many of them flying away, save one.

“Hey there, buddy.” Jasper beams up at me, tilting his head to the side. He looked like he was surprised I was there.

“Yeah, I know, it's a bit early for me to be out here.” He jumps up, flapping his wings, landing on my shoulder with a cry, “ Fancy a walk around the garden with me?”

“Caw!”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I laugh out, opening the gate–beginning my walk through the gardens.

There was something about this place that was just so calming. It felt like something out of a novel, removed from the gothic nature of the abbey itself. Since Copia and Terzo brought me here, I often stopped here. It was slowly becoming my haven from everything else—a place to think and clear my thoughts.

“It must be nice being able to fly away whenever you want.” I turn my head slightly so that I can look at him. “I personally miss it.” I look back out into the sky. The clouds passing over the sun give even more shade on a peaceful day.

“Do you have anywhere you go when you're not here, Jasper? Or are you stuck here like me?” Closing my eyes, taking in the moment, enjoying the peace and quiet, “But then again, you are free to come and go as you please.”

The bench sat underneath the huge tree that was situated in the middle of the abbey, calling my name. Flopping onto it, I startle Jasper, who lands on the spot next to me. I stare up at the sky, letting my mind escape from the expectations that have been placed on me. Closing my eyes, the cold winter’s air hit my face, wishing Terzo or Copia were here; maybe I wouldn’t feel as lost as I did.

“What’s this?” A newcomer broke the garden’s silence, accent thick, “A visitor?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t know anyone else was here.” I stand ready to leave, not in the mood to talk to anyone.

“No, please stay. I did not mean to disturb you. I just returned from a rather long trip last night and wished to see my gardens.”

I finally look up at the newcomer. He looked oddly familiar. He looked like an older version of Secondo, with hints of Terzo. He was dressed in an old band shirt and what looked like jeans. He had short white hair that was combed back. Was this the oldest Emeritus brother?

“Ahh, I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting yet, your highness. My brothers speak rather highly of you.” He smiled down at me. “Papa Emeritus i at your service.”

“Nice to meet you papa.”

“Primo is just fine. I have never been one for formalities.” He had a welcoming smile, beckoning me to reclaim my seat, “Now, what brings you to my garden?”

“That’s a long story.”

“I have time, mia signora.” He takes a seat next to me.

Sighing, I look out at the garden. Despite the cold weather, the lilies were in bloom, an off shade of white that was a stark contrast to the dark greens and browns. “I have no idea what I’m doing…”

He laughs softly, “I don’t think anyone ever does mia signora”

“No, I don’t know what I’m doing. No one knows what I’m supposed to do. I’ve been thrown into this with nothing, and I still have nothing… One day I woke up, and my whole life changed. I wouldn't change it for the world. I’ve found a place where I feel like I belong, but what if I’m not what everyone thought I would be? What if Sister was right about me? I’m flying blind and scared that someone will get hurt because of me.” I pause for a second, taking a deep breath trying to stop myself from crying, “Even if I wanted to leave, I can’t. I’m being hunted, and I’m scared that eventually, I’m going to lead them here…” I could feel my eyes welling up with tears.

“I would say, given everything, you’re handling it rather well. I can only imagine how much this all is on you.” He places a hand on my shoulder.

“Oh, to be quite honest with you, I’m fucking terrified. All of this is so crazy, yet it’s happening.” I laugh in disbelief, “This is not where I thought my life would lead me. I thought I would still be running. I’ve always been running - ever since I was a kid. I ran from who I am. What I am. But being told it’s either face them or you’ll die. I just…” I take a shaky breath. Tears started to fall down my face. “At that moment, I just… I just couldn’t die yet… For the first time in my life, I can’t run anymore, and I’m fucking terrified.” I couldn’t help but laugh even more, vigorously rubbing the tears in my eyes.

He didn’t say anything. He only offered me a comforting smile. Standing from his seat, offering me his outstretched hand. He radiated a different energy from his brothers. He was calmer in a way. Like he’s lived life more and knew all the answers to it. I take his hand. We walk through the garden.

“What's even more terrifying is that I’m not entirely sure I want to run. I’ve made friends here and come to care deeply for people here, which makes it all worse. I could get them hurt. Or worse, killed.” The words die in my throat, finally admitting what scares me the most. What if I got Terzo and Copia killed?

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. He looked to be deep in thought, debating what to say. Then, leading me through the garden, he finally speaks, “When I was a young man, no older than you are now, I was placed in a position I never particularly wanted: a church to run and two younger brothers who always seemed to get into trouble. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I wouldn’t have made it through it if it wasn't for my wife.” There was a fond smile on his face. He gazed at the flowers with a far-off look in his eyes. “Now, I will not pretend that I know what you’re going through, but I will say that it is easier when you have others to go through life with you.”

“Everyone has been so nice to me, save for a few…” I don’t know what compelled me to continue, “How would I even tell them…”

There was a knowing smile on his face. “Forgive me if I overstep, mia signora. But you just do.” That was a lot easier said than done.

The gates of the garden come into view. A sigh escaped me; I really didn’t want to face the world at the moment. I didn’t want to face the judgment of the siblings around me; I didn’t want to see the icy stare of Sister Imperator. I didn’t want to face the regal nature the ghouls placed on me. All I wanted was to crawl under my blanket and stay there for a while.

As if sensing my discomfort, Primo put his hand on my shoulder, offering me a reassuring smile, “I think you will find it a lot easier than you think.” His other hand going to point in the direction of the Abbey. I could vaguely make out a figure walking toward us.

“Cara, there you are. Papa said you would be in your room…” Copia’s worried-filled voice hits me before I see him. “Terzo…” He notices Primo standing beside me, “I mean Papa, and I have been looking everywhere for you.”

“I’m sorry, Copia I…”

Primo cuts me off, “It was my fault Cardinal. I saw her excellence walking through the hall, and given that I have not had the chance to meet the antichrist yet, I thought I would give her a tour of my garden. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.”

“No need to apologize, your eminence. Her Majesty and I usually have lunch with your brother. We were worried something happened when she wasn’t in her room; Papa said she would be there.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see another figure approaching us quickly. Terzo was coming in hot, not particularly caring that the siblings looked at him like he had three heads. He came crashing into Copia, grabbing his arm to steady himself.

“There you are. You had us worried, tesoro.” He pulled me into his arms, not caring that his brother was standing right before us.

“Good to see you, Gabriele.” Primo’s voice was warm.

“Marco. I hope your flight went well. How is Elizabeth?”

“Yes, we just landed this morning.” He paused, looking fondly at his younger brother, “Beth is well. She is currently sleeping off the flight.” He turns his attention back to me, “Speaking of, I should probably check on her. My wife was never one for flying. It was Nice to meet you finally, your majesty. Til next time.” He takes my hand, kissing me on top of my knuckles, turning to leave. For such an old man, he moved quickly and with purpose.

“It was nice meeting you as well.” I wave in his direction. The boys and I turned to make our way to the abbey. I hope we didn’t miss lunch I was oddly hungry after the morning I had. It was quiet for a moment before it hit me.

“Gabriele?” I question, looking to Terzo, “You mean to tell me your first name isn’t Terzo!”

“No one really calls me that except for mia madre and this old bat.” He looks to the ground, slightly embarrassed. If it wasn’t for his makeup hiding it, I was almost positive he was blushing.

“I like it.” Rubbing his arm, the Abbey doors coming into view, “Next thing you’re going to tell me is that Copia isn’t his first name.”

“It’s not.” Terzo was quick to throw in, ready to bring Copia down with him.

“Don't you dare, you rat!” Copia throws his finger in his face turning a light pink.

“No, please come on. I wanna know!”

“Yes, Antonio. Do share.”

“Antonio!”

“Bastardo!” Terzo lets go of my arm. Copia chasing after him, fist raised in the air.

I laugh at my boys' antics, “Gabriele and Antonio.” tasting their names on my lips, liking how they roll off my tongue. I couldn't help but look at them fondly as Copia chased Terzo through the courtyard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I threw my hands up in defense.

“Oh, come on, it’s obvious with anyone with eyes. Tell me!” Nova sat with his legs crossed in front of me.

I groan, flopping backward into my bed. The night had taken an unexpected turn when Terzo and Copia had a bunch of paperwork they couldn’t get rid of, and Nova had volunteered to stay with me for a little bit. It was something that I was coming to regret. He had not stopped pestering me about what was bothering me. I could feel my annoyance growing with each passing moment.

“It’s only going to get worse the longer you ignore it.” he pushed further.

“What’s getting worse is the headache you're giving me.” I threw a pillow at him. It missed his figure entirely–his tail catching it, “Is it really that obvious?”

“Incredibly, the only people who don’t seem to be in on it are you three.” He throws the pillow back at me, hitting me square in the face.

“You are insane.”

“I’m a demon. It’s part of the job description.” His aura had hughes of pink mixed with a rose red pulsing through it. “It’s not my fault you’re too stubborn to admit it.”

Groaning, I look at him, “Ok, theoretically, what would I even say to them, ‘Oh hey guys, it’s me, the antichrist; just wanted to let you know that I’m in love with you…’” I pause for a second, realization hitting me like a truck.

Nova looked like a bat out of hell, ready to burst at the seams, “See! I knew it. I knew it! Omega owes me $50. Oh shit, I owe Mountain money now. Your Majesty, you have to tell them. Please. Please. Please.”

“Nova. Nova! Calm down. It’s not that simple.” I pleaded with the ghoul, hoping no one was around to hear his booming voice. It did little to calm the overactive ghoul. He stands to walk to the door.

“No, don’t!” I get up, tackling him to the ground before he can enter the main room. “Nova, they can't find out.”

“What?! Why not?”

“Because we’re friends, Nova, just friends. This would just complicate things. I just can’t lose them, Nova.”

“But you love them, don't you?” He tilts his head to the side. For a creature of hell, these ghouls were more like cats than anything else.

“Yes, I do, but it’s not that simple. This isn’t some dream. Besides, they probably don't view me as anything more than a friend.” I look down to the ground, not really wanting to have to explain this to him.

“You humans are so confusing…”

The clock on the wall chimes distracted me from sulking and interrupting Nova before he could continue. It was getting late, the perfect distraction from this conversation

“Look, Nova, it's late, I gotta get up early in the morning, and there’s still some reading I have to do.”

“Say no more. I can tell when I’m not wanted.”

“No, you can’t.” the deadpan tone causes his aura to turn sheepishly purple.

“Anyways. I’ll see you in the morning, your highness.” He gets up, ready to leave the room. Stopping just short of the door, “Listen, I know you may not think it, but maybe you should tell them. You may be surprised that they might feel the same.” the door closes.

I sigh, throwing myself onto my bed. What does he know? There was no way this could go well for anyone involved. It didn’t matter what anyone else saw; they weren’t there. They weren’t there when Copia gripped my hand, so gently tracing patterns into my skin. Or when Terzo gave me that gentle smile he only ever seemed to have when Copia or I was around. They weren’t there in the early morning hours when I called their name, chasing my release, wishing they were there instead, I was alone.

No, no one could tell me what was happening between the three of us because I wasn’t even entirely sure what was happening between us. I just knew that, at some point, they had turned into my boys and that I was completely in love with Gabriele Emeritus and Antonio Copia.

I groan, burying myself under my covers. Closing my eyes, one thought echoed around my head. I was so fucked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The halls were barren. Not a soul to be found. The halls seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions; I just couldn’t decide which would be the better bet to get the hell out of there.

“Hello?” I call to the left, hoping someone was out there. My voice bounced off the walls, sounding like hundreds of me were in the hall. “Hello!?” I call in the other direction, but still no answer.

Well, that didn’t help at all. Do I stay here and hope someone will eventually come? No, that would leave me too vulnerable. ‘Pick a direction and go with it.’ Taking a shaky breath, right it is.

My steps echoed off the halls, jumping back to meet me with an angry thud. Wherever it was looked like the Abbey, but this hall seemed endless. With each passing step I took in that direction, the longer it seemed to go. I wasn’t even sure I was making progress.

An agonizing scream filled the space. Circling me with a familiar voice, I desperately did not want to hear. “Help!”

“Terzo?” it was nothing but a whisper.

“Stop, please stop!”

“Copia!”

No, this can’t be happening. Taking off in the other direction, desperately trying to reach them. To save them. The halls still blurred together, nothing moving as I ran. It was like I was on a treadmill.

An eerie laugh boomed in the space around me. That laugh… IT was here. IT had them. Running even faster if that was possible. I could feel my body starting to change, but so were the halls around me. There was no way I would allow IT to get to them.

“Hurry, little rabbit. Lover boys may not make it if you don’t.”

“Don’t touch them!” I didn’t even recognize my voice anymore. It was distorted beyond recognition.

The sickening laugh bounced around the halls, growing louder the further I went. Everything was blurring together. I couldn't tell where I was anymore. The screams were only getting louder; my legs burned from how fast I ran. There was nothing in sight.

Suddenly an opening appeared, a break in the hallway leading into the church itself. Half the room had been destroyed. The pews were pushed to the far end of the room, and most of the windows were shattered, but no light dared enter the room; it was like the night sky was nothing but an empty void. Most of the statutes were destroyed, save the Lucifer statue that lay behind the altar slab. In the center of it all, IT stood. Limps wrapped around Terzo and Copia, keeping them in place. There was blood on IT’s blinding hands, blocking out the light it was made out of.

“Get away from them!”

“What are you going to do if I don’t, little rabbit?” IT’s voice taunted me. Tightening IT’s grip around Terzo and Copia, I could hear Terzo gasping for breath. Copia had stopped struggling.

IT takes slow short strides toward me; I take IT in. IT’s blinding light was the only light source in the room; it was like it was made from the light itself. Wings spanning close to the entire span of the altar space. IT’s body was similar to Lucifer’s. It was lanky and had long limbs that seemed to stretch out the closer IT walked toward me. This wasn’t a demon. I had never seen anything like it before. I could still hear the muffled pleas from my boys as they struggled to break free.

“Stop.” I plead, “Please just stop!”

“Why should I? I enjoy hearing such filth beg.” It took a few steps closer to me, its long limbs still holding Terzo and Copia in a vice grip. “I will never understand how Father can allow something like these two, like you, even to exist.”

IT stops before me, the voids where its eyes should be staring into my soul. “I, for one, can’t stand it anymore.” voice dropping several octaves.

The sickening sound of flesh being ripped apart filled the room, blood spilling to the floor. IT’s limbs come back to IT’s body. The unmistakable thud of bodies hitting the floor reached my ears. I stand there stunned as it steps to the side, taking pleasure from the scream that left my throat.

On the floor were Terzo’s and Copia’s bodies. Blood pooling around them. Copia’s arms ripped from his body, and his head twisted unnaturally. Terzo’s head was detached from his body, eyes still opened, looking back at me horrified. I cried out, tears flowing from my eyes, my legs giving out. IT grabbed me by my arms, pulling me up from the ground so that I was eye level with IT.

“This is only a taste of what I’m going to do to you.” IT all but whispered, “You can’t escape my little rabbit.”

It starts pulling at my arms, the pain indescribable. I scream as the world around me goes black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Copia’s P.O.V.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” The question was hurried as Terzo pulled me down the halls.

“You worry too much, caro; let’s just hope she’s not slee-...” The words died in his throat as a bloodcurdling scream reached our ears.

We stop for a moment, making eye contact–another scream soon follows. We stay for a moment longer before booking it down the hall to the sound of the scream. Only a few others lived down this hall; two weren’t in their room currently.

The realization made my legs move faster. Rounding the corner that leads to her door. Terzo must have realized what was happening, picking up his pace. Another deafening scream could be heard. Louder than before. It was definitely coming from her room. Her door came to the sight, the screaming getting louder.

Not even bothering to knock on the door, barging in. Desperately searching for her, not slowing up until we reached her bedroom. Stopping at the sight before us.

She was fast asleep, hovering a good three or four feet above her bed. Her mouth opened as a silent scream ripped through her body. Her body was not the same as when we last saw her. Her arms and legs were elongated, oxy covering most of her exposed skin, her teeth and nails sharper than anything I have ever seen before.

Terzo looked at me as if I knew what to do. I was just as lost as he was. We stand there helplessly, not uttering a word for fear it would startle her more.

With one final scream, she came crashing down onto the bed. Her form remains the same. She bolts up right, gasping for air. Looking around the room, she looked like a caged animal who had been blocked into a corner.

“What, where.”

“Bella, bella breathe. Its ok.

She threw herself into my arms, reaching her other hand out for Terzo. “I thought I lost you guys.” She managed to get out between gasps for breath. I pull her close, her tears staining my shirt.

“Nothing happened; we’re right here tesoro.” Terzo soothed her, his face resting in her hair. “What happened, amore mia?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know what it means.” Her nails dug into her skin. Despite how sharp they were, they did not break the skin. “You… you were dead. You had your head ripped off your body… You had your arms ripped off… I couldn’t do anything; IT wouldn't let me…”

“Amore it’s ok, we’re ok. We’re not going anywhere.” I try to soothe her.

“But if IT finds me, finds you.”

“Shhh, it’s ok, we’re ok. Nothing is going to happen to you. We promise.” Terzo cut in. His hold on her tightened at her word. We lock eyes for a moment. A million questions were floating in his eyes; I can only imagine that mine looked the same. What was IT? What was she talking about?

“Please, don’t go. Stay” Breaking eye contact; we look back down at her. I don’t think I have ever heard her sound so broken before. The grip she held on my arm was iron tight.

“We’re not going anywhere, amore…”

She gripped us like we were her lifeline. Terzo and I make eye contact, a silent promise passing between us as we hold her impossibly close. We would do everything in our power to ensure she was safe. I kiss the top of her head. I don’t think any of us will be sleeping much tonight.

Translations:

Cara- Dear

Amore mio- My love

Bellissima dea- Beautiful Goddess

Tesoro- Treasure

Piccolo- Little one

Mia signora- My lady

mia madre- my mother

Amore- Love

Author's Note:

So chapter four is finally here; this was originally going to be chapter three, so this has been in the works for a while. I have started chapter five and made some progress with it, but it's finals season, so chapter five might take just a little longer to come out than usual. Thank you guys so much for your support, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

#the band ghost #ghost bc #cardinal copia #ghost #ghost band #copia #papa emeritus iii #papa emeritus iv #cardinal copia x reader #papa emeritus iii x reader #copia x reader #terzo x reader #papa ii #papa I #terzo #papa emeritus x reader #ghost band x reader #copia x reader x trezo

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arecaceae175 · 1 year

Text

Febuwhump Day 23: "You'll have to go through me" (Wind)

AO3 link. This is a continuation of Day 22: Can't Scream (Wind).

NatureLover on AO3 wanted protective Legend and @aurora--lights wanted a continuation of yesterday’s prompt AND I’m having fun with the spook so I combined the requests and here you go! I hope you both enjoy!

Warnings: discussion of stuff from the last chapter, but nothing in huge detail

Part 3/3. Part 1. Part 2.

Wind was alone.

The monsters picked them off one by one until Wind was the only one left. There was no struggle, no screams, barely any noise at all. Both times Wind heard a rustling of leaves, then a tug on his hand and then the others were gone. Just gone.

Wind sniffled and hugged himself tighter. He had no idea what to do, no idea where to go, and no idea if the others were okay. He couldn’t leave the forest until he found them, but if he made any noise the monsters would get him too. He couldn’t rescue the others if he was taken.

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Wind was terrified. Put a sword in his hand and he could fight anything and everything. But this? He didn’t even know where to start.

A stick broke. Wind froze. He hoped he was high enough in the tree that the monsters would keep moving, as long as he didn’t make any noise.

“Hyrule! Wind!”

That sounded like Legend. Wind furrowed his brow in confusion. Legend wasn’t supposed to be here.

“Four! Wild! Anyone?” Maybe-Legend yelled. He was stomping heavily through the forest and had a lantern casting a dull glow around him. Wind held his breath.

“I swear I’m never letting any of you out of my sight again,” Maybe-Legend muttered. He was nearly right below Wind’s tree. Wind’s heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest.

“Hello? In search of fellow heroes!” Maybe-Legend yelled. He kicked a small rock and it tumbled until it was directly below Wind.

That sounded like Legend. It looked like Legend, but Wind didn’t trust that anymore. He was moving the same way Legend moved, without any of the monsters’ weird strides and stiffness. Wind but his lip, caught in indecision. If it really was Legend, he was finally safe. Legend could help him rescue the others then he could finally, finally leave this Hylia-damned forest.

But if it was a trick?

Maybe-Legend stopped underneath Wind’s tree. He leaned up against the tree and pulled out his waterskin. After he took a sip, he leaned his head back against the tree, eyes closed.

Wind could count the number of times on one hand he had felt more scared.

After a moment, Maybe-Legend opened his eyes and gazed up into the tree. His eyes found Wind’s bright blue tunic immediately, and he pushed himself off the tree.

“Wind?” Legend asked.

Wind felt himself sag in relief. Legend could see him! He was real!

Wind jumped down from the tree and tackled Legend in a hug. He wrapped his arms around Legend as tight as he could and buried his head into Legend’s chest. Legend caught Wind easily, arms around his back.

“Woah, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Legend asked. There was no trace of his usual sarcasm in his voice.

Wind felt tears building behind his eyes and desperately willed them away. He shook his head, not trusting his voice.

“Okay. Hey, you’re okay,” Legend muttered, hands rubbing comforting circles on Wind’s back. Wind allowed himself exactly twelve more seconds of the hug before he swallowed his emotions and pulled away from Legend. Legend let him go but kept his hands on Wind’s shoulders.

“Are you okay?” Legend asked, ducking slightly to meet Wind’s eyes.

“I’m okay,” Wind said. “I don’t know about the others, though.”

“What happened?” Legend asked.

“There’s some sort of creature in the woods,” Wind said. His voice was barely above a whisper. “They don’t have eyes, but they can hear everything . Their bodies are weird and black and fleshy and way too long ! They can also shapeshift, but they didn’t do that at first. I think they figured out we were smarter and changed tactics? And they took the others, and I don’t know how to find them, and-”

“Woah, sailor, breathe,” Legend said. “You’ve gotta slow down. The others were taken?”

Wind nodded rapidly. “The monsters took them. They got Wild first, then stole his body and then there were two of Wild but neither of them were actually Wild. ‘Rulie figured it out, he could tell something was off. They got him next, and then Four. I didn’t see any copies of Four, though. I ran and hid and I haven’t left the tree."

Wind felt the guilt hit him like a physical blow. What was he doing ? How could he have hid while the others were taken?

“I’m sorry,” Wind said. “I didn’t know how to find them, and I-”

“Stop,” Legend said, squeezing Wind’s shoulders. “I don’t want to hear that shit. Sounds to me like you would’ve been taken too if you hadn’t hid. We’ll find them.”

Wind swallowed down his guilt and nodded rapidly. “You’re right,” Wind said. Legend smiled.

Wind couldn’t change his actions in the past, but he could make sure he found his brothers now. It was time to figure out their plan.

“Where are the others?” Wind asked.

“We split up to look for you,” Legend said.

Wind sighed and ran a hand through his hair in aggravation. “That means we can’t trust anyone else. And we need to make sure we don’t get separated. Do you have any rope?”

“Yeah,” Legend said, and he turned to pull it out of his bag. Wind kept a tight grip on his shirt. “Why do we need rope?”

“Me and ‘Rulie and Four were holding hands and the monsters still took them,” Wind explained. Legend handed him the rope and he set to work tying it around both their waists. “This way even if the monsters try, they’ll have to separate us and cut the rope.”

Legend nodded. Wind finished tying the knots then attached himself to Legend’s side. It was strategic, sure, but Wind was self aware enough to admit to himself he wanted the comfort. He would never say that out loud, though. He was still a hero.

“And we can’t make any noise,” Wind continued. “That’s how they’ll find us.”

“Don’t worry,” Legend said. “Those monsters will have to go through me, and I sure as hell won’t let them get to you. We’ll have the others back in no time.”

Wind smiled gratefully up at Legend. Legend smirked and ruffled his hair. Wind pushed his hand away with a light-hearted grumble.

Wind took a steadying breath as he intertwined their elbows together. “Let’s do this.”

#febuwhump2023 #febuwhump #febuwhump day 23 #you'll have to go through me #fic #tw:#shapeshifter #not in detail this time #linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu fic #lu wind #lu legend #ace writes

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strawberrycircuits · 10 months

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oooough in that case..... i also want to hear abt malon/link and uhhh how about malon/zelda ?

ok so malon and zelda r sooo. auauaaa. i THINK if they got to know each other they would be amazing 2gether no matter what. worlds strongest horsegirl + dainty secret ninja princess. love that for them. also i love everything about sheik + malon too hence the box being marked for comedic potential. tfw the cute guy who keeps visiting yr farm is thefucking princess of hyrule. id just collapse on the spot

malon and link i. ooh boy. i have far too many brain worms about something that was dubiously canonized for the sake of a plot contrivance ok lets go

as if i didnt make it completely and utterly clear malink makes me SOOO INSANE. SO INSANE!!!!!!!! malon is so similar to link but also Not at the same time. both of them have parents they barely remember/never met and fathers that are kind of doing their best but failing to give their kid the support they actually need. malon is isolated by living away from castle town in a similar way link was in kokiri forest. they both seem to have this Longing For Greater Things that they dont rlly understand beyond being compelled towards it and theyre both overworked because of their surrounding circumstances. the primary difference between them is that malon is just, like. Normal. Where link watches her dad (who is a giant tree) die in front of her after being told to leave the forest of ageless kids in which she grew up, malon has to deal with a father who is too tired and overworked to meaningfully connect with her. links mom died because she was a refugee in a civil war fought in part over her child, and malons mom died of like, illness or whatever. link grew up in a magic forest where she couldnt leave lest she DIE (as she was led to believe) and malon grew up on a farm that occupied the majority of her time and prevented her from interacting with others. links childhood was stolen through people using her as a weapon to be honed and not a person to be valued, and malon's was (although obvs not nearly to extent links was) stolen because she had to handle the responsibilities and duties her father placed on her at such a young age.

what i am getting at. is that while their experiences are WILDLY DIFFERENT, they have gone through similar things!! its just that malons arent steeped in destiny and the goddess's will and all that shit that led to links childhood being as fucked as it was. shes just a farmers daughter whos had it kind of rough. AND YET SHE *KNOWS* WHAT ITS LIKE TO FEEL LIKE YOU WERE NEVER ABLE TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS THE WAY YOU SHOULDVE, TO HAVE YOUR YOUTH STRIPPED AWAY BY UNDUE RESPONSIBILITY. so when link feels like theres no way anyone could understand the things shes been through shes proven WRONG because NO THERE IS YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN FEELING THIS WAY. it may not be as fantastical as what u went through BUT STILL. there is SOMETHING here i swear to god!!!!!!!!

malon has so much potential and she has so much potential with link but nintendo does not care abt that. they wanted to say tp link was oot links grandkid and thats all they cared abt. and i wish that the fanbase at large would recognize that there is Something Compelling Going On Here if u look but no. no they dont. malon is reduced to a mother figure, a motive, a wife shoved in a fridge if shes considered at all. id rather there be no content for her at all tbh. just bc nintendo didnt care abt their female characters in 1998 and 2006 DOESNT MEAN u have to treat those characters the same.

tldr: malon rights

#puts this in the main tag again. u will listen to my Malon Is A Compelling Character propaganda you WILL #ocarina of time #malink

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nabtime · 10 months

Text

Our Empty Graves IV

Fandom: Danny Phantom / Batman: Under the Red Hood

Pairings: Danny Fenton/Jason Todd (Dead on Main)

Rating: Mature

Tags: batfamily, hazmat AU, Nobody Knows AU, Mute!Phantom, potential ghost king danny, slow burn?, DC means Disregard Canon, AU means AU nothing is exactly the same, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, more than canon typical violence, danny is a Halfa and also a Fetch, no beta we die like basically everyone

Summary: They say that Red Hood has a loyal mutt. The man rules his territory in Crime Alley with an iron fist and a guard dog at his side. They say that Hood calls him Fetch, sometimes Fetcher. No one's ever heard him speak. Anyone who's ever seen him says he looks like an experiment gone wrong, that Hood picked him up somewhere unspeakable. They say he'll do anything Red Hood asks of him and he'll do it well. That he's strong and fast and probably inhuman. The girls say he's sweet; quiet but charming in his own way. Rival gangs say he's vicious; that he'd sooner rip your throat out than let you go.

Jason just wants to help him.

Chapter 4: sing to me (cause i can't hear myself)

Chapter Summary: Red Hood and Danny have a talk over soup

Chapter Notes: title from Sing to Me by MISSIO Links: AO3 // Chapter 1 // Chapter 3 // Chapter 5

What the hell had he gotten himself into now?

Danny hadn’t laid on a couch in what felt like years. Graveyard benches, tree branches, and mausoleum roofs were very poor substitutes for cushions or mattresses. The couch was rank and decrepit and leaking stuffing all over the place and it felt heavenly. There was also a weirdly abundant supply of ectoplasm just floating around the place. Ancients he hoped that didn’t mean what he thought it meant. He better not have invaded another ghost’s Haunt. He did not want to deal with a territorial asshole trying to fight him off when he needed to heal. He was not leaving this couch for anything.

Warily he gathered up the ectoplasm telekinetically and wrapped it all around himself like a faintly glowing blanket, soaking it in with a small contented churr from his core. He still thought it was weird-all the animal like noises he could make. Noises that were instinctual and part of Core Speak, which was a lesser form of Ghost Speak. Ghost Speak itself was less about words and more about emotions and the vague intention of thoughts. Like when sounds and colors could convey a certain feeling or impression. He’d used a bit of it to talk to Red Hood even though Ghost Speak was something humans couldn’t understand or even perceive. It was an unconscious habit- Ghost Speak was the only way he could communicate with the other ghosts (not that they cared much for what he had to say most of the time) and he couldn’t even try to talk to anyone else usually.

It was nice that Red Hood still seemed to be able to understand him, it felt good to ‘talk’ with someone willing to play charades.

But, Ancients, what an embarrassing conversation. He’d been so delirious from being punch drunk and having blood loss. He was lucky he couldn’t talk because he couldn’t imagine what kind of filth he would’ve been spewing, waxing poetic about Red Hood’s juicy ass or something, if he could’ve. Just because it really was a juicy ass didn’t mean Red Hood had to know. Although, he probably already knew that. Man couldn’t walk around with that much cake and not know it. So, Red Hood didn’t have to know that Danny knew about and appreciated his ass. And thighs. And arms. And tits. Aaaand- he really needed to think about something else.

Red Hood being surprisingly hilarious? He called him Ghostbuster Reject and he didn’t even know Danny was a ghost. Not to mention all the names for Batman like Goth Furry Man and Mr. Dark and Stormy Night. He could tell that Red Hood was keeping back more of them too. He’d take any silly nickname Red wanted to give him if it meant he didn’t have to go by the stupid name he’d given himself.

Fetcher the Fetch. Red was right, it made him sound like Moon Moon. It would have to do though. He couldn’t spread the name Phantom around, couldn’t risk the GIW or his parents trying to find him in Gotham. The city had enough of its own problems without the property damage and disregard for by-standers that came with either group.

He felt bad that he’d only given Red Hood the partial truth. He was a Fetch, but that wasn’t exactly a term well used outside of ghosts and the Realms. Fetch- the apparition of a being yet still alive. The ghost of a living person. Both alive and dead. Half ghost and half human. Not that Danny felt all that like a human anymore. He hadn’t changed in a long time and the only reason he knew he still had a side of himself still alive was the faint heart-beat that thumped just under his core.

He still felt a tad guilty about hiding the whole “dead guy” she-bang from Red, but he didn’t need some weirdly nice Gotham Rogue knowing his entire being was against the law. That he could be turned over to the government for a hefty bounty. Didn’t matter that the guy had saved his skin, he’d been betrayed more than once and he wouldn’t risk it with a stranger. He also didn’t want to cause trouble. Red Hood looked like a guy that could handle himself but also someone who would protect his own to the last. He didn’t need anyone getting shot on either side because of him. The GIW didn’t care about collateral damage and they really wouldn’t care about hurting people they thought didn’t matter and destroying homes already falling apart. It was unfair and maddening, but it was how they worked. Ruthless and unforgiving.

Was it sad that the ghosts he used to fight to protect the town were now the least of his problems? Most of them had been scared off by the GIW after they’d gotten more competent and started experimenting. After the Anti-Ecto Acts got passed, most of the regular ghosts had made themselves scarce. Only the more powerful guys had dared to step foot into Amity, and then they became Danny’s problem. And then the whole mess with Pariah had happened and then none of the ghosts wanted to go top side. No, Danny’s post in Amity, stuck as it was in the zone, had become more about preventing humans from entering the Zone than the other way around. He had to stop the occasional reckless spirit, but for the most part they stayed scarce.

He hoped the Realms would be okay while he was gone. Who knows what his parents or the GIW could get up to in his absence.

He dozed on and off for a good bit, sleep light as it always was in ghost form. He could avoid eating when he was Phantom by absorbing ectoplasm, and he could get by with much less sleep in this form as well. But when he was injured, especially as injured as he was now, he needed to rest to get better. Needed to conserve energy and soak. Like a nice bath. A ghostly hibernation.

He started to feel better each time he blearily woke before going back down.

One of the times he could hear clanging and shuffling, like someone making food in a kitchen. He figured Red Hood would have gotten take-out. Was he making food? Maybe he was just dreaming. Dreaming of a better time in a more familiar kitchen…

It was all vague sensations and feelings. Just the warm light of the sun streaming in through the kitchen window. Just the suggestion of a fresh breeze blowing through and stirring up the scent of spices permeating the cramped space. The susurration of curtains in the wind. Just the faintest sound of humming and soft laughter. Like he’d fallen asleep in the kitchen and he was hearing everything through a drowsy fog.

It was warm. The oven was on. There was something giving off steam on the stove. He could hear pots clanging and utensils clinking. He could hear murmuring and rustling. There was the sensation of closeness and a sort of comfort and togetherness he rarely felt. It felt like contentment. It felt like love.

“Hey, sweetie,” his mom said, voice soft and dulcet. He could feel a warm hand rubbing his back. “It’s time for dinner now, sleepy-head.”

He said something in reply but he couldn’t hear it. He felt dizzy, like the room was spinning and everything he’d felt started to distort and spiral. His mother said something again but her voice came out cold and distorted and angry.

“What did you do with my son?”

“Hey,” a gruff voice, still staticky from being filtered, spoke as he was shaken awake. He blinked as the dream he’d been having floated away from his mind, forgotten as he rose from Nocturn’s hold into the realm of the wakeful.

“Black-white-and-green-all-over,” the voice said again, a hint of amusement lacing the words, “time to wake up and smell the bacon.”

“Food’s ready,” Red Hood said, straightening from where he’d been hovering over Danny to wake him.

Mrrp?

His core let out a little sound, much like a cat just being woken. Cats and ghosts had a lot in common, sounds wise, and he was discovering new sounds he could make all the time. Most ghosts could just talk and Core Speak was considered something more intimate, to be used with close friends, lovers, and allies. But for him, it was the only way he could communicate until he could find a way to learn sign. His core seemed particularly talkative around Red Hood, too. Strange. Maybe because Red was the first person he’d encountered in ages that didn’t want to immediately kill him?

“Hohmy-god.”

He blinked, stretching and tilting his head in question. What was that about?

“You’re adorable, kid,” Red answered, teasing.

Red Hood had his hands on his hips, arms bare in all their glory without his jacket, and was wearing an apron. A red apron with frills and a cute little skull printed on it. Who was this man to call Danny the adorable one?! Clearly he hadn’t seen himself in a mirror. It didn’t matter at all that Danny couldn’t see his face- the personalized apron was more than enough. Did he make that? Did someone else make it for him? He had so many questions he couldn’t ask.

Danny chose to just flip him off instead.

Red shook his head and headed back into the kitchen. “Get your ass in here and eat this soup already. You look like you’ve healed enough.”

If Danny could groan, he would. The thought of moving was not appealing. He had already told himself that he wasn’t moving from the couch for anything and that included whatever soup ‘The Red Hood’ decided to shovel into him.

Could Red even cook? He had a whole apron thing going on, but that didn’t really mean anything. Maybe it was a gag gift because of how bad he was at cooking. He shuddered. Well, no one could be worse than his parents. He’s pretty sure sentient food beats out burnt to a crisp any day. There wasn’t any smoke or sign of fire so that was encouraging at least.

He was mostly healed at this point, scrapes gone and bleeding stopped. He could move his arm again and he didn’t need to channel all his ectoplasm into healing alone. His thigh and his shoulder were still throbbing from the shitty Bat-a-rangs but they were on the mend. Honestly, for how bad off he’d been he was healing pretty well and pretty quickly. The benefits of being a dead guy. And landing in a city rich with the stuff that helped him. He had enough he could probably go invisible and freak out Red, but he’d refrain for now.

Still, he flopped over the cushions, debating on whether it was worth it to move or not. He didn’t need to eat and its not like his senses were the same in ghost form as they were in human form. He didn’t smell the same way and while he’d never tested it, he probably couldn’t taste the same way either. So what did it even matter-

And suddenly there was a mass of looming Red just hovering over him and then- still very suddenly, he was being lifted up from the couch. Cradled in very warm, very nice arms.

“H-up we go-,” Red Hood mumbled, very very close to Danny’s ear and making him shiver. He was carried princess style into the kitchen and plopped down into a rickety wooden seat. He stared dumbly down at the, frankly, delicious looking bowl of chicken noodle soup as he tried to process what the hell just happened. Everything was tingly and his mind was blank. He had phantom (haha) sensations of warmth where Red had held him. When was the last time he’d been touched without being hurt?

“Like a handful of grapes,” he heard Red mutter as he settled into the seat across from Danny. Wow, rude.

Red picked up a spoon and used it to point at Danny’s bowl. “Eat.”

He huffed and slid down in the chair a bit but picked up the spoon anyway. If he could grumble he would. He made sure to look as petulant as he could as he dipped his spoon into the broth. He stared dumbly again as he tried to figure out how he was supposed to eat.

He heard a mechanical click and looked up to see that Red had retracted part of his mask somehow, leaving the bottom half of his face bare. A cupid’s bow. Hm. A cupid’s bow turned up into a smirk. Red pointed again.

“Eat.”

His voice was odd without the modulator, smooth and deep. And very clearly amused. And Danny really, really needed to think about other things. He had enough to worry about than to be distracted by a nice voice. One guy treats you like you’re not a monster and suddenly you go ga-ga for him. The thought made him sag further down into the chair, piercing the night with a shrill squeak. Fucking hopeless.

Danny sighed internally and went back to trying to figure out how to eat. Well, if he was healed enough to go invisible he was healed enough to go intangible. Partially.

He made the mask intangible but still visible, so to someone else it didn’t look any different from before. Then he brought the spoon up and let it pass through the mask unhindered. Oh Ancients. Chicken noodle soup. Good chicken noodle soup. He couldn’t smell it before but he could now, and it smelled divine and tasted even better. He would die a second time for this soup. Hell, he might kill someone for this soup. Red Hood wanted someone gone? He would do it. He’d do it for soup. He kind of wanted to cry about it. How long had it been since he’d had something to eat? Let alone something this good. And even less something that was home-made and this good. Yeah, if he kept thinking about it he would definitely cry.

He took another eager bite, willing to sink into the flavor- rich with things he’d almost forgotten about like garlic and onion and carrots and celery. Spices he couldn’t name giving it a taste like nothing else. He felt a deep warmth spread through his body and his core purred with contentment.

He blinked open his eyes that he hadn’t even realized he’d closed to find Red Hood staring at him.

“How the fuck are you doing that?” he asked, incredulous.

Danny tilted his head in feigned innocence. He had no idea what Red was talking about, no sirree.

“Don’t give me that, you know what you’re doing,” he said, pointing an accusatory finger towards him. “How the fuck are you doing it?”

Danny rolled his eyes and dropped his spoon . He held up his hand and then phased it through the table, waving his fingers in a little ta-da motion afterwards.

“Alright. Density-shifting,” he said, sounding just a bit exasperated. “Okay. That’s just a thing you can do, then.”

He didn’t know what density shifting was but figured it was close enough to intangibility that he nodded. He picked up his spoon but before he could eat the most delicious meal of his life, Red had another question.

“Anything else you can do that I should worry about?”

He paused (a tragedy, really) . It’s not like he could actually give a list. He could write it, yeah, but where was the fun in that. It also didn’t help that he couldn’t remember half of his powers on a good day. They were instinctual. Like a muscle he didn’t know the name of that he could flex . He could move the muscle but its not like he was aware of it. What it was called or how it worked.

He shrugged and continued eating.

“You know, glow-stick, there’s gonna come a point where I need answers,” Red said, voice wry. “I’ve let you get away with a lot already. Don’t think I’ll be lenient again,” he spoke with finality.

Danny regarded him seriously. Red Hood had let him move on without explaining things multiple times now. He was grateful for it honestly. He didn’t know how he would even start to untangle all that he was to this stranger. He couldn’t even do that with people he knew and trusted. And he didn’t want to go through being interrogated within an inch of his half-live again either. At least Red was being civil about everything.

He put his spoon down again (mournfully) and gave Red Hood a solemn nod. There wasn’t much else he could do to convey his thanks and his seriousness, but Red seemed to get the message.

“Good. Don’t cause trouble and it won’t be an issue.”

He wanted to laugh at that. Like he could ever stay out of trouble.

Red must have sensed his amusement because he made a motion with his head like he was rolling his eyes. Danny could tell even though he couldn’t see them behind the helmet. Looks like they were both able to communicate with body language pretty well, probably why Red was so good at reading him.

They ate in silence for a bit, the distant sound of sirens and gunfire lulling to a background noise he wouldn’t have thought he’d get used to so easily. But it was still somehow familiar, like a song he knew played on an instrument he’d never heard of. Police sirens instead of ghost attack sirens and gunfire instead of the odd electric crackle of ecto-blasts.

Danny melted into his chair as he finished his last bite, the warmth of the soup turning him into a puddle of goo. His belly felt full in a way it hadn’t in years. The last meal Jazz had made for him had been when he was what? Sixteen? Before she left. Before he left.

“So,” Red started, voice firm. Danny wanted to groan again. He didn’t want to have serious discussions, not now. All he wanted to do right now was become one with the table and savor his beautiful, beautiful soup. But Red Hood was relentless. Merciless.

“You said you fell from a portal?”

He nodded. Miserably.

“You got any way to get back through said portal?”

He stilled. No, he didn’t. He really didn’t.

He thought about what would happen next. Would he go back to his Haunt? Could he? He’d found his way topside and the only stable portal connecting the two halves was in the ruins of the place that Amity used to occupy. Both his parents’ portal and Vlad’s had been victims to the shift into the Zone, both weirdly inverting on themselves, collapsing and reforming- twisting reality in ways it should never have twisted.

Vlad’s portal never stabilized, shrinking down and imploding in on itself- condensing like a dying star becoming a black hole but bursting out in radioactive shock-waves instead. It took out half of Elmerton in the explosion as well. Thankfully the neighboring town had been evacuated the moment Amity disappeared so there weren’t any casualties. But it had definitely been a close call. His parent’s portal survived on a miracle, creating an exit for the townspeople when everyone realized that the city was stuck and there was no going back. Nobody died but- there wasn’t a single citizen who hadn’t lost everything. There was only so much that could be transported through the portal after all. It was the only time anyone ever let him near enough to help, if only to use his strength to carry the boxes of meager belongings through to the other side. Boxy knew better than to mess with them when he was around.

The truth was that he didn’t have anywhere to go. Anything to do. If he weren’t only half-ghost then the loss of his Haunt and Obsession could have Ended him, but as it were it just made him sad. Restless. Core-tearingly despondent. He’d already just been listlessly haunting the cemetery, fighting ghosts when they wanted to pick a fight with him. Skulker was really the only one that tried anymore.

The most he could hope for was a natural portal popping up that he could sneak into, and that was only if it didn’t spit him back out somewhere completely different instead of the Zone. While Gotham seemed to have an abundance of ectoplasm, that didn’t mean it had an abundance of portals.

Would he build a new place for himself here? Haunt a new graveyard? He could never be human again. He’d left that life far and long behind. Maybe he’d find a house to haunt, be a proper ghost and scare some people.

The thought left a bad taste in his mouth, but he elected to ignore it. He’d only just felt a little like a human again. A mistake.

He’d stalled long enough. He shook his head and waited for Red Hood’s reaction.

“ Anyplace to go?” he questioned, tone flat. Danny couldn’t begin to tell what he was thinking, he kept his cards close to his chest. But maybe there was a hint of concern there? Or maybe he was being too optimistic.

He shrugged, truthfully not knowing how to answer that. He could try to get back to Amity, but that was a long, long while to walk and a major fight with the GIW and his parents that he didn’t want to pick. Or he could settle back into the cemetery he’d been chased from. Visit his old zombie pal, Jason and dodge Batman again. It’s not like he needed human accommodations. Nothing an old mausoleum wouldn’t do.

Danny could see the black eye-cover of Red’s helmet narrow (and wasn’t that a trip). He could feel the other man’s stare, intense and analytic. He waited.

Red Hood sighed. “Well, for now, you’re staying here until you’re healed completely . Then we’ll figure it out as we go.” He pressed a button on his helmet that made it drop back down and recover his face, then stood up and picked up the empty soup bowls. “Don’t need Bold and the Bleakness trying to kill you over something stupid again.”

Danny nodded. He could agree to that. He’d stay until the Bat-a-rang wounds and his broken arm fully healed and then drift back to the cemetery. No need to bother Red Hood any further than he already had. He didn’t deserve as much kindness as he’d already gotten. The man might seem to be a crime lord, but he cared about his people and had a surprising amount of warmth. A man like that didn’t need to worry about a thing like Danny.

He would fade out when Red Hood left and go back to where he belonged. Some dusty old mausoleum he could guard. And then he would wait out the rest of his existence there, protecting bones no one cared about anymore for as long as he continued to walk this plane. Maybe someday he’d fully die and make his way back to the empty streets of Amity, maybe by then the ghosts of his neighbors would have repopulated the town. Maybe he’d see his friends again. Maybe, someday, he could rest.

It was as good a plan as any.

“Alright, kid, rest up for now,” Red said, rinsing out the bowls and setting them to dry on a rack by the sink. Danny just watched the man move about the kitchen, enjoying the view. Red ducked out of the apron and folded it up until it was as small of a bundle as it could go and stuffed it in a side pocket on his utility belt. Well, huh. So he just carried that around with him then. Fascinating.

He turned back to Danny and pointed a stern finger in his direction. “I don’t wanna see you anywhere but that couch until you’re fully healed.”

Danny rolled his eyes and nodded. He’d be fine. Red Hood wouldn’t see him anywhere but the couch, not once he went invisible.

Red pulled his gloves on, Danny watching with rapt attention. Maybe a little too much attention when he pulled his jacket back on and his arms flexed with the movement. Hmm.

“You need help back to the couch, glow-stick?”

Danny felt himself flush, face probably turning green under the mask as he scrambled out of the chair and stumbled back to the couch, shaking his head along the way. He plopped down onto the cushions and melted a little into the blood-stained fabric with a bit of intangibility.

Red Hood huffed and shook his head, making his way toward the window and throwing a leg out and straddling the sill.

“Rest up and I’ll see you in the morning, Fetcher,” he called, giving Danny a wave.

Danny gave a wave back, a little sad that this would be the last time he saw Red Hood. He’d be gone in an hour or two, ready to haunt one of the smaller cemeteries of Gotham into perpetuity. For now, however, he’d take another nap and rest like a human just one last time.

#naps fics #dp x dc #Our Empty Graves #dpxdc

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moron-hassaikai-and-more · 10 months

Note

Character ask: hojo!!

:0 UNDERRATED CRYSTAL BOI!!

Quick heads up: there’s brief overdose mention and suicide right at the end so be wary of that if you think that’ll be triggering to you.

What I like about him: How much he clearly cares for Tabe and Setsuno (blah blah the camaraderie warms my heart, blah blah trauma from having no friends in school blah blah), pretty Crystals, buff man make brain go brrr.

What I dislike about him: that one screenshot where you can see he’s got stubble under his mask. No. Fucking shave your face dude. You already shave your head. Also that he got no screen time outside of getting his ass kicked :’)

Favourite moment: explaining why he and the other 2/3s of the trash trio are so close and that they’re not worth anything without each other (EEEEEEEEEE-)

Least favourite moment:

Cries at that panel

Situations I want to see more: Give me day to day trash trio shenaniganary. I want them doing normal stuff: going grocery shopping, hanging out with the other bullets, pestering overhaul, just slice of life stuff. I’d also love his relationships with Toya and Tabe to be developed more. Like, yeah, they’re trash but with each other they’re trash with meaning (EEEEEEEE-*is knocked out) but I want to know the actual dynamics. Toya is supposed to be the leader, do they actual respect that? (See more on this in the head cannon bit)

Interesting AU: One where he’s in a bizarre interlinked family tree with like, 6 others from the series. This is one me and my bf made, I dubbed it the Sin AU because each person’s quirk is from one of the seven deadly sins: Midnight is Lust, Deidoro is Gluttony, Monoma is Envy, Hojo is Greed, Tiger is Sloth, and there were two more I can’t recall at the current time. It doesn’t really do much other than add another layer of depth to the character, but I think it’s cool none the less. (Also I wanna see how the family reunions would go lol)

Crossover: Give this man a cavern crasher, give this man a rock stomper, we’re going to Berk, Gadies and Lents. I wanna see the entire Hassaikai with dragons from how to train your dragon so bad!! (I actually have headcannons for everyone! If you want to know I’ll elaborate in the notes)

OTP: ok ok ok. It’s weird, I know, but you gotta hear me out on this one: Hojo and Pixie Bob. The reason I say this is linked back to the Sin AU (Ibara must have coded my iPad or something, it won’t let me type sin without autocorrecting to sun a million times) because I Headcannon Deidoro and Ragdoll to be friends/partners/no one can fucking tell, so because Ragdoll and pixie are best friends, and in that au Deidoro and hojo were brothers, plus Hojo and tiger were related, it just kinda fell into place. Plus Pixie is super desperate for a partner and I feel like Hojo gets zero bitches, he’s the human embodiment of the ‘No bitches?’ Meme. Anyways.

Other ships: Overhaul and Chrono (because under no circumstance will I ever split them up). Purely cos I saw a post saying that entire rant about the trash trio being useless without overhaul and them owing everything to him was said by Hojo, not Setsuno, and it sounding like he had a crush on him.

BROTP: the rest of the trash trio. Duh.

NOTP: anyone from the league except now that I think about it I can weirdly see him working with Magne? …hm. And any pro too.

Headcannon time!!!

1. While Setsuno is the ‘leader’ of the trash trio, and he’s good at it, don’t get me wrong, he can definitely strategise and knows what he’s doing, he’s terrible at just…existing day to day life, so Hojo typically has to help him. He’s his common sense, in a way. He’s to Setsuno what Tengai is to Rappa, just both are a lot happier with the arrangement.

2. He and Setsuno actually knew each other before they joined the hassiakai, not well but they attended the same school and had a few classes together.

3. He’s 22 years old and the oldest of the trash trio. He’s also the third tallest in the bullets at 6’1 (only Rappa and Katsukame are taller cos…yeah. Btw this is completely ignoring the canon evidence showing otherwise because Tabe is not allowed to be tall. He is baby and he is no taller than 5’3 and I will bite anyone who says otherwise. I’m only saying this because I want to be taller than at least one person in the hassiakai-)

4. Sad backstory time. He was orphaned: his dad cheated on his mum before Hojo was born and his mum died of a drug overdose when he was around four. He was then moved to live with his aunt who..wasn’t an amazing parent but was better than what he had previously. As he got older, about 16, he found out what actually happened with his parents, and attempted to find his dad. He eventually managed to get in contact with him- however his dad wanted nothing to do with him. This destroyed him and he attempted to end his life, however overhaul found him and took him in. A few months later, Setsuno joined, and then Tabe about half a year after that, and with that, the trash trio was fully formed.

Huh. Didn’t know I had that much to say about him. I really thought I’d have a few sentences for each question…anyways, hope you enjoyed!

#post office #yu hojo #trash trio #shie hassaikai #mha #plague researcher

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pali-makto · 11 months

Text

seer.

chapter 4.

warnings: reader uses she/her pronouns. a lot of repetition. canon characters being ooc. lowercase intended. uses of y/n. arranged mating. let me know if i miss any

summary: family gets involved, arguments are had and announcement are made. i suck at summaries

word count: 4.0k

author's note: the word bank is at the end of the chapter, for any other words check the link in the masterlist, enjoy!

the matriarch watched the exchange from the other side of the tent. a fond smile gracing her face, the apprentices reminded her of another pair that were lost to war.

after instructing vìsawe on what to do, the tsakarem felt a pair of eyes on them. looking up and locking eyes with the tsahik, the apprentice returned the smile that was already in the teacher’s face.

***

the tsakarem had developed a routine in the following weeks after meeting vìsawe. wake up, go to the tree of souls, go back, be in the tent learning from mo’at, and go back home. from what she had heard from the tsahik was that vìsawe was busy being tarsem’s right hand man, following the clan leader around. they would be joining them every now and then as vìsawe also needed to look for himself inside the great mother.

when asking her teacher why vìsawe needed to do that, the tsahik responded with ‘an olo’eyktan must wait to hear eywa, a tsahik is always listening.’ there was some truth to that, the tsakarem knew it better than anyone, even when the great mother had not presented her with any visions. the tsakarem was currently grinding herbs, entrapped in her own thoughts, thinking about how at some point vìsawe was going to be her muntxatan, her other half for the rest of their lives until they joined eywa. not that she didn’t like him, he seemed nice, but being set up with someone, especially after her parents fell in love, seeing each other for who they really are, with sempu defying his parents to mate with sa’nu. the tsakarem sighed in defeat. the silence was interrupted by the matriarch speaking up. “‘evenge, what is wrong this time?” “i haven’t had a vision since the first time we visited the tree of souls.” “that is not what is bothering you.” the tsahik responded. the tsakarem took a deep breath in frustration and questioned the tsahik.

“why must i be promised to vìsawe?” the tsakarem asked. the tsahik sighed, not wanting to have this conversation. “it is eywa’s will for the clan leaders to be mated, ‘evenge. that will never change. it is a tradition that has happened ever since the first songs.” the high priestess responded, the apprentice was not satisfied with that answer and questioned the tsahik further. “has anyone broken the promise of two future leaders that are to be mated?” the apprentice asked. the tsahik stilled and considered her answer, but decided to tell her apprentice the truth. “yes, once, many eclipses ago.” “who was it?” “my daughter.” the matriarch simply responded. the tsakarem widened her eyes, she didn’t expect that kind of answer.

the tsakarem stayed silent, not wanting to anger her teacher. the matriarch didn’t comment on the way her apprentice looked slightly guilty of her question. the young healer looked down to what she was doing before hearing something, her ears twitching. the apprentice looked up to the matriarch, silently asking if she had heard it too. the sounds got louder, war cries and celebrating cries as if something worth celebrating had happened.

the tsakarem stood up and walked to the exit of the tent. seeing hunters and warriors, bow and arrows in hand. seeing a group of warriors with vìsawe in their ranks. “vìsawe!” the tsakarem shouted. the olo’eyktan in waiting perked up and turned around to see her. wide eyes looking at him and around them to see the hunters and warriors running around. “what is happening?” she asked, curiosity in her voice. “olo’eyktan asked me to lead a hunting party. we will have a communal dinner tonight because of an announcement he will make.” “do you know what the announcement is?” “no, i am sorry, syulang. you will have to excuse me, i have a talioang to catch.” vìsawe said, a smile on his face, walking away from the tsakarem. she saw him go back to his party and get on his ikran and cheer, raising his fist in the air. the tsakarem stayed planted in place, he called her syulang. she felt a hand on her shoulder and a piercing gaze on the back of her head. turning around, she saw the tsahik, looking down at her. “what did he say, ‘evenge?” “olo’eyktan sent him to lead a hunting party as we are to have a communal dinner.” the tsahik hummed in understanding. “go home, ‘evenge.” the matriarch said. the apprentice looked at her in shock. “must i repeat myself, ‘evenge?” the tsakarem shook her head in denial. “i must go talk with tarsem.” mo’at said, venom dripping from her voice.

the apprentice said goodbye and scurried away. she had a good guess as to why the tsahik had to talk to the clan leader. allowing a hunting party when the sky people were still out there, sure, there have been hunts gone on before but not like this one, one that was out of the blue.

***

before the tsakarem even noticed, she was already home.

hearing her brother’s giggle, being chased around by their father, she was sure. entering the tent, she felt at peace. her brother was the first one to notice. “tsmuke!” rayfe exclaimed, jumping into his sister’s arms. “taronyutsyip!” the tsakarem responded, lifting her brother into her arms. hugging him tight and caressing his head. “oh, i missed you today, and you are getting stronger.” she said, tickling his stomach. he giggled in response. both her parents looked at her in shock. her mother was the first one to make a move, walking over to hug them. after the crushing hug, she looked at them with pure love and tenderness and caressed their cheeks. “my beautiful daughter, my compassionate son.” her mother was blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. the tsakarem didn’t notice her father behind her until he wrapped his arms around them, enveloping both rayfe and her in a loving embrace. the older sister felt her eyes water, she didn’t realize she needed to be around her family until now.

the family sank down to the floor, soaking up the embrace. the tsakarem was the first one to separate from the embrace to be able to tell her parents the news. “we are to have a communal dinner tonight, olo’eyktan will make an announcement.” “what announcement, ‘itetsyip?” her mother asked. the tsakarem stayed silent, looking at the ground. the parents locked eyes. “what announcement, paskalin? her father asked again, pressing for an answer. “i am promised to vìsawe, we are to be mated when we finish our training.” the tsakarem replied, taking a deep breath after confessing. the home was silent, no one dared to speak. her parents hugged her even tighter than before. the tsakarem sat there basking in her family’s embrace, even rayfe embracing in a hug that communicated ‘don’t go.’

the family sat there in silence, embracing each other. the tsakarem didn’t notice time passing until ikran cries were heard in high camp. “they are back.” “what happened, ‘itetsyip?” “they are back, the hunters, they are back.” the tsakarem said, standing up. “what are you doing, paskalin?” her father asked. “i must go to see if the hunters are injured, it is my duty.” she said, determined. the tsakarem left her home without glancing back. raising her head confidently, walking towards the hunters, vìsawe at the center of it all, laughing with his friends, she presumes. “eykyu!” the tsakarem shouted. one of vìsawe’s friends nudged him to look back.

turning his head, he saw his future tsahik approach him. he smiled at her, and greeted her. she smiled and nodded in acknowledgement. “syulang, let me introduce you to my friends, niawaeo, lisära, and zemeya.” she smiled at each of them. niawaeo was the same height as vìsawe, lisära and zemeya had their hair in braids, feathers hanging in their hair and in their arm bands. both of them were looking at the tsakarem oddly. the tsahik in training moved on from them and turned her head to vìsawe. “did anyone get injured, vìsawe?” she asked. “no, syulang, no one got hurt, fortunately.” vìsawe smiled sheepishly. seeing his current state, the tsakarem decides to tease him. "so, where is this talioang you promised?" she smiled, teasingly. his friends laughed at his current state, a blush across his cheeks and avoiding the tsakarem’s gaze.

the tsakarem was taken away from the conversation by celebrating cries being heard. four warriors on their ikran were carrying a talioang, with the creature's six legs being tied. the warrior’s willing their ikran to carry the heavy animal. when putting the creature on the floor, the tsakarem bombarded the warriors with questions. “is anyone injured, does anybody need assistance?” she asked, raising her voice. “we are alright, zeykoyu. the only person who might need assistance is natsem.” the warrior said with a malicious smile. this so-called warrior wanted to make fun of natsem, a boy or man in this case who had barely survived his uniltaron. the warrior had to be in bed rest for weeks, not even a celebration was held in his honor. natsem presented himself, he had rope burns all over his hands and forearms, with his shoulder bleeding.

the tsakarem’s gaze softened, natsem was looking at the ground, ashamed of his state. “go to the healing tent, i will be there in a moment.” she said. putting a hand on the non-injured shoulder of the warrior, he nodded and started making his way. the tsakarem sighed and turned to look at the warrior who had made the off-hand comment. “who do you think you are, tsamsiyu? making fun of someone who looks up to you, you should be comforting him, not belittling him.” she exclaimed to the warrior. he looked down at her, a scowl on his face, “who do you think you are, zeykoyu? berating a warrior in front of the people, you are no one to be demanding of me.” he said, pointing his bow at her in anger.

vìsawe noticed the stares and whispering pointed at the arguing pair, which he came to realize were teyru and y/n. damning teyru and his attitude underneath his breath, vìsawe made his way to split up the argument. “what is happening here?” vìsawe said, getting in between the warrior and healer. “this healer is berating me for teasing natsem.” “you were not teasing him, you were being malicious toward him. you are an excuse of a warrior.” the tsakarem responded, pointing a finger at teyru.

teyru hissed at her, revealing his fangs. the tsakarem hissed back, this warrior is not going to do anything to her, she was sure of it. “manga!” exclaimed vìsawe. “why are you hissing at her? she is telling the truth, you are cruel to anyone who you think is beneath you.” vìsawe said, firmly. teyru was taken aback, bowing his head and ears going down. y/n smirked, she was right. vìsawe looked at her, silently telling her to go heal natsem.

y/n turned around, she felt a pair of eyes on her. looking around, she locked eyes with her grandmother, who had a calculating gleam in her eyes. the tsakarem looked down and made her way to the healing tent. upon entering the tent, she noticed natsem already sitting down, sniffling. gathering the materials necessary, she kneeled down in front of the warrior and grabbed one of his forearms. “it will get better, you will get better.” y/n said, trying to comfort natsem. he just stayed silent, the tsakarem sighed in defeat and continued applying salves to his ropeburns.

the tsakarem felt a presence enter the tent, she didn’t turn around, too focused on healing natsem. moving on to his shoulder, y/n felt a hand on her shoulder, turning her head she saw her betrothed. “give me a moment, vìsawe, and i will aid you in whatever you may need.” she said, turning her head and continuing at the task at hand. “we must talk.” vìsawe said, forcefully. “give me a moment.” the tsakarem bit back. vìsawe nodded in understanding, not wanting to anger her even more. “you may go home, natsem.” y/n said. “irayo, zeykoyu.” y/n nodded in understanding and watched the warrior leave. the tsakarem sighed before turning to vìsawe. “what do you want, taronyu?” y/n asks vìsawe. vìsawe is taken aback but continues the conversation. “why did you start arguing with teyru? he is an experienced warrior, he is older than me, older than you, syulang.” “i did what any person would do if they saw a person being picked on, why are you questioning my decision?” y/n asked. “i don’t want you to get hurt, syulang.” “you don’t want me to get hurt, that’s rich coming from you. you told me that no one was hurt and yet natsem got hurt. you were oblivious to what happened.”

vìsawe stayed silent, she was right.

“get out, vìsawe.” the tsakarem said. “syulang, let’s talk about this.” “i’ll see you at dinnertime, vìsawe, just get out.” y/n interjected, looking away from the hunter. vìsawe nodded, defeated. after vìsawe left, the tsakarem felt a lingering presence, pulling her knife from its holster close to her tail and held it in front of her. “this is no way to greet family, granddaughter.” said her grandmother. “i am not your granddaughter, ingma, you barely know me.” “you may be right, but how would the clan react to a lowly healer disrespecting one of the elders.” said ingma. “i am tsakarem of the omatikaya, not a lowly healer.” y/n corrected. ingma looked in disdain at her granddaughter, what a stubborn girl.

“do the people know who and what you are?” the elder asks. y/n stays quiet, the people don’t know who she is. ingma smirks before turning her attention at the girl. “tell me, granddaughter, how did you become the new tsahik in training?” “why do you want to know?” y/n asked in return. the elder looked pointedly at y/n, the girl returning the look with the same intensity. “how did you become tsakarem?” ingma asked with a demanding tone, grabbing the girl’s arm. “what is your problem with me, koakte?” y/n asks, tearing her arm away from the woman’s grip.

the elder scoffed at her granddaughter. “i see your parents have not taught you any manners.” “they have, but they also taught me to not take disrespect from anyone.” the tsakarem responded. “how did you become the new tsahik in training?” ingma asks again, adamant to get an answer from her granddaughter. y/n rolled her eyes and answered her ‘grandmother.’ “if you really must know, i am blessed with a gift from the great mother.” the tsakarem responded. the elder stayed silent, processing the information given, y/n smirked, proud of herself for rendering speechless the woman who called herself family.

“what is this gift?” ingma asks. “visions.” y/n simply said, inspecting the elder’s reaction. the elder stayed silent, the tsakarem thought ingma was going to question her about the past visions seen but the question never came. the elder stared at the tsakarem in wonder and fled the tent. y/n stared at the entrance of the tent for a second, not believing what had happened. quickly snapping out of her daze, y/n started to pick up the mess she had in the quest of healing natsem. while doing so, her mother burst into the tent. “‘itetsyip, don’t you dare do that again.” her mother exclaimed. “sa’nu, you and sempu told me of serving the clan and the weight that came with it, what i did was reasonable.” y/n countered. “do not try to get out of this, y/n. running out of your home because of duty, after weeks of not seeing you is not an excuse, ‘ite.” “i was healing someone who was injured, vìsawe is trying to protect me when he really should not, and my supposed grandmother, ingma te ulua amha’ite, demanded me to tell her how i became the new tsahik in training. excuse me for doing the right thing and getting scolded for it.” her mother stared at her, the irritation being obvious in her body.

“walk home, y/n te meknu meyki’ite, and pray to the great mother that i don’t have the strength to ground you when we get home.” meyki warned. y/n was stunned, she thinks its the first time her mother had used her full name.

the tsakarem quickly picked up the mess and went on her way, trailing behind her mother. she saw the looks and whispers that were probably about her. arguing with a warrior, turning away a hunter, talking with an elder. well, more like insulting, but they don’t know that, she thinks. glancing at her mother, a suspicious look donning her face, meyki’s body was tense, looking around, head held high. arriving home, meyki instructed her daughter to enter first, then shutting the flap that was the entrance to the home.

no one was home. a fire was lit, lighting up the home. “what did ingma ask you, ‘itetsyip?” meyki asks. y/n looks at her mother in the eye, exasperation evident. “she asked me how i became the new tsahik in training.” “and what else?” “and i told her that i had the gift of visions, and i may have insulted her.” meyki sighed, only her daughter had that kind of skill. right at that moment, rayfe burst into the tent, seeing his sister and hugging her. “tsmuke!” “hello, taronyutsyip.” y/n returned, hugging him and patting his head. the parents watched the scene with fondness.

“i talked with your mother, sempu.” the tsakarem informed. y/n thought it would be better for the news to come from her, but that was just a speculation. rämun was taken aback. “what did you guys talk about, paskalin?” “she asked me about being tsahik in training and i may have insulted her.” y/n said, guiltily. rämun flashed his daughter a small smile before telling her. “good for you, tanhi.” y/n smiled, glad that her father was not angry with her.

***

people were starting to gather around the fire pit, from the distance y/n could see the olo’eyktan and his mate, ziärä, a talented warrior and the best dancer of the people. mo’at was making conversation with ingma. well, more like ingma telling mo’at something. she could see vìsawe, niawaeo, lisära and zemeya laughing. children running around trying to tag each other, rayfe ran from them to join the game. vìsawe took notice of y/n, walking over to greet her and bring her over to talk with his friends. the two of them locked eyes, the tsakarem quickly avoiding his gaze and trying to hide behind her parents. “oel ngati kameie.” he greeted the two adults, locking his gaze on the girl behind her mother. y/n cringed, hiding behind her mother like a child, he probably thought she was immature. meyki stepped aside for vìsawe to have a clear view of her daughter crouching. “hello, syulang.” vìsawe said, an enormous smile on his face. “hello, vìsawe.” y/n said, looking up at the hunter. the tsakarem could hear her parents laugh to themselves.

y/n stood up from the previous crouching position to look at vìsawe in the eye. she looked her parents in the eye, signaling them to please leave and not talk about this, ever. meyki and rämun left the pair, laughing and holding hands. “would you like to join me and my friends?” vìsawe asks. y/n considers her options, deny vìsawe and go back to her family or say yes to vìsawe and make more friends. she chose the latter. “of course!” she responded. vìsawe signals her to follow him toward the group. she managed to not lose him in the growing crowd of blue bodies. finally arriving, the tsakarem saw the three warriors she had met earlier. “syulang, you know lisära, zemeya, and niawaeo.” the three nodded toward her. y/n nodded in return. the pair sat down, and niawaeo immediately started talking with vìsawe. the tsakarem really didn’t care for their conversion, hearing snippets of it, they were talking about the earlier hunt.

while the tsakarem was off in her own little world, lisära and zemeya locked eyes, wondering if they should question the girl their friend had nicknamed. zemeya was the first to speak up. "what is your name?" she asked. the tsakarem didn’t know how to respond, the two hunteresses didn’t seem too keen on talking with her the first time they met. the pair watched the girl struggling to get any words out, looking at each other. “y/n.” the tsakarem simply answered. “i really like your hair.” lisära complimented. “thank you.” y/n responded, tugging a rogue strand of hair behind her ear. their awkward conversation was cut short by tarsem trying to get the attention of the people.

he stood up to see the sea of people sitting. “you may be wondering why i have arranged this dinner, i have announcements to make, which i believe all of you should hear.” tarsem said. the tsakarem’s heart was beating in her ears, her whole body frozen. she knew what was about to happen.

this was her last time in the shadows.

“a tsakarem and olo’eyktan in waiting have been chosen to lead the clan in the future and they are to be betrothed until they are deemed ready to become leaders.” y/n looked at vìsawe, he was looking forward, almost avoiding her gaze. the tsakarem knew this would happen, she knew that they were going to be promised. y/n moved her gaze to where vìsawe was looking to see tarsem’s arm stretched pointing to where they were sitting. the hunter stood up and offered his hand to y/n, she took it, and they began making their way to where the clan leader was.

the tsakarem felt as though they were walking in slow motion, seeing her parents, her grandparents, grandma zina’s face broke her heart, her grandma was on the verge of tears, she felt as though they were saying goodbye, one last time. seeing rayfe sitting between their parents, a pout on his face. she smiled at her brother to lift his spirits, but the sentiment was in vain. vìsawe and y/n arrived where the olo’eyktan was, standing in front of him, waiting for his instruction. tarsem nodded his head toward the space next to mo’at, the tsakarem made the first move toward the space as to talk with her teacher.

sitting down, y/n felt an acute stare on the back of her head. she knew it was ingma, the council of elders were behind her. tarsem continued his speech after vìsawe sat down. “in their honor, a celebration will be held in a week’s time.” the clan leader announced. people were celebrating, yipping and ululating in response. tarsem waited for cheers to cease to make the other announcement. “afterwards, we will continue the attacks on the sky people.” y/n let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. people were cheering even louder, tarsem smiled, and talked again. “let’s eat!” he exclaimed.

the tsakarem’s gaze stayed fixated on the cave floor; she couldn’t face any of the people that were in front of her, who were staring at her. taking a deep breath, she looked forward and turned her head to see vìsawe, who was also staring at the floor, trying to assimilate what had happened. the tsakarem laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, prompting his head to turn toward her, she offered him a slight smile, he returned it.

after that moment, they ate in silence. assimilating to the fact that, they were now linked, whether they wanted it or not.

word bank:

muntxatan - husband, male spouse

syulang - flower

talioang - sturmbeest

eykyu - leader (typically temporarily, of a small group like a hunting party)

manga - hey, hey you

koakte - old woman

author's note: sorry for the long wait, but it is finally here. expect less long updates as i am on vacation so hope you enjoyed! and please like and reblog!

#seer.#miranda writes #avatar (2009)#avatar the way of water #avatar fanfiction #avatar fan fic #atwow imagines #neteyam x reader #jake sully x reader #loak x reader #neteyam sully x reader

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tealenko · 2 years

Text

Didn't Have the Heart (Chapter 5)

Chapter 5: Echoes from the Past

Don't let the title fool you, this chapter is 30% fun and 70% angst (sorry guys... but it's ME3, there's no realism if Shepard doesn't go a bit crazy little by little).

By the way, I went a bit mad myself and there's like A TON of references to my previous fics of this saga, especially to Listen Before I Go (Shepard's pre-ME1 story in the Alliance) and Never Have I Ever (Where Shep, Garrus, Vega and Kaidan get mega drunk and say way too many things they shouldn't have).

I'm at that point where all my fics are connected and that's okay, because I'm 100% writing them for myself (well... 90%, if it was 100% they would be in Spanish lol)

Anyways...

Sorry this took me so long. Life happens (You can always check my tumblr to see what I'm writing and if I'm close to post a new chapter)

Summary: Shepard wakes up and has to deal with the consequences of what she did when she got drunk.

Words: 4717 Rating: Teens and up Warnings: language and drinking

Read in AO3 -> [link] Previous Chapter -> [Link] Next Chapter -> [Link]

Through Hell and Back series -> [link]

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“Shepard.”

She hears her name like an echo. A whisper that retumbs through every shadow and fades on the horizon along with the rest of the scenery.

“Live… Be someone…”

Dark trees grow in thousands from her surroundings to infinity, planted through a limbo of trembling shadows and thick fog that makes it impossible to discern if there’s truly an end to the whole scenery.

“...be more.”

The air is so dense that she finds it almost impossible to breathe and think at the same time, feeling like an unknown gravity, way stronger and harsher than the one she’s used to, keeps trying to bring her down to the ground.

“Maybe in another life…”

After a few seconds of disorientation, she starts walking, moment in which the voice becomes louder, clearer and is promptly joined by many more.

“Kalahira…”

“...”

“Go back and get Alenko.”

“...”

“Someone else might have gotten it wrong.”

“...”

She crouches under the overwhelming noise, hugging her legs as she fixes her eyes on the ground in a futile attempt of concentrating on something else than the many voices that haunt her past.

“First time, eh?”

“…”

She freezes in place.

All the other voices are banished away by the appearance of the last one, which sounds so sharp and real that she is almost expecting to find its owner in front of her if her eyes ever dare to leave the ground.

Nevertheless, she keeps her sight still, along with the rest of her body, too afraid of both hearing and not hearing that specific voice ever again if she decides to move in the slightest.

“I trust your gut Dee, choose and I’ll follow.”

She shakes her head a couple of times, too tortured by the memories that are now gathering in her mind but, against her efforts, her attempt to make it all dissapear only makes things worse and, in a matter of seconds, echoes from all the past conversations with her long lost friend, start to fill the air that surrounds her.

“I’m just here because of you.” A tear starts falling slowly, way too unhurried to follow the laws of physics, somehow unaffected by the strange force that’s keeping her down to the ground.

“You already have a plan, don’t you?” She remains still, avoiding any kind of movement to see if that makes it fade away.

It doesn’t.

“Oh, come on Dee! You don’t fool anyone... You love me and you know it!” She can hear the laugh that came along with that sentence almost a decade ago floating around her, and also feel the warm embrace that came right after.

“Wait… That’s why? No… That’s the true meaning of that ring?” Her hand closes instinctively, trying to hold on onto the piece of jewelry that is no longer there. Hasn’t been for years now.

A second tear falls now.

And a third.

And a fourth.

“How about a song?”

Shepard covers her ears with her hands while the tears keep traveling steadily across her face, in a desperate attempt of silencing the voice, with every sentence hurting her more than the one before.

Nevertheless, and despite all her efforts, one last memory makes it all the way through her pain in order to give her the final strike.

“Dee, listen… Please… Do not let me become an anchor.”

Her crying stops dead the moment she hears that, feeling her heart falling apart along with whatever was left of tears and, before she has time to think about it, her body decides to move on its own, quickly redirecting her eyes against her will to search for the source of all those words.

Unfortunately, all she finds after raising her head is the familiar wall of her room, that seems now narrower than ever after her haunting visit to the vast neverending forest.

“What…?”

It takes her a few seconds to be fully awake and come to terms with where she is.

“A dream.” She says after a big sigh, observing all the details of her cabin as her mind returns to the real world. “Another dream…”

She frets about it for a second before all her other worries distract her from this one and, in no time, her head is filled once again with the burden of all of the tasks attached to the title that, for years now, has replaced her true name.

Shepard’s usual routine starts once again but, as she finishes checking her messages on her omni-tool, one remnant teardrop falls onto it, carried along from her dreams into reality.

She looks at it for a second before getting out of bed and, as she clears her face and what’s left of her sorrow on it, she heads to the elevator, trying her best to leave behind in her room, not only the tears, but the forest and the echoes that caused them in the first place.

"EDI, are Garrus or Vega alive right now?"

"If by alive you mean awake, yes. Garrus is in port observation, in his own words: taking a rest from ‘keeping the Normandy afloat’. Which I find to be a deeply inaccurate affirmation, but he insists that: ‘nothing could be more true’."

Shepard laughs a little.

"Thanks EDI."

After taking a deep breath, she presses the elevator panel and heads to the crew deck.

She's resolved to go directly to talk with her friend, before she has time to overthink or question what she wants to tell him.

Nevertheless, a familiar laugher coming from the kitchen area suddenly calls her attention, and she is unable to resist her curiosity, which leads her to lean against the hallway walls as she focuses all her senses in dropping ears in the distant conversation.

"You have to be kidding me…" Kaidan says, way too pleased by the new information he just received. "So�� I'm crazy enough to forgive her, eh?"

"That's what she said."

Liara’s voice sounds very happy too, amused, she figures, by his reaction to her news.

"Nah, you just made that up to cheer me up."

"I didn't, I swear."

"Are you sure those were her words?" Kaidan asks again. "That doesn't sound like Shepard."

"I was there, Kaidan… Why are you finding it so hard to believe?"

"I don't know…" There’s a moment of silence, but Shepard doesn't need to see Liara's reaction to understand the look she’s giving him once she hears him laughing as consequence. "Okay, okay. It's just… That I see nothing to forgive.“ He clarifies. ”She did what she had to."

That last statement hits Shepard right in her heart, who suddenly starts to understand how deep the root of her guilt of having to work for Cerberus extends into her being.

"So… You'd choose differently, if given the chance again?"

"No… No, at least I don't think so. Would you?" Kaidan sighs and giggles a little. "She is right. I'm not able to go against my morals and judgment, not even for her."

Liara doesn't add anything to his reply. Shepard can imagine her staring at Kaidan, processing all he said to her with care before she actually forms a new opinion.

"Lucky for me, she says she likes that about me." Kaidan chuckles a little. "Which is ironic if you think about it…"

"What is?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure it wasn't easy for her… To go against her own wishes in the name of a greater good, and…" Kaidan takes a second to clear his throat. "I guess, that's one of the things that made me fall in love with her in the first place. The fact that she always puts everything and everyone before herself… I mean, to a point.” He laughs again and, this time around, she knows perfectly the reason why. “I can’t count how many times I’ve wished she would take better care of herself…"

Kaidan stops mid sentence and sighs.

"Sorry… I was just thinking out loud." He tells her. "It's just that I… I…”

“Yes?” Liara asks him, giving him all the time he requires to reply.

“I just wish I would’ve seen everything so clearly a year ago."

It’s difficult to pinpoint which one of them is more affected by Kaidan’s last sentence, the two members of the actual conversation, or the one this one is about, who keep listening to them from afar.

"Better late than never…"

"True."

Both of them laugh again and fall silent and, before she has time to process everything they just said, she notices a set of footsteps coming closer to her by the second.

“Hey Lola.” James greets her, appearing out of nowhere and making her jump a little. “Uff, sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Shepard laughs and shakes her head a couple of times.

“No, no… It’s okay. In fact, I wanted to talk to you and your bestie, have a second?”

“My bes… Ah, Scars.” James laughs at her comment. “Yeah, of course, order and I’ll follow.”

“Great then.”

They walk together into the room and find Garrus there, sitting on one of the sofas, telling battle stories to one of the youngest soldiers of the crew.

The turian looks briefly at them before continuing talking, dedicating them a subtle nod as a greeting.

Shepard and Vega don’t even need to talk to know what to do. They just share an amused look and sit on the bar right after, pulling out a couple of beers to drink as they become silent members of the audience and let Garrus continue his stories.

They stay like that for a while. With the Turian sharing his experiences and cracking a joke here and there while everyone else listens and pays attention to everything he has to say.

After almost an hour like this, the young man excuses himself and goes away to resume his duty, leaving the three friends alone in the room.

“So…” Garrus says after a few seconds of awkward silence. “How’s it going, Shepard?”

“Great, surviving.” All of them laugh and relax a little. “How about you?”

“Well, surviving as well.” He replies. “Remind me to never accept anything that comes from Vega.”

“Hey, you asked for it, Scars.”

“And this is your second time falling for it, Garrus…” Shepard ads, joining forces with the leftenant. “I thought by now you would’ve learned your lesson. No wonder you’ve never managed to finish the whole ship’s calibrations… I think we’re asking too much of you.”

Shepard and Vega break into laughter right away, cheering in honor of her teasing by toasting their bottles mid air as they laugh.

“Ahh… I should’ve known better than getting aboard an all human ship.” He says under his breath, or in its turian counterpart, which makes his two friends laugh even more. “This is why you’re here? To make fun of me?”

“No, that’s not it…”

“Lola wants to speak with us, Scars.” James interrupts her, giving a lot of emphasis to the word ‘speak’. “I guess this is when she begs us to keep the whole ‘Alenko deal’ down to ourselves.”

The two of them smile and, to their surprise, so does Shepard, who can’t avoid finding the whole situation somewhat funny.

“No, no… I mean, I’d appreciate it if I could exercise some range of discretion, I’m not gonna lie, but this kind of thing always finds its way out. Would be nice if you tried to avoid discussing it in the open, though.”

“Yeah, you got it Shep.” Garrus says, and James nods right away, both of them reassuring his friend. “We might be a pain in the ass sometime but you can trust us, right Jimmy?”

James starts laughing and nods one more time agreeing with the turian.

“Yep, and we promise to behave a little better too…” He adds, feeling a bit guilty for everything that happened in that room not so long ago. “Or at least we’ll try our best to not corner Alenko and get him drunk.”

The three of them laugh again.

“At least it was an interesting experience…” She adds when she thinks about it. “I have to say I had a great deal of fun.”

A strange silence fills the room before any of them finds the courage to ask what they really want to know but, after a few seconds of hesitation, James finally finds a way to inquire what they’re fearing.

“I really thought you were gonna scold us…” He says with a soft tone of voice. “Isn’t that why you wanted to talk with us?”

“What? No…” She replies right away, feeling now even worse about the whole situation. “No. In fact… I wanted to apologize.”

“A… Apologize?”

Despite all the remorse, Shepard can’t avoid laughing at her friends’ expressions, which have changed from remorse to disbelief in a matter of seconds.

“Yeah. Apologize.” She confirms, after seeing the confusion in their faces. “I could blame the alcohol, which I’m sure was a deciding factor in the whole thing, but, I’m your commanding officer, and I should've known better than to guilt trip the both of you into leaving us alone in the room, no matter the fact that there was more gin than blood running through my veins when that happened.”

James’ jaw falls gradually to the ground as Shepard says all this, laughing with his eyes wild open, completely in awe of her statement.

Garrus, on the other hand, stays with a confused look for almost a minute, before everything finally clicks in his mind, starting to understand a great deal more of what Shepard said on said evening, or better said, of what he can remember, which isn’t a lot.

“Wait… Are you saying…?”

“Yes.” She confirms right away.

“That’s why you tried to make him leave…”

“Yup.” She nods again.

“And the whole ‘I’ve never had a home…’”

“Yes.” She cuts him again, this time with less enthusiasm. “And I’m really sorry about that last one. I have no excuse, no matter how much… How much…”

She struggles to find the appropriate words, so she just leaves her sentence unfinished and decides to keep drinking her beer, hoping his friends are able to understand what she wants to say.

Unfortunately for her, they are.

“... how much you wanted to bang Alenko like a door on a hurricane?”

Shepard almost chokes with her drink when she hears those words coming out of Vega’s mouth, moment in which her two friends break into laughter all at once, and, after a few seconds of general shock, she surrenders herself to the whole situation and joins in too.

“Sorry, Lola… I couldn’t help it.” James says, clearing a tear and trying to compose himself.

“Nah… That’s fine, I kinda deserve it.” She considers a sentence in her mind for a couple of seconds before she says it out loud. “And let’s be honest, you’re completely right.”

James smiles and claps a couple of times.

“Well, it’s good to know we didn’t say anything inappropriate…” He says as he stands up, getting ready to go back to his schedule.

“Oh! I mean, you totally did…” Shepard replies right away, in between chuckles. “But it takes more than the two of you, completely smashed and all, to offend me… ”

“Cool.”

“I mean… I used to deal with Udina’s shit on a regular basis, and,” she stops for a second of reflection, before adding in a lower tone of voice, “just between us, I’m kinda glad that he went mad and gave Alenko a reason to shoot at him.”

The three friends break into laughter all in unison this time around, creating a loud noise that, even if they aren’t aware of it, scares the life out of Tali, who was coincidentally near the elevator when the whole laughter started.

They stay like that for a while, to the point that, when Vega is finally able to collect himself and bid them farewell to carry on with his agenda, Shepard and Garrus are still struggling to go back to their normal selves.

After a few minutes like that, the turian regains a little of his composure and moves to sit next to her at the bar, needing a couple more seconds before he is finally able to say something.

“Ayy, Shepard…” He says as he pats her a couple of times on her back. “I’ve truly missed you.”

“You see me all the time, Garrus.” She says with a big smile on her face. “I mean, no one has spent more time with me in the last ten years…” She takes a moment there. “You were even crazy enough to follow me to Cerberus, being a turian and all that.”

“Not all of us are as strong as Kaidan, Shep.” She laughs a little before hitting him gently on his arm.

“Very funny.”

“I mean it…” He clarifies.

“Sure”

“I promise.”

Shepard directs her eyes to the ceiling for a moment and sighs.

“So… You aren’t gonna give me the ‘are you sure about Kaidan’ talk?” She asks as she redirects her sight to look at her friend.

“Maybe a few months ago I would’ve…” He admits in a repentant tone. “Not anymore.” He states, no hint of hesitation in his voice. “It takes a strong will to do something that goes against all of your own wishes and… Well.” He stops mid sentence and points at her with his open talons. “Look who I’m talking to.”

Shepard smiles one more time because of his comment, but he can see how her expression differs quite a lot from all her previous ones, finding a well of sadness the moment he meets her eyes.

“Yeah…” It’s the only thing she adds, in a calm tone of voice, lost in her own thoughts.

“You okay?”

It takes her a couple of seconds to process his words, but his question is able to bring her back to reality.

“Yeah.” She replies again, more sure and cheerful this time around. “Just a bit tired…”

“Of course.”

Garrus is aware that she isn’t telling the whole truth, but he knows his friend way too well to understand that delving deeper into the whole affair would only make things worse.

“So…” Shepard starts saying, trying to change the focus of their conversation. “Tali, eh?” Garrus smiles at her comment. “You moved fast Vakarian, she’s only been on the ship for a couple days.”

“We kept in touch…” He clarifies in a softer, almost shy, tone of voice. “When you went back to Earth. And well…”

Shepard touches his arm and smiles at him, letting him know she’s also able to understand what he means with only that much of a sentence.

“I’m glad for you two.”

“Yes… As I am for you.” He replies. “As I said before, I missed you.”

Shepard sighs, knowing there’s a hidden meaning in his last words, but unable to picture what he is truly saying.

Despite her better judgment, her curiosity ends up winning and, after a few seconds of processing everything, she finally decides to reply instead of using her standard strategy of avoiding this kind of conversation.

“You’ve said that already.”

“It is true.”

“So… You missed me since you saw me yesterday?” She asks with skepticism.

“No… No. I’ve missed you since I saw you fall along with the Normandy.”

For a second there Shepard feels completely defenseless against his comment.

A strange force appears out of nowhere and tries to rip her soul apart from within, both too similar and nothing alike what she remembers the feeling of drifting away into the vast space was like, with the gravity of Alchera sucking her into its atmosphere at complete mercy of the forces of the universe.

Despite everything going inside of her, she maintains a straight face. She even laughs a little at Garrus’ comment once the initial shock is gone, trying her best to hide or, better said, avoid all of her memories as long as she’s able.

Unfortunately for her, her friend doesn’t seem to be willing to let the whole thing go away so easily.

“I missed you for years now… The real you, that is.” He insists, trying his best, and failing miserably, to get a better understanding of what she’s really going through right now. Nevertheless, he keeps going with his speech. “And, for the first time in years, I'm starting to see glimmer of you, the real you.”

Shepard gives him a dry smile before gulping what was left of her beer with a somewhat annoyed look on her face, but that doesn’t stop him either.

“I mean, you even seem happy. Who would've thought that to be possible a few months ago?”

“You're exaggerating…” She tries to deflect again.

“Well, I guess that's another thing we have Alenko to thank for…” He turns a little to look better at her, knowing the effect the mention of Kaidan’s name is going to have on his friend.

For the first time in their whole conversation, he gives her enough time to process all of his words, instead of expecting an instant answer, and decides to continue with what he’s been meaning to tell her.

“That’s also the main reason I’m not gonna give you… What did you call it? The ‘Kaidan talk’?”

She laughs at his comment, this time for real, shaking away some of her previous feelings and memories for the moment.

“Yeah, something like that…”

Garrus smiles with her, thinking about the implications of her original sentence.

“Are people giving you shit about him already?”

“Already…” Shepard laughs again. “I’d say ‘still’ fits the whole situation.” She rests her arms on top of the bar, leaning backwards on her bar stool. “Not that I care, though…” She smiles. ”I’ve wanted this for so long that I really don’t give a…”

Shepard lets her words disappear into thin air, suddenly aware that she’s giving him more information than she wanted to say.

She waits patiently for his comeback, completely sure he is going to ask her to finish her sentence, but instead, he just looks at her for a few seconds and nods, not needing to hear this either to know what she meant.

“I understand.” Garrus finally tells her, moving to sit closer to her as he starts to smile, already amused by what he’s going to say. “And, next time someone tries to give you ‘the Kaidan talk’... Call me up.” He tells her, giving her a soft nudge on her arm. “I still owe you for the last two times you prevented me from killing someone.”

Making use of all of her strength, Shepard manages to control her grin long enough to give a comeback.

“Three…” She corrects him right away.. “But who's counting.”

The two of them start laughing at both of their comments, finding each one of them, and what they imply, as funny as the other.

They calm down quicker this time around, giving Garrus a new opportunity to strike one more time.

“Sooo…” He starts again once he has the chance. “Everything okay, then? With the whole ‘Kaidan thing’, I mean. Are you okay?”

As always, there’s only preoccupation in the tone of his voice, no judgment or will to pry on her personal life. Just overall worry about someone he cares about.

Her whole body asks her to reply right away and say ‘yes’, a self defense mechanism she’s been implementing since she can remember. Nevertheless, she manages to fight against it and attempts to slow down her thoughts, searching for a true answer to his question.

“I don’t know…” Shepard finally states, taking a small pause to think about her feelings. “I…”

“You feel guilty.” Garrus adds without any kind of doubt.

“Yes.”

“For being happy.”

“Yes.” She admits again, finding some sort of peace after saying it out loud. “Am I that easy to read?”

He smiles a little at her comment.

“Of course not, Shepard. It’s taken me a lot of years, alcohol and effort to refine the noble art of knowing what’s really going on inside of your head…” He says in between laughs. “I guess I deserve it, for deciding to have a human as my best friend.”

His last words crash against her harder than she could’ve ever imagined, bringing back echoes of her past that instantly begin to haunt her, no nightmare nor forest needed this time around.

I prefer to see you like this.

The voice of her long lost friend retumbs on her mind, replaying memories so accurately that she can almost see them.

Talking and laughing.

Shepard quickly stands up and takes a few steps. Summoning all her strength to hide from Garrus what’s really going on inside her head.

Please, stop. She says to herself, clenching her fist. Don’t start again…

Her own memories answer her begs, using the same reply that was used against her so many years ago.

I know, I know. You don't talk about that. You don’t talk about your name. Or about your family. You don’t talk about your past. Or your feelings. Or what you’ve been through…

“You okay?” Garrus asks, as careful as he’s able, knowing something is happening to her right now, but well aware that if he pushes this too far she’ll run away as fast as she’s able.

And he isn’t wrong.

“Eh? Ah, yes. Sure”

I get it. You never talk about yourself…

Shepard ignores the voice and keeps looking away from Garrus.

“I just remembered I… I…”

But you cannot deny that you're way happier now than when we met for the first time.

“I needed to talk with someone…”

“Someone?”

“Joker, I need to talk with Joker. Yes… To apologize and all that, for the whole drunken call.” She turns for just one second and forces a smile to say goodbye. “See you around, kay?”

And just like that she vanishes before Garrus is even able to comprehend what just happened, running from the whole situation in the blink of an eye.

“Okay…” He replies to the empty space she’s left behind, his mind still trying to find some kind of sense in the whole situation. “What…?”

After a few seconds of general confusion he shakes his head a couple of times, inspects the room and decides to clean a little, needing something else to focus on for a moment.

Garrus drags the stools closer to the bar and throws the two empty bottles of beer in the trash and, while he’s on it, his head keeps replaying the last few minutes of his conversation with Shepard, trying to find the moment where he crossed a line he shouldn’t have.

He’s been out of the loop with Shepard before, but this is new to him. This time around, he wasn’t expecting it and, worse of all, he has no idea of either the root of the problem nor its solution.

“...”

He quickly runs out of distractions and, the moment there’s nothing else to do, he goes back to his frozen pose and is instantly swallowed by the dilemma once again.

The fact that she reacted better than he thought she would to everything he was afraid to ask up to that point isn’t helping either, making the whole problem even harder to pinpoint.

“Maybe it's nothing and I’m obsessing over it…” He says, almost surrendering to the whole idea that if he isn’t able to find the problem, there must be none. “Yeah, that has to be it.”

He starts walking towards the door and, for a few seconds, he almost succeeds in fooling himself.

“You worry too much about nonsense, Garrus.”

His own lie works flawlessly against him for a moment there, for who could know more about Shepard than him, right? He says in his mind. If I don’t see anything…

Nevertheless, something makes him stop at the threshold, right when he’s in the middle of his inner speech, no longer able to deny what’s the real thing he needs to do in order to get some clarity.

“Ah…” He sighs at last, finally choosing to do what’s best for his friend, and not what’s easier for him to accept. “I need to talk to Kaidan.”

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

*hums melody before starting to sing* loooook I made you some conteeeeeeeeeent XDDDDDDDDDD Sorry, I had to.

Errrmm... I'm going to address it in the future but, for those who didn't understand what's going on with Shep, the main character in her dreams, that she also hears at the end, is the main character in LBIG. Her best friend from training days and... Well, my Shep has the survivor background so... you can imagine the rest (and if you don't it's okay, I'm going to write it... aaaaand that fic will end in Akuze T-T) Anyway... You may now be able understand why Garrus calling her his "best friend" is so triggering for her.

Btw, don't worry, next 2 chapters are going to be more fun than angsty (I promise XD)

#mass effect #commander shepard #kaidan alenko #shenko #shepard x kaidan #fshenko #mass effect 3 #femshep x kaidan #fanfic

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ampersand-antics · 10 months

Text

y'all i am back to talk more about totk

disclaimer that tumblr, for some reason, won't let me type question marks or slashes rn. i have no clue why but if my typing seems a lil different that's why

late-game spoilers under the cut, including MAJOR story spoilers! !!! SPOILER WARNING !!!

so i went into hyrule castle fully and completely assuming this would be the last dungeon of the game. i would have been fully and completely happy with it. after all, botw's main questline was about at this level of complexities (4 regional quests, explore to find flashbacks, beat the final boss at hyrule castle) and I still loved it!! and I loved the way the enemy gauntlet was built up, with you following "Zelda" around hyrule castle. At this point it becomes so very obvious that Zelda isn't herself, which is already obvious playing through either the four main region quests (specifically thinking the zora and the goron) or the memories quests (how would zelda be here if she's a dragon). But then it's made obvious and it's revealed exactly Why she's wrong and then THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOWS. Like I was super frustrated that I couldn't tell anyone that this wasn't the real Zelda before that. Especially in the goron quest, since I did that after the memories. so yunobo would be like "cmon we gotta go save zelda!" and i very much wanted to be able to say "that is very much not zelda we don't need to bother." or be able to tell calip (easily my most hated character in the game)(yes including ganondorf) to fuck off and let me go into the ring ruin because we shouldn't be listening to that zelda. anyways. sorry. tangent. i really enjoyed the fight with the multiple phantom ganons. it wasn't Too difficult, but it felt really good because I prepared sososo much for going into the castle, and it felt like "I" (link) was getting stronger and more able to conquer ganon. and the fact that the sages themselves showed up to help deflect the blow, the parallels between link and the champions descendants and raaru and the original sages? loved it.

but i also really loved the fact that this wasn't the end. like I said earlier I was fully prepared for this to be the Final Battle but I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was still more to do. And Mineru playing a bigger role in the story was something I never expected. I've seen a bit of spoilers about the sage of spirit's temple (haven't gotten there myself, no more spoilers pls!) but I assumed it was sort of a non-main-story extra little dungeon as a treat. Nope! I kinda like how vague they were about where more info about the fifth sage could be found. my guesses ended up being either the chasm/caves below hyrule castle (specifically the caves you're in at the very beginning)(which I haven't found a way to go back to yet), the great sky island's temple of time, or the storm-covered clouds in the south. I never even considered that the forbidden fifth ring ruin could possibly be a part of it!!! if anything that was relegated to side quest status in my mind. once again, not something that would be part of the main story. especially since they never even point you towards Kakariko, like, at all. I guess if you somehow hadn't gone to kakariko before that point, hearing the cue of "zonai ruins you haven't explored yet" mighta led you that way, since they're so obvious and also a lot of other npcs will mention them. i only realized that the ring ruin was involved in all of this because I was using the pink trees to find caves in the area and ended up stopping by the zonai researchers on a whim!!!

anyways back to my point on vagueness - I really like how they don't give you any further instructions other than "find more zonai ruins" basically. i was kinda frustrated with it at first but it feels super realistic, because Link wouldn't have had any further instruction. no one would even know where to start looking about this. and the fact that the ring ruin led you to the zonai ruins in faron. is epic. i also wasn't really expecting them to play as big of a part! they're easy to miss and honestly pretty forgettable, as far as I remember. i say this because I didn't remember them at all. it's the sort of place you can very easily end up never going at all, or if you do go, just end up wandering in there and back out without giving it much more thought. even someone like me, who's analyzed botw and the zonai and the trialers A Lot, never even thought to go back there and look. i watched an entire documentary on the zonai. and yet I never even thought to go looking there. i love this, I love how they're taking very obviously non-main places and areas and incorporating them into part of the main story. idk this part of my rambling is probably even more unhinged than usual I am So Tired. I'm going to head to the zonai ruins soon!!!! but for now I must sleep. farewell, and I'll see you soon

#voice of atari #unhinged ramblings #tears of the kingdom #totk spoilers

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primofate · 3 years

Text

Breaking Up (Part 3-Final) Albedo x gn!reader

Scenario: Breaking up and getting back together again

Characters: gn! reader x Albedo

Warnings: This is the FLUFF part. Not proofread.

Categories: angst in Part 1, comfort in Part 2, Fluff in Part 3

Read: (Part 1) (Part 2)

You hummed a light tune as you walked around fields, gathering herbs from trees and shrubs. The sun was about to set, and it painted a slightly orange hue on the sky.

“Y/N,” You stand and turn, sunsettia gathered around your arms and other herbs in your backpack. Albedo is walking towards you with a soft smile, and you return it with a bigger one. “Albedo,” you pipe up and jog to meet him halfway. He thinks you’re a little bit like a puppy sometimes, it’s just not possible to resist the eyes that look up at him expectantly.

All his fears came crashing down on him once more and he half-panicked.

He wraps one arm around your waist and leans in for a quick kiss on the nose as a greeting, before pulling away and helping you with the sunsettias. “You lost track of time again,” he states and you just laugh sheepishly. “Ah...yeah, I get too into ingredient gathering sometimes...”

Albedo had gotten home and found a note on the table stating where you were. Just like he had requested. Weeks following the two of you getting back together there’d been an incident where he came home and found that you weren’t there yet again.

Had he done something wrong?

Did he say something bad?

Where were you?

Did you leave again?

Only to have you strolling into the house the next moment, smile on your face, saying that you went out to do some shopping. He swept you into a hug that confused you. He was beyond terrified that it might have happened again.

He’d go as far as to say that it was borderline PTSD.

“Can you kindly do me a favor and leave a note if you’ve gone out? It would really... make me feel better,”

And you understood. Perhaps you would’ve felt the same way. If you came home late at night and found that he wasn’t home yet. You’d tend to think that something happened to him, and so you complied to his request.

He’d become a little better at managing his time. He figured Sucrose could handle more responsibilities and figured that he could also work a little bit at home. Readings and research did count as work, the only downside was that he had to borrow books from the library and bring it all the way back home, but he didn’t care much about that. You kept the house so warm and cozy that it was the perfect place to concentrate and be productive.

“Come,” Albedo beckoned you from the chair of his makeshift office at home. You tilt your head, as you were about to leave the tea on his table and leave him to work again but he’d grabbed your hand and tugged you towards him.

“Can I help you?” You asked with a slight grin to your question. He pulls you over to his lap, arms around your waist and has your back flush against his front. His head hovering above your shoulder as he continues his reading as if everything was normal, and as if you weren’t sitting on his lap. “Am I just going to stay here?” You giggle and tilt your head back to look up at him.

A small smile cracks on his face as he shushes you, “Shh, absolute concentration is needed during research, Y/N,” but he lets go of the papers he was holding and leans back into his chair, nuzzling into the crook of your neck. “You’re required to stay until my energy levels are back to normal,”

“And what’s your energy levels now?” You play along with his little game, him starting to pepper kisses on your cheek. “I’m at zero, you’ve only just come in after all,”

Sometimes you wonder if he really gets any work done, but it looks as if he does, and is even more determined to keep researching certain things. Of course, there were still days where he was incredibly busy. But he’d made up for those days by being considerate and aware of the time he spent at work.

“I apologize... It got busy again this week...” he nearly sighs as he wraps his arms around your waist, the same nose kiss as a greeting. You’re a little more understanding of his predicament, but mostly because he communicated more. Where before he would come home and not say anything, now he would apologize and tell you about what was going wrong in his schedule.

And the next day he was free, you’d wake up without worrying about breakfast because he had prepared it--granted he wasn’t the best cook in the world but he knew some recipes--and he knew just how you wanted your coffee or your tea.

Turns out those little things did add up and made everything much easier.

“What’s for dinner today?” He asks as the two of you walk home. You put on a thinking face, “Maybe some cream stew?” the small talk the two of you engage in is peaceful and natural. “Would that be okay?” You glance at him, expecting an answer, but didn’t get any. You blink and turn your head to look at him, he’s lost in thought it looks like. “Albedo?” and he blinks back to turn and look at you. “Yes?”

“I was asking if cream stew was okay,” there’s a slight crease of worry on your eyebrows, but his smile takes it away. “Yes, that’d be nice,” he simply says and for some odd reason, he doesn’t talk about his day today. It’d almost felt like a routine now, how he would tell you what he and Sucrose had been working on, or maybe if Klee barged in again today, or maybe even Kaeya.

He was a little too quiet, and you kept stealing glances at him.

Even as the two of you arrive home and close the door behind you, immediately going towards the kitchen, it was a little tense and you weren’t quite sure why. He had this...frown on his face, but he didn’t look angry. “...Is there something on your mind?” you ask as you start prepping the ingredients.

He visibly stiffens up and just stands there. At this point you know that something is wrong. “Did something happen? Did I say something wrong?” You question as you’re about to wipe your hands on a kitchen towel. He suddenly shakes his head, “No, not at all. I--”

and he starts his story as you put on an apron.

“Kaeya came by today...He says that...” his eyes dart away from you. “That I should consider...getting a ring,” You stop tying the apron around your middle and focus your attention on him. Eyes going a fraction wider. “But I... That is to say... If you would like a ring then I will gladly get you one, Y/N,” you’re not sure where this is going but your heart is starting to patter louder in your chest. “But I just don’t think it would change a thing. A ring is not enough to really tell you how much I...” he pauses and his eyes finally find yours. “How much I adore you. A band around my finger or your finger...can never represent the gratitude,” he emphasizes his next words “the comfort, the love that I have for you,”

It’s starting to feel like there’s an elephant in your throat, and you start to blink a little faster because you don’t want to cry. You just thought it’d be a little silly.

“I just... I hope you’re aware, ring or no ring... My intentions are the same. I don’t plan on spending the rest of my lifetime with anyone else,” you secretly bite your lip, “...It’ll only be you,” and he scratches the back of his neck, tearing his eyes away from you once again, mumbling--and it’s so rare to see him in such a vulnerable state-- “Kaeya mentioned that if I don’t get you a ring... that you might leave... I’m aware he’s not the most trustworthy but... I just... wanted to make sure,”

And despite the few small happy tears that finally cascade down your cheeks you laugh a little, picturing the mischievous glint in Kaeya’s eyes as he tells this to Albedo.

Albedo smiles a little and brushes the few tears that managed to slip out, but you reply to him. “You know how Kaeya is, Bedo,” which translates to ‘don’t listen to him,’. Albedo knows. But when it came to you he wasn’t going to take chances. You contentedly wrap your arms around his middle and he hugs you back around your shoulders as he whispers into your hair. “But you know... Perhaps I should get you a ring, when the time comes,”

“Hm?” You merely murmur, asking about his sudden change in opinion.

“Just to let others know you’re taken,”

Another rumble of laughter lifts from your chest. This time, he joins you.

Taglist: @rim0na @sweeti-pie @yamsthegod @reaped-winnower @hai-q-haikyuu @tkshoki @fanfictionenthusiast @skatercashew @leefletter @kimbapsana @hentaje @marginmaster87 @tempehlust @rinnesy @hallohun @softlybeloved @ssalamanderr @ben6ett @rytszk @guilixi @mondstadts-favourite-traveler @mkazuyuh @ayra2452008 @simpingover @soft-like-sunshine @lnrchii @scheophi @larkspyrr @outlet-0

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#albedo x reader #albedo #genshin impact #genshin #albedo angst #albedo fluff #breaking up part 3 #primofate

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luimagines · 3 years

Note

Perhaps them being protective over you(the reader)? Mostly platonic but hints of romantic(if you get what I mean?) Like, the relationship between them has been platonic and they’ve only really seen it has platonic, but someone(the Heroes) might be catching feelings. Also if it isn’t too much trouble do you think you could keep this in the same timeline? Like, your other scenarios had the same reader and felt like these all happened at some point, can you do the same for this one? I hope this isn’t too much trouble, really love your blog!💖💖💖

Masterlist

Ok, I think I get what you mean. The Hero is protective with a hint of feelings they haven't come to terms with. They're crushing but they don't know it yet.

I don't know what you mean by the same timeline though. It wasn't supposed to be the same reader for all of them but hey! It be like that sometimes, I guess! Especially if they're just friends.

The Reader is also set to be the same age as Wind for his scenario.

Warrior's got longer than intended and there is some catcalling in that one. FYI

Scenario under the cut!

Legend

"You can be seriously going out in that." Legend couldn't help but snap. The group had been dropped into a snowcapped mountain in the middle of a blizzard. The only luck they had on their side was a nearby cave where they all but ran to in an attempt to weather the storm and get their bearings.

But someone still had to scout and you were planning to take Wild and Twilight with you since they were the only ones who could both brace the cold and most likely find their way back.

He, however, didn't like the idea of you going out there period.

Even less so when he found you severely underdressed compared to your companions.

It seemed however, that you saw no problem with it, even going as far as to tilt your head and look down at what you were wearing at his comment. It sparked something in Legend's chest that he wasn't willing to decipher at the moment.

"What's wrong with it?" You asked.

"Are you serious right now?" Legend scowled. The top you wore was tight around your chest and the cloak that clasped at the front billowed around you ever so slightly from the wind at the front of the cave. There were thin layers of furs under your linen over shirts that matched the fur lining your boots outlining your figure and silhouette in a way he found irritating.

The light that barely peaked through the clouds lit up your form gave you a halo of light over your head and made you look more of a hero than he ever would have pictured you.

It didn't sit well with him.

"That doesn't nearly look warm enough. If you plan on going out in that then you'll freeze within the first ten minutes." He crossed his arms and stared you down, willing you to disagree, to challenge him, keep you here longer so one of the others can pick up the lack and go instead.

"It's bear fur Legend." You reply instead with an easy grin your face. He elected to ignore it because he was trying to stay mad and irritated at the lack of care you seemed to have for your own safety. Why weren't the others backing him up?! Wouldn't Twilight have said something by now?! Or Time?!

Why was it just him?

How dare you smile like that? And at him no less! He's trying to make a point, darn it! It's hard to concentrate when you look so... innocent and bright and happy and-

Focus Link.

"I actually have four layers on as well." You continue and peel back what you can to show him what your clothing looks like. Unknowingly giving him a great look at your figure beneath said layers. "Two layers of wool and two of fur and I still have my clothes under here as well. Without enchantments like Wild, it's probably the warmest thing here. I'll be alright."

He can't bring himself to believe it.

He grits his teeth and continues to look at you, not bothering to spare a glance at Wild or Twilight when they eventually join your side, both now ready to head out.

"Honestly Legend. I know it doesn't look like much but I grew up around snow and ice and mountainous storms. If anyone knows what they're doing here, it's me."

He knows this. You told him. He knows that he knows this.

Why can't he believe it?

His hand forms a fist with a tight grip and he gets an idea.

Before he can fully think it through, he's marching up to you and snatches up your hand before you can protest.

You haven't put on your gloves yet so it's skin on skin.

He can't think much of it or he'll lose his nerve and he's already gone too far to go back now or he'll only be making a fool of himself.

Legend all but rips the most powerful ring he has on his person and shoves it onto your own. It's a protection ring, it'll shield you if anything tries to hurt you.

He's not entirely sure why he cares so much, just that he does, and this is all he can do if no one is going to back him up and stop you from going.

"I want this back." He says. He knows it sounds meaner than he's intending but then you let him put it on, take your hand back and marvel at it for a moment.

"I'll protect this with my life." You flex your hand, testing out how it feels and wonder what magic it must posses for Legend to not only give it up but deem it worth for the storm outside.

"Thanks Vet." You grin brighter and Legend finds himself floundering for a moment at the intensity of it.

The tips of his turn red, he knows this and he forces himself to distance himself or else the others would notice.

Your trio disappears into the white and he sits down by the fire made for the smaller ones of the group. He hasn't made eye contact with anyone since you left and he makes the mistake of trying to casually play it off by looking up.

Time is watching him with a knowing smile on his face.

"What?" Legend barks and scowls at the attention.

The older man just laughs a bit to himself and shakes his head but he doesn't say anything.

Legend thinks back on his actions a little sooner than he thinks he should and glances at his hand. The hand that grabbed yours.

Despite the journey, your hands were so soft.

He can't help but smile.

Time

Time was watching the over the group for the morning shift, his hand over his sword and his eyes watching... well you.

You intrigued Time.

Out all the heroes of courage on this journey, you weren't one of them. You weren't a Link and yet you seemed to fill a gap the group didn't know it had.

He couldn't figure out why or how but he found himself wanting to know what made you tick, why did you work so well with the others, what your world was like, and how did it mold you to be so....

He had trouble finding a word for it.

As the boys rough housed and played around, he found himself relaxing. It was a quiet morning and he had the added support of Wolfie on look out for any monsters.

He put his sword down and and walked over to where you were.

You were sitting with a book in your lap, something he found you doing often. But this time you were ignoring the book, laughing at Wind's and Wild's antics as they blasted each other with their Deku leaves. Wind continuously knocked the Champion around but neither of them seemed to mind.

If anything, it appeared the were doing on purpose and were trying to see how far he'd go.

Boys.

He could feel the smile on his face as he made his way toward you.

"Enjoying the theatrics?" He spoke up.

You jumped with a small yelp, something he found endlessly entertaining.

"You're the biggest guy here! How are you so quiet?!" You yelled in his face with a pointed finger and hand on your chest.

Time chuckles and sits down next to you, sitting just close enough for your knees to brush. "Sorry. It's not always intentional, I promise."

"So you admit you do it on purpose!!" You turn to face him fully. Book absolutely forgotten.

Time finds himself pleased by the change.

"Occasionally." He grinned.

"Oh, and I so happen to be your favorite victim then?" You crossed you arms and leaned closer to him. Your words were biting but the smile on your face was teasing and the glint in your eye was knowing.

"Of course."

"You're impossible." You shove him away. "You're only like this because no one will ever suspect you."

"Is that so- LOOK OUT!" Time had noticed a second too late but in the seconds Time stopped paying attention to them, Wind and Wild had stopped launching each other and started launching objects.

Such objects like coconuts and hard wooden barrels.

Like the ones heading in your direction.

With no time to act, he grabs you and rolled out of the way, pressing you into his chest. The huddling objects bounced off of your spot, some exploding on impact while the rest crashed into the nearby trees and bushes.

It looked like a war zone.

Time held onto you for a second after the damage passed, waiting for any else to come your way. When nothing appeared, he began to let you go, looking down on you to see your reactions. "You ok?"

You had curled yourself into his chest, continuing to press yourself close to him even after he let go.

Time finds himself pleased by this as well.

"Well..." You took a deep breath and slowly looked up and around. "That was exciting."

"Are you hurt?" He asked again. You looked fine, if only a little shaken, but he wanted to hear you say it.

"I think my leg got scratched in the chaos."

Time forces himself to stay calm and to not show any reaction. A scratch is better than getting hit head on. You'll be fine.

"What about you?" You look up to him again, eyes wide and bigger than he remembers and they were such a lovely color-

"I'm more concerned about you." He says, cutting his own thought process off. Time proceeds to get up, being as gentle as he can with you still in his arms. "I did just happen to grab you."

"Well, I'm sure it would have been worse if you hadn't." You grin at him and push yourself away.

Time now finds that he misses the feeling of you there but isn't able to focus on why when the two culprits are running up to you at break neck speeds.

"Are you two ok?!" Wind reaches you first.

"We're so sorry, we miscalculated the angle and it went wildly off our target." Wild continues and helps you to your feet.

Wind hovers near Time, unsure of what to do or how to help.

Time looks over to where you are, breathless but smiling dazzlingly. "We're ok." You tell Wild. "Just thrown around is all, we're fine."

Time sighs and stands up, putting his serious face on. "You boys better have a good explanation for this."

They could have hurt someone. They almost hurt you. His only consolation is how they squirm under his gaze.

Good.

Wind

"What the hell? What the hell? What the hell? What is this place?!"

Wind looked over his shoulder from the fight over to where you were, the monster he was fighting falling before him. It was a great thing in his eyes to no longer be the youngest of the group. Not only for there to be someone of his age to talk to but also get the group off of his back for some of their more dramatic attempts at keeping him safe.

Wind was having a blast.

Everyone had found a dungeon in the sense that they fell into it against their knowledge and will and had happened to land with partners.

He hopes so anyway.

But on his end, he's with you!

And he's loving it!

You've never judged him and you've always thought that his stories were great and this was a great opportunity to show you how cool he is in a fight without the others trying to stop him from doing all his cool stuff.

And as an added bonus, he loves spending time with you!

Wind was close to wishing on stars for more time to spend alone with you. The others were always around and always in his business. How lucky that it seems he got his wish without doing that little kid stuff, like star wishing.

He didn't take into account that this might be your first dungeon though.

...Guess you didn't have those in your world...

But that's fine! He'll just walk you through it. They're easy once you get a groove going, and as dungeons go, this one is old hat for him.

The enemies around you fall within minutes and you're a little more shaken up than he likes.

"You ok?" He puts his sword on his back and walks toward you. You're staring at the fallen enemy in front of you with your own sword still raised. There's a slight cut on your arm, a red line going across and down, but Wind is almost certain that the cut is across...the blood is just going down your arm.

Wind takes a moment to quiet the sudden and unexpected rage. The monsters are lucky, he thinks, that they're already dead.

He grips his wrist tightly at the sight and places his other hand on your own. You gulp slightly and look at him tearfully. "Wind, where are we?"

You're scared, he realizes.

Scared, and alone and you don't know what kind of place this is.

There's another cut just above your eye and there more blood going down your face.

Wind feels himself fill with determination. He has the experience you lack to make it through here. He has been in more fights than you have. He knows what he's doing.

He's going to make sure you get out of here without being afraid anymore.

"Come on." Wind lets himself go and places his hand on top of yours, gently pushing the sword down and make a small effort to lace your fingers together. His other hand grips his sleeve and he begins to swipe it across your face, trying to clean the blood the best he can. "We're going to find the others, ok? We just have to keep going and if we're lucky we'll find a map, maybe a compass and it'll help us get out of here. We'll be back with the others in no time!"

You gulp and nod, tightening your grip on his hand and let him lead you through the unknown. Your voice is quiet and soft and Wind finds that he wants to hear it more often like this...just not laced with fear. "Ok. I trust you."

Wind nearly preens at your words, a large smile overtaking his face.

He'll protect you and you won't have to be afraid, not while he's here.

"Just leave it to me. I got this."

Warrior

"Whatup, Captain?" Warrior feels a weight be thrown on his shoulder at the call of the voice.

He looks to the side where it is and throws an easy smile on his face.

It's you! And you're grinning fabulously in his direction.

"Nothing in particular. Just checking our supplies, we might need to make a supply run in the nearest town for potions if we're lucky enough to find one but..." He looks at the bag in front of him with slight distain.

Truthfully, the group is low on a lot of stuff. Food, medical and magic supplies, someone is going to have to buy the Veteran more sewing supplies as well with how much battery all your clothes have taken on.

It would have to be a big buy....

A small town probably won't have half the stuff they need. And he doesn't know what kind of budget he's working with either.

But he's dealt with worse with less.

The group will hold on for a little longer if nothing drastic happens.

But Warrior doesn't want you to know that. If he had things his way, he'd let you think that everything was ok. That everything was fine and under control.

He's used to having to keep dire news from the troops so that they can keep fighting the good fight.

Lying to you though feel wrong. Dirty.

He finds your complete trust in him endearing and your willingness to help him with any and all loads on his shoulders means more to him than he'd ever be willing to tell you to your face.

You brighten and throw a thumb in the direction behind you. "We're in luck then. There's a town, that-a way according to Wild's weird telescope from his slate. I was planning to go check it out regardless but was in need of a partner. Wild can't because Twilight benched him after last fights stunt. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone?"

That idea sounds fantastic.

"I'd love to." He says easily. "Got anything to do before we head out?"

"Nope. Ready to leave immediately." You get off of him and he follows after you without missing a beat, quickly falling into sync with your steps. It's a habit he has trouble breaking, but if he can focus on matching your stride instead, he can stay by your side for the walk.

"We're getting supplies from the town. Be back soon!" He calls out to Time and the group as you walk by.

Time raises his hand in acknowledgement and goes back to pinning Wild down with his stare alone. Warrior doesn't feel sorry for him.

With that taken care of, you both pick up your speed and quickly leave the range of your little camp. Jokes are traded easily between you two and Warrior finds himself relaxing.

It's a strange feeling but one he knows that he can share with you.

You put him at ease and there's something about you that calls for his attention.

Maybe it's your attitude. Maybe it's your determination. Maybe it's the way you fight and the grace you carry yourself with.

You're a good fighter, a good team mate, and a good person.

You take care of the others. You take care of him.

He doesn't know how to thank you.

Warrior notices that you both reach the town in record time, the conversation seeming making time a useless way measure distance.

You both walk in and begin with Warrior's shopping list since it has a higher priority than simply exploring.

Warrior makes a promise to himself to find something for you.

A small gift, if you will.

He's not entirely sure what you like just yet but he thinks you deserve something nice and if he's here to buy nice things, then why shouldn't you get something as well.

The trouble is getting it without you seeing him buy it, or figure out his plan.

You were always able to read him like a book.

"Lookin' good sweetheart!" A voice calls from the side. A loud and obnoxious voice followed quickly by multiple cheers and whistles.

Warrior instantly has a spike in irritation and he forces himself to not shout back. He's used to this. It happens sometimes back home. He's not surprised it can carry elsewhere. There's pigs everywhere.

He ignores them.

"Why don't you leave your boy toy and come find out how a real man can treat you darlin'?!" Another one comments. More cheers and howls.

Boy toy?

That's new.

Warrior looks in their direction and comes to a startling discovery.

They're not looking at him. THEY'RE LOOKING AT YOU.

Now... Warrior likes to think he's a rational man. He's good at keeping his head on straight in tough situations. He's good under peer pressure and under stress.

He takes one look at you and sees your smile gone, your head is down and your face is red in shame, anger and embarrassment.

But you don't say anything in reply and only shuffle closer to him, trying to get in front of him so he'll shield you from their gaze.

Warrior is a rational man.

Many would agree with that.

He wants to tear their heads off.

"Come on baby, don't be that way! As easy as your back is to watch, we want to get a good look at your pretty little face!"

Warrior turns suddenly and faces them all head on. "Thank you for the compliment doll face! I'm new in town and just passing through but maybe-"

He starts walking towards them as sultry as he can manage, pulling on every acting cell he has in his body.

Which is a lot if you ask him.

The tactic works as he wants it to. Warrior knows he wasn't their target and the idea of him responding instead throws them off their rhythm.

"No, no, wait-" One of them holds a hand up and takes a step back. "Not you."

"Who else darlin'?" He mimics their drawl and smirks at their instant discomfort. "You want a good time?"

"I'm leaving." One of them says after a second of horror shows on his face and not so subtlety turns on his heel and leaves. The third follows without saying anything and it just leaves Warrior and the first caller.

Warrior likes these odds.

He drops the act and lets his murderous intent shine on his face. "Got anything else to say?"

Warrior reaches for his sword and the idea finally gets through the guy's head. Leave us alone or else.

"...No." He says and finally leaves as well, not looking back at either of you.

Warrior nods at his retreating form and returns to you, a little ashamed by how long it took him to react. For your sake.

His head is low when he reaches you and he scratches the back of his neck instead of making eye contact.

"Um... What do you want to do now?" He asks lamely. By Hylia, he wants to kick himself into oblivion.

A small snort catches his attention and he snaps his head up.

You're looking at him, hand over your mouth and crinkled eyes giving away your not so hidden smile. Your shoulders are shaking and it only grows as he stares at you.

You're not mad? He has trouble believing it because he's still furious.

A small bark of laughter escapes without your consent and it's the last wall to break as the dam flows out. You're laughing hysterically and it's beginning to scare him a little.

"D-Did you see their faces?!" You nearly scream. "Oh my god, Warrior, I love you. That was amazing."

Warrior shakes off the shock and feels himself blush. "It wasn't that special..."

"Wasn't that-? Oh boy, I wish Wild was here. I would have loved to get a picture! Warrior that was awesome. I'm so glad that you agreed to come with me." You walk beside him and grab his hand, beginning to drag him through the town. "You know what? I owe you. I have some rupees and we're not expected to come back to camp yet. You want something? I'll get it for you. My treat. Anything you want."

Warrior begins to flounder, and he's uselessly dragged behind you while your grin grows with every second that you talk.

While this all happens and you talk about the ways you plan to treat him, Warrior starts to think that he might just do anything for you.

Hyrule

Hyrule was busy enjoying the scenery of their most recent trip. He had managed to sneak away from the group and walk around the area without having to worry about the others for a moment.

The quiet was nice and familiar. The place was new and begging for him to explore what it had to offer.

Hyrule... found himself wishing for companionship, weirdly.

Well, as long as his travel companion is you.

He supposed Wild would have been just the same....but he found himself wanting to be with you instead.

He just... he doesn't know why. It doesn't bother him.

There's just.... He has trouble finding the words.

You're warm and gentle and it reminds him of casting his Life spell on himself before he met the others. There's a sense of safety, of calm.

A cool breeze on a warm summer's day.

A smile creeps on his face at the thought of you. Hyrule knows that he does it often but he still can't bring himself to care about it.

"Oh my- NO! HEY!" He hears your voice. Panicked, frantic and shrill.

And it gets cut off.

It's a bucket of ice water dumped over him. His heart launches into his throat and his stomach drops to his feet. His feet are moving in the direction towards you before he even realizes it.

Hyrule has reached a full on sprint and has to continue to run when he fails to find you. He takes a moment to be grateful for his stamina and how he's used to running but you're not.

At least he doesn't think so.

But he hopes this isn't where he finds out.

He trips over something. A sharp pain cuts across his shin as he falls to the ground, palms barely sustaining damaged thanks to his armor.

Hyrule gets up and sees something even worse than what he thought.

It's your sword.

You don't have your sword.

You're unarmed and alone.

Hyrule picks himself up and your sword and continues running at an even quicker pace.

He reaches you eventually and feels unadulterated rage flood through his system.

There's a pig monster over you, cheering and dancing in victory. There's only one. He thinks it's one of Wild's bokoblins but he calls on his magic and sends his sword straight through the monsters beating heart.

There's no black blood as it falls.

He sprints even more in your direction and begins to cradle your head, gently checking for blood any injuries.

He lets the healing spell move through his fingers to catch whatever he might be missing, whatever he can't see or get to without hurting you further.

He can feel what areas need the attention the most and can almost reconstruct the attack.

There's a large bump on your head, most likely the hit that knocked you unconscious.

Your arm is scratched and multiple pieces of skin have been torn off but it's a graze more than anything, it's not bleeding and doesn't goa any deeper than that.

Probably the hit that knocked your sword out of your hand.

There's a bruise blossoming on your knee and on your stomach and he has trouble figuring out what came first. They could have come from your fall or the beast could have simply hit you again.

The magic works its way through your system and subsequently heals him as well from his own minor injuries.

There's no way you can wake up fast enough and it leaves his heart pounding in his chest.

Hyrule knows when there's nothing left to heal and has to force himself to stop before he overexerts himself. The uncertainty is killing him. Just when he was hoping to spend time with you alone, this happens.

You groan and begin to sit up, your hand going to your head before realizing that it doesn't hurt and that you're not alone.

"Hyrule...Hey." Your voice is soft and a smile overtakes your face. You looks around and sit up straighter when you catch the dead body of the monster not two feet from you. "Guess that's your doing?"

Hyrule nods and moves to give you space, reaching his hand out for you to take. "How are you?"

"Good, all things considered...." You shrug and pick up your sword. Hyrule didn't even notice that he dropped it. "I was looking for you."

A mix of emotions fills his heart. Guilt at being the cause of it. Relief that at least you're together again. Happiness, strangely, at the thought of you thinking about him.

"Well I'm not lost, just..." He nervously looks up to you, his hand coming to scratch the back of his neck. "Got left behind."

"We noticed." Your smile fills with mirth and it's borderline a smirk.

Hyrule is not prepared by the realization that he finds that incredibly attractive.

"Thanks for coming to my rescue." You say, wrapping your arm with his. "The rest of the group is over here by the way."

"Yeah... Yeah ok." He grins and tightens his grip around your arm. "Let's meet up with our friends."

Yeah....friends...That's just what friends do.

Why does he feel weird about it?

Twilight

"On a scale of one to ten, how hard is it to learn how to ride a horse?"

Twilight looked around Epona's form, pausing his motion in brushing her to see you leaning up against her, a hand on her neck and brushing ever so slightly.

"Some people are more natural than others I suppose..." Twilight responded, an idea forming in his mind. "But it's not difficult."

You nodded in response and continued to pet the best girl around.

"I can show you how... If you want that is." Twilight grins to himself, leaning closer to Epona so you don't notice. The thought makes him giddy in a childlike way and he doesn't want you to be put off by his overexcitement.

You snap your head in his direction, a bright and excited smile on your face. "Really? I've always wanted to learn but I didn't want to impose."

Oh.

Out of everyone who could easily show you how to ride a horse, you came to him.

Well... doesn't that do something to his heart.

I mean, he is the only one with the horse but -DETAILS!!

He doesn't care for them.

"Here. Get on." He walks around and holds the reins, gesturing for you to get on Epona's back.

"Right now?" You're surprised, but delighted.

Twilight thinks it a good look on you.

"Sure. We're not going anywhere just yet and Epona can use a walk to stretch her legs." He says and helps you get up. Twilight is quick to follow after you and sit behind you, your back pressed up upon his chest.

"Ok, here's what you're going to do." He gives you the reins and places his hands over yours, leading you and Epona to where he thinks is a good place to go for a small trot.

It's effortless for him to lead you both through the trail.

Your trio actually pass by the group who are resting for lunch and wave to them as you go. Twilight catches the smile Time has on his face and is quick to put together that he knows something he doesn't. He'll ask Time about it later.

Twilight talks to you about how to hold the reigns, how to kick the horse into gear, how to steer and anything that he can think of that means safety for both you and the animal.

"Hey Twilight-" You mention suddenly and point just beyond the distance. "-Should we be concerned about that?"

Monsters, also on horses.

An arrow wizzes by suddenly, imbedding itself in Epona's side.

Shocked by the pain and scared by the suddenness of it, Epona takes off in a sudden sprint. Encouraged by the reaction, the monsters give chase.

Twilight notices that they don't have as much control over their chosen transportation.

He has the advantage.

Epona's first instinct is to run back to the group, back to the numbers and safety. Twilight knows better though, he can't lead the monsters to the group, even if he has a sizeable lead on them. He quickly turns her away, a plan forming in his mind.

You don't have weapons or back up, so this is going to get interesting.

"TWILIGHT!" You scream and throw yourself against him, covering your eyes with one and and gripping him tightly with the other. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Trust me!" He yells over the rushing wind. "I think I have a plan!"

"YOU THINK? You're crazy!" You reply, directly into his ear. "But I trust you... so I guess I am too!"

"That's the spirit!" He grins. Twilight knows Epona won't be able to do much more without injuring herself further and he doesn't want to make any reckless decisions with you right next to him.

He'd hate for you to no longer want to ride a horse over this bad experience.

"Hang on tight!" He finds himself yelling, adrenaline in his veins and he pushes Epona to go a little bit faster.

There's a cliff nearby, a ledge that if he can Epona to go fast enough, she can jump it.

The monsters may try to follow but Twilight is riding heavily on their lack on control and the horses will to stay safe.

Epona reaches it and jumps.

There's a moment of weightlessness and Twilight's heart floats up to his throat. You gasp, and fling yourself around to press your face into the crook of his neck.

Twilight takes one arm off of the reigns and wraps it around you, pressing you tightly into his chest.

Epona makes the jump, landing on the other side with a little more turbulence than Twilight is used to, but he'll blame her shot.

He slows her down and looks to the other side of the ledge.

The monsters do in fact try to follow but Twilight's gamble and intuition pays off. The horses stop just by the edge and several monsters fly off of their backs and down below. The other monsters who can't get by, stop in anger and scream from the other side.

But it appears they lost their archer to the abyss.

So you're safe.

"Oh my goodness..." You gulp and remove yourself from him. "Holy cow... You did it. You mad lad, you did it."

Twilight chuckles nervously and begins to lead Epona back to the camp, gentler and a little more aware now of how she's moving, how much she's been hurt.

"Is Epona ok?" You try to look around him and spot the injury, but there's not a lot of space on the saddle to manage that. He does it for you and sees that it's mostly blocked by the saddle itself, the arrow imbedded deep into the side, just missing the both of you.

Epona most likely only has a scratch and was more startled if anything.

Twilight's not happy about his girl getting hurt but knows that she's taken worse hits. He'll tend to her later, he's worried about you too.

"You ok?"

"Yeah, but Epona?" You insist.

"She's fine. It mostly hit the equipment. They were terrible shots." Twilight grins easily, taking the lead in steering Epona and leans into your back.

You laugh breathlessly and turn your head directly into his. It gives him a great view of your eyes and how they seem to glow in the light. He finds himself entranced and almost misses what you say completely.

"You're incredible, you know that?"

He nearly preens and he pulls himself back. "You think so?"

"Incredibly reckless." You snort. "You've lost your privileges' for yelling at Wild. You're just as bad as him."

"I-..." Twilight starts but can't finish.

"But hey, at least we're ok." You lean back and make yourself comfortable against him. "That could have been worse."

Twilight doesn't move a muscle while you're there, if you're comfy against him, then he'll keep you comfy. "Yeah. Sorry about freaking you out back there."

You go quiet for a moment and he wonders if he's ruined something. Twilight doesn't know if there's something to ruin actually, and he doesn't understand the thought now that he's had it. He doubts you'll stop being friends because of this, so that's not at threat. Monster attacks are not something new. But...

He wants to do this with you, for you.

He doesn't like the idea of you turning him down.

"I don't know..." You say eventually. "Maybe you can make it up to me by continuing these horse riding lessons. Maybe I'll forgive you then."

Twilight doesn't look at your face, he doesn't turn to look at you. He's afraid he'll give too much away on his face if he does.

"If you're still up for it?" It's question. It wasn't supposed to be a question.

You nod and fully relax, your heartbeat gently beating against his own. "Maybe less monsters next time?"

"Agreed." Twilight grins. "Not until after you learn to go out on your own."

"How about... No."

Wild

"Wild. I. Have a question." Wild looks up to your approaching form, tensing up in anticipation.

"Yeah, what's up?" He tries to grin naturally. Wild feels his heart start to beat faster and his face heat up. He gets nervous around you even if he wants to be by your side, but he doesn't know why.

He knows you're friendly and sweet and nice and incredibly smart and there should be no reason that you do this to him and yet he wants to impress you so bad....

But he doesn't know how.

"Your slate has that crazy inventory right? So you carry a whole bunch of stuff on you at all times?" You try to stand tall but you dip your head and thread your fingers through your hair.

You're nervous.

Now you really have his attention.

"Yeah. I might have enough stuff to rival the Veteran and he's known as the Collector as well." Wild sits back and tilts his head at you. "What's up?"

"I..." You start and bite your lip. Wild's eyes land on it and he focuses there for longer than he thinks is appropriate. "I just wanted to ask if I could borrow a sword if you had extra... Mine's about to break and I don't want Smithy on my case about it, since I don't have what I need to fix it. But....um...You know what, nevermind. It's not a big deal, I'll manage, I'll-"

"No! It's fine!" He shoots up to his feet and grabs your hand to keep you from leaving. "Got anything in mind? I've got claymores and short swords, elemental weapons and sheikah blades. I've got some cool boomerangs or clubs from monsters if you want those."

While he's talking, he brings up his slate and begins sliding through the pages and icons, bringing it up to your faces so you can get a better look at what he had to offer. He's quick to point out what weapon can do what and how he has one story for each of them.

He takes a look over to your face and is overjoyed when he sees that you're looking through the screen with as much fervor and excitement as he did when he first came into contact with his world's weapons.

"..." He sees your eyes lock on one of them and voice comes out in a giddy giggle. "This one."

"Which one?" He leans over and places a hand on your shoulder. You let him, or you don't notice but the fact that you don't shove him away makes in happy in a way.

You point to it and he has a brief moment of panic when he sees the one you want. It's one of Robby's creations, a sheikah chainsaw so to speak. It's one of the biggest weapons he has.

"OK." He gulps and takes it out. He presses the activation button and watches your face when it lights up the blade.

A large grin over takes your face when you see it and stare at it for a moment. The light is bright in your eyes and you let out a giggle that's borderline hysterical.

"This is awesome!" You make grabby hands at it and he hesitates to give it to you.

He likes that you like it....but he's suddenly not all to convinced that he should. Wild knows that he's reckless and that he gets hurt a little more than anyone appreciates but... What if you get hurt? With his weapon, no less?

The thoughts scares him a little more than he'll admit.

Maybe you should have that one.... Maybe a more... normal weapon would have been better?

You step away and give it a few experimental swings and his heart launches into his throat.

"Ho-ok!" Wild frantically opens his slate again and takes out a another weapon, a normal iron sword. "Take this one as well actually."

"One is enough Wild. Thank you but-"

"We don't want the others to get jealous, now do we?" He lies. "This way it'll be easier to explain...so maybe save that one for emergencies?"

"Alright." You press the button and stash the weapon away, taking the other sword from his hand. Your fingers brush and he tries to not jerk his hand back and make it awkward.

"For the others sake." You grin, and there's a glint in your eyes that makes him think that you're on to him.

But you don't mention it.

He won't plan to mention it either.

He'll gladly share anything else with you though. You just have to ask.

Four

"RUN! WE HAVE TO RUN!"

Four's head snaps up and he doesn't have the time to register why before you run past him and grab his hand, dragging him behind you.

"WHAT?!" Four yells next to you and matches his stride to your easily. "WHY ARE WE RUNNING?!"

"THEY'RE AFTER ME!" You cry and continue running, taking a sharp turn. "NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!"

Four isn't prepared for the level of rage and concern for your behalf as he begin to reach for his sword and turns around to fight whatever has you in a panic.

"Don't!" You pull his hand harder and nearly throw him off of his feet. "It's not worth it. Just run, maybe we can find a place to hide."

"What's after you?" He asks instead. How bad did it have to be that you didn't even want to fight back? Was it monsters? Did they have numbers on their side? Was it the weapons they had? Were they infected?

He'd gladly fight them for you.

But if it's bad... it's bad and he knows that infected monsters take more effort then they should and they're not something he can do alone.

"Here!" A smile appears on your face and with another sharp turn to press him close to your body and squeeze into a small space. There's no space between you two, it's chest to chest, completely up against each other and Four suddenly has a hard time concentrating.

Four says your name in an attempt to distract himself from your body and eyes the hand you press against his mouth in response.

"Shh..." You look outside the hidey hole and snap back in.

Familiar voices ring with mirth and exhaustion but they are not dangerous. Four finds it in himself to be a little miffed at there not actually being any danger but he keeps quiet at your request.

"Where do you think they went?" Wind has a grin in his voice.

"I don't know. I think they actually lost us." Wild replies in kind. "But they can't be far. It's not like they can out run us."

"You take the right and I'll take the left?" Wind offers and Four has to wonder what they want with you.

You keep your hand over his mouth for a moment longer before slowly retreating.

Four gulps and takes a breath. He's immediately assaulted by how you smell. It's weirdly not just sweat, but apple blossoms and some kind of herb that he's having trouble pin pointing.

It's intoxicating and despite the lack of personal space, Four thinks that this is the most comfortable place he's been in a while.

"Ok. I think they're gone." You turn and begin to shimmy out of the hole. "Sorry about that. They want me to do something dumb with... an item of mine and I don't have the heart to tell them no. So I ran... Which didn't really work because they followed."

Four follows out of the hole and brushes the front of him off. He places his hands on his hips and fixes you with a stare.

"And then I ran into you and I didn't want to explain everything but you're a good guy and you'd just tell them where I went because you wouldn't know and I didn't want to risk leaving you behind-"

A good guy?

"So you kidnapped me?" Four raises an eyebrow. "That was your solution?"

"Well... How else do I get your attention?" You mimic his position and look him in the eye.

Four's about to retort with something that you could do before he stops himself. It's... not something one would just say to a friend. But he finds the idea very appealing for a moment before being disgusted with himself for thinking that about you.

He rolls his eyes to change the conversation outwardly but he continues thinking about it. "There are easier ways to get my attention. One of them, for example, say my name."

"Hard to do, if all of you have the same name." You grin.

He smiles back.

Truthfully, now that he's thinking about it, a lot things that you do catch his attention.

The way you move your hands when you talk. The way you move when you fight. The sound of your laugh. The color of your hair and your eyes.

"Um..." You laugh nervously and scratch the back of your neck. "Would you mind staying with me for a moment longer? I uh- Don't know the way back and I don't want to risk running into either of them just yet But.. I did kidnap you, so if you have something better to do-."

Oh yeah, he'll stay with for for longer. He doesn't mind one bit.

Sky

Sky yawns and rubs at his eyes for a moment before turning his gaze back into the fire.

It's early.... like, stupid early. He hates getting up before the sun and would have gladly stayed in his bedroll... but it's his shift.

Admittedly, he doesn't mind being on watch.

But it's the whole concept of being up before the very time keeper in the sky that miffs him. His body wants to fight it and he typically has to put his whole bed roll away when it's his turn or else he'll be tempted to go back to it and sleep the rest of the night time away.

The only bonus, he supposes, is the chance to watch the sunrise.

It's so different on the surface than on Skyloft, there's more colors and it's not as blinding. He can't to experience more when he reaches his own time again.

The other bonus, he supposes, now that he's thinking about it, if the chance to watch over his new friends and that includes you.

You... Are just as mesmerizing as the sunrise, he thinks.

There's something about you that he finds completely captivating. Your endless colors and arrays of simplistic beauty keep his attention in ways he wouldn't have thought possible. Bringing peace and tranquility to the group when they need and being a signal to start the next leg of the adventure.

And yet, he can admit that it's nothing extraordinary.

You're not trying to impress anyone. It comes naturally to you.

Like the sunrise.

Sky smiles to himself and....he's mature to admit that he's glad he met you, and he think he'll miss you the most when this is all over.

When Sky comes back to the present instead of being trapped in his own head, he realizes that he's been staring at you for a while.

You're still sleeping.

He takes a breath. That wouldn't have been awkward. He prides himself on not being a creep, thank you very much.

You turn in your sleep and a sound escapes you.

Sky sits up a little straighter and watches you again. He knows that everyone has their fair share of demon to fight even when they're asleep. It wouldn't be all that surprising to learn that you had your own battles beyond daytime.

You move again, lifting your arm to fight whatever your brain says is in front of you and a gasp comes through.

Sky shoots up again begins to make his way over to you. He's careful not to wake the others but if he kicks Wind's on the way over, he won't mention it... It's not like that woke him up anyway.

When he finally reaches your side, you're shaking and moving side to side without knowledge of what is happening outside your own mind.

Sky nearly growls and kneels next to you.

"I wish I can fight those things for you..." He says out loud as he begins to gently shake your shoulder. "How dare they still plague you. They're not even here. Who gave them the right?"

You give out a small scream, something in your mind terrorizing you and it prompts Sky to shake you by both your shoulders until you wake up.

Your eyes shoot open with a gasp. You're covered in a cold sweat and breathing heavily. It takes you a while to realize where you are and who's in front of you but in the meantime you try fighting Sky off, still not fully aware that you're awake.

"Hey, hey, it's me." Sky takes a step back in hopes of calming you, even if it's the last thing he wants to actually do. "You're safe now. It's ok."

You finally stop and look at him, staring for a moment until he can see the moment when you see him. "...Oh..."

"You ok?" Sky takes the step forward. "That seemed rough."

"I... Um..."

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." He takes another step forward and places his hands on your shoulders. You're still shacking but instead of answering him you launch yourself into his arms.

Sky doesn't hesitate to hold you and lets you cry into his shoulder for as long as you need. He makes a vow to himself right then and there.

He's going to do his best to protect you... and the others. So that even if things get hard, maybe you'll have less nightmares to deal with.

If you'll let him, that is.

For now, he's going to hold you and be there for you when you need him.

It's... really all he can do.

#linked universe #linked universe x reader #linkeduniverse #IT'S DONE!!#I'm not so proud of Sky's and Wild's but feedback is always welcome #Hopefully the mess of posting it unfinished is the first and last time I do that #Will it happen again?#most likely but ehh...

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