#and I also remember the days when people would go and say 'Hunter is canonically gay!!' when he first got introduced. OH BOY. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

syndxlla · 8 months

Text

best friends don’t look at each other the way we do

A low stakes, high reward and self-indulgent Zelink fan fiction. Canon-compliant. Takes place between BOTW and TOTK

Chapter Five: My North Star

Read chapter four here

My masterlist

Song: August by Taylor Swift

Summary: Link and Zelda get a visitor from an old friend, and start to remember how to live for the hope of it all.

Warnings: brief and non graphic mentions of death and dead bodies, canon-typical violence and horror, PTSD (always for this fan fic)

Word Count: 3.3k words

Authors Note: finally some happy moments lol. Also this is unedited!! ALSO I KNOW I HAVE SO MANY UNANSWERED ASKS RN I PROMISE I AM NOT IGNORING YOU IM JUST BUSY AND LAZY kloveyoubye

It takes only three more days for Impa to arrive at their door, angrily pounding her staff on the wooden plank. It’s early, she beats the rooster, and Link is rubbing sleep out of his eyes as he stumbles to the door from his makeshift bed he’s made adjacent to the kitchen.

He’s shocked to see the old woman staring up at him, as far as he knows, she hasn’t left Kakariko village in decades.

“You completed the mission and your first instinct was NOT to come and tell me?” She asks, her wrinkled lips pressed firmly into a frown. Link looks up to see Cado, apologetic. His hair is down, shirt is off, and he’s barely wearing trousers. He yawns.

“Good morning, Master Impa.” He bows deeply to her and she just whacks his skull with her cane in the same manner she did the door. Link yelps and rubs the top of his head. “What was that for?” He asks.

“Where’s the princess?”

“She’s sleeping still, it’s barely sunrise.” Link rubs some more sleep from his lashes, his hand in a tight fist. “You know, most people say good morning when you see them first thing…”

Impa then lets herself into the house, pushing past him like the angry ball of spunk she is. “I’ll have tea.” She states, “And I’d like to see my friend.” Link and Cado look at each other, the Sheikah man staring at him apologetically.

Link nods, walking to the furnace and kneeling in front of it. He blows on the dying embers from the night before, placing a small log on them. Flames catch, and he’s setting the kettle over them, still full of water from yesterday. Cado closes the door and sits across from Impa at the table. Link eyes his bed roll in the corner of the room, kicking some blankets around in an attempt to make it look less disheveled, but the elderly woman just squints at the state of the house. If only she had seen it a week ago. Link was starting to feel proud of he and Zelda’s progress, wildflowers being placed in a vase on the table, and their plates polished and put away neatly for the first time. After Impa’s scrutinizing gaze, however, he was feeling all sorts of insecure again.

The air is stagnant.

“She's still sleeping…still.” Link clears his throat, his voice hushed. “She needs to rest because-“

“Link, two bodies were found just outside of the castle two days ago, the man who found them also reports seeing a Shadowy Figure, covered in what he suspects is malice.” Impa interrupts him.

“What?” He asks, startled.

“I didn’t want to lead with that, but it cannot be ignored.” She spoke in the same hushed tone. They didn’t want to wake the Princess, and they especially didn’t want to scare her.

“Treasure hunters? I mean it's still a war zone there, it wasn’t anything else… right? He was lying, surely. All the Malice disappeared…” Link asks, feeling the blood go from his face.

“The man was Me.” Cado frowns. He would never lie. “After we got your message from Purah, I traveled to the castle to confirm that the Calamity was destroyed. The bodies were hylian, two young people. A boy and a girl… I thought it was..”

Cado’s voice became too loud, and Link hushed him.

“We want to think it was leftover spells, but we don’t know. We don’t know who else to ask to investigate.” Impa says.

“Now that Hyrule is safe, it's time we start reestablishing civility, democracy.” Cado steps in.

“It’s been eleven days since I defeated him.” Link crosses his arms, “I’m still not sleeping through the nights, Zelda doesn’t have her full strength back yet. You promised me I would get to rest when it was all over.” He looks at the Sheikah Chief.

“Don’t lie to me, Link.” Impa shakes her head, “I know you can’t stay in one place for too long. No matter how hard you try.” She states. She wasn’t wrong, but recently Link has started to feel different.

The kettle starts to whistle. Link swallows his frustration and takes it off the heat, preparing three cups of green bell tea. Everyone feels discomfort. “Did the figure do anything?” Link asks as he pours the hot water into the cups, his back turned to the Sheikah.

“It just stared at me, it was tall, hunched over.” Cado describes, one could easily hear the fear in his voice. “We stared at each other, I couldn’t tell if it was from this world or not.”

“Tall like a Zora or tall like a Gerudo?” Link asks, still turned away.

“Gerudo.” Cado struggled to say it. “I drew my sword, and as soon as I did, it turned away from me and walked into the mist to the south. I never saw it again.”

Link swallows and then turns around finally, carrying the cups to the table. “And the bodies?”

“Cause of death was unknown, I checked for a pulse multiple times but they were both long gone. They were dressed in traveler's garb. Their dress seemed to be from the north.”

“If they have families they need to know.” Link sits, holding the mug of tea in his hands.

“You’re the only one who could inform them about such a thing.” Impa says. “Tabantha is a long way, but you could be there and back in an hour if you warp. We’ll stay here until you-“

“The sheikah slate is utterly destroyed.” Link admits. “I left it with Purah but she essentially told me it's beyond repair.”

“You’d have to go on foot like the rest of us.” Cado smirks.

“Why would I?” Link asks, perhaps too forcefully. “I did my quest.”

Impa stares at him, silent for a moment, “You don’t really feel that way.” She shakes her head, “And if you do, then you are not the same man who woke up three years ago.”

“I’m not!” Link almost shouts, and they all bite their tongues, listening for any sound from upstairs. “Impa… you know I care. You know I want to go find whatever that figure was, but I am tired.” His voice cracks. “I can’t just sleep this one off.” He can’t look at her, if he does, he’ll break. “This is much deeper than exhaustion. It’s… it’s traumatic.

I still see him. His eyes, the way His heat radiated and burned my skin, the sound of His laughter. He Haunts me at night, I swear He finds ways into my dreams and taunts me there. Like it was all just a game to Him. Because it was. It always was. He’ll do it again a hundred times, and we can’t ever stop Him. There will be countless more Links who lose their hearing and can’t sleep and won't even look themselves in a mirror because as long as the triforce exists, He will mock us all with His deviance.”

Link stares into his tea.

“Impa…” A quiet voice says from the stairs, and all three of them are turning to see her. Long, blonde hair draped over her shoulder, eyes sleepy and confused, hands at her sides.

She nearly trips down the stairs as she runs to the woman, wrapping her hands around her neck and crying. Impa immediately holds her back, laughing, taking an old, bony hand and stroking the top of her friend's head with it.

“Good Morning, my dear.”

Link and Cado share one more glance.

The day is spent with hugs and laughter and Zelda looking into Impa’s eyes and crying every time she sees that they’re still the same eyes. Link cooks for them, and gets as quiet as he was at the start of this war. It’s all he can think about. Did it return for other Links? Did it return this early?

Zelda must have noticed his distance because while Impa is telling Zelda all about the man she married, the Princess is glancing at Link. His shoulders tense, his head down, his voice silent. She frowns, deciding to ask him about it later.

Cado was delighted to meet the woman, bowing deeply for her. He eventually got on a tangent about his children while they ate the omelets Link prepared, but Link stayed silent. He glances over at the Master Sword, leaning against the corner of the room, staring back at him.

He distracts himself the rest of the day with Epona, tending to her constantly while Zelda tells Impa every single detail about her time sealed away. The two prayed over each other a few times. The sun gets low in the sky, Link stays silent.

They come back inside, and before Impa and Cado enter from the outside to begin their next hour of catching up, Zelda places a gentle hand on Link’s shoulder. “Link,”

He turns to look at her, everything about him immediately softening as her green eyes stare at him.

“You’re upset?” She says, her voice soothing.

“No I’m not.” He denies. She raises an eyebrow.

“I know you.” Link becomes acutely aware of her thumb that starts rubbing circles into his muscle and he has to remind himself how to stand. ”Talk to me.”

He knows he can’t tell her about this, not yet. “Later?” He asks. She smiles and nods.

“I’m here for you.”

Link begins dinner, and Zelda washes up, leaving the three alone for the first time since early morning.

Impa stares, Cado uncomfortably clears his throat. Link looks at them, frowning, knowing what they want.

He sighs deeply.

“I will return to the castle. Zelda and I briefly discussed returning the Champion’s weapons to their people, and can do it then.” He finally says. “Tell every leader to warn their people to avoid the castle at all costs.”

“Good.” Impa nods.

“But-“ Link holds his hand up, “I’m not going until both she and I are ready.” He says.

“What do you mean by ready?” That old woman was always so pushy.

“When Zel and I both feel ready to return to those places without it absolutely crushing our spirits, we will go. Together.”

“Hylia knows when that will be.” Cado scoffs.

“Exactly.” Link says. “Unless more deaths are reported or this shadow is seen again, it can wait. Everyone has been avoiding the castle for a century, what’s a little while longer?” Link states, silently proud of himself for sticking up for himself and not just being the obedient soldier he was trained to be. “Besides, no one should be there anyways, it’s not safe.”

“You’re in love with the Princess.” Impa states with a chuckle and Link sputters, the wind knocking out of him.

“What? Why would you say that?” He asks.

“I saw you two. The way you look at her.” Impa smirks. Link feels his ears heat up, Cado stifles a laugh.

“You are so rude.” Link replies.

“I think you two need each other.” Impa shrugs, “But do not let any worldly affection keep you in the way of what really matters here: Hyrule and its people.”

Impa always knew exactly how to remind Link that he is just a soldier.

“We will leave before we eat. At this rate we will not return home until late into the night.” Impa states, standing back up.

They say their goodbyes. Zelda promises to visit, Impa gives her a kiss on the forehead, Cado bows again. And just as the sun begins to set, the pair is headed through the bridge.

Both Link and Zelda stand in the doorway as they watch them leave. Zelda starts to sniffle, wiping a tear.

“Hey, hey, hey.” Link says in a comforting tone when he sees her cry, turning to face her. “It’s okay, we’re gonna see her again real soon.” He reassures. Zelda sighs.

“She got so old, without me.” She tries to swallow her sob but fails. She presses her tear-stained face into the crook of Link’s neck, and he just holds her for as long she needs. Zelda is the one to pull away after a moment of comfort. “I’m sorry… I know there's something troubling you, too. I shouldn’t be so selfish.” Zelda sighs.

Link swallows, “It’s nothing. Not for tonight.”

“You're sure?”

“Positive.” Link nods. “Can I show you something?” He asks, and Zelda is nodding as he takes her hand and leads her up stairs. He pushes open a hatch on the ceiling in the corner, and a rickety ladder slides down. Some dust and cobwebs fly down, but when the air clears, Link is climbing up onto the roof of their house. He helps Zelda up next, and she’s looking up at the night sky with bright eyes. It’s still not totally dark yet, but the first few stars are starting to shine.

The roof is slightly slanted, but not enough to cause either of them concern. They both comfortably find a position on the tiles, facing south, noses pointed at the heavens. There’s about a foot of space between them, and Link wants to scoot closer into her, but chooses not to. He closes the hatch from the outside, so the warm light of the house doesn’t pollute their view.

“I like to come up here to clear my head.” He says. “It doesn’t hold a candle to the night sky in Hebra or out in the desert, but it's still pretty spectacular.”

Zelda hums, “You’ll have to take me someday.” She stays looking at the sky but Link looks at her. Her profile is beautiful, hair long and cascading, ears pointed and blushed. Surely she knew he was staring, but neither of them did anything to stop.

“One day.” He nods before looking away and laying on his back. He rests his arms behind his head, crossing an ankle over his bended knee. “That one is called Haru.” He points to an especially bright star, “It’s part of the constellation Nabooru.” He then traces the warrior constellation with his finger.

“I remember, yes.” Zelda scoots into him, and he tries to stifle his smile. She doesn’t lay next to him, but now they’re a mere inches apart.

“And this is the North Star.” Link cranes his neck back to see it. “It moves though, did you know that? True north changes over time, so that one was the North Star when we were born, but over time the celestial bodies shifted and now it's that one. They didn’t even know that until I came back, because I was following the original one and ended up in Lanayru instead of Eldin. I talked with Purah and Robbie and they agreed, isn’t that fascinating?” He asks with a smile.

Zelda smiles so wide she thinks her cheeks will burst. “I never heard you speak like that before. With so much passion and eloquence.”

Link looks at her and just chuckles, “Now everyone follows the new star, but it didn’t have a name yet….”

“We should name it!” She gasps.

“Oh…I already did.” Link frowns, “I named it after I got my first memory back.” He shrugs. “I”m sorry. But there are plenty of stars without names anymore. A lot of the scientific research got destroyed with the…” He stops himself, “Well you know why. No one these days even knows the constellations anymore. I’m the only one.”

“What did you name it?” Zelda smiles.

Link looks at her again, “Zelda.”

She just about passes out from flattery, smiling down at her knees which are bent into her chest, blushing a little. “That’s very nice.”

“It was my true north.” He says. “I’d have been lost without it.”

It was fully dark now, and the sky lit up with the twinkling lights, the moon was a small sliver of a crescent and hung low in the sky near the sea.

“When did you remember the constellations?” She asked.

“They come to me slowly. It was required for all knights to know them, as I’m sure you remember.” Link described, looking to the heavens again. “I still can’t think of half of them.”

“Well isn’t that one Navi?” She points to another star.

“No, that one is Navi.” Link scoots up to her level, closing the gap further between them, and takes his hand to move her arm to the right star, his calloused and scarred flesh rough against her soft skin. “That one is the top of the constellation Hylia-“

“-Hylia”

They say it together. Perfectly in tune.

Their faces turn towards one another, locking eyes. The air freezes, time itself seems to hold.

Their hearts simultaneously skip a beat, and a soft blow of warm wind passes by, brushing through their hair.

Link makes the mistake of looking at her lips and for a split second he swears she leans in, but before anything goes any further, she’s moving away and laying down next to him.

He supposes this is alright, too.

“I wonder what she thinks of all this.” Link says.

Zelda is quiet ....“I sometimes wonder if the God’s regret making man.”

“What do you mean?” Link asks, looking at her.

“Well… man is what caused the curse of the loop anyways. If it weren’t for us, Hyrule wouldn’t have to be rebuilt every ten thousand years.” She frowns. “Maybe they wish they had left their creation to rest without our feeble beings.”

“I don’t think that.” Link shakes his head. “I think they put us here because we are flawed, not in spite of it.

I think our mistakes, our sins, our curses are what makes us special. Life would be futile if we were perfect. There would be no motivation. No growth. No passion.

You cannot have good without evil, or light without dark, or joy without pain.

That’s what’s so beautiful about life. I think the God’s know that. I think they love us because of it. That is a luxury they don’t have. I see it as a gift. To live for the hope of it all.”

Link rambles, and Zelda is stunned for a moment. She turns her head to look at him, this time he’s the one with wonder-filled eyes staring up, ignoring the gaze of the other.

“I really think you should wield the triforce of wisdom.” Zelda teases.

Link looks at her, their noses almost touching. “Oh no, I’m only profound when I’m around you.” He shakes his head, giggling. “You should see me try to talk my way through Gerudo town, there's nothing wise about it.” His tone is playful, and they both laugh over it. “I accidentally told a woman she looked pregnant instead of ordering a drink at the bar.” Link explains and then says the two phrases in Gerudo, Zelda can admit they have very similar pronunciations and the both of them are full-belly laughing at the situation. Zelda asks how he managed to get out of that situation, and Link had to describe further that he was in disguise, which made everything harder to get through. Zelda couldn’t get the image of Link in a woman’s clothing out of her mind, and Link only sets her off further when he finishes the story with him getting slapped by an elderly Gerudo Woman. It isn’t much longer until she has tears welling down her face, but this time they are finally tears of laughter and joy.

When they both finally pull themselves together, Zelda smiles at him, wiping a tear from the corner of her eyes. “Thank you.” She sighs, her stomach aching from laughter.

Zelda then takes a risk, and snakes her hand in between them before wrapping it around Link’s. They don’t lock fingers, and it isn’t even necessarily classified as a romantic gesture, but she just squeezes his hand, thankful for cheering her up, thankful for reminding her that there is still hope.

There is hope in balance.

She tries to pull it away, not wanting to overstep, but Link is holding her hand tighter, keeping it in his grip. Zelda happily obliges, and they keep their hands clasped at their sides the whole night.

—

Chapter Six

344 notes · View notes

corazondebeskar-reads · 4 months

Text

well it's love, make it hurt - epilogue

well it's love, make it hurt series

epilogue: I will never make another promise (without you)

series masterlist | prev chapter |

dom!Din Djarin x sub!f!reader

Words: 4.6k

Summary: You and Din travel in your quest to reunite the baby with his people and to seek out the Tribe.

Warnings: bdsm, d/s dynamics, enthusiastic consent, preestablished safeword etc, dom!din djarin x sub!reader, soft din djarin, din djarin is a good dad, vaginal sex, communication, major life decisions, author plays god with the timelines (sorry), canon adjacent?, canon divergence?, no use of y/n, tooth-rotting fluff, they deserve it, you deserve it

also on ao3

dividers by @saradika-graphics

9 ABY - Winter

“Alor,” Din says, bowing his head.

“Din Djarin,” she says. “You have an aruetti with you.”

You’ve known her for twenty seconds, and you’re in awe. Her voice is strong and unwavering, demanding attention. And, respectfully, she looks badass. You had never seen another Mandalorian, and from what Din had told you, you assumed they all looked similar.

But she looks every inch a queen.

“She wants to swear the Creed,” Din says.

The Armorer gives you her full attention now, having only spared you a glance before. “Does she wish to speak for herself?”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s true. I would like to learn to walk the way of the Mand’alor, if you’ll have me.” You try to keep your spine straight and your head up, not to hide away from the appraising stare.

“Hmm,” she turns her helmet back to Din. “Is this the hunter you spoke of before?”

“Yes, alor. She is a very skilled and honorable fighter.”

“Well,” you interrupt, face heating from his praise. “I don’t know about skilled. I’m not formally trained, but I’d be honored to really learn.”

They both look at you now, and you wish you hadn’t spoken. But if you’re going to do this, you know you can’t allow cowardice to rule any part of you anymore.

And you want this. With or without Din. You’re surprised a little, now that you’re here, and it’s a real possibility, by the ferociousness of your desire.

The first choice you had ever really made for yourself was asking him to work with you. The second was leaving him.

This will be the defining moment for the rest of your life, you think.

She nods. “It is settled. You will continue on your quest to Corvus,” she says to Din. “You,” she turns, “will remain here and train. When he returns, you will be ready to begin an apprenticeship to earn your beskar’gam.”

“I can train her,” Din says, shifting uncomfortably. He didn’t imagine you’d be separated. Not when he’d only just gotten you back.

“No. Paz will train her. You will continue on your mission in the morning.”

Din doesn’t like it. You don’t need him to say it; it’s written in the sharp lines of his shoulders and tapping of his thumb against his thigh. You catch his anxious hand and thread your fingers between his, bringing it up to your lips.

“It’ll be okay,” you say. You’re back on the Crest, though they had offered you both lodging. But given that they were living in a small cave system, there wasn’t likely to be any privacy. And you really wanted some privacy.

Din sighs but uses your linked hands to tug you into his lap. You settle with your thighs spread over him, wrapping your arms around his neck.

You press your forehead to his helmet. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

He doesn’t say it, but you know he’s remembering that you promised last time, too. His arms wrap around your waist, bare hands skimming up the back of your shirt.

Even his touch feels sad, so you go in for the kill. “I love you, Din.”

His grasp tightens, the sudden press of his nails drawing a gasp from you. “I love you too, cyare.”

Hearing you say it still makes his heart catch on something sharp and intoxicating. Even after the day you left Batuu, when he finally fucked you in the bunk on the Crest again, right where you belonged, and you had sobbed it over and over while he teased you for hours.

He thinks maybe you need a repeat of that to hold you over while he’s gone. When he says as much, you shudder and rock your hips against him.

“Actually,” he says, sliding his hands to your hips. “You just keep doing that for now.”

It doesn’t take long before you’re practically panting. You’ve shifted so your aching cunt is dragging over the armor on his right thigh, hands clenched in his cowl while you whine.

“What a little slut,” he muses. “Look at you. So desperate you’d fuck anything, huh?”

You shake your head.

“No? If I told you to go get yourself off on the edge of the table, would you do it?”

“Fuck,” you gasp. “Yes, sir.”

“So I’m right, then.”

“No. Wouldn’t f-fuck anything. Just anything you want.”

He moans, hips pushing up and jostling you.

You try to take advantage of it and shift to rub against his crotch, but he tightens his grip and laughs. “Nice try, sweetheart. But I know you’re always desperate for my cock. I want to see you crying to cum just from this.”

He gets his wish soon. You’re already on the edge of begging, and his words just make it worse. “Please,” you whine. “Please just let me have it.”

He withdraws a hand from your shirt and smacks your ass. “I gave you an answer.”

“Ah, fuck, please.”

He can sense the shift in your tone. “Please what, cyar’ika?”

“Please, more.”

Instead of teasing you, he simply shifts you over his lap. He makes sure your cunt can still grind against the edge of his armor before he yanks your pants down over your ass and gives it a hard slap.

“This what you wanted?” He asks, striking you again.

“Yes, please, sir,” you cry, squirming and digging your hands around his calf to hold steady.

He delivers a few more blows and pauses to rub a soothing hand where your skin is already hot. “You beg so prettily. Do it again.”

And there it goes. He grins, feral behind the helmet, as fat tears well up and spill over onto your cheeks.

“Please, please hit me. Please, I’ve been so good. I want to be good.”

He hits hard enough this time that you have to bite your hand to swallow the scream. “You are good,” he murmurs between strikes. “You’re my good girl. I’ve got you.”

He spanks you until the tears run dry. By that time, you’re not squirming or struggling in his grasp. You’ve calmed, floating away in the safety of his cruel, caring hands. Your breathing is deep and easy, though he knows you’re awake by the soft moans.

“Look at the mess you’ve made,” he says, tugging you up by the hair. “Get down and clean it up.”

When you sink to your knees, he can see the faraway look in your eyes and soft contentment in the slight upturn of your lips. You lean forward and obediently lick his thigh plate clean of your arousal, eyes on him the whole time.

“Fuck, pretty girl. C’mere, I need your cunt.”

He’s not sure you’ve ever been this deep in subspace before. You don’t jump and scramble to obey, but lick your lips clean and slowly climb up into his lap, holding onto his shoulders carefully as he peels your pants off the rest of the way. You watch as he pulls his cock out with glazed eyes and an open, aching mouth.

He considers letting you suck it for a moment, given how you’re looking at him like a sweet to be devoured. But he runs a finger through your dripping folds, and the low keen it draws from you changes his mind.

You scoot forward when he taps your leg, looking right into the visor as you hover over him.

He gives you a nod, and you sink down slowly, shoulders curling back and eyes rolling closed as you take your fill. He brings a hand up to your neck, and you lean your head back, arching to give him better access.

There are no words to be said, now. No teasing or taunting, no begging or crying. He tightens the hand around your throat when he starts to fuck up into you, his other hand holding you steady by the hip.

Your lips part, tingling as he slowly cuts off the blood flow. Soft, wavering gasps leak out, but you couldn’t make a sound if you wanted to. He brings his other hand to your face and slides his thumb into your open mouth.

You close your lips around it, trying to suck even though it feels like you’re struggling for air. He curls the other fingers around your jaw, releasing your throat only to drag that hand down to your clit and start to unravel you.

You whine when he pulls his thumb from your mouth, only for it to stutter when he pinches your nipple between his finger and the wet digit. He tugs on it, his breath catching as you arch and press your chest into his hand, not to run from the pain but to offer more, more, more. To pour yourself out in his basin and let him soak you up as he pleases.

It’s a gift he could never refuse, so he lets up on his soft strokes to your clit and indulges in the soft moans and sweet cries you make when he torments your breasts, and the way you get tighter and wetter around him.

A particularly cruel pinch finally tears a plea from you on a whisper.

“Yes,” he growls, and holds you to him through your climax by the tight clamp of his fingers on your nipples. The pain that blossoms when you jerk against his grip uncontrollably pushes you into a second orgasm from the crest of the first.

“Fuck yes, give it to me. Give me everything,” he huffs, bucking into your spasming cunt. When your cries turn a little sharp, he eases up and rubs his thumbs soothingly over your aching nipples before pulling you against his chest.

You cling onto him, face buried in his cowl as he bounces you, cock buried deep with each staccato thrust.

After he fills you, he keeps you there, seated on his cock, with his cum slowly leaking as he softens. He cups your head where it rests against him and savors the way the silent ship is filled with peace.

You’re blinking sleepily, but he doesn’t have the willpower to move to the bunk, content to stay here on the bench with you dozing in his arms.

Your bodies regret it in the morning, but it’s hard to care when the warmth and safety overpower the aches in your neck and back. You share a rinse in the refresher, chaste until it isn’t. After the kid wakes up, you play with him for a few minutes until the sun is finally breaking the horizon, and you know you have to go.

Din offers to walk you in, to stay until you’re settled, but you shake your head. At the top of the ramp, you stop him with a hand to his chest. You slide both hands up to his shoulders, and he settles his on your waist, bringing your foreheads together.

While he’s distracted with the kiss, you unlatch his cloak from around his shoulders. He pulls back, head tilted.

“What’re you up to?”

You grin, folding your prize in your arms. “Just helping myself to a blanket.”

He laughs and pulls you in close, savoring the feeling and hoping it holds him over until he can return.

“Be safe,” you whisper, trying not to tear up.

“Kick Paz’s ass,” he whispers back.

It works. The laughter chases away your sadness, and you press a kiss to his helmet before turning to walk down the ramp.

When you get to the mouth of the cavern, you turn and wave. Din has the baby in his arms, both of them waving back as the ramp raises.

You thought it would be harder. But you smile while you watch the Crest ascend. Your chest feels tight but warm, and you turn to face your new adventure.

Three Weeks Later

You’re sitting on the floor of the large cavern, the sandy floor cushioning your aching tailbone. Your flightsuit is drenched in sweat beneath the weighted flak vest you’ve been living in.

Technically, Paz said to wear it during training, but you’ve been trying to acclimate to what life will be like with armor. He hasn’t commented, but you think he approves of your choice.

His booming voice echoes in the chamber. “Two minutes and we begin again.”

You nod, still trying to regulate your breathing. You sip carefully from the canteen and wonder, as you do with every spare moment, how Din and the baby are. If they’ve found a Jedi. Or a jetii, you suppose.

“What does cyar’ika mean?” you say suddenly. Paz has been teaching you Mando’a while you train, but it hasn’t occurred to you to ask.

You would have rather asked Din, but you forgot your commlink on the Crest. It’s made the days a little harder than you anticipated.

Paz laughs. Your face and ears burn, and you wish you hadn’t said anything.

“Is that what my vod calls you?” he says.

“Sometimes.” You do not like the tone of his voice.

“I’m not laughing at you, vod’ika. Just at how soft he’s gone.”

You scowl.

“It means sweetheart,” he finally explains.

You burn even hotter.

“What about cyare?” You ask, turning your humiliation into determination. And your brain backpedals. “Vod’ika?”

“Cyare is the base for cyar’ika. What do you think it means?”

“Oh! So… I’m going to guess ‘big sweetheart’ isn’t it. It’s like a more serious nickname?’”

“Exactly. It’s probably closest to ‘beloved.’ And then vod’ika would be…?”

“Little brother? Or, well, little sister?”

“Very good,” he says. His praise warms you, but in a much different way than Din’s.

You think back over the words. “Oh,” you say.

“What?”

You hadn’t meant to be speaking to Paz or out loud at all. “You called me vod’ika.”

Somehow, you find that more surprising than the revelation that Din has been calling you his beloved.

“Yes,” he says.

“I haven’t sworn the Creed yet.”

“No matter. You will. And Djarin is my vod, no matter how irritating he is, so anyone who is to be his riduur is my vod, too.”

“Riduur?”

“Spouse. Wife,” he says.

That slows your brain like molasses. “I don’t know about that,” you say with a forced chuckle.

“Regardless. You’re doing well and will make a strong addition to our tribe. This is the Way.”

“This is the Way,” you can’t help but agree.

“Enough resting. Pick up your weapon,” he says gruffly, readying himself to spar with you once more.

You grab the bevii’ragir and use it to pull yourself to your feet.

It’s late afternoon when your lesson is interrupted.

“I call next challenger.”

You turn immediately to the voice like a flower to the sun, grinning and dodging Paz’s spear.

Din meets you halfway and pulls you to him. You slide your arms under his to wrap up around his shoulders, pressing a kiss to his beskar’ta before burying your face in his cowl.

“You take good care of my girl, vod?”

“Your girl can take care of herself,” Paz rumbles, suddenly close. He puts a hand on Din’s shoulder near where you’re clinging to him and shakes a little before pulling back.

“Yeah, she can,” Din says, voice thick with adoration. You lift your head to meet his and realize the next time you do this, the next time you share a mirshmure’cya, you’ll be in a helmet.

As if he can tell what you’re thinking, he asks if you’re ready. He’s addressing you, but Paz answers.

“She’s been ready. You’re late.”

Din watches the hopeful smile blossom across your face. Not the one that makes him want to grab you by the shoulders and beg you to stop being surprised by being loved, but one that tells him you might just be starting to understand.

“Did you go easy on him, ner kar’ta?” he teases, thrilled to be rewarded by your laugh.

He leaves your side only to go collect Grogu from the Armorer, who was fitting him with beskar chainmail forged from the spear he brought home.

They find you on the shore after. The kid toddles over excitedly, eager to show off his new, shiny shirt. You coo over it and praise him, but the smile doesn’t reach your eyes.

He sits down next to you, watching as Grogu torments the tiny, shimmering purple fish in the shallows. “You know,” he starts.

“I’m not changing my mind,” you interrupt. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous, but I want this. It’s… it’s a good fear, I think.”

“Spoken like a true Mandalorian,” he says. “Courage can’t exist without fear.”

“You sound like him when you say that,” you tease.

He rolls his eyes, helmet to the sky for a moment. “We did grow up together.”

“I know. He said you were a parasite that never left him alone.”

“I should have come home faster. Leaving you with him was a mistake,” he grumbles. He fills you in about the village, then. About Elsbeth and Ahsoka Tano. About her refusal to train Grogu.

“She can’t train him because he loves you too much? That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“I don’t want to be an obstacle for him.”

“He’s a baby! He needs a father far more than he needs whatever lonely life they live.”

He loves the sentiment. He does. But you both know he’ll continue on this quest until it’s completed, one way or another. And you know you’ll follow him wherever it takes him.

At dusk, as you kneel in the shallows, the pull of the gentle waves sink you into the sand bit by bit. It’s not a long ceremony; it’s perfectly Mandalorian in its succinct and practical nature. But you can feel the heaviness. It pulls you down faster than the water, and you let it fill the gaps between the sinew of your ribcage.

When your alor places the helmet upon you, the first things you see through your new eyes are Din and the baby, waiting for you to come back to shore.

“This is gonna take some getting used to,” you say as you shift around, trying to figure out the right arrangement of pillows to support your neck in spite of the helmet.

“What if it didn’t have to?” Din says.

“What do you mean?”

“Marry me.”

You sit up and turn to face him. “You're serious?”

He sits up and switches on the light. “Completely.” For the first time, he has no idea what you’re feeling or thinking. You’re holding very still but without seeing your face… this must be how you felt all this time.

“You’re serious,” you whisper. Your modulator barely picks it up.

“I am. Marry me, cyare.”

“Okay.”

“‘Okay’? That’s it?”

You roll your eyes, but it doesn’t translate. You haven’t adapted to exaggerating your body language yet. “Yes, Din. Of course.”

“Right now.”

“Right now?!”

“Did Paz teach you anything about riduurok?”

“Just that it means marriage.”

“I ask him to do one thing,” he grumbles.

“Hang on, what? You asked Paz to teach me about Mandalorian marriages?”

“Yes, that shabuir.”

“Oh. You—you actually planned this,” you say. “This isn’t impulsive. You planned on proposing to me in bed.”

“I planned on proposing to you once we were home. You’re the one who went to bed right away.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“Okay, right now. Marry me right now.” You can’t believe you’re saying it. Or maybe you can. Because it’s Din. It’s always been Din. “How does it work?”

“It’s just us. There are vows. And then, we share ourselves with one another. Then we can know each other completely.”

“Teach me.”

So he does. He shows you the words and their meanings; he shows you the ways he’s been giving you his heart and making room for yours.

You leave the words open on the datapad so you can see them. Somehow, you’ve ended up in his lap, inches from each other. The vows are easy, the decision so painfully obvious you don’t have a single doubt. The Mando’a tumbles from your lips slowly, in harmony with him.

Mhi solus tome. Of course you are one together. That’s never been a question.

Mhi solus dar’tome. It had been true even when it wasn’t. You were one while apart, if only in that you held each other in your hearts for all those years. But it had been enough.

Mhi me’dinui an. There wasn’t a thing between you left unshared now.

Mhi ba’juri verde. Din may have his doubts about Grogu’s future, but you know he loves him. Unconditionally, eternally. And maybe, someday, you’ll share that love with more.

You rip your helmet off without hesitation. It’s easy still, for you.

Later, you’ll grow accustomed to its heft and the way only your aliit can see the you beneath. Later, you’ll appreciate better what it takes for Din to do the same.

“You’re beautiful,” he says.

You roll your eyes. “You saw me three hours ago.”

“You’re beautiful every time I see you.”

Your face burns, but you don’t have to be embarrassed for long. In fact, you stop thinking about it immediately as he raises his hands to the bottom of his helmet.

You squeeze your eyes shut automatically.

He sees you once he’s removed it and huffs a breath. “Cyare, open your eyes.”

“It feels wrong,” you say.

“Ner riduur. You are mine and I am yours. Please open your eyes.”

You do. Your heart is thundering, a painful clench in your chest. You lean back, cupping his face in your hands.

No words come. All you can do is stare, lips parted, greedily taking in every piece of him. Your fingers follow your eyes, brushing through his dark curls and tracing the curve of his cheek.

He’s barely breathing, staring up at you with big, beautiful brown eyes, wetness starting to well.

“Din,” you breathe.

“Hi,” he says softly, cheeks flushing.

You gasp, lips curling into a pleased grin. “You’re so cute when you blush.”

He’s never felt so unmoored. The flush spreads as he tries to bear your focus.

“I thought it would be weirder. To see your face,” you say, running a thumb over his chapped lips, fingers stroking the scruff of his chin. “Your helmet has always been you, to me. I was afraid this would be like seeing a stranger. But it’s not. I know you. Ni kar’tayli darasuum.”

He whispers it back, pressing a kiss to your thumb before leaning against the wall.

Your brow furrows, and you fix him with an outraged glare.

“What?” he asks, and you almost get distracted by the way his eyes widen and mouth opens with bewilderment.

“You used to call me ner kar’ta.”

“I still do.”

“No, I mean, you started calling me your heart so long ago.”

“You weren’t ready. But I couldn’t help it. Couldn’t change that it was true.” He sees the sadness creeping in and cups your cheek. “It was worth the wait, ner kar’ta. Would you like your gift now?”

You know he’s trying to distract you, but it works anyway. “A gift? For what?”

“For our riduurok, silly girl.”

It’s your turn to flush, ears burning. “That’s not fair. I didn’t know I was going to have a husband to get a gift for.”

He shakes his head, a fond smile on his face. A smile you can see. It’s a world-shattering feeling.

He rifles around for a moment and then offers you something shiny and very familiar.

The pauldron is unpainted silver, the same as his, with a mudhorn on the front. It’s shaped a little differently, a little longer and narrower. A better fit for your shoulder.

You reach out and run your fingers over the signet.

“Din,” you choke through the tight grip of your throat. “But… I didn’t earn it yet.”

“But I did. We’re a clan of three, now. As my riduur, this is yours to bear.”

You almost start to sob, but the tears are held off by a sudden realization.

“Did everyone know we were getting married but me?”

He shrugs. “Guess so.”

Your indignant laugh breaks into another sob, tears finally falling free.

He wipes them away with his thumbs, the pauldron abandoned on the bed. “Hey, save those tears for later,” he murmurs.

It has the desired effect. Your eyes widen, and your hips grind against him just a fraction. “You know how most people celebrate a marriage?”

“We aren’t most people, cyar’ika. We’re Mandalorians.”

It’s still weird to hear yourself referred to as a Mandalorian. But it sinks under your skin and spreads euphoria through your veins. It feels right, like your whole life you’ve been following a starmap to this moment.

“Well, how do we celebrate a marriage then?”

He smirks. “We fuck.”

“Right now?” you ask, making a show of batting your lashes and delighting in the way his eyes darken and lips part. “Please, sir?”

You could always sense the change, before. The way the air shifted. But it was another thing entirely to watch him become the predator. There’s a glint in his eye, a curve to his lips that wracks you with shivers.

His hand slides up to wrap around your throat. “Yeah, sweetheart? You want to get fucked by your riduur? Going to let me take what’s mine?”

“Oh fuck,” you whisper. Your heart is pounding, and from the way his smirk grows, you know he can feel it under the clench of his fingers. They twitch a little tighter, and you’re already feeling lightheaded.

He eases up after a moment, withdrawing his hand just to bring it across your face in a harsh slap. “Have you forgotten how to be my good girl? Answer me when I speak to you.”

When you open your mouth to try, all that comes out is a moan. He slaps you again, grabbing you roughly by the throat after and pulling you closer.

“Yes,” you finally gasp, “yes, please, sir.”

“Please, what?”

“Please fuck me. Please take what’s yours.”

“And what’s mine to take?”

“Everything.”

His lips press against yours in a crash of teeth and flesh. He bites his way into your mouth, pushing you down on your back with the force of his kiss. Your legs are still wrapped around his hips and his cock presses against your panties.

“Wait,” he gasps into your mouth. “I have another gift.”

“Can’t it wait? Can’t you let me get you something first?”

“No, cyare, this isn’t a present for my riduur.”

“No?” Your voice has gone small, soft.

“No, sweetheart. It’s for my pretty little slut.”

You flush, and he sits up, reaching over to the shelf for a box. Inside is a thin chain that almost looks like beskar.

You watch him watch you with starving eyes, a hunger that seeps into your skin where his gaze lands. “But I like my collar,” you whisper.

“I know, I do too. This is a little different. It’s thin enough to lay under your cowl without being seen.”

“Oh.”

“You don’t have to wear it all the time. But when you want to, when you’ll let me have you outside of this, I’d like you to.”

It goes against that rule, your one big rule, from so long ago. Nothing outside the ship could come back in, and vice versa.

You find it doesn’t bother you, now. Not if you can have that little reminder, not if you can feel his love physically all the time.

You know he’d never take advantage, never try to control you in a fight. He didn’t need to, anyway, not with the way you moved and worked as one.

“Yes, sir.”

😭thank you, thank you, thank you, I love you. see you on dec. 21 for the Life Day Special ft. our favorite clan of three.

*title from "Set Phasers to Stun" by Taking Back Sunday

#din djarin x reader #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian fic #din djarin x f!reader #mando x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian x you #mando x you #dom din djarin #make it hurt verse #din djarin fic

60 notes · View notes

crimeronan · 3 months

Note

Re: the Luz and Hunter being each other's type though. I remember when Hunting Palismen had just come out and well-meaning commentators on twitter and elsewhere were falling over themselves to be like "I LOVE that they've established a QUIRKY SIBLING VIBE between these two!! So as not to interfere with Lumity!! Because that would be Biphobic! We all agree on this interpretation!!" when like. I also agreed that lumity was probably too far along for Hunter to be intended as a love interest but 🤨🤨🤨 Come on. The wacky snarky m/f couple teaming up against their better judgement has been a STAPLE trope for decades, maybe forever?? Shrek and Fiona, Rapunzel and Flynn, Beauty and the Beast just off the top of my head wrt recent animation lmao

i just remember how fucking Startled i was to go into the tags once i was caught up on the show and see them constantly referred to as brother and sister. i was like.... did i...??? did i miss an episode???? i guess the smearing spit on each other's faces thing was enough for most people but i grew up with two siblings and do NOT see my relationship with either of them reflected in luz and hunter's dynamic. you know who i Do see, though....

uh.... my relationship with any of my partners.....

which is why the siblings thing STILL feels weird to me. even though i understand the interpretation & i know 95% of sibling truthers value the Exact Same Things in their dynamic that i do.

i'm just like. listen. i don't think i'll ever write a fanfic where luz calls hunter her brother even though many many many commenters have interpreted the qpr i write between them as siblingship. and it's not bc i'm trying to purposefully cockblock sibling truthers or whatever.

(i saw a very strange take the other day saying that luz calling hunter "family" instead of "brother" in the canon somehow undermines their relationship?? bc it doesn't make them Real Enough Family?? and i almost started swinging. i earned at least 100 of the "you probably shouldn't say anything and you didn't!! well done!!" reward stars. you have no IDEA how much self-control i possess)

but anyway. i don't refer to them as siblings because i would feel fucking Weird And Wrong referring to my own qpp (who's sound asleep spooning me as i type this) as my sister.

She Is Not!!! That Is Not My Sibling!!!

ultimately i think a lot of sibling truthing happens because people lack the language for "chosen family that isn't a romantic partner or a sibling." but i know a lot of it is also because if hunter could viably be in love with luz then """lumity couldn't happen,""" which. um. does genuinely hurt my feelings, a little bit.

because it isn't TRUE.

i am sitting here as a polyamorous person with multiple partners to say STOP ASSUMING THAT IS TRUE. PLEEEAASEEE..... BEING THREATENED BY OTHER SHIPS IS A BIG MONOGAMY PSYOP.....

monogamy isn't real and can't hurt you. lumiter and lavender winter 5eva. amen 🙏

#replies #toh #horrible mindscape trauma pals #in conclusion. i will NEVER emulate a nuclear family model when i could make a polycule instead.#but theres nothing wrong with reading my luz and hunter fics as sibling fics!#i'm just. never gonna tag or canonize them that way bc. books belong to their readers but to me the author: they are not #long post

18 notes · View notes

bi-bard · 2 years

Text

A Normal Life - Tenth Doctor Imagine (Doctor Who)

Title: A Normal Life

Pairing: Tenth Doctor x Reader

Word Count: 5,371 words

Warning(s): canonical violence

Summary: (Season 3, Episode 8 & 9) When a family of hunters attempt to chase the TARDIS through time and space, the Doctor and (Y/n) have to throw themselves into a life that was never meant for them.

Author's Note: This is one of my favorite episodes ever.

Also, it gives me a lot of room to take liberties with the plot, so thank goodness for that because studying these episodes is sometimes exhausting.

MORE OF THIS OC HERE!

[@this-is-me19 asked me tag them]

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

If you were to ask me how long I had been in Farringham, I wouldn't have a real answer for you.

I would simply say something along the lines of "My family has been as long as I could remember," or "Who could keep track of that for so long?"

I didn't think much of it. It was what I had always said. What I had always thought.

I had been working at my family's bookstore since I was young. What had started as me carrying piles of books wherever I was told turned into me running the shop with a few people to help me. Mainly Arthur.

"Jo!"

I stepped out from the back of the shop when I heard Arthur call my name.

"She asked to see you," he explained quickly as he walked by.

I looked toward the shelves. "Martha!"

"Hi," she greeted.

"Here to pick up Mr. Smith's usual order, yeah," I asked.

"Yeah," she nodded as she made it to the counter.

"Will there be a day when he doesn't send you to grab his order," I placed the small bundle of books on the counter. "I would like to meet the man that has become one of my regulars."

"Maybe one day," she shrugged. "I'm sure it'll feel like you've known him forever."

"Probably," I chuckled. "I do know what books he likes."

She grinned and slid the payment over the counter. For just a moment, I saw this sad look in her eye. I chose not to question it as I took care of the money that she gave me.

"Have a good day, Martha," I said. "I hope the boys at that school of yours aren't too much."

"I've faced worse," she promised as she grabbed the books.

"And that breaks my heart more than anything."

She just grinned and waved before walking out of the shop.

Arthur walked out with another bunch of books. "Where do these go?"

"I told you to let me handle those."

"Well, that's just too bad, isn't it," he said. "Now, where do these go?"

I pointed over to a shelf on the far side of the shop.

Most days were like this. Calm and normal. Nothing of note. It was just Arthur and I taking care of the shop. Filling orders, helping people find books. It was usually boys from the school when they had an assignment. They had very quickly learned that I wouldn't put up with any inappropriate behavior.

"You scare those boys more than you scare me," Arthur had commented once.

"Aw, cheers, Arthur," I replied sarcastically.

He seemed to panic. "Not that you're scary. You're just very good at putting your foot down. I didn't mean to insult you-"

"It's fine, Arthur," I chuckled as I touched his arm. "It's alright."

He nodded. "Right, right. Good."

I shook my head.

And so, our pattern continued. Calm and content.

Besides the meteorite, of course. But that was less strange and more just lovely.

The only thing that I could note that gave me pause was one of the boys from the school coming in. He handed me a book and paid. He just didn't make any conversation. He just stared at me with an odd smile before sniffing aggressively and leaving.

"Okay," I mumbled to myself.

"Those schoolboys," Arthur said, leaning against the counter. "He was probably drunk."

"Do you shop for books when you're drunk?"

"Do I think I can do normal things without anyone finding out that I'm drunk," he replied. "Absolutely."

I scoffed at him. "You are unbelievable sometimes."

He just shrugged at me. I turned back to our register, going through notes and checking some math.

"Where'd you get that watch," Arthur asked after a while.

I hummed and looked at him. He pointed at something at the counter. I looked down at the watch that was resting on my journal.

I picked it up, running my thumb along the design gently.

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I've had it for as long as I can remember. Just always been there."

"What's the front mean?"

"Just some pretty art."

Arthur nodded. "I... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I replied.

"There's this dance tonight," he said. "It's just a silly little event, but I was wondering if you wanted to go? With me?"

I was at a loss for words for a few moments. "Would that be appropriate? An employee and their employer?"

"I see nothing wrong with two friends going to an event together."

I smiled. "Alright. Sure. That sounds nice."

He let out a relieved sigh. "You would not believe how worried I was about that."

I chuckled.

"I... I can meet you here after you have some time to get ready?"

I nodded. "That sounds great."

"Alright, good."

That night, after taking some time to clean up after work, I walked to the front door of the shop to see Arthur standing there with a smile on his face. He was in a nice suit and was shifting his weight on his feet. He seemed nervous.

"You look great," he said.

"So do you," I replied. "Ready to go?"

He nodded, motioning in one direction with his hand. I chuckled and started walking with him.

"You know... I've worked with you for a while now," he said. "It's a family business, right?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Are your parents still with us," he asked.

"Oh, yes, they just retired and moved to have their own little perfect life," I grinned to myself. "They trust me."

"Where'd they move," he continued. "If you don't mind me asking."

"Gallifrey."

"Where's that? Ireland?"

I paused. It was like I suddenly didn't know. "Yeah. Yeah, it must be. Sorry, guess it's been a longer day than I knew."

"Hopefully, this dance will be less stressful."

"Hopefully."

We were just approaching the door as I spoke.

"Spare a penny for the veterans of Crimea," the man at the door asked.

Arthur responded before I could, dropping a penny into the man's hand.

I smiled as we made our way inside. It was the middle of a waltz.

"I should've gotten ready faster," I mumbled. "I've made us miss the first dance."

"We have the whole night," Arthur promised.

The two of us stood off to the side as we watched the dance continue. I must've stood in the way of the drinks because a man walked over, muttering a quick 'excuse me' to me.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly, stepping to the side.

"It's quite alright," the man replied. He held out a hand to me. "John."

"Jo," I smiled, shaking his hand. "You're not John Smith, are you?"

"I am," he nodded.

"I work in the bookshop in the village," I explained. "I... I own it, actually."

"Really? It's very nice to meet you."

"It's nice to finally put a face to the name I've been seeing so often," I chuckled. I motioned to Arthur. "This is Arthur. He works with me in the shop."

"Pleasure to meet you," John said, shaking Arthur's hand. "I should introduce you both to my date tonight. Joan. She's just... oh, no."

I followed the man's line of sight to see Martha sitting at the table with another woman.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Martha has been acting out lately."

"Really? She... She doesn't seem like the type."

He just shrugged at me.

I followed him over to the table. Arthur was only a few steps behind me.

"Oh, now, Martha, this is getting out of hand," John said as he made it over to her. "I must insist that you leave."

She held up a silver tube was a blue top. "Do you know what this is?"

John looked down at the device with something close to a scowl on his face.

"Name it. Go on, name it," she pushed. When he didn't speak, she turned to me. "What about you then?"

I shook my head, eyebrows furrowing at her.

John reached out for it. He turned it over a few times in his hand. I felt some odd sense of familiarity. Like I had seen it before.

"You aren't John Smith," Martha explained, looking back and forth between the two of us. "And you're not Jo. You're called the Doctor. You're called (Y/n). Those people in your journal. They're real. The Doctor is you, and this is (Y/n)."

I looked over at John. Something seemed to be clicking in his mind.

It'll feel like you've known him forever.

Those were Martha's words when I asked about him. Maybe I did. That was the trick. In some other life.

Before either one of us could speak, there were yells from the other side of the room.

"You will be silent!"

A man stormed in, a gun resting in his hand.

"All of you!"

A woman and the boy who had walked into my shop one day walked into the room, followed by a collection of scarecrows.

"Mr. Clark, what is going on," a man asked.

Mr. Clark- the first man to storm in- fired his gun, turning the man to dust.

"Hey!"

I grabbed Arthur's arm as he spoke. He shook my hand off of his arm as he stepped forward. The three people stared at him.

"I don't know what kind of joke you're attempting to play, but there is no reason to ruin these people's evening. Now, you need to leave-"

I jumped back as Mr. Clark shot at him. Arthur turned into ash right in front of me. I tried to step toward where he had been standing when John grabbed my arm. I looked at him, he had turned to look at me at the same time. He quickly let go of me. He seemed confused about why he did it.

"Everything I told you both, just forget it," Martha said. "Don't say anything."

"We asked for silence," the schoolboy snapped. "We only have questions for Mr. Smith and his friend, Jo."

"No, better than that," a little girl walked over to him. "They're the Time Lords. I heard them talking."

"You've taken human form," the boy laughed to himself.

"Of course, we're human," John spoke up for both of us. "We were born human, as were you, Baines. And Jenny. And you, Mr. Clark. What is going on? This is madness!"

"Ooh, and human brain too," Baines taunted. "Simple, thick, and dull."

"They are no good to us like this," Jenny looked at him.

"We need a Time Lord."

"Do you not understand that none of us know what that is," I asked, stepping forward.

"Oh, but you do," Baines replied. He stepped forward too and lifted his arm. I was suddenly looking down the barrel of a gun. "Change back."

"What?"

"Change back!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

I looked over as Jenny grabbed onto Martha.

"She's your friend, isn't she," she asked. I stepped back toward John. Another instinct that I couldn't explain. "Doesn't this scare you enough to change back?"

"Stop it," John stepped forward. "We don't know what you want-"

"Wait a minute," Jenny stopped him. "The maid told me about Smith and the matron."

Mr. Clark stormed over and grabbed Joan, holding the gun to her.

"Have you both enjoyed it," Baines asked. "Being human? Has it taught you wonderful things? Are you better, richer, wiser? Playtime's over now. Change back... or they both die."

There was only a moment of silence and tension before something caught their attention. It gave Martha enough time to grab Jenny's gun and get behind her. Martha pointed the gun at Baines.

"Alright," she snapped. "One more move and I shoot."

"Oh, the maid is full of fire!"

"And you can shut up!"

"Be careful son of mine," Mr. Clark said. "She's all for you so you can live forever."

"Shoot you down," Baines aimed at her.

"Try it," Martha snapped. "We'll die together."

"Would you really pull the trigger? You look too scared."

"Scared and holding a gun. It's a good combination. Wanna risk it?"

Baines lowered his gun, leading Mr. Clark to do the same thing. Joan came back over to us.

"You two, get everyone out," Martha instructed. "There's a door at the side. It's over there."

I just nodded. "Everyone! Let's go! Out!"

I heard someone walk up behind me. It was Joan.

"Don't argue, Mr. Jackson," she explained. "They're mad, that's all we need to know."

"Get out and go home. Get somewhere safe! Outside! All of you!"

"And you all," Martha shouted as the last few people shuffled out. "Go on, just shift."

"What about you," John asked.

"Mr. Smith, I think you should escort your lady friend to safety, don't you?"

After only a moment of hesitation, John ran out of the room with Joan.

"We're not just going to leave you," I snapped.

"(Y/n), please just leave," she begged. "You've already lost someone tonight."

I paused for another moment before running out behind the pair. They were standing outside still.

"We need to help her," I said. "She obviously cares a great deal about us. I am not just leaving her."

"Don't just stand there, move," I turned around as Martha ran out yelling. "God, you're rubbish as humans. Come on!"

"My shop," I muttered.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, but that's everything I have."

"No, (Y/n)-"

"That's not my name," I snapped before taking off.

I made it to the shop in what should've been record time. I locked the door and ran behind the counter.

I quickly stashed some belongings in a bag, ready to run for the hills if completely necessary. Some money, some books and photos, the watch. The damn watch.

I ducked under the counter when I heard a window in the front shatter.

"Where are you," I heard Jenny call out. "You can't hide forever. Not a very good way to live up to your namesake... Savior."

What a ridiculous name. Who would want to be called that? It would just be an absolutely stupid amount of pressure. No one deserved that.

I looked at the door to the back as some books were thrown from their shelves. The back door. For deliveries.

I crawled to the door, standing up to sprint once I knew that I was around the corner. I slammed through the door, relieved to not see any more of those scarecrow creatures.

I ran into the trees, trying to keep moving while staying hidden. Wasn't the easiest thing in the world.

I let out a breath when I spotted an empty house. No lights and it was tucked away in the middle of nowhere. I looked around the dark house. It was quiet. And safe. For now, at least.

I walked to the kitchen. I placed my bag on the family's table.

It felt like everything suddenly hit me.

That night had been hell.

I lost Arthur, I was told my entire life was a lie, and I was being hunted. It all was crumbling away too fast. It wasn't fair. None of it was fair.

I placed my hand over my mouth as my other hand leaned against the table. I tried to keep from sobbing loudly.

Why couldn't I have this life? Why couldn't I just be happy in this little quiet life? Why did I have to be the lie? Why couldn't (Y/n) be the lie? Why couldn't the Savior be that little story?

I jumped when I heard a door open. I panicked, grabbing a pan from the stove and stepping out. I let out a yell when I saw it was Martha, John, and Joan.

"(Y/n)," Martha said before pulling me into a hug. I stood frozen. "I thought you were dead."

"I... They attacked my shop. I had to run. I found this place while I was trying to hide."

John walked over to a chair and sat down. He looked so... disconnected.

"You haven't accepted it either," I said. He looked at me. "I... I'm still having trouble with the idea of... well, not being me."

He just took a deep breath.

"We have to go to them," he said. "Before anyone else dies."

"You can't," Joan shook her head.

"He's right," I shrugged.

"Martha, there must be something we can do," she looked to Martha.

"Not without the watches."

"You're this Doctor's companion, can't you help," John snapped. "What exactly do you do for him? Why does he need you?"

"Don't be an ass," I snapped back at him. "Martha just saved our lives. You don't get to belittle her just because she can't singlehandedly stop some kind of invasion!"

"Because they're lonely," Martha spoke up.

"And that's what you want us to become," the Doctor asked. My jaw clenched.

There was a knock on the door. Martha walked over slowly, pulling the door open. Another boy from the school walked in a moment later.

Martha held her hand out, showing a watch sitting in her palm. One that was almost identical to mine. I stood up and went over to my bag.

"Hold it," she told John.

"I won't."

"Please, just hold it," she begged.

"It told me to find you," the boy explained. "It wants to be held."

I picked up my watch, freezing for a moment. I could hear something. A whisper. Too quiet to make sense of it, but loud enough to know it was there.

"I didn't know you had one too," I said, walking over with my eyes still trained on the watch. "I... I've just always had it."

"Oh my God," Martha muttered as she looked at me.

"Something's whispering to me," I mumbled. "They sound scared."

"You... you were."

"What?"

"Just before you changed," she continued. "You were terrified. The Doctor had you go first because he knew how to use the machine and you didn't. He... He tried to calm you down, but I don't think he believed that it worked. He apologized the whole time."

"Why didn't you return Mr. Smith's watch before," Joan asked the boy.

"Because it was waiting," he explained. "And then, because I was scared. Of the Doctor."

"Why?"

"Because I've seen him."

I looked down at my watch again. My thumb traced the marks on the front. The Doctor. The Doctor was everything to them. They didn't want to go on without him, but if it meant his happiness, they were okay with that.

"And he's wonderful."

I hadn't noticed that I had zoned out.

There was an explosion outside a few moments later.

"They're destroying the village," Joan muttered, staring out the window.

John grabbed the watch from Martha.

"Can you hear it," the boy muttered.

John was staring at it like he was scared. "Like he's asleep. Waiting to waken."

"Why did he speak to me," the boy asked.

"Oh, low-level telepathic field, you were born with it," I muttered out. My eyes went wide. That was the watch. It was nice though. It felt right.

"Just an extra synaptic engram, causing-"

John cut himself off.

"Is that how he talks?"

"That's him," Martha said before looking at me. "And that was (Y/n). They sometimes do that. Bounce off each other like they're sharing a mind. Just open the watches, and they're back."

We all jumped at another explosion.

"Why," I asked. "Why do they do that?"

"Is it not obvious," she replied.

"They love each other, don't they?"

We all looked at Joan.

"Don't they?"

Martha nodded.

"You knew this all along and watched while Miss Redfern and I-"

"I didn't know how to stop you," she cut John off. "You gave me this list of things to watch out for, but that wasn't included."

"Falling in love didn't even occur to him?"

"Falling in love with someone else didn't occur to him!"

It made my stomach churn. The idea of actually being in love with someone. It was just different. Strange.

"It was always going to end," Martha explained. "The Family has a limited lifespan. That's why they need to consume a Time Lord. If they don't, then in three months, they die."

"So, you were going to execute me," John asked. "And Jo?"

"People are dying! They need them! I've only just met these people, but I still trust them with my life."

Martha looked at me. "You told me that you hated him at first. Despised him. But then, you found yourself falling for him and you said that it scared you so much you considered leaving."

She turned back to John. "You only told me because I pointed out that you were jealous of some guy. You would be happy to sacrifice the universe to save them."

I bit my lip.

"You two are blind idiots that don't realize that you're looking at each other the same way. But you're meant to be together. No matter where you go or what you do, there's some part of you circling each other."

There was another explosion. Closer this time.

"We... We can give them the watches," John said. "Just the watches. They get what they want, and we get to continue as we are."

"That's selfish," I snapped. "Incredibly selfish."

"He'll never let you do it," Martha shrugged.

"If they get what they want-"

"Then it all ends in destruction," Joan finished his sentence. "They will live forever. To breed and conquer. You wrote about it."

She looked over at the rest of us.

"Would you leave us alone, please?"

I nodded, leading the boy and Martha outside to leave them alone.

I looked down at the watch as I leaned against the wall. We stood there for far too long.

"I love him," I asked quietly. She nodded. "And we're both Time Lords?"

Another nod.

"And I told you?"

"You were scared," she explained. "You were scared that you were going to lose him and you just kind of blurted it out."

I nodded slowly.

"If I loved him, then I would save him, right? Let him be happy? Even if I wasn't?"

"You don't have to," she insisted. "He'll figure this out."

"He doesn't have to."

I walked away before she could stop me.

I tried to pretend that I hadn't heard what John and Joan had been talking about. Their future. Their future that couldn't be.

The two looked over at the sound of something walking in. I held my hands up for a moment.

"Give me the watch," I said, holding my hand out to him. "I'm going to open mine and hold onto yours. Creatures focus on chasing me and you two can live your lives in peace."

"You would sacrifice yourself for a man you barely know," Joan asked.

"According to Martha, I don't barely know him," I shrugged. "And if that version of me truly loved this Doctor so much, they would do this."

"I can't let you," John stood up, walking over to me.

"You don't get to choose if I do this," I replied. "It's my life. It's my choice."

"If this Doctor loved you," he stepped forward, "he wouldn't let you risk your life so carelessly."

"John, give me the watch."

There was a pause. Just a few moments where he looked ready to fight me on this subject. But it faded. Acceptance crossed his face as he sighed and held out the watch.

As I grabbed the watch, I saw flashes of another life. I closed my eyes for a moment. It was like a headache. It was... us. Running and laughing and hugging. It was all so clear. So much time locked away from us both.

I shook my head, going to take the watch. He stopped me, pulling it back toward him.

"I can't let you do this," he muttered. "He... He would be so angry. He can't lose you."

I took a deep breath. "John-"

"He promised to keep you safe."

He held out his hand to me.

"The watch," he instructed. "Now. He... He has a plan. I can hear it. Right in my ear. Like it's the most obvious thing in the world. Please."

I paused.

"Please."

I took a deep breath before handing it to him.

"Joan, will you please join Martha and Tim?"

She didn't say another word. She just walked out of the room.

"I'm going to open my watch," he explained. "And put some kind of filter on it. Then, you open yours and I'll do the same."

"That's it then," I asked. "You'll just walk away from this?"

"I saw how he sees you," he said. "If I didn't let him come back, I'd never forgive myself."

I just nodded.

"Here we go," he muttered.

I closed my eyes as his watch opened. It was a matter of moments before he pressed two fingers to his forehead.

"What was that," I asked.

"Disguise," he said simply. "I'll still appear human to the family. Simple trick, really.

"Oh," I mumbled. "The Doctor... you're back then? John's gone."

"Not completely," he explained, stepping toward me. "He's still in here somewhere."

I nodded.

"Your turn," he nodded toward my watch.

I took a deep breath before pressing on the button on the top. I flinched a little at the noise before my brain seemed to adjust to it. It was all back. Every moment of it. My life.

I closed the watch as soon as I seemed to be back to normal, closing my eyes for a moment. The Doctor pressed two fingers to my forehead as I did. Good old Gallifreyan mind powers.

"There you go," he mumbled to me. "You should be safe now."

"I never thought about how weird that would feel."

He chuckled. I looked at him.

"Hi," I said through a sigh, grinning.

"Hi," he replied, smiling back at me. "I'll take care of the family. Wait here. Keep them safe."

I nodded.

The Doctor took off running.

"Come on," I said, waving at the others. Once everyone was inside and locked away. "We are going to stay here until the Doctor comes to get us. I do not care what you hear or see, stay here unless I tell you to leave. Do you understand?"

I was shocked when Martha jumped forward and hugged me.

"God, I missed you," she muttered in my ear.

"I missed you too," I replied.

We waited in that house for almost the whole night. I made everyone else try to get some rest. I could stay awake for far longer than the rest of them. I would rather be the first one facing the family if they were to find us.

Martha and I didn't start our trip back to the TARDIS until the Doctor found the house again. Joan stayed back to talk to the Doctor. The boy went back to the school.

It felt like coming home.

Walking through the TARDIS doors felt different now that I was back to normal. All that I had wanted was back to normal.

Except for the truth that I now had to properly confront.

Martha and I didn't speak until we had both changed and found our way to the console.

"How much do you remember," Martha asked as I walked in. "Of your time being human?"

"All of it," I replied. "It's just tucked away. Like an old coat put in a closet."

"And before that? Before you guys changed?"

I closed my eyes for a moment as the memory of using the chameleon arch filled my mind. Regeneration was a burst of energy. A fire burning everything in its path. This was like that fire had been forcibly contained within my body. It was far more painful.

"All of it," I muttered. "But it's fine now. We're fine."

Martha frowned for a moment.

"Hey," I walked over and grabbed her arm. "We're fine."

She just nodded. I grinned at her before stepping back.

I looked at the door. I started walking over to it.

"I'm going to wait outside for the Doctor to come back," I said, pointing toward the door.

She chuckled at me and nodded again.

"Alright," she replied in a teasing tone.

I froze for a moment, trying to find a decent comeback. "Shut up!"

She just laughed to herself as I made my way outside.

I leaned against the TARDIS for a little while, scanning the horizon for a sign of the Doctor. I felt a wave of relief when I saw him walking over.

He grinned when he saw that I was outside.

"Hey-"

I ran over and pulled him into a hug. He let out a happy laugh as he hugged me back.

"Sorry," I muttered as I stepped back. "Haven't had a chance to do that yet."

"It's fine," he shook his head before reaching forward and touching my forehead. "There you go. Back to normal. Come on."

The silence turned awkward as we walked. Everything that had been said between us was suddenly the only thing that I could think of. I paused outside the doors, looking back at him.

"Martha... Martha would've said anything to get us to come back, right," I asked.

"Oh, yeah, absolutely," he nodded. "Of course, she would."

We stood there for another moment. I took a deep breath before going to walk inside. The Doctor grabbed my arm before I could go anywhere. I looked at him.

"What-"

He leaned over and pressed his lips to mine. His hands cupped the sides of my face. I was suddenly very aware of how little I had lived outside of my routine back on Gallifrey. This was all so new to me. I laid my hands on his shoulders, not knowing what else I should've actually done.

But then, through all of the confusion and not knowing was him. The Doctor. The first person to ever see me as more than some weird weapon or a destiny waiting to be fulfilled. I wasn't a thing that had been locked away in a little room, waiting for the time when I would have to be useful. To him, I was just me. With him, I was able to just be me.

And that mattered to me more than anything else.

The Doctor leaned back slowly, not moving very far away from me. He grinned at me. I felt completely lost for what to do or say. I just knew that I liked it. I liked feeling like this.

"I... I should- um- We should head inside," I managed to mutter out.

"Yeah, of course," he nodded, still smiling at me.

I walked into the TARDIS. He was stopped when someone spoke up, but he just held up his index finger, asking me to wait inside. I nodded.

I looked over at Martha, who was leaning on the console.

"So... you two were out there for a while," she noted, a small smirk on her face.

"Yeah," I nodded, feeling my face warm up and looking down.

"What is it?"

"Well... we kissed- he kissed me."

"Oh my God," I was shocked when she ran forward and hugged me. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks," I replied as I stepped back.

We couldn't talk about it much after because the Doctor walked in. I waved at him. He shook his head as he chuckled and waved back.

"So, happy couple," Martha teased. "Where to next?"

"There's actually somewhere I need to go," the Doctor said. "Somewhere important."

The two of us nodded, causing him to zoom off around the console.

We stepped outside to find ourselves on the outskirts of a funeral. A funeral for a soldier.

Oh.

I understood now. The boy at the school. The one who had found the Doctor's watch. The Doctor had come to see him.

I reached over and took the Doctor's hand. We looked at each other. He grinned at me. I grinned back.

And it all settled. Any dust, any doubts, any 'what ifs'. All of them settled around us.

For once, there was a clear path in a part of our lives.

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

Author's Note: Fun fact for you, through all of the versions of this OC that I've gone through (there have been a lot), this point remained constant. This was always going to be when the Doctor and the Savior first kissed.

Oh, and during one of the earlier rewrites (before it was an x reader), when the Savior was choosing a new name, it was going to be Jo, which was a reference to Jo March from Little Women.

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

Navigation Guide

What I Write For

Some Original Characters

#tenth doctor x reader #tenth doctor fanfiction #tenth doctor imagine #fanfiction #imagine #x reader #doctor who x reader #doctor who imagine #doctor who fanfiction

232 notes · View notes

theprinceandthewitch · 2 years

Text

I cannot stress this enough: I don't like the sibling bullshit going on - not because it "get's in the way of my ship" or whatever idiotic nonsense rage-baiters want to spout. I am way too old for that dumbass shit and I consume media differently than most people do.

I'm training myself to analyze story structures so I can pick apart media I like. I enjoy figuring out how they work (or don't work) so that I can better write my own stories and then maybe become an editor down the line.

So this isn't, "Oh I'm upset my ship isn't canon". It's more like "It makes no sense to "siblingfy" the type of boy the main character likes and would have got together with him if circumstances were different. It also doesn't make sense for Hunter to become Camilla's kid and not Darius's. It also doesn't make sense for Hunter to stay in the human realm with Camilla given his position as the literal prince of TBI."

Most people don't realize that shows take literal years to produce.

So the people who work on it are going to have certain details slip from their mind. This is especially true if you're not on the writing team. Voice actors have daily obligations to attend to on top of doing other projects. Would YOU call two characters siblings if you remembered:

They had a fake-out kiss moment (in Hunting Palismen). This was a call back to a sleeping prince needing to be awoken with a kiss from the proof of concept video.

Luz is into angsty warrior prince types with tragic backstories and animal sidekicks... just like Hunter. Hunter at this point is nearly identical to Nevareth - you know, that dude Luz was drooling all over in the second episode of the series. Literally the only differences between these two is body type. (There's a chance Hunter could also lose an eye but I'm not going to get into that now.)

That drawing of Luz kissing a prince that looks like Beta Hunter in "Sense and Insensitivity"

Saw Luz saying she hopes see meets a "hot yet vulnerable upperclassman" in "First Day"

Saw how Hunter and Luz parallel Evelyn and Caleb. Luz and Hunter have romantic undertones because of this. Evelyn and Caleb were lovers, this was apparent in Hollow Mind. In one of the paintings you can SEE that she's pregnant. It's the one where they're running away together. This isn't a tale about "two very good friends" or "two siblings" - they were LOVERS. Luz and Hunter cannot escape this just because they never get together or become actual siblings. Now, do you see how the latter is the worst direction you can go?

How could anyone not think it'd be weird to "siblingfy" Luz and Hunter knowing all this? Another thing people seem to forget is that voice actors who are not writers are allowed to like headcanons.

This was really rampant in the Voltron (2016) crew. Writers AND VA were supporting Shiro/Keith as a romantic pairing DESPITE the age gap and that Shiro met Keith when he was a child. And that they, you know, never ended up together.

I also want to point out it just doesn't make sense for Hunter to live with Camilla in the human realm. You all have to remember that he didn't want to go back to the demon realm because he is the literal prince who helped Belos with his plans.

Besides Separate Tides and Hollow Mind, we never get to see Hunter on the missions Belos sends him on. But do you seriously think Hunter never caused harm to people? He's afraid he'll be recognized - and he has been recognized by his voice before. You don't think the people are going to want reparations from a member of the monarchy that attempted genocide on them? You don't think someone might try to harm him if they found out who he is? Of COURSE he's reluctant to go back to the demon realm.

Hunter may be a teenager, but he isn't above the consequences of his actions. He still needs to make it up to the people he ruled over. He needs to make up for the hurt he caused before The Day of Unity. He needs to be the one who cleans up the mess his "uncle" caused.

It was so obvious he wasn't going to get his little happily ever after in the human realm because he was never going to get the opportunity to run away from accountability.

That's why it makes the most sense for him to stay in the demon realm with Darius. Darius can help him repair the damage caused by Belo's reign and maybe even dissolve the monarchy entirely. Which by the way, WOULDN'T be a quick fix. Do you really think you can undo 50 years of pain in an afternoon? Do you really think that Hunter would just be able to get on everyone's good side even if he killed Belos and stopped The Collector?

Also it just doesn't make sense for the writers to set-up this connection between Hunter and Darius if they were just gonna drop it entirely. Darius isn't some rando adult in his life - he has ties to the Golden Guard who came before him - he has ties to Hunters "family". He can give him a connection to his "family" that Camilla cant give him. While Darius and Hunter's relationship wasn't the best pre-Day of Unity - Darius did display some affection for Hunter. He is obviously going to reconcile with Hunter down the line.

And another thing... It literally makes no sense for Darius and Camilla to get hitched. Why should Camilla and Luz help in cleaning up a mess the literal puritanical white man caused to that degree? Why would Camilla and Luz even take on that responsibility? It's not their mess to clean up.

It's Hunter's mess to clean up - whether he likes it or not. He can't stay in the human realm with Camilla because doing so gives Hunter the opportunity to dodge accountability. That's why Flapjack had to die - it had to be something that devastating to give him a reason to return home and take accountability for his actions and his "uncles" actions.

#toh critical #lunter #I am impervious to this bullshit because I've lived through the entirety of Voltron 2016 #me writing this out: Hunter is just like Zuko fr #sorry for any typos i speed wrote this... cuz i got other shit to do

92 notes · View notes

pragmatic-optimist · 11 months

Text

This week's theme: Rec a fic that starts with the same letter as your username (or, if you like, a part of your username).

The rules: Tag a fic that starts with the same letter as your username and describe why it's so good / how it has a hold on you. Then tag some people to see what everyone else is reading. Spread the love! Please tag @welcometololaland or tag #fic rec friday so they can compile the masterlist.

Okay, so clearly, I can’t read because I chose fics that started with an “S” for my actual first name and not my URL lol. I tried to fix this, but the amount of fics that start with a “P” in my bookmarks is almost nonexistent. So I’m going to just stick with my incorrectness; forgive me. Lola - thank you for always tagging me; I finally managed to post because looking through my AO3 bookmarks made this “easier.” You know how indecisive I am. Lol. I also promise I tried to keep this short, and this is what keeping it short looks like.😂

****

911 Lone Star

Say You’ll Remember Me: This is a Ryderdie WIP by @myemergence, and I really look forward to more. It’s one of my absolute favorite tropes (Amnesia!) and a canon-divergent AU for 2x9 featuring one of the best fictional couples to ever exist. I love Judd and Grace Ryder so much. Jenny nails the angst in that way where it hurts but GOSH it is good. It’s just *chef’s kiss* and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the journey takes us.

Searching For A Trail to Follow Again: Paige’s (@sunshinestrand) fics are classic, butterflies in your stomach, grinning from ear-to-ear, romantic comedies. This AU was so charming and, like all of Paige’s writing, leaves you with the biggest smile on your face because you’re just over-the-moon Carlos and TK have found one another in this story and in all her AUs (again and again and again). Contrary to popular belief among certain showrunners, letting characters just be happy is quality and compelling storytelling, and I’m grateful for fic writers like Paige who know that and give us a slice of that joy.

So Many Somethings: Rae’s (@iboatedhere) AUs are iconic by now, but this one will always be near and dear to my heart. Not just because it’s the You’ve Got Mail AU and it’s an incredible nod to the film, but also because it was the first fic I ever beta-read for her, and the whole process bonded us. Rae, thanks for trusting me! This fic is remarkable, I love the balance of enemies-friends-lovers and the banter. Oh, the Banter™️. Nora Ephron would be proud!

Sanctuary: If I had to use one word to summarize this fic, it would be ✨DESTINY✨. Honestly, I think all of Kim’s (@reyescarlos) fics have a destiny vibe to them, you can feel that these two characters are meant to be together, and they will find a way. I loved the first meeting in this one; the tension in the scene was palpable, and Kim’s writing always makes you feel like every interaction is happening right in front of you. She’s magic in that way ✨.

Slowly Becoming Lovers: I love fics that show us the little moments between Carlos and TK, how they fall in love through the little things, and the way Holly (@morganaspendragonss) portrays that journey in these short vignettes is so so SO beautiful. This is one of the fics I have reread the most, according to the AO3 clicks lol, and there is a reason for that. It is truly lovely. Also, the title is inspired by one of my favorite Ben Platt songs, and fits the story perfectly! Highly recommend!

Red, White, and Royal Blue

Snowed in? Snow problem: This fic is such a blast to read, lol. I laughed so hard, and I still laugh just as hard when I reread it because the ugh!Hunter slander is top-tier. A direct quote: “Well, I’m not bunking in with Hunter or you’ll be dealing with a murder by the end of the day.” Same, Alex. Same. Forever mood.😂 Add to that, “there was only one bed” plus Rae’s (@rmd-writes) ability to write Sexual Tension™️ x 5467893204858, and this college au is a must-read. Also, THE TITLE. YAAASS. A+ pun. No notes.

Sink Beneath the Waves: This fic. THIS FIC. You know how in every fandom, there are stories that are essentially required reading, this one by @indomitable-love is one of those fics for me in the RWRB fandom. The love, the yearning, the pain, and the utter joy at Henry’s “I’m into making History.” Getting the chance to see these canon plot points from Henry’s POV is a gift, and I’m so grateful this fic exists for us to revisit again and again.

****

I think this has made the rounds already because it is Saturday for me, so consider this an open tag to whoever has fics they would like to share with us!

#fic rec friday #911 lone star #tarlos #ryderdie #rwrb #red white and royal blue #first prince #fic recs

18 notes · View notes

l56895 · 7 months

Text

Get to know your fanfic writer

Thanks @jamilas-pen for the tag!

When did you post your first ever fanfic?

It would have been some time in early 2005 on Fanfiction.net

I’d essentially been writing fanfiction in notebooks in the 90s but before then our computer was in a shared computer room and we had 30 minutes of dial up allowance per sibling per day so I never browsed the internet enough to understand what fanfiction was and that people would want to read things. I was just having fun!

Then Livejournal (and later AO3) happened and the rest, as they say, was history.

First Character(s) you wrote for?

Ash and Misty in Pokémon (largely unpublished and just for fun until 2007) and then my first published fanfic was for Paine and Nooj from Final Fantasy X-2

Main character(s) you’re currently writing for:

I do still love a bit of Pokémon fanfiction. But mainly nowadays I’m writing David/Patrick (Schitt’s Creek), Nick/Charlie (Heartstopper) and, occasionally, Tim/Lucy (The Rookie). I’m also working through a very long (for me) story based on a series of books I read as a child (Animal Ark) so we can add Mandy Hope and James Hunter to the list even if I take massive hiatuses on it.

I have severe ADHD though so I tend to be very flighty with fandoms. The ones that have stuck around are ones that I have essentially trauma bonded myself to (I can date my periods of stress to when a particular piece of media came out because I’m still obsessed with it decades later!)

Character(s) you haven’t written about before but plan on writing about soon:

I’m not sure there are any… I tend to just throw myself in!

EDIT: I never did write the Basil/Polly Fawlty Towers fic I outlined in 2010 while camping at work when I was snowed in. I have also considered writing a Daphne/Niles Frasier fic but have never got round to it. Because I am 50 at heart.

Fandom(s) you’re currently writing for:

Schitt’s Creek

Heartstopper

Pokémon

Animal Ark

Platonic pairing(s) you currently write for:

I don’t tend to write a lot of platonic stuff. I did enjoy recently writing Patrick Brewer & Ronnie. I have also been known to write tiny snippet stories set in the Discworld and they always involve something platonic.

Romantic pairing(s) you currently write for:

Nick/Charlie

David/Patrick

Ash/Misty

James Hunter/Mandy Hope

Your top 3 tags on AO3 (if you post your works on AO3):

Friends to lovers

Canon compliant

Drabble

Your current platform where you post your works:

AO3

Post something from a wip:

I’m stuck on a scene that needs to go between the most recently published one and this one so have a random scene from the Animal Ark fanfiction that I am writing purely for my own enjoyment:

The photo he had landed on was one she hadn't seen in years; she remembered when she flicked through the facebook album when they got home that it hadn't even registered as something she should dwell on, the trip had been full of too much safari excitement. But now… she dwelled. The two of them were sat, questionably close, on a bed in a wood panelled hotel room; his chin propped up on her shoulder as they read a book together- the title had been lost to memory- and his arm braced behind her. She remembered a kid from their travel party, young and excitable like she had once been, taking the photo before either of them realised she was there and it ending up nestled in a photo album that was otherwise posed and purposeful. A little secret anomaly. After, when the flash had made them jump and they broke apart, she remembered the feeling of guilt, of being caught in the act of something that she couldn't quite identify. He hadn't ever come away with them again, life had got busier, and she never told him about the hot, quivering feeling that had overtaken her in the seconds before they were interrupted. How, if he had come just a little closer, she would have closed the gap and kissed him. It would have been a first for both of them, and it would have been clumsy and awkward, but she would have done it without a moment’s hesitation if she hadn't been startled by that camera. She had forgotten about it, truthfully, for a long time, but now the memory of that unfamiliar heat rising up in came flooding back when he stepped closer to her.

And, just in case, another from a little Heartstopper scene I started in lieu of getting up and doing anything productive at 8am this morning:

Charlie’s voice, more like music in his ear than the sounds he had just created, played somewhere nearby. Close, but not close enough until he stepped forward and peered down at Nick. From this angle, the glow of the neon sign cast shadows across the angles of his face; highlighted the fullness of his lips in a way that made Nick feel hot. He looked away, tried to inject something that would sound like humour in to his voice.

“I’m trying!”

“Here, budge up, let me help.”

I always feel awkward about tagging anyone so, I tag anyone who wants to answer!

#fanfiction #fanfiction memes #fanfic writing #writing memes #tag meme

8 notes · View notes

anemoi-i · 7 months

Text

Rain Towards Dawn - The First Day -

Diluven | Rated M | No Reposts.

In which a So-Called-God seeks the approval of a mortal, like that has not gone wrong.

Warnings: Depictions of graphic violence, religious references and imagery, canon divergent. Some formatting may be different from the aO3 version.

Part One | Part Two [Here] | Part Three | Part Four

– The First Day –

Woe be to the So-Called-God.

There was commotion in the walls of Mondstadt City.

There was an effort by the people to clean up a mess that made it’s way into the city without any warning. The people could not explain it. How did a storm come to pass with no one being knowledgeable abou t it? Why didn’t it awaken anyone else? The whole shopping area of the city was in chaos. When Venti entered the city and he saw the Ordo helping with the cleanup, he sighed, looking around. I couldn’t even ask myself if I did this. I know that I did it. The damage wasn’t significant but it was still there. I felt guilty. This is why I didn’t like to get angry.

Without hesitation, Venti grabbed a bag and began to place broken wood into into it, ignoring the glances directed his way. Why was it so surprising for them to see him helping out? He resisted saying anything aloud and directed his attention to the pile of garbage at his feet. He worked quicker than even the Ordo which made some of them annoyed enough to go and find other tasks to do. I’ll tell you this, Diluc and I are alike in the sense that the Ordo annoys us. He distrusts them for suitable reasons. I dislike them for the very reason that I had to sink to my knees and heal Acting Grandmaster Jean after she collapsed at her desk, shouldering their burdens they could have taken care of themselves. They always left tasks a child could do to her. No God would be able to help them should there be an intervention. I am that God and I am not happy.

Within an hour’s time, the debris was cleared and Mondstadt City returned to being the bustling street Venti loved so much. The people went about their day as if nothing happened and the carefree atmosphere returned. Passing by Good Hunter, Venti was handed a Mondstadt Hash Brown in exchange for a song, to which he sang with beauty. Those that had their breakfast there would marvel at his voice. He left afterwards, eating the food he were given. Venti chose to eat later in the afternoon, either hunting for his own food or travelling to the Springvale Hunter’s Guild to buy some with the mora he kept on reserve. He smiled, for songs could still be payment for certain things.

Being a bard, after all, was a job. One he did well.

The true rise of bards came after the fall of Old Mondstadt. Those that lived created the songs about the new land free from Decarabian’s reign and the Ascension of the Anemo Archon. They shaped the first songs that would be sung at taverns and the streets and everywhere else. Venti’s beloved bard also contributed to this, but he died before he could make his songs known. He could not see the fruits of his labor. He did not see the clear sky and for this, Venti wept. There is not a single song from him I cannot remember. I carved each word in my mind and stitched the notes into my fingers so that my body would play his songs even if I were a corpse mangled on the ground.

Exchanging a song for a meal or drink was considered a beggar’s tactic these days. Now, it’s important to note that the exchange existed for as long as Mondstadt has been around after Decarabian’s fall, but very little wanted to remember the roots today. He was happy when Sara remembered it. Even Margaret was knowledgeable, offering a drink to Venti once a week in exchange for his best songs sung at The Cat’s Tail. He didn’t bother try to see if that tradition could have held up at Angel’s Share (and he was no longer welcome, anyways) so instead, Venti sang for coin and then used that coin to get his drinks. He'd accumulated enough for a reserve, and then only went into it when he wanted to drink or if he did not want to hunt for food.

There were times when he gained mora in less than a noble way.

There was a stupid Treasure Hoarder camp stationed near Falcon Coast on a hot night. The fishermen came here because of the serenity of the coast, which allowed them an easier catch while others came to dip their feet in the lake. At this time, Venti cordoned off the Golden Apple Archipelago with storms, not wishing to deal with another mirage or other foolishness that happened the last year that was out of his control. As such, the people would have to use the lake here to cool their bodies. A perfect opportunity to steal valuables from them. Forseeing what would happen, Venti pretended to be an oblivious traveler, allowed one of the Treasure Hoarders to approach him, and—

—Leaped upon him for I had nothing left to lose.

He took his fingers and scratched up the Hoarder’s face repeatedly. The Hoarder screamed, clutching his bloodied face in agony, with new scratches beginning to form and bleed even as he was doing that. Venti fought much like taverngoers about to get into a nasty brawl. Not pretty, messy and brutal and not for the weak-hearted. When the Hoarder tried to fight back, going for his face, Venti grabbed the offending hand and twisted it, causing a horrifying snap of bone. And then I balled my hand into a fist and punched that Hoarder until his face was bloody and he was crying for whichever God would be stupid enough to listen to him, because it sure as hell wasn’t going to be me. I dragged him back to the camp and placed my foot on his face and dug my heel into his cheek which threatened to break skin and ordered the other two Hoarders to give me the mora they stole, threatening their friend’s life and after it was given to me, threw their beat up friend at them and told them the Sisters healed for free.

Venti is not uncaring or greedy. He tried to trace back the mora to whoever the Hoarders stole it from, was able to anonymously return half of it, and then kept the rest for himself in his reserve. He drunk heavy that night, attempting to wash down the guilt. It didn’t work. It never works. His drinking became minimal, when he actually wanted to enjoy it.

He doesn’t like remembering that night.

Venti makes his way to the square where his statue stood tall. He took out his lyre and played for the small crowd that gathered upon seeing him. He could always draw crowds. They began to place mora at his feet though he didn’t even place his cap down and began to ask him to sing various songs he was accustomed to. He performed every one, beginning to dance as he played, feeling enjoyment. The previous memories lay unforgotten as he performed. The crowd kept cheering for him and left mora at his feet and some taverngoers who knew him also gave him the apples they had on their person, knowing how much he loved the fruit.

When he finished with a final applause from the crowd and began to walk away, a boy tugged his cape, stopping him Venti looked down and saw a familiar face.

This is the boy with the pigeons, Timmie.

“Hi,” he smiled brightly, continuing to tug on Venti’s cape. “I really like your song!”

“Thank you. Did you want to hear another one before I go?”

“Well, not really,” he responded honestly. “You see, I always go to the Church, every time! But... some of the things I don’t understand. So…”

Venti already knew what he was alluding to. You see, the beauty of being a God that pretended to be human is that this would happen. You would have someone approach you and ask you about yourself. Morax is humble in the sense that he corrects any misunderstandings and discrepancies about himself. He would not overglorify his contributions, but still give himself credit when credit was due.

“You want to know about our God,” Venti nodded. “Everyone does, but He likes to keep His secrets.”

In his mind, Venti calls on a single Thread, these Threads looking much like himself when he were a mere Wind Spirit. This Thread weaved several memories into one, imparting him with the memories of Timmie. A smiling boy that holds sadness inside. He recently found out a cruel truth—his father is dead. That truth remained hidden in order to preserve his childhood. To give him wonderful memories to live for—but is it not a child’s nature to be curious? Is it not a child’s nature to want their family, to be loved and nurtured? Is that not which is juxtaposed with having a good childhood? The Thread sensed how annoyed I was. It quickly took it’s leave with reverence to me.

“My father is gone…”

He spoke, as if solidifying what the Thread already imparted onto Venti. He closed his eyes, his heart breaking in an instant.

“I thought he was very busy,” Timmie continued. “That’s what they all told me, but then…”

“They couldn’t hide it anymore,” Venti responded softly. “They were guilty, little one. They were scared for you. They didn’t want you to be sad, they wanted you to be happy. You shouldn’t blame them.”

Though Venti himself did in fact, blame them, he would not try to make Timmie do the same thing and make him experience the same negative emotions he held—no, that wasn’t wise and not the kind of person he was. This, and Timmie did not seem convinced. His eyes remained melancholy, he fiddled with his hands and did not respond.

“Did you know that our Archon can guide anyone back here, regardless of where they are? Those who are living, those who have died. He can bring them back here. For those who are living, it is to remind them that they always have a place here. To those that have died, it is so they can rest freely in the land they were born to.”

“N-No,” Timmie sniffled, wiping away tears. “What do you mean?”

Venti closed his eyes.

“When you feel the wind blow in Mondstadt, it is never harsh. You pick Windwheel Asters that still spin in your hands because the wind gives it life. You can always smell dandelions, the wind is crisp and welcoming. Storms are rare. Why do you think this is?”

“Because of… Lord Barbatos?”

Venti sighed. “Yes.”

Timmie did not sense his discomfort. Most of, if not all the reason why I chose to live “as a human” is so I do not embellish my own importance. I am still “me” when I want to be “me.” I was only a mere spirit when I was at my beloved bard’s side when Decarabian’s Tower fell. He would hold the title of Anemo Archon if he were alive today, and I would have not minded being mere decoration, resting my head on his lap. Anyway, I am used to telling everyone lies about “me.” Tall tales, never anything harmful. This is the reason why the Sisters do not like me all too much, likening me to just a drunkard with little intelligence. Having to tell my actual feats feels wrong.

“Then, my dad…”

“Is home. He has always been home, watching over you within the Winds where he will find peace knowing you can grow up happily and lead a good life.”

“Really?” Timmie’s eyes lit up, his sadness disappearing.

“Yes. I am sure of it.”

Venti smiled, feeling comforted himself.

Yet, all good things came to an end as he saw one of the Sisters glaring at him, soon coming towards him.

“What are you saying to that boy this time?” Sister Victoria approached him. “Your views on Lord Barbatos are not correct!”

Venti had little room to spare for any kindness or logical rebuttal. Timmie ran away. Of course, the boy would, with that fright in his eyes. The children loved his songs and tales. This should not be happening, but it was and if it continued, he’d draw a crowd for all the wrong reasons. He could not—should not give rise to this, yet he could not help himself.

“You have only lived on Teyvat for a fraction of how long it took Lord Barbatos to draw His first breath, yet you would call yourself a Lady of His Word by leaning on to words He did not bequeath?”

“I—I—” She was taken aback, not expecting such words from the bard. Quickly recovering herself, she continued with, “Don’t need my faith questioned by—”

“A drunkard like me?”

Livid, his eyes began to glow against his will and he crossed his arms. The wind converged around him, making the breeze suddenly grow in intensity.

Venti hissed, “You should be more concerned about finding that boy and consoling him as I was.”

He needed to leave before he couldn’t control himself and the connection between the mess from the morning and the winds changing now became obvious. Sister Victoria was smart enough to see the anger in his face and in his words and was unnerved. She took a step back.

“I will go and do that.”

She turned on her heel.

“Children of the Anemo Archon, heed these words: from the winds we have come, and with the winds we shall go. Never, ever grieve for me. ‘Tis but my flesh and bones which rest in the soil: my soul has become one with the Thousand Winds. When flowers bloom, when leaves sway, that is me who sings the songs of freedom, of the winds.”

While she did not turn around, Venti could sense her shock from her controlled flinch and slight pause. He was calmer. The Winds returned to normal.

He found amusement at The Cat’s Tail not so long after that.

Uncaring about the odd allergy he had towards cats, Venti asked Margaret for a private room where he would not be disturbed and ordered the tavern’s best drinks to consume. It was the only thing that was calming. Yet, he couldn’t lie to himself. He did miss the taste of Dandelion Wine though it wasn’t too long since he’d previously had it. At some point, he’d have to bribe one of the Angel’s Share regulars to buy him a couple of bottles he could preserve.

He closed his eyes after drinking his last glass. It wouldn’t be the first time he slept for a couple of hours in a tavern. Except this time, when he awoke later the sun was going down and a single Thread was nudging his cheek in desperation, the latter never happening unless something required his intervention. Venti rubbed his eyes and sat up from the couch.

“Speak.”

“My Lord,” The Thread responded. “There is trouble at the Goth Grand Hotel. New members of the Fatui unrecognized by ourselves have stepped into that place with urgency.”

Those idiots want to actually do something now?

“Go spy on them and learn their secrets, then report back to me.”

The Thread disappears. Venti stands and paces back and forth until the Thread returns nearly a hour later.

“The situation is dire, My Lord. I have found out that the Fatui have cruel intentions.”

“Elaborate.”

The Thread looked nervous.

“There—There is a mole. There will be a mole—They wish to assassinate the Master of Dawn Winery.”

Venti sat dawn slowly, looking at the Thread in disbelief.

“You are sure?”

The Thread nodded.

“Absolutely?”

Another nod.

And in true fashion, the Anemo Archon ordered another drink.

He was too sober for this.

#genshin impact #venti #diluc ragnvindr #diluven #venluc #my fics #krisposting

7 notes · View notes

shadow-sovereign · 1 year

Note

Currently writting a fanfic and I needed some help sorry but, have there been important scenes cut from the LN that are important? I couldnt find as much from the wiki but people still say that there was a lot of info cut out? is it true or would it only be fine to just read the manwha without missing important bits?

Well, it’s been a while since I read the novel and manhwa, but I do remember noticing some differences. Like, I read the manhwa first, back when just the first season was out, and then I started reading the novel from the beginning.

Honestly, if I had started reading the novel first, I probably wouldn’t have kept reading it, because the actual writing is kind of so-so. But I was invested and I wanted to know what was up with the system and how the story would end.

The first season of the manhwa was really good, I think. It had a good pace and even added a few things. But the second half felt pretty rushed. (And I’m still salty about how the manhwa revealed Antares’s name. It was way less meaningful.)

I think you can still write a good fanfic just by reading the manhwa, but you’ll get more detail about things by reading the novel. The manhwa can’t go into as much detail due to it being a more visual medium. Whereas with a novel, you can see more detail into what a character is thinking.

Personally, I think if you don’t mind reading novels and you have the time, then I would recommend reading the novel. It’s just nice to have more insight into the characters and get to see...more of the story, I guess? Like I said, the second season of the manhwa felt rushed and sometimes I felt kind of confused by what exactly was happening, especially in the fight scenes. It’s easier to understand in the novel.

You could also go to the solo leveling subreddit and find the threads for individual chapters. Sometimes, someone will mention the differences between the novel and the manhwa in the comments.

Off the top of my head, there’s a few things that come to mind.

In the beginning, I don’t think the manhwa mentions that Jin-Woo was getting like, these little rewards for completing his daily tasks? They were things that would be useful for him that day. He got a pen while he was in the hospital, because he would need to sign the forms to check out of the hospital. And he got an umbrella because it was going to rain later, which I think he gave to Jin-Ah before she headed out of the house.

The manhwa did a couple of extra things that I liked, though. Like, in the novel, Hwang Dong-Soo didn’t come to Korea, only to be thwarted by Jin-Woo being in a red gate. But we got that cool scene where Hwang and Baek Yoon-Ho almost came to blows, Jin-Chul stepping in and almost getting his arms broken if only the two didn’t hold back their strength in time.

And the scene with the Japanese Hunters in the gym. I don’t think we originally had that scene where they sparred with the Korean Hunters. Also, I saw someone say that not all the Japanese Hunters were named in the novel?? I wasn’t paying enough attention when I read through it to know, but that’s interesting if it’s true.

Really, it seems like both the novel and the manhwa have their ups and downs. If you want a more complete picture, it’s best to read both of them. You get a bit more detail with the novel. You get some different details with the manhwa plus really good art.

And in the novel, Antares giving his name to Jin-Woo was actually a significant moment. Unlike in the manhwa, where he just announced his name like it was whatever. Still not over that.

Right, I think I’m just rambling at this point. Really, it’s up to you whether you want to read the novel. I think you can write a good fanfic by just reading the manhwa, but you’ll have a more complete picture of what’s going on in canon if you read the novel too.

#Solo Leveling #novel vs manhwa #everyone else #feel free to add any differences that you remember

26 notes · View notes

lollytea · 2 years

Note

What do you think Flapjacks opinion on Willow is? Sure, I bet he likes how happy she makes Hunter but like, will he ever just cuddle with her? Or just nuzzle on top of her head while gardening? ( I also like to think he's the ultimate wingman for Hunter, besides Gus ofc.)

And do you think him and Clover get along well? I've seen some people ship Flapjack and her but I'm not sure what my opinion is on it overall.

A thing we've noticed is that Flapjack has interacted with Luz, Amity and Gus. But not directly with Willow. Flapjack pushed Hunter to socialize with Amity and Gus and inserted himself into the moment while he was talking with Luz. But when it comes to Hunter and Willow, Flapjack stays out of the way. So like there's absolutely nothing canon to determine how he feels about her. EXCEPT for their established personalities and motives, which honestly mesh perfectly.

Flapjack is almost entirely driven by the safety, wellbeing and happiness of Hunter and it's shown that the thing that earns his approval of other people is how they treat Hunter.

And like Willow?? She's kind to Hunter, she's affectionate with Hunter, she challenges Hunter, she inspires Hunter to be his best self. I'm pretty sure she's ticking every box on the list of traits Flapjack looks for in a friend for Hunter. (Unfortunately she does not carry crabapple claws in her pockets. But other than that, she's golden.)

But I feel like the most important thing is how protective she is. Willow is all about keeping her loved ones safe, as is Flapjack. And fortunately for them, they share a loved one.

Think of that scene in King's Tide where Willow catches Hunter out of the air but consider it from Flapjack's perspective. He was making a nose dive to save Hunter in that moment but he wasn't going to make it. But then in swooped Willow in the nick of time. You KNOW Flapjack was like "Oh YOU!! I LIKE YOU!!!"

Hunter feels safe around Willow and I like to think that not only does Flapjack pick up on it, but it also puts his own anxiety at ease. Protecting Hunter is his job obviously but it's nice to know that he doesn't have to be so vigilant if Willow is around.

Speaking of Flapjack and vigilance, it's my headcanon that he doesn't feel safe without Hunter. He can't sleep unless he's nearby. They are each others' guardians.

But one day Hunter is wandering around the Noceda household, calling his name. He eventually finds Willow in the garden, Flapjack fast asleep in the cup of her hands. And Hunter is just. Completely stunned. But then he just shrugs, figuring that it's actually not that surprising at all. If he feels completely safe around Willow, why wouldn't Flapjack?

But yeah Willow is so tender and Flapjack loves attention so you KNOW she would smother him with affection and he would eat it up. He's snuggle up in the crook of her shoulder while Hunter is preoccupied.

It makes me think of that one Riley comic where its not even huntlow centric but it has the kids watching TV and Clover is curled up on Hunter's head while Flapjack is on Willow. That shit is SO cute.

As for wingman Flapjack, I feel like, for the most part, he allows Hunter to take control of the situation. And even if its awkward and disastrous, Flapjack doesn't intervene because at least he's trying and being his real authentic self.

It's when Hunter hesitates to approach her or say the things he wants to say that Flapjack gets on his case about it. He doesn't force Hunter into anything he doesn't want to do, only pesters him to do the things he does want to do deep down. His method of getting Hunter to do things is "Pull hair - ???? - Profit."

Flapjack and Clover are friends!! It's not mentioned a lot but we gotta remember that all of the palismen (except maybe Ghost.) lived with Batqueen and were all in the same group for Palismen Adoption Day. Who knows how long they've all known each other. Could be over a century for all we know.

I dont ship palismen. They are strictly aro creatures in my mind. I see them as these little guys that are just so filled to the brim with love but not the kind of love that easily slots into any specific category (friendship, familial, romantic etc.) It's just LOVE yknow? They're fucking bursting with love. They love their witches, they love the people their witches love. Huge hearts and tiny brains. I love palismen.

102 notes · View notes

historian-crown · 1 year

Text

Ok we all saw this one and in all honesty: This could mean anything. But it made me think again: what is going to happen next story wise. My brain jumped around while listening to a few songs and now i have the theory that both "Terzo resurracted" and "Copia Antichrist" could be true. Let me explain:

It really hit me today after listening to "hunters moon" again. I am aware that the song is a movie soundtrack, but what if it is more. It is part of the standart album after all. So why not look at it from a ghost storytelling standpoint.

The lyrics are pretty clear "Undead person comming back for an "old friend" and hunting them down". This could easily be Terzo who got resurected and wants to revenge himself and his brothers. "My memories are fading" He is loosing his sense of self in the prozess. Still he remembers who he was and who did take that away from him. He starts hunting down Copia since Terzo is convinced he is behind all of this. Who else would it be? He did profit out of it. He became papa. He has to be the one responsible and he has to P A Y.

In his rage undead Terzo wants the man who took his life to suffer. Now we have a few options this could go including "loosing his head" cause Terzo did so as well, but what would be most poetic would be giving Copia the most unsatanic death ever...a crucifixion. Shaming him by the kind of death christian martyrs prayed for (i am not joking, just look up the history of jesuits in japan, some of them went there just to fucking die).

To put a timeline on this: Terzo comming back for real would be teased before the summer tour. The tour itself would be played by Copia until the last song at the last show. Copia would be taken captive by a new version of ghouls (i do not say they swap the people in the band, but they might get new personas). Terzo walks on stage and the band starts to play hunters moon or square hammer.

The crucifixion would be a youtube video most likely. Not sure how far they would go in depicting that, but i have a vivid image in my mind where copia is upside down on the cross and terzo is tapping his head 3 times with a black square hammer (cause the christian one used for the popes is white).

Here sister imperator comes into play. We know by now that she is Copias mother. Like this is not even a theory anymore she almost said in that one facetime video (Take care now, i love you, i like you,...you know the one) that she is his mother, so this is clearly canon. She might be standing next to this scene, holding back tears. She stays there after everybody else leaves and when finally alone she kneels down beside the cross with her her dead baby boy nailed to it and just starts to cry like holy mary did at the crucifixion of jesus. Difference is that she ofc is not holding his feet but his head since he is upside down.

Now we are in a new Terzo era with a new album, maybe even 2 since i think this era could be around 3 years long. Why 3 years? Well it took christ 3 days to come back....maybe it takes the antichrist 3 years. Tobias might hint him comming back over and over again in small details. Nothing huge, just normal stuff like hitting us more and more with the fact that the antichrist is near (smaaaaaall stuff ya know).

Anyways, 3 years later Copia, now with horns and other stuff that tell us he is the true born son of satan, overthrows Terzo again. Here the song "witch image" comes into play. Terzo at some point starts to realise who Copia really is before he comes back (Maybe seestor tells or he gets it ln his own). The lyrics of "Witch image" now tell the story of Terzos biggest fear. He does not want his time to be over. Never want him to appear, but Copia is closer then he thinks. Terzo can now not undo what he has done to Copia. Also the "someones flesh is rotting tonight" part makes me think of Copia draining the life energy out of Terzo. He is undead after all and most likely the energy that keeps Terzo alive cones from the devil himself? Why would the devil feed the murderer of the antichrist? Well easy, Copia needed to die to be awakend to his final form.

Maybe that also explains the last part of the song "But like a mother would save her own child from digging a grave" Seestor knew all along who her child was and that all of this needed to happen. That is why she did nothing against Terzo in the first place. She knew, she knew all along and let Terzo think he won when in reality he is just a tool in satans game to awaken the antichrist.

Copia now reenters the plot, riding in on a pale white horse, to finally end not only the reign of the undead, but also end humanity as the manifested beast.... whoms mark he btw already has on his chest aka the 666 "tattoo" we know about. And all of this just because Terzo came back to kill him.

Thank you for comming to my TED talk

42 notes · View notes

icedmochasi · 2 years

Note

i was on youtube and came across the clip of hunter’s ‘research notes on flapjack’ and remembered that he comments that when he asked eber darius and raine about flapjacks, he says eberwolf hissed/growled at him ‘as per usual,’ then that darius ignored him, ‘again, as per usual,’ and i’m thinking about how like. if darius came across it post dou it might be the thing that pushes him over the line of not addressing his emotions.

Yeah, how Darius and Eberwolf treated Hunter pre ASiAS are not their shining moments, for sure. I don't think they were ever actively mean to Hunter before Darius lashed out at the beginning of ASiAS, but still. There are several explanations for their behavior: Hunter is too loyal so they can't trust him, Hunter doesn't think for himself, he might ruin everything if he finds out, they don't want to fight this teenager if he gets in their way so they need to keep their distance. Maybe they are frustrated because they don't know how to save this kid from himself when he's so loyal. Maybe they both knew Hunter's predecessor and resented this kid being in the Golden Guard spot. Who knows, really.

Either way, it doesn't excuse their behavior. It's only an explanation. (And, really, Raine knew something was up and looked the other way. Eda was there when Amity restrained Hunter and let it happen. Hunter has beefed with everyone in his current found family at this point, but Darius and Eberwolf aren't the only ones who treated Hunter differently for that devotion to Belos, that's for sure)

Darius probably told Eberwolf everything that happened at the end ASiAS and that probably caused Eberwolf to soften towards Hunter, as well.

The moment Darius saw signs that Hunter can think for himself, he instantly softened towards Hunter, so I think Eberwolf would too.

It's heavily implied Darius and Hunter spent time together post-ASiAS with the sowing, at least. So Eberwolf was probably there at times as well.

Then, Hollow Mind, it's aftermath, and the incident at Hexside changes EVERYTHING.

I don't think Hexside reached out to The CATTs, I think The CATTs reached out to Hexside when they heard about happened.

Oh, how the tides turned.

Whatever time these three spent together after Darius and Hunter worked things out probably deepened their bond immensely. Again, since Eberwolf and Darius are kind of a package deal, Eberwolf was probably there at times too.

Eberwolf was probably in on the plan to keep Hunter away from the Titan's head, since Raine's students knew about it.

This is why I love the dynamic canon is building slowly but surely between Darius and Hunter. The idea of those two plus Eberwolf getting to see each other for who they are really are, and gradually becoming found family because of it? Letting go of the ideals the Emperor's coven taught them, and realizing how well they click? Chef's kiss.

But, I can totally see Darius and Eberwolf finding that journal one day after Hunter vanishes and they can't find him. And just breaking down because how could they have ever treated him that way? They are not the same people as the ones he described in his research notes, but it is something they did. If they haven't apologized to Hunter yet, then they will.

Which is why I hope we get to see Darius's reaction to the Grimwalker reveal, at least. (Well, if he doesn't already know, I think it is a 50-50 possibility at least). But, I think their reactions to it, when they first find out, are going to be: Horror. Disgust. RAGE. Kill mode towards Belos, activated.

So, yeah, this is just me, reading between the lines of what we have been told/seen, and also kinda adding some of my headcanons too it.

(Disclaimer, please don't come onto this post and start discussing how Eberwolf and Darius are horrible, or anything, that's not what I am here for. Thanks!)

#toh #toh spoilers #the owl house #the owl house spoilers #idk for mentioning some of the times that happened in canon #toh darius #darius toh #hunter toh #toh hunter #toh eberwolf #eberwolf toh

92 notes · View notes

my-time-at-brainrot · 1 year

Text

my sandrock ocs and their pairings :)

also a wip doodle of sonia and fang lmao

(current patch spoilers under cut)

Sonia and Fang, main save and also the one I care the most about lmao

Completely opposite personalities: Sonia has pretty much limitless energy, can talk for hours off of one tangent, very extroverted, just really excited to be around people and likes getting to know all sorts of folks, while Fang is... not any of that.

Both are the type to get absorbed into their work, but Fang gets in his own head over whether or not he's done something wrong to make Sonia stay away, but in reality Sonia kinda just forgot that she existed for a week lol

Tangentially related to the above: Sonia is so incredibly clumsy in day to day life. She trips over her own feet, falls out of chairs, stumbles when she stands in the same spot for too long, walks into walls, stubs her toes, etc. Fang first saw this after Sonia fell off of the observation table at his clinic, and thought that she had some type of balancing issue, but in actuality she just doesn't pay attention when she feels comfortable.

Because of this Fang is understandably Very Anxious about Sonia being involved with the Civil Corps, even though she is very much capable of keeping herself alive in combat situations

Sonia is usually the one making date plans, which both parties are happy about, though Sonia would like Fang to be more open about his needs.

sonia, preparing for a dangerous event: "nah dude, dude, dude i'm fine, i have hella plot armor i'm aight dude trust me"

fang, remembering their last date at the saloon where sonia dunked her hand into blazing hot coffee after being warned that it was in fact boiling hot not once, not twice, but five times by owen: "...no."

As far as Fang's canon romance storyline goes: Fang slowly comes out of his shell over the course of Sonia's time at Sandrock, and their friendship (and eventual romance) is a very slow burn (that I still have to outline but I'll get to it when I get to it)

Sonia could not cook at all before coming to Sandrock. She ate raw potatoes out of the ground, dirt and all, "that's where the REAL nutrients are!" she would say. It was really only after Arvio's comedic failure with the Spicy Bean Paste that she gave cooking a genuine try.

Fang was not aware of this until Juno joked about it during their first wedding anniversary. Something about Sonia putting in the time to develop a completely new skill on the off chance it could make him happy... made him emotional for a bit.

There's one particular line from "Words to Betray the Heart" that say something about the Builder being so perfect and how Fang would be a burden on someone like that etc etc etc, and uh. Man. Can't really articulate it rn but in short it's rather important of a trigger for Sonia, so there's absolutely self esteem issues in both parties that have to get ironed out if this relationship can be healthy

Sonia did do the medical trials, and it went something like:

sonia: hm.

fang: ...

sonia: hey.

fang: ...?

sonia: i'm gonna drink all three of these at once.

fang: ?!?!

sonia: *devours all contents of the bottles faster than lightning and passes out immediately*

fang: ??????????????

^ repeated for a comical amount of time until Fang finally bans her from FREE MED WEDNESDAY/FRIDAYS (TM)

Juno and Logan, the secondary save and heavily dependent on main story updates AND romance update in june/may :))))) so this is going to be rewritten without a question when the proper romance quests come out

so how normal are we about logan :)

Surface level: Juno is a Civil Corps monster hunter, Logan’s Pa was a monster hunter (and Logan is too lol) so they bond over sharing knowledge of the desert’s beasties and train together in remote areas of the desert.

Very early on, Juno develops a keen sense of... secrecy around Logan and the real nature of his departure and relationship to Sandrock as a whole, and ends up confiding in Elsie about his suspicions, but not much is really going on until Water Tower Moment (Gone Wrong)

Juno is, in short, the truest definition of orphan you can get. There is no one that ever knew his family, nor his parents’ names, or if he had any siblings. His memory only really starts around the time that he met Sonia, and being in Sandrock is only distressing him further about his lack of memories

That’s part of the reason that Juno is so drawn to Logan. The plot just doesn’t make sense to him.

Can someone really love their Pa so much that the grief destroys everything they once loved? Can Juno ever know that type of love? (and other hurty questions)

Logan is tied to Sandrock, and keeps his hometown so near and dear to his heart. Juno... doesn’t have anything like that. If he died tomorrow, only Sonia would notice and care. No one else would even bat an eye.

During the Duvos invasion, Juno goes missing. Logan is concerned, but quickly realizes that his concern is based in something more than simple comradery, and makes the super duper mega healthy decision to suppress his feelings.

oh what’s this? oh boy oh boy! work in progress ocs!

Lily and Mi-an, the planned save for full release and a Builder power couple (and admittedly Mi-an the one I know the least about romance wise, but builder power couple cute)

With Yan arrested and awaiting trial in Atara, Sandrock is down a Workshop and Builder, which is especially bad news for the more remote villages around Sandrock. Sonia writes to her old friend Lily (her godparents’ daughter) and invites her to fill the position on behalf of City Hall. Lily is ecstatic and jumps on the opportunity.

Lily and Mi-an immediately hit it off and spend hours talking about various builder nerd stuff.

Out of the relationships I’m writing, this one is definitely the most casually, normally paced.

Romance wise, they present a Heart Knot to each other at the same time, so they are on the same wavelength most of the time.

Mi-an has bouts of self confidence issues, but Lily is rather quick to hype her up and comfort her if needed

Similarly, Lily sometimes needs scheduling help, so Mi-an is happy to help coordinate commissions for Ultimate Productivity (So We Have Time To Watch Old World Romance Movies)

Armaros (they/she) and Owen, Schrodinger’s save (as in I have renamed this oc like 7 times and will probably rename her another 5 times) as well as the bachelor that I am going to take the most creative liberties with edit 4/23: mhm, i did in fact change their name an eighth time lmaoooo

Rose is completely, totally mute. They never spoken a word and never will, as it is physiologically impossible for them to verbalize their thoughts. No amount of “encouragement” will change this and they are very exhausted arguing this.

Rose visited Sonia (former coworkers) in Sandrock about a couple months or so into her contract, and stayed at the Blue Moon during her week long visit.

Owen and Rose’s initial meeting is, well, awkward to say the least. It took Owen a little bit to catch on to why the blond wasn’t saying anything in response to him and only pointing to menu items, and he was very apologetic once Rose passed a note to him explaining themself.

Owen wouldn’t exactly admit that it was immediate love, but he was captivated by their general vibe and wanted to get to know them better

Of course, Rose did go back home to Highwind, but the two stayed in contact via letters. Owen writes very kind, cordial letters, and Rose writes in an elegant, poetic style. Soon the content of their letters would turn more romantic and emotional.

Rose has the special, unparalleled ability to quickly get people comfortable with them. Owen and Rose have similar warm vibes, but accomplish this through different ways. Owen talks to you like you’ve known each other forever, and Rose is a gentle attentive listener that takes her time responding/giving advice to someone.

Rose is pretty Church of Light religious in comparison to other ocs, so they do utilize some scripture and similar sentiments in their letters to Owen.

Until there is more Owen content, there’s not much else canon I can play with, so I will probably rewrite portions, but the general idea is going to be the same.

Bonus: a Rose and Fang interaction

Rose: :)

fang: ...Have needs, query X.

Rose: :|

fang: ...

Rose, holding up her notepad: (I’m mute. Please be patient with me. -w-)

fang: ...oh. (internally: thank you, peach...)

#my time at sandrock #mtas #ocs #fang #logan #mi-an #owen #this is the most writing i have done in like 5 weeks ah

9 notes · View notes

the-beskar-alchemist · 1 year

Text

Episode 3

Welp here we go again!

My ramblings about tonight's episode, as always spoilers both series/in-game below the cut

-Joel making a grave-marker for Tess, and having to wait until they’re 10-miles away (my heart)

-Seems like they’re dropping hints about hunters (raiders), which means we’ll probably be getting to the second part of that conversation in a later episode

-Joel sucking at shooting is just further proof he was NOT in the military, but also it makes those of us who can’t aim very well in the game feel so seen lol

-So they replaced the Angel Knives arcade game with Mortal Kombat, which I can understand because, while AK would’ve been a nice inclusion for the sake of the fans, using MK instead helps non-gamers to feel more connected to the series

-“Just you”, Joel still at it lol

-We FINALLY get a reference to menstruation in a zombie-type series, although I’m surprised there were any tampons left after 20-years. The thing is while Joel doesn’t seem phased by the concept of periods, I’d imagine what with it being this early into their relationship he’s not going to be much help in that department because he’s still maintaining distance

-I’m curious as to why they’re not using in-game terminology to differentiate between the infected. It feels like they’re leaving it kind of vague so there’s room to play with canon info.

-Ellie being curious about the infection is understandable, and I realize the infected aren’t “people” anymore, but cutting one open like that? I’m wondering if this is an attempt at foreshadowing for [redacted]

-They moved up the plane conversation, which I can understand, they’re probably trying to plan ahead for pacing

-There’s no in-game explanation as to how the infection started, so they had plenty of room to flesh out a theory. Given big food companies collective histories of having consumer goods recalled it’s very plausible for the epidemic to occur that way (also Joel remembering pancakes?????)

-Friday night, September 26th 2003 - “A day that will live in infamy” in the eyes of Joel Miller

-Joel trying to shield Ellie from the horrible truth about the military, it’s a given that FEDRA was not well thought-of in the QZ but to actually see firsthand how cruel they could be hits you hard in the gut (Also in the game, the conversation about how FEDRA tried to control the spread was separate from the “these people weren’t infected” convo regarding the pile of bodies, it looks like they combined the two for pacing)

-The fact that, without having seen the casting choices beforehand, I could automatically tell that was Bill

-Took 3 episodes but we finally see a gas mask lol

-Am I the only one that’s tickled they included Home Depot??

-Bill being a prepper turned survivalist, I love how giddy he was when he realized he could do whatever

-2007 Frank - Where’s the Hawaiian shirt??? (”He’s the only idiot who would wear a shirt like that”.....as game!Bill would say)

-I love how Bill tries to act aloof but he’s totally standing on ceremony for Frank, my socially-awkward boy is not used to having people around (in-game Bill actually preferred it that way…..kinda)

-Serenading your house-guest on the first day? If that’s not a clear-cut sign that he’s into you I don’t know what else to say (also the fine dining? The little flair with pouring the wine?)

-Bill probably spent YEARS hiding his true self, it took an apocalypse to finally give him the freedom he needed to come out, I’d imagine if he was a prepper than he probably came from a redneck/conservative type family who didn’t support his lifestyle (speaking as someone with a redneck family)

-In the last episode the “nudity” warning had people thinking Joel and Tess were going to smash but they were blindsided by a naked infected woman instead. The irony of this is funny to me considering how Joel/Tess were not portrayed as being romantic in the way that everyone hoped, but then HBO spends an entire episode showing Bill/Frank being all loving and domestic

-Some part of me wonders if Tess was pretending that she and Joel were on a double-date with Frank/Bill (also I just can’t picture Tess as a fine-dining type of person, but eh……live a little while you can), and then there’s Joel trying to avoid putting a name on their “situation”

-Welcome to another episode of Construction Corner with Joel Miller

-So the interesting thing about show!Frank and show!Bill, they are WAY more domestic than their in-game counterparts. Game!Bill was such a hardass, he snapped at Ellie repeatedly, he kept giving Joel a hard time for coming to him for help. Show!Bill is so soft and considerate, he’s still stubborn but that comes with the territory of post-apocalyptic survival. This is such a twist on their part of the story, but it still works…? They weren’t even together in the game, Bill referred to Frank as a “fuckin’ idiot” and only claimed him as a “partner” (not in the LGBTQ sense, he literally meant like a work partner type situation), but he still showed clear signs of having feelings for him

-Frank dying of cancer seems like a “nicer” way to go (game!Frank was repeatedly bitten while away from Bill and wasn’t found until much later), but the series kept true to his desire to “go out” on his own terms, in this case it was an overdose (in-game it was by hanging)

-“Give me one more good day” - and Bill fucking DELIVERED

-I think it’s funny that it’s been 16-years and Bill still hasn’t covered that hole back up to reset the trap, but also it’s very symbolic of how (without Frank) there would be a huge hole in Bill’s life

- “You were my purpose” </3

- I’m thinking Frank has cancer, they mention not being able to find a cure before the outbreak

- Not the fucking couple’s suicide!!

-Oh FUCK no, I know ya’ll didn’t just use that same damn music from [redacted] in the game!!!

- Bill thinks well enough of Joel that he gave him the passcode for the gate at least

-Joel automatically knows something’s off because of the flowers, shows how observant he is and how well he knows Frank because you know Bill’s not going to be concerned about flowers unless Frank’s involved

-So instead of having the found-letter be left for Bill by Frank, it’s Bill leaving a last will and testament for Joel. Again this feels like a pacing thing, considering how complicated in-game Frank/Bill’s relationship was, and how much they butted heads

-Poor Joel, he just keeps losing people. I’m starting to think this is part of a setup for the part of the game where [redacted]

-Joel is still kinda paranoid about Ellie’s bite mark it seems

-We FINALLY get the trademark outfits for them!!

-I love that Ellie thinks the truck is a spaceship, but I’m kinda bummed we don’t get the bonding moment where Ellie pops the clutch

-No comicbook???

- I can’t believe they cut my favorite cut-scene, that is such an iconic moment

-I thought for a second they were going to show a glimpse of Frank/Bill holding hands but the shot through the open window is much better (also I like how it kind of mirrors the in-game menu animation)

Stellar performances by everyone once again (not as many Joel/Ellie scenes as I would’ve liked but still enjoyed the episode all the same)

I’m kind of bummed that we didn’t get the iconic Ellie/Bill moments (the pipe-hitting? “I am none of your goddamn business!” ?? “Best stay on my ass” / “Can’t miss it” ??)

I can understand why they made changes to Bill/Frank’s story, given how dark the game can be, it’s refreshing to see at least someone in the show have a happy ending (even in such a sad way)

(Seriously though?? Ya’ll took away my favorite cut-scene??? Please tell me my favorite little klepto found the [redacted] and we’ll get the cut-scene next week)

#tlou #the last of us #the last of us series #tlou spoilers #pedro pascal #joel miller #bella ramsey #ellie williams #nick offerman #bill x frank #murray bartlett

9 notes · View notes